Process and quality parameters of convective dried yacon: Influence of ethanol treatment.

Yacon is a highly perishable tuberous root, rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Convective drying preceded by ethanol treatment (ET) is an alternative for increasing shelf life in a shorter process. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ET and temperature (50 °C and 70 °C) on quality parameters (fructan retention, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, shrinkage, color and microstructural parameters) and process parameters (drying time, drying kinetics, and energy consumption) in the convective drying of yacon slices. The ET induced structural alterations in the tissues and cells that aids in the reduction of drying time up to 28.00 %. ET resulted in an increase in effective diffusivity and leaded to noteworthy reduction in energy consumption (up to 22.72 %). The quality parameters such as color, shrinkage, and total phenolic content showed no significant differences among the treatments. The use of ethanol promoted highest preservation of antioxidant activity; however, it caused degradation of FOS. The ethanol pretreated drying at 50 °C was the better condition for lower consumption and preservation of quality parameters as total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and fructan retention, but the samples dried at 50 °C were the ones with the highest fructan retention (55.11 ± 2.19 %).

Gas exchange and osmotic adjustment in cotton cultivars subjected to severe salt stress.

Salinity is harmful to crops when the concentration of soluble salts overcomes the salinity threshold of the crop, causing osmotic stress and limitations in plant growth. In this scenario, adopting tolerant cultivars is the most adequate strategy to minimize agricultural losses. However, the inheritance of tolerance depends on the genotype. From this perspective, this study assessed the tolerance to severe salt stress in 11 cotton cultivars based on gas exchange parameters and the free proline content. The cultivars were grown in a greenhouse and subjected to 34 days of saline irrigation (10 dS m-1), starting 45 days after seedling emergence (B1 phase). Plant growth was monitored weekly until the end of the salt stress period. The treatments consisted of a combination of two factors: eleven cultivars associated with two electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (ECw: 0.3 and 10.0 dS m-1). The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 11 × 2 factorial arrangement with three replications (66 plots), with the experimental unit consisting of one plant per plot. Salinity impacted plant growth, being reflected on the gas exchange and free proline data of most cultivars. However, BRS 286, FMT 705, BRS 416, and BRS Acácia, and CNPA 7MH withstood the effects of stress and osmotically adjusted to the salt stress conditions, thus minimizing the damage to growth. Those cultivars are the most indicated for improvement programs aiming at tolerance to salt stress based on the results found in this research.

Mushrooms as future generation healthy foods.

The potential of edible mushrooms as an unexploited treasure trove, although rarely included in known food guidelines, is highlighted. Their role in shielding people against the side effects of an unhealthy stylish diet is reviewed. Mushrooms complement the human diet with various bioactive molecules not identified or deficient in foodstuffs of plant and animal sources, being considered a functional food for the prevention of several human diseases. Mushrooms have been widely used as medicinal products for more than 2,000 years, but globally the potential field of use of wild mushrooms has been untapped. There is a broad range of edible mushrooms which remain poorly identified or even unreported which is a valuable pool as sources of bioactive compounds for biopharma utilization and new dietary supplements. Some unique elements of mushrooms and their role in preventative healthcare are emphasized, through their positive impact on the immune system. The potential of mushrooms as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, and other health concerns is discussed. Mushrooms incorporate top sources of non-digestible oligosaccharides, and ergothioneine, which humans are unable to synthesize, the later a unique antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory element, with therapeutic potential, approved by world food agencies. The prebiotic activity of mushrooms beneficially affects gut homeostasis performance and the balance of gut microbiota is enhanced. Several recent studies on neurological impact and contribution to the growth of nerve and brain cells are mentioned. Indeed, mushrooms as functional foods' nutraceuticals are presently regarded as next-generation foods, supporting health and wellness, and are promising prophylactic or therapeutic agents.

Essential oils from Ocimum basilicum cultivars: analysis of their composition and determination of the effect of the major compounds on Haemonchus contortus eggs.

The continuous use of synthetic anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) has resulted in the increased resistance, which is why alternative methods are being sought, such as the use of natural products. Plant essential oils (EOs) have been considered as potential products for the control of GINs. However, the chemical composition and, consequently, the biological activity of EOs vary in different plant cultivars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of EOs from cultivars of Ocimum basilicum L. and that of their major constituents against Haemonchus contortus. The EOs from 16 cultivars as well the pure compound linalool, methyl chavicol, citral and eugenol were used in the assessment of the inhibition of H. contortus egg hatch. In addition, the composition of three cultivars was simulated using a combination of the two major compounds from each. The EOs from different cultivars showed mean Inhibition Concentration (IC50) varying from 0.56 to 2.22 mg/mL. The cultivar with the highest egg-hatch inhibition, Napoletano, is constituted mainly of linalool and methyl chavicol. Among the individual compounds tested, citral was the most effective (IC50 0.30 mg/mL). The best combination of compounds was obtained with 11% eugenol plus 64% linalool (IC50 0.44 mg/mL), simulating the Italian Large Leaf (Richters) cultivar. We conclude that different cultivars of O. basilicum show different anthelmintic potential, with cultivars containing linalool and methyl chavicol being the most promising; and that citral or methyl chavicol isolated should also be considered for the development of new anthelmintic formulations.

Comparative study on larvicidal activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles and Annona glabra (Annonaceae) aqueous extract to control Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae).

The present study reports mosquito larvicidal potential of green synthesized silver nanoparticles by using Annona glabra leaves (An-AgNPs). Synthesized An-AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Colur change from pale yellow to brick red of the plant extract and AgNO3 solution indicated the formation of An-AgNPs initially. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) band at 435 nm in the UV-Vis confirmed the formation of An-AgNPs. SEM images showed that An-AgNPs were spherical in shape. FTIR proved that An-AgNPs were functionalized with biomolecules in A. glabra leaves. Based on DLS analysis the average size range of synthesized An-AgNPs was determine to be 10-100 nm and 100-1000 nm. Third instar larvae of dengue vector mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were subjected to larvicidal bioassays in a range of concentrations of An-AgNPs and A. glabra crude aqueous leaf extract (2-10 mg/L). An-AgNPs exhibited very high larvicidal activity against dengue vector mosquito larvae; LC50 value for Ae. aegypti at 24 h exposure to An-AgNPs (Plant extract: AgNO3 1 : 10) 5.29 mg/L; An-AgNPs (Plant extract: AgNO3 2 : 10) 2.43 mg/L while LC50 value for Ae. albopictus at 24 h exposure to An-AgNPs (Plant extract: AgNO31:10) 3.02 mg/L; An-AgNPs (Plant extract: AgNO3 2:10) 2.51 mg/L. LC50 values obtained for A. glabra leaf extract tested against Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus are 5.94 mg/L and 5.00 mg/L respectively at 24-hour exposure. This study further revealed that Ae. albopictus is more susceptible than to Ae. aegypti to a given concentration of An-AgNPs and to crude aqueous leaf extract of A. glabra. Larvicidal effect of An-AgNPs is superior to the crude aqueous leaf extract of A. glabra. An-AgNPs is a potent larvicide for dengue vector control.

Short communication: Effect of lactose on the spray drying of Lactococcus lactis in dairy matrices.

The effects of unfavorable conditions responsible for the viability loss of Lactococcus cells during spray drying can be minimized by the application of dairy matrices as encapsulating materials. This study aimed to evaluate the use of dairy matrices with different lactose contents on the survival of Lactococcus lactis during drying and storage. The use of hydrolyzed-lactose milk resulted in notable loss of cell viability (3.90 log cycles). However, milk enriched with lactose or without fat showed better protection (viability loss between 0.26 and 1.41 log cfu/g) and greater cell survival during storage at room temperature. The enrichment of milk with lactose seems to be ideal for the drying of heat-sensitive bacteria.

Determination of ideal water activity and powder temperature after spray drying to reduce Lactococcus lactis cell viability loss.

Spray drying presents a promising technology for preserving bacteria despite a low survival rate of heat-sensitive cultures when subjected to the drying process. The aim of this study was to determine the ideal powder parameters [water activity (Aw) and temperature (T°Cpowder)] needed to produce dehydrated Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis with a high viability after drying. Cell concentrates injected into a spray dryer using varying cell concentrate flow rates (Fconcentrate = 0.3 to 1.0 kg/h), inlet air temperatures (T°Cinlet air = 115 to 160°C), and outlet air temperatures (T°Coutlet air = 70 to 115°C) resulted in powders with different values of Aw and T°Cpowder, and levels of cell viability loss. Lower cell viability reduction (∼0.43 log cycles) was obtained in conditions of Aw = 0.198 and T°Cpowder = 52°C, which can be met by using T°Cinlet air ∼126°C and T°Coutlet air = 88.9°C regardless of Fconcentrate values. After 60 d of storage at room temperature, cell population varied from 7.0 × 105 to 1.1 × 108 cfu/g. The initial powder Aw had no influence on cell death rate, but T°Cpowder influence was observed. The approach adopted in this study can be applied to other bacteria or spray dryer equipment to determine optimal drying conditions.

Neotropical Species of Metaphycus (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) Parasitoids of Ceroplastes (Hemiptera, Coccidae): New Species, Interaction Records, and a Checklist.

Parasitoids of Ceroplastes Gray were surveyed in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Among the parasitoids reared, seven species of Metaphycus Mercet (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) were obtained. Metaphycusanaluciaesp. nov., M. floridensissp. nov., and M. grandissp. nov., are described as new species, and M. ceros Noyes, M. comes Noyes, M. dardanus Noyes, M. opis Noyes are recorded for the first time from Brazil. Ten new host-parasitoid associations are reported: M. analuciaesp. nov. parasitizing C. formicarius Hempel, C. glomeratus Peronti and C. iheringi Cockerel; M. ceros parasitizing C. cirripediformis Comstock; M. comes parasitizing C. formicarius; M. dardanus parasitizing C. glomeratus; M. floridensissp. nov. parasitizing C. floridensis; M. grandissp. nov. parasitizing C. grandis Hempel; and M. opis parasitizing C. glomeratus and C. janeirensis (Gray). A checklist of Metaphycus species associated with Ceroplastes, their distribution and host ranges are summarized and discussed.

Abortion and fetal death in bitches due anemia caused by vector-borne diseases / Abortamento e morte fetal em cadelas devido anemia causada por doenças transmitidas por vetores

Doenças infecciosas são as maiores responsáveis por falhas reprodutivas (FR) em cadelas, causando aborto, morte fetal e natimortalidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a associação entre agentes infecciosos, FR inexplicáveis e anemia em cadelas. Todas as amostras maternas e fetais foram negativas para a presença dos principais agentes infecciosos causadores de FR: herpes vírus canino 1, Neospora caninum, Brucella spp. e B. canis, enquanto agentes como o de Leishmania spp., parvovírus canino, Ehrlichia canis e Anaplasma platys foram encontrados em sangue materno. Coinfecções de A. platys/E. canis e A. platys/Leishmania spp. foram diagnosticadas. Os resultados indicam que os animais com anemia causadas por doenças transmitidas por vetores podem ser mais suscetíveis a sofrerem FR do que animais com valores hematológicos normais.(AU)

Teratogenic Effect of Usnic Acid from Cladonia substellata Vainio during Organogenesis.

Studies about toxicological potential of usnic acid are limited. This way, the vast majority of data available in the literature are related only to biological activities. This is the first study that aimed to evaluate the oral toxicity of usnic acid during the period of organogenesis. Females rats were distributed in the control groups, treated I and II, at doses of 15 and 25 mg/kg, administered by gavage during the 6° to 15° days of pregnancy. After 20 days the fetuses were removed and analyzed. A reduction in weight gain during pregnancy, increased resorption, reduction in the number of viable fetuses, and their body weight were observed. Morphological changes in the litter were visualized as exposure of the eye and atrophy of the limbs at the dose of 25 mg/kg. Histological analysis of the liver of the fetus showed reduction in the number of megakaryocytes between experimental groups and increase in the number of hepatocytes in a dose of 25 mg/kg. The experimental model used in this study reveals teratogenic effect of usnic acid in the period of organogenesis. Since this achievement, the importance of evaluating the toxic effects of natural substances is imperative, in order to elucidate the care in their indication as drug.

Seasonal Polyphenism and Behavioral Variations of Ceroplastes glomeratus Peronti (Hemiptera: Coccidae).

The wax scale Ceroplastes glomeratus Peronti shows seasonal behavioral and phenotypic differences. Individuals develop gregariously during autumn, whereas solitarily in spring. Besides such behavioral differences, spring ("isolated form") and autumn ("aggregated form") will also produce different morphotypes. We provide additional data on the morphological data of the species based on the microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of adult females and of first-instars of the two adult morphotypes of C. glomeratus.

Lactobacillus is able to alter the virulence and the sensitivity profile of Candida albicans.

AIMS: The study investigated whether the interaction with Lactobacillus rhamnosus (ATCC7469) interfere with the expression of virulence factors by Candida albicans (ATCC18804). METHODS AND RESULTS: These micro-organisms were grown in biofilms for 24, 48 and 72 h, Candida was isolated and the expression of the major virulence factors were investigated. The production of phospholipase, protease and haemolysin were observed in appropriate media; observation of germ tubes formation in serum; biofilm formation, after growth in microtitre plates and reading in spectrophotometer. Candida was also tested for antifungal sensitivity to amphotericin B, fluconazole and ketoconazole. The results were compared with the cells of Candida grown in the absence of lactobacilli (control group). Candida cells, which interacted with Lact. rhamnosus (test group), showed significantly lower proteinase and haemolysin activity, when compared with control group. The germ tube formation and biofilm formation capacity also decreased in tested groups, which demonstrated alterations in susceptibility to antifungal drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Lact. rhamnosus is able to influence the expression of virulence factors by C. albicans and can alter its antifungal sensitivity profile. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results suggest reduction in the pathogenicity of Candida and improvement in candidiasis therapy and control.

PCDD, PCDF, dl-PCB and organochlorine pesticides monitoring in São Paulo City using passive air sampler as part of the Global Monitoring Plan.

The persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorine pesticides and PCBs, are ordinarily monitored in the aquatic environment or in soil in the environmental quality monitoring programs in São Paulo, Brazil. One of the core matrices proposed in the POPs Global Monitoring Plan (GMP) from the Stockholm Convention list is the ambient air, which is not a usual matrix for POPs monitoring in the country. In this study POP levels were evaluated in the air samples from an urban site in São Paulo City over five years, starting in 2010 as a capacity building project for Latin America and the Caribbean region for POP monitoring in ambient air using passive samplers. Furthermore, after the end of the Project in 2012, the monitoring continued in the same sampling site as means to improving the analytical capacity building and contribute to the GMP data. The POPs monitored were 17 congeners of 2,3,7,8 chloro-substituted PCDDs and PCDFs, dioxin-like PCBs, indicator PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and toxaphene. The results show a slight decrease in PCDD/F, dl-PCBs and indicator PCBs levels along the five years. The organochlorine pesticide endosulfan was present at its highest concentration at the beginning of the monitoring period, but it was below detection level in the last year of the monitoring. Some other organochlorine pesticides were detected close to or below quantitation limits. The compounds identified were dieldrin, chlordane, α-HCH, γ-HCH, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene and DDTs. Toxaphene congeners were not detected. These results have confirmed the efficacy of passive sampling for POP monitoring and the capacity building for POP analysis and monitoring was established. However more needs to be done, including expansion of sampling sites, new POPs and studies on sampling rates to be considered in calculating the concentration of POPs in ambient air using a passive sampler.

Genetic structure of natural populations of Theobroma in the Juruena National Park, Mato Grosso State, Brazil.

Several species within the genus Theobroma have particularly high economic value, including T. cacao and T. grandiflorum. Other species in this genus, such as T. speciosum and T. subincanum, have potential value for use in the conservation of genetic diversity in breeding programs. These latter species could also be domesticated or improved to produce commercial products. Using 13 simple sequence repeat loci, the population structure and genetic diversity of T. speciosum and T. subincanum natural populations in the Juruena National Park, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, was studied. We sampled all individuals of each species (N = 25) present inside a designated research area established by the Program for Research on Biodiversity. The average number of alleles per locus was 5 for T. speciosum and 6.69 for T. subincanum, with average PIC values above 0.5 in both species. All evaluated individuals varied genetically. Seeds from the individuals analyzed will be useful for the development of germplasm banks and for establishment of breeding programs.

Diffusive emission of methane and carbon dioxide from two hydropower reservoirs in Brazil.

The role of greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater reservoirs and their contribution to increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere is currently under discussion in many parts of the world. We studied CO2 and CH4 diffusive fluxes from two large neotropical hydropower reservoirs with different climate conditions. We used floating closed-chambers to estimate diffusive fluxes of these gaseous species. Sampling campaigns showed that the reservoirs studied were sources of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. In the Serra da Mesa Reservoir, the CH4 emissions ranged from 0.530 to 396.96 mg.m(-2).d(-1) and CO2 emissions ranged from -1,738.33 to 11,166.61 mg.m(-2).d(-1) and in Três Marias Reservoir the CH4 fluxes ranged 0.720 to 2,578.03 mg.m(-2).d(-1) and CO2 emission ranged from -3,037.80 to 11,516.64 to mg.m(-2).d(-1). There were no statistically significant differences of CH4 fluxes between the reservoirs, but CO2 fluxes from the two reservoirs studied were significantly different. The CO2 emissions measured over the periods studied in Serra da Mesa showed some seasonality with distinctions between the wet and dry transition season. In Três Marias Reservoir the CO2 fluxes showed no seasonal variability. In both reservoirs, CH4 emissions showed a tendency to increase during the study periods but this was not statistically significant. These results contributed to increase knowledge about the magnitude of CO2 and CH4 emission in hydroelectric reservoirs, however due to natural variability of the data future sampling campaigns will be needed to better elucidate the seasonal influences on the fluxes of greenhouse gases.

Nuclear and mitochondrial genome instability induced by senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) aqueous extract in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (senna) is commonly used in self-medication and is frequently used to treat intestine constipation. A previous study involving bacteria and plasmid DNA suggested the possible toxicity of the aqueous extract of senna (SAE). The aim of this study was to extend the knowledge concerning SAE genotoxicity mechanisms because of its widespread use and its risks to human health. We investigated the impact of SAE on nuclear DNA and on the stability of mitochondrial DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (wt, ogg1, msh6, and ogg1msh6) strains, monitoring the formation of petite mutants. Our results demonstrated that SAE specifically increased Can(R) mutagenesis only in the msh6 mutant, supporting the view that SAE can induce misincorporation errors in DNA. We observed a significant increase in the frequency of petite colonies in all studied strains. Our data indicate that SAE has genotoxic activity towards both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA.

Antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic activity of Duguetia furfuracea in bacteria and mice.

Duguetia furfuracea (St. Hil.) Benth & Hook f. (1862), popularly known as "sofre-do-rim-quem-quer" and "araticum-seco", is a shrub of the Annonaceae family that grows in several regions of Brazil. Infusions of its leaves and twigs are used in folk medicine to treat rheumatism and renal colic, whereas the seed powder is mixed with water to treat pediculosis. Studies on the plant have reported biological activities with cytotoxic, antitumoral, trypanocidal, leishmanicidal, antiplasmodial, and antiprotozoal effects. Our previous studies using a prophage λ induction test (SOS-Inductest) and the micronucleus assay demonstrated that D. furfuracea lyophilized leaf extract (DFE) displayed cytotoxic but not genotoxic activity. In the present study, antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic activities of DFE were evaluated using SOS-Inductest and mouse bone marrow micronucleus tests. Our results showed that DFE decreased the induction of either prophage λ (P < 0.05; SOS-Inductest) or micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (P < 0.05; micronucleus test) at all doses, suggesting antigenotoxic activity in both tests. On assessing the anticytotoxic activity of DFE, a significant increase in the number of bacteria at lower doses (P < 0.05) as well as a significant increase in the polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocyte ratio were observed (P < 0.05), demonstrating the anticytotoxic activity of DFE. Thus, D. furfuracea displayed antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic activity in both assays.