Influência do sistema anteoxidante da catalase no ciclo do glioxilato durante o estabelecimento pós-germinativo de cártamo (Carthamus tinctorius L.) e de girassol (Helianthus annuus L.)

Oilseeds are a high-value natural resource, due to its use as a substitute for petroleum. However, the storage time can reduce seed viability and oil quality. Therefore, scientific efforts have been made to provide a increment of storage time, germination rates and plant establishment of high-value oilseeds. The seedling establishment depends of the plant pass over the functional transition stage, characterized by a metabolic change from heterotrophic condition to autotrophic one. The storage oil mobilization is performed by β-oxidation process and the glyoxylate cycle. Also, the functional transition involves acclimation to photosynthetic condition, which generally includes the participation of antioxidant system and the reactive oxygen species, the latter are produced in various reactions of primary and secondary metabolism. In the present study, Catalase was inhibited during the functional transition of sunflower and safflower, after were performed many analyzes to elucidate the effects caused on the SOD and APX antioxidant systems. Also, were checked the changes in expression pattern of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes markers, ICL and MLS. It was observed that after CAT inhibition, the SOD and APX antioxidant systems allow the seedling establishment. Besides, was verified that both oilseeds can be accelerate the reverse mobilization and the photosynthetic establishment when Catalase activity has dramatically decreased

Estudo do óleo das sementes de Carthamus tinctorius L. Para produção de biodiesel

Most of the energy consumed worldwide comes from oil, coal and natural gas. These sources are limited and estimated to be exhausted in the future, therefore, the search for alternative sources of energy is paramount. Currently, there is considerable interest in making trade sustainable biodiesel, a fuel alternative to fossil fuels, due to its renewable nature and environmental benefits of its use in large scale. This trend has led the Brazilian government to establish a program (Probiodiesel) with the aim of introducing biodiesel into the national energy matrix, by addition of 5% biodiesel to conventional diesel in 2010 to foster not only the increase of renewable energy, but reduce imports of crude oil. This work evaluates different methods of extraction of oil Carthamus tinctorius L., their characterization by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, HPLC and TG and their use in the production of methyl ester (molar ratio of oil / alcohol 1:6, and NaOH catalyst). The physico-chemical parameters (acid value, density, viscosity, saponification index and surface tension) of oil and biodiesel were also described. The produced biodiesel had a yield of 93.65%, was characterized in relation to their physicochemical properties showing satisfactory results (density=875 kg/m3, viscosity = 6.22 mm2/s, AI = 0.01 mg (NaOH) /g) compared with the values established by the the National Agency Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels

Efeitos de fungicidas alternativos em folhas de Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae), potencial espécie para cultivo em agricultura familiar

The currently main development model on global society is driven by an economic rationality that endangers the environment and social justice. More and more, attention to this way of production and consumption is increasing, boosting research for sustainable development, with an environmental rationality that can harmonize nature preservation and welfare of all socioeconomic classes. One of the efforts on this sense is changing the sources supplying the energy demand, replacing fossil fuels for renewable and cleaner sources, such as biofuels. Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) is an oilseed crop with potential for biodiesel production, with good oil yield and chemical profile, allied to good adaptation to climates such like the northeastern semiarid lands of Brazil. With public policies fomentation, the use of this species may be an interesting alternative for family farming. In farming in general, the use of pesticides to prevent and combat diseases and plagues is common, which is not a sustainable practice. Thus, there are researched alternative, less dangerous substances. In this study, it was aimed to assess if neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract (20% m/v) and Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate) have effects on safflower. It was also aimed to verify acceptance of farmers on safflower crop in Apodi, a municipality in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, in view of it being localized in the aimed region for this crop cultivation. Besides that, understanding that the farmers’ knowledge and inclination to adopt the crop is fundamental for the introduction of this species and socioeconomic growth due to its exploration. In addition, a booklet with basic information on safflower was produced. In the field experiment, the fungicides were pulverized on plants cultivated in field experimental plots, with collection of leaf samples for analysis on anatomy, cuticle, and epicuticular wax morphology, the protective layer that interfaces with the surrounding ambient. In Apodi, forty-five farmers from Potiguar Cooperative of Apiculture and Sustainable Rural Development (COOPAPI) underwent semi-structured interviews, which also addressed their assessment on currently cultivated crops and perception of pesticide uses and sustainable alternatives. After comparing using analysis of variance, it was found that there was no difference between treatments in the experiment, as well as no anatomical or morphological modifications. Safflower acceptation among farmers was wide, with 84% of interviewees believing in a perspective of good incomes. The current scenario, comprised of low crop diversity, fragile in face of droughts and plagues, can partially explain this opinion. The booklet was effective in catching people attention for the species potential. There was wide acknowledgement on the importance of alternative pesticides, justified by health security. Based on the assessed parameter in the results of this research, the treatments here utilized may be recommended as fungicides for safflower. Given the crop susceptibility to fungi in heavy rainy period, it is advised that its potential introduction on the region shall be focused on semiarid areas.

Consórcio de cártamo e feijão caupi: alternativa para a produção de biodiesel na agricultura familiar

The new development strategies should operate mainly in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture. Thus, the substitution of fossil fuels with biofuels, such as biodiesel, is increasingly on the agenda. The cultivation of oilseed plants for biodiesel production must take place in integrated systems that enable best environmental benefits and are more economically significant. The objectives of this study were to assess the morphological, anatomic, and physiological characteristics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L., promising oilseed for biodiesel production) grown in monoculture and intercropping with cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.); and identify socioeconomic family farmers and verify their acceptance about safflower as an energy crop. The methodology used for the analysis of safflower growth in monoculture and intercropped with beans, were morphoanatomical and histochemical analyzes, made with samples of plants grown in the field in two cropping systems throughout the range of the life cycle of these plants. There were no changes in growth and anatomy of plants, even in the consortium, which is satisfactory to indicate the intercropping system for those crops and can be a good alternative for the family farmer, who may have safflower as a source of income without giving up planting their livelihood. To check the acceptance of safflower by farmers, interviews were made to family farmers by Canudos agrovila in Ceará-Mirim/RN. It was noticed that many of them accept the introduction of safflower as oil crop, although unaware of the species, and that, being more resistant to drought, safflower help in the stability of families who depend on the weather conditions for success their current crops. In general, it is concluded that safflower has features that allows it to be grown in consortium for biodiesel production combined with the production of food, such as cowpea, and can be used enabling better development for family farmers.

Coordenação dos sistemas antioxidantes da catalase e da ascorbato peroxidase durante o envelhecimento acelerado de sementes de cártamo e girassol

World consumption of vegetable oils has increased in recent years because of its application in food, chemical, pharmaceutical and, more recently, energy industry. However, oilseeds, which these oils are extracted, have low viability, affecting the cultivation and productivity of these species. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of aging on the coordination of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) antioxidant systems in safflower and sunflower. . Therefore, seeds were subjected to accelerated aging for 3, 6 and 9 days and grown in moistened paper towel for 72 hours. Additionally, before accelerated aging, sunflower seeds were pretreated by osmopriming with 10 mM ascorbate (ASC) or 3 amino 1,2,4 triazol (3-AT), a specific inhibitor of CAT activitie. The method of artificial aging used was efficient in both species, because it caused a decrease in germination, seedling development and growth, especially in safflower. The aging caused inhibition of CAT activity for both species and to compensate for such inhibition , sunflower increased mRNA expression of this enzyme , while safflower mobilized over the activity of APX. Analysis of the expression of malate synthase and sugar content demonstrated that sunflower seeds consumes lipid reserves in quiescent state, while the safflower is more dependent on carbohydrate. Pretreatment with 3-AT inhibited CAT activity and stimulated the APX, though with ASC acted reverse on these systems. None of the treatments recovered the physiological decline aging. It is concluded that aging change the oilseeds antioxidant metabolism, despite interspecies variations in response to this process, the depletion of the CAT antioxidant system was common. Because of this we propose that the measurement of CAT activity can be used to identify aging seed lots.

Influência do sistema anteoxidante da catalase no ciclo do glioxilato durante o estabelecimento pós-germinativo de cártamo (Carthamus tinctorius L.) e de girassol (Helianthus annuus L.)

Oilseeds are a high-value natural resource, due to its use as a substitute for petroleum. However, the storage time can reduce seed viability and oil quality. Therefore, scientific efforts have been made to provide a increment of storage time, germination rates and plant establishment of high-value oilseeds. The seedling establishment depends of the plant pass over the functional transition stage, characterized by a metabolic change from heterotrophic condition to autotrophic one. The storage oil mobilization is performed by β-oxidation process and the glyoxylate cycle. Also, the functional transition involves acclimation to photosynthetic condition, which generally includes the participation of antioxidant system and the reactive oxygen species, the latter are produced in various reactions of primary and secondary metabolism. In the present study, Catalase was inhibited during the functional transition of sunflower and safflower, after were performed many analyzes to elucidate the effects caused on the SOD and APX antioxidant systems. Also, were checked the changes in expression pattern of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes markers, ICL and MLS. It was observed that after CAT inhibition, the SOD and APX antioxidant systems allow the seedling establishment. Besides, was verified that both oilseeds can be accelerate the reverse mobilization and the photosynthetic establishment when Catalase activity has dramatically decreased