Antimicrobial activity of Cymbopogon citratus (Poaceae) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm and its cytotoxic effects

Antimicrobial activity of Cymbopogon citratus (Poaceae) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm and its cytotoxic effectsDental caries is a pathology of multifactorial origin and currently natural products are an efficientalternative treatment. The work sought to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the three substances(Cymbopogon citratus essential oil and the citral and myrcene components) against Streptococcus mutans ATCCUA159, as well as their cytotoxicity on keratinocytes and human fibroblasts. Through Scanning electron microscopy,the typical morphology of S. mutans was observed and, a characteristic formation of polysaccharides, withmore structured arrangement at 48 h. The bacterial viability effect against S. mutans on biofilms was evaluatedthrough exposure to the three substances by using the MBEC technique-high-throughput at concentrations of 1,0.1, and 0.01 μg/mL and chlorhexidine as positive control. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated onkeratinocytes and fibroblasts through the MTT reduction technique, using 0.5 mM H2O2 as cell-death control(negative control) and ethanol 1 % as vehicle control (positive control). The three substances evaluated hadeffects on the bacterial viability of S. mutans with mortality between 74 and 96 %, without significant differenceamong them (P > 0.393); additionally, no cytotoxicity was evident on keratinocytes and fibroblasts in a 24h treatment. The substances evaluated showed significant antimicrobial effects; hence, these should be studiedfurther as potential co-adjuvants to prevent dental caries that cause minor adverse effects.Fil: Ortega Cuadros, Mailen. Universidad de Antioquia; ColombiaFil: Tofiño Rivera, Adriana Patricia. Universidad de Santander; Colombia. Centro de Investigación Motilonia de AGROSAVIA; ColombiaFil: Merini, Luciano Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Pabón, María Cecilia. Universidad de Antioquia; Colombi

Efeito de agroinsumos e óleos essenciais no solo de hortaliças no Caribe colombiano

El aporte de las hortalizas a la seguridad alimentaria y al desarrollo económico de Colombia, así como a la problemática ambiental mundial, justifica el interés de diseñar estrategias productivas sostenibles para la agrocadena. Se desarrolló un estudio con el fin de evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de aceites esenciales y agroinsumos en cultivos de ají, fríjol y berenjena en Codazzi, Cesar. La metodología incluyó el análisis de compatibilidad de pesticidas utilizados en estas hortalizas y aceites de Lippia alba y Cymbopogon citratus, en lo que se refiere al efecto biocida in vitro en cepas nativas de Macrophomina phaseolina, Phytophthora capsici y Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. En campo, se aplicó tiabendazol de manera individual y combinado con los aceites. Se midieron indicadores fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos del suelo, la incidencia de plagas y enfermedades, y el rendimiento de los cultivos. In vitro, los aceites controlaron hasta el 97% de los fitopatógenos y mostraron compatibilidad con carbendazim y tiabendazol. En campo, se observaron un control de enfermedades de hasta el 67% con C. citratus + tiabendazol respecto al testigo (p=0,00), rendimientos cercanos al promedio regional, y mejores condiciones microbiológicas y fisicoquímicas del suelo. En conclusión, existen diferencias en el efecto edáfico entre tratamientos, ya que el agroquímico y la combinación de aceites fueron más favorables que el efecto individual de cada producto en las variables evaluadas. Lo anterior exhorta a continuar realizando evaluaciones con aceites en campo, para dilucidar la duración de los efectos descritos.The contribution of vegetables to food security and economic development in Colombia, as well as to environmental problems worldwide, justifies the interest to design sustainable production strategies for the agro-chain. This study was developed to evaluate the effect of the application of essential oils and agricultural inputs in chili peppers, beans and eggplants in Codazzi, Cesar, Colombia. The methodology included the compatibility analysis between pesticides used in these vegetables, and Lippia alba and Cymbopogon citratus oils in relation to their biocidal effect in vitro on native strains of Macrophomina phaseolina, Phytophthora capsiciand Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Applications of thiabendazole in an individual basis and combined with oils were carried out in the field. Physicochemical and microbiological indicators of soil, pests and diseases incidence and crop yield were measured. Oils controlled up to 97% of plant pathogens in vitro and exhibited compatibility with carbendazim and thiabendazole.In the field, up to 67% of disease control was observed with C. citratus+ thiabendazole compared to the control (p=0.0 0), yields were close to the regional average, and better microbiological and physicochemical soil conditions were observed. In conclusion, there are differences in the edaphic effect between treatments, as the agrochemical and the oil combinations were more favorable than the individual effect of each product on the variables evaluated. The above exhorts to continue soil evaluations with oils to elucidate the duration of the described effects.A contribuição das hortaliças para a segurança alimentícia e para o desenvolvimento econômico da Colômbia, bem como para a problemática ambiental mundial, justifica o interesse de elaborar estratégias produtivas sustentáveis para a agrocadeia. Desenvolveu-se um estudo com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação de óleos essenciais e agroinsumos em cultivos de ají (Capsicum annuum), feijão e berinjela em Codazzi, Cesar. A metodologia incluiu a análise de compatibilidade de pesticidas utilizados nessas hortaliças e óleos de Lippia alba e Cymbopogon citratus, no que se refere ao efeito biocida in vitro em cepas nativas de Macrophomina phaseolina, Phytophthora capsici e Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Em campo, aplicou-se tiabendazol de maneira individual e combinado com os óleos. Foram medidos indicadores físico-químicos e microbiológicos do solo, a incidência de pragas e doenças, e o desempenho dos cultivos. In vitro, os óleos controlaram até 97% dos fitopatógenos e mostraram compatibilidade com carbendazim e tiabendazol. Em campo, foi observado um controle de doenças de até 67% com C. citratus + tiabendazol a respeito do grupo controle (p=0,00), desempenhos próximos à média regional, e melhores condições microbiológicas e físico-químicas do solo. Em conclusão, existem diferenças no efeito edáfico entre tratamentos, já que o agroquímico e a combinação de óleos foram mais favoráveis que o efeito individual de cada produto nas variáveis avaliadas. Isso leva a continuar realizando avaliações com óleos em campo, para dilucidar a duração dos efeitos descritos.Fil: Mena Rodríguez, Eduardo. Centro Biotecnológico del Caribe. Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje; ColombiaFil: Ortega Cuadros, Mailen. Universidad de Antioquia; ColombiaFil: Merini, Luciano Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Melo Ríos, Aslenis Emidia. Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana; Argentina. Universidad Popular del Cesar; ColombiaFil: Tofiño Rivera, Adriana Patricia. Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria; Colombia. Universidad Industrial Santander; Colombi

Vigilância tecnológica de plantas aromáticas: da pesquisa à consolidação da agrocadeia colombiana

The sector of aromatic, medicinal and seasoning herbs brings together a wide variety of native and introduced species with agroindustrial potential. In order to contribute to the technological assessment of the sector in Colombia and provide elements of strategic planning towards higher levels of development and internationalization. We prioritized certain aromatic species in this article and a technological surveillance was made during 2004-2014. A searching scientific articles and patents was made in eight national, iberoamericanand worldwide databases according prioritized issues. Data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel, EndNote, Vantage Point (2014) Thomson Data Analyzer programs. At National level, the planting material and breeding has been the main researched topic; whereas in iberoamerica and the world was biocidal effect. The leading countries in research on the monitored aromatic plants were Brazil, Colombia and Cuba. Internationally, the scientific leaders according to PubMed and Scopus were India, USA, Brazil and Colombia. The global trend in the field of patents has increased, whose main focus is: “Current needs of life”. This technological surveillance gives an overview of developments and trends in research and technological development in different subject areas within the aromatic plants, besides identifying possible allied research and the scientific production trends over time.El sector de plantas aromáticas, medicinales y condimentarias reúne una amplia variedad de especies nativas e introducidas con potencial agroindustrial.  Para contribuir al diagnóstico tecnológico del sector en Colombia y brindar elementos de planificación estratégica hacia mejores niveles de desarrollo e internacionalización, se priorizaron ciertas especies aromáticas en este artículo y se planteó una vigilancia tecnología del 2004 al 2014. Se hizo una búsqueda de artículos científicos y patentes en ocho bases de datos en el ámbito nacional, iberoamericano y mundial según temáticas priorizadas. Los datos se procesaron mediante Microsoft Excel, EndNote, Vantage Point (2014) y Thomson Data Analyzer. A nivel nacional, la temática más registrada fue elmaterial de siembra y el mejoramiento genético, mientras que en Iberoamérica y el mundo, fue el efecto biocida. Los países líderes en investigaciones sobre las aromáticas vigiladas fueron Brasil, Colombia y Cuba. A nivel internacional, los líderes en producción científica en PubMed y Scopus fueron India, EE.UU., Brasil y Colombia. La tendencia mundial de patentes es creciente, y su principal enfoque es “Necesidades corrientes de la vida”. En conclusión, la vigilancia tecnológica ofreció una visión global de avances y tendencias en investigación y desarrollo tecnológico en áreas temáticas vinculadas con las plantas aromá-ticas. Además, se identificaron posibles aliados investigativos y fluctuación de la producción científica a través del tiempo.O setor de plantas aromáticas, medicinais e condi-mentares reúne uma ampla variedade de espécies nativas e introduzidas com potencial agroindustrial. Para contribuir para o diagnóstico tecnológico do setor na Colômbia e oferecer elementos de planejamento estratégico para melhores níveis de desenvolvimento e internacionalização, priorizaram-se certas espécies aromáticas neste artigo e apresentou-se uma vigilância tecnológica de 2004 a 2014. Fez-se uma busca de artigos científicos e patentes em oito bases de dados do âmbito nacional, ibero-americano e mundial segundo temáticas priorizadas. Os dados foram processados mediante Microsoft Excel, EndNote, Vantage Point (2014) e Thomson Data Analyzer. No contexto nacional, a temática mais registrada foi o material de semeadura e o melhoramento genético, enquanto na Ibero-América e no mundo, foi o efeito biocida. Os países líderes em pesquisas sobre as aromáticas vigiladas foram o Brasil, a Colômbia e Cuba. No âmbito internacional, os líderes em produção científica no PubMed e Scopus foram a Índia, os Estados Unidos, o Brasil e a Colômbia. A tendência mundial de patentes é crescente, cuja principal abordagem é “necessidades cotidianas da vida”. Em conclusão, a vigilância tecnológica ofereceu uma visão global de avanços e tendências em pesquisa e desenvolvimento tecno-lógico em áreas temáticas vinculadas com as plantas aromáticas. Além disso, identificaram-se possíveis parceiros investigativos e flutuação da produção científica pelo tempo

Efecto de agroinsumos y aceites esenciales en el suelo de hortalizas en el Caribe colombiano

The contribution of vegetables to food security and economic development in Colombia, as well as to environmental problems worldwide, justifies the interest to design sustainable production strategies for the agro-chain. This study was developed to evaluate the effect of the application of essential oils and agricultural inputs in chili peppers, beans and eggplants in Codazzi, Cesar, Colombia. The methodology included the compatibility analysis between pesticides used in these vegetables, and Lippia alba and Cymbopogon citratus oils in relation to their biocidal effect in vitro on native strains of Macrophomina phaseolina, Phytophthora capsici and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Applications of thiabendazole in an individual basis and combined with oils were carried out in the field. Physicochemical and microbiological indicators of soil, pests and diseases incidence and crop yield were measured. Oils controlled up to 97% of plant pathogens in vitro and exhibited compatibility with carbendazim and thiabendazole. In the field, up to 67 % of disease control was observed with C. citratus + thiabendazole compared to the control (p = 0.00), yields were close to the regional average, and better microbiological and physicochemical soil conditions were observed. In conclusion, there are differences in the edaphic effect between treatments, as the agrochemical and the oil combinations were more favorable than the individual effect of each product on the variables evaluated. The above exhorts to continue soil evaluations with oils to elucidate the duration of the described effects.El aporte de las hortalizas a la seguridad alimentaria y al desarrollo económico de Colombia, así como a la problemática ambiental mundial, justifica el interés de diseñar estrategias productivas sostenibles para la agrocadena. Se desarrolló un estudio con el fin de evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de aceites esenciales y agroinsumos en cultivos de ají, fríjol y berenjena en Codazzi, Cesar. La metodología incluyó el análisis de compatibilidad de pesticidas utilizados en estas hortalizas y aceites de Lippia alba y Cymbopogon citratus, en lo que se refiere al efecto biocida in vitro en cepas nativas de Macrophomina phaseolina, Phytophthora capsici y Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. En campo, se aplicó tiabendazol de manera individual y combinado con los aceites. Se midieron indicadores fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos del suelo, la incidencia de plagas y enfermedades, y el rendimiento de   los   cultivos.   In   vitro, los   aceites   controlaron   hasta   el   97   %   de los   fitopatógenos   y   mostraron   compatibilidad con carbendazim y tiabendazol. En campo, se observaron un control de enfermedades de hasta el 67 % con C. citratus + tiabendazol respecto al testigo (p =   0,00), rendimientos cercanos al promedio regional,   y   mejores   condiciones   microbiológicas   y fisicoquímicas del suelo. En conclusión, existen diferencias en el efecto edáfico entre tratamientos, ya que el agroquímico y la combinación de aceites fueron más favorables que el efecto individual de cada producto en las variables evaluadas. Lo anterior exhorta   a   continuar   realizando   evaluaciones   con   aceites en campo, para dilucidar la duración de los efectos descritos

Arabidopsis transcriptome dataset of the response of imbibed wild-type and glucosinolate-deficient seeds to nitrogen-containing compounds

The presented RNAseq data were obtained from Arabidopsis seeds dry and 6h imbibed to describe, in wild-type and glucosinolate (GSL)-deficient genotypes, the response at the RNA level to nitrogen compounds, i.e., potassium nitrate (KNO3, 10mM), potassium thiocyanate (KSCN, 8µM). The cyp79B2 cyp79B3 (cyp79B2/B3) double mutant deficient in Indole GSL, the myb28 myb29 (myb28/29) double mutant deficient in aliphatic GSL, the quadruple mutant cyp79B2 cyp79B3 myb28 myb29 (qko) deficient in total GSL in the seed and the WT reference genotype in Col-0 background were used for the transcriptomic analysis. Total ARN was extracted using NucleoSpin® RNA Plant and Fungi kit. Library construction and sequencing were performed with DNBseq™ technology at Beijing Genomics Institute. FastQC was used to check reads quality and mapping analysis were made using a quasi-mapping alignment from Salmon. Gene expression changes in mutant seeds compared to WT were calculated using DESeq2 algorithms. This comparison with the qko, cyp79B2/B3 and myb28/29 mutants made it possible to identify 30220, 36885 and 23807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Mapping rate result was merge into a single report using MultiQC; graphic results were illustrated through Veen diagrams and volcano plots. Fastq raw data and count files from 45 samples are available in the repository Sequence Read Archive (SRA) of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and can be consulted with the data identification number GSE221567 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE221567

Seroprevalencia de Trypanosoma cruzi en perros de Valledupar (Colombia)

Objetivo. Determinar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos IgG contra Trypanosoma cruzi en caninos de la ciudad de Valledupar, en Cesar - Colombia como posible especie centinela de la enfermedad de Chagas. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una charla de sensibilización y una encuesta con preguntas sobre el conocimiento, actitudes, prácticas y factores de riesgo de la enfermedad de Chagas, estandarizada por el Instituto Nacional de Salud. Se analizaron 80 sueros caninos mediante la técnica Chagatest ELISA recombinante v3.0. La lectura de las muestras se efectuó con el lector de ELISA en tiras Stat Fax 303 Plus y el análisis estadístico se realizó usando SPSS v.22.0. Resultados. Los datos capturados en 66 encuestas indican que 37.88% de las personas relacionan el insecto vector y la sintomatología con la patología; la mayoría de encuestados realizan control de vectores en sus viviendas (limpieza, fumigación). De las 80 muestras evaluadas 95% fueron negativas y 5% positivas. No se encontró relación significativa entre las variables raza, sexo y edad con la seropositividad a T. cruzi. Conclusiones. La identificación de muestras seropositivas en perros representa un indicador epidemiológico importante para la Región Caribe y el departamento del Cesar. Se recomienda implementar estrategias para fortalecer alianzas interinstitucionales en el monitoreo de la enfermedad, incluyendo el uso de perros como centinelas. Este es el primer reporte de serologías caninas positivas para T. cruzi en el Caribe Colombiano por lo que se espera incremente el conocimiento sobre el comportamiento de la infección en reservorios domésticos en la región.Objective. Determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs in the city of Valledupar, department of Cesar in Colombia, as a possible Chagas disease sentinel species. Materials and Methods. An awareness talk was given and a survey applied to participants regarding knowledge, attitudes, practices and risk factors of Chagas disease, previously standardized by the Instituto National de Salud (INS – Colombia). A total of 80 dog samples were tested using an ELISA recombinant Chagatest v3.0. Sample reading was done using an ELISA strip reader Stat Fax 303 Plus and statistical analyses were done with SPSS v.22.0. Results. Data captured by 66 surveys indicates 37.88% of people relate the insect vector and the symptoms with the pathology; most of the surveyed performed vector control at home (cleaning, fumigation). Of the 80 samples evaluated, 95% were negative and 5% positive. No significant association was found between the variables breed, sex and age, and seropositivity to T. cruzi. Conclusions. Identification of seropositive samples in dogs represents an important epidemiological indicator for the Caribbean region and the department of Cesar. Implementation of strategies to strengthen interinstitutional alliances for disease monitoring are recommended, including the use of dogs as sentinel species. This is the first report of seroprevalence of T. cruzi in dogs in the Colombian Caribbean and is expected to increase the knowledge on the behavior of the infection in domestic reservoirs of the region

Conocimiento y seroprevalencia de Trypanosoma cruzi en perros de Valledupar (Colombia)

Objective. Determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs in the city of Valledupar, department of Cesar in Colombia, as a possible Chagas disease sentinel species. Materials and Methods. An awareness talk was given and a survey applied to participants regarding knowledge, attitudes, practices and risk factors of Chagas disease, previously standardized by the Instituto National de Salud (INS – Colombia). A total of 80 dog samples were tested using an ELISA recombinant Chagatest v3.0. Sample reading was done using an ELISA strip reader Stat Fax 303 Plus and statistical analyses were done with SPSS v.22.0. Results. Data captured by 66 surveys indicates 37.88% of people relate the insect vector and the symptoms with the pathology; most of the surveyed performed vector control at home (cleaning, fumigation). Of the 80 samples evaluated, 95% were negative and 5% positive. No significant association was found between the variables breed, sex and age, and seropositivity to T. cruzi. Conclusions. Identification of seropositive samples in dogs represents an important epidemiological indicator for the Caribbean region and the department of Cesar. Implementation of strategies to strengthen interinstitutional alliances for disease monitoring are recommended, including the use of dogs as sentinel species. This is the first report of seroprevalence of T. cruzi in dogs in the Colombian Caribbean and is expected to increase the knowledge on the behavior of the infection in domestic reservoirs of the region.Objetivo. Determinar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos IgG contra Trypanosoma cruzi en caninos de la ciudad de Valledupar, en Cesar - Colombia como posible especie centinela de la enfermedad de Chagas. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una charla de sensibilización y una encuesta con preguntas sobre el conocimiento, actitudes, prácticas y factores de riesgo de la enfermedad de Chagas, estandarizada por el Instituto Nacional de Salud. Se analizaron 80 sueros caninos mediante la técnica Chagatest ELISA recombinante v3.0. La lectura de las muestras se efectuó con el lector de ELISA en tiras Stat Fax 303 Plus y el análisis estadístico se realizó usando SPSS v.22.0. Resultados. Los datos capturados en 66 encuestas indican que 37.88% de las personas relacionan el insecto vector y la sintomatología con la patología; la mayoría de encuestados realizan control de vectores en sus viviendas (limpieza, fumigación). De las 80 muestras evaluadas 95% fueron negativas y 5% positivas. No se encontró relación significativa entre las variables raza, sexo y edad con la seropositividad a T. cruzi. Conclusiones. La identificación de muestras seropositivas en perros representa un indicador epidemiológico importante para la Región Caribe y el departamento del Cesar. Se recomienda implementar estrategias para fortalecer alianzas interinstitucionales en el monitoreo de la enfermedad, incluyendo el uso de perros como centinelas. Este es el primer reporte de serologías caninas positivas para T. cruzi en el Caribe Colombiano por lo que se espera incremente el conocimiento sobre el comportamiento de la infección en reservorios domésticos en la región

A Metagenomic Assessment of Soil Microbial Communities in a Coal Mine Spoil Dump Under Reclaimed Vegetation in La Guajira, Colombia

Recovery of belowground microbial biodiversity is important for soil restoration after mining exploitation. We aimed to compare microbial communities of a mine rehabilitation site to those with native vegetation. Community structure and metabolic potential of soil microbial communities were analyzed in an inactive open-pit coal mine located in northeastern Colombia using GeoChip and high-throughput sequencing techniques. Sites included (1) a spoil dump closed in 2010 with a mix of mesquite trees and native vegetation, and (2) a native dry forest next to the mining area. Most samples had an alkaline pH, high sulfur, zinc, and magnesium contents, and high cation exchange capacity as well as low calcium content. A total of 61,384 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 402 Eukarya ASVs were obtained. Overall, the most abundant bacterial/archaeal phyla (0.1%) were Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chlorolexi. The fungal genus Cladosporium dominated all treatments, while Volutella was observed only in the inactive dump. Bacterial alpha diversity was surprisingly higher in the inactive spoil dump than in the forest, while fungal alpha diversity was similar between that treatment and the native dry forest. Fungal genera might be more sensitive to the different treatments, as their abundances were highly influenced by their location compared to bacterial genera. There were no significant differences regarding the metabolic potential of bacterial communities. The GeoChip 5.0S analysis showed that the native dry forest had a higher number of genes related to C, N, P, and Z cycles, metal homeostasis, and organic remediation