Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a depressant of the central nervous system able to promote disinhibition, anterograde amnesia and its use is related to Drug-Facilitated Crimes (DFC). Urine is the biological matrix of choice for toxicological analysis in victims of rape and/or theft in suspected victims of DFC. The aim of this work was the development of a simple and ultra-fast methodology for GHB determination in urine samples using GC-MS. Briefly, 250 µL of urine was pipetted in a vial and fortified with 10 µL (250 µg mL-1) of internal standard GHB-d6. Then, the sample was acidified and submitted to extraction with ethyl acetate. After stirring, the material was taken to a microcentrifuge (1 minute at 5000 rpm). Then the dried residue was derivatized with BSTFA + 1% TCMS for 10 min at 70 ºC before injection. This method was successfully validated according UNODC and EMEA guidelines on bioanalytical method validation with limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.25 and 0.50 µg mL-1, respectively. Considering all steps for GHB determination, this analytical procedure allows the fastest detection of GHB in urine samples when compared to literature allowing the analysis of DFC suspect cases or clinical when endogenous GHB requires to be measured.

Abstract Biosurfactants have many advantages over synthetic surfactants but have higher production costs. Identifying microorganisms with high production capacities for these molecules and optimizing their growth conditions can reduce cost. The present work aimed to isolate and identify a fungus with high biosurfactant production capacity, optimize its growth conditions in a low cost culture medium, and characterize the chemical structure of the biosurfactant molecule. The fungal strain UFSM-BAS-01 was isolated from soil contaminated with hydrocarbons and identified as Fusarium fujikuroi. To optimize biosurfactant production, a Plackett–Burman design and a central composite rotational design were used. The variables evaluated were pH, incubation period, temperature, agitation and amount of inoculum in a liquid medium containing glucose. The partial structure of the biosurfactant molecule was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. F. fujikuroi reduced surface tension from 72 to 20 mN m−1 under the optimized conditions of pH 5.0, 37 °C and 7 days of incubation with 190 rpm agitation. The partial identification of the structure of the biosurfactant demonstrated the presence of an α,β-trehalose. The present study is the first report of the biosynthesis of this compound by F. fujikuroi, suggesting that the biosurfactant produced belongs to the class of trehalolipids.

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) es una especie polífaga, con estatus de plaga cuarentenaria en Uruguay, que ha sido registrada en Europa, Asia, África, Oceanía, y más recientemente, en los países vecinos de América del Sur. Este es el primer registro confirmado de H. armigera en cultivos de soja, en Uruguay. La identificación de esta especie es difícil por su proximidad taxonómica con otras especies de los géneros Helicoverpa y Heliothis. La confirmación de identificación se realizó mediante caracteres anatómicos externos y de las genitalias, así como estudio de ADN, en machos adultos capturados en trampas de feromona sexual y larvas criadas en laboratorio, recolectadas en cultivos de soja en cuatro localidades de Flores, Lavalleja, Cerro Largo y Rocha.

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous species, in quarantine pest status in Uruguay, that has been reported in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and more recently, in the neighboring contries of South America. This is the first confirmed report for H. armigera in soybean crops, in Uruguay. The identification of this species is difficult because of its taxonomic proximity with other species of Helicoverpa and Heliothis genera. The confirmed identification was made upon external morphological characteristics, male genitalia, and DNA analysis, on adult males captured with pheromone traps and larvae reared in laboratory, collected from soybean fields, from four locations from Flores, Lavalleja, Cerro Largo and Rocha.