Hypolipemic and antioxidant activities from Tamarindus indica L. pulp fruit extract in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

Dietary modifications may significantly reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including cholesterol and atherosclerosis. The present study addressed the effects of the crude extract from the pulp fruit of Tamarindus indica L. on lipid serum levels and early atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic hamsters in vivo, and the extract's antioxidant action, in vitro. Animals were fed on either chow or atherogenic diet during 10 weeks and concomitantly received either water or T indica L. extract for drinking. Treatment of hypercholesterolemic hamsters with the T. indica pulp fruit extract (5%) led to a decrease in the levels of serum total cholesterol (50%), non-HDL cholesterol (73%) and triglyceride (60%), and to an increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (61%). In vitro, the extract presented radical scavenging ability, as assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals assays, and led to decreased lipid peroxidation in serum, as assessed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. In vivo, the extract improved the efficiency of the antioxidant defense system, as assessed by the superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Together these results indicate the potential of tamarind extracts in diminishing the risk of atherosclerosis development in humans. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical and microbiological changes and aerobic stability of marandu grass silages after silo opening

Esta pesquisa foi realizada com os objetivos de caracterizar a microbiologia e avaliar a estabilidade aeróbia de silagens de capim-marandu contendo polpa cítrica peletizada (PCP). A forragem colhida foi submetida aos seguintes tratamentos: silagem de capim-marandu; silagem de capim-marandu + 5% PCP e silagem do capim-marandu + 10% de PCP com base na matéria natural. As alterações químicas e microbiológicas foram feitas aos 0, 2, 4 e 6 dias após a abertura dos silos (tambores de metal com 80 cm de altura e 50 cm de diâmetro). Na avaliação da estabilidade aeróbia por meio da alteração da temperatura, 3 kg de silagem foram colocados em caixas de isopor, que foram armazenadas em câmara climática. Nos dois ensaios realizados, utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com cinco repetições, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, de modo que os níveis de PCP na silagem corresponderam às parcelas e o tempo, às subparcelas. As silagens sem polpa apresentaram desenvolvimento de bacilos e enterobactérias e aumento do pH no decorrer do desabastecimento dos silos. A presença de leveduras foi detectada nas silagens contendo o aditivo e aumentou do primeiro ao sexto dia de aeração. A digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) reduziu com o aumento dos tempos de aeração. A temperatura nas silagens com 10% de PCP aumentou durante a aerobiose. Com a abertura dos silos, as silagens apresentaram-se instáveis, seja pelo desenvolvimento de bactérias seja pelo desenvolvimento de leveduras, o que reduziu seu valor nutritivo.

Impacts of limestone and nitrogen top dressing application on the potassium content in the soil profile and marandu-grass leaf concentration

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de nitrogênio (0, 100, 200, 300 e 400 kg/ha.ano), com ou sem aplicação de calcário dolomítico em cobertura, sobre o teor de potássio (K) do solo nas profundidades de 0 a 5; 5 a 10; e 10 a 20 cm e a concentração de potássio na planta. O experimento foi realizado em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico de relevo suavemente ondulado, disposto em esquema fatorial 5 × 2, em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A adubação nitrogenada promoveu aumento linear na concentração de potássio na planta e no teor desse mineral na camada de 0 a 5 cm do solo. Ocorreu efeito de inibição competitiva entre a absorção de potássio e cálcio e entre potássio e magnésio. Embora uma fração significativa de potássio retorne à camada superficial do solo pelo resíduo de forragem, em decorrência da maior produção de massa, o aumento da concentração de potássio na planta nas mais altas doses de nitrogênio comprova a importância do suprimento de potássio para a planta, por intensificar a massa de forragem.

Fermentative and microbiological profile of marandu-grass ensiled with citrus pulp pellets

Forragens com alta umidade e baixa concentração de carboidratos solúveis, como é o caso dos capins tropicais, podem conduzir a condições desfavoráveis para a produção de silagens de qualidade satisfatória. Esse estudo objetivou conhecer o perfil fermentativo e microbiológico de silagens de capim-Marandu [Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst ex. A. Rich) Stapf cv. Marandu], colhido com 58 dias de crescimento, aditivadas com polpa cítrica peletizada (PCP),. Foram utilizados silos experimentais de PVC adaptados com válvula do tipo Bunsen, tendo a silagem atingindo densidade de 900 kg m-3. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por três proporções de PCP (0, 50 e 100 g kg-1 em relação a matéria natural) e sete tempos de abertura após a ensilagem (1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 e 56 dias). A presença de PCP aumentou os teores de CHOs em 15 a 20%, reduziu o pH (5,3 para 4,2) e diminuiu as concentrações de N-NH3. Houve crescimento da população de enterobactérias somente durante o primeiro dia de fermentação (média 3 UFC g-1), pequeno desenvolvimento de clostrideos (média 0,5 UFC g-1) e dominância de bactérias homo em relação às heterofermentativas, para os três tratamentos estudados. A adição de polpa cítrica durante a ensilagem do capim-Marandu foi benéfica, podendo ser recomendada desde que haja benefício econômico na sua adoção.

Performance of supplemented heifers on Marandu grass pastures in the wet-to-dry transition and dry seasons

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of the sward canopy of Marandu grass during the rainy season, the wet-to-dry transition and the dry seasons, between March and September 2004, under intermittent grazing, and to correlate those characteristics with the performance of crossbred heifers receiving mineral supplements ad libitum or protein supplements. The experiment consisted of a randomized block design with three blocks (set of 13 paddocks), each containing five crossbred heifers per experimental unit, totaling 15 replicates. The heifers were given protein supplements daily in individual stalls and received an average 4 g/kg/day of the supplement during the rainy season and 5 g/kg/day during the dry season. Their weight gain was assessed monthly. The pasture structure was assessed through destructive sampling, and the bromatological composition of esophageal extrusa samples was also assessed. Analysis of variance was used to assess performance, and regression analysis was used to evaluate the sward canopy characteristics in relation to the months of the year. A cluster procedure was used to determine the similarity between the months of the year under assessment. Two different groups were formed for pasture evaluation: one group including the months of March to July and another group including the months of August and September. The first group exhibited a better canopy structure than the second group. This fact was corroborated by the animal performance, which was lower during the months of the second group. Low-intake protein supplementation was effective in increasing the performance of the grazing heifers. Pasture structure is critical for animal performance in a grazing environment, regardless of the type of supplementation.

Digestibilidade aparente da dieta com capim-elefante ensilado com diferentes aditivos

Foram estudados os efeitos da adição de 15% de diferentes aditivos - casca de café, farelo de cacau e farelo de mandioca - à forragem verde de capim-elefante (peso/peso), no momento da ensilagem, sobre a digestibilidade aparente de dietas. Foram usados 20 ovinos machos, não castrados, com média de 22,27±3,24kg de peso corporal, em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1 = capim-elefante ensilado sem aditivo; T2 = capim-elefante ensilado com 15% de casca de café; T3 = capim-elefante ensilado com 15% de farelo de cacau; T4 = capim-elefante ensilado com 15% de farelo de mandioca. Os animais receberam dieta isoproteica (10% de proteína bruta) em proporção de 60% de volumoso e 40% de concentrado, na base da matéria seca. Utilizou-se o método de coleta total de fezes durante sete dias. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido e de digestibilidade verdadeira da proteína bruta foram maiores no capim-elefante ensilado sem aditivo. O coeficiente de digestibilidade do extrato etéreo foi mais alto na silagem sem aditivo e na silagem com farelo de cacau. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria orgânica e dos carboidratos totais foram mais elevados na silagem sem aditivo e na silagem com farelo de mandioca. Os maiores valores de nutrientes digestíveis totais foram observados nas dietas que continham silagem sem aditivo e silagem com farelo de mandioca. A silagem de capim-elefante com 15% de farelo de mandioca, bem como a silagem sem aditivo apresentaram melhor digestibilidade dos nutrientes.

Consumo, digestibilidade de nutrientes e balanço de nitrogênio da silagem de capim-elefante com adição de pedúnculo de caju desidratado

The nutritive value of elephant grass silages, with increasing levels of dehydrated cashew stalk (DCS) was evaluated. Five addition levels were studied (0: 4: 8: 12 and 16%), using 20 rams in a completely randomized design with five treatments (addition levels) and four replicates (animals). Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM). crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE), total carbohydrates (TC) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) were determined, as well as total digestible nutrients (TDN) and silages nitrogen balance (NB) DCS did not affect intakes of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, TC and TDN, neither digestibility of OM, CB, NDF ADF and TC silages. Otherwise. the addition of DCS increased intakes of CP EE and NFC and digestibility of EE, NFC, as well as TON values and nitrogen balance. Inclusion of DCS, showed linear decreasing digestibility of ADF It is concluded that addition of DCS to silages of elephant grass up to 16% on a natural basis can be used as a forage source for ruminants.

Humoral immune response of broilers fed diets containing yeast extract and prebiotics in the prestarter phase and raised at different temperatures

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

The validity of n-alkanes to estimate intake and digestibility in Nellore beef cattle fed a tropical grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu)

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

Supplementation of Nellore young bulls on Marandu grass pastures in the dry period of the year

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and daytime ingestive behavior of 84 Nellore young bulls in the post-weaning phase kept on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures during the dry season. Treatments were protein mineral supplementation (1 g/kg body weight) and protein+energy mineral supplementation (3 g/kg body weight). The experimental area comprised 12 paddocks in a total area of 27.36 ha, divided in two blocks of six paddocks each, having three replications per treatment in each block, with 42 animals/treatment. The data were subjected to variance analysis with repeated measures over time via procedure PROCMIXED of SAS (Statistical Analysis System, version 9.0) and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The initial average weight of animals was 204.8 kg; final weights were 260.9 and 276.9 kg for animals that received protein and protein+energy supplement, respectively. The forage availability, sward height and stocking rate values did not differ with supplementation, but they showed difference between the experimental periods. The average time spent grazing during daylight of animals fed protein+energy supplement was shorter as compared with those which consumed protein supplement. Animals kept under the same pasture conditions during the dry season show better performance when they receive protein+energy supplement than protein supplement.

Involvement of nitric oxide in the gastroprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen, Amaranthaceae, in rats

The plants belonging to Pfaffia genus are used in folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. This study examined the effects of an aqueous extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen (AEP) on the gastrointestinal tract. Wistar rats were pretreated orally (p.o.) with the AEP (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg.kg(-1)) before induction of ulcers by hypothermic restraint stress (HRS, 3 h restraint stress at 4 degreesC), ethanol (ET, 70%; 0.5 ml/animal; p.o.) or indomethacin (IND, 20 mg.kg(-1); s.c.). Control animals received water (C) or ranitidine (60 mg.kg(-1)) p.o. The AEP protected rats against HRS and ET-induced ulcers, but was not able to protect the gastric mucosa against IND-induced ulcers. When injected into the duodenal lumen, the AEP reduced total acidity and both basal and histamine-stimulated acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. In addition, gastric secretion from AEP-treated animals exhibited increased concentrations of nitrite and nitrate. Treatment of animals with L-NAME (120 mg.kg(-1), p.o.) prevented both the reduction of total acidity and the increase in NO, levels promoted by AEP treatment. In conclusion, AEP effectively protected the gastric mucosa and inhibited gastric acid secretion in rats, probably by involving the histaminergic pathway and an enhanced production of nitric oxide in the stomach. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bermuda grass sod production as related to nitrogen rates

O N é o nutriente que proporciona as maiores respostas no crescimento das gramas, e a adubação nitrogenada adequada pode proporcionar a formação do tapete com boa qualidade em menor tempo. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a influência da adubação nitrogenada na produção e qualidade de tapetes de grama-bermuda. O experimento foi instalado e conduzido em área de produção comercial de grama, localizada na cidade de Capela do Alto, SP. A grama utilizada foi a Cynodon dactylon (Pers) L., conhecida como grama-bermuda. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por cinco doses de N: 0, 150, 300, 450 e 600 kg ha-1. O aumento das doses de N aumentou a taxa de cobertura do solo pela gramabermuda, reduzindo o tempo para formação do tapete. O máximo acúmulo de matéria seca de rizomas + estolões + raízes foi proporcionado pela dose de 354 kg ha-1 de N, e a resistência dos tapetes, pela dose de 365 kg ha-1 de N. Doses de N entre 354 e 365 kg ha-1, aumentaram a resistência dos tapetes e, com isso, a capacidade deles serem manuseados após a colheita, podendo promover assim maior rendimento da área.

Efecto Insecticida del Extracto de Semillas de Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) sobre Collaria scenica Stal (Hemiptera: Miridae)

This work was developed with the objetive to evaluate the insecticidal effect of the Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seeds against grass bug nymphs Collaria scenica Stal. For that, an extract was prepared from green fruits of Neem by rotaevaporacion. The extract was diluted in three ppm concentrations corresponding to treatments. Using thin-layer chromatography we identified the presence of Azaridactina. DCA essay was carried out with 4 treatments and 5 repetitions that included the three extract concentrations and a control. In each repetition were used 15 nymphs, randomly placed in plastic boxes with food and the corresponding concentration. Every day an extract application was made and recorded mortality percentage, number of exuviae and number of individuals who came to adulthood in each treatment. The results were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Games-Howell for each variable. The three concentrations of Neem seed extract had a negative effect on the development of the bugs. The more concentrated treatment (250 ppm) was the most effective, showing a 97% mortality, fewer exuvias and and fewer adults in the end of the experiment.

Supercritical fluid extraction from Lippia alba: global yields, kinetic data, and extract chemical composition

In this work, experimental data for the system Lippia alba + CO2 is presented. The major constituents of the L. alba volatile oil are limonene and carvone. Thus, literature data for the systems limonene + CO2 and carvone + CO2, and the Peng-Robinson equation of state (PR-EOS) were used to select the operating temperature and pressure, which maximize the global yield in L. alba extract. Global yields were determined at 80, 100, and 120 bar and 40, 45, and 50 degrees C. L. alba extracts were also obtained by conventional processes (hydrodistillation, low-pressure ethanol extraction and Soxhlet ethanol). The chemical compositions of the extracts were determined by gas and thin layer chromatography (TLC). The secretor structures of L. alba were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after supercritical extraction. The largest yield (similar to 7%, mass of extract/mass of dry solid) of the CO2-extract was obtained at 318 K and 100 bar. The chemical compositions of the CO2-extracts were different from those of the extracts obtained by Soxhlet and low-pressure solvent extraction (LPSE) because of the co-extraction of heavy substances by ethanol. The operating conditions that maximized the carvone and limomene yields were 80 bar and 323 K (80 mass%) and 120 bar and 323 K (17 mass%), respectively. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Selectivity of Workers of the Grass-Cutting Ants Atta bisphaerica and Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to Vegetable Oils

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