Produção biotecnológica de biossurfactante por Lactococcus lactis CECT-4434 a partir de resíduos agroindustriais e avaliação de suas propriedades / Biotechnological production of biosurfactant by Lactococcus lactis CECT- 4434 from agroindustrial residues and evaluation of its properties

A bactéria Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CECT-4434 foi empregada para investigar o efeito da composição do meio de cultivo na produção biotecnológica de biossurfactante e, adicionalmente bacteriocina. Utilizou-se resíduos agroindustriais, tais como soro de leite e vinhaça de uva, para formular meios de cultivos mais econômicos e naturais, suplementados sacarose e extrato de levedura. Um planejamento fatorial fracionado 24, com adição de três ensaios nos pontos centrais foi empregado para avaliar a influência destas variáveis. A produção de biossurfactante foi influenciada positivamente pela concentração soro de leite, onde 15 % deste demonstrou melhor resultado reduzindo a tensão superficial em cerca de 18,1 mN/m, alcançando produção máxima de biossurfactante equivalente em surfactina de 11,02 mg/L. Em relação à síntese de bacteriocina, a fonte de carbono adicional (sacarose) interferiu de forma antagonista, ou seja, quanto menor a concentração de sacarose, maior a síntese de bacteriocina (com aumento da zona de inibição em 14,2% contra Staphylococcus aureus CECT-239). Observou-se que o ensaio conduzido em biorreator, sob microaeração com 5% de oxigênio dissolvido, promoveu maior produção de biossurfactante (11,6 mg/L) quando comparados aos estudos conduzidos com maior concentração de oxigênio entre 30 a 100%, com produção em média de 2,3 mg/mL. Destaca-se que nenhum estudo da influência do oxigênio dissolvido, principalmente em microaerofilia, para a produção de biossurfactante por bactérias láticas já havia sido realizado. Ademais, o biossurfactante produzido se mostrou altamente estável frente a valores extremos de pH e temperatura, além de demonstrar notável propriedade antimicrobiana e antiadesiva, inibindo Listeria monocytogenes NADC 2045 e Salmonella entérica CECT-724 em mais de 90%.

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CECT-4434 was used to investigate the effect of the composition of the culture media on the biotechnological production of biosurfactant and bacteriocin additionally. Agroindustrial residues, such as whey and grape vinasse, were used to formulate more economical and natural culture media, supplemented with sucrose and yeast extract. A fractional factorial design 24, with addition of three runs at the central points was used to evaluate the influence of these variables. The biosurfactant production was positively influenced by the concentration of whey, where 15% showed a better result reducing the surface tension by 18.1 mN/m, reaching a maximum production of biosurfactant equivalent in surfactin of 11.02 mg/L. In relation to bacteriocin synthesis, the sucrose interfered in an antagonistic way, that is, the lower the sucrose concentration, the greater the bacteriocin synthesis (with an increase in the zone of inhibition in 14.2% against Staphylococcus aureus CECT-239). It was observed that the bioreactor conducted under microaeration with 5% dissolved oxygen promoted a higher biosurfactant production (11.6 mg/L) when compared to studies conducted with a higher concentration of oxygen between 30 and 100%, with production on average 2.3 mg/mL. It is noteworthy that no study of the influence of dissolved oxygen, mainly in microaerophilic, for the biosurfactant production by lactic acid bacteria had already been carried out. In addition, the biosurfactant produced proved to be highly stable against extreme values of pH and temperature, and demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial and antiadhesive properties, inhibiting Listeria monocytogenes NADC 2045 and Salmonella entérica CECT-724 in more than 90%.

Bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis DF04Mi isolated from goat milk: Application in the control of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh Minas-type goat cheese

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen frequently found in dairy products. Its control in fresh cheeses is difficult, due to the psychrotrophic properties and salt tolerance. Bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with proven in vitro antilisterial activity can be an innovative technological approach but their application needs to be evaluated by means of in situ tests. In this study, a novel bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus lactis strain (Lc. lactis DF4Mi), isolated from raw goat milk, was tested for control of growth of L. monocytogenes in artificially contaminated fresh Minas type goat cheese during storage under refrigeration. A bacteriostatic effect was achieved, and counts after 10 days were 3 log lower than in control cheeses with no added LAB. However, this effect did not differ significantly from that obtained with a non-bacteriocinogenic Lc. lactis strain. Addition of nisin (12.5 mg/kg) caused a rapid decrease in the number of viable L. monocytogenes in the cheeses, suggesting that further studies with the purified bacteriocin DF4Mi may open new possibilities for this strain as biopreservative in dairy products.

Bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis DF04Mi isolated from goat milk: characterization of the bacteriocin

Lactic acid bacteria capable of producing bacteriocins and presenting probiotic potential open innovative technological applications in the dairy industry. In this study, a bacteriocinogenic strain (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis DF4Mi) was isolated from goat milk, and studied for its antimicrobial activity. The bacteriocin presented a broad spectrum of activity, was sensitive to proteolytic enzymes, resistant to heat and pH extremes, and not affected by the presence of SDS, Tween 20, Tween 80, EDTA or NaCl. Bacteriocin production was dependent on the components of the culture media, especially nitrogen source and salts. When tested by PCR, the bacteriocin gene presented 100% homology to nisin Z gene. These properties indicate that this L. lactis subsp. lactis DF4Mi can be used for enhancement of dairy foods safety and quality.

Bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus lactis subsp: lactis DF04Mi isolated from goat milk: Evaluation of the probiotic potential

Lactic acid bacteria capable of producing bacteriocins and presenting probiotic potential open innovative technological applications in the dairy industry. In this study, a bacteriocinogenic strain (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis DF4Mi) was isolated from goat milk, and studied for its probiotic potential. Lc. lactis DF4Mi was resistant to acidic pH and oxbile, presented co-aggregation with Listeria monocytogenes, and was not affected by several drugs from different generic groups, being sensitive to most tested antibiotics. These properties indicate that this Lc. lactis strain can be used for enhancement of dairy foods safety and quality, in combination with potential probiotic properties.

Lactic acid production by a strain of Lactococcus lactis subs lactis isolated from sugar cane plants

A Lactococcus lactis subs lactis strain was selected from 20 lactic acid strains isolated from the leaves of sugar cane plants, variety CC 85-92. The effects of substrate concentration and pH control on lactic acid (LA) production, glucose conversion (GC) and yield (Yp/s) were investigated using this strain. In batch fermentation at 32ºC, with 60 gl-1 of glucose and a pH of 6.0, concentrations of up to 35 gl-1 of lactic acid were obtained. Maximum production and glucose conversion was achieved at low glucose concentrations. The strain shows great potential for lactic acid production from glucose, even without using pH control during fermentation (13.7 gl-1).

Secretion of Streptomyces tendae antifungal protein 1 by Lactococcus lactis

Lactococcus lactis, the model lactic acid bacterium, is a good candidate for heterologous protein production in both foodstuffs and the digestive tract. We attempted to produce Streptomyces tendae antifungal protein 1 (Afp1) in L. lactis with the objective of constructing a strain able to limit fungal growth. Since Afp1 activity requires disulfide bond (DSB) formation and since intracellular redox conditions are reportedly unfavorable for DSB formation in prokaryotes, Afp1 was produced as a secreted form. An inducible expression-secretion system was used to drive Afp1 secretion by L. lactis; Afp1 was fused or not with LEISSTCDA, a synthetic propeptide (LEISS) that has been described to be a secretion enhancer. Production of Afp1 alone was not achieved, but production of LEISS-Afp1 was confirmed by Western blot and immunodetection with anti-Afp1 antibodies. This protein (molecular mass: 9.8 kDa) is the smallest non-bacteriocin heterologous protein ever reported to be secreted in L. lactis via the Sec-dependent pathway. However, no anti-fungal activity was detected, even in concentrated samples of induced supernatant. This could be due to a too low secretion yield of Afp1 in L. lactis, to the absence of DSB formation, or to an improper DSB formation involving the additional cysteine residue included in LEISS propeptide. This raises questions about size limits, conformation problems, and protein secretion yields in L. lactis.

Improvement of bovine ß-lactoglobulin production and secretion by Lactococcus lactis

The stabilizing effects of staphylococcal nuclease (Nuc) and of a synthetic propeptide (LEISSTCDA, hereafter called LEISS) on the production of a model food allergen, bovine ß-lactoglobulin (BLG), in Lactococcus lactis were investigated. The fusion of Nuc to BLG (Nuc-BLG) results in higher production and secretion of the hybrid protein. When LEISS was fused to BLG, the production of the resulting protein LEISS-BLG was only slightly improved compared to the one obtained with Nuc-BLG. However, the secretion of LEISS-BLG was dramatically enhanced (~10- and 4-fold higher than BLG and Nuc-BLG, respectively). Finally, the fusion of LEISS to Nuc-BLG resulting in the protein LEISS-Nuc-BLG led to the highest production of the hybrid protein, estimated at ~8 æg/ml (~2-fold higher than Nuc-BLG). In conclusion, the fusions described here led to the improvement of the production and secretion of BLG. These tools will be used to modulate the immune response against BLG via delivery of recombinant lactococci at the mucosal level, in a mouse model of cow's milk allergy.

Reduction of non-digestible oligosaccharides in soymilk: application of engineered lactic acid bacteria that produce alpha-galactosidase

Human consumption of soy-derived products has been limited by the presence of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO), such as the alpha-galactooligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose. Most mammals, including man, lack pancreatic alpha-galactosidase (alpha-Gal), which is necessary for the hydrolysis of these sugars. However, such NDO can be fermented by gas-producing microorganisms present in the cecum and large intestine, which in turn can induce flatulence and other gastrointestinal disorders in sensitive individuals.The use of microorganisms expressing alpha-Gal is a promising solution to the elimination of NDO before they reach the large intestine. In the present study, lactic acid bacteria engineered to degrade NDO have been constructed and are being used as a tool to evaluate this solution. The alpha-Gal structural genes from Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC8014 (previously characterized in our laboratory) and from guar have been cloned and expressed in Lactococcus lactis. The gene products were directed to different bacterial compartments to optimize their possible applications. The alpha-Gal-producing strains are being evaluated for their efficiency in degrading raffinose and stachyose: i) in soymilk fermentation when used as starters and ii) in situ in the upper gastrointestinal tract when administered to animals orally, as probiotic preparations. The expected outcomes and possible complications of this project are discussed.

Oxidative stress in Lactococcus lactis

Lactococcus lactis, the most extensively characterized lactic acid bacterium, is a mesophilic- and microaerophilic-fermenting microorganism widely used for the production of fermented food products. During industrial processes, L. lactis is often exposed to multiple environmental stresses (low and high temperature, low pH, high osmotic pressure, nutrient starvation and oxidation) that can cause loss or reduction of bacterial viability, reproducibility, as well as organoleptic and/or fermentative qualities. Among these stress factors, oxidation can be considered one of the most deleterious to the cell, causing cellular damage at both molecular and metabolic levels. During the last two decades, considerable efforts have been made to improve our knowledge of oxidative stress in L. lactis. Many genes involved with both oxidative stress resistance and control mechanisms have been identified; functionally they seem to overlap. The finding of new genes, and a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of stress resistance in L. lactis and other lactic acid bacterium, will lead to the construction and isolation of stress-resistant strains. Such strains could be exploited for both traditional and probiotic uses

Heterologous protein production and delivery systems for Lactococcus lactis

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), widely used in the food industry, are present in the intestine of most animals, including humans. The potential use of these bacteria as live vehicles for the production and delivery of heterologous proteins of vaccinal, medical or technological interest has therefore been extensively investigated. Lactococcus lactis, a LAB species, is a potential candidate for the production of biologically useful proteins. Several delivery systems have been developed to target heterologous proteins to a specific cell location (i.e., cytoplasm, cell wall or extracellular medium). A promising application of L. lactis is its use as an antigen delivery vehicle, for the development of live mucosal vaccines. The expression of heterologous proteins and antigens as well as the various delivery systems developed in L. lactis, and its use as an oral vaccine carrier are discussed

Detection and characterization of bacteriocin-producing Lactococcus lactis strains

One hundred sixty strains of Lactococcus lactis were screened for bacteriocin production by well diffusion assay of GM17 agar. Fourteen (8.4 per cent) produced antimicrobial activity other than organic acids, bacteriophages or hydrogen peroxide. The frequency of bacteriocin production ranged from 2(per cent) in L.lactis subsp. cremoris up to 12(per cent) in L.lactis subsp.lactis. Antimicrobial activities were not observed in any strain of L.lactis subsp.lactis var.diacetylactis. Among thirteen bacteriocin-producing strains and two nisin-producing strains (L.lactis subsp.lactis ATCC 11454 and L.lactis subsp.lactis CNRZ 150), eight (53 per cent) were characterized as lactose-positive (Lac+) and proteinase-negative (Prt-). The bacteriocin-producing cultures were also characterized on the basis of plasmid content. All strains had 2 to 7 plasmids with molecular weights varying from 0.5 to 28.1 Mdal. Four strains (ITAL 435, ITAL 436, ITAL 437 and ITAL 438) showed identical profiles and the other were quite distinct.

Efeito de polifosfatos e de citrato sobre Lactococcus lactis e seu bacteriófago / Effect of polyphosphates and citrate on Lactococcus lactis and its bacteriophage

Os bacteriófagos podem causar a destruiçäo das bactérias láticas. Foram estudadas 35 formulaçöes de meios de cultura para Lactococcus com a capacidade de reduzir a infecçäo pelos bacteriófagos. Diferentes concentraçöes de polifosfatos ou misturas de polifosfatos e citrato, ambas associadas ou näo a fatores de crescimento bacteriano, foram testadas. Os parâmetros utilizados para comparaçäo entre os meios foram: capacidade tamponante, crescimento de L. lacts subsp. lactis ITAL 353 e a capacidade de inibir a multiplicaçäo do bacteriófago virulento 025. O leite desnatado a 12% foi usado como controle. Verificou-se que todos os meios possuíam boa capacidade tamponante. As concentraçöes acima de 6% de polifosfatos inibiram o crescimento bacteriano, exceto onde estavam presentes de 1% a 1,5% de extrato de levedura. Quatro meios contendo 5% de polifosfatos e um meio contendo também 5% de polifosfatos e 0,4% de citrato foram considerados adequados para inbir a multiplicaçäo de bacteriófagos e promover bom crescimento bacteriano

Caracterizaçäo de Lactococos lácticos isolados de leite cru e de fermentos lácticos comerciais / Characterization of Lactococcus lactis isolated from raw milk and commercial lactic yeast

Cento e sessenta e cinco cepas de lactococos lácticos, isolados de leite cru e fermentos lácticos comerciais foram identificadas com base em características culturais, morfológicas e bioquímicas. Os resultados revelaram a presença de 102 cepas de L. lactis subsp. lactis var. diacetylactis e 56 cepas de L. lactis subsp. cremoris. Nas culturas isoladas a partir de leite cru, as cepas de L. lactis subsp. lactis predominaram, correspondendo a 93% do total. As demais espécies isoladas compreenderam: L. lactis var. diacetylactis (2%) e L. lactis subsp. cremoris (5%). Nas amostras de fermentos lácticos comerciais observou-se a predominância de L. lactis subsp. cremoris (60%)

Estudo da inibiçäo de Staphilococcus aureus por Streptococcus lactis produtor de bacteriocina / Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus by Streptococcus lactis producer of bacteriocin

Quatro cepas de S.lactis produtoras de bacteriocina foram avaliadas quanto à sua capacidade em inibir o desenvolvimento de 30 cepas de S. aureus provenientes de várias fontes. As técnicas utilizadas foram teste de inibiçäo, sendo que duas cepas de S. lactis (Sl5 e Sl51) apresentaram percentual de inibiçäode 41 e 58% respectivamente. No teste de crescimento associativo em leite, observou-se acentuada inibiçäo de três das cepas de S. aureus utilizadas (Sa16, Sa21 e Sa39), frente ao S. lacts (Sl51). A percentagem da populaçäo de S. aureus inibida após 9 horas de fermentaçäo variou de 87,5 a 96,6%