Phosphate solubilization and indole acetic acid production by rhizosphere yeast Torulaspora globosa: improvement of culture conditions for better performance in vitro.

The rhizosphere yeast Torulaspora globosa is known to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) and to solubilize minerals. Due to the prospective use of this yeast as a biostimulant for agricultural applications, this work aimed to optimize the cultural conditions for both IAA production and phosphate solubilization. For phosphate solubilization, the temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C), initial medium pH (3.0, 5.0, and 7.0), and shaker speed (without mixing, 100 rpm, 150 rpm, and 200 rpm) were considered using the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) design. Temperature of 25 °C, initial medium pH 7.0, and static cultures were the conditions of greatest phosphate solubilization, with 40% of the total phosphorus content solubilized from calcium phosphate (419.86 mg L-1) after 48 h. By using the response surface methodology, the maximum IAA production (217.73 µg mL-1) was obtained with the highest initial pH 7.0, the lowest nitrogen, and glucose concentrations (5 g L-1 and 10 g L-1, respectively) and the lowest agitator speed (100 rpm). Further tests indicated that nitrogen affected significantly IAA production and the absence of nitrogen in the medium promoted higher IAA production (457 µg mL-1). The results obtained here may contribute to the scaling up for industrial and agricultural applications of a yeast-based product with T. globosa.

Solid-State Cultivation of Aspergillus niger-Trichoderma reesei from Sugarcane Bagasse with Vinasse in Bench Packed-Bed Column Bioreactor.

Solid-state cultivation (SSC) is microbial growth on solid supports under limited water conditions. Citric acid is a microbial aerobic metabolic product with several industrial applications, with production potential that can be obtained by SSF. Several wastes from agro-industries are used in SSF, such as sugarcane bagasse and vinasse. Cultures of mixed fungi or co-cultures are used in this SSF in order to complement the inoculum's xylanolytic enzymes for action on the lignocellulosic material (bagasse). Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effect of inoculum (Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma reesei consortium) in the production of citric acid from sugarcane bagasse impregnated with vinasse using bench packed-bed reactors (PBR). The results show the importance of T. reesei and A. niger in inoculum at a ratio of 50:50 and 25:75, suggesting the use of solid support due to the complementation of the hydrolytic enzymes. The highest concentration of citric acid, approximately 1000 mg L-1, was obtained for 100 mm of bed height in 48 and 72 h, with maximum glucose yield in citric acid (2.2 mg citric acid mg glucose-1). kLa indicates that maintaining solid moisture and liquid film thickness is important to keep the oxygen transfer in SSC.

Production of humic acids by solid-state fermentation of Trichoderma reesei in raw oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers.

Humic acids (HA) are organic macromolecules of high structural complexity and are primarily obtained from non-renewable carbon sources such as peat and coal. HA is widely used in agriculture but is known to have therapeutic properties, which are still poorly explored. Previous studies have shown the potential of biotechnological processes in the production of HA in submerged fermentation (SF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) using pre-treated fibers of oil palm of empty fruit bunch (EFB) for the cultivation of Trichoderma strains. EFB is an agro-industrial residue that is readily available at a low cost. The present study aimed to study the production of HA by Trichoderma reesei in the SSF of raw fibers of EFBs from two different palm oil producers. Profiles of HA production, cellular protein, pH, glucose, moisture, and oxygen transfer were obtained during SSF by EFB with and without lipids, as well as, images by electron microscopy of fibers. Results showed efficient HA production in the raw fibers of the EFBs. HA production followed the cellular protein (6 g HA per 100 g of fibers) evolution of the fermentations in the absence of lipids, while the composition of lipids greatly affected its production. The best HA production (350 mg HA per 100 g of fibers) was obtained from EFB that was richer in lignocellulosics and the residual lipids were similar to the fractions of palm and kernel oils, while EFB with lower lignocellulosic presented a production 110 mg HA per 100 g of fibers.

Single and combined effects of acetic acid, furfural, and sugars on the growth of the pentose-fermenting yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii.

The tolerance of the pentose-fermenting yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii to the inhibitors released after the biomass hydrolysis, such as acetic acid and furfural, was surveyed. We first verified the effects of acetic acid and cell concentrations and initial pH on the growth of a M. guilliermondii strain in a semi-synthetic medium containing acetic acid as the sole carbon source. Second, the single and combined effects of furfural, acetic acid, and sugars (xylose, arabinose, and glucose) on the sugar uptake, cell growth, and ethanol production were also analysed. Growth inhibition occurred in concentrations higher than 10.5 g l-1 acetic acid and initial pH 3.5. The maximum specific growth rate (µ) was 0.023 h-1 and the saturation constant (ks) was 0.75 g l-1 acetic acid. Initial cell concentration also influenced µ. Acetic acid (initial concentration 5 g l-1) was co-consumed with sugars even in the presence of 20 mg l-1 furfural without inhibition to the yeast growth. The yeast grew and fermented sugars in a sugar-based medium with acetic acid and furfural in concentrations much higher than those usually found in hemicellulosic hydrolysates.

A strain of Meyerozyma guilliermondii isolated from sugarcane juice is able to grow and ferment pentoses in synthetic and bagasse hydrolysate media.

The search for new microbial strains that are able to withstand inhibitors released from hemicellulosic hydrolysis and are also still able to convert sugars in ethanol/xylitol is highly desirable. A yeast strain isolated from sugarcane juice and identified as Meyerozyma guilliermondii was evaluated for the ability to grow and ferment pentoses in synthetic media and in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate. The yeast grew in xylose, arabinose and glucose at the same rate at an initial medium pH of 5.5. At pH 4.5, the yeast grew more slowly in arabinose. There was no sugar exhaustion within 60 h. At higher xylose concentrations with a higher initial cell concentration, sugar was exhausted within 96 h at pH 4.5. An increase of 350 % in biomass was obtained in detoxified hydrolysates, whereas supplementation with 3 g/L yeast extract increased biomass production by approximately 40 %. Ethanol and xylitol were produced more significantly in supplemented hydrolysates regardless of detoxification. Xylose consumption was enhanced in supplemented hydrolysates and arabinose was consumed only when xylose and glucose were no longer available. Supplementation had a greater impact on ethanol yield and productivity than detoxification; however, the product yields obtained in the present study are still much lower when compared to other yeast species in bagasse hydrolysate. By the other hand, the fermentation of both xylose and arabinose and capability of withstanding inhibitors are important characteristics of the strain assayed.

The solid-state cultivation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus in polyurethane foam as a strategy for the production of hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biopolymer with important applications in the pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic fields. This work explores the potentialities of a cylindrical polyurethane foam dowel with central aeration as a novel packed bed bioreactor for the production of HA. The goals were to provide a large surface area for oxygen transfer through the patches of liquid film that form in the pores of the foam in which cell proliferation and HA production occur and to easily recover the HA produced. The resulting yields of HA/cell were higher than 1, and the produced HA was completely recovered by pressing the foam. The external conditions that inhibit catabolism, the deviation of energetic metabolism toward the production of HA, were modulated by aeration and the initial glucose concentration. The production of HA was reproducible in 12 successive fermentation cycles. These findings contribute to the development of efficient strategies for the controlled production and recovery of HA.

Cultivation of Aspergillus niger on sugarcane bagasse with vinasse / Cultivo de Aspergillus niger em bagaço de cana-de-acúcar com vinhaça

Solid-state cultivation (SSC) involves growth of microorganism in absence or near-absence of free water, employing a natural or inert support. Ethanol production in Brazil from molasses or sugarcane juice generates large volumes of vinasse and sugarcane bagasse, a liquid nutrient medium and a potential carry for SSC, respectively. Consecutively to use the wastes, experiments were set up on packed bed column-reactor with sugarcane bagasse impregnated suspension of Aspergillus niger and vinasse with 80% moisture, 25°C, aeration flow-rate of 0.4L/min of water-saturated air, for 6 days. The results hint the efficiency of the SSC in this situation, with 1.45g of total acid per g of dry bagasse per day. The purpose is an alternative to right the major residues from sugarcane processing.

O cultivo em estado sólido (SSC) envolve o crescimento de microrganismos na ausência total ou parcial de água livre, tendo suporte natural ou sintético. A produção de etanol no Brasil por melaço ou caldo de cana-deaçucar gera alta quantidade de vinhaça e bagaço de cana, um meio líquido nutritivo e uma fonte potencial para o SSC, respectivamente. Então o uso de resíduos em experimentos é colocado em reator de coluna com bagaço de cana impregnado com suspensão de Aspergillus niger e vinhaça com 80% de umidade, 25ºC, aeração de 0.4 L/min de ar saturado de água, por 6 dias. Os resultados apontam a eficiência do SSC nestas condições, com 1.45 g do total de ácido por g bagaço seco por dia. A proposta é uma alternativa para empregar os resíduos gerados no processamento da cana-deaçúcar.

Growth of aphanothece microscopica nägeli on exogenous sugars / Cultivo da aphanothece microscopica nägeli a partir de açúcares

Biological processes for wastewater treatment generally produce biomass or active sludge without reuse. In this context, incorporation of organic matter and nutrients from agro industrial effluents into cell mass for single-cell protein allowed application of sustainable process. Cyanobacteria could be used due to its versatile metabolism. So, the aim of this paper was evaluate the growth of cyanobacteria Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli growth on heterotrophic medium with glucose, lactose and sucrose. Growth curves indicated that cultivation of cyanobacterial on the dark depend the type of carbon source and there are different mechanisms for glucose, fructose and sucrose consumption. Results suggest a useful application of cyanobacteria on organic matter removal from wastewater.

Os processos biológicos de tratamento de águas residuárias produzem grandes quantidades de biomassa geralmente sem utilização posterior. Neste contexto, a incorporação de matéria orgânica e nutrientes de efluentes agroindustriais em células microbianas visando a produção de proteínas unicelulares corresponderia a um processo sustentável. Nesse sentido, as cianobactérias poderiam ser aplicadas devido ao seu metabolismo versátil. Sendo assim, o trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o cultivo heterotrófico da cianobactéria Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli em meios contendo glicose, lactose e sacarose. As curvas de crescimento indicaram que o cultivo heterotrófico depende do tipo de fonte de carbono, sugerindo diferentes mecanismos de incorporação e consumo da glicose, lactose sacarose. Os resultados indicam uma possível aplicação desta cianobactéria na remoção destas moléculas orgânicas em águas residuárias.

Catechol biodegradation kinetics using Candida parapsilopsis

This study evaluated the biodegradation of catechol by a yeast strain of Candida parapsilopsis in standard medium in Erlenmeyer flasks. Results shown that the highest concentration of catechol caused the longer lag period, demonstrating that acclimatized cultures could completely degrade an initial catechol concentration of 910 mg/L within 48 h. Haldane's model validated the experimental data adequately for growth kinetics over the studied catechol concentration ranges of 36 to 910 mg/L. The constants obtained for this model were µmax = 0.246 h-1, Ks = 16.95 mg/L and Ki = 604.85 mg/L.

Neste trabalho foi estudada a biodegradação de catecol em frascos de Erlenmeyers em água residuária sintética pela levedura Candida parapsilopsis. As respostas dos ensaios cinéticos mostraram que altas concentrações de catecol ocasionaram uma fase lag longa para a levedura. Portanto, a aclimatização da cultura de levedura empregada para biodegradação de catecol é de fundamental importância, sendo possível reduzir toda a concentração inicial de catecol da água residuária sintética de 910 mg/L em 48 horas. Os dados experimentais da cinética de biodegradação do catecol foram ajustados pelo modelo de Haldane adequadamente, sobre a faixa de concentração de catecol investigada de 36 a 910 mg/L. Os parâmetros cinéticos obtidos do modelo de Haldane foram: µmax = 0,246 h-1, Ks = 16,95 mg/L e Ki = 604,85 mg/L.

The kinetics of the removal of nitrogen and organic matter from parboiled rice effluent by cyanobacteria in a stirred batch reactor.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the kinetics of the removal of nitrogen and organic matter from parboiled rice effluent by the cyanobacteria Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli. From the results obtained, it was verified that maximum efficiency for the removal of organic matter expressed as COD and total nitrogen (N-TKN) occurred after 15 h of cultivation, being 83.44% and 72.74, respectively. The scale-up process indicated that the volume of the estimated reactor would be 100.2m(3), containing parboiled rice effluent and biomass.