Babassu Research Articles

Ecological aspects of Rhodnius nasutus Stål, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) in palms of the Chapada do Araripe in Ceará, Brazil

The aim of this work is to present aspects related to the ecology of Rhodnius nasutus Stål, 1859 in palms from Chapada do Araripe in Ceará, Brazil. The following five species of palms were investigated: babaçu (Attalea speciosa), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa), carnaúba (Copernicia prunifera), catolé (Syagrus oleracea) and macaúba-barriguda (Acrocomia intumescens). Fifth palms were dissected (10 specimens for each species). The overall infestation index was 86%, with a total of 521 triatomines collected. The Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 Index was 16.8% and two insects presented mixed infection with Trypanosoma rangeli Tejera, 1920. A precipitin test showed that R. nasutus from palms of Chapada do Araripe are associated with opossum and bird although other possible bloodmeals were observed. Our results showing a high index of infestation of the palms as well as T. cruzi infection, the association of R. nasutus with the most diverse species of palms and proximity of these palms to houses demonstrate the importance of this area for sylvatic T. cruzi transmission and suggest the need for epidemiological surveillance in the region of the Chapada do Araripe.

Fitossociologia de duas fitocenoses de floresta ombrófila aberta no município de Codó, Estado do Maranhão

Este estudo foi realizado no Projeto Magela (04º 35' 20" S e 43º 49' 55,2" W), pertencente à Empresa MARGUSA (Maranhão Gusa S.A.), localizado no Município de Codó, Estado do Maranhão. Teve como objetivo analisar a composição florística e a estrutura horizontal de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta com cipó (FOAcipó) e Floresta Ombrófila Aberta com palmeira (FOApalmeira). No inventário florestal, utilizou-se amostragem casual estratificada com 12 parcelas na FOAcipó e nove na FOApalmeira. Em parcelas de 50 x 200 m, mensuraram-se todos os indivíduos com DAP > 15 cm (nível I de inclusão) e, em subparcelas de 5 x 50 m, os indivíduos com 5 cm < DAP < 15 cm (nível II de inclusão). A FOApalmeira apresentou maior diversidade florística. As espécies de maior importância ecológica em FOAcipó foram Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. (Leguminosae), Galipea jasminiflora (A. St.-Hil.) Engl. (Rutaceae) e Hymenaea parvifolia Huber (Leguminosae). Em FOApalmeira, as espécies mais importantes foram Attalea speciosa Mart. Ex Spreng (Arecaceae), Actinostemon klotzshii (Didr.) Pax (Euphorbiaceae) e Cenostigma macrophyllum.

Avaliação da atividade leishmanicida in vitro de plantas medicinais

Na busca de novos agentes leishmanicidas, avaliamos em culturas de promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis o efeito dos extratos hidroalcoolicos das folhas de Tephrosia cinerea (L.) Pers. (Fabaceae), Dichorisandra sp (Commelinaceae), Syzygium jambolanum DC. (Myrtaceae), Julocroton triqueter (Lam.) Didr. var. triqueter (Euphorbiaceae), Passiflora edulis Sims(Passifloraceae), Cecropia sp (Cecropiaceae), Chenopodium ambrosioides L.(Chenopodiaceae), Pedilanhus tithymaloides (L.) Poit (Euphorbiaceae), Peristrophe angustifolia Nees(Acanthaceae) e o extrato aquoso do mesocarpo de Orbignya phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae). As promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis foram cultivadas em presenca de 31,3; 63,5; 125,0; 250,0 e 500,0 µg/mL dos extratos por 24 horas. Ao final desse periodo foi calculada a concentracao inibitoria do crescimento (CI50) em relacao as culturas nao tratadas com os extratos. Os extratos das especies J. triqueter, Dichorisandra sp e T. cinerea apresentaram maior eficacia em induzir a morte das promastigotas, com CI50 de 29,5; 32,9 e 43,6 µg/mL, respectivamente. P. edulis, C. ambrosioides e S. jambolanum apresentaram eficacia moderada com CI50 de 150,1; 151,9 e 166,6 µg/mL, respectivamente. P. tithymaloides e O. phalerata apresentaram baixo efeito leishmanicida com CI50 >500 µg/mL, enquanto Peristrophe angustifolia e Cecropia spnao apresentaram efeito. Dessa forma, dos dez extratos testados, tres apresentaram uma expressiva atividade leishmanicida in vitro.

Grau de saponificação de óleos vegetais na flotação seletiva de apatita de minério carbonatítico

Ensaios de flotação, em bancada, de amostras de minério fosfático granulado e friável de Tapira-MG foram efetuados, testando-se diferentes graus de saponificação de três coletores aniônicos: "Hidrocol parcialmente hidrogenado", "Hidrocol sem hidrogenação" (obtidos a partir de soja) e ácido oléico. Os graus de saponificação usados foram de 40 %, 55 %, 70 %, 85 % e 100 %. Os ensaios foram feitos em pH 9,5. O óleo de babaçu, também cogitado como coletor, não permitiu grau de saponificação além de 40 %, mas serviu de controle da metodologia de quantificação do grau de saponificação. O Hidrocol parcialmente hidrogenado com grau de saponificação de 55 % foi o melhor, em termos de teor e recuperação de fósforo, relação CaO/P2O5 e teor de magnésia no concentrado, motivando testes de flotação em estágio de limpeza, sem e com a adição do coletor KE883B, um sulfosuccinato, também em pH 9,5, utilizando-se os óleos com grau de saponificação de 55 %. O Hidrocol parcialmente hidrogenado sem KE883B deu melhor resultado. Usou-se amido como depressor em todos os ensaios.

Anti-thrombotic effect of chronic oral treatment with Orbignya phalerata Mart.

Babassu is the popular name of Orbignya phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae). The mesocarp flour obtained from their fruits has been used in Brazil as medicine in the treatment of pains, constipation, obesity, leukemia, rheumatism, ulcerations, tumors, inflammations and venous diseases. The effect of the chronic oral treatment with aqueous extract of babassu mesocarp (500 mg/kg day) on the number of platelets, the prothrombin time (PT), the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), the nitric oxide (NO) production and the carrageenin-induced thrombosis was evaluated, using C57Bl/6 mice. The chronic oral treatment with babassu mesocarp induced an anti-thrombotic effect. There was a 88.9% reduction in the necrosis of the tail. This effect seems to be related to an increase in the ability of the macrophage to produce NO and to a slow coagulation process associated to an increase of 12.0 and 13.9% in PT and aPTT, respectively. However, the anti-thrombotic effect seems to be not related to alterations in the number of platelets. It is possible to conclude that the oral treatment with babassu mesocarp has a significant anti-thrombotic effect, which could justify the popular use of babassu mesocarp in the treatment of venous diseases. Meanwhile, this study suggests a potential use of babassu mesocarp as a prophylactic agent to avoid thrombosis events.

Regulatory mechanism for biomass renewable energy in Brazil, a case study of the Brazilian Babassu oil extraction industry

Brazil has launched the PROINFA program, a regulatory mechanism to incentivize renewable electricity generation. In the light of this new framework, the best economical option for cogeneration was analyzed using one of the biomass resources available in Brazil-Babassu. Thus not only the possible power production but also the potential of such a regulatory tool to enhance the electricity production based on this biomass source, was analyzed. The power production was based on a steam power cycle cogeneration technology within the Babassu palm oil extraction industry in Brazil (Orbignya ssp. (Palmae)). Was used as base for this study: the energetic matrix for the oil extraction plants (for the two main profiles: oil extraction and refining only, and greater vertical integration with the production of other associated products obtained from the Babassu palm oil), utilization of an extraction–condensation turbine, and steam production operating at three levels of temperature and pressure (2.06 MPa/350 °C, 4.56 MPa/420 °C and 6.2 MPa/450 °C). To analyze the economic performance, the framework drawn up by the PROINFA was taken. From the analysis, the best economical/technical option for the design of the cogeneration system was found to be in industrial units with extraction and treatment of crude Babassu oil—steam generation at 4.56 MPa and 420 °C and, for units with a more vertically integrated production scheme—steam generated at 6.2 MPa and 450 °C. As a result, it became clear that the given framework may help the development of new renewable energy sources, but it does not give the necessary threshold to start new projects, neither does it incentive the maximization of the power production for this specific biomass resource.

Biological Survey of a Low-Productivity Pasture in Rondônia State, Brazil

Some years after their establishment, areas of pasture planted to Brachiaria and other African grasses in the Brazilian Amazon region show a continuous decline in forage and animal productivity. If no remedial measures are taken, plant cover decreases, the areas become invaded by weeds and the soil becomes compacted. However, this process is not yet well understood. A series of evaluations was implemented in a 20-year-old pasture located on a representative cattle ranch in Rondônia state to estimate the botanical composition, standing phytomass (including leaf litter), macrofauna species richness and microbial biomass to characterize the soil biological conditions of a pasture site about to degrade and before rehabilitation practices were adopted. The aim was to characterize the type and degree of degradation already completed to record the baseline against which the results obtained by restoration practices could be compared. Soil C, N and available P stocks were 20.4 Mg C ha−1, 1.5 Mg N ha−1 and 8.3 kg P ha−1 respectively, higher than under natural forest and close to those found in productive pasture sites. Physical and chemical analyses did not indicate effective degradation. Woody species dominated by trees and shrubs such as Tabebuia spp., Erisma uncinatum and Vismia guianensis occupied 15–18% of the total area. Babaçu palm (Orbignya phalerata Mart) covered 12%, herbaceous weeds 4–11%, while the rest (mean 63.5%) contained a mixture of Brachiaria brizantha and Pannicum maximum. The high biomass accrual and the diversity of species suggest that the soil is still able to support a productive forage grass cover. Biomass above ground, including litter layer, totalled 131 Mg DM ha−1, or 42% of original forest. High standing biomass in the experimental area can be attributed to insufficient and/or inapropriate weed control since the early stage of pasture installation. Reformation of the study site would implicate a potential above-ground input of about 130 Mg C ha−1 (C/N = 49; C/P = 744), besides another 6.4 Mg C ha−1 derived from root biomass decomposition. The most frequently found invertebrates were the termites (368 ind m−2), restricted to the 0–10 cm layer, while earthworms (204 ind m−2), ants (152 ind m−2) and Coleoptera (146 ind m−2) were found to a depth of 30 cm. The presence of so-called ecosystem engineers indicates that this population, probably comprising anecics and rhizophagous species, is related to the high root and litter density. The average number of representatives is more comparable with sites undergoing regrowth of secondary vegetation than with degraded pastures. Microbiological evidence indicates that the pasture studied constitutes an unstressed system about to accumulate organic matter in the soil.

Throughfall and temporal trends of rainfall redistribution in an open tropical rainforest, south-western Amazonia (Rondônia, Brazil)

Abstract. Throughfall volumes and incident rainfall were measured between 23 August and 2 December 2004 as well as from 6 January to 15 April 2005 for individual rain events of differing intensities and magnitudes in an open tropical rainforest in Rondônia, Brazil. Temporal patterns of throughfall spatial variability were examined. Estimated interception was compared to modeled interception obtained by applying the revised Gash model in order to identify sources of throughfall variability in open tropical rainforests. Gross precipitation of 97 events amounted to 1309 mm, 89±5.6% (S.E.) of which reached the forest floor as throughfall. The redistribution of water within the canopy was highly variable in time, which we attribute to the high density of babassu palms (Orbignya phalerata), their seasonal leaf growth, and their conducive morphology. We identified a 10-min rainfall intensity threshold of 30 mmh-1 above which interception was highly variable. This variability is amplified by funneling and shading effects of palms. This interaction between a rainfall variable and vegetation characteristics is relevant for understanding the hydrology of all tropical rainforests with a high palm density.

Análise da cicatrização da bexiga com o uso do extrato aquoso da Orbignya phalerata (babaçu): estudo controlado em ratos

Wound healing is a complex process that deals with different biological and immunological systems and is essential to keep the organism integrity. Three well-defined phases occur: inflammatory, proliferative and maturation. A failure or lengthy phase may result in a delay or absence of it. The aim of this paper is to analyse comparatively the histological alteration provided by the use of the aqueous extract of Orbignya phalerata, in the healing process of bladder surgical wounds. Forty adult, male Wistar rats were used. The experimental procedure consisted of a longitudinal 2 cm long bladder incision and single layer interrupted suture of 5-0 polyglactine 910. Post-operatively, the rats were randomly divided into two groups of 20. The substance was not used in the control group. The Orbignya phalerata aqueous solution was used in the study group. The animals were observed and killed three and seven days later. Comparative histological analysis was accomplished between the groups. Significant statistical differences were observed in the neo-formation variables (p= 0.001), chronic inflammation (p= 0.002) and fibroblastic proliferation (p= 0.023). Acute inflammation was very evident in the control group. The time factor of wound healing showed homogeneity between experimental and control groups, however faster in the experimental one. The Orbignya phalerata had a favoring healing effect in the surgical incision on rats bladder.

Análise da cicatrização do cólon com uso do extrato aquoso da Orbignya phalerata (Babaçu) em ratos

Healing is a highly complex process with different phases. Because some medicinal plants have antiinflammatory properties, they could influence the wound healing process. There are many species of medicinal plants used for research, among them the Orbignya phalerata (Babassu). To analyze, comparatively, the tensiometric and histologic alterations in the healing process of colon anastomosis with the use of aqueous extract of the babaçu mesocarp. Forty Wistar male rats were used, divided in two groups of 20 animals named control and experimental group. Each group was further divided in two sub-groups of 10 animals and evaluated on the third and seventh post-operative days. Colotomy and one suture line coloraphy was performed in all animals. The control group received an intraperitoneal single dose of isotonic saline solution at the time of the surgery. The animals from the experimental group received babassu aqueous extract dose with 50mg/kg/weight, concentration of 25 mg/ml dose, with the same administration method. The following parameters were evaluated: a) macroscopic appearance of abdominal wall and cavity; b) tensiometric evaluation of anastomosis (bursting pressure); c) histologic characteristics of anastomosis. The macroscopic examination showed the presence of adherences in all animals with statistical significance in the ones from the experimental group at third day when compared to the control group. No difference was observed in the seventh-day group. No fistulae, abscesses and/or hemorrhage were observed. In regard to the tensiometric variation, the bursting pressure for the control and experimental groups, both for the third day (25.4 mmHg - 14.8 mmHg) and at seventh (183 mmHg - 175 mmHg), were similar with no significant difference. Histological analysis for the third day showed significant difference in the experimental group in relation to the controls, in regard the presence ofto mononuclear ones whereas at seventh day there was significant statistical difference in all variables from the experimental group compared to the control one. A favorable effect with administration of the aqueous extract of the babaçu mesocarp was seen in histological parameters of the healing process of colon anastomosis however there was no difference in the tensiometric evaluation between the control and experimental group.

Efeito do uso tópico do extrato aquoso de Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) na cicatrização de feridas cutâneas: estudo controlado em ratos

The mesocarp of Babassu (Orbignya phalerata) has been used in experimental studies trying to check its pro-inflammatory effect. To analyse comparatively the histological changes made by the water extract of Babassu in skin surgical wounds. Sixty Wistar adult male rats were used. The experimental procedure was a circle skin incision of 2 cm in diameter made with a metal punch. After this procedure done in all animals, they were randomized in two groups of 30. In the control group, the phytotherapeutic agent wasn't used but saline solution. In the experimental group, the water extract of Orbignya phalerata was used in the cut sites. All animals were followed and killed after seven, 14 and 21 days. Comparative histological analysis was made among the groups. In the microscopic view, a significant reepitelization effect on the healing process of the experimental group in relation to the control group in the 7th and 14th days, was recognized. The use of the mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata in skin surgical wounds contributed positively in the healing process in rats.

Análise comparativa da cicatrização da pele com o uso intraperitoneal de extrato aquoso de Orbignya phalerata (babaçu). Estudo controlado em ratos

The wounds healing is a highly complex process with many phases. Countless substances have been used since the remote times with the purpose a simulating the process. Among them the Orbignya phalerata extract was considered as having a stimulating action. The aim of this study is to verify the healing action of the Orbignya phalerata in the healing of skin surgical wounds by a comparative analysis of the alterations obtained in histological and morphologic aspects. Sixty male adult Wistar rats were used. They were distributed in a randomly in two groups of 30 each and, in one group, Orbignya phalerata extract was used intraperitoneally in a dose of 50 mg/Kg in the first day of surgery. The experimental procedure consisted in a circular incision of two centimeters of diameter with metallic punch. In the control group the substance was not used. The rats were killed in the 7th, 14th, 21st days of the post-operative period and submitted to macro and microscopic analysis. The macroscopic one was made with magnifying glass and paquimeter. For the histological analysis, the sheets were processed with Hematoxilina-Eosina (HE) and trichromic of Masson and slides the vascular proliferation, mononuclear cells, polymorphonuclear cells, fibroblastic proliferation, collagen fibers and re-epithelization were assigned. In the macroscopic view the experimental group of seven days had only one animal with small amount of secretion. In the animals of 14 days all of them had good aspect. The ones of 21 days, complete healing was observed in all animals. In the histological analysis, there was no significant difference among groups, except for the 7th day with significant difference in the fibroblastic proliferation and re-epithelization favoring the experimental group. A favorable effect of the aqueous extract of babassu mesocarp was observed in a microscope analysis in the healing process of cutaneous surgical wounds in rats.

Análise da cicatrização na Linha Alba com uso de extrato aquoso de Orbignya phalerata (babaçu): estudo controlado em ratos

The babassu mesocarp (Orbignya phalerata) has been used in experimental research studies focused on its antiinflammatory action. In state of Maranhão--Brazil it is widely used not only as food, but also as popular medicine in wound healing process. To evaluate the action of Orbignya phalerata extract in macroscopic, histologic and tensiometric aspects in the healing process of median laparotomy in rats. Forty male adult Wistar rats were submitted to an incision in the alba linea, sutured back in one plan with separated stitches of polypropylene 5-0. After regular procedure, the animals were divided into two groups of 20 rats each. To the group named control an intraperitoneal, dose of 1.0 ml of saline solution per kilogram of body weight was done. To the experimental group, the same thing was also done, but instead of saline solution it was injected water solution of babassu, in a dose of 50 mg/kg. The animals were observed in the following days. All of them were killed within a three and seven day post-operative period schedule, and then a histological and tensiometric analysis was carried out. On macroscopic examination no relevant adherence, between the alba linea and the abdominal organs in the study groups, was found. Histological evaluation presented marginal significant effects (p=0.86) to acute inflammation and significant effects (p=0.003) to giant cell reaction in both control and experimental three days groups. Significant difference was observed to acute inflammation in both seven days control and experimental groups. In the intragroup analysis (control three and seven) some marginal significant effect was in relationship to acute and chronic inflammation. In the inter-experimental groups analysis, only the giant cell reactions (0.002) and colagenization had significant results. The tensiometric evaluation showed in the seven day experimental group more resistance then others. The macroscopic and histological evaluation didn't show any significant difference between the experimental and control groups, but the tensiometric evaluation at the 7th day experimental group had significant difference compared to the control group, signaling that the use of the extract of babassu intraperitoneally injected can improve the healing process.

Efeito do extrato aquoso de Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) na cicatrização do estômago em ratos: estudo morfológico e tensiométrico

The large use of plants in the prevention and treatment of different diseases is a milenar practice. In Brazil due to it's rich flora there is a huge material for research and use in popular medicine. The babassu (Orbignya phalerata) is a native tree from North of the Brazil and has a high concentration at the State of Maranhão. The powder of it's mesocarp is known as amid, and has been used as meal and medication due to the known activity against antiinflammatory reaction, pain, pyrexia and immunomodulation. To analyze the effect of mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata (babassu) in gastric wound healing in rats under morphologic and tensiometric aspects. Forty Wistar rats, male, adults were submitted to a longitudinal incision of 1 cm in the gastric body and sutured with separated stitches of polypropylene 6.0. After this common procedure the animals were allocated in the aleatory way in two groups Orbignya (GO) and Control (GC) with 20 animals each one. In the GO was used intraperitoneal doses of 50 mg/kh of Orbignya phalerata extract and in the GC water 1 ml/kg. Each group was divided in two subgroups of ten rats according to the period of death, at 3rd and 7th post-operative days. After the death, the abdominal cavity was evaluated and the stomach withdrawn. For the comparative analysis between the groups the macroscopic and histological parameters of wound healing were utilized. There were no abscess, fistulae and haematom in the animals of the study. Abdominal adhesions were observed in both groups of the animals at 3rd and 7th post-operative days. Dehiscence of the gastrography was identified in one 3rd day rat of subgroups GO. The resistance to air insufflation was higher in GO 3rd day (p=0.087). The analysis of histological parameters showed statistical difference related to wound coaptation in favor to subgroup GO 7th post-operative day. The extract of mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata in dose and path utilized positively interfered on the gastrography when compared with control group in animals at 7th post-operative day.

Isolation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi from the Shell of the Babassu Coconut (Orbignya phalerata Martius) in the Amazon Region of Maranhao Brazil

Fonsecaea pedrosoi, a dematiaceous fungus and the main causative agent of chromoblastomycosis, has been isolated in worldwide from different natural sources in regions where the disease is endemic. In the Amazon region of Maranhão, Brazil, where the disease is prevalent, the breaking of the babassu coconut (Orbignya phalerata Martius) represents an important agricultural activity. In order to determine the presence of this fungus on this plant and on other natural substrates, material was collected in the Fortaleza Village Municipality of Pinheiro, Maranhão, in April and September 2002. A total of 68 samples, including 18 (26.5%) obtained from the shell of the babassu coconut, were analyzed. Samples were cultured using a standard method. Isolates were identified based on macromorphological aspects of the colonies on Sabouraud dextrose agar and based on the micromorphology of the conidia after growth on potato dextrose agar. Exophiala sp. was the most prevalent fungus isolated from the different natural substrates analyzed, while Cladophialophora sp. was only isolated from decomposing wood. Fonsecaea pedrosoi was isolated from one sample of babassu coconut shell suggesting that this coconut represents an important source of infection of chromoblastomycosis during extraction of the plant product in this region.

05/02558 Heat and power demands in babassu palm oil extraction industry in Brazil

05/02558 Heat and power demands in babassu palm oil extraction industry in Brazil

Macrophage activation induced by Orbignya phalerata Mart.

Babassu is the popular name of Orbignya phalerata Mart. [Arecaceae (Palmae)], which fruits mesocarp has been used in Brazil as medicine for the treatment of pains, constipation, obesity, leukemia, rheumatism, ulcerations, tumors and inflammations. In this study, we investigated the effect of babassu mesocarp flour aqueous extract (BM) on C3H/HePas mice peritoneal cellular migration and macrophage activation by measuring the nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release, spreading activity and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression. Our results demonstrate that BM injected once ip in mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg increased the cellular influx to the peritoneal cavity, the MHC class II expression and the spreading ability, and also induced the production of NO, TNF and H 2O 2. The increase in NO-production and MHC expression was also observed after the addition of BM to resident macrophage cultures (100 μg/ml). Thus, BM-treatment was able to activate peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in vivo inducing the production of inflammatory and cytotoxic metabolites, which could justify the popular use of babassu mesocarp in the treatment of tumor diseases, but not in inflammatory pathologies.

Palms, Pastures, and Swidden Fields: The Grounded Political Ecology of ?Agro-Extractive/Shifting-cultivator Peasants? in Maranh�o, Brazil

This article examines transformations associated with changes in resource use and land cover dynamics in the community of Sao Manoel, Maranhao state, in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. The shifting cultivator peasants in Sao Manoel integrate swidden fields for annual cropping, the extraction of babassu palm products, and pastures for cattle ranching. Since the early twentieth century, predominant vegetative cover patterns have been altered from species-rich mature forests to secondary succession with babassu dominant to pasture or swidden fields containing palm stands of various densities. A grounded political ecology of resource use in the area suggests that management strategies and the resulting land cover dynamics integrate site-specific decisions of peasant producers. I discuss the trajectory of production strategies in Sao Manoel since the establishment of the community in the 1920s, and identify the multiple dimensions affecting resource use and environmental outcomes, with an emphasis on the period following land struggles and the recovery of peasant tenure rights in the mid-1980s. The analysis indicates that socionatural trajectories that optimize resource use and address the socioeconomic needs of the community include the maintenance of palm/pastures associations.

Heat and power demands in babassu palm oil extraction industry in Brazil

Abstract The objective of this paper is to analyze the energy use profile of the babassu ( Orbignya ssp—Palmae) oil extraction industry in Brazil in order to establish the basis for a cogeneration study of this important part of the Brazilian Northeast region economy, which is still ignored by energetic biomass studies. The work used information from new equipment suppliers that was analyzed against field information from operating units. The data was used to establish a basis for the thermal and mechanical energy consumption for the two main basic unit profiles for the sector: a simple one with just oil extraction and the other, more vertically integrated with other secondary by-products. For the energetic demand taken from the only oil extraction unit profile study, the minimum pressure for the steam process was estimated at 1.4 MPa, electric demand at 5.79 kW/ton of processed kernel and heat consumption at 2071 MJ/ton of processed kernel (829 kg steam/ton of processed kernel). For the vertically integrated unit profile, the following values were found: minimum pressure for the steam process 1.4 MPa, electric demand 6.22 kW/ton of processed kernel and heat consumption 21,503 MJ/ton of processed kernel (7600 kg steam/ton of processed kernel).

Determinação de atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de plantas de uso popular como antiflamatório

Antimicrobial activities of “babacu” (Orbignya martiana), “cardo santo” (Argemone mexicana), “mentrasto” (Ageratum conyzoides), “cavalinha” (Equisetum yeamalis) and “terramicina” (Alternanthera brasiliana), used by Brazilian population as antiinflamatory medicine, were studied on Staphylococcus aureus. The freezer dried hydroalcoholic extracts solutions were tested for 7 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which two of those are methicillin resistant (MRSA). The diffusion method on agar-agar, using holes technique, with tetracycline chlorydrate as standard. “Babacu”, “cardo santo” and “terramicina” showed antimicrobial activity, within of those “terramicina” inhibited 6 strains, presenting zone inhibition of 22 mm compared to standard antibiotic (34 mm), except the seventh strain which was also tetracycline resistant.