ABSTRACT: Analyzing unripe phases of orthodox seeds and the variations in traits depending on environmental conditions under which they were formed is a way of gaining knowledge on the differences and similarities between orthodox and recalcitrant seed behavior. From this perspective, in this study fruits of Erythrina speciosa Andrews were collected in Florianópolis (SC), Lajeado (RS) and Sao Paulo (SP) in August and November. Seeds were extracted and classified into six different maturation stages. Seeds were stored at 7 °C for a maximum of five days until the beginning of the experiments. Moisture content and dry matter content were measured through the oven method (103 ± 3 °C). Germination was analyzed at 25 °C and 70% of relative humidity, with evaluations being made every two days for 30 days. To induce dormancy, seeds were dried to 10% moisture content. We ran an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test at 5% as statistical analysis. We observed that unripe seeds showed a wide behavior variation depending on the collection period and site, for a same chronological age, reinforcing the idea that the seed behavior variation may be due to the maturation degree at the moment of seed dispersal. ABSTRACT perspective SC, SC , (SC) RS (RS SP (SP November stages C experiments 103 (10 °C. . °C) 2 70 humidity dormancy 10 ANOVA (ANOVA Tukeys Tukey s 5 site age dispersal (SC (1 1 (

RESUMO: Uma das formas de se obter conhecimento sobre as diferenças e semelhanças entre os comportamentos das sementes ortodoxas e recalcitrantes durante o processo de maturação é analisando as fases imaturas das sementes ortodoxas e as variações em suas características, conforme as condições ambientais nas quais foram formadas. Diante disto, neste trabalho, os frutos de Erythrina speciosa Andrews foram coletados em Florianópolis (SC), Lajeado (RS) e São Paulo (SP) entre os meses de agosto e novembro. As sementes, extraídas, foram classificadas em seis estádios diferentes de maturação. Armazenadas a 7 °C, e os experimentos realizados iniciaram em até cinco dias. O teor de água e a massa seca foram medidos pelo método da estufa a 103 ± 3 °C. A germinação foi analisada a 25°C e 70% de umidade relativa, com avaliações a cada dois dias por 30 dias. Para indução de dormência, as sementes foram secas até 10% de água. A análise estatística usou ANOVA e teste de Tukey a 5%. Observou-se que as sementes imaturas apresentaram grandes variações de comportamento em função de época e local de coleta, para uma mesma idade cronológica, reforçando a ideia de que variações no comportamento das sementes podem ser decorrentes do seu grau de maturação no momento em que são dispersas. RESUMO características formadas disto trabalho SC, SC , (SC) RS (RS SP (SP novembro extraídas C °C 10 25C 25 70 relativa dormência 5 5% Observouse Observou coleta cronológica dispersas (SC 1 2

Resumo As matas ripárias são importantes corredores de biodiversidade entre os grupos. Essas florestas foram muito alteradas ou suprimidas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Este estudo investiga a variação da riqueza de espécies e distribuição de samambaias e licófitas de dezoito áreas de estudo em diferentes estágios de sucessão em matas ripárias da região do rio Taquari. Amostras de samambaias e licófitas foram coletadas utilizando a metodologia de caminhamento ao longo do rio Taquari durante dois anos. A riqueza foi comparada nos diferentes estágios de sucessão (formações remanescentes avançadas, intermediárias e iniciais) por meio de análise de variância e um teste randomizado, no qual foram registradas cerca de 22 espécies: 19 espécies estavam em estágio avançado de sucessão, nove espécies estavam no estágio intermediário e sete espécies estavam em estágio inicial de sucessão. A riqueza média foi significativamente maior nas áreas em estágio avançado de sucessão. O alto valor das espécies comuns encontradas nos estágios intermediários destaca a importância da preservação das matas ripárias em todos os estágios de sucessão do rio Taquari como alternativa para preservação da biodiversidade local.

Abstract Riparian forests are important biodiversity corridors among groups. Such forests were greatly altered or suppressed in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This study investigates the variation of species richness and distribution of ferns and lycophytes of eighteen study areas at different stages of succession in riparian forests of the Taquari River region. Fern and lycophyte samples were collected using the pathway methodology along the Taquari River during two years. The richness was compared at the different succession stages (advanced remnant formations, intermediate and initial) through analysis of variance and a randomized test, in which about 22 species were recorded: 19 species were at the advanced stage of succession, nine species were at the intermediate stage and seven species were at the initial stage of succession. The average richness was significantly higher in areas at advanced stage of succession. The high value of common species found at intermediate stages highlights the importance of preserving riparian forests at all stages of succession in the Taquari River as alternative for preserving the local biodiversity.

Abstract Vasconcellea quercifolia A.St-Hil. (Caricaceae) is a non-conventional food plant (PANC) of Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical, chemical, and nutritional properties of green and ripe fruits and medullary parenchyma of V. quercifolia A.St-Hil., in order to develop functional foods. We determined humidity, pH, ash content, protein content, carbohydrate content, fibre content, carotenoid content, ascorbic acid content, and aminograms of green and ripe fruits and of medullary parenchyma from three specimens, following existing methodologies. Green fruits had higher protein and fibre contents, and ripe fruits had higher ash, carbohydrate, and carotenoid contents, higher than other most consumed fruits. On the other hand, medullary parenchyma had higher ash content and humidity. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and lysine were the amino acids with the highest contents, mainly in green fruits. Aside from medullary parenchyma, used as food in the past, both green and ripe fruits can be used for the development of new food products with functional properties and potential for new alternatives for consumption.

ABSTRACT Vegetable oils present important pharmacological properties, which gained ground in the pharmaceutical field. Its encapsulation in nanoemulsions is considered a promising strategy to facilitate the applicability of these natural compounds and to potentiate the actions. These formulations offer several advantages for topical and systemic delivery of cosmetic and pharmaceutical agents including controlled droplet size, protection of the vegetable oil to photo, thermal and volatilization instability and ability to dissolve and stabilize lipophilic drugs. For these reasons, the aim of this review is to report on some characteristics, preparation methods, applications and especially analyze recent research available in the literature concerning the use of vegetable oils with therapeutic characteristics as lipid core in nanoemulsions, specially from Brazilian flora, such as babassu (Orbignya oleifera), aroeira (Schinus molle L.), andiroba (Carapa guaianiensis), casca-de-anta (Drimys brasiliensis Miers), sucupira (Pterodon emarginatus Vogel) and carqueja doce (Stenachaenium megapotamicum) oils.

Nanoemulsions composed of a medium-chain triglyceride oil core stabilized by rapeseed or sunflower lecithins were prepared by spontaneous emulsification and high-pressure homogenization. These nanoemulsions are compared with formulations stabilized by egg lecithin. Nanoemulsions obtained by high-pressure homogenization display larger droplet size (230 to 440 nm) compared with those obtained by spontaneous emulsification (190 to 310 nm). The zeta potentials of the emulsions were negative and below -25 mV. Zeta potential inversion occurred between pH 3.0 and 4.0. The results demonstrate the feasibility of preparing lipid emulsions comprising rapeseed or sunflower lecithins by spontaneous emulsification and high-pressure homogenization.

Lipid nanoemulsions have recently been proposed as parenteral delivery systems for poorly-soluble drugs. These systems consist of nanoscale oil/water dispersions stabilized by an appropriate surfactant system in which the drug is incorporated into the oil core and/or adsorbed at the interface. This article reviews technological aspects of such nanosystems, including their composition, preparation methods, and physicochemical properties. From this review, it was possible to identify five groups of nanoemulsions based on their composition. Biopharmaceutical aspects of formulations containing some commercially available drugs (diazepam, propofol, dexamethasone, etomidate, flurbiprofen and prostaglandin E1) were then discussed.

This study describes the validation of a spectrophotometric method to estimate oligonucleotides association with cationic nanoemulsions. Phosphodiester and phosphorothioate oligonucleotides targeting Plasmodium falciparum topoisomerase II were analyzed at 262 nm. Linear response (r > 0.998) was observed from 0.4 to 1.0 nmol/mL, the relative standard deviation values for the intra- and inter-days precision were lower than 2.6% and the recovery ranged from 98.8 to 103.6% for both oligonucleotides. The association efficiency was estimated based on an ultrafiltration/centrifugation method. Oligonucleotides recovery through 30 kDa-membranes was higher than 92%. The extent of oligonucleotides association (42 to 98%) varied with the composition of nanoemulsions