Nutraceutical Potential and Sensory Acceptability of Unripe Plantain-Millet Composite Flour Blends

There is an increasing need globally to eat foods that contain arrays of health promoting phytochemicals as alternatives to synthetic drugs. Therefore, the  present study sought to assess the nutritional  and antioxidant potentials of unripe plantain (UP) and millet (M) composite blends (UP: M); 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100. Some of the evaluated proximate indices (fat, protein, and fiber) gave high values as the composition of millet increases in the blends. On the contrary, the result showed an increasing value in the level of some minerals (sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium) as the inclusion of unripe plantain increases in the blend, with the exception of phosphorous. Physico-chemical properties of the blends did not show any particular trend with the proportion of either plantain or millet in the blend. The result of the sensory properties of the porridge prepared from the blend showed a varied rating, with better overall acceptability for two blends (40UP:60M, 20UP:80M). HPLC/DAD analyses of millet and unripe plantain revealed the presence of some flavonoids and phenolic acids. Antioxidant indices were also high as the percentage inclusion of millet increases in the blend. Results from this investigation revealed that millet contributes  higher antioxidant potential and is a better source of protein and fat, while unripe plantain have higher amount of minerals. This by implication is that the combination of these plant food most especially two of the blends (40UP:60M and 20UP:80M) would serve well as a functional food which could be harnessed as in the management of free radical mediated diseases. Keywords: Antioxidant potential; Nutritional value; Phenolic composition; Sensory properties; Millet; Musa paradisiaca

Capacitação profissional dos docentes em relação aos alunos com necessidades especiais

This work aims to identify what are the main needs of teachers of technical education and vocational higher compared to the inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream education. We conducted a mixed questionnaire with twenty teachers of technical education and vocational upper town ofSanta Maria, RS. After transcription of reports, made it a broad reading of the material obtained. Then the data on open and closed questions were coded, tabulated and analyzed in percentage. The results showed that all teachers support the need for continuing education for inclusive education. Teachers cited a lack of structural support, and training in specialized institutions, moreover, it is necessary to implement public policy and planning inclusive education.Key-word: inclusive education, continuing education, public policies.Este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar quais são as principais necessidades dos docentes do ensino técnico profissionalizante e superior em relação à inclusão de alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais na rede regular de ensino. Foi realizado um questionário misto com vinte professores do ensino técnico profissionalizante e superior da cidade de Santa Maria, RS. Após a transcrição dos relatos, fez-se uma leitura ampla do material obtido. Em seguida, os dados referentes às questões abertas e fechadas, foram codificados, tabulados e analisados em porcentagem. Os resultados demonstraram que todos os professores defendem a necessidade de formação continuada para a educação inclusiva. Os docentes citaram a falta de apoio estrutural, especializado e formativo nas instituições, além disso, faz-se necessário a implantação de políticas públicas e planejamento educativo inclusivo.Palavras-chave: educação inclusiva, formação continuada, políticas públicas

Solanum paranense

The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the S. paranense crude extract, S. paranense alkaloid fraction, and solanine alkaloid. These samples reduce the croton oil-induced ear edema in a dose-dependent manner and a maximum inhibition of 81%, 98%, and 80% in the doses of 1.0, 0.73, and 0.37 mg/ear, respectively. Moreover, the samples inhibit the MPO activity with an inhibition maximum of 51%, 40%, and 46% in the doses of 1.0, 0.73, and 0.37 mg/ear, respectively. Similar results were found for dexamethasone 0.10 mg/ear (positive control), which showed inhibitions of ear edema and MPO activity of 100% and 65%, respectively. These results found probably are related to the presence of solanine which is present in significant quantity in the alkaloid fraction and others as rutin and rosmarinic, chlorogenic, and gallic acids. These results support the use of S. paranense for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders

Tamanho do tubérculo na produção de batata-semente das cultivares Ágata e Asterix em sistema aeropônico

A busca por tubérculos de batata (Solanum tuberosum L.) com maior qualidade genética e livres de doenças tem se intensificado cada vez mais, para isto, formas alternativas de produção tem surgido ao decorrer dos anos, e o sistema aeropônico é um dos que se destacam. Os tamanhos de tubérculo-semente bem como as cultivares podem gerar influência sobre os índices de produção, e assim, este trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência da cultivar e do tamanho do tubérculo nos índices agronômicos da batata-semente. O ensaio foi conduzido no município de Palotina, estado do Paraná, entre os meses de março a junho de 2019, em delineamento inteiramente casualisado, utilizando de esquema fatorial 2 x 2, sendo os fatores, duas cultivares (Ágata e Asterix) e duas classes de tubérculo semente (Tipo I e IV). Foram avaliadas as características de massa média de tubérculos, número de hastes formadas, número de tubérculos produzidos e diâmetro de tubérculos produzidos. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância e teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Os fatores não apresentaram interação estatisticamente significativa. Independentemente do tamanho de tubérculo, a cultivar Ágata apresentou a maior massa e diâmetro de tubérculos, mas menor número de hastes e de tubérculos formados por planta. Quanto ao tamanho de tubérculo utilizado, o tratamento de tipo I evidenciou maiores índices agronômicos, mesmo não apresentando diferença significativa para formação de hastes em função do tamanho de tubérculo

Phenolics from grapefruit peels inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and angiotensin-I converting enzyme and show antioxidative properties in endothelial EA.Hy 926 cells

This study sought to investigate the possible mechanisms for the use of phenolic extracts from grapefruit peels in the management/prevention of cardiovascular complications. The effects of the phenolic extracts on key enzymes relevant to cardiovascular diseases [3-hydroxy-methyl-3-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE)], cellular antioxidant activity in human endothelial cells (EA.Hy 926) and radicals [1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS)] scavenging abilities were investigated. The phenolic contents of the extracts were investigated using HPLC–DAD. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory ability of the two extracts, while the bound phenolic extracts had a stronger ACE inhibitory ability than the soluble free phenolics. The extracts also showed intracellular antioxidant activity in human endothelial (EA.Hy 926) cells. Furthermore, the bound phenolics had significantly higher radicals (DPPH* and ABTS*) scavenging abilities than the free phenolics. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), phenolics acids (resveratrol, gallic acid, ellagic acid and caffeic acid) and tannin (catechin). The cellular antioxidative properties and inhibition of enzymes relevant to the management of cardiovascular complications showed that grapefruit peels could be used as nutraceuticals for the management of such conditions

Chromatographic analysis and antiproliferative potential of aqueous extracts of Punica granatum fruit peels using the Allium cepa test

Punica granatum L., conhecida como romanzeira, é originária da Ásia e encontra-se distribuída por todo Brasil. É usada para o tratamento de doenças inflamatórias, infecciosas e respiratórias. Em decorrência da grande utilização de recursos fitoterápicos, é necessário esclarecer à população sobre a grande quantidade de substâncias existentes nas plantas e sobre os benefícios e prejuízos de tais substâncias à saúde. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar a análise cromatográfica e o estudo da genotoxicidade dos extratos aquosos das cascas dos frutos de P. granatum através do teste de Allium cepa L. Para a montagem do experimento, foram utilizados 7 tratamentos: T1-água destilada, T2-chá 5 g.L-1, T3-chá 10 g.L-1, T4-glifosato a 9,6%, T5-glifosato para recuperação em água destilada, T6-glifosato para recuperação em chá 5 g.L-1 e T7-glifosato para recuperação em chá 10 g.L-1. As radículas foram coletadas e fixadas em etanol:ácido acético (3:1) por 24 horas, e armazenadas em álcool 70%, sob refrigeração. Realizou-se análise por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência para quantificação dos compostos fenólicos. Nos extratos de P. granatum foram observados em maior quantidade: ácido gálico, catequina, ácido cafeico e rutina. Além disso, os extratos demonstraram potencial antiproliferativo, sem apresentar atividade antimutagênica e genotóxica.Punica granatum L., locally known as romanzeira, is native to Asia but found throughout Brazil. P. granatum is used for treating inflammatory, infectious and respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chromatography and genotoxicity of an aqueous extract of P. granatum (pomegranate) fruit peel using the Allium cepa L. test. The experiment set-up entailed 7 treatments: T1-distilled water, T2-tea 5 g.L-1, T3-tea 10 g.L-1, T4-glyphosate at 9.6%, T5-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in distilled water, T6-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 5 g.L-1 and T7-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 10 g.L-1. The rootlets were collected and fixed in ethanol:acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours, then stored in 70% ethanol under refrigeration. Analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography for the quantification of the extracted phenolic compounds. Gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin were abundant in the extracts of P. granatum. The extracts were found to exhibit antiproliferative potential but not antimutagenic or genotoxic activity

Genotoxic and chromatographic analyses of aqueous extracts of Peltodon longipes Kunth ex Benth. (hortelã-do-campo)

Peltodon longipes é utilizada como estimulante e emenagoga. Objetivou-se realizar análises genotóxica e cromatográfica dos extratos de duas amostras de P. longipes, coletadas nos municípios de Santa Maria e Tupanciretã, RS, Brasil. O teste de Allium cepa foi utilizado para análise da genotoxicidade e a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, para determinação dos compostos fenólicos. O experimento de genotoxicidade constou de nove grupos de quatro bulbos de A. cepa. Os bulbos foram enraizados em água destilada e após transferidos para os tratamentos, por 24 horas, permanecendo o controle negativo em água. Os tratamentos foram: extratos aquosos nas concentrações de 5 e 15 g L-1 de cada amostra, além de quatro grupos tratados com glifosato 1%, um deles usado como controle positivo e outros três para testar a recuperação de danos ao DNA, utilizando água e os extratos de P. longipes da amostra de Santa Maria. Todos os extratos de P. longipes demonstraram potencial antiproliferativo, porém o efeito foi significativamente maior para os extratos da amostra de Tupanciretã. Essa amostra também apresentou maior quantidade de ácido rosmarínico e canferol, o que pode estar relacionado com os efeitos encontrados nesses extratos. Somente extratos da amostra de Santa Maria demonstraram potencial genotóxico.Peltodon longipes is used as a stimulant and emmenagogue. The objective of this study was to perform genotoxic and chromatographic analyses of the extracts of two samples of P. longipes, collected from the cities of Santa Maria and Tupanciretã, RS, Brazil. The Allium cepa assay was used to analyze genotoxicity while high-performance liquid chromatography was employed to determine phenolic compounds. The genotoxicity experiment consisted of nine groups each comprising four A. cepa bulbs. Bulb roots were developed in distilled water and then transferred for the treatments, for 24 hours, and the negative control remained in water. The treatments were: aqueous extracts at concentrations of 5 and 15 g L-1 for each sample, plus four groups treated with 1% glyphosate, one of which was used as a positive control and the other three for testing DNA damage recovery using water and the extracts of P. longipes from Santa Maria. All extracts of P. longipes exhibited anti-proliferative potential, although the effect was significantly greater for the extracts from the Tupanciretã sample. This sample also contained the highest amount of rosmarinic acid and kaempferol, which may confer the effects found in these extracts. Only extracts from the Santa Maria sample exhibited genotoxic potential

Antioxidant indices and amino acid composition of phenolic containing Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) after simulated human gastrointestinal digestion

The present investigation was designed to characterize the phenolic profile of Lima beans (Phaseolus Lunatus) and also to evaluate the antioxidant indices: total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and amino acid composition at different stages of simulated gastrointestinal digestion (oral, gastric, intestinal). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-DAD) analysis revealed the presence of some phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin), with a reduced amount (mg/g) after cooking; gallic acid (raw: 1.96 ± 0.02; cooked: 1.82 ± 0.01); catechin (raw: 0.83 ± 0.01; cooked: 0.73 ± 0.01); rutin (raw: 2.61 ± 0.03; cooked:1.74 ±0.03); quercitrin (raw: 5.73 ± 0.01; cooked: 5.68 ± 0.01); apigenin (raw: 2.09 ±0.01; cooked:1.79 ± 0.02),  with exception of quercetin (raw: 2.11 ±0.02; cooked: 5.73 ±  0.02) and caffeic acid (raw: 2.08 ±0.04; cooked: 2.95 ± 0.04). The results of antioxidant indices of in vitro enzyme digested lima beans revealed higher values for cooked Lima beans compared to the raw counterpart, with a stepwise increase at the different stages of in vitro digestion, with the exception of ferric reducing antioxidant power; TPC (oral digestion: 65.44 ± 0.96; gastric digestion:134.87± 0.46; intestinal digestion:517.72 ± 4.70; mg/g tannic acid equivalent), TFC (oral digestion: 199.30 ± 6.43; gastric digestion: 1065.97 ± 1.22; intestinal digestion: 3691.87 ± 4.2; mg/g quercetin equivalent), DPPH (oral digestion: 85800.00 ± 305.50; gastric digestion: 99066.66 ± 115.47; intestinal digestion: 211354.20 ± 360.84 µmol TE/g sample). The results also revealed a progressive increase in the antioxidant indices and amino acid composition (mg/kg) for both raw and processed lima beans at various stages of the in vitro digestion, with the intestinal phase of simulated digestion ranking higher. This implied that the Lima beans contained some essential amino acids and antioxidant molecules that would be readily available after passing through the gastrointestinal tract and could therefore be explored as functional food in the management of free radical mediated diseases

Phenolic Extract from Moringa oleifera

This study was designed to determine the antioxidant properties and inhibitory effects of extract from Moringa oleifera leaves on angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) and arginase activities in vitro. The extract was prepared and phenolic (total phenols and flavonoid) contents, radical (nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl (OH)) scavenging abilities, and Fe2+-chelating ability were assessed. Characterization of the phenolic constituents was done via high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Furthermore, the effects of the extract on Fe2+-induced MDA production in rats’ penile tissue homogenate as well as its action on ACE and arginase activities were also determined. The extract scavenged NO∗, OH∗, chelated Fe2+, and inhibited MDA production in a dose-dependent pattern with IC50 values of 1.36, 0.52, and 0.38 mg/mL and 194.23 µg/mL, respectively. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol were the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in the leaf extract. The extract also inhibited ACE and arginase activities in a dose-dependent pattern and their IC50 values were 303.03 and 159.59 µg/mL, respectively. The phenolic contents, inhibition of ACE, arginase, and Fe2+-induced MDA production, and radical (OH∗, NO∗) scavenging and Fe2+-chelating abilities could be some of the possible mechanisms by which M. oleifera leaves could be used in the treatment and/or management of erectile dysfunction

Determinação de compostos fenólicos e avaliação do potencial genotóxico e antiproliferativo de extratos aquosos das folhas de Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae)

Psidium cattleianum é uma espécie nativa do Brasil valorizada pelo seu uso na medicina popular. O trabalho visou avaliar a atividade genotóxica e antiproliferativa do extrato aquoso de P. cattleianum usando o teste de Allium cepa, bem como testar sua capacidade de reverter mutações ocasionadas pela exposição ao glifosato e ainda determinar os compostos fenólicos presentes nesse extrato. Folhas foram coletadas em quatro acessos: Cerro Largo, Segredo, Tupanciretã e Silveira Martins. Os extratos foram preparados por decocção das folhas em duas concentrações: 15 g.L-1 e 75 g.L-1. Água destilada foi utilizada como controle negativo e glifosato 2% como controle positivo. Foram analisadas 8000 mil células de raízes de cebola por tratamento. Amostras dos extratos aquosos foram analisadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência – CLAE. A análise estatística foi realizada pelos testes Qui-quadrado e Scott-Knott (p < 0,05). Os resultados mostraram que os extratos inibiram a divisão celular de raízes de cebola. Apenas o acesso de Cerro Largo na concentração 15 g.L-1 apresentou genotoxicidade. Os extratos testados na recuperação reverteram parcialmente as alterações cromossômicas. A CLAE mostrou a predominância de quercitrina em um acesso e quercetina nos demais. Conclui-se que os extratos aquosos de araçá possuem atividade antiproliferativa sobre a divisão celular de A. cepa, o que pode ser extrapolado para outros tipos celulares eucarióticos