Spectrophotometric determination of methyldopa in pharmaceutical formulations

A new, simple, precise, rapid and low-cost spectrophotometric method for methyldopa determination in pharmaceutical preparations is described. This method is based on the complexation reaction of methyldopa with molybdate. Absorbance of the resulting yellow coloured product is measured at 410 nm. Beer's Law is obeyed in a concentration range of 50 - 200 µg ml-1 methyldopa with an excellent correlation coefficient (r = 0.9999). No interference was observed from common excipients in formulations. The results show a simple, accurate, fast and readily applied method to the determination of methyldopa in pharmaceutical products. The analytical results obtained for these products by the proposed method are in agreement with those of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia procedure at 95% confidence level.

Spectrophotometric determination of metronidazole through Schiff's base system using vanillin and PDAB reagents in pharmaceutical preparations

Two simple sensitive and reproducible spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of metronidazole either in pure form or in their tablets. The proposed methods are based on the reduction of the nitro group to amino group of the drug. The reduction of metronidazole was carried out with zinc powder and 5 N hydrochloric acid at room temperature in methanol. The resulting amine was then subjected to a condensation reaction with aromatic aldehyde namely, vanillin and p-dimethyl amino benzaldehyde (PDAB) to yield yellow colored Schiff's bases. The formed Schiff's bases are quantified spectrophotometrically at their absorption maxima at 422 nm for vanillin and 494 nm for PDAB. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration ranges 10 to 65 µg mL-1 and 5 to 40 µg mL-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.080 µg mL-1 and 0.090 µg mL-1 for vanillin and PDAB, respectively. The mean percentage recoveries were found to be 100.05 ± 0.37 and 99.01 ± 0.76 for the two methods respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to determine the metronidazole in their tablet formulations and the results compared favorably to that of reference methods. The proposed methods are recommended for quality control and routine analysis.

Sensitive spectrophotometric determination of lamotrigine in bulk drug and pharmaceutical formulations using bromocresol green

Two new, simple, rapid and reproducible spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of lamotrigine (LMT) both in pure form and in its tablets. The first method (method A) is based on the formation of a colored ion-pair complex (1:1 drug/dye) of LMT with bromocresol green (BCG) at pH 5.02±0.01 and extraction of the complex into dichloromethane followed by the measurement of the yellow ion-pair complex at 410 nm. In the second (method B), the drug-dye ion-pair complex was dissolved in ethanolic potassium hydroxide and the resulting base form of the dye was measured at 620 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range of 1.5-15 µg mL-1 and 0.5-5.0 µg mL-1 for method A and method B, respectively, and the corresponding molar absorptivity values are 1.6932 x 10(4) and 3.748 x 10(4) L mol-1cm-1. The Sandell sensitivity values are 0.0151 and 0.0068 µg cm-2 for method A and method B, respectively. The stoichiometry of the ion-pair complex formed between the dug and dye (1:1) was determined by Job's continuous variations method and the stability constant of the complex was also calculated. The proposed methods were applied successfully for the determination of drug in commercial tablets.

Development and validation of spectrophotometric method for the determination of DPP-4 inhibitor, sitagliptin, in its pharmaceutical preparations

A simple, sensitive and reproducible spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of sitagliptin phosphate in bulk and in pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed method is based on condensation of the primary amino group of sitagliptin phosphate with acetyl acetone and formaldehyde producing a yellow colored product, which is measured spectrophotometrically at 430nm. The color was stable for about 1 hour. Beer's law is obeyed over a concentration range of 5-25 µg/ml. The apparent molar absorptivity and Sandell sensitivity values are 1.067 x 10(4) Lmol-1cm-1 and 0.0471 µgcm-2 respectively. All the variables were studied to optimize the reaction conditions. No interference was observed in the presence of common pharmaceutical excipients. The validity of the method was tested by analyzing sitagliptin phosphate in its pharmaceutical preparations. Good recoveries were obtained. The developed method was successfully employed for the determination of sitagliptin phosphate in various pharmaceutical preparations.

Diversidade genética de begomovírus em cultivos de tomateiro no Centro-Oeste Paulista

A diversidade genética de vírus pertencentes ao gênero Begomovirus em tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) foi analisada em regiões produtoras do Centro-Oeste paulista. No período de janeiro de 2003 a fevereiro de 2004, cento e sessenta e seis amostras de tomate foram coletadas e a presença de begomovírus observada em 60% das amostras, por PCR, utilizando-se oligonucleotídeos universais para o gênero Begomovirus. O sequenciamento direto do produto de PCR de 16 dessas amostras indicou a possível presença do Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV), Sida mottle virus (SiMoV-[BR]) e da espécie tentativa Tomato yellow vein streak virus (ToYVSV-[BR]). Em duas amostras foi detectada uma possível nova espécie de begomovírus. A presença do ToSRV e do SiMoV ainda não havia sido verificada em tomateiro no estado de São Paulo. Estes resultados indicam a existência de diversidade de espécies de begomovírus infectando o tomateiro nesta região, servindo como um alerta para melhoristas que trabalham na busca de fontes de resistência a esse importante grupo de patógenos.

Ability of Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae to Transmit Cucumber mosaic virus in Single and Mixed Infection with Two Potyviruses to Zucchini Squash

The main objective of this work was to investigate the ability of Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae to transmit Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) singly and mixed with two potyviruses (Papaya ringspot virus - type W, PRSV-W and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, ZYMV), to zucchini squash plants (Cucurbita pepo). The results showed that the potyviruses in general were more efficiently transmitted by both species of aphids as compared to CMV. The transmission of PRSV-W, ZYMV and CMV separately was more efficient than in mixture.

Danos causados pelo Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus (ZLCV) sobre a produção de frutos comerciais de abobrinha de moita 'Caserta'

O ZLCV é um tospovírus encontrado com freqüência causando severos danos em cucurbitáceas. Nesse trabalho avaliaram-se os danos causados pelo ZLCV em abobrinha de moita 'Caserta', em campo na ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba-SP, onde esse vírus é freqüente. Plantas obtidas pela semeadura direta foram monitoradas periodicamente quanto à infecção pelo ZLCV por meio dos sintomas e por PTA-ELISA. Monitorou-se ainda a contaminação com Papaya ringspot virus - type W e Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, desconsiderando a produção dessas plantas. As plantas foram agrupadas em função da época de aparecimento dos sintomas do ZLCV, avaliando a produção de frutos comerciais (FC) e não comerciais (FNC) de cada grupo e comparando com a de plantas que permaneceram sem sintomas até o final do experimento. As plantas que apresentaram sintomas até os 23 dias após a emergência (DAE) não produziram qualquer tipo de frutos. FC foram colhidos de plantas que apresentaram sintomas a partir dos 42 DAE. Mesmo assim, houve redução de 78,5 % na produção de FC. Plantas que mostraram sintomas por ocasião da última colheita (55 DAE) apresentaram redução na produção de FC de 9,6 %. A infecção com o ZLCV até o início da frutificação inviabiliza a produção de FC de abobrinha de moita 'Caserta'.

Ocorrência e variabilidade genética do Tomato severe rugose virus em tomateiro e pimentão no Estado de São Paulo

Um levantamento para avaliar a ocorrência de begomovírus nas culturas de pimentão e tomateiro no estado de São Paulo foi realizado entre janeiro/2007 e julho/2008. O DNA total de amostras de pimentão (710) e de tomateiro (103) foi extraído e a presença de begomovírus foi testada por PCR. Paralelamente, as mesmas amostras foram avaliadas por amplificação por círculo rolante (RCA) seguidas de PCR, e algumas amostras positivas analisadas por RCA-RFLP com a enzima de restrição HpaII, a fim de se conhecer a variabilidade genética dos isolados. Os resultados demonstraram que, para a técnica de PCR, 99 amostras de pimentão (13,94%) e 39 de tomateiro (37,86%) foram positivas para a presença de begomovírus, enquanto que por RCA-PCR, 333 (46,90%) de pimentão e 82 (79,61%) de tomateiro mostrando a maior sensibilidade desta técnica. Seqüências correspondentes à região 5' da capa protéica (CP) e um segmento de gene da região intergênica foram analisadas e indicaram apenas a presença da espécie Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV). Porém, seqüenciamento parcial de clones obtidos a partir de produto RCA de tomateiro permitiu a detecção de infecção mista de ToSRV e Tomato yellow vein streak virus (ToYVSV). Por RCA-RFLP quatro padrões de restrição foram observados para o ToSRV em pimentão, enquanto que em tomateiro observaram-se 18 padrões.Os resultados indicam maior diversidade genética dos begomovírus em tomateiro quando comparada com os de pimentão.

Begomovírus infectando a cultura de pimentão no estado de São Paulo

Vírus do gênero Begomovirus são transmitidos por mosca-branca Bemisia tabaci G., e constituem um dos problemas fitossanitários sérios em diversas culturas. Plantas de pimentão coletadas em oito regiões do Estado de São Paulo, foram submetidas a extração de DNA total e PCR com primers universais e degenerados para begomovírus, que amplificam parte da região codificadora para a proteína capsicial. Os dados indicam a presença de begomovírus em pimentão nas cinco regiões coletadas. Análise das seqüências do DNA viral e análise filogenética revelaram identidade com dois begomovírus nativo da América. Tomato severe rugose virus - ToSRV (AY029750) e com Tomato yellow vein streak virus (ToYVSV, AY829113), espécies descritas infectando tomateiro no Brasil. A presença de begomovírus em pimentão foi verificada nas regiões de Alvinlândia, Ubirajara, Botucatu, Elias-Fausto, Paulínia, Mogi Guaçu, Paranapanema e Pirajú.

Chitosan and fungicides on postharvest control of Guignardia citricarpa and on quality of 'Pêra Rio' oranges

Citrus fruits are affected by the black spot disease caused by the fungus Guignardia citricarpa. Chitosan can be used as covering for fruits and may delay the ripening process and inhibit the growth of some fungi. Thus, the control of citrus black spot using chitosan and the fungicides thiabendazole and imazalil was assessed in addition to the physicochemical quality of 'Pêra Rio' oranges. The oranges were immersed into chitosan, thiabendazole or imazalil, and in chitosan mixed with both fungicides. The fruits were then stored at 25 °C, 80% RH, for 7 days and, after this storage period, subjected to physicochemical analyses. Chitosan in association with the fungicides reduced black spot in 'Pêra Rio' oranges and delayed the change in the orange skin colour from green to yellow during the postharvest storage. Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, ascorbic acid content and ratio were not influenced by the treatments. Thus, chitosan applied with the fungicides thiabendazole and imazalil showed potential to control the development of black spot lesions on 'Pêra Rio' oranges during the postharvest period.

Análise comparativa da região codificadora para a proteína capsidial de isolados de PepYMV e PVY coletados em pimentão

O Potato virus Y (PVY) e Pepper yellow mosaic virus (PepYMV) são as únicas espécies de potyvirus encontradas em pimenta e pimentão no Brasil. A região codificadora para a proteína capsidial de isolados de PepYMV e PVY coletados em pimentão, foi avaliada quanto à variabilidade e presença de motivos específicos aos potyvirus. A identidade da seqüência de aminoácidos na CP entre os isolados de PepYMV foi de 93% a 100%, enquanto que para os de PVY 94% a 98%. Entre os vírus esta variou de 73% a 79%. Foi observada variabilidade nas regiões conservadas da CP. Todos os isolados de PepYMV seqüenciados não apresentaram o motivo DAG na CP, relacionada a transmissão dos vírus por afídeos, enquanto que para as seqüências obtidas de PVY foi observada. Demais domínios como MVWCIENG, ENTERH, QMKAAA e PYMPRYG foram verificadas em ambas espécies.

Theorica Pantegni . Facsimile and Transcription of the Helsinki manuscript (Codex EÖ.II.14)

The Theorica Pantegni is a medieval medical textbook written in Latin. The author was Constantine the African (Constantinus Africanus), a monk of Tunisian origin. He compiled the work in the latter half of the eleventh century at the Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino in Italy. - Manuscript Eö.II.14, containing the Theorica Pantegni published here, belongs today to the National Library of Finland. It can be dated to the third quarter of the twelfth century, which makes it one of the earliest surviving exemplars of the Theorica Pantegni: over seventy manuscripts of the work survive, of which about fifteen can be dated to the twelfth century. Manuscript Eö.II.14 is written in black ink on 210 parchment leaves (recto and verso), amounting to 420 pages, in pre-Gothic script. - The present text is a transcription of Ms Eö.II.14. The goal is to provide the reader with an accessible text that is faithful to the original.

Temperature effect in potassium and nitrate ions in soil transport

When doing researches on solute dynamics in porous medium, the knowledge of medium characteristics and percolating liquids, as well as of external factors is very important. An important external factor is temperature and, in this sense, our purpose was determining potassium and nitrate transport parameters for different values of temperature, in miscible displacement experiments. Evaluated parameters were retardation factor (R), diffusion/dispersion coefficient (D) and dispersivity, at ambient temperature (25 up to 28 ºC), 40 ºC and 50 ºC. Salts used were potassium nitrate and potassium chlorate, prepared in a solution made up of 5 ppm nitrate and 2.000 ppm potassium, with Red-Yellow Latosol porous medium. Temperature exhibited a positive influence upon porous medium solution and upon dispersion coefficient.

Water absorbent polymer in sugarcane crop

The water absorbent polymer effect on vegetative growth and production of Theoretical Recovery Sugar (TRS) of sugarcane cv. RB 86 7515 was evaluated on two field tests installed in randomized blocks, with four treatments and five repetitions. The polymer doses were 0; 4; 8 and 12 g m-1 of furrow (test 1) and 0; 1.4; 2.8 and 4.2 g m-1 of furrow (test 2). Test 1 (dec/2007 to may/2009) was implanted in a Distroferric Red Argisol soil in Presidente Prudente - State of São Paulo (SP), Brazil; and the test 2 (Aug/2008 to Aug/2009) was implanted in a Red Yellow Argisol soil in Lucélia - State of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. In test 2, there were no significant differences for any evaluated parameters. In both tests the polymer doses equal to or less than 4 g m-1 of furrow showed no significant effect on the evaluated parameters. In test 1, the polymer doses of 8 and 12 g m-1 of the conditioning polymer increased the number of tillers in stage II of development and led to the largest amount of straw. The gross income per hectare has positive relation with the polymer doses. The polymer had no significant effect on the sugarcane stems productivity and technological parameters.

Light emitting diode (LED) use in artificial lighting for broiler chicken production

Light emitting diode (LED) has been used in commercial poultry industry by presenting superior energy savings and providing feasibility on production process. The objective of this research was to evaluate performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens exposed to different LED colors compared with fluorescent lamps. For that, two experiments (E1 and E2) were performed and 2,646 Cobb® chickens were used. In experiment E1, male birds were exposed to 20 lux artificial lighting with red, yellow, blue, and white LED bulbs; and fluorescent bulb. In experiment E2, male and female birds were exposed to 15 lux artificial lighting with red and blue LED bulbs; and fluorescent bulb. Cumulative weight gain (kg), feed intake (kg), feed conversion, hot carcass weight (kg), carcass yield (%), and breast and thigh + drumstick yield (%) were used as response variables. Results showed no difference (p > 0.05) among treatments for performance, carcass yield, and cut yield in experiment E1. In experiment E2 there was only difference between genders (p < 0.05) and males showed higher total weight gain, feed intake, hot carcass weight and thigh + drumstick yield. Different LED color use had same effect as fluorescent lights on broiler performance and carcass yield.