Fat body cells of Amblyomma cajennense partially engorged females (Acari: Ixodidae) and their role on vitellogenesis process

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Profiling the proteome complement of the secretion from hypopharyngeal gland of Africanized nurse-honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

The protein complement of the secretion from hypopharyngeal gland of nurse-bees (Apis mellifera L.) was partially identified by using a combination of 2D-PAGE, peptide sequencing by MALDI-PSD/MS and a protein engine identification tool applied to the honeybee genome. The proteins identified were compared to those proteins already identified in the proteome complement of the royal jelly of the honey bees. The 2D gel electrophoresis demonstrated this protein complement is constituted of 61 different polypepides, from which 34 were identified as follows: 27 proteins belonged to MRJPs family, 5 proteins were related to the metabolism of carbohydrates and to the oxido-reduction metabolism of energetic Substrates, I protein was related to the accumulation of iron in honeybee bodies and I protein may be a regulator of MRJP-1 oligomerization. The proteins directly involved with the carbohydrates and energetic metabolisms were: alpha glucosidase, glucose oxidase and alpha amylase, whose are members of the same family of enzymes, catalyzing the hydrolysis of the glucosidic linkages of starch; alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, whose are constituents of the energetic metabolism. The results of the present manuscript support the hypothesis that the most of these proteins are produced in the hypoharyngeal gland of nurse-bees and secreted into the RJ. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Water content and GA(3)-induced embryonic cell expansion explain Euterpe edulis seed germination, rather than seed reserve mobilisation

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

Histochemical analysis of seed reserve mobilization in Passiflora edulis Sims fo. flavicarpa O. Deg. (yellow passion fruit) during germination

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Foraging Behavior and Mortality of Ectatomma brunneum (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Simultaneous Exposure to Ant Baits and Conventional Diet in Laboratory

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

On the reliability of visual communication in vertebrate-dispersed fruits

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

Dietary restriction, caloric value and the accumulation of hepatic fat

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Skin glands, poison and mimicry in dendrobatid and leptodactylid amphibians

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

Paracellular Absorption: A Bat Breaks the Mammal Paradigm

Bats tend to have less intestinal tissue than comparably sized nonflying mammals. The corresponding reduction in intestinal volume and hence mass of digesta carried is advantageous because the costs of flight increase with load carried and because take-off and maneuverability are diminished at heavier masses. Water soluble compounds, such as glucose and amino acids, are absorbed in the small intestine mainly via two pathways, the transporter-mediated transcellular and the passive, paracellular pathways. Using the microchiropteran bat Artibeus literatus (mean mass 80.6 +/- 3.7 g), we tested the predictions that absorption of water-soluble compounds that are not actively transported would be extensive as a compensatory mechanism for relatively less intestinal tissue, and would decline with increasing molecular mass in accord with sieve-like paracellular absorption. Using a standard pharmacokinetic technique, we fed, or injected intraperitonealy the metabolically inert carbohydrates L-rhamnose (molecular mass = 164 Da) and cellobiose (molecular mass = 342 Da) which are absorbed only by paracellular transport, and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3OMD-glucose) which is absorbed via both mediated (active) and paracellular transport. As predicted, the bioavailability of paracellular probes declined with increasing molecular mass (rhamnose, 90 +/- 11%; cellobiose, 10 +/- 3%, n = 8) and was significantly higher in bats than has been reported for laboratory rats and other mammals. In addition, absorption of 3OMD-glucose was high (96 +/- 11%). We estimated that the bats rely on passive, paracellular absorption for more than 70% of their total glucose absorption, much more than in non-flying mammals. Although possibly compensating for less intestinal tissue, a high intestinal permeability that permits passive absorption might be less selective than a carrier-mediated system for nutrient absorption and might permit toxins to be absorbed from plant and animal material in the intestinal lumen.

Produção de geléia de jambolão (Syzygium cumini Lamarck): processamento, parâmetros físico - químicos e avaliação sensorial

A fruta jambolão (Syzygium cumini Lamarck) é uma fruta de coloração roxa intensa e sabor agradável. Dado que não há na literatura nenhum relato de seu aproveitamento industrial, a produção de geléia de jambolão tornou-se uma interessante atividade de pesquisa. Este trabalho objetivou a elaboração e a avaliação das características físico-químicas e sensoriais da geléia obtida do jambolão. A fruta apresentou a seguinte composição química: cinzas, 0,34%; lipídeos, 0,30%; proteínas, 0,67%; carboidratos, 10,07%; fibras, 0,28%; umidade, 87,75%; frutose, 0,4%; glicose, 0,6%; antocianinas totais, 0,276%; substâncias pécticas, 0,245%; acidez titulável, 5,91%; sólidos solúveis, 9,00%; e pH, 3,9. A geléia obtida apresentou a seguinte composição: açúcares redutores, 20,99%; não-redutores, 18,01%; açúcares totais, 39,00%; pH, 3,42; sólidos solúveis, 67ºBrix; acidez titulável, 5,47%; e umidade, 29,63%. A análise sensorial foi realizada por uma equipe de 50 provadores não treinados que avaliaram os atributos cor, aparência, odor, textura, sabor e avaliação global, pelo método de escala hedônica com nove pontos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o atributo cor foi o que mais agradou aos provadores, o atributo odor foi o menos apreciado. em conclusão, o estudo de análise sensorial revelou uma aceitação satisfatória da geléia de jambolão.

Chemical and sensory characteristics of pulp and peel 'cajá-manga' (Spondias cytherea Sonn.) jelly

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile and tocopherols of Tamarindus indica L. seeds

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Composição centesimal, potencial antioxidante e perfil dos ácidos graxos de sementes de jambolão (Syzygium cumini L.)

The aim of this work was to characterize jambolan seeds regarding its centesimal composition, and also to evaluate its antioxidant potential and fatty acid profile. To obtain the extract, dehydrated and grinded seeds were extracted with ethyl alcohol for 30 minutes, at a proportion of 1:3 of seeds:ethyl alcohol, under continuous agitation, at room temperature. Afterwards, the mixture was filtered and the supernatant subjected to a rotoevaporator at 40 degrees C aiming to determine, by direct weighing, the extract's dry matter yield. According to the results of centesimal composition, higher values were found for total carbohydrates. Ethanolic extract from jambolan seeds exhibited antioxidant potential, given by the EC(50) value, as well as by the amount of total phenolic compounds. In the oil studied, higher percentage of unsatured fatty acids stood out, being linoleic acid the main component, considered an essential fatty acid.

Identification of a new quaternary association for legume lectins

Lotus tetragonolobus lectin (LTA) is a fucose-specific legume lectin. Although several studies report a diverse combination of biological activities for LTA, little is known about the mechanisms involved in L-fucosyl oligosaccharide recognition. The crystal structure of LTA at 2.0 angstrom resolution reveals a different legume lectin tetramer. Its structure consists of a homotetramer composed of two back-to-back GS4-like dimers arranged in a new mode, resulting in a novel tetramer. The LTA N-linked carbohydrate at Asn4 and the unusual LTA dimer-dimer interaction are related to its particular mode of tetramerization. In addition, we used small angle X-ray scattering to investigate the quaternary structure of LTA in solution and to compare it to the crystalline structure. Although the crystal structure of LTA has revealed a conserved metal-binding site, its L-fucose-binding site presents some punctual differences. Our investigation of the new tetramer of LTA and its fucose-binding site is essential for further studies related to cross-linking between LTA and complex divalent L-fucosyl carbohydrates. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Produção, propriedades e aplicações de oligossacarídeos

Oligosaccharides participate in the formation of dietary fiber and are mainly used as prebiotic agents. This review presents ways of obtaining these sugars, which can be produced by synthesis (chemical or enzymatic), or through depolymerization of polysaccharides (physical, chemical or enzymatic). Oligosaccharides have also been used commercially as an ingredient in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and especially in the food industry because of their physical properties. The potential applications of oligosaccharides in several areas such as food, animal feed, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics have contributed to the increase in scientific research on these carbohydrates. The use of oligosaccharides as immuno-modulatory agents and biological response modifiers has been recently described, and their effects as anti-inflammatory and in reducing cholesterol. An overview of the various nutraceutical and biological functions of these carbohydrates in order to benefit human health is also reported.