Dalbergia ecastaphyllum is a native Brazil plant with importance for beekeeping, and widely used in folk medicine. For the first time, the extracts of this plant were assessed for the presence of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants, as well as inhibition of tyrosinase, free radicals scavenging and sunscreen protection. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging (DPPH) and β-carotene bleaching assay. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was evaluated and calculated the EC50. The photoprotective activity was measured using different concentrations of D. ecastaphyllum extracts. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the samples was higher than 6, and the sample from Ilhéus showed the most pronounced photoprotective effect. Sample from Canavieiras presented the highest antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging DPPH and β-carotene bleaching method, with 92.41% and 48.34%, respectively. All samples inhibited the tyrosinase, especially the sample from Prado that was most effective (124.62 μg.mL-1). Significant negative correlation was found between flavonoid contents and inhibition of tyrosinase. The overall results provide relevant information about the Dalbergia ecastaphyllum species, indicating as potential material to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Brazilian red propolis (BRP) is a natural product widely known for its phenolic composition and strong antioxidant properties. In this study, we used the Box–Behnken Design (BBD) with Surface Response Methodology to optimize the extraction conditions for total phenolic content (TPC) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of bioactive phenolics from BRP. The extraction time, ethanol/water concentration and temperature, were tested. All variables had significant effects (p  ≤ 0.05), with a desirability coefficient of 0.88. Under optimized conditions (90% ethanol at 80 °C for 30 min), the BRP extract showed a TPC of 129.00 ± 2.16 mg GAE/g and a TEAC of 3471.76 ± 53.86 µmol TE/g. Moreover, FRAP and ORAC assays revealed that the optimized BRP extract had 1472.86 ± 72.37 µmol Fe2+/g and 4339.61 ± 114.65 µmol TE/gof dry weight, respectively. Thirty-two phenolic compounds were tentatively identified by LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS, of which thirteen were found for the first time in BRP, including four flavones, one flavanol, two flavanones, two chalcones, and four isoflavonoids. Thus, our results highlight the importance of BRP as a source of a wide variety of phenolic compounds with significant antioxidant properties.

Alcantarea nahoumii occurs exclusively in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and is classifi ed as vulnerable due to deforestation and frequent fi res in the region. Knowledge of fl oral and reproductive biology is fundamental to understanding ecological interactions, as well as the reproductive success of plant species. Th e objective of this study was to evaluate the fl oral and reproductive biology of A. nahoumii in an Atlantic Forest fragment with regard to phenology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, pollination ecology and reproductive systems, all of which are important parameters for of the development of conservation strategies for the species. Anthesis is diurnal and heterogeneous, starting at 6:30 a.m. and lasting until 8:00 a.m. Highest germination percentages and greatest pollen tube lengths were obtained in BK culture medium. Histochemical tests revealed high pollen viability (89.71 %). Stigma receptivity occurred during anthesis and lasted for up to 24 hours after fl oral opening. Alcantarea nahoumii exhibited preferential allogamy and self-compatibility, and required a pollinator to production of viable seeds. Sixteen species of pollinators were observed visiting A. nahoumii, among which were fi ve hummingbird species. Even though its reproductive system is effi cient, this bromeliad remains threatened mainly due to habitat fragmentation caused by deforestation, burning and predatory extractivism.

Leaves are plant structures that express important traits of the environment where they live. Leaf description has allowed identification of plant species as well as investigation of abiotic factors effects on their development, such as gases, light, temperature, and herbivory. This study described populations of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum through leaf geometric morphometrics in Brazil. We evaluated 200 leaves from four populations. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first four principal components were responsible for 97.81% of variation. The non-parametric multivariate analysis of variance (NPMANOVA) indicated significant difference between samples (p = 0.0001). The Mentel test showed no correlation between geographical distances and shape. The canonical variate analysis (CVA) indicated that the first two variables were responsible for 96.77 % of total variation, while the cross-validation test showed an average of 83.33%. D. ecastaphyllum leaves are elliptical and ovate.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this work was to characterize the morphology and viability of the pollen of 15 genotypes of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) and to generate information that can assist in the selection of highly promising male parents for future use in genetic improvement programs aimed at producing seeds for oil extraction. Acetolysis and scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of the pollen. The viability of the pollen grains was estimated by in vitro germination and colorimetric analysis (acetocarmine 2% and 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride 1%). For the in vitro germination, pollen grains were grown in 10 types of solidified culture medium consisting of different concentrations of sucrose, boric acid, calcium nitrate, magnesium sulfate and potassium nitrate. The pollen grains had the following characteristics: medium size, isopolar and subspheroidal shape, radial symmetry, circular ambit, 3-colporate, elongated endoapertures, tectate exine and granulated sexine. The acetocarmine dye overestimated pollen viability. The media M5 and M8 were the most efficient at promoting the germination of pollen grains. The studied genotypes had high levels of viability and can therefore be used as male parents in genetic improvement programs.Keywords: Ricinus communis L., in vitro germination, colorimetric analysis, pollen tube.Morfologia e viabilidade de grãos de pólen de genótipos de mamoneira RESUMO. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a morfologia e a viabilidade polínica em quinze genótipos de mamoneira (Ricinus communis L.), a fim de gerar informações que possam auxiliar a seleção de genitores masculinos altamente promissores para posterior utilização em programas de melhoramento, tendo em vista a produção de sementes para a extração de óleos. As descrições morfopolínicas foram feitas a partir da acetólise e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A viabilidade dos grãos de pólen foi estimada por meio da germinação in vitro e análise colorimétrica (carmim acético 2% e 2, 3, 5-cloreto de trifeniltetrazólio 1%). Para a germinação in vitro, grãos de pólen foram inoculados em dez tipos de meio de cultura, constituídos de diferentes concentrações de sacarose, ácido bórico, nitrato de cálcio, sulfato de magnésio e nitrato de potássio e solidificado. Os genótipos apresentam grão de pólen de tamanho médio, isopolares, subesferoidal, simetria radial, âmbito circular, 3-colporados, endoaberturas lalongadas, exina tectada e sexina granulada. O corante carmim acético superestima a viabilidade de pólen. Os meios M5 e M8 foram os mais eficientes na germinação dos grãos de pólen. Os genótipos estudados podem ser utilizados como parental masculino em programas de melhoramento, já que apresentam altos índices de viabilidade. Palavras-chave:Ricinus communis L., germinação in vitro, análise colorimétrica, tubo polínico.