Diversity of endophytic enterobacteria associated with different host plants

Fifty-three endophytic enterobacteria isolates from citrus, cocoa, eucalyptus, soybean, and sugar cane were evaluated for susceptibility to the antibiotics ampicillin and kanamycin, and cellulase production. Susceptibility was found on both tested antibiotics. However, in the case of ampicillin susceptibility changed according to the host plant, while all isolates were susceptible to kanamycin. Cellulase production also changed according to host plants. The diversity of these. isolates was estimated by employing BOX-PCR genomic fingerprints and 16S rDNA sequencing. In total, twenty-three distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified by employing a criterion of 60% fingerprint similarity as a surrogate for an OTU. The 23 OTUs belong to the Pantoea and Enterobacter genera, while their high diversity could be an indication of paraphyletic classification. Isolates representing nine different OTUs belong to Pantoea agglomerans, P. ananatis, P, stewartii, Enterobacter sp., and E. homaechei. The results of this study suggest that plant species may select endophytic bacterial genotypes. It has also become apparent that a review of the Pantoea/Enterobacter genera may be necessary.

Meat Quality of Lambs Fed on Palm Kernel Meal, a By-product of Biodiesel Production

This study aimed to establish the optimum level of palm kernel meal in the diet of Santa Ines lambs based on the sensorial characteristics and fatty acid profile of the meat. We used 32 lambs with a starting age of 4 to 6 months and mean weight of 22 2.75 kg, kept in individual stalls. The animals were fed with Tifton-85 hay and a concentrate mixed with 0.0, 6.5, 13.0 or 19.5% of palm kernel meal based on the dry mass of the complete diet. These levels formed the treatments. Confinement lasted 80 days and on the last day the animals were fasted and slaughtered. After slaughter, carcasses were weighed and sectioned longitudinally, along the median line, into two antimeres. Half-carcasses were then sliced between the 12th and 13th ribs to collect the loin (longissimus dorsi), which was used to determine the sensorial characteristics and fatty acid profile of the meat. For sensorial evaluation, samples of meat were given to 54 judges who evaluated the tenderness, juiciness, appearance, aroma and flavor of the meat using a hedonic scale. Fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. The addition of palm kernel meal to the diet had no effect on the sensorial characteristics of meat juiciness, appearance, aroma or flavor. However, tenderness showed a quadratic relationship with the addition of the meal to the diet. The concentration of fatty acids C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 increased with the addition of palm kernel meal, as did the sum of medium-chain fatty acids and the atherogenicity index. Up to of 19.5% of the diet of Santa Ines lambs can be made up of palm kernel meal without causing significant changes in sensorial characteristics. However, the fatty acid profile of the meat was altered.

Nutritional Aspects of Second Generation Soy Foods

Samples of 15 second generation soy-based products (n = 3), commercially available, were analyzed for their protein and isoflavone contents and in vitro antioxidant activity, by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu reducing ability, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Isoflavone identification and quantification were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Products containing soy and/or soy-based ingredients represent important sources of protein in addition to the low fat amounts. However, a large variation in isoflavone content and in vitro antioxidant capacity was observed. The isoflavone content varied from 2.4 to 18.1 mg/100 g (FW), and soy kibe and soy sausage presented the highest amounts. Chocolate had the highest antioxidant capacity, but this fact was probably associated with the addition of cocoa liquor, a well-known source of polyphenolics. This study showed that the soy-based foods do not present a significant content of isoflavones when compared with the grain, and their in vitro antioxidant capacity is not related with these compounds but rather to the presence of other phenolics and synthetic antioxidants, such as sodium erythorbate. However, they may represent alternative sources and provide soy protein, isoflavones, and vegetable fat for those who are not ready to eat traditional soy foods.

Thermal Behavior, Microstructure, Polymorphism, and Crystallization Properties of Zero Trans Fats from Soybean Oil and Fully Hydrogenated Soybean Oil

Blends of soybean oil (SO) and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO), with 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% (w/w) FHSBO content were interesterified under the following conditions: 20 min reaction time, 0.4% sodium methoxide catalyst, and 500 rpm stirring speed, at 100 A degrees C. The original and interesterified blends were examined for triacylglycerol composition, thermal behavior, microstructure, crystallization kinetics, and polymorphism. Interesterification produced substantial rearrangement of the triacylglycerol species in all the blends, reduction of trisaturated triacylglycerol content and increase in monounsaturated-disaturated and diunsaturated-monosaturated triacylglycerols. Evaluation of thermal behavior parameters showed linear relations with FHSBO content in the original blends. Blend melting and crystallization thermograms were significantly modified by the randomization. Interesterification caused significant reductions in maximum crystal diameter in all blends, in addition to modifying crystal morphology. Characterization of crystallization kinetics revealed that crystal formation induction period (tau (SFC)) and maximum solid fat content (SFC(max)) were altered according to FHSBO content in the original blends and as a result of the random rearrangement. Changes in Avrami constant (k) and exponent (n) indicated, respectively, that-as compared with the original blends-interesterification decreased crystallization velocities and modified crystallization processes, altering crystalline morphology and nucleation mechanism. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that interesterification altered crystalline polymorphism. The interesterified blends showed a predominance of the beta` polymorph, which is of more interest for food applications.

Zero trans fats from soybean oil and fully hydrogenated soybean oil: Physico-chemical properties and food applications

Blends of soybean oil (50) and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO), with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% FHSBO (w/w) content were interesterified under the following conditions: 0.4% sodium methoxide, 500 rpm stirring, 100 degrees C, 20 min. The original and interesterified blends were examined for triacylglycerol composition, melting point, solid fat content (SFC) and consistency. Interesterification caused considerable rearrangement of triacylglycerol species, reduction of trisaturated triacylglycerol content and increase in monounsaturated and diunsaturated triacylglycerols, resulting in lowering of respective melting points. The interesterified blends displayed reduced SFC at all temperatures and more linear melting profiles as compared with the original blends. Yield values showed increased plasticity in the blends after the reaction. Isosolid diagrams before and after the reaction showed no eutectic interactions. The 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40 interesterified SO:FHSBO blends displayed characteristics suited to application, respectively, as liquid shortening, table margarine, baking/confectionery fat and all-purpose shortenings/biscuit-filing base. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Accelerated Stability and Moisturizing Capacity of Emulsions Presenting Lamellar Gel Phase Obtained from Brazilian Natural Raw Material

Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions containing gel phase were developed with cupuassu and/or cocoa butter from Brazilian ecosystem. They were subjected to storage advanced stability tests (SAST) and to in vivo corneometry evaluation. The evaluated emulsions showed great performance in the evaluated conditions considering that no significant variation was observed. The moisturizing potential was advantageous even without the moisturizing active. The formulation was considered a good cosmetic moisturizing cream and a promise as a drug carrier.

Understanding the genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure and mating system at the hierarchical levels of fruits and individuals of a continuous Theobroma cacao population from the Brazilian Amazon

Understanding the mating patterns of populations of tree species is a key component of ex situ genetic conservation. In this study, we analysed the genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure (SGS) and mating system at the hierarchical levels of fruits and individuals as well as pollen dispersal patterns in a continuous population of Theobroma cacao in Para State, Brazil. A total of 156 individuals in a 0.56 ha plot were mapped and genotyped for nine microsatellite loci. For the mating system analyses, 50 seeds were collected from nine seed trees by sampling five fruits per tree (10 seeds per fruit). Among the 156 individuals, 127 had unique multilocus genotypes, and the remaining were clones. The population was spatially aggregated; it demonstrated a significant SGS up to 15m that could be attributed primarily to the presence of clones. However, the short seed dispersal distance also contributed to this pattern. Population matings occurred mainly via outcrossing, but selfing was observed in some seed trees, which indicated the presence of individual variation for self-incompatibility. The matings were also correlated, especially within ((r) over cap (p(m)) = 0.607) rather than among the fruits ((r) over cap (p(m)) = 0.099), which suggested that a small number of pollen donors fertilised each fruit. The paternity analysis suggested a high proportion of pollen migration (61.3%), although within the plot, most of the pollen dispersal encompassed short distances (28m). The determination of these novel parameters provides the fundamental information required to establish long-term ex situ conservation strategies for this important tropical species. Heredity (2011) 106, 973-985; doi:10.1038/hdy.2010.145; published online 8 December 2010

Long-term stability of dentin matrix following treatment with various natural collagen cross-linkers

Objectives: Collagen disorganization is one of the main degradation patterns found in unsuccessful adhesive restorations. The hypothesis of this study was that pretreatment using natural collagen cross-linking agents rich in proanthocyanidin (PA) would improve mechanical properties and stability over time of the dentin collagen and, thus, confer a more resistant and lasting substrate for adhesive restorations. Methods: PA-based extracts, from grape seed (GSE), cocoa seed (CSE), cranberry (CRE), cinnamon (CNE) and acai berry (ACE) were applied over the demineralized dentin. The apparent elastic modulus (E) of the treated dentin collagen was analyzed over a 12 month period. Specimens were immersed in the respective solution and E values were obtained by a micro-flexural test at baseline, 10, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min. Samples were stored in artificial saliva and re-tested after 3, 6 and 12 months. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: GSE and CSE extracts showed a time-dependent effect and were able to improve [240 min (MPa): GSE = 108.96 +/- 56.08: CSE = 59.21 +/- 24.87] and stabilize the E of the organic matrix [12 months (MPa): GSE = 40.91 +/- 19.69; CSE = 42.11 +/- 13.46]. CRE and CNE extracts were able to maintain the E of collagen matrices constant over 12 months [CRE = 11.17 +/- 7.22; CNE = 9.96 +/- 6.11; MPa]. ACE (2.64 +/- 1.22 MPa) and control groups immersed in neat distilled water (1.37 +/- 0.69 MPa) and ethanol-water (0.95 +/- 0.33 MPa) showed no effect over dentin organic matrix and enable their degradation and reduction of mechanical properties. Significance: Some PA-based extracts were capable of improving and stabilizing collagen matrices through exogenous cross-links induction. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanical characterization of proanthocyanidindentin matrix interaction

Objectives To characterize the properties of dentin matrix treated with two proanthocyanidin rich cross-linking agents and their effect on dentin bonded interfaces. Methods Sound human molars were cut into 0.5mm thick dentin slabs, demineralized and either treated with one of two cross-linking agents (grape seedGSE and cocoa seedCOE extracts) or left untreated. The modulus of elasticity of demineralized dentin was assessed after 10 or 60min and the swelling ratio after 60min treatment. Bacterial collagenase was also used to assess resistance to enzymatic degradation of samples subjected to ultimate tensile strength. The effect of GSE or COE on the resindentin bond strength was evaluated after 10 or 60min of exposure time. Data were statistically analyzed at a 95% confidence interval. Results Both cross-linkers increased the elastic modulus of demineralized dentin as exposure time increased. Swelling ratio was lower for treated samples when compared to control groups. No statistically significant changes to the UTS indicate that collagenase had no effect on dentin matrix treated with either GSE or COE. Resindentin bonds significantly increased following treatment with GSE regardless of the application time or adhesive system used. Significance Increased mechanical properties and stability of dentin matrix can be achieved by the use of PA-rich collagen cross-linkers most likely due to the formation of a PAcollagen complex. The short term resindentin bonds can be improved after 10min dentin treatment.(C) 2010 Academy of Denta lMaterials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solubility study of phytochemical cross-linking agents on dentin stiffness

Objectives: The effects of interactions between cross-linking proanthocyanidins (PA) in polar solvents and type-I collagen of demineralized dentin were investigated. Methods: Three PA-rich extracts, two from grape seed (GSEP and GSES) and one from cocoa (COE), were dissolved (water, ethanol:water and acetone:water) and analyzed for their ability to increase the modulus of elasticity of demineralized dentin. Sound dentin beams (0.5 mm x 1.7 mm x 7 mm) were fully demineralized and divided into 12 groups according to the type of cross-linking agent and solvents used. Specimens were immersed in the respective solutions and tested at baseline, 10, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min. Results: The elastic modulus (EM) of dentin was significantly increased by the PA treatment regardless of time (p < 0.05 for all times). The extracts showed different solubility in different solvents. GSEP showed the highest increase in EM when diluted in distilled water and acetone at all exposure times. Both GSEs showed superior results when diluted in distilled water and after 4 h of treatment, while COE produced strongest enhancement when dissolved in ethanol:water. Conclusions: The results indicates that herbal extraction process and other pharmacognostic parameters have an important influence on extract solubility as well as constitution and, consequently, on the PA-dentin matrix interaction. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Estudo morfofisiológico e anatômico de dois genótipos de cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao L.) submetidos a diferentes condições de radiação solar

A luminosidade desponta como um dos fatores abióticos de maior importância no estabelecimento das plantas, podendo ocasionar alterações a nível fisiológico e anatômico, interferindo diretamente no desenvolvimento das mesmas e consequentemente, sua produtividade. O cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao – Malvaceae) possui grande interesse econômico devido à utilização de suas sementes para produção de manteiga de cacau e chocolate. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar características fisiológicas e anatômicas de dois genótipos de cacaueiro (PH 16 e IPIRANGA 01), submetidos a diferentes condições de radiação solar de modo a inferir a respeito das condições de luminosidade mais favoráveis ao desenvolvimento dos mesmos. Foram realizadas análises de crescimento, teor de pigmentos, trocas gasosas e anatômicas caulinares e foliares. O delineamento experimental foi em Blocos casualizados (DBC), com 4 repetições em arranjo fatorial 2 x 5, constituído de dois genótipos e 5 níveis de luminosidade (0% - pleno sol -, 18%, 30%, 50% e 80% de sombreamento), totalizando 40 parcelas com 10 plantas cada. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão. Os resultados de crescimento indicam maior adaptação, de ambos os genótipos, em condições de irradiância alta a moderada. O índice de qualidade de Dickson demonstrou maior capacidade de sobrevivência em condições de campo a níveis altos de irradiância para o genótipo PH 16 e a níveis de irradiância moderada para IPIRANGA 01. Os teores de pigmentos fotossintetizantes de IPIRANGA 01 mostram-se mais elevados na condição de 30% de sombreamento, enquanto que, para PH 16 os maiores teores foram observados em 50% de sombreamento. Ambos os genótipos demonstraram altas taxas de A, Ci, E, A/E, A/Gs e A/Ci, sob elevadas irradiâncias, assim como adaptações anatômicas caulinares e foliares a maiores luminosidades, tais como, maior espessamento do limbo foliar, parênquima paliçádico, esponjoso, limbo foliar, epiderme adaxial e densidade estomática, além de maior densidade e frequência de elementos de vaso e espessura do xilema secundário. Os genótipos PH 16 e IPIRANGA 01 apresentaram uma grande plasticidade em relação aos diferentes níveis de irradiância, no entanto, constatou-se que PH 16 apresentou melhor desempenho sob condições de alta irradiância, como as obtidas nos tratamentos a pleno sol e 18% de sombreamento, enquanto que, IPIRANGA 01 mostrou-se mais adaptado sob sombreamento moderado, a 30% de sombra.

Plants used in the treatment of leishmanial ulcers due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in an endemic area of Bahia, Brazil

This paper records the plants used in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (L(V)b) among the rural population of a cocoa- producing coastal area of Bahia state, Brazil. An enquiry conducted among a hundred patients identified 49 plant species used to treat skin ulceration caused by this Leishmania species. The principal plants used are caju-branco (Anacardium occidentale - Anacardiaceae), used by 65% of the population, folha-fogo (Clidemia hirta - Melastomataceae) 39%, alfavaca-grossa (Plectranthus amboinicus - Lamiaceae) 33%, mastruz (Chenopodium ambrosioides - Chenopodiaceae) 31%, erva-de-santa-maria (Solatium americanum - Solanaceae) (25%) and transagem (Plantago major - Plantaginaceae.) 2%.

Diffusional kurtosis imaging using a fast heuristic constrained linear least squares algorithm: a plugin for OsiriX

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) is a fairly new magnetic resonance imag-ing (MRI) technique that tackles the non-gaussian motion of water in biological tissues by taking into account the restrictions imposed by tissue microstructure, which are not considered in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), where the water diffusion is considered purely gaussian. As a result DKI provides more accurate information on biological structures and is able to detect important abnormalities which are not visible in standard DTI analysis. This work regards the development of a tool for DKI computation to be implemented as an OsiriX plugin. Thus, as OsiriX runs under Mac OS X, the pro-gram is written in Objective-C and also makes use of Apple’s Cocoa framework. The whole program is developed in the Xcode integrated development environ-ment (IDE). The plugin implements a fast heuristic constrained linear least squares al-gorithm (CLLS-H) for estimating the diffusion and kurtosis tensors, and offers the user the possibility to choose which maps are to be generated for not only standard DTI quantities such as Mean Diffusion (MD), Radial Diffusion (RD), Axial Diffusion (AD) and Fractional Anisotropy (FA), but also DKI metrics, Mean Kurtosis (MK), Radial Kurtosis (RK) and Axial Kurtosis (AK).The plugin was subjected to both a qualitative and a semi-quantitative analysis which yielded convincing results. A more accurate validation pro-cess is still being developed, after which, and with some few minor adjust-ments the plugin shall become a valid option for DKI computation

Efeitos de diferentes níveis de N, P e K sôbre cacaueiros jovens (Theorema cacao L.) em solução nutritiva

Cocoa seedlings were grown in nutrient solution in order to find out the effects of the levels of N, P, K in the substrate on growth, symptoms and chemical composition of the leaves. A 3x3x3 factorial design was used. The following conclusions can be drawn. 5.1. Among the three elements under study, only nitrogen had a positive, significant effect on growth as measured by height and dry weight. 5.2. The level of a given elements in the leaves did increase when its level in the nutrient solution was raised. On the other hand the N content was positively affected by the concentration of P in the substrate. 5.3. A decrease in the N/P and K/P rations in the leaves was observed when the nutrient solutions had, res-respectively, absence of K and N and high level both of K and N. The N/K ratio increased with the level of P in the substrate. 5.4 A highly significant positive correlation was found between N content in the leaves and dry weight. This was not the case however, insofar P and K are considered - no correlation whatsoever was observed.