Comparative analysis of triterpenoids from Mikania cordifolia collected from four different locations

A espécie Mikania cordifolia distribui-se por toda a América e é amplamente encontrada em quase todo o território brasileiro, onde é utilizada popularmente contra mordidas de serpentes. Extratos metanólicos e diclorometânicos preparados a partir e M. cordifolia Robinson coletadas em quatro locais diferentes do Brasil foram submetidos à extração líquido-líquido e os extratos hexânicos e resíduos obtidos nesta etapa foram analisados para a pesquisa de triterpenóides por cromatografia em fase gasosa. Os espécimes coletados em Ribeirão Preto-SP e São Carlos-SP apresentaram os triterpenóides beta-amirina, lupeol, lupenona, acetato de alfa-amirina, acetato de beta-amirina, acetato de lupeol, acetato de taraxasterol, campesterol e beta-sitosterol na suas composições. Além destes trierpenóides, o espécime de Campos de Jordão-SP apresentou 11-oxours-12-eno, 11-oxoolean-12-eno e acetato de taraxerol e, o de Monte verde-MG, epitaraxerol e acetato de taraxerol. A friedelina foi observada apenas nas amostras de Ribeirão Preto-SP e São Carlos-SP.The species Mikania cordifolia is distributed across America and widely found throughout Brazilian territory, where is popularly used against snake bites. Methanolic and dichloromethanic extracts prepared from M. cordifolia Robinson collected from four different locations in Brazil were submitted to liquid-liquid extraction and the hexanic phase and residues obtained from this step were analyzed for triterpenoids by gas chromatography. The specimens from Ribeirão Preto-SP and São Carlos-SP showed similar triterpenoid composition: alpha-amyrin, lupeol, lupenone, alpha-amyrin acetate, beta-amyrin acetate, lupeol acetate, taraxasterol acetate, campesterol and beta-sitosterol. Besides these triterpenoids, the specimen from Campos de Jordão-SP presented 11-oxours-12-ene, 11-oxoolean-12-ene and taraxerol acetate, and from Monte Verde, epitaraxerol e taraxerol acetate. The triterpene friedelin could be found in specimens from Ribeirão Preto and São Carlos

Apolar Compounds in Seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Northeastern Coast of Brazil)

Hyphenated techniques of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer were used to determine fatty acids in eleven species of seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha archipelago. The main compounds detected in all studied species were the alcohol phytol and the fatty acids 14 : 0; 15 : 0; 16 : 0; 18 : 0; 18 : 1 n9; 18 : 2 Δ9,12; 20 : 4; 20 : 5. These fatty acids are commonly found in seaweeds present in warm regions. Thus, we found no specificity in the presence of a particular set of fatty acids and the studied species indicating that they are not useful as taxonomic indicators. However, they could be used in a comparative study with algae found in polluted area because many of the studied seaweeds are widespread and Fernando de Noronha has low human influence

Comparative analysis of triterpenoids from Mikania cordifolia collected from four different locations Análise comparativa de triterpenóides de Mikania cordifolia coletada em quatro locais diferentes

The species Mikania cordifolia is distributed across America and widely found throughout Brazilian territory, where is popularly used against snake bites. Methanolic and dichloromethanic extracts prepared from M. cordifolia Robinson collected from four different locations in Brazil were submitted to liquid-liquid extraction and the hexanic phase and residues obtained from this step were analyzed for triterpenoids by gas chromatography. The specimens from Ribeirão Preto-SP and São Carlos-SP showed similar triterpenoid composition: alpha-amyrin, lupeol, lupenone, alpha-amyrin acetate, beta-amyrin acetate, lupeol acetate, taraxasterol acetate, campesterol and beta-sitosterol. Besides these triterpenoids, the specimen from Campos de Jordão-SP presented 11-oxours-12-ene, 11-oxoolean-12-ene and taraxerol acetate, and from Monte Verde, epitaraxerol e taraxerol acetate. The triterpene friedelin could be found in specimens from Ribeirão Preto and São Carlos.<br>A espécie Mikania cordifolia distribui-se por toda a América e é amplamente encontrada em quase todo o território brasileiro, onde é utilizada popularmente contra mordidas de serpentes. Extratos metanólicos e diclorometânicos preparados a partir e M. cordifolia Robinson coletadas em quatro locais diferentes do Brasil foram submetidos à extração líquido-líquido e os extratos hexânicos e resíduos obtidos nesta etapa foram analisados para a pesquisa de triterpenóides por cromatografia em fase gasosa. Os espécimes coletados em Ribeirão Preto-SP e São Carlos-SP apresentaram os triterpenóides beta-amirina, lupeol, lupenona, acetato de alfa-amirina, acetato de beta-amirina, acetato de lupeol, acetato de taraxasterol, campesterol e beta-sitosterol na suas composições. Além destes trierpenóides, o espécime de Campos de Jordão-SP apresentou 11-oxours-12-eno, 11-oxoolean-12-eno e acetato de taraxerol e, o de Monte verde-MG, epitaraxerol e acetato de taraxerol. A friedelina foi observada apenas nas amostras de Ribeirão Preto-SP e São Carlos-SP

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Brazilian plants Acanthospermum australe, Calea fruticosa and Mikania glauca.

The essential oils of leaves of Acanthospermum australe, Calea fruticosa and Mikania glauca (Asteraceae) from southeastern Brazil were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Oxygenated sesquiterpenes were predominant in C. fruticosa (47.8%) whereas sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons constituents predominated in A. australe (85.1%) and M. glauca (63.3%) oils. Caryophyllene oxide, α-cadinol and selin-11-en-4-α-ol were the most abundant components in C. fruticosa. Germacrene D, (E)-caryophyllene and bicyclogermacrene were the major components observed in the essential oil obtained from the leaves of A. australe and M. glauca. The antimicrobial capacity of the oils was tested. The results showed that the oils have antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and Candida glabrata, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 50 and 1000 μg/ml

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Variation of Castes and Sex in the Weaver Ant Camponotus textor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Cuticular hydrocarbons play important roles as chemical signatures of individuals, castes, sex and brood. They also can mediate the regulation of egg laying in ants, by informing directly or indirectly the reproductive status of queens. In this study we asked whether cuticular hydrocarbon profiles are correlated with castes and sex of Camponotus textor. Cuticular hydrocarbons were extracted from part of a mature colony (80 workers, 27 major workers, 27 queens, 27 virgin queens and 27 males). Results showed that cuticular hydrocarbons varied quantitatively and qualitatively among the groups and this variation was sufficiently strong to allow separation of castes and genders. We discuss the specificity of some compounds as possible regulatory compounds of worker tasks and reproduction in C. textor.CNPqCnpqFAPESPFapesp [Proc. 10/10027-5

Juvenile hormone regulates reproductive physiology and the production of fertility cues in the swarm-founding wasp Polybia occidentalis

Juvenile hormone (JH) has important functions that regulate insect life. In adult individuals, it induces gonadotropic and behavioral changes. Manipulating JH levels helps to understand how it influences insect physiology. The effects of JH on Epiponini swarm-founding wasps have shown contrasting results, affecting reproduction, chemical compound expression, behavior, and age polyethism. In this study, we investigated whether JH affects reproductive physiology and production of fertility cues in a swarm-founding wasp species Polybia occidentalis in an age-controlled experimental setup. We treated newly emerged females with methoprene (JH analogue) and precocene-I (JH inhibitor) to determine their effects on ovary activation and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) expression. Furthermore, we compared the chemical profiles of treated workers with those of queens. Our results show that methoprene and precocene-I affected the CHC production in P. occidentalis. Additionally, females treated with methoprene were chemically more similar to queens than precocene- and acetone-treated females. Methoprene affected ovarian status (increasing ovary activation). These results suggest that different levels of JH reflect changes in chemical and reproductive traits in P. occidentalis females. Furthermore, we point out the existence of fertility cues in this Epiponini wasp

Apolar Compounds in Seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Northeastern Coast of Brazil)

Hyphenated techniques of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer were used to determine fatty acids in eleven species of seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha archipelago. The main compounds detected in all studied species were the alcohol phytol and the fatty acids 14 : 0; 15 : 0; 16 : 0; 18 : 0; 18 : 1 n 9 ; 18 : 2 Δ 9,12 ; 20 : 4; 20 : 5. These fatty acids are commonly found in seaweeds present in warm regions. Thus, we found no specificity in the presence of a particular set of fatty acids and the studied species indicating that they are not useful as taxonomic indicators. However, they could be used in a comparative study with algae found in polluted area because many of the studied seaweeds are widespread and Fernando de Noronha has low human influence