In a minimal medium supplemented with glucose and yeast extract, the optimum pH for the growth of C. poinsettias was found to be 7.5. The organism requires thiamine, biotin, and pantothenic acid for growth. No absolute requirement was found for any amino acid, purine or pyrimidine although an amino acid mixture was stimulatory. Casamino acids could be substituted for the synthetic amino acid mixture. Yeast extract provided an additional factor(s) necessary for maximal growth. The results suggest that the unknown factor found in yeast extract might be purified by a combination of solvent extraction, and adsorption and elution from charcoal.

Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de derivados das meliáceas Azadirachta indica (nim), Melia azedarach e Trichilia pallida e os fungos entomopatogênicos Metarhizium anisopliae (isolado 1037) e Beauveria bassiana (isolado 634) visando ao controle do cupim subterrâneo Heterotermes tenuis. Os derivados vegetais foram avaliados em relação à toxicidade e repelência para o cupim. A formulação comercial Nimkol®, à base de folhas de nim, foi tóxica para o cupim, em concentrações de 0,3% de ingrediente ativo ou superiores. Não foi constatada a transmissão do Nimkol de indivíduos alimentados com esse produto para outros indivíduos. Os demais extratos vegetais estudados não apresentaram toxicidade significativa para H. tenuis. Nenhum dos produtos avaliados foi repelente a ponto de evitar a construção de galerias em placas com ágar ou provocar o fechamento das mesmas. Entretanto, em testes de escolha em arenas de preferência, H. tenuis demonstrou repelência pelo extrato aquoso de folhas de nim (5%). Os demais derivados avaliados, incluindo o Nimkol, não foram repelentes para o cupim. O efeito dos derivados vegetais e dos entomopatógenos na sobrevivência de H. tenuis, em forma independente e associada, foi estudada em laboratório e em condições de campo, visando avaliar um possível efeito estressor dos derivados vegetais sobre o cupim. Testes de compatibilidade in vitro indicaram resposta dependente da concentração do Nimkol, para a inibição do crescimento de colônias, da produção e da germinação de conídios dos entomopatógenos. A associação de extratos vegetais e entomopatógenos, em geral, diminuiu a atividade fungitóxica sobre H. tenuis. Entretanto, observou-se benefícios da associação de Nimkol (0,2 a 0,4% i.a.) com os isolados de B. bassiana e M. anisopliae quando houve um mínimo de 24 horas de diferença entre a aplicação do produto vegetal e dos fungos no alimento dos cupins. Os resultados de campo para Nimkol, M. asinopliae e a associação de ambos, mostraram tendências semelhantes às observadas para esses tratamentos em laboratório, embora com menores níveis de mortalidade. / The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of by-products of the Meliaceae Azadirachta indica (neem), Melia azedarach and Trichilia pallida, and of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (isolate 1037) and Beauveria bassiana (isolate 634) in the control of the subterranean termite Heterotermes tenuis. The vegetal by-products were evaluated in relation to the toxicity and repellency for the termite. The commercial formula Nimkol, obtained from neem leaves, was toxic for the termite at concentrations of 0.3% a.i. and higher. There was no detected transmission of the Nimkol from individuals fed with the product to other individuals. The rest of the vegetal extracts were not significantly toxic for H. tenuis. None of the tested products was repellent to the extent of preventing the gallery construction in agar plates or causing them to be closed. In selection experiments on preference, H. tenuis showed repellency towards the aqueous extract of neem leaves (5%). The rest of the by-products tested, including Nimkol-L, were not repellent for the termite. The effect of the vegetal by-products and the entomopathogens, independently and associated, was studied under field and laboratory conditions, looking for a possible stressing effect of the vegetal by-products on the termite. In vitro compatibility tests showed a response of the Nimkol-L, dependent on the concentration, on the growth of colonies, production and germination of conidia of the entomopathogens. The association of entomopathogens and vegetal extracts decreased in general the toxic activity of the fungi over H. tenuis. With a minimal difference of 24h between the application of the vegetal product and the fungi in the food of the termites, a beneficial association was detected between Nimkol-L and isolates of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae. The field results for Nimkol-L, M anisopliae and the combination of the two, showed a trend similar to the one observed in the laboratory results, but with lower mortality levels.

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de óleos essenciais (OE) extraídos das folhas e dos frutos da aroeira em dietas de alto concentrado sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de cordeiros confinados. Experimento I: Foram utilizados 44 cordeiros, 16 machos e 28 fêmeas, sendo o delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados, com 4 tratamentos e 11 repetições. O experimento teve a duração de 56 dias, divididos em 2 períodos de 28 dias cada. Os animais foram alimentados com as dietas experimentais compostas por 10% de volumoso (feno de coastcross) e 90% de concentrado. Os tratamentos foram definidos pela inclusão de: 8 ppm de monensina sódica (MON) e as doses 0,140% (140 OE), 0,280% (280 OE), 0,420% (420 OE) do OE das folhas de aroeira (em % na matéria seca (MS). Ao final dos 56 dias, 31 animais foram abatidos para a mensuração dos parâmetros de carcaça. Os tratamentos não afetaram (P > 0,05) o ganho de peso médio diário, consumo de matéria seca e eficiência alimentar. A infestação por coccidiose foi menor (P <0,05) no tratamento com monensina. O rendimento de carcaça fria foi maior (P < 0,05) nos animais alimentados com maiores doses de OE. Os demais parâmetros de carcaça avaliados não foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P > 0,05). As maiores doses de OE das folhas de aroeira aumentaram (P < 0,05) a porcentagem de proteína bruta e matéria mineral na composição química da carne dos cordeiros. Apesar de não alterar o desempenho dos cordeiros, a inclusão das doses mais elevadas de OE das folhas de aroeira apresentaram respostas positivas para o rendimento de carcaça fria, demonstrando o potencial de utilização desse aditivo em dietas para cordeiros confinados. Experimento II: Foram utilizados 48 cordeiros, 24 machos e 24 fêmeas, sendo o delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados, com 4 tratamentos e 12 repetições. O experimento teve duração de 56 dias, divididos em 2 períodos de 28 dias cada. Os animais foram alimentados com as dietas experimentais compostas por 10% de volumoso (feno de coastcross) e 90% de concentrado. Os tratamentos foram definidos pela inclusão de: 8 ppm de monensina sódica (MON) e as 11 doses 0,140% (140 OE), 0,280% (280 OE), 0,420% (420 OE) do OE dos frutos de aroeira (em % na MS). Ao final dos 56 dias, 32 animais foram abatidos para a mensuração dos parâmetros de carcaça. Não houve efeito (P > 0,05) dos tratamentos no ganho de peso médio diário, consumo de matéria seca, eficiência alimentar, coccidiose e parâmetros de carcaça. A infestação por coccidiose não interferiu (P < 0,05) no ganho médio diário e consumo de matéria seca. Os tratamentos com as maiores doses de OE dos frutos de aroeira reduziram o teor de matéria mineral da carne dos cordeiros em relação à monensina. O desempenho e os parâmetros de carcaça dos cordeiros alimentados com as dietas contendo OE dos frutos de aroeira foram semelhantes aos que receberam monensina sódica. / Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of essential oils (EO) extracted from leaves and fruits of aroeira on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot sheep fed high concentrate diets. Experiment I: Fourty-four lambs (16 males and 28 females) were assingned in a randomized complete block design to receive one of treatments: 8 ppm of sodium monensin (MON) and doses of 0.140% (140 EO), 0.280% (280 EO) and 0.420% (420 EO) of aroeira leaves EO (% in a DM basis). The experiment lasted 56 days, divided in 2 periods of 28 days each. The animals were fed a diet containing 10% roughage (coastsross hay) and 90% concentrate. At the end of experiment, 31 lambs were slaughtered to access the carcasses characteristics. The treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) the average daily gain, the dry matter intake and the feed efficiency. Infestation by coccidiosis was lower (P < 0.05) in the monensin treatment. Cold carcass dressing was higher (P < 0.05) for the animals fed higher doses of EO. The other carcass parameters were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). The higher doses of aroeira leaves EO increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of crude protein and mineral matter in the meat. Despite did not affect the lambs performance, the inclusion of aroeira leaves EO at the higher doses did present positive results for the cold carcass dressing, showing a potential of this additive in feedlot sheep diets. Experiment II: fourty-eight lambs (24 males and 24 females) were assingned in a randomized complete block design to recive one of treatments: 8 ppm of sodium monensin (MON) and doses of 0.140% (140 EO), 0.280% (280 EO) and 0.420% (420 EO) of aroeira fruits EO (% in a DM basis). The experiment lasted 56 days, divided in 2 periods of 28 days each. The animals were fed a diet containing 10% roughage (coastsross hay) and 90% concentrate. At the end of the experiment, 32 lambs were slaughtered to access the carcasses characteristics. The treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) the average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, the coccidiosis infestation and the carcasses parameters. In addition, the infestation by coccidiosis did not interfere (P < 0.05) on average daily gain and dry matter intake. The treatments with 13 higher doses of the EO from aroeira fruits reduced the percentage of mineral matter of meat compared to monensin. The performance and carcass parameters of the lambs fed diets containing essential oils were similar to those fed monensina.

L’oxydation et le développement microbien constituent les paramètres majeurs à l’origine de l’altération des produits alimentaires, notamment des aliments pour animaux. Ces dégradations affectent les qualités nutritionnelles et sensorielles des produits et peuvent avoir des répercussions au niveau sanitaire. Dans ce contexte, différents moyens de prévention sont disponibles pour limiter ces phénomènes. Parmi eux, la valorisation d’ingrédients d’origine végétale à des fins alimentaires représente un enjeu majeur pour la recherche et l’industrie. Leur utilisation en tant que conservateurs naturels pourrait constituer une alternative attractive aux antioxydants et antimicrobiens synthétiques qui souffrent d’une moindre acceptation par le consommateur.Au travers de cette étude nous avons identifié et caractérisé la performance de quinze extraits végétaux d’un point de vue antioxydant et antimicrobien. Après une caractérisation moléculaire des extraits, leur pouvoir antioxydant a été mesuré puis leur pouvoir antimicrobien sur trois souches de Salm onella. Pour cela, une procédure de sélection a été mise en place. Enfin les extraits présentant les caractéristiques les plus intéressantes ont été testés sur une vraie matrice alimentaire : des croquettes. / Oxidation and microbial growth are the major parameters causing the deterioration of food products, including pet food. These degradations affect the nutritional and sensory qualities of the products and may lead to health issues. In this context, various ways of prevention are available to limit these phenomena. Among them, the promotion of plant extracts for food is a major challenge for research and industry. Their use as natural preservatives could be an attractive alternative to synthetic antioxidants or antimicrobials that suffer from lower consumer acceptance.Through this study we have identified and characterized the performance of fifteen plant extracts from an antioxidant and antimicrobial point of view. After a molecular characterization of the extracts, their antioxidant capacity was measured as well as their antimicrobial property on three Salmonella strains. The establishment of a selection procedure was made. Finally, the extracts presenting the most interesting characteristics were tested on a real food matrix: kibbles.

Orientador: Cristiane Duque / Coorientador: Eloi Dezan Júnior / Banca: Rogério de Castilho Jacinto / Banca: Denise Madalena Palomari Spolidorio / Resumo: Na busca por fontes alternativas de antimicrobianos, diversos autores tem explorado o uso de plantas medicinais para o tratamento de várias doenças. A atividade antimicrobiana de várias espécies de plantas como, Cordia verbenacea DC, Mikania laevigata Schultz Bip. Ex Baker e Psidium cattleianum, popularmente chamadas de erva-baleeira, guaco e de araçá, respectivamente, tem sido relatada contra diversos microrganismos orais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito antimicrobiano dos extratos hidroetanólico bruto e as suas respectivas frações aquosa, butanol, hexano e acetato de etila de Cordia verbenacea (CV) e Mikania laevigata (ML) e extratos aquoso e hidroetanólico de Psidium cattleianum (PC) contra Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Actinomyces israelii e Candida albicans, sob condições planctônicas e de biofilme. Os microrganismos foram analisados em condições planctônicas por meio de ensaios para a determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração letal mínima (CLM), pelo método de microdiluição em caldo. Posteriormente, foram selecionados somente os extratos capazes de eliminar completamente cada microrganismo (CLM 100%), para a análise da atividade antimicrobiana em ensaios de biofilme. Os resultados mostraram que os valores de CIM e CLM variaram de 250 à 4000μg/ml. O biofilme formado por E. faecalis foi eliminado frente à ação dos extratos aquoso e hidroetanólico de PC e à fração acetato de etila de ML. A mesma fração de ML e o extrato hidroetanólico de PC também foram capazes de eliminar biofilme de P. aeruginosa. O mesmo ocorreu com as frações hexânicas de CV e ML e o extrato hidroetanólico de ML frente ao biofilme de A. israelii. Nenhum extrato/fração foi capaz de eliminar biofilme de C. albicans. Este estudo demonstrou o potencial antimicrobiano de extratos ou frações de Cordia verbenacea, Mikania laevigata... / Abstract: Seeking for alternative sources of the antimicrobials, several authors have explored the use of herbal medicines for the treatment of diseases. The antimicrobial activity of various species of plants, such as Cordia verbenacea DC, Mikania laevigata Schultz Bip. Ex Baker and Psidium cattleianum, known as erva-baleeira, guaco and araçá, respectively, has been reported against several oral microorganisms. The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Cordia verbenacea (CV) and Mikania laevigata (ML) hydroethanolic crude extracts and their fractions aqueous, butanol, hexane and ethyl acetate and aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of Psidium cattleianum (PC) against Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Actinomyces israelii and Candida albicans, under planktonic and biofilm conditions. The microorganisms in planktonic conditions were analyzed by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) assays using the microdilution broth method. Posteriorly, only the extracts that were able to totally eliminate each microorganism (MLC 100%) were selected for the antimicrobial activity analysis in the biofilm assay. The results showed that the MIC and MLC values ranged between 250 and 4000μg/ml. E. faecalis biofilm was eliminated by PC aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts and the ML ethyl acetate fraction. The same ML fraction and PC hydroethanolic extract were also able to eliminate the P. aeruginosa biofilm. The same occurred with the CV and ML hexane fractions and ML hydroethanolic extract against the A. israelii biofilm. None of the extracts/fractions were able to eliminate the C. albicans biofilm. This study confirmed the antimicrobial activity potential of Cordia verbenacea, Mikania laevigata and Psidium cattleianum, suggesting their use for endodontic purposes due to their effectiveness against pathogens associated with persistent or se... / Mestre

Advanced prostate cancer (PrC) is the second leading cause of death from cancer in US males. Advanced PrC cells are initially androgen-sensitive and thus androgen ablation therapy causes tumors to undergo regression and fall into a remission phase where residual cells remain dormant while androgen levels remain very low. Unfortunately, this phase usually lasts 3 to 5 years prior to tumor relapse, where the tumor cells re-grow in the absence of androgens. This form of the disease is aggressive and invariably fatal. In this study, we investigated the effects of a combination of herbal extracts on various stages of PrC, androgen-dependent and castrate-resistant, using CWR22 and CWR22Rv1 cells, respectively. Zyflamend, a commercially available product consisting of 10 different herbal extracts, had been shown to reduce pre-malignant forms of PrC in clinical trials. We expanded these earlier experiments by using Zyflamend in a model of advanced PrC. Our initial results indicated that Zyflamend could repress androgen-sensitive and castrate-resistant (androgen-insensitive) prostate tumor growth. Using a cell model for castrate-resistant PrC, Zyflamend inhibited the growth of CWR22Rv1 cells by increasing the expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27. These effects were mediated via hyperacetylation of histone 3 through the suppression of class I and II histone deacetylases (HDACs) and an induction of CBP/p300 histone acetyl transferase activity. The latter effect was mediated by the upregulation/activation of Erk-1/-2 and Elk-1. Zyflamend also inhibited androgen receptor expression, its downstream gene target, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and increased cell death by inducing apoptosis as indicated by caspase 3 activity and PARP cleavage. The reduction of androgen receptor was confirmed in CWR22Rv1 xenograft tissues. Our results suggest the extracts of this herbal combination inhibits castrate-resistant prostate cancer cell growth epigenetically and by coordinately affecting androgen receptor signaling pathways involved in cell growth/death. In an androgen-dependent PrC tumor xenograft model, Zyflamend reduced the growth of CWR22-derived tumors and enhanced the responsiveness of tumor cells to hormone ablation. Zyflamend potentiated the regression of PrC cells and their sensitivity to androgen deprivation. These results suggest that Zyflamend may be an effective adjuvant when used with hormone ablation therapy.

Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes are pathogens that have caught the attention of federal agencies and researchers due to their great economic impact when illnesses occur. To reduce the presence of these pathogens, different approaches have been used. However, since the global consumer’s demand for natural ingredients is steadily increasing, the investigation of the effectiveness of potential natural antimicrobials is necessary. In this study, the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa L extracts against Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes was investigated. Furthermore, H. sabdariffa L and ε-polylysine were evaluated to reduce populations of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of H. sabdariffa L extracts against Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 was 6,489 μg/mL and for L. monocytogenes, 5,309 μg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of H. sabdariffa L extracts against Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes was 19,467, 58,400 and 29,200 μg/mL, respectively. The exposure to 58,400 μg/mL of H. sabdariffa extract at 25 oC for 12 h resulted in reductions of more than 6.0 log CFU/mL for any of the 3 pathogens tested. Ground beef inoculated with S. Agona (GFP) and E. coli O157:H7 (RFP) was subjected to 5 decontamination treatments. Three of the treatments were using H. sabdariffa L and the remaining ε-polylysine. S. Agona (GFP) was reduced in 1.1 log cycles using 10% of ground H. sabdariffa L and E. coli O157:H7 (RFP) was reduced 0.9 log cycles using 400 ppm of ε-polylysine. If these natural antimicrobials are combined with current antimicrobial technologies to form a hurdle effect, higher pathogen reductions could be achieved. Reductions in the presence of pathogens in food may lead into reductions in the incidence of foodborne diseases.

Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes are pathogens that have caught the attention of federal agencies and researchers due to their great economic impact when illnesses occur. To reduce the presence of these pathogens, different approaches have been used. However, since the global consumer’s demand for natural ingredients is steadily increasing, the investigation of the effectiveness of potential natural antimicrobials is necessary. In this study, the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa L extracts against Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes was investigated. Furthermore, H. sabdariffa L and ε-polylysine were evaluated to reduce populations of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of H. sabdariffa L extracts against Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 was 6,489 μg/mL and for L. monocytogenes, 5,309 μg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of H. sabdariffa L extracts against Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes was 19,467, 58,400 and 29,200 μg/mL, respectively. The exposure to 58,400 μg/mL of H. sabdariffa extract at 25 oC for 12 h resulted in reductions of more than 6.0 log CFU/mL for any of the 3 pathogens tested. Ground beef inoculated with S. Agona (GFP) and E. coli O157:H7 (RFP) was subjected to 5 decontamination treatments. Three of the treatments were using H. sabdariffa L and the remaining ε-polylysine. S. Agona (GFP) was reduced in 1.1 log cycles using 10% of ground H. sabdariffa L and E. coli O157:H7 (RFP) was reduced 0.9 log cycles using 400 ppm of ε-polylysine. If these natural antimicrobials are combined with current antimicrobial technologies to form a hurdle effect, higher pathogen reductions could be achieved. Reductions in the presence of pathogens in food may lead into reductions in the incidence of foodborne diseases.

Pluchea indica (L.) Less. is a shrub of the family Compositae and is widespread along the western coast in Taiwan. Previous studies indicated that the components of Pluchea indica have potent anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antimicrobial activities. In the present study, the effects of aqueous extract of roots and leaves from P. indica on the cancer cell lines were investigated. Various experimental approaches including cell growth curves, MTT assay, MTS assay, focus formation assay and cell migration assay were performed on the aqueous extract-treated cancer cells. Our results demonstrate the aqueous extract of P. indica induced anti-proliferation activity on GBM8401 and HeLa cancer cell lines.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-53).