The biodiversity found in Brazilian’s ecosystems brings the possibility of discovering new natural products with wide application potentials. However, knowing their availability and chemical composition is crucial. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the extraction yield, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oil from fresh leaves of Calyptranthes concinna DC., a native species of Myrtaceae occurring in Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest. Plant samples were collected in Southeastern Brazil and the essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition was evaluated by Gas Chromatography associated with Mass Spectrometry and antioxidant activity was measured using ABTS, DPPH and FRAP methods. The extraction yield obtained was 0.015% (v), and the chemical composition revealed elemicin, a phenylpropanoid as the major component (36.46%). Still, β-caryophyllene (16.94%), germacrene B (8.28%) and spathulenol (7.33%) proved to be relevant for the same essential oil. Antioxidant activity was obtained for ABTS and DPPH radical scavenge (134.82 ± 2,9 and 93.70 ± 1.7 µM TE mL-1, respectively) and FRAP (11.31 ± 0.2 µM FeSO4 mL-1 OE), revealing hydrogen-donation as the main antioxidant mechanism. To our knowledge, this is the first report of antioxidant activity of C. concinna essential oil. The product presented compounds of great relevance, with possibilities of application in different areas including food, agriculture and pharmaceutical segments

Limited phytodiversity and regeneration rates occur in some of the southern Brazilian formations known as the Myrtacean Woodlands. Data on phytotoxicity, chemical composition, and allelopathic potential of Myrciaria cuspidata O. Berg, a dominant species in such woodlands, is missing. In this study, both the chemical composition and phytotoxic activity of an aqueous extract (AE) from M. cuspidata leaves were investigated. Target plants were the model species Lactuca sativa L. and the weed Bidens pilosa L. Germination rates, seedling growth, and phenotypic responses of target species were assessed following AE application to determine the inhibitory capacity of M. cuspidata leaf extract. Germination of L. sativa was reduced and delayed in the presence of AE. Strong inhibition of germination was recorded in B. pilosa achenes under the same treatment. Pre-germinated seedlings of L. sativa were essentially not affected by AE, whereas those of the weed showed some negative developmental responses. Overall, inhibitory responses were consistent both in vitro and in soil substrate. Detrimental effects were most apparent in roots and included tip darkening and growth anomalies often preceded by loss of mitochondrial viability. AE proved rich in phytotoxic phenolic compounds including quercetin, gallic and tannic acid. To sum up, AE shows potential as an environmentally friendly pre-emergence bioherbicide of low residual effect and minor environmental impact. Experimental data in laboratory conditions were consistent with potential allelopathic activity of this tree, as inferred from field observations of dominance in the Myrtaceae Woodlands.

Objetivou-se analisar a composição centesimal de Eichhornia crassipes e Lemna minuta, bem como avaliar os seus rendimentos da extração de carboidratos, visando a aplicação de suas biomassas para a alimentação animal. Para a composição centesimal da matéria prima, foram avaliados os percentuais de umidade, minerais, proteínas, fração de parede celular, lipídios e carboidratos solúveis. Os resultados obtidos na composição da biomassa de E. crassipes revelou 8,48% de proteína bruta e 68,45% de fração de parede celular. Para L. minuta, obteve-se 14,95% de proteína bruta e 53,43% de fração de parede celular. Para umidade, cinzas, proteína bruta, fração de parede celular e lipídios houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as espécies. Para o rendimento da extração de carboidratos, foi constatada uma média de 0,83% para L. minuta, sendo este valor, mais baixo do que o obtido para E. crassipes (2,65%). Deu-se a avaliação da composição centesimal e da extração de carboidratos das biomassas de E. crassipes e L. minuta e foi constatado por meio dos resultados obtidos para os níveis de proteínas e fibras que as biomassas dessas espécies podem ser utilizadas na alimentação animal.

This is the first report of a cutaneous infection in an immunocompromised domestic cat caused by Setosphaeria turcica. The investigation encompasses an assessment of its virulence factors and susceptibility to antifungal drugs. The isolated strain originated from a domestic cat displaying cutaneous lesions that tested positive for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. Identification procedures employed both microscopic and molecular techniques, with molecular identification relying on ITS DNA sequencing. Enzymatic assays targeting lipase, phospholipase, protease, and keratinase yielded negative results, suggesting the prevalence of alternative virulence mechanisms. Successful treatment of the infection was achieved with itraconazole, and susceptibility testing confirmed its sensitivity to azoles and polyene antifungal drugs.