Mimosa Caesalpiniifolia Research Articles

Therapeutical properties of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia in rat liver intoxicated with cadmium.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic properties of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia in liver of rats exposed to cadmium under morphological, oxidative, inflammatory, and mutagenic parameters. A total of 40 Wistar rats (90days, ~ 250g) were distributed into eight groups (n= 5) as follows: (i) control; (ii) cadmium: cadmium chloride injection at 1.2mg/kg; (iii) Mimosa extract: treatment with Mimosa extract at 250mg/kg; (iv) Mimosa fraction: treatment with Mimosa acetate fraction at 62.5mg/kg; (v) cadmium and Mimosa extract 62.5: submitted to cadmium chloride at 1.2mg/kg injection and treatment with Mimosa extract at 62.5mg/kg; (vi) cadmium and Mimosa extract 125: subjected to cadmium chloride at 1.2mg/kg injection and treatment with Mimosa extract at 125mg/kg; (vii) cadmium and Mimosa 250 extract: submitted to cadmium chloride 1.2mg/kg injection and treatment with Mimosa extract at 250mg/kg; (viii) cadmium treated with fraction of Mimosa acetate: submitted to cadmium chloride 1.2mg/kg injection and treatment with acetate fraction of Mimosa extract at 62.5mg/kg. In the animals intoxicated with cadmium and treated with fraction [62.5], increased expression of SOD-Mn reduced frequency of binucleated hepatocytes, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis, besides the antimutagenic and antioxidant action. The extract [62.5] was cytoprotective, antimutagenic, and reduced karyolysis. The extract [125] was cytoprotective, antioxidant, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and reduced frequency of binucleated hepatocytes, while extract [250] was cytotoxic and mutagenic. In summary, the extract of Mimosa exerts some therapeutic properties in hepatic tissue after Cd intoxication, but only when it is administrated at intermediate doses. Probably, a high content of polyphenols in the EHM [250] and Fr-EtOAc groups exert pro-oxidant activities in the liver particularly when associated with Cd.

P055 Effect of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia extract on DSS-induced colitis in Wistar rats

Abstract Background Iinflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease characterised by dysregulation of the immune function response and imbalanced release of cytokines and unresolved inflammatory progress associated with the intestinal mucosa. In this way, new drugs are constantly tested as a novel treatment option. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (MC) has been described as a potent analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-haemorrhagic, astringent, anthelmintic and diuretic. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MC extract on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in Wistar rats. Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomised into five groups: Sham; 5% DSS-induced colitis; control MC extract (125 mg/kg/day); 5% DSS-induced colitis treated with MC (125 mg/kg/day); 5% DSS-induced colitis treated with MC + 5-ASA (125 mg/kg/day for both). Colitis was induced by administration of 5% DSS (MP Biomedicals), diluted in drinking water and offered ad libitum for 5 days. MC plant extract was diluted in water and administered by oral gavage per 6 days. The leaf extracts were prepared in 70 gl ethanol and dried in a Buchi B19 Mini-spray dryer using 20% aerosol. The selection of the operating conditions used was followed by the Laboratory of Medicinal and Phytotherapeutic Plants of Unifal-MG. After the induction of colitis, body weight, general health status and faecal characteristics will be evaluated daily. All rats were euthanised on the ninth day of the experiment. The entire colon was dissected and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin at room temperature and embedded in paraffin to provide sections for histological evaluation (Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals number 4362180119). The severity of colitis was evaluated in sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Parameters such as inflammation extent, regeneration and crypt damage were graded according to Dieleman et al. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey post hoc test using Graph Pad Prism (version 6.0). Results MC extract treatment reduced significantly the severity of DSS-induced colitis evidenced by a decreased in clinical symptoms (p < 0.0001). The rats treated with MC extract showed a decreased in diarrhoea episodes and rectal bleeding. We observed histopathological changes of colon tissue between the DSS-treatment and control groups, however, without statistical significance. The MC extract treatment reduced the damage to the colonic tissue evidenced by a decreased of inflammatory cells, ulcerations, and goblet cell preservation. Conclusion MC extract reduces the clinical signs and suggests a potential anti-inflammatory effect on DSS-induced colitis.

Dung decomposition of cattle grazing from mixed pastures of Signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) and tree legumes

The mineralization rate of ruminant manure may influence the fertilization management of pastures. This study aimed to evaluate feces decomposition of heifers grazing signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) fertilized or not with N, or intercropped with legumes in the dry forest region. Two experiments were conducted; the first one was a CRD that evaluated the evolution of CO2 from a mixture of soil and feces (10:1) during 22 days of incubation in a hermetically sealed bucket with a solution of NaOH 0.5 mol L-1. The second one was a RCBD that evaluated the in situ decomposition of feces in nylon bags in time periods 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 days after incubation above ground. The single negative exponential mathematical model was adequate (P ≤ 0.0001) to quantify the CO2 evolution of the mixture of soil and feces, indicating that 78% of CO2 was released at the beginning of the incubation, especially for the feces collected in the signalgrass pastures intercropped with Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. (gliricídia). After the first 5 days, CO2 evolution was more stable. Remaining biomass in the litterbag along decomposition fitted the single negative exponential model (P < 0.001). Greater relative decomposition rate (k) of bovine fecal biomass occurred for the N-fertilized signalgrass treatment (k = 0.0031 g g-1 day-1) and a lesser rate for the treatment intercropped with Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (sabiá) (k = 0.0018 g g-1 day-1). Nitrogen fertilization in signalgrass pasture favored the decomposition of bovine feces at the end of 256 days of incubation.

CHARACTERIZATION OF RHIZOBIA AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN AREAS IMPACTED BY GRAVEL MINING IN BRAZIL

ABSTRACT On-shore oil exploration is one of the main economic activities in the semiarid region (Caatinga biome) of the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. Gravel mining is an activity associated with oil exploration that causes environmental impacts. Gravel is a base-material for constructions, such as roads and pumpjack bases. The areas of gravel mining and other decommissioned areas where the gravel has been deposited must be revegetated with species native to the biome at end of the activity in the site. An efficient strategy for revegetation of degraded areas has been the planting of leguminous species that can associate with rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Nevertheless, the impact of mining activities on the autochthonous populations of these microorganisms is unknown. The objective of the present work is to characterize the density of rhizobia and AMF spores in four areas impacted by the oil exploration in RN when compared to non-impacted adjacent areas. Gravel samples were collected in dry and rainy seasons in two mining areas: one in a pumpjack base, and one in a waste disposal area. Surface soil (topsoil) samples were collected in adjacent areas with native Caatinga vegetation. Assays were carried out to evaluate the most probable number (MPN) of rhizobia and to identify the type and density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), using rhizobia trap plants Mimosa tenuiflora (Mart.) Benth. and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. The MPN of rhizobia was low in all areas, but higher in the rainy season. The highest amount and diversity of AMF spores were found in the dry season. Among the symbiotic microorganisms studied, the AMF presented lower densities in the evaluated areas when compared to those in the adjcent native vegetation areas, denoting the impact of this activity.

Pollen Spectrum and Trophic Niche Width of Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Highly Urbanized and Industrialized Sites

The floristic composition of an environment is important to ensure the trophic niche of bee species. Melipona scutellaris Latreille, is a typical stingless bee of Atlantic rainforest sites in northeastern Brazil, a region widely established in meliponaries for honey and pollen production. M. scutellaris is reared (meliponiculture) in rural and urban areas, where the species depends on the availability of different plants for nectar and pollen collection. In this study, we estimated food niche width, equitativity, and similarity between different colonies of M. scutellaris in highly urbanized and industrialized sites of the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. We analyzed pollen spectrum of 58 honey samples from six meliponaries, during 12 months. We identified 111 pollen types distributed in 28 plant families. The Fabaceae family showed the highest diversity in pollen types (33.33% of the total) and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia was the most frequent pollen type, found in 100% of the samples. M. scutellaris concentrated its foraging activity on a few trophic resources (H’ = 2.69 and J’ = 0.01) indicating a few melittophilous plant species belonging to the genera Eucalyptus, Mimosa, Protium, Serjania and Tapirira, should be managed on a regional scale to favor meliponiculture with this native bee species.

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.

Animal performance in grass monoculture or silvopastures using tree legumes

Silvopasture systems using tree legumes have potential to reduce C footprint of livestock systems in the tropics. This 4-year study evaluated productive responses of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) and the performance of cattle in silvopastoral systems (SPS) in the sub-humid tropical region of Brazil. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were: signal grass + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.; signal grass + Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.); and signal grass monoculture. Cattle were managed under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. Herbage mass (HM) was greater on signal grass monoculture (5057 kg DM/ha) than in mixed pastures (3292 kg DM/ha, average). There was interaction (P < 0.05) between treatment × evaluation month for HM, and the greatest value was observed in May (2722 kg DM/ha). Herbage allowance varied from 1.29 to 3.07 kg DM per kg of body weight (BW). Herbage accumulation rate varied throughout the evaluations, with the greatest rate observed in July (56 kg DM/ha per day) and the lowest in December (15 kg DM/ha per day). Average daily gain was similar across systems (0.65 kg day−1), varying according to month. Stocking rate ranged from 1.5 animal units (AU; equivalent of a 450-kg animal) per ha in December (dry season) to 2.2 AU/ha in July (rainy season). Animal performance per area tended to decrease in the SPS (411 kg BW ha−1 year−1) when compared with signal grass in monoculture (508 kg BW ha−1 year−1), especially in the Mimosa system. Adding tree legumes reduced animal performance per area due to competition between arboreal and herbaceous components, especially in the Mimosa system that had a more closed canopy.

Florística e estrutura vegetal em áreas de Caatinga sob diferentes sistemas de manejo

Objetivou-se analisar a composição florística e caracterizar a estrutura da vegetação em áreas sob dois sistemas agroflorestais (AGP e SILV), em plantio tradicional (TRAD0), em pousios de seis (TRAD6) e nove (TRAD9) anos e em Caatinga conservada (MATA). Adotou-se o método de parcelas, sendo determinadas densidades e frequências absolutas de todas as espécies e distribuição diamétrica dos indivíduos arbóreos/arbustivos. Observou-se que, no estrato herbáceo, as espécies com maior frequência e densidade foram Alternanthera ficoidea em AGP, Amaranthus em SILV e TRAD0 e Commelina virginica em AGP, TRAD6, TRAD9 e MATA. No estrato arbóreo/arbustivo, as espécies com maior densidade e frequência foram Cordia oncocalyx em AGP, MATA e SILV e Mimosa caesalpiniifolia e Croton blachetianus em TRAD6 e TRAD9, respectivamente. SILV apresentou menor número de espécies arbóreas e maior número de espécies herbáceas, em relação à MATA e às áreas em pousio. Nas áreas em pousio por seis e nove anos ocorreu recuperação da vegetação quanto à composição florística, porém observou-se mais indivíduos com menores diâmetros, quando comparado à MATA.

Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. adapts to rhizobia populations with differential taxonomy and symbiotic effectiveness outside of its location of origin.

Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. is a legume native to the semi-arid region of Brazil, in the Northeast. Its successful adaptation to other locations, such as the Atlantic Forest in the Southeast region, may be related to its ability to establish symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, especially β-rhizobia of the genus Paraburkholderia. The objective of this work was to determine whether M. caesalpiniifolia adapted to bacterial symbionts in locals where it was introduced. Bacteria were recovered from nodules of M. caesalpiniifolia and characterized at the genetic level by BOX-PCR and sequencing of the 16S rRNA, recA, nifH, and nodC genes. Their symbiotic effectiveness was assessed under axenic conditions. M. caesalpiniifolia nodulated mainly with Paraburkholderia sabiae and a few strains of Rhizobium in the Southeast. On the other hand, the symbionts found in the Northeast were, predominantly, Paraburkholderia diazotrophica. Regardless of its origin, P. diazotrophica promoted a superior accumulation of plant biomass than other bacterial species. The results presented here demonstrate the ability of M. caesalpiniifolia to adapt to bacterial populations outside its location of origin, and indicate that, in this case, the symbiotic effectiveness was associated with the taxonomical classification of the strains.

Pollen types in honey produced in caatinga vegetation, Brazil

Honey samples produced in the years 2010 and 2011, in an area of caatinga vegetation in the semi-arid region of Piauí State (Brazil), were analyzed using microscopy in order to track their botanical origin by the pollen grains present. Samples (19) were dissolved in ethanol and acetolyzed. The absolute concentration of pollen grains was obtained by comparison with the exotic marker Lycopodium clavatum L., and at least 500 pollen grains were counted per sample. The most diverse families were Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Myrtaceae, reflecting the characteristics of the semi-arid region and the caatinga, including endemic species. Samples from February (2010) showed a greater richness of pollen types, which is probably associated with the onset of the rainy season. Even during the dry season, there was honey production, with a considerable diversity of pollen types. This indicates that there are plant species in flower during the dry season that are important to sustaining bee colonies. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Pityrocarpa moniliformis were the only predominant pollen types; Coutarea and P. moniliformis were the secondary types. The pollen types Borreria verticillata, Combretum, Croton, Herissantia, Hyptis, Microtea, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, M. misera, M. tenuiflora, P. moniliformis and Poaceae are very frequent in the analyzed honey, and characteristic of honey from Simplício Mendes. The absolute concentration analysis showed that 69% of the honey was classified in category I, 26% in category II and 5% in category III. A cluster analysis showed the formation of two major clades, one that shared many pollen types of Croton (S2) and another that shared the pollen types Borreria verticillata and Hyptis (S1). Two samples were considered monofloral honey (from M. caesalpiniifolia) and the remainder were considered heterofloral.

Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Fungistatic Compounds from Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Leaves.

A bioassay-guided phytochemical study of a Mimosa caesalpiniifolia leaf extract with antifungal activity permitted the identification of 28 compounds, including the new 6-(β-boivinopyranosyl)apigenin (1), 8-(β-oliopyranosyl)apigenin (2), (E)-6-(2-carboxyethenyl)apigenin (3), (E)-8-(2-carboxyethenyl)apigenin (4), and 7,5″-anhydro-6-(α-2,6-dideoxy-5-hydroxyarabinohexopyranosyl)apigenin (5). The structures of the new compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and by mass spectrometry. Compound 3 showed promising activity and selectivity against Candida krusei (IC50 44 nM), which exhibits resistance to azoles. The association of the major components 3-β-d-glucopyranosyloxysitosterol (8) and ethyl gallate (10) was synergistic against C. krusei, especially the IC values of compound 10, which were reduced by more than 100-fold.

WATER AVAILABILITY IN A PLANOSOL UNDER INTEGRATED CROP-LIVESTOCK-FORESTRY SYSTEM IN THE AGRESTE REGION OF PARAIBA, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Integrated agricultural production systems, involving agriculture, livestock, and forest are strategies that improve soil quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the integrated crop-livestock-forest system (ICLF) on water availability of a Planosol in the Agreste region of the state of Paraíba (PB), Brazil. The experiment was conducted at the experimental site of the Agricultural Research Company of Paraíba (EMEPA), in Alagoinha, PB. The soil evaluated was a Eutric Planosol, with a moderate A horizon. The following intercrops (treatments) were implemented in June 2015: I. Gliricidia sepium + Brachiaria decumbens; II. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia + Brachiaria decumbens; III. Tabebuia alba + Brachiaria decumbens; IV. Zea mays + Brachiaria decumbens; and V. Brachiaria decumbens. A randomized block experimental design was used, with five treatments. The analyzed variables were field capacity, permanent wilting point, soil available water, granulometry, degree of flocculation, total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, resistance to penetration, and aggregate stability index. The results showed that the water availability in the ICLF implemented in the Agreste region of Paraíba had no significant variation after three years. After the three-year period, the ICLF promoted no significant physical improvement in the attributes of the evaluated Planosol.

Antimicrobial activity of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth and its interaction with antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus strains overexpressing efflux pump genes.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) from the stem bark of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and its effect on the activity of conventional antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus strains overexpressing specific efflux pump genes. DCMF showed activity against S. aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. Addition of DCMF at subinhibitory concentrations to the growth media enhanced the activity of norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ethidium bromide against S. aureus strains overexpressing norA suggesting the presence of efflux pump inhibitors in its composition. Similar results were verified for tetracycline against S. aureus overexpressing tetK, as well as, for ethidium bromide against S. aureus overexpressing qacC. These results indicate that M. caesalpiniifolia is a source of molecules able to modulate the fluoroquinolone- and tetracycline-resistance in S. aureus probably by inhibition of NorA, TetK and QacC respectively. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Drug resistance is a common problem in patients with infectious diseases. Dichloromethane fraction from the stem bark of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and against Candida albicans, but did not show activity against Gram-negative specie Escherichia coli. Moreover, this fraction was able to potentiate the action of norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline against S. aureus strains overexpressing different efflux pump genes. Thus, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia is a source of efflux pump inhibitors which could be used in combination with fluoroquinolones or tetracycline in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by S. aureus strains overexpressing efflux pump genes.

Vegetation cover affects rhizobia-tree legume symbiosis in the semi-arid region of Brazil

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the main form of introducing nitrogen into systems with low fertilizer input, which prevail in the semi-arid region of Brazil. BNF was evaluated in leucena and sabia grown in samples of a soil collected under different vegetation cover: native vegetation; capoeira (area abandoned for the restoration); agricultural use; sabia grove; and leucena grove. Nodulation was abundant in soil under all the types of cover. Leucena grown in soil under capoeira exhibited the highest dry biomass of nodules, while the same cover provided the lowest dry biomass of nodules for sabia. Growth and shoot biomass were higher in plants grown in soil under caatinga. BNF was high in leucena and sabia, reaching rates higher than 97% in plants grown in soil under capoeira. The highest amounts of fixed nitrogen (N) were found in leucena plants grown in soil under caatinga. It is the first estimate of the potential to fixed N for sabia and leucena in soils of the semi-arid region, providing an initial estimate of the amounts of N that can be fixed in the field by these tree legumes in the Brazilian semi-arid. Key words: Indigenous rhizobia, isotope, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth, N-15 natural abundance method, tropical dry forest.

Erysiphe diffusa causing powdery mildew on Mimosa caesalpiniifolia in Brazil: A soya bean pathogen found on an important native Brazilian tree

AbstractMimosa caesalpiniifolia: Fabaceae (sansão‐do‐campo or sabiá, in Brazil) is a small tree or shrub native to the Brazilian semi‐arid forest and widely used as a hedge plant in Brazil. Although of economic relevance, little is known of fungal pathogens infecting this plant. Recently, plants growing in an urban situation at Ouro Preto, and also on the roadside in Viçosa (state of Minas Gerais, Brazil), were found to be severely attacked by a powdery mildew which led to progressive leaf blight and serious defoliation. Based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences, the fungus was identified as Erysiphe diffusa—a pathogen best known attacking soya bean, particularly in highland plantings.

Diversity Of Rhizobia Isolated from Nodules of Indigenous Tree Legumes from the Brazilian Dry Forest

The diversity of rhizobial isolates in tropical dry forests (TDF) has been studied due to the great importance of finding new species of bacteria capable of fixing nitrogen in tree legumes. In the Brazilian TDF (caatinga), Leguminosae is the most important family of plants, so the knowledge of microbial communities that make symbioses with native plants can help in the understanding of the interaction plant-microorganisms, as well as in the optimization of biological processes that can improve the cultivation system in an area so rich and understudied. In this study was determined the characteristics of rhizobia isolated from nodules of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir., Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth, grown in soils collected under caatinga vegetation. The phenotypic and molecular characterization of the isolates, with use of fingerprint markers such as BOX, REP, ERIC and BOX-PCR were performed. Amplification technique by duplex PCR with the nifH and nodC genes was used for the authentication of isolates. The results showed that given the variation found in the amplification of the nifH and nodC genes, the duplex PCR technique can show false-positive results, as these genes have a very large polymorphism. The lack of knowledge of isolates that make symbioses with these plants further help to conclude that this authentication technique cannot yet be applied to all legume-nodulating isolates. Regarding the analyses made with fingerprint markers, it was observed that all were very efficient in the ability to distinguish species and that the greater the number of markers used, the safer the knowledge on the taxonomy and diversity of rhizobia.

Melissopalynology in Brazil: a map of pollen types and published productions between 2005 and 2017

We analysed scientific production related to melissopalynology in Brazil and surveyed the pollen types described in publications, producing a melissopalynological database. We inventoried articles published between 2005 and 2017 indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). Searches in WoS involved researching the terms (1) mel?ssopalynolog*, (2) pollen analy?* AND honey, (3) bee* pollen, (4) pollen NEAR/15 bee*, (5) pollen analysis of honey, and (6) pollen analy?* NEAR/15 honey; in SciELO, we used the search terms (1) melissopalinologia, (2) pólen AND mel, (3) pólen AND abelha, (4) pólen apícola, and (5) análise polínica AND mel. Additionally, we consulted the resume of the principal authors of melissopalynology research in Brazil to identify articles published during that period but not appearing in other database searches. We uncovered a total of 133 publications distributed among 56 journals, with a mean of 4.92 authors/publication. A total of 1,362 pollen types were identified, representing 130 botanical families. Among those, the most well represented in terms of numbers of pollen types were Fabaceae (270), Asteraceae (89), Euphorbiaceae (61), Rubiaceae (58), Myrtaceae (51), Malvaceae (51), Bignoniaceae (49) and Arecaceae (48). Fifty-nine bee species were mentioned in the studies, distributed among 19 genera. Apis mellifera was the most frequently mentioned bee species (73 publications), followed by the native bee species Tetragonisca angustula (13 publications). The pollen types most frequently mentioned in the articles were (in decreasing order): Eucalyptus, Myrcia, Cecropia, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Vernonia, Poaceae type and Croton. The inventoried publications comprised all five geographical regions of Brazil, especially the northeastern region of that country, with 59 publications. There are still large areas of Brazil without any melissopalynological studies, however, principally the central-western and southern regions. As such, more research will be necessary to fill gaps in our knowledge of Brazilian palynodiversity.

Screening of native tropical trees for phytoremediation in copper-polluted soils

Due to the limited number of studies on phytoremediation using native tree species in tropical soils, the aim was to identify new phytoremediator species from tropical climate with the purpose of promoting an increase in the diversity of tropical native trees used in phytoremediation projects. Seven native tree species from Brazil were selected: Cedrela fissilis, Handroanthus serratifolius, Copaifera langsdorffii, Hymenaea courbaril, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Cecropia sp. and Myracrodruon urundeuva. Seedlings of these species were planted in pots with an unpolluted Arenosol, and then spiked with 60, 100 and 500 mg kg−1 Cu. Height and stem diameters were measured over 60 days. Biomass and total Cu concentration were determined in leaves, stem and roots. Copper in bulk soils and rhizospheres was analyzed by a sequential extraction method. All species accumulated high concentration of Cu in roots (>300 mg kg−1), so they could be used as phytostabilizators for this metal. Copper mobilization increased in the rhizospheres, but it was mostly absorbed by roots. Cecropia sp., M. urundeuva and C. langsdorffii are hyperaccumulators of Cu (>300 mg kg−1 in shoots), so they are potential phytoextractor species. This study evidence the potential of seven tree species native from tropical regions for phytostabilizing copper-polluted soils.

GREEN FERTILIZATION WITH RESIDUES OF LEGUMINOUS TREES FOR CULTIVATING MAIZE IN DEGRADED SOIL

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of parts of leguminous trees on the growth and nutrition of maize (Zea mays L.), as well as on the chemical attributes of a degraded soil, 65 days after applying the residues. The experiment was conducted in pots, in a randomized block design with ten treatments and four replicates. The evaluated treatments were: T1 - No residues of leguminous trees, T2 - Leaves of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, T3 - Branches of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, T4 - Leaves + branches of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, T5 - Leaves of Mimosa hostilis, T6 - Branches of Mimosa hostilis, T7 - Leaves + branches of Mimosa hostilis, T8 - Leaves of Gliricidia sepium, T9 - Branches of Gliricidia sepium and T10 - Leaves + branches of Gliricidia sepium. Pots were filled with soil from a degraded area and residues were added in the form of green mass after sowing the maize. Residues of leguminous trees positively influenced maize growth at 65 days after application and favored the accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the shoots. Green fertilizers improved soil chemical attributes at 65 days after application, especially nitrate-N (NO3 --N), ammonium-N (NH4 +-N), total inorganic N (NO3 --N + NH4 +-N) and K, demonstrating that these species are good options for recovering degraded areas in the semi-arid region of Ceará.

Characterization and biological activity of condensed tannins from tropical forage legumes

Abstract: The objective of this work was to characterize condensed tannins (CT) from six tropical forage legumes and to determine their biological activity. The monomers propelargonidin, prodelphinidin and procyanidin were analyzed, as well as extractable condensed tannin (ECT), protein-bound CT (PBCT) and fiber-bound CT (FBCT), molecular weight, degree of polymerization, polydispersity index, and biological activity by protein precipitate by phenols (PPP) of leaves of the legumes Cajanus cajan, Gliricidia sepium, Stylosanthes capitata x Stylosanthes macrocephala (stylo), Flemingia macrophylla, Cratylia argentea, and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, and of the bark of this latter species. Differences were observed in the concentrations of ECT, PBCT, PPP, and total condensed tannin among species, but not in that of FBCT. The highest value of PBCT occurred in F. macrophylla. Total CT varied from nondetected concentration in C. argentea to the highest concentration in M. caesalpiniifolia leaves that contain the greatest levels of PPP. No differences were observed for polymerization degree in stylo, F. macrophylla, and M. caesalpiniifolia. Leaves of stylo, C. cajan, and G. sepium, all containing between 20 and 50 g kg-1 total CT, should be beneficial CT sources, if offered as sole feeds in ruminant diets. The ratio of prodelphinidin:procyanidin varies from 10:80 (stylo) to 65:35 (F. machrophylla), and propelargonidin is only determined in C. argentea.