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J L Lima Filho

Publications and source records attributed to J L Lima Filho.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Partial purification of new milk-clotting enzyme produced by Nocardiopsis sp.

Numerous attempts have been made to replace calf rennet with other milk clotting proteases because of limited supply and increasingly high prices. The aim of this work was to investigate the characteristic of the milk-clotting enzyme from Nocardiopsis sp. The partial purification extract was obtained by fractional precipitation with ammonium sulphate. Of the fractions obtained by precipitation, 40-60% possessed the milk-clotting activity (156.25 U/mg). The chromatography of 40-100% ammonium sulphate fraction in DEAE-cellulose yielded four fractions (F4, F5, F6, F7) with milk-clotting activity. The F5 yielded the best milk-clotting activity (20 U/ml). Both crude and partially purified extract were active at the range pH 4.5-11.0, however, optimum activity was displayed at pH 11.0 and pH 7.5, respectively. The milk-clotting activity was highest at 55 degrees C for both crude and partially purified extract. The crude and partial purification extract were inactivated at 65 and 75 degrees C after 30 min.

Actinomycetales↗

Effect of culture conditions on lipase production by Fusarium solani in batch fermentation.

Lipase (Glycerol ester hydrolase EC 3.1.1.3.) from a Brazilian strain of Fusarium solani FSI has been investigated. The effect of different carbon sources and trace elements added to basal medium was observed with the aim of improving enzyme production. Lipase specific activity was highest (0.45 U mg(-1)) for sesame oil. When this medium was supplemented with trace elements using olive oil, corn oil and sesame oil the lipase specific activity increased to 0.86, 1.89 and 1.64 U mg(-1), respectively, after 96 h cultivation without any considerable biomass increase. The Km of this lipase using pNPP (p-nitrophenylpalmitate) as substrate, was 1.8 mM with a Vmax of 1.7 micromol min(-1) mg protein(-1). Lipase activity increased in the presence of increasing concentrations of hexane and toluene. In contrast, incubation of this enzyme with water-soluble solvents decreased its activity after 10% concentration (v/v) of the solvent. The lipase activity was stable below 35 degrees C but above this temperature activity losses were observed.

Bioreactors↗

Immobilization of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine on silicon oxide wafer for an acoustical biosensor.

One the most important aspects of a biosensor is related to immobilization and maintenance of specific reference compounds on sensing surfaces. A method for the immobilization of polysaccharides to a silicon oxide surface intended for Surface Acoustical Waves (SAW) sensors is described. Silicon oxide is a hydrophobic inorganic support used for the fabrication of many electronic devices. The pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPS) vaccine is immobilized via Protein A after pre-treatment of the surface with hydrochloric acid. The effects of non-specific binding are discussed. The results indicate that the immobilization of PPS via Protein A increases the sensitivity of detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae antibodies in human sera and offers greater reproducibility of response compared with ELISA methods. The principles of this technique are simple and are applicable to the immobilization of many capsular polysaccharides.

Acoustics↗

Lipase from a Brazilian strain of Penicillium citrinum.

A lipases (glycerol ester hydrolases E. C. 3.1.1.3) from a brazilian strain of Penicillium citrinum has been investigated. When the microorganism was cultured in the simple medium (1.0% olive oil and 0.5% yeast extract), using olive oil in as carbon source in the inocula, the enzyme extracted showed maximum activity (409 IU/mL). In addition, decrease of yeast extract concentration also reduces the lipase activity. Nevertheless, when yeast extract was replaced by ammonium sulfate, no activity was detected. Purification by precipitation with ammonium sulfate showed best activity in the 40-60% fraction. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was found in the range of 34-37 degrees C. However, after 30 min at 60 degrees C, the enzyme was completely inactivated. The enzyme showed optimum at pH 8.0. The dried concentrated fraction (after dialysis and lyophilization) maintained its lipase activity at room temperature (28 degrees C) for 8 mo. This result in lipase stability suggests an application of lipases from P. citrinum in detergents and other products that require a high stability at room temperature.

Brazil↗

[The histopathology of the trabecular section of the right branch of the bundle of His in chronic chagasic patients with a right bundle-branch block].

PURPOSE: To evaluate possible morphological changes in chronic chagasic of the right bundle trabecular branch (RB) with right branch block (RBB) and to draw clinicopathological correlations. METHODS: Eight RBB chronic chagasic septo-marginal trabeculae (SMT) (group A), six left branch block (LBB) chagasic SMT (group B) and six SMT from non-chagasics with no heart disease (group C) were analyzed. Every SMT was completely embedded in paraffin, sub-serially sectioned to the end of the paraffin-block and the sections were processed for pathological study. RESULTS: Right bundle branch trabecular segment mononuclear infiltrate and/or fibrosis were found for 87.5 (7/8) of group A, 50% (3/6) of group B and 16.6% (1/6) of group C. Moderate mononuclear infiltrate and fibrosis were noted respectively for 3 and 1 cases, from group A. For the remaining group A cases and for all the group B and C cases the mononuclear infiltrate and fibrosis were slight. CONCLUSION: The frequency and degree of RB lesions might explain some of RBB. On the other hand, the absence of lesions in one case RBB and the slight degree of RB lesions in chagasics with LBB and in one non-chagasic case indicate that sometimes it is not possible to establish electrocardiographic-pathological correlations after TSM histological examination.

Adult↗

Effects of potassium on the ethanol production rate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying the plasmid pCYG4 related with ammonia assimilation.

The influence of potassium on ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild type and AR5 cells carrying the plasmid pCYG4 was investigated. This plasmid carries the glutamate dehydrogenase gene conferring an 11-fold higher level of expressed enzyme activity over the wild type cells. All experiments were carried out in batch culture with medium supplemented to different potassium concentrations up to 180 mM. Maximum ethanol production rate was observed in the AR5 cells grown in medium supplemented with 3.5 mM of potassium ions. Glucose uptake rate increased with increasing potassium up to 60 mM, but higher concentrations depressed glucose uptake rate in both strains. Furthermore, the wild type cells showed higher growth rate, ethanol production, and glucose consumption rate than the AR5 cells. These lower rates in the AR5 cells could be explained by repression of potassium uptake by an enhancement of ammonium feeding, and greater energy requirements by these cells due the presence of the plasmid.

Ammonia↗

Glucose biosensor using glucose oxidase immobilized in polyaniline.

A biosensor for glucose utilizing kinetics of glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4.) was developed. The enzyme was immobilized on polyaniline by covalent bonding, using glutaraldehyde as a bifunctional agent. The system showed a linear response up to 2.2 mM of glucose with a response time of 2.5-4.0 min. In addition, the immobilized enzyme had a higher activity between pH 6.5 and 7.5. The system retained 50% of its activity after 30 d of daily use. The optical absorption spectra of the polyaniline/glucose oxidase electrode after glucose had been added to the buffer solution showed that the absorption band around 800 nm had changed considerably when glucose was allowed to react with the electrode. This optical variation makes polyaniline a very promising polymer for use as a support in optical sensor for clinical application.

Aniline Compounds↗

Uptake of ammonia by Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying the plasmid pCYG4 related with ammonia assimilation.

Batch culture experiments involving ammonia uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae BC55 pCYG4 have been carried out. This strain carries the plasmid pCYG4 that directs substantial overproduction of NADP-GDH, conferring an 11-fold increase in activity. The wild type cells had a specific growth rate greater than BC55 pCYG4. The ammonia uptake was practically the same until 15 h of growth. However, the amount of ammonia hydroxide added during growth (60 h) was two and half times greater in the BC55 pCYG4 than wild type cells. The results suggest that the presence of the plasmid pCYG4 can increase the amount of ammonia taken by the cells, but not the amount of biomass.

Ammonia↗

Studies on Saccharomyces cerevisiae under carbon-limiting growth transformed with plasmid pCYG4 that carries the gene for NADP-GDH.

The gene (GDH1) coding for the NADP-linked glutamate dehydrogenase system (NADP-GDH) has been cloned from Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Cells being transformed by the NADP-GDH gene on a 2 micron bared vector (pCYG4) plasmid confering 11-fold higher level on expressed GDH activity over the wild-type cells. The behavior of these cells was investigated under chemostatic growth with a carbon rate-limiting nutrient. Specific growth rates of cells carrying plasmid pCYG4 were found to be slightly slower than wild type cells. Furthermore, the NADP-GDH activity increases proportionally with the dilution rate. In addition, oscillations in the NADP-GDH activity, especially at a dilution rate up to 0.15/h, are probably consequential on the appearance of a changing mixed population (cells with and without plasmids).

Carbon↗

Studies on Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying the plasmid pCYG4 related with ammonia assimilation. Batch experiments.

Batch culture experiments of three different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been carried out. The first strain was transformed by a plasmid pCYG4, which carries the glutamate dehydrogenase (NADP-GDH, E.C. 1.4.14) gene conferring an 11-fold increase in activity. The second was transformed by the same plasmid, but without NADP-GDH, and the third was the wild type. The specific growth rates of the two recombinant DNA strains were below that of the wild type, which can be related to extra plasmid protein production.

Ammonia↗

Ascorbic acid biosensor using ascorbate oxidase immobilized on alkylamine glass beads.

A biosensor for ascorbic acid based on enzyme kinetics of ascorbate oxidase (E.C.1.10.3.3) was developed. The enzyme was extracted from Cucurbita maxima, or jerimun and immobilized by covalent bounding, using glutaradehyde as a bifunctional agent, on alkylamine glass beads, with and without enzyme active site protection. A low-cost, home-made oxygen electrode was applied as a transducer. The system has sensitivity from 62.5 up to 500 microM of ascorbic acid with satisfactory operation for more than 2 mo.

Alkylation↗