Occurrence, distribution and abundance of Halobates micans Eschscholtz, 1822 (Heteroptera, Gerridae) along the southeastern Brazilian coast

Data collected during an oceanographic cruise along the southeastern Brazilian coast from Cape Frio (22° 58' S) and Paraná (27° 50' S) in March 1982 showed that the marine insect Halobates micans occurred along the Southeastern Brazilian Bight, but in lower abundance in low-temperature areas due to the intrusion and upwelling of South Atlantic Central Water, and in low-salinity areas in Coastal Water. Insect capture was higher at night and in the oligotrophic Tropical Water. The number of nymphs and adult females was higher, probably because of an active breeding season during the austral summer. Adult sex ratio was 1.3:1.0 (F:M). Floating gas vesicles of benthic Sargassum spp. and petroleum lumps were used by females for egg-laying.

Sexual ratio, reproductive period and seasonal variation of the gonochoric shrimp Hippolyte obliquimanus (Caridea: Hippolytidae)

Hippolyte obliquimanus is a small, gonochoric shrimp found in algal substrates along the western Atlantic coast of Brazil, particularly in association with seaweed of the genus Sargassum. We studied population features (sexual ratio, reproductive period and temporal distribution) of H. obliquimanus in southeastern Brazil, including its relationships with the seasonality of banks of this alga. Specimens were collected at two-monthly intervals from March 2005 to January 2006, in Ubatuba Bay. The sex of individuals was checked, and the carapace length measured. In total, 668 individuals were collected: 211 males (0.70-2.50 mm carapace length), 341 non-ovigerous females (0.55-2.90 mm), and 116 ovigerous females (1.55-3.20 mm). Hippolyte obliquimanus showed seasonal-continuous reproduction and variable continuous recruitment. The highest number of animals (75%) was collected in fall-winter. The percentages of ovigerous females/total females (fall-winter: 27%; spring-summer: 26%) and the sexual ratio (fall-winter: 31%; spring-summer: 32%) were practically equal in both periods. The sexual ratio showed a predominance of females in almost all size classes, and we detected a new sex ratio pattern for this species. The seasonal variation in the number of individuals can be related to its migration to deeper areas, due to the decrease in the abundance of Sargassum sp. in shallower waters in spring-summer.

Synthesis of naturally occurring diene and trienes by Te/Li exchange on (1Z,3Z)-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene

(1Z,3Z)-Butyltelluro-o-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 was obtained by the hydrotelluration of(Z)-1-methoxy-but-1-en-3-ynes 1. The butadienyllithium 3 obtained by the Te/Li exchange reaction in the (1Z,3Z)-1-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1.3-butadiene 2 reacted with aldehydes to form the corresponding alcohols 4a-d with total retention of configuration. The alcohols formed undergo hydrolysis, resulting in the alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated aldehydes of (E,E) configuration, which are precursors of trienes obtained from natural sources. The products of this reaction were employed in the synthesis of methyl-(2E,4E)-decadienoate 7, which is a component of the flavor principles of ripe Bartlett pears. Performing the Wittig reaction of the methyl triphenylphosphorane with the deca-(2E,4E)-dienal 5a, we were able to synthesize the undeca-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6a. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown algae Fucus serratus, Dictyopteris plagiograma, and Dictyopteris australis. Performing the Wittig reaction of methyl triphenylphosphorane with the octa-(2E,4E)-dienal 5c, the nona-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6b was synthesized. The compound obtained is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Sargassum horneri. The octa-( 1,3E,5E)-triene 6c was easily obtained from hepta-(2E,4E)-dienal 5d by the Wittig reaction with methyl triphenylphophorane. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Fucus serratus. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The surplus value of Azorean macroalgae as health-promoting food. Protein, fiber, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins determination

AICMA 2012 (BIT's 1st Annual International Congress of Marine Algae), World Expo Center, Dalian, China, 20-23 de Setembro.

Removal of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions by brown marine macro algae: kinetic modelling

Specific marine macro algae species abundant at the Portuguese coast (Laminaria hyperborea, Bifurcaria bifurcata, Sargassum muticum and Fucus spiralis) were shown to be effective for removing toxic metals (Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II)) from aqueous solutions. The initial metal concentrations in solution were about 75–100 mg L−1. The observed biosorption capacities for cadmium, zinc and lead ions were in the ranges of 23.9–39.5, 18.6–32.0 and 32.3–50.4 mg g−1, respectively. Kinetic studies revealed that the metal uptake rate was rather fast, with 75% of the total amount occurring in the first 10 min for all algal species. Experimental data were well fitted by a pseudo-second order rate equation. The contribution of internal diffusion mechanism was significant only to the initial biosorption stage. Results indicate that all the studied macro algae species can provide an efficient and cost-effective technology for eliminating heavy metals from industrial effluents.

Production of biohydrogen from dark fermentation of organic wastes

Dissertação de mestrado em Bioengenharia

A new recent marine Ostracoda species (Hemicytheridae) from Brazil

Ostracods were collected on Sargassum sp. from the littoral of São Sebastião, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. A new species, Aurila ornellasae, is illustrated and described based on a population with various instars and adult specimens. This is the first living species of this genus described from Brazil. A brief discussion on the systematics of the genus Aurila Pokorný, 1955 and its allied genera is presented.

Potential of antioxidant extracts produced by aqueous processing ofrenewable resources for the formulation of cosmetics

The performance of natural extracts obtained from underutilized and residual vegetal and macroalgal biomass processed with food-grade green solvents was compared with that of commercial antioxidants. Selected extracts were obtained from two terrestrial sources: winery byproducts concentrate (WBC) and chestnut burs hydrothermally fractionated extract (CBAE), and from two underutilized seaweeds: Sargassum muticum extracts, either extracted with ethanol (SmEE) or after alginate extraction and hydrothermal fractionation (SmAE) and from Ulva lactuca processed by mild acid extraction and membrane concentration (UlAE). These extracts showed in vitro antioxidant properties comparable to commercial antioxidants and were safe for topical use based on the absence of skin-irritant effects at 0.1% on reconstructed human tissues. The stability of several cosmetic model emulsions was assessed during accelerated oxidation assays. The incorporation of natural extracts produced from renewable underutilized resources at 0.4-0.5% in an oil-in-water emulsions reduced lipid oxidation during storage.

Contribuição para o conhecimento da flora algológica marinha do estado do Paraná

Esta nota é a primeira contribuição para a distribuição especial das algas marinhas do litoral paranaense (Caiobá). São considerados três tipos de litoral: a) Litoral rochoso sujeito à ação de arrebentação. b) Litoral rochoso mais ou menos abrigado. c) Manguesais. Dentro do esquema proposto, o primeiro tipo é subdividido em 2 zonas: 1.º) Zona dos borrifos, situada acima do limite médio da maré alta (fig. 2 n.º 1), correspondente à "Splash zone" ou à "Sprit zone" dos autores estrangeiros. 2.º) Zona de arrebentação (Ressaca), situada entre os níveis médios das marés baixa e alta, correspondendo à "Interdital zone" ou à "Gezeitenzone" dos autores estrangeiros, (fig. 2 n.º 2). A primeira zona só conta com uma alga, Lyngbya confervoides e pelo menos mais duas espécies de moluscos do gênero Littorina. A segunda zona, a mais rica tanto em algas como em animais, é essencialmente caracterizada em Caiobá pelas algas seguintes: Levringia sp. Chaetomorpha media e Centroceras clavulatum na parte mais alta, associadas a balanoides (craca) e a Mytilus perna (marisco). Mais abaixo domina Pterosiphonia pennata, Hypnea musciformis e Bryocladia thyrsigera. São apresentados também mais três tipos secundários dependendo das condições locais dos rochedos. Esta sucessão de Littorina, Balanus e Mytilus é a mesma existente no sul da África, segundo se depreende dos trabalhos de Stephenson (11,12) e de vários de seus colaboradores. O segundo tipo apresenta também duas zonas, sendo a segunda a mais rica e variada, aparecendo aqui como dominante, uma associação na qual, Callithamnion, Laurencia papulosa, Gigartina Teedii e Sargassum cymosum são as mais abundantes. É sugerida a existência de uma zona abaixo do limite inferior das marés baixas, zona essa representada por Rhodymenia Palmetta, Plocamium brasiliensis e Spatoglossum Schroederi pelo menos. É feita uma rápida enumeração das algas dos manguesais.

Estrutura das comunidades fitobentônicas do infralitoral da Baía de Sepetiba, RJ, Brasil

Caracteriza-se neste estudo a estrutura das comunidades fitobentônicas em cinco locais da baía de Sepetiba, RJ. Foram realizadas amostragens do tipo destrutiva desde a região mais interna da baía, sujeita diretamente aos impactos antrópicos locais, até a região próxima ao mar aberto, onde a interferência humana é reduzida, em quatro épocas do ano de 1999 (janeiro, maio, agosto e novembro). Para comparação dos resultados foram utilizados: o número total de espécies, a biomassa total, a diversidade (H') e a equitabilidade (J). Foram identificados 96 táxons, sendo 61 rodofíceas, 18 clorofíceas, 15 feofíceas e duas cianofíceas. O maior número de táxons (65) e os mais elevados valores de biomassa (492,4 g.m-2) foram observados no ponto 5, situado na Ponta da Marambaia. Ficou evidenciado o aumento da diversidade da região mais interna da baía em relação ao local mais próximo ao oceano. Sargassum spp. apresentaram a maior biomassa, seguida por Padina gymnospora e outras algas de menor porte como Hypnea spp., Gelidium pusillum, Pterocladiella caerulescens e Gelidiopsis spp. A utilização do método destrutivo permitiu uma caracterização detalhada da composição e da estrutura das comunidades fitobentônicas da baía de Sepetiba, facilitando no futuro, a identificação das mudanças impostas às comunidades através de abordagens metodológicas mais simples.

Caracterização das macroalgas nas comunidades marinhas da Área de Proteção Ambiental de Cairuçú, Parati, RJ: subsídios para futuros monitoramentos

As macroalgas podem ser usadas para indicar distúrbios biológicos e físicos do ambiente. Neste estudo, a estrutura das comunidades fitobentônicas serviu para caracterizar a Área de Proteção Ambiental de Cairuçú. Seis locais de coleta representaram diversas condições ambientais dentro da Baía de Parati, RJ. O local mais exposto às ondas foi a Ponta da Cajaíba, seguido pela Praia da Conceição, moderadamente exposta às ondas, e os demais foram protegidos. Coletas quali e quantitativas das macroalgas foram realizadas em quatro épocas do ano. A cobertura destas foi estimada em grupos morfo-funcionais no sublitoral em transectos de 10 m, cada um com 10-30 quadrados aleatórios de 0,04 m². A densidade dos ouriços herbívoros foi estimada em 10 áreas de 0,25 m². Foram acrescidos 15 táxons à flora do Município de Parati, totalizando 136. Na comparação entre floras do sul fluminense, Parati assemelha-se ao grupo da Baía de Sepetiba e o restante da Baía da Ilha Grande. A Ilha Comprida, Saco da Velha, Praia Vermelha e Ponta do Buraco apresentaram comunidades dominadas por algas eretas, coriáceas e calcárias articuladas e menor cobertura de algas calcárias incrustantes. Sargassum dominou em condições ambientais mais estáveise, após senescência, foi substituído por rodofíceas menores, sugerindo competição entre diferentes estratos na comunidade. Locais mais expostos às ondas e/ou herbivoria (Praia da Conceição e Ponta da Cajaíba) foram dominados por algas crostosas e eretas de pequeno porte, concordando com padrões previstos em modelos de abundância de grupos morfo-funcionais de algas em função do grau de distúrbios.

Protokoll der Gewässerschau in Kassel am 19. April 2005

Bei der Begehung von Olebach, Losse und Alte Losse wurden der ökomorphologische Zustand von Sohle, Böschung, Linienführung, Verzahnung von Wasser und Land und der Ufergehölze sowie die Landnutzung notiert. Einleitungen von Abwässern und die Ablagerung von Abfällen auf Böschung und Ufer wurde protokolliert. Wassertemperatur und elektrische Leitfähigkeit wurden an mehreren Punkten gemessen. Die Leitfähigkeitswerte werden vor dem Hintergrund der Geologie der Einzugsgebiete interpretiert und zur chemischen Indikation von diffusen und punktförmigen Einleitungen genutzt. Es werden Maßnahmen zur Renaturierung, Maßnahmen gegen die Ablagerung von Gartenabfällen auf Ufer und Böschung, Maßnahmen gegen die ackerbauliche Nutzung und Bebauung im Gewässerrandstreifen vorgeschlagen.

The dispersal of traditionally managed hay meadow plants via farmyard manure application

The dispersal of plants within botanically rich grassland is an important area of study if such swards are to be maintained. The application of farmyard manure provides a possible mechanism by which seeds contained within hay can be returned/introduced to grasslands. In this study, hay, dung and manure samples taken from farms with botanically rich meadows contained very limited quantities of seeds of desirable species. Digestion by cattle, and storage within a manure heap for 6 months or longer, further reduced seed germination. Samples were characterized by an abundance of the grass, Poa trivialis, with few forbs present. Confirmation of the negative effect of the digestive processes of cattle on seed viability was achieved using an in vitro laboratory experiment. However, this experiment did show that the perennial herbs, Filipendula ulmaria and Sanguisorba officinalis, were able to survive digestion at least as well as P. trivialis. The burial of known quantities of seeds in a manure heap also showed these perennial herbs to be at least as resistant to damage as P. trivialis. The results demonstrate that, given appropriate timing of the hay cut, seeds of species with high conservation value could become incorporated into manure for subsequent dispersal. However, manure dispersal would appear to be of limited value for many species desirable from a conservation viewpoint.

Inhibition of proinflammatory biomarkers in THP1 macrophages by polyphenols derived from chamomile, meadowsweet and willow bark.

Antiinflammatory compounds in the diet can alleviate excessive inflammation, a factor in the pathogenesis of common diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and diabetes. This study examined three European herbs, chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria L.) and willow bark (Salix alba L.), which have been traditionally used to treat inflammation and their potential for use as antiinflammatory agents. Aqueous herbal extracts and isolated polyphenolic compounds (apigenin, quercetin and salicylic acid, 0–100 μM) were incubated with THP1 macrophages, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) were measured. At concentrations of 10 μM, both apigenin and quercetin reduced IL-6 significantly ( p < 0.05). Apigenin at 10 μM and quercetin at 25 μM reduced TNF- significantly ( p < 0.05). Amongst the herbal extracts, willow bark had the greatest antiinflammatory activity at reducing IL-6 and TNF- production. This was followed by meadowsweet and then chamomile. The lowest effective antiinflammatory concentrations were noncytotoxic (MTT mitochondrial activity assay). The Comet assay, which was used to study the protective effect of the isolated phenols against oxidative damage, showed positive results for all three polyphenols. These are the first findings that demonstrate the antiinflammatory capacity of these herbal extracts.

Germination and survival of tetraspores of Kappaphycus alvarezii var. alvarezii (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta) introduced in subtropical waters of Brazil

The carrageenophyte Kappaphycus alvarezii was introduced in 1995 and vegetatively propagated in Ubatuba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, for the purpose of commercial cultivation. This species produces tetraspores mainly in the austral summer and fall. Tetraspore germination and survival were studied under different conditions of temperature, photon flux density, and photoperiod in the laboratory. Field experiments were also carried out. Although tetraspores of K. alvarezii germinated, they had low survival rates, most dying after 20 days. Recruitment of K. alvarezii tetraspores did not occur in experiments conducted in the field. The results indicated that the establishment of K. alvarezii via spore production in the natural environment of the south-east coast of Brazil is rather remote.