Sugarcane bagasse or elephant grass hay in diets for goats: Performance, feeding behavior and carcass characteristics

Background: Novel feeding strategies should be developed to produce high-quality meat in current goat production systems. Objective: To evaluate the effects of castration and the association of spineless cactus with sugarcane bagasse or elephant grass hay on nutrient intake, digestibility, performance, feeding behavior and carcass traits of feedlot kids. Methods: A total of 24 male kids (12 castrated and 12 intact), with an average initial weight of 18.5 ± 3.8 kg were allotted to a completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial design (sugar cane bagasse or elephant grass hay; intact or castrated), and confined for 70 days. Results: Nutrient intake and animal performance were similar between treatments. Sugarcane bagasse increased, when compared to elephant grass hay, the digestibility of dry matter (66.12 vs 62.88; p=0.005), crude protein (74.26 vs 70.95; p=0.029) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (91.94 vs 83.07; p<0.001). The forage source affected the time spent resting, ruminating and total chewing time, but there was no effect of diet on feeding and rumination efficiencies. Elephant grass hay increased, when compared to sugarcane bagasse, hot carcass weight (9.87 vs 10.79; p=0.025) and hot carcass yield (43.81 vs 46.87; p=0.013). Intact kids produced heavier hot carcasses when compared with castrated kids (10.80 vs 9.86; p=0.014). Conclusion: Feeding intact or castrated kids with sugar cane bagasse or elephant grass hay do not affect nutrient intake and performance. Feedlot goats have improved carcass traits if kept intact and fed elephant grass hay.

Antecedentes: Se requiere desarrollar nuevas estrategias de alimentación para producir carne de alta calidad en los sistemas actuales de producción de cabras. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la castración y asociación de palma forrajera con bagazo de caña de azúcar o heno de pasto elefante sobre la ingesta de nutrientes, digestibilidad, rendimiento, comportamiento de alimentación y caracteristicas de la canal de cabritos de engorde. Métodos: Un total de 24 cabritos (12 castrados y 12 intactos) con peso inicial promedio de 18,5 ± 3,8 kg fueron asignados a un diseño factorial 2 x 2 completamente al azar (bagazo de caña de azucar o heno de pasto elefante; castrados o intactos) y confinados durante 70 días. Resultados: La ingesta de nutrientes y el rendimiento animal fueron similares entre tratamientos. El bagazo de caña de azúcar aumentó, en comparación con el heno de pasto elefante, la digestibilidad de la materia seca (66,12 vs 62,88; p=0,005), de la proteína cruda (74,26 vs 70,95; p=0,029) y de los carbohidratos no fibrosos (91,94 vs 83,07; p<0,001). La fuente de forraje afectó el tiempo de descanso, de rumia, y el tiempo total de masticación, pero no hubo efecto de la dieta sobre la eficiencia alimentacia y de la rumia. El heno de pasto elefante aumentó, en comparación con el bagazo, el peso de la canal caliente (9,87 vs 10,79; p=0,025) y el rendimiento de la canal caliente (43,81 vs 46,87; p=0,013). Los animales intactos produjeron canales calientes más pesadas en comparación con los castrados (10,80 vs 9,86; p=0,014). Conclusión: La alimentación de cabritos enteros o castrados con bagazo de caña de azúcar o heno de pasto elefante no afecta la ingesta de nutrientes y el rendimiento. Los cabritos tienen mejores características de canal si se alimentan con heno de pasto elefante y se dejan enteros.

Antecedentes: Novas estratégias de alimentação devem ser desenvolvidas para produção de carne de qualidade nos atuais sistemas de produção de caprinos. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da castração e da associação da palma forrageira com o bagaço de cana de açúcar ou feno de capim elefante no consumo de nutrientes, digestibilidade, desempenho, comportamento ingestivo e características de carcaça de cabritos confinados. Métodos: Um total de 24 caprinos (12 castrados e 12 não castrados), com peso inicial médio de 18,5 ± 3,8 kg, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 (bagaço de cana de açúcar ou feno de capim elefante; inteiros ou castrados), confinados durante 70 dias. Resultados: O consumo de nutrientes e o desempenho dos animais foram semelhante entre os tratamentos. O bagaço de cana elevou, quando comparado com o feno, a digestibilidade da matéria seca (66,12 vs 62,88; p=0,005), proteína (74,26 vs 70,95; p=0,029) e carboidratos não fibrosos (91,94 vs 83,07; p<0,001). As fontes de fibra afetaram os tempos de ócio, ruminação e mastigação total, mas não houve efeito para as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação. O feno de capim elefante aumentou, quando comparado com o bagaço, o peso de caracaça quente (9,87 vs 10,79; p=0,025) e o rendimento de carcaça quente (43,81 vs 46,87; p=0,013). Os animais inteiros produziram carcaças quentes mais pesadas em comparação aos castrados (10,80 vs 9,86; p=0,014). Conclusão: Alimentar caprinos inteiros ou castrados com bagaço de cana ou feno de capim-elefante não interfere no consumo de nutrientes e desempenho. Caprinos confinados terão as características de carcaça melhoradas se mantidos intactos e alimentados com feno de capim elefante.

Behavior of laying chicks fed diets containing sources and levels of dietary fiber in the starter phase / Comportamento de pintainhas de postura leve alimentadas com dietas contendo fontes e níveis de fibra dietética na fase de cria

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the behavior and welfare conditions of laying chicks in the starter phase, fed with diets formulated with increasing levels of crude fiber (CF) and two feedstuffs with different fiber compositions. The experiment was developed at the Federal University of Goiás, in Goiânia - GO, Brazil. Three hundred Bovans White chicks were evaluated in a completely randomized design with a 2×2+1 factorial arrangement corresponding to two levels of CF in the diet (3.0 and 3.5%) and two fiber sources (wheat bran and sugarcane bagasse), plus a control treatment (maize- and soybean meal-based), totaling five treatments with six replicates of 10 birds each. Maintenance behavioral patterns and welfare were assessed at 21 and 42 days of age. There was no difference in behavior and classification by order of importance of the activities performed by the fiber-fed birds observed at 21 and 42 days, according to the Kruskal Wallis test (P>0.05). Medium and good welfare conditions were obtained with wheat bran at 3.5 and 3.0% CF, respectively, at 21 days of age. At 42 days, the use of sugarcane bagasse at the CF level of 3.5% and wheat bran at the level of 3.0%provided good behavior conditions. The use of crude fiber in the feeding of hens did not change their behavior.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento de pintainhas de postura na fase de cria, alimentadas com dietas formuladas com aumento de fibra bruta e dois alimentos com composições de fibra diferentes. O trabalho foi realizado na Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, utilizando-se 300 pintainhas Bovans White, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado e arranjo fatorial 2x2+1, com dois níveis de fibra bruta na dieta (3,0% e 3,5 % de FB), duas fontes de fibra (farelo de trigo e bagaço de cana) e o tratamento testemunha (ração a base de milho e farelo de soja), totalizando cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de 10 aves cada. Foram avaliados padrões de comportamento de manutenção e bem-estar aos 21 e 42 dias de idade. Não houve diferença no comportamento e na classificação por ordem de importância das atividades realizadas pelas aves alimentadas com fibra e observadas aos 21 e 42 dias pelo teste de Kruskal Wallis (P>0,05). Obteve-se condições média e boa com farelo de trigo e 3,5 e 3,0% de fibra bruta, respectivamente, com 21 dias de idade. Aos 42 dias, o uso de bagaço de cana ao nível de 3,5% de fibra bruta e o farelo de trigo ao nível de 3,0%, mostraram boas condições de comportamento. A utilização de fibra bruta na alimentação de frangas não alterou o comportamento das aves.

Brachiaria brizantha Grass as a Feedstock for Ethanol Production

HIGHLIGHTS Brachiaria brizantha proved to be a promising biomass for ethanol production. Fermentation was not impaired by the inhibitors furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural.

Abstract Different lignocellulosic biomasses are found worldwide and each country has its own important industrial crop that can be converted into high-value products, such as ethanol. Therefore, evaluation of new biomasses to be used in biorefineries is important to decrease the dependence on non-renewable resources and to guarantee sustainable development. This work evaluated Brachiaria brizantha, a grass commonly used as animal forage, and the standard biomass for 2G-ethanol, sugarcane bagasse. The chemical compositions of both biomasses were determined and different times and temperature of acid pretreatment were tested. Morphological analysis via scanning electron microscopy showed more deconstructed fibers after harsher biomass pretreatments. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of pretreated Brachiaria brizantha presented higher efficiency than when using sugarcane bagasse as the carbon source. A biomass conversion of 46 % was achieved when Brachiaria brizantha grass was pretreated with 2% sulfuric acid for 60 minutes. Moreover, fermentation was not impaired by the inhibitors furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural. It was concluded that Brachiaria brizantha is a promising biomass for ethanol production.

Acetone­butanol­ethanol fermentation from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates: utilization of C5 and C6 sugars

Background: Fuels and chemicals from renewable feedstocks have a growing demand, and acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) are some relevant examples. These molecules can be produced by the bacterial fermentation process using hydrolysates generated from lignocellulosic biomass as sugarcane bagasse, one of the most abundant sources of lignocellulosic biomass in Brazil. It originates as a residue in mills and distilleries in the production of sugar and ethanol. Results: In the present work, two strategies to generate hydrolysates of sugarcane bagasse were adopted. The fermentation of the first hydrolysate by Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM 6228 resulted in final concentrations of butanol, acetone and ethanol of 6.4, 4.5 and 0.6 g/L, respectively. On the other hand, the second hydrolysate presented better results (averages of 9.1, 5.5 and 0.8 g/L, respectively), even without the need for nutrient supplementation, since key elements were already present in the medium. The productivity (QP) and yield (YP/S) of the solvents with second hydrolysate were 0.5 g/L•h-1 and 0.4 g/g, respectively. Conclusions: The results described herein open new perspectives for the production of important molecules from residual lignocellulosic biomass for the fuel and chemical industries within the context of second-generation biorefinery.

A novel cost-effective medium for in vitro cultivation of Gentiana kurroo Royle using sugarcane bagasse

Objective: To develop a simple, cost-effective, and efficient medium by using sugarcane bagasse (SB) as abase material to replace the conventional Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium.Materials and Methods: Water extracts of SB along with some macronutrients and plant growth regulators weregelled with 0.7% agar-agar powder. Nodal segments of Gentiana kurroo were used as explants and inoculatedin the medium and placed in a growth chamber under standard conditions of light and temperature. Out of thetested combinations of plant growth regulators, 0.5 mg/l each of kinetin (KN) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP)showed the excellent shoot multiplication and proliferation rate on the bagasse medium with the same potentialas on the MS medium with an average of 5–6 shoots/explant. In vitro rooting was obtained on half strength MSmedium supplemented with IBA (0.5 mg/l) with an average length of 7–8 cm and 20–25 roots/explant. Theplants were hardened in a mixture of clay loam and farmyard manure in 1:1(w/w) with 70%–80% survival ratewithout any phenotypic aberrations.Conclusion: The results from the present investigation indicate that SB can be used as a cost-effective substituteof MS medium for in vitro propagation of G. kurroo.

Bioprodução de pediocina por Pediococcus pentosaceus ET34 em resíduo agroindustrial hidrolisado bagaço de cana-de-açúcar / Bioproduction of Pediocin by Pediococcus pentosaceus ET34 in hydrolyzed sugar cane bagasse agroindustrial residue

Um dos grandes desafios nas indústrias alimentícia, farmacêutica e agropecuária é a busca por novos compostos para substituir os antibióticos. Como possíveis candidatos estão as bacteriocinas para serem utilizados paralelamente aos antibióticos ou até substituí-los. As bactérias ácido-láticas podem produzir substâncias inibitórias semelhantes às bacteriocinas (BLIS - bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances) que possuem efeito bacteriostático ou bactericida contra diferentes grupos de bactéria sendo largamente utilizadas como bioconservantes alimentares. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi o emprego de um resíduo agroindustrial, o hidrolisado de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, como fonte de carbono em cultivos fermentativos para produção do BLIS pela cepa Pediococcus pentosaceus ET 34. Resultados revelaram que as células de ET34 foram capazes de crescer utilizando este resíduo agroindustrial como fonte de carbono e ensaios utilizando planejamento fatorial demonstraram que a agitação não influencia na produção de BLIS. Ao escalonar o cultivo em biorreatores, foi verificado que tanto o crescimento como a atividade antimicrobiana foram semelhantes aos obtidos em bancada com exceção da condição de 25% (v/v) de HBC (hidrolisado de bagaço de cana) que devido a maior viscosidade do meio, resultou em uma diminuição no crescimento e de produção de BLIS. O BLIS produzido por células de ET34 utilizando o HBC como fonte de carbono foi parcialmente purificado por sulfato de amônio e demonstrou atividade contra Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 934 e Salmonella enterica CECT 724. Desta maneira, pode-se concluir que Pediococcus pentosaceus ET34 foi capaz de crescer em meio contendo HBC como fonte de carbono produzindo BLIS em seu sobrenadante com ação frente a diferentes bactérias patogênicas. A possibilidade de utilizar uma fonte alternativa de carbono pode diminuir o custo de processo consideravelmente. Além disso, ensaios de planejamento fatorial, superfície de resposta e escalonamento em biorreator de bancada indicaram que concentrações baixas de HBC (5-15%, v/v) a 35 °C resultaram na maior produção de BLIS

The great challenge in the food, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries is the search for new compounds to replace antibiotics. Bacteriocins are possible candidates that can be used in parallel with the antibiotics or even to replace them. Lactic-acid bacteria can produce bacteriocin inhibitory substances (BLIS - bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances) that have a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect against different bacterial species and are widely used as food bioconservatives. In this context, the aim of this work was to use of an agroindustrial waste, hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse, as a carbon source in fermentative cultures for the production of BLIS by Pediococcus pentosaceus ET 34 strain. Results revealed that ET34 cells were able to grow using this agroindustrial residue as a carbon source, and trials using factorial design showed that agitation did not influence on the production of BLIS. When it was perform cultivation scale up in bioreactors, it was verified that both the growth and the antimicrobial activity were similar to those obtained in the workbench with the exception of the condition of 25% (v/v) of HBC (sugarcane bagasse hydrolyzate) that due to its higher viscosity, resulted in a decrease in growth and BLIS production. BLIS produced by ET34 cells using HBC as a carbon source that was partially purified by ammonium sulfate showed activity against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 934 and Salmonella enterica CECT 724. Thus, it can be concluded that Pediococcus pentosaceus ET34 was able to grow in medium containing HBC as carbon source producing BLIS in its supernatant with action against different pathogenic bacteria. The possibility of using an alternative carbon source can greatly reduce the process cost. In addition, factorial design, response surface and scale up trials in bench bioreactors indicated that low concentrations of HBC (5-15% v/v) at 35 ºC resulted in higher BLIS production

Production of Bioethanol from Sugarcane Bagasse Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Ethanol is an alternative fuel derived from renewable biological resources. It's a good substitute for gasoline in spark ignition engines. In this study, the sugar cane bagasse was chemically pretreated with 1% NaOH at room temperature for 2 hours. Dilute acid H2SO4 and Aspergillus niger was used to hydrolyse the biomass to sucrose. Fermentation of the hydrolysed sample was done using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fermented product was purified by distillation process at 78oC, and the fraction was collected, and the ethanol was determined by measuring the specific gravity. The production of ethanol from sugar cane bagasse with Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined after the inoculation into sample A1, A2 and B1 and B2 and highest ethanol produced were from B1 with 0.090 followed B2 0.074, A2 with 0.069% and D 0.116. The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae gives a better yield. The result of this study can be of a better application in the large production of biofuel from sugar cane bagasse which is renewable and highly abundant, it is saving costs by recycling of wastes, and it also helps to alleviate environmental problem such as an excessive release of greenhouse gases from combustion of non-renewable fossil fuel. From the chromatograph, when the peaks spectrum wave analysed by mass spectrometer of the three volatile organic compounds, two were common to both samples, A contains the abundance of Acetic acid 22.37%, Ethyl alcohol 13.55% isobutene 64.08%. While that of Sample B contains the abundance Acetic acid 17.43%, Ethyl alcohol 7.12% and Propane 75.4.according to Pasteur this is due to Microbial oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid that decreases metabolic toxicity to the yeast cells. This study has proven the efficiency of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of bioethanol.

The potential of the newly isolated thermotolerant yeast Pichia kudriavzevii RZ8-1 for high-temperature ethanol production

Abstract High potential, thermotolerant, ethanol-producing yeasts were successfully isolated in this study. Based on molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis, the isolated thermotolerant yeasts were clustered in the genera of Pichia kudriavzevii, Candida tropicalis, Candida orthopsilosis, Candida glabrata and Kodamea ohmeri. A comparative study of ethanol production using 160 g/L glucose as a substrate revealed several yeast strains that could produce high ethanol concentrations at high temperatures. When sugarcane bagasse (SCB) hydrolysate containing 85 g/L glucose was used as a substrate, the yeast strain designated P. kudriavzevii RZ8-1 exhibited the highest ethanol concentrations of 35.51 g/L and 33.84 g/L at 37 °C and 40 °C, respectively. It also exhibited multi-stress tolerance, such as heat, ethanol and acetic acid tolerance. During ethanol fermentation at high temperature (42 °C), genes encoding heat shock proteins (ssq1 and hsp90), alcohol dehydrogenases (adh1, adh2, adh3 and adh4) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (tdh2) were up-regulated, suggesting that these genes might play a crucial role in the thermotolerance ability of P. kudriavzevii RZ8-1 under heat stress. These findings suggest that the growth and ethanol fermentation activities of this organism under heat stress were restricted to the expression of genes involved not only in heat shock response but also in the ethanol production pathway.

Production of cellulases by Penicillium oxalicum through solid state fermentation using agroindustrial substrates / Produção de celulases por Penicillium oxalicum em fermentação em estado sólido usando diferentes substratos agroindustriais

The purpose of this study was to define the factors that influence the production of cellulases by Penicillium oxalicum, a strain obtained from a leaf-cutting ant colony and identified based on the ITS gene. The experimental design included solid state fermentation using sugarcane bagasse and lignocellulosic sorghum as the lignocellulosic substrate. The variables were analyzed using a 25-1 fractional factorial design, with three replicates on the central point. All the variables analyzed influenced the production of at least one of the three cellulose types analyzed. The highest values observed were: FPase 4.2 U g-1, CMCase 9.2 U g-1 and Avicelase 8.4 U g-1 using lignocellulosic sorghum as the substrate. The best conditions for enzyme production were: incubation temperature at 40ºC, initial moisture of 60%, pH of 4.0 and a growth period of four days using lignocellulosic sorghum as the substrate.

O estudo teve como foco a determinação de fatores que influenciam a produção de celulases por uma cepa isolada de ninho de formigas cortadeiras e identificada por meio do gene ITS como Penicillium oxalicum. O processo produtivo foi Fermentação em Estado Sólido utilizando como substrato lignocelulósico bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e sorgo lignocelulósico. As variáveis foram analisadas através de um planejamento fatorial fracionário 25-1, com três repetições no ponto central. Todas as variáveis analisadas influenciaram a produção de pelo menos um dos três tipos de celulases analisados. As maiores atividades observadas foram: FPase 4,2 U g-1; CMCases 9,2 U g-1 e avicelase 8,4 U g-1, utilizando sorgo lignocelulósico como substrato. As melhores condições para produção foram: temperatura de incubação a 40oC, umidade inicial 60%, pH 4,0, tempo de cultivo de quatro dias, utilizando como substrato sorgo lignocelulósico.

Xylitol production and furfural consumption by a wild type Geotrichum sp

Background: Xylitol is a five carbons polyol with promising medical applications. It can be obtained from chemical D-xylose reduction or by microbial fermentation of Sugarcane Bagasse Hemicellulosic Hydrolysate. For this last process, some microbial inhibitors, as furfural, constitute severe bottleneck. In this case, the use of strains able to produce xylitol simultaneously to furfural neutralization is an interesting alternative. A wild-type strain of Geotrichum sp. was detected with this ability, and its performance in xylitol production and furfural consumption was evaluated. Furthermore, were analyzed its degradation products. Results: Geotrichum sp. produced xylitol from D-xylose fermentation with a yield of 0.44 g-g-1. Furfural was fully consumed in fermentation assay and when provided in the medium until concentration of 6 g-L-1. The furfural degradation product is not an identified molecule, presenting a molecular weight of 161 g-mol-1, an uncommon feature for the microbial metabolism of this product. Conclusion: This strain presents most remarkable potential in performing furfural consumption simultaneous to xylitol production. Subsequent efforts must be employed to establish bioprocess to simultaneous detoxification and xylitol production by Geotrichum sp.

Substract and temperature effect on xylanase production by aspergillus fumigatus using low cost agricultural wastes / Efeito da temperatura e do substrato na produção de xilanase por aspergillus fumigatus utilizando resíduos agroindustriais de baixo custo

This study reports the optimization of xylanase production under solid state fermentation (SSF) by a thermotolerant Aspergillus fumigatus strain (SCB4) isolated from sugarcane bagasse piles of Brazilian Cerrado. Different combinations of low-cost agricultural byproducts in SSF were evaluated: sugarcane bagasse and wheat bran (1:1), sugarcane bagasse and corn straw (1:1) and only sugarcane bagasse. The enzyme biosynthesis by SSF was carried out at different temperatures (40, 45, 50 and 55 oC). The maximum levels of xylanase activity were obtained after 24 h at 45 °C using a culture medium containing sugarcane bagasse and wheat bran (1:1). Under optimal conditions, the fungal culture produced 574 U g-1 of xylanase (units/g of dry substrate). The crude enzyme showed optimal activity at 60 °C and pH 4.5. It exhibited thermostability up to 55 °C, wide range of pH stability and tolerance to ethanol, xylose and glucose. The physicochemical properties shown by this enzyme are appropriate for its application in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic residues for ethanol production and other bioproducts.

Este estudo descreve a otimização da produção de xilanase por fermentação em estado sólido (FES) por uma linhagem termotolerante de Aspergillus fumigatus isolada de pilhas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar do Cerrado Brasileiro (linhagem SCB4). Combinações de diferentes subprodutos agrícolas de baixo custo foram avaliadas como substratos na FES: bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e farelo de trigo (1:1), bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e palha de milho (1:1) e somente bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. A produção da enzima por FES foi realizada em diferentes temperaturas (40, 45, 50 e 55 oC). Níveis máximos de xilanase (574 U g-1 de substrato seco) foram obtidos após 24 h a 45 °C, utilizando bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e farelo de trigo (1:1) no meio de cultura. O extrato enzimático bruto apresentou atividades ótimas a 60 °C e pH 4,5. A enzima exibiu estabilidade térmica até 55 °C, ampla faixa de pH de estabilidade e tolerância ao etanol, xilose e glucose. Tais propriedades físico-químicas indicam que o extrato enzimático obtido é apropriado para aplicação na hidrólise de resíduos lignocelulósicos para a produção de etanol e outros bioprodutos.

Selection of Xilose-Fermenting Yeast Strains

ABSTRACT In Brazil, ethanol is obtained by fermentat of sugar cane juice using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cane juice extraction generates the bagasse that has been used for obtaining generation biofuel. However, the sugarcane bagasse has 30% pentose that cannot be fermented to ethanol by S. cerevisiae. Thus the aim of this study was to isolate a yeast able to ferment xylose to ethanol. Samples of cane juice and flowers were used for the isolation of 165 strains that were then screened for ethanol production using plate testing. Among them, the ethanol positive strains Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Starmerella meliponinorum were selected for a xylose fermentation assay, using a semi-synthetic and bagasse hydrolysate as must. S. meliponinorum and S. pombe produced 0.63 and 2.7 gL-1 of ethanol, respectively, from xylose in a semisynthetic medium. In the medium consisting of bagasse hydrolysate must, 0.67 and 1.1 gL-1 of ethanol were obtained from S. meliponinorum and S. pombe, respectively. All the yeasts produced xylitol from xylose in the semisynthetic medium and S. meliponinorum was that which produced the highest quantity (14.5 g L-1).

Fribrinolytic activity and gas production by Pleurotus ostreatus-IE8 and Fomes fomentarius - EUM1 in bagasse cane / Actividad fibrolítica y producción de gas por Pleurotus ostreatus-IE8 y Fomes fomentarius-EUM1 en bagazo de caña

Objective. To characterize the fibrolytic enzymatic activity of Pleurotus ostreatus-IE8 and Fomes fomentarius-EUM1 in sugarcane bagasse (BCA); to evaluation of the kinetics of in vitro production of BCA treated by solid fermentation (FS), crude enzyme extract (ECE) of P. ostreatus-IE8 and Fibrozyme®. Materials and methods. In fungi measured radial growth rate ( Vcr ) and biomass production in two culture media (with or without nitrogen source); activity of xylanases, cellulases and FS on BCA at 0, 7 and 15 d. The chemical analysis and kinetic analysis of in vitro gas production in 4 treatments (ECE adding enzymes obtained from the direct addition FS or FS ), witness (Fibrozyme®) and a control without addition and analyzed by a was completely randomized design. Results. Xylanases (7 d ) showed 6.32 and 5.50 UI g-1 initial substrate dry weight (SSi) for fungi P. ostreatus-IE8 and F. fomentarius-EUM1 , respectively ; P. ostreatus-IE8 scored higher activity of laccases (10.65 g-1 UI SSi) and F. fomentarius-EUM1 (1.90 UI g-1 SSi) cellulases. The ECE of P. ostreatus-IE8 and commercial enzyme did not differences (p>0.05). In the chemical composition or the gas production kinetics. The 4 treatments evaluated decreased values of the variables measured in the kinetics of gas production compared to the control (p≤0.05). Conclusions. The ECE of P. ostreatus-IE8 was similar to commercial enzyme degradation in vitro, so it is feasible to use pre-digest high fiber products.

Objetivos. Caracterizar la actividad enzimática fibrolítica de Pleurotus ostreatus-IE8 y Fomes fomentarius-EUM1 en bagazo de caña de azúcar (BCA) y evaluar la cinética de producción de gas in vitro del BCA por fermentación sólida (FS) o con extractos crudos enzimáticos (ECE) de P. ostreatus-IE8 o Fibrozyme®. Materiales y métodos. En los hongos de estudio se evaluó la velocidad de crecimiento radial (Vcr) y producción de biomasa en dos medios de cultivo (con o sin fuente de nitrógeno); actividad de xilanasas, celulasas y lacasas de la FS sobre BCA a 0, 7 y 15 d. El análisis químico y cinética de producción de gas in vitro en 4 tratamientos (proceso de FS o adición de enzimas obtenidas de ECE de la FS), un testigo (Fibrozyme®) y un control sin adición de enzimas, todo ello se analizó en un diseño completamente al azar. Resultados. Las xilanasas (7 d) mostraron 6.32 y 5.50 UI g-1 sustrato seco inicial (SSi) en P. ostreatus-IE8 y F. fomentarius-EUM1, respectivamente. P. ostreatus-IE8 mostró mayor actividad lacasa (10.65 UI g-1 SSi) y F. fomentarius-EUM1 (1.90 UI g-1 SSi) de celulasas. El ECE de P. ostreatus-IE8 y Fibrozyme® no presentaron diferencias (p>0.05) en la composición química ni en la cinética de producción de gas. Los 4 tratamientos evaluados disminuyeron los valores de las variables medidas en la cinética de producción de gas in vitro respecto al testigo (p≤0.05). Conclusiones. El ECE de P. ostreatus-IE8 fue similar a Fibrozyme® en la degradación in vitro, indicando su viabilidad y uso para pre-digerir subproductos altos en fibra.

Thermotolerant and mesophylic fungi from sugarcane bagasse and their prospection for biomass-degrading enzyme production

Nineteen fungi and seven yeast strains were isolated from sugarcane bagasse piles from an alcohol plant located at Brazilian Cerrado and identified up to species level on the basis of the gene sequencing of 5.8S-ITS and 26S ribosomal DNA regions. Four species were identified: Kluyveromyces marxianus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sydowii and Aspergillus fumigatus, and the isolates were screened for the production of key enzymes in the saccharification of lignocellulosic material. Among them, three strains were selected as good producers of hemicellulolitic enzymes: A. niger (SBCM3), A. sydowii (SBCM7) and A. fumigatus (SBC4). The best β-xylosidase producer was A. niger SBCM3 strain. This crude enzyme presented optimal activity at pH 3.5 and 55 °C (141 U/g). For β-glucosidase and xylanase the best producer was A. fumigatus SBC4 strain, whose enzymes presented maximum activity at 60 °C and pH 3.5 (54 U/g) and 4.0 (573 U/g), respectively. All these crude enzymes presented stability around pH 3.0–8.0 and up to 60 °C, which can be very useful in industrial processes that work at high temperatures and low pHs. These enzymes also exhibited moderate tolerance to ethanol and the sugars glucose and xylose. These similar characteristics among these fungal crude enzymes suggest that they can be used synergistically in cocktails in future studies of biomass conversion with potential application in several biotechnological sectors.

Cellulase production by thermophilic Bacillus sp: SMIA-2 and its detergent compatibility

Background This paper reports the production of cellulase by thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 using sugarcane bagasse and corn steep liquor as substrates. Some biochemical properties of the enzyme were also assessed for the purposes of exploiting its potential in the detergent industry, as well as other suitable applications. Results Bacillus sp. produced cellulases when cultivated at 50°C in liquid cultures containing sugarcane bagasse and corn steep liquor. Maximum avicelase (0.83 U mL-1) and CMCase (0.29 U mL-1) activities were reached in 120 h and 168 h of culturing time, respectively. The avicelase and CMCase presented an optimum activity at pH of 7.5 and 8.0, respectively. The maximum stability of avicelase and CMCase was observed at a pH range between 6.5-8.0 and 7.0-9.0 respectively, where they retained more than 70% of their maximum activities after incubation at room temperature for 3 h. The optimum temperature of avicelase and CMCase was 70°C, and both enzymes remained 100% stable until the treatment at 60°C for 1 h. Bacillus sp. cultures also released proteases into the culture medium, but the cellulases were resistant to protease digestion. The compatibility of cellulases varied with each laundry detergent tested, being more stable in the presence of Ultra Biz® and less with Ariel®. In addition, the enzyme was stable in sodium dodecyl sulfate and RENEX-95, and was inhibited by TritonX-100 and H2O2. Conclusions The properties presented by Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 suggest that this organism might become a potential source of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes for industrial applications such as in the detergent industry.

New cultive medium for bioconversion of C5 fraction from sugarcane bagasse using rice bran extract

The use of hemicellulosic hydrolysates in bioprocesses requires supplementation as to ensure the best fermentative performance of microorganisms. However, in light of conflicting data in the literature, it is necessary to establish an inexpensive and applicable medium for the development of bioprocesses. This paper evaluates the fermentative performance of Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis and Candida guilliermondii growth in sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate supplemented with different nitrogen sources including rice bran extract, an important by-product of agroindustry and source of vitamins and amino acids. Experiments were carried out with hydrolysate supplemented with rice bran extract and (NH4)2SO4; peptone and yeast extract; (NH4)2SO4, peptone and yeast extract and non-supplemented hydrolysate as a control. S. stipitis produced only ethanol, while C. guilliermondii produced xylitol as the main product and ethanol as by-product. Maximum ethanol production by S. stipitis was observed when sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate was supplemented with (NH4)2SO4, peptone and yeast extract. Differently, the maximum xylitol formation by C. guilliermondii was obtained by employing hydrolysate supplemented with (NH4)2SO4 and rice bran extract. Together, these findings indicate that: a) for both yeasts (NH4)2SO4 was required as an inorganic nitrogen source to supplement sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate; b) for S. stipitis, sugarcane hemicellulosic hydrolysate must be supplemented with peptone and yeast extract as organic nitrogen source; and: c) for C. guilliermondii, it must be supplemented with rice bran extract. The present study designed a fermentation medium employing hemicellulosic hydrolysate and provides a basis for studies about value-added products as ethanol and xylitol from lignocellulosic materials.

A method to estimate the biomass of Spirulina platensis cultivated on a solid medium

This paper presents a method to estimate the biomass of Spirulina cultivated on solid medium with sugarcane bagasse as a support, in view of the difficulty in determining biomass concentrations in bioprocesses, particularly those conducted in semi-solid or solid media. The genus Spirulina of the family Oscillatoriaceae comprises the group of multicellular filamentous cyanobacteria (blue-green microalgae). Spirulina is used as fish feed in aquaculture, as a food supplement, a source of vitamins, pigments, antioxidants and fatty acids. Therefore, its growth parameters are extremely important in studies of the development and optimization of bioprocesses. For studies of biomass growth, Spirulina platensis was cultured on solid medium using sugarcane bagasse as a support. The biomass thus produced was estimated by determining the protein content of the material grown during the process, based on the ratio of dry weight to protein content obtained in the surface growth experiments. The protein content of the biomass grown in Erlenmeyer flasks on surface medium was examined daily to check the influence of culture time on the protein content of the biomass. The biomass showed an average protein content of 42.2%. This methodology enabled the concentration of biomass adhering to the sugarcane bagasse to be estimated from the indirect measurement of the protein content associated with cell growth.

Extracellular production of avicelase by the thermophilic soil bacterium Bacillus sp SMIA-2 / Produção de avicelase extracelular pela bactéria termofílica Bacillus sp SMIA-2

Nowadays, the isolation of new bacterial strains that produce enzymes with novel properties is a subject of great relevance to the scientific community. This study, in order to search for producers of new cellulase strains, investigated the avicelase production by thermophilic Bacillus sp. strain SMIA-2. The best avicelase activity was observed in a culture medium containing 0.5% (w v-1) avicel and 0.5% (w v-1) corn steep liquor with initial pH 7.5- 8.0 incubated at 50 oC. When avicel was replaced in the medium by the treated sugarcane bagasse (0.5%, w v-1) the avicelase activity levels were not affected. Studies on the avicelase characterization revealed that the optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be 8.5 and the enzyme retained more than 80% of its activity after incubation at room temperature for 2h at pH 6.5-8.5. The optimum temperature of this enzyme was 70oC and the enzyme retained 67% of the original activity after 20 min. of heat treatment at 70oC. Avicelase was stimulated by Mn2+ and Co2+, whereas Hg2+ greatly inhibited the enzyme activity.

Atualmente, o isolamento de estirpes de bactérias que produzem enzimas com novas propriedades é um tema de grande relevância para a comunidade científica. Este trabalho, buscando por novas cepas produtoras de celulases, investigou a produção de avicelases pelo termofílico Bacillus sp. cepa SMIA-2. A melhor atividade da enzima foi obtida em uma cultura contendo 0,5% (p v-1) avicel e 0,5% (p v-1) água de maceração de milho com pH inicial de pH 7,5-8,0 e incubada a 50oC. A substituição da avicel no meio de cultura pelo bagaço de cana- de- açúcar tratado (0,5%, p v-1) não afetou os níveis de atividade da avicelase. Estudos sobre a caracterização da avicelase revelaram que o pH para atividade ótima da enzima foi 8,5 e que a mesma reteve mais de 80% de sua atividade após ser incubada à temperatura ambiente por 2 h a pH 6,5-8,5. A temperatura ótima da avicelase foi 70oC e a enzima reteve 67% da sua atividade original após 20 min. de incubação a 70oC. A avicelase foi estimulada pelos íons Mn2+ e Co2+, ao passo que Hg2+ inibiu a atividade da enzima.

Filamentous fungi and media for cellulase production in solid state cultures

Cellulase production was evaluated in two reference strains (T. reesei Rut-C30 and T. reesei QM9414), two strains isolated from a sugarcane cultivation area (Trichoderma sp. IPT778 and T. harzianum rifai IPT821) and one strain isolated in a program for biodiversity preservation in São Paulo state (Myceliophthora thermophila M77). Solid state cultures were performed using sugarcane bagasse (C), wheat bran (W) and/or soybean bran (S). The highest FPA was 10.6 U/gdm for M77 in SC (10:90) at 80% moisture, which was 4.4 times higher than production in pure W. C was a strong inducer of cellulase production, given that the production level of 6.1 U/gdm in WC (40:60) was 2.5 times higher than in pure W for strain M77; T. reesei Rut-C30 did not respond as strongly with about 1.6-fold surplus production. S advantageously replaced W, as the surplus production on SC (20:80) was 2.3 times relative to WC (20:80) for M77.

Effects of agitation and exogenous H2 on bioconversion of sugarcane bagasse into ethanol by Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405

Background: The production of ethanol by a Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP) strategy, which simultaneously combines cellulase production, lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis and fermentation of released sugars to ethanol in one bioreactor, is a promising technology for cost reduction in the biological processing of biomass, specially using agroindustrial residues. Clostridium thermocellum is an anaerobic, thermophilic, strictly fermentative gram positive bacterium that meets all the requirements for CBP. Results: Ethanol concentration obtained in the non-stirred fermentation process in flasks with raw bagasse was two times greater than that in the stirred system. The results observed using a pretreated sugarcane bagasse in non-stirred flasks regarding ethanol concentration, were slightly lower than with raw bagasse. The sparging of exogenous H2 into the medium at atmospheric pressure inside the bioreactor showed to be unfavourable to achieve higher ethanol yields. Conclusions: The strain investigated is a promising candidate for thermophilic fermentative ethanol production from dried ground raw sugarcane bagasse in a CBP strategy, although the alcohol concentrations need to be further improved. In future studies, it is recommended to investigate different modes of operation of the fermentation process, including pressurized conditions, as well as to use wet raw sugarcane bagasse aiming to achieve additional improvement in ethanol production and to reduce the costs of the process.