Neusa F. de Moura

Benzophenanthridine alkaloids from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium

A novel benzophenanthridine alkaloid, named zanthoxyline, was isolated from the bark of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium, together with the known compounds, dihydronitidine, 6-oxynitidine and skimmianine. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic investigations and elemental analysis.

Atividade antioxidante de pimentas do gênero Capsicum

The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the β-Carotene/Linoleic Acid System, DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical assay, to the crude extract (EB) and fractions hexanic (FH), chloroformic (FC), and ethyl acetate (FA) of malagueta peppers (C. frutescens), cambuci (C. baccatum var. pendulum), cumari (C. baccatum var praetermissum), and pepper magali (C. annuum var. annuum). The concentration of total phenolics and capsacinoids present in the peppers was also determined. The results showed that the FC and the FA peppers showed higher concentrations of total phenolics and capsacinoids, and that the cumari pepper was the species with higher concentrations of these compounds. The best antioxidant activity according to the β-Carotene/Linoleico Acid System were obtained for the EB and the FA cambuci pepper, followed by the EB malagueta pepper. According to the DPPH method, the FC and FA showed lower values of EC50, and the cumari and cambuci peppers were the most effective. The results show that cumari, cambuci, and malagueta peppers can be used as natural antioxidant agents in food.

Clastogenic and anticlastogenic effect of the essential oil from Casearia sylvestris Swart

Abstract The essential oil composition obtained from the leaves of Casearia sylvestris has been investigated by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-seven compounds were identified in the oil. The major constituents of which were β-caryophyllene (27.5%) and bicyclogermacrene (24.2%). The clastogenic and anticlastogenic effect of the oil was tested by chromosome aberration in cells of tissue hepatoma of Rattus novergicus. The three different concentrations of C. sylvestris oil showed clastogenic effects. However, in the tests of anticlastogenicity, the same three concentrations showed protective activity when associated with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS).

Antioxidant activity of essential oil from Coriandrum Sativum L. in Italian salami

Four formulations of Italian salami type were produced: without antioxidants; with essential oil of coriander essential oil (0.01%); with BHT (0.01%); and with Coriander essential oil and BHT (0.005 and 0.005%). The antioxidant activity of salamis was evaluated by the lipid oxidation, through the techniques of peroxide number and TBARS. The salami with the coriander essential oil exhibited reduction in lipid oxidation by increasing the shelf life of the product. The salami with the coriander essential oil and BHT showed no synergism between the antioxidants. The salami using BHT presented less antioxidant activity than that of the salami using coriander essential oil.

UTILIZAÇÃO DE ÓLEOS ESSENCIAIS E EXTRATOS DE PLANTAS NO CONTROLE DE INSETOS.

As plantas, como organismos que co-evoluem com insetos e outros microorganismos, sao fontes naturais de substâncias inseticidas e antimicrobianas. Os inseticidas naturais, dentre os quais pode ser destacado o uso de produtos alternativos, como pos e extratos botânicos, e oleos essenciais de origem vegetal, podem ser utilizados tanto no manejo integrado de pragas em cultivos comerciais, como tambem, na agricultura biologica. Esses bioinseticidas constituem um recurso facilmente disponivel por sua ocorrencia natural, todavia podem ser esgotados se nao forem constantemente repostos. O problema e maior quando se trata de planta exotica como o nim, fato que salienta a importância de estudos com plantas nativas ou silvestres, que possam ser encontradas e plantadas com maior seguranca. A exploracao das plantas deve ser feita de tal maneira que permita a preservacao e a conservacao das especies. Outro ponto que deve ser considerado e a toxicidade dos produtos vegetais, as variacoes entre as especies, as partes vegetais utilizadas e as formas de extracao. A toxicidade de todo ingrediente ativo esta obviamente associado a dosagem utilizada em relacao ao peso do individuo, e e relacionada tambem a forma de aplicacao. USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS AND PLANT EXTRACTS IN THE CONTROL OF INSECTS. Abstract : Plants, as organisms that co-evolved with insects and other organisms, are natural sources of antimicrobial substances and insecticides. The natural insecticides, among which can mention the use of alternative products such as powders and botanical extracts and essential oils of vegetable origin, can be used both in integrated pest management in commercial crops, but also in organic farming. These insecticides are an easily available in its natural, but can be depleted if not replenished constantly. The problem is greater when it comes to exotic plants such as neem, a fact which underlines the importance of studies with native plants or wildlife, which can be found and planted more safely. The exploitation of plants must be made ​​in such a way that permits the preservation and conservation of species. Another point to consider is the toxicity of plant products, variations between species, the plant parts used and the forms of extraction. The toxicity of any active ingredient is obviously associated with the dosage used in the weight of the individual, and is also related to the application form. Keywords : Control; biopesticides; Agroecology; Nim

Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Susceptibility to Cunila angustifolia Essential Oil

ABSTRACT The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), is an insect that lives in poultry houses, and high infestations may cause economic losses to producers. The control of this insect is usually done with insecticides; however, many of these chemicals have no effect on lesser mealworm. Therefore, control alternatives are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Cunila angustifolia (Benth) oil on larvae and adults of A. diaperinus. In vitro tests used larvae and adults of A. diaperinus distributed in petri dishes with 0, 1, 5, and 10% of oil in a single dose. In vivo tests were performed in poultry houses with five treatments: 0, 5, and 10% and chemical insecticide (cypermethrin) in a single application, and a group with 5% of oil applied twice 15d apart. In vitro, oil bioactivity showed an efficacy of 100% both for larvae and adults, when tested at concentrations of 5 and 10%. A reduced number of larvae were observed using 1% of oil; however, it was not effective against adults as compared with the control group. In vivo, the oil effectiveness against lesser mealworm was verified by larva and adult reduction in all concentrations compared with control (0%) throughout the experiments, with better efficacy when used at 5% with two applications. Therefore, we concluded that the oil of C. angustifolia has larvicidal and insecticidal effect against A. diaperinus larvae and adults, in vitro and in vivo.

Sensory profile of Italian salami with coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) essential oil

The descriptive terminology and sensory prolife of four samples of Italian salami were determined using a methodology based on the Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA). A sensory panel consensually defined sensory descriptors, their respective reference materials, and the descriptive evaluation ballot. Twelve individuals were selected as judges and properly trained. They used the following criteria: discriminating power, reproducibility, and individual consensus. Twelve descriptors were determined showing similarities and differences among the Italian salami samples. Each descriptor was evaluated using a 10 cm non-structured scale. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey test, and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The salami with coriander essential oil (T3) had lower rancid taste and rancid odor, whereas the control (T1) showed high values of these sensory attributes. Regarding brightness, T4 showed the best result. For the other attributes, T1, T2, T3, and T4 were similar.

Composition of the Leaf Oils of Rutaceae: Zanthoxylum hyemale A. St. Hill, Z. rhoifolium Lam. and Z. rugosum A. St. Hill et. Tul.

Abstract The volatile oil composition obtained from the leaves of Zanthoxylum hyemale, Z. rhoifolium and Z. rugosum have been investigated by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-five compounds were identified representing ca. 93.8%, 93.1% and 90.1% of the oils, respectively. The main constituents of the oil of Z. hyemale were found to be (E)-nerolidol (49.8%) and germacrene D (13.5%). The oils of Z. rhoifolium and Z. rugosum were found to contain germacrene D (11.7% and 28.8%, respectively) and bicyclogermacrene (35.4% and 26.8%).

Seasonal Variation of the Essential Oil from Cunila angustifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract The essential oil of composition obtained from the leaves of Cunila angustifolia, collected in different seasons of the year in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-two compounds were identified and the main constituent of the oil was pulegone. This monoterpene was found in different concentrations, winter (56.5%), spring (72.3%), summer (64.1%) and autumn (56.0%).