Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of Austroplenckia populnea (Reiss) Lundell chloroform fraction from barkwood extract in rodent cells in vivo

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

Usos potenciais de moringa oleifera lam., uma matriz para produção de biodiesel e tratamento de água no semiárido nordestino

The current environmental crisis demands transformations in the relations among society, nature and development, considering sustainability. In this context, an important theme is replacing fossil fuels with biofuels, such as biodiesel. Moringa oleifera Lam. is a species that can be used as a raw material to produce biodiesel. Besides, it is a multiple purposes plant, which can be used also in water treatment. Thus, the aims of this work were to analyze the anatomical adaptations found in the stem and in the leaf and the seed s oil stores of M. oleifera., to investigate chemical characteristics of M. oleifera s seed oil, considering biodiesel production, and to evaluate the coagulation activity of these seeds in water treatment. Semipermanent histological laminas were made and it follows that the stem has thick cuticle, stomata whose cells guard are below the epidermis line, hollow medulla, druses and tector trichomes as adaptations to climate and soil conditions in which the species is found and the leaf is dorsiventral and it has thick cuticle, tector trichomes and druses. The seed has great reserves of oil. These features favor the use of Moringa oleifera Lam. as a raw material to produce biodiesel in Brazil s Northeast semiarid region. Chemical analysis were made through oil solvent extraction using mechanic stirrer. The oil was analyzed in UV spectrophotometer. A transesterification was made and biodiesel was analyzed in gas chromatography. Oil yield was high and good quality biodiesel was obtained. To evaluate seeds coagulantion activity, coagulation and flocculation essays in jartest were made, using seed extract to treat raw water. Seeds were efficient in cogulation process to treat water. So, they can be used in rudimentary systems or as a raw material to coagulant proteins extraction, as an alternative to traditional coagulants. M. oleifera has characteristics that favor its use to biodiesel production and water treatment

Protozoários de vida livre em ambientes aquáticos do RN: ocorrência, caracterização e importância para a educação básica

Water is considered an essential right to life, besides being a determinant of economic development and social welfare, represented by both the quantity available, and the quality. In semi-arid Northeast, droughts occurring on a regular basis combined with human activities, aggravate the situation regarding the conservation of water resources in this area. To alleviate this condition is common to construction of artificial reservoirs, such as reservoirs and dams. As in natural aquatic environments, these reservoirs are potential sites for the proliferation, growth and development of diverse biological communities, whether of animals, plants and microorganisms. Research on the composition and ecology of these communities, especially microbial, are still restricted. One of the least studied groups in these environments are free-living protozoa, which over time have been neglected and after discoveries about its various functions in the aquatic ecosystem are beginning to receive more attention from scholars. They are, in quantitative terms, the most important consumers of microorganisms (mainly bacteria and algae) in aquatic environments, and therefore control the abundance of these. They may therefore influence the structure of the aquatic food chain in terms of species composition, abundance, biomass and biodiversity. Despite the recognition of the importance of protozoa in the final of the trophic transfer in aquatic environments, there are few data and, in general, are still precarious knowledge of them. Given the importance of protozoa in aquatic environments and the paucity of research on this group, especially in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, the present study aimed at identifying the genus and species of free-living protozoa that are present in the Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves Dam as well as to relate the occurrence and dynamics of the trophic conditions in the environment in which they are inserted, in order to support the hypothesis that species that are in these environments can serve to indicate the water quality. We observed the presence of 65 taxa of free-living protozoa, of which 29 were identified at the species level. There was a similarity space in taxonomic composition of protozoa, suggesting a possible regulation of this type of community for limnological variables other than those studied in this work (chlorophyll a, pH, temperature). Although it was aimed to analyze the conceptions of teachers and students from nearby towns Dam Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves, on issues relating to water quality and the role of protozoa. For this, we applied questionnaires with teachers and pupils of public schools of San Rafael and Itajá. It was concluded that teachers and students recognize the multi-dam Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves, although unaware of important aspects of the dynamics and ecology of this environment. Conceptions of teachers and students are matched at various times, especially with regard to waterborne diseases. In an attempt to identify possible misconceptions about the knowledge of the protozoa, assuming that these organisms have neglected their ecological role, and are seen as only, disease, a study was done with teachers and students, following a particular methodology that allowed look so clear and precise results. It was clear that knowledge about the free-living protozoa is still quite limited. The alternative conceptions that were found show a direct relation of protozoans and diseases. From the data obtained by these studies, we planned a series of science communication activities, environmental education and health education in schools close to study environments in order to promote a didactic transposition of accumulated knowledge about these organisms, favoring continuing education of teachers and the increase of information to the local community through the knowledge of biodiversity and ecology of these organisms. Moreover, the results found in this study and reflections on it that led to propose the elaboration of a book Readers with an emphasis on the group of freeliving protozoa in the populations for use in public schools in the region where it was developed the semiarid work

Triagem antifúngica de extratos obtidos de espécies vegetais do nordeste brasileiro

The increase in the incidence of fungal infections due to the drug-resistance or to the number of patients with immune alterations such as AIDS, chemotherapy or organ transplantation, has done the research necesseray for new antifungal drugs. The species from Northeastern Brazil may become an important source of innovative natural molecules. To evaluate the antifungal activity of 10 medicinal plants from Northeastern Brazil, traditionally used as antimicrobial agents, 30 crude extracts (CE) were tested in vitro against four standard species of Candida spp. The CE most promising of these plants were evaluated against yeasts of the oral cavity of kidney transplant patients and through a bioassay-guided fractionation. The extracts form leaves of E. uniflora, the stem bark of L. ferrea and leaves of P. guajava showed significant activity against all yeasts evaluated, with MIC values between 15.62 and 62.5 μg/mL. E. uniflora also showed fungicidal properties against all yeasts, especially against Candida dubliniensis. In patients with immune systems compromised, such as transplanted, oral candidiasis manifests mainly due to immunosuppressive therapy, and resistance to conventional antifungals. The CE of E. uniflora presented range of MIC values between 1.95 to 1000 μg/mL, and lower MIC50 and MIC90 values were observed against C. non-albicans. Due the better results, the CE of E. uniflora was elected to performe the bioassay-guided fractionation. Thus it was possible to obtain enriched fractions, which showed good inhibitory ability against ATCC strains of Candida spp. It was also possible to perform experiments to verify the production of biofilm in two strains of C. dubliniensis and action of extracts and fractions on the same. With this, we observed a behavior between the yeast ATCC and clinical isolate. In addition, CE, fractions and subfractions of E. uniflora inhibit planktonic cells to preventing the growth of biofilm. The preliminary chemical characterization of the fractions obtained revealed the presence of polyphenols (especially flavonoids and tannins). Finally, the results suggests that among the plant species studied, E. uniflora showed a pattern very promising as regards the antifungal, requiring further study of purification and structural elucidation of compounds in order to verify that the antifungal effect found can be attributed to a specific compound or some mechanism depends on synergistic the mixture of polyphenols

Atividade antiinflamatória de uma heterofucana da alga marrom Padina gymnospora

Fucans, sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown algae and some echinoderms, have been extensively studied for its diverse biological activities and because of its interference with molecular mechanisms of cell to cell recognition, including leukocyte trafficking from blood vessels into sites of inflammation mediated by selectin, a family of adhesion molecules. In the present study, we examined structural features of a heterofucan extracted from brown algae Padina gymnospora and its effect on the leukocyte migration to the peritoneum. The sulfated polysaccharides were extracted from the brown seaweed by proteolysis with the proteolytic enzyme maxatase. The presence of protein and uronic acid contamination was detected in the crude polysaccharide extract. Fractionation of the crude extract with growing concentrations of acetone produced five fractions with different concentrations of fucose, xylose, uronic acid, galactose, glucose and sulfate. The fraction precipitated with 1.5 volumes of acetone was characterized by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance, through which can be observed the presence of sulfate groups in the C4 of -L-fucose. The anti-inflammatory action of this composite was assessed by a sodium thioglycollate-induced peritonitis assay and through nitric oxide production by the peritoneal macrophages using Griess reagent. Fraction F1.5 was efficient in reducing leukocyte influx into the peritoneal cavity when 10 mg/kg and 25mg/kg were used, resulting in a decrease of 56 and 39%, respectively. A decrease of nitric oxide production occurred when high concentrations of fucana were used. The cytotoxicity of the composite was also assessed using the reduction of 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Fraction F1.5 had no cytotoxicity when 500 μg/mL of the fraction was used. This study suggests the use of fraction F1.5 (heterofucan) as an anti-inflammatory

Efeitos de detritos e nutrientes alóctones sobre estrutura e dinâmica trófica de ecossistemas lacustres tropicais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Caracterização dos sedimentos superficiais de fundo do complexo recifal de Maracajaú

The study carried out in the environment of Maracajaú reef an São Roque channel, had as main objective to analyze the characteristics of sediments active locally expressed in the grains, through collections of sediments in the field, technical processing and data analyzes of sediments. Data processing were made on three main aspects: biotic composition, concentration of calcium carbonate and particle size of the sediment. Differences between the sediments of the reefs and channel were observed. It was emphasized the contribution of algae limestone in the production of carbonate, with some influence of foraminifera near the coast. The particle size distribution presented significant results for the understanding of locally sedimentary deposits. The results showed an environment of carbonate, with predominance of algae limestone, associated to unconsolidated sediments with gross granularity, besides the presence of rhodoliths in all samples.The fragmentation of biotic components and the prevalence of elliptical rhodoliths with little or no branch, indicate an environment of high energy hydrodynamics. This work is a further contribution to the understanding of sedimentology active locally in reef environments, in particular the of Maracajaú reef, by virtue of their complex ecosystem composed of a diversity of wild fauna and flora that still little studied in Brazil comparing to accelerated growth of teeth extractions and usufructs of natural resources causing often irreversible impacts to the environment

Caracterização Morfodinâmica e Sedimentologia da Plataforma Continental Rasa na APA Estadual dos Recifes de Corais - RN

This study had to aimed to characterize the sediments of shallow continental shelf and realize the mapping of features visible for satellite images by using remote sensing techniques, digital image processing and analysis of bathymetry between Maxaranguape and Touros - RN. The study s area is located in the continental shallow shelf of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and is part of the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of Coral Reefs. A total of 1186 sediment samples were collected using a dredge type van veen and positioning of the vessel was made out with the aid of a Garmin 520s. The samples were treated In the laboratory to analyze particle size of the sediment, concentration of calcium carbonate and biogenic composition. The digital images from the Landsat-5 TM were used to mapping of features. This stage was used the band 1 (0,45-1,52 μm) where the image were georeferenced, and then adjusting the histogram, giving a better view of feature bottom and contacts between different types of bottom. The results obtained from analysis of the sediment showed that the sediments of the continental shelf east of RN have a dominance of carbonate facies and a sand-gravelly bottom because the region is dominated by biogenic sediments, that are made mainly of calcareous algae. The bedform types identified and morphological features found were validated by bathymetric data and sediment samples examined. From the results obtained a division for the shelf under study is suggested, these regions being subdivided, in well characterized: (1) Turbid Zone, (2) Coral Patch Reefs Zone, (3) Mixed Sediments Carbonates Zone, ( 4) Algae Fouling Zone, (5) Alignment Rocky Zone, (6) Sand Waves Field (7) Deposit siliciclastic sands

Hepatoprotective effect of water soluble extract of Coleus barbatus on cholestasis on young rats

OBJETIVO: Testar os efeitos do extrato aquoso de Coleus barbatus (EAB) na cirrose biliar secundária por obstrução das vias biliares extra-hepáticas em ratos jovens. MÉTODOS: Quarenta ratos Wistar machos com 21 dias de vida (P21), foram distribuídos em quatro grupos de 10 animais, submetidos a operação simulada ou dupla ligadura e ressecção do ducto biliar (S ou L) combinados EAB e a Água (B ou A). No P48, foi medido o tempo de sono com o pentobarbital (TS). No P49, foram submetidos a eutanásia para a determinação das atividades séricas do aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e da alanina aminotransferases (ALT); após a eutanásia foram avaliados o peso fresco do fígado (PFF) e, em cortes histológicos do fígado, a freqüência de mitoses (FM), o número de áreas de necrose (NN), a intensidade da fibrose (IF) e da proliferação ductal (IPD). Os efeitos da colestase, os do EAB e suas interações foram testados pela ANOVA com dois fatores, e as comparações múltiplas pareadas foram realizadas pelo teste de S.N.K ou teste de Wilcoxon. Também foi determinada a correlação linear de Pearson entre as variáveis histológicas duas a duas separadamente para os grupos LA e LD. O nível de significância estatística para os vários testes foi de p do erro alfa <0,05. RESULTADOS: A colestase aumentou significativamente o TS, a ALT, a AST, o PFF, a MI, o NN, a IF e a IPD. O EAB diminuiu o TS e a IM nos animais sem colestase (operação simulada). O EAB diminuiu o TS, a ALT, a AST, o PFF, a MI, o NN e IF na colestase. No grupo LA houve correlação positiva entre a IPD e a IF, correlação negativa entre a IPD e a FM e correlação negativa entre a IF a FM. No grupo LD houve correlação negativa entre o NN e a IPD. CONCLUSÕES: Na ausência de colestase o EAB encurta o tempo de sono e diminui a freqüência de mitoses. O EAB apresenta efeito hepatoprotetor no modelo de cirrose biliar secundária a obstrução biliar extra-hepática.

An acqueous extract of Bidens pilosa L. protects liver from cholestatic disease: experimental study in young rats

OBJETIVO: Testar o efeito hepatoprotetor do extrato aquoso de Bidens pilosa L. (EBP) na doença hepática induzida pela ligadura e ressecção do ducto biliar comum (LRDBC) em ratos jovens. MÉTODOS: Estudamos ratos Wistar com 21º. dia de vida (P21) divididos em quatro grupos de 10 animais, Grupo SA: operação simulada e água; Grupo SD: operação simulada e EBP (160mg de folhas frescas/100g de peso corporal/dia); Grupo LA: LRDBC e água e Grupo LD: LRDBC e EBP diariamente. O tempo de sono por pentobarbital (TSP), aspartato (AST) e alanina (ALT) aminotransferase foram determinadas após o sacrifício (P70). O Score de Ruwart (SR) para fibrose hepática foi atribuído para cada animal. Foi realizada análise de variância com dois fatores e pelo teste de Tukey para comparações múltiplas ou por teste não paramétrico. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre LA e LD nas variáveis: TSP (médias LA=390; LD=173), AST (médias LA=8, LD=5), ALT (medianas LA=2; LD=1) e SR (medianas LA=2; LD=1). CONCLUSÃO: EBP poderá ser empregado na fitoterapia da doença hepática induzida pela colestase obstrutiva crônica, pois protege a função hepática, diminui a velocidade de necrose e a intensidade da fibrose hepática na obstrução biliar extra-hepática.

Efeito da temperatura ambiente e da idade do frango sobre o valor energético do farelo de soja

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

Levedura como pronutriente em dietas para matrizes e alevinos de tilápia-do-nilo

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

Fibra bruta e óleo em dietas práticas para alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de fibra bruta e de óleo de soja em rações para a tilápia do Nilo. Utilizaram-se 24 aquários circulares de 250 L, dotados de sistema individual de reabastecimento de água e aquecimento. A densidade de estocagem foi de sete peixes/aquário, totalizando 168 peixes, com peso inicial médio de 6,41±0,05 g. Ganho de peso, conversão alimentar aparente, taxa de crescimento específico e taxa de eficiência protéica foram avaliados. Foram analisados a composição química e o rendimento de carcaça, gordura visceral e índice hepatossomático dos peixes. O experimento foi realizado segundo um esquema fatorial 3 x 2 (três níveis de fibra bruta 6,00; 9,00 e 12,00%, com e sem óleo de soja) no delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com quatro repetições. Verificou-se que a fibra interfere de forma significativa na digestibilidade aparente da dieta, com ação positiva para a proteína e negativa para a matéria seca, não interferindo na digestibilidade do extrato etéreo; que a fibra bruta não tem efeito significativo sobre o rendimento de carcaça e no depósito de gordura visceral, mas a inclusão de óleo à ração tem efeito significativo no depósito de gordura visceral; que a fibra resulta em efeito significativo na composição química da carcaça (teor de água e proteína), não tendo efeito sobre sua composição em gordura; e que a inclusão de gordura à ração diminui e eleva de forma significativa, respectivamente, o conteúdo de proteína e extrato etéreo da carcaça. Concluiu-se que, na fase de alevinagem (6,40 a 31,00g), pode-se utilizar na dieta da tilápia do Nilo até 9,00% de fibra bruta, e que a suplementação de níveis excessivos de lipídeos na dieta piora a composição da carcaça e resulta em maior depósito de gordura visceral.

Desempenho do piauçu (Leporinus macrocephalus) arraçoado com dietas contendo diferentes teores de tanino

Este estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito dos taninos sobre o desempenho produtivo e a composição da carcaça do piauçu. Utilizaram-se 21 aquários (80 L) num sistema de fluxo fechado com circulação continua (vazão de 1 L/min), filtro biológico e temperatura controlada. Empregaram-se 84 peixes com peso médio inicial de 5,06 g, na densidade de quatro por aquário, num delineamento inteiramente casualizado com sete tratamentos e três repetições. As rações foram formuladas de forma a apresentarem-se isoenergéticas (3200 kcal ED/ kg de ração) e isoprotéicas (30% PB), com as seguintes composições de tanino total: 0,00; 0,23; 0,46; 0,69; 0,92; 1,37 e 1,82. Avaliou-se a influência do tanino sobre o desempenho produtivo: ganho de peso, conversão alimentar aparente e taxa de eficiência protéica; a composição corporal dos peixes: proteína bruta da carcaça, extrato etéreo da carcaça, proteína bruta e extrato etéreo dos fígados e gordura visceral; e a relação hepatossomática: índice hepatossomático. Concluiu-se que, embora a presença de até 0,69% de taninos na ração não tenha comprometido os índices de conversão alimentar aparente e taxa de eficiência protéica das rações, níveis iguais ou superiores a 0,46% resultaram em ganho de peso significativamente inferior para o piauçu e que a espécie se mostrou sensível à presença de taninos condensados, os quais prejudicaram significativamente o metabolismo e o valor biológico dos nutrientes presentes nas rações.

Digestibilidade aparente de rações contendo complexo enzimático para tilápia-do-nilo

Avaliou-se a digestibilidade aparente de cinco rações isoproteicas e isoenergéticas contendo 0; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3 e 0,4g do complexo enzimático Bioenzimaplus (lipase, protease e carboidrase)/kg de ração na alimentação da tilápia-do-nilo. Foram utilizados 100 peixes distribuídos em cinco aquários de alimentação e cinco aquários de coleta de fezes. Os cinco tratamentos foram arranjados em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com cinco repetições. Houve efeito linear de tratamento sobre a digestibilidade aparente (CDa) para proteína bruta e extrato etéreo. O CDa da proteína bruta e do extrato etéreo variaram de 81,60% a 84,93% e de 74,19% a 82,69%, respectivamente. Para carboidrato e energia bruta, o maior nível de suplementação resultou em maior CDa, 57,85% e 63,78%, respectivamente( P<0,05). Não foi observada diferença entre tratamentos no CDa da matéria seca, apresentando valores de 49,47% a 58,55%. A inclusão de complexo enzimático - lipase, protease e carboidrase - em dietas para tilápia-do-nilo melhorou a digestibilidade da proteína, do extrato etéreo, do carboidrato e da energia das rações.