Micropropagation and in vitroconservation of Alcantarea nahoumii (Bromeliaceae), an endemic and endangered species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Alcantarea nahoumii(Leme) J. R. Grant is a species native to theAtlantic Forest that stands out for ornamental purposes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitrogerminationof A. nahoumiiseeds and establish a micropropagation protocol for production of seedlings so as to minimize the effects of predatory extractivism and develop an in vitroconservation system. Mature seeds were disinfested, established in three culture media (MS, MS½ and MS⅓) and incubated at four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35ºC)in a germination chamber. In the micropropagation experiment, stem segments were introduced in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.0, 2.2, 4.4 and 6.6 μM of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). For the in vitroconservation, plantlets were established in MS or MS½ medium supplemented with 15 g L-1or 30 g L-1of sucrose. The plants were acclimated with commercial substrate. The highest seed germination percentages were promoted by temperature conditions of 20 and 25ºC, with MS culture medium. The highest multiplication rate of shoots was obtained from the treatment without addition of the growth regulator or when combined with 2.2 μM of BAP + 0.5 μM of NAA. The acclimation of the plants occurred with high survival rate. The species can be conserved in vitrounder slow growth condition for 24 months when incubated in MS medium supplemented with 30 g L-1of sucrose.

Leaf geometric morphometrics among populations of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L. ) Taub / Morfometria geométrica foliar entre populações de Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub. do Brasil

Leaves are plant structures that express important traits of the environment where they live. Leaf description has allowed identification of plant species as well as investigation of abiotic factors effects on their development, such as gases, light, temperature, and herbivory. This study described populations of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum through leaf geometric morphometrics in Brazil. We evaluated 200 leaves from four populations. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first four principal components were responsible for 97.81% of variation. The non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance (NPMANOVA) indicated significant difference between samples (p = 0.0001). The Mentel test showed no correlation between geographical distances and shape. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) indicated that the first two variables were responsible for 96.77 % of total variation, while the cross-validation test showed an average of 83.33%. D. ecastaphyllum leaves are elliptical and ovate.

As folhas são estruturas presentes nas plantas que expressam importantes características de acordo com o ambiente no qual estão inseridas. Ao longo dos anos, a sua caracterização tem permitido identificar espécies vegetais e correlacionar o efeito de fatores abióticos como gases, luz, temperatura e herbivoria sob o seu desenvolvimento. O presente estudo teve como descrever populações de Dalbergia ecastaphyllum do Brasil utilizando a morfometria geométrica foliar. Foram avaliadas 200 folhas de quatro populações desta espécie. Análise de componentes principais (ACP) mostrou que os quatro primeiros componentes principais explicaram 97,81% da variação. A Análise de variância multivariada com teste não-paramétrico (NPMANOVA) indicou não haver diferença entres as amostras (p= 0,0001). Os resultados do teste de Mentel mostraram que não houve correlação das distâncias geográficas com a forma. Na análise de variação canônica, as duas primeiras variáveis responderam por 96,77 % da variação total, enquanto uma média de 83,33% foi encontrada pelo teste de validação cruzada. As folhas de D. ecastaphullym são elípticas e ovadas.

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum leaf extracts: in vitro inhibitory potential against enzymes related to metabolic syndrome, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases

For the first time, the anti-hemolytic activity and the enzyme inhibitory activities of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum leaves extracts were tested against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase and hyaluronidase. The phenolic profile of the obtained extracts was also investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PAD). The extracts showed inhibitory activity against all enzymes evaluated, with the highest inhibitory activity reported for the enzyme hyaluronidase (28.28 ± 2.43 to 72.19 ± 1.40 μg mL-1). The obtained extracts also demonstrate anti-hemolytic activity (52.22 ± 1.62 to 71.17 ± 1.82%). Among the phenolic compounds identified, protocatechuic, vanillic and β-resorcylic acids were the most abundant (1.13 ± 0.06 to 2.53 ± 0.06, 0.90 ± 0.06 to 2.19 ± 0.06 and 1.03 ± 1.62 to 22.11 ± 1.62 mg L-1, respectively). In the statistical analysis, a significant correlation was found between the flavonoids content and all enzymes inhibitory activities. The present study showed that D. ecastaphyllum leaves extracts may have the potential to be used in the therapeutic treatment of several diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, and pigmentation, as well as those associated with oxidative stress.

Antioxidant, photoprotective and inhibitory activity of tyrosinase in extracts of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum.

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum is a native Brazil plant with importance for beekeeping, and widely used in folk medicine. For the first time, the extracts of this plant were assessed for the presence of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants, as well as inhibition of tyrosinase, free radicals scavenging and sunscreen protection. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging (DPPH) and ß-carotene bleaching assay. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was evaluated and calculated the EC50. The photoprotective activity was measured using different concentrations of D. ecastaphyllum extracts. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the samples was higher than 6, and the sample from Ilhéus showed the most pronounced photoprotective effect. Sample from Canavieiras presented the highest antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging DPPH and ß-carotene bleaching method, with 92.41% and 48.34%, respectively. All samples inhibited the tyrosinase, especially the sample from Prado that was most effective (124.62 µg.mL-1). Significant negative correlation was found between flavonoid contents and inhibition of tyrosinase. The overall results provide relevant information about the Dalbergia ecastaphyllum species, indicating as potential material to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Genetic Variability of Melipona subnitida (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Introduced and Native Populations.

Melipona subnitida (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is a stingless bee native to Caatinga biome in Brazil, well adapted to hot and dry climate of that region and has been traditionally explored for honey production. Here, we evaluate the genetic structure of 173 colonies of M. subnitida in northeast Brazil by partially sequenced mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase I (COI) to compare an introduced population isolated for 30 yr into the Island of Fernando de Noronha (IFN) with the continental populations. We identified high haplotype diversity (0.8220) with 14 haplotypes on the continental populations, being three new ones, compared with the database GenBank. The haplotype H4 was present at the center of network, occurring in four localities on mainland and fixed as a single haplotype on IFN. We propose that the island populations originally introduced carried one haplotype (H4), even though IFN population is suffering pressure by island effect through changes on morphology. Studies on island populations could be a model to understand the dynamics of isolated populations and sustainable management of this biome to preserve M. subnitida.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Mono- and Heterofloral Bee Pollen of Different Geographical Origins.

Recent research shows variations in pollen chemical constituents and, consequently, in their therapeutic properties. Mono and multifloral bee pollen extracts were investigated for antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity properties, phenolic compounds and fatty acid composition. Generally, Eucalyptus spp. and multifloral extracts exhibited potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, lipoxygenase, lipase and hyaluronidase. On the other hand, Miconia spp. demonstrated higher antihemolytic activity. Cocos nucifera and Miconia spp. extracts exhibited important antioxidant properties in the different assays (ABTS, DPPH, ß-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power). Moreover, these extracts had greater amounts of total phenols and flavonoids in comparison to others. The increase in antioxidant activity (decrease in EC50 values) was accompanied by an increase in the amount of total phenols in the extracts. The pollen extracts contained linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid as major fatty acids, followed by palmitic acid, and oleic acid. In this study, differences were observed in both chemical constituents and biological activities of the samples related to the geographical and botanical origin of bee pollen.

In vivo fertilization of banana / Fertilização in vivo de bananeira

The aim of this research was to study the in vivo fertilization process of banana cultivars. The diploid hybrid (AA) 091087-01 was the male progenitor. Flower samples were checked for fertilization from the first to the twentieth day after pollination. The size of the diploid ovules increased gradually at the beginning of the seed formation process. On the other hand, in the AAA triploids (Cavendish subgroup), the not fertilized ovules were aborted. In the AAB triploids (Prata subgroup) some ovules were fertilized. The flowers of Grand Naine, Nanicão and 'Pacovan' cultivars presented necrosis in the distal part of the ovary on the first day after pollination. Necrosis can hinder pollen tube growth towards the ovule, which might be related to the low seed yield in 'Pacovan' cultivars and to the absence of seeds in the Cavendish subgroup cultivars.

O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar o processo de fertilização in vivo em cultivares de bananeira. Utilizou-se como genitor masculino o híbrido diploide (AA) 091087-01. Do primeiro até o vigésimo dia após a polinização, foram retiradas amostras de flores para comprovação da fertilização. Verificou-se que os óvulos de diploides aumentaram de tamanho gradualmente, iniciando o processo de formação de sementes, enquanto, nos triploides AAA (subgrupo Cavendish), ocorreu o aborto dos óvulos não fertilizados. Nos triploides AAB (subgrupo Prata), alguns óvulos são fertilizados. As flores das cultivares 'Grande Naine', 'Nanicão' e 'Pacovan' apresentaram uma necrose na região distal do ovário, detectada desde o primeiro dia após a polinização, a qual pode se constituir em uma barreira para o crescimento do tubo polínico em direção ao óvulo, o que provavelmente pode estar relacionado à baixa produção de sementes em Pacovan e à ausência de sementes em cultivares do subgrupo Cavendish.