In the course of preparing the taxonomic revision of the Rhamnaceae of Brazil for the Catalogue of Plants and Fungi of Brazil, several problems related to typification were detected. Taxonomic observations and nomenclatural notes are here reported based on the analysis of type material, as well as classic and recent collections, in 63 herbaria in Brazil and abroad, together with analyses of virtual herbaria. Types were sought, the majority of which were located and studied. Eleven synonymies, 37 lectotypes and one neotype are designated and defined for seven genera in the family.

A Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Montana no Pico do Jabre, localizada no estado da Paraíba, Brasil, o ponto mais alto do Nordeste setentrional com 1.197 m, a 360 km do mar foi avaliada com o objetivo de caracterizar a estrutura fitossociológica do componente lenhoso. Em 36 parcelas sistemáticas de 10x50 m, foram medidas as alturas e diâmetros dos indivíduos com DAP> 4,8 cm. Amostras botânicas foram coletadas, durante cinco anos e depositadas no Herbário da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (JPB). Foram amostrados 2050 indivíduos distribuídos em 64 espécies, 51 gêneros e 31 famílias, com densidade de 1.148 ind.ha-1 e área basal de 22,45 m².ha-1. A diversidade foi de 3,17 nats.ind-1 e a equabilidade de 0,76, similares a outras comunidades de Florestas Estacionais Montanas na região. As famílias Malpighiaceae, Myrtaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Vochysiaceae, Celastraceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae e Fabaceae-Faboideae responderam por 66,72% do VI total. Byrsonima nitidifolia, Eugenialigustrina, Calisthenemicrophylla, Maytenusdistichophylla e Erythroxylummucronatum totalizaram 120,79 (40,3%) do VI. Registra-se aqui primeiro relato de dominância ecológica de Byrsonima nitidifolia região Nordeste.

The Pico do Jabre Seasonally Dry Montane Forest in Paraiba state, Brazil, the highest regional elevation, 1197 m, distant 360 km the sea was assessed aiming to survey its phytosociology and woody structure. In 36 systematic sampling plots, 10x50m, individuals, Dbh > 4.8cm, had their diameters and height measured. Botanical samples were collected during five years and vouchers were deposited at the Paraiba Federal University Herbaria (JPB). It was found 2050 trees distributed in 64 species of 51 genera of 31 families, which accounted for 1138 ind.ha-1 and 22.45 m².ha -1. Diversity and equability were assessed as H' = 3.17 nats.ind-1 and J' = 0.76 similar to some others regional seasonally dry montane forest communities. Malpighiaceae, Myrtaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Vochysiaceae, Celastraceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae e Fabaceae-Faboideae stood out and summed 66.72% of the total VI. Byrsonima nitidifolia, Eugenia ligustrina, Calisthene microphylla, Maytenus distichophylla and Erythroxylum mucronatum species accounted for 120.79 (40.3%) of the total VI. B. nitidifolia ecological dominance is firstly reported in the Brazilian northeast region.

Este trabalho apresenta um levantamento florístico da família Melastomataceae no Litoral Sul do estado da Paraíba. A área de estudo abrangeu os municípios do Conde, Pitimbu e Alhandra, localizados na microrregião do Litoral Sul Paraibano, incluindo os limites da APA Tambaba, uma unidade de conservação de uso sustentável, no Bioma Mata Atlântica. A família está representada na área por seis gêneros e dez espécies: Clidemia biserrata DC., C. hirta (L.) D. Don, Comolia villosa (Aubl.) Triana, Henriettea sp., Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana, M. amoena Triana, M. ciliata (Rich.) DC., M. prasina (Sw.) DC., Nepsera aquatica Naudin e Pterolepis glomerata (Rottb.) Miq. São apresentadas chaves de identificação, descrições, ilustrações e comentários para as espécies.

This paper presents a floristic survey of the family Melastomataceae in the southern coastal zone of the state of Paraíba. The study area comprises the municipalities of Conde, Pitimbu and Alhandra, located in the South Coast micro-region of Paraíba, including the limits of the APA Tambaba, a sustainable use conservation area within the Atlantic Forest Biome. The family is represented in the area by six genera and ten species: Clidemia biserrata DC., C. hirta (L.) D. Don, Comolia villosa (Aubl.) Triana, Henriettea sp. Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana, M. amoena Triana, M. ciliata (Rich.) DC., M. prasina (Sw.) DC., Nepsera aquatica Naudin and Pterolepis glomerata (Rottb.) Miq. This paper provides identification keys to the species and descriptions, illustrations, and comments for each species.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic yeast and a member of the normal human flora that commonly causes infections in patients with any type of deficiency of the immune system. The essential oils have been tested for antimycotic activity and pose much potential as antifungal agents. This work investigated the activity of the essential oil of Cymbopogon winterianus against C. albicans by MIC, MFC and time-kill methods. The essential oil (EO) was obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. It was tested fifteen strains of C. albicans. The MIC was determined by the microdilution method and the MFC was determined when an aliquot of the broth microdilution was cultivated in SDA medium. The phytochemical analysis of EO showed presence of citronellal (23,59%), geraniol (18,81%) and citronellol (11,74%). The EO showed antifungal activity, and the concentrations 625 µg/mL and 1250 µg/mL inhibited the growth of all strains tested and it was fungicidal, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of various concentrations of EO was analyzed over time, it was found concentration-dependent antifungal activity, whose behavior was similar to amphotericin B and nystatin.

Trichophyton rubrum is one of the most common fungi causer of dermatophytosis, mycosis that affect humans and animals around the world. Researches aiming new products with antifungal activity become necessary to overcome difficulties on treatment of these infections. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of essential oil from Cymbopogon winterianus against the dermatophyte T. rubrum. The antifungal screening was performed by solid medium diffusion method with 16 T. rubrum strains, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were determined using the microdilution method. The effects on mycelial dry weight and morphology were also observed. Screening showed essential oil in natura inhibited all the tested strains, with inhibition zones between 24-28 mm diameter. MIC50 and MIC90 values of the essential oil were 312 µg/mL for nearly all the essayed strains (93.75 %) while the MFC50 and MFC90 values were about eight times higher than MIC for all tested strains. All tested essential oil concentrations managed to inhibit strongly the mycelium development. Main morphological changes on the fungal strains observed under light microscopy, which were provided by the essential oil include loss of conidiation, alterations concerning form and pigmentation of hyphae. In the oil presence, colonies showed folds, cream color and slightly darker than the control, pigment production was absent on the reverse and with evident folds. It is concluded that C. winterianus essential oil showed activity against T. rubrum. Therefore, it could be known as potential antifungal compound especially for protection against dermatophytosis.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes é um fungo causador de dermatofitoses, afetando humanos em todo o mundo. Isto direciona a busca de produtos para o tratamento destas infecções. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo investigar a atividade antifúngica do óleo essencial de Cymbopogon winterianus contra T. mentagrophytes. Os ensaios antifúngicos foram constituídos do screening antifúngico, da determinação CIM e CFM, da análise dos efeitos do óleo essencial no crescimento micelial, na germinação dos esporos, na viabilidade fúngica, na morfogênese, na parede celular (ensaio com sorbitol) e na membrana celular (ensaio de lise celular) de T. mentagrophytes. No screening, o óleo inibiu todas as cepas, com zonas de inibição de crescimento de 24-28 mm de diâmetro. A CIM foi de 312 μg/mL e a CFM foi de 2500 μg/mL para quase todas as cepas testadas. O óleo essencial inibiu o desenvolvimento micelial, a germinação dos esporos e a viabilidade fúngica. Houve alterações morfológicas no agrupamento dos conídios, na forma e pigmentação das hifas. A ação antifúngica do produto não envolve a parede celular e parece estar envolvida com a membrana celular fúngica. Pode-se concluir que o óleo essencial de C. winterianus se apresenta como um potencial produto antifúngico, especialmente para o tratamento das dermatofitoses.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a fungus causative agent of dermatophytosis, affecting humans worldwide. This has driven the search for products for the treatment of these infections. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of the Cymbopogon winterianus essential oil against T. mentagrophytes. The antifungal tests consisted of antifungal screening, determination of MIC and MFC, analysis of the essential oil's effects on mycelial growth, germination of fungal spores, fungal viability, morphogenesis, cell wall (test with sorbitol) and cell membrane (cell leakage test) of T. mentagrophytes. Upon screening, the oil inhibited all strains, with zones of growth inhibition of 24-28 mm in diameter. The MIC was 312 μg/mL and CFM was 2500 μg/mL for almost all the strains tested. There were morphological changes in the conidia group, form and pigmentation of hyphae. The antifungal action of the product does not involve the cell wall and its action may involve the fungal plasma membrane. It is concluded that C. winterianus essential oil constitutes a potential antifungal product, especially for the treatment of dermatophytosis.