Antibacterial activity tannin-rich fraction from leaves of Anacardium humile / Atividade antibacteriana de frações tânicas de folhas de Anacardium humile

In vitro tests conducted with extracts rich in tannins have identified several biological activities of this class of substance. Thus, this paper intends to evaluate the antibacterial activity of tannin-rich fraction obtained from leaf extracts of Anacardium humile A.St.-Hil. Extracts of A. humile leaves in 70% acetone were semi-purified with ethyl acetate and butanol. We quantified the total tannins of the semi-purified fractions, of the crude extract and of aqueous residues and then performed tests of the antibacterial activity of the tannins against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. All positive extracts underwent tannin isolation using a Sephadex LH-20 column. The tannins isolated from the samples were quantified and tested for the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The tannins from crude extracts, semi-purifications and residues showed inhibition of S. aureus growth with MIC=500 g mL-1. All tannin fractions showed MIC against all strains and MBC, except against E. faecalis. The tannin fractions from Anacardium humile have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomononas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis and, therefore, may be promising for future synthesis of new antibacterial agents.

Testes in vitro realizados com extratos ricos em taninos têm identificado muitas atividades biológicas dessa classe de substâncias. Nesse contexto, esse artigo propõe a avaliação da atividade antibacteriana de frações tânicas, obtidas de extratos de folhas de Anacardium humile A.St.-Hil. Extratos de A. humile em acetona 70% foram particionados com acetato de etila e butanol. Foram quantificados taninos totais das frações particionadas, do extrato bruto e dos resíduos aquosos, e foi realizado teste de atividade antibacteriana dos taninos contra Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 e Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. Todos os extratos positivos foram submetidos ao isolamento de taninos, utilizando-se coluna de Sephadex LH-20. Os taninos isolados das amostras foram quantificados e testados sua concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração bactericida mínima (CBM). Os taninos do extrato bruto, partições e resíduos apresentaram inibição do crescimento de S.aureus com CIM =500 g mL-1. As frações tânicas apresentaram CIM contra todas as cepas e CBM, exceto contra E. faecalis. As frações tânicas de Anacardium humile possuem atividade antibacteriana contra Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomononas aeruginosa e Enterococcus faecalis e, portanto, podem ser promissoras em sínteses futuras de novos agentes antimicrobianos.

Variability in the production of extracellular enzymes by entomopathogenic fungi grown on different substrates

Entomopathogenic fungi are important controllers of pest-insects populations in agricultural production systems and in natural environment. These fungi have enzymatic machinery which involve since the recognition and adherence of spores in their hosts culminating with infection and death of these insects. The main objective of this study was to analyzed extracellular enzyme production of the fungi strains Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces sp when cultured on substrates. These fungi were grown in minimal media containing specific substrates for the analysis of different enzymes such as amylases, cellulases, esterases, lipases, proteases (gelatin and caseinase), pectinases and cuticles of Musca domestica larvae and adults. All the assays were performed with and without the presence of dextrose in the culture media. The quantification of enzyme activity was performed by the ratio of halo / colony (H/C) and the results subjected to variance analysis level of 5% (ANOVA) followed by post-Tukey test. All strains were positive for lipase and also they showed a high significant enzyme production for gelatin at concentrations of 4 and 1%. B. bassiana and Paecilomyces sp. were positive for amylase, pectinase and caseinase, and only Paecilomyces sp. showed cellulase activity.

Differentiation of Candida species obtained from nosocomial candidemia using RAPD-PCR technique

Treze amostras de leveduras do gênero Candida foram isoladas de catéter, urina e feridas cirúrgicas de pacientes da Santa Casa de Misericórida de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. Dez amostras foram identificadas como Candida albicans, duas como Candida glabrata e uma como Candida parapsilosis. Os isolados foram avaliados quanto ao perfil molecular pela técnica de amplificacão aleatória de DNA polimórfico utilizando 15 iniciadores. A análise do DNA genômico obtido revelou um baixo polimorfismo intraespecífico e não permitiu a diferenciacão entre amostras da mesma espécie obtidas a partir de diferentes espécimes clínicos (catéter, urina e feridas cirúrgicas). Os perfis de RAPD obtidos foram capazes de diferenciar entre as espécies Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis e Candida glabrata isoladas neste estudo.