Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-57). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.Inst.Agrar.)(Food production and processing)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T11:52:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-08-21Bitstream added on 2015-03-03T12:07:38Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000797448.pdf: 1448139 bytes, checksum: 48dfe16fa3be080667b00a8cda3a288e (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / 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 4000?g/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... / 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 4000?g/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...

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-02-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:57:56Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lellis_at_me_jabo.pdf: 839359 bytes, checksum: d967484e3cd4695d4e244de8a6db06bc (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Objetivou-se produzir enzimas fibrolíticas por fermentação em estado sólido com os fungos Trichoderma reesei e Thermoascus aurantiacus e avaliar a ensilagem do milho com adição de doses dos extratos enzimáticos produzidos (0; 143,4; 286,8 e 573,6 U CMCase/Kg de matéria natural e 0; 1800,9; 3601,8 e 7203,6 U CMCase//Kg de matéria natural, respectivamente), em delineamento interamente casualizado, com quatro repetições para cada tratamento. Avaliou-se o valor nutritivo da forragem antes da ensilagem e após a abertura dos silos. Após 168h de fermentação, em substrato contendo bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e farelo de trigo (1:1), foi retirado cada extrato enzimático bruto. O extrato do fungo T. reesei continha 14,34 U/mL de CMCase, 1,03 U/mL de β– glicosidase, 74,60 U/mL de Xilanase e 0,48 U/mL de β–xilosidase e do T. aurantiacus continha 180,91 U/mL de CMCase, 6,02 U/mL de β–glicosidase, 719,98 U/mL de Xilanase e 0,17 U/mL de β–xilosidase. A adição dos extrato enzimáticos dos fungos T. reesei e T. aurantiacus, possibilitou queda na recuperação de matéria seca, com Y=96,02–0,1205x (R²=0,48) e Y=95,625– 0,1262x (R²=0,56), aumento nas perdas por gás com Y=23,27+0,0843x (R²=0,29) e Y=19,983+0,2863x (R²=0,39) e queda no teor de N-NH3/NT com Y=3,9243– 0,0434x (R2=0,54) e Y=3,355–0,141x+0,0028x2 (R2=0,56) respectivamente. Também se observou menor recuperação de FDN com Y=72,611–0,1247x (R²=0,52) e Y=74,819–0,1683x (R²=0,50) e FDA com Y=89,841–0,2642x (R²=0,53) e Y=97,181–0,3717x (R²=0,72) para os fungos T. reesei e T. aurantiacus, respectivamente. Como conseqüência propiciou menores valores de DIVMS com Y=75,364–0,1034x (R²=0,51) para o T. aurantiacus. Esses valores podem ser atribuídos pela atuação das enzimas presentes no extrato, removendo barreiras estruturais, com um maior aproveitamento do conteúdo celular pelas bactérias fermentadoras no material ensilado / The aim of this research is to product fibrolitic enzymes by solid state fermentation with Trichoderma reesei and Thermoascus aurantiacus fungi and to analyze the corn ensiling with crescent concentrations of enzymatic extracts produced (0; 143,4; 286,8 e 573,6 U CMCase/Kg of wet material and 0; 1800,9; 3601,8 e 7203,6 U CMCase//Kg of wet material, respectively), in delineation completely casualized, with four replications for each treatment. We evaluated the nutritional value of forage was measured before and after opening silos. After 168h of fermentation using sugar cane bagasse and wheat bran (1:1) as substrate it was collected each crude enzymatic extract. The T. reesei crude extract contained 14,34U/ml of CMCase, 1,03 U/mL of β–glycosidase, 74,60 U/mL of Xylanase and 0,48 U/mL de β–xylosidase. The T. aurantiacus crude extract contained 180,91 U/mL of CMCase, 6,02 U/mL of β–glycosidase, 719,98 U/mL de Xylanase and 0,17 U/mL de β–xylosidase. The addiction of fungus enzymatic extract of T. reesei and T. aurantiacus enabled the overthrow in the recuperation of dry matter, with Y=96,02–0,1205x (R²=0,48) and Y=95,625– 0,1262x (R²=0,56), increase in waste by gas with Y=23,27+0,0843x (R²=0,29) and Y=19,983+0,2863x (R²=0,39) and downfall in the N-NH3/NT content with Y=3,9243–0,0434x (R2=0,54) and Y=3,355–0,141x+0,0028x2 (R2=0,56) respectively. Furthermore, it was observed less recuperation of NDF with Y=72,611–0,1247x (R²=0,52) and Y=74,819–0,1683x (R²=0,50) and ADF with Y=89,841–0,2642x (R²=0,53) and Y=97,181–0,3717x (R²=0,72) for T. reesei and T. aurantiacus, respectively. As a consequence, it propitiated lower values of DIVMS with Y=75,364–0,1034x (R²=0,51) for T. aurantiacus. These values may be attributed by the action of the enzymes present in crude extract, removing structural barriers, with a major use of the cellular content by bacteria in the silage material

Orientador: Luciane Dias de Oliveira / Banca: Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge / Banca: Mariella Vieira Pereira Leão / Resumo: A proposta deste trabalho foi avaliar a efetividade de extratos naturais, como soluções irrigadoras, sobre E. faecalis, S. aureus, E. coli, e endotoxinas (LPS) em canais radiculares. Foi avaliado também o efeito citotóxico do conteúdo do canal, após os tratamentos, pela produção de TNF-α e IL-1β em cultura de macrófagos. Foram utilizados 84 dentes unirradiculados, contaminados com associação dos três microrganismos por 28 dias. Após, foram divididos em 7 grupos (n=12), de acordo com o irrigante utilizado: G1) solução fisiológica (controle); G2) solução de clorexidina 2%; G3) extrato glicólico de própolis 12%; G4) extrato glicólico de alcaçuz 20%; G5) extrato glicólico de barbatimão 20%; G6) extrato glicólico de romã 20%; G7) extrato glicólico de cavalinha 20%. Foram realizadas 2 coletas do conteúdo do canal radicular: imediatamente após a instrumentação e após 7 dias da instrumentação. Para todas as coletas, foi realizada avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana pela contagem de UFC/mL em meios de cultura seletivos, verificação da neutralização de endotoxinas pelo teste cinético cromogênico do lisado de amebócitos de Limulus (LAL) e avaliação dos efeitos citotóxicos do conteúdo do canal pela produção de IL-1 e TNF-α por macrófagos. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente (ANOVA e teste de Tukey, 5%). Todos os extratos promoveram significativa redução microbiana em relação ao controle na 1ª coleta após instrumentação (p<0,05). Com relação E. faecalis, os extratos de própolis (G3), barbatimão (G5), romã (G6) e cavalinha (G7) promoveram ausência de crescimento microbiano em muitos espécimes, sendo semelhantes a clorexidina e diferentes dos demais grupos (p<0,05). Com relação S. aureus, os extratos de própolis (G3) e barbatimão (G5) promoveram ausência de crescimento microbiano em todos os espécimes, sendo semelhantes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of natural extracts as irrigating solutions on E. faecalis, S. aureus, E. coli, and endotoxins (LPS) in root canals. The post treatment citotoxic effect of root canal content was also evaluated by TNF-α and IL-1β production by macrophages cell culture. A total of 84 single root canal teeth were contaminated with E. faecalis, S. aureus and E. coli for 28 days. The groups were assigned into 7 groups (n=12) according to the irrigant solution used: G1) physiologic solution (control); G2) chlorhexidine 2%; G3) propolis glycolic extract 12%; G4) liquorice glycolic extract 20%; G5) barbatiman glycolic extract 20%; G6) pomegranate glycolic extract 20%; G7) horsetail glycolic extract 20%. Samples were twice collected from root canals: immediately after instrumentation and 7 days after instrumentation. All samples were submitted to antimicrobial evaluation by CFU/mL counting on selective culture media. The endotoxin detoxification was evaluated by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay (LAL), and the citotoxic effects was evaluated by TNF-α and IL-1β production by macrophages cell culture. The results were statistically analysed (ANOVA and Tukey, 5%). All the extracts promoted significant microbial reduction compared to the control group on samples collected immediately after instrumentation (p<0,05). E. faecalis results showed that propolis (G3), barbatiman (G5), pomegranate (G6) and horsetail (G7) extracts promoted no microbial growth in all samples, similar to chlorhexidine solution and different from other groups (p<0,05). S. aureus results showed that propolis (G3) and barbatiman (G5) promoted absence of microbial growth in all samples, similar to chlorhexidine solution and different from other groups (p<0,05). E. coli results showed that propolis (G3), pomegranate (G6) and horsetail (G7) promoted... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Flávio Dutra de Resende / Coorientador: Eleni Gomes / Banca: Ricardo Andrade Reis / Banca: Daniela Alonso Bocchini Martins / Resumo: Objetivou-se produzir enzimas fibrolíticas por fermentação em estado sólido com os fungos Trichoderma reesei e Thermoascus aurantiacus e avaliar a ensilagem do milho com adição de doses dos extratos enzimáticos produzidos (0; 143,4; 286,8 e 573,6 U CMCase/Kg de matéria natural e 0; 1800,9; 3601,8 e 7203,6 U CMCase//Kg de matéria natural, respectivamente), em delineamento interamente casualizado, com quatro repetições para cada tratamento. Avaliou-se o valor nutritivo da forragem antes da ensilagem e após a abertura dos silos. Após 168h de fermentação, em substrato contendo bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e farelo de trigo (1:1), foi retirado cada extrato enzimático bruto. O extrato do fungo T. reesei continha 14,34 U/mL de CMCase, 1,03 U/mL de β- glicosidase, 74,60 U/mL de Xilanase e 0,48 U/mL de β-xilosidase e do T. aurantiacus continha 180,91 U/mL de CMCase, 6,02 U/mL de β-glicosidase, 719,98 U/mL de Xilanase e 0,17 U/mL de β-xilosidase. A adição dos extrato enzimáticos dos fungos T. reesei e T. aurantiacus, possibilitou queda na recuperação de matéria seca, com Y=96,02-0,1205x (R²=0,48) e Y=95,625- 0,1262x (R²=0,56), aumento nas perdas por gás com Y=23,27+0,0843x (R²=0,29) e Y=19,983+0,2863x (R²=0,39) e queda no teor de N-NH3/NT com Y=3,9243- 0,0434x (R2=0,54) e Y=3,355-0,141x+0,0028x2 (R2=0,56) respectivamente. Também se observou menor recuperação de FDN com Y=72,611-0,1247x (R²=0,52) e Y=74,819-0,1683x (R²=0,50) e FDA com Y=89,841-0,2642x (R²=0,53) e Y=97,181-0,3717x (R²=0,72) para os fungos T. reesei e T. aurantiacus, respectivamente. Como conseqüência propiciou menores valores de DIVMS com Y=75,364-0,1034x (R²=0,51) para o T. aurantiacus. Esses valores podem ser atribuídos pela atuação das enzimas presentes no extrato, removendo barreiras estruturais, com um maior aproveitamento do conteúdo celular pelas bactérias fermentadoras no material ensilado / Abstract: The aim of this research is to product fibrolitic enzymes by solid state fermentation with Trichoderma reesei and Thermoascus aurantiacus fungi and to analyze the corn ensiling with crescent concentrations of enzymatic extracts produced (0; 143,4; 286,8 e 573,6 U CMCase/Kg of wet material and 0; 1800,9; 3601,8 e 7203,6 U CMCase//Kg of wet material, respectively), in delineation completely casualized, with four replications for each treatment. We evaluated the nutritional value of forage was measured before and after opening silos. After 168h of fermentation using sugar cane bagasse and wheat bran (1:1) as substrate it was collected each crude enzymatic extract. The T. reesei crude extract contained 14,34U/ml of CMCase, 1,03 U/mL of β-glycosidase, 74,60 U/mL of Xylanase and 0,48 U/mL de β-xylosidase. The T. aurantiacus crude extract contained 180,91 U/mL of CMCase, 6,02 U/mL of β-glycosidase, 719,98 U/mL de Xylanase and 0,17 U/mL de β-xylosidase. The addiction of fungus enzymatic extract of T. reesei and T. aurantiacus enabled the overthrow in the recuperation of dry matter, with Y=96,02-0,1205x (R²=0,48) and Y=95,625- 0,1262x (R²=0,56), increase in waste by gas with Y=23,27+0,0843x (R²=0,29) and Y=19,983+0,2863x (R²=0,39) and downfall in the N-NH3/NT content with Y=3,9243-0,0434x (R2=0,54) and Y=3,355-0,141x+0,0028x2 (R2=0,56) respectively. Furthermore, it was observed less recuperation of NDF with Y=72,611-0,1247x (R²=0,52) and Y=74,819-0,1683x (R²=0,50) and ADF with Y=89,841-0,2642x (R²=0,53) and Y=97,181-0,3717x (R²=0,72) for T. reesei and T. aurantiacus, respectively. As a consequence, it propitiated lower values of DIVMS with Y=75,364-0,1034x (R²=0,51) for T. aurantiacus. These values may be attributed by the action of the enzymes present in crude extract, removing structural barriers, with a major use of the cellular content by bacteria in the silage material / Mestre

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&#63720;, 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 &gt; 0,05) o ganho de peso médio diário, consumo de matéria seca e eficiência alimentar. A infestação por coccidiose foi menor (P &lt;0,05) no tratamento com monensina. O rendimento de carcaça fria foi maior (P &lt; 0,05) nos animais alimentados com maiores doses de OE. Os demais parâmetros de carcaça avaliados não foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P &gt; 0,05). As maiores doses de OE das folhas de aroeira aumentaram (P &lt; 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 &gt; 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 &lt; 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 &gt; 0.05) the average daily gain, the dry matter intake and the feed efficiency. Infestation by coccidiosis was lower (P &lt; 0.05) in the monensin treatment. Cold carcass dressing was higher (P &lt; 0.05) for the animals fed higher doses of EO. The other carcass parameters were not affected by the treatments (P &gt; 0.05). The higher doses of aroeira leaves EO increased (P &lt; 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 &gt; 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 &lt; 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.

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / The extraction of the atropine and scopolamine alkaloids from both Datura ferox and Datura stramonium was carried out in this study to investigate potential of these plants as a source of these alkaloids. Tropane alkaloids such as atropine occur naturally in many members of several plant families, especially the Solanaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Proteaceae and Convolvulaceae families. Hyoscyamine or its racemic mixture atropine is used as an antidote to organophosphate insecticides, or as a nerve agent to dilate the pupil for retina examinations. Scopolamine or hyoscine is used to treat motion sickness, among other uses. Tropane alkaloids are often difficult to synthesise, and their extraction from commercial sources is therefore of some commercial interest. A systematic study was carried by comparing different extraction methods for the efficiencies of tropane alkaloid (TA) extraction at ambient pressure. The two plants selected are already widely spread as weeds in many regions in South Africa and are therefore well adapted to the local conditions. Among the extraction methods, TA’s were extracted in their acidic form using dilute aqueous acids with 5% sulfuric acid giving the highest yield of both atropine and scopolamine. Alternatively, the TA’s were extracted in their basic form from the plant material using basified organic solvents. The overall yields obtained were not significantly different from those obtained by using dilute aqueous acids, with D. ferox giving approximately 0.24 % and 0.0028 % scopolamine and atropine, respectively. D. stramonium on the other hand gave approximately 0.037 % and 0.002% atropine and scopolamine, respectively. Different plant parts were also tested in order to determine if there was an advantage in extracting the tropane alkaloids at a particular time in the growth, but concluded that the best option was to extract the seeds for various reasons such as the presence of relatively less chlorophyll...

Advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) has a poor prognosis due to the high degree of resistance after systemic chemotherapy. Celastrol (CSL), a quinone methyl triterpenoid monomer extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, exhibits superior antitumor activity on pancreatic cancer (PC) both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, CLS counteracts multiple mechanisms involved in multi-drug resistance (MDR) of PC cells. However, CSL induced toxicity to normal tissues (e.g. liver) is the major impediment to its clinical application. Thus, it is desirable to seek strategy to facilitate CSL selectively targeting PC tissues and simultaneously reducing its exposure to healthy tissues (e.g. liver). Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides which specifically recognize and bind to targets by distinct secondary or tertiary structures. Nucleolin, a protein overexpressed on the plasma membrane of PC cells than that of normal cells (e.g. liver cell), which shuttle between cell surface, cytoplasm and nucleus, work as a cell surface receptor. Nucleolin aptamer is an anti-proliferative G-rich oligonucleotide with high affinity and specificity to nucleolin, which has been proved to be safe in clinical research. Then, nucleolin aptamer, as a target moiety, provide an approach to facilitate CLS selectively targeting PC cells. Taken together, our hypothesis is that the nucleolin aptamer modification could facilitate the conjugated CSL selectively targeting pancreatic cancer cells to achieve higher antitumor activity and less liver toxicity. In our study, CSL was conjugated to nucleolin aptamer to form Nucleolin Aptamer-Celastrol Conjugate (NACC). A CRO Aptamer-Celastrol conjugate (CACC) was also synthesized as a control for comparison. The water solubility of NACC was significantly higher than that of CSL. Then, the molecular weight of NACC was detected by ESI mass sepectrum (MS). The anti-proliferative efficacy of NACC was higher than CSL in vitro. NACC could selectively bind to PANC-1 cells over normal liver cells. The cellular uptake of NACC by PANC-1 cell was stronger than CSL. Moreover, NACC could be taken up by PANC-1 cells mainly via macropinocytosis. Tissue distribution study revealed that NACC could selectively accumulate in pancreatic tumor tissue and reduce the distribution in liver in vivo. In addition, NACC demonstrated higher antitumor activity and less liver toxicity in vivo, compared with CSL and CACC. The above results revealed that the nucleolin aptamer modification could facilitate the conjugated CSL selectively targeting PC cells to achieve higher antitumor activity and less liver toxicity.