Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the leaves and flowers of Aloysia gratissima / Composição química e atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de folhas e flores de Aloysia gratissima

Volatile oils from leaves and flowers of Aloysia gratissima were investigated for their chemical composition and antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Bacilus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae and the Candida albicans yeast. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the oils were determined by the micro-dilution method, while the chemical composition was determined by GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry). The fresh leaves and inflorescence were subjected to hydrodistillation for 120 min using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the essential oil was tested against microorganisms. High concentrations of sesquiterpenes were observed for the inflorescence, and monoterpenes were observed for the leaves. The main compounds of the inflorescence essential oil were E-caryophyllene, germacrene B, guaiol and bulnesol, while in the leaves the main compounds were trans-pinocamphone, trans-pinocarveyl acetate, and guaiol. The essential oil from the leaves showed an effect against P. aeruginosa and S. pneumonia, and the essential oil of the inflorescence showed an effect against P. aeruginosa, S. pneumonia, and Candida albicans.

O óleo essencial de folhas e de flores de Aloysia gratissima foi avaliado quanto à composição química e ação antimicrobiana contra as bactérias Bacilus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, e a levedura Candida albicans. A concentração mínima inibitória (MIC) dos óleos essenciais foi determinada pelo método da microdiluição e a composição química determinada por CG-EM (Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada a Espectrômetro de Massas). Folhas e inflorescências frescas foram hidrodestiladas por 120 minutos em aparelho Clevenger sendo o óleo essencial testado contra microorganismos. Para as flores foi observada maior concentração de sesquiterpenos, enquanto que as folhas apresentaram maior concentração de monoterpenos. Os principais constituintes do óleo essencial da flor foram: E-cariofileno, germacreno B, guaiol e bulnesol; e das folhas foram: trans-pinocamfona, acetato de trans-pinocarveol e guaiol. O óleo essencial da folha mostrou atividade contra P. aeruginosa e S. pneumoniae, e o óleo essencial da flor mostrou atividade contra P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae e Candida albicans.

Effects of caffeine and tryptophan on rectal temperature, metabolism, total exercise time, rate of perceived exertion and heart rate

Stimulant properties during exercise have been attributed to cafeine (CAF) and tryptophan (Trp). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAF and Trp ingestion on rectal temperature (Tre), total exercise time (TET), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2) pulmunary ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise on a cycle ergometer at 80 percent of maximal work load, in eight halthy male volunteers. Each subject abstained from caffeine for 48 h and from animal-derived foods for 36 h before each experiment. Aerobic capacity was determined on the first day. In consecutive trials, conducted in a double-blind, randomized, crossed-over manner, each subject recived capsules containing CAF (10mg/Kg), Trp (1.2g), a combination of the two (CAF + TRP), and lactose (PLA), 1 h before exercise. Plasma CAF concentration (PC) was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), before (basal concentration) and 1 and 2 h after ingestion of the capsules. At both times after CAF or CAF + Trp ingestion, the PC was elevated compared with the basal concentration (P < 0.05). During exercise, significant increases occured with time in Tre, TET, VO2, VCO2, VE, HR and RPE (P < 0.01) while no significant difference was observed when CAF or CAF+ Trp were compared with control values. Under the conditions of this study, CAF and/or Trp did not affect the physiological parameters measured before, during or after exercise at 80 percent of maximal work load

Evaluation of the fecal coliforms/fecal streptococci ration in the characterization of fecal pollution in a subtropical river

Em um estudo para determinacao da qualidade bacteriologica do Rio Atibaia Sao Paulo Brasil, desenvolvido durante o periodo de agosto de 1977 a julho de 1978, foi utilizada a relacao coliformes fecais-estreptococos fecais (CF/EF), para a caracterizacao da origem da poluicao fecal.A determinacao quantitativa de coliformes fecais e estreptococos fecais foi efetuada pela tecnica de tubos multiplos, segundo descricao no Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 14a. ed. A aplicacao da relacao CF/EF permitiu caracterizar como sendo predominantemente humana a origem da contaminacao fecal ao longo do rio, embora se tenha verificado a possivel influencia de lancamentos de efluentes industriais e da distancia dos lancamentos de esgoto na caracterizacao da origem da populacao fecal em alguns pontos do rio