Resumen Se evaluaron cualitativamente diferentes solventes para la extracción de núcleos esteroides y flavonoides en bulbos de Dioscorea bulbifera Salv. Se analizó el bulbo crudo y macerados en agua, aceite y alcohol 40%. La triangulación de las observaciones en las RxSh y RxL-B con un patrón químico definido, un blanco y la prueba experimental evaluó la presencia del núcleo químico. Se estableció por matriz de relaciones que el alcohol tuvo mayor afinidad a compuestos flavonoides y alcaloides detectándose que el 100% de ensayos realizados fue positivo para cada núcleo. Se detectó en un 83% compuestos alcaloides en muestras de bulbo crudo y superior al 70% para flavonoides. El aceite mineral presentó características conservantes del bulbo y resultados negativos para ambos núcleos. Se concluye que el alcoholato con bulbos de D. bulbifera extrae compuestos de núcleos flavonoides y esteroides para emplearse como ingrediente bioactivo para aplicación en diferentes áreas industriales.

Abstract Different solvents were qualitatively evaluated for the extraction of steroid nuclei and flavonoids in Dioscorea bulbifera Salv. bulbs. The raw bulb was analyzed and macerated in water, oil, and 40% alcohol. The triangulation of the observations in the RxSh and RxL-B with a defined chemical pattern, a target, and the experimental test evaluated the presence of the chemical nucleus. The relationship matrix analyzed that the alcohol had a higher affinity to flavonoid and alkaloid compounds, detecting that 100% of the tests carried out were positive for each nucleus. Alkaloid compounds were detected in 83% in raw bulb samples and more than 70% for flavonoids. Mineral oil contains preservative characteristics of the bulb and negative results for both nuclei. It is concluded that the bulbous alcoholate of D. bulbifera extracts compounds from flavonoid nuclei and steroids to be used as a bioactive ingredient for application in different industrial areas.

ABSTRACT The avocado drymifolia is sensitive to the attack of mistletoe, while, “Hass” and “Mendez” exhibit tolerance. This difference could be related to the secondary metabolites produced by the plant. The biochemical profile of drymifolia, Hass and Mendez avocados was determined, as well as the relationship with mistletoe sensitivity/tolerance. Twenty-seven drymifolia individuals, one Hass and one Mendez, from three localities of Michoacan, Mexico, were evaluated. The extraction and analysis of the volatile compounds were carried out by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and the results were compared with the spectra of the NIST library. The most abundant secondary metabolites were estragole, caryophyllene, (+)-4-carene and γ-terpinene, with 95.0, 88.0 and 90.1 %, of the total of 116 compounds identified, in drymifolia, Hass and Mendez, respectively. In avocado Hass 1,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2,5,5-trimethyl-2H-2,4aethanonaphthalene (0.84 %), α-Cubebene (0.33 %), 2,4,6-octatrienoic acid (0.24 %) and α-phellandrene (0.21 %) were identified and in Mendez, thymol (0.06 %) but these compounds were not identified in any avocado drymifolia. In addition, 2,5-bisbenzaldehyde showed 21.7X and 19.7X times more concentration in Hass and Mendez, respectively, than in drymifolia. The avocado drymifolia presented more secondary metabolites, but the most abundant compounds were shared in the three varieties. The secondary metabolites not found in avocado drymifolia could be related to mistletoe tolerance.

RESUMEN El aguacate drymifolia es sensible al ataque de muérdago, mientras, “Hass” y “Méndez” presentan tolerancia. Esta diferencia podría estar relacionada con los metabolitos secundarios producidos por la planta. Se determinó el perfil bioquímico de aguacates drymifolia, “Hass” y “Méndez”, y la relación con la sensibilidad/ tolerancia al muérdago. Se evaluaron 27 individuos drymifolia, un “Hass” y un “Méndez” de tres localidades de Michoacán, México. La extracción y análisis de los compuestos volátiles se realizó por cromatografía de gases acoplado a espectrometría de masas y los resultados se compararon con los espectros de la biblioteca NIST. Los compuestos más abundantes fueron estragol, cariofileno, (+)-4-careno y γ-terpineno, con 95.0, 88.0 y 90.1 %, del total de 116 compuestos identificados, en drymifolia, “Hass” y “Méndez”, respectivamente. En aguacate “Hass” se identificaron 1,3,4,5,6,7- hexahidro-2,5,5-trimetil 2H-2,4a-etanonaftaleno (0.84 %), α-cubebeno (0.33 %), 2,4,6-ácido octatrienoico (0.24 %) y α-felandreno (0.21 %) y en “Méndez”, timol (0.06 %) pero en ningún individuo drymifolia. Además, 2,5-bisbenzaldehído tuvo 21.7X y 19.7X, veces más abundancia en “Hass” y “Méndez”, respectivamente, que en drymifolia. El aguacate drymifolia presentó mayor cantidad de metabolitos secundarios, pero los compuestos más abundantes fueron compartidos en las tres variedades. Los compuestos no detectados en aguacate drymifolia podrían estar relacionados con la tolerancia a muérdago.

Resumo As espécies de maracujá apresentam grande importância econômica, tanto para o consumo in natura, quanto para a indústria. A principal maneira de propagar essas espécies é por sementes; contudo, a presença de arilo e condições ambientais pode inibir a germinação. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se estudar o efeito de métodos de remoção do arilo e luminosidade na qualidade e germinação das sementes de Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa. Cinco métodos foram empregados para a remoção do arilo: (1) fricção em peneira de malha de aço por cinco minutos; (2) fricção com areia grossa em peneira de malha de aço por cinco minutos; (3) imersão em solução de cal a 10% (m/v), por 30 minutos; (4) fermentação da polpa em solução de açúcar a 10% (m/v), por 48 horas; e (5) fermentação natural da polpa, por cinco dias. As sementes foram submetidas ao teste de germinação no escuro e no claro, teste de comprimento de plântulas e teste de emergência. Independente do método de remoção do arilo, a porcentagem de germinação no claro apresentou-se menor em comparação ao escuro, com destaque para o tratamento de fermentação natural da polpa, o qual apresentou 86% de sementes germinadas. Por outro lado, os métodos de remoção do arilo não afetaram a emergência das plântulas, com porcentagem de emergência variando entre 88 a 94%.

Abstract Passion fruits species presents a larger economic importance for in natura consumption and industry. The main way to propagate these species is by seeds; however, the aril presence and environmental conditions may inhibit the seeds germination. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of aril removal methods and light conditions on P. edulis var. flavicarpa seeds quality and germination. There were used five methods to remove the seeds aril: (1) friction on steel mesh sieve for 5 minutes; (2) friction with coarse sand on steel mesh sieve for 5 minutes; (3) immersion in lime solution at 10% (w/v), for 30 minutes; (4) fermentation in sugar solution at 10% (w/v), during 48 hours; and (5) natural pulp fermentation, during five days. The seeds were submitted to germination test at darkness and lightness, as well as, to length seedlings and emergence test. Regardless the aril removal method, the germination percentage was lower at lightness than darkness highlighting the natural pulp fermentation treatment, which presented 86% of seeds germinated. On the other hand, the aril removal methods did not affect the seedlings emergence, with emergence percentages ranged from 88 to 94%.

The gene mutated in ataxia telangiectasia (ATM) has been implicated in several functions such as cell cycle, response to DNA damage, and insulin. Curiously, the PKB/Akt-mediated signaling route is related to the same cellular responses. We show in this work that ATM is a major determinant of full PKB/Akt activation in response to insulin or g-radiation. This conclusion was inferred from the results obtained in transient transfection assays using exogenous PKB/Akt and ATM in Cos cells, and also in cell lines derived from ataxia telangiectasia patients or KO mice. Our study proposes new clues to understand the radiosensitivity associated to ataxia telangiectasia and supports a critical role for PKB/Akt in the cellular response to ionizing radiation.

El gen mutado en el síndrome de Ataxia Telangiectasia está implicado en múltiples funciones celulares que abarcan desde la respuesta al daño genotóxico causado por la radiación ionizante hasta la respuesta a insulina. Curiosamente la ruta de señalización mediada por Akt esta relacionada con los mismos estímulos. En el presente estudio demostramos como el gen mutado en Ataxia Telangiectasia (ATM) controla la fosforilación de Akt, en respuesta a estímulos como la radiación ionizante o la insulina. Estos datos han sido obtenidos usando modelos experimentales como células derivadas de enfermos de Ataxia o de ratones nulos para la expresión de ATM. Nuestro estudio propone nuevas explicaciones para entender la radio sensibilidad característica de estos enfermos y destaca el papel primordial de Akt en la respuesta a la radiación ionizante.