Determination of amino acid content, fatty acid profiles, and phenolic compounds in non-conventional edible fruits of seven species of palm trees (Arecaceae) native to the southern half of South America.

The fruits of palm trees (Arecaceae) are a very important food source for fauna and for humans, despite the still incipient role of these fruits in conventional diet. Seven palm tree species (plus one variety) that are native to the southern half of South America located east of the Andes (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the southern states of Brazil) were studied. For the first time, the fatty acid profiles of palm seeds and the content of both amino acids and phenolic compounds present in the pulp (yellowish fleshy mesocarps) of the fruits were determined. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to screen and quantify thirty-two phenols and HPLC was used to determine the amino acid contents and fatty acids profiles of the species. Twenty-five percent of the fatty acids in the seeds of B. lallemantii, Butia odorata (var. pulposa), B. witeckii, and Syagrus romanzoffiana were found to be unsaturated. One species (B. lallemantii) had a high and well-balanced amino acid content (28,900 mg/kg), while six species (B. odorata, B. catarinensis, B. witeckii, Euterpe edulis, and Syagrus romanzoffiana) contained more than 14,000 mg/kg of amino acids. A high content of the phenolic compounds ferulic acid, luteolin, quercetin-3-rutinoside, isoquercetin, and isorhamnetin were found in many species, most notably in B. odorata, B. catarinensis, and B. witeckii.

Behavior and foraging technique of the Ingram's squirrel Guerlinguetus ingrami (Sciuridae: Rodentia) in an Araucaria moist forest fragment

This work describes the foraging techniques, body positions and behavior of free-ranging Ingram's squirrel Guerlinguetus ingrami Thomas, 1901 in a region of the Araucaria moist forest, in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil. The animals were observed using the "all occurrence sampling" method with the aid of binoculars and a digital camcorder. All behaviors were described in diagrams and an ethogram. We recorded five basic body positions, 24 behaviors, two food choices, and three feeding strategies utilized to open fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.), the main food source of Ingram's squirrels. We also observed a variance in the animals' stance, which is possibly influenced by predation risk, and discuss the causes of some behaviors.(AU)

Behavior and foraging technique of the Ingram's squirrel Guerlinguetus ingrami (Sciuridae: Rodentia) in an Araucaria moist forest fragment

This work describes the foraging techniques, body positions and behavior of free-ranging Ingram's squirrel Guerlinguetus ingrami Thomas, 1901 in a region of the Araucaria moist forest, in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil. The animals were observed using the "all occurrence sampling" method with the aid of binoculars and a digital camcorder. All behaviors were described in diagrams and an ethogram. We recorded five basic body positions, 24 behaviors, two food choices, and three feeding strategies utilized to open fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.), the main food source of Ingram's squirrels. We also observed a variance in the animals' stance, which is possibly influenced by predation risk, and discuss the causes of some behaviors.

Diet of Procyon cancrivorus (Carnivora, Procyonidae) in restinga and estuarine environments of southern Brazil / Dieta de Procyon cancrivorus (Carnivora, Procyonidae) em ambientes de restinga e estuarino no Sul do Brasil

Despite its wide range and abundance on certain habitats, the crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus (G. Cuvier, 1798) is considered one of the less known Neotropical carnivore species. In the present study we analyzed the diet of P. cancrivorus in a peat forest and in an estuarine island in southernmost Brazil. Fruits of the gerivá palm tree Syagrus romanzoffiana were the most consumed item in the peat forest, followed by insects and mollusks. Small mammals, followed by Bromelia antiacantha (Bromeliaceae) fruits and brachyuran crustaceans were the most frequent items in the estuarine island. Other items found in lower frequencies were Solanum sp., Psidium sp., Smilax sp. and Dyospiros sp. fruits, diplopods, scorpions, fishes, anuran amphibians, reptiles (black tegu lizard and snakes), birds and medium-sized mammals (white-eared opossum, armadillo and coypu). Levins index values (peat forest: 0.38; estuarine island: 0.45) indicate an approximation to a median position between a specialist and a well distributed diet. Piankas index (0.80) showed a considerable diet similarity between the two systems. Procyon cancrivorus presented a varied diet in the studied areas and may play an important role as seed disperser on coastal environments in southernmost Brazil.(AU)

Dieta de Procyon cancrivorus (Carnivora, Procyonidae) em ambientes de restinga e estuarino no Sul do Brasil. Apesar de sua ampla distribuição e abundância em determinados habitats, o mão-pelada Procyon cancrivorus (G. Cuvier, 1798) é considerado uma das menos conhecidas espécies de carnívoro Neotropical. No presente estudo analisamos a dieta de P. cancrivorus em uma mata paludosa e uma ilha estuarina no extremo sul do Brasil. Frutos da palmeira gerivá Syagrus romanzoffiana foi o item mais consumido na mata paludosa, seguido por insetos e moluscos. Pequenos mamíferos, seguidos por frutos de Bromelia antiacantha (Bromeliaceae) e crustáceos braquiúros foram os itens mais frequentes na ilha estuarina. Outros itens encontrados em menor frequência foram frutos de Solanum sp., Psidium sp., Smilax sp. and Dyospiros sp., diplópodos, escorpiões, peixes, anfíbios anuros, répteis (teiú e serpentes), aves e mamíferos de médio porte (gambá-da-orelha-branca, tatu e ratão-do-banhado). Os valores do índice de Levin (mata paludosa: 0.38; ilha estuarina: 0.45) indicam uma aproximação a uma posição mediana entre uma dieta especialista e bem distribuída. O índice de Pianka (0.80) mostrou uma considerável similaridade na dieta entre os dois sistemas. Procyon cancrivorus apresentou uma dieta variada nas áreas estudadas e pode desempenhar um importante papel como dispersor de sementes em ecossistemas costeiros no extremo sul do Brasil.(AU)

Diet of Procyon cancrivorus (Carnivora, Procyonidae) in restinga and estuarine environments of southern Brazil / Dieta de Procyon cancrivorus (Carnivora, Procyonidae) em ambientes de restinga e estuarino no Sul do Brasil

Despite its wide range and abundance on certain habitats, the crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus (G. Cuvier, 1798) is considered one of the less known Neotropical carnivore species. In the present study we analyzed the diet of P. cancrivorus in a peat forest and in an estuarine island in southernmost Brazil. Fruits of the gerivá palm tree Syagrus romanzoffiana were the most consumed item in the peat forest, followed by insects and mollusks. Small mammals, followed by Bromelia antiacantha (Bromeliaceae) fruits and brachyuran crustaceans were the most frequent items in the estuarine island. Other items found in lower frequencies were Solanum sp., Psidium sp., Smilax sp. and Dyospiros sp. fruits, diplopods, scorpions, fishes, anuran amphibians, reptiles (black tegu lizard and snakes), birds and medium-sized mammals (white-eared opossum, armadillo and coypu). Levin’s index values (peat forest: 0.38; estuarine island: 0.45) indicate an approximation to a median position between a specialist and a well distributed diet. Pianka’s index (0.80) showed a considerable diet similarity between the two systems. Procyon cancrivorus presented a varied diet in the studied areas and may play an important role as seed disperser on coastal environments in southernmost Brazil.

Dieta de Procyon cancrivorus (Carnivora, Procyonidae) em ambientes de restinga e estuarino no Sul do Brasil. Apesar de sua ampla distribuição e abundância em determinados habitats, o mão-pelada Procyon cancrivorus (G. Cuvier, 1798) é considerado uma das menos conhecidas espécies de carnívoro Neotropical. No presente estudo analisamos a dieta de P. cancrivorus em uma mata paludosa e uma ilha estuarina no extremo sul do Brasil. Frutos da palmeira gerivá Syagrus romanzoffiana foi o item mais consumido na mata paludosa, seguido por insetos e moluscos. Pequenos mamíferos, seguidos por frutos de Bromelia antiacantha (Bromeliaceae) e crustáceos braquiúros foram os itens mais frequentes na ilha estuarina. Outros itens encontrados em menor frequência foram frutos de Solanum sp., Psidium sp., Smilax sp. and Dyospiros sp., diplópodos, escorpiões, peixes, anfíbios anuros, répteis (teiú e serpentes), aves e mamíferos de médio porte (gambá-da-orelha-branca, tatu e ratão-do-banhado). Os valores do índice de Levin (mata paludosa: 0.38; ilha estuarina: 0.45) indicam uma aproximação a uma posição mediana entre uma dieta especialista e bem distribuída. O índice de Pianka (0.80) mostrou uma considerável similaridade na dieta entre os dois sistemas. Procyon cancrivorus apresentou uma dieta variada nas áreas estudadas e pode desempenhar um importante papel como dispersor de sementes em ecossistemas costeiros no extremo sul do Brasil.

Fatty acids and bioactive compounds of the pulps and kernels of Brazilian palm species, guariroba (Syagrus oleraces), jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata).

BACKGROUND: Bioactive compounds are capable of providing health benefits, reducing disease incidence or favoring body functioning. There is a growing search for vegetable oils containing such compounds. This study aimed to characterize the pulp and kernel oils of the Brazilian palm species guariroba (Syagrus oleracea), jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata), aiming at possible uses in several industries. RESULTS: Fatty acid composition, phenolic and carotenoid contents, tocopherol composition were evaluated. The majority of the fatty acids in pulps were oleic and linoleic; macaúba pulp contained 526 g kg⁻¹ of oleic acid. Lauric acid was detected in the kernels of all three species as the major saturated fatty acid, in amounts ranging from 325.8 to 424.3 g kg⁻¹. The jerivá pulp contained carotenoids and tocopherols on average of 1219 µg g⁻¹ and 323.50 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. CONCLUSION: The pulps contained more unsaturated fatty acids than the kernels, mainly oleic and linoleic. Moreover, the pulps showed higher carotenoid and tocopherol contents. The kernels showed a predominance of saturated fatty acids, especially lauric acid. The fatty acid profiles of the kernels suggest that these oils may be better suited for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries than for use in foods.

Evaluation of quality of jeriva palm trees`s seeds by X-Ray test / Avaliação da qualidade de sementes de palmeira jerivá pelo teste de Raios X

The Jeriva Palm tree (Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham,) Glassman) is the most widely cultivated native palm tree in Brazil. Its propagation is sexually accomplished, but there is lack of information of production processes of quality seedlings. The objective of this research was to standardize the X-ray test in evaluation of the physiological quality in the seed of the jeriva palm. Eight samples of twenty-five seeds were used and were submitted with X-ray test in the Raicenter RC 300 Plus T machine in various times and intensities. According to the internal morphology seen on radiographs, the seeds were classified in four categories: perfect seeds, seeds with little damages (less than 50% of damaged tissue), seed with major damages (more than 50% of damaged tissue) and embryo not visualized. The seeds were submitted to a germination test for a period of 160 days in a temperature of 30 degree Celsius with a sphagnum moss substrate. The results of the radiographic analysis were: 60.5% perfect seeds, 22% seeds with minor damages, 10.5%, seeds with major seeds and 7% embryo not visualized. The x-ray test, the intensity of 37KVp for 25 seconds, is sufficient to indentify the internal morphology of the seeds of jeriva palm.

A palmeira jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman) é a palmeira nativa mais cultivada no Brasil. Sua propagação é realizada sexuadamente, contudo existe carência de informações no processo de produção de mudas de qualidade. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi padronizar o teste de Raios X na avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes da palmeira jerivá. Utilizou-se oito amostras de 25 sementes, que foram submetidas ao teste de Raios X no aparelho Raicenter RC 300 Plus T em vários tempos e intensidades. De acordo com a morfologia interna visualizada nas radiografias, as sementes foram classificadas em quatro categorias: sementes perfeitas, sementes com pequenos danos (menos de 50% dos tecidos danificados), sementes com grandes danos (mais de 50% dos tecidos danificados) e embrião não visualizado. As sementes foram submetidas ao teste de germinação pelo período de 160 dias na temperatura de 30ºC com o substrato esfagno. Os resultados da análise radiográfica foram: sementes perfeitas 60,5%, sementes com pequenos danos 22%, sementes com grandes danos 10,5% e embrião não visualizado 7%. O teste de Raios X, na intensidade de 37 KVp por 25 segundos foi eficiente na avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de palmeira jerivá. 

Compatibilidade reprodutiva de duas populações de Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) / Reproductive compatibility between two populations of Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The present work consisted of an evaluation of the reproductive compatibility between two populations of a predatory mite preliminarily identified as Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, obtained from a commercial plantation of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. (Rutaceae) and from Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman (Arecaceae) found in a forest area. The results of this study could indicate the possibility that the latter system could serve as a reservoir of I. zuluagai to the former. The colonies of I. zuluagai were maintained in a laboratory using the method described by Reis et al. (1988), at 25±1°C, 85±5 percent of R.H. and 12h light: 12h dark. The reproductive compatibility was evaluated through crosses and back-crosses between mites of each colony and observations on their fecundity during 10 days. The heterogamic crosses and the back-crosses resulted in fertile progeny in proportions comparable to homogamic crosses. These results indicate that both tested populations belong to the same species, which suggest a possible positive role of S. romanzoffiana as reservoir of I. zuluagai, from which the predator could eventually re-colonize patches of cultivated plants.

O presente trabalho consistiu na avaliação da compatibilidade reprodutiva entre duas populações de ácaros predadores preliminarmente identificadas como Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, obtidas de uma plantação comercial de Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. (Rutaceae) e de plantas de Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman (Arecaceae) encontradas em uma área de floresta. Os resultados deste estudo poderiam indicar a possibilidade de que estas últimas plantas pudessem servir de reservatório de I. zuluagai às primeiras. As colônias de I. zuluagai foram mantidas em laboratório através do método descrito por Reis et al. (1988), a 25±1°C, 85±5 por cento de U.R. e 12h de fotofase. A compatibilidade reprodutiva foi avaliada através de cruzamentos e retrocruzamentos entre ácaros de cada colônia e observações da fecundidade dos ácaros durante 10 dias. Cruzamentos heterogâmicos e retrocruzamentos produziram descendentes férteis em proporções comparáveis aos cruzamentos homogâmicos. Os resultados indicam que as populações testadas pertencem à mesma espécie, o que sugere um possível papel positivo de S. romanzoffiana como reservatório de I. zuluagai, a partir da qual o predador eventualmente poderia recolonizar áreas de plantas cultivadas.