Flavanone Glycosides, Triterpenes, Volatile Compounds and Antimicrobial Activity of Miconia minutiflora (Bonpl.) DC. (Melastomataceae).

Chemical composition of the essential oils and extracts and the antimicrobial activity of Miconia minutiflora were investigated. The flavanone glycosides, pinocembroside and pinocembrin-7-O-[4″,6″-HHDP]-ß-D-glucose, were identified, along with other compounds that belong mainly to the triterpene class, besides the phenolics, gallic acid and methyl gallate. Sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were the major compounds identified from the essential oils. Screening for antimicrobial activity from the methanolic extract of the leaves showed that the MIC and MMC values against the tested microorganisms ranged from 0.625 to 5 mg·mL−1 and that the extract was active against microorganisms, Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus.

Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Myrcia (Myrtaceae): A Review of an Aromatic and Medicinal Group of Plants.

Myrcia is one of the largest genera of the economically important family Myrtaceae. Some of the species are used in folk medicine, such as a group known as "pedra-hume-caá" or "pedra-ume-caá" or "insulina vegetal" (insulin plant) that it is used for the treatment of diabetes. The species are an important source of essential oils, and most of the chemical studies on Myrcia describe the chemical composition of the essential oils, in which mono- and sesquiterpenes are predominant. The non-volatile compounds isolated from Myrcia are usually flavonoids, tannins, acetophenone derivatives and triterpenes. Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antimicrobial activities have been described to Myrcia essential oils, while hypoglycemic, anti-hemorrhagic and antioxidant activities were attributed to the extracts. Flavonoid glucosides and acetophenone derivatives showed aldose reductase and α-glucosidase inhibition, and could explain the traditional use of Myrcia species to treat diabetes. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory are some of the activities observed for other isolated compounds from Myrcia.

Chemical variability of Copaifera reticulata Ducke oleoresin.

The copaiba tree (Copaifera spp.) produces an oleoresin which is highly valued due to its medicinal properties. The chemical composition of C. reticulata oleoresin was characterized, and its variability related to seasonal variation (dry and rainy seasons), to successive extractions, and to several factors associated with tree morphometry, disease, and surrounding vegetation structure was investigated. Oleoresin was collected from 24 C. reticulata individuals between October 2006 and March 2008. For seven individuals, oleoresin was extracted for a second time between three and nine months after the first extraction. For each tree, several morphometric variables, viz., the presence of termites, vines, and holes as well as the soil type and surrounding vegetation structure, were recorded. The chemical composition and concentration of the main volatile compounds were identified by GC/MS. Almost 100% of the constituents were sesquiterpenes, the three main ones being ß-caryophyllene, trans-α-bergamotene, and ß-bisabolene. A classification analysis separated the C. reticulata individuals in two main groups and further divided one of the main groups in two subgroups, which were defined by different concentrations of the three main compounds. The results showed high intra-population variability in the composition and concentration of sesquiterpenes, this being comparable to the interspecific variability. It was not possible to determine a clear influence of environmental, morphometrical, and structural factors on the oleoresin composition, although some compounds varied according to the soil type, the volume of oleoresin extracted, and the crown surface.

Variação sazonal dos macro e microelementos no gênero humirianthera (icacinaceae), em função da idade

In this paper 26 specimens of H. ampla and 09 specimens of H. rupestris of young and old ages were analysed regarding to the total contente of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mo, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, B, Al, Co, Cr, Na, Pb, Si and Sr from different vegetative parts of the plants. The macroelements concentration from the leavee, stems and tubers from H. ampla and H. rupestris follows the relation N> Ca> Mg> P> K. The average concentration of these elements shows that there is no significative variability neither to the analysed orqans nor to their ages, except of N which presents higher concentration In the leavee when compared to the other elemente. The microelements show an uniform distribution in its several organs, however, Fe, Al and Na exhibit higher concentration. The mineral equilibrium was verified trough the variation of the concentration of the elemente and by the ratios K/Na, KVMg, K/Ca + Mg + 100/Mn + 10/Cu. The results suggested that H. ampla and H. rupeetris species there is not a perfect equilibrium in the several studied ratios, with the exception of the K/Ca + Mg ratio. Futhermore, the soils where the plants grew up regarding to the total contents of macro and microelements were determined.

Foram analisados 26 espécimens de H. amplae 09 de H. rupestris,nas idades jovem e adulta, coletados nas estações seca e chuvosa, quanto ao teor total de N, F, K, Ca, Mg, Mo, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, B, Al, Co, Cr, Na, Pb, Si e Sr nas diferentes partes vegetativas das plantas. A concentração dos macro elementos nas folhas, caules e tubérculos de H. amplae H. rupeetrisobedece a relação N> Ca> Mg> F> K. A concentração média desses elementos indica que não há variabilidade significativa nos órgãos analisados e nem em relação às idades, com exceção do N que apresenta maior teor nas folhas e em relação aos outros elementos. Os microelementos apresentam uma distribuição uniforme nos diversos órgãos, sendo os de maior concentração Fe, Al e Na. Nesse estudo foi possível verificar o equílibrio mineral entre as espécies, pelos elementos e pelas relações K/Na, K/Mg, K/Ca + Mg + 100/Mn + 10/Cu. Análise dos resultados mostra que nas espécies pesquisadas não houve um equilibrio perfeito nas várias relações, com exceção de K/Ca + Mg. Analisou-se os solos onde as plantas se desenvolveram quanto aos teores totais dos macro e microelementos.

Variação sazonal de sulfato, enxofre total e matéria orgânica no gênero humirianthera,em função da idade

Twenty eight (23) H. ampla and nine (09) H. rupestris adult and young specimens were collected to determine the levels of S04~ and total-S in leaf, stem, tuber and in the soil where they grow. In H. ampla the level of S04~ varied from 022.-078% and in H. rupestris from 0.22-138%. The level of S in H. ampla varied from 0.74-0.96% and In H. rupestris from 0.75-1.02%. The level of S04~ IH H. ampla follows the pattern leaf>tuber>stem Independent of time of year and physiological age, while in H. rupestris the pattern is tuber>leaf>stem. The 5 shows a different behavior, maintaining the pattern tuber>stem>Jeaf for H. ampla and tuber>leaf>stem for H. rupestris. In the soil where H. ampla grows no variation in level of S04~ (052%) was observed while for H. rupestris the variation was from 027-0.63% being higher in the rainy season. Due to the vegetation-soil interrelationship the levels of organic C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Al and Zn were analyzed in the vegetative material and in the soil.

No período de janeiro a dezembro de 1986 foram coletados 28 (vìnte e oito) espécimens de H. ampla e 09 (nove) de H. rupestris, nas idades adulta e jovem, para determinação dos teores de S04~ e S-total em folha, caule, tubércolo e no solo onde as mesmas se desenvolveram. Em H. ampla o teor de 504~ variou de 0,22-0,78% e em H. rupestris de 0,22-1,30%. O teor de 5 em H. ampla variou de 0,74-0,96% e em H. rupestris de 0,75-1,02%. O teor de S04~em H. ampla obedece a relação folha>tubérculo>caule independente da época e idade fisiológica, enquanto em H. rupestris a relação é tubérculo>folha>caule. 0 S apresenta um comportamento diferente, mantendo a relação tubérculo>caule>folha para H. ampla e tubérculo>folha>caule para H. rupestris. No solo onde H. ampla se desenvolveu não se observou variação do teor de S04~(0,52%) enquanto para H. rupestris a variação foi de 0,27-0,63% sendo maiores na época chuvosa. Devido a interrelação vegetação-solo analisou-se os teores de C-orgânico no material vegetal e no solo.

A presença de substâncias inorgânicas tóxicas no gênero Humirianthera (Icacinaceae)

In this paper we relate the isolation of crystals of sodium and potassium thio-cyanates, nitrates and nitrites from the tubers and stem of Humiranthera ampla. We have also determined the amounts of nitrate and nitrite in young and matures leaves of H. ampla and H. rupesiris. The maximum amounts of N-NO-3 observed in H. ampla and H. rupesiris were 8,828 mg% and 6,422 mg%, respectively.

Neste trabalho relata-se o isolamento de cristais de tiocianato e de nitrato e nitrito de sódio e potássio no tubérculo e caule de Humirianthera ampla. Determinou-se ainda o teor de nitrato e nitrito nas folhas de H. ampla e H. rupestris, nas idades jovem e adulta. Os teores máximos de N-NO-3 observados para H. ampla e H. rupestris foram, res pectivamente, 8.828 mg% e 6.422 mg%.

Degradação de polifenóis em cinco espécies vegetais em ambientes aquáticos

Degradation studies of poliphenols of leaves and branchs of Inga sp., Mabea caudata Pax ex K. Hoffn., Mezilaurus itauba (Meissn.) Taub ex Mez., Vatairea sericea Ducke and Protium sp. were carried out during 155 days in two experimentals lakes in the states of Amazonas. In the 1st lake the vegetation remained intact and in the 2nd the vegetation was deforested. Phenolic compound determinations were based on the Follin-Denis method. The object of the present study was to know the degradation rate of phaneroghame vegetation in aquatic environment. Inga sp. and Mezilaurus itauba showed greater decomposition In the 1st lake than in the while Mabea caudata. and Mexilauris itauba showed high decomposition in the second lake.

Estudos de degradação de polifenóis em folhas e galhos de Inga sp., Mabea caudata Pax ex Hoffn., Mezilaurus itauba (Meissn.) Taub. ex Mez., Vatairea sericea Ducke e Protium sp. foram realizados no período de 155 dias em dois lagos experimentais situados próximos a Usina Hidrelétrica de Balbina, no Estado do Amazonas. Um dos lagos ficou com vegetação intacta e o outro foi desmatado. As determinações dos compostos fenólicos ba searam-se no método de Follin-Denis e o trabalho teve por objetivo o estudo de degradação da vegetação superior no meio aquático. Os resultados mostram que, no lago 1, Inga sp. e Mezilaurus itauba apresentaram maior taxa de decomposição, enquanto que, no lago 2, a degradação foi maior para as espécies Mabea caudata e Mezilaurus itauba.