Abstract Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi green fruits essential oil (EO) was evaluated regarding its phytochemical profile, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, and toxicity. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was applied to identify its constituents, thereafter the minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations, and its antibiofilm activity were evaluated. The EO cytotoxicity was assessed in tumor and non-tumor human cells, and in vivo toxicity was evaluated in a Galleria mellonella model. The major constituents of S. terebinthifolia EO were alpha-phellandrene and beta-phellandrene. The EO had a weak activity against all strains of Candida albicans (MIC 1000μg/mL) and had no activity against non-albicans strains, bacteria, and C. albicans biofilm. Cytostatic activity against all tumor cell lines was shown. Additionally, cell viability remained at EO concentrations up to 62.5 μg/mL. At 16 mg/mL, 50% hemolysis was observed, and it had low toxicity in vivo. Overall, the S. terebinthifolia EO was characterized by low antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, with no evidence of toxicity to human tumor and non-tumor cells.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the antifungal, antibiofilm and antiproliferative activities of the extract from the leaves of Guapira graciliflora Mart. The phytochemical characterization of the extract was performed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the extract and its fractions was evaluated using the broth microdilution method against species of Candida. The inhibition of C. albicans biofilm was evaluated based on the number of colony-forming units (CFU) and metabolic activity (MTT). The antiproliferative activity of the extract and its fraction was evaluated in the presence of human tumor and non-tumor cells, and the cytotoxicity of the extract was determined on the RAW 264.7 macrophage line – both using the sulforhodamine B method. The phytochemical characterization indicated the presence of the flavonoids rutin and kaempferol. The extract and the methanol fraction exhibited moderate antifungal activity against C. albicans, C. krusei, and C. glabrata, and strong activity against C. dubliniensis. In the biofilms at 24 and 48 hours, the concentration of 12500 µg/mL of the extract was the most effective at reducing the number of CFU s/mL (44.4% and 42.9%, respectively) and the metabolic activity of C. albicans cells (34.6% and 52%, respectively). The extract and its fractions had no antiproliferative effect on the tumor lines tested, with mean activity (log GI50) equal to or greater than 1.71 µg/mL. Macrophage cell viability remained higher than 80% for concentrations of the extract of up to 62.5 µg/mL. G. graciliflora has flavonoids in its chemical composition and demonstrates potential antifungal and antibiofilm activity, with no evidence of a significant change in the viability of human tumor and non-tumor cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: Newborn infants are the most heavily transfused population inside intensive care units. The hemoglobin level used to indicate the need of transfusions is not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate transfusional practices in newborns in the neonatal intensive care units of one specific city.METHODS: Red blood cell transfusion practices of all transfused newborns in all five of the neonatal intensive care units of the city were analyzed. Data are reported as descriptive statistics, including numbers and percentages and means and standard deviation. Univariate analysis, followed by stepwise logistic regression was performed in respect to transfusional data and outcomes.RESULTS: A total of 949 patients were admitted to the intensive care units during the 12-month study period with 20.9% receiving at least one transfusion, most (62.4%) of whom received more than one transfusion. The mean number of transfusions per infant was 2.7 ± 2.16; in the liberal transfusion group the mean number was 1.59 ± 1.63 and in the restrictive group it was 1.08 ± 1.51. The mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were 9.0 g/dL (±1.4 g/dL) and 27.4% (±4.3%), respectively. The most common indications for blood transfusions were sepsis and prematurity.CONCLUSION: This study shows that the characteristics and the transfusion practices for newborns admitted in the neonatal intensive care units of Juiz de Fora are similar to recent pubications. There was no significant reduction in the number of transfusions per child in the restrictive group compared to the liberal group. Restrictive transfusions are an independent risk factor for peri-intraventricular hemorrhages and death.

O estudo fitoquímico das raízes de Dahlstedtia glaziovii (Fabaceae) forneceu um novo dibenzoilmetano (glaziovione), juntamente com dezoito compostos conhecidos. Suas estruturas foram determinadas através de métodos espectroscópicos de ressonância magnética nuclear (NMR) 1D e 2D (correlação heteronuclear única quântica, HSQC, e correlação heteronuclear de múltipla ligação, HMBC) e espectrometria de massas de alta resolução (HRMS). A atividade antiproliferativa foi investigada para os extratos, para os dibenzoilmetanos 2'-metóxi-8-(α-α-dimetilalil)-furano-[4",5":3',4']-dibenzoilmetano, 3,4-metilenodioxi-2'-metóxi-8-(α-α-dimetilalil)-furano-[4",5":3',4']-dibenzoilmetano e pongamol, e para as flavonas lanceolatina B, karanjina, pongapina e 3',4'-metilenodioxi-2",2"-dimetilpirano-[5",6":8,7]-flavona. Os dibenzoilmetanos foram mais ativos do que as flavonas. A atividade antimicrobiana foi investigada para os extratos, sendo que estes não se apresentaram ativos.

A phytochemical study of roots of Dahlstedtia glaziovii (Fabaceae) furnished a new dibenzoylmethane (glaziovione), along with eighteen known compounds. Their structures were determined through 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (heteronuclear single quantum coherence, HSQC, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, HMBC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) spectral analyses. The antiproliferative activity was investigated for the crude extracts, the dibenzoylmethanes 2'-methoxy-8-(α-α-dimethylallyl)-furano-[4",5":3',4']-dibenzoylmethane, 3,4-methylenedioxy-2'-methoxy-8-(α-α-dimethylallyl)-furano-[4",5":3',4']-dibenzoylmethane and pongamol, and the flavones lanceolatin B, karanjin, pongapin and 3',4'-methylenedioxy-2",2"-dimethylpyrano-[5",6":8,7]-flavone. The dibenzoylmethanes were more active than the flavones.The extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial effects, but none was shown to be active.

Arrabidaea chica (H&B) Verlot is a plant popularly known as Pariri and this species is a known source of anthocyanins, flavonoids and tannins. This report describes an approach involving enzymatic treatment prior to extraction procedures to enhance A chica crude extract anticancer activity. Anticancer activity in human cancer cell lines in vitro using a 48 h SRB cell viability assay was performed to determine growth inhibition and cytotoxic properties. The final extraction yield without enzyme treatment was higher (24.28%) compared to the enzyme-treated material (19.03%), with an enhanced aglycones anthocyanin ratio as determined by HPLC- DAD and LC-MS with direct infusion.

O estudo fitoquímico das cascas de Guatteria blepharophylla (Mart.) Mart. forneceu 12 compostos, sendo dois sesquiterpenos, óxido de cariofileno (1) e espatulenol (3), uma xantona, liquexantona (2), uma mistura de esteróides, β-sitosterol (4) e estigmasterol (5), e sete alcalóides isoquinolínicos, O-metilmoschatolina (6), lysicamina (7), nornuciferina (8), liriodenina (9), isocoreximina (10), subsessilina (11) e isomoschatolina (12). Suas estruturas foram determinadas através de métodos espectroscópicos. Os compostos 1-6, 11 e 12 são reportados pela primeira vez nesta espécie. Os dados de RMN 13C (ressonância magnética nuclear) para os compostos 11 e 12 são descritos pela primeira vez na literatura. As atividades antiproliferativa em linhagens de células tumorais humanas e antimicrobiana foram investigadas para os compostos majoritários. O composto 9 mostrou significativa atividade contra linhagens de células de mama (MCF-7, Michigan Cancer Foundation-7), superior ao controle positivo doxorrubicina. O composto 12 apresentou atividade antifúngica similar ao controle positivo nistatina contra Candida albicans

Phytochemical study of the bark of Guatteria blepharophylla (Mart.) Mart. afforded twelve compounds, namely two sesquiterpenes, caryophyllene oxide (1) and spathulenol (3), one xanthone, lichexanthone (2), a mixture of steroids, β-sitosterol (4), and stigmasterol (5), and seven isoquinoline alkaloids, O-methylmoschatoline (6), lysicamine (7), nornuciferine (8), liriodenine (9), isocoreximine (10), subsessiline (11), and isomoschatoline (12). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-6, 11 and 12 were reported for the first time in this species. The 13C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) data for the compounds 11 and 12 are described for the first time in the literature. The antiproliferative activity against human tumour cell lines and antimicrobial activities were investigated for the major compounds. Compound 9 showed significant activity against cell lines of breast (MCF-7, Michigan Cancer Foundation-7), superior to the positive control doxorubicin. Compound 12 presented antifungal activity similar to the positive control nystatin against Candida albicans.

In this study, we investigate the antimicrobial effects of a mixture of a biosurfactant from Bacillus subtilis and an alkaline lipase from Fusarium oxysporum (AL/BS mix) on several types of microorganisms, as well as their abilities to remove Listeria innocua ATCC 33093 biofilm from stainless steel coupons. The AL/BS mix had a surface tension of around 30 mN.m-1, indicating that the presence of alkaline lipase did not interfere in the surface activity properties of the tensoactive component. The antimicrobial activity of the AL/BS mix was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) micro-assays. Among all the tested organisms, the presence of the mixture only affected the growth of B. subtilis CCT 2576, B. cereus ATCC 10876 and L. innocua. The most sensitive microorganism was B. cereus (MIC 0.013 mg.mL-1). In addition, the effect of the sanitizer against L. innocua attached to stainless steel coupons was determined by plate count after vortexing. The results showed that the presence of the AL/BS mix improved the removal of adhered cells relative to treatment done without the sanitizer, reducing the count of viable cells by 1.72 log CFU.cm-2. However, there was no significant difference between the sanitizers tested and an SDS detergent standard (p<0.05).

The use of antibiotics in agriculture is limited when compared to their applications in human and veterinary medicine. On the other hand, the use of antimicrobials in agriculture contributes to the drug resistance of human pathogens and has stimulated the search for new antibiotics from natural products. Essential oils have been shown to exert several biological activities including antibacterial and antifungal actions. The aim of this study was to determine the activity of 28 essential oils from medicinal plants cultivated at CPMA (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Collection), CPQBA/UNICAMP, against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc., the anthracnose agent in yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg), as well as evaluating their effect in the control of post-harvest decay. The oils were obtained by water-distillation using a Clevenger-type system and their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined by the micro-dilution method. According to the results, 15 of the 28 essential oils presented activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and the following four oils presented MIC values between 0.25 and 0.3 mg/mL: Coriandrum sativum, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Lippia alba. The evaluation of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in the control of post-harvest decay in yellow passion fruit showed that the disease index of the samples treated with the essential oil did not differ (P < 0.05) from that of the samples treated with fungicide. The present study shows the potential of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in the control of the anthracnose agent in yellow passion fruit.

The production of manganese peroxidase (MnP) from Bacillus pumilus and Paenibacillus sp. was studied under absence and presence of the inducers indulin AT, guayacol, veratryl alcohol, lignosulfonic acid and lignosulfonic acid desulfonated. Indulin AT increased the activity of B. pumilus MnP up to 31.66 U/L after 8 h, but no improve was observed for Paenibacillus sp., which reached maximum activity (12.22 U/L) after 20 h. Both MnPs produced by these microorganisms were purified in phenyl sepharose resin and the proteins from crude extracts were eluted in two fractions. However, only the first fraction of each extract exhibited MnP activities. Tests in different pH and temperature values, from pH 5.0 to pH 10.0 and 30 ºC to 60 ºC, respectively, were carried out with the purified MnP. The maximum activity reached for B. pumilus and Paenibacillus sp. MnPs were 4.3 U/L at pH 8.0 and 25 ºC and 11.74 U/L at pH 9.0 and 35 ºC, respectively. The molar masses determined by SDS-PAGE gel eletrophoresis were 25 kDa and 40 kDa, respectively, for the purified enzyme from B. pumilus and Paenibacillus sp.

Bacillus pumilus e Paenibacillus sp. foram aplicados separadamente no efluente da indústria papeleira a pH 7,0, 9,0 e 11,0, para verificação da remoção da cor e da DQO. As remoções da cor real e DQO após 48h a pH 9,0 foram, respectivamente, de 41,87% e 22,08% após o tratamento com B. pumilus e 42,30% e 22,89% após tratamento com Paenibacillus sp. As massas molares dos compostos presentes no efluente não tratado e tratado foram determinadas por cromatografia de permeação em gel. O emprego dos microrganismos reduziu os compostos responsáveis pela cor do efluente da indústria papeleira.

Bacillus pumilus and Paenibacillus sp. were applied on the paper mill effluent to investigate the colour remotion. Inocula were individually applied in effluent at pH 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0. The real colour and COD remotion after 48h at pH 9.0 were, respectively, 41.87% and 22.08% for B. pumilus treatment and 42.30% and 22.89% for Paenibacillus sp. Gel permeation chromatography was used to verify the molar masses of compounds in the non-treated and treated effluent, showing a decrease in the compounds responsible for the paper mill effluent colour.

bicyclogermacrene (35.12%), (E)-caryophyllene (14.19%) and α-copaene (8.19%). The antimicrobial and antileishmanial activities were investigated. The oil showed potent antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Rhodococcus equi. The oil also showed significant antileishmanial activity, giving the best results against Leishmania guyanensis. A preliminary cytotoxicity assay for this oil was carried out on hamster and mice (Balb/c) peritoneal macrophages. The results obtained were similar to pentamidine and considered not to be cytotoxic to macrophages.

Água residuária da indústria cítrica foi utilizada como objeto de estudo de biodegradação através de um sistema de lodo ativado por batelada. As análises realizadas por CG/EM mostraram que os compostos provenientes do óleo de laranja como o limoneno, foram resistentes a biodegradação. A avaliação microbiológica realizada no decorrer do período mostrou que o número e tipo de colônias bacterianas variaram de acordo com o tempo, e pode ser observada uma sucessão de microrganismos durante a biodegradação do efluente cítrico. O microrganismo identificado como LAB-9 (Pseudomonas struzieri) e LAB-7 (não identificado) prevaleceram durante todo o processo, sugerindo que estes são organismos importantes para remoção da matéria orgânica no processo ou são melhores adaptados ao tipo de água residuária. O sistema de lodo ativado foi eficiente na redução de DBO e DQO, alcançando valores de 79 e 78% respectivamente, num período de 15 h de reação, com uma relação F/M 4:2.

Wastewater from citric industry was used to biodegradation study through an activated sludge system. The analyses accomplished by CG/MSD showed that compounds of the orange oil as the limoneno, was resistant to biodegradation. The microbiological evaluation developed during the biodegradation period showed that the number and type of bacteria present in the system varied according to the time, and a succession of microorganisms can be observed. The microrganism identified as LAB-9 (Pseudomonas struzieri) and LAB-7 (not identified) prevailed during whole the process, suggesting that they were the main responsible for the removal of the organic matter or the better adapted to the type of wastewater. The system of activated sludge was efficient in the reduction of DBO and DQO, reaching values of 79 and 78%, respectively, in a period of 15 h, with a relationship F/M 4:2.

Sete dicetopiperazinas, correspondentes aos ciclos (L)-Pro-(L)-Phe, (L)-Pro-Gly, (L)-Pro-(L)-Pro, (L)-Pro-(L)-Val, (L)-4-OH-Pro-(L)-Leu, (L)-4-OH-Pro-(L)-Phe e (L)-Pro-(L)-Leu, foram isoladas do caldo da cultura do fungo Aspergillus fumigatus. As estereoquímicas relativas e absolutas foram determinadas, respectivamente, com base nos experimentos de NOESY e através de modificação do método de Marfey em CLAE.

Seven diketopiperazines, corresponding to the cyclos (L)-Pro-(L)-Phe, (L)-Pro-Gly, (L)-Pro-(L)-Pro, (L)-Pro-(L)-Val, (L)-4-OH-Pro-(L)-Leu, (L)-4-OH-Pro-(L)-Phe, and (L)-Pro-(L)-Leu, were isolated from the Aspergillus fumigatus fermentation broth. The relative and absolute stereochemistries were determined on the basis of NOESY experiments and by using a modified version of Marfey's method using HPLC, respectively.

Óleos essenciais foram obtidos a partir das partes aéreas de Mentha piperita, M. spicata, Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare, O. applii, Aloysia triphylla, Ocimum gratissimum e O. basilicum através de arraste de vapor em sistema tipo Clevenger. Os óleos foram avaliados quanto à atividade antimicrobiana contra bactérias e contra a levedura Candida albicans pelo método de bioautografia. A concentração mínima inibitória dos óleos com atividade positiva foi em seguida determinada pelo método da microdiluição. De acordo com os resultados, a maioria dos óleos essenciais estudados foram efetivos contra Enterococcus faecium e Salmonella cholerasuis. A.triphylla e O. basilicum apresentaram inibição moderada contra Staphylococcus aureus enquanto apenas A. tryphila e M. piperita foram capazes de inibir a levedura Candida albicans. Os óleos foram analisados quimicamente por técnicas de CG e CG-EM de modo a determinar os compostos majoritários presentes.

Essential oils from aerial parts of Mentha piperita, M. spicata, Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare, O. applii, Aloysia triphylla, Ocimum gratissimum, O. basilicum were obtained by steam destillation using a Clevenger-type system. These oils were screened for antibacterial and anti-Candida albicans activity using bioautographic method. Subsequently, minimal inhibitory concentration from oils was determined by microdilution method. Most essential oil studied were effective against Enterococcus faecium and Salmonella cholerasuis. Aloysia triphylla and O. basilicum presented moderate inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus while only A. tryphila and M. piperita were able to control the yeast Candida albicans. The oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS techniques in order to determine the majoritary compounds.

Xilanases alcalinas produzidas por quatro diferentes linhagens de Bacillus pumilus foram caracterizadas. O pH e temperatura ótimos para máxima atividade enzimática foram pH 9.0 e 60ºC para o isolado 13a, e pH 8.0 e 55ºC para os isolados 5(2), 5(14) e 4a. Nessas condições, as seguintes atividades foram encontradas após 10 min na presença de 1% de xilana (bétula): 328 U.ml-1, 131 U.ml-1, 90 U.ml-1 e 167 U.ml-1, respectivamente, para os quatro isolados. As enzimas foram estáveis à 40ºC, com 40% de atividade remanescente de xilanase após 2 horas para as enzimas do isolado 5(2) e 60% para os outros três isolados. Estabilidade a 50ºC foi melhorada com a adição de glicerol. Considerando-se as condições em que as polpas kraft são branqueadas durante a fabricação de papel, as xilanases de B. pumilus mostraram potencial favorável para aplicação no branqueamento no processo de fabricação de papel.

Alkaline xylanases produced by four different strains of Bacillus pumilus were characterized. The optimal pH and temperature were pH 9.0 and 60ºC for strain 13a, and pH 8.0 and 55ºC for strains 5(2), 5(14), and 4a. Under these conditions the following activities were found after 10 min in the presence of 1% xylan (birchwood): 328 U.ml-1, 131 U.ml-1, 90 U.ml-1, and 167 U.ml-1, respectively, for the four strains. The enzymes were stable at 40ºC, with 40% of the xylanase activity remaining after 2 hours for the enzymes of strain 5(2) and 60% for the other three strains. Stability at 50ºC was improved by addition of glycerol. Taking into account the conditions under which kraft pulps are bleached during the manufacture of paper, xylanases from B. pumilus exhibit favorable potential for application to bleaching in the paper making process.