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Yeasts, commonly present on the surface of fruits, are of industrial interest for the production of enzymes, flavorings, and bioactive compounds, and have many other scientific uses. The Amazonian rainforest may be a good source of new species or strains of yeasts, but their presence on Amazonian fruits is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize yeasts isolated from Amazonian native fruits using molecular and phenotypic methods. In total, 81 yeast isolates were obtained from 10 fruits species. Rep-PCR showed 29 strain profiles. Using a combination of restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the 5.8S-ITS region and D1/D2 sequencing of the 26S rRNA gene, 16 species were identified belonging to genera Candida, Debaryomyces, Hanseniaspora, Kodamaea, Martiniozyma, and Meyerozyma. The most dominant species were Candida tropicalis, Debaryomyces hansenii, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, and Hanseniaspora thailandica. H. opuntiae and H. thailandica showed the highest number of the strain profiles. Phenotypic profiles were variable between species, and even among strains. Screening for hydrolases showed lipolytic activity in only one isolate, while proteolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic capabilities were not detected. Yeast presence among fruits varied, with cidra (Citrus medica) and ungurahui (Oenocarpus bataua) having the highest number of species associated. This investigation broadens the understanding and possible biotechnological uses of yeast strains obtained from Amazonian native fruits.Yeasts, commonly present on the surface of fruits, are of industrial interest for the production of enzymes, flavorings, and bioactive compounds, and have many other scientific uses. The Amazonian rainforest may be a good source of new species or strains of yeasts, but their presence on Amazonian fruits is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize yeasts isolated from Amazonian native fruits using molecular and phenotypic methods. In total, 81 yeast isolates were obtained from 10 fruits species. Rep-PCR showed 29 strain profiles. Using a combination of restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the 5.8S-ITS region and D1/D2 sequencing of the 26S rRNA gene, 16 species were identified belonging to genera Candida, Debaryomyces, Hanseniaspora, Kodamaea, Martiniozyma, and Meyerozyma. The most dominant species were Candida tropicalis, Debaryomyces hansenii, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, and Hanseniaspora thailandica. H. opuntiae and H. thailandica showed the highest number of the strain profiles. Phenotypic profiles were variable between species, and even among strains. Screening for hydrolases showed lipolytic activity in only one isolate, while proteolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic capabilities were not detected. Yeast presence among fruits varied, with cidra (Citrus medica) and ungurahui (Oenocarpus bataua) having the highest number of species associated. This investigation broadens the understanding and possible biotechnological uses of yeast strains obtained from Amazonian native fruits.

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Yeasts associated with rotting wood from four Atlantic Rain forest sites in Brazil were investigated using a culture medium based on sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate. A total of 330 yeast strains were isolated. Pichia manshurica, Candida pseudolambica, and Wickerhamomyces sp. 3 were the most frequently isolated species. Fourteen novel species were obtained in this study. All isolates were tested for their ability to ferment d-xylose and to produce xylanases. In the fermentation assays using d-xylose (30 g L-1), the main ethanol producers were Scheffersomyces stipitis (14.08 g L-1), Scheffersomyces sp. (7.94 g L-1) and Spathaspora boniae (7.16 g L-1). Sc. stipitis showed the highest ethanol yield (0.42 g g-1) and the highest productivity (0.39 g L-1h-1). The fermentation results using hemicellulosic hydrolysate showed that Sc. stipitis was the best ethanol producer, achieving a yield of 0.32 g g-1, while Sp. boniae and Scheffersomyces sp. were excellent xylitol producers. The best xylanase-producing yeasts at 50 °C belonged to the species Su. xylanicola (0.487 U mg-1) and Saitozyma podzolica (0.384 U mg-1). The results showed that rotting wood collected from the Atlantic Rainforest is a valuable source of yeasts able to grow in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, including species with promising biotechnological properties.

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Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Cnidoscolus spinosus resulted in the isolation of relatively infrequent hopane-type triterpenes, 3ß-acetoxy-hop-22(29)-ene (1), first reported here as natural product, together with 3-oxo-hop-22(29)-ene (2), and 3ß-hydroxy-hop-22(29)-ene (3). ß-Amyrin palmitate and three phytosterols were also characterized. The structures of the compounds were established using spectroscopic methods, and those of 1 and 2 were confirmed by crystallographic analysis. Selected biological activities for the isolated hopane-type triterpenes were tested through a series of assays for determining the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, α-glucosidase inhibition and antiparasitic activities. Compounds 1-3 did not show cytotoxic activity, compound 1 displayed an important inhibitory effect in the mouse ear induced inflammation assay, and significantly inhibited the yeast α-glucosidase activity in vitro and in silico. Additionally, compounds 2 and 3 showed marginal activities against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania mexicana. Therefore, the bioactivities of hopane-type triterpenes deserve further investigation, particularly their anti-inflammatory properties.

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Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) is a thiamin diphosphate-dependent enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of valine, leucine, isoleucine, and lysine. Experimental evidence has shown that mutation of the Gln202 residue results in a decrease in the enzymatic activity, thus suggesting the main role of the carboligation catalyzed by AHAS. It has been postulated that this residue acts as an acid/base group, protonating the carbonyl oxygen from the 2-ketoacid substrate, during the carboligation reaction. However, previous studies have revealed that 2-ketoacid is not engaged in catalytically relevant interactions with ionizable groups that can act as an acid/base group during the catalysis. Therefore, it has been proposed that the carboligation reaction could occur through an intramolecular proton transfer without the assistance of an amino acid residue with acid-base properties. To decipher the role of Gln202, in this work, we studied the last two catalytic steps of the AHAS through quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations using a full enzyme model of the wild-type AHAS and the Gln202Ala mutant. Our results indicate that the carboligation mechanism occurs through an intramolecular proton transfer that does not require the action of an additional acid-base group. The mechanism is composed of two steps in which the last one is rate-limiting. Our findings reveal that Gln202 stabilizes a catalytic water molecule in the reactive site through electrostatic contributions that are mostly relevant during the carboligation step, in agreement with experimental evidence. The catalytic water engages in intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the reacting species and makes a strong electronic contribution to the stabilization of the reaction intermediate (AL-ThDP).

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O Queijo Artesanal Serrano é um produto nativo do sul do Brasil, produzido por mão de obra familiar a partir do leite cru, e que vem buscando a obtenção da sua indicação geográfica. Muitas das características que particularizam os tipos de queijo são dadas pela sua micobiota natural. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as espécies fúngicas presentes em 20 amostras de Queijo Artesanal Serrano de quatro períodos de maturação (14, 21, 28 e 35 dias), produzidos em outubro de 2017, em Santa Catarina. A identificação dos bolores foi feita por chaves de identificação e das leveduras por MALDI-TOF. Os bolores foram isolados em 28 das 80 amostras e com espécies variáveis, sendo algumas contaminantes. Por outro lado, as leveduras foram detectadas em todas as amostras, com alguns gêneros mais frequentes, principalmente o Kluyveromyces lactis, presente em 27 amostras, e algumas espécies de Candida spp. As espécies identificadas já foram isoladas em outros queijos artesanais brasileiros, produzido em locais com características de clima e relevo semelhantes ao do Queijo Artesanal Serrano.(AU)

Serrano Artisanal Cheese is a native product from the South region of Brazil, produced by family labor from raw milk, which seeks to obtain its geographical indication. Many of the characteristics that particularize the types of cheese are given by its natural mycobiota. The objective of this study was to determine the fungal species present in 20 samples of Serrano Artisanal Cheese from four ripening periods (14, 21, 28, and 35 days), produced in October 2017, in Santa Catarina. Identification of molds was made by identification keys and yeasts by MALDI-TOF. The molds were isolated in 28 of the 80 samples and with various species, some being attributed to contamination. On the other hand, yeasts were detected in all samples, with some genera being more frequent, specially Kluyveromyces lactis, present in 27 samples, and some species of Candida spp. The identified species have already been isolated in other Brazilian artisanal cheeses produced in places with similar climate and relief to that of Serrano Artisanal Cheese. (AU)

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O Queijo Artesanal Serrano é um produto nativo do sul do Brasil, produzido por mão de obra familiar a partir do leite cru, e que vem buscando a obtenção da sua indicação geográfica. Muitas das características que particularizam os tipos de queijo são dadas pela sua micobiota natural. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as espécies fúngicas presentes em 20 amostras de Queijo Artesanal Serrano de quatro períodos de maturação (14, 21, 28 e 35 dias), produzidos em outubro de 2017, em Santa Catarina. A identificação dos bolores foi feita por chaves de identificação e das leveduras por MALDI-TOF. Os bolores foram isolados em 28 das 80 amostras e com espécies variáveis, sendo algumas contaminantes. Por outro lado, as leveduras foram detectadas em todas as amostras, com alguns gêneros mais frequentes, principalmente o Kluyveromyces lactis, presente em 27 amostras, e algumas espécies de Candida spp. As espécies identificadas já foram isoladas em outros queijos artesanais brasileiros, produzido em locais com características de clima e relevo semelhantes ao do Queijo Artesanal Serrano.

Serrano Artisanal Cheese is a native product from the South region of Brazil, produced by family labor from raw milk, which seeks to obtain its geographical indication. Many of the characteristics that particularize the types of cheese are given by its natural mycobiota. The objective of this study was to determine the fungal species present in 20 samples of Serrano Artisanal Cheese from four ripening periods (14, 21, 28, and 35 days), produced in October 2017, in Santa Catarina. Identification of molds was made by identification keys and yeasts by MALDI-TOF. The molds were isolated in 28 of the 80 samples and with various species, some being attributed to contamination. On the other hand, yeasts were detected in all samples, with some genera being more frequent, specially Kluyveromyces lactis, present in 27 samples, and some species of Candida spp. The identified species have already been isolated in other Brazilian artisanal cheeses produced in places with similar climate and relief to that of Serrano Artisanal Cheese.

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Immunoglobulin Binding Protein (BiP) is a chaperone and molecular motor belonging to the Hsp70 family, involved in the regulation of important biological processes such as synthesis, folding and translocation of proteins in the Endoplasmic Reticulum. BiP has two highly conserved domains: the N-terminal Nucleotide-Binding Domain (NBD), and the C-terminal Substrate-Binding Domain (SBD), connected by a hydrophobic linker. ATP binds and it is hydrolyzed to ADP in the NBD, and BiP's extended polypeptide substrates bind in the SBD. Like many molecular motors, BiP function depends on both structural and catalytic properties that may contribute to its performance. One novel approach to study the mechanical properties of BiP considers exploring the changes in the viscoelastic behavior upon ligand binding, using a technique called nano-rheology. This technique is essentially a traditional rheology experiment, in which an oscillatory force is directly applied to the protein under study, and the resulting average deformation is measured. Our results show that the folded state of the protein behaves like a viscoelastic material, getting softer when it binds nucleotides- ATP, ADP, and AMP-PNP-, but stiffer when binding HTFPAVL peptide substrate. Also, we observed that peptide binding dramatically increases the affinity for ADP, decreasing it dissociation constant (KD ) around 1000 times, demonstrating allosteric coupling between SBD and NBD domains.

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The oleaginous yeast Moniliella spathulata R25L270 was the first yeast able to grow and produce extracellular lipase using Macaúba (Acrocomia aculeate) cake as substrate. The novel lipase was recently identified, and presented promising features for biotechnological applications. The M. spathulata R25L270 lipase efficiently hydrolyzed vegetable and animal oils, and showed selectivity for generating cis-5,8,11,15,17-eicosapentaenoic acid from sardine oil. The enzyme can act in a wide range of temperatures (25-48 °C) and pH (6.5-8.4). The present study deals with the immobilization of M. spathulata R25L270 lipase on hydrophobic, covalent and ionic supports to select the most active biocatalyst capable to obtain omega-3 fatty acids (PUFA) from sardine oil. Nine immobilized agarose derivatives were prepared and biochemically characterized for thermostability, pH stability and catalytic properties (KM and Vmax). Ionic supports improved the enzyme-substrate affinity; however, it was not an effective strategy to increase the M. spathulata R25L270 lipase stability against pH and temperature. Covalent support resulted in a biocatalyst with decreased activity, but high thermostability. The enzyme was most stabilized when immobilized on hydrophobic supports, especially Octyl-Sepharose. Compared with the free enzyme, the half-life of the Octyl-Sepharose derivative at 60 °C increased 10-fold, and lipase stability under acidic conditions was achieved. The Octyl-Sepharose derivative was selected to obtain omega-3 fatty acids from sardine oil, and the maximal enzyme selectivity was achieved at pH 5.0.

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One hundred and three yeasts isolated from soil samples from King George Island and Tierra del Fuego province were screened in relation with their capability to produce pectinolytic enzymes. Although all the yeasts showed well-developed colonies at 20 °C, only eight showed a clear halo around the colony, indicative of pectin degradation. A secondary screening demonstrated that only four yeasts were capable to produce pectinases at low temperatures (8 °C). It could be seen that the selected yeasts were able to grow and produce high levels of polygalacturonase activity when submerged fermentations were performed using pectin-containing fruit wastes as substrates. None of the strains produced neither lyase nor rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase activities. Regarding pectin esterase activity, it was only produced in lower amounts by G. pullulans 8E (0.022 U ml-1). A TLC analysis of the substrate cleavage pattern of the pectinolytic systems was consistent with an endo-type activity. The clarification of apple juice was only accomplished by G. pullulans pectinolytic system, with a clarification of 80% (%T650) using 4 U/ml of enzyme at 20 °C. As far as we concern this work describes for the first time the production of pectinases by the cold-adapted yeasts species Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum, Cryptococcus adeliensis and G. pullulans.

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Various microbial groups are well known to produce a range of extracellular enzymes and other secondary metabolites. However, the occurrence and importance of investment in such activities have received relatively limited attention in studies of Antarctic soil microbiota. Sixty-one yeasts strains were isolated from King George Island, Antarctica which were characterized physiologically and identified at the molecular level using the D1/D2 region of rDNA. Fifty-eight yeasts (belonging to the genera Cryptococcus, Leucosporidiella, Rhodotorula, Guehomyces, Candida, Metschnikowia and Debaryomyces) were screened for extracellular amylolytic, proteolytic, esterasic, pectinolytic, inulolytic xylanolytic and cellulolytic activities at low and moderate temperatures. Esterase activity was the most common enzymatic activity expressed by the yeast isolates regardless the assay temperature and inulinase was the second most common enzymatic activity. No cellulolytic activity was detected. One yeast identified as Guehomyces pullulans (8E) showed significant activity across six of seven enzymes types tested. Twenty-eight yeast isolates were classified as oleaginous, being the isolate 8E the strain that accumulated the highest levels of saponifiable lipids (42 %).

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BACKGROUND: Amylases and cellulases have great potential for application in industries such as food, detergent, laundry, textile, baking and biofuels. A common requirement in these fields is to reduce the temperatures of the processes, leading to a continuous search for microorganisms that secrete cold-active amylases and cellulases. Psychrotolerant yeasts are good candidates because they inhabit cold-environments. In this work, we analyzed the ability of yeasts isolated from the Antarctic region to grow on starch or carboxymethylcellulose, and their potential extracellular amylases and cellulases. RESULT: All tested yeasts were able to grow with soluble starch or carboxymethylcellulose as the sole carbon source; however, not all of them produced ethanol by fermentation of these carbon sources. For the majority of the yeast species, the extracellular amylase or cellulase activity was higher when cultured in medium supplemented with glucose rather than with soluble starch or carboxymethylcellulose. Additionally, higher amylase activities were observed when tested at pH 5.4 and 6.2, and at 30-37 °C, except for Rhodotorula glacialis that showed elevated activity at 10-22 °C. In general, cellulase activity was high until pH 6.2 and between 22-37 °C, while the sample from Mrakia blollopis showed high activity at 4-22 °C. Peptide mass fingerprinting analysis of a potential amylase from Tetracladium sp. of about 70 kDa, showed several peptides with positive matches with glucoamylases from other fungi. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all yeast species showed extracellular amylase or cellulase activity, and an inducing effect by the respective substrate was observed in a minor number of yeasts. These enzymatic activities were higher at 30 °C in most yeast, with highest amylase and cellulase activity in Tetracladium sp. and M. gelida, respectively. However, Rh. glacialis and M. blollopis displayed high amylase or cellulase activity, respectively, under 22 °C. In this sense, these yeasts are interesting candidates for industrial processes that require lower temperatures.

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The diversity of yeast species collected from the bromeliad tanks of Vriesea minarum, an endangered bromeliad species, and their ability to produce extracellular enzymes were studied. Water samples were collected from 30 tanks of bromeliads living in a rupestrian field site located at Serrada Piedade, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, during both the dry and rainy seasons. Thirty-six species were isolated, representing 22 basidiomycetous and 14 ascomycetous species. Occultifur sp., Cryptococcus podzolicus and Cryptococcus sp. 1 were the prevalent basidiomycetous species. The yeast-like fungus from the order Myriangiales, Candida silvae and Aureobasidium pullulans were the most frequent ascomycetous species. The diversity of the yeast communities obtained between seasons was not significantly different, but the yeast composition per bromeliad was different between seasons. These results suggest that there is significant spatial heterogeneity in the composition of populations of the yeast communities within bromeliad tanks, independent of the season. Among the 352 yeast isolates tested, 282 showed at least one enzymatic activity. Protease activity was the most widely expressed extracellular enzymatic activity, followed by xylanase, amylase, pectinase and cellulase activities. These enzymes may increase the carbon and nitrogen availability for the microbial food web in the bromeliad tank of V. minarum. Sequence analyses revealed the existence of 10 new species, indicating that bromeliad tanks are important sources of new yeasts. The novel species Occultifur brasiliensis, f.a., sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate the most frequently isolated yeast associated with V. minarum. The type strain of O. brasiliensis, f.a., sp. nov. is UFMG-CM-Y375(T) (= CBS 12687(T)). The Mycobank number is MB 809816.

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During wet processing of coffee, the ripe cherries are pulped, then fermented and dried. This study reports an experimental approach for target identification and selection of indigenous coffee yeasts and their potential use as starter cultures during the fermentation step of wet processing. A total of 144 yeast isolates originating from spontaneously fermenting coffee beans were identified by molecular approaches and screened for their capacity to grow under coffee-associated stress conditions. According to ITS-rRNA gene sequencing, Pichia fermentans and Pichia kluyveri were the most frequent isolates, followed by Candida Candida glabrata, quercitrusa, Saccharomyces sp., Pichia guilliermondii, Pichia caribbica and Hanseniaspora opuntiae. Nine stress-tolerant yeast strains were evaluated for their ability to produce aromatic compounds in a coffee pulp simulation medium and for their pectinolytic activity. P. fermentans YC5.2 produced the highest concentrations of flavor-active ester compounds (viz., ethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate), while Saccharomyces sp. YC9.15 was the best pectinase-producing strain. The potential impact of these selected yeast strains to promote flavor development in coffee beverages was investigated for inoculating coffee beans during wet fermentation trials at laboratory scale. Inoculation of a single culture of P. fermentans YC5.2 and co-culture of P. fermentans YC5.2 and Saccharomyces sp. YC9.15 enhanced significantly the formation of volatile aroma compounds during the fermentation process compared to un-inoculated control. The sensory analysis indicated that the flavor of coffee beverages was influenced by the starter cultures, being rated as having the higher sensory scores for fruity, buttery and fermented aroma. This demonstrates a complementary role of yeasts associated with coffee quality through the synthesis of yeast-specific volatile constituents. The yeast strains P. fermentans YC5.2 and Saccharomyces sp. YC9.15 have a great potential for use as starter cultures in wet processing of coffee and may possibly help to control and standardize the fermentation process and produce coffee beverages with novel and desirable flavor profiles.

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Winged males of leaf-cutting ants are considered an ephemeral reproductive caste only produced before the mating flight season. Although much is known about the yeast diversity found in fungus gardens of attine ants, no study has focused on the yeasts associated with males of leaf-cutting ants. Here, we surveyed the yeasts on the integuments of males of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and assessed their potential role in the attine ant-microbe symbiosis. Using culture-dependent techniques, we found yeasts to be abundant on the integuments of males (54.5 %, n = 200 alates). A total of 242 yeast strains were obtained representing six orders, ten genera and 25 species. Strains of Aureobasidium, Cryptococcus, Hannaella and Rhodotorula were prevalent on the integuments and likely originated from the fungus garden of the parental nest or from the soil. The majority of strains (87.1 %) produced at least one of the evaluated enzymes: pectinase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, xylanase, ligninases and lipase. Aureobasidium pullulans accounted for the highest number of strains that produced all enzymes. In addition, yeasts showed the ability to assimilate the resulting oligosaccharides, supporting observations of other studies that yeasts may be involved in the plant biomass metabolism in the fungus gardens. Because winged males harbor several yeasts with putative functional roles, these fungi may take part and be beneficial in the microbial consortia of the new incipient nest.

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In this study, yeasts associated with lignocellulosic materials in Brazil, including decaying wood and sugarcane bagasse, were isolated, and their ability to produce xylanolytic enzymes was investigated. A total of 358 yeast isolates were obtained, with 198 strains isolated from decaying wood and 160 strains isolated from decaying sugarcane bagasse samples. Seventy-five isolates possessed xylanase activity in solid medium and were identified as belonging to nine species: Candida intermedia, C. tropicalis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Scheffersomyces shehatae, Sugiyamaella smithiae, Cryptococcus diffluens, Cr. heveanensis, Cr. laurentii and Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans. Twenty-one isolates were further screened for total xylanase activity in liquid medium with xylan, and five xylanolytic yeasts were selected for further characterization, which included quantitative analysis of growth in xylan and xylose and xylanase and ß-D-xylosidase activities. The yeasts showing the highest growth rate and cell density in xylan, Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48, Su. smithiae UFMG-HM-80.1 and Sc. shehatae UFMG-HM-9.1a, were, simultaneously, those exhibiting higher xylanase activity. Xylan induced the highest level of (extracellular) xylanase activity in Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48 and the highest level of (intracellular, extracellular and membrane-associated) ß-D-xylosidase activity in Su. smithiae UFMG-HM-80.1. Also, significant ß-D-xylosidase levels were detected in xylan-induced cultures of Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48 and Sc. shehatae UFMG-HM-9.1a, mainly in extracellular and intracellular spaces, respectively. Under xylose induction, Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48 showed the highest intracellular ß-D-xylosidase activity among all the yeast tested. C. tropicalis UFMG-HB 93a showed its higher (intracellular) ß-D-xylosidase activity under xylose induction and higher at 30 °C than at 50 °C. This study revealed different xylanolytic abilities and strategies in yeasts to metabolise xylan and/or its hydrolysis products (xylo-oligosaccharides and xylose). Xylanolytic yeasts are able to secrete xylanolytic enzymes mainly when induced by xylan and present different strategies (intra- and/or extracellular hydrolysis) for the metabolism of xylo-oligosaccharides. Some of the unique xylanolytic traits identified here should be further explored for their applicability in specific biotechnological processes.

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The aim of the present study was to investigate the taxonomic identity of yeasts isolated from the Antarctic continent and to evaluate their ability to produce enzymes (lipase, protease and xylanase) at low and moderate temperatures. A total of 97 yeast strains were recovered from marine and terrestrial samples collected in the Antarctica. The highest amount of yeast strains was obtained from marine sediments, followed by lichens, ornithogenic soils, sea stars, Salpa sp., algae, sea urchin, sea squirt, stone with lichens, Nacella concinna, sea sponge, sea isopod and sea snail. Data from polyphasic taxonomy revealed the presence of 21 yeast species, distributed in the phylum Ascomycota (n = 8) and Basidiomycota (n = 13). Representatives of encapsulated yeasts, belonging to genera Rhodotorula and Cryptococcus were recovered from 7 different Antarctic samples. Moreover, Candida glaebosa, Cryptococcus victoriae, Meyerozyma (Pichia) guilliermondii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and R. laryngis were the most abundant yeast species recovered. This is the first report of the occurrence of some species of yeasts recovered from Antarctic marine invertebrates. Additionally, results from enzymes production at low/moderate temperatures revealed that the Antarctic environment contains metabolically diverse cultivable yeasts, which could be considered as a target for biotechnological applications. Among the evaluated yeasts in the present study 46.39, 37.11 and 14.43 % were able to produce lipase (at 15 °C), xylanase (at 15 °C) and protease (at 25 °C), respectively. The majority of lipolytic, proteolytic and xylanolytic strains were distributed in the phylum Basidiomycota and were mainly recovered from sea stars, lichens, sea urchin and marine sediments.

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Ethanol fuel production from lignocellulosic biomass is emerging as one of the most important technologies for sustainable development. To use this biomass, it is necessary to circumvent the physical and chemical barriers presented by the cohesive combination of the main biomass components, which hinders the hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars. This study evaluated the hydrolytic capacity of enzymes produced by yeasts, isolated from the soils of the Brazilian Cerrado biome (savannah) and the Amazon region, on sugarcane bagasse pre-treated with H2SO4. Among the 103 and 214 yeast isolates from the Minas Gerais Cerrado and the Amazon regions, 18 (17.47%) and 11 (5.14%) isolates, respectively, were cellulase-producing. Cryptococcus laurentii was prevalent and produced significant ß- glucosidase levels, which were higher than the endo- and exoglucanase activities. In natura sugarcane bagasse was pre-treated with 2% H2SO4 for 30 min at 150oC. Subsequently, the obtained fibrous residue was subjected to hydrolysis using the Cryptococcus laurentii yeast enzyme extract for 72 h. This enzyme extract promoted the conversion of approximately 32% of the cellulose, of which 2.4% was glucose, after the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction, suggesting that C. laurentii is a good ß-glucosidase producer. The results presented in this study highlight the importance of isolating microbial strains that produce enzymes of biotechnological interest, given their extensive application in biofuel production.

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The coffee fermentation is characterized by the presence of different microorganisms belonging to the groups of bacteria, fungi and yeast. The objectives of this work were to select pectinolytic microorganisms isolated from coffee fermentations and evaluate their performance on coffee pulp culture medium. The yeasts and bacteria isolates were evaluated for their activity of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin lyase (PL) and pectin methylesterase (PME) and metabolites production. Among 127 yeasts isolates and 189 bacterial isolates, 15 were pre-selected based on their ability to produce PL and organic compounds. These isolates were strains identified as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Candida parapsilosis, Pichia caribbica, Pichia guilliermondii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When cultivated in Coffee peel and pulp media in single culture or two by two mixed inocula, different behavior concerning to PME, PL and PG were found. The two principal components PC1 and PC2 accounted for 45.27 and 32.02 % of the total variance. UFLA CN727 and UFLA CN731 strains were grouped in the positive part of PC1 being characterized by 1,2-propanediol, hexanoic acid, decanoic acid, nonanoic acid and ethyl acetate. The UFLA CN448 and UFLA CN724 strains were grouped in the negative part of PC1 and were mainly characterized by guaiacol, butyric acid and citronellol. S. cerevisiae UFLACN727, P. guilliermondii UFLACN731 and C. parapsilosis UFLACN448 isolates are promising candidates to be tested in future studies as coffee starter cultures.

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BACKGROUND: Antarctica has been successfully colonized by microorganisms despite presenting adverse conditions for life such as low temperatures, high solar radiation, low nutrient availability and dryness. Although these "cold-loving" microorganisms are recognized as primarily responsible for nutrient and organic matter recycling/mineralization, the yeasts, in particular, remain poorly characterized and understood. The aim of this work was to study the yeast microbiota in soil and water samples collected on King George Island. RESULTS: A high number of yeast isolates was obtained from 34 soil and 14 water samples. Molecular analyses based on rDNA sequences revealed 22 yeast species belonging to 12 genera, with Mrakia and Cryptococcus genera containing the highest species diversity. The species Sporidiobolus salmonicolor was by far the most ubiquitous, being identified in 24 isolates from 13 different samples. Most of the yeasts were psychrotolerant and ranged widely in their ability to assimilate carbon sources (consuming from 1 to 27 of the 29 carbon sources tested). All species displayed at least 1 of the 8 extracellular enzyme activities tested. Lipase, amylase and esterase activity dominated, while chitinase and xylanase were less common. Two yeasts identified as Leuconeurospora sp. and Dioszegia fristingensis displayed 6 enzyme activities. CONCLUSIONS: A high diversity of yeasts was isolated in this work including undescribed species and species not previously isolated from the Antarctic region, including Wickerhamomyces anomalus, which has not been isolated from cold regions in general. The diversity of extracellular enzyme activities, and hence the variety of compounds that the yeasts may degrade or transform, suggests an important nutrient recycling role of microorganisms in this region. These yeasts are of potential use in industrial applications requiring high enzyme activities at low temperatures.

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RESUMO

Glacial ice and snow are known habitats for cold-adapted microorganisms. Research on cold-adapted yeast biodiversity from Perito Moreno and Mount Tronador glaciers (Patagonia, Argentina), and production of extracellular enzymatic activity at low temperatures (5 and 18 °C), was performed and described in this study. Ninety percent (90%) of the isolates were basidiomycetous; 16 genera and 29 species were identified. Twenty-five percent (25%) of total isolates corresponded to psychrophilic yeasts, whereas 75% were psychrotolerant yeasts. Eighty-five percent (85%) of all isolates had at least one enzymatic activity. Multiple correspondence analysis and cluster classification revealed a relationship between certain genera and some enzymatic activities. Cold-adapted yeast isolates were able to hydrolyze natural compounds (casein, lipids, starch, pectin, and carboxymethylcellulose) at low temperatures, suggesting a significant ecological role of these organisms as organic matter decomposers and nutrient cyclers. These yeasts are especially relevant for metabolic and ecological studies, as well as for yeast-based biotechnological process at low temperatures.

Assuntos