The role of the parenchyma sheath and PCD during the development of oil cavities in Pterodon pubescens (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae)

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

OIL GLANDS IN PTERODON PUBESCENS BENTH. (LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE): DISTRIBUTION, STRUCTURE, and SECRETION MECHANISMS

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

Anatomia e ultra-estrutura do pulvino primário de Pterodon pubescens Benth. (Fabaceae - Faboideae)

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

Anatomia comparada do pulvino, pecíolo e raque de Pterodon pubescens Benth. (Fabaceae - Faboideae)

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

Diterpene esters of aristolochic acids from Aristolochia pubescens

From the acetone and ethanol extracts of the tubercula of Aristolochia pubescens, two diterpene esters of aristolochic acids were isolated, together with 23 known compounds. The structures of the compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Insecticidal activity of chemical constituents from Aristolochia pubescens against Anticarsia gemmatalis larvae

Acetone and ethanol extracts of the tubercula and several compounds isolated from Aristolochia pubescens (Willd) were bioassayed on velvebean caterpillars, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hubner), for evaluation of the insecticidal activities. of the extracts subjected to bioassay, the acetone extract showed the highest activity. (-)-Cubebin did not show activity against soybean caterpillars, whereas aristolochic acid and ent-kaur-15-en-17-ol increased the larval period. These compounds, and (+)-eudesmin and (+)-sesamin, reduced the viability of this period, giving rise to malformed adults. These extracts and compounds are therefore potential botanical insecticide agents for the control of velvetbean caterpillars in soybean crops. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.

2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran neolignans from Aristolochia pubescens

From a hexane extract of stems and roots of Aristolochia pubescens, the new neolignans (2S,3S,1'R,2'R)- and (2S,3S, 1'S,2'R)-2,3-dihydro-5-(1',2'-dihydroxypropyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzofuran) and (2S,3S,1'R,2'R)- and (2S,3S,1'S,2'R)-2,3-dihydro-5-(1',2'-dihydroxypropyl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-3-methyl-benzofuran were isolated, together with the known neolignan licarin A, and its bisnor-neolignan aldehyde and acid derivatives. In addition, sitosterol, 8R,9R-oxide-beta-caryophyllene, kobusone, ent-kauran-16 alpha, 17-diol, vanillin, vanillic acid, (+)-sesamin, (+)eudesmin, and (-)-cubebin were isolated. The structures of the new compounds have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by chemical transformation using Mosher's acid chloride. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reproductive biology of the southern Brazilian pitviper Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens (Serpentes, Viperidae)

Dissection of 286 specimens of the Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens, combined with data on captive individuals, provided information on the reproductive biology of this viperid snake from southern Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males, and reproduction was seasonal with mating taking place in autumn when males were more frequently encountered. Vitellogenesis occurred from summer to spring (January-September), sperm storage during autumn and winter (May-September), ovulation and fertilization in early spring (September), embryonic development during middle spring and summer (October-March), and parturition in the summer (January-March). Embryonic development was estimated to last from three to five months, a shorter time than was previously reported. The number of offspring of Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens born in one litter can vary from four to 25 ((x) over bar = 11). Fecundity is correlated with maternal body size. Neonates measure 17-25 cm SVL. Inferred growth rate of juveniles was low (10 mm/month in first year), with males attaining sexual maturity at about 16 months, but maturity is delayed in females for at least two additional years.

Configurational analysis of cubebins and bicubebin from Aristolochia lagesiana and Aristolochia pubescens

(8S,8'R,9S)-, (8R,8'R,9R)-, and (8R,8',R,9S)-cubebins, together with (8R,8'R,8R,8'''R,9R,9S)-bicubebin, were isolated from Aristolochia lagesiana and Aristolochia pubescens. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy at low temperatures, and by chemical transformations. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Feeding habits and habitat use in Bothrops pubescens (Viperidae, Crotalinae) from southern Brazil

Bothrops pubescens is a member of the neuwiedi complex that occurs in southern Brazil and Uruguay. We studied the ecology of B. pubescens from a field site (at Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil) and based on preserved specimens from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. In Santa Maria, individuals were collected during visual encounter surveys (VES), in pitfall traps with drift fences and during incidental encounters. Most snakes found in the field were on the ground, mainly on leaf litter, in mosaics of light and shadow or in completely shaded areas. In disturbed areas, snakes were usually associated with country houses and agricultural fields. Snakes were found much more frequently in forests and forest edges than in open habitats. The diet of B. pubescens comprised small mammals (56.2% of individual prey found), anurans (21.2%), lizards (7.5%), snakes (7.5%), birds (5.0%), and centipedes (2.5%). Prey predator mass ratios ranged from 0.002-0.627, and larger snakes tended to consume larger prey. Bothrops pubescens seems to be able to survive in disturbed areas, mainly those close to forests, and this ability may be facilitated by its generalized feeding habits. Copyright 2005 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Atividade antimicrobiana, anti-inflamatória, citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade do extrato glicólico de Betula pendula Roth (Bétula)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bark and ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera : Scolytidae) responses to volatiles from aging loblolly pine billets

Many species of bark and ambrosia beetles use host volatiles as cues for breeding site location. In a study where the objectives were to identify the different volatiles released by Pinus taeda L. billets as they age, to determine the arrival sequence of scolytids (Colcoptera: Scolytidae), and to correlate volatile emission by the billets with beetle catches, 25 species of scolytids were trapped. Bark beetles were more attracted to the billets in the beginning of the period. whereas ambrosia beetles arrived later. Among the bark beetles, Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier) was significantly more attracted during the Ist 3 wk after tree felling, Hylastes tenuis Eichhoff in the Ist 2 wk. Pityophtorus pulicarius (Zimmermann) in weeks 2 and 3, and Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff) was more attracted on weeks 3 and 4. Among the ambrosia beetles, Xyleborinus saxeseni (Ratzeburg) was more attracted to billets during weeks 4-6, whereas Xyleborus pubescens Zimmermann and Xyleborus californicus Wood were more attracted during week 6. The billets showed marked decline in attractiveness to all scolytids after 8 wk. Volatiles collected during the beetle trapping periods included 15 hydrocarbon monoterpenes, 18 oxygenated monoterpenes, 4-allylanisole, and ethanol. The hydrocarbon monoterpenes and 4-allylanisole decreased sharply over time, but oxygenated monoterpenes and ethanol increased up to weeks 4-6, after which they also decreased. Good correlations between certain billet volatiles and catches for some beetle species were obtained, but their biological significance could not be determined.

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.

Removal of metal ions from aqueous solution by chelating polymeric hydrogel

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