RESUMO

Callingcard Vine (Entada polystachya (L.) DC. var. polystachya - Fabaceae) is a common plant in coastal thickets from western Mexico through Central America to Colombia and Brazil, especially in Amazon biome. It has been popularly used as a urinary burning reliever and diuretic. However, the plant chemical constituents are poorly understood and Entada spp. genotoxic potential have not been previously investigated. In the present study we determined the chemical composition of the aqueous E. polystachya crude seed extract (EPCSE) and evaluated the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic properties of EPCSE in Salmonella typhimurium and Chinese hamster fibroblast (V79) cells. Cytotoxic activity was also evaluated in tumor cell lines (HT29, MCF7 and U87) and non-malignant cells (MRC5). The chemical analysis by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) of EPCSE indicated the presence of saponin and chalcone. The results of the MTT and clonal survival assays suggest that EPCSE is cytotoxic to V79 cells. Survival analysis showed higher IC50 in non-tumor compared with tumor cell lines. EPCSE showed induction of DNA strand breaks as revealed by the alkaline comet assay and micronucleus test. Using the modified comet assay, it was possible to detect the induction of oxidative DNA base damage by EPCSE in V79 cells. Consistently, the extract induced increase lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in V79 cells. In addition, EPCSE induced mutations in S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, confirming a mutagenic potential. Taken together, our results suggest that EPCSE is cytotoxic and genotoxic to V79 cells and mutagenic to S. typhimurium. These properties can be related to the pro-oxidant ability of the extract and induction of DNA lesions. Additionally, EPCSE could inhibit the growth of tumor cells, especially human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29) cell line, and can constitute a possible source of antitumor natural agents.

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RESUMO

The Mediterranean flour moth (Anagasta kuehniella) is a pest insect that attacks stored foods. The difficulty in controlling this kind of pest promotes the development of alternatives for pest control, among them the use of proteins with insecticide effect. In this work, we evaluated the role of a trypsin inhibitor purified from Entada acaciifolia seeds (EATI) on the A. kuehniella development. Different concentrations of inhibitor were added to a diet to determine its effects on insect performance. At 0.4%, the EATI decreases the larval weight and survival rates by 54.6% and 15%, respectively; in addition to the extension of the life cycle of insect. The biochemical analysis showed that the inhibitor is refractory to the digestion by midgut proteases, and led to a reduction of 32% in general proteolytic activity. A detailed analysis of the enzymatic activity revealed a decrease of 50% in trypsin activity as the chymotrypsin activity increased by 12%; possibly to compensate the commitment of the digestive process. The trypsins from the EATI-fed group stayed sensitive to the inhibition by EATI, and based on kinetic assays no new trypsin enzymes were produced as adaptation attempt. The insecticides effects observed for the EATI against this pest encourage a more in depth study of its possible long-term use as a biotechnological tool.

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RESUMO

Foram coletadas seis marcas de bebidas lácteas fermentadas, sabor morango, em triplicata, perfazendo um total de dezoito amostras, comercializadas nos principais supermercados da cidade de Medianeira PR, para posterior realização de análises microbiológicas e físico-químicas, a fim de avaliar se estavam de acordo com os parâmetros da legislação vigente e realização de análise sensorial utilizando Escala Hedônica de 07 pontos, para verificar a aceitabilidade do produto por parte dos consumidores. Em relação aos resultados obtidos, todas as amostras encontraram-se dentro dos parâmetros estabelecidos para contagem de bactérias ácido láticas, porém uma estava fora dos limites exigidos para a determinação de coliformes a 35 e 45ºC, em todas as repetições. As análises físico-químicas mostraram que, dentro do que é exigido pela legislação, neste caso apenas proteína, todas as amostras obedeciam aos padrões vigentes e as demais, em sua maioria, coincidiram com as bibliografias consultadas. Ao serem submetidas à análise sensorial de escala Hedônica as amostras avaliadas obtiveram notas entre as correspondentes a indiferente e a gostei regularmente, sugerindo que todas precisam ser melhoradas quanto ao aspecto sensorial.(AU)

Six marks of strawberry fermented milk beverage was colected in the main supermarkets of Medianeira - PR to microbiological and physical-chemical analysis, three repetitions in two assay (total of eighteen samples), and sensory analyses using seven points Hedonic Scale, to evaluate if they were in accordingto the parameters of the actual legislation and the sensorial acceptance of the product. About the lactic acid microorganisms every samples were in accordance to the limits of the legislation; but only one sample were in disaccordance to the limits of the legislation to 35 and 45°C coliforms. The physical chemical analysis showed that about protein, that is required in legislation; every samples were in accordance to the parameters established, and the others were similar to the bibliography search. In the sensorial analysis of seven points Hedonic Scale, the marks of the samples evaluated corresponded to indifferent to liked regularly, then all of that needs need to be became better in the sensorial aspect. (AU)

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