ABSTRACT In analytical chemistry laboratories, the basic principles of the study of the chemical composition of a material or sample are verified experimentally, through different methods of analysis, for which reason chemical and biological agents are handled daily, to which workers are exposed; hence the need to assess the risk of exposure. The objective of this work was to evaluate the risks in an analytical chemical laboratory using the semi-quantitative method of William Fine, for which a multidisciplinary commission was created made up of specialists and experts with experience in the subject. It was determined that there is a direct relationship between the chemical, fire and explosion risks, the emanation of vapors of volatile substances, due to very high temperatures, or close to sources of ignition that can cause a fire, and generate a chain of events that, when reacting with other substances, can lead to explosions. The chemical and fire risks were evaluated as critical risks, which require immediate stoppage of the activity, and the mechanical, environmental, explosion, and biological risks were evaluated as notable risks, which require an urgent necessary correction.

RESUMEN En los laboratorios de química analítica se verifican de forma experimental, los principios básicos del estudio de la composición química de un material o muestra, mediante diferentes métodos de análisis, por lo que se manipulan diariamente agentes químicos y biológicos, a los están expuestos los trabajadores; de ahí la necesidad de evaluar el riesgo de exposición. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar los riesgos en un laboratorio químico analítico mediante el método semicuantitativo de William Fine, para lo cual se creó una comisión multidisciplinaria constituida por especialistas y expertos con experiencia en el tema. Se determinó que xiste una relación directa entre el riesgo químico, el de incendio y el de explosión la emanación de vapores de sustancias volatiles, debido a temperaturas muy altas, o próximas a fuentes de ignición que puedan provocar un incendio, y generar una cadena de acontacimientos que al reaccionar con otras sustancias pueden dar lugar a explosiones. Los riesgos químico y de incendios fueron evaluados como riesgos criticos los cuales requieren de detención inmediata de la actividad y los riesgos mecánico, ambiental, de explosión y biológico fueron evaluados como riesgos notables por lo que requieren una correción necesaria urgente.

Although South Africa is known as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, based on its unique plants and animals, microorganisms have received much less attention. Microorganisms in general and actinobacteria in particular are an underexplored source of new medicines. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of diverse cultivable actinobacteria from various biomes. However, investigations of the natural product diversity associated with these microorganisms are lacking. We hereby present a review of natural products isolated from South African actinobacteria together with their biological activities. Many of these natural products are structurally novel and include compounds belonging to the following classes: anthraquinones, isoflavonoids, ketolides, macrolides, macrolactams, tripeptides and depsipeptides. They show a wide range of biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and antitumour activities. SIGNIFICANCE: • This review highlights the importance of actinobacteria in the discovery of new medicines and summarises the state-of-the-art on their research in South Africa. • We reveal a gap in the exploitation of this resource and emphasise the opportunities for multidisciplinary research.

ABSTRACT Secondary metabolites of Capsicum spp. have biological activity, which can be modified by external factors as the amount of incident light and soil water availability during crop growing, and by internal factors as fruit ripeness level. The study aim was to determine by HPLC method the phytochemical profile of C. annuum L. var. glabriusculum (Dunal) Heiser & Pickersgill (AMA and GAR genotypes) and C. frutescens L. (PIP genotype) grown under open sky and 70% shade during dry and rainy harvest season. Phytochemicals were affected by genotype, light level, harvest season, and fruit ripeness level. Phytochemicals number changed among genotypes: PIP > AMA> GAR. In immature fruits AMA (4.74 mg g-1) and GAR (3.83 mg g-1) had highest capsaicin content; and PIP (0.43 (g g-1), AMA (0.18 (g g-1) and GAR (0.14 (g g-1) in lutein content in all harvest seasons and light level conditions studied. In mature fruits, PIP had the highest capsaicin (5.77 mg g-1) and β-carotene (0.45 (g g-1) content. Gallic and syringic acids were major constituents of phenolics acids, and quercetin and rutin for flavonoids. Mature and immature fruits from 70% shade showed the quercetin highest content (108.4-160.02 (g g-1), increasing during dry season (180.9-1368.6 (g g-1). Gallic acid (789.3-1076.7 (g g-1) and rutin (114.0 (g g-1) increased in AMA immature fruits when grown under open sky. Ferulic acid was not detected in GAR under any of the conditions studied. In AMA, ferulic, protocatechuic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids were detected only in rainy season fruits in both light levels. The harvest season and shading level of these Capsicum spp. should be considered when evaluating the biological activity of chili peppers fruits extracts in tropical crops.

Resumo O Ácido Linoleico Conjugado (CLA) tem chamado a atenção de diversos pesquisadores, principalmente aquele de origem microbiana, devido à sua importância biológica para o consumidor. O presente estudo visa extrair a enzima LA Isomerase da bactéria Lactobacillus paracasei do leite e usar essa enzima na produção de CLA. Meios seletivos, incluindo MRS e MRS-Dagatose, foram usados no isolamento de cepas locais. Os isolados bacterianos selecionados foram testados quanto à sua capacidade de produzir a enzima LA-Isomerase. Foi selecionado o isolado com alta atividade enzimática. Após a extração e purificação parcial da enzima, as condições ideais para a produção de ácido graxo conjugado foram estudadas e os produtos da reação foram identificados usando a tecnologia GC-MS. Verificou-se que 11 isolados possuem capacidade de produzir CLA em diferentes concentrações. O isolado H1 apresentou a maior produção de ácido graxo conjugado, na concentração de 120,45 g.ml-1, e este isolado foi selecionado como fonte para extração enzimática. A atividade enzimática do extrato bruto e parcialmente purificado com sulfato de amônio foi estimada por métodos de coloração em comprimento de onda de 233 nm. O efeito das condições ótimas (pH, temperatura, concentração de ácido linoleico e concentração de enzima) no produto CLA foi estudado usando a enzima LA Isomerase parcialmente purificada e as condições ótimas para produção foram 6,5, 45 °C, 100 μg.ml-1 e 0,7 mL, respectivamente. A técnica de GC-MS mostrou a presença de uma série de produtos de reação que são isômeros do ácido linoleico conjugado (C9T11, T9T12, T10C12) com diferentes concentrações.

Abstract Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) has attracted the attention of many researchers, especially that of microbial origin due to its biological importance to the consumer. The current study aims to extract LA Isomerase enzyme from Lactobacillus paracasei bacteria from milk and to use the enzyme in the production of CLA. Selective media, including MRS and MRS-Dagatose, were used in isolating local strains. The selected bacterial isolates were tested for their ability to produce LA-Isomerase enzyme. The isolate with high enzymatic activity was selected. After extraction and partial purification of the enzyme, the optimal conditions for the production of conjugated fatty acid were studied, and the reaction products were diagnosed using GC-MS technology. It was found that 11 isolates have the ability to produce CLA at different concentrations, H1 isolate showed the highest production of conjugated fatty acid at a concentration of 120.45 g.ml-1, this isolate was selected as the source for enzyme extraction. The enzymatic activity of the crude extract and partially purified with ammonium sulfate was estimated using color methods at wavelength of 233 nm. The effect of the optimum conditions (pH, temperature, linoleic acid concentration and enzyme concentration) on the CLA product was studied using the partially purified LA Isomerase enzyme, the optimum conditions for production were 6.5, 45 °C, 100 μg.ml-1 and 0.7 ml, respectively. The GC-MS technique showed the presence of a number of reaction products that are isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (C9T11, T9T12, T10C12) with different concentrations.

Resumo Os produtos naturais têm se mostrado muito eficazes contra várias doenças desafiadoras, incluindo câncer e infecções bacterianas. O gálio tricorne é uma importante fonte de produtos naturais, ainda pouco explorada, apesar de sua profunda proeminência etnomedicinal. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para explorar o potencial biológico de G. tricorne e extrair e isolar constituintes químicos de sua parte aérea e sementes, respectivamente, juntamente com a identificação de seus constituintes químicos. A triagem fitoquímica foi realizada para descobrir a presença de metabólito secundário em G. tricorne, extrato metanólico bruto (Gt.Crd) que foi obtido da parte aérea enquanto os ácidos graxos foram extraídos das sementes, que posteriormente foram analisadas por GCMS. Da mesma forma, os métodos Well Diffusion e MTT foram usados para atividade antibacteriana e ensaio de linha de células cancerígenas, respectivamente. Para avaliar o potencial citotóxico, foram utilizadas artémias. Da mesma forma, na análise de cromatografia gasosa-espectroscopia de massa (GC-MS) um número total de 23 compostos foi identificado no extrato de Gt.Crd, dos quais 7 compostos foram selecionados para ter algum tipo de perfil de toxicidade. Da mesma forma, 5 ácidos graxos foram identificados nas sementes de G. tricorne. Além disso, entre as frações, a fração clorofórmio (Gt.Chf) apresentou maior zona de inibição (ZOI), 20,37 mm, seguida de Gt.Crd 18,40 mm contra S. aureus e S. pyogenes, respectivamente. Na citotoxicidade Gt.Chf foi mais ativo seguido pela fração acetato de etila (Gt.Eta), exibindo 88,32±0,62% (LC50=60 µg/mL) e 73,95±2,25% (LC50=80 µg/mL) respectivamente a 1000 µg/ concentração de mL da amostra testada. Gt.Chf exibiu maior atividade inibitória da linha celular (IC50 = 61 µg/mL) contra a linha celular HeLa. Da mesma forma, Gt.Crd apresentou valores de IC50 de 167,84 µg/mL e 175,46 µg/mL contra linha celular HeLa e NIH/3T3, respectivamente. Com base na revisão de literatura e triagens, pode-se concluir que a parte aérea e as sementes de G. tricorne são as ricas fontes de compostos bioativos. Os resultados do presente estudo também autenticam a base científica para os usos etnomedicinais de G. tricorne.

Abstract Natural products have long been proven very effective against various challenging diseases including cancer and bacterial infections. Galium tricorne is one of the important source of natural products, which has not been explored till date in spite of its profound ethnomedicinal prominence. The current study has been designed to explore the biological potential of G. tricorne and to extract and isolate chemical constituents from its aerial part and seeds respectively along with identification of their chemical constituents. Phytochemical screening was performed to figure out the presence of secondary metabolite in G. tricorne. Crude Methanolic extract (Gt.Crd), which was obtained from the aerial part while the fatty acids were extracted from the seeds, which were later on analyzed by GCMS. Similarly, Well Diffusion and MTT method were used for antibacterial activity and cancer cell line assay respectively. To evaluate the cytotoxic potential, brine shrimps were used. Likewise, in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis a total number of 23 compounds were identified in Gt.Crd extract out of which 7 compounds were sorted out to have some sort of toxicity profile. In the same fashion, 5 fatty acids were identified in the seeds of G. tricorne. Moreover, among the fractions, chloroform fraction (Gt.Chf) exhibited greater zone of inhibition (ZOI) 20.37 mm followed by Gt.Crd 18.40 mm against S. aureus and S. pyogenes respectively. In cytotoxicity Gt.Chf was more active followed by ethyl acetate fraction (Gt.Eta) by exhibiting 88.32±0.62% (LC50=60 µg/mL) and 73.95±2.25% (LC50=80 µg/mL) respectively at 1000 µg/mL concentration of the tested sample. Gt.Chf exhibited greater cell line inhibitory activity (IC50=61 µg/mL) against HeLa cell line. Similarly, Gt.Crd displayed IC50 values of 167.84 µg/mL and 175.46 µg/mL against HeLa and NIH/3T3 cell line respectively. Based on the literature review and screenings, it may be concluded that the aerial part and seeds of G. tricorne are the rich sources of bioactive compounds. The results of the current study also authenticate the scientific background for the ethnomedicinal uses of G. tricorne.

Resumo Em razão dos graves efeitos colaterais causados pela maioria dos medicamentos antidiabéticos atualmente utilizados, continua a busca por novos medicamentos seguros para o controle do diabetes. As naftoquinonas, que possuem fortes propriedades antioxidantes, têm sido empregadas como candidatas à terapia do diabetes. O presente estudo visa encontrar o potencial antioxidante e hipoglicemiante de alguns novos derivados de 2-fenilamino-1,4-naftoquinonas (PAN), incluindo derivados de cloro, nitro, metil e bromo (5a-d) sintetizados por experimento em pote único. Os cristais do produto foram purificados por TLC e caracterizados por FT-IR. O potencial antioxidante dos compostos foi testado por meio de atividades de sequestro de radicais DPPH e redução de energia observada como absorção no UV-vis. O ensaio DPPH mostrou a poderosa atividade antioxidante dos derivados nitro e bromo, enquanto o derivado nitro mostrou o potencial de redução significativo para o ensaio FRAP. O potencial hipoglicêmico dos compostos foi estudado em modelo animal de rato. Todos os compostos sintetizados revelaram melhor atividade hipoglicemiante; no entanto, o derivado cloro apresentou atividade hipoglicêmica mais potente, com redução de 43% nos níveis médios de glicose no sangue dos animais tratados. Como a biorredução de naftoquinonas pode ser influenciada pela alteração de suas propriedades redox, notou-se que o efeito da doação eletrônica por ressonância (+R) do grupo “cloro” tem sido significativo na atividade biológica por meio da estabilização de sua forma imina, que limita o potencial de geração de radicais livres durante a biorredução de quinonas, e, portanto, tem sido proposto como a razão de sua atividade hipoglicemiante. Estudos futuros empregando as propriedades de grupos de doação eletrônica de PAN podem otimizar a interação droga-receptor para melhor planejamento de medicamentos e estratégias de desenvolvimento de medicamentos contra o diabetes e também para os ensaios clínicos.

Abstract Due to the severe side effects revealed by most of the currently used antidiabetic medicines, search for finding new and safe drugs to manage diabetes is continued. Naphthoquinones possessing strong antioxidant properties have been employed as candidates for diabetes therapy. Present study is aimed at finding the antioxidant and hypoglycaemic potential of some novel derivatives of 2-phenylamino-1,4-naphthoquinones (PAN) including chloro, nitro, methyl and bromo (5a-d) derivatives synthesized by single pot experiment. Product crystals were purified by TLC and characterized by FT-IR. The antioxidant potential of the compounds was assayed through DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power activities noted as UV-vis. absorbance. The DPPH assay has showed the powerful antioxidant activity of nitro and bromo derivatives, while the nitro derivative showed the significant reduction potential towards FRAP assay. Hypoglycaemic potential of the compounds was studied in rat animal model. All synthesized compounds revealed better hypoglycaemic activity; however, the chloro-derivative exhibited the more potent hypoglycaemic activity showing about 43% reduction in the mean blood glucose levels of the treated animals. As the bioreduction of naphthoquinones may be influenced by changing its redox properties, it has been noticed that the e-donating resonance effect (+R) of ‘chloro’ group has shown the significant effects on biological activity through stabalization of its imine form which limits the potential of generation of free radicals during bioreduction of quinones and thus has been proposed as the reason of its hypoglycaemic activity. Future studies employing the properties of e-donating groups of PAN may optimize the drug-receptor interaction for better drug designing and drug development strategies against diabetes and also for the clinical trials.

Resumo Esta revisão sistemática integra os dados disponíveis na literatura sobre as atividades biológicas dos extratos de fungos endofíticos isolados de Annona muricata e seus metabólitos secundários. A busca foi realizada em quatro bases de dados eletrônicas e a qualidade dos estudos foi avaliada por meio de instrumento de avaliação adaptado. A pesquisa inicial no banco de dados gerou 436 resultados; dez estudos foram selecionados para inclusão. A folha foi a parte mais estudada da planta (em nove estudos); Periconia sp. foi o fungo mais testado (n = 4); a atividade biológica mais avaliada foi anticâncer (n = 6), seguida de antiviral (n = 3). As atividades antibacteriana, antifúngica e antioxidante também foram testadas. Terpenóides ou compostos híbridos de terpenóides foram os metabólitos químicos mais abundantes. Compostos fenólicos, ésteres, alcalóides, ácidos graxos saturados e insaturados, compostos aromáticos e peptídeos também foram relatados. Os estudos selecionados destacaram a potencialidade biotecnológica dos extratos de fungos endofíticos de A. muricata. Por conseguinte, esta planta pode ser considerada uma fonte promissora de compostos biológicos com efeitos antioxidantes e ativos contra diversos micro-organismos e células cancerígenas. Mais pesquisas são necessárias envolvendo diferentes tecidos vegetais, outros microorganismos, como SARS-CoV-2, e diferentes células cancerosas.

Abstract This systematic review integrates the data available in the literature regarding the biological activities of the extracts of endophytic fungi isolated from Annona muricata and their secondary metabolites. The search was performed using four electronic databases, and studies' quality was evaluated using an adapted assessment tool. The initial database search yielded 436 results; ten studies were selected for inclusion. The leaf was the most studied part of the plant (in nine studies); Periconia sp. was the most tested fungus (n = 4); the most evaluated biological activity was anticancer (n = 6), followed by antiviral (n = 3). Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities were also tested. Terpenoids or terpenoid hybrid compounds were the most abundant chemical metabolites. Phenolic compounds, esters, alkaloids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, aromatic compounds, and peptides were also reported. The selected studies highlighted the biotechnological potentiality of the endophytic fungi extracts from A. muricata. Consequently, it can be considered a promising source of biological compounds with antioxidant effects and active against different microorganisms and cancer cells. Further research is needed involving different plant tissues, other microorganisms, such as SARS-CoV-2, and different cancer cells.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender melhor a dinâmica da atividade cristalogênica e inicial nos fluidos biológicos dos pacientes durante a cirurgia e na fase pós-operatória tardia da alveococose. Amostras de saliva de 22 indivíduos com alveococose foram incluídas na pesquisa. Amostras de fluidos biológicos foram coletadas no momento da admissão e antes da alta do paciente. Em seguida, foram confeccionadas lâminas utilizando a técnica de teziocristaloscopia, que combina a investigação da atividade formadora de cristais da saliva mista com suas características iniciais, utilizando uma solução de cloreto de sódio a 0,9% como ingrediente-base. Usando nosso próprio conjunto de critérios, avaliamos os resultados de experimentos cristaloscópicos e tezigráficos. O exame espectrofotométrico da fácies tezigráfica e cristaloscópica foi feito usando um espectrofotômetro de microplaca PowerWave XS nos comprimentos de onda de 400, 350 e 300 nm para aumentar os resultados da morfometria ocular de microplacas de saliva seca. A terapia cirúrgica resulta na normalização parcial dos parâmetros físicos e químicos, bem como da composição dos fluidos biológicos do paciente, após a alta hospitalar.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to better understand the dynamics of crystallogenic and starting activity in biological fluids of patients throughout surgery and the late postoperative phase in alveococcosis. Samples of saliva from 22 individuals with alveococcosis were included in the research. Biological fluid samples were taken at the time of admission and before the patient was discharged. Following that, slides were made utilizing the teziocrystalloscopy method, which incorporates the investigation of the crystal forming activity of mixed saliva with its starting characteristics using a 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution as the foundation ingredient. Using our own set of criteria, we evaluated the outcomes of crystalloscopic and tezigraphic experiments. Specrophotometric examination of tezigraphic and crystalloscopic facies was done using a PowerWave XS microplate spectrophotometer at wavelengths of 400, 350, and 300 nm to augment the results from ocular morphometry of dried saliva micro slides. Surgical therapy results in a partial normalization of physical and chemical parameters, as well as the composition of the patient's biological fluids after the patient is discharged from the hospital.

Resumo Extratos de espécies do gênero Cordia têm sido relatados com potencial atividade biológica, como antioxidante, antimicrobiana, antiviral e antiparasitária. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver microemulsões contendo extratos etanólicos de folhas de C. glabrata e avaliar sua estabilidade e atividades biológicas. As cinco microemulsões desenvolvidas apresentaram estabilidade físico-química e apresentaram comportamento newtoniano quando submetidas à análise reológica. Os valores de diâmetro dos glóbulos variaram entre 225,74 e 273,33 nm e o potencial zeta das formulações permaneceu entre -22,40 e -25,08. Todos os ácidos fenólicos do extrato, quantificados por CLAE, apresentaram consistência após serem microemulsionados. Os valores de EC50 para a atividade antioxidante pelo método de eliminação DPPH variaram entre 38,13 e 45,54 µgmL-1, e entre 34,46 e 39,60 mM para o método de eliminação ABTS+. A atividade viricida apresentou CV50 <0,195 µgmL-1 e índice de seletividade maior que 20. Os resultados da fotoproteção variaram entre 2,14 a 2,84. O estudo revelou microemulsões estáveis e potencialização do efeito antioxidante nos extratos microemulsionados.

Abstract Extracts of species from the Cordia genus have been reported with potential biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic. The aim of this study was to develop microemulsions containing ethanolic extracts of C. glabrata leaves and to evaluate their stability and biological activities. The five developed microemulsions presented physicochemical stability and presented Newtonian behavior when submitted to rheological analysis. The diameter values of the globules ranged between 225.74 and 273.33 nm and the zeta potential of the formulations remained between -22.40 and -25.08. All phenolic acids of the extract, quantified by HPLC, showed consistency after being microemulsified. The EC50 values for the antioxidant activity by the DPPH scavenging method ranged between 38.13 and 45.54 µgmL-1, and between 34.46 and 39.60 mM for the ABTS+ scavenging method. The virucidal activity presented a CV50 <0.195 µgmL-1 and a selectivity index greater than 20. The photoprotection results ranged between 2.14 to 2.84. The study revealed stable microemulsions and potentiation of the antioxidant effect in the microemulsified extracts.

Resumo A administração de doenças de plantas é difícil devido à natureza dos fitopatógenos. O controle biológico é um método seguro para evitar problemas relacionados a doenças fúngicas que afetam a produtividade das culturas e algumas bactérias patogênicas ao homem. Para isso, a atividade antimicrobiana da alga marinha Sargassum muticum metanol e de extratos aquosos foi investigada contra patógenos bacterianos humanos e fitopatógenos fúngicos. Usando metanol a 70%, o pó de algas marinhas foi extraído do ensaio de aditivos alimentares, a ultraestrutura (TEM). Os resultados revelaram inibição significativa do extrato metanólico de S. muticum contra Salmonella typhi (25,66 mm), Escherichia coli (24,33 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (22,33 mm) e Bacillus subtilis (19,66 mm). Alguns fitopatógenos fúngicos inibiram significativamente Fusarium moniliforme (30,33 mm), Pythium ultimum (26,33 mm), Aspergillus flavus (24,36 mm) e Macrophomina phaseolina (22,66 mm). A investigação fitoquímica do extrato de S. muticum mostrou a presença de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides. Os resultados sugeriram que há um nível apreciável de potencial antioxidante na atividade de eliminação de DPPH de S. muticum (79,86%). Estudos ultraestruturais da hifa de Fusarium moniliforme cultivada em meio contendo extrato de S. muticum na concentração de 300 mg/ml mostraram espessamento da parede celular, desintegração do citoplasma, grandes corpos lipídicos e vacúolos. Em conclusão, nosso estudo revelou a atividade antibacteriana do extrato de S. muticum significativamente contra algumas bactérias Gram-positivas, Gram-negativas e atividade antifúngica contra alguns fungos fitopatogênicos e alguns produtores de micotoxinas. Flavonoides e fenólicos desempenham papel importante como antioxidantes e propriedades antimicrobianas. Tal estudo revelou que o extrato metanólico de S. muticum pode ser usado como biocontrole ecologicamente correto para fungos fitopatogênicos e aditivos alimentares para proteger os produtos pecuários.

Abstract Plant disease administration is difficult due to the nature of phytopathogens. Biological control is a safe method to avoid the problems related to fungal diseases affecting crop productivity and some human pathogenic bacteria. For that, the antimicrobial activity of the seaweed Sargassum muticum methanol and water extracts were investigated against human bacterial pathogens and fungal plant pathogens. By using 70 percent methanol, the seaweed powder was extracted, feeding additives assay, ultrastructure (TEM). Results revealed significant inhibition of S. muticum methanol extract against Salmonella typhi (25.66 mm), Escherichia coli (24.33 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (22.33 mm) and Bacillus subtilis. (19.66 mm), some fungal phytopathogens significantly inhibited Fusarium moniliforme (30.33mm), Pythium ultimum (26.33 mm), Aspergillus flavus (24.36mm), and Macrophomina phaseolina (22.66mm). Phytochemical investigation of S. muticum extract showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Results suggested that there is an appreciable level of antioxidant potential in S. muticum (79.86%) DPPH scavenging activity. Ultrastructural studies of Fusarium moniliforme hypha grown on a medium containing S. muticum extract at concentration 300mg/ml showed a thickening cell wall, disintegration of cytoplasm, large lipid bodies and vacuoles. In conclusion, our study revealed The antibacterial activity of S. muticum extract significantly against some Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and antifungal activity against some phytopathogenic and some mycotoxin producer fungi. Flavonoids, phenolic play an important role as antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. Such study revealed that S. muticum methanol extract could be used as ecofriendly biocontrol for phytopathogenic fungi and feeding additives to protect livestock products.

One of the main challenges of tissue engineering in dentistry is to replace bone and dental tissues with strategies or techniques that simulate physiological tissue repair conditions. This systematic review of in vitro studies aimed to evaluate the influence of the addition of nanohydroxyapatite (NHap) to scaffolds on cell proliferation and osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. In vitro studies on human stem cells that proliferated and differentiated into odontogenic and osteogenic cells in scaffolds containing NHap were included in this study. Searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, OpenGrey, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were performed. The total of 333 articles was found across all databases. After reading and analyzing titles and abstracts, 8 articles were selected for full reading and extraction of qualitative data. Results showed that despite the large variability in scaffold composition, NHap-containing scaffolds promoted high rates of cell proliferation, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity during short culture periods, and induced differentiation, as evidenced by the high expression of genes involved in osteogenesis and odontogenesis. However, further studies with greater standardization regarding NHap concentration, type of scaffolds, and evaluation period are needed to observe possible interference of these criteria in the action of NHap on the proliferation and differentiation of human stem cells.

ABSTRACT Cassava bacterial blight (CBB), caused by Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis, is one of the most important diseases affecting cassava production worldwide, including regions of Brazil in the eastern Amazon. The use of beneficial microorganisms, such as endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria, has emerged as an effective tool for controlling diseases in many crops. Here, two Klebsiella endophytic isolates (26Y and 29Y) isolated from cassava were evaluated for the control of CBB through antagonistic assays and biological control of the disease in plants inoculated by irrigating the substrate and by foliar spray under greenhouse conditions. The two isolates were able to inhibit the in vitro growth of the pathogen, as well as to control the disease severity by at least 90% in plants inoculated by both inoculation methods. We report the first Klebsiella strains to control CBB in the eastern Amazon, though their risk assessment for drug-resistance in humans is still pending.

RESUMO A bacteriose da mandioca, causada por Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis, é uma das doenças mais importantes que afetam a produção de mandioca no mundo, incluindo a Amazônia Oriental brasileira. O uso de microrganismos benéficos, como bactérias endofíticas promotoras de crescimento de plantas, é uma ferramenta eficaz no controle de doenças de muitas culturas. Nesse estudo, dois isolados endofíticos de Klebsiella (26Y e 29Y) obtidos de mandioca foram avaliados para o controle da bacteriose da mandioca, por meio de ensaios antagônicos e controle biológico da doença em plantas inoculadas por irrigação do substrato e pulverização foliar em condições de casa de vegetação. Os dois isolados inibiram o crescimento in vitro do patógeno, e controlaram pelo menos 90% da severidade da doença em plantas inoculadas por ambos métodos de inoculação. Reportamos as primeiras cepas de Klebsiella a controlar a bacteriose da mandioca na Amazônia Oriental, embora sua avaliação de risco para resistência a drogas em humanos ainda esteja pendente.

Abstract Tea is identified as the second most consumed drink in the world, and its frequent intake is related to several benefits to human health, considering its antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, calming, and above all, antioxidant effects. These effects are often associated with the action of the phenolic compounds contained in these infusions. In Brazil, among the most consumed infusions are the teas of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), and green/black tea (Camellia sinensis L.). Therefore, said popularity is the reason why the mentioned species were chosen to be evaluated on inflammatory enzymes. The activity of phospholipases A2 was reduced by more than 25% after treatment with black tea and yerba mate. The most significant inhibition of protease activity was observed after incubation with black tea (40.74%), green tea (31.48%) and yerba mate (25.93%). Infusions of black and green tea reduced hemolysis in semisolid and liquid media, and for the latter, reductions of up to 50% of hemolytic activity were observed, indicating an anti-inflammatory potential of the samples. Plasma incubations with green tea, black tea and lemon balm and subsequent addition of venom (1:10 ratio; tea:PBS, v:v) prolonged the coagulation time of citrated plasma by approximately twice compared to the positive control. All controls with pure tea had a thrombolytic character, in higher proportions than the venom control, especially chamomile (273.55% dissolution). Phenolic compounds derived from phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins are identified as the main agents that promote the biological effects observed in this study. This is mainly due to their anti-catalytic properties exerted on inflammatory enzymes and as chelating agents of enzymatic co-factors. The evaluated teas showed potential for nutraceutical use, thus pointing to the possibility of use as an adjuvant in the treatment of diseases linked to hemostasis.

Abstract Methanol, ethanol, acetone and chloroform extracts of powdered Hypericum heterophyllum prepared from leafs were investigated for their (i) phytochemical constituents, which was evaluated by LC-ESI-MS/MS and various known total bioactive methods; (ii) antioxidant capacity, which was evaluated by several in vitro assays such as DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, superoxide radical, and metal chelating; (iii) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity; (iv) active constituents of the extracts with AChE in silico docking. Phytochemical analysis revealed that none of the extracts contained hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin. Among the identified compounds, ethanol and acetone extracts had the highest number of compounds. The highest value of total phenolic content (132.7 mg GAE/g) was obtained with methanol extract, whereas the highest values of total flavonoid (61.8 mg QE/g) and flavanol (0.89 mg CE/g) content were recorded in acetone extract. Methanol extract displayed the most DPPH activity (24.9 mg TE/g), but ethanol extract (59.8 mg TE/g) showed the highest ABTS activity. Acetone extract displayed the best hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging activities with the values of 351.5 mg AAE/g, and 197.3 mg TE/g respectively. The chloroform extract exhibited the best AChE inhibition activity (11.07 µg/ml). In the docking study, quercetin-7-O-glucoside, diosgenin, and quercetin-3-glucoside were calculated to have a stronger MolDock Score than the reference ligand Donepezil. Our docking results have indicated that extracts contain compounds with a high affinity against the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. These data suggest that these extracts can be potentially important antioxidant supplements and drug candidates for AChE inhibition activity.

Abstract Fusarium oxysporum is an entomopathogenic fungus, and it has anti-biological activity against arthropods. Ticks are blood sucking arthropods which are responsible for transmitting different diseases in humans and animals. The use of chemical insecticides against ticks is not eco-friendly option and results in the development of acaricide resistance. Previously, we had cultured a local isolate of Fusarium oxysporum from soil samples which were identified through microscopy and confirmed through molecular technique. In our previous experiments, we have prepared Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) at pH 7 and they had been characterized through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-visible and zeta-potential. In our current study, the AgNP were prepared at different pH conditions and characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The protein molecules of F. oxysporum were charged with Ag ions. F. oxysporum NP were observed to enhance anti-biological activity by killing Rhipicephalus microplus and they caused 100% mortality at pH 4 and pH 5 in 24 h in anti-tick biological assay. Our study is the first report to do biological assay against Rhipicehalus ticks by using Fusarium AgNP at acidic pH. Biological control using entomopathogenic fungi can be the best alternative of the chemical method to control the tick population.

Resumo Fusarium oxysporum é um fungo entomopatogênico com atividade antibiológica contra artrópodes. Os carrapatos são artrópodes sugadores de sangue responsáveis pela transmissão de diversas doenças em humanos e animais. O uso de inseticidas químicos contra carrapatos não é uma opção ecologicamente correta e resulta no desenvolvimento de resistência acaricida. Anteriormente, havíamos cultivado um isolado local de Fusarium oxysporum a partir de amostras de solo que foram identificadas por microscopia e confirmadas por técnica molecular. Em nossos experimentos anteriores, preparamos nanopartículas de Prata (AgNP) em pH 7 e elas foram caracterizadas por Difração de Raios X (XRD), UV-visível e potencial zeta. No presente estudo, os AgNP foram preparados em diferentes condições de pH e caracterizados através de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (TEM). As moléculas de proteína de F. oxysporum foram carregadas com íons Ag. Assim, observou-se que F. oxysporum NP aumenta a atividade antibiológica matando Rhipicephalus microplus e causando 100% de mortalidade em pH 4 e pH 5 em 24h no ensaio biológico anticarrapato. Este estudo é o primeiro relato de caso a realizar um ensaio biológico contra carrapatos Rhipicehalus usando Fusarium AgNP em pH ácido. Nesse sentido, é possível concluir que o controle biológico utilizando fungos entomopatogênicos pode ser a melhor alternativa do método químico para controlar a população de carrapatos.