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Bacterial infections have become a global concern, stimulating the growing demand for natural and biologically safe therapeutic agents with antibacterial action. This study was evaluated the genotoxicity of the trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) and the antibacterial effect of TTI theoric model, number 56, and conformation number 287 (TTIp 56/287) and derived peptides in silico. TTI (0.3 and 0.6 mg.mL−1) did not cause genotoxicity in cells (p > 0.05). In silico, a greater interaction of TTIp 56/287 with the Gram-positive membrane (GP) was observed, with an interaction potential energy (IPE) of −1094.97 kcal.mol−1. In the TTIp 56/287-GP interaction, the Arginine, Threonine (Thr), and Lysine residues presented lower IPE. In molecular dynamics (MD), Peptidotrychyme59 (TVSQTPIDIPIGLPVR) showed an IPE of −518.08 kcal.mol−1 with the membrane of GP bacteria, and the Thr and Arginine residues showed the greater IPE. The results highlight new perspectives on TTI and its derived peptides antibacterial activity.

The fractional electron capture probabilities of 59Ni were measured using metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMCs). 59Ni was one of the radionuclides chosen as a part of the European Metrology Research (EMPIR) project MetroMMC. The measurement was performed by using the decay energy spectroscopy (DES) technique, where the radionuclide is embedded in the absorber to have a 4π geometry. Two different source preparation techniques adapted for the measurement are also discussed: electroplating on gold foil and micro-drop-dispensing on gold nanofoam. The total energy spectra obtained from both sources are compared with each other, and the measured fractional electron capture probabilities are compared with those available in the literature and from the BetaShape code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigments of fungal origin have aroused increasing interest in the food dye and cosmetic industries since the global demand for natural dyes has grown. Endophytic microorganisms are a source of bioactive compounds, and Amazonian plant species can harbor fungi with a wide range of biotechnological applications. Popularly known in Brazil as crajiru, Fridericia chica is a medicinal plant that produces a red pigment. In this study, a total of 121 fungi were isolated in potato dextrose agar from three plants. We identified nine pigment-producing endophytic fungi isolated from branches and leaves of F. chica. The isolates that showed pigment production in solid media were molecularly identified via multilocus analysis as Aspergillus welwitschiae, A. sydowii, Curvularia sp., Diaporthe cerradensis (two strains), Hypoxylon investiens, Neoscytalidium sp. (two strains) and Penicillium rubens. These isolates were subjected to submerged fermentation in two culture media to obtain metabolic extracts. The extracts obtained were analyzed in terms of their absorbance between 400 and 700 nm. The pigmented extract produced by H. investiens in medium containing yeast extract showed maximum absorbance in the red absorption range (UA700 = 0.550) and significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. This isolate can thus be considered a new source of extracellular pigment.

Antibiotics comprise one of the most successful groups of pharmaceutical products. Still, they have been associated with developing bacterial resistance, which has become one of the most severe problems threatening human health today. This context has prompted the development of new antibiotics or co-treatments using innovative tools to reverse the resistance context, combat infections, and offer promising antibacterial therapy. For the development of new alternatives, strategies, and/or antibiotics for controlling bacterial growth, it is necessary to know the target bacteria, their classification, morphological characteristics, the antibiotics currently used for therapies, and their respective mechanisms of action. In this regard, genomics, through the sequencing of bacterial genomes, has generated information on diverse genetic resources, aiding in the discovery of new molecules or antibiotic compounds. Nanotechnology has been applied to propose new antimicrobials, revitalize existing drug options, and use strategic encapsulating agents with their biochemical characteristics, making them more effective against various bacteria. Advanced knowledge in bacterial sequencing contributes to the construction of databases, resulting in advances in bioinformatics and the development of new antimicrobials. Moreover, it enables in silico antimicrobial susceptibility testing without the need to cultivate the pathogen, reducing costs and time. This review presents new antibiotics and biomedical and technological innovations studied in recent years to develop or improve natural or synthetic antimicrobial agents to reduce bacterial growth, promote well-being, and benefit users.

The demand for biodiesel worldwide is skyrocketing as the need to replace fossil diesel with renewable energy sources becomes increasingly pressing. In this context, biocatalysis is emerging as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient alternative to chemical catalysis. When combined with the utilization of waste materials, it has the potential to make the process of biodiesel production sustainable. In the study, the potential of an extract rich in lipase produced by an Amazonian endophytic fungus as a biocatalyst in the transesterification of waste cooking oil for biodiesel production has been systematically investigated. The fungus Endomelanconiopsis endophytica exhibited an enzyme production of 11,262 U/mL after 120 h of cultivation. The lipolytic extract demonstrated its highest catalytic activity at 40 °C and a pH of 5.5. Using soybean oil and frying residue as raw materials, biodiesel was produced through biocatalytic transesterification, and yields of 91% and 89% (wt.), respectively, were achieved. By evaluating the process parameters, a maximum biodiesel yield of 90% was achieved using ethanol at a ratio of 3:1 ratio within 120 min. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and sustainability of applying a fungal enzymatic extract as a biocatalyst in the production of ethyl esters using waste cooking oil as a raw material.

Abstract: Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose is an endangered tree species. However, its seed quality, storage, and conservation strategies are issues still unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of H. spongiosus seeds subjected to different storage times, packaging, and environments for their conservation. A completely randomized experimental design was used, in a double factorial arrangement with an additional treatment (recently-harvested seeds), consisted of five storage times (up to 24 months) and six storage conditions, combining packaging types (permeable and impermeable) and environments (room, cold chamber, freezer, and liquid nitrogen conditions). Seed germination percentage and normal seedling percentage, shoot length, root length, and root to shoot dry weight ratio were evaluated. The seed germination and normal seedling percentages of H. spongiosus seeds conserved under room conditions decreased over the storage time. Normal seedling percentages decreased from the 12th month of storage onwards. Low and ultralow temperatures are recommended for short and medium-term conservation of H. spongiosus seeds, since they did not affect the growth of seedlings.

The trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) presents satietogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, TTI encapsulation by nanoprecipitation in purified chitosan and whey protein isolate (ECW) was performed to maintain TTI's integrity and protection through the gastrointestinal tract. The interaction between TTI and the encapsulating agents was determined by filtration monitoring the antitrypsin activity. Cytotoxicity was evaluated at different concentrations (0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL) in Caco-2 and CCD-18Co cells. Subacute blood toxicity was evaluated in Wistar rats (12.5 mg/kg) for ten days. The particles presented a smooth surface, with 118.00 (17.27) nm of diameter, 0.37 (0.02) of polydispersity index, -38.26 (0.15) mV (neutral pH) of surface charge, and 95.31 (0.31)% of incorporation efficiency. At neutral pH, there was a strong interaction of the encapsulating agents and TTI, and a gradual release of TTI at pH 3.0. Cell viability (> 70%) evaluation, in vivo biochemical and hepatic parameters of Wistar rats showed the absence of toxic effects of the nanoparticles with TTI. The study showed that TTI nanoparticles are potentially safe and represent a promising formulation for the clinical application of TTI and may become an option as a novel ingredient in food.

Abstract Catingueira (Poincianella pyramidalis Tul. L. P. Queiroz) is an endemic species of the Caatinga, with great economic potential. Research on the development of this species under conditions of water restriction, common in the Northeastern semi-arid region, is still scarce. This study evaluated the effects of water restriction on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of catingueira seedlings subjected to water restriction. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, with five treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of periods of water restriction (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 days without irrigation). The characters evaluated were shoot height, leaf diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, total dry mass, ratio between shoot height and dry mass, Dickson quality index, chlorophylls a and b content, total soluble sugars and free proline. Periods of water restriction longer than six days caused damage to the seedlings development, with reduced growth and quality.

Salinity is one of the most limiting environmental factors for plant growth in semi-arid regions. Excess of salts reduces water potential, causes physiological drought and can influence germination and initial growth of plants. The objective of this work was to study physiological and metabolic changes in seeds and seedlings of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cultivars Caserta and Redonda and C. maxima cv. Coroa) in a saline condition of salt stress. Thus, we it was quantified germination parameters; seedlings growth; seeds and seedlings respiration; degradation of total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and total proteins in cotyledons and the activity ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) during germination and initial growth of the pumpkin species studied in saline conditions. The experimental design was totally randomized in a factorial scheme 6x3, with six electrical conductivities (0; 2; 4; 6; 8 e 10 dS.m-1) and three cultivars (Redonda, Caserta and Coroa). Salinity did not influence the rate of seed respiration during the germination, although seedlings respiration decreased, as well as its vigour. Total sugars were degraded, while there was accumulation of reducing sugars and proteins in cotyledons of germinating seeds in salt solutions. Increased electrical conductivity reduced APX activity in the embryo and CAT in cotyledons, but did not influence GST. Pumpkin seedlings showed low tolerance to salt stress.

Copyright of Agroindustrial Science is the property of Agroindustrial Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Com a expansão do comércio de cultivares híbridas, várias comunidades rurais têm abandonado suas sementes tradicionais, tornando o camponês mais dependente de multinacionais do setor de sementes. Porém, as sementes locais têm sua importância, seja do ponto de vista genético, ambiental, social e até mesmo econômico, e com base nisso, foi instalado um ensaio com cinco variedades crioulas e uma cultivar comercial de milho visando avaliar características de crescimento e produção, em sistema orgânico de produção na região semiárida do estado do Rio Grande do Norte. O ensaio foi conduzido na Horta Experimental do Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - Campus Ipanguaçu, com delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com três repetições e seis tratamentos. As variedades crioulas apresentaram o mesmo desempenho de crescimento e de produção observado na cultivar híbrida, com exceção para a característica massa de 100 grãos, em que a cultivar híbrida tendeu a apresentar os menores valores.

Biosaline agriculture has been a viable alternative for agricultural production in regions with lack of good quality water. To enable the cultivation of vegetables in high electrical conductivities, seed priming has been used to increase tolerance to stress caused by use of brackish water. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of osmo and hydropriming in cucumber seeds cv. Caipira germinated biosaline in water, regarding germination and biochemical changes during the germinative process. The experimental design was totally randomized, with four replications of 50 seeds or 10 seedlings, in a factorial scheme 6x3; with six priming conditions (control, osmopriming during 24 and 48 hours, hydropriming with 1, 2 and 3 cycles of hydration-dehydration) and three biosaline water (fish farming biosaline wastewater) concentrations in distilled water (0, 50 e 100%). We evaluated the kinetics and percentage of germination; germinative metabolism and activity of antioxidant enzymes. According to the results, one hydropriming cycle is faster and more efficient to improve the performance of cucumber seedling in biosaline water and this can be used in substrate for germinating seeds of cucumber cv. Caipira.

O angico (Anadenanthera colubrina) é uma espécie de ampla distribuição no território brasileiro, presente na Caatinga, na Mata Atlântica, no Cerrado, no Pantanal e nos Campos Rupestres ou de Altitude. Objetivouse avaliar a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de angico de diferentes teores de água após congelamento. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 (teores de água) x 3 (temperaturas), totalizando nove tratamentos com quatro repetições de 25 sementes. As sementes com teores de água de 5,1; 7,5 e 17,5% foram mantidas em temperatura ambiente (25í°C), em freezer ( -20í°C) e em botijões de nitrogênio lí­quido ( -196í°C) durante 3 dias. Após esse perí­odo as sementes congeladas foram mantidas em temperatura ambiente para descongelamento lento. Foram avaliados porcentagem, tempo médio, velocidade média e í­ndice de velocidade de germinação das sementes de angico. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para as variáveis tempo e velocidade de germinação. Houve interação entre os fatores para a porcentagem e í­ndice de velocidade de germinação, sendo que a qualidade fisiológica das sementes com 7,5% de água não foi alterada quando submetidas s diferentes temperaturas. Por outro lado, as sementes mms hidratadas perderam qualidade quando congeladas.

Many actinides emit intense L X-rays consecutively to their decay. However the intensities of these X-rays are not well known: they are generally calculated with relatively large uncertainties and do not always agree with existing measurements. The latter ones are obtained with semiconductor spectrometers, but due to their insufficient energy resolution, these detectors are not able to separate the many X-ray lines and to give detailed emission intensities. So new measurements of precise and detailed L X-ray emission intensities are required. These would be beneficial on the one hand for the knowledge of the decay schemes and on the other hand as reference data for end-users of X-ray spectrometry. Therefore a spectrometer with a high energy resolution has been developed based on the technology of metallic magnetic calorimeters. The L X-ray spectra from 241Am and 210Pb decays show a FWHM energy resolution of 26 eV associated with a constant detection efficiency between 5 and 26 keV. With such performance, about 30 relative L X-ray intensities can be determined for 241Am and 210Pb. The measured emission intensities of L X-ray groups are compared with those published as obtained with conventional techniques; the good agreement between the data validated our technique.

Copyright of Journal of Seed Science is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Tecnologia de Sementes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Dyna is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin, Facultad de Minas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The production of seeds and seedlings by these species is of utmost importance to prevent a loss of biodiversity of the Caatinga, a unique and exclusively Brazilian biome. Biosaline agriculture is conducted over a range of salinity levels in groundwater and/or in soils. The current study evaluated the application of biosaline agriculture to Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Aspidosperma pyrifolium and Erythrina velutina by examining the germinative metabolism of seeds subjected to different electrical conductivities (ECs) of NaCl solutions and biosaline water. The seeds were germinated in biosaline water (4.94 dS.m-1) and in NaCl solutions with ECs of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 dS.m-1 at 25 ºC, 12-h photoperiod. The kinetic variables of germination were assessed, and the seeds and seedlings were assayed for reserve biomolecules, proline content and antioxidant enzyme activity. The seeds were highly tolerant to salinity, with germination-limiting ECs above 12 dS.m-1. Although high EC promoted alterations in seed metabolism that enabled salinity tolerance, seedling production was indicated with ECs no higher than 6 dS.m-1. These results demonstrated that Caatinga seedling production is viable through biosaline agriculture beucause the groundwater salinity of this region is within the tolerance levels of the seeds.

Abstract: Myracrodruon urundeuva, a native species from the Brazilian Caatinga, is widely distributed across its endemic region, where it also plays an essential socioeconomic role. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental stress on the germination of M. urundeuva seeds harvested in different years (2010 to 2013). Seeds were germinated at constant temperatures between 10 to 40 °C, osmotic potentials from 0 to -0.8 MPa (in polyethylene glycol 6000 solutions), and from 0 to -0.5 MPa (in NaCl solutions). The experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design, with three replicates of 50 seeds, in a factorial scheme (harvest year x stress intensity) for each environmental stress. Germination data were then analysed using thermal, hydro and halo time models, and future germination responses projected according to climate change scenarios. The germination thermal thresholds ranged from 7.4 to 53.3 oC. The germination base osmotic threshold (using polyethylene glycol) was -0.6 MPa and the base osmotic threshold in NaCl was -0.43MPa. Seeds from different harvest years showed distinct tolerance to environmental stresses. The thermal, hydro and halo-time models were efficient to describe the germinative response of seeds, and the climate models allowed to identify the germination responses of M. urundeuva in future climate. According to the models for future climate (RCP 8.5), the reduction of rainfall by 2100 will directly affect seed germination and seedling recruitment of M. urundeuva.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different abiotic stresses on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and on accumulation of proline in Erythrina velutina Willd. seeds during germination. Mulungu seeds were scarified and placed to germinate at constant temperatures of 15, 25, and 35 ºC, moistened with distilled water, and exposed to 12 h of light. Other seeds were exposed to solutions of NaCl (EC of 0, 4, and 8 dS.m-1) and polyethylene glycol (osmotic potentials of 0.0, -0.2, and - 0.6 MPa) and maintained in a germination chamber set at 25 ºC and 12 h photoperiod for seven days. At the end of each period of imbibition, the embryonic axis and cotyledons of the seedlings were collected separately and used to quantify proline content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. These were detected in both the cotyledons and embryonic axis of the mulungu seeds. Antioxidant activity varied depending upon the type and degree of stress applied. It was concluded that under the aspect of the detoxification process, the mechanism found in mulungu seeds is more efficient when subjected to different temperatures followed by salt stress and water stress.

Abstract: Angico is a species found in several environments in Brazil, with several applications. It is used in the timber industry and mainly in folk medicine. In order to verify a variation in the biometric characteristics and the quality of seeds from different mother-plants in different harvesting years, the following variables were studied: moisture content, diameter, density, electrical conductivity, fresh and dry matter of seedlings, germination percentage and kinetics, in a completely randomized design with a 2x3 factorial arrangement (lots x size). The obtained results showed that angico seeds from different lots showed different physiological quality, possibly due to the climate variations to which mother-plants were submitted in the different years. Seed size directly interferes with seedling growth under both controlled and greenhouse conditions, and it can be used as a vigor indicator for angico seeds.

Copyright of Journal of Seed Science is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Tecnologia de Sementes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Seed Science is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Tecnologia de Sementes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

AbstractHIV-1 from infected subjects has been characterized in order to provide a more accurate view of the strains that are currently found in a given region. In this report, we focused on characterizing the polgene diversity obtained from newly diagnosed patients in Santos metropolitan area, Brazil. This region is composed of nine cities and an international port. Analysis of the 33 samples revealed that 22 strains belonged to subtype B, 4 to subtype F, and 2 to subtype C; 5 strains were B/F recombinants. Our results demonstrated that 18.2% of samples were primary antiretroviral resistance genotypic mutations, with high-level resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors in both subtypes B and F and in recombinant forms B/F. Our data revealed that the primary antiretroviral resistance genotypic mutations should be carefully investigated in developing countries with widespread access to antiretrovirals, such as Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy dispersive photon spectrometry is a common analysis technique to quantify radionuclides present in a sample, the analysis is based on the knowledge of the photon emission intensities specific to each radionuclide. Among them, actinides have in general intense emission of L X-rays during the decay. However, their emission intensities are not well known and not detailed in the nuclear and atomic data tables due to the complexity of their spectra that cannot be resolved by conventional semiconductor spectrometers. Using a dedicated high energy resolution cryogenic detector, based on metallic magnetic calorimeter sensor technology, the L X-ray spectra of the decays of 238Pu(α) → 234U, 244Cm(α) → 240Pu, 237Np(α) → 233Pa and 233Pa(β − ) → 233U were measured with an energy resolution between 23 eV and 43 eV (full width at half maximum) given access to an unprecedented level of detail. Moreover, the detector was conceived to provide a quasi-constant efficiency in the energy range of the L X-rays, minimizing the uncertainty for relative L X-ray emission intensities. Prior to the measurements, the full energy peak efficiency was carefully characterized, which enabled the determination of absolute emission intensities, with an uncertainty of the order of 1%. Some corrections had to be introduced using Monte Carlo simulations, in particular to take into account the surface activity inhomogeneities of the sources. Total and group L X-ray emission intensities are compared with the available data and with the recommended values. In addition, nearly 30 individual L X-ray intensities are presented. [Display omitted] • Measurement of tens of L X-ray emission intensities emitted by actinides • A cryogenic spectrometer with an energy resolution of 23 to 43 eV • An intrinsic efficiency close to 100% between 10 keV and 25 keV • Detailed uncertainty contributions from the efficiency and the sources • Comparison of the measured intensities with available data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]