Comprehensive comparison of the chemical and structural characterization of landfill leachate and leonardite humic fractions.

Humic substances (HS) are complex and heterogeneous mixtures of organic compounds that occur everywhere in the environment. They represent most of the dissolved organic matter in soils, sediments (fossil), water, and landfills. The exact structure of HS macromolecules has not yet been determined because of their complexity and heterogeneity. Various descriptions of HS are used depending on specific environments of origin and research interests. In order to improve the understanding of the structure of HS extracted from landfill leachate (LHS) and commercial HS from leonardite (HHS), this study sought to compare the composition and characterization of the structure of LHS and HHS using elemental composition, chromatographic (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)), and spectroscopic techniques (UV-vis, FTIR, NMR, and MALDI-TOF). The results showed that LHS molecules have a lower molecular weight and less aromatic structure than HHS molecules. The characteristics of functional groups of both LHS and HHS, however, were basically similar, but there was some differences in absorbance intensity. There were also less aliphatic and acidic functional groups and more aromatic and polyphenolic compounds in the humic acid (HA) fraction than in the fulvic acid (FA) and other molecules (OM) fractions of both origins. The differences between LHS and HHS might be due to the time course of humification. Combining the results obtained from these analytical techniques cold improve our understanding of the structure of HS of different origins and thus enhance their potential use.

Structural Characterization, Technological Functionality, and Physiological Aspects of Fungal ß-D-glucans: A Review.

ß-D-glucans are a (1→3)-linked glucose polymer with (1→6)-linked side chains and a major component of fungal cell walls. They exhibit structural integrity to the fungal cell wall. In addition, ß-glucans are widely used as food adjuvant in food and pharmaceutical industries because of their physico-chemical properties. Several studies have focused on different isolation processes of (1→3) (1→6)-ß-glucan that could affect the physico-chemical and functional properties of ß-glucan such as chemical composition, solubility, viscosity, hydration properties, and oil binding capacity. Immunological activity is one of the most important properties of ß-glucans. Thus, they are effective in inhibiting growth of cancer cells and metastasis and preventing bacterial infection. In humans, ß-glucans reduce blood cholesterol, improve glucose absorption by body cells, and so help wound healing. This review described the prebiotic potentiality of fungal ß-D-glucans with the objective to detail the methodologies applied for their extraction, their structure and techno-functional properties, and finally their biological effects.

Isolation and cultivation of xylanolytic and cellulolytic Sarocladium kiliense and Trichoderma virens from the gut of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis.

The purpose of this work was the isolation and cultivation of cellulolytic and xylanolytic microorganisms extracted from the gut of the lower termite Reticulitermes santonensis. Microcrystalline cellulose (with and without lignin) and beech wood xylan were used as diets instead of poplar wood in order to select cellulose and hemicellulose-degrading fungi. The strain Sarocladium kiliense (Acremonium kiliense) CTGxxyl was isolated from the termites fed on xylan, while the strain Trichoderma virens CTGxAviL was isolated from the termites fed on cellulose (with and without lignin). Both molds were cultivated in liquid media containing different substrates: agro-residues or purified polymers. S. kiliense produced maximal ß-glucosidase, endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase and endo-1,4-ß-D-xylanase activities of 0.103, 3.99, 0.53, and 40.8 IU/ml, respectively. T. virens produced maximal ß-xylosidase, endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, and endo-1,4-ß-D-xylanase activities of 0.38, 1.48, 0.69, and 426 IU/ml. The cellulase and the xylanase of S. kiliense, less common than T. virens, were further investigated. The optimal activity of the xylanase was observed at pH 9-10 at 60 °C. The cellulase showed its maximal activity at pH 10, 70 °C. Zymography identified different xylanases produced by both molds, and some fragment sizes were highlighted: 35, 100, and 170 kDa for S. kiliense and 20, 40, 80, and 170 kDa for T. virens. In both cases, endo-1,4-ß-D-xylanase activities were confirmed through mass spectrometry.

MALDI-TOF MS analysis of cellodextrins and xylo-oligosaccharides produced by hindgut homogenates of Reticulitermes santonensis.

Hindgut homogenates of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis were incubated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), crystalline celluloses or xylan substrates. Hydrolysates were analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The method was first set up using acid hydrolysis analysis to characterize non-enzymatic profiles. Commercial enzymes of Trichoderma reesei or T. longibrachiatum were also tested to validate the enzymatic hydrolysis analysis. For CMC hydrolysis, data processing and visual display were optimized to obtain comprehensive profiles and allow rapid comparison and evaluation of enzymatic selectivity, according to the number of substituents of each hydrolysis product. Oligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization (DPs) ranging from three to 12 were measured from CMC and the enzymatic selectivity was demonstrated. Neutral and acidic xylo-oligosaccharides with DPs ranging from three to 11 were measured from xylan substrate. These results are of interest for lignocellulose biomass valorization and demonstrated the potential of termites and their symbiotic microbiota as a source of interesting enzymes for oligosaccharides production.

Isolation of amylolytic, xylanolytic, and cellulolytic microorganisms extracted from the gut of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis by means of a micro-aerobic atmosphere.

The aim of this work was to isolate enzyme-producing microorganisms from the tract of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis. The microorganisms were extracted from the guts and anaerobic (CO2 or CO2/H2) and micro-aerobic atmospheres were used to stimulate growth. Three different strategies were tried out. First, the sample was spread on Petri dishes containing solid media with carboxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose or cellobiose. This technique allowed us to isolate two bacteria: Streptomyces sp. strain ABGxAviA1 and Pseudomonas sp. strain ABGxCellA. The second strategy consisted in inoculating a specific liquid medium containing carboxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, or cellobiose. The samples were then spread on Petri dishes with the same specific medium containing carboxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, or cellobiose. This led to the isolation of the mold Aspergillus sp. strain ABGxAviA2. Finally, the third strategy consisted in heating the first culture and spreading samples on agar plates containing rich medium. This led to the isolation of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis strain ABGx. All those steps were achieved in controlled atmospheres. The four enzyme-producing strains which were isolated were obtained by using a micro-aerobic atmosphere. Later, enzymatic assays were performed on the four strains. Streptomyces sp. strain ABGxAviA1 was found to produce only amylase, while Pseudomonas sp. strain ABGxCellA was found to produce ß-glucosidase as well. Aspergillus sp. strain ABGxAviA2 showed ß-glucosidase, amylase, cellulase, and xylanase activities. Finally, B. subtilis strain ABGx produced xylanase and amylase.

Symbiont diversity in Reticulitermes santonensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): investigation strategy through proteomics.

The complex microbial community living in the hindgut of lower termites includes prokaryotes, flagellates, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. Many microorganisms are found in the termite gut, but only a few are thought to be involved in symbiotic association to participate in cellulose digestion. Proteomics provides analyses from both taxonomical and functional perspectives. We aimed to identify symbiont diversity in the gut of Reticulitermes santonensis (Feytaud), via complementary electrospray ionization associated to ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis associated to matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. One specific challenge to the study of lower termites is the relatively few data available on abundant symbiotic flagellates. Analysis based on LC-MS/MS revealed few protein families showing assignments to eukaryotes and the taxonomic origin of highly represented actins could not be established. Tubulins proved to be the most suitable protein family with which to identify flagellate populations from hindgut samples using LC-MS/MS, compared with other protein families, although this method targeted few prokaryotes in our assay. Similarly, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis associated to matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry did not succeed in identifying flagellate populations, but did permit the identification of most of the prokaryotic components of the symbiotic system. Finally, fungi and yeasts were identified by both methods. Owing to the lack of sequenced genes in flagellates, targeting tubulins for LC-MS/MS could allow fingerprints of flagellate populations to be established. Experimental and technical improvements might increase the efficiency of identification of prokaryotic populations in the near future, based on metaproteomic development.

Isolation and cultivation of a xylanolytic Bacillus subtilis extracted from the gut of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis.

The aim of this work was the isolation of xylanolytic microorganisms from the digestive tract of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis. The reducing sugars released after the hydrolysis of xylans can be further fermented to provide bioethanol. A xylanolytic strain of Bacillus subtilis was isolated from the hindgut of the termite and displayed amylase and xylanase activities. The bacterium was grown on media containing agricultural residues: wheat bran, wheat distiller's grains, and rapeseed oil cake. Wheat bran led to the highest induction of xylanase activity, although the development of the strain was less fast than in the other media. It was possible to reach maximal xylanase activities of 44.3, 33.5, and 29.1 I.U./ml in the media containing wheat bran, wheat distiller's grains, and rapeseed oil cake, respectively. Mass spectrometry identified a wide range of xylose oligomers, highlighting an endoxylanase activity. The enzyme was stable up to 45 °C and displayed an optimal pH close to 8.

Effect of additives on freeze-drying and storage of Yarrowia lipolytica lipase.

The extracellular lipase of Yarrowia lipolytica presents numerous potentialities for biotechnological applications. This work describes the development and storage of powders obtained from supernatants containing Y. lipolytica lipase by freeze-drying as downstream process that is important in obtaining a stable lipase powder with high enzymatic activity. Lipase was produced by Y. lipolytica U6 mutant strain in 20-L bioreactor. Non-concentrated cell-free culture supernatant samples were supplemented with different concentrations (0.5-1 %) of maltodextrin and glycerol as additives to freeze-drying. Effects of additives, temperature, pH, and storage time on lipase powders were determined. After addition of additives, freeze-drying yield increased 3.5-fold compared to supernatant without additive. Maltodextrin with 0.5 % concentration gave the best protection of lipase during dehydration treatment and its freeze-drying yield (77 %) is better than other formulations. Lipase powders were stored at 4 and 25 °C for 46 weeks without loss of lipase activity. A common impediment to the production of commercial enzyme is their low-stability aqueous solutions. The present study shows that freeze-dried lipase powders of Y. lipolytica have good stability for storage and various applications.

Identification and characterization of a new xylanase from Gram-positive bacteria isolated from termite gut (Reticulitermes santonensis).

Termites are world champions at digesting lignocellulosic compounds, thanks to cooperation between their own enzymes and exogenous enzymes from microorganisms. Prokaryotic cells are responsible for a large part of this lignocellulolytic activity. Bacterial enzyme activities have been demonstrated in the higher and the lower termite gut. From five clones of Gram-positive bacteria isolated and identified in a previous work, we constructed a genomic DNA library and performed functional screening for alpha-amylase, beta-glucosidase, and xylanase activities. One candidate, Xyl8B8, showed xylanase activity. Sequence analysis of the genomic insert revealed five complete ORFs on the cloned DNA (5746bp). Among the encoded proteins were a putative endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (XylB8) belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 11 (GH11). On the basis of sequence analyses, genomic DNA organization, and phylogenetic analysis, the insert was shown to come from an actinobacterium. The mature xylanase (mXylB8) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography and detected by zymogram analysis after renaturing. It showed maximal xylanase activity in sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 at 55 °C. Its activity was increased by reducing agents and decreased by Cu(2+), some detergents, and chelating agents. Its substrate specificity appeared limited to xylan.

Physical and physiological impacts of different foam control strategies during a process involving hydrophobic substrate for the lipase production by Yarrowia lipolytica.

The potentialities for the intensification of the process of lipase production by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica on a renewable hydrophobic substrate (methyl oleate) have to be investigated. The key factor governing the lipase yield is the intensification of the oxygen transfer rate, considering the fact that Y. lipolytica is a strict aerobe. However, considering the nature of the substrate and the capacity for protein excretion and biosurfactant production of Y. lipolytica, intensification of oxygen transfer rate is accompanied by an excessive formation of foam. Two different foam control strategies have thus been implemented: a classical chemical foam control strategy and a mechanical foam control (MFM) based on the Stirring As Foam Disruption principle. The second strategy allows foam control without any modifications of the physico-chemical properties of the broth. However, the MFM system design induced the formation of a persistent foam layer in the bioreactor. This phenomenon has led to the segregation of microbial cells between the foam phase and the liquid phase in the case of the bioreactors operated with MFM control, and induced a reduction at the level of the lipase yield. More interestingly, flow cytometry experiments have shown that the residence time of microbial cells in the foam phase tends to induce a dimorphic transition which could potentially explain the reduction of lipase excretion.

Scale-down assessment of the sensitivity of Yarrowia lipolytica to oxygen transfer and foam management in bioreactors: investigation of the underlying physiological mechanisms.

A scale-down investigation of the impact of local dissolved oxygen limitation on lipase production by Y. lipolytica has been performed. One of the major issues encountered during this kind of process is foam formation, requiring a reduction of the overall oxygen transfer efficiency of the system in order to keep antifoam consumption to a reasonable level. A regulation strategy involving oxygen enrichment of the air flow through the reactor has allowed this issue to be partly overcome. For a second time, the scale dependency of the process operated with air enrichment has been investigated by a combination of scale-down and pilot-scale cultivation tests. The scale-down apparatus considered in this work comprised a well-mixed part connected to a plug-flow part subjected to dissolved oxygen limitation. Surprisingly, foaming intensity was greatly reduced in the case of the test performed in scale-down reactors (SDRs) while maintaining the same stirring and aeration intensities in the stirred part of the reactor. For mean residence time of 100 s in the recycle loop of the reactor, foam formation was significantly reduced while cell growth and lipase production were both unaltered. When the residence time in the recycle loop was raised to 200 s, the foam phenomena was also reduced, but the lipase yield was altered as well as lip2 gene transcription and translation as shown by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and reporter gene activity, respectively. Our results clearly show the importance of primarily taking into account cell physiology for the scaling-up procedure.

Placenta-like structure of the aphid endoparasitic wasp Aphidius ervi: a strategy of optimal resources acquisition.

Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an entomophagous parasitoid known to be an effective parasitoid of several aphid species of economic importance. A reduction of its production cost during mass rearing for inundative release is needed to improve its use in biological control of pests. In these contexts, a careful analysis of its entire development phases within its host is needed. This paper shows that this parasitoid has some characteristics in its embryological development rather complex and different from most other reported insects, which can be phylogenetically very close. First, its yolkless egg allows a high fecundity of the female but force them to hatch from the egg shell rapidly to the host hemocoel. An early cellularisation allowing a rapid differentiation of a serosa membrane seems to confirm this hypothesis. The serosa wraps the developing embryo until the first instar larva stage and invades the host tissues by microvilli projections and form a placenta like structure able to divert host resources and allowing nutrition and respiration of embryo. Such interspecific invasion, at the cellular level, recalls mammal's trophoblasts that anchors maternal uterine wall and underlines the high adaptation of A. ervi to develop in the host body.

High-level production of extracellular lipase by Yarrowia lipolytica mutants from methyl oleate.

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica degrades efficiently low-cost hydrophobic substrates for the production of various added-value products such as lipases. To obtain yeast strains producing high levels of extracellular lipase, Y. lipolytica DSM3286 was subjected to mutation using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and ultraviolet (UV) light. Twenty mutants were selected out of 1600 mutants of Y. lipolytica treated with EMS and UV based on lipase production ability on selective medium. A new industrial medium containing methyl oleate was optimized for lipase production. In the 20 L bioreactor containing new industrial medium, one UV mutant (U6) produced 356 U/mL of lipase after 24h, which is about 10.5-fold higher than that produced by the wild type strain. The properties of the mutant lipase were the same as those of the wild type: molecular weight 38 kDa, optimum temperature 37°C and optimum pH 7. Furthermore, the nucleotide sequences of extracellular lipase gene (LIP2) in wild type and mutant strains were determined. Only two silent substitutions at 362 and 385 positions were observed in the ORF region of LIP2. Two single substitutions and two duplications of the T nucleotide were also detected in the promoter region. LIP2 sequence comparison of the Y. lipolytica DSM3286 and U6 strains shows good targets to effective DNA recombinant for extracellular lipase of Y. lipolytica.

New glucosidase activities identified by functional screening of a genomic DNA library from the gut microbiota of the termite Reticulitermes santonensis.

ß-Glucosidases are widely distributed in living organisms and play a major role in the degradation of wood, hydrolysing cellobiose or cello-oligosaccharides to glucose. Termites are among the rare animals capable of digesting wood, thanks to enzyme activities of their own and to enzymes produced by their gut microbiota. Many bacteria have been identified in the guts of lower termites, some of which possess cellulolytic or/and hemicellulolytic activity, required for digesting wood. Here, having isolated bacterial colonies from the gut of Reticulitermes santonensis, we constructed in Escherichia coli a genomic DNA library corresponding to all of the colonies obtained and screened the library for clones displaying ß-glucosidase activity. This screen revealed 8 positive clones. Sequence analysis with the BLASTX program revealed putative enzymes belonging to three glycoside hydrolase families (GH1, GH3 and GH4). Agar-plate tests and enzymatic assays revealed differences between the GH1- and GH3-type enzymes (as regards substrate specificity and regulation) and a difference in substrate specificity within the GH3 group. The substrate specificities and characteristic activities of these enzymes suggest that they may intervene in the depolymerisation of cellulose and hemicellulose.

Isolation, pure culture and characterization of Serratia symbiotica sp. nov., the R-type of secondary endosymbiont of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae.

An intracellular symbiotic bacterium was isolated from the flora of a natural clone of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae. The strain was able to grow freely in aerobic conditions on a rich medium containing 1 % of each of the following substrates: glucose, yeast extract and casein peptone. Pure culture was achieved through the use of solid-phase culture on the same medium and the strain was designated CWBI-2.3(T). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain CWBI-2.3(T) was a member of the class Gammaproteobacteria, having high sequence similarity (>99 %) with 'Candidatus Serratia symbiotica', the R-type of secondary endosymbiont that is found in several aphid species. As strain CWBI-2.3(T) ( = LMG 25624(T) = DSM 23270(T)) was the first R-type symbiont to be isolated and characterized, it was designated as the type strain of Serratia symbiotica sp. nov.

Biochemistry of lactone formation in yeast and fungi and its utilisation for the production of flavour and fragrance compounds.

The consumers' demand for natural flavour and fragrances rises. To be natural, compounds have to result from the extraction of natural materials and/or to be transformed by natural means such as the use of enzymes or whole cells. Fungi are able to transform some fatty acids into lactones that can thus be natural. Although some parts of this subject have been reviewed several times, the present article proposes to review the different pathways utilised, the metabolic engineering strategies and some current concerns on the reactor application of the transformation including scaling up data. The main enzymatic steps are hydroxylation and ß-oxidation in the traditional way, and lactone desaturation or Baeyer-Villiger oxidation. Although the pathway to produce γ-decalactone is rather well known, metabolic engineering strategies may result in significant improvements in the productivity. For the production of other lactones, a key step is the hydroxylation of fatty acids. Beside the biotransformation, increasing the production of the various lactones requires from biotechnologists to solve two main problems which are the toxicity of lactones toward the producing cell and the aeration of the emulsified reactor as the biochemical pathway is very sensitive to the level of available oxygen. The strategies employed to resolve these problems will be presented.

A highly stable Yarrowia lipolytica lipase formulation for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

Yarrowia lipolytica lipase has been assumed to be a good candidate for the treatment of fat malabsorption in patients with pancreatic insufficiency. Nevertheless, no systematic studies on its stability under physiological conditions pertaining to the human GI (gastrointestinal) tract have been published. Stability of various Y. lipolytica lipase powder formulations at various physiological pH values as well as the effect of digestive proteases and bile salts on enzyme activity were investigated. Results were compared with those obtained from another competing fungal lipase sourced from Candida rugosa. Among the studied formulations, Y. lipolytica lipase stabilized with gum arabic and skimmed milk powder was the most promising powder formulation. Under acidic conditions (pH 3-5), this formulation showed higher stability than those observed with the other Y. lipolytica lipase formulations and C. rugosa lipase. In addition, in the presence of gum arabic and skimmed milk powder as additives, Y. lipolytica lipase exhibited markedly higher resistance to pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin actions. Resistance to proteolytic degradation by digestive proteases was also by far higher than that observed with C. rugosa lipase. Similar behaviour was, however, observed when these two fungal lipases were incubated with increased concentrations of bile salts. Residual lipase activity of both fungal lipases showed a slight decrease in NaTDC (sodium taurodeoxycholate) concentration above 4 mM. Consequently, Y. lipolytica lipase formulated with gum arabic and milk powder seemed to have great potential for use as a therapeutic tool for patients with pancreatic insufficiency.

The resistance to freeze-drying and to storage was determined as the cellular ability to recover its survival rate and acidification activity.

The protective effects of the fatty acid composition and membrane action of the acidification activity of two strains of Lactobacillus kept at 20 degrees C were studied. The addition of sorbitol, monosodium glutamate and glycerol during storage is causing the decline of acidification and increased concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids observed in both strains. The addition of sorbitol and monosodium glutamate does not alter the fatty acid composition, whatever the strain, but increases the resistance to freeze-drying of L. plantarum CWBI-B1419 and improves survival during storage. The addition of these preservatives and decreased activity of acidification improves the ratio unsaturated. These results indicate that the survival during storage and freeze-drying resistance are closely related to the composition of membrane fatty acids. This behaviour can be interpreted as an adaptation of L. plantarum B1419-CWBI supplemented by cryoprotectant additives such as sorbitol or monosodium glutamate sorbitol and monosodium glutamate as an additive. L. plantarum CWBI-B1419 presents a greater adaptation to culture conditions than L. paracasei ssp. paracasei LMG9192(T).

The use of Macronet resins to recover gamma-decalactone produced by Rhodotorula aurantiaca from the culture broth.

During the biotransformation of castor oil into gamma-decalactone, R. aurantiaca produced both the lactone form and its precursor (4-hydroxydecanoic acid). After six days of culture, a maximum yield of gamma-decalactone of 6.5 g/l was obtained. The parameters of gamma-decalactone adsorption on three Macronet resins (MN-202, MN-102 and MN-100) were investigated in water. Adsorption isotherms of gamma-decalactone for the three Macronet resins were linear. The trapping of gamma-decalactone produced by R. aurantiaca on these resins was then carried out. gamma-Decalactone was effectively retained by all the studied Macronet resins. The resin MN-202 trapped gamma-decalactone more efficiently than MN-102 and MN-100. The percentages of gamma-decalactone adsorbed on the resins MN-202, MN-102 and MN-100 were, respectively, 85, 75 and 81%, whereas around 70% of the adsorbed gamma-decalactone was then desorbed. We propose an industrial process that uses Macronet resins to extract gamma-decalactone from culture broth of R. aurantiaca.

The utilization of gum tragacanth to improve the growth of Rhodotorula aurantiaca and the production of gamma-decalactone in large scale.

The production of gamma-decalactone and 4-hydroxydecanoic acid by the psychrophilic yeast R. aurantiaca was studied. The effect of both compounds on the growth of R. aurantiaca was also investigated and our results show that gamma-decalactone must be one of the limiting factors for its production. The addition of gum tragacanth to the medium at concentrations of 3 and 4 g/l seems to be an adequate strategy to enhance gamma-decalactone production and to reduce its toxicity towards the cell. The production of gamma-decalactone and 4-hydroxydecanoic acid was significantly higher in 20-l bioreactor than in 100-l bioreactor. By using 20 g/l of castor oil, 6.5 and 4.5 g/l of gamma-decalactone were extracted after acidification at pH 2.0 and distillation at 100 degrees C for 45 min in 20- and 100-l bioreactors, respectively. We propose a process at industrial scale using a psychrophilic yeast to produce naturally gamma-decalactone from castor oil which acts also as a detoxifying agent; moreover the process was improved by adding a natural gum.