Antibacterial and Toxic Activity of Geopropolis Extracts from Melipona subnitida (Ducke, 1910) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Scaptotrigona depilis (Moure, 1942) (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Bacteria are associated with many infections that affect humans and present antibiotic resistance mechanisms, causing problems in health organisations and increased mortality rates. Therefore, it is necessary to find new antibacterial agents that can be used in the treatment of these microorganisms. Geopropolis is a natural product from stingless bees, formed by a mixture of plant resins, salivary secretions, wax and soil particles, the chemical composition of this natural product is diverse. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate antibacterial activity, antibiotic modulation and the toxicity of geopropolis extracts from the stingless bees, Melipona subnitida (Ducke, 1910) and Scaptotrigona depilis (Moure, 1942) against standard and multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Geopropolis samples were collected in a meliponary located in Camaragibe, Pernambuco, Brazil. To determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and antibiotic modulation we performed broth microdilution tests. Mortality tests were used to verify extract toxicity in the model Drosophila melanogaster. The microbiological tests showing that the M. subnitida extracts had better inhibitory effects compared to S. depilis, presenting direct antibacterial activity against standard and multi-resistant strains. The extracts potentialized antibiotic effects, suggesting possible synergy and did not present toxicity in the model used. The information obtained in this study highlights extracts as promising antibacterial agents and is the first study to evaluate bacterial activity in these extracts, in addition to verifying their modulating effects and determining toxicity in the model used.

Chemodiversity and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Leaves of Croton argyrophyllus.

The Croton argyrophyllus leaf essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic among other activities. However, there are chemical composition variations in the literature. This work reports the first study of the intraspecific chemical variation of C. argyrophyllus population from Pernambuco state, Brazil. The essential oils of nine specimens (OCA1 to OCA9) were analyzed by GC/MS and NIR to identify the chemical compositions and to verify the similarities between the analyzed samples. These analyses resulted in the identification of bicyclogermacrene (mean 38.42 %), (Z)-caryophyllene (mean of 14.06 %), epi-longipinanol (mean of 9.78 %) and germacrene B (mean of 9.1 %) as the major constituents, as well as the same chemical markers for all oil samples. However, these are different to those that were previously registered in the literature for C. argyrophyllus essential oil. The data obtained from the analysis by NIR spectroscopy were treated by PCA and HCA and showed similarities in the chemical samples' profile. By statistical analyses three clusters were obtained: OCA1-6, OCA7-8 and OCA9. All these groups were potentially active against Staphylococcus aureus. However, the OCA7-8 group was the most active.

Biosurfactant produced by Candida utilis UFPEDA1009 with potential application in cookie formulation

BACKGROUND: Biosurfactants are biomolecules that have the potential to be applied in food formulations due to their low toxicity and ability to improve sensory parameters. Considering the ability of yeasts to produce biosurfactants with food-friendly properties, the aim of the present study was to apply a biosurfactant produced by Candida utilis in the formulation of cookies. RESULTS: The biosurfactant was obtained with a yield of 24.22 ± 0.23 g/L. The characterization analysis revealed that the structure of a metabolized fatty acid with high oleic acid content (68.63 ± 0.61%), and the thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated good stability at temperatures lower than 200°C, potential for food applications. The biosurfactant also exhibited satisfactory antioxidant activity at concentrations evaluated, without cytotoxic potential for cell strains, L929 and RAW 264.7, according to the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The incorporation of the surfactant into the dough of a standard cookie formulation to replace animal fat was carried out, achieving a softer, spongier product without significantly altering the physical and physicochemical properties or energy value. CONCLUSION: The thermal stability and antioxidant activity of the biosurfactant produced by C. utilis were verified, besides the positive contribution in the texture analysis of the cookies. Therefore, this biomolecule presents itself as a potential ingredient in flour-based sweet food formulations.

Chemical composition and evaluation of the antinociceptive, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of essential oil from Hymenaea cangaceira (Pinto, Mansano & Azevedo) native to Brazil: A natural medicine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hymenaea cangaceira Pinto, Mansano & Azevedo (Fabaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant widely known as "Jatobá". In folk medicine, it is used to treat infections, respiratory problems, rheumatism, antitumoral, inflammation and pain, however, no activity has been scientifically validated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated chemical composition of essential oil from Hymenaea cangaceira (EOHc), antimicrobial, antinociceptive and antioxidant activities besides protection against DNA damage and hemolysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation, and characterized by GC-MS and GC-FID. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity was performed by microdilution method. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity was performed using the radicals DPPH, ABTS, O2- and OH-, and the protection of DNA damage using plasmid pBR322. Different experimental models were used to evaluate the antinociceptive effect (acetic acid and formalin), and evaluate the mechanisms of action involved with pharmacological antagonists (naloxone, atropine and gibenclamide) in mice. The essential oil was evaluated for hemolysis on human erythrocytes. RESULTS: The extraction of EOHc showed a yield of 0.18% on a dry basis, presenting high content of hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (79.04%), high antioxidant activity and protect DNA from damage, besides presenting antifungal and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. It was found that the essential oil had no acute toxicity in mice up to 5000 mg/kg oral administration (o.a.), in addition to no hemolysis on human erythrocytes. The reduction of antinociceptive activity was 75%, with the opioid system as the mechanism of action. CONCLUSION: Our results validate the main activities by the traditional use attributed to H. cangaceira for antimicrobial and analgesic activity. In addition, the oil has a potent antioxidant activity, protecting the body against oxidative stress damage, adding new value to an endemic species not known to the industry.