Chemopreventive effect and lack of genotoxicity and mutagenicity of the exopolysaccharide botryosphaeran on human lymphocytes.

Carbohydrate biopolymers of fungal-origin are an important natural resource in the search for new bioagents with therapeutic and nutraceutical potential. In this study the mutagenic, genotoxic, antigenotoxic and antioxidant properties of the fungal exopolysaccharide botryosphaeran, a (1→3)(1→6)-ß-D-glucan, from Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05, was evaluated. The mutagenicity was assessed at five concentrations in Salmonella typhimurium by the Ames test. Normal and tumor (Jurkat cells) human T lymphocyte cultures were used to evaluate the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity (Comet assay) of botryosphaeran alone and in combination with the mutagen methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The ability of botryosphaeran to reduce the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generated by hydrogen peroxide was assessed using the CM-H2DCFDA probe in lymphocyte cultures under different treatment times. None of the evaluated botryosphaeran concentrations were mutagenic in bacteria, nor induced genotoxicity in normal and tumor lymphocytes. Botryosphaeran protected lymphocyte DNA against damage caused by MMS under simultaneous treatment and post-treatment conditions. However, botryosphaeran was not able to reduce the RONS generated by H2O2. Besides the absence of genotoxicity, botryosphaeran exerted a protective effect on human lymphocytes against genotoxic damage caused by MMS. These results are important in the validation of botryosphaeran as a therapeutic agent targeting health promotion.

Landfill leachate sludge use as soil additive prior and after electrocoagulation treatment: A cytological assessment using CHO-k1 cells.

Electrocoagulation has recently attracted attention as a potential technique for treating toxic effluents due to its versatility and environmental compatibility, generating a residue chemically suitable to be used as a soil additive. In the present study, landfill leachate sludge hazardous effects were investigated prior and after electrocoagulation process using in vitro assays with the mammalian cells CHO-k1. An integrated strategy for risk assessment was used to correctly estimate the possible adverse landfill leachate sludge effects on human health and ecosystem. Electrocoagulation process proved to be an effective treatment due to possibility to improve effluent adverse characteristics and produce sludge with potential to be used as soil additive. Despite low cytoxicity, the residue presented genotoxic and mutagenic effects, indicating a capacity to induce genetic damages, probably due to induction of polyploidization process in cells. The observed effects demand an improvement of waste management methods for reduce negative risks of landfill leachate sludge application.

Sewage sludge hazardous assessment: chemical evaluation and cytological effects in CHO-k1 cells.

Application of sewage sludge in agricultural lands is a growing practice in several countries due to its numerous benefits to soil and crops, where chemical and pathogen levels are determined by corresponding legislation. However, the presence of contaminants in residues must always be controlled before application due to their dangerous effects over the ecosystem and potential risks to human health. The main objective of this study was to integrate biological and chemical analysis in order to help elucidating the residue potential toxic, cytotoxic, and mutagenic effects. We evaluate samples of sewage sludge before and after the sanitizing treatment with lime in cytokinesis-block assay using CHO-k1 culture cells. The sanitizing treatment promoted a decrease in pathogen levels, which is the main purpose of this process. Even with chemical levels below the established by environmental agencies, results showed sewage sludge ability to enhance genotoxic and mutagenic effects, proving that residue should be handled with caution in order to minimize its environmental and human risk.

Efeito fungitóxico do óleo essencial de aroeira da praia (Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI) sobre Colletotrichum gloeosporioides / Fungitoxic effect of essential oil from aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI) on Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Neste trabalho foi avaliado o efeito do óleo essencial do fruto de Schinus terebinthifolius sobre o crescimento micelial do fungo Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in vitro, e no desenvolvimento da antracnose no período de pós-colheita em mamões. As diferentes concentrações de óleo foram diluídas em Tween 80 a 8%. No experimento in vitro foram preparados meios de cultura BDA nas concentrações de 0,05; 0,10; 0,25 e 0,50% do óleo essencial. O controle negativo foi realizado apenas com meio BDA e o controle solvente com meio BDA e Tween 80 a 8%. A inibição do crescimento do fungo foi diretamente proporcional à quantidade do óleo e a maior inibição encontrada foi de 79,07% na concentração de óleo de 0,50%. No experimento in vivo os frutos do mamoeiro foram inoculados com o fungo em quatro tratamentos: com biofilme; com biofilme mais 0,50% do óleo; com fungicida Prochloraz e frutos controle. Embora o tratamento com óleo tenha sido eficiente contra o fungo, não foi indicado comercialmente, pois apresentou valores elevados de perda de massa fresca, de firmeza, e também sintomas de fitotoxidade. O óleo tem propriedade antifúngica contra C. gloeosporioides in vitro e in vivo, contudo, não é recomendado para o mamão em função da fitotoxidez.

This study evaluated the effect of essential oil from Schinus terebinthifolius fruit on the mycelial growth of the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in vitro and on the anthracnose development during the postharvest period of papaya fruits. The different oil concentrations were diluted in 8% Tween 80. For the in vitro experiment, PDA culture media were prepared at the concentrations of 0.05, 0.10, 0.25 and 0.50% essential oil. Negative control was prepared with PDA medium alone, while solvent control was prepared with PDA medium and 8% Tween 80. Fungal growth inhibition was directly proportional to the oil amount and the greatest inhibition was 79.07% at 0.50% oil concentration. For the in vivo experiment, papaya fruits were inoculated with the fungus in four treatments: with biofilm, with biofilm plus 0.50% oil, with the fungicide Prochloraz and control fruits. Although treatment with oil was efficient against the fungus, it was not commercially recommended since it presented high values of loss of fresh mass and firmness, as well as phytotoxicity symptoms. The oil has antifungal property against C. gloeosporioides both in vitro and in vivo; however, it is not recommended for papaya fruits due to its phytotoxicity.