Biotechnology Research and Innovation最新文献

Red propolis is a natural resin mixture produced by honeybees and presents a source of active compounds with a variety of biological activities. In this study, we describe the chemical characterization and potential antitumor activity of total extract of Brazilian red propolis and its fractions. Fractions were obtained through column chromatography revealing 14 different compounds in all samples, which were determined and distinguished of other isobar molecules by fragmentation pathways by ESI-MS/MS in positive mode. Some molecules as cis-asarone or trans-isoelemicin were identified and distinguish from elemicin compound and vestitol or isovestitol were also distinguished from neovestitol by fragmention pathway. Other important compounds as liquiritigenin was differentiated from isoliquiritigenin and formononetin from dalbergin.

MTT viability assay showed different toxicity in cell lines after exposition to total extract and fractions. Fractions 05 and 06 had more selectivity against HT-29 and HCT-116 cancer cells, respectively, in relation to normal cells. IC₅₀ (ranging of 72.45 ± 6.57 to 73.58 ± 1.00 μg/mL) in cancer cells were lower than reported in total extracts of propolis. May-Grunwald/Giemsa staining revealed cellular morphological changes after exposition to higher concentrations of red propolis extracts. Fractionation techniques can contribute to reduce chemical diversity verified in propolis mixtures, generating fractions with improved biological activity and contributing to the development of new strategies for discovery of natural compounds against cancer.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential, health-promoting nutrients that are widely used in medicine, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, nutrition, and other fields. Suitable plant and animal sources for these lipids are limited, but alternatives have been actively researched and developed in the last three decades, especially those produced microbiologically. Arachidonic acid (ARA) is one of the most valuable among nutraceutical lipids, being associated with the good development of the nervous central system and enhancement of immune response. Currently, microbial sources of ARA are used for industrial production due to their rapid and controllable production, as compared to animal (fish) and plant sources. Microbial sources are also eco-friendly and reduce the pressure on marine life. The fungus Mortierella alpina is one of the most important microbial lipid sources, but there are few accounts of industrial and market information regarding this microorganism.

At the current pace, the industrial production of ARA is projected to reach 410 thousand tons by 2025, which will not be enough to meet the demand. This will keep stimulating research for intensified production, which can be optimized in terms of concentration and yields (through bioprospection and metabolic and biomolecular engineering), productivity and economics (through media optimization and byproduct use), and formulation. This work reviews aspects such as the important considerations for industrial production of arachidonic acid-rich oil by Mortierella alpina, based on patents and studies, and presents a global market analysis and forecast.

This study observed the role of pH, chromium (VI) concentrations, temperatures and chromium reductases for of Cr (VI) reduction. Bacteria isolated from effluent were identified as Pseudomonas sp. by molecular analysis. Bacterial strain MAI4 showed significant reduction at pH 7 (84%), 100 μg Cr (VI)/ml (86%) and 35 °C (86%). Increase in time of incubation increased Cr (VI) reduction by P. entomophila MAI4 significantly and 120 h of incubation showed maximum reduction of Cr (VI). P. entomophila MAI4 also showed significant reduction of Cr (VI) (80%) in industrial waste water. Bacterial strain MAI4 reduced Cr (VI) into Cr (III) after 120 h which was detected as 70 ± 3 μg/ml in cell pellet and 30 ± 2 μg/ml in supernatant, respectively. Chromium reductase found in cell free extracts (CFE) reduced almost all Cr (VI) to Cr (III) compared to cell debris. Based on reduction under in vitro and in vivo conditions, Pseudomonas sp. MAI4 could be used as a bioremediator of Cr (VI) in contaminated effluents.

This research paper comparison of the use of biological templates obtained from steviol glycosides and glucose (monosaccharide) directed toward the synthesis of metal oxides. The results obtained shown the synthesis of aluminum oxides in an aqueous medium, using different green porogenic agents. The influences of the aging period and its impact on the alumina's porosity and phase transition were evaluated. The FTIR studies provided evidence of the surface modification of the aluminum oxide by carboxylate groups generated in the hydrolysis of diterpenic glycosides. The application of prolonged aging periods favored the production of η-alumina vs γ-alumina in the synthesis in which Stevia rebaudiana was used. The materials were characterized, using XRD, TGA, N₂ physical adsorption, FE-SEM, NMR, FTIR and TPD-NH₃. The TGA profiles indicate appreciable differences as to the yields achieved between samples prepared with the two biological templates (alumina–stevia up to 62%, alumina–glucose yields of 30%). The acidity obtained for the different aluminas synthesized by the use of biological templates showed a trend toward: glucose > stevia > sol–gel method/stevia, in the range of 0.994–0.485 mmol/g.

Plants have the ability to recognize and respond to biotic and abiotic stresses that are responsible for considerable yield losses in agriculture. Currently, a central goal of crop deployment is to develop the capacity to be tolerant to multiple stresses without a reduction in fitness. Still, many efforts to release such plants have failed because, frequently, there is a trade-off between growth and tolerance to stresses. Conventional breeding plays an essential role in crop improvement, but it is necessary to develop new tools, using for instance CRISPR, to produce new cultivars exhibiting tolerance to stress without significant yield penalty. In this short review we discuss novel strategies that can be employed to produce novel cultivars that would increase plant productivity without being hindered by potential negative effects of the immune response on plant development.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerge as potential tools for treatment of various diseases. Isolation methods and tissue of origin are important factors that determine the amount of obtained cells and their ability to differentiate. MSCs can be isolated from adipose tissue (ADSCs), bone marrow (BMSCs) or umbilical cord (UC-MSCs), and its characterization must follow the criteria required by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. Osteogenic differentiation capacity of ADSCs can still vary according to the culture medium used, as well as by adding factors that can alter signaling pathways and enhance bone differentiation. In addition, nanotechnology has also been used to increase osteoblastic induction and differentiation. ADSCs enhanced the prospect of treatment in different diseases, and in regenerative medicine, these cells can also be associated with different biomaterials. There is a great progress in studies with ADSCs, mainly because it is easy to access, which makes bioengineering techniques for bone tissue feasible.

The aim of this research work is to study biodegradation of Carbendazim, a globally used carcinogenic fungicide, by novel bacterial strain Bacillus licheniformis JTC-3, isolated from local agro-effluent, as it wrecks havoc on human immune, nervous and endocrine systems, upon consumption. The strain was characterized by various biochemical tests, antibiotic assay and identified by 16S rDNA analysis. High Performance Liquid Chromatographic studies showed its biodegradation capacity to be very high (73.2% of initial Carbendazim concentration), in Minimal Salt Media, within 24 h of incubation. Various growth parameters (temperature, agitation speed, pH, substrate concentration) were optimized by Central Composite Design to get the biodegradation rate of 0.305 mg/L of Carbendazim/h/mg biomass. Scanning Electron Micrograph, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopic microanalysis and toxicity testing of metabolic end-product confirmed formation of non-toxic, crystalline 2-hydroxybenzimidazole. Accordingly, a plausible mechanism of biodegradation of Carbendazim has been proposed here. The isolate's growth curve and the rate kinetics mathematically fitted well with Gompertz model and second order reaction, respectively.

The present study is aimed to characterize the natural pearl of Pinctada fucata from Gulf of Mannar by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Studies (EDS). Pearl oysters (P. fucata) from Kayalpattinam, Gulf of Mannar, were landed as a by-catch in the bottom set gill net at a depth of 4 m and collected for tissue culture studies. During mantle tissue dissection, a good lustrous, round pearl of 1.5 mm size was found in the mantle fold of pearl oyster P. fucata. This evidenced the existence of natural pearl oyster beds and natural pearls in this region. It was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) to find out the composition of nacre. Parallel orientation of crystals to form the lamellar formation of nacre is clearly visible in SEM. Pseudo-hexagonal aragonite crystals arranged in a uniform layer and joined together to form a lamella with inter-lamellar matrix. Two forms of calcium (CaO and CaCO₃) obtained in EDS analysis. Calcium content in the natural pearl is 66.05% which is clearly reveals the aragonite form. Niobium (Nb) was attained at 6% in natural pearl which is the first report in its kind and it may also play a role in the formation of lustrous layer. There are so many characterization reports available about mother of pearl in shell of different species, but this is the first report of natural pearl from P. fucata.

Three isolated strains from Brazilian's cachaça distilleries were tested for glucose consumption and ethanol production during the fermentation process. The ethanol productivity, cell viability and mitochondrial mutagenic rate of each strain was evaluated at the end of a 24 h-fermentation round. The strains’ resistance to the fermentation process was evaluated after cell recycling followed by another round of fermentation. Among the isolated industrial strains evaluated, the strains CCA083 and CA751 has shown the best performance in terms of productivity and yield. The cachaça strain CCA083 was able to keep a high glucose consumption and ethanol productivity during the second fermentation round. This result suggests that the stress response mechanism is activated due to the heat shock pretreatment, which creates a protective effect on the cell. Therefore, these results could bring up to light a new framework for industries and researchers in order to develop strains with increased stress tolerance on first and second-generation ethanol production.