Abstract B. palustris Heering (Asteraceae), has been previously characterized as having an unusual essential oil composition with C9-/C10-polyacetylenes as main components, and mono- and sesqui-terpenes/terpenoids at minor or trace levels. In this work, new insights into the chemical composition of this oil are presented: 1. TLC profiles using different visualization reagents for their characterization, 2. chemical analyses combining HRGC/qMS, HRGC/HRMS-TOF and HRGCxHRGC/HRMS-TOF, and 3. radical scavenging activity assay using the DPPH methodology were performed. The best TLC visualization conditions for the polyacetylenic components of the oil were obtaining using UVλ= 365 nm and vanillin/H3PO4, while the original application of NaDi (1-naphtol + N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylendiamine) demonstrated to be the best option to visualize the lachnophyllum acid methyl esters fraction. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry protocols allowed the detection of 63 components in B. palustris oil: 39 of them were identified, 6 tentatively assigned without LRI information, and 18 could not be identified. Most of the identified components were mono- and sesquiterpenes and their derivatives. Ten of them are informed for the first time in B. palustris oil [α-pinene epoxide, rosefuran, epi-cubebol, cubebol, germacrene D-4-ol, junenol, epi-α-cadinol, epi-α-muurolol, germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-1-β-ol and oplopanone]. C9-/C10-polyacetylenes (baccharisdyine/lachnophyllum acid derivatives) were confirmed as the main components of the oil, while other polyacetylenes were tentatively identified and their possible structures are discussed. The deconvolution analyses on HRGCxHRGC/HRMS-TOF allowed the identification of a lachnophyllum lactone isomer (undefined stereochemistry), co-eluting with the (cis)-lachnophyllum acid methyl ester peak. Finally, B. palustris oil was found to be an inactive DPPH radical scavenger.

RESUMEN En el trabajo se estudió un consorcio microbiano metanogénico de una mina de carbón de la cuenca de Bogotá en Colombia. Se establecieron cultivos de enriquecimiento de carbón ex situ para el crecimiento y la producción de gas de novo. El gas biogénico producido por los cultivos se analizó mediante cromatografía de gases con detectores de ionización de llama y conductividad térmica. Los cultivos se utilizaron para aislar estirpes microbianas y para generar bibliotecas del gene 16S rARN empleando de cebadores de bacteria y de arquea. El análisis de cromatografía de gases mostró producción de metano a 37 oC, pero no a 60 oC, donde el CO2 fue el componente principal del gas biogénico. El análisis de la secuencia del gen 16S rARN de estirpes microbianos y de las bibliotecas de clones, estableció que el consorcio microbiano metanogénico estuvo formado por especies de bacterias de los géneros Bacillus y Gracilibacter más la arquea del género Methanothermobacter. El consorcio microbiano metanogénico identificado es potencialmente responsable de la generación de gas biogénico en la mina de carbón La Ciscuda. Los resultados sugirieron que los metanógenos de este consorcio producían metano por vía hidrogenotrófica o de reducción de CO2.

ABSTRACT The work studied the methanogenic microbial consortium in a coal mine from the Bogotá basin in Colombia. Ex situ coal-enrichment cultures were established for in vitro growth and de novo gas production. Biogenic gas produced by cultures was analyzed by gas chromatography using thermal conductivity and flame ionization detectors. Cultures were used to isolate microbial specimens and to generate 16S rRNA gene libraries employing bacterial and archaeal primer sets. The gas chromatographic analysis showed methane production at 37 oC, but not at 60 oC, where CO2 was the major component of the biogenic gas. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of microbial isolates and clone libraries established that the methanogenic microbial consortium was formed by bacteria species from Bacillus and Gracilibacter genera plus archaea from the Methanothermobacter genus. This meth-anogenic microbial consortium was potentially responsible for biogenic gas generation in La Ciscuda coal mine. The results suggested that these methanogens produced methane by hydrogenotrophic or CO2 reduction pathways.

RESUMO: Esta pesquisa descreve um protocolo de micropropagação eficiente para Lippia origanoides (Verbenaceae). Sementes estéreis foram utilizadas para a obtenção de mudas germinadas em meio Murashige e Skoog (MS) suplementado com sacarose e ágar. Os segmentos nodais obtidos das mudas foram cultivados em meio MS, suplementado com diferentes concentrações de ácido giberélico (GA), benzilaminopurina (BAP) e ácido 1-naftalenacético (ANA) com BAP. Foram analisados a indução de calo, comprimento de brotação, número de brotação e comprimento de raiz. Os tratamentos mostraram alta porcentagem de formação de calo com 0,5 a 1,5 mg L-1 de BAP sozinho ou em combinação com ANA (0,1 mg L-1). O maior valor de número de brotações por segmento nodal foi obtido com 1,5 mg L-1 de BAP (4,3 ± 0,8). As mudas obtidas apresentaram melhor enraizamento in vitro na ausência de reguladores de crescimento vegetal (PGRs) e demonstraram taxa de aclimatação de 90%. Contudo, relata-se um protocolo para propagação in vitro e aclimatação de L. origanoides para quimiotipos A da Colômbia.

ABSTRACT: This research described an efficient micropropagation protocol for Lippia origanoides (Verbenaceae). Sterile seeds were used to obtain germinated seedlings in Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with sucrose and agar. The nodal segments obtained from seedlings were grown on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthalenacetic acid (NAA) with BAP. The callus induction, shoots length, shoots number and root length, were analyzed. The treatments showed high percentage of callus formation at 0.5 to 1.5 mg L-1 of BAP alone or in combination with NAA (0.1 mg L-1). The highest value of shoot number per nodal segments was obtained at 1.5 mg L-1 of BAP (4.3 ± 0.8). The obtained plantlets were better rooted in vitro in the absence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and they showed acclimatization rate of 90%. We reported a protocol for in vitro propagation and acclimatization of L. origanoides for A chemotypes from Colombia.

Novel and miniaturized technique, a dynamic sonication-assisted solvent extraction before the analysis by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet visible (HPLC-UV-Vis) for isolation, identification and quantification of rutin and quercetin metabolites in alcoholic extracts from Bidens pilosa Linné, was developed. The results showed that the flowers have a greater quantity of both analytes than other parts of the plant (e.g., leaves, stem and roots), the results were corroborated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In addition, the developed extraction technique against traditional methods for metabolites extraction such as solid-liquid extraction, Soxhlet and rotating-disk sorptive extraction was compared. Under optimal conditions of extraction such as 0.3 mL min-1 of solvent flow, ethanol:water (1:1) as solvent type and 0.5 g of sample amount, it was possible to reach 85% of recovery percentage of target analytes and a limit of detection close to 0.1 µg g-1 with a linear range of 50-400 µg g-1 were also obtained. Finally, the antibacterial evaluation of the flower extract of Bidens pilosa Linné, obtained under above optimal conditions against Gram-positive bacteria, was performed. The higher values of the inhibition diameters when using 1000 mg L-1 and significant differences among Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes were observed. The tests were performed with different microorganisms inoculated from three different absorbance levels (0.05, 0.5 and 0.1 absorbances), at a lower absorbance of these microorganisms in the growth medium used for evaluating the inhibitory effect of the B. pilosa Linné extract, when using this extract at the concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L-1, statistically higher inhibition diameters were noticed.

Resumen Introducción: la consulta de un particular que trajo un producto fitoterapéutico a base de caléndula cuyo consumo le causó fuertes reacciones adversas, originó esta investigación sobre la composición de este producto. Objetivo: caracterizar la composición química de muestras de lotes diferentes de un producto comercial denominado fitoterapéutico a base de caléndula (Calendula officinalis) (PFC) comercializado en Colombia. Metodología: se analizaron tabletas de ocho cajas del PFC de cuatro lotes diferentes de producción (2017 y 2018). Se llevó a cabo el análisis de espacio de cabeza (HS) de tabletas por microextracción en fase sólida (SPME), con una fibra PDMS/DVB (65 µm), expuesta al HS de la muestra durante 30 min a 50 °C. Las fracciones volátiles se analizaron por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (GC/MS). Los extractos de tabletas obtenidos con mezcla de metanol:agua (1:1, v/v) se analizaron por cromatografía líquida (LC) de alta (HPLC) y ultra-alta eficiencia (UHPLC), con detectores de arreglo de diodos (DAD) y espectrometría de masas de alta resolución (HRMS), respectivamente; la cuantificación de diclofenaco se hizo por calibración con patrón externo y por adición de estándar. Los espectros de masas de baja y alta resolución y patrones de fragmentación de las sustancias detectadas se estudiaron, usando GC/HRMS y LC/HRMS-Orbitrap. Resultados: en tabletas analizadas por HSSPME, se encontraron monoterpenoides y sesquiterpenoides de origen vegetal, ftalatos, residuos de solventes (2-cloroetanol, etilenglicol) y sustancias químicas intermediarias en la síntesis de diclofenaco (2,6-dicloroanilina y 2,6-cloro-N-fenil-bencenamina). En los cromatogramas, obtenidos por GC/MS de los extractos de tabletas obtenidos con diclorometano, se detectaron diclofenaco, sus impurezas A, B y C, los ésteres de diclofenaco y algunas otras impurezas. Diclofenaco en cantidad ca. 40 mg (7-8%) se cuantificó por HPLC en tabletas (> 70 analizadas) escogidas al azar de ocho cajas del PFC, adquirido en el mercado local de Bucaramanga (Colombia). Conclusión: en cada tableta analizada se determinaron alrededor de 40 mg del compuesto sintético diclofenaco (sustancia no declarada en la etiqueta del producto) y en ninguna se detectaron ésteres de los triterpenoides oleanano o faradiol, constituyentes del extracto de caléndula que poseen actividad antiinflamatoria; se encontraron algunos flavonoides comunes a muchas plantas, en cantidades mil veces menores que la de diclofenaco.

Abstract Introduction: The consultation of a person who brought a marigold-based phytotherapeutic product whose consumption caused strong adverse reactions, originated this investigation of the composition of this product. Objective: to characterize the chemical composition of samples of different lots of a commercial product called calendula-based phytotherapeutic product (Calendula officinalis) (PFC) commercialized in Colombia. Methodology: Tablets of eight packs of the phytotherapeutic product from four different production batches (2017 and 2018) were analyzed. Headspace analysis (HS) of tablets by solid phase microextraction (SPME) was carried out with a PDMS/ DVB fiber (65 µm), exposed to the HS of the sample for 30 min at 50 °C. Volatile fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Tablet extracts obtained with methanol:water mixture (1:1, v / v) were analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC) of high (HPLC) and ultra-high performance (UHPLC) with diode array (DAD) and high-resolution mass spectrometric (HRMS) detectors, respectively; diclofenac was quantified by external calibration and standard addition. Low- and high-resolution mass spectra (MS, HRMS) and fragmentation patterns of detected substances were studied, using GC/HRTOF-MS and LC/HRMS-Orbitrap. Results: in tablets analyzed by HS-SPME, monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids of plant origin, phthalates, solvent residues (2-chloroethanol, ethylene glycol) and intermediary chemicals in diclofenac synthesis (2,6-dichloroaniline and 2,6- chloro-N-phenyl-benzenamine) were found. In the chromatograms (GC/MS) of the extracts of tablets obtained with organic solvent (dichloromethane), diclofenac, its impurities A, B and C, diclofenac esters, and some other compounds were detected; diclofenac quantification by HPLC found amounts of ca. 40 mg (7 - 8%) in tablets (> 70 analyzed) chosen at random from eight packs of the calendula-based phytotherapeutic product, purchased in the local market in Bucaramanga (Colombia). Conclusion: each analyzed tablet contained around 40 mg of the synthetic compound diclofenac (substance not declared in the product’s label) and no tablet contained detectable amounts of esters of the triterpenoids oleanane or faradiol, which are calendula extract constituents that possess antiinflammatory activity; a few flavonoids that are common to many plants were found in amounts a thousand times smaller than that of diclofenac.

RESUMEN Introducción: Lippia alba (Mill) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae) más conocida como pronto alivio, es una planta aromática de Centro, Sur América y el Caribe que se utiliza tradicionalmente en Colombia para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades, como la diabetes e hipertensión. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el efecto metabólico del aceite esencial de Lippia alba (Mill), administrado oralmente, sobre moléculas relacionadas con obesidad y diabetes en ratas Wistar. Métodos: Se pesaron los animales diariamente. Después de 21 días de tratamiento con el AE se determinó en plasma la glucosa, triglicéridos con kits comerciales y las adipocitoquinas (adiponectina y factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNFα) marcadores de resistencia a la acción de la insulina) por la técnica de ELISA. Resultados: El consumo de AE mostró una regulación en la ganancia de peso corporal y disminución en los niveles de glucosa y triglicéridos en los animales normales que recibieron el AE. Dentro de los grupos con diabetes inducida, el grupo tratado con AE mostró menores valores de TNF-α comparado con el grupo tratado con glibenclamida. Conclusiones: El AE ejerce un efecto benéfico en el metabolismo de los animales, por lo tanto, es interesante para ser evaluado en seres humanos con diabetes o sobrepeso.

SUMMARY Introduction: Lippia alba (Mill) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic plant from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, it is traditionally used by the Colombian population to treat various diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the metabolic effects of Lippia alba essential oil (EO) oral administration on obesity and diabetes markers in Wistar rats. Methods: control and Streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes induced rats were used to evaluate the EO metabolic effects. Glucose and triglycerides were measured using commercial colorimetric kits, the animals' weight was followed for 21 days treatment and TNF-α and adiponectin concentration was determined with ELISA technique. Results: The consumption of EO shows body weight gain regulation, lower glucose and cholesterol levels in normal rats and lower TNF- α in comparison with the Glibenclamide treated rats between the STZ diabetic groups. No toxic effects were founded. Conclusions: The EO exerts a benefical metabolic effect in rats, therefore it is interesting to be evaluate a future in human beings with T2DM or overweight.

RESUMEN Colombia posee gran diversidad de plantas medicinales, pero pocas han sido objeto de investigación. En este trabajo se evaluó la actividad antiproliferativa de aceites esenciales obtenidos por hidrodestilación asistida por microondas. Se analizaron 15 muestras de 11 especies en ensayos del MTT en células cancerosas MCF-7, HeLa y HepG-2 y se incluyeron células normales humanas (HEK293) y de animales (Vero y B16F10) para evaluar selectividad. La composición química de muestras activas se determinó por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). Aceites esenciales de cuatro especies mostraron actividad antiproliferativa (CI50: 50 μg/mL) en células HeLa y/o MCF-7, en el siguiente rango (índice de selectividad en paréntesis): Pipercumanense H.B.K. (4,7) > Piper subflavum var. espejuelanum C.DC (3,9) > Salvia officinalis L. (3,6) > Piper eriopodom (Miq.) C. DC. (3,1). Ninguna muestra fue activa en células HepG-2. El análisis por CG-MS identificó β-cariofileno, a-copaeno, β-pineno, α-pineno y linalol como componentes mayoritarios. Los aceites esenciales activos pueden ser puntos de partida para desarrollo de medicamentos herbales para cuidado paliativo del cáncer.

ABSTRACT Colombia has a great diversity of medicinal plants, but few have been investigated. In this work, the antiproliferative activity of essential oils obtained by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation was evaluated. Fifteen samples from 11 species were analyzed in MTT assays in cancer cells MCF-7, HeLa and HepG-2, and normal human cells (HEK293) and animal cells (Vero and B16F10) were included to evaluate selectivity. The chemical composition of the active oils was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Essential oils from four species showed antiproliferative activity (IC50: <50 μg / mL) in HeLa and / or MCF-7 cells, in the following range (selectivity index in parenthesis): Piper cumanense H.B.K. (4.7) > Piper subflavum var. espejuelanum C. DC (3.9) > Salvia officinalis Linneo. (3.6) > Piper eriopodom (Miq.) C.DC. (31). The CG-MS analysis identified β-caryophyllene, a-copaene, β-pinene, a-pinene and linalool as major components. Active essential oils could serve as starting points to develop herbal medicines for cancer palliative care.

Abstract The search for new insecticides to control dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika vectors has gained relevance in the past decades. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the larvicidal action of essential oils (EOs) from Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Lippia origanoides, Eucalyptus globulus, Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon martinii, Lippia alba, Pelargonium graveolens, Turnera diffusa, and Swinglea glutinosa on Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti. The EOs were extracted by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The chemical components of the EOs were identified by linear retention indices and mass spectra. Lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC95) were determined by probit analysis using larvae of Ae. aegypti between the third and the fourth instars. All EOs achieved larvicidal activity at LC50 values lower than 115 mg/L. The lowest LC50 value (45.73 mg/L) corresponded to T. vulgaris EO, whereas C. martinii EO showed the highest LC50 (LC50 = 114.65 mg/L). Some EO mixtures showed lower LC50 than oils used individually, such as the mixtures of L. origanoides + S. glutinosa (LC50 = 38.40 mg/L), T. diffusa + S. glutinosa (LC50 = 63.71 mg/L), and L. alba + S. glutinosa (LC50 = 48.87 mg/L). The main compounds of the EOs with highest larvicidal activity were thymol (42%) and p-cymene (26.4%).

Antecedentes: Conocer la tendencia de productos de plantas a causar toxicidad en humanos es parte de la investigación orientada al descubrimiento de un medicamento natural. Las pruebas en animales son relativamente costosas, de bajo rendimiento, asociadas a sufrimiento del animal y diferencias relativas a la especie hacen difícil inferir efectos en humanos. Las pruebas en célula viva son recomendadas. Objetivos: Estudiar la tendencia a toxicidad de aceites esenciales (AE) de plantas de Colombia usando un ensayo basado en célula. Métodos: Los AE de 18 especies distintas de plantas fueron estudiados. Se usó el ensayo del MTT en seis líneas celulares de humano y animal derivadas de tejido normal y canceroso, las cuales se trataron antes y después de la proliferación. Los AE se organizaron en el orden de una agrupación jerárquica con base en los valores de CC50 y la sumatoria de la jerarquía ponderada en el panel de células (∑JPi ) se usó como indicador de similitud. Cuanto mayor fue el valor de ∑JPi menor fue la tendencia a toxicidad. Resultados: Los AE con valores de CC50 200 µg/mL en al menos cinco condiciones experimentales presentaron valores de ∑JPi 6,0 sugiriendo baja tendencia a toxicidad y fueron en orden descendente (∑JPi en paréntesis): Calycolpus moritzianus (O.Berg) Burret (9,7) < Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg) Nied. (8,9) < Wedelia calycina (6,5) < Lippia micromera Schauer (6,2) ≈ Piper haltonii . (6,2). AE con valores de CC50 <100 µg/mL en cuatro o más condiciones experimentales presentaron valores ∑JPi <4.0 sugiriendo alta tendencia a toxicidad y fueron en orden ascendente: Tagetes caracasana Kunth (2,7 - 2,8) Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. (3,0) Ageratina aff. popayanensis (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob. (3,1) Lantana colombiana López-Pal. (3,3) Turnera disffusa. (3,4). AE de Tagetes caracasana presentó actividad antiproliferante (CI50: 42,2 y 47,9 µg/mL) sobre células humanas de cáncer de cérvix. Conclusiones: El abordaje metodológico permitió identificar AE con baja y alta tendencia a toxicidad. Los resultados podrían tener valor para predecir actividad in vivo y priorizar muestras para futuras investigaciones.

Background: Part of the research process focused on discovering natural medicines is the study of products derived from plants, which may be toxic to humans. Animal-based test methods can be relatively expensive, low-throughput and associated with animal suffering, and differences in animal species may difficult to infer human health effects. Methods based on living cells are recommended. Objectives: To study the tendency to toxicity of essential oils (EOs) from plants of Colombia using a cell-based assay. Methods: EOs from different species (n = 18) of plants were included. The MTT assay was used on six human and animal cell lines derived from normal and cancerous organs, which were treated before and after proliferation. The EOs were arranged in the order of a hierarchical clustering based on their CC50 values, and the sum of weighted hierarchy across cell panel (∑iWH) was used as the similarity metric. The greater the value of ∑iWH lesser tendency to toxicity. Results: The EOs, which showed CC50 values 200 µg/mL in at least five experimental conditions presented ∑iWH values 5,0 suggesting lower tendency to toxicity, and they were in descending order (∑iWH in parentheses), as follows: Calycolpus moritzianus (O.Berg) Burret (9,7) < Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg) Nied. 1893 (8,9) < Wedelia calcycina (6,5) < Lippia micromera Schauer (6,2) ≈ Piper haltonii Jacq. (6,2) The EOs, which showed CC50 <100 µg/mL in four or more experimental conditions presented ∑iWH values <4.0 suggesting higher tendency to toxicity, and they were in ascending order, as follows: Tagetes caracasana Kunth (2,7 - 2,8) Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. (3,0) Ageratina aff. popayanensis (Hieron.) R.M.King & H.Rob. (3,1) Lantana colombiana López-Pal. (3,3) Turnera diffusa (3,4). EO from Tagetes caracasana Kunth presented relevant antiproliferative activity (CI50: <50.0 µg/mL) on cells from human cervical carcinoma. Conclusions: The methodological approach allows identifying EOs with lower and higher tendency to toxicity. Data generated may be valuable for predicting in vivo toxicity and for prioritizing samples for further studies.

Antecedentes: La mora contiene compuestos fenólicos que contribuyen a su capacidad antioxidante. El método más común para aislar estas sustancias es la extracción con solventes, que puede asistirse con ultrasonido para aumentar el contenido de analitos extraídos. Objetivos: Determinar las condiciones de tipo y concentración de solvente en agua, y de tiempo de extracción asistida con ultrasonido, con las cuales se obtiene el mayor contenido de compuestos fenólicos y el valor de capacidad antioxidante más alto en extractos de mora andina (Rubus glaucus Benth). Comparar la capacidad antioxidante de los extractos de mora con la de antioxidantes de referencia como el di-terc-butilhidroxitolueno (BHT) y el a-tocoferol. Métodos: Se hicieron tres diseños de experimentos de dos factores con tres niveles cada uno. Las variables fueron la concentración de acetona, etanol o metanol en agua y el tiempo de extracción asistida con ultrasonido. Los observables-respuesta fueron el contenido total de compuestos fenólicos, que se determinó utilizando el reactivo de Folin-Ciocalteu, y la capacidad antioxidante, determinada mediante el ensayo ORAC (capacidad de absorción de radicales de oxígeno). Se calculó el coeficiente de correlación entre las dos variables de respuesta. Se comparó la capacidad antioxidante de los extractos de mora, obtenidos bajo las condiciones inferidas como óptimas, con las del BHT y del a-tocoferol. Resultados: Los extractos adquiridos con soluciones acuosas de acetona al 31% (v/v), asistiendo la extracción con ultrasonido durante 100 min, mostraron los mayores contenidos de compuestos fenólicos (30 ± 1 mg ácido gálico/g mora seca), y los valores de capacidad antioxidante más altos (273 ± 6 mmol Trolox®/g mora seca). El coeficiente de correlación entre las dos variables de respuesta fue 0,92. Los extractos de mora presentaron mejor capacidad antioxidante que el BHT y el a-tocoferol. Conclusiones: Bajo las condiciones óptimas de extracción, con las soluciones acuosas de acetona se obtuvieron el mayor contenido de compuestos fenólicos y el valor de capacidad antioxidante más alto. Se observó una relación lineal entre las dos variables de respuesta. Los extractos de mora, obtenidos bajo las mejores condiciones halladas, presentaron mayor capacidad antioxidante en comparación con la de los compuestos de referencia analizados.

Background: Blackberry contains phenolic compounds that contribute to their antioxidant capacity. The most common method used to isolate these substances is the conventional solvent extraction, which can be assisted by ultrasound in order to increase the content of extracted analyte. Objectives: Determining the conditions of solvent type and concentration, and ultrasound-assisted extraction time, under which the highest content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity are obtained, in Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth) extracts. To compare the antioxidant capacity of blackberry extracts with those of reference antioxidants, such as di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and a-tocopherol. Methods: Three experimental designs, of two factors with three levels, were done to provide the data for the analysis of variance. Variables were the acetone, ethanol or methanol concentration in water and the duration of ultrasound-assisted extraction. The response variables were the total content of phenolic compounds, which was determined with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the antioxidant capacity, measured by ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assay. The correlation coefficient between the two response variables was calculated. The blackberry extracts' antioxidant capacity, obtained under isolation conditions inferred as optimal was compared with those of BHT and a-tocopherol. Results: Extracts obtained with an aqueous solution of 31% acetone (v/v), performing ultrasound-assisted extraction for 100 min, showed the highest content of phenolic compounds (30 ± 1 mg gallic acid/g dry blackberry), and antioxidant capacity (273 ± 6 μmol Trolox®/g dry blackberry). The correlation coefficient between the total phenolic compounds content and antioxidant capacity was 0.92. Blackberry extracts presented higher antioxidant capacity than BHT and a-tocopherol. Conclusions: Under optimum conditions of extraction, the aqueous solutions of acetone afforded the highest content of phenolic compounds and highest antioxidant capacity value. There was a linear relationship between the two response variables analyzed. Blackberry extracts, under the improved conditions found, presented higher antioxidant capacity than the reference compounds analyzed.

El uso de fertilizantes minerales en cultivos de Cymbopogon martini Roxb. (Palmarosa) con el fin de incrementar la biomasa y el rendimiento de aceite esencial (AE) es una práctica cada vez más frecuente. Este aceite es rico en geraniol y acetato de geranilo, moléculas con alto valor en las industrias de productos cosméticos y farmacéutica. Las plantas fueron obtenidas del Centro Nacional de Investigación Agroindustrial de Plantas Aromaticas y Medicinales de la Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) (Cenivam) (07° 08' 31.68"N, 73° 07' 06.14O; 988 m.s.n.m.), Santander, Colombia. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la productividad de biomasa y analizar la calidad y el rendimiento de los aceites esenciales (AE) de este cultivo con la aplicación de tres tipos de fertilizantes químico: Nutrimon® 14-14-14, NPK granulado (10% N, 14% P2O5 , 14% K2O), en dosis de 2, 4 y 6 g/planta, más un tratamiento con 400 g de un fertilizante orgánico,. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completos al azar, con trece tratamientos y tres cosechas de tres plantas cada una como repeticiones. Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis de variancia con comparación de las medias por la prueba de Tukey a 5% de probabilidad. No se observaron correlaciones entre biomasa y rendimiento del AE en función del tipo del fertilizante aplicado, lo que sugirió que los tratamientos que incrementaron la producción de biomasa no necesariamente representaron mayor rendimiento del AE y viceversa. Se encontró que los fertilizantes orgánicos son ideales para este cultivo, ya que favorecieron rendimientos relativamente altos en aceite, con altos porcentajes de geraniol y acetato de geranilo.

The use of mineral fertilizers in Cymbopogon martini Roxb. (Palmarosa) crops has been implemented in order to increase biomass and essential oil yield. Palmarosa oil is rich in geraniol and geranyl acetate, molecules with high value in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Plants were obtained from the Seed Bank of the Centro Nacional de Investigación Agroindustrial de Plantas Aromaticas y Medicinales de la Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) (Cenivam), Santander, Colombia. Seedlings were maintained under conditions of nursery for two months and then were taken to the experimental field, in which the survival rate in the new crop conditions was calculated. The crop was carried out in the Cenivam experimental area (07° 08' 31.68"N, 73° 07' 06.14W; 988 m.a.s.l.), in a sandy-soil clay loam. The aim of the study was to evaluate the biomass productivity and analyze the quality and yield of the essential oil obtained of the C. martini crop under three types of fertilizers: Nutrimon® 14-14-14, mineral NPK granular fertilizer for agricultural use for land application composed of ammoniacal nitrogen 10%, nitric nitrogen (4%), assimilable phosphorus (P2O5) (14%), and water soluble potassium (K2O) (14%), for treatments, 2, 4 and 6 g/plant were applied locally; and a treatment with 400 g of organic fertilizer were applied. A complete random block design, with thirteen treatments and three harvests and each one, consisting of three plants as replications was used. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, comparing the means by Tukey test at 5% probability. No correlations between biomass and essential oil yield, according to the type of fertilizer applied, were observed, that suggests that treatments that increased the biomass did not necessarily represent higher essential oil yield, and treatments whose essential oil yield increments were significant, not necessarily corresponded to the largest biomass. It was found that organic or green fertilizers could be ideal for these crops, as they allowed relatively high oil yields, with higher percentages of geraniol and its acetate.

Se aplicó un diseño factorial fraccionado 2(7-2) para seleccionar las variables con mayor efecto sobre la capacidad antioxidante, el contenido de fenoles y el rendimiento de la extracción utilizando CO2 supercrítico como solvente sobre hojas y tallos de Salvia officinalis L. El tiempo de extracción, el flujo de CO2, la presión de la cámara de extracción y la temperatura de separación se modificaron según el procedimiento simplex para hallar empíricamente las condiciones que produjeran extractos de salvia con el valor más alto de la combinación lineal de rendimiento de extracción, capacidad antioxidante y contenido total de fenoles.

A 2(7-2) fractional factorial design was used to select the variables with the greatest effect on the antioxidant capacity, the total phenolic content and the extraction yield using supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent on Salvia officinalis L. leaves and stems. The extraction time, the CO2 flow, the extraction chamber pressure and the collector temperature were modified according to the simplex method in order to empirically find the conditions resulting in salvia extracts with the highest value of the linear combination of extraction yield, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content.

Many Gram-negative pathogens have the ability to produce N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as signal molecules for quorum sensing (QS). This cell-cell communication system allows them to coordinate gene expression and regulate virulence. Strategies to inhibit QS are promising for the control of infectious diseases or antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) and antibacterial potential of five essential oils isolated from Lippia alba on the Tn-5 mutant of Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, and on the growth of the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus ATCC 25923. The anti-QS activity was detected through the inhibition of the QS-controlled violacein pigment production by the sensor bacteria. Results showed that two essential oils from L. alba, one containing the greatest geranial:neral and the other the highest limonene:carvone concentrations, were the most effective QS inhibitors. Both oils also had small effects on cell growth. Moreover, the geranial/neral chemotype oil also produced the maximum zone of growth inhibition against S. aureus ATCC 25923. These data suggest essential oils from L. alba have promising properties as QS modulators, and present antibacterial activity on S. aureus.

Se realizó la comparación de tres técnicas diferentes para el aislamiento de hidrocarburos y biomarcadores de rocas bituminosas. Las técnicas de extracción por dispersión de la matriz en fase sólida (MSPD, por sus siglas en inglés), Soxhlet y extracción sólido-líquido asistida por ultrasonido se usaron para extraer hidrocarburos de cuatro muestras de roca diferentes. La técnica MSPD permitió extraer 25% y 32% más de materia orgánica que las técnicas Soxhlet y de extracción con solvente, respectivamente. El análisis SARA mostró que los extractos obtenidos por las tres técnicas tuvieron la misma composición relativa de estas familias de hidrocarburos (saturados, aromáticos, resinas y asfaltenos). Se empleó la mezcla diclorometano-metanol (90:10 v/v) como solvente, en las tres técnicas. La extracción por MSPD requirió de cuatro a siete horas, mientras que las otras técnicas demandaron hasta 24 horas. En MSPD, utilizando los mismos implementos, se pudo incrementar cuatro veces la masa de la roca a extraer, sin alterar significativamente el rendimiento de la extracción.

Three different techniques for hydrocarbon and biomarker isolation from bituminous rocks were compared in this work. Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD), Soxhlet and sonication-assisted solid-liquid extraction, were used to extract hydrocarbons from 4 different rock samples. The MSPD technique enabled the extraction of 25 and 32% more organic matter than Soxhlet and solvent extraction techniques respectively. The SARA analysis showed that the extracts obtained with these techniques had the same relative composition of these hydrocarbon families (saturated, aromatic, resins and asphalthenes). A dichloromethane:methanol (90:10 v/v) mixture was used as solvent in MSPD, which required between 4 and 7 hours, while the other techniques employed up to 24 hours. In MSPD, using the same glassware, the amount of rock can be increased by a factor of 4, without significantly affecting the extraction yield.

Con el fin de contribuir al conocimiento de su actividad a nivel celular, se evaluó el mecanismo de acción del aceite esencial de Eucalyptus citriodora (Fam. Myrtaceae) sobre la bioenergética mitocondrial, su efecto sobre la velocidad de consumo de oxígeno de mitocondrias energizadas (estados 3 y 4) y su coeficiente de control respiratorio (CCR). Además, se analizó la actividad de los complejos de la cadena respiratoria usando técnicas espectrofotométricas. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el aceite esencial de E. citriodora aumenta la velocidad del consumo de oxígeno en los estados 3 y 4, disminuye el CCR, desacopla la fosforilación oxidativa, aumenta la actividad de la citocromo c oxidasa y aumenta la actividad ATPasa en mitocondrias íntegras, a partir de la concentración de 10 µg/mL. Estos resultados sugieren que el aceite esencial o sus metabolitos afectan el funcionamiento normal del transporte de electrones de la cadena respiratoria y la síntesis de ATP.

In order to contribute to the knowledge of its activity at the cellular level, the mechanism of action of the essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora (Fam. Myrtaceae) on mitochondrial bioenergetics, the rate of oxygen consumption of energized mitochondria (states was assessed 3 and 4), and respiratory control ratio (CCR) were evaluated. The activity of the respiratory chain complexes was analyzed using spectrophotometric techniques. The results indicate that the essential oil of E. citriodora increases the rate of oxygen consumption in states 3 and 4, reduces the CCR, uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, increases the activity of cytochrome c oxidase, and increases the ATPase activity in mitochondria intact at concentrations ≥ 10 mg/mL. These results suggest that the essential oil or its metabolites affect the normal operation of the electron transport in the respiratory chain and ATP synthesis.

Com o fim de contribuir ao conhecimento da sua atividade a nível celular, foi avaliado o mecanismo de ação do óleo essencial de Eucalyptus citriodora (Fam. Myrtaceae) sobre a bioenergética mitocondrial, o efeito sobre a taxa de consumo de oxigênio de mitocôndrias energizadas (estados 3 e 4) e o coeficiente de controle respiratório (CCR). Usando técnicas espectrofotométricas, foi analisada a atividade dos complexos da cadeia respiratória. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o óleo essencial de E. citriodora aumenta a velocidade do consumo de oxigênio nos estados 3 e 4, reduz o CCR, desacopla a fosforilação oxidativa, aumenta a atividade da citocromo c oxidase e aumenta a atividade ATPase em mitocôndrias intatas, a partir da concentração de 10 µg / mL. Estes resultados sugerem que o óleo essencial ou seus metabolitos afetam o funcionamento normal do transporte de elétrons na cadeia respiratória e na síntese de ATP.