Montrichardia linifera (Araceae) biological potential, phytochemical prospection and polyphenol content / Montrichardia linifera is commonly known in Brazil as "aninga." In November 2008 and August 2009, we collected plant samples and extracted leaves and stems using hexane or dichloromethane and methanol to evaluate its biological and chemical potential, phytochemical profile and polyphenol content. Differences in the chemical composition of the collections were evident. In the first collection, the apolar extracts were the richest in metabolite composition while the polar extracts were the richest in the second collection. In general, extracts from Aug/2009 had higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activities than extracts from Nov/2008 and the stem and leaf extracts from the Aug/2009 collection showed the highest polyphenol content. As an insecticide against Sitophilus zeamais, the hexane extract of the leaves (Aug/2009) presented concentration-dependent insecticidal activity. Only the methanolic extract of stems and leaves (Aug/2009) presented a small inhibition halo (9 and 7 mm, respectively) against Aeromonas hydrophila when evaluating its antibacterial potential. The study demonstrates that, collection period is an important factor to consider in phytochemical and biological activity studies of M. linifera. / Potencial biológico, prospección fitoquímica y contenido de polifenoles de Montrichardia linifera (Araceae) / Potencial biológico, prospecção fitoquímica e teor de polifenóis de Montrichardia linifera (Araceae)

Montrichardia linifera es comúnmente conocida en Brasil como "aninga". Fue colectada dos veces (Nov/2008 y Ago/2009), y sus hojas y tallos fueron extraídos con hexano o diclorometano y metanol. El potencial biológico y químico, perfil fitoquímico y contenido de polifenoles de sus extractos fueron evaluados. Fueron encontradas diferencias en la composición química: de la primera colecta, los extractos apolares fueron más ricos, mientras que de la segunda colecta, los polares fueron los más ricos. Extractos de Ago/2009 mostraron, en general, actividades antioxidante y citotóxica mayores que los de Nov/2008. Los extractos de los tallos y hojas de Ago/2009 mostraron un mayor contenido de polifenoles. Cuanto al ensayo insecticida sobre Sitophilus zeamais, el extracto hexánico de las hojas (Ago/2009) presentó actividad insecticida concentración-dependiente. Cuando evaluado el potencial antibacteriano, apenas los extractos metanólicos de los tallos y hojas (Ago/2009) presentaron un halo de inhibición pequeño (9 y 7 mm, respectivamente) contra Aeromonas hydrophila. Este estudio muestra que el período de la colecta es un factor importante a ser considerado cuando los objetivos son estudios fitoquímicos y de actividades biológicas de M. linifera.

Montrichardia linifera é comumente conhecida no Brasil como "aninga". Foi coletada duas vezes (Nov/2008 e Ago/2009), e suas folhas e caules foram extraídos com hexano ou diclorometano e metanol. O potencial biológico e químico, perfil fitoquímico e teor de polifenóis de seus extratos foram avaliados. Foram encontradas diferenças na composição química: da primeira coleta, os extratos apolares forem mais ricos, enquanto que da segunda coleta, os polares foram os mais ricos. Extratos de Ago/2009 mostraram, em geral, atividades antioxidante e citotóxica maiores que os de Nov/2008. Os extratos dos caules e das folhas de Ago/2009 mostraram um maior teor de polifenois. Quanto ao ensaio inseticida sobre Sitophilus zçamais, o extrato hexânico das folhas (Ago/2009) apresentou atividade inseticida dependente da concentração. Quando avaliado o potencial antibacteriano, apenas os extratos metanólicos dos caules e folhas (Ago/2009) apresentaram um halo de inhibição pequeno (9 e 7 mm, respectivamente) contra Aeromonas hydrophila. Este estudo mostra que o período da coleta é um fator importante a ser considerado quando os objetivos são estudos fitoquímicos e de atividades biológicas de M. linifera.

Production and characterization of surface-active compounds from Gordonia amicalis

Two methods were used to make crude preparations of surface-active compounds (SACs) produced by Gordonia amicalis grown on the medium containing 1% diesel oil. Using a 2:1 (v/v) solution of chloroform:methanol for extraction, Type I SACs were isolated and shown to produce oil in water (O/W) emulsions. Type II SACs were isolated by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and produced predominantly water in oil emulsions (W/O). The crude Type I and II preparations were able to produce a significant reduction in the surface tension of water; however, the crude Type II preparation had 10-25 fold higher emulsification activity than the Type I preparation. Both SAC preparations were analyzed by the TLC and each produced two distinct bands with Rf 0.44 and 0.62 and Rf 0.52 and 0.62, respectively. The partially purified SACs were characterized by the ESI(+)-MS, FT-IR and NMR. In each one of these fractions, a mixture of 10 oligomers was found consisting of a series of compounds, with masses from 502 to 899, differing in molecular mass by a repeating unit of 44 Daltons. The mass spectra of these compounds did not appear to match other known biosurfactants and could represent a novel class of these compounds.