O interesse em buscar fontes naturais para compostos antioxidantes aumentou os estudos sobre frutas, principalmente referente a presença das antocianinas. O camu-camu é um fruto oriundo da região amazônica que vem ganhando destaque nas indústrias de cosméticos, medicamento e alimentos por ser uma fonte rica em antocianinas, ácido ascórbico e minerais. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a incorporação das antocianinas presentes na casca do camu-camu em filmes de desintegração oral à base de gelatina e amido. Os filmes foram produzidos pela técnica casting a partir de blendas de gelatina e amido, com diferentes concentrações (0:100; 25:75; 50:50; 75:25; 100:0), plastificante sorbitol e com a adição de diferentes concentrações do extrato aquoso da casca de camu-camu (0, 10, 15 e 20 g/100g solução filmogênica). Foram analisadas as propriedades mecânicas pelo do teste de tração, cor e opacidade, ângulo de contato, tempo de desintegração, FTIR e MEV. Nos filmes com adição do extrato de camu-camu foram realizadas, adicionalmente, análises de pH de superfície, antocianinas totais e estudo da estabilidade. Com relação as propriedades mecânicas, verificou-se que as alterações nas concentrações de amido e gelatina (AMI:GEL) apresentou diferenças significativas para todos os parâmetros estudados (tensão na ruptura, elongação na ruptura e módulo elástico). O aumento da concentração de gelatina elevou a tensão de ruptura e o aumento da concentração de amido produziu filmes mais frágeis e quebradiços. A adição do extrato apresentou diminuição na tensão de ruptura e no módulo elástico, e aumento na elongação dos filmes. Das análises de cor e opacidade observou-se que com maiores concentrações de amido e do extrato, aumentam os valores da luminosidade, da croma a* e da opacidade, enquanto para a croma b* ocorre uma diminuição. Os ângulos de contato dos filmes diminuíram significativamente com o aumento da concentração de amido e aumentaram com maiores concentrações de extrato. Os filmes com extrato, apresentaram tempo de desintegração inferior, sendo observados tempos maiores com o aumento da concentração de gelatina. Com relação a estabilidade, os filmes apresentaram elevada perda das quantidades de antocianinas para todas as formulações analisadas. Todos os filmes analisados apresentaram incorporação eficiente do extrato, dessa forma, conclui-se que a produção de filmes de desintegração oral com extrato de camu-camu é uma alternativa eficiente para o aproveitamento dos compostos funcionais presentes da casca. / The interest in finding natural sources for antioxidants increased studies on fruit, especially regarding the presence of anthocyanins. Camu-camu is a fruit originating in the Amazon region that is gaining prominence in the cosmetics, medicine and food to be a rich source of anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and minerals. The objective was to evaluate the incorporation of anthocyanins present in the shell of the camu-camu in films orally disintegrating based gelatin and starch. The films were produced by casting from blends of gelatin and starch with different concentrations (0: 100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100: 0), plasticizer sorbitol and with the addition of different concentrations the aqueous extract of camu-camu peel (0, 10,15 and 20 g / 100 g film solution). The mechanical properties were analyzed using the tensile test, color, and opacity, contact angle, disintegration time, FTIR and SEM. In the films with the addition of camu-camu extract were performed, additionally, surface pH analysis, anthocyanins and stability. Regarding the mechanical properties, it has been found that changes in starch and gelatin concentrations (AMI:GEL) showed significant differences for all the studied parameters (stress, elongation and elastic modulus). The increase in the gelatin concentration to increased breakdown voltage and increased concentration of starch produced more fragile and brittle films. The addition of the extract showed a decrease in breakdown voltage and elastic modulus, and increased elongation of the films. Analysis of the color and opacity was observed that with higher concentrations of starch and the extract, increases the brightness values of a* chroma and opacity as to chroma b* is decreased. The contact angles of the films decreased significantly with increasing starch concentration and increased with higher extract concentrations. The films to extract showed disintegration time lower, longer times being observed with increasing concentration of gelatin. Regarding stability, the films showed high loss of the amounts of anthocyanins for all formulations analyzed. All samples show efficient incorporation films extract thus concluded that the production of the orally disintegrable films with camu-camu extract is an effective alternative to the use of compounds of the functional shell.

Os objetivos da tese são, investigar (i) as estruturas terciária e quaternária de diversas proteínas em solução e (ii) as mudanças conformacionais de proteínas induzidas por ligantes e/ou temperatura, variando-se a concentração dos mesmos, etc. A principal técnica utilizada foi a de espalhamento de raios X a baixos ângulos (no inglês SAXS de mall-angle X-ray scattering), associada a outras metodologias como cristalografia e modelagem de proteínas. As contribuições dos estudos realizados de várias proteínas de interesse científico foram as seguintes: (i) propôs-se pela primeira vez um modelo de um receptor nuclear (RXR) composto por dois domínios, um de ligação ao ligante e outro ao DNA; (ii) elucidou-se o estado configuracional da fosfo-enol-piruvato carboxoquinase em solução; (iii) foi determinado o efeito de agregação e mudança conformacional induzido por ligantesna isoenzima fosfofrutoquinase e (iv) determinou-se a estrutura em solução da interleucina humana 22 e propôs-se modelos de interação com seus receptores. Além disso, (i) foi desenvolvido um método para determinar o estado oligomérico de uma proteína em solução, em quaisquer condições de tampão e concentração, utilizando medidas de SAXS em escala relativa, e (ii) mostrou-se que a densidade das proteínas é uma função do seu peso molecular, contrariando conceitos clássicos, tendo as proteínas pequenas (< 20kDa) uma densidade mais elevada que as maiores. / The purpose of this thesis is to investigate (I) the tertiary and quaternary structure of several proteins in solution and (II) conformational changed that such proteins undergo when they bind to ligands or temperature, pH, etc. conditions are varied. The main experimental technique utilized in this study was Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) associated to other techniques and approaches like protein crystallography and homology modeling. The main contributions related to this work are: (i) for the first time a model for a nuclear receptor (RXR) containing two domains was proposed, one DNA binding domain and one ligand binding domain; (ii) the oligomeric state of the phosphor-enol-pyruvate caboxykynase in solution was detennined; (iii) the conformation changed induced by ligants to the isoenzyme phosphofructokinase was determined and (iv) the solution structure of human interleukin revealed and a model with its receptor proposed. Additionally, (i) a method for determining the oligomeric state of a protein in solution under any buffer conditions and concentration using SAXS in relative scale is proposed and (ii) it was also shown that proteins density is a molecular weight dependent function, where small proteins with less than 20kDa have in average a larger density than bigger ones.

Hidrogéis são macromoléculas tridimensionais formadas por polímeros hidrofílicos, os quais são entrecruzados para manter sua estrutura. Quando expostos a água apresentam grande absorção, porém sem sofrer a dissolução. Nesta tese foram preparados hidrogéis para serem aplicados como materiais de liberação controlada de fertilizantes e condicionadores de solo. Os hidrogéis foram sintetizados através de reações de entrecruzamento de goma gelana (GGHA e GGLA) com (i) quitosana (CH), (ii) Jeffamina (JEF), (iii) L-lisina (LYS), (iv) gelatina (GEL) e alginato (ALG) com quitosana (CH). A formação de redes poliméricas foi confirmada por espectroscopia FT-IR e análises térmicas, também evidenciando a estabilidade térmica dessas amostras acima de 200°C. As morfologias dos hidrogéis liofilizados foram observadas por MEV, evidenciando as estruturas abertas e porosas. Os resultados de hidratação dos hidrogéis mostraram altos valores de absorção de água em relação ao seu peso seco, sendo 218 vezes para GGHA:CH, 164 vezes para GGHA:LYS, 145 vezes para GGHA:JEF, 113 vezes para GGHA:GEL e 80 vezes para ALG:CH. Amostras de GGLA apresentaram baixos valores de absorção de água. Os testes de perda de água dos hidrogéis ALG:CH apresentam tempo 59% maior e os hidrogéis de GGHA:CH 100% maior e, aproximadamente 60% maior para os hidrogéis GGHA:LYS, GGHA:JEF e GGHA:GEL quando comparados com a evaporação de água pura. A liberação completa do fertilizante comercial monopotássio de fosfato (MKP) ocorreu em 8 h de imersão dos hidrogéis em água e foi estimada em aproximadamente 400 mg por um grama de polímero, independente do hidrogel utilizado, enquanto os ensaios de liberação controlada do fertilizante nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio (NPK) revelaram liberação de aproximadamente 300 mg de fertilizante por um grama de hidrogel, também independente do hidrogel utilizado. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram a possível utilização de hidrogéis entrecruzados a base de macromoléculas naturais em sistemas de controle de umidade do solo e liberação controlada de fertilizantes. / New hydrogels based on natural macromolecules such as gellan gum, chitosan, alginate, gelatin and lysine were synthetized and characterized by spectroscopic, thermal and microscopic analysis. The samples were also investigated in terms of water absorption and fertilizers release. The samples were obtained by crosslinking reactions of gellan gum (GGHA and GGLA) with (i) chitosan (CH), (ii) Jeffamine (JEF), (iii) L-lysine (LYS) and (iv) gelatin (GEL). The samples of alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CH) were also obtained and characterized. The formation of polymer networks was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis, which revealed the thermal stability of the samples above 200°C. The morphology of lyophilized hydrogels was observed by SEM presenting open and porous structure. Moreover, the results of swelling showed high water absorption values in relation to the samples dry weight. These values were of 218 times for GGHA:CH, 164 times for GGHA:LYS, 145 times for GGHA:JEF, 113 times for GGHA:GEL and 80 times for ALG:CH. GGLA samples showed lower values of water absorption when compared with other samples. The water retention time of hydrogel ALG:CH hydrogels was 59% higher than pure water. For the sample GGHA:CH the water retention time was 100% higher and about 60% higher for the hydrogels GGHA:LYS, GGHA:JEF and GGHA:GEL. The samples were charged with commercial fertilizers such as phosphate monopotassium (MKP) and phosphate monopotassium (MKP), and they were tested as controlled fertilizer release materials for agriculture. It was observed for all samples that a complete release of MKP occurred after 8 h of its immersion in water and was estimated in about 400 mg per one gram of polymer. The controlled release of NPK was in about 300 mg per one gram of hydrogel, independent of the hydrogel composition. In conclusion, all the obtained results revealed that the natural macromolecules-based hydrogels are very promising alternatives for humidity control system and controlled fertilizers release in agriculture.

Orientador: Joaquim Mansano Garcia / Banca: César Roberto Esper / Banca: Karina Beloti Avelino / Resumo: Dentre as biotecnologias aplicadas à reprodução animal, atualmente um dos maiores desafios é a criopreservação de embriões PIV. Esses embriões apresentam alta criosensibilidade, devido principalmente a excessiva deposição lipídica no citoplasma, e que por sua vez está relacionada com a utilização de SFB nos meios. Neste trabalho foram avaliados os efeitos da suplementação protéica com BSA, SFB e FE e suas associações na PIV de embriões bovinos durante as etapas de MIV e CIV, visando melhorar sua criotolerância. Na MIV foram utilizadas sete diferentes combinações (SFB, BSA, FE, BSA+SFB, BSA+FE, SFB+FE e BSA+SFB+FE), e no CIV quatro tratamentos (BSA, BSA+SFB, BSA+FE e BSA+SFB+FE). Os embriões em estádios de Bl e Bx foram vitrificados e após seu reaquecimento foram avaliadas as taxas de eclosão embrionária em 24 e 48 horas. Dos oócitos colocados em maturação, obteve-se um total de 85,4% de clivagem e 35,52% de produção embrionária. Ao analisar os efeitos da fonte protéica na MIV notou-se que o grupo tratado com BSA apresentou as piores taxas de clivagem (80,96%) (p<0,05) em relação aos demais grupos, o melhor resultado de produção embrionária foi obtido com BSA+SFB (46,69%) e os melhores índices de eclosão embrionária pós reaquecimento foram nos tratamentos BSA+FE (44,35%), SFB+FE (44,90%) e BSA+SFB+FE (42,48%). Quando se avaliou os efeitos de fonte protéica na CIV, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos quanto a clivagem, o BSA apresentou o pior desempenho na produção de embriões (31,88%) (p<0,05) em relação aos demais grupos que não diferiram entre si, e os melhores índices de eclosão embrionária 24 e 48h pós reaquecimento foram obtidos com o tratamento BSA+FE (37,64% e 51,34%, respectivamente) / Abstract: Among the biotechnology applied to animal reproduction, nowadays one of the biggest challenges is the cryopreservation of embryos produced in vitro. These embryos have a high cryosensitivity, mainly due to excessive fat deposition in the cytoplasm, which in turn is related with the FCS used in the mediums for embryo production in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein supplementation with BSA, FBS and FE, and their associations in IVP bovine embryos during the stages of IVM and IVC, to improve their cryotolerance. For IVM were used seven different combinations (FCS, BSA, FE, BSA + FCS, BSA + FE, FE and FBS + BSA + FCS + FS), and four treatments during IVC (BSA, BSA + FCS, BSA + FE, BSA+ FE+ FCS). Embryos in stage of Bl and Bx were vitrified and after their reheating the rates of hatched blastocysts at 24 and 48 hours were evaluated. Of the oocytes placed into maturation, we obtained 85.4% of cleavage and 35.52% of embryo produced. When were evaluated the effects of protein source in IVM was noted that the BSA-treated group showed the worst rates of cleavage (80.96%) (p <0.05) compared to other groups, the best result of embryo production was obtained with FCS + BSA (46.69%) and the highest rates of hatched blastocysts after rewarming were obtained with FE + BSA (44.90%), FE + FCS (44.35%) and FS + FCS + BSA ( 42.48%). When we assessed the effects of protein source in the IVC, there was no significant difference between treatments for the cleavage, the BSA group had the worst performance in the production of embryos (31.88%) (p <0.05) compared to other groups that not differ, and the highest hatched blastocysts in 24 and 48 hours after rewarming were obtained by treating BSA + FE (37.64% and 51.34%, respectively) / Mestre

Thesis. 1976. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Engineering. / Vita. / Includes bibliographical references. / Ph.D.

Part I deals with the simulation of fluid dynamics using the lattice-Boltzmann method. Microfluidic devices often feature two-dimensional, repetitive arrays. Flows through such devices are pressure-driven and confined by solid walls. We have defined new adaptive generalised periodic boundary conditions to represent the effects of outer solid walls, and are thus able to exploit the periodicity of the array by simulating the flow through one unit cell in lieu of the entire device. The so-calculated fully developed flow describes the flow through the entire array accurately, but with computational requirements that are reduced according to the dimensions of the array. / Part II discusses the problem of separating macromolecules like proteins or DNA coils. The reliable separation of such molecules is a crucial task in molecular biology. The use of Brownian ratchets as mechanisms for the separation of such particles has been proposed and discussed during the last decade. Pressure-driven flows have so far been dismissed as possible driving forces for Brownian ratchets, as they do not generate ratchet asymmetry. We propose a microfluidic design that uses pressure-driven flows to create asymmetry and hence allows particle separation. The dependence of the asymmetry on various factors of the microfluidic geometry is discussed. We further exemplify the feasibility of our approach using Brownian dynamics simulations of particles of different sizes in such a device. The results show that ratchet-based particle separation using flows as the driving force is possible. Simulation results and ratchet theory predictions are in excellent agreement. / Part III deals with the co-evolution of networks and dynamic models. A group of agents occupies the nodes of a network, which defines the relationship between these agents. The evolution of the agents is defined by the rules of the dynamic model and depends on the relationship between agents, i.e., the state of the network. In return, the evolution of the network depends on the state of the dynamic model. The concept is introduced through the adaptive SIS model. We show that the previously used criterion determining the critical infected fraction, i.e., the number of infected agents required to sustain the epidemic, is inappropriate for this model. We introduce a different criterion and show that the critical infected fraction so determined is in good agreement with results obtained by numerical simulations. / This thesis comprises three parts, reporting research results in Fluid Dynamics (Part I), Particle Separation (Part II) and Co-evolving Networks (Part III). / We further discuss the concept of co-evolving dynamics using the Snowdrift Game as a model paradigm. Co-evolution occurs through agents cutting dissatisfied links and rewiring to other agents at random. The effect of co-evolution on the emergence of cooperation is discussed using a mean-field theory and numerical simulations. A transition between a connected and a disconnected, highly cooperative state of the system is observed, and explained using the mean-field model. Quantitative deviations regarding the level of cooperation in the disconnected regime can be fully resolved through an improved mean-field theory that includes the effect of random fluctuations into its model. / Graeser, Oliver = 自主個體為本系統與在流體力學、分子分離、共同演化網絡上的應用 / 顧皓森. / Adviser: Hui Pak-Ming. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 204-216). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Graeser, Oliver = Zi zhu ge ti wei ben xi tong yu zai liu ti li xue, fen zi fen li, gong tong yan hua wang luo shang de ying yong / Gu Haosen.

The use of polymer brushes (long polymer chains anchored at their end to a surface or an interface) as a robust approach to control surface properties has generated significant interest in recent years. The stretched conformation of polymer brushes results in unique aggregation, phase, and dynamic behaviors, therefore, they have been used to stabilize colloidal particles and applied in numerous innovative biomedical applications: targeted magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, and genotyping. The main goal of this thesis is to shed light on the key factors that affect the formation of these brushes in solution on solid surfaces. In Chapter 3, attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) is used to directly measure the rates of the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions between alkyne-terminated polystyrene and poly(n-butyl acrylate) and azide-functional substrates in the good solvent DMF. Four regimes of behavior are observed: initially, the reaction rate is diffusion-controlled scaling with t^1/2; in the crossover regime at the onset of chain overlap, the rate scales with ln(t); the rate then accelerates briefly; and finally, in the terminal or penetration-limited regime, the logarithm of areal density scales linearly with time. Kinetic behavior in the diffusion-limited, crossover, and penetration-limited regimes corresponds well to the predictions of Ligoure and Leibler. The blob model suggests that the acceleration in rate is due to lateral chain contraction during the mushroom to brush transition. A theory is presented which predicts that the areal density at saturation should scale as Σsaturation ∼ MW^1.2 for good solvents, and experimentally we find MW^(−0.93±0.04) scaling. In Chapter 4, the effect of symmetry of the CuAAC reaction is investigated for the reaction of end-functional polystyrene and solid surfaces modified with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The polymer grafting density on azide-functional substrates is about two times higher than the polymer density on alkyne-functional surfaces. This asymmetry in the reaction density is caused by the difference in the mobility of the alkyne groups between the two systems. While the reaction stoichiometry requires one alkyne and one azide, the reaction mechanism involves two alkyne groups and one azide group in the formation of a stable triazole ring. When the alkyne groups are on the surfaces, their mobility is significantly reduced, preventing the formation of the triazole rings and consequently decreasing the amount of polymer grafted. Increasing the alkynes’ mobility by either extending the thickness of the alkyne monolayer or adding free 1-pentyne improves the polymer density on alkyne-functional silica substrates. The presence of free 1-pentyne also increases the polymer density on alkyne-functional wafers containing a preexisting polymer brush. This study shows that the placement of each functional group in the CuAAC reaction is important in surface modification applications. In Chapter 5, a universal model to quantify the amount of tails vs. loops during brush formation of telechelic polymers is proposed. This model involves the synthesis of telechelic polymers bearing a degradable unit in the middle of each chain via ATRP. Several reaction schemes are suggested for the synthesis of the required bi-functional ATRP initiators with degradable units. The amount of singly (tails) vs. doubly (loops) bound chains is quantified by comparing the brush heights, measured by ellipsometry, before and after degradation.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Emannuella Hayanna Alves de Lira.pdf: 1372178 bytes, checksum: 438b6581ece1ed43e8780c22ab7498f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In the present study is proposed test the hypothesis that salinity affects the mobilization of reserves for the development of Jatrophaseedlings with damage to the growth and stabilization of the seedlings. The study consisted of three experiments, where in the 1st was standardized the experimental driving time, salt dosages and the best time to collect the seedlings to be used in subsequent experiments. For this purpose, were used two genotypes of Jatropha (CNPAPM-X and CNPAPM-III) and 5 concentrations of NaCl (0; 50; 100; 150; 200 mM) applied between the 4th and 8th days after sowing. In this experiment it was found that the NaCl dose which provided the highest germination rate for the CNPAPM-X genotype was 200 mM and for CNPAPM-III genotype was 50 mM.Furthermore, it was observed that the genotype CNPAPM-X was more tolerant to salt stress, during the germination phase, than the CNPAPM-III genotype. Thus, the doses of 75 and 150 mMNaCl were defined such as moderate and severe, respectively, to be used in subsequent experiments. In experiment 2, to define the effect of salinity on the initial growth of Jatropha seedlings were evaluated the water status through the moisture percentage, relative water content, ion partition and physiological damage in membrane seedlings treated with 0; 75 and 150 mMNaCl. In this experiment it could be suggested that the water status of Jatropha seedlings is hampered by the increasing salinity, by reducing the accumulation capacity + of water by plants and this may be associated with increased content of Na especially on the stem, indicating that this part works like asaccumulator of this ion.The relationship between the effects of salinity on growth of seedlings were evaluated in the third experiment through quantification of sugars, starch, proteins, amino acids and lipids in cotyledonary leaves, stem and roots. In this experiment there was an increase in the content of all classes of macromolecules analyzed in at least one of the organs studied. This experiment concluded that the accumulation of these macromolecules in the analyzed parts could assist in osmotic adjustment process Jatrophaseedlings under salinity, although this accumulation has not been able to prevent losses in the biomass of plants. Further, it was found that salinity caused inhibition of lipid mobilization and carbon reserves, factors that together with the synthesis of proteins and amino acids contribute to the salinity tolerance of these plants. / No presente trabalho propôs-se testara hipótese de que a salinidade afeta a mobilização de reservas durante o desenvolvimento de plântulas de pinhão manso com prejuízos ao crescimento e estabilização das plântulas. A pesquisa constou de 3experimentos, onde no1°padronizou-se , as doses de sal e a melhor fase para a coleta das plântulas a serem utilizadas nos experimentos subsequentes. Para tanto, utilizou-se dois genótipos de pinhão manso (CNPAPM-X e CNPAPM- III) e 5 concentrações de NaCl (0; 50; 100; 150; 200mM) aplicados entre o 4° e 8° dia após a semeadura. Nesse experimento verificou-se que a dose de NaCl que proporcionou maior índice de germinação para o genótipo CNPAPM-X foi a de 200 mM e para o genótipo CNPAPM-III foi a de 50 mM.Ainda, observou-se que o genótipo CNPAPM-X foi mais tolerante à salinidade durante a fase germinativa do que o genótipo CNPAPM-III. Assim, definiu-se as doses de 75 e 150 mM de NaCl como tratamentos moderado e severo, respectivamente, a serem utilizados nos experimentos subsequentes. No experimento 2 para se definir o efeito da salinidade no crescimento inicial de plântulas de pinhão manso avaliou-se o status hídrico através do percentual de umidade, conteúdo relativo de água, partição iônica e os danos fisiológicos em membrana de plântulas tratadas com 0; 75 e 150 mM de NaCl. Nesse experimento é possível sugerir que o status hídrico de plântulas depinhão manso é prejudicado pelo aumento da salinidade, através de uma redução na capacidade do acumulo de água pelas plantas e que isso + pode estar associado ao aumento do conteúdo de Na principalmente no caule, indicando que este órgão funciona como acumulador deste íon. A relação entre os efeitos da salinidade no crescimento de plântulas foram avaliados no experimento 3 através da quantificação de açucares, amido, proteínas, aminoácidos e lipídios em folhas cotiledonares, caule e raízes. Nesse experimento observou-se aumento no conteúdo de todas as classe de macromoléculas analisadas em ao menos 1 dos órgão estudados.Este experimento permitiu concluir que o acúmulo dossolutos orgânicosanalisados podem auxiliar no processo de ajustamento osmótico de plântulas de pinhão manso sob salinidade, embora esse acumulo não tenha sido capaz de impedir as perdas na biomassa das plântulas.Ainda, verificou-se que a salinidade provocou inibição da mobilização de lipídios e reservas de carbono, fatores que juntamente com a síntese de proteínas e aminoácidos contribuem para a tolerância dessas plantas a salinidade.

<p>Acetolactate synthase (ALS) and acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) are two thiamin diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzymes that catalyze the formation of acetolactate from two molecules of pyruvate. In addition to acetolactate, AHAS can catalyze the formation of acetohydroxybutyrate from pyruvate and α-ketobutyrate. When formed by AHAS, these compounds are important precursors to the essential amino acids valine and isoleucine. Conversely, ALS forms acetolactate as a precursor to 2,3‑butanediol, a product formed in an alternative pathway to mixed acid fermentation.</p> <p>While these enzymes catalyze the same reaction, they have been found to be quite different. Such differences include: biological function, pH optimum, cofactor requirements, reaction kinetics and quaternary structure. Importantly, AHAS has been identified as the target of the widely-used sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides, which has led to many structural and kinetic studies on AHAS enzymes from plants, bacteria, and fungi. ALS, on the other hand, has only been identified in bacteria, and has largely not seen such extensive characterization. Finally, although some bacteria contain both enzymes, they have never been studied in detail from the same organism. </p> <p>Here, the ALS and AHAS enzymes from <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> were studied using steady-state kinetic analyses, X-ray crystallography, site-directed and site‑saturation mutagenesis, and cell growth complementation assays to i) compare the kinetic parameters of each enzyme, ii) compare the active sites to probe their differences in substrate profile and iii) test the ability of ALS to function in place of AHAS <i>in vivo</i>.</p>

acase@tulane.edu