New approach for petroleum hydrocarbon degradation using bacterial spores entrapped in chitosan beads.

Spores of Bacillus subtilis LAMI008 were entrapped in 3-mm chitosan beads and cross-linked with 0.3% glutaraldehyde for n-hexadecane biodegradation and biosurfactant recovery. When exposed to nutrients, the spores generated vegetative cells without morphological alterations as revealed by atomic force microscopy. The entrapped cells degraded almost 100% of 1% of n-hexadecane in medium supplemented with 1% glucose and produce biosurfactant within 48 h, as well as free cells. The number of viable cells inside the beads was maintained throughout the n-hexadecane degradation process and the released biosurfactant was not used as a carbon source. Entrapment of bacterial spores in chitosan beads overcomes problems with stability, storage, and long term cell viability encountered with vegetative cells. This approach can potentially be utilized for biodegradation of complex compounds by entrapping spores of different species of bacteria.

The effect of supplementing layer diets with shark cartilage or chitosan on egg components and yolk lipids.

1. An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of the addition of shark cartilage (SC) or chitosan (CH) to layer diets on egg component weights, yolk lipids and hen plasma lipids. 2. Hy-Line laying hens (80) were used during a 56 d feeding trial. Treatments were: basal diet (BD), BD + 20 g/kg SC, BD + 30 g/kg SC, BD + 20 g/kg CH and BD + 30 g/kg CH. Eggs were analysed on d 14, 28, 42 and 56. 3. Egg weight and egg component weights were not affected by these treatments throughout the experimental period. 4. After 14d of experimental feeding, cholesterol levels were higher in eggs from birds given BD + 20 g/kg CH and BD + 30 g/kg CH than in those from birds given BD. 5. Furthermore, eggs from hens given BD + 20 g/kg SC or BD + 20 g/kg CH were higher in palmitic and stearic acids and lower in oleic acid than those from birds fed on BD. After 56 d feeding, however, palmitic and stearic acid contents in eggs from hens given any of the supplemented diets were lower than in those from hens given BD, and oleic acid in eggs from hens given BD + 20 g/kg SC, BD + 30 g/kg SC and BD + 30 g/kg CH was higher than in those from birds fed on BD. 6. Plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. 7. Shark cartilage or chitosan at up to 30 g/kg in layer diets did not affect egg component weights (yolk, white and shell) and total lipid contents. During the period from 42 to 56d of experimental feeding, diets containing up to 30 g/kg chitosan reduced egg yolk contents of cholesterol, palmitic and stearic acids and increased the content of oleic acid.

Natural product chemistry in north-eastern Brazil.

The north-eastern region of Brazil comprises about one third of the country's territory. It is a semi-arid region with a flora rich in aromatic, toxic and medicinal plants. Screening of aromatic plants led to the investigation of about 2000 samples of essential oil from plants from the region and from abroad. Studies done by the Universidade Federal do Ceará and other research groups in the region discovered several new substances with distinct pharmacological activities. Recent examples are: schultezin, hydroxy-bisabolol, trans-annonene, (-)-hardwickic acid, trans-cascarillone, nor-cucurbitacins, oleanolic saponin and chalcone dimer. A social programme called the Living Pharmacy was created to teach poor people how to cultivate and use medicinal plants correctly. A project to develop interaction between the university and industry also arose from these studies.

Plants used in traditional medicine of China and Brazil.

Even though the rationale behind the use of medicinal plants in Brazil and China is different, twenty four species are used in both countries. Scientific name, vulgar name and uses in both countries along with their chemical constituents are listed.

Pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of Alpinia speciosa.

Alpinia speciosa Schum or A. nutans is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family, known popularly as "colony" (colônia) and used as a diuretic and to control hypertension. We have determined the concentration of Na+ and K+ found in the alcoholic extract and in the tea concoction. They contained 51.0 mEq Na+, and 132 mEq K+ in the extract, and 0.0 mEq of Na+ and 26 mEq K+ in the tea. Phytochemical analysis of the leaves demonstrated the presence of catecquic tanins, phenols and alkaloids, and also some essential oils. When injected intra-peritoneally the hydroalcoholic extract, in a dose range of 100 to 1400 mg/kg, (or 2500-18000 mg/kg orally) produced in mice: writhing, psychomotor excitation, hypokinesis and pruritus. The LD50 by ip was 0.760 +/- 0.126 g/kg and 10.0 +/- 2.5 g/kg by oral administration for the hydroalcoholic extract. Subacute toxicity made by injecting daily for 30 days the LD10 in rats caused an increase in transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase, whereas other parameters such as blood glucose, urea and creatinine were normal. A histopathological analysis of liver, spleen, gut, lung and heart showed no alterations. The drug also produced a prolongation of the sleeping time. The hydroalcoholic extract induced in the rat and in the dog a dose-dependent fall in blood pressure in doses of 10 to 30 mg/kg. In isolated atria the extract induced a reduction of the frequency and in the inotropic responses. Neither the extract nor the tea had an effect on the diuresis of the rat.

Plants used in traditional medicine of China and Brazil

Eventhough the rationale behind the use of medicinal plantes in Brazil and Chine is different, twenty four species are used in both countries. Scientific name, vulgar name and uses in both countries along with their chemical constituents are listed.