Les procédés anaérobies de traitement de déchets apparaissent clairement pouvoir répondre à l'enjeu socio-économique actuel que représente la valorisation énergétique de la fraction organique contenue dans les déchets ménagers. En effet, les processus de dégradation anaérobies font intervenir en cascade, différentes réactions et populations de micro-organismes permettant de transformer la matière organique en biogaz riche en méthane. Une bonne connaissance des effets des paramètres opérationnels sur l'orientation des métabolismes s'avère ainsi nécessaire à l'émergence de solutions permettant d'optimiser ces procédés. Ceci est notamment le cas pour la dernière étape, appelée méthanogenèse. Dans ce contexte, l'approche isotopique reposant sur la mesure de la composition isotopique (13C/12C) du méthane et du dioxyde de carbone, devrait pouvoir répondre à cet objectif en permettant l'identification des métabolismes à l'origine de la production du méthane. La transposabilité à l'étude de la digestion anaérobie des déchets de cette approche isotopique déjà utilisée dans les écosystèmes naturels, a tout d'abord été vérifiée expérimentalement. Les effets de certains paramètres opérationnels connus pour avoir un impact fort sur le processus de digestion anaérobie, tels que la température et la concentration en azote ammoniacal, ont ensuite été étudiés. Il a été mis en évidence qu'en condition thermophile, la méthanogenèse acétoclaste observée en condition mésophile, était remplacée par une oxydation syntrophique de l'acétate lors de la digestion anaérobie des déchets ménagers. Des expériences sur acétate ont montré que cet effet sur les voies métaboliques n'était toutefois pas systématique et pourrait ne pas être dû à un effet direct d'une augmentation de la température, mais plutôt à l'accroissement de la concentration en ammoniaque qui en résulte. D'autres expériences ont clairement établi qu'une augmentation de la concentration en azote ammoniacal conduisait également à la mise en place de l'oxydation syntrophique de l'acétate. Le couplage de l'approche isotopique avec des analyses microbiologiques a révélé que cette réaction d'oxydation syntrophique de l'acétate, à haute concentration en azote ammoniacal, pouvait s'établir telle que déjà décrite, par la mise en place d'une relation symbiotique bactéries/archées hydrogénotrophes strictes, mais également de manière différente en impliquant des membres de la famille Methanosarcinaceae qui pourraient réaliser seuls les deux étapes de la réaction (oxydation et méthanogenèse hydrogénotrophe). L'application de l'approche isotopique a également permis de mettre en évidence, lors d'une expérience visant à simuler la recirculation de différents effluents au sein d'une installation de stockage de déchets bioactive, l'influence de la nature de l'effluent sur l'orientation des métabolismes méthanogènes. Enfin, l'influence de la proportion de déchets verts, lors de la co-digestion biodéchets / déchets verts, sur la concentration en ions ammonium libérés ainsi que sur l'orientation du métabolisme en résultant, a été étudiée. Les potentialités d'une utilisation de l'approche isotopique sur site ont également été investiguées au travers d'une campagne de mesures sur une installation de stockage de déchets non dangereux. / Anaerobic waste treatment processes are clearly part of the answer to a current important socio-economic issue in waste management: energy production from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. The anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste is a complex process involving numerous reactions and microorganism communities. At the end of the degradation process, some biogas with a particularly high methane content is produced. A detailed knowledge on how operational parameters affect metabolism orientations is required to optimize these treatment processes. This is in particular the case for the last degradation reaction called methanogenesis. In this context, an isotopic approach based on isotopic composition measurements (13C/12C) for methane and carbon dioxide can provide some clues with regard to this objective. Indeed, this methodology enables the determination of the methanogenic pathways by which methane is produced.Transferability of the isotopic approach used for natural ecosystems to the field of anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste was first experimentally verified. In a second time, the effects of some operational parameters known to strongly impact the anaerobic digestion process, such as temperature and ammonia concentration, were studied. During anaerobic digestion of reconstituted municipal solid waste in thermophilic conditions, it was shown that aceticlastic methanogenesis (occurring in mesophilic conditions) was replaced by a syntrophic acetate oxidation reaction. Additional experiments using acetate as sole substrate were performed and showed that this effect on the metabolic pathways was not systematic. Consequently, it cannot be due to a direct effect of the temperature increase. It could rather be explained by the induced and indirect increase in ammonia concentration. Additional experiments clearly demonstrated that an increase in ammonia concentration led to the establishment of a syntrophic acetate oxidation reaction. The isotopic approach was combined with microbiological analyses and showed that the syntrophic acetate oxidation reaction occurring at high ammonia concentration during acetate incubations could have been performed through a syntrophic relationship between bacteria and strict hydrogenotrophic archaea, as previously described in the literature. Interestingly, the syntrophic acetate oxidation could also have occurred using a different pathway relying on members of the Methanosarcinaceae family putatively able to perform the two steps of the reaction (oxidation and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis). In addition, the implementation of the isotopic approach during an experiment designed to simulate a landfill bioreactor evidenced the influence of the effluent's nature on the methanogenesis metabolism orientation. The influence of green waste proportion during the co-digestion of biowaste / green waste mixtures on resulting ammonia concentrations and methanogenesis pathways was also studied through dedicated experiments. Finally, the potential of the isotopic approach for landfill-scale application was investigated through a measurement campaign on a landfill site.

Ce travail de thèse a eu pour objectif principal l'étude thermodynamique des changements métaboliques dans l'acidogénèse. L'acidogénèse est un procédé anaérobie à double intérêt qui en traitant des résidus organiques, permet de produire des composés chimiques comme l'hydrogène, l'éthanol et les acides organiques. Par conséquent, l'acidogénèse se place comme un procédé biotechnologique dans le concept de bioraffinerie. En outre, ce processus n'a pas besoin de conditions stériles d'opération et fonctionne sur une large gamme de pH. Ces changements métaboliques sont dépendants des modifications dans les conditions opératoires. Afin d'étudier ces changements métaboliques, des expériences basées sur des modifications du ciel gazeux du réacteur par introduction d'azote et sur des changements du pH, ont été menées. Un des résultats les plus intéressants a été l'augmentation du rendement de production d'hydrogène de 1 à 3,2 molH2/molglucose à pH 4,5 et débit de N2 de 58,4 L/d. Ce rendement est proche de la valeur théorique (4 molH2/molglucose). L'étude thermodynamique a permis d'expliquer les mécanismes métaboliques concernant l'hydrogène, dont la production importante, représentée par le rendement de 3,2 molH2/molglucose, est due à la réaction inverse H2/NAD+, qui est thermodynamiquement faisable à faibles pressions partielles d'hydrogène (par exemple 0,02 bar). En outre, les bas rendements en hydrogène ont été expliqués par l'action consommatrice d'hydrogène par la réaction d'homoacetogénèse. Cependant, le modèle n'a pas été capable d'expliquer les changements métaboliques de l'acétate, du butyrate et de l'éthanol lors de la fermentation acidogénique du glucose. / This thesis deals with thermodynamic based modelling of metabolic shifts during acidogenic fermentation. Acidogenic fermentation is an anaerobic process of double purpose: while treating organic residues, it produces chemical compounds, such as hydrogen, ethanol and organic acids. Therefore, acidogenic fermentation arises as an attractive biotechnology process towards the biorefinery concept. Moreover, this process does not need sterile operating conditions and works under a wide range of pH.Changes of operating conditions produce metabolic shifts, inducing variability on acidogenic product yields. In order to study these metabolic shifts, an experiment design was based on reactor headspace N2-flushing (gas phase) and pH step changes (liquid phase). A major result was the hydrogen yield increase from 1 to 3.2 (molH2/molglucose) at pH 4.5 and N2-flushing of 58.4 L/d. This yield is close to the theoretical acidogenic value (4 molH2/molglucose).The thermodynamic model, based on the assumption that acidogenic fermentation is characterised by limited energy available for biological process, allowed to explain the mechanisms that govern hydrogen metabolic shifts, showing that the synthesis of extra hydrogen, i.e. yield of 3.2 (molH2/molglucose), was due to reverse H2/NAD+ redox reaction, which is thermodynamically feasible at low hydrogen partial pressures (e.g. 0.02 bar). Moreover, low hydrogen yields were explained by the action of homoacetogenesis hydrogen consuming reaction. However, the model was not capable to explain the metabolic shifts of acetate, butyrate and ethanol on acidogenic glucose fermentation.

Au cours de cette thèse, les prévisions de la méthodologie d’Analyse de Cycle de Vie (ACV) sont améliorées, via l’exergie, pour l’analyse et l’éco-conception des procédés. Nous mettons l’accent sur le potentiel de l’analyse exergétique et de la Consommation d’Exergie Cumulée (CExC) dans l’évaluation du critère d’épuisement, de productivité et de recyclabilité des ressources naturelles. Dans ce cadre, les transferts de pollutions et les impacts environnementaux d’un système de traitement des eaux résiduaires (STEP) ont été analysés en relation avec l’exergie consommée (CExC) et de l’exergie détruite (étude a priori). L’étude montre que la décision est différente lorsque l’indicateur d’épuisement des ressources naturelles est basé sur la méthode CExC de celle basée sur la méthode CML. L’amélioration de l’éco-efficacité d’une STEP implique un recyclage des boues en agriculture. La stabilisation des boues par digestion anaérobie réduit le volume des boues et ainsi l’impact du transport en comparaison avec la stabilisation à la chaux. Toutefois, elle réduit le potentiel fertilisant des boues, d’une part, et augmente la consommation d’énergie et l’impact du réchauffement climatique à cause du traitement des retours en tête d’autre part. Bien que la valorisation du biogaz en cogénération réduise la dépendance énergétique de la STEP et améliore son éco-efficacité globale en comparaison avec le chaulage, elle n’offre pas la possibilité à un séchage des boues. Le séchage des boues constitue l’une des recommandations des agriculteurs, bien qu’il n’améliore pas le l’éco-efficacité globale de la STEP, en augmentant l’épuisement et l’exergie détruite des ressources brutes et du biogaz / The focus of the work has been to improve the predictions of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) via exergy for processes analysis and eco-design. The potential of the exergetic analysis and Cumulative Exergy Consumption (CExC) in estimating the criterion of depletion, productivity and recyclability of natural resources has been investigated. In this context, the transfer of pollutants and the environmental impacts of a wastewater treatment system (WWTP) have been analyzed in relation with the consumed exergy (CExC) and the destroyed exergy. The study shows that decision is different if the indicator of depletion of natural resources is based on the method of CExC or on the CML method. The improvement of the overall eco-efficiency of a WWTP involves a recycling of sludge in agriculture. Stabilization of sludge by anaerobic digestion reduces the volume of sludge and consequently the impact of transport in comparison with the stabilization with lime. However, on one hand, it reduces the fertilizer potential of sludge. On the other hand it increases energy consumption and the impact of the global warming because of the treatment of digested sludge supernatant recycled to the WWTP. Although the recovery of biogas by cogeneration reduces the energy dependency of the WWTP and improves its overall eco-efficiency in comparison with the liming scenario, it does not provide the possibility for sludge drying. Drying the sludge is one of the recommendations of farmers, although it does not improve the overall eco-effectiveness of the WWTP, and increases the depletion and the destroyed exergy of raw resources and biogas

Le métabolisme est la somme des réactions chimiques dans un organisme. L’énergie leur permet d’effectuer la biosynthèse, le maintien des fonctions vitales et l’activité physique. Si l’énergie est transformée en chaleur nous pouvons déterminer le taux de transformation d’énergie chimique en taux métabolique (TM) et nous pouvons donc calculer les besoins énergétiques d’un animal. Le principal objectif de ce travail est d’évaluer le métabolisme énergétique chez la punaise hématophage Rhodnius prolixus. Nos résultats montrent, que le TM de l’alimentation chez R. prolixus atteint jusqu’à 17 fois le TM au repos. Le quotient respiratoire est de 0,83 pendant le repos et 0,52 pendant l’alimentation. De plus, la désactivation des protéines permettant gérer le choc thermique, diminuent le TM pendant la digestion. Le coût énergétique (CE) de la marche peut atteindre jusqu’à 1,7 fois le CE pendant le repos. Finalement, le CE de la production d’un oeuf chez R. prolixus est approximativement de 11,7 J. L’ensemble de nos résultats apportent des outils qui fournissent des éléments nécessaires pour mieux contrôler la transmission de maladies vectorielles. / Metabolism is the sum of all the chemical reactions in an organism. Energy uptake allows animals to perform biosynthesis, maintenance, and external work. If the energy produced is converted into heat, we can estimate the energy metabolism as the rate of conversion of chemical energy into metabolic rate (MR), which allows the calculation of energy requirements. The main objective of this work is to assess the metabolic cost of physiological work in the blood-sucking bug Rhodnius prolixus. Our results show that feeding is costly. The MR during feeding in R. prolixus reaches up to 17 times the MR during rest. The mean respiratory quotient is 0.83 during rest and 0.52 during feeding. We showed that the deactivation of Heat Shock Proteins on R. prolixus, causes a diminution of MR during digestion. Then, we showed that the energy cost (EC) during walking can reach up to 1.7 times the EC during rest. Finally, we found that the EC of production of one egg of R. prolixus was 11.7 J. All our results provide tools to a better understanding of biology and ecology of an hematophagous insect to provide the necessary elements to better control of transmission of vector-borne diseases.

No description available.

A Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, instituída pela Lei Federal 12.305 em agosto de 2010 e regulamentada pelo Decreto 7.404, em 23 de dezembro de 2010, estabeleceu um novo paradigma na gestão e gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos no Brasil. Entre as mudanças apresentadas, uma das mais relevantes é a que prioriza o não aterramento da fração orgânica e a recuperação energética dos resíduos. Por esse motivo, a busca por novas tecnologias para o tratamento desses resíduos tem sido intensificada nos últimos anos. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho busca avaliar o potencial de se realizar estratégias para aclimatação de lodos anaeróbios em possíveis inoculações de biometanizadores alimentados com fração orgânica dos resíduos sólidos urbanos (FORSU). Foram analisados dois diferentes lodos, esses em função da decomposição e estabilização da FORSU por meio de ensaios de biodegradabilidade anaeróbia. O primeiro, lodo ETE (LE), foi coletado de um reator UASB, utilizado para tratamento de esgoto sanitário doméstico, já o segundo, lodo Aterro (LA), foi coletado de uma lagoa de acúmulo de lixiviados em um aterro sanitário desativado. Para os ensaios, utilizaram-se frascos Duran® de 250 mL, incubados a 35°C, considerando-se a co-digestão nas seguintes relações resíduo/inóculo (R0/I0): 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 e 1/1 gSTVresíduo.gSTVinóculo-1. As estratégias de aclimatação consistiram em manter o inóculo para as próximas bateladas, bem como, dobrar as relações (R0/I0) com sucessivas alimentações realizadas em três bateladas sequenciais. Para que fossem possíveis o controle e a verificação do processo ao longo das bateladas, foram realizadas análises físico-químicas, microbiológicas, cinéticas e de atividade metanogênica específica (AME). Os inóculos adaptaram-se de imediato à FORSU, tendo sido verificada produção crescente de metano já nos primeiros dias dos testes. Os melhores resultados do potencial bioquímico de metano foram obtidos pelas menores relações (R0/I0) para ambos os inóculos. As maiores relações (R0/I0) influenciaram negativamente o desempenho do processo de biometanização para o inóculo LE, verificada pelas menores taxas máximas de rendimento de metano e maiores fase lag. Para o inóculo LA, ao final do processo de aclimatação foi verificado maior índice de diversidade para o Domínio Archaea, corroborando com os resultados obtidos pela quantidade de micro-organismos metanogênicos. Essas verificações se deram por meio de análises de microscopia óptica e pelos maiores valores obtidos nos testes de AME. Destarte, conclui-se que a estratégia de aclimatação se utilizando das menores relações (R0/I0): 1/16, 1/8 e 1/4 para o inóculo LA, possui o maior potencial, sendo esse na inoculação em maiores relações (R0/I0) na partida de biometanizadores alimentados com fração orgânica dos resíduos sólidos urbanos, logo, garantindo-se efetividade no processo. / The National Policy on Solid Waste, instituted by Federal Law 12,305 in august 2010 and regulated by Decree 7404, on december 23, 2010, established a new paradigm in the management of solid waste in Brazil. Among the changes presented, one of the most relevant is the one that prioritizes the non-grounding of the organic fraction and the energy recovery of the waste. For this reason, the search for new technologies for the treatment of this waste has been intensified in recent years. In this context, the objective of this work is to evaluate the potential of strategies for acclimatization of anaerobic sludge in possible inoculations of biomethanizers fed with organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Two different sludges were analyzed, as a function of the decomposition and stabilization of OFMSW by anaerobic biodegradability tests. The first, ETE sludge (LE), was collected from a UASB reactor, used to treat domestic sanitary sewage, while the second, Aterro sludge (LA) was collected from a pond of leachate accumulation in a deactivated landfill. For the tests, 250 ml Duran® flasks incubated at 35°C were used, considering co-digestion in the following residue/inoculum ratios (R0/I0): 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1/1 gSTVresidue.gSTVinoculum-1. The acclimation strategies consisted in maintaining the inoculum for the next batch, as well as doubling the ratios (R0/I0) with successive feedings performed in three sequential batches. In order to control and verify the process throughout the batch, physical-chemical, microbiological, kinetic and specific methanogenic activity (SMA) analyzes were performed. The inocula immediately adapted to OFMSW, and there was a growing production of methane already in the first days of the tests. The best results of the biochemical potential of methane were obtained by the lower ratios (R0/I0) for both inoculum. The higher ratios (R0/I0) negatively influenced the performance of the biomethanization process for the LE inoculum, verified by the lower maximum methane yield rates and higher lag phase. For the inoculum LA, at the end of the acclimation process, a higher diversity index was verified for the Archaea Domain, corroborating with the results obtained by a number of methanogenic microorganisms. These tests were carried out by means of optical microscopy and the highest values obtained in the SMA tests. Therefore, it is concluded that the acclimation strategy using the lowest ratios (R0/I0): 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4 for the inoculum LA, has the highest potential, being inoculated at higher rates (R0/I0) at the start of biomethanizers fed with organic fraction of municipal solid waste, thus, ensuring effectiveness in the process.

Reconnu par leur effet toxique, inhibiteur et corrosif, les sulfures (S2-, SH-, SH2) sont un sous-produit indésirable de la digestion anaérobie des boues de station de traitement des eaux domestiques de la ville de Marrakech, Maroc (STEP). Ils proviennent essentiellement de la réduction "dissimilatrice" des composés soufrés (SO4 2-, SO3 2-, S2O4 2- ..) contenus dans ces boues. Ce processus est réalisé par un groupe bactérien anaérobie appelé bactéries sulfatoréductrices (BSR). Une fois dans le biogaz, les sulfures sous forme gazeuse réduisent en plus la durée de vie des installations et des équipements de la STEP. Elle est ainsi dotée d’installations biologiques et physico-chimiques lui permettant d’éliminer ces sulfures avant la transformation du biogaz en énergie électrique. Cependant, ces procédés sont onéreuses et grandes consommatrices d’énergies. D’où l’idée de minimiser la production des sulfures au sein même des digesteurs anaérobies. Pour cela, il était nécessaire d’abord de connaître les microorganismes à l'origine de la production des sulfures (BSR), ceux potentiellement impliqués dans leur élimination (bactéries sulfo-oxydantes), et d’un groupe de microorganismes fermentaires (Synergistetes) intervenant dans le bon fonctionnement de la digestion anaérobie. Ces études ont été menées à la fois sur des d'approches moléculaires et culturales. Les résultats obtenus, ont permis de comprendre comment ces groupes bactériens, d’intérêts écologique et économique importants, interviennent dans la digestion anaérobie des boues de la STEP permettant à la fois d’accélérer les processus d’oxydation de la matière organique combinée à la réduction des composés soufrés et de minimiser la concentration des en sulfure dans le biogaz. / Recognized by their toxic, inhibitory and corrosive effect, sulfides (S2-, SH-, H2S) are an undesirable by-product of the anaerobic digestion of from domestic wastewater treatment plants sludge in the city of Marrakech, Morocco (WWTP). They produced mainly by the dissimilatory reduction of sulfur compounds (SO42-, SO32-, S2O42-) contained in these sludges. This process is performed by an anaerobic bacterial group called sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). Once in the biogas, the sulfides in gaseous form shorten in addition the lifetime of the installations and equipments of the WWTP. It is thus equipped with biological and physicochemical installations allowing it to eliminate these sulfides before the transformation of biogas into electrical energy. However, these processes are expensive and consume large amounts of energy. Hence the idea of minimizing the production of sulfides within anaerobic digesters. For this, it was first necessary to know the microorganisms originating of the production of sulfides (SRB), those potentially involved in their elimination (sulfur oxidizing bacteria), and a group of fermentative microorganisms (Synergistetes) involved in the good functioning of the anaerobic digestion. These studies were conducted on both molecular and cultural approaches. The results obtained allowed to understand how these bacterial groups, of great ecological and economic interest, are involved in the anaerobic digestion of sludge from the WWTP, which both accelerates the oxidation processes of the organic matter combined with the reduction of sulfur compounds and to minimize the concentration of sulfide in biogas.

Le traitement biologique des eaux usées urbaines et industrielles reste une activité ayant un impact négatif sur l’environnement et sur le changement climatique par l’émission des gaz à effet de serre (GES), notamment le CO2. Les changements innovants au niveau des procédés de traitement des eaux usées par l’intégration des flocs de microalgues-bactéries ont abouti à des procédés multitrophiques sans apport d’O2 et sans dégagement du CO2. Il s'agit d'une étude de faisabilité de ces flocs-MaB pour la photobioremédiation des polluants (organiques et minéraux) et pour la production de biomasse valorisable en bioénergie dans le cadre de l'économie circulaire. En présence de la lumière, les flocs-MaB ont été intégrés dans des photobioréacteurs à biomasse fixe afin d'assurer un traitement durable des eaux usées grâce aux échanges symbiotiques entre les micro-oragnismes en terme de nutriments et de gaz. L'encapsulation des flocs-MaB dans des billes de PVA-alginate a montré l'effet des conditions physico-chimiques et hydrodynamiques sur l'élimination des polluants et l'évolution multicellulaire des flocs au sein des réacteurs à multi-échelles. Par ailleurs, la biomasse multitrophique immobilisée sur des supports biodégradables d'olive (OPP) et sur des disques en PVC a assuré une meilleure performance des bioréacteurs à lit fluidisé et à disques rotatifs, respectivement, pour la bioremédiation des eaux usées. Les propriétés des supports (porosité, rugosité et structure) et les comportements hydrodynamiques ont été contrôlés pour favoriser l'attachement des biofilms multitrophiques. Le développement de biofilm montre l'effet des interactions multitrophiques entre les microalgues et les bactéries sur l'élimination des composés organiques (DCO) et nutriments (ammonium et phosphore). La biomasse des flocs-MaB a été récupérée et réutilisée pour le traitement du digestat liquide à l'issu du digesteur et pour améliorer la production de biométhane par une co-digestion anaérobie. Ce procédé multitrophique et intégré permet d'obtenir Zéro déchet à la sortie du processus / The biological treatment of urban and industrial wastewaters represents a process with a negative impact on the environment and on climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), particularly CO2. In the presence of light, microalgae-bacteria flocs (MaB-flocs) have been integrated into photobioreactors with fixed biomass to ensure a sustainable wastewater treatment without O2 supply and CO2 release. The entrapment of flocs in PVA-alginate beads has shown the effect of physicochemical and hydrodynamic conditions on the elimination of pollutants and the multicellularity evolution within multi-scale bioreactors. In addition, the immobilization of biomass on biodegradable olive carriers and on PVC disks provided a better performance of fluidized bed and rotating discs bioreactors, respectively, for the bioremediation of wastewater. The properties of the supports (porosity, roughness, and structure) and the hydrodynamic behaviors have favored the attachment of multitrophic biofilms. Biofilm development shows the effect of multitrophic interactions between microalgae and bacteria on the organic compounds (COD) and nutrients (ammonium and phosphorus) removals. The MaB-flocs biomass was recovered and reused for the treatment of the digestate and to improve the production of biomethane by anaerobic co-digestion. This integrated multitrophic technology makes it possible to obtain zero wastes at the end of the process

Devido aos problemas, ambientais e à população humana, causados pelos inseticidas químicos, novas investigações para o controle de insetos tornaram-se necessárias. Para isto, um maior conhecimento sobre a fisiologia digestiva dos insetos torna-se essencial, visto que o intestino é uma interface, grande e relativamente desprotegida, entre o inseto e o seu ambiente. Neste contexto, nosso trabalho envolve a purificação e caracterização de uma dipeptidase e de uma carboxipeptidase digestivas de T. molitor. Estas enzimas, compreendem as classes de enzimas digestivas de insetos menos estudadas. O estudo de distribuição das atividades de dipeptidase e carboxipeptidase nas diferentes regiões do intestino médio de larvas de T. molitor mostrou que essas enzimas encontram-se majoritariamente no conteúdo luminal. Para a purificação da dipeptidase e carboxipeptidase foram utilizadas cromatografias de troca iônica e filtração em gel. A carboxipeptidase purificada era muito instável para estudos mais detalhados. O estudo dos parâmetros cinéticos mostrou que a dipeptidase digestiva de T. molitor possui massa molecular de 38,6 kDa, pH ótimo 7,4, baixa solubilidade a fenantrolina e parece preferir dipeptídeos com cadeia lateral volumosa na posição P1. Devido a essas propriedades, mesmo sendo solúvel, assemelha-se a dipeptidase de membrana (EC 3.4.13.19). / Because of adverse effects caused by insecticides in environment and in animals and humans, new methods for insect control are necessary. Knowledge on insect digestive physiology may be instrumental in this direction, as the gut is the major interface between insect and its environment. Our work involves the purification and characterization of a digestive carboxypeptidase and a digestive dipeptidase from Tenebrio molitor. Those enzymes comprise the class of insect digestive enzymes less studied. Distribution studies showed that T. molitor dipeptidase and carboxypeptidase are more active in the midgut content. The purification of T. molitor dipeptidase and carboxypeptidase was attained using a combination of anion-exchange chromatographies and gel filtration. The optimum pH of dipeptidase is 7.6 and the carboxypeptidase is 7.4. The kinetic parameters showed that the T. molitor digestive dipeptidase prefers as substrates dipeptides having a large lateral chain in P1 position.

Devido aos problemas, ambientais e à população humana, causados pelos inseticidas químicos, novas investigações para o controle de insetos tornaram-se necessárias. Para isto, um maior conhecimento sobre a fisiologia digestiva dos insetos torna-se essencial, visto que o intestino é uma interface, grande e relativamente desprotegida, entre o inseto e o seu ambiente. Neste contexto, nosso trabalho envolve a purificação e caracterização de uma dipeptidase e de uma carboxipeptidase digestivas de T. molitor. Estas enzimas, compreendem as classes de enzimas digestivas de insetos menos estudadas. O estudo de distribuição das atividades de dipeptidase e carboxipeptidase nas diferentes regiões do intestino médio de larvas de T. molitor mostrou que essas enzimas encontram-se majoritariamente no conteúdo luminal. Para a purificação da dipeptidase e carboxipeptidase foram utilizadas cromatografias de troca iônica e filtração em gel. A carboxipeptidase purificada era muito instável para estudos mais detalhados. O estudo dos parâmetros cinéticos mostrou que a dipeptidase digestiva de T. molitor possui massa molecular de 38,6 kDa, pH ótimo 7,4, baixa solubilidade a fenantrolina e parece preferir dipeptídeos com cadeia lateral volumosa na posição P1. Devido a essas propriedades, mesmo sendo solúvel, assemelha-se a dipeptidase de membrana (EC 3.4.13.19). / Because of adverse effects caused by insecticides in environment and in animals and humans, new methods for insect control are necessary. Knowledge on insect digestive physiology may be instrumental in this direction, as the gut is the major interface between insect and its environment. Our work involves the purification and characterization of a digestive carboxypeptidase and a digestive dipeptidase from Tenebrio molitor. Those enzymes comprise the class of insect digestive enzymes less studied. Distribution studies showed that T. molitor dipeptidase and carboxypeptidase are more active in the midgut content. The purification of T. molitor dipeptidase and carboxypeptidase was attained using a combination of anion-exchange chromatographies and gel filtration. The optimum pH of dipeptidase is 7.6 and the carboxypeptidase is 7.4. The kinetic parameters showed that the T. molitor digestive dipeptidase prefers as substrates dipeptides having a large lateral chain in P1 position.