Biochar enhances soil interactions and the initial development of sugarcane.

The present study evaluated the effects of biochar derived from sugarcane straw on the physicochemical and biological properties of soil and the initial development of sugarcane. Microcosm and pot experiments were conducted over 60 days to monitor variables such as pH, water retention capacity, microbial activity, initial growth, and the metabolomic profile of the plant leaves. The results indicated that biochar increased the soil water retention capacity without significantly affecting the pH.

Flavonoids and Triterpenoids Isolated From the Ethyl Acetate Extract of M. quadrangulata Leaves.

The new flavonoid (-)-4'-O-methylepicatechin 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with four known triterpenes (2-5), a steroid (6), and a flavonoid (7) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Maytenus quadrangulata leaves. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined through analysis of 1D NMR (H and C) spectroscopic data, in addition to 2D NMR and spectrometric (MS) data for compound 1. This is the first report of the isolation of daucosterol (6) and (-)-4'-O-methylepigallocatechin (7) from this species.

Virucidal antiviral activity of Maytenus quadrangulata extract against Mayaro virus: Evidence for the presence of catechins.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arbovirus endemic to the Amazon region, which comprises the states of the North and Midwest region of Brazil and encompasses the largest tropical forest in the world, the Amazon Forest. The confirmation of its potential transmission by Aedes aegypti and recent cases in Brazil, mainly in large centers in the northern region, led to the classification of Mayaro fever as an emerging disease. Traditional medicine is commonly used to treat various diseases, mainly by local riverside populations.

Laticifer ontogenesis and the chemical constituents of Marsdenia zehntneri (Apocynaceae) latex in a semiarid environment.

Anastomosed laticifers with intrusive growth produce latex containing methyl comate and betulin with economic and ecological value in arid environments. Climatic factors influence laticifer development in the apical meristem and vascular cambium. Latex is a complex emulsion with high medicinal as well as ecological value related to plant survival.

Pentacyclic Triterpenoids Isolated from Celastraceae: A Focus in the C-NMR Data.

The Celastraceae family comprises about 96 genera and more than 1.350 species, occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The species of this family stand out as important plant sources of triterpenes, both in terms of abundance and structural diversity.

Mucilaginous Secretions in the Xylem and Leaf Apoplast of the Swamp Palm L.f. (Arecaceae).

Mauritia flexuosa palms inhabit wetland environments in the dry, seasonal Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) and produce mucilaginous secretions in the stem and petiole that have a medicinal value. The present study sought to characterize the chemical natures of those secretions and to describe the anatomical structures involved in their synthesis. Chemical analyzes of the secretions, anatomical, histochemical analyses, and electron microscopy studies were performed on the roots, stipes, petioles, and leaf blades.

Chemodiversity of Essential Oils from Nine Species of Celastraceae.

Extracts and compounds obtained from several species of Celastraceae family are reported as potential sources of drugs due to their diverse pharmacological properties. Nevertheless, essential oil composition from these species is still little known. This work aimed at the analysis of essential oils obtained from different Brazilian Celastraceae species.