Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Plant extract'

<p>För att undersöka skillnad i prestationsförmåga mellan celler sensiterade med växtextraktsbaserad färg, och celler sensiterademed ruteniumkomplex-baserad färg, samt huruvida presskraften påverkar en cells prestationsförmåga, tillverkades icke-slutna fotoelektrokemiska färg-sensiterade solceller med tunnfilmsfotoelektroder av pressad, nanoporös titandioxid.</p><p>Cellerna pressades med tre olika presskrafter och sensiterades med växtextraktsfärg från rödkål, rödbeta, viol och henna, samt en ruteniumkomplex-baserad färg som fick utgöra kontrollbetingelse. För varje cell uppmättes IPCE- och iV-värde och motsvarande fyllnadsgrad (fill factor) och dessa jämfördes.</p><p>Ingen signifikant skillnad kunde fastställas mellan celler pressade med olika presstryck. Bland cellerna sensiterade med växtextraktbaserad färg presterade rödbeta bäst. Cellen med högst effektivitet hade fyllnadsgraden 70%. Emellertid uppvisade de växtfärgade cellerna genomgående sämre effektivitet än de rutenium-sensiterade och fotoströmmarna var mycket låga. IPCE-värdena var allmännt låga: den bäst presterande cellen hade ett IPCE-värde på något över 0,06 i våglängdsintervallet 440-470 nm. En förklaring till detta är de övriga ämnen som förutom pigment återfinns i de växtbaserade färgerna. Dessa hindrar pigmentmättnad och förhindrar att växtfärgen når ruteniumfärgens intensitet. En annan anledning består i svårigheten att passa ihop energinivåerna i cellens elektrolyt-halvledarsystem med energinivåerna hos pigmentet i växtfärgen.</p><br><p>Non-sealed photoelectrochemical dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC) with pressed nanoporous TiO2 thin film photoelectrodes were manufactured for the purposes of finding out whether plant extractbased dye sensitised cells can perform as well as ruthenium complex-based dye sensitised cells and whether the pressing force affects the cell performance.</p><p>The cells were pressed with three different pressing forces and sensitised with plant extracts from red cabbage, beetroot, violet and henna, as well as with a ruthenium complex-based dye for comparison. The IPCE and iV values and the corresponding fill factors of the cells were evaluated and compared.</p><p>No significant difference between the cells pressed with different pressing forces could be established. Among the plant extract-based dye sensitised cells the ones sensitised with beetroot extract performed best. The cell that achieved the highest efficiency had a fill factor of 70%. Compared to the ruthenium-sensitised cells the overall performance of the plant dye sensitised cells were very poor and the produced photocurrents very low. The IPCE values were generally low: one of the best-performing cells had an IPCE value of slightly over 0.06 in the 440-470 nm wavelength ranges. One reason for this is that it is difficult to obtain a plant extract dye as intense and deep in colour as ruthenium complex-based dyes, since pigment saturation is obstructed by the presence of other chemical compounds in the plant extracts. Another is that it is a delicate and difficult matter to match the energy levels in the electrolyte-semiconductor system with the energy levels of the pigments in the plant extract dye.</p>

Traditional medicine has become an important part of healthcare worldwide. It is estimated that about 25 percent of prescribed medicines contain plant products or active compounds derived from plants. In South Africa, traditional medicine forms part of the culture and tradition of most communities. Garlic compounds have been shown to have a variety of antimicrobial properties. Amongst these are antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti protozoal activities. Allicin and its breakdown products have been shown to be the main active compounds which possess these properties. Tulbaghia violacea has been used for the treatment of a variety of illnesses including asthma, fever, oesophageal cancer, constipation and hypertension. This study investigated the antifungal nature of T.violacea on the morphology, spore germination and lipid synthesis of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The results of this study showed that the plant extract inhibited A. flavus growth at a minimal inhibitory concentration of 15mg/ml and was fungicidal at 20mg/ml and above. A. parasiticus was not inhibited at 25mg/ml indicating resistance to the inhibitory component of the plant extract. A measure of metabolic activity using the XTT assay showed reduced metabolic activity in the presence of increasing concentrations of the plant extract. Higher extract concentrations resulted in higher percentage inhibition of fungal growth for both fungal species with up to 98 percent inhibition being observed for the highest extract concentrations for both fungi. Germination was also delayed in the presence of 15mg/ml plant extract concentration by up to 60hr for A. flavus and 48hr for A. parasititcus. The TEM results showed increased thickening of the cell wall with higher extract concentrations. The thickening was greater for A. flavus than for A. parasiticus. Cell wall thickening may be the reason for the delay in germination in both species. Lipid production was reduced in the presence of plant extracts when compared to the control. The plant extracts inhibited triglyceride production at 15mg/ml for both A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The results therefore indicate that T. violacea extracts are antifungal and probably affect germination through interactions with the cell wall. It is possible that the extract affects lipid production in Aspergillus species.

Obesity is a disease that has reached epidemic proportions across the world. Many types of treatments have been used to combat obesity including using synthetic drugs such as sibutramine and orlistat. However, the high cost and potentially hazardous side-effects of anti-obesity drugs have led many researchers to turn to naturally occurring compounds obtained from fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants for the treatment of obesity. In our study, the anti-obesity effects of S. crispus crude extract (SCE) and individual polyphenols (EGCG, Resveratrol, Phloridzin, Quercetin and Verbascoside) found in fruits, vegetables and herbs have been investigated. The effects of S. crispus extract (SCE) in vivo were tested on high fat-induced obese LDLr KO mice maintained on high fat diet (HFD) or switched to low fat diet (LFD). All mice were HFD for 25 weeks to induce obesity, after which half were maintained on the HFD and half switched to LFD. At the same time, mice were given normal water or 0.1% (w/v) SCE in water at Week 0-4 which was increased to 1% (w/v) at Week 5-10. Oxygen consumption (VO2), CO2 production (VCO2), RER, locomotor activity (LMA) and heat production (HP) were measured at Week 0, 5 and 10. Food intake, water intake and body weight was measured weekly. Plasma glycerol (PG) and abdominal adipose tissue (AAT) weight were determined at Week 10. Mice switched to LFD lost weight (p< 0.001), mainly due to decreased energy intake (p<0.001). They also had lower AAT weight and PG concentration (all p<0.001). SCE had no effect at either dose on body weight, VO2, VCO2 or LMA, but significantly reduced respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (p=0.034) and increased HP at Week 4 (P=0.048), without altering food or water intake (p=0.1, p=0.222). PG concentration were also increased in SCE treated mice (p=0.032). The effects of SCE and individual polyphenols in vitro were tested on rat epididymal and human omental adipose tissue explants and results were compared with with the results from the pig perirenal adipose tissue explants. SCE does not appear to have any direct effect on lipolysis in the rat epididymal adipose tissue explants and human omental adipose tissue explants. EGCG was found to consistently inhibit lipolysis in rat, human and pig adipose tissue explants and the effects were greatest at 100µM. The effects of Phloridzin in human, rat and pig fat explants were inconsistent as it was found to either increase or decrease lipolysis with different treatments. In all experiments, when Isoproterenol (IP) was present Resveratrol inhibited lipolysis and was independent of adenosine deaminase (ADA), with greater inhibition found at 100µM compared with 50µM Resveratrol. The effects of Resveratrol on lipolysis in the human adipose tissue explants was found to be different when compared with the effects found in the pig and rat adipose tissue explants when incubated for 24 and 26hr. The effects of Resveratrol on lipolysis in the human adipose tissue itself are also dependent on the presence and absence of ADA and IP. Subsequent experiments were carried out where basal lipolysis and effects of the presence and absence of ADA were also investigated. Basal lipolysis was found to be higher in pig adipose tissue explants (Headland, 2007) than in human adipose tissue explants, but lower than rat adipose tissue explants. This is also true for the IP stimulated lipolysis in pig perirenal adipose tissue explants, but not in the pig subcutaneous adipose tissue explants, where IP stimulated lipolysis was similar to that in human omental adipose tissue. As expected, the presence of adenosine does have an effect on the lipolysis rate in rat, human and pig adipose tissue explants, since the addition of ADA (to metabolise/remove adenosine) increased basal lipolysis. However, only in the pig perirenal adipose tissue explants was IP stimulated lipolysis found to be increased with ADA. In the human omental adipose tissue explants, we also found that although BMI and age had weak negative correlations with lipolysis, these were not statistically significant (P=0.097 for BMI, P=0.48 for age). However, the trend suggests that IP stimulated lipolysis decreased with increased BMI. Thus, SCE appeared to induce lipolysis and body fat oxidation in vivo but no direct effect on lipolysis were found in vitro. Resveratrol is the most promising polyphenol to induce lipolysis based on the studies across the rat, human and pig species compared with quercetin, EGCG and Phloridzin. The consistent effects of EGCG on lipolysis inhibition however, might also be an anti-obesity effect through the mechanism of adipocyte apoptosis which requires further study.

Phytochemical analysis of both HEA1 and the crude plant extract showed the presence of phenolics, tannins and saponins. Saponins were the predominant secondary metabolites and were mostly abundant in the plant extract and to a lesser extent in the active compound. Steroidal saponins, tannins and phenolics were also detected in the plant extract, but only the phenolics were detected in the active compound. The results of the phytochemical analysis showed that those compounds that were not present in the active compound could be removed from the crude extract during the TLC purification process. Investigation on the mechanism of action of the crude plant extract on the sterol production by A. flavus showed that the plant extract affected ergosterol biosynthesis by causing an accumulation of oxidosqualene in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway resulting in a decline in ergosterol production. An oscillatory response in lanosterol production was observed in the presence of the plant extract, which may be an adaptation mechanism of A. flavus to unfavourable conditions and compensation for the loss of enzyme activity which may have occurred as a result of the accumulation of oxidosqualene. The antifungal activity of the plant extract on ergosterol production by A. flavus may also be due to saponins which target the cell membrane and ergosterol production in fungi. The effect of the plant extract on the fungal cell wall of A. flavus also showed that the plant extract caused a decline in β-(1, 3) glucan production by inhibiting β-glucan synthase. The plant extract also affected the chitin synthesis pathway of A. flavus, by causing a decline in chitin production, which was due to the inhibition of chitin synthase. Investigation of chitinase production using 4MU substrates showed that the plant extract caused an accumulation of chitobioses, by activating chitobiosidases and endochitinases. A decline in N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in the presence of the plant extract was observed and this prevented the formation of N-acetylglucosamine. The accumulation of chitobiosidase and endochitinase may be as a result of autolysis that may be triggered by A. flavus as a survival mechanism in the presence of the plant extract and as a compensatory mechanism for the loss of β-glucans and chitin. The antifungal effect of the plant extract on various components of the cell wall of A. flavus, makes T. violacea aqueous plant extract an ideal chemotherapeutic agent against both human and plant pathogens of Aspergillus. The broad spectrum of antifungal activity of T. violacea against A. flavus also eliminates any chances of the fungus developing resistance towards it and would make it a candidate for use as a potential antifungal agent. Further identification and possible chemical synthesis is needed to shed light on the safety and efficacy of the active compound for further development as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that is the major cause of many upper gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. It has the unique ability of colonising the human gastric mucosa. Failure in complete eradication of H. pylori in infected patients, mainly due to antibiotic resistance, has necessitated the development of better therapeutics, especially from natural sources. In this study, extract of Maris piper potatoes were obtained and evaluated for antibacterial activity against H. pylori in vitro. Antibacterial activity was carried out against antibiotic-sensitive and clinical antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains, as well as a range of Gram-negative bacteria including Helicobacter and Campylobacter species, using the viable count method. Result of the antibacterial assays indicated that potato extract is bactericidal against H. pylori lab strain as well as clinical antibiotic-resistant strains, with minimum inhibitory concentration at 15.6 mg/ml. Potato extract also showed minimal antibacterial activity against other Gram- negative bacteria tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration at 250 mg/ml. The effect of the extract on the morphology of H. pylori was also observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis of potato extract-treated H. pylori cells showed disruption of the morphology of H. pylori, characterized by separation of the outer membrane from the inner membrane and loss of cell shape. Potato extract also caused hyperpolarisation of H. pylori plasma membrane; however it is unclear whether the membrane active pumping activity is affected. Mutants of H. pylori that are resistant to potato extract were generated as a means to identify the target of potato extract within the H. pylori genome. Genome sequence analysis led to the discovery of a hypothetical protein, encoded by HP0603 gene, which may be involved in inducing resistance to potato extract. The results obtained in this study provide great insights into the anti-H. pylori activity of potato extract. Overall, this study suggests the potential use of potato extract as a source of anti-H. pylori agents; and stimulates further studies into identifying its mechanism of action.

Com o objetivo de melhorar o desempenho de culturas agrícolas, a utilização de extratos de algas tem aumentado, principalmente por ser uma alternativa ao uso de fertilizantes e por ser ecologicamente correta. A alga marinha Ascophyllum nodosum destaca-se dentre as espécies comumente empregadas para esta finalidade, e tem sido muito estudada por suas propriedades que incluem desde a promoção de crescimento vegetal ao uso na alimentação humana e animal. Numerosos estudos têm revelado vários efeitos benéficos da aplicação de extratos de algas em plantas, tais como a precocidade germinativa de sementes e de seu estabelecimento, melhoria do desempenho e da produtividade vegetal e elevada resistência a estresses bióticos e abióticos. Múltiplos processos fisiológicos, bioquímicos e genéticos estão envolvidos nas respostas dos vegetais e os efeitos observados a partir das aplicações podem ser diretos ou indiretos. Entretanto, os mecanismos de ação do extrato de A. nodosum ainda são pouco conhecidos e a sua elucidação é importante para a elaboração de estratégias que favoreçam o aumento da produtividade vegetal. Deste modo, torna-se relevante o estudo dos efeitos do extrato de alga sobre a fisiologia do crescimento, desenvolvimento e produtividade de espécies utilizadas em grandes culturas. O milho, a soja, o trigo e o feijão figuram entre as 10 culturas com maiores áreas de cultivo e volumes de produção no Brasil. Todas possuem múltiplas utilidades, alcançando relevância econômica e social não somente para este país, como também para o mundo, e por isso foram escolhidas para este estudo.<br>Aiming to improve the crop performance, the use of seaweed extracts has increased mainly because it is an alternative to the use of fertilizers and for being environmentally friendly. The seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum stands out among the species commonly employed for this purpose, and has been widely studied for its properties, which provide the plant growth as well as food for human and animals. Many studies have shown several beneficial effects of seaweed extracts in plants, such as the early germination of seeds and their establishment, improving the crop performance and productivity and a high resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Multiple physiological processes, biochemical and genetic factors are involved in the plant responses and the effects observed from applications can be direct or indirect. However, the action mechanisms of the A. nodosum extract are still poorly understood and their elucidation is important to develop strategies that provide higher plant productivity. Thus, it is important to study the seaweed extract effects on the physiology of the growth, development and yield of species used in crops. Corn, soybean, wheat and bean were chosen for this study due to their multiple uses and for being among the 10 crops that have the largest areas of cultivation and production volume in Brazil; achieving social and economic relevance not only for this country but also for the world.

Aloe mites are herbivores of the genus Aloe (ALOACEAE) and are associated with hyperplastic growth in various aloe species, but the biochemistry of this interaction is poorly understood. In an effort to characterize plant defense responses to herbivory in the genus Aloe, a salivary extract was isolated from aloe mites (Aceria aloinis Keifer) and its bioactivity was tested using a hypocotyl elongation assay. Subsequently, Aloe striata plants were treated with jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and the mite salivary extract. Using water and methanol, compounds of different polarity were extracted from aloe tissues that had been frozen and crushed at 4, 12, and 24h after treatment. Extracts were analyzed by HPLC and three compounds were found. One of these compounds was SA (mean concentration of 4µg/mL), and this is the first time that this aloe species has been found to produce SA. Two additional peaks of unknown identity were observed in JA- and SA-treated plants. These results suggest that A. striata may in fact undergo a JA-mediated change in secondary metabolism as part of a plant defense response.

Alcohol abuse is a very common practice (just like in many other parts of the world) in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. This is associated with liver disease. An ethnobotanical survey of plants used for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage in Nkonkobe Municipality was conducted. During the survey and also from information gathered in the literature, Pelargonium reniforme Curtis, was prominently mentioned, among other plants, as the species used generally for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage. This project was designed to evaluate the effects of the plant on alcohol-induced liver damage, including its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It also involves safety evaluation studies to determine if the plant is safe for consumption. Studies using rats of the Wistar strain were carried out to determine the protective and curative effects of P. reniforme on alcohol-induced liver damage. Results obtained showed that the plant extract can protect the liver cells as well as enhance recovery from tissue damage. The plant also showed good antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and this further validates its use in the treatment of liver diseases. Safety evaluation studies of the extract were carried out by investigating the effects of the oral administration on some haematological and biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats. The results obtained from the study suggest that the plant extract is not toxic at the doses used and is therefore safe for medicinal uses. The results of the various bioassays carried out in this project have justified the traditional uses of P. reniforme for the treatment of alcohol-induced liver damage.

Although pharmaceutical industries have produced a number of new antibiotics in the last three decades, resistance to these drugs by infectious microorganisms has increased. For a long period of time, plants have been a valuable source of natural products for maintaining human and animal health. The use of plant compounds for pharmaceutical purposes has gradually increased worldwide. This is because there are many bioactive constituents in plants which hinder the growth or kill microbes. Plants could be considered a potential gold mine for therapeutic compounds for the development of new drugs. In this study, sixteen South African plant species were selected based on their antibacterial activity after a wide screening of leaf extracts of tree species undertaken in the Phytomedicine Programme, University of Pretoria. Literature search excluded eleven plants because of the work already performed on their antibacterial activities, while Pavetta schumaniana was found toxic and thus not included in the screening. The remaining four plants namely; Buxis natalensis, Macaranga capensis, Dracaena mannii and Garcinia livingstonei were screened for antibacterial activity by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against 4 nosocomial bacterial pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also by using bioautography. The extracts of Macaranga capensis, Garcinia livingstonei, Diospyros rotundifolia and Dichrostachys cinerea had good antibacterial activity with MIC values of 0.03, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 mg/ml against different pathogens. The average MIC values of the plant extracts against all the tested pathogens ranged from 0.23-1.77 mg/ml. S. aureus was the most susceptible bacterial pathogen with average MIC of 0.36 . The extract of Diospyros rotundifolia was the most active with an average MIC against all the organisms of 0.23 mg/ml. The extracts of Buxus natalensis, Dracaena mannii, and Pittosporum viridiflorum, Acacia sieberiana, Erythrina lattissima, Cassine papillosa and Pavetta schumanniana had lower antibacterial activity. G. livingstonei was selected for further work on the basis of its good activity. The bulk acetone extract of Garcinia livingstonei (20g) was subjected to solvent-solvent fractionation which yielded seven fractions. Only the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed good bioactivity in the microdilution assay and bioautography. Column chromatography was used to isolate two bioactive biflavonoids from the ethyl acetate fraction. The structures of the two compounds were elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and were identified as amentoflavone (1) and 4′ monomethoxyamentoflavone (2). These two compounds have been previously isolated from plants that belong to the Clusiaceae. The two compounds were isolated in sufficient quantity with a percentage yield of 0.45% for amentoflavone and 0.55% for 4′ monomethoxyamentoflavone from 20 g crude acetone extract. The antibacterial activity was determined against four nosocomial bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The MIC values ranged from 8-100 μg/ml. Except for Staphylococcus aureus which showed resistance to amentoflavone at >100 μg/ml. All the other tested organisms were sensitive to both compounds. It has long been recognized that naturally occurring substances in higher plants have antioxidant activity. Based on this, the antioxidant activities of the two isolated compounds were tested using the Trolox assay. The two flavones had good antioxidant activity. Amentoflavone had a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of 0.9. The second compound 4′ monomethoxyamentoflavone had a TEAC value of 2.2 which is more than double the antioxidant activity of Trolox, a vitamin E analogue. To assess the safety of the two compounds on cell systems, cytotoxicity was determined using a tetrazolium based colorimetric assay (MTT assay) using Vero monkey kidney cells. The compounds indicated little to low toxicity against the cell line with cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of 386 μg/ml and >600 μg/ml for compound 1 and 2 respectively. Berberine (used as the control toxic substance) had a CC50 of 170 μg/ml. The Ames genotoxicity assay is used to assess the mutagenic potential of drugs, extracts and phytocompounds. The compounds isolated in this study were assayed for genotoxicity using the Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain. Amentoflavone was genotoxic at the concentration of 100 μg/plate, but 4′ monomethoxyamentoflavone was inactive at the highest concentration of 400 μg/plate tested. The results of the antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity testing were encouraging and indicated the potential usefulness of Garcinia livingstonei in traditional medicine and drug discovery. However, the genotoxicity assay revealed potential mutagenic effects of amentoflavone, a compound isolated from the plant. Therefore, it is suggested that application of Garcinia livingstonei extracts in the treatment of human and animal ailments be done with caution to avoid mutagenic effects on the treated subjects. A relatively small change in the structure of the two compounds by replacing an hydroxyl group with a methoxy group had a major effect in increasing antibacterial and antioxidant activity and in decreasing cellular and genotoxicity. This illustrates the potential value of modifying a molecule before its possible therapeutic use. Copyright<br>Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2009.<br>Paraclinical Sciences<br>unrestricted

Foodborne pathogens are a threat to public health worldwide. Because many consumers prefer natural compounds to synthetic additives, research on safe plant-derived compounds with antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens is vital. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of plant essential oils (oregano, cinnamon, lemongrass), their active components (carvacrol, trans-cinnamaldehyde, citral) and plant-extracts such as green tea, apple skin extract, black and decaffeinated black tea, grapes seed and pomace extracts against foodborne bacteria. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium DT104, and serotype Newport, were selected conducting an antibiotic screening on 23 Salmonella isolates using seven antibiotics to determine antibiotic resistance. Listeria monocytogenes (strain 101M; beef and pork sausage isolate; resistant to antimicrobials in past investigations) was included to represent gram-positive bacteria. Escherichia coli O157:H7 virulent isolates (932- apple juice isolate; ATCC 35150- human isolate; F4637- sprouts isolate; used as a cocktail) were selected after conducting a Multiplex PCR over nine E. coli O157:H7 isolates to detect shiga-toxin 1 and 2 genes. All antimicrobials were evaluated in vitro in phosphate buffered saline. In general, all pathogens were more susceptible to essential oils and their active components, than powder extracts. The most active antimicrobials from each category were directly applied on foods. The activity of oregano oil (0.5%) and green tea (3%) was evaluated against S. Typhimurium on chicken and S. Newport on tomatoes and sprouts, and the results showed that oregano oil was more effective. In addition, baby spinach leaf samples inoculated with green fluorescent protein labeled S. Newport were examined under confocal scanning laser microscope before and after antimicrobial treatments. Antimicrobial experiments against L. monocytogenes on sprouts, ham and bologna, carvacrol at 0.5% and grape seed extract at 3% were used and carvacrol showed better activity. Antimicrobial activity against E. coli O157:H7 was tested on romaine lettuce, spinach and ground beef using oregano oil at 0.5% and green tea at 3%. Both compounds were effective showing no recovery of E. coli O157:H7 from lettuce and spinach; however, was not reduced in ground beef. Antimicrobial plant compounds have the potential for reducing foodborne pathogenic bacteria on/in various foods.

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-03-14T20:18:05Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Tatiana Carvalho Faria - 2017.pdf: 775476 bytes, checksum: 88bec79d421176f3ad69d8af7193d38f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-03-20T12:31:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Tatiana Carvalho Faria - 2017.pdf: 775476 bytes, checksum: 88bec79d421176f3ad69d8af7193d38f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-20T12:31:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Tatiana Carvalho Faria - 2017.pdf: 775476 bytes, checksum: 88bec79d421176f3ad69d8af7193d38f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-14<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES<br>The use of biostimulants has been widely applied in agricultural production, in soybean especially, and perform an important role in the growth and development of plants. The present study objectified to evaluate the biostimulants in soybean, about the application time and the environment, considering the agronomic aspects, productivity and economic viability. Two experiments were implanted, one in the greenhouse and other in the field. The design was completely randomized, factorial 6 x 3 with 4 repetitions. The treatments were: control, without product application; Stimulate® , 250 mL ha-1 ; Matrix G® , 200 mL ha-1 ; Vitakelp® , 250 mL ha-1 ; Agrostemin® , 30g ha-1 ; Improver® , 120 mL ha-1 . The times of application were in seed treatment, to 40 or 60 days after sowing. In the greenhouse, the control, Agrostemin® and Improver® obtained the same mean of the first legume insert and were higher to Vitakelp® . In the dry root mass, the Matriz G® was higher than Vitakelp® . In the field, in relation to first legume insert the Agrostemin® was better than the Improver® and Stimulate® , the Matriz G® surpassed the Improver® and the application via seed and 60 days after sowing were better. In relation to plant height in seed treatment, the control and the Stimulate® were better than Matriz G® and the Improver® . When applied 40 days after sowing, the Stimulate® had greater height than the Matriz G® . In this variable the best time for of the products application was 40 days after sowing. In number of branches, in the seed treatment, the control and the Stimulate® had more branches than Vitakelp® and Improver® . In the analysis of joint variance of the experiments the height of first legume insert, number of pods, grains and branches per plant, grain mass and productivity were better at greenhouse. Plant height stood out in the field. All treatments were better in the field at plant height and better at greenhouse in grain mass and productivity. It is concluded that the climate, nutritional and health conditions favorable for the crop cycle attenuate the effects of biostimulants in plants. The first legume insert, plant height, root dry mass and number of branches per plant, the biostimulants contribute positively. The application time influences the first legume insert, plant height and number of branches per plant, increasing them. Growing in a greenhouse brings better results. The use of biostimulants is not economically viable.<br>O uso de bioestimulante tem sido amplamente aplicado na produção agrícola, especialmente em soja, e desempenha um papel importante no crescimento e desenvolvimento da planta. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar bioestimulantes em soja, segundo a época de aplicação e ambiente, atentando para os aspectos agronômicos, produtividade e viabilidade econômica. Foram implantados dois experimentos sendo um em ambiente com telado e outro no campo. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, esquema fatorial 6 x 3, com 4 repetições. Os tratamentos foram: testemunha, sem aplicação de produto; Stimulate® , 250 mL ha-1 ; Matriz G® , 200 mL ha-1 ; Vitakelp® , 250 mL ha-1 ; Agrostemin® , 30g ha-1 ; Improver® , 120 mL ha-1 . As épocas de aplicação foram: em tratamento de sementes, aos 40 ou 60 dias após o semeio. Em telado, a testemunha, o Agrostemin® e o Improver® obtiveram a mesma média de altura de inserção de primeira vagem e foram superiores ao Vitakelp® . Em relação à massa seca de raiz, o Matriz G® foi superior ao Vitakelp® . No campo, em relação à altura de inserção de primeira vagem o Agrostemin® foi melhor que o Improver® e o Stimulate® , o Matriz G® superou o Improver® e a aplicação via semente e com 60 dias após o semeio foram melhores. Em relação à altura de planta, em tratamento de sementes, a testemunha e o Stimulate® foram melhores que o Matriz G ® e o Improver® . Quando aplicados aos 40 dias após o semeio, o Stimulate® teve maior altura que o Matriz G® . Nesta variável a época melhor para aplicação dos produtos foi aos 40 dias após o semeio. Em número de ramos por planta, no tratamento de sementes, a testemunha e o Stimulate® tiveram mais ramificações que o Vitakelp® e o Improver® . Na análise de variância conjunta dos experimentos a altura de inserção de primeira vagem, número de vagens, grãos e ramos por planta, massa de grãos e produtividade foram melhores em ambiente com telado. A altura de planta se destacou no campo. Todos os tratamentos foram melhores no campo em altura de planta e melhores em telado na massa de grãos e produtividade. Concluiu-se que as condições climáticas, nutricionais e sanitárias favoráveis durante o ciclo da cultura atenuam os efeitos dos bioestimulantes nas plantas. A altura de inserção de primeira vagem, altura de planta, massa seca de raiz e número de ramos por planta, os bioestimulantes contribuem de forma positiva. A época de aplicação influencia, aumentando a altura de inserção de primeira vagem, altura de planta e número de ramos por planta. O cultivo em ambiente com telado traz melhores resultados. Não é viável economicamente o uso de bioestimulantes.

Rosa roxburghii, also known as "Burr Rose" or "Chestnut Rose", originated in southwest China and was introduced to the botanic garden in Calcutta around 1824. It was named after William Roxburgh who was the superintendent. The extract of fruit of the Rosa roxburghii plant is the base ingredient of a range of products that is commercially sold under the Cili Bao label. The extract is composed of a wide range of substances of nutritional value, in particular a relatively high amount of antioxidants such as ascorbate and plant phenols. It has been reported before that supplementation with the fruit extract resulted in increased red blood cell superoxide dismutase, catalase and the reduced form of glutathione. An enhancement of the antioxidant status could contribute to the protection against several diseases where oxidative stress is a major factor in the pathology, such as atherosclerosis, cancer and immunity stress. Several anecdotal reports with little (published) scientific support claim that human supplementation of the Rosa roxburghii extract to the diet has a protective effect against several diseases, including the above mentioned. Medicinal and herbal plants are used in large sections in developing countries for primary care and there is now also an increase in the use of natural therapies in developed countries. However, plant extracts can also consist of anti-nutritional and possible toxic components, such as oxalic acid and nitrates, which could express cytotoxic and genotoxic activities. Therefore, understanding the health benefits but also the potential toxicity of these plants is important. The objective of this study was to investigate the beneficial properties of Rosa roxburghii extract from an antioxidant potential perspective and in particular to investigate the safety of the product for human consumption. For this purpose in vitro evaluation of the cellular toxicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity was performed. In addition, specific biochemical parameters relating to the antioxidant status of the product, i.e. antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress prevention and glutathione redox state profiles were investigated in vitro as well as in vivo. The results indicated that Rosa Roxburghii fruit extract was not mutagenic when tested with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100 and TA 102 in the Ames test. The results, however, pointed towards an antimutagenic effect of the extract in these strains against metabolic activated mutagens 2- acetylaminoflurorene (2-AAF) and aflatoxin B1, and the direct-acting mutagen, methanesulfonate (MMS). In primary rat hepatocyte, Rosa roxbughii extract did not elicit double or single strand DNA damage and cell viability loss using the single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay), lactate dehydrogenase leakage test or the mitochondria1 conversion test of MTT to formazan (MTT test). Again the opposite effect was observed: pre-treatment of hepatocytes with Rosa roxbughii extract significantly reduced the effect of oxidative stress-induced cellular- and genotoxicity. These results point to a protective effect against oxidative stress which is reflected in an increase of the antioxidant capacity and glutathione redox state (GSH/GSSG) in vitro (lymphoblasts) and in vivo (humans) reported in this study. This study underlines the previously suggested potential of this plant extract as a natural and safe antioxidant supplement.<br>Thesis (M.Sc. (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The addition of a local commercial seaweed extract (Kelpak®) to crop plants has proven to be beneficial as it improves growth and yields. Its efficiency has been attributed to its production method that involves a cold process, resulting in a product containing significant amounts of plant growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins). The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of this commercial seaweed concentrate (Kelpak®) on the growth of Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse) Steentoft, Irvine et Farnham, with a view to the potential in mariculture, especially as this red seaweed is currently under cultivation in South Africa as feed in abalone aquaculture.

Seven plants generally used for traditional oral care namely, Barleria albostellata, Cotyledon orbiculata, Dichrostachys cinerea, Heteropyxis natalensis, Carpobrotus edulis, Zanthoxylum capense and Dodonaea viscosa were investigated for antimicrobial activity and safety. Four pathogenic microorganisms, Actinomyces israelii, Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia and Candida albicans, were selected that represented the diversity of microbial flora in the oral cavity. No evidence could be found in the literature on the activity of the selected plant extracts against A. israelii, P. intermedia and S. mutans. Only H. natalensis exhibited activity against the Gram-positive microorganisms, A. israelii and S. mutans; minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to be 0.88 mg/ml and 1.82 mg/ml respectively. The MIC against the Gram-negative bacteria, P. intermedia was found to be 3.13 mg/ml. Dichrostachys cinerea exhibited activity towards a drug-sensitive stain of C. albicans (MIC of 10.71 mg/ml) and against a drug-resistant (polyene and azole resistant) strain of C. albicans (MIC of 10.42 mg/ml). Dichrostachys cinerea was the least toxic to both the Kidney epithelial cells of the African Green Monkey (Vero) and Human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma cells (HEp-2) cell lines with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 204 ± 0.13 μg/ml and 224 ± 0.1 μg/ml respectively. Heteropyxis natalensis was selected for further study as it exhibited moderate cytotoxicity (IC50 of 33.66 ± 0.04 μg/ml) on HEp-2 cells and the best antibacterial activity as compared to the other plant extracts investigated in this study. When H. natalensis was incorporated in a synergistic combination with the essential oils Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree) and Mentha piperita (peppermint); a fourfold reduction in the MIC of A. israelii was exhibited. Gingivitis, the infection of the gums, induces inflammation. To attract the white blood cell, leukocytes, to the site of infection; a chemokine known as Interluekin-8 (IL-8) is released. These cytokine, IL-8, levels were not reduced when the extract of H. natalensis was utilized to prevent the interaction of A. israelii with the epithelial cells, HEp-2. A Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study to determine bacterial adhesion in the presence of H. natalensis indicated that the plant extract interferes with pellicle formation and glucan binding of S. mutans to the enamel surface of the tooth. Five known compounds were identified from the ethanolic extract of H. natalensis leaves and twigs. The compounds were identified as Aurentiacin A (1), Cardamomin (2), 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-methylflavanone (3), Quercetin (4) and 3,5,7-trihydroxyflavan (5). The MICs of the compounds 1 and 4 were found to be 0.063 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml respectively against A. israelii. Compounds 2 and 5 exhibited no inhibitory activity at 1.0 mg/ml (the highest concentration tested) against A. israelii. This is the first report of the isolation of the five compounds and their activity against A. israelii.<br>Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012.<br>Plant Science<br>MSc<br>Unrestricted

A four-year drought, increasing population and shifting climate has spurred water conservation practices within Virginia. Creeping bentgrass (<i>Agrostis palustris</i> â L93â ), Kentucky bluegrass (<i>Poa pratensis </i>â Midnightâ ), and tall fescue (<i>Festuca arundinacea</i>) Dominion blend were evaluated under deficit irrigation and upon exogenous application of plant growth stimulants (PGS), seaweed extract (SWE) + humic acid (HA), glycinebetaine (GB) and a commercial SWE product (PP). The objectives were to determine crop coefficients (K_c) for creeping bentgrass fairways and tall fescue home lawns, to determine if PGS application allowed for more water conservation, and to determine if they impacted physiological function and/or root morphology. A preliminary greenhouse experiment was conducted with creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass irrigated with 100%, 85% and 70% of evapotranspiration (ET). The study determined that an additional deficit irrigation level should be included for the field study and that GB application and 100% and 85% ET irrigation level produced the greatest creeping bentgrass root mass. The two â year field study evaluated creeping bentgrass and tall fescue. Tall fescue home lawns could be irrigated every five days with a K_c of 0.55 or once a week with a K_c of 0.70. Creeping bentgrass fairways could be irrigated every four days with a K_c of 0.85. Glycinebetaine application increased bentgrass rooting after planting and showed osmoprotectant properties. Another greenhouse study evaluated five GB rates on bentgrass and tall fescue. No differences were found between the five rates and concluded that the rate utilized in the field study may be appropriate for turfgrass application.<br>Master of Science

1. Introduction and aim of the work Drug discovery in phytomedicine has in the past been mainly focused on the isolation and characterization of new bioactive compounds from natural products. Several NCE (new chemical entities) have been isolated from plants and they are now the active principles of many drugs able to treat and prevent different kinds of diseases. This drug discovery approach is aimed at the determination of the single "active principle" in plants, based on the assumption that a plant has one or more ingredients which determine its therapeutic effects. Beside NCE derived from plants and herbs, there is another important approach which assumes that a synergy of all ingredients of plants will bring about the maximum of therapeutic efficacy [1]. There are new forms of registered plant-derived medicines (phytomedicines) that are not single chemical entities but a complex mixture of active and inert ingredients derived form a crude extraction. However this approach has long been limited since adequate methods to standardize complex plant mixtures as well as to rationalize complex modes of actions were lacking. Moreover ADMET studies were limited due to the complexity of the phytomedicines. Hence most of the information that is usually retrieved for NCE during the drug discovery stage, such as the ADME profile and the mechanism of action was often not obtained for such complex natural derivatives, limiting their efficacy and application in therapy. Recently, thanks to the advent of novel MS techniques and to the commercial availability of high resolution MS analysers, the opportunity to determine the ADME profiles of plant extracts and to explore their mode of action has become possible. Advanced analytical techniques play an increasingly important role in the characterization, identification and quantification of plant extract compounds, not only in the context of their natural source but also in biological fluids to study their bioavailability and to discover the active compounds. Mass spectrometry has become one of the main standard techniques in this field because of the high sensitivity and specificity of the available mass analyzers. Based on these premises, the aim of my PhD work has been to set-up and apply state of the art MS strategies to better understand the mechanisms of action of some crude plant extracts and in particular tannins and rice extracts as well as to define the absorption and PK profile of cranberry and bilberry standardized extracts which are widely used as therapeutic agents. 2. Set-up and application of MS methods to elucidate biological activities and mechanisms of action of plant extracts During the first part of my Ph.D program, I have used MS strategies to investigate the ability of plant extracts to act as i) sequestering agents of reactive carbonyl species, toxic lipid peroxidation products involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of several inflammatory based disorders and ii) as protein precipitation agents (tannin effect) using bradykinin, a pro-inflammatory mediator, as protein target. 2.1 Set-up of an isotopic labelling procedure for the characterization of HNE-sequestering agents in natural extracts and its application for the identification of anthocyanidins in black rice giant germ Reactive carbonyl species (RCS) are cytotoxic molecules deriving from the oxidation of sugars and lipids. When the human system undergoes stress condition, the physiological detoxification pathways are not efficient enough to inhibit these reactive molecules. RCS are electrophilic compounds that can easily react with the nucleophilic centers of proteins leading to the generation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and Advanced Lipoxidation End Products (ALEs) [2]. These products are involved in many chronic diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis and neurodegeneration [3]. Plant extracts represent a source of active compounds with a potential RCS quenching ability. The mass spectrometric method we have recently developed [4] was used to screen the ability of water-soluble rice extracts to act as inhibitors of RCS-induced protein carbonylation. Ubiquitin, used as a protein model, was incubated with one of the most reactive RCS, 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE), and with increasing concentrations of these extracts for 24 h. The amount of modified ubiquitin was determined by HRMS. The inhibitory effect (IC50) of the different extracts was evaluated by measuring the extent of ubiquitin modification in the absence and the presence of the inhibitors. Black rice with giant germ proved to be the most active (IC50 ≈ 29.1 mg/mL). An isotopic signature profile method was applied for the identification of the putative bioactive compounds: the strategy takes advantage of the characteristic isotopic ion cluster produced by the mixture of HNE:2H5-HNE mixed at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The identification of possible bioactive components was obtained by using available databases. Among the list of components identified some anthocyanidins and some aminoacids were present. The capacity of these compounds to act as HNE sequestering agents was tested by HPLC-UV analysis, measuring free HNE not quenched by the molecules tested. The results were expressed as carnosine units. These results support the hypothesis that certain bioactive components sequester RCS and this kind of rice extract can be adopted in dietary strategy for health benefits. 2.2 Development of a direct ESI-MS method to measure the tannin precipitation effect of proline rich peptides Tannins are a heterogeneous class of polyphenols that are present in several plants and foods [5]. Their health benefits, such as antidiarrheal activity [6], are due to their ability to precipitate protein. Thus, it is important to evaluate tannin content in plant extracts to evaluate their potential use as pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals. The purpose of the present work is to set up a suitable method able to quantify the extent of tannin protein precipitation extent. Bradykinin (100 nmoles/mL), chosen as a model, was incubated with increasing concentrations of 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl β-D-glucose and tannic acid chosen as reference of tannic compounds. Bradykinin not precipitated by tannins was determined by a mass spectrometer TSQ Quantum Triple Quadrupole equipped with an ESI source (direct infusion analysis). The results were expressed as PC50 (112.3 µM and 84.6 µM for tannic acid and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl β-D-glucose respectively). The type of tannin-protein interaction was also evaluated after precipitate solubilization. The involvement of proline residue in tannin-protein interaction was confirmed by repeating the experiment using a synthetized peptide (RR-9) characterized by the same bradykinin sequence, but having proline residues replaced by glycine residues: no interaction occurred between the peptide and tannins. 3. MS methods for the study of the ADME profiles of standardized cranberry and bilberry extracts ADME profile of plant extracts is a quite challenging approach due to the multicomponent nature and chemical complexity of such extracts, their various concentrations across a wide range, the complexity of their interactions and their complex degradation dynamics in vivo. Due to the complexity of both botanicals and biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, tissues), the analytical approaches to monitor the time-dependent concentration profiles of bioavailable plant molecules require a high sensitivity and specificity. The advent of high resolution MS analyzers has fulfilled these requirements, permitting their application in studying ADME profiles of plant extracts. In the second part of my Ph.D thesis I have applied MS techniques to study the ADME profile of cranberry and bilberry extracts in humans and rodents, respectively. I have used both on target and off target MS methods which have permitted a better understanding of the absorption and PK profile of these natural extracts. 3.1 Profiling Vaccinium Macrocarpon components and metabolites in human urine and urines ex-vivo effect on the reduction of C. Albicans adhesion The activity of Cranberry (Vaccinium Macrocarpon) in the prevention of Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs) has long been reported [7]. Controversial results concerning the bioactive compounds are due to the use of different dosages and non-standardized Cranberry extract treatments. In vitro studies reported the activity of PAC-A2 [8], but its involvement as the bioactive molecule is uncertain since it is not detected in human urine [9]. In this work a standardized Cranberry extract (Anthocran™) was administered to four healthy volunteers at a dosage found to be active in human studies (2 capsules/day of Anthocran™, 36 mg proanthocyanidins/capsule) for 7 days. The volunteers followed a diet poor in polyphenols 72 hours before and during the treatment. The urine samples were collected before the beginning of the capsule intake and 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 12 and 24 hours after the last assumed. An HPLC-MS/MS method was set up for the analyses using an LTQ-XL-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Two different types of data analyses were performed: on target and off target. The on target data analysis was followed by creating a database containing all the Cranberry extract components and these components were added to other compounds found in literature. The off target strategy consisted of searching all the ions not present or present at an intensity relative to noise in the pre-treatment sample. CFM-ID (competitive fragmentation modeling for metabolite identification) was used for the identification of the unknown ions. These strategies allowed the identification of 35 analytes including Cranberry components, known metabolites and also metabolites hitherto unreported in the literature. Urine collected at different time ranges after the last dosage of Anthocran™ were ex-vivo tested on the reduction of C. Albicans adhesion. Fractions collected after 1 and 12 hours were found effective, significantly reducing adhesion compared to the control (p < 0.001). Purified Anthocran™ components and metabolites identified in the two active urine fractions will be tested. 3.2 Pharmacokinetic profile of bilberry anthocyanins in rats and the role of glucose transporters: LC-MS/MS and computational studies Anthocyanins are pigments widely present in plants and foods and they belong to the flavonoid class. Their health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties are well reported [10-12], leading to a potential use of these molecules in oxidative-based diseases. Several studies have shown that they are absorbed both in the stomach and in the small intestine [13]. One mechanism of absorption proposed there is the GLUT transporters, a hypothesis supported by an in vitro study on Caco-2 cells [14]. The purpose of this work was to better understand the role of GLUT transporters (GLUT2 and sGLT1) in anthocyanins absorption. A quantitative HPLC-MS/MS method was set up to determine the absorption of 15 anthocyanins present in a standardized bilberry extract (Mirtoselect®, 36% anthocyanins) in rats. The oral treatment was performed under fasted and fed conditions and, in fasting conditions with the co-somministration of glucose. The first group (Group 1) did notundergo any diet or starvation and was treated with Mirtoselect® 100 mg/kg. The second and the third groups were only allowed to drink water 18 h before the treatment and then they were administered respectively with Mirtoselect® 100 mg/kg (Group 2) and Mirtoselect® 100 mg/kg with 1 g/kg glucose (Group 3). The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with PK solver add-in program for Microsoft Excel) AUC, TMAX and CMAX. Computational studies were performed to fully understand the molecular recognition of anthocyanins by GLUT2 and sGLT1, to explain the different absorption of anthocyanins found in PK studies and to investigate the electrical form involved in the mechanism of transport. The interaction between anthocyanins and GLUT2 and sGLT1 are quite similar and generally, in the case of anthocyanins, involved: i) H-bonds from all sugar hydroxyl functions, ii) π-π stacking and H-bond from the 5H-chromen-5-one, iii) H-bonds from the 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl moiety. The two simulated transporters yield comparable models, so both proteins might be similarly involved in anthocyanin absorption. The key difference is the greater flexibility of GLUT2 which seems to be able to recognize all the electrical forms tested. 4. Conclusions In conclusion, the present Ph.D work has demonstrated that mass spectrometric strategies based on a high resolution MS analyzer can be successfully applied to better characterize the biological activities and PK profiles of natural extracts characterized by a complex composition. Hence, information usually obtained for pure compounds in the discovery stage can also be retrieved for more complex bioactive products such as plant extracts. Plant extracts which nowadays find a wide use as health products should be better characterized in terms of biological activity and PK thus assuring more efficacy and safety and the fact they are a complex matrix should not limit this information. References [1] Ulrich-Merzenich G, Panek D, Zeitler H, Vetter H, Wagner H, Indian J Exp Biol. 2010, 48: 208-19. [2] Vistoli G., De Maddis D., Cipak A., Zarkovic N., Carini M., Aldini G., Free Radic Res. 2013, 47: 3-27. [3] Nedić O., Rattan S.I., Grune T., Trougakos I.P., Free Radic Res 2013, 47: 28-38. [4] Colzani M., Criscuolo A., De Maddis D., Garzon D., Yeum K.J., Vistoli G., Carini M., Aldini G., J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2014, 91: 108-118. [5] Serrano J., Puupponen-Pimiä R., Dauer A., Aura A.M., Saura-Calixto F., Mol Nutr Food Res. 2009, 53: S310-29. [6] Qin Y., Wang J.B., Kong W.J., Zhao Y.L., Yang H.Y., Dai C.M., Fang F., Zhang L., Li B.C., Jin C., Xiao X.H., J Ethnopharmacol. 2011, 133: 1096-102. [7] Vasileiou, I., Katsargyris A., Theocharis S., Giaginis C., Nutr Res. 2013, 33 : 595-607. [8] Howell, A.B., Vorsa N., Der Marderosian A., Foo L.Y., N Engl J Med. 1998, 339 : 1085-6. [9] Valentova, K., Stejskal D., Bednar P., Vostalova J., Cíhalík C., Vecerova R., Koukalova D., Kolar M., Reichenbach R., Sknouril L., Ulrichova J., Simanek V., J Agric Food Chem. 2007, 55 : 3217-24. [10] Zafra-Stone S., Yasmin T., Bagchi M., Chatterjee A., Vinson J.A., Bagchi D., Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007, 51: 675-83. [11] Joseph S.V., Edirisinghe I., Burton-Freeman B.M., J Agric Food Chem. 2014, 62: 3886-903. [12] Lin B.W., Gong C.C., Song H.F., Cui Y.Y., Br J Pharmacol. 2016,174:1226-1243. [13] He J., Wallace T.C., Keatley K.E., Failla M.L., Giusti M.M., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 7: 3141-3148. [14] Zou T.B., Feng D., Song G., Li H.W., Tang H.W., Ling W.H., Nutrients. 2014,6: 4165-77.

Mestrado em Bioquímica - Bioquímica Alimentar<br>A inclusão em ciclodextrinas (CDs) de hóspedes multi-componente, tais como óleos essenciais e extratos de plantas, é um tema atual e útil para uma série de aplicações nas indústrias alimentar, cosmética e farmacêutica. No presente trabalho foram estudados dois destes sistemas, tendo por hóspedes o óleo essencial de Cistus ladanifer e uma mistura de gingerois extraídos de rizoma fresco de gengibre. A composição do óleo essencial de C. ladanifer foi estudada por GC-MS, tendo-se identificado 94,3% dos seus componentes e determinado a massa molecular aproximada em 143,7 g.mol-1. O óleo foi usado para formar complexos de inclusão com as ciclodextrinas beta e gama. A identificação dos componentes do óleo incluídos preferencialmente em cada CD foi feita por extração com clorofórmio e análise por GC-MS, tendo-se observado inclusão preferencial de compostos de maior peso molecular na ciclodextrina beta, enquanto a ciclodextrina gama incluiu compostos de menor peso molecular. Os complexos de inclusão foram analisados no estado sólido por espectroscopia de infravermelho (FTIR), {1H} 13C CP-MAS RMN e difração de raios X de pós (PXRD), postulando-se empacotamento em canal para ambos os complexos. A mistura de gingerois, obtida a partir de gengibre fresco por maceração em acetona e purificação em coluna, foi analisada por 1H RMN e espectrometria de massa (ESI-QTOF), contendo 54,05 % de 6-gingerol, 19,45% de 8-gingerol e 26,5 % de 10-gingerol, a que corresponde uma massa molecular de 314,7 g.mol-1. O complexo γ-CD·gingerois, obtido por co-precipitação, foi caracterizado por FTIR, {1H} 13C CP-MAS RMN, DSC e PXRD. Também neste caso foi observado o empacotamento em canal. Por um ajuntamento segundo Pawley, foi possível refinar os parâmetros de célula em a = b = 23,886(3) Å e c = 23,356(3) Å (tetragonal). A atividade antioxidante de γ-CD·gingerois foi estudada pelo ensaio de proteção do β-caroteno, tendo-se obtido resultados similares aos dos gingerois não incluídos. Os gingerois e o γ-CD·gingerois foram usados para preparar iogurte fortificado com 1% (m/m) de gingerol (ou equivalente de complexo) tendo-se verificado que o complexo é mais facilmente disperso na matriz do que os gingerois não encapsulados. A cor do iogurte fortificado com γ-CD·gingerois apresentou-se mais semelhante à do iogurte simples enquanto para o iogurte com gingerois registaram maiores diferenças. Os iogurtes fortificados foram ainda estudados quanto à durabilidade, não se tendo observado alterações de pH nem aparecimento de odores desagradáveis durante quatro semanas, enquanto no iogurte simples a formação de odor se iniciou entre a segunda e a terceira semana. A atividade antioxidante dos iogurtes fortificados medida pelo método de ABTS foi superior à do controlo, sendo a condição mais promissora verificada para a amostra com gingerois. Estes resultados sugerem que a matriz interfere com a atividade antioxidante de γ-CD·gingerois.<br>Cyclodextrin inclusion of multi-component guests such as essential oils and plant extracts is a current topic of research. These systems are usefull for a number of applications in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The present work focus on two of these systems, having as guests Cistus ladanifer essential oil and a mixture of gingerols obtained from fresh ginger rhizome. The C. ladanifer essential oil composition was elucidated by GC-MS, which allowed identifying 94.3 % of the components and to establish the approximate Mw at 143.7 g.mol-1. The oil was subsequently included into beta and gamma cyclodextrins (β and γ-CDs) by co-precipitation. Identification of the included components of the oil was done by chloroform extraction followed by GC-MS analysis. β-CD preferentially included compounds of higher molecular weight, whereas γ-CD included lower molecular weight compounds. Solid state analysis of the inclusion complexes comprised infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), {1H} 13C CP-MAS RMN and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) that suggests the occurrence of channel packing for both. Gingerols were obtained from fresh ginger by maceration in isopropanone followed by column chromatography. The product was analysed by 1H RMN and mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF), revealing a composition of 54.05 % 6-gingerol, 19.45 % 8-gingerol and 26.5 % 10-gingerol, and a corresponding Mw of 314.7 g.mol-1. The γ-CD·gingerols complex was obtained by co-precipitation and characterized by FTIR, {1H} 13C CP-MAS RMN, DSC and PXRD. It presented the typical γ-CD complexes packing in the form of infinite channels. PXRD data was further treated with a Pawley extraction allowing to identify a tetragonal unit cell with the parameters refined at a = b = 23.886(3) Å e c = 23.356(3) Å. The antioxidant activity of γ-CD·gingerois and free gingerols, as evaluated by the β-carotene bleaching assay, showed similar potencies. Free gingerois and the complex of γ-CD·gingerols were employed in fortification of yoghurt, at a concentration of 1% (m/m) of gingerol (or its equivalents mass for the complex). A better dispersion into the matrix was observed for the γ-CD·gingerols–fortified yogurts in comparison with gingerols-fortified samples. The colour of the yoghurts fortified with the complex was almost similar to that of plain yoghurt, whereas those fortified with free gingerols had more colour variation in regard to plain yoghurt. The storage stability of fortified yoghurts was evaluated through pH monitoring and the formation of malodours. No changes in pH or malodours were observed for four weeks. In turn, a malodour in simple yoghurt was noticed starting from the second to the third week of storage. The antioxidant activity of yoghurts, as measured by the ABTS assay, revealed a higher antiradical action for gingerols-fortified and γ-CD·gingerols–fortified yogurts when compared to that of plain yogurts, with the most promising results being registered for the gingerols-fortified samples. These particular results suggest that food matrix might interfering the antioxidant activity of γ-CD·gingerols.

Access to fresh water is a human right, yet more than 780 million people, especially in rural areas, rely on unimproved sources and the need for finding ways of treating water is crucial. Although the use of natural coagulant protein in drinking water treatment has been discussed for a long time, the method is still not in practice, probably due to availability of material and limited knowledge. In this study, about hundred different crude extracts made from plant materials found in Southern India were screened for coagulation activity. Extracts of three Brassica species (Mustard, Cabbage and Cauliflower) were showing activity comparable to that of Moringa oleifera and were further investigated. Their protein content and profile were compared against each other and with coagulant protein from Moringa. Mustard (large) and Moringa seed proteins were also studied for their effect against clinically isolated bacterial strains. The protein profiles of Brassica extract showed predominant bands around 9kDa and 6.5kDa by SDS-PAGE. The peptide sequence analysis of Mustard large identified the 6.5kDa protein as Moringa coagulant protein (MO2.1) and the 9kDa protein band as seed storage protein napin3. Of thirteen clinical strains analysed, Moringa and Mustard large were proven effective in either aggregation activity or growth kinetic method or both in all thirteen and nine strains respectively. To my knowledge this is the first report on the presence of coagulant protein in Brassica seeds. Owing to the promising results Brassica species could possibly be used as a substitute to Moringa coagulating agent and chemicals in drinking water treatment.<br><p>QC 20121214</p>

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-06-23T17:23:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2004 - Jos? Roberto Pererira.pdf: 1063290 bytes, checksum: ac86f4bd5958ba416f5739fd8e9c3de5 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-23T17:23:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2004 - Jos? Roberto Pererira.pdf: 1063290 bytes, checksum: ac86f4bd5958ba416f5739fd8e9c3de5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-05-25<br>Laboratory and field trials were performed to evaluate the efficiency of Timb? root extract (Dahlstedtia pentaphylla) (Taub). Burk. (Leguminosae, Papilionoidae, Millettiedae) on samples of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) in bovines of the Para?ba Valley region ? S?o Paulo, Brasil. The ?in vitro? trials were carried out using immersion of engorged females, and ?in vivo? on bovines in the field by means of artificial infestation. The standard dilution was made from one part of root powder and three parts of ethanol this was considered the 100% solution. To determine the more efficient solvent to extract rotenone from the root, laboratory trials were conducted on B. microplus engorged females with in three solvents: water, ethanol a.p. and acetone a.p. The laboratory trials permitted the calculation of lethal doses at 90% (LD90) and 50% (LD50) for larvae between seventh and fourtheenth days of application and efficient concentrations at 90% (EC90) and 50% (EC50) on strain local and Mozo with B. microplus engorged females. For the larvae of the local strain (Para?ba Valley Regional Hub) LD50 calculated was 1:31,37 mL and LD90 was 1:85,24 mL. The EC90 for engorged females, of the same strain was of 1:10,19 mL and the EC50 1:34,94 mL. For the engorged females on the hypersersitive strain Mozo the EC90 was 1:23,91 mL and the EC50 1:60,46 mL. The mortality of engorged females in relation to the different kinds of solvents, was analyzed. In the field, the best results (76,10% of control) were obtained three days after application of the product extracted in ethanol, in 1:10, on animals. Then gradually between the seventh and fourteenth days the products lost efficiency, there was no significant difference between treatments and the control group after 21 days.<br>Foram realizados testes laboratoriais e de campo para avaliar a efici?ncia do extrato de ra?zes da planta Dahlstedtia pentaphylla (Taub.) Burk., (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Millettiae) sobre amostras de Boophilus microplus ( Canestrini, 1887 ) de bovinos da regi?o do Vale do Para?ba e da cepa sens?vel Mozo. Os testes foram efetuados ?in vitro?, pela t?cnica de imers?o de tel?ginas e ?in vivo?, sobre bovinos no campo, ap?s infesta??o artificial. As dilui??es foram obtidas a partir da extra??o de roten?ides utilizando?se uma parte de p? das ra?zes da planta para tr?s de etanol, sendo considerada padr?o 100%. Visando determinar o solvente mais eficiente para a extra??o de roten?ides das ra?zes, conduziram-se testes laboratoriais sobre tele?ginas de B. microplus em tr?s solventes: ?gua, etanol p.a e acetona p.a. Os testes laboratoriais permitiram calcular a Dose Letal 90% (DL90) e DL50 para larvas com idade entre sete e 21 dias e a Concentra??o Eficaz 90% (CE90) e CE50 sobre tele?ginas de B. microplus das cepas local e Mozo. Para as larvas da cepa local (Polo Regional do Vale do Para?ba) a DL50 calculada foi de 1: 231,37 mL e DL90 1: 85,24 mL. A CE90 para as tele?ginas, da mesma cepa, foi de 1:10,19 mL e a CE50 1: 34,94 mL. Para tele?ginas da cepa sens?vel Mozo a CE90 foi de 1: 23,91 mL e a CE50, 1: 60,46 mL. Analisou-se tamb?m a mortalidade das tele?ginas frente aos diferentes solventes. No campo os melhores resultados obtidos (76,10% de controle) foram obtidos tr?s dias ap?s a aplica??o do produto extra?do em etanol, na dilui??o 1: 10, sobre os animais. A partir da? gradualmente nos dias sete e quatorze os produtos foram perdendo efici?ncia, n?o apresentando mais diferen?a significativa entre os tratamentos e o grupo controle no dia +21.

Present data indicate that the Ruptiliocarpon caracolito extract exerted significant anti-proliferative activity against P19 EC cells, in the absence of toxicity and significant alterations in the differentiation status of the cells. The focus of this study was to determine whether the proliferation of P19 EC cells would decrease in response to Ruptiliocarpon caracolito extract and whether the anti-proliferative activity, if observed, would be accompanied by alterations in the cell differentiation status. According to the data obtained in the present study, the plant extract exerted a significant anti-proliferative activity against the P19 EC cell line. This activity was exhibited in a dose-related fashion. Amongst the doses tested (5--70mug/ml), concentrations ranging from 30--70mug/ml showed a significant anti-proliferative activity (P &lt; 0.001). The highest growth reduction activity of the extract was noticed at a concentration of 50mug/ml of culture medium. Viability studies indicated that the decrease in cell proliferation was not secondary to the toxicity of the extract. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Crude extracts of the seed kernels of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) are widely used as plant protection products. The active ingredient (a.i.) of these extracts is azadirachtin A (aza A). aza A is a phytochemical (botanical) complex secondary metabolite which, with it is multiple toxic effects on insects, protects the plant against predation. Aza A is present in only low concentration in neem oil, but makes up 20-50% in the NSKEs extracted by polar solvents from the kernels. However, when used as foliar sprays it is rapidly destroyed by sunlight, and might be more effective if it is used systemically. Therefore the aim of the project was to extend previous work and to prepare a pelleted version of the main commercially-available neem-seed kernel extract, NeemAzal®-Technical (NAT) produced by Trifolio GmbH, in preparation for the expected registration of the product in the UK in 2011. It was first necessary to purify a quantity of aza A for quantification of the a.i. pelleted material and in soil and plants in the rest of the project. In achieving high purity (over 98%) aza A, reverse phase chromatographic methods were used, and mass spectrometery was used to confirm purity and identification. A final quantity of 6.2 mg of azadirachtin A was obtained from 4 gm of NAT, a yield of 0.15%. If aza A and the other neem terpenoids are to be used to plant protection, they must have a low phytotoxicity. Effect of NAT on the germination and its ensuing seedling development of two commercially important crops, sugar beet and cabbage was examined. NAT did have an inhibitory effect on seedling growth at 10-3 M aza A. In order to explore the inhibitory affect of aza A, the second part of the chapter was to examine effect of aza A on mitosis of onion root tips. The limonoids in concentration of 10-3 M adversely affected the mitotic activity of onion root tip cells. This could be failure of microtubules polymerisation into microtubules, or some other biochemical effect. From the findings in this part of the project, it can be concluded that only at a concentration of 10-3 M is aza A toxic to plant young seedlings, but in practice this is unlikely to be a significant problem. The first part of Chapter 4 of the project was to lay the foundations for the behaviour of aza A in soil environment in both powder form and in 2 types of granular formulations. The half-life of azadirachtin in soil from this work was found to be 1.6 days which is consistent with the previous reports. This short half-life of aza A may be problematic in use as a PPP. The short persistence might be overcome by formulating neem materials in granules to achieve environmental stability and biological efficacy of application. The granular formulations used in the project showed controlled release characteristics. The release of azadirachtin into the soil water was in fact delayed by encapsulating it in pellets. Systemic uptake of aza A by roots and subsequent presence in the vascular system of plants was assessed. Aza A was transported and was more stable in the leaf areas of cabbage and sugar beet plants than in the soil, as the half-life was found to be 9 days. The concentration of aza A in the leaf-water was less than 10% of the solution bathing the roots. The final part of the project, the application of the pelleted NSKE to protect cabbage, in both glass house and field conditions, demonstrated that neem products in pelleted formulations could be used as effective, systemically applied PPP to control pests of cabbage. In the field tests, the protective effect of the neem extract could be shown over a period of at least 5 weeks after addition of the pellets to the soil. In conclusion, the short soil half-life of the neem a.i., aza A, in PPP could be overcome by a pelleted formulation, the composition of which can delay release of the a.i. The technology allows protection of crops from soil-borne, as well as foliar sucking and biting pest damage by controlled release into the soil to allow uptake into plant vascular system.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-02T13:55:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Juliana da Silva MenezesDissertacaoPt2.pdf: 1449580 bytes, checksum: a75c6c34c790ed22db757094de03b7a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-04<br>Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nïvel Superior<br>Mastitis is a disease that affects dairy cattle, an intramammary infection. Staphylococcus aureus are the major mastitis causing bacteria and the milk can be contaminated by the contact with infected teats. For treatment, due to the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials drugs commercialized, the appearing of multi-resistant strains is notorious. An alternative to the antimicrobial resistance problem is the use of plant extracts like Psidium guajava L. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the microbial sensibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk samples of cows infected with mastitis, against antimicrobial agents and hydroalcoholic leaf of Psidium guajava L. Plants were harvested in three rural properties located in the municipality of Alfenas/MG region. Sampling animals was not probabilistic. Milk samples were cultured for presence of Staphylococcus sp. Additionally, the isolated bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus aureus and subjected to many tests to check the antimicrobial sensibility. The hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guajava L. was prepared and antimicrobial tests were performed by the technician in wells. Contamination by Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed in 55% of the analyzed samples. The most effective antibiotics were clindamycin, erythromycin and rifampin. Penicillin G was the antimicrobial that showed the lower levels of sensibility. The hydroalcoholic extract of the leaf of Psidium guajava L. showed antimicrobial activity against all strains of isolated Staphylococcus aureus by inhibiting microbial growth in all tested concentrations. Therefore the use of this plant extract can be an alternative method to combat the increase incidence of microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial drugs sold, besides a potential field of study.<br>A mastite é a infecção intramamária que acomete o gado leiteiro bovino, causada mais frequentemente pela bactéria Staphylococcus aureus. O leite pode ser contaminado pelo contato direto com tetos infectados. Devido ao uso indiscriminado de antimicrobianos utilizados para o tratamento, é notório o aparecimento de micro-organismos resistentes. Uma alternativa pode ser o uso de extratos vegetais, a exemplo Psidium guajava L.. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o perfil de sensibilidade microbiana in vitro de isolados de Staphylococcus aureus provenientes de leite mastítico contra antimicrobianos e extrato hidroalcoólico da folha de Psidium guajava L.. A colheita foi realizada em três propriedades rurais da região da cidade de Alfenas, MG. A amostragem dos animais foi não probabilística. As amostras de leite foram processadas e inoculadas em meios de cultura seletivos para verificar a presença de Staphylococcus sp. Os isolados foram identificados quanto à espécie Staphylococcus aureus e submetidos a diferentes testes para verificar a sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos. Foi preparado o extrato hidroalcoólico das folhas e os testes antimicrobianos realizados pela técnica de poços. Foi confirmada a contaminação por Staphylococcus aureus em 55% das amostras. Os antibióticos de maior ação foram clindamicina, eritromicina e rifampicina. Penicilina G foi o antimicrobiano que apresentou menores índices de sensibilidade. O extrato da folha apresentou atividade antimicrobiana contra todos os isolados, inibindo o crescimento em todas as concentrações testadas. Portanto, a utilização deste extrato vegetal pode ser uma alternativa à crescente resistência microbiana aos antimicrobianos comercializados, sendo um potencial campo de estudos.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-11-08T12:30:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Wagner Mcklayton Alves de Souza.pdf: 593917 bytes, checksum: 7cc4ef2d8445b4e599bbc16f65b02221 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-08T12:30:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Wagner Mcklayton Alves de Souza.pdf: 593917 bytes, checksum: 7cc4ef2d8445b4e599bbc16f65b02221 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-29<br>In vitro was evaluated the activity ovicidal and larvicidal of the extract dry Hidroalcoólico of alecrim pepper (Lippia sidoides Cham) on the development of eggs and larval of third apprenticeship L3 of nematódeos gastrintestinais (family Trichostrongylidae) of goats. The action ovicidal was accomplished through analysis probabilístic of evolution of the egg in its embryonic phases, it was used 50μL of saturated solution of sugar contends 40 buoyant eggs approximately in the extract with concentration of 1mg/ml, 2mg/ml, 5mg/ml, 10mg/ml, 20mg, 50mg/ml, 100mg/ml, 150mg/ml, 250mg/ml and 500mg/ml, being appraised in the period of time of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours, water distilled in the negative control and febendazole for 33mg/ml as positive control, all three times in a row. The results demonstrated that the concentration of 500mg/ml presented a probability of 2% of happening evolution of the egg of goat gastrointestinal nematodes. This result went superior to all the other tested groups, andsuperior to the group it controls positive. The activity larvicidal was evaluated through tests of efficiency of the extract Hidroalcoólico on buoyant larval of third stadium L3 in aqueous solution of 50μL and being applied on them the extract of alecrim pepper in the concentrations of 1mg/ml, 2mg/ml, 5mg/ml, 10mg/ml, 20mg, 50mg/ml, 100mg/ml, 150mg/ml, 250mg/ml and 500mg/ml, evaluated to the period time of 24, 48 and 72 hours, water distilled in the negative control and febendazole for 33mg/mL was used as positive control, being twice repeated. After the exhibition period to the extract the larval were counted and separated among alive and dead larval. The results revealed that again the concentration of 500mg/ml really presented result effective with action of 95,89%, that activity went superior again to all the tested groups, getting to overcome in a lot the group controls positive that in function of activity ovicidal already can it is demonstrating resistance anthelminthic. The crossing of the data of the two studies in vitro can reveal a possible activity anthelminthic of the EHA of Lippia sidoide Cham on gastrointestinal nematodes (family Trichostrongylidae).<br>Avaliou-se in vitro a atividade ovicida e larvicida do EHA de alecrim pimenta (Lippia sidoides Cham) sobre o desenvolvimento de ovos e larvas de terceiro estágio L3 de nematóides gastrintestinais de caprinos (família Trichostrongylidae). A ação ovicida foi realizada através de análise probabilística de evolução do ovo em suas fases embrionária, foi utilizado 50μL de solução saturada de açúcar contendo aproximadamente 40 ovos imersos em diferentes concentrações do EHA (1mg/mL 2mg/mL, 5mg/mL, 10mg/mL, 20mg/mL, 50mg/mL, 100mg/mL, 150mg/mL, 250mg/mL e 500mg/mL), sendo avaliadas no período de tempo de 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 e 72 horas, água destilada no controle negativo e febendazole 33mg/mL como controle positivo, todos em triplicata. Os resultados demonstraram que a concentração de 500mg/ml apresentou uma probabilidade de 2% de ocorrer evolução do ovo de nematóides gastrintestinais de caprinos. Este resultado foi superior a todos os outros grupos testados, e superior ao grupo controle positivo. A atividade larvicida foi avaliada através de testes de eficiência do EHA sobre larvas de terceiro estágio L3 imersas em solução aquosa de 50μL e sendo aplicada sobre elas o extrato de alecrim pimenta nas concentrações de 1mg/mL, 2mg/mL, 5mg/mL, 10mg/mL, 20mg/mL, 50mg/mL, 100mg/mL, 150mg/mL, 250mg/mL e 500mg/mL e avaliadas ao período tempo de 24, 48 e 72 horas, foi utilizado água destilada no controle negativo e febendazole 33mg/ml como controle positivo, sendo repetidos mais duas vezes. Após o período de exposição ao EHA as larvas vivas foram contadas e separadas entre mortas. Os resultados revelaram que novamente a concentração de 500mg/ml apresentou resultado realmente efetivo com ação de 95,89%, essa atividade foi novamente superior a todos os grupos testado, conseguindo superar em muito o grupo controle positivo que em função de atividade ovicida já pode está demonstrando resistência anti helmíntica. O cruzamento dos dados dos dois estudos in vitro sugere significante atividade ovicida e larvicida do EHA de Lippia sidoide Cham sobre nematóideos gastrintestinais de caprinos (família Trichostrongylidae).

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:38:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lais Weber.pdf: 890829 bytes, checksum: 517bfe599a74d7b29d48130d4d5ef543 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-15<br>Fundação Parque Tecnológico Itaipu<br>The antimicrobial property of the plants can be explained by the production of active compounds generated during secondary metabolism as well as volatile compounds. Currently, the knowledge of this property have been confirmed scientifically, thus revealing the enormous potential of the plants in the control of infectious diseases, while there is an increase in cases of pathogenic microrganisms resistant to known antibiotics. Essential oils and extracts of plants have shown effects on growth of micro -organisms in many situations, suggesting practical use thereof. In the present study focused on the research of plants as alternative and natural source of antimicrobial substances, determined the chemical composition of the essential oil and various plant extracts (aqueous, ethanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane) of Prunus myrtifolia (L.) Urb. by GC/MS and phytochemical screening respectively, and its antimicrobial effect against microorganisms Gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 14028), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 25933), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) as Gram positive Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 19433), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Bacillus subtilis (CCCD - B005) and yeast such as Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) by determining the values of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) using the microdilution broth; and finally we sought to evaluate the antioxidant activity of essential oil and plant extracts by the capture of free radicals DPPH (2.2difenil-1-picryl-hydrazyl). The largest class of volatile compounds identified in the oil was Prunus myrtifolia benzaldehyde (97%) followed by 3-hexen-1-ol (0.07 %) and benzyl benzoate (0.09 %). Generally through the phytochemical screening of the extracts was found the presence of secondary metabolites such as, flavonoids, tannins (ethanolic and aqueous), and triterpenoid saponins (ethanolic), which have proven active in different studies in the literature. Compared to hexane extract showed absence of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity. The results indicate the aqueous and ethanolic extract as the most effective of the tested pathogens. Regarding oil, showed antimicrobial activity against all pathogens evaluated. In a third stage of the study it was found antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract, ethanolic and ethyl acetate; in relation to essential oil and hexane extract antioxidant activity was not detected. From the results obtained it was established antimicrobial capacity of plant products tested and determined the antioxidant activity of the same . In the second stage of the research took place evaluated the phytochemical profile , antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and aqueous plant extracts from six Brazilian plants obtained from the dried leaves of Maytenus aquifolia Mart., Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg, Ocotea spixiana (Nees) Mez., Psidium guajava L., Ricinus communis L. and Schinus molle L. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of plant extracts was tested against 36 serotypes of Salmonella from poultry products by the broth microdilution method to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The antioxidant properties of these was evaluated by DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hidrazila) method. The phytochemical profile detected components with antimicrobial and antioxidant potential in all extracts , as a percentage capture of DPPH than 65 % , demonstrating the high antioxidant activity of the tested extracts. In microdilution tests, we observed the antimicrobial activity of all tested extracts , and in general the ethanol extracts were more effective when compared to aqueous and ethanol extract of P. cauliflora followed by P. guajava higher end bacteriostatic . The MIC ranged from 1.56 to 100 mg.mL-1 and MBC of 3.13 to 100 mg.mL-1. These results confirmed the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of these plant extracts<br>A propriedade antimicrobiana das plantas pode ser explicada pela produção de compostos ativos gerados durante o metabolismo secundário como também por compostos voláteis. Atualmente, os conhecimentos desta propriedade têm sido confirmados cientificamente, revelando assim o enorme potencial das plantas no controle de doenças infecciosas, enquanto verifica-se um aumento nos casos de micro-organismos patogênicos resistentes aos antimicrobianos conhecidos. Extratos e óleos essenciais de plantas têm mostrado efeitos sobre desenvolvimento de micro-organismos em inúmeras situações, o que sugere uso prático destes produtos. No presente estudo voltado à pesquisa de plantas como fonte natural e alternativa de substâncias antimicrobianas, determinou-se a composição química do óleo essencial e de diferentes extratos vegetais (aquoso, etanolico, acetato de etila e hexânico) de Prunus myrtifolia (L.) Urb. (pessegueiro-bravo), através da CG/MS e triagem fitoquímica respectivamente, bem como seu efeito antimicrobiano contra micro-organismos Gram negativos Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Salmonella Typhimurium (ATCC 14028), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 25933), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883) e Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Gram positivos como, Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 19433), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) e Bacillus subtillis (CCCD - B005) e como levedura a Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) através da determinação dos valores de Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) utilizando a técnica de microdiluição em caldo; e por fim buscou-se avaliar a atividade antioxidante do óleo essencial e dos extratos vegetais pelo método de captura de radicais livres DPPH (2.2difenil-1-picril-hidrazil). A maior classe de compostos voláteis identificados no óleo de Prunus myrtifolia foi benzaldeido (97%) seguido de 3-hexen-1-ol (0.07%) e benzoato de benzila (0.09%). De maneira geral através da triagem fitoquimica dos extratos verificou-se a presença de metabolitos secundários como, flavonoides, taninos (etanolico e aquoso), triterpenoides e saponinas (etanolico), que já se mostraram ativas em diferentes estudos descritos na literatura. Em relação ao extrato hexânico apresentou ausência de metabólitos secundários com atividade antimicrobiana. Os resultados apontam o extrato aquoso e etanolicos como os mais efetivos os patógenos testados. Em relação ao óleo, apresentou atividade antimicrobiana frente a todos patógenos avaliados. Em uma terceira etapa do estudo verificou-se atividade antioxidante entre o extrato aquoso, etanolico e acetato de etila; em relação ao óleo essencial e o extrato hexânico não foi detectada atividade antioxidante. Pelos resultados obtidos ficou estabelecida a capacidade antimicrobiana dos produtos vegetais testados, bem como determinou-se a atividade antioxidante dos mesmos. Em segunda etapa da pesquisa realizou-se Avaliou-se o perfil fitoquímico, ação antioxidante e antimicrobiana dos extratos vegetais etanólico e aquoso de seis plantas brasileiras obtidos das folhas secas de Maytenus aquifolia Mart. (espinheira-santa), Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) O. Berg (jabuticabeira), Ocotea spixiana (Nees) Mez. (canela-branca), Psidium guajava L. (goiabeira), e Ricinus communis L. (mamona) e Schinus molle L. (aroeira). A atividade antimicrobiana in vitro dos extratos vegetais foi testada frente a trinta e seis sorotipos de Salmonella de origem avícola pelo método de microdiluição em caldo com a determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e a Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM). A ação antioxidante dos mesmos foi avaliada pelo método de DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazila). O perfil fitoquímico detectou componentes com potencial antimicrobiano e antioxidante em todos os extratos, assim como um percentual de captura do DPPH superior a 65%, demonstrando o elevado potencial antioxidante dos extratos testados. Nos testes de microdiluição em caldo, observou-se a atividade antimicrobiana de todos os extratos testados, sendo que em geral os extratos etanólicos foram mais eficazes quando comparados aos aquosos, sendo o extrato etanólico de P. cauliflora seguido por P. guajava de maior efeito bacteriostático. As CIMs variaram entre 1,56-100 mg.mL-1 e a CBM entre 3,13-100 mg.mL-1. Esses resultados confirmaram o potencial antimicrobiano e antioxidante desses extratos vegetais

Submitted by Biblioteca da Faculdade de Farmácia (bff@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-04-03T16:56:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira, Eduardo Coriolano de [Dissertação, 2011].pdf: 1135569 bytes, checksum: 8920e224ba454e60a5daa5d299a3e9bb (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-03T16:56:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira, Eduardo Coriolano de [Dissertação, 2011].pdf: 1135569 bytes, checksum: 8920e224ba454e60a5daa5d299a3e9bb (MD5)<br>O envenenamento ofídico, dentre os acidentes com animais peçonhentos é o mais importante deles, pela sua frequência e gravidade. No Brasil, as serpentes do gênero Bothrops são responsáveis por 90 % dos acidentes ofídicos. Os extratos vegetais apresentam uma diversidade de moléculas com diversas ações farmacológicas. As espécies de Clusia são de grande interesse paisagístico, porém duas espécies deste gênero, C. torresii Standl. e C. palmana Standl. apresentam propriedades antiofídicas contra o veneno de B. asper. O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi avaliar as propriedades antiofídicas da espécie Clusia fluminensis Planch & Triana, utilizando diferentes partes vegetais e solventes de diferentes polaridades para o preparo dos extratos, assim como uma benzofenona isolada do extrato hexânico da flor, frente atividades biológicas do veneno de B. jararaca. Ensaios in vitro mostraram que os extratos hexânicos e metanólicos das folhas e frutos, na proporção de 1:50 (veneno:extrato) foram capazes de inibir 100 % a atividade proteolítica do veneno de B. jararaca (9 μg/mL), usando-se azocaseína como substrato; com exceção do extrato hexânico do caule e da benzofenona que inibiram cerca de 50 %. Na atividade hemolítica do veneno de B. jararaca (88 μg/mL), a inibição foi de 40 %, nas proporções de 1:10 e 1:20. Por outro lado, os extratos nestas mesmas proporções não foram capazes de neutralizar a coagulação do plasma induzida pelo veneno de B. jararaca (22 μg/mL), de forma significativa. Em ensaios in vivo (atividade hemorrágica) apenas o extrato acetônico do fruto, na proporção de 1:20, foi capaz de reverter totalmente a hemorragia causada pelo veneno de B. jararaca (16,7 μg/g). Sendo assim, nossos resultados mostram que a planta C. fluminensis pode ser uma fonte de moléculas com propriedades antiofídicas, especificamente contra o veneno de B. jararaca, e que este efeito neutralizante está diretamente relacionado a parte do vegetal e a polaridade do solvente utilizado na extração, Além disso podemos concluir que a benzofenona não é responsável, isoladamente, pelos resultados obtidos<br>Snake venom poisoning, among accidents with venomous animals is the most important of them, by their frequency and severity. In Brazil, Bothrops are responsible for 90 % of snake bites. The plant extracts have a variety of molecules with several pharmacological actions. Clusia species are of great landscape interest, but two species of this genus, C. torresii Standl. and C. palmana Standl. have properties against snake venom B. asper. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antivenom properties the species Clusia fluminensis Triana & Planch, using different plant parts and solvents of different polarities for the preparation of extracts, as well as a benzophenone isolated from the hexane extract of the flower, against biological activity of the venom of B. jararaca. In vitro assays showed that the hexane and methanolic extracts of leaves and fruits at a ratio of 1:50 (venom: extract) were able to inhibit 100 % proteolytic activity of the venom of B.jararaca (9μg/mL), using azocaseíne as substrate, with the exception of hexanic extract from stem and benzophenone which inhibited about 50 %. In the hemolytic activity of the venom of B. jararaca (88 μg/mL), inhibition was 40 %, the proportions of 1:10 and 1:20. On the other hand, the same proportions in these extracts were not able to neutralize the plasma coagulation induced by the venom of B. jararaca (22 μg/mL) significantly. In vivo assays (hemorrhagic activity) only the acetone extract of the fruit was able to totally reverse bleeding caused by the venom of B. jararaca (16,7 μg/g). Thus, our results show that the plant C. fluminensis can be a source of molecules with neutralizing properties of snake venom, specifically against the venom of B. jararaca, and that the neutralizing effect is directly related to part of the plant and the polarity of the solvent used in extraction, we can also conclude that benzophenone is not responsible alone for the results

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-12-01T12:21:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Wendel Jose Teles Pontes.pdf: 861006 bytes, checksum: 961fa7bfa809cad4e7404803afd41260 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-01T12:21:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Wendel Jose Teles Pontes.pdf: 861006 bytes, checksum: 961fa7bfa809cad4e7404803afd41260 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-02-01<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES<br>The present work has the objective to verify the chemical composition and the bio activity of essential oils form fruits and leaves of Protium heptaphyllum and of X. sericea, and the fresh and old oil resins of Protium bahianum, as well as the effect of plant extracts of Croton sellowii, C. micans, C. rhamnifolium, C. jacobinensis and Xylopia sericea, all native species of Pernambuco, on the mite T. urticae. Major constituent identified in the essential oil of fruits from P. heptaphyllum is α-terpene (47.57 %) whereas in the leaves are the sesquiterpenes 9-epi-cariofileno (21.35 %), trans-isolongyfolanone (10.70 %) and 14-hydroxy-9-epi-cariofilene (16.70 %). The fruit oil is more efficient against mites in comparison with the leaf oil. Both oils show a property of mortality and deterrence in oviposition in the highest concentration (10μL L-1 air) and only the essential oil of fruits induces repellence on T. urticae. The essentialoils of the two resins of Protium bahianum were analysed. The old resin shows a high percentage of oxygen containing sesquiterpenes (85.40 %) with high predominance of β-(Z)-santalol acetate (83.08 %). No sesquiterpene was found in the essential oil of the fresh resin, which comprises basically monoterpenes of hydrocarbons (42.37 %) and oxygenated monoterpenes (27.71 %), from which α-phellandrene (13.86 %) and 4-terpineol (7.44 %) arte the major components, respectively. The oils show toxicity against ants, but only the essentialoil of the fresh resin show repellence. Of the studied Croton extracts, the one of the leaves of C. sellowii is the most efficient, causing 69 % of mortality and only the leaf extract of C. jacobinensis is inactive. Mites’ fecundity was affected and all extract show repellence in the concentration of 1%. The major compounds in the essential oil of fruits of X. sericea are β-pinene and α-pinene. The leaf oil is comprised basically by cubenol followed by α-epi-muurolol. Hexane extracts of fruits and the essential oils of fruits and leaves show toxicity against mites. The xylopic acid even not provoking mortality reduces mites’ fecundity.<br>O presente trabalho tem por objetivo verificar a composição química e a bioatividade dos óleos essenciais de frutos e folhas de Protium heptaphyllum e de Xylopia sericea, e os óleos das resinas velha e fresca de Protium bahianum, bem como o efeito de extratos vegetais de Croton sellowii, C. micans, C. rhamnifolius, C. jacobinensis e X. sericea, todas estas espécies nativas de Pernambuco, sobre o ácaro rajado Tetranychus urticae. O constituinte majoritário identificado no óleo essencial dos frutos de P. heptaphyllum foi α-terpineno (47,57%), enquanto que nas folhas foram os sesquiterpenos 9-epi-cariofileno (21,35%), trans-isolongifolanona (10,70%) and 14-hidroxi-9-epi-cariofileno (16,70%). O óleo dos frutos foi mais eficiente contra o ácaro, comparado com o óleo das folhas. Ambos os óleos apresentaram mortalidade e efeitos sobre a oviposição na maior concentração (10μL / L de ar) e apenas o óleo essencial dos frutos provocou repelência à T. urticae. Os óleos essenciais dos dois exsudatos resinosos de P. bahianum foram analisados. A resina velha mostrou alta percentagem de sesquiterpenos, contendo oxigênio (85,40%) com alta predominância de β-(Z)-santalol acetato (83,08 %). Contudo, nenhum sesquiterpeno foi detectado no óleo essencial de resina fresca, sendo este constituído basicamente de monoterpenos hidrocarbonados (42,37%) e monoterpenos oxigenados (27,71%), dos quais α-phellandrene (13,86 %) e 4-terpineol (7,44 %) foram os componentes majoritários, respectivamente. Os óleos mostraram ação fumigante, mas somente o óleo essencial de resina fresca foi repelente. Dentre os extratos de Croton estudados, verificou-se que o extrato de folhas de C. sellowii apresentou melhor performance, causando 69% de mortalidade e apenas o extrato de folhas de C. jacobinensis foi inativo. A fecundidade dos ácaros também foi afetada e todos os extratos foram repelentes na concentração de 1%. Os compostos majoritários encontrados no óleo essencial dos frutos de X. sericea foram β-pineno e α-pineno. O óleo das folhas foi majoritariamente constituído por cubenol seguido por α-epi-muurolol. Os extratos hexânicos de frutos e os óleos essenciais de frutos e folhas foram tóxicos ao ácaro rajado. O ácido xylópico, apesar de não ter provocado mortalidade, reduziu a fecundidade do ácaro.

The current state of agriculture, where demand for safe food is increasing rapidly as a consequence of growing population, raises a number of questions related to the one health approach and sustainable animal production with minimal impact on the environment. Swine production is an important branch of food production where weaning is the most vulnerable phase for piglets, often associated with decrease of growth performance and diarrhoea. The maintenance of gut health is therefore a complex endeavour where nutrition is crucial in order to reduce the intestinal disorders. Antimicrobial resistance is also a significant global concern. Reducing antibiotic use in animal production systems decreased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals about 15%. In the last decade, the European Union banned the antibiotic use as growth promoters in livestock (EU Reg. 1831/2003). The first antibiotic alternative was the wide application of essential nutrients such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) salts in the form of premix in the diets of animals to control digestive disorders. Due to their low bioavailability, Zn and Cu are commonly found in animal’ manure as a reflection of their content in the feed. The use of Zn and Cu in feed may also have contributed to the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Despite antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, the first adopted alternative against in-feed antibiotics became unsafe due to heavy metal’ pollution in livestock wastewater. In order to reduce the high concentration of Zn and Cu and the antibiotic use in animal diets, plant extracts and different phytochemicals are of potential interest due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, if nutritional ecology’ strategy is not sufficient to reduce the wastewater pollution of heavy metals from livestock production, the development of efficient methods such as multidisciplinary phytoremediation approach is required. First, the preliminary aim was to overview of the role and the main challenges related to the content of essential heavy metals in animal feed and to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals from feed and faeces in animal rearing systems in northern Italy. Based on an overview, the main second aim was to develop a plant-based integrated approach to reduce the input and output of both Zn and Cu as well as the use of antibiotic compounds in pig production. Hence, in order to reduce input, the first aim was to test several natural plant-based phytochemicals compounds (tannins and leonardite) in vivo and to test of the anti-inflammatory effects of peppermint oil and spearmint oil with porcine alveolar macrophages in vitro. The last aim was to assess the ability of two aquatic species, Typha latifolia and Thelypteris palustris to control the Zn and Cu output from contaminated livestock wastewaters as a cost-efficient phytoremediation strategy. The in vivo data revealed that natural plant extracts (leonarditre and tannins) improved animal health. High doses of tannins (1.25%) supplementation showed slight reduction of diet digestibility and protein utilization, however this did not influence on feed intake and growth performance of animals. The inclusion of 0.25% leonardite improved the zootechnical performance, serum lipid profile and gut epithelium integrity, indicating a good general health status. In vitro study results showed that both mint oils significantly reduced TNF-α secretion from macrophages. To conclude, leonardite supports an improved stress response in weaned piglets, high dose of tannins did not impair growth performance and both peppermint and spearmint oils had anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. Moreover, results obtained from the phytormediation trial showed that Typha latifolia and Thelypteris palustris can accumulate and translocate Zn and Cu from contaminated wastewater. Thus, phytoremediation was effective to counteract the output of zinc and copper, and possibly other heavy metals from the livestock industry. Hence, an integrated nutritional ecology strategy and phytoremediation approach, in accordance with the modern principles of agroecology is needed to reduce the antibiotics use and heavy metals pollution in food-producing animals. Moreover, plant-based strategy guarantees the improvement of the health status of human and animal and leads to increase of the sustainability in animal rearing systems.

A mancha preta dos citros (MPC) é uma doença que limita a exportação de laranja brasileira para o Japão e países da Europa. Exceto para Citrus aurantium e seus híbridos, todas as outras variedades são susceptíveis ao patógeno. O fungo Guignardia citricarpa, descoberto por Kiely em 1948 em New South Wales na Austrália, é o estádio sexual do agente causal da MPC e a sua fase imperfeita é Phyllosticta citricarpa. Uma importante característica da MPC é seu longo período de latência. A infecção pode ser efetuada por ascósporos e picnidiósporos. A lesão nos frutos fica restrita ao flavedo (epicarpo), sendo que o fungo não infecta o albedo (mesocarpo). O albedo é rico em celulose, carboidratos solúveis, pectinas, compostos fenólicos (flavonóides), aminoácidos e vitaminas. Os compostos fenólicos presentes nas plantas são produtos do metabolismo secundário, e podem ser resultantes da interação planta-ambiente e podem sintetizados como resposta ao ataque de fitopatógenos. Os fenólicos presentes nos citros incluem flavonóides, antocianinas, coumarinas e psorolenos entre outros. Estes compostos podem exibir ação antimicrobiana e antiviral e podem contribuir controle da MPC. A aplicação de fungicidas é o método de controle da MPC. Uma outra possibilidade de controle seria a ativação de fatores de resistência através do uso de indutores bióticos (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) e abióticos (Bion e ácido salicílico). Deste modo, este trabalho teve como objetivos estudar os efeitos do uso de extratos aquosos, metanólicos e etanólicos de albedo de laranja na germinação formação de apressório e crescimento micelial de P. citricarpa in vitro, bem como avaliar o uso da indução de resistência para o controle da MPC através dos indutores S. cerevisiae, Bion e ácido salicílico em pós e pré-colheita em frutos de laranja ‘Pêra-Rio’ e folhas de limão ‘Siciliano’. Os resultados experimentais mostraram que os extratos de albedo, nas concentrações de 10 e 100 mg / mL de água, foram capazes de inibir em 100% a germinação, formação de apressório e o crescimento micelial de P. citricarpa. Foi observado que os extratos, dependendo da concentração, podem ter ação fungicida ou fungistática. No tocante a utilização de S. cerevisiae, Bion e ácido salicílico, aplicados em pós-colheita, foi observado que estes agentes não foram capazes de impedir o desenvolvimento de novas lesões em frutos de laranja ‘Pêra-Rio’. Também foi constatado que S. cerevisiae e Bion, aplicados em pré-colheita, não foram capazes de induzir resistência contra P. citricarpa em folhas de limão ‘Siciliano’ inoculadas previamente a campo com G. citricarpa. Nesse sentido, sugere-se que outros estudos sejam conduzidos, principalmente no que se refere ao uso potencial de extratos do albedo de laranja como medida alternativa de controle da MPC.<br>Black spot of citrus (CBS) has been a limiting factor in the export of brazilian oranges to Japan and European countries and Japan. Except for Citrus aurantium and its hybrids, all commercially growing Citrus spp. are susceptible to the pathogen. The fungus Guignardia citricarpa, discovered by Kiely in 1948 in New South Wales, is the sexual stage of the causal agent of CBS and Phyllosticta citricarpa is the imperfect stage. An important characteristic of CBS is the long latent period after infection. The infection is carried out by ascospores and pycnidiospores. The fungicidal application is the most important method of control of CBS. The CBS lesion in citrus fruits is limited to the flavedo, since P. citricarpa does not infect the albedo. The albedo is rich in cellulose, soluble carbohydrates, pectin, phenolic compounds, amino acids and vitamins. The phenolics present in the plants are secondary metabolic products and are believed to be produced as a result of the plant interaction with the enviromment and synthesized as a response to attempted phytopathogen attacks. The phenolics that occur in Citrus include flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins and psorolens. These compounds may exhibit antiviral and antimicrobial activities, and may contribute to the control of CBS disease. An another possibility to the CBS control is the activation of factors resistance by the use of abiotics (Bion and salicylic acid) and biotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) “plant defence activator” (inducers). Therefore, the objectives of this paper were to study the in vitro effects of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic albedo orange extracts on the germination, appressorium formation and mycelial growth of P. citricarpa as well as to evaluate the use of the S. cerevisiae, Bion and salicylic acid as “plant defence activator” at post and preharvest conditions in fruit of “Pêra-Rio” and leaves of ’Siciliano’ lemon. The results showed that the use of albedo extracts, 10 and 100 mg per mL of water, inhibited 100 % the germination, appressorium formation and mycelial growth of P. citricarpa. It was also observed that the extracts of albedo, depending upon the concentration, exhibited fungicidal or fungistatic activity. The use of S. cerevisiae, Bion and salicylic acid at postharvest conditions did not affect the development of new lesions of CBS in ‘Pêra-Rio’ orange fruit. It was also observed that the use of S. cerevisiae and Bion at preharvest conditions, did not induce resistance against P. citricarpa in leaves of ‘Siciliano’ lemon naturally infected with G. citricarpa under field conditions. Thus, it is suggested that other studies be carried out, mainly regarding the potential of orange albedo’s extracts as a alternative method for CBS control.

L'objectiu d'aquest treball és l'estudi de l'adobament mixt vegetal-zinc per tal d'obtenir les dades necessàries que permetin optimitzar el procés segons l'article final desitjat. Per assolir aquest objectiu caldrà estudiar quins dels paràmetres físics i químics que formen part d'un procés d'adobament influeixen en els resultats obtinguts al realitzar sobre la pell adobada els assaigs físics i les anàlisis químiques que permeten avaluar la qualitat de la pell. Perquè una pell sigui acceptable pel comprador que vol fabricar un article determinat, ha de complir unes exigències mínimes determinades i uns requisits puntuals que no sempre són els mateixos. Així, mentre que per a determinats articles convé que la pell costi molt d'estripar, per a altres articles convé més que la pell tingui una certa repel.lència a l'aigua, per a altres convé que en tibar-la no s'allargui, etc. Per això, l'estudi de la variació de les principals propietats de la pell adobada respecte a les variacions efectuades en el procés, proporciona la informació necessària per poder dissenyar el procés més adequat d'adobament en funció de l'article final desitjat. Fer aquest estudi serà, doncs, el camí a seguir més lògic per tal d'assolir l'objectiu plantejat.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc<br>Nanotechnology has emerged as an elementary division of modern science and stemmed directly from green chemistry twelve basic concepts, it receives global attention due to its unique character and ample applications. It also has great potential to mitigate the challenges they face in various fields, especially medical sector. Nanodrugs are increasingly considered as a potential candidate to carry therapeutic agents safely into a targeted compartment in an organ, particular tissue or cell. In this study, twenty (20) Libyan plants were selected and evaluated for their potential to synthesis gold and silver nanoparticles. The screening of the different plant extracts was performed using 96 well plate method at 25 °C and 70 °C. The NPs formation was confirmed and characterized using UV- Vis, DLS, HR-TEM and EDX. A well-defined NPs were obtained at high temperature (70 °C). The Au NPs had an average diameter of 92 nm at 25 °C and 66 nm at 70 °C. The zeta potential values were observed to be negative (-14 to -24) and indicate the stability of the Au NPs. The HR-TEM showed polydispersity, which decreased at higher temperature (70 °C). The stability of Au NPs in nutrient broth prior was conducted as well. All the Au NPs under study showed stability, only minimal changes in the UV-Vis spectra can be observed. Two plant extract viz Pistacia atlantica, Junipers phoenicea showed consistent results and forming stable and smaller NPs compared to others, both of the plant extracts and the corresponding NPs were tested against Streptococcus mutans and showed MIC value ~ 49 g/mL. In case of silver NPs, two plant extracts viz J. phoenicea, Rosmarinus officinalis, showed superior results than the others; both plants produced stable and small Ag NPs. The antibacterial activity against S. mutans demonstrated MIC valus ~ 50 g/mL. The synthesised NPs showed a promising bioactivity for developments of new antibacterial agents against S. mutans strains. Dose-dependent activity was observed for the tested NPs.

Submitted by Andrea Pereira (andrea.pereira@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-05-11T13:21:31Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Valeska_Versão 11 CORRIGIDO.pdf: 3238487 bytes, checksum: 73f10af9da8be85f8bdd630332f49d0a (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Andrea Pereira (andrea.pereira@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-05-11T13:21:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Valeska_Versão 11 CORRIGIDO.pdf: 3238487 bytes, checksum: 73f10af9da8be85f8bdd630332f49d0a (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-11T13:21:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação Valeska_Versão 11 CORRIGIDO.pdf: 3238487 bytes, checksum: 73f10af9da8be85f8bdd630332f49d0a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-24<br>Um processo corrosivo em embalagens metálicas para alimentos pode ser iniciado durante a fabricação destas, bem como em todo o período no qual o alimento está em contato com a mesma. O uso de extratos de plantas como inibidores naturais em recobrimentos protetores para o alumínio podem auxiliar na redução da corrosão, além de diminuir a preocupação com o risco de toxicidade causada por inibidores sintéticos industrialmente utilizados. Extratos da espécie Solidago chilensis, conhecida como arnica-brasileira, abundante em todo o Brasil e em maior concentração na região Sul do país, ainda não foram relatados na literatura no uso como inibidores naturais de corrosão, porém, possuem propriedades e compostos que já foram apresentados que indicam capacidade anticorrosiva. O presente estudo busca desenvolver um recobrimento contendo Solidado chilensis como inibidor natural de corrosão para aplicação em embalagens de ligas de alumínio para alimentos. Para avaliar estes recobrimentos foram realizados ensaios de Polarização Potenciodinamica (PP), Espectroscopia de Impedância Eletroquímica (EIE), Microscopia de Força Atômica (MFA), Espectroscopia na região do Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FT-IR) e Difração de Raios-X (DRX). Considerando a possibilidade de alteração da resistência à corrosão devido a algum dano mecânico foi avaliada a adesão do recobrimento através de ensaios de resistência mecânica por Análise Mecânico-Dinâmica (AMD). Para o desenvolvimento da superfície foram realizadas: anodizações, com objetivo de proteção contra a corrosão e aderência do inibidor e do recobrimento; e aplicados o inibidor natural (Solidago chilensis) e o recobrimento de verniz, com o objetivo de proteção contra a corrosão. As anodizações foram realizadas em três diferentes tempos 15, 20 e 30 minutos, após as amostras foram imersas em solução inibidora contendo três diferentes concentrações de inibidor (2,5, 5 e 15 g/L de metanol) e por fim foram recobertas com verniz. A resistência à corrosão e a eficiência do inibidor foram avaliadas através de ensaios eletroquímicos. O módulo de elasticidade das amostras foram avaliadas através do AMD. A morfologia das amostras foram determinadas através de MFA. A composição do inibidor e a interação entre as ligações químicas de compostos do inibidor, do verniz, da anodização e do alumínio foram determinadas por FT-IR. A estrutura cristalina das amostras foram determinadas por DRX. Os resultados apontaram que o melhor tempo de anodização quanto a resistência à corrosão e a resistência mecânica do sistema foi de 15 min. As amostras anodizadas nesse tempo foram escolhidas para serem imersas em solução contendo o inibidor natural. Os resultados eletroquímicos indicaram que a maior concentração de inibidor de corrosão (15 g de extrato de Solidago chilensis por L de solvente) obteve maior eficiência à corrosão, 92,5 %. O uso do inibidor de corrosão natural junto a anodização e ao recobrimento de verniz diminuiu a degradação da amostra ao longo do tempo, aumentou o potencial de corrosão e a resistência de polarização. A rigidez do sistema diminuiu com a aplicação do verniz mas não foi influenciada significativamente, p≤0,05 pela anodização. Estes resultados indicaram que o Al anodizado contendo extrato de Solidago chilensis como inibidor de corrosão recoberto com verniz pode ser uma alternativa interessante na industria de alimentos na utilização em embalagens metálicas.<br>A corrosion process in metallic food packing can be started during the manufacturing of these, as well as throughout the period in which the food is in contact with it. The use of plant extracts as green inhibitors in protective coatings for aluminum can help reduce corrosion, and reduce concern about the risk of toxicity caused by synthetic inhibitors used industrially. Extracts of the species Solidago chilensis, known as arnica-Brazilian, abundant in Brazil and in greater concentration in the southern region of the country, have not yet been reported in the literature used as natural corrosion inhibitors, however, have properties and compounds that have been presented indicating corrosion efficiency. This study aims to develop a coating containing solidated chilensis as green corrosion inhibitor for use in packaging of aluminum alloys for food. To evaluate these coatings were conducted Potentiostatic Polarization tests (PP), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Infrared Spectroscopy in the region Fourier Transform (FT-IR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Considering the possibility of change in resistance to corrosion due to some mechanical damage was assessed the adhesion of coating by mechanical strength tests for Dynamic-Mechanical Analysis (DMA). For the development of the surface were carried out anodizing, in order to corrosion protection and adhesion inhibitor and coating; and applied the natural inhibitor (Solidago chilensis) and the varnish coating, in order to protect against corrosion. The anodizing was performed in three different times 15, 20 and 30 minutes after the samples were immersed in inhibitor solution containing three different inhibitor concentrations (2.5, 5 and 15 g/L methanol) and finally were coated with varnish. The corrosion resistance and the efficiency of the inhibitor were evaluated by electrochemical tests. The modulus of elasticity of the samples were evaluated by DMA. The morphology of the samples were determined by AFM. The inhibitor composition and interaction between the chemical bonding inhibitor compounds, varnish, and anodization of aluminum are determined by FT-IR. The crystal structure of the samples were determined by XRD. The results showed that the best time of anodization as the corrosion resistance and the mechanical strength of the system was 15 min. The anodized samples at this time were chosen to be immersed in a solution containing the natural inhibitor. The electrochemical results indicated that the highest concentration of corrosion inhibitor (15 g of Solidago chilensis extract per L of solvent) had higher efficiency corrosion, 92.5%. The use of natural corrosion inhibitor with anodization and varnish coating reduced the degradation of the sample over time, potential increased corrosion resistance and polarization. The system stiffness decreased with the application of varnish but was not significantly influenced by p≤0,05 anodizing. These results indicated that the anodized Al containing Solidago chilensis extract as a corrosion inhibitor coated with varnish can be an interesting alternative in the food industry in use in metal packaging.

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-02-07T12:20:16Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Fernanda Figueiredo Mendes - 2017.pdf: 3143804 bytes, checksum: f54c570c528aec9a899da580fdc4edd6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2018-02-07T12:54:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Fernanda Figueiredo Mendes - 2017.pdf: 3143804 bytes, checksum: f54c570c528aec9a899da580fdc4edd6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-07T12:54:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Fernanda Figueiredo Mendes - 2017.pdf: 3143804 bytes, checksum: f54c570c528aec9a899da580fdc4edd6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-17<br>Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG<br>The aim was to determine the effect of ethanolic extract of pequi mesocarp on induced brain damage and ERK1/2 and AMPKα active forms in rats subjected to a hypercaloric diet. 48 rats were sorted into two groups of 24 according to the diet used, hypercaloric or commercial, provided daily for 60 days. The animals were separated into two subgroups of 12, treated or not with the extract, given daily for 30 days after diet start. Quantification of triglycerides, induction of global cerebral ischemia followed by reperfusion was performed. Later, euthanasia, brains harvest and visceral fat weighing were performed. Histopathological evaluation of brain lesions, quantification of the number of viable and non-viable cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and of cells marked by the anti-pKR-ERK1/2 and p-AMPKα antibodies in the cerebral cortex were performed. Hypertriglyceridemia and a significant increase in the amount of visceral fat were observed in the group that received hypercaloric diet (p <0.05). Histopathological evaluations showed that the group that received hypercaloric diet and was treated with the extract had fewer brain lesions of ischemia and reperfusion. The extract did not influence the number of viable and nonviable cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, but significantly reduced p-ERK1 / 2 and p-AMPKα cell labelling in the hypercaloric diet group (p <0.05). In conclusion, ethanolic extract of pequi peel reduces induced brain lesions in rats fed a hypercaloric diet and has a modulatory effect on the expression of ERK1 / 2 and AMPKα in the cerebral cortex.<br>O objetivo com esse estudo foi determinar o efeito do extrato etanólico da casca de pequi sobre dano cerebral induzido em ratas submetidas a dieta hipercalórica e as expressões das formas ativas da ERK1/2 e AMPKα no córtex cerebral. Utilizaram-se 48 ratas alocadas em dois grupos de 24, de acordo com a dieta utilizada, hipercalórica ou comercial, fornecidas diariamente por 60 dias. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois subgrupos de 12, tratados ou não com o extrato, administrado diariamente 30 dias após o início das dietas. Foi realizada quantificação dos triglicerídeos e indução de isquemia cerebral global seguida de reperfusão. Seguido à eutanásia, colheram-se os encéfalos e pesou-se a gordura visceral. Foram feitas avaliação histopatológica das lesões no encéfalo, quantificação do número de células viáveis e inviáveis no córtex cerebral e hipocampo e células marcadas pelos anticorpos anti p-ERK1/2 e p-AMPKα no córtex cerebral. Havia hipertrigliceridemia e aumento significativo na quantidade de gordura visceral no grupo que recebeu dieta hipercalórica (p < 0,05). O grupo que recebeu dieta hipercalórica e foi tratado com o extrato apresentou menos lesões cerebrais de isquemia e reperfusão. O extrato não influenciou o número de células viáveis e inviáveis no córtex cerebral e hipocampo, porém, reduziu significativamente a marcação pela pERK1/2 e p-AMPKα no grupo da dieta hipercalórica (p < 0,05). Concluiu-se que o extrato etanólico da casca de pequi reduz lesões cerebrais induzidas em ratas alimentadas com dieta hipercalórica e apresenta efeito modulatório sobre a expressão da ERK1/2 e da AMPKα no córtex cerebral.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal hemp plant extracts to determine the antibacterial effects of indigenous Sansevieria species and exotic Cannabis sativa phytotherapy varieties. This study also assessed whether aqueous o

Submitted by Alisson Mota (alisson.davidbeckam@gmail.com) on 2015-07-13T18:17:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Ana Lúcia Basílio Carneiro.pdf: 16610047 bytes, checksum: c4cd629d2777cd22001ca4ee47db8b8c (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-15T18:51:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Ana Lúcia Basílio Carneiro.pdf: 16610047 bytes, checksum: c4cd629d2777cd22001ca4ee47db8b8c (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-15T18:57:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Ana Lúcia Basílio Carneiro.pdf: 16610047 bytes, checksum: c4cd629d2777cd22001ca4ee47db8b8c (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-15T18:57:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Ana Lúcia Basílio Carneiro.pdf: 16610047 bytes, checksum: c4cd629d2777cd22001ca4ee47db8b8c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-15<br>CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico<br>Tropical forests are species-rich reserves for the discovery and development of antimicrobial drugs. The aim of this work is to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of Amazon plants found within the National Institute on Amazon Research’s Adolpho Ducke forest reserve, located in Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil. 75 methanol, chloroform and water extracts representing 12 plant species were tested for antimicrobial activity towards strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus oralis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans using the gel-diffusion method. Active extracts were further evaluated to establish minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and antimicrobial profiles using bioautography on normal-phase thin-layer chromatography plates. Diclinanona calycina presented extracts with good antimicrobial activity and S. oralis and M. smegmatis were the most sensitive bacteria. D. calycina and Lacmellea gracilis presented extracts with the lowest MIC (48.8 μg/ml). D. calycina methanol and chloroform leaf extracts presented the best overall antimicrobial activity. All test organisms were sensitive to D. calycina branch chloroform extract in the bioautography assay. This is the first evaluation of the biological activity of these plant species and significant in vitro antimicrobial activity was detected in extracts and components from two species, D. calycina and L. gracilis.<br>O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade citotóxica, antitumoral e antimicrobiana de espécies vegetais amazônicas da Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA). As espécies vegetais sem estudos anteriores selecionadas e coletadas foram: Diclinanona calycina Benoist, (Annonaceae), Lacmellea gracilis (Mull. Arg.) Markgr. (Apocynaceae), Pleurisanthes parviflora (Ducke) Howard (Icacinaceae), Dilkea johannesii Berb. Rodr. (Passifloraceae), Sterigmapetalum obovatum Kuhlm. (Rhizophoraceae), Elaeoluma nuda (Baehni) Aubrév. (Sapotaceae). Após coleta e extração as amostras foram avaliadas quanto a citotoxicidade frente a Artemia franciscana e em linhagens de células tumorais. O potencial antimicrobiano foi determinado pelo método de difusão em ágar frente a Mycobacterium smegmatis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguis, S. oralis, Staphylococcus aureus e Candida albicans. Extratos ativos foram conduzidos a avaliação da concentração inibitórioa mínima (CIM) e bioautografia para identificar Rfs de componentes antimicrobianos. Prospecção fitoquímica das espécies promissoras foi realizada para detecção dos principais constituintes químicos. Dos 38 extratos avaliados para toxicidade em A. franciscana, dois apresentaram valores de CL50 inferiores a 100 μg/mL, portanto, tóxicos para essa espécie. A menor CL50 foi do extrato de D. calycina obtido em clorofórmio com valor de 22,9 ± 0,8 μg/mL. No screening para atividade antitumoral, nove extratos representando quatro espécies vegetais foram considerados muito ativos (MA) frente à célula tumoral de sistema nervoso (E. nuda e S. obovatum), cólon (S. obovatum), mama (E.nuda) e leucemia (L. gracilis, P. parviflora, S. obovatum). A maioria dos 75 extratos analisados inibiram o crescimento dos microrganismos teste com halos entre 8 e 40 mm de diâmetro. Extratos de D. calycina demonstraram atividade antimicrobiana com CIM de 48,8 μg/mL frente a S. aureus, S. oralis e S. sanguis e 97,7 μg/mL e 195 μg/mL frente a M. smegmatis. L. gracilis foi ativa apenas contra M. smegmatis (CIM 48,8 μg/mL). A bioautografia confirmou o potencial antimicrobiano de D. calycina e L. gracilis. Todos os microrganismos avaliados por bioautografia foram sensíveis ao extrato de galho de D. calycina obtido em clorofórmio. Na prospecção fitoquímica detectou-se a presença de fenóis, taninos, flavonóides, alcalóides e antraquinonas, em extratos de D. calycina e antraquinonas e cumarinas na espécie L. gracilis. Assim, a seleção permitiu identificar espécies vegetais amazônicas com atividade antimicrobiana e antitumoral in vitro e sugerir as espécies D. calycina, L. gracilis, E. nuda e S. obovatum para apreciação detalhada em outros estudos, pois poderão ter aplicação terapêutica no tratamento de doenças infecciosas e câncer.

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) is manifested in the absent of alcohol abuse. This disease is the major cause of liver failure and death among adults and children worldwide, including South Africa. Its increasing prevalence urges the need of therapeutic intervention. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the following: (1) The effect of 38.9% high fat diet (HFD)‐induced insulin resistance and fatty liver in male Wistar rats, (2) The efficacy of aqueous extracts from Sutherlandia frutescens leaves and Prunus africana bark and metformin in the treatment of HFDinduced insulin resistance and fatty liver. Male Wistar rats were fed on HFD (the HF group) or normal rat chow (the LF group) for 12 weeks. Even though the HFD‐fed rats had developed insulin resistance by week 12, fatty liver developed by week 16. After week 12, the HF group was divided into four groups of 6‐7 rats each and three of those groups were gavaged with either 0.125 mg P. africana extract/kg bwt/day (the HF+Pa group) or 50 mg S. frutescens extract kg bwt/day (the HF+Sf group) or 16 mg metformin/ kg bwt/day (HF+Met group), while kept on the same diet for an additional of 4 weeks, to investigate whether two medicinal plant extracts and metformin can prevent HFD to induce fatty liver or not. After 16 weeks, the liver histological images revealed that the HF group developed fatty liver in the form of both microsteatosis and macrosteatosis. Fatty liver was confirmed by significant increased liver total lipid (TL) and activities of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (cG6PD) and xanthine oxidase (XO), mitochondrial NADH oxidase (mNOX) and by a decrease (P<0.05) in the activities of the homogenate superoxide dismutase (hSOD) and mitochondrial complex II in the HF group, when compared to the LF group. Since the activities of mCS and cACL enzymes were not changed in the HF group, hence increased cG6PD activity in the HF group indicates that there was increased NADPH demand for lipid accumulation from activated NEFAs taken up by the liver from circulation and for maintenance of the NADPH‐dependent antioxidants and oxidants, respectively. The obtained data also show that mitochondria of the HFD‐fed rats adapted to an increase in energy availability, thereby compensation through decreasing complex II activity, to allow electron flux from β‐oxidation to respiratory chain in the HF group. Liver TL content was significantly decreased in the rats treated with metformin and P. africana extract, but not in the rats treated with S. frutescens when compared to the HF group (P < 0.05). However, the TL content remained >5% per liver weight in all treated groups. The present study demonstrates that these two plant extracts and metformin have different glucogenic and lipogenic effects from that presented by HFD alone when compared to the LFD alone. In conclusion, metformin and P. africana extract can attenuate HFD‐induced fatty liver without changing the dietary habits. Hence S. frutescens extract is less effective in the prevention of HFD‐induced fatty liver. A change in the dietary habits is recommended to be considered during the use of these three remedies in the treatment of HFD‐induced insulin resistance and fatty liver. All three treatments enhanced antioxidant capacity, and may improve insulin resistance and fatty liver mediated by the present HFD through different mechanism of actions in the liver.