Conversion of renewable substrates for biosurfactant production by Rhizopus arrhizus UCP 1607 and enhancing the removal of diesel oil from marine soil

BACKGROUND: The use of agro-industrial wastes to produce high value-added biomolecules such as biosurfactants is a promising approach for lowering the total costs of production. This study aimed to produce biosurfactants using Rhizopus arrhizus UCP 1607, with crude glycerol (CG) and corn steep liquor (CSL) as substrates. In addition, the biomolecule was characterized, and its efficiency in removing petroderivatives from marine soil was investigated. RESULTS: A 22 factorial design was applied, and the best condition for producing the biosurfactant was determined in assay 4 (3% CG and 5% CSL). The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension of water from 72 to 28.8 mN/m and produced a yield of 1.74 g/L. The preliminary biochemical characterization showed that the biosurfactant consisted of proteins (38.0%), carbohydrates (35.4%), and lipids (5.5%). The compounds presented an anionic character, nontoxicity, and great stability for all conditions tested. The biomolecule displayed great ability in dispersing hydrophobic substrates in water, thereby resulting in 53.4 cm2 ODA. The best efficiency of the biosurfactant in removing the pollutant diesel oil from marine soil was 79.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the ability of R. arrhizus UCP1607 to produce a low-cost biosurfactant characterized as a glycoprotein and its potential use in the bioremediation of the hydrophobic diesel oil pollutant in marine soil

Characterization and properties of the biosurfactant produced by Candida lipolytica UCP 0988

Background: Biotechnological processes are costly, especially for the production of biosurfactants. The successful production of a biosurfactant is dependent on the development of processes using low cost raw materials. Considering the importance of the characteristics of a biosurfactant to facilitate its industrial application, the properties of the biosurfactant produced by Candida lipolytica through previously optimized medium have been established. Results: The yeast was grown for 72 h to determine the kinetics of growth and production. The surface tension of the cell-free broth was reduced from 55 to 25 mN/m. The yield of biosurfactant was 8.0 g/l with a CMC of 0.03%. The biosurfactant was characterized as an anionic lipopeptide composed of 50% protein, 20% lipids, and 8% of carbohydrates. Conclusions: The isolated biosurfactant showed no toxicity against different vegetable seeds: Brassica oleracea, Solanum gilo and Lactuca sativa L. and the micro-crustacean Artemia salina. The properties of the biosurfactant produced suggest its potential application in industries that require the use of effective compounds at low cost.

Assessment of toxicity of a biosurfactant from Candida sphaerica UCP 0995 cultivated with industrial residues in a bioreactor

Background: The aim of the present study was to propose a low-cost method for the production of a biosurfactant by the yeast Candida sphaerica and assess its toxicity and phytotoxicity. The medium was formulated with distilled water supplemented with residue from a soy oil refinery (5%) and corn steep liquor (2.5%) as substrates. These two products were the sources of carbon and nitrogen as well as mineral elements to encourage the growth of the microorganism and production of a biosurfactant. Results: The isolated biosurfactant yield was 6.364 g/l. The biosurfactant exhibited an excellent ability to reduce surface tension (26 mN/m) and demonstrated no toxicity against seeds of Brassica oleracea, Chicoria intybus and Solanum gilo or the micro crustacean Artemia salina employed as a bioindicator. The biosurfactant exhibited no antimicrobial activity against the fungi and bacteria tested. Conclusions: The promising results obtained in this study indicate the feasibility of producing biosurfactants from powerful non-toxic organic residues and their application in the bioremediation of contaminated soil and water.

Evaluación de los efectos tóxicos y concentración letal 50 del surfactante Cosmoflux® 411F sobre juveniles de cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus) / Assessment of toxic effects and lethal concentration 50 of surfactant Cosmoflux® 411F on juveniles of cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus)

En Colombia, el surfactante Cosmoflux® 411F es usado en fumigaciones de cultivos ilícitos para mejorar la efectividad del glifosato. El uso del Cosmoflux® 411F no está soportado por estudios toxicológicos. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron determinar las lesiones anatomopatológicas derivadas de la exposición al Cosmoflux® 411F y establecer la concentración letal 50 (CL50) a 96 horas en cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus). Se utilizaron juveniles de cachama blanca (40 g) en dos experimentos: 1) toxicidad subletal (n =126) y, 2) determinación de la CL50 (n =84). Las concentraciones del ensayo de toxicidad subletal fueron: 0 mg/l (Tratamiento 0), 0.17 mg/l (Tratamiento 1), 0.34 mg/l (Tratamiento 2), 0.68 mg/l (Tratamiento 3), 1.36 mg/l (Tratamiento 4), y 2.72 mg/l (Tratamiento 5), en sistema semiestático. Para determinar la CL50 las dosis fueron: 3000, 3450, 3900, 4350 y 4800 mg/l de Cosmoflux® 411F. La CL50 obtenida fue de 4417.99 mg/l. En los peces se evidenció leve disminución de la actividad de nado. A la necropsia se halló palidez del hígado y acumulación de material mucoso en las branquias. Por histopatología se halló: vacuolización de hepatocitos, hiperplasia de células epiteliales, de cloro y caliciformes branquiales, vacuolización de enterocitos, aumento de centros melanomacrófagos renales, gliosis, degeneración neuronal e infiltración de células granulares eosinofílicas/células mastocitos en telencéfalo. Los hallazgos concuerdan con lo reportado en peces expuestos a surfactantes, exceptuando las lesiones del sistema nervioso central que pueden tener consecuencias sobre interacciones sociales, de alimentación y reproducción de la especie; siendo necesario profundizar la investigación sobre dicho efecto. El hígado, branquias y piel constituyen órganos blanco de la acción tóxica. La CL50 hallada (4417.99 mg/l) es alta comparada con lo reportado en surfactantes no-iónicos.

In Colombia, surfactant Cosmoflux® 411F is used for the fumigation of illicit crops in order to improve the glyphosate herbicide activity. The use of Cosmoflux® 411F is not supported by toxicological surveys. The aims of this study were to determinate the anatomopathological lesions due to the exposure to Cosmoflux® 411F and to establish lethal concentration 50 (LC50) to 96 hours in cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus). Juveniles of cachama blanca (40 g) in two assays were used: 1) sublethal toxicity (n= 126) and 2) determination of LC50 (n=84). Sublethal toxicity assay concentrations were: 0 mg/l (Treatment 0) 0.17 mg/l (Treatment 1), 0.34 mg/l (Treatment 2), 0.68 mg/l (Treatment 3), 1.36 mg/l (Treatment 4), and 2.72 mg/l (Treatment 5); through semi-static system. For the determination of LC50 of Cosmoflux® 411F 3000, 3450, 3900, 4350 y 4800 mg/l concentrations were used. LC50 was 4417.99 mg/l. Animals showed slight decrease in swimming activity. At necropsy examination were found paleness in liver and whitish material accumulation in top of gill filament. Histopathologically, it was found fatty degeneration and hepatocyte vacuolization, epithelial cells, chloride cells and mucous cells hyperplasia, enterocyte vacuolization, increase in the expression of melanomacrophage centres in kidney, gliosis, neuronal degeneration and infiltration of eosinophilic granule cells/mast cells in telencephalon. With exception of central nervous system lesions, the findings are according to the reported in literature about surfactant exposure in fish. Central nervous system effects can have consequences on feeding, reproductive and social interactions, due to close telencephalon/olfactory system relationship, being necessary to deep in research to these processes. In same way, liver, gills and skin are target organs of toxic action of this xenobiotic. LC50 is high (4417.99 mg/l) compared with that reported for other nonionic surfactants.

Histopathological changes in testis of the freshwater fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) exposed to linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS).

The objective of this study was to use the freshwater food fish, Heteropneustes fossilis, as a model to evaluate the concentration-dependent effects of LAS on the testicular structure through short-term static bioassays. Concentration mediated histopathological leisions were observed in testis of H. fossilis, treated with four different concentrations of LAS for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr Inference drawn from the study is that the cytotoxic damage is more pronounced in fish exposed to higher concentrations of LAS for shorter durations than lower concentrations of LAS for longer durations. Gross damage of germinal epithelium, inflammatory response, intertubular vacuolations and contraction and condensation in the cells of tubules under all sets of intoxication and exposures are quite suggestive of reproductive impairment leading to delayed gonadal maturity.

Estudo da aplicabilidade do ensaio de quantificação de proteínas totais em células SIRC na avaliação do potencial de irritação ocular de xampus e tensoativos / Study of the applicability of the essay of total proteins in cells SIRC in the evaluation of the potential of ocular irritant of shampoos and surfactants

A crescente tendência mundial pela substituição do uso de animais em experimentação promoveu a busca por métodos alternativos. Particular ênfase é dada ao desenvolvimento de métodos para substituir o tradicional Teste de Draize, utilizado para acessar a irritação ocular. Este teste tem sido um dos mais criticados pela comunidade científica, principalmente devido à subjetividade de avaliação das lesões oculares e variabilidade dos resultados obtidos em diferentes laboratórios, além das questões éticas com relação ao bem-estar animal. No presente estudo, o ensaio de quantificação de proteínas totais utilizando o corante Azul Brilhante de Coomassie R-250 foi avaliado quanto ao seu valor em predizer o potencial de irritação ocular de vinte xampus e cinco tensoativos. Para este ensaio de citotoxicidade, utilizou-se à linhagem celular derivada de córnea de coelho (SIRC). (...) Apesar de haver a necessidade de se testar um maior número de produtos e da realização de estudos inter-laboratoriais para se acessar a reprodutibilidade desta metodologia; com os resultados obtidos no presente estudo pode-se dizer que o ensaio de quantificação de proteínas totais utilizando o corante Azul Brilhante de Coomassie R-250, além de ser um método com características importantes como rapidez, sensibilidade, simplicidade de execução, baixo custo e alto grau de automação, foi capaz de predizer o potencial de irritação ocular de xampus e tensoativos.

Lysosomal stability in Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) on exposure to surfactants.

The three commonly used surfactants viz. anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cationic cetyl tri methyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and non-ionic triton X-100 were toxic even at sub lethal levels (1 ppm for 30 days) to 0. mossambicus. Lysosomal stability index (LSI) was lowest in triton-exposed animals in vitro. In vivo, CTAB was the most toxic. SDS, the anionic surfactant was the least toxic. The possible role of surfactant structure, critical micellar concentration (CMC) and metabolism in influencing the toxicity is discussed and mechanism of action via membrane lipid peroxidation is suggested.

Haematotoxic effect of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) in fish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

It was observed that clotting time decreased with the increased concentrations of LAS. However, the decrease was more pronounced at LC50 for 24 h and at the end of 96 h LC50, it was very close to control values.

Surfactant-induced lipid peroxidation in a tropical euryhaline teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (Tilapia) adapted to fresh water.

Exposure to anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), cationic (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide CTAB) and non ionic (Triton X-100) surfactants at a sub lethal concentration of 1 ppm resulted in severe oxidative stress in the hepatic, renal and cardiac tissues of fresh water adapted Oreochromis mossambicus. Hepatic catalase showed significant increase (P<0.001) in all the surfactant exposed fish, but the renal enzyme was significantly increased only in CTAB dosed fish (P<0.001) and the cardiac enzyme showed significant increase in Triton (P<0.05) and CTAB dosed fish (P<0.001). SOD levels were significantly increased (P<0.001) in hepatic, renal and cardiac tissues of all the surfactant-treated fish. Glutathione reductase also was significantly increased (P<0.001) in the hepatic and renal tissues of surfactant dosed fish except cardiac tissues of CTAB exposed animals. Glutathione levels in the tissues studied were significantly higher in the surfactant treated animals (P<0.001) whereas malondialdehyde levels were significantly elevated only in the hepatic tissues of animals exposed to Triton (P<0.001). The surfactants based on their charge, antioxidant profile and in vivo metabolism may be arranged in the order of decreasing toxicity as CTAB > Triton > SDS. Thus it may be inferred from the present study that the antioxidant defenses and the in vivo metabolism of the surfactants are key factors in deciding the surfactant toxicity.

Toxicidad en las aguas y su impacto en la salud pública / Water toxicity and it impact on public health

Actualmente, la pureza de las aguas es uno de los bienes más preciados, sin embargo, cada día, la contaminación va en aumento siendo un problema mundial. Entre los contaminantes se encuentran múltiples compuestos, produciendo algunos de ellos graves situaciones de toxicidad para la vida acuática y la salud de las personas, cuando ésta se utiliza para la bebida. En este trabajo se presentan algunas de las principales contaminantes, así como los sistemas que son necesarios para detectar el daño real que estarían produciendo en la masa acuática. Es imperativo el implementar sistemas de igilancia eficientes, que permitan prevenir adecuadamente cualquier efecto nocivo a la salud de la población