Maritime Halophyte Species from Southern Portugal as Sources of Bioactive Molecules

Extracts of five halophytes from southern Portugal (Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Mesembryanthemum edule, Juncus acutus, Plantago coronopus and Halimione portulacoides), were studied for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and in vitro antitumor properties. The most active extracts towards the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical were the methanol extracts of M. edule (IC₅₀ = 0.1 mg/mL) and J. acutus (IC₅₀ = 0.4 mg/mL), and the ether extracts of J. acutus (IC₅₀ = 0.2 mg/mL) and A. macrostachyum (IC₅₀ = 0.3 mg/mL). The highest radical scavenging activity (RSA) against the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical was obtained in the ether extract of J. acutus (IC₅₀ = 0.4 mg/mL) and H. portulacoides (IC₅₀ = 0.9 mg/mL). The maximum total phenolic content (TPC) was found in the methanol extract of M. edule (147 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) and in the ether extract of J. acutus (94 mg GAE/g). Significant decreases in nitric oxide (NO) production were observed after incubation of macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the chloroform extract of H. portulacoides (IC₅₀ = 109 µg/mL) and the hexane extract of P. coronopus (IC₅₀ = 98.0 µg/mL). High in vitro cytotoxic activity and selectivity was obtained with the ether extract of J. acutus. Juncunol was identified as the active compound and for the first time was shown to display selective in vitro cytotoxicity towards various human cancer cells.     

Detection of the enterotoxins A, B, and C genes in Staphylococcus aureus from goat and bovine mastitis in Brazilian dairy herds

To determine the distribution of genes that encode enterotoxins A, B and C, 36 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from goat mastitis and 64 isolated from bovine mastitis were analyzed by Multiplex PCR. Of the total strains studied, 37 (37%) were detected to have some of the SEs genes. From the bovine mastitis strains, 4 (6.3%) co-amplified the sea and seb genes and 2 (3.1%) were positive for the sec gene. From the goat mastitis strains, 31 (86%) tested positive to the Multiplex, and the sec gene was detected in all of them. The production of SE was detected in all strains harboring the corresponding gene. The results demonstrated that S. aureus isolated from goat mastitis had a higher enterotoxigenic potential than those isolated from bovine mastitis. Additionally, the presence of the sec gene in the majority of goat mastitis strains suggests a possible involvement of SEC in goat mastitis pathogenesis.     

Secreted phosphatase activities in trypanosomatid parasites of plants modulated by platelet-activating factor

ABSTRACT The secreted phosphatase activities of two trypanosomatid parasites were characterized and compared with supernatants of living cells. The plant parasite Phytomonas fran?ai and the phytophagous hemipteran parasite Herpetomonas sp. hydrolyzed p-nitrophenylphosphate at a rate of 15.54 and 6.51 nmol Pi/mg of protein per min, respectively. Sodium orthovanadate (N(a)VO(3)) and sodium fluoride (NaF) decreased the phosphatase activities. The phosphatase activity of P. fran?ai was drastically diminished (73% inhibition) in the presence of sodium tartrate, whereas the phosphatase activity of Herpetomonas sp. was inhibited by 23%. Cytochemical analysis showed the localization of these enzymes on the external surface and in the flagellar pocket of the two trypanosomatids. Sodium tartrate inhibited this reaction, confirming the biochemical data. Platelet-activating factor modulated the phosphatase activities, inhibiting P. fran?ai activity and stimulating Herpetomonas sp. phosphatase activity.     

Biofortification of soybean grains with foliar application of Li sources

Abstract

Biofortification of soybean grains with lithium (Li) is a strategy to improve a food with high social acceptance, in order to promote health benefits. The aim of this work was to evaluate the development of plants and the production of biofortified soybeans with two Li sources. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five replicates. Ten treatments were obtained in a 2x5 factorial scheme, comprising two sources of Li (LiOH - Li hydroxide and Li₂SO₄ - Li sulfate) and five doses (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120?mg kg^?1) in stages V4 and R1. The supply of Li promoted significant effects (p?≤?0.05) on the morphology, yield components and nutritional status of soybean plants. The highest grain yield was obtained with the use of Li₂SO₄ at the estimated dose of 45.7?mg kg^?1. The plants accumulated Li between 8.00 and 11.20?mg kg ^?1, respectively, with the use of Li₂SO₄ and LiOH. In the grains, the highest concentrations of Li were obtained with the application of 120?mg kg^?1. Li₂SO₄ and LiOH are good sources for biofortification of soybean grains.