Occurrence and removal of drugs and endocrine disruptors in water supply systems in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais State, Brazil).

This study evaluates both the occurrence and removal of 24 compounds, including drugs and endocrine disruptors, in 8 water treatment plants (WTP) located in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais State, Brazil). The compounds 4-nonylphenol, 4-octylphenol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, 17ß-estradiol, acyclovir, bisphenol A, bezafibrate, caffeine, dexamethasone, diclofenac sodium, diltiazem, estrone, estriol, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, linezolid, loratadine, losartan, metformin, naproxen, paracetamol, promethazine, propranolol and sulfamethoxazole were monitored at 3 sampling points (raw water, filtered water, treated water) over 10 or 12 collection campaigns for each WTP. The results showed that bisphenol A occurred at higher concentrations during the dry period with a maximum concentration of 3257.1 ng L-1, while the compounds 4-nonylphenol and losartan exhibited higher concentrations in the rainy period with maximum concentrations of 8577.2 ng L-1 and 705.8 ng L-1, respectively. Regarding the removal of compounds in the monitored WTPs, the clarification step demonstrated better removals for 4-nonylphenol, bisphenol-A, paracetamol, and sulfamethoxazole, whereas the disinfection step mainly removed the compounds 4-octylphenol and estrone. Margin of exposure (ME) assessment results indicated that only dexamethasone, ethinyl estradiol, diclofenac, estradiol, and estrone were classified as imminent risk or alert considering the 95th percentile concentration found in the samples of treated water.

Occurrence and removal of drugs and endocrine disruptors in the Bolonha Water Treatment Plant in Belém/PA (Brazil).

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of drugs and endocrine disrupters in water supplies and in water for human consumption. Twelve sampling campaigns were carried out during the rainy and dry season at four sampling points in the Bolonha Complex, in the city of Belém, northern region of Brazil: Bolonha reservoir (catchment) and Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Bolonha (filtered water chamber, treated water tank, and washing water from the filters). The determination of the compounds was performed by solid phase extraction followed by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The results confirmed the anthropic influence that the reservoir and WTP-Bolonha have been suffering, as consequence of the discharge of domestic sewage in natura. Among 25 microcontaminants analyzed, 12 were quantified in raw water and 10 in treated water. The antiallergic Loratadine (LRT) was the contaminant that occurred most frequently in all sample points, having been poorly removed (median 12%) in the conventional treatment used. Losartana (LST), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), and Bisphenol A (BPA) also occurred very frequently in raw water with concentrations ranging from 3.7 to 194 ng L-1. Although such contaminants occurred in treated water in concentrations varying from 4.0 to 135 ng L-1, the estimated margin of exposure ranged from 55 to 3333 times which indicates low risk of human exposure to such contaminants through ingestion of treated water.

Occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in surface waters from Paraopeba River Basin in Brazil: seasonal changes and risk assessment.

This study describes the application of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to evaluate the occurrence of 12 CECs-contaminants of emerging concern (bisphenol A, diclofenac, 17ß-estradiol, estriol, estrone, 17α-ethinylestradiol, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, naproxen, 4-nonylphenol, 4-octylphenol, and acetaminophen) in surface waters from Paraopeba River Basin, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The analytical procedure was validated and applied to 60 surface water samples collected across four sampling campaigns along the upper and middle watershed. Methods for CECs determination involved sample filtration, and solid-phase extraction (SPE) with subsequent derivatization of the target compounds prior to their analysis by GC-MS. The LOQ varied from 3.6 to 14.4 ng/L and extraction recoveries ranged from 46.1 to 107.1% for the lowest spiked concentration level (10 ng/L). The results showed a profile of spatial distribution of compounds, as well as the influence of rainfall. Ibuprofen (1683.9 ng/L), bisphenol (1587.7 ng/L), and naproxen (938.4 ng/L) occurred in higher concentrations during the rainy season, whereas during the dry season, the concentrations of bisphenol (1057.7 ng/L), estriol (991.0 ng/L), and estrone (978.4 ng/L) were highlighted. The risk assessment of human exposure shows that for most contaminants, the concentration is well below the estimated thresholds for chronic toxicity from water intake. However, estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol showed concentrations in the same order of magnitude as the guide values estimated for babies.

Oxidative treatments for atenolol removal in water: Elucidation by mass spectrometry and toxicity evaluation of degradation products.

RATIONALE: The presence of pharmaceuticals in water is a worldwide concern due to potential damage to human and environmental health. For example, compounds such as the ß-blocker atenolol (ATE), widely used for the treatment of cardiac disease, are detected in drinking water since conventional water treatment plants are not designed to remove them. Thus, the evaluation of ATE removal at different water oxidative treatment processes, identification of its degradation products and evaluation of their toxicity is necessary. METHODS: Aqueous solutions of ATE (10 mg/L) were submitted to oxidative treatments of chlorination ([NaClO] = 10 mg/L), ozonation ([O3 ] = 8 mg/L), photocatalysis ([TiO2 ] = 120 mg/L and UV-C light) and photolysis (UV-C light). The removal of ATE and formation of degradation products (DPs) were monitored by mass spectrometry. To assess acute cytotoxicity, DPs were submitted to colorimetric MTT assay using HepG2 cells. The Ecological Structure Activity Relationships (ECOSAR) software was applied to estimate the acute and chronic toxicity of identified DPs at different trophic levels. RESULTS: Photocatalysis was the treatment that demonstrated greater efficiency, removing 94% of the initial ATE. For the four tested treatments, 12 DPs were confirmed after 30 min. Moreover, some of the identified DPs were unpublished in the literature. Through high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), it was possible to elucidate the structure of the DPs. Solutions of DPs were not considered to be toxic to HepG2 cells. Only the DP with a molecular formula of C13 H19 NO3 (m/z 238.1438) could be considered detrimental to daphnid and green algae. CONCLUSIONS: Low rates of organic matter removal and high rates of ATE degradation were obtained in the applied treatments after 30 min. Although the treated solutions were not toxic to HepG2 cells, one of the degradation products can be considered an environmental concern since it presents chronic toxicity to daphnid and green algae.

Spatialization of Brazilian pig production: relationship between productive, physical, environmental, and socio-economic variables.

Brazilian pig production spans over a large territory encompassing regions of different climatic and socio-economic realities. Production, physical, socio-economic, and environmental data were used to characterize pig production in the country. Multivariate analysis evaluated indices including number productivity, production levels, and income from pigs, together with the average area of pig farm and socio-economic variables such as municipal human development index, technical guidance received from agricultural cooperatives and industrial companies, number of family farms, and offtake; and finally, environmental variables: latitude, longitude, annual temperature range, solar radiation index, as well as temperature and humidity index. The Southern region has the largest herd, number of pigs sold/sow, and offtake rate (p < 0.05), followed by the Midwest and Southeast. No significant correlations were seen between production rates and productivity with the socio-economic and environmental variables in the regions of Brazil. Production indexes, productivity, and offtake rate discriminated Northeast and Midwest and Northeast and Southeast regions. The Northern region, with a large area, has few and far-between farms that rear pigs for subsistence. The Northeast region has large herds, but low productivity. Number of slaughtered pigs has been variable over the past three decades, with few states responsible for maintaining high production in Brazil. However, the activity can be effective in any region of the country with technology and technical assistance adapted to regional characteristics.

Comparison between two forms of granular activated carbon for the removal of pharmaceuticals from different waters.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of two forms of basic granular activated carbon (GAC), mineral (pH = 10.5) and vegetal (pH = 9), for the removal of three pharmaceuticals, as sulphamethoxazole (SMX), diclofenac (DCF) and 17ß-estradiol (E2), from two different matrices: fortified distilled (2.4-3.0 mg L(-1) and pH from 5.5 to 6.5) and natural (∼1.0 mg L(-1) and pH from 7.1 to 7.2) water in a bench scale. The Rapid Small-Scale Column Test used to assess the ability of mineral and vegetal GAC on removal of such pharmaceuticals led to removal capacities varying from 14.9 to 23.5 mg g(-1) for E2, from 23.7 to 24.2 mg g(-1) for DCF and from 20.5 to 20.6 mg g(-1) for SMX. Removal efficiencies of 71%, 88% and 74% for DCF, SMX and E2, respectively, were obtained at breakthrough point when using mineral GAC, whereas for the vegetal GAC the figures were 76%, 77% and 65%, respectively. The carbon usage rate at the breakthrough point varied from 11.9 to 14.5 L g(-1) for mineral GAC and from 8.8 to 14.8 L g(-1) for vegetal GAC. Mineral CAG also exhibited the best performance when treating fortified natural water, since nearly complete removal was observed for all contaminants in the column operated for 22 h at a carbon usage rate of 2.9 L g(-1).

Yet more "weeds" in the garden: fungal novelties from nests of leaf-cutting ants.

BACKGROUND: Symbiotic relationships modulate the evolution of living organisms in all levels of biological organization. A notable example of symbiosis is that of attine ants (Attini; Formicidae: Hymenoptera) and their fungal cultivars (Lepiotaceae and Pterulaceae; Agaricales: Basidiomycota). In recent years, this mutualism has emerged as a model system for studying coevolution, speciation, and multitrophic interactions. Ubiquitous in this ant-fungal symbiosis is the "weedy" fungus Escovopsis (Hypocreales: Ascomycota), known only as a mycoparasite of attine fungal gardens. Despite interest in its biology, ecology and molecular phylogeny--noting, especially, the high genetic diversity encountered--which has led to a steady flow of publications over the past decade, only two species of Escovopsis have formally been described. METHODS AND RESULTS: We sampled from fungal gardens and garden waste (middens) of nests of the leaf-cutting ant genus Acromyrmex in a remnant of subtropical Atlantic rainforest in Minas Gerais, Brazil. In culture, distinct morphotypes of Escovopsis sensu lato were recognized. Using both morphological and molecular analyses, three new species of Escovopsis were identified. These are described and illustrated herein--E. lentecrescens, E. microspora, and E. moelleri--together with a re-description of the genus and the type species, E. weberi. The new genus Escovopsioides is erected for a fourth morphotype. We identify, for the first time, a mechanism for horizontal transmission via middens. CONCLUSIONS: The present study makes a start at assigning names and formal descriptions to these specific fungal parasites of attine nests. Based on the results of this exploratory and geographically-restricted survey, we expect there to be many more species of the genus Escovopsis and its relatives associated with nests of both the lower and higher Attini throughout their neotropical range, as suggested in previous studies.

Behaviour of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting chemicals in simplified sewage treatment systems.

This work assessed the behaviour of nine pharmaceuticals and/or endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in demo-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (UASB reactors) coupled to distinct simplified post-treatment units (submerged bed, polishing ponds, and trickling filters) fed on raw sewage taken from a municipality in Brazil. The dissolved concentration of the studied micropollutants in the raw and treated sewage was obtained using solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by analysis in a liquid chromatography system coupled to a hybrid high resolution mass spectrometer consisting of an ion-trap and time of flight (LC-MS-IT-TOF). The UASB reactors demonstrated that they were not appropriate for efficiently removing the assessed compounds from the sewage. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was an important parameter for the removal of the hydrophilic and less biodegradable compounds, such as trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. The post-treatment units substantially increased the removal of most target micropollutants present in the anaerobic effluents, with a greater removal of micropollutants in simplified systems that require a large construction area, such as the submerged bed and polishing ponds, probably because of the higher HRT employed. Alternatively, compact post-treatment systems, such as trickling filters, tended to be less effective at removing most of the micropollutants studied, and the type of packing proved to be crucial for determining the fate of such compounds using trickling filters.

Acute toxicity of Schizolobium parahyba aqueous extract in mice.

The herbal extract of Schizolobium parahyba leaves is used commonly in the Brazil central region to treat snakebites. This study evaluates the acute toxicological effects of Schizolobium parahyba aqueous extract in mice 24 h after intraperitoneal administration. Acute toxicity was evaluated using biochemical, hematological and histopathological assays. Alterations in the levels of transaminases, bilirubin, albumin and prothrombrin time were observed, and these are likely to occur due to hepatic injury, which was confirmed by light microscopy. Liver histopathological analysis revealed the presence of lymph plasmocitary inflammatory infiltrate, but no other histopathological alterations were observed in any of the other organs analysed. The data confirm the low toxicity of the extract of Schizolobium parahyba and provide a model for the selection of a dose that does not cause injuries in the organism.

Occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds in water sources of Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area, Brazil.

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have attracted the attention of the scientific community because of the effects of EDCs on aquatic fauna and the potential threat they pose to human health. There are a handful of papers on the monitoring of EDCs in Brazilian surface waters, hence this research was aimed at assessing, by using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the presence of 17 beta-estradiol, 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol and 4-nonylphenol in surface waters used for supplying the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The one-year monitoring period of three water sources showed that 4-nonylphenol was detected in all samples in a concentration range of 44 to 1918 ng L(-1), whilst the natural and synthetic estradiols were hardly detected (only in approximately 15% of samples) and always in low concentrations (2 to 54 ng L(-1)). Samples of partially treated water, collected in three water treatment plants before the chlorination step, showed that the steps of prechlorination, flocculation-sedimentation and sand filtration did not efficiently remove the EDCs studied.

Snake venom phospholipases A2: a new class of antitumor agents.

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) are enzymes of high medical scientific interest due to their involvement in a large number of human inflammatory diseases. PLA(2) constitute a diverse family of enzymes which catalyses the hydrolysis of the sn-2 ester bond in glycerophospholipids and exhibit a wide range of physiological and pathological effects. The ubiquitous nature of PLA(2) highlights the important role they play in many biological processes, as cell signaling and cell growth, including the generation of proinflammatory lipid mediators such as prostaglandin and leukotrienes, regulation of lipid mediators. The activity and expression of several PLA(2) isoforms are increased in several human cancers, suggesting that these enzymes have a central role in both tumor development and progression and can be targets for anti-cancer drugs. On the other hand, some PLA(2) isolated from Viperidae venoms are capable to induce antitumoral activity. In summary PLA(2) from snake venoms can be a new class of anticancer agents and provide new molecular and biological insights of cancer development.

Lesões cancerosas e pré-cancerosas do colo uterino: uma análise citopatológica na região Noroeste do Paraná / Cancer and pre-cancer lesions of cervix: a cytopathologic analysis in the Northwest region of Paraná state

Analisar aspectos citopatológicos relacionados ao câncer de colo uterino, bem como lesões precursoras, na região Noroeste do Paraná. Foi idealizado um estudo transversal, sendo avaliados 31.135 prontuários de pacientes que realizaram exame citopatológico de câncer de colo uterino em um laboratório, na cidade de Maringá-PR, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2005. O resultado da colpocitologia apresentou prevalência de 1,29% de casos positivos para alterações celulares ou glandulares, sendo distribuídos em 1,59% no grupo SUS e 1,12% no grupo não-SUS (p<0,0003). As lesões intra-epiteliais d baixo grau foram as mais freqüentes em ambos os grupos. No entanto, de todas as alterações a que se apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos foi o de lesão intra-epitelial de alto-grau, destacando que no grupo SUS a prevalência foi maior na comparação com o grupo não-SUS (p<0,0001). Na faixa etária de 20 a 29 anos houve uma concentração maior de todos os casos positivos em ambos os grupos (p=0,011). A freqüência elevada de lesões precursoras, principalmente no grupo de usuárias do SUS, evidencia a necessidade de uma maior atenção às atividades de prevenção dessas lesões, na tentativa de minimizar as taxas de morbi-mortalidade por esta patologia em nossa região

Toxoplasma gondii: effects of neuwiedase, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom, on the invasion and replication of human fibroblasts in vitro.

The major aim to the present study was to determine the effects of neuwiedase, a metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom, on invasion and replication of Toxoplasma gondii in human fibroblasts in vitro. Neuwiedase treatment was done on host cells previously infected with T. gondii or on parasite before fibroblast infection. When treatments were done after or before infection, infection rates were inhibited in 71% and 61%, respectively. Considering that therapy protocols currently used in T. gondii infection cause considerable side effects, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women, the results of neuwiedase treatment described herein could be taken into account for the development of new synthetic therapeutic agents, mainly due to the capacity of this enzyme to degrade extracellular matrix components, such as laminin, fibronectin and type I collagen, which is important to interfere in T. gondii host cell invasion.

[Quality of different aphids as hosts of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae)]. / Qualidade de diferentes espécies de pulgões como hospedeiros do parasitóide Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae).

Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) has a broad aphid host range; however the quality of these preys may interfere in its biological feature. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of three Macrosiphini, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and three Aphidini Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and Aphis gossypii Glover as hosts to L. testaceipes and to determine the relation possible of host preference, of size and quality of the host. The tests were carried out in climatic chamber at 25 +/- 1 degrees C, RH 70 +/- 10% and 12h photophase. The parasitoid did not oviposite in B. brassicae and L. erysimi, while the other species were nutritionally suitable to the parasitoid. L. testaceipes showed preference for aphids from tribe Aphidini and these hosts presented better quality to the parasitoid when compared to Macrosiphini. Interactions among size, preference and quality between the Aphidini were found. L testaceipes showed preference (parasitism rate 76.7%) for R. maidis, the bigger host (hind tibia with 0.281 mm). This host provided bigger size (hind tibia with 0.49 mm) and higher emergence rate (95.6%) to the parasitoid when compared to A. gossypii (parasitism rate of 55.7%). Also the smaller host A. gossypii (0.266 mm) provided smaller size hind tibia (0.45 mm) and higher mortality of the parasitoid (emergence rate 72.1%). However, the development time was shorter and the longevity was higher in A. gossypii (6.3 and 5.4 days, respectively) when compared to the host R. maidis (6.7 and 3.8 days, respectively), and not been related to host size.

Qualidade de diferentes espécies de pulgões como hospedeiros do parasitóide Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) / Quality of different aphids as hosts of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

O endoparasitóide solitário Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) tem uma ampla faixa de afídeos hospedeiros e a qualidade desses afídeos pode interferir nos parâmetros biológicos do mesmo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de três Macrosiphini, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) e Myzus persicae (Sulzer), e três Aphidini, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) e Aphis gossypii Glover, como hospedeiros de L. testaceipes e determinar a possível relação da preferência do parasitóide com o tamanho e a qualidade do hospedeiro. Os testes foram conduzidos em câmara climática a 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10 por cento UR e 12h fotofase. O parasitóide não ovipositou em B. brassicae e L. erysimi e as demais espécies foram adequadas nutricionalmente ao parasitóide. L. testaceipes apresentou preferência por pulgões da tribo Aphidini e esses hospedeiros apresentaram maior qualidade para o parasitóide quando comparados aos Macrosiphini. Foi encontrada relação entre tamanho, preferência e qualidade entre os Aphidini. O parasitóide apresentou preferência (76,7 por cento de parasitismo) por R. maidis, o maior hospedeiro (tíbia posterior de 0,281 mm), e este proporcionou maior tamanho (tíbia posterior de 0,49 mm) e emergência (95,6 por cento) ao parasitóide quando comparado a A. gossypii (55,7 por cento de parasitismo), hospedeiro menor (0,266 mm) e que proporcionou menor tamanho (0,45 mm) e maior mortalidade ao parasitóide (72,1 por cento de emergência). Contudo, o desenvolvimento de ovo a múmia foi menor e a longevidade foi maior em A. gossypii (6,3 e 5,4 dias respectivamente) do que em R. maidis (6,7 e 3,8 dias respectivamente), não estando relacionados ao tamanho do hospedeiro.

Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) has a broad aphid host range; however the quality of these preys may interfere in its biological feature. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of three Macrosiphini, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and three Aphidini Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and Aphis gossypii Glover as hosts to L. testaceipes and to determine the relation possible of host preference, of size and quality of the host. The tests were carried out in climatic chamber at 25 ± 1°C, RH 70 ± 10 percent and 12h photophase. The parasitoid did not oviposite in B. brassicae and L. erysimi, while the other species were nutritionally suitable to the parasitoid. L. testaceipes showed preference for aphids from tribe Aphidini and these hosts presented better quality to the parasitoid when compared to Macrosiphini. Interactions among size, preference and quality between the Aphidini were found. L testaceipes showed preference (parasitism rate 76.7 percent) for R. maidis, the bigger host (hind tibia with 0.281 mm). This host provided bigger size (hind tibia with 0.49 mm) and higher emergence rate (95.6 percent) to the parasitoid when compared to A. gossypii (parasitism rate of 55.7 percent). Also the smaller host A. gossypii (0.266 mm) provided smaller size hind tibia (0.45 mm) and higher mortality of the parasitoid (emergence rate 72.1 percent). However, the development time was shorter and the longevity was higher in A. gossypii (6.3 and 5.4 days, respectively) when compared to the host R. maidis (6.7 and 3.8 days, respectively), and not been related to host size.

Influence of photoperiod on Orius thyestes Herring (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) reproduction and longevity.

Several species of Orius Wolff are used in biological control of thrips in protected cultivations in temperate regions, but some of them show reproductive diapause, compromising the efficiency of these agents of biological control. There are no reports on the biology of the neotropical species Orius thyestes Herring under different environmental conditions. The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of photoperiod on reproduction and longevity of this predator. Nymphs were kept in petri dishes in climatic chambers at 28+/-1 degree C, 70+/-10% RH and under the photoperiods of 12L:12D, 11L:13D, 10 L:14D e 09L:15D. The mating adults were kept in petri dishes with Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae inflorescences as oviposition substracts and eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as food. The pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, fecundity and longevity were evaluated and O. thyestes did not show reprodutive diapause in all photoperiod conditions established. The mean number of eggs obtained per female decreased with the reduction of the photophase, with a difference (P < 0.05) between the values obtained in 12h and 9h of photophase. Longevity of females and males under 9h photophase was shorter (P < 0.05) than in all other photoperiods tested. The knowledge of the biology of the natural enemy under different conditions allows to optimise the mass rearing and to predict the performance of the predator in different photoperiods which may occur along the year and in greenhouses.

Influence of photoperiod on Orius thyestes Herring (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) reproduction and longevity

Several species of Orius Wolff are used in biological control of thrips in protected cultivations in temperate regions, but some of them show reproductive diapause, compromising the efficiency of these agents of biological control. There are no reports on the biology of the neotropical species Orius thyestes Herring under different environmental conditions. The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of photoperiod on reproduction and longevity of this predator. Nymphs were kept in petri dishes in climatic chambers at 28 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10 percent RH and under the photoperiods of 12L:12D, 11L:13D, 10L:14D e 09L:15D. The mating adults were kept in petri dishes with Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae inflorescences as oviposition substracts and eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as food. The pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, fecundity and longevity were evaluated and O. thyestes did not show reprodutive diapause in all photoperiod conditions established. The mean number of eggs obtained per female decreased with the reduction of the photophase, with a difference (P < 0.05) between the values obtained in 12h and 9h of photophase. Longevity of females and males under 9h photophase was shorter (P < 0.05) than in all other photoperiods tested. The knowledge of the biology of the natural enemy under different conditions allows to optimise the mass rearing and to predict the performance of the predator in different photoperiods which may occur along the year and in greenhouses.

Várias espécies de Orius Wolff são utilizadas no controle biológico de tripes em cultivos protegidos em regiões temperadas, entretanto algumas delas apresentam diapausa reprodutiva, comprometendo a atuação desses agentes de controle biológico. Não existem relatos sobre a biologia da espécie neotropical Orius thyestes Herring em diferentes condições ambientais. Este trabalho objetivou verificar a influência do fotoperíodo na reprodução e longevidade desse predador. Ninfas foram individualizadas em placas de Petri e mantidas em câmaras climatizadas a 28 ± 1°C, UR de 70 ± 10 por cento e nos fotoperíodos de 12L:12E, 11L:13E, 10L:14E e 09L:15E. Os adultos foram acasalados em placas de Petri contendo inflorescência de Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae como substrato de oviposição e ovos de Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) como alimento. Foram avaliados os períodos de pré-oviposição e oviposição, fecundidade e longevidade de fêmeas e machos. Em nenhuma das condições de fotoperíodos avaliadas O. thyestes apresentou diapausa reprodutiva. O número médio de ovos por fêmea diminuiu proporcionalmente ao número de horas de luz, com diferença (P < 0,05) entre os valores obtidos em 12h e 9h de luz. A longevidade de fêmeas e machos do predador sob fotofase de 9h foi menor (P < 0,05) que as longevidades observadas nos demais fotoperíodos testados. O conhecimento sobre a biologia do inimigo natural em diferentes condições permite otimizar a criação massal e prever o desempenho do predador em diferentes fotoperíodos que podem ocorrer ao longo do ano e no interior das casas de vegetação.

Comparação do perfil dos principais ácidos graxos de ovos comerciais e ovos enriquecidos com ácidos graxos polinsaturados ômega-3 / Acid main comparison of the profile of the greasy ones of eggs you deal and acid eggs enriched with greasy polinsaturados omega-3

Determinou-se quantitativamente, por meio de cromatografia gasosa, os principais ácidos graxos de ovos enriquecidos com ácidos graxos polinsaturados ômega-3 e de ovos comuns disponíveis no mercado de Belo Horizonte. Foram analisadas duas marcas de ovos comuns e duas de ovos enriquecidos, com cinco repetições por amostragem. Os ácidos graxos palmítico, esteárico, olêico, palmitolêico e aracdônico foram detectados em menores teores (p<0,05) e os ácidos graxos linolêico, linolênico, eicosapentaenóico e docosahexaenóico revelaram maiores teores (p<0,05) em ovos enriquecidos comparados a ovos comuns.

Comparação do perfil dos principais ácidos graxos de ovos comerciais e ovos enriquecidos com ácidos graxos polinsaturados ômega-3 / Acid main comparison of the profile of the greasy ones of eggs you deal and acid eggs enriched with greasy polinsaturados omega-3

Determinou-se quantitativamente, por meio de cromatografia gasosa, os principais ácidos graxos de ovos enriquecidos com ácidos graxos polinsaturados ômega-3 e de ovos comuns disponíveis no mercado de Belo Horizonte. Foram analisadas duas marcas de ovos comuns e duas de ovos enriquecidos, com cinco repetições por amostragem. Os ácidos graxos palmítico, esteárico, olêico, palmitolêico e aracdônico foram detectados em menores teores (p<0,05) e os ácidos graxos linolêico, linolênico, eicosapentaenóico e docosahexaenóico revelaram maiores teores (p<0,05) em ovos enriquecidos comparados a ovos comuns.(AU)

In this work were analysed, by gas chromatography, two eggs kinds, available in the Belo Horizonte City Markets, to evaluate the difference in their fatty acids. There were analysed two trade marks of ordinary eggs and two of omega 3 enriched eggs with five replicates for each sample. The palmitic, stearicoleic and aracdonic fatty acids were found with lower concentration(p<0,05) fatty acids omega-3 in enriched than in ordinary eggs. The linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic fatty acids were found with higher concentration (p