Angelita da Silveira Moreira

Xanthan Gum as an Adjuvant in a Subunit Vaccine Preparation against Leptospirosis

Leptospiral immunoglobulin-like (Lig) proteins are of great interest due to their ability to act as mediators of pathogenesis, serodiagnostic antigens, and immunogens. Purified recombinant LigA protein is the most promising subunit vaccine candidate against leptospirosis reported to date, however, as purified proteins are weak immunogens the use of a potent adjuvant is essential for the success of LigA as a subunit vaccine. In the present study, we compared xanthan pv. pruni (strain 106), aluminium hydroxide (alhydrogel), and CpG ODN as adjuvants in a LigA subunit vaccine preparation. Xanthan gum is a high molecular weight extracellular polysaccharide produced by fermentation of Xanthomonas spp., a plant-pathogenic bacterium genus. Preparations containing xanthan induced a strong antibody response comparable to that observed when alhydrogel was used. Upon challenge with a virulent strain of L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni, significant protection (Fisher test, P < 0.05) was observed in 100%, 100%, and 67% of hamsters immunized with rLigANI-xanthan, LigA-CpG-xanthan, and rLigANI-alhydrogel, respectively. Furthermore, xanthan did not cause cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro. The use of xanthan as an adjuvant is a novel alternative for enhancing the immunogenicity of vaccines against leptospirosis and possibly against other pathogens.

Concentration Regimes of Biopolymers Xanthan, Tara, and Clairana, Comparing Dynamic Light Scattering and Distribution of Relaxation Time

The aim of this work was to evaluate the utilization of analysis of the distribution of relaxation time (DRT) using a dynamic light back-scattering technique as alternative method for the determination of the concentration regimes in aqueous solutions of biopolymers (xanthan, clairana and tara gums) by an analysis of the overlap (c*) and aggregation (c**) concentrations. The diffusion coefficients were obtained over a range of concentrations for each biopolymer using two methods. The first method analysed the behaviour of the diffusion coefficient as a function of the concentration of the gum solution. This method is based on the analysis of the diffusion coefficient versus the concentration curve. Using the slope of the curves, it was possible to determine the c* and c** for xanthan and tara gum. However, it was not possible to determine the concentration regimes for clairana using this method. The second method was based on an analysis of the DRTs, which showed different numbers of relaxation modes. It was observed that the concentrations at which the number of modes changed corresponded to the c* and c**. Thus, the DRT technique provided an alternative method for the determination of the critical concentrations of biopolymers.

Structural, Thermal, Physical, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of Chitosan Films with the Addition of Xanthan Gum

Films based on chitosan and xanthan gum were prepared using casting technique aiming to investigate the potential of these polymers as packaging materials. Six formulations of films were studied varying the proportion of chitosan and xanthan gum: 100:0 (chitosan:xanthan gum, w/w, C100XG0 film); 90:10 (chitosan:xanthan gum, w/w, C90XG10 film); 80:20 (chitosan:xanthan gum, w/w, C80XG20 film); 70:30 (chitosan:xanthan gum, w/w, C70XG30 film); 60:40 (chitosan:xanthan gum, w/w, C60XG40 film); and 50:50 (chitosan:xanthan gum, w/w, C50XG50 film). The total quantity of solids (chitosan and xanthan gum) in the filmogenic solution was 1.5 g per 100 mL of aqueous solution for all treatments, according to the proportion of each polymer. The films were evaluated by their functional groups, structural, thermal, morphological, physical, mechanical, and barrier properties. All films have presented endothermic peaks in the range of 122 to 175 °C and broad exothermic peaks above 200 °C, which were assigned to the melting temperature and thermal decomposition, respectively. These results demonstrated that films with xanthan gum have the highest Tm and Δm H. The films containing higher content of xanthan gum show also the highest tensile strength and the lowest elongation. Xanthan gum addition did not affect the water vapor permeability, solubility, and moisture of films. This set of data suggests the formation of chitosan-xanthan complexes in the films.

EFEITO DA GOMA XANTANA NAS CARACTERÍSTICAS SENSORIAIS DE BOLOS SEM GLÚTEN

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da goma xantana nas caracteristicas sensoriais de bolos sem gluten feitos com farinhas de arroz e milho. Quatro formulacoes foram testadas: (F1) controle - sem xantana, (F2) com 0,2% de xantana, (F3) com 0,3% de xantana e (F4) com 0,4% de xantana. As formulacoes foram elaboradas com farinha de arroz, de milho, acucar, leite, ovos, oleo de soja, xantana e fermento quimico. A massa foi preparada, colocada em formas e assada a 200oC por 35 minutos. A caracterizacao sensorial foi realizada com 13 julgadores treinados que avaliaram nove atributos do bolo: cor do miolo, formacao de migalhas, elasticidade, firmeza, porosidade, sabor de arroz, sabor de milho, sensacao de umidade na boca e envelhecimento; esta caracterizacao foi realizada com bolos frescos e armazenados durante 3, 6 e 9 dias. Para a realizacao desta etapa foi utilizada uma escala nao estruturada de 9cm. A adicao de xantana melhorou as caracteristicas sensoriais dos bolos, marcadamente retardando o envelhecimento, reduzindo a formacao de migalhas e aumentando a sensacao de umidade na boca, sendo que as amostras com 0,3% e 0,4% de xantana tiveram as melhores caracteristicas. Portanto, a goma xantana pode ser utilizada de maneira satisfatoria na producao de bolos isentos de gluten, melhorando expressivamente as caracteristicas e, assim, sua qualidade sensorial.

Caracterização de biopolímeros produzidos por Beijerinckia sp. 7070 em diferentes tempos de cultivo

Biopolymers are microbial polysaccharides. The biopolymer produced by Beijerinckia sp 7070 has pseudoplastic behaviour and shows high viscosity at low deformation rates, giving to polymer excellent suspension characteristics. The objective of this work was to characterize the biopolymer produced at different culture times by Beijerinckia sp 7070 in relation to total production, production of short and long fiber polymers, productivity, viscosity and chemical composition. The polymers produced in liquid YM medium were recovered at different culture times, dried and weighted for determination of the production and productivity. Fiber type produced during the culture times was evaluated microscopically. Apparent viscosities of the 1% (w/v) aqueous solutions were determined at 6, 12, 30 and 60rpm, at 25o C, in a Brookfield viscosimeter. Biopolymer composition was determined by comparative thin layer chromatography. The highest total biopolymer productions was found at 30 and 72h, the highest productivity was at 48h and the highest viscosity was at 72h. The long fiber polymer showed a tendency of becoming longer with time. The viscosity of long fiber polymer was higher than the short fiber one. All polymers showed the same components (glucose, galactose, fucose and glucuronic acid) but at different concentrations.

Evaluation of the Use of a Reflux System for Sample Preparation of Xanthan Gum and Subsequent Determination of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Na and Zn by Atomic Spectrometry Techniques

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a reflux system adapted in the digestion tubes in sample preparation of xanthan gum for subsequent determination of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Na and Zn by using spectrometric techniques. Through the proposed method, the samples were digested with HNO3 for 3 h in a digester block at 220 °C. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparing the results with another sample preparation method and by using recovery tests, which results vary between 83 and 103%. The efficiency of digestion was assessed and significant results were verified through residual carbon values, which were five times lower compared to conventional acid digestion in open system, with use of HNO3 and HClO4. The proposed methodology is a simple and accurate analytical strategy, which does not require the use of special equipment, neither a mixture of strong oxidizing acid in the sample preparation.

The Use of Xanthan Gum as Vaccine Adjuvant: An Evaluation of Immunostimulatory Potential in BALB/c Mice and Cytotoxicity In Vitro

The successful production of new, safe, and effective vaccines that generate immunological memory is directly related to adjuvant feature, which is responsible for increasing and/or modulating the immune response. Several compounds display adjuvant activity, including carbohydrates. These compounds play important roles in the immune response, as well as having biocompatible properties in vaccine formulations. One such carbohydrate is xanthan gum, a polysaccharide that is produced by the plant-pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas spp., which has adjuvant attributes. This study evaluated the immune response induced by xanthan gum associated with ovalbumin in BALB/c mice, which were subcutaneously immunized, in terms of antibody production (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3), and assessed the levels of IFN-γ in the splenocyte culture using indirect ELISA. Furthermore, we investigated in vitro cytotoxicity of xanthan in the embryo fibroblasts cell line of the NIH/3T3 mouse by MTT assay and propidium iodide uptake assay. The mice immunized with ovalbumin plus xanthan gum exhibited higher antibody IgG1 responses than control groups. Furthermore, the xanthan polysaccharide was capable of increasing the immunogenicity of antigens by producing IFN-γ and did not exhibit cytotoxicity effects in NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblast cells, considered a promising candidate for vaccine adjuvant.

Simplified recovery process of Ralstonia solanacearum-synthesized polyhydroxyalkanoates via chemical extraction complemented by liquid-liquid phase separation

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) is the most studied thermoplastic biopolymer belonging to the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family, the main features of which include rapid biodegradability and biocompatibility. The bioplastic recovery process is an important step during production and can directly influence the characteristics of PHAs. However, more efficient methods for the production of P(3HB) are necessary to make it economically viable. The aim of the present study was to improve the standard, chloroform-based, extraction step for the recovery of P(3HB). The polymer was produced using a Ralstonia solanacearum strain. The following parameters were improved in the recovery process: heating time, separation method (filtration or liquid-liquid phase separation), biomass state (fresh or dry cell concentrate) and the solvent:biomass ratio. By improving the chemical extraction of P(3HB) we recovered 98% of the cumulative polymer and reduced the heating time by 75%. Furthermore, we improved the separation process and developed an extraction solution that was faster and more economical.

ESTABILIDADE DO CALDO FERMENTADO POR Xanthomonas arboricola pv pruni APÓS ARMAZENAMENTO

A xantana e um hidrocoloide amplamente utilizado como modificador reologico na industria alimenticia, farmaceutica e petrolifera. Ela e produzida atraves da fermentacao aerobia de acucares por bacterias do genero Xanthomonas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a estabilidade de caracteristicas quimicas – pH, percentual de cinzas, proteinas, acetil e piruvato - e fisicas – concentracao de xantana, viscosidade e pseudoplasticidade - de caldos fermentados por Xanthomonas arboricola pv pruni cepa GJ, visando determinar a viabilidade de armazenamento desses a temperatura ambiente, apos trinta dias. Os resultados demonstraram melhoria nas propriedades reologicas do caldo apos trinta dias, sem prejuizo de suas propriedades quimicas, demonstrando, assim, a viabilidade de armazenamento do mesmo.

Identification of suitable adjuvant for vaccine formulation with the Neospora caninum antigen NcSRS2

The parasite Neospora caninum is the main cause of abortion in cattle in many countries around the world, so a vaccine is a rational approach method for the control of the disease. An effective vaccine should be able to prevent both, the horizontal and vertical transmission of N. caninum. In this study, the immune vaccinal response of the recombinant protein rNcSRS2 of N. caninum expressed in Pichia pastoris and formulated with water-in-oil emulsion, xanthan gum, and alum hydroxide was assessed in an experimental murine model. Groups of 10 Balb/c mice were subcutaneously inoculated with two doses of prNcSRS2 twenty-one days apart. After the second immunization, four mice from each group were euthanized, and splenocytes were stimulated ex vivo with recombinant protein. The IgG dynamics were evaluated by indirect ELISA, and the splenocytes cytokines transcription by qPCR. All groups elicited specific antibodies against prNcSRS2, with the water-in-oil group showing significantly (p ≤ .05) elevated titers compared to the other groups. The prNcSRS2 protein alone did not induce a significant ex vivo splenic transcription level of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12 cytokines, except for IL-17A, and the adjuvant associations with the prNcSRS2 protein induced different cytokine transcription profiles. The water-in-oil emulsion modulated the expression of TNF-α; the xanthan gum modulated IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12; and alum hydroxide modulated IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12. In conclusion, it was found that the association of the recombinant prNcSRS2 protein with different adjuvants induced different levels of specific antibody, and a distinct splenic cytokine profile in an adjuvant-dependent manner. The mechanisms of adjuvancity activity is complex, so adjuvant formulation may help in the design of efficient vaccine to control Neosporosis.