ABSTRACT: Plant extracts effects have been regarded and proven in researches under different applications in agriculture, including seed treatment. The plant extracts effectiveness is attributed to the presence of certain classes of compounds; therefore, studies that aim to identify and quantify these composites, which are present in plant extracts used in agriculture, are important, as well as the seed treatment. This research aimed to understand and describe through a systematic review, what were the main carried approaches, classes and identified compounds in studies with plant extracts to different applications in agriculture and the seed treatment. The period 2015 to 2020 was the one that exposed the higher research publication indexes, considering the theme under analysis, plant extracts in agriculture, seeking to identify or quantify the presence of metabolic composites, indicating a growing interest in this theme. Such studies pursued identifying and/or quantifying the compounds that are present in the plant extracts. The phenolic compounds constitute the priority class of metabolites to different functions, effects and applications in agriculture, mainly in seed treatment. The terpenes present a substantial potential as bioinsecticides to agriculture. Plant species that are rich in phenolic and terpenes compounds are a significant source of alternative control in the protection of the productive system.

RESUMO: Efeitos de extratos vegetais têm sido apontados e comprovados em pesquisas sob diferentes aplicações na agricultura, incluindo o tratamento de sementes. A eficácia de extratos vegetais é atribuída a presença de certas classes de compostos, logo, sendo importante estudos que visam a identificação e quantificação destes compostos presentes em extratos de plantas usados na agricultura, bem como para o tratamento de sementes. Objetivou-se compreender e descrever, por meio de uma revisão sistematizada, quais as principais abordagens realizadas, classes e compostos identificados em estudos com extratos vegetais para diferentes aplicações na agricultura e no tratamento de sementes. O período 2015 a 2020 foi o que apresentou os maiores índices de publicações de pesquisas que exploram extratos vegetais na agricultura, buscando identificar e, ou quantificar os compostos presentes nos extratos vegetais. Os compostos fenólicos constituem a classe prioritária de metabólitos para diferentes funções, efeitos e aplicações na agricultura, principalmente no tratamento de sementes. Os terpenos apresentam grande potencial como bioinseticidas para a agricultura. Espécies de plantas ricas em compostos fenólicos e terpenos são fontes potenciais para controle alternativo na proteção de sistemas produtivos.

RESUMO: Em resposta aos efeitos nocivos da utilização de substâncias toxicas na agricultura, a ciência tem avançado no desenvolvimento de soluções alternativas, visando compreender a eficácia e o potencial de extratos vegetais na agricultura. Objetivou-se com esta revisão sistematizada compreender a situação da pesquisa e divulgação científica, bem como a maneira que a ciência atual tem abordado o uso de extratos vegetais na agricultura, especialmente na aplicação em sementes. O uso de extratos vegetais na agricultura tem potencial demonstrado pelo elevado número de publicações nos últimos dez anos, com destaque para os anos de 2018, 2019 e 2020, sendo o Brasil o país de maior produção de trabalhos voltados à essa área de estudo. Os temas controle de microrganismos fitopatogênicos, controle de insetos, efeito bioestimulante, indução de resistência e efeito herbicida tem sido os principais temas explorados para uso na agricultura. A aplicação de extratos vegetais é centrada principalmente em organismos fitopatogênicos associados a plantas e sementes, sendo que, para a aplicação em sementes, o foco está no controle de organismos fitopatogênicos e efeito de promoção de crescimento.

ABSTRACT: The harmful effects caused by the use of toxic substances in agriculture have led to the development of alternative solutions, and researchers have focused on understanding the effectiveness and potential of plant extracts in agriculture. The aim of this systematic review was to understand the situation of research and scientific dissemination, as well as how current science has approached the use of plant extracts in agriculture, especially in seed applications. There is potential on the use of plant extracts in agriculture, demonstrated by a high number of publications over the last ten years, especially in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, and Brazil stands out as the main country on this research area. Control of phytopathogenic microorganisms, insect control, biostimulant effect, resistance induction and herbicide effect have been the main themes explored for use in agriculture. The direct application of plant extracts is centered on plants and seeds, being this latter mainly focused on the control of phytopathogenic organisms and biostimulating effect.

Abstract The potential use of microalgae in health has been the aim of different studies in the last years. This study investigated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of three different extracts of green microalga Pediastrum boryanum in an acute inflammation model in rats. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with lyophilized biomass, the phenolic compounds and the extracellular extracts of P. boryanum before the induction of paw edema by the intraplantar injection of carrageenan. The edema and the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were determined in the hind paw. Oxidative stress markers were analyzed in the liver and hepatic toxicity and genetic damage was evaluated in the blood. The results demonstrated that the three extracts of P. boryanum exhibited pronounced anti-oedematous property and decreased the levels of cytokines. The best results were provided by the phenolic compounds extract, that contains gallic, chlorogenic, protocathecuic and vanillic acid. A reduction in lipid peroxidation was observed after the treatment with lyophilized biomass and the extracellular extract improved the total antioxidant capacity of the liver. Moreover, no DNA damage and hepatic toxicity were observed after administration of P. boryanum extracts. In conclusion, these results suggest that P. boryanum can be an important source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o processo de hidrólise da sacarose pela ação de enzimas presentes em leveduras de panificação (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)em solução de açúcar VHP e caldo de cana-de-açúcar. Também foi avaliado a produção e caracterização de melado de cana-de-açúcar com inversão parcial da sacarose por adição de leveduras de panificação nas condições selecionadas. Verificou-se que é possível hidrolisar parcialmente a sacarose do caldo de cana-de-açúcar pela ação de enzimas presentes no fermento de panificação, e que o melado fabricado desta forma atende às especificações sendo inclusive preferido entre os consumidores. Os resultados obtidos indicaram uma solução viável e de baixo custo para a produção de melados com teor de açúcares redutores em torno de 30% (com adição de 0,010% de fermento biológico seco instantâneo - FBSI), garantindo assim melhor estabilidade em relação à cristalização da sacarose.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the process of sucrose hydrolysis by the action of enzymes present in baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)in a solution of VHP sugar and sugarcane juice. The production and characterization of sugarcane syrups with partial sucrose inversion by the addition of baker’s yeasts on the selected conditions was also evaluated. It was verified that the sucrose from sugarcane juice was partially hydrolyzed by the action of enzymes present in the baker’s yeast, and that the syrups produced in this way meet the specifications, being even preferred among consumers. The results obtained indicated a viable and low-cost solution to produce sugarcane syrups with reducing sugar content around 30% (by the addition of 0.010% of instant dry yeast), thus guaranteeing a better stability in relation to sucrose crystallization.

This study includes the synthesis of a new natural plasticizer obtained through esterification reaction of rice fatty acid and polyols, its physicochemical characterization and its preliminary application in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Monopropylene glycol, octanol and diethylene glycol were used as polyols for esterification reaction. Catalyst Fascat® 4100, was also added. Viscosity, acidity and hydroxyl index, moisture content, molar mass, chemical composition (by FTIR) and color were determined to characterize the natural plasticizer synthesized. The results were compared with a commercial plasticizer (DOA: di-octyl adipate) derived from petrochemical source and synthesized in laboratory. According to the results, except from color, the natural plasticizer presented similar properties of commercially available plasticizers, such as DOA. Mechanical tests indicated that the addition of the natural plasticizer to PVC films resulted in a significant increase on its elongation at break (371.2%) compared to pure PVC film, indicating a possible application for this plasticizer.