Nutritional, chemical and functional potential of Inga laurina (Fabaceae): A barely used edible species.

Inga laurina is a plant species which produces edible fruits, and until now there is little information available concerning its nutritional, chemical and bioactive composition. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the proximate composition and mineral contents in its fruit (peel, pulp and seed), that is the traditionally consumed part. The seeds obtained the highest protein (19.

Effects and productive performance of urban agriculture on collective and environmental health in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Urban agriculture may help promote key indicators, such as improvement of environmental health and food security and reduction of social inequality. The present article aims to help understand the current situation of urban agriculture in the city of Rio de Janeiro by focusing on the Hortas Cariocas Program (HCP). To this end, two approaches were adopted.

Alkaloids (emetine and cephalin) production - affected by full sunlight stress in .

This study evaluated the responses of to sunlight stress-induced changes in the electron transport chain and its extended effects on alkaloid production (emetine and cephalin). The treatments consisted of: (i). 50, 70, and 90% shading (controls) and their respective exposure to full sunlight; besides, full sunlight (55 days of direct sun exposure).

Effects of copaiba oil on dermonecrosis induced by venom.

Background: Accidents caused by spiders of the genus constitute an important public health problem in Brazil. The venom of induces dermonecrosis at the bite site and systemic disease in severe cases. Traditional medicine based on plant-derived products has been proven to reduce the local effects of envenomation.

Rutin derivatives obtained by transesterification reactions catalyzed by Novozym 435: Antioxidant properties and absence of toxicity in mammalian cells.

Flavonoids are one of the most important and diversified phenolic groups among products of natural origin. An important property of this metabolite class is the antioxidant action. This study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and oxidative stress of transesterification products of the flavonoid rutin, catalyzed by Novozym® 435.

Tabebuia avellanedae naphthoquinones: activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococcal strains, cytotoxic activity and in vivo dermal irritability analysis.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and coagulase-negative staphylococcus infections are a worldwide concern. Currently, these isolates have also shown resistance to vancomycin, the last therapy used in these cases. It has been observed that quinones and other related compounds exhibit antibacterial activity.

Brazilian phytopharmaceuticals--evaluation against hospital bacteria.

Pharmaceutical companies have demonstrated renewed interest in investigating higher plants as sources for new lead structures and also for the development of standardized phytotherapeutic agents of proven efficacy, safety and quality. This work analysed three commercial phytopharmaceuticals against multi-resistant bacteria of medical importance, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from the Brazilian endemic clone. From the phytopharmaceuticals assayed, plants from the products 'Astmoflora' and 'Kókolos' were considered active, while plants from 'Uva do Mato' were not active in the tested concentrations, which ranged from 62.