Abstracts
This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of M. oleifera extracts against fungi isolated from farmed prawns and test the toxicity of the extracts on larvae of Macrobrachium amazonicum. The ethanol extracts of pods, seeds, leaves, stems and flowers and chloroform extract of flowers of M. oleifera were tested against 14 strains of Candida spp. and 10 strains of Hortaea werneckii isolated from farming water and the digestive tract of M. amazonicum. Antifungal activity was determined by microdilution, based on the M27-A3 and M38-A2 CLSI documents. Toxicity was evaluated by exposing larvae of M. amazonicum at concentrations between 10-1000mg mL-1, counting dead larvae (CL50) after 24 hours. The best results were verified with the chloroform extract of flowers, acting against all tested strains, with MICs ranging from 0.019 to 2.5 mg mL-1. Ethanol extracts of leaves, flowers and seeds acted against 22/24, 21/24 and 20/24 strains, respectively. The extract of pods was only effective against strains of Candida spp. (14/24) and extract of stem only against four strains of H. werneckii (4/24). Extracts of seeds, flowers (chloroform fraction), stems and leaves showed low or no toxicity, whereas extracts of pods and flowers (ethanol fraction) showed moderate toxicity. Thus, the antifungal activity of these extracts agaisnt Candida spp. and H. werneckii was observed, a wide margin of safety for larvae of M. amazonicum, demonstrating to be promising for the sustainable management of effluents from M. amazonicum farming
aquaculture; Fungi; prawn; Moringa oleifera; antimicrobial
Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antifúngica de extratos de M. oleifera frente a fungos isolados de camarões, cultivados em água doce, e testar a toxicidade dos extratos em larvas de Macrobrachium amazonicum. Os extratos etanólicos de vagens, sementes, folhas, caules e flores e o extrato clorofórmico de flores de M. oleifera foram testados contra 14 cepas de Candida spp. e 10 cepas de Hortaea werneckii isolados da água de cultivo e do trato digestório de M. amazonicum. A atividade antifúngica foi determinada por microdiluição, com base nos documentos M27-A3 e M38-A2 do CLSI. A toxicidade foi avaliada por exposição das larvas de M. amazonicum a concentrações entre 10-1000 mg mL-1 dos extratos, realizando contagem de larvas mortas (CL50), após 24 horas. Os melhores resultados foram verificados com o extrato clorofórmico de flores, agindo frente a todas as cepas testadas, com concentrações inibitórias mínimas variando entre 0,019-2,5 mg mL-1. O extrato etanólico de folhas, flores e sementes agiu ante 22/24, 21/24 e 20/24 cepas, respectivamente. O extrato de vagens foi eficaz contra cepas de Candida spp. (14/24) e o extrato de caule apenas contra quatro cepas de H. werneckii (4/24). Os extratos de sementes, flores (fração clorofórmica), caules e folhas apresentaram baixa ou nenhuma toxicidade, enquanto que extratos de vagens e flores (fração etanólica) apresentaram toxicidade moderada. Assim, observou-se atividade antifúngica dos extratos em Candida spp . e H. werneckii com uma ampla margem de segurança para as larvas de M. amazonicum, demonstrando ser promissor para o manejo sustentável dos efluentes do cultivo de M. amazonicum
aquacultura; fungos; camarão; Moringa oleifera; antimicrobianos
INTRODUCTION:
Freshwater prawn farming has been reported to have low environmental impact, making it a
more sustainable alternative to the production of these crustaceans, when compared to
the marine counterpart. This activity leads to lower disease incidence in animals,
simplified hatching, production systems compatible with small farms and lower
environmental impact (MACIEL & VALENTI,
2009MACIEL, C.R.; VALENTI, W.C. Biology, fisheries, and aquaculture of the
amazon river prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum: a review. Nauplius, v.17, p.61-79, 2009.
Available from:
<http://www.crustacea.org.br/artigos/151_20_01__maciel_valenti.pdf>. Accessed:
Jan. 23, 2013.
http://www.crustacea.org.br/artigos/151_...
). However, freshwater farming is not free of environmental impacts and other
problems, especially in intensive production systems. Among these problems, there are
land use competition, reduction of biodiversity due to discharges from cultivation and
agrochemical effluents, which lead to an increase in the populations of phytoplankton
and bacteria, which are commonly isolated from cultivation areas and effluents,
including bacterial strains that present antimicrobial resistance (MACIEL & VALENTI, 2009MACIEL, C.R.; VALENTI, W.C. Biology, fisheries, and aquaculture of the
amazon river prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum: a review. Nauplius, v.17, p.61-79, 2009.
Available from:
<http://www.crustacea.org.br/artigos/151_20_01__maciel_valenti.pdf>. Accessed:
Jan. 23, 2013.
http://www.crustacea.org.br/artigos/151_...
; BRILHANTE et al., 2011BRILHANTE, R.S.N. et al. Yeasts from Macrobrachium amazonicum: a focus
on antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of Candida spp. FEMS Microbiology
Ecology, v.76, p.268-277, 2011. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x/abstract>.
Accessed: Ago. 08, 2013. doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
; REBOUÇAS et al.,
2011REBOUÇAS, R.H. et al. Antimicrobial resistance profile of Vibrio species
isolated from marine shrimp farming environments (Litopenaeus vannamei) at Ceará,
Brazil. Environmental Research, v.111, p.21-24, 2011. Available from:
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935110001544>. Accessed:
Jul. 30, 2013. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2010.09.012.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
).
Among the most commonly isolated microorganisms from aquaculture, bacteria of the genera
Vibrio and Aeromonas and fungi of the genus
Candida spp. are the most commonly recovered, colonizing various niches,
including microbiota of animals and water during the different stages of production.
Moreover, the fungus Hortaea werneckii has mainly been isolated in
environments with salinity between 3000 and 7500 mg L-1 (PETROVIC et al., 2002PETROVIC, U. et al. Cellular responses to environmental salinity in the
halophilic black yeast Hortaea werneckii. Molecular microbiology, v.45, p.665-672,
2002. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.03021.x/pdf>.
Accessed: Jun. 15, 2013
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.10...
; SAHUL HAMEED et al., 2003SAHUL HAMEED, A.S. et al. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated
from hatchery-reared larvae and post-larvae of Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
Aquaculture, v.217, p.39-48, 2003. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(02)00298-3>. Accessed: Jul. 18,
2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(02)...
; MEDEIROS
et al., 2008MEDEIROS, A.O. et al. Water Research, v.42, p.3921-3929, 2008. Available
from: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135408002522>.
Accessed: Ago. 13, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.05.026.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
) and has already been reported in water from
Macrobrachium
amazonicum farming (BRILHANTE et al.,
2011BRILHANTE, R.S.N. et al. Yeasts from Macrobrachium amazonicum: a focus
on antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of Candida spp. FEMS Microbiology
Ecology, v.76, p.268-277, 2011. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x/abstract>.
Accessed: Ago. 08, 2013. doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
). Other studies have demonstrated the pathogenicity of fungi isolated in
aquaculture, such as Candida spp. and H. werneckii, to
livestock, humans and other animals (PILLAI &
BONAMI, 2012PILLAI, D.; BONAMI, J.R. A review on the diseases of freshwater prawns
with special focus on white tail disease of Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
AquacultureResearch, v.43, p.1029-1037, 2012. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.03061.x/abstract>.
Accessed: Jun. 24, 2013. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.03061.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
).
Therefore, attention should be paid to the potential environmental impacts of discharge
of untreated wastes from shrimp farming, by formulating actions to reduce the degree of
eutrophication and the load of microorganisms in wastewater. In this respect, due to the
coagulant action of Moringa oleifera seeds, researchers have studied the
use of this plant to treat water for human consumption. The findings show that it acts
more stably in a broader range of water pH than that of aluminum sulfate, at a
significantly lower cost (OKUDA et al., 2001OKUDA, T. et al. Isolation and characterization of coagulant extracted
from Moringa oleifera seed by salt solution. Water Research v.35, p.405-410, 2001.
Available from: <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(00)00290-6>. Accessed:
Jun. 13, 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(00)...
;
SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍN et al., 2010SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍN, J. et al. Comparison of single-step and two-step
purified coagulants from Moringa oleifera seed for turbidity and DOC removal.
Bioresource Technology v.101, p.6259-6261, 2010. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.02.072>. Accessed: Jul. 05, 2013.
doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.02.072.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.201...
). Similarly,
M
.
oleifera has been studied for direct application in water treatment by
flocculation and sedimentation, eliminating the turbidity, suspended particles and
microorganisms (CHUANG et al., 2007CHUANG, P.H. et al. Anti-fungal activity of crude extracts and essential
oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. Bioresource Technology, v.98, p.232-236, 2007. Available
from: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852405005286>.
Accessed: Ago. 12, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2005.11.003.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
; SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍN et al., 2010SÁNCHEZ-MARTÍN, J. et al. Comparison of single-step and two-step
purified coagulants from Moringa oleifera seed for turbidity and DOC removal.
Bioresource Technology v.101, p.6259-6261, 2010. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.02.072>. Accessed: Jul. 05, 2013.
doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.02.072.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.201...
; DAS et al., 2012DAS, J. et al. In vitro antibacterial and antifungal potentials of
petroleum ether extract of Moringa oleifera. Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
v.7, p.110-113, 2012. Available from:
<http://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jpt.2012.110.113>. Accessed: Ago. 10, 2013.
doi: 10.3923/jpt.2012.110.113.
http://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jpt.20...
). In a recent study, our group showed the
antifungal activity of the flower extract of M. oleifera against C.
albicans and Microsporum canis strains from dogs (ROCHA et al., 2011ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
), suggesting the possibility of
applying this product to control yeast and filamentous fungi growth associated with
M. amazonicum farming.
Thus, this study aimed to determine the antifungal activity of M. oleifera extracts on strains of Candida spp. and H. werneckii isolated from farming of M. amazonicum, as well as to evaluate the toxicity of the extracts on larvae of this prawn.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Extracts
The extracts were obtained from specimens of M. oleifera from Fortaleza,
Ceará, and were provided by the Chemistry Department of Federal University of Ceará,
Fortaleza, Ceará. Different parts of the plant were dried in a kiln at 40°C, and then
subjected to three successive extractions by cold maceration with ethanol at intervals
of 24h, generating ethanol extracts of Moringa stems (Ethanol Stem
Extract), leaves (Ethanol Leaf Extract), flowers (Ethanol Flower Extract), pods (Ethanol
Pod Extract) and seeds (Ethanol Seed Extract). Likewise, Moringa flowers
were dried at 40°C and then subjected to three successive extractions by cold maceration
with chloroform PA at 24h intervals, producing chloroform extract of
Moringa flowers (Chloroform Flower Extract). After filtration, the
corresponding solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator,
leaving only the concentrated constituents extracted from the plants (ROCHA et al., 2011ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
).
Tested strains
Fourteen strains of Candida spp. and 10 strains of H.
werneckii were used, which were recovered as described by BRILHANTE et al. (2011)BRILHANTE, R.S.N. et al. Yeasts from Macrobrachium amazonicum: a focus
on antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of Candida spp. FEMS Microbiology
Ecology, v.76, p.268-277, 2011. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x/abstract>.
Accessed: Ago. 08, 2013. doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
. Seven isolates of
Candida spp. were recovered from the digestive tract of M.
amazonicum from the natural environment (one C. ciferrii; three
C. famata; one C. guilliermondii; one C.
parapsilosis; one C. tropicalis) and the other seven isolates
were obtained from hatchery water, with salinity of 4% (two C. ciferrii;
three C. famata; one C. guillermondii; one C.
parapsilosis). The isolates of H. werneckii were obtained from
hatchery water with salinity 4%. These strains were obtained from the fungal collection
of the Specialized Medical Mycology Center (CEMM) of the Federal University of Ceará
(UFC). For this study, the strains were reactivated and the purity of the colonies was
verified on the chromogenic medium Candida HiCrome Differential Agar
(HiMedia Laboratories, India) (BRILHANTE et al.,
2011BRILHANTE, R.S.N. et al. Yeasts from Macrobrachium amazonicum: a focus
on antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of Candida spp. FEMS Microbiology
Ecology, v.76, p.268-277, 2011. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x/abstract>.
Accessed: Ago. 08, 2013. doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
). The strains were subcultured on potato dextrose agar and kept at 25ºC.
For quality control, the strains C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and C.
krusei ATCC 6258 were included in the susceptibility assays.
Antifungal susceptibility testing
Each extract was diluted in a 1:2 ratio in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Subsequently, each
extract was shaken in vortex to facilitate dilution and further diluted with RPMI to a
concentration of 20% DMSO. Thus, during the susceptibility assays, the highest
concentration of DMSO did not exceed 5% (ROCHA et al.,
2011ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
).
The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the Moringa extracts against
the Candida genus and H. werneckii were determined through
broth microdilution, according to the documents M27-A3 (CLSI, 2008aCLINICAL AND LABORATORY STANDARDS INSTITUTE (CLSI). Reference method for
broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts. Approved standard. 3ed.
Wayne, PA: CLSI, 2008a. CLSI document M27-A3.) and, M38-A2 (CLSI,
2008bCLINICAL AND LABORATORY STANDARDS INSTITUTE (CLSI). Reference method for
broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts. Approved standard. 3ed.
Wayne, PA: CLSI, 2008a. CLSI document M27-A3.), with some modifications to include the use of the extracts of M.
oleifera, as described by ROCHA et al.
(2011)ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
. Each plant extract was evaluated in the concentration range from 0.01
to 5mg mL-1. The control drugs amphotericin B, itraconazole and fluconazole
were tested in concentration ranges from 0.031 to 16μg mL-1, 0.031 to 16μg
mL-1 and 0.125 to 64μg mL-1, respectively. The microdilution
assay was performed in 96-well plates in a total volume of 200μL. The plates were
incubated at 35°C and were read after 48 hours. All tests were performed in duplicate.
The readings were performed by visual comparison with the control of fungal growth
without extract.
The MIC for itraconazole, fluconazole and the tested extracts was considered as the
lowest concentration that caused a 50% reduction in fungal growth compared with growth
control, while for amphotericin B, the MIC was defined as the lowest concentration at
which complete inhibition (100%) of fungal growth was observed (ROCHA et al., 2011ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
). The extracts with MICs greater than 5mg
mL-1 in this research were considered as producing no growth
inhibition.
Acute toxicity
The toxicity of the six extracts was tested according to the method described by MEYER et al. (1982)MEYER, B.N. et al. Brine shrimp: a convenient general bioassay for
active plant constituents. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, v.45, p.31-34, 1982.
Available from:
<https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2007-971236>.
Accessed: Ago. 13, 2013. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-971236.
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/...
and RAMOS et al. (2009)RAMOS, S.C.S. et al. Antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of some
plant crude extracts used in Northeastern folk medicine. Brazilian Journal of
Pharmacognosy, v.19, p.376-381, 2009. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007>. Accessed: Jun. 24, 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009...
, with adaptations for the species M.
amazonicum. First, larvae of M. amazonicum were transferred to
water with 4% salinity and were kept under artificial white light and abundant aeration
for 24 hours, until the development of the second larval stage. The larvae were then
divided into three experimental groups (each group tested in triplicate). In group 1 the
larvae were exposed to the extracts at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 300, 500 and
1000mg mL-1; in group 2 they were exposed to the same concentrations of DMSO
as group 1, to verify the toxicity of the diluent; in group 3, the larvae were subjected
to sham treatment, applying the same treatment conditions, but without the use of
extract or diluent. The tests were performed in beaker containing 50mL of test solution
and 10 larvae of M. amazonicum. The beakers were incubated at 29°C under
white light for 24 hours, after which the dead larvae were counted to determine the
LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% of larvae). As recommended by RAMOS et al. (2009)RAMOS, S.C.S. et al. Antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of some
plant crude extracts used in Northeastern folk medicine. Brazilian Journal of
Pharmacognosy, v.19, p.376-381, 2009. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007>. Accessed: Jun. 24, 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009...
, LC50 <80mg
mL-1 was considered highly toxic; LC50 from 80mg
mL-1 to 250mg mL-1 moderately toxic; and
LC50>250mg mL-1 slightly toxic or not toxic. The results were
expressed as mean ± standard error and the significance between control and each extract
was tested using Student's t-test (P<0.05) (KAVITHA
et al., 2012KAVITHA, C. et al. Toxicity of Moringa oleifera seed extract on some
hematological and biochemical profiles in a freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio.
Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, v.64, p.681-687, 2012. Available from:
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0940299311000029>. Accessed:
Ago. 11, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.etp.2011.01.001.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
). For data analysis, the Trimmed Spearman-Karber statistical
software (version 1.5) was used.
RESULTS:
The Chloroform Flower Extract showed activity against all tested strains from prawn farming, with MICs ranging from 0.019 to 2.5mg mL-1. The Ethanol Leaf Extract showed MICs ranging from 0.156 to 2.5mg mL-1, with action against all the strains of Candida spp. isolated from water, all the strains of H. werneckii and against 5/7 isolates from prawns. The Ethanol Flower Extract showed activity against all the strains of Candida spp. from water, all strains of H. werneckii and 4/7 of Candida spp. strains from prawns, with MICs ranging from 0.156 to 2.5mg mL-1. The Ethanol Seed Extract exhibited MIC between 0.3125 to 2.5mg mL-1, with activity against all strains of H. werneckii and against 6/7 strains of Candida spp. from prawns and 4/7 strains of Candida spp. from water (Table 1). Overall, there was antifungal activity of the extracts from different parts of the plant against the strains isolated from prawns, except for the Ethanol Pod Extract, which was effective only against the strains of Candida spp. (14/24), and Ethanol Stem Extract, which only showed activity against four strains of H. werneckii (4/24).
The Ethanol Seed Extract, Ethanol Leaf Extract, Ethanol Stem Extract and Chloroform Flower Extract showed low or no toxicity; while Ethanol Pod Extract and Ethanol Flower Extract showed moderate toxicity, with no statistically significant difference between the LC50 values for the various extracts (Figure 1).
: Lethality of larvae of Macrobrachium amazonicum after 24 hours of exposure to different concentrations of Moringa oleifera extracts. LC50 <80mg mL-1 was considered high toxicity; LC50 from 80mg mL-1 to 250mg mL-1 moderate toxicity; and LC50>250mg mL-1 slight toxicity or not toxic (RAMOS et al., 2009). EPoE: Ethanol Pod Extract; ESeE: Ethanol Seed Extract; ELeE: Ethanol Leaf Extract; EStE: Ethanol Stem Extract; EFlE: Ethanol Flower Extract; CFlE: Chloroform Flower Extract.
DISCUSSION:
The results of this study demonstrated the antifungal activity of various extracts from
different parts of M. oleifera against strains isolated from prawn farming.
These results corroborate the antifungal activity of the essential oil and crude
extracts of seeds, leaves, flowers and stems of Moringa against
dermatophyte fungi, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium
sclerotigenum, Cladosporium cladosporioides and C.
albicans (CHUANG et al., 2007CHUANG, P.H. et al. Anti-fungal activity of crude extracts and essential
oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. Bioresource Technology, v.98, p.232-236, 2007. Available
from: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852405005286>.
Accessed: Ago. 12, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2005.11.003.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
; RAHMAN et al., 2008RAHMAN, M.S. et al. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Moringa
oleifera stem bark. Chittagong University Journal of Biological Sciences, v.3,
p.109-117, 2008. Available from: <http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cujbs.v3i1.13411>.
Accessed: Jul. 23, 2013. doi: 10.3329/cujbs.v3i1.13411.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cujbs.v3i1.134...
; ROCHA et al., 2011ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
). Based on these previous reports, it was decided to test
different parts of M. oleifera to evaluate the distribution of bioactive
compounds in this plant. It was prioritized the use of ethanol as solvent for the
extraction of bioactive compounds because it is more accessible, less toxic and it
extracts polar and apolar substances (FERREIRA-DIAS et
al., 2003FERREIRA-DIAS, S. et al. Comparison between ethanol and hexane for oil
extraction from Quercus suber L. fruits. Grasas y Aceites, v.54, p.378-383, 2003.
Available from:
<http://grasasyaceites.revistas.csic.es/index.php/grasasyaceites/article/viewArticle/225>.
Accessed: Ago. 11, 2013. doi:10.3989/gya.2003.v54.i4.225.
http://grasasyaceites.revistas.csic.es/i...
).
In addition, due to our previous research (ROCHA et al.,
2011ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
), the Chloroform Flower Extract was also included in this study in order
to further evaluate the antifungal properties of this compound. Similarly to our
previous findings (ROCHA et al., 2011ROCHA, M.F.G. et al. Extratos de Moringa oleifera e Vernonia sp. sobre
Candida albicans e Microsporum canis isolados de cães e gatos e análise da toxicidade
em Artemia sp. Ciência Rural, v.41, p.1807-1812, 2011. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022>. Accessed: Jul. 12. 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782011001000022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782011...
), this
extract was effective in inhibiting all strains originating from prawn farming. In
addition, it was observed that the Ethanol Flower Extract was also effective against the
tested fungi, presenting an 87.5% inhibition rate, as opposed to the 100% inhibition
caused by the Chloroform Flower Extract. Thus, the results of this study suggest that
the bioactive component of flowers can be obtained with chloroform and ethanol, but the
chloroform based extraction results in higher concentrations of the bioactive compounds
compared to the ethanol counterpart, since the chloroform compound has higher antifungal
activity than that reported for the ethanol compound.
The Ethanol Pod Extract was effective against all strains of Candida spp.
Due to the importance of the Candida genus in cultivating prawns, this
plant portion is also promising for fungal control in prawn farming. On the other hand,
this extract did not inhibit any isolate of H
.
werneckii. The reason for this difference in susceptibility remains
unknown, but the species H
.
werneckii is a melanized fungus and it is known that melanin provides
protection against several aggressors, including oxidizing agents and antifungal drugs
(EISENMAN; CASADEVALL, 2012EISENMAN, H.C.; CASADEVALL, A. Synthesis and assembly of fungal melanin.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, v.93, p.931-940, 2012. Available from:
<http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00253-011-3777-2>. Accessed: Ago.
11, 2013. doi: 10.1007/s00253-011-3777-2.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007...
). The Ethanol Seed
Extract and Ethanol Leaf Extract showed activity against more than 80% of the strains
tested. CHUANG et al. (2007)CHUANG, P.H. et al. Anti-fungal activity of crude extracts and essential
oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. Bioresource Technology, v.98, p.232-236, 2007. Available
from: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852405005286>.
Accessed: Ago. 12, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2005.11.003.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
tested raw seed
extract and different sub-fractions against dermatophytes and observed different MICs
for each type of extract, with the ethyl acetate subfraction presenting the lowest MIC
(0.625mg mL-1) and the aqueous subfraction presenting the highest MIC (10mg
mL-1). As for the leaf extract, CHUANG et
al. (2007)CHUANG, P.H. et al. Anti-fungal activity of crude extracts and essential
oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. Bioresource Technology, v.98, p.232-236, 2007. Available
from: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852405005286>.
Accessed: Ago. 12, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2005.11.003.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
found no antifungal activity for crude leaf extract and its
sub-fractions, against dermatophytes, while our results showed good inhibitory activity
against H. werneckii and Candida spp., mainly C.
famata, which is one of the predominant Candida species recovered
from M. amazonicum farming (BRILHANTE et
al., 2011BRILHANTE, R.S.N. et al. Yeasts from Macrobrachium amazonicum: a focus
on antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of Candida spp. FEMS Microbiology
Ecology, v.76, p.268-277, 2011. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x/abstract>.
Accessed: Ago. 08, 2013. doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
)
The Ethanol Stem Extract was the extract with the lowest antifungal activity, only being
effective against four strains of H
.
werneckii, at the highest end of the tested concentration range, which
suggests that ethanol is not a viable solvent to obtain bioactive molecules from the
stem of M. oleifera. Similarly, DAS et al.
(2012)DAS, J. et al. In vitro antibacterial and antifungal potentials of
petroleum ether extract of Moringa oleifera. Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
v.7, p.110-113, 2012. Available from:
<http://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jpt.2012.110.113>. Accessed: Ago. 10, 2013.
doi: 10.3923/jpt.2012.110.113.
http://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jpt.20...
, using the ether-derived stem extract observed no inhibitory effect on
six fungal species. On the other hand, RAHMAN et al.
(2008)RAHMAN, M.S. et al. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Moringa
oleifera stem bark. Chittagong University Journal of Biological Sciences, v.3,
p.109-117, 2008. Available from: <http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cujbs.v3i1.13411>.
Accessed: Jul. 23, 2013. doi: 10.3329/cujbs.v3i1.13411.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cujbs.v3i1.134...
, using this herbal component, observed that the chloroform and ethyl
acetate sub-fractions inhibited fungal growth. There are several studies on the
antifungal properties of M. oleifera, using different methodologies to
perform the susceptibility assays, making it difficult to compare the previously
published data. This is why, in this study, it was sought to standardize the
susceptibility assay with Moringa extracts, according to CLSI
guidelines.
The Moringa extracts' toxicity against larvae of M. amazonicum
was classified according to MEYER et al. (1982)MEYER, B.N. et al. Brine shrimp: a convenient general bioassay for
active plant constituents. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, v.45, p.31-34, 1982.
Available from:
<https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2007-971236>.
Accessed: Ago. 13, 2013. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-971236.
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/...
and RAMOS et al. (2009)RAMOS, S.C.S. et al. Antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of some
plant crude extracts used in Northeastern folk medicine. Brazilian Journal of
Pharmacognosy, v.19, p.376-381, 2009. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007>. Accessed: Jun. 24, 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009...
with adaptations for the
target species. In this study, there was no high toxicity in any of the analyzed
extracts. Exposure to extracts with low or no toxicity showed average LC50 of
392.07mg mL-1, while mean LC50 was 238.98mg mL-1 for
moderately toxic extracts. The extracts' toxicity can vary widely among plant parts,
depending on the chemicals present in the plant and susceptibility of the target species
(RAMOS et al., 2009RAMOS, S.C.S. et al. Antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of some
plant crude extracts used in Northeastern folk medicine. Brazilian Journal of
Pharmacognosy, v.19, p.376-381, 2009. Available from:
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007>. Accessed: Jun. 24, 2013.
doi: 10.1590/S0102-695X2009000300007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2009...
). As noted by TIWARI & SINGH (2003)TIWARI, S.; SINGH, A. Control of common freshwater predatory fish,
Channa punctatus, through Nerium indicum leaf extracts. Chemosphere, v.53, p.865-875,
2003. Available from: <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00595-2>.
Accessed: Jul. 03, 2013. doi: 10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00595-2.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(03)...
, the toxicity of an
extract also depends on the solvent used, as observed in this study, where the Ethanol
Flower Extract was nearby 1.7 times more toxic than Chloroform Flower Extract, although
no statistical difference was detected.
In prawn farming, the animals are subjected to stressful conditions, predisposing them
to the emergence of infectious diseases caused by opportunistic pathogens such as
Candida spp., which have been described as part of the microbiota and as
an infectious agent of M. amazonicum (GATESOUPE, 2007GATESOUPE, F.J. Live yeasts in the gut: natural occurrence, dietary
introduction, and their effects on fish health and development. Aquaculture, v.267,
p.20-30, 2007. Available from:
<http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2007/publication-2144.pdf>. Accessed: Ago. 11,
2013. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2007.01.005.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2007/publ...
; BRILHANTE et al.,
2011BRILHANTE, R.S.N. et al. Yeasts from Macrobrachium amazonicum: a focus
on antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of Candida spp. FEMS Microbiology
Ecology, v.76, p.268-277, 2011. Available from:
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x/abstract>.
Accessed: Ago. 08, 2013. doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01050.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
). Thus, preventive procedures should be adopted to minimize the negative
impacts of infectious diseases in the population and the dumping of effluents into the
environment. In this context, the perspective of using products from M
.
oleifera in the treatment of wastewater against yeasts and molds in prawn
farmingwas pointed to reduce environmental degradation associated with discharge of
untreated waste from cultivation.
CONCLUSION:
In this study it was observed that M. oleifera extracts have antifungal activity against strains of Candida spp. and H. werneckii isolated from cultivation water and prawns, especially the products extracted from leaves and flowers. Moreover, it was found that these extracts have a wide margin of safety for larvae of M. amazonicum, demonstrating to be promising for the sustainable management of effluents from M. amazonicum cultivation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and Foundation for the Support of Scientific and Technological Development of Ceará (CAPES/FUNCAP; process AE1-0052-000650100-11) and by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq; process numbers 307606/2013-9; 504189/2012-3; 562296/2010-7).
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Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
Dec 2014
History
-
Received
21 Feb 2014 -
Accepted
10 May 2014