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Campomanesia phaea L, espécie da família Myrtaceae, popularmente denominada de \'cambuci\' foi estudada através de uma abordagem botânica, química e farmacológica. A planta foi coletada e é cultivada no Instituto de Agronomia da Estação Experimental de Ubatuba no litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo. O estudo morfo-anatômico das folhas foi realizado conjuntamente com uma triagem fitoquímica de seus constituintes químicos mais importantes e seus extratos foram ensaiados farmacológica e microbiologicamente. O ensaio de toxicidade aguda foi realizado em camundongos e a avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada com o extrato liofilizado contra bactérias Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), em levedura, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), e bolor, Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404). O óleo volátil presente nas folhas da espécie, foi extraído por hidrodestilação em aparelho de Clevenger. O óleo bruto obtido, foi submetido à análise para identificação de seus componentes por cromatografia em camada delgada preparativa, cromatografia a gás e cromatografia a gás acoplada à espectrometria de massa (CG/EM) com banco de dados. Dentre 38 componentes reconhecidos, 34 foram identificados. A planta é rica em óleo essencial contendo linalol (11,1%), componente de grande valor comercial para a indústria de cosméticos e na indústria farmacêutica, óxido de cariofileno (11,8%), beta-cariofileno (6,3%), beta-selineno (6,9%) e alfa-cadinol (7,5%). / One of the most important species of Myrtaceae, commonly known in the Atlantic coast shore of São Paulo State, is Campomanesia phaea L, \'cambuci\'. It is widespread near the seashore, utilized not only in folklore medicine, due to a high tanin content of its stem bark, but also due to the exotic fruits that offers special flavor in alcoholic beverages. Botanical, chemical and farmacological approach has been performed to study the plant. Acute toxicity test has been perform in mice and the antimicrobial studies were performed against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), and Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404). The composition of the water-destilled volatile oil in the leaves has been analysed using gas chromatography, GC/MS and TLC . Among 38 compounds recorded by GC, GC-MS and TLC, 34 components were identified. The volatile oil was found to be rich in linalool (11,1%), important substance that can be utilized in pharmacy and cosmetics, caryophyllene oxyde (11,8%), beta-caryophyllene (6,3%), beta-selinene (6,9%), and alfa-cadinol (7,5%).

Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) O. Kuntze, conhecido popularmente no Brasil como carrapichinho pertence à família Asteraceae e é utilizado na medicina popular como hepatoprotetora, diaforética, antiblenorrágica, antimalárica, entre outras funções. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar a espécie sob o aspecto botânico, químico e farmacológico. Assim, folhas e caules foram analisados macro e microscopicamente, contribuindo no auxílio da diagnose da espécie. Os órgãos em estudo foram submetidos a ensaios preliminares para a pesquisa dos principais grupos de princípios ativos provenientes do metabolismo secundário dos vegetais. Diferentes extratos foram obtidos por percolação e por decocção, sendo alguns deseus componentes isolados por CCD preparativa e identificadas por CG/EM. O óleoessencial do vegetal, coletado em diferentes épocas do ano e variados estágios de desenvolvimento, foi obtido em aparelho de Clevenger modificado, sendo que sua composição também foi analisada por CG/EM. O extrato clorofórmico e o extrato hidroetanólico liofilizado (EHL) foram avaliados quanto à atividade antimalárica e antileishmania. Com o EHL foi realizado também ensaio de atividade antiúlcera em ratos Wistar Hannover fêmeas e atividade antimicrobiana em bactérias e fungos. A espécie em estudo, nas condições deste trabalho, apresentou flavonóides, taninos, saponinas, óleo essencial e mucilagens. O extrato clorofórmico e hidroetanólico liofilizado, nas concentrações de 100 µg/mL, provocaram 100% de morte dos protozoários de Plasmodium chabaudi AJ, porém ambos não apresentaram atividade em promastigotas de Leishmania (L.) chagasi nesta concentração. O EHL na concentração de 10 mg/mL demonstrou significativa atividade antifúngica contra o Aspergillus niger, não apresentando nenhuma atividade para Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli e Candida albicans. O mesmo extrato, na concentração de 400 mg/kg, administrada por via oral, mostrou-se com atividade antiúlcera aguda significativa, reduzindo a Área Total de Lesão (ATL) em 49,13% em relação ao controle. O óleo essencial, nas condições do experimento, apresentou diferenças qualitativas e quantitativas quando comparado a estudos já realizados, sendo constituído em sua maioria por sesquiterpenos dos grupos cadinano (α-cadinol e δ-cadineno), cariofilano (β-cariofileno) e, principalmente, germacrano (globulol). As análises permitiram concluir ainda que o isômero do espatulenol é o componente exclusivo e majoritário do óleo essencial de caule e o isômero do globulol, o componente presente em maior quantidade no óleo quando o vegetal encontra-se em fase de floração. / Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) O. Kuntze, known popularly in Brazil as carrapichinho belongs to the family Asteraceae and it is used in the tradicional medicine as hepatic protector, diaforetic, blenorragic activity, antimalarial activity among others. The objective of the present work was to study this species under the aspect botanical, chemical and pharmacological. Thus, leaves and stems were analyzed macro and microscopic contributing in the aid of the diagnosis of species.The aerial parts in study were submitted to preliminary phytochemical screening for the research of the main groups of secondary metabolites of plants. Difterent extracts were obtained by percolation and for decoction being some of their components, isolated for TLC preparative and identified for GC/MS. The essential oil of the plants, collected at different seasons of the year and different development stadiums, it was obtained in a Clevenger apparatus, and it composition, was also analyzed by GC/MS. The chloroformic extract and liofilized hidroethanolic extract (LHE) were assayed for the antimalarial and antileishmania activities. Using LHE it was also assayed for the anti ulcer activity in mice Wistar Hannover females and antimicrobial activity in bacteria and fungi. The species in study, in conditions of this work, presented flavonoids, tannins, saponnins, essential oil and mucilages. The chloroformic extract and LHE in the concentrations of 100 µg/mL caused 100% of death in the blood forms of Plasmodium chabaudi AJ, however none of them presented activity in blood forms of Leishmania (L.) chagasi in this concentration. LHE in the concentration of 10 mg/mL presented significant antifungal activity against the Aspergillus niger, and no activity against Staphy/ococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The same extract, in the concentration of 400 mg/kg, administered orally, presented significant antiulcerogenic activity, reducing the Total Area of Lesion (TAL) in 49,13% in relation to the control. The essential oil, in the conditions of the experiment, presented qualitative and quantitative difterences when compared to previous studies and constituted in its majority by sesquiterpenes of the cadinano groups (α-cadinol and δ-cadinene), caryophyllano (β-caryophyllene) and mainly, germacrano (globulol). The analyses still permit to conclude that the isomer of the spathulenol is the exclusive and mayor component of the essential oil in the stem. Isomer of the globulol is the representative present in mayor amount in the oil when the plant is in flower stadium

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-19T17:47:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Milena.pdf: 1663590 bytes, checksum: 5d3902c65da1f4c4c0f86d5b42becd6d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-14 / FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA E AO DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTIFICO E TECNOLÓGICO DO MARANHÃO / Phytotherapy, for being traditional practice of health recognized in several scientific studies and for World Health Organization, has become as an pharmacological alternative well accepted and accessible to the world s populations. As a result of this therapeutic practice consolidation, several plant species and their products are commercialized at fairs and public markets. The specie Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, popularly known as aroeira, is among the plants widely consumed, due to its properties anti-inflammatory, healing and antibacterial. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the quality of commercial samples of aroeira, acquired in public markets in the city of São Luís - MA. For the study were used aroeira's barks acquired in twelve public markets, as well as barks obtained of a specimen previously identified in herbarium, used as reference sample of the specie Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Was performed analysis morphological (macroscopic) and anatomical (microscopic) of the cross sections and powders obtained from the barks, phytochemicals tests, evaluation of moisture content and antibacterial activity by the methods of broth dilution and agar diffusion. After macroscopic analysis, six commercial samples showed morphological aspects different from reference sample. With regard to microscopic analysis was demonstrated the authenticity of five commercial samples, by comparison with the plant reference sample and information in the literature. In Phytochemical analysis, the reference sample showed the major constituents characteristic of the species, however, the commercial samples analysis, differences were found related, mainly, the analysis of tannins and saponins. The differences observed in this evaluation may reflect the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the chemical composition of plant species. The determination of moisture in the commercial samples analyzed showed that five had moisture content above the maximum limit allowed for barks, being, therefore, reproved in thismcriterion. In the evaluation of antibacterial activity, all samples showed some degree of activity for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, however, only six were also active against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, four of those considered authentic in the microscopic analysis. The verification of poor quality of herbal drugs marketed for therapeutic purposes demonstrates the need for development of inspection programs, surveillance and quality control of these drugs, aiming, thus, consumer safety. / A fitoterapia, por ser prática tradicional de saúde reconhecida em diversos estudos científicos e pela Organização Mundial da Saúde, tem se constituído como uma alternativa medicamentosa bem aceita e acessível aos povos do mundo. Como consequência da consolidação desta prática terapêutica, várias espécies vegetais e seus produtos são comercializados em feiras e mercados públicos. A espécie Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, popularmente conhecida como aroeira, está entre as plantas de grande consumo devido à suas propriedades anti-inflamatória, cicatrizante e antibacteriana. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de amostras comerciais de aroeira, adquiridas em mercados públicos da cidade de São Luís - MA. Para o estudo foram utilizadas cascas de aroeira adquiridas em doze mercados públicos, bem como cascas obtidas de um exemplar previamente identificado em herbário, utilizadas como amostra referência da espécie S. terebinthifolius Raddi. Realizou-se análise morfológica (macroscópica) e anatômica (microscópica) das secções transversais e dos pós obtidos das cascas, testes fitoquímicos, avaliação do teor de umidade e da atividade antibacteriana pelos métodos de diluição em caldo e difusão em ágar. Após análise macroscópica, seis amostras comerciais apresentaram aspectos morfológicos diferentes da amostra referência. No que se refere à análise microscópica, ficou demonstrado a autenticidade de cinco amostras comerciais, através de comparação com a amostra referência e de informações contidas em literatura. Na análise fitoquímica, a amostra referência apresentou os principais constituintes característicos da espécie, no entanto, na análise das amostras comerciais, constatou-se diferenças relacionadas, principalmente, a análise de taninos e saponinas. As diferenças observadas nesta avaliação podem ser reflexo da influência dos fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos sobre a composição química de espécies vegetais. A determinação de umidade nas amostras comerciais analisadas revelou que cinco apresentavam teor de umidade acima do limite máximo permitido para cascas, ficando, portanto, reprovadas neste critério. Na avaliação da atividade antibacteriana, todas as amostras revelaram algum grau de atividade para Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, no entanto, apenas seis foram ativas também contra Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, quatro dessas consideradas autênticas na análise morfoanatômica. A comprovação da má qualidade de drogas vegetais comercializadas com fins terapêuticos demonstra a necessidade de desenvolvimento de programas de fiscalização, vigilância e controle de qualidade dessas drogas, objetivando, assim, a segurança do consumidor.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:24:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudia Tatiana_ silva.pdf: 2022908 bytes, checksum: a04e53fead9716247a3d90eaa7333faf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-18 / Allelochemicalare substances present in plants, released into the environment that influence on the community, since the allelopathic potential of one plant can inhibit the development of others. Medicinal plants that have essential oils in their composition have typically been promising in weed control. Thus, this study evaluated the phytotoxic potential of dried leaves, extracts and essential oil of sage on germination and growth of tomato, guinea grass and chia plants, under laboratory conditions and at greenhouse as well as identified the chemical composition and antioxidant activity. For the bioassays in laboratory, dried leaves were soaked using hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol solvents and extracts were submitted to reactions for phytochemical characterization. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation of leaves and its composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity was measured by free radicals as DPPH. Allelopathic tests used extracts at 1% concentration and essential oil at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 2,000 mg L-1 (v/v). In greenhouse, dry mass of sage was tested at 3.75; 7.5 and 15 t ha-1 rates and the control (no mass). Phytochemical analysis revealed the occurrence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids on extracts. Acetone and methanolic extracts have registered some high antioxidant activity. All extracts reduced tomato germination parameters and the extracts produced with hexane and ethyl acetate also reduced tomato shoot growth. The acetone extract had no effect on germination of guinea grass, while other extracts tested inhibited the answers and hexane extract decreased seedling growth of this specie. Hexane extract reduced the germination of chia seeds. However, the other parameters of germination were affected by the other extracts without any effect on growth. Twenty-eight compounds were recorded (corresponding to 98.82% essential oil) and the highest were: camphor (27.59%), camphene (23.70%), α-pinene (13.75%), β-pinene (6.28%) and limonene (5.38%). Monoterpenes (68%) have been prevalent in essential oil. The essential oil showed 85.3% of DPPH radical seizing activity and a 3.67 μg mL-1IC50value characterizing it as a great antioxidant. The final germination percentage of the three species was not inhibited by the essential oil at the tested concentrations. However, germination speed, time indices and average speed of germination rates were adversely affected in most tested concentrations for tomato and chia seeds. The same behavior was not observed for guinea grass seeds. In greenhouse, chlorophyll contents of tomato and guinea grass plants were reduced with 7.5 and 15 t ha-1 sage as cover crop. Tomato shoot length was inhibited in all tested rates, and guinea grass plants showed some growth decrease when using 15 t ha-1 sage mass. The dry mass of tomato plants was reduced when 15 t ha-1 sage and 7.5 and 15t ha-1 guinea grass were used as cover crops. In general, the extracts showed better phytotoxic activity to parameters of germination than the seedling growth. The effect varied due to the target specie and solvent used to prepare the extract. Sage as cover crop reduced the evaluated variables in tomato and guinea grass, but there was no effect on chia plants. It is suggested that planting in sequence or too close must be avoided. On the other hand, the essential oil showed no influence on guinea grass seeds. But, it is worth noting that botanical species respond differently and, usually, there is no allelopathic effect on germination percentage / Aleloquímicos são substâncias presentes nos vegetais, liberadas no ambiente e influenciam a comunidade ao redor, visto que, o potencial alelopático de uma planta pode se manifestar inibindo ou estimulando o desenvolvimento de outras. As plantas medicinais que apresentam óleos essenciais em sua composição, normalmente, têms e mostrado promissoras no controle de plantas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial alelopático de folhas secas, extratos e óleo essencial de sálvia sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento de tomate, capim mombaça e chia, em condições de laboratório e casa de vegetação bem como identificar a composição química e atividade antioxidante. Para os testes de laboratório, folhas de sálvia foram submetidas à extração com os solventes hexano, acetato de etila, acetona e metanol que passaram por reações de caracterização fitoquímica. O óleo essencial foi obtido por hidrodestilação e sua composição foi determinada usando cromatografia gasosa/espectrometria de massa. A atividade antioxidante foi medida pela eliminação de radicais livres DPPH. Os testes alelopáticos utilizaram extratos na concentração de 1% e o óleo nas concentrações: 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 e 2000 mg L-1 (v/v). Nos testes em casa de vegetação, a massa seca de sálvia foi utilizada nas proporções de 3,75; 7,5 e 15 t ha-1, além da testemunha. A análise fitoquímica indicou a presença de taninos, saponinas, flavonóides e triterpenóides nos extratos. Os extratos acetônico e metanólico apresentaram maior atividade antioxidante. Todos os extratos influenciaram negativamente os parâmetros germinativos do tomate e os produzidos com hexano e acetato de etila reduziram o crescimento aéreo. O extrato acetônico não influenciou os parâmetros germinativos de capim mombaça, enquanto os demais extratos inibiram as respostas e o extrato hexânico reduziu o crescimento da plântula. As sementes de chia tiveram a germinação inibida pelo extrato hexânico. Entretanto, os demais parâmetros germinativos foram afetados pelos demais extratos, sem efeito sobre o crescimento. No óleo essencial, foram detectados 28 compostos (98,82% do óleo) e os majoritários foram: cânfora (27,59%), canfeno (23,70%), α-pineno (13,75%), β-pineno (6,28%) e limoneno (5,38%). Monoterpenóides foram predominantes no óleo essencial (68%). O óleo apresentou 85,3% de capacidade de sequestro do radical DPPH e EC50 de 3,67 μg mL-1, caracterizando-o como ótimo antioxidante. O percentual final de germinação das três espécies não foi inibido pelo óleo essencial nas concentrações testadas. Entretanto, os índices de velocidade, tempo e velocidade média de germinação foram influenciados de forma negativa na maioria das concentrações testadas, para as sementes de tomate e chia. O mesmo não foi observado para sementes de capim mombaça. Em casa de vegetação, o teor de clorofila das plantas de tomate e capim mombaça foi reduzido com 7,5 e 15 t ha-1 de sálvia em cobertura. O comprimento da parte aérea do tomate foi inibido em todas as proporções testadas e as plantas de capim mombaça apresentaram redução do crescimento quando foram utilizados15 t ha-1desálvia. A massa seca das plantas de tomate reduziu com o uso de 15 t ha-1 de sálvia como cobertura e a de capim mombaça com 7,5 e 15 t ha-1. De forma geral, os extratos apresentaram melhores respostas alelopáticas para os parâmetros germinativos do que para o crescimento das plântulas. O efeito variou em função da espécie alvo e do solvente utilizado para preparo do extrato. A sálvia em cobertura reduziu as variáveis avaliadas em tomate e capim mombaça. Assim, a semeadura em sequência ou muito próxima deve ser evitada. Entretanto, não apresentou efeito nas plantas de chia. Ao passo que o óleo essencial não influenciou o capim mombaça. Deve ser destacado que as espécies botânicas respondem de forma diferenciada e muitas vezes o efeito alelopático não está sobre o percentual de germinação

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:47:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudia Tatiana_ silva.pdf: 2022908 bytes, checksum: a04e53fead9716247a3d90eaa7333faf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-18 / Allelochemicalare substances present in plants, released into the environment that influence on the community, since the allelopathic potential of one plant can inhibit the development of others. Medicinal plants that have essential oils in their composition have typically been promising in weed control. Thus, this study evaluated the phytotoxic potential of dried leaves, extracts and essential oil of sage on germination and growth of tomato, guinea grass and chia plants, under laboratory conditions and at greenhouse as well as identified the chemical composition and antioxidant activity. For the bioassays in laboratory, dried leaves were soaked using hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol solvents and extracts were submitted to reactions for phytochemical characterization. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation of leaves and its composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Antioxidant activity was measured by free radicals as DPPH. Allelopathic tests used extracts at 1% concentration and essential oil at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 2,000 mg L-1 (v/v). In greenhouse, dry mass of sage was tested at 3.75; 7.5 and 15 t ha-1 rates and the control (no mass). Phytochemical analysis revealed the occurrence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids on extracts. Acetone and methanolic extracts have registered some high antioxidant activity. All extracts reduced tomato germination parameters and the extracts produced with hexane and ethyl acetate also reduced tomato shoot growth. The acetone extract had no effect on germination of guinea grass, while other extracts tested inhibited the answers and hexane extract decreased seedling growth of this specie. Hexane extract reduced the germination of chia seeds. However, the other parameters of germination were affected by the other extracts without any effect on growth. Twenty-eight compounds were recorded (corresponding to 98.82% essential oil) and the highest were: camphor (27.59%), camphene (23.70%), α-pinene (13.75%), β-pinene (6.28%) and limonene (5.38%). Monoterpenes (68%) have been prevalent in essential oil. The essential oil showed 85.3% of DPPH radical seizing activity and a 3.67 μg mL-1IC50value characterizing it as a great antioxidant. The final germination percentage of the three species was not inhibited by the essential oil at the tested concentrations. However, germination speed, time indices and average speed of germination rates were adversely affected in most tested concentrations for tomato and chia seeds. The same behavior was not observed for guinea grass seeds. In greenhouse, chlorophyll contents of tomato and guinea grass plants were reduced with 7.5 and 15 t ha-1 sage as cover crop. Tomato shoot length was inhibited in all tested rates, and guinea grass plants showed some growth decrease when using 15 t ha-1 sage mass. The dry mass of tomato plants was reduced when 15 t ha-1 sage and 7.5 and 15t ha-1 guinea grass were used as cover crops. In general, the extracts showed better phytotoxic activity to parameters of germination than the seedling growth. The effect varied due to the target specie and solvent used to prepare the extract. Sage as cover crop reduced the evaluated variables in tomato and guinea grass, but there was no effect on chia plants. It is suggested that planting in sequence or too close must be avoided. On the other hand, the essential oil showed no influence on guinea grass seeds. But, it is worth noting that botanical species respond differently and, usually, there is no allelopathic effect on germination percentage / Aleloquímicos são substâncias presentes nos vegetais, liberadas no ambiente e influenciam a comunidade ao redor, visto que, o potencial alelopático de uma planta pode se manifestar inibindo ou estimulando o desenvolvimento de outras. As plantas medicinais que apresentam óleos essenciais em sua composição, normalmente, têms e mostrado promissoras no controle de plantas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial alelopático de folhas secas, extratos e óleo essencial de sálvia sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento de tomate, capim mombaça e chia, em condições de laboratório e casa de vegetação bem como identificar a composição química e atividade antioxidante. Para os testes de laboratório, folhas de sálvia foram submetidas à extração com os solventes hexano, acetato de etila, acetona e metanol que passaram por reações de caracterização fitoquímica. O óleo essencial foi obtido por hidrodestilação e sua composição foi determinada usando cromatografia gasosa/espectrometria de massa. A atividade antioxidante foi medida pela eliminação de radicais livres DPPH. Os testes alelopáticos utilizaram extratos na concentração de 1% e o óleo nas concentrações: 0, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 e 2000 mg L-1 (v/v). Nos testes em casa de vegetação, a massa seca de sálvia foi utilizada nas proporções de 3,75; 7,5 e 15 t ha-1, além da testemunha. A análise fitoquímica indicou a presença de taninos, saponinas, flavonóides e triterpenóides nos extratos. Os extratos acetônico e metanólico apresentaram maior atividade antioxidante. Todos os extratos influenciaram negativamente os parâmetros germinativos do tomate e os produzidos com hexano e acetato de etila reduziram o crescimento aéreo. O extrato acetônico não influenciou os parâmetros germinativos de capim mombaça, enquanto os demais extratos inibiram as respostas e o extrato hexânico reduziu o crescimento da plântula. As sementes de chia tiveram a germinação inibida pelo extrato hexânico. Entretanto, os demais parâmetros germinativos foram afetados pelos demais extratos, sem efeito sobre o crescimento. No óleo essencial, foram detectados 28 compostos (98,82% do óleo) e os majoritários foram: cânfora (27,59%), canfeno (23,70%), α-pineno (13,75%), β-pineno (6,28%) e limoneno (5,38%). Monoterpenóides foram predominantes no óleo essencial (68%). O óleo apresentou 85,3% de capacidade de sequestro do radical DPPH e EC50 de 3,67 μg mL-1, caracterizando-o como ótimo antioxidante. O percentual final de germinação das três espécies não foi inibido pelo óleo essencial nas concentrações testadas. Entretanto, os índices de velocidade, tempo e velocidade média de germinação foram influenciados de forma negativa na maioria das concentrações testadas, para as sementes de tomate e chia. O mesmo não foi observado para sementes de capim mombaça. Em casa de vegetação, o teor de clorofila das plantas de tomate e capim mombaça foi reduzido com 7,5 e 15 t ha-1 de sálvia em cobertura. O comprimento da parte aérea do tomate foi inibido em todas as proporções testadas e as plantas de capim mombaça apresentaram redução do crescimento quando foram utilizados15 t ha-1desálvia. A massa seca das plantas de tomate reduziu com o uso de 15 t ha-1 de sálvia como cobertura e a de capim mombaça com 7,5 e 15 t ha-1. De forma geral, os extratos apresentaram melhores respostas alelopáticas para os parâmetros germinativos do que para o crescimento das plântulas. O efeito variou em função da espécie alvo e do solvente utilizado para preparo do extrato. A sálvia em cobertura reduziu as variáveis avaliadas em tomate e capim mombaça. Assim, a semeadura em sequência ou muito próxima deve ser evitada. Entretanto, não apresentou efeito nas plantas de chia. Ao passo que o óleo essencial não influenciou o capim mombaça. Deve ser destacado que as espécies botânicas respondem de forma diferenciada e muitas vezes o efeito alelopático não está sobre o percentual de germinação

Syzygium cordatum is a medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa and Mozambique, commonly used to treat stomach aches, diabetes, respiratory problems and tuberculosis. In spite of the folklore use, adequate scientific data to credit its widespread traditional use is lacking. The objectives of this study were: to evaluate and validate scientifically the successful therapeutic claims by traditional medicine practitioners that Syzygium cordatum is effective in treating diarrhoea and diabetes / to determine the effects of the plant extract on gastrointestinal transit of a charcoal meal in mice / to determine the effects on castor oilinduced intestinal fluid accumulation / to determine the safety profile of the plant by carrying out acute toxicology study and to carry out preliminary screening of the active compounds present in the plant using standard phytochemical analytical procedures. The aqueous leaf extract of Syzygium cordatum (3.125 -50mg/kg, p.o) significantly reduced the faecal output caused by castor oil (0.7ml). All the doses used, reduced faecal output from 100% produced by castor oil to between 40 and 61%. S.cordatum (6.25 &ndash / 50mg/kg, p.o) significantly and in a dose dependent manner, delayed the onset of castor oil-induced diarrhoea.

Syzygium cordatum is a medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa and Mozambique, commonly used to treat stomach aches, diabetes, respiratory problems and tuberculosis. In spite of the folklore use, adequate scientific data to credit its widespread traditional use is lacking. The objectives of this study were: to evaluate and validate scientifically the successful therapeutic claims by traditional medicine practitioners that Syzygium cordatum is effective in treating diarrhoea and diabetes / to determine the effects of the plant extract on gastrointestinal transit of a charcoal meal in mice / to determine the effects on castor oilinduced intestinal fluid accumulation / to determine the safety profile of the plant by carrying out acute toxicology study and to carry out preliminary screening of the active compounds present in the plant using standard phytochemical analytical procedures. The aqueous leaf extract of Syzygium cordatum (3.125 -50mg/kg, p.o) significantly reduced the faecal output caused by castor oil (0.7ml). All the doses used, reduced faecal output from 100% produced by castor oil to between 40 and 61%. S.cordatum (6.25 &ndash / 50mg/kg, p.o) significantly and in a dose dependent manner, delayed the onset of castor oil-induced diarrhoea.

Five separate field experiments were conducted across different environmental locations in Texas for the purpose of quantifying concentrations of different phytochemical groups (ascorbic acid, capsaicinoids, and flavonoids) within various pepper species, as well as, to identify the most optimum environment to promote expression of the aforementioned phytochemical. Depending on the particular experiment, quantitative measurements were then used in more detail in one of three ways: for identification of the most superior individuals and optimum environmental locations to express elevated concentrations of a particular phytochemical (first three experiments), to calculate heritability and % heterosis estimates for various fruit characteristics and phytochemical levels (fourth experiment), or for use in a specific biotechnology technique to potentially identify a molecular marker linked to elevated levels of ascorbic acid (AA) and flavonoids (quercetin and luteolin) (fifth experiment). In the first experiment, significant differences in fruit weight, capsaicin, and dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) were revealed in fruit tissue of five Habanero (Capsicum chinense) hybrids in comparison to a popular, commercial check (Kukulkan F1) after being grown across three different environmental locations (College Station, Uvalde, and Weslaco). Fruit grown at the Weslaco location was found to be larger and contained more capsaicin and DHC than those produced in Uvalde or College Station. While flavonoid contents were variable and low in all genotypes and locations, a few hybrids showed some potential for use in future crossing schemes to compete against the commercial check. Our results further suggested that variation in phytochemicals in fruit tissue of Habanero genotypes can be exploited by selecting in an appropriate environment. In the second experiment, analysis of four jalapeño hybrids in comparison to three commercial checks (Dragon, Ixtapa, and J1845), as well as, two cayenne hybrids in comparison to one commercial check (Mesilla) were compared after growing in three different locations (Amarillo, College Station, and Uvalde). Results demonstrated that the College Station location contributed to production of fruit containing higher concentrations of both AA and flavonoids, while those grown in Amarillo produced fruit with higher capsaicinoids. As expected, cayenne samples contained more AA and flavonoids than jalapeño samples. In comparison to the commercial jalapeño checks, all jalapeño hybrids generally expressed less capsaicinoids. With respect to AA and flavonoid concentrations, a few jalapeño hybrids proved to have some potential to compete against their respective commercial cultivars. For the cayenne market, one genotype revealed its potential use in mild markets and for farmers interested in a new hybrid expressing both appreciable levels of phytochemicals, as well as, more visually aesthetic attributes. Statistical analyses from the third experiment found all the F-values for each characteristic to be significant except the Location x Genotype (L x G) component for fruit wall thickness. For this experiment, a total of 21 different C. annuum (jalapeño, Serrano, and cayenne) genotypes were evaluated after growing in two diverse environmental locations (Uvalde and Weslaco). In general, peppers grown in Weslaco produced fruit with higher concentrations of AA and capsaicinoids, with a few exceptions, while fruit grown at Uvalde generally was larger in size and contained higher concentrations of flavonoids. In comparison to their respective commercial checks (jalapeño – Dragon, Tormenta; Serrano – Halcon, Magnum45; cayenne – Mesilla), a few hybrids were arguably more desirable for their respective markets with respect to different fruit measurements, AA, capsaicinoid, and flavonoid concentrations. This evidence further suggested the potential benefit this material could have for growers interested in replacing current material in the industry and to more successfully provide consumers with a healthier ingredient to better sustain their lives. In the fourth experiment, results confirmed our hypotheses that paprika type material has higher AA and flavonoid concentrations than Serrano peppers, while the opposite is possible for capsaicinoid expression. For this experiment, our goal was to identify the relative ease of incorporating different traits of interest into an improved specimen evaluating a combination of 29 F1 paprika and Serrano pepper (C. annuum) hybrids along with 19 of their respective parents. We were also able to identify how productive certain crossing combinations were at expressing a significant amount of positive heterosis for different characteristics of interest. From our correlation analyses, we were able to identify that a significant association can exist between fruit weight and fruit diameter, as well as when other characteristics were evaluated. In all, our results were able to reveal how effective certain combinations of parent material are towards production of offspring with improved traits expressing appreciable fruit characteristics and elevated phytochemical concentrations. Finally, the quantitative measurements produced in our F2 molecular marker experiment found significant amounts of variation for both flavonoids (quercetin and luteolin) and AA expression. It was evident that incorporation of the necessary genes of interest present within fruit tissue across this F2 family for these different phytochemicals were passed from ‘Ca377’ (P1) to several of these offspring. Three candidate primers were eventually identified for their potential polymorphic expression. However, after statistically analyzing the results, only one primer was identified as expressing a significant association (although the value was still relatively low) of variability with respect to luteolin. We also identified a significant association between quercetin and luteolin, quercetin and total flavonoids (quercetin+luteolin), as well as, luteolin and total flavonoids (quercetin+luteolin) in fruit tissues of different pepper material. From our results, we were able to arguably conclude that an environmental component may serve a more essential role in activating the necessary physiological processes to produce specific secondary metabolites. Although our RAPD technique was fairly straightforward and useful, some may argue that a more reliable technique would have been better. Therefore, we postulate that success may be possible in the near future if a different molecular marker technique is used.

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / South Africa is recognised worldwide for its rich diversity of plants, many of which have been used in ethno-medicine. However, the use of wetland plant species in ethno-medicine required further investigations. This research is aimed at investigating three wetland medicinal, plant species, Centella asiatica, Cyperus longus and Typha capensis based on their geographical, seasonal, mineral nutrient (Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, K and Na) and secondary metabolite characteristics. Samples of each species were collected from Grabouw, Kelderhoff, Kenilworth, Pringle Bay, University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Worcester within the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Specimen and soil collections were carried out during autumn, spring, summer and winter of 2014. Both plant and soil samples were acid digested and mineral nutrient concentrations in the samples were analysed using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Secondary metabolites were determined using analytical TLC on normal phase Merck-Silva gel coated aluminium plates as well as by using HPLC separation from crude extracts of C. asiatica, C. longus and T. capensis using LC-MS hardware from Agilent. The elemental analysis of soil samples showed that Ca, K, Mg, Mn and Zn concentrations were predominantly low. Soil mineral concentrations increased progressively from inland (Worcester) towards the coastland in the south (Pringle Bay). Calcium and sodium concentrations, in particular, were higher in soil samples obtained from Grabouw (inland south) and decreased northward towards Worcester. Comparatively, plant mineral concentrations were generally higher than soil concentrations. The high concentration of some of these essential elements, in selected plants is an indication that these plant species could be a good source of essential elements. High concentrations of phytochemicals were found in Centella asiatica during winter, while Cyperus longus and Typha capensis exhibited high concentrations during autumn indicating variation in respect of season. Consequently, harvesting of the studied plants should be done at the season with a relatively high phytochemical concentration. Studies are needed to investigate the extent of pesticide or herbicide contamination in wetland plants to protect the health of users. The LC-MS analyses of the three study species showed that seasonal variation affects metabolite constituents and moreover that these metabolite constituents differ from one locality to another. The seasonal variation of the elements in the studied medicinal plants justified the importance of harvesting seasons in the optimal utilization of the studied plants for medicinal purpose. s, for C. asiatica, anti-bacterial treatments for C. longus and fertility enhancement and birth control for T. capensis.