Brazilian Journal of Biology最新文献

Traditional plant-based medicine is increasingly sought as an alternative to synthetic drugs with adverse effects, yet the medicinal potential of understory vegetation in Indonesia's tropical forests remains poorly documented. This study investigated the diversity and medicinal potential of understory plants in the lowland forests of Mount Ciremai National Park, specifically examining species distribution patterns across altitudinal gradients and their bioprospecting potential. Surveys were conducted using stratified sampling along five elevation zones (700-1,200 m asl) with 200 quadrats (1×1 m). Diversity was assessed using Shannon-Wiener index (H'), community structure through Importance Value Index (IVI), and medicinal potential through ethnobotanical validation and systematic literature review. Results revealed 39 species across 25 families (1,583 individuals total), with 16 species (41%) demonstrating validated medicinal properties for treating digestive, genitourinary, and dermatological disorders. Diversity exhibited a hump-shaped pattern peaking at intermediate elevations (H' = 2.88 at 900-1,000 m), with strong positive correlation between altitude and phytochemical diversity (r = 0.73, p < 0.01). Leaves constituted the most utilized plant part (56.3%). These findings provide critical implications for: (1) ex-situ conservation of priority medicinal species; (2) altitude-specific sustainable harvesting protocols; (3) evidence-based pharmaceutical bioprospecting; and (4) traditional knowledge documentation supporting community-based cultivation programs. The altitude-phytochemical diversity relationship indicates that conservation strategies must incorporate elevation-specific management zones to preserve genetic and chemical diversity. This study substantiates the pharmaceutical potential of tropical understory plants and provides empirical foundation for integrating biodiversity conservation with sustainable forest resource utilization.

Radish is a tuberous vegetable rich in nutrients, making it a great option for crop rotation on small and medium-sized properties. In this way, the determination adequate sources and doses of nitrogen (N) is essential to guarantee the development of this crop without excessive losses through leaching, reducing both damage to the environment and production costs. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and physiology of radish cultivated under fertilization with different sources and doses of N. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse located in the experimental area of the Biotechnology and Plant Breeding Sector of the Department of Biosciences of the Center for Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme (two sources of nitrogen fertilization - urea and ammonium sulfate; and five doses of nitrogen fertilizer - 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha-1) with four replications. Plant height, fresh and dry mass of roots, fresh and dry mass of shoots, number of leaves, leaf area, gas exchange, chlorophyll index and chlorophyll fluorescence were evaluated. Radish growth was positively influenced by N sources and doses. The application of urea was more efficient for plant growth, chlorophyll a index and total chlorophyll index, and fertilization with 15.0 kg ha-1 of urea was the most efficient way to increase the growth and production of radish plants.

The preservation of Coffea arabica L. seeds is essential to obtain vigorous and healthy seedlings, but there are no registered fungicides for their phytosanitary treatment during the storage phase. Therefore, essential oils appear as promising alternatives due to the presence of bioactive compounds with potential antimicrobial action, in addition to contributing to the sustainability of the production chain. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of Arabica coffee seeds treated with different essential oils during storage. Six essential oils (Rosmarinus officinalis, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon winterianus, Syzygium aromaticum, Eucalyptus globulus and Melaleuca alternifolia), a synthetic fungicide (TECTO®) and a control were used, subjected to five storage periods (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months). The physiological quality of the seeds was verified by means of standard germination and vigor tests: moisture content, germination, accelerated aging, seedling emergence and emergence speed index. There was a significant interaction between treatments and storage time for all variables analyzed. The essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis and Cymbopogon winterianus preserved seed germination and vigor for up to nine months, a performance similar to that of the synthetic fungicide. Thus, these oils stand out as viable alternatives to the conventional fungicide treatment of Arabica coffee seeds.

The 2006 Lapindo mudflow, diverted into the Porong River, has had severe and lasting impacts on the East Sidoarjo coastal environment. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of water quality and pollutant dynamics two decades after the disaster. Water samples were collected using stratified purposive sampling from three coastal villages (Kedungpandan, Kupang, and Permisan) in April 2025. Physicochemical parameters, nutrients, and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) were analyzed using American Public Health Association (APHA, 2017) protocols. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a multivariate statistical tool used to identify dominant factors influencing water quality. Results revealed stable temperature (30.5 °C), a clear salinity gradient (17.3-24.7 ppt), and spatial variation in dissolved oxygen (DO, the amount of oxygen available for aquatic organisms) ranging from 6.27 to 7.83 mg/L. Nutrient levels were generally low, with phosphate identified as the limiting factor. Total Organic Matter (TOM, a measure of decomposable organic material in water) ranged widely (35.76-107.44 mg/L), indicating strong terrestrial input. Although most heavy metals were within safe limits, copper (Cu) concentrations (0.96-3.46 mg/L) greatly exceeded regulatory thresholds and were found at elevated levels alongside high TOM, though their correlation was not statistically significant. PCA identified two main pollution sources: organic-nutrient input from the Porong River and geogenic heavy metals from volcanic material. These findings provide the first long-term baseline dataset for this area, supporting the development of adaptive aquaculture practices and evidence-based coastal management strategies.

Stachys byzantina is a plant species of culinary and ethnomedicinal relevance, recognized for its versatility and as a source of essential micronutrients. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the hexane leaf extract, as well as evaluate the anticancer activity of the hexane, ethanolic, hydroethanolic, acetone, and hydroacetone extracts of Stachys byzantina. The fatty acid profile was determined using gas chromatography, and characterization was carried out according to quality and identity indices of crude oil, including iodine, acidity, and peroxide values. Anticancer activity was assessed through the Sulforhodamine B cytotoxicity assay. The results revealed that the hexane extract was predominantly composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as α-linolenic and linoleic acids, along with the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid. . UV-Visible spectrophotometric analysis indicated the presence of tocopherols, carotenoids, and chlorophyll in the hexane extract. Regarding anticancer activity, the hexane extract demonstrated efficacy against glioma, breast adenocarcinoma, and murine melanoma cells, while the hydroethanolic and hydroacetone extracts were active against murine melanoma cells. Importantly, the tested extracts showed no cytotoxic effects on normal human umbilical cord cells or murine fibroblasts, suggesting that their consumption can be considered safe.

Enhancing tree diversity is a key strategy for building climate-resilient cities. In Brazil, however, urban forests, except in urban forest remnants, are often dominated by a few species, mostly exotic, despite the country's immense native biodiversity. This study presents a rapid and simple method to support planners in designing functionally diverse urban forests using native trees. We grouped 77 native species from the Dense Ombrophilous Forest (DOF) in southern Brazil into six functional groups based on four traits: seed mass, wood density, height, and leaf persistence. These groups represent distinct ecological strategies and can guide tree selection tailored to local conditions. By offering a low-cost, replicable tool grounded in functional ecology, this approach promotes the use of native species, enhances ecosystem resilience, and fosters a stronger local ecological identity. The method can be adapted for use in other formations and biomes and is particularly relevant for small and mid-sized cities that usually lack the technical capacity for ecological planning.

Lung cancer ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Thailand. Since there is currently no definitive cure, many researchers have turned to natural products in search of potential inhibitors of cancer cell proliferation. This study aimed at investigating the phytochemical reactions and biological activities of seven individual medicinal herbs (A-G) and a traditional Thai polyherbal formula (H). The herbs were extracted using ethanol (A1-H1) and water (A2-H2) as solvents. The resulting extracts were chemical reaction analyzed for the presence of 7 phytochemical groups. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay. The inhibitory effect on lung cancer cell proliferation was assessed using the resazurin microplate assay. The H extracts contained all seven key phytochemical groups. However, both H1 and H2 demonstrated DPPH scavenging activity with SC50 values of 115.39 and 616.61 µg/ml, respectively. Only extracts D1, F1, and D2 had been able to inhibit the proliferation of small cell lung cancer with the Selectivity Index (SI) of 2.08, >1.29, and 7.11, respectively. Although the ethanol extract of the polyherbal formula had exhibited a relatively low level of bioactivity in this study, it also showed low cytotoxicity. Therefore, further investigations into its effects on other cancer cell lines or additional biological activities are recommended.

The cocoa beans of small holders were usually still of low quality, one of which was caused by the planting location of various altitudes, especially in the highlands at altitudes >800 m above sea level. Currently, cocoa cultivation is expanding to highland areas in the Humbang Hasundutan District at altitudes >800 m above sea level. The pod quality description of cocoa should be emphasized to promote cocoa development in highlands. The focus of this research was the characteristics of cocoa pods and beans on several altitudes in the higland of Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North of Sumatra, Indonesia. The research method was a survey using purposive sampling at four altitudes: 865, 960, 1030, and 1118 m above sea level (asl). The observed parameters were pod size, pod diameter, pod volume, dry weight of pod, dry weight of husk, dry weight of beans, bean count per pod, and dry weight per bean at 4 different altitudes in Humbang Hasundutan highland (>800 m asl) with 10 pods (replications) at each altitude. The results of research showed that pod size increased, pod diameter increased, pod dry weight increased, dry weight of beans increased, bean count per pod increased, and dry weight of each bean increased with the increase in altitude. The best pods and beans were at an altitude of 960 m asl, namely pod length 18.10 cm, pod dry weight 85.92 g, beans dry weight 39.02 g, number of beans per pod 38.7, and average weight per bean 1.02 g. The physical characteristics of cocoa pods and beans are still in the normal category.

The research aims to study the dynamics of reproductive system pathologies in mares of Kazakh and Mugalzhar horse breeds and their impact on the reproductive traits of the breeding stock. The object of the research was horses of the Kazakh and Mugalzhar breeds. The formation of experimental groups was carried out using the pair-analog method. It was found that the frequency of detection of infertile mares is 13.8-25.0%. Subinvolution of the uterus from the total number of infertile mares is 8.3-10.7%, endometritis - 16.6-23.3%, atony and hypotonia of the uterus - 8.3-13.3%, ovarian diseases - 19.6-43.4%, other diseases - 10.0-39.4%. The pregnancy rate of mares of the Kazakh and Mugalzhar breeds was 78.8%. The frequency of abortions, weakly born, and stillborn foals was 2.8%. Successful foaling was 76.0%. It was established that successful foaling in mares under 5 years old is 65.6%, 6-9 years old - 79.5%, and 10 years and older - 74.6%. Pregnancy rates are lowest in mares under 5 years of age (74.4%), compared to 6-9 years of age (88.0%) and 10 years of age and older (82.0%). Milk productivity analysis of first-lactation mares revealed significantly higher yields on farms specializing in mare's milk production, accompanied by slight improvements in fat and protein content. The findings highlight the strong influence of management practices, nutritional status, and timely reproductive monitoring on the reproductive success of local horse breeds.

One of the major public health challenges is pathogen resistance to multiple drugs, leading to intensive searches for new antimicrobial agents from natural sources through the exploration of new niches. The objective of this research was to isolate actinobacteria from sediments of Lago Verde (Green Lake) in Alter do Chão, evaluating their antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities, and identifying their bioactive volatile compounds. Identification was carried out through morphological and biochemical evaluation. Antibacterial activity was investigated using the agar disk diffusion method against 17 pathogens of clinical interest. Cytotoxic activity was determined by the percentage inhibition of cell growth in samples of the human colorectal carcinoma cell line HCT116, using a concentration of 10 µg/mL, with results expressed as mean ± SEM (n=2). The determination of antioxidant activity was performed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The volatile compound profile of the crude extract was established through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The identification of isolate LV20 shows characteristics of the phylum Actinobacteria, suggestive of the genus Streptomyces. Its antibacterial activity demonstrated action against Staphylococcus epidermidis (17.75 ± 1.25 mm) and Enterococcus faecalis (17.5 ± 0.5 mm), as well as inhibiting the proliferation of the HCT116 tumor cell line by 95.55%. The crude ethyl acetate extract of LV20 showed significant antioxidant activity by the DPPH method, evidenced by an Effective Concentration (EC50) of 890.29 µg/mL. Chromatographic analysis identified bioactive volatile compounds, notably glycerin (28%), tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (22.12%), and benzenepropanoic acid, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-, octadecyl ester (14.67%), which exhibit pharmacological potential. The novel results demonstrate the biological variability of Streptomyces sp. LV20 as a promising source of bioactive molecules with therapeutic applications, highlighting the importance of Amazonian biodiversity for the bioprospecting of new drugs.