CONDENSED TANNINS OF THE SPECIES PINUS TAEDA: EXTRACTION, CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL FORMULATION OF WOOD BIOADHESIVE

The species Pinus taeda was evaluated as a source of condensed tannins for the potential formulation of phenolic adhesives from the extraction of the wood cortex. Extraction yield, percentage of tannins and non-tannins, and reactivity to the formaldehyde by the Stiasny number were analyzed in the responses of the extraction processes with extractive agents sodium sulfite (Na2SO3), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and urea [(NH2)2CO] in the percentages of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 in relation to the weight of the bark of this species. The extracts were analyzed using the techniques of IR - Infrared Spectroscopy, SEM - Scanning Electron Microscopy, DRX- X-ray Diffractometry, and EDS - Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry. In another step, the formation time of the commercial tannin gel and of the P. taeda were compared in relation to formaldehyde. The results show that the specie have condensed tannins, and sustain that they are catechins. These catechins form polymers identified by SEM in less time in relation to the formaldehyde in the formation of the gel, suggesting that the tannins can be extracted from the species as a potentially new commercial source that lumber companies can use to manufacture phenolic resins.

Evaluation of Herbal Extract of Gentiana diffusa for Antianxiety Activity

The present study was designed to authenticate the anti-anxiety activity (by using elevated plus maze model) of methanolic extract of the leaves of Gentiana diffusa. by authors Swiss Albino mice were treated with different doses of the leaf extracts (200 mg / kg p.o.) and Diazepam (2mg/ kg, p.o) was used as a positive control. Results of study show that methanolic extract in higher doses (200 mg/kg) possesses marked anti-anxiety activity and was comparable to the effect produced by diazepam. The plant can be developed as a commercial source of anxiolytic agent. Further studies are in process to isolate the active constituent responsible for this activity and mechanism of action. Keywords: Leaves, Methanol, Anxiety, Diazepam

Studying digestion conditions of Vietnamese monazite with acid sulfuric for the recovery of rare earth elements, thorium and uranium

The monazite ore is a commercial source of Th, U and rare earth in Vietnam. There are two methods, which were often applied to decompose monazite ore are alkaline and sulfuric methods. But in Vietnam, sulfuric method is more suitable due to the simple technology. In sulfuric acid treatment its breakdown using sulfate process for recovering of REEs, thorium and uranium. In this study, the parameters such as ore/acid ratios, the digestion temperature and the time of degestion were investigated to determine optimal digestion conditions for high recovery of main ingredients (REEs, Th, U) in monazite ore. The results shown that the optimal parameters for the digestion are ore/acid ratio 1.2:1, digestion temperature - 300oC and time of digestion - 1 hour, the recoveries for REEs, Th and U are namely 90%, 85% and 65%, respectively.

Heterologous Biosynthesis of Artemisinin in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

Artemisinin-based drugs are the most effective medicine against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium spp., the parasite that causes malaria. To this day, wormwood A. annua L. is the sole commercial source of artemisinin, where it is produced in minor amounts. The artemisinin yield depends on numerous poorly regulated agricultural factors and the genetic variability of this non-domesticated plant. This has aroused significant interest in the development of heterologous expression platforms for artemisinin production. Previously, we obtained lines of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (C. morifolium Ramat.), cvs. White Snowdon and Egyptianka, transformed with artemisinin biosynthesis genes. Here, we report the results of an analysis of artemisinin production in transgenic chrysanthemums. Transcription of heterologous amorpha-4,11-diene monooxygenase and cytochrome P450 reductase genes in transgenic lines was confirmed using high-resolution melting analysis. Artemisinin accumulation was detected using GC-MS in White Snowdon plants, but not in Egyptianka ones, thereby demonstrating the possibility of transplanting active artemisinin biosynthetic pathway into chrysanthemum. Ways of increasing its content in producer plants are discussed.

Boron Dynamics in Agricultural Soils of the Cerrado: Study on Sources, Doses and Leaching

The objectives of this study were: to evaluate the leaching potential of B in a Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Oxisol) as a function of sources and doses of this micronutrient; among the sources tested (boric acid, ulexite and the commercial source H2 Boro), to determine the one with the lowest leaching potential; to evaluate leaching losses at different doses in each soil layer evaluated; and to identify chemical and physical variables of soils that influence B leaching. For that, two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse. The first one tested B leaching in the soil, with the three sources under study and five doses of B (0; 12; 24; 36; and 48 kg ha-1), whereas the second experiment evaluated the influence of soil physical and chemical attributes on B leaching using soils randomly collected in 22 localities in southeastern Goiás, Brazil. Regardless of the dose applied, ulexite led to the lowest soluble B content in the profile of the analyzed soils and also in the leachate. Boric acid was the only source that showed a different behavior in relation to B content in the different soil layers and in the leachate. In the soil layer from 21 to 30 cm, ulexite is the source with the lowest soluble B content. The behaviors of the more soluble sources, in this case boric acid and H2 Boro (H2 Agrosciences - Monoethanolamine borate), regardless of the dose, are very similar, being highly leachable in the profile of the Oxisol used. Soils with clayey texture and higher values of H+Al and CEC were able to retain higher B contents in the upper portion their profiles (layers from 0 to 10 cm and 11 to 20 cm), but soils with sandy texture and higher values of sum of bases showed greater B losses by leaching.

Edwardsiella ictaluri in a Colony of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) used in a Teaching Laboratory

A small colony of zebrafish (Danio rerio) experienced 30% acute mortality within a few days after receipt from a commercial source. A few fish presented with small areas of raised scales or tissue necrosis, primarily near the caudal peduncle. Edwardsiella ictaluri (E. ictaluri) was identified by real-time PCR of pooled zebrafish and swabs of the pre-filter and fine filter pads, with subsequent sequence analysis. E. ictaluri is most commonly associated with an enteric septicemia in catfish species and can have significant economic impact on commercial catfish fisheries. However, several references report naturally occurring E. ictaluri infection of nonictalurid fishes, including zebrafish. Ours is the first report demonstrating the use of environmental sampling to identify E. ictaluri in a zebrafish colony by real-time PCR. Moreover, our report indicates that E.ictaluri is a relevant disease for institutions using zebrafish as research species and emphasizes the importance of carefully considering importation and quarantine practices.

The Effects of Pelleted and Unpelleted All Mash Broiler Diets on Performance, Carcass Quality and Internal Organ Developments of Broiler Chickens

The performance, carcass traits and internal organ development of broiler chickens as influenced by dietary form (pellet or mash) were assessed using 180 straight run Ana 2000, (14 to 63 days of age). Soyabean meal (SBM) mash diet was used as a reference diet. Full fat soybean (FFSB) was the other mash diet. The pelleted diet was a commercial source. Results showed lack of significant (P>0.05) influence of diet form on performance traits in the starter phase SBM mash diet produced the least feed cost per kg gain. In the finisher phase, feed intake and weight gain were not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by diet form but feed to gain ratio was improved significantly (P<0.05) for the SBM mash diet. Feed cost per kg gain was least on the pelleted diet. The cumulative effect of diets showed lack of significant (P>0.05) effect on feed intake. Weight gain was least (P< 0.05) for broilers fed FFSB diet. Broilers fed pelleted and SBM gained similar weights. Feed cost per kg gain was least on SBM mash diet. Relative values for New York dressed, dressed weights, and breast of birds fed FFSB mash were significantly (P<0.01) lower than SBM mash and pelleted diets. Sex had no influence on relative values except abdominal fat where females had significantly (P<0.05) more fat than males.

Exposure of the Gulf of St. Lawrence grey seal Halichoerus grypus population to potentially zoonotic infectious agents

The population of grey seals Halichoerus grypus in Canadian waters is currently used as a commercial source of meat for human consumption. As with domestic livestock, it is important to understand the occurrence in these seals of infectious agents that may be of public health significance and thus ensure appropriate measures are in place to avoid zoonotic transmission. This study examined the prevalence of antibodies against Brucella spp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, 6 serovars of Leptospira interrogans, and Toxoplasma gondii in 59 grey seals and determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the presence of these potentially zoonotic agents in specific organs and tissues of seropositive animals. The presence of encysted Trichinella spp. larvae was also investigated by digestion of tongue, diaphragm and other muscle samples, but none were detected. Seroprevalence against Brucella spp. and E. rhusiopathiae was low (5 and 3%, respectively). All 59 seals tested had antibodies against L. interrogans, but no carrier of this bacterium was detected by PCR. Seroprevalence against T. gondii was 53%, and DNA of this protozoan was detected by PCR in 11/30 (37%) seropositive animals. Standard sanitary measures mandatory for commercialization of meat products for human consumption should greatly reduce the potential for exposure to these infectious agents. However, special consideration should be given to freezing seal meat for at least 3 d to ensure destruction of tissue cysts of T. gondii.

Identification of Anxiolytic Potential of Niranthin: In-vivo and Computational Investigations

Anxiety is an unpleasant state, which can critically decrease the quality of life is often accompanied by nervous behaviour and rumination. Niranthin is a lignan isolated from various Phyllanthus sources. The literature survey on niranthin highlights wide ranges of the therapeutic potentials. In a present study, based on our previous investigations, we evaluated pure, isolated and characterized niranthin as an anxiolytic agent. The niranthin [6-[(2R,3R)-3-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-4-methoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)butyl]-4-methoxy-1,3-benzodioxole] was purchased from commercial source and further subjected for assessment of its anxiolytic potentials using popular animal models including Elevated plus-maze model/test (EPM) and Light & Dark Exploration test (L&D). GABA-A receptor mediation was evaluated by pretreating the mice with the GABA-A receptor antagonist Flumazenil before the EPM task. Molecular docking simulation studies (pdb id: 4COF) carried out by Vlife QSAR software showed that niranthin (docking score: − 62.1714 kcal/mol) have shown comparatively best docking score compared to the standard drug Diazepam (docking score: − 63.1568 kcal/mol). To conclude, Niranthin has probable potential in the management of anxiety disorder. Our in-silico and in-vivo analysis (indirectly) indicated the plausible role of GABA mediation for anxiolytic activity. Although, these studies are preliminary, future in depth experimental explorations will be required to use Niranthin as anti-anxiety drug in near future. Graphic Abstract