Mucilagem de sementes de chia (Salvia hispanica L.): um biopolímero emergente para aplicação industrial

Biopolymers are widely distributed in nature and have a wide variety of biological properties and applications. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which when in contact with water exude the fraction of soluble fiber in the form of mucilage. In view of the above, this study aims to provide an overview of the characteristics and applications of chia mucilage that make it a biopolymer of industrial interest. The data collection was carried out in the databases: SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Science Direct, MDPI, Wiley Online Library, Springer and Periodical capes using the following descriptors: “Chia Seed Mucilage”, “Technological Properties”, “Biological Activities”, and “Applications” in alone and in association. After the critical analysis of the selected articles, it was possible to conclude that the chia mucilage has numerous and unique physical-chemical, chemical and technological properties. Applications in the food field are among the most used in view of the industrial perspective. However, the infinite potential that this biomaterial has for the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries is undeniable.Os biopolímeros são amplamente distribuídos na natureza e possuem uma ampla variedade de propriedades biológicas e aplicações. A chia (Salvia hispanica L.) é uma planta herbácea pertencente à família Lamiaceae, que quando em contato com a água exala a fração de fibra solúvel na forma de mucilagem. Diante do exposto, este estudo tem como objetivo fornecer um panorama sobre as características e aplicações da mucilagem da chia que a tornam um biopolímero de interesse industrial. A coleta de dados foi realizada nas bases de dados: SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Science Direct, MDPI, Wiley Online Library, Springer e Periodical capes utilizando os seguintes descritores: “Chia Seed Mucilage”, “Technological Properties”, “Biological Activities ”, e “Aplicações” isoladamente e em associação. Após a análise crítica dos artigos selecionados, foi possível concluir que a mucilagem da chia possui inúmeras e únicas propriedades físico-químicas, químicas e tecnológicas. As aplicações na área de alimentos estão entre as mais utilizadas do ponto de vista industrial. No entanto, é inegável o potencial infinito que este biomaterial tem para as indústrias farmacêutica e agrícola.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chia seed mucilage (Salvia hispanica L.): An emerging biopolymer for industrial application

Biopolymers are widely distributed in nature and have a wide variety of biological properties and applications. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which when in contact with water exude the fraction of soluble fiber in the form of mucilage. In view of the above, this study aims to provide an overview of the characteristics and applications of chia mucilage that make it a biopolymer of industrial interest. The data collection was carried out in the databases: SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Science Direct, MDPI, Wiley Online Library, Springer and Periodical capes using the following descriptors: “Chia Seed Mucilage”, “Technological Properties”, “Biological Activities”, and “Applications” in alone and in association. After the critical analysis of the selected articles, it was possible to conclude that the chia mucilage has numerous and unique physical-chemical, chemical and technological properties. Applications in the food field are among the most used in view of the industrial perspective. However, the infinite potential that this biomaterial has for the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries is undeniable

Cuticular Lipids as a First Barrier Defending Ixodid Ticks against Fungal Infection

The chemical composition of tick cuticles acts as a barrier to pathogens and may limit infection by entomopathogenic fungi. This study characterized the cuticular neutral lipids (NL) and hydrocarbons (HCs) of four ixodid ticks that are widely distributed in Brazil. HC extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and used to challenge Beauveria bassiana IP361 and Metarhizium robertsii IP146; the effect of cuticular extracts in fungal growth were evaluated by disk diffusion and conidial viability assays. In addition, conidial germination on the tick cuticle was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, and NL from ticks treated with fungi were assessed by thin layer chromatography. Six HCs were exclusively identified in Amblyomma sculptum. Additionally, cuticle extracts from Dermacentor nitens and A. sculptum inhibited the growth of M. robertsii IP146 and reduced conidial germination of B. bassiana IP361 to 70% and 49%, respectively; the same extracts also produced cytotoxic effects, with conidial death above 30% and 60%. Electron micrographs showed a delayed germination of conidia incubated for 48 h or 72 h on D. nitens and A. sculptum. The lipid profile of A. sculptum treated with fungi was not significantly altered; triacylglycerol was not detected in the cuticle extracts of any other tick species. Finally, A. sculptum and D. nitens cuticles have lipid components that may limit the development of M. robertsii

Monitoring the Establishment of VOC Gamma in Minas Gerais, Brazil: A Retrospective Epidemiological and Genomic Surveillance Study

Since its first identification in Brazil, the variant of concern (VOC) Gamma has been associated with increased infection and transmission rates, hospitalizations, and deaths. Minas Gerais (MG), the second-largest populated Brazilian state with more than 20 million inhabitants, observed a peak of cases and deaths in March–April 2021. We conducted a surveillance study in 1240 COVID-19-positive samples from 305 municipalities distributed across MG’s 28 Regional Health Units (RHU) between 1 March to 27 April 2021. The most common variant was the VOC Gamma (71.2%), followed by the variant of interest (VOI) zeta (12.4%) and VOC alpha (9.6%). Although the predominance of Gamma was found in most of the RHUs, clusters of Zeta and Alpha variants were observed. One Alpha-clustered RHU has a history of high human mobility from countries with Alpha predominance. Other less frequent lineages, such as P.4, P.5, and P.7, were also identified. With our genomic characterization approach, we estimated the introduction of Gamma on 7 January 2021, at RHU Belo Horizonte. Differences in mortality between the Zeta, Gamma and Alpha variants were not observed. We reinforce the importance of vaccination programs to prevent severe cases and deaths during transmission peaks