Babassu Research Articles

Blend films based on biopolymers extracted from babassu mesocarp (Orbignya phalerata) for the electrochemical detection of methotrexate antineoplastic drug

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic drug widely used in cancer therapies with potentially toxic activity. This paper describes the electrochemical behavior of MTX in ITO (indium tin oxide) electrodes modified with nanostructured films containing biopolymers extracted from babassu mesocarp (BM) (Orbignya phalerata), aiming to develop electrochemical sensors for this drug. After combining PVS (polyvinyl sodium sulfonate) with BM, the analytical sensitivity of the sensor was improved from 2.49 (ITO) to 5.55 μA μmol L−1 (ITO/PVS/BM). The modification of the ITO with the proposed film yielded a detection limit of 5.95 × 10−7 mol L−1 for MTX. The presence of BM in the film considerably increased the sensor roughness as well as the interactions with MTX, which improved the analytical performance of the proposed system. This study demonstrated the possibility of quantifying MTX with electrochemical techniques using natural polymers, which can yield great financial and health benefits.

Ecological weed control in rice and maize using Orbygnia phalerata with focus on the weed seedbank in the soil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mulching with dry leaves of babassu palm (Orbygnia phalerata Mart.) on germination of weed seed bank on rice tiller number and on grain yield of rice and maize in Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil. In the field the experimental design was a split plot in a randomized complete block with 15 replications. Rice, maize and rice intercropped with maize were allocated to the main plots and mulching treatments with unprocessed whole dried palm leaves (0 and 23 t ha-1) to the subplots. Germination of the weed seed bank was assessed after crop harvest in the greenhouse by means of a collection of three soil samples per subplot (n = 270) with an open metal device of 25 cm in length x 16 cm in width x 3 cm in height as sampling unit. Soil samples were placed in aluminum trays in the greenhouse and irrigated daily. The germinated weed species were identified and counted every fifteen days. The results showed that mulching can reduce germination in the weed seed bank up to 55% and promoted a significant increase in rice tiller number from 63 to 95 m-2, grain yield of rice from 1,077 to 2,251 kg ha-1 and grain yield of maize from 1,137 to 2,293 kg ha-1. Therefore, mulching can be recommended for weed control in smallholder farming of rice and maize crops.

Multiple External Seed Dispersers Challenge the Megafaunal Syndrome Anachronism and the Surrogate Ecological Function of Livestock

The dispersal of many large-seeded plants is thought to have been handicapped by the extinction of megafauna in the late Pleistocene, and due to the ongoing defaunation of the largest of the extant dispersers. Oversized fruits defined as “megafaunal” provide variable amounts of flesh even though many of them cannot be ingested entirely, nor their seeds defecated, by any extant vertebrate. This apparent mismatch lead to the hypothesis of anachronisms involving extinct megafauna as dispersal-mediated selective agents on fruit traits shaped through endozoochory. It has been suggested that free-ranging livestock partially supply the dispersal functions previously provided by those globally or regionally extinct species. However, there is little knowledge on the role of livestock as a surrogate for megafauna dispersal agents relative to living wild dispersers. Here, we focus on seed dispersal of six palm species (Attalea eichleri, Attalea barreirensis, Attalea speciosa, Attalea princeps, Mauritia flexuosa, Acrocomia totai) with large fruits that conform to the so-called “megafaunal syndrome”. Data on seed dispersal were obtained by observations and camera trapping in the Cerrado, Pantanal and Amazonia biomes in Bolivia and Brazil. Rich communities of wild seed dispersers differing among palm species and study areas were recorded, including rodents, monkeys, canids and a wide variety of birds, especially parrots. Long-distance primary dispersal was mainly conducted by parrots, while multiple species acted as short- and medium-distance secondary dispersers. Among livestock, dispersal was limited to seeds of A. totai and A. princeps moved by several species through stomatochory and endozoochory (mainly regurgitation). These results show that the large seeds can be efficiently dispersed externally by a wide array of present-day vertebrates of variable size but much smaller than extinct megafauna and livestock. A knowledge gap of the natural history of these and other plants with oversized fruits assumed to be maladapted for contemporary dispersal may have been partially favoured by neglecting some key disperser guilds (e.g. parrots) and dispersal mechanisms (e.g. ectoozochory). The evaluation of historic and ongoing defaunation of key external dispersers is advocated to understand the influence of actual (rather than putative) dispersers on contemporary frugivore-plant mutualistic interactions.

Temporal variation in production and nutritional value of pollen used in the diet of Apis mellifera L. in a seasonal semideciduous forest

The flora of mountain formations in the Caatinga biome is composed predominantly by semi-deciduous species with representatives of both Atlantic and Amazon forest. Information on the potential for bee pollen production of these species is limited. In this study we evaluated the potential of production, the temporal variation, the botanical origin and the nutritional value of bee pollen produced in a seasonal semideciduous forest in northeastern Brazil. We identified a total of 252 flowering plant species throughout the year. The diet of Apis mellifera consisted of 74 pollen types distributed in 58 genera and 27 families. We identified two production peaks of bee pollen, the highest occurring in the rainy season. Nutritional value considering crude protein, carbohydrates, lipids and mineral matter changed over the study period, with influence of rainfall on the dry matter level. Some taxonomic groups of plants showed a strong relationship with nutrients, suggesting that although the diet of A. mellifera is broadly diversified, this species devoted most of its pollen foraging effort on the genus Mimosa and the palm tree species of Attalea speciosa. The results show that the seasonal semideciduous forest of the mountain range in the Northeast Brazil presents plant species: Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Baccharis trinervis, Mimosa tenuiflora Myracrodruom urundeuva, Cecropia pachystachya, Attalea speciosa, with high nutritional level and potential for the pollen production.

Chemical constituent analysis of the Babassu (Orbignya phalerata Mart.) mesocarp

The Babassu nut (Orbignya phalerata Mart.) mesocarp is traditionally transformed to flour and consumed in some Brazilian areas for its attributed medicinal activity; however, its chemical properties remain to be elucidated. The present work aimed at analyzing the babassu mesocarp phytochemical constituents. Babassu nut samples were collected in the Brazilian Amazon, and their mesocarps were prepared and macerated in different solvents. The chromatographic fractionation of selected methanol extracts yielded three fractions, A-5, A-6, and B-1 that were characterized with high resolution methods. Fraction A-5 was characterized through GC/MS as a fatty acid mixture with predominance of eicosanoic (38.67 %) and 11-octadecanoic (21.71 %) acids. Fraction A-6 was characterized by the presence of three phytosteroids (32.02 %), sesquiterpene (nerolidol; 24.89 %), and diterpene (17-acetoxy-19-kauranal; 15.17 %). The 1H and 13C NMR spectra on fraction A-6 showed characteristic chemical shifts for its compounds. Compound B-1 was identified as ergostanol-3-benzoate based on NMR experiments in one and two dimensions. These results constitute the first identification of babassu mesocarp chemical constituents in 1 and 2-dimensions, paving the way to understanding its role in popular medicine.

Composition and physical properties of babassu seed (Orbignya phalerata) oil obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction

Oil was obtained from babassu seeds via supercritical CO2 extraction under conditions from 40 to 80 °C and at pressures of 25–35 MPa. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and the triacylglycerol (TAG) composition was estimated. The highest oil recoveries from the seeds, 86.56% and 89.86%, were obtained by extraction at 70 °C/25 MPa and 80 °C/35 MPa, respectively. Oil yield increased as temperature increased. β-Sitosterol was maximal (274.3 mg/kg) at 40 °C/25 MPa. Extraction conditions did not influence the fatty acid and TAG composition. Babassu oil presented density (0.9021–0.9171 g/mL), viscosity (28.2786–52.2843 mPa.s) and refractive index (RI, 1.4520–1.4563) values comparable with those of refined vegetable oils. The main TAGs present in this oil were LOL (lauric, oleic and lauric acids), LOM (lauric, oleic and myristic), LOP (lauric, oleic and palmitic) and MOP (myristic, oleic and palmitic).

Antioxidant Activity and Bioactive Compounds of Babassu (Orbignya phalerata) Virgin Oil Obtained by Different Methods of Extraction

Background:The investigation of new sources of raw materials and the knowledge of the composition of the food is fundamental for the evaluation of their potential and the availability of nutrients for the consumer population.Objective:This work aimed to deepen the knowledge about the crude oil of babassu fruit obtained by two different methods of extraction, cold pressing and extraction by cooking the fruit almond.Method:Total phenolic compounds contents and antioxidant activity were determined by ferric reducing antioxidant potential assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity assay. By liquid chromatography, the content of different bioactive compounds was determined. Data was submitted to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and compared by f test (p <0.05).Results:The results showed that for most of the bioactive compounds there was no difference between the two types of babassu oil. For those compounds where the oils differed, the virgin oil had about three times the content of the extra-virgin oil. In addition, the antioxidant activity was higher for the oil extracted by cooking of the babassu mass, ranging from approximately 2.5 times higher up to 19.2 times higher than the antioxidant activity of the babassu oil extracted by pressing.Conclusion:The process of extraction by cooking the almond mass can incorporate a larger number of bioactive components and improve the antioxidant activity of the virgin babassu oil. However, the extraction method does not influence the content of tocopherols of distinct types of babassu oil.

A stage-structured hierarchical Bayes model for the babassu palm tree population dynamics – Estimated from anthropogenic open area data sets

The babassu palm tree (Attalea speciosa Mart. ex Spreng.) is an endemic species of Amazon forests, and has social and economical impact/utility. Deforestation highlights this palm tree in anthropogenic open areas (pastures and cultivated fields). Simultaneously, knowledge concerning the sustainable functioning of the species within these manmade environments is sorely lacking: its life cycle is not well known, and its population dynamics remains unstudied. In this study, our objective was to generate a model of the population dynamics of the babassu palm tree, validated by in situ analysis, to understand how babassu, a forest species, adapts to pastureland and, under certain conditions, becomes invasive. We propose a random matrix model with aggregated variables based on the biological stages of the species as the input. The probabilities of the between-stage transition matrix were modelled using a Dirichlet-multinomial model with a hierarchy taking geographical organization, i.e. transect level, into account. The integration of prior information was formulated through a Bayesian approach. This Bayesian hierarchical matrix model enabled us to demonstrate a bottleneck in the population dynamics and a high year-dependent mortality rate at an early stage.

Silage of the agro-industrial co-product of babassu palm heart processing in sheep feed

ABSTRACT: The inner bark or less tender sheath generated from industrial manufacture of canned babassu palm (Attalea speciosa) heart is inadequate for human consumption, often being discarded inappropriately and giving rise to environmental pollution. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to assess the intake and digestibility in sheep fed on silage of the agro-industrial co-product of babassu palm (ICBP)enriched with different additives, or on sugarcane silage. Fifteen Santa Inês sheep were distributed in a completely randomized design, consisting of five treatments and three replicates. The treatments comprised babassu palm silage enriched with broken maize (BM), broken rice (BR), cassava scrapings (CS), coffee husk combined with maize kernel (CC), and sugarcane silage (SC), all supplemented with concentrate, at a voluminous:concentrate ratio of 65:35. Silages based on ICBP and SC had similar intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC). Increasing the additive fraction in ICBP silages favored the digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NFC, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN). Our results indicated that silage based on additive-enriched ICBP can be used in the diet of ruminants, especially those based on broken maize and cassava scrapings that provide superior nutritional quality compared to the other silages assessed.

What are the species of phorophytes of Vanilla palmarum (Orchidaceae) in Brazil? An assessment of emblematic specificity with palm tree species

Abstract Vanilla palmarum is an obligately epiphytic orchid distributed widely throughout South America with emblematic specificity for species of palms. This epiphyte-phorophyte association was examined through the analysis of specimens available via the database of Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental and from Brazilian herbaria. We recognized nine species as hosts of V. palmarum in Brazil: Acrocomia aculeata, Attalea phalerata, Attalea speciosa, Elaeis guineensis, Mauritia flexuosa, Syagrus cearensis, S. coronata, S. schizophylla, and S. vagans. The most important phorophytes of V. palmarum were found to be A. speciosa (Cerrado), A. phalerata (Pantanal), M. flexuosa (Amazon Forest) and S. coronata (Caatinga). Future management actions must consider the association between V. palmarum and its phorophyte palm species in order to ensure the protection of this ecological interaction.

Territórios, populaçôes tradiconais e conflito: a realidade da reserva extrativista extremo norte do Tocantins, Brasil

Este estudo analisa os inúmeros conflitos relacionados à posse, uso, gestão e criação do território protegido, atualmente denominado de Reserva Extrativista Extremo Norte do Tocantins. A análise é feita a partir do conflito enquanto elemento constituinte da memória do território que conforma a Unidade de Conservação (UC). Para este estudo qualitativo foram combinadas revisão bibliográficas, com dados secundários (fontes oficiais) e dados primários (notas de campo). Como resultado, se identificou a falta de coordenação entre os objetivos da políticas públicas agrícolas, energéticas, ambientais e de integração do território na região de abrangência da Resex, tal falta de articulação é, inclusive, alavanca para tensões entres os diversos atores que compartilham esta realidade. A tensão entre os agentes sociais está relacionada à tomada de decisão derivada de diferentes lógicas de apropriação de recursos naturais. Os agentes sociais da reserva extrativista mantêm relações tradicionais estabelecidas entre sociedade e natureza através da exploração do coco babaçu (Attalea speciosa). Além disso, novos atores sociais ocupam extensos espaços de áreas nesse território, a exemplo disso se tem a criação de gado, a qual onera efeitos à exploração do babaçu e aos objetivos da UC, dentre estes: a privatização dos recursos vegetais e; a transformação abrupta da paisagem e consequentemente a diminuição do recurso natural em questão. O ponto chave para entender o conflito é a regularização fundiária, uma vez que a área da UC é sobreposta em propriedades privadas que ainda estão pendentes de regularização, levando a tensões e processos de exclusão e de servilismo aos usuários da UC por parte dos fazendeiros.

Development of a low-cost electrochemical sensor based on babassu mesocarp (Orbignya phalerata) immobilized on a flexible gold electrode for applications in sensors for 5-fluorouracil chemotherapeutics.

There are increasing concerns regarding the risks arising from the contamination of manipulators of antineoplastic drugs promoted by occupational exposure or even in the dosage of drugs. The present work proposes the use of an electrochemical sensor based on a biopolymer extracted from the babassu coconut (Orbignya phalerata) for the determination of an antineoplastic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) drug as an alternative for the monitoring of these drugs. In order to reduce the cost of this sensor, a flexible gold electrode (FEAu) is proposed. The surface modification of FEAu was performed with the deposition of a casting film of the biopolymer extracted from the babassu mesocarp (BM) and modified with phthalic anhydride (BMPA). The electrochemical activity of the modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and its morphology was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The FEAu/BMPA showed a high sensitivity (8.8μA/μmol/L) and low limit of detection (0.34μmol/L) for the 5-FU drug in an acid medium. Electrochemical sensors developed from the babassu mesocarp may be a viable alternative for the monitoring of the 5-FU antineoplastic in pharmaceutical formulations, because in addition to being sensitive to this drug, they are constructed of a natural polymer, renewable, and abundant in nature. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with the babassu palm (Attalea speciosa) in the eastern periphery of Amazonia, Brazil

ABSTRACT Babassu, Attalea speciosa (Arecaceae) is a ruderal palm native to Amazonia, which turned dominant in frequently burned lands throughout the ‘arc of deforestation’ and other degraded lands, in extreme cases attaining complete dominance. This study investigated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as one possible explanation for the outstanding ecological success of this exceptional palm. We explored the relationships between the babassu palm and native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and babassu effects on the AMF richness and mycorrhizal inoculum potential (MIP) in the eastern periphery of Amazonia. For this purpose, we sampled topsoil (0-20 cm) at the onset of the rainy season from a 5-year-old secondary forest regrowth (SEC) area with three levels of babassu dominance (sites with 10, 50 and 70% babassu biomass shares), and at three distances (0, 2.5 and 4 m) from isolated babassu patches within a degraded pasture (PAS), both with five replications per treatment. Glomerospore density varied from 100 to 302 per gram of soil, 56% higher in SEC than PAS. We identified a total of 16 AMF species, with dominance of Acaulospora (six species) followed by Glomus (three species). AMF richness increased with babassu dominance in SEC sites, and reduced with distance from babassu patches within the PAS. The colonization rate of babassu roots was higher in SEC than in PAS, whereas MIP was similar in both areas and without treatment differences. Our study points to strong mycorrhizal association of the babassu palm as a potential mechanism for its outstanding ecological success in degraded lands.

Palynology as a tool for distinguishing geopropolis samples from stingless bee species in the Maranhense Amazon, Brazil

We analyzed the pollen spectra from 130 geopropolis samples collected by Melipona subnitida, M. seminigra, M. flavolineata, and M. fasciculata. The samples were collected in the municipality of Santa Luzia do Paruá in the Alto Turi region, part of the Amazon region in the state of Maranhão. The objective was to determine the phytogeographic pollen profile of geopropolis samples from Melipona, and to help characterize the resin supplying vegetation for these bees. Geopropolis samples were collected monthly from December 2013 to December 2014 from nests kept in wooden boxes in a private meliponary. Samples were prepared using standard methodology. A total of 148 pollen types were identified, distributed among 49 plant families and 108 genera. The months with the greatest richness of pollen types were December 2013, June 2014, September 2014, October 2014, and December 2014. The botanical family Fabaceae presented the greatest pollen richness (39 types), followed by Rubiaceae (11 types). The most common pollen types in the geopropolis of the four Melipona species were: Attalea speciosa, Anacardium, Borreria verticilatta, Baccharis, Clusia, Chamaecrista, Croton, Euterpe/Syagrus, Eucalyptus, Hyptis, Mauritia, Mimosa pudica, M. caesalpinaefolia, Mouriri, Myrcia/Psidium, Protium, and Symphonia globulifera, characteristic of the phytogeographic pollen profile of the product in the study region. The pollen types Anacardium, Ardisia, Baccharis, Caryocar, Clusia, Clusia grandiflora, Eucalyptus, Eupatorium, Hyptis, Myrcia/Psidium, Platonia insignis, Protium, Spondias, Symphonia globulifera, Tapirira, and Vismia were identified as possible sources of resin for Melipona geopropolis.

Multidimensional Analysis Associated With Growth Analysis in the Selection of Organic Substrates for the Production of Tomato Seedlings

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a crop whose cultivation is of great importance in economic and social aspects. However, the development of efficient and low-cost technologies is essential for the growth of agricultural activity in the region. Among the most studied technologies, the production of quality seedlings in organic substrates is highlighted. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the development of tomato seedlings produced with organic substrates, using the decomposed stem of babassu palm and goat manure, using the multidimensional technique with the help of canonical functions associated with growth analysis. The treatments consisted of 25%, 50% and 75% sand aggregates, 25% to 50% sand addition, 25% to 50% sand and commercial substrate, established in a completely randomized design with 28 treatments and four replications in a 7 × 4 factorial scheme, the first factor consisting of seven substrates and the second of four evaluation periods (7, 14, 21, 28 days after emergence). Were analyzed shoot length and main root length; dry mass of the aerial part and of the root system and leaf area. These variables were analyzed through multidimensional analysis with the help of canonical functions and growth analysis. In general, the substrates consisting of goat manure and sand were superior to the substrates consisting of the decomposed palm tree stem and the commercial substrate. The alternative substrate formed by the mixture of goat manure, in the proportion of 25% of sterilized sand + 75% goat manure, constitutes the best option for the production of tomato seedlings.

New Substrates Based on Decomposed Babassu (Attalea speciosa Mart.) Stem in the Production of Melon Seedlings

New Substrates Based on Decomposed Babassu (Attalea speciosa Mart.) Stem in the Production of Melon Seedlings

Nutrient intake and economic analysis of young bulls reared in silvopastoral systems with babassu palm trees in the Pre-Amazon region

SUMMARY This study evaluated the intake of dry matter (IDM), nutrients and the economic analysis of F1 young bulls from the cross between Nellore and Guzera on pastures of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in silvopastoral systems composed of babassu palm (Attalea speciosa) and Marandu monoculture in the Pre-Amazon region of the state of Maranhão. Animals were evaluated in four systems consisting of 0, 80, 131, 160 palms ha-1, characterizing monoculture (MC), low density of palm trees (LDP), average density of palm trees (ADP) and high density of palm trees (HDP) during the rainy (RP) and dry (DP) periods. The dry matter intake, in g day-1, %BW and g kg-075 was influenced by the densities of babassu palm trees (P<0.05). In both evaluation periods, the animals kept on monoculture consumed more forage. Animals kept on HDP consumed greater amounts of CP in both periods, approximately 478.20 and 599.18 g day-1 for DP and RP, respectively. The intake of NDF was affected by periods and palm densities (P<0.05). There was a higher intake of NDF for animals kept on MC, in both periods. Of the four systems evaluated, only LDP resulted in a revenue per hectare higher than the costs, making it the only profitable system. However, in a five-year simulation, all systems resulted in an internal rate of return higher than 6,87% the rate of attractiveness, and the LDP system had the best result. All analyzed systems had a benefit/cost ratio greater than one; i.e., all are economically viable.

Landscape change alters reproductive phenology and sex expression in Attalea palms (Arecaceae) of southwestern Amazonia

As deforestation and land-use/land-cover change advance in tropical forest regions, an understanding of how plants adjust phenology and reproductive dynamics to altered landscapes can provide insights into plasticity, productivity, and population persistence. We compared the reproductive phenology, sex expression, and flower and fruit production of two monoecious Amazonian palms, Attalea phalerata and Attalea speciosa, in old-growth forest and as remnant trees growing in actively grazed pastures. Using 2 years of phenology data collected from natural populations near Vila Extrema, Rondonia, and eastern Acre, Brazil, we compared flowering and fruiting in the two habitats and tested for effects of palm height, crown size, and light availability on inflorescence and sex expression. Forest conversion to pasture stimulated greater overall flowering and fruiting in individual Attalea palms. As a population, remnant pasture palms continuously bore flowers and fruits year-round, while forest palms flowered seasonally in isolated peaks with consecutive months of inactivity. Crown size and greater light exposure affected flowering and fruiting dynamics in A. phalerata and A. speciosa, respectively, and increased light availability shifted A. speciosa sex expression towards greater female investment, primarily through regulation of sex determination and bud abortion. Removal of tropical forest does not always lead to the downfall of remnant tree populations, and under favorable conditions, such as abandonment of cropland and pasture, higher levels of reproduction can facilitate recovery of future generations. Tree species with flexible sex expression may be particularly resilient in the face of land-use and land-cover change.

ACTIVITY OF ORBIGNYA PHALERATA AND EUTERPE EDULES IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCER IN RATS.

ABSTRACTBackground: Peptic ulcer is considered a public health problem associated with loss of quality of life. Does not exist optimal therapeutic regimen. The search for alternative treatments using foods or plants that may assist in gastric protection may become marked in this population because of their easy access and low cost. Aim: To study the antiulcerogenic activity of extracts of Orbignya phalerata (babaçu) and Euterpe edules (juçara) in Wistar rats after induction of peptic ulcer, compared with Omeprazole. Method: Forty Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: group I, II, III, IV (10 rats each) subjected to extract of Orbignya phalerata, Euterpe edules, Omeprazole and ethanol, respectively. Each group of 10 rats was divided into subgroups of five for prophylaxis and therapeutic study. Results: The pre-treatment with juçara extract has provided a significant protection against peptic ulcer induced by ethanol. In the prophylactic subgroup, Omeprazole resulted in protection. In addition to protection against peptic ulcer, inflammation and neocapillarization were also variables with a statistical significance in the prophylaxis subgroups using omeprazole and juçara. In the therapeutic subgroup, omeprazole, juçara and babaçu were statistically different as for protection against the presence of inflammation and the healing of ulcers. Conclusion: The extracts of juçara and babaçu behaved as the omeprazole, evidencing the therapeutic activity of these extracts.

First Report of Natural Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in Rhodnius montenegrensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in Western Amazon, Brazil.

Rhodnius montenegrensis was described in 2012. Since then, reports of the occurrence of this species associated with palm trees near households in Rondônia have been published. This study aimed to analyze the natural infection of R. montenegrensis with trypanosomatids in the municipality of Monte Negro, Rondônia, Brazilian western Amazon. Capture of triatomines occurred in Attalea speciosa (babassu) specimens around households. Twelve of the 72 captured triatomines were identified by morphological and morphometric characters, by molecular analysis made using the PCR, DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. The intestinal content was collected from 60 of these 72 specimens. The positivity for trypanosomatids was confirmed by examining the intestinal content followed by PCR amplification of the cathepsin L-like gene specific for Trypanosoma cruzi (PCR-DTcrCatL) and Trypanosoma rangeli (PCR-DTraCatL). Of the 60 specimens analyzed by microscopy, 22 (36.7%) were positive for trypanosomatids in the intestinal content analysis. Of these 22 specimens of R. montenegrensis, 16 (72.7%) were infected with T. cruzi, 2 (9.1%) were infected with T. rangeli, 2 (9.1%) had mixed infection with T. cruzi and T. rangeli, and 2 were negative (9.1%). These data suggest the need for attention of the health surveillance system of Chagas disease in the State of Rondônia, as this study points out to another potential vector of the disease.