Polysaccharide secreted by Lasiodiplodia theobromae: production, characterization and application

• Grant number: 13/14437-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Maria de Lourdes Corradi Custodio da Silva
• Grantee: Monica de Aguiar Abreu
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In preliminary assays, we observed that the Lasiodiplodia theobromae (obtained from the cashew tree fruit), secretes a polysaccharide, when in submerged fermentation, responsible for the viscosity of the medium. From this observation, the goal of this research will be to cultivate the microorganism under conditions previously established (5% glucose as carbon source, 2% yeast extract as nitrogen source, 180 rpm, 72 h., 28 OC) to obtain the polysaccharide. After isolation, the polysaccharide will be chemically characterized using results from acid hydrolysis (HPAEC/PAD), methylation (GC/MS), and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Considering the viscosity of the polysaccharide solutions some rheological studies will be conducted.(AU)