As condições de estresse biótico e abiótico impostas às plantas induzem a superprodução de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS), podendo causar danos às estruturas celulares e mesmo acarretar a morte da planta. As respostas bioquímicas e fisiológicas de plantas superiores ao estresse oxidativo incluem um eficiente sistema de defesa antioxidante, que envolve a atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase, catalase, ascorbato peroxidase, peroxirredoxinas, dentre outras, além de metabólitos não enzimáticos, que, de forma conjunta, atuam na eliminação das ROS e na redução do dano oxidativo. Nesta revisão, serão abordados os principais sítios de produção de ROS e a ação de algumas enzimas do sistema de defesa antioxidante em plantas.

Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil (EO) of Lippia gracilis Schauer over fungi and heliconia endophytic bacteria was evaluated. For the fungi Geotrichum candidum; Trichoderma viride; Torula herbarum; Paecillomyces sp.; Fusicoccum sp.; P. aeruginens; Curvularia lunata; Aspergillus nidulans; A. flavus; and A. niger mycelial discs were inoculated in PDA medium with oil (0; 420; 440; 460; 480 e 500 µL L-1). The inhibition percentage in 420 µL L-1 was 100% for all fungi, except for C. lunata and A. niger, which was 95.58% and 89.40% , respectively. In other experiment, a suspension of the Salmonella choleraceuis-diarizonae, Enterobacter asburiae, Bacillus thuringiensis, B. pumilus, B. cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. hormaechei was individually added to the solid NYDA medium dishes. In each dish, wells were drilled in medium and filled with water or EO (420 µL L-1). The diameter of the inhibition halo was assessed. K. pneumoniae was the bacterial species less sensitive and E. hormaechei was the most sensitive.

O Brasil destaca-se por ser o maior produtor de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.) e por dominar todos os estágios da tecnologia de produção de açúcar e etanol. Atualmente se observa a expansão dessa cultura para a região semiárida brasileira, a qual apresenta solos propensos à salinização. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a resposta à salinidade de duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar. O ensaio foi implantado em casa de vegetação, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 8 com cinco repetições, correspondendo a duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar (RB867515 e RB863129) e oito níveis de NaCl (0; 25; 50; 75; 100; 125; 150; 200 mM de NaCl). A salinidade induziu aumento na fluorescência e diminuição na concentração de clorofila em ambas as variedades. A redução da clorofila, entretanto, foi maior na variedade RB867515. Observou-se, nesta mesma variedade, aumento da atividade da peroxidase do ascorbato (APX) e da catalase (CAT), enquanto na variedade RB863129 ocorreu redução na atividade dessas enzimas. Esses resultados indicam que a variedade RB867515 apresenta um mecanismo mais eficiente na proteção da planta contra danos no aparato fotoquímico e contra a ação de espécies reativas de oxigênio, em particular o H2O2. Brazil is seen as being the largest producer of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and of mastering all stages in the production of sugar and ethanol. Currently this production is being expanded into the semi-arid regions of Brazil, where there are soil-types prone to salinity. This study aimed to evaluate the response to salinity in two sugarcane genotypes, RB867515 and RB863129. Salinity caused an increase in chlorophyll fluorescence and a reduction of chlorophyll concentration in both varieties. The reduction of chlorophyll however was higher in RB867515. In this same type, an increase in the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) was observed, while in genotype RB863129 there was a reduction in the activity of these two enzymes. These results show that RB867515 has a mechanism which better protects the plant against damage to the photochemical system and the action of reactive oxygen species, particularly H2O2

The exposure of plants to multiple stress conditions can cause over production of reactive oxygen species promoting an imbalance in the redox system. The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant response from varieties of sugarcane under adverse conditions, to understand the defense mechanisms of tolerant and sensitive genotypes. Micropropagated sugarcane of six genotypes, RB966928, RB98710, RB855453, RB99395, RB867515, and RB855156, were subjected to isolated action of high-temperature stress and a combination of water and saline stress, and effects were evaluated. Activities of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), as well as stress indicators such as lipid peroxidation (MDA content) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content were evaluated. The RB867515 variety showed synchrony between the enzymatic activity and ROS regulation and detoxification, in the plant cell under environmental stress situations, thereby ensuring the maintenance of the relative water content without increment of lipid peroxidation; and consequently, the maintenance of physiological processes and plant growth. These results indicated that lipid peroxidation associated with relative water content can be good biochemical markers of sensitivity to multiple stresses in sugarcane.

The effect of spectral light quality on in vitro culture of sugarcane