Browsing by Author "Pillaca-Pullo, Omar Santiago"

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Aqueous biphasic systems based on Pluronics: An overview of the last 10 years
(Elsevier BV, 2025-06) Andrade, Nádia G.; Torquato, Isabelle O.; Lino, Nayara K.B.; Pillaca-Pullo, Omar Santiago; Veríssimo, Nathalia V.P.; Maia, Alana M.M.; Brown, Stuart J.; Jorge, Alexandre M.S.; Santos-Ebinuma, Valéria C.; Greaves, Tamar L.; Roberto, Inês C.; Pereira, Jorge F.B.; Rangel-Yagui, Carlota O.; Lopes, André M
This review explores the significant advancements achieved with the use of Pluronic® triblock copolymers in aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) for biomolecule extraction and processing. Pluronic-based ABS, characterized by their superior stability and selectivity, have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional ABS. Harnessing the unique amphiphilic nature of Pluronic copolymers, these systems enable stable liquid–liquid phase separation, making them highly suitable for the selective extraction of diverse biomolecules. The review highlights several advantages of Pluronic-based ABS, including their versatility based on its PEOXPPOYPEOX (ABA) structure, enhanced partitioning efficiency, selective extraction, low shear stress, and structural stability. Additionally, they offer excellent solute recovery and the potential for biomolecule encapsulation within Pluronic micelles. Although high costs and complex formulations present challenges, the remarkable benefits position Pluronic-based ABS as invaluable tools in biomolecular research and across the biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries. This review provides in-depth insights into recent advancements and the growing potential of Pluronic-based ABS in the evolving fields of biomolecule extraction, purification, and nanoencapsulation. © 2025 Elsevier B. V., All rights reserved.
Exploring soybean cultivar susceptibility to sudden death syndrome: Insights into isoflavone responses and biocontrol potential
(Elsevier BV, 2024-02) Lario, Luciana Daniela; Gonzalez, Camila; Meini, María Rocío; Pillaca-Pullo, Omar Santiago; Zuricaray, Daniela; Español, Laureano; Scandiani, María Mercedes; Luque, Alicia; Casati, Paula; Spampinato, Claudia Patricia
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) caused by Fusarium tucumaniae is a significant threat to soybean production in Argentina. This study assessed the susceptibility of SY 3 × 7 and SPS 4 × 4 soybeans cultivars to F. tucumaniae and studied changes in root isoflavone levels after infection. Additionally, the biocontrol potential of plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) against SDS was also examined. Our results demonstrated that the SY 3 × 7 cultivar exhibited higher disease severity and total fresh weight loss than SPS 4 × 4. Both cultivars showed induction of daidzein, glycitein, and genistein in response to infection, with the partially resistant cultivar displaying significantly higher daidzein levels than the susceptible cultivar at 14 days post infection (dpi) (2.74 vs 2.17-fold), declining to a lesser extent at 23 dpi (0.94 vs 0.35-fold, respectively). However, daidzein was not able to inhibit F. tucumaniae growth in in vitro assays probably due to its conversion to an isoflavonoid phytoalexin which would ultimately be an effective fungal inhibitor. Furthermore, the PGPR bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BNM340 displayed antagonistic activity against F. tucumaniae and reduced SDS symptoms in infected plants. This study sheds light on the varying susceptibility of soybean cultivars to SDS, offers insights into isoflavone responses during infection, and demonstrates the potential of PGPR as a biocontrol strategy for SDS management, providing ways for disease control in soybean production. © 2023 Elsevier B. V., All rights reserved.
From coffee waste to nutritional gold: bioreactor cultivation of single‐cell protein from (Candida sorboxylosa)
(Wiley, 2024-11-11) Pillaca-Pullo, Omar Santiago; Moreni-Lopes, André; Bautista‐Cruz, Nelson; Estela‐Escalante, Waldir
BACKGROUND: Industrial effluents are continuously discharged into the environment. These wastewaters contain valuable compounds that can be reused for biotechnological applications. Coffee wastewater (CWW) is a powerful effluent that can be used for single-cell protein (SCP) production reaching important content (up to 80%). Several yeast species can be used for SCP production, but Candida species are commonly applied for this purpose (17 species reported including the novel C. sorboxylosa). In addition, SCP can be produced in bioreactors under controlled conditions under three operation modes. Thus, batch mode is frequently used but continuous mode presents interesting advantages in economic terms, although it has been poorly applied in SCP production. RESULTS: The initial evaluation under batch operation mode showed that volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa of 101 h−1) improved biomass production (1.39 g L−1) and SCP yield (59.9%) in C. sorboxylosa. Thus, continuous mode was established at selected kLa and feeding with optimized medium composed of 87.5% (v/v) CWW, 1.38 g L−1 yeast extract, and 7.24 g L−1 (NH4)2SO4, in order to provided necessary nutrients. In this sense, the process presented higher values in dry cell weight and SCP productivity (0.57 and 0.29 g L−1·h, respectively), achieving a 3.35- and 2.90-fold increase in biomass and protein productivity, respectively, compared to batch mode. The SCP from C. sorboxylosa exhibited an interesting essential amino acid profile under continuous mode (33.704%). CONCLUSION: The bioprocess highlights several advantages during bioreactor cultivation, including: (i) reduced energy consumption for temperature control; (ii) successful establishment of an initial continuous operation mode with promising performance; and (iii) SCP from C. sorboxylosa exhibited a notable composition of essential amino acids, which could be beneficial for potential use in animal feed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). © 2025 Elsevier B. V., All rights reserved.
Lactic acid bacteria from Amazonian fruits: Isolation and evaluation of probiotic potential
(Wiley, 2026-06-11) Pillaca-Pullo, Omar Santiago; Ortiz‐Saravia, Ana M; Mendoza‐Quezada, Marjorie; Lopes, André M; Huaman‐Susanibar, Adela I; Villacrés-Vallejo, Jorge Ysaac; Bautista‐Cruz, Nelson
BACKGROUND Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a well-recognized group of probiotic microorganisms with proven health benefits and wide-ranging applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Although LAB have been extensively studied in fermented foods, their occurrence in plant-based environments, particularly in tropical fruits, remains poorly characterized. The Amazon biome, with its exceptional biodiversity and unique climatic conditions, offers an untapped reservoir of microbial diversity that could harbor novel probiotic strains. This study investigated three Amazonian fruits, such as Genipa americana, Pouteria caimito (domesticated fruits), and Solanum mammosum (native fruit) for the isolation and characterization of potentially probiotic LAB. RESULTS From 72 total isolates, 06 strains obtained from P. caimito were non-hemolytic and selected for in vitro probiotic assessment. Molecular identification revealed that these isolates belonged to the genera Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Lactiplantibacillus. Among them, isolate POU-25 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) exhibited superior probiotic features, including tolerance to acid and bile salts, strong autoaggregation and coaggregation with pathogens, and high surface hydrophobicity, traits associated with gastrointestinal survival and host adhesion. CONCLUSION These findings expand the current understanding of LAB diversity in Amazonian fruits and position Lactiplantibacillus plantarum POU-25 as a promising candidate for future use in functional foods and beverages. Moreover, its potential for the sustainable biosynthesis of value-added compounds, such as lactic acid, underscores its industrial relevance in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).