Correlations and Path Analysis in Segregating Cowpea Generations Regarding Biological Nitrogen Fixation

The objective of this research was to evaluate the correlations between variables related to the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in segregating generations of cowpea and to unfold these correlations in direct and indirect effects, through path analysis. An outdoor bench experiment was conducted at Carpina Experimental Sugarcane Station of, located at the Zona da Mata region of the State of the Pernambuco, Northeast of Brazil (Federal Rural University of Pernambuco), between March and April 2016. The seeds were planted in 20 cm × 30 cm polyethylene bags, using a substrate composed of a mixture of vermiculite and sand washed in a ratio of 1:1. Bradyrhizobium references, recommended for culture, were used as a mixture of two strains. Parental and F2, F3 and F4 generations were evaluated in a randomized block design with four replicates. Data collection was performed 45 days after the emergency (DAE). Phenotypic correlations and path analysis of the number of nodules per plant (NN), nodules dry mass (NDM), dry roots mass (DRM), dry mass of aerial part (DMAP), nodulation efficiency (NODE) and nitrogen accumulated in the aerial part (NAAP). The phenotypic correlations between the variables related to the BNF showed high magnitudes, demonstrating that there is a great influence of each of the variables on the others, furthermore the path analysis of the coefficients indicated that all the primary components (NN, NDM, DRM, DMAP and NODE) must be considered when it is desired to increase the NAAP in segregating generations of cowpea.

In Vitro Morphophysiological Responses of Alternanthera Tenella Colla (Amaranthaceae) to Stress Induced by Cadmium and the Attenuating Action of Silicon

Despite having the ability to bioaccumulate trace elements such as cadmium (Cd), many species also present morphophysiological disorders that can hamper their use as phytoremediation plants. Since it can lead to alterations in biomass accumulation. The employment of elements that mitigate stress, such as silicon (Si), can diminish the deleterious effects caused by trace elements. The objective of this study was to analyze the anatomical and physiological modulations induced by the synergy between Cd and Si in Alternanthera tenella plants, as well as to elucidate whether Si can mitigate the harmful effects caused by Cd under in vitro conditions. Nodal segments were cultured in media containing a concentration gradient of Cd (0, 50, 100, or 200 μM) combined with two levels of Si (0 or 40 μM) for a total of eight treatments. After 34 days, the plants' anatomy, physiology, and tolerance index were analyzed. The plants presented anatomical adjustments (such as lower stomatal index and number of vessel elements), suggesting lower translocation of Cd to the aerial part. When cultured with 200 μM Cd, the plants presented the lowest Chl a/b ratio. In the presence of Si, the decline of this ratio was smaller. Plants exposed to Cd concentrations of 50 μM without Si presented a significant decrease in the performance of the photosynthetic apparatus and tolerance index. The presence of Si in the medium reduced the damages caused by cadmium to the plants' physiology, resulting in greater growth and higher tolerance to this element.

An Integrated NMR, LC-DAD-MS, LC-QTOF Metabolomic Characterization of Sartoria hedysaroides: Correlation of Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activity with Chemical Composition by Multivariate Data Analysis

Sartoria hedysaroides Boiss and Heldr. (Fabaceae) is an endemic plant of Turkey that has received little scientific consideration so far. In the present study, the chemical profiles of extracts from the aerial part and roots of S. hedysaroides obtained using solvents with different polarities were analyzed combining integrated NMR, LC-DAD-MSn, and LC-QTOF methods. In vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities were evaluated, and the results were combined with chemical data using multivariate approaches. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, ellagitannins, and coumarins were identified and quantified in the extracts of aerial part and roots. Methanolic extract of S. hedysaroides aerial part showed the highest phenolic content and the highest antioxidant activity and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity. Dichloromethane extract of S. hedysaroides roots showed the highest inhibition of butyryl cholinesterase, while methanolic extract of S. hedysaroides aerial part was the most active tyrosinase inhibitor. Multivariate data analysis allowed us to observe a good correlation between phenolic compounds, especially caffeoylquinic derivatives and flavonoids and the antioxidant activity of extracts. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition was correlated with the presence of caffeoylquinic acids and coumarins. Overall, the present study appraised the biological potential of understudied S. hedysaroides, and provided a comprehensive approach combining metabolomic characterization of plant material and multivariate data analysis for the correlation of chemical data with results from multi-target biological assays.

Bioactivity Evaluation of Leucas zeylanica and its Phytochemicals

Leucas zeylanica belongs to the Lamiaceae family has high medicinal value. The phytochemicals screening results showed that terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols and alkaloids are present in aerial part of L. zeylanica.Vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) and column chromatography (CC) techniques were used in fractionation and purification of the crude extracts.

Evaluation of the effect of inactivation by microwave and autoclave in homeopathic medicines

Background: The Brazilian Pharmacopoeia defines the sterilization process as a "method" intended to remove or destroy all forms of life, animal or plant, macroscopic or microscopic, saprophytic or not, present in the product concerned, without ensuring the complete inactivation of toxins or cellular enzymes. Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging between 300MHz (300x106 Hz) and 300 GHz (300x109 Hz) and wavelengths from 1 m to 1 mm[1]. They are waves that lie within the region between TV waves and the infrared region within the spectrum of electromagnetic waves. According to the Technical Standards Textbook for Homeopathic Pharmacy, glass tubes may be reused after washed with running and purified water and inactivated by autoclaving at 120oC for 30 minutes or by a dry air buffer at 180oC for 30 minutes or at 140oC for 1 hour [2]. Aims: Current experiment evaluates the influence of ultra-diluted Sulphur with and without inactivation by autoclaving and microwaving for certain variables in the germination and growth of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench - cv TX623B). Methodology: Ten milliliters of Sulphur in homeopathic dinamizations (proposed by Hering - DH) 9DH, 18DH and 30DH inactivated by microwave and by autoclave heat, and control with water, were added to petri dishes in which 20 sorghum seeds were distributed. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber (BOD) at 25oC and during a 16-h photoperiod. Double-blind methodology to avoid researcher’s possible interferences or trends, coupled to statistic treatment at the end of the experiment, was employed. Data underwent variance analysis and means were compared by Scott-Knott’s test at 5% probability. Results: Homeopathy Sulphur changed the evaluated parameters of 9DH, 18 DH and 30 DH dinamizations when compared to control (water). Differences existed with regard to effects of the different microwave-treated (M9DH, M18DH, M30DH) and autoclaving-treated (A9DH, A18DH, A30DH) dinamizations. Sulphur had no significant difference in the aerial length (CPA) when compared with that of control. In the case of the same homeopathic treatments previously undergoing autoclaving, the three dinamizations had a similar response to CPA. The same occurred with drugs submitted to microwaves. With regard to root’s growth (CSR), treatment with Sulphur inhibited growth in the dinamizations 18 DH and 30 DH when compared to control. This did not occur with 9 DH which had the same effect as that of water. In the case of groups treated with medicines 30 DH and 9DH undergoing microwaves, the same effect of water was reported. Consequently, microwaves inactivated the effect of homeopathic medicine. However, in 18DH under the effect of microwaves, the effect of drug 18DH was reported. Consequently, there was growth inhibition but no inactivation by microwaves. In the case of groups treated with autoclaved medicine, a greater root growth was reported. This fact shows that autoclaving altered the homeopathic medicine. In fact, it had an opposite effect when compared to control. On the other hand, when Fresh Root Weight was evaluated, differences in control were reported only for groups treated with autoclaved medicines. These results were similar to those of the group treated with medicine 18DH. An increase in the fresh root weight was reported agreeing with a greater root growth. Results related to the aerial part and to the root of the dry mass failed to show any significant difference among the groups. Conclusions: Results show that different physiological responses are produced posterior to the employment of homeopathic medicine, sometimes stimulating, sometimes inhibiting root growth . The aerial part was not influenced by any treatment. On the other hand, autoclaved medicines stimulated root growth[3] [4]. This fact shows changes in the homeopathic medicine under humid heat. Microwave treatments showed an inactivation for 9DH and 30DH, but not for 18DH. The latter had the same results as those treated with Sulphur 18DH. The above results suggest that microwaves may inactivate homeopathic medicines, albeit not entirely. Therefore, it may not be a reliable inactivation methodology.

DIAGNOSE NUTRICIONAL E ÍNDICES FOTOSSINTÉTICOS DE ERVA-MATE SOB DIFERENTES NÍVEIS DE ADUBAÇÃO COM ZINCO

A deficiência de zinco representa um problema de saúde pública. Uma das estratégias para melhorar essa questão consiste em biofortificação agronômica. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar o teor de Zn na parte aérea (folhas e ramos) e o limite crítico de Zn para plantas de erva-mate submetidas a adubação com sulfato de Zn. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação no município de Lages. Foi utilizado Cambissolo Háplico Distrófico Típico, o qual foi submetido a análise química (Tedesco et al., 1995) e granulométrica (EMBRAPA, 1997). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado. As unidades experimentais foram compostas por vasos contendo 6 kg de solo, cinco doses de Zn (0, 100, 200, 300 e 400 mg.kg-1) e sete repetições, totalizando 35 unidades experimentais. Foram realizadas análises antes da colheita (Índice SPAD, altura e Infrared Gas Analyser - IRGA) e análises após a colheita (peso fresco e seco de parte aérea, teor de Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Zn na folha). Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância, com normalidade testada pelo teste de Shapiro-Wilk e a homogeneidade de variâncias pelo teste de Levenne, a nível de significância de 5%. A aplicação de doses crescentes de Zn ao solo resultou em aumento do teor de Zn na parte aérea de forma linear. O teor médio de Zn na folha variou de 27 mg kg-1 na ausência de aplicação de Zn a 883 mg kg-1 na dose aplicado de 400 mg kg-1. Não houve diferença estatística para massa fresca, seca de parte aérea, índice SPAD, altura, condutância estomática e transpiração indicando ausência de estresse oxidativo. Não foi possível calcular o limite crítico de Zn para erva-mate. Palavras-chave: biofortificação agronômica; Cambissolo; Ilex paraguariensis. Diagnose yerba mate nutritional and photosynthetic indices under different levels of zinc fertilization ABSTRACT: Zinc deficiency represents a public health problem. One of the strategies to improve this issue is agronomic biofortification. The objective of this research was to evaluate the Zn content in the aerial part (leaves and branches) and the critical limit of Zn for yerba mate plants submitted to fertilization with Zn sulfate. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in the municipality of Lages. A typical Dystrophic Cambisol was used, which was subjected to chemical (Tedesco et al., 1995) and granulometric (EMBRAPA, 1997) analysis. The experimental design used was completely randomized. The experimental units were composed of pots containing 6 kg of soil, five doses of Zn (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg.kg-1) and seven replications, totaling 35 experimental units. Analyzes were performed before harvesting (SPAD Index, height and Infrared Gas Analyzer - IRGA) and analyzes after harvesting (fresh and dry aerial weight, and Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Zn content in the leaf). The data were submitted to analysis of variance, with normality tested by the Shapiro-Wilk test and homogeneity of variances by the Levenne test, at a significance level of 5%. The application of increasing doses of Zn to the soil resulted in a linear increase in the Zn content in the aerial part. The average Zn content in the leaf varied from 27 mg kg-1 in the absence of Zn application to 883 mg kg-1 at the applied dose of 400 mg kg-1. There was no statistical difference for fresh, dry shoot weight, SPAD index, height, stomatal conductance and perspiration indicating absence of oxidative stress. It was not possible to calculate the critical limit of Zn for yerba mate. Keywords: biofortification agronomic; Cambisol; Ilex paraguariensis.

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE FRACTIONS OF THE AERIAL PART OF CULTIVATED CHICORY AND THEIR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a biennial or perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, growing in the Russian Federation under natural conditions in meadows, forest glades, grassy slopes, as well as on wastelands, fields, overgrown dumps and roadsides. Along with the wild-growing chicory, breeding varieties of cultivated plants are also known, intended for obtaining roots, while the aboveground part, which is a root rosette of leaves, is a production waste. The purpose of this study was to study the qualitative composition and antioxidant properties of biologically active substances (BAS) of the aerial part of cultivated chicory and to assess the potential for using secondary raw materials of this plant in the pharmaceutical industry for obtaining medicines. As a result of the study by HPLC-UV-MS / MS, it was found that the phenolic complex of the aerial part of the cultivated chicory is represented by phenol carboxylic acids - esters of caffeic, ferulic, coumaric acids with organic acids (quinic and tartaric) in various combinations; trace amounts of oxycoumarins (chicoriin); flavonoids (glycosides of quercetin, luteolin and isorhamnetin). The study of the antioxidant properties of BAS fractions of different polarity showed that the ethyl acetate fraction has the highest activity. It was found that the main dominant compound of this fraction is cichoric acid, which suggests that it is this metabolite that makes a decisive contribution to the antioxidant activity of the fraction and the extract as a whole.