Effects of Gender and Geographical Origin on the Chemical Composition and Antiradical Activity of Baccharis myriocephala and Baccharis trimera.

This study aimed to characterize and compare essential oils and ethyl acetate fractions obtained in basic and acidic conditions from both male and female Baccharis species (Baccharis myriocephala and Baccharis trimera) from two different Brazilian regions. Samples were characterized according to their chemical compositions and antiradical activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Principal component analysis (PCA) provided a clear separation regarding the chemical composition of essential oils from the samples obtained from different regions by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with flame-ionization detection (GC-MS-FID). PCA also revealed that gender and region of plant collections did not influence the chemical composition and antiradical activity of ethyl acetate fractions, which was corroborated with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) data. High performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) identified significant quantities of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the fractions obtained in basic and acidic fractions, respectively. The obtained results clearly demonstrated that the geographical region of plant collection influenced the chemical composition of essential oils from the studied Baccharis species. Moreover, the obtained fractions were constituted by several antiradical compounds, which reinforced the usage of these species in folk medicine.

A Bioguided Approach for the Screening of Antibacterial Compounds Isolated From the Hydroalcoholic Extract of the Native Brazilian Bee's Propolis Using Mollicutes as a Model.

Nature is a vast source of medicinal substances, including propolis, which has been extensively investigated. Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees from the exudates of plants that they collect and modify in their jaws; it is a rich and complex matrix with secondary metabolites of diverse botanical origins. The objective of this study was to apply an in vitro bioguided approach using as a model system the mollicutes with a sample of propolis from the Brazilian native bee Melipona quadrifasciata (mandaçaia) in order to identify potential new molecules with antimicrobial activity. A crude hydroalcoholic extract was obtained and submitted to liquid-liquid partitioning with solvents of different polarities, generating four different fractions: aqueous, dichloromethane, butanol, and ethyl acetate fractions. The antimollicute activity assays served as a basis for the bioguided fractionation. The dichloromethane fraction was the most promising, exhibiting a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 µg/mL against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. After purification by column liquid chromatography, a subfraction presenting MIC of 15.6 µg/mL against Mycoplasma genitalium was highlighted. The fractions were also tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS), several volatile compounds were identified in the non-polar fractions of this propolis. However, the more purified molecules had no better antimollicute activity than their original subfraction. Apparently, the synergism among its compounds is largely responsible for the antibacterial activity of the propolis of this native Brazilian bee.

A multi-parametric study of the interaction between the Parati river and Babitonga Bay in terms of water quality.

The Parati River contributes to the Babitonga Bay water complex, but the contents of the bay also influence the river during periods of inverted currents. In this study, the water quality along four stretches of the Parati River and Babitonga Bay was evaluated using chemical (physico-chemical and chromatographic analysis), microbiological (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) and ecotoxicological (Lumistox) methods to assess the reciprocal influence of the waters of this river-bay system. In addition, the most appropriate type of analysis for the monitoring of the estuarine region of the Parati River was identified. The results of six sampling campaigns showed that the type of contaminants and their levels varied temporally and spatially and thus the water quality also changed. Anthropogenic activity, such as banana cultivation and the release of sewage into the water system, is the primary cause of the contamination that affects the quality of the water in the Parati River estuary, which is a crucial ecological niche for the reproduction of various marine species. The ecotoxicity tests with Aliivibrio fischeri conducted to evaluate the water quality showed an integrative response, and the ecotoxicity data indicated that the Parati River does not have a significant influence on the water quality of Babitonga Bay.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils from male and female specimens of Baccharis punctulata (Asteraceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baccharis punctulata (Asteraceae), popularly known as "Chíllka saru saru" in Bolivia, has been used by rural communities in Bustillo Province of the Potosi Department for treatment of asthma, luxations and contusions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from leaves of female (BPF) and male (BPM) specimens and evaluate their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chemical composition analyses of Baccharis punctulata essential oils isolated by hidrodistillation from leaves of male and female specimens were performed by GC-FID-MS. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the model of TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) induced ear edema, and the polymorphonuclear cell migration was evaluated by mieloperoxidase (MPO) and analyzed histologically. To measure the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the inflamed tissue, the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used. The chemical in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oils was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. RESULTS: The chemical analysis showed high proportion of sesquiterpenes in the volatiles samples obtained from BPM, such as δ-elemene (14.29%), germacrene D (11.29%) and bicyclogermacrene (10.90%), and in the sample from BPF, bicyclogermacrene (42.44%), germacrene D (21.18%) and ß-caryophyllene (14.06%). A statistical difference (p < 0.05) on chemical composition between both essential oils was observed. Topical administration of both BPM and BPF essential oils was able to inhibit the formation of TPA-induced edema in the treated groups. Isolated administration of TPA promoted an increase in MPO enzyme activity, and inhibition of the increase of MPO activity was observed when animals were treated with BFP at concentrations of 0.1 mg/ear (13.69 ±â€¯0.20%), 0.3 mg/ear (22.35 ±â€¯0.11%), and 1.0 mg/ear (44.98 ±â€¯0.27%). Topical treatment with BPM was able to inhibit MPO activity at 22.40 ±â€¯0.29% (0.1 mg/ear), 36.49 ±â€¯0.07% (0.3 mg/ear) and 52.19 ±â€¯0.28% (1.0 mg/ear). The positive control of dexamethasone (DEXA, 0.1 mg/ear) was able to revert the increase in the enzymatic activity of MPO caused by TPA (65.16%). Histological analysis showed that topical application of TPA promoted intense cellular infiltration. This inflammatory parameter was reduced with the topical application of the BPF and BPM oil samples as well as with DEXA. The results observed in the ROS and DPPH tests suggest that both samples were able to reduce the inflammatory cells influx and have in vitro antioxidant properties, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents, for the first time, the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from leaves of male and female specimens of Baccharis punctulata, and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The results presented by the volatile samples in our biotests support traditional uses of this plant species.

Seasonal chemical composition of an unexplored essential oil of Eugenia brevistyla / Composición química estacional de un aceite esencial no explorado de Eugenia brevistyla

This study describes the qualitative and quantitative seasonal analysis of the essential oils from an unexplored plant Eugenia brevistyla, native from Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest and Semidecidual Forest. Analysis by GC-FID and GC-MS allowed the identification of 28 compounds. The largest fraction corresponds to oxygenated sesquiterpenes in all seasons. The major compound was E-nerolidol in all seasons, being higher in winter (83.14%) and lower in spring (69.6%). The second major compound was byciclogermacrene in the spring and in the summer essential oils. Alloaromadendrene and spathulenol were the second major compounds in autumn and winter, respectively. Sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons showed higher variation along the year (58%) than oxygenated sesquiterpenes (2%). No monoterpenes were found in the analyzed essential oils.

Este estudio describe el análisis estacional cualitativo y cuantitativo del aceite esencial de la planta inexplorada Eugenia brevistyla, nativa de la Selva Tropical Atlántica dey del Bosque Semidecidual de Brasil. El análisis por GC-FID y GC-MS permitió la identificación de 28 compuestos. La fracción más grande corresponde a sesquiterpenos oxigenados en todas las estaciones. El compuesto principal fue E-nerolidol en todas las estaciones, siendo más alto en invierno (83.14%) y más bajo en la primavera (69.6%). El segundo compuesto principal fue biciclogermacreno en los aceites esenciales de la primavera y del verano. El aloaromadendreno y el espatulenol fueron los segundos compuestos principales en otoño e invierno, respectivamente. Los hidrocarburos sesquiterpénicos mostraron una mayor variación a lo largo del año (58%) que los sesquiterpenos oxigenados (2%). No se encontraron monoterpenos en los aceites esenciales analizados.

Evaluation of phenolic compounds and lipid-lowering effect of Morus nigra leaves extract.

Morus nigra L. (Moraceae) is a tree known as black mulberry and the leaves are used in folk medicine in the treatment of diabetes, high cholesterol and menopause symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the M. nigra leaves phytochemical profile in different extractions and the hypolipidemic effect of the infusion comparing to the fenofibrate. Morus nigra infusion (MN) showed higher amounts of phenolics and flavonoids (83.85 mg/g and 79.96 µg/g, respectively), as well as antioxidant activity (83.85%) than decoction or hydromethanolic extracts. Although, decoction showed the best result for ascorbic acid (4.35 mg/100 g) than hydromethanolic or infusion (2.51 or 2.13 mg/100 g, respectively). The phenolic acids gallic, chlorogenic and caffeic and the flavonoids quercetin, rutin and catechin were found in the M. nigra extracts. Hyperlipidemic rats treated with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg of MN decreased serum cholesterol, triglycerides and normalized lipoproteins. Furthermore, MN inhibited lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and brain of hyperlipidemic rats. This study provides evidence that M. nigra leaves extracts are rich in polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acid, which normalized hyperlipidemic disturbance. The results suggest a potential therapeutic effect of the M. nigra leaves infusion on dislipidemic condition and related oxidative stress.

Evaluation of phenolic compounds and lipid-lowering effect of Morus nigra leaves extract

ABSTRACT Morus nigra L. (Moraceae) is a tree known as black mulberry and the leaves are used in folk medicine in the treatment of diabetes, high cholesterol and menopause symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the M. nigra leaves phytochemical profile in different extractions and the hypolipidemic effect of the infusion comparing to the fenofibrate. Morus nigra infusion (MN) showed higher amounts of phenolics and flavonoids (83.85 mg/g and 79.96 µg/g, respectively), as well as antioxidant activity (83.85%) than decoction or hydromethanolic extracts. Although, decoction showed the best result for ascorbic acid (4.35 mg/100 g) than hydromethanolic or infusion (2.51 or 2.13 mg/100 g, respectively). The phenolic acids gallic, chlorogenic and caffeic and the flavonoids quercetin, rutin and catechin were found in the M. nigra extracts. Hyperlipidemic rats treated with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg of MN decreased serum cholesterol, triglycerides and normalized lipoproteins. Furthermore, MN inhibited lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and brain of hyperlipidemic rats. This study provides evidence that M. nigra leaves extracts are rich in polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acid, which normalized hyperlipidemic disturbance. The results suggest a potential therapeutic effect of the M. nigra leaves infusion on dislipidemic condition and related oxidative stress.

Naphthochromenes and Related Constituents from the Tubers of Sinningia allagophylla.

Chemical investigation of the tubers of Sinningia allagophylla led to the isolation of two new chromenes, (2S)-12-hydroxylapachenole (1) and (3R)-3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4-oxo-8-methoxylapachenole (2), and three new dimeric chromenes, allagophylldimers A-C (3-5). Thirteen known compounds, 6-methoxy-7,8-benzocoumarin (6), lapachenole, 8-methoxylapachenole, tectoquinone, 7-hydroxytectoquinone, dunniol, α-dunnione, dunnione, 8-hydroxydunnione, aggregatin E, cedrol, oleanolic acid, and halleridone, were also identified. 6-Methoxy-7,8-benzocoumarin (6) has been isolated for the first time from a natural source.

Chemical composition and evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from leaves of Eugenia platysema.

This study describes the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition and evaluates the antibacterial activity of essential oil from Eugenia platysema leaves. Analysis by GC-FID and GC-MS allowed the identification of 22 compounds. Different from the other species of the Eugenia genus, the major compound found in the essential oil was the diterpene phytol (66.05%), being this the first report of the presence of this compound in the essential oils from Eugenia genus. The sesquiterpene elixene was the second most concentrated compound in the studied essential oil (9.16%). The essential oil from E. platysema was tested for its antibacterial activity against cell-walled bacteria and mollicute strains of clinical interest using the microdilution broth assay. The results showed that the essential oil of E. platysema was inactive until 1000 µg mL(-1) against tested bacteria.

Antimycoplasmic activity and seasonal variation of essential oil of Eugenia hiemalis Cambess. (Myrtaceae).

The purpose of this work was to study the chemical composition and antimycoplasmic and anticholinesterase activities of the essential oil of Eugenia hiemalis leaves collected throughout the year. A total of 42 compounds were identified by CG, and are present in almost every seasons. Sesquiterpenes were dominant (86.01-91.48%), and non-functionalised sesquiterpenes comprised the major fraction, which increased in the summer; monoterpenes were not identified. The major components were spathulenol (5.36-16.06%), δ-cadinene (7.50-15.93%), bicyclogermacrene (5.70-14.24%) and ß-caryophyllene (4.80-9.43%). The highest oil yield was obtained in summer and autumn. Essential oils presented activity against three evaluated Mycoplasma strains, but no activity was observed in the anticholinesterase assay.

Genetic material present in hospital wastewaters: Evaluation of the efficiency of DNA denaturation by ozonolysis and ozonolysis/sonolysis treatments.

Hospital wastewater treatments must ensure that all genetic material is destroyed, since nuclear and extra-nuclear DNA can show antimicrobial resistance and contain recombinant genes, which promote vertical and/or horizontal gene transfer, amplifying the current problem of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. In this study, we investigated whether ozonolysis or ozonolysis/sonolysis in combination can denature genetic material, i.e., destroy the integrity of DNA molecules, present in hospital wastewaters. To achieve this goal, hospital wastewaters were treated by ozonolysis or ozonolysis/sonolysis in combination (at 70 and 100 W L(-1)) and both raw and treated wastewaters were analyzed in terms of disinfection and DNA denaturation efficiency quantified by viable cell counts and by agarose gel electrophoresis. In the ozonolysis treatment, the agarose gel electrophoresis technique showed that the ozone-treated samples contained DNA molecules, while combined ozonolysis/sonolysis destroyed the DNA in a power density-dependent manner (64% at 70 W L(-1) and 81% at 100 W L(-1)). Care must be taken by environmental managers to distinguish disinfection processes from DNA denaturation processes, since these two terms are not synonymous.

Evaluation of seasonal chemical composition, antibacterial, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of essential oil from Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.

This study describes the seasonal composition and the antibacterial, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of the essential oil from Eugenia brasiliensis leaves. Analysis by using GC allowed the identification of 40 compounds. It was observed that the monoterpenes varied more (42%) than the sesquiterpenes (14%), and that the monoterpene hydrocarbons suffered the greatest variation throughout the year (64%). Major compounds were spathulenol in the spring (16.02 ± 0.44%) and summer (18.17 ± 0.41%), τ-cadinol in the autumn (12.83 ± 0.03%) and α-pinene (15.94 ± 0.58%) in the winter. Essential oils were tested for their antibacterial activity, and the best result was obtained from the autumn oil, with MIC = 500 µg mL(- 1) against Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, lipid peroxidation and iron-reducing power assays, as well as the anticholinesterase activity. Both tests showed a weak performance of the essential oils.

Antidepressant-like effects of fractions, essential oil, carnosol and betulinic acid isolated from Rosmarinus officinalis L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of fractions from Rosmarinus officinalis L.: ethyl acetate 1 and 2 (AcOEt1 and 2), hexane (HEX), ethanolic (ET), and essential oil-free (EOF) fractions, as well as essential oil, the isolated compounds carnosol and betulinic acid in the tail suspension test, a predictive test of antidepressant activity. Swiss mice were acutely administered by oral route (p.o.) with fractions, essential oil or isolated compounds, 60 min before the tail suspension test or open-field test. All of them produced a significant antidepressant-like effect: AcOEt1, ET, EOF fractions and essential oil (0.1-100mg/kg, p.o); HEX (0.1-10mg/kg, p.o) and AcOEt2 fraction (0.1-1mg/kg, p.o), carnosol (0.01-0.1mg/kg, p.o.) isolated from the HEX fraction and betulinic acid (10mg/kg, p.o.), isolated from the AcOEt1 and AcOEt2 fractions. No psychostimulant effect was shown in the open-field test, indicating that the effects in the tail suspension test are specific. This study suggests that carnosol and betulinic acid could be responsible for the anti-immobility effect of extracts from R. officinalis.

A comparison between ozonolysis and sonolysis/ozonolysis treatments for the degradation of the cytostatic drugs methotrexate and doxorubicin: Kinetic and efficiency approaches.

Cytostatics are a major class of chemotherapy drugs with great potential to cause genotoxic and/or mutagenic effects in all organisms. Currently, hospital wastewater treatment systems (HWTS) are not able to remove these compounds and they are discharged to the environment. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the oxidative degradation of the cytostatic drugs doxorubicin (DOXO) [(8s,10s)-10-(4-amino-5-hydroxy-6-methyl-tetrahydro-2h-pyran-2-yloxy)-6,8,11-trihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-1-methoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrotetracene-5,12-dione] and methotrexate (METHO) {N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6-pteridinyl)methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid} by ozonolysis alone and using a combined sonolysis/ozonolysis process on bench-scale at different pH values. Besides determining the degradation efficiency, a kinetic approach was applied to determine the reaction order and rate constants for different oxidative processes carried out at pH 7.0, which is the normal pH of hospital wastewater. The results showed that the removal efficiency of these compounds is pH-dependent. A combination of sonolysis and ozonolysis processes is more efficient than the ozonolysis process alone for the degradation of doxorubicin at all pH values, while methotrexate can easily be degraded by ozonolysis alone or sonolysis/ozonolysis methodologies at any pH.

Protected effect of Esenbeckia leiocarpa upon the inflammatory response induced by carrageenan in a murine air pouch model.

UNLABELLED: This study was conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Esenbeckia leiocarpa against the inflammation caused by the carrageenan using a murine air pouch model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effects of the crude hydroalcoholic extract (CHE), fractions (n-hexane (Hex) and ethyl acetate (AcOEt)), subfractions (polar (Pol) and nonpolar (Nonpol)), or isolated compounds (dihydrocorynantheol (DHC) and beta-sitosterol (ß-Sit)) isolated from CHE upon leukocytes, exudate, myeloperoxidase (MPO) adenosine-deaminase (ADA), nitrate/nitrite (NO(x)), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and inhibitory kappa-B-alpha (IκB-α) degradation were evaluated. The CHE, Alk, Pol, Nonpol, DHC and ß-Sit, inhibited leukocytes, exudate, MPO and ADA, NO(x), IL-1ß, and TNF-α (P<0.05). The Hex and AcOEt fractions inhibited all of the proinflammatory parameters, except the exudate. The compound DHC prevented the IκB-α degradation. CONCLUSION: E. leiocarpa possesses important anti-inflammatory properties. These inhibitory effects occurred along with the downregulation of nitric oxide, IL-1ß and TNF-α levels. The isolated compounds DHC and ß-Sit may be partially responsible for these anti-inflammatory effects.

Lotus corniculatus regulates the inflammation induced by bradykinin in a murine model of pleurisy.

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the crude extract (CE), the fractions derived from hexane (HEX), ethyl acetate (AcOEt), n-butanol (BuOH), and aqueous (Aq) and isolated compounds (oleanolic acid or kaempferitrin) obtained from the aerial parts of Lotus corniculatus var. São Gabriel in mice with bradykinin-induced pleurisy. Swiss mice were used for the In Vivo experiments. Inflammatory parameters [leukocytes; exudate concentrations; myeloperoxidase and adenosine-deaminase activities, and nitric oxide and interleukin-17 levels] were evaluated 4 h after pleurisy induction. The crude extract of Lotus corniculatus, its derived fractions, and isolated compounds inhibited leukocytes and the exudate. This inhibitory effect was associated with decreased of myeloperoxidase and adenosine-deaminase activities, nitric oxide products, and IL-17A levels. Lotus corniculatus presented important anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting leukocyte influx and exudate concentrations. This effect was directly related to the inhibition of nitric oxide and interleukinin17 levels. Oleanolic acid and kaempferitrin can account for these anti-inflammatory effects.

Estudo da adaptação da espécie Piper hispidinervum C. DC. (pimenta longa) à região do Vale do Itajaí - SC, através da composição química do óleo essencial obtido por hidrodestilação por micro-ondas e convencional / Adaptation studies of Piper hispidinervum C. DC. (long pepper) species in Itajaí Valley - SC, by the chemical composition of essential oil obtained by microwave and traditional hydrodistillation

Neste trabalho, a espécie Piper hispidinervum (pimenta longa), endêmica do estado do Acre, foi cultivada na região do Vale do Itajaí - SC, e sua adaptação foi avaliada em relação à composição química do óleo essencial obtido pelos processos de hidrodestilação convencional e por micro-ondas. O safrol foi identificado como o constituinte majoritário do óleo essencial desta espécie, o qual foi empregado como parâmetro de avaliação da capacidade de adaptação desta planta à região sul do Brasil, já que a proposta abrange avaliar a utilização desta espécie como fonte alternativa de safrol, em substituição a Canela Sassafrás (Ocotea odorifera), espécie muito explorada até a década de 90 nesta região. As amostras da planta foram obtidas de diferentes regiões do Acre e foram cultivadas na estação experimental da EPAGRI - Itajaí-SC. O óleo essencial das folhas forneceu um teor médio de safrol entre 76,6% e 89,9%. A análise por CG-DIC e CG-EM do óleo com maior concentração de safrol, apresentou os seguintes constituintes: safrol (89,93%), α-terpineno (0,35%), (E)-ß-ocimeno (0,54%), terpinoleno (3,10%), valenceno (0,21%), (Z)-ß-bisaboleno (1,70%) e guaiol (0,29%).

In this work a Piper hispidinervum specie (long pepper), endemic from the Acre state, was grown in Itajaí Valley in Santa Catarina State, and its adaptation was evaluated in relation to chemical composition of essential oil obtained by traditional hydrodistillation and microwave hydrodistillation. The safrole was identified as the major constituent of the essential oil of this specie, which was used as a measure of evaluation of the adaptation capacity of this plant in the southern Brazil, as the proposal includes the evaluation of the usage of this specie as an alternative source of safrole, replacing Sassafras Cinnamon (Ocotea odorifera), widely explored specie in this region until the 90's decade. The plant samples were obtained from different regions of the Acre state and were cultivated at the experimental station of EPAGRI Itajaí - SC. The essential oil of the leaves provided an average content of safrole between 76.6% and 89.9%. The analysis by GC-FID and GC-MS of the oil with higher safrole content, presented the following relative constitution: safrole (89.93%), α-terpinene (0.35%), (E)-ß-ocimene (0.54%), terpinolene (3.10%), valencene (0.21%), (Z)-ß-bisabolene (1.70%) and guaiol (0.29%).

Composição e variação sazonal do óleo essencial de Myrcia obtecta (O. Berg) Kiaersk. var. obtecta, Myrtaceae / Composition and seasonal variation of essential oils of Myrcia obtecta (O. Berg) Kiaersk. var. obtecta, Myrtaceae

Os óleos essenciais, isolados por hidrodestilação de folhas e flores de Myrcia obtecta (O. Berg) Kiaersk. var. obtecta, Myrtaceae, coletadas a cada dois meses em Curitiba, Paraná, durante o período de outubro/2005 a agosto/2006, foram analisados por CG e CG/EM. Os óleos das folhas foram caracterizados pelo elevado conteúdo de sesquiterpenos cíclicos (cerca de 70 por cento) e quantidades variáveis de monoterpenos (5,6-16,7 por cento), compostos alifáticos (0,4-5,5 por cento) e salicilato de metila (0,1-1,5 por cento). Foram identificados 55 componentes, sendo que trans-calameneno (17,029,3 por cento) foi o componente majoritário em todas as amostras. Não houve mudanças significativas na composição, excepto em outubro (floração) quando α-terpineol e trans-calameneno atingiram os maiores níveis (11,2 por cento e 29,3 por cento, respectivamente). O óleo das flores contém salicilato de metila (89 por cento) como constituinte majoritário.

The essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from leaves and flowers of Myrcia obtecta (O. Berg) Kiaersk. var. obtecta, Myrtaceae, collected bimonthly in Curitiba, Paraná state, Brazil, from October/2005 to August/2006 were analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. Fifty-five components were identified in the leaf oils, which were characterized by predominance of cyclic sesquiterpenes (around 70 percent) and variable amounts of monoterpenes (5.616.7 percent), aliphatic compounds (0.4-5.5 percent) and methyl salicylate (0.1-1.5 percent). The major component in all samples was trans-calamenene (17.0-29.3 percent). The composition did not show significant seasonal variation, except in October (flowering) when α-terpineol and trans-calamenene peaked (11.2 percent and 29.3 percent, respectively). The flower oil was characterized by high content of methyl salicylate (89 percent).

Use of ozone in a pilot-scale plant for textile wastewater pre-treatment: physico-chemical efficiency, degradation by-products identification and environmental toxicity of treated wastewater.

In this study, ozonation of raw textile wastewater was conducted in a pilot-scale plant and the efficiency of this treatment was evaluated based on the parameters color removal and soluble organic matter measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD), at two pH values (9.1 and 3.0). Identification of intermediate and final degradation products of ozone pre-treatment, as well as the evaluation of the final ecotoxicity (Lumistox test) of pre-treated wastewater, was also carried out. After 4h of ozone treatment with wastewater recirculation (flow rate of 0.45 m(3)h(-1)) the average efficiencies for color removal were 67.5% (pH 9.1) and 40.6% (pH 3.0), while COD reduction was 25.5% (pH 9.1) and 18.7% (pH 3.0) for an ozone production capacity of 20 g h(-1). Furthermore, ozonation enhances the biodegradability of textile wastewater (BOD(5)/COD ratios) by a factor of up to 6.8-fold. A GC-MS analysis of pre-treated textile wastewater showed that some products were present at the end of the pre-treatment time. In spite of this fact, the bacterial luminescence inhibition test (Lumistox test) showed a significant toxicity reduction on comparing the raw and treated textile wastewater. In conclusion, pre-ozonation of textile wastewater is an important step in terms of improving wastewater biodegradability, as well as reducing acute ecotoxicity, which should be removed completely through sequential biological treatment.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils of Eugenia species.

The essential oils of the leaves of Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia beaurepaireana, and Eugenia umbelliflora were analyzed by GC-MS. The major compounds found in the oil of E. brasiliensis were spathulenol (12.6%) and tau-cadinol (8.7%), of E. beaurepaireana were beta-caryophyllene (8.0%) and bicyclogermacrene (7.2%), and of E. umbelliflora were viridiflorol (17.7%) and beta-pinene (13.2%). These oils were assayed to determine their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. All of the oils analyzed showed antibacterial activity, ranging from moderate to strong, which was most accentuated for the E. umbelliflora and E. brasiliensis oils, which strongly inhibited the growth of S. aureus giving values of MIC = 119.2 and 156.2 microg/mL, respectively.