ESTERÓIS E CONSTITUINTES VOLÁTEIS DA ESPONJA DULCÍCOLA Trochospongilla paulula (BOWERBANK)

The Neotropical region has the highest freshwater sponge diversity in the world, with the presence of species of the families Metaniidae, Potamolepidae, and Spongillidae. Due to the remarkable lipid diversity in these organisms, this study aimed to characterize the sterols and volatile compounds of the sponge Trochospongilla paulula collected in the Tapajós River. Seven volatile compounds were identified, with the long-chain alcohols tetradecanol, pentadecanol, and hexadecanol representing 51.65% of this fraction. Cholesterol is the major sterol species, as reported for other species of the family Spongillidae; however, T. paulula may be distinguished by a chromatographic profile of its sterols

Phytochemical fingerprints of copaiba oils (Copaifera multijuga Hayne) determined by multivariate analysis

Oils of various species of Copaifera are commonly found in pharmacies and on popular markets and are widely sold for their medicinal properties. However, the chemical variability between and within species and the lack of standardization of these oils have presented barriers to their wider commercialization. With the aim to recognize patterns for the chemical composition of copaiba oils, 22 oil samples of C. multijuga Hayne species were collected, esterified with CH2N2, and characterized by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. The chromatographic data were processed using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). In total, 35 components were identified in the oils, and the multivariate analyses (MVA) allowed the samples to be divided into three groups, with the sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide as the main components. These sesquiterpenes, which were detected in all the samples analyzed in different concentrations, were the most important constituents in the differentiation of the groups. There was a prevalence of sesquiterpenes in all the oils studied. In conclusion, GC-FID and GC/MS analyses combined with MVA can be used to determine the chemical composition and to recognize chemical patterns of copaiba oils. Copyright © 2013 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich

Polysaccharides in Agro-Industrial Biomass Residues

The large-scale industrial use of polysaccharides to obtain energy is one of the most discussed subjects in science. However, modern concepts of biorefinery have promoted the diversification of the use of these polymers in several bioproducts incorporating concepts of sustainability and the circular economy. This work summarizes the major sources of agro-industrial residues, physico-chemical properties, and recent application trends of cellulose, chitin, hyaluronic acid, inulin, and pectin. These macromolecules were selected due to their industrial importance and valuable functional and biological applications that have aroused market interests, such as for the production of medicines, cosmetics, and sustainable packaging. Estimations of global industrial residue production based on major crop data from the United States Department of Agriculture were performed for cellulose content from maize, rice, and wheat, showing that these residues may contain up to 18%, 44%, and 35% of cellulose and 45%, 22%, and 22% of hemicellulose, respectively. The United States (~32%), China (~20%), and the European Union (~18%) are the main countries producing cellulose and hemicellulose-rich residues from maize, rice, and wheat crops, respectively. Pectin and inulin are commonly obtained from fruit (~30%) and vegetable (~28%) residues, while chitin and hyaluronic acid are primarily found in animal waste, e.g., seafood (~3%) and poultry (~4%)

Polysaccharides in Agro-Industrial Biomass Residues

The large-scale industrial use of polysaccharides to obtain energy is one of the most discussed subjects in science. However, modern concepts of biorefinery have promoted the diversification of the use of these polymers in several bioproducts incorporating concepts of sustainability and the circular economy. This work summarizes the major sources of agro-industrial residues, physico-chemical properties, and recent application trends of cellulose, chitin, hyaluronic acid, inulin, and pectin. These macromolecules were selected due to their industrial importance and valuable functional and biological applications that have aroused market interests, such as for the production of medicines, cosmetics, and sustainable packaging. Estimations of global industrial residue production based on major crop data from the United States Department of Agriculture were performed for cellulose content from maize, rice, and wheat, showing that these residues may contain up to 18%, 44%, and 35% of cellulose and 45%, 22%, and 22% of hemicellulose, respectively. The United States (~32%), China (~20%), and the European Union (~18%) are the main countries producing cellulose and hemicellulose-rich residues from maize, rice, and wheat crops, respectively. Pectin and inulin are commonly obtained from fruit (~30%) and vegetable (~28%) residues, while chitin and hyaluronic acid are primarily found in animal waste, e.g., seafood (~3%) and poultry (~4%)

Trypanocidal activity of the compounds present in Aniba canelilla oil against Trypanosoma evansi and its effects on viability of lymphocytes

Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez, popularly known as “casca-preciosa” (precious bark), is a plant of the Lauraceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon region. Its major constituent is 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, a rare molecule in plants which is responsible for this plant's cinnamon scent. The present study aimed to report the chemical characterization of the oil extracted from Aniba canelilla using gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry and to assess its in vitro trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma evansi, a prevalent haemoflagellate parasite that affects a broad range of mammal species in Africa, Asia and South America. The oil presented 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (83.68%) and methyleugenol (14.83%) as the two major components. The essential oil as well as both major compounds were shown to exert trypanocidal effect. Methyleugenol was slightly more active than 1-nitro-2-phenylethane. In vitro studies showed that the oil extracted from the stems of A. canelilla may be regarded as a potential natural treatment for trypanosomosis, once proven their in vivo action, may be an interesting alternative in the treatment of infected animals with T. evansi. © 2016 Elsevier Lt

Antibacterial combination of oleoresin from Copaifera multijuga hayne and biogenic silver nanoparticles towards Streptococcus agalactiae

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus - GBS) remains a leading cause of neonatal infections and an important cause of invasive infections in adults with underlying conditions. Methods: This study evaluated for the first time the effect of an oleoresin collected from Copaifera multijuga Hayne (copaiba oil) alone or in combination with silver nanoparticles produced by green synthesis using Fusarium oxysporum (AgNPbio) against planktonic and sessile cells of GBS isolated from colonized women. Results: Copaiba oil showed a dose-dependent bactericidal activity against planktonic GBS strains, including those resistant to erythromycin and/or clindamycin. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of GBS treated with copaiba oil revealed morphological and ultrastructural alterations, displaying disruption of the cell wall and decreased electron density due to leakage of cytoplasmic content. Copaiba oil also exhibited antibacterial activity against biofilms of GBS strains, inhibiting their formation as well as the viability of mature biofilms. In addition, the combination of copaiba oil with AgNPbio resulted in a synergistic effect against planktonic cells and biofilm formation, reducing the minimal inhibitory concentration values of both compounds. No hemolytic activity was detected for both compounds. Conclusion: These results indicate the potential of copaiba oil, alone or in combination with AgNPbio, for the development of new alternative strategies for controlling GBS infections182177190CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES402728/2013-0sem informaçã