Hyphal morphology modification in thermal adaptation by the white-rot fungus Fomes sp. EUM1.

A thermotolerant white-rot fungus was identified as Fomes sp. EUM1. The strain exhibited maximum growth at 30 °C, with activation and inactivation energy values of 68 and 32 kJ/mol, respectively. The temperature affected the hyphal morphology, which was related to the thermotolerance of the microorganism: A shift from 30 to 40 °C in the growth temperature caused a decrease (15%) in mycelium branching; also longer (32%) and thinner (13%) hyphae were produced. In addition, as the temperature rose from 25 to 45 °C, an increase was observed in both the hyphal surface area (43%) and the surface growth rate (193%). The modification of the hyphal morphology suggests a strategy to colonize nutrient-rich areas while spending minimal energy for biomass formation under thermal stress.

Ensilability, in vitro and in vivo values of the agro-industrial by-products of artichoke and broccoli.

By-products of raw artichoke (RA) (Cynara scolymus L.) and boiled broccoli (BB) (Brassica oleracea, var. italica) were ensiled in plastic bags for 24 days. Then, chemical composition, nutritive characteristics, in vitro rumen degradability, in vivo digestibility and phytosanitary residue contents of the silages were evaluated. The fermentative parameters studied indicated that plastic bags were a suitable method to silage RA and BB by-products. Both silages had a high in vitro rumen DM disappearance at 72 h, although it was higher in the BB silage (96.8 vs. 82.1%). In vivo digestibility of DM was similar and high in both silages (78.5 and 80.0% in RA and BB), but crude protein and NDF digestibilities were higher in the BB silage (83.0 and 88.3% vs. 55.1 and 78.8%). No residues of analysed phytosanitary were found. In conclusion, silages of wastes from the processing of artichoke and broccoli were free from the analysed several phytosanitary residues, their nutritive value made them adequate for feeding ruminant animals and are an environmentally friendly way of disposal of such residues.

Effect of substrate particle size and additional nitrogen source on production of lignocellulolytic enzymes by Pleurotus ostreatus strains.

Two strains of Pleurotus ostreatus (IE-8 and CP-50) were grown on defined medium added with wheat straw extract (WSE). Mycelia from these cultures were used as an inoculum for solid fermentation using sugar cane bagasse (C:N=142). This substrate was used separately either as a mixture of heterogeneous particle sizes (average size 2.9 mm) or as batches with two different particle sizes (0.92 mm and 1.68 mm). Protein enrichment and production of lignocellulolytic enzymes on each particle size was compared. The effect of ammonium sulphate (AS) addition was also analyzed (modified C:N=20), this compound favored higher levels of protein content. Strain CP-50 showed the highest increase of protein content (48% on particle size of 1.68 mm) when compared to media with no additional N source. However, strain IE-8 produced the highest levels of all enzymes: xylanases (5.79 IU/g dry wt on heterogeneous particles) and cellulases (0.18 IU/g dry wt on smallest particles), both without the addition of AS. The highest laccase activity (0.040 IU/g dry wt) was obtained on particles of 1.68 mm in the presence of AS. Since effect of particle size and addition AS was different for each strain, these criteria should be considered for diverse biotechnological applications.

Proximal Composition, Nutraceutical Properties, and Acute Toxicity Study of Culinary-Medicinal Oyster Mushroom Powder, Pleurotus ostreatus (Agaricomycetes).

A compositional study was performed on fruiting-body powder of the culinary-medicinal oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus for applications as a nutraceutical/functional food. Carbohydrates (55 g/100 g dry weight [dw]) and proteins (27.45 g/100 g dw, with an in vitro digestibility of 75%) appear to be the major components, but fat content was low (4 g/100 g dw). Pleurotus powder has important micronutrients such as minerals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg, and Co) and ascorbic acid, as well as nonnutrients (i.e., phenolics) with antioxidant potential. A powder-derived aqueous extract had a phenolic compound content of 138 mg/100 g that showed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and inhibition of membrane-lipid peroxidation activities of 58.3% and 61.4%, respectively. The presence of ß-1,3-1,6-D-glucans was also demonstrated (1.54 g/100 g). An acute toxicity test proved that Pleurotus powder was safe after oral administration to both male and female mice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. The combination of rich nutritional composition, bioactivity, and safety in P. ostreatus fruiting-body powder highlights its potential as a nutraceutical agent promoting health and life quality.

Inclusão de fibra em iogurte funcional enriquecido com geleia / Inclusion of fiber in functional yoghurt enriched with jelly

O iogurte é considerado pelo mercado consumidor o derivado lácteo de maior aceitação e consumo e a incorporação de farinha de frutas ou de geleias de frutas pode ser uma alternativa que visa agregar valor tanto pelo sabor, quanto pelo aumento do tempo de vida de prateleira dos mesmos. Teve-se como objetivo formular iogurte tipo grego enriquecido com farinha de banana, saborizado com geleia de manga e avaliar as características físico-químicas e microbiológicas. As características nutritivas e físico-químicas da farinha da banana verde permitem sua utilização como fonte de fibra no iogurte preservando as características sensoriais e o emprego da geleia de manga resultou em boa aceitação.

Particle geometry affects differentially substrate composition and enzyme profiles by Pleurotus ostreatus growing on sugar cane bagasse.

The growth of Pleurotus ostreatus was analyzed on three particle sizes of sugar cane bagasse: 0.92 mm and 1.68 mm in diameter, in addition to heterogeneous fibers (average 2.9 mm in diameter). Specific growth rate on heterogeneous particles was lower (µ=0.043 h(-1)), although soluble protein production was maximal (809 µg/g dry wt). Higher µ values were reached on the other two particles sizes (0.049-0.05 h(-1)) with less soluble protein (500 µg/g dry wt). Xylanases and laccases were favored in heterogeneous particles; while the highest selectivity for xylanases over cellulases was observed in 1.68 mm particles, corresponding with the maximal hemicellulose breakdown. Lignin and cellulose were preferentially degraded in smallest particles. This study shows that the geometrical ratio, shape and size of sugar cane bagasse fibers strongly influence packing density for SSF substrate, with an impact in the production of extracellular enzymes, growth rates and composition changes in substrate.