Caesalpinia echinata seeds stored in laboratory environmental conditions lose their viability in one month whilst under low temperatures germination is maintained for 18 months of storage. These seeds are tolerant to desiccation, keeping their viability up to 0.08 gH 2 O.gDW -1 . Since soluble carbohydrates are believed to be involved with desiccation tolerance and seed storability, the aim of this work is to analyze the content and composition of soluble carbohydrates in C. echinata seeds during storage in paper bags (PB) and glass flasks (GF) at laboratory room (RT) and cool (CT) temperatures. In freshly harvested seeds, total soluble carbohydrates comprised approximately 10% of the dry weight, decreasing to ca. 8% over 18 months of storage at RT. In seeds stored at CT, sugars varied differently decreasing initially and being restored at the end of the analysis period. The main neutral sugars in seeds from all treatments were sucrose, fructose and glucose. Raffinose and stachyose were present as traces. Free myo-inositol and other cyclitols were also detected. The main tendency observed was the variation in levels of both glucose and fructose in relation to sucrose, the highest levels of monosaccharides which were found in seeds stored at CT. The values of glucose and fructose were practically constant in seeds stored in paper bags for 18 months at CT, decreasing consistently in the other treatments, mainly at RT. Sucrose contents remained relatively stable. Changes in soluble sugars during storage suggest that the loss of germinability of seeds of C. echinata could be associated with low levels of glucose and fructose in relation to sucrose.Keywords: seed longevity, desiccation tolerance, pernambuco, soluble sugars, cyclitols. RESUMO Modificações nos carboidratos solúveis durante o armazenamento de sementes de Caesalpinia echinata LAM. (pau-brasil), uma leguminosa arbórea da Mata Atlântica em risco de extinçãoSementes de Caesalpinia echinata (pau-brasil) perdem a viabilidade em um mês quando armazenadas no ambiente de laboratório, enquanto a capacidade germinativa é mantida quando armazenadas sob temperturas baixas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos analisar o conteúdo e a composição dos carboidratos de sementes de C. echinata armazenadas em câmara fria (CT) e em temperatura ambiente do laboratório (RT), em duas embalagens distintas (permeável e impermeável), visando a avaliar o envolvimento desses compostos com a capacidade germinativa das sementes. Os resultados mostraram que os carboidratos solúveis são constituídos principalmente de sacarose, glicose, frutose, myo-inositol e traços de rafinose e estaquiose, totalizando cerca de 10% da massa seca das sementes. As variações nos carboidratos solúveis foram semelhantes nos dois tipos de embalagem, mas diferentes quanto à temperatura de armazenamento. Em CT, as proporções dos monossacarídeos encontradas nas sementes recém-colhidas foram mantidas por cerca de 18 meses de armazenamento, coincidindo com alta porcentagem de germinação (80%). Nas arma...

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of Piper ovatum Vahl by hydrodistillation was analyzed by GC–MS. The main constituents found were δ-amorphene (16.5 %), cis-muurola-4(14),5-diene (14.29 %) and γ-muurolene (13.26%). The crude extracts and isolated compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity. Hydroalcoholic extracts of different parts of Piper ovatum Vahl, essential oil and amides isolated from leaves were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida species. All extracts and amides were active against Bacillus subtilis and Candida tropicalis, including clinical strains. Essential oil was active against C. tropicalis. These amides showed an inhibitory effect on the adherence of C. tropicalis ATCC 28707 on cover glasses at 10 µg/mL, but did not show morphological alterations at the tested concentrations. Amides were identified as piperovatine and piperlonguminine, and showed MIC values of 15.6 and 31.2 µg/mL to B. subtilis and 3.9 µg/mL to C. tropicalis, and low toxic effects to Vero cells and macrophages.

-(Diurnal variations of non-structural carbohydrates in vegetative tissues of Melinis minutiflora, Echinolaena inflexa, and Lolium multiflorum -Poaceae). Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase is a native C3 grass species with high biomass production and abundance in the cerrado comparable to Melinis minutiflora Beauv., a C4 forage grass of African origin, widespread in the cerrado, displacing some native herbaceous species. These species accumulate mainly starch, differently of Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp. italicum Beck cv. Lema (ryegrass), a C3 temperate forage grass that accumulates fructans as the major storage carbohydrate in the vegetative tissues. In the present study, we analyzed diurnal variations in the content and composition of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in the aerial vegetative parts of the three species. Results showed similarity in water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and starch contents between Melinis minutiflora and Echinolaena inflexa, with the exotic grass accumulating higher amounts of NSC. However, the levels of sucrose, glucose and fructose were 10 fold higher in Lolium multiflorum, that accumulates fructan as the main storage carbohydrate. Although the contents of WSC and starch were similar in the tropical species E. inflexa and M. minutiflora, their diurnal variations were different and could be related to starch metabolism, especially in M. minutiflora.Key words -cerrado, fructans, Panicoideae, Pooideae, starch, sugars RESUMO -(Variações diurnas nos carboidratos não-estruturais em tecidos vegetativos de Melinis minutiflora, Echinolaena inflexa and Lolium multiflorum -Poaceae).Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase (flexinha) é uma gramínea C3 nativa do cerrado, que apresenta produção de biomassa e abundância comparáveis às de Melinis minutiflora Beauv. (capim-gordura), uma gramínea C4, de origem africana e invasora do cerrado. Ambas espécies são perenes e armazenam amido como carboidrato de reserva, diferentemente de Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp. italicum Beck cv. Lema, uma gramínea C3 de regiões de clima temperado, introduzida no sul do Brasil para fins forrageiros, que acumula frutanos como principal carboidrato de reserva em seus órgãos vegetativos. Neste trabalho foram analisadas as variações diurnas no conteúdo e na composição dos carboidratos-não estruturais (NSC) presentes na parte aérea dessas três espécies. Os resultados mostraram que os conteúdos de açúcares solúveis em água (WSC) e de amido são semelhantes em Melinis minutiflora e Echinolaena inflexa, sendo maiores na espécie invasora. Contudo, as maiores quantidades de WSC, especialmente de sacarose, glicose e frutose foram encontradas em Lolium multiflorum, gramínea acumuladora de frutanos. Embora os conteúdos de WSC e de amido nas gramíneas tropicais E. inflexa e M. minutiflora tenham sido semelhantes entre si, os padrões diurnos de variação desses compostos foram diferentes nessas espécies e parecem estar relacionados ao metabolismo de amido, especialmente em M. minutiflora.

Irradiance is a crucial factor in plant development. Different radiant energy levels cause different responses related to plant growth and the production and distribution of dry matter. Considering the relationship between light availability and metabolism of carbohydrates and derived compounds, the aim of this work was to assess the effects of irradiance on non-structural carbohydrate contents and composition, as well as on the hypoglycemiant activity of Rhynchelytrum repens, a pantropical grass species popularly used for diabetes treatment. Plants of R. repens growing under natural irradiance (NI) showed increased content of total soluble carbohydrate (TSC), higher fluctuations in starch content (SC) and higher number of tillers. The flowering process of these plants was preceded by an increase in sucrose. However, their water content was low when compared to that of plants cultivated under low irradiance (LI). The ratio root/aerial organs and SC showed no significant differences in plants grown under LI, although TSC increased and a lower number of tillers were observed during the experimental period. In both conditions, sucrose was the ubiquitous sugar and seemed to be involved in the flowering process. A reduction in the blood sugar level was observed through the intra-peritoneal (IP) administration of the precipitate of aqueous extracts obtained from plants growing in both conditions of light; the supernatant fraction showed no hypoglycemic effect.Key words: tropical grasses, soluble sugars, hypoglycemic activity, low irradiance. RESUMO

ABSTRACT:The chemical composition of volatile oils from two Myrtaceae species, Myrceugenia myrcioides and Eugenia riedeliana, both native from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest, was analyzed by GC-MS. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was colorimetrically evaluated for these oils. For M. myrcioides, monoterpene hydrocarbons represented the major class in the volatile oil, with α-pinene as the most abundant component and a weak inhibitory activity was observed, whilst for E. riedeliana sesquiterpenes were found in higher amounts, being valerianol the major compound, and this oil presented a strong acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

RESUMO -(Gramíneas do cerrado: carboidratos não-estruturais e aspectos ecofisiológicos). As gramíneas reúnem características que as destacam como grupo evoluído e diversificado de plantas. Possuem desempenho fotossintético eficiente em diversas condições, são eficientes na produção e dispersão de diásporos, possuem sistema radicular fasciculado, além de produzirem estolhos e rizomas. O conjunto destes atributos faz com que gramíneas sejam apropriadas para a recomposição de áreas degradadas, atuando como pioneiras na sucessão ecológica. Se de um modo isto possibilita vantagem na ocupação de áreas em seu habitat original, por outro podem ser atributos que incrementam o grau de invasibilidade de uma espécie em outro ambiente. A composição de carboidratos não-estruturais e a alta produção de biomassa são discutidas visando fornecer subsídios para utilização das vantagens adaptativas das gramíneas em programas de manejo de reservas naturais. Palavras-chave: gramíneas, carboidratos não-estruturais, cerrado, invasão de reservas biológicasABSTRACT -(Grasses of the cerrado: non-structural carbohydrates and ecophysiological aspects). Grasses combine characteristics that distinguish them as an evolved and diversified group of plants. They present an efficient photosynthetic metabolism under several conditions, as well as a high production and spreading of diaspores. Besides their fasciculate roots, some species can present stolons and rhizomes. Together, such attributes make grasses appropriated for the recovery of degraded areas, acting as pioneers in the ecological succession. However, if these characteristics enable grasses to occupy areas in their original habitat, they also increase their ability of invading other environments. Non-structural carbohydrates composition and high biomass production are discussed aiming at providing subsidies for the use of those adaptive advantages in programs for conservation of natural reserves.

In vitro activity of the essential oil from Piper diospyrifolium leaves was tested using disk diffusion techniques. The antifungal assay showed significant potencial antifungal activity: the oil was effective against several clinical fungal strains. The majority compounds in the essential oil were identified as sesquiterpenoids by GC-MS and GC-FID techniques.

The use of 3D-printed hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds for stimulating bone healing has been increasing over the years. Although all the promising effects of these scaffolds, there are still few studies and limited understanding of their interaction with bone tissue and their effects on the process of fracture healing. In this context, this study aimed to perform a systematic literature review examining the effects of different 3D-printed HA scaffolds in bone healing. The search was made according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) orientations and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) descriptors "3D printing," "bone," "HA," "repair," and "in vivo." Thirty-six articles were retrieved from PubMed and Scopus databases. After eligibility analyses, 20 papers were included (covering the period of 2016 and 2021). Results demonstrated that all the studies included in this review showed positive outcomes, indicating the efficacy of scaffolds treated groups in the in vivo experiments for promoting bone healing in different animal models. In conclusion, 3D-printed HA scaffolds are excellent candidates as bone grafts due to their bioactivity and good bone interaction.