A biotechnology perspective of fungal proteases

Proteases hydrolyze the peptide bonds of proteins into peptides and amino acids, being found in all living organisms, and are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Proteolytic enzymes have potential application in a wide number of industrial processes such as food, laundry detergent and pharmaceutical. Proteases from microbial sources have dominated applications in industrial sectors. Fungal proteases are used for hydrolyzing protein and other components of soy beans and wheat in soy sauce production. Proteases can be produced in large quantities in a short time by established methods of fermentation. The parameters such as variation in C/N ratio, presence of some sugars, besides several other physical factors are important in the development of fermentation process. Proteases of fungal origin can be produced cost effectively, have an advantage faster production, the ease with which the enzymes can be modified and mycelium can be easily removed by filtration. The production of proteases has been carried out using submerged fermentation, but conditions in solid state fermentation lead to several potential advantages for the production of fungal enzymes. This review focuses on the production of fungal proteases, their distribution, structural-functional aspects, physical and chemical parameters, and the use of these enzymes in industrial applications.

Determination of rutin in Erythroxylum suberosum extract by liquid chromatography: applicability in standardization of herbs and stability studies / Determinación de rutina en el extracto Erythroxylum suberosum por cromatografía líquida: aplicación de la normalización de las hierbas y los estudios de estabilidad

In this study, a reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) technique for determination of rutin in Erythroxylum suberosum extract was developed and validated. A regression analysis was performed, with the observation of good linearity (r = 0.9997). The values obtained for precision and accuracy determination are in agreement with ICH guidelines. The detection and the quantitation limits of rutin were 0.19 ug/mL and 0.60 ug/mL, respectively. The results demonstrated that the developed method is a reliable HPLC technique for determination of rutin in E. suberosum extract. In addition, the applicability of this method in stability studies and standardization of herbs was investigated.

En este estudio, la técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta resolución en fase reversa para la determinación de la rutina en el extracto Erythroxylum suberosum fue desarrollada y validada. Se realizó un análisis de regresión, con la observación de una buena linealidad (r = 0,9997). Los valores obtenidos para la precisión y la determinación de la precisión están de acuerdo con las directrices ICH. La detección y cuantificación de los límites de la rutina fueron 0,19 ug / mL y 0,60 ug / mL, respectivamente. Los resultados demostraron que el método desarrollado es una técnica fiable de HPLC para la determinación de la rutina en el extracto de E. suberosum. Además, se investigó la aplicabilidad de este método en los estudios de estabilidad y la estandarización de hierbas.

A regulação sanitária brasileira e a Hemobrás / Brazilian sanitary regulation and Hemobrás

A Hemobrás é uma empresa criada para possibilitar o acesso, pela população,aos medicamentos produzidos a partir do plasma humano e oriundos de processos biotecnológicos. Todo o ciclo produtivo de tais medicamentos é regulado por legislações sanitárias, as quais serão apresentadas e discutidas neste trabalho. Observamos que muitas destas normas são antigas e precisam de reformulação para atender melhor o grande avanço dos últimos anos nesta área, pois não condizem mais com o novo cenário brasileiro e mundial. Além disso, a Hemobrás tem exercido um papel relevante para o amadurecimento e o progresso das normas que regulamentam o setor de medicamentos no Brasil.

The Hemobrás is a company created to facilitate access by the population to medicines made from human plasma and derived from biotechnological processes. Throughout the production cycle of these drugs is regulated by sanitary laws, which were presented and discussed in this paper. We note that many of these standards are old and need reshaping to better meet the great advance in recent years in this area, because more do not fit with the new Brazilian and global scenario. Furthermore, Hemobrás has played an important role for the maturation and advancement of standards governing the drug industry in Brazil.