Adsorção de íons Cu (II), Mn (II), Zn (II) e Fe (III), utilizando rejeito de mineração de carvão como adsorvente

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar estudos de adsorção de íons Cu (II), Mn (II), Zn (II) e Fe (III), utilizando rejeito de mineração de carvão como adsorvente. Rejeitos de mineração de carvão foram coletados em minas da região carbonífera do sul de Santa Catarina e caracterizados através da análise elementar (CHNS) e análise termogravimétrica (TGA). O rejeito foi submetido à calcinação (800oC, por 1 hora) para obtenção dos óxidos, cujos resultados indicaram a presença majoritária de SiO2, Al2O3 e Fe2O3. O rejeito calcinado foi utilizado em estudos de adsorção de íons Cu (II), Mn (II), Zn (II) e Fe (III) em solução aquosa. Os resultados permitiram indicar que a adsorção dos íons de metais foi dependente do pH da solução. O modelo de pseudo segunda-ordem foi o que melhor correlacionou os dados cinéticos experimentais para todos os íons de metais estudados. A isoterma de Langmuir forneceu o melhor ajuste para os dados de adsorção experimental dos íons, revelando a capacidade máxima de adsorção de 1,963 mg g-1 para Mn (II), 0,907 mg g-1 para Zn (II), 0,434 mg g-1 para Fe (III) e 0,240 mg g-1 para Cu (II). A partir dos dados de adsorção, obteve-se a eficiência de remoção de 64% a 89% para Mn (II), 42 % a 78% para Zn (II), 12% a 33% para Fe (III) e 16% a 30% para Cu (II). A partir dos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que o rejeito de mineração de carvão poderia ser utilizado como um possível adsorvente para remoção de metais em ambientes aquáticos contaminados

Chemical composition and biological activities of the leaves of Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke) cultivated in Brazil

The present paper describes the chemical composition and biological activities of artichoke cultivated in Brazil. Our studies demonstrated that glycosyl flavonoids (cynaroside and scolymoside), are the major constituents, along with cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, and the triterpene lupeol. Cynarin, which is the main compound described for artichoke, was detected in very low concentration. Hexanic fraction exhibited considerable cytotoxicity and diuretic activities

Potent hepatoprotective effect in CCl4-induced hepatic injury in mice of phloroacetophenone from Myrcia multiflora

Background: This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant properties of phloroacetophenone (2′,4′,6′-trihydroxyacetophenone – THA), an acetophenone derived from the plant Myrcia multiflora.Material & Method: The free radical scavenging activity in vitro and induction of oxidative hepatic damage by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) were tested in male Swiss mice (25±5 g). Results: This compound exhibited in vitro antioxidant effects on FeCl2–ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mouse liver homogenate, scavenging hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The in vivo assays showed that THA significantly (p<0.01) prevented the increases of hepatic LPO as measured by the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, mitochondrial swelling. It also protected hepatocytes against protein carbonylation and oxidative DNA damage. Consistent with these observations, THA pre-treatment normalized the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, and increased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in CCl4-treated mice. In addition, THA treatment significantly prevented the elevation of serum enzymatic activities of alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, as well as histological alterations induced by CCl4. Silymarin (SIL) (24 mg/kg), a known hepatoprotective drug used for comparison, led to a significant decrease (p<0.01) in activities of theses enzymes in way very similar to that observed in pre-treatment with THA. Conclusion: These results suggest that the protective effects are due to reduction of oxidative damage induced by CCl4 resulting from the antioxidant properties of THA

Avaliação da toxicidade de drenagem ácida de mina de carvão, utilizando parâmetros físico-químicos e bioensaios

This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of acid coal mine drainage by using physico-chemical parameters and bioassays. The results indicate that the drainage showed low pH and expressive concentrations of the metals aluminum, iron, manganese and sulfate. The drainage caused high acute toxicity in Artemia sp. as well as significant phytotoxicity and genotoxicity in  Allium cepa L. In conclusion, the drainage has toxic potential, possibly due to the presence of contaminants in solution.O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a toxicidade de drenagem ácida de mina de carvão, utilizando-se parâmetros físico-químicos e bioensaios. Os resultados permitem constatar que a drenagem apresentou baixo valor de pH e expressiva concentração dos metais alumínio, ferro, manganês e de sulfato. A drenagem provocou elevada toxicidade aguda em Artemia sp. bem como significativa fitotoxicidade e genotoxicidade em Allium cepa L. Conclui-se que a drenagem apresenta potencial tóxico, possivelmente em decorrência da presença dos contaminantes em solução

ESTUDO DA QUALIDADE DAS ÁGUAS DO RIO MAROMBAS (SC/BRASIL), UTILIZANDO PARÂMETROS FÍSICO-QUÍMICOS E BIOENSAIOS.

O presente trabalho propôs realizar estudos preliminares de avaliação da qualidade das águas do Rio Marombas (SC-Brasil), utilizando parâmetros físico-químicos e bioensaios. Amostras de águas do Rio Marombas foram coletadas em 3 pontos e realizada a determinação de pH, oxigênio dissolvido (OD), análise de agroquímicos, hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA’s), compostos orgânicos voláteis (COV’s) e bifenilas policloradas (PCB’s). Foram executados ensaios de toxicidade aguda (CL50) em microcrustáceos Artemia sp. e de fitotoxicidade em Allium cepa L. avaliada pela inibição de crescimento e peso de raízes e pelos biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo glutationa reduzida (GSH) e peroxidação lipídica. Os resultados dos parâmetros físico-químicos indicaram que os valores de pHestiveram compatíveis com padrões previstos pela legislação. Foi constatada a presença dos agroquímicos metomil nos Pontos 1 e 2 e metconazol no Ponto 1. Os bioensaios revelaram que não houve toxicidade em Artemia sp. e ausência de inibição de crescimento e peso de raízes em Allium cepa L. A concentração de GSH estava significativamente aumentada no Ponto 3 quando comparada ao Ponto 1 e ao controle negativo. Não foi observada diferença significativa na avaliação de peroxidação lipídica entre os diferentes grupos. Esses resultados indicam que as águas do Rio Marombas podem estar sendo contaminadas por agroquímicos, sugerindo a necessidade de implementação de sistema de monitoramento periódico de sua qualidade.Palavras-chave: rio Marombas; parâmetros físico-químicos; bioensaiosSTUDY OF WATER QUALITY FROM THE MAROMBAS RIVER (SC/BRAZIL) USING THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND BIOASSAYS.ABSTRACTThe present study proposed preliminary studies assessing the quality of water from the river Marombas (SCBrazil) using the physicochemical parameters and bioassays. Samples of water from Marombas river were collected at three points and it was determined the pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), concentration of agrochemicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s), volatile organic compounds (VOC`s) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB´s). Acute toxicity tests (LC50) were carried out in microcrustaceans Artemia sp. and phytotoxicity tests in Allium cepa L. assessed through theinhibition of growth and weight of roots and by biomarkers of oxidative stress reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation. The results of physicochemical parameters indicated that the pH values were consistent with standards established by the legislation. It could be observed the presence of the agrochemicals methomyl in Points 1 and 2 and metconazole in Point 1. The bioassays showed absence of the acute toxicity in Artemia sp. and there was no inhibition of growth and weight of roots in Allium cepa L. The concentration of GSH was significantly increased (P<0.05) in Point 3 when compared to Point 1 and the negative control. No significant difference could be observed in the evaluation of lipid peroxidation between different groups. These results demonstrate that the water of the Marombas river is contaminated by agrochemicals, suggesting the necessity of implementing a system of monitoring its quality.Key words: Marombas river, physicochemical parameters, bioassay

Brazilian Bidens pilosa Linné yields fraction containing quercetin-derived flavonoid with free radical scavenger activity and hepatoprotective effects

Bidens pilosa is a plant used by Amazonian and Asian folks for some hepatopathies. The hydroethanol crude extract and three fractions were assessed for antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Higher levels of scavenger activity on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, inhibition of deoxyribose oxidation and lipid peroxidation in vitro were detected for the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50~4.3–32.3 µg/ml) followed by the crude extract (IC50~14.2–98.0 µg/ml). The ethyl acetate fraction, again followed by the crude extract, showed high contents of total soluble polyphenols (3.6±0.2 and 2.1±0.2 GAE/mg, respectively) and presence of a quercetin-derived flavonoid identified as quercetin 3,3′-dimethyl ether 7-O-β-D-glycopyranoside. Both products were assayed for hepatoprotector effects against CCl4-induced liver injury in mice. Markers of oxidative stress and hepatic injury were evaluated. The results showed that the 10-day pretreatments (15 mg/kg, p.o.) protected the livers against injury by blocking CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation and the DNA fragmentation was decreased (~60%). The pretreatments avoided the loss of the plasma ferric reducing/antioxidant power and the elevation of serum transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase activities. The results suggest that the main constituents responsible for the hepatoprotective effects with free radical scavenger power associated are well extracted by performing fractionation with ethyl acetate. The findings support the Brazilian traditional use of this plant and justify further evaluations for the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the constituents of the ethyl acetate fraction to treat some liver diseases

Fármacos e fitoterápicos: a necessidade do desenvolvimento da indústria de fitoterápicos e fitofármacos no Brasil Pharmaceutics and phytotherapics: the need for development of the industry of phytopharmaceutics and phytotherapics in Brazil

<abstract language="eng">We discuss briefly the development and the present status of medicinal chemistry. In this context, we consider the therapeutic possibilities of the phytotherapy. On the basis of this analysis, the development of the phytopharmaceutical industry in Brazil is shown to be of essential importance for both the university and the Country due to the human and technological resources involved

Active Learning Using Protein Data Bank (PDB) Biochemical Data by Undergraduate Students of Nutrition Course at UFSC

INTRODUCTION: Many biochemistry internet sites lacking scientific accuracy dismiss their use. However PDB provides macromolecules structures that are experimentally very accurately determined. Besides, PDB provides biochemistry of nutritional chronic/metabolic diseases very useful to students and professionals. In addition, the PDB provides biochemical knowledge of chronic and nutritional metabolic diseases very useful for students and professionals. However, PDB database idiom, sophisticate search tools and technical terms can be obstacles to active learning. OBJECTIVES: Incentive students to develop and improve their knowledge/learning network and skills needed to practice as professionals based in active learning of protein structures using PDB as a tool and scientific source of biochemical data obtained using computer structural models. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Firstly, traditional lectures showed basics concepts of the proteins biochemistry, accordingly to curricular content. Then, PDB protein categories showed (http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/home/home.do) using myoglobin as model (https://pdb101.rcsb.org/motm/1). Finally, each pair of students select a protein to be described using Powerpoint™ format. Questions about pedagogic strategy and PDB aspects and all presentations were available at Moodle-UFSC (interactive virtual environment). DISCUSSION AND RESULTS: Students answers confirmed PDB structures as scientifically based (86%). PDB was considered a good pedagogical strategy (44%) rooted in scientific theory and experiment-based (48%) with attractive computational molecular models (57%). Students highlighted PDB give free/easy/fast access (53%) and considered it as good to spread knowledge for all countries (61%). PDB beneficiates Professors/Health professionals including Nutritionists (57%) and Academy (74%). CONCLUSION: Active learning process increase opportunities to access scientific curated PDB information capable to improve Biochemistry skills of future nutritionists

Rejeito de mineração de carvão como adsorvente para remoção da acidez, Fe (III), Al (III) e Mn (II) em drenagem ácida

This study aimed the use of coal mining waste as a new adsorbent for H3O+ and removal of Al (III), Fe (III) and Mn (II) from acid mine drainage. Data from kinetic and equilibrium of the adsorption of H3O+ followed the pseudo second-order and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity of H3O+ was 316 mmol kg-1. The adsorbent removed 100% of Al (III), 100% of Fe (III) and 89% of Mn (II), suggesting its use as an alternative for the treatment of acid mine drainage