Comparison of radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa forel in two culture media

In vitro culture of the mutualistic fungus of leaf-cutting ants is troublesome due to its low growth rate, which leads to storage problems and contaminants accumulation. This paper aims at comparing the radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel in two different culture media (Pagnocca B and MEA LP). Although total MEA LP radial growth was greater all along the bioassay, no significant difference was detected between growth efficiencies of the two media. Previous evidences of low growth rate for this fungus were confirmed. Since these data cannot point greater efficiency of one culture medium over the other, MEA LP medium is indicated for in vitro studies with this mutualistic fungus due its simpler composition and translucent color, making the analysis easier

Mobilization of seed reserves during germination of four tropical species of the Amazon rainforest

Seed reserve mobilization during germination of the Amazonian species Myciaria dubia (camu-camu), Eugenia stipitata (araça-boi), Dipteryx odorata (cumaru) and Hymenaea courbaril (jatobá) was evaluated. Seeds were placed in germination chambers at 30°C with a 12 h photoperiod. Analysis of primary metabolites (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins) and fatty acid composition were carried out in quiescent seeds and at four germination stages after radicle protrusion. Germination was high in all species but there were statistically significant differences between species. Differences were also observed with regard to the duration of the germination period. The seeds showed variation in the content and composition of the analyzed compounds, indicating that the mobilization rates of these compounds may affect germination velocity373597607CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQnão te

Standardization Of A Protocol To Extract And Analyze Chlorophyll A And Carotenoids In Gracilaria Tenuistipitata Var. Liui. Zhang And Xia (rhodophyta)

Chlorophyll a and carotenoids are important pigments in photosynthesis. Several studies have been published describing extraction and analysis protocols of these pigments, mainly in vascular plant species. This study standardizes an extraction and analysis protocol of these substances in Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui, a red seaweed. Apical portions grown in vitro were triturated in liquid nitrogen. Extracts were prepared in 1.5 mL solvent and centrifuged. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of pigments were performed by UV/visible light spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The parameters assessed were: Minimum biomass, best extraction solvent, and number of extraction steps. Methanol was the most efficient solvent, and 50 mg fresh biomass was the amount of sample indicated, submitted to one single extraction step. No significant differences were observed in levels of these pigments by UV-visible light spectrophotometry and HPLC. However, HPLC or HPLC-MS are required to identify the different carotenoids present in this seaweed species.6215763Arvayo-Enríquez, H., Mondaca-Fernández, I., Gortárez-Moroyoqui, P., López-Cervantes, J., Rodríguez-Ramírez, R., Carotenoids extraction and quantification: A review (2013) Anal. Methods, 5, pp. 2916-2924Borsarelli, C., Mercadante, A., Thermal and photochemical degradation of carotenoids (2010) Carotenoids: Physical, chemical, and biological functions and properties., pp. 229-253. , In: LANDRUM, J.T. (Ed.). Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis GroupCarnicas, E., Jiménez, C., Niell, F.X., Effects of changes of irradiance on the pigment composition of Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia (1999) J. Photochem. Photobiol., B, 50 (2-3), pp. 149-158Edwards, P., Illustrated guide to the seaweeds and sea grasses in the vicinity of Porto Aransas, Texas (1970) Contrib. Mar. Sci., 15, pp. 1-228Faria, A.F., Hasegawa, P.N., Chagas, E.A., Pio, R., Purgatto, E., Mercadante, A.Z., Cultivar influence on carotenoid composition of loquats from Brazil (2009) J. Food Compos. Anal., 22 (3), pp. 196-203Gauthier-Jaques, A., Bortlik, K., Hau, J., Fay, L.B., Improved method to track chlorophyll degradation (2001) J. Agric. Food Chem., 49 (3), pp. 1117-1122Guedes, A.C., Amaro, H.M., Malcata, F.X., Microalgae as sources of carotenoids (2011) Mar. Drugs, 9 (4), pp. 625-644Ishida, B.K., Chapman, M.H., Carotenoid extraction from plants using a novel, environmentally friendly solvent (2009) J. Agric. Food Chem., 57 (3), pp. 1051-1059Jeffrey, S.W., Humphrey, G., New spectrophotometric equations for determining chlorophylls a, b, c1 and c2 in higher plants, algae and natural phytoplankton (1975) Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz., 649 (1), pp. 105-149Kelman, D., Posner, E.K., McDermid, K.J., Tabandera, N.K., Wright, P.R., Wright, A.D., Antioxidant activity of Hawaiian marine algae (2012) Mar. Drugs, 10 (2), pp. 403-416Khachik, F., Analysis of carotenoids in nutritional studies (2009) Nutrition and health, pp. 7-44. , In BRITTON, G.LIAAEN-JENSEN, S.PFANDER, D.H. (Eds.) Basel: Boston: Berlin: Birkhäuser, (Carotenoidsv. 5)Kopec, R.E., Cooperstone, J.L., Cichon, M.J., Schwartz, S.J., Analysis methods of carotenoids (2012) Analysis of antioxidant-rich phytochemicals, pp. 105-149. , In: XU, Z.HOWARD, L.R. (Eds.). Hoboken: Chichester: Wiley-BlackwellKopecky, J., Schoefs, B., Loest, K., Stys, D., Pulz, O., Microalgae as a source for secondary carotenoid production: A screening study (2000) Arch. Hydrobiol., Suppl., 133, pp. 153-168Lichtenthaler, H.K., Buschmann, C., Chlorophylls and carotenoids: Measurement and characterization by UV-VIS (2001) Current protocols in food analytical chemistry, , In: WROLSTAD, R.E.ACREE, T.E.DECKER, E.A.PENNER, M.H.REID, D.S.SCHWARTZ, S.J.SHOEMAKER, C.F.SPORNS, P. New York: John Wiley, F4.3.1-F4.3.8Marinho-Soriano, E., Effect of depth on growth and pigment contents of the macroalgae Gracilaria bursa-pastoris (2012) Rev. Bras. Farmacogn., 22 (4), pp. 730-735Pinto, E., Carvalho, A.P., Cardozo, K.H.M., Malcata, F.X., Anjos, F.M., Colepicolo, P., Effects of heavy metals and light levels on the biosynthesis of carotenoids and fatty acids in the macroalgae Gracilaria tenuistipitata (var. liui Zhang & Xia) (2011) Rev. Bras. Farmacogn., 21 (2), pp. 349-354Raven, P.H., Evert, R.F., Eichhorn, S.E., (2007) Biologia vegetal, p. 830. , 7. ed. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara KooganRosso, V.V., Mercadante, A.Z., Identification and quantification of carotenoids, by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS, from Amazonian fruits (2007) J. Agric. Food Chem., 55 (13), pp. 5062-5072Schmidt, E.C., Maraschin, M., Bouzon, Z.L., Effects of UVB radiation on the carragenophyte Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales): Changes in ultrastructure, growth, and photosynthetic pigments (2010) Hydrobiologia, 649 (1), pp. 171-182Van Breemen, R.B., Dong, L., Pajkovic, N.D., Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry of carotenoids (2011) Int. J. Mass Spectrom., 312, pp. 163-172Wellburn, A.R., The spectral determination of chlorophylls a and b, as well as total carotenoids, using various solvents with spectrophotometers of different resolution (1994) J. Plant Physiol., 144 (3), pp. 307-313Wright, S.W., Jeffrey, S.W., Mantoura, R.F.C., Evaluation of methods and solvents for pigment extraction (1997) Phytoplankton pigments in oceanography: Guidelines to modern methods., pp. 261-282. , In: JEFFREY, S.W.MANTOURA, R.F.C.WRIGHT, S.W. (Eds.). Paris: UNESCO, (Monographs on oceanographic methodology10)Ursi, S., Plastino, E.M., Crescimento in vitro de linhagens de coloração vermelha e verde clara de Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) em dois meios de cultura: Análise de diferentes estádios reprodutivos (2001) Rev. Bras. Bot., 24 (4 SUPPL.), pp. 587-59

Bioatividade de três espécies vegetais nativas da Floresta Atlântica brasileira frente ao microcrustáceo Artemia salina

Este trabalho teve por objetivo a investigação fitoquímica e propriedades antioxidantes de extratos das folhas de Trigynaea oblongifolia Schltdl (Annonaceae), Ottonia frutescens Trel (Piperaceae), e Bathysa australis (St Hill) Hooz (Rubiaceae), bem como avaliar, in vitro, a letalidade frente ao microcrustáceo Artemia salina Leach. Os extratos foram preparados por maceração em metanol 10% (p/v) por sete dias, à temperatura ambiente. A atividade antioxidante dos extratos foi determinada pela metodologia que utiliza o radical estável DPPH. A toxicidade dos extratos foi avaliada frente ao microcrustáceo A. salina. Os extratos de O. frutescens e B. australis apresentaram as seguintes classes de metabólitos secundários: Alcalóides, Antraquinonas, Cumarinas, Polifenóis (Taninos), Saponinas. Nos extratos de T. oblongifolia, além dos metabólitos citados anteriormente, foi detectada a presença de Flavonóides. A atividade antioxidante, observada em 30 minutos na concentração de 24 µg/mL de extrato, foi de: O. frutescens - 38,3%, T. oblongifolia - 32,3%, e B. australis - 32,1%. A Concentração Letal, CL50, dos extratos em A. salina foi de: O. frutescens - 149,75 ± 1,02 µg/mL, T. oblongifolia - 148,8 ± 1,74 µg/mL, e B. australis - 684 ± 9,04 µg/mL. Neste contexto, destacamos as espécies, nativas da Floresta Atlântica, O. frutescens e T. oblongifolia de grande potencial na bioprospecção de moléculas biologicamente ativas