RESUMO
Microbial resistance, caused by the overuse or inadequate application of antibiotics, is a worldwide crisis, increasing the risk of treatment failure and healthcare costs. Plant essential oils (EOs) consist of hydrophobic metabolites with antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial potential of the chemical diversity of plants from the Atlantic Rainforest remains scarcely characterized. In the current work, we determined the metabolite profile of the EOs from aromatic plants from nine locations and accessed their antimicrobial and biocidal activity by agar diffusion assays, minimum inhibitory concentration, time-kill and cell-component leakage assays. The pharmacokinetic properties of the EO compounds were investigated by in silico tools. More than a hundred metabolites were identified, mainly consisting of sesqui and monoterpenes. Individual plants and botanical families exhibited extensive chemical variations in their EO composition. Probabilistic models demonstrated that qualitative and quantitative differences contribute to chemical diversity, depending on the botanical family. The EOs exhibited antimicrobial biocidal activity against pathogenic bacteria, fungi and multiple predicted pharmacological targets. Our results demonstrate the antimicrobial potential of EOs from rainforest plants, indicate novel macromolecular targets, and contribute to highlighting the chemical diversity of native species.
RESUMO
Climatic factors influences the production of active principles of aromatic plants. We evaluated the biomass and essential oil of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Basil growns mainly by small farmers seeking to sell their leaves, which can be used fresh, dried, as flavorings or seasonings. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x2x2 factorial (growing seasons, environments and different kinds of fertilizers). We analyzed plant height, length and width of leaves, fresh and dry weight, yield and essential oil. Comparing the season and environments, the results showed that the plant height were higher in second season. The fertilization did not significantly influence the development and production of essential oils of basil at the two cropping seasons. The cultivation in winter in a protected environment favored crop development, production and essential oil yield.
Os fatores climáticos influenciam na produção de princípios ativos das plantas aromáticas. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a biomassa e o óleo essencial de Ocimum basilicum L. Essa é uma planta cultivada principalmente por pequenos agricultores que tentam vender suas folhas, que podem ser usadas frescas, secas, como aromatizantes ou em temperos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 (épocas de cultivo, ambientes e tipos de adubações). Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: altura da planta, comprimento e largura de folhas, peso e rendimento de óleo essencial. Comparando-se épocas e ambientes de cultivo, os resultados mostraram que altura das plantas foi maior na segunda época. O tipo de adubação não influenciou significativamente no desenvolvimento e na produção de óleos essenciais de manjericão nas duas épocas de cultivo. Além disso, o cultivo no inverno em ambiente protegido favoreceu o desenvolvimento, a produção e o rendimento de óleo essencial.
Assuntos
Óleos Voláteis/química , Clima , Ocimum basilicum/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Estações do Ano , Produção Agrícola , Meio Ambiente , Fertilizantes , Folhas de Planta/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Monoterpenos/análise , Estações do Ano , Sesquiterpenos/análiseRESUMO
Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae, is an herb with great growth prospects in the cosmetic industry due to its essential oil. In order to improve its production, it is necessary to study related agricultural practices. This study evaluated the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on the chemical composition of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil. The assay was conducted at the "Fazenda Experimental do Glória" of the Federal University of Uberlândia, and essential oil extraction and GC/MS analyses were completed by the Centre for Research and Development on Plant Genetic Resources of the Campinas Agronomic Institute. The assay was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The tested treatments were six types of fertilization (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 kg.m-2 of cattle manure and mineral fertilizing with 60 g.m-2 of NPK 4-14-8 + 4 g.m-2 of boric acid) with four replications. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation in a modified Clevenger apparatus. The chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS. The essential oil presented the same compounds for all treatments; however, the relative proportion of some chemical constituents was altered according to the treatment. Neral, geranial, and citronellal were the major constituents.