RESUMO
Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is a pollutant with diverse origins, exhibiting varying chemical compositions, and undergoes several molecular transformations in the atmosphere. In this study, PM samples (PM2.5, PM10 and TSP) were collected in five Brazilian cities (Camboriú-SC; Catalão-GO; Florianópolis-SC; Limeira-SP and Novo Hamburgo-RS) during the four seasons of the year. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the differences between each city and season in PM concentration. PM10 average concentrations were higher in the city of Limeira, compared to the other (ANOVA p-values and Tukey's test). Moreover, Tukey's test demonstrated differences between the average PM10 concentrations in summer and winter. Regarding TSP and PM2.5, Tukey's test showed differences between winter and warm seasons (spring and summer). Moreover, polar compounds from the samples collected in the summer (February) and winter (August) periods were analyzed (Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer) following a non-targeted approach and annotated. This is the first study to carry out this type of analysis in these five Brazilian cities. Despite the differences in PM concentrations, profiles of polar organic compounds, showed similarities between samples/and, in general, the same compounds were present, albeit with different intensities. The annotated compounds are associated with vehicle emissions and plastics, which are considered important global air polluters. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity for comprehensive studies aimed at investigating the non-targeted compounds existing in the atmosphere. Such research can provide invaluable insights to policymakers, enabling them to formulate effective guidelines and policies to mitigate particulate matter concentration and enhance overall air quality.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos , Poluição do Ar , Material Particulado/análise , Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Brasil , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Poluição do Ar/análise , Cidades , Estações do Ano , ChinaRESUMO
Chitinases are enzymes that degrade chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of insects, fungi, yeast, and internal structures of other vertebrates. Although chitinases isolated from bacteria, fungi and plants have been reported to have antifungal or insecticide activities, chitinases from insects with these activities have been seldomly reported. In this study, a leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens DNA fragment containing 1623 base pairs was amplified and cloned into a vector to express the protein (AsChtII-C4B1) in Pichia pastoris. AsChtII-C4B1, which contains one catalytic domain and one carbohydrate-binding module (CBM), was secreted to the extracellular medium and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by nickel column chromatography. AsChtII-C4B1 showed maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 55 °C when tested against colloidal chitin substrate and maintained >60% of its maximal activity in different temperatures during 48 h. AsChtII-C4B1 decreased the survival of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae fed with an artificial diet that contained AsChtII-C4B1. Our results have indicated that AsChtII-C4B1 has a higher effect on larva-pupa than larva-larva molts. AsChtII-C4B1 activity targets more specifically the growth of filamentous fungus than yeast. This work describes, for the first time, the obtaining a recombinant chitinase from ants and the characterization of its insecticidal and antifungal activities.
Assuntos
Formigas , Quitinases , Animais , Antifúngicos/química , Formigas/enzimologia , Formigas/genética , Formigas/metabolismo , Quitina/química , Quitinases/química , Quitinases/genética , Quitinases/farmacologia , Clonagem Molecular , Fungos/metabolismo , Inseticidas/farmacologia , Larva/efeitos dos fármacos , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/efeitos dos fármacos , Spodoptera/efeitos dos fármacos , Catálise , Domínio CatalíticoRESUMO
Arthropods produce a great variety of natural compounds, many of which have unexplored biosynthesis. Among the armored harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) of the suborder Laniatores, the defensive gland exudates contain vinyl ketones and other constituents of supposed polyketide origin. We have studied the biosynthesis of 1-hepten-3-one in the Neotropical harvestman Iporangaia pustulosa by feeding individuals with ¹³C-labeled precursors, demonstrating its mixed acetate/propionate origin. ¹³C NMR spectroscopy showed an unusual labeling pattern suggesting different propionate sources for starting and extender units. Our analysis also indicates the presence of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, converting acetate into propionyl-CoA via succinyl-CoA, together with other C3 unit routes. This is the first biosynthetic study of alkyl vinyl ketones in arthropods. Our results shed light on the origin and diversification of chemical compounds in a major arthropod group.
Assuntos
Alcenos/metabolismo , Aracnídeos/metabolismo , Cetonas/metabolismo , Acil Coenzima A/metabolismo , Animais , Aracnídeos/enzimologia , Isótopos de Carbono/química , Cetonas/química , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Metilmalonil-CoA Mutase/metabolismo , Propionatos/química , Propionatos/metabolismoRESUMO
Benzoquinones are usually present in arthropod defence exudates. Here, we describe the chemical profiles of 12 harvestman species belonging to the neotropical family Gonyleptidae. Nine of the studied species produced benzoquinones, while three produced alkyl phenols. Two benzoquinones and one phenol exhibited biological activity against bacteria and fungi. We also studied the biosynthesis of 2-ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone by feeding Magnispina neptunus individuals with ¹³C-labelled precursors; the benzoquinones were biosynthesised through a polyketide pathway using acetate and propionate building blocks.
Assuntos
Aracnídeos/metabolismo , Benzoquinonas/química , Fenóis/química , Animais , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/metabolismo , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antifúngicos/química , Antifúngicos/metabolismo , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Aracnídeos/química , Bacillus/efeitos dos fármacos , Benzoquinonas/metabolismo , Benzoquinonas/farmacologia , Vias Biossintéticas , Candida albicans/efeitos dos fármacos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Micrococcus luteus/efeitos dos fármacos , Estrutura Molecular , Fenóis/metabolismo , Fenóis/farmacologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Four species of gonyleptid harvestmen, Acanthogonyleptes pulcher, Gonyleptes saprophilus (Gonyleptinae), Sodreana barbiellini, and Sodreana leprevosti (Sodreaninae), were examined by GC-MS and ¹³H NMR. All of these species release vinyl ketones, and three of them produce the corresponding pyranyl ketones, which are presumed hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) dimers. The vinyl ketones 5-methyl-1-hexen-3-one, rac-4-methyl-1-hexen-3-one, and (S)-4-methyl-1-hexen-3-one were synthesized. Natural 4-methyl-1-hexen-3-one is present as a single stereoisomer and has the R-configuration. Vinyl ketone dimers (HDA dimers) were also observed in the scent gland exudate and characterized by HRMS, ¹³C NMR, and ¹H NMR chemical shifts of the pyranyl moiety.