Honey is a natural product of high nutritional and therapeutic value, whose biological properties are closely linked to its botanical origin and chemical composition. This study aimed to characterize avocado honey in terms of botanical origin, physicochemical parameters, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, chemical profile by LC-MS/MS, and antibacterial potential. Melissopalynological analysis revealed 86.21% avocado pollen, allowing classification as monofloral honey. The sample presented amber color and a high total phenolic content (269.79 ± 1.10 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹), values higher than those commonly reported for Brazilian and international honeys. Antioxidant activity, assessed by the DPPH method, confirmed the strong radical-scavenging capacity, consistent with the phenolic profile identified (EC₅₀ 10.250 ± 0.003 mg mL⁻¹). LC-MS/MS analysis allowed the annotation of nine compounds, including caffeine, scopoletin, abscisic acid, and vomifoliol, compounds associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory activities. Although no antibacterial effect was detected against the tested oral bacterial strains, the results highlight the chemical diversity and functional potential of avocado honey. Overall, the findings reinforce the bioactive potential of avocado honey, particularly due to its strong antioxidant capacity and diversity of metabolites, supporting its value as a natural resource of nutritional and therapeutic interest.

Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) is a liana native to the Brazilian Cerrado biome, traditionally used in Ayahuasca preparations. Despite its cultural importance, research on its chemical composition and biological activities, which may have therapeutic potential, is limited. This study investigated the volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites of D. pubipetala leaves, their antioxidant capacity, and their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Volatile compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled to solid-phase microextraction (SPME), while non-volatile compounds were annotated using UHPLC-MS/MS-ESI-Q-TOF. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH assay, and antimicrobial activity was assessed in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata). GC-MS analysis revealed 25 predominant volatile compounds, including ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate, nonanoic acid, and 5-methylhexan-2-one, with documented antifungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. The crude extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed strong antioxidant capacity (EC₅₀ 9.83 µg/mL and 6.42 µg/mL, respectively), and antifungal effects were observed against Candida species. This study provides the first comprehensive investigation of the antioxidant capacity and antibacterial and antifungal activities of D. pubipetala, together with a detailed chemical profile of its volatile compounds.

Despite the availability of effective vaccines, yellow fever outbreaks persist, highlighting the need for antiviral drugs. Background/Objectives: This study investigated Hippeastrum puniceum (Amaryllidaceae) as a potential source of antiviral compounds against wild-type yellow fever virus (wt-YFV). Methods/Results: The crude bulb extract of H. puniceum exhibited 58% protection against wt-YFV. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract by UHPLC-HRMS led to the annotation of six alkaloids (bulbisine, cathinone, trigonelline, tetrahydroharman-3-carboxylic acid, and 2,7-dimethoxyhomolycorine or 3-O-acetylnarcissidine) in active fractions, along with the amino acids arginine, asparagine, tryptophan, and glutamic acid. In silico ADMET analyses predicted favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles, supporting their potential as drug candidates. Six of the annotated compounds were evaluated in vitro for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against wt-YFV. However, none showed significant antiviral activity when tested individually, suggesting that the observed antiviral effect may result from synergistic interactions between two or more compounds within active fractions. Conclusions: Our results underscore the importance of further investigations in vitro, particularly assays exploring the synergy among the annotated compounds against YFV. The integration of bioassay-guided fractionation of active plant extracts with computational analyses emerges as a promising strategy for the discovery of natural products with therapeutic potential against yellow fever, a reemerging disease.

This study evaluated partially mixed ration (PMR) silages based on banana leaves alone (BL-PMR) or combined with tomato agro-industrial residue (BLTR-PMR) in diets of lambs managed under semi-arid conditions. Twenty-seven female lambs were assigned to three treatments during a 52-day trial (12 days adaptation; 40 days data collection): control (concentrate), BL-PMR, or BLTR-PMR. Animals grazed deferred pasture from 09:00 to 15:00 h and received supplements daily at 15:00 h in individual pens. Both silage-based diets reduced drinking water intake compared with the control (− 28.8% in BL-PMR and − 41.8% in BLTR-PMR; P < 0.001), corresponding to approximately 670 mL/head/day saved in BLTR-PMR and a 40% reduction in drinking water use per kg of weight gain. The BLTR-PMR diet reduced voluntary concentrate intake by 19.1% relative to the control ( P < 0.001), without affecting average daily gain ( P ≥ 0.545), feed efficiency ( P ≥ 0.515), and final body weight ( P ≥ 0.275). Silage characterization revealed elevated butyric (20.22 and 36.55 g/kg DM for BL-PMR and BLTR-PMR, respectively) and acetic acid concentrations, consistent with clostridial-type fermentation. Despite this fermentation profile, productive performance, carcass weights, and meat quality traits were maintained, indicating no detectable impairment under the present conditions. Under the conditions of this study, the results suggest that PMR silages based on banana leaves, with or without tomato residue, can reduce drinking water demand under deferred-pasture management in semi-arid systems, while the inclusion of tomato residue may further decrease reliance on concentrate supplementation without compromising growth performance.

The composition of honey is influenced by its botanical origin and geographical area. Monofloral honeys, such as those from Aroeira (Astronium urundeuva), Betônica (Hyptis sp.), Coffee (Coffea arabica), Cipó-uva (Serjania lethalis), Pequi (Caryocar brasilense), and Velame (Croton urucurana), have distinct chemical profiles that impact their sensory properties and bioactive potential. There is limited information on the chemical composition of specific monofloral honeys, and this study provides valuable data for their characterization. This study analyzed seven honey samples collected in the northern region of Minas Gerais and commercialized by Cooperativa dos Apicultores e Agricultores Familiares do Norte de Minas in 2022. The aim was to classify the honeys based on melissopalynological analysis and chemical characterization using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Melissopalynological analysis identified three monofloral honeys, three with dominant flowering sources, and one multifloral honey. Chemical characterization by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed 26 bioactive compounds, including plant hormones, alkaloids, flavonoids, and coumarins. Among the identified compounds, flavonoids and coumarins are noteworthy due to their potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study expands knowledge on the chemical composition of monofloral honeys from Brazilian Cerrado species, highlighting their bioactive potential and possible pharmaceutical, nutritional, and medicinal applications.