Brazilian artisanal "Coalho" cheeses from six Northeast towns were investigated as a functional food based on their peptide profiles and antioxidant, zinc-binding and antimicrobial activities. The peptides (WSP) from "Coalho" cheese showed high antioxidant activity, the best value of TEAC being 2223±10.10μM, which means 91.1±0.43% oxidative inhibition and peptide concentration for IC(50) of 7mg/mL (21μg of peptides) for sample from the town of Correntes. The smallest TEAC value (1896±17μM), which means 75.9±0.7% oxidative inhibition and IC(50) of 10.5mg/mL (31.5μg of peptide), was obtained for samples from the town of São Bento do Una. The zinc-binding activities were: Arcoverde (72.21±0.24%) Cachoeirinha (75.02±0.02%), Capoeiras (61.78±0.65%), Correntes (75.47±0.5%), São Bento do Una (75.41±0.15%), and Venturosa (74.36±0.04%). The WSP extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the results obtained suggest that "Coalho" cheese has potential as a functional food.

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.

Antimicrobial activities of "babaçu" (Orbignya martiana), "cardo santo" (Argemone mexicana), "mentrasto" (Ageratum conyzoides), "cavalinha" (Equisetum yeamalis) and "terramicina" (Alternanthera brasiliana), used by Brazilian population as antiinflamatory medicine, were studied on Staphylococcus aureus. The freezer dried hydroalcoholic extracts solutions were tested for 7 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which two of those are methicillin resistant (MRSA). The diffusion method on agar-agar, using holes technique, with tetracycline chlorydrate as standard. "Babaçu", "cardo santo" and "terramicina" showed antimicrobial activity, within of those "terramicina" inhibited 6 strains, presenting zone inhibition of 22 mm compared to standard antibiotic (34 mm), except the seventh strain which was also tetracycline resistant.A WHO considerou que no mundo aproximadamente 80% de uma população de 4 bilhões dependem principalmente da medicina tradicional para seus cuidados primários de saúde, bem a partir, do uso de extratos de plantas ou de seus princípios ativos 1,2,7 . Assim serão determinadas a atividade antimicrobiana das plantas babaçu (Orbignya martiana), cardo santo (Argemone mexicana), mentrasto (Ageratum conyzoides), cavalinha (Equisetum yeamalis) e terramicina (Alternanthera brasiliana) frente as cepas de Staphylococcus aureus. Material e MétodosAs cepas de Staphylococcus aureus usadas no teste são apresentadas na tabela 1. No estudo são retidas duas cepas padrões (ATCC) de reconhecida resistência, utilizadas nos testes para conservantes e desinfetantes, cinco isolados hospitalares: três meticilina sensível e dois meticilina resistente.As plantas com seus extratos são apresentados na tabela 2, todos os testes foram realizados com extratos aquosos obtidos a partir de liofilizados de extratos hidroalcóolicos (1:1) das referidas plantas.No caso da Alternanthera brasiliana (terramicina) o extrato tinha uma consistência mais pastosa, que dificultou a pesada.A metodologia empregada foi a técnica de discos por difusão em ágar e a técnica de poços por difusão em ágar, utilizando-se como antibiótico padrão: cloridrato de tetraciclina (solução mãe 1 mg/ml) e como meio ágar Müeller Hinton semeado na superfície com os inóculos bacterianos. O uso de dois ou mais métodos para o estudo da atividade antimicrobiana permite obter melhores resultados 9 . As placas foram deixadas em repouso por 40 min à temperatura ambiente antes de incubar (tempo de predifusão).

No abstract

No abstract