A thin layer electrochemical cell for disinfection of water contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Toxicological evaluation of vegetable oils and biodiesel in soil during the biodegradation process

Vegetable oils and their derivatives, like biodiesel, are used extensively throughout the world, thus posing an environmental risk when disposed. Toxicity testing using test organisms shows how these residues affect ecosystems. Toxicity tests using earthworms (Eisenia foetida. are widespread because they are a practical resource for analyzing terrestrial organisms. For phytotoxicological analysis, we used seeds of arugula (Eruca sativa and lettuce (Lactuca sativa. to analyze the germination of seeds in contaminated soil samples. The toxicological experiment was conducted with four different periods of biodegradation in soil: zero days, 60 days, 120 days and 180 days. The studied contaminants were soybean oil (new and used) and biodiesel (B100). An evaluation of the germination of both seeds showed an increased toxicity for all contaminants as the biodegradation occurred, biodiesel being the most toxic among the contaminants. on the other hand, for the tests using earthworms, the biodiesel was the only contaminant that proved to be toxic. Therefore, the higher toxicity of the sample containing these hydrocarbons over time can be attributed to the secondary compounds formed by microbial action. Thus, we conclude that the biodegradation in soil of the studied compounds requires longer periods for the sample toxicity to be decreased with the action of microorganisms.

Biodegradability of commercial and weathered diesel oils

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Leaf-cutting ant faecal fluid and mandibular gland secretion: effects on microfungi spore germination

The mandibular gland secretion (MGS) and the faecal fluid (FF) of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel affected the spore germination of selected microfungi isolated from nests of this insect. MGS was more effective than the FF, completely inhibiting the spore germination of four out of six microfungi species.

Production and purification of an Endo–1,4-beta-Xylanase from Humicola grisea var. thermoidea by electroelution

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of the electrolytic treatment on Bacillus subtilis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Occurrence of hyphomycetes and actinomycetes in red-yellow latosol from a cerrado region in Brazil

A study to quantify the populations of filamentous fungi and actinomycetes was undertaken in a cerrado area, in Corumbatai county, São Paulo, at different depths of medium-textured red-yellow latosol, correlating them to humidity, organic matter, pH of the soil and climatic factors. The technique used was the serial dilution of composite soil samples (n=4), using Martin's medium with streptomycin for filamentous fungi and a starch medium for actinomycetes. The number of filamentous fungi was more abundant in the first soil layer, 0-5 cml compared to the other depths. The number of actinomycetes was higher between 5 cm and 50 cm depth. There were two-monthly variations in the number of filamentous fungi and actinomycetes. A sharp drop in fungi was found in May 1988 at all depths of the soil, when there was lower air temperature and an atypically high monthly rainfall for this period in the cerrado. Statistically significant and directly proportional correlations were obtained between the number of actinomycetes and the rainfall at depths of 0 to 5 cm and 50 to 100 cm. The results obtained in the different soil layers to 100 cm depth demonstrated the importance of the first 5 cm layer due to the heavy concentration of microorganisms, mainly the filamentous fungi, together with the highest organic matter content.

Selection of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi for the production of cellulases and xylanases under solid-state fermentation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Production of thermostable glucoamylase by newly isolated Aspergillus flavus A 1.1 and Thermomyces lanuginosus A 13.37

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Production and characterization of glucoamylase from fungus Aspergillus awamori expressed in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using different carbon sources

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pectinase production by Penicillium viridicatum RFC3 by solid state fermentation using agricultural wastes and agro-industrial by-products

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Seasonality of viral respiratory infections in Southeast of Brazil: the influence of temperature and air humidity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Screening of bacterial strains for pectinolytic activity: characterization of the polygalacturonase produced by Bacillus sp

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Endoglucanase production with the newly isolated Myceliophtora sp. i-1d3b in a packed bed solid state fermentor

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Optimization of polysaccharides production by bacteria isolated from soil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)