Campomanesia spp. native fruits as potential source of health-promoting compounds

Campomanesia xanthocarpa var. littoralis, Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Berg), and Campomanesia eugenioides are native fruit plants found in Brazil. Due to the scarce number of controlled scientific studies comparing different native Campomanesia species, this study sought to determine their bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. C. eugenioides proved to be a rich source of total phenolic compounds, also showing the best antioxidant capacity by the ABTS, DPPH and molybdenum reduction power methods. On the other hand, C. xanthocarpa var. littoralis showed the best results for total flavonoids content, and Iron(II) chelation power. The phenolic compounds contents present in C. eugenioides could be responsible for the best antioxidant activity. This study provides key scientific data regarding the use of valuable fruits from different edible Campomanesia species to produce bioactive ingredients, as well as natural preservatives for food products. Thus, our results contribute to the discovery of the potential application of these native Campomanesia Brazilian fruits, as a natural product with functional and antioxidant properties.

Anatomical and biochemical changes associated with thedevelopment and germination of Araucaria angustifolia seeds

This study aimed at assessing the cell cycle, and anatomical and biochemical changes that the embryonic axis of Araucaria angustifolia undergoes during development, focusing on the maturation stage. During all development, cells exhibited intense metabolic activity with an abundance of mitochondria, lipid bodies, and vacuolated cells. The continued accumulation of starch and protein was observed by LM and TEM and indicated by spectra of FTIR. Cell differentiation of the procambium was observed with a thickening of the cell wall and the formation of resiniferous ducts. At Stage III and IV, cells exhibited structural changes such as altered or elongated mitochondria and presence of plastoglobules. These results suggest that there is a gradual transition from developmental metabolism to germination metabolism. Such changes can contribute to the rapid germination of seeds right after their dispersion, making it an ecological strategy to reduce post-dispersal exposure to predators and to avoid damage from reduced moisture.

Effect of dietary supplementation with propolis and Aloe barbadensis extracts on hematological parameters and parasitism in Nile tilapia / Efeito da suplementação dietária com extratos de própolis e Aloe barbadensis sobre parâmetros hematológicos e parasitismo em tilápia do Nilo

This study evaluated the influence of diet supplementation with propolis and Aloe barbadensis on hematological parameters and parasitism in tilapia. One hundred and eighty fish were distributed among 12 water tanks forming four treatments: fish supplemented with a 1:1 mixture of 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% propolis and aloe extracts. After the fish had been fed on the experimental diets for 15 and 21 days, blood samples were taken and parasites collected. The monogeneans Cichlidogyrus sclerosus, C. halli, C. thurstonae and Scutogyrus longicornis were identified in the gills. Between the sampling times, there were increases in the numbers of erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes and lymphocytes, as observed after 21 days, possibly due to the stress level over the course of the assay and/or accumulation of substances in the organism. Supplementation with the mixture of propolis and aloe for 15 days showed the highest efficacy against the parasites. This was possibly due to the association between the two compounds. The results demonstrated that supplementation with mixtures of extracts did not produce hematological alterations and also favored a significant reduction in the number of gill parasites. The best results were achieved after 15 days of feeding with a diet with 0.5% and 1% supplementation with the extract mixture, which increased efficiency by 83 and 85% respectively.

Este estudo avaliou a influência da alimentação de tilápias com dieta suplementada com extratos de própolis e Aloe barbadensis sobre os parâmetros hematológicos e parasitismo. Setenta e dois peixes foram distribuídos em 12 tanques, formando 4 tratamentos: peixes suplementados na dieta com extrato de própolis e aloe (0%, 0,5%, 1% e 2%). Após 15 e 21 dias de alimentação com dietas experimentais foram realizadas coletas de sangue e parasitos. Os monogeneas Cichlidogyrus sclerosus, C. halli, C. thurstonae e Scutogyrus longicornis foram identificados nas brânquias. Entre os períodos de coleta, observou-se aumento nos valores de eritrócitos, leucócitos, trombócitos e linfócitos, após 21 dias de alimentação, o que pode significar estresse ao longo do período experimental e/ou acúmulo dos produtos no organismo.A suplementação com a mistura de própolis e aloe, por 15 dias, apresentou melhor eficácia frente parasitos, possivelmente, devido à associação dos compostos. Os resultados demonstram que a suplementação com a mistura dos extratos não alterou os parâmetros hematológicos, além de favorecer redução significativa no número de parasitos branquiais. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos em 15 dias de alimentação com a dieta suplementada com 0,5% e 1% da mistura dos extratos, respectivamente por 83% e 85% de eficiência.

Effects of perioperative hypothermia and reactive oxygen species in the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats

PURPOSE: We evaluated the hypothesis that induced perioperative hypothermia (32 ± 1ºC) affects the redox balance in the tissue of colonic anastomosis in rats by modifying biochemical enzymatic and non-enzymatic markers related to oxidative stress. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight experimental groups of six animals each and underwent laparotomy, sigmoid section and immediate anastomosis. Four groups were operated under normothermia (36 ± 1ºC), and the other four under hypothermia (32 ± 1ºC). The animals were reoperated on days 3, 7 and 14 postoperatively, and two groups underwent SHAM at 3 days. From the scar tissue samples, the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was evaluated, and the levels of non-enzymatic markers of oxidative stress, such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation, were measured by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. The means were compared between groups corresponding to each day of sampling and euthanasia. RESULTS: The hypothermic groups showed a significant reduction on the activity of SOD on day 7 postoperatively, on the activity of CAT on days 7 and 14 postoperatively and on the levels of GSH on day 7 postoperatively. The level of lipid peroxidation was increased in the hypothermia group on day 7 postoperatively and decreased on day 14 compared with the normothermic groups. CONCLUSION: Perioperative hypothermia reduced the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, glutathione levels and increased lipid peroxidation in the scar tissue of colonic anastomoses in rats. .

Rapid analysis for predicting the expansion of the polvilho azedo

Sour cassava starch (polvilho azedo) is a chemically and enzymatically modified starch. It is used to prepare the traditional baked goods. Because of its satisfactory expansion property, a light and alveolar structure is produced in baked food prepared with sour cassava starch, without adding any chemical or biological ferment. This study reports some easy and simple procedures for pre-estimating sour cassava starch expansion property.The correlation between the native cassava starches and the laboratory-produced sour cassava starch was analyzed. An investigation among the local bakers was carried out for inquiring into the polvilho azedo choice,and it disclosed some product brands. The polvilho azedo samples from these brands were also evaluated. Acid factor, pH, specific volume, swelling power and intrinsic viscosity characteristics were directly correlated with expansion property. The procedures for determining acid factor, pH and weight loss are easy and accessible methodologies which might be carried out at small industries and bakeries.

Growth and accumulation of carotenoids and nitrogen compounds in Gracilaria domingensis (Kütz.) Sonder ex Dickie (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) cultured under different irradiance and nutrient levels

Effects of the interaction of irradiance and nutrient levels on growth and contents of photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids and proteins in Gracilaria domingensis (Kütz.) Sonder ex Dickie (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) were investigated experimentally. Nutrient availability provided by dilutions of the nutrient solution of von Stosch (25 and 50 percent, which corresponded to nitrate concentrations of 125 and 250 μmol, respectively) and two photon flux densities [low PFD (50±5) and high PFD (100±5) μmol photons.m-2.s-1] were tested. Growth rates of G. domingensis were stimulated by high PFD. The interaction between high nutrient availability (50 percent VSES) and high PFD stimulated the accumulation of total soluble protein. Phycobiliprotein concentrations (phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin) and carotenoid contents were influenced by irradiance levels. Phycobiliprotein concentrations were higher at low PFD and high irradiances stimulated carotenoid accumulation. These results reflect the function of these pigments in photoprotection and the acclimation of G. domingensis to changes in irradiance levels. Our results indicate that light is a limiting factor for G. domingensis growth, that variations in phycobiliprotein contents under different irradiance levels are related to photoacclimation process, and that higher carotenoid contents at high irradiances are due to a photoprotection mechanism.

Biochemical and morphological changes during the growth kinetics of Araucaria angustifolia suspension cultures

Embryogenic cultures of Araucaria angustifolia were established in a BM liquid medium supplemented with 2 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 1 µM 6-benzylaminopurine and 1 µM kinetin (BM2) and in a BM medium free of growth regulators (BM0). During 42 days in culture, the cell growth pattern of both cultures was similar. The pH of the culture medium of both BM0 and BM2 underwent progressive reduction during culture time. For both the embryogenic cultures a preferential uptake of glucose in the late stages of cell growth kinetics was observed. The extracellular protein content was similar for both the embryogenic cultures. Acetocarmine and Evan's blue double stain showed major differences for early somatic embryo organisation, in which only the embryogenic culture grown in a liquid culture medium free of plant growth regulators showed the presence of bipolar somatic pro-embryos.

Culturas embriogênicas de Araucaria angustifolia foram estabelecidas em meio de cultura líquido BM suplementado com 2 µM Ácido 2,4 Diclorofenoxiacético, 1 µM 6-Benzilaminopurina e 1 µM Cinetina (BM2) e em meio BM isento de reguladores de crescimento (BM0). Durante 42 dias de cultivo, o padrão de crescimento celular em ambas as culturas foi similar. O pH do meio de cultura BM0 e BM2 sofreu uma progressiva redução durante o período de cultivo. Em ambas as culturas embriogênicas foram observadas um consumo preferencial de glicose no período final da curva de crescimento celular. O nível de proteínas extracelulares foi similar para ambas as culturas embriogênicas. A dupla coloração com carmin acético e azul de Evans revelou diferenças na organização das linhagens celulares embriogênicas, sendo que a presença de proembriões somáticos bipolares foi apenas evidenciada nas culturas embriogênicas mantidas em meio de cultura líquido sem reguladores de crescimento.