Isolation and molecular characterization of Thraustochytrium strain isolated from Antarctic Peninsula and its biotechnological potential in the production of fatty acids.

Thraustochytrids are unicellular protists belonging to the Labyrinthulomycetes class, which are characterized by the presence of a high lipid content that could replace conventional fatty acids. They show a wide geographic distribution, however their diversity in the Antarctic Region is rather scarce. The analysis based on the complete sequence of 18S rRNA gene showed that strain 34-2 belongs to the species Thraustochytrium kinnei, with 99% identity.

Antarctic microorganisms as source of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that belong to the omega-3 group. They are essential fatty acids found in phospholipid of cell membranes. There is strong evidence that these nutrients may also favorably modulate many diseases.

Extracellular enzymes produced by microorganisms isolated from maritime Antarctica.

Antarctic environments can sustain a great diversity of well-adapted microorganisms known as psychrophiles or psychrotrophs. The potential of these microorganisms as a resource of enzymes able to maintain their activity and stability at low temperature for technological applications has stimulated interest in exploration and isolation of microbes from this extreme environment. Enzymes produced by these organisms have a considerable potential for technological applications because they are known to have higher enzymatic activities at lower temperatures than their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts.

Isolation and selection of native microorganisms for the aerobic treatment of simulated dairy wastewaters.

Milk fat/protein degrading microorganisms were isolated from different locations of a dairy wastewater treatment system with the goal of developing an inoculum for bioaugmentation strategies. Eight isolates, identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as belonging to the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter, were tested for their ability to remove COD and protein from a milk-based medium (3000 mg/L COD) and compared to a commercial bioaugmentation inoculum. The Acinetobacter isolate exhibited a pellet-type growth in liquid culture, a property that could potentially aid in the separation of microbes and liquid phase following treatment.

Performance of a commercial inoculum for the aerobic biodegradation of a high fat content dairy wastewater.

The effectiveness of a commercial inoculum for degrading a dairy wastewater with high fat content was evaluated, and compared with an activated sludge inoculum from a dairy wastewater treatment pond. Both inocula reached similar chemical oxygen demand removal in batch experiments. The population dynamics was also studied by determining heterotrophic counts.

Kinetic properties of a commercial and a native inoculum for aerobic milk fat degradation.

The aerobic fat biodegradation potential and growth characteristics of a commercial and a native inoculum (activated sludge from a dairy wastewater treatment pond), were evaluated. Batch tests were conducted with a medium based on butter oil, as the sole source of carbon, and mineral salts. Residual fat, biomass and CO(2) production were measured.

Short Communication: Effect of medium composition on the production by a new Bacillus subtilis isolate of protease with promising unhairing activity.

In a search for microorganisms producing extracellular protease with unhairing activity, Bacillus subtilis IIQDB32 was isolated. Protease formation was significantly stimulated by glucose, tryptone, yeast extract, Ca(2+) and Mn(2+), but was repressed by ammonia and Fe(2+).

Study of Bacillus sp. culture conditions to promote production of unhairing proteases.

The substitution of chemical depilatory agents in the leather industry by proteolytic enzymes produced by Bacillus species has an important economical and environmental impact. In previous assays, a Bacillus sp. showing a promising depilatory activity was isolated.

Effect of aeration rate on the alcoholic fermentation of whey by Kluyveromyces fragilis.

In this paper, the influence of aeration rate on the alcoholic batch fermentation of whey by Kluyveromyces fragilis NRRL Y-2415 was investigated. Assays in 1.5-L fermentor using concentrated whey permeate containing 100 g/L of lactose were carried out at different oxygen supply rate (KLaC*) from 0 to 82 mmol/Lh.

[Iatrogenic disease in hemophilia and Von Willebrand's disease].

From a group of 115 children with hereditary haemorrhagic disease, nine suffered avoidable accidents or incidents during their treatment, these nine patients represent 8.6% of the cases. The observed complications included a giant cervical hematoma and hemomediastinum after a puncture of the internal jugular vein; an encephalic lesion associated with descompressive craneotomy; a hemophilic pseudo cyst associated with inappropriate treatment of a tibial fracture; acute bleeding and shock after surgery for tonsillectomy and circumcision; subdural hygroma after a subdural puncture; giant hematoma and acute anemia secondary to a venous dissection; permanent dyslexia after inappropriate puncture; giant hematoma and acute anemia secondary to a venous dissection; permanent dyslexia after inappropriate management of intracranial bleeding; bleeding and acute anemia after surgical drainage of a prepucial hematoma and a joint hematoma of the left knee after synovectomy and application of a prosthesis.