This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, leishmanicidal, and cytotoxic potential of metabolites produced by bacteria isolated from rhizosphere soil samples. The bacterium was identified by genome sequencing as Streptomyces kronopolitis. A preliminary screening was carried out for the antimicrobial activity of S. kronopolitis, demonstrating activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Corynebacterium diphtheriae ATCC 27010, C. diphtheriae ATCC 27012, and Mycobacterium abscessus, with inhibition halos of sizes 25, 36, 29, and 33 mm, respectively. To obtain secondary metabolites, the bacteria were subjected to submerged fermentation, and the metabolites were extracted using the liquid–liquid method with ethyl acetate. There was a similar MIC for M. abscessus and the two strains of C. diphtherium, reaching a concentration of 12.5 µg/mL, while that of S. aureus was 0.048 µg/mL. Assays for leishmanicidal activity and cytotoxicity against HEp-2 cells and red blood cells were performed. The metabolite showed an IC₅₀ of 9.0 ± 0.9 µg/mL and CC₅₀ of 221.2 ± 7.0 µg/mL. This metabolite does not have hemolytic activity and is more selective for parasites than for mammalian cells, with a selectivity index of 24.6. Thus, the studied metabolite may be a strong candidate for the development of less toxic drugs to treat diseases caused by pathogens.

The manuscript demonstrate which percentage indexes of fibrous and organic material are necessary in composting windrows, the replacement of the biocatalyst (feces) by organic sludge, with the purpose of forming an alternative quality fertilizer. Individual windrows were designed with different compositions based on 10 calculations of different proportions. The three different materials used in the composting process for each treatment (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 with animal feces as biocatalyst, and T6, T7, T8, T9 and T10, with sludge as biocatalyst). Each treatment consisted of 1kg of material with the following proportions: T1 - 70% of fibrous material and 30% of organic material; T2 - 50% fibrous material and 50% organic material; T3 - 30% fibrous material and 70% organic material; T4 - 10% fibrous material and 90% organic material; T5 - 0% of fibrous material and 100% of organic material, where the following parameters of the organic fertilizers generated were analyzed: physical - granulometry; density and porosity, chemical – Organic Matter; pH; P; K; Ca; Mg; At; SB; Al; H and CTC. All treatments are within the classification range of soil with weak acidity, since the pH and OM content were between 7.01 and 10.8% respectively. Thus, even with the variation of the organic biocatalysts used, the indices and required levels of the physicochemical parameters analyzed, of all treatments, regardless of the fiber content, were above the references expressed in the literature, demonstrating a high quality in the fertilizers produced.

The aim of this work to evaluate the antibacterial action of secondary metabolites produced by endophytic actinomycetes, against isolates of medical interest. For such, the bacteria were isolated from the botanical sample and classical morphological identification was performed. The induction of metabolites production was carried out using the Submerged Fermentation technique, followed by purification of the extract. The evaluation of antibacterial activity was accomplished by using agar diffusion and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays. Macro and microscopic analysis of the grown microorganism allowed it to be identified as belonging to the genus Streptomyces. Test results demonstrated that the extract was able to inhibit the growth of C. propinquum 431024, with an inhibition zone of 27±0 mm and of C. propinquum 36063, with an inhibition zone of 24±0 mm and MIC of 32.1 µg/mL for boths. The evaluation of biofilm formation resulted in: C. propinquun 421024 as a weak producer and C. propinquun 36063 as a moderate producer. The biofilm interference test showed that compared to the control there was a reduction in biofilm formation of 22% for C. propinquun 421024, as well as a reduction in pre-formed biofilm of 27%. There was a 48% reduction in the formation and 42% in the pre-formed biofilm of C. propinquun 36063. Lastly, it was concluded that the secondary metabolites produced by the endophytic actinomycetes demonstrated an antibiotic potential against clinical strains (nasopharynx) of Corynebacterium propinquum, a rare pathogen described for causing infections in patients with pulmonary involvement, pleural effusion, bacteremia and endocarditis and which presents an emerging antibiotic resistance.

Agribusiness is considered an essential activity for the economic development of a country such a Brazil, which has significant natural fertility. Utilizing this resource to promote social and economic development is considerably challenging for productive regions, known as MATOPIBA. In this context, this study evaluated some socioeconomic impacts of the soybean production in Balsas municipality (Maranhão). A descriptive method was chosen to investigate the reality of the situation in situ, promoted by these commodities. Prevailing data was gathered via a quantitative questionnaire (Google forms), filled-in by collaborators during the soybean planting period. The results demonstrated a unanimous interest (100.0%) in updating agribusiness related information. The agents of the production chain considered the relationship period with suppliers (23.1%), proximity to the sellers (28.1%), and the best buying-price (28.08%) as important factor. The interaction with financial institutions (31.0%); availability of human capital (46.0%), physical (38.0%), financial support (46.0%), and social capital; the public sector investments were also considered critical. The soybean production chain in the Balsas (MA) presented positive and negative socioeconomic implications; greater intervention by the State would be necessary for scientific and technological contributions toward all municipalities involved. However, such implications not prevented the great extension of this important national agricultural culture.

Objective: The challenge of this work was to diagnose the sustainable benefits of civil construction and the perception of employees in a cement factory based on a new production methodology. Method: The study was carried out through quantitative and cross-sectional research, with the application of a questionnaire via Google forms for employees and customers of the factory under study. Results and conclusions: The sampling plan was 62.79% male, 58.14% married, 28.93% aged between 28 and 32 years old, 32% technical level, 11.63% post graduates and 22% of participants demonstrated understanding about sustainability. 77% of employees are unaware that the industry used a less aggressive production method for the environment, unique in Maranhão. We conclude that the industry under analysis has sought to implement good socio-environmental practices, but to achieve more expressive results, it needs to qualify and involve the entire production and consumption chain of the civil construction market with qualification programs, to guarantee the horizontalization of information with effective socio-environmental actions and thus preserving future generations. Research implications: The research highlights the perception of workers/collaborators in the cement industry on the consumption and sale of products that minimize the negative effects on the environment. Value of originality: This is original research that contributes to the understanding of the impact of the cement industry, during the production process, from the extraction of raw material. Since it degrades the environment by contaminating water and soil, it also interferes with human health, in addition to proposing the search to balance the negative socio-environmental impacts through cement production.