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The Cerrado is a diverse Brazilian savanna with more than 12,000 species. Arnicao (Lychnophora salicifolia Mart – Compositae) is an endemic species occurring in central and southeast Brazil, at hig...

Stonebreaker is a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of urolithiasis among other illnesses. However, several species of the genus Phyllanthus L. are called “quebra-pedra” (stonebreaker) by the general population in Brazil, due to taxonomic similarities, although the use of a species with a low content of active compounds may lead to a less effective treatment. P. niruri and P. tenellus are recognized as stonebreaker in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, and the Brazilian Ministry of Health included Phyllanthus spp in a list of medicinal plants recommended for research and development, indicating the need for further studies. Quantitative determination of the active compounds of different Phyllanthus species from Brazil is important because it allows to assess the impact of their role in public health and so contribute to the goal of RENISUS, the official list of species of interest to the national health service. Lignans comprise a group of compounds found in Phyllanthus species that have diverse pharmacological properties. Some of the most studied lignans are phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, which have antihyperuricemic activity. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for the quantitative determination of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin in Phyllanthus species by GC-MS and to assess the content of these lignans in six species of the genus from four different regions of Brazil. The phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin contents were found to be very variable in the analyzed species, ranging from not detectable or a mere trace to 0.6% (m/m), the highest value, found in P. amarus. Key words: Traditional medicine, urolithiasis, stonebreaker, quebra-pedra, Phyllanthus, lignans, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

The chemical composition of the essential oils from the leaves from three different populations of Psidium laruotteanum Cambess. (Myrtaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado were analysed by GC-FID and G...

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This paper aimed to evaluate the fungicidal activity of essential oil from two Brazilian savannah species ( Lippia origanoides Kunth and L. lacunosa Mart. & Schauer) and from clove [ Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry], tested against two wood decay fungi ( Gloeophyllum trabeum and Trametes versicolor ). Additionally, it was tested an adapted diffusion method along with digital images to assess the biological response. Four essential oil concentrations (100, 50, 25 and 12.5%) were tested. It was found that the essential oil from L. origanoides showed the highest fungicidal activity against G. trabeum and T. versicolor in any concentration tested. This activity is attributed to thymol, the major component of L. origanoides , and its several modes of action. L. lacunosa also showed fungicidal activity but dependent on the concentration used. The results showed that, in some cases, the essential oils presented higher inhibitions indexes than a commercial fungicide. The use of digital images has demonstrated the feasibility of making easier biological essays especially those in which there is growth without a specific geometric shape. Besides that, it gives a more sensibility and reliability to the process, since it is more accurate than human visual measurement.

Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn is an herb rich in bioactive compounds, mainly phenols, and it is widely used for its medicinal properties. In this study, aqueous extraction from aerial parts of P. amarus was performed using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and conventional extraction (CE). Response surface methodology was used to assess the effect of the time, ultrasonic intensity, and liquid/solid (L/S) ratio in UAE and of time and temperature in PLE on total phenolics and gallic acid extraction. The chemical composition of the extracts obtained through the three techniques was also analyzed using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. The UAE operational condition that afforded the highest phenolic content (27.23 mg/g plant) used time of 7 min, ultrasonic intensity of 301 W/cm2, and L/S ratio of 40 mL/g. This value was lower than the one obtained by the conventional extraction method (42.78 mg/g plant). However, PLE at 192.4 °C and time of 15 min yielded the highest total phenolic content (52.97 mg/g plant). Regarding the extraction of gallic acid, the non-conventional methods yielded contents three times higher than the conventional extraction. The chemical composition of P. amarus extracts had mainly hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, and lignans. The most significant difference was found in UAE, which proved to be inefficient to extract ellagitannins.

Guaco, a native and perennial Brazilian liana, is one of the medicinal plants most widely commercialized in the Brazilian market. The major bioactive compounds in guaco leaves are coumarin and o-coumaric acid, along with kaurene-type diterpenes. Two Mikania species, M. laevigata and M. glomerata, are both treated as guaco in the Brazilian pharmacopeia and are commercialized indiscriminately, although they can be distinguished by the shape of the leaves and by the characteristic coumarin aroma of M. laevigata. We used DNA barcoding, chromosome counting and chemical analysis to study guaco germplasm accessions from collections in 10 Brazilian states. ETS and ITS sequences failed to distinguish most guaco accessions identified as M. glomerata and M. laevigata regardless of geographical origin, suggesting that M. glomerata and M. laevigata are recently diverged species. The chromosome number 2n = 36 was observed in all guaco accessions. In guaco accessions grown under experimental conditions, two chemical phenotypes were found: phenotype G-I, containing moderate coumarin content (644–755 mg/100 g) and high levels of kaurenoic acid (771–881 mg/100 g) and phenotype G-II, containing high levels of coumarin (1123–1309 mg/100 g) and low levels of kaurenoic acid (160–334 mg/100 g). None of the M. glomerata accessions produced coumarin in satisfactory levels (all

Plants of the genus Phyllanthus, principally Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus niruri, and Phyllanthus tenellus, are used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat kidney stones as well as other ailments, where the latter two species are listed in the Brazilian Pharmacopeia as quebra-pedra (stone-breaker). However, only P. niruri has been shown to be effective in a clinical setting. Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 – 5.8S rRNA-ITS2), internal transcribed spacer 2, and chloroplasts rbcL, matK, psbA-trnH, trnL, and trnL-trnF were screened for their potential as DNA barcodes for the identification of 48 Phyllanthus taxa in Brazilian medicinal plant germplasm banks and in “living pharmacies”. The markers were also tested for their ability to validate four commercial herbal teas labelled as quebra-pedra. Using the criterion of high clade posterior probability in Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, the internal transcribed spacer, internal transcribed spacer 2, and chloroplast matK, psbA-trnH, trnL, and trnL-trnF markers all reliably differentiated the four Phyllanthus species, with the internal transcribed spacer and matK possessing the additional advantage that the genus is well represented for these markers in the Genbank database. However, in the case of rbcL, posterior probability for some clades was low and while P. amarus and P. tenellus formed monophyletic groups, P. niruri and P. urinaria accessions could not be reliably distinguished with this marker. Packaged dried quebra-pedra herb from three Brazilian commercial suppliers comprised P. tenellus, but one sample was also found to be mixed with alfalfa (Medicago sativa). An herb marketed as quebra-pedra from a fourth supplier was found to be composed of a mixture of Desmodium barbatum and P. niruri.

The chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Pseudobrickellia brasiliensis (Asteraceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado was analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. Thirty-four out of thirty-eight components detected were identified. Major compounds in the oil were terpinen-4-ol (38.6%), γ-terpinene (19.5%), α-terpinene (7.8%) and α-terpineol (4.5%).

The chemical profile of the essential oil obtained from leaves and inflorescences of Psidium myrsinites DC. (Myrtaceae) growing wildly in the Brazilian Cerrado was analyzed by GC/FID and CG/MS. The essential oil had a slimy and translucent appearance. The oil yield was 0.1% and the main components were oxygenated sesquiterpenes (68.2%) and non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes (18.3%). Caryophyllene oxide (26.1%), humulene epoxide II (8.8%), β-caryophyllene (7.4%) and α-caryophyllene (5.4%) were the major compounds. It is worth to notice that the most abundant substances have very close structures. The oil yield and composition was very similar to other species belonging to the same genus.

The yield and chemical composition of the essential oils from the leaves of seven accessions of sour orange from a germplasm bank, harvested in two different seasons, were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The oil yields ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 % in the dry season and from traces to 1.1 % in the wet season. Major compounds found were linalool (6.6 to 48.9 %), linalyl acetate (0.4 to 33.8 %) and α-terpineol (0.3 to 10.8 %) for most of the samples. For one accession, β-pinene (31.3 to 46.0 %) was the major constituent, while for another, methyl N-methyl-anthranilate reached up to 30.9 % of the oil in the wet season. Within the seasons, each access presented similar profiles, as verified by Principal Component Analysis of the essential oil constituents.

Sunki Mandarin [Citrus sunki (Hayata) hort. ex Tanaka] is a type of micromandarin from South China largely used as a rootstock in Brazil. Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni hort. ex. Tanaka) is a well-formed tree, ornamental, with red-orange fruits. The main objective of this work was to analyze the chemical composition of the essential oil in leaves of accessions of Sunki and Cleopatra mandarins and hybrids. The essential oils were obtained from the leaves by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil yields ranged from 1.27% (BCG562 – Hybrid of ‘Sunki’ C12080) to 0.33% (BCG564 – Sunki from Florida) (dry weight basis), and fifty-five constituents were detected. The major constituents were β-pinene (2.5–49.9%), limonene (0–49.0%), sabinene (0.5–35.2%), linalool (0.7–27.3%), thymol methyl ether (0–22.3%), p-cymene (0.2–21.2%), γ-terpinene (0–15.1%), 1.8-cineole (0–11.0%), terpinen-4-ol (0.5–9...

• Premise of the study: Tropical regions have high species diversity, and polyploidization is a major mechanism of speciation in plants. However, few cases of natural polyploidy have been reported in tropical regions. Lippia alba, is a tropical, aromatic shrub with a wide distribution, extensive morphological plasticity, and several chemotypes. The species has long been recognized as a diploid with 2n = 30 chromosomes. Recently, two variations in chromosome number (2n = 60; 2n = 12-60) have been reported, suggesting the occurrence of polyploidy within the species.• Methods: Flow cytometry was used to investigate the genome size in 106 accessions from 14 Brazilian States. Conventional and molecular cytogenetic techniques and pollen viability analysis were employed to characterize each chromosome number observed.• Key results: The DNA 1C-value varied from 1.17 to 3.45 pg, showing a large variation in genome size. Five distinct chromosome numbers were observed (2n = 30, 38, 45, 60, 90); three are cytogenetically described here for the first time. The 5S rDNA signals varied proportionally according to each chromosome number, but 45S rDNA sites did not. High rates of meiotic irregularity were observed, mainly in cytotypes with higher chromosome numbers.• Conclusions: The data provide new support for the occurrence of a polyploid series in Lippia alba. We provide a hypothesis for how this complex may have arisen. Other cryptic polyploid complexes may remain undiscovered in tropical regions.

The chemical composition of the essential oil from Hyptis villosa (Lamiaceae) from the Brazilian Cerrado was analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. The study allowed the identification of 35 compounds corresponding to 96.2% of the total essential oil. It was composed mainly by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (59.0%) and hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (36.0%). Spathulenol (17.3%), kessane (9.1%), epi-α-cadinol (8.9%), and bicyclogermacrene (6.2%) were the major components.

Resumen pt: Esse trabalho objetivou analisar o efeito da variacao circadiana e da parte da planta sobre o rendimento e a composicao quimica do oleo essencial da espe...

Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, Fabaceae, is a tree species commonly known as “sucupira-branca”. It is a popular medicinal plant in the Brazilian cerrado (Savanna). This study investigates the chemical variability of the essential oils from fruits of P. emarginatus. The fruits were collected from five sites in the Brazilian Cerrado and their essential oils were analyzed by GC/MS. The results obtained by Principal Component and Cluster Analysis identified two groups: cluster I containing β-caryophyllene and δ-elemene and cluster II containing α-copaene, β-cubebene, allo-aromadendrene, α-cubebene and γ-muurulene. The Canonical Discriminant Analysis was used to differentiate between clusters on the basis of essential oil composition. The results showed high variability in the composition of the essential oils from fruits of P. emarginatus, contributing to studies of domestication of this species. Keywords: Pterodon emarginatus, essential oils, multivariate analysis, α-caryophyllene, α-copaene

Coumarin, o-coumaric, and kaurenoic acid are bioactive compounds usually found in the leaves of Mikania laevigata. Genetic and environmental variations in the secondary metabolites of plants may have implications for their biological effects. Three different accessions of M. laevigata cultivated in four sites between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn in Brazil were evaluated aiming to present potential raw materials and discuss relationships among these three bioactive compounds. The results revealed effects of plant accessions and environmental factors and suggested two contrasting chemical phenotypes of M. laevigata. The first phenotype presented the highest levels of kaurenoic acid (2283 ± 316 mg/100 g) besides lower levels of coumarin (716 ± 61 mg/100 g), which was also stimulated by the environment and mild climate at the site nearest to the Tropic of Capricorn. The other phenotype presented the lowest levels of kaurenoic acid (137 ± 17 mg/100 g) besides higher levels of coumarin (1362 ± 108 mg/100 g), which was also stimulated by the environment and tropical climate at the site nearest to the Equatorial beach.

Dentre as fruteiras do Cerrado brasileiro com forte potencial para a exploração sustentada, encontram-se o araticum (Annona Crassiflora Mart.), o coquinho-azedo (Butia Capitata Mart.) e o pequi (Caryocar Brasiliense Camb.). O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o teor de óleo e o perfil de ésteres metílicos da fração lipídica da polpa dos frutos destas três espécies. Os teores de lipídeos foram determinados por extração contínua a quente com éter de petróleo em extrator tipo Soxhlet. O óleo para perfil de ésteres metílicos foi extraído a frio por Bligh e Dyer e caracterizado por cromatografia a gás, usando detector de ionização de chama. A polpa de pequi apresentou elevados teores de óleo, em média 30,89 %; as polpas de araticum e coquinho-azedo apresentaram, respectivamente, médias de 2,14 e 2,73 % de óleo. Os ácidos graxos oleico e palmítico predominaram nas três espécies, e todas apresentaram prevalência de ácidos graxos insaturados, sendo a maior concentração encontrada no araticum (78,3 %), seguida pelo coquinho-azedo (63,3 %). A polpa de araticum e de coquinho-azedo apresentaram elevados teores de ácido linolênico (2,5 a 3,7%). A presença de ésteres metílicos de ácido caproico parece estar associada à percepção do aroma frutal típico destas frutas do Cerrado. Araticum (Annona Crassiflora Mart.), coquinho-azedo (Butia Capitata Mart.) and pequi (Caryocar Brasiliense Camb.) are native fruits from the Brazilian Savanna with strong potential for sustained exploration. The objective of this study was the characterization of lipid contents and fatty acid profiles of these species. Total lipids were hot extracted with petroleum ether in Soxhlet extractor. The oil used for methyl ester profiles was cold extracted by Bligh & Dyer and characterized by gas chromatograph, using flame ionization detector. The pequi pulp presented highest oil content (30.89 %); araticum and coquinho-azedo pulps presented respectively 2.14 and 2.73 %. The oleic and palmitic acids predominated in all three species and all of them presented prevalence of unsaturated fat acids. The highest value was found in araticum pulp (78.3 %), followed by coquinho-azedo pulp (63.3 %). The araticum and coquinho-azedo pulps presented highest content of linolenic acid (2.5 to 3.7 %). Methyl esters of caproic acid found in these pulps seems to be linked to perception of fruit aroma of these native fruits from Cerrado.

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen is a medicinal species of great interest because it produces the phytoecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Generally, because of atypical growing conditions, in vitro propagated plants function less efficiently as autotrophs and have poorly developed morphological structures. This study analyzed the autotrophic potential of P. glomerata propagated in vitro and evaluated the influence that this has on 20E biosynthesis. Physiological and structural parameters of plants subjected to heterotrophic, photomixotrophic and photoautotrophic growth conditions were evaluated. Levels of 20E were measured by HPLC. Plants were acclimatized in a mixture of soil, sand and substrate, in a greenhouse. Conditions that provided higher carbon input led to an increase in plant growth, and the presence of sucrose was critical, in closure systems without a gas permeable membrane, for normal anatomical development of the micropropagated plants. The absence of sucrose increased photosynthesis and conditions that enhanced photoautotrophy induced greater levels of 20E. The increase of 20E levels by the photoautotrophic system offers new prospects for increasing the commercial production of this species, and for studies that could elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of phytoecdysteroids in plants.

This work describes the evaluation of the effect of saponification process in the carotenoid's content of three species of passion fruit. The results indicated the saponification of the extract was necessary to obtain cis-violaxanthin, trans-violaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin hydrolyzed. These compounds were found in fruits of commercial P. edulis and yellow wild P. edulis. However, the extract saponification did not permitted to obtain free carotenes in fruits of wild purple P. edulis and P. setacea, and to trans-violaxanthin of P. cincinnata, therefore saponification was not indicated in the carotenoid analysis of these three accessions of passion fruit.

O objetivo foi avaliar, por HPLC, a composição qualitativa e quantitativa de carotenoides em maracujás do cerrado. Frutos procedentes de acessos nativos de quatro espécies (Passiflora cincinnata, P. nitida, P. setacea e P. edulis) foram analisados, utilizando, como referência, o maracujá-amarelo comercial (P. edulis). As polpas de maracujá apresentaram neoxantina, violaxantina, cis-violaxantina, anteraxantina, luteína, zeaxantina, β-criptoxantina, poli-cis-caroteno, prolicopeno, cis-ζ-caroteno, trans-ζ-caroteno, trans-β-caroteno, 13-cis-β-caroteno e fitoflueno. Em geral, os teores de carotenoides entre as espécies e entre os acessos da mesma espécie foram significativamente diferentes. A espécie P. edulis apresentou o maior número de carotenoides, com diferença entre os acessos. Em um acesso de P. edulis comercial, foi encontrado o trans-β-caroteno como o carotenoide principal (7,8±0,8 µg g-1) e no outro o trans-ζ-caroteno (11,4±0,4 µg g-1). Dois acessos de P. edulis nativos do Cerrado apresentaram cis-ζ-caroteno como carotenoide majoritário (6,28±0,15 µg g-1 e 12,1±0,7 µg g-1, casca amarela e roxa, respectivamente). O perfil de carotenoides em frutos de espécies de maracujá apresentou diversidade de composição, com potencial de uso para melhoramento genético para agregar maior valor ao produto e estimular o seu consumo. The objective was to evaluate by HPLC qualitative and quantitative carotenoids pulp composition of passion fruit. Fruits coming from native accessions of four Cerrado passion fruit species (Passiflora cincinnata, P. nitida, P. setacea and P. edulis) were analyzed using commercial passion fruit (P. edulis) as reference. Passion fruit pulps showed neoxanthin, violaxanthin, cis-violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, prolycopene, poli-cis-carotene, cis-ζ-carotene, trans-ζ-carotene, trans-β-carotene, 13-cis-β-carotene and phytofluene. In general, carotenoids content were significantly different among species and among accessions of the same species. P. edulis species showed greater number of carotenoids with differences among accessions. In one commercial passion fruit accession trans-β-carotene was the major carotenoid (7.8±0.8 µg g-1) and other was trans-ζ-carotene (11.4±0.4 µg g-1). Two accessions of P. edulis native from the Cerrado showed cis-ζ-carotene like the major carotenoid (6.28±0.15 µg g-1 and 12.1±0.7 µg g-1, yellow peel and purple peel, respectively). Characterization of carotenoids profile in passion fruit species fruits showed diversity of composition with potential use for genetic improvement to add greater value to product and encourage consumption.

Butia capitata is a palm tree, widely found in the Brazilian savanna. Their fruits are largely used by local communities to prepare juices, jellies and ice-creams. The main objective of this work was to determine the carotenoids profile of Butia capitata fruits and their provitamin A values. Total carotenoids content ranged from 11.1 to 43.9 μg.g-1; β-carotene was the predominant carotenoid (5.2-22.8 μg.g-1), followed by γ-carotene, phytoene, phytofluene, ζ-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin (or zeinoxanthin) and α-carotene. Provitamin A values varied from 50 to 200 RAE.100g-1. This result suggests that B. capitata pulp may be a good source of β-carotene and provitamin A. Butia capitata é uma palmeira largamente distribuída no cerrado brasileiro. Seus frutos são utilizados pelas comunidades locais para preparar sucos, geleias e sorvetes. O objetivo foi determinar o perfil de carotenoides e o valor pró-vitamina A dos frutos de Butia capitata. Os teores de carotenoides totais variaram entre 11,1-43,9 μg.g-1; o β-caroteno foi o carotenoide predominante (5,2-22,8 μg.g-1), seguido pelo γ-caroteno, fitoeno, fitoflueno ζ-caroteno, α-criptoxantina (ou zeinoxantina) e α-caroteno. Os valores de pró-vitamina A variaram entre 50-200 RAE.100g-1, sugerindo que a polpa de B. capitata pode ser uma boa fonte de pró-vitamina A.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T19:05:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S1516-05722010000400016.pdf: 1017674 bytes, checksum: fdfd17145b774c7b1b8fdbb9365bc26f (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T19:05:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S1516-05722010000400016.pdf: 1017674 bytes, checksum: fdfd17145b774c7b1b8fdbb9365bc26f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T17:44:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1516-05722010000400016.pdf: 1017674 bytes, checksum: fdfd17145b774c7b1b8fdbb9365bc26f (MD5) S1516-05722010000400016.pdf.txt: 24918 bytes, checksum: 7706233d31327593a697d6eccce1a3ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:19:42Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S1516-05722010000400016.pdf: 1017674 bytes, checksum: fdfd17145b774c7b1b8fdbb9365bc26f (MD5) S1516-05722010000400016.pdf.txt: 24918 bytes, checksum: 7706233d31327593a697d6eccce1a3ac (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:19:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1516-05722010000400016.pdf: 1017674 bytes, checksum: fdfd17145b774c7b1b8fdbb9365bc26f (MD5) S1516-05722010000400016.pdf.txt: 24918 bytes, checksum: 7706233d31327593a697d6eccce1a3ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Pfaffia glomerata ocorre em vários estados do Brasil e países limítrofes da região Sul às margens de rios e nas orlas das matas de galerias, é espécie hidrófita e heliófita. As raízes de espécies do gênero Pfaffia são usadas na medicina popular brasileira, especialmente como tônico, afrodisíaco e no controle do diabete. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer um banco de germoplasma in vitro de Pfaffia glomerata. O experimento em delineamento inteiramente casualizado foi conduzido com seis tratamentos: 1) MS + 2% de sacarose + 4% de sorbitol; 2) MS/2 + 2% de sacarose + 4% de sorbitol; 3) MS + 2% de sacarose + 4% de sorbitol + 2 mg L-1 de pantotenato de cálcio; 4) MS/2 + 2% de sacarose + 4% de sorbitol + 2 mg L-1de pantotenato de cálcio; 5) MS + 2% de sacarose + 3% de manitol + 2 mg L-1de pantotenato de cálcio; 6) MS/2 + 2% de sacarose + 3% de manitol + 2 mg L-1de pantotenato de cálcio. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de separação de médias de Scott Knott. Os tratamentos um, três e quatro apresentaram, significativamente, o maior número de segmentos nodais por haste, quando comparados com os tratamentos dois, cinco e seis. O tratamento dois foi o mais indicado para a conservação in vitro da espécie por ter promovido menor crescimento das plantas (altura de 3,1±1,9 cm), alto índice de sobrevivência, 100% de explantes com brotação e o maior número de brotos por explante, após seis meses de cultivo. Todas as plântulas produziram raízes e não houve formação de calos, também não ocorreu hiperhidricidade nos tratamentos avaliados. As plantas aclimatizadas apresentaram 100% de sobrevivência no ambiente ex vitro. A manutenção de acessos de P. glomerata no banco de germoplasma in vitro é viável tanto do ponto de vista da conservação quanto economicamente. Pfaffia glomerata occurs in several states of Brazil and its neighboring countries in the south region at riverbanks and gallery forests. It is a hydrophyte and heliophyte species. The roots of the genus Pfaffia are used in Brazilian folk medicine especially as tonic, aphrodisiac and to control diabetes. The aim of this work was to establish an in vitro germplasm bank for Pfaffia glomerata. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with six treatments: 1) DM + 2% sucrose + 4% sorbitol; 2) DM/2 + 2% sucrose + 4% sorbitol; 3) DM + 2% sucrose + 4% sorbitol + 2 mg L-1 calcium pantothenate; 4) DM/2 + 2% sucrose + 4% sorbitol + 2 mg L-1 calcium pantothenate; 5) DM + 2% sucrose + 3% mannitol + 2 mg L-1 calcium pantothenate; 6) DM/2 + 2% sucrose + 3% mannitol + 2 mg L-1 calcium pantothenate. Results were subjected to analysis of variance and Scott Knott test for mean grouping. Treatments 1, 3 and 4 had a significantly larger number of nodal segments per stem, compared to Treatments 2, 5 and 6. Treatment 2 was the most appropriate for the in vitro conservation of this species since it led to the lowest growth (3.1±1.9 cm height), high survival rate, 100% explants with sprouting, and the largest number of sprouts per explant after six months of culture. All seedlings produced root and showed no formation of calluses or hyperhydricidity under the evaluated treatments. Acclimatized plants showed 100% survival in the ex vitro environment. Maintaining P. glomerata accessions in an in vitro germplasm bank is viable both economically and for conservation. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia Universidade de Ribeirão Preto Unesp FCA Departamento de Horticultura Unesp FCA Departamento de Horticultura

Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento agronômico, o potencial de rendimento de óleo essencial e identificar os quimiotipos de 16 acessos de Lippa alba (erva cidreira) da coleção da Universidade de Brasília foi conduzido um experimento de campo em Latossolo Vermelho, sob irrigação por gotejamento na região do Cerrado do Distrito Federal. Foram avaliados a época de florescimento, hábito de crescimento, área foliar, comprimento da haste, massa fresca de folhas e hastes, massa foliar seca, teor e rendimento de óleo essencial e perfil aromático. O óleo essencial foi extraído por hidrodestilação em aparelho de Clevenger modificado e os constituintes identificados e quantificados através de cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, contendo três plantas úteis por parcela. Foram identificados os quimiotipos citral-limoneno, citral-mirceno, limoneno-carvona, citral, linalol, mirceno e linalol-limoneno. Os acessos apresentaram teores máximos de linalol de 89,8% (L.16); mirceno de 47,6% (L.37); limoneno de 36,0%, carvona de 46,9% (L.27) e citral de 56,7% (L.17). Os genótipos com maiores áreas foliares e maiores comprimentos de hastes tenderam a apresentar maiores teores de óleo e maior concentração de linalol. A concentração de óleo foi inversamente proporcional à produção de massa foliar seca. Os acessos que apresentaram os maiores rendimentos dos compostos majoritários do óleo essencial foram: L.16 (0,77 g pl-1), como fonte potencial para a produção de linalol; L.17 (0,17 g pl-1), como fonte de mirceno; L. 27 (0,17 g pl-1), como fonte de limoneno e de carvona (0,21 g pl-1) e L.38 (0,24 g pl-1), como fonte de citral.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento agronômico, o potencial de rendimento de óleo essencial e identificar os quimiotipos de 16 acessos de Lippa alba (erva cidreira) da coleção da Universidade de Brasília foi conduzido um experimento de campo em Latossolo Vermelho, sob irrigação por gotejamento na região do Cerrado do Distrito Federal. Foram avaliados a época de florescimento, hábito de crescimento, área foliar, comprimento da haste, massa fresca de folhas e hastes, massa foliar seca, teor e rendimento de óleo essencial e perfil aromático. O óleo essencial foi extraído por hidrodestilação em aparelho de Clevenger modificado e os constituintes identificados e quantificados através de cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, contendo três plantas úteis por parcela. Foram identificados os quimiotipos citral-limoneno, citral-mirceno, limoneno-carvona, citral, linalol, mirceno e linalol-limoneno. Os acessos apresentaram teores máximos de linalol de 89,8% (L.16); mirceno de 47,6% (L.37); limoneno de 36,0%, carvona de 46,9% (L.27) e citral de 56,7% (L.17). Os genótipos com maiores áreas foliares e maiores comprimentos de hastes tenderam a apresentar maiores teores de óleo e maior concentração de linalol. A concentração de óleo foi inversamente proporcional à produção de massa foliar seca. Os acessos que apresentaram os maiores rendimentos dos compostos majoritários do óleo essencial foram: L.16 (0,77 g pl-1), como fonte potencial para a produção de linalol; L.17 (0,17 g pl-1), como fonte de mirceno; L. 27 (0,17 g pl-1), como fonte de limoneno e de carvona (0,21 g pl-1) e L.38 (0,24 g pl-1), como fonte de citral.The main objective of this work was to describe the essential oil profile of 16 genotypes of Lippia alba from the germplasm collection of the Universidade de Brasília and to analyze its potential of production. A field assay was carried out in the rural area of Distrito Federal and the following parameters were analyzed: flowering period, growing habit, foliar area, length of the main branch, fresh and dry weight of the biomass (leaves and branches), essential oil content and profile of the constituent volatile oils. Essential oil was extracted using a modified Clevenger apparatus and the constituent volatile oils were analyzed by gas chromatography and GC/MS. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three plants per plot. The following chemotypes were reported: citral-limonene, citral-myrcene, limonene-carvone, citral, linalool, myrcene and linalool-limonene. Higher levels of linalool were found in genotype L.16 (89.8%); myrcene in L.37 (47.6%); limonene in L.27 (36.0%); carvone in L.27 (46.9%) and citral in L.17 (56.7%). The genotypes with the highest leaf area and leaf length of the main branch seem to be correlated with the best yield of essential oil and the higher level of linalool. The yield of essential oil was inversely proportional to the dry weight of biomass. The accessions which presented the highest average yield of the major essential constituent oils were: L.16 (0.77 g pl-1) as a source of raw material for linalool production; L.17 (0.17 g pl-1) as source of myrcene; L. 27 as source of limonene (0.17 g pl-1) and carvone (0.21 g pl-1); and L.38 (0.24 g pl-1) as a citral source.

Brazil is an important player in the essential oil world market, being the fourth largest producer, after India, China, and Indonesia. Most of this commercial standing is due to the citrus essential oils, since they are a byproduct of the large Brazilian orange juice industry. A few native aromatic species have been recognized as priority for germplasm conservation, and some of these are described in this paper. Among them, we can mention rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora var. amazonica), sacaca (Croton cajucara), canela de cunha (Croton aff. zehnneri), priprioca (Cyperus articulatus), sassafras (Ocotea odorifera), long pepper (Piper hispidinervum), alecrim pimenta (Lippia sidoides), and candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus). Some exotic and cultivated species are also important, mainly in the south and southeast Brazil, such as chamomile (Chamomila recutita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinallis), Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis), and ginger (Zingiber officinale). This paper illustrates some of the vast potential of B...

No mundo, existem mais de 580 espécies de maracujazeiros, grande parte nativa da América Tropical e Subtropical, principalmente no Brasil. Os programas de melhoramento utilizam uma parte pequena dos recursos genéticos disponíveis, já que o potencial deste material geralmente não está suficientemente caracterizado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização do teor de lipídios e do perfil de ácidos graxos presentes nas sementes de 03 espécies nativas silvestres de maracujás (Passiflora cincinnata, P. setacea e P. nitida), empregando o maracujá comercial (P.edulis) como referência. Os lipídios totais foram extraídos com éter de petróleo em extrator tipo Soxhlet. O perfil dos ésteres metílicos foi caracterizado por cromatografia a gás, usando detector de ionização de chama. A espécie P. setacea apresentou o maior teor de óleo (31,2-33,5%), seguida por P. nitida (29,5-32,3%) e P. cincinnata (16,7-19,2%). O óleo de P. setacea apresentou 64,7% de ácido linoleico, 19,7% de oleico e 10,2% de ácido palmítico; o óleo de P. nitida apresentou os ácidos mirístico (0,6%), palmítico (15,3%), palmitoleico (2,0%), oleico (24,8%), linoleico (51,7%) e um ácido graxo incomum às outras espécies de Passiflora, o láurico (0.4%); já o óleo de P. cincinnata apresentou os ácidos oleico (11,0%), palmítico (10,2%) e linoleico (74,3%). O ácido linoleico foi predominante nas três espécies estudadas. Todas as espécies apresentaram ácido vacênico (0,3-0,6%), descrito pela primeira vez no gênero Passiflora. There are more 580 species of passion fruit in world, majority native from America Tropical and Subtropical, especially Brazil. Breeding programs use small part of genetic resources available, because potential of this material is not sufficiently characterized. The objective of this work was the characterization of lipids content and fatty acids profile present in the seeds of 03 species of wild native passion fruit (Passiflora cincinnata, P. setacea e P. nitida) using commercial passion fruit (P. edulis) as reference. Total lipids were extracted with petroleum ether in Soxhlet extractor. The profile of methyl esters was characterized by gas chromatograph using flame ionization detector. The seeds of P. setacea showed higher content of oil (31.2-33.5 %), followed by P. nitida (29.5-32.3 %) and P. cincinnata (16.7-19.2 %). The P. setacea oil presented 64.7% of linoleic, 10.2% of palmitic and 19.7% of oleic acid. P. nitida presented myristic (0.6%), palmitic (15.3%), palmitoleic (2.0%), oleic (24.8%), linoleic (51.7%) and a not common acid in other Passiflora specie, the lauric acid (0.4%); P. cincinnata showed oleic (11.0%), palmitic (10.2%) and linoleic acid (74.3%). Linoleic acid was predominant in all evaluated species. All species presented vaccenic acid (0.3-0.6 %), described for first time in Passiflora genus.

The aim in the present study was to characterize accessions of a Pfaffia glomerata germplasm bank, using morphological and chemical descriptors. Eight populations were collected at Parana and Sao Paulo (Brazil) state areas. The following descriptors were evaluated: height, main root length, node length, stem number and diameter, plant habit, main root diameter, number of secondary roots, aerial part dry and fresh matter, root dry and fresh matter, harvesting index, stem, root and petiole color, hairiness, leaf and leaf apex shape, width leaf base, and β-ecdysone content. Root color varied from yellow (six accessions) to pale yellow (two accessions). Leaf apex and base shape were acute and acuminate (apex) and oblique (base) in 72.5% of individuals. Around 57.5% of individuals presented hairy leaves. Average height was 2.16 m and plants showed around 4 stems per plant. A positive and significant correlation (0.912) was found among root dry matter and main root diameter. This increase on root dry matter was correlated to the root diameter and not to the root length. The average content of β-ecdysone in all accessions was 0.45%, with variations among and within accessions. The first two components of Principal Component Analysis were responsible for 99.5% of total variation, being aerial part fresh matter of and root fresh matter responsible for most of these variation. The graphical dispersion based on PCA analysis was able to discriminate four groups of accessions. It can be concluded that there is a large variability among and within population of P. glomerata, which can explain the large adaptive capacity of this species. Also, this variation can be used for further breeding research for a higher content of β-ecdysone in P. glomerata roots.

Abstract Pfaffia glomerata is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Brazil, which is considered the world's greatest supplier of P. glomerata roots. Among active ingredients contained in this plant, the steroid β-ecydisone (20E) is the most important compound extracted from roots. This steroid presents therapeutic properties for the treatment of diabetes and haemorrhoids, besides having bioenergy, tonic and aphrodisiac effects. The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. is a major limiting factor in root production. Recent studies showed resistance of accessions of P. glomerata to Meloidogyne incognita. The aims of this work were: i) to correlate the concentration of 20E with resistance and susceptibility of P. glomerata accessions to M. incognita in inoculated and non-inoculated plants; ii) to study the effect of the parasitism of M. incognita on the concentration of the steroid 20E in the roots; and iii) to clarify resistance mechanisms by comparing the response of a highly resistant UFV with a highly susceptible accession (Farm) to nematode infection. The concentration of 20E in the healthy susceptible Farm accession was significantly higher than in the healthy resistant UFV accession, showing that the resistance mechanism was not related to 20E concentrations. Plants of the Farm accession infected with M. incognita showed higher levels of 20E than the non-infected control. A positive and significant Pearson correlation coefficient was observed between 20E concentrations and gall indexes. Resistance of UFV to the root-knot nematode M. incognita was associated with unidentified factors that limited nematode penetration or emigration of second-stage juveniles and with post-penetration responses, including the hypersensitive response. Giant cells were sometimes found in the resistant cultivar, but displayed a highly vacuolated and degraded cytoplasm with thinner cell walls than those induced in the susceptible accession. Microscope observations under UV light showed a strong autofluorescence, suggesting that phenolic compounds may be involved in ginseng UFV resistance.

† Background and Aims Lychnophora ericoides (Asteraceae) presents disjunct geographical distribution in cerrado rupestre in the south-east and central Brazil. The phylogeography of the species was investigated to understand the origin of the disjunct geographical distribution. † Methods Populations in the south and centre of Serra do Espinhaco, south-east Brazil and on ten other localities in Federal District and Goias in central Brazil were sampled. Analyses were based on the polymorphisms at chlor- oplast (trnL intron and psbA-trnH intergenic spacer) and nuclear (ITS nrDNA) genomes. From 12 populations, 192 individuals were sequenced. Network analysis, AMOVA and the Mantel test were performed to understand the relationships among haplotypes and population genetic structure. To understand better the origin of disjunct distribution, demographic parameters and time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) were estimated using coalescent analyses. † Key Results A remarkable differentiation between populations from the south-east and central Brazil was found and no haplotype was shared between these two regions. No significant effect of isolation by distance was detected. Coalescent analyses showed that some populations are shrinking and others are expanding and that gene flow between populations from the south-east and central Brazil was probably negligible. † Conclusions The results strongly support that the disjunct distribution of L. ericoides may represent a climatic relict and that long-distance gene flow is unlikely. With an estimated time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) dated from approx. 790 655+ 36 551 years BP (chloroplast) and approx. 623 555+ 55 769 years BP (ITS), it was hypothesized that the disjunct distribution may be a consequence of an expansion of the geographi- cal distribution favoured by the drier and colder conditions that prevailed in much of Brazil during the Kansan glaciation, followed by the retraction of the distribution due to the extinction of populations in some areas as climate became warmer and moister.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar e quantificar a variabilidade genética entre e dentro das populações de arnica por meio de marcadores RAPD. Foram amostradas quatro populações na região geoeconômica do Distrito Federal: Parque Nacional de Brasília (2), Fazenda Água Limpa - UnB (1) e Reserva do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) (1). Folhas de 24 indivíduos de cada região foram coletadas, totalizando 96 indivíduos. Num total de 105 iniciadores testados foram selecionados 15, totalizando 60 bandas polimórficas. Marcadores RAPDs selecionados foram analisados com a utilização dos programas NTSYS e Amova. O dendrograma obtido pelo método UPGMA e coeficiente de dissimilaridade Dice evidenciou quatro agrupamentos consistentes, com índice de dissimilaridade variando entre 62 a 71%. O teste de Mantel aplicado estabeleceu uma correlação cofenética com valores de r = 0.82, significando que as distâncias geográficas entre as populações amostradas estão correlacionadas com a distância genética. A análise de AMOVA mostrou uma percentagem variabilidade genética entre populações de 35,7% e dentro de populações de 64,3%, evidenciando uma alta variação entre populações, sendo um importante resultado para definição de uma estratégia de conservação da espécie que se encontra em situação vulnerável à extinção. The main objective of this research was to analyze and quantify the genetic variability within and between populations of arnica using RAPD markers. Four populations from Federal District area, Brazil were sampled: Parque Nacional de Brasília - (2 ), Fazenda Água Limpa -UnB (1), and Reserva do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) (1). Leaves from twenty-four individuals from each population were collected and preserved under refrigeration. Fifteen primers were selected from 105 tested, totalizing 60 polymorphic bands. Scored RAPD markers were analyzed using NTSYS and Amova. The results indicated four consistent clusters, with dissimilarity index varying from 62 to 71%. The Mantel test indicates a cophenetic correlation (r-0.82), which means that the geographic distances are correlated to the genetic distances. An AMOVA analysis presented 35.7% variation among populations, and 64.3% within populations, showing a high variation among populations. This is an important result for conservation strategy for such species considered vulnerable to extinction.

The ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is a steroid hormone found in insects and few plants. To analyze its temporal and spatial distribution in Pfaffia glomerata (Amaranthaceae), we selected among 71 accessions, the accession 13 which showed the highest root 20E total quantity (1.48 g/plant root). The 20E was constantly detected in flowers, leaves, stems, and roots, but its percentage was variable throughout its development. The highest 20E percentage was found in flowers (0.82%), roots (0.66%), leaves (0.60%), and stems (0.24%). While stems showed the least variable 20E percentage (0.13% - 0.24%), followed by roots (0.42% - 0.66%), and flowers (0.47% - 0.82%). Leaves showed the greatest 20E percentage variation (0.21% - 0.60%). The stem and leaves 20E total amount remained constant, showing a little variation while root 20E total amount increased over time, suggesting that 20E may be accumulated in roots. These findings suggest that 20E has tissue specific functions in plant and may have ecological significance since uncoordinated pulses of 20E are often lethal to insects.

A palmeira Butia capitata var capitata produz o coquinho-azedo, fruto de odor agradável e penetrante, cuja polpa é aproveitada para a produção de um suco saboroso na região norte de Minas Gerais. As sementes apresentam uma amêndoa cuja exploração ainda é bastante limitada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a composição da amêndoa do coquinho-azedo, visando a avaliar suas possibilidades de uso. Na amêndoa, a composição química (umidade, proteínas, lipídios, cinzas e fibras) foi determinada por métodos gravimétricos. Os teores dos principais minerais foram avaliados por espectrofotometria de emissão atômica com fonte de plasma indutivo, e a composição dos ácidos graxos presentes na gordura da semente foi determinada por cromatografia a gás. A amêndoa do coquinho-azedo apresentou 9,9 % de umidade e 57,8 % de lipídios totais, 25,8 % de fibra detergente neutro, 17,6 % de fibra detergente ácido e 1,6 % de cinzas em base seca. A gordura extraída da amêndoa de coquinho-azedo apresentou elevados teores de ácido láurico (42,1 %), que foi seguido pelo ácido oléico (16,9 %). Predominaram os ácidos graxos saturados (78,9 %), principalmente os de cadeia média (C6-C12). The Butia capitata palm tree produce a very aromatic fruit named "coquinho-azedo", which freeze pulp is frequently used to produce agreeable juice in north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. "Coquinho-azedo" kernel contains a nut that is not frequently explored. The purpose of the present study was the chemical characterization of "coquinho-azedo" nut to evaluate the possibilities of its use. The moisture, lipids, ash and fiber contents were determined by gravimetric methods. The mineral profile was characterized by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer and the fatty acids profile was characterized by gas chromatography. The coquinho-azedo nut presented 9,9 % of moisture, 57,8 % of total lipid, 25,8 % of neutral detergent fiber, 17,6 % of acid detergent fiber and 1,6 % of ash. The fat from coquinho-azedo nut presented high content of lauric acid (42,1 %), followed by oleic acid (16,9 %). The saturated fatty acids predominated (78,9 %), mainly the medium chain length fatty acids (58,3 %).

Essential oils extracted from basil (Ocimum spp.) by steam distillation are used to flavor foods, oral products, in fragrances and in traditional medicines. The genus Ocimum contains around 30 species native to the tropics and subtropics, with some species naturalized and/or cultivated in temperate areas. Inter- and intraspecific hybridization have created significant confusion in the botanical systematics of the Ocimum genus. The taxonomy of O. basilicum is further complicated by the existence of numerous varieties, cultivars and chemotypes within the species that do not differ significantly in morphology. The composition of volatile oil constituents was used to characterize the diversity among the most economically important Ocimum species. Using principal component analysis on the aromatic volatile oils, the Ocimum accessions could be separated into five groups, which do not correspond to the different species: (1) citral–spathulenol accessions; (2) linalool-rich accessions; (3) methylchavicol-rich accessions; (4) linalool–methylchavicol accessions; and (5) methyl(E)-cinnamate-rich accessions. The fact that the groups of Ocimum species are based on morphological characteristics does not correspond to the groups based on volatile oil constituents. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Molecular markers were used to assess genetic diversity in basil (Ocimum L. spp., Lamiaceae). Using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, 11 primers generated 98 polymorphic bands, ranging from 300 to 2,000 base pairs, that discriminated among 37 accessions across nine Ocimum spp. Means of genetic similarities within Ocimum spp. showed that the domesticated species, O. minimum L. (0.887), O. basilicum L. (0.769), and O. ×citriodorum Vis. (0.711) had highest similarity indices within species, while the nondomesticated, O. americanum L. (0.580), O. gratissimum L. (0.408), and O. kilimandscharicum Guerke (0.559) showed the lowest similarity. RAPD results indicated that O. minimum should not be considered a distinct species but rather a variety of O. basilicum. Consistent clusters among all but one of the O. ×citriodorum spp., all containing citral as the major constituent, were identified using bootstrap analysis. RAPD analysis was useful in discriminating among Ocimum spp., although within species resolution will require a higher number of polymorphic bands.

Morphological, chemical and genetic differences of 12 tree basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.) accessions were studied to determine whether volatile oils and flavonoids can be used as taxonomical markers and to examine the relationship between RAPDs to these chemical markers. Eugenol, thymol, and geraniol were the major volatile oil constituents found in Ocimum gratissimum. Xantomicrol and cirsimaritin were the major external flavones. The accessions morphologically described as O. gratissimum var. gratissimum contained eugenol as the major volatile oil constituent, and cirsimaritin as the major flavone. Ocimum gratissimum var. macrophyllum accessions contained thymol as the major volatile oil constituent, and xantomicrol as the major flavone. A distinct essential oil and flavone chemotype (producing geraniol and a mixture of the flavones cirsimaritin, isothymusin, xanthomicrol, and luteolin) was found in an accession genetically more distant from the other two groups when analyzed by molecular markers. The accessions could be divided based on volatile oil constituents into six groups: (1) thymol: alpha-copaene (ot24, ot25, ot26, and ot28); (2) eugenol:spathulenol (ot17, ot63, and ot52); (3) thymol:p-cymene (ot65); (4) eugenol:gamma-muurolene (ot27 and ot29); (5) eugenol:thymol: spathulenol (ot85); and (6) geraniol (ot84). Cluster analysis of RAPD markers showed that there are three groups that are distinct genetically and highly correlated (r=0.814) to volatile oil constituents.

Ocimum species are used both in Brazilian traditional medicine against bronchitis, coughs, and sorethroat, and in foods and flavorings. The traditional uses of basil in Brazil are reviewed and fourteen accessions of basil, O. americanum (1), O. basilicum (3), O. campechianum (3), O. gratissimum (5), and O. selloi (2) were collected and brought from Brazil to the USA and grown at Purdue University. Upon flowering, the volatile oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and chemically analyzed by GC/ MS. Accessions ofO. gratissimum showed high eugenol (40-66%) and high thymol (31%), as a relative percentage of total volatile oil. Ocimum campechianum accessions showed high 1,8-cineole (62%) and s-caryophyllene (78.7%). Accessions of O. basilicum were found to be rich in 1,8-cineole (22%), linalool (49.7%), methyl chavicol (47%) or methyl (E)-cinnamate (65.5%). An O. americanum var. americanum accession showed high methyl (E)-cinnamate (>90%). Volatile oils of O. basilicum and O. gratissimum naturalized in Brazil reflected the range of chemotypes found in their country of origin. Unusual basils from other Ocimum species were identified that can serve as genetic sources of aroma chemicals for crop improvement.

As frutas nativas do cerrado têm despertado ultimamente interesse crescente, devido às suas propriedades nutricionais e funcionais aliadas ao potencial para agregar valor e conservar a biodiversidade deste bioma. Muitos compostos fenólicos apresentam capacidade antioxidante de neutralizar a atividade de radicais livres gerados no organismo, que estão associados a diversas doenças crônico-degenerativas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de três soluções extratoras (acetona a 70 %, etanol a 95 % e metanol a 99,8 %) e determinar os teores de compostos fenólicos em 10 espécies de frutas nativas do cerrado, utilizando o método de Folin-Ciocalteou para compostos fenólicos totais e o método da vanilina para taninos condensados. A acetona a 70 % mostrou-se como o melhor solvente extrator de compostos fenólicos totais e taninos condensados em frutos de Pouteria gardneriana, Eugenia dysenterica, E. klostzchiana, E. punicifolia, Plinia edulis, Campomanesia sp., fenólicos totais de Brosimium gaudichaudii e taninos condensados de Jaracatia spinosa. O etanol a 95 % foi mais eficiente na extração de fenólicos totais de Jaracatia spinosa e taninos condensados de Brosimium gaudichaudii; o metanol a 99,8 % foi mais eficiente na extração de taninos condensados de Eugenia dysenterica. Os teores de compostos fenólicos totais variaram entre 90 e 327 mg de ácido gálico equivalente por 100g de polpa para as espécies E. dysenterica e E. punicifolia, respectivamente. Os teores de taninos condensados variaram entre 4 e 291 mg de catequina equivalente por 100 g de polpa para as espécies E. dysenterica e E. calcyna, respectivamente. As espécies de frutas do cerrado, avaliadas neste estudo, podem ser consideradas boas fontes de compostos fenólicos totais, sendo que a natureza específica dos diferentes tipos deve ser avaliada em estudos futuros. The native fruits from Brazilian savanna are arousing increasing interest due to their nutritional and functional properties combined with the potential to add value and conserve the biodiversity of this biome. Many phenolic compounds have antioxidant capacity to neutralize free radicals generated in the body that are associated with many chronic degenerative diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of three extraction solutions (acetone 70%, ethanol 95% and methanol 99.8 %) and determining the levels of phenolic compounds in 10 species of native fruits from Brazilian savanna, using the Folin-Ciocalteu method for total phenolic compounds and vanillin method for condensed tannins. Acetone 70 % proved to be the best solvent extractor for total phenolics and condensed tannins in fruits of Pouteria gardneriana, Eugenia dysenterica, E. klostzchiana, E. punicifolia, Plinia edulis, Campomanesia sp. and for total phenolics in Brosimium gaudichaudii and for condensed tannins in Jaracatia spinosa. The ethanol 95 % was more efficient in the extraction of total phenolics of Jaracatia spinosa and condensed tannins of Brosimium gaudichaudii. The methanol 99.8 % was more efficient in the extraction of condensed tannins of Eugenia dysenterica. The contents of phenolic compounds ranged between 90 and 327 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of pulp for the species of E. dysenterica and E. punicifolia respectively. The levels of condensed tannins ranged between 4 and 291 mg of catechin equivalent per 100 g of pulp for the species of E. dysenterica and E. calcyna respectively. Evaluated species of fruit from Brazilian savanna can be considered good sources of total phenolic compounds, although the specific nature of different types should be evaluated in future studies.

A erva-cidreira [Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Brown] é uma espécie nativa utilizada como planta medicinal em todo o Brasil. O citral é responsável pela ação sedativa da erva cidreira, sendo um dos principais componentes do óleo essencial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento agronômico, teor e rendimento de óleo essencial e de citral em 17 acessos de L. alba da coleção da Universidade de Brasília - UnB. O experimento foi realizado no período de 19/02/2005 a 18/03/2006, em latossolo vermelho, no Distrito Federal. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, contendo três plantas por parcela. Foram avaliados os parâmetros área foliar, comprimento da haste, produção de massa fresca (folhas e hastes), produção de massa foliar seca, teor de óleo essencial e de citral, rendimento estimado de óleo essencial e de citral por planta, além da caracterização do perfil aromático do óleo essencial. Os acessos L.41 (0,75%), L.45 (0,66%) e L.08 (0,62%) apresentaram os maiores teores de óleo essencial. O acesso L.45 (1,32 g pl-1) apresentou o maior rendimento de óleo, seguido dos acessos L.47 (0,73 g pl-1), L.41 (0,67 g pl-1), L.34 (0,67 g pl-1) e L.33 (0,62 g pl-1). Os acessos apresentaram teores de citral variando de 51,7% (L.34) a 75,1% (L.09), com média de 63,6% e predominância do isômero geranial (36,4%) sobre o neral (27,8%). O acesso L.45 (0,83 g pl-1) apresentou o maior rendimento de citral. Treze acessos apresentaram o quimiotipo citral; três o quimiotipo citral-limoneno e apenas um apresentou o quimiotipo citral-mirceno. Os resultados evidenciam o potencial de produção de citral do acesso L.45, o qual poderá ser utilizado para melhorar a qualidade da matéria prima de erva-cidreira utilizada nos programas de fitoterapia no país ou em programas de melhoramento genético para esta finalidade. "Erva-cidreira" [Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Brown] is a native species used as a medicinal plant all over Brazil. Citral, a major constituent of L. alba essential oil, is responsible for its sedative activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic behavior, content and yield of essential oil and citral in 17 accessions of L. alba from the germplasm bank of University of Brasília - UnB, Brazil. The experiment was carried out from 02/19/2005 to 03/18/2006, in red latosol, at the Federal District, Brazil. The adopted experimental design was in randomized blocks, with three replicates and three plants per plot. The following parameters were evaluated: leaf area, stem length, fresh mass (leaves and stems) production, dry leaf mass production, essential oil and citral content, estimated yield of essential oil and citral per plant, besides characterization of the essential oil aromatic profile. Accessions L41 (0.75%), L45 (0.66%) and L08 (0.62%) showed the highest essential oil content. Accessions L45 (1.32 g pl-1) presented the highest essential oil yield, followed by L47 (0.73 g pl-1), L41 (0.67 g pl-1), L34 (0.67 g pl-1) and L33 (0.62 g pl-1). Citral content varied from 51.7% (L34) to 75.1% (L09), with an average of 63.6% and predominance of the isomer geranial (36.4%) over neral (27.8%). Accession L45 (0.83 g pl-1) showed the highest citral yield. Thirteen accessions presented the chemotype citral; three, the chemotype citral-limonene, and only one had the chemotype citral-myrcene. The results evidenced the potential of accession L45 to produce citral, which can be used to improve the quality of "erva-cidreira" raw material in phytotherapy programs in the country or in breeding programs.

This paper reports HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and HPLC-ECD characterisation of secondary metabolite profiles of Lychnophora ericoides Mart. leaf extracts from different provenances and their cytotoxic and antioxidant properties. Leaf extracts from populations representing seven different locations were evaluated for antioxidant activity by the DPPH radical scavenging system and activity towards cellular growth in three tumor cell lines. The extracts were electrochemically analysed by HPLC-ECD and their main secondary metabolites were identified by HPLC-DAD-MS and HPLC-DAD-MS/MS. An amplified defensive secondary chemistry, together with maximal cytotoxic and antioxidant bioactivities, were found for plants collected at the interface between two types of forest. These findings furnish additional support for the hypothesis that plants occurring at the interface between two forests ecosystems might be stimulated to amplify their own production and storage of defensive secondary metabolites due to the greater number of environmental influences. Este artigo descreve a caracterização por CLAE-DAD-EM/EM e CLAE-DEC dos perfis de metabólitos secundários de extratos das folhas de Lychnophora ericoides Mart. de diferentes procedências e suas propriedades citotóxicas e antioxidantes. Extratos foliares de populações representando sete diferentes localidades foram avaliados quanto à atividade antioxidante pelo sistema DPPH e à atividade citotóxica em três linhagens tumorais. Os extratos foram eletroquimicamente caracterizados por CLAE-DEC e seus metabólitos secundários majoritários foram identificados por CLAE-DAD-EM e CLAE-DAD-EM/EM. Um metabolismo secundário defensivo amplificado, juntamente com as mais altas bioatividades antioxidantes e citotóxicas, foi encontrado para as plantas coletadas na interface entre dois tipos de vegetação. Estes resultados fornecem apoio adicional para a hipótese de que plantas ocorrendo na interface entre dois ecossistemas podem ser estimuladas a amplificar sua produção e armazenamento de metabólitos secundários defensivos, devido ao maior número de influências ambientais.

No presente estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a divergência genética de indivíduos de quatro populações de fáfia [Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen] coletadas na região do rio Paraná por meio de estudos de caracteres morfológicos associados à produção de β-ecdisona. A divergência foi avaliada entre 64 indivíduos utilizando 14 caracteres morfológicos quantitativos, incluindo o teor de β-ecdisona. Os dados foram interpretados pelas médias dos caracteres, índice de dissimilaridade de Mahalanobis, agrupamento pelo método UPGMA e correlação simples de Pearson. Os resultados demonstraram maiores valores de divergência entre indivíduos pertencentes a diferentes populações e menores, entre indivíduos da mesma população. Os indivíduos pertencentes à população 1, coletados à margem do rio Ivaí, destacaram-se pelos altos valores de β-ecdisona, predominando o seguinte perfil: matéria seca da raiz abaixo da média geral (135,1 g planta-1); antese precoce em relação a média geral (135,8 dias); dias para ocorrer a senescência de 90% das folhas abaixo da média geral (201,4 dias); e intervalo entre antese e senescência acima da média (65,6 dias). Os caracteres avaliados demonstraram significativa variação entre os indivíduos, no entanto, não foi possível observar dados que evidenciam a correlação entre a produção de β-ecdisona e caracteres morfológicos avaliados no presente estudo. The present study aimed to evaluate the genetic divergence among individuals from four Pfaffia glomerata populations collected in the region of Paraná River, Brazil, based on the study of morphological characters associated with β-ecdysone production. The divergence among 64 individuals was estimated using 14 quantitative morphological characters, including -ecdysone content. Data were evaluated considering general mean of the characters, Mahalanobis dissimilarity index, UPGMA grouping method, and Pearson correlation. Results indicated higher divergence among individuals from different populations and lower divergence among those from the same population. Individuals from population 1, collected at the shore of Ivaí River, had high β-ecdysone content, with predominance of the following profile, compared to the general mean: lower root dry matter (135.1 g plant-1); earlier anthesis (135.8 days); smaller number of days to senescence of 90% of the leaves (201.4 days); and longer interval between anthesis and senescence (65.6 days). The evaluated characters significantly varied among individuals; nevertheless, the correlation between β-ecdysone production and the evaluated morphological characters could not be evidenced.

Pfaffia glomerata é uma espécie nativa da América do Sul e de ocorrência natural em alguns Estados do Brasil. Porém, as populações naturais de fáfia têm sido ameaçadas em decorrência do intenso extrativismo, em virtude de suas propriedades terapêuticas de interesse. No presente estudo, objetivou-se estimar a diversidade genética de quatro populações naturais oriundas da bacia do Rio Paraná. Os indivíduos foram multiplicados in vitro e caracterizados de acordo com o padrão eletroforético de marcadores RAPD, utilizando-se 268 marcas polimórficas obtidas a partir de 67 primers. As estimativas de distância genética foram obtidas pelo complemento aritmético do coeficiente de Nei e Li, e os genótipos agrupados de acordo com o método UPGMA. Três populações situadas próximas às margens do rio Paraná e na ilha do Mineiro apresentaram baixos índices de diversidade entre elas, e estas possuem o mesmo fluxo de dispersão dos propágulos. A população situada nas proximidades da margem do rio Ivaí (afluente do rio Paraná) apresentou maiores valores de diversidade dentro da população e entre as populações, indicando que sua preservação é prioritária e a origem da variabilidade pode estar relacionada ao fluxo de dispersão de propágulos. Pfaffia glomerata is a native species from South America, occurring naturally in some states of Brazil. The ever growing interest by the species, mainly due to its important therapeutic properties, has threatened the natural populations, as exploitation has occurred in a rather predatory way. The present study aimed to compare the genetic diversity of four natural populations originated from of the area of the Paraná River basin (Paraná and Mato Grosso States). The individuals were propagated in vitro and characterized by means of RAPD markers. A total of 267 polymorphic marks were obtained from 67 primers. The genetic distance estimates were obtained based on the complement arithmetic of Nei and Li's similarity coefficient, and the genotypes were grouped according to the UPGMA method. Three populations from the margin of the Paraná River and at Mineiro Island presented low diversity levels among them, though possessing the same propagule dispersal flow. The population located in the proximities of the margin of the Ivaí river (tributary of the river Paraná) presented greater diversity values within and among the populations, suggesting that its preservation should be a priority and that the origin of the genetic variability may be related to the dispersion flow of the vegetative propagules.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a composição química, o teor de vitamina C, o valor pró-vitamina A e o teor de compostos fenólicos totais na polpa do coquinho-azedo (Butia capitata var capitata). Umidade, lipídeos, cinzas e fibras foram determinados por métodos gravimétricos; os minerais foram determinados por espectrometria de emissão atômica com fonte de plasma indutivo; o valor pró-vitamina A foi calculado através do teor de carotenóides; a vitamina C foi determinada por titulação com diclorofenolindofenol; os compostos fenólicos foram determinados pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteou, empregando ácido gálico e ácido tânico como padrões, e pelo método da vanilina, empregando catequina como padrão. A polpa, se comparada com outras frutas normalmente consumidas, apresentou elevado teor de óleo (2,5%), de fibra dietética (7,0%), de pró-vitamina A (146, 2RAE 100g-1), de vitamina C (53mg 100g-1), de compostos fenólicos (210mg de catequina, equivalente 100g-1; 116mg de ácido tânico, equivalente 100g-1) e de potássio (516mg 100g-1). O coquinho-azedo apresentou elevado potencial para enriquecer a alimentação da população local, especialmente como fonte de fibras, pró-vitamina A, vitamina C e potássio, a exemplo do que já vem sendo feito na merenda escolar no norte de Minas Gerais. Estes resultados demonstram o elevado valor de produtos oferecidos pelos pequenos agricultores, respaldando a importância cultural da espécie e valorizando a manutenção da variabilidade no cerrado. The aim of this work was to measure the chemical composition and the vitamin A, vitamin C and total phenolics compounds of 'coquinho-azedo' pulp (Butia capitata var capitata). The moisture, lipids, ash and fiber contents were determined by gravimetric methods; the mineral profile was characterized by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer; the pro-vitamin A value was calculate through carotenoids measure; the vitamin C content was determined by dichlorophenolindophenol method; phenolic compounds were determined by Folin-Ciocalteou method, using gallic acid and tannic acid as standards, and by vanillin method, using catechin as standard. The 'coquinho-azedo' pulp, if compared with other fruits normally consumed, presented high content of oil (2,5%), dietetic fiber (7,0%), pro-vitamin A (146,2 RAE 100g-1), vitamin C (53mg 100g-1), phenolic compounds (210mg of catechin equivalent 100g-1 of pulp, by vanillin method; 116mg of tannic acid equivalent 100g-1 of pulp, by Folin-Ciocalteou method) and potassium (516mg 100g¹). The 'coquinho-azedo' presented high potential to enrich the food of local population, especially as a source of fiber, pro-vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium, as an example that has been happening in the meals for school children at the North of the state of Minas Gerais. These results show the high value of products supplied by small farmers, presenting the cultural importance of the Butia capitata var capitata and valuing the maintenance of the variability.

A variacao na composicao quimica do oleo essencial das folhas em tres populacoes silvestres de Lychnophora ericoides, com ou sem odor, indicou a presenca de dois grupos de oleos em relacao ao odor das amostras. O primeiro incluiu amostras de odor aromatico contendo altas percentagens de A -bisabolol (34 o 23%) e o-cimeno (8,4 o 6,9%). No grupo II, as amostras nao apresentaram qualquer odor e os constituintes majoritarios foram o oxido de cariofileno (11 o 9%) e o D-elemeno (5,7 o 6,9%). Em todas as populacoes estudadas co-existem os dois tipos de oleos, embora a maioria das amostras aromaticas provenientes do Parque Estadual da Serra de Caldas Novas se diferenciem quimicamente daquelas do Parque Nacional de Brasilia e de Santo Antonio do Descoberto. As variacoes quimicas sugerem claramente, alem da influencia geografica, diferencas geneticas entre individuos nas populacoes. O alto conteudo de A -bisabolol suporta o uso medicinal folclorico de arnica como antiinflamatorio. Variations in the composition of the leaf essential oils of wild Lychnophora ericoides, with and without scent, which were grown in three sampling sites, were examined by GC-MS. Results were submitted to principal component and cluster analysis which allowed for two groups of essential oils to be distinguished with regard to scent: cluster I with specimens exhibiting an aromatic scent and containing a high percentage of A -bisabolol (34 o 23%) and o-cymene (8.4 o 6.9%); cluster II with specimens without any scent and characterised by a high percentage of caryophyllene oxide (11o 9%) and D-elemene (5.7 o 6.9%). The two types of oil coexist in all the populations under study, although patterns of aromatic samples deriving from Caldas Novas’ State Park reveal chemical differences in relation to the samples from Brasilia’s National Park and Santo Antonio do Descoberto. Such chemical variations clearly suggest, apart from a geographical influence, genetic differences between individuals in the populations. The high content of A -bisabolol supports the folk medicinal use of arnica as anti-inflammatory.

Foi determinada a composição química dos óleos essenciais de 3 espécies do gênero Piper coletadas em Matas de Galeria no Cerrado, e comparada com composição dos óleos das mesmas espécies oriundas da Mata Atlântica. A composição química do óleo de Piper arboreum subsp arboreum, P. dilatatum e P. hispidum foi determinada por cromatografia gasosa em coluna capilar HP-5 e espectrometria de massas. As três espécies do Cerrado apresentaram predominância de sesquiterpenos. Piper arboreum subsp arboreum apresentou como constituintes majoritários biciclogermacreno (12,1%), 10-epi-g-eudesmol (11,6%) e óxido de cariofileno (10,1%). Em P. dilatatum os constituintes em maior quantidade foram cis-b-ocimeno (19,6%) e b-cariofileno (11,3%) e em P. hispidum foram b-pineno (19,7%), a-pineno (9,0%). The chemical composition of the essential oils of three species of Piper, namely Piper arboretum subsp arboretum, P. dilatatum and P. hispidum, from the Cerrado (Brazillian savannah) was determined and compared with the composition of the oils from the same species collected in the Atlantic Rain Forest. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry using a HP5 capillary column. Sesquiterpenes were the major constituents of the oils. In P. arboreum subsp arboreum, bicyclogermacre (12.1%), 10-epi-g-eudesmol (11.6%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.1%) were the main constituents. For P. dilatatum cis-b-ocimene (19.6) and b-caryophyllene (11.3%) were the major compounds. The main components in P. hispidum oil were b-pinene (19.7%) and a-pinene (9.0%).

A HPLC survey was undertaken of the external flavonoids in 111 herbarium specimens of Ocimum americanum L. ( O. canum Sims), which were largely collected from their natural habitats throughout Africa and Asia. The purpose of this study was to establish the flavonoid profiles of this species over the full range of its geographic distribution in order to use these for authentication purposes. Six different external flavonoid chemotypes were found. The major chemotype, present in circa 80% of the specimens of both var. americanum and var. pilosum collected throughout the distribution area of the species, was characterised by very high levels of nevadensin, slightly lower levels of salvigenin and much lower levels of up to 15 other external flavones. Of the remaining five chemotypes, two were found in var . americanum and three in var. pilosum . All specimens belonging to these chemotypes were collected in South or East Africa and represented by only a few specimens. These samples contained much smaller levels of flavones than present in the major chemotype of O. americanum and all lacked nevadensin. Xanthomicrol, a compound absent from the main chemotype, was the dominant flavone in two of the minor chemotypes. The external flavonoid profiles found in the six chemotypes of O. americanum were compared with those of O.×citriodorum (11 herbarium specimens studied) and seven other closely related species of Ocimum . The main nevadensin/salvigenin pattern present in O. americanum was also found in O.×citriodorum , O. basilicum and some specimens of O. minimum , but there were strong quantitative differences in external flavonoids among these taxa. The other chemotypes of O. americanum showed some similarities in their external flavone profiles to those found in the closely related East African species O. fischeri , O. forskolei , O. kenyense and O. kilimandscharicum , which occur in the same geographic areas. This suggests that the uncommon chemotypes of O. americanum may have originated by an exchange of genes with other Ocimum species, e.g. by introgressive hybridisation. Despite some similarities in profiles, chemical differences were also found among the species, so that it should be possible to authenticate a large proportion of leaf samples of O. americanum on the basis of external flavonoid profiles.