Inorganic phosphates in juices from different parts of sugarcane stalks (cultivars ctc 9, ctc 15 and ctc 16)

This study aimed to quantify, the inorganic phosphates in sugarcane juice from nodes and internodes of three sugarcane cultivars. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial scheme 3x2. The main treatments were three sugarcane cultivars and two parts of the stalk (nodes and internodes). The inorganic phosphates contents were determined for each treatment. The results were subjected to variance analysis by the F test; when statistically significant, means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. It is concluded that the three cultivars (CTC 9, CTC 16 and CTC 15) showed similar values regarding the content of inorganic phosphates present in the juice, and these values are considered adequate for a good performance in juice clarification. For the different parts of the stem, differences were observed in the levels of the nutrient studied, which showed a higher concentration in the node than in the internode.

The status of soil phosphate fractions and the ability of fungi to dissolve hardly soluble phosphates

Brazilian soils predominantly consist of iron and aluminum oxides and have a low phosphorus content. The present study was carried out in order to assess the status of phosphate fractions in pasture, forest and agricultural soils and the ability of soil fungi to solubilize iron and aluminum phosphates. The abundance of P fractions in the soils studied occurred in the following order: Fe-P > reductant-soluble Fe-P > occluded Fe-P > occluded Al-P > Al-P > Ca-P. of the 481 fungi isolated, 33 showed the ability to solubilize the inorganic phosphates in culture. of these, 14 were considered to be high or very high solubilizers based on a solubilization capacity > 1000 mu g PO43- ml(-1). Isolate F-111 was the only one that dissolved all the insoluble phosphates used. Nine isolates solubilized both Al-P and Ca-P, and four other isolates only solubilized Ca-P. The highest number of isolates with high solubilization capacity were detected in pasture soil, followed by tropical rain forest and forest patch soils. Pasture soil presented both the largest contents of insoluble phosphates and the largest number of fungal isolates with phosphate-solubilizing ability. The range and size of P fractions influenced the number of fungi and their ability to solubilize hardly soluble phosphates. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhanced solubilization of iron and calcium phosphates by Aspergillus niger by the addition of alcohols

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

Genetic diversity and plant-growth related features of Burkholderia spp. from sugarcane roots

Brazil is the largest sugarcane producer in the world, mainly due to the development of different management strategies. Recently, microbial-plant related studies revealed that bacterial isolates belonging to the genus Burkholderia are mainly associated with this plant and are responsible for a range of physiological activity. In this study, we properly evaluate the physiological activity and genetic diversity of endophytic and rhizospheric Burkholderia spp. isolates from sugarcane roots grown in the field in Brazil. In total, 39 isolates previously identified as Burkholderia spp. were firstly evaluated for the capability to fix nitrogen, produce siderophores, solubilise inorganic phosphates, produce indole-acetic acid and inhibit sugarcane phytopathogens in vitro. These results revealed that all isolates present at least two positive evaluated activities. Furthermore, a phylogenetic study was carried out using 16S rRNA and gyrB genes revealing that most of the isolates were affiliated with the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Hence, a clear separation given by endophytic or rhizospheric niche occupation was not observed. These results presented an overview about Burkholderia spp. isolates from sugarcane roots and supply information about the physiological activity and genetic diversity of this genus, given direction for further studies related to achieve more sustainable cultivation of sugarcane.

Role of gluconic acid production in the regulation of biocontrol traits of Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0.

The rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 promotes the growth of various crop plants and protects them against root diseases caused by pathogenic fungi. The main mechanism of disease suppression by this strain is the production of the antifungal compounds 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) and pyoluteorin (PLT). Direct plant growth promotion can be achieved through solubilization of inorganic phosphates by the production of organic acids, mainly gluconic acid, which is one of the principal acids produced by Pseudomonas spp. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of gluconic acid production in CHA0. Therefore, mutants were created with deletions in the genes encoding glucose dehydrogenase (gcd) and gluconate dehydrogenase (gad), required for the conversion of glucose to gluconic acid and gluconic acid to 2-ketogluconate, respectively. These enzymes should be of predominant importance for rhizosphere-colonizing biocontrol bacteria, as major carbon sources provided by plant root exudates are made up of glucose. Our results show that the ability of strain CHA0 to acidify its environment and to solubilize mineral phosphate is strongly dependent on its ability to produce gluconic acid. Moreover, we provide evidence that the formation of gluconic acid by CHA0 completely inhibits the production of PLT and partially inhibits that of DAPG. In the Deltagcd mutant, which does not produce gluconic acid, the enhanced production of antifungal compounds was associated with improved biocontrol activity against take-all disease of wheat, caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. This study provides new evidence for a close association of gluconic acid metabolism with antifungal compound production and biocontrol activity in P. fluorescens CHA0.

O relevante papel do agente sililante na modificação de superfícies de polímeros

The applicability of the silylant agents of the general formula Y3Si-R-X, depends on the reactivity of Y group (halide or alcoxide) attached to silicon and the organic function X (halide, amine, thiol, cyanide, etc) in the extreme position of the chain. Both groups are linked together by an organic chain R, containing usually three methylene groups. A series of these agents can be covalently bonded to an inorganic matrix, since the available OH groups are distributed on the surface, making silica gel the most common support. However, other inorganic oxides, zeolites, lamellar inorganic phosphates and chrysotile can also have these agents anchored. Some illustration are presented for immobilized surface in the use as extractors of cations from dilute aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, catalysts agents, ionic exchanged materials, support for enzyme immobilization, chromatographic applications, use in some industrial features and in many other areas. The evolution of this exciting research field to produce new materials, for many tecnological applications, is strongly dependent on the development of a sensible systematic process for the synthesis of a series of new specific silylant agents.

Polifosfatos em detergentes em pó comerciais

A didactic experiment is proposed in order to identify inorganic phosphates in home laundry detergents by ascending paper chromatography. Chemical principles related with hard water are also investigated. The role of polyphosphates in detergent formulations is discussed and the softening of hard water by sodium tripolyphosphate is illustrated. Several chemical concepts, related to the daily experience of the students, can be explored in post-lab discussions.

Solubilization of CaHPO4 and AlPO4 by Aspergillus niger in culture media with different carbon and nitrogen sources

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

Produção de pellets livres e imobilizados e mecanismo de solubilização de fosfatos inorgânicos por Aspergillus niger

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Exigências dietárias e disponibilidade de fontes de fósforo para tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Phosphorus fractions in soils of the mangrove, restinga and Atlantic forest ecosystems from Cardoso Island, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estrutura e algumas propriedades ópticas de difenilfosfinatos de terras-raras

Coordination compounds of trivalent lanthanides cations with diphenylphosphinate are originated from direct reaction between a lanthanide salt and diphenylphosphinic acid. These complexes have peculiar and intriguing features, as (i) quickly obtainment through wet process precipitation, (ii) appreciable thermal stability, similar to inorganic phosphates, (iii) polymeric structure, and consequently, (iv) low solubility in both polar and non-polar solvents. Nowadays, coordination polymers are classified as coordination networks or, in case of porous materials, as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By this study, we aim to determine some optical properties of rare-earth diphenylphosphinate (RE = La3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Lu3+) and conduct an updated classification of these compounds, bringing more details of its structure and the possible proposal of new materials with applications in lighting, detection of ionizing radiation and magnetism. The complexes of trivalent rare-earth cation with diphenylphosphinate were prepared by direct mixture of diphenylphosphinic acid with rare-earth metal chloride, both in ethanolic solution. The solution of diphenylphosphinic acid was kept in a beaker under constant stirring with pH measurements of the solution and gadolinium chloride solution was then dripped slowly with the aid of a burette until its complete addition; the following metal:ligand molar ratios were tested: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1 e 3:1. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and structural techniques. By Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), it was possible to check the total ionization of diphenylphosphinic acid in synthesized complexes, confirmed by the absence of the band type A, B, C related to ѵ(O-H) of the acid (2663 cm-1, 2168 cm-1, 1684 cm-1), as well as the disappearance of ѵ(P-OH)=961 cm-1. Furthermore, the occurrence of bands shifts of ѵ(POO-) [symmetrical and asymmetrical] of...

Estrutura e algumas propriedades ópticas de difenilfosfinatos de terras-raras

Coordination compounds of trivalent lanthanides cations with diphenylphosphinate are originated from direct reaction between a lanthanide salt and diphenylphosphinic acid. These complexes have peculiar and intriguing features, as (i) quickly obtainment through wet process precipitation, (ii) appreciable thermal stability, similar to inorganic phosphates, (iii) polymeric structure, and consequently, (iv) low solubility in both polar and non-polar solvents. Nowadays, coordination polymers are classified as coordination networks or, in case of porous materials, as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By this study, we aim to determine some optical properties of rare-earth diphenylphosphinate (RE = La3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Lu3+) and conduct an updated classification of these compounds, bringing more details of its structure and the possible proposal of new materials with applications in lighting, detection of ionizing radiation and magnetism. The complexes of trivalent rare-earth cation with diphenylphosphinate were prepared by direct mixture of diphenylphosphinic acid with rare-earth metal chloride, both in ethanolic solution. The solution of diphenylphosphinic acid was kept in a beaker under constant stirring with pH measurements of the solution and gadolinium chloride solution was then dripped slowly with the aid of a burette until its complete addition; the following metal:ligand molar ratios were tested: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1 e 3:1. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and structural techniques. By Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), it was possible to check the total ionization of diphenylphosphinic acid in synthesized complexes, confirmed by the absence of the band type A, B, C related to ѵ(O-H) of the acid (2663 cm-1, 2168 cm-1, 1684 cm-1), as well as the disappearance of ѵ(P-OH)=961 cm-1. Furthermore, the occurrence of bands shifts of ѵ(POO-) [symmetrical and asymmetrical] of...

Cation Distribution and Local Order in Mixed Sodium Metaphosphate Glasses

Two structural properties in mixed alkali metal phosphate glasses that seem to be crucial to the development of the mixed ion effect in dc conductivity were systematically analyzed in Na mixed metaphosphates: the local order around the mobile species, and their distribution and mixing in the glass network. The set of glasses considered here, Na1-xMxPO3 with M = Li, Ag, K, Rb, and Cs and 0 <= x <= 1, encompass a broad degree of size mismatch between the mixed cation species. A comprehensive solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance study was carried out using P-31 MAS, Na-23 triple quantum MAS, Rb-87 QCPMG, P-31-Na-23 REDOR, Na-23-Li-7 and Li-7-Li-6 SEDOR, and Na-23 spin echo decay. It was observed that the arrangement of P atoms around Na in the mixed glasses was indistinguishable from that observed in the NaPO3 glass. However, systematic distortions in the local structure of the 0 environments around Na were observed, related to the presence of the second cation. The average Na-O distances show an expansion/compression When Na+ ions are replaced by cations with respectively smaller/bigger radii. The behavior of the nuclear electric quadrupole coupling. constants indicates that this expansion reduces the local symmetry, while the compression produces the opposite effect These effects become marginally small when the site mismatch between the cations is small, as in Na-Ag mixed glasses. The present study confirms the intimate mixing of cation species at the atomic scale, but clear deviations from random mixing were detected in systems with larger alkali metal ions (Cs-Na, K-Na, Rb-Na). In contrast, no deviations from the statistical ion mixture were found in the systems Ag-Na and Li-Na, where mixed cations are either of radii comparable to (Ag+) or smaller than (Li+) Na+. The set of results supports two fundamental structural features of the models proposed to explain the mixed ion effect: the. structural specificity of the sites occupied by each cation species and their mixing at the atomic scale.

Structure and expression profile of the Arabidopsis PHO1 gene family indicates a broad role in inorganic phosphate homeostasis.

PHO1 has been recently identified as a protein involved in the loading of inorganic phosphate into the xylem of roots in Arabidopsis. The genome of Arabidopsis contains 11 members of the PHO1 gene family. The cDNAs of all PHO1 homologs have been cloned and sequenced. All proteins have the same topology and harbor a SPX tripartite domain in the N-terminal hydrophilic portion and an EXS domain in the C-terminal hydrophobic portion. The SPX and EXS domains have been identified in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) proteins involved in either phosphate transport or sensing or in sorting proteins to endomembranes. The Arabidopsis genome contains additional proteins of unknown function containing either a SPX or an EXS domain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PHO1 family is subdivided into at least three clusters. Reverse transcription-PCR revealed a broad pattern of expression in leaves, roots, stems, and flowers for most genes, although two genes are expressed exclusively in flowers. Analysis of the activity of the promoter of all PHO1 homologs using promoter-beta-glucuronidase fusions revealed a predominant expression in the vascular tissues of roots, leaves, stems, or flowers. beta-Glucuronidase expression is also detected for several promoters in nonvascular tissue, including hydathodes, trichomes, root tip, root cortical/epidermal cells, and pollen grains. The expression pattern of PHO1 homologs indicates a likely role of the PHO1 proteins not only in the transfer of phosphate to the vascular cylinder of various tissues but also in the acquisition of phosphate into cells, such as pollen or root epidermal/cortical cells.