Edson Junior Do Carmo

Este estudo descreve a prospecção biotecnológica de enzimas hidrolíticas e genes envolvidos na biossíntese de biopolímeros a partir de uma biblioteca metagenômica construída com DNA ambiental (eDNA) extraído de terra preta de índio (TPI), um solo antropogênico da Amazônia reconhecido por sua elevada diversidade microbiana. A biblioteca foi construída utilizando como vetor o fosmídeo pCC1Fos e compreendeu aproximadamente 10.000 clones recombinantes independentes, totalizando cerca de 400 Mb de informação genética. A triagem funcional revelou 226 clones com atividades enzimáticas distintas, com predominância de atividades amilolíticas e de clones produtores de polihidroxialcanoatos (PHA), além de atividades lipolíticas, celulolíticas e xilanolíticas. A análise por bioinformática das sequências de DNA dos fosmídeos recombinantes de clones selecionados permitiu a identificação de genes com potencial aplicação industrial, incluindo lipases, esterases e amilases, apresentando diferentes níveis de similaridade com enzimas previamente descritas. Em conjunto, os resultados demonstram que a integração entre triagem funcional e sequenciamento de grandes fragmentos de DNA metagenômico constitui uma estratégia eficaz para a descoberta de genes de biocatalisadores com potencial biotecnológico, refletindo a vasta diversidade inerente aos solos de terra preta de índio.

The untapped microbial diversity of the Amazon region represents a strategic frontier for biotechnological applications. This study screened, identified, and evaluated the potential of yeasts isolated from Amazonian environments to bioconvert sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate into ethanol and xylitol. The lignocellulosic hydrolysate was obtained by thermochemical treatment using H ₂ SO ₄ (0.78% v/v) at 121 °C for 68 min, with a 20% solid loading. The yeast-like isolates were identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (5.8S rDNA) and the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA. Fifteen strains belonging to the genera Pichia , Debaryomyces , Meyerozyma , and Cyberlindnera exhibited the native capacity to convert xylose into xylitol and/or ethanol, achieving product yields ( Y _P/S ) of up to 0.20 g g ^− 1 for ethanol and 0.25 g g ^− 1 for xylitol in synthetic medium. Although initial fermentation in the acid hydrolysate (28.9 g L ^− 1 xylose, 5.0 g L ^− 1 arabinose, 1.2 g L ^− 1 glucose, and 5.9 g L ^− 1 acetic acid) supported cell growth, product synthesis was strongly inhibited by the high concentration of byproducts. The use of a biomass deacetylation strategy reduced acetic acid levels to 1.0 g L ^− 1 , enabling the conversion of sugars into the desired alcohols. Cyberlindnera saturnus strains achieved Y _P/S of up to 0.10 g g ^− 1 for ethanol and 0.14 g g ^− 1 for xylitol on deacetylated hydrolysate, while simultaneously performing the bioabatement of furans and residual acetic acid. These findings highlight unconventional Amazonian yeasts that, pending bioprocess optimization, exhibit promising metabolic traits for lignocellulosic biorefineries, including potential new yeast taxa.

A crescente busca por biocombustíveis influenciada por questões ambientais e econômicas é uma realidade global. Nesse sentido, o Brasil é um dos pioneiros na diversificação de sua matriz energética. Esse artigo tem o objetivo de avaliar o atual cenário do etanol produzido a partir de amido no Brasil por meio de revisão narrativa da literatura utilizando bases de dados, documentos técnicos e sites do setor de biocombustíveis. As informações obtidas apontam para um aumento da produção de etanol amiláceo oriundo do milho, embora a viabilização e consolidação de outras biomassas como a mandioca, batata-doce, trigo e sorgo necessitem de investimentos, políticas públicas, estratégias logísticas e avanços tecnológicos. Diante do exposto, o Brasil tem demonstrado seu compromisso com a diversificação de sua matriz energética utilizando biomassas renováveis que contribuem para a redução da necessidade de combustíveis fósseis.

Malaria continues to affect millions of people around the world. Current control strategies have not been sufficient, and additional tools are required for malaria elimination. A promising approach is the use of bacteria from the mosquito microbiota, such as the Su_YN1 Serratia ureilytica bacterium, which is shown to strongly impair the development of P. falciparum and P. berghei in Anopheles mosquitoes. To evaluate the potential of using S. ureilytica Su_YN1 to block the Plasmodium parasite in South American vectors, we investigated its effects on mosquito fitness and survival. We found that this bacterium does not affect the longevity, blood feeding, fecundity and fertility of Anopheles aquasalis, an important South American vector. Overall, our results provide baseline support for the potential implementation of Su_YN1 for the control of malaria transmission in South America.

Cheese is a dairy product that plays a fundamental role in the global economy. However, factors such as high rennet prices and religious and ethnic motivations against the use of animal-derived enzymes encourage the search for new coagulation agents. In this context, edible mushrooms have been emerging as promising sources of coagulant proteases for cheese production. The aim of this research was to evaluate the production of coagulant proteases and determine the parameters that influence the synthesis of these biocatalysts by Lentinus crinitus DPUA 1693. For enzyme production in liquid medium, the mushroom was cultivated in Potato Extract (PDA), Sabouraud Extract (SAB), Corn Meal (CMA), supplemented with yeast extract (YE) 0.5% (w/v) and Glucose, Yeast Extract, and Peptone (MGYP+YE). The proteolytic and coagulant activities were determined using 1% (w/v) azocasein solution and 10% (w/v) skimmed milk, respectively, as substrate. The parameters that interfere in the coagulant production were evaluated, such as inoculum size, fermentation time, and inoculum age. The protein profile of the crude extract and the zymogram to confirm the proteolytic action of the extract were determined by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The significant values of coagulant activity (18.21 U mL-1) in SAB and MGYP, as well as protease activity (1.64 U mL-1 and 1.66 U mL-1), respectively, with the ratio and strong clot. The significant coagulant production was verified under the following conditions: inoculum size (20%), fermentation time (10 days), and inoculum age (16 days). The significant values of activity and coagulant ratio, as well as the evidence of proteolytic action in zymograms, indicate the technological quality of the application of enzymes in the industrial sector. Lentinus crinitus DPUA 1693 is a natural source of coagulant with characteristics for the application of enzymes in the dairy sector.

Malaria continues to affect millions of people around the world. Current control strategies have not been sufficient, and additional tools are required for malaria elimination. A promising approach is the use of bacteria from the mosquito microbiota, such as the Su_YN1 Serratia ureilytica bacterium, that was shown to strongly impair development of P. falciparum and P. berghei in Anopheles mosquitoes. To evaluate the potential of the S. ureilytica Su_YN1 bacterium as a blocker of the Plasmodium parasite in South American vectors, we investigated its effects on mosquito fitness and survival. We found that this bacterium does not affect longevity, blood feeding, fecundity and fertility of Anopheles aquasalis, an important South American vector. Overall, our results provide baseline support for the potential implementation of Su_YN1 for the control malaria transmission in South America.

O estudo teve como objetivo analisar o panorama curricular da bioética nos cursos de graduação em Biotecnologia nas universidades federais do Brasil. De abordagem quali-quantitativa, possui caráter exploratório e descritivo pautada na reflexão teórica sobre o tema a partir de pesquisa documental em currículos e ementários de disciplinas de bioética dos cursos de Biotecnologia de 20 universidades federais do Brasil. Caracteriza-se também como pesquisa de opinião, tendo como público 10 estudantes da Unifal-MG. A partir das análises dos currículos e ementas, constatou-se que para a metade dos cursos de Biotecnologia, há o predomínio da abordagem Historicista, Filosófica e Temática no ensino da bioética. Com relação à opinião dos estudantes da Unifal-MG sobre a importância e contribuição da bioética para a Biotecnologia, os mesmos relataram que a disciplina é necessária e indispensável e que as duas áreas devem estar alinhadas para assegurar os direitos éticos aos seres vivos.

Considering the high biotechnological potential of yeasts associated to edible fruits, a screening for these microorganisms, capable of alcoholic fermentation, was performed in ripe fruits of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia, Kunth). The fruits were collected from north of Brazilian Amazon, in the floodplain of the Cauamé River. Yeasts were isolated, and fermentation capability was evaluated using Durham tubes. Quantitative assays were performed to calculate ethanol yield (gg⁻¹), specific growth rate (h⁻¹), and ethanol productivity (gL⁻¹·h⁻¹). Taxonomic identification was performed by ribosomal gene nucleotide sequence analysis by alignment using BLASTN. A total of fifteen yeast colonies were isolated, and three of them presented promising ability to ferment glucose to ethanol. These isolates were identified as Candida orthopsilosis, Pichia kudriavzevii, and Meyerozyma caribbica. When cultured in broth containing 180g·L⁻¹ of glucose, M. caribbica CC003 reached 91.7 percent of the maximum theoretical ethanol concentration (84.4g·L⁻¹), presenting an ethanol yield and productivity of 0.4688g·g⁻¹ and 0.781g·L⁻¹·h⁻¹, respectively. These results indicate a promising potential of this isolate for bioprocess applications. This paper is a rare report of C. orthopsilosis with endophytic habit because most of the references indicate it as a human pathogen. Besides this, M. caribbica is a promising fermenter for alcoholic beverages due to its osmotolerance and high ethanol yield. This is the first paper reporting endophytic yeasts associated with fruits of Myrciaria dubia.