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A aplicação de fibras alimentares oriundas de coprodutos agroindustriais e matérias-primas subutilizadas tem ganhado cada vez mais espaço na panificação. Por outro lado, essas aplicações ocasionam efeitos deletérios no produto final, o que pode ser contornado com o uso de xilanases fúngicas produzidas a partir de fonte de carbono de baixo custo. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar as características de pães com adição de farinha de sabugo de milho (FS), do coquetel rico em xilanase produzido pelo fungo filamentoso Fusarium sp. EA 1.3.1 (CRX) e da xilanase comercial (XC) (17,34 U/g de farinha). A substituição parcial de 5 % da farinha de trigo (FT) por FS reduziu o volume específico (VE), altura da fatia central (AC), resiliência, coesividade e elasticidade da amostra em 12;7,4; 21,32; 11,35 e 6,30 %, em respectivo, mas aumentou a firmeza (16,8 %) e a dureza (20,26 %). A adição do CRX em conjunto com a FS (F4) não diferiu do padrão nos parâmetros de firmeza, dureza, VE e AC e apresentou valores de coesividade, elasticidade, resiliência e mastigabilidade similares ao padrão, quando comparada aos ensaios F2 (5 % FS) e F3 (5 % FS + XC). Além disso, a FS e as enzimas promoveram impactos na cor instrumental (L*, a*, b*) e apresentaram ΔE superior a 5, o que indica que pessoas não treinadas conseguem diferir as amostras com relação ao padrão. Assim, a substituição parcial da FT pela FS, associado com o CRX são promissores para a elaboração de novos produtos de panificação com adição de fibras alimentícias não convencionais ricas em xilanas.

A germinação é uma técnica factível e de baixo custo capaz de melhorar as características sensoriais, nutricionais e tecnológicas do milho. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os parâmetros morfométricos, curva de maceração, vigor das sementes, tamanho de radícula, composição centesimal, compostos fenólicos totais (CFT), parâmetros de cor instrumental (L*, a* e b*) e análise de imagem por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) do amido nas sementes de milho crioulo de pericarpo roxo oriundas da região de Couto de Magalhães de Minas-MG submetidos ao processo de germinação. As sementes apresentaram 35 % de umidade ao final da maceração, o que está diretamente relacionado aos parâmetros morfométricos e físico-químicos do grão. Além disso, as sementes de milho crioulo de pericarpo roxo apresentaram vigor germinativo satisfatório (89,4 %), considerado similar às sementes comerciais. A germinação promoveu redução do teor proteico e lipídico das amostras germinadas (8,36 ± 0,73 g.100g-1 de proteína e 3,44 ± 0,38 g.100g-1 de lipídios) em relação ao controle (farinha de milho não germinado, 10,29 ± 0,49 g.100g-1 de proteína e 5,27 ± 0,42 g.100g-1 de lipídios). Além disso, houve alterações significativas (p

Microbial amylases are commercially available and have almost completely replaced the chemical hydrolysis of starch in various industrial processes. Microbial amylases have a wide range of applications because they are more stable than amylases obtained from plants and animals. This work sought to isolate filamentous fungi from three different samples collected in Janaúba, in the north of the state of Minas Gerais, to select a filamentous fungus that produces amylases, to determine the best cultivation conditions for the selected fungus for amylase production, and to analyze the biochemical characteristics of the enzyme. After collecting the samples for the isolation of filamentous fungi, the macroscopic morphological characteristics of the fungi, the microculture for the determination of the possible genus, and the effect of temperature on fungal growth were determined. The screening of the fungi was performed in a submerged medium to characterize the amylase-producing microorganism through the analysis of the physicochemical parameters of the medium concerning the source of nitrogen, the type of salt solution, and the source of carbon, as well as to optimize the production of amylase. The biochemical characterization of the enzyme was performed. The fungus Penicillium sp. (L1) was selected, and the greatest production of amylase was observed in submerged Carvalho-Peixoto (CP) medium associated with Wesson salts using yeast extract and starch as nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively, at 30 ºC, over seven days. The optimum temperature and pH of the assay were 60 ºC and 5.5, respectively. Thus, the northern region of Minas Gerais was an excellent source for the strains that exhibited a potential for the production of amylase for use in industry, indicating that the fungus Penicillium sp. (L1) and the amylase produced have a relevant potential for biotechnological applications.

RESUMO O estudo sobre corantes e seus impactos no meio ambiente são condição para que informação técnicas capazes de proporcionar melhores práticas de gestão sejam adotadas. A falta de informação na Ficha de Informação Sobre Produtos Químicos (FISPQ), regulamentada pela ABNT, do Índigo Carmim motivou a investigação sobre toxidez desse corante em solo. No presente trabalho utilizou-se o método respirométrico para verificar a quantidade de CO2 liberada pela respiração da biota do solo. Foi estudado com a intenção de determinar o comportamento dos microrganismos na presença do Índigo Carmim nas concentrações de 1, 100 e 1000 ppm. Os resultados demonstram que o Índigo Carmim não apresenta efeitos tóxicos para os microrganismos presentes no solo analisado. Além disso, foi verificado um incremento na respiração da biota, indicando biodegradabilidade do corante. ABSTRACT The study of dyes and their impacts on the environment is a condition for adopting technical information capable of providing better management practices. The lack of Índigo Carmim Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information’s, which, in Brazil, is regulated by the ABNT motivated the investigation about toxicity of this dye in soil. This work used the respirometric method to verify the amount of CO2 released by the respiration of the soil biota. The microorganisms’ behaviors were studied in the presence of Indigo Carmine at concentrations of 1, 100 and 1000 ppm. The results demonstrate that Indigo Carmine does not present toxic effects for the microorganisms present in the analyzed soil. In addition, an increase in biota respiration has been demonstrated, indicating biodegradability of the dye.

Amylases are used in numerous industrial applications for converting starch into products of greater value. This work aimed to prospect filamentous fungi, analyze the morphological and physiological characteristics of the isolates; as well as to select an amylase producing fungus and to optimize the parameters for the cultivation of the microorganism and biochemically characterize the amylase. Among 21 filamentous fungi isolated in Janaúba, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, the best amylase producer was selected for standardization of culture parameters and subsequent enzymatic characterization. Maximum activity was obtained in CP medium after six days of cultivation at 30 °C. Amylases produced by this fungus are stable to variations in pH and temperature, exhibited optimum activities at 65 oC and pH 6.0, and were significantly activated in the presence of 5 and 10 mm KH2PO4. As amilases são utilizadas em inúmeras aplicações industriais para a conversão de amido em produtos de maior valor agregado. Esse trabalho objetivou prospectar fungos filamentosos, analisar as características morfológicas e fisiológicas dos isolados, assim como, selecionar fungo produtor de amilases e otimizar os parâmetros de cultivo do microrganismo e caracterizar bioquimicamente a amilase. Dos vinte e um fungos filamentosos isolados em Janaúba, Minas Gerais, Brasil, foi selecionado o melhor produtor de amilases para padronização dos parâmetros de cultivo e posterior caracterização enzimática. A máxima atividade foi obtida em meio CP, após seis dias de cultivo, a 30 °C. As amilases produzidas são estáveis ao pH e à temperatura; apresentaram maiores atividades a 65 °C em pH 6,0 sendo significativamente ativadas na presença de 5 e 10 mM de KH2PO4.

Microorganisms have the ability to produce several metabolites, which are widely used in biotechnological processes, including the biological catalysts called enzymes. Among these enzymes, lipases are favored because they perform various catalytic reactions such as hydrolysis, esterification, interesterification and transesterification. This work sought to isolate filamentous fungi from samples collected in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil, analyze their macroscopic morphological characteristics, determine the effect of temperature on their growth, and verify which organisms are potential lipase producers. From four collection sites, nine fungi were isolated from the leaves and soil of the jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) tree and three fungi from the Andu bean leaves (Cajanus cajan). The macroscopic morphological characteristics of the microorganisms were analyzed. For thermophilic analysis, the twelve isolated fungi and eight obtained from the laboratory bank were cultivated in a solid Potato-Dextrose-Agar medium from 30°C to 50°C, with intervals of 5°C. The growth rate per hour after 48 hours of development was calculated. For the selection of filamentous lipase-producing fungi, the 20 fungi were cultivated in solid BDA medium at 30°C for 96 hours, and the enzyme index was calculated. It was found that, of the 20 microorganisms, 95% developed at 30°C, and the highest growth rates were those of fungi 3.2TA, PJ8 and PJ7. At 35°C, 70% of the fungi developed, and the highest growth rates were those of fungi 3.2TA, MB2.2 and P3. At 40°C, 40% of the fungi developed, and the highest growth rates were those of fungi 3.2TA, PJ6 and PJ8. At 45°C, only the PJ6 and PJ12 fungi grew, and no organism grew at 50°C. In the screening for lipase production, the largest growth halo was observed for the 3.2TA fungus from the bank.

Lipases are produced by microorganisms to form an important biotechnological group of enzymes with different properties and specificities. Among the lipase-producing microorganisms are the filamentous fungi, which are abundant and widespread in nature. Because of their catalytic versatility, lipases are highly commercialized, being applied mainly in the production of detergents, food, animal feed, paper and cellulose, pharmaceutical and biodiesel industries. This work sought to select a filamentous fungus that produces lipases and optimize the conditions for cultivation so as to increase lipolytic activity. Initially, 21 filamentous fungi were grown in a solid medium for lipases for four days in a bacteriological incubator at 30 oC. The fungus with the largest halo representing lipase activity was incubated in five different submerged media at 30 oC for eight days, and the lipase activity of crude extracellular enzyme extracts was evaluated every 24 hours. After defining the culture medium, its composition was varied, analyzing different sources of nitrogen, salt solutions, the influence of the initial pH of the medium and the carbon source. The isolated fungus, identified as A4, exhibited promising lipase synthesis in Khanna submerged culture medium containing urea, peptone and KNO 3 as the nitrogen source, Vogel salts solution, initial pH of 4.5 and cotton oil as a carbon source. This work demonstrated the importance of standardizing chemical conditions for the growth and production of lipases from filamentous fungi, thereby contributing to a greater understanding of the lipases produced by the selection of the fungus with a potential for enzyme production.

The industrial importance and the high cost of the commercial amylase require the study of microorganisms that produce these enzymes. For this reason, the objective of this work was to isolate filamentous fungi from a region of the caatinga and evaluate their potential for the production of amylase. Four soil samples were collected from a deactivated dump located in the city of Diamantina, MG, in a region of the caatinga. The analysis of amylolytic production in a submerged medium at the ideal temperature of each microorganism was performed using the saccharification method, and the reducing sugars formed were quantified by DNS. Fourteen filamentous fungi were isolated, which had different morphological aspects. Regarding amylase production, a mean activity of 0.477 U·mL-1 was obtained with the isolates I 1.2.1 and I 4.4.1. These results bring important information regarding the biodiversity of the caatinga, in addition to the isolation of microorganisms that can be used as biological machinery to obtain metabolites with high biotechnological and industrial potential.

Introdução: Considerando a atual preocupação com a situação ambiental do planeta, torna-se evidente a importância do uso de tecnologias e processos de produção cada vez menos agressivos ao meio ambiente. Relacionado a isso, ressalta-se a proeminência das enzimas em comparação aos catalisadores químicos, devido as diversas vantagens que proporciona. Dentre as enzimas com potencial biotecnológico, destaca-se as lipases, que são biocatalisadoras com ocorrência em diversos organismos e apresentam características que fazem com estas sejam extremamente atraentes para aplicações biotecnológicas. Objetivos: Apresentar a importância biotecnológica e aplicabilidade das lipases. Material e métodos: Utilizou-se base de dados científicas relevantes para a exploração e construção do conhecimento. A pesquisa foi refinada em trabalhos dos últimos três anos, tendo palavras-chave definidas de acordo com o tema principal do presente estudo e áreas correlatas. Resultados: As lipases podem ser obtidas a partir de diversas espécies de vegetais, animais e microrganismos e são capazes de catalisar reações de hidrólise e síntese, tais como esterificação, transesterificação, aminólise e lactonização, além de possuir elevada estabilidade em solventes orgânicos e serem altamente específicas ao substrato de ação. Essas singularidades fomentam o potencial de aplicação industrial dessas biomoléculas, as quais são utilizadas na indústria de papel e celulose, para o tratamento da madeira; alimentícia, para a produção de queijos curados, desenvolvendo sabor e aroma específico, no melhoramento das características de massas, na modificação de óleos e gorduras de pouco valor em lipídios com particularidades mais cobiçadas; no setor têxtil, para o melhoramento do tecido e remoção de lubrificantes; na indústria de detergentes, afim de potencializar a remoção de manchas de gordura nos utensílios que forem aplicados; para a produção de fármacos e cosméticos; no tratamento de efluentes de diversos setores industriais que emitem altos teores de lipídios e ésteres em seus rejeitos e para produção de biocombustíveis como o biodiesel. Conclusão: Devido aos diferentes processos industriais as quais as lipases podem ser aplicadas, torna-se evidente o potencial biotecnológico que essas enzimas detêm. Nesse sentido, é de extrema importância o estudo de novas fontes e da otimização de processos de produção já existentes para a melhor exploração do seu potencial biotecnológico.

Introdução: O processo biotecnológico de germinação de grãos consiste nas etapas de maceração, germinação e secagem, promovendo mudanças físicas, químicas e bioquímicas, principalmente na síntese e na atividade enzimática das fitases, glicoxidases, amilases, lipases e proteases. A aplicação de enzimas maltogênicas em produtos da panificação pode contribuir em características tecnológicas e sensoriais, destacando-se o volume específico e a maciez do miolo como resultado da expansão da massa. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do tempo e da temperatura de germinação do milho de pericarpo roxo em relação ao tamanho da radícula e da adição de farinha de milho germinado no volume de expansão da massa de panificação. Métodos: Um Delineamento Central Composto Rotacional foi aplicado para avaliar o efeito do tempo (24-96h) e da temperatura (18-32°C) de germinação dos grãos sobre o tamanho da radícula e para a avaliação do efeito da adição de 3% de farinha de milho germinado sobre o volume de expansão da massa. Os dados foram avaliados através de Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta (R2>0,75 e p-valor>0,10). Resultados: Os dados indicaram que o tamanho da radícula variou entre zero e 54,21±2,97mm, sendo que os maiores efeitos foram proporcionados pelo termo linear do tempo de germinação (β1=16,47, p-valor

Introdução: O Brasil possui um enorme potencial para a produção de biocombustíveis, com grande quantidade de terras agricultáveis e condições climáticas que permitem a rotação de culturas durante o ano, gerando biomassa. Dentre os biocombustíveis mais usuais estão o biodiesel, bioetanol e biogás. O biogás obtido pela digestão anaeróbica dos recursos renováveis pode ser utilizado para produção de calor, eletricidade ou combustível de transporte. Objetivos: Esse estudo tem como objetivo apresentar o cenário atual da produção de biogás no Brasil. Material e métodos: Levantamento de dados do cenário brasileiro de biogás foi realizado no mês de maio de 2021, por meio de buscas na internet e estudos publicados em livros e artigos científicos. As bases de dados consultados foram: o Biogasmap, do Centro Internacional de Energias Renováveis Biogás – CIBiogás; os resultados de levantamentos publicados pelo MAPA; bem como o banco de dados da Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP). Resultados: Segundo os dados obtidos do Biogasmap do CIBiogás, o Brasil contabiliza atualmente 671 plantas de biogás, com capacidade instalada em torno 2.08 bilhões metros cúbicos de biogás por ano, sendo que destas, 635 encontram-se em operação para fins energéticos no país, produzindo um total de 1,7 bilhões de metros cúbicos ano, representando 94,63% das plantas identificadas. 26 plantas estão em fase de implantação e 10 em reforma. Estudo desenvolvido pela Associação Brasileira de Biogás e Biometano - ABiogás, indicou que o Brasil é o país com o maior potencial de produção de biogás do planeta, com cerca de 84,6 bilhões de metros cúbicos/ano, sendo que o setor sucroenergético tem capacidade para gerar o correspondente a 41,4 bilhões Nm³/ano e o setor da agroindústria a 37,4 bilhões Nm³/ano. Entretanto, atualmente, a produção de biogás no país permanece praticamente subexplorada, produzindo apenas 2% do potencial de capacidade. Conclusão: O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores de biomassa do mundo, portanto, possui um enorme potencial de produção de biogás. Entretanto, a produção de biogás, atualmente no país, permanece praticamente inexplorada, representando uma pequena fração de todo seu potencial.

As xilanases são enzimas muito utilizadas em processos industriais, como no branqueamento de papel, indústria de panificação, clarificação de sucos e cerveja, maltagem e na produção de biocombustíveis, devido aos inúmeros benefícios e vantagens que o catalisador biológico apresenta. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se bioprospectar fungos filamentosos, selecionar um fungo potencial produtor de xilanases, otimizar a produção enzimática e realizar a caracterização bioquímica da enzima. Das onze morfoespécies de fungos filamentosos isolados a partir de três amostras de materiais orgânicos coletadas no solo da cidade de Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil, selecionou-se o Fusarium sp. EA 1.3.7 como fungo potencial xilanolítico. As condições de cultivo do microrganismo foram padronizadas em meio submerso CP, durante seis dias, a 30ºC, utilizando como fonte de nitrogênio a peptona, e o farelo de trigo como fonte de carbono; as xilanases produzidas apresentaram maiores atividades a 52ºC e pH 5,3.

Today, many microbial amylases are available commercially and they have almost completely replaced chemical hydrolysis in several industry processes. Amylases from microorganisms have a broad spectrum of industrial applications as they are more stable than amylases obtained from plants and animals. The objective of this work was to use potato baits in an Atlantic Forest remnant located in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, in order to obtain amylase-producing fungi with potential for biotechnological application. In addition, the culture conditions for the fungal strain that presented higher production of glucoamylase were standardized using industrial wastes. For this, 6 PET bottles containing potatoes as baits were scattered at different points in an Atlantic forest remnant. After 6 days, the samples were collected, and the filamentous fungi were isolated in Petri dishes. Fungi screening was carried out in Khanna liquid medium with 1% starch Reagen®, at 30 °C, pH 6.0, under static conditions for 4 days. Proteins and glucoamylase activity were determined by Bradford and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS), respectively. Among all isolated fungi, A. carbonarius showed the highest glucoamylase production. Its best cultivation conditions were observed in Khanna medium, 4 days, at 30 °C, pH 6.0, under static condition with 0.1% yeast extract and 1% starch Reagen®. Wheat and brewing residues were also used as inducers for large quantities of glucoamylase production. A. carbonarius showed to be a good alternative for the wheat and brewing waste destinations in order to obtain high added value products.

The present work aimed to evaluate the degradability of the chitosan polymer by soil microorganisms. This evaluation was accomplished using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method by plating in drops so that soil microorganisms capable of degrading the polymeric material could be quantified. Soil samples diluted in three specific culture media for each type of microorganism were plated – bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria – and they were maintained at 28°C for seven days to determine the growth rate of fungi and actinobacteria, and for 48 hours for the development of bacteria. Significant differences in the MPN of actinobacteria relative to the other groups analyzed were observed. Thus, the method used was effective for determining the degradability of the chitosan biopolymer when observing the development of microorganisms subjected to the replacement of the carbon source by the addition of 2% w v-1 of the chitosan biopolymer to the culture medium. The formation of clear regions around the microbial colonies was a strong indicator of biodegradation. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la degradabilidad del polímero de quitosano por los microorganismos del suelo. Esta evaluación se realizó utilizando el método de Número más probable (NMP), enchapado en gotas para cuantificar los microorganismos del suelo capaces de degradar el material polimérico. Las muestras de suelo diluidas en tres medios de cultivo específicos para cada tipo de microorganismo (bacterias, hongos y actinobacterias) se colocaron en placas y se mantuvieron a 28 ° C durante siete días para determinar la tasa de crecimiento de hongos y actinobacterias y durante 48 h para el desarrollo de bacterias Se observaron diferencias significativas en la MPN de las actinobacterias en relación con los otros grupos analizados. Por lo tanto, el método utilizado fue efectivo para determinar la degradabilidad del biopolímero de quitosano al observar el desarrollo de microorganismos sujetos a la sustitución de la fuente de carbono al agregar 2% p / v del biopolímero de quitosano al medio de cultivo. La formación de regiones claras alrededor de colonias microbianas fue un fuerte indicador de biodegradación. The present work aimed to evaluate the degradability of the chitosan polymer by soil microorganisms. This evaluation was accomplished using the Most Probable Number (MPN) method by plating in drops so that soil microorganisms capable of degrading the polymeric material could be quantified. Soil samples diluted in three specific culture media for each type of microorganism were plated – bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria – and they were maintained at 28°C for seven days to determine the growth rate of fungi and actinobacteria, and for 48 hours for the development of bacteria. Significant differences in the MPN of actinobacteria relative to the other groups analyzed were observed. Thus, the method used was effective for determining the degradability of the chitosan biopolymer when observing the development of microorganisms subjected to the replacement of the carbon source by the addition of 2% w v-1 of the chitosan biopolymer to the culture medium. The formation of clear regions around the microbial colonies was a strong indicator of biodegradation.

Plant cell wall is mainly composed by cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The heterogeneous structure and composition of the hemicellulose are key impediments to its depolymerization and subsequent use in fermentation processes. Thus, this study aimed to perform a screening of thermophilic and thermotolerant filamentous fungi collected from different regions of the São Paulo state, and analyze the production of β-xylosidase and arabinanase at different temperatures. These enzymes are important to cell wall degradation and synthesis of end products as xylose and arabinose, respectively, which are significant sugars to fermentation and ethanol production. A total of 12 fungal species were analyzed and 9 of them grew at 45 ºC, suggesting a thermophilic or thermotolerant character. Additionally Aspergillus thermomutatus anamorph of Neosartorya and A. parasiticus grew at 50 ºC. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus thermomutatus were the filamentous fungi with the most expressive production of β-xylosidase and arabinanase, respectively. In general for most of the tested microorganisms, β-xylosidase and arabinanase activities from mycelial extract (intracellular form) were higher in cultures grown at high temperatures (35-40 ºC), while the correspondent extracellular activities were favorably secreted from cultures at 30 ºC. This study contributes to catalogue isolated fungi of the state of São Paulo, and these findings could be promising sources for thermophilic and thermotolerant microorganisms, which are industrially important due to their enzymes.

Plant cell wall is mainly composed by cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The heterogeneous structure and composition of the hemicellulose are key impediments to its depolymerization and subsequent use in fermentation processes. Thus, this study aimed to perform a screening of thermophilic and thermotolerant filamentous fungi collected from different regions of the Sao Paulo state, and analyze the production of β-xylosidase and arabinanase at different temperatures. These enzymes are important to cell wall degradation and synthesis of end products as xylose and arabinose, respectively, which are significant sugars to fermentation and ethanol production. A total of 12 fungal species were analyzed and 9 of them grew at 45 °C, suggesting a thermophilic or thermotolerant character. Additionally Aspergillus thermomutatus anamorph of Neosartorya and A. parasiticus grew at 50 °C. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus thermomutatus were the filamentous fungi with the most expressive production of β-xylosidase and arabinanase, respectively. In general for most of the tested microorganisms, β-xylosidase and arabinanase activities from mycelial extract (intracellular form) were higher in cultures grown at high temperatures (35-40 °C), while the correspondent extracellular activities were favorably secreted from cultures at 30 °C. This study contributes to catalogue isolated fungi of the state of Sao Paulo, and these findings could be promising sources for thermophilic and thermotolerant microorganisms, which are industrially important due to their enzymes.

Microbial amylases are used to produce ethanol, glucose and can be applied in textiles products, detergents and other industries. This study aimed to determine the best carbon source concentration to induce the amylase production by A. japonicus, and its purification and biochemical characterization. For that, this fungus was cultivated in Khanna medium, pH 5.5, for 4 days, at 25°C, in static condition, supplemented with potato starch and maltose in different concentrations. The fungal crude enzymatic extract was purified in a unique elution in DEAE-cellulose column and the molecular mass was determined as 72kDa. The optimum temperature and pH was 65°C and 5.0, respectively. Amylase remained 75% of its activity after one hour at 50°C and was stable in the pH range 3.0-7.0. The analysis of the end-products by thin layer chromatography showed only glucose formation, which characterizes the purified enzyme as a glucoamylase. Amylopectin was the best substrate for the enzyme assay and Mn+2 and Pb+2 were good glucoamylase activators. This activation, in addition to the biochemical characteristics are important results for future biotechnological applications of this glucoamylase in the recycling and deinking process by the paper industries.

This study investigates the production of glucoamylase from Aspergillus phoenicis in Machado Benassi (MB) medium using 1% maltose as carbon source. The maximum amylase activity was observed after four days of cultivation, on static conditions at 30 °C. Glucoamylase production was induced by maltose and inhibited by different glucose concentrations. The optimum of temperature and pH were 60–65 °C, and 4.5 or 5.0 to sodium acetate and Mcllvaine buffers, respectively. It was observed that the enzyme was totally stable at 30–65 °C for 1 h, and the pH range was 3.0–6.0. The enzyme was mainly activated by manganese (176%), and calcium (130%) ions. The products of starch hydrolysis were analyzed by thin layer chromatography and after 3 h, only glucose was detected, characterizing the amylolytic activity as a glucoamylase.

Aspergillus phoenicis is an interesting heat tolerant fungus that can synthesize enzymes with several applications in the food industry due to its great hydrolytic potential. In this work, the fungus produced high enzymatic levels when cultivated on inexpensive culture media consisting of flakes from different origins such as cassava flour, wheat fibre, crushed soybean, agro-industrial wastes, starch, glucose or maltose. Several enzymatic systems were produced from these carbon sources, but amylase was the most evident, followed by pectinase and xylanase. Traces of CMCases, avicelase, lipase, β-xylosidase, β-glucosidase and α-glucosidase activities were also detected. Amylases were produced on rye flakes, starch, oat flakes, corn flakes, cassava flour and wheat fibre. Significant amylolytic levels were produced in the culture medium with glucose or when this sugar was exhausted, suggesting an enzyme in the constitutive form. Cassava flour, rye, oats, barley and corn flakes were also used as substrates in the hydrolytic reactions, aiming to verify the liberation potential of reducing sugars. Corn flakes induced greater liberation of reducing sugars as compared to the others. Thin layer chromatography of the reaction end products showed that the hydrolysis of cassava flour liberated maltooligosaccharides, but cassava flour and corn, rye, oats and barley flakes were hydrolyzed to glucose. These results suggested the presence of glucoamylase and α-amylase as part of the enzymatic pool of A. phoencis.Aspergillus phoenicis é um fungo termotolerante interessante, uma vez que pode sintetizar enzimas com diversas aplicações em indústrias alimentícias em função de seu grande potencial de hidrólise. Neste trabalho, verificou-se que esse fungo produziu níveis enzimáticos elevados, quando o mesmo foi cultivado em meio de cultura de baixo custo, constituído de flocos de diferentes origens, como farinha de mandioca, fibra de trigo, soja triturada, resíduos agroindustriais, amido e glicose ou maltose. Diversos sistemas enzimáticos foram produzidos a partir dessas fontes de carbono, mas a amilase foi a mais evidente, seguida de pectinase e xilanase. Traços de atividades de CMcases, avicelase, lipase, β-xilosidase, β-glicosidase e α-glicosidase também foram detectados. Amilases foram produzidas em flocos de centeio, amido, flocos de aveia, flocos de milho, farinha de mandioca e fibra de trigo. Níveis amilolíticos significantes foram produzidos em meio de cultura contendo glicose ou quando esse açúcar não estava mais presente, sugerindo uma forma constitutiva dessa enzima. Farinha de mandioca, flocos de centeio, aveia, cevada e milho também foram utilizados como substratos nas reações de hidrólise, com o objetivo de verificar a potencial liberação de açúcares redutores. Flocos de milho induziram maior formação de açúcares redutores, quando comparados com os outros substratos. A análise por cromatografia em camada delgada dos produtos finais da reação revelou que a hidrólise da farinha de mandioca liberou malto-oligossacarídeos, mas farinha de mandioca e flocos de milho, centeio, aveia e cevada foram hidrolisados até glicose. Esses resultados sugeriram a presença de glucoamilase e α-amilase como parte da mistura enzimática de A. phoenicis.

Fibrolytic enzyme production by Aspergillus japonicus C03 was optimized in a medium containing agro-industrial wastes, supplemented with peptone and yeast extract. A 2(3) full factorial composite and response surface methodology were used to design the experiments and analysis of results. Tropical forages were hydrolyzed by A. japonicus C03 enzymatic extract in different levels, and they were also tested as enzymatic substrate. Optimal production to xylanase was obtained with soybean bran added to crushed corncob (1:3), 0.01% peptone, and 0.2% yeast extract, initial pH 5.0, at 30 °C under static conditions for 5 days of incubation. Optimal endoglucanase production was obtained with wheat bran added to sugarcane bagasse (3:1), 0.01% peptone, and 0.2% yeast extract, initial pH 4.0, at 30 °C, for 6 days, under static conditions. Addition of nitrogen sources as ammonium salts either inhibited or did not influence xylanase production. This enzymatic extract had a good result on tropical forage hydrolyzes and showed better performance in the Brachiaria genera, due to their low cell wall lignin quantity. These results represent a step forward toward the use of low-cost agricultural residues for the production of valuable enzymes with potential application in animal feed, using fermentation conditions.

An α-amylase produced by Paecilomyces variotii was purified by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography, followed by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and electroelution. The α-amylase showed a molecular mass of 75 kDa (SDS-PAGE) and pI value of 4.5. Temperature and pH optima were 60°C and 4.0, respectively. The enzyme was stable for 1 h at 55°C, showing a t₅₀ of 53 min at 60°C. Starch protected the enzyme against thermal inactivation. The α-amylase was more stable in alkaline pH. It was activated mainly by calcium and cobalt, and it presented as a glycoprotein with 23% carbohydrate content. The enzyme preferentially hydrolyzed starch and, to a lower extent, amylose and amylopectin. The K(m) of α-amylase on Reagen® and Sigma® starches were 4.3 and 6.2 mg/mL, respectively. The products of starch hydrolysis analyzed by TLC were oligosaccharides such as maltose and maltotriose. The partial amino acid sequence of the enzyme presented similarity to α-amylases from Bacillus sp. These results confirmed that the studied enzyme was an α-amylase ((1→4)-α-glucan glucanohydrolase).

This study investigates the production of glucoamylase from Aspergillus phoenicis in Machado Benassi (MB) medium using 1% maltose as carbon source. The maximum amylase activity was observed after four days of cultivation, on static conditions at 30 °C. Glucoamylase production was induced by maltose and inhibited by different glucose concentrations. The optimum of temperature and pH were 60-65 °C, and 4.5 or 5.0 to sodium acetate and Mcllvaine buffers, respectively. It was observed that the enzyme was totally stable at 30-65 °C for 1 h, and the pH range was 3.0-6.0. The enzyme was mainly activated by manganese (176%), and calcium (130%) ions. The products of starch hydrolysis were analyzed by thin layer chromatography and after 3 h, only glucose was detected, characterizing the amylolytic activity as a glucoamylase.

Aspergillus phoenicis is an interesting heat tolerant fungus that can synthesize enzymes with several applications in the food industry due to its great hydrolytic potential. In this work, the fungus produced high enzymatic levels when cultivated on inexpensive culture media consisting of flakes from different origins such as cassava flour, wheat fibre, crushed soybean, agro-industrial wastes, starch, glucose or maltose. Several enzymatic systems were produced from these carbon sources, but amylase was the most evident, followed by pectinase and xylanase. Traces of CMCases, avicelase, lipase, β-xylosidase, β-glucosidase and α-glucosidase activities were also detected. Amylases were produced on rye flakes, starch, oat flakes, corn flakes, cassava flour and wheat fibre. Significant amylolytic levels were produced in the culture medium with glucose or when this sugar was exhausted, suggesting an enzyme in the constitutive form. Cassava flour, rye, oats, barley and corn flakes were also used as substrates in the hydrolytic reactions, aiming to verify the liberation potential of reducing sugars. Corn flakes induced greater liberation of reducing sugars as compared to the others. Thin layer chromatography of the reaction end products showed that the hydrolysis of cassava flour liberated maltooligosaccharides, but cassava flour and corn, rye, oats and barley flakes were hydrolyzed to glucose. These results suggested the presence of glucoamylase and α-amylase as part of the enzymatic pool of A. phoencis.