Plant form is a compromise between resource gathering, reproduction and the tolerance to physical demands of the abiotic and biotic environment. In an agricultural field in addition to the natural factors causing stress, humans also introduce physical and mechanical stresses, and chemical pesticides into the environment. Many of these factors are hazardous, since they represent stresses to which plants are unable to develop defense mechanisms. However, weeds have persisted in the agricultural environment despite the efforts to eradicate them. They have adapted to environmental changes such as crop rotation and have developed tolerance to stressors like pesticides in very short periods of times (less than 10 years), much less time than normally expected for evolutionary responses to occur. Perhaps a key to why weeds persist in stress-dominated habitats is the way they compromise between yield and survival. The mechanisms that explain which process is relevant in the control of seed production or seedling growth relate to the ecophysiology of the individual plants. However, trade-offs between plants physiological functions will have implications at both population and community levels. Climate change, air pollution and water scarcity are examples of environmental stresses that particularly affect agriculture. Herbicides are a major technological tool for agriculture and are responsible, at least in part, for significant increases in crop production during the last quarter of the century. The research presented in this dissertation was developed to understand the extent that individual responses to multiple environmental stresses can be extrapolated to population-level responses in an annual weed species. The specific objectives were to assess (1) the impact of three anthropogenic stresses (herbicide, UVB light and ozone) and their interactions on individual Italian ryegrass ontogeny and reproduction and (2) the potential evolutionary effect of these stresses and combinations on changes in population size and structure over time. Plants were capable of growth and reproductive compensation under the studied stresses. Stress factors with similar biochemical mechanisms had different effects at the individual plant and population levels of organization. Compensation occurred at all levels of organization: as individuals modifying growth and allocation to different organs and as populations modifying birth, and death rates and density dependent responses. The ability to compensate sometimes decreased with the number of stress factors (e.g. herbicide and UVB). In other cases, compensation ability increased with the number of stress factors (e.g. ozone and herbicide). / Graduation date: 2004

Ph.D. / Molecular and Medical Genetics / The objective of this study is to examine, in light of the expression of multiple p53 family member isoforms, the specific role of p73 in malignant conversion, cellular response to DNA damage, and direct or indirect cooperation with other p53 family members in a clonal model of epidermal carcinogenesis. We first focused on the role of p73 in malignant conversion. Whether sporadic or siRNA induced, loss of p73 in initiated p53+/+ keratinocytes lead to conversion to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in vivo which was reversible upon reconstitution of TAp73α but not ΔNp73α. Second, we investigated the cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) in the presence and absence of p73, showing that loss of p73 at malignant conversion was associated with resistance to IR in vitro. The loss of radiation sensitivity and malignant conversion was characterized by reduced steady state DNA binding levels of transcriptionally active p63 isoforms to the p21 promoter, failure to induce specific p53 family transcriptional targets, and failure to arrest in G1. Reconstitution of TAp73α, but not ΔNp73α, increased steady state DNA binding capabilities of TAp63β, TAp63γ, and ΔNp63γ, and steady state levels of p53 family target mRNA, but did not restore cellular sensitivity to IR. We thus uncovered a functional cooperation between TA isoforms of p73 and p63 and showed that p73-mediated DNA damage response was uncoupled from its tumor suppressive role. We observed preferential DNA binding of the inhibitory ΔNp63α isoform both in vitro and invivo in SCC suggesting that in the absence of TAp73α a balance is tipped toward DNA binding of the inhibitory isoforms. Third, we studied the role of the p53 family inkeratinocyte response to UVB. Tumorigenic cells lacking p73 that were resistant to IR remained sensitive to UVB, accompanied by DNA binding of the TAp63γ isoform, suggesting that keratinocyte response to UVB is not dependent upon p73 and suggesting a hierarchy of p53 family member responses to DNA damage. Finally, we examined TAp73α interaction with the p53 family inhibitor Mdm2. Mdm2 was in complex with DNA-bound p53 family members in malignant cells, but reconstitution of cells withTAp73α correlated with removal of Mdm2 from the complex, making them more like primary keratinocytes or initiated cells. Like the initiated cells, cells expressing TAp73α were refractory to treatment with the Mdm2-p53 inhibitor Nutlin-3 while cells lacking p73 expression or expressing ΔNp73α were sensitive. Thus, we suggest that p73 may be acting as a molecular shield to keep p53 family member inhibitors, such as ΔNp63α andMdm2, at bay. Further understanding of p53 family interplay in tumor development and DNA damage response could lead to new therapies or optimization of current therapeutic strategies in solid tumors of epithelium, particularly where deregulation or loss of p63 and p73 expression is associated with increased tumor invasiveness, treatment resistance, and poor patient prognosis.

The validation of UV reactors is currently accomplished by biodosimetry, in which the reactor is treated as a "black-box" and hence cannot account for the dependence of the dose delivery on the complex hydrodynamics and the spatial variation in UV intensity. Alternative methods, such as fluorescent microspheres as non-biological surrogates and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, have been developed; however, each method has its shortcomings. In this study, a novel technique for the spatial and temporal assessment of the hydrodynamics and the UV dose delivered and the link between these two factors in a lab-scale UV reactor using three dimensional laser induced fluorescence (3DLIF) is developed. This tool can also be utilized for the optimization of UV reactors and to provide data for validation of CFD-based simulation techniques. Regions of optimization include areas around the UV lamp where short-circuiting occurred, a longer inlet approach section that enhances the performance of the reactor by reducing short circuiting paths and a longer outlet region to provide greater mixing. 3DLIF allows real time characterization of mixing and dose delivery in a single lamp UV reactor placed perpendicular to flow by capturing fluorescence images emitted from a laser dye, Rhodamine 6G, using a high speed CCD camera. In addition to three-dimensional mixing, the technique successfully visualized the two-dimensional, transient mixing behaviors such as the recirculation zone and the von Karman vortices and the fluence delivery within the reactor, which has not been possible with traditional tracer test techniques. Finally, a decomposition technique was applied to the flow and fluence delivery based concentration data to reveal similar structures that affect these phenomena. Based on this analysis, changing the flow in the reactor, i.e. the Reynolds number, will directly affect the fluence delivery.

It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) B (280-315 nm) and blue light (400-500 nm) radiation can produce phototoxic lesions in the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In the first section of this thesis, bovine lens cells (epithelium and superficial cortical fibre cell) and human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells were used to characterize in vitro changes following oxidative stress with UVB radiation in ocular lens optics and cellular function in terms of mitochondrial dynamics. In the second part, human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and in vitro bioassays were used together to develop an in vitro approach for UV radiation-induced retinal toxicology research. In the third chapter, the in vitro approach developed above was used with intraocular lens (IOL) materials to evaluate the UV radiation blocking efficiency of commercially available IOL’s. Lastly, narrowband blue light irradiation and in vitro assays were used to determine more precisely the wavelengths of blue light responsible for photochemical lesions of the retina as an effort to contribute to future IOL designs. The results from mitochondrial dynamics of lens cells and RPE cells show significant decreases in mitochondrial movement after UVB irradiation in a dose dependent manner. Results obtained from four in vitro assays (Alamar blue assay, confocal microscopy for mitochondrial distribution and nucleic acids damage, phagocytotic activity assay) for evaluating the UVB-induced damage in ARPE-19 show significant decreases in cell viability as well as phagocytotic activity of RPE cells after UVB radiation. In addition, the results show that UV radiation can also induce the degradation of DNA/RNA and mitochondria of RPE cells in a dose dependent manner. The results of the UV blocking efficiency test of commercially available IOL materials show very effective UV blocking ability, allowing no cellular damage at all, in comparison to an IOL uncovered control cell. The results of three different wavelengths of blue light exposure show that only 400 nm blue light radiation can cause significant damage to RPE cells, while 420 and 435.8 nm blue light radiation cause no cellular damage at all. In conclusion, UVB and blue light radiation can cause phototoxic damage to the retinal pigment epithelium as a result of oxidative stress, and in vitro bioassays used for this research may offer a sensitive, and meaningful biomarker approach, not only for evaluating RPE function after oxidative and chemical stress, but also for evaluating IOL effectiveness.

It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) B (280-315 nm) and blue light (400-500 nm) radiation can produce phototoxic lesions in the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In the first section of this thesis, bovine lens cells (epithelium and superficial cortical fibre cell) and human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells were used to characterize in vitro changes following oxidative stress with UVB radiation in ocular lens optics and cellular function in terms of mitochondrial dynamics. In the second part, human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and in vitro bioassays were used together to develop an in vitro approach for UV radiation-induced retinal toxicology research. In the third chapter, the in vitro approach developed above was used with intraocular lens (IOL) materials to evaluate the UV radiation blocking efficiency of commercially available IOL’s. Lastly, narrowband blue light irradiation and in vitro assays were used to determine more precisely the wavelengths of blue light responsible for photochemical lesions of the retina as an effort to contribute to future IOL designs. The results from mitochondrial dynamics of lens cells and RPE cells show significant decreases in mitochondrial movement after UVB irradiation in a dose dependent manner. Results obtained from four in vitro assays (Alamar blue assay, confocal microscopy for mitochondrial distribution and nucleic acids damage, phagocytotic activity assay) for evaluating the UVB-induced damage in ARPE-19 show significant decreases in cell viability as well as phagocytotic activity of RPE cells after UVB radiation. In addition, the results show that UV radiation can also induce the degradation of DNA/RNA and mitochondria of RPE cells in a dose dependent manner. The results of the UV blocking efficiency test of commercially available IOL materials show very effective UV blocking ability, allowing no cellular damage at all, in comparison to an IOL uncovered control cell. The results of three different wavelengths of blue light exposure show that only 400 nm blue light radiation can cause significant damage to RPE cells, while 420 and 435.8 nm blue light radiation cause no cellular damage at all. In conclusion, UVB and blue light radiation can cause phototoxic damage to the retinal pigment epithelium as a result of oxidative stress, and in vitro bioassays used for this research may offer a sensitive, and meaningful biomarker approach, not only for evaluating RPE function after oxidative and chemical stress, but also for evaluating IOL effectiveness.

Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T20:15:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivo 01.pdf: 247408 bytes, checksum: c5b71bb84d3f6d810ed1180dbb4470da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work investigates the wettability changes of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) induced by optical process. a-C:H films were grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition at 100% acetylene atmosphere. Steel and brass were used as substrates. Two groups of samples were prepared to study the radiation influence. First group was deposited at different substrate temperature and second one at different deposition pressure. Samples were exposed to radiation at different energy range, gamma and ultraviolet extend. The idea behind radiation exposure was to identify changes at the surface topography to evaluate changes at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the samples. In essence, hydrogenated amorphous carbon films are hydrophilic at all conditions studied. This work shows it is possible to make a-C:H surfaces less hydrophilic using both gamma and ultraviolet radiation. Also samples can reach hydrophobic state induced by ultraviolet beam at high energy, although for a short period of time. Yet, samples were bombarded by argon ions in order to investigate how physical changes at the surface influence their wettability character. Results present the wicking effect, which says that induced roughness enhancement causes improvement of the wet character of the sample. In conclusion, all the results presented at this work suggest that Wenzel s model can be applied to evaluate a-C:H samples at the conditions here used. / Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar as mudanças na mol habilidade de filmes de carbono amorfo hidrogenado (a-C:H) induzidas por processos ópticos. Estes filmes de a-C:H foram depositados pela técnica química na fase vapor assistida por plasma (PECVD) sobre substratos de aço e latão, em ambiente com 100% de acetileno. Dois grupos de amostras foram preparados a fim de se estudar a influencia da radiação. O primeiro grupo foi depositado em diferentes temperaturas do substrato. O segundo em diferentes pressões de deposição. As amostras foram expostas a um largo espectro de energia, que se estendeu de UV a gama de alta e baixa atividades. A idéia por trás da exposição de radiação e investigar as mudanças na topografia das amostras como forma de avaliar as mudanças do caráter hidrofílico para hidrofóbico. Tipicamente, filmes de carbono amorfo hidrogenado são hidrofílicos em todas as condições estudadas. Este trabalho mostra que e possível fazer filmes de a-C:H menos hidrofílico usando tanto radiação gama quanto ultravioleta. Também, filmes de a-C:H podem alcançar estados hidrofóbicos induzidos por ultravioleta de alta energia, embora não seja permanente. Ainda, as amostras de a-C:H foram bombardeadas com íons de argônio a fim de investigar como as mudanças físicas influenciam a molhabilidade dos filmes. Os resultados mostram que a rugosidade induzida provoca o chamado efeito wicking que reforça o caráter de molhabilidade da superfície. Finalmente, todos os resultados apresentados neste trabalho mostram que o modelo de Wenzel pode ser aplicado para avaliar amostras de a-C:H crescidas conforme as condições aqui estudadas.

The synergistic effect of nitric oxide toward dephosphorylation reactions involving phosphate esters was the subject of investigation in this research. Sodium nitroprusside under UV irradiations at 254nm, 365nm and white light was utilized as nitric oxide donor in solutions. The effects of cobalt trimethylenediamine and nitroprusside towards dephosphorylation of nitrophenylphosphate and pyrophosphate which were modeled as organophosphate ester substrates were also investigated. The activated substrate models showed more rate enhancement than the unactivated models in all cases. The direct interaction of nitric oxide with the phosphorus centre is presumed to be the reason for enhanced hydrolysis. This study demonstrates the possible role of nitric oxide in decontamination reactions of poorly biodegradable phosphate esters in the biosphere. / Chemistry / M. Sc. (Chemistry)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Diet fatty acids (FA) are fundamental to the phospholipids structure and function of cell membranes, in which long chain polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) increase its fluidity, while the trans FA (TFA) to make it more rigid. Also, the barrier function and hydration are highly dependent on the skin composition and structure, as well as the organization of lipids in the cell matrix. In recent years, the ozone layer depletion has increased human exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), inducing deleterious effects on skin homeostasis. Moreover, lifestyle habits and eating patterns, especially in Western countries, has shown an increasing consumption of processed foods rich in AGT, whose cutaneous consequences do not present scientific validation. Whereas the skin health is partially related to the lipids that compose it, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of different oils or fat in distinctlife periods of rodents on oxidative damage acute and chronic exposure to UVR-induced. Male Swiss mice weanling were supplemented daily (3g/kg, po) with soybean oil (C-SO; rich in n-6 PUFA), fish oil (FO; rich in n-3 PUFA) or hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF; rich in TFA) until 90 days old and the dorsal skin was acutely exposed to UVR. The FO supplementation showed n-3 PUFA incorporation in mice skin, while the groups supplemented with soybean oil and HVF showed incorporation of n-6 PUFA and TFA, respectively. Such skin incorporations exerted influences on the development of UVR -induced oxidative damage in the mice skin and HVF group showed the highest protein carbonylation (PC) levels and lipid peroxidation, accompanied by larger skin thickening (edema), lower catalase (CAT) activity and cell survival. While soybean oil was associated with a partial prevention of damage observed in HVF group, FO supplementation prevented cutaneous oxidative damage UVR-induced. Sequentially, second and third experimental protocols were developed with the first and second generations offsprings born adult rats under daily supplementation of the same oils used in experiment 1 (SO, FO and HVF) and at 90 days old, each experimental group were exposed to UVR 3x/ week for 12 weeks. Animals first generation offspring (experiment 2) FO supplemented treated showed higher incorporation of n-3 FA and lower n-6/n-3 ratio in the dorsal skin, while the HVF group showed greater incorporation of TFA. Biochemical analyzes showed higher PC levels, per se, and smaller functionality of mitochondrial enzymes and decrease of some antioxidant defenses ((reduced glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C (VIT C)) in the dorsal skin HVF supplemented group. After UVR exposure, the same experimental group showed higher wrinkles scores, increased reactive species (RS) generation and PC levels, which were accompanied by decrease in GSH and VIT C skin levels. In contrast, FO group showed lower wrinkles scores and skin thickening after UVR exposure, besides lower PC levels and increased of the functionality of mitochondrial enzymes. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between the RS generation-UVR induced and skin thickness, wrinkles and PC levels, while a negative correlation between the RS generation-UVR induced and functionality of mitochondrial enzymes, and between PC levels and GSH, SOD and VIT C.Animals of the second generation offspring (experiment 3) supplemented with FO showed higher n-3 FA incorporation and lower n-6/n-3 ratio in the dorsal skin, while TFA were incorporated only in HVF group. The latter experimental group showed biochemical changes per se: high RS generation, lower functionality of mitochondrial enzymes and increased Na+K+-ATPase activity. UVR exposure increased skin wrinkling andRS generation, besides reduced functionality of mitochondrial enzymes and GSH levels in HFV group. FO groupUVR exposure showed reduced skin thickness and PC levels, besides increase CAT activity and the preservation of Na+K+-ATPase activity. Whereas the n-3 PUFA compete with n-6 PUFA for desaturases and elongases activities, which originate from long chain n-3 or n-6 PUFA, respectively, which are incorporated into the cell membranesphospholipids.Such incorporation allows the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity over them, originating active metabolites of the series 3 (prostaglandins (PG) and thromboxanes (TX)) or series 2 (PG and TX series 2), respectively. Series 3 metabolites are less pro-inflammatory than those of series 2, which may partly explain our findings. Moreover, to date, no study has shown the metabolites generation of AGT, even their influence on inflammation and pro-oxidant in cell membranes. How TFA have been reported to inhibit the desaturases activity, we suggest that the presence of AGT in the membranes may be inhibiting the n-3 PUFA incorporation and, thus, reduce the metabolites generation, which are known to be beneficial. Taken together, the data presented in this thesis suggest that healthy eating habits that include reduced intake of foods rich in AGT and the inclusion of n-3 PUFA, accompanied by care front sun exposure can contribute to the prevention of skin diseases and skin diseases associated with UV exposure. / Os ácidos graxos (AG) provenientes da dieta são fundamentais para a estrutura e função dos fosfolipídeos das membranas celulares, nas quais os AG poliinsaturados (AGPI) de cadeia longa aumentam a sua fluidez, enquanto os AG trans (AGT) a tornam mais rígida. Nos últimos anos, a diminuição da camada de ozônio tem aumentado a exposição humana à radiação ultravioleta (RUV), causando consequências deletérias sobre a homeostase cutânea. Por outro lado, os hábitos de vida e os padrões alimentares, especialmente em países ocidentais, tem apresentado um consumo crescente de alimentos processados ricos em AGT, cujas consequências cutâneas ainda não apresentam validação científica. Considerando que a saúde da pele está parcialmente relacionada aos lipídios que a compõem, este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a influência da suplementação de diferentes óleos ou gordura em diferentes períodos da vida de roedores sobre os danos oxidativos induzidos pela exposição aguda e crônica à RUV. Camundongos Swiss machos recém desmamados foram diariamente suplementados (3g/kg; p.o.) com óleo de soja (rico em AGPI n-6) (grupo controle), óleo de peixe (rico em AGPI n-3) ou gordura vegetal hidrogenada (GVH; rica em AGT) até 90 dias de idade, quando a pele da região dorsal foi agudamente exposta à RUV. A suplementação com óleo de peixe foi relacionada à incorporação de AGPI n-3 no tecido cutâneo dos camundongos, enquanto os grupos suplementados com óleo de soja e GVH apresentaram incorporação de AGPI n-6 e AGT, respectivamente. Tais incorporações exerceram influências sobre o desenvolvimento de danos oxidativos induzidos pela RUV na pele dos camundongos, de modo que o grupo GVH mostrou maiores níveis de peroxidação lipídica e carbonilação protéica, acompanhados de maior espessamento da pele (edema), menor atividade da catalase (CAT) e viabilidade celular. Enquanto o óleo de soja foi associado a uma prevenção parcial dos danos observados no grupo GVH, a suplementação com óleo de peixe preveniu os danos oxidativos cutâneos. Sequencialmente, o segundo e terceiro protocolos experimentais foram desenvolvidos com a 1ª e a 2ª gerações de ratas adultas nascidas sob a suplementação diária dos mesmos óleos utilizados no experimento 1 (óleo de soja, óleo de peixe e GVH) e, aos 90 dias de idade, parte de cada grupo experimental foi exposto à RUV 3x/ semana, durante 12 semanas. Animais de 1ª geração (experimento 2) tratados com óleo de peixe apresentaram maior incorporação de n-3 FA e menor razão n-6/n-3 na pele dorsal, enquanto o grupo GVH mostrou maior incorporação de AGT. Análises bioquímicas mostraram um aumento dos níveis de proteína carbonil (PC), per se, menor funcionalidade das enzimas mitocondriais e diminuição de algumas defesas antioxidantes (glutationa reduzida (GSH) e vitamina C (VIT C)) na pele dorsal do grupo suplementado com GVH. Após exposição à RUV, este mesmo grupo experimental apresentou maior escore de rugas, maior geração de espécies reativas (ER) e níveis de PC, os quais foram acompanhados de uma diminuição dos níveis de GSH e de VIT C na pele dorsal. Contrariamente, o grupo óleo de peixe mostrou menor escore de rugas e espessamento da pele após exposição à RUV, além de apresentar menores níveis de PC e maior funcionalidade das enzimas mitocondriais. Adicionalmente, observou-se uma correlação positiva entre a geração de ER induzida pela RUV e a espessura da pele, rugas e PC, enquanto uma correlação negativa entre a geração de ER induzidas pela RUV e a funcionalidade das enzimas mitocondriais, e entre os níveis de PC e GSH, SOD e VIT C. Animais de 2ª geração (experimento 3) tratados com óleo de peixe apresentaram maior incorporação AG n-3 e menor razão n-6/n-3 na pele dorsal, enquanto que os AGT foram incorporados apenas no grupo GVH. Este último grupo experimental apresentou alterações bioquímicas per se: maior geração de ER, menor funcionalidade das enzimas mitocondriais e maior atividade da Na+K+ATPase. A exposição do grupo GVH à RUV aumentou a rugosidade da pele, aumentou a geração de ER e reduziu a funcionalidade das enzimas mitocondriais, além de diminuir os níveis de GSH. No grupo óleo de peixe, a exposição à RUV foi associada à menor espessura da pele e à redução dos níveis de PC, além do aumento da atividade da CAT e da preservação da atividade da Na+K+ATPase. Os AGPI n-3 competem com AGPI n-6 pela atividade das elongases e dessaturases, as quais originam AGPI de cadeia longa n-3 ou n-6, respectivamente, que são incorporados aos fosfolipídeos das membranas celulares. Tal incorporação permite a atividade da ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) sobre os mesmos, originando metabólitos ativos da série 3 (prostaglandinas (PG) e tromboxanos (TX) da série 3) ou da série 6 (PG e TX da série 2), respectivamente. Os metabólitos da série 3 são menos pró-inflamatórios que aqueles da série 2, o que pode em parte explicar nossos achados. Além disto, até o momento, nenhum estudo mostrou a geração de metabólitos de AGT, nem mesmo sua influência sobre o processo inflamatório e pró-oxidante nas membranas celulares. Como os AGT têm sido descritos por inibir a atividade das dessaturases, nós sugerimos que a presença de AGT nas membranas pode estar inibindo a incorporação de AGPI n-3 e, dessa maneira, reduzir a geração de seus metabólitos, os quais são reconhecidamente benéficos. Tomados em conjunto, os dados apresentados nesta tese sugerem que hábitos alimentares saudáveis, que inclui uma ingesta reduzida de alimentos ricos em AGT e a inclusão de AGPI n-3, acompanhado de cuidados frente à exposição solar, podem contribuir para a prevenção de afecções cutâneas e doenças de pele associadas à exposição UV.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-07-13Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:56:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 moraes_c_me_jabo.pdf: 402113 bytes, checksum: 58e6a2cb5388c56367f25e652d9696b2 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O conhecimento das condições adequadas de cultivo e a busca por meios de cultura e métodos de produção que favoreçam o crescimento e a esporulação de fungos e, principalmente, viabilizem economicamente o processo de produção são aspectos importantes a serem considerados na produção massal de um agente de biocontrole. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento, a esporulação e a viabilidade de B. euphorbiae sob o efeito de diferentes valores de pH inicial do meio de cultivo, da temperatura e do regime de iluminação além de analisar a tolerância dos conídios à luz solar e a radiação ultravioleta e selecionar meios de cultura de baixo custo e fácil obtenção para produção do fungo. O fungo foi cultivado em meios de cultura com vários valores de pH (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 e 10), exposto a diversas temperaturas (13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 e 34°C) e distintos fotoperíodos (0, 12 e 24 hs). Conídios do fungo foram submetidos ao efeito da luz emitida por simulador solar e radiação ultravioleta germicida, e avaliou-se, em ensaios distintos, a produção de B. euphorbiae em diferentes concentrações de meios líquidos obtidos de resíduos e subprodutos agroindustriais (vinhaça, melaço de cana-de-açúcar, leite de levedura, soro de queijo, água da prensa da mandioca e milhocina®), em misturas de substratos sólidos obtidos de grãos e derivados (sorgo em grão com casca de soja e quirela de trigo e casca de soja com quirela de trigo) e, posteriormente, a combinação dos meios líquidos e sólidos que proporcionaram melhores resultados em um sistema bifásico de cultivo. Nos ensaios dos fatores ambientais, a avaliação do desempenho do fungo foi baseada no crescimento radial das colônias, na produção de conídios por unidade de área de colônia e na viabilidade dos conídios em lâminas de microscopia. A determinação dos meios líquidos mais eficientes... / The knowledge of adequate cultivate conditions, search for culture media and production methods that favor the growth and sporulation of fungi and, mainly, gain economical viability in the production process, are important aspects that must be considered in the massal production of an biocontrol agent. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth, sporulation and viability of Bipolaris euphorbiae under the effects of different cultivation medium initial pH values, temperature and photoperiod, and also to analyze the tolerance of conidia to light emitted by solar and ultraviolet radiation and select media of low cost and easy purchase for the fungus production. The fungus was cultivated in media with several pH values (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and exposed do different temperatures (13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 34°C) and photoperiods (0, 12, 24 hours). Conidia of the fungus were submitted to light effect, emitted by solar simulator and germicidal ultraviolet radiation. In a different experiment was evaluated the production of B. euphorbiae in different liquid media concentrations, obtained of agroindustrial residuals and byproducts (vinasse, sugar cane molasses, yeast cream, cheese whey, water of cassava bran and milhocina®) in combined mixtures of solid substracts obtained from different grains and derivates (sorghum grains with soybean hulls and cracked wheat and soybean hulls with cracked wheat) and, posteriorly, in combination of the liquid and solid media that demonstrated the best results in a two-phase cultivate system. In the experiments of environmental factors the fungus performance was based on the radial growth of the colonies, conidia production per colony area unit and viability of conidia in microscopic slide. The determination of the most efficient liquid media for the production of B. euphorbiae was based on the evaluation of production and viability of conidia... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)