This study investigated the anti-viral effects of the polyphenolic compounds Quercetin and Kaempherol on the release of HTLV-1 from the surface of MT-2 cells. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to scan the surface of the MT-2 cells. MT-2 cells were fixed with 100% methanol on round glass lamina or cleaved mica and dried under UV light and laminar flow. The images were captured on a Multimode equipment monitored by a NanoScope IIId controller from Veeco Instruments Inc operated in tapping mode and equipped with phase-imaging hardware. The images demonstrated viral budding structures 131 ± 57 nm in size, indicating profuse viral budding. Interestingly, cell-free viruses and budding structures visualized on the surface of cells were less common when MT-2 was incubated with Quercetin, and no particles were seen on the surface of cells incubated with Kaempherol. In summary, these data indicate that HTLV-1 is budding constantly from the MT-2 cell surface and that polyphenolic compounds were able to reduce this viral release. Biological samples were analyzed with crude cell preparations just after cultivation in the presence of Quercetin and Kaempherol, showing that the AFM technique is a rapid and powerful tool for analysis of antiviral activity of new biological compounds.

No abstract

RESUMO.Fungos e suas condições de armazenagem (umidade) e a contaminação por micotoxinas em alimentos oferecidos para ovinos foram avaliados. Animais da raça crioula criados na Fazenda Ressacada-UFSC e com saúde debilitada. Com as amostras de (a) feno de alfafa (Medicago sativa L.) estavam armazenadas em 3 pontos (entrada do galpão, aprisco e sala), além de (b) pastagem (B. decumbens) obtida no campo e (c) ração (milho e soja) armazenada no aprisco. O gênero fúngico mais detectado foi o Aspergillus, seguido do Penicillium em 75 e 40% das amostras, respectivamente. Cepas toxigênicas (produtoras de AFLs) foram identificadas. Quanto a umidade (mc e aw) os teores variaram entre 12-40% (média:12%) e aw: 0,5029-0,9888 (média: 0,5783), considerado adequado para proliferação de fungos. Das micotoxinas avaliadas (aflatoxinas -AFLs, ocratoxina A -OTA, zearalenona -ZON e esterigmatoscistina -EST), as de armazenagem (AFLS: AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) foram detectadas com teores de 128 µg/kg nas amostras de feno. As condições de limpeza (armazém e maquinários) são de extrema importância, uma vez que as amostras recém-chegadas ao local de abrigo das ovelhas se encontram contaminadas.Palavras chave: Alfafa, feno, micotoxinas, multitoxinas, pasto, ração Storage fungi and mycotoxins in sheep diet (Ovis aries L.): a case studyABSTRACT. Fungi and their storage conditions (moisture) and contamination by mycotoxins in foods offered to sheep were evaluated. Crioula animals created at Farm Ressacada -UFSC and with weakened health. The samples of alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa L.) were stored at 3 points (entrance of the shed, sheepfold and room), besides (b) pasture (B. decumbens) obtained in the field and (c) ration (Corn and soybean) stored in the sheepfold. The most detected fungal genus was Aspergillus, followed by Penicillium in 75 and 40% of the samples, respectively. Toxigenic strains (AFLs producers) were identified. As regards moisture (mc and aw) the contents ranged from 12-40% (mean: 12%) and aw: 0.5029-0.9888 (mean: 0.5783), considered adequate for fungal growth. Mycotoxins (AFLs: AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) were detected at levels of 128 μg/kg in the hay samples. Cleaning conditions (warehouse and machinery) are of the utmost importance, since samples newly arrived at the shelter of the sheep are contaminated.

AbstractWe assessed the mycobiota diversity and mycotoxin levels present in wild rice (Oryza latifolia) from the Pantanal region of Brazil; fundamental aspects of which are severely understudied as an edible plant from a natural ecosystem. We found a variety of fungal species contaminating the rice samples; the most frequent genera being Fusarium, Nigrospora and Cladosporium (35.9%, 26.1% and 15%, respectively). Within the Fusarium genus, the wild rice samples were mostly contaminated by the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC) (80%) along with Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (20%). Phylogenetic analysis supported multiple FIESC species and gave strong support to the presence of two previously uncharacterized lineages within the complex (LN1 and LN2). Deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) chemical analysis showed that most of the isolates were DON/ZEA producers and some were defined as high ZEA producers, displaying abundant ZEA levels over DON (over 19 times more). Suggesting that ZEA likely has a key adaptive role for FIESC in wild rice (O. latifolia). Mycotoxin determination in the rice samples revealed high frequency of ZEA, and 85% of rice samples had levels >100 μg/kg; the recommended limit set by regulatory agencies. DON was only detected in 5.2% of the samples. Our data shows that FIESC species are the main source of ZEA contamination in wild rice and the excessive levels of ZEA found in the rice samples raises considerable safety concerns regarding wild rice consumption by humans and animals.