Cadmium toxicity on seed germination and initial growth of chia

In recent years, there has been a growing concern related to soil and water contamination due to the constant dispersal of toxic metals. In addition to their ecotoxicological potential, these elements exhibit a cumulative character that favors their permanence in soil and passage to living organisms, which can lead to an ecological imbalance. Among toxic metals, cadmium (Cd) is an obstacle to agriculture because it can adversely affect food quality and human health, as well as diminish plant growth and productivity. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the toxicity of cadmium on seed germination and initial growth of chia. The ecotoxicological effects of four Cd concentrations (15; 30; 45; and 60 mg L-1) were evaluated. The response variables were germination percentage, first count, germination speed index, total length, shoot length, root length, seedling dry mass, and tolerance index. It is concluded that the presence and accumulation of Cd in the culture substrate played an inhibitory role in seed germination and initial seedling growth of chia starting at 15 mg L-1. On the other hand, no significant effect was observed for the treatments in relation to dry mass of the chia seedlings.

Toxicological studies of momordica charantia linn seed extracts in male mice / Estudios toxicológicos de los extractos de la semilla de Momordica charantia Linn en ratones macho

An attempt to find out the male contraceptive molecule of plant origin, the extracts of seeds of Momordica charantia were tested in male mice. Petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanolic extracts of Momordica charantia were administered at the dose level of 25mg/100gm body weight to the albino mice for 48 days intraperitoneally. All the extracts showed antispermatogenic effect as the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa were decreased. The increase in the weight of epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicle and vas deferens indicates clearly the androgenic property of these extracts. After subjecting to preliminary phytochemical screening ethanol extract showed positive tests for alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, oils and fats. Out of the three extracts tested, the ethanol extract seems to be more potent in its contraceptive and androgenic activities.

En un intento por descubrir la molécula de anticoncepción masculina de origen vegetal, fueron probados los extractos de semillas de Momordica charantia en ratones machos. Extractos de éter de petróleo, cloroformo y etanol de Momordica charantia fueron administrados en dosis de 25mg/100g de peso corporal a ratones albinos de 48 días por vía intraperitoneal. Todos los extractos mostraron un efecto antiespermatogénicos, con reducción del número de espermatogonias, espermatocitos, espermátidas y espermatozoides. El aumento de peso del epidídimo, próstata, vesículas seminales y conductos deferentes indica claramente la propiedad androgénica de estos extractos. Después de someter el extracto de etanol a la detección preliminar fitoquímica se observaron resultados positivos para alcaloides, flavonoides, glucósidos, fenoles, taninos, aceites y grasas. De los tres extractos probados, el extracto de etanol parece ser más potente en sus actividades de anticonceptivas y androgénicas.

Chemical composition, toxicity and larvicidal and antifungal activities of Persea americana (avocado) seed extracts / Composição química, toxicidade, atividade larvicida e antifúngica de extratos de semente de Persea americana (abacate)

The present study had the aim of testing the hexane and methanol extracts of avocado seeds, in order to determine their toxicity towards Artemia salina, evaluate their larvicidal activity towards Aedes aegypti and investigate their in vitro antifungal potential against strains of Candida spp, Cryptococcus neoformans and Malassezia pachydermatis through the microdilution technique. In toxicity tests on Artemia salina, the hexane and methanol extracts from avocado seeds showed LC50 values of 2.37 and 24.13mg mL-1 respectively. Against Aedes aegypti larvae, the LC50 results obtained were 16.7mg mL-1 for hexane extract and 8.87mg mL-1 for methanol extract from avocado seeds. The extracts tested were also active against all the yeast strains tested in vitro, with differing results such that the minimum inhibitory concentration of the hexane extract ranged from 0.625 to 1.25mg L-¹, from 0.312 to 0.625mg mL-1 and from 0.031 to 0.625mg mL-1, for the strains of Candida spp, Cryptococcus neoformans and Malassezia pachydermatis, respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration for the methanol extract ranged from 0.125 to 0.625mg mL-1, from 0.08 to 0.156mg mL-1 and from 0.312 to 0.625mg mL-1, for the strains of Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans and Malassezia pachydermatis, respectively.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo testar os extratos hexânico e metanólico das sementes do abacate, a fim de determinar sua toxicidade em Artemia salina, avaliar a atividade larvicida frente ao Aedes aegypti, bem como verificar o potencial antifúngico in vitro contra cepas de Candida spp, Cryptococcus neoformans e Malassezia pachydermatis, através da técnica de microdiluição. Os extratos hexânico e metanólico das sementes de abacate apresentaram no teste de toxicidade frente à Artemia salina, valores de LC50 2,37 e 24,13mg L-1, respectivamente; contra as larvas do Aedes aegypti os resultados obtidos foram LC50 16,7mg L-1 para o extrato hexânico e 8,87mg L-1 para o extrato metanólico das sementes do abacate. Os extratos testados também foram ativos contra todas as cepas de leveduras, testadas in vitro, apresentando diferentes resultados, onde o MIC do extrato hexânico variou de 0,625 a 1,25mg mL-1, de 0,312 a 0,625mg mL-1 e de 0,031 a 0,625mg mL-1 para as cepas de Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans e Malassezia pachydermatis, respectivamente. O intervalo de MIC para o extrato metanólico foi de 0,125 a 0,625mg mL-1, 0,08 a 0,156mg mL-1 e de 0,312 a 0,625mg mL-1, para as exemplares de Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans e Malassezia pachydermatis, respectivamente.

El valor bioquímico y nutricional de las semilla del haba de lima (Phaseolus lunatus) en comparación con las del frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris) / Biochemical and nutritional value of seeds of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) in comparison with those of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris>

Se compara la composición de nutrientes y factores antinutricionales, así como la digestibilidad y crecimiento, en ratas alimentadas con dietas preparadas a base de las semillas de un cultivar negro de Ph. vulgaris, "Tacarigua", y un cultivar negro de Ph. lunatus, "Tapiramo". Los granos cocidos de ambos cultivares se distinguen muy poco en su aspecto, sabor, valor nutricional y aceptabilidad. Las semillas de Ph. vulgaris continen más proteínas y fósforo que las de Ph. lunatus. El puntaje "score" químico para lisina y la disponibilidad de este aminoácido fue mejor en el caso del Ph. lunatus. Las dietas elaboradas con semillas crudas de Ph. lunatus no demostraron ser tóxicas para las ratas luego de 12 días de administrárseles, contrariamente a lo observado con el Ph. vulgaris. Se observa una mejor eficiencia proteínica con las semillas cocidas de Ph. lunatus. Se recomienda la producción del cultivar "Tapiramo" (Ph. lunatus) para autoconsumo de los pequeños agricultores