The aim of this study was to determine the influence of substituents in aromatic ring and the side chain of safrole on the antioxidant capacity and toxicity of twelve synthetic derivatives of safrole (S1-S12). Each compound was analyzed by two antioxidant methods: DPPH and bleaching of β-carotene (DBC). Among the derivates of safrol assayed, S5, S6, S9, S10 and S11 showed the strongest antioxidant capacity: DPPH method, first order specific rate constant (0.0152, 0.0211, 0.0432, 0.0317 and 0.0072) and DBC (22.41 ± 0.13%, 10.71 ± 0.05 %, 9.12 ± 0.89 %, 30.97 ± 0.92 % and 19.08 ± 0.31 %), respectively. The toxicity of the active compounds was evaluated by means of two techniques, Artemia salina, LD50 (4466 ± 1057 ppm, 630 ± 108 ppm, 1513 ± 797 ppm, 1585 ± 317 ppm, 1259 ± 242 ppm) and red cells, Haemolysis (1.58 ± 0.98%, 4.02 ± 2.03%, 8.42 ± 1.38%, 2.59 ± 2.31%, 2.92 ± 0.52%), to provide preliminary information that can be used as a basis for further studies to contribute to the search for new antioxidants.

In this work, the effect of copper and zinc on green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata was evaluated through catalase activity, lipid peroxidation by TBARS essay, growth rate, and the chlorophyll-a concentration. Catalase activity increased significantly (P < 0.05) in comparison to the control at 0.1 mg L-1 copper and 0.075 mg L-1 zinc, whereas the damage to the cell membrane expressed as nmols/10(6)cell of malondialdehyde increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.025 mg L-1 copper and 0.1 mg L-1 zinc. On the other hand, a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in chlorophyll-a concentration was found at 0.075 mg L-1 of both metals. The results showed that catalase activity, lipid peroxidation, and chlorophyll-a concentration were more sensitive to metals than the growth rate.

En este trabajo, se evaluó el efecto del cobre y zinc en la alga verde Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata a través de la actividad catalasa, peroxidación lipídica por el ensayo TBARS, tasa de crecimiento y concentración de clorofila-a. La actividad catalasa aumentó significativamente (P < 0,05) en comparación al control en 0,1 mg L-1 y 0,075 mg L-1 de cobre y zinc respectivamente, mientras que el daño en la membrana celular expresado en nanomols/10(6) células de malondialdehído aumentó significativamente en 0,025 mg L-1 y 0,1 mg L-1 de cobre y zinc respectivamente. Por otra parte, hubo una disminución significativa (P < 0,05) en la concentración de clorofila-a en ambos metales a 0,075 mgL-1. Los resultados mostrados en actividad catalasa, peroxidación lipídica y concentración de clorofila-a son parámetros más sensibles que la tasa de crecimiento a los metales.

Copper toxicity in soil was evaluated using biomarkers of oxidative stress (catalase enzyme activity, superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation) in the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Agricultural topsoils from mining areas of the Aconcagua river basin were collected. Total copper concentrations were in the range of 94-959 mg kg-1, while the exchangeable copper concentrations were in the range of 46-2225 µg kg-1. Earthworms exposed to soil with exchangeable copper concentrations above 32 µg kg-1 showed an increase in catalase activity. Parameters of antioxidant activity were more sensitive than the weight change and thus can be used as appropriate biomarkers in Eisenia foetida.

In this investigation antioxidant response and toxicity of metals in receiving water effluent miner in the Blanco river in Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata was assessed. The catalase activity, lipid damage through Tbars, the growth rate of was determined. The result showed an inhibition of the growth rate of P. subcapitata which correlated with increased catalase activity and the lipid liperoxidation. These responses were correlated with the concentrations of copper and iron.

In the lichen Acarospora schleicheri collected in altitudinal gradients at 18°S, 19°S, and 33°S in alpine zones of Chile, the concentrations of rhizocarpic acid were determined and compared. Significant increments in the accumulation of rhizocarpic acid were observed at the highest altitudes and they were correlated with the increasing UV-B radiation levels in the selected gradients. The results obtained suggest that the synthesis of rhizocarpic acid is induced by UV-B radiation, and that this lichen compound represents a chemical adaptation to the high levels of UV-B radiation in lichen habitats

En la especie liquénica Acarospora schleicheri, recolectada en gradientes altitudinales a 18º, 19º y 33º Lat. S, en zonas alpinas de Chile, se determinaron y compararon las concentraciones de ácido rizocárpico. Se observaron incrementos significativos en la acumulación del metabolito con la altura s.n.m. y el aumento en los niveles de radiación UV-B en los gradientes seleccionados. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que la síntesis de ácido rizocárpico es inducida por la radiación UV-B y que su presencia representa una adaptación química frente a los elevados niveles de radiación UV-B en los habitats de esta especie liquénica.