La localisation des plantes-hôtes est un processus déterminant dans la stratégie adaptative des insectes phytophages et les stimuli olfactifs, qui sont des composés volatils émis par les plantes, jouent un rôle essentiel dans ce processus. Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera, Tephritidae) est responsable d'importants dégâts sur maintes cultures maraîchères à l'échelle mondiale et à La Réunion. Si la bio-écologie et la structuration génétique des populations de cette espèce sont relativement bien connues, des connaissances sur la médiation chimique se produisant lors de la localisation des fruits-hôtes restent nécessaires pour améliorer la gestion des populations de cette espèce. L'objectif de la thèse est de caractériser les stimuli olfactifs impliqués dans la localisation à distance par les femelles de B.cucurbitae, d'une large gamme de fruits-hôtes de Cucurbitaceae sauvages et cultivées de La Réunion. Une approche bidisciplinaire (comportementale et chimique) a été adoptée afin d'identifier, parmi 27 fruits-hôtes, les composés volatils responsables de l'attraction des femelles vers leurs sites de ponte. Les résultats soulignent, qu'au sein de la gamme de plantes-hôtes, la réponse des femelles aux effluves de ces fruits est très hétérogène (taux d’attraction de 1 % à 74 %), variant selon l'espèce végétale, la variété et le stade de maturité des fruits. Parallèlement, l'étude de la composition chimique des effluves de ces fruits révèle une chimiodiversité inter- et intraspécifique considérable : 280 composés volatils identifiés au total, avec des profils d'émission différents d'un fruit à l'autre. Ces résultats, complétés par de l’électroantennographie couplée à la chromatographie gazeuse, ont permis de déterminer 34 composés potentiellement impliqués dans l'attraction des femelles. De plus, un mélange à deux composés volatils de synthèse, aussi attractif qu'une odeur de fruits frais, a été identifié à partir des réponses des femelles à 10 des 34 composés, présentés individuellement ou en mélange. Les rôles des composés volatils de fruits-hôtes dans le processus de localisation des sites de ponte et dans la spécialisation écologique de cette espèce de ravageurs sont discutés. Par ailleurs, l'association des résultats de préférence des femelles et de performance larvaire représente une perspective de recherche prometteuse, qui contribuerait à acquérir une connaissance plus fine du phénomène de spécialisation d'hôte. Enfin, il est désormais possible d'envisager l'utilisation du mélange simple à deux composés volatils dans un système de piégeage des femelles, à intégrer dans un schéma de gestion agroécologique des populations de B. cucurbitae. / Locating host-plants is a key process in the adaptive strategy of phytophagous insects, and olfactory stimuli, which arevolatile compounds emitted by plants, play an essential role in this process. Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera,Tephritidae) is responsible for significant damage to many vegetable crops in Reunion Island and worldwide. Whilethe bioecology and genetic population structure of this species are relatively well known, understanding the chemicalmediation occurring during host-fruit location is needed to improve the management of this pest. The aim of this thesis is to characterize the olfactory stimuli involved in the location by females of B. cucurbitae, of awide range of wild and cultivated host fruits of Cucurbitaceae in Reunion Island. A multidisciplinary approach (behavioural and chemical) was adopted to identify volatile compounds responsible for the attraction of females to their oviposition sites in 27 host fruits. The results highlight that within the range of host plants the female response to fruit odours is very heterogeneous(attraction rates from 1% to 74%). These levels of female response vary according to the plant species and the varietyand the stage of fruit maturity. Meanwhile, the study of the chemical composition of fruit odours reveals aconsiderable inter- and intraspecific chemodiversity: 280 volatile compounds identified in total, with differentemission profiles from one fruit to another. These results, complemented by coupled gas chromatographyelectroantennographic detection, have identified 34 compounds potentially involved in female attraction. In addition, ablend of two synthetic compounds as attractive as fresh fruit odour was identified by measuring attractiveness of 10 ofthe 34 compounds presented individually or in combination. The roles of volatiles in oviposition sites location and ecological specialization of this pest are discussed. Moreover,the association of these results with data on female preference and larval performance represents a promising researchdirection, which would contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of host specialization. Finally, theintegration of a simple two-component blend in a trapping system for females into an agroecological management scheme for B. cucurbitae populations is proposed.

Psiguria Arn. is a small genus of Neotropical vines in the Cucurbitaceae that grows in both wet and dry tropical forests from southern Mexico to Paraguay, and on Caribbean islands. The genus is estimated to be very young with natural history characteristics that have contributed to confusing species circumscriptions. The unique relationship of plants in the group with their butterfly pollinators makes Psiguria an interesting and important genus in tropical ecosystems. Both molecular and morphological approaches were used to investigate the monophyly of Psiguria, to elucidate the number of species in the genus, to discover sister relationships, and to identify characteristics for delineating species. Toward that end, an intensive screening of 141 primer combinations in search of phylogenetically informative low-copy nuclear markers was conducted along with a molecular phylogenetic analysis and a complete taxonomic revision of Psiguria. From the screening study, three potentially phylogenetically informative low-copy nuclear markers were discovered for Psiguria, 11 were found to be potentially useful in rosids, and 32 in other angiosperms. DNA sequences for eight chloroplast intergenic spacers (ndhF-rpL32, ndhC-trnV, rps16-trnQ, trnS-trnG, psbZ-trnM, psbM-trnD, rpoB-trnC, and psbE-petL), ITS, and the nuclear serine/threonine phosphatase intron were obtained for 70 samples of Psiguria plus 14 outgroups. Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Psiguria and a sister relationship between P. umbrosa and P. warscewiczii. In the final chapter, two reviews on the genus are presented – one encapsulating the nomenclatural history, and one summarizing 35 years of ecological and natural history studies. In addition, morphological characters were databased, descriptions were written, and maps of geographic distribution were produced for all species. Considering both molecular and morphological data, six species of Psiguria are defined. To distinguish those species missing identifiable morphological characters, a set of DNA barcodes was developed. At least four chloroplast regions are required to differentiate species (ndhC-trnV, rps16- trnQ, rpoB-trnC, and ndhF-rpL32). Because of the absence of many morphological characters, two taxonomic keys are presented – one using male flowers, and the other using the set of DNA barcodes along with consistent leaf characteristics and geographic distribution. / text

No description available.

Gac (Momordica Cochinchinensis Spreng or Muricia Cochinchinensis Spreng) is an indigenous fruit of Vietnam, commonly used as a colourant in traditional dishes. Recent studies showed that this fruit had a high carotenoid content, especially lycopene and β-carotene. These carotenoids are currently in high demand as they are natural antioxidants to prevent and treat cancers. Over the last ten years some new products from Gac fruit have been found on the market but the cultivation and consumption of the fruit is still limited. Gac is harvested seasonally and the post harvest processing has not been well developed. To make the best use of the valuable substances in Gac, this project investigated some processing methods to make Gac powder and developed the product quality analyses, potentially applicable to local small-scale manufacture. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the Gac powder process and some of the most important qualities of the Gac powder products, the analytical methods to determine lycopene and β-carotene were developed and validated in this project. The new HPLC-based method included a liquid-liquid extraction, followed by a solid phase extraction before the analysis. Both newly- developed HPLC and SP methods exhibited a high extraction yield, good recovery and reproducibility. Compared with the HPLC, the SP method gives higher mean values and standard deviations, but it is quicker, simpler, less expensive and still reliable for industrial applications due to the use of less toxic solvents. The production of powder from Gac fruit included two main stages: seed removal and aril dehydration. Derived from the same drying operation, the enzymatic-treated Gac powder had a lower carotenoid content compared to the heat-treated powder. The Gac powder produced by the freeze-drying method had the highest carotenoid level and brightest colour. Finally the orange-red Gac powder with high carotenoid content was added to some foods as a colorant and nutrient supplement to illustrate its applications. The colours of foods were significantly improved and the carotenoid contents were increased after processing, indicating a potential market for the Gac powder. / Master of Science (Hons)

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Zoology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Florianópolis, 2013. / Made available in DSpace on 2013-12-05T22:37:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 320786.pdf: 11215479 bytes, checksum: c543f1d30292131c60ef33cf1f56d3e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Mundialmente, o câncer de pulmão é um dos principais responsáveis pela alta taxa de mortalidade atribuída ao câncer, tornando necessária a busca por novos agentes no combate a esta malignidade. Cucurbitacinas (CUCs) são compostos triterpênicos tetracíclicos encontrados, principalmente, em espécies da família Cucurbitaceae, conhecidas por seu amargor e toxicidade. Nos últimos anos, vários estudos confirmaram a potencial atividade citotóxica e antitumoral de algumas cucurbitacinas. Neste trabalho, foi realizada a triagem citotóxica de uma série de 51 cucurbitacinas naturais e derivados semissintéticos, através do ensaio colorimétrico do MTT, seguida da elucidação do mecanismo de morte celular provocada pelas cucurbitacinas mais ativas, com destaque para as CUCs 18 e 37. A CUC 18, uma cucurbitacina natural inédita, isolada de Wilbrandia ebracteata (taiuiá), induziu apoptose em células A549, bloqueou-as na fase G2/M do ciclo celular, e provocou desestruturação do citoesqueleto. Esses efeitos foram atribuídos à inibição das vias de sinalização STAT3 e AKT, o que acarretou na baixa expressão de genes antiapoptóticos. A CUC 37, um novo derivado semissintético da cucurbitacina B, também induziu apoptose, bloqueio na fase G2/M do ciclo celular, e desestruturação do citoesqueleto de células A549, porém em concentrações 30 vezes mais baixas do que a CUC 18. A CUC 37 atuou diretamente sobre os receptores do fator de crescimento epidermal (EGFR), causando a redução da expressão de vias de sinalização localizadas abaixo deste receptor (ERK, PI3K/AKT e STAT3) e, consequentemente, reduzindo a transcrição dos genes alvos das mesmas. Além disso, a CUC 37 apresentou seletividade em relação a linhagens oncogênicas (NIH3T3/v-RAF e NIH3T3/k-RAS), quando comparada aos fibroblastos saudáveis (NIH3T3). Finalmente, o efeito antitumoral da CUC 37 foi confirmado em um modelo animal de tumor de pulmão, utilizando-se camundongos geneticamente modificados (c-RAF-1-BxB). Em conjunto, estes resultados sugerem que a CUC 37 é um candidato promissor a ser desenvolvido como fármaco para o tratamento de câncer de pulmão. <br> / Abstract : Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death by cancer worldwide, which stimulates the search for new agents for the treatment of this malignancy. Cucurbitacins (CUCs) are a group of tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds found mainly in species of the Cucurbitaceae family, known for their bitterness and toxicity. In the past years, many reports confirmed the cytotoxic and antitumor activities of some cucurbitacins. In the present work a cytotoxic screening with 51 cucurbitacins and their semisynthetic derivatives was performed by MTT colorimetric assay, and then, the mechanism of cell death was investigated for the most active ones, with an emphasis on CUC 18 and CUC 37. The CUC 18, a novel cucurbitacin isolated from Wilbrandia ebracteata (taiuiá), induced apoptosis on A549 cells, arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase and led to a disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. These effects were attributed to inhibition of STAT3 and AKT signaling pathways, which led to down regulation of antiapoptotic genes transcription. The CUC 37, a novel semisynthetic derivative of cucurbitacin B, also induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and actin cytoskeleton disruption, however with concentrations about 30 times lower than the CUC 18. The CUC 37 targeted directly the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), leading to a down regulation of the downstream signaling pathways of this receptor (ERK, PI3K/AKT, and STAT3) and, consequently, their antiapoptotic target genes. Besides, the CUC 37 showed more selectivity towards NIH3T3/v-RAF and NIH3T3/k-RAS cells, when compared to non-transformed cells (NIH3T3 wild type cells). Finally, the antitumor effect of CUC 37 was confirmed in an in vivo lung tumor model, employing transgenic mice (c-RAF-1-BxB). Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that CUC 37 is a promising drug candidate for the treatment of lung cancer.

No description available.