Schinopsis brasiliensis Engler-Phytochemical Properties, Biological Activities, and Ethnomedicinal Use: A Scoping Review.

Brazil has the most incredible biodiversity globally and has a vast storehouse of molecules to be discovered. However, there are no pharmacological and phytochemical studies on most native plants. Parts of Schinopsis brasiliensis Engler, a tree from the Anacardiaceae family, are used by several traditional communities to treat injuries and health problems. The objective of this scoping review was to summarize the pharmacological information about S. brasiliensis, from ethnobotanical to phytochemical and biological studies. Data collection concerning the geographical distribution of S. brasiliensis specimens was achieved through the Reflora Virtual Herbarium. The study's protocol was drafted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The search strategy used the keyword "Schinopsis brasiliensis" in the databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Web of Science, SciFinder, and SciELO. Rayyan was used for the selection of eligible studies. In total, 35 studies were included in the paper. The most recurrent therapeutic indications were for general pain, flu and inflammation. The bark was the most studied part of the plant. The most used preparation method was decoction and infusion, followed by syrup. Phytochemical investigations indicate the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and polyphenols. Most of the substances were found in the plant's leaf and bark. Important biological activities were reported, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. S. brasiliensis is used mainly by communities in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil to treat several diseases. Pharmacological and phytochemical studies together provide scientific support for the popular knowledge of the medicinal use of S. brasiliensis. In vitro and in vivo analyses reported antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, cytotoxic, photoprotective, preservative, molluscicidal, larvicidal, and pupicidal effects. It is essential to highlight the need for future studies that elucidate the mechanisms of action of these phytocompounds.

Comparison of conventional and extractive fermentation using aqueous two-phase system to extract fibrinolytic proteases produced by Bacillus stearothermophilus DPUA 1729.

Fibrinolytic enzymes have been considered promising for treatment and protection of healthy circulation due its ability to dissolve the fibrin in blood clots. Extractive fermentation is a not explored and efficient downstream process which segregates the desired product simultaneously in a fermentation process fast and economically. Extraction of fibrinolytic enzymes by Bacillus stearothermophilus DPUA 1729 employing conventional aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) and extractive fermentation with ATPS was evaluated. The results of both systems were compared using a factorial design with PEG molar mass, PEG and salt concentrations as independent variables and extraction parameters as a response. In all conditions evaluated it was observed a similar partitioning of fibrinolytic enzymes through the phases, both in conventional ATPS and extractive fermentation. Salt concentration and interaction among PEG and salt concentration influenced in the partition coefficient. The fibrinolytic activity was determined by hydrolysis of fibrin in plate using the extract of one condition from extractive fermentation. The zone degradation presented a diameter of 7.03 ± 0.94 mm. In conclusion, there was no significant difference among the results obtained using conventional ATPS and extractive fermentation, however, the second one presents more advantages and can integrate production and extraction in one single step, reducing the costs.

Production and partial purification by PEG/citrate ATPS of a ß-galactosidase from the new promising isolate Cladosporium tenuissimum URM 7803.

ß-Galactosidase production, partial purification and characterization by a new fungal were investigated. Partial purification was performed by aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) using polyethylene glycol (PEG) molar mass, PEG concentration, citrate concentration and pH as the independent variables. Purification factor (PF), partition coefficient (K) and yield (Y) were the responses. After identification by rDNA sequencing and classification as Cladosporium tenuissimum URM 7803, this isolate achieved a maximum cell concentration and ß-galactosidase activity of 0.48 g/L and 462.1 U/mL, respectively. ß-Galactosidase partitioned preferentially for bottom salt-rich phase likely due to hydrophobicity and volume exclusion effect caused in the top phase by the high PEG concentration and molar mass. The highest value of PF (12.94) was obtained using 24% (w/w) PEG 8000 g/mol and 15% (w/w) citrate, while that of Y (79.76%) using 20% (w/w) PEG 400 g/mol and 25% (w/w) citrate, both at pH 6. The enzyme exhibited optimum temperature in crude and ATPS extracts in the ranges 35-50 °C and 40-55 °C, respectively, and optimum pH in the range 3.0-4.5, with a fall of enzyme activity under alkaline conditions. Some metal ions and detergents inhibited, while others stimulated enzyme activity. Finally, C. tenuissimum URM 7803 ß-galactosidase showed a profile suitable for prebiotics production.

Production of ß-Lactamase Inhibitors by Streptomyces Species.

ß-Lactamase inhibitors have emerged as an effective alternative to reduce the effects of resistance against ß-lactam antibiotics. The Streptomyces genus is known for being an exceptional natural source of antimicrobials and ß-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid, which is largely applied in clinical practice. To protect against the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, new antibiotics and ß-lactamase inhibitors need to be discovered and developed. This review will cover an update about the main ß-lactamase inhibitors producers belonging to the Streptomyces genus; advanced methods, such as genetic and metabolic engineering, to enhance inhibitor production compared with wild-type strains; and fermentation and purification processes. Moreover, clinical practice and commercial issues are discussed. The commitment of companies and governments to develop innovative strategies and methods to improve the access to new, efficient, and potentially cost-effective microbial products to combat the antimicrobial resistance is also highlighted.

Chlorella vulgaris mixotrophic growth enhanced biomass productivity and reduced toxicity from agro-industrial by-products.

Algal wastewater remediation has become attractive for a couple of years now, however the effectiveness of genetic toxicity reducing of some by-products through microalgae are still not well reported. This study aimed to evaluate the growth, nutrients and toxicity removal of Chlorella vulgaris cultivated under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions in three agro-industrial by-products. Mixotrophic culture using corn steep liquor showed higher cell concentration, specific growth rate, maximum cell productivity and biomass protein content when compared to cheese whey and vinasse. Nutrient removal results showed that C. vulgaris was able to completely remove corn steep liquor nutrients, while in cheese whey and vinasse culture this removal was not as efficient, observing remaining COD. This work evaluated for the first time the corn steep liquor and cheese whey genetic toxicity through Allium cepa seeds assay. These results demonstrate that corn steep liquor toxicity was totally eliminated by C. vulgaris cultivation, and cheese whey and vinasse toxicity were minimized. This study proves that the mixotrophic cultivation of C. vulgaris can increase cellular productivity, as well as it is a suitable and economic alternative to remove the toxicity from agroindustrial by-products.

Application of aqueous two-phase micellar system to improve extraction of adenoviral particles from cell lysate.

Viral vectors are important in medical approaches, such as disease prevention and gene therapy, and their production depends on efficient prepurification steps. In the present study, an aqueous two-phase micellar system (ATPMS) was evaluated to extract human adenovirus type 5 particles from a cell lysate. Adenovirus was cultured in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells to a concentration of 1.4 × 1010 particles/mL. Cells were lysed, and the system formed by direct addition of Triton X-114 in a 23 full factorial design with center points. The systems were formed with Triton X-114 at a final concentration of 1.0, 6.0, and 11.0% (w/w), cell lysate pH of 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0, and incubation temperatures at 33, 35, and 37 °C. Adenovirus particles recovered from partition phases were measured by qPCR. The best system condition was with 11.0% (w/w) of Triton X-114, a cell lysate pH of 7.0, and an incubation temperature at 33 °C, yielding 3.51 × 1010 adenovirus particles/mL, which increased the initial adenovirus particles concentration by 2.3-fold, purifying it by 2.2-fold from the cell lysate, and removing cell debris. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that the use of an aqueous two-phase micellar system in the early steps of downstream processing could improve viral particle extraction from cultured cells while integrating clarification, concentration, and prepurification steps.

Application of aqueous two-phase micellar system to improve extraction of adenoviral particles from cell lysate

Viral vectors are important in medical approaches, such as disease prevention and gene therapy, and their production depends on efficient prepurification steps. In the present study, an aqueous two-phase micellar system (ATPMS) was evaluated to extract human adenovirus type 5 particles from a cell lysate. Adenovirus was cultured in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells to a concentration of 1.4 × 1010 particles/mL. Cells were lysed, and the system formed by direct addition of Triton X-114 in a 23 full factorial design with center points. The systems were formed with Triton X-114 at a final concentration of 1.0, 6.0, and 11.0% (w/w), cell lysate pH of 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0, and incubation temperatures at 33, 35, and 37 °C. Adenovirus particles recovered from partition phases were measured by qPCR. The best system condition was with 11.0% (w/w) of Triton X-114, a cell lysate pH of 7.0, and an incubation temperature at 33 °C, yielding 3.51 × 1010 adenovirus particles/mL, which increased the initial adenovirus particles concentration by 2.3-fold, purifying it by 2.2-fold from the cell lysate, and removing cell debris. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that the use of an aqueous two-phase micellar system in the early steps of downstream processing could improve viral particle extraction from cultured cells while integrating clarification, concentration, and prepurification steps.

Different types of aqueous two-phase systems for biomolecule and bioparticle extraction and purification.

Upstream improvements have led to significant advances in the productivity of biomolecules and bioparticles. Today, downstream processes are the bottleneck in the production of some biopharmaceuticals, a change from previous years. Current purification platforms will reach their physical limits at some point, indicating the need for new approaches. This article reviews an alternative method to extract and purify biomolecules/bioparticles named aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). Biocompatibility and readiness to scale up are some of the ATPS characteristics. We also discuss some of ATPS applications in the biotechnology field.