Vascular flora of Southern Brazilian outcrops associated with Atlantic Forest: small relict environment that needs to be preserved

The rocky outcrops in the municipality of Campo Mourão (Paraná State) are all surrounded by remaining Atlantic Forest, unlike the typical outcrops associated with river courses, fields, or hilltops. Because it is such specific vegetation, it is essential to record the floristic composition, verifying only species and the conservation status of local populations. This study cataloged the species of vascular plants occurring in four rocky outcrops areas of Campo Mourão: Nishida outcrop (1,808 ha); Bica do Rio do Campo outcrop (0.458 ha); Perdoncini outcrop (0.228 ha), and Lago Azul State Park outcrop (0.021 ha). A total of 203 collections were analyzed, representing 152 species (eight exotic to Brazil), distributed in 66 families and 135 genera. The more richness families were Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Bromeliaceae. The predominant life form was herbs and shrubs, and most species are terrestrial and rupicolous. The rocky outcrops of Campo Mourão, despite the small total area (25,150 m2), have 10 % of the exclusive species in the municipality. Also, 14 species are endemic in Brazil, and two are endemic in Paraná, being Portulaca hatschbachii (Portulacaceae) officially threatened to extinction in Brazil. In these areas, several species found have been little collected in Paraná State and Brazil, in addition to the presence of life forms adapted to survival on the exposed rock. This demonstrates that despite being small, these sites are critical environments for preserving biodiversity in the region.(AU)

Elaboração e caracterização de manteiga clarificada adicionada de tucupi e jambu (Acmella oleracea) / Elaboration and characterization of added clarified butter from tucupi and jambu (Acmella oleracea)

A gastronomia da região Norte é considerada a mais autêntica do Brasil por suas características regionais, tendo como ingredientes importantes o tucupi e jambu (Acmella oleracea). Visto que a manteiga é um produto de elevado valor nutritivo, contendo gordura como seu principal componente, desta forma objetivou-se no presente trabalho, elaborar a manteiga clarificada com os ingredientes regionais, buscando realizar, análises microbiológicas de acordo com a Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada n°12 de 2001 da Agência nacional de vigilância sanitária. Por ser de grande importância para averiguar o padrão de qualidade da manteiga igualmente foram realizadas análises físico-químicas conforme as normas específicas da portaria n° 146 de 7 de 1996 do ministério da agricultura pecuária e abastecimento. Finalizando o trabalho aplicou-se um questionário online para intenção de compra do produto, tendo resultados positivos nas avaliações aplicadas, considerando a elaboração aceitável e segura ao consumo humano.(AU)

The gastronomy of the North region is considered the most authentic in Brazil due to its regional characteristics, having as important ingredients tucupi and jambu (Acmella oleracea). Since butter is a product of high nutritional value, containing fat as its main component, in this way the purpose of this work was to elaborate the clarified butter with the regional ingredients, seeking to perform microbiological analyzes according to the Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors No 12 of 2001 of the National Health Surveillance Agency. Because it is of great importance to ascertain the quality standard of the butter, physico-chemical analyzes were also carried out according to the specific norms of Administrative Rule No. 146 of 7 of 1996 of the Ministry of Livestock and Supply. At the end of the work, an online questionnaire was applied for the purchase of the product, with positive results in the evaluations applied, considering the acceptable and safe elaboration of human consumption.(AU)

Antimicrobial activity of Aspilia latissima (Asteraceae)

Abstract We evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Aspilia latissima - an abundant plant from the Brazilian Pantanal region - against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The crude extracts and fractions showed activity in all tested microorganisms. The chloroform fraction of the leaves and roots showed the most antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, with an MIC of 500 μg/mL. This fraction was submitted to bioautographic assays to characterize the activity of the compounds. Two bands from the leaves (L-A and L-B) and three bands from the roots (R-C, R-D and R-E) were bioactive. Within the root-derived bands, the terpene derivatives stigmasterol, kaurenoic acid and kaura-9(11), 16-dien-18-oic acid were identified. Antibiotic activity of A. latissima is reported for the first time.(AU)