Rosmarinic acid, a new snake venom phospholipase A(2) inhibitor from Cordia verbenacea (Boraginaceae): antiserum action potentiation and molecular interaction

Many plants are used in traditional medicine as active agents against various effects induced by snakebite. The methanolic extract from Cordia verbenacea (Cv) significantly inhibited paw edema induced by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom and by its main basic phospholipase A(2) homologs, namely bothropstoxins I and II (BthTXs). The active component was isolated by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 and by RP-HPLC on a C18 column and identified as rosmarinic acid (Cv-RA). Rosmarinic acid is an ester of caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid [2-O-cafeoil-3-(3,4-di-hydroxy-phenyl)-R-lactic acid]. This is the first report of RA in the species C. verbenacea ('baleeira', 'whaler') and of its anti-inflammatory and antimyotoxic properties against snake venoms and isolated toxins. RA inhibited the edema and myotoxic activity induced by the basic PLA(2)s BthTX-I and BthTX-II. It was, however, less efficient to inhibit the PLA(2) activity of BthTX-II and, still less, the PLA(2) and edema-inducing activities of the acidic isoform BthA-1-PLA(2), from the same venom, showing therefore a higher inhibitory activity upon basic PLA(2)s. RA also inhibited most of the myotoxic and partially the edema-inducing effects of both basic PLA(2)s, thus reinforcing the idea of dissociation between the catalytic and pharmacological domains. The pure compound potentiated the ability of the commercial equine polyvalent antivenom in neutralizing lethal and myotoxic effects of the crude venom and of isolated PLA(2)s in experimental models. CD data presented here suggest that, after binding, no significant conformation changes occur either in the Cv-RA or in the target PLA(2). A possible model for the interaction of rosmarinic acid with Lys49-PLA(2) BthTX-I is proposed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biosurfactants in food industry

The increasing environmental concern about chemical surfactants triggers attention to microbial-derived surface-active compounds essentially due to their low toxicity and biodegradable nature. At present, biosurfactants are predominantly used in remediation of pollutants; however, they show potential applications in many sectors of food industry. Associated with emulsion forming and stabilization, antiadhesive and antimicrobial activities are some properties of biosurfactants, which could be explored in food processing and formulation. Potential applications of microbial surfactants in food area and the use of agroindustrial wastes as alternative substrates for their production are discussed.

Rhamnolipid surfactants: An update on the general aspects of these remarkable biomolecules

Pseudomonas strains are able to biosynthesize rhamnose-containing surfactants also known as rhamnolipids. These surface-active compounds are reviewed with respect to chemical structure, properties, biosynthesis, and physiological role, focusing on their production and the use of low-cost substrates such as wastes from food industries as alternative carbon sources. The use of inexpensive raw materials such as agroindustrial wastes is an attractive strategy to reduce the production costs associated with biosurfactant production and, at same time, contribute to the reduction of environmental impact generated by the discard of residues, and the treatment costs. Carbohydrate-rich substrates generated low rhamnolipid levels, whereas oils and lipid-rich wastes have shown excellent potential as alternative carbon sources.

Morphological Changes in Poly(Caprolactone)/Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Blends Caused by Biodegradation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Rhamnolipids as biosurfactants from renewable resources: Concepts for next-generation rhamnolipid production

Several microorganisms are known to produce a wide variety of surface-active substances, which are referred to as biosurfactants. Interesting examples for biosurfactants are rhamnolipids, glycolipids mainly known from Pseudomonas aeruginosa produced during cultivation on different substrates like vegetable oils, sugars, glycerol or hydrocarbons. However, besides costs for downstream processing of rhamnolipids, relatively high raw-material prices and low productivities currently inhibit potential economical production of rhamnolipids on an industrial scale. This review focuses on cost-effective and sustainable production of rhamnolipids by introducing new possibilities and strategies regarding renewable substrates. Additionally, past and recent production strategies using alternative substrates such as agro-industrial byproducts or wastes are summarized. Requirements and concepts for next-generation rhamnolipid producing strains are discussed and potential targets for strain-engineering are presented. The discussion of potential new strategies is supported by an analysis of the metabolism of different Pseudomonas species. According to calculations of theoretical substrate-to-product conversion yields and current world-market price analysis, different renewable substrates are compared and discussed from an economical point of view. A next-generation rhamnolipid producing strain, as proposed within this review, may be engineered towards reduced formation of byproducts, increased metabolic spectrum, broadened substrate spectrum and controlled regulation for the induction of rhamnolipid synthesis. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rhamnolipids and PHAs: Recent reports on Pseudomonas-derived molecules of increasing industrial interest

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Caracterização anatômica e química da folha e do sistema radicular de Hydrocotyle umbellata (Apiaceae)

A família Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), também denominada de pioneira das praias, é capaz de habitar locais de alto teor de salinidade, além de suportar a ação dos ventos e das ondas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo da anatomia foliar e radicular e analisar constituintes químicos das folhas e do sistema radicular, caracterizando grupos químicos biologicamente ativos presentes nesses órgãos que permitam aplicações farmacológicas. O material foi coletado na região de Proteção Ambiental Iguape, Cananéia, Peruíbe. As folhas são dorsiventrais, com epiderme unisseriada, bordo regular, parênquima paliçádico com duas a três camadas e parênquima lacunoso com oito e nove camadas de células. É anfiestomática, apresentando grandes câmaras subestomáticas com maior incidência de estômatos na epiderme abaxial. O feixe vascular é colateral apresentando células de esclerênquima em forma de meia lua ao redor do xilema e do floema. O pecíolo apresenta contorno irregular, está envolvido por colênquima em toda sua extensão e apresenta grande quantidade de canais secretores entre os feixes vasculares. O rizoma apresenta contorno irregular com variação de 10 a 15 camadas de células de parênquima constituindo o córtex. O cilindro central é constituído por feixes colaterais delimitados pela endoderme. O periciclo é sinuoso e envolve totalmente os feixes vasculares. Sob a epiderme há uma faixa contínua de colênquima. A medula é constituída de células de parênquima de parede fina. H. umbellata apresentou triterpenos, saponinas, flavonóides, compostos poliacetilênicos e leucoceramidas. Folhas e rizomas apresentaram constituintes químicos semelhantes, com diferenças apenas na intensidade dos picos, o que denota diferença quantitativa entre as substâncias presentes. O rendimento do extrato do rizoma é menor que o rendimento das folhas.

Production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI rhamnolipids following growth on Brazilian native oils

Oils from Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), Cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflora), Passion Fruit (Passiflora alata), Andiroba (Carapa gitianensis), Brazilian Nut (Bertholletia excelsa) and Babassu (Orbignya spp.) were evaluated as carbon sources for rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI. The highest rhamnolipid concentrations were obtained from Brazilian Nut (9.9 l(-1)) and Passion Fruit (9.2 g l(-1)) oils. Surface tension varied from 29.8 to 31.5 mN m(-1), critical micelle concentration from 55 to 163 mg l(-1) and the emulsifying activity was higher against toluene (93-100%) than against kerosene (70-92%). Preliminary characterization of the surfactant mixtures by mass spectrometry revealed the presence of two major components showing m/z of 649 and 503, which corresponded to the dirhamnolipid (Rha(2)C(10)C(10)) and the monorhamnolipid (RhaC(10)C(10)), respectively. The monorhamnolipid detected as the ion of m/z 503 is predominant in all samples analyzed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neo-clerodane diterpenoid, a new metalloprotease snake venom inhibitor from Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae): anti-proteolytic and anti-hemorrhagic properties

Many plants are used in traditional medicine as active agents against various effects induced by snakebite. Few attempts have been made however to identify the nature of plain natural products with anti-ophidian properties. Baccharis trimera (Less) DC (Asteraceae), known in Brazil as carqueja. has been popularly used to treat liver diseases. rheumatism. diabetes, as well as digestive, hepatic and renal disorders. The active component was identified as 7alpha-hydroxy-3,13-clerodadiene-16,15:18,19-diolide, C20H28O5, (clerodane diterpenoid, Bt-CD). We report now the anti-proteolytic and anti-hemorrhagic propenies against snake venoms of a Bt-CD inhibitor from B. trimera. Bt-CD exhibited full inhibition of hemorrhage and proteolytic activity caused by Bothrops snake venoms. The inhibitor was able to neutralize the hemorrhagic, fibrinogenolytic and caseinolytic activities of class P-I and III metalloproteases isolated from B. neuwiedi and B. jararacussu venoms. No inhibition of the coagulant activity was observed. Bt-CD also partially inhibited the edema induced by other crude venoms, metallopronteases, basic and acidic phospholipases A(2). To further elucidate the inhibitory specificity of Bt-CD against metalloproteases isolated from snake venoms, a deeper understanding of its Structure and function is necessary. Furthermore, the potential use of these inhibitors to complement anti-venom as an alternative treatment of snakebite envenomations needs to be evaluated in future Studies. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI growing on soapstock as the sole carbon source

A new bacterial strain, was isolated from petroleum contaminated soil, identified and named Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain LBI. The new strain produced surface-active rhamnolipids by batch cultivation in a mineral salts medium with soapstock as the sole carbon source. Biosurfactant production increased after nitrogen depletion. The maximum rhamnolipid concentration, 15.9 g/l, was reached when it was incubated in a bioreactor with a constant K(L)a of 169.9 h(-1). (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

O novo padrão de desenvolvimento agroindustrial e a atuação das cooperativas agropecuárias no Paraná

This article aims at discussing the transformations in the cooperativist rural sector in the state of Paraná since 1970. Considerable active agents in the process of modernization in the agriculture from Paraná, the cooperatives developed also an important role in the productive restructuralization in the State of Paraná, when they started the agroindustrial activities. The verticalization represented a big growth of the cooperatives that act in the rural area, but it also implied in a redirection of the cooperatives' strategies, that started acting in an extremely competitive market.

Viagem ao sono: relações de tradicionalidade e consumo na Praia do Sono - Parati (RJ)

Pós-graduação em Ciências Sociais - FFC

Por uma televisão cultural-educativa e pública: a TV Cultura de São Paulo, 1960-1974

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Produção de biossurfactantes por Bacillus pumilus e avaliação da biorremediação de solo e água contaminados com óleo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desenvolvimento de sistemas líquido cristalinos lamelares contendo diferentes concentrações de Ac-Wahx-kttks para o tratamento do envelhecimento cutâneo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)