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Here we provide an ichthyofaunistic inventory of the Cerqueira César municipality, in the middle Paranapanema River drainage, upper Paraná River basin, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. Collections were carried out in 10 streams and in the Novo River, an important watercourse in the Paranapanema River basin. We caught a total of 808 individuals comprising 49 fish species. Among our main findings-in addition to the high species richness in the sampled region-was the capture of a probably undescribed species of Cambeva and the non-native poeciliid Poecilia reticulata. Some individuals were not identified accurately at the species level, requiring future evaluations. Our study fills an important gap on the ichthyofauna of the municipality of Cerqueira César and may, in the future, assist in new studies on impacts on waterbodies in the studied region.

Variability in snake venom composition is well-documented and crucial for understanding snake ecology and predicting snakebites. In this study, we characterize the venom composition and biological activities of newborn female and male Bothrops moojeni and their mother. Our results reveal significant differences between the venom of newborn females and males, demonstrating a broad and diverse range of proteins. The venoms of newborn females showed higher serine protease effects, increased hemorrhagic activity, and greater lethality compared to the venom of newborn males. However, no differences were observed in phospholipase A2 and coagulant activity. The differences in protein composition and toxic activities between maternal and neonatal venom, as well as between the venoms of newborn females and males, contribute to understanding the diverse outcomes of snakebites. These results underscore the importance of considering sex and ontogeny in understanding venom composition in snakes.

Salinity reduces feijão-caupi production, and the search for tolerant varieties becomes important within the agricultural context, as, in addition to being used in the field, they can be used in genetic improvement. The objective was to for a identify variety that is tolerant to salinity considering the physiological quality of seeds and seedling growth. A 2 × 4 factorial scheme was used, referring to the varieties Pingo-de-ouro and Coruja, and four electrical conductivities of water (0; 3.3; 6.6 and 9.9 dS m-1). The physiological quality of seeds and the growth of seedlings were analyzed, in addition to the cumulative germination. The Pingo-de-ouro variety showed no germination, length of the shoot and root, dry mass of the shoot and root compromised up to electrical conductivity of 6 dS m-1 in relation to 0.0 dS m-1. On the other hand, the Coruja variety showed reduced germination, increased shoot and root length. The creole variety Pingo-de-ouro proved to be tolerant to salinity.

In this study, our objective was to conduct a comprehensive phytochemical analysis, determine toxicity levels, and assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts derived from the leaves of Dipteryx alata Vogel, a native species of the Brazilian cerrado flora. Three distinct extracts were prepared utilizing assisted ultrasound and the Soxhlet apparatus, namely, Ultrasound Crude Extract (UCE), Soxhlet Crude Extract (SCE), and the Soxhlet Ethanol Extract (SEE). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phytosterols, and saponins in all extracts. Additionally, alkaloids were specifically identified in the SCE and SEE extracts. In the analysis using LC-DAD, the compounds gallic acid, rutin, quercetin, luteolin and kampefrol were determined in higher concentrations in the SCE, followed by the SEE and UCE, respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in all extracts, with UCE and SCE showing a higher concentration of β-sitosterol. SCE showed the highest concentration of all identified compounds. In the analysis of antioxidant activity by DPPH• and ABTS•+, SEE showed greater efficiency (IC50 = 2.98 ± 2.92 and 6.57 ± 0.89 μg/mL, respectively). In the toxicity test with Allium cepa, all extracts stimulated root growth at 50 g/mL; UCE and SEE stimulated root growth at 250 g/mL; and SEE inhibited root growth at 750 g/mL. In the Artemia salina toxicity, all extracts were non-toxic. Antibacterial activity was identified in the microorganisms S. aureus and S. mutans; however, the extracts did not show antifungal action against the strain of C. albicans. The extracts of D. alata have therapeutic potential for applicability in dentistry.

Colloidal systems have been used to encapsulate, protect and release essential oils in mouthwashes. In this study, we investigated the effect of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activity of oil-in-water colloidal systems containing tea tree oil (TTO) and the nonionic surfactant polysorbate 80. Our main aim was to evaluate whether CPC could improve the antimicrobial activity of TTO, since this activity is impaired when this essential oil is encapsulated with polysorbate 80. These systems were prepared with different amounts of TTO (0-0.5% w/w) and CPC (0-0.5% w/w), at a final concentration of 2% (w/w) polysorbate 80. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results revealed the formation of oil-swollen micelles and oil droplets as a function of TTO concentration. Increases in CPC concentrations led to a reduction of around 88% in the mean diameter of oil-swollen micelles. Although this variation was of only 20% for the oil droplets, the samples appearance changed from turbid to transparent. The surface charge of colloidal structures was also markedly affected by the CPC as demonstrated by the transition in zeta potential from slightly negative to highly positive values. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies showed that this transition is followed by significant increases in the fluidity of surfactant monolayer of both colloidal structures. The antimicrobial activity of colloidal systems was tested against a Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureaus) bacteria. Our results revealed that the inhibition of bacterial growth is observed for the same CPC concentration (0.05% w/w for E. coli and 0.3% w/w for S. aureus) regardless of TTO content. These findings suggest that TTO may not act as an active ingredient in polysorbate 80 containing mouthwashes.

The Amaryllidaceae family is widely distributed in the tropics, presenting biological activity attributed mostly to alkaloids, such as an important inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), antifungal, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. The present study aims to review the spectrum of action of the main biological activities and toxicity of secondary metabolites found in Amaryllidaceae through a literature review, using Prisma and the descriptors "Pharmacological effects of Amaryllidaceae" and "Amaryllidaceae family" and "Pharmacological actions of Amaryllidaceae", used in English and Portuguese. The literature search was done in March and May 2023. Original works published from 2012 to 2023, available in full, and presenting experimental and clinical studies were included. After the selection considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 articles fulfilled the defined criteria. From a pharmacological point of view, the highlight is due to the alkaloid galantamine, which has the potential- and is already used - for treating Alzheimer's. The toxicological aspect must be considered and evaluated carefully, as alkaloids have been associated with adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory changes. Furthermore, some studies indicate that consuming these plants in significant quantities can lead to hepatic and renal toxicity. Therefore, the therapeutical use of this family's plant drugs and derivatives requires further studies to elucidate its effects and point out metabolites with therapeutic potential.

Parkia platycephala is the only species of the genus Parkia that is endemic to the brazilian Cerrado and the tree symbol of the state of Tocantins, but there are still few studies regarding its bioprospecting. In this study, we aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition, toxicity and bioactivities of the bark and flower of Parkia platycephala. Hot sequential extractions (Soxhlet) were performed using methanol and hydroethanolic solution (70%), after degreasing the sample (hexane). The presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids and alkaloids was detected in the preliminary screening. Trilinolein, (Z)-9-octadecenamide, 3-O-methyl-d-glucose were detected by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In the Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector (LC-PDA) analysis, it was detected exclusively ferulic acid (bark) and ellagic acid (flower). The ethanolic extract of the bark (IC50=10.69 ± 0.35 µgmL-1) has an antioxidant potential (DPPH• radical) higher than that of the rutin standard (IC50=15.85 ± 0.08 µgmL-1). All extracts showed excellent anticholinesterase potential (Ellman), with emphasis on the ethanol extract of the flower (IC50 =5.34 ± 0.12 µgmL-1). Regarding toxicity (Artemia salina), the methanolic extract of the bark and the ethanolic extract of the flower presented high and moderate levels, respectively. Such results limit the concentrations of biological activities in this study, however, the antioxidant and anticholinesterase indices fall short of toxicity. The results demonstrated promising antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of both the bark and the flower of Parkia platycephala.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is the main cleaning ingredient in shampoos, even though it may be potentially damaging to hair. The demand for antioxidant-rich cosmetics, on the other hand, has encouraged green cosmetics research. Brazil has vast biodiversity that can be exploited for the production of these cosmetics. This work aimed to develop a minimalist antioxidant lauryl-free shampoo formulation with leaf extracts from the Brazilian plant Hancornia speciosa Gomes. Two hydroethanolic extracts were prepared using different extraction methods, Soxhlet, and ultrasound. The extracts were characterized by the presence of saponins, polyphenol quantification, and HLPC chemical identification of the compounds. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH method. The antioxidant lauryl-free shampoo was developed using hydroxyethyl cellulose with two concentrations of leaf extract obtained by Soxhlet, 0.125 mg/g (XP1) and 0.250 mg/g (XP2). Along with the antioxidant activity, the physical and chemical properties, cleaning potential, and foam quality were evaluated. The Soxhlet leaf extract revealed a more favorable chemical profile, including a positive result for saponins, as well as a larger quantity of polyphenols and increased antioxidant activity. The XP2 formulation showed better foam height, dirt dispersion, and antioxidant activity. Thus, the use of mangabeira leaf extract appears to be promising for the development of shampoos with antioxidant activity.

Brazil is one of the world leaders in the agribusiness sector tending to directly influence a growing dependence on imported inputs, specifically synthetic agrochemicals. At the state level, in 2013, Tocantins stood out in first place in the ranking of agrochemical consumers, however, these products can cause several problems, such as poisoning to humans, environmental contamination, and increased resistance to phytopathogens. Biological control is an alternative to the use of agrochemicals towards eliminating pests naturally by using living organisms called Biological Control Agents (BCA). Currently, fungi of the Trichoderma genus are some of the most used organisms in biological pest control for their relevant characteristics that favor them in terms of survival in the environment, such as high capacity to adapt to ecological conditions, potential to colonize the rhizosphere of plants, mycoparasitism, production of volatile and non-volatile metabolites. In addition, it works on plant growth and productivity. In general, the use of Trichoderma favors the control of soil pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Sclerotinia, and nematodes. Thus, this review aims to demonstrate the importance of using Trichoderma in biological control, as well as to present an overview and perspectives of research developed by respondents in the Brazilian Midwest region and Tocantins state.

Tropical biomes such as Brazilian Cerrado and Amazon Forest have a great diversity of fungi and insects. Interactions between these organisms can be beneficial to both partners. In streams, these interactions contribute to litter decomposition. Studying the digestive tract (DT) of shredder insects as a habitat for fungal microorganisms is an opportunity to obtain fungal strains with biotechnological potential, which may help to understand the symbiotic relationships between these organisms in tropical forests. This study investigated the fungal community in the DT of larvae of Triplectides (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) collected in low-order streams in the Cerrado and Amazon Forest biomes in Brazil. Forty-nine fungal isolates were obtained and identified among 32 species and 12 genera. The genus Roussoella was only found in the DT of insects in Amazon Forest streams, while 7 genera only occurred in the DT of insects in Cerrado streams. The genus Penicillium (40%) was the most frequent. In the Cerrado, 78% were producers of CMCase, more than two-fold that in the Amazon Forest (35%). And 62% were producers of xylanase, in the Cerrado and 71% in the Amazon Forest. In this context, the fungal community in the DT of Triplectides larvae may play an important role in the insect diet by breaking down lignocellulosic material.

The serpent study involves physiological, behavioral and interaction factors with an extremely dynamic and complex environment. The relation of these animals with biodiversity is still quite preliminary, little studied and sustained by popular practices related to traditional medicine, esoteric and mystical currents. Therefore, this study proposed to know about the effect of 80% crude alcoholic extract of Petiveria alliacea L., popularly known as Tipi Herb, and its effects associated with the repellency of the Bothrops moojeni serpent. A complex of boxes was built for the observation of the snake's displacement, carried out for a total period of six days, the first three for defining the exploratory pattern and the other two for testing the alcoholic extract of Tipi, and finally on the sixth day, one cycle with the presence of a live attractant as bait. It was observed that the animal had no inhibition behavior and moved through the complex in a way like what occurs in nature and showed behavior to avoid remaining in the presence of the extract both with the presence of a live attractant or without it, preferring to move in the other compartments. The results show that this proposed tool is valid for the study of displacement of Bothrops moojeni snakes, in the same way that it added values on the importance of cerrado biome biodiversity and on the popular medicine practices of Tipi Herb, since the repellent effect on the snake was significant in the two tests performed.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting 16S rRNA genes followed by DNA sequencing are still important tools to characterize microbial communities present in environmental samples. However, despite the crescent number of deposited archaeal DNA sequences in databases, until now we do not have a clear picture of the effectiveness and specificity of the universal primers widely used to describe archaeal communities from different natural habitats. Therefore, in this study, we compared the phylogenetic profile obtained when Cerrado lake sediment DNA samples were submitted to 16S rDNA PCR employing three Archaea-specific primer sets commonly used. Our findings reveal that specificity of primers differed depending on the source of the analyzed DNA. Furthermore, archaeal communities revealed by each primer pair varied greatly, indicating that 16S rRNA gene primer choice affects the community profile obtained, with differences in both taxon detection and operational taxonomic unit (OTU) estimates.

Genetic and phylogenetic relationships among seven piranha species of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus from the Paraná-Paraguay, São Francisco and Tocantins River basins were evaluated in the present study by partial sequences of two mitochondrial genes, Cytochrome b and Cytochrome c Oxidase I. Phylogenetic analysis of Maximum-Likelihood and Bayesian inference were performed. Results indicated, in general, greater genetic similarity between the two species of Pygocentrus (P. nattereri and P. piraya), between Serrasalmus rhombeus and S. marginatus and between S. maculatus, S. brandtii and S. eigenmanni. Pygocentrus nattereri, S. rhombeus and S. maculatus showed high intraspecific genetic variability. These species have each one, at least two different mitochondrial lineages that, currently, occur in sympatry (S. rhombeus) or in allopatry (P. nattereri and S. maculatus). Species delimitation analysis and the high values of genetic distances observed between populations of S. rhombeus and of S. maculatus indicated that each species may corresponds to a complex of cryptic species. The non-monophyletic condition of S. rhombeus and S. maculatus reinforces the hypothesis. The geographic distribution and the genetic differentiation pattern observed for the piranha species analyzed herein are discussed regarding the geological and hydrological events that occurred in the hydrographic basins.

The southern distribution of the Broad-snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris Daudin 1802) in Argentina occurs in Santa Fe Province, where its population has been under management by "Proyecto Yacaré" since 1990. From 1997 to 2016, we captured 77 nesting female Broad-snouted Caimans in Santa Fe Province. Our results suggest that previously defined size classes for Broad-snouted Caiman do not adequately describe the reproductively mature female segment of the population. Here we propose to change size ranges for general size classes for Broad-snouted Caiman. In addition, we have observed that reintroduced reproductive females by Proyecto Yacaré represent about 32% of captured females. These results indicate that reintroduced females by the management program are surviving and reproducing in the wild at least up to 20 years.

Macroinvertebrate shredders consume preferably leaves conditioned by fungi and bacteria which offer greater palatability to them. Plant species in Cerrado present high concentration of chemical elements such as lignin and cellulose, phenols and tanins thus making them less attractive for shredders consumption and limiting the palatability. This study aimed to evaluate the feeding preference of a macroinvertebrate shredder of the genus Phylloicus for plant material from two different biomes (Cerrado and Mata Atlântica), after conditioning in a stream of Mata Atlântica and observing their physical and chemical characteristics. Senescent leaves were collected, monthly from the litterfall of riparian vegetation in a 500 m stretch of a stream in each biome from August 2014 to January 201. The most abundant species in each stream was selected for the experiment. The experimental design consisted in with two treatments. The first (T1) comprised leaf discs from Chrysophyllum oliviforme (Cerrado species) together with leaf discs of Miconia chartacea (Atlantic Forest species) which were conditioned in the Atlantic Forest stream. The second treatment (T2) involved leaf discs of Miconia chartacea conditioned in Mata Altlântica and Cerrado streams. Both tests had showed significant differences between the two treatments (T1 and T2). For T1, there was consumption of M. chartacea leaf discs by Phylloicus sp., but there was no consumption of C. oliviforme discs. For T2, there was preference for M. chartaceae leaves conditioned in a stream of Mata Atlântica than in Cerrado stream. The results showed that Phylloicus sp., had presented preference for food detritus of the Mata Antlântica biome and rejection to the one from Cerrado biome.

In order to determine the willingness of the population of São Carlos (a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil) to pay for the environmental protection (WTP) of the Feijão River's watershed, the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), as well as the bidding-games technique, were used. In October 2010, 280 questionnaires were applied to a probabilistic sample of the population. A multivariate logistic regression model was built, creating five scenarios adjusted to the age and probability to pay according to the significant variables found. Concerning the WTP, 56% of the interviewees showed willingness to pay a monthly amount using the water bill as a vehicle for this. The WTP average was 1.94 US Dollar (USD), with a standard deviation of 1.91 USD. The total annual amount for the scenario that considers the whole population over 18 years old was of USD 3,930,616.80. The main argument for the negative WTP was that the interviewees could not afford it (14%).