Abstract Phenolic compounds are frequently found in the specific tissues in the leaves and stems of Baccharis species. However, only a few species of the genus have been studied in recent years, including B. erioclada. This study evaluates the in vitro antioxidant potential of B. erioclada crude extract and its fractions. Phytochemical studies, including quantification of total phenolics and flavonoids have also been carried out. Crude extract presented higher antioxidant capacity since it showed lower values of IC50 or greater reductive capacity compared to the fractions. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the crude extract were quantified as 160.66 mg/g and 47.98 mg/g, respectively. Hispidulin showed 27,2296 g/100 g of dried extract. The present study evidenced that B. erioclada extracts are promising sources of antioxidant compounds.

Abstract The chemically complex essential oils of Baccharis species are associated with several biological activities, such as antimicrobial and antiulcerous properties. However, few studies have investigated Baccharis erioclada DC. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to characterize the essential oil of B. erioclada and evaluate its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hemolytic potential. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Phosphomolybdenum complex formation, reducing antioxidant power, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) methods were used to determine antioxidant potential. To evaluate the essential oil’s antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans were calculated. Hemolytic activity was determined in sheep red blood cells. Thirty-one compounds were identified via GC-MS analysis, representing 81.60% of the total essential oil. These compounds included: turmerone (27.97%), fokienol (13.47%), ledol (9.78%), and santalol (5.35%). The class of compounds identified was the oxygenated sesquiterpenes (62.52%). Antioxidant activity was confirmed via phosphomolybdenum complex formation and TBARS methods. Moderate antimicrobial activity and low hemolysis rates were displayed at concentrations of 250 and 500 μg/mL.

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

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

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

Alelopatia é um processo envolvendo metabólitos secundários produzidos por plantas que infl uenciam o crescimento e desenvolvimento de sistemas agrícolas. Devido à toxicidade dos herbicidas sintéticos para o meio ambiente e para a saúde humana tem-se aumentado o interesse na exploração da alelopatia como uma alternativa para o controle de plantas daninhas. O presente trabalho avaliou efeito dos extratos dos frutos de Euterpe edulis Martius sobre o desenvolvimento de cipselas e plântulas de Lactuca sativa Linné, foram determinados o índice de velocidade de germinação, o crescimento da radícula e do hipocótilo. Para a avaliação da toxicidade dos extratos foi realizado o ensaio de toxicidade frente ao microcrustáceo Artemia salina Leach determinando-se a CL50 e percentual de mortalidade. A fração remanescente demonstrou efeito alelopático, pois todas as concentrações alteraram os valores do índice de velocidade de germinação e as concentrações de 0,2 e 0,4 mg inibiram tanto o crescimento da radícula quanto o crescimento do hipocótilo. No ensaio de toxicidade todos os extratos apresentaram CL50 superior a 1000 ppm e 0% de mortalidade das artemias, indicando a não toxicidade dos extratos.

Allelopathy is a process involving secondary metabolites produced by plants that influence growth and development of agricultural systems. Because of the toxicity of synthetic herbicides to the environment and human health, there has been increased interest in exploiting allelopathy as an alternative for weed control. This study evaluated the eff ect of extracts of Euterpe edulis Martius fruits on the development of cypselae and seedlings of Lactuca sativa Linné; the germination speed index, radicle and hypocotyl growth were determined. To evaluate the toxicity of the extracts the toxicity test against Artemia salina Leach was used, where the LC50 and mortality rate were determined. Th e remaining fraction showed allelopathic effect, all concentrations altered the values of the index of germination speed and the concentrations of 0.2 and 0.4 mg inhibited both radicle growth and hypocotyl growth. In the toxicity test all extracts showed LC50 greater than 1000 ppm and mortality rate of 0%, indicating no toxicity of the extracts.

This work describes the occurrence and contents of aporphinoids alkaloids in seedlings of Ocotea puberula from germination until 12 months old and in leaves from adult plants. Seedling leaves showed an alkaloids profile similar to leaves of adult plant. However, leaves in seedlings showed higher contents of the alkaloids boldine, dicentrine, leucoxine and isodomesticine when compared to adult plants. The alkaloids concentration in stems and leaves increased during the development of the seedlings, followed by a remarkable decrease of these compounds in roots. Cultivation in a seedling-nursery method is also described.

Os extratos e frações de Acacia podalyriifolia foram analisados previamente para a atividade antibacteriana através da difusão em disco e as propriedades antioxidantes foram verificadas pela determinação da capacidade removedora do radical livre DPPH e pela mensuração do conteúdo de fenólicos totais (Método de Folin). O presente estudo descreve as atividades antibacteriana (determinação da concentração inibitória mínima) e antioxidante (espécies reativas do ácido tiobarbitúrico - teste TBARS) para o extrato etanólico e as frações diclorometano e acetato de etila e para duas flavanonas (naringenina e 5-β-D-glicosil-naringenina) isoladas das flores de Acacia podalyriifolia A. Cunn. ex G. Don. As flavanonas naringenina e 5-β-D-glicosil-naringenina ainda não haviam sido obtidas desta espécie. A atividade antibacteriana mais efetiva foi observada com a fração acetato de etila (CIM=0,25 mg/mL contra Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538; CIM=0,125 mg/mL, contra Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12229; CIM=0,5 mg/mL contra Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 e Proteus mirabilis ATCC 43071). As amostras avaliadas demonstraram atividade pelo teste TBARS, especialmente o extrato etanólico (1000 ppm), que foi o mais ativo (29,43% ± 0.65), seguido pela fração acetato de etila (1000 ppm, 24,84% ± 1,28), ambos demonstrando atividade mais elevada que a apresentada pelo ácido ascórbico (1000 ppm, 21,73% ± 1,77), ainda que menor que a do BHT (1000 ppm, 35,15% ± 3,42), ambas substâncias de referência. Naringenina e 5-β-D-glicosil-naringenina demonstraram ação antioxidante, porém somente a naringenina inibiu o crescimento de bactérias gram-positivas e gram-negativas.

The extracts and fractions from the flowers of A. podalyriifolia were analyzed previously for antibacterial activity using diffusion in disk, Antioxidant properties were evaluated by determining radical scavenging power (DPPH test) and total phenol content was measured (Folin method). The present study describes the in vitro antibacterial (determining minimum inhibitory concentration) and antioxidant activities (by thiobarbituric acid reactive species - TBARS method) for the ethanol extract, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions and two flavanones (naringenin and 5-β-D-glycosyl-naringenin) isolated from the flowers of Acacia podalyriifolia A. Cunn. ex G. Don. The flavanones naringenin and 5-β-D-glycosyl-naringenin had not previously been obtained from this species. The most effective antibacterial activity was observed in the ethyl acetate fraction (MIC=0.25 mg mL-1 against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, MIC = 0.125 mg mL-1 against Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12229, MIC=0.5 mg mL-1 against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 and Proteus mirabilis ATCC 43071). The evaluated samples showed antioxidant activity on the TBARS test, especially for ethanol extract (1000 ppm), which was the most active (29.43% ± 0.65) followed by ethyl acetate fraction (1000 ppm, 24.84% ± 1,28), both demonstrating higher activity than that presented by ascorbic acid (1000 ppm, 21.73% ± 1.77), although lower than the BHT (1000 ppm 35.15% ± 3.42), both reference compounds. Naringenin and 5-β-D-glycosyl-naringenin demonstrated antioxidant action, but only naringenin inhibited the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

O óleo essencial obtido das flores de Aster lanceolatus foi submetido a CG-EM e apresentou como resultado treze substâncias, entre elas o óxido de cariofileno com a maior concentração. A água aromática obtida durante o processo de extração do óleo essencial foi encaminhada para teste alelopático, a qual demonstrou ser capaz de inibir a germinação e crescimento de Lactuca sativa.

The essential oil obtained from flowers of Aster lanceolatus was submitted the CG-MS and presented as result thirteen substances with largest concentration; among them, the caryophyllene oxide with the larger one. The aromatic water obtained during the extraction process of this essential oil was forwarded to allelopathic test, and demonstrated to be capable to inhibit the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa.

Conhecida como carapiá, a espécie Dorstenia multiformis Miquel, Moraceae, é largamente empregada na medicina popular contra doenças de pele. Neste trabalho determinou-se a atividade antioxidante de substâncias isoladas, do extrato etanólico, e frações hexano, clorofórmio e acetato de etila. Todas as amostras testadas apresentaram atividade antioxidante, sendo que a fração clorofórmio foi a que apresentou maior atividade antioxidante.

The species Dorstenia multiformis Miquel, Moraceae, known as "carapiá", is largely employed in folk medicine against skin diseases. In this paper the antioxidant activity of isolated substances, from the ethanol extract, and hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions has been determined. All of the tested samples showed antioxidant activity, and the chloroform fraction was the one that presented the largest antioxidant activity.

Espécies de Acacia são tradicionalmente utilizadas para o tratamento de diversas patologias. Estudos quimiotaxonômicos têm relacionado o gênero Acacia como fonte de compostos fenólicos, os quais apresentam propriedades biológicas diversas. Este trabalho destaca a atividade antioxidante de Acacia podalyriifolia. Esta planta é originária da Austrália e amplamente cultivada no Sul do Brasil como ornamental. O material vegetal (flores) foi seco à sombra, submetido à extração com etanol, seguido de partição com hexano, diclorometano e acetato de etila. A triagem fitoquímica realizada no extrato etanólico bruto e nas suas frações, demonstrou a presença de compostos fenólicos e flavonóides. A determinação do conteúdo fenólico foi realizada com o reativo Folin Ciocalteau, verificando ser a fração acetato de etila (FAE) a que apresentou a maior concentração (338,5 mg de ácido gálico/g de FAE). Na avaliação da atividade captadora de radical, empregando o radical livre DPPH, a fração acetato de etila demonstrou atividade antioxidante mais elevada (IC50 = 3,22 µg/mL de FAE).

Acacia species are usually used as treatment for several diseases. Chemotaxonomic studies have related the Acacia genus as a source of phenolic compounds, which present several biological properties. This work emphasizes the antioxidant activity of Acacia podalyriifolia. This plant is natural from Australia and vastly cultivated in the South of Brazil as ornamental feature. The plant material (flowers) was shadow-dried and submitted to the extraction with ethanol, followed by partition with hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The phytochemical screening performed in the ethanol crude extract and in its fractions showed the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Determination of the phenolic content was performed with the Folin Ciocalteau reagent. It was found out that the ethyl acetate fraction (FAE) was the one that displayed the biggest concentration (338,5 mg of gallic acid/g of FAE). In the evaluation of the radical scavenging activity, using the free radical DPPH, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 3,22 µg/mL from FAE).

A análise fitoquímica das partes aéreas de Pterocaulon interruptum DC. (Asteraceae) resultou no isolamento de cinco compostos: uma cumarina, sabandinol, dois esteróides, estigmasterol e 3-O-acetil-taraxasterol e dois flavonóides, quercetina e taxifolina 7-O-prenilada. As estruturas destas substâncias foram estabelecidas por análises espectroscópicas, sendo que este é o primeiro trabalho sobre o isolamento destes compostos em Pterocaulon interruptum DC.

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Pterocaulon interruptum DC., Asteraceae, resulted in the isolation of five compounds: one coumarin, sabandinol, two steroids, stigmasterol and 3-O-acetyl taraxasterol and two flavonoids, quercetin (flavonol) and 7-O-prenyl taxifolin (dihydroxyflavonol). The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. This paper deals with the first report of these compounds in Pterocaulon interruptum DC.

A new extraction method for sterols was tested in fruits of Ottonia martiana Miq., a shrub belonging to the family Piperaceae, popularly known as "anestésica" due to the use of its roots and aerial parts, in alcoholic preparations, in treatment of odontological problems. For this purpose, a portable extraction equipment was developed, to operate with liquified gases, which showed to be practical, fast and effective, besides being economical and ecological. In the chromatographic analysis of the extracts obtained in this equipment, it was demonstrated the presence of two sterols, isomers of b-sitosterol and stigmasterol.