Impact of gamma irradiation on nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of Aloysia citriodora Paláu and Melittis melissophyllum L.

Aloysia citriodora Paláu and Melittis melissophyllum L. are examples of plants that have been used for medicinal purposes as dietary supplements or infusions [1,2]. The incorporation of plant extracts/compounds in pharmaceuticals has been increasing. However, due to the high demand of the pharmaceutical industry for the use of raw materials with good microbiological quality, decontamination techniques should be applied. Irradiation arises as an alternative [3]. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation (0 kGy – control, 1 kGy and 10 kGy) on nutritional value and antioxidant activity of A. triphylla and M. melissophyllum. The nutritional value was determined following official analysis methodologies; free sugars were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a refraction index detector (RI-HPLC), fatty acids by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and tocopherols by HPLC-fluorescence. The antioxidant properties of the infusions were evaluated through free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibiting of lipid peroxidation. In general, gamma irradiation protected fructose, trehalose, and the major fatty acids found in A. citriodora. Furthermore, the dose of 10 kGy protected oxalic, malic, and quinic acids, as also protein and ash levels and revealed the highest antioxidant activity for the majority of the assays. The dose of 1 kGy protected all isoforms of tocopherols detected in the plant. Regarding M. melissophyllum, it was concluded that the control sample (non-irradiated) showed the highest antioxidant activity, as well as the highest levels of -tocopherol. However, in general, it was observed that a dose of 10 kGy maintains the nutritional properties of the plant, such as protein and ash levels. Thus, we can conclude that irradiation is a decontaminating technique that does not interfere drastically with the chemical properties of the studied plants.Proder (Project nº 53514, AROMAP) and to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). The authors are also grateful to “MaisErvas - Aromáticas e Medicinais” for samples providing

Analytical methods applied to assess the effects of gamma irradiation on color, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Ginkgo biloba L

The extracts from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba are widely used in medicines and food supplements in order to overcome different health problems. To provide decontamination, irradiation is a safe and effective technique, particularly suitable to be integrated in quality control of the postharvest samples. In this study, different analytical methods were applied to assess the effects of gamma irradiation (1 and 10 kGy) in G. biloba color, chemical composition and antioxidant properties. Irradiation preserved macronutrients, fatty acids, γ- and δ-tocopherols, fructose, trehalose, quinic and shikimic acids. In particular, 1 kGy protected α-tocopherol, oxalic and malic acids contents, while 10 kGy decreased α-tocopherol, glucose, sucrose, oxalic and malic acids level. Nevertheless, this dose was the most effective for antioxidant activity. Overall, 1 kGy would be the recommended dose to maintain nutritional profile of G. biloba, protect specific molecules and also increase antioxidant activity of infusion and methanolic extracts prepared from its leaves.The authors are grateful to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). The authors are also grateful to Clarinda Paixão, from Américo Duarte Paixão Lda, for samples providing

The role of chamomile phenolic compounds in the development of dairy functional foods

There is a growing interest for healthier foods either by consumers or by industrial sectors [1]. Bioactive phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds (PC), have been used in the preparation of nutraceuticals and functional foods [2]. In the present work, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of plant extracts rich in PC were evaluated. Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile) extracts were prepared following a decoction procedure and displayed 2, 2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity (EC5o = 335 ± 3 Mg/mL), reducing power (238 ± 38 pg/mL), p-carotene bleaching inhibition (297 ± 27 pg/mL) and lipid peroxidation inhibition (72 ± 2 pg/mL). The bactéria Staphylococcus aureus (MIC=35 pg/mL), Baaï/us cereus (MIC=100 pg/mL) and Salmonella typhimurium (MIC=100 MS/mL), as also the fungi Penicillium funiculosum (MIC=200 MS/mL), Aspergillus versicolor (MIC=400 pg/mL) and Trichoderma viride (MIC=400 pg/mL), were susceptible to the action of chamomile phenolic extracts. Their chemical characterization, performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, revealed the presence of nine flavonoids (mainly luteolin-0-glucuronide) and ten phenolic acids (mainly di-caffeoyl-2, 7-anhydro- 3-deoxy-2-octulopyranosonic acid). Due to the observed bioactive properties, chamomile phenolic extracts were used to functionalize yogurts. This functionalization did not cause significant changes in the yoghurt pH and nutritional value, but improved antioxidant properties when compared with control samples. The obtained results support the use of PC extracts in the development of novel dairy foods.The authors are grateful to e Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Pmgramme PT2020 for financiai support to CIMO (UID/AGR/0069/2013), REQUIMTE (UID/QUI/50006/2013 - POCI/01/0145/ FERDER/007265), C. Caleja (SFRH/BD/93007/2013) and L Banos (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015) grants.N/

Descontaminação e conservação de plantas aromáticas e medicinais por irradiação

Devido às contaminações a que as plantas são expostas e tendo em conta as exigências de segurança e qualidade por parte das indústrias alimentar e farmacêutica, é indispensável o uso de processos que garantam a segurança microbiológica do material processado, sem por em causa as suas principais características.ProDer nº 5315 - AROMA

Effects of gamma radiation in mycotoxin decontamination of Aloysia citrodora Paláu

The interest and demand for aromatic and medicinal plants have been growing due to their combined organoleptic and bioactive properties. However, in general these plants suffer natural contamination by fungi and associated toxins during growth as also in harvesting, storage and drying processes, which represents a threat to public health. The rigorous standards required by the industrial sector in terms of good quality of raw materials demand efficient decontamination procedures [1-3]. Gamma radiation is assumed as an accredited methodology for the decontamination of medicinal and aromatic plants, with numerous advantages not only to the product itself but also to the consumer and the environment [4].info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeitos da radiação gama na composição química de borututu (cochlospermum Angolensis welw.)

As plantas medicinais são usadas há milhares de anos pela sua riqueza em compostos bioativos que têm vindo a ser isolados para inclusão em formulações aplicadas no tratamento de diversas doenças. Entre elas, o borututu (Cochlospermum angolensis Welw.) muito difundido em Angola e conhecido pêlos seus efeitos benéficos no tratamento de doenças do fígado e na profilaxia da malária [1]. Durante o processamento e armazenagem, pode ficar exposto a contaminações que levam à deterioração microbiana ou infestação de insetos, comprometendo assim a sua qualidade, tempo de prateleira e eficiência [2]. Neste trabalho, foram investigados os efeitos da radiação gama, uma das técnicas mais promissoras de descontaminação para matérias de origem vegetal, com diferentes doses nos compostos hidrofílicos e lipofílicos da casca do borututu, analisados por HPLC-RI, HPLCPAD, HPLC-ftuorescência e GC-FID, respetivamente. De um modo geral, 1 RGy não foi suficiente para preservar o teor de açúcares, onde se verificou um decréscimo na concentração em frutose, glucose, sacarose, e trealose; no entanto, com 10 kGy a amostra revelou uma maior concentração nestes açúcares individuais e valor total (8,63 g/100 g). Relativamente aos ácidos orgânicos, foi possível verificar que a irradiação não afetou significativamente estes compostos nas amostras estudadas, que revelaram a presença dos ácidos oxálico, málico, xiquímico, cítrico e fumárico em quantidades similares, com maior teor dos ácidos oxálico, málico e cítico. Foram quantificados vinte e um ácidos gordos, com prevalência de ácidos gordos saturados (SFA) e percentagens consideráveis de ácidos gordos polinsaturados (PUFA). De entre as três amostras, a irradiada com 1 kGy apresentou menores percentagens de PUFA e SFA, enquanto o controlo e a amostra irradiada com 10 kGy revelaram quantidades semelhantes. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre a percentagem de ácidos gordos monoinsaturados (MUFA) nas amostras estudadas. Foram detetadas as quatro isoformas de tocoferóis em todas as amostras, com prevalência do p-tocoferol; o teor total mais elevado de tocoferóis foi encontrado nas amostras irradiadas, onde à exceção do õ-tocoferol, o teor das diferentes isoformas foi geralmente superior. Assim, a irradiação pode ser destacada como uma boa técnica de preservação dos compostos químicos da casca de borututu

Obesity: considerations about etiology, metabolism, and the use of experimental models

Studies have been conducted in order to identify the main factors that contribute to the development of obesity. The role of genetics has also been extensively studied. However, the substantial augmentation of obesity prevalence in the last 20 years cannot be justified only by genetic alterations that, theoretically, would have occurred in such a short time. Thus, the difference in obesity prevalence in various population groups is also related to environmental factors, especially diet and the reduction of physical activity. These aspects, interacting or not with genetic factors, could explain the excess of body fat in large proportions worldwide. This article will focus on positive energy balance, high-fat diet, alteration in appetite control hormones, insulin resistance, amino acids metabolism, and the limitation of the experimental models to address this complex issue

Perfil lipídico e uso de anti-TNF-α

AbstractThe use of anti-TNF-α has been associated with several changes in lipid profile, although some study results are conflicting. The knowledge of this fact is of great importance when one observes at the association between rheumatic diseases and accelerated atherogenesis. The aim of this analysis was search for changes in lipid profile in anti TNF-α users in the population of Southern Brazil and its association with duration of use, indications, patient gender and type of anti-TNF. For this purpose, we studied the profiles of total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDLc), LDL cholesterol (LDLc), atherogenic index (ATI) and triglycerides (TGs) of 58 patients (42 with rheumatoid arthritis and 16 with spondyloarthritis) before and after using this drug for a median of 16.0 months. There were no changes in the levels of TC, HDLc, LDLc and ATI (P=NS). However, there was a significant increase in TG levels (P=0.03). The median difference between first and second TG measurements was 16mg/dL and this increase was not associated with gender, time of use, use indication or type of anti TNF-α (P=NS). It was concluded that the use of anti TNF-α is associated with increased values of TG