Utilização da casca de ovo de galinha como estratégia de aumento de cálcio em alimentos

Introduction: The eggshell of the chicken is a food rich in calcium, as it contains about 40% of calcium carbonate in its composition and its fortification in food is a sustainable alternative to meet the needs of the population with a deficiency of this micronutrient. Objective: To develop two food products (bread and ice cream) plus 5 g of eggshell powder for each 100 g/ml of flour/or milk used in the formulation, aiming an increase in the calcium, and to analyze the microbiological quality. Methods: Analyses of nutritional composition, quantification of calcium levels, and the microbiological quality (Thermotolerant coliforms, Coagulase-positive Staphylococci, and Salmonella sp.) of eggshell and prepared products were performed. Results: Calcium levels present in fortified foods changed from 755 mg to 1,180 mg/100g, values significantly higher than the formulations without fortification (p˂0.05). Fortified products had an increase in total mineral content (ash) and a reduction in sugar content and energy value. The eggshell submitted to different methods of hygiene did not present contamination by Thermotolerant coliforms, Staphylococci, or Salmonella sp, as well as the fortified products, which were accorded to what is established by the legislation. Conclusion: The fortification of food with the eggshell powder contributes to an increase in the daily intake of calcium and prevention of the deficiency of this nutrient, besides being a safe food for human consumption, because it presents good hygienic-sanitary quality when processed properly. Keywords: Whole Utilization of Foods. Food Fortified. Food Microbiology.Introdução: A casca do ovo da galinha é um alimento rico em cálcio, pois contém cerca de 40% de carbonato de cálcio em sua composição e sua fortificação em alimentos é uma alternativa sustentável para atender as necessidades da população com deficiência desse micronutriente. Objetivo: Desenvolver dois produtos alimentícios (pão e sorvete) acrescidos de 5 g do pó da casca do ovo para cada 100 g/ml de farinha/ou leite usados na formulação, visando um aumento do teor de cálcio e analisar a qualidade microbiológica. Métodos: Foram realizadas análises de composição nutricional, quantificação do teor de cálcio e a qualidade microbiológica (Coliformes termotolerantes, Estafilococos coagulase positiva e Salmonella sp.) da casca do ovo e dos produtos elaborados. Resultados: Os teores de cálcio presentes nos alimentos fortificados variaram de 755 mg a 1,180 mg/100g, valores significativamente mais elevados que as formulações sem a fortificação (p<0,05). Os produtos fortificados tiveram incremento no conteúdo mineral total (cinzas) e redução no teor de açúcar e valor energético. A casca submetida a diferentes métodos de higienização não apresentou contaminação por Coliformes termotolerantes, Estafilococos ou Salmonella sp, assim como os produtos fortificados, os quais apresentaram-se dentro dos parâmetros microbiológicos exigidos pela legislação. Conclusão: A fortificação de alimentos com o pó da casca do ovo poderá contribuir para um aumento da ingestão diária de cálcio e prevenção da deficiência desse nutriente, além de ser um alimento seguro para o consumo humano, pois apresenta boa qualidade higiênico-sanitária quando processado de maneira adequada. Palavras-chave: Aproveitamento integral dos alimentos. Alimentos fortificados. Microbiologia de alimentos

Targeting inflammatory-mitochondrial response in major depression : current evidence and further challenges

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders has increased in recent years. Among existing mental disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD) has emerged as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting individuals throughout their lives. Currently, MDD affects 15% of adults in the Americas. Over the past 50 years, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and brain stimulation have been used to treat MDD. The most common approach is still pharmacotherapy; however, studies show that about 40% of patients are refractory to existing treatments. Although the monoamine hypothesis has been widely accepted as a molecular mechanism to explain the etiology of depression, its relationship with other biochemical phenomena remains only partially understood. This is the case of the link between MDD and inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Studies have found that depressive patients usually exhibit altered inflammatory markers, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, oxidized mitochondrial DNA, and thus high levels of both central and peripheral reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effect of antidepressants on these events remains unclear. Nevertheless, the effects of ROS on the brain are well known, including lipid peroxidation of neuronal membranes, accumulation of peroxidation products in neurons, protein and DNA damage, reduced antioxidant defenses, apoptosis induction, and neuroinflammation. Antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and coenzyme Q have shown promise in some depressive patients, but without consensus on their efficacy. Hence, this paper provides a review of MDD and its association with inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress and is aimed at thoroughly discussing the putative links between these events, which may contribute to the design and development of new therapeutic approaches for patients

Organic and conventional yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil) improves metabolic redox status of liver and serum in Wistar rats

Organic and conventional yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is widely used in South America to prepare nonalcoholic drinks rich in polyphenols. These compounds are able to prevent the generation of reactive species, thus minimizing the incidence of several diseases. In this perspective, we hypothesized that yerba mate may have protective effects against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced oxidative damage in liver and serum of rats. Animals (n = 42) received distilled water (control) or yerba mate (organic or conventional) for fifteen days. Then, half of the rats of each group received 60 mg/kg PTZ intraperitoneally or saline solution. After 30 min the animals were euthanized and the liver and blood were collected. The results showed that organic and conventional yerba mate avoided PTZ-induced oxidative damage and nitric oxide production in the liver and serum of the rats. Moreover, both kinds of yerba mate prevented the decrease in enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (sulfhydryl protein content) defenses in the liver and serum. In addition, histopathologic analysis of the liver showed that yerba mate reduced PTZ-induced cell damage. These findings indicate that yerba mate provides hepatoprotection and improves antioxidant status in the serum, which may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies using nutraceuticals drinks

Processo de produção de extrato ilex, orgânica e/ou convencional, extrato obtido, uso de extrato e composição compreendendo extrato com ação anticonvulsivante

Fundação Universidade de Caxias do SulUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulFarmáciaCiências Básicas da SaúdeDepositad

Processo de produção de extrato ilex, orgânica e/ou convencional, extrato obtido, uso de extrato e composição compreendendo extrato com ação anticonvulsivante

Fundação Universidade de Caxias do SulUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulFarmáciaCiências Básicas da SaúdeDepositad

Targeting inflammatory-mitochondrial response in major depression : current evidence and further challenges

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders has increased in recent years. Among existing mental disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD) has emerged as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting individuals throughout their lives. Currently, MDD affects 15% of adults in the Americas. Over the past 50 years, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and brain stimulation have been used to treat MDD. The most common approach is still pharmacotherapy; however, studies show that about 40% of patients are refractory to existing treatments. Although the monoamine hypothesis has been widely accepted as a molecular mechanism to explain the etiology of depression, its relationship with other biochemical phenomena remains only partially understood. This is the case of the link between MDD and inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Studies have found that depressive patients usually exhibit altered inflammatory markers, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, oxidized mitochondrial DNA, and thus high levels of both central and peripheral reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effect of antidepressants on these events remains unclear. Nevertheless, the effects of ROS on the brain are well known, including lipid peroxidation of neuronal membranes, accumulation of peroxidation products in neurons, protein and DNA damage, reduced antioxidant defenses, apoptosis induction, and neuroinflammation. Antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and coenzyme Q have shown promise in some depressive patients, but without consensus on their efficacy. Hence, this paper provides a review of MDD and its association with inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress and is aimed at thoroughly discussing the putative links between these events, which may contribute to the design and development of new therapeutic approaches for patients