Molecular Detection of Carbapenemases in Acinetobacter baumannii Strains of Portugal and Association With Sequence Types, Capsular Types, and Virulence.

PURPOSE: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is an important nosocomial pathogen. The capsular type (K-type) is considered a major virulence factor, contributing to the evasion of host defenses. The global spread and dissemination dynamics between K-types, sequence types (ST), antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors remain largely unknown in Portugal. METHODS: A collection of 96 CRAB clinical samples collected between 2005 and 2019 in the northern region of Portugal were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility profile and screened by polymerase chain reaction for resistance genetic determinants. A subset of 26 representative isolates was subjected to whole-genome sequencing to assess K types, ST types, and genomic relatedness. The pathogenicity of distinct K-types was also tested using Galleria mellonella model. FINDINGS: For the 96 CRAB isolates analyzed, high antimicrobial resistance (>90%) was observed to the carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, and miscellaneous agents. Greater antimicrobial susceptibility (∼30%-57%) was observed for aminoglycosides, particularly tobramycin, and amikacin. Genotypically, 75 strains (78.5%) carried blaOXA-23-like, 18 strains (18.8%) carried blaIMP-like, and 11 strains (14.9%) carried blaOXA-40-like carbapenem resistance genes, respectively. Associations between OXA and ST/capsular locus (KL) types were observed over the years (eg, OXA-40-like/ST46Past/KL120 and OXA-23-like/ST2Past/KL2). ST2Past of clonal complex II was present in most strains, a dominant drug-resistant lineage in the United States and Europe. KL7 was also the most prevalent KL-type (38.5%), followed by KL2 (34.6%), KL120 (23.1%), and KL9 (3.8%). Virulence assessment for different K-types in a Galleria mellonella model revealed a significantly increased virulence for KL120 when compared with KL7, KL9, and KL2. IMPLICATIONS: There are specific CRAB serotypes circulating in Portugal, accounting by the low diversity of acquired carbapenemase genes (OXA-23-like and OXA-40-like), ST types (ST2 and ST46) and KL types (KL2, KL7, KL9, and KL120) identified. The high prevalent of ST2, especially when associated with KL2 and blaOXA-23-like, suggest that antibiotic resistance has been driven by clonal expansion of clonal complex II. Such findings provide useful information on the diversity of multidrug-resistant bacterium that might be relevant for antibacterial interventions.

Application of DNA aptamers to block enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli toxicity in a Galleria mellonella larval model.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the major bacterial cause of diarrheal diseases in pigs, particularly at young ages, resulting in significant costs to swine farming. The pathogenicity of ETEC is largely dependent on the presence of fimbriae and the ability to produce toxins. Fimbriae are responsible for their initial adhesion to the intestinal epithelial cells, leading to the onset of infection. In particular, the F4 type (K88) fimbriae are often attributed to neonatal infections and have also been associated with post-weaning diarrheal infections. This disease is traditionally prevented or treated with antibiotics, but their use is being severely restricted due to the emergence of resistant bacteria and their impact on human health. Emerging approaches such as aptamers that target the F4-type fimbriae and block the initial ETEC adhesion are a promising alternative. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of two aptamers, Apt31 and Apt37, in controlling ETEC infection in the G. mellonella in vivo model. Initially, the dissociation constant (KD) of each aptamer against ETEC was established using real-time quantitative PCR methodology. Subsequently, different concentrations of the aptamers were injected into Galleria mellonella to study their toxicity. Afterwards, the anti-ETEC potential of Apt31 and Apt37 was assessed in the larvae model. The determined KD was 81.79 nM (95% CI: 31.21-199.4 nM) and 50.71 nM (95% CI: 26.52-96.15 nM) for the Apt31 and Apt37, respectively, showing no statistical difference. No toxicity was observed in G. mellonella following injection with both aptamers at any concentration. However, the administration of Apt31 together with ETEC-F4+ in G. mellonella resulted in a significant improvement of approximately 30% in both larvae survival and health index compared to ETEC-F4+ alone. These findings suggest that aptamers have promising inhibitory effect against ETEC infections and pave the way for additional in vivo studies.

Evaluation of Simultaneous Growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes in Ground Beef Samples in Different Growth Media.

Several multiplex approaches for the simultaneous detection of pathogens in food have been developed in recent years, but the use of a single enrichment medium remains a problem. In this study, six enrichment broths (five non-selective media, tryptic soy broth (TSB), brain heart infusion broth (BHI), buffered peptone water (BPW), universal pre-enrichment broth (UPB), no. 17 broth, and a selective, Salmonella Escherichia Listeria broth (SEL)), were studied for the simultaneous detection of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes, to validate the suitable enrichment broth to be used for the detection methods. Different ratios of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes were used. Almost all non-selective broths evaluated in this study showed similar growth parameters and profiles among each other. The only selective enrichment broth under analysis (SEL) showed distinct growth features compared to the non-selective media, allowing for a slower but balanced growth of the three pathogens, which could be beneficial in preventing the overgrowth of fast-growing bacteria. In addition, when tested in ground beef samples, SEL broth seems to be the most distinctive medium with a balanced growth pattern observed for the three pathogens. Overall, this study is intended to provide the basis for the selection of suitable enrichment broths according to the technology detection to be used, the desired time of enrichment, and the expected balanced concentration of pathogens.

Mortality of Young Women due to Breast Cancer in Low, Middle and High-Income Countries: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the difference in breast cancer mortality rates among young women according to countries' economic classification. METHODS: A systematic literature review included retrospective studies on breast cancer mortality rates in women aged 20 to 49 years. Databases used were PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library, with articles selected in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. The study selection and analysis were conducted by two pairs of researchers. Data from 54 countries were extracted, including 39 high-income, 12 upper-middle-income, and 3 lower-middle-income countries. A meta-analysis was performed with the quantitative data from two studies. RESULTS: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Four were analyzed descriptively due to data diversity, and two were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled mortality rate for high-income countries was 10.2 per 100,000 women (95% CI: 9.8-10.6), while for upper-middle-income countries, it was 15.5 per 100,000 women (95% CI: 14.9-16.1). Lower-middle-income countries had a pooled mortality rate of 20.3 per 100,000 women (95% CI: 19.5-21.1). The decrease in mortality rates in high-income countries was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mortality rates for breast cancer among young women have decreased significantly in high-income countries but have increased in lower-income countries. This disparity underscores the impact of insufficient investment in preventive measures, health promotion, early diagnosis, and treatment on young women's mortality in lower-income countries.

Development and Evaluation of Microencapsulated Oregano Essential Oil as an Alternative Treatment for Candida albicans Infections.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is characterized as a very common fungal infection that significantly affects women's health worldwide. Essential oils (EOs) are currently being evaluated as an alternative therapy. The development of efficient techniques such as micro- or nanoencapsulation for protecting and controlling release is essential to overcome the limitations of EO applications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and characterize oregano EO-loaded keratin microparticles (OEO-KMPs) as a potential treatment for VVC. OEO-KMPs were produced using high-intensity ultrasonic cycles and characterized in terms of morphological and physicochemical parameters. In vitro evaluation included assessing the toxicity of the OEO-KMPs and their effect against Candida albicans using microdilution and agar diffusion, while the activity against biofilm was quantified using colony forming units (CFU). The efficacy of the OEO-KMPs in an in vivo VVC mouse model was also studied. Female BALB/c mice were intravaginally infected with C. albicans, 24 h postinfection animals were treated intravaginally with 15 µL of OEO-KMPs and 24 h later vaginal fluid was analyzed for C. albicans and Lactobacillus growth (CFU mL-1). The results showed the stability of the OEO-KMPs over time, with high encapsulation efficiency and controlled release. This nanoparticle size facilitated penetration and completely inhibited the planktonic growth of C. albicans. In addition, an in vitro application of 2.5% of the OEO-KMPs eradicated mature C. albicans biofilms while preserving Lactobacillus species. In in vivo, a single intravaginal application of OEO-KMPs induced a reduction in C. albicans growth, while maintaining Lactobacillus species. In conclusion, this therapeutic approach with OEO-KMPs is promising as a potential alternative or complementary therapy for VVC while preserving vaginal microflora.

A meta-analysis on the role of sonication in the diagnosis of cardiac implantable electronic device-related infections.

Introduction: One of the biggest obstacles in diagnosing Implant-Associated Infections is the lack of infection criteria and standardized diagnostic methods. These infections present a wide range of symptoms, and their diagnosis can be hampered by the formation of microbial biofilms on the surface of implants. This study aimed to provide insight into the performance of sonication in the diagnosis of infections associated with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices, to help define a consensus on the algorithm for the microbial diagnosis of these infections. Methods: We carried out a systematic review with meta-analysis. The PRISMA methodology guidelines were followed, and an advanced search was carried out in PubMed and Web of Science, which enabled 8 articles to be included in the review, in which a meta-analysis was also carried out. QUADAS-2 was used to assess the risk of bias and effect measures were calculated to assess publication bias. Results: The overall sensitivity of the method was 0.823 (95% CI: 0.682-0.910) and the specificity was 0.632 (95% CI: 0.506-0.743). Discussion: These results suggest that sonication may offer advantages in diagnosing these infections. However, it is essential to approach these findings carefully and take into account the recommendations provided in the EHRA 2019 guidelines. This study highlights the importance of more effective diagnostic approaches for implantable medical device-associated infections to improve the quality of treatment and minimize the risks associated with these challenging medical conditions.

Emerging Approaches for Mitigating Biofilm-Formation-Associated Infections in Farm, Wild, and Companion Animals.

The importance of addressing the problem of biofilms in farm, wild, and companion animals lies in their pervasive impact on animal health and welfare. Biofilms, as resilient communities of microorganisms, pose a persistent challenge in causing infections and complicating treatment strategies. Recognizing and understanding the importance of mitigating biofilm formation is critical to ensuring the welfare of animals in a variety of settings, from farms to the wild and companion animals. Effectively addressing this issue not only improves the overall health of individual animals, but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible pet ownership. This review examines the current understanding of biofilm formation in animal diseases and elucidates the complex processes involved. Recognizing the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments, mechanisms of resistance associated with biofilms are explored. The focus is on alternative therapeutic strategies to control biofilm, with illuminating case studies providing valuable context and practical insights. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of exploring emerging approaches to mitigate biofilm formation in animals. It consolidates existing knowledge, highlights gaps in understanding, and encourages further research to address this critical facet of animal health. The comprehensive perspective provided by this review serves as a foundation for future investigations and interventions to improve the management of biofilm-associated infections in diverse animal populations.

Molecular characterization and virulence profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from ill cats and dogs in Portugal.

Klebsiella spp. are important pathogens of humans and companion animals such as cats and dogs, capable of causing severe life-threatening diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular and phenotypic properties of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from ill companion animals by whole genome sequencing, followed by in vitro assessment of biofilm formation and in vivo pathogenicity using the Galleria mellonella model. Two LPS O-types were identified for all the K. pneumoniae isolates tested (O3B and O1/O2v2) and only one for K. oxytoca isolates (OL104), and the most common STs found were ST11 and ST266. Furthermore, a high diversity of K-locus types was found for K. pneumoniae (KL102; KL105; KL31, and KL13). Within K. pneumoniae, one specific O/K/ST-types combination (i.e., KL105-ST11-O1/O2v2) showed results that were of concern, as it exhibited a high inflammatory response at 12 h post-infection in G. mellonella with 80% of the larvae dead at 72 h post-infection. This virulence potential, on the other hand, did not appear to be directly related to the biofilm-forming capacity. Also, virulence and resistance scores obtained for this set of strains did surpass score 1. The present study demonstrated that Klebsiella spp. isolated from companion animals belonging to STs that can cause human infections and present virulence on an invertebrate model. Thus, this study underscores the role of dogs and cats as reservoirs of resistant Klebsiella spp. that could potentially be transmitted to humans.

A New Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Probe for the Specific Detection of Salmonella Species in Food Matrices.

Salmonella spp. is among the most central etiological agents in foodborne bacterial disorders. To identify Salmonella spp., numerous new molecular techniques have been developed conversely to the traditional culture-based methods. In this work, a new peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA-FISH) method was developed for the specific detection of Salmonella species, allowing a faster analysis compared with the traditional methods (ISO 6579-1: 2017). The method was optimized based on a novel PNA probe (SalPNA1692) combined with a blocker probe to detect Salmonella in food samples through an assessment of diverse-rich and selective enrichment broths. Our findings indicated that the best outcome was obtained using a 24-h pre-enrichment step in buffered peptone water, followed by RambaQuick broth selective enrichment for 16 h. For the enrichment step performance validation, fresh ground beef was artificially contaminated with two ranges of concentration of inoculum: a low level (0.2-2 colony-forming units [CFUs]/25 g) and a high level (2-10 CFUs/25 g). The new PNA-FISH method presented a specificity of 100% and a detection limit of 0.5 CFU/25 g of food sample, which confirms the great potential of applying PNA probes in food analysis.

The Role of Flagellum and Flagellum-Based Motility on Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli Biofilm Formation.

Flagellum-mediated motility has been suggested to contribute to virulence by allowing bacteria to colonize and spread to new surfaces. In Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli species, mutants affected by their flagellar motility have shown a reduced ability to form biofilms. While it is known that some species might act as co-aggregation factors for bacterial adhesion, studies of food-related biofilms have been limited to single-species biofilms and short biofilm formation periods. To assess the contribution of flagella and flagellum-based motility to adhesion and biofilm formation, two Salmonella and E. coli mutants with different flagellar phenotypes were produced: the fliC mutants, which do not produce flagella, and the motAB mutants, which are non-motile. The ability of wild-type and mutant strains to form biofilms was compared, and their relative fitness was determined in two-species biofilms with other foodborne pathogens. Our results showed a defective and significant behavior of E. coli in initial surface colonization (p < 0.05), which delayed single-species biofilm formation. Salmonella mutants were not affected by the ability to form biofilm (p > 0.05). Regarding the effect of motility/flagellum absence on bacterial fitness, none of the mutant strains seems to have their relative fitness affected in the presence of a competing species. Although the absence of motility may eventually delay initial colonization, this study suggests that motility is not essential for biofilm formation and does not have a strong impact on bacteria's fitness when a competing species is present.

Predicting Insulin Resistance in a Pediatric Population With Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Insulin resistance (IR) affects children and adolescents with obesity and early diagnosis is crucial to prevent long-term consequences. Our aim was to identify predictors of IR and develop a multivariate model to accurately predict IR. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of demographical, clinical, and biochemical data from a cohort of patients attending a specialized Paediatric Nutrition Unit in Portugal over a 20-year period. We developed multivariate regression models to predict IR. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: a model group for developing the predictive models and a validation group for cross-validation of the study. RESULTS: Our study included 1423 participants, aged 3-17 years old, randomly divided in the model (n = 879) and validation groups (n = 544). The predictive models, including uniquely demographic and clinical variables, demonstrated good discriminative ability [area under the curve (AUC): 0.834-0.868; sensitivity: 77.0%-83.7%; specificity: 77.0%-78.7%] and high negative predictive values (88.9%-91.6%). While the diagnostic ability of adding fasting glucose or triglycerides/high density lipoprotein cholesterol index to the models based on clinical parameters did not show significant improvement, fasting insulin appeared to enhance the discriminative power of the model (AUC: 0.996). During the validation, the model considering demographic and clinical variables along with insulin showed excellent IR discrimination (AUC: 0.978) and maintained high negative predictive values (90%-96.3%) for all models. CONCLUSION: Models based on demographic and clinical variables can be advantageously used to identify children and adolescents at moderate/high risk of IR, who would benefit from fasting insulin evaluation.

Chemical Constituents, Anticancer and Anti-Proliferative Potential of Limonium Species: A Systematic Review.

Limonium species represent a source of bioactive compounds that have been widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to synthesize the anticancer and anti-proliferative potential of Limonium species through a systematic review. Searches were performed in the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Scielo and via a manual search. In vivo or in vitro studies that evaluated the anticancer or anti-proliferative effect of at least one Limonium species were included. In total, 942 studies were identified, with 33 articles read in full and 17 studies included for qualitative synthesis. Of these, 14 (82.35%) refer to in vitro assays, one (5.88%) was in vivo, and two (11.76%) were designed as in vitro and in vivo assays. Different extracts and isolated compounds from Limonium species were evaluated through cytotoxic analysis against various cancer cells lines (especially hepatocellular carcinoma-HepG2; n = 7, 41.18%). Limonium tetragonum was the most evaluated species. The possible cellular mechanism involved in the anticancer activity of some Limonium species included the inhibition of enzymatic activities and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which suggested anti-metastatic effects, anti-melanogenic activity, cell proliferation inhibition pathways, and antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. The results reinforce the potential of Limonium species as a source for the discovery and development of new potential cytotoxic and anticancer agents. However, further studies and improvements in experimental designs are needed to better demonstrate the mechanism of action of all of these compounds.

Flavonoid as possible therapeutic targets against COVID-19: a scoping review of in silico studies.

OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to present flavonoid compounds' promising effects and possible mechanisms of action on potential therapeutic targets in the SARS-CoV-2 infection process. METHODS: A search of electronic databases such as PubMed and Scopus was carried out to evaluate the performance of substances from the flavonoid class at different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 382 articles after the exclusion of duplicates. During the screening process, 265 records were deemed as irrelevant. At the end of the full-text appraisal, 37 studies were considered eligible for data extraction and qualitative synthesis. All the studies used virtual molecular docking models to verify the affinity of compounds from the flavonoid class with crucial proteins in the replication cycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Spike protein, PLpro, 3CLpro/ MPro, RdRP, and inhibition of the host's ACE II receptor). The flavonoids with more targets and lowest binding energies were: orientin, quercetin, epigallocatechin, narcissoside, silymarin, neohesperidin, delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside, and delphinidin-3-sambubioside-5-glucoside. CONCLUSION: These studies allow us to provide a basis for in vitro and in vivo assays to assist in developing drugs for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

Swine Colibacillosis: Global Epidemiologic and Antimicrobial Scenario.

Swine pathogenic infection caused by Escherichia coli, known as swine colibacillosis, represents an epidemiological challenge not only for animal husbandry but also for health authorities. To note, virulent E. coli strains might be transmitted, and also cause disease, in humans. In the last decades, diverse successful multidrug-resistant strains have been detected, mainly due to the growing selective pressure of antibiotic use, in which animal practices have played a relevant role. In fact, according to the different features and particular virulence factor combination, there are four different pathotypes of E. coli that can cause illness in swine: enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that comprises edema disease E. coli (EDEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Nevertheless, the most relevant pathotype in a colibacillosis scenario is ETEC, responsible for neonatal and postweaning diarrhea (PWD), in which some ETEC strains present enhanced fitness and pathogenicity. To explore the distribution of pathogenic ETEC in swine farms and their diversity, resistance, and virulence profiles, this review summarizes the most relevant works on these subjects over the past 10 years and discusses the importance of these bacteria as zoonotic agents.

Microstructured Polymer System Containing Proanthocyanidin-Enriched Extract from Limonium brasiliense as a Prophylaxis Strategy to Prevent Recurrence of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Periodontal diseases are a global oral health problem affecting almost 10% of the global population. Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the main bacteria involved in the initiation and progression of inflammatory processes as a result of the action of the cysteine proteases lysin- and arginine-gingipain. Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles containing a lyophilized proanthocyanidin-enriched fraction from the rhizomes of Limonium brasiliense, traditionally named "baicuru" (ethyl acetate fraction), were manufactured. The ethyl acetate fraction was characterized by UHPLC by the presence of samarangenins A and B (12.10 ± 0.07 and 21.05 ± 0.44%, respectively) and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (13.44 ± 0.27%). Physiochemical aspects of Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles were characterized concerning particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, ethyl acetate fraction release, and mucoadhesion. Additionally, the presence of the ethyl acetate fraction-loaded microparticles was performed concerning potential influence on viability of human buccal KB cells, P. gingivalis adhesion to KB cells, gingipain activity, and P. gingivalis biofilm formation. In general, all Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles tested showed strong adhesion to porcine cheek mucosa (93.1 ± 4.2% in a 30-min test), associated with a prolonged release of the ethyl acetate fraction (up to 16.5 ± 0.8% in 24 h). Preincubation of KB cells with Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles (25 µg/mL) resulted in an up to 93 ± 2% reduced infection rate by P. gingivalis. Decreased activity of the P. gingivalis-specific virulence factors lysin- and arginine-gingipain proteases by Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles was confirmed. Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles decreased biofilm formation of P. gingivalis (97 ± 2% at 60 µg/mL). Results from this study prove the promising activity of Surelease/polycarbophil microparticles containing ethyl acetate fraction microparticles as a prophylaxis strategy to prevent the recurrence of P. gingivalis.

Teores de polifenóis totais e de umidade em amostras de rizomas de Limonium brasiliense / Total polyphenols and moisture contents in samples of Limonium brasiliense rhizomes / Polifenoles totales y contenido de humedad en muestras de rizomas de Limonium brasiliense

O Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae), chamado popularmente de baicuru ou guaicuru é uma erva perene presente em todo litoral sul do Brasil, sendo indicada tradicionalmente para síndrome pré-menstrual e distúrbios menstruais. Essas atividades são atribuídas à presença dos polifenóis concentrados em seus rizomas, que também apresentam atividades bacteriostáticas, antioxidantes, antivirais e anti-inflamatórias. No desenvolvimento de formulações feitas a partir da droga vegetal são necessários testes de controle de qualidade durante todo o processo a fim de garantir a segurança, eficácia e qualidade da matéria-prima até sua formulação final. As metodologias utilizadas no desenvolvimento deste trabalho foram de análises físico-químicas para o controle de qualidade, análises quantitativas para determinação do teor de polifenóis totais e, por fim, uma análise comparativa entre os resultados obtidos no ano da coleta do material vegetal (2010) e das mesmas características após 13 anos da coleta, utilizando amostras do L. brasiliense com a presença de fungos ou sem nos rizomas. Sendo assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar o controle de qualidade comparativo dos rizomas de Limonium brasiliense coletados em 2010 em relação ao teor de polifenóis totais e de umidade em 2023. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram a produção de polifenóis pelos fungos na amostra contaminada, além de mostrarem a qualidade de armazenagem da droga vegetal. Com isso, foi possível concluir que o teor de polifenóis totais da amostra com fungo aumentou após 13 anos da coleta, e que neste interim não houve mudanças no teor de umidade da amostra sem fungo, garantindo sua qualidade no desenvolvimento de formulações ou pesquisas futuras.

Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae), popularly called baicuru or guaicuru, is a perennial herb present throughout the southern coast of Brazil, traditionally indicated for premenstrual syndrome and menstrual disorders. These activities are attributed to the presence of polyphenols concentrated in its rhizomes, which also have bacteriostatic, antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. When developing formulations made from plant-based drugs, quality control tests are necessary throughout the process to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of the raw material until its final formulation. The methodologies used in the development of this work were physical-chemical analyzes for quality control, quantitative analyzes to determine the total polyphenol content and, finally, a comparative analysis between the results obtained in the year the plant material was collected (2010) and the same characteristics after 13 years of collection, using samples of L. brasiliense with or without the presence of fungi in the rhizomes. Therefore, this work aimed to carry out comparative quality control of Limonium brasiliense rhizomes collected in 2010 in relation to the content of total polyphenols and moisture in 2023. The results obtained showed the production of polyphenols by fungi in the contaminated sample, in addition to show the storage quality of the plant drug. With this, it was possible to conclude that the total polyphenol content of the sample with fungus increased after 13 years of collection, and that in the meantime there were no changes in the moisture content of the sample without fungus, guaranteeing its quality in the development of formulations or future research.

Limonium brasiliense (Boiss.) Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae), popularmente llamada baicuru o guaicuru, es una hierba perenne presente en toda la costa sur de Brasil, tradicionalmente indicada para el síndrome premenstrual y trastornos menstruales. Estas actividades se atribuyen a la presencia de polifenoles concentrados en sus rizomas, que también tienen actividades bacteriostáticas, antioxidantes, antivirales y antiinflamatorias. Cuando se desarrollan formulaciones elaboradas a partir de medicamentos de origen vegetal, son necesarios ensayos de control de calidad durante todo el proceso para garantizar la seguridad, eficacia y calidad de la materia prima hasta su formulación final. Las metodologías utilizadas en el desarrollo de este trabajo fueron análisis físico- químicos para control de calidad, análisis cuantitativos para determinar el contenido de polifenoles totales y, finalmente, un análisis comparativo entre los resultados obtenidos en el año de recolección del material vegetal (2010) y el mismas características después de 13 años de colecta, utilizando muestras de L. brasiliense con o sin presencia de hongos en los rizomas. Por lo tanto, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo realizar un control de calidad comparativo de los rizomas de Limonium brasiliense recolectados en 2010 en relación al contenido de polifenoles totales y humedad en 2023. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron la producción de polifenoles por hongos en la muestra contaminada, además de mostrar la calidad de almacenamiento de la droga vegetal. Con esto se pudo concluir que el contenido total de polifenoles de la muestra con hongos aumentó después de 13 años de colecta, y que mientras tanto no hubo cambios en el contenido de humedad de la muestra sin hongos, garantizando su calidad en el desarrollo. de formulaciones o investigaciones futuras.