Abstract Bjerkandera adusta, a globally distributed fungus, is commonly used in the nutritional practices of the East Asian population. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional composition of the lyophilized mycelium of B. adusta as well as the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of its extracts. The mycelium exhibited moisture (7.97 %), ash (3.27 %), and fiber (5.31 %) content values similar to the established values reported in the available literature. In addition, a high protein (9.32 %) and carbohydrate (63.45 %) content was shown, with a low lipid (1.36 %) content. The energy value per 100 g sample of mycelium was 1445.85 kJ. The results obtained indicated a statistically significant variation (p < 0.05) in the phenolic composition (81.84-110.96 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per g of extract), free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (IC50 29.05-340.46 µg·mL-1), phosphomolybdenum antioxidant content (34.89-55.64 %), reduction of ferricyanide ion (66.55-69.4 %), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values (44.66-133.03 %). These results are unprecedented for this species and emphasize its nutraceutical potential.

Abstract Population aging is a worldwide occurrence that has become urgent in developing countries. Quality of life can be measured to identify functional capacity and determine the degree of impact on quality of life exerted on an individual. This study aimed to measure the quality of life of elderly people who have been living in different long-term care facilities for the elderly. Therefore, this research was developed with a qualitative and descriptive approach. Data were obtained from medical records and interviews, and were analyzed in R language interpreter software on the Ubuntu Linux operating system. Seventy-nine elderly people participated in the study. Eleven lived in Home Marista, and 68 lived in Home Jesus Maria José. A socioeconomic questionnaire was used to collect data on the socioeconomic characteristics of the participants. The Mini-Mental State Exam was used to measure degree of cognition. The Short Form-36 Questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. The present study suggests that the results found can clarify the individual vulnerability of the elderly in the age group studied regardless of the type of residence. Despite the discrepancy found regarding the care provided at the long-term care facilities, the scores, obtained with the quality of life assessment, did not show significant differences.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue and yellow fever. Recently, the use of plant-sourced larvicides has gained momentum. METHODS: The hydroethanolic extracts and fractions ofOcotea nutansleaves and stems were bioassayed to determine the larvicidal efficacy of these samples. RESULTS: S-HEX (hexane fraction from the crude stem extract) demonstrated high potential for controlling third-stage larvae, with an LC50 of 14.14 µg.mL-1 (concentration required to inhibit 50% of the treated larvae). CONCLUSIONS Extracts from O. nutans were effective against third-stage larvae ofA. aegyptiafter 24 h of exposure.

Psychotria fractistipula L.B.Sm, R.M. Klein & Delprete (Rubiaceae) is found in the existing Atlantic Forest in the South of Brazil, in the Paraná and Santa Catarina States. The members of Rubiaceae are characterized chemically by the presence of alkaloids, some pharmacological properties of which include antifungal, antibacterial, analgesic, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antiviral activities. In this study, we report the results of anatomical, morphological, and histochemical analyses of the leaves and stems of the Rubiaceae family member, P. fractistipula. The anatomical analysis involved of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Morpho-anatomical and histochemical characterization were made using standard methodology. The isolated compounds were identified by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopic analysis. The following structures are highlighted as the distinctive features of the species: presence of petiolate leaves and a petiole base, leaf blade with smooth cuticle on both surfaces, paracytic stomata, and, dorsiventral mesophyll and presence of trichomes on the leaves and stems. Phytosteroids, identified as β-sitosterol and campesterol, were observed in the hexane fraction of the stem. Future studies should focus on the isolation of other fractions of interest and their characterization through specific biological and cytotoxicity assays.

Myrcia hatschbachii D. Legrand (Myrtaceae) is a native and endemic species from Brazil. This study investigated the essential oil composition, phytotoxic potential, in vitro toxicity, antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of species. Chromatographic analysis of essential oil identified trans-calamanene, (E)-caryophyllene and spathulenol as major components. Antioxidant capacity was determined by the DPPH• scavenging method and phosphomolybdenum complex formation assay. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration test, demonstrating that the essential oil was active toward Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Phytotoxic activity of essential oil was analyzed by testing interference on germination and growth of Lactuca sativa, demonstrating significant inhibition of the hypocotyls and radicles of seeds. Preliminary toxicity studies were determined using Artemia salina, resulting in an LC50 of 409.92 µg/mL, and through hemolytic activity. The results of the phytotoxic activity point to a possible application for Myrcia hatschbachii in the development of natural herbicides and the in vitro toxicity assays suggests the performance of antitumoral activity tests, having in mind the prospection of antineoplastic drugs.

The present study was undertaken to assess the potential uses of the essential oil obtained from Ocotea nutans (Nees) Mez. The hydrodistilled essential oil from O. nutans leaves was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty-eight compounds representing 87,29% of the total leaf essential oil components were identified, of which biciclogermacrene(11.41%), germacrene-D (4.89%), bisabolol-11-ol(3.73%) and spathulenol (3.71%) were the major compounds. The essential oil from O. nutans were tested for antibacterial activity using the minimum inhibitory concentracion (MIC) method, Artemia salina method, larvicidal activity in Aedes aegypti, and antioxidant capacity.The antioxidant activity measured by the phosphomolybdenum complex and Prussian blue method had positive results. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the microorganisms tested allowed moderate inhibitionfor Enterococcus faecalis(MIC=500 µg/mL). Artemia salina were toxic to the organisms in the study (LC50= 71,70 μg /mL). The essential oil showed remarkable larvicidal activity potencial (LC50= 250 µg/mL). The present results showed thatO. nutans essential oil has potential biological uses.

The article has aimed to characterize the essential oil extracted from Ocotea diospyrifolia (Meisn.) Mez. leaves, in terms of its chemical composition and antioxidant, hemolytic, and phytotoxic potentials, as well as its toxicity against Artemia salina. The major constituents identified by CG-MS were d-elemene, spathulenol, and b-atlantol. When screened for potential biological activities, the essential oil presented low toxicity against Artemia salina, and a capacity of lysing red blood cells. Also, the evaluation of its in vitro antioxidant activity, using the phosphomolybdenum method, showed better results when compared to butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and rutin. In conclusion, the results obtained showed certain in vitro toxicity, leading to an interesting target for cytotoxicity evaluations of carcinoma cells.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic crude extracts and fractions of the species Senecio westermanii Dusén on Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Allium cepa L. (onion) seeds. We assessed the germination, growth, root respiration and photosynthesis of the target species in Petri dishes (9.0 cm diameter) containing filter paper n°6. The study was conducted using 50 seeds per plate and held in 4 replicates per concentration of each sample. In the germination there was an inhibitory effect of fractions hexane (FH) and chloroform (FCl) at concentrations of 500 and 1000 µg/mL. There was a reduction in the radicle growth of lettuce by 14 to 24% and a reduction of hypocotilum by 14 to 28%. As for the radicle of the onion was up 74% reduction to the FCl and the coleoptile was 24 and 45% reduction for FH and FCl, respectively. Inhibitory effects in the root respiration of lettuce were detected in all the samples analyzed, with results ranging from 16 to 83%. For the seeds of A. cepa, there was an encouragement for the FCl and ethyl acetate fractions (FAE), with results ranging from 94 to 142% and 76 to 150%, respectively. With regard to the photosynthesis of L. sativa, there was no significant difference between the control, and as for the A. cepa, there was a strain in inhibition concentrations of 250 and 500 µg/mL, which ranged from 27 to 68%. The samples of S. westermanii caused changes in the target species and thus can be used as a natural herbicide.

ABSTRACT The essential oil composition of the Ocotea bicolor, native plant of Brazil, was studied for the first time. The essential oil of the leaf was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The analytical procedure revealed a predominance of sesquiterpenes, δ-cadinene (7.39%), β-sesquiphellandrene (6.67%), β-elemene (5.41%) and α-cadinol (5,23%). The essential oil was submitted to brine shrimp toxicity evaluation, antioxidant and antibacterial tests. The antioxidant activity by the formation of phosphomolybdenum complex method presented positive results. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were higher than 1000 μg/mL for the microorganisms tested. Toxicity activity revealed LC50 results of 40.10 (μg/mL), being toxic to the organisms in this study.

As espécies da família Bignoniaceae possuem grande predominância na região da América tropical e entre elas, as espécies do gênero Tynanthus, com representantes em grande parte do território brasileiro. Estas plantas são comumente utilizadas na medicina tradicional para os mais diversos fins e algumas pesquisas já descrevem a constituição química além de outros estudos relacionados a alguns integrantes deste gênero. Este trabalho de revisão teve como objetivo reunir informações de trabalhos publicados a respeito das espécies do gênero Tynanthus e permitiu detectar a deficiência nas pesquisas relacionadas a estas plantas, que podem trazer consigo grande importância biológica e farmacológica. Além disto, este trabalho tornou possível apontar algumas características químicas em comum entre as espécies, trazendo informações que podem auxiliar novos pesquisadores que procuram melhorar seus conhecimentos acerca destas plantas.

Species from the Bignoniaceae Family, including the genus Tynanthus, are very prevalent in the tropical Americas, with specimens found in a large part of the Brazilian territory. These plants are commonly used in traditional medicine for several purposes, and some studies have described their chemical structure, in addition to other reports related to some species from this genus. This review aimed to gather information from published works concerning species of the genus Tynanthus, as well as to detect flaws in research related to these plants, which may have great biological and pharmaceutical importance. Also, this review points out some common chemical characteristics of these species, providing information that may help new researchers to improve their knowledge about these plants.

<p>Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o potencial alelopático do extrato de sementes de <italic>Citrus</italic>, com o objetivo de agregar valor sustentável para a semente de frutas para a sua utilização como resíduo industrial. O extrato foi obtido com aparelho de Soxhlet, utilizando hexano, clorofórmio e metanol como solventes. O extrato hexânico das sementes de <italic>Citrus</italic> constituiu principalmente por ácido linoleico (36,6%), seguido por ácido α-linoleico (25,3%), ácido oleico (17,8%), ácido palmítico (9,7%) e ácido esteárico (3,3%). As análises indicam que o óleo é semelhante aos utilizados na indústria de cosméticos e de alimentos, tem valor econômico para a utilização na indústria e seu uso provoca alterações no equilíbrio oxidativo, germinação e crescimento.</p>

<p>This work aimed to verify the allelopathic potential of the extract of <italic>Citrus</italic> seeds, for the purpose of adding a sustainable value to the fruit seeds toward their use as industrial residues. The extract was obtained with a Soxhlet apparatus by using hexane, chloroform, and methanol as solvents. The hexane extract of the <italic>Citrus</italic> seeds primarily consisted of linoleic acid (36.6%), followed by α-linoleic acid (25.3%), oleic acid (17.8%), palmitic acid (9.7%), and estearic acid (3.3%). The analysis results indicate that the oil is similar to those used in the cosmetics and food industries and has an economic value from its industrial application. In addition, the use of the oil causes changes in the oxidant balance, germination, and growth of plants.</p>

O estigmasterol, um fitoesterol com diversas atividades farmacológicas, é suscetível à oxidação quando exposto ao ar, calor e umidade. Neste contexto, a microencapsulação é uma forma de proteção contra oxidação, permitindo a incorporação do estigmasterol em diversas formas farmacêuticas e aumentar sua absorção. As micropartículas foram obtidas por gelificação iônica externa, em uma etapa, utilizando como revestimento polímeros naturais de alginato de sódio, amido de milho e quitosana. As micropartículas apresentaram formato esférico com tamanho aproximado de 1,4 mm. O rendimento foi de 94,87% e a eficiência média de encapsulação de 90,42%. A quantidade de estigmasterol no óleo recuperado das micropartículas foi de 9,97 mg/g. O método mostrou-se viável para a microencapsulação do estigmasterol.

Stigmasterol - a plant sterol with several pharmacological activities - is susceptible to oxidation when exposed to air, a process enhanced by heat and humidity. In this context, microencapsulation is a way of preventing oxidation, allowing stigmasterol to be incorporated into various pharmaceutical forms while increasing its absorption. Microparticles were obtained using a blend of polymers of sodium alginate, starch and chitosan as the coating material through a one-stage process using the external gelation technique. Resultant microparticles were spherical, averaging 1.4 mm in size. Encapsulation efficiency was 90.42% and method yield 94.87%. The amount of stigmasterol in the oil recovered from microparticles was 9.97 mg/g. This technique proved feasible for the microencapsulation of stigmasterol.

A oxidação lipídica é uma das principais alterações que acometem os derivados cárneos em razão da composição química rica em lipídios e íons ferro, utilização de processos térmicos e de moagem, além do frequente uso do cloreto de sódio, um reconhecido catalisador desta reação. Os antioxidantes são substâncias utilizadas para inibir ou retardar a rancidez oxidativa, porém, seu uso desperta a atenção de consumidores e agências reguladoras, quanto à segurança que acompanha o consumo de aditivos sintéticos. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o uso dos carotenoides bixina e norbixina como antioxidantes em produtos cárneos por meio da revisão de suas características químicas, métodos de obtenção, toxicidade e aplicações tecnológicas. Esses pigmentos são extraídos das sementes do urucum (Bixa orellana L.) por métodos que envolvem o uso de solventes orgânicos, extração supercrítica ou ainda a utilização da tecnologia de micro-ondas. No Brasil, o uso dessas substâncias é previsto na legislação como corante alimentício, porém, estes carotenoides apresentam extensas cadeias carbônicas insaturadas que permitem a adição de radicais livres e lhes conferem a capacidade de atuar como antioxidantes. As diferenças estruturais entre bixina e norbixina resultam em particularidades quanto à polaridade, solubilidade, coloração e, por consequência, determinam singulares aplicações tecnológicas. Nas concentrações previstas pelas agências reguladoras, o consumo desses carotenoides é seguro e além das aplicações como corante, podem ser utilizados pela indústria como antioxidantes naturais, oportunizando uma alternativa capaz de substituir ou minimizar o uso de aditivos sintéticos em produtos cárneos.

Lipid oxidation is one of the major modifications that affect meat products due to chemical composition, heat and grinding processes beyond the routine use of sodium chloride, a recognized catalyst of this reaction. Antioxidants are substances used to inhibit or retard oxidative rancidity. However the use of these compounds has been drawing the attention of consumers and regulatory agencies about the safety of synthetic additives consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the use of carotenoids bixin and norbixin as antioxidants in meat products by review of the chemical characteristics, methods of production, toxicity and technological applications. These pigments are extracted from annatto (Bixa orellana L.) using organic solvents, supercritical extraction or microwaves. In Brazil, the use of these substances is forecast by law as food colorant, however, this carotenoids show a large unsaturated carbon chains that allow the addition of free radicals and enable their use as antioxidant. The structural differences between bixin and norbixin result in distinct polarity, solubility and coloration, and consequently in different technological applications. At concentrations established by regulatory agencies, the use of these compounds is safe and, in addition to applications such as dyes, can be used by industries as natural antioxidants, which is an alternative capable of replace or minimize the use of synthetic additives in meat products.

Apresentam-se dados da avaliação in vitro de três espécies vegetais da família Asteraceae sobre o desenvolvimento dos ovos de Trichostrongilídeos de ovinos. Realizou-se o teste de eclodibilidade com extratos vegetais preparados por aparelho de Soxhlet e hidrolato preparado por hidrodestilação. Os testes laboratoriais evidenciaram que o extrato etanólico das flores da espécie Aster lanceolatus apresenta alta atividade sobre o desenvolvimento dos ovos de Trichostrongilídeos de ovinos, inibindo em 91% a formação da larva em 48 horas, mantendo-se índices próximos em 72 horas.

Data on in vitro evaluation of extracts of three species of the Asteraceae family on the development of Trichostrongylidae eggs in sheep are presented. Egg hatchability was tested using herbal extracts prepared in a Soxhlet extractor, and using hydrolate prepared by means of hydrodistillation. The laboratory tests showed that the ethanol extract from flowers of the species Aster lanceolatus presented high activity against Trichostrongylidae eggs development in sheep, inhibiting larva formation by 91% within 48 hours, and maintaining similar rates after 72 hours.