Search

Solar radiation, especially ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can cause damage to the human body, and exposure to the radiation may vary according to the geographical location, time of year and other factors. The effects of UVA and UVB radiation on organisms range from erythema formation, through tanning and reduced synthesis of macromolecules such as collagen and elastin, to carcinogenic DNA mutations. Some studies suggest that, in addition to the radiation emitted by the sun, artificial sources of radiation, such as commercial lamps, can also generate small amounts of UVA and UVB radiation. Depending on the source intensity and on the distance from the source, this radiation can be harmful to photosensitive individuals. In healthy subjects, the evidence on the danger of this radiation is still far from conclusive.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting using two different instruments and relate them to quality of life (QOL) in patients with cancer receiving antineoplastic treatment. Methods Severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) was measured by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and a numerical scale. QOL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General questionnaire. Key findings Of the 50 patients studied, 60.0% reported nausea (40.0% CTCAE grade 1; 66.7% moderate intensity on numerical scale) and 30.0% reported vomiting (46.7% CTCAE grades 1 and 2, each; 66.7% moderate intensity on numerical scale). CINV did not influence overall QOL. Conclusion The frequency of CINV was high. There was no association between nausea/vomiting and overall QOL.

Caroline de Godoi Rezende Costa Molino, Renata Cavalcanti Carnevale, Aline Teotonio Rodrigues, Marília Berlofa Visacri, Patricia Moriel, Priscila Gava Mazzola Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil Background: Substantial complexity has been introduced into treatment regimens for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Many drug-related problems (DRPs) are detected in these patients, such as low adherence, therapeutic inefficacy, and safety issues. We evaluated the impact of pharmacist interventions on CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, HIV viral load, and DRPs in patients with HIV infection. Methods: In this 18-month prospective controlled study, 90 outpatients were selected by convenience sampling from the Hospital Dia–University of Campinas Teaching Hospital (Brazil). Forty-five patients comprised the pharmacist intervention group and 45 the control group; all patients had HIV infection with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Pharmaceutical appointments were conducted based on the Pharmacotherapy Workup method, although DRPs and pharmacist intervention classifications were modified for applicability to institutional service limitations and research requirements. Pharmacist interventions were performed immediately after detection of DRPs. The main outcome measures were DRPs, CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, and HIV viral load. Results: After pharmacist intervention, DRPs decreased from 5.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] =4.1–6.2) to 4.2 (95% CI =3.3–5.1) per patient (P=0.043). A total of 122 pharmacist interventions were proposed, with an average of 2.7 interventions per patient. All the pharmacist interventions were accepted by physicians, and among patients, the interventions were well accepted during the appointments, but compliance with the interventions was not measured. A statistically significant increase in CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in the intervention group was found (260.7 cells/mm3 [95% CI =175.8–345.6] to 312.0 cells/mm3 [95% CI =23.5–40.6], P=0.015), which was not observed in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding HIV viral load. Conclusion: This study suggests that pharmacist interventions in patients with HIV infection can cause an increase in CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and a decrease in DRPs, demonstrating the importance of an optimal pharmaceutical care plan. Keywords: pharmaceutical care, HIV, clinical pharmacy, CD4+ T lymphocyte count, AIDS, pharmacy service

The study of biomolecules and bioparticles has achieved great advances, thus increasing the productivity with upstream improvements. Nowadays, downstream processes are the bottleneck in the production of some biopharmaceuticals, a change from the previous years' scene. Current purification platforms will reach their physical limits at some point, creating the necessity for new approaches. This article reviews an alternative method for the extraction and purification of biomolecules/bioparticles denominated as aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs). Biocompatibility and readiness to scale up are some of the characteristics of ATPSs and we also discuss its application in the biotechnology field. Keywords: polymer/polymer aqueous two-phase systems; polymer/salt aqueous two-phase systems; micellar aqueous two-phase systems; biological particles; virus; adenovirus

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes present in all tissues of the pineapple (Ananas comosus Merr.), and it is known for its clinical therapeutic applications, food processing, and as a dietary supplement. The use of pineapple waste for bromelain extraction is interesting from both an environmental and a commercial point of view, because the protease has relevant clinical potential. We aimed to study the optimization of bromelain extraction from pineapple waste, using the aqueous two-phase system formed by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(acrylic acid). In this work, bromelain partitioned preferentially to the top/PEG-rich phase and, in the best condition, achieved a yield of 335.27% with a purification factor of 25.78. The statistical analysis showed that all variables analyzed were significant to the process.

This paper reports the development of textile fibers from cellulose of sugar cane straw and commercial cellulose. Sugar cane straw pulps were obtained after alkaline pulping, using soda/anthraquinone (AQ). For the removal of residual lignin, pulps were submitted to chemical bleaching with hydrogen peroxide. Bleached pulps were used to obtain fibers with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO). Straw and pulps were characterized for their chemical composition (cellulose, polyoses and lignin). Fibers were analyzed to evaluate maximum water uptake or swelling, weight loss and mechanical properties. Microstructure was analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Pulping yield was 30%, and fibers showed water uptake capacity around 60–73%. The mass loss profile was about 25–26% in 30 days. Fibers obtained from commercial cellulose and straw presented tenacity values in the range of 4.1–4.3 cN/tex, which are compatible with commercial lyocell produced from wood pulp cellulose.

Liquid–liquid extraction for aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMS) is a promising technique that can either replace or be used as a complementary process to more typical chromatographic operations in order to reduce the costs of downstream processing of many biological products. This method offers attractive conditions when exploited in the extraction/purification of a target protein directly on the culture medium. Nisin, an extracellular antimicrobial peptide, is produced by Lactococcus lactis and is effective at controlling a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant pathogens. This study evaluates ATPMS composed by a nonionic surfactant, Triton X-114, in the presence or absence of electrolytes, to improve the extraction of nisin. The partitioning behavior of nisin showed that it can be directly extracted from the fermentation media. The partitioning coefficient (Knis) of the commercial nisin in the presence of electrolytes showed Knis values of 5.6 and 5.4 for MgSO4 and (NH4)2SO4, respectively. Similar behavior was observed for the produced nisin where Knis values were 4.1 and 5.1 for MgSO4 and (NH4)2SO4. After partition, the commercial nisin activity in the micelle-rich phase, in the absence of electrolytes, was 3.3 logAU/mL, and in the presence of MgSO4 and (NH4)2SO4, the activity was 5.0 logAU/mL. The produced nisin activity with and without MgSO4 was around 3.5 logAU/mL; however, in the presence of (NH4)2SO4, nisin activity was 4.5 logAU/mL. The increase in nisin activity after partitioning with salts encourages further researches for the optimization of nisin extraction.

Introdução: Os erros de prescrição são erros de medicação. A prevenção destes erros é um importante instrumento para a segurança das pacientes. Objetivos: Avaliar a frequência, os tipos, a gravidade dos erros de prescrição e a aceitação das intervenções farmacêuticas. Métodos: Estudo transversal, prospectivo e observacional, em unidade de internação obstétrica de alto risco, entre setembro de 2014 e março de 2015. As variáveis foram tipo de erro, significância clínica do erro de prescrição, classe terapêutica, medicamentos potencialmente perigosos envolvidos com erros, impacto e aceitação das intervenções. Resultados: Foram analisadas 1826 prescrições para 549 pacientes e identificados 130 erros (7,0%) de 101 pacientes (18,4%). Os erros mais frequentes foram interações medicamentosas (43,8%), frequência (21,5%), e dose incorreta (13,1%). O maior número de medicamentos em uma única prescrição foi o principal fator de risco relacionado aos erros (p

Nisin is a promising alternative to chemical preservatives for use as a natural biopreservative in foods. This bacteriocin has also potential biomedical applications. Lactic acid bacteria are commonly cultivated in expensive standard complex media. We have evaluated the cell growth and nisin production of Lactococcus lactis in a low-cost natural medium consisting of diluted skimmed milk in a 2-L bioreactor. The assays were performed at 30°C for 56 h, at varying agitation speeds and airflow rates: (1) 200 rpm (no airflow, and airflow at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 L/min); (2) 100 rpm (no airflow, and airflow at 0.5 L/min). Nisin activity was evaluated using agar diffusion assays. The highest nisin concentration, 49.88 mg/L (3.3 log AU/mL or 1,995.29 AU/mL), was obtained at 16 h of culture, 200 rpm and no airflow (kL a = 5.29 × 10−3). These results show that a cultivation medium composed of diluted skimmed milk supports cell growth to facilitate nisin biosynthesis.

The viability of large-scale industrial production of recombinant biomolecules of pharmaceutical interest significantly depends on the separation and purification techniques used. In biotechnology, endotoxin (LPS) removal from recombinant proteins is a critical and challenging step in the preparation of injectable therapeutics, since endotoxin is a natural component of bacterial expression systems widely used to manufacture therapeutic proteins. This work aimed to study the use of aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMS) from preparations containing recombinant proteins of pharmaceutical interest, such as green fluorescent protein (GFPuv), which works as a biological indicator. The GFPuv extraction and LPS removal were evaluated in ATPMS, partition assays were carried out using pure GFPuv and cell lysate from Escherichia coli. The ATPMS technology proved to be effective in GFPuv recovery, preferentially into the micelle-poor phase (KGFPuv > 1), and LPS removal into the micelle-rich phase (%REMLPS > 98%). GFPuv was partitioned preferentially into the micelle-poor phase due to excluded-volume interactions in the micelle-rich phase. Therefore, this system can be exploited as the first step for purification in biotechnology processes for removal of higher LPS concentrations.

In biotechnology, endotoxin (LPS) removal from recombinant proteins is a critical and challenging step in the preparation of injectable therapeutics, as endotoxin is a natural component of bacterial expression systems widely used to manufacture therapeutic proteins. The viability of large-scale industrial production of recombinant biomolecules of pharmaceutical interest significantly depends on the separation and purification techniques used. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of aqueous two-phase micellar system (ATPMS) for endotoxin removal from preparations containing recombinant proteins of pharmaceutical interest, such as green fluorescent protein (GFPuv). Partition assays were carried out initially using pure LPS, and afterwards in the presence of E. coli cell lysate. The ATPMS technology proved to be effective in GFPuv recovery, preferentially into the micelle-poor phase (K(GFPuv)1.00), and LPS removal into the micelle-rich phase (%REM(LPS)98.00%). Therefore, this system can be exploited as the first step for purification in biotechnology processes for removal of higher LPS concentrations.

Recent studies suggest that lecithin-rich diet can modify cholesterol homeostasis and hepatic lipoprotein metabolism. Considering the phytotherapeutic impact of lecithin, this work hypothesizes that lecithin administration in hypercholesterolemic patients may reduce cholesterol concentrations by increasing biliary secretion. Total cholesterol and LDL were evaluated after soy lecithin administration in hypercholesterolemic patients. One soy lecithin capsule (500 mg/RP-Sherer) was administrated daily. One-two months before the treatment beginning, blood samples were collected for total lipids and cholesterol fractions analysis. The results showed a reduction of 40.66% and 42.00% in total cholesterol and of 42.05% and 56.15% in LDL cholesterol after treatment for one and two months, respectively. A significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations was observed during the first month of treatment, suggesting that the administration of soy lecithin daily may be used as a supplemental treatment in hypercholesterolemia.

Due to the growing number of outbreaks of infection in hospital and nurseries, it becomes essential to set up a sanitation program that indicates that the appropriate chemical agent was chosen for application in the most effective way. Validating the effectiveness of decontamination and disinfection is an important and often challenging task. In order to study and compare the behavior of selected microorganisms, they were submitted to minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC intervals, which reduced bacteria populations over 6 log10, were: 59 to 156 mg/L of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs); 63 to 10000 mg/L of chlorhexidine; 1375 to 3250 mg/L of glutaraldehyde; 39 to 246 mg/L of formaldehyde; 43750 to 87500 mg/L of ethanol; 1250 to 6250 mg/L of iodine in polyvinyl-pyrolidone complexes, 150 to 4491 mg/L of chlorine-releasing-agents (CRAs) and 469 to 2500 mg/L of hydrogen peroxide. Chlorhexidine showed non inhibitory activity over germinating spores. A. calcoaceticus showed resistance to the majority of the agents tested, followed by E. cloacae and S. marcescens.Devido ao número crescente de surtos de infecção hospitalar, torna-se proeminente o estabelecimento de um programa de sanitização que liste os agentes químicos a serem empregados e o modo de aplicação mais efetivo. Validação da eficácia de descontaminação é uma tarefa ao mesmo tempo importante e desafiadora. Para estudar e comparar o comportamento dos microrganismos selecionados foram realizados ensaios de concentração inibitória mínima (CIM). A CIM capaz de reduzir o bioburden inicial (>6 log10) foi: 59 - 156 mg/L de quartenários de amônia; 63 - 10000 mg/L de clorexidina, 1375 - 3250 mg/mL de glutaraldeído, 39 - 246 mg/L de formaldeído, 43750 - 87500 mg/L de etanol 1250 - 6250 mg/L de PVPI, 150 - 4491 mg/L de compostos liberadores de cloro e 469 -2500 mg/L de peróxido de hidrogênio.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) shows remarkable structural stability and high fluorescence; its stability can be directly related to its fluorescence output, among other characteristics. GFP is stable under increasing temperatures, and its thermal denaturation is highly reproducible. Some polymers, such as polyethylene glycol, are often used as modifiers of characteristics of biological macromolecules, to improve the biochemical activity and stability of proteins or drug bioavailability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermal stability of GFP in the presence of different PEG molar weights at several concentrations and exposed to constant temperatures, in a range of 70-95 degrees C. Thermal stability was expressed in decimal reduction time. It was observed that the D-values obtained were almost constant for temperatures of 85, 90, and 95 degrees C, despite the PEG concentration or molar weight studied. Even though PEG can stabilize proteins, only at 75 degrees C, PEG 600 and 4,000 g/mol stabilized GFP.

In the health care setting, drugs added to large volume parenteral solutions (LVPS) are routinely administered to improve therapeutic effects and provide a faster clinical response. The development of analytical techniques that permit the detection of incompatibilities between drugs and parenteral solutions is necessary to guarantee their correct association with minimum adverse effects. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) has been used as a biological indicator of sterilization and disinfection processes because it exhibits a high thermal stability and is easily detected using UV light and spectrofluorometry. The response of GFP structure and/or protonation state to physicochemical changes in the solution favors its potential use as a biosensor for drug stability in parenteral solutions. The stability of the diuretic drugs furosemide and aminophylline, individually or combined, added to parenteral solutions of 20% mannitol and 0.9% NaCl was monitored by absorbance and RP-HPLC immediately and after 20 h of storage at room temperature, with and without 1 h exposure to a strong oxidant, H2O2. Changes in GFP fluorescence intensity were evaluated under the same conditions for purified GFP added to aliquots of the drug/LVPS solutions. Results show that GFP fluorescence intensity was proportional to the loss in drug stability over time and thus may potentially be added to a lot sample of a drug/parenteral solution as an immediate on-site test for defective product.

Background Purified water for pharmaceutical purposes must be free of microbial contamination and pyrogens. Even with the additional sanitary and disinfecting treatments applied to the system (sequential operational stages), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Pseudomonas picketti, Flavobacterium aureum, Acinetobacter lowffi and Pseudomonas diminuta were isolated and identified from a thirteen-stage purification system. To evaluate the efficacy of the chemical agents used in the disinfecting process along with those used to adjust chemical characteristics of the system, over the identified bacteria, the kinetic parameter of killing time (D-value) necessary to inactivate 90% of the initial bioburden (decimal reduction time) was experimentally determined. Methods Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Pseudomonas picketti, Flavobacterium aureum, Acinetobacter lowffi and Pseudomonas diminuta were called in house (wild) bacteria. Pseudomonas diminuta ATCC 11568, Pseudomonas alcaligenes INCQS , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442, Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 3178, Pseudomonas picketti ATCC 5031, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 937 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were used as 'standard' bacteria to evaluate resistance at 25°C against either 0.5% citric acid, 0.5% hydrochloric acid, 70% ethanol, 0.5% sodium bisulfite, 0.4% sodium hydroxide, 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, or a mixture of 2.2% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 0.45% peracetic acid. Results The efficacy of the sanitizers varied with concentration and contact time to reduce decimal logarithmic (log10) population (n cycles). To kill 90% of the initial population (or one log10 cycle), the necessary time (D-value) was for P. aeruginosa into: (i) 0.5% citric acid, D = 3.8 min; (ii) 0.5% hydrochloric acid, D = 6.9 min; (iii) 70% ethanol, D = 9.7 min; (iv) 0.5% sodium bisulfite, D = 5.3 min; (v) 0.4% sodium hydroxide, D = 14.2 min; (vi) 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, D = 7.9 min; (vii) mixture of hydrogen peroxide (2.2%) plus peracetic acid (0.45%), D = 5.5 min. Conclusion The contact time of 180 min of the system with the mixture of H2O2+ peracetic acid, a total theoretical reduction of 6 log10 cycles was attained in the water purified storage tank and distribution loop. The contact time between the water purification system (WPS) and the sanitary agents should be reviewed to reach sufficient bioburden reduction (over 6 log10).

Prior to selecting disinfectant for low, intermediate and high (sterilizing) levels, the decimal reduction time, D-value, for the most common or persistent bacteria identified on a medical device or at a health care facility should be determined. The D-value was determined by inoculating 100 mL of disinfecting solution with 1 mL of a bacterial suspension. At regular intervals, 1 mL aliquots of this mixture were transferred to 8 mL of growth media containing a neutralizing agent, and incubated at optimal conditions for the microorganism. B. stearothermophilus and E. coli were the most resistant bacteria for the disinfecting and sterilizing procedures. Para selecionar o agente sanitizante de acordo com o nível (baixo, intermediário, alto ou esterilizante) é necessário determinar o tempo de redução decimal (valor D) para os microrganismos comumente identificados em equipamentos médico-hospitalares. O valor D é determinado inoculando-se 1 mL da suspensão de microrganismo em 100 mL da solução desinfetante. Em intervalos constantes, alíquotas de 1 mL da mistura devem ser transferidas para 8 mL de meio de cultura contendo agente neutralizante. B. stearothermophilus e E. coli se mostraram os microrganismos mais resistentes para soluções esterilizantes e desinfetantes.

Background Prior to the selection of disinfectants for low, intermediate and high (sterilizing) levels, the decimal reduction time, D-value, for the most common and persistent bacteria identified at a health care facility should be determined. Methods The D-value was determined by inoculating 100 mL of disinfecting solution with 1 mL of a bacterial suspension (104 – 105 CFU/mL for vegetative and spore forms). At regular intervals, 1 mL aliquots of this mixture were transferred to 8 mL of growth media containing a neutralizing agent, and incubated at optimal conditions for the microorganism. Results The highest D-values for various bacteria were determined for the following solutions: (i) 0.1% sodium dichloroisocyanurate (pH 7.0) – E. coli and A. calcoaceticus (D = 5.9 min); (ii) sodium hypochlorite (pH 7.0) at 0.025% for B. stearothermophilus (D = 24 min), E. coli and E. cloacae (D = 7.5 min); at 0.05% for B. stearothermophilus (D = 9.4 min) and E. coli (D = 6.1 min) and 0.1% for B. stearothermophilus (D = 3.5 min) and B. subtilis (D = 3.2 min); (iii) 2.0% glutaraldehyde (pH 7.4) – B. stearothermophilus, B. subtilis (D = 25 min) and E. coli (D = 7.1 min); (iv) 0.5% formaldehyde (pH 6.5) – B. subtilis (D = 11.8 min), B. stearothermophilus (D = 10.9 min) and A. calcoaceticus (D = 5.2 min); (v) 2.0% chlorhexidine (pH 6.2) – B. stearothermophilus (D = 9.1 min), and at 0.4% for E. cloacae (D = 8.3 min); (vi) 1.0% Minncare® (peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, pH 2.3) – B. stearothermophilus (D = 9.1 min) and E. coli (D = 6.7 min). Conclusions The suspension studies were an indication of the disinfectant efficacy on a surface. The data in this study reflect the formulations used and may vary from product to product. The expected effectiveness from the studied formulations showed that the tested agents can be recommended for surface disinfection as stated in present guidelines and emphasizes the importance and need to develop routine and novel programs to evaluate product utility.

Background A typical purification system that provides purified water which meets ionic and organic chemical standards, must be protected from microbial proliferation to minimize cross-contamination for use in cleaning and preparations in pharmaceutical industries and in health environments. Methodology Samples of water were taken directly from the public distribution water tank at twelve different stages of a typical purification system were analyzed for the identification of isolated bacteria. Two miniature kits were used: (i) identification system (api 20 NE, Bio-Mérieux) for non-enteric and non-fermenting gram-negative rods; and (ii) identification system (BBL crystal, Becton and Dickson) for enteric and non-fermenting gram-negative rods. The efficiency of the chemical sanitizers used in the stages of the system, over the isolated and identified bacteria in the sampling water, was evaluated by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Results The 78 isolated colonies were identified as the following bacteria genera: Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium and Acinetobacter. According to the miniature kits used in the identification, there was a prevalence of isolation of P. aeruginosa 32.05%, P. picketti (Ralstonia picketti) 23.08%, P. vesiculares 12.82%,P. diminuta 11.54%, F. aureum 6.42%, P. fluorescens 5.13%, A. lwoffi 2.56%, P. putida 2.56%, P. alcaligenes 1.28%, P. paucimobilis 1.28%, and F. multivorum 1.28%. Conclusions We found that research was required for the identification of gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria, which were isolated from drinking water and water purification systems, since Pseudomonas genera represents opportunistic pathogens which disperse and adhere easily to surfaces, forming a biofilm which interferes with the cleaning and disinfection procedures in hospital and industrial environments.

Background The cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries have an increasing interest in replacing synthetic antimicrobials in dermatological products due to increased microbial resistance to conventional antimicrobial agents. Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) is a native fruit tree of the Brazilian Cerrado, specifically used in cosmetics, in the food industry, and for medicinal purposes. Leishmanicidal and antifungal activities have been reported previously. This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of a C. brasiliense extract obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. Methods The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus were determined by the classical microdilution method. Antiseptic activity against these organisms was evaluated by the plate diffusion method. The antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated using a method based on the oxidation of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS). The extract’s chemical profile was analyzed for the presence of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds according to standard colorimetric methods. Results The C. brasiliense supercritical CO2 extract exhibits antimicrobial activity against all bacteria tested. It also possesses antioxidant activity, when compared to a vitamin E standard. Conclusions The C. brasiliense supercritical CO2 extract may be useful for the development of personal care products, primarily for antiseptic skin products that inactivate, reduce, prevent, or arrest the growth of microorganisms with the inherent intent to mitigate or prevent disease as well as products that minimize damage caused by free radicals.

Background The breast cancer mortality rate is high among Brazilian women, a fact probably related to late diagnosis of this condition. Adjuvant endocrine treatment with tamoxifen for 5 years can increase the survival rate of patients with hormone receptor-positive tumours. Because it is an orally administered drug, the patient plays an important role in compliance with the correct treatment (adherence) assuming much of the responsibility for her treatment. Therefore, Pharmaceutical Care has subsidies to influence treatment of these patients, identifying, preventing and resolving drug treatment problems (DTPs). Purpose To evaluate adherence to tamoxifen and to identify the most important DTPs in patients with breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine treatment. Materials and Methods A prospective study was conducted in a university hospital specialising in women’s health. Over 6 months patients with breast cancer were included if they were on adjuvant endocrine treatment for at least 1 month. All were interviewed by the pharmacist (Minnesota model). The instrument used to evaluate adherence was the Morisky-Green test. Results Forty-one patients were included (mean age 55.0 years; ranging from 34–78). In the first visit, the pharmacist identified 82 DTPs (mean: 2.0 ± 1.1 DTPs/patient), 63.4% related to drug safety. The adherence to oral endocrine treatment was 36.6%; according to the Morisky-Green test; among the non-adherent patients 92.3% were non-intentional (mostly by forgetting to take doses of tamoxifen). The patient’s average time on endocrine therapy was 24.9 ± 17.6 months. Conclusions We observed that the DTPs are present in oral endocrine therapy and adherence to this treatment can be considered inappropriate. The results obtained may contribute to the development of strategies in pharmaceutical care to improve adherence to oral endocrine therapy and decrease DTPs in breast cancer patients using tamoxifen. No conflict of interest.

Background Pharmaceutical interventions can prevent drug-related problems and possible prescription errors. They thus contribute to the optimization of pharmacotherapy and to prioritising safety in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Purpose To identify and quantify medicines errors observed and interventions made in the ICU in question, drawing a profile of the main actions of the pharmacist in critical care specialising in women’s health. Materials and Methods The study was conducted in a Brazilian ICU of a university hospital specialising in women’s health, from February to May 2012. Interventions were performed after analysis of patient prescriptions (18 years old or over, hospitalised for more than 24 hours in the ICU) and discussions of clinical cases during multidisciplinary meetings. Interventions were classed on whether or not they were accepted by the medical staff. Drug-related errors observed were classed as preventable or not and ranked by an adaptation of the classification of the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCCMERP). Results The study involved 82 patients, and 386 prescriptions were evaluated. The mean age was 41.1 ± 19.0 years old and the average hospital stay was 4.7 ± 3.3 days. We identified 45 medicines errors (mean 0.6 ± 3.5/patient), 86.7% of these were preventable and 13.3% were not. The most common error types were: unsafe medicine due to drug interaction (26.7%), higher dose than recommended (15.6%) and unsafe medicine during lactation (13.3%). Fifty-one interventions were made (mean 0.6 ± 4.2/patient), and 84.3% of these were accepted; 3.9% partially accepted; and 11.8% were not accepted. The most common interventions were to recommend an alternative dose (25.5%), identify drug interactions (23.5%), and risk during lactation (11.8%). Conclusions Partial results obtained show the necessity for clinical pharmacy services in the ICU as an important contribution to reducing risks from drug treatment. No conflict of interest.

Background Studies have shown that pharmaceutical care can result in favorable clinical outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, however, few studies have assessed the economic impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of pharmaceutical care of HIV-infected patients. Methods A controlled ambispective study was conducted in Brazil from January 2009 to June 2012. Patients were allocated to either intervention or control group. The control group was followed according to standard care while the intervention group was also followed by a pharmacist at each physician appointment for one year. Effectiveness outcomes included CD4+ count, viral load, absence of co-infections and optimal immune response, and economic outcomes included expenses of physician and pharmaceutical appointments, laboratory tests, procedures, and hospitalizations, at six months and one year. Results Intervention and control groups included 51 patients each. We observed significant decreases in total pharmacotherapy problems during the study. At six months, the intervention group contained higher percentages of patients without co-infections and of patients with CD4+ >500 cells/mm3. None of the differences between intervention and control group considering clinical outcomes and costs were statistically significant. However, at one year, the intervention group showed higher percentage of better clinical outcomes and generated lower spending (not to procedures). An additional health care system daily investment of US$1.45, 1.09, 2.13, 4.35, 1.09, and 0.87 would be required for each additional outcome of viral load 200, 350, and 500 cells/mm3, and optimal immune response, respectively. Conclusion This work demonstrated that pharmaceutical care of HIV-infected patients, for a one-year period, was able to decrease the number of pharmacotherapy problems. However, the clinical outcomes and the costs did not have statistical difference but showed higher percentage of better clinical outcomes and lower costs for some items.

Background Due to the growing number of outbreaks of infection in hospital nurseries, it becomes essential to set up a sanitation program that indicates that the appropriate chemical agent was chosen for application in the most effective way. Method For the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of a chemical agent, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was reached by the classic method of successive broth dilutions. The reference bacteria utilized were Bacillus subtilis var. globigii ATCC 9372, Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. The strains of Enterobacter cloacae IAL 1976 (Adolfo Lutz Institute), Serratia marcescens IAL 1478 and Acinetobactev calcoaceticus IAL 124 (ATCC 19606), were isolated from material collected from babies involved in outbreaks of infection in hospital nurseries. Results The MIC intervals, which reduced bacteria populations over 08 log10, were: 59 to 156 mg/L of quaternarium ammonium compounds (QACs); 63 to 10000 mg/L of chlorhexidine digluconate; 1375 to 3250 mg/L of glutaraldehyde; 39 to 246 mg/L of formaldehyde; 43750 to 87500 mg/L of isopropanol or ethanol; 1250 to 6250 mg/L of iodine in polyvinyl-pyrolidone complexes, 150 to 4491 mg/L of chlorine-releasing-agents (CRAs); 469 to 2500 mg/L of hydrogen peroxide; and, 2310 to 18500 mg/L of peracetic acid. Conclusions Chlorhexidine showed non inhibitory activity over germinating spores. A. calcoaceticus, was observed to show resistance to the majority of the agents tested, followed by E. cloacae and S. marcescens.

Background Caryocar brasiliense Camb (Pequi) is a typical Brazilian Cerrado fruit tree. Its fruit is used as a vitamin source for culinary purposes and as a source of oil for the manufacture of cosmetics. C. brasiliense supercritical CO2 extracts exhibit antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus and also possess antioxidant activity. This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of the supercritical CO2 extract obtained from the leaves of this species. Methods In vitro cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of C. brasiliense supercritical CO2 extracts were assessed using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (XTT) and Neutral Red methods. Results We found that the C. brasiliense (Pequi) extract obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction did not present cytotoxic and phototoxic hazards. Conclusions This finding suggests that the extract may be useful for the development of cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical products.

O transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH) é uma das terapias mais importantes em hematologia. Entretanto, trata-se de um procedimento dispendioso, associado a morbimortalidade e que envolve uma farmacoterapia complexa. Neste cenário, destaca-se a possibilidade de contribuição do farmacêutico clínico. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o impacto da inserção do farmacêutico clínico na equipe de TCTH alogênico nos desfechos: mortalidade relacionada ao transplante, falha de enxertia, incidência de doença do enxerto contra o hospedeiro (DECH), tempo de internação, tempo para enxertia, número de reinternações, número de Problemas Relacionados à Farmacoterapia (PRFs), adesão e conhecimento sobre a farmacoterapia. Trata-se de um estudo de intervenção com controle histórico em que o farmacêutico atuou no grupo intervenção durante as fases: pré-TCTH, TCTH propriamente dito e pós-TCTH imediato. O acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico consistiu na monitorização diária (dias úteis) das prescrições e da condição clínica dos pacientes, identificação, monitorização e resolução de PRFs e participação nas discussões com a equipe clínica. Após a alta hospitalar, o farmacêutico realizou consultas, monitorando a adesão e o conhecimento sobre os medicamentos em uso. Ao todo, 33 indivíduos foram incluídos no grupo intervenção (GI) e 28 no grupo controle histórico (GC). Os dois grupos apresentaram características sociodemográficas e clínicas similares. A maior parte dos pacientes recebeu indicação para o TCTH em decorrência de uma doença hematológica maligna, com predomínio de medula óssea como principal fonte de células-tronco. A frequência de transplantes aparentados foi superior no GC (p = 0,0427). Foram encontrados 250 PRFs, esclarecidas 59 dúvidas da equipe e realizadas 309 intervenções no GI. Os PRFs decorreram principalmente de interações medicamentosas (36,80%), reações adversas à medicamentos (18,0%) e sobredoses (12,0%). As classes terapêuticas mais envolvidas foram os anti-infecciosos de uso sistêmico e os antineoplásicos e imunomoduladores. Obteve-se uma média de 9,36 (DP= 6,97) intervenções por paciente, abrangendo principalmente reduções de dose (19,09%), ajustes de horário de administração (18,12%), atividades educativas/qualificação da equipe (15,21%) e retirada de fármacos (10,68%). Quanto à aceitabilidade, 85,8% das intervenções foram aceitas, 3,9% foram aceitas com alterações, 7,1% não foram aceitas sem justificativa e 3,2% não foram aceitas com justificativa. As intervenções significantes ou muito significantes representaram 75,4% dos casos. Em média, cada paciente passou por 4,68 consultas farmacêuticas (DP = 1,91) durante o pós-TCTH imediato e o aumento no conhecimento e na adesão pôde ser evidenciado (p = 0,0001; p = 0,0115, respectivamente). Não foi possível demonstrar diferenças entre GI e GC na mortalidade, falha de enxertia, DECH, tempo de internação, tempo para enxertia e reinternações. Contudo, as intervenções farmacêuticas foram necessárias principalmente em pacientes com internações prolongadas (p < 0,001), que necessitaram de reinternações (p < 0,001), que utilizaram mais medicamentos (p < 0,001) e/ou que apresentaram DECH (p < 0,001) ou falha de enxertia (p = 0,010). Apesar da dificuldade na mensuração do impacto do acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico nos desfechos clínicos, é notável a contribuição em pontos relevantes do transplante. O farmacêutico realizou intervenções clinicamente relevantes e auxiliou no gerenciamento da farmacoterapia, contudo, a abordagem multidisciplinar é fundamental para maximizar os ganhos. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is one of the most important therapies in hematology. However, it is an expensive procedure, associated with substantial rates of morbidity and mortality and which involves highly complex pharmacotherapy. In this scenario, the potential contribution of the clinical pharmacist is highlighted. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the inclusion of a clinical pharmacist in the allogeneic HSCT team on the outcomes: transplant-related mortality, graft failure, incidence of graft versus host disease (GVHD), length of hospital stay, time for grafting, number hospital readmissions, number of Drug Related Problems (DRPs), adherence and knowledge about pharmacotherapy. This is an interventional study with historical control in which the pharmacist performed tasks in the intervention group during the transplantation phases: preHSCT, HSCT itself and immediate post-HSCT. This professional daily reviewed prescriptions and patient\'s clinical condition, identified, monitored and solved DRPs and participated in discussions with the multidisciplinary team. After hospital discharge, the pharmacist also conducted consultations, monitoring adherence and knowledge about the drugs in use. 33 participants were included in the intervention group (IG) and 28 in the historical control group (CG). Both groups had similar sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Most patients received an indication for HSCT due to malignant hematological diseases, with predominance of bone marrow as the main source of stem cells. The frequency of related transplants was higher in the CG (p = 0.0427). In the IG, a total of 250 DRPs were obtained, 59 team doubts were solved and 309 interventions were carried out. DRPs were mainly drug interactions (36.80%), adverse drug reactions (18.0%) and overdoses (12.0%). The therapeutic classes most involved were anti-infectives for systemic use, antineoplastic and immunomodulators. An average of 9.36 (SD = 6.97) interventions per patient was obtained, mainly covering dose reductions (19.09%), administration schedule adjustments (18.12%), educational activities (15.21 %) and drug withdrawal (10.68%). Regarding acceptability, 85.8% of the interventions were accepted, 3.9% were accepted with changes, 7.1% were not accepted without justification and 3.2% were not accepted with justification. Significant or very significant interventions represented 75.4% of cases. On average, each patient participated in 4.68 pharmaceutical consultations (SD = 1.91) during the immediate post-HSCT and the increase in knowledge and adherence could be proved (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0115, respectively). It was not possible to demonstrate differences between IG and CG in mortality, graft failure, GVHD, length of hospital stay, time for grafting and hospital readmissions. However, pharmaceutical interventions were necessary mainly in patients with prolonged hospitalizations (p

Foi investigada a utilização de Sistema Micelar de Duas Fases Aquosas (SMDFA) para remoção de lipolissacarídeos (LPS) de preparações contendo proteínas recombinantes de interesse farmacêutico, como a proteína verde fluorescente (GFPuv). Os SMDFA são constituídos por soluções de tensoativos contendo micelas e oferecem ambientes hidrofóbico e hidrofílico, que possibilitam seletividade na partição de biomoléculas de acordo com sua hidrofobicidade, permitindo a remoção de LPS contaminante. Neste trabalho, foi realizada a implementação do método para a quantificação de LPS em amostras contaminadas e a obtenção de LPS e GFPuv puros a partir de cultivo de E. coli recombinante. Além disso, foi estudada a influência do Triton X-114 na metodologia de quantificação de LPS, e a adição de MgSO4, CaCl2, KI e (NH4)2SO4 na partição de GFPuv e LPS puros em SMDFA. E ainda, realizou-se um planejamento experimental (22) para avaliar os maiores KGFPuv e %RECGFPuv. O homogeneizado celular de E. coli foi testado nas melhores condições obtidas com o planejamento experimental. E finalmente, o processo por cromatografia de afinidade por íons metálicos (IMAC) foi empregado para investigar a adsorção de LPS em matriz IDA-Ca2+. Conforme os resultados obtidos, o TX-114 causou elevada interferência no método cinético cromogênico, em função da similaridade desta molécula com os LPS. Os LPS apresentaram partição preferencial para a fase concentrada em micelas, com altos valores de remoção, %REMLPS>98,0%. Ao contrário, a GFPuv foi recuperada preferencialmente na fase diluída, na qual existe maior volume disponível, resultando em valores de KGFPuv>1. A adição de sais ocasionou diminuição nos valores KGFPuv, provavelmente por causa da carga negativa que GFPuv adquiriu nas condições avaliadas. Os resultados do planejamento experimental mostraram que a melhor condição de partição obtida foi na região do ponto central, 4,0% (p/p) a 60,0°C, com KGFPuv>10. O processo por IMAC apresentou as maiores capacidades de adsorção de LPS-IDA-Ca+2 nas condições de menor pH e maior força iônica 4,0 e 1,0 mol/L, respectivamente. O processo de purificação por SMDFA empregado para a remoção de LPS contaminante presente em meio fermentado contendo GFPuv, demonstrou ser eficiente em recuperar a biomolécula-alvo na fase diluída e separar o principal contaminante na fase rica em micelas. Portanto, pode ser empregado como primeira etapa para a remoção de altas concentrações de LPS na purificação de proteínas hidrofílicas como a GFPuv. The Aqueous Two-Phase Micellar System (ATPMS) was investigated for endotoxin (LPS) removal from preparations containing recombinant proteins of pharmaceutical interest, such as the green fluorescent protein (GFPuv). These systems usually consist of micellar surfactants solutions and offer both hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments, providing selectivity to the biomolecules partitioning according to its hydrophobicity. In this work, the implementation of the method for LPS quantification in contaminated samples was accomplished, as well as the obtaining of pure LPS and GFPuv from recombinant E. coli. Furthermore, the influence of Triton X-114 in the methodology for LPS quantification was studied, as the addition of MgSO4, CaCl2, KI, and (NH4)2SO4 into the partition of pure GFPuv and LPS in ATPMS. In addition, a statistical design (22) was carried out to evaluate the highest KGFPuv and %RECGFPuv. The E. coli cell lysate was tested under optimum conditions obtained with the statistical design. And, finally, the process by ionmetal affinity chromatography (IMAC) was used to investigate the adsorption of LPS in IDA-Ca2+ matrix. The results showed that the TX-114 caused high interference in the kinetic chromogenic method, according to the similarity of this molecule to LPS. The LPS showed preferential partitioning to the micellerich phase, with high values of removal, %REMLPS>98.0%. In the other hand, the GFPuv was preferentially recovered in the micelle-poor phase, in which there is greater volume available resulting in values of KGFPuv>1. The addition of salts caused a reduction in the values KGFPuv, probably because of the negative charge that the GFPuv acquired at the conditions evaluated. The results of the statistical design showed that the best partitioning condition obtained was in the central point region, 4.0% (wt/wt) at 60.0°C, with KGFPuv>10. The process by IMAC showed the highest adsorption of LPS-IDA-Ca+2 capacities at the conditions of lower pH and higher ionic strength 4.0 and 1.0 mol/L, respectively. The purification process for the LPS contaminant removal from E. coli fermentation containing GFPuv by ATPMS proved to be efficient in the recovering of target biomolecule in the micelle-poor phase, and separating the main contaminant in the micelle-rich phase. Furthermore, this system can be exploited as the first step for removal of higher LPS concentrations from hydrophilics protein purification.

Bromelina é um nome coletivo para enzimas proteolíticas encontradas no talo, fruto e folhas do abacaxi (Ananas comosus Merr). A bromelina possui propriedades anti-inflamatórias, de debridamento, entre outras. Para a produção da bromelina deve-se, preferencialmente, usar resíduos do abacaxi, visto que os produtos do fruto têm aplicação comercial. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a extração de bromelina a partir de cascas de abacaxi através de sistema de duas fases aquosas (SDFA), e sua aplicação em hidrogel polimérico. Foram realizados estudos de estabilidade da bromelina comercial, em que se observou maior estabilidade em pH 5,0 com menor perda da atividade relativa em todas as temperaturas estudadas (20, 30, 40 e 50°C). O estudo da extração da bromelina em SDFA formado por polietileno glicol (PEG) e ácido poliacrílico (PAA) (com auxílio da análise de variância de parâmetros como rendimento, fator de purificação e coeficiente de partição) proporcionou rendimento de 335% e fator de purificação de 25,8. Os hidrogéis poliméricos à base de PEG estudados apresentaram-se flexíveis, com pouca elasticidade e taxa de absorção superior a 1000%. Hidrogel carreado de bromelina pelo método de turgescência proporcionou a maior liberação da enzima, assim como a maior atividade (80% da bromelina liberada em 24 h e 278 ± 89 U/mL). Bromelain is a collective name for the proteolytic enzymes found in the stem, fruit and leaves of pineapple (Ananas comosus Merr.). Bromelain possesses anti-inflammatory properties, debridement, among others. For bromelain production one should preferably use the waste materials, whereas pineapple fruit products have commercial application. This study aimed to extract bromelain from pineapple peels using aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), and its application in polymeric hydrogels. Stability studies of commercial bromelain were performed, which found greater stability at pH 5.0 with minor loss of relative activity at all temperatures studied. The study of bromelain extraction in ATPS composed by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly acrylic acid (PAA) (with assistance of variance analysis of parameters such as yield, purification factor and partition coefficient) showed yield 335% and purification factor of 25.8. The PEG-based hydrogels studied presented flexibility, low elasticity and swelling ratio higher than 1000%. Hydrogel containing bromelain, loading by embedding (solvent sorption) method, yielded the highest enzyme release, as well as the highest activity (80% bromelain released over 24 h and 278 ± 89 U / mL).

O ácido clavulânico (AC) é um potente inibidor de β-lactamases, sendo utilizado em associação com antibióticos β-lactâmicos. Atualmente, a purificação industrial do AC envolve, principalmente, processos de extração líquido-líquido com solventes orgânicos e etapas cromatográficas. Assim, métodos alternativos como os sistemas micelares de duas fases aquosas (SMDFA), os quais oferecem seletividade na partição de biomoléculas de acordo com sua hidrofobicidade, são de grande interesse. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a partição do AC em sistemas micelares não iônicos de duas fases aquosas, puros e com adição do sal (NH4)2SO4 ou do polímero sulfato de dextrana (Dx-S). Os estudos de estabilidade do AC mostraram que o fármaco é mais estável em pH 6,5 e temperaturas mais baixas (5 - 20 ºC). Em relação à presença dos aditivos, foi verificado que a adição do Dx-S acarretou em menor perda da estabilidade do AC quando comparado ao (NH4)2SO4, com valor residual ≥ 90% a 35 °C. Na presença dos tensoativos Triton X-114 e Triton X-100, o AC apresentou-se estável, com valor residual de aproximadamente 100%. De acordo com os ensaios de partição, o AC foi recuperado preferencialmente na fase pobre em micelas, tanto nos sistemas TX/tampão quanto TX/sal para ambos os tensoativos, com valores de coeficiente de partição (KAC) ~ 0,7 e rendimento na fase diluída (Yclavd) ~ 75%. A adição do polímero em maiores concentrações (≥ 8% p/p) proporcionou um pequeno aumento nos valores de KAC, porém com valores ainda próximos a 1 - 1,5. Portanto, os resultados demonstraram que a presença dos aditivos não influenciou suficientemente a partição do AC para a fase micelar e, desta maneira, os sistemas TX/tampão mostraram ser mais eficientes para a recuperação do ácido clavulânico na fase pobre em micelas, podendo ser empregados como etapa prévia de extração em um processo biotecnológico. Clavulanic acid (CA) corresponds to a potent β-lactamase inhibitor that is used in association with β-lactamic antibiotics. The industrial purification of CA usually involves liquid-liquid extraction processes employing organic solvents followed by several chromatographic steps. Therefore, new purification alternatives such as aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPS) are of great interest. These systems can provide selectivity in biomolecule partitioning according to hydrophobicity and other molecular properties. Within this context, the main goal of this study was to investigate CA partitioning in aqueous two-phase micellar (nonionic) systems, with and without the addition of (NH4)2SO4 or dextrane sulfate (Dx-S). Stability studies performed with CA indicated that the drug is more stable at pH 6.5 and lower temperatures (5 - 20 ºC). In addition, it was demonstrated that Dx-S addition led to a lower loss of CA stability in comparisson to (NH4)2SO4, with residual values ≥ 90% at 35 °C. The drug was found to be very stable in the presence of the surfactants Triton X-114 and Triton X-100, with residual values around 100%. Regarding CA partitioning in the ATPMS, the drug partitioned preferentially to the micelle-poor phase, irrespective of the surfactante employed and of the presence of (NH4)2SO4,with partition coefficient (KAC) ~ 0.7 and yield in the poor phase (Yclavd) ~ 75%. Nonetheless, the addition of Dx-S in concentrations (≥ 8.0% p/p) resulted in a discrete increase in KAC, with values around 1 - 1.5. Therefore, the results obtained in this work demostrated that the addition of (NH4)2SO4 or Dx-S to ATPMS did not significantly influenced CA partitioning to the micelle-rich phase and, in this context, the systems investigated could be considered more eficiente for CA recovery in the micelle-poor phase, as a previous extraction step of a biotechnological process.

O peptídeo antimicrobiano retratado neste trabalho é a nisina, produzido pela bactéria Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, um peptídeo estruturalmente composto por 34 aminoácidos, mostra um vasto espectro de atividade inibitória em microrganismos Gram-positivos, Gram-negatios e esporo formadores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi produzir a nisina a partir de células de Lactococcus lactis utilizando soro de leite e leite desnatado como meio de cultivo. Para tanto as células de L. lactis foram desenvolvidas em agitador rotacional (30°C/36 h/100 rpm) e a atividade de nisina, os parâmetros de crescimento e os componentes do meio de cultivo foram analisados. Em leite desnatado, contendo 2,27 9 de sólidos totais, a atividade de nisina foi 20077,05 AU.mL-1 sendo 3 vezes maior em relação ao leite desnatado com 4,54 9 sólidos totais, 8739,77 AU.mL-1 ; e foi 73 vezes maior em relação ao leite desnatado com 1,14 9 sólidos totais, 273,21 AU.mL-1. Osoro de leite utilizado foi doado por uma indústria de lacticínios, em laboratório parte do soro foi tratada de duas formas: (i) filtrado e (ii) esterilizado, e ambos foram utilizados para cultivo das células produtoras de nisina em agitador rotacional 30°C/36 h/100 rpm. Os resultados mostraram que o meio de cultivo composto por soro de leite não filtrado forneceu uma adaptação ao L. lactis, sendo a concentração de nisina obtida 1628 vezes maior que do soro de leite filtrado, 11120,13 e 6,83 mg.L-1 respectivamente. Em relação à atividade de nisina contra Gram-negativos, aumentou-se o efeito bactericida quando adicionada ao EDTA. O comportamento da nisina no sistema micelar de duas fases aquosas foi investigado experimentalmente, demonstrando que a biomolécula alvo pode ser extraída tanto do meio fermentado complexo quanto daslmpurezas presentes na nisina comercial. Nos testes com o sistema micelar de duas fases aquosas, a nisina particionou, preferencialmente, para a fase rica em micelas (coeficiente de partição (KNis) maior que 1,5), ocorrendo um aumento de 1 ciclo logaritimo na concentração inicial de nisina comercial (105 AU, no sistema). Este trabalho reúne os estudos desenvolvidos onde o principal objetivo foi a obtenção da nisina através de meios- de cultivo alternativos, além de sua aplicação e purificação. Nisin is a natural antimicrobial peptide used as food preservative produced by Lactococcus lactis, that inhibits the outgrowth of spores, the growth of a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Applications of this bacteriocin include dental care products pharmaceutical products such as stomach ulcers and colon infection treatment and potencial birth control. This study aims to evaluate growth conditions for L. lactis as well as the effect in nisin production when utilizing milk whey and skimmed milk. Lactococcus lactis ATCC 11454 was developed in a rotatory shaker (30°C/36 h/100 rpm) in diluted skimmed milk and nisin expression, growth parameters and media components were also studied. Nisin expression in skimmed milk 2.27 9 total solids (20077.05 AU.mL-1) was up to 3-fold higher than transfers in skimmed milk 4.54 9 total solids (8739.77 AU.mL-1) and was up to 85-fold higher than transfers in skimmed milk 1.14 9 total solids (273.21 AU.mL-1). Milk whey, abyproduct from dairy industries, was utilized in two different ways (i) without filtration, autoclaved at 121°C for 30 min and (ii) filtrated (1.20 µm and 0.22 µm membrane filter), L. lactis was developed in a rotary shaker (30°C/36 h/100 rpm) and these cultures were transferred five times using 5 mL aliquots of broth culture for each new volume of the respective media. The results showed that culture media composed by milk whey without filtration was better for L. lactis in its adaptation than milk whey without filtration. Nisin titers, in milk whey without filtration, was 11120.13 mg.L-1 in 2nd transfer, and Up to 1628-fold higher than the filtrated milk whey, 6.83 mg.L-1 in 1st transfer. Nisin activity was assayed by the agar diffusion method using Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521 and a recombinant Escherichia coli DH5α expressing the recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFPuv) as the nisin-susceptible test organisms. Combining EDTA with nisin increased the bactericidal effect of nisin upon the bacteria examined. A potentially scalable and cost-effective way to purify commercial and biosynthesized in bioreactor nisin, including simultaneously removal of impurities and contaminants, increasing nisin activity, was studied (two phase micellar system). Results indicated that nisin partitions preferentially to the micelle richphase, despite the surfactant concentration tested, and its antimicrobial activity increases. Biological processing of byproducts (milk whey) can be considered one profitable alternative, generating highvalued bioproducts.