Selection of starter cultures for the production of sour cassava starch in a pilot-scale fermentation process

ABSTRACT Sour cassava starch (Polvilho azedo) is obtained from a spontaneous fermentation conducted by microorganisms from raw materials and fermentation tanks. This product is traditionally used in the baking industry for the manufacture of biscuits and Brazilian cheese breads. However, the end of fermentation is evaluated empirically, and the process occurs without standardization, which results in products of inconsistent quality. Predominant microbiota from a cassava flour manufacturer was isolated in order to select starter cultures for the production of sour cassava starch in a pilot-scale fermentation process. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were isolated, enumerated and grouped by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, and PCR fingerprinting, respectively. One isolate of each molecular profile was identified by sequencing of the rRNA gene. LAB were prevalent throughout the entire process. Lactobacillus brevis (21.5%), which produced the highest values of acidity, and Lactobacillus plantarum (13.9%) were among the most frequent species. Pichia scutulata (52.2%) was the prevalent yeast and showed amylolytic activity. The aforementioned species were tested as single and mixed starter cultures in a pilot-scale fermentation process for 28 days. L. plantarum exhibited better performance as a starter culture, which suggests its potential for the production of sour cassava starch.

Detecção de genes toxigênicos, susceptibilidade antimicrobiana e antagonismo in vitro de Staphylococcus spp. isolados de queijos artesanais / Detection of toxigenic genes, susceptibility antimicrobial and in vitro antagonism of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from artisanal cheeses

Cepas de Staphylococcus spp. molecularmente identificadas foram submetidas à Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), utilizando-se iniciadores específicos para a detecção de genes codificadores de enterotoxinas clássicas (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, SEE) e da Toxina-1 da Síndrome do Choque Tóxico (TSST-1). Foi realizada PCR-Multiplex para detecção dos genes sea, sec, sed e see. Para seb e tst, foram realizadas PCR-Uniplex. Além disso, foi analisado o perfil de susceptibilidade das cepas a antimicrobianos de diferentes classes e foi verificado antagonismo in vitro entre Lactobacillus spp. e as cepas estudadas. Genes codificadores de enteroxinas clássicas, assim como de TSST-1, não foram encontrados. Em relação ao antibiograma, Sulfonamida, Penicilina, Ceftazidima e Oxacilina apresentaram os maiores percentuais de resistência (100, 80, 60 e 40%, respectivamente). Os demais antimicrobianos foram eficientes em percentuais acima de 70%. Lactobacillus spp. foram capazes de inibir o desenvolvimento in vitro de Staphylococcus spp. Conclui-se que as cepas estudadas não possuem genes codificadores da produção de enterotoxinas clássicas e TSST-1, são sensíveis à maioria dos antimicrobianos e são inibidos por bactérias do gênero Lactobacillus.