The production of manganese peroxidase (MnP) from Bacillus pumilus and Paenibacillus sp. was studied under absence and presence of the inducers indulin AT, guayacol, veratryl alcohol, lignosulfonic acid and lignosulfonic acid desulfonated. Indulin AT increased the activity of B. pumilus MnP up to 31.66 U/L after 8 h, but no improve was observed for Paenibacillus sp., which reached maximum activity (12.22 U/L) after 20 h. Both MnPs produced by these microorganisms were purified in phenyl sepharose resin and the proteins from crude extracts were eluted in two fractions. However, only the first fraction of each extract exhibited MnP activities. Tests in different pH and temperature values, from pH 5.0 to pH 10.0 and 30 ºC to 60 ºC, respectively, were carried out with the purified MnP. The maximum activity reached for B. pumilus and Paenibacillus sp. MnPs were 4.3 U/L at pH 8.0 and 25 ºC and 11.74 U/L at pH 9.0 and 35 ºC, respectively. The molar masses determined by SDS-PAGE gel eletrophoresis were 25 kDa and 40 kDa, respectively, for the purified enzyme from B. pumilus and Paenibacillus sp.

Bacillus pumilus e Paenibacillus sp. foram aplicados separadamente no efluente da indústria papeleira a pH 7,0, 9,0 e 11,0, para verificação da remoção da cor e da DQO. As remoções da cor real e DQO após 48h a pH 9,0 foram, respectivamente, de 41,87% e 22,08% após o tratamento com B. pumilus e 42,30% e 22,89% após tratamento com Paenibacillus sp. As massas molares dos compostos presentes no efluente não tratado e tratado foram determinadas por cromatografia de permeação em gel. O emprego dos microrganismos reduziu os compostos responsáveis pela cor do efluente da indústria papeleira.

Bacillus pumilus and Paenibacillus sp. were applied on the paper mill effluent to investigate the colour remotion. Inocula were individually applied in effluent at pH 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0. The real colour and COD remotion after 48h at pH 9.0 were, respectively, 41.87% and 22.08% for B. pumilus treatment and 42.30% and 22.89% for Paenibacillus sp. Gel permeation chromatography was used to verify the molar masses of compounds in the non-treated and treated effluent, showing a decrease in the compounds responsible for the paper mill effluent colour.

Água residuária da indústria cítrica foi utilizada como objeto de estudo de biodegradação através de um sistema de lodo ativado por batelada. As análises realizadas por CG/EM mostraram que os compostos provenientes do óleo de laranja como o limoneno, foram resistentes a biodegradação. A avaliação microbiológica realizada no decorrer do período mostrou que o número e tipo de colônias bacterianas variaram de acordo com o tempo, e pode ser observada uma sucessão de microrganismos durante a biodegradação do efluente cítrico. O microrganismo identificado como LAB-9 (Pseudomonas struzieri) e LAB-7 (não identificado) prevaleceram durante todo o processo, sugerindo que estes são organismos importantes para remoção da matéria orgânica no processo ou são melhores adaptados ao tipo de água residuária. O sistema de lodo ativado foi eficiente na redução de DBO e DQO, alcançando valores de 79 e 78% respectivamente, num período de 15 h de reação, com uma relação F/M 4:2.

Wastewater from citric industry was used to biodegradation study through an activated sludge system. The analyses accomplished by CG/MSD showed that compounds of the orange oil as the limoneno, was resistant to biodegradation. The microbiological evaluation developed during the biodegradation period showed that the number and type of bacteria present in the system varied according to the time, and a succession of microorganisms can be observed. The microrganism identified as LAB-9 (Pseudomonas struzieri) and LAB-7 (not identified) prevailed during whole the process, suggesting that they were the main responsible for the removal of the organic matter or the better adapted to the type of wastewater. The system of activated sludge was efficient in the reduction of DBO and DQO, reaching values of 79 and 78%, respectively, in a period of 15 h, with a relationship F/M 4:2.

Xilanases alcalinas produzidas por quatro diferentes linhagens de Bacillus pumilus foram caracterizadas. O pH e temperatura ótimos para máxima atividade enzimática foram pH 9.0 e 60ºC para o isolado 13a, e pH 8.0 e 55ºC para os isolados 5(2), 5(14) e 4a. Nessas condições, as seguintes atividades foram encontradas após 10 min na presença de 1% de xilana (bétula): 328 U.ml-1, 131 U.ml-1, 90 U.ml-1 e 167 U.ml-1, respectivamente, para os quatro isolados. As enzimas foram estáveis à 40ºC, com 40% de atividade remanescente de xilanase após 2 horas para as enzimas do isolado 5(2) e 60% para os outros três isolados. Estabilidade a 50ºC foi melhorada com a adição de glicerol. Considerando-se as condições em que as polpas kraft são branqueadas durante a fabricação de papel, as xilanases de B. pumilus mostraram potencial favorável para aplicação no branqueamento no processo de fabricação de papel.

Alkaline xylanases produced by four different strains of Bacillus pumilus were characterized. The optimal pH and temperature were pH 9.0 and 60ºC for strain 13a, and pH 8.0 and 55ºC for strains 5(2), 5(14), and 4a. Under these conditions the following activities were found after 10 min in the presence of 1% xylan (birchwood): 328 U.ml-1, 131 U.ml-1, 90 U.ml-1, and 167 U.ml-1, respectively, for the four strains. The enzymes were stable at 40ºC, with 40% of the xylanase activity remaining after 2 hours for the enzymes of strain 5(2) and 60% for the other three strains. Stability at 50ºC was improved by addition of glycerol. Taking into account the conditions under which kraft pulps are bleached during the manufacture of paper, xylanases from B. pumilus exhibit favorable potential for application to bleaching in the paper making process.