Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Estimation and comparison of reference evapotranspiration using different methods to determine olive trees irrigation schedule in different bioclimatic stages of Tunisia","authors":"Amani Bchir, R. Lemeur, F. B. Mariem, N. Boukherissa, W. Gariani, Haifa Sbaii, A. B. Dhiab, Samia Ben Mansour Gueddes, M. Braham","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061413","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The study of olive trees water requirements allows a better water management by using more accurate methods including maximum parameters of the continuum soil-plant- atmosphere. The Penman-Monteith equations is consideredas the most rational approach and the most reliable for calculating evapotranspiration. Only this approach necessarily requires an important number of climate parameters. The use of other equations, less complicated and using less climate parameters may be a reliable and efficient alternative. This experimental study was carried out on two cultivars cv. \"Meski\" and cv. \"Chemlali\" conducted in the intensive system in different bioclimatic stages (Subhumid, Semi-Arid and Arid) in Tunisia. This work aims to estimate olive trees water needs using evapotranspiration calculation in three different bioclimatic stages. For that, we compared the Penman-Monteith formula with Blaney-Criddel, Hargreaves-Temperature, Hargreaves- Radiation and Priestley-Taylor formulas to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ET0). Results show that ET0 values calculated by Priestley-Taylor and Blaney-Criddel formulas were more or less similar to Penman-Monteith. The ET0 values found by Hargreaves-Temperature and Hargreaves-Radiation were twice the values calculated by Penman-Monteith formula. We also found good correlations between the reference evapotranspiration calculated by the Penman-Monteith equation and that calculated by Priestley-Taylor and Blaney-Criddel equations in all bioclimatic stages (R2 more than 0.85, p < 1%). The ET0 sensitivity analysis has shown that solar radiation and air temperature (energetic climatic parameters) have the dominant effect on the ET0 at the level of the different climatic regions. Accordingly, in the case of lack of some climatic parameters and in sub-humid, semi-arid and arid conditions and for the different phenological stages of the olive tree, we can use Priestley-Taylor and/or Blaney-Criddle formulas to estimate water needs.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90468823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial communities and activities in caves","authors":"Ramat Onyeneoyiza Raji, O. A. Oyewole, Omeiza Haruna Ibrahim, Yetunde Noimot Tijani, M. Gana","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061407","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061407","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Caves are natural aperture and oligotrophic extreme environment for psychrophilic and psychrotolerant microorganisms. Microorganisms found in caves can be indigenous to the caves or introduced by humans, animals, water flow and wind action. Group of microorganisms found in caves are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae and viruses. However, bacteria and fungi are the dominant microorganisms. Cave microorganisms are metabolically diverse and are able to acquire energy independently through photoautotrophic, chemoautotrophic or heterotrophic activities. Different microbial groups also interact in the formation of cave and as part of the biogeochemical cycling of elements. Cave microbiology has allowed the detection of microorganisms with the potentials to produce different biomolecules for industrial, pharmaceutical, environmental and biotechnological purposes.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86544187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioactive components and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Maesobotrya barteri (Baill.) Hutch. (Euphorbiaceae) on haematological profile in paracetamol-induced Wistar rats","authors":"C. Ogunka-Nnoka, B. Abbey","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061405","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061405","url":null,"abstract":"The study evaluates the bioactive components and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Maesobotrya barteri (Baill.) Hutch. (Euphorbiaceae) on the haematological profile of paracetamol-induced Wistar albino rats. Standard methods were used in the proximate, phytochemical and haematological profile analysis. The results of the proximate composition revealed high values for crude fiber (49.13%), carbohydrates (16.33%) and protein (10.94%). Phytochemical studies showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols and tannins within the concentration range of 0.0003-94.68 μg/mL. Twenty-four hours after the last oral administration, the rats were sacrificed. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture. Results of the haematological profile at different dose levels (200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight) did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05) when compared with the control. A slight increase was observed in the erythrocytes (red blood cells, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and platelets). Meanwhile, a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in the WBC and platelets of the groups induced with paracetamol only. However, administration of ascorbic and the sample extract reduced the white blood cells and platelet levels. The study revealed that M. barteri leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, bioactive constituents and may serve as a blood booster. Keyword: Bioactive components; Maesobotrya barteri; Haematological profile; Paracetamol; Wistar rats. Received July 29, 2019 Accepted December 11, 2019 Released December 31, 2019","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"15 1","pages":"521-533"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85446166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence, intensity and mean abundance of digenean parasites of the frog Fejervarya sp. (Anura: Dicroglossidae) of the South Western Ghats","authors":"Dr. Shinad K, P. K. Prasadan","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061408","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Four species of digenean parasites, Ganeo glottoides, Pleurogenoides cyanophlycti, Tremiorchis ranarum and Encyclometra colubrimurorum infecting the frog Fejervarya sp. (Anura: Dicroglossidae) of the Wayanad Region of the South Western Ghats are reported in this paper. Of the trematode parasites recovered, three, G. glottoides, P. cyanophlycti and T. ranarum, were adults and one, E. colubrimurorum, a metacercaria. Multiple infections were also recorded during the study. Prevalence of infection of G. glottoides, P. cyanophlycti, T. ranarum and E. coloubrimurorum were 1.27%, 0.84%, 0.84% and 0.84%, respectively, the intensity of infection 5, 1, 4.5 and 1.5 and the mean abundance 0.063, 0.008, 0.038 and 0.012, respectively. Mean abundance is a clear indication of the dispersion of parasites among hosts. The mean abundance, prevalence of infection and the intensity were at the maximum level in G. glottoides infection.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80911449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estimating the enzyme specificity and glucose concentration of sugar solutions","authors":"Rishan Singh","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061401","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061401","url":null,"abstract":"The function of the human body are controlled by enzymes and hormones. Similarly, in the laboratory, the enzyme, glucose oxidase, is used to hydrolyse glucose. In the human body, glucose and insulin control blood glucose levels, which are dependent on food intake. In this study, the enzyme specificity and glucose concentration of sugar solutions would be estimated. In order to achieve this, an experiment involving the use of indicator strips and a two-fold serial dilution was performed. Furthermore, conclusions on blood glucose and serum insulin levels would also be discussed from a given data set.","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"194 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73190701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological variation of Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) Kuntze, 1891 (Arecaceae) in continental and insular environment","authors":"Ana Paula de Paula Loures de Oliveira, Amanda Toledo Lourenço","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061404","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061404","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Various evolutionary and ecological aspects in isolated environments, such as islands, associated with speciation events, play a role in biological diversification. In this sense, the morphological characteristics of Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) Kuntze, 1891 (Arecaceae) species on mainland and island were evaluated to detect possible differences that reflect adaptive responses to the island environment. This study provides the first demonstration on the relationship of morphological differences of A. arenaria species. Height, perimeter, and total number of fruits and flowers from each plant were used for nonparametric analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test. The plants of the island did not show evident patterns in the different morphological characteristics of the plants of the continent. It is believed that the species may not be a good representative of adaptive evidence for islands.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76774106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of conocarpan on susceptibility of Candida albicans to phagocytosis and digestion by macrophages","authors":"D. M. D. Igna, A. A. Steil, R. Z. Silva, V. Filho, A. Bella-Cruz","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061403","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061403","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Piper solmsianum C. DC. compounds exhibit several properties, including antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether conocarpan alters Candida albicans growth or killing of the yeast by macrophages. Conocarpan showed strong activity against the yeast with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 20 µg/mL and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 30 µg/mL. Mice peritoneal cells (macrophages) were cultured for 24 and 48 hours in supplemented RPMI 1640 medium. Cellular activation was assessed by determining MTT reduction and nitric oxide production. Standardized tests were conducted to select the optimal parameters for the subsequent killing test. Results showed that conocarpan exhibited antifungal activity and that C. albicans cultivated in the presence of the compound had greater susceptibility to death by macrophages. These findings suggest that conocarpan may have potential as an antimicrobial agent for C. albicans infections, promoting macrophagic immune support by altering growth of the yeast.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83048778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fine structure of neurosecretory cells and sinus gland in the eyestalk of the freshwater crab Travancoriana schirnerae Bott, 1969 (Decapoda: Gecarcinucidae)","authors":"S. Raghavan, A. Ayanath, B. K. C. Sagar","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061406","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061406","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 This study elucidated the fine structure of neurosecretory cells and sinus gland in the optic ganglia of the freshwater crab Travancoriana schirnerae Bott, 1969 (Decapoda: Gecarcinucidae). The eyestalk ganglion showed the presence of four well defined ganglia arranged below the ommatidium: lamina ganglionaris, medulla externa, medulla interna and medulla terminalis of which the lamina ganglionaris, was devoid of neurosecretory cells. Groups of neurosecretory cells seen distributed along the medulla externa, interna and terminalis regions constitute the X-organs. Electron microscopic observations of the eyestalk ganglia revealed ten types of neurosecretory cells, mostly apolar with a few unipolar and bipolar cells classified according to the size, shape and density of the cell and nucleus, cell organelles/inclusions, together with the arrangement and properties of chromatin. These cells were characterized by the presence of large nuclei with unusually condensed chromatin, inclusions like vacuoles and vesicles of varying size, shape and density and organelles like Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes and mitochondria and neurosecretory material. The sinus gland of T. schirnerae was positioned laterally between the externa and interna regions, composed of axonal endings of the neurosecretory cells of the optic ganglia with interspersed glial cells. The axon terminals were enclosed with several small to large membrane bound homogenously dense neurosecretory granules which also occur in the preterminal areas of the axons. Based on size, shape and density of granules and axoplasmic matrix, seven terminal types could be distinguished in the sinus gland of T. schirnerae. Mostly, the granules contained in a terminal were of the same type; rarely, the same terminal enclosed granules of varying size, shape and density. The neurosecretory cell types and axon terminal types represent the types of neurohormones they contained. A precise knowledge of the morphology and cytology of neurosecretory cells in the XO-SG complex of the eyestalk that secrete neurohormones controlling major physiological processes such as growth and reproduction is imperative for successful captive breeding of a species of aquaculture potential.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76795756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lead (Pb2+) causes chlorophyll related changes and oxidative damage in Chlorella ellipsoides (Chlorophyceae)","authors":"Matouke M. Moise","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061412","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The increasing production of anthropological wastes containing heavy metals has resulted to their discharge and contamination into freshwater ecosystems. Hence, the effects of heavy metals are of health concern for aquatic biodiversity. This study investigated the short term effects of Pb2+ (0.0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 µg.L-1) on the biomass (cell density, chlorophyll a, b) and antioxidant (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), guiacol peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRx), and malondialdehyde (MDA)). Chlorella ellipsoides (Chlorophyceae) was sensitive to Pb2+, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of chlorophyll a and b was observed with increasing concentrations of Pb2+. Antioxidant Catalase, SOD, GPx and GRx relatively decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after exposure of microalga to Pb2+. However, MDA increased significantly (p < 0.05) after microalgae was exposed to Pb2+. The finding of this study indicates that exogenous concentrations are harmful for the welfare of C. ellipsoides. This study is important as it demonstrates the potential impact of Pb2+ on microalgae. Field studies in African freshwater biodiversity and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems are recommended to assess the level and impact of Pb2+ in aquatic ecosystems.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86289566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Applications of endophytic-fungal-isolates from velamen root of wild orchids in floriculture","authors":"A. Deepthi, J. G. Ray","doi":"10.21472/bjbs.061409","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.061409","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The velamen roots are quite extensively growing and profusely branched organ of adaptation in epiphytic orchids. The endophytic-fungi in such roots are believed to have growth-promoting influence, especially on the roots itself. However, an application of the same in the cultivation of the ornamental orchids is not yet sufficiently tried. The present report deals with the growth promoting effects of endophytic fungi of the velamen roots of a wild epiphytic orchid Acampe praemorsa on an ornamental orchid, Dendrobium sp. The five endophytic fungal species, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma atroviride, Endomelanconiopsis endophytica and Diaporthe eucalyptorum isolated from the velamen roots of the epiphytic orchid, A. praemorsa were found to be potent producers of the hormone indole-3-acetic-acid (IAA). The endophytic fungi were identified by morphological and molecular methods. The nucleotide sequences of the identified strains were deposited in the GenBank. The growth-promoting influence of them was tested on an ornamental orchid Dendrobium sp. Experimental assessment of nutrient uptake, chlorophyll content, and biomass of the leaves of the treated plants after 45 days of inoculation confirmed the growth promoting effects. The amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the treated plants showed a significant increase from the control. The fungus E. endophytica showed a significant increase in the chlorophyll content in the leaves of treated plants; T. asperellum and D. eucalyptorum showed a significant increase in the fresh-weight of treated plants, whereas T. asperellum and E. endophytica significantly increased the dry weight of leaves in treated plants. Overall, the experiment proved that the endophytic fungal isolates from the wild orchid A. praemorsa synthesize bioactive compounds including IAA that can promote growth in ornamental orchids such as Dendrobium sp. Thus the endophytic fungal isolates from wild orchids are proved significant in orchid floriculture.\u0000","PeriodicalId":9319,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Biological Sciences","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86816512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}