Screening of whole yeast free-cells and optimization of pH and temperature for fructooligosaccharides production / Seleção de células inteiras de levedura e otimização dos parâmetros pH e temperatura para a produção de fruto-oligossacarídeos

Fructooligosaccharides are catalyzed by ß­fructofuranosidase enzyme, produced by many microorganisms. However, in order to achieve a more profitable, low time -consuming process with lower cost, researchers have sought alternatives. This study aimed to select and identify yeasts able to produce fructooligosaccharides and evaluate the influence of pH and temperature on their synthesis. Yeast suspensions, solutions of 500 g L-1 sucrose and three values of pH (4.5, 5.5, and 6.5) and temperature (40, 50, and 60ºC) were tested. Yeast species were identified by molecular techniques. Among 141 yeast isolates from grapes, 65 were able to synthesize fructooligosaccharides. The maximum concentration of fructooligosaccharides was 4.8% (w v-1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 222 produced 1-kestose and nystose.

Fruto-oligossacarídeos são catalisados pelas enzimas ß­fructofuranosidase, produzida por muitos micro -organismos. No entanto, para obter processos mais rentáveis, de menor custo e tempo, pesquisadores têm procurado alternativas. Este trabalho tem objetivo de selecionar e identificar leveduras capazes de produzir fruto-oligossacarídeos e avaliar a influência do pH e da temperatura na sua síntese. Suspensões de leveduras, soluções de sacarose de 500 g L- 1 e três valores de pH (4,5, 5,5 e 6,5) e de temperaturas de (40, 50 e 60ºC) foram utilizados. As espécies de leveduras foram identificadas por técnicas moleculares. De 141 isolados de leveduras de uvas, 65 foram capazes de sintetizar fruto-oligossacarídeos. A concentração máxima de fruto-oligossacarídeos foi de 4,8% (p v-1), e a levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae 222 produziu 1-cestose e nistose.

Impact of Fungicide Residues on Polymerase Chain Reaction and on Yeast Metabolism

ABSTRACT The indiscriminate use of pesticides on grape crops is harmful for consumers´ healthin "in natura" consumption and in the ingestion of wine and grape juice. During winemaking, a rapid and efficient fermentation stage is critical to avoid proliferation of contaminating microorganisms and to guarantee the product´s quality. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has the advantage of detecting these contaminants in the early stages of fermentation. However,this enzymatic reaction may also be susceptible to specific problems, reducing its efficiency. Agricultural practices, such as fungicide treatments, may be a source of PCR inhibiting factors and may also interfere in the normal course of fermentation.The action of the pesticides captan and folpet on PCR and on yeast metabolism was evaluated, once these phthalimide compounds are widely employed in Brazilian vineyards. DNA amplification was only observed at 75 and 37.5 µg/mL of captan concentrations, whereas with folpet, amplification was observed only in the two lowest concentrations tested (42.2 and 21.1µg/mL).Besides the strong inhibition on Taq polymerase activity, phthalimides also inhibited yeast metabolism at all concentrations analyzed.Grape must containing captan and folpet residues could not be transformed into wine due to stuck fermentation caused by the inhibition of yeast metabolism. Non-compliance with the waiting period for phthalimide fungicides may result in financial liabilities to the viticulture sector.The use of yeasts with high fungicide sensitivity should be selected for must fermentation as a strategy for sustainable wine production and to assure that products comply with health and food safety standards.

Composition of amino acids and bioactive amines in common wines of Brazil / Composição de aminoácidos e aminas bioativas em vinhos comuns brasileiros

Since most consumed wines in Brazil are common wines and since their representativeness is not accounted for in scientific research, current study quantifies bioactive amines and their precursors in Brazilian sweet and dry common wines, correlates the formation of amines with physical and chemical parameters and clusters studied areas by their amine and amino acid contents. Forty-seven wine samples varying in type, color and origin were analyzed simultaneously for seventeen amino acids, ammonium ion and five bioactive amines by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection after the derivation phase. Physical and chemical analyses comprised titratable acidity, pH, organic acids, sugar and alcohol contents. Sweet wines had lower concentrations of amino acids and bioactive amines. Dry white wines had higher amino acid contents when compared to those in dry red wines. Since multivariate data analysis confirmed similarities between the studied regions, their unity as potential viniculture area was reinforced. Amine levels in Brazilian common wines were reported for the first time and results reinforced the importance of bioactive amines quantification and the use of suitable vinification practices to reduce their formation.

Considerando que os vinhos mais consumidos no Brasil são vinhos comuns e que sua representatividade não é demonstrada na pesquisa científica, o presente estudo tem por objetivo quantificar as aminas bioativas e seus precursores em vinhos comuns brasileiros suaves e secos, correlacionar a formação das aminas com parâmetros físico-químicos e agrupar as áreas estudadas por meio do seu conteúdo em aminas e aminoácidos. Foram analisadas 47 amostras de vinhos que variam quanto ao tipo, cor e origem; foram analisados, simultaneamente, 17 aminoácidos, íon amônio e cinco aminas bioativas por cromatografia líquida de fase reversa depois de uma etapa de derivatização. Análises físico-químicas incluíram acidez total, pH, ácidos orgânicos, açúcar e teor alcoólico. Os vinhos doces tiveram menor concentração de aminoácidos e aminas bioativas. Os vinhos brancos secos apresentaram maior conteúdo em aminoácidos quando comparados com os apresentados nos vinhos tintos secos. Uma vez que a análise multivariada confirmou similaridades entre as regiões estudadas, sua unidade como uma área potencial para a vinicultura foi reforçada. Os níveis de aminas em vinhos comuns brasileiros foram reportados pela primeira vez e os resultados reforçam a importância da quantificação de aminas bioativas e o uso de práticas apropriadas de vinificação para reduzir a sua formação.

Morphological and molecular identification of filamentous fungi isolated from cosmetic powders

Seven fungi were isolated from 50 samples of cosmetic powders. Morphological analyses and ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacers sequencing were performed which allowed the discrimination of the isolated fungi as Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium sp., and Cladosporium sp. which could have, among their species, potentially pathogenic microorganisms.