Croton Heliotropiifolius Research Articles

Biodiesel synthesis from low cost biomass wastes and its cost assessment inducing process optimization

This study employed low-cost biomass wastes for the synthesis of biodiesel that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The major raw material (oil) was obtained by steam distillation (SD) from Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaf (CHKL) and was characterized for its aptness for biodiesel production. Dwarft green coconut husk ash (DGCHA) was used as a bio-adsorbent for acid value reduction of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves oil (CHKLO). A novel, highly potassium-based catalyst was derived from Karpuravalli banana peels (KBP), calcined, and characterized using TGA, ZETA, FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRF-FS, and BET analysis. Biodiesel was synthesized using a microwave-assisted method, characterized, and compared with the recommended standard. The catalytic strength of the calcined Karpuravalli banana peel powder (CKBPP) was tested using a reusability test, and the cost evaluation of production was estimated. Results showed that the CHKL was rich in oil (43% wt./wt.), and the oil is highly acidic (5.23 mg KOH/g oil). At high particle size, the dwarf green coconut husk ash (DGCHA) bagasse reduced the acid value to a minimum (1.4 mg KOH/g oil) at 3 days. The developed novel catalyst from CKBPP indicated high potassium-calcium contents for base transesterification. Process optimization indicated that the predicted response data of 95.285% (wt./wt.) at T1 = 90 min, T2 = 60 oC, T3 = 4.5% (wt.), and T4 = 9 (vol./vol.) was validated in triplicate, and the average data value of 95.10% (wt./wt.) was established. Dataset on the quality of biodiesel showed that the produced biodiesel properties were in line with recommended standards. Economic appraisal data showed that the cost of producing 20 L of CHKLOB (biodiesel) was $4.73 at 1,500 to $1. The study concluded that the production of biodiesel from waste can be cost-effective and environmentally friendly if wastes are harness.Graphical

How might climate change affect the distribution of velame Croton heliotropiifolius?

How might climate change affect the distribution of velame Croton heliotropiifolius?

Anticandidal activity of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth essential oil is enhanced by N-acetylcysteine and itraconazole.

Aim: Evaluate the anticandidal effect of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth essential oil and its interaction with azoles and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against planktonic cells and biofilms.Materials & methods: Broth microdilution and checkerboard methods were used to evaluate the individual and combined activity with fluconazole and itraconazole (ITRA). The antibiofilm effect of the oil was assessed in 96-well plates alone and combined with ITRA and NAC, and cytotoxicity determined by MTT.Results: The oil inhibited all Candida species growth. The activity was enhanced when associated with ITRA and NAC for planktonic cells and biofilms in formation. The effective concentrations were lower than the toxic ones to V79 cells.Conclusion: C. heliotropiifolius Kunth essential oil is an anticandidal alternative, and can be associated with ITRA and NAC.

Modulatory Effect of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth Ethanolic Extract on Norfloxacin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

The high frequency of infectious diseases has spurred research into effective tactics to combat microorganisms that are resistant to several drugs. The overproduction of the transmembrane efflux pump protein NorA, which may export hydrophilic fluoroquinolones, is a common mechanism of resistance in S. aureus strains. This work evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract from the leaves of Croton heliotropiifolius (EECH) against different bacterial and fungal strains, as well as investigating its modulating effect on the resistance to norfloxacin in a Staphylococcus aureus SA1199B overproducing the NorA efflux pump. Microdilution assays were used to assess the EECH’s antibacterial efficacy. The MIC of norfloxacin or ethidium bromide (EtBr) against the SA1199B strain was determined in the presence or absence of the EECH in order to assess the modifying influence on drug resistance. The EECH showed no activity against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains tested. The EECH also showed no antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231. On the other hand, the extract reduced the MIC values for norfloxacin against SA1199B at subinhibitory concentrations. In addition, the EECH also reduced the MIC values of EtBr at subinhibitory concentrations, suggesting the occurrence of phytochemicals that inhibit efflux pumps. Molecular docking showed that retusin, a flavonoid found in the extract, could compete with norfloxacin at the orthosteric site of the NorA, indicating that it could be a potential efflux pump inhibitor. However, isolated retusin did not enhance the activity of norfloxacin or EtBr and it did not inhibit the EtBr efflux, showing that it is not a NorA inhibitor. Even though C. heliotropiifolius is a source of phytochemicals that function as adjuvants for norfloxacin, isolated retusin cannot be used in conjunction with norfloxacin to treat infections brought on by S. aureus that overproduces NorA.

In vitro evaluation of cytotoxic potential of essential oil extracted from leaves of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth in human tumor cells

ABSTRACT Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth, popularly known as “velame,” is a shrub that resides in northeastern Brazil. The essential oil of C. heliotropiifolius contains high concentrations of volatile compounds in the leaves and is widely used in folk medicine for many purposes as an antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory agent. Due to the apparent limited amount of information, the aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxic potential of essential oil extracted from leaves of C. heliotropiifolius, utilizing different human cancer cell lines (HL-60, leukemia; HCT-116, colon; MDA-MB435, melanoma; SF295, glioblastoma) and comparison to murine fibroblast L929 cell line. The chemical characterization of the essential oil revealed the presence of large amounts of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, the majority of which were aristolene (22.43%), germacrene D (11.38%), ɣ-terpinene (10.85%), and limonene (10.21%). The essential oil exerted significant cytotoxicity on all cancer cells, with low activity on murine L929 fibroblasts, independent of disruption of cell membranes evidenced by absence of hemolytic activity. The cytotoxicity identified was associated with oxidative stress, which culminated in mitochondrial respiration dysfunction and direct or indirect DNA damage (strand breaks and oxidative damage), triggering cell death via apoptosis. Our findings suggest that extracts of essential oil of C. Heliotropiifolius may be considered as agents to be used therapeutically in treatment of certain cancers.

Pharmacokinetic and toxicological prediction of the chemical constituents of the essential oil of the leaves of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth

ABSTRACT The development of new drugs through studies of candidate molecules is a complex undertaking; however, computational or in silico approaches aimed at optimizing molecules with greater development potential are being utilized for predictions of pharmacokinetic properties such as absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) as well as toxicological parameters. The objective of this study was to examine in silico and in vivo pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of the chemical constituents present in the essential oil of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves. The following Pubchem platform as well as Software SwissADME and PreADMET software were employed for in silico studies while micronucleus (MN) testing for in vivo determination of mutagenicity, using Swiss adult male Mus musculus mice. In silico findings demonstrated that all chemical constituents presented (1) high oral absorption (2) medium cellular permeability and (3) high blood brain permeability. As for toxicity, these chemical constituents exhibited low to medium risk of occurrence of cytotoxicity. Regarding in vivo evaluation, peripheral blood samples obtained from animals tested with the oil showed no significant differences in number of MN compared to negative controls. Data indicate that further investigations are necessary to corroborate the findings of this study. Our data suggest that essential oil extracted from Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves may serve as a candidate for new drug development.

Identification of bioactive compounds and cytogenotoxicity of the essential oil from the leaves of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth

ABSTRACT Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth, popularly known as “quince” and “velame,” contains a high concentration of volatile oils in the leaves, and widely used in folk medicine as an antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and local anesthetic. The objectives of this investigation were to (1) identify the phytochemical compounds and (2) assess the cytogenotoxicity of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of C. heliotropiifolius Kunth. The oil was extracted utilizing hydrodistillation and phytochemical profile determined using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS). In the toxicogenetics analysis, Allium cepa roots were exposed to 1% dimethylsulfoxide or methylmethanesulfonate (MMS, 10 µg/ml) negative and positive controls, respectively, and to C. heliotropiifolius oil at 6 concentrations (0.32; 1.6; 8; 40; 200 or 1000 µg/ml). The phytochemical profile exhibited 40 chromatographic bands, and 33 compounds identified. α-pinene (16.7%) and 1,8-cineole (13.81%) were identified as the major compounds. Some of these identified secondary metabolites displayed biological and pharmacological activities previously reported including antiseptic, analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory as well insecticidal, antiviral, anti-fungal actions. In the A. cepa test, C. heliotropiifolius leaves oil induced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 0.32, 1.6 or 200 µg/ml and genotoxicity at 200 or 1000 µg/ml as evidenced by increased presence of micronuclei and significant chromosomal losses. Based upon our observations data demonstrated that the essential oil of C. heliotropiifolius leaves contain monoterpene hydrocarbons, and oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes which are associated with cytotoxic and genotoxic responses noted in on A. cepa cells.

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used by a traditional community in Brazil's northeastern.

The aim of this research is to make a survey of the socio-environmental characteristics and the ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in a traditional community in the Brazilian Northeast, Alagoas. The study was made based on visits with the application of a questionnaire with questions related to the socio-economic element and on the diversity of plants used in herbal medicine. The research was made from March/2019 to February/2020, where families and interviewed plant exhibitors were interviewed for botanical identification. The studied community, which were 24 interviewees, was compiled by residents of the Quilombola community from Pau D'arco in Arapiraca city - Alagoas. Residents interviewed, 15 (62.5%) attended between 56 to 80 years, 11 interviewees about 46% were born in the community and 13 (54%) had a fundamentally incomplete nature. At the end, there were mentioned 30 plant species used for phytotherapeutic purposes, from which presents bigger usage as plants against arterial hypertension (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), pain and inflammation (Alternanthera tenella Colla), present the biggest number of species in the community. The species cited are related to numerous medicinal uses, among which there will be predominant associations associated with cardiovascular and inflammatory processes. The tea is the main way of preparing plants. It is perceived that medicinal plants are only widely used by this Quilombola community of and growth of the crops in the backyard are considered a tradition.

FLORAL BIOLOGY AND BEEKEEPING POTENTIAL OF Croton heliotropiifolius KUNTH (EUPHORBIACEAE) AT SEMI ARID REGION, BRAZIL1

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to determine the beekeeping potential of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth (Euphorbiaceae) based on flowering strategy, floral characteristics, available floral resources, and the individuals frequencies and foraging activities of Apis mellifera L. on its flowers in Fazenda Ingazeira, Brazil. Each C. heliotropiifolius plant possessed inconspicuous diclinous flowers clustered into 560 ± 60 dense terminal inflorescences containing 59 ± 12 pistillate and 160 ± 26 staminate flowers. Although both types of flowers produced nectar (pistillate: 2.8 ± 0.8 μL ; staminate: 0.3 ± 0.06 μL ), A. mellifera workers mostly visited staminate flowers (98%) during the peak visitation period (08:00-11:00 h). Moreover, during the foraging period, each plant produced approximately 5.376 × 10 8 pollen grains, ensuring approximately 33 visitation cycles from a colony of A mellifera workers that picked up an average of 405 pollen grains per visit per flower. Further, C. heliotropiifolius showed an annual cornucopia flowering strategy with high flower production for five months, which is an important characteristic that ensures floral resource availability in the environment. These findings suggest that C. heliotropiifolius has a great potential for apiculture in this region.

Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth.

Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth (Euphorbiaceae), whose occurrence has already been registered in the most varied Brazilian biomes, is commonly found in the Chapada do Araripe, Ceará. The species is traditionally used to treat fungal, parasitic, and degenerative diseases. This study investigated the chemical composition and pharmacological potential (antioxidant, antifungal, antiparasitic, and cytotoxic) of an aqueous extract obtained from the roots of C. heliotropiifolius. Following a qualitative phytochemical screening, the chemical constituents were identified by ultra-efficiency liquid chromatography coupled witha quadrupole/time-of-flight system (UPLC-QTOF). The antioxidant potential was verified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The direct and combined antifungal activity of the extract against opportunistic Candida strains was investigated using the microdilution method. The minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined by subculture, while the modulation of the morphological transition (fungal virulence) was evaluated by light microscopy. The in vitro antiparasitic activity was analyzed using epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi and promastigotes of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum, while cytotoxicity was determined in cultures of mouse fibroblasts. The phytochemical analysis identified the presence of acids, terpenes, flavonoids, lignans, and alkaloids. Among these constituents, the presence of polar and non-polar phenolic compounds with known antioxidant action was highlighted. While the extract showed clinically ineffective antifungal effects, it could enhance the effectiveness of fluconazole, in addition to inhibiting the morphological transition associated with increased virulence in Candida strains. Although the extract showed low cytotoxicity against fibroblasts, it also had weak antiparasitic effects. In conclusion, Croton heliotropiifolius is a source of natural products with antifungal and antioxidant potential.

Phenological dynamics of Croton heliotropiifolius populations in a savanna/caatinga gradient, Chapada Diamantina, Brazil

Abstract The relationship between phenology and environmental factors is critical to understanding population dynamics in environmental gradients. We evaluated phenological variations in Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth in sites with contrasting water resource availability in caatinga, cerrado/caatinga transition, and cerrado in the Chapada Diamantina, Brazil. The phenophases of 81 individuals (n = 27 individuals/area) were recorded monthly for 12 months. Multiple regression, Spearman correlation, circular statistics, Shannon-Wiener diversity, and Morisita-Horn indices were used to test relationships between phenophases and abiotic factors, phenological seasonality, diversity, and similarities between the three populations. The vegetative behaviors in the study sites were distinct in terms of their intensity, seasonality, and synchrony; but reproductive phenophases maintained similar characteristics. Phenological events were positively related to rainfall and soil water availability. C. heliotropiifolius populations exhibited high levels of vegetative phenological diversity, except in the caatinga during the dry season. Reproductive phenological diversity varied along the studied period in the three sites, with higher reproductive than vegetative similarities among populations. Differences in soil types and rainfall volumes in the dry season, even at small distances, therefore make the savanna/caatinga gradient a suitable model for investigating phenological responses related to plant eco-hydrological strategies in seasonally tropical dry ecosystems.

Phytochemical investigation, phenol content and allelopathic potential of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth extract

ABSTRACT: The present study involves phytochemical investigation, phenol content and allelopathic potential of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth extract in the germination of Digitaria insularis (L.) Fedde. with extracts ethanolic and aqueous of C. heliotropiifolius leaf; was performed prospected secondary metabolites and Ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible) spectrophotometry tests for total phenols and flavonoids. The germination bioassay was performed in a BOD chamber (12L:12D) with plant extracts at 100, 50, 25 and 10%, with water as control against D. insularis seeds. The germination percentage (G%), germination speed index (IVG), abnormal seedlings (PAn%), root length and aerial part (CR and CPA) were evaluated. The extracts reduced the germination and development of the target species indicated by G% and IVG from the concentration of 10%. The same occurred with the variables PAn%, CR and CPA. In both extracts the presence of secondary metabolites was indicated, the phenol content obtained was 0.3422 mg EAG/g for the ethanolic extract and 0.375 mg EAG/g for the aqueous extract, for the flavonoids 0.1071 mg EQ/g in ethanolic extract and 0.0110 mg EQ/g in aqueous extract. The extracts demonstrated a reduction in germination and alteration in the physiology of Digitaria insularis (L.) Fedde seeds. KEYWORDS: Extracts, Secondary Metabolites, Germination.

Consumo voluntário por caprinos no Bioma Caatinga no Brasil

RESUMO: Objetivou-se com este trabalho estudar o consumo voluntário por caprinos no bioma Caatinga, identificando as principais espécies de plantas consumidas em duas áreas de pesquisa e analisando sua bromatologia. O trabalho de observação do consumo foi desenvolvido em duas áreas distintas do semiárido alagoano, municípios de São José da Tapera e Santana do Ipanema. A identificação das plantas se deu através de análise visual das amostras. Para análise bromatológica, as amostras foram desfolhadas, pesadas e congeladas durante o período de acompanhamento. As amostras foram acondicionadas em caixas de isopor com gelo e enviadas para o Laboratório de Nutrição Animal – LANA, CENA/USP. Na área de São José da Tapera, foi visto que o consumo dos caprinos se deu das 7h às 17h, enquanto que na área de Santana do Ipanema o mesmo se deu entre as 7h ás 16h16min. As plantas mais consumidas foram: Jurema Preta (Mimosa hostilis Benth), Malva Branca (Malva sylvestris), Catingueira (Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.), Juazeiro (Zizyphus joazeiro Mart.), Velame (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunt.), Capim milhã (Digitaria sanguinalis) e Marmeleiro (Croton sonderianus Mull. Arg.). Para os resultados de bromatologia as plantas que se destacara em produção de proteína foram mata-pasto, jurema-preta, angico e velame. As maiores produções de matéria orgânica foram obtidas na catingueira, jurema-preta, malva-branca e angico. Concluiu-se que o método utilizado mostrou-se eficiente no estudo das forrageiras mais consumidas, da seletividade frequente dos animais e da necessidade de grande quantidade de espécie por área para suprir o consumo seletivo voluntário dos caprinos em pastagem nativa. Por outro lado, o método não muda a rotina dos animais, nem prejudica sua saúde e possibilita uma maior interação entre pesquisador e ambiente de pesquisa.
 PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Bromatologia; Caprinocultura; Nutrição animal; Semiárido.

Greener ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive phenolic compounds in Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves

In this present work, an ultrasound-assisted extraction was developed and optimized to the extraction of bioactive phenolic compounds in leaves of Croton heliotropiifolius plants. A factorial design (24) was performed to screen the most significant variables. Subsequently, the Doehlert matrix was used to optimize the percentage of the solvent, extractor volume, temperature, and extraction time. Through HPLC DAD, phenolic compounds were determined in the samples of the C. heliotropiifolius extract, catechin, gallic acid, quercetin, vanillic acid, ellagic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, acid ferulic and chlorogenic acid. The accuracy of the analytical method used was assessed, the results of the recovery ranged from 88 to 94%. The optimum conditions found were 11.4 mL of 37.5% v/v ethanol at a temperature of 54.8 °C for 39.5 min in an ultrasonic bath. The procedure developed for the extraction of bioactive compounds is efficient, fast, simple, and following the principles of green chemistry.

English

Croton heliotropiifolius is an endemic specie in northeast of Brazil. It is renowned for its medicinal properties, larvicidal, insecticidal and cytotoxic activity. This study evaluated the phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract stem bark of C. heliotropiifolius (EECroton) and the toxicological potential in Swiss albino mice. Phytochemical analysis were performed by thin-layer chromatography. The EECroton at 2000 mg/kg (orally) was used for acute toxicity on Swiss albino mice evaluated during a 14-day period. Histomorphometric analysis of liver and renal tissue along with hematological and serum enzyme levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), creatinine and urea were measured. The phytochemical investigation of EECroton revealed the presence of coumarins, flavonoids triterpenes and absence of alkaloid, saponins and condensed tannins. The EECroton (2000 mg/kg: o.v.) showed moderate toxicity and the results of serum hematological and enzymatic levels were similar in the respective groups. Histopathological and histomorphometric analyzes confirmed a low of level of toxicity, showing organization of the structural units of the cells, nuclei and sinusoidal capillaries of the hepatocytes as well as renal corpuscles without presenting morphological damage to their organs. These data suggest that the presence of phenolic compound in EECroton demonstrate low order of toxicity. Key words: Croton heliotropiifolius, medicinal plants, phytochemical, acute toxicity, histomorphometric.

The power of odour volatiles from unifloral melipona honey evaluated by gas chromatography-olfactometry Osme techniques.

The quality and power of each odorous volatile present in the headspace of unifloral honey velame branco (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth) prepared by stingless uruçu (Melipona scutellaris Latrelle) were evaluated using the gas chromatography-olfactometry Osme technique. Five trained panellists evaluated the sensory chromatographic effluent in three replications, and the results were integrated by SCDTI software. Of the 42 compounds identified in the chromatogram, 17 odorous stimuli were detected by the sensory panel. Among these compounds, the most odoriferous impacts were pentanoate acetate 'ripe fruit', safranal green, medicinal plant and methyl eugenol 'clove, tea'. The furaneol compounds, hotrienol and benzaldehyde showed aroma notes associated with honey. These results are important since, in addition to revealing the presence of compounds that are not identified by other analytical methods, they can also assist in the verification of monofloral honeys compliance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Carbon Content in Shrub-tree Species of the Caatinga

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the carbon content (C) in stem, leaves and thin and thick branches of eight species in an area of Caatinga, municipality of Floresta, Pernambuco, Brazil. To do so, dry biomass samples of at least 15 trees distributed into five diametric classes collected from the study area and fractionated in laboratory were used for each of the eight evaluated species. Carbon content was determined using CHNS/O elemental analyzer. Average carbon content of 46.4% is recommended for Anadenanthera colubrina, Aspidosperma pyrifolium, Bauhinia cheilantha, Cnidoscolus quercifolius, Mimosa ophthalmocentra and Mimosa tenuiflora, without need for specific values for each compartment. Croton heliotropiifolius and Poincianella bracteosa require distinct values per compartment for individuals in order to avoid trends in carbon stock estimates.

Croton argyrophyllus Kunth and Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth: Phytochemical characterization and bioactive properties

Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth and Croton argyrophyllus Kunth are endemic plant species from northeastern Brazil widely used in folk medicine and scarcely studied. In this context, the essential oils (EO’s) and methanolic extracts (leaves and stalk) of both species were chemically characterized, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were assessed. The chemical characterization of the EO’s identified sixty components,being the major ones in C. argyrophyllus bicyclogermacrene (14.0%), β-pinene (8.9%) and spathulenol (8.7%), and in C. heliotropiifolius limonene (16.9%), α-pinene (13.3%) and caryophyllene (12.1%). Essential oils and methanolic extracts from leaves of C. argyrophyllus possess greater antioxidant potential, which could be related to the high levels of total phenols and flavonols. The antimicrobial activity of C. argyrophyllus essential oil proven to be more efficient than chloramphenicol (30 μg mL−1), with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 25 μL mL−1 against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 10 μL mL−1 against B. cereus. Leaf extracts presented high activity against yeasts (MIC = 50 mg mL−1) being C. heliotropiifolius effective against Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis, while C. argyrophyllus was effective against C. glabrata. Overall results showed that these plant species are potential sources of phytochemicals with interest in the fields of both pharmacology (e.g., antimicrobial) and human health (e.g., antioxidant). Furthermore, in the socio-economic aspect, these results can improve and disseminate the cultivation of these species, inducing improvements in the rural populations.

Atividade tóxica in vitro de Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth (Euphorbiaceae)

Frequentemente encontrado na caatinga, brejo, restinga e cerrado brasileiro, o velame, Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth é popularmente conhecido por suas propriedades medicinais utilizada na dor de estômago, mal estar gástrico, vômitos, diarréia com sangue e para baixar a febre. Além das propriedades farmacológicas, seu óleo essencial apresenta atividade larvicida contra Aedes aegypti, assim como o extrato etanólico apresentou atividade inseticida considerável contra Sitophilus zeamais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a toxicidade preliminar do extrato metanólico de folhas de Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth frente à Artemia salina. O bioensaio foi realizado nas concentrações de 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, 500 µg/ml, 750 µg/ml, 1000 µg/ml de extrato metanólico de folhas. O extrato em estudo apresentou uma moderada toxicidade para a Artemia salina, apresentando valores de CL 50 na faixa de 637,29 µg/mL.

Sensory and volatile profiles of monofloral honeys produced by native stingless bees of the brazilian semiarid region

Monofloral honeys produced by stingless bees M. subnitida Ducke and M. scutellaris Latrelle in typical flowering of the Brazilian semi-arid Ziziphus juazeiro Mart (juazeiro), Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth (velame branco) and Mimosa arenosa willd Poir (jurema branca) were characterized in relation to volatile and sensorial profile. It identified 11 sensory descriptors and 96 volatile compounds. It was noticed a strong effect of flowering in sensorial profile and volatile of honeys. Juazeiro honey stood out with a higher characteristic aroma, taste sweet, caramel flavor and levels of aromatic aldehydes; jurema honey has been described with herb and beeswax aroma and the presence of sulfur compounds and ketones; volatile acids associated with acid taste, medicinal taste and clove aroma characterized the velame branco honey. These results demonstrate that the knowledge of the sensory and aroma profile of these honeys can contribute to characterization of its floral and geographical identity.