Synthesis, characterization and biological studies of a cobalt(III) complex of sulfathiazole.

The emergence of old and new antibiotic resistance created in the last decades revealed a substantial medical need for new classes of antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial activity of sulfa drugs is often enhanced by complexation with metal ions, which is in concordance with the well-known importance of metal ions in biological systems. Besides, sulfonamides and its derivatives constitute an important class of drugs, with several types of pharmacological agents possessing antibacterial, anti-carbonic anhydrase, diuretic, hypoglycemic, antithyroid, antiviral and anticancer activities, among others. The purpose of this work has been the obtainment, characterization and determination of biological properties (antibacterial, antifungal, mutagenicity and phytotoxicity) of a new Co(III)-sulfathiazole complex: Costz, besides of its interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The reaction between sodium sulfathiazole (Nastz) and cobalt(II) chloride in the presence of H2O2 leads to a brown solid, [CoIII(stz)2OH(H2O)3], (Costz). The structure of this compound has been examined by means of elemental analyses, FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV-Visible spectrometric methods and thermal studies. The Co(III) ion, which exhibits a distorted octahedral environment, could coordinate with the N thiazolic atom of sulfathiazolate. The complex quenched partially the native fluorescence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), suggesting a specific interaction with the protein. The Costz complex showed, in vitro, a moderate antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus. As antibacterial, Costz displayed, in vitro, enhanced activity respective to the ligand against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Costz did not show mutagenic properties with the Ames test. In the Allium cepa test the complex showed cytotoxic properties but not genotoxic ones. These results may be auspicious, however, further biological studies are needed to consider the complex Costz as a possible drug in the future.

Utilização do resíduo de cama de frango em diferentes dosagens na produção de cebolinha / Use of the poultry litter in different dosages in the production of chives

A cama de frango é um resíduo proveniente da criação de frangos de corte. Esse resíduo é gerado quando a cama do aviário é trocada para limpeza dos barracões. O presente estudo foi realizado no Centro de Produção Vegetal e Animal Rio Pinhalzinho na cidade Iretama, Paraná, Brasil, com o objetivo de analisar o resíduo de cama de frango em diferentes dosagens na produção de cebolinha. Neste estudo, foi realizada a adição de quatro dosagens de cama de frango (5, 10, 15, 20 ton ha-1), a fim de avaliar com qual dosagem a planta de cebolinha se identificaria melhor para seu desenvolvimento, observando número de plantas, número de folhas, altura, diâmetro do bulbo, peso do bulbo, peso das folhas e peso total da planta. As avaliações foram realizadas aos 30, 45 e 60 dias após o transplantio das mudas. Os resultados mostraram que somente a altura das plantas, diâmetro, peso do bulbo, peso das folhas e peso total da planta, tiveram diferença significativa quando usado a dosagem de 5 ton ha-1 de cama de frango, para as demais variáveis não ocorreu diferença significativa. Entretanto mostra-se numericamente, que o tratamento 5 ton ha-1 foi o melhor para produção dessa espécie. Dessa forma, pode-se dizer que a cama de frango é um resíduo que pode ser utilizado na produção de cebolinhas bem como de outros vegetais desde que seja monitorada a quantidade adicionada ao solo.(AU)

Poultry litter is a residue of broilers creation, and this residue is generated when they are replaced for barracks cleaning. The present study was conducted in the River Pinhalzinhos Plant and Animal Production which is located in Iretama, Paraná, Brazil, in order to allocate the residue poultry litter at different doses in the production of chives. In this study, the addition of four dosages of poultry litter (5, 10, 15, 20 ton ha-1)in the production of chives, was performed to determine with which dose the plant would identify best. To do so, its development was carried out by observing the number of plants and leaves, height, diameter of the bulb and its weight, and total of plant weight. Evaluations were performed at 30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting the seedlings. Results showed that only plant height, diameter, bulb weight, weight of leaves and total weight of the plant, had significant difference when dosages of 5 ton ha-1 of poultry litter we used, for the other variables there was no significant difference. However, it show, numerically, that the treatment 5 ton / ha was the best for the production of this species. Thus, it can be said that the poultry litter is a residue that can be used in the production of onions and other vegetables provided that the amount added to the soil is monitored.(AU)

Utilização do resíduo de cama de frango em diferentes dosagens na produção de cebolinha / Use of the poultry litter in different dosages in the production of chives

A cama de frango é um resíduo proveniente da criação de frangos de corte. Esse resíduo é gerado quando a cama do aviário é trocada para limpeza dos barracões. O presente estudo foi realizado no Centro de Produção Vegetal e Animal Rio Pinhalzinho na cidade Iretama, Paraná, Brasil, com o objetivo de analisar o resíduo de cama de frango em diferentes dosagens na produção de cebolinha. Neste estudo, foi realizada a adição de quatro dosagens de cama de frango (5, 10, 15, 20 ton ha-1), a fim de avaliar com qual dosagem a planta de cebolinha se identificaria melhor para seu desenvolvimento, observando número de plantas, número de folhas, altura, diâmetro do bulbo, peso do bulbo, peso das folhas e peso total da planta. As avaliações foram realizadas aos 30, 45 e 60 dias após o transplantio das mudas. Os resultados mostraram que somente a altura das plantas, diâmetro, peso do bulbo, peso das folhas e peso total da planta, tiveram diferença significativa quando usado a dosagem de 5 ton ha-1 de cama de frango, para as demais variáveis não ocorreu diferença significativa. Entretanto mostra-se numericamente, que o tratamento 5 ton ha-1 foi o melhor para produção dessa espécie. Dessa forma, pode-se dizer que a cama de frango é um resíduo que pode ser utilizado na produção de cebolinhas bem como de outros vegetais desde que seja monitorada a quantidade adicionada ao solo.

Poultry litter is a residue of broilers’ creation, and this residue is generated when they are replaced for barracks cleaning. The present study was conducted in the River Pinhalzinho’s Plant and Animal Production which is located in Iretama, Paraná, Brazil, in order to allocate the residue poultry litter at different doses in the production of chives. In this study, the addition of four dosages of poultry litter (5, 10, 15, 20 ton ha-1)in the production of chives, was performed to determine with which dose the plant would identify best. To do so, its development was carried out by observing the number of plants and leaves, height, diameter of the bulb and its weight, and total of plant weight. Evaluations were performed at 30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting the seedlings. Results showed that only plant height, diameter, bulb weight, weight of leaves and total weight of the plant, had significant difference when dosages of 5 ton ha-1 of poultry litter we used, for the other variables there was no significant difference. However, it show, numerically, that the treatment 5 ton / ha was the best for the production of this species. Thus, it can be said that the poultry litter is a residue that can be used in the production of onions and other vegetables provided that the amount added to the soil is monitored.

Selenium and Sulfur to Produce Allium Functional Crops.

Selenium is an element that must be considered in the nutrition of certain crops since its use allows the obtaining of biofortified crops with a positive impact on human health. The objective of this review is to present the information on the use of Se and S in the cultivation of plants of the genus Allium. The main proposal is to use Allium as specialist plants for biofortification with Se and S, considering the natural ability to accumulate both elements in different phytochemicals, which promotes the functional value of Allium. In spite of this, in the agricultural production of these species, the addition of sulfur is not realized to obtain functional foods and plants more resistant; it is only sought to cover the necessary requirements for growth. On the other hand, selenium does not appear in the agronomic management plans of most of the producers. Including S and Se fertilization as part of agronomic management can substantially improve Allium crop production. Allium species may be suitable to carry out biofortification with Se; this practice can be combined with the intensive use of S to obtain crops with higher production and sensory, nutritional, and functional quality.

Phytotoxicity of secondary metabolites isolated from Flourensia oolepis S.F.Blake.

The aim of this study was to isolate the active principles of Flourensia oolepis S.F.Blake (Asteraceae), which completely inhibited the germination of Raphanus sativus seeds at 10 mg/ml. Flavanone pinocembrin and sesquiterpene ilicol, were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation. They were active both against monocot and dicot seeds. Pinocembrin was the most active compound, with an IC50 (germination) value of 0.24, 3.40, 3.28, and 3.55 mM against Panicum miliaceum, Avena sativa, Lactuca sativa, and R. sativus, respectively; ilicol, however, exhibited IC50 (germination) values of 0.67, 2.73, 5.25, and 9.66 mM for the same species, respectively. Pinocembrin and ilicol inhibited root growth and showed IC50 (root growth) values of 0.199, 14.68, 8.05, 7.69 mM, and 1.22, 2.90, 7.35, 8.07 mM, against P. miliaceum, A. sativa, L. sativa, and R. sativus, respectively. Pinocembrin and ilicol reduced Allium cepa cell division without chromosome aberrations.

Evaluation of the toxic and genotoxic potential of acid mine drainage using physicochemical parameters and bioassays.

Carboniferous activity generates acid mine drainage (AMD) which is capable of unleashing toxic effects on the exposed biota. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic and genotoxic potential of untreated-AMD and AMD treated with calcinated sediment, using physicochemical parameters and bioassays. Results revealed that untreated-AMD presented low pH values and elevated concentrations of the metals Fe, Al, Mn, Zn and Cu. High acute toxicity was observed in Artemia sp. and Daphnia magna, and sub-chronic toxicity and genotoxicity in Allium cepa L. as well as scission of plasmid DNA exposed to untreated-AMD. Treatment of AMD with calcinated sediment promoted the reduction of acidity and the removal of metals, as well as a reduction in toxic and genotoxic effects. In conclusion, the calcinated sediment can be used as an alternative AMD treatment.

Insecticidal, mutagenic and genotoxic evaluation of annonaceous acetogenins.

Annonaceous acetogenins represent a class of bioactive compounds whose primary mode of action is the inhibition of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Mitochondrial Complex I). Given the potential pesticidal use of these compounds, we evaluated the effects of seven acetogenins: squamocin (1), molvizarin (2), itrabin (3), almuñequin (4), cherimolin-1 (5), cherimolin-2 (6), and tucumanin (7) isolated from Annona cherimolia Mill. against Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Tephritidae). These acetogenins did not display insecticidal action at 250 microg of treatment per g of adult diet. However, the oviposition capacity of C. capitata females was significantly altered by some of the acetogenins at this concentration. The most potent compounds were itrabin, molvizarin and squamocin. Moreover, significant differences were detected in the preference of oviposition sites when itrabin and squamocin were spread on the surface of artificial fruits at doses of 30 microg/cm2. Additionally, we investigated the mutagenic effects displayed by itrabin, as well as the phytotoxic and genotoxic action of squamocin and itrabin. Both compounds displayed slight phytotoxic and genotoxic effects on roots of Allium cepa at 2.5 microg/mL though no mutagenic effects were detected at 0.25, 0.5 and 2.5 microg/mL on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of water from the River Paraíba do Sul, in Brazil, with the Allium cepa L. test.

This work investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of water from the River Paraíba do Sul (Brazil) using Allium cepa roots. An anatomo-morphological parameter (root length), mitotic indices, and frequency of micronuclei were analysed. Eight bulbs were chosen at random for treatment for 24 to 120 hours with the River water collected in the years of 2005 and 2006 from sites in the cities of Tremembé and Aparecida (São Paulo state, Brazil). Daily measurements of the length of the roots grown from each bulb were carried out throughout the experiment. Mitotic index (MI) and frequency of micronuclei (MN) were determined for 2000 cells per root, using 3-5 root tips from other bulbs (7-10). Only in the roots treated with samples of the River water collected in 2005 in Tremembé city was there a decrease in the root length growth compared to the respective control. However, a reduction in MI values was verified for both sites analysed for that year. Considering the data involving root length growth and especially MI values, a cytotoxic potential is suggested for the water of the River Paraíba do Sul at Tremembé and Aparecida, in the year of 2005. On the other hand, since in this year the MN frequency was not affected with the river water treatments, genotoxicity is not assumed for the river water sampled at the aforementioned places.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of water from the River Paraíba do Sul, in Brazil, with the Allium cepa L. test / Avaliação do potencial citotóxico e genotóxico da água do Rio Paraíba do Sul através do teste Allium cepa

This work investigated the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of water from the River Paraíba do Sul (Brazil) using Allium cepa roots. An anatomo-morphological parameter (root length), mitotic indices, and frequency of micronuclei were analysed. Eight bulbs were chosen at random for treatment for 24 to 120 hours with the River water collected in the years of 2005 and 2006 from sites in the cities of Tremembé and Aparecida (São Paulo state, Brazil). Daily measurements of the length of the roots grown from each bulb were carried out throughout the experiment. Mitotic index (MI) and frequency of micronuclei (MN) were determined for 2000 cells per root, using 3-5 root tips from other bulbs (7-10). Only in the roots treated with samples of the River water collected in 2005 in Tremembé city was there a decrease in the root length growth compared to the respective control. However, a reduction in MI values was verified for both sites analysed for that year. Considering the data involving root length growth and especially MI values, a cytotoxic potential is suggested for the water of the River Paraíba do Sul at Tremembé and Aparecida, in the year of 2005. On the other hand, since in this year the MN frequency was not affected with the river water treatments, genotoxicity is not assumed for the river water sampled at the aforementioned places.

Este trabalho é parte de uma investigação sobre o potencial citotóxico e genotóxico da água do Rio Paraíba do Sul (Brasil) utilizando raízes de Allium cepa. Foi analisado um parâmetro anátomo-morfológico (crescimento das raízes), bem como o índice mitótico e a frequência de micronúcleos. Aleatoriamente oito bulbos foram submetidos aos tratamentos de 24 a 120 horas com água do Rio proveniente dos pontos de coleta das cidades de Tremembé e Aparecida nos anos de 2005 e 2006. O comprimento das raízes de cada bulbo foi acompanhado diariamente ao longo do experimento. O índice mitótico (IM) e a frequência de micronúcleos (MN) foram determinados pela análise de 2.000 células por raiz, sendo utilizadas 3-5 raízes de outros bulbos (7-10). Somente as raízes tratadas com amostras de água coletadas em 2005 na cidade de Tremembé, apresentaram decréscimo no comprimento das raízes quando comparadas com o controle. Entretanto, foi observada redução do IM nas raízes tratadas com água de ambos os pontos de coleta no mesmo ano. Considerando os dados de crescimento de raiz e especialmente IM, um potencial citotóxico é sugerido para a água do Rio Paraíba do Sul em Tremembé e Aparecida, no ano de 2005. Por outro lado, para este mesmo ano, a frequência de micronúcleos não foi alterada; assim, a genotoxicidade não foi assumida para a água do Rio nos pontos mencionados.