A PHA producing bacterium (strain QN271) was selected from mangrove soil samples collected from Quang Ninh province by using the Nile red dying technique. PHA accumulation in the selected bacterium strain was confirmed by transmission electron microscope. With the exception of maltose or sucrose, the bacterium strain was found to be able to synthesize PHA from various carbon sources (glucose, xylose, fructose, glycerol, and glucose plus propionate). The strain accumulated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) from glucose, fructose, xylose, and glycerol whereas poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalarate) was produced when a combination of glucose and propionate was included in the culture medium. Fructose was found to be most suitable substrate for PHA synthesis by strain QN271. PHA content of 63.3% and CDW of 6 g/L were obtained after 32 hrs of cultivation in fructose medium. / Chủng vi khuẩn có khả năng sinh tổng hợp PHA đã được phân lập từ đất rừng ngập mặn tỉnh Quảng Ninh nhờ kỹ thuật nhuộm với Nile red. Ảnh quan sát dưới kính hiển vi điện tử dẫn truyền chứng tỏ rằng chủng vi khuẩn này có khả năng tích lũy lượng lớn PHA trong tế bào. Chủng vi khuẩn tuyển chọn có khả năng sinh tổng hợp PHA từ nhiều nguồn các bon khác nhau như glucose, xylose, fructose, glucerol, glucose và propionate nhưng không có khả năng tổng hợp PHA từ maltose hoặc saccharose. Chủng vi khuẩn tuyển chọn tổng hợp poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) từ các nguồn các-bon như glucose, xylose, fructose, hay glycerol, trong khi đó poly (3-hydroxybutyrateco- 3-hydroxyvalarate) sẽ được tổng hợp khi phối hợp sử dụng hai nguồn các-bon (glucose và propionate). Fructose là nguồn các-bon tốt nhất cho chủng QN271 sinh tổng hợp PHA, khi nuôi cấy trong môi trường có fructose chủng vi khuẩn này có thể tạo ra lượng sinh khối là 6 g/L trong đó có chứa 63.3% PHA sau 32 giờ.

Lead contamination threatens human life and the environment. The biological reduction of Pb(II) to metallic Pb is an attractive solution for Pb(II) pollution. Delftia acidovorans, Azonexus caeni, and Comamonas testosteroni were isolated and studied for their capabilities to utilize Pb(II) as a terminal electron acceptor. D. acidovorans strain Pb11 and A. caeni strain Pb2 cultures showed a 5.2- and 8.1-fold growth at 10.0 mg-Pb(II)/L in 3 d, respectively. Petroleum-based plastics are another emergent environmental concern. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, are biodegradable polymers produced by PHA accumulators under autotrophic or heterotrophic conditions. In this thesis, the growth and enrichment of PHA accumulators, such as Plasticicumulans acidivorans and Cupriavidus necator, were investigated as they can accumulate 90% of their cell weight as PHA. An energetic model was developed to calculate theoretical PHA yields. The true autotrophic and heterotrophic PHB yields were estimated as 2.97 (g_PHB/ 〖mol〗_(H_2 )) and 0.66 (g_PHB/ g_acetate), respectively. Moreover, the growth of C. necator was investigated in lab-scale experiments under various autotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic conditions. When C. necator was cultivated in two-stage systems, high optical densities were attained in less than 24 h. In addition, a mathematical model for the competition between PHA and non-PHA accumulators in the feast-famine enrichments was developed. The calibrated and validated model for P. acidivorans suggested that microbial diversity in mixed cultures impacted the enrichment process. Another aspect of this thesis was to propose an innovative method for enriching PHA accumulators in mixed cultures. By applying autotrophic and autotrophic-heterotrophic enrichment strategies, C. necator dominated the mixed cultures (> 90%) in less than five days. Based on this thesis findings, it can be concluded that biotechnology applications in Pb(II) remediation and PHA production could reduce the severe impacts of Pb contamination, petrochemical plastics, and climate change due to elevated CO2 levels. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / This thesis aimed to provide sustainable biotechnological solutions to three environmental challenges: lead contamination, petroleum-based plastics, and elevated CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Certain metal-reducing bacteria can grow by consuming toxic Pb(II) ions from aqueous environments and thus reduce their toxicity. Furthermore, various microorganisms can store biodegradable polymers, known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), in their cells. The stored PHA polymers can be extracted and processed to produce biodegradable plastics. PHA accumulators can produce significant amounts of PHA by utilizing organic substrates or CO2. Therefore, PHA-based plastics can reduce environmental deterioration due to non-degradable plastics and elevated CO2 levels. Lab-scale experiments and mathematical modeling can provide a better understanding of the growth and enrichment of PHA accumulators in engineered PHA-production systems. Research findings in this thesis will allow cost-effective and sustainable production of biodegradable plastics from organic wastes and flue gas.

The occurrence of plastic impaction in ruminants is a growing concern. As indiscriminate feeders, cattle may consume plastic foreign materials incorporated into their diets and it is currently estimated that 20% of cattle contain plastic foreign materials in their rumen. These materials are indigestible and accumulate for the lifetime of the animal. As these materials accumulate, they may reduce feed efficiency and production by erosion and ulceration of rumen epithelium, stunting of papillae, blockage of the reticulo-omasal orifice, and leaching of toxic heavy metals. It is necessary to reduce the incidences of plastic impaction in domestic ruminants. Using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) biodegradable materials for feed storage products such as bale netting could reduce the incidences and effects of polyethylene-based plastic impaction in ruminants. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the degradability of PHA and PBSA materials in the reticulorumen via in vitro, in situ, and in vivo methods. Our hypothesis was that these materials would degrade in the rumen and that a melt-blend of PHA and PBSA may degrade faster than its individual components. An in vitro study incubated a proprietary PHA-based polymer, PBSA, and PBSA:PHA melt blend nurdles, and forage controls in rumen fluid for up to 240h in DaisyII Incubators. Mass loss was measured, and digestion kinetic parameters were estimated. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses were conducted on incubated samples. Results indicated that the first stage of degradation occurs within 24h and PHA degrades slowly. Degradation kinetics demonstrated that polymer treatments were still in the exponential degradation phase at 240h with a maximum disappearance rate of 0.0031%/h, and mass loss was less than 2% for all polymers. Melting temperature increased and onset thermal degradation temperature decreased with incubation time, indicating structural changes to the polymers starting at 24h. Further in situ degradation, however, indicated these biodegradable materials degrade at more accelerated rates in the rumen. Polyhydroxyalkanote, PBSA, PBSA:PHA blend, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were incubated in the rumens of three cannulated, non-lactating Holsteins for 0, 1, 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150d. In situ disappearance (ISD) and residue length were assessed after every incubation time. Polyhydroxyalkanoate achieved 100% degradation by 30d, with initiation occurring at 14d indicated by ISD and a reduction in residue length. The fractional rate of disappearance of PHA was 7.84%/d. Poly(butylene succinate-co¬-adipate) and Blend did not achieve any significant ISD, yet fragmentation of PBSA occurred at 60d and the blend at just 1d likely due to abiotic hydrolysis. Low-density polyethylene achieved no ISD and residue length did not change over incubation time. From these results, we proposed a PBSA:PHA blend is a valid alternative to polyethylene single-use agricultural plastic products based on its fragmentation within 1d of incubation. Administration of PBSA:PHA film boluses compared to LDPE films and a control further supported this dissemination. Holstein bull calves (n = 12, 62 ± 9d, 74.9 ± 8.0kg) were randomly allocated to one of three daily bolus treatments: 13.6g of PBSA:PHA in 4 gelatin capsules (Blend), 13.6g of LDPE in 4 gelatin capsules (LDPE), or 4 empty gelatin capsules (Control) for 30d. Hemograms were conducted on blood samples collected on d0 and d30. On d31, animals were sacrificed to evaluate gross rumen measurements and pathology, determine papillae length, and characterize polymer residues present in rumen contents. Feed intake, body weight, body temperature, and general health were determined throughout the study. No animals presented any symptoms related to plastic impaction and animal health was not particularly affected by treatment. Daily grain and hay intake, body weight, rectal temperature, hematological parameters, gross rumen measurements and pathology, and rumen pH and temperature were not affected by treatment. There was evidence that degradation of PBSA:PHA may release byproducts that support rumen functionality. Methylene blue reduction time of Blend calves tended to be decreased by 30% compared to LDPE calves, and caudal ventral papillae length of Blend calves were 50% longer than those of Control animals. Though studies are needed to specifically elucidate the production of byproducts due to degradation of PBSA:PHA and their correlations. Polymer accumulation and residue length differed among treatments. Calves dosed with LDPE retained 6.7% of the dosed polymer, undegraded, while Blend calves retained 0.4% of the dosed polymer. The polymer residues in Blend calves were 10% of their original size. Single-use agricultural plastics developed from PBSA:PHA may be a suitable alternative to LDPE-based products in the case of ingestion in ruminants due to no acute health inflictions, fragmentation of polymers with 1d, and improved clearance from the reticulorumen. As such, utilization of these materials may reduce the incidences of plastic impaction in ruminants in commercial operations. Further long-term feeding studies are needed to evaluate specific byproduct production of PBSA:PHA and their potential influences on rumen function and animal health and production in normal commercial conditions. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Plastic feed-storage materials may unintentionally be incorporated into animal feeds. Net wraps and bale twines may be stuck or left on forages when they are ground and incorporated into mixed rations. As cattle are largely non-selective, they may inadvertently consume these plastic materials. Approximately 20% of cattle contain plastic foreign materials in their rumen. These materials are indigestible and accumulate for the animal's lifetime. As plastics build up in the rumen, they may reduce feed efficiency, body weight, and milk production by damaging the rumen lining, blocking the digestive tract, and leaching toxic heavy metals. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the incidences of plastic impaction in domestic ruminants to improve their health and productivity. Using biodegradable materials that degrade by bacteria, such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), for feed storage products could reduce the occurrence and effects of plastic impaction in ruminants due to the materials' potential degradation in and passage from the rumen. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the breakdown of PHA and PBSA materials in the rumen. Our hypothesis was that these biodegradable materials would degrade in the rumen and that a blend of PHA and PBSA may degrade faster than its individual components. In our first study, PHA, PBSA, a PBSA:PHA blend, and forage controls were incubated in rumen fluid for up to 240h. Mass loss, degradation rate, and the structure of polymers were determined over incubation time. Results indicated that biodegradable polymers may begin to break down within 24h. Polymer treatments were still in the early stages of degradation at 240h with a maximum degradation rate of 0.0031%/h, and mass loss of polymers was less than 2%. However, within 24h, the structures of polymers may have altered to promote future degradation at longer incubation times. Accelerated degradation was observed when PHA, PBSA, PBSA:PHA (Blend), and polyethylene (LDPE) films were incubated in the rumens of three Holstein cows up to 150d. Mass loss and the length of the remaining polymers were assessed monthly. Polyhydroxyalkanoate began to degrade by 14d and completely degraded by 30d with a disappearance rate of 7.84%/d. The remaining polymer did not achieve any mass loss. However, PBSA and Blend residue size began to decrease by 60d and 1d, respectively. Based on Blend's structural degradation within 1d of incubation that may promote its clearance from the rumen if ingested, we proposed that the material may be an alternative to polyethylene single-use agricultural plastic products. When Blend films were fed to calves, breakdown of the material further supported our dissemination that PBSA:PHA may be a suitable alternative to LDPE in the case of animal ingestion. Holstein bull calves (n = 12, 62 ± 9d, 74.9 ± 8.0kg) were randomly allotted to one of three daily bolus treatments: 13.6g of PBSA:PHA (Blend), 13.6g of polyethylene (LDPE), or no polymer (Control) distributed over 4 gelatin capsules for 30d. Feed intake, body weight, body temperature, and general health were determined throughout the study. Blood analyses were conducted on blood samples collected before and after the experimental period. On d31, animals were sacrificed to evaluate rumen growth and health, measure rumen papillae length, and describe polymers that may reside in the rumen. No animals presented any signs related to plastic impaction and animal health was not particularly affected by treatment. Daily grain and hay intake, body weight, rectal temperature, blood parameters, and rumen growth and health were not affected by treatment. There was evidence that degradation of Blend may support rumen function. Methylene blue reduction time of Blend calves tended to be decreased by 30% compared to LDPE calves, which indicates the rumen microbiome of Blend calves may better ferment feeds. Papillae length of Blend calves were also 50% longer than those of Control animals, which would improve the absorption of nutrients. Byproduct formation from Blend degradation could explain this; however, studies are needed to specifically elucidate the production of byproducts and their relationship to rumen function. Polymer accumulation and residue length differed among treatments. Calves dosed with LDPE retained 6.7% of the dosed polymer, undegraded, while Blend calves retained 0.4% of the dosed polymer. The polymer residues in Blend calves were 10% of their original size. Single-use agricultural plastics developed from PBSA:PHA may be a suitable alternative to polyethylene-based products in the case of ingestion in ruminants due to no short-term health inflictions, the reduced polymer size within 1d, and improved clearance from the rumen. As such, utilization of these materials may reduce the incidences of plastic impaction in ruminants in commercial operations. Further long-term feeding studies are needed to evaluate specific byproduct production of PBSA:PHA and their potential influences on rumen function and animal health and production in normal commercial conditions.

This diploma thesis is focused on isolation and identification of thermophilic microorganisms capable of production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in the sample of activated sludge from wastewater treatment. 6 culture samples were isolated from activated sludge by means of cultivation technics and methods of molecular biology. They were closer specified by comparing nucleotide sequences of 16S-rRNA gene and assigned to bacterial genus Anoxybacillus. The production of PHA by this genus was not reported in literature so far. Samples were confirmed to contain phaC gene that codes the enzyme PHA-synthase and they also gave a positive response to staining colonies with Nile red, what refers to presence of intracellular lipidic structures. However, the PHA production by isolates was not successful. The reason should be an inappropriate production medium or conditions. The positive phenotype result of Nile red dyeing was probably achieved by production of huge amount of lipids by bacterial cells that provides similar fluorescence than PHA granules.

Os organismos extremófilos são considerados atualmente reservatórios de novas biomoléculas de interesse biotecnológico. Dentro deste grupo encontram-se os microrganismos que requerem altas concentrações de sal para crescer, denominados halófilos. Também existem os halotolerantes que são aqueles microrganismos que não precisam de sal para proliferar, mas toleram altas concentrações de NaCl. Os ambientes salinos provaram ser uma fonte rica de microrganismos halotolerantes produtores de novos compostos naturais e, portanto, a pesquisa nestes ambientes torna-se de grande importância. No Brasil, na região salina de Areia Branca no bioma caatinga, foram isoladas bactérias halotolerantes que foram estudadas com o objetivo de avaliar a produção de novos biopolímeros de interesse biotecnológico. Acredita-se que os polímeros naturais desses microrganismos extremos podem ter aplicações inovadoras ou características diferentes às tradicionais. Neste estudo, os isolados foram identificados em nível de gênero com base na análise da sequência do gene 16s rRNA. Os isolados foram principalmente bactérias Gram-positivas atribuídas às famílias Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Microbacteriaceae e uma bactéria Incertae Sedis do filo firmicutes, afiliadas aos gêneros Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Curtobacterium e Exiguobacterium, respectivamente. Apenas um isolado Gram-negativo foi identificado e atribuído como membro da família Pseudomonadaceae, incluso no gênero Pseudomonas. Avaliou-se a tolerância ao sal dos isolados em meio TSB suplementado com 5, 35, 60 e 120 g/L de NaCl. Todos os isolados apresentaram a capacidade de crescer nas quatro concentrações de NaCl avaliadas, com exceção do isolado Exiguobacterium sp. sac36 que não cresceu na concentração de 120 g/L de NaCl no meio. Realizaram-se ensaios de acúmulo de polihidroxialcanoatos (PHA) e evidenciou-se que quatro isolados do gênero Bacillus são capazes de acumular 3-hidroxibutirato (3HB) a partir de glicose, xilose, e alguns destes em glicerol. Adicionalmente, confirmou-se que quando há altas concentrações de NaCl no meio, o acúmulo de 3HB dos isolados produtores diminui. Observou-se também que doze isolados halotolerantes são produtores de exopolissacarídeos (EPS). Testes realizados indicaram que os mesmos podem ter efeitos imunoestimulantes em macrófagos. Finalmente, avaliou-se a produção de ácido hialurônico (AH) pelos isolados halotolerantes. Segundo sugere o método de Alcian blue, todos os isolados foram capazes de produzir AH, mostrando que a maior parte deles acumulou o biopolímero em concentrações maiores ou semelhantes ao controle. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que os isolados halotolerantes avaliados são uma fonte rica em compostos com atividades promissoras para as diferentes indústrias. O presente trabalho contribui no estudo do potencial biotecnológico de microrganismos isolados no bioma caatinga, destacando sua biodiversidade, versatilidade e a necessidade de continuar explorando esses ambientes extremos pouco estudados. / Extremophile organisms are considered reservoirs of new biomolecules of biotechnological interest. In this group there are microorganisms that require high salt concentration to grow, called halophiles, and halotolerant microorganisms, that do not need salt to proliferate but can tolerate high concentrations of NaCl. Saline environments proved to be a rich source of new natural compounds by halotolerant producers and therefore, research in these environments becomes of great importance. In Brazil, in the saline region of Areia Branca in the caatinga biome, halotolerant bacteria were isolated and studied in order to evaluate the production of new biopolymers of biotechnological interest. It is believed that the natural polymers of those extreme microorganisms could have innovative applications or different characteristics from the traditional biopolymers. In this study, the isolates were identified at the genus level based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Isolates were mainly Gram-positive bacteria from Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae and Microbacteriaceae families, and Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Staphylococcus and Curtobacterium genera. One of the Gram-negative isolate was identified as member of the Pseudomonadaceae family, genus Pseudomonas. The evaluation of salt tolerance of the bacterial isolates on TSB medium supplemented with 5, 35, 60 and 120 g / L NaCl was performed. All the isolates showed the ability to grow in the four concentrations evaluated, except for Exiguobacterium sp. sac36, that did not grow at 120 g / L NaCl. Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation assays were performed using glucose, xylose and glycerol as carbon source. The results showed that four strains of the genus Bacillus were able to accumulate 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) in all conditions. Additionally, it was confirmed that the presence of high concentrations of NaCl in the medium causes a decrease in 3HB accumulation in the cells. It was observed that twelve halotolerant bacteria produced exopolysaccharides (EPS). Tests performed indicated that those EPS could have immunostimulatory effects on macrophages. Finally, hyaluronic acid (HA) production was evaluated. According to Alcian blue method, all strains were able to produce HA, showing that most of the isolates accumulated the biopolymer in higher or similar concentrations to the control. The results showed that the halotolerant isolates are a rich source of compounds with promising activities for different industries. This study contributes to the knowledge of microorganisms from the caatinga biome and their biotechnological potential, highlighting their biodiversity, versatility and the need to continue exploring these poorly studied extreme environments.

Burkholderia sacchari é uma espécie de bactéria capaz de acumular polihidroxialcanoatos em condições de limitação de um nutriente essencial e excesso de fonte de carbono. A partir do substrato sacarose, acumula o polímero poli-3-hidroxibutirato (P3HB), poliéster biodegradável de propriedades semelhantes às dos plásticos de origem petroquímica. A partir de sacarose e propionato como fontes de carbono, ela é capaz de acumular o copolímero poli-3-hidroxibutirato-co-3-hidroxivalerato (P3HB-co-3HV), que é mais maleável que o polímero P3HB. No entanto, apenas uma pequena porcentagem do propionato fornecido é convertida em 3HV. Isto se deve à presença de outras vias de catabolismo muito eficientes que transformam o propionato em biomassa, reduzindo a eficiência na produção do copolímero. Estudos em mutantes UV prp-, indicaram que duas vias de catabolismo de propionato podem atuar em B. sacchari: α-oxidação e o ciclo de 2-metilcitrato (2MCC). Esta última teve sua comprovação molecular comprovada, já a outra ainda está sendo estudada, mutantes afetados no consumo de intermediários da α-oxidação foram complementados fragmentos de DNA, obtidos de uma biblioteca genômica de B. sacchari os quais, após sequenciamento e comparação do banco de dados, verificou-se codificarem um regulador transcricional LysR. A análise dos genes adjacentes ao regulador sugeriu que poderiam compor um operon de uma via de α-oxidação. Diante disso, este trabalho busca a comprovação molecular da via da α-oxidação para o catabolismo de propionato em B. sacchari. / Burkholderia sacchari is a species of bacteria capable of accumulating polyhydroxyalkanoates under limiting conditions of an essential nutrient and excess carbon source. From the sucrose substrate, it accumulates polymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), biodegradable polyester with properties similar to those of petrochemical plastics. From sucrose and propionate as carbon sources, it is able to accumulate the poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (P3HB-co-3HV) copolymer, which is more malleable than the polymer P3HB. However, only a small percentage of the supplied propionate is converted into 3HV. This is due to the presence of other very efficient catabolic pathways that transform the propionate into biomass, reducing the production efficiency of the copolymer. Studies on prp- UV mutants have indicated that two pathways of propionate catabolism may act on B. sacchari: the α-oxidation and the 2-methylcitrate cycle (2MCC). The latter had its molecular proof proven, while the other is still being studied, mutants affected in the consumption of α-oxidation intermediates were complemented DNA fragments obtained from a genomic library of B. sacchari which, after sequencing and comparison of the bank Coding for a LysR transcriptional regulator. Analysis of the genes adjacent to the regulator suggested that they could compose an operon of an α-oxidation pathway. In view of this, this work seeks the molecular proof of the α-oxidation pathway for the propionate catabolism in B. sacchari.

Submitted by Sara Ribeiro (sara.ribeiro@ucb.br) on 2018-06-06T14:01:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ThaisDuarteCostaDissertacao2018.pdf: 3076865 bytes, checksum: 13af7d694f07d7e2dcc9281907285b62 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sara Ribeiro (sara.ribeiro@ucb.br) on 2018-06-06T14:01:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ThaisDuarteCostaDissertacao2018.pdf: 3076865 bytes, checksum: 13af7d694f07d7e2dcc9281907285b62 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-06T14:01:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ThaisDuarteCostaDissertacao2018.pdf: 3076865 bytes, checksum: 13af7d694f07d7e2dcc9281907285b62 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-03 / Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) based plastics are serious environmental problem due to long decomposition periods and petroleum-dependent origin. Therefore, bioplastics are a promising alternative as their synthesized by the polimerization of renewable raw materials, yeilding biodegradable and environmental-friendly products. One of the most relevant polymers in this scenario is the poly lactic acid (PLA) formed from lactic acid monomers. The main characteristics of PLA are low toxicity to humans due to high biocompatibility, for example in biomedical materials, and biodegradability, which reduces their time in landfills due to the faster decomposition process. These properties provide wide applicability of this polymer in various areas such as packaging, textiles and biomedical materials. Commonly, the chemical polymerization process of PLA can be carried out in two ways, (1) ring opening for further polymerization or (2) condensation of the lactic acids. In both cases, the presence of metal catalysts such as zinc, aluminum and magnesium is required. These, in addition to being toxic, hinder the use of the polymer, for instance, in the biomedical area, for generating metallic waste. An alternative to such catalysts is the use of biocatalysts. Polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase (phaC) has been previously used for the polymerization of lactic acid produced in recombinant strains of Escherichia coli. Thus, within the lactic acid production platform in recombinant Komagataella phaffi strains, the objective of this work is to produce the phaC enzyme with point mutations at the S325N and Q481I sites. These residue changes provide a greater specificity of the enzyme-substrate complex to act as a biocatalyst in the polymerization of lactic acid in Komagataella phaffi. In this study, three cloning strategies were performed between the phaCPs insert and pGAPZ??B vector. To date, there have been no transformants in any of the strategies. However, Strategy C has not yet been fully implemented, which also results in the possibility of cloning between phaCPs insert and pGAPZ??B expression vector with the correct sequence. It is expected that successful cloning, recombinant DNA sequencing and plasmid insertion into Komagataella phaffii genome can be performed to conclude this study. / Os problemas ambientais gerados por pl??sticos ?? base de tereftalato de polietileno (PET) se devem ao extenso tempo de decomposi????o desses materiais no meio ambiente e a sua fonte de origem que ?? dependente de petr??leo. Diante disso, biopl??sticos t??m sido uma alternativa promissora devido ao fato de serem biologicamente degrad??veis, al??m de terem como origem mat??rias-primas renov??veis, o que os tornam sustent??veis. Um dos pol??meros mais relevantes desse cen??rio ?? o poli (??cido l??tico) (PLA) formado a partir de mon??meros de ??cido l??tico. As principais caracter??sticas do PLA s??o baixa toxicidade aos humanos devido ?? alta biocompatibilidade, como por exemplo em mat??rias biom??dicos, e biodegradabilidade, o que reduz seu tempo em aterros devido ao processo mais r??pido de decomposi????o. Essas propriedades proporcionam uma ampla aplicabilidade deste pol??mero em diversas ??reas como embalagens, ??reas t??xteis e materiais biom??dicos. Comumente, o processo qu??mico de polimeriza????o do PLA pode ser realizado por meio de duas formas, (1) abertura do anel para posterior polimeriza????o ou (2) por condensa????o dos ??cidos l??ticos. Nos dois casos, ?? necess??ria a presen??a de catalisadores met??licos como zinco, alum??nio e magn??sio. Estes, al??m de serem t??xicos atrapalham na utiliza????o do pol??mero, por exemplo, na ??rea biom??dica, por gerar res??duos met??licos. Uma alternativa a esses catalisadores ?? a utiliza????o de biocatalisadores, como a polihidroxialcanoato sintase (phaC), j?? foi previamente utilizada para polimeriza????o de ??cido l??tico produzido em cepas recombinantes de Escherichia coli. Assim, dentro da plataforma de produ????o de ??cido l??tico, em cepas de Komagataella phaffii recombinantes, o objetivo deste trabalho ?? referente ?? produ????o da enzima phaC com muta????es pontuais nos s??tios S325N e Q481I, pois essas altera????es proporcionam uma maior especificidade do complexo enzima-substrato, para que atue como biocatalisador na polimeriza????o de ??cido l??tico em Komagataella phaffi. Neste estudo, foram realizadas tr??s estrat??gias de clonagem entre o inserto phaCPs e vetor pGAPZ??B. At?? o presente, n??o houve transformantes em nenhuma das estrat??gias. Entretanto, a Estrat??gia C ainda n??o foi executada completamente, o que resulta ainda na possibilidade de clonagem entre inserto phaCPs e vetor de express??o pGAPZ??B com a sequ??ncia correta. A expectativa deste estudo ?? a conclus??o da clonagem, verifica????o da sequ??ncia correta do DNA recombinante atrav??s do resultado do sequenciamento e inser????o do plasm??deo ao genoma da levedura Komagataella phaffii.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseBP.pdf: 10262484 bytes, checksum: fba14b7c525ee723da7badf4144c7db2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Technological development and market pressure turned polymers into widely used structural materials for several different applications, being manufactured by a wide range of monomers. However, traditional polymers usually show some drawbacks regarding environmental aspects, as most used polymers are produced with nonrenewable feedstock and generate huge amounts of non-biodegradable residues. Therefore it is imperative the sustainable development of new bio-based and biodegradable polymeric materials. The use of microorganisms for obtaining biopolymers is a very promising reality. However, in order to achieve viable production in industrial scale it is necessary to overcome economic barriers, by using microbes with good assimilation of low-cost substrates and high biopolymer yields. As such, the objective of this work was the isolation and identification of bacteria associated with the insect Diabrotica speciosa, as well as the evaluation microbial capacity of biopolymer production. The insect presented great microbial diversity, identified as an underexplored niche with tremendous biotechnological potential for the investigation of novel species and/or strains. In an attempt to find bacterial isolates effective on the production of two classes of biopolymers, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and exopolysaccharides (EPS), it was obtained 73 strains of bacteria associated with Diabrotica speciosa. These bacteria were identified at genus level by genetic techniques using 16S rDNA sequencing and by proteomic techniques using MALDI-TOF MS. Both characterization methods yielded 100% convergence on results. It was found 17 different bacterial genera, which were submitted to qualitative screening assays in order to identify strains producing PHA using Nile Red dye method, as well as for EPS by using the bacterial spot test. Promising strains on both assays were selected for further quantitative studies and structural characterization of the obtained biopolymers. Quantitative analyses for PHA production corroborated satisfactorily with qualitative results, especially to bacteria from genera Aurantimonas and Delftia which demonstrated high PHA production capacity with 50 and 90% polymer yield on dry mass, both strains being strains able to use substrates such as glucose, acetate and glycerol. GC-MS analyses indicated that Aurantimonas sp. produced mostly a homopolymer of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), while Delftia sp. was able to produce a copolymer having butyrate and valerate (PHBV), with up to 10% (w/w) of valerate. Regarding EPS production, the screening showed that the isolates were able to produce polymers in variable amounts, with vast and complex structural variations. Strains from genera Acidovorax, Aurantimonas and Luteibacter were further selected for quantitative analysis of EPS production and analytical characterization of the obtained biopolymer. After analyses using NMR, MALDI-TOF, SEC-UV-ELSD and GC-MS, bacteria from genus Luteibacter produced a highly complex polymer rich in mannose, glucose, fucose and xylose; genus Acidovorax produced a glucomannan-type EPS with a high degree of branching; and genus Aurantimonas was able to produce up to 2 g.L-1 of a water insoluble EPS. In face of these results, it was possible to conclude that D. speciosa microbiota showed to be extremely rich in bacterial species viable for exploratory studies with biotechnological context of biopolymer production. Investigated strains showed promising characteristics to be further evaluated in larger scale (fermenters), especially the bacteria Aurantimonas sp., able to produce PHBV and EPS. / O desenvolvimento tecnológico e a pressão de mercado fizeram com que os polímeros se tornassem materiais estruturais amplamente utilizados em uma grande variedade de aplicações, sendo manufaturados a partir de uma ampla gama de monômeros. Entretanto, estes materiais geralmente apresentam algumas desvantagens do ponto de vista ambiental, pois os polímeros mais utilizados são produzidos com matérias-primas não renováveis e geram grandes volumes de resíduos não biodegradáveis. Assim, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento sustentável de novos materiais biobaseados e biodegradáveis. O uso de microorganismos para a obtenção deste tipo de polímero é uma realidade bastante promissora. Todavia, para a produção viável em escala industrial é necessário superar barreiras econômicas, através do uso de cepas com boa assimilação de substratos de baixo custo, proporcionando uma alta produtividade. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo o isolamento e identificação de bactérias associadas ao inseto Diabrotica speciosa, bem como a avaliação da capacidade microbiana de produção de biopolímeros. O inseto apresentou uma grande diversidade em sua microbiota, mostrando ser este um nicho subexplorado e com enorme potencial para a investigação de novas espécies e/ou isolados. Com o propósito de encontrar isolados eficientes na produção de duas classes de biopolímeros, polihidroxialcanoatos (PHAs) e exopolissacarídeos (EPS), foram obtidos 73 isolados bacterianos do inseto praga Diabrotica speciosa. Todas as cepas foram identificadas em nível de gênero pelo uso de técnicas genéticas, através do sequenciamento de 16S rDNA parcial e por análises proteômicas, avaliando-se o perfil proteico obtido via MALDI-TOF MS. Ambas as técnicas de identificação apresentaram 100% de convergência entre os resultados. Foram encontrados no total 17 gêneros de bactérias, que foram submetidas a ensaios qualitativos de triagem para identificação de isolados produtores de PHAs pelo método do corante vermelho de Nilo, bem como para EPS pelo método do teste de ponto bacteriano. Isolados promissores em ambos os ensaios foram selecionados para estudos quantitativos e caracterização estrutural dos polímeros obtidos. As análises quantitativas para a produção de PHA corroboraram satisfatoriamente com os resultados qualitativos, com destaque para as bactérias do gênero Aurantimonas e Delftia que apresentaram alta capacidade de produção de PHA, com rendimentos de 50 e 90% de polímero em massa seca, respectivamente, sendo ambas as cepas capazes de utilizar substratos como glicose, acetato e glicerol. Análises por GC-MS realizadas após metanólise do polímero indicaram que Aurantimonas sp. produziu majoritariamente homopolímero de polihidroxibutirato (PHB), enquanto Delftia sp. foi capaz de produzir um copolímero contendo monômeros do tipo butirato e valerato (PHBV), contendo até 10% em massa de valerato. Com relação à produção de EPS, a triagem indicou que os isolados se mostraram capazes de produzir polímeros em quantidade variáveis, com uma grande e complexa variação estrutural. Isolados dos gêneros Acidovorax, Aurantimonas e Luteibacter foram selecionados para avaliação quantitativa da produção de EPS e caracterização estrutural do biopolímero. Após análises por NMR, MALDI-TOF, SEC-UV-ELSD e GC-MS, o gênero Luteibacter produziu um polímero altamente complexo contendo manose, glicose, fucose e xilose, o gênero Acidovorax produziu um EPS do tipo glucomanana altamente ramificado;= e o gênero Aurantimonas foi capaz de produzir até 2 g.L-1 de um EPS insolúvel em água. Deste modo, foi possível concluir que a microbiota de D. speciosa se apresentou extremamente rica em isolados microbianos viáveis para estudos exploratórios no contexto biotecnológico de produção de biopolímeros. Os isolados investigados apresentaram características promissoras para serem futuramente avaliadas em escalas maiores (fermentadores), especialmente a bactéria Aurantimonas sp., que foi capaz de produzir tanto PHBV, quanto EPS.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a group of bioplastics, which are produced through microorganisms. They are accumulated in granules inside bacteria’s cell cytoplasm and serve as an energy reserve. Moreover, PHAs are completely biodegradable and biocompatible biopolyesters, which make them to suitable materials for medical applications and replace conventional petrochemical plastics. However, it is not economically feasible to produce PHAs yet, as it is four to nine times as expensive as to produce fossil fuel-based plastics. In order to reduce the price, it is possible to use waste streams rich in carbon and mixed cultures as microorganisms, which was applied in this thesis work. In this study, PHAs were synthesized from a volatile fatty acid (VFA) mixture rich in hexanoic acid, which was produced by anaerobic digestion of waste streams. To be able to obtain the maximum PHA content, the experimental work was separated into a selection phase and a production phase respectively. During the selection step, enrichment of the mixed culture took place during 50 days altering feast/famine cycles. The production phase was then conducted in a fed-batch cultivation to accumulate as much PHAs as possible, while utilizing the enriched mixed culture.  The selection phase was seen as successful since the quantity of synthesized PHA increased with time. Solely polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was formed during this period. The specific consumption rates for the hexanoic acid and acetic acid were almost the same in this phase (0.10 g hexanoic acid/(g volatile suspended soilds (VSS),h) and 0.11 g acetic acid/(g VSS,h)), which suggests that the consumption of these majoritarian fatty acids was simultaneous. However, the determined consumption rate for butyric acid was approximately solely half of the values for hexanoic acid and acetic acid. The highest PHA yield obtained in the enrichment phase was 0.26 g PHB/g VFA.  In the production phase, the highest achieved PHA content was 31.4 % of VSS, which was obtained after five hours. Both PHB and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) were formed in this phase, even though the quantity of accumulated PHB dominated with its approximately 97 weight-%. / Polyhydroxialkanoater (PHA:er) är en grupp bioplaster som produceras med hjälp av mikroorganismer. De ackumuleras inuti granulater som finns i bakteriers cellcytoplasma, och används som en energireserv. PHA:er är dessutom fullständigt bionedbrytbara och biokompatibla biopolyestrar, vilket gör dem till lämpliga material att applicera inom medicinska preparat och för att ersätta konventionella petrokemiska plaster. Det är däremot inte ekonomiskt fördelaktigt att producera PHA:er än så länge, då det är fyra till nio gånger dyrare att producera än i jämförelse med att producera plaster från fossila bränslen. Ett tillvägagångssätt för att reducera priset är genom att applicera kolrikt avfall som råmaterial och en blandad kultur av mikroorganismer. Det var detta som tillämpades i detta examensarbete vid PHA produktionen. I denna studie syntetiserades PHA:er från en blandning av flyktiga fettsyror rik på hexansyra, som framställts av avfall genom anaerobisk digestion. Det experimentella arbetet delades in i två faser: en selektionsfas och en produktionsfas. Detta för att kunna erhålla högsta möjliga PHA innehåll. Den blandade kulturen av bakterier berikades under selektionsfasen genom applicering av alternerande svält/frossa cykler i 50 dagar. Produktionsfasen utfördes därefter i en så kallad ”fed-batch odling” för att ackumulera högsta möjliga kvantitet av PHA, med hjälp av den berikade kultur blandningen.  Selektionsfasen ansåg vara lyckad, då mängden ackumulerad PHA ökade med tiden. Endast polyhydroxibutyrat (PHB) producerades under berikelsefasen. De erhållna specifika konsumptionshastigheterna för hexansyra och ättiksyra var i samma storleksordning (0.10 g/(g flyktiga suspenderade ämnen, h) respektive 0.11 g/(g flyktiga suspenderade ämnen, h)), vilket tyder på att förbrukningen av dessa fettsyror skedde samtidigt. Konsumptionshastigheten för butansyra var däremot endast cirka hälften av hastigheterna för hexansyra samt ättiksyra. Det högsta PHA-utbytet beräknades till 0.26 g PHB/g flyktiga fettsyror. Det högsta PHA-innehållet som erhölls i produktionsfasen var 31.4 % av de flyktiga suspenderade ämnena, vilket uppmättes efter fem timmar. Både PHB och polyhydroxivalerat (PHV) bildades under denna fas, även om mängden ackumulerad PHB dominerade med 97 vikt-%. / <p>I och med COVID-19 presenterades examensarbetet via zoom</p> / Carbon Neutral Next Generation Wastewater Treatment Plants