Sixty New Zealand rabbits aged 40 days were divided into 4 groups of 15 animals. The control group received a free diet of antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) and inulin. The second group was supplemented with 2.5 g/kg of inulin. The third was administered AGP with 0.1 g/kg of flavomycin. Finally, the fourth group received a 2.5 and 0.1 g/kg inulin/AGP diet. Body weight gain was higher in the control group. Rabbits supplemented with inulin had lower values of triglycerides compared with the control and AGP groups, and their glucose level was significantly lower than those treated with AGP. Additionally, serum calcium and magnesium concentrations were higher than the other groups, particularly with regard to AGP. The bone content with regard to calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the groups treated with inulin was higher compared with the control; moreover, phosphorus and magnesium were higher than in the AGP group. The thickness of the mucosa and crypt depth in the caecum were significantly higher in rabbits treated with inulin than in the other groups, but especially compared with the AGP group. Also, triglyceride values were lower for rabbits treated with inulin/AGP than for those treated with AGP and the bone magnesium concentration was significantly higher compared with the control group. In addition, inulin was shown to have positive effects on the rabbit, promoting increase in bone and serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, decrease in triglyceride levels, and improvement in the caecum (changes in morphology, crypt depth and mucosal thickness).

Lecanicilium (Verticillium) lecanii produjo quitinasas mediante el uso de caparazón de camarón como inductor. La máxima producción de b-N-acetylglucosaminidasa se obtuvo a las 80h. Se observó estabilidad de la enzima en el intervalo de temperatura entre 30 y 40°C y su actividad máxima a los 50°C, pH 6,0. La actividad enzimática se incrementó con Ba2+, Co2+, Fe3+ and Zn2+. El bioensayo contra el hongo fitopatógeno Oidium spp. mostró inhibición micelar y de la germinación. La electroforesis SDS-PAGE del extracto parcialmente purificado mostró cuatro bandas de 70, 58, 45 y 31kDa y este extracto mostró actividad de b-N-acetylglucosaminidasa a través de un análisis de zimograma. Las quitinasas producidas por L. lecanii pueden ser potencialmente utilizadas contra hongos fitopatógenos, insectos y en la bioconversión del quitosán.

Lecanicillium (Verticillium) lecanii produced chitinases using shrimp shell as inducer. Maximum production of b-N-acetylglucosaminidase was measured at 80h. Enzyme stability was obtained at temperatures ranging from 30 to 40°C and maximum activity at 50°C, pH 6.0. Enzyme activity increased with Ba2+, Co2+, Fe3+ and Zn2+. Bioassays against the phytopathogenic fungus Oidium spp. showed mycelial and germination inhibition. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of the partially purified extract revealed four bands of 70, 58, 45 and 31kDa and this extract showed activity of b-N-acetylglucosaminidase through zymogram analysis. Chitinases produced by L. lecanii are potentially useful against phytopathogenic fungi, insects and chitosan bioconversions.

Lecanicillium (Verticillium) lecanii producido quitinases utilizou exoesqueleto do camarão como inductor. Produção máxima de b-N-acetilglucosaminidasa foi obtido em 80h. A estabilidade de enzima estava em o intervalo de temperaturas de 30 - 40°C e os niveis máximos de atividade enzimática foram obtidos em 50°C, pH 6,0. A atividade de enzima foi aumentada com Ba2+, Co2+, Fe3+ e Zn2+. O Bioensaios contra fungo fitopatógenos Oidium spp. mostrou inibição miceliar e germinação. O electroforesis SDS-PAGE do extrato parcialmente purificado revelou quatro faixas de 70, 58, 45 e 31kDa e este extrato apresentou atividade b-N-acetilglucosaminidasa através de uma análise zimograma. O quitinases produzido por L. lecanii são potencialmente capaz de ser utilizado contra fungos fitopatógenos, insetos e bioconversions de quitosano