O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar distúrbios fisiológicos e bioquímicos causados pelo alumínio em duas linhagens de Saccharomyces cerevisiae: levedura de panificação Fleischmann e a linhagem PE-2. Para tal, procurou-se simular, tanto quanto possível, as condições fisiológicas da fermentação industrial. Foram realizados 4 experimentos, empregando-se mosto semi-sintético e caldo de cana, contendo 200 g de açúcares redutores totais (ART) por litro. O alumínio foi adicionado na forma de AlCl3.6H2O nas seguintes proporções: 0 (testemunha), 50 e 100 mg/L, nos experimentos de 1 a 3, e 0 e 50 mg/L, no experimento 4, variando-se o pH dos mostos de 4,0 a 5,0. Os experimentos foram conduzidos com reciclo de células, sendo avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: rendimento em etanol, formação de glicerol e açúcares residuais, crescimento em biomassa, viabilidade celular, contaminação bacteriana, teores iniciais e finais dos carboidratos de reserva (trealose e glicogênio) e acúmulo de alumínio nas células de levedura. Concluiu-se que níveis tóxicos de alumínio podem estar presentes em mostos industriais, pois os efeitos tóxicos foram constatados em ambas linhagens, porém, a linhagem PE-2 mostrou-se mais resistente a tais efeitos quando comparada com a levedura de panificação Fleischmann. / The aim of this work was to study physiological and biochemical effects caused by aluminum (Al) in two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: baker's yeast Fleischmann and strain PE-2. For such, was tried to simulate, so much as possible, the physiological conditions of the industrial process. Four experiments were performed: using semi-synthetic and cane juice containing 200g of total reducing sugar per liter at pH 4.0 and 5.0. Aluminum was added in the form of AlCl3.6H2O in the following proportions: 0 (control), 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L . The experiments were performed with cell reuse and the following parameters were analysed: ethanol production, glicerol production and residual sugars, growth of the yeast, yeast viability, bacterial contamination, trehalose and glycogen content and accumulation of aluminum in the yeast cells. It was concluded that toxic levels of aluminum could be present in industrial substrates, since toxic effects were verified for both strains. The strain PE-2 showed to be more tolerant to aluminum when compared to baker's yeast.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Os microrganismos tÃm sido amplamente estudados para remoÃÃo de diversos contaminantes em Ãguas residuÃrias, dentre eles os metais pesados. Este estudo tem como abordagem principal a remoÃÃo de metais tÃxicos pelo fungo filamentoso Aspergillus niger isolado do efluente de uma indÃstria petroquÃmica. A pesquisa foi dividida em duas partes: a primeira foi a verificaÃÃo do efeito da toxicidade Zn(II) e Cr(VI) pelo fungo estudado, jà que estes poluentes podem causar distÃrbios Ãs atividades microbianas e vir a comprometer ambientes poluÃdos e a segunda foi a remoÃÃo destes metais por biossorÃÃo utilizando a biomassa na forma de âpelletsâ. Os testes de toxidade foram feitos atravÃs de verificaÃÃo do crescimento do fungo, em meio semi-sÃlido, na presenÃa de diferentes concentraÃÃes dos metais. Os testes de adsorÃÃo foram feitos com os âpelletsâ da biomassa viva e morta. Foram avaliadas as caracterÃsticas de superfÃcie da biomassa atravÃs da determinaÃÃo do ponto de carga zero, identificaÃÃo dos sÃtios de adsorÃÃo da biomassa e anÃlise de microscopia eletrÃnica de varredura. A capacidade de adsorÃÃo da biomassa foi determinada atravÃs de estudos cinÃticos e de equilÃbrio de adsorÃÃo. Os estudos de toxicidade indicaram que o fungo estudado foi mais resistente ao Zn(II) que ao Cr(VI), sendo completamente inibido em concentraÃÃes superiores a 500 mg Zn(II).L 1 e 150 mg Cr(VI).L-1. A concentraÃÃo do ingrediente ativo capaz de inibir 50% do crescimento micelial do fungo està na faixa e 100 a 150 mg.L-1, para os dois Ãons metÃlicos. Na biomassa foi verificada a presenÃa de grupos carboxÃlicos, hidroxil, aminos e fosfatos, indicando que esta pode ser usada para biossorÃÃo de metais. O fungo apresenta estrutura fibrosa, o que favorece a adsorÃÃo de metais. O processo de adsorÃÃo dos metais, tanto pela biomassa viva quanto pela biomassa morta, se ajustou aos modelos cinÃticos pseudo-primeira ordem e pseudo-segunda ordem e o equilÃbrio seguiu modelos de Langmuir e Freundlich para concentraÃÃes de adsorvato menores que 50mg.L-1 e Freundlich para concentraÃÃes adsorvato superiores 50mg.L-1. Isso sugere o processo de biossorÃÃo dos metais se dà por mecanismos fÃsicos e quÃmicos. Foram encontradas capacidades de sorÃÃo de 1,369 mg Zn(II).g-1 e 1,174 mg Cr(VI).g-1 para biomassa viva e de 3,833 mg Zn(II).g-1 e 4,997 mg Cr(VI).g-1 para biomassa morta. A biomassa morta apresentou maior capacidade de sorÃÃo tanto para Cr(VI) quanto para Zn(II). O fungo Aspergillus niger apresenta potencial para remoÃÃo de Zn(II) e Cr(VI) / Microorganisms have been widely studied for the removal of various contaminants in wastewater, among them heavy metals. This study is the main approach of metal removal by filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger isolated from the effluent of a petrochemical industry. The research was divided into two parts, the first was to check the toxicity effect of Zn (II) and Cr (VI) by the fungus studied, since these pollutants can cause disturbances to microbial activity and eventually jeopardize the polluted environments and the second was the removal of these metals by biosorption using biomass in the form of pellets. The toxicity tests were done by testing the growth of the fungus, in semi-solid in the presence of different concentrations of metals. The adsorption tests were made with the pellets of live and dead biomass. The surface characteristics of biomass were evaluated by determining the point of zero charge, identification of sites of adsorption of biomass and analysis of scanning electron microscopy. To evaluate the adsorption capacity of biomass were performed kinetic studies and equilibrium adsorption. The toxicity studies indicated that the fungus has been studied more resistant to Zn (II) to Cr (VI), being completely inhibited at concentrations above 500 mg Zn (II).L-1 and 150 mg Cr (VI).L-1. The concentration of active ingredient capable of inhibiting 50% of mycelial growth is in the range and 100 to 150 mg.L-1 for the two metal ions. Biomass was observed in the presence of carboxyl groups, hydroxyl, amino and phosphate, indicating that this can be used for biosorption of metals. The fungus has fibrous structure, which favors the adsorption of metals. The adsorption of metals to the living biomass as the dead biomass, fitted kinetic models of pseudo-first order and pseudo second order and the equilibrium followed the Langmuir and Freundlich models for adsorbate concentrations smaller than 50mg.L-1 and the Freundlich model when adsorbate concentrations biggest than 50mg.L-1. This suggests the process of biosorption of metals occurs by physical and chemical mechanisms. Sorption capacities were found to 1,396 mg Zn(II).g-1 and 1,174 mg Cr(VI). g-1 for living biomass and 3,833 mg Zn(II).g-1 and 4,997 mg Cr(VI).g-1 for dead biomass. The dead biomass showed higher sorption capacity for removal of Cr (VI) as Zn (II). The fungus Aspergillus niger has a potential to remove Zn (II) and Cr (VI)

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / A busca por processos quÃmicos que reduzam ou eliminem o uso e a geraÃÃo de substÃncias tÃxicas tem sido crescente nas Ãltimas dÃcadas. Com este novo direcionamento para reduÃÃo do impacto das atividades industriais, foram propostas alternativas que possam reduzir o impacto ambiental. Neste aspecto, foram sintetizados meso-porfirnas do tipo A4 (meso-5,10,15,20) a partir do LÃquido da Casca da Castanha do Caju - LCC (uma fonte renovÃvel, local, abundante e biodegradÃvel). A meso-porfirina utilizada neste trabalho foi obtida a partir do processo de destilaÃÃo do LCC. O primeiro derivado refere-se à formaÃÃo do composto bromado, seguido da obtenÃÃo do derivado aldeÃdico, finalmente, com o auxÃlio do pirrol, tem-se a formaÃÃo da meso-porfirina. Os compostos foram purificados em coluna cromatogrÃfica e caracterizados por tÃcnicas experimentais de RMN 13C e 1H , GC-EM, IV e UV-VIS, que confirmaram a obtenÃÃo do produto desejado. A porfirina base livre foi submetida aos processos de metalaÃÃo utilizando-se para isto, Ni(C2H3O2).4H2O, Cd(CH3COO)2 e Pb(CH3COO)2, como sal doador do metal e diclorometano como solvente, conforme metodologia usual a reaÃÃo permaneceu em agitaÃÃo constante. A metalaÃÃo foi acompanhada por espectroscopia no UV-VIS e cromatografia de camada delgada

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O uso de resÃduos agroindustriais puros ou modificados quimicamente para a remoÃÃo de metais em efluentes industriais aparece como uma alternativa promissora Ãs tecnologias existentes. Os agroresÃduos sÃo bastante estudados devido à sua abundÃncia, baixo custo, biodegradabilidade e a nÃo formaÃÃo de lodo. Neste trabalho utilizou-se o bagaÃo do pedÃnculo de caju (Anarcadium occidentale L.) como adsorvente para remoÃÃo de metais pesados de soluÃÃo aquosa e de efluente produzido por uma indÃstria de galvanoplastia localizada em Fortaleza (Cearà â Brasil). Foram estudados os sistemas de adsorÃÃo em batelada e coluna de leito fixo. Na etapa de batelada foram avaliados o tratamento quÃmico, o efeito do tamanho das partÃculas, o efeito da concentraÃÃo do adsorvente e o efeito do pH. Os resultados indicaram que o tratamento dado ao bagaÃo do pedÃnculo de caju com NaOH 0,1 mol.L-1/3 horas foi mais eficiente na remoÃÃo dos Ãons metÃlicos. Este material foi usado para o estudo de adsorÃÃo dos metais com as seguintes caracterÃsticas: faixa de tamanho de partÃculas de 20-59 mesh, concentraÃÃo de 50 g/L e pH 5,0. O estudo de cinÃtica indicou que o equilÃbrio de adsorÃÃo multielementar foi atingido em 60 minutos (pH 5,0) e segue cinÃtica de pseudo-segunda ordem. Foram utilizados os modelos de Langmuir e Freundlich para avaliar a capacidade de adsorÃÃo dos metais pesados pelo bagaÃo do pedÃnculo de caju. O modelo de Langmuir foi adequado para todos os Ãons metÃlicos em um sistema multielementar. Na segunda etapa da pesquisa foram realizados experimentos para otimizaÃÃo das condiÃÃes operacionais da coluna. Os resultados mostraram que uma vazÃo de 3,0 mL/min e uma altura de 12,0 cm de leito aumentaram o percentual de remoÃÃo para todos os metais tÃxicos estudados. As curvas de ruptura investigadas para um sistema multielementar indicaram que a ordem das capacidades de adsorÃÃo foi a seguinte: Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+. A aplicabilidade dos estudos de coluna numa amostra real, oriunda de empresa de galvanoplastia contendo Cu2+, Ni2+ e Zn2+, foi eficiente para remoÃÃo dos Ãons Ni2+ e Zn2+. A dessorÃÃo dos Ãons metÃlicos, retidos na coluna, foi eficiente usando HCl 1,0 mol/L como eluente. Os ensaios de reciclagem da coluna mostraram que o adsorvente pode ser utilizado apenas num ciclo. / Recently, the use of agroindustry residues (pure or chemically modified) for metal removal from industrial effluents offers a potential alternative to existing treatment technologies. The agrowastes are most studied because are readily available, cheap, biodegradable, sludge free and of low cost and land investment. In this work was used the cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) peduncle bagasse as adsorbent for metal removal from aqueous solution and wastewater aqueous from electroplating industries local (Fortaleza, Ceara-Brazil). Adsorption systems in batch and fixed bed column were studied. Previously was investigated the chemical treatment, the particle size effect, adsorbent concentration and pH effect. The results showed that the treatment employed in the cashew peduncle bagasse with 0.1M NaOH for 3 h was the most efficient. The material characteristics: used on metal adsorption were: particle size ranged 20 â 59 mesh, adsorbent concentration (50g/L) at pH 5.0. The kinetic study indicated that the adsorption equilibrium multielementary were achieved in 60 minutes (pH 5.0) and followed a pseudo-second order model. The adsorption capacity of cashew peduncle bagasse for heavy metals had been evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The Langmuirâs model gave best results for all metal ions in a multielementary system. In the second step of the work were carried out experiments to optimization of the column operational parameters. The results showed that for a flow rate of 3.0 mL/min and bed height of 12.0 cm there is an increased on the metal removal. The breakthrough curves for multielementary system indicated the order for adsorption capacity: Pb+2 > Cu+2 > Ni+2 > Zn+2 > Cd+2. The column parameters obtained with the synthetic effluents were applied in a real sample contained Cu+2, Ni+2 and Zn+2. It was found to be an efficient for the removal of Ni+2 and Zn+2. The metal desorption on the column was efficient using 1.0 M HCl as eluent. The tests of recycling of the column showed that the adsorbent can be used only for a cycle.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Os resÃduos agroindustriais tÃm sido testados em pesquisas como adsorventes de metais tÃxicos, em efluentes aquosos, devido ao seu baixo custo, alta disponibilidade e eficiÃncia para essa finalidade. Nesse trabalho, utilizou-se o resÃduo da indÃstria do coco, o pà da casca de coco verde, proveniente da EMBRAPA, como material adsorvedor dos Ãons metÃlicos cobre, nÃquel e zinco de soluÃÃes aquosas, em escala piloto. Primeiramente, foi feita a determinaÃÃo granulomÃtrica do material, sendo que cerca de 85% se encontrou na faixa de 10 a 60 mesh. Em seguida, foi verificada a influÃncia do tratamento fÃsico-quÃmico na adsorÃÃo dos metais. Os dois tratamentos escolhidos foram com Ãgua e NaOH 0,1 mol.L-1, devido a alta capacidade de adsorÃÃo dos metais em estudo. Prosseguiu-se para os testes de coluna. Na otimizaÃÃo dos parÃmetros operacionais, a vazÃo de 200 mL.min-1 e altura de leito 100 cm, foram escolhidas devido a praticidade, menor tempo de execuÃÃo e facilidade de operaÃÃo, alÃm das elevadas capacidades de adsorÃÃo. O tempo de detenÃÃo hidrÃulica (TDH) resultante desses parÃmetros foi de 15min. ApÃs as otimizaÃÃes dos parÃmetros operacionais, foi investigada a influÃncia do tratamento fora da coluna e na prÃpria coluna. Foi observado que, de modo geral, a capacidade de adsorÃÃo do pà da casca de coco verde aumenta quando o material à submetido ao tratamento com NaOH 0,1 mol.L-1 na prÃpria coluna em relaÃÃo aos tratamentos com Ãgua fora e na coluna, e com NaOH fora da coluna. As capacidades de adsorÃÃo do sistema multielementar para o tratamento com NaOH na coluna foram de: 32,2 mg.g-1 para o cobre, 10,8 mg.g-1 para o nÃquel e 7,9 mg.g-1 para o zinco. Foi notado tambÃm que a soluÃÃo resultante desse tratamento necessita de correÃÃo de pH e tratamento da DQO para descarte. A capacidade de adsorÃÃo aumentou quando se passou de um sistema multielementar para um sistema monoelementar, resultando em: 39,3 mg.g-1 para o cobre, 21,9 mg.g-1 para o nÃquel e 20,6 mg.g-1 para o zinco. A dessorÃÃo utilizando como eluente HNO3 0,5 mol.L-1 necessitou de aproximadamente 20 L para remover os metais adsorvidos no pà da casca de coco verde tratado. / The agro-industrial residues have been used in research as adsorbents of toxic metals from aqueous effluents due to its low cost, high availability and efficiency for this purpose. In this study, residues from coconut shell industry was used, the coconut husk, from EMBRAPA, as adsorbent material of copper, nickel and zinc from aqueous solutions on a pilot scale. First, was made the determination of particle size material, showing that about 85% was found in the range of 10 to 60mesh. Then, the effects of physical and chemical treatment on the metals adsorption. The two treatments selected was NaOH 0.1 mol.L-1 and water, because there was an increase in the adsorption capacity. Then, was proceeded the column tests. In the optimization of operating parameters, the flow of 200mL.min-1 and bed height 100 cm, were chosen because of convenience, shorter execution time and ease of operation, and high adsorption capacities. The resulting TDH of parameters was 15min. After the optimization of operating parameters, we investigated the influence of treatment outside and inside the column. It was observed that, in general, the adsorption capacity increased when the material is subjected to treatment with 0.1 M NaOH inside the column in relation to water treatments in and ouside the column and NaOH outside the column. The adsorption capacity of multielement system for the treatment with NaOH in the column were: 32.2 mg.g-1 for copper, 10.86 mg.g-1 for nickel and 7.97 mg.g-1 for zinc. It was also seen that the solution resulting from this treatment requires correction of pH and COD treatment for disposal. The adsorption capacity increased for monoelementar system in comparison with a multielement system, resulting in: 39.37 mg.g-1 for copper, 21.9 mg.g-1 for nickel and 20.6 mg. g-1 for zinc. The desorption using HNO3 0.5 mol.L-1- as eluent needed about 20 L to remove the metals adsorbed on the shell powder coconut treated.

A fumonisina B1 (FB1) é um metabólito secundário produzido principalmente por Fusarium verticilioides em diversos tipos de alimentos, principalmente o milho, o qual constitui a base para composição de rações para várias espécies de animais domésticos. A FB1 é particularmente tóxica para suínos, cujas manifestações clínicas são evidentes em animais expostos a altas concentrações de FB1 na ração (em geral, acima de 30 mg/kg). No entanto, são escassos os estudos sobre os efeitos da FB1 em suínos alimentados com rações contendo baixas concentrações de fumonisinas, as quais são mais prováveis de serem encontradas em condições de campo. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da exposição de suínos a baixos níveis de FB1 na ração, durante 28 dias, sobre o ganho de peso, consumo de ração, peso relativo de órgãos e aspectos histológicos do baço, fígado, pulmões, rins, coração e esôfago, a resposta imune e a determinação do resíduo de FB1 em materiais biológicos como plasma, urina e fezes. Vinte e quatro suínos foram distribuídos em 4 grupos experimentais e alimentados com rações contendo 0 mg (controle), 3,0 mg, 6,0 mg ou 9,0 mg FB1/kg de ração. As diferentes dietas não afetaram (P>0,05) o ganho de peso e nem o peso relativo dos órgãos analisados. Não foram constatadas lesões macroscópicas ou histopatológicas no esôfago, rins, coração e fígado. No entanto, foram observadas lesões histopatológicas nos pulmões de todos os suínos alimentados com rações contaminadas com fumonisinas, indicando que nenhum dos níveis de FB1 usados no experimento poderia ser considerado como seguro para suínos. Ainda, a FB1 não alterou as concentrações de imunoglobulinas totais, por outro lado, diminuiu a resposta imunológica dos suínos vacinados com Stellamune®, como também reduziu a expressão de citocinas pro-inflamatórias. As concentrações plasmáticas de FB1 residual encontradas permaneceram constantes ao longo dos 28 dias de exposição, nos suínos que se alimentaram com 3,0 mg FB1/kg de ração. Por outro lado, os níveis de FB1 no plasma variaram de 400,3 ± 19,6 pg/mL a 260,6 ± 61,6 pg/mL nos animais expostos a 6,0 mg FB1/kg de ração, e de 1127 ± 494,5 pg/mL a 460,7 ± 69,5 pg/mL nos animais expostos a 9,0 mg FB1/kg de ração, entre os dias 7 e 28 dias de exposição, respectivamente. Em relação aos níveis residuais de FB1 eliminados na urina, embora com variações ao longo dos 28 dias de exposição, foram encontrados níveis que variaram de 28,53 ± 17,9 ng/mL a 16,1 ± 22 ng/ml na urina dos suínos expostos com 3,0 mg FB1/kg de ração, de 47,4 ± 26,4 ng/mL a 24,12 ± 26 ng/mL nos suínos expostos a 6,0 mg FB1/kg de ração e de 75,05 ± 55,2 ng/mL a 18,9 ± 4,4 ng/mL nos suínos expostos a 9,0 mg FB1/kg de ração. Os níveis de FB1 residual eliminados nas fezes permaneceram constantes nos animais expostos com 3,0 mg FB1/kg de ração entre 2,26 ± 1,6 mg/kg e 3,25 ± 2,26 mg/kg, variando de 5,18 ± 1,6 mg/kg a 10,6 ± 2,3 mg/kg, e de 8,16 ± 6,8 mg/kg a 13,8 ± 4,8 mg/kg, nos suínos expostos a 6,0 mg FB1/kg de ração e 9,0 mg FB1/kg de ração, respectivamente. Os resíduos de FB1 encontrados nas fezes decaíram a partir de 21 dias de exposição a FB1 em suínos expostos a 6,0 mg FB1/kg de ração, porém, estes níveis permaneceram constantes entre o dia 21 e 28 em suínos expostos 9,0 mg FB1/kg de ração, indicando uma baixa absorção da toxina em todos os tratamentos. As correlações entre a FB1 eliminada nas fezes (mg/kg) e os níveis de FB1 ingeridos por suínos (mg FB1/animal) foram significativas (P<0,05) em todos os dias. Foram observadas correlações significativas (P<0,05) entre a ingestão de FB1 nos diferentes tratamentos e as concentrações de FB1 na urina e no plasma aos 7 e 28 dias, respectivamente. Deste modo, a quantificação de FB1 na urina e plasma é adequada como biomarcador da ingestão de baixos níveis FB1 no início (7 dias) e no final (28 dias) do período de intoxicação, respectivamente. São necessários novos estudos sobre os mecanismos de ação tóxica da FB1 em suínos, sobretudo em condições de exposição prolongada a níveis baixos de contaminação na ração. / Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a secondary metabolite produced mainly by Fusarium verticilioides in various types of foods, particularly corn, which is the basis for various feed composition for domestic animals. FB1 is particularly toxic to swine, which clinical manifestations are clearly observed in animals exposed to high concentrations of FB1 in the diet (generally above 30 mg/kg). However, there are few studies on the effects of FB1 in pigs fed diets containing low concentrations of fumonisin, which are more probable to be found in field conditions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of piglets exposed to low levels of FB1 in the feed for 28 days on weight gain, feed intake, relative weight of organs and histological aspects of the spleen, liver, lungs, kidneys, heart and esophagus, immune response and the determination of FB1 residue in biological materials such as plasma, urine and feces. Twenty-four pigs were divided into 4 experimental groups and fed diets containing 0 mg (control), 3.0 mg, 6.0 mg or 9.0 mg FB1/kg diet. The different diets did not affect (P> 0.05) weight gain or the relative weight of the analyzed organs. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions were not observed in the esophagus, liver, kidneys and heart. However, histopathological lesions were observed in the lungs of all pigs fed diets contaminated with fumonisin, indicating that none of FB1 levels used in the experiment could be considered as safe for pigs. Furthermore, the dietary FB1 did not alter the concentrations of total immunoglobulins, although it decreased the immune response of pigs vaccinated with Stellamune® and also reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The FB1 concentrations in plasma of pigs fed 3.0 mg FB1/kg diet remained constant over the 28 days of exposure. Moreover, FB1 plasma levels ranged from 400.3 ± 19.6 pg/ mL to 260.6 ± 61.6 pg/mL in animals exposed to 6.0 mg FB1/kg of diet and 1,127 ± 494.5 pg/mL to 460.7 ± 69.5 pg/mL in animals exposed to 9.0 mg FB1/kg diet, between 7 and 28 days of exposure, respectively. In relation to residual FB1 eliminated in urine, although a variation over the 28 days of exposure was observed, the levels ranged from 17.9 ± 28.53 ng/mL to 16.1 ± 22 ng/mL in urine of pigs exposed with 3.0 mg FB1/kg, 47.4 ± 26.4 ng/mL to 24.12 ± 26 ng/mL in pigs exposed to 6.0 mg FB1/kg, and 75.05 ± 55.2 ng/mL to 18.9 ± 4.4 ng/mL in pigs exposed to 9.0 mg FB1/kg of feed. Residual FB1 levels eliminated in the feces remained constant in animals exposed to 3.0 mg FB1/kg diet, with values of 2.26 ± 1.6 mg/g to 3.25 ± 2.26 mg/kg; in pigs fed 6.0 or 9.0 mg FB1/kg feed, the levels found in feces were 5.18 ± 1.6 mg/kg to 10.6 ± 2.3 mg/kg and 8.16 ± 6.8 mg/kg to 13.8 ± 4.8 mg/kg, respectively. The FB1 residues found in feces decreased from 21 days in pigs exposed to 6.0 mg FB1/kg of feed; however, these levels remained constant between 21 and 28 in pigs exposed to 9.0 mg FB1/kg of feed, indicating a low absorption of toxin in all treatments. Significant (P<0,.05) correlations were found between the FB1 excreted in feces (mg/kg) and the FB1 ingested (mg FB1/animal). The correlations between the ingested FB1 in the different treatments and the residual FB1 levels in urine or plasma were also significant (P<0.05) on days 7 and 28 of intoxication, respectively. Thus the quantification of FB1 in urine or plasm is suitable as biomarker of ingestion of low levels of FB1 at the beginning (7 days) or at the end (28 days) of the intoxication period, respectively. Further studies are needed on the mechanisms of toxic action of FB1 in pigs especially under conditions of prolonged exposure to low levels of contamination in the feed.

No Brasil acidentes por peixes peçonhentos como Thalassophryne nattereri, Cathorops spixii, Scorpaena plumieri e Potamotrygon gr orbygnyi vêm sendo relatados. O quadro clínico é caracterizado por efeitos locais e sistêmicos. Para esses acidentes não existe tratamento adequado e eficiente. A soroterapia é um eficiente tratamento para reverter os efeitos causados por venenos. Diante disso nosso objetivo é a obtenção de um soro poliespecifico através da junção de soros monoespecificos produzidos em camundongos e avaliar a sua capacidade de neutralização das atividades tóxicas induzidas pelos principais peixes peçonhentos brasileiros. As alterações induzidas na microcirculação foram abolidas na pré-incubação e no tratamento imediato, somente dano em fibra muscular induzido pelo C. spixii exigiu soro na proporção 1:2. Obtivemos o controle parcial da nocicepção e edema. O efeito sistêmico foi eficientemente neutralizado. Nossos dados nos permitem sugerir o uso de soro poliespecífico nos envenenamentos causados pelos peixes T. nattereri, S. plumieri, C. spixii e P. gr orbygnyi. / Envenoming induced by venomous fish represents a great cost brazilian communities. Victims develop local and systemic symptoms. The most frequent founded are Thalassophryne nattereri, Cathorops spixii, Scorpaena plumieri and Potamotrygon gr orbygnyi. The anti-inflammatory drugs used are not efficient. After the accident, the passive transfer of heterologous specific antibodies allows that immediate toxic effect can be neutralized in the victims. The aim of this work was to produce in mice polyspecific antivenom and evaluation the neutralization of the main toxic effects induced by the brazilian venomous fish. The effects induced in microcirculation were abolished by the polyspecific antiserum, except for the effects caused by C. spixii in muscular fibers where was necessary a proportion of 1:2. The polyspecific antiserum controlled the edematogenic and nociceptive activities and the airway inflammation.These data allow us to suggest the use of polyspecific antiserum in the treatment of the pathological effects provoked by the most frequent brazilian venomous fish.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether nutrient absorption rates by water hyacinths are affected by low-salinity levels. In a controlled experiment, water hyacinths demonstrated the ability to absorb a significant amount of nutrients in low-saline waters while maintaining a slowed growth rate and shortened life span. Nutrient rates were reduced by an average of 36% in ammonia nitrogen and 48% in reactive phosphorus in the tanks of 4.45 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity. Growth rate in the experimental tanks of 4.45 ppt was observed at 33% slower than that of the control. The high salinity comparison tank of 7.0 ppt experienced complete mortality after three days. Phytoremediation practices through the use of an aquatic invader, water hyacinths, can be used to reduce large-scale fish kills along the eastern U.S.’s major estuarine systems, focusing on Florida’s waters. Toxic dinoflagellates and other harmful algal blooms have been plaguing the contributing waterways of North Carolina and the Chesapeake Bay and are the main causes of these massive fish kills. The characteristics and trends that these upstream estuarine systems are following could serve as a warning for Florida. An analysis of Florida’s fish kill database, as well as patterns and trends of the fish kills in North Carolina and the Chesapeake Bay, were used to determine areas at an increased risk for toxic dinoflagellates and harmful algal blooms to occur. Areas are proposed for water hyacinths to be implemented in a controlled method to reduce massive fish kills in Florida’s waters.

The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effective process to produce a grape seed extract of high quality using only non-toxic extractants. When this study was started no grape seed extract was produced in South Africa. Large quantities were imported to supply the local demand in the human and animal herbal medicine industry. Grape seed extract is mainly used to boost the immune system of humans and animals based on its antioxidant activity. Initial work with different extractants established the polarity of the compounds with antioxidant activity. Antioxidant related activity was determined with five analysis techniques. Parameters such as the type, preparation and pre-treatment of grape seed, ratio of extractant to grape seed, composition of extractant, extraction time, extraction temperature, the interaction between temperature and time, drying temperature and subsequent treatment of extracts to remove compounds without antioxidant activity were evaluated. In all cases the cost implications of different methods used were kept in mind. Not only the quality but also the quantity extracted is important in establishing a viable extraction plant. According to the patent literature most techniques used to date produce yields of 0.5 to 2.5 %. The laboratory product went through five stages of development. The percentage extracted for our five laboratory products decreased from 12.0, 10.1, 6.0, 5.9 to 5.5 % whereas antioxidant activity for our product increased from 30, 55, 67 78 to 172 % compared to the best available commercial product. An important reason for the success of the procedure developed, is that we analyzed the different products developed with sophisticated procedures that gave information about the chemical composition of the extract. From this information procedures could be developed to increase the yield and activity. The procedure has been licensed to a private company that is in the process of establishing a factory for the large-scale production of grape seed extract. The detail regarding the procedure is confidential to protect the intellectual property and industrial exploitation of the process. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / gm2014 / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

There are 500 Helichrysum (Asteraceae) species world wide of which 245 occur in South Africa.The South African species display great morphological diversity and are, therefore classified into 30 groups (Hilliard, 1983). Helichrysum species have been reported for their antimicrobial activities (Rios et al., 1988; Tomas-Barberan et al., 1990; Tomas-Lorente et al., 1989; Mathekga, 1998, Mathekga et al., 2000). Not much information on the bioactivity of compounds isolated from these species is available. In vitro antimicrobial screening methods provide the required preliminary observations to select among crude plant extracts those with potentially useful properties for further chemical and pharmaceutical investigations. In this study we investigated the antimicrobial activities of crude acetone extracts (shaken and homogenized) of twenty-eight Helichrysum species on ten bacteria species and six fungal species. A new phloroglucinol with significant antimicrobial properties was isolated by bioactivity guided fractionation from Helichrysum caespititium. The structure elucidation, conformation and stereochemistry of the new phloroglucinol, 2-methyl-4-[2',4',6'-trihydroxy-3'-(2-methylpropanoyl) phenyl] but-2-enyl acetate (caespitate), was established by high field NMR spectroscopic, crystallographic and MS data. The compound inhibited growth of Bacillus cereus, B. pumilus and Micrococcus kristinae at the very low concentration of 0.5 µg /ml and Staphylococcus aureus at 5.0 µg/ml. Six fungi tested were similarly inhibited at low MICs: Aspergillus flavus and A. niger (1.0 µg /ml), Cladosporium cladosporioides (5 µg/ml), C. cucumerium and C. sphaerospermum (0.5 µg /ml) and Phytophthora capsici at 1.0 µg/ml. The cytotoxicity of most currently used drugs has become a serious problem and efforts are being directed to obtaining new drugs with different structural features. One option favoured is the search for new plant derived non-toxic drugs, as was investigated in this study. Caespitate proved to be non-toxic at biologically active concentrations. Development of resistance to synthetic chemotherapeutic agents is known to occur in modern medicine; for example, resistance to some antibiotics of certain strains of microorganisms. A synergistic antibacterial bioassay demonstrated that the combination of caespitate and caespitin enhanced activity from a concentration range of 5 µg /ml to 0.5 µg /ml down to 0.1 µg /ml to 0.05 µg /ml on Gram-positive bacteria. The synergistic effect was in addition displayed against Gram-negative bacteria. The study of the morphology and ultrastructure of the epicuticular trichomes revealed that trichomes in H. caespititium originate from papillate cell outgrowths which elongate, develop and later polarise into apical, stem and basal parts and that repeated secretions of compounds probably occur from the young three-celled stage, enable us to characterise and relate our observations to their possible functional role in the production of the antimicrobial and other compounds on the leaf surface. South African Helichrysum species are a potentially good source of antimicrobial agents worthy of further investigation as efficient therapeutic compounds and in assisting the primary health care in this part of the world. / Dissertation (PhD (Plant Physiology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Plant Science / unrestricted