Abstract This study aimed to evaluate DNA damage in animal and plant cells exposed to water from the Água Boa stream (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) by using bioassays, and to identify the chemical compounds in the water to determine the water quality in the area. Through the cytotoxicity bioassay with Allium cepa, using micronucleus test, and comet assay, using Astyanax altiparanae fish, the results indicated that biological samples were genetically altered. Micronuclei were observed in erythrocytes of A. altiparanae after exposure to water from locations close to industrial waste discharge. The highest DNA damage observed with the comet assay in fish occurred with the exposure to water from locations where the presence of metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni) was high, indicating the possibility of genotoxic effects of these compounds. Thus, these results reinforce the importance of conducting genotoxicity tests for developing management plans to improve water quality, and indicate the need for waste management before domestic and industrial effluents are released into the rivers and streams.

Two methods using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry were developed for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and BTEX. Best results were obtained using DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber, with 10 min extraction at 25 °C and 0.15 min desorption at 260 °C (BTEX), and PDMS/DVB fiber, with 60 min extraction at 90 °C, 10% NaCl and 5 min desorption at 270 °C (PAH). LOD intervals were 3x10-2 - 5x10-2 µg L-1 (BTEX) and 1.6x10-3 - 1.4 µg L-1 (PAH). The methods were applied to forty-five groundwater samples from monitoring wells of gas stations and only benzene level exceeded the limit established by Brazilian regulations.

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, Zn and Cu were determinated using flame atomic absorption spectrometry in nine lichen species of the Sul-Mato-Grossense cerrado. The average metal ion concentrations varied in the following ranges: Fe, 248.41-1568.01; Mn, 98.50-397.33; Co, 10.08-24.81; Cr, 18.24-44.26; Zn, 14.62-34.79 and Cu, 3.23-7.57 mg kg-1. Statistical analysis (Pearson and Cluster) applied to the metal ion concentrations indicated that the accumulation of these ions can be due to several anthropogenic sources including agricultural activities, mineral exploration, biomass burning, soil mineral composition and leather tanning processes by chromium.

O óleo essencial obtido a partir das cascas do caule de Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) foi analisado por CG e CG-EM. 83 compostos foram identificados, sendo borneol (14,7%), acetato de bornila (5,2%), 1-isopropil-7-metil-4-metileno-1,3,4,5,6,8-hexaidro -2H-naftalen-4a-ol (14,7%), sesquicineol (10,5%) e epóxido de gama-gurjuneno (5,4%) os principais componentes. Para o óleo essencial bruto, foi determinada em 3,21 mg mL-1 a EC50 no ensaio de atividade antioxidante frente ao radical livre DPPH. A fração do óleo essencial bruto que apresentou atividade antioxidante foi purificada por CCD sobre sílica gel. Análises de CG e CG-EM revelaram que alfa-bisabolol (38,3%), alfa-eudesmol (9,3%) e guaiol (8,2%) são os principais componentes da fração antioxidante. A EC50 medida no teste frente ao DPPH foi de 1,05 mg mL-1 para a fração bioativa. Foi determinada a atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial bruto frente a sete bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas e três fungos. Os valores de CIM medidos variaram de 1,25 a 10,00 mg mL-1.

The essential oil obtained from the stem bark of Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) was analysed by GC and GC-MS. 83 compounds were identified and borneol (14.7%), bornyl acetate (5.2%), 1-isopropyl-7-methyl-4-methylene-1,3,4,5,6,8-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-4a-ol (14.7%), sesquicineole (10.5%) and gamma-gurjunene epoxide (5.4%) were the main components. The EC50 value of the crude essential oil in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay was 3.21 mg mL-1. The fraction of the crude essential oil that presented antioxidant activity was purified by prep-TLC on silica gel. GC and GC-MS analysis revealed that alpha-bisabolol (38.3%), alpha-eudesmol (9.3%) and guaiol (8.2%) were the main components of the antioxidant fraction. The EC50 value measured for the bioactive oil fraction in the DPPH assay was 1.05 mg mL-1. The antimicrobial activity of the crude essential oil was assayed against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and three yeasts. Measured MIC values ranged from 1.25 to 10.00 mg mL-1.