RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar mecanismos fisiológicos e bioquímicos de adaptação de Hyptis suaveolens submetidas ao estresse osmótico decorrente da salinidade inoculadas com espécies de fungos micorrízicos. Sementes de H. suaveolens foram colocadas para germinar em vasos de polietileno contendo substrato associado, ou não, a FMA. Após o estabelecimento das plantas, foram iniciados os tratamentos com diferentes concentrações de sais (0,0; 35; 70 e 105 mM) e fungos (controle e dois tipos de FMA), perfazendo 12 tratamentos com três repetições. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4 x 3, perfazendo 12 tratamentos com três repetições cada. Observou-se, através de variáveis fisiológicas e bioquímicas, que a salinidade afetou todas as variáveis analisadas e o estresse promoveu redução no conteúdo de matéria seca. Verificou-se que plantas associadas com FMA apresentaram ganho de matéria seca em relação as não associadas e incremento de respostas bioquímicas e fisiológicas das plantas colonizadas no tratamento 35mM de NaCl. No entanto, o estresse salino afeta negativamente o desenvolvimento de H. suaveolens não sendo observado, portanto, atenuação dos fungos.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of adaptation of Hyptis suaveolens under osmotic stress due to salinity inoculations with a mycorrhizal fungal species. H. suaveolens seeds were germinated in polyethylene pots containing a substrate associated with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). After plant formation, treatments were treated with different salt concentrations (0.0, 35, 70, and 105 mM) and fungi (control and two types of AMF), totaling 12 treatments with three replicates. The experimental design used randomized blocks in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, totaling 12 treatments with three replicates each. Salinity affected all measured physiological and biochemical variables, and the stress reduced dry matter content. Plants associated with AMF had increased dry matter compared to non-associated plants, and there were increased biochemical and physiological responses of AMF-colonized plants in the 35 mM NaCl treatment. However, saline stress negatively affected the development of H. suaveolens; and therefore, no attenuation of fungi was observed.

Abstract: This study evaluated the antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effect of 7-hydroxy-4’,6-dimethoxy-isoflavone and essential oil of Myroxylon peruiferum. The compound was isolated and its structure elucidated by NMR. The chemical composition of essential oil determined by GC-MS analysis. To evaluation of antimicrobial activity, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were performed. In addition to analysis of antioxidant activity, DPPH radical scavenging tests, iron chelating assay (FIC), antioxidant reducing power assay (FRAP) and β-carotene bleaching assay (BCB) were performed. For the essential oil were identified 24 organized compounds having as main constituents; Germacrene D (17.2%), α-pinene (14.8%) and E-caryophyllene (10.8%). The results showed that isoflavone (2000 to 156 μg/mL) and essential oil (5.0 to 1.25%) present antibacterial and antifungal activity against Gram-positive bacteria and filamentous fungi. The isoflavone and the essential oil also presented antioxidant activity in all the tests, mainly on inhibition of the oxidation of β-carotene test concentrations ranging from 60 to 100%. In conclusion, isoflavone and essential oil from M. peruiferum present an antimicrobial alternative against Gram-positive bacteria, especially of the genus Staphylococcus and dermatophyte fungi of the genus Trichophyton, as well as a natural compound antioxidant.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of fatty acids from the marine red algae Pterocladiella capillacea (S. G. Gmelin) Santelices & Hommersand 1997 and Osmundaria obtusiloba (C. Agardh) R. E. Norris 1991. The gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified nine fatty acids in the two species. The major fatty acids of P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba were palmitic acid, oleic acid, arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. The DPPH radical scavenging capacity of fatty acids was moderate ranging from 25.90% to 29.97%. Fatty acids from P. capillacea (31.18%) had a moderate ferrous ions chelating activity (FIC), while in O. obtusiloba (17.17%), was weak. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of fatty acids from P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba was low. As for β-carotene bleaching (BCB), P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba showed a good activity. This is the first report of the antioxidant activities of fatty acids from the marine red algae P. capillacea and O. obtusiloba.

Vinte espécies de invertebrados marinhos, coletados na costa brasileira, foram avaliados quanto à presença de atividade hemaglutinante/hemolítica. Em pelo menos doze espécies testadas, a atividade hemaglutinante foi diferencial para diferentes grupos sanguíneos, sugerindo a presença de lectinas. Extratos de quatro espécies apresentaram atividade hemolítica. Duas novas lectinas foram purificadas da esponja marinha Cliona varians (CvL-2) e do pepino-domar Holothuria grisea (HGL). CvL-2 foi capaz de aglutinar eritrócitos de coelho e foi inibida por galactosídeos. A atividade hemaglutinante foi estável em pH neutro e temperaturas abaixo de 70 °C. CvL-2 é uma proteína trímero com subunidades de 175 kDa. Por outro lado, HGL apresentou atividade hemaglutinante e hemolítica em eritrócitos humanos e de coelho, mas a hemólise pôde ser inibida por proteção osmótica, enquanto que a aglutinação foi inibida por mucina. HGL mostrou-se estável em valores de pH de 4-10 e temperaturas até 90 °C. Em eletroforeses e gel filtração, HGL foi uma proteína monômero de 15 kDa. CvL-2 e HGL mostraram diferentes níveis de toxicidade contra náuplios de Artemia. CvL-2 apresentou LC50 de 850,1 μg/mL, enquanto que HGL apresentou LC50 de 9,5 μg/mL.

Twenty species of marine invertebrates from the Brazilian coast were screened for hemagglutinating/hemolytic activity. In at least twelve tested species, hemagglutinating activity was different for different blood types, suggesting the presence of lectins. Extracts from four species showed hemolytic activity. Two new lectins were purified from the marine sponge Cliona varians (CvL-2) and sea cucumber Holothuria grisea (HGL). CvL-2 was able to agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes and was inhibited by galactosides. The hemagglutinating activity was optimal in pH neutral and temperatures below 70 °C. CvL-2 is a trimeric protein with subunits of 175 kDa. On the other hand, HGL showed both hemagglutinating and hemolytic activity in human and rabbit erythrocytes, but hemolysis could be inhibited by osmotic protection, and agglutination was inhibited by mucin. HGL was stable in pH values ranging from 4 to 10 and temperatures up to 90 °C. In electrophoresis and gel filtration, HGL was a monomeric protein with 15 kDa. CvL-2 and HGL showed different levels of toxicity to Artemia naplii. CvL-2 showed LC50 of 850.1 μg/mL, whereas HGL showed LC50 of 9.5 µg/mL.

Os invertebrados marinhos são capazes de sintetizar compostos bioativos que podem ser benéficos à saúde humana. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as atividades antioxidante, hemolítica, antimicrobiana e citotóxica do extrato bruto (EtOH 70%) e frações em diclorometano (DMC), em acetato de etila (AcOEt) e aquosa (Aq) do zoantídeo marinho Palythoa caribaeorum. Os conteúdos fenólicos totais do extrato bruto e das frações DCM, AcOEt e Aq foram 12,33; 18,17; 10,53 e 3,18 mg AGE por grama, respectivamente. O sequestro do radical DPPH mostrou uma pequena variação. O IC50 do extrato bruto e das frações DCM, AcOEt e Aq foram 11,13; 11,25; 11,74 e 11,28 g mL-1, respectivamente. Dentre as amostras, a habilidade de quelação foi maior no extrato bruto (IC50 302,90 µg mL-1), seguida pelas frações AcOEt, Aq e DCM com 457,77; 547,91 e 641,82 µg mL-1, respectivamente. O poder de redução do ferro apresentou uma densidade óptica em torno de 0,5. As amostras testadas exibiram baixa atividade hemolítica, inferior a 10%, até a concentração de 50 µg mL-1. Não foi observada atividade antimicrobiana para as cepas bacterianas testadas. Para a atividade citotóxica, LC50 de DCM, extrato bruto, AcOEt e Aq foram, respectivamente, 52,10; 83,06; 86,34 e 117,45 µg mL-1, mostrando elevada toxicidade.

Marine invertebrates are capable of synthesizing bioactive compounds, which may be beneficial to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, hemolytic, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of crude extract (70% EtOH), and dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and aqueous (Aq) fractions of the marine zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum. The phenolic compound contents of the crude extract, DCM, EtOAc and Aq fractions were 12.33, 18.17, 10.53, and 3.18 mg GAE per gram, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed slight variation. IC50 of crude extract, DCM, EtOAc and Aq fractions were 11.13, 11.25, 11.74, and 11.28 µg mL-1, respectively. Among the sample, ferrous ion chelating was the highest in crude extract (IC50 302.90 µg mL-1), followed by EtOAc, Aq, and DCM fractions with 457.77, 547.91, and 641.82 µg mL-1, respectively. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power showed optical density at about 0.5. The samples tested exhibited low hemolytic activity under 10% up to a concentration of 50 μg mL-1. No antimicrobial activity was observed against any of the tested bacterial strains. For the cytotoxic activity, LC50 of DCM, crude extract, EtOAc, and Aq were 52.10, 83.06, 86.34, and 117.45 μg mL-1, showing high toxicity.

Antioxidantes naturais encontrados em macroalgas marinhas são substâncias bioativas conhecidas por desempenhar um papel importante na prevenção de doenças associadas com o envelhecimento, protegendo as células de danos oxidativos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as atividades antioxidante e citotóxica de extratos etanólicos de duas espécies de algas vermelhas, Amansia multifida eMeristiella echinocarpa. A atividade antioxidantein vitro foi determinada pela capacidade de sequestro do radical DPPH, o poder de redução do ferro (FRAP), o poder de quelação do íon ferroso (FIC), o teste de oxidação acoplada β-caroteno/ácido linoleico (BCB), bem como a quantificação do conteúdo fenólico total. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada pelo teste de letalidade contra Artemia sp. Os valores das substâncias fenólicas observados no presente estudo indicaram que as espéciesA. multifida e M. echinocarpa são ricas em substâncias fenólicas, atingindo valores de 45,40 e de 28,86 mg de ácido gálico equivalente (AGE) g−1de extrato etanólico, respectivamente. A capacidade de seqüestro do radical DPPH e o poder de quelação do íon ferroso foram 60% e 17%, respectivamente. Ambos os extratos algáceos inibiram a oxidação do β-caroteno em torno de 40%. Nenhum dos extratos algáceos foi potencialmente citotóxico. Os resultados mostraram que os extratos destas espécies de rodófitas apresentam potencial antioxidante e baixa toxicidade. Elas são fontes de compostos antioxidantes naturais.

Natural antioxidants found in marine macroalgae are bioactive compounds known to play an important role in the prevention of diseases associated with aging cells protecting them against the oxidative damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of ethanolic extracts of two species of red seaweeds, Amansia multifida and Meristiella echinocarpa. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assay, β-carotene bleaching (BCB) assay and total phenolic content (TPC) quantification. Cytotoxicity was evaluated with the brine shrimp Artemia sp. lethality test. The TPC values observed in the present study indicated that both species A. multifida and M. echinocarpa are rich in phenolic compounds, reaching values of 45.40 and 28.46 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g−1 of ethanolic extract, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging and ferrous ion chelating showed values of 60% and 17%, respectively. Both seaweed extracts inhibited β-carotene oxidation by approximately 40%. None of the algal extracts were potentially cytotoxic. The results have showed that extracts of both species of marine red algae exhibit antioxidant potential and low toxicity. They are sources of natural antioxidant compounds.

Herein the first molecular diagnosis of a Brazilian child with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome is reported. A 6-year-old boy was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 15 months due to recurrent respiratory infections, diarrhea and therapeutic response to pancreatic enzymes. Three sweat tests were negative. At the age of 5 years, he began to experience pain in the lower limbs, laxity of joints, lameness and frequent falls. A radiological study revealed metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. A complete blood cell count showed leukopenia (leukocytes: 3.1-3.5 x 103/µL), neutropenia (segmented neutrophils: 15-22%), but normal hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count. A molecular study revealed biallelic mutations in the Shwachman-Bodian-Diamond Syndrome gene (183-184TA-CT K62X in exon 2 and a 258+2T-C transition) confirming the diagnosis of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. A non-pathologic, silent nucleotide A to G transition at position 201 was also found in heterozygosis in the Shwachman-Bodian-Diamond Syndrome gene. This is the first report to describe a Brazilian child with molecular diagnosis of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, intermittent or persistent neutropenia and skeletal changes. Other characteristics include immune system, hepatic and cardiac changes and predisposition to leukemia. Recurrent bacterial, viral and fungal infections are common. The possibility of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome should be kept in mind when investigating children with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis and normal sweat tests.

Muitas aminas são comumente encontradas em alimentos de origem vegetal e animal, porém apenas um pequeno número é de interesse por produzirem reações adversas se ingeridas e absorvidas no organismo humano. Dentre elas, a histamina e a tiramina podem desencadear sintomas de intoxicação. As algas marinhas são amplamente consumidas pelos povos orientais, e, no Ocidente, seu consumo encontra-se em expansão. O Brasil não tem esta tradição, mas a diversidade de espécies encontradas no litoral brasileiro as torna potencialmente úteis como alimento humano. Para promovê-las com essa finalidade, são necessários estudos químicos e bioquímicos. No presente trabalho, treze espécies de macroalgas marinhas coletadas na praia do Pacheco, no município de Caucaia - CE, foram preliminarmente analisadas quanto à presença de histamina e tiramina por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. A identificação destas aminas biogênicas foi feita com base nos tempos de retenção dos padrões comerciais de dicloridrato de histamina e cloridrato de tiramina, comparados com aqueles correspondentes aos mesmos compostos nos extratos algais. Nenhuma das treze espécies estudadas neste trabalho apresentou histamina e/ou tiramina em quantidades capazes de provocar sintomas de intoxicação através do seu consumo.

Many amines are commonly found in food of both animal and vegetable origin, however only a small number is of interest since they produce diverse reactions when ingested and absorbed by humans. Among them, histamine and tyramine can cause intoxication symptoms. Marine algae are consumed widely by the eastern civilizations, and in the West, their consumption is expanding. Brazil does not have this tradition, but the diversity of species found throughout the Brazilian coast line make marine algae potentially useful for human ingestion. For such, it is necessary to perform chemical and biochemical studies. In this study, thirteen species of marine macroalgae were collected from Pacheco beach, on the Atlantic coast of Ceará State, Brazil. Preliminarily, they were analysed for histamine and tyramine using high performance liquid chromatography. These amines were identified by comparing the retention time of standard solutions of histamine dihydrochloride and tyramine hydrochloride with those of the alga extracts. Histamine and/or tyramine have not been found in quantities high enough to cause pharmacological actions in any of the thirteen species of marine macroalgae studied.

A cianobactéria Spirulina tem sido utilizada há séculos, tendo em vista suas propriedades nutricionais e medicinais. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se analisar os teores de β-caroteno tanto em suplementos alimentares a base de Spirulina comercializados em estabelecimentos de produtos naturais no mercado varejista, quanto em S. platensis cultivada em laboratório. Alguns pigmentos carotenóides possuem atividade de vitamina A e, dentre eles, o β-caroteno é o que apresenta maior atividade biológica. A extração de β-caroteno foi feita com metanol:água (90:10 v/v), seguida de saponificação e partição em n-hexano. As análises cromatográficas foram realizadas em coluna Waters Spherisorb S5 ODS 2 (4,6 x 250 mm), usando metanol:tetrahidrofurano (90:10, v/v) bombeado a 2 mL min-1, com registro dos cromatogramas em 450 nm. Os suplementos alimentares a base de Spirulina apresentaram baixos teores de β-caroteno. A maior concentração foi encontrada em S. platensis cultivada a 24º C com fotoperíodo de 16 h claro e 8 h escuro. Considerando sua atividade provitamínica, os teores de retinol equivalente (RE) nas microalgas analisadas no presente trabalho foram calculados a partir do β-caroteno para classificá-las como fonte excelente ou fonte útil de vitamina A.

Spirulina is a cyanobacterium that has been used for several centuries due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. This work has evaluated the contents of β-carotene both in Spirulina commercialized as food supplement, purchased from natural product shops, and in S. platensis reared under laboratory conditions. Some carotenoids exhibit pro-vitamin A activity, and β-carotene presents the greatest biological activity. β-Carotene of microalgae was extracted in 90% aqueous methanol. These extracts were saponified and partitioned in n-hexane. Chromatographic analyses were carried out in a Spherisorb column S5 ODS 2 (4.6 x 250 mm), with a mobile phase of methanol:tetrahydrofuran (90:10, v/v) delivered at 2 mL min-1 and chromatograms registered at 450 nm absorbance. Food supplement made with Spirulina presented low content of β-carotene. The highest content of β-carotene was detected in S. platensis cultivated under 24º C with photoperiod of 16 h light and 8 h dark. Considering its pro-vitamin activity, retinol equivalent (RE) was calculated from β-carotene to determine whether alga material could be claimed as an useful or an excellent source of the vitamins A.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de 32 espécies de algas marinhas das divisões Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta e Phaeophyta como fontes de α- e β-caroteno e α-tocoferol. Todas as clorofíceas analisadas apresentaram α- e β-caroteno. Os teores máximo e mínimo de α-caroteno foram detectados nas espécies do gênero Caulerpa e em Codium decorticatum, respectivamente; e β-caroteno foi mais baixo em Caulerpa mexicana e mais elevado em Ulva fasciata. Dentre as rodofíceas, 11 espécies apresentaram α-caroteno, com máximo em Botryocladia occidentalis. β-caroteno foi encontrado em todas as algas vermelhas analisadas com teores mínimo e máximo em Gracilaria caudata e Bryothamnion triquetrum, respectivamente. As feofíceas apresentaram apenas β-caroteno, com mínimo e máximo em Dictyopteris delicatula e Padina gymnospora, respectivamente. Na divisão Chlorophyta, α-tocoferol, foi máximo em Codium decorticatum e mínimo em Caulerpa prolifera. Na Rhodophyta, 12 espécies apresentaram α-tocoferol com teor máximo em Enantiocladia duperreyi. Na Phaeophyta, α-tocoferol foi encontrado com valores mínimo e máximo em Lobophora variegata e Dictyota dichotoma, respectivamente.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of 32 marine macro algae species, members of Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta, as sources of a-carotene, b-carotene and a-tocopherol. Both b-carotene and a-carotene were found in all species of green macroalgae analyzed. The maximum content of a-carotene was detected in algae belonging to Caulerpa genus and the minimum in Codium decorticatum. The amount of b-carotene found was minimum in Caulerpa mexicana and maximum in Ulva fasciata. Among the Rhodophyta species, eleven contain a-carotene, the maximum content was found in Botryocladia occidentalis. b-Carotene was found in all red macroalgae analyzed presenting the lowest and highest values in Gracilaria caudata and Bryothamnion triquetrum, respectively. Species of Phaeophyta contained b-carotene but no a-carotene. The lowest value for b-carotene was found in Dictyopteris delicatula and the highest in Padina gymnospora. In Chlorophyta, the amount of a-tocopherol was maximum in Codium decorticatum and minimum in Caulerpa prolifera. In Rhodophyta, twelve species contained a-tocopherol, the highest value was found in Enantiocladia duperreyi. a-Tocopherol was detected in all Phaeophyta species analyzed. The highest and lowest values were found in Lobophora varigata and Dictyota dichotoma, respectively.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o diagnóstico da poluição costeira, através da análise bacteriológica da água de galerias pluviais e da zona marinha adjacente. Entre setembro de 2000 e março de 2001 foram obtidas 90 amostras, sendo 45 nas galerias e 45 na adjacente zona marinha, localizadas em frente aos seguintes pontos de coleta: Esplanada Hotel, Imperial Othon Palace e Estátua de Iracema. Os resultados foram apresentados como o Número Mais Provável (NMP) de coliformes fecais por 100 ml (CF/100ml), e submetidos a comparação estatística nos regimes de preamar e baixamar por Análise de Variância e Teste de Tukey. As conclusões são: (a) a maior parte das amostras de água coletadas nas galerias apresentou valores de NPM de CF/100 ml superiores a 1.000; (b) a zona marinha adjacente apresentou apenas 20% das amostras com NPM de CF/100 ml maior do que 1.000, fato que pode estar relacionado com a distância das galerias à praia; (c) as galerias apresentaram NMP de CF/100 ml sempre mais altos que a zona marinha; (d) das 180 cepas isoladas, 118 eram E. coli; (e) os maiores índices de poluição por CF em galerias ocorreram em frente ao Imperial Othon Palace e, na zona marinha adjacente, em frente à Estátua de Iracema; (f) o regime de preamar contribui para o aumento da poluição da zona costeira por coliformes fecais; (g) os elevados índices de poluição por coliformes fecais só podem ser explicados pela existência de esgotos ilegais conectados às galerias pluviais.

The aim of this study was to make a diagnosis of coastal pollution through bacteriological analysis of water taken from stormwater drain systems and the nearby seashore. The results were submitted to statistical analysis as to differences in the Most Probable Number (MPN) of fecal coliform (FC) found between the stormwater drain systems and adjacent seashore locations both at low and high tides. The main conclusions were: (a) most water samples collected from the stormwater systems presented MPN values for FC above 1,000 per 100 ml; (b) only 20% of the samples from the adjacent seashore presented MPN values for FC above 1,000 per 100 ml, a fact which may be explained by the distance between the drain system outlets and the actual seashore; (c) FC/100 ml values were invariably higher in the stormwater drain systems than in seawater; (d) out of the 180 strains isolated, 118 were Escherichia coli; (e) the highest in-sewer pollution rate was found at the sampling location in front of Imperial Othon Palace Hotel (IO-SEW), characterized by the presence of an everlasting puddle, while the most polluted seawater sample was taken in front of Statue of Iracema (SI-SEA); (g) the high tide regime enhances the chance of pollution of the coastal zone by fecal coliforms; (h) the high pollution indices by fecal coliforms can only be accounted for by the existence of illegal sewage pipelines connected to the stormwater drain systems.