Arquimedes Fernandes Monteiro de Melo

Estudo toxicológico agudo do extrato etanólico de partes aéreas de Jatropha gossypiifolia L. em ratos

The aim of this work was the assessment of acute oral toxicity of the ethanol extract (EE) of the aerial parts of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. This plant is used in folk medicine despite its classification as a toxic plant. Wistar rats were treated per oralis with single doses of EE [1.2 g/kg; 1.8 g/kg; 2.7 g/kg; 4.0 g/kg and 5.0 g/kg (w.b.)] and observed for 14 days. The most important signs of toxicity were: ptosis; reduction of body weight and hindlimb paralysis. Other sgnificant alterations occurred only in males treated with 5.0 g/kg (w.b.): increase of creatinine, AST, sodium and potassium seric levels; reduction of urea and albumin; leukopenia and small alterations in color and consistence of viscera. The LD50 value was higher than 4.0 g/kg (w.b.) for males and higher than 5.0 g/kg (w.b) for females. These results indicate a low oral acute toxicity, in relative terms, however it shows the importance of long-term toxicological studies of the EE from J. gossypiifolia.

Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do extrato de Anacardium occidentale L. sobre espécies de Streptococcus

The antimicrobial activity of the extract of the stem bark of Anacardium occidentale L., was evaluated in three cultures of bacteria of the dental plate. The antimicrobial activity was assayed in Petri dishes using the diffusion method for determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal inhibitory concentration of adherence (MICA). Aureolar inhibition (MIC) was observed with concentrations of 12.5 mg/mL in S. mutans and 6.25 mg/mL in S. mitis and S. sanguis. The results suggest that the extract has effect in the MICA in concentrations of 0.31 mg/mL in S. mutans and S. mitis and of 0.15 mg/mL in S. sanguis and therapeuticly can be used in the dentistry as an antibacterial agent.

Influence of breeds genetic composition on the quality of milk from primiparous cows

Forty-four crossbred primiparous cows participated in this study, namely: 15 1/2 animals corresponding to 1/2 Holstein (HO) x 1/2 Gyr; 15 3/4 animals corresponding to (3/4 HO x 1/4 Gyr) and 14 7/8 animals corresponding to (7/8 HO x 1/8 Gyr) raised under similar handling and feeding conditions. The sample collection was carried out between January and March 2013. To compare the quality of milk among breeds genetic compositions, the study was set up in a completely randomized design. Data of variables fat, protein, lactose contents, fat free dry matter (DDE), urea, somatic cell count, electrical conductivity, pH, titratable acidity and production were submitted to analysis of variance using the Tukey test at 5% probability for comparison of means between treatment 1 (1/2 HO x 1/2 Gyr), treatment 2 (3/4 HO x 1/4 Gyr) and treatment 3 (7/8 HO x 1/8 Gyr). Statistical analyses were performed using the SISVAR® - UFLA software. Correlation analysis between variables was performed using the ASSISTAT software. The results demonstrate that the genetic makeup of the different races holstein / Gyr primiparous cows did not affect the quality of the milk produced. The values of the chemical constituents of milk have been considered suitable for human consumption. Titratable acidity and milk production were higher for 3/4 Holstein/Gyr animals. Key words: Protein, electrical conductivity, titratable acidity, Holstein, Gyr.