Extraction of Flavonoids From Natural Sources Using Modern Techniques

Flavonoids are one of the main groups of polyphenols found in natural products. Traditional flavonoid extraction techniques are being replaced by advanced techniques to reduce energy and solvent consumption, increase efficiency and selectivity, to meet increased market demand and environmental regulations. Advanced technologies, such as microwaves, ultrasound, pressurized liquids, supercritical fluids, and electric fields, are alternatives currently being used. These modern techniques are generally faster, more environmentally friendly, and with higher automation levels compared to conventional extraction techniques. This review will discuss the different methods available for flavonoid extraction from natural sources and the main parameters involved (temperature, solvent, sample quantity, extraction time, among others). Recent trends and their industrial importance are also discussed in detail, providing insight into their potential. Thus, this paper seeks to review the innovations of compound extraction techniques, presenting in each of them their advantages and disadvantages, trying to offer a broader scope in the understanding of flavonoid extraction from different plant matrices

Potential application for antimicrobial and antileukemic therapy of a flavonoid-rich fraction of Camellia sinensis

The antimicrobial and antileukemic effect of a purified fraction of flavonoids from the leaves of Camellia sinensis was evaluated. An extraction yield of 9.77 mg.g-1 total flavonoids was recovered through a pressurized liquid extraction associated with solid-phase extraction. This fraction was tested against pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and Enterococcus), considering the minimum inhibitory concentration. In addition, the human monocyte cell line THP-1, derived from a patient with acute monocytic leukemia, was used for the antitumor assay. The results show that the flavonoid-rich fraction obtained by coupling a Pressurized Liquids Extraction in-line with a Solid Phase Extraction (PLE-SPE) has a high antimicrobial effect and resulted in cell cycle blockage G0 / G1, increased DNA fragmentation, and altered leukemic cell morphology. These results suggest that a flavonoid-rich fraction obtained from Camellia sinensis can be applied as potential adjuvants in chemotherapy treatment to mitigate the side effects caused by chemotherapy or even as a supplement to cancer therapy9 página

Evolução do consumo alimentar e do estado nutricional dos estudantes ingressantes na Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA) da Unicamp

O aumento das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis nas últimas décadas, principalmente obesidade, diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e doenças coronarianas, pode ser atenuado por hábitos saudáveis desde a adolescência, como alimentação balanceada e práticas de exercícios físicos. Objetivo: Traçar o perfil dos estudantes ingressos na Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA) da Unicamp, buscando conhecer as condições de saúde e o comportamento alimentar dos jovens ao entrarem na universidade, bem como analisar as principais mudanças ocorridas após o término do primeiro ano letivo, com relação à alimentação, ao estado nutricional e a hábitos de vida, como sono e atividade física. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, iniciado em agosto de 2015. A amostra total foi de 50 estudantes ingressantes na FCA em 2015 (n = 27) e 2016 (n = 23). Foram realizadas 50 avaliações antropométricas, de consumo alimentar e hábitos de vida no início e 43 avaliações após o primeiro ano de graduação dos voluntários. A análise antropométrica foi feita a partir de medidas de peso, altura, circunferências do pescoço, braço, quadril, cintura e pregas cutâneas (tricipital, bicipital, subescapular e suprailíaca). A avaliação de consumo alimentar de energia, carboidratos, proteínas, gorduras, ácidos graxos monoinsaturados (AGM) e poliinsaturados (AGP), fibras, cálcio e ferro, e dos hábitos de vida, como atividade física e grau de sonolência, foram feitas por meio de questionários validados para a população: Questionário de Frequência Alimentar quantitativo, Escala de Sonolência Diurna - ESS-BR e Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física - IPAQ. Resultados: No momento de ingresso na universidade, os estudantes avaliados se mostraram eutróficos (IMC 22,2±3,4 vs 22±3 kg/m²) em sua maioria. Não houve mudança nos perfis antropométricos e de composição corporal após o primeiro ano de faculdade (p> 0,05). Quando comparado à literatura, o consumo alimentar diário se mostrou elevado para proteínas (92g/dia vs 91g/dia) e gorduras (75,5g/dia vs 69,5g/dia), adequado para energia (2504,9kcal/dia vs 2130,8kcal/dia), cálcio (864,9mg/dia vs 767,3mg/dia), AGM (18,4mg/dia vs 18,1mg/dia), AGP (10 mg/dia vs 8,8mg/dia), ferro (13mg/dia vs 11,4mg/dia) e fibras (34,7mg/dia vs 35,5mg/dia), e abaixo para carboidratos (178,1g/dia vs 137,5g/dia), nos dois momentos de avaliações, embora sem diferença estatística significante. Os estudantes ainda mostraram ter bons hábitos de vida, sem diferença estatística, entre as duas avaliações, com exceção de etilismo. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o primeiro ano de faculdade não interferiu no estado nutricional, no consumo alimentar ou nos hábitos de vida dos universitários avaliados.The increase in non-transmittable chronic diseases in the last decades, mainly obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart diseases, can be attenuated by healthy habits starting in the adolescence, namely a balanced diet and physical exercise. Project goals: To trace the profile of newly admitted students in the university, aiming to know their health condition and eating behavior, as well as to verify the main changes after the conclusion of their freshman year in relation to their diet, nutritional status and lifestyle habits, such as sleep and physical activity. Methods: This is a prospective study started in August 2015. The total sample is composed of 50 students admitted to FCA in 2015 (n = 27) and 2016 (n = 23). 50 Anthropometric, food intake and lifestyle habits assessments were performed in the beginning and 43 after the volunteer¿s freshman year. The anthropometric assessment was composed of measurements of weight, height, circumferences (neck, waist and hips) and skinfolds (triceps, biceps, subscapular and iliac crest). The assessment of dietary energy intake, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), fibers, calcium and iron, as well as the participant¿s /lifestyle, such as physical activity and degree of sleepiness, was performed through questionnaires validated for this specific population (Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale in Brazilian Portuguese - ESS-BR and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - IPAQ). Results: At the moment of their admission to the university, the students assessed were mostly eutrophic (BMI 22.2±3.4 vs 22±3 kg/m²). There were no anthropometric or body composition changes during their freshman year (p > 0.05). In comparison to the literature, their food intake was shown as increased for proteins (92g/day vs 91g/day) and fats (75.5g/day vs 69.5g/day), within the limits for energy (2504.9kcal/day vs 2130.8kcal/day), calcium (864.9mg/day vs 767.3mg/day), MUFA (18.4mg/day vs 18.1mg/day), PUFA (10mg/day vs 8.8mg/day), iron (13mg/day vs 11.4mg/day) and fiber (34.7mg/day vs 35.5mg/day), and low for carbohydrates (178.1g/day vs 137.5g/day), in the first and second assessment, though there was no significant statistical difference. The university students also showed good lifestyle habits in both assessments, with no statistical difference, between both assessments, except for alcohol consumption). Conclusion: It is hereby concluded that the freshman year didn¿t interfere in the nutritional status, food intake or lifestyle habits of the university students assessed