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In this communication, lipase A from Candida antarctica (CALA) was immobilized by covalent bonding on magnetic nanoparticles coated with chitosan and activated with glutaraldehyde, labelled CALA-MNP, (immobilization parameters: 84.1% ± 1.0 for immobilization yield and 208.0 ± 3.0 U/g ± 1.1 for derivative activity). CALA-MNP biocatalyst was characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetry (TG) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), proving the incorporation of magnetite and the immobilization of CALA in the chitosan matrix. Besides, the immobilized biocatalyst showed a half-life 8–11 times higher than that of the soluble enzyme at pH 5–9. CALA showed the highest activity at pH 7, while CALA-MNP presented the highest activity at pH 10. The immobilized enzyme was more active than the free enzyme at all studied pH values, except pH 7.

ABSTRACT:Cover crops contribute to nutrient cycling and may improve soil chemical properties and, consequently, increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate cover crop residue decomposition and nutrient release, and the effects of these plants on soil chemical properties and on onion (Allium cepa L.) yield in a no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out in an Inceptisol in southern Brazil, where cover crops were sown in April 2012 and 2013. In July 2013, shoots of weeds (WD), black oats (BO), rye (RY), oilseed radish (RD), oilseed radish + black oats (RD + BO), and oilseed radish + rye (RD + RY) were cut at ground level and part of these material from each treatment was placed in litter bags. The litter bags were distributed on the soil surface and were collected at 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days after distribution (DAD). The residues in the litter bags were dried, weighed, and ground, and then analyzed to quantify lignin, cellulose, non-structural biomass, total organic carbon (TOC), N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. In November 2012 and 2013, onion crops were harvested to quantify yield, and bulbs were classified according to diameter, and the number of rotted and flowering bulbs was determined. Soil in the 0.00-0.10 m layer was collected for chemical analysis before transplanting and after harvesting onion in December 2012 and 2013. The rye plant residues presented the highest half-life and they released less nutrients until 90 DAD. The great permanence of rye residue was considered a protection to soil surface, the opposite was observed with spontaneous vegetation. The cultivation and addition of dry residue of cover crops increased the onion yield at 2.5 Mg ha -1 .

IMatéria seca de plantas de cobertura, produção de cebola e atributos químicos do solo em sistema plantio direto agroecológico ABSTRACT The cultivation and deposition of waste from cover crops in no-tillage can affect soil chemical attributes and onion yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dry matter yield of plant species from winter cover crops, onion yield and chemical attributes of soil in agroecological no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out at EPAGRI Experimental Station in Ituporanga (SC) under Humic

The success of biosurfactant production depends on the development of cheaper processes based on the use of low cost raw materials, which account for 10-30% of the overall process cost. In Brazil, the cashew apple agroindustry plays an outstanding role in the local economy. However, only a small part of the pseudofruit produced is used industrially and the amount wasted (about 94%) presents high potential as fermentation media, since it is rich in carbohydrate, fibers, vitamins and minerals salts. In this work, the performance of cashew apple juice (CAJ) as a complex medium for Acinetobacter calcoaceticus growth and production of biosurfactant was investigated. The microorganism was able to grow and to produce biosurfactant on a defined culture medium and on CAJ, reducing the surface tension of both media. The biosurfactant also achieved a maximum emulsion index of 80% for kerosene, when defined medium was used.