Microbiología
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Determinación de la vigencia, la estabilidad y funcionalidad de medios de cultivo selectivos, no selectivos y fluidos de transporte en un laboratorio de microbiología farmacéutica(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-11-26) Ordoñez Casadiegos, Jose Ricardo; Cogua Romero, Rosa del Pilar (Directora)Determining the shelf life of culture media is essential in the pharmaceutical industry, as it guarantees the reliability of microbiological results and compliance with international standards such as ISO 11133, ISO 17025, and USP <61>–<62>. In response to the dependence on imported media and the need to optimize resources, this study aimed to establish the period of use, stability, and functionality of solid, liquid, and transport media prepared in a microbiological quality control laboratory of a pharmaceutical company. The media were prepared under controlled conditions following the specifications of international pharmacopoeias. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, color, texture, and appearance were evaluated, as well as microbiological parameters such as growth promotion, selective inhibition, and recovery, using certified reference strains. ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests were performed to determine the existence of significant variations between the different evaluation times (days 1, 15, and 30). The results showed that all media retained their physical appearance and pH stability, with variations of less than 0.2 units. In growth promotion tests, non-selective and selective media and transport fluids showed recovery rates of over 70%, meeting the acceptance criteria.Item Avances en el control biológico de Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense en cultivos de banano: revisión sistemática y perspectivas para su adopción en Colombia(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-05) Vallejo González, Juan Sebastián; Bautista Carillo, Jonathan Arturo (Director)Banana is an essential crop for food security and the economy of Colombia, threatened by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), especially its tropical race 4 (TR4). This systematic review evaluated advances in the biological control of Foc using Microbial Biological Control Agents (MBCAs). Following a PRISMAguided search in Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, 32 studies were selected. The results identified the genera Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Trichoderma as the most effective, showing in vitro inhibition percentages between 60-90% and in vivo control efficacies of 70-85% through mechanisms such as antibiosis, competition, and induced systemic resistance. Although the feasibility of implementation in Colombia is rated as medium (3/5) due to regulatory and economic challenges, the implementation potential is high given the climatic compatibility and promising results. It is concluded that biological control represents a sustainable and viable strategy, requiring further local research for its large-scale adoption.Item Uso de Trichoderma harzianum como agente biocontrolador del hongo Hemileia vastatrix en cultivo de café de la finca Inmaculada, Pichinde, Cali, Colombia(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-10) Saldarriaga Acosta, Daniela; Coque Rosero, Valentina; Gafaro Montejo, Alexis (Director); Duque Zapata, Juan Diego (Director)The study evaluated the use of Trichoderma harzianum as a biocontrol agent against Hemileia vastatrix in Coffea arabica var. Laurina under field conditions at Inmaculada Coffee Farm (Pichindé, Cali). The objective was to determine the effect of different biocontrol concentrations on coffee leaf rust severity. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments (10⁹, 10⁷, 10⁵ CFU/mL and control) and three monitoring periods over three months. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results showed no significant differences between concentrations or monitoring periods, but significant variability among individual trees was observed, likely due to genetic and microenvironmental factors. It was concluded that T. harzianum efficacy was not dose-dependent, confirming its potential as a sustainable alternative for coffee rust management and its relevance within agricultural microbiology.Item Hongos de Podredumbre blanca en la remoción de colorantes textiles: una revisión sistemática(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-05) Pungo Palencia, Valentina; Rojas Barreto, Julián Alonso (Director)The presence of textile dyes in industrial effluents has become a significant environmental problem due to their high toxicity, chemical stability, and resistance to conventional treatment systems. To this end, a systematic review was conducted that addresses recent research on the enzymatic activity of different species of white rot fungi to evaluate their effectiveness as a biotechnological alternative for the biodegradation of dyes in wastewater. The results show that the Trametes versicolor species stands out for its high biodegradation rates, reaching an average of 89.90% of different industrial dyes, mainly due to its ligninolytic system. The latter includes the enzymes lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP), showing percentages of 89.55%, while laccases reported a frequency of 89.95%. These values demonstrated the fungus' ability to transform complex and persistent compounds present in textile effluents. White rot fungi represent a valuable biotechnological alternative for the bioremediation of dye-contaminated wastewater, highlighting the importance of continuing their study from an enzymatic perspective as a sustainable strategy applicable to environmental sciences, microbiology, and industrial biotechnology.Item Identificacion de Escherichia Coli productora de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) en una Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales (PTAR) en la ciudad de Cali, Valle del Cauca(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-01) Ricaurte Téllez, Yulieth Alejandra; Correa Bermúdez, Adriana María del Socorro (Directora)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a critical global health challenge, with millions of deaths attributed to AMR each year and its projected impact even greater in the future. In this context, wastewater surveillance was presented as an effective, inexpensive and non-invasive strategy to monitor AMR dissemination trends in the population. Therefore, this study aimed to microbiologically and molecularly characterize extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Cali, evaluating their antimicrobial resistance profile and the genes associated with such resistance. For this purpose, a total colony forming unit (CFU) count was performed using the TEMPO system and the isolation of BLEE-producing bacteria by membrane filtration. Additionally, the presence of BLEE was confirmed by the double disc method, and the positive isolates had their sensitivity profile determined using the VITEK Compact system. Finally, blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaSHV genes were identified by conventional PCR technique. The results indicated that, of the 21 isolates obtained, all corresponded to BLEE-producing E. coli, of which blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaSHV resistance genes were expressed in 76%, 61% and 1%, respectively. In conclusion, these findings suggested that E. coli BLEE was present in the aquatic ecosystems of the city of Cali.Item Producción y eficacia de proteínas antioxidantes derivadas de hongos en comparación con las obtenidas de bacterias: Una revisión sistemática(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-11) Bastidas Jaramillo, Derly Juried; Bautista Carrillo, Jonathan Arturo (Director)Oxidative stress is a key factor in the onset of chronic and degenerative diseases, which has driven interest in safe and sustainable natural antioxidants. Microorganisms, especially bacteria and fungi, have emerged as valuable sources of proteins with antioxidant activity and high biotechnological potential. This systematic review analyzed studies published between 2015 and 2025 to compare the production, mechanisms of action, and efficacy of antioxidant proteins derived from fungi versus those obtained from bacteria. The results show that the bacteria produce highly stable enzymes under pH variations between 2-10 and temperatures from 5°C to 80°C, while fungi exhibit a greater diversity of isoforms and metabolites with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Optimization of culture media, the use of agroindustrial residues, and genetic engineering were identified as effective strategies to enhance the yield and stability of these biomolecules. In conclusion, microbial antioxidant proteins represent a promising alternative to synthetic compounds, with relevant applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and environmental industries, contributing to the development of more sustainable and innovative processes.Item Infecciones por Vibrio vulnificus en individuos inmunocomprometidos. Revisión sistemática(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-01) Taborda Valencia, Jazmin; Duque Zapata, Juan Diego (Director)Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative, halophilic and thermophilic bacterium, present in warm coastal and estuarine waters, it is known to cause serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. These infections attack people with weakened immune systems, especially those with chronic liver disease, diabetes, alcohol problems and old age. The contagion occurs by eating contaminated raw seafood, especially oysters, or by the exposure of open wounds in salt water. The most serious cases have ended in amputations or death, with a mortality rate that exceeds 50% among the most exposed people. The study aimed to analyze which factors increase the risk of developing necrosis and sepsis in immunocompromised people infected with V. vulnificus. A review was carried out, following the PRISMA methodology, looking for information in databases such as Science Direct and Scopus, considering articles published between 2015 and 2024. Boolean criteria and tools such as Rayyan and Zotero were used to organize and choose the most relevant information. The results showed that certain pre-existing conditions, such as liver disease, blood problems and immune deficiencies, significantly increase the vulnerability and severity of the infection. In addition, it was observed that these associated diseases accelerate the advance towards septicemia and septic shock. In conclusion, it was determined that the identification of risk factors in immunocompromised patients is essential to improve prevention strategies and medical treatment of Vibrio vulnificus infections.Item Evaluación de la asociación entre la presencia del islote de patogenicidad CagA positivo de Helicobacter Pylori y el daño histológico en la población de Tumaco, Nariño con contraste del riesgo de cáncer gástrico(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-09) Murillo Ferraro, Katherine Nicolle; Ayala Astudillo, Daniel Alonso; Matta Miramar, Andrés Jennuer (Director); Zambrano Ríos, Diana Carolina (Directora)Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism that colonizes the gastric mucosa and is a key risk factor in the development of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the presence of the H. pylori cagA pathogenicity gene and gastric histological damage in the population of Tumaco, Nariño. Descriptive, univariate, and bivariate statistical analyses were performed using R Studio software, with a significance level of p<0.05. The results did not show a significant association between the presence of the cagA gene and the type of histological damage (p = 0.719; Fisher = 0.6198), nor with the variables gender (p = 0.7087; Fisher = 0.5517) and age. This study demonstrates the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and its CagA+ virulence factor in gastric damage, highlighting its role in the health of populations with a low risk of gastric cancer, such as Tumaco, Nariño.Item Evaluación de la capacidad fermentativa de cuatro cepas de levadura, utilizando como sustrato miel C y mezcla de mieles B y C en la destilería de un ingenio azucarero(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-11-20) Angulo Valencia, Anderson Yeimin; Rojas Mora, Angelica María (Directora); Martínez Garay, Carlos Andrés (Director)Bioethanol production from sugarcane molasses faces challenges associated with substrate variability, such as increased solids, harvest mechanization, vinasse recirculation, acidity, and the presence of inhibitors, all of which affect the fermentative efficiency of industrial yeasts. This study evaluated the fermentative capacity of three yeast strains and one consortium, all isolated from the fermentation train of a sugar mill, using molasses B and C as substrates in a continuous fermentation system with vinasse addition. The molasses were characterized based on their content of fermentable sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), acidity (volatile and lactic), and sludge. The yeasts were propagated in media prepared with both molasses types and then subjected to fermentation for 48 hours. Variables such as acidity, sludge content, cell viability, alcohol yield, sugar consumption, and organic acid production were assessed. The results showed that STRAIN 1 exhibited the highest fermentative efficiency in both substrates, with high viability and greater ethanol production, followed by STRAIN 2. Although molasses B provided better nutritional conditions, molasses C allowed slightly higher alcohol yields despite its higher acidity and sludge content, suggesting differential adaptation among strains. In conclusion, proper strain selection enables optimization of continuous fermentation even with lower-quality substrates like molasses C, improving the overall performance of industrial bioethanol production.Item Revisión sistemática: Evaluación del potencial de microalgas en la biorremediación de contaminantes farmacéuticos emergentes: retos y oportunidades para su implementación en plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-11) Fernández Lozano, Daniel Alexander; Bautista Carillo, Jonathan Arturo (Director)Pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs) in aquatic environments represent a group of emerging micropollutants increasingly identified in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, which evidences the low efficiency of their removal. Microalgae-based technology emerges as a viable alternative for their removal and adds value to the resulting biomass; however, further studies are required to achieve its integration into existing treatments at a commercial scale. Therefore, the state of art was evaluated through a systematic review. Following a search in the Scopus and Web of Science databases and screening through Covidence, 91 relevant studies were identified for analysis. The results indicated that High-Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) and photobioreactors (PBR) achieved higher removal rates at a pilot scale due to their design and operation; nevertheless, both technologies faced operational and economic limitations that require optimization strategies. On the other hand, hybrid systems showed promising laboratory results, although their feasibility at a pilot scale has yet to be validated. In this context, it is imperative to optimize operational parameters such as Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), irradiance, and temperature. Furthermore, scale-up pathways must be designed for integration into conventional WWTPs and the ecotoxicity of generated by-products must be evaluated to ensure the efficacy and safety of the process.Item Efectos de los pesticidas persistentes sobre la microbiota del suelo, sus impactos en la estructura y función microbiana: Revisión sistemática(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-05) Silva López, Geraldine; Bautista Carrillo, Jonathan Arturo (Director)This monograph addresses the effects of prolonged exposure to pesticide compounds on soil biological activity and its ecological balance. Soil constitutes a complex ecosystem where microorganisms, enzymes, and mineral components interact, ensuring fertility and environmental stability. However, the continuous application of pesticides has significantly altered its structure and functionality. The objective was to identify the primary factors that contribute to this persistence through a systematic review of the literature, based on the PRISMA methodology guidelines. The search was conducted across five databases, resulting in the identification of 2,346 articles. After removing 882 duplicate studies, 1464 documents were evaluated. Of these, 1222 were preselected based on title and abstract. Subsequently, 242 documents were reviewed in full text, of which 166 were excluded for not meeting the established inclusion criteria. A total of 76 articles were initially evaluated, and 9 were excluded due to a lack of methodological information. This resulted in 67 studies being selected for review. Of these, 9 were new additions derived from secondary sources, bringing the total number of studies included in the systematic review to 76. The results indicate that prolonged exposure to pesticides produces cumulative effects that significantly alter the structure and functionality of the soil microbiota. The evidence gathered demonstrates that the constant application of these chemical compounds that make up pesticides modifies the microbial composition, reducing the abundance of sensitive species and increasing the presence of resistant microorganisms with lower metabolic capacity. This change in the microbial community affects the decomposition of organic matter, nutrient recycling, and the stability of biogeochemical cycles, resulting in a progressive decline in soil microbiological quality.Item Caracterización In-silico del Gen con Interés Epidemiológico Msp5 de Anaplasma marginale, causante de Anaplasmosis Bovina(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-11) Mejía Castillo, María Camila; Ortiz Pineda, Pablo Andrés (Director)Diseases affecting cattle exert a profound impact on global food production and the economy. In Colombia, infectious agents such as foot-and-mouth disease virus, Brucella spp., and Anaplasma marginale cause severe economic losses and compromise animal and producer welfare. Early detection of these infections is essential for fostering healthier livestock systems, safeguarding public health, and strengthening food security, a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by A. marginale, represents a persistent health and economic challenge in tropical regions such as Colombia. Despite its relevance, molecular studies on genes encoding major surface proteins remain limited, constraining our understanding of their epidemiological significance and their potential as diagnostic or immunological targets. This study aimed to characterize the msp5 gene, which encodes an outer membrane protein, using bioinformatics approaches. Structural properties, conserved motifs, transmembrane domains, predicted immunogenic epitopes, and protein-protein interaction networks were systematically analyzed. Results confirmed that MSP5 is a membrane-anchored surface protein containing conserved and surface-exposed epitopes, as well as post-translational modification sites. Optimal primer sets were designed to facilitate future experimental validation. These findings highlight MSP5 as a promising diagnostic biomarker and potential immunological target, offering valuable insights for the development of control strategies against bovine anaplasmosis in endemic regions. Moreover, this work demonstrates the value of integrating bioinformatics tools into epidemiological research and experimental design, enabling efficient validation of molecular hypotheses with minimal financial investment. The generated information can also be extrapolated to other infections with similar biological features or applied to the early detection of A. marginale and related pathogens across Colombia and other regions of the continent.Item Análisis de los mecanismos de resistencia en enterobacterias presentes en aguas residuales urbanas en Latinoamérica: una revisión sistemática de la literatura(Universidad Satiago de Cali, 2025-12-10) Mosquera Arboleda, Valeria; Gafaro Montejo, Alexis (Director)This monograph addresses the study of Enterobacteriaceae present in urban wastewater in Latin America, with an emphasis on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and the environmental factors associated with their persistence and spread. The objective was to analyze the available scientific evidence on resistance mechanisms in Enterobacteriaceae detected in wastewater through a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA methodology. The search was conducted in specialized scientific databases, integrating publications in English and Spanish corresponding to the period 2015–2025; 185 documents were identified in English (with 7 duplicates) and 104 in Spanish (with 34 duplicates). After filtering, 178 studies in English and 70 in Spanish were evaluated; of these, 14 full texts were reviewed in each language, and 5 were excluded from each group. Finally, 9 articles in English and 9 in Spanish were included, along with 10 additional documents identified in Google Scholar, for a total of 28 articles analyzed. The results show that urban wastewater constitutes a critical reservoir of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, carriers of genes associated with mechanisms such as ESBL, AmpC, carbapenemases, and plasmid resistance. It is concluded that poor management of domestic and hospital effluents, along with the presence of antibiotics and heavy metals, favors the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance. These findings highlight the need to strengthen environmental microbiological surveillance and implement integrated regional strategies that contribute to the adequate control and treatment of wastewater in Latin America.Item Evaluación de la presencia de factores de interferencia en agua estéril para inyección mediante la técnica Gel-Clot en Laboratorios EDO S.A.S(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-05) Naranjo Chamorro, Adriana Marcela; Velez Salazar, Andrea; Martínez Garay, Carlos Andrés (Director); Cruz Bolaños, Yimy William (Director)The microbiological safety of parenteral products is essential to ensure their safety, as bacterial endotoxins pose a critical health risk. These toxins, components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, can cause fever, septic shock, or death, and are not always eliminated by conventional sterilization processes. In order to verify the quality of the “Sterile Water for Injection” produced by Laboratorios EDO S.A.S., the presence of possible interference factors in the detection of endotoxins was evaluated using the Gel-Clot technique described in USP <85>, using LAL reagent and positive and negative controls. The results demonstrated the absence of endotoxins and confirmed that there were no inhibitory or enhancing effects that affected the sensitivity of the assay. It is concluded that the analyzed water complies with pharmacopoeial specifications and is suitable for the manufacture of sterile drugs, supporting good manufacturing practices.Item Identificación del potencial antimicrobiano del metilglioxal presente en la miel natural comercializada en la ciudad de Cali(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-04) Minayo Sanchez, Jhon Esneider; Mercado Gonzalez, Sandra Daniela; Quijano Pérez, Silvia Andrea (Directora); Morales Morales, Jimmy Alexander (Director)This study evaluated the physicochemical properties, methylglyoxal (MGO) concentration, and antimicrobial activity of two multifloral honeys from the Macizo Colombiano, produced and marketed by the Apimacizo Association, an organization certified as a Green Business and holder of the País Sana sustainability seal. The samples included a liquid honey (ML) collected in the low-altitude area of La Vega, mainly derived from floral nectar, and a creamy honey (MC) obtained from the highlands of Almaguer and Santa Rosa, produced largely from the sap exudate of oak trees (Quercus humboldtii). Physicochemical parameters such as pH, density, color, and °Brix were determined, while methylglyoxal content was quantified using quantitative proton nuclear magnetic resonance (q¹H NMR). Antimicrobial activity was assessed through the agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Both honeys exhibited an acidic pH (4.19–4.77) and a high soluble solids content (82–88 °Brix). MGO levels were low in both samples, with the liquid honey (4.67 mg/kg) containing significantly higher concentrations than the creamy honey (1.25 mg/kg). In antimicrobial assays, the liquid honey showed greater inhibitory capacity, particularly against S. aureus, while Gram-negative bacteria showed limited inhibition and C. albicans was not susceptible. In conclusion, the liquid honey from the Macizo Colombiano demonstrated superior physicochemical quality and antibacterial performance, suggesting a promising therapeutic potential against Gram-positive bacteria and reinforcing its added value within sustainable apiculture practices in the region.Item Caracterización in-silico del gen omp28 de Brucella abortus con potencial aplicación en la vigilancia epidemiológica de la brucelosis bovina(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-09) Pizo Gómez, Andrés Felipe; Ortiz Pineda, Pablo Andrés (Director)Bovine diseases have a significant impact on food production and the global economy. In Colombia, infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, and anaplasmosis cause substantial economic losses amounting to billions of dollars, while also negatively affecting the welfare of both animals and producers. Early detection of these infections is essential for fostering healthier livestock systems, benefiting animals, farmers, and consumers alike. Food security—one of the fundamental pillars of sustainability—relies heavily on effective strategies to mitigate the impact of such diseases. The objective of this project was to characterize the Omp28 gene of Brucella abortus through In-Silico analyses in order to assess its potential as a diagnostic marker for the epidemiological surveillance of bovine brucellosis. A range of bioinformatics tools was employed, including BLASTx, InterProScan, SignalP, TMHMM, sequence alignments in MEGA/Jalview, WebLogo, structural modeling using SWISS-MODEL and AlphaFold, protein–protein interaction analysis via STRING, primer design with Primer3Plus, and epitope prediction using the IEDB platform. The analyses identified a Sec/SPI signal peptide (cleavage site between positions 28–29), conserved domains (IPR052022, DUF541), and a high degree of sequence identity with other Brucella species (99–99.6%). Additionally, potential glycosylation and phosphorylation sites were detected, with Thr67 and Thr131 being particularly notable. Promising B-cell epitopes were identified in regions 149–171 and 202–236. Structural modeling yielded satisfactory quality scores (GMQE/QMEANDisCo), supporting the reliability of the predicted protein structure. These findings suggest that Omp28 is a conserved and immunogenic antigen with strong potential for application in molecular surveillance tools, pending experimental validation. This study highlights the value of integrating bioinformatics approaches into epidemiological research, enabling the prediction of experimental strategies that can validate In-Silico findings with minimal financial investment. Furthermore, the information generated can be extrapolated to other infectious agents with similar biological characteristics and may support the early detection of bovine brucellosis in differ ent regions of Colombia and potentially across the continent.Item Propuesta de fortalecimiento de las buenas prácticas de manufactura (BPM) en industrias panificadoras(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-11-27) Rivera Ramos, Leidy Vanessa ; Daza Rivera, Carlos Frisherald (Director)The bakery industry is one of the most important in Colombia. The per capita consumption of bread amounts to 22 kilograms per person per year, generating 16% of the national food production and approximately 400,000 direct jobs. Due to this, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are essential to maintain the safety and quality of the products that reach consumers. However, the literature has identified five recurring critical points (raw materials and inputs, inadequate or deteriorated machinery and equipment, poorly structured operational procedures, facilities and infrastructure, and workforce) that influence the occurrence of the three types of contamination considered by national and international legislation: microbiological, which is the most frequent and significant, chemical, and physical. The purpose of this monograph was to develop an improvement proposal for the identified deficiencies through the PDCA system (plan, do, check, act), focusing on GMP compliance.Item Biodegradación de microplásticos (polietileno, polipropileno, poliestireno y tereftalato de polietileno) por enzimas bacterianas y fúngicas con potencial aplicación en estrategias de biorremediación una revisión sistemática(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-10) Benavides Hernández, Nicolas; Bautista Carrillo, Jonathan (Director)Microplastic (MP) pollution represents a growing threat due to its persistence and potential toxicity, which has increased interest in enzymatic biodegradation as a sustainable alternative to traditional physicochemical methods. This systematic review analyzed studies (2019–2025) on the degradation of PE, PP, PS, and PET using bacterial and fungal enzymes. The results showed a clear bacterial predominance (80.8%), particularly Bacillus and Pseudomonas, associated with laccases, lipases, peroxidases, and monooxygenases. Although fungi were less represented, they exhibited the highest degradation efficiencies; among them, Candida tropicalis achieved 90% PET degradation in 60 days, while Phanerochaete chrysosporium reached 49.16% in pretreated PE, highlighting the importance of physicochemical pretreatments. The main degradation products -carbonyls, alcohols, and estersconfirmed an effective breakdown of the polymer. Advances in computational modeling, metagenomics, microbial consortia, and ecotoxicity assessments support the effectiveness and environmental safety of the process. Nevertheless, improvements in enzyme stability and process scalability are still required. Overall, enzymatic biodegradation emerges as a key tool for environmental biotechnology, the circular economy, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Item Evaluación de procesos fotoquímicos de oxidación avanzada aplicados a la inactivación y/o reactivación de una cepa de Aspergillus fumigatus(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-12-04) Andrade Salamanca, Sofia; Castaño Mosquera, Laura Marcela; Caicedo Bejarano, Luz Dary (Directora); Castro Narváez, Sandra Patricia (Directora)Aspergillus fumigatus, classified by the WHO as a top-priority fungal pathogen, poses an increasing threat to public health due to its resistance to conventional treatments. This study evaluated the effectiveness of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing UV-C radiation in combination with H₂O₂, PMS, and PDS for inactivating and potentially reactivating A. fumigatus isolated from wastewater in darkness. All combined treatments achieved significant inactivation within the first 3 minutes, resulting in 3–4 log reductions (approximately 99.8% removal of CFU mL⁻¹). Statistical analysis revealed that treatments combining oxidizing agents and radiation yielded significantly different results compared to controls (p < 0.05), indicating a synergistic effect in generating reactive species responsible for fungal inactivation. Additionally, after 60 minutes, no reactivation occurred, indicating an irreversible loss of viability and confirming the process's stability as an effective alternative.Item Caracterización de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en superficies de alto toque en entornos hospitalarios del Valle del Cauca(Universidad Santiago de Cali, 2025-11-27) Restrepo Saavedra, Juan Miguel ; Correa Bermúdez, Adriana (Directora); Pallares Gutiérrez, Christian (Director)Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global public health problem, with Gram-positive bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), being particularly significant pathogens due to their resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and their ability to persist on inanimate surfaces. In order to identify the presence of this microorganism on high-contact surfaces, sampling was carried out in two hospitals in Valle del Cauca. Although MRSA was not found in any of the hospitals evaluated, possible coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was identified on various hospital surfaces such as beds, tables, railings, medical devices, and electronic equipment. These findings underscore the need to apply rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as to maintain constant microbiological monitoring to strengthen HAIs surveillance and prevention strategies in hospital settings.