Fluorescência da clorofila-a e variação da simetria como ferramentas de investigação de plantas sob estresse

Environmental disturbances in various systems and individuals can result in a tendency for fluctuating asymmetry, which consists of a non-directional deviation from symmetry of a bilateral structure in a normally distributed population. Individuals unable to exhibit plastic responses to developmental disorders that occur at random, either genetic or environmental, may exhibit slight deviations from symmetry in organs with bilateral structure such as leaves. Thus analyzing plants by the morphological pattern of symmetry of the leaves has become an effective tool to describe the developmental of plants under stress conditions. This study aimed to analyze if the pattern of symmetry can be used as a tool to investigate the stress level to which a plant is subjected, using ultraviolet-C radiation (UV-C) as source of stress. We determined the leaf symmetry deviations (sd), the average length (AL) and the maximum width of the lamina (MWL) and the fluorescence parameters of chlorophyll-a in leaves of young plants of G. max subjected to 0, 30, 60, 120 or 240 minutes per week of UV-C during four weeks, submitting the values to ANOVA and Tukey test (p <0.05). The results showed significant reductions in AL and MWL, significant increase in sd in leaves irradiated and a drop in potential quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) and in the photosynthesis performance index (IP). The analysis of leaf symmetry showed high correlation with the stress level to which plants were submitted, being an important analysis to ascertain the fitness of the plant because it is a noninvasive method and easy to perform.

Fontes proteicas e idades de abate sobre a estrutura e ultraestrutura do intestino delgado de leitões desmamados

Two experiments (experiment 1 - conventional feeding and experiment 2 - feeding of the sows, starting at 109 days of pregnancy and during lactation, and the lactating piglets, with rations without soybean meal) were conducted to evaluate the effects of sources of protein (soybean meal-SBM, extruded semi-integral soybean-ESISB, and milk products-MP) on the intestinal morphology of piglets slaughtered at the 0, 5 and 15 days later at weaning. Twenty-seven piglets weaned with 25 days of age were used, being nine piglets slaughter in each slaughtering age. A 3 ×3 factorial (3 diets × 3 slaughtering ages) was studied, according to a randomized block design. The results showed that animals receiving SBM, presented lower values of villi height and villus: crypt ratio when compared to those that received ESISB or MP. The villi height and the villus: crypt ratio were not affected by the differential feeding of the sows and of the piglets before the weaning. The depth of the crypt was not affected by diets or slaughtering ages in none of the segments studied being, however, smaller in the duodenum and bigger in the jejunum and ileo of the animals of exp. 2. It was concluded that the SBM was the affected the height of the villi and the relationship villi: Crypt negatively after it weans. The intestinal morphology was more affected at five days, showing signals of recovering at 15 days after weaning and that the feeding of the sows did not affect the morphology of the segments of the thin intestine.

β-conglycinin combined with fenofibrate or rosuvastatin have exerted distinct hypocholesterolemic effects in rats

Background: There is increasing interest in non-pharmacological control of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the plasma and diet-drug association represent an important area of studies. The objective of this study was to observe the hypocholesterolemic effect of soybean β-conglycinin (7S protein) alone and combined with fenofibrate and rosuvastatin, two hypolipidemic drugs. Methods. The protein and drugs were administered orally once a day to rats and the effects were evaluated after 28 days. Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 9): hypercholesterolemic diet (HC), HC+7S protein (300 mg.kg-1 day-1) (HC-7S), HC+fenofibrate (30 mg.kg-1 day-1)(HC-FF), HC+rosuvastatin (10 mg.kg-1 day-1)(HC-RO), HC+7S+fenofibrate (HC-7S-FF) and HC+7S+rosuvastatin (HC-7S-RO). Results: Animals in HC-7S, HC-FF and HC-RO exhibited reductions of 22.9, 35.8 and 18.8% in total plasma cholesterol, respectively. In HC-7S-FF, animals did not show significant alteration of the level in HC+FF while the group HC-7S-RO showed a negative effect in comparison with groups taking only protein (HC-7S) or drug (HC-RO). The administration of the protein, fenofibrate and rosuvastatin alone caused increases in the plasma HDL-C of the animals, while the protein-drug combinations led to an increase compared to HC-FF and HC-RO. The plasma concentration of triacylgycerides was significantly reduced in the groups without association, while HC-7S-FF showed no alteration and HC-7S-RO a little reduction. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that conglycinin has effects comparable to fenofibrate and rosuvastatin on the control of plasma cholesterol, HDL-C and triacylglycerides, when given to hypercholesterolemic rats, and suggests that the association of this protein with rosuvastatin alters the action of drug in the homeostasis of cholesterol. © 2012 Ferreira et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Oxidative stability of soybean oil added to Lentinus edodes and Agaricus blazei mushrooms extracts in an accelerated storage test

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the oxidative stability of soybean oil added by Lentinus edodes and Agaricus blezei extracts in accelerated storage test. Design/methodology/approach: The following treatments were subjected to accelerated storage test in an oven at 60°C for 15 days: Control (soybean oil without antioxidants), TBHQ (soybean oil + 100 mg/kg of TBHQ), BHT (soybean oil + 100 mg/kg of BHT), L. edodes (soybean oil + 3,500 mg/kg of L. edodes extract) and A. blazei (soybean oil + 3,500 mg/kg of A. blazei extract). The samples were taken every three days and analyzed for peroxide values and conjugated dienes. Findings: At the end of 15 days, the treatments TBHQ, A. blazei, L. edodes, Control and BHT showed 6.47, 8.81, 41.53, 71.28 and 78.40 meq/kg, respectively, for peroxide values and 0.37, 0.40, 0.67, 1.07 and 1.00 per cent, respectively, for conjugated dienes. Originality/value: The research indicates that mushrooms may be a promising source of natural antioxidants. Therefore, natural extracts of mushrooms can be applied to vegetable oils as a way to reduce the degradation caused by lipid oxidation. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Soybean glycinin (11S) increases HDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of isolated soy glycinin (11S) on lipid metabolism in animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet. Design/methodology/approach: Male Wistar rats were kept in individual cages under appropriate conditions. The animals were divided into three groups (n=9): normal diet (STD) given a diet containing casein as protein source, recommended in AIN-93M; hypercholesterolemic (HC) fed a normal diet with 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid; and hypercholesterolemic+glycinin (HC+11S), fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, plus 11S soy protein (300 mg/kg/day), dissolved in saline and administered by gavage. After 28 days, the animals were sacrificed and blood and liver removed for biochemical analysis of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) in the plasma, hepatic TC and TG. Findings: A single daily dose of glycinin given to the hypercholesterolemic group demonstrated its functional role, particularly in raising HDL-C and reducing triglycerides in the liver. Originality/value: This study demonstrates the action of the 11S globulin in soybean as a serum lipid lowering agent, in addition to its nutritional properties, especially in raising the HDL-C. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Dissimilaridade genética e análise de trilha de cultivares de soja avaliada por meio de descritores quantitativos

In addition to the evaluations among genotypes, the use of multivariate techniques enables to restrict errors, mainly concerning genetic diversity, and therefore to predict combinations with greater heterotic effect, and the greater possibility of recovery of superior genotypes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic divergence between 18 soybean cultivars based on six morphological characteristics. Path analysis was performed to verify the contribution of direct and indirect characters on grain yield. The Mahalanobis distance has founded techniques of both Tocher Method and dendrogram by Single Linkage. Five different groups were formed: with nine genotypes considered similar among them; while the cultivars CEP 59, Netuno and Urano formed groups isolated by the two grouping methods. The path analysis showed that the indirect characters had little influence on grain yield, with significant direct relationship with mass of 100 grain, and cultivars Tertulha and CEP 53 standing out with grain yields above 3.7 t.ha-1.

Farelo de algodão em rações para suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação

Forty-eight pigs with 63 day olds and average weight of 23.40±1.3 kg, were allotted in a randomized block design with three treatments(0%, 10% and 20% of cottonseed meal (FA) in diets) and eight replicates with two pigs (one barrow and one gilt). The blocks were used to control changes in initial body weight. Experimental period was the growth phase (63 to 106 days old) and growing-finishing (63 to 147 days old). In each phase the diets were isonutritives, varying however the levels of crude fiber. The levels of cottonseed meal (FA) did not affect (p>0.05) the performance of animals during the growth phase or during the total period of evaluation (growingfinishing). The qualitative parameters of manure indicated that the FA determined decrease in the nitrogen and phosphorus content, but only in the growth phase. In the finishing phase the increase in the FA inclusion promoted an increase in dry matter content. Although FA can be used in up to 20% in diets for pigs in the growing and finishing phase, it is necessary to include L-lysine and soybean oil which causes an increase in cost per kg produced pig.

Mastigação simulada e digestão ácido-enzimática de sementes de leguminosas forrageiras tropicais

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of simulated chewing in the laboratory on the survival of seeds of four tropical forage legumes (butterfly pea, Clitorea ternatea; estilosantes, Stylosanthes capitata/S. macrocephala 'Campo Grande; archer, Macrotyloma axillare and perennial soybean, Neonotonia wightii) submitted to different periods of acid enzymatic digestion in vitro. Three trials were conducted to observe the percentage of destroyed seeds by the mastication; to compare the germination of the seeds (intact seeds, simulated mastication, scarification with sandpaper, mastication and scarification with sandpaper). And, finally the seeds were incubated at 39oC with hydrochloric acid and pepsin for: 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. The percentages of not destroyed seeds in mastication (archer, 91,5; perennial soybean, 88.0; butterfly pea, 82.1, and estilo, 81.1), associated with the beneficial effects of scarification on germination (64.7, 60.0, 92.0 e 87.3%, respectively) and the effects of time of acid-enzymatic digestion (75% higher if they stay 24 hours in HCl + pepsin) associated to the hard and not permeable coats of legume seeds, allow a high potential for resistance, and to pass intact through the digestive tract of cattle, being able to germinate when defecated in the pastures. However, estilo should not be included in the feeding of cattle for this purpose, because it do not resists the acid-enzyme digestion.

Fontes energéticas associadas ao farelo de girassol ou à ureia em dietas para novilhos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and carcass traits of steers fed corn or citrus pulp associated with sunflower meal or urea. Diets were composed of two energy sources (corn grain and citrus pulp) associated with two protein sources (soybean meal and urea), resulting in four treatments in forage:concentrate ratio of 40:60. It were used 24 steers, 1/2 Angus × 1/2 Nellore (18 months old and 329 kg BW) distributed in a completely randomized design which were finished in feedlot for 80 days. It were evaluated the intake, average daily gain and carcass traits of the animals. Intake of dry matter (DMI), crude protein (CPI) and neutral detergent fiber (NDFI) were affected (p<0.05) by diets. The diet with citrus pulp and urea (PU) showed the lowest (p<0.05) DMI (8.30 kg), CPI (1.03 kg) and NDFI (3.31 kg). The average daily weight gain (ADG) followed the behavior of DMI, NDFI and CPI and the lowest value (p<0.05) was observed for animals fed diet PU. Regarding carcass traits, diets containing corn associated with urea (MU) or sunflower meal (MFG) and citrus pulp associated with sunflower meal (PFG), provided the highest (p<0.05) carcass cold weights (238.37, 247.26 and 237.14 kg, respectively). However, the lowest cold carcass dressing percentage (p<0.05) was obtained in diet MU (50.57%). The association of citrus pulp with urea should not be performed when citrus pulp partially or totally replace corn as energy source in diets, because possibly this association promote an energy deficit resulting in lower performance and worse carcass traits of animals finished in feedlot.

Herbivoria em soja: Efeito na composição química das folhas e na biologia da lagarta da soja e do percevejo verde pequeno

The objective of this research was to study the effect of previous herbivory in the chemical composition of soybean leaves, and its influence on Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hüeb.) and Piezodorus guildinii (West.) development. Two soybean genotypes, 'Embrapa 4' and 'BR 37', were chemically analyzed. The caterpillars were fed on these genotypes leaves and the bugs on string beans, both injured and non- injured (control), totalizing 4 treatments with 50 replications for each treatment. Herbivory was performed by releasing 3rd instar velvetbean caterpillar. The caterpillars were taken out when 30%-40% of foliar area were consumed. After that, leaves and string beans were used in the experiment. The results obtained during this research indicate that leaves chemical composition was altered and that, in general, A. gemmatalis larvae and P. guildinii nymph have presented better development when fed on non-injured soybean plants, being 'Embrapa 4' genotype the most efficient one concerning insects development.

Restoration of a degraded area using soil tillage systems in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

In Brazil the intensive agriculture use, mainly pasture, is the main cause of the presence of extensive areas of degraded lands. This study aimed to assess the impact of different soil management practices in a pasture degraded area used as garbage disposal. The experiment was performed at the Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, in Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 1990 to 1996. This area has undergone a process of recovery through removal of trash deposited on the surface, in 1985, levelling of soil, followed by application of limestone, subsoiling, planting of legumes (Crotalaria juncea) and crop rotation (soybean and maize). Since 1990 only popcorn maize was grown and established plots managed with different soil tillage systems, including harrow, chisel plow, moldboard plow, no tillage, disk plow and revolving hoe. One plot was planted exclusively with guinea grass (Panicum maximum) to serve as a reference for minimum loss of soil and another grown on a downhill direction to correspond to the expected maximum erosion. There were differences in sediment loss, nutrient loss and productivity of the popcorn maize in the period analyzed. The chisel plow and no tillage treatments caused the slightest loss of soil and nutrients, compared to other tillage systems. The results show that the soil management systems influenced the physical and chemical characteristics of soil, allowing an economical and environmental recovery of the area, providing the conditions for grain agricultural production.

Tocopherol content and fatty acid profile in soybean oil supplemented with salvia extract (Salvia officinalis L.) during heating

This paper aimed to assess the tocopherol content and evaluate the fatty acid profile in soybean oil supplemented with salvia extract during heating, so as to verify the isolated and synergistic effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants. In order to obtain the extract, the lyophilized and crushed salvia was subjected to extraction by ethyl alcohol for 30 min, with a 1:20 salvia:ethyl alcohol ratio, under continuous agitation. Afterwards, the mixture was filtered and the supernatant was subjected to the rotary evaporator at 40 °C. Later the control treatments, ES (3000 mg kg-1 salvia extract), TBHQ (50 mg kg-1), and mixture (ES+50 mg kg-1 TBHQ) were prepared and subjected to 180 °C for 20 h. Samples were taken in time intervals 0, 10, and 20 h and analysed in terms of tocopherol content and fatty acid profile. Regarding the tocopherol and fatty acid profile analysis, it was found that the extract proved efficient in oil protection, when added isolated to soybean oil subjected to thermo oxidation. According to the results, salvia extract is a viable alternative that might be applied in industrialized processing of oils as natural antioxidant.

Nutritional evaluation of soy yoghurt in comparison to soymilk and commercial milk yoghurt. Effect of fermentation on soy protein

Soymilk was fermented using Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The soy yoghurt produced was evaluated in comparison to soymilk and commercial milk yoghurt by biological evaluation, rat growth, nitrogen balance assays and microbiological methods. Trypsin inhibitor activity and chemical composition were also determined for all samples. For the soy yoghurt, the growth and nitrogen balance values were not different from the control diet, but the nitrogen balance values were higher than for the soymilk, without significant difference in terms of growth assays. Compared to the commercial yoghurt, Net Protein Ratio and Nitrogen Utilization values were lower, but the Protein Efficiency Ratio, Biological Value and Net Protein Utilization values were equivalent, and for digestibility assays the best results were obtained with the soy yoghurt. The results indicated that soy yoghurt represents a good protein alternative to milk yoghurt and casein. The protein quality of soymilk evidently increased during the fermentation process using Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, including a reduction in trypsin inhibitor levels of about 30%.

Índice de acidez del aceite de pez en la nutrición de alevines de pacú Piaractus mesopotamicus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fish oil acidity on the growth of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) juveniles. Two hundred juveniles with 10.53±0.65 g of weight and 8.74±0.13 cm of total length, were distributed in a totally randomized design in 20, 0.15 m3 meshmade tanks placed in a 25 m3 holding tank. Extruded commercial diets sprayed with soybean oil (control) with acidity index of 0.24 and fish oil with acidity index of 1.48, 6.40 and 9.85 were used. The fish were fed four times a day until apparent satiety. Productive performance, centesimal composition and blood biochemistry were analysed. At the end of the feeding period none of the analyzed parameters was affected by the use of acidified fish oil. Therefore, fish oil may be supplied to the pacu juveniles regardless of their pH.

Digestibilidade da soja semi-integral extrusada para leitões na fase inicial

Two assays were conducted to determine the coefficients of digestibility (CD) and the digestible nutrients (DN) of the extruded semi-whole soybean (Assay 1 conventional feeding and Assay 2 feeding for sows, starting at 109 days of pregnancy and during the lactation and for lactating piglets and in the initial phase, with rations without soybean meal). Each assay was divided into two phases (32 and 50 days of age). Eight piglets weaned at 25 days of age were used. Total feces collection method was used. The following variables were analyzed in feed and in feces: dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber and gross energy. The following average values were obtained: CDDM 88.87%; CDCP 86.81%; CDEE 85.41%; CDCF 78.22%; CDGE 80.21% and CMDE 95.71%, which allowed the calculation of the digestible nutrients: DDM 81.28%; DP 34.49%; DEE 14.02%; DF 4.49%; DEa 4087.86 kcal/kg and MEa 3912.73 kcal/kg. The different coefficients of digestibility were not affected by the differential feeding for sows and piglets nor by the different ages of the animals. Moreover, the extruded semi-whole soybean presented good levels of DN, concerning mainly the digestible and metabolizable energy.