Flutriafol and pyraclostrobin residues in Brazilian green coffees.

The aim of this work was to monitor flutriafol and pyraclostrobin residues in Brazilian green coffees. More than 10,000 samples were analyzed. The pesticides were extracted using the QuEChERS method and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The validated method is fast, with 5 min runs, and efficient, as precision and accuracy showed RSD no greater than 5% and recoveries within the 88-119% range. LOQ for flutriafol and pyraclostrobin were 0.005 mg/kg. The results of the analyzed samples showed that the percentage of nonconformities regarding flutriafol increased throughout the years, with over 1200 samples (11.8%). On the other hand, just 15 samples (0.15%) presented residues above 10 µg/kg for pyraclostrobin. Considering that flutriafol is a toxic and carcinogenic pesticide, as well as the increase in the number of irregularities throughout the years, it becomes important to implement public actions to assure consumer safety.

Evaluation of storage and evaporation in the removal efficiency of D-norgestrel and progesterone in human urine.

Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants and it must be noted that approximately 70 % of them are excreted via urine. Therefore, urine usage implies the risk of transfer of pharmaceutical residues to agricultural fields and environment contamination. Thus, this study aimed on the development and validation of a LC-MS/MS method for D-norgestrel (D-NOR) and progesterone (PRO) determination in human urine, as well as the evaluation of the removal efficiency of two methods (storage and evaporation), and the effects of acidification with sulfuric acid. The storage process was evaluated for 6 weeks, while the evaporation was assessed at three different temperatures (50, 75, and 100 °C). All experiments were done with normal urine (pH = 6.0) and acidified urine (pH = 2.0, with sulfuric acid). The results of validation showed good method efficiency. In the second week of storage, higher hormone degradation was observed. In the evaporation method, both D-NOR and PRO were almost completely degraded when the volume was reduced to the lowermost level. Results also indicate that acidification did not affect degradation. Overall, the results showed that combination of two methods can be employed for more efficient hormone removal in urine.

In vivo hypotensive effect and in vitro inhibitory activity of some Cyperaceae species

In 1820, French naturalist August Saint Hillaire, during a visit in Espírito Santo (ES), a state in southeastern Brazil, reported a popular use of Cyperaceae species as antidote to snake bites. The plant may even have a hypotensive effect, though it was never properly researched. The in vitro inhibitory of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity of eigth ethanolic extracts of Cyperaceae was evaluated by colorimetric assay. Total phenolic and flavonoids were determined using colorimetric assay. The hypotensive effect of the active specie (Rhychonospora exaltata, ERE) and the in vivo ACE assay was measured in vivo using male Wistar Kyoto (ERE, 0.01-100mg/kg), with acetylcholine (ACh) as positive control (5 µg/kg, i.v.). The evaluation of ACE in vivo inhibitory effect was performed comparing the mean arterial pressure before and after ERE (10 mg/kg) in animals which received injection of angiotensin I (ANG I; 0,03, 03 and 300 µg/kg, i.v.). Captopril (30 mg/kg) was used as positive control. Bulbostylis capillaris (86.89 ± 15.20%) and ERE (74.89 ± 11.95%, ERE) were considered active in the in vitro ACE inhibition assay, at 100 µg/mL concentration. ACh lead to a hypotensive effect before and after ERE's curve (-40±5% and -41±3%). ERE showed a dose-dependent hypotensive effect and a in vivo ACE inhibitory effect. Cyperaceae species showed an inhibitory activity of ACE, in vitro, as well as high content of total phenolic and flavonoids. ERE exhibited an inhibitory effect on both in vitro and in vivo ACE. The selection of species used in popular medicine as antidotes, along with the in vitro assay of ACE inhibition, might be a biomonitoring method for the screening of new medicinal plants with hypotensive properties.

Em 1820, o naturalista francês August Saint Hillaire, durante uma visita ao Espírito Santo (ES), Estado do sudeste do Brasil, relatou o uso popular de espécies de Cyperaceae como antídoto para picadas de cobra. As espécies podem possuir efeito hipotensor, embora nunca tenham sido devidamente pesquisadas. A inibição in vitro da atividade da enzima conversora da angiotensina (ECA) de oito extratos etanólicos de Cyperaceae foi avaliada por ensaio colorimétrico. Totais de fenólicos e flavonóides foram determinados utilizando ensaio colorimétrico. O efeito hipotensor da espécie ativa (Rhychonospora exaltata, ERE) no ensaio de ECA in vitro foi avaliada in vivo utilizando-se machos Wistar Kyoto (ERE, 0.01-100 mg/kg), com a acetilcolina (ACh), como controle positivo (5 µg/kg, iv). A avaliação do efeito inibidor da ECA in vivo foi realizado comparando-se a pressão arterial média, antes e após ERE (10 mg/kg) nos animais que receberam injeção de angiotensina I (Ang I, 0,03, 03 e 300 µg/kg, iv). Captopril (30 mg/kg) foi utilizado como controle positivo. Bulbostylis capillaris (86,89±15,20%) e ERE (74,89±11,95%, ERE) foram considerados ativas no ensaio de inibição da ECA in vitro, na concentração de 100 µg/mL. A ACh gerou um efeito hipotensor, antes e depois da curva de ERE (-40 ± 5% -41 ± 3%). ERE apresentou efeito hipotensivo dependente da dose e um efeito inibidor da ECA in vivo. As espécies de Cyperaceae mostraram uma atividade inibidora de ACE in vitro, bem como elevado conteúdo de substâncias fenólicas e flavonóides. ERE exibiu um efeito inibidor da ECA tanto in vitro como in vivo. A seleção das espécies utilizadas na medicina popular como antiofídicos, juntamente com o ensaio in vitro de inibição da ECA, pode ser um método de biomonitoramento para a seleção de novas plantas medicinais com propriedades hipotensores.