Abstract Oxidative enzymes secreted by white rot fungi can be applied in several technological processes within the paper industry, biofuel production and bioremediation. The discovery of native strains from the biodiverse Misiones (Argentina) forest can provide useful enzymes for biotechnological purposes. In this work, we evaluated the laccase and manganese peroxidase secretion abilities of four newly discovered strains of Trametes sp. that are native to Misiones. In addition, the copper response and optimal pH and temperature for laccase activity in culture supernatants were determined.The selected strains produced variable amounts of laccase and MnP; when Cu2+ was added, both enzymes were significantly increased. Zymograms showed that two isoenzymes were increased in all strains in the presence of Cu2+. Strain B showed the greatest response to Cu2+ addition, whereas strain A was more stable at the optimal temperature and pH. Strain A showed interesting potential for future biotechnological approaches due to the superior thermo-stability of its secreted enzymes.

In Misiones two species of genus Ilex prevail: I. paraguariensis and I. dumosa, but only the first one should be used to manufacture yerba mate products. I. dumosa is frequently used in mixtures with I. paraguariensis, although amounts above 1% are considered adulterants. From the technological perspective, it is feasible to differentiate them through the use of molecular markers such as ITS regions of ribosomal DNA. The aim of this work was to optimize a molecular technique to detect I. dumosa in yerba mate packages when it could be found as adulterant. Fresh leaves and thirteen trademarks of yerba mate and yerba canchada were used for the experience. For primers design ITS regions of I. dumosa were used and amplification conditions were standardized and products were sequenced. The technique sensitivity and specificity were 93.3% and 100% respectively, with a detection limit of 1% w / w. The technique was validated through the analysis of commercial and artificially adulterated samples and no traces of I. dumosa were detected in all commercial packages tested.

En la provincia de Misiones predominan dos especies del género Ilex: I. paraguariensis e I. dumosa, pero solo la primera debe ser utilizada para la elaboración del producto yerba mate. I. dumosa es frecuentemente utilizada en mezclas con I. paraguariensis, aunque en cantidades superiores al 1% son consideradas adulterantes. Desde el punto de vista tecnológico es factible diferenciarlas a través del uso de marcadores moleculares como las regiones ITS del DNA ribosómico. El objetivo del trabajo fue diseñar una técnica molecular que permita detectar I. dumosa en paquetes de yerba mate cuando esta se encuentre como adulterante. Para ello se trabajó con hojas frescas, 13 marcas comerciales de yerba mate elaborada y yerba canchada. Para el diseño de los cebadores se utilizaron las regiones ITS de I. dumosa y se estandarizaron las condiciones de amplificación, los resultados fueron chequeandos mediante secuenciación. La sensibilidad del método fue de 93,3% y la especificidad de 100%, con un límite de detección de 1% p/p. La técnica fue validada a través del análisis de muestras comerciales y artificialmente adulteradas, sin encontrarse rastros del contaminante en ninguno de los paquetes comerciales testeados.