Application of X-ray technique in nondestructive evaluation of eucalypt wood

X-rays were initially used for the inspection of special-purpose wood pieces for quantitative evaluation properties of different species. X-ray densitometry has had its use expanded ill dendroclimatology of Picea engelmannii trees. Subsequent laboratories developed applications of X-ray densitometry for environmental, wood science and technology, and related areas. This paper describes the basic methodology of X-ray densitometry applied to the eucalypt wood analysis, as well its presenting the results of applications in three areas: (i) evaluation of wood biodegradation by white rot fungi, (ii) detection of sapwood and heartwood, and (iii) determination of the effect of management oil wood properties. The wood decayed by white rot fungi was detected by X-ray densitometry with it decreasing wood density due to the biodegradation of cell wall components. The sapwood and heartwood of eucalypts were separated in response to the attenuation of X-rays, reflected by the wood anatomical structure and chemical composition. Also, Ill eucalypt trees after the application of irrigation and i characteristic wood density profiles were detected. Ill addition, the significant potential of X-ray densitometry for eucalypt wood research and analysis is discussed.

Composition and acaricidal activity of the essential oil of Lychnophora ericoides Mart. to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae).

The essential oil of the leaves and branches obtained by hydrodistillation of Lychnophora ericoides, collected in the Reserve of Furnas - MG, Brazil, was analyzed by CG/EM (Shimadzu QP2010). The major parts of the volatile components identified in the essential oil of leaves were monoterpenes (44.02%) and the sesquiterpene [alpha]-bisabolol (2.05%). The major acaricidal activity of the essential oil from L. ericoides was observed at 48 (14.55 [mu]L/L of air) and 72 h (8.01 [mu]L/L of air) of exposition. The oviposition of T. urticae oviposition was influenced by the essential oil, but the eclosion of eggs was not affected.

Tungsten permanent chemical modifier for fast estimation of Se contents in soil by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten carbide coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer was used as a modifier for the direct determination of Se in soil extracts by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (0.0050 mol L-1) plus ammonium hydrogencarbonate (1.0 mol L-1) extracted predominantly available inorganic selenate from soil. The formation of a large amount of carbonaceous residue inside the atomizer was avoided with a first pyrolysis step at 600 degreesC assisted by air during 30 s. For 20 muL of soil extracts delivered to the atomizer and calibration by matrix matching, an analytical curve (10.0-100 mug of L-1) with good linear correlation (r = 0.999) between integrated absorbance and analyte concentration was established. The characteristic mass was similar to63 pg of Se, and the lifetime of the tube was similar to750 firings. The limit of detection was 1.6 mug L-1, and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) were typically <4% for a soil extract containing 50 mug of L-1. The accuracy of the determination of Se was checked for soil samples by means of addition/recovery tests. Recovery data of Se added to four enriched soil samples varied from 80 to 90% and indicated an accurate method.

Yield and Composition of the Essential Oil of Basil on Plant Growth Regulators Application

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

Gastroprotective mechanisms of Citrus lemon (Rutaceae) essential oil and its majority compounds limonene and beta-pinene: Involvement of heat-shock protein-70, vasoactive intestinal peptide, glutathione, sulfhydryl compounds, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E-2

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

Prostate carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (mnu) in gerbils: Histopathological diagnosis and potential invasiveness mediated by extracellular matrix components

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

Action of andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) on Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) semi-engorged females: Morphophysiological evaluation of reproductive system

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

Structure and Applications of a Rhamnolipid Surfactant Produced in Soybean Oil Waste

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

Oil-in-water lecithin-based microemulsions as a potential delivery system for amphotericin B

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

Essential oil of Lithraea molleoides (Vell.): chemical composition and antimicrobial activity

Lithraea molleoides(Vell.) (Anacardiaceae) é uma árvore encontrada no Brasil, Paraguai, Bolívia, Uruguai, Argentina e Chile. É popularmente usada na forma de extrato alcoólico, decocção e infusão para o tratamento de tosse, bronquite, artrite, doenças do sistema digestivo, como diurético, tranqüilizante, hemostático e tônico. O objetivo do presente estudo foi a extração do óleo essencial dos frutos maduros, folhas e outras partes aéreas da planta e o rendimento do mesmo; a identificação e quantificação dos principais componentes e a determinação da atividade antimicrobiana. O rendimento do óleo essencial dos frutos maduros foi de 1%, entretanto, não foi encontrado óleo essencial nas partes aéreas da planta. A análise do óleo essencial por cromatografia gasosa com espectrometria de massa, mostrou a presença de limoneno (89,89%), alfa-pineno (3,48%), beta-pineno (2,63%), alfa-terpineol (1.27%), mirceno (0,64%), sabineno (0,54%), 4-terpineol (0,28%), canfeno (0,22%) e delta-3-careno (0,13%). O óleo essencial foi ativo contra algumas bactérias Gram positivas e leveduras testadas e não apresentou atividade contra bactérias Gram negativas.

Postweaning growth of the non-carcass components of Texel crossbred lambs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Essential oil of the Pothomorphe peltata (L.) Miq.

The essential oils of leaves of the Pothomorphe peltata (L.) Miq., collected in vegetative and reproductive periods, showed yields of 0.10-0.20%. Analysis of the oil by GC/MS revealed that the predominant components were those of the sesquiterpene class. The major constituents were beta-caryophyllene (39.5-68.0%), germacrene D (6.2-13.3%), (E)-nerolidol (4.8-11.1%) and alpha-humulene (2.1-6.5%).

Screening and confirmation of PAHs in vegetable oil samples by use of supercritical fluid extraction in conjunction with liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection

A fast, simple, non-destructive method for the direct screening of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in vegetable oil samples is proposed. The method uses a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system coupled on-line with a fluorimetric detector to determine PAHs. This special assembly avoids the main problems encountered in the determination of PAHs in complex matrices such as vegetable oils. PAHs are selectively extracted by using silica gel in the thimble and cleaned up by passage through a C18 column. Interferences are preferentially retained by the silica gel during the SFE process while PAHs are adsorbed in the C18 column and the remainder of the matrix is sent to waste. Finally, the C18 column is purged to remove residual CO2 gas and adsorbed PAHs are recovered by desorption with a solvent. The extracts from positive samples are subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detection. The proposed method allows the confirmation of vegetable oil safety and hence provides a new tool for consumer protection. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of fitness components in strains of Drosophila mulleri carrying different genotypes for an esterase

Several fitness components in strains of Drosophila mulleri carrying the slow or the fast alleles for the major beta esterase (esterase-4) found in this species, as well as in heterozygous flies in which the slow or fast alleles came from one of the parents, were evaluated. Twelve components were analysed including longevity of both virgins and mated males and females, productivity, viability, including the egg-larva, egg-pupa, egg-imago and pupa-imago periods. These parameters were used to estimate the total fitness for each genotype. The best score was reached by individuals having the Est-4(S)/Est-4(S) genotype (scored at 1.000), followed by a fitness value of 0.892 presented by the Est-4(F)/Est-4(S) genotype (with the fast allele from maternal origin), 0.863 for the Est-4(F)/Est-4(F) and 0.842 for the Est-4(S)/Est-4(F) genotypes (with Est-4(F) maternal origin). These results suggested a higher relative adaptability of the Est-4(S)/Est-4(S) genotype followed by the Est-4(F)/Est-4(S) hybrid that possessed the allele Est-4(S) of maternal origin, which was incompatible with predictions of neutral polymorphism.

Influence of organic fertilisation on leaves and essential oil production of Ocimum gratissimuim L.

The experiment was installed in Lageado Experimental Farm with aim to verify the influence of organic fertilisation (0, 4, 8 and 12 kg of manure/m(2) - with four replications) on leaves and essential oil production of Ocimum gratissimum. The harvesting was done twice (May - autumn and August - winter), and the leaves were separated for extraction of essential oil by Clevenger apparatus. The leaf production and oil content were calculated on dry mass basis. The results showed no statistical difference for organic fertilisation, although significant difference was verified for seasons. The main constituents of essential oil were eugenol and 1,8- cineole. The amount of the eugenol was higher in autumn, while the presence of other components including 1,8-cineole, beta-selinene and trans-caryophyllene were more dominant at wintertime.