Abstract Food supplements have been increasingly investigated. Probiotics have several benefits for human and animal health and selenium (Se) is widely recommended against oxidative stress. In this context, the aim of this study was to develop a low-cost bioprocess to produce a functional food product comprising both probiotic and Se accumulation. Yeast cells of Saccharomyces boulardii CCT 4308 were cultivated using sugarcane molasses as substrate. Optimization studies were performed to evaluate the best medium composition for biomass production and Se-accumulation in batch and fed-batch systems. Optimized conditions were defined with a medium composed of 150 g L-1 sugarcane molasses and 12 g L-1 yeast extract, with feeding of 100 g L-1 sugarcane molasses and 100 μg mL-1 of Se incorporation after 4 h and 10 h of fermentation, respectively, during 48 h in STR (stirred tank reactor). Best biomass production reached 14.52 g L-1 with 3.20 mg Se g-1 biomass at 12 h. Process optimization led to 4.82-fold increase in biomass production compared to initial condition. A final Se-enriched S. boulardii CCT 4308 biomass was obtained, which is comparable to commercial products. An alternative probiotic yeast biomass was efficiently produced as a new food-form of Se supplement in a sustainable process using an inexpensive agro-industrial residue.

Abstract We present an improved method of direct transesterification suitable for the quantitative analysis of multiple dry samples for its fatty acid content, using a minimal amount of biomass and reactants. The method features an acid-catalyzed direct alcoholysis of microgram samples of dry biomass; the rationale behind the solvent and reagent proportions chosen is discussed. The method was validated using seven microbial strains with diverse lipid content (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces boulardii, Candida tropicalis, Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina platensis and Schizochytrium limacinum), and compared with a macroscale direct transesterification method, and with gravimetric analysis of lipids extracted with solvents. The microscale method showed a conversion of 98.06 ± 0.87% of the lipids, using approximately 3 mg of dry biomass, 1mL of 0.2M H2SO4 dissolved in anhydrous ethanol (the acid is the catalyzer and ethanol the reactant)). The mixture was maintained at 70 °C for 20 h with periodic mixing, and then extracted with 2mL n-heptane and analyzed by GC-FID. The lipid content was then calculated considering dilution and sample mass. This method is effective, reliable, and technically attractive for analytical and comparative purposes.

ABSTRACT Nidularium procerum and Nidularium innocentii (Bromeliaceae) were cultivated in vitro on media supplemented with different sources and levels of GA3 (gibberellic acid). These sources were the commercial powder (analytical degree) and fermented extract obtained by Fusarium moniliforme via solid state fermentation. The in vitro elongation and rooting of these plants were evaluated after 50 days of cultivation. The GA3 present in the fermented extract possess the same effect of purified GA3 (analytical degree) for the increase of the height of aerial part of shoots of N. innocentii, but not for the N. procerum being the GA3 fermented extract in a lesser degree. The GA3 fermented extract influences negatively the rooting in N. innocentii, while GA3 analytical degree practically does not interfere in the rooting. On the other hand, in N. procerum, both the GA3 sources reduce the root number and do not interfere in rooting percentage. GA3 crude fermented extract is an alternative to reduce costs, however, its results can vary depending on the species and parameter evaluated. The fermented extract was stored at temperature during 260 days and its shelf life presented a suitable stability, maintaining 92% of its initial GA3 amount.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of Pediococcus acidilactici B14 and to study its resistance in the gastrointestinal system when combined with Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 and used in a potentially symbiotic aerated soy based dessert. P. acidilactici B14 showed some important probiotic characteristics such as survival rate of 45.9% at pH 2.5; 72.4% in 0.3% bile salts and 95.8% after gastrointestinal transit at pH 4.0. Tolerance against the antibiotics cephalexin, neomycin, vancomycin, cefotaxime and penicillin G was also observed. The strain inhibited antagonism against the following cultures: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Bacillus cereus ATCC 33018, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P and Salmonella sp. The mixed culture of P. acidilactici B14 with L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 showed a survival rate of 92.4% after the passage through the gastrointestinal system at pH 4.0. Furthermore, in the presence of the food matrix, an average increase in cell viability, after being subjected to the gastrointestinal system of 9.9% at pH 2.0 and 6.1% at pH 4.0, was observed. This characterized the adequacy of the associated culture as probiotic in the development of a functional food such as soy based aerated symbiotic dessert.

A new formulated product containing high yield of phytase from Schizophyllum sp., an important mushroom used for medicinal studies, was developed for application in feed industries and for future use in food processing. The enzyme presented a high activity yield 55.5 U/mL and 6240 U/gds in liquid and solid formulated product, respectively. It showed a good shelf-life in concentrated product, retaining 67.8% of its activity after 60 days of storage at room temperature and 90% of the activity was maintained in the liquid formulation after the same period. Powder bioformulated product maintained 77% of its activity after two months of storage, without the addition of chemical additives, which was named as a new bioformulated product containing high quantities of phytase. After separation and concentration steps, enzyme stability was monitored in two forms: liquid and solid. The liquid product was stable with the presence of manitol and polyethylene glycol at 1% (w/v), while solid product was the most stable product without the presence of chemical additives.

A produção de xilanase por Streptomyces viridosporus T7A foi realizada em fermentação submersa (FSm) e fermentação no estado sólido (FES) utilizando resíduos e sub-produtos agroindustriais. Capim Napier, bagaço de cana e farelo de soja foram empregados como fonte de carbono, suporte/substrato e fonte nitrogênio, respectivamente. Em FSm, o capim Napier (1 % p/v) foi suplementado com farelo de soja (1,5 % p/v), hidroxietilcelulose (0,15 %) e vitaminas do complexo B (1,5 %) sendo que a produção de xilanase atingiu 23.41 U/mL. Em FES, o efeito dos seguintes parâmetros foi estudado: composição do substrato (bagaço de cana, Capim Napier e farelo de soja), umidade inicial, aeração e taxa de inoculação. A mais elevada produção de xilanase (423,9 U/g) foi atingida com 70% bagaço de cana, 20% de capim Napier e 10 % farelo de soja, 90 % de umidade inicial e 10(7) células/g substrato.

The study of xylanase production was conducted by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A in submerged (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF), using agro-industrial residues and sub-products. Napier grass, sugarcane bagasse and soybean bran were used as carbon source, substrate/support, and nitrogen source, respectively. In SmF, Napier grass (1% v/w) supplemented with soybean bran, hydroxyethylcellulose and B complex vitamins were used. Soybean bran (1.5 % w/v), B complex vitamins (0.1%), and hydroxyethilcellulose (0.15%) led to an increase in xylanase production (23.41 U/mL). In SSF, the effects of the following parameters were studied: substrate composition (sugarcane bagasse, Napier grass and soybean bran), initial moisture, and inoculum rate. In SSF, the highest xylanase activity (423.9 U/g) was reached with: 70 % sugarcane bagasse, 20% Napier grass and 10% soybean meal, 90% of moisture, and 10(7)/g substrate.

O ácido giberélico (GA3) é um importante hormônio vegetal. A fermentação no estado sólido (FES) utiliza resíduos agro-industriais reduzindo os custos de produção. Neste trabalho a seleção de cepas (quatro de Gibberella fujikuoroi e uma de Fusarium moniliforme) e substratos (polpa cítrica, casca de soja, bagaço de cana, farelo de soja, bagaço de mandioca e casca de café) e o estudo da preparação do inóculo foram conduzidos para otimizar as condições de produção de GA3 por FES. Os ensaios foram realizados em frascos de erlenmeyer a 29°C, com umidade inicial de 75-80%. Diferentes meios para a produção do inóculo foram testados em relação à viabilidade das células e produção de GA3 por FES. F. moniliforme LPB03 e polpa cítrica foram escolhidos. O melhor meio para a produção de inóculo foi o extrato de polpa cítrica. A produção por FES alcançou 5.8 g de GA3/kg de polpa cítrica após 3 dias de fermentação.

Gibberellic acid (GA3) is an important hormone, which controls plant's growth and development. Solid State Fermentation (SSF) allows the use of agro-industrial residues reducing the production costs. The screening of strains (four of Gibberella fujikuoroi and one of Fusarium moniliforme) and substrates (citric pulp, soy bran, sugarcane bagasse, soy husk, cassava bagasse and coffee husk) and inoculum preparation study were conducted in order to evaluate the best conditions to produce GA3 by SSF. Fermentation assays were carried out in erlenmeyers flasks at 29°C, with initial moisture of 75-80%. Different medium for inoculum production were tested in relation to cells viability and GA3 production by SSF. F. moniliforme LPB 03 and citric pulp were chosen for GA3 production. The best medium for inoculum production was citric pulp extract supplemented with sucrose. GA3 production by SSF reached 5.9 g /kg of dry CP after 3 days of fermentation.

Estudos foram conduzidos para avaliar a produção de esporos de Bacillus atrophaeus, em escala laboratorial, por fermentação em estado sólido (FES) em biorreatores de coluna (aeração forçada), sacos plásticos e frascos tipo Erlenmeyer (aeração por difusão), usando bagaço de cana como suporte e melaço de soja como substrato. Diferentes teores de umidade (84%, 86% e 88%, 89%, 91% e 93%) e taxas de aeração (30mL/min, 45mL/min, 60mL/min e 90mL/min) foram estudados. A melhor condição para a produção de esporos no biorreator de coluna (3.3 x 10(10) CFU.g-1 matéria seca) foi 80% de umidade inicial, sem aeração. Em frascos Erlenmeyer e sacos de plástico a melhor esporulação foi na faixa de 1.7 a 4.7 x 10(10) CFU.g-1 matéria seca, com 88-93% de umidade inicial. A taxa de aeração não teve efeito significativo sobre o rendimento da esporulação. A umidade inicial apresentou efeito significativo relacionado ao tipo do biorreator. O estudo da cinética da esporulação demonstrou a possibilidade de reduzir o tempo de incubação para esporulação em dois dias.

Studies were conducted to evaluate Bacillus atrophaeus spores' production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using sugarcane bagasse as support and soybean molasses as substrate at lab-scale in column bioreactors (forced aeration), plastic bags and Erlenmeyer flasks (aeration by diffusion). Different moisture contents (84%, 86% and 88%; 89%, 91% and 93%) and aeration rates (30mL/min, 45mL/min, 60mL/min and 90mL/min) were studied. The best condition for spore production (3.3x10(10) CFU.g-¹dry matter) in column bioreactor was 80% of initial humidity and no aeration. In Erlenmeyer flasks and plastic bags the best sporulation production reached 1.7 up to 4.7x10(10) CFU.g-1dry matter with 88-93% of initial moisture. The aeration rate had no significant effect on the spore yield. The initial moisture had a significant effect depending on the bioreactor type. Sporulation kinetic's assay was carried out and it showed the possibility to reduce the time of spore formation in two days.

Amilases fúngicas são comumente empregadas a amidos com o intuito de otimizar o rendimento de leveduras, modificar a textura de produtos panificados e prolongar a vida de prateleira do produto final. A hidrólise parcial enzimática pode auxiliar no entendimento da estrutura do amido ganular. Amido de mandioca parcialmente hidrolisado por á-amilase fúngica foi investigado utilizando-se técnicas termoanalíticas, microscopia ótica e difratometria por raios X. A degradação térmica iniciou-se a temperaturas menores após o tratamento enzimático e a análise por DSC mostrou uma próxima faixa de temperatura de gelatinização, porém, a entalpia necessária para o evento foi maior para os grânulos parcialmente hidrolisados. Os resultados sugerem que a degradação parcial do amido granular foi concentrada em regiões amorfas.

Cassava starch, partially hydrolyzed by fungal á-amylase, was characterized using thermal analysis, light microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Thermal degradation was initiated at lower degradation temperatures after enzymatic treatment and the DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry) analysis showed almost similar range of gelatinization temperature, but the enthalpies of gelatinization were quite increased for the partially hydrolyzed starch granules. The results suggested that the partial degradation of the starch granules was concentrated in the amorphous regions.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar o efeito da cafeína e taninos sobre o desenvolvimento do fungo Pleurotus sp. e avaliar a possibilidade do uso da casca de café como substrato no seu cultivo. Oito cepas de P. ostreatus e duas cepas de P. sajor-caju foram selecionadas em um meio à base de extrato aquoso de casca de café e Agar. A cepa P. ostreatus LPB 09 foi escolhida para estudos posteriores com base na velocidade de crescimento do micélio e produção de biomassa. O estudo do desenvolvimento do cogumelo em meio com diferentes concentrações de cafeína mostrou que o aumento da concentração da mesma influencia negativamente crescimento. A partir de uma concentração de cafeína de 2500 mg/L não foi observado crescimento. Observou-se ainda que o Pleurotus não degradou a cafeína, mas a absorveu. Os taninos em concentração abaixo de 100 mg/L no meio estimularam o crescimento do micélio, no entanto acima de 500 mg/L mostraram efeito negativo. Quando a concentração de taninos atingiu 1000 mg/L, o cogumelo ainda sobreviveu e mostrou uma certa tolerância. O ácido tânico não foi encontrado no micélio, o que confirma que o Pleurotus possui a capacidade de degradá-lo. A frutificação ocorreu após 20 dias de inoculação e a eficiência biológica atingiu 97% em 60 dias. O conteúdo de cafeína da casca de café foi reduzido para 60.7% e o de taninos para 79.2%. Os resultados mostram boas perspectivas para o cultivo de Pleurotus utilizando casca de café como substrato sem a necessidade de qualquer pré-tratamento.

The objective of this work was to study the effect of caffeine and tannins on Pleurotus sp. cultivation and to evaluate the feasibility of using coffee husks as substrate for mushroom cultivation. Eight strains of P. ostreatus and two strains of P. sajor-caju were screened on a medium prepared from agar extract of coffee husk. Based on best mycelial growth and biomass production, the strain P. ostreatus LPB 09 was selected for detailed studies. With the increase of caffeine concentration, the mycelial growth and the biomass production decreased, and no growth was observed when concentration of caffeine was 2500 mg/L. Furthermore, Pleurotus did not degrade the caffeine, but absorbed it. Tannin under 100 mg/L in the medium stimulated the growth of mycelia, but above 500 mg/L it had a negative effect. When the concentration reached 1000 mg/L, the fungus still survived and showed a certain tolerance to it. No tannic acid was found in the mycelia, but its concentration decreased in the medium. This fact confirmed that Pleurotus had the capacity of degrading tannic acid. Fructification occurred after 20 days of inoculation and the biological efficiency reached about 97% after 60 days. Caffeine content in the husk after cultivation was reduced to 60.7% and tannins to 79.2%. The results indicated the feasibility of using coffee husk without any pretreatment for the cultivation of Pleurotus.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi produzir Beauveria bassiana por fermentação no estado sólido em resíduos agro-industriais e otimizar as condições de cultivo. Batata-refugo, polpa de café e bagaço de cana de açúcar foram testados. A mistura de batata-refugo e de bagaço de cana de açúcar (60:40%), com granulometria de 2 a 0,8 mm foi escolhida como melhor substrato/suporte. Em frascos de Erlenmeyer a produção de esporos foi maior com as seguintes condições: pH 6,0; temperatura de incubação de 26º C; taxa de inóculo de 10(7) esporos.g-1 de matéria seca; e umidade inicial de 75%. Em bioreator do tipo coluna com aeração forçada, as condições otimizadas possibilitaram uma produção máxima de esporos no 10º dia de fermentação, obtendo-se 1,07x10(10) esporos.g-1 de matéria seca. A análise respirométrica desta fermentação permitiu correlacionar o desenvolvimento do fungo com a produção de esporos.

The purpose of this work was to produce Beauveria bassiana by Solid-State Fermentation using agro-industrial residues and optimizing the cultivation conditions. Refused potatoes, coffee husks and sugar-cane bagasse were tested. The blend of refused potatoes and sugar-cane bagasse (60-40%) with particle size in the range of 0.8-2 mm was used in the fermentation experiments. In Erlenmeyer flasks the best spore production was achieved with the following conditions: incubation temperature 26º C; initial pH 6.0; inoculum concentration 10(7) spores.g-1.dw and initial moisture 75%. In the column type reactor using forced aeration under the optimized conditions, the maximum production (1.07x10(10)spores.g-1.dw) was obtained at the 10th day of fermentation. The respirometric analyses of the fermentation showed a strong correlation between fungal growth and spore production.

Este estudo permitiu verificar a relação ente a produção de ácido cítrico e a respiração do Aspergillus niger LPB 21 na fermentação no estado sólido do bagaço de mandioca. Os experimentos foram realizados em biorreator tipo tambor horizontal acoplado com um sistema de cromatografia gasosa. A fermentação foi conduzida durante 144 h com 60% de umidade inicial do substrato usando bagaço de mandioca termicamente tratado como única fonte de carbono. O ar de saída do biorreator foi analisado para monitorar a produção de CO2 e o consumo de O2 com o objetivo de estimar a biomassa sintetizada pelo fungo. A atividade metabólica do crescimento do Aspergillus niger está associada à produção de ácido cítrico. Usando o software FERSOL, o sistema determinou uma biomassa de 4.372 g de biomassa/g de O2 consumido. Os valores da biomassa estimada e da determinada analiticamente seguiram a mesma tendência mostrando que o modelo matemático aplicado foi adaptado.

The aim of this work was to study the relation between citric acid production and respiration of Aspergillus niger LPB 21 in solid-state fermentation of cassava bagasse. The experiments were carried out in horizontal drum bioreactor coupled with a gas chromatography system. Fermentation was conduced for 144 h with initial substrate moisture of 60% using heat-treated cassava bagasse as sole carbon source. The exhausted air from the bioreactor was analyzed for the monitoring of CO2 produced and O2 consumed in order to estimate the biomass biosynthesis by the fungal culture. The metabolic activity of A. niger growth was associated to citric acid production. The system using FERSOL software determined 4.372 g of biomass/g of consumed O2. Estimated and analytically determined biomass values followed the same pattern showing that the applied mathematical model was adapted.