Evaluation of volatile constituents, exudation of resin and occurrence of galls of Protium aracouchini (Aubl.) Marchand

Protium aracouchini (Aubl.) Marchand [sin Icica aracouchini Aubl.], which occurs in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, in the Brazilian Amazon, was evaluated for the presence of galls, for resin exudation and the composition of the essential oils from the aerial parts and the resin. The experiment to stimulate the exudation of resin from the trunk was conducted using a 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid solution. The resin produced after 40 days and the aerial parts had their essential oils extracted in a Clevenger apparatus and the volatile chemical constituents were analyzed using GC/MS. The non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes α-copaene (21.15%) and α-gurjunene (13.69%), in addition to the oxygenated sesquiterpene spathulenol (10.32%), were detected as the majority constituents of the essential oil of the leaves, and a concentration similar to that of α-gurjunene was found in the branches (13.28%). The resin essential oil showed a high concentration of hydrocarbon monoterpenes (76.49%) with a predominance of α-pinene (17.57%) and limonene (46.11%). Four gall morphotypes were found associated with this species. The present study reports for the first time information on the volatile constituents and the resinous potential of P. aracouchini, and registers the morphotypes of the galls that help in the taxonomy of the species.

New record of Allamanda blanchetti Kunth (Apocynaceae) for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

This study report the first record of Allamanda blanchetii Kunth in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. This species was collected from an upland forest in Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest. This occurrence adds new information about the distribution of this species and expands its range to Brazil, which is important for its conservation. We provide taxonomic information, distribution maps, conservation status assessment, photograps, and an identification key for the Allamanda L. species in the Atlantic Forest.

Ecologia Urbana: histórico, definições e abordagens interdisciplinares

O objetivo deste artigo foi realizar um resgate histórico do surgimento, definições, e abordagens da Ecologia Urbana. Para a realização da pesquisa, utilizou-se principalmente artigos publicados em periódicos acadêmicos nacionais e internacionais. A Ecologia Urbana foi criada em 1920 pela Escola de Chicago, emergindo da necessidade de se compreender as dinâmicas de funcionamento das cidades, abordando alterações antrópicas em áreas urbanas e sua interação com os ecossistemas naturais e o ambiente construído. As pesquisas em Ecologia Urbana podem ser estritamente biológicas (Ecologia na Cidade), ou possuir enfoque interdisciplinar com a interação das ciências naturais e sociais (Ecologia da Cidade). A abordagem interdisciplinar da Ecologia Urbana é imprescindível para a promoção da sustentabilidade ecológica e socioeconômica em áreas urbanas, servindo de base para o estabelecimento de estratégias e Políticas Públicas de planejamento e gestão sustentável das cidades.

Evaluation of the lymphoproliferation of mononuclear cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients treated with Libidibia ferrea

American integumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a neglected disease that mostly affects vulnerable populations. Its broad spectrum of clinical manifestations is related to the type of immune response produced by the host and the species of Leishmania involved. In recent years, the use of medicinal plants has become a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of infectious parasitic diseases. This research aimed to evaluate the lymphoproliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) before and after treatment, and healthy individuals. The lymphoproliferative response was evaluated in cell culture using stimuli of the dichloromethane fraction (DCM) obtained from Libidibia ferrea, Glucantime® and phytohemagglutinin - PHA using a BrdU Cell Proliferation after 72 h of incubation. In cultures treated with the DCM fraction, intense induction of lymphoproliferation was observed (p<0.0001), as was also observed in response to the PHA mitogen, and there was a significant difference when compared with the conventional treatment (p<0.0135). In the post-treatment and healthy groups, although the compound induced lymphoproliferation, there was no statistical difference. These results suggest that the organic compound played an important inducing role in lymphoproliferation, which highlights the importance of continuity involving new studies in order to evaluate its immunomodulatory activity.

New record of Corchorus hirtus L. in Piauí, Brazil

Corchorus hirtus L. belongs to the Malvaceae family, it is commonly found in humid and ruderal environments. The occurrence of this species is recorded in all states of Northeast Brazil, except Piauí. Therefore, the aim of this work is to record the occurrence of the species in an area of Piauí, collected in the county of Oeiras, Riacho Mocha, a region of ​​ecological tension. To portray the geographic distribution of the plant, there were made a morphological characterization with pictures of relevant aspects of the plant's morphology.

Control of Aspergillus flavus in wheat grains using Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil

Fungi are one of the main food spoilage agents. Numerous species when subjected to stress conditions produce secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins, which are mutagenic and carcinogenic substances. The fungus Aspergillus flavus is one of the main contaminants of grains and is known to produce Aflatoxin. Pesticides are used in agriculture to contain fungi and other pests, but they harm other species, the environment and the human health, in addition to the development of resistance to these substances in pest species. Natural alternatives have been sought to control these organisms. In this context, essential oils are a viable option against A. flavus. The aim of this study was to identify the main components and evaluate the effectiveness of lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) for controlling the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Initially, the effect of essential oil on mycelial growth of the fungus was assessed by in vitro tests at the doses: 0.05; 0.1; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1.6; 3.2; 6.4; and 12.8 μL mL-1. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 0.8 μL mL-1. The in vivo test was performed at the following concentrations: 0.6; 0.8; and 1.6 μL mL-1. The results showed that the essential oil has fungicidal potential against A. flavus. The main component of the essential oil was citral.

Micronutrientes metálicos nos moluscos bivalves Crassostrea rhizophorae e Mytella guyanensis

Os micronutrientes, micro ou oligoelementos, incluem vitaminas e alguns metais, sendo que uma parcela significativa da população mundial apresenta deficiência nutricional desses elementos. Este estudo avaliou os teores de micronutrientes metálicos em Crassostrea rhizophorae (ostra) e Mytella guyanensis (sururu) coletados no sul da Bahia, Brasil, num trecho de 280 km de extensão. Os teores dos metais (Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn) da parte edível das espécies foram avaliados em espectrometria de emissão óptica de plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES). As concentrações médias encontradas para C. rhizophorae e M. guyanensis, respectivamente, foram: Cu (2,09 ± 0,90 e 2,31 ± 0,63); Fe (32,03 ± 4,18 e 213,36 ± 51,67); Mn (1,75 ± 0,44 e 13,61 ± 2,83) e Zn (129,54 ± 25,88 e 12,13 ± 1,13), em mg kg-1. Ambos os bivalves foram relevantes na concentração dos micronutrientes investigados, com destaque para os valores elevados de Zn em C. rhizophorae e de Fe em M. guyanensis. Palavras-chave: Cobre, elementos essenciais, ferro, manganês, zinco.

Plant growth-promoting activity in bean plants of endophytic bacteria isolated from Echeveria laui

Echeveria laui (Crassulaceae) is commonly commercialized due to its drought-tolerance capacity and to its rosette-shaped aesthetics. Since endophytes associated with plants from a dry or arid environment have scarcely been analyzed as yet, current research comprises the isolation of leaf endophytic bacteria from E. laui (one five-year-old and one two-year-old plants) investigating plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria which may solubilize phosphate, fix nitrogen, produce exopolysaccharides/IAA and antagonize phytopathogens. Isolation by the maceration methodology provided a colonization rate of 1.98 x109 CFU g-1 for the two-year-old plant and 1.14 x 1010 CFU g-1 for the five-year-old one. All 40 isolates evaluated showed in vitro plant growth-promoting agent’s abilities, with emphasis on EG04, ELG18, and ELP06. The capacity of the three best bacterial isolates were evaluated under greenhouse conditions in common and black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants. Based on the sequencing of the 16S rRNA region and phylogenetic analysis, the three endophytes were identified as Pantoea sp. (ELG04 and ELG18) and Erwinia sp. (ELP06). Under greenhouse conditions, statistically significant differences were found among the plants treated with the three endophytes when compared to control plants for fresh and dry shoot, root biomass and length.

Biological characteristics of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) under temperature stress by successive generations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological characteristics of Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley 1879) under room temperature and temperature stress by successive generations. The evaluation was carried out in split-plot in the time. The temperature (25 ºC – room temperature and 33 ºC – temperature stress) was the Factor 1 and the Generations (n = 15) were the Factor 2. The biological characteristics evaluated were: longevity; posterior tibia length; number of parasitized eggs; emergence; egg-adult period; sexual ratio and deformed individuals. The increase in temperature, from the first generations of T pretiosum, caused an influence in all observed variables. However, for the emergence and sex ratio variables, there was no significant difference between heat stress and control (room temperature) as of the 14th generation, which suggests an adaptability of the species. This adaptability may imply obtaining more aggressive natural enemies in relation to their host (insect pest) and consequently in the greater efficiency of biological control.

Antagonism of Trichoderma on the control of Fusarium spp. on Phaseolus lunatus L.

Biological control strategies have become an important tool in the sustainable management of plant diseases. This paper aims to report the Fusarium species that affect fava beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) grown in Paraíba, Brazil, and determines the potential of Trichoderma isolates to control these fungi. Two Trichoderma and ten Fusarium isolates from fava bean seeds were selected. The beans were obtained from cultivated areas in the municipalities of Remígio, Alagoa Grande and Campina Grande, in Paraíba state. Phylogenetic analyzes based on DNA sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) gene resolved the Fusarium isolates into four species belonging to the F. fujikuroi and F. incarnatum-equiseti species complexes. In vitro tests showed that the two isolates of Trichoderma tested presented antagonistic potential against the pathogens from the fava beans evaluated. In the direct comparison test, the growth of the pathogens was reduced from the seventh day in both treatments. Sporulation also showed a reduction, but only for 40% of Fusarium isolates. This work demonstrates that Trichoderma isolates can be used as a sustainable alternative to manage Fusarium spp. infection of fava beans.