Lipase Production by Endophytic Fungus Cercospora kikuchii: Stability of Enzymatic Activity after Spray Drying in the Presence of Carbohydrates

The present work deals with improving the production and stabilization of lipases from Cercospora kikuchii. Maximum enzyme production (9.384 U/ml) was obtained after 6 days in a medium supplemented with 2% soybean oil. The lipases were spray dried with different adjuvants, and their stability was studied. The residual enzyme activity after drying with 10% (w/v) of lactose, b- cyclodextrin, maltodextrin, mannitol, gum arabic, and trehalose ranged from 63 to 100%. The enzyme activity was lost in the absence of adjuvants. Most of the adjuvants used kept up at least 50% of the enzymatic activity at 5 degrees C and 40% at 25 degrees C after 8 months. The lipase dried with 10% of beta-cyclodextrin retained 72% of activity at 5 degrees C. Lipases were separated by butyl-sepharose column into 4 pools, and pool 4 was partially purified (33.1%; 269.5 U/mg protein). This pool was also spray dried in maltodextrin DE10, and it maintained 100% of activity.

ELUCIDATING ENIGMATIC FLORAL ISSUES IN COPAIFERA LANGSDORFFII DESF. (LEGUMINOSAE, CAESALPINIOIDEAE)

This study focuses on the floral development of Copaifera langsdorffii to elucidate uncertain features in its floral morphology, such as the tetramerous calyx, lack of petals, blackened anthers and their supposed sterility, as well as polyembryony. Buds and flowers were dissected and prepared for examination under scanning electron and light microscopes. The floral apex initiates two bracteoles, five sepals, five petals, five outer stamens, five inner stamens, and one carpel. Order is helical for sepals, reversed unidirectional for the petals, and unidirectional for two whorls of stamens. The tetramerous calyx results from the union of two adaxial sepal primordia, which forms one large sepal and three other smaller sepals. Although the flower lacks petals, the petal primordia are initiated but do not elongate like the other floral organs, remaining as petal rudiments. Ten stamens are formed in two distinct whorls. Formation within each whorl is almost simultaneous, and the inner whorl is formed shortly after the outer. During organ elongation, the inner stamen primordia bases are reoriented outward, resulting in a single whorl of stamens. The darkened anthers have viable pollen grains. Thus, there is no relation between sterility and the dark coloration of the anthers. No signs of extranumerary embryos are observed; therefore, polyembryony is not confirmed. Although studies on floral development of Detarieae have been reported, few Neotropical genera of the tribe (such as Copaifera) have been studied.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.

North-West elevation, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck, looking towards The Nest. Kitchen skylight above right.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View looking back at house from pool deck.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.

Interior, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View through bedroom interiors to windows on North-East elevation above pool deck.

Stone wall, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

Stone clad wall to filter room beside pool deck.

Timber-framed windows, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

Windows to North-East elevation, looking onto pool deck.

North-West elevation, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck. Concrete framework for The Nest on left.

Interior, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View through bedroom interiors to windows on North-East elevation above pool deck.

Outdoor room, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

Looking towards pool deck, Hanging Basket top right.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

View of Iwan and part of North-west elevation, as seen from pool deck.

Iwan, C House, Coorparoo, Brisbane

As seen from pool deck.