Flavonoids isolated from Vismia macrophylla Kunth against resistant bacteria.

The antimicrobial activity of Vismia macrophylla extract is reported in the literature; however, little is known about the presence of phenolic compounds and their antimicrobial activity in this species. This study aimed to isolate phenolic compounds with antimicrobial action from the leaves of V. macrophylla. The ethanolic extract (VmL-Et) was submitted to sephadex column separation, and some fractions were submitted to derivatization with BSTFA and analysed by GC-MS. This study indicated the presence of the catechin, osajaxanthone, quercetin, quercitrin, and glucodistylin. Of these, osajaxanthone, quercetin, quercitrin, and glucodistylin were isolated and identified by spectroscopic techniques. VmL-Et, quercetin, quercitrin, glucodistylin, and maslinic acid, were tested against the Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The results showed broad spectrum action of the extract Vm-Et, glucodistylin and quercitrin. The species V. macrophylla occurring in the Brazilian biome showed potential for obtaining phenolic compounds that can help combat microbial resistance.

Industrial egg residue as a calcium source in broiler feed: digestibility and growth performance.

Industrial egg residue (IER) possesses substantial concentrations of calcium and crude protein. The objective of this study was to measure the digestibility and performance of broilers when IER was added to the feed. Four treatments were tested, which caused increasing replacement of calcitic limestone by IER (0, 35, 70 and 100%) during a 42-day production cycle. First, total bird excreta were collected from broilers with and without IER, and we determined dry matter digestibility, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), calcium, and nitrogen retention. The IER presented 7.5% of crude protein, 31% of calcium, 209 kcal/kg of AME and the digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, and calcium were calculated at 83.95%, 86.20%, and 67%, respectively. After the digestibility test, the effects of IER on performance, carcass and meat yield were evaluated. No significant differences between the treatments were found in terms of performance (weight gain, feed conversion, consumption, and mortality), and no differences were found in terms of carcass or meat yield. A linear decrease in the percentage of abdominal fat was observed with increasing inclusion of IER in feed. These findings suggest that IER can totally replace limestone (calcium carbonate) in broiler diets.

Inclusion of industrial egg residue in the feed of laying hens to replace limestone: digestibility, productive performance and egg quality.

Our objective was to determine whether inclusion of industrial egg residue (IER) in the diets of laying hens would replace calcitic limestone without interfering with productive efficiency, egg quality or digestibility. In a first study (Experiment I), we used 30% IER in the diets of laying hens and found that the apparent digestibility coefficients were 51.6%, 42.8%, 51.6% and 17.8% for dry matter, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus, respectively. In the second study (Experiment II), we compared a control diet containing calcitic limestone with four diets containing increasing levels of IER, in proportions of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. During the first cycle (day 1-28), there was no difference between treatments in terms of productive performance or egg quality. During the second production cycle (day 29-56), we observed less food consumption by birds that ingested the highest levels of IER (100% substitution) than in controls. During the third cycle (day 57-84), we found that the inclusion of IER negatively affected performance, particularly lower production numbers, lower egg mass and higher feed conversion. Finally, during the third cycle, chickens broke and ingested their eggs shortly after laying. We conclude that the use of industrial egg residue cannot replace limestone in the feed of commercial laying hens, because it reduces performance and affects egg quality.

Impacts of the supplementation of açai lump flour in the diet of laying hens on productive performance, and fatty acid profiles and antioxidant capacity in the fresh and stocked eggs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the supplementation with açaí flour in the feed of laying hens at the end of the production cycle has beneficial effects on the health and performance of the birds and on the quality of the eggs. Groups received basal diets supplemented with 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% açaí lump flour. We observed better productivity linked to oviposition and egg mass in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed higher shell resistance in stored eggs and higher % albumen and peel in fresh eggs. Lower levels of lipoperoxidation were observed in fresh eggs (2.0%). In stored eggs, lipoperoxidation levels were lower in all supplemented groups. The antioxidant capacity levels in fresh or stored eggs was higher (2.0%). We also observed a higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids in the supplemented groups, whereas saturated fatty acids were lower in the egg yolks. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Based on a regression analysis, we verified that 1.47% of açaí flour is ideal in terms of productive efficiency. Dietary supplementation with açaí flour improved performance, egg quality, and had positive effects on the health of hens. Supplementation with açaí flour increased egg shelf life, reducing lipid peroxidation, biochemical reaction responsible for egg putrefaction.

Drying temperature changes trichome integrity, chemical content and composition of the essential oil of pepper-rosmarin / Temperatura de secagem altera integridade de tricomas, teor e composição química doóleo essencial de alecrim-pimenta

ABSTRACT: Medicinal plants are generally commercialized dried. However, temperatures used in their drying processes may interfere with the content and chemical composition of their essential oils. The Lippia origanoides possesses thymol in the essential oil that is stored in glandular trichomes. Thymol is a major component of economic importance in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the drying temperatures of L. origanoides leaves regarding trichome integrity, content, and chemical composition of the essential oil. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments defined by oven drying temperatures (40, 50, 60, and 70ºC) and four replications. Essential oil was extracted by hydro distillation and the essential oil contents were determined (%). Chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to determine trichome integrity. Drying the L. origanoides leaves in a forced ventilation oven at 40°C minimized the loss of extracted essential oil content (17.5g kg-1) and relative thymol percentage. Leaves dried at the temperatures of 60 and 70ºC exhibited a higher percentage of ruptured trichomes and reduced essential oil content to 13.7g kg-1 and 11.8g kg-1, respectively.

RESUMO: As plantas medicinais são geralmente comercializadas secas, no entanto, as temperaturas utilizadas nos processos de secagem podem interferir no teor e composição química dos óleos essenciais destas plantas. A Lippia origanoides possui timol em seu óleo essencial, que se encontra armazenado em tricomas glandulares. O timol é um componente majoritário de importância econômica na indústria química e farmacêutica. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar o efeito das temperaturas de secagem de folhas de L. origanoides na integridade dos tricomas, teor e composição química do óleo essencial. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos definidos por temperaturas de secagem em estufa (40ºC, 50ºC, 60ºC e 70ºC) e quatro repetições. Foram realizadas extrações por hidrodestilação e determinação dos teores dos óleos essenciais (%), análise de composição química do óleo por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas e microscopia eletrônica de varredura para determinação da integridade dos tricomas. A secagem das folhas de L. origanoides em estufa de ventilação forçada a 40ºC minimizou a perda do teor de óleo essencial extraído (17,5g kg-1) e porcentagem relativa de timol. Folhas secas em temperatura de 60 e 70ºC exibiram maior porcentagem de tricomas rompidos e redução do teor de óleo essencial para 13,7g kg-1 e 11,8g kg-1, respectivamente.

Phytochemical characterization and bioactivity of ethanolic extracts on eggs of citrus blackfly / Caracterização fitoquímica e bioatividade de extratos etanólicos em ovos de mosca-negra-dos-citros

ABSTRACT: The main objectives of this study were to determine the content of secondary metabolites (carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and tannins) of Argemone mexicana L., Ipomoea carnea Jacq. subsp. Fistulosa (Martius ex Choisy), Amorimia rigida (A.Juss.) W. R. Anderson, Ricinus communis L. and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry using UV-VIS spectroscopy, and evaluating the bioactivity of the ethanolic extracts on citrus blackfly eggs (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, 1915). Pera sweet orange leaves infested with citrus blackfly eggs were treated by immersion in 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10%; each replicate consisted of 30 eggs. The experimental design was completely randomized, with seven treatments and four replications. Three immersions of leaves with eggs were performed, and the mortality was evaluated seven days after the procedure. Leaves were placed in Petri dishes and kept in incubators [25±1°C; relative humidity (RH) 60±5% and 12 hours]. S. aromaticum peduncle presented high content of tannins and phenolic compounds, while R. communis leaves showed high content of phenolic compounds. The commercial product Bioneem© caused egg infeasibility greater than 85% at all concentrations. Treatments (10%) that caused the greatest egg mortality were Bioneem© (94.74%), R. communis extract (81.58%), and the extract of S. aromaticum peduncle (80.57%).

RESUMO: Os principais objetivos deste estudo foram determinar, utilizando espectroscopia UV-VIS, os compostos secundários (carotenoides, flavonoides, compostos fenólicos e taninos) das espécies Argenome mexicana L., Ipomoea carnea Jacq. subsp. Fistulosa (Martius ex Choisy), Amorimia rigida (A.Juss.) W. R. Anderson, Ricinus communis L. e Syzygium aromaticum L. (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry, bem como avaliar a bioatividade de extratos etanólicos sobre ovos da mosca-negra-dos-citros (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, 1915). Folhas de laranja Pêra infestadas com mosca-negra-dos-citros foram imersas nos tratamentos, a 0,5%, 1,0%, 5,0% e 10% de concentração; cada replicata foi constituída por 30 ovos. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Foram realizadas três imersões das folhas com ovos, tendo sido avaliada a mortalidade sete dias após as imersões. As folhas foram alocadas em placa de Petri e mantidas em câmaras climáticas (25±1°C; U.R 60±5% e 12 horas). O pedúnculo do craveiro-da-india apresentou alto teor de taninos e compostos fenólicos, e folhas de mamona apresentavam alto teor de compostos fenólicos. O produto comercial Bioneem©, em todas as concentrações, causou inviabilidade de ovos superior a 85%. Os tratamentos (10%) que causaram a maior inviabilidade de ovos foram o Bioneem© (94,74%), o extrato de mamona (81,58%) e o extrato do pedúnculo do craveiro-da-india (80,57%).

Pb and Cd on growth, leaf ultrastructure and essential oil yield mint (Mentha arvensis L.) / Pb e Cd no crescimento, ultraestrutura foliar e produção de óleo essencial de hortelã (Mentha arvensis L.)

Contamination of medicinal plants with heavy metals as Pb and Cd can affect the growth and the essential oil production of the plants and represent a risk to those who consume as medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of absorption and localization of Pb and Cd on growth, ultrastructural aspects of leaves and essential oil yield and composition of Mentha arvensis, applied on the soil with increasing concentrations (8, 16, 32, 64 and 128mg kg-1). There was a differential absorption of Pb and Cd by M. arvensis mainly concentrated in the roots. Pb was found in small amounts in the leaves while Cd largely exceeded the safety limit without symptoms of toxicity. The ultrastructural analysis revealed the metal accumulation on vesicles surrounding the mitochondria and the presence of electron dense deposits surrounding the mitochondria, nucleus and chloroplasts. Little changes caused by Pb and Cd application were not enough to affect the growth and essential oil yield and composition of M. arvensis .

A contaminação de plantas medicinais com Pb e Cd pode afetar o crescimento e a produção de óleo essencial das plantas e representa um risco para quem as consome como medicamento. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da absorção e localização de Pb e Cd sobre o crescimento das plantas, aspectos ultraestruturais de folhas e sobre o rendimento e composição química do óleo essencial de M. arvensis, os quais foram aplicados ao solo em concentrações crescentes (8, 16, 32, 64 and 128mg kg-1). Houve absorção diferencial de Pb e Cd por M. arvensis, que se concentraram principalmente nas raízes. O Pb foi encontrado em baixas concentrações nas folhas, enquanto o Cd excedeu largamente o limite de segurança sem demonstrar sintomas de toxicidade. As análises ultraestruturais revelaram o acúmulo de metais em vesículas ao redor de mitocôndrias e a presença de depósitos eletrodensos ao redor de mitocôndrias, núcleo e cloroplastos. As pequenas mudanças causadas pela aplicação de Pb e Cd não foram suficientes para afetar o crescimento das plantas e o rendimento e composição química do óleo essencial de M. arvensis .

Rupture of glandular trichomes in Ocimum gratissimum leaves influences the content of essential oil during the drying method

Medicinal and aromatic plants are commonly sold dried; however, it is necessary to understand the effects different drying methods have on these materials, to ensure their efficiency and quality. Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae, is an aromatic plant whose essential oil is stored in glandular trichomes. This study aimed to confirm the effects of different drying temperatures and methods of O. gratissimum leaves on trichome integrity and essential oil content. Leaves dried in a forced ventilation oven at 60ºC display damaged trichomes and a reduction in the essential oil content. The different drying methods (oven, dehumidification and air drying) were not identified to elicit changes in the essential oil content or damage to trichomes. All of the drying methods showed a reduction in fungal contamination in a logarithmic cycle.

Light affects Varronia curassavica essential oil yield by increasing trichomes frequency

Light can act on essential oil yield directly on synthesis of secondary metabolites, or indirectly on plant growth. Varronia curassavica Jacq., Boraginaceae, is a native medicinal species from Brazil known as “erva-baleeira”, with anti-inflammatory activity related to its essential oil. Despite pharmacological evidences of this species and its economic importance for herbal medicine production, little is known about the effect of light on growth and essential oil production. This study aimed to analyze the influence of different irradiances on growth, frequency of trichomes, essential oil yield and composition of V. curassavica. The irradiance affected plant growth, but no significant alteration on leaf biomass was detected. The increase in essential oil content under higher irradiance reflected on essential oil yield, and is associated with higher frequency of glandular, globular trichomes. The essential oil composition, rich in caryophyllene derivatives was affected by irradiance, but α-humulene, the constituent of pharmaceutical interest, remained unchanged.

Os critérios e estratégias utilizados por assistentes técnicos judiciários psicólogos na avaliação de pretendentes à adoção / The strategies and criteria used by psychologist justice workers to evaluate adoption applicants

O interesse em desenvolver esta pesquisa surgiu da experiência com pretendentes à adoção em Grupos de Apoio à Adoção. Eles expressam os medos e anseios quanto à avaliação dos Assistentes Técnicos Judiciários Psicólogos. O temor dos pretendentes quanto à avaliação da adoção instigou-nos a conhecer o outro lado, a atuação de profissionais Assistentes Técnicos Judiciários Psicólogos, para não ter uma visão parcial do processo de adoção. Esta pesquisa expressa a versão do profissional que intermedeia um procedimento burocrático o qual interfere na história de pretendentes à adoção. Pretendeu-se conhecer quais os critérios e estratégias foram utilizados por eles, na avaliação e seleção de pretendentes, investigando-se como esses profissionais incluem, nesta avaliação, os diferentes modelos de família: o exercício parental a casais homoafetivos, pessoas solteiras e estrangeiras, uma vez que a família é um tema amplo e complexo, em meio a diversas transformações que vêm ocorrendo em suas diferentes configurações, na história da sociedade e de indivíduos. A metodologia utilizada refere-se à pesquisa clínico-qualitativa, na qual os sentidos e as significações dos fenômenos são o foco principal do pesquisador. A amostragem foi formada por seis profissionais, Assistentes Técnicos Judiciários Psicólogos, atuantes em São Paulo, nas Varas da Infância e da Juventude, sem distinção de gênero, idade e tempo mínimo de trabalho na área. Os contatos com tais profissionais aconteceram por telefone, e aqueles que aceitaram participar da pesquisa, de forma voluntária, tiveram conhecimento do teor da pesquisa e assinaram do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas semidirigidas, previamente autorizadas, que foram gravadas e transcritas para maior fidedignidade das informações colhidas. Foram realizados no máximo dois encontros, com duração média de duas horas cada, em um local previamente escolhido pelo(a) entrevistado(a).(AU)

The interest to develop this research appeared from the experience with adoption applicants in a support group for adoption. They set out their fears and concerns about the psychologists justice worker appraisement for the adoption process. The "fear" of those who want to adopt a child made us interested to understand the "other side", the job of psychologist justice workers, to have a non-partial vision of the adoption process. This research express the side of the professional who mediates a bureaucratic process that interfere in the history of the adoption applicants. Was pretended to understand what were the criteria and strategies used by the psychologist justice worker, to appraise the selection of adoption applicants, researching how those professions include, on their appraisal, the different family models: the paternity for homosexual couple, single and foreigner people, once that family is a wide and complex subject, amid to several changes that have been happening in several ways, in the society and individuals history. The adopted methodology refers to a clinical-qualitative research, in which the senses and meanings of phenomena are the main focus of the researcher. The sampling was made of six professionals, psychologist justice worker, from São Paulo, on children and juvenile courts, regardless of gender, age or minimum work time in area. The contacts with such professionals happened by phone, and for those who agreed to participate on a voluntary basis, had the knowledge of the content of the study and signed an informed consent form. The data were collected through semi-directed interviews, previously authorized, that were recorded and transcribed for greater reliability of the collected information. Were made a maximum of two meetings, with the average of two hours each, at a place previously selected by the interviewee.(AU)

Light intensity on growth, leaf micromorphology and essential oil production of Ocimum gratissimum

Light conditions can promote the growth and development of plants and contribute to increase the essential oil production of commercially cultivated medicinal and aromatic species. In view of the great importance of Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae, as an aromatic plant, the objective of this work was to determine the effect of light intensities (approximately 4, 7, 11 and 20 mol m-2 d-1) on growth, foliar micromorphology, essential oil content, yield and chemical composition of O. gratissimum. Biomass production of different organs, root:shoot ratio and leaf mass per area were found to linearly increase with increased light availability, whereas stem dry matter fraction, number of leaves, leaf area and plant height have increased up to 10 mol m-2 d-1 and decreased from this value. The tector trichomes density increased with increased light availability, but there was no effect of light treatments on the glandular trichomes density and essential oil content. Regardless of the light level, the major component of the essential oil was eugenol. The essential oil yield per plant increased linearly with light intensity as a direct effect of increased leaf biomass under similar conditions.

Lippia alba morphotypes cidreira and melissa exhibit significant differences in leaf characteristics and essential oil profile

Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson, Verbenaceae, is widely used in traditional Brazilian medicine for the treatment of abdominal distress. The species exhibits considerable chemical and morphological diversity, and various chemotypes have been characterized. A comparative study of L. alba, has been carried out of the morphoanatomical characteristics of the leaves and the profiles of the essential oils of the morphotypes cidreira and melissa grown in the Medicinal Plant Garden of the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. The mean plant height of cidreira was 1.80 m and the stems and branches were fairly erect, while melissa plants were smaller (1.60 m) and presented prostrate stems and branches. Although the leaf of the morphotypes look were similar, the mean values of length, width and area of the leaves of cidreira (respectively, 7.42 cm, 3.32 cm and 17.31 cm²) differed significantly from those of melissa (4.68 cm, 2.35 cm and 7.32 cm2). The morphotypes presented amphistomatic leaves with uniseriate epidermis on both surfaces. The mesophyll was dorsiventral, but in cidreira the palisade parenchyma was biseriate while in melissa it was uniseriate. Simple tector and capitate glandular trichomes were present on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaf blades of both morphotypes. Six distinct types of glandular trichomes could be distinguished: types I and II were present in both morphotypes, while type III was detected only in cidreira, and types IV to VI were present only in melissa. The two morphotypes also differed with respect to the composition of the essential oil, cidreira produced oil composed mainly of citral, while the oil from melissa was rich in citral, limonene and carvone.

Lantana macrophylla Schauer (Verbenaceae) ethanolic extract induces activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs pathway and Ca2+ imbalance in human trophoblasts derived cell lines.

Lantana macrophylla Schauer (Verbenaceae) a medicinal plant used to treat menstrual and respiratory disorders was investigated. The ethanolic extract from leaves was subjected to phytochemical and biological analysis. BeWo and JEG-3 cells were used to evaluate human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) production, syncytial formation, Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ handling protein expression. The cAMP production and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation were also investigated. Phytochemical analysis yield three triterpenes: oleanolic, ursolic and latonolic acid. Viability assay showed no significant cytotoxic effect. A significant decrease in hCG production but not a disturbance on BeWo cell fusion were observed. The cAMP pathway was not affected by L. macrophylla extract alone; although the cAMP production inducted by forskolin was diminished. Both ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs pathways were activated. Increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was observed after 24 h treatment in a time and dose dependent manner; however only L. macrophylla at 10 µg/mL induced increased [Ca2+]i after 10 min treatment. CaBP28K and PMCA1/4 were modulated at protein and mRNA levels, respectively. This study showed for the first time the effect of triterpenoids from L. macrophylla leaves on trophoblasts-like cells and indicates a potential toxic effect of this plant in the placental development and fetal growth.

Constituintes químicos voláteis de especiarias ricas em eugenol / Volatile chemical constituents of rich spices in eugenol

Utilizando a técnica de hidrodestilação, usando um adaptador Clevenger, foram extraídos óleos essenciais das espécies Pimenta dioica (folhas e frutos) e Syzygium aromaticum (botões florais, talos e folhas). A composição química dos óleos foi determinada através da analise CG-EM. Os teores de óleos essenciais variaram de 0,97 a 1,41 por cento e 2,30 a 15,40 por cento nas espécies Pimenta dioica e Syzygium aromaticum, respectivamente. O componente majoritário presente nessas espécies foi o eugenol, variando de 72,87 a 90,41 por cento. Syzygium aromaticum forneceu maior teor de óleo essencial rico em eugenol. Em quantidades menores foram também encontrados chavicol e? β-cariofileno.

Essential oils were extracted from the leaves and fruits of Pimenta dioica and leaves, stalks and floral buttons from Syziguim aromaticum by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus. The essential oil compositions were determined by CG-MS analyses. The yield varied from 0.97 to 1.41 percent and from 2.30 to 15.40 percent in the P. dioica and S. aromaticum, respectively. In both species the major component was the eugenol, varied from 72.87 to 90.41 percent, being richer the essential oil extracted from S. aromaticum. Chavicol and β-caryophyllene were identified in low percentage.

Animais de laboratório: criação e experimentação

O livro proporciona o conhecimento das técnicas e das necessidades básicas no manejo de animais de laboratório, enfocando, principalmente, a questão da ética, do bem-estar do animal e da biossegurança. Dessa forma, o manual, resultado da compilação das aulas de 22 qualificados profissionais de diversas instituições brasileiras, oferece uma contribuição de grande relevância, apresentando ao leitor os diversos aspectos do bioterismo no momento em que se verifica uma profunda mudança nos padrões das pesquisas realizadas no Brasil. Literatura essencial para profissionais da área, incluindo os de nível técnico.