New sources of oilseeds from Latin American native fruits

Three Latin American oilseeds obtained from native fruits: nopal (tuna) (Opuntia ficus-indica), cherimoya (chirimoya) (Annona cherimola), and papaya, Chilean variety (Carica pubescens or C. candamarcensis) were studied for their fatty acid composition and bioactive compounds, such as tocols and phytosterols, looking for new sources of special oilseeds for this region. The results indicated that each species represents an interesting possibility. Nopal oilseed is a good source of linoleic acid (62%), with a good balance between SFA and MUFA (1: 1.3). Cherimoya oilseed presents quite a different composition, with 24% SFA, 43% MUFA and 33% PUFA. Palmitic and stearic acids (15% and 7.6%, respectively) are the main SFA. A good balance between oleic acid (42.7%) and linoleic acid (31%) was observed. Papaya oilseed is a highly MUFA oil (72% with 71% oleic acid), with a very interesting composition, according to the new nutritional and technological recommendations.With respect to bioactive compounds, the main tocol in these three oilseeds was gamma-tocopherol, with 136, 300 and 317 mg/kg for cherimoya, papaya and nopal oilseeds, respectively. According to the total tocol content, papaya oilseed presented the highest value with 384 mg/kg. The total amount and distribution of phytosterols was different, with values of 3092, 3554 and 5474 mg/kg for nopal, cherimoya and papaya oilseeds, respectively, with beta-sitosterol forming 47.6%, 65.0 % and 78.7% of the total phytosterol fractions, respectively. From the results obtained, Chilean papaya oilseed can be considered as a very promising new source of special plant oil for different applications, followed by cherimoya and nopal oilseeds.

Biologia de Tetranychus mexicanus (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) em três espécies de Annonaceae

The mite Tetranychus mexicanus (McGregor) is considered a pest of a variety of plant species in the Americas. Although this mite apparently causes economic damage to Annonaceae, little is known about its biology Here we studied the biology of T. mexicanus on soursop (Annona muricata), sweetsop (Annona squamosa) and araticum (Annona coriaceae). The first two species are the most important economical Annonaceae species in northeast Brazil; araticum is commonly found in the region, but not commercially explored. The mites were collected in the field from leaves of A. muricata and maintained in the laboratory for six months on detached leaves of A. muricata, A.squamosa and A. coriaceae, respectively, before observations started. Tetranychus mexicanus developed more slowly on A. squamosa than on the two other hosts, but oviposition was considerably lower on A. coriaceae. As indicated by the calculated life table parameters, biotic potential was higher on A. muricata than on the other hosts. Despite the observed differences in the T. mexicanus biology on the different evaluated hosts, development and reproduction were satisfactory in all of the hosts used.

In vitro cytotoxic activity of Brazilian Middle West plant extracts

Cytotoxic activity of eight plant extracts, native from the Mid-West of Brazil comprising Cerrado, Pantanal and semideciduous forest, was evaluated for MDA-MB-435, SF-295, and HCT-8 cancer cell strains. A single 100 µg.mL-1 dose of each extract was employed with 72 h of incubation for all tests. Doxorubicin (1 µg.mL-1) was used as the positive control and the MTT method was used to detect the activity. Cytotoxicity of distinct polarities was observed in thirty extracts (46%), from different parts of the following species: Tabebuia heptaphylla (Vell.) Toledo, Bignoniaceae, Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Anacardiaceae, Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae, Gomphrena elegans Mart., Amaranthaceae, Attalea phalerata Mart. ex Spreng., Arecaceae, Eugenia uniflora L., Myrtaceae, and Annona dioica A. St.-Hil., Annonaceae. Extracts of at least two tested cell strains were considered to be highly active since their inhibition rate was over 75%.

Growth rings in cerrado woody species: occurrence and anatomical markers

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

Efeito de pós vegetais sobre Sitophilus zeamais (Mots., 1855) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Objetivou-se testar a atividade inseticida de pós vegetais em Sitophilus zeamais. Foram testados os pós de Anadenanthera colubrina (folhas); Annona muricata (sementes); Azadirachta inidica (folhas e flores); Caesalpinia pyramidalis (folhas), Chenopodium ambrosioides (folhas e flores); Cymbopogon sp. (folhas); Cymbopogon citratus (folhas); Momordica charantia (folhas e frutos); Piper nigrum (sementes); e Ricinus communis (folhas). Além disso, avaliou-se o potencial inseticida de folhas e flores de C. ambrosioides em diferentes dosagens. Na avaliação de repelência foi estabelecido um índice de preferência, e utilizado o teste t para comparação das médias das espécies vegetais. Também foi realizada a comparação das médias das plantas que foram classificadas como repelentes. Para avaliação da mortalidade, procedeu-se a análise de variância e a comparação das médias pelo teste de Tukey e também o teste t para comparação das médias dos tratamentos C. ambrosioides e P. nigrum. Os dados de emergência foram analisados pelo teste de Tukey. Para avaliar os dados de mortalidade, ocasionados por C. ambrosioides, determinou-se a CL50 utilizando a análise de Probit. Os dados de emergência foram verificados pela análise de regressão. As plantas que provocaram repelência foram Cymbopogon sp., C. citratus e C. ambrosioides. A planta que mais afetou a sobrevivência da praga foi C. ambrosioides, que provocou mortalidade total dos insetos infestantes e nenhuma emergência. Adultos de S. zeamais são mais suscetíveis a concentração de 0,125 g do pó de C. ambrosioides.

Enraizamento de estacas de atemoieira ‘Gefner’ tratadas com auxinas

A propagação da atemóia deve ser feita assexuadamente e, nesse contexto, a estaquia surge como alternativa. Dessa forma, objetivou-se determinar a parte do ramo de atemoieira (Annona cherimola Mill. x Annona squamosa L.) cv. 'Gefner' mais apropriada para estaquia. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x3 (reguladores x tipos de estaca), com 5 repetições de 12 estacas. Os reguladores utilizados foram AIB 0,5% e ANA 0,5%, aplicados na forma de talco na base das estacas, além da testemunha. Os diferentes tipos de estacas foram retirados de 3 regiões do caule (apical, mediana e basal). As estacas tratadas foram colocadas para enraizar em bandejas de poliestireno contendo substrato comercial Plantmax® e levadas para câmara de nebulização intermitente, onde permaneceram durante 136 dias. As variáveis avaliadas foram: porcentagem de estacas vivas, porcentagem de estacas vivas com enraizamento, porcentagem de estacas enraizadas com folhas remanescentes, com brotações e com folhas remanescentes + brotações, porcentagem de estacas enraizadas sem folhas, número, comprimento médio e massa da matéria seca de raízes por estaca enraizada, área foliar e massa da matéria seca de folhas remanescentes e brotações. A atemoieira apresenta maior potencial para formação de mudas por estaquia empregando-se estacas apicais sem tratamento e medianas tratadas com ANA (0,5%).

Distribuição, tamanho populacional, hábitat e conservação do bicudinho-do-brejo Stymphalornis acutirostris Bornschein, Reinert e Teixeira, 1995 (Thamnophilidae)

The Marsh Antwren (Stymphalornis acutirostris) is restricted to the lowlands between Antonina Bay, in the coastal plain of the state of Paraná, and Itapocu river, in the northern coastal plain of the state of Santa Catarina (from 0 to c. 5 m a.s.l.). It doesn't occur continuously in this region, being found in eight populations that span over an total area of about 6,060 ha (= area of occupancy; 4,856.67 in Paraná and c. 1,200 in Santa Catarina). Nine habitat types used by the Marsh Antwren were defined, based on vegetation physiognomy, localization, dominancy of botanical species, dominant life-form and history of the region. Five of these are herbaceous (marshes), while four have an upper arboreal stratum and an herbaceous lower stratum with marsh plants. According to the classification criteria of the Brazilian vegetation proposed by the Radambrasil Project, they were classified as Pioneering Formation of Fluvial Influence, Pioneering Formation of Fluvial-marine Influence, and/or Pioneering Formation of Lacustrine Influence. They occur as patches or narrow strips ranging from 0.001 to 203.0 ha in the state of Paraná. They are found mainly in the interior of bays, in the lower courses of rivers that drain into bays, in alluvial plains, and between sand dunes in the coastal plain. Characteristic herbaceous species are cattail (Typha domingensis), bulrush (Scirpus californicus), Crinum salsum, Panicum sp. cf. P. mertensii, saw grass (Cladium mariscus) and Fuirena spp. Hibiscus pernambucensis is the characteristic bush species, and Calophyllum brasiliense, Tabebuia cassinoides, Annona glabra and Laguncularia racemosa are the characteristic arboreal species. The Marsh Antwren lives in herbaceous vegetation, but also uses bushes and branches of small tress. It has low flight capacity and a single flight of more than 25 m was never recorded. Territories of 0.25 ha were estimated in one kind of habitat (tidal marsh) (= 8 individuals per hectare) and of 3.2 ha in another one (saw grass marsh) (= 0.62 individual per hectare). The global population estimate is of about 17,700 mature individuals (13,700 in Paraná and 4,000 in Santa Catarina). The species is really under threat of extinction, mainly because of it's restricted geographical distribution and habitat loss by human activities and biological contamination caused by invasion of exotic grasses (Urochloa arrecta and Brachiaria mutica).

Utilização de extratos de plantas medicinais e óleo de Eucaliptus no controle in vitro de Microsporum canis

INTRODUCTION: Microsporum canis is the most common cause of canine and feline dermatophytosis and thus has an important zoonotic role. OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to determine the antifungal action of medicinal plant extracts and of eucalyptus oil against pathogenic fungus Microsporum canis. METHODS: the extracts were prepared by mixing 300 g of previously washed leaves with 450 mL of distilled water. Then the material was triturated, filtered, sterilized and conserved at 10 + 2 oC. Fifteen milliliters of sterilized medium Sabouraud dextrose (Difco) at a temperature of 55 + 1 oC was added in Petri dishes containing the extracts in one, two, three, four and five mm concentrations. The fungus was inoculated once the medium was solidified. The inoculated dishes were maintained in B.O.D. incubator at 36 ± 0,5 oC until the fungus developed in the controls. RESULTS: the extracts from Punica granatum, Mangifera indica and Eucalyptus spp reduced the growth of fungus, but the extracts from Cymgopogom nardus, Tagetes minuta, Ruta graviolens, Cyperus rotundus, Annona moricata and Calendula spp leaves and flowers boosted the growth of fungus. The other extracts and the eucalyptus oil neither show any fungicidal action nor encourage mycelium growth. CONCLUSIONS: the use of most tested extracts and eucalyptus oil is not suitable for the treatment of Microsporum canis dermatophytosis due to lack of inhibitory effects. The extracts from Cymgopogom nardus, Tagetes minuta, Ruta graviolens, Cyperus rotundus, Annona moricata and from of Calendula spp leaves and flowers help the development of the fungus making clear that phytotherapy should be properly used, otherwise it can worsen the problem. However; extracts from Mangifera indica, Punica granatum and Eucalyptus spp. can be used as fungistatic.

Antiviral activity of plants occurring in the state of minas gerais (Brazil): Part III

A total of 24 extracts from 14 plant species collected at the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and belonging to five botanical families (Annonaceae, Apocynaceae, Ochnaceae, Polygonaceae and Vitaceae) was screened for cytotoxicity in cultured Vero cells and for antiviral activity against human herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1), vaccinia virus (VACV) and murine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). The highest cytotoxicity (CC 50 < 10 μg/mL) was observed for the ethanol extracts from Annona coriacea fruits and seeds. Extracts from Hancornia speciosa, Ouratea castaneafolia and O. semisrrata were the only ones that have shown activity against all the three viruses assayed. Extracts from Polygonum spectabile, Hancornia speciosa, Himatanthus phagedaenica, Ouratea spectabilis and O. semiserrata were the most active against HSV-1 (EC 50 < 50 mg/mL), with favorable SI values (8.0 to 10.0). Hancornia speciosa and Anaxagorea dolichocarpa were the most active against EMCV (EC 50 50 - 100 μg/mL), with reasonable SI values (5.2 to 6.1), while moderate to low activity (EC 50 > 100 μg/mL) was observed for Ouratea spectabilis and O. semiserrata. A total of 7 plant species, Ouratea semiserrata, O. spectabilis, O. castanaeafolia, Rollinia laurifolia, Cissus erosa, Polygonum spectabile, and Hancornia speciosa, were active against VACV, disclosing EC50 < 50 μg/mL and SI values ranging from 6.6 to 67.3. In total, 10 out of the 14 species were selected from a literature survey on plants used to treat viral diseases in Brazil; these species were responsible for 70% of the positive results.

Lâminas de irrigação e cobertura do solo na produção e qualidade de frutos da gravioleira

The crop of soursop has been known for presenting great potential for the domestic market and good prospects for export. In this context, an experiment was conducted in the municipality of Remigio in the state of Paraiba, in order to evaluate the effects of irrigation depths applied weekly on the productive behavior and postharvest quality of fruits of soursop 'Morada' in the soil with and without mulching with crop residues. Treatments were arranged in randomized blocks with three replications and three plants per plot, using a factorial arrangement 5×2, referring to the soil with and without mulching with crop residues, and five irrigation depths of 0, 4.3, 8.6, 12.9 and 17.2 mm plant1. Irrigation was performed manually, once a week from September 2008 to March 2009. The presence of mulch on the soil and increasing depths of irrigation elevated the values of mean mass, production per plant and yield of soursop 'Morada', and decreased the levels of soluble solids.

Propagação de espécies de Annonaceae com estacas caulinares

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Calagem, adubação e nutrição mineral de Anonáceas

Among the edaphic factors, those related to acidity are the ones that affect productivity, especially in tropical regions. For culture the Annonaceae, no research results that indicate the proper base saturation, nor the determination of doses, times, application methods and sources of nutrients for orchards Annonaceae in training and production in order to promote sustainability and higher yields. Given the importance and potential of commercial exploitation of Annonaceae in Brazil and, considering the limited available scientific information on liming, fertilization and nutrition of fruit plants of this family, some research has to be carried out urgently due to the effects of nutrients on productivity, fruit quality, post-harvest, tolerance to pests and diseases, etc.

Estaquia em Anonas

Annonaceae is an important family of plants that constitutes the Brazilian flora. Anona species produce fruits for fresh consumption, medicinal use and other purposes. The aim of this study is to present information of literature about vegetative propagation by cutting of some Annonaceae species with potential for consumption and as rootstock. As conclusion, the literature presents a range of rooting results, even about the same species. The rooting success depends on the species, variety, stock plant, season, plant growth regulators, rooting environment and juvenility. Some species present rooting potential, but there are lack of literature about plant management and orchard installation. The use of plant growth regulators improves the rooting of the most species with potential to propagate by cuttings.

Gas exchanges in annonaceae species under different crop protections

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

Bioatividade de extratos de anonáceas e piperáceas sobre Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepdoptera: Gelechiidae) em tomateiro

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA