Polinização de Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (Passiflorales, Passifloraceae), por abelhas (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae) em Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro

The yellow passion Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg. is allogamous, self incompatible, and it depends of insects pollinators to disseminate the pollen grains. The field work was conducted at Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from October 17 to November 9 and December 12 to 21, 1995. It was analyzed 1565 flower buds, from which 423 showed well developed ovaries, five days after opening, this represents 27% of fruit set by natural pollination. It was observed 76,86 % of completely curved flowers, 21,22 % of partially curved flowers, and 1,92 % flowers without curvature. Five species of bees where observed on the flowers, from which two were the effective pollinator of yellow passion flower: Xylocopa (Megaxylocopa) frontalis (Olivier, 1789) and X. (Neoxylocopa) ordinaria Smith, 1874.

Imaturos de pentatomídeos (Hemiptera, Heteroptera): morfologia e biologia de Acrosternum obstinatum

The morphological characteristics of the egg and five immature stages of Acrosternum obstinatum (Stål, 1860), fed on passion fruit, are described and illustrated. Biological data are also provided.

A new species of Neosilba (Diptera, Lonchaeidae) from Brazil

A new species of Neosilba McAlpine, 1962, N. pradoi sp. nov., is described and illustrated. This new species was found in the south of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina), in the southeast (State of São Paulo) and center west (State of Mato Grosso do Sul). It has been reared from fruits of guava (Psidium guajava, Myrtaceae), "araçá" (Psidium cattleyanum, Myrtaceae), "guabiroba" (Campomanesia xanthocarpa, Myrtaceae), Surinam cherry (Malpighia emarginata, Malpighiaceae), cherry (Prunus avium, Rosaceae), orange (Citrus sinensis, Rutaceae), "ingá" (Inga laurina, Fabaceae), "esporão-de-galo" (Celtis iguanae, Ulmaceae) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis, Passifloraceae).

External morphology of the immature stages of Neotropical heliconians: X. Heliconius sara apseudes (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae)

ABSTRACT The biology and morphology of the immature stages of Heliconius sara apseudes (Hübner, [1813]) are still little known. External features of the egg, larvae and pupa of H. sara apseudes are described and illustrated, based upon light and scanning electron microscopy. Eggs with smooth carina, first instar larva with scaly setae, and body of second to fifth instars covered with scattered pinnacles distinguish H. sara apseudes from other heliconiine species.

Production of TNF-α, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide by macrophages from mice with paracoccidioidomycosis that were fed a linseed oil-enriched diet

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) can modulate the immune system and their primary effect is on macrophage function. Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic systemic mycosis in Latin America that is caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb). Macrophages are the main defence against this pathogen and have microbicidal activity that is dependent on interferon-Γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These cytokines stimulate the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), leading to the death of the fungus. To study the effect of n-3 PUFA on the host immune response during experimental PCM, macrophages that were obtained from animals infected with Pb18 and fed a diet enriched by linseed (LIN) oil were cultured and challenged with the fungus in vitro. The macrophage function was analysed based on the concentrations of TNF-α, NO and H2O2. LIN oil seems to influence the production of TNF-α during the development of disease. A diet enriched with LIN oil influences the microbicidal activity of the macrophages by inducing the production of cytokines and metabolites such as NO and H2O2, predominantly in the chronic phase of infection.

Comparative description of the immature stages of two very similar leaf footed bugs, Holymenia clavigera (Herbst) and Anisoscelis foliacea marginella (Dallas) (Hemiptera, Coreidae, Anisoscelini)

Holymenia clavigera (Herbst, 1784) and Anisoscelis foliacea marginella (Dallas, 1852) (Hemiptera, Coreidae) present a remarkable similarity regarding egg and nymphal morphology. On the contrary, their adult stages are remarkably different. This study describes and compares the immature stages of these two coreid species. Excepting for the last instar and the shape of the hind tibia from third to last instar, nymphs of both species were identical in their gross morphologies and ultrastructures. However, H. clavigera was significantly larger than A. foliacea marginella in all stages. Thus, we suggest that these species may have evolved through evolutionary convergence, parsimony between the immature stages after speciation, Müllerian mimicry or genetic drift.

External morphology of the immature stages of Neotropical heliconians: IX. Dione glycera (C. Felder & R. Felder) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae)

External morphology of the immature stages of Neotropical heliconians: IX. Dione glycera (C. Felder & R. Felder) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae). The biology of the Andean silverspot butterfly Dione glycera (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1861) is still poorly known. This species is restricted to high elevations in the Andes, where the immature stages are found in close association with species of Passiflora belonging to the section Tacsonia (Juss.) Harms, especially P. tripartida var. mollissima (Kunth), which is grown for subsistence by villagers. Herein we describe and illustrate the external features of the egg, larva and pupa of D. glycera, based on light and scanning electron microscopy.

The impact of breeding on fruit production in warm climates of Brazil

Brazil is a very large country with a diverse climate. This fact allows a diversity of plants to grow ranging from tropical rainforest in the Amazon, passing through Atlantic Forest along the coast, the cerrados (Brazilian savannah) in the Central West region, and semi-arid area in the Northeast. Latitude ranges from 5º N to 33º S, with most of this territory in the tropical region. There are enough reasons to plant breeders devoting great amount of their effort to improve plants suitable for warm climates, though. Among fruit crops, results of breeder's work have been noticed in several species, especially on peaches, grapes, citrus, apples, persimmons, figs, pears and others not so common, such as acerola, guava, annonas (sour sop, sugar apple, atemoya, cherimoya) and passion fruit. Peach tree introduced at low latitude (22 ± 2ºS) requires climatic adaptation to subtropical conditions of low chilling. In Brazil, the first peach breeding program aiming adaptation of cultivars to different habitats was developed by Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) beginning in the end of the 40's. Apple low chill requirement cultivars obtained in a South state, Paraná, are now been planted at low latitudes. Banana and pineapple breeding programs from Embrapa units along the country are successfully facing new sanitary problems. Petrolina/Juazeiro, in the Northeastern region (9ºS), is the main grape exporting region with more than 6,000 ha. Grape growing in the region is based in the so called "tropical" rootstocks released by IAC, namely: IAC 313 'Tropical', IAC 572 'Jales'. Recently, Embrapa Grape and Wine released tropical grape seedless cultivars that are changing table grape scenario in the country.

COMPARISON OF RNA EXTRACTION METHODS FOR Passiflora edulis SIMS LEAVES

ABSTRACT Functional genomic analyses require intact RNA; however, Passiflora edulis leaves are rich in secondary metabolites that interfere with RNA extraction primarily by promoting oxidative processes and by precipitating with nucleic acids. This study aimed to analyse three RNA extraction methods, Concert™ Plant RNA Reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), TRIzol® Reagent (Invitrogen) and TRIzol® Reagent (Invitrogen)/ice -commercial products specifically designed to extract RNA, and to determine which method is the most effective for extracting RNA from the leaves of passion fruit plants. In contrast to the RNA extracted using the other 2 methods, the RNA extracted using TRIzol® Reagent (Invitrogen) did not have acceptable A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios and did not have ideal concentrations. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed a strong DNA band for all of the Concert™ method extractions but not for the TRIzol® and TRIzol®/ice methods. The TRIzol® method resulted in smears during electrophoresis. Due to its low levels of DNA contamination, ideal A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios and superior sample integrity, RNA from the TRIzol®/ice method was used for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the resulting amplicons were highly similar. We conclude that TRIzol®/ice is the preferred method for RNA extraction for P. edulis leaves.

Determinação eletroquímica da capacidade antioxidante de sucos de frutas industrializados usando o CRAC assay

Fruits juices are natural sources of several compounds that present antioxidant action. Together with the fruits, they contribute with almost 40% of the antioxidant capacity in a healthy diet avoiding and preventing diseases deriving from oxidative stress. The present study determined the antioxidant capacity of seven samples of industrialized fruits juices applying CRAC (Ceric Reducing/Antioxidant Capacity) assay, a new electrochemistry assay that evaluates, by means of chronoamperometric measurements, the ability of a sample in reducing species Ce4+ in acid media. At the end of the assay was obtained the following classification: cashew > guava > grape > mango > apple > orange > passion fruit.

Optimization of the carrot leaf dehydration aiming at the preservation of omega-3 fatty acids

The carrot leaf dehydration conditions in air circulation oven were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) for minimizing the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic (LNA, 18:3n-3). The optimized leaf drying time and temperature were 43 h and 70 ºC, respectively. The fatty acids (FA) were investigated using gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector and fused silica capillary column; FA were identified with standards and based on equivalent-chain-length. LNA and other FA were quantified against C21:0 internal standard. After dehydration, the amount of LNA, quantified in mg/100 g dry matter of dehydrated carrot leaves, were 984 mg.

Influência da saponificação na determinação de carotenoides em maracujás do cerrado

This work describes the evaluation of the effect of saponification process in the carotenoid's content of three species of passion fruit. The results indicated the saponification of the extract was necessary to obtain cis-violaxanthin, trans-violaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin hydrolyzed. These compounds were found in fruits of commercial P. edulis and yellow wild P. edulis. However, the extract saponification did not permitted to obtain free carotenes in fruits of wild purple P. edulis and P. setacea, and to trans-violaxanthin of P. cincinnata, therefore saponification was not indicated in the carotenoid analysis of these three accessions of passion fruit.

Hydrolytic activity of bacterial lipases in amazonian vegetable oils

The data presented describe the development of an enzymatic process in vegetable oils. Six bacterial lipases were tested for their ability to hydrolyze. For each lipase assay, the p-NPP method was applied to obtain maximum enzymatic activities. The lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (lipase B-10) was the most effective in buriti oil, releasing 4840 µmol p-NP mL-1. The lipase from Klebsiella variicola (lipase B-22) was superior in passion fruit oil, releasing 4140 µmol p-NP mL-1 and also in babassu palm oil, releasing 2934 µmol p-NP mL-1. Research into the bioprocessing of oils aims to provide added value for this regional raw material.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts from Lentinula edodes isolates against Colletotrichum sublineolum and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Passiflorae

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts from fruiting bodies of different isolates of Lentinula edodeson the pathogens Colletotrichum sublineolum, the causal agent of anthracnose in sorghum, and Xanthomonas axonopodispv. passiflorae, the causal agent of bacterial spot in passion fruit. Results showed that the aqueous extracts from isolates LE JAB-K and LE 95/01 significantly reduced C. sublineolumspore germination,while the isolate LE 96/22 was the only one to inhibit the pathogen mycelial growth. However, all L. edodesisolates showed inhibitory effect on C. sublineolumappressorium formation. Regarding X. axonopodispv. passiflorae, the aqueous extracts from all L. edodesisolates significantly reduced the in vitromultiplication of the bacterium. However, antimicrobial activity was lost when the extracts were autoclaved, demonstrating their thermolabile property. The aqueous extract from isolate LE 96/22 was also partially purified by anion exchange chromatography and fraction V exhibited high inhibitory activity on the in vitromycelial growth of C. sublineolum, while the multiplication of X. axonopodispv. passifloraewas inhibited by fractions IV, V and VII. Thus, L. edodesisolates were shown to produce compounds exhibiting antifungal and antibacterial activities against phytopathogens, which are mainly concentrated in fraction V.

In vitro effect of substrate, temperature and photoperiod on Phakopsora pachyrhizi urediniospore germination and germ tube growth

In vitro experiments were conducted to assess the effects of substrate, temperature and time of exposure to temperature and photoperiod on P. pachyrhizi uredospore germination and germ tube growth. The following substrates were tested: water-agar and soybean leaf extract-agar at different leaf concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g of leaves and 15g agar/L water), temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35oC) and times of exposure (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 hours) to temperature and 12 different photoperiods. The highest germination and germ tube length was found for the soybean leaf extract agar. Maximum P. pachyrhizi uredospore germination was obtained at 21.8 and 22.3°C, and maximum germ tube growth at 21.4 and 22.1°C. The maximum uredospore germination was found at 6.4 hours exposure, while the maximum germ tube length was obtained at 7.7 h exposure. Regarding photoperiod, the maximum spore germination and the maximum uredospore germ tube length were found in the dark. Neither spore germination nor uredospore germ tube growth was completely inhibited by the exposure to continuous light.