Biotechnological production of antimicrobial compounds of interest to the pharmaceutical, veterinary and food industries

Abstract

The Visiting Researcher (VR) belongs to the Chemical Engineering Department of Vigo University (UVIGO) in Spain, where he coordinates the research group of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology of UVIGO (former Laboratory of Agroindustrial Biotechnology). He collaborates with Professor Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza Oliveira since 2012. As consequence of this fructiferous cooperation between the two research groups, besides commutations to national and international congresses, 18 papers have been published in international journals, 3 have already been submitted and more articles are expected to be prepared in the coming mounts. Hence, the idea to propose a project to reinforce collaboration activities between the two professors, which would not be limited to a specific subject, but would involve as much as possible the different topics in the field of biotechnology. Therefore, the 5 research subprojects, 4 of which funded by FAPESP, mostly related to these objectives, were selected for active PV collaboration in their implementation as well as preparation and publication of results, through a 3 months-stage at USP starting on June 3rd 2018. These subprojects are: "Biotechnological production of pediocine: optimization of yield and biological effects on cells of the immune system", "Optimization of production of pediocin A by Pediococcus pentosaceus ATCC 43200", "Biotechnological production and application of antimicrobial biomolecules by Lactobacillus plantarum grown in whey", "Production of BLIS by probiotic cultures: antimicrobial activity against Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens" and "Bioprospecting of probiotic bacteria producing bacteriocins and vitamins: an application as a feed additive in poultry for human consumption". The VR has actively participated in the preparation of all proposed subprojects. Given these results, during the term of this project at least 3 articles will be drawn up, as well as new directions of the chosen projects will be highlighted. In addition to the research-activities, it is planned the VR participation to the evaluation commissions of doctoral and mater thesis, as well as in teaching the subject "Bioreactors in Industrial Biotechnologies", 45 h within the discipline FBT5776 special topics of technology biochemical-pharmaceutical II, as well as two seminars entitled "Use of agricultural and industrial residues to obtain economic culture media and subsequent production of biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers" and "Development of fermentation technologies for the production of antimicrobial compounds of potential application in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Finally, among the activities of academic cooperation to be developed by Prof. Domínguez during his stay at USP will be promoted the future elaboration of double PhD thesis, a situation supported by the two aspiring rectors (election next April, 2018), and while explaining the possibility of conducting joint theses under the elaboration of the corresponding specific agreements between the two institutions, as well as the scholarships offered by both the Government of Spain and its institutions. (AU)