Chemical Variability of Hexane Extracts from Five Subspecies of Calendula suffruticosa from Spain.

The chemical profile of the hexane extracts of the subspecies carbonellii, greuteri, marginata, trialata, and vejerensis of Calendula suffruticosa growing in Spain, herein described for the first time, were studied to access their value as a chemo taxonomical tool and search for potentially useful compounds. The subsp. greuteri and carbonellii showed higher extract yields. Terpenoids were the most abundant chemical class in subsp. carbonellii, greuteri, trialata, and vejerensis, while alkanes were the most abundant in subsp. marginata. Differences in chemical constituents were identified among the subspecies of C. suffruticosa analysed, which the PCA can prove. The subsp. trialata and greuteri showed more significant phytochemical similarity, which might indicate genetic proximity between these two subspecies. C. suffruticosa subsp. marginata presented the fewest number of compounds and in the smallest quantities, and C. suffruticosa subsp. vejerensis presented the largest number, however, both showed no alcohols. Furthermore, some of the compounds found in significant amounts are known for their pharmacological and nutraceutical properties, denoting potential use.

Inter-Individual versus Inter-Population Variability of Calendula suffruticosa subsp. algarbiensis Hexane Extracts.

Calendula suffruticosa subsp. algarbiensis (Boiss.) Nyman is very common on the Portuguese coast, but it has only recently begun to be studied chemically and belongs to a genus of difficult taxonomic classification. To improve the knowledge on the chemical variability of this taxon and evaluate the possible use of this tool for taxonomical purposes, the aim of this work was to determine the extent of chemical variation between individuals collected in the same geographic region, and to compare with samples mixing fragments of several individuals each (populations) from different local environments. Overall, hexane extract analysis by GC/MS allowed to identify 42 compounds, eight fatty acids, 24 terpenoids, three alcohols, five alkanes, and two pollutants. Greater chemical differences were found between individuals, grown in the same region, than were found between population samples from different regions. Additionally, 25 phytochemicals were identified for this taxon for the first time and may be used for taxonomic classification, even to distinguish between subspecies of C. suffruticosa. Furthermore, plants collected near urban areas accumulated pollutants, indicating the importance of controlling local environmental conditions when C. suffruticosa cultivation is for human consumption.

Produção e composição química de hortaliças folhosas em hidroponia / Production and chemical composition of vegetables hardwood in hydroponics

O cultivo hidropônico de hortaliças folhosas vem crescendo acentuadamente nos últimos anos, no entanto, pouco se sabe sobre sua composição química, o que é de extrema importância, tendo em vista a mudança de hábito alimentar de uma fração considerável da população brasileira que busca alimentos de qualidade. Por essa razão, as culturas de agrião, chicória, rúcula e alfaces americana (cv. Lucy Brown) e lisa (cv. Regina) foram produzidas em hidroponia, sistema NFT, buscando-se avaliar o rendimento, teor de nitrato e composição centesimal. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, na Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis (SC), no período de maio a julho de 2004, sob delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 4 repetições. O espaçamento utilizado foi de 25 cm x 25 cm para as culturas do agrião, chicória e alface (cv. Lucy Brown e cv. Regina) e de 5 cm x 5 cm para a rúcula. A alface cv. Regina e a chicória apresentaram maior número de folhas por planta. O agrião apresentou menor teor de água e maior fitomassa seca da parte aérea. Maior incremento de fitomassa fresca foi obtido na chicória, alface cv. Lucy Brown" e cv. Regina. Maiores teores de lipídios, proteína, resíduo mineral, carboidratos, valor calórico, nitrato e de fibra foram obtidos no agrião. A rúcula apresentou menores valores para as variáveis fitomassa fresca e seca da planta inteira, da parte aérea e da raiz, e número de folhas por planta. Todas as culturas apresentaram boa aparência visual, baixo valor calórico e teores de nitrato adequados ao consumo humano.

The hydroponic cultivation of vegetables has increased markedly in recent years, however, little is known about its chemical composition, which is of extreme importance in view of changing food habits of a considerable fraction of the population seeking food quality. For this reason, cultivation of watercress, chicory, rocket and lettuce American (Lucy Brown) and smooth (cv. Regina) were grown in hydroponics, NFT system, aiming to evaluate the yield, nitrate content and chemical composition. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis city in the Santa Catarina State (Brazil), from may to july 2004 under a completely randomized design with four replications. The spacing used was 25 x 25 cm for the crops of watercress, chicory and lettuce (cv. Lucy Brown and cv. Regina) and 5 x 5 cm to the rocket. The traits were: number of leaves, nitrate content and chemical composition of vegetables. The lettuce cv. Regina and chicory had higher number of leaves per plant. The watercress had lower water content and higher dry mass of shoots. The largest increase in fresh weight was obtained in chicory, lettuce, cv. Regina. Higher levels of lipids, protein, ash, carbohydrates, calories, fiber and nitrate were obtained from the watercress. The rocket had lower values for the variables fresh and dries the whole plant, shoot and root and leaf number per plant. All cultures showed good visual appearance, low calorie and nitrate levels suitable for human consumption.

Produção de biomassa e teores de carbono, hidrogênio, nitrogênio e proteína em microalgas / Production of biomass and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and protein contents in microalgae

O aumento da emissão de CO2 e de outros gases efeito estufa tem gerado debates em nível mundial sobre alterações climáticas e estimulado o desenvolvimento de estratégias mitigadoras. Trabalhos nessa área incluem sequestro de CO2 por meio da produção de microalgas aquáticas. Por essa razão, desenvolveu-se um estudo visando determinar os teores de carbono, hidrogênio, nitrogênio e proteína e a produção de biomassa seca de nove espécies de microalgas marinhas (Nannochloropsis oculata, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Isochrysis galbana, Tetraselmis suecica, Tetraselmis chuii Chaetoceros muelleri, Thalassiosira fluviatilis e Isochrysis sp.) e uma de água doce (Chlorella vulgaris), em cultivo autotrófico estacionário com objetivo de identificar as mais produtivas e com maior capacidade de fixação de carbono. O experimento foi desenvolvido em sala de cultivo, na Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, com iluminação contínua e radiação em torno de 150µmol m-2 s-1, temperatura de 25±2°C, suplementação de ar constante, sendo utilizados erlenmeyers com 800mL de meio de cultura. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados no tempo com três repetições. As espécies C. vulgaris e T. suecica são menos produtivas. Quando se visa à suplementação alimentar, as espécies C. vulgaris e T. Chuii são consideradas interessantes, uma vez que apresentam altos teores de C, N, H e proteína. As espécies N. Oculata, T. pseudonana e C. vulgaris apresentam altos teores de C, demonstrando alta capacidade de fixação de carbono.

The increase of CO2 emission and other gases greenhouse effect, caused global debates about climatic alterations and stimulated the development of mitigative strategies. Researches in this area includes CO2 kidnapping through the aquatic microalgae production. For this reason, a study was developed aiming to determine the production of dry biomass, carbon content, hydrogen, nitrogen and rate protein growth of nine marine microalgae species (Nannochloropsis oculata, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Isochrysis galbana, Tetraselmis suecica, Tetraselmis chuii, Chaetoceros muelleri, Thalassiosira fluviatilis and Isochrysis sp.) and one freshwater species (Chlorella vulgaris) under stationary autotrophy conditions. Erlenmeyers flasks with 800mL medium culture were exposed to constant light intensity and air flow, photon flux density of about 150µmol m-2 s-1 and 25±2°C temperature were used in the experiment The delineating experiment was carried out in a randomized block over time with three replicates. The species C. vulgaris and T. suecica are less productive. When the aim is the alimentary supplementation, the species C. vulgaris and T. Chuii are considered interesting, since it presents high contents of C, N, H and protein. The species N. Oculata, T. pseudonana and C. vulgaris present high contents of C, demonstrating high capacity of carbon setting.

Microalgas, produtos e aplicações / Microalgae, products and applications

Nos últimos anos, muito interesse tem sido focado no potencial biotecnológico das microalgas, principalmente devido à identificação de diversas substâncias sintetizadas por estes organismos. A imensa biodiversidade e conseqüente variabilidade na composição bioquímica da biomassa obtida das culturas microalgais, aliadas ao emprego de melhoramento genético e ao estabelecimento de tecnologia de cultivo em grande escala, vêm permitindo que determinadas espécies sejam comercialmente utilizadas. Nesse sentido, cultivos de microalgas têm sido realizados visando à produção de biomassa tanto para uso na elaboração de alimentos quanto para a obtenção de compostos naturais com alto valor no mercado mundial. Dentre os inúmeros compostos extraídos, ou com potencial de exploração comercial, podem ser relacionados ácidos graxos poliinsaturados, carotenóides, ficobilinas, polissacarídeos, vitaminas, esteróis e diversos compostos bioativos naturais (antioxidantes, redutores do colesterol etc.), os quais podem ser empregados especialmente no desenvolvimento de alimentos funcionais, por suas propriedades nutricionais e farmacêuticas.

In recent years, much interest has been focused on the biotechnological potential of microalgae, mainly due the identification of several substances synthesized by these organisms. The great biodiversity and consequent variability in the biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from the microalgal cultures, allied to the genetic improvement and to the establishment of technology in massive production, have allowed various species to be commercially cultivated. In this sense, microalgae cultivations have been developed aiming at the biomass production not only for use in the food elaboration but also for the obtainment of natural compounds with high value in the world market. Among the main extracted substances, or with potential of commercial exploration, can be related polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phycobilins, polysaccharides, vitamins, sterols and several bioactive compounds (antioxidants, cholesterol reducers etc.), the which ones can be especially used in the development of functional food, for its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties.