Resumo em Inglês:

A competitive hyper-immune yolk Immunoglobulin Y - Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (CIgY-ELISA), was developed as an alternative method to detect zeatin and 2ip in plantlets of gerbera. The endogenous level of hormones in the plantlets in vitro of gerbera with one or six weeks after replication was determined with competitive IgY-ELISA set to detect between 1 and 100 pmoles of plant hormone for each 1.0 g tissue. The plantlets of six weeks presented sprouts and root, while the plantlets of one week presented only sprouts. The CIgY-ELISA was set with high independent variables values of sensitivity/specificity of 96/89 % for zeatin and 94/78 % for 2ip, with high values of reproducibility (up to 90 %) for both the cytokinins. Zeatin content varied from 2.2 to 2.8 pmoles.g-1 and from 2.7 to 3.3 pmoles.g-1 on the plantlet with one and six weeks, respectively. The 2ip content did not vary and was detected near the detection limit in all the assays. It was concluded that the observed capabilities of CIgY-ELISA were putative and the competitive assay was a highly robust and stable method, which could be used for the studies on plant physiology for endogenous cytokinins.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this work, an α- amylase producing Fusarium sp. was isolated from the soil at 50 0C. Growth and enzyme production occurred at 30, 45 and 55 ºC. Soybean meal at 1% concentration, supplemented with 0.2% NH4Cl and 2.5% corn starch elicited the highest amylase yield. Optimum pH for the enzyme was pH 6.5 which retained over 60% of its activity after 24 h incubation at the pH range of 4.5-7.0. The enzyme showed high activity from 40-70 0C with optimal activity at 50 ºC and 78% activity was retained after incubation at 70 ºC for 30min. Catalytic function of the crude amylase was stimulated by Mg (136%), Ca (118%) and Zn (118%) at 2mM concentrations. The enzyme hydrolyzed cassava, potato and yam starches effectively.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this study, the effect of agitation and aeration rates on xylanase activity of Aspergillus niger SS7 in 3-litre stirred tank bioreactor was investigated. The agitation rates tested were 100, 200 and 300 rpm at each airflow rates of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 vvm. The maximum xylanase activity in mono- agitator system was at the agitation speed of 200 rpm and aeration rate of 1.0 vvm. In bi-agitator system, at low agitation speed (100 rpm), the xylanase activity was enhanced by 13% compared to mono- agitator system for an aeration rate of 1.0 vvm. Xylanase productivity in continuous culture was higher by approximately 3.5 times than in batch culture.

Resumo em Inglês:

The study was carried out for two years in maize in succession to the wheat using no tillage system in a distroferric Red Latosol (Hapludox). Methods of management nitrogen fertilizer (120 kg ha-1) with ammonium sulphate were studied; the fertilizer was applied in maize sowing or in maize topdressing, and N with previous application in wheat sowing. In addition, leaf chlorophyll reading was used as an indicator for the need for topdressed nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen supply index (NSI) was shown to be effective at predicting need for topdressed nitrogen fertilizer for maize. The application of N improved the yield of the maize independent of the management system. The flowering stage was carried out at the appropriate time in order to estimate the nitrogen nutrition state and yield of maize using the relative chlorophyll level (RIC).

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to investigate the production of phycocyanin by Spirulina platensis under different spectra of light. The dependent variables evaluated were the amount of phycocyanin obtained and its purity, demonstrating that there might be a restructuring of phycobilisomes, especially when the culture was subjected to red light, which increased the purity level up to 33% with a reduction of 16% in phycocyanin content, but with higher photosynthetic efficiency compared to natural light.

Resumo em Inglês:

This study analyzed possible interferences associated to the amount of crop residues produced by the black oats and the consortium of black oats, common vetch and forage turnip on weeds incidence and soil seed bank. It was a field trial with seven treatments and five replications. The cover crop was sown at throwing, cut at 100 days and residues were put on each respective plot, using a proportion of normal amount of produced straw, either its half and double. The heaviest weights were obtained from cover crop consortium and their application decreased weeds incidence in such area. The seeds bank and other analyzed parameters did not show statistical differences. According to these results, it was concluded that winter cover crop could be used in crops rotation with soybean.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study was to evaluate certain molecular characteristics of a sulfated polysaccharide (SPs) with anticoagulant properties, isolated from Caulerpa cupressoides (Chlorophyta). Crude SPs were extracted by proteolytic digestion (papain), followed by ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose column. The fractions obtained were analyzed for molecular mass, 0.5% agarose gel electrophoresis and chemical composition. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test was applied using normal human plasma and standard heparin (HEP) (193 IU mg-1). The yield was ~ 3%, and the chromatography procedure separated the material into three different SP fractions (F I, F II and F III), eluted at the concentrations of 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 M of NaCl, respectively. Only fraction F II was active (24.62 IU mg-1), with high sulfate content (23.79%) and number of molecular mass peaks. Therefore, the APTT of a fraction isolated from C. cupressoides was less potent than HEP.

Resumo em Inglês:

The study aimed to investigate the antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of ethanol extract of the dry matter from culture broth of Coriolus versicolor (ECBC) in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mice. Blood glucose level, insulin level, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein -cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum and reduced glutathione level (GSH), lipid peroxidation, glycogen, antioxidant enzymes in liver were evaluated. Moreover, histopathological observation was conducted. Streptozotocin treatment (150 mg/kg body weight) induced the decrease of GSH level, antioxidant enzymes activities, glycogen content in liver, HDL-C content and insulin level in serum, accompanied by the elevation of the lipid peroxidation in liver, serum blood glucose level, contents of TC, TG and LDL-C. Treatment with ECBC restored the changes in the above parameters up to the basal level. The protective effects were further supported by the attenuation of the degree of pancreas damage in ECBC treated mice.

Resumo em Inglês:

A study from cows with mastitis was performed and Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen in 46.4 % among 153 studied strains from 276 milk samples of infected cows. Antibiotic resistance of 71 S. aureus isolates was determined in order to search resistant strains to antibiotics of clinical interest, as well as to determine their degree of multi-resistance. It was found that 60% of the S. aureus strains presented resistance to β-lactams, but none to oxacillin, teicoplamin or vancomycin. On the other hand, with the aim of reducing the use of current antibiotics and their associated resistance, a new formulation was introduced. The antimicrobial compounds (P22-P32), demonstrated to be effective in 55% of the 76 mastitis cases studied. The use of P22-P32 reduced the number of somatic cell to less than 300,000 SCC/mL-1 in 75.2 % of milk samples analyzed, normalizing the milk quality, fat and lactose levels and increasing the volume of production in 10.1 %.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to study the plasma concentration of IL-6 by ELISA in the patients with mood disorders and normal healthy donors. The plasma concentration of IL-6 was higher in the patients than in the control healthy group. Results suggested that IL-6 could serve as an immunological marker in mood disorder pathogenesis as well.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of lactic acid bacteria, bacilli and yeasts isolates to produce antimicrobial substances, especially against Gram-negative bacteria isolated from the animal faeces, searching for a new alternative to control the enteritis diseases in animal health. Evaluations were performed by microdilution in broth using crude extract obtained from the cultivation of 272 strains against Escherichia coli, S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thirty-five lactic acid bacteria presented some antimicrobial action. One Lactobacillus isolate, named FLPB-1, was selected to studies the kinetics of the production. An important increase in the production was obtained when the producer strain had cell-to-cell contact with a Gram-positive inducer culture. Maximal production of antimicrobial compounds was obtained in the beginning of stationary phase and the addition of urea in the medium increased the inhibition rate.

Resumo em Inglês:

The objective of this work was to study the antioxidant effect of phycocyanin on the oxidative stress induced by monosodium glutamate in the rats. The tests were performed with 32 rats of Wistar breed, divided into four groups, which were administered saline solution of phycocyanin, monosodium glutamate and monosodium glutamate plus phycocyanin. Sulfhydryl groups and the secondary substances derived from lipid oxidation were determined through the level of TBA. The evaluation of these values and the level of sulfhydryl showed that the administration of phycocyanin presented significant antioxidant effect (p < 0.05) reducing the oxidative stress induced by the monosodium glutamate in vivo.

Resumo em Inglês:

Pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid as a single drug (4 mg/kg, intramuscularly) and its co-administration with moxifloxacin (5 mg/kg, intramuscularly) in wistar rats were studied. The plasma drug concentration of tolfenamic acid was assayed by LC-MS/MS. Following intramuscular administration of tolfenamic acid as single drug and in combination with moxifloxacin in male rats, the mean values of observed peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax), area under plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC(0-¥) ), volume of distribution (Vz), half-life (t½) and clearance (Cl) were 4111.44 ± 493.15 and 3837.69 ± 351.83 ng/ml, 20280.77 ± 3501.67 and 15229.18 ± 678.80 ng.h/ml, 822.17 ± 115.38 and 1249.64 ± 139.52 ml, 2.59 ± 0.16 and 3.27 ± 0.32 hr, and 218.39 ± 25.47 and 265.18 ± 11.36 ml/hr, respectively. The peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) was significantly higher in female rats compared to male rats. The volume of distribution (Vz) of the drug was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in moxifloxacin-treated male rats compared to female rats. Concomitant administration of moxifloxacin may alter the disposition of tolfenamic acid in male rats.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study was to test the effects of natural free-floating plants on zooplankton distribution in a shallow subtropical lake. First, the hypothesis that free-floating plants have an effect on physico-chemicals, leading to a decrease on nutrient availability and influencing the phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton community was tested. Second, the hypothesis that free-floating plants act as a refuge for zooplankton was tested. Three microhabitats were selected: free-floating plants, littoral area and open water. Results demonstrated that the effects of different microhabitats on phytoplankton biomass and physico-chemicals were not significant, indicating a weak influence of the plants. Zooplankton densities were higher in free-floating plants and littoral area, although the effect of microhabitats was weak for most of the predominant genera. The absence of free-floating plant effects on phytoplankton and physico-chemicals showed that it was not a factor influencing the microcrustacean distribution in the microhabitats. Low differences in densities of zooplankton among microhabitats and low abundance of large-bodied cladocerans led to reject the hypothesis that free-floating plants act as a refuge for zooplankton.

Resumo em Inglês:

The present work evaluated the influence of forest distance on predatory solitary wasps' abundance and richness and its relation to the natural biological control of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda Smith - Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize. The study consisted of two parallel lines of six experimental maize plots located at an increasing distance from a forest edge. Four trap-nests were placed in the vertices of each plot of the first line to evaluate the abundance and species richness of predatory solitary wasps. The larvae of the fall armyworm were sampled weekly by inspecting ten randomly chosen plants per plot. Predatory solitary wasp abundance (but not species richness) decreased whilst the fall armyworm abundance increased with the distance from the forest. Moreover, population densities of predatory solitary wasps and the fall armyworm were negatively correlated. Results suggested that the crop plantations located near forest fragments might benefit from the reduced pest problems as a result of increased natural biological control.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study was to standardize a methodology to obtain two-dimensional (2D) maps of whey proteins from bovine colostrum and mature milk, using two-dimensional electrophoresis, in order to identify the minor proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/TOF MS). A total of 38 proteins were identified, 20 spots in the colostrum whey and 18 in the mature milk whey; 5 of them were identified for the first time.

Resumo em Inglês:

The effects of varying temperatures (12 - 44° C) on the specific activity of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase ((cMDH), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of some earthworms (Metaphire posthuma, Perionyx sansibaricus and Lampito mauritii) were studied. The effects of different temperatures on supernatant and mitochondrial protein contents were also investigated. The specific activities of cMDH, mMDH and LDH of the earthworms decreased gradually as a function of increasing temperature from 12 to 44°C. Higher metabolic energy was needed to maintain the activity at low temperatures. Hence, the earthworms showed increased enzyme specific activity at low temperatures. However, the protein content increased upto 28°C. Afterwards, with the increase in the temperature from 28 to 42°C, the proteins in the earthworms showed a significant decrease. The temperature-associated changes in the protein content could be explained by the fact that protein synthesizing capacity was hampered above and below the optimum temperature range. The most pronounced effects of varying temperatures were on P. sansibaricus. It might be due to the epigeic nature of the earthworm species. Then minimum effect was on the endogeic earthworm M. posthuma. Virtually, the differences in the enzymes physiology were associated with the differences in the ecological categories of the earthworms. This clearly demonstrate a possible link between the physiology and ecology at aerobic (cMDH, mMDH) and anaerobic (LDH) levels in the tropical earthworms.

Resumo em Inglês:

In order to assess the radioactive level in the environment, the specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K were measured by using a gamma ray spectrometer based on a NaI(Tl) detector. The results showed that the specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K were 12.846-88.585, 1.304-26.656 and 11.598-2275.896 Bq/kg respectively. The radium equivalent activity was also calculated which varied from 0.893 to 175.244 Bq/kg. The radium equivalent average values were lower than the world average. In general, the highest level of radium equivalent value was in leafy type NPK fertilizers. The urea type had no radionuclide. The specific activity and absorbed dose rate at 1m above the ground surface (nGy/h) after NPK fertilizers agricultural applications were calculated and the maximum value of dose rate was 0.15% of the world average outdoor exposure due to terrestrial gamma radiation.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to study the production of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) under nitrogen limited conditions by Bacillus sphaericus NII 0838 using crude glycerol from biodiesel industry as sole carbon source. Effect of various process parameters on PHB production such as glycerol concentration, inoculum size and pH of the medium were optimized. Characterization of extracted PHB was carried out by FT-IR, ¹H and 13C NMR. Results showed that the bacterial culture accumulated about 31% PHB in crude glycerol medium. The extracted PHB was blended with other polymers to improve its physical characteristics. The thermal properties of the polymer like melting temperature (Tm) and heat of fusion (ΔHf) were determined using DSC.

Resumo em Inglês:

The objective of this study was to investigate the growth of juvenile fat snook (Centropomus parallelus) in laboratory conditions when fed a diet supplemented with the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum. Changes in the intestinal flora, haematological parameters and growth performance were assessed using 180 fishes (54.2 ± 13.4 g each). The fishes were subjected to two treatments divided into six cages: 1) feed supplemented with probiotic, and 2) feed without probiotic (control). The temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity were maintained at 25 ± 1 ° C, 4.0 mg.L-1 and 33 ‰, respectively. After 10 weeks of culture, the fishes fed probiotic had reduced viable culturable heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. and increased lactic acid bacteria in the intestinal tract, as well as a higher number of thrombocytes, leukocytes and lymphocytes in the blood. No significant difference was observed in the growth, survival or body composition, but the hepatosomatic index was significantly higher in the fishes fed with probiotic and control.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether yerba maté alcoholic extracts at very low concentrations (0.01 and 0.1%), prevent/retard lipid peroxidation in beef hamburgers without impairing sensory acceptability. For this TBARs and hexanal levels, fatty acid profile and cholesterol oxides were evaluated as oxidation parameters in beef hamburgers during 90 days' storage. The addition of 0.01% yerba maté ethanolic extracts proved inefficient in restraining the lipid peroxidation while the addition of 0.1% resulted in efficient antioxidant activity. Sensory evaluation of hamburger containing 0.1% yerba maté ethanolic extracts showed good acceptability. Yerba maté ethanolic extracts could entirely or partially replace the phenolic synthetic antioxidants in beef hamburgers only when used at above legally allowed concentrations for antioxidant additives (0.01%).

Resumo em Inglês:

The effect of industrial wastewater on the Nile cyanobacteria Pseudanabaena limnetica and Anabaena wisconsinense was investigated. The data showed that P. limnetica was more sensitive to pollution than A. wisconsinense. The treatments with different levels of wastewater exerted pronounced reductions in protein and amino acids content. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the cyanobacteria grown in the industrial wastewater showed induction in the synthesis of certain polypeptides and repression of others. The treatments of P. limnetica with wastewater stimulated the appearance of six protein bands with molecular masses of 28, 30, 31, 32, 58 and 97 kDa. The same treatments caused the disappearance of 20, 38 and 56 kDa. The structural protein pattern of the treated A. wisconsinense showed appearance of 16, 30, 170 and 230 kDa and disappearance of 56 kDa. The treatment of the two investigated cyanobacteria with different levels of wastewater stimulated the biosyntheses of different amino acids and inhibited others.

Resumo em Inglês:

A local yeast isolate named A was isolated from polluted area of Abou-Qir gulf (Alexandria, Egypt), identified according to a partial sequence of 18sRNA as Candida tropicalis. The isolate showed a high potency in petroleum oil biodegradation as well some hydrocarbons. Morphological changes in cell diameter of this yeast were recognized upon growing the target cell in sea water medium supplemented with petroleum oil as sole carbon source in comparison to the growth in enriched medium. Statistically-based experimental design was applied to evaluate the significance of factors on petroleum oil biodegradation by this yeast isolate. Eleven culture conditions were examined by implementing Plackett-Burman factorial design where aeration, NH4Cl and K2HPO4 had the most positive significance on oil degradation.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this work was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Arthrospira platensis Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) for colon cancer and kidney cell lines. Results showed that EPS were free from cytotoxic effects. A variety of solvents were assessed for their ability to extract the bioactive ingredients from EPS. Methanol gave the highest yield (75.75%) than other solvents. The extracts were tested for activities against a collection of Gram+/- bacteria. The methanol extract exhibited a more potent activity than the other organic extracts, whereas the aqueous extract was active against Staphylococcus epidermis (Gram+) and Salmonella typhimurium (Gram-). Finally, The extracts were also tested for the antioxidant activity, using the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Activity assay. The methanol extract displayed a moderate antioxidant activity (TEAC = 0.027 mg/ml). The HPLC analysis of this extract revealed two distinct peaks: 8.1 kDa (8.31 min) and 4.1 kDa (8.54 min).

Resumo em Inglês:

This study aimed to evaluate the genetic variability of B. orbignyanus in cultivated and natural populations of the Upper Paraná River, using molecular RAPD markers and mtDNA control region. Specimens were collected in the Paraná River and in the Piracema fish farm in Maringá, State of Paraná, Brazil. RAPD primers produced 82 loci with consistent expression. The population from the Paraná River showed 28 polymorphic loci, whereas the population from the fish farm presented only 12. Data revealed genetic differentiation between the two populations, although not very pronounced. These results were corroborated by the principal coordinate analysis and by neighbor-joining clustering. The alignment of the D-loop sequences of B. orbignyanus indicated the existence of polymorphism only in the natural population. These data could be helpful for the formulation of management strategies and conservation of the genetic diversity of the species.