Spatial distribution of pesticides, organochlorine compounds, PBDEs, and metals in surface marine sediments from Cartagena Bay, Colombia.

Cartagena Bay is an estuarine system located in the Caribbean Sea (Colombia, South America), that receives fresh water from Canal del Dique, which is connected to the Magdalena River, the most important river of Colombia, with some of the most prominent Colombian cities located in its watershed, which has a high sediment yield. An analysis of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals was carried out on marine sediments from Cartagena Bay. Cartagena Bay sediments deployed the occurrence of total levels of pesticides (thiocarbamates, bromacil, triazines, organochlorines, and organophosphorus), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in sediments ranging from 0.83-33.67 ng/g dry-weight, 0.05-0.34 ng/g dry-weight, and 0.06-19.58 ng/g dry-weight, respectively. Their concentrations were lower than those reported in NOAA Screening Quick Reference Tables. DDTs and PCBs are banned organochlorine compounds, since, even at low levels, their presence in sediments represents a threat to aquatic organisms and, therefore, to human health through the trophic chain. Sediments showed high concentrations of strontium (50-959.6 mg/kg). All metals evaluated in the marine sediments were found in the S6 sampling point; this was near tannery and hydrocarbon industries (Pb 37.1 mg/kg, Cr 137.2 mg/kg, Cd 1.7 mg/kg, Cu 64.4 mg/kg, As 13.1 mg/kg, Sr 318.9 mg/kg); these results exceeded the accepted values of threshold effect levels (TEL) used as an indicator of their potential risk on marine life.

Effects of chlorpyrifos on the crustacean Litopenaeus vannamei.

Shrimps can be used as indicators of the quality of aquatic systems exposed to a variety of pollutants. Chlorpyrifos is one of the most common pesticides found in environmental samples. In order to evaluate the effects of chlorpyrifos, adult organisms of Litopenaeus vannamei were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of the pesticide (0.7 and 1.3 µg/L) for four days. The LC50 (96-hours) value was determined and Lipid oxidation levels (LPO) and the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathion peroxidase (GPx), glutathion-S-transferase (GST) were assessed on the muscle, hepatopancreas and gills from the exposed organisms. In addition, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was determined in the brain. LC50 (96-hours) was 2.10 µg/L of chlorpyrifos. Catalase activity and LPO were elevated in the three tissues, whereas a decrease of AChE activities in the brain and an increase of GST activity in the hepatopancreas were observed.

Antioxidant and biological activities of essential oil from Colombian Swinglea glutinosa(Blanco) Merr fruit

The objectives of this work were the study of the volatile chemical composition of essential oils (EO’s) from Swinglea glutinosa, as well as to evaluate their antioxidant, repellent and fumigant properties. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation from the peel of the fruit, gathered in the city of Cartagena, Bolívar (Colombia). The volatile composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major compounds found in S. glutinosaweregermacrene D (4.8%), limonene (5.2%),-terpineol (6.5%), -pinene (8.5%), nerolidyl acetate (9.8%), and trans-nerolidol (34.6%). S. glutinosashowed antioxidant potential (85.8%) (IC50=142.49 μg mL-1). The EO deployedrepellent activity against the Tribolium castaneumweevil at a concentration of 15.73 nL cm-1at 2 hours of exposure (72%), while the result for the commercial repellent was 50% at the same concentration. EO from S. glutinosadisplayed the best fumigant activity withLC50of 153.4 μg mL-1air. The essential oil from S. glutinosacan be considerated as a natural source of biocides and antioxidants.

Bioactividad del aceite esencial de croton trinitatis millsp colombiano / Bioactivities of essential oil from colombian croton trinitatis millsp

Los aceites esenciales son motivo de estudio debido a propiedades bioactivas, las cuales varían de acuerdo con su composición química. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron el estudio de la composición química volátil del aceite esencial (AE) de Croton trinitatis Millsp (Euphorbiaceae) obtenido de plantas colectadas en el municipios Maria La Baja (Bolívar). Además, evaluar sus propiedades antioxidante y repelente. AEs fueron aislados mediante la técnica de hidrodestilación e identificados por cromatografía de gases acoplada a un detector de espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). Los compuestos mayoritarios encontrados en C. trinitatis fueron sesquiterpenos: cariofileno (15,3 por ciento), dihidrocurcumeno (14,5 por ciento), cis y trans calameneno (4.0 y 13.7.0 por ciento, respectivamente), ipsilon-cadina-1,4-dieno (7.4 por ciento), alaskeno (6.4 por ciento), gerrmacreno A (5.8 por ciento), biciclogermacreno (5.3 por ciento); y monoterpenos como fenchona (4.4 por ciento) y eucaliptol (1,8-cineol) (2.4 por ciento). La actividad antioxidante de los AEs se determinó por el método del radical DPPH. El porcentaje de inhibición de DPPH del aceite esencial de C. trinitatis fue del 92.2 por ciento comparado con la del ácido ascórbico (96.4 por ciento). El AE presentó la mayor actividad repelente frente al gorgojo Tribolium castaneum, a una concentración de 0.1 μL/cm2 a 2 y 4 horas de exposición (86.0 y 92.0 por ciento, respectivamente).

Essential oils are being studied because bioactive properties, which vary according to their chemical composition. The objectives of this work were to study the volatile chemical composition of essential oil (EO) from Croton trinitatis Millsp (Euphorbiaceae), obtained from plants collected in Maria la Baja (Bolívar). Also, evaluate their antioxidant and repellent properties. EOs were isolated by hydrodistillation technique and identified by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometric detector (GC-MS). The major compounds found in C. trinitatis were sesquiterpens: Caryophyllene (15,3 percent), dihydrocurcumene (14,5 percent), cis and trans calamenene (4.0 y 13.7.0 percent, respectively), upsilon-cadina-1,4-diene (7.4 percent), alaskene /6.4 percent), gerrmacrene A (5.8 percent), bicyclogermacrene (5.3 percent); and monoterpens as fenchone (4.4 percent) and eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) (2.4 percent). The antioxidant activity of the EOs were determined using the method of DPPH radical. The percentage of inhibition of DPPH from C. trinitatis was 92.2 percent compared with ascorbic acid (96,4 percent). The EO from Turbaco had the highest repellent activity against Tribolium castaneum, at a concentration of 0.2 uL/cm2 at 2 and 4 hours of exposure (86.0 and 92.0 percent, respectively).

Volatile chemical composition and bioactivities from Colombian Kyllinga pumila Michx (Cyperaceae) essential oil / Composição química volátil e bioactividades do óleo essencial do colombiano Kyllinga pumila Michx (Cyperaceae)

The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Kyllinga pumila (Michx) was obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-eight volatile compounds were identified, major constituents of the oil were Methyl E,E-10,11-epoxyfarnesoate (43.8%), ß-elemene (12.5%), Z-caryophyllene (11.3%), germacrene D (7.1%) and E-caryophyllene (5.6%). Repellent and fumigant activities of the oil against Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), were done using the area preference method. Additionally, we studied their antioxidant and phytotoxic effects. Essential oils exhibited a dose- dependent repellent activity, with values 90% at the applied concentration (0.01%), for both two and four hour's exposure. Essential oil from K. pumila showed 92% mortality at 500 µL L-1 air against T. castaneum on 24 hours of exposure. The value LC50 was 153.4 µL L-1. With moderate selective phytotoxic effects on L. perenne root growth (±70% inhibition). Kyllinga pumila shows high antioxidant potential (91.5%), an effect that is comparable with ascorbic acid (92.9%) used as a standard. The results indicated that K. pumila essential oil could be a promising alternative to new natural antioxidants, repellents, and biocides.

O óleo essencial das folhas frescas de Kyllinga pumila Michx., foi obtido por hidrodestilação e caracterizado por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). O constituinte majoritário do óleo foi Metil E,E-10,11-epoxifarnesoato (43,8%), ß-elemeno (12,5%), Z-caryophylleno (11,3%), germacreno D (7,1%), E-caryophylleno (5,6%). A atividade repelente e fumigante do óleo frente à Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) foi determinada pelo método da área de preferencia. Também, foi estudado os efeitos antiferrugens e fitotóxicos. Óleos essenciais exibiram uma atividade repelente dependente da dose, com valores de 90% na concentração aplicada (0,01%), tanto para duas e quatro horas de exposição. O óleo essencial de K. pumila mostrou mortalidade de 92% a 500 µL L-1 ar frente à T. castananeum, em 24 horas de exposição. O valor LC50 foi 153,4 µL L-1. Com efeitos fitotóxicos seletivos moderado sobre o crescimento da raíz de L. perenne (± 70% de inibição). Kyllinga pumila mostra um elevado potencial antioxidante (92%), um efeito que é comparável com ácido ascórbico (95%) usado como padrão. Os resultados indicaram que o óleo essencial K. pumila poderia ser uma alternativa promissora para novos antioxidantes, repelentes e biocidas naturais.

Estudio comparativo de de la composición volátil y las actividades biológicas del aceite esencial de Piper marginatum Jacq colombiano / Comparative study of volatile composition and biological activities of essential oil from Colombian Piper marginatum Jacq

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron el estudio de la composición química volátil del aceite esencial (AE) de Piper marginatun Jacq (Piperaceae) obtenido de plantas colectadas en dos sitios geográficos colombianos: municipios de Acandí (Chocó) y Turbaco (Bolívar). Además, evaluar sus propiedades antioxidante, repelente y antialimentaria. AEs fueron aislados mediante la técnica de hidrodestilación e identificados por cromatografía de gases acoplada a un detector de espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). Los compuestos mayoritarios encontrados en P. marginatum colectado en Acandi fueron cis-p-anetol (46.3 por ciento), estragol (28.9 por ciento), safrol (9.0 por ciento), mientras que en P. marginatum de Turbaco fueron germacreno D (36.6 por ciento), beta-elemeno (12.6 por ciento), germacren-D-4-ol (5.4 por ciento). La actividad antioxidante de los AEs se determinó por el método del radical DPPH.. Los porcentajes de inhibición de DPPH. del aceite esencial de P marginatum de Turbaco y Acandí fueron del 90.0 por ciento y 73.7 por ciento, respectivamente. El AE procedente de Turbaco presentó la mayor actividad repelente frente al gorgojo Tribolium castaneum, a una concentración de 0.1 uL/cm2 a 2 y 4 horas de exposición (85 por ciento y 76 por ciento, respectivamente). El AE de P. marginatum de Turbaco fue más activo contra las larvas del Spodoptera littoralis (Porcentaje de inhibición de la alimentación, porcentaje FR = 80,6) y se observó una elevada inhibición de asentamiento de Myzus persicae y Rhopalosiphum padi (porcentaje SI = 87,9% y 86,4%).

The objectives of this work were to study the volatile chemical composition of essential oil (EO) from Piper marginatun Jacq (Piperaceae), obtained from plants collected in two Colombian geographic locations: municipalities Acandí (Chocó) and Turbaco (Bolívar). Also, evaluate their antioxidant, repellent and antifeedant properties. EOs were isolated by hydrodistillation technique and identified by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometric detector (GC-MS). The major compounds found in P. marginatum collected in Acandi were cis-p-anethole (46.3 percent), estragole (28.9 percent), safrole (9.0 percent), while in P. marginatum from Turbaco were germacrene D (36.6 percent), beta- elemene (12.6 percent), germacren-D-4-ol (5.4 percent). The antioxidant activity of the EOs were determined using the method of DPPH radical. The percentages of inhibition of DPPH. of P marginatum from Turbaco and Acandí were 90.0 percent and 73.7 percent, respectively. The EO from Turbaco had the highest repellent activity against Tribolium castaneum, at a concentration of 0.1 uL /cm2 at 2 and 4 hours of exposure (85 percent and 76 percent respectively). P. marginatum from Turbaco was more active against Spodoptera littoralis larvae (Percent feeding inhibition, FI= 80.6 percent) and a high Percent settling inhibition of Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi (SI = 87.9% and 86,4%).