Characterization and anti-staphylococcal activity of the essential oil from Turnera subulata Sm

The present study is pioneer in analyzing the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Turnera subulata Sm. and evaluates their antibacterial activity against a panel of drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The aerial parts were kiln-dried and then powdered in mechanical mill, and was subjected to hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The components were analyzed using a mass spectrometrycoupled gas chromatography (GC-MS), and the identification of substances was performed by comparison of the mass spectra obtained with the mass spectra of the database of the GC-MS and retention indices . The essential oil was evaluated using the method of broth dilution at concentrations ranging from 3.125µg/mL to 3200µg/mL. It was possible to identify 45 substances (92.1%) of the essential oils, and the major components were trans-caryophyllene (6.7%), citronellol (5.6%), sphatulenol (5.3%), α-cadinol (4.3%), n-tricosano (4.3%), geraniol (4.1%) and trans-geranilacetone (3.7%), n-pentacosano (3.5%), globulol (3.4%), caryophyllene oxide (3.2%). The essential oil of T. subulata Sm. showed effective antibacterial activity for the various strains of S. aureus tested, with the MIC values between 25 µg/mL and 1600 µg/mL. The study of the essential oil of Turnera subulata Sm. showed that it consists of a complex mixture of several classes of compounds having the sesquiterpenes as major constituents followed by monoterpenes, and showed an antibacterial activity significant front the strains tested.

O presente estudo é pioneiro em analisar a composição química dos óleos essenciais das partes aéreas de Turnera subulata Sm. e sua atividade antibacteriana frente à Staphylococcus aureus resistentes a antibióticos. As partes aéreas da planta foram secas em estufa, pulverizadas em moinho mecânico e submetidas à hidrodestilaçao em aparato tipo Clevenger. A composição dos óleos essenciais foi analisada por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-EM), e a identificação realizada por comparação dos espectros de massas com a biblioteca do CG-EM e índices de retenção. A atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial foi avaliada usando o método de diluição em caldo, em concentrações que variaram de 3.125µg/mL to 3200µg/mL. Foi possível identificar 45 substâncias (92,1%) do óleo essencial, sendo os componentes majoritários: trans-cariofileno (6,7%), citronelol (5,6%), espatulenol (5,3%), α-cadinol (4,3%), n-tricosano (4,3%), geraniol (4,1%) e trans-geranilacetona (3,7%), n-pentacosano (3,5%), globulol (3,4%) e óxido de cariofileno (3,2%). O óleo essencial de T. subulata Sm. mostrou atividade antibacteriana eficaz para as várias cepas de S. aureus testadas, com valores de CIM entre 25 µg/mL e 1600 µg/mL. O estudo do óleo essencial de Turnera subulata Sm. evidenciou sua complexa mistura, contendo várias classes de substâncias, tendo os sesquiterpenos como constituintes majoritários seguido dos monoterpenos, e mostrou significativa atividade antibacteriana frente as cepas testadas.

Sequential sampling of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Frankliniella schultzei Trybom (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on cotton crop

The goal of this research was to use the sequential probability ratio test to establish a sequential sampling plan for Aphis gossypii Glover and Frankliniella schultzei Trybom infesting cotton. Field work was conducted at the agricultural experimental station of the Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados during the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 agricultural years. Aphid colonies and individual thrips in the sampling area were counted and their numbers were recorded. The spatial distribution pattern of A. gossypii and F. schultzei in the cotton culture was aggregated. Sequential sampling plans were developed for aphids and thrips with type I and type II errors set at 0.1, common Kc = 0.6081 (aphids) and = 0. 9449 (thrips), and safety and management levels of 20 percent (aphids) and 40 percent (thrips) of infested plants. The sampling plans resulted in two decision boundaries for each species, as follows: the upper boundary, indicating when management (population control) is recommended: S1 = 4.6546 + 0.2849n (aphids), and S1 = 3.6514 + 0.1435n (thrips); and the lower boundary, indicating when population control is not necessary: S0 = -4.6546 + 0.2849n (aphids) and S0 = - 3.6514 + 0.1435n (thrips). The highest probability of error when making a decision was 3 percent for aphids and 2 percent for thrips, respectively. The maximum number of samples required to reach a decision was 63 for aphids and 95 for thrips.