Copaifera species (Fabaceae) comprises approximately 70 species of large trees, from which 16 can be found in Brazil. The oleoresins obtained from their trunk are widely used in Brazilian folk medicine, which display important antitumoral potential. Chemically, these oleoresins are mainly composed of a mixture of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes. In this paper we are describing the isolation and identification of 12 already known terpenes from oleoresins obtained from three different Copaifera species (C. multijuga, C. pubiflora and C. trapezifolia) and 2 novel diterpenes (ent-16-hidroxy-3,13 clerodadien-15,18-dioic acid and ent-labda-5,13-dien-15-oic acid) from C. trapezifolia. Both new compounds were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic (1H and 13C NMR, correlation 1H-1H (COSY), heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC)) and by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESIMS) analyses. The cytotoxic potential of these oleoresins, their main non-volatile compounds and their volatile compound fractions were evaluated against a panel of tumoral (MCF-7, ACP01, A549, HeLa) and normal cell lines (MCF-10A, GM07492-A) through XTT (tetrazolium salt) and SRB (sulforhodamine B) assays. The novel diterpene ent-labda-5,13-dien-15-oic acid displayed relevant cytotoxic effect against most of the cancer cell lines with mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 3.57 ± 1.12 to 22.56 ± 1.03 µg mL-1, and a high selectivity level in both assays.

RESUMO A resistência do solo à penetração (RP) é uma medida indireta do estado de compactação do solo. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a RP em perfis verticais em uma área cultivada com cana-de-açúcar por meio de modelos multifractais para diferentes unidades de relevo. O experimento foi realizado em Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo textura argilosa, com 6.85 ha no município de Coelho Neto (Maranhão, Brasil), onde foram demarcados 60 pontos de amostragem. A área foi dividida em quatro unidades de relevo (Tipo A > 74 m; Tipo B de 71 a 74 m; Tipo C de 68 a 71 m e Tipo D de 65 a 68 m). A RP foi medida nos 60 pontos de amostragem utilizando um penetrômetro de impacto, e a RP determinada na camada de 0-0.60 m de profundidade a cada 0.01 m. A análise multifractal foi realizada considerando a propriedade de escala de cada perfil e tipificada o espectro de singularidade e de Rènyi estimados por meio do método do momento. A análise multifractal permitiu a identificação de padrões em diferentes escalas e com elevada heterogeneidade. O comportamento multifractal, foi representado pelo espectro de singularidade (α), versus f(α), e a dimensão generalizada (Dq). A análise multifractal permitiu a diferenciação entre os perfis das unidades de relevo (Tipos A, B, C e D), resultando em uma importante ferramenta para estudos da resistência do solo à penetração.

ABSTRACT Soil resistance to penetration (PR) is an indirect measure of the state of soil compaction. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize PR in vertical profiles in an area cultivated with sugarcane using multifractal models for different relief units. The experiment was carried out in an Oxisol with a clay texture, with 6.85 ha in the municipality of Coelho Neto (Maranhão state, Brazil), where 60 sampling points were demarcated. The area was divided into four relief units (Type A > 74 m, Type B from 71 to 74 m, Type C from 68 to 71 m and Type D from 65 to 68 m). The PR was measured at the 60 sampling points using an impact penetrometer, and the PR determined in the 0-0.60 m depth layer every 0.01 m. The multifractal analysis was performed considering the scale property of each profile and typified the singularity and Rènyi spectra estimated using the current method. Multifractal analysis allowed the identification of patterns at different scales and with high heterogeneity. The multifractal behavior was represented by the singularity spectrum (α), versus f(α), and the generalized dimension (Dq). The multifractal analysis allowed the differentiation between the profiles of the relief units (Types A, B, C and D), resulting in an important tool for studies of soil resistance to penetration.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial da produtividade de soja, do estoque de carbono e de atributos físicos do solo por meio de técnicas multivariadas e de geoestatística. Os atributos foram determinados em um Latossolo Vermelho textura argilosa e coeso no município de Mata Roma (Maranhão, Brasil). Na área de estudo foram demarcados 70 pontos de amostragem, sendo avaliada a produtividade de soja e os atributos do solo nas camadas de 0-0,20 e 0,20-0,40 m de profundidade. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análise multivariada (ACP - Análise de Componentes Principais) e de ferramentas de geoestatística. A produtividade média de soja foi de 3370 kg ha-1. O semivariograma da produtividade, carbono orgânico (OC) e do estoque de carbono (Cst) na camada de 0-0,20 m se ajustaram ao modelo esférico. A ACP explicou 73.21% da estrutura da variância e covariância entre a produtividade e os atributos do solo na camada de 0-0.20 m [ACP 1 (26.89%), ACP 2 (24.10%) e ACP 3 (22.22%)] e 68.64% na camada de 0.20-0.40 m [ACP 1 (31.95%), ACP 2 (22.83%) e ACP 3 (13.85%)]. Os mapas de variabilidade espacial dos scores dos autovalores da ACP demonstraram que é possível a determinação de zonas de manejo utilizando a ACP 1 nas duas profundidades em estudo, todavia, com diferentes estratégias de manejo para cada uma das camadas.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability of soybean yield, carbon stock, and soil physical attributes using multivariate and geostatistical techniques. The attributes were determined in Oxisols samples with clayey and cohesive textures collected from the municipality of Mata Roma, Maranhão state, Brazil. In the study area, 70 sampling points were demarcated, and soybean yield and soil attributes were evaluated at soil depths of 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m. Data were analysed using multivariate analyses (principal component analysis, PCA) and geostatistical tools. The mean soybean yield was 3,370 kg ha-1. The semivariogram of productivity, organic carbon (OC), and carbon stock (Cst) at the 0-0.20 m layer were adjusted to the spherical model. The PCA explained 73.21% of the variance and covariance structure between productivity and soil attributes at the 0-0.20 m layer [(PCA 1 (26.89%), PCA 2 (24.10%), and PCA 3 (22.22%)] and 68.64% at the 0.20-0.40 m layer [PCA 1 (31.95%), PCA 2 (22.83%), and PCA 3 (13.85%)]. The spatial variability maps of the PCA eigenvalue scores showed that it is possible to determine management zones using PCA 1 in the two studied depths; however, with different management strategies for each of the layers in this study.

Oleoresins from Copaifera species are extensively used in folk medicine in Brazil, which are employed mainly in the production of cosmetic formulations in Brazil, North America and Europe. Considering the lack of validated analytical methods for the analyses of diterpenes in Copaifera oleoresins, it was developed a validated and reliable reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (RP-HPLC-PDA) method for the analysis of six diterpenes, including: (-)-polyalthic acid; (13E)-ent-labda-7,13-dien-15-oic acid; ent-8(17)-labden-15,18-dioic acid; (-)-copalic acid; (-)-3β-acetoxycopalic acid and (-)-3β-hydroxycopalic acid. These compounds were isolated from C. duckei, C. reticulata and C. multijuga oleoresins by chromatographic means. The analytical curves were linear with regression coefficients (r2) between 0.9903 and 0.9999. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) values were 0.35 to 3.09 µg mL-1 and 1.05 to 9.36 µg mL-1, respectively. The method also displayed good precision and accuracy. The developed analytical method is reliable and a useful tool for the analysis of Copaifera oleoresin and its products.

The labdane diterpenes copalic acid, 3β-acetoxy-copalic acid, 3β-hydroxy-copalic acid and ent-agathic acid were isolated from Copaifera langsdorffii oleoresin. These four compounds were submitted to structural modifications by reduction with hydrogen/palladium, esterification with diazomethane, esterification with methanol/sulfuric acid and conversion into sodium salt, furnishing 15 compounds. All compounds were assayed in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv, ATCC 27294). The four compounds displayed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 125 µg mL-1, and were not considered active. A methylated derivative of compound 3β-hydroxy-copalic acid, and a sodium salt of copalic acid displayed MIC values of 25 µg mL-1 (71.7 µM) and 6.25 µg mL-1 (19.2 µM), respectively. The sodium salt of copalic acid stood out by displaying similar activity in comparison with streptomycin (MIC 6.25 µg mL-1) and a better activity compared to µM value of pyrazinamide (MIC 3.12 µg mL-1; 25.34 µM). Therefore, the methylated derivative of compound 3β-hydroxy-copalic acid and the sodium salt of copalic acid should be considered for further studies.

Abstract Recent publications have highlighted the numerous biological activities attributed to the lignan (-)-cubebin (1), Piper cubeba L. f., Piperaceae, and ongoing studies have focused on its structural optimization, in order to obtain derivatives with greater pharmacological potential. The aim of this study was the obtainment of (1), its semisynthetic derivatives and evaluation of antibacterial activity. The extract of the seeds of P. cubeba was chromatographed, subjected to recrystallization and was analyzed by HPLC and spectrometric techniques. It was used for the synthesis of: (-)-O-methylcubebin (2), (-)-O-benzylcubebin (3), (-)-O-acetylcubebin (4), (-)-O-(N, N-dimethylamino-ethyl)-cubebin (5), (-)-hinokinin (6) and (-)-6.6'-dinitrohinokinin (7). The evaluation of the antibacterial activity has been done by broth microdilution technique for determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella nigrescens, Actinomyces naeslundii, Bacteroides fragilis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. It was possible to make an analysis regarding the relationship between structure and antimicrobial activity of derivatives against microorganisms that cause endodontic infections. The most promising were minimum inhibitory concentration =50 µg/ml against P. gingivalis by (2) and (3), and minimum inhibitory concentration =100 µg/ml against B. fragilis by (6). Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that (1) and its derivatives do not display toxicity.

Abstract Schistosomiasis, a chronic disease that affects million people worldwide, is caused by trematode flukes of the genus Schistosoma. The lack of an anti-schistosomiasis vaccine and massive monotherapy with praziquantel reinforces the need for search and development of new therapeutic drugs. Recently, we demonstrated that the essential oil of Piper cubeba L., Piperaceae, and their derivative dibenzylbutyrolactolic (-)-6,6'-dinitrohinokinin, presents in vitro and in vivo activities against Schistosoma mansoni. Here, we identified changes in the protein expression after exposure to dibenzylbutyrolactolic (-)-6,6'-dinitrohinokinin. We applied two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) to S. mansoni soluble protein extracts and observed at least 38 spots to be affected by dibenzylbutyrolactolic (-)-6,6'-dinitrohinokinin. We further identified 25 differentially expressed proteins by mass spectrometry. Enrichment for biological processes and predictive analyses of protein-protein interactions suggest that dibenzylbutyrolactolic (-)-6,6'-dinitrohinokinin targets proteins involved mainly in metabolic processes, especially carbohydrate metabolism. In summary, this study provides an interesting approach to understand the anti-parasitic activity of semi-synthetic (-)-6,6'-dinitrohinokinin a derivative compound from lignan and for the development of new therapy strategies.

A qualidade da água é muito importante para irrigação por gotejamento, pois ela escoa por pequenos bocais dos emissores, podendo ocorrer obstrução devido à deposição dos sólidos em suspensão. Portanto, antes da instalação do projeto, devem-se avaliar parâmetros de qualidade da água, para adotar medidas preventivas, evitando o risco de entupimento do sistema. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar um sistema composto por aeradores com aspersores, sobre leito de pedra, para a precipitação dos íons Fe+2e Mn+2 em tanque de decantação, e um conjunto de filtragem composto por três filtros de areia e um de disco, em sistema de irrigação localizada. O trabalho foi realizado na Fazenda Alvorada, no município de Nova Granada - SP, no período de março a outubro de 2008. Foram realizadas determinações de variáveis físicas e químicas da água, ao longo do sistema de aeração, decantação e filtragem, o qual foi eficiente para a melhoria da qualidade de água, reduzindo os níveis de risco de entupimento de severo para médio e de médio para baixo. Oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica, pH, Fe+2e Fe+3 não diferenciaram a qualidade de água entre os pontos do sistema de tratamento, porém a turbidez, sólidos dissolvidos, sólidos em suspensão, ferro total e manganês total reduziram-se significativamente pelo uso do sistema proposto, melhorando a qualidade da água.

Water quality is very important to drip irrigation, as it flows in small diameter holes, and may cause obstruction due to deposition of solid matter. Whence the water must be evaluated before installation of the project. Parameters related to water quality are essential to define conducting measures to avoid the risk of clogging the system. This study aimed to evaluate a system with sprinklers aeration on bedrock, for Fe+2and Mn total precipitation in sedimentation tank and a set of filtering consisting of three sand filters and a disk, installed in drip irrigation system. The study was conducted at Alvorada Farm, in the municipality of Nova Granada - SP, Brazil, from March to October of 2008, when the physical and chemical water analyses were made. It was concluded that: the aeration system, sedimentation and filtration were efficient for improving water quality, reducing the levels of risk of severe to medium obstruction and medium to low obstruction. The variables, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity; pH, Fe+2and Fe+3 were not significant to indicate differences of water quality among the points of the water treatment. However, the variables such as: turbidity, dissolved solids, suspended solids, total iron and Mn+2 were statistically significant for the differentiation of the water quality.

Uma investigação do controle tectônico da morfologia fluvial e dos processos sedimentares de uma área localizada a sudoeste da cidade de Manaus, na Bacia do Amazonas, foi conduzida a partir do uso de dados de sensores remotos orbitais. Nessa região, o baixo gradiente topográfico representa o principal obstáculo para a análise morfotectônica usando métodos convencionais. O uso de dados de sensores remotos pode contribuir significativamente para superar essa limitação. Desse modo, dados de sensoriamento remoto, compreendendo modelo digital de elevação (DEM) obtido pelo Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) e imagens Landsat TM, foram utilizados para essa investigação. Técnicas avançadas de processamento de imagem foram empregadas para realce de imagens topográficas e sua elaboração tridimensional, permitindo desse modo, a interpretação dos elementos morfotectônicos. Isso permitiu o reconhecimento de principais compartimentos tectônicos, diversas feições morfoestruturais e formas de relevo relacionadas à evolução neotectônica dessa porção da Bacia do Amazonas. Feições como escarpas de falha, padrão anômalo na drenagem, alinhamentos de relevo, vales e divisores d'água foram realçados nas imagens como notáveis lineamentos ao longo das direções NE-SW, NW-SE, E-W e N-S. Essas feições foram associadas à geometria de estruturas do tipo horste e gráben alternados, este último preenchido por unidades sedimentares recentes. A interpretação morfotectônica usando essa técnica mostrou-se eficiente e permitiu o reconhecimento de novas feições tectônicas as quais foram denominadas de Gráben Assimétrico Ariaú, Bacia Romboédrica de Manacapuru e Gráben Castanho-Mamori.

An investigation of the tectonic controls of the fluvial morphology and sedimentary processes of an area located southwest of Manaus in the Amazon Basin was conducted using orbital remote sensing data. In this region, low topographic gradients represent a major obstacle for morphotectonic analysis using conventional methods. The use of remote sensing data can contribute significantly to overcome this limitation. In this instance, remote sensing data comprised digital elevation model (DEM) acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and Landsat Thematic Mapper images. Advanced image processing techniques were employed for enhancing the topographic textures and providing a three-dimensional visualization, hence allowing interpretation of the morphotectonic elements. This led to the recognition of main tectonic compartments and several morphostructural features and landforms related to the neotectonic evolution of this portion of the Amazon Basin. Features such as fault scarps, anomalous drainage patterns, aligned ridges, spurs and valleys, are expressed in the enhanced images as conspicuous lineaments along NE-SW, NW-SE, E-W and N-S directions. These features are associated to the geometry of alternated horst and graben structures, the latter filled by recent sedimentary units. Morphotectonic interpretation using this approach has proven to be efficient and permitted to recognize new tectonic features that were named Asymmetric Ariaú Graben, Rombohedral Manacapuru Basin and Castanho-Mamori Graben.

Quatro ensaios foram implantados no verão para avaliar a produtividade, o florescimento prematuro e a queima-das-folhas em genótipos de cenoura conduzidos em sistema orgânico e convencional. Os ensaios foram instalados em Brazlândia e na Embrapa Hortaliças. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com oito tratamentos (genótipos Alvorada, Brasília RL, Brasília Bionatur, Kuronan, Nantes 3 Tip Top, Carandaí AG 106, Brazlândia e Pop. 0212246) e cinco repetições. Os nutrientes foram incorporados ao solo através de composto orgânico, no sistema orgânico e, fertilizantes químicos, no sistema convencional. Aos 70 dias da semeadura as plantas foram avaliadas no campo para incidência de doenças. Foi também identificada a prevalência de patógenos. A colheita foi realizada 95 dias após a semeadura. O florescimento prematuro foi mais freqüente no genótipo Brasília Bionatur, no sistema convencional, em Brazlândia. Foi observada diferença entre genótipos para queima-das-folhas nos dois sistemas. Nantes foi a mais suscetível, enquanto a Pop. 0212246 foi uma das mais resistentes nos dois sistemas de cultivo. Alternaria dauci prevaleceu em Brazlândia, enquanto Cercospora carotae foi observado em ambas as localidades, no sistema orgânico. Quanto à produção comercial e total os genótipos Pop. 0212246 e Brazlândia estiveram entre os mais produtivos, independente do sistema de cultivo. Para produtividade comercial e total, número e peso de raízes refugadas o sistema convencional apresentou resultados superiores ao orgânico. As cultivares Brasília RL, Brazlândia e a Pop. 0212246 podem ser recomendadas para plantio no período de verão, no DF, independente do sistema de cultivo. A Pop. 0212246 apresenta características agronômicas desejadas pelo mercado e poderá futuramente ser disponibilizada para produtores da região.

Four experiments were carried out with carrots genotypes during summer season in Distrito Federal, Brazil, to evaluate yield, bolting and leaf blight under organic and conventional conditions. The experiments were carried out in two locations and in each one two experiments were established, considering both crop systems. The experimental design was a random block with eight treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of the cvs. Alvorada, Brasília RL, Brasília Bionatur, Kuronan, Nantes 3 Tip Top, Carandaí AG 106, Brazlândia and Pop. 0212246. The soil was fertilized with organic compost for the organic trial and with chemical fertilizer for the conventional trial. Plants were evaluated for leaf blight incidence, 70 days after sowing date, through visual observation. Roots were harvested 95 days after sowing, washed, classified and weighted. Bolting was more frequent in Brasília Bionatur, under conventional condition, in Brazlândia. A difference of susceptibility to leaf blight among genotypes was observed in plants cultivated in the organic system. Nantes was the most susceptible while Pop. 0212246 was the most resistant. Alternaria dauci was observed more frequently at Brazlândia, while Cercospora carotae was observed at both locations, similarly, under organic conditions. For commercial and total yield, commercial and total root number, Pop. 0212246 and Brazlândia were the best materials in both crop systems. Total and commercial yield, total and commercial root number, number and weight of refused roots were higher in the conventional area, compared to the organic area. Brasília and Brazlândia can be recommended for Distrito Federal, independently of crop system, during summer season. Pop. 0212246 showed desirable agronomical characteristics and can be, in the future, available for farmers in Distrito Federal.

Foi avaliado o efeito de benzoilfenilureas na reprodução de machos e fêmeas de Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Larvas de 3° ínstar foram tratadas com lufenuron e flufenoxuron por ingestão e contato (DL60). A sobrevivência dos exemplares foi acompanhada até o estágio adulto. Adultos foram acasalados em várias combinações dos diversos tratamentos. Em todas as combinações foi avaliado o número de espermatóforos, a fecundidade das fêmeas e a percentagem de eclosão(viabilidade de ovos). Foi observada uma pequena alteração (entre 1 e 1,5) no número de espermatóforos nos dois tipos de tratamentos, especialmente nas combinações em que os machos eram procedentes de larvas tratadas. A fecundidade das fêmeas e a porcentagem de larvas eclodidas decresceu (cerca de 45% e 30% ) quando machos e fêmeas procediam de larvas tratadas com lufenuron e flufenoxuron.

The effect of benzoilfenylureas on the reproduction of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) was studied. Third instar larvae were treated with either lufenuron or flufenoxuron by ingestion and contact (DL60 rate). The surviving larvae were observed until the adult stage. Adult males and females were mated in different combinations between treated and untreated individuals. The following variables were studied: average number of spermatophore, female fecundity and percentage of ecloded larvae (egg viability). A small change in spermatophore number (ca. 1 to 1.5) was noted specially in the combinations where males were obtained from treated larvae. The percentage of fecundity of females and hatched larvae decreased (ca. 45% and 30%) when both sexes were obtained from larvae treated with lufenuron and flufenoxuron.