Extraction of chitin from edible crab shells of Callinectes sapidus and comparison with market purchased chitin / Extração de quitina de cascas de caranguejo comestíveis de Callinectes sapidus e comparação com quitina adquirida no mercado

Chitin and its derived products have immense economic value due to their vital role in various biological activities as well as biomedical and industrial application. Insects, microorganism and crustaceans are the main supply of chitin but the crustaceans shell like shrimp, krill, lobsters and crabs are the main commercial sources. Chitin content of an individual varies depending on the structures possessing the polymer and the species. In this study edible crabs’ shells (Callinectes sapidus) were demineralized and deproteinized resulting in 13.8% (dry weight) chitin recovery from chitin wastes. FTIR and XRD analyses of the experimental crude as well as purified chitins revealed that both were much comparable to the commercially purchased controls. The acid pretreatment ceded 54g of colloidal chitin that resulted in 1080% of the crude chitin. The colloidal chitin was exploited for isolation of eighty five chitinolytic bacterial isolates from different sources. Zone of clearance was displayed by the thirty five isolates (41.17%) succeeding their growth at pH 7 on colloidal chitin agar medium. Maximum chitinolytic activity i.e. 301.55 U/ml was exhibited by isolate JF70 when cultivated in extracted chitin containing both carbon and nitrogen. The study showed wastes of blue crabs can be utilized for extraction of chitin and isolation of chitinolytic bacteria that can be used to degrade chitin waste, resolve environmental pollution as well as industrial purpose.

A quitina e seus produtos derivados têm imenso valor econômico devido ao seu papel vital em várias atividades biológicas, bem como em aplicações biomédicas e industriais. Insetos, microrganismos e crustáceos são o principal suprimento de quitina, mas a casca dos crustáceos como camarão, krill, lagosta e caranguejo são as principais fontes comerciais. O conteúdo de quitina de um indivíduo varia dependendo das estruturas que possuem o polímero e da espécie. Neste estudo, as cascas de caranguejos comestíveis (Callinectes sapidus) foram desmineralizadas e desproteinizadas, resultando em 13,8% (peso seco) de recuperação de quitina a partir de resíduos de quitina. As análises de FTIR e XRD do bruto experimental, bem como das quitinas purificadas, revelaram que ambas eram muito comparáveis aos controles adquiridos comercialmente. O pré-tratamento com ácido cedeu 54 g de quitina coloidal que resultou em 1.080% da quitina bruta. A quitina coloidal foi analisada para isolamento de 85 isolados bacterianos quitinolíticos de diferentes fontes. A zona de eliminação foi exibida pelos 35 isolados (41,17%) que sucederam seu crescimento a pH 7 em meio de ágar de quitina coloidal. A atividade quitinolítica máxima, ou seja, 301,55 U / ml, foi exibida pelo isolado JF70 quando cultivado em quitina extraída contendo carbono e nitrogênio. O estudo mostrou que resíduos de caranguejos azuis podem ser utilizados para extração de quitina e isolamento de bactérias quitinolíticas que podem ser usadas para degradar resíduos de quitina, resolver a poluição ambiental e também para fins industriais.

Identification of terrestrial gastropods families found in district Swat, Pakistan / Identificação de famílias de gastropódeos terrestres encontradas no distrito Swat, Paquistão

Very little is known about the malacofauna in district Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated in the Northern part of Pakistan. The Swat valley possesses a variety of suitable environmental conditions, providing different types of habitats for both flora and fauna. Taken into consideration these points, the present study was conducted to explore the terrestrial snails diversity in agricultural and non-agricultural fields in the lower Swat valley. A total of 417 shells were collected from three sites: Kokarai, Kanju Township, and Deolai. Based on conchological features, three families: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae, and Zonitidae were identified using different terrestrial snail keys. In Kokarai and Deolai, shells of members of all the above-mentioned families were found from agricultural fields. In Kanju Township, shells of members of the family Bradybaenidae and Zonitidae were found. From these findings, it was concluded that district Swat possesses a significant malacofauna which was unexplored before and aided more to the existing literature on malacofauna. It also supports the idea that the agroecosystem is rich in species diversity. Further in-depth and extensive study is recommended to be carried out for a detailed taxonomy of the described terrestrial gastropod families.

Muito pouco se sabe sobre a malacofauna no distrito de Swat, na província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, situada na parte norte do Paquistão. O vale do Swat possui uma variedade de condições ambientais adequadas, proporcionando diferentes tipos de habitats para a flora e a fauna. Levando em consideração esses pontos, o presente estudo foi conduzido para explorar a diversidade dos caracóis terrestres em campos agrícolas e não agrícolas no vale inferior de Swat. Um total de 417 conchas foram coletadas em três locais: Kokarai, Kanju Township e Deolai. Com base em características concológicas, três famílias: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae e Zonitidae foram identificadas usando diferentes chaves de caramujos terrestres. Em Kokarai e Deolai, conchas de membros de todas as famílias mencionadas acima foram encontradas em campos agrícolas. No município de Kanju, foram encontradas conchas de membros da família Bradybaenidae e Zonitidae. A partir dessas constatações, concluiu-se que o distrito de Swat possui uma malacofauna significativa que antes era inexplorada e ajudava mais a literatura existente sobre a malacofauna. Também apoia a ideia de que o agroecossistema é rico em diversidade de espécies. Recomenda-se a realização de um estudo mais aprofundado e extenso para uma taxonomia detalhada das famílias de gastrópodes terrestres descritas.

Extraction of chitin from edible crab shells of Callinectes sapidus and comparison with market purchased chitin

Abstract Chitin and its derived products have immense economic value due to their vital role in various biological activities as well as biomedical and industrial application. Insects, microorganism and crustaceans are the main supply of chitin but the crustaceans shell like shrimp, krill, lobsters and crabs are the main commercial sources. Chitin content of an individual varies depending on the structures possessing the polymer and the species. In this study edible crabs shells (Callinectes sapidus) were demineralized and deproteinized resulting in 13.8% (dry weight) chitin recovery from chitin wastes. FTIR and XRD analyses of the experimental crude as well as purified chitins revealed that both were much comparable to the commercially purchased controls. The acid pretreatment ceded 54g of colloidal chitin that resulted in 1080% of the crude chitin. The colloidal chitin was exploited for isolation of eighty five chitinolytic bacterial isolates from different sources. Zone of clearance was displayed by the thirty five isolates (41.17%) succeeding their growth at pH 7 on colloidal chitin agar medium. Maximum chitinolytic activity i.e. 301.55 U/ml was exhibited by isolate JF70 when cultivated in extracted chitin containing both carbon and nitrogen. The study showed wastes of blue crabs can be utilized for extraction of chitin and isolation of chitinolytic bacteria that can be used to degrade chitin waste, resolve environmental pollution as well as industrial purpose.

Resumo A quitina e seus produtos derivados têm imenso valor econômico devido ao seu papel vital em várias atividades biológicas, bem como em aplicações biomédicas e industriais. Insetos, microrganismos e crustáceos são o principal suprimento de quitina, mas a casca dos crustáceos como camarão, krill, lagosta e caranguejo são as principais fontes comerciais. O conteúdo de quitina de um indivíduo varia dependendo das estruturas que possuem o polímero e da espécie. Neste estudo, as cascas de caranguejos comestíveis (Callinectes sapidus) foram desmineralizadas e desproteinizadas, resultando em 13,8% (peso seco) de recuperação de quitina a partir de resíduos de quitina. As análises de FTIR e XRD do bruto experimental, bem como das quitinas purificadas, revelaram que ambas eram muito comparáveis aos controles adquiridos comercialmente. O pré-tratamento com ácido cedeu 54 g de quitina coloidal que resultou em 1.080% da quitina bruta. A quitina coloidal foi analisada para isolamento de 85 isolados bacterianos quitinolíticos de diferentes fontes. A zona de eliminação foi exibida pelos 35 isolados (41,17%) que sucederam seu crescimento a pH 7 em meio de ágar de quitina coloidal. A atividade quitinolítica máxima, ou seja, 301,55 U / ml, foi exibida pelo isolado JF70 quando cultivado em quitina extraída contendo carbono e nitrogênio. O estudo mostrou que resíduos de caranguejos azuis podem ser utilizados para extração de quitina e isolamento de bactérias quitinolíticas que podem ser usadas para degradar resíduos de quitina, resolver a poluição ambiental e também para fins industriais.

Identification of terrestrial gastropods families found in district Swat, Pakistan

Abstract Very little is known about the malacofauna in district Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated in the Northern part of Pakistan. The Swat valley possesses a variety of suitable environmental conditions, providing different types of habitats for both flora and fauna. Taken into consideration these points, the present study was conducted to explore the terrestrial snails diversity in agricultural and non-agricultural fields in the lower Swat valley. A total of 417 shells were collected from three sites: Kokarai, Kanju Township, and Deolai. Based on conchological features, three families: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae, and Zonitidae were identified using different terrestrial snail keys. In Kokarai and Deolai, shells of members of all the above-mentioned families were found from agricultural fields. In Kanju Township, shells of members of the family Bradybaenidae and Zonitidae were found. From these findings, it was concluded that district Swat possesses a significant malacofauna which was unexplored before and aided more to the existing literature on malacofauna. It also supports the idea that the agroecosystem is rich in species diversity. Further in-depth and extensive study is recommended to be carried out for a detailed taxonomy of the described terrestrial gastropod families.

Resumo Muito pouco se sabe sobre a malacofauna no distrito de Swat, na província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, situada na parte norte do Paquistão. O vale do Swat possui uma variedade de condições ambientais adequadas, proporcionando diferentes tipos de habitats para a flora e a fauna. Levando em consideração esses pontos, o presente estudo foi conduzido para explorar a diversidade dos caracóis terrestres em campos agrícolas e não agrícolas no vale inferior de Swat. Um total de 417 conchas foram coletadas em três locais: Kokarai, Kanju Township e Deolai. Com base em características concológicas, três famílias: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae e Zonitidae foram identificadas usando diferentes chaves de caramujos terrestres. Em Kokarai e Deolai, conchas de membros de todas as famílias mencionadas acima foram encontradas em campos agrícolas. No município de Kanju, foram encontradas conchas de membros da família Bradybaenidae e Zonitidae. A partir dessas constatações, concluiu-se que o distrito de Swat possui uma malacofauna significativa que antes era inexplorada e ajudava mais a literatura existente sobre a malacofauna. Também apoia a ideia de que o agroecossistema é rico em diversidade de espécies. Recomenda-se a realização de um estudo mais aprofundado e extenso para uma taxonomia detalhada das famílias de gastrópodes terrestres descritas.

Identification of terrestrial gastropods families found in district Swat, Pakistan / Identificação de famílias de gastropódeos terrestres encontradas no distrito Swat, Paquistão

Abstract Very little is known about the malacofauna in district Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated in the Northern part of Pakistan. The Swat valley possesses a variety of suitable environmental conditions, providing different types of habitats for both flora and fauna. Taken into consideration these points, the present study was conducted to explore the terrestrial snails diversity in agricultural and non-agricultural fields in the lower Swat valley. A total of 417 shells were collected from three sites: Kokarai, Kanju Township, and Deolai. Based on conchological features, three families: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae, and Zonitidae were identified using different terrestrial snail keys. In Kokarai and Deolai, shells of members of all the above-mentioned families were found from agricultural fields. In Kanju Township, shells of members of the family Bradybaenidae and Zonitidae were found. From these findings, it was concluded that district Swat possesses a significant malacofauna which was unexplored before and aided more to the existing literature on malacofauna. It also supports the idea that the agroecosystem is rich in species diversity. Further in-depth and extensive study is recommended to be carried out for a detailed taxonomy of the described terrestrial gastropod families.

Resumo Muito pouco se sabe sobre a malacofauna no distrito de Swat, na província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, situada na parte norte do Paquistão. O vale do Swat possui uma variedade de condições ambientais adequadas, proporcionando diferentes tipos de habitats para a flora e a fauna. Levando em consideração esses pontos, o presente estudo foi conduzido para explorar a diversidade dos caracóis terrestres em campos agrícolas e não agrícolas no vale inferior de Swat. Um total de 417 conchas foram coletadas em três locais: Kokarai, Kanju Township e Deolai. Com base em características concológicas, três famílias: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae e Zonitidae foram identificadas usando diferentes chaves de caramujos terrestres. Em Kokarai e Deolai, conchas de membros de todas as famílias mencionadas acima foram encontradas em campos agrícolas. No município de Kanju, foram encontradas conchas de membros da família Bradybaenidae e Zonitidae. A partir dessas constatações, concluiu-se que o distrito de Swat possui uma malacofauna significativa que antes era inexplorada e ajudava mais a literatura existente sobre a malacofauna. Também apoia a ideia de que o agroecossistema é rico em diversidade de espécies. Recomenda-se a realização de um estudo mais aprofundado e extenso para uma taxonomia detalhada das famílias de gastrópodes terrestres descritas.

The effect of deproteinization methods on the properties of glucosamine hydrochloride from shells of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) / Efeito de métodos de desproteinização nas propriedades do cloridrato de glucosamina de cascas de camarão de pernas brancas (Litopenaeus vannamei) e cascas de camarão de tigre preto (Penaeus monodon)

ABSTRACT: The effect of methods to remove protein content on the properties of glucosamine hydrochloride from the shells of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was investigated. Chitin from shrimp shells was obtained by demineralization in 6% HCl for 12h, deproteinization by two different methods (first group soaked in 8% NaOH for 36h and second group treated in Alcalase enzyme at the concentration of 0.2% for 36h). Two group samples were converted to glucosamine hydrochloride by soaking in 36.76% HCl solution for 5h at 85 °C. The results of fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solubility and recovery yield analysis showed that deproteinization methods did not significantly affect the properties of glucosamine hydrochloride. However, glucosamine hydrochloride from white leg shrimp shells contained higher recovery yield and solubility than black tiger shrimp shells.

RESUMO: Investigou-se o efeito de métodos para remover o conteúdo de proteínas nas propriedades do cloridrato de glucosamina das conchas de camarão de pernas brancas (Litopenaeus vannamei) e camarão de tigre preto (Penaeus monodon). A quitina das cascas de camarão foi obtida por desmineralização em HCl a 6% por 12 h, desproteinização por dois métodos diferentes (primeiro grupo embebido em NaOH a 8% por 36 h e segundo grupo tratado na enzima Alcalase na concentração de 0,2% por 36 h). Duas amostras de grupo foram convertidas em cloridrato de glucosamina por imersão em solução de 12M HCl por 5 h a 85 °C. Os resultados das análises de FTIR, solubilidade e rendimento de recuperação mostraram que os métodos de desproteinização não afetaram significativamente as propriedades do cloridrato de glucosamina. No entanto, o cloridrato de glucosamina de cascas de camarão de pernas brancas continha maior rendimento e solubilidade de recuperação do que as cascas de camarão tigre preto.

Characterization and evaluation for wound healing of chitosan extracted from the exoskeleton of freshwater crab Potamonautes niloticus

The freshwater crab Potamonautes niloticus (Potamonautidae: Decapoda: Crustacea) is common in River Nile andits tributaries but has no commercial value as edible crab for human beings. Therefore, the present study aims toevaluate the role of chitosan extracted from its exoskeleton for wound healing process as a medical application. Thestructure of chitosan has been physically investigated by using fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy to reveal thevibrational frequencies of different structural functional groups, such as primary amine groups, hydroxyl groups andamide groups. The efficiency of the extracted chitosan was assessed by morphological and histological examinationof wound healing in albino rats. Sections of isolated wounds were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate thehistological changes during the wound healing process. Chitosan was yielded 30.64% from the crab shells and theresults of wound healing assessments showed that the chitosan treated group (Ch 1%) was more efficient and fasterthan other groups (Ch 2, 3%) versus control groups. Also, the total leucocyte counts showed shortened inflammatoryphase in chitosan-treated groups. The present results showed the efficiency of extracted chitosan in wound healingprocess and can be used in medical applications.

Determination of 9 artificial synthetic colorants in the hard capsule shells by HPLC-DAD method / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective: To establish an HPLC-DAD method for the determination of 9 artificial synthetic colorants used in shells of hard capsule, with traditional Chinese materia medica Yigan Jiedu capsule used as a case study. Methods: Nine water-sol uble colorants, tartrazine, sunset yellow, amaranth, ponceau 4R, erythrosine, brilliant blue, quinoline yellow, azorubine and allura red, were determined by the HPLC-DAD method. The column was Agilent Zorbax Extend C 18(250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm), the mobile phase was the methanol-20 mmol/L ammonium acetate solution in gradient elution, the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, the column tempera ture was 35℃, and the injected sample solution volume was 5 μl. Results: The chromatographic peaks of all colorants were well sep arated and showed a good linearity in the range of 8.74-960 ng(r=0.9997~1.0000), and the recovery of nine colorants was 90.42%-104.07%. Total 1-5 kinds of colorants were detected in 26 batches of samples, among which, more than 3 kinds of colorants were de tected in 13 batches of samples and 15 batches of samples contained more than 0.5% of total colorant content. Conclusion: The use of colorant in capsule shells needs to be standardized, and the present method might be used for the quality control of hard capsule shells used in the drugs and health products.

Nutraceutical Potential and Antipsychotic Activity of Local Dry Fruit Waste – Juglans regia

Aim: To identify the biologically active components in shells of Juglans regia and study its nutraceutical potential and antipsychotic activity for effective waste management. Study Design: Biochemical and in vivo analyses of plant extract using established protocols. Place and Duration of Study: Sample extraction at Department of Food Science and technology, School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, DY Patil deemed to be University, Navi Mumbai, India; sample components identification at Sophisticated Analytical Instrument facility (SAIF), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, India; and in vivo studies for antipsychotic activity using Caenorhabditis elegans at Department of Life Science and Biochemistry, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, India between November 2018 and May 2019. Methodology: The shells of Juglans regia were milled and the extract was prepared using Soxhlet extraction at 60oC using methanol as solvent. The GCMS analysis of the extract was carried out using a GC JEOL – The Accu TOF. Antipsychotic activity was studied using pharyngeal pumping assay in Caenorhabditis elegans. Results: GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract of shells of Juglans regia revealed the presence of Tridecanoic acid, Acetoxyacetic acid, nonyl ester, 2-hexenal, 2-ethyl, Eicosanoic acid, phenylmethyl ester, Undecane, Benzeneacetic acid decyl ester, (1-pentyl-allyoxymethoxy-methyl)-benzene), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid(Z,Z), phenylmethyl ester, Benzyl oxytridecanoic acid, 6,9,12- octadecatrienoic acid, phenylmethyl ester (Z,Z), 9- octadecanoic acid (Z), phenylmethyl ester, 9,12,15- octadecatrienoic acid, Z [(trimethyl (sil)oxy, 1 – trimethyl (sily)oxy] ethyl ester (Z,Z,Z). Furthermore, behavioural assay done using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism showed that the sample exerted antipsychotic activity at lowest concentration. Conclusion: The shells of Juglans regia being a natural source, can be used as an alternative to the synthetic antipsychotic drugs that have side effects. Our current work suggests that the walnut shells that end up into trash bins are an excellent source of effective natural biologically active compounds.

Extraction and purification of astaxanthin from shrimp shells and the effects of different treatments on its content

Abstract In this study, the extraction process and purification technology of astaxanthin from shrimp shells were established, and the effects of different treatments on the content of astaxanthin were studied. The determination results of astaxanthin in various shrimp/crab shells showed that the astaxanthin content in the Procambarus clarkia shell reached 239.96 µg/g. The effects of cool-ventilated, sun-dried and cooking conditions on the content of astaxanthin during the treatment of shrimp shells were investigated respectively and fresh shrimp shells as best extraction source was determined. The nine groups orthogonal test design with four factors and three levels (L9(3)4) was used to analyze the optimization of extraction process of astaxanthin from shrimp shells with ethanol as an environmentally friendly extraction solvent. The optimum experimental condition including the solid-liquid ratio (1:7), extraction time (20 min) and temperature (50 ºC) was proposed with the maximum extraction yield of astaxanthin. Next, silica gel column chromatography was used to purify the crude extraction of astaxanthin, and the purity of astaxanthin increased from 0.34% to 85.1% (about 250 times), which has great applications in the high value utilization of shrimp shells resources and the development of astaxanthin-related products.

Determination of Five Heavy Metal Elements in Vacant Gelatin Capsule Shells / 中国药师

Objective:To determine the contents of 5 heavy mental elements , Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn, in vacant gelatin capsule shells.Methods:Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine Cr , Pb and Cd, and flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine Cu and Zn .Results: The vacant gelatin capsule shells contained Cr , Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn up to 1.850, 0.404, 0.019, 6.295,5.839 mg· kg-1, respectively.Conclusion:The method can be used for the content determination of Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in vacant gelatin capsule shells , which provides scientific basis for the development of quality standard .

Shell occupation by the hermit crab Dardanus insignis (Decapoda, Diogenidae) from the north Coast of São Paulo state, Brazil

Abstract The pattern of shell occupation by the hermit crab Dardanus insignis (Saussure, 1858) from the subtropical region of southeastern coast of Brazil was investigated in the present study. The percentage of shell types that were occupied and the morphometric relationships between hermit crabs and occupied shells were analyzed from monthly collections conducted during two years (from January 1998 to December 1999). Individuals were categorized according to sex and gonadal maturation, weighed and measured with respect to their cephalothoracic shield length (CSL) and wet weight (CWW). Shells were measured regarding their aperture width (SAW), dry weight (SDW) and internal volume (SIV). A total of 1086 hermit crabs was collected, occupying shells of 11 gastropod species. Olivancillaria urceus (Roding, 1798) was most commonly used by the hermit crab D. insignis, followed by Buccinanops cochlidium (Dillwyn, 1817), and Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767). The highest determination coefficients (r2 > 0.50, p 0.01) were recorded particularly in the morphometric relationships between CSL vs. CWW and SAW vs. SIV, which are important indication that in this D. insignis population the great majority the animals occupied adequate shells during the two years analysed. The high number of used shell species and relative plasticity in pattern of shell utilization by smaller individuals of D. insignis indicated that occupation is influenced by the shell availability, while larger individuals demonstrated more specialized occupation in Tonna galea (Linnaeus, 1758) shell.

Resumo O padrão de ocupação de conchas pelo ermitão D. insignis (Saussure, 1858) na região subtropical da costa sudeste do Brasil, foi investigada no presente estudo. Foram analisadas a percentual de tipos de conchas que foram ocupados e as relações morfométricas entre os ermitões e conchas ocupadas, a partir de coletas mensais realizadas durante dois anos (de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 1999). Os indivíduos foram classificados de acordo com o sexo e maturação, pesados e medidos em relação ao comprimento escudo cefalotoracico (CEC) e peso úmido (CPU). As conchas foram medidas em relação à sua largura de abertura (LAC), peso seco (PSC) e volume interno (VIC). Um total de 1.086 ermitões foram coletados, ocupando conchas de 11 espécies de gastrópodos. Olivancillaria urceus (Roding, 1798) foi a mais utilizada pelo ermitão D. insignis, seguido por Buccinanops cochlidium (Dillwyn, 1817), e Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767). Os maiores coeficientes de determinação (r2 > 0,50, p 0,01) foram registrados principalmente nas relações morfométricas entre CEC e CPU contra LAC e VIC, que é uma importante indicação de que nesta população de D. insignis a grande maioria dos animais ocupavam conchas adequadas durante os dois anos analisados. O elevado número de espécies de conchas utilizadas e a relativa plasticidade no padrão de ocupação de conchas pelos menores indivíduos de D. insignis indicaram que a ocupação é influenciada pela disponibilidade de conchas, enquanto os indivíduos maiores demonstraram uma ocupação mais especializadas na concha de Tonna galea (Linnaeus, 1758).

Shell occupation by the hermit crab Dardanus insignis (Decapoda, Diogenidae) from the north Coast of São Paulo state, Brazil / Ocupação de conchas pelo ermitão Dardanus insignis na costa norte do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract The pattern of shell occupation by the hermit crab Dardanus insignis (Saussure, 1858) from the subtropical region of southeastern coast of Brazil was investigated in the present study. The percentage of shell types that were occupied and the morphometric relationships between hermit crabs and occupied shells were analyzed from monthly collections conducted during two years (from January 1998 to December 1999). Individuals were categorized according to sex and gonadal maturation, weighed and measured with respect to their cephalothoracic shield length (CSL) and wet weight (CWW). Shells were measured regarding their aperture width (SAW), dry weight (SDW) and internal volume (SIV). A total of 1086 hermit crabs was collected, occupying shells of 11 gastropod species. Olivancillaria urceus (Roding, 1798) was most commonly used by the hermit crab D. insignis, followed by Buccinanops cochlidium (Dillwyn, 1817), and Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767). The highest determination coefficients (r2 > 0.50, p < 0.01) were recorded particularly in the morphometric relationships between CSL vs. CWW and SAW vs. SIV, which are important indication that in this D. insignis population the great majority the animals occupied adequate shells during the two years analysed. The high number of used shell species and relative plasticity in pattern of shell utilization by smaller individuals of D. insignis indicated that occupation is influenced by the shell availability, while larger individuals demonstrated more specialized occupation in Tonna galea (Linnaeus, 1758) shell.

Resumo O padrão de ocupação de conchas pelo ermitão D. insignis (Saussure, 1858) na região subtropical da costa sudeste do Brasil, foi investigada no presente estudo. Foram analisadas a percentual de tipos de conchas que foram ocupados e as relações morfométricas entre os ermitões e conchas ocupadas, a partir de coletas mensais realizadas durante dois anos (de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 1999). Os indivíduos foram classificados de acordo com o sexo e maturação, pesados ​​e medidos em relação ao comprimento escudo cefalotoracico (CEC) e peso úmido (CPU). As conchas foram medidas em relação à sua largura de abertura (LAC), peso seco (PSC) e volume interno (VIC). Um total de 1.086 ermitões foram coletados, ocupando conchas de 11 espécies de gastrópodos. Olivancillaria urceus (Roding, 1798) foi a mais utilizada pelo ermitão D. insignis, seguido por Buccinanops cochlidium (Dillwyn, 1817), e Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767). Os maiores coeficientes de determinação (r2 > 0,50, p < 0,01) foram registrados principalmente nas relações morfométricas entre CEC e CPU contra LAC e VIC, que é uma importante indicação de que nesta população de D. insignis a grande maioria dos animais ocupavam conchas adequadas durante os dois anos analisados. O elevado número de espécies de conchas utilizadas ​​e a relativa plasticidade no padrão de ocupação de conchas pelos menores indivíduos de D. insignis indicaram que a ocupação é influenciada pela disponibilidade de conchas, enquanto os indivíduos maiores demonstraram uma ocupação mais especializadas na concha de Tonna galea (Linnaeus, 1758).

Exploitation of fermented shrimp-shells hydrolysate as functional food: Assessment of antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic and prebiotic activities.

In the present study the bioactivities of chitooligosaccharides of fermented shrimp-shell hydrolysate (SSH) in respect to hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and prebiotic activity were tested in male albino rat. Rats were treated with four different diets, viz., (i) cholesterol-rich (5%) basal diet (ChB), (ii) ChB+10% chitin, (iii) ChB+10% SSH and (iv) control group (without cholesterol). After 4 weeks of treatment, body mass index, liver weight, serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in groups (ii) and (iii) were decreased significantly than group (i). SSH supplementation significantly resists oxidative stress by reducing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and by increasing catalase, superoxide dismutase and free radical scavenging activity. The colonization of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium population in small and large intestine were more in group (iii) than other groups. Reduction of Clostridium perfringens population and non-significant changes of E. coli was also noted in SSH supplement group. Histological study revealed that the villus height and villus:crypt of the small intestine were increased significantly in SSH supplemented group (iii) without any diarrheal symptoms. The results demonstrated that the shrimp-shells hydrolysate has hypocholesterolemic effect, can resist lipid peroxidation and can influence the growth of health beneficial microbes, hence can be used as functional food for hypercholesterolemic patients.

Otimização do processo de nitrificação com o uso de conchas de ostras como material suporte em reatores aeróbios com biomassa fixa / Optimization of the nitrification process using oyster shells as a support material in fixed biomass aerobic reactors

A preservação dos mananciais de água traz como ponto de atuação primordial o tratamento dos esgotos sanitários a nível terciário. A partir daí destaca-se a necessidade de otimizar os sistemas de remoção de nutrientes, buscando-se processos mais estáveis, economicamente viáveis e ambientalmente sustentáveis. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar conchas de ostras como material de preenchimento em um biofiltro aerado submerso, assumindo-se a hipótese de que as mesmas podem interagir com a fase líquida do reator, fornecendo alcalinidade necessária à estabilidade do processo de nitrificação autotrófica. Uma série de condições operacionais foi avaliada visando à nitrificação; portanto, foi possível concluir que, no biofiltro aerado submerso com conchas de ostras, podem ser aplicadas taxas hidráulicas >5,2 m³.m-2.d-1 e tempo de detenção hidráulico <7,5 horas, desde que a relação carbono: nitrogênio seja mantida abaixo de quatro. As conchas de ostras mantiveram o sistema tamponado (pH=7,5±0,3), mesmo com uma intensa atividade nitrificante no reator (100%).

One of the main key actions for water resources preservation is to promote wastewater treatment in a tertiary level. From this point, it can be highlighted the demands for optimizing the processes for nutrients removal aiming more stable processes, which are economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The aim of this research was to evaluate oyster shells as support material in an aerated submerged biofilter, having as main hypothesis the fact that they can interact with the liquid phase of the reactor, providing the necessary alkalinity to stabilize the autotrophic nitrification. The reactor studied was submitted to several operational conditions and could be concluded that, in the aerated submerged biofilter with oyster shells, hydraulic loadings can be >5.2 m³.m-2.d-1 and a hydraulic retention time <7.5 hours can be applied, since that the relation carbon: nitrogen is maintained under four. The oyster shells kept the system buffered (pH=7.5±0.3), even with a high nitrifying activity in the reactor (100%).

Produção de mudas de rúcula em bandejas com substratos a base de resíduos orgânicos / Production of rocket (Eruca sativa) seedlings with substrates composed of organic waste

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes substratos na produção de biomassa vegetal em mudas de rúcula, cv. cultivada, foi conduzido um experimento na Universidade Federal do Acre, no período de setembro a novembro de 2006, utilizando os seguintes tratamentos: T1 Plantmax® (Tratamento padrão); T2 composto orgânico (CO) + casca de coco maduro triturado (CCMT) (1:1 v/v); T3 CO + cama de aviário (CA) + casca-de-arroz carbonizada (CAC) (1:1:1 v/v); T4 CO + esterco bovino (EB) + CAC (1:1:1 v/v); T5 - CO + coprólitos de minhoca (CM) + CAC (1:1:1 v/v); T6 CO + CM + caroço de açaí triturado (CAT) (1:1:1 v/v); T7 - CO + CM + CCMT (1:1:1 v/v); T8 - CO + EB + CCMT (1:1:1 v/v). Foram acrescidos, 10 por cento de carvão vegetal triturado, 1,0 kg m-3 de calcário dolomitico e 1,5 kg m-3 de termofosfato, exceto no substrato T1. A semeadura foi feita utilizando-se três sementes por células em bandejas de poliestireno expandido, contendo os diferentes tratamentos e oito dias após a semeadura, foi feito o desbaste deixando-se apenas uma planta por célula. Aos 26 dias após a semeadura, foram avaliados a massa da matéria fresca da parte aérea, massa da matéria seca da parte aérea, raiz e total da planta. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições, sendo cada unidade experimental constituída de 4 plantas. Os tratamentos T4 ,T5 e T7 foram os que promoveram maior massa fresca e seca das plantas e não diferiram estatisticamente entre si e do tratamento padrão (T1), para todas as características avaliados.

With the objective of evaluating the effect of different substrates in the production of vegetable biomass on rocket (Eruca sativa) seedlings cv. cultivated, an experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Acre, in the period from September to November of 2006, using the following treatments: T1 - Plantmax® (control), T2 - organic compost + triturated ripe coconut shells (1:1 v/v), T3 organic compost + poultry litter + carbonized rice hulls (1:1:1 v/v), T4 organic compost + bovine manure + carbonized rice hulls (1:1:1 v/v), T5 organic compost + earthworm casting + carbonized rice hulls (1:1:1 v/v), T6 organic compost + earthworm casting + triturated açaí pit (1:1:1 v/v), T7 organic compost + earthworm casting + triturated ripe coconut shells (1:1:1 v/v) e T8 organic compost + bovine manure + triturated ripe coconut shells (1:1:1 v/v). Ten percent triturated charcoal, 1.0 kg.m-3 of lime and 1.5 kg.m-3 of thermophosphate were added, except in T1 treatment. The sowing was done using three seeds per cell in expanded polystyrene trays containing the different substrates. Eight days after sowing, thinning was done leaving just 1 plant per cell. On the 26th day after sowing, the fresh mass of the aerial part, the dry mass of the aerial part, root, and the whole plant were appraised. The experimental design was entirely randomized with 8 treatments and 3 repetitions, and with 4 plants per plot. Treatments T4 ,T5 and T7 were the ones that promoted a higher yield of fresh and dry plant mass, and did not differ statistically among themselves, nor from the control treatment (T1), for all the characteristics evaluated.

Shell occupation by the endemic western Atlantic hermit crab Isocheles sawayai (Diogenidae) from Caraguatatuba, Brazil / Ocupação de conchas pelo ermitão endêmico do Atlântico ocidental Isocheles sawayai (Diogenidae) em Caraguatatuba, Brasil

The aim of this study was to characterize the pattern of shell occupation by the hermit crab Isocheles sawayai Forest and Saint-Laurent, 1968, from the Caraguatatuba region. The percentage of shell types that were occupied and the morphometric relationships between hermit crabs and occupied shells were analyzed from systematized collections that were conducted monthly from July 2001 to June 2003. A total of 373 individuals were captured (297 males, 41 non-ovigerous females, 25 ovigerous females and 10 intersexes), occupying 17 species of gastropod shells. Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767) (49.87 percent) was the significantly most occupied species (χ2 = 89.30; P < 0.05) followed, with no significant difference, by Phalium granulatum (Born, 1778) (11.53 percent), Polinices hepaticus (Roding, 1798) (8.31 percent) and Cymatium parthenopeum (von Salis, 1793) (6.97 percent). All the morphometric relationships between hermit crabs and occupied shells showed high (r > 0.68) and significant (P < 0.05) correlation values, which is an important indication that in this I. sawayai population the animals occupied adequate shells. The high number of occupied shell species and relative plasticity indicated that, for the studied population, occupation is influenced by the shell availability.

O presente estudo caracterizou o padrão de ocupação de conchas de Isocheles sawayai Forest and Saint-Laurent, 1968, na região de Caraguatatuba. A porcentagem dos diferentes tipos de conchas ocupadas e as relações morfométricas entre os ermitões e as conchas ocupadas foram analisadas a partir de material de amostragem sistematizada, mensalmente, de julho/2001 a junho/2003. Foram capturados 373 indivíduos (297 machos, 41 fêmeas não-ovígeras, 25 fêmeas ovígeras e 10 indivíduos intersexo), ocupando 17 espécies de conchas de moluscos gastrópodes. Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767) (49,87 por cento) foi a espécie significativamente mais ocupada (χ2 = 89,30; p < 0,05) seguida, porém sem diferença significativa, por Phalium granulatum (Born, 1778) (11,53 por cento), Polinices hepaticus (Roding, 1798) (8,31 por cento) e Cymatium parthenopeum (von Salis, 1793) (6,97 por cento). Todas as relações morfométricas entre os ermitões e as conchas ocupadas apresentaram valores de coeficientes de correlação elevados (r > 0,68) e significativos (p < 0,05), o que é um importante indício de que, nessa população de I. sawayai, os animais ocupavam conchas adequadas. O elevado número de espécies de conchas ocupadas e a relativa plasticidade indicaram que, para a população estudada, a ocupação é influenciada pela disponibilidade de conchas.

Obtenção de comprimidos contendo cálcio de conchas de ostras: pré-formulação e liodisponibilidade comparativa / Obtaining tablets with calcium from oyster shells: preformulation and comparative lyoavailability

A osteoporose é uma doença que afeta um número significativo de pessoas no mundo todo, em especial nos países subdesenvolvidos. Nesse contexto, o pó de concha de ostra, que constitui uma fonte de cálcio, aparece como uma oportunidade de utilizar os recursos naturais da região litorânea brasileira, na suplementação alimentar de sua população. O estudo se propôs a aproveitar essa fonte natural de cálcio, incorporando-a na forma farmacêutica comprimido. O estudo foi desenvolvido em duas etapas, a primeira com a otimização da matéria-prima a partir de conchas de ostra, desde o processo de seleção até a transformação da concha de ostra em pó, com caracterização físico-química e pré-formulação desse pó. A segunda etapa foi a obtenção dos comprimidos desde o desenvolvimento até os ensaios de liodisponibilidade comparativa. Os estudos de pré-formulação e o planejamento fatorial dos excipientes (aglutinante, lubrificante e desintegrante) permitiram obter com economia e performance comprimidos com liodisponibilidade semelhante à referência Os-cal®.

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects a significant number of people in the world, particularly in developing countries. In this context, the powder of oyster shells, found to be a calcium source, emerges as one opportunity to use the natural resources from the Brazilian coast region for alimentary supplementation. This study proposes the use of this natural source of calcium, incorporated in tablets. The study was developed in two parts. The first was concerned with optimizing the raw material from oyster shells, from the selection process until the transformation of de oyster shell into dust; and with the physicochemical evaluation and preformulation of this dust. The second part consisted of obtaining tablets, from the development until the comparative evaluation of lyoavailability. The studies on preformulation and factorial planning of the excipients (binging agent, levigating agent and disintegrants) have made possible to obtain tables with a similar lyoavailability, in terms of economy and performance, to the medicine reference Os-cal®.