Biomasa residual de industria del Cannabis, una alternativa para la obtención de productos de alto valor agregado

A medida que como sociedad vamos dando más importancia a lograr una economía circular, se hace importante encontrar fuentes renovables aptas para la producción de biocombustibles y bioquímicos. En los últimos años, diversas fuentes de biomasa lignocelulósica han sido estudiadas para estos propósitos. Dentro de estas fuentes de biomasa se encuentra el cáñamo (Cannabis sativa L.), siendo parte de una industria que ha crecido a pasos agigantados en las últimas décadas, en Colombia, desde su legalización. Específicamente, la industria del cannabis medicinal es responsable de generar una enorme cantidad de residuos en forma de los tallos de la planta, considerados un subproducto de bajo valor. En esta revisión se compila la información de diferentes estudios sobre el aprovechamiento de la fracción de polisacáridos de biomasa cáñamo, mediante transformaciones químicas y bioquímicas, para la obtención de productos de valor agregado. Se encontró que la mayoría de estudios están enfocados en la obtención de bioetanol o biogás; se encontraron también reportes de otras moléculas como ácido succínico, ácido láctico, furfural, polihidroxialcanoatos y bisaboleno. La viabilidad a nivel industrial de todos estos procesos permanece siendo una incógnita, pues los pasos de pretratamiento, hidrólisis y de conversión final utilizados suelen ser costosos. Es necesario que los estudios que realicen en el futuro se enfoquen en optimizar las condiciones de estos procesos y hacerlos verdes y así asegurar que puedan ser escalados.

As we as a society, give more importance to achieving a circular economy, it becomes important to find renewable sources suitable for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. In the last years, several different sources of lignocellulosic biomass have been studied for these purposes. One of these biomass sources is hemp (Cannabis sativa L), being part of an industry that has grown through giant steps in the last decades, in Colombia, since its legalization. Specifically, the industry of medicinal hemp is responsible for the generation of huge amounts of residues in the form of the plant stalks, considered a low value subproduct. This review compiles the information of several studies about the exploitation of the polysaccharide portion of hemp biomass through chemical and biochemical transformations, obtaining value-added products. It was found that most of these studies focus on the production of bioetanol or biogas; reports of other molecules such as succinic acid, furfural, polyhydroxyalkanoates and bisabolene were also found. Industrial viability of these processes remains a question, since pretreatment, hydrolysis and final conversion steps are usually expensive. It necessary that future studies focus on optimizing conditions of these processes as well as making them green, ensuring that they can be scaled.

Advances in Microalgal Research in Brazil

Abstract Microalgae research has attracted interest worldwide and in order to advance algal biotechnology in Brazil, government has been funding several projects. In the last 10 years, two main funds were provided by the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) agency to researchers in Brazil, who study the potential uses of microalgae for biomass, bioproducts and biofuels production. These funded projects addressed aspects of algal strain identification, development of algal cultivation techniques, designing photobioreactors and raceway ponds, modeling harvesting and dewatering process, maximizing biomass and oil productivities, characterizing chemical composition with different extractions systems and determining physiochemical properties of biodiesel. This review presents the state of art of algal research conducted by Brazilian institutions. Special attention is given to the recent progress on microalgal cultivation, high-value products extracted from microalgae and potential biofuels production. This review may serve as a policy instrument for planning next steps for algal research in Brazil as well as for attracting attention from international researchers who work with microalgae and would like to pursue a future partnership on algal research with Brazilian research institutions.

Biorremediación de suelos contaminados con hidrocarburos a base de bacterias utilizadas como bioproductos / Bioremediation of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons based on bacteria used as bioproducts / Biorremediação de solos contaminados com hidrocarbonetos a base de bactérias

Resumen Introducción. La explotación de petróleo y sus derivados en Ecuador, mantiene un historial negativo en relación con la destrucción de hábitats junto con la formación de pasivos ambientales o piscinas de crudo que han contaminado los suelos y agua de la región. La búsqueda de nuevos tratamientos de biorremediación se ha incrementado en los últimos años por la necesidad de realizar trabajos de limpieza más rápidos y de bajo costo, utilizando de forma estratégica microorganismos, plantas o biocompuestos para disminuir la contaminación por hidrocarburos de petróleo, metales pesados y otros compuestos. Objetivo. Determinar la capacidad para biodegradar hidrocarburos a base de bacterias nativas aisladas de suelos contaminados con petróleo. Materiales y métodos. Bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, en la modalidad experimental de tipo exploratoria, se utilizaron 81 bacterias aisladas a partir de suelos contaminados con petróleo. Los parámetros medidos fueron el diámetro de crecimiento de la colonia bacteriana y la formación del halo de degradación. Resultados. Las bacterias estudiadas presentaron diversidad fenotípica y metabólica, siendo AX15, AX67 y AX87 las que crecieron de mejor manera, en los medios de cultivo preparados con extractos de suelos con diferentes concentraciones de hidrocarburos. Conclusiones. Este estudio demuestra la factibilidad de usar un bioproducto basado en bacterias para la implementación de programas de biorremediación in situ o ex situ en la recuperación de suelos contaminados con hidrocarburos.

Abstract Introduction. The exploitation of oil and its derivatives in Ecuador, maintains a negative record in relation to the destruction of habitats along with the formation of environmental liabilities or pools of crude oil that have contaminated the soil and water of the region. The search for new bioremediation treatments has increased in recent years due to the need to perform more rapid and low-cost cleaning works, strategically using microorganisms, plants or biocomposites to reduce the contamination by oil, heavy metals and petroleum and other compounds. Objective. To determine the capacity to biodegrade hydrocarbons based on native bacteria isolated from soils contaminated with oil. Materials and methods. Under a quantitative approach, in the experimental modality of exploratory type, 81 isolated bacteria were used from soils contaminated with petroleum. The parameters measured were the growth diameter of the bacterial colony and the formation of the degradation halo. Results. The bacteria studied had phenotypic and metabolic diversity, being AX15, AX67 and AX87 those that grew better, in culture media prepared with soil extracts with different concentrations of hydrocarbons. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a bioproduct based on bacteria for the implementation of in situ or ex situ bioremediation programs in the recovery of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons.

Resumo Introdução. A exploração de petróleo e seus derivados no Equador mantém um histórico negativo em relação à destruição do habitat, juntamente com a formação de passivos ou poças de óleo que contaminaram o solo e a água na região ambiental. A busca por novos tratamentos de biorremediação tem aumentado nos últimos anos pela necessidade de realizar um trabalho mais rápido de limpeza e barata, usando estrategicamente microrganismos, plantas ou biocompósitos para reduzir a poluição por hidrocarbonetos de petróleo, metais pesados e outros compostos. Objetivo. Determinar a capacidade de biodegradar hidrocarbonetos com base em bactérias nativas isoladas de solos contaminados com óleo. Materiais e métodos. Sob abordagem quantitativa, na modalidade experimental do tipo exploratório, foram utilizadas 81 bactérias isoladas de solos contaminados com petróleo. Os parâmetros medidos foram o diâmetro de crescimento da colônia bacteriana e a formação do halo de degradação. Resultados. As bactérias estudadas apresentaram diversidade fenotípica e metabólica, sendo as AX15, AX67 e AX87 aquelas que cresceram melhor, em meios de cultura preparados com extratos de solo com diferentes concentrações de hidrocarbonetos. Conclusões. Este estudo demonstra a viabilidade da utilização de um bioproduto à base de bactérias para a implementação de programas de biorremediação in situ ou ex situ na recuperação de solos contaminados com hidrocarbonetos.

Transformation of Brewery Subproducts into Valuable Biomass Using Mixotrophic Culture of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Associated Bacteria

Abstract To develop a biorefinery concept applied in the brewery industry, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and a consortium of associated bacteria were cultivated mixotrophically in a continuous photobioreactor using brewery low-value subproducts as an integrative process. Beer production residues were biochemically characterized to assess the most promising options to be used as a nutrient source for microalgal cultivation. Due to its physical and chemical properties, pre-treated weak wort was used to prepare an organic complex culture medium for microalgal biotransformation. Filtration and nitrogen supplementation were necessary to improve nutrient removal and biomass productivity. Maximal removal of nitrate and phosphate obtained were 90% and 100% respectively. Depending on operation conditions, total carbohydrates depuration ranged from 50 - 80%. The initial concentration of total carbohydrates of the weak wort must be adjusted to 2 - 4g/L to maintain a stable equilibrium between microalgal and bacterial growth. The biochemical composition of produced biomass varied depending on the cultivation conditions as well as on its final use. Upon continuous mixotrophic conditions evaluated in this study, C. pyrenoidosa was composed mainly of carbohydrates and protein.

Rediseño del Sitio Web del Centro Nacional de Biopreparados de acuerdo con las tendencias actuales en homólogos / Redesign of the Website of the National Center for Bioproducts according to current trends in homologous

Los sitios web empresariales deben asegurar que sus empleados, proveedores, competidores, clientes y partes interesadas puedan encontrar información general y específica de la empresa. Este trabajo se propuso determinar los elementos necesarios para el rediseño del Sitio Web del Centro Nacional de Biopreparados (BioCen) de acuerdo con las tendencias actuales en homólogos. Para esto se determinaron, mediante entrevistas a directivos y especialistas del Centro, los sitios web de empresas homólogas. Se escogieron siete para la identificación de las tendencias en la Arquitectura de la Información a partir de cinco categorías de análisis. Estas tendencias no se vieron reflejadas en el sitio web actual de BioCen. La propuesta de rediseño incluyó, según homólogos, las etiquetas; la definición de contenidos, en el formato OnePage; la estructura de la página principal con diferentes y pocos niveles informativos; el uso de imágenes, acorde con los textos; diferentes sistemas de navegación; cambios en los componentes del cabezal y pie de página(AU)

Business websites must ensure that their employees, suppliers, competitors, customers and stakeholders can find general and company-specific information. This work proposed the presentation of the necessary elements for the redesign of the Website of the National Center for Bioproducts (BioCen) according to the current tendencies in homologous. For this, through interviews with managers and specialists of the center, the websites of homologous companies were determined. Seven were chosen for the identification of trends in Information Architecture from five categories of analysis. These trends were not reflected on the current BioCen website. The redesign proposal includes, according to counterparts, the labels; the definition of content, in the OnePage format; the structure of the main page with different and few informative levels; the use of images, according to the texts; different navigation systems; changes in the head and footer components(AU)

Comparison of the phenolic contents and epigenetic and genetic variability of wild and cultivated watercress (Rorippa nasturtium var. aquaticum L.)

Background: Epigenetic modifications are key factors modulating the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of phytochemicals. The knowledge of plant epigenetic and genetic variations can contribute to enhance the production of bioactive compounds. These issues have been little explored thus far in Rorippa nasturtium var. aquaticum L. (watercress), an edible and medicinal plant. The aim of the current study was to determine and compare the phenolic composition and epigenetic and genetic variations between wild and cultivated watercress. Results: Significant differences were found in the quantitative phenolic composition between wild and cultivated watercress. The eight primer combinations used in the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) method revealed different epigenetic status for each watercress type, the cultivated one being the most epigenetically variable. The genetic variability revealed by the EcoRI/MspI amplification profile and also by eight inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers was different between the two types of watercress. The results of the Mantel test showed that the correlation between genetic and epigenetic variations has diminished in the cultivated type. Cluster analyses showed that the epigenetic and genetic characterizations clearly discriminated between wild and cultivated watercress. Conclusions: Relevant chemical, epigenetic, and genetic differences have emerged between wild and cultivated watercress. These differences can contribute to fingerprint and develop quality control tools for the integral and safety use and the commercialization of watercress. The richness of epialleles could support the development of tools to manipulate the watercress epigenome to develop high bioproduct­producing cultivars

Acaricidal activity of ethanolic extracts of Stryphnodendron adstringens and Lafoensia pacari and oil resins from Copaifera sp. and Pterodon emarginatus against Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis / Atividade acaricida dos extratos etanólicos de Stryphnodendron adstringens Mart. e Lafoensia pacari A. St Hil., bem como das óleo-resinas de Copaifera sp. e Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, 1837 contra Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis

In vitro bioassay using Sarcoptes scabiei as a test microorganism is a viable method of study for diverse drugs with acaricidal properties. A great amount of assays proves the diverse and efficient biological activity of extracts and compounds from Brazilian savanna plants. This study had as main object, test and compare the acaricidal activity of four Brazilian Cerrado bioproducts: Stryphnodendron adstringens Mart., Copaifera sp., Lafoensia pacari A. St Hil. and Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, 1837. To perform this test S. scabiei mites were collected from crusts removed on ears of highly infected sows. The mites were selected and separated in Petri dishes with three different concentrations (25, 50 and 75%) of each bioproduct, to evaluate their potential acaricidal activity. The mortality of the mites was counted in each Petri dish every hour, during five hours. The statistical analyses demonstrated differences between the bioproducts tested. The oleoresin of Copaifera sp. and P. emarginatus presented the best results with 100% of mites mortality after treatment. The ethanolic extracts of S. adstringens and L. pacari demonstrated lower acaricidal activity when compared to the oleoresins, with little or no difference among the control groups tested. This bioassay demonstrated to be efficient, reliable, low cost and easy accomplishment. Oil resins from Copaifera sp. and P. emarginatus have in vitro acaricidal activity against adult females of S. scabiei var. suis.(AU)

O uso de Sarcoptes scabiei como microrganismo teste para bioensaio in vitro é um método de estudo viável para diversas drogas acaricidas. Muitos ensaios comprovam a diversidade e eficiência de atividade biocida de extratos e componentes presentes em plantas do cerrado brasileiro. Este trabalho objetivou testar e comparar a atividade acaricida de quatro bioprodutos do cerrado brasileiro: Stryphnodendron adstringens Mart., Lafoensia pacari A. St Hil., Copaifera sp. e Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, 1837. Para este estudo, ácaros S. scabiei foram colhidos em crostas removidas de orelhas de fêmeas suínas altamente infestadas. Os ácaros foram selecionados, separados e colocados em placas de Petri com três diferentes concentrações (25, 50 e 75%) de bioprodutos, para avaliar o potencial de atividade acaricida de cada um. Foi realizada a contagem da mortalidade dos ácaros em cada placa de Petri a cada hora, durante cinco horas. As análises estatísticas demonstraram diferenças entre os bioprodutos testados. As óleo-resinas de Copaifera sp. e P. emarginatus apresentaram os melhores resultados, com 100% de mortalidade dos ácaros após tratamento. Os extratos etanólicos de S. adstringens Mart. e L. pacari demonstraram menor atividade acaricida quando comparados as óleo-resinas, com pequena ou nenhuma diferença entre os resultados dos grupos controle. Este ensaio demonstrou ser uma ferramenta eficiente, confiável, de baixo custo e de fácil realização. As óleo-resinas Copaifera sp. e P. emarginatus possuem atividade acaricida in vitro sobre fêmeas adultas de S. scabiei var. suis.(AU)

Atividade antibacteriana in vitro de pastas de hidróxido de cálcio associadas à bioprodutos frente a linhagens gram positivas e gram negativas / Antibacterial activity in vitro of calcium hydroxide paste associated to bioproducts against on Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains

Introdução: o hidróxido de cálcio Ca(OH)2 em endodontia, tem sido utilizado em pulpotomias, tratamento de perfurações radiculares, como componente de cimentos obturadores e como medicação intracanal, sendo que quando utilizado nesta última situação, é associado a um veículo com a finalidade de se obter a consistência de pasta. Assim, diferentes veículos têm sido propostos para associação ao Ca(OH)2. A atividade antimicrobiana do Ca(OH)2 está relacionada a liberação de íons hidroxila. Apesar de sua ampla utilização, esta substância não tem demonstrado eficácia sobre algumas cepas de micro-organismos in vivo. Objetivo: o propósito da presente pesquisa foi avaliar a atividade antibacteriana in vitro de várias pastas de Ca(OH)2 associadas com bioprodutos contra linhagens ATCC de Enterococcus. faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Escherichia coli. Métodos: os testes de susceptibilidade bacteriana frente às pastas, aos bioprodutos na forma de extratos e aos géis foram realizados pelo método da difusão, sobre ágar Mueller-Hinton. Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística, empregando-se o teste Kruskal-Wallis com nível de significância de 5 por cento. Resultados e Discussão: a clorexidina, tanto a 1 por cento como a 2 por cento, mostrou grande atividade antibacteriana pura, na forma de gel e associada como veículo ao Ca(OH)2, estatisticamente significante (p<0,05). Todas as pastas de Ca(OH)2 revelaram efetividade contra todos os micro-organismos testados com exceção da pasta cujo veículo foi o óleo de alho. Frente ao St. pyogenes, somente as pastas de clorexidina 1 por cento e 2 por cento revelaram efetividade. As pastas de Ca(OH)2 cujos veículos puros revelaram atividade antibacteriana, não foram potencializadas para atividade antibacteriana.

Introduction: calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 is a highly alkaline white powder that has been used in Endodontics in pulpotomies, treatment of root perforations, as component of sealers and intracanal medication; when used for the latter purpose, it is associated with a vehicle to achieve a paste consistency. Thus, different vehicles have been proposed for association with Ca(OH)2. The antimicrobial activity of Ca(OH)2 is related to the release of hydroxyl ions. Despite its wide utilization, this substance has not been demonstrated to be effective against some microorganism stains in vivo. Objective: this study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of several Ca (OH)2 pastes associated with bioproducts against ATCC strains of E. faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Methods: thebacterial susceptibility test to the pastes of bioproducts in extract andgel was analyzed by the paste diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. Data were statistically analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test at a significance level of 5 per cent. Results and Discussion: chlorhexidine, both at 1 per cent and 2 per cent, presented wide antibacterial activity both pure, in gel and associated as vehicle to Ca(OH)2, with statistical significance (p<0.05). All Ca(OH)2 pastes were effective against all microorganisms tested, except for the paste with garlic oil as vehicle. Concerning the St. pyogenes, only 1 per cent and 2 per cent chlorhexidine pastes were effective. The Ca(OH)2 pastes whose pure vehicles presented antibacterial activity were not strengthened for the antibacterial activity.