Myrciaria Floribunda Research Articles

Clonal propagation, scale dependent assembly, and nucleation drives natural regeneration in a restinga sandy coastal plain

AbstractOn the sandy coastal plains, environmental filters that limit seedling establishment and survival create a naturally heterogeneous landscape, formed by vegetation patches inserted in a matrix of bare sandy soil. The succession processes in these ecosystems depend on some pioneer species that facilitate the recruitment and survival of other species. Here, we evaluated the spatial pattern and changes of vegetation patches of restinga (i.e., coastal sandy plain vegetation) over one decade (2011–2021). The research was carried out in Alagoas State, Northeast of Brazil. We considered as patches the vegetation islands inserted in a matrix of bare sandy soil and applied methodologies of photointerpretation. Landscape metrics included patch area, edge, shape, and core area. To test the effect of landscape metrics on species occurrence and species richness per patch, we applied generalized linear models (GLM) with binomial and quasi‐Poisson distributions, respectively. We used the “betapart” package to evaluate the importance of turnover and nestedness as drivers of beta diversity among patches. Our data indicate that a key plant (Myrciaria floribunda), which can propagate by root suckers, initiates a succession process, creating regeneration nuclei, which seem to follow a deterministic succession pattern until the patch reaches 10 m2 in area. In the successional sequence, the patches grow and coalesce with neighboring patches. Species richness of patches presented an unimodal response to patch size. Overall, there is a greater contribution of species turnover to among‐patch beta diversity. However, for patches smaller than 10 m2, beta diversity was mostly driven by nestedness, reflecting a process of species addition to the growing patches. The succession pattern found in the study area should be considered for the formulation of nature‐based restoration models, expected to be more efficient and effective for ecosystems with similar environmental filters.

Molluscicidal and Cercaricidal Effects of Myrciaria floribunda Essential Oil Nanoemulsion.

Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease transmitted in an aqueous environment by cercariae from the Schistosoma genus. This disease affects 200 million people living in risk areas around the world. The control of schistosomiasis is realized by chemotherapy, wastewater sanitation, health education, and mollusk control using molluscicidal agents. This work evaluates the effects of a nanoemulsion containing essential oil from Myrciaria floribunda leaves as a molluscicidal and cercaricidal agent against Biomphalaria glabrata mollusks and Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. The Myrciaria floribunda essential oil from leaves showed nerolidol, β-selinene, 1,8 cineol, and zonarene as major constituents. The formulation study suggested the F3 formulation as the most promising nanoemulsion with polysorbate 20 and sorbitan monooleate 80 (4:1) with 5% (w/w) essential oil as it showed a smaller droplet size of approximately 100 nm with a PDI lower than 0.3 and prominent bluish reflection. Furthermore, this nanoemulsion showed stability after 200 days under refrigeration. The Myrciaria floribunda nanoemulsion showed LC50 values of 48.11 µg/mL, 29.66 µg/mL, and 47.02 µg/mL in Biomphalaria glabrata embryos, juveniles, and adult mollusks, respectively, after 48 h and 83.88 µg/mL for Schistosoma mansoni cercariae after 2 h. In addition, a survival of 80% was observed in Danio rerio, and the in silico toxicity assay showed lower overall human toxicity potential to the major compounds in the essential oil compared to the reference molluscicide niclosamide. These results suggest that the nanoemulsion of Myrciaria floribunda leaves may be a promising alternative for schistosomiasis control.

Essential oil from leaves of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential.

Myrciaria floribunda is a plant that is distributed across different Brazilian biomes such as the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest, and it possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oil from M. floribunda leaves (MfEO) were examined in this study using mouse models. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to describe the oil, and the results revealed that δ-cadinene, bicyclogermacrene, α-cadinol, and epi-α-muurolol predominated in the chemical profile. The oil stimulated a decrease in nociception in the chemical and thermal models used to evaluate acute antinociceptive activity. Findings from the use of pain pathway blockers to study the presumed underlying mechanism indicated opioid pathway activity. The anti-edematogenic effect, decreased cell migration, and generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines provided evidence of the anti-inflammatory potential of the essential oil from M. floribunda. According to this research, the essential oil from M. floribunda can effectively alleviate acute pain and inflammation.

Ethyl acetate fractions of Myrciaria floribunda, Ocotea pulchella, and Ocotea notata exhibit promising in vitro activity against Sporothrix brasiliensis isolates with low susceptibility to itraconazole.

Sporothrix brasiliensis with low susceptibility isolates were described from the Brazilian zoonotic sporotrichosis hyperendemics. The aim of this work was to evaluate distinct fractions of Ocotea pulchella, Ocotea notata, Myrciaria floribunda, and Hypericum brasiliense plant extracts against itraconazole-sensitive and low susceptibility S. brasiliensis isolates. Crude extracts were tested against clinical isolates and the ATCC MYA4823 to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and fungicidal or fungistatic activities (MFC). A high MICs and MFCs amplitude (1 - > 128µg/mL) were obtained for seven extracts. The highest antimicrobial activities against sensitive S. brasiliensis were displayed by the ethyl acetate extracts of O. notata (MIC = 2-128μg/mL) and M. floribunda (MIC = 1-8μg/mL). A fungicidal effect was observed for all fraction extracts. Ocotea spp. and M. floribunda ethyl acetate extracts provide promising profiles against itraconazole-sensitive or low susceptibility S. brasiliensis. Future studies will determine if these extracts can contribute as alternative therapies to this neglected zoonosis.

Glimpsing the chemical composition and the potential of Myrtaceae plant extracts against the food spoilage fungus Thielaviopsis ethacetica

• Native Brazilian Myrtaceae species are promising against Thielaviopsis ethacetica fungus. • Percentages of mycelial inhibition above 80% were observed. • Two Myrtaceae extracts showed fungistatic action. • Promising Myrtaceae extracts inhibited conidial germination. • 13 metabolites are annotated in the polar extract of Myrcia amazonica. • Flavonoids are predominant in Myrciaria floribunda extract according to LC-HRMS/MS analysis.

An Integrative Review on the Main Flavonoids Found in Some Species of the Myrtaceae Family: Phytochemical Characterization, Health Benefits and Development of Products.

This integrative review aims to identify the main flavonoids present in some species of the Myrtaceae family. Studies published between 2016 and 2022 were selected, specifically those which were fully available and written in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, and which were related to the fruits araçá (Psidium cattleianum), cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda), gabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa), jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora), and jambolan (Syzygium cumini). Scientific studies were gathered and selected in Google Scholar, Scielo, and Science Direct indexed databases, out of which 14 were about araçá, 7 concerned cambuí, 4 were about gabiroba, 29 were related to jabuticaba, and 33 concerned jambolan, when we observed the pre-established inclusion criteria. Results showed that the anthocyanins, such as cyanidin, petunidin, malvidin, and delphinidin, were the mostly identified class of flavonoids in plants of the Myrtaceae family, mainly relating to the purple/reddish color of the evaluated fruits. Other compounds, such as catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and rutin were also identified in different constituent fractions, such as leaves, peel, pulp, seeds, and in developed products, such as jams, desserts, wines, teas, and other beverages. It is also worth noting the positive health effects verified in these studies, such as anti-inflammatory qualities for jambolan, antidiabetic qualities for gabiroba, antioxidant qualities for araçá, and cardioprotective actions for jabuticaba, which are related to the presence of these phytochemicals. Therefore, it is possible to point out that flavonoids are important compounds in the chemical constitution of the studied plants of the Myrtaceae family, with promising potential in the development of new products by the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries due to their bioactive properties.

Phytochemical Profile, Preliminary Toxicity, and Antioxidant Capacity of the Essential Oils of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg. and Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey) DC. (Myrtaceae).

The essential oils (EOs) of Myrciaria floribunda (Mflo) and Myrcia sylvatica (Msyl) (Myrtaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation. The analysis of volatile constituents was performed by GC/MS. Preliminary toxicity was assessed on Artemia salina Leach. The antioxidant capacity was measured by the ABTS•+ and DPPH• radical inhibitory activities. The results indicate that the Mflo EO had the highest yield (1.02%), and its chemical profile was characterized by high levels of hydrocarbon (65.83%) and oxygenated (25.74%) monoterpenes, especially 1,8-cineole (23.30%), terpinolene (22.23%) and α-phellandrene (22.19%). Regarding the Msyl EO, only hydrocarbon (51.60%) and oxygenated (46.52%) sesquiterpenes were identified in the sample, with (Z)-α-trans-bergamotene (24.57%), α-sinensal (13.44%), and (Z)-α-bisabolene (8.33%) at higher levels. The EO of Mflo exhibited moderate toxicity against A. salina (LC50 = 82.96 ± 5.20 µg.mL-1), while the EO of Msyl was classified as highly toxic (LC50 = 2.74 ± 0.50 µg.mL-1). In addition, relative to Trolox, the EOs of Mflo and Msyl showed significant inhibitory effects (p < 0.0001) against the DPPH• radical. This study contributes to the expansion of chemical and biological knowledge on the EOs of Myrtaceae species from the Amazon region.

Cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg): A potential nutritional supplement for inhibition of COVID-19 infections / Cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg): Um potencial suplemento nutricional para a inibição de infecções por COVID-19

In the present study, we suggest that the Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg fruit (cambuí) is a natural source of potential molecules against COVID-19. Extracts from orange and purple cambuí were obtained by using pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE). Extraction overall yield was 39.66 ± 1.62% and 33.00 ± 8.44% for the extracts of purple and orange cambuí, respectively. All analyzed extracts showed high total phenolic contents, especially those of purple fruits (3870.37 ± 353.09 mg GAE/100g). The total flavonoid content was 693.16 ± 180.09 and 770.08 ± 103.62 mg RE/100g for purple and orange fruit extracts, respectively. The secondary metabolite profile exhibited ellagic acid, ellagitannins, and derivatives of caffeic acid and ellagic acid. PHWE showed a good alternative for molecules separation from cambuí with promising potential for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation against Covid-19 infections.

Physicochemical Characterization and Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Myrciaria Floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg Accessions.

Myrciaria floribunda, also known as rumberry, is a tree native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where its fruits have the potential for commercial use. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential, determines the phytochemical profile, and chemically characterizes the rumberry fruit. Accessions were sampled from the Rumberry Active Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil. Physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, and phenolic compound content were analyzed. Chemical profile characterization was carried out using PSMS. Accessions had an average weight of 0.86 g. Accession AC137 presented a higher pulp yield (1.12 g). AC132 and AC156 had larger fruits, AC137 showed greater firmness (5.93 N), and AC160 had a higher and total phenolic content ratio (279.01 ± 11.11). Orange-colored accessions scored higher in evaluated parameters, except for AC160 for phenolic content. Thirty-two compounds were identified on positive ionization mode and 42 compounds on negative ionization mode using PSMS. Flavonoids, followed by the derivatives of benzoic acid, sugars, and phenylpropanoids, were the most prominent. Myricitrin, quercitrin, and catechin stand out as flavonoids that have been reported in previous studies with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, in addition to health and therapeutical benefits, demonstrating the potential of the rumberry fruit.

Leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity of essential oil from the fruit peel of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations of its major constituent onto Leishmania enzyme targets

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease characterized by highest morbidity rates worldwide. The available treatment for CL has several limitations including serious side effects and resistance to the treatment. Herein we aimed to evaluate the activity of essential oil from the peel of Myrciaria floribunda fruits (MfEO) on Leishmania amazonensis. The cytotoxic potential of MfEO on host mammalian cells was evaluated by MTT. The in vitro leishmanicidal effects of MfEO were investigated on the promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. The ultrastructural changes induced by MfEO were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The molecular docking of the major compounds δ-Cadinene, γ-Cadinene, γ-Muurolene, α-Selinene, α-Muurolene and (E)–Caryophyllene onto the enzymes trypanothione reductase (TreR) and sterol 14-alpha demethylase (C14DM) were performed. Our results showed that MfEO presented moderate cytotoxicity for Vero cells and macrophages. The MfEO inhibited the growth of promastigote and the survival of intracellular amastigotes, in a dose- and time- dependent way. The MfEO presented high selectivity towards amastigote forms, being 44.1 times more toxic for this form than to macrophages. Molecular docking analysis showed that the major compounds of MfEO interact with Leishmania enzymes and that δ-Cadinene (δ-CAD) presented favorable affinity energy values over TreR and C14DM enzymes, when compared with the other major constituents. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies revealed a stable binding of δ-CAD with lowest binding free energy values in MMGBSA assay. Our results suggested that δ-CAD may be a potent inhibitor of TreR and C14DM enzymes. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Chemical Physical Characterization and Profile of Fruit Volatile Compounds from Different Accesses of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West Ex Wild.) O. Berg through Polyacrylate Fiber.

Among the many species of native fruit of Brazil that have been little explored, there is Myrciaria floribunda (also known as rumberry, cambuizeiro, or guavaberry), a species with significant variability, which has fruits of different colors (orange, red, and purple) when ripe. The physical-chemical characteristics evaluated were fruit weight (FW), seed weight (SW), pulp weight (PW), number of seeds (NS), longitudinal diameter (LD), transverse diameter (TD), format (LD/TD), hydrogen potential (pH), soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and ratio (SS/TA); further, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of nine accesses of rumberry orchards were identified. The averages of the variables FW, SW, PW, NS, LD, TD, shape, and firmness were 0.76 g, 0.22 g, 0.54 g, 1.45, 10.06 mm, 9.90 mm, 1.02, 2.96 N, respectively. LD/TD data showed that the fruits have a slightly rounded shape (LD/TD = 1). The averages for pH, SS, TA, and SS/TA were 3.74, 17.58 Brix, 4.31% citric acid, and 4.31, respectively. The evaluated parameters indicated that the fruits can be consumed both in natura and industrialized, with the red-colored fruits presenting a good balance of SS/TA, standards demanded by the processing industries. Thirty-six VOCs were identified, with emphasis on the sesquiterpenes. Caryophyllene (21.6% to 49.3%) and γ-selinene (11.3% to 16.3%) were the most predominant compounds in rumberry fruits.

The Bolivian fauna of the genus Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The general aim of this study is to contribute to and summarize knowledge of the Bolivian fauna of the genus Anastrepha Schiner (Tephritidae) which includes species of both ecological and economic importance. In addition to compiling data from the literature, we report the results of fruit fly sampling using McPhail or multilure traps in the Tropic of Cochabamba region and at the private natural reserve of Potrerillo del Guendá in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as well as records from various other sites based on specimens in museum collections. Fifty-seven named species and three unnamed species of Anastrepha are recorded from Bolivia. Distribution maps for all of these species are provided. Numerous new department records are reported as well as the first records for Bolivia of A. castanea Norrbom, A. dissimilis Stone, A. elegans Blanchard, A. haywardi Blanchard, A. macrura Hendel, A. montei Lima, A. punctata Hendel, and A. rosilloi Blanchard. Pacouria boliviensis (Markgr.) A. Chev. (Apocynaceae) is reported as a host plant of A. woodleyi Norrbom Korytkowski, and Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) Berg (Myrtaceae) and Pouteria glomerata (Miq.) Radlk. (Sapotaceae) as host plants of A. fraterculus (Wiedemann). This distribution and host information will be useful to monitor and manage species that damage fruit crops in Bolivia.

Optimization of extraction and identification of volatile compounds from Myrciaria floribunda

Determinou-se a composicao do perfil volatil de frutos de cambuizeiro ( Myrciaria floribunda ) utilizando-se microextracao em fase solida no modo headspace e cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas. As fibras PA ( polyacrylate ) e DVB/CAR/PDMS ( divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane ) foram otimizadas quanto aos parâmetros de extracao (agitacao, tempo e temperatura de extracao), a fim de selecionar a fibra com maior numero de compostos isolados. Um total de 48 compostos volateis foram identificados atraves do HS-SPME / GC-MS presentes nos frutos maduros de cambui. Os compostos volateis foram classificados em cinco classes quimicas, sendo a maioria pertencente a classe dos sesquiterpenos (71 %). Alem disso, foi possivel verificar que a fibra revestida com poliacrilato (PA) teve melhor desempenho, permitindo a extracao de um maior numero de compostos volateis (n = 35). As condicoes de extracao que permitiram o isolamento de um maior numero de compostos volateis, corresponderam a tempos superiores de 26 min e temperaturas acima de 85 °C com agitacao de 79 rpm, isto para a fibra PA. Da mesma forma, verificou-se que os sesquiterpenos hidrocarbonetos foi a classe quimica mais presente nos frutos, o que esta relacionado principalmente ao perfil volatil dos frutos de cambui.

Morphoanatomy, floral biology and reproductive phenology of Cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex willd.) O. Berg.)

Abstract Myrciaria floribunda is a species native to the restinga areas of the Atlantic Forest that presents great phenotypic variation in fruits, great socioeconomic importance in regions of natural occurrence and high productive potential. The characterization of heterogeneous populations is crucial for plant selection and breeding programs, since it allows the distinction of superior individuals. The aim of this study was to characterize the reproductive structure of M. floribunda accessions, and to observe the influence of climate and environment on its reproductive process, through floral biology, floral morphoanatomy and reproductive phenology. Apis mellifera and Trigona spinipes are the main floral visitors of cambuí. Stigma receptivity lasts up to 5 hours after flower opening and pollen viability was above 90%. Regarding the flower structure, the female sexual organ is monocarpic, the ovary is efferent, bilocular, with two ovules per locule, the inflorescence is fascicle-like and consists of small white flowers, actinomorph symmetry, heteroclamid and monoclines. Plants bloomed irregularly throughout the year, concentrating flowering in two periods of the year with the greatest peaks in March and August, while the greatest fruiting peaks were observed in April and September.

Chemical composition and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential, in silico, of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg fruit peel essential oil

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile compounds obtained from aromatic plants that can act as modulators of neurological systems. Several neurodegenerative diseases have been correlated with changes in the cholinergic system. Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg (Myrtaceae) was chosen to investigate its biological potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases. M. floribunda fruit peel essential oil (MfEO) was collected for analysis. In this study, the chemical composition and in silico acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities were determined. The results revealed the presence of 26 (96.86%) compounds obtained for GC/MS, of which the major compounds were the following: δ-Cadinene (26.8%), γ-Cadinene (15.69%), γ-Muurolene (6.21%), α-Selinene, α-Muurolene (6.11%) and (E)-Caryophyllene (5.54%). The ADMET analysis showed that MfEO compounds have a predicted lethal dose 628 times higher than neostigmine. The molecular docking results between the major components of MfEO and the enzyme acetylcholinesterase resulted in an average energy minimization of –6.6 Kcal/mol when the two structures coupled. In the assay of acetylcholinesterase activity, M. floribunda fruit peel oil presented an IC50 of 0.08 μg/ml and 23 μg/ml for commercial AChE of E. electricus and that extracted from C. rhizophorae, respectively. MfEO showed enzymatic inhibition and other relevant information of bioactive compounds. This study provides the first report of the chemical composition of the fruit peel essential oil of M. floribunda and highlights the promising results obtained through in silico analysis and the inhibitory potential of AChE through an in vitro assay.

Antioxidant Action and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Myrciaria floribunda Fruit Peels: Possible Involvement of Opioidergic System.

This work evaluated the antioxidant properties and in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts obtained from fruit peels of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg (Myrtaceae). This plant is popularly known in Brazil as Cambuí or camboim. Different extracts were submitted to comparative analysis to determine the content of selected phytochemical classes (levels of total phenols, flavonoids, and monomeric anthocyanins) and the in vitro antioxidant potentials. The extract with higher potential was selected for in vivo evaluation of its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action. Finally, the chemical characterization of this extract was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). MfAE (extract obtained using acetone as solvent) showed the higher levels of phenols (296 mg GAE/g) and anthocyanins contents (35.65 mg Cy-3-glcE/g) that were associated with higher antioxidant activity. MfAE also exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic propertiers. This fraction inhibited the inflammatory and neurogenic phases of pain, and this effect was reversed by naloxone (suggesting the involvement of opioidergic system). MfAE reduced the abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid (and its derivatives) and ellagic acid. Taken together, these data support the use of M. floribunda fruit peels for development of functional foods and nutraceutics.

Fruiting and quality attributes of cambui (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O. Berg in the Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil

Cambuizeiro is a fruit native to the Atlantic Forest biome that has potential for ornamental use and for human consumption, either raw or processed, due to the organoleptic characteristics of its fruits. Accordingly, the study objective was to evaluate the fruiting periods and quality attributes of two types of cambuizeiros, differentiated by fruit color. The plants studied were from a natural population from the Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros Experimental Station, in the municipality of Itaporanga d’Ajuda, state of Sergipe, Brazil. A total of 20 plants, 14 with orange and six with purple fruit, seven days after anthesis (DAA), were evaluated weekly during fruiting. After harvest, the fruits were evaluated for weight, length, width, number of seeds, pH, soluble solids (SS), total titratable acidity (TTA) and vitamin C content. There was heterogeneity in the ripening of the two cambuizeiro types. The highest peak of ripening occurred at 63 DAA (83.2% of orange and 68.3% of purple fruits). The purple fruits had superior physical attributes. However, the pulp of the orange colored fruits had a higher TTA content. Both types of fruits have potential characteristics for commercial exploration and use.

Genetic diversity of cambui trees (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd) O. Berg) differentiated by the color of the fruit

The cambui tree (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd) O. Berg), is a native fruit tree from Brazil, whose fruit present potential in natura and industrial consumption. Our objective was to evaluate the genetic diversity between individuals differentiated by fruit color - orange and purple, by using ISSR molecular markers. The plant material belongs to the Caju Private Natural Heritage Reserve, experimental field of Embrapa Coastal Tablelands, in the municipality of Itaporanga d’Ajuda, SE. Young leaves from 25 individuals (15 with orange color fruit and 10 with purple color fruits) were collected for DNA extraction and PCR-ISSR analysis with 15 primers, which produced a total of 93 bands, being 95.5% of them polymorphic. The mean similarity was 0.53, based on the Jaccard coefficient. The least similar individuals were FR5 and FL8; FR5 and FL9; FR1 and FR5. The most similar pairs of individuals were FL3 and FL4; FL4 and FL5. The UPGMA analysis clustered the individuals into two groups. Although no specific molecular marking that characterizes fruit coloration has been found, there is genetic variability among the evaluated individuals.

Green insecticide against Chagas disease: effects of essential oil from Myrciaria floribunda (Myrtaceae) on the development of Rhodnius prolixus nymphs

ABSTRACTThe main strategy of interrupting Trypanossoma cruzi transmission is to control the vector populations. Studies of new agents with activity against these vectors have a priority interest. This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Myrciaria floribunda against nymphs of R. prolixus. M. floribunda was collected in Jurubatiba Sandbank (southeastern Brazil). Leaves were extracted by hydrodistillation and the essential oil analyzed by mass spectrometry and flame ionization gas chromatography. The pure essential oil at various dilutions or purified 1,8-cineole was topically applied to R. prolixus. Sesquiterpenes were the main group detected followed by monoterpenes. M. floribunda essential oil, but not 1,8-cineole, significantly increased mortality and disrupted metamorphosis. Overaged nymphs and juvenoid-like insects were also observed. Our data indicate the special metabolites in the essential oil of M. floribunda as promising candidates for studying insecticidal activity and for use as environmentally friendly control compounds to Chagas disease vectors.

Exploring the Insecticide and Acaricide Potential of Development Regulators obtained from Restinga vegetation from Brazil.

As a part of our continuing search for insect and arthropod development regulators from Brazilian restinga vegetation of the Rio de Janeiro State, crude extracts, purified fractions and essential oils were submitted to screening tests seeking for biological activities on the development of the insects Rhodnius prolixus, Dysdercus peruvianus, Oncopeltus fasciatus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Up to now, 102 secondary metabolites have been detected in the fractions, among them monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and two triterpenes which were obtained from the species, Eugenia sulcata, Pilocarpus spicatus, Manilkara subsericea, Myrciaria floribunda and Zanthoxylum caribaeum. These secondary plant metabolites are considered of interest for the use of studies related to arthropod endocrinology, vector-parasite interaction system, and population control of vector insect and agricultural pest. The observed biological activities were surprisingly high, involving increased mortality, molting and metamorphosis inhibition, paralysis, corporeal deformities, apparition of permanent nymphs, of adultoids and juvenoids, partial or total inhibition of oviposition and egg hatching. These compounds are now being studied further to determine if they may or may not be useful in controlling insect populations and/or interfere with the life cycle and vector transmission of parasites to animal and human populations.