Antioxidant capacity and larvicidal activity of essential oil and extracts from Lippia grandis

The leaves and thin branches of Lippia grandis Schauer, Verbenaceae, are used for flavoring of food in the Brazilian Amazon, as substitute for oregano. In this study the constituents of the essential oil were identified and the antioxidant capacity and larvicidal activity of the oil and methanol extract and its sub-fractions were evaluated. A sensory evaluation was determined in view of absence of toxicity. The oil showed a yield of 2.1% and its main constituents were thymol (45.8%), p-cymene (14.3%), γ-terpinene (10.5%), carvacrol (9.9%) and thymol methyl ether (4.8%), totalizing 85%. The DPPH radical scavenging activity showed values for the EC50 between 9.0 and 130.5 µg mL^-1 and the TEAC/ABTS values varied from 131.1 to 336.0 mg TE/g, indicating significant antioxidant activity for the plant. The total phenolic content ranged from 223.0 to 761.4 mg GAE/g, contributing to the antioxidant activity observed. The crude extracts inhibited the bleaching of β-carotene and the oil showed the greatest inhibition (42.5%). The oil (LgO, 7.6±2.4 µg mL^-1) showed strong larvicidal activity against the brine shrimp bioassay. The sensory evaluation was highly satisfactory in comparison to oregano. The results are very promising for the use of L. grandis in seasoning and antioxidant products.

Antioxidant capacity and biological activity of essential oil and methanol extract of Conobea scoparioides (Cham. & Schltdl.) Benth

Os óleos essenciais da planta sub-aquática Conobea scoparioides (fresca e previamente seca) apresentaram rendimentos de 3,4 e 3,3%, respectivamente. Os principais constituintes identificados foram o éter metílico do timol (39,6 e 47,7%), timol (40,0 e 26,4%), α-felandreno (12,1 e 14,3%) e p-cimeno (1,5 e 1,7%), totalizando mais de 90% nos referidos óleos. A concentração de seqüestro do radical DPPH (CE50) dos óleos e extrato foi de 46,7 ± 3,6 µg mL^-1 para a planta fresca (CsO-f), de 56,1 ± 2,4 µg mL^-1 para a planta seca (CsO-d), e de 23,0 ± 2,2 µg mL^-1 para o extrato metanólico (CsE-d). O valor do extrato é comparável ao BHT (19,8 ± 0,5 µg mL^-1), usado como padrão antioxidante. O valor médio dos óleos é duas vezes menor, mas igualmente importante como agente antioxidante. O teor de Fenólicos Totais (TP, 124,6 ± 8,7 mg GAE per g) e o Trolox Equivalente (TEAC, 144,1 ± 4,9 mg TE per g) do extrato metanólico confirmaram a significativa atividade antioxidante de C. scoparioides. Da mesma forma, nos bioensaios com larva de camarão (Artemia salina) o valor médio da concentração letal dos óleos (CL₅₀, 7,7 ± 0,3 µg mL^-1) foi dez vezes maior que no extrato metanólico (CL₅₀, 77,6 ± 7,1 µg mL^-1) mostrando importante atividade biológica.

Antioxidant capacity and biological activity of essential oil and methanol extract of Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth

O óleo essencial das folhas e ramos finos frescos e secos de Hyptis crenata forneceu os seguintes rendimentos, 1,4% e 0,9%. Os constituintes voláteis principais foram α-pineno (22,0%; 19,5%), 1,8-cineol (17,6%; 23,2%), β-pineno (17,0%: 13,8%), cânfora (4,7%; 11,6%), limoneno (5,4%; 4,4%) e γ-terpineno (3,5%; 2,4%), totalizando mais de 70% nos óleos. A atividade de seqüestro do radical DPPH para o extrato metanólico (CE₅₀, 16,7 + 0,4 µg/mL) foi comparável ao do BHT (19,8 ± 0,5 µg/mL) mostrando uma significante atividade antioxidante. Os óleos apresentaram baixa atividade. O teor de fenólicos totais (TP, 373,0 + 15,9 mg GAE/g) e equivalente trolox (TEAC, 226,8 + 0,5 mg TE/g) confirmaram a atividade antioxidante do extrato metanólico, que pode ser atribuída à presença de compostos fenólicos polares. No teste com larvas de camarão as concentrações letais para o óleo e extrato metanólico foram 6,7 + 0,2 µg/mL e 13,0 + 3,7 µg/mL, respectivamente, fornecendo importante evidência de suas atividade biológicas.

A statistical evaluation of the effects of process variables during catalytic hydrogenation of passion fruit (passiflora edulis) seed oil

ABSTRACT: Hydrogenation of passion fruit (passiflora edulis) seed oil was carried out with a commercial nickel/silica catalyst under different experimental conditions. The influence of reaction parameters (reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure, amount of catalyst, agitation rate and reaction time) on the response variable (iodine value) was studied using a central composite rotatable design and six center points for replication. Under the experimental conditions used, the model response equations for the iodine value showed good agreement with the experimental results.

Volatile and non-volatile compounds and antimicrobial activity of Mansoa difficilis (Cham.) Bureau & K. Schum. (Bignoniaceae)

ABSTRACT: Essential oil from the leaves of Mansoa difficilis was analyzed by GC/MS. Oct-1-en-3-ol (49.65%) was the major compound, but diallyl di- and trisulfide were also present (0.85 and 0.37%, respectively), justifying the garlic-like odor of the crushed leaves. The hexane and methanol extracts of the leaves and stems afforded as main constituents a mixture of linear hydrocarbons, spinasterol, stigmasterol, ursolic and oleanolic acids, two apigenin derivatives and verbascoside. The hexane and methanol extracts of leaves were tested for antimicrobial activity against ten microorganisms. The hexane extract was active against both Psedomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Destilação fracionada do óleo essencial de P. aduncum L. rico em dilapiol

A espécie Piper aduncum L. é uma planta de porte arbustivo, popularmente conhecida na região amazônica como pimenta-de-macaco. Dela, pode ser extraído um óleo essencial, rico em dilapiol, de grande interesse econômico pela sua ação inseticida e combate às pragas na agricultura. Esse bioinseticida surge como alternativa para substituir os inseticidas sintéticos, pois sendo de origem natural não causam danos ao meio ambiente e à saúde do homem. Neste trabalho, foram analisadas as propriedades físicas do óleo essencial de pimenta-de-macaco, obtido por destilação por arraste com vapor que apresentou valores médios do índice de refração igual a 1,516 e massa específica igual a 1,08 g/cm³. Estudou-se o processo de destilação fracionada do óleo essencial, visando concentrar o composto de interesse agregando maior valor econômico, o que viabiliza seu emprego na produção de novos produtos. Nesse processo o composto principal é obtido com elevado grau de pureza. Avaliou-se um modelo matemático para a concentração de dilapiol no fundo do balão de destilação, via análise de regressão, em função do tempo de operação, o qual ajustou muito bem os dados experimentais. A análise dos resultados permite afirmar que o processo de destilação fracionada pode ser empregado para separar os constituintes úteis de óleos essenciais. Isso só é possível, pois os óleos essenciais são constituídos por vários compostos orgânicos voláteis de pontos de ebulição e pressões de vapor diferentes, tornando a separação viável. O maior teor de dilapiol obtido experimentalmente pelo processo de destilação fracionada a vácuo foi de 95 %, operando-se nas condições de vácuo (40 mmHg) e temperatura média da coluna de 122 ºC, obtendo-se um rendimento médio do processo de 41 % (v/v).

Alkaloids and volatile constituents from the stem of Fusaea longifolia (Aubl.) Saff. (Annonaceae)

ABSTRACT: A phytochemical study of the ethanol extract and an extraction of the volatile compounds, performed by means of Clevenger apparatus were carried out with the stem of Fusaea longifolia (Aubl.) Saff. (Annonaceae). The ethanol extract yielded O-methylmoschatoline, isolated for the first time in this species, and stepholidine, reported for the first time in genus Fusaea. The structural identification of the alkaloids was made based on the analysis of their NMR spectra. Through the use of GC and GC-MS, two sesquiterpenoids, a-cadinol (12.5%) and spatulenol (12.0%) were identified as the major constituents of the essential oil.

Projeto de um controlador Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno para uma estação de tratamento de esgoto por lodos ativados

Este trabalho propõe o projeto de um controlador Fuzzy do tipo Takagi-Sugeno em uma estação de tratamento de esgoto por lodos ativados. Este tipo de tratamento ocorre na presença de oxigênio, pois microorganismos aeróbios presentes no licor misto irão proporcionar a remoção tanto da matéria carbonácea quanto nutrientes formados por compostos à base de nitrogênio. O controlador atua via mecanismo de aeração e foi projetado para interpolar os ganhos proporcionais e integrativos de três controladores fixos locais que, por sua vez, foram projetados a partir da linearização de um modelo contínuo de balanço de massa de oxigênio. O controlador auxiliará manter a concentração de oxigênio dissolvido desejável na faixa de operação do processo para que ocorra a nitrificação, reação química de oxiredução que transforma amônio em nitrito, que é fundamental para o sucesso do processo, e poderá também economizar energia elétrica utilizada pelo mecanismo de aeração. Os ensaios foram realizados via simulação computacional em quatro cenários idealizados comparando o desempenho do controlador fuzzy e o desempenho de um controlador fixo projetado em um ponto de operação diferente do qual se utilizou como valor de referência na planta. Ao aplicar um degrau no valor de referência estabelecido no cenário de análise, observou-se o tempo de subida, o tempo de acomodação e o erro em regime. Após os ensaios, observou-se que o desempenho do controlador fuzzy nos quesitos tempo de subida e tempo de acomodação em relação ao controlador fixo foi melhor, enquanto nos quesitos sobressinal e erro em regime foi semelhante. Após as análises, concluiu-se que a estratégia de controle escolhida neste trabalho é viável, pois de acordo com o valor auferido de oxigênio dissolvido na entrada da planta, o controlador fuzzy irá interpolar os ganhos proporcionais e integrativos de um controlador fixo projetado na vizinhança deste valor e assim, atuar de forma bastante satisfatória.

Supercritical extraction of pupunha (Guilielma speciosa) oil in a fixed bed using carbon dioxide

The pupunha (Guilielma speciosa) is the fruit of a palm tree typical of the Brazilian Northern region, whose stem is used as a source of heart of palm. The fruit, which is about 65% pulp, is a source of oil and carotenes. In the present work, an analysis of the kinetics of supercritical extraction of oil from the pupunha pulp is presented. Carbon dioxide was used as solvent. The extractions were carried out at 25 MPa and 323 K and 30 MPa and 318 K. The chemical composition of the extracts in terms of fatty acids was determined by gas chromatography. The amount of oleic acid, a saturated fatty acid, in the CO2 extracts was larger than that in the extract obtained with hexane. The overall extraction curves were modeled using the single-parameter model proposed in the literature to describe the desorption of toluene from activated coal.

Extraction of oil from pressed palm oil (Elaes guineensis) fibers using supercritical CO2

Residual fibers from palm oil production are a good source of carotene, since they contain more than 5% of the original oil, with about 5000 ppm of carotenoids. As carotenoids are thermosensitive molecules, supercritical CO₂ can be used for oil recovery, because this technique employs low temperatures. In this work results of oil extraction experiments from pressed palm oil fibers are shown. Fibers were from AGROPALMA, an industry which is located in Tailândia (Pará, Brazil). Extractions were carried out at 200, 250 and 300 bar and at temperatures of 45 and 55oC. Oil was analyzed by UV/vis spectrophotometry for total carotene determination. Results showed a large increase in extraction rate from 200 to 250 bar and a small variation from 250 to 300 bar. The total amount of carotenes did not increase in the course of extraction at 300 bar, but it showed a large increase at 200 and at 250 bar. Free fatty acids are present in amounts larger than those found in commercial oils.

Copaiba oil effect under different pathways in mice subjected to sepsis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of copaiba oil administered by different routes on survival of mices subjected to cecal ligation and puncture. METHODS: Thirty two mice were distributed into four study groups (N=8): Sham group: normal standard animals; Control group: submitted a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); Gavage group: submitted a CLP, and treat with copaiba oil by gavage; and Subcutaneous group: submitted a CLP, and treat with copaiba oil by subcutaneous injection. After the death of the histological analysis were performed. The Kaplan-Meier curves of surviving time were realized. RESULTS: All animals that received copaiba, regardless of the route used, survived longer when compared to the control group (p<0.0001), whereas the survival time ranged from 20 hours for the control group up to 32 hours for the animals of gavage group and 52 for subcutaneous group. The animals that received gavage copaiba lived about and about 20 hours unless the subcutaneous group (p=0.0042). There was no statistical difference when compared the intensity of inflammatory response (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic subcutaneous administration of copaiba in mice subjected to severe sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture, resulted in a survival time higher than non-use or use of this oil by gavage.

Effect of andiroba oil on periodontitis in Wistar rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of andiroba oil on the periodontitis in rats. METHODS: The periodontitis was induced by the placement of cotton ligatures around the cervix of the second upper molars on fifteen rats, and waiting fifty days. The animals were randomly distributed into three groups: saline group, andiroba oil group and meloxican group, differentiated by substance used in the treatment of periodontitis. The groups received the respective substance by gavage for seven days, after the periodontitis induced. It was analyzed the score of inflammatory cells and the measurement from the cemento-enamel junction to the bone crest. RESULTS: The andiroba oil group (p=0.008) and meloxican group (p=0.0347) show a less score of inflammatory cells than saline group, however there weren't difference between them (p=0.2754). Regarding the analysis of measurement from the cemento-enamel junction to the bone crest, there was no difference between groups studied (p=0.3451). CONCLUSION: Andiroba oil decreased the quantity of inflammatory cells, however, it didn't have an effect on the measurement of alveolar bone loss, like the treatment with Meloxican®.

Antinociceptive effects of the essential oil of Mentha x villosa leaf and its major constituent piperitenone oxide in mice

Mentha x villosa Huds (Labiatae) is an aromatic herb widely used in folk medicine. Since the essential oil of the herb has many pharmacological activities, including antispasmodic effects, we determined whether the oil and its major constituent, piperitenone oxide (PO), have antinociceptive activity. The essential oil of M. x villosa (EOMV) and PO administered orally at 200 mg/kg (vehicle: 0.1% Tween 80 in water) significantly reduced the writhings induced by acetic acid from control values of 59.5 ± 3.1 s (N = 10) to 31.9 ± 2.8 s (N = 10) and 23.8 ± 3.4 s (N = 10), respectively. When administered at 100 and 200 mg/kg, EOMV reduced the paw licking time for the second phase of the formalin test from the control value of 20.6 ± 2.1 s (N = 13) to 5.3 ± 2.2 s (N = 12) and 2.7 ± 1.2 s (N = 18), respectively. At 100 and 200 mg/kg, PO reduced this second phase to 8.3 ± 2.7 s (N = 12) and 3.0 ± 1.2 s (N = 10), respectively. This effect of EOMV and PO was not reversed by naloxone. EOMV and PO had no significant effect on the first phase of the formalin test. As evaluated by the hot-plate and tail immersion test, EOMV and PO, at doses up to 200 mg/kg, showed no analgesic activity. These results show that EOMV and PO have antinociceptive activity and suggest that this effect is probably an indirect anti-inflammatory effect, which does not involve the central nervous system.