Effect of Black Raisins (Vitis vinifera) on Aluminum Chloride Induced Alzheimer's Disease in Male Albino Rat

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common dementia causes especially in elders. Black raisins (Vitis vinifera) have memoryenhancing effects. This study was designed to investigate the effect of oral administration of black raisins (V. vinifera) on aluminumchloride (AlCl3) induced AD in male albino rats. Forty adult male Albino rats were equally and randomly divided into five groups, 8 rats ineach. The rats of the first group received a vehicle and served as controls. The animals of the second group received raisin (5 g per rat/day)orally for 8 weeks. The rats in the third group were treated with AlCl3 (model of AD) (100 mg/kg BW/day) for 8 weeks. The animals of thefourth group were treated with AlCl3 (100 mg/kg BW/day) and raisin. The animals of the fifth group received rivastigmine (0.3 mg/kgBW/day) and AlCl3 (100 mg/kg BW/day) orally for 8 weeks. After eight weeks, the behavioral test (maze learning test) was performed on allrats to assess learning and memory. Moreover, acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, some neurotransmitter levels [dopamine (DA),norepinephrine (NE), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)], and oxidative stress [reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD),oxidase glutathione (GSSG), and lipid peroxidation (LPO)] were estimated in the cortex and hippocampus homogenate. Thehistopathological studies were also made in the hippocampus area. The results showed that aluminum exposure significantly decreased thelearning and memory in the maze-learning test as revealed by increase in elapsed time and error number in the maze. Significant increaseof cortex and hippocampus homogenate levels of AchE and LPO, but a significant decrease in DA, NE, GABA, GSH, GSSG, and SOD wereobserved in rats subjected to AlCl3. Histopathological evaluations of hippocampus sections of rats treated with AlCl3 showed severealterations including the increase of degenerated cells with structural damage. The treatment of rats with raisin or rivastigmine for 8 weeksshowed a pronounced attenuation on the damage caused by AlCl3 associated with the improvement of behavioral, biochemical, andhistopathological alterations. This study suggested that chronic oral administration of black raisin had neuroprotective effects andimproved learning and memory in AD animal models. These actions were done due to the antioxidant constituents of raisin.

Prophylactic Impact of Beta vulgaris L in Ameliorating Cyclosporine AInduced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Background: Hepatotoxicity induced by Cyclosporine A (CsA) remains one of the major side effects. The aim of this studywas to determine the protective effects of beet root (Beta Vulgaris L) extract and silymarin against hepatotoxicity induced byCyclosporine A in rats. Methods: Sixty male albino rats, were divided into 6 groups (n=10). Group I control group. GroupII CsA-treated and received (50mg/kg weight, orally). Group III received (500mg/kg b.wt) beet root extract orally. Group IVreceived beet root extract and CsA as in group II and III. Group V was received (100 mg/kg b.wt) silymarin orally. Group VIreceived CsA and silymarin as in group II and V. Serum levels of (ALT, AST, ALP) and bilirubin (Total and Direct) weremeasured. Oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant status, damage to DNA, apoptosis and inflammatory mediators weremeasured in the tissues of the liver. Result: CsA administration significantly increased serum levels of the liver enzymesALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin. In addition, significant increase in MDA, Nitrite, 8-OHdG, caspase3, NF-κB, TNF-α andsignificant decrease of GST in liver tissues was noticed. Furthermore, histopathological changes occurred in CsA treatedrats exhibited disruption of normal liver architecture, congested central vein, vacuolated cytoplasm and inflammatory cellsinfiltration. Co-administration of beet root extract or silymarin +CsA ameliorated all these parameters. Conclusion: Thepresent study suggests that beet root extract and silymarin have beneficial effect in reducing hepatotoxicity induced by CsAvia decreasing oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, apoptosis and repairing the histopathological changes

Biochar in sugar beet production and nutrition / Biochar na produção e nutrição da beterraba

ABSTRACT: The biomass pyrolysis process may be an alternative for the agricultural use of sewage sludge. This study aimed to evaluate the use of of biochars from mixture of sewage sludge and sugarcane bagasse (BB, 1:1 relationship sewage sludge and sugarcane bagasse) on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) production and nutrition. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with five application rates of BB: 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% (v/v), and two additional treatments, biochar from sewage sludge (BS, application rate 5% (v/v)) and conventional treatment (CV) that received lime and mineral fertilizer. The treated soils were incubated for 45 days, after which, seedlings were cultivated for 55 days. Biochar produce from sewage sludge and sugarcane bagasse is an alternative technology to reduce the potential for contamination of sewage sludge and to incorporate more stable carbon forms in the soil. Although, biochar has increased soil fertility, fine roots and nutrient uptake efficiency by sugar beet plants, total dry matter yield was significantly lower than that obtained in conventional treatment.

RESUMO: O processo de pirólise da biomassa pode ser uma alternativa para o uso agrícola de lodo de esgoto. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o uso de biochar produzido a partir da mistura de lodo de esgoto e bagaço de cana (BB, 1:1 relação lodo de esgoto e e bagaço de cana) na produção e nutrição de beterraba (Beta vulgaris L.). Conduziu-se um experimento em casa de vegetação com cinco dose de BB: 0, 2,5, 5, 7,5 e 10% v/v, e dois tratamentos adicionais, biochar de lodo de esgoto (BS, 5% v/v) e tratamento convencional (CV) com calagem e fertilizantes minerais. Após 45 dias de incubação dos solos tratados, cultivou-se as plantas por 55 dias. O biochar produzido a partir de lodo de esgoto e bagaço de cana-de-açúcar é uma tecnologia alternativa para reduzir o potencial de contaminação do lodo de esgoto e incorporar formas mais estáveis de carbono ao solo. Embora o biochar tenha aumentado à fertilidade do solo, as raízes finas e a eficiência de absorção de nutrientes pelas plantas de beterraba, a produção de matéria seca total foi significativamente menor que a obtida no tratamento convencional.

Growth, gas exchanges and production of beet CV. katrina under organo-mineral fertilization / Crescimento, trocas gasosas e produção da beterraba CV. Katrina sob adubação organomineral

The beet culture has great economic and food importance in the world, especially with respect to energy generation. In Brazil the culture is still little studied, lacking studies in all stages of production of culture, mainly in the management of fertilization. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organo-mineral fertilization on growth, gas exchanges and production of beet, cv. Katrina. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in the municipality of Pombal-PB, Brazil, from September to December 2015, in a randomized block design. The treatments were arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme and corresponded to four periods of fermentation of the biofertilizer (10, 20, 30 and 40 days) applied in soils with and without mineral fertilization, with four replicates and 18 plants evaluated per plot. Plants were conducted for 70 days after transplanting, in 15-cm-high, 1-m-wide beds. During this period, plant growth, gas exchanges and production components were evaluated. The application of mineral biofertilizer fermented for 20 to 30 days, associated with mineral fertilization with 36 g m-2 of P2O5, 18.0 g m-2 of K2O and 14 g m-2 of N at planting, promoted better performance of growth, gas exchanges and production of beet plants. In the soil without mineral fertilization, it is recommended to use the longest biofertilizer fermentation periods, 30 to 40 days, for beet cultivation.

A cultura da beterraba tem grande importância econômica e alimentar no mundo, especialmente no que diz respeito à geração de energia. No Brasil, a cultura ainda é pouco estudada, faltando estudos em todos os estágios de produção da cultura, principalmente no manejo da adubação. Objetivou-se no presente trabalho, avaliar a adubação organomineral no crescimento, trocas gasosas e produção da beterraba cv. Katrina. O experimento foi conduzido em condições de campo, no município de Pombal, PB, no período de setembro a dezembro de 2015. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, relativos a quatro períodos de fermentação do biofertilizante (10, 20, 30 e 40 dias) aplicados em solos com e sem adubação mineral, com quatro repetições e 18 plantas úteis por parcela. As plantas foram conduzidas durante 70 dias após o transplantio, em canteiros de 15 cm de altura, com 1 m de largura. Durante esse período, avaliou-se o crescimento, trocas gasosas e os componentes de produção. A adubação com biofertilizante mineral fermentado no período entre 20 e 30 dias associado à adubação mineral com 36 g m-2 de P2O5, 18,0 g m-2 de K2O e 14 g m-2 de N no plantio, proporcionou melhor desempenho no crescimento, trocas gasosas e produção da beterraba. No solo sem adubação mineral, recomenda-se a utilização dos maiores períodos de fermentação do biofertilizante, 30 a 40 dias, para o cultivo da beterraba.

Evaluación de la actividad antioxidante de las pulpas de Rubus glaucus B, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L / Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of pulps from Rubus glaucus B., Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L

Introducción: actualmente se ha demostrado una relación entre el consumo de alimentos con altos niveles de compuestos antioxidantes, los cuales están directamente asociados con la prevención de enfermedades. Objetivos: evaluar la actividad antioxidante de las pulpas Rubus glaucus B, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L. Métodos: Rubus glaucus Benth variedad Castilla, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L fueron adquiridas en un mercado local de la ciudad de Cartagena, Bolívar (10°25'25″N 75°31'31″O). La pulpa se obtuvo a partir del fruto (mora y agraz) y raíz (remolacha); y le se determinó pH, Brix, acidez titulable, índice de madurez, humedad, ceniza, grasa, proteínas, fibra cruda, carbohidratos y la actividad antioxidante fue determinada mediante la técnica de actividad antiradicalaria por el método DPPH, asimismo el contenido de fenoles totales se realizó por el método colorimétrico Folin-Ciocalteu. Resultados: los sólidos solubles totales oscilaron entre 5,94 - 10,91 Brix, pH 2,9 - 5,96, ceniza 0,407 - 1,05 g/100 g, humedad 87,263 - 83,95 g/100 g, proteína 0,624 - 1,59 g/100 g, grasa 0,12 - 0,62 g/100 g, fibra cruda 2,107 - 3,637 g/100 g, carbohidratos 10,01 - 14,446 g/100 g para las pulpas de mora, agraz y remolacha. Los resultados de la prueba de actividad antioxidante presentaron valores de IC50 mediante la técnica de DPPH• en el rango de 53,33 - 141,88 µg/mL, lo cual está directamente relacionado con el contenido en fenoles. Conclusiones: por lo tanto, la pulpa de Rubus glaucus Benth variedad Castilla, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L, son considerados como promisorios para diseñar productos nutracéuticos por su elevada actividad antioxidante(AU)

Introduction: A direct relationship has been proved to exist between consumption of foodstuffs with a high content of antioxidant compounds and disease prevention. Objectives: Evaluate the antioxidant activity of pulps from Rubus glaucus B., Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L. Methods: Rubus glaucus Benth variety Castile, Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L. were acquired at a local marketplace in the city of Cartagena, Bolívar (10°25?25?N 75°31?31?W). The pulp was obtained from fruits (Andean raspberry and Andean blueberry) and roots (beet). Determination was conducted of its pH, Brix, titratable acidity, maturation index, humidity, ash, fat, proteins, crude fiber, carbohydrates, and antioxidant activity using the technique of anti-radical activity by the DPPH method. Content of total phenols was determined by the Folin-Ciocaltey colorimetric method. Results: Total soluble solids ranged between 5.94 - 10.91 Brix, pH 2.9 - 5.96, ash 0.407 - 1.05 g / 100 g, humidity 87.263 - 83.95 g / 100 g, protein 0.624 - 1.59 g / 100 g, fat 0.12 - 0.62 g / 100 g, crude fiber 2.107 - 3.637 g / 100 g, carbohydrates 10.01 - 14.446 g / 100 g for pulps from Andean raspberry, Andean blueberry and beet. Antioxidant activity testing using the DPPHo technique obtained CI50 values of 53.33 - 141.88 ?g/ml, directly proportional to phenol content. Conclusions: It is therefore concluded that pulp from Rubus glaucus Benth variety Castile, Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L., is considered to be promising for the design of nutraceutical products due to its antioxidant activity(AU)

CONTENIDOS DE PLOMO EN ACELGA COMÚN Beta vulgaris L, PRODUCIDA EN EL CONTEXTO DE LA AGRICULTURA URBANA (BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA) / LEVELS OF LEAD IN COMMON CHARD Beta vulgaris L, PRODUCED IN THE CONTEXT OF URBAN AGRICULTURE (BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA)

Dentro de las posibles formas de contaminación de las hortalizas con plomo se encuentran el suelo cultivado, el agua de riego y la atmósfera; esta última debido a la suspensión de las partículas resultantes de la combustión principalmente de hidrocarburos. Con el objetivo de lograr determinar la cantidad de plomo presente en Acelga común Beta vulgaris L. producida en el contexto de la agricultura urbana, se implementó una huerta con dicho sistema productivo en la ciudad, la cual se localiza en las coordenadas: Latitud 4°42'39,6036" y Longitud 74°5'46,6152", a menos de 500 metros de distancia de dos vías vehiculares principales de la ciudad de Bogotá. Previo a la siembra, se realizaron dos tipos de análisis: contenidos de plomo en suelo cultivado y en agua para riego, con la finalidad de obtener un diagnóstico preliminar sobre los contenidos de este metal pesado en estas dos posibles fuentes de contaminación. Las labores de sistema productivo relacionadas con prácticas culturales se realizaron de manera artesanal, por lo tanto no se realizó ningún tipo de fertilización y en el manejo de plagas no hubo intervención de ningún tipo de producto con la finalidad de evitar sesgos en el presente trabajo. Al momento de la cosecha, se muestreó al azar el 10% de la población total de plantas sembradas; esta muestra fue analizada por medio de espectrofotometría de absorción atómica según procedimiento del método oficial 968.08 de la AOAC, arrojando como resultado 0 ppm de plomo. Estos resultados permiten afirmar que la producción agrícola urbana es una alternativa que fomenta la seguridad alimentaria, no solo desde los aspectos de ingesta de macro y micronutrientes, sino también desde el punto de vista de calidad e inocuidad de los alimentos al no detectarse plomo en el tejido vegetal.

Cultivated soil, irrigation water and the atmosphere are among the possible forms of contamination with lead of vegetables, the latter due to suspension of the particles resulting from the combustion, mainly hydrocarbons. In order to be able to determine the levels of lead present in common Chard Beta vulgaris L. produced in the context of urban agriculture, a vegetable garden with this production system was implemented in the city, which is located at coordinates: Latitude 4°42'39.6036" and Longitude 74°5'46.6152", less than 500 meters away from two main vehicular roads in the city of Bogotá. Before sowing, two types of analysis were performed: lead content in cultivated soil and irrigation water, with the purpose of obtaining a preliminary diagnosis of the contents of this heavy metal in these two possible sources of contamination. The productive system work related to culture practices were made using traditional methods, therefore no fertilization was performed and there was no intervention of any type of product for pest management with the aim of avoiding bias in this study. At harvest time, 10% of the total of plants population planted was randomly selected; this sample was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry through the AOAC official method 968.08 yielding a result of 0 ppm of lead. These results allow the confirmation that urban farming is an alternative that promotes food security, not only from the intake of macro and micro nutrients aspect, but also from the of quality and food safety point of view, since for lead was not detect in the plant tissue.

Potencial do óleo essencial de erva-luísa (Aloysia citriodora Palau) no controle de Fusarium sp. in vitro / Essential oil potential herb-luisa (Aloysia citriodora Palau) in the control of Fusarium sp. in vitro

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal avaliar o potencial do uso do óleo essencial de Aloysia citriodora no controle in vitro de Fusarium sp., isolado de plântulas de beterraba infectadas com o mesmo. O trabalho foi realizado por meio de dois experimentos: um sobre o efeito do óleo essencial no crescimento micelial, e outro sobre o efeito na germinação de conídios do fungo. No primeiro trabalho, avaliou-se em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, o efeito das concentrações 0,0155%; 0,0315%; 0,0625%; 0,125%; 0,250% e 0,500% do óleo essencial de A. citriodora em placas de Petri® com meio de cultivo BDA, mais a testemunha, com meio BDA puro. Cada placa foi considerada uma repetição, as quais foram incubadas a 24ºC±1ºC e submetidas a fotoperíodo de doze horas. Avaliou-se o crescimento radial do patógeno em função do crescimento micelial do patógeno quando este atingia as bordas da primeira placa. No segundo experimento, as mesmas concentrações foram testadas, nas mesmas condições de incubação, no entanto, em lâminas de microscopia com meio BD. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, sendo considerada como unidade experimental cada lâmina utilizada. Avaliou-se 24 horas após a incubação, em microscópio óptico, a germinação dos primeiros vinte conídios visualizados a partir do canto esquerdo superior para o direito. Os resultados do segundo experimento foram expressos em porcentagem de germinação de conídios. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que este óleo essencial possui efeito fungistático e fungicida sobre o crescimento micelial e na germinação de conídios de Fusarium sp.. Além disso este efeito é maior em função do aumento da concentração do óleo essencial.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of Aloysia citriodora essential oilisolated from beet seedlings infected with it. The study was performed by conducting two experiments evaluating the effect of the essential oil on mycelial growth and fungus conidia germination. In the first study, in a completely randomized design, the effect concentrations (0.0155%; 0.0315%; 0.0625%; 0.125%; 0.250% and 0.500%) of essential oil of A. citriodorawas evaluated on Petri® dish with a PDA cultivation medium, plus the control, with half pure PDA. Each plate was taken as a repeat, and incubated at 24°C±1°C and a photoperiod of twelve hours. The radial growth of the pathogen, when the first plate was hit by the mycelial growth of the pathogen on its edges was evaluated. In the second experiment, the same concentrations were tested under the same incubationconditions, however, on microscope slides with half PD medium. The design was used completely randomized, each microscope slide used was considered as one experimental unit. Germination of the first 2 conidia strains, viewed from the upper left to the right was evaluated24 hours after incubation, using an optical microscope. The results of the second experiment were expressed as a percentage of conidia germination. The results obtained showed that this essential oil has fungistatic and fungicidal effect on the mycelial growth and at the conidia germination of Fusarium sp., which has a greater effect with increasing concentrations.

Crescimento e marcha de acúmulo de nutrientes em plantas de beterraba cultivadas em sistema hidropônico / Growth and nutrient absorption by beet grown in hydroponic system

A produção de beterraba tem alcançado grande destaque no cenário nacional, principalmente no cultivo em condições de campo aberto e no solo, entretanto, as pesquisas da produção de beterraba em cultivo hidropônico são insipientes sobre a nutrição das plantas. Assim, objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o crescimento e marcha de absorção de nutrientes em plantas de beterraba cultivar Tall Top Early Wonder, cultivadas em sistema hidropônico. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados com seis tratamentos constituídos pelas épocas de amostragem, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 e 65 dias após o transplante (DAT) e cinco repetições. As mudas de beterraba foram transplantadas, em vasos de 5 dm3 , preenchido com substrato a base de fibra de coco, constantemente irrigadas com solução nutritiva (Hoagland e Arnon), sendo colocados em ambiente protegido, tipo casa de vegetação, localizado na UNESP Câmpus de Jaboticabal, no mês de abril de 2007. Durante o período experimental, avaliou-se o desenvolvimento das plantas, massa seca de folhas, raiz tuberosa e raízes, e acúmulo de macro e micronutrientes na planta. O acúmulo de massa seca da raiz tuberosa da beterraba foi rápido, havendo predomínio da alocação de biomassa na raiz tuberosa (55%) comparado as folhas (43%) e raízes (2%). Maiores exigências nutricionais de plantas de beterraba foram de K, N e P para os macronutrientes e de Mn, Zn e Fe para os micronutrientes. A absorção de N, K e Mn pela planta de beterraba é mais rápida, sendo alta a partir dos 15 DAT. A ordem decrescente dos nutrientes acumulados pela beterraba foi: K, N, P, Mg, Ca e S para os macronutrientes e Mn, Zn, Fe, B e Cu para os micronutrientes.

The production of beet root have achieved higher levels on the national market, mainly in open field and soil exploitation however the hidroponic production technique is just at its begining regarding the nutritional aspects. This way, this study aimed to evaluate the growth and nutrient uptake by the beet root cultivar Tall Top Early Wonder, grown in hydroponic conditions. The experimental design was the completely randomized blocks with six treatments consisting of the sampling dates: 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 days after transplanting (DAT) and five replications. Beet seedlings were transplanted into 5 dm3 vessels prepared with coconut fiber substrate and irrigated constantly with nutritious solution (Hoagland and Arnon) and after been conducted to the UNESP greenhouses in Câmpus of Jaboticabal in April/2007, into vases. During the experimental period, it was evaluated plant growth and leaf, dry mass root and tuberous roots and the macro and micronutrients uptaken by plants. The dry matter accumulation by tuberous roots cultivar Tall Top Early Wonder was relatively fast, with predominance of biomass allocation in the tuberous root (55%) against the leaves (43%) and roots (2%). The higher nutritional requirements for beet root were K, N and P as macronutrient and Mn, Zn and Fe for the micronutrients. The nitrogen, potassium and manganese absorption by beet root is rapid, being high from the 15 days after transplant. The decreasing order of the nutrients accumulated by the beet root was: K, N, P, Mg, Ca and S for the macronutrients and Mn, Zn, Fe, B and Cu for the micronutrients.