Eduardo Miranda Ethur

Antimicrobial activities of six essential oils commonly used as condiments in Brazil against Clostridium perfringens.

Despite recent advances in food production technology, food-borne diseases (FBD) remain a challenging public health concern. In several countries, including Brazil, Clostridium perfringens is among the five main causative agents of food-borne diseases. The present study determines antimicrobial activities of essential oils of six condiments commonly used in Brazil, viz., Ocimum basilicum L. (basil), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), Origanum majorana L. (marjoram), Mentha × piperita L. var. Piperita (peppermint), Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) and Pimpinella anisum L. (anise) against C. perfringens strain A. Chemical compositions of the oils were determined by GC–MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). The identities of the isolated compounds were established from the respective Kováts indices, and a comparison of mass spectral data was made with those reported earlier. The antibacterial activity was assessed from minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using the microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration values were 1.25 mg mL−1 for thyme, 5.0 mg mL−1 for basil and marjoram, and 10 mg mL−1 for rosemary, peppermint and anise. All oils showed bactericidal activity at their minimum inhibitory concentration, except anise oil, which was only bacteriostatic. The use of essential oils from these common spices might serve as an alternative to the use of chemical preservatives in the control and inactivation of pathogens in commercially produced food systems.

Elementos traço na água e em vísceras de peixes da Bacia Hidrográfica Butuí-Icamaquã, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Heavy metals, also called trace elements, may be essential to the metabolism of living organisms, and at the same time, depending on their concentrations, highly toxic. With the objective to investigate the toxicity of water of the Butui-Icamaqua Rivers Basin on the border west of Rio Grande do Sul, were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, the contents of aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc in abdominal viscera of fish, collected between June 2007 and February 2008, at selected points in Butui, Icamaqua and Uruguai rivers. Aluminum, cadmium, manganese and nickel were above the levels considered safe for human consumption and levels near the legal limit were found for chrome and copper. The simultaneous analysis of water samples collected in the same locations showed levels above the legal limits of bromine, chromate, copper, cyanide, lead, manganese, phenols, phosphate and sulfate. These elements, in such concentrations in water and in fish, may compromise the ecosystem or pose risks to human health.

Chemical Composition and Evaluation Preliminary of Antileishmanial Activity in vitro of Essential Oil from Leaves of Eugenia pitanga, A Native Species of Southern of Brazil

Abstract Eugenia pitanga (O.Berg) Nied., Myrtaceae, popularly known as pitanga-do-campo, is a species native from Pampa biome, in southern of Brazil and is popularly used as antidiarrheal, anti-rheumatic, stimulant and febrifuge. The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition of essential oil from fresh leaves of Eugenia pitanga (O.Berg) Nied. Preliminaries data about antileishmanial activity in vitro of essential oil against promastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis are presented. The method to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil from fresh leaves of E. pitanga (EoEp) was gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. EoEp was assayed in vitro for antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. The EoEp comprised 57 components and was rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (72.97 %) with spathulenol (15.34 %), globulol (10.93 %) and (2E,6E) methyl farnesoate (7.40 %) as the major constituents. EoEp was effective against L. amazonensis promastigotes with IC50 value of 6.10 ± 1.80 μg/mL. This work reports for the first time the composition of essential oil from leaves of E. pitanga from Pampa Biome, and it suggests the importance of continuing the studies in order to explain the antileishmanial activity.

Ethanolic extract of Casearia sylvestris Sw exhibits in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and in vivo hypolipidemic effect in rats

The Casearia sylvestris Sw (Flacourtiaceae) is a shrub that occurs in forests of Southern Brazil; its leaves are widely used in folk medicine as a depurative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic agent. The objective of this study was to perform the phytochemical description and to evaluate the pharmacological activities (antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant and toxicity) of the ethanolic extract (EE) of C. sylvestris Sw. In addition, we also evaluated the effect of the EE of C. sylvestris Sw on the glucose levels and lipid profile in blood serum of rats submitted to a model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Material and Methods: In vitro assay: the detection of chemical groups was done through chemical reactions with the development of color or precipitate and by chromatographic profile; the antioxidant activity was measured by the method of reduction of DPPH free radical (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl); the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was evaluated by the broth microdilution method, and the Minimum Bactericide Concentration and the Minimum Fungicide Concentration were performed in Petri dishes; the cytotoxic activity was measured by the Artemia salina test. In vivo assay: diabetic and non-diabetic rats were treated with EE of C. sylvestris Sw (300 mg/ kg) for 45 days, and the glycaemia and lipid profile were analyzed. Results: The EE showed a Lethal Dose50 of 724.76 µg.mL -1 and important antioxidant, fungicide and fungistatic activities. The EE showed better antimicrobial activity regarding the microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella setubal. Conclusion: The EE of C. sylvestris Sw produces a significant decrease in triglycerides, total cholesterol and VLDL levels without any significant alteration in the glycaemia. The EE of C. sylvestris Sw presents antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and it exhibits a potent hypolipidemic effect.

Effects of Methanol Fraction from Leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi on Nociception and Spinal-Cord Oxidative Biomarkers in Rats with Neuropathic Pain

We determined the antioxidant potential of fractions obtained from leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius, a medicinal plant known in Brazil as aroeira, to select the fraction with the best yield and antioxidant performance. These qualities were found in the methanol fraction (MeF), which was administered intraperitoneally (20 mg/kg/day) for 3 and 10 days to rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve, a model of neuropathic pain. The MeF increased the mechanical and thermal thresholds that had been lowered by CCI. In parallel, the lumbosacral spinal cord showed an increase in superoxide dismutase but a decrease in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in saline- and MeF-treated CCI rats. Catalase activity decreased only in saline-treated CCI rats for 10 days. Total thiols decreased in saline- and MeF-treated CCI rats. Ascorbic acid increased in these rats at day 3 but only in saline-treated CCI rats at day 10. No change was found in hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxide. Open-field and elevated plus-maze tests and blood parameters of liver function did not change. Thus, the MeF from leaves of S. terebinthifolius has an antinociceptive action with no toxic effects, and it affects oxidant biomarkers in the spinal cord of rats with CCI.

Rubus sellowii Cham. & Schlitdl. (Rosaceae) fruit nutritional potential characterization

The aim of this study was to know the physical, chemical and nutritional characteristics of Rubus sellowii (Rosaceae) fruits, known as blackberry, native plant mainly to Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Brazil. For this, three different populations of this plant were selected and the fruits were analyzed through moisture, ash, titratable acidity, pH, lipids, fibers, carbohydrates, proteins, carotenoids, lycopene, ascorbic acid, aminogram and in vitro digestibility. Fruits showed high acidity (3.28 percent), ash and protein (1.02 and 0.93 percent) and higher ascorbic acid (38.43 mg per 100 g) if compared to Rubus cultivars. Due to Rubus sellowii nutritional properties, they provide benefits to human health.

Essential oils rich in monoterpenes are unsuitable as additives to boar semen extender

Despite the development of efficient boar semen extenders, there is still room for improvement of new formulas using new molecules that could increase fertilisation outcomes and substitute cryoprotectants and antibiotics. The goal of this work was to evaluate if the essential oils from the leaves of Myrrhinium atropurpureum and Cymbopogon citratus are suitable as additives in boar semen extender. The major compounds found in the essential oils from M. atropurpureum were 1,8‐cineole (37.37%) and terpinolene (19.18%); and geranial (49.8%) and neral (33.24%) in essential oil of C. citratus. The addition of 1% and 0.1% of both essential oils to extended semen had immediate spermicidal effects (p < 0.05). Lower concentrations were tested and no cytotoxic effect was observed when M. atropurpureum essential oil was added at 0.001%. Differently, essential oil from C. citratus reduced sperm motility, membrane functionality and integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential even in concentrations as low as 0.001%. Also, addition of essential oils in low concentrations had no inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth. We conclude that the essential oils from C. citratus and M. atropurpureum, rich in monoterpenes, are cytotoxic to swine spermatozoa, therefore unsuitable as semen extender additives.

Phytochemical indicators and antibacterial activity of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Achyrocline satureioides ("macela") against antibiotic-resistant Salmonella spp. isolated from animal products (swine and poultry)

Resistance to antibiotics, disinfectants and antiseptics motivates the search for new antimicrobials, having in plant extracts a bioactive potential. The objectives of the study were to test the crude hydroalcoholic extract of A. satureioides, against 51 strains of Salmonella spp. resistant to antibiotics isolated from animal raw material, and to detect the phytochemical compounds in the solution. Maceration was prepared in the proportion of 5g of the dried inflorescences: 100 mL of ethanol at 70°GL, and after 15 days the alcohol was removed with rotary evaporator. Recomposing the initial volume with sterile distilled water resulted in the crude extract at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. The European quantitative suspension test was used, comparing the inocula in the population densities (PD) of 10 7 , 10 6 and 10 5 CFU/mL, in contact times of 5, 15, 60 minutes, and hourly, up to 10 hours. In the PD 10 7 , in 5 h of contact 35%, and in 10h 100% of the isolates were inactivated; in PD 10 6 , in 5 h of contact 39% and in 9h 100% were inactivated; in the PD 10 5 , in 5 h 51% and in 9h 100% were inactivated. It was concluded that the crude extract inactivated all strains of Salmonella spp. resistant to antibiotics, and that the contact time required for the bactericidal activity was related to the initial PD of the suspension and with the intrinsic characteristics of the isolates. The phytochemical detection identified phenolic compounds such as hydrolysable and condensed tannins, flavonols, and saponins. Key-words: vegetable antimicrobial; vegetable extract; phenolic compounds. ______________________________ Revista Brasileira de Higiene e Sanidade Animal Brazilian Journal of Hygiene and Animal Sanity ISSN: 1981-2965

Enzymatic hydrolysis of the Eisenia andrei earthworm: Characterization and evaluation of its properties

Abstract Some studies have carried out in order to retrieve proteins from the by-product of animal-processing industries. Earthworms are rich in protein and usually are used in animal feed. Thus, this study aimed to optimize the hydrolysis process of Eisenia andrei earthworms by employing Alcalase enzyme. Using the response surface methodology, we evaluated the following conditions: temperature, hydrolysis time, stirring speed, and enzyme/substrate ratio. The optimal conditions for the experimental design were determined through the analysis of the foaming and emulsifying properties, in vitro starch digestibility, and antioxidant activity. The results demonstrate that the highest degree of hydrolysis (i.e., 92%) was obtained under the following conditions: pH, 9.5; temperature, 25 °C; hydrolysis time, 2.25 h; stirring speed, 200 rpm; and enzyme/substrate ratio, 1.77%, using Alcalase enzyme. Evaluation of the amino acid composition under these conditions revealed higher concentrations of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and leucine. The in vitro protein digestibility of the hydrolysate was approximately 73%. There were no significant improvements in either foam stability or emulsification after enzymatic hydrolysis. Additional studies on the antioxidant activity are required. This bioproduct could potentially serve as a promising supplementary food product.

Aplicação da técnica de eletrodiálise no tratamento de efluentes de tingimento de gemas contendo íons nitrato e cromo

The dyeing agate employs large quantities of potentially harmful wastewater to the environment, such as, effluent with chromium and nitrate ions. The aim of the present study was investigate the electrodialysis technique efficiency in the removal of contaminant ions present in wastewater generated by the agate dyeing industry and evaluate the toxicity of the effluent studied. The electrodialysis experiments were performed in acrylic cell 5 compartments separated by ion selective membranes and fitted with a 70TiO2/30RuO2 DSA® anode and a titanium plate as cathode. After application of the electrodialysis treatment, toxicity of the effluent was evaluated in two different trophic levels, Artemia salina and Lactuca sativa. The results indicated the removal of 233.3 mg L-1 of nitrate and 223.6 mg L-1 of chromium was extracted, in flow mode. The toxicity tests showed a tendency to decrease the percentage of mortality of organisms after application of the electrodialysis technique. Thus, it concludes that the electrodialysis is an effective method for treating effluents containing metal ions, and is possible reuse the recovered solutions in the dyeing process.