Ana Paula Martinazzo

Evaluation of the chemical composition of Brazilian commercial Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) stapf samples.

The concentration and the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from different samples of Cymbopogon citratus were evaluated. Among the 12 samples investigated (11 dried leaf samples and fresh plant leaves), seven presented essential oil concentrations within the threshold established by the Brazilian legislation. The moisture content was also determined and the majority of the samples presented humidity contents near 12%. The GC and GC/MS analyses of the essential oils led to identification of 22 compounds, with neral and geranial as the two major components. The total percentage of these two compounds varied within the investigated sample oils from 40.7% to 75.4%. In addition, a considerable variation in the chemical composition of the analyzed samples was observed. The process of grinding the leaves significantly decreased (by up to 68%) the essential oil content, as well as the percentage of myrcene in the oils.

Análise e descrição matemática da cinética de secagem de folhas de capim-limão

As caracteristicas da secagem de folhas de Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf em camada delgada, foram estudadas para a faixa de temperatura de 30-60 oC, utilizando-se modelos semi-teoricos e empiricos. O modelo de Midilli foi o que melhor descreveu as curvas de secagem. Os valores da difusividade efetiva variaram de 4 x 10-12a 3,9 x 10-11 m-2 s-1 para a faixa de temperatura avaliada. Os valores obtidos da difusividade efetiva mostraram uma dependencia de Arrhenius. O valor da energia de ativacao encontrado foi de 63,47 kJ mol- 1.

Modelagem matemática e parâmetros qualitativos da secagem de folhas de capim-limão [Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf]

The species Cymbopogon citratus, known as lemon grass, is widely used for medicinal purpose and in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and perfumery industries. Due to the need for more specific knowledge of pre-processing management, this work aims to equate and analyze some drying aspects that allow preview the product quality alterations. The leaves from this species were cut at different lengths and dried at different temperatures. Different equations for modeling the drying curves were adjusted to the experimental data. The dried product was also evaluated for color and essential oil content. The results showed that the Modified Page model resulted in the best adjustment for the experimental data. The temperature of 50°C was the best for drying the species leaves, resulting in less essential oil loss and higher green color maintenance.

Quality parameters of Cymbopogon citratus leaves during ambient storage.

The effects of storage in different packages on the essential oil content and humidity of Brazilian lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves were studied. Lemon grass leaves were dried at 50°C to moisture content of 11% (d.b.) and stored for one year in three different plastic and paper packages. Oil content and its principal compounds were isolated by the hydro-distillation method and analyzed by GC-FID as well as GC-MS every two months. The results showed a reduction in the oil content as well as a decrease in citral and myrcene in the plant for all packages during storage. Water concentration did not significantly vary during the period in the three packages.

Qualidade da farinha obtida de grãos de trigo fumigados com dióxido de carbono e fosfina

Avaliar a qualidade da farinha obtida de graos de trigo fumigados com atmosfera sintetica (21% de CO2) associada a niveis reduzidos de fosfina (0,25, 0,50 e 0,75 g m-3) foi o que se objetivou atraves deste trabalho. Para posterior comparacao dos resultados, realizaram-se dois tratamentos com ar ambiente associado as dosagens de zero e 1,0 g m-3 PH3, em tres periodos de exposicao (24, 72 e 120 h) e temperatura de 29 oC e 60% de umidade relativa. A analise dos resultados permitiu concluir-se que, em geral, os tratamentos nao influenciaram na qualidade da farinha para panificacao obtida do trigo fumigado com fosfina associada a atmosfera sintetica (21% de CO2) e ao ar ambiente.

Avaliação de modelos matemáticos na descrição das curvas de secagem por convecção de Pectis brevipedunculata (Gardner) Sch. Bip.

The aim of this study was to select, among five mathematical models, the one that best describes the experimental drying curves of the shoot of P. brevipedunculata. Tests were conducted in a thin-layer prototype laboratory drier, at 30, 40 and 50°C, employing a dry air mass flow rate of 0.274 and 0.542 kg s-1 m-2. The goodness of fit of the models was assessed based on correlation coefficient, root mean square error, mean absolute percentage error, reduced chi-squared, residual plot analysis, and taking into account the principle of parsimony. The model that best described the experimental drying curves was the simple-exponential, three-parameter model, which can be safely used to simulate the deep-bed process. Although the Lewis model was found not to produce accurate predictions of the drying curves, an Arrhenius-type equation represents the relationship between the drying constant k and the temperature.

Perfil de Utilização de Fitoterápicos nos Municípios de Volta Redonda e Barra Mansa/RJ

In the presente study was evaluated in vitro antimicrobial activity of the extract of the stem bark and fruit juca against microorganisms of the oral cavity. This was an experimental laboratory study in which was evaluated the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts 7.5% in dilutions ranging from 1:1 to 1:512, using the technique of agar diffusion. Standard strains used were: Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus oralis (ATCC 10557, Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 7469), Candida albicans (INCQS 40040) and Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 7073). Chlorhexidine 0.12 % was used as a positive control. The results of the agar diffusion showed that when assessed against L. casei, extract of the fruit was more effective, with MICs 9.3 mg/mL compared to stem bark was 37.5 mg/mL. When the fruit extract were tested against S. oralis and S. mutans MIC values were the same and twice, respectively , when compared with values obtained with the extract of the stem bark . With respect to C. albicans, the MIC value for the extract of the fruit and stem bark was 18.7 mg/mL. While against S. salivarius extract of the stem bark had MIC value of 37.5 mg/mL and the extract of the fruit was inactive. It can be concluded that the extract of the stem bark of juca showed satisfactory antimicrobial activity against pathogens of the oral cavity and superior to the extract of the fruit.In the present study was evaluated in vitro antimicrobial activity of the extract of the stem bark and fruit jucá against microorganisms of the oral cavity. This was an experimental laboratory study in which was evaluated the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts 7.5% in dilutions ranging from 1:1 to 1:512, using the technique of agar diffusion. Standard strains used were: Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus oralis (ATCC 10557), Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 7469), Candida albicans (INCQS 40040) and Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 7073). Chlorhexidine 0.12 % was used as a positive control. The results of the agar diffusion showed that when assessed against L. casei, extract of the fruit was more effective, and with MICs 9.3 mg/mL compared to stem bark was 37.5 mg/mL. When the fruit extract were tested against S. oralis and S. mutans MIC values were the same and twice, respectively , when compared with values obtained with the extract of the stem bark . With respect to C. albicans, the MIC value for the extract of the fruit and stem bark was 18.7 mg/mL. While against S. salivarius extract of the stem bark had MIC value of 37.5 mg/mL and the extract of the fruit was inactive. It can be concluded that the extract of the stem bark of jucá showed satisfactory antimicrobial activity against pathogens of the oral cavity and superior to the extract of the fruit.Xylophragma Sprague species (family Bignoniaceae Juss.) are climbing plants belonging to the tribe Bignonieae Juss. and some species have a wide spectrum of traditional medicinal uses including remedies for the treatment of infections. This paper reports the bioguided fractionation of an ethanol extract of X. myrianthum (Cham.) Sprague stems (EEXMS) for antiviral effects against human herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1), dengue virus 2 (DENV-2), murine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and vaccinia virus (VACV) that afforded XM-1 as an active compound. Spectroscopic analyses allowed the identification of XM-1 as arjunic acid whose occurrence in the Bignoniaceae and anti-DENV-2 activities are reported for the first time. X. myrianthum is revealed herein as a source of an antiviral compound and fractions.Herbal constitute a form of complementary therapy on health needs. Their use has grown in population in several countries, including Brazil, where the federal government encourages the use of herbal treatments in the public health system. Given the current scenario of the search for natural treatments, this study aimed to characterize the use of herbal medicines in the districts of Barra Mansa and Volta Redonda/RJ. The expectation is that the information gathered will assist municipal actions for the implementation of herbal medicine in public health. It was observed that most herbal medicines marketed is sold by prescription. The acquisition focuses on monodrogas anxiolytic action, with the Passiflora incarnata L. present in 14,29 % of the marketed formulations. The inserts of the highest-selling herbal medicines contain legal wording regulated by ANVISA. Among the users interviewed, 70% reported using herbal medicines, mostly female (68%), without having a specific economic pattern, aged 19 and 30 years, with a degree of complete or incomplete higher education. Of these, 31% use herbal or prescription for self medication and believe that herbal medicines are not toxic, can make good health.Several studies have discussed bromeliads as breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti L., a dengue vector. The toxicity of crude extracts of Aechmea fasciata (Lindley) Baker (Bromeliaceae) and Neoregelia compacta (Mez) LB Smith (Bromeliaceae) on A. aegypti larvae was evaluated in this study. Leaves of N. compacta were ground up with ethanol and distilled water, hexane and ethyl acetate to produce hydro alcoholic, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts. Flowers and leaves of A. fasciata were macerated in ethyl acetate to obtain an ethyl acetate extract. The bioassays were performed with application of these extracts to the breeding medium of L3 larvae of A. aegypti. In this study, larval and pupal viability, emergence and mortality were evaluated. The results from the bioassays indicated that these extracts were highly toxic: LD50=39.4µg/mL for A. fasciata and LD50= 23 µg/ mL for N. compacta. The data suggest that, within the search for larvicidal phytoproducts, these bromeliads are sources of active bioproducts for dengue vector mosquito control.

Profile for use of herbal medicines in the municipalities of Volta Redonda and Barra Mansa/RJ

Herbal constitute a form of complementary therapy on health needs. Their use has grown in population in several countries, including Brazil, where the federal government encourages the use of herbal treatments in the public health system. Given the current scenario of the search for natural treatments, this study aimed to characterize the use of herbal medicines in the districts of Barra Mansa and Volta Redonda/RJ. The expectation is that the information gathered will assist municipal actions for the implementation of herbal medicine in public health. It was observed that most herbal medicines marketed is sold by prescription. The acquisition focuses on monodrogas anxiolytic action, with the Passiflora incarnata L. present in 14,29 % of the marketed formulations. The inserts of the highest-selling herbal medicines contain legal wording regulated by ANVISA. Among the users interviewed, 70% reported using herbal medicines, mostly female (68%), without having a specific economic pattern, aged 19 and 30 years, with a degree of complete or incomplete higher education. Of these, 31% use herbal or prescription for self medication and believe that herbal medicines are not toxic, can make good health.