Regulation mechanism of magnetic field on pectinase and its preliminary application in postharvest sapodilla (Manilkara zapota).

In this study, regulation mechanism of magnetic field on pectinase was investigated and it was preliminarily applied in postharvest sapodilla. Results indicated pectinase activity decreased by 44 % when treated by magnetic field (3 mT, 0.5 h) with kinetic parameters Vmax/Km decreasing from 0.799 to 0.366 min. The optimal temperature (48 °C) and pH (4.8) of pectinase was not altered by magnetic field but Ca2+ at 0.05 mol/L strengthened its regulation effect. Ultraviolet and fluorescence spectra suggested tyrosine and tryptophan residues in treated pectinase became more hydrophobic while opposite in phenylalanine. CO, CNH, COO- groups in pectinase were also influenced, resulting in decreased ß-sheet (from 53 % to 49 %), increased random coil (from 20 % to 22 %) and ß-turn content (from 27 % to 29 %). More importantly, the firmness of treated sapodilla remained 45 % of maximum at 12 days' storage. Our findings provided new insights to illustrate the role of magnetic field in fruit preservation.

UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis and antibacterial activity of the Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen against Escherichia coli and other MDR bacteria.

With the spread of bacterial resistance against clinically used antibiotics, natural plant-derived products are being studied as new sources of antibacterial molecules. Manilkara zapota is a common plant species in the American continent that is used as a food source. Studies show the M. zapota extract is rich in phenolic substances that can serve as basic molecules for the pharmaceutical industry. An extract from fresh M. zapota leaves was produced and tested to identify the compounds present, as well as its direct antibacterial and clinical antibiotic modulatory activities. To analyze the results, a new statistical methodology based on the Shannon-Wiener index was tested, capable of correcting distortions in heterogeneous environments. The Hydroethanolic Extract of Manilkara zapota leaves (HEMzL) presented a wide variety of phenolic products, as well as tannins, in the UPLC analysis. The extract showed direct antibacterial activity against the standard Staphylococcus aureus strain, however, it either acted antagonistically when associated with the tested antibiotics, or it did not present statistical significance when compared to the control. This demonstrates a need to be cautious when associating natural products with antibiotics for clinical use, as a hindrance to infectious treatments may occur. As for the statistical analysis mechanism tested, this proved to be effective, reducing false negatives at low antibiotic concentrations and false positives at high concentrations in the microdilution plate.

Antimicrobial and anthelmintic activities of the ethanolic extract, fractions and isolated compounds from Manilkara zapota L. P. Royen (Sapotaceae).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities of the ethanolic extract (EEMz), fractions (LPFMz and HPFMz) and compounds isolated from the leaves of Manilkara zapota L. P. Royen. METHODS: Extract and fractions were produced by turbolization. LPFMz fraction was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds from HPFMz were purified by flash and preparative chromatographic methods, and chemically characterised by UPLC-ESITOFMS, optical rotation, and one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR techniques. Anthelmintic against Strongyloides venezuelensis and antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: EEMz showed mainly phenolic compounds and pentacyclic triterpenes from Δ12-oleane/Δ12-ursane series. Chlorogenic acid, myricetin-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, mearnsitrin, germanicol and germanicol acetate were reported to M. zapota leaves for the first time in this work. EEMz, HPFMz, LPFMz showed significative activity against C. albicans (16 µg/mL), while isolated flavonoids were active against S. aureus (<32 µg/mL). EEMz, phenolic-rich compounds (F2), and chlorogenic acid were potentially active against S. venezuelensis at 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: M. zapota and its bioactive compound can be eligible such as a potential phytomedicine for the treatment of microbial and strongyloidiasis drug-resistant infections.

Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard Ameliorates Acetic Acid-induced Rat Gastric Ulcer.

Manilkara hexandra (Roxb; Family:sapotaceae) is reported to exert preventive effect in several experimental ulcer models. However, there is no report of M. hexandra on gastric ulcer healing property. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the gastric ulcer healing activity of methanolic stem bark extract of M. hexandra (MH) and to derive a plausible molecular level of mechanism of action. MH was subjected to several phytochemical screening tests and standardized to quercetin by HPTLC. In the first pharmacological experiment, the standardized MH (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was carried out for ulcer healing activity against acetic acid (AA)-induced gastric ulcer in male rats. MH (100 and 200 mg/kg) ameliorated AA-induced rat gastric lesions. Further, MH (100 and 200 mg/kg) attenuated AA-induced changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and ratio of GSH/GSSG and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes, and level of hame oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in stomach tissue. In the subsequent set of experiment, trigonelline (30 mg/kg; p.o.), a potent Nrf2 antagonist, significantly abrogated the gastric ulcer healing activity of MH (100 mg/kg) in AA challenged animals. Further, trigonelline attenuated the effects of MH (100 mg/kg) on the levels of LPO, GSH, GSSG and ratio of GSH/GSSG and activity of SOD, CAT, GPx and GR enzymes, and level of HO-1 in AA challenged rodents. These observations implicate the fact that MH could be a better therapeutic alternative in the management of gastric ulcer.

In vitro antioxidant and antityrosinase activities of Manilkara kauki.

Manilkara kauki L. Dubard is a tropical plant in the genus Manilkara of family Sapotaceae. This study investigated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant and antityrosinase activities in different parts of M. kauki (fruits, leaves, seeds, stem barks and woods) and in fractions of stem barks. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the methanol and aqueous crude extracts of different parts of M. kauki ranged from 10.87 to 176.56 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents) per gram of crude extract and 14.33 to 821.67 mg QE (quercetin equivalents) per gram of crude extract, resp. Leaves and stem barks exhibited higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities than fruits, seeds and woods. Stem barks were sequentially extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water and then the fractionated extracts were subjected to antioxidant and antityrosinase activities testing. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of stem barks exhibited higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant and antityrosinase activities than the n-hexane and aqueous extracts. Moreover, ethyl acetate extract of M. kauki stem exhibited the highest antityrosinase activity. It may be a potential source of tyrosinase inhibitors for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Identification of calcium carbide-ripened sapota (Achras sapota) fruit by headspace SPME-GC-MS.

The effect of post-harvest ripening by ethylene and calcium carbide was studied by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) method. Sapota (sapodilla) fruits were ripened with ethylene gas, technical grade calcium carbide and pure calcium carbide ripeners and the samples were homogenised after complete ripening. The samples were subjected to HS-SPME-GC-MS and the obtained results showed the presence of various alcohols, aldehydes, acids, ketones and esters which were commonly present in the samples. The fruit samples ripened with technical grade calcium carbide showed the presence of 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-trithiolane isomers, which can be used as markers to identify sapota fruits ripened with technical grade calcium carbide. The technical grade calcium carbide contains divinyl sulphide which might have been transformed into the trithiolane isomers. These isomers were not observed in the fruits ripened with pure calcium carbide and also with ethylene gas. Hence the formation of trithiolane residues may be attributed to the presence of divinyl sulphide impurity present in calcium carbide and its conversion due to the action of ethylene releasing enzymes present in the fruits.

Development of a reduced-calorie high pressure processed sapodilla (Manilkara zapota L.) jam based on rheological, textural, and sensory properties.

High pressure technology (400 MPa at 27 ± 1.5 °C for 10 min) was applied for the processing of jam, and target was the reduction (∼47%) of sugar requirement by using a fiber-rich fruit, that is, sapodilla. Different formulations of jam containing various combinations of pectin (0.5 to 5.0%), sugar (45 to 65%), and acid (0.5 to 1) were investigated for textural, rheological, and sensory properties of the pressure-processed jam. The textural parameters mainly hardness (varied 16 to 594 g force) of the jam samples were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by the formulation ingredients viz. sugar and pectin content. Also, an interaction effect (P < 0.01) of sugar and pectin was observed on the jam hardness. The rheological parameters (gel strength, K') also varied (1036 to 2852 Pa) with the change in total soluble solids (TSS) and pectin content. However, the samples having lower TSS content (e.g. 45%) and appropriate pectin content (4.0, 4.5, or 5.0%) were similar (P > 0.05) to the samples having higher TSS content (65%) and corresponding pectin level (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5%) based on the rheological properties. On the other hand, the samples with middle levels of pectin at the corresponding TSS level (45 to 65%) were highest (score of >6 on seven-point hedonic scale) and equally preferred (P > 0.05) by the sensory panelist based on overall acceptability calculated from the scores obtained for sensory attributes viz. color, aroma, sweetness, sourness, texture, and spreadability. Therefore, the jam formulation containing sapodilla pulp as a base material, TSS 45%, pectin 4.5%, and citric acid 0.5% was determined to be the preferred formulation for the production of reduced-calorie, pressure-processed jam based on its gel strength, overall acceptability, and storage stability. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: High-fiber fruit was used for the development of a reduced-calorie high pressure processed jam in this study. The inherited or externally added fiber can favor the reduction in sugar requirement of a food product particularly those processed by high pressure, leading to reduction in calories. The findings of this study can be used for the development of novel HPP products with functional properties.

Postharvest melatonin treatment reduces chilling injury in sapota fruit.

BACKGROUND: Sapota is a popular tropical fruit characterized by a very short postharvest life. Low-temperature storage prolongs postharvest life of sapota fruit, but chilling injury symptoms can develop if the storage temperature is less than 14 °C. There have been no reports on the effects of postharvest melatonin application on the development of chilling injury in sapota fruit during cold storage. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of postharvest melatonin application (0, 30, 60 and 90 µmol L-1 ) during cold storage (8 °C) for up to 30 days with an additional 1-day shelf life at ambient temperature. RESULTS: All melatonin treatments reduced chilling injury symptoms, reduced electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, H2 O2 and superoxide anion (O2 - ), and increased proline content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and reduced the activities of phospholipase D (PLD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) compared to the control. CONCLUSION: Postharvest melatonin treatment could be a useful strategy for reducing chilling injury during cold storage and transport of sapota fruit. The results indicate that melatonin reduces chilling injury of sapota fruit through maintaining membrane integrity, SOD and CAT activities, and reducing PLD and LOX activities. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization of a novel, co-processed bio-based polymer, and its effect on mucoadhesive strength.

In this study, a biological macromolecule obtained from seeds of Manilkara zapota was co-processed with hypromellose (cop-MPH)/sodium carboxymethylcellulose (cop-MPN)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (cop-MPP) in a 1:1 ratio and characterized for powder and mucoadhesive properties. The semi-crystalline nature of co-processed excipients and physical interaction between the component molecules were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analysis. The morphological study by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy showed spherical and polygonal-shaped particles with predominant smooth surfaces. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed thermal stability to a temperature of 200 °C followed by depolymerization. Zeta potential measurements showed that cop-MPP was anionic, whereas cop-MPH and MPN were non-ionic. Texture analysis revealed that work of adhesion (mN·s) for both cop-MPH (390 ± 0.0018) and MPN (304 ± 0.0024) enhanced the mucoadhesion compared with the un-processed hypromellose (300 ± 0.0019) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (280 ± 0.0012), whereas cop-MPP (240 ± 0.0028) showed mucoadhesion similar to un-processed polyvinylpyrrolidone (250 ± 0.0022). In addition, the swelling studies showed enhancement in water absorbance for all co-processed excipients. Cytotoxicity against human cells revealed >99% of cell viability. These findings demonstrate that the co-processed biological macromolecule extracted from M. zapota seed could be further explored as an effective alternative drug delivery excipient for pharmaceutical applications.

In Vivo, Proteomic, and In Silico Investigation of Sapodilla for Therapeutic Potential in Gastrointestinal Disorders.

This study aims to delineate the effects of Manilkara zapota Linn. (Sapodilla) fruit chloroform (Mz.CHCl3) and aqueous (Mz.Aq) extracts tested through different techniques. Antidiarrheal activity and intestinal fluid accumulation were examined by using castor oil-induced diarrhea and castor oil fluid accumulation models. Isolated rabbit jejunum tissues were employed for in vitro experiments. Antimotility and antiulcer were performed through charcoal meal transient time and ethanol-induced ulcer assay, molecular studies were conducted through proteomic analysis, and virtual screening was performed by using a discovery studio visualizer (DSV). Mz.CHCl3 and Mz.Aq extracts attributed dose-dependent (50-300 mg/kg) protection (20-100%) against castor oil-induced diarrhea and dose-dependently (50-300 mg/kg) inhibited intestinal fluid secretions in mice. Mz.CHCl3 and Mz.Aq extracts produce relaxation of spontaneous and K+ (80 Mm) induced contractions in isolated tissue preparations and decreased the distance moved by charcoal in the gastrointestinal transit model in rats. It showed gastroprotective effect in ulcerative stomach of rats and decreased levels of IL-18 quantified by proteomic analysis. Histopathological results showed ethanol-induced significant gastric injury, leading to cloudy swelling, hydropic degeneration, apoptosis, and focal necrosis in all gastric zones using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Moreover, ethanol increased the activation and the expression of tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (p-NFκB). In silico results were comparative to in vitro results evaluated through virtual screening. Moreover, ethanol increased the activation and expression of tumor necrotic factor, cyclooxygenase, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. This study exhibits the gastroprotective effect of Manilkara zapota extracts in the peritoneal cavity using a proteomic and in silico approach which reveals different energy values against target proteins, which mediate the gastrointestinal functions.

Prenylated Coumarins from the Fruits of Manilkara zapota with Potential Anti-inflammatory Effects and Anti-HIV Activities.

Manilkara zapota, usually known as Sapodilla, is a fairly slow-growing evergreen tropical tree which belongs to the genus Manilkara (Sapotaceae), indigenous to Central America, southern Mexico, and the Caribbean. The ripe fruits of M. zapota have been widely consumed as an uniquely flavored tropical fruit and verified to hold a variety of health benefits. In order to investigate the potential health-promoting chemical compositions from the fruits of M. zapota cultivated in Hainan Island of China, a systematic and in-depth phytochemical study on this fruit was accordingly implemented. In our current study, three new prenylated coumarins, manizapotins A-C (1-3), together with seven known prenylated coumarins (4-10), were separated from the fruits of M. zapota. The chemical structures of new prenylated coumarins 1-3 were unambiguously established by means of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and the known compounds 4-10 were determined by comparing their experimental spectral data with those described data in the literature. This is the first time to discover prenylated coumarins occurring in M. zapota. The potential anti-inflammatory effects and anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) activities of all these separated prenylated coumarins were assessed. Prenylated coumarins 1-10 dispalyed remarkable inhibitory effects against nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with the IC50 values equivalent to that of hydrocortisone in vitro. Meanwhile, prenylated coumarins 1-10 exhibited pronounced anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activities with the EC50 values in range of 0.12-8.69 µM. These results suggest that appropriate and reasonable consumption of the fruits of M. zapota might assist people to prevent and reduce the occurrence of inflammatory diseases together with the infection of HIV. Furthermore, the discovery of these prenylated coumarins from the fruits of M. zapota holding pronounced anti-inflammatory effects along with anti-HIV activities could be of great significance to the research and development of new natural anti-inflammatory and anti-HIV agents.

Antityrosinase, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of Phytochemical Constituents from Manilkara zapota L. Bark.

Hyperpigmentation is considered by many to be a beauty problem and is responsible for photoaging. To treat this skin condition, medicinal cosmetics containing tyrosinase inhibitors are used, resulting in skin whitening. In this study, taraxerol methyl ether (1), spinasterol (2), 6-hydroxyflavanone (3), (+)-dihydrokaempferol (4), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (5), taraxerol (6), taraxerone (7), and lupeol acetate (8) were isolated from Manilkara zapota bark. Their chemical structures were elucidated by analysis of their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) data, and by comparing them with data found in the literature. The in vitro antityrosinase, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds (1-8) were evaluated. (+)-Dihydrokaempferol (4) exhibited higher monophenolase inhibitory activity than both kojic acid and α-arbutin. However, it showed diphenolase inhibitory activity similar to kojic acid. (+)-Dihydrokaempferol (4) was a competitive inhibitor of both monophenolase and diphenolase activities. It exhibited the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activities of the isolated compounds. Furthermore, (+)-dihydrokaempferol (4) also demonstrated potent cytotoxicity in breast carcinoma cell line (BT474), lung bronchus carcinoma cell line (Chago-K1), liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2), gastric carcinoma cell line (KATO-III), and colon carcinoma cell line (SW620). These results suggest that M. zapota bark might be a good potential source of antioxidants and tyrosinase inhibitors for applications in cosmeceutical products.

Pharmacological importance of Manilkara zapota and its bioactive constituents / Importancia farmacologica de Manilkara zapota y sus constituyentes bioactivos

Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae), commonly known as Sapodilla, is widely known for its delicious fruit. Various parts of this plant are also used in folk medicine to treat a number of conditions including fever, pain, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhage and ulcers. Scientific studies have demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, anti-hypercholesteremic, antihyperglycemic and hepatoprotective activities in several parts of the plant. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of phenolic compounds including protocatechuic acid quercitrin, myricitrin, catechin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, etc. as main constituents of the plant. Several fatty acids, carotenoids, triterpenes, sterols, hydrocarbons and phenylethanoid compounds have also been isolated from M. zapota. The present review is a comprehensive description focused on pharmacological activities and phytochemical constituents of M. zapota.

Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae), comúnmente conocida como Sapodilla, es ampliamente conocida por su delicioso fruto. Variadas partes de esta planta se usan en medicina popular para tratar una serie de afecciones, como fiebre, dolor, diarrea, disentería, hemorragia y úlceras. Estudios científicos han demostrado actividad analgésica, antiinflamatoria, antioxidante, citotóxica, antimicrobiana, antidiarreica, antihipercolesterolémica, antihiperglucémica y hepatoprotectora en diferentes partes de la planta. Los estudios fitoquímicos han revelado la presencia de compuestos fenólicos que incluyen ácido protocatechúico, quercitrina, miricitrina, catequina, ácido galico, ácido vanílico, ácido cafeico, ácido sirínico, ácido cumárico, ácido fúnico y ácido ferúlico como componentes principales de la planta. Varios ácidos grasos, carotenoides, triterpenos, esteroles, hidrocarburos y compuestos feniletanoides también han sido aislados de M. zapota. La presente revisión es una descripción exhaustiva centrada en las actividades farmacológicas y los constituyentes fitoquímicos de M. zapota.

Mamey sapote fruit and carotenoid formulations derived thereof are dietary sources of vitamin A - A comparative randomized cross-over study.

Mamey sapote is a fruit rich in specific keto-carotenoids, namely sapotexanthin and cryptocapsin. Their chemical structure suggests their provitamin A activity, although their absorption and conversion to vitamin A remained to be demonstrated in humans. Besides structure-related factors, the fruit matrix might also hamper absorption and conversion efficiency. Therefore, we monitored carotenoid and vitamin A levels in triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions in plasma of human participants after consumption of fresh sapote and a carotenoid-rich "matrix-free" formulation derived thereof. A randomized 2-way cross-over study was conducted to compare the post-prandial bioavailability of 0.8 mg sapotexanthin and 1.2-1.5 mg cryptocapsin from the above-mentioned test meals. Seven blood samples were drawn over 9.5 h after test meal consumption. Carotenoids and retinoids were quantitated in TRL fractions using HPLC-DAD. Sapotexanthin was absorbed by all participants from all meals, being ca. 36% more bioavailable from the "matrix-free" formulation (AUCmedian = 73.4 nmol∙h/L) than from the fresh fruit (AUCmedian = 54.0 nmol∙h/L; p ≤ 0.001). Cryptocapsin was only absorbed by 4 of 13 participants. The appearance of retinyl esters was observed in all participants independent of the test meal. Although the fruit matrix hampered carotenoid in vivo-bioavailability from sapote, the fruit clearly represents a valuable source of vitamin A for humans.

Design of selegiline-loaded bio-nanosuspension for the management of depression using novel bio-retardant from Manilkara zapota.

Objective: Depression is one of the most frequent psychiatric and potentially life-threatening disorders. This research work can offer a potential for delivery of selegiline moiety via ocular route in bio-nanosuspension mode for the effective management of depression after preclinical performance screening. Methods: The selegiline-loaded bio-nanosuspension was prepared using novel bio-retardant isolated from fruit pulp of Manilkara zapota (Sapodilla) by sonication solvent evaporation method with different ratios (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, and 1%) and with standard polymer HPMC (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%). The prepared formulations were evaluated for pH stability studies, %entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and stability studies. Results: The prepared bio-nanosuspension was subjected to the best formulation based on comparison of above-mentioned evaluation parameters, so Fb2 (0.1%) formulation was found to be the best formulation showing an R2 value of 0.9814, T50% of 29.7 h, and T80% of 65.25 h. According to the release kinetics, the best fit model was found to be the Korsmeyer-Peppas with the Fickian diffusion (Higuchi matrix) as the mechanism of drug release. Manilkara zapota (Sapodilla) provided excellent stability for the formulation and resulting particle size for the best formulation was found to be 252 nm. The bio-nanosuspension had PDI of 0.35 with zeta potential of -8.91 mV. Conclusion: The prepared bio-nanosuspension was found to be safe and compatible with the ophthalmic delivery for treatment of depression.

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen Leaf Extract Derived Silver Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells Without Affecting Human Lymphocytes or Erythrocytes.

Plant-derived synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has found wide biomedical applications including cancer cure. This report deals with biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (MZLAgNPs) employing leaf extracts of Manilkara zapota (L.) under optimized conditions. Characterization of MZLAgNPs using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and FESEM analyses revealed that the particles were predominantly spherical averaging 24 nm in size. Their cellular effects were assessed by MTT assay, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy of cells stained with propidium iodide, acridine orange/ethidium bromide, and annexin V-FITC to visualize signs of apoptosis. Evaluation of cell proliferation by clonogenic assay, wound healing ability by scratch assay and cell cycle distribution by flow-cytometry was also carried out. Apoptosis-related gene expressions were analyzed by RTq-PCR and western blot analysis. MZLAgNPs selectively inhibited growth of colorectal carcinoma HCT116, HeLa, and non-small lung carcinoma A549 cells, dose-dependently with IC50 concentrations of 8, 16, and 29 µg/mL respectively, following 72-h treatment, without affecting growth of normal human lymphocytes and erythrocytes. Apoptosis induction was observed by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulation of apoptotic-related genes - PUMA, cas-3, cas-8, cas-9, and BAX, expression of caspase 3, and occurrence of PARP cleavage were observed in MZLAgNPs/cisplatin treated cells. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate the therapeutic potential of biogenic MZLAgNPs as an effective agent for killing colorectal carcinoma cells by apoptosis induction.

Effect of Aloe vera gel coating enriched with Fagonia indica plant extract on physicochemical and antioxidant activity of sapodilla fruit during postharvest storage.

The effect of Aloe vera (AV) gel (at 50% or 100%) alone or enriched with Fagonia indica (FI) plant extract at 1% on physiological and biochemical responses of sapodilla fruit were studied during storage at 20 °C for 12 days. Sapodilla fruit treated with AV 100% and FI 1% significantly reduced weight loss, decay incidence, soluble solids concentration, and kept a high level of firmness and titratable acidity compared to the untreated fruit. FI 1% added to AV 50% or AV 100% efficiently maintained higher ascorbic acid, total flavonoids, total phenolics and radical scavenging activity of sapodilla fruit. The panelists did not detect any negative effect of AV gel and FI plant extract on the sensory attributes of sapodilla fruit. Therefore, the addition of FI plant extract to AV gel coating could be a promising approach to prolong the shelf life and preserve the quality of sapodilla fruit during storage.

Alternative vibro-dynamic compression processing of wood-cement composites using Amazonian wood

Wood-cement composite (WCC) is a potential construction material for tropical regions, due to its physico-mechanical properties and resistance to decay and fungi attack. However it is important to test alternative production methods and wood materials that are easier and cheaper than those traditionally used, in order to create a higher demand for this product. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of wood from four Amazonian species (Eschweilera coriaceae, Swartzia recurva, Manilkara amazonica and Pouteria guianensis) in the production of wood-cement composites through a vibro-dynamic compression process, an alternative method to the use of a hydraulic press. The inhibition degree caused by the wood to the cement cure, measured by the factor CA, indicated that all species were compatible with Portland cement (CP II-Z). WCC with densities higher than 1,100 kg m-3 (produced with E. coriaceae and S. recurva particles) showed compressive strength values higher than 10 MPa, which fulfills the minimum requirement for lightweitgh reinforced concrete blocks for structural use. (AU)

Compósito madeira-cimento é um potencial material de construção para regiões tropicais, devido a suas propriedades físico-mecânicas e resistência ao ataque de fungos e podridão. Contudo, é importante testar métodos alternativos de produção e madeiras que sejam mais simples e baratos do que os tradicionalmente usados, para que se alcance uma maior demanda para esse produto. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de madeira de quatro espécies amazônicas (Eschweilera coriaceae, Swartzia recurva, Manilkara amazonica e Pouteria guianensis) na produção de compósitos de madeira-cimento (WCC) pelo processo de compactação vibro-dinâmica, um método alternativo que dispensa o uso de prensas hidráulicas. O grau de inibição à pega do cimento causado pela presença da madeira foi medido pelo fator CA e indicou que todas as quatro espécies foram compatíveis com o cimento Portland (CP II-Z). Compósitos com massa específica superior a 1.100 kg m-3 (produzidas com partículas de E. coriaceae e S. recurva) apresentaram valores de compressão axial acima de 10 MPa, requisito mínimo para classificar como blocos de concreto reforçados leves de uso estrutural.(AU)

Green synthesis of multi-color emissive carbon dots from Manilkara zapota fruits for bioimaging of bacterial and fungal cells.

Natural resources have widely been used as precursors for the preparation of ultra-small carbon dots (C-dots) due to ease of availability, low cost and C-dots with high quantum yields (QYs). Herein, water dispersible multi-color emissive C-dots were obtained from Manilkara zapota fruits. The emission of C-dots was well tuned by sulphuric acid and phosphoric acids, which results to generate blue-, green- and yellow- C-dots. The fabricated C-dots exhibit blue, green and yellow color emissions when irradiated them under UV light at 365 nm. The emission/excitation peaks of blue-, green-, and yellow- C-dots were observed at 443, 515 and 563 nm when excited at 350, 420 and 440 nm, respectively. The QYs of blue-, green-, and yellow- C-dots are 5.7, 7.9 and 5.2%. The average sizes of blue- green- and yellow- C-dots are 1.9 ±â€¯0.3, 2.9 ±â€¯0.7and 4.5 ±â€¯1.25 nm, respectively. Because of ultra-small size and biocompatibility, three C-dots act as promising bioimaging agents for imaging of cells (E. coli, Aspergillus aculeatus and Fomitopsis sp). The cytotoxicity on HeLa cells indicates that three C-dots have non-toxic nature, which confirms their biocompatibility. The ultra-small C-dots were effectively distributed in the cytoplasm of the cells, ensuring the potential applications in cell imaging and biomedical studies.

Molluscicidal activity of Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) dubard on Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818).

Schistosomiasis is promoted for species from Schistosoma genus affecting over 200 million people worldwide. Molluscicides are an efficient method to control this disease, being able to reduce intermediate host snail Biomphalaria glabrata number. In function of resistance cases using niclosamide, natural products are promisors to discover new drugs. Manilkara subsericea is endemic to Brazilian sandbanks of Rio de Janeiro State and wide ranges of biological activities. However, there is no studies evaluating its effects as molluscicidal agent. We tested crude extract from leaves of M. subsericea molluscicidal action, as well it ethyl-acetate fraction and isolated substances against B. glabrata. M. subsericea leaves crude extract and ethyl acetate fraction induced 80±4.13% and 86.66±4.59% mortality of adult snails at concentrations of 250ppm after 96h, and their LD50 values were 118.7±1.62 and 23.41±1.15ppm respectively. Isolated substances from M. subsericea were also considered active. Quercetin, myricetin and ursolic acid, at concentration of 100ppm (96h), were able to induce mortality levels of 100%, 80% and 53.33%, respectively. Our results suggest that M. subsericea can be considered promising as a molluscicide agent.