Abel G. López

Subchronic mycotoxicoses in Wistar rats: Assessment of the in vivo and in vitro genotoxicity induced by fumonisins and aflatoxin B1, and oxidative stress biomarkers status

Some evidence suggests that fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), a worldwide toxic contaminant of grains produced by Fusarium verticillioides, exhibits an oxidative stress mediated genotoxicity. We studied the DNA damage (by the alkaline comet and the micronucleus tests) and biomarkers of cellular oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, MDA; catalase, CAT; and superoxide dismutase, SOD) in spleen mononuclear cells of male Wistar rats subchronically (90 days) fed on a control experimental diet (CED) or poisoned with experimental diets contaminated with a culture material containing 100 ppm of FB(1) (FED), with 40 ppb of aflatoxin B(1) (a common toxic co-contaminant in cereals, AFB(1)ED), and with a mixture of both toxins (MED). The DNA damage was found in 13.7%, 81.7%, 98.0% and 99.3% (comet assay) and in 2.8%, 7.0%, 10.8% and 8.8% (micronucleus technique) in groups CED, FED, AFB(1)ED and MED, respectively. The MDA levels as well as the CAT and SOD activities were increased in all the poisoned animals. A similar behavior was observed in cells exposed in vitro to the toxins. These data support the hypothesis of an oxidative stress mediated genotoxicity induced by FB(1). Furthermore, the extent of DNA damage assessed by the comet assay suggests a possible protective effect of the fumonisins-AFB(1) mixtures in vitro against the genotoxicity induced individually by the toxins.

Aromatic plants essential oils activity on Fusarium verticillioides Fumonisin B1 production in corn grain

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Origanum vulgare, Aloysia triphylla, Aloysia polystachya and Mentha piperita essential oils (EOs) against Fusarium verticillioides M 7075 (F. moniliforme, Sheldon) were assessed, using the semisolid agar antifungal susceptibility (SAAS) technique. O. vulgare, A. triphylla, A. polystachya and M. piperita EOs were evaluated at final concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 εl per litre (εl/l) of culture medium. A. triphylla and O. vulgare EOs showed the highest inhibitory effects on F. verticillioides mycelial development. This inhibition was observed at 250 and 500 εl/l for EOs coming from Aloysia triphylla and O. vulgare, respectively. Thus, the effects of EOs on FB1 production were evaluated using corn grain (Zea mays) as substrate. The EOs were inserted on the 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th day of maize postinoculation with a conidia suspension of F. verticillioides. O. vulgare and A. triphylla were applied to give final concentrations of 30 ppm and 45 ppm, respectively. Different effects were observed in the toxicogenicity at the 20th day treatment. The O. vulgare EO decreased the production level of FB1 (P < 0.01) while A. triphyla EO increased it (P < 0.001) with respect to those obtained in the inoculated maize, not EOs treated. Results obtained in the present work indicate that fumonisin production could be inhibited or stimulated by some constituents of EOs coming from aromatic plants. Further studies should be performed to identify the components of EOs with modulatory activity on the growth and fumonisins production of Fusarium verticillioides.

Composition of the Essential Oil of Eryngium paniculatum Cav.

Abstract The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of inflorescence parts of Eryngium paniculatum Cav. (Apiaceae), caraguatá, growing in Argentina was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Seventeen constituents were identified, of which (E)-anethole (52.6%) and α-pinene (19.1%) were the major components.

Antimicrobial Activity and Composition of Hyptis mutabilis Essential Oil

ABSTRACT An analysis of the hydrodistilled essential oil from fresh aerial parts of Hyptis mutabilis (Rich) Briq. by GC/MS resulted in the identification of 24 compounds that represented 95.5 percent of the oil. The main constituents of the oil were E-caryophyllene (14.7%), spathulenol (14.2%) and germacrene D (11.1%). The oil exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Mucor sp.

Essential Oil Composition of Baccharis articulate (Lam.) Pers.

Abstract Essential oils of Baccharis articulata (Lam.) Pers. produced from plants harvested at full flowering were examined by GC and GC/MS. The main components for the female plant oil were, β-pinene (14.7%), spathulenol (27.3%) and (E)-nerolidol (10.1%); the male plant oil contained spathulenol (30.3%), β-caryophyllene (9.5%), bicyclogermacrene (8.9%) and (E)-nerolidol (8.1%).

Essential oil of Baccharis cordobensis Heering

The essential oil of the aerial parts of Baccharis cordobensis was examined by GC and GC–MS. The major constituents were trans-nerolidol (15.8%), T-cadinol (14.7%) and cubenol (8.8%). Copyright

Essential oil of cymbopogon winterianus jowitt from Tanzania: Composition and antimicrobial activity

Abstract The hydro-distilled essential oil (1.6%) of fresh aerial parts of wild Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt was analyzed by GC-MS. Fifty compounds representing 96.5% of the oil were identified. The main components of the oil were linalool (27.4%), citronellol (10.9%), geraniol (8.5%), α-calacorene, cis-calamenene (4.3%), β-elemene (3.9%) and longifolene (3.5%). The oil exhibited low antimicrobial activity.

Bio-efficacy of the Essential Oil of Oregano (Origanum vulgare Lamiaceae. Ssp. Hirtum)

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of the essential oil isolated from Origanum vulgare L. (EOv). We analyzed the in vivo anti-inflammatory properties in a mouse-airway inflammation model and the in vitro antimicrobial activity, genotoxicity over the anaphase-telophase with the Allium cepa strain and its cytotoxicity/viability in A549 culture cells. In vivo, EOv modified the levels of tumor necrosis factor -α and viable activated macrophages and was capable to mitigate the effects of degradation of conjugated dienes. In vitro, EOv reduced the viability of cultured A549 cells as well as the mitotic index and a number of chromosomal aberrations; however, it did not change the number of phases. We found that EOv presents antimicrobial activity against different Gram (−) and (+) strains, measured by disc-diffusion test and confirmed with a more accurate method, the AutoCad software. We postulate that EOv presents antibacterial, antioxidant and chemopreventive properties and could be play an important role as bioprotector agent.

Development status of the telescope for the Ingenio/SEOSAT missionprimary payload

Ingenio/SEOSAT is the flagship mission for the Spanish Space Plan 2007-2011, as is currently under development by a Spanish industrial consortium in the framework of an ESA contract. Ingenio/SEOSAT is a multi-spectral high-resolution optical satellite for Earth Remote Sensing, designed to provide imagery to different Spanish civil, institutional and governmental users, and potentially to other European users in the frame of GMES and GEOSS. SEOSAT/Ingenio is a Low Earth Orbiting mission. It features a Primary Payload (PP) with one 2.5 meter resolution panchromatic channel and four 10 meter resolution visible/near infrared spectral channels. The PP swath close to 55 km ensures a frequent revisit period, and offers quick accessibility to any point on Earth in emergency situations. In this paper are described the main characteristics and development status of the instrument from an opto-mechancial point of view, as well as the estimated performance data.

Aromatic Plants of Yungas. Part II. Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Phoebe porphyria (Griseb.) Mez. (Lauraceae)

Abstract The essential oil of Phoebe porphyria (Griseb.) Mez. (Lauraceae) collected from northwestern Argentina (Yungas area) was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty-five components were characterized, representing 87.0% of the total components detected. 1,8-Cineole (10.5%), β-caryophyllene (19.3%) and spathulenol (17.1%) were the major constituents of the oil, which was obtained in 0.15% yield.