Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia for the treatment of oral candidiasis induced in an immunosuppressed mouse model

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

Efficacy of essential oil of Piper aduncum against nymphs and adults of Diaphorina citri

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Proteomic analysis of papaya fruit ripening using 2DE-DIGE

Papayas have a very short green life as a result of their rapid pulp softening as well as their susceptibility to physical injury and mold growth. The ripening-related changes take place very quickly, and there is a continued interest in the reduction of postharvest losses. Proteins have a central role in biological processes, and differential proteomics enables the discrimination of proteins affected during papaya ripening. A comparative analysis of the proteomes of climacteric and pre-climacteric papayas was performed using 2DE-DIGE. Third seven proteins corresponding to spots with significant differences in abundance during ripening were submitted to MS analysis, and 27 proteins were identified and classified into six main categories related to the metabolic changes occurring during ripening. Proteins from the cell wall (alpha-galactosidase and invertase), ethylene biosynthesis (methionine synthase), climacteric respiratory burst, stress response, synthesis of carotenoid precursors (hydroxymethylbutenyl 4-diphosphate synthase, GcpE), and chromoplast differentiation (fibrillin) were identified. There was some correspondence between the identified proteins and the data from previous transcript profiling of papaya fruit, but new, accumulated proteins were identified, which reinforces the importance of differential proteomics as a tool to investigate ripening and provides potentially useful information for maintaining fruit quality and minimizing postharvest losses. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vitro efficacy of the essential oil of Piper cubeba L. (Piperaceae) against Schistosoma mansoni

In this paper, cercariae, schistosomula, and adult Schistosoma mansoni worms were incubated in vitro with the essential oil of Piper cubeba (PC-EO) at concentrations from 12.5 to 200 mu g/mL, and the viability was evaluated using an inverted microscopy. The effects of PC-EO at 100 and 200 mu g/mL on the stages of S. mansoni were similar to those of the positive control (PZQ at 12.5 mu g/mL), with total absence of mobility after 120 h. However, at concentrations from 12.5 to 50 mu g/mL, PC-EO caused a reduction in the viability of cercariae and schistosomula when compared with the negative control groups (RPMI 1640 or dechlorinated water) or (RPMI 1640 + 0.1% DMSO or dechlorinated water + 0.1% DMSO). On the other hand, adult S. mansoni worms remained normally active when incubated with PC-EO at concentrations of 12.5 and 25 mu g/mL, and their viabilities were similar to those of the negative control groups. In addition, at concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 mu g/mL, separation of all the coupled adult worms was observed after 24 h of incubation, which is related to the fact of the reduction in egg production at this concentration. The main chemical constituents of PC-EO were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as being sabinene (19.99%), eucalyptol (11.87%), 4-terpineol (6.36%), beta-pinene (5.81%), camphor (5.61%), and delta-3-carene (5.34%). The cytotoxicity of the PC-EO was determined, and a significant cytotoxicity was only obtained in the concentration of 200 mu g/mL after 24 h treatment. The results suggest that PC-EO possesses an effect against cercariae, schistosomula, and adult worms of the S. mansoni.

In vitro schistosomicidal effects of the essential oil of Tagetes erecta

The in vitro schistosomicidal effects of the essential oil obtained from Tagetes erecta L. Asteraceae, leaves (TE-EO) collected in Brazil against Schistosoma mansoni worms are reported in this paper. The oil caused a significant decrease in the motor activity at 50 µg/mL as minimal concentration after 24 h. This oil also caused death of all the parasites and the separation of coupled pairs into individual male and female at 100 µg/mL after 24 h. The viability of adult worm groups treated with the TE-EO at 100 µg/mL was similar to that of groups treated with praziquantel (positive control). In addition, the oil promoted the inhibition of eggs development at all the tested concentrations. These data indicate that the TE-EO could be considered as a promising source for the development of new schistosomicidal agents.

Pollution by oil of the coast waters of the United States : preliminary report /

Mode of access: Internet.

The developmental responses of papaya leaves to simulated canopy shade

The developmental responses of plants to shade underneath foliage are influenced by reductions in irradiance and shifts in spectral quality (characterized by reductions in the quantum ratio of red to far-red wavelengths, R:FR). Previous research on the influence of shadelight on leaf development has neglected the reductions in R:FR characteristic of foliage shade, and these studies have almost certainly underestimated the extent and array of developmental responses to foliage shade. We have studied the effects of reduced irradiance and R:FR on the leaf development of papaya (Carica papaya L., Caricaceae). Using experimental shadehouses, replicates of plants grown in high light conditions (0.20 of sunlight and R:FR = 0.90) were compared to low light conditions (0.02 of sunlight) with either the spectral quality of sunlight (R:FR = 0.99) or of foliage shade (F:FR = 0.26). Although many characteristics, such as leaf thickness, specific leaf weight, stomatal density, palisade parenchyma cell shape, and the ratio of mesophyll air surface/leaf surface were affected by reductions in irradiance, reduced R:FR contributed to further changes. Some characters, such as reduced chlorophyll a/b ratios, reduced lobing, and greater internode length, were affected primarily by low R:FR. The reduced R:FR of foliage shade, presumably affecting phytochrome equilibrium, strongly influences the morphology and anatomy of papaya leaves.

Anatomical and morphological responses of papaya, Carica papaya L., to various light conditions

Plants that develop under foliar shade encounter both low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and low red to far red ratios (R:FR). Both of these factors are important in determining developmental responses to shade. Papaya (Carica papaya L.) seedlings grown under filtered shade (low PAR and low R:FR) were compared with seedlings grown under neutral shade (low PAR with R:FR similar to that of full sunlight), and high light (moderate PAR with R:FR similar to that of full sunlight). The results indicated that papaya exhibits a light seeking strategy as evidenced by morphological and anatomical differences between treatments. Based on past research the results also indicate shade developmental responses in papaya to be phytochrome mediated.

Optimization of osmotic dehydration of papaya followed by air-drying

FERNANDES, Fabiano A. N. et al. Optimization of Osmotic Dehydration of Papaya of followed by air-drying. Food Research Internation, v. 39, p. 492-498, 2006.

Optimization of osmotic dehydration of papaya followed by air-drying

FERNANDES, Fabiano A. N. et al. Optimization of Osmotic Dehydration of Papaya of followed by air-drying. Food Research Internation, v. 39, p. 492-498, 2006.

Modified atmosphere packaging effects on the postharvest quality of papaya fruit

Export of Fijian papaya (Carica papaya) fruit to destinations such as New Zealand has increased significantly over the last several years. Shipment by sea rather than air is the preferred method, given the capacity for larger volumes and reductions in cost. Long shipping times, however, can compromise fruit quality, although the use of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) may provide a viable solution for extending fruit storage life. In a collaborative ACIAR project, Australian and Fijian researchers investigated the potential of using MAP to extend storage life of a Fijian papaya ('Fiji Red') fruit based on simulated sea transport conditions. Fruit were packed in one of three MAP environments within cartons, consisting of either a (1) Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) bag with 10 g of KMnO4, (2) Polyamide Film (PF) bag with macro-perforations or (3) without a bag (control fruit). Fruit were held for 1, 2 or 3 weeks at 10°C before being unpacked, ripened and assessed for quality. On day 6 after outturn, fruit with the highest overall quality were those held in LDPE bags. LDPE fruit generally coloured up faster at outturn than PF or control fruit, had less overall moisture loss and scored high in flavour. Headspace carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations within the LDPE bags were also near recommended levels for maintaining optimum storage-life quality. The LDPE bag provided the most suitable conditions for long term storage of fresh papaya fruit and is therefore the recommended MAP type for use with sea freight export out of Fiji.

Effect of proteolytic enzyme and fiber of papaya fruit on human digestive health

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2005) recommends consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet with daily recommendation of 5 servings or at least 400 g per day. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Papaya fruit is known for his high nutrient and fiber content, and with few exceptions, it is generally consumed ripe due to its characteristic flavor and aroma. Digestion improvement has been attributed to consumption of papaya; this we speculate is attributed to the fiber content and proteolytic enzymes associated with this highly nutritious fruit. However, research is lacking that evaluates the impact of papaya fruit on human digestion. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme generally extracted from the latex of unripe papaya. Previous research has focused on evaluating papain activity from the latex of different parts of the plant; however there are no reports about papain activity in papaya pulp through fruit maturation. The activity of papain through different stages of ripeness of papaya and its capacity of dislodging meat bolus in an in vitro model was addressed. The objective of this study was to investigate whether papain activity and fiber content are responsible for the digestive properties attributed to papaya and to find a processing method that preserves papaya health properties with minimal impact on flavor. Our results indicated that papain was active at all maturation stages of the fruit. Ripe papaya pulp displayed the highest enzyme activity and also presented the largest meat bolus displacement. The in vitro digestion study indicated that ripe papaya displayed the highest protein digestibility; this is associated with proteolytic enzymes still active at the acidity of the stomach. Results from the in vitro fermentation study indicated that ripe papaya produced the highest amount of Short Chain Fatty Acids SCFA of the three papaya substrates (unripe, ripe, and processed). SCFA are the most important product of fermentation and are used as indicators of the amount of substrate fermented by microorganisms in the colon. The combination of proteolytic enzymes and fiber content found in papaya make of this fruit not only a potential digestive aid, but also a good source of SCFA and their associated potential health benefits. Irradiation processing had minimal impact on flavor compounds of papaya nectar. However, processed papaya experienced the lowest protein digestibility and SCFA production among the papaya substrates. Future research needs to explore new processing methods for papaya that minimize the detrimental impact on enzyme activity and SCFA production.

Volatile Oil of Psidium cattleianum Sabine from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of fresh leaves of Psidium cattleianum Sabine, collected in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oil had the main constituents alpha-thujene (25.2%), 1,8-cineole (16.4%) and beta-caryophyllene (10.2%).

Determination of borneol and other chemical compounds of essential oil of Dryobalanops aromatica exudate from Malaysia

Purpose: To determine borneol and other chemical compounds of essential oil derived from the exudate of Dryobalanops aromatica aromatica in Malaysia. Methods: Exudate was collected from D. aromatica and subjected to fractional distillation to obtain essential oil. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to characterize the composition of the isolated essential oil. Results: Essential oil (7.58 %) was obtained with the highest yield (3.24 %) in the first 2 h of fractional distillation. Thirty compounds which accounted for 97.56 % of total essential oil composition were identified by GC-MS, and they include sesquiterpenes (46.87 %), monoterpenes (31.05 %), oxygenated monoterpenes (16.76 %) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (2.13 %). Borneol (0.74 %) was also detected in the essential oil. Conclusion: Borneol and other terpenoid compounds are present in the essential oil of the exudate of D. aromatica

Pharmacological and Toxicological Studies of Essential Oil of Lavandula stoechas subsp. luisieri.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the chemical and pharmacological properties of essential oil (EO) of Lavandula stoechas L. subsp. luisieri that is a spontaneous shrub widespread in Alentejo (Portugal). Oxygenated monoterpenes, as 1,8-cineole, lavandulol and necrodane derivatives are the main components of essential oil. It revealed important antioxidant activity with high ability to inhibit the lipid peroxidation and showed an outstanding effect against a wide spectrum of microorganisms, such as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and pathogenic yeasts. The analgesic effect studied in rats was dose dependent, reaching a maximum of 67 % at 60 min. with the dose of 200 mg/kg and the anti-inflammatory activity with this dose caused an inhibition in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema (83 %) that is higher than dexamethasone 1 mg/Kg (69 %). Besides, animals exhibited a normal behaviour after EO administration revealing low toxicity. Essential oil of L. luisieri from Alentejo that presents important pharmacological properties and low toxicity is a promised candidate to be used as food supplement or in pharmaceutical applications.