Flora alimenticia disponible para Apis mellifera (Himenoptera: Apidae) en un área de bosque serrano en Uruguay

Título alternativo : Flora alimentar disponível para Apis mellifera (Himenoptera: Apidae) em uma área de floresta de altitude no UruguaiKnowing the blooms is useful to predict the behavior of Apis mellifera (honeybee) colonies. The objective was to determine the floristic characteristics of a mountain forest in Uruguay from the beekeeping point of view. We made eight visits in every three sites surrounding the apiary, at 10-20 m, 500 m and 1500 m distance. The first visit determined the species, families, origin (native or exotic), and frequency of each taxon. In subsequent visits, we censed which ones remained in bloom (presence or absence). We assigned each species a value of one to five for abundance (A) and the duration of flowering (P), during two years. Using the Shannon Index the floristic diversity was established. A generalized linear model was employed to analyze flowering through the response variables: presence of flowering in winter, spring, summer and autumn, as well as flowering duration. We calculated a Shannon Index of 3.6, indicating high biodiversity. Then we correlated the findings of the survey and literature reports on the occurrence of each species in melissopalynological studies in mature and immature honey. The expression “Convertible Flora” was coined to identify the floral resources whose pollen is stored when no flower is available. These were Lithraea brasiliensis, Baccharis articulata, Baccharis trimera, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Eugenia uniflora, Colletia Paradoxa, Oxalis sp., Scutia buxifolia, Jodina rhombifolia, Aloysia gratissima for the spring and autumn seasons (P <0.05). The expression “Support Flora” (P <0.05) is used to classify those resources that are found in immature honey and are almost absent in mature honey, and are used as nutrients during the colony expansion: Schinus engleri, Maytenus ilicifolia, Eryngium pandanifolium, Baccharis punctulata, Abutilon pauciflorum, Daphnopsis racemosa, Allophylus edulis, and Celtis tala. This flora classification allows planning the expected developments and yields of honey from a region to establish technological useful and efficient packages of honey harvests.El conocimiento de las floraciones es útil para predecir el comportamiento de las colonias de Apis mellifera (abeja de la miel). El objetivo fue determinar las características florísticas desde el punto de vista apícola de un bosque serrano en Uruguay. Realizamos ocho visitas en tres sitios aledaños a la colmena: a 10-20 m, 500 m y 1500 m de distancia. En la primera visita determinamos especies, familias, origen (nativo o exótico) y frecuencia de cada taxón. En visitas posteriores, censamos cuáles estaban florecidas (presencia o ausencia). Asignamos a cada especie un valor de uno a cinco para la abundancia (A) y la duración de la floración (P), durante dos años. Utilizamos el índice de Shannon para medir la diversidad florística. Se utilizó un modelo lineal generalizado para analizar la floración a través de las variables respuesta: presencia de floración en invierno, primavera, verano y otoño, así como duración de la floración. Calculamos un índice de Shannon de 3,6, lo que indica una alta biodiversidad. Luego correlacionamos los hallazgos de la prospección con datos de la literatura sobre la ocurrencia de cada especie en estudios melisopalinológicos en mieles maduras e inmaduras. Por último, definimos el término flora convertible para identificar los recursos florales cuyo polen se almacena cuando no hay ninguna flora disponible. Estas fueron Lithraea brasiliensis, Baccharis articulata, Baccharis trimera, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Eugenia uniflora, Colletia Paradoxa, Oxalis sp., Scutia buxifolia, Jodina rhombifolia, Aloysia gratissima, para las temporadas de primavera y otoño (P<0.05). El término flora de soporte (P<0.05) lo definimos para clasificar aquellos recursos que se encuentran en la miel inmadura y están casi ausentes en la miel madura, y se utilizan como nutrientes durante la expansión de la colonia: Schinus engleri, Maytenus ilicifolia, Eryngium pandanifolium, Baccharis punctulata, Abutilon pauciflorum, Daphnopsis racemosa, Allophylus edulis y Celtis tala. Esta clasificación de la flora permite planificar los desarrollos y rendimientos de la miel esperados de una región, y establecer paquetes tecnológicos útiles y eficientes de cosechas de miel.O conhecimento das flores é útil para prever o comportamento de colônias de Apis mellifera (abelha do mel). O objetivo foi determinar as características florísticas de uma floresta montanhosa no Uruguai do ponto de vista apícola. Fizemos oito visitas em três locais no entorno do apiário: a 10-20m, 500m e 1500m de distância dele. A primeira visita determinou as espécies, famílias, origem (nativa ou exótica) e frequência de cada táxon. Nas visitas subsequentes, censuramos quais permaneceram em flor (presença ou ausência). Atribuímos a cada espécie um valor de um a cinco para abundância (A) e duração da floração (P), durante dois anos. Usando o Índice de Shannon, a diversidade florística foi estabelecida. Um modelo linear generalizado foi empregado para analisar a floração através das variáveis ​​resposta: presença de floração no inverno, primavera, verão e outono, bem como a duração da floração. Calculamos um Índice de Shannon de 3,6, indicando alta biodiversidade. Após correlacionar os achados do levantamento e relatos da literatura sobre a ocorrência de cada espécie em estudos melisopalinológicos em mel maduro e imaturo. O termo “Flora Conversível” foi cunhado para identificar os recursos florais cujo pólen é armazenado quando nenhuma flor está disponível. Estes foram Lithraea brasiliensis, Baccharis articulata, Baccharis trimera, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Eugenia uniflora, Colletia Paradoxa, Oxalis sp., Scutia buxifolia, Jodina rhombifolia, Aloysia gratissima para as estações de primavera e outono (P <0,05). O termo “Flora de Apoio” (P <0,05) é usado para classificar os recursos encontrados no mel imaturo e quase ausentes no mel maduro e são usados ​​como nutrientes durante a expansão da colônia: Schinus engleri, Maytenus ilicifolia, Eryngium pandanifolium, Baccharis punctulata, Abutilon pauciflorum, Daphnopsis racemosa, Allophylus edulis and Celtis tala. Esta classificação da flora permite planejar os desenvolvimentos e rendimentos esperados do mel de uma região para estabelecer embalagens tecnológicas úteis e eficientes de colheita de mel

Selección de Basidiomicetes nativos con capacidad de degradar xenobióticos usando el endosulfán como modelo = Screening of native basidiomycete capable of degrading xenobiotics using endosulfan as a model

La eliminación de contaminantes recalcitrantes es un problema medioambiental de gran importancia. Particularmente, salvo la incineración o el confinamiento, no existen procedimientos estándar para la eliminación de compuestos organoclorados como PCBs, dioxinas, pesticidas clorados o contaminantes persistentes usados en el pasado que se encuentran como residuos en el ambiente o almacenados como deshechos en grandes cantidades esperando su destrucción. La búsqueda de alternativas para solucionar estos problemas, para los cuales nuestro país aún no tiene respuesta, configura un desafío. La biotransformación de dichos compuestos por basidiomicetes es un camino poco explorado en la región a pesar del desarrollo que tienen estas tecnologías en países europeos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue avanzar en ese sentido realizando un screening de basidiomicetes aislados en nuestro país para seleccionar aquellos capaces de degradar organoclorados, empleando como modelo el endosulfán, un insecticida prohibido por la Comunidad Europea desde 2007 y en nuestro país desde 2011, que fue muy usado en el cultivo de soja y del que existen depósitos que deben ser eliminados. Se evaluó la capacidad de estos hongos de biotransformar el endosulfán a moléculas no acumulables en el medio ambiente y los resultados de la biotransformación se siguieron por GC-ECD

Desarrollo de un método multirresiduo para la evaluación en leche cruda de residuos de organofosforados y piretroides aplicados comúnmente en ganadería = Development of a multiresidue method for the evaluation in raw milk of organophosphorus and pyretriods residues commonly applied in livestock production

Dentro de los ectoparasiticidas utilizados en producciones ganaderas, en las que los animales y los procesos industriales generan productos para consumo humano, como la lechería, existen diferentes combinaciones de pesticidas y acaricidas. Si no se administran adecuadamente y no se respetan los compases de espera, se pueden encontrar sus residuos en los alimentos, por ejemplo, en los productos lácteos. Este fenómeno representa un potencial peligro para los consumidores, por lo que es necesario generar herramientas que permitan determinar cómo afectan las diferentes formas de uso en las concentraciones de pesticidas a los alimentos y los intervalos que aseguren su inocuidad al consumirlos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue ajustar y validar una metodología multirresiduo de análisis en leche vacuna cruda para al determinacion de los ectoparasticidas más empleados en ganadería utilizando GC-QqQ-MS, método elegido por su selectividad y especifidad. La preparación de muestra se basó en la metodología oficial para el análisis de residuos de pesticidas en alimentos en los EE.UU: QuEChERS (AOAC International, 2016). Se validó la metodología según el documento SANTE vigente (European Commission. Directorate General for Health and Food Safety, 2015), evaluando veracidad, precisión, linealidad, efecto matriz y límites de cuantificación. Esta metodología es una herramienta útil para determinar curvas de decaimiento de los compuestos aplicados de manera de asegurar a la calidad e inocuidad de la leche vacuna cruda

Implementación de un método para el análisis de glifosato en miel por LC-MS/MS, utilizando QuPPe para la preparación de muestra = Implementation of a methodology for the analysis of glyphosate in honey by LC-MS/MS, using QuPPe for sample preparation

El uso de la miel como alimento natural establece altas exigencias en cuanto a su calidad. Dado que la producción de miel se realiza de la mano con las actividades agrícolas, se han detectado residuos de pesticidas en mieles en varios países, y Uruguay es uno de ellos, a veces excediendo los límites máximos de residuos (LMR). Este trabajo presenta el ajuste para la determinación de glifosato en miel. Se empleó una metodología moderna de extracción con metanol, denominada QuPPe, desarrollada específicamente para el análisis de pesticidas polares empleando cromatografía líquida de intercambio iónico acoplada a un detector de masas en tándem (LC–MS/MS). Por las particularidades de la molécula de glifosato, no puede ser incluido en un método multirresiduo. El método evaluado y validado fue desarrollado por el Laboratorio de Referencia Europeo para el análisis monorresiduo de pesticidas (EURL–SRM). Para su validación, se siguieron las directrices del documento SANTE y se obtuvieron resultados aceptables incluso al LMR establecido por la Unión Europea (0,050 mg kg ). Se analizaron muestras reales uruguayas y en algunos casos se encontraron residuos de glifosato. La metodología es útil para el control de calidad e inocuidad de la miel en lo que a residuos de glifosato respecta

Antifeedant and Repellent Effects of Neotropical Solanum Extracts on Drywood Termites, (Cryptotermes brevis Walker, Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)

Antifeedant and repellent effects of two different extracts from native Solanum species Solanum bistellatum and Solanum sisymbrifolium on Cryptotermes brevis were evaluated. The extracts obtained, particularly the dichloromethane extracts and the enriched fraction of sugar esters from S. sisymbrifolium and S. bistellaltum, showed antifeedant and repellent action against the termite. The antifeedant effect of dichloromethane extract from S. sisymbrifolium at the concentration of 25.00mg/mL reached 100%, while the repellent action of the dichloromethane extracts and that of the enriched fraction of sugar esters at the concentration of 1.00mg/mL was higher than 90%. In case of S. bistellatum, the antifeedant effect of the dichloromethane extract and the enriched fraction of sugar esters at the concentration of 25.00mg/mL was 43.29% and 57.46%, respectively. The repellent action of the dichloromethane extracts and of the enriched fraction of sugar esters at a concentration level of 2.50mg/mL was higher than 92%

Tannat grape pomace as an ingredient for potential functional biscuits: bioactive compound identification, in vitro bioactivity, food safety, and sensory evaluation

Grape pomace, the main by-product of wine process, shows high potential for the development of functional foods, being a natural source of bioactive compounds and dietary fiber. Thus, the present study proposes the development of five potential functional biscuits. The five formulations were achieved by varying the Tannat grape pomace powder (TGP, 10–20% w/w total wet dough) and sweetener sucralose (2–4% w/w total wet dough) content through a factorial design with central points. TGP microbiological and pesticides analysis were performed as a food safety requirement. Identification of bioactive compounds by HPLC-DAD-MS, in vitro bioactivity (total phenol content, antioxidant by ABTS and ORAC-FL, antidiabetic and antiobesity by inhibition of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, respectively) and sensory properties of the biscuits were evaluated. TGP microbiological and pesticides showed values within food safety criteria. Sensory profiles of TGP biscuits were obtained, showing biscuits with 20% TGP good sensory quality (7.3, scale 1–9) in a cluster of 37 out of 101 consumers. TGP addition in biscuits had a significant (p &lt; 0.05) effect on total phenolic content (0.893–1.858 mg GAE/g biscuit) and bioactive properties when compared to controls: 11.467–50.491 and 4.342–50.912 μmol TE/g biscuit for ABTS and ORAC-FL, respectively; inhibition of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase, IC50 35.572–64.268 and 7.197–47.135 mg/mL, respectively. HPLC-DAD-MS results showed all the identified phenolic compounds in 20/4% biscuit (TGP/sucralose%) were degraded during baking. Malvidin-3-O-(6′-p-coumaroyl) glucoside, (+)-catechin, malvidin-3-O-glucoside, and (−)-epicatechin were the main phenolic compounds (in descendent order of content) found. The bioactive properties could be attributed to the remaining phenolic compounds in the biscuits. In conclusion, TGP biscuits seemed to be a promising functional food with potential for ameliorating oxidative stress, glucose and fatty acids levels with good sensory quality

Detection of Pesticides in Active and Depopulated Beehives in Uruguay

The influence of insecticides commonly used for agricultural purposes on beehive depopulation in Uruguay was investigated. Honeycombs, bees, honey and propolis from depopulated hives were analyzed for pesticide residues, whereas from active beehives only honey and propolis were evaluated. A total of 37 samples were analyzed, representing 14,800 beehives. In depopulated beehives only imidacloprid and fipronil were detected and in active beehives endosulfan, coumaphos, cypermethrin, ethion and chlorpyrifos were found. Coumaphos was present in the highest concentrations, around 1,000 μg/kg, in all the propolis samples from active beehives. Regarding depopulated beehives, the mean levels of imidacloprid found in honeycomb (377 μg/kg, Standard Deviation: 118) and propolis (60 μg/kg, Standard Deviation: 57) are higher than those described to produce bee disorientation and fipronil levels detected in bees (150 and 170 μg/kg) are toxic per se. The other insecticides found can affect the global fitness of the bees causing weakness and a decrease in their overall productivity. These preliminary results suggest that bees exposed to pesticides or its residues can lead them in different ways to the beehive

Latest trends in honey contaminant analysis, challenges, and opportunities for green chemistry development

The latest advances in honey trace contaminants analysis according to 70 articles gathered, mainly from the last 4 years, are critically reviewed, focusing on green and environmentally friendly aspects. Sample preparation protocols for multi-element analysis are slowly evolving towards green chemistry but older methods are still employed. Analytical methods are moving to mass spectrometry determinations, but other spectroscopic methods are also an answer. Dispersive sample preparation methods followed by chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry proved their utility for multi-residue analysis of a wide array of trace organic compounds. Multiplex/multiclass methods development arises as a new field in honey contaminant analysis: They are greener than the traditional ones, as a bunch of families of chemical contaminants can be determined in a single extraction step. The regulatory framework did not follow the analytical procedures evolution. Honey is an animal-origin food, and contamination from other sources is seldom considered. The lack of holistic approaches from a legal point of view menaces public health as honey is consumed during the whole lifetime and hampers integrative analytical developments

Development of analytical methodologies to assess recalcitrant pesticide bioremediation in biobeds at laboratory scale

To assess recalcitrant pesticide bioremediation it is necessary to gradually increase the complexity of the biological system used in order to design an effective biobed assembly. Each step towards this effective biobed design needs a suitable, validated analytical methodology that allows a correct evaluation of the dissipation and bioconvertion. Low recovery yielding methods could give a false idea of a successful biodegradation process. To address this situation, different methods were developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of endosulfan, its main three metabolites, and chlorpyrifos in increasingly complex matrices where the bioconvertor basidiomycete Abortiporus biennis could grow. The matrices were culture media, bran, and finally a laboratory biomix composed of bran, peat and soil. The methodology for the analysis of the first evaluated matrix has already been reported. The methodologies developed for the other two systems are presented in this work. The targeted analytes were extracted from fungi growing over bran in semisolid media YNB (Yeast Nitrogen Based) with acetonitrile using shaker assisted extraction, The salting-out step was performed with MgSO4 and NaCl, and the extracts analyzed by GC-ECD. The best methodology was fully validated for all the evaluated analytes at 1 and 25 mg kg&#8722;1 yielding recoveries between 72 and 109% and RSDs <11% in all cases. The application of this methodology proved that A. biennis is able to dissipate 94% of endosulfan and 87% of chlorpyrifos after 90 days. Having assessed that A. biennis growing over bran can metabolize the studied pesticides, the next step faced was the development and validation of an analytical procedure to evaluate the analytes in a laboratory scale biobed composed of 50% of bran, 25% of peat and 25% of soil together with fungal micelium. From the different procedures assayed, only ultrasound assisted extraction with ethyl acetate allowed recoveries between 80%&#8722;110% with RSDs <18%. Linearity, recovery, precision, matrix effect and LODs/LOQs of each method were studied for all the analytes: endosulfan isomers (&#945; & &#946;) and its metabolites (endosulfan sulfate, ether and diol) as well as for chlorpyrifos. In the first laboratory evaluation of these biobeds endosulfan was bioconverted up to 87% and chlorpyrifos more than 79% after 27 days

Phenolic Profiling and Antioxidant Capacity of Eugenia uniflora L. (Pitanga) Samples Collected in Different Uruguayan Locations

The use of nutrient-rich foods to enhance the wellness, health and lifestyle habits of consumers is globally encouraged. Native fruits are of great interest as they are grown and consumed locally and take part of the ethnobotanic knowledge of the population. Pitanga is an example of a native fruit from Uruguay, consumed as a jelly or an alcoholic beverage. Pitanga has a red-violet pigmentation, which is a common trait for foods that are a good source of antioxidants. Hence, fruits from different Uruguayan regions were analyzed via miniaturized sample preparation method, HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn and RP-HPLC-DAD techniques to identify and quantify phenolic compounds, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated via DPPH and ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assays. A multivariate linear regression was applied to correlate the observed antioxidant capacity with the phenolic content. Furthermore, Principal Components Analysis was performed to highlight characteristics between the various samples studied. The main results indicated differences between northern and southern Uruguayan samples. Delphinidin-3-hexoside was present in southern samples (mean of 293.16 µmol/100 g dry weight (DW)) and absent in the sample collected in the north (sample 3). All the samples contain high levels of cyanidin-3-hexoside, but a noticeable difference was found between the northern sample (150.45 µmol/100 g DW) and the southern sample (1121.98 µmol/100 g DW). The antioxidant capacity (mean ORAC of 56370 µmol Trolox®/100 g DW) were high in all the samples compared to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) database of similar berry-fruits. The results of this study highlight the nutraceutical value of a native fruit that has not been exploited until now.The authors gratefully acknowledge the CYTED program for the support of the international collaboration through the Thematic Network AGL 112RT0460 CORNUCOPIA