Natural elicitors from macroalgae may affect plant secondary metabolites. Ulvan is a sulfated heteropolysaccharide extracted from green seaweed, acting as both a plant biotic protecting agent, and a plant elicitor, leading to the synthesis of signal molecules. In this work, the aqueous extract of Ulva intestinalis L., mainly composed of ulvan, was used as foliar-spraying treatment and its eliciting effect was investigated in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum L.). Antioxidant metabolites (polyphenols and carotenoids), volatile compounds (both in headspace emissions and hydrodistilled essential oils), and hormones (jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, salicylic acid 2-O-β-D-glucoside, abscisic acid, and azelaic acid) were quantified. The foliar-spraying treatment with U. intestinalis extract increased salicylic acid and its β-glucoside in parsley; in basil, it induced the accumulation of jasmonic and abscisic acids, indicating the presence of a priming effect. In basil, the elicitation caused a change of the essential oil (EO) chemotype from methyl eugenol/eugenol to epi-α-cadinol and increased sesquiterpenes. In parsley EO it caused a significant accumulation of 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, responsible of the typical “parsley-like” smell. In both species, the phenylpropanoids decreased in headspace and EO compositions, while the salicylic acid concentration increased; this could indicate a primarily defensive response to U. intestinalis extract. Due to the evidenced significant biological activity, U. intestinalis extract used as an elicitor may represent a suitable tool to obtain higher amounts of metabolites for optimizing plant flavor metabolites.

In order to increase their sustainability, antimicrobial renewable molecules are fundamental additions to consumer goods. Rosmarinic acid is extracted from several terrestrial plants and represents an effective anti-microbial agent. Ulvan, extracted from algae, is an anti-microbial polysaccharide. The present review is dedicated to discussing the sources and the extraction methodologies for obtaining rosmarinic acid and ulvan. Moreover, the preparation of bioanosystems, integrating the two molecules with organic or inorganic substrates, are reviewed as methodologies to increase their effectiveness and stability. Finally, the possibility of preparing functional biomaterials and anti-microbial final products is discussed, considering scientific literature. The performed analysis indicated that the production of both molecules is not yet performed with mature industrial technologies. Nevertheless, both molecules could potentially be used in the packaging, biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, sanitary and personal care sectors, despite some research being required for developing functional materials with specific properties to pave the way for many more applications.

As plantas medicinais possuem finalidades terapêuticas, são ricas em metabólitos secundários e economicamente importantes como fonte de matéria-prima para inúmeras indústrias. Muitas doenças podem acometer as plantas reduzindo a sua produção, valor estético e composição. O estudo teve como objetivo descrever a ocorrência de doenças em plantas cultivadas no Horto de Plantas Medicinais e Aromáticas do campus avançado de Palotina da Universidade Federal do Paraná. Para a identificação e o registro das doenças, foram realizadas coletas de órgãos vegetais que apresentavam sintomas característicos de infecções fúngicas e/ou bacterianas. A investigação laboratorial foi efetuada para a confirmação e identificação dos agentes patogênicos através de microscopia ótica. Foram registradas doenças e seus agentes causais como cercosporiose (Cercospora sp.) em alfavaca-anis e alfavaca-cravo; ferrugem (Puccinia cymbopogonis, Puccinia sp., Puccinia mogiphanis) em capim-cidreira, erva-cidreira-brasileira, ginseng-brasileiro e penicilina; e oídio em carqueja-doce e urucum. Também foram registradas a mancha-foliar (Curvularia sp.) em lágrima-de-nossa-senhora e a antracnose (Colletotrichum sp.) em pariparoba. Este registro científico deve apoiar, em uma segunda etapa, o desenvolvimento de informativos e boletins técnicos de fácil acesso aos produtores, transferindo informações para o fortalecimento do complexo agroindustrial das plantas medicinais e aromáticas.

The medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases. They have been regarded as very important because it is estimated that 80% of the population use these medicinal herbs. The incorrect use can be dangerous since the therapeutic properties are mostly influenced by the preparation form. The aim of this work was to study how the mothers of Palotina city - Paraná State communities, are using the medicinal plants. Thus, 71 women were interviewed in order to obtain specific information about the medicinal plant use between the communities. From the total women interviewed, 98% reported they used medicinal plants and the main species were: Mentha spp., Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert, Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Plectranthus barbatus Andr., Plantago major L., Achyrocline satureioides, Mikania glomerata Spreng. and Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek. It was observed that 69% of the women use medicinal plant as tea by infusion while 40% are used to prepare tea by decoction. The most common form of consumption is the oral administration (91%) and 62% related the use of herbs to relieve symptoms caused by poor digestion. Based on how they obtain the plants, the cultivation at home is done by 91% of the interviewed and only 31% buy the vegetal raw material in supermarkets or pharmacy. The therapeutic indication normally is done by parents, friends or neighbors (79%). According to the data obtained, the fact that medicinal plants are natural products is what justifies the use of plants by 74% and so; the women have no preoccupation with allopathic medicine interactions. We observed also that a number of 10% have reported side effects after medicinal plants ingestion. Many mothers of the communities described that use herbs preparations even when they have questions concerning the efficacy or preparation. Thus, the results showed that the local community, although they have knowledge about medicinal plant use, some information is still unknown about the correct use of medicinal plants.

As plantas medicinais são utilizadas com propósitos profiláticos ou terapêuticos e o tema desperta na comunidade a necessidade de mais conhecimento e informações. Os Dias de Campo são eventos agropecuários de difusão tecnológica e científica, visitas e troca de saberes tendo como público-alvo o produtor rural. Com o objetivo de resgatar o uso popular, difundir a utilização correta, as atividades de extensão com plantas medicinais da UFPR em Palotina foram realizadas em Dias de Campo desde 2011. É uma iniciativa de uma cooperativa agroindustrial que acontece todos os anos em um campo experimental com parceria de empresas e universidade. Buscando responder como as ações podem melhorar a saúde da comunidade, as atividades foram desenvolvidas no espaço do núcleo feminino da cooperativa e durante dois anos foi organizado um jardim de plantas medicinais com o cultivo das espécies, facilitando a interação e abordagem do conteúdo. Em todos os anos da parceria, participaram cinco docentes e cerca de 30 discentes como bolsistas ou voluntários. Colaborando com a popularização da ciência e como resultado das participações nos eventos, houve distribuição de mais de 2.000 mudas de espécies medicinais, de sachês com plantas medicinais secas, distribuição de materiais informativos como folders, livros e jogos didáticos. Foram realizadas orientações sobre a identificação das espécies, formas corretas de preparo, bem como cuidados e recomendações de uso. As atividades fazem parte do processo educativo extensionista e transformador dos acadêmicos, propagando o uso correto das plantas medicinais para melhorar a saúde dos grupos parceiros.