ABSTRACT
Chagas disease is a Neglected Tropical Disease with limited and ineffective therapy. In a search for new anti-trypanosomal compounds, we investigated the potential of the metabolites from the bacteria living in the corals and sediments of the southeastern Brazilian coast. Three corals, Tubastraea coccinea, Mussismilia hispida, Madracis decactis, and sediments yielded 11 bacterial strains that were fully identified by MALDI-ToF/MS or gene sequencing, resulting in six genera—Vibrio, Shewanella, Mesoflavibacter, Halomonas, Bacillus, and Alteromonas. To conduct this study, EtOAc extracts were prepared and tested against Trypanosoma cruzi. The crude extracts showed IC50 values ranging from 15 to 51 μg/mL against the trypomastigotes. The bacterium Mesoflavibacter zeaxanthinifaciens was selected for fractionation, resulting in an active fraction (FII) with IC50 values of 17.7 μg/mL and 23.8 μg/mL against the trypomastigotes and amastigotes, respectively, with neither mammalian cytotoxicity nor hemolytic activity. Using an NMR and ESI-HRMS analysis, the FII revealed the presence of unsaturated iso-type fatty acids. Its lethal action was investigated, leading to a protein spectral profile of the parasite altered after treatment. The FII also induced a rapid permeabilization of the plasma membrane of the parasite, leading to cell death. These findings demonstrate that these unsaturated iso-type fatty acids are possible new hits against T. cruzi.
ABSTRACT
Os cereais são uma importante fonte alimentícia e econômica, dentre eles se destaca o trigo e sua farinha. Durante o cultivo, visando o controle de pragas, frequentemente são utilizados os agrotóxicos, porém seu uso abusivo pode acarretar danos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de resíduos de agrotóxicos em amostras de farinha de trigo comercializadas no estado de São Paulo, utilizando o método QuEChERS (Rápido, Fácil, Barato, Efetivo, Robusto e Seguro) modificado, seguido de análise por CG-EM/EM e CLUE-EMAR para identificação e quantificação. No total, 124 ingredientes ativos (i.a.) estavam dentro dos critérios de aceitação para linearidade, limites de detecção e quantificação, exatidão e precisão (intervalo de confiança de 95%; k = 2). Os resultados de 25 amostras indicaram a presença de bifentrina, fenitrotiona, clorpirifós, deltametrina, lambda-cialotrina e pirimifós-metílico em farinha de trigo comum e os quatro últimos i.a. também foram detectados em farinha de trigo orgânica. O pirimifósmetílico foi detectado em 92% das amostras. Os i.a. encontrados nas amostras estavam abaixo do Limite Máximo de Resíduos (LMR) estabelecidos pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) para farinha de trigo e as amostras foram consideradas próprias para o consumo (AU).
Cereals are an important economic factor and food source, which wheat and its flour stand out. Pesticides are often employed to control harmful organisms, but their abusive use can cause damage to human health and the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of pesticide residues in wheat flour samples commercialized in the state of São Paulo Brazil, using the modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method, followed by GC-MS/MS and UHPLC-HRMS analysis for identification and quantification. Thus, 124 active ingredients (a.i.) were within acceptable criteria for linearity, limits of detection and quantification, accuracy (trueness), and precision (95% confidence level; k = 2). The results for 25 wheat flour samples showed the presence of bifenthrin, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and pirimiphos-methyl, and the last four a.i. were also detected in organic wheat flour. Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in 92% of all samples. All compounds were found below the Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) established by Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) for wheat flour and the samples were considered suitable for consumption (AU).
