Biological pilot treatment reduces physicochemical and microbiological parameters of dairy cattle wastewater.

The objectives of the present study were to characterize and evaluate a pilot treatment unit (PTU) for dairy cattle wastewater (DCW) in relation to its efficiency in reducing the physicochemical and microbiological parameters and possible application of this fertilizer in organic production. A PTU was set up, composed of the following elements: a dung pit of 7.8 m3, already in place; a septic tank; a set of anaerobic biological filters comprising an upflow filter and a downward-flow filter filled with fragments PVC corrugated conduit; and two constructed wetland systems (CWSs) of horizontal subsurface flow in two parallel routes (Routes 1 and 2), controlled by means of a flow rate divider box. Route 1 passed through CWS 1 cultivated with cattail (Typha domingensis) and Route 2 passed through CWS 2 cultivated with vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides). To evaluate the treatment stages, biweekly investigations were carried out to collect effluent samples. The results of monitoring, in absolute values, were evaluated by means of the medians and variation coefficients and compared by means of Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test followed by the Student Newman Keuls test. The treatment efficiencies of Routes 1 and 2 were calculated. The influence of vetiver on the removal of nutrients from the DCW was analyzed and the productivity estimate (t.ha-1) was performed. CWS 1 was not able to reduce the organic load indices, but it was able to retain fatty material and sodium. CWS 2 showed a reduction in nitrogenous forms and also for other nutrients, achieving the greatest removal of sodium and greatest decay of fecal contamination indicators, thermotolerant coliforms (56.13%), and E. coli (46.82%).

Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, and Cytotoxic Activities of Chemical Characterized Essential Oil of Chrysopogon zizanioides Roots.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition as well as the antibacterial, antiparasitic, and cytotoxic potentialities of the Brazilian Chrysopogon zizanioides root essential oil (CZ-EO) In addition, CZ-EO cytotoxicity to LLCMK2 adherent epithelial cells was assessed. The major compounds identified in CZ-EO were khusimol (30.0 ± 0.3%), ß-eudesmol (10.8 ± 0.3%), α-muurolene (6.0 ± 0.1%), and patchouli alcohol (5.6 ± 0.2%). CZ-EO displayed optimal antibacterial activity against Prevotella nigrescens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella melaninogenica, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values between 22 and 62.5 µg/mL and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values between 22 and 400 µg/mL. CZ-EO was highly active against the L. amazonensis promastigote and amastigote forms (IC50 = 7.20 and 16.21 µg/mL, respectively) and the T. cruzi trypomastigote form (IC50 = 11.2 µg/mL). Moreover, CZ-EO showed moderate cytotoxicity to LLCMK2 cells, with CC50 = 565.4 µg/mL. These results revealed an interesting in vitro selectivity of CZ-EO toward the L. amazonensis promastigote and amastigote forms (Selectivity Index, SI = 78.5 and 34.8, respectively) and the T. cruzi trypomastigote form (SI = 50.5) compared to LLCMK2 cells. These results showed the promising potential of CZ-EO for developing new antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and antitrypanosomal drugs.

Modeling of productivity and nutrient extraction by the Vetiver and Tifton 85 grasses grown in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity of shoot dry biomass and the capacity of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) extraction by the Vetiver and Tifton 85 grasses when cultivated in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CWs) whose porous medium was saturated with solutions containing different nutrient availability. The grass shoots were cut every 30 days to determine the productivity and N, P and K contents in the plant tissue. Models of productivity and the extraction capacity of each nutrient were obtained as a function of the nutrient concentration. Based on the results obtained, it was verified that the productivity of shoot dry biomass and the extractions of N, P and K by the Vetiver grass increased linearly with the nutrient availability of the nutritive solution. In relation to Tifton 85, quadratic models of productivity and N and K extraction were adjusted. The maximum productivity, N, P and K extraction by Vetiver grass were 513.4, 8.2, 1.9 and 10.39 g m-2 month-1, respectively. In relation to Tifton 85 grass, these values were 739.4, 30.8, 3.0 and 15.59 g m-2 month-1 for productivity, N, P and K extraction, respectively.

Tratamento de águas residuárias de suinocultura em sistemas alagados construídos, com Chrysopogon zizanioides e Polygonum punctatum cultivadas em leito de argila expandida / Swine wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands cultivated with Chrysopogon zizanioides e Polygonum punctatum on expanded clay bed

RESUMO No presente estudo avaliou-se a remoção de demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO), nitrogênio total (NT) e fósforo total (PT) da água residuária de suinocultura (ARS) em sistemas alagados construídos (SACs) de escoamento horizontal subsuperficial, além da contribuição das espécies vegetais cultivadas: Polygonum punctatum (erva-de-bicho) e Chrysopogon zizanioides (capim-vetiver). Foram implantados três SACs, utilizando-se argila expandida como meio suporte, sendo um cultivado com P. punctatum (SACE), outro cultivado com C. zizanioides (SACV) e um mantido como controle, sem cultivo (SACC). Para um tempo de retenção hidráulica nominal (τ) de 3,2 dias, observou-se remoção de DBO, NT e PT, ao longo do período experimental, com eficiências médias de 85, 38 e 51% (SACC), 89, 48 e 69% (SACE) e 81, 36 e 45% (SACV), respectivamente. O melhor desempenho foi observado no SACE. Foram obtidas, em termos de matéria seca, produtividades de 2,79 e 1,91 g m-2 d-1 e remoções de NT de 1,54 e 1,01% e de PT de 0,81 e 1,19%, da carga aplicada, para a erva-de-bicho e o capim-vetiver, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the pollutant removal of swine wastewater in horizontal-flow constructed wetlands (CW) and the contribution of vegetable species Polygonum punctatum (smartweed) and Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver grass). Three CW's were implanted with expanded clay as support bed, one cultivated with P. punctatum (CWE), another cultivated with C. zizanioides (CWV) and one without cultivation, used as control (CWC). Using a nominal hydraulic retention time (τ) of 3.21 days, theaverage removal efficiencies of BOD, NT and PT obtained were 85, 38 e 51% (CWC), 89, 48 e 69% (CWE) and 81, 36 e 45% (CWV), respectively. The best performance was observed on CWE. The dry mass productivities were 2.79 and 1.91 g m-2 d-1. NT removals were 1.54 and 1.01% and PT removals were 0.81 and 1.19%, respectively for Polygonum punctatum and Chrysopogon zizanioides .

Contribution of the root system of vetiver grass towards slope stabilization of the São Francisco River / Contribuição do sistema radicular do capim-vetiver para estabilização do talude do Rio São Francisco

The control of soil erosion along the banks of the São Francisco River requires the use of efficient and economically viable strategies. Soil bioengineering techniques may be an alternative to the conventional methods as they provide good soil stabilization by mechanical reinforcement promoted by the roots. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the root cohesion of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) on slope stabilization in erosion control along the right margin of the São Francisco river. Seedlings of vetiver grass were planted in the riverbank of the Lower São Francisco located in Sergipe State, northeast Brazil, and plants were sampled after two years of growth to evaluate the effect of grass on the shear strength of the soil. The monolith and cylinder method was used to collect roots for the evaluation of Root Density (RL), Root Length Density (RLD), Root Area Ratio (RAR), Root Tensile Strength (TR), and Root Cohesion (CR). Data were submitted to analysis of variance (p 0.05), with polynomial regression analysis. The results show that for RL, RLD, and RAR, the layers of soil at depths of 0-0.10 m had the highest values of 4.84 kg m-3, 12.45 km m-3, 1.66%, respectively. The mean TR was 83 MPa and CR was 528 kPa. Vetiver increases shear strength of the soil and slope stabilization.(AU)

O controle da erosão marginal do Rio São Francisco requer estratégias eficientes e economicamente viáveis. A técnica de bioengenharia de solos pode ser uma alternativa, visto que proporciona maior estabilização do solo pelo efeito do reforço mecânico promovido pelas raízes das plantas. Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a contribuição à coesão do solo da raiz do capim-vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty), na estabilidade do talude para controle da erosão da margem direita do Rio São Francisco. Mudas do capim-vetiver foram plantadas no talude da margem direita do Baixo São Francisco no estado de Sergipe, com amostragem das plantas realizada após dois anos do plantio, a fim de avaliar o efeito da gramínea no aumento da resistência ao cisalhamento do solo. Foram utilizadas a metodologia do monólito e o método do cilindro para coleta de raiz, visando à avaliação da Densidade Radicular (DR), Densidade do Comprimento Radicular (DCR), Razão de Raiz por Área (RAR), Resistência de Raízes à Ruptura (TR) e Coesão da Raiz (CR). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (p 0,05), com análise de regressão polinomial. Os resultados mostram que para DR, DCR e RAR, na camada de 0-0,10 m apresentaram valores mais altos de 4,84 kg m-3, 12,45 km m-3, 1,66%, respectivamente. O TR médio foi de 83 MPa e o CR de 528 kPa. O vetiver favorece o aumento da resistência ao...(AU)

Contribution of the root system of vetiver grass towards slope stabilization of the São Francisco River / Contribuição do sistema radicular do capim-vetiver para estabilização do talude do Rio São Francisco

The control of soil erosion along the banks of the São Francisco River requires the use of efficient and economically viable strategies. Soil bioengineering techniques may be an alternative to the conventional methods as they provide good soil stabilization by mechanical reinforcement promoted by the roots. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the root cohesion of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) on slope stabilization in erosion control along the right margin of the São Francisco river. Seedlings of vetiver grass were planted in the riverbank of the Lower São Francisco located in Sergipe State, northeast Brazil, and plants were sampled after two years of growth to evaluate the effect of grass on the shear strength of the soil. The monolith and cylinder method was used to collect roots for the evaluation of Root Density (RL), Root Length Density (RLD), Root Area Ratio (RAR), Root Tensile Strength (TR), and Root Cohesion (CR). Data were submitted to analysis of variance (p 0.05), with polynomial regression analysis. The results show that for RL, RLD, and RAR, the layers of soil at depths of 0-0.10 m had the highest values of 4.84 kg m-3, 12.45 km m-3, 1.66%, respectively. The mean TR was 83 MPa and CR was 528 kPa. Vetiver increases shear strength of the soil and slope stabilization.

O controle da erosão marginal do Rio São Francisco requer estratégias eficientes e economicamente viáveis. A técnica de bioengenharia de solos pode ser uma alternativa, visto que proporciona maior estabilização do solo pelo efeito do reforço mecânico promovido pelas raízes das plantas. Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a contribuição à coesão do solo da raiz do capim-vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty), na estabilidade do talude para controle da erosão da margem direita do Rio São Francisco. Mudas do capim-vetiver foram plantadas no talude da margem direita do Baixo São Francisco no estado de Sergipe, com amostragem das plantas realizada após dois anos do plantio, a fim de avaliar o efeito da gramínea no aumento da resistência ao cisalhamento do solo. Foram utilizadas a metodologia do monólito e o método do cilindro para coleta de raiz, visando à avaliação da Densidade Radicular (DR), Densidade do Comprimento Radicular (DCR), Razão de Raiz por Área (RAR), Resistência de Raízes à Ruptura (TR) e Coesão da Raiz (CR). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (p 0,05), com análise de regressão polinomial. Os resultados mostram que para DR, DCR e RAR, na camada de 0-0,10 m apresentaram valores mais altos de 4,84 kg m-3, 12,45 km m-3, 1,66%, respectivamente. O TR médio foi de 83 MPa e o CR de 528 kPa. O vetiver favorece o aumento da resistência ao...

Produção de mudas de vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L. ) Roberty) com uso de diferentes substratos / Production of vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L. ) Roberty) plantlets using different substrates

O vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) é uma planta medicinal e aromática originária da Ásia Tropical. O primeiro passo nos estudos agronômicos de uma espécie é a produção de mudas de boa qualidade. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar doses de calcário dolomítico e de fertilizante formulado em diferentes substratos para a produção de mudas de vetiver. No primeiro ensaio testaram-se dois substratos (pó de coco e pó de coco + areia - 3:1), três doses de NPK 3-12-6 (12, 16 e 20 g dm-3) e três dosagens de calcário dolomítico (1, 2 e 4 g dm-3) na produção de mudas do acesso UFS-VET001. No segundo ensaio testou-se o substrato pó de coco (lavado e não lavado), duas doses de NPK 3-12-6 (12 e 24 g dm-3) e dois acessos de vetiver (UFS-VET001 e UFS-VET003). As variáveis avaliadas foram sobrevivência (%), altura de planta (cm), massa seca (g) de lamina foliar e raiz por planta. Para a produção de mudas do acesso UFS-VET001 e UFS-VET003 de vetiver pode-se usar o substrato pó de coco lavado + 12 g dm-3 de NPK 3-12-6 e 1 g dm-3 de calcário dolomítico.

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) is a medicinal and aromatic plant origined from Tropical Asia. The first step of agronomic studies of a species is the production of high quality seedlings or plantlets. The aim of this work was to evaluate doses of limestone and formulated fertilizer in different substrates for the production of vetiver plantlets. In the first experiment we tested three limestone doses (1, 2 and 4 g dm-3), three NPK 3-12-6 doses (12, 16 and 20 g dm-3) and two substrates (coconut dust and coconut dust + sand - 3:1) for production of de plantlets of accession UFS-VET001. At the second essay we the tested the substrate coconut dust (washed and not washed), two NPK 3-12-6 doses (12 and 24 g dm-3) and two vetiver accessions (UFS-VET001 e UFS-VET003). The evaluated variables were survival (%), plant height (cm), dry weight (g) of leaves and roots, and number of tillers per plant. For production of plantlets of vetiver accessions UFS-VET001 and UFS-VET003 we can use the substrate coconut dust + 12 g dm-3 of NPK 3-12-6 and 1 g dm-3 of limestone.

Conservação in vitro de acessos de vetiver / In vitro conservation of vetiver accessions

O vetiver [Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty] é um capim perene pertencente à família Poaceae, cujo óleo essencial extraído das raízes é utilizado amplamente na produção de perfumes. A manutenção de coleções in vitro tem sido considerada como um método alternativo à conservação de germoplasma especialmente para espécies propagadas vegetativamente. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar diferentes meios de cultura e duas condições de temperatura (18° e 25° C) em acessos de vetiver para a obtenção de um protocolo da conservação in vitro sob crescimento lento. Os ensaios foram conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, e foram testados o inibidor de crescimento ABA e diferentes concentrações de sais MS, em três acessos de vetiver (UFS-VET001, UFS-VET002 e UFS-VET003). Os três acessos de vetiver podem ser conservados sob o regime de crescimento lento por um período de 270 dias reduzindo-se a concentração dos sais MS a 25% de sua concentração normal, na temperatura de 18°C.

Vetiver [Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty] is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family which essential oil extracted from the roots is widely used in the perfume industry. In vitro maintenance of collections has been considered as an alternative method for germplasm conservation, especially for species propagated vegetatively. The aim of this work was to evaluate different medium cultures and two temperatures (18º and 25ºC) on vetiver accessions to establish a protocol for in vitro conservation, using the slow growth technique. The essays were conducted in a completely randomized design, and we tested the growth inhibitor ABA and different concentrations of MS salts on three vetiver accessions (UFS-VET001, UFS-VET002 and UFS-VET003). All the three vetiver accessions can be conserved by the slow growth technique for 270 days decreasing the MS salts in the medium to 25% strength and using the temperature of 18ºC.

Phytochemical screening, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Chrysopogon zizanioides essential oil

Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty, Poaceae, is a plant widely used in northeast Brazil in folk medicine for the treatment of various pathological conditions, including inflammatory pain. The present study evaluated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of C. zizanioides essential oil (EO) in rodents. EO was further characterized by GC/MS. The major components of EO were identified as khusimol (19.57%), E-isovalencenol (13.24%), α-vetivone (5.25%), β-vetivone (4.87%) and hydroxy-valencene (4.64%). Following intraperitoneal injection (i.p.), EO at 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of writhes (51.9 and 64.9%, respectively) and the number of paw licks during phase 2 (56.7 and 86.2%, respectively) of a formalin model when compared to control group animals. However, EO-treated mice were ineffective at all doses in hot-plate and rota-rod tests. The EO inhibited the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity in a dose-dependent manner (34.7, 35.4, and 62.5% at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). In the paw edema test, the EO (100 mg/kg) inhibited all three phases of the edema equally well, suggesting that the EO has a non-selective inhibitory effect on the release or actions of these mediators. Our results suggest possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the EO.