Conservação e fisiologia pós-colheita de folhas de Capuchinha (Tropaeolum majus L. ) / Conservation and postharvest physiology of leaves Capuchin (Tropaeolum majus L. )

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a vida útil pós-colheita de folhas de Capuchinha (Tropaeolum majus L.) embaladas com filme PVC de baixa densidade e proteínas nas concentrações de 1, 3 e 5 por cento. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Química e Bioquímica do Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA) da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB) Areia - PB. As folhas de Capuchinha colhidas no CCA foram levadas imediatamente ao Laboratório de Química e Bioquímica, para pré-seleção, desinfestação em água clorada contendo 100mg.L-1 de cloro ativo, e seca à temperatura ambiente. Após o controle fitossanitário, as folhas foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: solução de proteína nas concentrações de 1, 3 e 5 por cento, filme PVC de baixa densidade e a testemunha sem recobrimento. As folhas foram armazenadas durante cinco dias em temperatura média de 26 - 29ºC e umidade relativa média de 59,5 - 71,5 por cento e outra parte foi armazenada em câmara fria com temperatura média de 12 ± 0,5 ºC e umidade relativa média de 95 ± 3 por cento. Durante o período de armazenamento as folhas foram avaliadas quanto à perda de massa fresca, determinação de ácido ascórbico, sólidos solúveis e acidez titulável. O armazenamento durante quatro dias sob refrigeração a temperatura média de 12 ± 0,5ºC associada ao recobrimento com filme PVC mostrou melhores resultados na conservação da vida útil pós-colheita das folhas de Capuchinha.

This study aimed to evaluate the shelf-life of Capuchin sheets (Tropaeolum majus L.) packed with plastic wrap and low density proteins at concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 percent. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratório de Química e Bioquímica and the Centro de Ciências Agrárias (CCA) of the Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB) Areia - PB. Capuchin leaves harvested in the CCA were taken immediately to the Laboratório de Química e Bioquímica, for pre-screening, disinfection in chlorinated water containing 100mg.L-1 of active chlorine, and dried at room temperature. After spraying, the leaves were treated as follows: protein solution at concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 percent, low density plastic wrap and uncoated witness. The leaves were stored for five days in average temperature from 26 to 29ºC and relative humidity from 59.5 to 71.5 percent and another part was stored in cold with average temperature of 12 ± 0.5ºC and relative humidity of 95 ± 3 percent. During the storage period the leaves were evaluated for weight loss, determination of ascorbic acid, soluble solids and titratable acidity. Storage for four days under refrigeration at an average temperature of 12 ± 0.5ºC associated with PVC film coating showed better results in the conservation of shelf-life of Capuchin sheets.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Blutaparon portulacoides ethanolic extract against the inflammatory reaction induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom and isolated myotoxins BthTX-I and II

This article reports the anti-inflammatory effect of Blutaparon portulacoides (B. portulacoides), specifically the ethanolic extract of its aerial parts, on the edema formation and leukocyte influx caused by Bothrops jararacussu (B. jararacussu) snake venom and Bothropstoxin-I and II (BthTX-I and II) isolated from this venom as an alternative treatment for Bothrops snakebites. The anti-inflammatory effect of B. portulacoides ethanolic extract was compared with an animal group pretreated with dexamethasone. B. portulacoides ethanolic extract significantly inhibited paw edema induced by B. jararacussu venom and by BthTX-I and II. Also, results demonstrated that the extract caused a reduction of the leukocyte influx induced by BthTX-I. However, the extract was not capable of inhibiting the leukocyte influx induced by the venom and by BthTX-II. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ethanolic extract of this plant possess components able to inhibit or inactivate toxins present in B. jararacussu venom, including its myotoxins, responsible for the edema formation. However, the leukocyte migration caused by the venom and BthTX-II was not inhibited by the plant, probably due to the different mechanisms involved in the edema formation and leukocyte influx. This is the first report of B. portulacoides extract as anti-inflammatory against snake venoms and isolated toxins.(AU)

Acute hepatotoxicity of Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American rattlesnake) venom in rats

Venom of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt), presents myotoxic and neurotoxic outcomes, but reports on its effects on the liver are scarce. This study examined the hepatotoxicity resulting from Cdt venom administration (100, 200 and 300 miug/kg) in male Wistar rats. Animais were studies at 3, 9 and 12 hours after venom injection. The hepatotoxicity was assessed through serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirrubin and also by histopathological evaluation. All the different concentrations of Cdt venom resulted in increased levels of hepatic enzymes, when compared with the control group, except for the 100 miug/kg dose, which presented normal levels at 9 and 12 hours after venom administration. Bilirrubin levels remained unchanged by Cdt venom. Histological analysis revealed endothelial damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as sinusoidal and portal congestion. Based on these observations, we may conclude that Cdt venom causes dose- and time-dependent hepatic damage in rats, characterized by elevated hepatic enzyme levels and histological alterations

Bioequivalence evaluation of two roxithromycin formulations in healthy human volunteers by high performance liquid cromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

The bioequivalence of two different formulations containing roxithromycin (SPE-712-1). Oral suspension 300mg/ 15mL as test formulation and Rotram©, tablets 300mg as reference formulation, both by Schering Plough S.A., Brazil) was evaluated in 24 healthy volunteers of both sexes (12 male and 12 female). The study was conducted open with randomized two-period crossover design and a 14-day washout period. Each subject received 300 mg of each roxithromycin formulation. Plasma samples were obtained over a 72-hour interval and roxithromycin concentrations were analyzed by combined LC-MS/MS with positive ion electrospray ionization using selected ion monitoring method. From the plasma roxithromycin concentration vs time curves the following pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained: AUC(0-72h), AUC(0-oo), Cmax,t1/2 ratios and tmax individual differences. The 90 percent for confidence interval (CI) of geometric mean SPE-712-L/ Rotram© individual percent ratio were 105.0-128,3 percent for AUC(0-72h), and 78.4-96.9 for Cmax. Although this 90 percent Cl were marginally outside the interval proposed by the Food and Drug Administration, the probability assessed by the two-one sided West for ratios was included in the 0.8-1.25 interval, as we concluded that SPE-712-L oral suspension formulation was bioequivalent to Rotram tablet formulation for the extent and rate of absorption.

Avaliaçäo do comportamento sexual de touros pelo teste de capacidade de serviço / Evaluation of sexual behavior of bulls by the test of service capacity

Com o objetivo de avaliar a capacidade de serviço de touros submetidos a monta natural, foram realizados testes de curral de 20 minutos em 177 touros, de 10 propriedades. As freqüências de touros de alta, média e baixa capacidade de serviço foram, respectivamente, de 42,4%, 31,1% e 24,3%. Houve ampla variaçäo no n§ de serviços realizados pelos touros (0 a 10 serviços) e diferentes freqüências de touros de baixa capacidade de serviço nas 10 propriedades estudadas. Pode-se concluir que a capacidade de serviço apresenta ampla variaçäo entre os indivíduos, tendo uma freqüência elevada de touros de baixa capacidade de serviço utilizados em reproduçäo.