<div>Advances in modern research have unveiled numerous fundamental and practical benefits of studying the hydrodynamics of microorganisms. Many microorganisms, especially bacteria, actively search for nutrients via a process called chemotaxis. The physical constraints posed by hydrodynamics in the locomotion of microorganisms can combine with their chemotactic ability to significantly affect functions like colonization of nutrient sources. In this thesis, we investigate the interplay between hydrodynamics and chemotaxis toward dictating bacterial distribution around fluid-fluid interfaces, which often act as a source of nutrition. We approach our problem statements using mathematical models and numerical and/or semi-analytical tools. Our studies are particularly relevant in the context of hydrocarbon degradation after oil-spills.</div><div><br></div><div>We begin by showing that the flow generated by rising oil drops delocalizes dissolved nutrient patches in the ocean, and aids chemotactic bacteria in improving their nutrition (over non-chemotactic bacteria) by 45%. We then move from studying colonization of soluble nutrient patches to colonization around nutrient sources, e.g., oil drops, marine snow. Towards this, we first demonstrate the phenomenon of hydrodynamics-mediated 'trapping' of bacteria around oil drops and show that a surfactant-laden drop can retain an approaching bacterium on its surface for approximately 35% longer times than a clean drop. We also analyze hydrodynamic trapping of bacteria around settling marine snow particles and show how bacteria can collide with and colonize the marine snow, even when the latter moves 10 times faster than the former. In all the cases above, we show how the hydrodynamic interactions are complemented by chemotaxis to enable extremely effective bacterial foraging. We next explore how propulsion mechanisms of microorganisms affect their ability to form biofilms on fluid-fluid interfaces and unveil the hydrodynamic origins behind the tendency of flagellated bacteria to swim parallel to plane surfactant-laden interfaces. Finally, we summarize our results, identify further avenues of research and propose problem statements related to them.</div>

Nanoparticles are particles with sizes between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm). Owing to their unique chemical, electrical, mechanical, optical, and piezoelectric properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are finding widespread use in numerous applications with yearly production over 550 tons per year. Increasing use of ZnO NPs, and NPs in wastewater discharges from domestic and industrial sources will have significant potential for adverse impacts on aquatic phototrophic organisms. Comparative studies on microalgae species response to ZnO NPs and variation in tolerance among species is still mostly unexplored. The proposed research aims to evaluate interspecies’ variation in tolerance to ZnO NPs among marine and freshwater microalgae. Multi-well culture plate and flask culture screening methods were utilized for assessing microalgae species’ tolerance to various levels of ZnO NPs. Microalgae cell morphology changes in response to nano ZnO exposure were explored using both the Optical Coherence Microscope (OCM) and SEM. Availability of Nano ZnO tolerant microalgae species may provide an impetus for future studies to understand the mechanism of tolerance and potential applications in NPs bioremediation in aquatic systems.

Soybean meal (SBM) is residua product after oil extraction, the SBM with 48% protein is used for poultry, cattle. The SBM contains significant amount of anti-nutritional factors. Degradation of most antigenic proteins and protease inhibitors in SBM fermented by fungal, yeast and bacterial strains. Soybean fermented products are used as feed for livestock or aquaculture. Recently, biofilm forming microorganisms were broadly applied for fermentation process using substrates such as rice bran, corn, soybean meal ... to produce probiotics. In this study, we isolated and selected beneficial microbial strains that are capable of well biofilm forming, produce digestive enzymes and resist pathogenic microorganisms to ferment of soybean meal. The result showed that, four microorganism strains including NA5.3; TB2.1; TB4.3 TB4.4 had ability of forming higher biofilm, producing digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease and cellulose. Among them, NA5.3 and TB 4.4 strains had anti-pathogenic bacteria capacity such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Enterococcus faecalis; Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Four selected strains were checked effection of pH, temperature, NaCl and bile salt concentration to their biofilm formation. The result indicated suitable conditions for forming biofilm at pH 6-8 range; temperature range 30-37°C; NaCl concentration of 0-3%, bile salt concentration of 0.5-2%. The selected strains grew well during solid fermentation process, achieved 1011 CFU/gram. / Khô đậu nành là sản phẩm còn lại từ quá trình ép dầu chứa tới 48% protein thô và thường được sử dụng làm thức ăn cho gia cầm, gia súc. Nhưng trong khô đậu nành còn chứa một lượng đáng kể một số chất ức chế dinh dưỡng, các chất ức chế này lại được phân hủy bởi quá trình lên men nhờ một số loài vi khuẩn, nấm mốc hay nấm men. Sản phẩm lên men khô đậu tương được sử dụng làm thức ăn cho gia cầm, gia súc hay nuôi trồng thủy sản. Trong những năm gần đây, các vi sinh vật tạo màng sinh học đã được ứng dụng để lên men các cơ chất như cám gạo, ngô, khô đậu nành… tạo sản phẩm probiotics. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đã phân lập và tuyển chọn một số vi sinh vật có lợi tạo màng sinh học cao, sinh các enzyme tiêu hóa và kháng lại một số vi khuẩn gây bệnh cho mục đích lên men khô đậu nành. Kết quả đã lựa chọn được 4 chủng vi khuẩn NA5.3; TB2.1; TB4.3 TB4.4 có khả năng tạo màng sinh học cao, sinh các enzyme như amylase, protease và cellulose.Trong đó,hai chủng NA5.3 và TB4.4 có khả năng kháng lại một số vi khuẩn gây bệnh như Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Enterococcus faecalis; Bacillus cereus và Escherichia coli. Bốn chủng vi khuẩn lựa chọn được nghiên cứu ảnh hưởng của các điều kiện lên khả năng tạo màng sinh học của chúng, chúng thích hợp ở pH 6-8; nhiệt độ 30-37°C; NaCl 0-3%, muối mật 0,5-2%. Sử dụng các chủng vi khuẩn này cho quá trình lên men rắn khô đậu tương, mật độ vi khuẩn sau khi lên men đạt 1011 CFU/gram.

In waste water, phosphorous (P) can exist in inorganic or organic forms. Depending on the concentration, P can cause eutrophication and severe environmental pollution. Microorganisms have the ability to use and accumulate P, so microorganisms are studied to treat P in waste water in general and wastewater from cassava starch processing plants in particular. Research results show that in the 20 samples of waste water and sludge of the plant has selected three strains of bacteria that can accumulate P in the form of granules in the cell. Among them, SHV22 has the highest P accumulation capacity, reaching 3.05x10-11 mg/cell, P removal efficiency in wastewater from cassava starch processing factory is 82.1%. The strain was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. / Trong nước thải P có thể tồn tại dưới dạng vô cơ hoặc hữu cơ. Tùy thuộc vào nồng độ, P có thể gây phú dưỡng và ô nhiễm môi trường nghiêm trọng. Vi sinh vật có khả năng sử dụng và tích lũy P, do đó vi sinh vật là đối tượng được nghiên cứu để xử lý P trong nước thải nói chung và nước thải của nhà máy chế biến tinh bột sắn nói riêng. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy, trong 20 mẫu nước và bùn thải của nhà máy đã chọn lựa được 3 chủng vi khuẩn có khả năng tích lũy P dưới dạng hạt trong tế bào. Trong số đó, chủng SHV22 có khả năng tích lũy P cao nhất, đạt tới 3,05x10-11 mg/tế bào, hiệu quả loại bỏ P trong nước thải của nhà máy chế biến tinh bột sắn đạt 82,1%. Chủng đã được định danh là Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

The nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are used widely for producing of microbiological fertilizers. This study aims to seek nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria strains to add to the collection of candidate strains for producing single and multi-function microbiological fertilizers. From 40 soil samples of 8 fields for cultivating rice, medicinal plants and vegetables, 15 NFB strains and 12 PSB strains were isolated and determined the ability of fixing nitrogen and solubilizing inorganic phosphate compound through creation of NH₄⁺ and PO₄⁻ in culture medium. Among 15 NFB strains, the fixing nitrogen activities of 7 strains were much higher than the remaining strains, including NFBR3, NFBV2, NFBM5, NFBM3, NFBM1, NFBV5 and NFBR2 with NH₄⁺ concentration 18.85 mg/l, 18.41 mg/l, 17.32 mg/l, 16.19 mg/l, 15.49 mg/l, 12.83 mg/l and 12.57 mg/l, respectively Among 12 PSB strains, The ability of solubilizing phosphate of 5 strains were higher than the others, including PSBM2, PSBR1, PSBV1, PSBR5 and PSBR3 with PO₄⁻ concentration 14.49 mg/l, 11.83 mg/l, 11.33 mg/l, 10.65 mg/l, 10.37 mg/l, respectively. 3 NFB strains (NFBR3, NFBV2, NFBM5) and 3 PSB strains (PSBM2, PSBR1, PSBV1) with higher activity were identified by 16S-rDNA sequence analysis and comparing to some homologous sequences in genbank. The results showed that NFBR3 was identified as Azotobacter vinelandii, NFBV2 as Azopirillum brasilense, NFBM5 as Azotobacter chroococum, PSBM2 and PSBV1 as Pseudomonas fluorescens and PSBR1 as Bacillus subtilis. / Vi khuẩn cố định nitơ (NFB) và vi khuẩn phân giải phosphate (PSB) được sử dụng rộng rãi trong sản xuất phân bón vi sinh. Nghiên cứu này nhằm mục đích tìm kiếm các chủng vi khuẩn cố định nitơ và hòa tan phosphate, bổ sung vào bộ sưu tập các chủng dự tuyển cho sản xuất phân bón vi sinh đơn và đa chức năng. Từ 40 mẫu đất của 8 ruộng trồng lúa, cây dược liệu và rau màu, 15 chủng NFB và 12 chủng PSB đã được phân lập và xác định khả năng cố định nitơ và phân giải phosphate vô cơ thông qua sự tạo thành NH₄⁺ và PO₄⁻ trong môi trường nuôi cấy. Trong số 15 chủng NFB, có 7 chủng có hoạt tính cố định nitơ cao hơn những chủng còn lại, bao gồm các chủng NFBR3, NFBV2, NFBM5, NFBM3, NFBM1, NFBV5 và NFBR2 với nồng độ NH₄⁺ lần lượt là 18.85mg/l, 18.41 mg/l, 17.32 mg/l, 16.19 mg/l, 15.49 mg/l, 12.83 mg/l và 12.5 7mg/l. Trong số 12, có 5 chủng có khả năng phân giải phosphate cao hơn những chủng khác, bao gồm chủng PSBM2, PSBR1, PSBV1, PSBR5 và PSBR3 với nồng độ PO₄⁻ lần lượt là 14.49 mg/l, 11.83 mg/l, 11.33 mg/l, 10.65 mg/l và 10.37 mg/l. Các chủng NFB và PSB này đều xuất hiện ơ các mẫu đất trồng lúa, đất trồng cây dược liệu và đất trồng rau màu. 3 chủng NFB và 3 chủng PSB với hoạt tính cố định nitơ và phân giải phosphate cao hơn được định loại bằng phân tích trình tự gen 16S-rDNA và so sánh với một số trình tự tương đồng trong genebank. Kết quả chỉ ra rằng chủng NFBR3 được định danh là Azotobacter vinelandii, chủng NFBV2 là Azopirillum brasilense, chủng NFBM5 là Azotobacter chroococum, chủng PSBM2 và chủng PSBV1 là Pseudomonas fluorescens và chủng PSBR1 là Bacillus subtilis.

Mikrobielle Hotspots zeichnen sich durch erhöhte mikrobielle Biomasse und Aktivität im Vergleich zum Gesamtboden aus. Sie umfassen nur einen sehr kleinen Teil des Bodenvolumens, indem jedoch die meisten für Stoffkreisläufe relevanten mikrobiellen biogeochemischen Prozesse ablaufen. In mikrobielle Hotspots sind Prozessraten erhöht, wie beispielsweise verkürzte Umsatzzeiten der organischen Substanz und eine erhöhte Nährstoffmobilisierung im Vergleich zum Gesamtboden. Eine verbesserte Verfügbarkeit von niedermolekularen organischen Substanzen im Vergleich zum Gesamtboden stimuliert das Wachstum und die Aktivität von Bodenmikroorganismen. Mikrobielle Hotspots entstehen in Bodenkompartimenten, die durch Rhizodeposition, den Eintrag von Wurzelstreu, den Eintrag von nährstoffreichem Material von der Bodenfauna und die Auswaschung von organischen Verbindungen aus dem Oberboden einen erhöhten Substrateintrag aufweisen. Im Boden stellen die Rhizosphäre sowie Bioporen wichtige mikrobielle Hotspots dar. Speziell im nährstoffarmen Unterboden sind mikrobielle Hotspots wichtig, da die Nährstoffe in den Hotspots im Vergleich zum Gesamtboden für Pflanzen besser verfügbar sind. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurden 1) mikrobielle Hotspots anhand molekularer Proxies unterschieden; und 2) das Potential von Vorfrüchten mit Pfahlwurzelsystem zur Ausbildung und Aufrechterhaltung von mikrobiellen Hotspots im Unterboden untersucht; darüber hinaus wurde 3) die mikrobielle Umsetzung des wurzelbürtigen Kohlenstoffs entlag eines Teifengradienten bis in 105 cm Tiefe bestimmt; und 4) die räumliche Ausdehnung der mikrobiellen Hotspots im Ober- und Unterboden anhand der Verteilung und anhand des Umsatzes von wurzelbürtigem Kohlenstoff, sowie anhand von sich ausbildenden pH, Sauerstoff- und Redoxpotentialgradienten von der Wurzeloberfläche in den Gesamtboden bestimmt. Im Rahmen eines Feldexperimentes wurde Luzerne (Medicago sativa L.) zwei Jahre lang auf einem Haplic Luvisol angebaut. Drilsophäre, Rhizosphäre und der Gesamtboden wurden in 15 cm Intervallen bis in eine Tiefe von 105 cm beprobt, um mikrobielle Hotspots anhand von molekularen Proxies zur unterscheiden. Die Proben wurden auf ihre Gehalte an freien extrahierbaren Fettsäuren untersucht. Dafür wurden aus dem Gesamtlipidextrakt die Fettsäuren durch Festphasenextraktion abgetrennt. Die Differenzierung des organischen Materials aus der Drilosphäre, der Rhizosphäre und dem Gesamtboden wurde mittels einer linearen Diskriminanzanalyse durchgeführt. Desweiteren wurde auf der Versuchsfläche neben Luzerne auch Wegwarte (Cichorium intybus L.) angebaut. Um den Kohlenstoffeintrag von Luzerne und Wegwarte in den Boden entlag eines Tiefengradientens zu vergleichen, wurden je drei Luzerne und drei Wegwarteparzellen nach 110 Tage Wachstum in situ mittels 13CO2 pulsmarkiert. Die Verteilung des assimilierten 13C in Spross, Wurzeln und Bodenkohlenstoffpools sowie die Bestimmungen der jeweiligen Kohlenstoffpoolgrößen ermöglichte es, den Kohlenstoffeintrag bis in eine Bodentiefe von 105 cm zu quantifizieren. In einer Laborstudie wurde die räumliche Ausdehnung mikrobieller Hotspots untersucht. Zu diesem Zweck wurde Luzerne in T-förmigen Gefäßen mit drei Kompartimenten zwei Monate lang kultiviert. Die Gefäße waren entweder mit Ober- oder Unterboden gefüllt. Die Wurzeln konnten nur im mittleren Teil der Gefäße wachsen, da eine Nylongaze sie daran hinderte in die seitlichen Rhizosphärenkompartimente vorzudringen. Unterschiedliche Maschenweiten der Gaze verhinderten entweder nur das Wurzelwachstum oder sowohl das Wurzelwachstum als auch das Eindringen der Hyphen von arbuskulären Mykorrhizapilzen in die Rhizosphärenkompartimente. Die Dynamik und Verteilung von wurzelbürtigem Kohlenstoff in der Rhizosphäre, wurde durch die Markierung der Luzerne mit 14CO2 und anschließende Messung der 14C-Aktivität im gelösten organischen Kohlenstoff und im gesamten organischen Kohlenstoff ermittelt. Um Unterschiede im mikrobiellen Abbau der abgegebenen Substanzen in der Ober- und Unterbodenrhizosphäre zu bestimmen, wurden die Aktivitäten extrazellulärer Enzyme gemessen. Zur Messung von Sauerstoff- und Redoxpotentialgradienten bei unterschiedlichem Matrixpotenzial in der Ober- und Unterbodenrhizosphäre wurden ein Sauerstoffmikrosensor und Platinelektroden verwendet. Während die relativen Gehalte an ungesättigten Fettsäuren von Drilosphäre, über Rhizosphäre bis zum Gesamtboden abnahmen, verhielten sich die Dicarbonfettsäuren genau umgekehrt. Da diese Unterschiede unabhängig von der Bodentiefe waren, konnten diese Proxies zur Unterscheidung der Herkunft des organischen Materials verwendet werden. Mittels einer linearen Diskriminanzanalyse konnte so das organsiche Material mikrobieller Hotspots von dem des Gesamtbodens durch eine lineare Kombination der relativen Gehalte an ungesättigten Fettsäuren und Dicarbonsäuren unterschieden werden. Die unterschiedlichen Quellen des organischen Materials und dessen intensive mikrobielle Überformung veranschaulichen die Komplexität der Prozessse, die zur Entstehung von mikrobiellen Hotspots beitragen. Um diese Prozesse zu untersuchen, wurde das Potential von Vorfrüchten mit Pfahlwurzelsystem zur Ausbildung und Aufrechterhaltung mikrobieller Hotspots im Unterboden analysiert. Dafür wurde der Kohlenstoffeintrag über die Wurzelbiomasse und durch Rhizodeposition sowie die mikrobielle Aufnahme bis in eine Tiefe von 105 cm quantifiziert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Ausbildung mikrobieller Hotspots im Unterboden während der ersten Vegetationsperiode durch Luzerne stärker ist als durch Wegwarte. Die Gründe hierfür waren: 1) Ein höherer Biomassezuwachs von Luzerne und 2) eine 8 fach höherere Verlagerung des assimilierten Kohlenstoffs in das Wurzelwachstum sowie in Rhizodeposite im Unterboden durch Luzerne. Unter Luzerne wurde durch den erhöhten Eintrag von leichtverfügbarem Kohlenstoff das mikrobielle Wachstum und der Umsatz an mikrobiellem C im Unterboden erhöht. Dies weist auf höhere Nährstoffumsatzraten und damit auf deren höhere Pflanzenverfügbarkeit hin. Das könnte zu einer verbesserten Nährstoffversorgung der Hauptfrüchte beitragen, wenn deren Wurzeln durch die ehemaligen Luzernewurzelporen im Unterboden wachsen. Im Gegensatz zur Luzerne bildete die Wegwarte den größten Teil ihrer Wurzelbiomasse im Oberboden aus wohin sie auch den größten Teil ihrer Rhizodeposite exsudierte. Aus diesem Grund ist die Wegwarte zumindest in der ersten Vegetationsperiode nicht als Vorfrucht zu empfehlen, um die Nährstoffverfügbarkeit im Unterboden zu verbessern. Um die Relevanz von mikrobiellen Hotspots für Nährstoffkreisläufe besser zu verstehen, ist es notwendig die Ausdehnung des Bodenvolumens mit erhöhten Prozessraten und die Gradienten mit denen diese Prozessraten zum Gesamtboden hin abnehmen zu untersuchen. Dies ermöglichte das oben beschriebene Experiment, bei dem Luzerne in den kompartimentierten Wachstumsgefäßen angezogen wurde. Hierbei zeigte sich, dass die Wurzelexsudation in die Oberbodenrhizosphäre verglichen mit der Exsudation in die Unterbodenrhizosphäre deutlich höher war. Allerdings waren die Gradienten der 14C markierten Wurzelexsudate im gelösten organischen Kohlenstoff von der Wurzeloberfläche in Richtung Gesamtboden steiler als im Unterboden. Da zusätzlich zu dem erhöhten Eintrag und den steileren Gradienten auch die Enzymaktivitäten im Oberboden höher waren, kann von einem erhöhtem mikrobiellem Abbau der Wurzelexsudate im Vergleich zur Unterbodenrhizosphäre ausgegeangen werden. Obwohl erwartet wurde, dass erhöhter mikrobieller Abbau zu einer geringeren diffusiven Ausdehnung der Wurzelexsudate in der Oberbodenrhizosphäre führen würde, war dies nicht der Fall. Sowohl in der Oberboden- als auch in der Unterbodenrhizosphäre wurde 14C aus Exsudaten bis in eine Entfernung von 28 mm im DOC und 20 mm im TOC zur Wurzeloberfläche nachgewiesen. Die Sauerstoffkonzentration nahm in Richtung zur Wurzeloberfläche ab, wobei der Gradient in Ober- und Unterbodenrhizosphäre identisch war. Ein Rhizosphäreneffekt auf die Sauerstoffkonzentration konnte bis in 20 mm Entfernung zur Wurzeloberfläche gemessen werden. Das Matrixpotenzial war ausschlaggebend für die diffusive Nachlieferung von Sauerstoff, und damit für die Aufrechterhaltung der aeroben Respiration in der Rhizosphäre. Bei einem Matrixpotenzial von -200 hPa oder weniger fand keine Hemmung der Respirationsprozesse durch mangelnde O2 Nachlieferung zur Wurzeloberfläche statt. Die auf der Sauerstoffkonzentration beruhenden Veränderungen des Redoxpotentials konnten bis in eine Entfernung von 2 mm zur Wurzeloberfläche erfasst werden. Nur unter ständiger Wassersättigung wurden in der Rhizosphäre schwach reduzierende Bedingungen erreicht. Im Rahmen dieses Dissertation konnte gezeigt werden, dass mikrobielle Hotspots im Boden eine größere laterale Ausdehnung erreichen als bislang angenommen. Darüber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass diese Hotspots eine Schlüsselfunktion bei der Erhöhung von Kohlenstoff- und Nährstoffumsätzen besitzen. Daher empfiehlt sich der Anbau von tiefwurzelnden Vorfrüchten mit ausgeprägter C-Verlagerung in den Unterboden, wie beispielsweise Luzerne, um die Nährstoffverfügbarkeit aus dem Unterboden in Agrarökosystemen zu verbessern.

Neste trabalho avaliou-se a influência das condições operacionais da célula a combustível microbiana &#40;CCM&#41; na remoção de matéria orgânica de águas residuárias e na geração de energia elétrica direta. As Hipóteses 1, 2 e 3 verificaram respectivamente as influências do tempo de detenção hidráulica &#40;TDH&#41;, das condições mesofílica &#40;25 &#186;C&#41; e termofílica &#40;55 &#186;C&#41; de temperatura e da razão de recirculação &#40;R&#41; do efluente no cátodo da CCM &#40;0, 1, 3 e 5&#41; na geração de energia elétrica, na adesão e na comunidade microbiana e na remoção de DQO em CCM sem membrana de íon seletiva alimentada com água residuária sintética a base de sacarose. As Hipóteses 1, 2 e 3 foram aceitas. A redução do TDH permitiu maior geração de energia e dominância na comunidade microbiana e menor adesão da comunidade microbiana ao eletrodo. Enquanto que longos TDH removeram mais DQO, porém geraram menores valores de tensão elétrica. As condições termofílicas apresentaram maiores valores de tensão elétrica gerada e maior dominância da comunidade microbiana e menor adesão microbiana ao eletrodo e eficiência de remoção de DQO. A constante cinética aparente em condição termofílica &#40; 0,035 h-1&#41; foi duas vezes menor que em condição mesofílica &#40; 0,083 h-1&#41;. O aumento da R melhorou a geração de energia e a remoção de DQO, pois houve melhor transferência de massa do meio líquido para os microrganismos e do meio gasoso para liquido e menor concentração de biomassa aderida ao eletrodo do cátodo aumentando a tensão elétrica gerada. Na Hipótese 4, verificou-se o uso e o efeito do TDH no tratamento de vinhaça de cana de açúcar em CCM sem membrana trocadora de íon seletivo operada em condição termofílica. A CCM foi capaz de remover a matéria orgânica da vinhaça de cana de açúcar e gerar energia elétrica direta, validando a Hipótese 4. As hipóteses 5, 6 e 7 avaliaram as influências da relação DQO, nitrogênio e fósforo da água residuária de produção de vinho, do tempo de retenção celular &#40;TRC&#41; e da configuração do eletrodo no desempenho de CCM de duas câmaras usando membrana de íon seletivo. Acataram-se as hipóteses 5, 6 e 7. O desbalanceamento entre DQO, nitrogênio e fósforo da água residuária de produção de vinho é um dos principais obstáculos para o uso desta tecnologia e a relação de DQO&#58;N&#58;P de 700&#58;10&#58;1 tem elevado potencial para gerar energia elétrica direta em CCM, embora não seja eficiente na remoção de matéria orgânica. A geração de energia aumenta com a redução do TRC, visto que há seleção dos microrganismos eletrogênicos e aumento da carga orgânica volumétrica específica reduzindo a competição por substrato. Entretanto, o TRC não influenciou a remoção de matéria orgânica, pois somente uma pequena parte da DQO foi removida similar em todos os TRC. As características físicas do eletrodo como a porosidade, a rugosidade e a densidade de área do eletrodo e a biocompatibilidade do eletrodo são fatores determinantes para aumentar o desempenho da CCM. Entre os eletrodos estudados, o feltro de carbono foi o melhor material encontrado. / In this work the influence of the operational conditions of the microbial fuel cell &#40;MFC&#41; were evaluated in organic matter removal from wastewater treatment and in the power generation. Hypotheses 1, 2 and 3 respectively checked the influences of hydraulic retention time &#40;HRT&#41;, of mesophilic and thermophilic conditions &#40;25 &#176;C and 55 &#176;C, respectively&#41; and the recirculation ratio &#40;R&#41; of the effluent in cathode of MFC &#40;0, 1, 3 and 5&#41; in the power generation, microbial adhesion and community and COD removal of membraneless MFC fed with synthetic wastewater based on sucrose. Hypotheses 1, 2 and 3 have been accepted. Reducing the HRT increased the power generation and the dominance in microbial community and decreased the COD removal efficiency and microbial adhesion to the electrode. Long HRT more efficiently removed the organic matter but generated lower voltages. The thermophilic conditions yielded a more dominant microbial community that favored power generation compared with the mesophilic conditions because of reduced microbial adhesion to the electrode. The COD removal efficiencies were higher under mesophilic conditions than under thermophilic conditions due to the higher apparent kinetic constant at mesophilic conditions &#40;0.083 h-1&#41; than in thermophilic conditions &#40;0.035 h-1&#41;. Increasing the R improved the power generation and the COD removal, because the mass transfer in the liquid medium for microorganisms was improved and the biomass adhered to the cathode electrode decreased increasing the voltage. In Hypothesis 4, the use and effect of HRT in treating sugar cane vinasse in membraneless MFC operated at thermophilic conditions were evaluated. The CCM was able to remove the COD of sugarcane vinasse and generate electricity directly, confirming the hypothesis 4. Hypotheses 5, 6 and 7 assessed the influences of COD, nitrogen and phosphorus ratio in winery wastewater, of sludge retention time (SRT) and of electrode configuration in dual chamber MFC. Hypotheses 5, 6 and 7 were adopted. The misbalance between COD, nitrogen and phosphorus from winery wastewater is a major obstacle to the use of this technology and COD&#58;N&#58;P ratio of 700&#58;10&#58;1 had high potential to generate power in MFC, although it is not effective in removing organic matter. The power generation increases with the reduction of the SRT, since there were the selection of bioeletrogenic microorganisms and increased the volumetric organic load rate reducing competition for substrate. However, the SRT did not affect the removal of organic matter, because only a small part of COD was removed regardless of SRT. Physical characteristics of the electrode as porosity, roughness and the electrode area density and the biocompatibility of the electrode are key factors to increase the performance of CCM. The carbon felt was the best studied material having the highest values of porosity, roughness and the electrode area density.

Manguezais são considerados ecossistemas costeiros, localizados na transição entre os ambientes terrestre e marinho. Esse ambiente é característico de regiões tropicais e subtropicais, sendo encontrados em todo o mundo, principalmente no Brasil, Indonésia e Austrália. A ocorrência de grande quantidade de matéria orgânica potencializa o fato de que os microrganismos são importantíssimos na ciclagem de nutrientes nestes ambientes. Microrganismos endofíticos podem ser extremamente relevantes para os vegetais existentes em manguezais por habitarem o interior destes, em todo seu ciclo de vida ou somente em parte dele, sem prejudicá-lo ou causar qualquer dano aparente ao mesmo. Os endofíticos podem conferir ao seu hospedeiro características importantes, tais como, maior resistência a condições de estresse, suprimento de nutrientes e outros componentes de interesse biotecnológico (como enzimas, antibióticos e drogas de interesse farmacêutico). O presente estudo visou, assim, verificar a diversidade de bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas existentes em mangue vermelho (Rhizophora mangle) da Ilha do Cardoso (Cananéia SP) e estudar a biodiversidade funcional dos principais grupos e potencial biotecnológico. / Mangroves are considered a coastal ecosystem, located in the transition between the terrestrial and marine environments. This environment is typical of tropical and subtropical regions and is found throughout the world, mainly in Brazil, Indonesia and Australia. The occurrence of a large amount of organic matter enhances the fact that microorganisms are important in the cycling of nutrients in these environments. Endophytic microorganisms can be extremely relevant to the plant existing in mangrove swamps, because live in the interior of these, in its entire life cycle or only part of it, not harm him or cause any apparent damage to it. The endophytic can give to your host important characteristics such as greater resistance to conditions of stress, supply of nutrients and other components of biotechnological interest (such as enzymes, antibiotics and drugs of pharmaceutical interest). This paper therefore finds the diversity of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria exist in red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) of Ilha do Cardoso (Cananéia - SP) and study the functional biodiversity of the main groups and potential biotechnology.

Bactérias endofíticas provavelmente desenvolveram uma relação com planta hospedeira através de processos coevolucionários, podendo influenciar de alguma forma na fisiologia da planta. Na literatura, há muitos relatos sobre espécies de Bacillus endofíticos, no entanto, poucos se referem a espécie B. thuringiensis (Bt). Dessa forma, o objetivo desse trabalho foi isolar, identificar e caracterizar Bt de mandioca. Todos os isolados identificados como Bt produziram cristais pontuais e apenas um isolado, IIRAC22, produziu cristais amorfos maiores. Esse isolado apresentou genes cry4A, cry4B e cry10 e toxicidade a larvas de Aedes aegypti e Culex quinquefasciatus, evidenciando ser Bt var. israelensis. Todos os isolados produziram quitinase, sugerindo que elas podem ter ação controladora sobre fungos fitopatogênicos e insetos. Houve também produção de pectinase, enzimas envolvidas na penetração de planta hospedeira e estabelecimento como endófito. Esses Bt endofíticos podem levar ao desenvolvimento de produtos biotecnológicos para controle de insetos. / Endophytic bacteria probably developed a relationship with their plant host through coevoltionary processes what could influence in the physiology of the plant. In the literature, there are many reports about endophytic Bacillus species, however, few reports cite endophytic B. thuringiensis (Bt). Thus, the aim of the present work was to isolate, identify and characterize Bt from cassava. All the isolates identified as Bt were able to produce punctual crystals, but only one isolate, IIRAC22, produced large amorphous crystals. This isolate presented cry4A, cry4B and cry10 genes and toxicity against larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, evidencing to be Bt var. israelensis. All the isolates produced quitinase, suggesting that they can control phytopathogeni fungi and insects. There was also pectinase production, enzyme involved in the penetration of plant hosts and establishment as endophytes. These endophytic Bt can take to the development of biotechnological products for the control of insect.

A presença de bactérias na base de microplantas estabelecidas in vitro, acarreta o descarte da cultura, tornando a técnica onerosa. Entretanto, há de se considerar que nem sempre a presença dos microrganismos afeta o desenvolvimento das plantas em diferentes fases da micropropagação, inferindo que essas colônias são resultantes de exsudações de endófitos da espécie cultivada. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho visou verificar as possíveis influências da manifestação bacteriana endofítica no desenvolvimento in vitro de clones de Eucalyptus benthamii. Para tanto, foram útilizados quatro clones (BP101; BP115, BP118 e BP120), em duas etapas de desenvolvimento: multiplicação e alongamento e, embora o processo in vitro fosse o principal foco da pesquisa, as análises estenderam-se para a fase de aclimatização, ou seja, desenvolvimento ex vitro. As microcepas foram mantidas in vitro sob dois tipos de manifestações bacterianas, as quais por sua vez, foram distintas quanto à coloração em: manifestação de colônias amarelas e manifestação de colônias brancas e, o controle, sem manifestação. Para compreender o desenvolvimento das microplantas na presença dos microrganismos, foram avaliados os parâmetros referentes ao incremento em massa seca, número de brotações, brotações alongadas e enraizamento, bem como características anatômicas e bioquímicas (produção de malondealdeído e teor de nitrogênio) das mesmas. Por meio da identificação molecular por BOX-PCR os isolados bacterianos foram agrupados e posteriormente identificados por sequenciamento parcial do gene 16S rRNA. As linhagens bacterianas identificadas foram analisadas quanto à produção de AIA e fixação de nitrogênio, sendo as linhagens com os melhores resultados utilizadas na bacterização de microcepas de duas diferentes espécies de eucalipto (E. benthamii e E. cloeziana). Os resultados evidenciaram que nem toda presença microbiana in vitro é prejudicial às plantas micropropagadas, pelo contrário, observou-se que na maioria dos casos em E. benthamii, as manifestações possuem efeito neutro ou benéfico, promovendo o desenvolvimento das microplantas. As manifestações brancas e/ou amarelas constituíam uma associação de bactérias, com alta especificidade na interação endófito/microplanta. As análises moleculares identificaram similaridade com seis gêneros bacterianos: Curtobacterium (Actinobacteria), Bacillus e Aneurinibacillus (Firmicutes), Delftia (Betaproteobacteria), Bradyrhizobium, e Novosphingobium (Alphaproteobacteria), onde alguns deles mostraram-se comuns nos diferentes clones, sendo a Curtobacterium presente em todas as manifestações de todos os clones de E. benthamii analisados. Os resultados obtidos com a bacterização de diferentes espécies de eucalipto reforçam a especificidade da microbiota endofítica manifestada com seu hospedeiro, uma vez que a introdução de um isolado (inóculo) pode ocasionar alteração no equilíbrio do sistema de interação estabelecido, acarretando na redução ou simplesmente mantendo estável a taxa de crescimento das microplantas. Dessa forma, diante do atual panorama das biofábricas, as quais descartam inúmeras microplantas cultivadas in vitro em decorrência das manifestações bacterianas, evitar o descarte das microcepas e controlar sua manifestação, representa minimizar consideravelmente os prejuízos para as empresas e setores de pesquisas. / The occurrence of bacteria growing together with microplants in vitro conditions frequently lead to discard of the material, increasing the costs on the micropropagation techniques. However, the microorganisms presence on the bacterial cultures do not always affect the plant development during the different phases of micropropagation because the bacteria colony probability are originated from self microplants as endophytic manifestations. This study evaluated the possible influences of the endophytic bacterian manifestation in the development of Eucalyptus benthamii growing on in vitro conditions. To access the evaluations were used four clones (BP101, BP115, BP118 e BP120) in two phases of microplants in vitro development: multiplication and elongation. The microstumps were grown under two different kinds of bacterial manifestations, distinguishable by colors in: white colony manifestations, yellow colony manifestations and no manifestations (control). To elucidate the microstumps development under the microorganisms presence, were evaluated referent parameters to the dry mass increasing, number of shoots, elongated shoots and rooting, as well as anatomical and biochemical characteristics alterations (malondialdehyde and nitrogen content). After bacterial isolation, they were grouped and identified by BOX-PCR, using partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. On the sets of the identified bacteria were analyzed for the AIA production and the nitrogen fixation, and those with better results were used to bacterizate another microstumps of two different Eucalyptus species (E. benthamii and E. cloeziana). The results indicate that the presence of in vitro microrganisms and microstumps together not always affect negatively the plant development. In opposite, bacterial manifestations brought benefits, stimulating the microstumps growth or do not affecting the growth of E. benthamii in vitro conditions. Actually, the white and yellow manifestations represents clusters of different bacteria, with high specificity in the interaction microstumps and endophytic. Molecular approaches identified through similarity analysis, six bacterial genus: Curtobacterium (Actinobacteria), Bacillus and Aneurinibacillus (Firmicutes); Delftia (Betaproteobacteria), Bradyrhizobium and Novosphingobium (Alphaproteobacteria). The occurrences of several of the bacteria were common among some clones, and Curtobacterium was present in all clones of E. benthamii analyzed. The results obtained by bacterization of two different Eucalyptus species confirmed that there is a high specificity between endophytic microorganisms\" manifestations and its host plants, because the artificial bacteria introduction can causes alterations on the equilibrium of the establishment system of plant-microorganism interactions, reducing or stabilizing growth rates on microstumps. Considering the current situation about the biofactories, which usually discard great amount of cultivate microplants in vitro because of the bacterial manifestation, it´s possible avoid these plant discard and make a control of their manifestations, with the intention to minimize substantially the losses in biofactories and also in research laboratories.