The group of Gram-negative bacteria capable of oxidising ethanol to acetic acid is called acetic acid bacteria (AAB). They are widespread in nature and play an important role in the production of food and beverages, such as vinegar and kombucha. The ability to oxidise ethanol to acetic acid also allows the unwanted growth of AAB in other fermented beverages, such as wine, cider, beer and functional and soft beverages, causing an undesirable sour taste. These bacteria are also used in the production of other metabolic products, for example, gluconic acid, l-sorbose and bacterial cellulose, with potential applications in the food and biomedical industries. The classification of AAB into distinct genera has undergone several modifications over the last years, based on morphological, physiological and genetic characteristics. Therefore, this review focuses on the history of taxonomy, biochemical aspects and methods of isolation, identification and quantification of AAB, mainly related to those with important biotechnological applications.

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Sugar cane silage has a potential for animal feeding, but uncontrolled growth of undesirable microorganisms may cause nutritional losses and affect the animal productivity and health. The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality and chemical composition of ensiled sugar cane with and without nutritional additives after 30 days of fermentation. Yeasts, filamentous fungi and distinct groups of bacteria were enumerated by plate count methods and the chemical analyzes comprised dry matter, crude protein, fiber content, lignin, and pH. Facultative aerobic bacteria and filamentous fungi were not detected during the fermentative process in any of the treatments. The number of yeasts in five varieties of sugar cane silage without additives was about 6.55 Log CFU g -1 of silage, and with 1% ammonium sulfate and 1% urea were about 5.86 and 5.50 Log CFU g -1 of silage, respectively. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count without additive was about 8.62 Log CFU g -1 of silage, and with 1% ammonium sulfate and 1% urea the count was about 6.40 and 6.54 Log CFU g -1 of silage, respectively. The average percent of dry material in the three treatments was 20.76%. The addition of ammonium sulphate and urea has decreased the microbial load after 30 days but it has increased the total crude protein concentration. Additives also affected neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin content in all five varieties of sugar cane silage.

Carboxymethyl-glucan (CM-G) is a soluble derivative from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (1 → 3)(1 → 6)-β-D-glucan. The protective efficiency of CM-G against DNA damage in cells from patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa), and undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), was evaluated. DNA damage scores were obtained by the comet assay, both before and after treatment with CM-G. The reduction in DNA damage, ranging from 18% to 87%, with an average of 59%, was not related to the increased number of leukocytes in peripheral blood. The results demonstrate for the first time the protective effect of CM-G against DNA damage in patients with advanced PCa. Among smokers, three presented the highest reduction in DNA damage after treatment with CM-G. There was no observable relationship between DNA damage scores before and after treatment, and age, alcoholism and radiotherapy.

Resumoβ-glucanas são polissacarídeos constituintes estruturais da parede celular de leveduras, fungos e alguns cereais, que se diferenciam pelo tipo de ligação presente entre as unidades de glicose. Uma importante fonte destes polissacarídeos é a parede celular de Saccharomyces cerevisiae, uma levedura amplamente empregada em processos industriais de fermentação. A β-glucana é considerada um modificador da resposta biológica devido ao seu potencial imunomodulador, pois ao ser reconhecida por receptores celulares específicos tem habilidade de realçar a resposta imune do hospedeiro. Outros efeitos benéficos como anticarcinogênico, antimutagênico, hipocolesterolêmico e hipoglicêmico também têm sido relacionados à β-glucana Esta revisão de literatura teve por objetivo agregar conhecimentos científicos sobre a constituição e bioatividade da β-glucana, incluindo seu reconhecimento pelo sistema imune, bem como, a obtenção a partir da parede celular de S. cerevisiae. Palavras-chave: β-glucana, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bioatividade, imunomodulador, sistema imune Abstract β-glucans are polysaccharides that constitute the structure of the cell wall of yeast, fungi and some cereals, which differs each other by the linkages between glucose units. An important source of these polymers is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall, which is a yeast widely used in industrial processes of fermentation. The β-glucan is considered to be a modifier of biological response due to its immunomodulator potential. When it is recognized by specific cellular receptors, have the ability to enhance the host's immune response. Other beneficial effects such as anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, hypocholesterolemic and blood sugar reduction have also been related to the β-glucan. The aim of this literature review was expand scientific knowledge about the constitution and bioactivity of β-glucan, including its recognition by the immune system, as well as its obtaining from S. cerevisiae cell wall.

These findings suggest that CM-G modulate positively the vascular function, mainly in responses NO-dependent. CM-G and βG-Sc have an anti-aggregation effect, being CM-G more selective to ADP-induced platelet aggregation.

The oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, cultivated in solid state on sugarcane bagasse-wheat bran (5:1) medium in the presence of veratryl alcohol resulted in an increased production of the fruiting body at earlier times compared to when the fungus was grown in the absence of veratryl alcohol. The results indicate a new physiological role for veratryl alcohol in stimulating fruiting body formation. Veratryl alcohol also stimulated laccase production during the mycelial growth stage. Evidence is also presented that laccases were involved in the physiological development of the fruiting body.

ResumoO controle de insetos é realizado, em sua maioria, por produtos químicos; cujos efeitos cumulativos ocasionam grandes prejuízos ambientais e à saúde humana, destacando-se ainda a rápida seleção de insetos resistentes. O controle biológico por entomopatógenos é uma alternativa eficiente, principalmente devido a sua alta especificidade, ausência de resistência nos insetos alvos e baixo efeito residual no ambiente. Bacillus thuringiensis é uma bactéria Gram-positiva esporulante, produtora de cristais protéicos com atividade inseticida. Apesar do amplo uso B. thuringiensis no controle biológico, há poucos trabalhos publicados quanto a sua multiplicação, esporulação e produção de cristais, visto que muitas informações são segredos industriais. Esta revisão teve por objetivo reunir informações gerais sobre B. thuringiensis, bem como quanto sua produção em meios de cultivo. Palavras-chave: Bacillus thuringiensis, entomopatógeno, bioinseticida, controle biológico, fermentação AbstractThe insect control is carried out mostly by chemical products, whose cumulative effects cause serious losses to environmental and human health, highlighting rapid selection of resistant insects. Biological control by entomopathogenic bacteria is an efficient alternative, mainly due to high specificity, absence of resistance in the target insects and low environment residual effect. Bacillus thuringiensis is a Grampositive spore-forming bacterium that produces a parasporal crystal protein toxic for many insect species. Despite the widespread use of B. thuringiensis based products in biological control of insects, there are little studies about its multiplication, sporulation and crystal production, as so many trade secrets information. This revision was aimed at gathering general information about B. thuringiensis, as well as its production in culture media.