Investigating specialized plant metabolites, traditionally referred to as ‘secondary metabolites’ present in leaf extracts of cashew trees (Anacardium occidentale) resistant and susceptible to anthracnose disease was carried out using metabolomics combined with chemometric tools. We used clones of dwarf-cashew with the following variations of characteristics: resistant and healthy (CCP 76, BRS 226, BRS 189), susceptible and healthy (BRS 265), and another clone also susceptible but affected by the disease (BRS 265). The UPLC-QTOF-MSE (ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry) analysis of the leaves of Anacardium clones allowed us to annotate a total of 39 metabolites. The multiple orthogonal partial discriminant analysis of the least-squares (OPLS-DA) allowed twelve metabolites to be potential biomarkers of differentiation among the clones studied. Namely, the triene-(17:3)-anacardic acid found on CCP 76 and BRS 189 clones, respectively, is the main candidate for biomarker of resistance. While catechin, B-type procyanidin isomers, and procyanidin dimer monogallate identified in BRS 265 are significant potential biomarkers of susceptibility.

Black mold, a disease caused by the fungus Pilgeriella anacardii Arx & Müller, affects cashews (Anacardium occidentale). Some cashew clones are more resistant to the pathogen; however, little is known about the chemical profile responsible for this trait. The investigation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from leaves of dwarf cashew clones resistant (BRS 226 and BRS 265) and susceptible (CCP 76 and BRS 189) to the pathogen was carried out. Leaves were collected during the months of disease incidence and decline (March to July 2019, Brazil), and VOCs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with chemometric tools. The GC-MS analysis tentatively identified 96 compounds. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS DA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and ROC curves analysis were useful in dividing VOCs into distinct resistance and associated chemical susceptibility groups for different clones. The VOCs in the leaves of the resistant clones were identified as alcohols and aldehydes containing six carbons: (E)-hex-2-enal, hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-2-en-1-ol, (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol, and hexan-1-ol. Moreover, α-pinene, pseudolimonene, α-phellandrene, β-myrcene, sylvestrene, β-cis-ocimene, methyl salicylate, myrtenol, α-copaene, γ-muurolene, germacrene D, valencene, and germacrene B were also detected in these samples and may be candidate chemical biomarkers for cashew resistance to P. anacardii.

The collection time could be an important target for optimizing technological processes in obtaining essential oils of interest to agribusiness. The objective of this study was to distinguish the time for the collecting of Achillea millefolium L. leaves, which provides the highest yield and quality of the essential oil. Also, identify the type of polyethylene packaging and leaf storage period during the one-year period that would maintain the essential oil characteristics. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemometric studies were performed into two steps trial to detect changes in chemical profile induced by different conditions. First, an analysis of the leaf collection time was performed using chromatographic data from six different gathering times throughout the day. After determining the best time to collect from the leaves, the essential oil was extracted in five storage periods over a year. The highest oil content was observed in leaves harvested between 11 and 15 h, with a maximum of 39 min after 13 h. Therefore, it is recommended to perform extraction in the early afternoon. There was no significant statistical differentiation related to polyethylene packages. In addition, it is recommended that the essential oil can be stored without significant changes for up to six months.

Myracrodruon urundeuva (“aroeira-do-sertão”) is a species threatened with extinction due to anthropogenic exploitation. Phytochemical analysis of bark, branch and leaf extracts revealed the presence of several compounds such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, quercetin derivatives and anacardic acids. Dereplication methodology was performed to tentatively identify 50 compounds analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry operating in MSE mode (UPLC-QTOF-MSE). The extracts exhibited anti-tumor effect in cancer cells HCT-116 (colorectal), SF-295 (glioblastoma), HL-60 (leukemia), and RAJI (leukemia). Also, these results correlate with the principal component analysis (PCA) data that identified three distinct groups indicating, efficiently, metabolic differences between organs of M. urundeuva. Through discriminatory analysis of the orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS-DA), the variable of importance in the projection (VIP) and S-Plot, we were able to determine 30 potential biomarkers. The fingerprint of hydroethanolic extracts was correlated with the cytotoxicity assay and demonstrated a significant difference in the composition of plant extract.

Agroindustrial residues, such as leaves of fruit plants, can be sources of bioactive molecules, thus adding value to co-products that are rarely explored in agroindustry. In this context, this study aimed to look into the phytochemical profiles in detail and to explore the antitumor potential of S. tuberosa and S. mombin leaves. We observed that, S. tuberosa leaf extract was cytotoxic in both tumor and healthy cells. S. mombin extracts selectively inhibited cell proliferation in the tumor cell line for prostate cancer (PC3) and did not significantly affect healthy cells. The metabolic profiles of the extracts were evaluated by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and twenty-three metabolites were identified. The correlation of metabolic profiles with cytotoxic tests indicated possible chemical markers that may be responsible for the inhibition of cell proliferation. This study revealed that the unexplored co-products in agroindustry may have great therapeutic potential, and therefore should be screened for biologically active compounds.

La presencia de los depredadores en los ecosistemas es fundamental para la regulación de poblaciones de insectos fitófagos. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer y comparar a través de índices faunísticos, la diversidad de insectos depredadores entre un agro-ecosistema de producción orgánica de arroz irrigado (AO) y un área preservada, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Banhado dos Pachecos (RBP), ambas localizadas en Viamão, RS, Brasil. Se realizaron colectas mensuales de mayo de 2011 a abril de 2012. Se utilizaron trampas de Malaise, Moericke y de caída, permaneciendo instaladas por 24 horas. En total se colectaron 355 individuos de hábito predador en el AO, siendo identificados 26 morfotipos distribuidos en cuatro órdenes y 11 familias. En el área RBP, se colectaron 653 individuos de 50 morfotipos, pertenecientes a seis órdenes y 13 familias. Los estimadores de riqueza Chao 1, Chao 2 y Bootstrap, apuntaron a una riqueza de 29 a 35 especies en el AO y de 59 a 71 para el RBP. La comparación entre los índices de diversidad apuntó a una mayor diversidad para el área de RBP (P = 0,001). La variación estacional, fue responsable por las diferencias, tanto en la riqueza como en la abundancia de especies en ambas áreas, siendo el periodo de enero el que presentó mayor número de individuos. Considerando la composición de especies, se encontraron 18 morfotipos en común entre las áreas, a pesar de la baja complejidad estructural en el cultivo de arroz, indicando que el RBP puede estar actuando como reservorio de especies depredadoras.

Predator's appearance in eco-systems is fundamental to regulate phytophagous insect population. Knowledge about associate's species in every system is very important to understand the dynamic events and to help the management of possible pests. The predator diversity of an irrigated rice organical production agroecosystem (AO) and a preserved area, Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Banhado dos Pachecos (RBP), both located in Viamão country, RS, Brazil, was studied and compared between out fauna index monthly catches were taken from May/2011 to April 2012, with Malaise, Moericke and Pitfall traps, for 24 hours every time. Were colected in AO 355 predators, identificated in 26 morphotypes and distributes in four orders and 11 families. The RBP group found 653 individuals of 50 morphotypes, belonged to six orders and 13 families. The richness estimators, Chao 1, Chao 2 and Bootstrap, indicate from 29 to 35 species richness in the AO and 59 to 71 in the RBP group. RBP present more diversity according diversity index (P = 0,01) than AO . Seasonal variation had influence in differences, to the richness and the abundance of species, in both areas. January was the month with more abundance of individuals in both areas. Considering the composition of the species, 18 morphotypes were shared in between two ambient, unless little structural complexity available in the rice area, which indicate that RBP can serve as a predators species reservoir.

Estudos neurossonológicos, especialmente o Doppler transcraniano (DTC) e o duplex transcraniano codificado a cores (DTCC), apresentam elevados níveis de especificidade e sensibilidade quando utilizados como exames complementares no diagnóstico de morte encefálica (ME). Um grupo de peritos do Departamento Científico de Doppler transcraniano da Academia Brasileira de Neurologia criou uma força-tarefa de forma a determinar os critérios neurossonológicos para os seguintes aspectos no diagnóstico de ME no Brasil: metodologia do DTC; metodologia do DTCC; treinamento e habilidades em Neurossonologia; diagnóstico de parada circulatória encefálica e documentação do exame para a ME. Os resultados deste encontro foram apresentados neste artigo.

Neurosonological studies, specifically transcranial Doppler (TCD) and transcranial color-coded duplex (TCCD), have high level of specificity and sensitivity and they are used as complementary tests for the diagnosis of brain death (BD). A group of experts, from the Neurosonology Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, created a task force to determine the criteria for the following aspects of diagnosing BD in Brazil: the reliability of TCD methodology; the reliability of TCCD methodology; neurosonology training and skills; the diagnosis of encephalic circulatory arrest; and exam documentation for BD. The results of this meeting are presented in the current paper.