Iron bioaccumulation in mycelium of Pleurotus ostreatus

Pleurotus ostreatus is able to bioaccumulate several metals in its cell structures; however, there are no reports on its capacity to bioaccumulate iron. The objective of this study was to evaluate cultivation variables to increase iron bioaccumulation in P. ostreatus mycelium. A full factorial design and a central composite design were utilized to evaluate the effect of the following variables: nitrogen and carbon sources, pH and iron concentration in the solid culture medium to produce iron bioaccumulated in mycelial biomass. The maximum production of P. ostreatus mycelial biomass was obtained with yeast extract at 2.96 g of nitrogen L−1 and glucose at 28.45 g L−1. The most important variable to bioaccumulation was the iron concentration in the cultivation medium. Iron concentration at 175 mg L−1 or higher in the culture medium strongly inhibits the mycelial growth. The highest iron concentration in the mycelium was 3500 mg kg−1 produced with iron addition of 300 mg L−1. The highest iron bioaccumulation in the mycelium was obtained in culture medium with 150 mg L−1 of iron. Iron bioaccumulation in P. ostreatus mycelium is a potential alternative to produce non-animal food sources of iron.

The nutritional status of zooplankton in a tropical reservoir: effects of food quality and community structure

A variabilidade temporal de reservas energéticas do zooplâncton no reservatório eutrófico da Pampulha foi investigada durante dois ciclos anuais sucessivos. Foram testados os efeitos da presença dos grandes cladóceros (Daphnia) e a ocorrência de florações maciças da cianobactéria Microcystis sobre as reservas energéticas do zooplâncton. Este estudo mostrou evidências de que a composição do fitoplâncton apresentou efeito intenso sobre as reservas energéticas do zooplâncton. Foram também encontradas associações entre o nível de lipídeos e a composição específica do zooplâncton. Demonstrou-se ainda que a composição elementar do fósforo no zooplâncton pode ser usada como indicador do status nutricional do zooplâncton.