Ecological phytochemistry of Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) plants

The Cerrado (the Brazilian savanna) is one of the vegetation formations of great biodiversity in Brazil and it has experienced strong deforestation and fragmentation. The Cerrado must contain at least 12,000 higher plant species.We discuss the ecological relevance of phytochemical studies carried out on plants from the Cerrado, including examples of phytotoxicity, antifungal, insecticidal and antibacterial activities. The results have been classified according to activity and plant family. The most active compounds have been highlighted and other activities are discussed. A large number of complex biochemical interactions occur in this system. However, only a small fraction of the species has been studied from the phytochemical viewpoint to identify the metabolites responsible for these interactions

Avaliação da atividade inibidora do diflubenzuron na ecdise das larvas de Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera, Culicidae) Evaluation of the inhibiting activity of the diflubenzuron on the ecdysis of larvae of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera, Culicidae)

Foi avaliada a atividade inibidora do diflubenzuron na ecdise de larvas do Aedes aegypti, visando à utilização desse produto no controle desse mosquito. Além disso, conhecer a interação do produto com o tipo de criadouro e a suscetibilidade do mosquito. Os bioensaios foram realizados em um fundo de quintal de residência, em sete tipos potenciais de criadouros artificiais: pneu, vidro, cimento-amianto, cimento, lata, plástico e cerâmica. Para cada tipo de criadouro colocaram-se 20 larvas de cada estádio do Aedes aegypti. O mesmo número de larvas foi utilizado para o controle. Foram feitas nove réplicas e as leituras de mortalidade foram em intervalos de 24 horas, após o início dos experimentos, até atingir o índice de 100%. Isto foi obtido a 1 ppm. Não houve diferença significativa entre os períodos médios de sobrevivência das larvas e nem entre os diferentes tipos de criadouros. Houve diferenças significativas entre os estádios, sendo o 3° o mais tolerante. Constatou-se também que as concentrações não interagiram com os estádios e tipos de criadouros, ao nível de 5%.<br>The inhibiting activity of diflubenzuron on the ecdysis of Aedes aegypti larvae was evaluated, with a view to using this product in mosquito control. This study also aimed to determine the interaction between this product, the type of artificial containers and the susceptibility of the mosquito. Bioassays were carried out in the backyard of a residence, using seven kinds of artificial habitats: tires, glass, concrete roofing, cans, plastic containers, cement and pottery. In each kind of artificial habitat, 20 Aedes aegypti larvae in the 4th instar were set. The same number of larvae was used as a control. Each test was repeated five times and the observation of mortality was done once every 24 hours, until 100% mortality was reached at 1 ppm. There was no significant difference between the main surveillance periods of the larvae, nor between the various kinds of artificial habitats. A significant difference was found between the instars, in that the 3rd instar was the most resistant to diflubenzuron inhibiting activity. It was also shown that concentrations did not interact with instars or material of the artificial habitats at the 5% significance level