▼ Brazil occupies a place of prominence in the productive sector, as well as in the exploitation of agricultural waste, from sugar cane. This use is a fairly widespread practice, both for effluents, mainly vinasse, but also for solid residues, such as filter-cake and bagasse from sugar cane. Thus, at the start of the 2005/06 harvest, samples were collected from residual waters of the S.T.E. (Station for the treatment of effluents), bagasse and from the filtrate liquid (percolate) from bagasse that was accumulated since the 2004/05 harvest, from the industrial processing of sugar cane in S.A. Usina Coruripe Açúcar e Álcool . The target was the isolation of microorganisms that produce extracellular enzymes able to degrade cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin phenols. There were originally 42 microorganisms isolated, of which 31 were screened for the verification of the production of these and other enzymes, as well as for their morphobiochemistry identification. From these, 29 were identified, with the predominance of the genera Flavobacterium, Chromobaterium and Achromobacter. The other bacterial isolates belong to the genus Corynebacterium, Aeromonas., Bacillus, Clostridium, Citrobacter, Nocardia, Kurthia, Mycobacterium, Serratia, Pseudomonas, e Actinomyces. Among the fungal isolates, the genera detected were: Penicillium, Rhodotorula, Gonatobotrys and Gliocladium. The actynomicete Nocardia (PB4), isolated from the percolate of bagasse, presented a broad spectrum of enzymatic activities, being selected for evaluation of its cellulolitic activity in liquid medium containing carboxymethylcellulose and bagasse from sugar cane as a source of carbon. The production of cellulase in these substrates was evaluated according to the concentration of reducing sugars and of total protein, and the content of total phenols has also been determined. In addition to this isolated, another 5 microorganisms were chosen - because of their cellulolytic, xylanolytic, and phenolytic activities in a solid medium, and used for implementing a process of composting of the sugar cane bagasse (from 2005/06 and 2006/07 harvests) with filter-cake (2006/07 crop), in scale of the greenhouse for 48 days. These were divided into 2 consortia (CM1 and CM2), formed by 3 microorganisms each. Factors such as temperature, moisture, organic matter content, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and organic carbon were evaluated in order to monitor the process of composting substrates, without the addition of other macro and micronutrients. From the physico-chemical analyses, it was found that there were not wide variations in the performance of both consortia, and that both led to a reduction of the concentration of organic matter and contents of nitrate and phosphate. Besides this, in period (48 days) and in the conditions (trays with large diameter and small height, which favors changes of temperature of the substrate with the environment; non addition of other sources of nitrogen and phosphorus) of this study, the substrates do not reached stabilization. However,… Advisors/Committee Members: Lopez, Ana Maria Queijeiro, CPF:05762811824, LOPEZ, A. M. Q., Soares, Cleide Mara Faria, CPF:07122823865, SOARES, Cleide Mara Faria, Caetano, Luiz Carlos, CPF:28358996615, CAETANO, L. C..

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Turnera subulata L. is a plant belonging to the Turneraceae family and is popularly known in Brazil as chanana. The genus Turnera has about 120 species distributed in the Americas and Africa, being the most representative of the family Turneraceae. Some species of Turnera are highly used in popular medicine for different types of inflammatory diseases. The association between living beings is a vital condition for species unable to achieve alone, as a means of survival for obtaining nutrients and defenses against predatory species. Among the microorganisms, the fungi are those who are most often associated with plants. Endophytic are microorganisms that inhabit the bodies of plants that, at some period of their life cycle, colonize internal tissues of the plant, without causing any apparent damage to its host. From the fragments of leaves from Turnera subulata L. could be isolated a filamentous fungus that was identified as the fungus Phomopsis sp. through traditional microscopy and molecular techniques. In a statistical evaluation it was noted that the endophytic Phomopsis sp. presents a higher growth in BDA and BSA media, as well as in the presence of light. The steroid ergosterol could be isolated from the hexane extract of this fungus and identified by the NMR techniques. In tests of antagonism of the endophytic Phomopsis sp. against phytopathogens, it was observed halum of inhibition against Rhizoctonia sp., Colletotrichum sp. and Pestalotiopsis sp. Concerning the antioxidant activity it was observed that the chloroform extract was more effective than the hexane one. On the other hand all the extracts from the mycelium of Phomopsis sp. and its ethylacetate extract from the cultured filtrate showed no antimicrobial activity against strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata. Therefore it was concluded that Phomopsis sp. may act as endophytic of T. subulata. it has shown to grow best in BDA and BSA medium, as well as under continuous lightining. It produces and accumulates ergosterol in his micelium. It promotes inhibition zone of growth when tested against phytopathogens. His hexanic and chloroform extrat has shown very litte antioxidant activity

Turnera subulata L. é uma planta pertencente à família Turneraceae e popularmente conhecida no Brasil como chanana. O gênero Turnera apresenta cerca de 120 espécies espalhadas nas Américas e África, sendo o mais representativo da família Turneraceae. Algumas espécies de Turnera são altamente utilizadas na medicina popular para diferentes tipos de doenças inflamatórias. A associação entre os seres vivos é uma condição vital para espécies incapazes de conseguirem, sozinhas, meios de sobrevivência como obtenção de nutrientes e defesas contra espécies predadoras. Entre os microrganismos, os fungos são os que se encontram mais frequentemente associados às plantas. Microrganismos endofíticos são os organismos que habitam órgãos de plantas sem causar dano aparente a seu hospedeiro. A partir dos fragmentos de…

Advisors/Committee Members: Caetano, Luiz Carlos, CPF:28358996615, CAETANO, L. C., Abreu, Fabiane Caxico de, CPF:46030425587, ABREU, F. C., Barreto, Emiliano de Oliveira, CPF:04552293761, Barreto, E. O..

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Mosquito-borne viral tropical diseases represent a great threat to the global public health. Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are usually endemic, and millions of people throughout the world are infected by mosquitoes of the Family Culicidae. The mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of the dengue viruses and the urban yellow fever. The great proliferation of the different mosquitoes species is not only due to the high number of the breeding sites in the urban areas, but also due to the development of the resistance of the mosquitoes to the insecticide, such as the chlorinated organic compounds, organophosphates, carbamates, as well as the biological insecticide. With respect to the environment, the Laboratory of Synthesis and Isolation of the Pheromones (LaSIF) has been studying in the last years more ecological alternatives of control and surveillance of mosquito-borne vector of tropical diseases. Therefore, studies related to the breeding sites of the mosquito Ae. aegypti were accomplished as a form of obtaining data on how to control the populations of this vector. A study of the selection of specific oviposition breeding sites of the Ae. aegypti female mosquito was accomplished with different aqueous samples collected from artificial and natural breeding sites. Among all the different aqueous samples studied at the laboratory, the Aloe vera (Liliaceae) infusion was considered greater stimulant of the oviposition behavior of the Ae. Aegypti female. The Aloe vera infusion was also bioassayed the field and compared with the traditional attractive infusion used in programs of control and surveillance of the mosquito Ae. aegypti. Sample preparation methods solid phase extraction (SPE), stir-bar sorptive extration (SBSE), and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), were accomplished to isolate the organic compounds present in the Aloe vera infusion. The extracts obtained by the extraction techniques were analyzed in relation to the stimulating potential of oviposition behavior of the female of the mosquito Ae. Aegypti. The separation of the organic substances contained in the extracts was accomplished through gas chromatography (GC). The identification of isolated substances was accomplished through to the use of high resolution gas chromatography coupled the mass spectrometry (CG-MS), and the active components in the extracts were located by coupled high resolution gas chromatography-electrophysiology (GC-EAG).

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Mosquitos hematófagos vetores de doenças tropicais representam uma grande ameaça à saúde pública global. Doenças transmitidas por mosquitos são normalmente endêmicas, e milhões de pessoas no mundo todo são infectados por mosquitos da Família Culicidae. O mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) é o principal vetor do vírus da dengue e da febre amarela urbana. A grande proliferação de diferentes espécies de mosquitos é não somente devido ao alto número de criadouros…

Advisors/Committee Members: Andrade, Maria Cristina Caño de, CPF:04069028870, de Andrade C, Mendonça, Fernando Antônio Cavalcante de, CPF:54002940497, http://lattes.cnpq.br/7925226592829433, Sant ana, Antônio Euzébio Goulart, CPF:11867760649, http://lattes.cnpq.br/8895697287739745, Caetano, Luiz Carlos, CPF:28358996615, CAETANO, L. C..

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In Brazil there is still no variety of commercial transgenic sugarcane used in large scale, although biotechnological research in the area of gene expression has been performed in order to obtain varieties that can be cultivated in low rainfall, high temperatures and in low fertil soils. In the present work it was analised the diferencial gene expression in leaves of the variety of sugarcane RB72910 in field capacity and under severe water stress in a greenhouse. The evaluation was done using the technique real-time RT-PCR a powerful tool used to identify and quantify significant changes in the levels of transcripts, facilitating the selection of candidate genes for use in transgenic plants. For this we analized the expression of 11 genes in leaf samples in two conditions of water regime. The genes analyzed were: DNAJ, PGR5, H1, PSI, LTP, WIP, ZmPIP2-1, ZmTIP4-2, SAMDC and two genes with unknown functions. It was observed that the variety studied showed diferential gene expression under water stress mainly for genes encoding proteins of the protective fotosynthetic system and for maintenance of the homeostasis. Thus, it was concluded that the genotype RB72910 has important agronomical traits of fotoprotection and adaptation to drought.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas

No Brasil ainda não há uma variedade de cana-de-açúcar transgênica comercial usada em larga escala, porém pesquisas biotecnológicas na área de expressão gênica estão sendo feitas visando a obtenção de variedades que possam ser cultivadas em condições de baixa pluviosidade, altas temperaturas e solos com pouca fertilidade. No presente trabalho foi analisada a expressão gênica diferencial em folhas na variedade de cana-deaçúcar RB72910 nas condições de capacidade de campo e sob estresse hídrico severo em casa de vegetação. A avaliação foi feita por meio da técnica real-time RT-PCR, uma potente ferramenta usada para identificar e quantificar mudanças significativas nos níveis de transcritos, facilitando a seleção de genes candidatos à utilização em transgenia. Para isso foi analisada a expressão de 11 genes em amostras foliares em duas condições de regime hídrico. Os genes analisados foram: DNAJ, PGR5, H1, PSI, LTP, WIP, ZmPIP2-1, ZmTIP4-2, SAMDC e dois genes com funções indeterminadas. Observou-se que a variedade estudada demonstrou expressão diferencial sob estresse hídrico principalmente para genes que codificam proteínas de proteção do sistema fotossintético e de manutenção da homeostase. Com isso, concluímos que o genótipo RB72910 apresenta importantes características agronômicas de fotoproteção e de adaptação à seca.

Advisors/Committee Members: Almeida, Cicero Carlos de Souza, CPF:02719760471, ALMEIDA, C. C. S., Andrade, Tiago Gomes de, CPF:02697210458, De ANDRADE, T. G., Silva, José Vieira, CPF:33059837368, SILVA, J. V., Caetano, Luiz Carlos, CPF:28358996615, CAETANO, L. C..

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The Rhizoctonia is a genus belonging to the Fungi Kingdom, whose representatives live in the soil and act as endophytes of various plants. Among the plants possessing this fungus, deserves the red-pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi), which is popularly used for different purposes, including inflammation. This work describes the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activity of methanolic fraction obtained from the biomass of the endophytic fungus from Rhizoctonia solani. The methanolic fraction, when administered by intraperitoneal route, was able to reduce the nociception induced by acetic acid for a period of 8 h. In addition, the methanolic fraction increased the lag time measured in the model of thermal nociception, thus suggesting a possible central action. The same substance exhibited antinociceptive activity in formalin test in both phase, neurogenic and inflammatory. In search of a possible mechanism of action, we found that among the pharmacological tools used, only naloxan was able to restore the action of the methanolic fraction, thus suggesting that the substance acts via opioid receptor. In the search for a possible anti-inflammatory effect from this methanol fraction, we used the rat paw edema test and found that this fraction was able to significantly inhibit the paw edema induced by carrageenan and PGE2. Using histamine as an inducer of edema, we note that the methanolic fraction was also antiedematogenic. In this model, the reference drugs indomethacin and promethazine inhibited the edema formation. Together, our results show for the first time that the methanolic fraction obtained from the biomass of the endophytic fungus Rhizoctonia solani has a potent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

A Rhizoctonia é um gênero pertencente ao Reino Fungi, cujos seus representantes habitam o solo e atuam como endofíticos de vários organismos vegetais. Dentre as plantas possuidoras deste fungo, merece destaque a aroeira-vermelha (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi), que é utilizada popularmente para diferentes finalidades, incluindo inflamação. Este trabalho descreve a atividade antiinflamatória e antinociceptiva da fração metanólica obtida a partir da biomassa do fungo endofítico Rhizoctonia solani. A fração metanólica, quando administrado por via intraperitoneal, foi capaz de reduzir a nocicepção induzida pelo ácido acético por um período de 8 h. Além disso, a fração metanólica aumentou o tempo de latência avaliado no modelo de nocicepção térmica, sugerindo assim uma possível ação central. A mesma substância apresentou atividade antinociceptiva no ensaio de formalina, tanto na fase neurogênica quanto na fase inflamatória. Em busca de um possível mecanismo de ação, verificamos que dentre as ferramentas farmacológicas usadas, apenas a naloxona foi capaz de reverter à ação da fração metanólica, sugerindo assim que a substância age via receptor opióide. Estendendo as análises para uma possível ação antiinflamatória da fração metanólica,…

Advisors/Committee Members: Barreto, Emiliano de Oliveira, CPF:04552293761, Barreto, E. O., Caetano, Luiz Carlos, CPF:28358996615, CAETANO, L. C., Carvalho, Vinicius de Frias, CPF:03539390723, http://lattes.cnpq.br/9871280342877536, Silva Filho, Eurípedes Alves da, CPF:16649630497, SILVA FILHO, E. A., Brito, Fabíola de Almeida, CPF:07675491718, http://lattes.cnpq.br/3170665402458607, Rodarte, Renato Santos, CPF:01166429717, http://lattes.cnpq.br/3696478573532280.