Abstract Lychnophora pinaster, known as arnica-mineira, is endemic to campos rupestres, at risk of extinction. The present study aimed to characterize the ecogeography and phenolic constituents of 11 L. pinaster populations collected in the mesoregions North, Jequitinhonha, Metropolitan of Belo Horizonte and Campos das Vertentes in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phenolic constituents were identified and quantified by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry. Lychnophora pinaster occurs in sites at high altitude (700 and 1498 m), annual rainfall of up to 1455 m, soils with low fertility and predominantly loamy texture. Therefore, it can be considered tolerant to acidic soils, with low availability of nutrient. The most abundant substances in all populations were vitexin (18 – 1345 ng/g) and chlorogenic acid (60 – 767 ng/g). The 11 populations formed four groups in relation to the phenolic constituents, with group 1 consisting of the populations of the North Mesoregion (GM, OD) and Jetiquinhonha (DIMa), group 2, the Metropolitan of Belo Horizonte (SRM, NLSC, SM, RPS, CTRA), group 3, the North Mesoregion (ODMa and DI), and group 4, the Campos das Vertentes (CC). Among the populations, only those from the Metropolitan of Belo Horizonte showed correlation of soil properties with phenolic constituents.

Abstract This study aimed to verify the action of bioactive compounds from Brazilian plants on the leader genes involved in the SARS-CoV-2 pathway. The main human genes involved were identified in GeneCards and UNIPROT platforms, and an interaction network between leader genes was established in the STRING database. To design chemo-biology interactome networks and elucidate the interplay between genes related to the disease and bioactive plant compounds, the metasearch engine STITCH 3.1 was used. The analysis revealed that SMAD3 and CASP3 genes are leader genes, suggesting that the mechanism of action of the virus on host cells is associated with the molecular effects of these genes. Furthermore, the bioactive plant compounds, such as ascorbate, benzoquinone, ellagic acid, and resveratrol was identified as a promising adjuvant for the treatment inhibiting CASP3-mediated apoptosis. Bioactive plant compounds were verified as the main pathways enriched with KEGG and related to viral infection, assessments/immune/infections, and cell proliferation, which are potentially used for respiratory viral infections. The best-ranked molecule docked in the CASP3 binding site was rutin, while the SMAD3 binding site was resveratrol. In conclusion, this work identified several bioactive compounds from Brazilian plants showing potential antiviral functions that can directly or indirectly inhibit the new coronavirus.

RESUMO Os frutos do maxixe do reino (Cyclanthera pedata) são utilizados tanto na culinária quanto para fins medicinais. No entanto, há poucos estudos sobre essa espécie, considerada cucurbitácea não convencional. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo estudar as respostas da cultura do maxixe do reino à adubação verde e mineral com nitrogênio na forma de ureia, quanto à produtividade de frutos comerciais, teor de nutrientes nas folhas e frutos e composição bromatológica. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições: 1) controle (sem nitrogênio); 2) 60 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio na forma de ureia; 3) adubação verde com Cajanus cajans e 4) adubação verde com Crotalaria juncea. As parcelas foram constituídas por três linhas de maxixe do reino com quatro plantas por linha, no espaçamento de 2x1 m. Nos tratamentos com adubo verde foram cultivadas três linhas das respectivas leguminosas. As variáveis avaliadas foram produtividade de frutos comerciais, teores de nutrientes nos frutos e nas folhas e composição bromatológica dos frutos. A produção de frutos do maxixe do reino foi maior no tratamento com aplicação de ureia (23,6 t ha-1), seguida pela Crotalaria juncea (15,6 t ha-1), Cajanus cajans (14,8 t ha-1) e testemunha (9,2 t ha-1). Os tratamentos não influenciaram nos teores de nutrientes nos frutos e folhas e a composição bromatológicas dos frutos. No entanto, em função da maior produtividade, as quantidades de nutrientes absorvidas pelas plantas e acumuladas nos frutos foram maiores nos tratamentos com adubação mineral. A análise bromatológica dos frutos revelou consideráveis teores de proteína bruta e extrato etéreo, ressaltando o potencial desta espécie para a dieta alimentar humana.

ABSTRACT Caygua fruits (Cyclanthera pedata) are used both in cooking and for medicinal purposes. However, few studies on this species, considered a non-conventional vegetable, can be found in literature. This study aimed to assess the responses of caygua crop to green manure and mineral nitrogen fertilization, in relation to marketable fruit productivity, nutrient content in leaves and fruits and bromatological composition. The study was carried out in a randomized block design with four treatments and five replicates: 1) control (without nitrogen); 2) 60 kg ha-1 nitrogen (urea form); 3) green manuring using Cajanus cajans and 4) green manuring using Crotalaria juncea. The plots consisted of three caygua lines with four plants per line (spacing 2x1 m). In the treatments using green manure, three lines of these respective legumes were cultivated. We evaluated marketable fruit productivity, nutrient contents in fruits and leaves and bromatological composition of the fruits. Production of caygua fruits was higher in the treatment consisting of urea application (23.6 t ha-1), followed by Crotalaria juncea (15.6 t ha-1), Cajanus cajans (14.8 t ha-1) and control (9.2 t ha-1). Treatments did not influence the nutrient contents in fruits and leaves and the bromatological composition. However, in relation to higher productivity, the amounts of nutrients absorbed by plants and accumulated in fruits were higher in treatments using mineral fertilization due to the higher yield. The bromatological analysis of fruits showed considerable contents of crude protein and ether extract, highlighting the potential of this species to human diet.

ABSTRACT Vernoniapolyanthes Less. stands out as one of plants of interest of the Brazilian Unified Health System. It is known as "assa-peixe" in Brazil and it has therapeutic properties such as antihypertensive and diuretic, antifungal and antimicrobial. Understanding the life cycle of the species can provide information for management programs and the conservation of genetic resources. The objective of this study was to determine the phenological behavior of V. polyanthes, in a Cerrado area, to evaluate the effect of the climatic variables of the place during each phenophase, and to evaluate the synchrony of these phenophases among individual plants as well. Forty individuals were evaluated monthly from August 2014 to August 2016, regarding the intensity and synchrony of phenophases of budding, mature leaves, leaf senescence, leaf fall, flowering and fruiting. The species studied showed seasonal phenological behavior with annual periodicity, where synchrony among the individuals evaluated over 24 months was high. This one factor is a facilitator of species management. Mean temperature was the abiotic factor that most influenced the phenophases. Assa-peixe flowered in the period of June to August, while fruiting reaching peak intensity in the month of October.

RESUMEN Vernonia polyanthes Less. se destaca como una de las plantas de interés en el Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil. Conocida como assa-peixe, posee propiedades terapéuticas tales como antihipertensivo y diurético, antifúngico y antimicrobiano. La comprensión del ciclo de vida de la especie puede proporcionar información para programas de manejo y conservación de recursos genéticos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el comportamiento fenológico de V. polyanthes, en un área de Cerrado, para evaluar el efecto de las variables climáticas del lugar durante cada fenofase, así como la sincronía de estas fenofases entre plantas individ uales. 40 individuos fueron evaluados mensualmente en el período de agosto de 2014 a agosto de 2016, en cuanto a la intensidad y sincronía de las fenofases de brote, hojas maduras, senescencia foliar, caída foliar, floración y fructificación. La especie estudiada presentó comportamiento fenológico cíclico estacional con periodicidad anual, donde la sincronía entre los individuos evaluados a lo largo de los 24 meses fue elevada. Este factor es un facilitador del manejo de la especie. La temperatura media fue el factor abiótico que más influyó en las fenofases. El assa-peixe presentó la floración en el período de junio a agosto, mientras que la fructificación alcanzó el pico de intensidad en el mes de octubre.

A fava-d’anta é uma espécie nativa do cerrado que apresenta potencial econômico e medicinal, mas com pequeno número de informações sobre aspectos da nutrição mineral. Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência de níveis de saturação por bases sobre os atributos químicos do solo e o crescimento inicial e produção de flavonoides totais em mudas de fava-d’anta, conduziu-se um experimento em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com sete tratamentos: saturação por base natural do solo (3%), e os demais tratamentos com 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 % de saturação, com cinco repetições. A elevação da saturação de bases por meio da aplicação de doses de óxido de cálcio e magnésio refletiu na melhoria dos atributos químicos do solo por meio do aumento do pH, da CTC e das concentrações dos cátions trocáveis Ca+2 e Mg+2, e redução da acidez trocável, acidez potencial e saturação por alumínio. A altura, biomassa seca e o teor de flavonoides totais das plântulas de fava-d’anta não foram influenciados pela elevação da saturação por bases, entretanto houve decréscimo do diâmetro do coleto. Assim, as condições naturais do solo do Cerrado propiciam o melhor desenvolvimento da espécie, evidenciando a sua tolerância à acidez do solo.

Fava-d'anta is a native species from Cerrado that presents economic and medicinal potential, with a small number of information on aspects of mineral nutrition. In order to evaluate the influence of base saturation levels on chemical attributes of the soil, initial growth and total flavonoid production in fava-d'anta seedlings, an experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with seven treatments: saturation by natural base of the soil (3%), and treatments with 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% saturation, with five replications. The increase of the base saturation through the application of doses of calcium and magnesium oxides reflected the improvement of chemical attributes of the soil by increasing the pH, CEC and concentrations of exchangeable cations Ca+2 and Mg+2, as well as reduction of exchangeable acidity, potential acidity and saturation by aluminum. The height, dry biomass and the total flavonoid content of the fava-d'anta seedlings were not influenced by the increase of the base saturation, however, there was a decrease in the collar diameter. Thus, the natural conditions of the Cerrado soil provide the best development of the species, evidencing its tolerance to soil acidity.

Resumen Lippia origanoides Kunth. es un arbusto medicinal nativo de algunos países de Centro y Sur América y el Caribe. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la composición química de los aceites esenciales y la diversidad genética de una población natural de L. origanoides en dos estaciones. El aceite esencial se extrajo en un equipo de Clevenger y se analizó por cromatografía de gases acoplado a espectrometría de masas (CG-EM). La cuantificación relativa de timol y carvacrol se realizó por cromatografía de gases acoplado a un detector de ionización de llamas (CG-DIL). Se utilizó un análisis multivariado para evaluar la divergencia genética entre plantas. El carvacrol fue el compuesto principal encontrado en la mayoría de las plantas para ambas estaciones. En la estación lluviosa, la planta 15 presentó timol como el compuesto principal y las plantas 16, 27, 28 y 29 presentaron alcanfor como el compuesto principal. En la estación seca, el timol se mantuvo como el principal compuesto en la planta 15, de igual manera el alcanfor se mantuvo como el principal en las plantas 16, 28 y 29. Sin embargo, la planta 27 presentó carvacrol como el principal compuesto en esta estación. Después del carvacrol, los compuestos con el mayor contenido fueron γ-terpineno, p-cimeno and metil-eter-timol. De las 30 plantas estudiadas, solo cinco difirieron en su composición química, mostrando algún grado de estabilidad en relación a la estación seca y lluviosa. No hubo variación en los compuestos principales entre las dos estaciones, pero hubo diversidad química entre los compuestos principales. El agrupamiento de Tocher mostró cinco grupos distintos, con el grupo 1 incluyendo la mayoría de las plantas en ambas estaciones, lo cual indica que el periodo del año evaluado no interfiere significativamente con la composición de aceites esenciales en la mayoría de plantas.

Abstract Lippia origanoides Kunth. is a medicinal shrub native to some countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. This study aims to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil and the genetic diversity of a natural population of Lippia origanoides in two seasons. Leaf samples were collected from 30 individuals in the dry and rainy seasons. The essential oil was extracted into a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The relative quantification of thymol and carvacrol was performed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the genetic divergence between plants. Carvacrol was the major compound found in most plants for both seasons. In the rainy season, plant 15 presented thymol as the major compound, and plants 16, 27, 28 and 29 presented camphor as the major compound. In the dry season, thymol remained the main compound of plant 15 and camphor remained the main compound of plants 16, 28 and 29; however, plant 27 presented carvacrol as the main compound in this season. After carvacrol, the compounds with the highest content were γ-terpinene, p-cymene and methyl-ether-thymol. Of the 30 plants studied, only five differed in their chemical composition, showing some degree of stability in relation to the dry and rainy seasons. There was no variation in the main compounds between the two seasons, but there was chemical diversity among the main compounds. Tocher grouping revealed five distinct groups, with group 1 including most of the plants in both dry and rainy seasons, indicating that the time of year evaluated did not significantly interfere with the essential oil composition of most plants.

Lippia rotundifolia is an aromatic species, native and endemic to rocky fields, which are isolated by small mountains. It is little known about their chemical composition. Because of that we aimed to study the chemical diversity of volatiles released from rosemary leaves (Lippia rotundifolia Cham.) coming from 11 populations of the Minas Gerais, Brazil. The material for chemical analysis was obtained from the accessions in the active germplasm bank of the Instituto de Ciências agrárias of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. A total of 67 compounds were detected by HS-CG-MS. Most volatiles were detected in the São Gonçalo do Rio das Pedras accession, with 40 compounds, whereas in the Santana do Riacho accession only 5 compounds were detected. Volatiles myrcene, linalool and caryophyllene were detected in the majority of the accessions. We concluded that Lippia rotundifolia presents high chemical variability. The volatiles mircene, linalool and caryophyllene are the most frequent, detected in most of the accessions. Due to some accession to present predominance of monoterpenes, others sesquiterpenes, studies of molecular analysis are necessary for associate the chemotypes, since environmental variation influence the gene expression of the secondary metabolites.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do espaçamento e da cobertura morta sobre a produção da biomassa, composição química e produção do óleo essencial de erva-baleeira. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2×2: dois espaçamentos (1.6 × 0.5 m e 1.0 × 0.5 m), com e sem cobertura morta, sendo utilizadas cinco repetições. Ao final, a combinação entre espaçamento e presença e ausência de cobertura não influenciaram na altura e diâmetro do caule. No entanto, influenciou na matéria fresca: 8765.00 kg ha-1 (1.0 × 0.5 m, com cobertura) e 6112.50 kg ha-1 (1.6 × 0.5 m, sem cobertura). O espaçamento 1.0 × 0.5 m foi o que proporcionou maior matéria seca (3052.14 kg ha-1). Para a produção de óleo essencial, a combinação do espaçamento de 1.0 × 0.5 m, com cobertura proporcionou maior produção (484.50 kg ha-1). Foram detectados 27 compostos dos quais 23 foram identificados, sendo a maior parte sesquiterpenos e monoterpenos. O α-pineno e o β-cariofileno apresentaram maiores abundâncias em todas as amostras, independente do tratamento. Os teores de α-humuleno e β-cariofileno, que são os dois marcadores químicos da espécie, não diferiram estatisticamente. Em todos os tratamentos, o teor de α-humuleno foi suficiente para atender às exigências da indústria farmacêutica. Assim a alteração no espaçamento e na cobertura do solo influencia na produção do óleo essencial, e da biomassa, porém não influencia nos teores do α-humuleno e do β-cariofileno.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of spacing and mulch on biomass production, chemical composition and production of essential oil of tropical black sage. A randomized block design was used in a 2×2 factorial scheme: two spacings (1.6 × 0.5 m and 1.0 × 0.5 m), with and without mulch, using five replications. In the end, the combination of spacing and presence and absence of mulch did not influence the height and diameter of the stem. However, it has influenced fresh matter: 8765.00 kg ha-1 (1.0 × 0.5 m, with mulch) and 6112.50 kg ha-1 (1.6 × 0.5 m, without mulch). The spacing 1.0 x 0.5 m was what provided higher dry matter (3052.14 kg ha-1). For the production of essential oil, the combination of spacing of 1.0 × 0.5 m, with mulch provided greater production (484.50 kg ha-1). Twenty-seven compounds were detected, of which 23 were identified, most of which were sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes. The α-pinene and the β-caryophyllene showed higher abundances in all samples, regardless of the treatment. The contents of α-humulene was sufficient to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, the alteration in soil spacing and mulch influences the production of essential oil and biomass, but it does not influence the relatives amount of the α-humulene and of the β-caryophyllene.

RESUMO: Avaliou-se neste estudo a atividade antimicrobiana e a toxicidades aguda e crônica do extrato da entrecasca de Stryphnodendron adstringens. A partir do extrato seco, obtido através da maceração estática da casca do caule em etanol de cereais, foi realizada a quantificação de taninos totais (32,7%) pelo método de Folin-Denis. A atividade antimicrobiana do extrato seco extraído de cascas do caule de S. adstringens foi avaliada pela técnica de disco-difusão para os micro-organismos Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) e Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) nas concentrações de 200, 400 e 600μL/mL. Os testes de concentração inibitória mínima revelaram que 600μL/mL inibiu o crescimento dos dois micro-organismos testados; o mesmo resultado foi observado para atividade bactericida na concentração de 600μL/mL sobre essas espécies. Efeitos tóxicos sistêmicos agudos e crônicos do extrato seco de S. adstringens administrados por gavagem foram estudados em ratos Wistar, utilizando as doses de 400, 600 e 800mg/kg. Foi observada degeneração hepática no grupo de animais que receberam 800mg/kg tanto no estudo da toxicidade aguda quanto crônica, que pode indicar algum grau de toxicidade de S. adstringens nessa concentração. Considerando o amplo uso de S. adstringens como fitoterápico para humanos e animais, atenção deve ser dispensada para ingestão em altas doses mediante os efeitos tóxicos observados neste estudo.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity and acute or chronic toxicity of the extract of Stryphnodendron adstringens. The stem bark dry extract was obtained by static maceration with ethanol. Quantification of tannins was performed by the Folin-Denis method, which indicated a total tannin content of 32.7%. The antimicrobial activity of the dry extract of S. adstringens was evaluated by agar-based disk diffusion assay with Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) in the concentration of 200, 400 and 600μL/mL. The results indicated that 600μL/mL inhibited microbial growth, i.e. had antimicrobial activity against these species. Acute and chronic toxic effects of S. adstringens was evaluated in Wistar rats treated with 200, 400, 600 and 800mg/kg of extract, administrated by gavage. Liver degeneration was observed in the group of rats receiving 800mg/kg in chronic exposure, what may indicate some degree of toxicity at this concentration. However, no systemic toxicity was observed at lower doses. Considering the broad use of S. adstringens as a phytotherapeutic agent for various human and animal diseases and the livertoxicity observed at high concentrations, attention should be paid to the possible adverse effect of using the extract from this plant at high concentration.

Objetivou-se avaliar agronomicamente cinco acessos de mangarito nas condições de Montes Claros-MG. O experimento foi conduzido em Horta Experimental do Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da UFMG, Montes Claros, de 10/06/2010 a 03/06/2011. Empregou-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em acessos de mangarito cedidos pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Viçosa 1, Viçosa 2 e Viçosa 3) e pela Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (Dourados), além do acesso local (Montes Claros). A parcela foi composta de quatro fileiras com 2,5 m de comprimento, com as plantas espaçadas de 0,5x0,5 m. Foram avaliados a produtividade total, de cormos, de cormelos e de cormelos comerciais, massa fresca e seca de cormelos comerciais, número de cormelos comerciais por planta e a produtividade de cormelos nas classes (com base no menor diâmetro) grande (≥30 mm), média (20-29 mm), pequena (10-19 mm) e refugo (<10 mm). Os acessos Viçosa 1, Montes Claros, Viçosa 2 e Viçosa 3 apresentaram as melhores respostas agronômicas quanto à produtividade total e de cormelos. Os componentes primários com as maiores correlações positivas com a produtividade comercial foram produtividade de cormelos classe média (0,9543**), número de cormelos comerciais por planta (0,8242**) e massa fresca de cormelos comerciais (0,8242**).

This study aimed to evaluate five accessions of tannia. The experiment was carried out in field at the Universidade Federal de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from June 2010 to June 2011. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with five treatments and four replications, a total of 20 plots. Treatments consisted of five accessions of tannia obtained at Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Viçosa 1, Viçosa 2 and Viçosa 3), Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (Dourados), and a local accession (Montes Claros). The experimental plot comprised four rows spaced 0.5 m apart, with 2.5 m in length. The distance between plants in the row was 0.5 m. The agronomical characteristics evaluated were yield of corms, cormels, marketable cormels and total, fresh and dry weight of marketable cormels, number of marketable cormels per plant and the cormel yield of classes (based on the smallest diameter): large (≥30 mm), medium (20-29 mm), small (10-19 mm) and noncommercial (<10 mm). The Viçosa 1, Montes Claros, Viçosa 2 and Viçosa 3 accessions presented higher values of total yield and cormels. Primary components presenting high positive correlation in comparison to marketable yield were: yield of medium cormels (0.9543**), marketable cormels fresh weight (0.8242**) and number of marketable cormels per plant (0.8242**).

Atualmente nota-se um aumento do interesse pelas plantas medicinais, fruto da grande procura por terapias alternativas. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a atividade antimicrobiana e a toxicidade do óleo essencial da Lippia origanoides (alecrim-pimenta). O óleo essencial de alecrim-pimenta foi obtido por arraste com vapor d’água e seus constituintes foram identificados por cromatografia acoplada a espectrofotômetro de massa (GC/MS). Entre os 15 compostos identificados os mais abundantes foram o carvacrol (29%), o-cimeno (25,57%) e metil timol éter (11,50%). Os óleos foram submetidos a ensaios antimicrobianos para determinação da CIM e da CBM. Os resultados mostraram que a dose de 120μl/mL de qualquer um dos óleos testados foi eficiente em inibir o crescimento dos micro-organismos Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) e Salmonella cholerasuis (ATTCC 10708). Os efeitos tóxicos agudos e crônicos foram verificados em animais segundo método de classes - Toxicidade aguda oral (dose fixas) - OECD 420. As concentrações de 30, 60 e 120 mg/kg de óleo essencial não induziram alterações significativas no peso, no comportamento dos animais e nem nos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos. Também não houve presença de alterações histopatológicas no fígado, rins e coração sugerindo que o óleo de alecrim-pimenta é atóxico após administração oral em condições agudas ou crônicas. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho levam a concluir que o óleo essencial de alecrim-pimenta possui uma margem elevada de segurança, com efeitos tóxicos inexistentes além de apresentar atividade antimicrobiana eficaz contra os micro-organimos S. aureus, E. coli e S. cholerasuis. Sua utilização na medicina veterinária deve ser considerada como uma grande viabilidade econômica e sustentável.

Currently, there is a growing interest in medicinal plants, because of an increased demand for alternate therapies. In this study, the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of the essential oil of Lippia origanoides (L. origanoides) were investigated. The essential oil of L. origanoides was extracted by steam-dragging distillation and its constituents were identified by chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Among the 15 compounds identified, the most abundant were carvacrol (29.00%), o-cymene (25.57%), and thymol methyl ether (11.50%). The essential oil was studied in antimicrobial assays to determine the MIC and MBC. The results indicated that a concentration of 120μL/mL of oil was sufficient to inhibit the growth of the following microorganisms: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Salmonella cholerasuis (ATCC 10708). Acute and chronic toxic effects of orally administered oil were investigated in Wistar rats by using standard methods. Doses of 30, 60 and 120mg/kg of the essential oil did not induce significant changes in weight, behavior or hematological and biochemical parameters in the animals. There were no signs of any histopathological changes to the liver, kidneys or heart of the treated rats, suggesting that Lippia origanoides oil is non-toxic after oral administration in acute or chronic toxicity studies. The results obtained in this study show that the essential oil of L. origanoides has a high safety margin, with no detectable toxic effects in rats treated with doses to 120mg/kg. In addition, L. origanoides oil demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli and S. cholerasuis. Based on these findings, this essential oil may have practical application as a veterinary antimicrobial.

Há pouco conhecimento técnico sobre o comportamento nutricional das plantas de maxixe do reino (Cyclanthera pedata) para guiar as recomendações de adubação dessa cultura. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito do manejo de fontes de potássio na produtividade, valor nutricional e teores de nutrientes dos frutos de maxixe do reino. Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 3x2+1, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados dois manejos de aplicação (dose total na semeadura e parcelamento) e três fontes de potássio (KCl, cinzas de eucalipto e pó de rocha granítica), mais um tratamento controle (sem adubação potássica). O espaçamento utilizado foi 2x1 m e a parcela experimental foi constituída por quatro plantas, adotando-se como área útil as duas plantas centrais. A aplicação em dose única no plantio de 60 kg ha-1 de K2O na forma de pó de rocha granítica ou cinza de eucalipto proporcionou produtividades e composição bromatológica e nutricional de frutos de maxixe do reino semelhantes à aplicação de cloreto de potássio.

There is little technical background on nutritional behavior of caigua plants (Cyclanthera pedata) to guide fertilizers recommendations. Therefore, this research was carried out aiming to assess the potassium sources management upon the yields, nutrient contents and nutritional value of caigua fruits. The experiment was arranged in the randomized blocks design, in factorial scheme 2x3+1, with four replications. Two application managements were evaluated (total dose at sowing and splitting) and three potassium sources (potassium chloride, ash from eucalyptus and granite rock dust), plus control treatment (without potassium fertilization). The spacing used was 2x1 m and each plot consisted of four plants, using two central plants for analyzing. The application of 60 kg ha-1 of ash from eucalyptus and granite rock dust in total dose at plantation were similar to potassium chloride, in terms of yield, nutrient contents and nutritional value of caigua fruits.

Piper aduncum L., Piperaceae, stands out due to its biological activities, however, it is still found in the wild and little is known about its agronomic point of view. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and to analyze the chemical composition of essential oils from leaves of P. aduncum collected in two different sites of Cerrado as well as in cultivated plants. The cultivation was installed out in a greenhouse using cuttings of adult specimens. Essential oils were obtained from fresh leaves. Plants from the two studied locations showed erect growth habit and behavior of linear growth. The essential oils composition of P. aduncum from Bocaiuva did not differ between wild and cultivated plants, as the major substance identified as 1,8-cineole. The plants from Montes Claros site showed a distinct concentration for the two samples, being the major substance characterized as transocimene (13.4%) for wild and 1,8-cineole (31.3%) for cultivated plants. Samples from both locations showed a similar essential oil composition in cultivars. Our results showed that P. aduncum cultivation is feasible and the variation in chemical composition of the two sites may indicate an environmental influence, since chemical and isoenzyme analysis did not show great differences.

RESUMOPiper aduncum L. é utilizada na medicina popular para o tratamento de doenças respiratórias e inflamatórias. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar o óleo essencial das folhas de P. aduncum coletadas no Cerrado brasileiro, Norte de Minas Gerais, assim como avaliar a atividade larvicida desse óleo e de sua substância majoritária. O óleo essencial foi analisado por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas e por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a detector por ionização de chamas, que permitiu a caracterização de 23 substâncias (monoterpenos: 90,4%; sesquiterpenos: 7,0%). O componente majoritário foi o 1,8-cineol (53,9%). O óleo essencial desse exemplar mostrou ser muito diferente do óleo da mesma espécie. Larvas de Aedes aegypti foram expostas a diferentes concentrações do óleo essencial e do 1,8-cineol. Após 24h do tratamento com o óleo registrou-se uma taxa de mortalidade de 100% das larvas nas concentrações de 500 e 1,000 ppm. Após 48h a taxa de mortalidade foi de 80% e 50% para as concentrações de 250 e 100 ppm, respectivamente. A CL50 obtida após 24h foi estimada em 289,9 ppm e após 48h foi de 134,1 ppm. A substância majoritária 1,8-cineol não apresentou atividade larvicida.

ABSTRACTPiper aduncum L. is used in folk medicine to treat respiratory and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the essential oil from leaves ofP. aduncum collected in the Brazilian Cerrado, North of Minas Gerais, as well as to evaluate the larvicidal activity of this oil and of its major constituent. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry that allowed characterizing 23 compounds (monoterpenes: 90.4%; sesquiterpenes: 7.0%). The major component was 1,8-cineole (53.9%). This oil showed to be very different from those obtained from the same species. Larvae of A. aegypti were exposed to different concentrations of the essential oil and 1,8-cineole. The mortality rate of 100% was obtained after 24h of treatment with the oil at concentrations of 500 and 1,000 ppm. After 48h of treatment, the mortality rate was 80% and 50% for concentrations of 250 and 100 ppm, respectively. The LC50 obtained after 24h was estimated in 289.9 ppm and after 48h was 134.1 ppm. The major compound 1,8-cineole showed no larvicidal activity.

Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar os coeficientes de cultura (Kc), a eficiência do uso de água (EUA) do alecrim-pimenta contemplando a produção de biomassa e óleo essencial. O experimento foi conduzido em lisímetro de drenagem, no Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, em Montes Claros, MG. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, cujos tratamentos correspondiam a sete lâminas de água (0,5; 0,75; 1,0; 1,2; 1,4; 1,65 e 1,9 ETo), e três repetições. A evapotranspiração potencial de referência utilizada no cálculo das lâminas de irrigação foi obtida pelo método de Penman-Monteith. Os tratamentos foram submetidos à análise de regressão. Os resultados indicam que o alecrim-pimenta apresenta resposta positiva ao aumento da lâmina d'água aplicada. O tratamento responsável pelo maior índice de eficiência do uso da água, foi o tratamento 6 (1,65 ETo), com 1,26 kg m-3 para a produção de matéria fresca em função da lâmina aplicada. A produtividade de óleo essencial foi de 59,12 kg ha-1 aos 120 dias após transplantio, para o tratamento 7 (1,9 ETo). Os coeficientes de cultura (Kc) médios determinados em todo o ciclo da cultura, variaram de 0,98 na fase inicial, 1,20 no desenvolvimento vegetativo e 1,52 no florescimento.

The aim of this study was to determine the crop coefficient (Kc), water use efficiency (WUE) of the Lippia sidoides Cham. contemplating the production of biomass and essential oil and growth parameters. The experiment was conducted in drainage lysimeter at the Instituto de Ciências Agrárias of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, at Montes Claros, MG. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with the treatments corresponding to seven water depths (0.5; 0.75; 1.0; 1.2; 1.4; 1.65 and 1.9 ETo), and three replications. The potential evapotranspiration of reference used in the calculation of the irrigation was obtained by the Penman Monteith method. The treatments were submitted to regression analysis. The results indicate that Lippia sidoides Cham has a positive response with increased water depth applied. The treatment 6 (1.65 ETo) was the one with the highest efficiency rate of water use, with 1.26 kg m-3 for the production of fresh weight as a function of the water depth. The yield of essential oil was 59.12 kg ha-1 at 120 days after transplanting, for treatment 7 (1,9 ETo). The mean crop coefficients (Kc) determined throughout the crop cycle ranged from 0.98 in the initial phase, 1.20 and 1.52 in vegetative growth during flowering.