In vitro study of antioxidant and scavenger properties of phenolic compounds from Lychnophora species

This paper describes the antioxidant effects of thirteen phenolic compounds isolated from plants of the genus Lychnophora. Two assays were performed to evaluate these effects: a cellular test that measured the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence produced by neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan and a cell-free test involving horseradish peroxidase-H2O2-luminol. In both assays, the antioxidant activity of the phenolic compounds was dependent on their concentration and chemical structure. Our results suggest that the ability of phenolic compounds from Lychnophora species to scavenge and inhibit the generation of ROS may be a mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Lychnophora spp.

Organic and total mercury determination in sediments by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry: methodology validation and uncertainty measurements

The purpose of the present study was to validate a method for organic Hg determination in sediment. The procedure for organic Hg was adapted from literature, where the organomercurial compounds were extracted with dichloromethane in acid medium and subsequent destruction of organic compounds by bromine chloride. Total Hg was performed according to 3051A USEPA methodology. Mercury quantification for both methodologies was then performed by CVAAS. Methodology validation was verified by analyzing certified reference materials for total Hg and methylmercury. The uncertainties for both methodologies were calculated. The quantification limit of 3.3 µg kg-1 was found for organic Hg by CVAAS.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of biaryl analogs of antitubulin compounds

This paper reports the synthesis of methanones and esters bearing different substitution patterns as spacer groups between aromatic rings. This series of compounds can be considered phenstatin analogs. Two of the newly synthesized compounds, 5a and 5c, strongly inhibited tubulin polymerization and the binding of [³H] colchicine to tubulin, suggesting that, akin to phenstatin and combretastatin A-4, they can bind to tubulin at the colchicine site.

Synthesis and biological activity of sulfur compounds showing structural analogy with combretastatin A-4

We extended our previous exploration of sulfur bridges as bioisosteric replacements for atoms forming the bridge between the aromatic rings of combretastatin A-4. Employing coupling reactions between 5-iodo-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene and substituted thiols, followed by oxidation to sulfones with m-CPBA, different locations for attaching the sulfur atom to ring A through the synthesis of nine compounds were examined. Antitubulin activity was performed with electrophoretically homogenous bovine brain tubulin, and activity occurred with the 1,2,3-trimethoxy-4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)thio]benzene (12), while the other compounds were inactive. The compounds were also tested for leishmanicidal activity using promastigote forms of Leishmania braziliensis (MHOM/BR175/M2904), and the greatest activity was observed with 1,2,3-trimethoxy-4-(phenylthio)benzene (10) and 1,2,3-trimethoxy-4-[(4-methoxyphenyl) sulfinyl]benzene (15).

Evaluation of antiradical assays used in determining the antioxidant capacity of pure compounds and plant extracts

The efficiency of the chemiluminescence luminol method and colorimetric DPPH and ABTS methods in evaluating the antiradical capacity of pure compounds and plant extracts with antioxidant potential is compared. In case of pure compounds, the values of parameter 'n' (number of radicals quenched per molecule of antiradical) for ascorbic acid, p-hydroquinone, catechol, quercetin, and rutin are similar when measured by colorimetric assays; however, considerably lower values of n are obtained with the luminol assay. The antiradical activity of extracts from male and female individuals of Baccharis burchelli and Baccharis crispa were determined by the luminol assay and expressed using the new Trolox® percentage (%Trolox®) parameter.

Selective detection of fluoride based on a pyridinium n-phenolate-calix[4]pyrrole displacement assay: an undergraduate laboratory experiment

A two-step experiment is proposed for a third year class in experimental organic chemistry. Over a period of five weeks, the students synthesized calix[4]pyrrole, a receptor that is highly selective for fluoride, and a pyridinium N-phenolate dye. Subsequently, the students used the synthesized compounds to investigate a displacement assay on the basis of the competition in acetonitrile between fluoride and the dye for calix[4]pyrrole. The experiment increased the students' skills in organic synthesis and in the characterization of organic compounds, provided a very attractive and accessible illustration of important supramolecular phenomena, and allowed the study of a chromogenic chemosensor.

UM MÉTODO EFICIENTE PARA A OBTENÇÃO DE DERIVADOS DE 1-ALQUILAMINO-2,4-DINITROBENZENO E A REDUÇÃO REGIOSSELETIVA PARA A OBTENÇÃO DE DERIVADOS DE 1-ALQUILAMINO-2-AMINO-4-NITROBENZENO

Both primary and secondary amines react with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to give derivatives of 1-alkylamino-2,4-dinitrobenzene. These compounds are important intermediates for the synthesis of a diverse range of products. The methodology reported in the present study involves either the room temperature reaction or heating at 70 °C in ethanol in the presence of triethylamine. This transformation occurs via a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The 1-alkylamino-2,4-dinitrobenzene derivatives were obtained in greater than 90% purified yield. The selective reduction of dinitro compounds is an important synthetic strategy for the synthesis of intermediates for dyes, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The use of SnCl2 as a suspension in EtOAc is a promising method for the regio- and chemo-selective reduction of 1-alkylamino-2,4-dinitrobenzenes to 1-alkylamino-2-amino-4-nitrobenzenes. These products are useful intermediates in organic synthesis.

Effect of organic amendments on sclerotial germination, mycelial growth, and Sclerotium rolfsii-induced diseases

The addition of organic residues to soil is an option to control some soil-borne diseases. Benzaldehyde and powders of kudzu (Pueraria lobata), velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana), and pine-bark (Pinus elliottii and P. taeda) added to soil could reduce certain soil-borne diseases. This study evaluated the effects of benzaldehyde and the dried powders of kudzu, velvetbean, and pine-bark as soil amendments on germination and formation of sclerotia, on mycelial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii, on plant survival, and disease incidence. The data showed that high amounts of benzaldehyde (0.4 ml kg-1 of soil) and velvetbean (100 g kg-1) inhibited S. rolfsii mycelial growth and sclerotium germination. However, low amounts of benzaldehyde (0.1 ml kg-1), kudzu (25 g kg-1), and pine-bark (25 g kg-1) stimulated mycelial growth and sclerotium germination. Kudzu (25-100 g kg-1) and velvetbean (25-100 g kg-1) inhibited the formation of sclerotia. Nevertheless, benzaldehyde at 0.2 and 0.4 ml kg-1 stimulated the formation of sclerotia. Kudzu (50 and 100 g kg-1) and pine-bark (50 g kg-1) favored the colonization of sclerotia by Trichoderma sp. The numbers of soybean (Glycine max) plants were higher and diseased plants were lower than the non-amend soil in the following treatments: kudzu (50 and 100 g kg-1), velvetbean (50 and 100 g kg-1), and pine-bark (50 g kg-1). Disease severity on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants was low in soil treated with kudzu or velvetbean (30 and 35 g kg-1) and pine-bark (35 g kg-1). Dried powders of kudzu, velvetbean, or pine-bark added to soil can reduce disease by reducing pathogen inoculum.

Determination of phenolic compounds and evaluation of antioxidant capacity of Campomanesia adamantium leaves

Five flavanones and three chalcones were isolated from Campomanesia adamantium Berg. (Myrtaceae) leaves. The contents of these compounds were determined by HPLC. The phenolic contents were also determined. The monitoring of the antioxidant activity was carried out by inhibition of peroxidation using the linoleic acid system and radical-scavenging (DPPH). The plants were collected from 4 distinct cities of the Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The different samples exhibited a range of 4.67-232.35 mg/g chalcones and 15.62-50.71 mg/g flavanones and phenolic contents of the 7.24-21.19 mg/g gallic acid. All extracts showed high antioxidant activity with a wide range of the radical-scavenging (DPPH) from 52.0 to 92.2 % and inhibition oxidation of linoleic acid from 14.6 to 94.2%.

Di-And Tri-Hydroxylated Kaurane Derivatives From Microbial Transformation Of Ent-Kaur-16-En-19-Ol By Cephalosporium Aphidicola And Their Allelopathic Activity On Lactuca Sativa (Lettuce)

The use of microorganisms to induce chemical modifications in organic molecules is a very useful tool in organic synthesis, to obtain biologically active substances. The fungus Cephalosporium aphidicola is known by its ability to hydroxylate several skeleton positions of many classes of organic compounds. In this work, the microbial transformation of ent-kaur-16-en-19-ol (1) by C. aphidicola, afforded two hydroxylated compounds, ent-kauran-16β,19-diol (2) and ent-kauran-16β,17,19-triol (3). Their structures were established by 1D and 2D-NMR studies. Both compounds were tested for their action on the growth of radical and shoot of Lactuca sativa.

In vivo sensitivity reduction of Puccinia triticina races, causal agent of wheat leaf rust, to DMI and QoI fungicides

Experiments were carried out to determine in vivo the IC50 and the IC90 for demethylation-inhibitor fungicides (DMIs, triazoles) and quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs, strobilurins) to the five most frequent races of Puccinia triticina in 2007 growing season in Southern Brazil. The tests were done in a greenhouse with wheat seedlings. DMI fungicides were tested at the concentrations, in mg/L, 0.0; 0.02; 0.2; 2.0; 20.0; 100.0 and 200.0, and QoIs at the concentrations 0.0; 0.0001; 0.001; 0.01; 0.1; 1 and 10.0 mg of active ingredient/L water. Fungicides were preventively applied at 24 hours before the inoculation of seedlings with the fungal spores. The effect of treatments was assessed based on the number of uredia/cm². The lowest IC50 (inhibitory concentration) for DMI fungicides determined for MCG-MN, sensitive race, ranged from 0.33 to 0.91 mg/L, while the highest values for MDP-MR, MDT-MR, MDK-MR, MFH-HT races, varied from 9.63 to 85.64 mg/L (suspected insensitivity). QoI fungicide presented an IC50 varying from 0.0018 to 0.14 mg/L. The sensitivity reduction factor for DMIs varied from 8.8 to 238.8, and for QoIs from 0.3 to 1.5 mg/L. Sensitivity reduction was confirmed for the races MDP-MR, MDT-MR, MDK-MR, MFH-HT to DMIs, as well as their sensitivity to QoI fungicides.

In vitro sensitivity reduction of Fusarium graminearum to DMI and QoI fungicides

In Brazil, Fusarium head blight (FHB) affecting wheat can cause up to 39.8% damage. Resistant cultivars are not available yet; thus, short-term disease control relies on the use of fungicides. The first step to improve control is to monitor fungal populations that are sensitivity to chemicals in order to achieve efficient FHB management. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the inhibitory concentration (IC50) of fungicides for both mycelial growth and conidial germination of ten Fusarium graminearum isolates. The following demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides were tested: metconazole, prothioconazole and tebuconazole. In addition, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin were included, representing QoI fungicides, as well as three co-formulations containing metconazole + pyraclostrobin, prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin, and tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin. For mycelial growth, the overall mean IC50 of isolates was: metconazole 0.07, prothioconazole 0.1, and tebuconazole 0.19 mg/L. For the co-formulations, it was: prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin 0.08, tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin 0.12, and metconazole + pyraclostrobin 0.14 mg/L. Regarding spore germination inhibition, IC50 for prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin was 0.06, for tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin, 0.12 mg/L, for QoI alone pyraclostrobin, was 0.09, and for trifloxystrobin, 0.28 mg/L. There was a sensitivity shift among isolates and the highest fungitoxicity to F. graminearum was confirmed for prothioconazole, metconazole and tebuconazole .

Reduction of specific energy consumption of a thermomechanical pulping plant

Kuumahiertoprosessi on erittäin energiaintensiivinen prosessi, jonka energianominaiskulutus (EOK) on yleisesti 2–3.5 MWh/bdt. Noin 93 % energiasta kuluu jauhatuksessa jakautuen niin, että kaksi kolmasosaa kuluu päälinjan ja yksi kolmasosa rejektijauhatuksessa. Siksi myös tämän työn tavoite asetettiin vähentämään energian kulutusta juuri pää- ja rejektijauhatuksessa. Päälinjan jauhatuksessa tutkimuskohteiksi valittiin terityksen, tehojaon ja tuotantotason vaikutus EOK:een. Rejektijauhatuksen tehostamiseen pyrittiin yrittämällä vähentää rejektivirtaamaa painelajittelun keinoin. Koska TMP3 laitoksen jauhatuskapasiteettia on nostettu 25 %, tavoite oli nostaa päälinjan lajittelun kapasiteettia saman verran. Toisena tavoitteena oli pienentää rejektisuhdetta pää- ja rejektilajittelussa ja siten vähentää energiankulutusta rejektijauhatuksessa. Näitä tavoitteita lähestyttiin vaihtamalla päälinjan lajittimiin TamScreen-roottorit ja rejektilajittimiin Metso ProFoil-roottorit ja optimoimalla kuitufraktiot sihtirumpu- ja prosessiparametrimuutoksin. Syöttävällä terätyypillä pystyttiin vähentämään EOK:ta 100 kWh/bdt, mutta korkeampi jauhatusintensiteetti johti myös alempiin lujuusominaisuuksiin, korkeampaan ilmanläpäisyyn ja korkeampaan opasiteettiin. Myös tehojaolla voitiin vaikuttaa EOK:een. Kun ensimmäisen vaiheen jauhinta kuormitettiin enemmän, saavutettiin korkeimmillaan 70 kWh/bdt EOK-vähennys. Tuotantotason mittaamisongelmat heikensivät tuotantotasokoeajojen tuloksia siinä määrin, että näiden tulosten perusteella ei voida päätellä, onko EOK tuotantotasoriippuvainen vai ei. Päälinjan lajittelun kapasiteettia pystyttiin nostamaan TS-roottorilla vain 18 % jääden hieman tavoitetasosta. Rejektilajittelussa pystyttiin vähentämään rejektimäärää huomattavasti Metso ProFoil-roottorilla sekä sihtirumpu- ja prosessiparametrimuutoksin. Lajittamokehityksellä saavutettu EOK-vähennys arvioitiin massarejektisuhteen pienentymisen ja rejektijauhatuksessa käytetyn EOK:n avulla olevan noin 130 kWh/bdt. Yhteenvetona voidaan todeta, että tavoite 300 kWh/bdt EOK-vähennyksestä voidaan saavuttaa työssä käytetyillä tavoilla, mikäli niiden täysi potentiaali hyödynnetään tuotannossa.

Removal of organic matter and nutrients from slaughterhouse wastewater by using Eichhornia crassipes and evaluation of the generated biomass composting

The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of the aquatic macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes applied in situ in a slaughter house treatment system, located in the west of the Paraná state, Brazil, regarding the nutrients removal and organic matter. Moreover, it aimed to obtain data from the production, management and composting practices of the biomass generated in the system. During 11 months of macrophytes development, physic and chemical parameters were monitored and plant density was controlled by periodical removal of excess biomass, which was weekly monitored and it is expressed in kg of aquatic plant per m² covered area. The degradation of the macrophytes removed from the treatment system was evaluated at the pilot scale in eight composting piles of 0.60 m³ that underwent four different treatments and two repetitions: T1 - water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes); T2 - water hyacinth and swine excrement (7:1), T3 - water hyacinth, swine excrement and earth (7:1:0,67), and T4 - water hyacinth, swine excrement and cellulosic gut (7:1:0,67), for a period of 90 days. The results indicated maximum removal efficiencies of 77.2% for COD; 77.8% for BOD, 87.9% for total nitrogen, 47.5% for ammonia nitrogen and 38.9% for total phosphorus for a five-day retention time. For biomass stabilization by composting, considering the C:N ratio as an indicator of compost maturity, it was observed that treatment T4 resulted in the shortest stabilization period (60 days). No difference was verified in the biostabilization rates at 5% level by the F test.

Recycling of nutrients with application of organic waste in degraded pasture

The utilization of organic wastes represents an alternative to recover degraded pasture. The experiment aimed to assess the changes caused by the provision of different organic waste (poultry litter, turkey litter and pig manure) in a medium-textured Oxisol in Brazilian Savanna under degraded pasture. It was applied different doses of waste compared to the use of mineral fertilizers and organic mineral and evaluated the effect on soil parameters (pH, organic matter, phosphorus and potassium) and leaf of Brachiariadecumbens (crude protein, phosphorus and dry mass production). It was observed that application of organic waste did not increase the level of soil organic matter and pH in the surface layer, and the application of turkey litter caused acidification at depths of 0.20-0.40 m and 0.40-0.60 m. There was an increase in P and K in the soil with the application of poultry litter and swine manure. All organic wastes increased the productivity of dry matter and crude protein and phosphorus. The recycling of nutrients via the application of organic waste allows efficiency of most parameters similar to those observed with the use of mineral sources, contributing to improving the nutritional status of soil-plantsystem.