Antifouling Activity of Celastroids Isolated from Maytenus Species, Natural and Sustainable Alternatives for Marine Coatings

A group of celastroids, quinone-methide nortriterpenes isolated from Maytenus vitis-idaea and Maytenus spinosa were assayed for their antifouling activity. Toxicity assays were performed on Balanus amphitrite nauplii, and the most promising compounds were then incorporated in soluble-matrix antifouling paints, which were tested in the ocean. The results obtained after a 45 day-field trial of the paints indicated in all cases promising antifouling potencies. Although all compounds showed antifouling activity on a wide range of organisms, tingenone and celastrol were the most effective inhibitors of the settlement of fouling organisms. The effect of these substances on nauplii in laboratory tests was temporary instead of toxic, with a high recovery rate, which may avert a potentially adverse ecological damage on the benthic community. These results may provide a more environmentally friendly alternative for the control of biofouling, replacing toxic additives actually in use in marine paints.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología de PinturasUniversidad de Buenos AiresUniversidad Nacional de Córdob

Pancratium canariense as an important source of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids

Four new alkaloids (1−4) have been isolated from a methanolic extract of bulbs of Pancratium canariense, together with 12 known alkaloids (5−16). The structures of the new alkaloids were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies and X-ray diffraction.Fil: Cedron, Juan C.. Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica “Antonio González”; España. Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer; EspañaFil: Oberti, Juan Carlos María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Estevez Braum, Ana. Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica “Antonio González”; España. Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer; EspañaFil: Ravelo, Angel G.. Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica “Antonio González”; España. Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer; EspañaFil: Del Arco Aguilar, Marcelino. Universidad de La Laguna. Departamento de Biología Vegetal; EspañaFil: Lopez, Matias. Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer; Españ