Effect of the entomopathogenic fungus,Beauveria bassiana,and its secondary metabolite on detoxifying enzyme activities and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of the Sunn pest,Eurygaster integriceps (Heteroptera: Scutellaridae)

The effects of Beauveria bassiana spores and its secondary metabolite on insect resistance to an organophosphorus insecticide, fenitrothione and secondary metabolite effects on acetylcholine esterase inhibition were investigated. Findings showed that fungal spores and its secondary metabolite increase total esterase and glutathione S-transferase activities in the hemolymph of infected and treated adults of Eurygaster integriceps. But the fungal secondary metabolite had an adverse effect on AChE activity of adults that decreased its activity level and isoforms of this enzyme in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fungal infection decreased the susceptibility of E. integriceps adults to fenitrothione, in comparison with uninfected individuals. Possible involvement of detoxifying enzymes in the development of insect resistance to fenitrothione should be considered in combined usage of chemicals and microbial agents for integrated pest management programs.     

The effects of formalin, nabam, irrigation and nitrogen on Heterodera avenae Woll., Ophiobolus graminis Sacc. and the growth of spring wheat

In 1964, nabam (sodium ethylene bisdithiocarbamate), water and three amounts of nitrogen fertilizer were applied to spring wheat on soil treated and untreated with formalin. The experiment lasted for 3 years during which there were eight different formalin, no–formalin sequences. The nabam and irrigation treatments were discontinued when it was found they did not affect the principal pathogens present, the cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenae and the take–all fungus Ophiobolus graminis. Formalin increased grain and straw yields in the year in which it was applied but led to increased H. avenae populations which adversely affected the succeeding crop. Formalin controlled O. graminis in the year it was applied except on land treated for the first time in 1966. H. avenae seemed to be the main check to growth until about June, and O. graminis later. At the end of the experiment, total grain yields and nematode soil populations were greatest in the plots treated with formalin each year and least in those never treated with formalin. Yield loss from either O. graminis or H. avenae alone could not be assessed because formalin usually controlled both during the season in which it was applied and both were present in untreated plots. However, in 1965, some comparisons of the effects of each pathogen were possible when one occurred in the presence of differing amounts of the other. A doubling of total grain yield over 3 years was accompanied by an eightfold increase in H. avenae in sequences of continuous formalin or formalin 1964 and 1965, whereas yield increases caused by extra nitrogen were not matched by such a big increase in H. avenae. This suggests that formalin might be affecting H. avenae through factors other than increased plant size and vigour, which in themselves would tend to encourage larger nematode populations. In the absence of formalin, H. avenae soil populations either fell or failed to increase.     

Anthropogenic Influence on Selected Heavy Metal Contamination of Urban Soils of Akure City,Nigeria

Levels of Cd, Ni, and Pb in topsoil (0–5 cm) taken from seven different sites of the urban city of Akure, Nigeria, were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer after the wet digestion method. This was with a view to appraising the influence of various anthropogenic activities on heavy metal contamination of the urban soil. Results show that the range of Cd was 6.27–10.34 ppm, Ni 7.17–14.78 ppm, and Pb 9.22- 46.19 ppm. This analytical data indicated a significant accumulation of heavy metals above background levels, with highest concentrations found in mechanic/battery charger workshops. The level of accumulation was assessed using accumulation factor (AF), and the values obtained exceeded 4 in all sites. This implies that the heavy metals are not from the natural geochemistry of Akure but from human activities. The classes of contamination were differentiated using geoaccumulation index (I _geo). The I _geo performed revealed that Cd (2< I _geo<3: Class 3), Ni (2< I _geo<4: Class 3 and 4) and Pb (3< I _geo<5: Class 4 and 5) belong to different classes of geoaccumulation index, but the contamination patterns (moderately to strongly contaminated) are similar in all sites, except the mechanic battery/charger workshop (moderately to extremely contaminated). The differences observed in the metal concentrations among the sites are statistically significant (P < 0.05).     

Studies on Metabolites of Alternaria kikuchiana Tanaka,a Phytopathogenic Fungus of Japanese Pear

The structure of a metabolite, C₁₀H₁₀O₅ (I), obtained as a weakly toxic substance from the culture filtrate of Alternaria kikuchiana, was determined as 3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-3,4- dihydroisocoumarin (Ia). Though three tautomeric forms—lactol form (Ia), keto form (Ib) and enol form (Ic) were possible for (I), it was found that the compound (I) existed as the lactol form (Ia) both in a crystalline state and in acetone, chloroform and methanol solutions. This metabolite gave weak necrotic symptom to pear leaves, but stimulated the root elongation of rice and radish seedlings (ca. 20~30%) at 5 ppm and also showed synergistic activity with gibberellin A₃ on the stem elongation of rice seedlings (ca. 30%).     

Changes of C-reactive protein levels in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) sera after exposure to anti-ectoparasitic chemicals used in aquaculture

Changes of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were studied after exposure to formalin, metriphonate or potassium permanganate, which are used in aquaculture as anti-ectoparasitic chemicals. The CRP level in normal trout sera is 88+/-5 microg ml(-1) according to sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CRP levels increased to a maximum at six or nine days after exposure to formalin for 3.5 h at 300 ppm or 9.5 h at 30 ppm, respectively; these levels are 4.3 and 18 times higher than normal. At 18 days after treatment, the CRP level had decreased to significantly below the normal level. After exposure to metriphonate (0.4 ppm for 30 min), the CRP level increased significantly to a maximum at three days after exposure (9.9 times higher than normal), then decreased to below normal. With exposure to potassium permanganate at 40 ppm for 45 min, fish showed significantly lower CRP levels than the normal level at 14 days after exposure. Fish reared at a water temperature of 16.5-19.5 degrees C showed significantly higher CRP levels than those reared at 13 degrees C. Measurement of CRP levels in trout serum can be used as a bioindicator of the health condition of the fish.     

Enantiomers of 2-methyl- and 2,4-dimethyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxylic acid: Preparation by resolution,determination of absolute configuration,and Curtius rearrangement

Both enantiomers of 2-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxylic acid 2 and 2,4-dimethyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxylic acid 3 were prepared via resolution of the corresponding racemic carboxylic acids with (R)- and (S)-1-phenylethylamine, respectively. Absolute configuration of (−)-(R)-2-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxylic acid was determined by X-ray crystallography. Curtius rearrangement of acyl azides prepared from enantiomers of these heterocyclic carboxylic acids carried out in benzyl alcohol afforded enantiomers of the corresponding benzyl carbamates, which upon hydrogenolysis gave racemic 2-amino-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one 4 and 2-amino-2,4-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4h-benzoxazin-3-one 5. Chirality 10:791–799, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Chaetominine, (+)-alantrypinone,questin, isorhodoptilometrin,and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde produced by the endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. YL-6 inhibit wheat (Triticum aestivum) and radish (Raphanus sativus) germination

Five phytotoxic substances with allelopathic activity were isolated from endophytic fungi Aspergillus sp. YL-6 habited in Pleioblastus amarus. The chemical structures of these substances were determined as chaetominine (1), (+)-alantrypinone (2), questin (3), isorhodoptilometrin (4), and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (5) by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry data. The potential allelopathic effects of compounds 1–5 were evaluated on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and radish (Raphanus sativus). Under lab condition, at concentrations of 10 and 20 ppm, compounds 1–5 inhibit the germination and growth of the two tested seeds completely. An idole-3-acetic acid (IAA) derivative, (+)-alantrypinone (2) displayed the best inhibitory effects on radish seeds among these tested compounds with the similar activity as the positive control glyphosate, a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide. In the further evaluation of compounds 1–5, Questin (3), an anthraquinone derivative, can inhibit shoot and root elongation of wheat, the inhibitory effects assessed were similar to the positive control glyphosate.     

13C CP/MAS NMR Spectral Analysis of 6-O-Tosyl, 6-Deoxy-6-iodo,and 6-Deoxy Derivatives of N-Acetylchitosan in a Solid State

6-O-Tosyl (1, d.s. 0.94, 80% yield), 6-deoxy-6-iodo (2, d.s. 0.49, 86% yield) and 6-deoxy (3, d.s. 0.49, 50% yield) derivatives of N-acetylchitosan were prepared, and a ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectral analysis was performed because no suitable solvent for 3 was found. The ¹³C signal for CH₃ at C-6 in 3 was detected at 18.9 ppm, and that for C-4 in 1–3 appeared at 72.2–72.7 ppm, which is in a higher magnetic field than those (82.5–86.0 ppm) in N-acetylchitosan, 6-O- (ethylthio), 6-O-(benzylthio)- and 6-O-(methylthio)-thiocarbonyl derivatives, chitosan, and chitin. This strongly suggests a different molecular conformation for 1–3.     

MBC tolerance in aggressive and non-aggressive isolates of Ceratocystis ulmi

In selection experiments, tolerance to 0–5 ppm methyl benzimidazole-2-ylcarbamate (MBC) occurred at a frequency of c. 1 in 1–3 ×10⁸ conidia in both aggressive and non-aggressive isolates of Ceratocystis ulmi. The tolerant strains were inhibited by 5 ppm MBC, however, and attempts to select strains tolerant to 10 ppm were unsuccessful. In each of three isolates examined, tolerance remained stable after fifteen successive transfers on fungicide-free medium. Genetic control was nuclear and probably conditioned by a single gene. It is thought unlikely that the appearance of tolerant strains in nature will jeopardize the use of MBC for the control of Dutch elm disease.     

Effects of plant growth substances on the conchocelis phase of Alaskan Porphyra (Bangiales,Rhodophyta) species in conjunction with environmental variables1

The effect of plant growth substances (PGSs) on conchocelis growth of Alaskan Porphyra (P. abbottiae V. Krishnam., P. pseudolanceolata V. Krishnam., P. pseudolinearis Ueda) was investigated. Growth was measured under different combinations of PGS concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 ppm), PGS type (gibberellic acid, kinetin, and indole‐3‐acetic acid), temperature (7, 11, and 15°C), and photoperiod (16:8 light:dark [L:D] cycle and 8:16 L:D cycle). Plant growth substances effectively promoted the growth of Porphyra conchocelis. Depending on culture conditions, growth rates were increased relative to controls 6.9%–31.7% for P. abbottiae, 4.7%–25.7% for P. pseudolanceolata, and 8.9%–35.1% for P. pseudolinearis. Maximal growth of P. abbottiae occurred with 0.8 ppm kinetin, 15°C, and short‐day conditions (8:16 L:D). Porphyra pseudolanceolata exhibited maximal growth with 0.4 ppm indole‐3‐acetic acid, 7°C, and long days (16:8 L:D). Indole‐3‐acetic acid also effected maximal growth of P. pseudolinearis at 0.4 ppm, 15°C, and long‐day conditions (16:8 L:D). For P. abbottiae and P. pseudolinearis, intermediate PGS concentrations (0.4–1.6 ppm) had the greatest growth‐stimulating effects, whereas for P. pseudolanceolata, higher growth generally occurred at lower concentrations (0.1–0.8 ppm). Kinetin and indole‐3‐acetic acid had more influence on the conchocelis phase than gibberellic acid. The PGS concentrations greater than 1.6 ppm had a diminishing effect on growth, especially in P. pseudolanceolata. For P. abbottiae and P. pseudolinearis, higher temperatures resulted in higher growth rates, in contrast to P. pseudolanceolata, which grew faster at the lower temperatures.     

Molecular Phylogeny,Diversity, and Bioprospecting of Endophytic Fungi Associated with wild Ethnomedicinal North American Plant Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae)

The endophytic fungal community associated with the ethnomedicinal plant Echinacea purpurea was investigated as well as its potential for providing antifungal compounds against plant pathogenic fungi. A total of 233 endophytic fungal isolates were obtained and classified into 42 different taxa of 16 genera, of which Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum dematium, and Stagonosporopsis sp. 2 are the most frequent colonizers. The extracts of 29 endophytic fungi displayed activities against important phytopathogenic fungi. Eight antifungal extracts were selected for chemical analysis. Forty fatty acids were identified by gas chromatography‐flame‐ionization detection (GC‐FID) analysis. The compounds (–)‐5‐methylmellein and (–)‐(3R)‐8‐hydroxy‐6‐methoxy‐3,5‐dimethyl‐3,4‐dihydroisocoumarin were isolated from Biscogniauxia mediterraneaEPU38CA crude extract. (–)‐5‐Methylmellein showed weak activity against Phomopsis obscurans, P. viticola, and Fusarium oxysporum, and caused growth stimulation of C. fragariae, C. acutatum, C. gloeosporioides, and Botrytis cinerea. (–)‐(3R)‐8‐Hydroxy‐6‐methoxy‐3,5‐dimethyl‐3,4‐dihydroisocoumarin appeared slightly more active in the microtiter environment than 5‐methylmellein. Our results indicate that E. purpurea lives symbiotically with different endophytic fungi, which are able to produce bioactive fatty acids and aromatic compounds active against important phytopathogenic fungi. The detection of the different fatty acids and aromatic compounds produced by the endophytic community associated with wild E. purpurea suggests that it may have intrinsic mutualistic resistance against phytopathogen attacks in its natural environment.     

Thieno,Furo, and Selenopheno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione Copolymers: Air‐Processed Polymer Solar Cells with Power Conversion Efficiency up to 7.1%

Polymers based on thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione derivatives are interesting and promising candidates for organic bulk heterojunction solar cells. Herein, a series of push–pull conjugated polymers based on thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD), furo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (FPD), and selenopheno[3,4‐c]‐pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (SePD) have been synthesized by direct heteroarylation polymerization and fully characterized. The impacts of both the heteroatom (sulfur, oxygen, and selenium) and the side chain (branched or linear) of [3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione unit on the electro‐optical properties have been investigated. Among polymers developed, two new highly processable terthiophene–SePD ( P4 ) and dithienosilole–SePD ( P9 ) copolymers led to air‐processed polymer solar cells with power conversion efficiencies of 5.1% and 7.1% using the following inverted configuration: ITO/ZnO/Polymer:PCBM/MoO₃/Ag. These promising results make P4 and P9 good candidates for further upscaling and device optimization.     

The in vitro Germination of Pollen of Setaria sphacelata

The effects of various substances upon germination and tube growth of pollen of Setaria sphacelata were investigated in hanging-drop culture. Both sucrose (0.6–0.7 M) and boron (1–5 ppm, as borate) are essential for germination. Comparable results were obtained with boric acid, sodium tetraborate and tri-n-butyl borate as boron sources, but sodium tetraphenylboron was inhibitory. Good germination and growth were obtained with raffinose and cellobiose, alone or in combination with sucrose (total 0.5 M); 0.25 M rhamnose, lactose and glycerol were without effect, and xylose, galactose and glucose were slightly inhibitory in the presence of 0.25 M sucrose; 0.25 M arabinose, fructose, mannose, sorbose, maltose, mannitol and sorbitol completely inhibited germination, even in the presence of 0.25 M sucrose. IAA and GA (0.01–10 ppm) could not replace or supplement the effects of borate on germination and growth, indicating the pollen to be self-sufficient in this respect. Riboflavin (0.1–10 ppm) and calcium pantothenate (1–100 ppm) stimulated germination and growth, whereas 0.01–10 ppm of thiamine, pyridoxine, nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid were generally without effect. Although copper sulphate, manganese sulphate, zinc sulphate and ammonium molybdate could not replace boric acid, 1.0 ppm of copper, manganese and zinc stimulated germination and growth in the presence of boron. In no instance were tubes found comparable in length to those required for fertilisation in vivo. It was concluded that the pollen probably requires a complex mixture of substances, including sucrose and borate, before this can be achieved in vitro.     

Synthesis,antitumor activity and molecular docking study of some novel 3-benzyl-4(3H)quinazolinone analogues

A novel series of 3-benzyl-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antitumor activity. The results of this study demonstrated that 2-(3-benzyl-6-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-ylthio)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)acetamide, 2-(3-benzyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-ylthio)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)acetamide and 3-(3-benzyl-6-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-ylthio)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propanamide have shown amazing broad spectrum antitumor activity with mean GI₅₀ (10.47, 7.24 and 14.12?µM. respectively), and are nearly 1.5–3.0-fold more potent compared with the positive control 5-FU with mean GI₅₀, 22.60?µM. On the other hand, compounds 6 and 10 yielded selective activities toward CNS, renal and breast cancer cell lines, whereas compound 9 showed selective activities towards leukemia cell lines. Molecular docking methodology was performed for compounds 7 and 8 into ATP binding site of EGFR-TK which showed similar binding mode to erlotinib, while compound 11 into ATP binding site of B-RAF kinase inhibited the growth of melanoma cell lines through inhibition of B-RAF kinase, similar to PLX4032.     

Intermolecular interactions between DNA and methamphetamine,amphetamine, ecstasy and their major metabolites

In this work, we carried out a theoretical investigation regarding amphetamine-type stimulants, which can cause central nervous system degeneration, interacting with human DNA. These include amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (also known as ecstasy), as well as their main metabolites. The studies were performed through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, where molecular interactions of the receptor–ligand systems, along with their physical–chemical energies, were reported. Our results show that 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-Dihydroxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) present considerable reactivity with the receptor (DNA), suggesting that these molecules may cause damage due to human-DNA. These results were indicated by free Gibbs change of bind (ΔG_bind) values referring to intermolecular interactions between the drugs and the minor grooves of DNA, which were predominant for all simulations. In addition, it was observed that 3,4-Dihydroxymethamphetamine (ΔG_bind = ?13.15 kcal/mol) presented greater spontaneity in establishing interactions with DNA in comparison to 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ΔG_bind = ?8.61 kcal/mol). Thus, according with the calculations performed our results suggest that the 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-Dihydroxymethamphetamine have greater probability to provide damage to human DNA fragments.     

1,3-Cycloaddition of Cyclic Isothioureas to Heterocumulenes and Fungitoxicity of the Resulting l,2,4-Triazolo[3,4-c]-l,2,4-dithiazoles

Phenacylation of 5-aryl-3-mercapto-l,2,4-triazoles (I) furnished 5-aryl-3-phenacylthio-1,2,4-triazoles (II) which reacted with CS₂ and aryl isothiocyanates to give 5-aryl-l,2,4-triazolo[3,4-c]-1,2,4-dithiazole-3-thiones (III) and 5-aryl-3-arylimino-l,2,4-triazolo[3,4-c]-l,2,4-dithiazoles (IV), respectively. (IV) on refluxing with CS₂ yielded (III) which, when heated with aryl isothiocyanates, regenerated (IV). Compounds(II) ~ (IV) were compared with Dithane M-45 for their fungitoxicity against Helminthosporium oryzae and Fusarium oxysporium. The screening results have been correlated with the structural features of the tested compounds.     

Control of potato cyst-nematode, Heterodera rostochiensis, in sandy loam, by Du Pont 1410 (S-methyl l-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-N-[(methylcarbamoyl) oxy] thioformimidate) applied to the soil at planting time

When applied to heavily infested sandy loam soil at planting time, as little as 5 ppm Du Pont 1410 (5-methyl I-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-N-[(methylcar-bamoyl) oxy] thioformimidate) in pots, or 2–5 ppm in field plots, effectively controlled potato cyst-nematode, Heterodera rostochiensis Woll., and greatly increased the growth and yield of susceptible potatoes. Dipping the shoots of potted King Edward potatoes once in aqeuous solution containing 2000 ppm did not control potato cyst-nematode. Nematode control was not increased when 2 or 4 kg a.i./ha was sprayed on the foliage of young Pentland Crown potatoes growing in soil already treated with the nematicide.     

Antinoceptive effect of triterpenoid α,β-amyrin in rats on orofacial pain induced by formalin and capsaicin

The effects of α,β-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Protium heptaphylum was investigated on rat model of orofacial pain induced by formalin or capsaicin. Rats were pretreated with α,β-amyrin (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.), morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (3% Tween 80), before formalin (20 μl, 1.5%) or capsaicin (20 μl, 1.5 μg) injection into the right vibrissa. In vehicle-treated controls, formalin induced a biphasic nociceptive face-rubbing behavioral response with an early first phase (0–5 min) and a late second phase (10–20 min) appearance, whereas capsaicin produced an immediate face-rubbing (grooming) behavior that was maximal at 10–20 min. Treatment with α,β-amyrin or morphine significantly inhibited the face-rubbing response in both test models. While morphine produced significant antinociception in both phases of formalin test, α,β-amyrin inhibited only the second phase response, more prominently at 30 mg/kg, in a naloxone-sensitive manner. In contrast, α,β-amyrin produced much greater antinociceptive effect at 100 mg/kg in the capsaicin test, which was also naloxone-sensitive. These results provide first time evidence to show that α,β-amyrin attenuates orofacial pain atleast, in part, through a peripheral opioid mechanism but warrants further detailed study for its utility in painful orofacial pathologies.     

Synthesis and biological activity of pyrazolo[3,4-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives: in silico approach

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is responsible for the pathological condition called gout. Inhibition of XO activity by various pyrazolo[3,4-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-4-one derivatives was assessed and compared with the standard inhibitor allopurinol. Out of 10 synthesized compounds, two compounds, viz. 3-amino-6-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one (3b) and 3-amino-6-(4-chloro-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one (3g) were found to have promising XO inhibitory activity of the same order as allopurinol. Both compounds and allopurinol inhibited competitively with comparable Ki (3b: 3.56?µg, 3g: 2.337?µg, allopurinol: 1.816?µg) and IC₅₀ (3b: 4.228?µg, 3g: 3.1?µg, allopurinol: 2.9?µg) values. The enzyme–ligand interaction was studied by molecular docking using Autodock in BioMed Cache V. 6.1 software. The results revealed a significant dock score for 3b (?84.976?kcal/mol) and 3g (?90.921?kcal/mol) compared with allopurinol (?55.01?kcal/mol). The physiochemical properties and toxicity of the compounds were determined in silico using online computational tools. Overall, in vitro and in silico study revealed 3-amino-6-(4-chloro-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]thiazolo[3,2–a]pyrimidin-4-one (3g) as a potential lead compound for the design and development of XO inhibitors.     

Shrinkage of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1847) larvae preserved in either ethyl‐alcohol or formalin in relation to their developmental stage and feeding condition

The effects of preservation in 95% ethyl‐alcohol and 5% formalin were analysed for 3 months on standard length of Prochilodus lineatus larvae from hatching to the end of the flexion process. Unyolked stages were raised under two feeding regimes: unfed and daily fed. All developmental stages that were preserved in formalin as well as the yolked and flexion‐postflexion larvae stored in alcohol shrank significantly (2–6%). In contrast, unyolked preflexion larvae showed a slight but significant enlargement after storage in alcohol (1%). Shrinkage of preflexion stages was 2.5% higher when stored in formalin, while both preservative agents caused similar shrinkage in flexion‐postflexion larvae (ca. 3%). Shrinkage levels after storage in alcohol were dependent on live length, decreasing or increasing with increasing length in yolked and flexion‐postflexion larvae, respectively. The feeding regime did not affect length changes after preservation in either preservative agent.