Shellfish waste obtained from seafood processing plants contains chitin, protein and calcium carbonate. Chitin is a versatile biopolymer with many applications. Conventionally, chitin is separated from calcium carbonate and protein by acid and alkali respectively. In this project, a biotechnological approach was applied to recover chitin from scampi (Nephrops norvegicus) waste using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to produce lactic acid from glucose which lowers the pH of the mixture, thus preserving the waste from spoilage. The acid also dissolves the calcium carbonate and under these conditions native enzymes breakdown the protein (autolysis), thus affording a substantial amount of purification of chitin. LAB were isolated and identified from various shellfish waste fermentations. Studies on their acid-producing ability revealed a few potentially good strains, identified as Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus sp. The strain of Lactobacillus paracasei was used as a starter culture in the fermentation of shellfish waste in a horizontal rotating bioreactor in order to evaluate the feasibility of the process. The design of the bioreactor was such that it enabled separation of solid and liquid end products during fermentation. Several important fermentation parameters were studied including mode of rotation, concentration of glucose, temperature, rotation rates, loading capacity, type and particle size of waste. Partial purification of the scampi waste was achieved using both batch and fed batch operation, but in the latter, improved purification was achieved at the cost of increased glucose consumption and extended fermentation times. Whilst higher temperatures increased the rates of fermentation, higher rotation rates seemed to have the reverse effect. Mincing the waste helped to increase breakdown of protein whilst larger particles tended to undergo rapid spoilage. Analysis of the chitin product enabled this method to be compared with the conventional method. The results obtained showed that this method is capable of saving large volumes of chemicals and besides producing chitin, the protein liquor by-product could also be used as an ingredient in an animal feed which is not possible by the conventional method.

O gênero Lactobacillus é o principal grupo de bactérias contaminantes em dornas de fermentação para produção de etanol em larga escala. A alta proliferação destes microrganismos prejudica a viabilidade de cepas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae selecionadas, podendo diminuir a produção de etanol nas dornas de fermentação. Os métodos mais utilizados para identificação destes microrganismos são bioquímicos e moleculares baseados na sequência do DNA, que são muito demorados, onerosos e muitas vezes remetem a resultados ambíguos. MALDI-TOF MS é uma poderosa ferramenta de identificação microbiana e foi testada neste trabalho para identificação de diferentes isolados de Lactobacillus e S. cerevisiae presentes no processo de produção de etanol. Os métodos de preparo e aplicação da amostra para aquisição espectral foram estabelecidos, tanto para bactérias quanto para leveduras. Vinte e sete isolados de Lactobacillus foram identificados pela região 16S rDNA e dois genes housekeeping, pheS e groEL e, três cepas de leveduras selecionadas do processo foram identificadas pela região ITS e 28S nr-LSU. As identificações genômicas foram contrastadas com as identificações obtidas com o perfil proteico por MALDI-TOF MS e 97% dos Lactobacillus tiveram a mesma classificação molecular que o gene pheS, eleito como o mais discriminatório, e 100% das cepas de leveduras foram classificadas como S. cerevisiae por ambas as técnicas. A técnica MALDI- TOF MS se mostrou altamente eficiente para discriminação intraespecífica de leveduras e interespecífica de Lactobacillus, não havendo apenas discriminação para isolados classificados como L. casei pelos genes housekeeping. Além disso, quando comparado o poder discriminatório da técnica MALDI-TOF MS em relação ao banco de dados espectral disponível no Biotyper e, posteriormente, ao banco de dados complementar criado neste trabalho com os microrganismos próprios do processo de produção de etanol, houve um aumento de 57 a 100% das repetições que foram identificadas ao nível de espécie com alta confiabilidade. Desta forma, os resultados deste estudo mostraram que a técnica MALDI-TOF MS pode ser utilizada como uma alternativa rápida e eficaz para identificação de Lactobacillus e Saccharomyces do processo etanólico. / The genus Lactobacillus is the main group of contaminating bacteria in fermentation tanks for large-scale ethanol production. The high proliferation of these organisms affect the viability of selected strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which can reduce the production of ethanol in fermentation tanks. The most used methods for identifying these microorganisms are biochemical and molecular based on DNA sequence, which are very time-consuming, costly and often revert to ambiguous results. MALDI-TOF MS is a powerful microbial identification tool and it was tested in this work to identify different isolates of Lactobacillus and S. cerevisiae present in the ethanol production process. The sample preparation and application in the MALDI plate for spectral acquisition were established for both bacteria and yeasts. Twenty-seven isolates of Lactobacillus were identified by the 16S rDNA region and two housekeeping genes (pheS and groEL genes) and three yeast strains selected from the process were identified by the ITS and 28S nr-LSU regions. The genomic identifications were compared with the MALDI-TOF MS protein profiles and 97% of the Lactobacillus had the same molecular classification as the pheS gene, which was chosen as the most discriminatory gene, and 100% of the yeast strains were classified as S. cerevisiae by both techniques. The MALDI-TOF MS technique proved highly efficient for intraspecific yeast and interspecific discrimination of Lactobacillus, and there was no discrimination for isolates classified as L. casei by housekeeping genes. Furthermore, when compared to the discriminatory power of MALDI-TOF MS technique in relation to spectral database available on Biotyper and subsequently, the complementary database created in this work with the microorganisms themselves in the ethanol production process, there was an increase from 57 to 100% of the repetitions that were identified at the species level with high reliability. Thus, the results of this study showed that the MALDI-TOF MS technique can be used as a fast and efficient alternative for the identification of Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces of the ethanolic process.

Bacteriocinas produzidas por bactérias láticas (BAL) apresentam um importante potencial de aplicação na bioconservação de alimentos, por sua ação antimicrobiana contra algumas espécies de microrganismos patogênicos de relevância, como Listeria monocytogenes. Este estudo analisou o efeito da interação entre cepas selecionadas de BAL produtoras de bacteriocinas com outras BAL viáveis ou não viáveis (bacteriocinogênicas ou não) na indução da produção de bacteriocinas. O efeito dos metabólitos produzidos por estas cepas na indução da bacteriocinogênese também foi avaliado. As cepas produtoras de bacteriocinas selecionadas para o estudo foram Lactobacillus sakei MBSa1, produtora de sakacina A e Pediococcus acidilactici ET34, produtora de pediocina, isoladas de salame e salmão defumado, respectivamente. A produção de pediocina por P. acidilactici ET34 foi avaliada também em leite em pó desnatado reconstituído, além de meio de cultura (caldo MRS). Os resultados indicaram que, quando em co-cultura com Enterococcus faecalis ATCC12755, Lactobacillus sakei ATCC15521 ou Listeria monocytogenes (cepas 104, 711 e 637), ou na presença do sobrenadante livre de células (SLC) dessas culturas, nenhuma das duas cepas testadas produziu maior quantidade de bacteriocina do que a produzida quando em monocultura ou na ausência do SLC. A bacteriocina produzida por P. acidilactici ET34 apresentou um efeito bacteriostático contra L. monocytogenes 104 no leite em pó desnatado reconstituído nas 12 h analisadas, com extensão da fase lag, de forma dose-dependente. Os resultados indicaram, também, que P. acidilactici ET34 não foi capaz de produzir pediocina no leite em pó desnatado reconstituído quando em monocultura ou em co-cultura, ao contrário do observado para o caldo MRS. Mais investigação é necessária para esclarecer os efeitos de possíveis interações entre as BAL presentes em um alimento, bem como o efeito dos componentes dos alimentos na produção das bacteriocinas pelas BAL bacteriocinogênicas. / Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present an important application potential in food biopreservation, by their antimicrobial activity against some species of pathogenic microorganisms of relevance, such as Listeria monocytogenes. This study analyzed the effect of the interaction between selected strains of bacteriocin-producing LAB with other viable or non-viable LAB (bacteriocinogenic or not) in the induction of bacteriocin production. The effect of the metabolites produced by these strains on the induction of bacteriocinogenesis was also evaluated. The bacteriocin-producing strains selected for the study were Lactobacillus sakei MBSa1, producer of sakacin A and Pediococcus acidilactici ET34, producer of pediocin, isolated from salami and smoked salmon, respectively. The production of pediocin by P. acidilactici ET34 was also evaluated in reconstituted skimmed milk powder as well as culture medium (MRS broth). The results indicated that when co-cultivated with Enterococcus faecalis ATCC12755, Lactobacillus sakei ATCC15521 or Listeria monocytogenes (strains 104, 711 and 637), or in the presence of the cell free supernatant (SLC) of these cultures, neither of the two strains tested produced greater amount of bacteriocin than that produced in monoculture or in the absence of SLC. The bacteriocin produced by P. acidilactici ET34 presented a bacteriostatic effect against L. monocytogenes 104 in skimmed milk powder reconstituted in 12h, with extension of lag phase, in a dose-dependent manner. The results also indicated that P. acidilactici ET34 was not able to produce pediocin in the reconstituted skimmed milk powder when in monoculture or in co-culture, unlike that observed for the MRS broth. More research is needed to clarify the effects of possible interactions between BAL present in a food and the effect of food components on bacteriocin production by bacteriocinogenic BAL.

No presente trabalho procurou-se avaliar os tipos de metabolismo existentes em espécies e linhagens de Latobacillus isoladas de ambiente de fermentação alcoólica industrial. Para tal, 17, linhagens foram crescidas por 24 horas a 32 ºC, em meio de glicose e frutose (1% de cada açúcar) suplementado com extrato de levedura, minerais e tampão. O crescimento bacteriano foi estimado por plaqueamento e abosrbância a 600 nm, enquanto que no meio de crescimento foram estimados, mediante cromatografia de alta eficiência, os teores de ácido lático, ácido acético e etanol. Os isômeros óticos D(-)- e L(+)-lactato foram dosados enzimaticamente mediante espectrofotometria a 340nm, empregando-se desidrogenases estereoespcíficas. Os resultados mostraram que entre as 17 linhagens de Latobacillus avaliadas foram observados os três tipos de metabolismo : homofermentativo obrigatório (8 linhagens), heterofermentativo facultativo (1 linhagem) e heterofermentativo obrigatório (8 linhagens). Observou-se também uma relação estequiométrica dos produtos formados (lactato, acetato e etanol), condizente com os passos metabólicos característicos de cada grupo. Os resultados também permitem deduzir que quanto à formação dos isômeros óticos, houve predominância das linhagens tipo DL (produção simultânea dos dois isômeros), sobre as linhagens D e L. No entanto foram encontradas linhagens produzindo 100% de um dado isômero (D e L), descortinando a possibilidade de que linhagens isoladas de processo industrial de produção de etanol, possam atender demandas biotecnológicas que requeiram proporções definidas dos isômeros. Foi possível deduzir que a utilização dos teores de ácido lático na avaliação da contaminação bacteriana deve ser considerada com ressalvas, especialmente no caso do emprego do ácido L(+)-lático, e notadamente no caso de comunidades bacterianas complexas. / The aim of the present work was to evaluate the metabolism type of 17 Lactobacilli strains isolated from industrial ethanol fermentation plants. The strains were grown, at 32°C for 24 hours, on a mixture of equal amounts of glucose and fructose as the carbon source, and supplemented with yeast extract, mineral nutrients and buffer. Bacterial growth was estimated either by absorbance at 600nm and by plating. The main end products of bacterial metabolism (lactate, acetate and ethanol) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, while the stereoisomers, D(-)- and L(+)-lactate were assayed by an enzymatic methodology using stereospecific lactatedehydrogenases. According to the results, all the three types of metabolism were found among the bacteria investigated: obligately homofermentative (8 strains), facultative heterofermentative (1 strain) and obligately heterofermentative (8 strains). Additionally, it was observed a stoichiometric relationship between the major end products (lactate, acetate and ethanol) in agreement with the metabolic pathway proposed for the different bacterial types (homo- and heterofermentative strains). The results have showed a predominance of strains of DL type, regarding the stereoisomers production. However, it was found strains producing a single type of the isomeric form. These findings suggest the possibility to explore the Lactobacilli biodiversity in fuel ethanol fermentation plants for lactate production of chemically pure optical isomers. It was also observed that the use of lactate content for a chemical evaluation of bacterial contamination may be considered with some restrictions, mainly in the case of L(+)-lactate, and particularly in the case of complex bacterial communities.

Além do aspecto nutricional de suma importância, é notória a contribuição do leite humano para o processo de desenvolvimento da microbiota intestinal do recémnascido, um importante mecanismo de defesa do organismo contra doenças infecciosas. O papel do leite humano como fonte de bactérias probióticas, principais constituintes da microbiota intestinal, tem sido tópico de pesquisas recentes. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de determinar e comparar a composição da microbiota de oito amostras de leite humano e verificar o potencial de utilização desse produto como fonte de bactérias probióticas. Para tanto, utilizaram-se cinco meios de cultivos seletivos para contagem presuntiva de gêneros normalmente encontrados em leite humano: lactococos, enterococos, bifidobactérias e propionibactérias. A análise quantitativa da microbiota demonstrou tendência de diminuição da contagem em função do aumento do tempo de lactação. A análise qualitativa confirmou a presença de distintos gêneros de bactérias lácticas potencialmente probióticas com algumas variações entre as amostras de leite humano. Na segunda etapa 800 colônias isoladas a partir dos cinco meios de cultivos e caracterizadas como bactérias lácticas foram selecionadas quanto às suas propriedades probióticas (produção de bacteriocina, tolerância à acidez e a sais biliares, resistência à antibióticos, capacidade de adesão a chapas de aço inoxidável) e tecnológicas (capacidade de crescimento e sobrevivência em leite). Verificou-se que apenas 15 (1,9%) linhagens produziram bacteriocinas com atividade contra Listeria innocua L11 e Micrococcus luteus ATCC®4698, linhagens utilizadas como indicadoras, por meio do método de antagonismo simultâneo em poços, usando ágar MRS. Treze dessas linhagens também apresentaram atividade contra Bacillus cereus CTC 011, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC®7644, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CTC 204 e Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC®15009. As duas linhagens remanescentes demonstraram atividade principalmente contra Listeria monocytogenes ATCC®7644. Nenhuma das quinze culturas produtoras de bacteriocinas apresentou atividade contra as bactérias Gram-negativas Escherichia coli ATCC® 2074 e Salmonella thyphimuirim ATCC® 2364. Por outro lado, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 1602 foi resistente as quinze bacteriocinas selecionadas neste trabalho. Seis linhagens de bactérias lácticas (BALs) foram selecionadas para avaliação das demais propriedades probióticas. Observou-se que uma dessas linhagens diferenciou-se por apresentar sobrevivência a pH 2,0 e a pH 3,0, enquanto as demais mostraram tolerância apenas a pH 3,0. Todas as linhagens selecionadas apresentaram a capacidade de tolerância a 0,3% de sais biliares, de se aderir à superfície de aço inoxidável e de resistência à clindamicina, eritromicina e gentamicina. Quanto às propriedades tecnológicas, todas as seis linhagens apresentaram capacidade de crescimento em leite e não produziram odor desagradável ou pós-acidificação do leite fermentado durante a estocagem a 4ºC por 28 dias. Notou-se, entretanto, diminuição, de, aproximadamente, 2,0 Log UFC.mL-1, na contagem de células viáveis ao final do período de estocagem. Finalmente, por meio da avaliação dos perfis de fermentação de carboidratos e de outras reações bioquímicas, duas das linhagens isoladas de leite humano foram identificadas como Enterococcus durans e quatro como Enterococcus avium. Os 12 resultados permitem concluir que o leite humano é fonte potencial de bactérias com potencial probiótico para aplicação industrial. / In addition to the nutritional aspect of paramount importance, it is clear the contribution of human milk for the development process of the intestinal tract of the newborn, an important mechanism of defense against infectious diseases. The role of human milk as a source of probiotic bacteria, major constituents of the intestinal microbiota, has been the topic of recent research. This work was carried out to determine and compare the composition of the microbiota of eight human milk samples and verify the potential use of this product as a source of probiotic bacteria. For this purpose, we used five selective culture media for counts of presumptive genera commonly found in human milk: lactococcal, enterococci, bifidobacteria and propionibactérias. The quantitative analysis of microbes showed a trend of decreasing counts as a function of time increased lactation. The qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of different kinds of potentially probiotic lactic acid bacteria with some variations between samples of human milk. In the second stage 800 colonies isolated from the five culture media and characterized as lactic acid bacteria were selected for their probiotic properties (bacteriocin production, tolerance to acid and bile salts, antibiotic resistance, adhesion to stainless steel plates) and technology (ability to grow and survive in milk). It was found that only 15 (1.9%) produced bacteriocin strains with activity against Listeria innocua L11 and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 4698®, strains used as an indicator, by the method of antagonism wells simultaneously, using MRS agar. Thirteen of these strains also showed activity against Bacillus cereus CTC 011, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC® 7644, Lactococcus lactis subsp. CTC 204 lactis and Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15009®. The two remaining strains showed activity mainly against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644®. None of the fifteen cultures producing bacteriocins active against Gram-negative Escherichia coli ATCC 2074® and Salmonella thyphimuirim ATCC 2364®. Moreover, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 1602® was resistant the fifteen bacteriocins selected in this work. Six strains of lactic acid bacteria (BALs) were selected for analysis of other probiotic properties. It was observed that one of these strains distinguished by presenting survival at pH 2.0 and pH 3.0 while the other showed only tolerance to pH 3.0. All strains were selected for the ability tolerance of 0.3% bile salts, of adhering to stainless steel surface and resistance to clindamycin, erythromycin and gentamycin. The technological properties, all six strains were capable of growth in milk and produced no unpleasant odor or post-acidification of the fermented milk during storage at 4°C for 28 days. It was noted, however, decreased from approximately 2,0 Log UFC.mL-1 in the viable cell count at the end of storage period. Finally, by evaluating the profiles of fermentation of carbohydrates and other biochemical reactions, two of the strains isolated from human milk have been identified as Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus avium as four. The results indicate that human milk is a potential source of probiotic bacteria with potential for industrial application.

Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology (Food Technology) Department of Food Technology Faculty of Applied Sciences Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / The aim of this study was to evaluate bambara groundnut milk (BGNM) subjected to fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a probiotic beverage with a view to developing value-added product. Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was used to optimise the hydration time and temperature of BGN flour for optimum BGN milk (BGNM) production. The optimum time and temperature was 2 h at 25oC. The effect of variety was assessed on the quality and consumer acceptability of BGNM prepared from five varieties of BGN (black, red, brown, brown-eye, and black-eye) which were representatives of the BGN available in South Africa. BGNM from the five varieties differed significantly (p<0.05) in, lightness, chroma, redness, yellowness, hue and antioxidative activity, while the pH were not significantly different. The four BGNM samples were significantly different (p < 0.05) in appearance, colour, mouthfeel and overall acceptability but not in aroma and taste. A three factor design (4 x 3 x 3) consisting of probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei and L. plantarum), temperature and fermentation time, were used to estimate the optimal conditions for the production of BGN probiotic beverage (BGNPB). The optimal condition for the production of BGNPB was estimated to be 35oC for 24 h with a desirability of 0.854 for L. bulgaricus. The next promising probiotic was L. plantarum that could be fermented at 35oC for 24 h with 0.843 desirability. BGNM from the red variety were fermented with L. bulgaricus and L. plantarum and L bulgaricus (in combination), making plain and sweetened BGNPB which were evaluated for their quality and consumer acceptability. The four BGNPB samples were significantly different (p < 0.05) in aroma, taste, mouthfeel and overall acceptability but not in appearance and colour. The plain BGNPB were assessed for their proximate composition, antioxidant activity, in vitro probiotic tolerance to simulated gastric juices and bile and a 28 days shelf life study at 5, 15 and 25oC. The protein, total dietary fibre (TDF), ash and antioxidative activity of the BGNPB were significantly different while the fat and carbohydrates were not significantly different. Time and concentration of the gastric juice and bile had significant effects on the percentage bacterial survival of probiotics in the BGNPB. However, the probiotics did survive, in low numbers, in the simulated gastric juice and bile after 180 and 240 minutes of incubation. Titratable acidity, pH, microbial load and colour of the BGNPB were significantly affected by the storage time and temperature during the shelf life study. At the 5oC storage temperature the BGNPB had a right censored shelf life on day 28. At 15oC the shelf life was 18 and 10 days for L bulgaricus and L. plantarum and L. bulgaricus respectively. The outcome of this research showed that a novel BGNPB product can be made from fermenting BGNM with LAB.

Microbial contamination and survival during storage of bread are a cause of both health concerns and economic losses. Traditional fermentation systems were studied as sources of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with antagonistic potential against foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms, with the aim to improve the safety and shelf life of bakery products. The antagonistic activity of four types of buttermilk (BM) products fermented with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis was evaluated against a number of pathogenic bacteria to select the best fermented-BM for application as bio-preservatives in bread crumpets, showing up to 9 µg/ml of nisin equivalent antimicrobial activity. These food ingredients could be suitable to be used in crumpet formulations, BM fermented with Lc. lactis subsp. lactis and nisin influenced the quality and shelf life of crumpets; the pH value and firmness of products with fermented BM was lower and the acidity and springiness was higher than for unfermented BM treatment and control withouth additive. The nisin and fermented BM treatment had beneficial effects on the pore size and colour in comparison with the control, and improved microbial shelf life by 2 days. Commercial and traditional sourdough and bread samples (n=18) were collected to assess the diversity of LAB strains and potential properties when applied to dough and bread. DGGE followed by sequencing showed that Lactobacillus was the predominant genus in the studied sourdoughs. Lb. plantarum and Lb. brevis strains accounted for 69% of the 32 isolates, out of which 10 were amylolytic and 12 had proteolytic activity. Most were also good acid producers after 24 h at 30°C. Some LAB strains presented a strong in vitro inhibitory activity against five indicator strains, showing potential as starter cultures to ferment sourdough. In subsequent experiments, the properties of 24 sourdoughs were evaluated, and one of them, fermented with Lb. plantarum (SIN3) yielded low pH value, high lactic acid production, and suitable microbial growth, and was selected for further bread making performance trials. The bread with fast fermentation and high sourdough concentration (FFHSD) had a lower pH, higher acidity and increased the quality attributes with significantly better shelf life comparing to the other treatments during the storage period. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that fast-fermented breads were more acceptable than the slow-fermented counterparts. Bread prepared with high level (18%) of sourdough fast-fermented with the selected culture (SIN3) had a good eating quality and shelf life. The approach of this study is likely to yield feasible improvements of the current methods of preparation of baking goods.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de cepas de bactérias ácido-láticas (BAL) em remover a aflatoxina M1 (AFM1) em solução tampão fosfato salina (TFS) e em amostras de leite. Nos ensaios com TFS, verificou-se a influência do tempo de contato (15 min. ou 24 horas) entre as células de sete cepas de BAL e AFM1, as diferenças entre a eficiência de remoção das bactérias viáveis e inviabilizadas termicamente, e a estabilidade do complexo BAL/AFM1 formado. As três cepas de BAL com maior percentual (> 33%) de remoção da AFM1 nos ensaios com TFS foram re-avaliadas utilizando-se leite UHT (ultra-high-temperature) desnatado artificialmente contaminado com AFM1. Para isso, foram utilizadas somente células inviabilizadas termicamente, verificando-se o efeito da temperatura (4ºC ou 37ºC) sobre a capacidade de remoção da toxina por 15 minutos. A remoção média da AFM1 pelas cepas de BAL em TFS variou entre 5,60±0,45 e 45,67±1,65% (n=3), sendo que as células inviáveis obtiveram percentuais de remoção de AFM1 significativamente maiores que as células viáveis, em ambos os tempos de contato analisados (15 min. ou 24 horas), não havendo diferença significativa entre os tempos. Observou-se que o complexo BAL/AFM1 obtido nos ensaios com TFS é instável, pois 40,57±4,66 a 87,37±1,82% da AFM1 retida pela bactéria foram recuperados em solução após a lavagem do complexo com TFS. As três cepas de BAL com maior percentual de remoção da AFM1 em TFS (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus e Bifidobacterium lactis) não apresentaram diferenças significativas nos ensaios com leite UHT a 37ºC. Somente B. lactis apresentou maior capacidade de remover a AFM1 do leite UHT a 4ºC. Os resultados demonstraram que a remoção de AFM1 empregando-se as BAL em alimentos é viável para reduzir as concentrações da toxina a níveis seguros. Entretanto, estudos adicionais são necessários a fim de investigar os mecanismos envolvidos na remoção da toxina pelas BAL com vistas à aplicação em indústrias de alimentos. / The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to remove aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and in milk samples. In the assays with PBS, the influence of contact time (15 min. or 24 hours) between the cells of seven LAB strains and AFM1 was evaluated, as well as the differences between the removal efficiency of viable and non-viable (heat-killed) bacteria, and the stability of AFM1/LAB complex produced. The three LAB strains with the highest percentage (> 33%) of AFM1 removal in the tests with PBS were reevaluated using UHT (ultra-high-temperature) skimmed milk spiked with AFM1. For these assays, only non-viable bacterial cells were used for checking the effect of temperature (4ºC or 37ºC) on the toxin removal capacity during 15 min. The mean AFM1 removal by LAB strains in PBS ranged from 5.60±0.45 and 45.67±1.65% (n=3). Non-viable cells showed AFM1 removal percentages significantly higher than viable cells in both contact times (15 min. or 24 hours), although there were not significant differences between these contact times. The AFM1/LAB complex resulted from the tests with PBS was unstable, as 40.57±4.66 to 87.37±1.82% of AFM1 retained by the bacteria were recovered in solution after washing the complex with PBS. The three LAB strains with the highest percentage of AFM1 removal in the PBS assays (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium lactis) showed no significant differences in the UHT skimmed milk assays at 37ºC. Only B. lactis had greater ability to remove AFM1 in UHT milk at 4ºC. The results demonstrated that the removal of AFM1 by using LAB in foods is viable to reduce the toxin concentrations until safe levels. However, additional studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the toxin removal by LAB aiming its application in food industries.

A tecnologia da microencapsulação apresenta várias aplicações na indústria de alimentos. Sabendo-se que diferentes fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos dos alimentos podem influenciar a produção e atividade antimicrobiana das bacteriocinas produzidas pelas bactérias láticas, este estudo teve como principal objetivo avaliar a funcionalidade da encapsulação de bactérias láticas (BAL) bacteriocinogênicas em alginato de cálcio no controle de Listeria monocytogenes em salame experimentalmente contaminado. Para atingir este objetivo, foram isoladas novas cepas de BAL a partir de salame, que foram identificadas e caracterizadas quanto às propriedades das bacteriocinas produzidas, avaliando-se a influência do processo de encapsulação na produção de bacteriocinas. Foram isoladas quatro cepas produtoras de bacteriocinas, identificadas como Lactobacillus sakei (uma cepa), Lactobacillus curvatus (duas cepas) e Lactobacillus plantarum (uma cepa), nomeadas MBSa1, MBSa2, MBSa3 e MBSa4, respectivamente. As bacteriocinas produzidas pelas quatro cepas foram termoestáveis e com exceção da cepa MBSa2, sensíveis a pH acima de 8. Todas inibiram todas as cepas de Listeria monocytogenes testadas e várias espécies de BAL, mas foram inativas contra bactérias Gram negativas. As bacteriocinas foram purificadas por cromatografia de troca iônica seguida de cromatografia de interação hidrofóbica sequencial e cromatografia de fase reversa, observando-se que L. sakei MBSa1 produz um peptídeo de 4303 Da, com uma sequência parcial de aminoacidos idêntica à sequência presente em sakacina A. As cepas MBSa2 e MBSa3 produzem dois peptídeos ativos cada, idênticos nas duas cepas, um de 4457 Da e outro de 4360 Da, que apresentam sequências parciais idênticas às presentes na sakacina P e na sakacina X, respectivamente. Aparentemente, a cepa L. plantarum MBSa4 produz uma bacteriocina composta por duas sub-unidades. O DNA genômico da cepa L. sakei MBSa1 contém os genes da sakacina A e curvacina A, enquanto o DNA da cepa L. plantarum MBSa4 foi positivo para o gene da plantaricina W. A cepa L. curvatus MBSa2 foi encapsulada em alginato de cálcio e testada quanto à produção de bacteriocinas in vitro, observando-se que o processo de encapsulação não influenciou a produção de bacteriocina. Quando testada in situ, ou seja, no salame experimentalmente contaminado com Listeria monocytogenes, não foi observada ação anti-Listeria por L. curvatus MBSa2 encapsulado e não encapsulado, durante o 30 dias de fabricação do salame. / The microencapsulation technology has several applications in the food industry. Knowing that different intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence production and antimicrobial activity of bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria in foods, this study aimed at evaluating the functionality of the encapsulation of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in calcium alginate in the control of Listeria monocytogenes in experimentally contaminated salami. To achieve this goal, new strains of LAB were isolated from salami, identified and characterized for the properties of the produced bacteriocins, evaluating the influence of the encapsulation process in the bacteriocins production. Four bacteriocin producing strains were isolated and identified as Lactobacillus sakei (one strain), Lactobacillus curvatus (two strains) and Lactobacillus plantarum (one strain), named MBSa1, MBSa2, MBSa3 and MBSa4 respectively. The bacteriocins produced by the four strains were thermostable and with the exception of strain MBSa2, sensitive to pH above 8. All inhibited all tested Listeria monocytogenes strains and various species of LAB but were inactive against Gram-negative bacteria. The bacteriocins were purified by cation-exchange followed by sequential hydrophobic-interaction and reversed-phase chromatography, indicating that L. sakei MBSa1 produces a peptide of 4303 Da, with a partial amino acid sequence identical to the sequence present in sakacin A. L. curvatus MBSa2 and MBSa3 produce two active peptides, identical in the two strains, one of 4457 Da and the other of 4360 Da, with partial aminoacid sequences identical to those present in sakacin X and sakacin P, respectively. Apparently, L. plantarum MBSa4 produces a bacteriocin composed of two subunits. Genomic DNA of L. sakei MBSa1indicated that this strain contains genes for sakacin A and curvacin A, while the DNA of L. plantarum MBSa4 was positive for the plantaricin W gene. The strain L. curvatus MBSa2 was encapsulated in calcium alginate and tested for bacteriocin production in vitro, observing that the encapsulation process did not affect the production of bacteriocin. When tested in situ, i.e. in the salami experimentally contaminated with L. monocytogenes was not observed anti-Listeria<i/> action by L. curvatus MBSa2 encapsulated and non-encapsulated during the 30 day manufacture of salami.

Probiotics are viable nonpathogenic microbes that positively affect host health. Probiotics inhibit infection, activate immunity, and promote mucosal-barrier development. Many microbes have probiotic activity. Nonetheless, the selection of stable strains and their specific mechanism(s) of action are not fully elucidated. Bacteria from ‘Amabere amaruranu’ cultured milk from Kenya were isolated and identified by PCR sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Isolates were examined for stability to acid and bile, antimicrobial activity, mucin production, and degradation and sensitivity to antibiotics, hence their potential for probiotics. Lactobacillus isolates were acid unstable, bile-stable, nonmucinolytic, and presented antibacterial activity. L. rhamnosus cell fractions increased MUC4 and MUC3 expression in colon cells. Bacillus isolates were acid and bile stable, nonmucinolytic and lacked antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, Lactobacillus isolates that were nonmucinolytic, stable in bile, demonstrated antibacterial activity, sensitive to antibiotics, and stimulated increase MUC4 and MUC3 levels in colon cells could be potential probiotics.