Sapindus Saponaria Research Articles

Sapindaceae fruits: A comprehensive overview on phytochemicals, nutraceuticals and health benefits application

The article delves into the intricate realm of the Sapindaceae family, shedding light on the many phytomedicinal advantages that these fruits offer. This family boasts an array of economically significant fruits, including Litchi (Litchi chinensis), Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), Longan (Dimocarpus longan), Guarana (Paullinia cupana), Ackee (Blighia sapida) and Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria), each of which has its own set of medicinal characteristics. The Sapindaceae family, also known as the soapberry family, comprises numerous tropical and subtropical plant species known for their phytochemical properties and potential health benefits. Despite the well-known medicinal properties of Sapindaceae fruits, there is a lack of a comprehensive compilation that combines knowledge about their important components, nutritional value, traditional value and medicinal properties. This review aims to address this gap by providing assessments of the medicinal potential of Sapindaceae fruits and their prospects as food products. The study focuses on the chemicals, nutrients and medicinal properties of Sapindaceae fruits, excluding studies lacking therapeutic relevance. Findings show that Sapindaceae fruits contain bioactive compounds such as saponins, flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic. In addition, these fruits are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, which supports their use as functional foods and vitamins. The review suggests future research on sustainable uptake and development of nutrients from Sapindaceae, which could increase their use in healthcare and potentially lead to the development of cost-effective pharmaceutical products for consumers and the agricultural sector.

Predicting the Integrated Fire Resistance of Wildland–Urban Interface Plant Communities by Spatial Structure Analysis Learning for Shanghai, China

Abstract: Fire is a prevalent hazard that poses a significant risk to public safety and societal progress. The continuous expansion of densely populated urban areas, exacerbated by global warming and the increasing intensification of urban heat islands, has led to a notable increase in the frequency and severity of fires worldwide. Incorporating measures to withstand different types of calamities has always been a crucial aspect of urban infrastructure. Well-designed plant communities play a pivotal role as a component of green space systems in addressing climate-related challenges, effectively mitigating the occurrence and spread of fires. This study conducted field research on 21 sites in the green belt around Shanghai, China, quantifying tree morphological indexes and coordinate positions. The spatial structure attributes of different plant communities were analyzed by principal component analysis, CRITIC weighting approach, and stepwise regression analysis to build a comprehensive fire resistance prediction model. Through this research, the relationship between community spatial structures and fire resistance was explored. A systematic construction of a prediction model based on community spatial structures for fire resistance was undertaken, and the fire resistance performance could be quickly judged by easily measured tree morphological indexes, providing valuable insights for the dynamic prediction of fire resistance. According to the evaluation and ranking conducted by the prediction model, the Celtis sinensis, Sapindus saponaria, Osmanthus fragrans, Koelreuteria paniculata, and Distylium racemosum + Populus euramericana ‘I-214’ communities exhibited a high level of fire resistance. On the other hand, the Koelreuteria bipinnata + Ligustrum lucidum, Ginkgo biloba + Camphora officinarum + Ligustrum lucidum, and Ligustrum lucidum + Sapindus saponaria communities obtained lower scores and were positioned lower in the ranking. It is emphasized that the integration of monitoring and regulation is essential to ensure the ecological integrity and well-being of green areas in the Wildland–Urban Interface.

The Biosynthesis Pattern and Transcriptome Analysis of Sapindus saponaria Oil.

The Sapindus saponaria (soapberry) kernel is rich in oil that has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, promotes cell proliferation, cell migration, and stimulates skin wound-healing effects. S. saponaria oil has excellent lubricating properties and is a high-quality raw material for biodiesel and premium lubricants, showing great potential in industrial and medical applications. Metabolite and transcriptome analysis revealed patterns of oil accumulation and composition and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during seed development. Morphological observations of soapberry fruits at different developmental stages were conducted, and the oil content and fatty acid composition of the kernels were determined. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on kernels at 70, 100, and 130 days after flowering (DAF). The oil content of soapberry kernels was lowest at 60 DAF (5%) and peaked at 130 DAF (31%). Following soapberry fruit-ripening, the primary fatty acids in the kernels were C18:1 (oleic acid) and C18:3 (linolenic acid), accounting for an average proportion of 62% and 18%, respectively. The average contents of unsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids in the kernel were 86% and 14%, respectively. Through the dynamic changes in fatty acid composition and DEGs analysis of soapberry kernels, FATA, KCR1, ECR, FAD2 and FAD3 were identified as candidate genes contributing to a high proportion of C18:1 and C18:3, while DGAT3 emerged as a key candidate gene for TAG biosynthesis. The combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolism unveiled the molecular mechanism of oil accumulation, leading to the creation of a metabolic pathway pattern diagram for oil biosynthesis in S. saponaria kernels. The study of soapberry fruit development, kernel oil accumulation, and the molecular mechanism of oil biosynthesis holds great significance in increasing oil yield and improving oil quality.

The spatial distribution of tree-tree interaction effects on soil microbial biomass and respiration.

The capacity of forests to sequester carbon in both above- and belowground compartments is a crucial tool to mitigate rising atmospheric carbon concentrations. Belowground carbon storage in forests is strongly linked to soil microbial communities that are the key drivers of soil heterotrophic respiration, organic matter decomposition and thus nutrient cycling. However, the relationships between tree diversity and soil microbial properties such as biomass and respiration remain unclear with inconsistent findings among studies. It is unknown so far how the spatial configuration and soil depth affect the relationship between tree richness and microbial properties. Here, we studied the spatial distribution of soil microbial properties in the context of a tree diversity experiment by measuring soil microbial biomass and respiration in subtropical forests (BEF-China experiment). We sampled soil cores at two depths at five locations along a spatial transect between the trees in mono- and hetero-specific tree pairs of the native deciduous species Liquidambar formosana and Sapindus saponaria. Our analyses showed decreasing soil microbial biomass and respiration with increasing soil depth and distance from the tree in mono-specific tree pairs. We calculated belowground overyielding of soil microbial biomass and respiration - which is higher microbial biomass or respiration than expected from the monocultures - and analysed the distribution patterns along the transect. We found no general overyielding across all sampling positions and depths. Yet, we encountered a spatial pattern of microbial overyielding with a significant microbial overyielding close to L. formosana trees and microbial underyielding close to S. saponaria trees. We found similar spatial patterns across microbial properties and depths that only differed in the strength of their effects. Our results highlight the importance of small-scale variations of tree-tree interaction effects on soil microbial communities and functions and are calling for better integration of within-plot variability to understand biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships.

Seeds of nonhost species as sources of toxic compounds for the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)

Cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, is the primary pest of stored cowpea seeds. The management of this infestation currently relies on insecticides, resulting in environmental pollution and selection of insecticide-resistant pests. Consequently, research efforts are being devoted to identify natural insecticides as sustainable and environment friendly alternatives for the control of C. maculatus. In this study, we explore the toxic effects of the nonhost seeds Parkia multijuga, Copaifera langsdorffii, Ormosia arborea, Amburana cearensis, Lonchocarpus guilleminianus, Sapindus saponaria, and Myroxylon peruiferum, on the cowpea weevil C. maculatus. Notably, all nonhost seeds led to reductions between 60 and 100% in oviposition by C. maculatus females. Additionally, the larvae were unable to penetrate the nonhost seeds. Artificial seeds containing 0.05% to 10% of cotyledon flour were toxic to C. maculatus larvae. Approximately 40% of larvae that consumed seeds containing 0.05% of O. arborea failed to develop, in contrast to control larvae. Proteomic analysis of A. cearensis and O. arborea seeds identify revealed a total of 371 proteins. From those, 237 are present in both seeds, 91 were exclusive to O. arborea seeds, and 43 were specific to A. cearensis seeds. Some of these proteins are related to defense, such as proteins containing the cupin domain and 11S seed storage protein. The in silico docking of cupin domain-containing proteins and 11S storage protein with N-acetylglucosamine (NAG)4 showed negative values of affinity energy, indicating spontaneous binding. These results showed that nonhost seeds have natural insecticide compounds with potential to control C. maculatus infestation.

A preliminary study on the occurrence and significance of phytophagous arthropods and natural enemies on <i>Sapindus saponaria</i> saplings

A preliminary study on the occurrence and significance of phytophagous arthropods and natural enemies on <i>Sapindus saponaria</i> saplings

In vitro antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of the endophytic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa (SS93) isolated from Sapindus saponaria L.

Endophytes colonize the interior of plant tissues without causing any damage to their hosts. The plant Sapindus saponaria L., popularly known as ‘sabão-de-soldado’, presents a diversified endophytic microbiota and also medicinal properties. Endophytic microorganisms may produce secondary metabolites with different biotechnological properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal capacity of the crude extract of secondary metabolites produced by the endophytic bacteria P. aeruginosa SS93 isolated from S. saponaria leaves. The metabolites extract was obtained using the organic solvent ethyl acetate, and the antimicrobial activities were tested against six pathogenic bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis [ATCC 29212], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ATCC 27853], Shigella flexneri [ATCC 12022], Salmonella enterica [CCCD a016], Escherichia coli [ATCC 25922], and Staphylococcus aureus [ATCC 25923]), and pathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, Glomerella sp., Sphaceloma sp., Fusarium solani, Maniliophtora perniciosa, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), by agar diffusion method. In the antibacterial assay, the best results were obtained against E. faecalis and S. aureus, where the formation of inhibition halos was observed in all tested concentrations, especially at 500 and 700 µg mL-1. Positive inhibitory activity against phytopathogenic fungi was observed, with the highest inhibition recorded against F. oxysporum (61.1%), followed by Sphaceloma sp. (55.7%), M. perniciosa (35.6%), F. solani (34.4%), and Glomerella sp. (30.4%).

Sapindus saponaria (Sapindaceae): Chemical Composition and Toxic Effect on Artemia salina (Artemiidae) and Aedes aegypti (Culicidae)

Purpose: Phytochemical analysis of Sapindus saponaria leaves extracts, evaluating their effect on Artemia salina and Aedes aegypti larvae. Theoretical framework: Dengue is a disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and considered a serious public health problem. Its control is done through the management of adult forms of A. aegypti, which occurs through the application of synthetic insecticides. However, its constant use has selected populations of insects resistant to chemical products and for this reason alternative solutions are sought, such as the use of phytoinsecticides. Method/design/approach: Leaves were collected in areas of native vegetation, from which the ethanolic, aqueous and acetonitrile extracts were obtained, in addition to the ethanolic extract fractions, submitted to phytochemical analysis, with A. aegypti and A. salina larvae used to evaluate the toxic effect of extracts and fractions. Results and conclusion: The ethanol extract showed the greatest diversity of secondary metabolites, the best CL90 and 100% larval mortality, negatively affecting larval time and larval and pupal mortality, in addition to decreasing the number of formed alates. The inhibitory effect is probably linked to the presence of cardiotonic saponins and heterosides, known for their deleterious action in organisms. Research implications: The research indicates the potential use of Sapindus saponaria leaves in the control of the dengue vector. Originality/value: Viability of plant strata for vector control, reducing the application of synthetic insecticides and improving environmental quality.

Integral Agroforestal plot with Sapindus saponaria associated with aromatic and medicinal species to conserve the ecosystems

The propagation and processing of Sapindus saponaria, (Boliche) and Caesalpinea spinosa (Tara) will make it possible to manage ecosystems sustainably, obtaining biological soap and natural dyes and contribute to the fight against climate change, since plant cover is increased and to the capture of CO2, reducing the pressure of greenhouse gases, increasing the production of oxygen and at the same time generating industry for the production of biodegradable cleaning and beauty products. The incorporation of Caesalpinea spinosa (Tara) interspersed with S. saponaria allowed the contribution of its fruits to the productivity of the plot, since from its fruits we obtain tannins for tanning, natural dye, and gums for the food industry. Continuing with the practice of agroforestry, aromatic and medicinal species such as Aloe vera (Sábila), Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver), and Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass) were placed between the two tree species. By means of Soxhlet extraction with ethanol, the soap and the dyes that were used as ingredients of the biological shampoo were obtained. Using a homemade steam distiller, the extraction of essential oils from the aromatic and medicinal species was achieved. The project began under Resolution N° 0448-2009-R-UNE, which authorized the reforestation of the Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzman y Valle (UNE) and surrounding areas with native plant species. The strategy used was that of the Biology and Ecology students acting as godmothers and godfathers of the trees considered in the project.

The association of beneficial and pest arthropods on Sapindus saponaria saplings fertilized with sewage sludge in a degraded area

The association of beneficial and pest arthropods on Sapindus saponaria saplings fertilized with sewage sludge in a degraded area

Evaluation of antitumoral and antioxidant activities of the hydroalcoholic extract and fractions obtained from the fruit pericarp of Sapindus saponaria L.

The fruits of Sapindus saponaria L., popularly known as ‘saboeiro’, have been used in medicine. This study evaluated the antioxidant and antitumor activities of the hydroethanolic extract (HAE) and fractions obtained from the fruit pericarp of S. saponaria. The HAE was obtained from the S. saponaria fruit pericarp by maceration; this was followed by fractionation using reversed-phase solid-phase extraction, resulting in fractions enriched with acyclic sesquiterpenic oligoglycosides (ASOG) and saponins (SAP1, and SAP2), confirmed by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI-QTOF-MS). The greatest citotoxic activity was observed with the SAP1 fraction against the CaCo2 cell line with a GI50 of 8.1 µg mL−1, while the SAP2 fraction had a GI50 of 13.6 µg mL−1 against CaCo2. The HAE demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activity. S. saponaria has potential therapeutic use in the pharmaceutical industry as a natural anti-oxidant or antitumor product.

Taxonomic revision of Sapindaceae in Tunisia, with new additions to national flora and the whole north Africa

A taxonomic revision of the family Sapindaceae (order Sapindales) in Tunisia is presented. Field surveys were carried out during the last 10 years, allowing to identify 5 taxa of which 2 (Acer monspessulanum subsp. monspessulanum and A. monspessulanum subsp. martinii) are native, whereas the other 3 (A. negundo, Dodonaea viscosa, and Sapindus saponaria) are alien for the Tunisian flora. A. monspessulanum subsp. martinii, A. negundo, and Dodonaea viscosa are new records at national level, with Dodonaea representing a new genus for the Tunisian flora, whereas Sapindus saponaria is new for the whole North Africa. Information about nomenclature (accepted names, main synonyms, and types), morphology, chromosome number, chorology, occurrence in Tunisia, ecology (phenology and habitat), and taxonomic annotations are provided for each taxon, as well as original photos were prepared. Diagnostic keys at species and infraspecific ranks are also given.

Development and stability of intimate soap formulations using Sapindus saponaria L. extract as a natural surfactant.

The use of synthetic surfactants reflects the high demand in the hygiene and cleaning sector for products with low-cost and good-effectiveness. These ingredients are the main components of intimate soap formulations. Sapindus saponaria L. is a plant rich in saponins, with the potential to be used as a natural surfactant due to its amphiphilic character and its foam-forming properties. Therefore, this study aimed to develop intimate soap formulations using S. saponaria extract as a natural surfactant and analyze its stability and surfactant characteristics. Preliminary and accelerated stability parameters, rheological characteristics, surface tension, foaming power, foam stability and emulsification potential were evaluated. The formulations were stable at a pH suitable for the intimate region (4.0 to 4.5), the presence of S. saponaria extract provided greater reduction of surface tension, better foaming and foam stability and greater emulsification power, desirable characteristics for an intimate liquid soap. These results demonstrate that the incorporation of S. saponaria extract into liquid soap formulations is an excellent option as a natural surfactant to reduce the use of synthetic anionic surfactants such as SLES.

Distribuição espacial, índices ecológicos e interações de artrópodes em plantas de Sapindus saponaria (Sapindaceae)

Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae) is a pioneer species used in programs to recover degraded areas. The trees also assist in the pest control of some insects due to the composition of saponins on their leaves. In addition, these chemical components are important to pharmaceutical product production. The objective was to evaluate the impact of spatial distribution, indices and ecological relationship of arthropods on S. saponaria leaves to preserve the balance of biodiversity. Aggregated distribution of arthropods was observed; the numbers of phytophagous arthropods were higher on the adaxial leaf face than on the abaxial part. Only Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera) had a higher presence on the abaxial leaf face of S. saponaria saplings. Abundance, diversity, and species richness of natural enemies correlated positively with phytophagous and pollinators insects. On the other hand, the number of Lyriomyza sp. mines correlated negatively with Pseudomyrmex termitarius (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). All this information can assist and guide integrated pest management programs.

Phytophagous insects and natural enemies on Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) plants fertilized with or without dehydrated sewage sludge.

Management programs and efficient techniques are necessary to recover degraded ecosystems. The sewage sludge is rich in nitrogen (N) and with the potential to fertilize Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapinales: Sapindaceae), used in the recovery of degraded areas; this can affect the insect fauna. The study's objective was to evaluate, for 24 months, the abundance of chewing insects, dipterans, pollinators, and predators on S. saponaria plants fertilized with or without dehydrated sewage sludge in a degraded area. The experimental design was completely randomized (with the same characteristics) with two treatments (with or without dehydrated sewage sludge) and 24 replicates, each with one plant. The abundance of Anastrepha sp. (Tephritidae), Cerotoma sp. (Chrysomelidae), Curculionidae, Musca domestica L. (Muscidae), Mantis religiosa L. (Mantodea: Mantidae), Oxyopidae, Salticidae, Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera), and Teudis sp. (Anyphaenidae) was higher on fertilized plants. The abundances of Teudis sp. and Tmarus sp. (Thomisidae) and M. religiosa and Teudis sp. were positively correlated with chewing insects and Diptera, respectively. The population increase of insects and spiders on S. saponaria plants fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge (bigger crowns) has shown to be suitable for recovering degraded areas with a higher number of niches and better food quality, improving the ecological indices of the area.

Ex vivo UV-vis and FTIR photoacoustic spectroscopy of natural nanoemulsions from cellulose nanocrystals and saponins topically applied into the skin: Diffusion rates and physicochemical evaluation.

Nanoemulsions are increasingly gaining importance in the development of topically applied medicine and cosmetic products because their small droplets favor the penetration rates of active compounds into the body. In this scenario, the measurements of their diffusion rates as well as eventual physicochemical changes in the target tissues are of utmost importance. It is also recognized that the use of natural surfactants can avoid allergic reactions as frequently observed for synthetic products. The natural saponins extracted from Sapindus Saponaria have the property of forming foam and are exploited as biocompatible and biodegradable, while cellulose nanocrystals are known to increase the stability of a formulation avoiding the coalescence of drops at the interface. Therefore, nanoemulsions combining natural saponins and cellulose nanocrystals are promising systems that may facilitate greater diffusion rates of molecules into the skin, being candidates to substitute synthetic formulations. This study applied the Photoacoustic Spectroscopy technique to measure the diffusion rates and the physicochemical properties of nanoemulsified formulations containing saponins and cellulose nanocrystals topically applied to the skin. The ex vivo study combined the first-time photoacoustic measurements performed in both ultraviolet-visible and mid-infrared spectral regions. The toxicity of these formulations in L929 cells was also evaluated. The results showed that the formulations were able to propagate throughout the skin to a depth of approximately 756μm, reaching the dermal side. The non-observation of absorbing band shifting or new bands in the FTIR spectra suggests that there were no structural changes in the skin as well as in the formulations after the nanoemulsions administration. The cytotoxicity results showed that the increase of cellulose nanocrystals concentration decreased cellular toxicity. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the advantage of combining photoacoustic methods in the ultraviolet-visible and mid-infrared spectral regions to analyze drug diffusion and interaction with the skin tissues. Both methods complement each other, allowing the confirmation of the nanoemulsion diffusion through the skin and also suggesting there were no detectable physicochemical changes in the tissues. Formulations stabilized with saponins and cellulose nanocrystals showed great potential for the development of topically administered cosmetics and drugs.

Development of a Novel Green Bio-Nanofluid from Sapindus Saponaria for Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes

The main objective of this study is to develop a novel green-nanofluid from Sapindus Saponaria for its application in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. The bio-nanofluid is composed of a green active compound (AGC), bio-ethanol, and commercial surfactant (SB) at a low concentration. The AGC was obtained from soapberry “Sapindus Saponaria” using the alcoholic extraction method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and critical micellar concentration (CMC) to verify the content of saponins as active agents with surface-active behavior. Three types of silica-based nanoparticles were used and characterized by FTIR, TGA, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Two commercial nanoparticles (SiO2-C1 and SiO2-C2) were evaluated, and a third one (SiO2-RH) was synthesized from rice husks as an ecological nanomaterial alternative. The performance of the adjusted systems was evaluated by capillary number (effective interfacial tension (σe), wettability and viscosity) and finally with coreflooding tests under reservoir conditions. The FTIR results confirm the presence of saponins in the AGC. In addition, according to the TGA, the AGC is stable under the reservoir temperature of interest. Regarding nanoparticles, siloxane and silanol groups were observed in all samples. For SiO2-C1 and SiO2-C2 samples, the weight loss was lower than 5% for temperatures up to 700 °C. Meanwhile, SiO2-RH had a weight loss of 12% at 800 °C, and 8% at reservoir temperature. Results show a decrease in the interfacial tension (IFT) of up to 83% of the tuned system with only 100 mg·L−1 of rice husk nanoparticles compared to the system without nanoparticles, reaching values of 1.60 × 10−1 mN·m−1. In the coreflooding test, increases of up to 13% of additional crude oil were obtained using the best bio-nanofluid. This work presents an excellent opportunity to include green alternatives to improve conventional techniques with added value during the injection of chemicals in chemical-enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) processes.

The effect of Stemona tuberosa root extract on preventing diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella) from infesting cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae) in the winter-spring season of 2020-2021, Thai Nguyen

This study examined the function and efficiency of Stemona tuberosa root extract as an organic pesticide against the diamondback moth on cruciferous vegetables. The 100% root extract, which was obtained via extraction by ethanol, was diluted with water in different ratios and resulted in various efficiency on eliminating diamondback larvae. Particularly, the extract diluted in ratio 1:0 was most efficient with 79.26% diamondback larvae eliminated after 4 days of application. This was closely followed by 77.04% and 76.30% from ratios 1:1 and 1:5, proving that dilution was feasible in terms of maintaining efficiency and reducing economic costs. Those results were much more prominent compared to the effect of other pesticides, which included Padan 95SP 0.01% (44.44% efficient after 4 days spraying), 1% Sapindus saponaria extract (24.44%), and 0.1% soap powder (22.22%). This study also showed that combined usage with those other pesticides enhanced the effect of S. tuberosa. The combination of S. tuberosa root extract (diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5) and 1% S. saponaria extract resulted in excellent effect with 19.61% diamondback moths eliminated after 1 day spraying and 90.18% eliminated after 7 days spraying. Although it was negligibly lower than S. tuberosa + Padan 95SP, this combination is completely organic and eco-friendly. In addition, S. tuberosa extract-based pesticides in this study were tested in cabbage fields. At the 95% confidence interval of Duncan testing, the productivity of CT7 cabbages (34.53 tons/hectar), which were treated with Stemona tuberosa root extract (diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5) mixed with 1% Sapindus saponaria extract, and CT6 cabbages (35.89 tons/hectar), which were treated with Stemona tuberosa root extract and 0.1% soap powder, was homogeneous but slightly lower than the yield of CT8 (chemical pesticides + 0.01% Padan 95SP) with 35.75 tons/hectar.

Avaliação doextrato da Sapindus saponaria L como inibidor de corrosão do cobre em meio ácido

ABSTRACT Copper and its alloys have characteristics of electrical and thermal conductivity and good toughness. As copper has a positive value for standard reduction potential, it does not react with water, but with oxidizing acids. A useful method to protect metals and alloys is the addition of corrosion inhibiting substances in the solution, which has a high inhibition efficiency.However, many inhibitors are undesirable because of their toxicity to the environment and their high cost. Studies have been developed in order to investigate plant extracts as corrosion inhibitors. The sapindus saponaria L plant may have some technological interest in relation to corrosive processes.For this purpose, the techniques of potentiodynamic polarization of cyclic and linear scanning, chronoamperiometry, gravimetric by mass loss immersion, flame atomic absorption spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy were used. In cyclic voltammetry with the cathodic region extract, there is some interaction with the species in solution. From the polarization curves, linear voltammetry, the efficiency was 63.6%, where the extract behaved as a mixed type inhibitor. Determining the values of the corrosion rate in the absence and in the presence of the extract, the value of 59.8% of inhibitory efficiency in terms of mass loss immersion and 80.0% in terms of copper ions content in solution from flame atomic absorption were found.The micrographic images show that in the presence of the extract, on the copper surface there were no significant changes and the formation of corrosion products did not occur. It is concluded that the extract of sapindus saponaria L is a reasonable inhibitor of copper corrosion in HNO3 1 mol/L.

Development of a biocompatible polymeric chitosan system for the release of compounds with leishmanicidal activity

Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania spp; it presents different clinical manifestations, of which cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form, and it is endemic in more than 70 countries worldwide. Only four drugs are registered for the treatment of the disease, all associated with high toxicity. Recently, the in vitro and in vivo leishmanicidal activity of a mixture of the benzoic acid 2-(2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ylidene) hydrazide (TC2) and the compounds present in the plant extract Sapindus saponaria L (SS) were reported. In the present study were prepared soft capsules of chitosan incorporating TC2 and SS in 1:1 (CQ) ratio showed low cytotoxicity in U937 macrophages but moderate cytotoxicity in Detroit 551 fibroblast and had high antileishmanial activity against intracellular L. braziliensis amastigotes. The kinetics of TC2 release from CQ was fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Finally, CQ was effective in treating experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis induced in the hamster model. In conclusion, the CQ are biocompatible and can help treat cutaneous leishmaniasis.