Quality traits and lipid composition of meat from Nellore young bulls fed with different oils either protected or unprotected from rumen degradation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fatty acid production by four strains of Mucor hiemalis grown in plant oil and soluble carbohydrates

Four Mucor hiemalis strains (M1, M2, M3 and M4), isolated from soil at a depth of 0 - 15 cm in the Juréia-Itatins Ecology Station (JIES), in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and were evaluated for the production of γ-linolenic (GLA) and other unsaturated fatty acids. Five growth variables (temperature, pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, and vegetable oils) were studied. Liquid media containing 2% vegetable oil (palm oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, or sunflower oil) or 2% carbohydrate (fructose, galactose, glycerol, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose, sorbitol or xylose) and 1% yeast extract as a nitrogen source were used. The greatest biomass production was observed with M3 and M4 strains in palm oil (91.5 g l -1) and sunflower oil (68.3 g l -1) media, respectively. Strain M4 produced greater quantities of polyunsaturated acids in medium containing glucose. The GLA production in the M4 biomass was 1,132.2 mg l -1 in glucose medium. Plant oils were inhibitors of fatty acid production by these strains. © 2007 Academic Journals.

Soil seed banks in tropical forest fragments with different disturbance histories in southeastern Brazil

Soil seed banks are considered an important mechanism for natural regeneration in tropical forest ecosystems. This paper investigated the soil seed bank in two semideciduous seasonal tropical forest fragments with different disturbance histories in Botucatu, southeastern Brazil. In each study site, 40 superficial soil samples (30 cm × 30 cm × 5 cm) were taken at the end of both the dry and rainy seasons. The seeds were estimated by the germination method. Average soil seed density was 588.6 and 800.3 seeds m-2, respectively, for site 1 (less disturbed) and site 2 (more disturbed). Seed density and diversity (H′) were significantly higher in site 2 in both seasons. Non-woody taxa predominated in both fragments, but pioneer tree species were better represented in the less disturbed forest. Both ecosystems have a potential for regeneration from soil seed banks, but this potential is higher in the less disturbed site. Low richness and density of pioneer tree species in the seed bank indicate that the ecosystem has lost its resilience. The seed bank is not as important in these ecosystems as in other forests. Results indicate that management strategies to restore these forests should take into account the possibility of recovering soil seed bank processes and dynamics. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) and sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.): Antioxidant activity, fatty acids profile and determination of tocopherols

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the soursop and sugar apple seeds as to its composition, to evaluate the antioxidant potential of seeds extract and characterize the oil extracted from them, regarding the fatty acids profile and content of tocopherols. Design/methodology/approach: To obtain the extracts, dried and crushed seeds were extracted with ethanol for 30 minutes, at a ratio of 1:3 (m/m, seed: ethyl alcohol) under continuous stirring at room temperature. Then, the mixture was filtered and the supernatants subjected to rotoevaporator at 40°C aiming to determine, by direct weighing, the yields of dry extracts. Findings: According to the results, the soursop and sugar apple seeds constituted significant sources of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates and can therefore be used in food and feed, and offer relevant antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds. The oil seeds are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic and linoleic acids and they have significant amounts of total tocopherol. Research limitations/implications: Implications are the identification of bioactive compounds extracted from seeds of tropical and subtropical fruits, and to prevent certain types of diseases. Practical implications: The information presented might be directly used for developing of functional foods such as fruits. Originality/value: The article tries to identify new source of compounds extracted from fruits. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Differential seed germination of a keystone palm (Euterpe edulis) dispersed by avian frugivores

The effectiveness of seed dispersal by vertebrates has been analysed by examining both quantitative and qualitative components (Jordano & Schupp 2000, Schupp et al. 2010). While the quantitative component is relatively easily assessed in the field (e.g. visitation rate, number of fruits eaten per visit), the qualitative component (e.g. fate of dispersed seeds, seed treatment in the digestive system of the disperser) is rarely studied under natural conditions, because it is difficult to measure the effects on seeds once ingested by the dispersers (Cortes et al. 2009). © Cambridge University Press 2012.

Essential oils from medicinal and aromatic plants: A review of the gastroprotective and ulcer-healing activities

Gastric ulcer is an excoriated area of the gastric mucosa. It is among the predominant gastrointestinal chronic diseases. The essential oils represent an important part of the traditional pharmacopoeia in many countries and have been successfully used for gastroprotection and ulcer healing. Thus, this review presents the experimental activity of essential oils traditionally used in the gastric ulcer prevention and treatment, considering their families, part of the plant studied, bioassays, and their mechanisms of gastroprotection and ulcer healing, with the aim of stimulating novel studies in the search for a new phytomedicine to treat gastric diseases. © 2012 The Authors Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

Hepatoencephalopathy syndrome due to Cassia occidentalis (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) seed ingestion in horses

Cassia occidentalis is a bush from the Leguminosae family, subfamily Caesalpinoideae, and is a toxic plant of veterinary interest due to the occasional contamination of animal rations. This report describes the clinical and histopathological findings of an outbreak of C.occidentalis poisoning in horses. Twenty mares were poisoned after consuming ground corn contaminated with 8% of C.occidentalis seeds. Of the 20 animals affected, 12 died: 8 mares were found dead, 2 died 6h after the onset of clinical signs compatible with hepatic encephalopathy and the 2 other animals were subjected to euthanasia 12h after the onset of the clinical signs. The remaining 8 mares presented with mild depression and decreased appetite, but improved with treatment and no clinical sequelae were observed. In 6 animals that underwent a necropsy, an enhanced hepatic lobular pattern was noted and within the large intestine, a large number of seeds were consistently observed. Hepatocellular pericentrolobular necrosis and cerebral oedema were the main histological findings. In one mare, there was mild multifocal semimembranosus rhabdomyocytic necrosis and haemorrhage. Seeds collected from intestinal contents and sifted from the culpable feedstuff were planted. Examination of the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of the resultant plants identified C.occidentalis. Horses poisoned by C.occidentalis seeds demonstrate clinical signs associated with hepatoencephalopathy and frequently die suddenly. Lesions primarily involve the liver and secondarily, the central nervous system. Cassia occidentalis poisoning should be considered a differential diagnosis in horses with hepatoencephalopathy and special caution should be taken with horse rations to avoid contamination with seeds of this toxic plant. © 2012 EVJ Ltd.

Seed dispersal by the lek-forming white-bearded manakin (Manacus manacus, Pipridae) in the Brazilian Atlantic forest

The movement patterns of males, females and juveniles of lekking species often differ due to differences in the commitment to lek activities, which may lead to differences in the spatial distribution and dispersal distances of seeds they eat. By sampling seeds in three lek and non-lek areas of the white-bearded manakin (Manacus manacus), we tested whether this lekking species increased the abundance and species richness of seeds in lek areas and, at a finer scale, in 21 displaying courts within lek areas. Combining data on seed defecation or regurgitation rates by free-ranging individuals, the number of seeds in droppings or regurgitations of mist-netted birds, and the distances travelled by birds equipped with radio-transmitters, we estimated the potential spatial distribution of seeds generated by six resident males and six females or juveniles during the morning peak of lek activity and when lek activity decreased in the afternoon. There was no difference in the species richness (46 and 44 morphospecies, respectively) and abundance of seeds (15.4 ± 7.3 seeds and 14.0 ± 1.1 seeds, respectively) between lek and non-lek areas. Within leks both parameters increased in courts (45 spp., 17.6 ± 14 seeds) compared with non-court sites (22 spp., 1.9 ± 1.8 seeds), likely as a consequence of the longer time spent by resident males in perches in or near display courts. Distances moved by juveniles and females per 60-min period (183 ± 272 m) were greater than resident males (42.6 ± 22.0 m) in the mornings, while the opposite happened in the afternoons (55.2 ± 40.7 m and 157 ± 105 m, respectively). We conclude that the spatial aggregation of seeds in lek areas of M. manacus occurs at the court level, and the spatial distribution of deposited seeds varies with manakin lekking status and the daily period of foraging. © Cambridge University Press 2013.

Fatty acids and some antioxidant compounds of Psidium guajava seed oil

Physico-chemical characteristics, fatty acid and tocopherol compositions, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of crude oil extracted from guava (Psidium guajava var. pomifera) seeds were investigated. Oil yield from the seeds was 14.0%. Data obtained for the analytical indexes compared well with those of others edible oils. The oil showed high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (88.1%), mainly linoleic acid (78.4%). The tocopherol and total phenolic contents in the oil amounted to 29.2 and 92.3 mg/100 g, respectively. The guava seed oil exhibited a great DPPH · scavenging activity showing EC₅₀ of 12.9 g oil/g [DPPH · ] -1 and antiradical efficiency of 7.9×10 -2 . Therefore, the potential utilization of the guava seed oil as a raw material of food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries appears to be favourable and provides the use of a renewable resource, adding value to agricultural products.

Genetic diversity among progenies of Crambe abyssinica Hochst for seed traits

Crambe is an important biofuel crop and its oil has unique traits such as high erucic acid content which can be used as industrial lubricant, corrosion inhibitor as well as ingredient in synthetic rubber manufacturing. Genetic diversity among 70 progenies of Crambe abyssinica Hochst selected from a population of FMS Brilhante cultivar was quantified by multivariate analysis for traits related to germination, thousand grain weight and oil content. There were significant differences among progenies for all traits studied. Estimation of genetic variance and heritability coefficients showed that the variability found in the progeny is more genetic than environmental which enables genetic gains with selection. Heritability coefficient varied from 68 to 79%, except for oil content and number of dead seedlings. Simple correlation analysis showed that germination and vigor were positively correlated, and thousand grain weight and oil content were not correlated with any of the seed traits. Based on multivariate analysis, the progenies could be grouped into 26 clusters. Clusters 1, 2 and 3 had the highest number of progeny with 7, 8 and 6 lineages, respectively. Clusters 21-26 had higher dissimilarity within the cluster with one in each progeny. The trait that most contributed to the cluster was the germination (36.2%) and less contributed was the number of seedlings killed (1.1%). The progenies indicate genetic diversity for seed traits and the selection of superior progenies is possible considering the studied traits. © 2013.

Cristalização e resolução de estrutura das proteínas Canavalia gladiata lectin (CGL) e Canavalia marítima lectin (CML) complexadas ao açúcar manose 1-6 manose

Pós-graduação em Biofísica Molecular - IBILCE

Caracterização do óleo de frutos de tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) para produção de biodiesel

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Flavonoids from leaves of Derris urucu: assessment of potential effects on seed germination and development of weeds

Em estudos anteriores descrevemos o isolamento de nove substâncias, a partir das folhas de Derris urucu, uma espécie encontrada amplamente na floresta Amazônica, as quais foram identificadas como cinco estilbenos e quatro diidroflavonóis. Neste trabalho, três desses diidroflavonóis [urucuol A (1), urucuol B (2) e isotirumalina (3)] foram avaliados para identificar seus potenciais como aleloquímicos. Estamos relatando também, o isolamento e a determinação estrutural de um novo flavonóide [5,3′-diidroxi-4′-metoxi-(7,6:5″,6″)-2″,2″-dimetilpiranoflavanona (4)]. Investigamos os efeitos dos diidroflavonóis 1-3 sobre a germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento da radícula e do hipocótilo da planta daninha Mimosa pudica, usando soluções a 150 mg.L^–1. Urucuol B, isoladamente, foi quem apresentou o maior potencial para inibir a germinação de sementes (26%), por sua vez, isotirulamina exibiu maior capacidade para reduzir o desenvolvimento do hipocótilo (25%), porém nenhuma das três substâncias mostrou potencial para inibir o desenvolvimento da radícula. Quando combinadas aos pares, as substâncias mostraram sinergismo ao desenvolvimento da radícula e do hipocótilo e efeitos, na germinação de sementes, que poderiam ser atribuídos a antagonismo. Quando testadas separadamente, as substâncias apresentaram maior tendência para inibir a germinação de sementes, enquanto que, quando testadas aos pares, observou-se aumento no efeito de inibição do desenvolvimento da planta daninha.

Dry and wet seasons set the phytochemical profile of the Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. essential oils

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

In vitro fermentation parameters and biohydrogenation of vegetable oils without glycerol

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)