The high biodiversity of benthic organisms in a coastal ecosystem revealed by an integrative approach / A alta biodiversidade de organismos bentônicos em um ecossistema costeiro revelada por uma abordagem integrativa

Abstract Increasing habitat modification and species loss demand consistent efforts to describe and understand biodiversity patterns. The BIOTA/FAPESP Program was created in this context and it has been a successful initiative to promote studies on biodiversity and conservation in Brazil. The BIOTA/Araçá is an interdisciplinary project that provided a detailed evaluation of the biodiversity of Araçá Bay, a coastal seascape located on the North coast of the state of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil. The bay encompasses multiple habitats, such as beaches, mangroves, rocky shores, and a tidal flat, and provides important ecosystem services. Unfortunately, the bay is the subject of complex social-environmental conflicts that oppose economic, social, and environmental demands (i.e., the expansion of neighboring harbor activities vs. small-scale artisanal fisheries and protection of biodiversity). The present study presents a survey of the benthic species occurring in the different habitats of Araçá Bay, including data obtained during the BIOTA/Araçá project and previous assessments of the area. The benthic species play an important role in marine environments and studying the diversity of these organisms that live associated with the bottom is indispensable for comprehending the environment's functioning. The macrofauna, meiofauna, and microorganisms associated with soft and hard bottom were listed, and additional information, such as the habitat and geographical distribution, were provided for each species. The checklist includes 826 species, almost 70% recorded during the BIOTA/Araçá project. The most speciose taxa were the annelids (225 spp.), mollusks (194 spp.), and crustaceans (177 spp.). Seven benthic species are endemic to Araçá Bay, 14 are considered threatened, and seven are economically exploited. Furthermore, the bay is the type locality of many taxa, and 11 new benthic species were described based on specimens sampled during the project. This project shows the importance of Araçá Bay as a unique biologically rich environment and highlights the need for conservation efforts in light of the current threats.

Resumo O aumento da modificação dos habitats e da perda de espécies demanda esforços consistentes para descrever e compreender os padrões de biodiversidade. O programa BIOTA/FAPESP foi criado nesse contexto e é uma iniciativa de sucesso para promover estudos em biodiversidade e conservação no Brasil. O BIOTA/Araçá é um projeto interdisciplinar que promoveu uma avaliação detalhada da biodiversidade da Baía do Araçá, um ecossistema costeiro localizado ao Norte do estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil. A baía engloba múltiplos habitats, tais como praias, manguezais, costões rochosos, e uma planície de maré, e também fornece importantes serviços ecossistêmicos. Infelizmente, a baía está sujeita à conflitos sócio-ambientais complexos que contrastam demandas econômicas, sociais e ambientais (i.e. a expansão das atividades do porto vizinho vs. a pesca artesanal de pequena escala e a proteção da biodiversidade). O presente estudo apresenta um levantamento das espécies bentônicas que ocorrem nos diferentes habitats da Baía do Araçá, incluindo dados obtidos durante o projeto BIOTA/Araçá e de investigações realizadas anteriormente na área. As espécies bentônicas desempenham um papel importante no ambiente marinho, e estudar a diversidade desses organismos que vivem associados ao fundo é indispensável para compreender o funcionamento do meio ambiente. A macrofauna, meiofauna, e microorganismos associados aos fundos consolidado e inconsolidado foram listados, e informações adicionais foram fornecidas para cada espécie, tais como a distribuição geográfica e nos habitats. O checklist inclui 826 espécies, quase 70% registradas durante o projeto BIOTA/Araçá. Os taxa mais especiosos foram os anelídeos (225 spp.), moluscos (194 spp.), e crustáceos (177 spp.). Entre as espécies bentônicas listadas, sete são endêmicas da Baía do Araçá, 14 são consideradas ameaçadas de extinção, e sete são exploradas economicamente. A baía é a localidade tipo de vários taxa, e 11 novas espécies bentônicas foram descritas com base em espécimes amostrados durante o projeto. Este projeto mostra a importância da Baía do Araçá como um ambiente de riqueza biológica única e demonstra a necessidade de esforços para a sua conservação considerando as atuais ameaças.

Characterization of fillets of Amazon and real hybrid sorubins / Caracterización de filetes de sorubinas híbridas amazónica y real

Background: Many fish hybrids (i.e., obtained by crossing two species) are produced rather than pure species because of their better growth rate and/or acceptance of formulated feed. However, few studies evaluate and compare their meats and acceptance, including, e.g., for the Amazon hybrid sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum x Leiarius marmoratus) and the real hybrid sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans x L. marmoratus). Objective: Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of fillets from the Amazon and real hybrid sorubins. Method:Proximate composition, instrumental color, water holding capacity, cooking losses, and shear force were measured.Microbiological analyses of the fillets were carried out for Salmonellasp. and Staphylococcusaureus to ensure food safety during sensory analysis. Results: Fillets presented excellent quality, classified in category A (lipids below 5% and proteins between 15 and 20%). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the evaluated fillets for several parameters: the average water holding capacities were 33.72 and 34.67%, the cooking losses were 14.93 and 13.41%, the shear forces were 2.21 and 1.74 kgf, and the luminosities were 49.61 and 45.04 for the fillets of Amazonian hybrid sorubim and real hybrid sorubim, respectively. Discussion: There was an evident relationship between water-holding capacities and shear forces. Amazonian hybrid sorubim fillets presented lower intensity of red. However, there was no sensory difference between the hybrids, and both had an acceptance rate above 80%. Conclusion: The hybridization does not alter the characteristics of the fish fillets

Antecedentes: Muchos híbridos de peces (i.e., obtenidos al cruzar dos especies) se producen en lugar de especies puras debido a su mejor tasa de crecimiento y/o aceptación de alimentos formulados. Sin embargo, pocos estudios evalúan y comparan sus carnes y aceptación, incluyendo, p. ej., para lo surubí híbrido amazónico (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum x Leiarius marmoratus) y lo surubí híbrido real (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans x L. marmoratus). Objetivo: Así, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las características físicas, químicas, microbiológicas y sensoriales de filetes sorubines híbridos amazónico y real. Método: Se midió composición proximal, color instrumental, capacidad de retención de agua, pierdas por cocción y fuerza de corte. Se realizaron análisis microbiológicos de los filetes para Salmonella sp. y Staphylococcus aureus para garantizar la seguridad alimentaria durante el análisis sensorial. Resultados: Los filetes presentaron una excelente calidad, siendo clasificados en la categoría A (lípidos por debajo del 5% y proteínas entre 15 y 20%). No hubo diferencia significativa (p>0.05) entre los filetes evaluados para varios parámetros: las capacidades de retención de agua fueron 33.72 y 34.67%, las pierdas por cocción fueron 14.93 y 13.41%, las fuerzas de corte fueron 2.21 y 1.74 kgf y las luminosidades fueron 49.61 y 45.04 para los filetes de sorubim híbrido amazónico y sorubim híbrido real, respectivamente. Discusión: Hubo una relación evidente entre las capacidades de retención de agua y las fuerzas de corte. Los filetes de sorubim híbridos amazónicos presentaron menor intensidad de rojo. Sin embargo, no hubo diferencia sensorial entre los híbridos, y ambos tuvieron una tasa de aceptación superior al 80%. Conclusión: La hibridación no altera las características de los filetes de pescado

Growth and proximate composition of Pleurotus ostreatuscultivated on green bocaiuva pulp substrates with different nitrogen sources

The aim of this work was to evaluate the growth and the proximate compositionof the mycelium-based bocaiuva pulp with the edible mushroom Pleurotusostreatuson green bocaiuva flour added with different sources of nitrogen (urea, ammonium nitrate and sulfate ammonia). Growth was monitored by kinectics. At the end, the proximate composition of the best three treatments (dehydrated green bocaiuva pulp and water, T1; dehydrated green bocaiuva pulp and ammonium nitrate, T3; and green bocaiuva pulp/wheat bran and ammonium nitrate, T7) was determined. Ammonium nitrate was the nitrogen source that showed the greatest growth in both substrates (T3:8.33 cm and T7:7.67 cm) in relation to the other treatments (4.67 to 7.17 cm), with emphasis on the green bocaiuva pulp. The substrate with green bocaiuva pulp and water was the one that showed the highest growth (7.50 cm), which was close to the treatment with mixed substrate and ammonium nitrate (7.67 cm). The treatment with the green bocaiuva pulp and ammonium nitrate (T3) was highlighted due to its significant increase in proteins (9.42 g 100 g-1) and fibers (5.21 g 100 g-1), and decrease in carbohydrates (9.52 g 100 g-1), in comparison to the other treatments T7 (8.94, 2.16, and 5.99 g 100 g-1, respectively) and T1 (2.78, 4.33, and 2.28 g 100 g-1, respectively). The product obtained from the growth of P. ostreatusin green bocaiuva pulp presents promising perspectives to be utilized as raw material for the development of new food products with added nutritional value.

Screening of an adapted culture medium composed by different carbon sources for heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris using a microplate assay / Triagem de um meio de cultura adaptado composto por diferentes fontes de carbono para o cultivo heterotrófico de Chlorella vulgaris usando um ensaio de microplacas

The ability of microalgae to grow heterotrophically lies in the ability to oxidize organic compounds present in the external environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the growth of Chlorella vulgaris under heterotrophic culture conditions using Basal Bold and NPK media supplemented with different sole carbon sources (glucose, fructose, sucrose, glycerol or acetate). The kinetic parameters obtained were maximum specific growth rate (μmax), doubling time (DT), maximal absorbance, which was also converted to cell concentration values using a linear relation, and cell productivity (PX). Among all the treatments analyzed, the highest maximum specific growth rate found was 0.030 hour-1 (0.72 day-1) in the treatment using Basal Bold medium supplemented with glucose. The highest cellular concentration and cell productivity were also found for this same treatment (4.03 x 106 cell mL-1 and 64.0 x 106 cell L-1 day-1, respectively). It was concluded that that the Basal Bold medium was more efficient for Chlorella vulgaris growth, since it induced higher values of μmax and cellular concentration. Results obtained were very reproducible using microplate assay.

A capacidade das microalgas de crescer heterotroficamente reside na habilidade de oxidar compostos orgânicos presentes no ambiente externo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento de Chlorella vulgaris em condições heterotróficas de cultura, usando meios Basal Bold e NPK, suplementados com diferentes fontes de carbono (glicose, frutose, sacarose, glicerol ou acetato). Os parâmetros cinéticos obtidos foram a velocidade específica máxima de crescimento (μmax), tempo de duplicação (TD), absorbância máxima, sendo que esta última também foi convertida em valores de concentração celular, usando uma relação linear e produtividade celular (PX). Entre todos os tratamentos analisados, a maior velocidade específica máxima de crescimento encontrada foi de 0,030 h-1 (0,72 dia-1) no tratamento usando o meio Basal Bold suplementado com glicose. A maior concentração celular e a maior produtividade celular também foram encontradas para esse mesmo tratamento (4,03 x 106 cel mL-1 e 64,0 x 106 cel L-1 dia-1, respectivamente). Concluiu-se que o meio Basal Bold foi mais eficiente para o crescimento de Chlorella vulgaris, pois induziu valores mais elevados de μmax e de concentração celular. Os resultados obtidos foram muito reproduzíveis, utilizando o ensaio de microplacas.

Production of xylanase by a new strain of Thermoascus aurantiacus: obtainment of enzymatic extract with reduced cellulolytic activity for application in pulp and paper industries / Produção de xilanase por nova linhagem de Thermoascus aurantiacus: obtenção de extrato enzimático com reduzida atividade celulolítica para aplicação em indústria de papel e celulose

Xylanases are useful in several industrial segments, including pulp and paper bleaching, animal feed, and bread-making processes. However, the industrial use of these enzymes is closely related to its production cost and its catalytic properties. The process of solid state fermentation enables the use of agro-industrial residues as substrates for microbial cultivation and enzymes production, reducing costs. In the present study, different cultivation parameters were evaluated for the xylanase production by the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus, by solid state fermentation, using agro-industrial residues as substrates. High production of xylanase (1701.9 U g-1 of dry substrate) was obtained using wheat bran containing 65% of initial moisture, at 120 h of cultivation, and 45°C. The xylanase showed optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 75°C; its stability was maintained at pH 3.0­11.0. The enzyme retained its catalytic potential after 1 h, at 75°C. The enzymatic extract produced under optimized conditions showed reduced activities of endoglucanase and FPase. Our results, including the xylanase production by T. aurantiacus in low-cost cultivation medium, high structural stability of the enzyme, and reduced cellulolytic activity, encourage the application of this enzymatic extract in pulp and paper bleaching processes.

As xilanases apresentam aplicabilidade em diferentes segmentos industriais, como: branqueamento de papel e celulose, ração animal e panificação. No entanto, a utilização industrial dessas enzimas está intimamente relacionada com seu custo de produção e suas propriedades catalíticas. O processo de fermentação em estado sólido possibilita o uso de resíduos agroindustriais como substratos, para o cultivo microbiano e produção de enzimas, reduzindo o custo da produção enzimática. No presente trabalho, diferentes parâmetros de cultivo foram avaliados para produção de xilanase por cultivo em estado sólido do fungo termófilo Thermoascus aurantiacus, utilizando resíduos agroindustriais como substratos. A maior produção de xilanase, 1701,9 U g-1 de substrato seco, foi obtida no cultivo em farelo de trigo, contendo 65% de umidade inicial, em 120 horas de cultivo a 45°C. A xilanase produzida apresentou atividade ótima em pH 5,0 a 75°C, mantendo sua estabilidade em pH 3,0 a 11,0. A enzima manteve seu potencial catalítico após 1 h a 75°C. O extrato enzimático produzido nas condições otimizadas apresentou reduzida atividade de endoglucanase e FPase. Os resultados obtidos no presente trabalho (produção de xilanase pelo fungo em meios de cultivo de baixo custo, elevada estabilidade estrutural da enzima e reduzida atividade celulolítica) estimulam a aplicação desse complexo enzimático em processos de branqueamento de papel e celulose.

Production of beta-glucosidase on solid-state fermentation by Lichtheimia ramosa in agroindustrial residues: characterization and catalytic properties of the enzymatic extract

Background β-Glucosidases catalyze the hydrolysis of cellobiose and cellodextrins, releasing glucose as the main product. This enzyme is used in the food, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. The aim of this work is to improve the β-glucosidase production by the fungus Lichtheimia ramosa by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using various agroindustrial residues and to evaluate the catalytic properties of this enzyme. Results A high production of β-glucosidase, about 274 U/g of dry substrate (or 27.4 U/mL), was obtained by cultivating the fungus on wheat bran with 65% of initial substrate moisture, at 96 h of incubation at 35°C. The enzymatic extract also exhibited carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), xylanase, and β-xylosidase activities. The optimal activity of β-glucosidase was observed at pH 5.5 and 65°C and was stable over a pH range of 3.5-10.5. The enzyme maintained its activity (about 98% residual activity) after 1 h at 55°C. The enzyme was subject to reversible competitive inhibition with glucose and showed high catalytic activity in solutions containing up to 10% of ethanol. Conclusions β-Glucosidase characteristics associated with its ability to hydrolyze cellobiose, underscore the utility of this enzyme in diverse industrial processes.

Repercussões clínicas e radiológicas do neurofibroma plexiforme na região pélvica / Clinical and radiological repercussions of plexiform neurofibroma in the pelvic region

Descrição de caso de neurofibroma plexiforme localizado na região pélvica comprometendo bexiga, próstata e coluna lombossacra, com evolução de três anos e seis meses. Diante de contraindicação de remoção cirúrgica, foi realizado acompanhamento clínico e radiológico semestral, sem constatação de crescimento tumoral. Na neurofibromatose tipo 1, as manifestações clínicas são diversas e a equipe médica deve estar atenta à investigação complementar e pode ser surpreendida por um achado raro. As massas pélvicas volumosas podem, eventualmente, corresponder a neurofibromas plexiformes, sendo útil a investigação de neurofibromatose caso o paciente ainda não tenha esse diagnóstico.

The authors report the case of a plexiform neurofibroma located in the pelvis, affecting the bladder, prostate and spine (lumbar/sacral), followed-up for three years and six months. Surgical removal was contraindicated and the patient underwent biannual clinical and radiological follow-up that did not demonstrate any tumor increase. The clinical manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 are variable, and the medical team should be attentive to further investigations, considering possible unexpected rare findings. Large pelvic masses may correspond to plexiform neurofibromas, so the diagnostic hypothesis of neurofibromatosis should be taken into consideration.

Production of enzymes from Lichtheimia ramosa using Brazilian savannah fruit wastes as substrate on solid state bioprocessess

Background: Enzyme production by solid state bioprocess (SSB) using residues as substrate for microorganisms is an alternative for costs reduction and to avoid their disposal into environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physiology of the fungus Lichtheimia ramosa in terms of microbial growth and production of amylases, β-glucosidases, carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), and xylanases, via SSB, utilizing wastes of the Brazilian savannah fruits bocaiuva (Acrocomia aculeata), guavira (Campomanesia pubescens) and pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) as substrate at different temperatures (25, 30, and 35ºC) during 168 hrs. Results: Samples were taken every 24 hrs, which resulted in 8-points kinetic experiments to determine microbiological and enzymatic contents. The best substrate for β-glucosidase activity was pequi waste after 48 hrs at 30ºC (0.061 U/mL). For amylase activity, bocaiuva presented itself as the best substrate after 96 hrs at 30ºC (0.925 U/mL). CMCase activity was higher in guavira waste after 96 hrs at 35ºC (0.787 U/mL). However, the activity was more expressive for xylanase in substrate composed of bocaiuva residue after 144 hrs at 35ºC (1.802 U/mL). Conclusions: It was concluded that best growth condition for L. ramosa is at 35ºC for all substrates and that xylanase is the enzyme with more potential in SSB, considering the studied Brazilian savannah fruit wastes.