Ontogenia de megaestróbilos de Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze (Araucariaceae)

Em vista da escassez de dados sobre o desenvolvimento individual da fase embrionária à fase adulta, este estudo teve como objetivos descrever a ontogenia de megaestróbilos de A. angustifolia, conhecer o rendimento dos megaestróbilos, assim como o número e a localização de plantas masculinas, femininas e juvenis, em uma população nativa localizada em Curitibanos (SC). Forwam realizadas 17 coletas (março 2011 a julho 2012). As plantas foram geolocalizadas. Coletaram-se mensalmente três megaestróbilos maduros, em desenvolvimento e, quando possível, imaturos, de árvores previamente marcadas. Os megaestróbilos foram fotografados, medidos, pesados e tiveram suas brácteas, sementes e sementes chochas separadas e quantificadas. Na população estudada, verificaram-se 176 plantas, das quais 56 eram masculinas, 41 femininas e 79 juvenis. O peso médio dos megaestróbilos (iniciais, em desenvolvimento e maduros) ficou entre 72,83 g e 1.437,39 g; o diâmetro médio entre 15,91 cm e 45,08 cm e o comprimento médio entre 6,95 cm e 22,88 cm. Nos megaestróbilos maduros, 85% do seu rendimento são brácteas estéreis, enquanto as sementes e as sementes chochas equivaleram a aproximadamente 10% cada. Os resultados podem contribuir em operações de coletas de sementes que visem à melhoria reprodutiva, conservação de germoplasma e conservação in situ da população nativa estudada

Data supporting the role of enzymes and polysaccharides during cassava postharvest physiological deterioration

This data article is referred to the research article entitled The role of ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and polysaccharides in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots under postharvest physiological deterioration by Uarrota et al. (2015). Food Chemistry 197, Part A, 737746. The stress duo to PPD of cassava roots leads to the formation of ROS which are extremely harmful and accelerates cassava spoiling. To prevent or alleviate injuries from ROS, plants have evolved antioxidant systems that include non-enzymatic and enzymatic defence systems such as ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and polysaccharides. In this data article can be found a dataset called newdata, in RData format, with 60 observations and 06 variables. The first 02 variables (Samples and Cultivars) and the last 04, spectrophotometric data of ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, tocopherol, total proteins and arcsined data of cassava PPD scoring. For further interpretation and analysis in R software, a report is also provided. Means of all variables and standard deviations are also provided in the Supplementary tables (data.long3.RData, data.long4.RData and meansEnzymes.RData), raw data of PPD scoring without transformation (PPDmeans.RData) and days of storage (days.RData) are also provided for data analysis reproducibility in R software.CNPq -Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

In vitro exposure of Ulva lactuca Linnaeus (Chlorophyta) to gasoline: biochemical and morphological alterations

Refined fuels have considerable share of pollution of marine ecosystems. Gasoline is one of the most consumed fuel worldwide, but its effects on marine benthic primary producers are poorly investigated. In this study, Ulva lactuca was chosen as a biological model due to its cosmopolitan nature and tolerance to high levels and wide range of xenobiotics and our goal was to evaluate the effects of gasoline on ultrastructure and metabolism of that seaweed. The experimental design consisted of in vitro exposure of U. lactuca to four concentrations of gasoline (0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0%, v/v) over 30 min, 1 h, 12 h, and 24 h, followed by cytochemical, SEM, and biochemical analysis. Increase in the number of cytoplasmic granules, loss of cell turgor, cytoplasmic shrinkage, and alterations in the mucilage were some of the ultrastructural alterations observed in thalli exposed to gasoline. Decrease in carotenoid and polyphenol contents, as well as increase of soluble sugars and starch contents were associated with the time of exposure to the xenobiotic. In combination, the results revealed important morphological and biochemical alterations in the phenotype of U. lactuca upon acute exposure to gasoline. This seaweed contain certain metabolites assigned as candidates to biomarkers of the environmental stress investigated and it is thought to be a promise species for usage in coastal ecosystems perturbation monitoring system. In addition, the findings suggest that U. lactuca is able to metabolize gasoline hydrocarbons and use them as energy source, acting as bioremediator of marine waters contaminated by petroleum derivatives.To Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for financial support. Authors are thankful to the Central Laboratory of Electron Microscopy (LCME) and Multi-User Laboratory for Studies in Biology (LAMEB) at Federal University of Santa Catarina. The research fellowships granted to M. Maraschin (Proc. 307099/2015-6) and Fernanda Ramlov (Proc. 473408/2013-9) by National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) are also acknowledged. This work was partially funded by CNPq and FCT agreement through the PropMine (Proc. 490383/2013-0) and PVE (Proc. 407323/2013-9, Dr. Miguel Rocha) grants

Metabolomics of Ulva lactuca Linnaeus (Chlorophyta) exposed to oil fuels: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis as tools for metabolic fingerprint

Fossil fuels, e.g. gasoline and diesel oil, account for substantial share of the pollution that affects marine ecosystems. Environmental metabolomics is an emerging field that may help unravel the effect of these xenobiotics on seaweeds and provide methodologies for biomonitoring coastal ecosystems. In the present study, FTIR and multivariate analysis were used to discriminate metabolic profiles of Ulva lactuca after in vitro exposure to diesel oil and gasoline, in combinations of concentrations (0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0% - v/v) and times of exposure (30 min, 1 h, 12 h, and 24 h). PCA and HCA performed on entire mid-infrared spectral window were able to discriminate diesel oil-exposed thalli from the gasoline-exposed ones. HCA performed on spectral window related to the protein absorbance (17001500 cm 1) enabled the best discrimination between gasoline-exposed samples regarding the time of exposure, and between diesel oil-exposed samples according to the concentration. The results indicate that the combination of FTIR with multivariate analysis is a simple and efficient methodology for metabolic profiling with potential use for biomonitoring strategies.To Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for financial support. The research fellowships granted to Marcelo Maraschin (Proc. 307099/2015-6) and Fernanda Ramlov (Proc. 473408/2013-9) by National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) are also acknowledged. This work was partially funded by CNPq and FCT agreement through the PropMine (Proc. 490383/2013-0) and PVE (Proc. 407323/2013-9, Dr. Miguel Rocha) grants

The role of ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and polysaccharides in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots under postharvest physiological deterioration

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the role of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), polysaccharides, and protein contents associated with the early events of postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) in cassava roots. Increases in APX and GPX activity, as well as total protein contents occurred from 3 to 5 days of storage and were correlated with the delay of PPD. Cassava samples stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) highlighted the presence of starch and cellulose. Degradation of starch granules during PPD was also detected. Slight metachromatic reaction with toluidine blue is indicative of increasing of acidic polysaccharides and may play an important role in PPD delay. Principal component analysis (PCA) classified samples according to their levels of enzymatic activity based on the decision tree model which showed GPX and total protein amounts to be correlated with PPD. The Oriental (ORI) cultivar was more susceptible to PPD.This work was supported by PEC-PG ("Programa de Estudantes Convenio de Pos-Graduacao") coordinated by CAPES ("Coorde nacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior"). CNPq has provided a research fellowship to Marcelo Maraschin

Aspectos histoquímicos e ultra-estruturais da porção vegetativa e reprodutiva de estiquidíos de Hypnea musciformis (Gigartinales - Rhodophyta)

Orientadora: Prof.ª Dr.ª Vânia Beatriz Vieira de SouzaDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Curso de Pós-Graduação em MorfologiaInclui referências: p. 59-66Área de concentração: Biologia CelularResumo: Aspectos estruturais e histoquímicos dos estiquídeos da alga vermelha Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamouroux foram estudados por meio de microscopia de luz de rotina, histoquímica, e microscopia eletrônica. Algumas técnicas de preparo das amostras para estudo de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão são apresentadas neste trabalho. Em cortes transversais dos estiquídeos, três regiões distintas foram identificadas: a região medular, composta de células grandes e vacuolizadas; a região subcortical, composta de células menores que as medulares, também vacuolizadas; e a região cortical, compostas de células pequenas, dotadas de vacúolos pouco evidentes. Estas últimas originam os tetrasporângios. Todos os tipos celulares, com exceção dos tetrásporos recém-liberados, apresentam uma parede celular composta de um material finamente fibrilar imerso em uma matriz amorfa. Para determinar a natureza dos polissacarídeos e a distribuição das proteínas no conteúdo citoplasmático e nas paredes celulares, foram empregadas várias reações histoquímicas. O uso de azul de toluidina (AT-O) resultou em uma intensa reação metacromática a nível da parede celular, indicando que esta apresenta em sua composição grande quantidade de polissacarídeo ácido, que sugerimos ser carragenana, polissacarídeo sulfatado evidenciado pelo corante alcian blue (AB). O uso de PAS indicou no citoplasma das células a presença de grande quantidade de um polissacarídeo neutro, correspondente aos grãos de amido das florídeas. As proteínas totais, demonstradas com a reação de ninhidrina-Schiff, distribuíram-se homogeneamente no citoplasma de todas as células, mas não foram evidenciadas nas paredes celulares de todos os tipos celulares analisados. Ao microscópio eletrônico de transmissão, verificou-se que os plastídeos apresentam a estrutura típica das rodofíceas, com tilacóides longos, simples e paralelos, envoltos por um tilacóide circular, periférico. As mitocôndrias, que frequentemente se encontravam localizadas junto aos cloroplastos, apresentaram cristas tubulares. As demais organelas mostraram-se semelhantes àquelas observadas em outras algas macroscópicas já descritas. Uma série de modificações sub-celulares, tais como o aumento do número de plastídeos e de grãos de amido, e a produção das cored vesicles, foram observadas durante os estágios de diferenciação, maturação e liberação dos tetrásporos. Os tetrásporos nascentes apresentaram-se envolvidos por uma camada de mucilagem celular fina, que auxilia na sua fixação ao substrato, e esta é substituída por uma parede celular fina, cerca de vinte horas após a liberação dos tetrásporos da planta-mãe. O presente trabalho apresenta pela primeira vez aspectos celulares da alga H. musciformis que acreditamos possam servir como base para estudos dirigidos ao aproveitamento econômico da espécie que é produtora de um importante ficocolóide industrial.Abstract: Some structural and histochemical aspects of the stichidia of Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamouroux were investigated with the aid of light and electron microscopy. A series of techniques employed to process the samples for the ultrastructural studies are described. In transverse sections, three different regions could be distinguished in the stichidia: the medullary region, composed of large, vacuolated cells; the sub-cortical region, with smaller vacuolated cells; and the cortical region, with the smallest cells. The later give rise to the tetrasporangia. All types of cells, except the just released tetraspores, presented a cell wall composed of a fine fibrillar material immersed in an amorphous matrix. To determine the basic chemical composition of cells and cell walls, we used a series of histochemical staining techniques. The cell walls showed an intense metachromatic reaction when stained with toluidine blue (AT-O), indicating the presence of acidic polysaccharides. We suggest that the acid polysaccharides are the carrageenans, a phycocolloid that is commercially extracted from H. musciformis. The use of the PAS technique indicated the presence of abundant neutral polysaccharides in the cytoplasm, corresponding to the floridean starch grains. The plastids revealed the internal structure typical of the Rhodophyceae, showing long, parallel, discrete thylakoids, surrounded by a circular thylakoid running under the external membrane of the plastid. The mitochondria, often seen near the plastids, presented tubular cristae. The other organelles are similar to those observed in the other macroscopic red algae described date. The differentiation, maturation, and liberation of the tetraspores from the tetrasporangia brought about a number of cell activities as observed under both the light and electron microscopes. These include an increase in the quantities of starch grains and plastids, and the productions of cored vesicles. Mucilage was deposited around each individual tetraspore, in early stages. This mucilage, which helps the fixation of the spore on the substrate, was replaced by a thin cell wall about twenty hours after the spore is released from the mother plant. These paper ix presents some new aspects about the structure of H. musciformis, with can be used as basis for other research applied to the commercial use of this species