The aim of the present study was to determine fungal genera, Aspergillus, Pénicillium and Fusarium species and aflatoxin B1 contamination from raw materials and finished feed intended for fish farm localized in Piaui, Brazil. Aspergillusflavus and P. citrinum were isolated with a high relative density from all samples. In general, a high percent of samples exceeded the levels proposed as feed hygienic quality limits (CFU g-1) according to Good Manufacture Practice. Aflatoxin B1 was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All raw materials and finished feed showed aflatoxin B1 levels. Although in this study AFB1 levels below recommended limits (20 μg kg-1) were found, it is important to emphasize the feed intake with toxin in low concentrations along time, since it produce chronic deleterious effects in animal production. This fact requires periodic monitoring to prevent the occurrence of chronic aflatoxicosis in aquaculture, to reduce the economic losses and to minimize hazards to animal health.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar géneros fúngicos, especies de Aspergillus, Pénicillium y Fusarium y la contaminación de aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) en materias primas y alimento terminado destinado a la cría de peces en el estado de Piauí, Brasil. Aspergillus flavus y P. citrinum fueron aisladas con alta densidad relativa. En general, un alto porcentaje de muestras excedieron los niveles fúngicos propuestos como límite de calidad higiénica (CFU g-1) según las buenas prácticas de manufactura. Aflatoxina B1 fue analizada por ensayos inmuno-enzimáticos. Todas las materias primas y el alimento terminado mostraron niveles de contaminación con AFB1. Aunque en este estudio los niveles de AFB1 estuvieron por debajo del límite recomendado (20 μg de toxina kg-1 de alimento), es importante enfatizar la ingesta de alimento con bajas concentraciones de toxina a lo largo del tiempo ya que produce efectos crónicos en animales de producción. Este factor requiere monitoreo periódico para prevenir la incidencia de aflatoxicosis crónica en acuacultura, reducir las pérdidas económicas y minimizar los riesgos de la salud animal.

AbstractIn Amazonas State (Brazil), Justicia acuminatissima (Miq.) Bremek., Acanthaceae, leaf teas are used in folk medicine to treat several inflammatory illnesses. In order to validate this medicinal application, we analyzed the acute toxicity and antioxidant, antiedematogenic and antinociceptive potentials of an aqueous extract of this species, using culture cells and animal models. The aqueous extract did not cause toxic effects on human lymphocytes in high concentration (400 μg/ml), neither on mice treated with high doses (5000 mg/kg) in an acute toxicity analysis by oral route, and also did not cause lesions in the gastric mucosa of animals treated with 300 mg/kg, which was the maximal dose used in the anti-inflammatory screening. The aqueous extract caused inhibition of inflammatory pain in formalin-induced paw licking test with all tested doses, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, and antiedematogenic activity at 100 and 300 mg/kg. Additionally, the aqueous extract presented statistically significant action on the release of nitric oxide by lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. These results and other preliminary studies support the folk use of this species, and further investigation of its action mechanism by inhibition of COX-2 or related metabolite would be interesting.

Justicia acuminatissima (Miq.) Bremek., Acanthaceae, is a subshrub found in northern Brazil, where it is widely used by the population of this region as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Despite this popular use, there is no pharmacognostical data to support the correct identification of this species. We therefore performed a morpho-anatomical, histochemical and phytochemical analysis of the leaves of this species, using well-known methods. The leaves are simple, exstipulate, green on the surfaces, and pubescent, with a lanceolate shape, crenate margin, pinnate venation and decussate phyllotaxy. The parenchyma is palisade and spongy, and its vascular system is bilateral. Glandular and non-glandular trichome and cystoliths were also detected. There are diacytic stomata on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of epidermis. Histochemical tests revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, amide and protein. Phytochemical tests showed the presence of coumarins, tannins, catechins, saponins and steroids.

O estudo fitoquímico das cascas do cerne de Aspidosperma nitidum permitiu o isolamento de um novo tipo de alcalóide indólico, contendo um sistema 1,2,9-triazabiciclo[7.2.1], que foi denominado braznitidumina 1. A caracterização de sua estrutura química foi realizada pela análises dos dados de IV, UV, ESI-EM e RMN de ¹H, 13C e 15N, empregando experimentos 1D e 2D (¹H ¹H COSY, ¹H ¹H NOESY, ¹H 13C HSQC e ¹H 13C HMBC). Pela análise do experimento ¹H ¹H NOESY, verificou-se que 1 apresenta uma conformação dobrada com aproximação entre os grupos indólico e imidazolidino-di-hidropirano. Essa configuração foi investigada por cálculos teóricos envolvendo otimizações de geometria (DFT/BLYP/6-31G*) para análise conformacional desse alcalóide, pela qual a distância entre os dois grupos mostrou-se compatível com as informações obtidas pelo experimento NOESY.

The phytochemical study of the stem bark of Aspidosperma nitidum led to the isolation of a new type of indole alkaloid with a 1,2,9-triazabicyclo[7.2.1] system, which has been called braznitidumine 1. The characterization of its chemical structure was carried out by IR, UV, ESIMS, and ¹H, 13C, and 15N NMR by using 1D and 2D (¹H ¹H COSY, ¹H ¹H NOESY, ¹H 13C HSQC and ¹H 13C HMBC) experiments. ¹H ¹H NOESY results showed that 1 presents a folded conformation with the approximation of the indole and the imidazolidine di-hydropyran groups. This configuration was investigated by theoretical calculations involving geometry optimization (DFT/BLYP/6-31G*) for the conformational analysis of this alkaloid. It confirmed the distance between the two groups in agreement with the NOESY experimental data.