Differential formononetin content in cultivars and experimental lines of red clover (Trifolium pratense L. ) plants affect the feeding behaviour of Hylastinus obscurus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) / Contenido diferencial de formononetina en cultivares y líneas experimentales de plantas de trébol rosado (Trifolium pratense L. ) afecta la conducta alimenticia de Hylastinus obscurus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a perennial plant widely used as a forage resource for several animals. This plant is the exclusive host of Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham) which causes irreparable damages to the root system affecting their persistence. It has been reported that the presence of the isoflavonoid formononetin in roots of red clover could act as an antifeedant on H. obscurus. There are not studies related to the formononetin content in red clover roots to the antifeedant effect elicited by experimental lines and cultivar of red clover. Six red clover genotypes were investigated in both formononetin content and their respective antifeedant action. The results showed to Sabtoron High and Superqueli-INIA with both the highest formononetin content in red clover roots and antifeedant effect, allowing to suggest that this secondary metabolites could be used as a chemical factor for red clover plants. Moreover, a rapid methodology for searching red clover genotypes with high formononetin content is reported.

El trébol rosado (Trifolium pratense L.) es una planta perenne ampliamente utilizada como fuente de forraje de variados animales. Esta planta es el exclusivo hospedero de Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham) el cual causa irreparables daños al sistema radical afectando seriamente su persistencia. Se ha reportado que la presencia del isoflavonoide formononetina en raíces del trébol rosado podría actuar como antialimentario sobre H. obscurus. Actualmente no existen estudios que relacionen el contenido de formononetina en raíces de trébol rosado con el efecto antialimentario elicitado por líneas experimentales y cultivares de trébol rosado. Seis genotipos de esta leguminosa fueron evaluados en cuanto a su contenido de formononetina y actividad antialimentaria. Los resultados mostraron que los cultivares Sabtoron High y Superqueli-INIA presentaron altos niveles de formononetina en sus raíces y efecto antialimentario sobre H. obscurus, lo que permite sugerir que este metabolito secundario podría ser usado como factor químico para incrementar la persistencia de plantas de trébol rosado. Además, se informa una metodología rápida para la búsqueda de genotipos con altos contenidos de formononetina.

Chemical composition and antifungal potential of Brazilian propolis against Candida spp.

Propolis is known to have biological properties against numerous microorganisms of clinical interest. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and antifungal activity of Brazilian propolis (types 3 and 13) against Candida spp. and their effects on the morphology of preformed and mature Candida biofilms. Samples of propolis (3 and 13) collected by Apis mellifera honeybees were obtained from different regions in Brazil. Ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared, fractionated and submitted to chemical analysis by GC/MS. The extracts and their hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions were tested for their ability to inhibit Candida spp. (C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. kruzei, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis) by determination of the minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations (MIC/MFC). Additionally, their effects on morphology of preformed and mature biofilms were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The phenolic compounds p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), kaempferol and quercetin were identified in the EEP-3 and its bioactive dichloromethane fraction; and isoflavonoids such as medicarpin, vestitol and formononetin were found in the EEP-13, and triterpenes in its bioactive hexane fraction. The EEP-3 and EEP-13 and their bioactive fractions showed MIC values ranging from 0.2 to 125µg/mL and MFC values between 125 and 500µg/mL. The EEP and fractions were predominantly fungistatic agents. All extracts and fractions disrupted biofilm structures at 500µg/mL and amorphous areas with cell damage were clearly observed in preformed and mature biofilms. Propolis types 3 and 13 have strong anti-Candida activity and should be considered as promising candidates to treat oral and systemic candidiasis.

Mycorrhization stimulant based in formononetin associated to fungicide and doses of phosphorus in soybean in the cerrado / Estimulante de micorrização a base de formononetina associado à fungicida e doses de fósforo em soja no cerrado

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligatory biotrophics, which complicates the feasibility of producing inoculants. Thus, the discovery of substances capable of stimulating mycorrhizal colonization, like the isoflavone formononetin emerges as a promising alternative to explore the benefits of AMF native soil in extensive crops system. The aim of this study was evaluate the application of the isoflavone formononetin (7-hydroxy-4'-methoxy isoflavone) andfungicide via seed in Cerrado soil in no-tillage system and fertilization with two doses of phosphorus in soybean under field and controlled conditions. In the field experiment the treatments were three levels of formononetin (0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg Formononetin seed-1) in the absence and presence of fungicide (Carbendazim + Thiram commercial mix) applied to seeds with two doses of phosphorus (100 % and 33% of the recommended fertilization). The study was conducted until the maturation of soybeans. The greenhouse conditions experiment was implemented with the same treatments used in the field research and the flowering stage of the soybean plant was simulated water stress during 10 days, returning to normal irrigation until to harvest the soybean grain. Applying of formononetin stimulated the increased of mycorrhizal colonization, number of nodules, vegetative growth and soybean production in the greenhouse. In the field research the treatments contributed to attenuate the negative effect of the fungicide Carbendazim + Thiram in soybean reflecting increased soybean production and adequate supply of soil phosphorus besides high density of propagules of natives AMF that contributed to reduce the benefits of stimulating mycorrhizal (formononetin) in this research.

Os fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) são biotróficos obrigatórios, o que dificulta a viabilidade da produção de inoculantes. Com a descoberta de substâncias capazes de estimular a colonização micorrízica, o isoflavonóide formononetina surge como uma alternativa promissora para explorar os benefícios dos FMAs nativos do solo em cultivos extensivos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi de avaliar os efeitos das aplicações do isoflavonóide formononetina (7-hydroxy-4'-methoxy isoflavone) e de fungicida nas sementes em solo do Cerrado no sistema de plantio direto com duas doses de fósforo na cultura da soja em campo e em casa de vegetação. No experimento de campo os tratamentos foram três doses de formononetina (0, 0,5 e 1,0 mg de Formononetina semente-1); na ausência e presença de fungicida (Mistura comercial Carbendazim + Thiram) aplicado via semente e duas doses de fósforo (100 % e 33 % da adubação recomendada). O experimento de casa de vegetação foi implantado com os mesmos tratamentos utilizado no estudo em campo e na fase de florescimento das plantas de soja foi simulado um estresse hídrico, por 10 dias, retornando a irrigação normal até a colheita dos grãos. A aplicação de formononetina estimulou aumento da colonização micorrízica, número de nódulos, crescimento vegetativo e a produção de grãos soja em condições de déficit hídrico simulado em casa de vegetação e no no estudo de campo contribui para amenizar o efeito negativo dos fungicidas nas plantas de soja refletindo em aumento da produção da soja.