Germination and Early Seedling Growth of High Andean Native Plants under Heavy Metal Stress

The development of large-scale mining activity along the Central Andes of Argentina (CAA) has generated significant amounts of waste materials containing heavy metals. Phytoremediation is a promising eco-friendly, low-cost, and effective technology for the removal of heavy metals. The present study aimed to identify two native dominant species from the CCA, Adesmia subterranea and A. pinifolia, as metal-tolerant plant species for the first time, by evaluating the germination and early seedling growth at different concentrations (ppm) of Cd (3, 4.5 and 6), Ni (150, 225 and 300), As (20, 30 and 40), and Hg (0.8, 1.2 and 1.6) Early seedling growth was found to be more sensitive to heavy metals than germination. Ni and As exhibited the greatest inhibitory effect on both species’ germination percentages. In contrast, with Cd and Hg, no inhibitory effect was recorded. Root length, metal tolerance index, and fresh and dry weight were stimulated with Hg. However, the phytotoxic effect was greater as the concentration of Ni, As, and Cd increased. As an overall conclusion, the order of toxicity for these species can be classified as Ni > As > Cd > Hg. Therefore, Adesmia species could be considered as candidates for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Hg and low concentrations of Cd.Fil: Parera, Victoria. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Parera, Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentin

Microwave-Assisted Organocatalytic Intramolecular Knoevenagel/Hetero Diels–Alder Reaction with O -(Arylpropynyloxy)-Salicylaldehydes: Synthesis of Polycyclic Embelin Derivatives

highly efficient and regioselective approach to new polycyclic embelin derivatives through a domino Knoevenagel condensation/intramolecular hetero Diels−Alder reaction using O-(arylpropynyloxy)-salicylaldehydes in the presence of ethylenediamine diacetate (EDDA) is reported. This organocatalyzed protocol is compatible toward a wide range of aryl-substituted alkynyl ethers with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups. When other active methylene compounds were subjected to this domino reaction the corresponding adducts were obtained in high yield.Fil: Martín-Acosta, Pedro. Universidad de La Laguna; EspañaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Estevez Braun, Ana. Universidad de La Laguna; Españ

Synergistic mutual potentiation of antifungal activity of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. and Larrea nitida Cav. extracts in clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

Background: Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) and Larrea nitida Cav. (Zygophyllaceae) are indistinctly or jointly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of fungal-related infections. Although their dichloromethane (DCM) extract have demonstrated moderate antifungal activities when tested on their own, antifungal properties of combinations of both plants have not been assessed previously. Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish with statistical rigor whether Z. punctata (ZpE) and L. nitida DCM extract (LnE) interact synergistically against the clinically important fungi Candida albicans and Candida glabrata and to characterize the most synergistic combinations. Study design: For synergism assessment, the statistical-based Boik's design was applied. Eight ZpE–LnE fixed-ratio mixtures were prepared from four different months of 1 year and tested against Candida strains. Lϕ (Loewe index) of each mixture at different fractions affected (ϕ) allowed for the finding of the most synergistic combinations, which were characterized by HPLC fingerprint and by the quantitation of the selected marker compounds. Methods: Lϕ and confidence intervals were determined in vitro with the MixLow method, once the estimated parameters from the dose–response curves of independent extracts and mixtures, were obtained. Markers (four flavonoids for ZpE and three lignans for LnE) were quantified in each extract and their combinations, with a valid HPLC–UV method. The 3D-HPLC profiles of the most synergistic mixtures were obtained by HPLC–DAD. Results: Three over four IC50ZpE/IC50LnE fixed-ratio mixtures displayed synergistic interactions at effect levels ϕ > 0.5 against C. albicans. The dosis of the most synergistic (Lϕ = 0.62) mixture was 65.96 µg/ml (ZpE = 28%; LnE = 72%) containing 8 and 36% of flavonoids and lignans respectively. On the other hand, one over four IC50ZpE/IC50LnE mixtures displays synergistic interactions at ϕ > 0.5 against C. glabrata. The dosis of the most synergistic (Lϕ = 0.67) mixture was 168.23 µg/ml (ZpE = 27%; LnE = 73%) with 9.7 and 31.6% of flavonoids and lignans respectively. Conclusions: Studies with the statistical-based MixLow method, allowed for the finding of the most ZpE–LnE synergistic mixtures, giving support to a proper joint use of both antifungal herbs in traditional medicine.Fil: Butassi, Estefanía. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ivancovich, Juan J.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Alejandro A.. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Zacchino, Susana Alicia Stella. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Green Synthesis of Potential Antifungal Agents: 2-Benzyl Substituted Thiobenzoazoles

A series of benzyl-substituted thiobenzoazoles were synthesized by an environmentally friendly 18 approach, to search for new antifungal agrochemicals. Compounds were prepared starting from 2- 19 mercaptobenzoazoles, using KOH, benzyl halides and water, resulting in a simple and ecological 20 method. New antifungals were tested against a group of phytopathogenic fungi. Two compounds 21 showed an interesting activity against Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus spp.: 22 2-((4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)thio)benzo[d]thiazole, 3ac, and 2-((4- 23 methylbenzyl)thio)benzo[d]thiazole, 3al. Thus, 3ac and 3al can be considered as broad spectrum 24 antifungal agents. Furthermore, two new compounds, 2-((4-iodobenzyl)thio)benzo[d]thiazole, 3aj, 25 and 2-(benzylthio)benzo[d]oxazole, 3ba, showed better inhibitory effect against Botrytis cinerea 26 and Fusarium oxysporum when compared to the commercial fungicide Captan. Thus, 3aj and 3ba 27 can be considered reduced-spectrum antifungalsFil: Ballari, María Sol. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Herrera Cano, Natividad Carolina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: López, Abel Gerardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Wunderlin, Daniel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Santiago, Ana Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; Argentin

Estudio anatómico de Baccharis grisebachii Hieron. (Asteraceae). Usada en la medicina tradicional de la Provincia de San Juan, Argentina

Baccharis grisebachii Hieron., commonly known as “quilchamali”, is a bushy plant that lives in the high mountains of Argentina and southern Bolivia. The infusion or decoction of aerial parts is used in the traditional medicine of San Juan province, Argentina, to treat gastric ulcers, digestive problems, and as antiseptic and wound healing in humans and horses. The aim of this study is to analyze the anatomical characters of B. grisebachii for specific identification and quality control. The results show that the leaf blade is ericoid with a dorsiventral mesophyll, and epidermis has a smooth and thick cuticle. The stomata are anomocytic. In both epidermis there are two types of hairs, not glandular and glandular. Adult stems show secondary structures. The root shows 1 - 2 rows of pericyclic cells and an endodermis. B. grisebachii shows xeromorphic anatomic characters. The structural characters provide micrographic reference standards, useful for quality control at the crude drug stage.Baccharis grisebachii Hieron. conocida comúnmente como “quilchamali” es una planta arbustiva que vive en las altas montañas de la Argentina y el sur de Bolivia. La infusión o decoción de las partes aéreas es utilizada en la medicina tradicional de la provincia de San Juan, Argentina, para tratar las úlceras gástricas, problemas digestivos y como cicatrizante de heridas y antiséptica en humanos y equinos. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las características anatómicas de B. grisebachii útiles en la identificación y control de calidad de la especie. Los resultados muestran que la hoja es ericoide con mesofilo dorsiventral y tiene una epidermis con una cutícula gruesa y lisa. Los estomas son anomocíticos. En ambas epidermis se encuentran dos tipos de pelos, no glandulares y glandulares. En tallos adultos se hace evidente una estructura secundaria y en la raíz se observan 1-2 hileras de células pericíclicas y la endodermis. B. grisebachii muestra caracteres anatómicos xeromórficos. Los caracteres estructurales enunciados proporcionan patrones de referencia micrográficos, útiles para el control de calidad de la droga cruda.Fil: Hadad, Martín Ariel. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Gattuso, Susana Julia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gattuso, Martha Ana. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Aníbal Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentin

Convective drying of yellow discarded onion (Angaco INTA): Modelling of moisture loss kinetics and effect on phenolic compounds

The Angaco INTA onion variety is the most cultivated and its production, mostly is destined for export. Due to their high-quality standards of these markets, many onions are discarded. The drying process seems to be a promising solution that not only give added value to this product, but also extend shelf life. In this work, the influence of convective drying process, at 60 and 70 °C, on the kinetic behavior, antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of discarded onion slices were investigated. Considering that, the Angaco INTA onion is a variety genetically developed to have shorter cultivation times in this region; the phenolic compounds content in this onion variety, the drying kinetics and its influence on this content have never been studied. In this study, the phenolic compounds contributions to dehydrated product quality was evaluated, observing that the convective drying increased the total soluble phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties for both temperatures, being highest at 70 °C. The rehydration ratios were similar to the slices dried at 60 and 70 °C. Several models were used for describing the obtained drying curve equation of onion slices, being the Midilli’s model the one that presented the best fit. Ficks’s model of water diffusion fitted all experimental data with acceptable correlation coefficients. Considering the achieved findings, 70 °C is the optimum temperature to produce the dehydrated Angaco INTA onion.Fil: Roman, María Celia. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Fabani, Maria Paula. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Luna, Lorena Celina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mazza, German Delfor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Rosa. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

UHPLC-HESI-OT-MS-MS biomolecules profiling, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the “orange-yellow resin” from zuccagnia punctata Cav

This research was designed to investigate the metabolite profiling, phenolics, and flavonoids content as well as the potential antioxidant and antibacterial, properties of orange-yellow resin from Zuccagnia punctata Cav (ZpRe). Metabolite profiling was obtained by a ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS-MS). The antioxidant properties were screened by four methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH), trolox equivalent antioxidant activity assay (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes (LP)). The antibacterial activity was evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) rules. The resin displayed a strong DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 25.72 µg/mL) and showed a percentage of inhibition of LP close to that of the reference compound catechin (70% at 100 µg ZpRe/mL), while a moderated effect was observed in the FRAP and TEAC assays. The resin showed a content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds of 391 mg GAE/g and 313 mg EQ/g respectively. Fifty phenolics compounds were identified by ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-PDA-OT-MS) analysis. Thirty-one compounds are reported for the first time, updating the knowledge on the chemical profile of this species. The importance of the biomolecules identified support traditional use of this endemic plant. Furthermore, additional pharmacological data is presented that increase the potential interest of this plant for industrial sustainable applications.Fil: Gómez Pelaytay, Jessica Belén. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Simirgiotis, Mario Juan. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Manrique, Sofia. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Lima, Beatriz Viviana. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Bórquez, Jorge. Universidad de Antofagasta; ChileFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Aníbal Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentin

Efficient multicomponent synthesis of diverse antibacterial embelin-privileged structure conjugates

A library of embelin derivatives has been synthesized through a multicomponent reaction from embelin (1), aldehydes and privileged structures such as 4-hydroxycoumarin, 4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one and 2-naphthol, in the presence of InCl3 as catalyst. This multicomponent reaction implies Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization and dehydration. Many of the synthesized compounds were active and selective against Gram-positive bacteria, including one important multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolate. It was found how the conjugation of diverse privileged substructure with embelin led to adducts having enhanced antibacterial activities.Fil: Martín Acosta, Pedro. Universidad de La Laguna. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica "Antonio González"; EspañaFil: Peña, Rosalyn. Universidad de La Laguna. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica "Antonio González"; EspañaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Lorenzo Castrillejo, Isabel. Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria; España. Universidad de La Laguna; España. Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias; EspañaFil: Machín, Félix. Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria; EspañaFil: Amesty, Ángel. Universidad de La Laguna. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica "Antonio González"; EspañaFil: Estévez Braun, Ana. Universidad de La Laguna. Departamento de Química Orgánica. Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica "Antonio González"; Españ

The antiparasitic effect of the norditerpenoid yaretol on Trypanosoma cruzi

Chagas disease is caused by the intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Approximately seven million people are infected worldwide, and more of 10,000 deaths occur annually. Due to the increase in migration from Latin America to the rest of the world, mainly the United States and Europe, Chagas disease has emerged in countries where it was unknown. The effect on the proliferation and viability of T. cruzi epimastigotes of the eight terpenes, AZ1: azorellolide, AZ2: mulinol, AZ3: stachytriol, AZ4:1α,10β,4β,5α-diepoxy-7β-germacran-6βol, AZ5:1β,10α,4β,5α-diepoxy-7β-germacran-6β- ol, AZ6: 1,2,3,3α,4,5,6,7,8,8α-decahydro7-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-1,4- dimethylazulene-3α,8α-diol, AZ7: madreporanone, and AZ8: yaretol, previously isolated of the aerial parts from Azorella cryptantha were tested.The norditerpenoid yaretol inhibited epimastigotes proliferation, the IC50 value was 6.38 ± 0.47 μM, more effective than benznidazole (9.6 μM) and less cytotoxic in Vero cell line (8.87 μM) at 48 hs incubation. Studies to evaluate the effect of yaretol on other forms of the parasite are currently being performed.Fil: Spina Zapata, Renata María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Piñeiro Gomez, Mauricio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Barrera, Patricia Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Sosa Escudero, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentin