Copaiba oil extracted from the trunk of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. and flaxseed oil extracted from the seeds of Linum usitatissimum L., are widely used for the prevention and treatment of many diseases, including cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the antimutagenic effect of these oils against the damage-inducing agent cyclophosphamide, in Rattus norvegicus treated in vivo, by gavage, using cytotoxicity and chromosomal alteration test. The animals were submitted to a single dose of copaiba oil and of flaxseed oil in the simultaneous treatment, pre-treatment and pos-treatment for 24 hours. None of these treatments presented cytotoxic effect. Treatments both oils and cyclophosphamide have significantly reduced the chromosomal damage caused by the clastogen. In groups treated with copaiba oil the reduction percentage was 77% for the simultaneous treatment, 83% for the pre-treatment and 75% for the pos-treatment, whereas in those treated with flaxseed oil was 94% for the pre-treatment and 96% for the simultaneous and pos-treatment. These results indicate that the both oils are not mutagenic, in contrast, they present antimutagenic activity against this clastogenic agent, which represents a protective effect on the cells against the drug that has damaged the genetic material.
Os surfactantes apresentam propriedades tensoativas e formação de micelas, são compostos moleculares com porções hidrofóbicas e hidrofilicas, atuando na redução das tensões superficiais/interfaciais. No entanto, provocam danos ambientais associados à sua produção e ao seu descarte. Com o aumento da consciência sustentável e emprego da química verde, novas tecnologias para a produção de biossurfactantes estão sendo desenvolvidas. Nesse contexto, o glicerol que é um resíduo gerado em grande quantidade, devido a crescente produção de biodiesel mundialmente, pode ser utilizado como substrato na produção de biossurfactantes. Diante disso, este trabalho teve como escopo realizar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a utilização de glicerol, coproduto na síntese de biodiesel, como substrato na produção de biossurfactantes a partir de Bacillus subtilis. A presente pesquisa reuniu a análise qualitativa de dados bibliográficos relacionados a produção de biossurfactantes, fatores que a influenciam, especialmente, de aplicação na área ambiental. A partir da avaliação dos trabalhos publicados na área de interesse, o levantamento bibliográfico demonstrou que o glicerol é uma fonte de carbono promissora na produção de biossurfactante, se destacando quando comparado com outras fontes alternativas. Assim como, o surfactante sintetizado pelo B. subtilis, demonstrou similaridade com a surfactina comercial, e potencial em processo de biorremediação de ambiente, como o solo e a água contaminados por hidrocarbonetos, metais pesados e compostos oleosos.
Water is essential in the food and meat processing industry. The processing industry is one of the major consumers of water, and consequently, generators of a significant amount wastewater effluents which pollute the water bodies heavily. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of raw effluent, anaerobic and aerobic ponds, and surface water of the Cleopatra stream pre- and post-discharge of the effluent from a sausage industry by Allium cepa L. test. At different sampling timepoints, tests on the roots were conducted, as follows: control samples of the self-bulb (0 h), treatment with effluent or water (24 h), and recovery in filtered water (24 h). The results showed that the raw effluent is cytotoxic, because it inhibited the cell division completely. However, this inhibition was not permanent as, after the recovery time, the cells divided again at a rate greater than that of the control. Wastewater from the anaerobic and aerobic ponds and before and after discharge into the stream was not found to be cytotoxic. At the time of recovery, an increase in cell division was observed in samples treated with wastewater from the anaerobic and aerobic ponds, which is possibly caused due to the presence of organic matter. Despite the efficiency of treatment methods, it is necessary to conduct studies that monitor the effluents from the industry and stream waters to ascertain possible impacts on the environment.
Como o sistema imunológico responde após a injeção de uma vacina,? O que faz uma vacina ser considerada eficaz? Como a biotecnologia pode ser empregada neste campo? – Este material didático aborda estas e outras questões por meio do emprego de metodologias de biologia molecular a fim de que alunos do ensino médio ou superior conheçam as etapas e os dados que devem ser considerados quando se busca a produção de uma vacina de sucesso. O estudo de caso usa a simulação de um método de biologia molecular, a eletroforese, para ajudar a compreender como uma vacina contra a dengue é desenvolvida e depois testada para garantir sua eficácia e segurança.
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