ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to characterize reference bacteria strains, belonging to the genus Bacillus and species of correlated genera, by simplified morphological and biochemical methods. The morphological characterization is based on the aspects of the colonies, as well as cytomorphology of the species, by optical and scanning microscopy. For biochemical characterization, the sensitivity test to antimicrobials by disk-diffusion is performed. Moreover, the strains were characterized by extracting intracellular proteins. Characteristics such as shape, color, and consistency of the colonies, in addition to the type of spore and production of protein crystals were determinants for the morphological characterization of these species. The antibiogram revealed high resistance to β-lactam group antibiotics, in species of Bacillus cereus s.l group. In Bacillus subtilis s.l. group there was high susceptibility to antibiograms, mainly for species of B. subtilis. The protein profile provided specific protein patterns for some species, mainly bands of 130 e 65 kDa for B. thuringiensis, 140 e 130 kDa for Lysinibacillus sphaericus, and 115 kDa for Brevibacillus laterosporus. Our results showed that the morphological and biochemical characterizations, provided a simple identification, with easy interpretation, and low cost.

Abstract Anatomical and histochemical studies were carried out during the somatic embryogenesis of Syagrus oleracea (Mart.) Becc. from immature inflorescences. Immature rachillas were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog medium with 4.52 μM 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (Picloram) and 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid. Auxin concentrations were gradually reduced for the formation of somatic embryos, while for plantlet regeneration, embryos were inoculated on a medium without growth regulator. After 270 days, two types of embryogenic calluses were observed in explants under the effect of Picloram: nodular, with a smooth surface and those without definite shape, with an irregular surface, both presenting a meristematic zone with polysaccharide content. Callus progression to the differentiation stage allowed for the conversion of somatic embryos, some with a well-defined protoderm and procambial bundles. The histochemical analysis of the somatic embryos did not identify the presence of polysaccharide and protein reserves, which emphasizes the necessity for optimization of the maturation conditions.