Purification and characterization of two xylanases from alkalophilic and thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis 77-2

The alkalophilic bacteria Bacillus licheniformis 77-2 produces significant quantities of thermostable cellulase-free xylanases. The crude xylanase was purified to apparent homogeneity by gel filtration (G-75) and ionic exchange chromatography (carboxymethyl sephadex, Q sepharose, and Mono Q), resulting in the isolation of two xylanases. The molecular masses of the enzymes were estimated to be 17 kDa (X-I) and 40 kDa (X-II), as determined by SDS-PAGE. The K(m) and V(max) values were 1.8 mg/mL and 7.05 U/mg protein (X-I), and 1.05 mg/mL and 9.1 U/mg protein (X-II). The xylanases demonstrated optimum activity at pH 7.0 and 8.0-10.0 for xylanase X-I and X-II, respectively, and, retained more than 75% of hydrolytic activity up to pH 11.0. The purified enzymes were most active at 70 and 75 degrees C for X-I and X-II, respectively, and, retained more than 90% of hydrolytic activity after 1 h of heating at 50 degrees C and 60 degrees C for X-I and X-II, respectively. The predominant products of xylan hydrolysates indicated that these enzymes were endoxylanases.

Interaction between Advanced Glycation End Products Formation and Vascular Responses in Femoral and Coronary Arteries from Exercised Diabetic Rats

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

Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles formed between DNA and phosphorylcholine substituted chitosans

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

Chemical Constituents of the Methanolic Extract of Leaves of Leiothrix spiralis Ruhland and Their Antimicrobial Activity

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

Efeito de casca de camarão, hidrolisado de peixe e quitosana no controle da murcha de Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. chrysanthemi em crisântemo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of addition of different hydrocolloids on pasting, thermal, and rheological properties of cassava starch

Amidos e gomas são hidrocoloides frequentemente usados em sistemas alimentícios com a finalidade de fornecer textura, umidade e mobilidade de água. A interação amido-goma em sistemas alimentícios pode alterar o inchamento do grânulo de amido e as suas propriedades de gelatinização e reológicas. Neste trabalho, o efeito da adição de goma xantana (GX), carboximetilcelulose sódica (CMC) e carragena (CAR) nas concentrações de 0,15, 0,25, 0,35 e 0,45% (p/v) sobre as propriedades de pasta, térmicas e reológicas do amido de mandioca foi estudado. O Poder de inchamento (PI) e a Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) dos géis de amido também foram avaliados. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a GX apresentou forte interação com o amido, penetrando entre os grânulos e provocando aumento das viscosidades de pasta, PI, G' e G, e redução da retrogradação do amido; CMCS aumentou as viscosidades de pasta, PI, G' e G das misturas, principalmente em função da sua maior capacidade de reter água, e não por causa da interação com o amido; CAR não modificou qualquer das propriedades do amido, porque não houve nenhuma interação entre essa goma e o amido de mandioca nas concentrações usadas.

Xanthones and flavonoids from Leiothrix curvifolia and Leiothrix flavescens

8-Carboxymethyl-1,6-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone 8-carboxymethyl-1,5,6-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone and 8-carboxy-methyl-1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone were isolated from the capitula of Leiothrix curvifolia and Leiothrix flavescens and characterized by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as by electrospray mass spectrometry. Eight known flavonoids were also isolated and they were identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and comparison with literature data. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

PRODUCTION OF MICROBIAL ALKALINE CELLULASE AND STUDIES OF THEIR CHARACTERISTICS

In order to obtain cellulases that improve the detergency of laundry detergent products, two alkalophilic microorganims, Bacillus sp B38-2 and Streptomyces sp S36-2, were isolated from soil and compost by incubating samples in enrichment culture medium containing CMC and Na2CO3 at pH9.6. It was found that they secrete a constitutive extracellular alkaline carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) in high quantity. The maximum enzyme activity was observed between 48hr to 72 hr at 30-degrees-C for the Streptomyces and between 72hr to 96hr at 35-degrees-C for the Bacillus. The optimum pH and temperature of the crude enzyme activities ranged from 6.0 to 7.0 at 55-degrees-C for the Streptomyces and 7.0 to 8.0 at 60-degrees-C for the Bacillus. Two crude CMCases activities were termostable at 45-degrees-C for 1hr and the both crude enzyme activities of the Bacillus as of the Streptomyces were stable at pH 5.0 to 9.0 after pH treatments in various buffer solutions at 30-degrees-C for 24hr.

Synthesis and characterization of phosphorylcholine-substituted chitosans soluble in physiological pH conditions

A polymer analogous synthesis involving the reductive amination of phosphorylcholine (PC)-glyceraldehyde with primary amines of deacetylated chitosan (M-w approximate to 57000 g mol(-1)) was used to prepare phosphorylcholine-substituted chitosans (PC-CH) with a degree of substitution (DS) ranging from similar to 11 to similar to 53 mol% PC-substituted glucosamine residues. The PC-CH derivatives were characterized by H-1 NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and multiangle laser light scattering gel permeation chromatography (MALLS-GPC). The pKa of the PC-substituted amine groups (pKa approximate to 7.20) was determined by H-1 NMR titration. The PC-CH samples (1.0 g L-1) were shown to be nontoxic using an MTT assay performed with human KB cells. Aqueous solutions of PC-CH samples (4.0 g L-(1)) of DS g 22 mol% PC-substituted glucosamine residues remained clear, independently of pH (4.0 < pH < 11.0). The remarkable water solubility and nontoxicity displayed by the new PC-CH samples open up new opportunities in the design of chitosan-based biomaterials and nanoparticles.

Rheological Characterization of Hydrophylic Gels

Rheological characteristics of gels were studied, with the focus on their use as a cosmetic base. Some ideal characteristics can be predicted by the rheological characterization, such as the performance, with easy application and without dripping or forming lumps and bubbles. Moreover, it is possible to detect signs of physical instability. The gels were prepared with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 3% and 5%, with Carbopol 940 (INCI: Carbomer) and with Carbopol Ultrez (INCI: Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer). The tests performed were yield stress, stress sweep and creep and recovery. The gel with 3% of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose presented the most appropriated behavior and can be indicated as the most suitable cosmetic base.

Use of Biopolymeric Membranes for Adsorption of Paraquat Herbicide from Water

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

Nanostructured films from phthalocyanine and carbon nanotubes: Surface morphology and electrical characterization

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Polissacarídeos biodegradáveis úteis para a preparação de sistemas de liberação controlada de fármacos. Parte 1: Quitosana

Due to an increasing interest, a vast number of biodegradable polymers have been obtained recently. Polymers naturally produced, such as cellulose, starch, chitosan and alginate, represent biodegradable materials, with low toxicity and low cost. Among polysaccharides, chitosan has been of great interest of the industrial and academic research, due to its special qualities of biodegradability and biocompatibility and, on the other hand, to the versatility of its use in several physical forms and products. A significant growth in the development of new dosage forms capable to deliver the drug in a controlled and targeted way has been observed in these last years. Such pharmaceutical forms search, mainly, the reduction of the dose administered and of the administration frequency, the reduction of adverse side effects and, consequently, a better patient compliance. The present paper describes the use of chitosan in pharmaceutical products, especially in drug controlled delivery systems.

Maçã 'Royal Gala' revestida com quitosana estocada à temperatura ambiente

The aim of this work was to evaluate apples covered with chitosan during storage at ambient temperature. 'Royal Gala' apples were covered with chitosan (MRQ), immersed in acetic acid solution (MB) or did not receive any treatment (MC) and subsequently analyzed physicochemical, sensorial andinstrumentally, as well as for rotten occurrence, at zero, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 46 days of storage. The ratio, pH and reducing sugar contents increased while total titratable acidity, total sugars, total solids and firmness were reduced during storage. Was observed a drastically reduction of ascorbic acid and slight increase on soluble solids, except in the apples that were not pretreated (MC). Luminosity and chromaticity ratio values improved with time, with higher intensity in MRQ. Rotten occurrence was not expressive. The acceptance of appearance, color, global impression, aroma and flavor decreased with time, and appearance and texture were considered the most important sensory attributes for apples. The use of chitosan delayed ripening, reduced losses in firmness and presented a more intense bright, extending shelf life period up to seven days.

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases - a review

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