Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil in Zebrafish.

This study explored the protective capacity of the essential oil (EO) of Cymbopogon citratus against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the inflammatory potential in zebrafish. Using five concentrations of EO (0.39, 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, and 6.25 µg/mL) in the presence of 7.5 mM H2O2, we analyzed the effects on neutrophil migration, caudal fin regeneration, cellular apoptosis, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) after 96 h of exposure. A significant decrease in neutrophil migration was observed in all EO treatments compared to the control. Higher concentrations of EO (3.12 and 6.25 µg/mL) resulted in a significant decrease in caudal fin regeneration compared to the control. SOD activity was reduced at all EO concentrations, CAT activity significantly decreased at 3.12 µg/mL, and GST activity increased at 0.78 µg/mL and 1.56 µg/mL, compared to the control group. No significant changes in ROS production were detected. A reduction in cellular apoptosis was evident at all EO concentrations, suggesting that C. citratus EO exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, influences regenerative processes, and protects against oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Impact of Colored Shade Nets on Biomass Production, Essential Oil Composition and Orientin and Isoorientin Content in Lippia gracilis Schauer.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ChromatiNet on vegetative growth, total antioxidant capacity, phenolic and essential oils (EOs) composition of Lippia gracilis. The plants were cultivated under full sunlight, black, blue and red ChromatiNet. The flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity were quantified spectrophotometrically. The C-glycosylflavone isomers (orientin and isoorientin) were isolated and identified by conventional spectroscopic techniques and measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection. The EO was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Environment influenced growth, total antioxidant capacity and phytochemical levels. Shoot dry weight, thymol, carvacrol and (E)-caryophyllene were favoured under red and black ChromatiNet. Root growth, EOs, caryophyllene oxide, p-cymene, flavonoids, orientin and isoorientin were favoured in sunlight. Growth and accumulation of EOs, flavonoids and photosynthetic pigments increased under blue ChromatiNet. Therefore, Lippia gracilis plants have plasticity related to the spectral quality of light and it cultivate depends of the phytochemicals of interest.

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of essential oils' insecticidal action using a novel cheminformatics protocol.

Essential oils (EOs) are a promising source for novel environmentally safe insecticides. However, the structural diversity of their compounds poses challenges to accurately elucidate their biological mechanisms of action. We present a new chemoinformatics methodology aimed at predicting the impact of essential oil (EO) compounds on the molecular targets of commercial insecticides. Our approach merges virtual screening, chemoinformatics, and machine learning to identify custom signatures and reference molecule clusters. By assigning a molecule to a cluster, we can determine its most likely interaction targets. Our findings reveal that the main targets of EOs are juvenile hormone-specific proteins (JHBP and MET) and octopamine receptor agonists (OctpRago). Three of the twenty clusters show strong similarities to the juvenile hormone, steroids, and biogenic amines. For instance, the methodology successfully identified E-Nerolidol, for which literature points indications of disrupting insect metamorphosis and neurochemistry, as a potential insecticide in these pathways. We validated the predictions through experimental bioassays, observing symptoms in blowflies that were consistent with the computational results. This new approach sheds a higher light on the ways of action of EO compounds in nature and biotechnology. It also opens new possibilities for understanding how molecules can interfere with biological systems and has broad implications for areas such as drug design.

Biological screening of herbal extracts and essential oil from Plectranthus species: α-amylase and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant and anti-Candida potentials

Abstract The phenolic compound content, the antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition potentials of different extracts of the Plectranthus amboinicus, P. barbatus and P. ornatus were evaluated. We also evaluated the influence of plant growth and harvest time on the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of P. amboinicus, its antioxidant and anti-Candida activities and the α-amylase and lipoxygenase inhibitions. The turbo-extract of P. barbatus showed the greatest phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity. No α-amylase inhibition activity was observed in the analyzed extracts, but the turbo-extraction and refluxing extracts possessed high antioxidant activities. Protected cultivation and morning harvest conditions gave the best antioxidant activities, which was associated to the highest carvacrol content. P. amboinicus EO antioxidant activity could contribute to the reduction of oxidative stress in diabetes. Causal Candida strains of diabetic foot ulcers showed sensitivity to P. amboinicus EO. C. albicans and C. dubliniensis were the most sensitive of the selected Candida strains. Turbo-extracts or refluxing of the three species extracts and the EO of P. amboinicus should be considered as a potential candidate for the management the complications of type 2 diabetes.

Eugenia uniflora, Melaleuca armillaris, and Schinus molle essential oils to manage larvae of the filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Populations of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 (Diptera: Culicidae) have shown resistance to insecticides of the carbamate and organophosphate classes. The objective of this study was to assess the susceptibility of C. quinquefasciatus larvae to essential oils from leaves of Eugenia uniflora L., Melaleuca armillaris (Sol. ex Gaertn.) Sm., and Schinus molle L and C. quinquefasciatus larvae's biochemical responses after their exposure to these leaves. The essential oils were chemically analyzed by GC and GC/MS. First, the lethal concentration for 50% (LC50) values was estimated using different concentrations of essential oils and probit analysis. The larvae were exposed for 1 h at the LC50 estimated for each essential oil. The susceptibility of the larvae to essential oils was evaluated using the following biochemical parameters: concentrations of total protein and reduced glutathione; levels of production of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation; and the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The main chemical constituents in E. uniflora were E-ß-ocimene, curzerene, germacrene B, and germacrone; in M. armillaris were 1,8-cineole and terpinolene; and in S. molle were sabinene, myrcene, and sylvestrene. The essential oils had LC50 values between 31.52 and 60.08 mg/L, all of which were considered effective. All of them also promoted changes in biochemical parameters when compared to the control treatment. The essential oils of S. molle and E. uniflora inhibited the activity of the AChE enzyme, and the essential oil of M. armillaris increased it. All essential oils had larvicidal activity against C. quinquefasciatus, but the essential oil of E. uniflora was the most efficient. Thus, the findings of the present study suggest that the essential oil of E. uniflora can be considered promising for the development of botanical larvicides.

Solvent Mixture Optimization in the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activities from Garlic (Allium sativum L.).

Garlic is a health promoter that has important bioactive compounds. The bioactive extraction is an important step in the analysis of constituents present in plant preparations. The purpose of this study is to optimize the extraction with the best proportion of solvents to obtain total phenolic compounds (TPC) and thiosulfinates (TS) from dried garlic powder, and evaluate the antioxidant activities of the optimized extracts. A statistical mixture simplex axial design was used to evaluate the effect of solvents (water, ethanol, and acetone), as well as mixtures of these solvents, after two ultrasound extraction cycles of 15 min. Results showed that solvent mixtures with a high portion of water and pure water were efficient for TPC and TS recovery through this extraction procedure. According to the regression model computed, the most significant solvent mixtures to obtain high TPC and TS recovery from dried garlic powder are, respectively, the binary mixture with 75% water and 25% acetone and pure water. These optimized extracts presented oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Pure water was better for total antioxidant capacity, and the binary mixture of water-acetone (75:25) was better for DPPH scavenging activity. These optimized extracts can be used for industrial and research applications.

Seasonal variation in essential oil content and chemical profile of mint in southeast of Brazil / Variação sazonal no teor e perfil químico do óleo essencial de menta no sudeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the influence of seasonality in essential oil (EO) chemical composition of Mentha x piperita L. and Mentha viridis L. grown in southeast of Brazil. Leaves were collected from November 2011 until August 2013, in the middle of the following seasons: Spring (November), Summer (February), Autumn (May) and Winter (August). EO extraction was carried out by hydrodistillation in Clevenger apparatus for 1 hour. Chemical composition of EO was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The EO content and its chemical composition were influenced by seasonality in both species. The highest EO content was obtained for M. x piperita during spring (4.26%) and for M. viridis during spring (3.30%) and summer (3.70%). Mentha x piperita increased menthol (16.31 to 41.26%), neomenthol (3.02 to 6.39%) and menthone (5.56 to 41.58%) contents during spring and summer, respectively. Whereas, M. viridis EO content did not show a quality response pattern in relation to seasonality. Therefore, harvest time for M. x piperita is recommended during spring, and for M. viridis is recommended during spring and summer.

RESUMO: O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da sazonalidade na composição química do óleo essencial (OE) de Mentha x piperita L. e Mentha viridis L. cultivadas no sudeste do Brasil. As folhas foram coletadas de novembro de 2011 até agosto de 2013, em meados das seguintes estações: primavera (novembro), verão (fevereiro), outono (maio) e inverno (agosto). A extração do OE foi realizada por hidrodestilação em aparelho de Clevenger por uma hora. A composição química do EO foi analisada por GC-FID and GC-MS. O teor de OE e sua composição química foram influenciados pela sazonalidade em ambas as espécies. O maior teor de OE foi obtido para M. x piperita na primavera (4,26%) e para M. viridis na primavera (3,30%) e verão (3,70%). Mentha x piperita aumentou o conteúdo de mentol (16,31 a 41,26%), neomentol (3,02 a 6,39%) e mentona (5,56 a 41,58%) durante a primavera e o verão, respectivamente. Já o conteúdo de OE de M. viridis não apresentou padrão de resposta de qualidade em relação à sazonalidade. Portanto, a colheita para M. x piperita é recomendada durante a primavera, e para M. viridis é recomendada durante a primavera e verão.

Biocontrol potential of methyl chavicol for managing Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important corn pest.

Synthetic insecticides applied to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) can have negative impacts on environment and human health. Botanical essential oils can be sources of organic molecules with biocontrol potential and advantages, such as minor impacts on the selection of resistant pest insects and low toxicity to humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the biocontrol action of essential oils from Brazilian species and methyl chavicol compounds on the development and metabolism of S. frugiperda. Essential oils of Eremanthus erythropappus (Asteraceae), Ocimum selloi, Hyptis suaveolens, and Hyptis marrubioides (Lamiaceae) were distilled by the steam distillation method and analyzed by gas chromatograph techniques. The essential oils were incorporated into an artificial diet (at 1, 2, and 4 mg mL-1) and offered to S. frugiperda caterpillars. Larvae of S. frugiperda at 48 h of age were fed an artificial diet containing the major constituent of O. selloi (methyl chavicol). The major compounds of the essential oils were methyl chavicol for O. selloi, α-bisabolol for E. erythropappus, bicyclogermacrene for H. suaveolens, and ß-thujone for H. marrubioides. O. selloi caused 100% mortality in S. frugiperda larvae at a concentration of 1 mg mL-1 after 48 h. H. marrubioides essential oil caused 100% mortality in larvae at a concentration of 4 mg mL-1 after 48 h. O. selloi and H. marrubioides inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in 72.87% and 81.69% of larvae, respectively. O. selloi presented the highest toxicity to S. frugiperda and the lowest inhibition of AchE. Methyl chavicol was lethal to all larvae within 24 h at a concentration of 0.92 mg mL-1 of diet. Methyl chavicol showed the best insecticidal activity and potential to be used as a natural insecticide to control S. frugiperda.

In Vitro Anticoagulant Activity of Mikania laevigata: Deepening the Study of the Possible Interaction Between Guaco and Anticoagulants.

Mikania laevigata, popularly known in Brazil as guaco, is widely used for respiratory disorders. As this plant is rich in coumarins, there is evidence of indications that it may cause bleeding and therefore should not be used concomitantly with anticoagulants. The basis of this information is very theoretical, with no clinical evidence of such contraindication. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of M. laevigata extract on blood coagulation through prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests, fibrinogen plasma concentration, and the new thrombin generation test, which investigate, with high sensibility, hemostatic changes (CAAE 60904316.6.0000.5149), besides evaluating its qualitative micromolecular composition, providing scientific evidence to support the management of patients taking warfarin. Ethanolic extracts of guaco leaves were incubated with a plasma pool of healthy individuals at concentrations of 1.67, 2.26, and 2.86 mg/mL. The presence of flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, and triterpenes was demonstrated by selective reagents in thin layer chromatography. Benzoylgrandifloric acid, cinnamoylgrandifloric acid, o-coumaric acid, coumarin, and quercetin-3-ß-glucoside were identified by coinjection in ultraperformance liquid chromatography. The extract at all concentrations prolonged TP and aPPT and reduced the potential for endogenous thrombin potential by the thrombin generation test. The control plasma had endogenous thrombin potential = 1465 nM/min, and after the addition of M. laevigata extract (2.26 mg/mL), this value was reduced to 1087 nM/min, indicating a lower generation of thrombin. Related to fibrinogen plasma concentration, concentrations of 2.26 and 2.86 mg/mL were effective in reducing plasma fibrinogen levels. These results allow us to conclude that the guaco extract demonstrated an anticoagulant effect in vitro, possibly interfering with intrinsic, extrinsic, and common coagulation pathways. A discussion on the contribution of the identified substances to the activity is also present.

Study of the influence of wavelengths and intensities of LEDs on the growth, photosynthetic pigment, and volatile compounds production of Lippia rotundifolia Cham in vitro.

Lippia rotundifolia Cham. is in the family Verbenaceae and is endemic to the Cerrado. This species is aromatic and characterized by the presence of glandular trichomes on its leaves that are rich in monoterpenes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth, photosynthetic pigment production, and chemical composition of L. rotundifolia grown in vitro under different light wavelengths and intensities. The light intensities consisted of five treatments using cool white fluorescent lamps at 20, 54, 78, 88, and 110 µmol m-2 s-1. The light quality consisted of six treatments using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in different light wavelengths, namely, white, red, blue, and their interactions: 1R:1B, 2.5R:1B, and 1R:2.5B. After 45 days, the biometric parameters, photosynthetic pigment content, and volatile compounds were evaluated. The lower light intensities of 20 and 54 µmol m-2 s-1 generated higher growth, photosynthetic pigment content, and biomass accumulation. Myrcene and pentadecane were highest under light intensities of 88 and 110 µmol m-2 s-1, respectively. The highest limonene and ocimenone levels were obtained at 20 and 54 µmol m-2 s-1 intensity, respectively, and the highest myrcenone content was obtained at 78 µmol m-2 s-1 intensity. Regarding the light wavelengths, the combination of red and blue spectra further stimulated plantlet growth, and the 2.5R:1B combination obtained the best biometric data and total chlorophyll content. The z-ocimenone chemical compound contents were highest under the 1R:2.5B light spectrum. The monochromatic blue spectrum increased the myrcene and limonene content but decreased the myrcenone content, which was increased by red light. The highest pentadecane contents were obtained with the white spectrum and the red and blue combinations.

Sperm Quality and Testicular Histomorphometry of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Extract and Fractions of Fruit of Tribulus terrestris L.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the sperm quality and testicular histomorphometry of Wistar rats supplemented with extract and fractions of fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. The ethanolic extract was obtained by dynamic maceration of spray-dried fruit. This extract was fractionated by liquid-liquid partition, using increasing polarity solvents. Twenty male rats were separated in four groups, with five rats in each group. The control was supplemented with distilled water, while the others were daily given the ethanolic extract, hexanic or aqueous fraction soluble in methanol in a dose of 42 mg.kg-1.day-1 for 70 days. Sperm was obtained from the right epididymal tail for the analysis of motility, count, morphology and viability. The testicular weight of groups supplemented with ethanolic extract and aqueous fraction soluble in methanol was higher when compared to the control. The gonadosomatic index increased in the group supplemented with ethanolic extract. The nuclear, cytoplasmic and individual volume of Leydig cells increased in supplementation with hexanic and aqueous fractions soluble in methanol. It was concluded that the extract influenced the spermatogenesis, while hexanic and aqueous fractions soluble in methanol promoted the changes in the intertubular compartment. Therefore, Tribulus terrestris did not improve the sperm quality of the rats.

Variações anatômicas de Laelia purpurata var. cárnea cultivada in vitro sob diferentes intensidades e qualidade spectral de luz / Anatomical variations of Laelia purpurata var. cárnea in vitro cultured under different intensities and spectral quality of light

Plantas de Laelia purpurata var. cárnea propagadas in vitro e mantidas em sala de crescimento e em casa de vegetação foram submetidas a diferentes intensidades e qualidade espectral de luz, envolvidas com diferentes malhas coloridas: azul, vermelha e preta. Foi observado que a intensidade e qualidade espectral de luz interferiram de forma significativa em todos os parâmetros analisados, aos 120 dias de cultivo. Plantas cultivadas sob malha azul em sala de crescimento e casa de vegetação apresentaram maior espessamento da epiderme na face adaxial (31,73 e 35,46µm), respectivamente, diferindo estatisticamente quando comparado com os demais tratamentos. Foi observado aumento significativo no número de camadas de células do velame em raízes de plantas cultivadas em casa de vegetação, independente da malha de sombreamento, quando comparadas com as de sala de crescimento. Em secções transversais de raízes de plantas cultivadas em casa de vegetação sob malha azul, foi observada maior diferenciação dos tecidos (velame, exoderme, córtex e cilindro vascular).

in vitro propagated orchid (Laelia purpurata var. cárnea) were maintained in a growth chamber in a greenhouse and subjected to different spectral intensities and quality of light, using different colored shade-net (blue, red and black). It was observed that the light intensity and spectral quality influenced significantly all the parameters analyzed at 120 days of cultivation. Plants cultivated under blue color shade net at growth chamber and greenhouse presented higher thickening of epidermis on the adaxial face (31.73 and 35.46µm), respectively, and were statistically different when compared with other treatments. It was observed a significant increase in the number of velamen cell layers in plant roots grown in the greenhouse, regardless of the color shade-net used when compared with plants cultivated at growth chamber. It was observed a higher differentiation of tissues (canopy, exodermis, cortex and vascular cylinder) in cross sections plant roots grown in greenhouse under blue shade-net.

Influência do processamento da folha e tipo de secagem no teor e composição química do óleo essencial de manjericão cv. Maria Bonita / Influence of leaf processing and type of drying on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil of basil cv. Maria Bonita

O manjericão é uma planta medicinal aromática pertencente à família Lamiaceae, rica em óleos essenciais e com grande interesse industrial. Objetivou-se, no presente trabalho, estudar a influência do processamento da folha (inteira e pulverizada) submetida a dois tipos secagem (estufa de ventilação forçada a 38º C e sala com desumidificador), sobre o teor e composição química do óleo essencial. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC), com 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições. O óleo essencial foi extraído por hidrodestilação das folhas e analisado por CG e CG/EM. O tipo de secagem e o processamento da folha do O. basilicum influenciaram no teor e composição química do óleo essencial. Maior porcentagem da área de pico do componente químico linalol foi obtida quando se realizou o processo de secagem das folhas. A secagem em estufa conservou o aroma e a coloração verde das folhas, preservando as características originais da cultivar.

Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Maria Bonita is a medicinal aromatic plant of the Lamiaceae family, it is rich in essential oils with high industrial interest. The present work aimed to study the influence of leaf processing (whole and ground leaf) in two drying types (oven-drying at 38º C and room temperature using moisture dryer) on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil. A completely randomized design was used with 4 treatments and 6 replicates. The essential oil obtained by hydrodestillation of the leaves was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The results show that the drying type and the processing of the leaf influence the content and chemical composition of the essential oil. High amounts of linalol were obtained when the leaves underwent dry processing. The oven-dried conserved the aroma and the green color of the leaves, preserving the original characteristics of the cultivar.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Ocimum selloi benth: sob condições de luz, temperatura e tempo de armazenamento / Physiological quality of Ocimum selloi Benth: seeds under conditions of light, temperature and storage time

O atroveran ou elixir-paregórico (Ocimum selloi Benth.) é uma espécie aromática nativa do Brasil, produtora de óleo essencial rico em metil-chavicol. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a influência da temperatura, luz e tempo de armazenamento em diferentes ambientes sobre a germinação e o vigor de sementes de O. selloi. Inicialmente, testou-se o efeito da presença e ausência de luz branca sob fotoperíodo de 12 horas para determinar o fotoblastismo das sementes em diferentes temperaturas (20, 25, 30 e 35ºC). Em seguida, testou-se a germinação e emergência no armazenamento sob duas temperaturas (ambiente e câmara fria) aos 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 10 e 12 meses de armazenamento. A espécie foi classificada como fotoblástica neutra, apresentando germinação em ampla faixa de temperatura (20 a 30ºC). A germinação das sementes manteve-se por doze meses de armazenamento em câmara fria e à temperatura ambiente, entretanto, o vigor decresce a partir de seis meses em armazenamento sob temperatura ambiente.

"Atroveran" or "elixir-paregórico" (Ocimum selloi Benth.) is a Brazilian species that produces an essential oil rich in methyl chavicol. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of light, temperature and time of storage in different environments on the germination and vigor of O. selloi seeds. We initially tested the influence of presence and absence of white light in a 12-hour photoperiod to determine the photoblastism of the seeds under different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35ºC). The physiological quality of seeds conserved under two temperatures (room temperature and cold chamber) was tested at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 10 and 12 months of storage. The species was classified as neutral photoblastic with germination at a wide temperature range (20ºC-30°C). Germination was maintained for twelve months of storage in cold chamber at room temperature, but the vigor was reduced in seeds kept at room temperature after the sixth month of storage.

Teores do óleo essencial de cidrão [Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton (Verbenaceae)] em diferentes horários de colheita e processamentos pós-colheita / Lemon verbena's [Aloysia triphylla (L'Hérit) Britton (Verbenaceae)] essential oil content in different harvest periods and post-harvesting process

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o teor do óleo essencial de cidrão [Aloysia triphylla (L´Hérit) Britton] em diferentes horários de colheita e processamentos pós-colheita. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado. As colheitas foram realizadas em três horários distintos (8 h, 12 h e 16 h), com três repetições. Os processamentos pós-colheita foram cinco: T1- folhas frescas fragmentadas em 1cm; T2- folhas frescas processadas em liquidificador; T3- folhas frescas inteiras; T4- folhas secas inteiras; T5- folhas secas pulverizadas em moinho, com três repetições. O óleo essencial de cada tratamento foi extraído pela técnica de hidrodestilação, utilizando o aparelho modificado de Clevenger, por uma hora e trinta minutos. Os horários de colheita quando se detectou maior teor de óleo foram 8 h e 16 h. Os maiores teores de óleo essencial foram encontrados em folhas frescas fragmentadas em 1cm, folhas frescas processadas em liquidificador, folhas frescas inteiras e folhas secas inteiras.

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the essential oil content of lemon verbena at different harvest times and post-harvest processings. The experimental design used was completely randomized. The harvested material was collected at three different hours (8:00, 12:00 and 16:00 pm), and it was taken three times. In post-harvest processings, three replications and five treatments were us do: 1 cm fresh leaf fragments, blended fresh leaves, whole fresh leaves, whole dry leaves and dry leaves ground in mill. The essential oil was determined in Clevenger's modified apparatus for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The periods of the day that detected high essential oil content were at 8:00 am and 16:00 pm. The high essential oil level was in 1 cm fresh leaf fragments, blender processed fresh leaves, whole fresh leaves and whole dry leaves.

Produção de mudas de hortelã-japonesa em função da idade e de diferentes tipos de estaca / Scion production of mint in function of age and different types of cutting

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência de diferentes idades e tipos de estacas na produção de mudas de Mentha arvensis L. Foram avaliados quatro diferentes tipos de estacas: estacas apicais retiradas da parte aérea; estacas retiradas da parte aérea mediana; estacas retiradas da ponteira do estolão e estacas retiradas da parte mediana dos estolões. Os diferentes tipos de estaca foram avaliadas com 25 e 40 dias de cultivo. Foram empregadas estacas com 4-5cm de comprimento, enterradas 2/3 no substrato comercial Plantmax®. Foram avaliados, nos dois períodos de enraizamento (25 e 40 dias) nos diferentes tipos de estaca na bandeja, a altura, o número de brotações, a biomassa seca da parte aérea e das raízes e a porcentagem de mortalidade. As estacas, após os períodos de enraizamento foram transplantadas para canteiro e vasos. Foi também determinada a porcentagem de mortalidade e a biomassa seca da parte aérea, das raízes e estolões, após um cultivo por 30 dias. Os resultados mostraram que as estacas apicais da parte aérea aos 25 dias e aos 40 dias após o plantio na bandeja apresentaram maior enraizamento e desenvolvimento da parte aérea e baixa porcentagem de mortalidade. Aos 25 dias, as estacas apicais da parte aérea se desenvolveram estando as mudas aptas ao transplantio para o campo. Aos 30 dias após o transplantio, as estacas apicais da parte aérea apresentaram maior crescimento, exceto para biomassa seca dos estolões.

The objective of this research was to verify the influence of different age and types of cuttings in the production of scion of Mentha arvensis L. Four different types of cuttings were evaluated: apical and medium cuttings (from aerial part); tip and medium cuttings (from rhizome part). The different types of cuttings were evaluated at 25 and 40 days of age. The cuttings used had 4-5cm long and covered with Plantmax® substrate to a depth of 2/3. Two rooting periods (25 and 40 days) from the different types of cuttings were evaluated: height, shoots number, aerial and roots dry biomass and percentage of mortality. The cuttings after the rooting period were transplanted to bed and pots. The mortality and the aerial part, roots and rhizome dry biomass were determined 30 days after being cultivated. The results showed that apical cuttings from aerial part at 25 and 40 days after being planted in trays had higher rooting, aerial part development and low mortality. At 25 days the aerial part developed and the scion was ready to be transplanted to field. Thirty days after transplanted apical cuttings from aerial part showed a higher growth, except for rhizome dry biomass.

Tipos e doses de adubação orgânica no crescimento, no rendimento e na composição química do óleo essencial de elixir paregórico / Sources and doses of organic fertilization in Ocimum selloi growth, essential oil yield and chemical composition

A prática da adubação orgânica, além de fornecer nutrientes para as plantas, proporciona a melhoria da estrutura física do solo, aumenta a retenção de água, diminui as perdas por erosão e favorece o controle biológico. O elixir paregórico (Ocimum selloi Benth.) é uma espécie medicinal nativa das regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil onde é utilizada popularmente como antidiarréico, antiespasmódico e antiinflamatório. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito de diferentes doses de dois adubos orgânicos no crescimento, no rendimento e na composição do óleo essencial de elixir paregórico. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em Lavras, MG, em estufa plástica com os seguintes tratamentos de adubação: ensaio A - esterco bovino: 1) sem adubação (controle); 2) solo + 3kg m-2 de esterco; 3) solo+ 6kg m-2 de esterco; 4) solo+ 9kg m-2 de esterco; 5) solo + 12kg m-2 de esterco; ensaio B - Esterco avícola: 1) sem adubação (controle); 2) solo + 1,5kg m-2 de esterco; 3) solo + 3kg m-2 de esterco; 4) solo + 4,5kg m-2 de esterco e 5) solo + 6kg m-2 de esterco. Foi verificada a influência das doses de adubação com esterco bovino e galinha sobre o crescimento da planta em altura e diâmetro do caule, acúmulo de biomassa seca, AF, AFE, RPF, teor de clorofilas, espessura do limbo foliar, rendimento e composição química do óleo essencial.

The organic fertilization provides nutrients for the plants, improves the soil physical structure, increases the water retention, reduces the erosion losses and favors the biological control. Ocimum selloi is a native medicinal plant of south and southeast of Brazil where is used popularly as antidiarrhetic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. This research aimed to verify the effect of different doses of two organic fertilizers souces in O. selloi growth, essential oil yield and chemical composition. The experiments were carried out in Lavras, MG, with pots in polyethylene greenhouse with two manuring treatments: Test A - Cattle manure: 1) Soil without manuring (control); 2) Soil + 3kg m-2 cattle manure; 3) Soil + 6kg m-2 cattle manure; 4) Soil + 9kg m-2 cattle manure; 5) Soil + 12kg m-2 cattle manure; Test B - Chicken manure: 1) Soil without manuring (control); 2) Soil + 1.5kg m-2 chicken manure; 3) Soil + 3 kg m-2 chicken manure; 4) Soil + 4.5kg m-2 chicken manure and 5) Soil + 6kg m-2 chicken manure. The influence of cattle and chicken manuring doses was verified on plant height, stem diameter, dry biomass weight, TLA, SLA, LWR, chlorophylls content, leaf thickness, essential oil yield and composition.

Comprimento da estaca e tipo de substrato na propagação vegetativa de atroveran / Shoot cutting length and substrate types on vegetative propagation of atroveran

A propagação vegetativa de espécies medicinais vem despertando interesse das pesquisas agronômicas, uma vez que se constitui no ponto de partida e em ferramenta básica para qualquer cultivo em escala comercial. Este trabalho objetivou determinar o comprimento de estaca e o tipo de substrato mais adequados para a propagação vegetativa de atroveran. Em condições de casa de vegetação sob nebulização intermitente, foram testados dois comprimentos de estacas (10 e 20cm) e três substratos (areia lavada, casca de arroz carbonizada e substrato comercial Plantmax®), em delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e cinco estacas por parcela. Aos trinta e cinco dias, foram avaliados a porcentagem de enraizamento, o comprimento da maior raiz (cm) e a biomassa seca das folhas e das raízes (mg). Os resultados indicaram que a propagação vegetativa de atroveran por meio de estaquia é viável, uma vez que o seu enraizamento médio ficou acima de 70 por cento. As mudas de atroveran obtidas de estacas com 20cm apresentaram maior biomassa seca das folhas e das raízes, apesar de o comprimento da estaca não ter afetado a porcentagem de enraizamento e o comprimento da raiz. Os tipos de substrato não proporcionaram efeito sobre o desenvolvimento das estacas de atroveran. Recomenda-se a produção de mudas de atroveran com estacas de 20cm de comprimento, utilizando-se qualquer um dos três substratos testados.

The vegetative propagation of medicinal species is in increasing agronomic interest because it is the starting point and a basic tool for any cultivation in commercial scale. The objective of this work was to determine the best shoot cutting length and the best substrate for vegetative propagation of Ocimum selloi. Cuttings were placed in greenhouse conditions under intermittent mist. Two cutting sizes (10 and 20cm) and three substrate types (washed sand, carbonized rice hulls and commercial substrate Plantmax®) were tested. The experiment was in blocks randomly distributed in four replications and five cuttings for parcel. After thirty five days the percentage of rooting, the length of the bigger root (cm) and the leaf and root dry weight (mg) were analysed. The results indicated that the vegetative propagation of Ocimum selloi by cuttings is viable, once its mean rooting was over 70 percent. It was not observed significative interaction within the adopted treatments. The cuttings with 20cm length presented larger leaf and root dry weight but the percentage of rooting and the length of the bigger root was not affected by the cutting lenght. The substrate types did not present effect on the development of the cuttings. The production of Ocimum selloi seedlings is recommended with 20cm length cuttings using any substrate tested.

Potencial do carväo ativado, filtro amarelo e interaçäo fotoperíodo/temperatura na formaçäo de raízes tuberosas de batata-doce in vitro / Potential of active charcoal, yellow filter and interation photoperiod/temperature on the formation of tuber roots of sweet potato in vitro

Neste presente trabalho, avaliou-se o potencial do carväo ativado, filtro amarelo e a interaçäo fotoperíodo/temperatura na formaçäo de estruturas semelhantes a raízes tuberosas de batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) em condiçöes in vitro. O experimento com carväo ativado foi conduzido em tubos de ensaio de 150mm x 25mm, contendo 10 ml de meio de cultura por tubo. Nos experimentos com filtro amarelo e fotoperíodo/temperatura foram utilizados frascos contendo 15 e 30ml, respectivamente de meio de cultura por frasco. O meio de cultura utilizado em todos os tratamentos foi o MS. Nos 3 experimentos, avaliou-se o número de estruturas semelhantes a raízes tuberosas, peso seco de raízes e parte aérea. Em relaçäo ao carväo ativado, notou-se que a sua associaçäo com ácido naftaleno acético, benzilaminopurina e cinetina prejudicou a formaçäo de estruturas semelhantes a raízes tuberosas além de proporcionar baixo peso seco de raízes e parte aérea. Em relaçäo ao filtro amarelo, notou-se que sua presença com a associaçäo de reguladores de crescimento (ácido nafatleno acético, benzilaminopurina e cinetina) proporcionou maior formaçäo de estruturas semelhantes a raízes tuberosas, maior peso seco de raízes e parte aérea. Com relaçäo à interaçäo fotoperíodo e temperatura, os tratamentos que mantiveram a temperatura constante de 15ºC, submetidos a fotoperíodos de 8, 10 e 12h luz, mesmo na presença de ácido naftaleno acético e cinetina, reduziram a formaçäo de estruturas semelhantes a raízes tuberosas, peso seco de raízes e parte aérea