Honeybee venom: influence of collection on quality and cytotoxicity / Veneno de abelha: influência da coleta em qualidade e citotoxicidade

ABSTRACT: Apitoxin is the venom produced by bees. It is a complex chemical compound, rich in protein substances and with pharmacological effects. This study was carried out with the objective of comparing the quality of apitoxin extracted in an apiary in different parts of the collector in relation to moisture content, protein analysis and cytotoxicity assay with Artemia salina L. Type 1 apitoxin was collected from glass slabs at the entrance to the hive, while type 2 apitoxin was collected from the waste accumulated in the collection rods and treated by rinsing in distilled water. Both apitoxins presented significant differences (P>0.05) in relation to protein profile, with type 1 showing a higher content (77.8%) than type 2 (51.9%), and presented polypeptide bands with more than 50% of their nitrogenous components having molecular weight below 10KDa. Regarding cytotoxicity assays, type 1 apitoxin had LD50 of 71.5μg mL-1, while type 2 had LD50 of 191.6μg mL-1. Thus, the region where apitoxin accumulates in the collector does influence the product quality if moisture and protein contents are in accordance with the standards recommended in specific legislation, and so it can be commercialized by the beekeeper.

RESUMO: A apitoxina é o veneno produzido pelas abelhas, um composto químico complexo, rico em substâncias proteicas e com efeito farmacológico. Com objetivo de comparar a qualidade da apitoxina extraída em apiário em relação ao teor de umidade, análise das proteínas e ensaio de citotoxicidade frente Artemia salina L. este trabalho foi realizado. A apitoxina denominada neste estudo como tipo 1 foi coletada de placas de vidro na entrada da colmeia, enquanto que a denominada tipo 2, coletada a partir dos resíduos acumulados nas varetas coletoras e tratada com lavagem em água destilada. As apitoxinas apresentaram diferenças significativas (P>0,05) em relação ao perfil proteico, sendo a tipo 1 com maior teor (77,8%) que a tipo 2 (51,9%) e apresentou bandas de polipeptídios reveladas possuindo mais de 50% de seus componentes nitrogenados com peso molecular abaixo de 10KDa. Quanto aos ensaios de citotoxicidade, a apitoxina tipo 1 apresentou DL50 de 71,5µg mL-1 e a tipo 2 DL50 191,6µg mL-1. Assim, a região onde se acumula a apitoxina no coletor influencia na qualidade do produto, mas apresenta teores de umidade e proteína de acordo com padrões preconizados em legislação especifica, podendo ser comercializada pelo apicultor.

Bioactivity of plant extracts on the larval and pupal stages of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidea)

Introduction Aedes aegypti is responsible for the transmission of the dengue and yellow fever viruses. This study evaluated the effects of extracts from Cnidosculos phyllacanthus, Ricinus communis, and Coutarea hexandra on the developmental periods of A.aegypti larvae and pupae. Crude extracts of C. phyllacanthus and C. hexandra and oil from R. communis and C. phyllacanthus were used. Methods Bioassays of the larvicidal and pupicidal effects of these products at different concentrations and times of exposure were evaluated. The lethal and sublethal effects were determined using different concentrations in larvicidal tests. Mortality data were evaluated by Probit analysis to determine the LC50 and LC90 values. Results The vegetable oils from C. phyllacanthus and R. communis demonstrated greater efficiency for larval control with an LC50=0.28µl/mL and an LC90=1.48µl/mL and LC50=0.029µl/mL and a LC90=0.26µl/mL, respectively. In pupal tests toxic effects for all insects were verified after exposure to the products at significant LC50 and LC90 values for 24 and 48h. The effects of sublethal concentrations of C. phyllacanthus (oil) were more effective on the insects. Conclusions The vegetables oils from C. phyllacanthus and R. communis demonstrated greater potential from the control of different developmental periods in the life cycle of this insect. .

Análise das proteínas e estudo reológico dos isolados proteicos das amêndoas da faveleira (Cnidosculus phyllacanthus (Mart.) Pax. et K. Hoffm.) com e sem espinhos / Analysis on rheological properties of proteins isolated from nuts from faveleira trees (Cnidosculus phyllacanthus (Mart.) Pax. et K. Hoffm.) with and without thorns

A faveleira possui amêndoas com potencial em óleos e proteínas alimentares e é encontrada no Nordeste brasileiro, principalmente nas regiões do sertão e caatinga. As proteínas contidas nas amêndoas das variedades da faveleira com (FCE) e sem (FSE) espinhos foram isoladas, classificadas e estudadas quanto à viscosidade para o seu possível uso como alternativo ingrediente alimentar. As sementes de ambas variedades apresentaram elevadas concentrações proteicas com, respectivamente, 26,20% e 30,70%. Quando desengorduradas, estas passaram a 57,55 e 63,00%. A fração de globulina apresentou-se mais expressiva (63,37 e 63,91%). O isolado proteico apresentou teores de proteínas solúveis de 81,08% e 90,02%. Quando analisadas por eletroforese, apareceram quatro subunidades na faixa de PM de 40,8 a 20,2 kDa para a amêndoa da FCE e sete subunidades na faixa de 60,5 a 21,1 kDa para a da FSE. Quanto à viscosidade, foram analisadas as concentrações de 1, 3, 5 e 7% de isolado proteico e observou-se uma relação de dependência positiva da viscosidade com a concentração de proteína. O isolado proteico da FSE mostrou maior viscosidade que a de FCE. Como a faveleira possui alto teor de proteína, independentemente da sua variedade, sugere-se a sua possível utilização como ingrediente em formulações alimentícias.

Faveleira grows throughout the caatinga biosphere in the Brazilian Northeast region. Its nuts contain potential nourishing oils and proteins. The proteins in nuts from faveleira with (FWT) and without thorns (FWOT) were classified, and the proteins viscosity was analyzed at different conditions and concentrations; also itsuse as an alternative food ingredient was evaluated. The nuts from both varieties of faveleira showed anelevated protein concentration of 26.2 and 30.70%, respectively; after removing the fat matter, the proteinscontents turned 57.5 and 63.0%, respectively. The protein classification according to its solubility wasperformed in defatted nuts, and the globulin fraction exhibited meaningful concentrations (63.3 and 63.9%,respectively). The nut of both faveleira varieties showed 81.0 and 90.0% of soluble proteins, respectively. By electrophoresis, the nuts from FWT showed four protein sub-units with MW ranging from 20.2 to 40.8 kDa, and seven protein sub-units ranging from 21.1 to 60.5 kDa in nuts from FWOT. Protein solutions at 1, 3, 5 e 7% were analyzed on viscosity, and a positive dependence correlation between viscosity and protein concentration was observed. The proteins in nuts from FWT showed higher viscosity than thosefrom FWOT. Owing to the high protein concentration, the faveleira’s nuts might be used in food formulas.