Sargassum Filipendula Alginate From Brazil: Seasonal Influence And Characteristics.

The aim of this work is focused on the extraction and characterization of the Brazilian seaweed Sargassum filipendula alginate. Alginates obtained at different seasons were characterized by liquid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The alginate extraction efficiency was about 20%. Different seasons of the year and different stages in the life cycle of Sargassum sp. in southeastern Brazil influenced the M/G and, consequently, the technological properties of extracted alginates.

Optimisation of the aqueous extraction conditions of phenols from meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria L.) for incorporation into beverages

Meadowsweet was extracted in water at a range of temperatures (60–100 °C), and the total phenols, tannins, quercetin, salicylic acid content and colour were analysed. The extraction of total phenols followed pseudo first-order kinetics, the rate constant (k) increased from 0.09 ± 0.02 min−1 to 0.44 ± 0.09 min−1, as the temperature increased from 60 to 100 °C. An increase in temperature from 60 to 100 °C increased the concentration of total phenols extracted from 39 ± 2 to 63 ± 3 mg g−1 gallic acid equivalents, although it did not significantly affect the proportion of tannin and non-tannin fractions. The extraction of quercetin and salicyclic acid from meadowsweet also followed pseudo first-order kinetics, the rate constant of both compounds increasing with an increase in temperature up until 90 °C. Therefore, the aqueous extraction of meadowsweet at temperatures at or above 90 °C for 15 min yields extracts high in phenols, which may be added to beverages.

Effect of drying methods on the phenolic constituents of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and willow (Salix alba)

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of drying conditions on the phenolic constituents and colour of extracts of organically grown white willow and meadowsweet for incorporation into a functional beverage with potential anti-inflammatory properties. The herbs were freeze-dried, air-dried, oven or tray-dried at 30 or 70 °C. The drying kinetics of the herbs was first determined. Both drying temperature and method had a significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on the drying rate, the samples tray-dried had a faster drying rate than those oven-dried. Results show that for meadowsweet and willow, freeze-drying and oven or tray drying at 30 °C had no significant effect on the phenolic constituents (e.g. total phenols, salicylates, quercetin) or the colour of the extracts in comparison to traditional air-drying. Although increasing the drying temperature to 70 °C resulted in an increase in the drying rate of both herbs it also led to the loss of some phenolic compounds. Also, the extracts from both herbs dried at 70 °C were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) redder than the other drying methods. Therefore, tray drying these herbs at low temperatures may reduce drying time without having a significant effect on the phenolic content and colour of the extracts.

Bioprospecção de polissacarídeos sulfatados de macroalgas marinhas do litoral do Rio Grande do Norte: caracterização de uma heterofucana extraída da alga marron sargassum filipendula que induz apoptose em células hela

The coast of Rio Grande do Norte has more than 100 species of seaweed, mostly unexplored regarding their pharmacological potential. The sulfated polysaccharides (PS) are by far the more seaweed compounds studied, these present a range of biological properties, such as anticoagulant activity, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant properties. In this study, we extract sulfated polysaccharide rich-extracts of eleven algae from the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Dictyota cervicornis; Dictiopterys delicatula; Dictyota menstruallis; Dictyota mertensis; Sargassum filipendula; Spatoglossum schröederi; Gracilaria caudata; Caulerpa cupresoides; Caulerpa prolifera; Caulerpa sertularioides e Codim isthmocladum), and these were evaluated for the potential anticoagulant, antioxidant and antiproliferative. All polysaccharide extracts showed activity for anticoagulant, antioxidant and/or antiproliferative activity, especially D. delicatula and S. filipendula, which showed the most prominent pharmacological potential, thereby being chosen to have their sulfated polysaccharides extracted. By fractionating method were obtained six fractions rich in sulfated polysaccharides to the algae D. delicatula (DD-0,5V, DD-0, 7V, DD-1,0v, DD-1,3v, DD-1,5v and DD-2,0) and five fractions to the alga S. filipendula (SF-0,5V, SF-0,7V, SF-1,0v, SF-1,5v and SF-2,0v). For the anticoagulant assay only the fractions of D. delicatula showed activity, with emphasis on DD-1, 5v that presented the most prominent activity, with APTT ratio similar to clexane® at 0.1 mg/mL. When evaluated the antioxidant potential, all fractions showed potential in all tests (total antioxidant capacity, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals scavenging, ferrous chelation and reducing power), however, the ability to chelate iron ions appears as the main mechanism antioxidant of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweed. In antiproliferative assay, all heterofucanas showed dose-dependent activity for the inhibition of cell proliferation of HeLa, however, with the exception of SF-0,7V, SF- 1,0v and SF-1,5v, all fractions showed antiproliferative activity against MC3T3, a normal cell line. The heterofucana SF-1,5V had its antiproliferative mechanism of action evaluated. This heterofucan induces apoptosis in HeLa cells by a pathway caspase independent, promoting the release of apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF) in the cytosol, which in turn induces chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation into 50Kb fragments. These results are significant in that they provide a mechanistic framework for further exploring the use of SF-1.5v as a novel chemotherapeutics against human cervical cancer.

Efeito imunomodulador e atividade antimicrobiana de heterofucanas de Sargassum filipendula

Fucans, sulphated polysaccharides that contain L-fucose in its constitution, obtained from species of Phaeophyceae of the Sargassum kind, display several biological activities. Heterofucans from Sargassum filipendula are bioactive molecules that contain strong antiproliferative and antioxidant activity. However, their immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities have not yet been examined. In this context, the aim of this research was to evaluate the heterofucans as for their immunomodulatory capacity and antimicrobial action against Leishmania infantum, Trichomonas vaginalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumonia (KPC). The five heterofucans obtained from S. filipendula show activities that are distant as stimulants of the immune system and microbial agent. The SF0.5V, SF0.7V amd SF1.0V heterofucans were capable of acting in the activation of murine and human macrophages. In addition to that, SF0.5V has shown antibiofilm activity of S. epidermides and SF0.7V and 1.0V almost completely inhibited the survival of the protozoan T. vaginalis. Results such as this one, reflect the broad range of action of the sulphated polysaccharides obtained from seaweeds, especially from the species S.filipendula

Bioprospecção de polissacarídeos sulfatados de macroalgas marinhas do litoral do Rio Grande do Norte: caracterização de uma heterofucana extraída da alga marron Sargassum filipendula que induz apoptose em células HeLa

The coast of Rio Grande do Norte has more than 100 species of seaweed, mostly unexplored regarding their pharmacological potential. The sulfated polysaccharides (PS) are by far the more seaweed compounds studied, these present a range of biological properties, such as anticoagulant activity, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant properties. In this study, we extract sulfated polysaccharide rich-extracts of eleven algae from the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Dictyota cervicornis; Dictiopterys delicatula; Dictyota menstruallis; Dictyota mertensis; Sargassum filipendula; Spatoglossum schröederi; Gracilaria caudata; Caulerpa cupresoides; Caulerpa prolifera; Caulerpa sertularioides e Codim isthmocladum), and these were evaluated for the potential anticoagulant, antioxidant and antiproliferative. All polysaccharide extracts showed activity for anticoagulant, antioxidant and/or antiproliferative activity, especially D. delicatula and S. filipendula, which showed the most prominent pharmacological potential, thereby being chosen to have their sulfated polysaccharides extracted. By fractionating method were obtained six fractions rich in sulfated polysaccharides to the algae D. delicatula (DD-0,5V, DD-0, 7V, DD-1,0v, DD-1,3v, DD-1,5v and DD-2,0) and five fractions to the alga S. filipendula (SF-0,5V, SF-0,7V, SF-1,0v, SF-1,5v and SF-2,0v). For the anticoagulant assay only the fractions of D. delicatula showed activity, with emphasis on DD-1, 5v that presented the most prominent activity, with APTT ratio similar to clexane® at 0.1 mg/mL. When evaluated the antioxidant potential, all fractions showed potential in all tests (total antioxidant capacity, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals scavenging, ferrous chelation and reducing power), however, the ability to chelate iron ions appears as the main mechanism antioxidant of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweed. In antiproliferative assay, all heterofucanas showed dose-dependent activity for the inhibition of cell proliferation of HeLa, however, with the exception of SF-0,7V, SF- 1,0v and SF-1,5v, all fractions showed antiproliferative activity against MC3T3, a normal cell line. The heterofucana SF-1,5V had its antiproliferative mechanism of action evaluated. This heterofucan induces apoptosis in HeLa cells by a pathway caspase independent, promoting the release of apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF) in the cytosol, which in turn induces chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation into 50Kb fragments. These results are significant in that they provide a mechanistic framework for further exploring the use of SF-1.5v as a novel chemotherapeutics against human cervical cancer.

Protokoll der Gewässerschau in Kassel am 19. April 2005

Bei der Begehung von Olebach, Losse und Alte Losse wurden der ökomorphologische Zustand von Sohle, Böschung, Linienführung, Verzahnung von Wasser und Land und der Ufergehölze sowie die Landnutzung notiert. Einleitungen von Abwässern und die Ablagerung von Abfällen auf Böschung und Ufer wurde protokolliert. Wassertemperatur und elektrische Leitfähigkeit wurden an mehreren Punkten gemessen. Die Leitfähigkeitswerte werden vor dem Hintergrund der Geologie der Einzugsgebiete interpretiert und zur chemischen Indikation von diffusen und punktförmigen Einleitungen genutzt. Es werden Maßnahmen zur Renaturierung, Maßnahmen gegen die Ablagerung von Gartenabfällen auf Ufer und Böschung, Maßnahmen gegen die ackerbauliche Nutzung und Bebauung im Gewässerrandstreifen vorgeschlagen.

The dispersal of traditionally managed hay meadow plants via farmyard manure application

The dispersal of plants within botanically rich grassland is an important area of study if such swards are to be maintained. The application of farmyard manure provides a possible mechanism by which seeds contained within hay can be returned/introduced to grasslands. In this study, hay, dung and manure samples taken from farms with botanically rich meadows contained very limited quantities of seeds of desirable species. Digestion by cattle, and storage within a manure heap for 6 months or longer, further reduced seed germination. Samples were characterized by an abundance of the grass, Poa trivialis, with few forbs present. Confirmation of the negative effect of the digestive processes of cattle on seed viability was achieved using an in vitro laboratory experiment. However, this experiment did show that the perennial herbs, Filipendula ulmaria and Sanguisorba officinalis, were able to survive digestion at least as well as P. trivialis. The burial of known quantities of seeds in a manure heap also showed these perennial herbs to be at least as resistant to damage as P. trivialis. The results demonstrate that, given appropriate timing of the hay cut, seeds of species with high conservation value could become incorporated into manure for subsequent dispersal. However, manure dispersal would appear to be of limited value for many species desirable from a conservation viewpoint.

Inhibition of proinflammatory biomarkers in THP1 macrophages by polyphenols derived from chamomile, meadowsweet and willow bark.

Antiinflammatory compounds in the diet can alleviate excessive inflammation, a factor in the pathogenesis of common diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and diabetes. This study examined three European herbs, chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria L.) and willow bark (Salix alba L.), which have been traditionally used to treat inflammation and their potential for use as antiinflammatory agents. Aqueous herbal extracts and isolated polyphenolic compounds (apigenin, quercetin and salicylic acid, 0–100 μM) were incubated with THP1 macrophages, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) were measured. At concentrations of 10 μM, both apigenin and quercetin reduced IL-6 significantly ( p < 0.05). Apigenin at 10 μM and quercetin at 25 μM reduced TNF- significantly ( p < 0.05). Amongst the herbal extracts, willow bark had the greatest antiinflammatory activity at reducing IL-6 and TNF- production. This was followed by meadowsweet and then chamomile. The lowest effective antiinflammatory concentrations were noncytotoxic (MTT mitochondrial activity assay). The Comet assay, which was used to study the protective effect of the isolated phenols against oxidative damage, showed positive results for all three polyphenols. These are the first findings that demonstrate the antiinflammatory capacity of these herbal extracts.

Bioprospecção de extratos metanólicos de macroalgas marinhas do litoral do Rio Grande do Norte: avaliação das atividades anticoagulante, antioxidante e antiproliferativa

Seaweeds are organisms known to exhibit a variety of biomolecules with pharmacological properties. The coast of Rio Grande do Norte has over 100 species of seaweeds, most of them not yet explored for their pharmacological potential. Sugars and phenolic compounds are the most studied of these being assigned a range of biological properties, such as anticoagulant , antiinflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant activities. In this work, we obtained methanolic extracts from thirteen seaweeds of the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Dictyota cervicornis; Dictiopterys delicatula; Dictyota menstruallis; D. mertensis; Sargassum filipendula; Spatoglossum schröederi; Acanthophora specifera; Botryocladia occidentalis; Caulerpa cupresoides; C. racemosa; C. prolifera; C. sertularioides e Codium isthmocladum). They were evaluated as anticoagulant and antioxidant drugs, as well as antiproliferative drugs against the tumor cell line HeLa. None of the methanolic extracts showed anticoagulant activity, but when they were evaluated as antioxidant drugs all of extracts showed antioxidant activity in all tests performed (total antioxidant capacity, sequestration of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, ferric chelation and reductase activity), especially the algae D. mentrualis, D. cilliolata and C. prolifera, who had the greatest potential to donate electrons.In addition, the ability of iron ions chelation appears as the main antioxidant mechanism of the methanolic extracts of these seaweeds mainly for the extract of the C. racemosa seaweed, which reached almost 100% activity. In the MTT assay, all extracts showed inhibitory activity at different levels againts HeLa cells. Moreover, D. cilliolata (MEDC) and D. menstrualis (MEDM) extracts showed specific activity to this cell line, not inhibiting the viability of 3T3 normal cell line, so they were chosen for detailing the antiproliferative mechanism of action. Using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and in vitro assays we demonstrated that MEDC and MEDM induced apoptosis in HeLa cells by activation of caspases 3 and 9 and yet, MEDC induces cell cycle arrest in S phase. Together, these results showed that the methanolic extracts of brown seaweed D. menstrualis and D. cilliolata may contain agents with potential use in combatting cells from human uterine adenocarcinoma. This study also points to the need for more in-depth research on phytochemical and biological context to enable the purification of biologically active products of these extracts

Pollen and macroremains from sediment core Aschenhütte

The Upper Pleistocene sediments of the Aschenhütte sink-hole (west of Herzberg am Harz, Lower Saxony) enable one to make interesting correlations between palynological and geological results. The sequence is composed of limnic-telmatic deposits (Eemain to Lower Weichselian) and loess with paleosoils (Weichselian). Sedimentation started during the hornbeam-dominated phase of the Eemian interglacial period and continued throughout the Eemian, the Weichselian Brörup interstadial (sensu Andersen) and parts of the preceding and the following stadial phases, the Herning and the Rederstall stadials. As opposed to most of the known Eemian sites spruce was a major tree species during the hornbeam-dominated phase of the Eemian. The vegetational development during the interstadial phase does not show a period of climatic deterioration as is the case for the Brörup interstadial when considering regions with a more demanding vegetation or regions close to the natural boundaries of the tree species concerned. Pollen or seeds of Bruckenthalia and Picea omoricoides have not been found in the Aschenhütte cores. The limnic-telmatic sediments interlock with loess-paleosoils (Eemian soil and Lower Weichselian bleaching soils) at the lake shore. They are overlaid by loess paleosoils of the Stillfried-B interstadial (Hattorf soil and Lohne soil). Lake level fluctuations were determined by means of the facies distribution and isochrones as defined by pollen analysis. A relatively high stand of the lake level existed after the end of the Eemian interglacial and during the Brörup interstadial periods. In the course of the Herning stadial period the water level dropped, whereas during the Rederstall stadial phase the lake basin was covered by sediments and therefore dried up.

Mean cover and frequencies of vascular plant species during three decades around Abisko Scientific Research Station

Plant species distributions are expected to shift and diversity is expected to decline as a result of global climate change, particularly in the Arctic where climate warming is amplified. We have recorded the changes in richness and abundance of vascular plants at Abisko, sub-Arctic Sweden, by re-sampling five studies consisting of seven datasets; one in the mountain birch forest and six at open sites. The oldest study was initiated in 1977-1979 and the latest in 1992. Total species number increased at all sites except for the birch forest site where richness decreased. We found no general pattern in how composition of vascular plants has changed over time. Three species, Calamagrostis lapponica, Carex vaginata and Salix reticulata, showed an overall increase in cover/frequency, while two Equisetum taxa decreased. Instead, we showed that the magnitude and direction of changes in species richness and composition differ among sites.

Pollen record and lithology of a profile from Dumfriesshire, Scotland

Four samples, G5, G7, G8, and G10, collected by Dr W. W. Bishop from an exposed section in the bank of the River Annan, at Roberthill Farm, Dumfriesshire (S35, 110794) were submitted for pollen analysis (Table I.). The samples, with the exception of the uppermost, were from thin peat layers that lie in the middle of a series of water- laid sands, silts and clays several feet in thickness and now rather strongly arched. The lowermost sample, G5, was taken from an organic layer about | in. thick overlying fine sand and underlying some 2.5 in. of grey, silty fine sand. A narrow layer of sandy peat immediately above the silty, fine sand yielded sample G7, and G8 was collected from a similar peaty layer separated from G7 by more sandy- silty peat. The uppermost sample, G10, was taken from light grey clay 13 in. above sample G8.