The Role of Nitrogen Fertilizers in Sugarcane Root Biomass under Field Conditions

Sugarcane is used worldwide for sugar, ethanol and energy production. In Brazil, the shift from burned to unburned harvest systems resulted in increases in nitrogen fertilization rates, which can impact root architecture and biomass. The expectation is also an increase in sugarcane biomass. The study hypothesized that high N rates applied to sugarcane fields increases root growth and N stored in roots, promoting higher biomass and N accumulated in shoots. Two experiments were set up in Southeastern Brazil, on a Typic Kandiudox (TK) and Rhodic Eutrudox (RE). Four treatments were studied 1) N application in the plant-cane (0 and 120 kg·ha-1 N) and 2) N application in the ratoon (0 and 150 kg·ha-1 N). The shoot biomass and the root density (by the core method up to 0.6 m) were evaluated over the first ratoon crop cycle, and the N content in those compartments was also examined. There was no carry over effect on N applied at planting in root and shoot biomass in the ratoon crop cycle. At the RE site, the ratoon N fertilization increased root density in the superficial soil layer (0 - 0.2 m) and close to the plants (<0.3 m). The effect of N addition on root biomass, and biomass and N accumulated in shoot was limited in both sites. Increasing N rates in unburned sugarcane fields do not consistently increases root and shoot biomass under Brazilian field conditions.

Novel Protease from Aspergillus tamarii URM4634: Production and Characterization Using Inexpensive Agroindustrial Substrates by Solid-State Fermentation

This study reports the protease production from Aspergillus tamarii using agroindustrial residues as substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) and biochemical characterization. The highest protease production was obtained using wheat bran as substrate at 72 h fermentation with maximum proteolytic activity of 401.42 U/mL, collagenase of 243.0 U/mL and keratinase of 19.1 U/mL. The protease exhibited KM = 18.7 mg/mL and Vmax = 28.5 mg/mL/min. The optimal pH was 8.0 and stable in a wide pH range (5.0 - 11.0) during 24 h. The optimum temperature was 40°C. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by Cu2+ (33.98%) and Hg2+ (22.69%). The enzyme was also inhibited by PMSF (65.11%), indicating that is a Serine Protease. These properties suggest that alkaline protease from A. tamarii URM4634 is suitable for application in food industries and leather processing. Additionally, the present findings opened new vistas in the utilization of wheat bran and other effective agroindustrial wastes as substrates for SSF.

Protective Properties in Hymenaea martiana Hayne against Multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Antibiotic resistance represents a widespread problem in milk production.The identification of compounds for a topically applied ointment used in mastitis therapy remains elusive.Compounds from the genus Hymenaea can be administered in cases of multi-drugresistant Staphylococcus aureus infection for ruminant species,but the protective properties are not well known.Wi this research the aim is verify the protective effects of H.martiana against S.aureus infection in bovine mammary epithelial cell line(MAC-T)and to obtain an antioxidant profile evaluation in vitro.The MAC-T cells were challenged with S.aureus after being exposed to the extract of the H.martiana in the protective assay.For the verification of the viability of the MAC-T cells,the MTT assay was performed,and was used dilutions of the plant extract,starting at 2.5%.The extract of H.martiana was evaluated for antioxidant aspect in different dilutions by FRAP,ORAC and DPPH.A variety of flavonoids(quercetin,luteolin,etc.)have been identified as the main components by using mass spectrometry,reinforcing our in vitro findings that flavonoids,especially quercetin,have a medicinal profile capable of killing mastitis-causing bacteria.An excellent antioxidant pattern was observed in the 2.5%solution;however,membrane integrity in MAC-T cells was compromised.Those findings suggest low dilutions of H.martiana extract has a desirable protective effect from S.aureus pathogenesis.Our in vitro studies can be gleaned upon for further in vivo studies.

Antioxidant,hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effect of red wine in wistar rats fed with obesogenic diet

The health benefits resulting from the usual ingestion of red wines have been studied in humans and animals.However,the evaluation of benefits in antioxidant,hypoglycemic and hypolipemic activity concomitant with the use of an obesogenic diet in adult Wistar rats has been little explored.The present study investigated the use of red wine derived from Northeast Brazil in adult rats fed with an obesogenic diet on antioxidant activity,glucose tolerance,adipose,glycemic and lipemic profile.Sixty 45-day old male Wistar rats formed two groups:standard diet and westernized diet.After changes in body mass and glycemic levels,the animals were subdivided into six subgroups (n = 10 per group) and received water,red wine or hydroalcoholic solution by gavage.The data reveal that the moderate and chronic use of red wine improves the glycemic,lipid and oxidative stress profile,being favorable in preventing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in rats fed with an obesogenic diet.