ABSTRACT Rice production in Brazil incurs high costs due to the significant use of agrochemicals. Some plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be used as alternative to fertilizers and phytosanitary products. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize endophytic bacteria isolated from roots of rice plants. The isolates were characterized based on colony morphology, antibiotic resistance, carbon sources utilization, enzyme activity (catalase, amylase, protease, cellulase, and lipase), inorganic phosphate solubilization, and the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic region. Morphologically, 68% of the isolates presented a rapid growth rate, 46% presented abundant mucus production, and 77% formed viscous colonies. All isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and 16% presented resistance to streptomycin. The majority (90%) used monosaccharides and disaccharides in carbon source assays. Most of the isolates (95%) were positive for catalase and 63.6% were positive for amylase, protease, lipase, and cellulase activities. Additionally, 59% of them were able to solubilize phosphate. The mean enzymatic index for amylase, cellulase, and protease was 2.8, 3.5, and 1.7 respectively. The similarity analysis revealed high diversity among the isolates, with similarity indices of 70% (based on morphological characteristics) and 60% (based on the intergenic region 16S-23S rDNA). Considering morphophysiological and genotypic characteristics, three promising isolates should be evaluated in studies under field conditions for the potential development of bioproducts to replace industrially manufactured inputs in rice crops.

RESUMO O arroz apresenta altos custos de produção no Brasil devido ao elevado uso de agroquímicos. Algumas rizobactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas (PGPR) podem ser utilizadas como alternativa aos fertilizantes e produtos fitossanitários. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar bactérias endofíticas obtidas de raízes de arroz. A caracterização dos isolados foi baseada na morfologia da colônia, resistência a antibióticos, uso de fontes de carbono, atividade enzimática (catalase, amilase, protease, celulase e lipase), solubilização de fosfato inorgânico e região intergênica do 16S-23S rDNA. Com base na morfologia, 68% dos isolados apresentaram crescimento rápido, 46% apresentaram produção abundante de muco e 77% apresentaram colônia viscosa. Todos os isolados foram resistentes ao ácido nalidíxico e 16% deles à estreptomicina. A maioria dos isolados (90%) utilizou monossacarídeos e dissacarídeos no ensaio da fonte de carbono. A maioria dos isolados (95%) foi positiva para catalase e 63,6% foram positivas para amilase, protease, lipase e celulase. Além disso, 59% foram capazes de solubilizar o fosfato. A média do índice enzimático para amilase, celulase e protease foi de 2,8, 3,5 e 1,7, respectivamente. A análise de similaridade revelou alta diversidade entre os isolados, com índice de similaridade de 70% (baseado nas características morfológicas) e 60% (baseado na análise da região intergênica 16S-23S rDNA). Com base nas características morfofisiológicas e genotípicas, três isolados promissores devem ser avaliados em estudos futuros em condições de campo, podendo gerar bioprodutos destinados a substituir insumos industrializados na cultura do arroz.

Derivatives of the thiazolidine-2,4-dione core represent a heterocyclic class with several correlated properties. In this context, the synthesis of structural analogues of these bioactive substances becomes attractive in the field of medicinal chemistry. These analogues act as antimicrobial agents against Gram-positives pathogens. The present work aimed to synthesize 10 different derivatives of 5-arylidene-thiazolidine-2,4-dione, employing urea as the catalyst in a solvent-free reaction medium, with yields that ranged from 45 to 99%. The compounds obtained were submitted to an antimicrobial assay against S. aureus ATCC 29213. Two compounds presented minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.5 and 32.5 µg mL-1 and minimum bactericidal concentration < 500 µg mL-1, demonstrating their antibacterial potential. Principal component analysis was carried out to discriminate the compounds in active and inactive classes. Four geometric and electronic molecular descriptors were required to completely discriminate the compounds. The selected descriptors can guide us in designing new 5-arylidene-thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives with enhanced activity.