Plants colonised land 460 million years ago and charophytes represent the closest living relatives of land plants. The ability to live on land may depend on the presence of certain cell wall polysaccharides such as xyloglucan, a hemicellulose exclusively found in land plants (Popper and Fry, 2003). The cell walls of charophytes are poorly characterised. The aim of this project was to use biochemical techniques to characterise the cell wall polysaccharides of charophytic algae in relation to early land plant phylogeny. Hydrolysis of Coleochaete scutata and Chara vulgaris cell walls in 2 M trifluoroacetic acid yielded predominantly GalA, Gal, Glc and Man residues and also some Ara, Xyl and traces of Fuc and Rha. In addition, hydrolysis of Chara pectin revealed an abundance of an unusual monosaccharide, 3-O-methyl-D-galactose, which was structurally identified by a series of 1-D and 2D NMR spectroscopy by COSY, TOCSY, NOESY and HSQC. 3-O-Methyl-D-galactose is more commonly found in lycophyte cell walls where its presence has been suggested to be related to lycophytes’ evolutionarily isolated position (Popper et al., 2001). The newly discovered presence of 3-O-methyl-D-galactose in charophyte pectin suggests that this polymer may be more complex than previously thought. Coleochaete and Chara hemicellulose extracts were fractionated by anion-exchange chromatography into five classes. A strongly anionic fraction from Chara hemicellulose was found to be rich in Glc, Xyl, Gal and Fuc suggestive of a xyloglucan-like polysaccharide. However, XEG was unable to produce diagnostic xyloglucan oligosaccharides in either Coleochaete or Chara hemicelluloses. Xylanase and mannanase digestion of Coleochaete and Chara hemicelluloses gave xylan- and mannan-oligosaccharides. Furthermore, lichenase digestion of Coleochaete hemicellulose yielded an unusual octasaccharide composed of approximately equimolar xylose and glucose. My work has shown that charophyte cell walls are a source of undiscovered monosaccharides and potentially novel pectic and hemicellulosic domains which may have important functions in enabling the successful colonisation of land by plants.

"Bacteria during the course of their life undergo a lot of developments on their surface. The changes that occur inside a cell result in the production of a variety of biopolymers on the cell surface. These polysaccharides have been found to play a major role in deciding the adhesive or repulsive nature of a bacterial cell. Based on the application the adhesive nature of a cell sometimes needs to be manipulated such that bacteria are required to have higher adhesions for bioremediation applications and in the case of bioreactors bacteria must not stick to walls to avoid fouling. In order to control adhesions of a cell to a variety of substrates, knowledge of the polysaccharides present on its surface is needed. Therefore the goal of the present study is to detect the sugars present on the surface of Pseudomonas putida KT2442 using Atomic force microscopy and to relate properties of the polysaccharides to bacterial adhesion. Previous experiments suggested that cellulose and other sugars were produced by Pseudomonas putida KT2442. Thus the cells were grown to late exponential phase and treated with cellulase to degrade any cellulose, if present, on the surface of the cells. Control experiments were done on untreated cells and cells that were not treated with cellulase but were centrifuged, since centrifugation is a part of the cellulase treatment and may also affect the bacterial surface. An appropriate (Steric) fitting model for the atomic force microscope (AFM) approach curves was applied to calculate the height and density of the polymer brush layer present on the cell surface. There was a decrease in the density of the polymer brush and increase in the height of the brush upon treatment with cellulase. Centrifugation alone did not affect the approach curves. From looking at the retraction curves it verified the results got from the approach curves and indicated stretching out of the polymer brush to greater distances after the treatment with cellulase. Another batch of cells was treated with dextranase to check for the presence of dextran on the cell surface. Dextranase treated cells behaved identical to the control cells, suggesting that dextran is not one of the polysaccharides present on the bacterial surface. No change was observed in retraction curves data for dextranase treated and untreated cells."

The goal of this research was to develop a novel biosensor for detecting and eliminating pathogenic E. coli. Traditionally, identifying pathogenic E. coli and distinguishing it from harmless environmental strains includes serotyping and DNA sequencing, which can take days or weeks. Our biosensor platform makes use of a material that is part of the immune system from single- multi- cellular organisms that target viruses, fungi, and bacteria called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Using the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), we characterized non-specific binding between CP1 to silicon nitride and gold, and covalent binding of cysteine-terminated CP1 (CP1-cys) to gold. QCM-D monitors frequency and dissipative changes resulting from adsorbed mass, and peptide film thickness and density can be calculated using Voigt Viscoelastic modeling. Viability of the E. coli was monitored using a live/dead kit consisting of nucleic acid stains Syto 9 and Propidium Iodide. Successfully immobilizing peptide to a substrate is particularly important if CP1 would be applied on a food processing surface. By immobilizing CP1 to silicon nitride, we measured the binding forces between bacteria and peptides with the atomic force microscope (AFM), and explored important bacterial features such as LPS composition and length that influence binding affinity with CP1. The structure of the LPS is comprised of 3 sections: lipid A, core group, and O-antigen. We are mostly interested in the initial binding between AMP and LPS since our goal is to develop a novel biosensor that can detect pathogenic bacteria within seconds of exposure. Considering the short exposure period, the AMP would only be exposed to the O-antigen and outer core groups, which are repeating sugar chains that are essential for bacterial pathogenicity and adhesion to substrates. Although geared for use as a novel biosensor, results of this study can also be applied to the use of AMPs for replacing or enhancing the activity of antibiotics. Our work suggests that CP1 may not be serotype-specific, but targets the O-antigen before interfering with phospholipid groups of the bacterial membrane. Other factors that assist in pathogenicity, such as LPS length, may also be important for the consideration of CP1 potency.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana (TFDa), utilizando laser de baixa potência, em duas densidades de energia, associado ao azul de toluidina em biofilme de S. mutans. Biofilmes de S. mutans UA159 foram crescidos por 5 dias em discos de resina acrílica (3 mm de diâmetro x 2 mm de altura) a 37&ordm;C 5 % de CO2;. Os espécimes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos de tratamento (n=3): Digluconato de clorexidina 0,12% (CHX, controle positivo); Solução salina a 0,89% (NaCl, controle negativo); Terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana com azul de toluidina e laser de baixa potência (densidade de energia 320 J/cm&sup2;) (TFDa 320); Terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana com azul de toluidina e laser de baixa potência (densidade de energia 640 J/cm&sup2;) (TFDa 640). Os tratamentos foram realizados 2x/dia durante 3 dias. Ao final dos 5 dias, os biofilmes foram coletados e número de bactérias viáveis e a concentração de polissacarídeos extracelulares insolúveis (PECI) e intracelulares (PIC) foram determinadas e analisadas estatisticamente (ANOVA e teste de Tukey, p < 0,05). O tratamento com a TFDa (320 e 640 J/cm&sup2;) reduziu o número de bactérias viáveis em biofilmes de S. mutans, de uma maneira dose-dependente (p < 0,05). Além disso, a TFDa 640 J/cm&sup2;, reduziu a viabilidade bacteriana de forma tão eficaz quanto a CHX (p > 0,05). Em relação a PECI e PIC, os grupos TFDa (320 e 640 J/cm&sup2;) não foram significativamente diferentes de CHX (p > 0,05). Os resultados mostraram que a terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana, mediada pelo azul de toluidina e laser de diodo (640 J/cm&sup2;), pode ser uma abordagem utilizada no controle do biofilme dental cariogênico. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), using low-power laser, with two energy densities, associated with toluidine blue in S. mutans biofilm. S. mutans UA159 biofilms were grown for 5 days on acrylic resin discs (3 mm diameter x 2 mm height) a 37&ordm;C, 5 % de CO2. The specimens were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (n = 3): 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX, positive control); 0,89% Saline (NaCl, negative control); Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with toluidine blue and low power laser (energy density of 320 J/cm&sup2;) (aPDT 320); Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with toluidine blue and low power laser (energy density of 640 J/cm&sup2;) (aPDT 640). Treatments were performed 2x/day for 3 days. At the end of 5 days, the biofilms were collected and the number of viable bacteria and the concentration of insoluble extracellular (IEPS) and intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) were determined and analyzed statistically (ANOVA and Tukey\'s test, p<0.05). Treatment with aPDT (320 and 640 J/cm&sup2;) reduced the number of viable bacteria of S. mutans biofilms in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Furthermore, the aPDT 640 group reduced the bacterial viability as effectively as CHX group (p>0.05). For IEPS and IPS, the aPDT groups (320 and 640 J/cm&sup2;) were not significantly different CHX (p>0.05). The results showed that the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy mediated by toluidine blue and diode laser (640 J/cm&sup2;) may be an approach used to control the cariogenic dental biofilm.

Neste trabalho avaliou-se a influência de fontes de carbono (FC) e composições de meio definido no crescimento celular e na produção do polissacarídeo PS14. Em batelada, testou-se como FC glicose, sacarose e frutose em diferentes concentrações. Testou-se também meios com ausência dos aminoácidos asparagina, ácido aspártico, fenilalanina, serina, alanina, treonina, triptofano, lisina e tirosina, das vitaminas/cofatores ácido fólico, piridoxamina, ácido p-aminobenzóico, <font face=\"Symbol\">b-NAD e riboflavina, além bem como da adição de maiores concentrações de aminoácidos identificados como importantes. Em cultivo contínuo foram avaliadas vazões específicas de alimentação (D) de 0,1h-1a 0,5h-1 e a influência das bases nitrogenadas. O meio com sacarose como FC, retirada dos aminoácidos e vitaminas citados e adição do dobro de glicina isoleucina, leucina, valina e o triplo de glutamina levou à maior produção de PS14 (441mg/L). Obteve-se a maior produtividade com D=0,4h-1e a maior quantidade de PS14 com adenina na concentração original no meio de cultura. / In this work we assessed the influence of different carbon sources (CS) and defined medium compositions on cell growth and polysaccharide PS14 production. In bath, glucose, sucrose and fructose were tested at different concentrations. Also, media were tested with absence of the amino acids: asparagine, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, serine, alanine, threonine, tryptophan, lysine, and tyrosine, and vitamins/cofactors: folic acid, pyridoxamine, p-aminobenzoic acid, riboflavin and <font face=\"Symbol\">b-NAD, besides the addition of higher concentration of amino acids identified as important. In continuous cultivation, dilution rates (D) from 0.1 h-1 to 0.5 h-1 were evaluated as well as the influence of nitrogenous bases. The medium containing sucrose as CS, absence of amino acids and vitamins and addition of twice glycine isoleucine, leucine, valine, and triple glutamine led to higher production of PS14 (441mg/L). D of 0.4 h-1 showed higher productivity and adenine in standard concentration produced greater amounts of PS14.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Este trabalho busca o desenvolvimento de filmes biodegradÃveis a partir de gelatina obtida de resÃduos de tilÃpia (Oreochromis niloticus) e galactomanana extraÃda da Algaroba (Prosopis juliflora). Foi utilizado um delineamento experimental do tipo centrÃide simplex para avaliar o efeito das proporÃÃes entre os dois componentes â gelatina (GE) e galactomanana (GA) - sobre as propriedades dos filmes formados. Os resultados dos filmes obtidos a partir do delineamento de misturas indicaram que o filme de GE e GA nas mesmas proporÃÃes apresentaram os melhores resultados de permeabilidade ao vapor de Ãgua e ensaios mecÃnicos, sendo posteriormente esse filme, submetido à incorporaÃÃo de nanocelulose extraÃda da vagem da algaroba. A formulaÃÃo dos filmes de gelatina e galactomanana foi feita utilizando 25% de glicerol (em base seca de gelatina e galactomanana) variando a quantidade de nanocristais de celulose da fibra da algaroba nas concentraÃÃes de 2,5, 5 e 7,5% (em base seca de gelatina e galactomanana). Os filmes foram obtidos por casting e caracterizados quanto à permeabilidade ao vapor de Ãgua (PVA), propriedades mecÃnicas de resistÃncia à traÃÃo, elongaÃÃo e mÃdulo elÃstico, microscopia Ãtica (MO) e microscopia eletrÃnica de varredura (MEV), infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), opacidade, anÃlise termogravimÃtrica (TGA) e calorimetria exploratÃria diferencial (DSC). Os nanocristais de celulose foram efetivos para reduzir a PVA quando adicionados a 5%. A adiÃÃo de nanocelulose incrementou a resistÃncia à traÃÃo e o mÃdulo a partir de 2,5%, com um pequeno decrÃscimo na concentraÃÃo de 7,5%. NÃo houve efeito significativo com a adiÃÃo de nanocelulose na elongaÃÃo dos filmes. A anÃlise de TGA mostrou que crescentes concentraÃÃes de nanocelulose aumentaram a estabilidade tÃrmica dos filmes, e a anÃlise de DSC comprovou a formaÃÃo de blenda. As imagens de microscopia permitiram observar aglomeraÃÃes de nanocristais à medida que se aumentou as concentraÃÃes. Na anÃlise de FTIR nÃo houve modificaÃÃo na estrutura dos filmes, ocorrendo apenas deslocamento ou reduÃÃo de algumas bandas. A opacidade aumentou com a incorporaÃÃo de nanocelulose, porem nÃo aumentou com a variaÃÃo das concentraÃÃes. / This work seeks developing biodegradable films from gelatin obtained from waste tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and galactomannan extracted from Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora). An experimental design type simplex centroid was used to assess the effect of the ratios between the two components - gelatin (GE) and galactomannan (GA) â on the properties of the formed films. The results of the films obtained from the mixture design indicated that the film containing a GE:GA of 1:1 showed the best results for water vapor permeability and mechanical tests, being this film later submitted to the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from the leguminous of the mesquite. The formulation of the films of gelatin and galactomannan was performed using glycerol 25% (on a dry basis of gelatin and galactomannan) varying the amount of nanocellulose from mesquite fiber on concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 7, 5% (dry basis of gelatin and galactomannan). The films were obtained by casting and were characterized in terms of their water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation and elastic modulus), optical scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), opacity, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanocellulose at 5% was effective to reduce the WVP. Nanocellulose increased the tensile strength and modulus with a slight decrease at the highest concentration (7.5 %). Nanocellulose did not affect significantly the film elongation. TGA analysis showed that increasing nanocellulose concentrations increased the film thermal stability, and the DSC analysis proved the formation of blends. The microscopy images revealed the formation of clusters of nanocrystals as their concentration increased. FTIR analysis revealed no major changes in the film structure apart from offset or reduction of some bands. The opacity increased with the incorporation of nanocellulose, although it did not increase with increasing nanocellulose concentrations.

The consumption of fungal- and plant-derived non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In addition to promote physiochemical effects on the gastrointestinal tract and serve as substrate for the intestinal microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids, NSP can interact with immune system cells including macrophages, which are crucial for tissue repair, lipid metabolism and host defense against foreign substances and pathogens. However, the effects of NSP in macrophages depends on their structure. Recently, it was showed that the chayote (Sechium edule) and the fungus Pleurotus albidus are promising sources of NSP with potential immunomodulatory effects in macrophages. In this study, it was explored the effects of cooking on the composition of NSP from chayote and evaluated their biological effects in macrophages. Furthermore, it was optimized a method for the extraction of mushroom NSP and characterized the structure and biological effects of NSP from P. albidus in macrophages. Results showed that the NSP from chayote pulp regulate cytokine secretion and phagocytosis by macrophages, and minor changes in composition during cooking influences their effects in macrophages. Furthermore, NSP from chayote induces cholesterol efflux and inhibits the expression of genes required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages previously exposed to cholesterol crystals. Then, it was showed that the optimized method for the extraction of NSP from mushroom reduces by up to half the extraction time commonly required. Furthermore, results showed that P. albidus is source of easily extractable glucans with biological effects in macrophages. Results also suggest that glucans from P. albidus inhibit lipid-induced inflammation and foam-cell formation at distinct levels, with significant effects on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Taken together, the results suggest that the benefits of chayote NSP is beyond their physical properties on the gastrointestinal tract, and that the P. albidus NSP offers potential health benefits that might be of relevance as a functional food ingredient. / O consumo de polissacarídeos não-amido (PNA) de fungos e plantas tem sido associado a redução do risco de doenças cardiovasculares. Além de promoverem efeitos físicos no trato gastrointestinal e serem utilizados como substratos pela microbiota intestinal, os PNA podem interagir com células do sistema imune, como macrófagos, cruciais no reparo tecidual, metabolismo lipídico, e na defesa do organismo contra patógenos. Entretanto, os efeitos em macrófagos dependem da estrutura do PNA. Recentemente, foi observado que o chuchu (Sechium edule) e o fungo Pleurotus albidus são fontes de PNA com potencial efeito sobre macrófagos. Assim, foram avaliados os efeitos dos PNA do chuchu fresco e cozido em macrófagos. Além disso, foi otimizado um método para extração de polissacarídeos de cogumelo, e avaliada a estrutura e os efeitos biológicos dos PNA do P. albidus em macrófagos. Foi observado que os PNA do chuchu regulam a secreção de citocinas e o processo de fagocitose por macrófagos, e alterações na composição de PNA durante o cozimento tem um impacto em seus efeitos biológicos. Além disso, os PNA do chuchu induzem o efluxo de colesterol e regulam a expressão de genes necessários para a ativação do inflamassoma NLRP3 em macrófagos previamente tratados com cristais de colesterol. Também foi demonstrado que o método otimizado de extração de PNA de cogumelos reduz em até pela metade o tempo de extração normalmente empregado. Além disso, foi verificado que o P. albidus é fonte para extração de glicanos com efeitos em macrófagos. Os resultados também sugerem que os glicanos obtidos do P. albidus inibem em diferentes níveis a inflamação induzida por lipídeos e a formação de células espumosas, com efeitos significativos sobre a ativação do inflamassoma NLRP3. Tais diferenças parecem estar associadas à estrutura dos glicanos. Por fim, os resultados sugerem que os benefícios dos PNA do chuchu estão além dos seus efeitos físicos sobre o trato gastrointestinal, e que os PNA do P. albidus promovem benefícios que podem ser relevantes para explorar sua utilização como um alimento ou fonte para extração de ingredientes funcionais.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jessica Cristina Urbanski Laureth.pdf: 1753789 bytes, checksum: 5516d92f3757c43a94720173f562bc89 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Edible coatings may assist improvement of quality and conservation of fruits. Polysaccharide polymers, such as starch, pectin and cellulose have been constantly used as base to form coatings, but their physical properties do not provide proper barrier to gas and water vapor diffusion. Cellulose nanocrystals, when incorporated to edible coatings may improve their barrier properties. The addition of a natural antioxidant to the coating may improve conservation capacity of fruit. Natural antioxidants have relative instability, which may limit its reducing properties. Nevertheless, including nanocrystals may aggregate higher stability to added antioxidant. Thus, the objective of this research was assessing the effect of polymeric coatings, along with cellulose nanocrystals and vegetable extract on the physiology of Persian lime. It consisted of two experiments, the first assessed the effect of pectin (PEC), starch (ST) and cellulose gum (CMC) polymers added to cellulose nanocrystals (CN). The second differed from the first due to the addition of peanut peel extract, chosen because it has higher rates of antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods in comparison with extracts of Persian lime and Rangpur seeds. In both experiments the assessments occurred during nine storage days under 23 °C ± 2 °C. Ethylene, CO2, fresh mass loss, firmness and chlorophyll were assessed. In the second were included DPPH, ABTS and FRAP antioxidant activity analyses, as well as total phenolic composites and ascorbic acid. In the first experiment, coatings formed by CMC, PEC and ST pure polymers with their respective nanocomposites called NCMC, NPEC and NST were efficient to reduce ethylene production until first three storage days. Among tested treatments, NPEC nanocomposite (12.01 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1) was more efficient than PEC (14.93 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1) to inhibit CO2 diffusion. PEC polymer when reinforced by NC (NPEC) was the only coating to reduce fresh mass loss of Persian lime, and it was also more efficient than PEC pure polymer when it comes to retention of chlorophyll. All tested nanocomposites and pure polymers were similarly efficient to keep fruit s firmness. In the second experiment the combination of pectin, cellulose gum, nanocrystals and extract was responsible to present lower ethylene and CO2 production rates. All tested coatings slowed fresh mass and firmness loss of fruits, but pectin and cellulose gum active nanocomposite was the coating able to contribute to the lowest rate of fresh mass loss and to highest rate of fruit s firmness retention, but the addition of extract did not influence these results. The reinforcement with cellulose nanocrystals was able to retain antioxidant activity off added coatings, which consisted of peanut peel extract. This research showed that pectin coatings, based on nanocrystals and the coatings from polymeric combination of pectin and cellulose gum, along with peanut peel extract and nanocrystals, presented better barrier properties against gases and water vapor, based on physiologic and physicochemical indicators / Revestimentos comestíveis podem auxiliar na qualidade e conservação de frutos. Polímeros de polissacarídeos, como amido, pectina e celulose têm sido muito utilizados como base de formação de revestimentos, mas suas propriedades físicas não proporcionam barreira adequada à difusão de gases e vapor d´água. Nanocristais de celulose, quando incorporados a revestimentos comestíveis, podem melhorar suas propriedades de barreira. A adição de um antioxidante natural ao revestimento pode melhorar a capacidade de conservação do fruto. Antioxidantes naturais possuem relativa instabilidade que pode limitar suas propriedades redutoras. No entanto, a inclusão de nanocristais pode agregar maior estabilidade ao antioxidante adicionado. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de revestimentos poliméricos, adicionados com nanocristais de celulose e extrato vegetal na fisiologia e qualidade pós-colheita da lima ácida Tahiti. O trabalho foi dividido em dois experimentos. O primeiro consistiu na avaliação do efeito de polímeros de carboximetilcelulose (CMC), pectina (PEC) e amido (AM), adicionados de nanocristais de celulose (NC). O segundo diferiu do primeiro pela adição de extrato de película de amendoim, escolhido por possuir maiores valores de atividade antioxidante pelos métodos DPPH, ABTS e FRAP em comparação aos extratos de casca de lima ácida Tahiti e semente de limão Cravo. Em ambos experimentos as avaliações ocorreram durante 9 dias de armazenamento a 23 °C ± 2 °C. Etileno, CO2, perda de massa fresca, firmeza e clorofila foram avaliados nos dois experimentos. No segundo foram incluídas as análises de atividade antioxidante pelos métodos DPPH, ABTS e FRAP, compostos fenólicos totais e ácido ascórbico. No primeiro experimento, os revestimentos formados com os polímeros puros CMC, PEC e AM e com os seus respectivos nanocompósitos chamados NCMC, NPEC e NAM foram eficazes em reduzir a produção de etileno até os primeiros três dias de armazenamento. Entre os tratamentos testados, o nanocompósito NPEC (12,01 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1) foi mais eficiente em inibir a difusão de CO2 do que o polímero puro PEC (14,93 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1). O polímero PEC quando reforçado com NC (NPEC) foi o único revestimento que pôde reduzir a perda de peso fresco de lima ácida Tahiti, e também foi mais eficiente na retenção de clorofila do que o polímero puro PEC. Todos os nanocompósitos ou polímeros puros testados foram similarmente eficientes em reter a firmeza dos frutos. No segundo experimento a mistura de pectina e carboximetilcelulose, nanocristais e extrato foi responsável por apresentar as menores taxas de produção de etileno e CO2. Todos os revestimentos testados retardaram as perdas de massa fresca e de firmeza dos frutos, mas o nanocompósito ativo de pectina e carboximetilcelulose foi o revestimento capaz de influenciar a menor perda de massa fresca e reter a maior firmeza, mas a adição de extrato não influenciou esses resultados. O reforço com nanocristais de celulose foi capaz de reter atividade antioxidante dos revestimentos adicionados de extrato de película de amendoim. Este estudo mostrou que revestimentos de pectina, baseados em nanocristais e revestimentos da mistura polimérica de pectina e carboximetilcelulose, adicionais de extrato de película de amendoim e nanocristais, apresentaram melhores propriedades de barreira a gases e ao vapor de água, baseados nos indicadores fisiológicos e físico-químicos

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana (TFDa), utilizando laser de baixa potência, em duas densidades de energia, associado ao azul de toluidina em biofilme de S. mutans. Biofilmes de S. mutans UA159 foram crescidos por 5 dias em discos de resina acrílica (3 mm de diâmetro x 2 mm de altura) a 37&ordm;C 5 % de CO2;. Os espécimes foram divididos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos de tratamento (n=3): Digluconato de clorexidina 0,12% (CHX, controle positivo); Solução salina a 0,89% (NaCl, controle negativo); Terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana com azul de toluidina e laser de baixa potência (densidade de energia 320 J/cm&sup2;) (TFDa 320); Terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana com azul de toluidina e laser de baixa potência (densidade de energia 640 J/cm&sup2;) (TFDa 640). Os tratamentos foram realizados 2x/dia durante 3 dias. Ao final dos 5 dias, os biofilmes foram coletados e número de bactérias viáveis e a concentração de polissacarídeos extracelulares insolúveis (PECI) e intracelulares (PIC) foram determinadas e analisadas estatisticamente (ANOVA e teste de Tukey, p < 0,05). O tratamento com a TFDa (320 e 640 J/cm&sup2;) reduziu o número de bactérias viáveis em biofilmes de S. mutans, de uma maneira dose-dependente (p < 0,05). Além disso, a TFDa 640 J/cm&sup2;, reduziu a viabilidade bacteriana de forma tão eficaz quanto a CHX (p > 0,05). Em relação a PECI e PIC, os grupos TFDa (320 e 640 J/cm&sup2;) não foram significativamente diferentes de CHX (p > 0,05). Os resultados mostraram que a terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana, mediada pelo azul de toluidina e laser de diodo (640 J/cm&sup2;), pode ser uma abordagem utilizada no controle do biofilme dental cariogênico. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), using low-power laser, with two energy densities, associated with toluidine blue in S. mutans biofilm. S. mutans UA159 biofilms were grown for 5 days on acrylic resin discs (3 mm diameter x 2 mm height) a 37&ordm;C, 5 % de CO2. The specimens were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (n = 3): 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX, positive control); 0,89% Saline (NaCl, negative control); Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with toluidine blue and low power laser (energy density of 320 J/cm&sup2;) (aPDT 320); Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with toluidine blue and low power laser (energy density of 640 J/cm&sup2;) (aPDT 640). Treatments were performed 2x/day for 3 days. At the end of 5 days, the biofilms were collected and the number of viable bacteria and the concentration of insoluble extracellular (IEPS) and intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) were determined and analyzed statistically (ANOVA and Tukey\'s test, p<0.05). Treatment with aPDT (320 and 640 J/cm&sup2;) reduced the number of viable bacteria of S. mutans biofilms in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Furthermore, the aPDT 640 group reduced the bacterial viability as effectively as CHX group (p>0.05). For IEPS and IPS, the aPDT groups (320 and 640 J/cm&sup2;) were not significantly different CHX (p>0.05). The results showed that the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy mediated by toluidine blue and diode laser (640 J/cm&sup2;) may be an approach used to control the cariogenic dental biofilm.

Acteur clé de la symbiose hôte-microbiote, les IgA sécrétoires modulent le microbiote et participe à l'homéostasie intestinale. Chez la souris, les IgA sont polyréactives, en reconnaissent diverses bactéries, elles régulent la composition du microbiote et réduisent l'inflammation intestinale. Ces observations ouvrent des perspectives thérapeutiques intéressantes. Cependant, les caractéristiques des IgA et leurs spécificités restent mal connues chez l'homme. L'objectif de ce travail a donc été d'étudier la spécificité de la réponse IgA, en distinguant IgA1 et IgA2. La mise au point d'une technique de production in vitro d'IgA monoclonales 100% humaines issues de l'intestin nous a permis de montrer le profil de polyréactivité des IgA. Chaque IgA interagit avec un spectre large mais défini de bactéries commensales. Par ailleurs, les IgA1 et les IgA2 ciblent la même fraction du microbiote. Les réponses IgA1 et IgA2 convergent aussi au niveau des épitopes polysaccharidiques reconnus. Si les IgA sécrétoires contribuent largement à l’homéostasie intestinale, des IgG sériques anti-microbiote jouent un rôle dans la relation symbiotique hôte-microbiote. Leur présence n’ayant pas encore été démontrée chez l’homme en condition physiologique, ce travail a eu pour objectif secondaire de les explorer. Le développement d’une technique de cytométrie bactérienne nous a permis de détecter des IgG ciblant les bactéries commensales dans le sérum des individus sains. Ces IgG anti-microbiote sont dirigées vers les bactéries déjà reconnues par les IgA sécrétoires, elles présentent des spécificités propres à chaque individu. / IgA, the dominant immunoglobulin produced in the gut, plays diverse roles ranging from toxin neutralization, immune functions regulation, intestinal homeostasis maintenance. It is now well established that polyreactive IgA, which target multiple bacteria, can modulate gut microbiota composition and have promising therapeutic effects. However, IgA features remain elusive in humans. We therefore determined the reactivity profile of native monoclonal antibodies from human colon and compared IgA1 and IgA2. We found that IgA are polyreactive and bind a diverse but restricted subset of gut commensals. Most commensals were dually coated by IgA1 and IgA2, yet IgA2 alone coated a distinct fraction of colonic bacteria. Besides their common microbial targets, IgA1 and IgA2 exhibited overlapping anti-carbohydrate repertoires. An essential link between IgA and IgG responses against microbiota has been recently demonstrated in mice. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether symbiotic bacteria could induce systemic IgG under homeostatic conditions in humans. Hence, we characterized anti-microbiota IgG in serum of healthy donors by bacterial flow cytometry. We found that each individual harbored a diverse and private panel of anti-commensals IgG that converge with secretory IgA to cover a restricted fraction of the gut microbiota. Patients with IgA deficiency or common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) exhibited a distinct set of anti-commensals IgG suggesting that IgA replacement in addition to polyvalent IgG might be beneficial to treat gastro-intestinal symptoms in these patients.