Evaluation of alkali and thermotolerant lipase from an indigenous isolated Bacillus strain for detergent formulation

Background: Lipases are used in detergent industries to minimise the use of phosphate-based chemicals in detergent formulations. The use of lipase in household laundry reduces environmental pollution and enhances the ability of detergent to remove tough oil or grease stains. Results: A lipase-producing indigenous Bacillus subtilis strain [accession no. KT985358] was isolated from the foothills of Trikuta mountain in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The lipase (BSK-L) produced by this strain expressed alkali and thermotolerance. Lipase has an optimal activity at pH 8.0 and temperature 37°C, whereas it is stable at pH 6.0­9.0 and showed active lipolytic activity at temperatures 30 to 60°C. Furthermore, lipase activity was found to be stimulated in the presence of the metal ions Mn2+, K+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and Ca2+. This lipase was resistant to surfactants, oxidising agents and commercial detergents, suggesting it as a potential candidate for detergent formulation. BSK-L displayed noticeable capability to remove oil stains when used in different washing solutions containing buffer, lipase and commercial detergent. The maximum olive oil removal percentage obtained was 68% when the optimum detergent concentration (Fena) was 0.3%. The oil removal percentage from olive oil-soiled cotton fabric increased with 40 U/mL of lipase. Conclusions: This BSK-L enzyme has the potential for removing oil stains by developing a pre-soaked solution for detergent formulation and was compatible with surfactants, oxidising agents and commercial detergents.

1-Deoxynojirimycin from Bacillus subtilis improves antioxidant and antibacterial activities of juvenile Yoshitomi tilapia

Background: Juvenile Yoshitomi tilapia is often infected by pathogens and results in low-level survival rate. Bacillus subtilis, as a probiotic, may have beneficial effects on Y. tilapia with compound 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which has antibacterial activities. The effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on Y. tilapias were evaluated. Results: Juvenile Y. tilapia was fed with B. subtilis for 56 d. Y. tilapia was infected by Aeromonas hydrophila and survival rate was compared. Dietary B. subtilis increased weight gain rate, specific growth, food conversion ratios and food intake rate of Y. tilapia. The diet improved the cumulative survival rate (CSR) of juvenile Y. tilapia when the concentration of B. subtilis was more than 2.05 × 1010 cfu/kg and CSR reached a maximum rate when the concentration of bacillus was 4.23 × 1010 (P b 0.05). Meanwhile, B. subtilis improved total antioxidant capacity (TAC), spleen index, the activities of serum lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (P b 0.05). In contrast, B. subtilis reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and C3 complement (P b 0.05). DNJ was isolated from secondary metabolisms and proved to increase the levels of SOD, CAT and reduce the levels of AST, ALT and MDA at cell levels. After A. hydrophila infection, DNJ prevented the reduction in survival rate of Y. tilapia (P b 0.05). Conclusions: 1-Deoxynojirimycin from Bacillus subtilis can be used to improve the growth performance of juvenile Y. tilapia by affecting its antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Computational identification and systematic classification of novel GRAS genes in Isatis indigotica / 中国天然药物

Isatis indigotica Fort., belonging to Cruciferae, is one of the most commonly used plants in traditional Chinese medicine. The accumulation of the effective components of I. indigotica is related with its growth conditions. The GRAS genes are members of a multigene family of transcriptional regulators that play a crucial role in plant growth. Although the activities of many GRAS genes have long been recognized, only in recent years were some of them identified and functionally characterized in detail. In the present study, 41 GRAS genes were identified from I. indigotica through bioinformatics methods for the first time. They were classified into ten groups according to the classification of Arabidopsis and rice. The characterization, gene structure, conserved motifs, disordered N-terminal domains, and phylogenetic reconstruction of these GRASs were analyzed. Forty-three orthologous gene pairs were shared by I. indigotica and Arabidopsis, and interaction networks of these orthologous genes were constructed. Furthermore, gene expression patterns were investigated by analysis in methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-treated I. indigotica hairy roots based on RNA-seq data. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis would provide rich resources for further studies of GRAS protein functions in this plant.

Utilização de um filme de glicerol para o controle da produção de aflatoxina por Aspergillus parasiticus em amendoim / Use of glycerol coating to control aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus in peanut grains

Peanut grains are very susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. nomius and A. parasiticus. The aflatoxin B1 is most frequently found in peanuts, posing a high toxicological risk due to its carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic properties. Alternative methods to fungicides can be used to protect grains. GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) substances can be an interesting option to avoid contamination, specially glycerol. In the present work, the ability of glycerol films to prevent aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus in peanuts was evaluated. Glycerol was established in two different ways: by immersion and aspersion. Aspersion was more efficient in reducing aflatoxin production (86.3%) than was the immersion process (66.9%) (P < 0.05). At the same time, a progressive reduction in A. parasiticus colony diameters was observed (from 38.6 ± 0.9 to 34.4 ± 1.7 mm) when the fungus was grown on GYEP medium supplemented with glycerol (0 to 5%). However, varying concentrations did not influence the production of spores, colonies, conidiophores or spore condition. Peanuts coated with 5% glycerol (by immersion or aspersion) had improved characteristics, with a cleaner and more shiny appearance, which can make the resulting product more acceptable to the population. In conclusion, the reduction of aflatoxin production in peanut grains with glycerol, particularly by aspersion, was satisfactory, and this GRAS substance shows promising potential to be used to prevent mycotoxin contamination in grains.(AU)

O amendoim é muito suscetível à contaminação por aflatoxinas, que são metabólitos tóxicos produzidos por Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus e A. nomius. A aflatoxina B1 é a mais frequentemente encontrada nos amendoins e apresenta risco toxicológico devido às suas propriedades carcinogênicas, teratogênicas e mutagênicas. Entre os métodos de prevenção da contaminação, o uso de substâncias GRAS (substâncias geralmente consideradas seguras) pode apresentar grande potencial de exploração, especialmente o glicerol. No presente trabalho, foi avaliada a capacidade de filmes de glicerol para o controle da produção de aflatoxinas em amendoins. O glicerol foi inoculado por imersão ou aspersão, sendo a aspersão mais eficiente na redução da produção de aflatoxina (86,3%) que a imersão (66,9%) (P < 0,05). Ao mesmo tempo, foi observada uma redução nos diâmetros das colônias de A. parasiticus (38,6 ± 0,9 para 34,4 ± 1,7 mm) quando cultivado em meio GYEP suplementado com glicerol (0 a 5%). Apesar disto, diferentes concentrações não influenciaram a produção ou morfologia dos esporos e conidióforos. Amendoins revestidos com 5% de glicerol apresentaram características interessantes, tais com: maior brilho e coloração mais intensa, o que pode tornar o produto mais atraente para o consumidor. Em conclusão, a redução da produção de aflatoxinas em amendoim pelo glicerol, principalmente por aspersão foi satisfatória. Sendo assim, esta substância apresenta um potencial promissor para utilização para a prevenção da contaminação do amendoim por aflatoxinas.(AU)

Esteatose hepática não alcoólica: relação com a síndrome metabólica e os fatores de risco cardiovascular em adolescentes obesos / Esteatosis hepática no alcohólica: relación con el síndrome metabólico y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular em adolescentes obesos / Nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis: association with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescents

Avaliar a associação entre esteatose hepática não alcoólica (EHNA), síndrome metabólica (SM) e fatores de risco cardiovascular (FRCs) em adolescentes obesos. Métodos: Estudo observacional do tipo transversal com abordagem quantitativa, realizado de junho a agosto de 2011. Os voluntários foram aleatoriamente selecionados e encaminhados para avaliação clínica no setor de endocrinologia e cardiologia do hospital de clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Participaram 34 adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos, acima do percentil 95 da curva de crescimento. A EHNA foi analisada por ultrassonografia. A SM e os FRCs foram identificados pelos critérios da International Diabetes Federation. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de 14 indivíduos do sexo masculino e 20 do sexo feminino, com idade (16,8±1,6) e índice de massa corporal (IMC) (35,7±3,9). A ocorrência de EHNA e SM foi de 76,5% (n=26) e 50% (n=17), respectivamente. O sexo masculino apresentou maior ocorrência de EHNA (78,6%, n=11), SM (64,3%, n=09) e associação de EHNA com SM (50%, n=07). Em relação aos FRCs 100% (n=34), 61,8% (n=21) e 52,9% (n=18) dos adolescentes apresentaram valores aumentados da circunferência da cintura (CC), da lowdensity- lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) e pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), respectivamente, e 52,9% (n=18) apresentaram baixos valores de high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Houve correlações entre SM e triglicerídeos, PAS e diastólica e HDL-C, e entre EHNA, IMC e CC. Conclusão: Observou-se uma alta ocorrência de EHNA, SM e FRCs em adolescentes obesos. Uma forte correlação foi observada entre EHNA e SM, e entre FRCs com EHNA e SM...

To evaluate the association between nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis (NAHS),metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) in obese adolescents.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study with a quantitative approach, carried out from June to August 2011. The volunteers were randomly selected and referred to clinical evaluation in the endocrinology and cardiology units at the clinics hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia, being included 34 adolescents of 14-19 years above the 95th percentile of the growth curve. NAHS was assessed by ultrasonography. The MS and CRF were diagnosed by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results: The sample consisted of 14 male and 20 female patients aged 16.8 ± 1.6 and body mass index (BMI) of 35.7 ± 3.9. The occurrence of NAHS and MS was 76.5% and 50%, respectively. Males had a higher incidence of NAHS (78.6%), SM (64.3%) and association of NAHS with MS (50%). Regarding the CRF, 100% (n=34), 61.8% (n=21) and 52.9% (n=18) of the adolescents had elevated values of waist circumference (WC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), respectively, and 52.9% (n=18) showed low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). There were correlations between MS and triglycerides; systolic and diastolic blood pressure and HDL-C; and between NAHS and BMI and WC. Conclusion: A high occurrence of NAHS, SM and CRF was observed in obese adolescents. A strong correlation was observed between MS and NAHS, and between FRC and NAHS and SM...

Evaluar la asociación entre la esteatosis hepática no alcohólica (EHNA), síndrome metabólico (SM) y factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCs) en adolescentes obesos. Métodos: Estudio observacional del tipo trasversal com abordaje cuantitativo realizado entre junio y agosto de 2011. Los voluntarios fueron seleccionados al azar y encaminados para evaluación clínica en el sector de endocrinología y cardiología delhospital de la Universidad Federal de Uberlandia. Participaron 34 adolescentes entre 14 y 19 años que estaban por encima Del percentil 95 de la curva de crecimiento. La EHNA fue analizada con la ultrasonografía. La SM y los FRCs fueron identificados a través de criterios de la International Diabetes Federtion. Resultados: La muestra fue constituida de 14 individuos del sexo masculino y 20 del sexo femenino con media de edad de 16,8±1,6años y media del índice de masa corporal (IMC) de 35,7±3,9. La ocurrencia de EHNA y SM fue del 76,5% (n=26) y 50% (n=17), respectivamente. El sexo masculino presentó mayor ocurrencia de EHNA (78,6%, n=11), SM (64,3%, n=09) y asociación de EHNA y SM (50%, n=07). Respecto a los FRCs, el 100% (n=34), 61,8% (n=21) y el 52,9% (n=18) de los adolescentes presentaron valores mayores de la circunferencia de cintura (CC), de la low-densitylipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) y tensión arterial sistólica (TAS), respectivamente, y el 52,9% (n=18) presentó bajos niveles de high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Hubieron correlaciones entre SM y triglicérides, TAS y diastólica y HDL-C, y entre EHNA, IMC y CC. Conclusión: Se observó una elevada ocurrencia de EHNA, SM y FRCs en adolescentes obesos. Uma fuerte correlación fue observada entre EHNA y SM, y entre FRCs y EHNA y SM...