Invasive candidiasis in a pediatric tertiary hospital: Epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility, and mortality rates.

Invasive infections caused by non-albicans Candida are increasing worldwide. However, there is still a lack of information on invasive candidiasis (IC) in the pediatric setting, including susceptibility profiles and clonal studies. We investigated the clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory characteristics of IC, possible changes in antifungal susceptibility profiles over time, and the occurrence of clonality in our tertiary children's hospital. We analyzed 123 non-duplicate Candida isolates from sterile sites of pediatric patients in a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil, between 2016 and 2021. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes were collected. Candida species distribution, antifungal susceptibility profiles, biofilm production, and molecular epidemiology of isolates were assessed using reference methods. The range of IC incidence was 0.88-1.55 cases/1000 hospitalized patients/year, and the IC-related mortality rate was 20.3%. Of the total IC cases, 42.3% were in patients aged < 13 months. Mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were common in this group. In addition, ICU admission was identified as a risk factor for IC-related mortality. The main site of Candida spp. isolation was blood, and non-albicans Candida species were predominant (70.8%). No significant clonal spread was observed among isolates of the three most commonly isolated species, and 99.1% of all isolates were biofilm producers. Non-albicans Candida species were predominant in this study. Notably, clonal expansion and emergence of antifungal drug resistance were not observed in our pediatric setting.

The epidemiology of invasive candidiasis has changed over time and there is still a lack of information in the pediatric setting. Non-albicans Candida species predominated in this study, clonal expansion and emergence of antifungal drug resistance were not observed in our pediatric setting.

Soil fertility impact on recruitment and diversity of the soil microbiome in sub-humid tropical pastures in Northeastern Brazil.

Soil fertility is key point to pastures systems and drives the microbial communities and their functionality. Therefore, an understanding of the interaction between soil fertility and microbial communities can increase our ability to manage pasturelands and maintain their soil functioning and productivity. This study probed the influence of soil fertility on microbial communities in tropical pastures in Brazil. Soil samples, gathered from the top 20 cm of twelve distinct areas with diverse fertility levels, were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. The soils were subsequently classified into two categories, namely high fertility (HF) and low fertility (LF), using the K-Means clustering. The random forest analysis revealed that high fertility (HF) soils had more bacterial diversity, predominantly Proteobacteria, Nitrospira, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes, while Acidobacteria increased in low fertility (LF) soils. High fertility (HF) soils exhibited more complex network interactions and an enrichment of nitrogen-cycling bacterial groups. Additionally, functional annotation based on 16S rRNA varied between clusters. Microbial groups in HF soil demonstrated enhanced functions such as nitrate reduction, aerobic ammonia oxidation, and aromatic compound degradation. In contrast, in the LF soil, the predominant processes were ureolysis, cellulolysis, methanol oxidation, and methanotrophy. Our findings expand our knowledge about how soil fertility drives bacterial communities in pastures.

From desertification to restoration in the Brazilian semiarid region: Unveiling the potential of land restoration on soil microbial properties.

Land desertification poses a significant challenge in the Brazilian semiarid region, encompassing a substantial portion of the country. Within this region, the detrimental effects of human activities, particularly unsuitable anthropic actions, have resulted in diminished vegetation cover and an accelerated rate of soil erosion. Notably, practices such as overgrazing and the conversion of native forests into pasturelands have played a pivotal role in exacerbating the process of land desertification. Ultimately, land desertification results in significant losses of soil organic matter and microbial diversity. To address this pressing issue and contribute to the existing literature, various land restoration practices, such as grazing exclusion, cover crops, and terracing, have been implemented in the Brazilian semiarid. These practices have shown promising results in terms of enhancing soil fertility and restoring microbial properties. Nonetheless, their effectiveness in improving soil microbial properties in the Brazilian semiarid region remains a subject of ongoing study. Recent advances in molecular techniques have improved our understanding of microbial communities in lands undergoing desertification and restoration. In this review, we focus on assessing the effectiveness of these restoration practices in revitalizing soil microbial properties, with a particular emphasis on the soil microbiome and its functions. Through a critical assessment of the impact of these practices on soil microbial properties, our research aims to provide valuable insights that can help mitigate the adverse effects of desertification and promote sustainable development in this ecologically sensitive region.

Environmental DNA Sequencing to Monitor Restoration Practices on Soil Bacterial and Archaeal Communities in Soils Under Desertification in the Brazilian Semiarid.

Soils from Brazilian semiarid regions are highly vulnerable to desertification due to their geology, climate, human actions, and intensive land use that contribute to desertification. Therefore, areas under desertification have increased in the Brazilian semiarid region and it has negatively changed the soil bacterial and archaeal communities and their functionality. On the other hand, although restoration strategies are expensive and there are few soils restoration programs, some practices have been applied to restore these soils under desertification. For instance, conservationist practices and grazing exclusion have been strategically implemented, and they created a new altered soil condition for soil microbial communities, boosting soil microbial diversity. Here, we discuss the potential of these restoration strategies to recover the richness and diversity of soil bacterial and archaeal communities that were described through environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of soil samples. eDNA sequencing results show that areas where restoration strategies have been applied in regions under desertification in the Brazilian semiarid have increased species richness, diversity, and structure of the bacterial and archaeal community. In addition, network connectivity and functionality of the soil microorganisms have been improved over time. Altogether, we show that management strategies for soil restoration have positive effects on soil microbial communities and these effects can be monitored using the eDNA sequencing approach.

A meta-analysis of biochar application to manage plant diseases caused by bacterial pathogens

The current agricultural scenario faces diverse challenges, among which phytosanitary issues are crucial. Plant diseases are mostly treated with chemicals, which cause environmental pollution and pathogen resistance. In light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the biochar alternative use to chemical inputs fits into at least six of the proposed goals (2, 3, 7, 13, 15, and 17), highlighting the 12th, which explains responsible consumption and production. Biochar is valuable for inducing systemic resistance in plants because it is a practical and frequently used resource for improving physical, chemical, and biological soil attributes. This review assessed the beneficial and potential effects of applying biochar to agricultural soils on bacterial pathogen management. Such application is a recent strategy; therefore, this research evaluated 20 studies that used biochar to manage plant diseases caused by pathogens inhabiting the soil in different systems. The effectiveness of biochar application in controlling plant diseases has been attributed to its alkaline pH, which contributes to the growth of beneficial microorganisms and increases nutrient availability, and its porous structure, which provides habitat and protection for soil microbiome development. Therefore, the combined effect of improvements on soil attributes through biochar application aids pathogen control. Biochar application helps manage plant diseases through different mechanisms, inducing plant resistance, increasing activities and abundance of beneficial microorganisms, and changing soil quality for nutrient availability and abiotic conditions.

Tolerance and reduction of chromium by bacterial strains.

Bacteria have potential to tolerate and reduce metals. This study evaluated the potential of selected bacterial strains in tolerating and reducing chromium (Cr). Six bacterial strains (Rhizobium miluonense LCC01, LCC04, LCC05, and LCC69; Rhizobium pusense LCC43; and Agrobacterium deltaense LCC50) showed tolerance to Cr(VI) (16 and 32 µg mL-1), reduction potential of Cr(VI) (from 50 to 80%), and efficiency in producing exopolysaccharides. Rhizobium pusense LCC43 exhibited the highest tolerance (128 µg mL-1), reduction potential of Cr(VI) (from 80 to 100%), and efficiency in producing exopolysaccharides. These results suggested that this strain may have the potential to be used in the bioremediation of soils contaminated with Cr(VI).

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community in soils under desertification and restoration in the Brazilian semiarid.

Soil desertification has a significant social, economic, and environmental impact worldwide. Mycorrhizal diversity remains poorly understood in semiarid regions impacted by desertification, especially in Brazilian drylands. More importantly, positive impacts of grazing exclusion on mycorrhizal communities are still incipient. Here, we hypothesized that overgrazing changes the structure of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) community compared to native areas and, grazing exclusion is effective to restore the AMF community. Thus, we analyzed the status of AMF community in soils under desertification (overgrazing) and restoration (twenty-years of grazing exclusion) in the Brazilian semiarid. AMF-spores were extracted via humid decantation methodology, morphologically classified, and alpha diversity metrics were calculated. Soil samples were chemically, and physically characterized and multivariate statistical analyses were applied to verify the impact of soil degradation and restoration on AMF-community. Briefly, native, and restored areas presented higher contents of organic matter, phosphorus, microbial carbon, and ß-glucosidase activity. However, degraded soil showed higher Al3+, Na+, and bulk soil density values. The abundance of AMF spores was higher in restored soil, followed by degraded and native vegetation, and Shannon's diversity index was significantly higher in restored soils, followed by native vegetation. AMF-spores were classified into four families (Gigasporaceae > Acaulosporaceae > Glomeraceae > Ambisporaceae). Ambisporaceae was closed correlated with degraded soil, mainly with Al3+, Na+, and bulk soil density properties. On the other hand, Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae were positively correlated with native vegetation and restored soil, respectively, thereby improving Shannon index, richness, enzyme activity, and soil respiration. Thus, grazing exclusion, in long term, can be a good strategy to restore AMF-diversity in soils in the Brazilian semiarid.

Dataset for effects of the transition from dry forest to pasture on diversity and structure of bacterial communities in Northeastern Brazil.

The data included in this article supplement the research article titled "Forest-to-pasture conversion modifies the soil bacterial community in Brazilian dry forest Caatinga (manuscript ID: STOTEN-D-21-19067R1)". This data article included the analysis of 18 chemical variables in 36 composite samples (included 4 replicates) of soils from the Microregion of Garanhuns (Northeast Brazil) and also partial 16S rRNA gene sequences from genomic DNA extracted from 27 of these samples (included 3 best quality replicates) for paired-end sequencing (up to 2 × 300 bp) in Illumina MiSeq platform (NCBI - BioProject accession: PRJNA753707). Soils were collected in August 2018 in a tropical subhumid region from the Brazilian Caatinga, along with 27 composite samples from the aboveground part of pastures to determine nutritional quality based on leaf N content. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc tests of environmental data and the main alpha-diversity indices based on linear mixed models (LMM) were represented in the tables. In this case, the collection region (C1 - Brejão, C2 - Garanhuns, and C3 - São João) was the random-effect variable and adjacent habitats formed by a forest (FO) and two pastures (PA and PB succeeded by this forest) composed the fixed-effect variable (land cover), both nested within C. In addition, a table with similarity percentages breakdown (SIMPER) was also shown, a procedure to assess the average percent contribution of individual phyla and bacterial classes. The figures showed the details of the study location, sampling procedure, vegetation status through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), in addition to the general abundance and composition of the main bacterial phyla.

Forest-to-pasture conversion modifies the soil bacterial community in Brazilian dry forest Caatinga.

Soils comprise a huge fraction of the world's biodiversity, contributing to several crucial ecosystem functions. However, how the forest-to-pasture conversion impact soil bacterial diversity remains poorly understood, mainly in the Caatinga biome, the largest tropical dry forest of the world. Here, we hypothesized that forest-to-pasture conversion would shape the microbial community. Thus, the soil bacterial community was assessed using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing into the Illumina MiSeq platform. Then, we analyzed ecological patterns and correlated the bacterial community with environmental parameters in forest, and two distinct pastures areas, one less productive and another more productive. The variation in soil properties in pastures and forest influenced the structure and diversity of the bacterial community. Thus, the more productive pasture positively influenced the proportion of specialists and the co-occurrence network compared to the less productive pasture. Also, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were abundant under forest, while Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi were abundant under pastures. Also, the more productive pasture presented a higher bacterial diversity, which is important since that a more stable and connected bacterial community could benefit the agricultural environment and enhance plant performance, as can be observed by the highest network complexity in this pasture. Together, our findings elucidate a significant shift in soil bacterial communities as a consequence of forest-to-pasture conversion and bring important information for the development of preservation strategies.

Impact of coffee biochar on carbon, microbial biomass and enzyme activities of a sandy soil cultivated with bean.

Biochar has been used to reuse the agro-industrial wastes and improve soil quality. Several studies have been carried out to show the impact of biochar on physical and chemical soil attributes. However, there are still gaps regarding the effects on as microbial biomass and enzymatic activities that are important to determine sensitive indicators to evaluate changes in management practices. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of two biochars on the chemical, microbial biomass carbon, and the enzymatic activities in an Entisol cultivated with bean. We evaluate two types of coffee biochar: ground and husks, four doses (4, 8, 12, and 16 Mg ha-1) and control. All treatments received organic fertilization with cow manure. Husks biochar increase the soil pH, Ca, and K, also contributing to the reduction of toxic aluminum contents and raising the concentrations of P labile. The treatments that received ground biochar showed higher soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, ß-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate. Biochar produced from coffee residues increased sandy soil quality. We showed the first report on the beneficial impact of coffee biochar on enzymatic and microbiological quality of sandy soil cultivated with the bean.

Combined effect of pseudomonas sp. and trichoderma aureoviride on lettuce growth promotion / Efeito combinado de Pseudomonas sp. e Trichoderma aureoviride na promoção do crescimento de alface

Plant growth promotion by microorganisms may be a viable alternative to increase lettuce production through pathogens control and nutrients absorption increase. Trichoderma and Pseudomonasgenus are examples of widely studied microorganisms with the capacity to promote plant growth. However, there are still gaps regarding the action of the combined effect of these two microorganisms. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of Pseudomonas sp. UAGF14 and Trichoderma aureoviride URM5158 on the development of lettuce plants. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments: CONT (control), CM (soil with organic fertilization), CMB (soil withorganic fertilization and Pseudomonas sp.), CMF (soil with organic fertilization and T. aureoviride), and CMFB (soil with organic fertilization, Pseudomonas sp. and T. aureoviride), with ten repetitions. At 30, 40 and 60 days after sowing, the following parameters were analyzed: plant and canopy height and number of leaves. At 60 days after emergence, shoot dry matter, leaf area, root dry matter, root length and chlorophyll were analyzed. Catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymatic activity were determined. The CMFB treatment had the highest means of lettuce growth promotion, confirming the synergistic effect of the combination of the two microorganism types, as it increased height, canopy, shoot and root dry matter, and chlorophyll levels compared to CONT, although did not differ from CM in some variables. Enzymatic activity was also influenced by the action of these microorganisms combined, evidencing by polyphenol oxidase increase. The CMFB or CM were efficient in promoting lettuce growth, showing positive response to the plant morphological and physiological characteristics. However, few responses were observed in lettuce plant growth in the first cycle evaluated after 60 days, compared CM and CMFB treatments, but both treatments showed superiority in lettuce plant growth submitted to CONT treatment. Therefore, further studies are needed to estimate the long-term effects of combined effect of Pseudomonas sp. UAGF14 and T. aureoviride URM5158 on crop productivity in field conditions.

A promoção do crescimento das plantas por micro-organismos pode ser uma alternativa viável para aumentar a produção de alface através de controle de patógenos e aumento da absorção de nutrientes. O gênero fúngico Trichoderma e o gênero bacteriano Pseudomonas são exemplos de micro-organismos amplamente estudados com capacidade para promover o crescimento da planta. No entanto, ainda existem lacunas quanto à ação do efeito combinado desses dois micro-organismos. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito combinado de Pseudomonas UAGF14 e Trichoderma aureoviride URM5158 sobre o desenvolvimento de plantas de alface. O delineamento experimental foi completamente casualizados, com cinco tratamentos: CONT (controle, sem fertilização orgânica), CM (solo com fertilização orgânica), CMB (solo com fertilização orgânicae Pseudomonas sp.), CMF (solo com fertilização orgânica e T. aureoviride) e CMFB (solo com fertilização orgânica, Pseudomonas sp. e T. aureoviride), com dez repetições. Aos 30, 40 e 60 dias após a semeadura, foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros: altura da planta e dossel e número de folhas. Aos 60 dias após a emergência, a matéria seca da parte aérea, a área foliar, a massa seca das raízes, o comprimento radicular e a clorofila foram analisados. Catalase, peroxidase e atividade enzimática da polifenol oxidase foram determinadas. O CMFB apresentou o maior crescimento de alface, confirmando o efeito benéfico da combinação dos dois tipos de micro-organismos com a planta, na medida em que aumentou a altura, o dossel, a matéria seca da parte aérea e da raiz, e os níveis de clorofila em relação ao CONT, embora não tenha diferido do CM em algumas variáveis. As atividades enzimáticas também foram influenciadas pela ação desses micro-organismos combinados, evidenciada pelo aumento de polifenol oxidase. O CMFB ou CM foram eficientes na promoção do crescimento da alface, mostrando respostas positivas às características morfológicas e fisiológicas. Entretanto, poucas respostas foram observadas no crescimento da alface noprimeiro ciclo da planta avaliado depois de 60 dias, comparando os tratamentos CM e CMFB, mas ambos tratamentos mostraram superioridade em relação ao crescimento das plantas de alface submetidas ao tratamento controle. Por isso, são necessários futuros estudos para estimar à longo prazo o efeito combinado de Pseudomonas sp. UAGF14 e Trichoderma aureoviride URM5158 na produção de cultura em condições de campo.

Antioxidant Activities of Chicken Egg White Hydrolysates Obtained by New Purified Protease of Aspergillus avenaceus URM 6706

Abstract Protein hydrolysates originating from egg white have already been reported to be bioactive and, among their biological activities, possess the antioxidant property that protects the body from early ageing and diseases linked to oxidation. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of hydrolysates obtained by the hydrolysis of egg white from hen poultry. The protease produced by Aspergillus avenaceus URM 6706 was purified and subsequently applied to hydrolysate the egg white, and the degree of hydrolysis was verified during the protease exposure time (4-24 h). The hydrolysis was intensified over time of exposure to the protease. It was possible to detect the antioxidant activities of eliminating the 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTS•+) from 97% to 99% and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) up to 27%, as well as the chelation of Cu2+ metal ions up to 62% and Fe2+ up to 54%. The elimination of ABTS•+ radical had a positive correlation with the degree of hydrolysis; however, all the other activities tested showed a negative correlation with the degree of hydrolysis. The results obtained suggest that the egg white of hen chicken represents a food source of animal origin with potential application in the functional food industry.

Production and partial characterization of proteases from Mucor hiemalis URM3773 / Produção e caracterização parcial de proteases a partir de Mucor hiemalis URM3773

The current study evaluated the proteases production from 11 fungal species belonging to the genera Mucor, Rhizomucor and Absidia. The species were obtained from the Collection of Cultures URM at the Mycology Department-UFPE, Brazil. The best producing species was Mucor hiemalis URM 3773 (1.689 U mL-1). Plackett-Burman design methodology was employed to select the most effective parameter for protease production out of 11 medium components, including: concentration of filtrate soybean, glucose, incubation period, yeast extract, tryptone, pH, aeration, rotation, NH4Cl, MgSO4 and K2HPO4. Filtrated soybean concentration was the significant variable over the response variable, which was the specific protease activity. The crude enzyme extract showed optimal activity in pH 7.5 and at 50ºC. The enzyme was stable within a wide pH range from 5.8 to 8.0, in the phosphate buffer 0.1M and in stable temperature variation of 40-70ºC, for 180 minutes. The ions FeSO4, NaCl, MnCl2, MgCl2 and KCl stimulated the protease activity, whereas ZnCl2 ion inhibited the activity in 2.27%. Iodoacetic acid at 1mM was the proteases inhibitor that presented greater action.The results indicate that the studied enzyme have great potential for industrial application.

Foi avaliada a produção de proteases por 11 espécies fúngicas pertencentes aos gêneros Mucor, Rhizomucor e Absidia, obtidas da Coleção de Culturas URM do Departamento de Micologia- UFPE, Brasil. A melhor espécie produtora foi Mucor hiemalis URM3773 (1,689 U mL-1). A metodologia de planejamento Plackett-Burman foi empregada para selecionar o parâmetro mais efetivo para a produção de proteases através de 11 componentes do meio, incluindo: concentração do filtrado de soja, glicose, período de incubação, extrato de levedura, triptona, pH, aeração, rotação, NH4Cl, MgSO4 e K2HPO4. A variável significante sobre a variável- resposta, atividade proteásica específica, foi a concentração do filtrado de soja. O extrato enzimático bruto apresentou atividade ótima ao pH 7,5 a 50ºC. A enzima foi estável em uma ampla variação de pH de 5,8­8,0 em tampão fosfato 0,1M e termicamente estável a uma variação de 40-70°C, durante 180 minutos. Os íons FeSO4, NaCl, MnCl2, MgCl2 e KCl estimularam a atividade proteásica, enquanto que o íon ZnCl 2 inibiu 2,27% da atividade. O inibidor de proteases que teve maior ação foi o ácido iodoacético a 1mM. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a enzima estudada tem grande potencial de aplicação industrial.

Produção e caracterização parcial de proteases a partir de Mucor hiemalis URM3773 / Production and partial characterization of proteases from Mucor hiemalis URM3773

Foi avaliada a produção de proteases por 11 espécies fúngicas pertencentes aos gêneros Mucor, Rhizomucor e Absidia, obtidas da Coleção de Culturas URM do Departamento de Micologia-UFPE, Brasil. A melhor espécie produtora foi Mucor hiemalis URM3773 (1,689 U mL-1). A metodologia de planejamento Plackett-Burman foi empregada para selecionar o parâmetro mais efetivo para a produção de proteases através de 11 componentes do meio, incluindo: concentração do filtrado de soja, glicose, período de incubação, extrato de levedura, triptona, pH, aeração, rotação, NH4Cl, MgSO4 e K2HPO4. A variável significante sobre a variável-resposta, atividade proteásica específica, foi a concentração do filtrado de soja. O extrato enzimático bruto apresentou atividade ótima ao pH 7,5 a 50ºC. A enzima foi estável em uma ampla variação de pH de 5,88,0 em tampão fosfato 0,1M e termicamente estável a uma variação de 40- 70C, durante 180 minutos. Os íons FeSO4, NaCl, MnCl2, MgCl2 e KCl estimularam a atividade proteásica, enquanto que o íon ZnCl2 inibiu 2,27% da atividade. O inibidor de proteases que teve maior ação foi o ácido iodoacético a 1mM. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a enzima estudada tem grande potencial de aplicação industrial.(AU)

The current study evaluated the proteases production from 11 fungal species belonging to the genera Mucor, Rhizomucor and Absidia. The species were obtained from the Collection of Cultures URM at the Mycology Department-UFPE, Brazil. The best producing species was Mucor hiemalis URM 3773 (1.689 U mL-1). Plackett-Burman design methodology was employed to select the most effective parameter for protease production out of 11 medium components, including: concentration of filtrate soybean, glucose, incubation period, yeast extract, tryptone, pH, aeration, rotation, NH4Cl, MgSO4 and K2HPO4. Filtrated soybean concentration was the significant variable over the response variable, which was the specific protease activity. The crude enzyme extract showed optimal activity in pH 7.5 and at 50ºC. The enzyme was stable within a wide pH range from 5.8 to 8.0, in the phosphate buffer 0.1M and in stable temperature variation of 40-70ºC, for 180 minutes. The ions FeSO4, NaCl, MnCl2, MgCl2 and KCl stimulated the protease activity, whereas ZnCl2 ion inhibited the activity in 2.27%. Iodoacetic acid at 1mM was the proteases inhibitor that presented greater action.The results indicate that the studied enzyme have great potential for industrial application.(AU)

Production, characterization of tannase from Penicillium montanense URM 6286 under SSF using agroindustrial wastes, and application in the clarification of grape juice (Vitis vinifera L.).

Tannase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes esters and lateral bonds of tannins, such as tannic acid, releasing glucose and gallic acid and stands out in the clarification of wines and juices. Fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are excellent producers of this enzyme. The search for fungi that produce high levels of tannase as well as new substrates for the enzyme production by the SSF is required. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the production of tannase by Aspergillus and Penicillium species through SSF using leaves and agroindustrial waste barbados cherry and mangaba fruit as substrate, select the best producer, optimize production, characterize the crude enzyme extract, and apply it the clarification of grape juice. Selecting the best producer was performed by planning Placket-Burman and RSM. P. montanense showed highest activity with 41.64 U/mL after 72 h of fermentation residue using barbados cherry, with 3.5% tannic acid and 70% moisture. The enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 9.0 and 50°C. The tannase of P. montanense was stable over a wide pH range and temperature and, when applied to grape juice, showed higher efficiency by reducing 46% of the tannin content after incubation 120 m.

Extractive fermentation of xylanase from Aspergillus tamarii URM 4634 in a bioreactor.

Of the many reported applications for xylanase, its use as a food supplement has played an important role for monogastric animals, because it can improve the utilisation of nutrients. The aim of this work was to produce xylanase by extractive fermentation in an aqueous two-phase system using Aspergillus tamarii URM 4634, increasing the scale of production in a bioreactor, partially characterising the xylanase and evaluating its influence on monogastric digestion in vitro. Through extractive fermentation in a bioreactor, xylanase was obtained with an activity of 331.4 U mL(-1) and 72% yield. The xylanase was stable under variable pH and temperature conditions, and it was optimally active at pH 3.6 and 90 °C. Xylanase activity potentiated the simulation of complete monogastric digestion by 6%, and only Mg2+ inhibited its activity. This process provides a system for efficient xylanase production by A. tamarii URM 4634 that has great potential for industrial use.

Agroforestry systems, nutrients in litter and microbial activity in soils cultivated with coffee at high altitude

Agroforestry systems are an alternative option for sustainable production management. These systems contain trees that absorb nutrients from deeper layers of the soil and leaf litter that help improve the soil quality of the rough terrain in high altitude areas, which are areas extremely susceptible to environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to characterize the stock and nutrients in litter, soil activity and the population of microorganisms in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plantations under high altitude agroforestry systems in the semi-arid region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Samples were collected from the surface litter together with soil samples taken at two depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm) from areas each subject to one of the following four treatments: agroforestry system (AS), native forest (NF), biodynamic system (BS) and coffee control (CT).The coffee plantation had been abandoned for nearly 15 years and, although there had been no management or harvesting, still contained productive coffee plants. The accumulation of litter and mean nutrient content of the litter, the soil nutrient content, microbial biomass carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, basal respiration, microbial quotient, metabolic quotient and microbial populations (total bacteria, fluorescent bacteria group, total fungi and Trichoderma spp.) were all analyzed. The systems thatwere exposed to human intervention (A and BS) differed in their chemical attributes and contained higher levels of nutrients when compared to NF and CT. BS for coffee production at high altitude can be used as a sustainable alternative in the high altitude zones of the semi-arid region in Brazil, which is an area that is highly susceptible to environmental degradation.(AU)

Agroforestry systems, nutrients in litter and microbial activity in soils cultivated with coffee at high altitude

Agroforestry systems are an alternative option for sustainable production management. These systems contain trees that absorb nutrients from deeper layers of the soil and leaf litter that help improve the soil quality of the rough terrain in high altitude areas, which are areas extremely susceptible to environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to characterize the stock and nutrients in litter, soil activity and the population of microorganisms in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plantations under high altitude agroforestry systems in the semi-arid region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Samples were collected from the surface litter together with soil samples taken at two depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm) from areas each subject to one of the following four treatments: agroforestry system (AS), native forest (NF), biodynamic system (BS) and coffee control (CT).The coffee plantation had been abandoned for nearly 15 years and, although there had been no management or harvesting, still contained productive coffee plants. The accumulation of litter and mean nutrient content of the litter, the soil nutrient content, microbial biomass carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, basal respiration, microbial quotient, metabolic quotient and microbial populations (total bacteria, fluorescent bacteria group, total fungi and Trichoderma spp.) were all analyzed. The systems thatwere exposed to human intervention (A and BS) differed in their chemical attributes and contained higher levels of nutrients when compared to NF and CT. BS for coffee production at high altitude can be used as a sustainable alternative in the high altitude zones of the semi-arid region in Brazil, which is an area that is highly susceptible to environmental degradation.

Prospecção de fitopatógenos associados á podridão radicular da mandioca em Pernambuco, Brasil / Prospecting of phytopathogens associated to cassava root rot in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

A mandioca é a sexta cultura de maior produção e expressão do planeta, estando atrás apenas de soja, trigo, arroz, milho e batata, sendo muito importante na alimentação humana, animal e na indústria. O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor mundial e esta cultura é a segunda de maior expressão econômica nacional. A Região Nordeste é uma das principais produtoras de mandioca no Brasil, estando vinculada a uma produção na qual utiliza pouca ou nenhuma tecnologia, o que vem contribuindo para o aumento da intensidade de doenças. A podridão radicular vem sendo relatada como uma das principais causas de perdas na produção. Por isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi efetuar o primeiro levantamento de fungos associados à podridão radicular da mandioca em Pernambuco. Foram realizadas coletas de material vegetal com sintomas e/ou sinais da doença em quatro municípios que estão entre os principais produtores do estado: Jupi, Jucati, São João e Caetés. Foram selecionadas cindo propriedades em cada município e as coletas foram realizadas em cinco áreas com histórico da doença em cada propriedade. A frequência de isolamento dos fungos foi realizada pelo método de plaqueamento e isolamento até cultura pura para identificação. Os mais prevalentes foram submetidos a teste de patogenicidade em mandioca da cultivar branquinha. Foi encontrada alta diversidade de fungos associados à podridão radicular da mandioca no agreste de Pernambuco. Houve prevalência dos fungos Fusarium solani associados à podridão radicular em mandiocas com sintomas provenientes de todas as áreas dos municípios de Jupi, Jucati e São João e Scytalidium lignicola provenientes de áreas do Município de Caetés. Os isolados mais prevalentes Fusarium solani (CFF109) e Scytalidium lignicola (CFF408) apresentaram uma alta severidade em mandiocas da cultivar Branquinha.

Cassava is the sixth largest crop production and expression of the planet, being behind only soybeans, wheat, rice, corn and potatoes, is very important in human and animal feed and industry. The Brazil is the second largest producer in the world and this culture is the second highest expression of national economic.The Northeast region is one of the main cassava producers in Brazil, being the production use little or no technology, which has contributed to the increased intensity of diseases. The cassava root rot has been reported as a major cause of yield loss. Therefore, the objective of this study was to perform the first survey of fungi associated with cassava root rot in Pernambuco. Were collected plant materials with symptoms and / or signs of disease in four cities that are among the top producers in the Pernambuco state: Jupi, Jucati, São João and Caetés. We selected five properties in each municipality and the samples were collected in five areas with a history of disease in each property. The frequency of fungus isolation was performed by plating method, and isolation until pure culture for identification. The most prevalent were tested for pathogenicity in cassava cultivar branquinha. We found a high diversity of fungus associated with cassava root rot in Pernambuco. Fusarium solani was prevalence fungus associated with cassava root rot from all areas of Jupi, Jucati and

Interferência da incorporação de matéria orgânica no solo no controle da podridão negra da mandioca, causada por Scytalidium lignicola / Interference of incorporation of soil organic matter in control of cassava black root, caused by Scytalidium lignicola

A mandioca é de grande relevância para países do Sudeste da Ásia, África e América do Sul. Em Pernambuco as podridões vem induzindo a queda na produção e reduzindo as áreas de cultivo ao longo do tempo. O combate a essa doença ainda é um desafio, pois não existe fungicida registrado para o controle ou prevenção da doença e por ser causada por fitopatógenos habitantes do solo. Dentre a gama de fungos causadores de podridões está o Scytalidium lignicola, causador da podridão negra. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito de doses e fontes de matéria orgânica incorporados à solos arenosos com inoculação de Scytalidium lignicola sobre a podridão negra da mandioca cv. Pai Antônio. O experimento foi realizado com os materiais orgânicos, cama de aviário (CA) e esterco caprino (EC), incorporados ao solo arenoso nas concentrações (10, 20 e 30%) (v/v). As variáveis analisadas foram: severidade da doença, respiração basal do solo, carbono da biomassa microbiana das amostras, atributos químicos (pH, P, Na e K) e atributos bioquímicos fosfatase ácida e alcalina e urease. Os tratamentos com maiores poderes supressivos à podridão negra da mandioca foram EC 10 e 20% e CA 20 e 30%. A dose e o material orgânico que apresentou melhor desempenho sobre a supressividade da podridão negra da mandioca foi EC 10 e 20%.

Cassava is of great relevance to countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America In Pernambuco the rot comesin ducing drop in production and reducing the area under cultivate o nover time. Thefight against this disease remainsa challenge because there is no fungi cideregistered for the control or prevention of disease, is a disease caused by pathogen present in the soil. A mongthe range o ffungi that causerotis Scytalidium lignicola causes black rot. Thisstudy aimed to verify the effectof doses and sources of organic matterin corporated into sandy soil sinoculated with Scytalidium lignicola on the black rotof cassava cv.Father Antonio. The experimentwas conducted withorganic materials, litter (CA) andgoat manure(EC) incorporated into thesandy soilconcentrations(10, 20 and 30%) (v / v). The variables analyzed were: disease severity, soil basal respiration, microbial biomass carbonsamples, the chemical (pH, P, Na andK) and biochemical attribute sand alkaline phosphatase and urease. The suppressive treatments with greater powers to black rotof cassava were EC 10and 20%and CA20 and 30%. The dose and organic material that performed bettering the suppressiveness of cassava black root, caused by Scytalidium lignicola was EC 10 and 20%.