Flour from fruits and vegetables waste with addition of a South-American pepper (Capsicum baccatum) proposed as food ingredient

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of previously characterised flours obtained by milling the solid waste from the manufacture of an isotonic drink produced with various fruits and vegetables (FVR) to which powdered pepper fruits (PF) were added. Aqueous extracts were also prepared and encapsulated for protecting their functional compounds and improving their solubility. The encapsulation yields of the spray-drying processes were 90% and 64% for PF and FVR-PF, respectively. The addition of PF to FVR improved antioxidant capacity, stability and appearance, providing reddish colour. FT-IR spectra reflected the addition of PF by changes in the absorbances at wave numbers typical of carotenoids, acylglycerols, chlorophylls and those related to antioxidant capacity. The encapsulated extracts could be applied when solubility is needed in hydrophilic media. The obtained flours with PF addition are suitably cheap, stable functional food ingredients for industrial uses, such as breading or seasoning ingredients.Fil: de Sá Mendes, Nathânia. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Favre, Leonardo Cristian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos; ArgentinaFil: Rolandelli, Guido. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos; ArgentinaFil: Dos Santos Ferreira, Cristina Isabel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: de A.Gonçalves, Édira C. B.. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Buera, Maria del Pilar. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos y Procesos Químicos; Argentin

Novozym 435 : the “perfect” lipase immobilized biocatalyst?

Novozym 435 (N435) is a commercially available immobilized lipase produced by Novozymes. It is based on immobilization via interfacial activation of lipase B from Candida antarctica on a resin, Lewatit VP OC 1600. This resin is a macroporous support formed by polyIJmethyl methacrylate) crosslinked with divinylbenzene. N435 is perhaps the most widely used commercial biocatalyst in both academy and industry. Here, we review some of the success stories of N435 (in chemistry, energy and lipid manipulation), but we focus on some of the problems that the use of this biocatalyst may generate. Some of these problems are just based on the mechanism of immobilization (interfacial activation) that may facilitate enzyme desorption under certain conditions. Other problems are specific to the support: mechanical fragility, moderate hydrophilicity that permits the accumulation of hydrophilic compounds (e.g., water or glycerin) and the most critical one, support dissolution in some organic media. Finally, some solutions (N435 coating with silicone, enzyme physical or chemical crosslinking, and use of alternative supports) are proposed. However, the N435 history, even with these problems, may continue in the coming future due to its very good properties if some simpler alternative biocatalysts are not developed

Antibacterial and healing effect of chicha gum hydrogel (sterculia striata) with nerolidol

Chicha gum is a natural polymer obtained from the Sterculia striata plant. The hydroxyl groups of its structure have a chemical affinity to form hydrogels, which favors the association with biologically active molecules, such as nerolidol. This association improves the biological properties and allows the material to be used in drug delivery systems. Chicha gum hydrogels associated with nerolidol were produced at two concentrations: 0.01 and 0.02 g mL−1. Then, the hydrogels were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and rheological analysis. The antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The cytotoxicity was evaluated against Artemia salina. Finally, an in vivo healing assay was carried out. The infrared characterization indicated that interactions were formed during the gel reticulation. This implies the presence of nerolidol in the regions at 3100–3550 cm−1. The rheological properties changed with an increasing concentration of nerolidol, which resulted in less viscous materials. An antibacterial 83.6% growth inhibition effect was observed using the hydrogel with 0.02 g mL−1 nerolidol. The in vivo healing assay showed the practical activity of the hydrogels in the wound treatment, as the materials promoted efficient re-epithelialization. Therefore, it was concluded that the chicha hydrogels have the potential to be used as wound-healing products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ERUCA SATIVA, BRASSICACEA, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES EVALUATION

A má alimentação característica dos dias atuais está relacionada com o aumento significativo de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, sendo a dieta equilibrada, aliada ao consumo de antioxidantes naturais, um objeto para reversão deste quadro. Os metabólitos secundários presentes em vegetais são alternativas de inibidores de radicais livres. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a atividade antioxidante de Eruca sativa, a rúcula, utilizando-se o ensaio de redução do radical DPPH e o método de formação do complexo fosfomolibdênio; e avaliar toxicidade frente à Artemia salina e investigar a atividade hemolítica. O extrato etanólico de Eruca sativa apresentou potencial antioxidante no ensaio de redução do complexo do fosfomolibdênio, não mostrou atividade hemolítica e foi considerado ativo na avaliação de toxicidade frente à Artemia salina. Os resultados demonstram a importância de mais testes para avaliação da capacidade antioxidante

An Erythropoietin-Independent Mechanism of Erythrocytic Precursor Proliferation Underlies Hypoxia Tolerance in Sea Nomads

The Bajau Sea Nomads were recently demonstrated to have evolved larger spleens as an adaptation to millennia of a marine foraging lifestyle. The large-spleen phenotype appears to derive from increases in thyroid hormone (TH) production as a result of reduced expression of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A), though the exact mechanism remains unknown. Through pharmacological inhibition of PDE10A using the selective inhibitor MP-10 in mice, we were able to mimic the Bajau adaptation and show that treated mice had significantly larger spleens than control animals. This difference appears connected to an excess of early stage erythrocytes and an apparent increase in red blood cell (RBC) precursor proliferation in response to increased TH. However, we determined that the stimulation of RBC production in the mouse model via TH is Erythropoietin (EPO)-independent, unlike in the altitude (chronic hypoxemia) response. We confirmed this using human GWAS data; although the Bajau PDE10A variants are significantly associated with increased TH levels and RBC count, they are not associated with EPO levels, nor are other strongly thyroid-associated SNPs. We therefore suggest that an EPO-independent mechanism of stimulating RBC precursor proliferation via TH upregulation underlies the increase in spleen size observed in Sea Nomad populations

SISTEMA INTENSIVO X EXTENSIVO NA CRIAÇÃO DE GADO DE CORTE

A pecuária mundial está em constante desenvolvimento, e o Brasil ocupa o segundo lugar no ranking mundial na exportação de carne bovina (USDA, 2016). Posição essa que têm levado os produtores a administrar suas fazendas como empresas. No presente trabalho, foram analisados dois sistemas de produção mais adotados na pecuária brasileira: o extensivo e o intensivo, conhecidos popularmente como a pasto e confinamento. A partir dos aspectos administrativos e agropecuários envolvidos compararam-se três fazendas no sul de Minas Gerais. Essa pesquisa ocorreu a campo, realizando-se com o produtor um questionário contendo todas as variáveis presentes no sistema de produção. Adaptou-se a metodologia de Lopes e Carvalho (2000), com tabelas pré-elaboradas para direcionar os cálculos de custo operacional total, custos fixos e variáveis. Utilizou-se a cotação atual da arroba de carne bovina para calcular a remuneração do capital investido e ponto de nivelamento operacional, chegando-se ao final na demonstração do lucro ou prejuízo da atividade em cada fazenda. Ao final do estudo, percebeu-se que o sistema extensivo foi o que demonstrou rentabilidade, porém isso ocorreu em apenas uma propriedade. Os dois confinamentos analisados mostraram prejuízo final. Assim, o sistema intensivo mostrou-se inviável, tendo como fator prejudicial o custo da alimentação e o alto valor de aquisição dos animais. A criação extensiva apresentou lucro e o melhor custo benefício para o produtor, porém isso ocorreu em apenas uma propriedade. Conclui-se assim, que o resultado será reflexo do conhecimento prévio de mercado e dos fatores que envolvem o custo operacional

Antiproliferative Activity Of Flavonoids From Croton Sphaerogynus Baill. (euphorbiaceae).

Croton sphaerogynus is a shrub from the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern Brazil. A lyophilized crude EtOH extract from leaves of C. sphaerogynus, obtained by maceration at room temperature (seven days), was suspended in methanol and partitioned with hexane. The purified MeOH phase was fractionated over Sephadex LH-20 yielding five fractions (F1-F5) containing flavonoids, as characterized by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS analyses. The antiproliferative activity of the crude EtOH extract, MeOH and hexane phases, and fractions F1-F5 was evaluated on in vitro cell lines NCI-H460 (nonsmall cell lung), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and U251 (glioma). The MeOH phase showed activity (mean log GI50 0.54) higher than the hexane phase and EtOH extract (mean log GI50 1.13 and 1.19, resp.). F1 exhibited activity against NCI-H460 (nonsmall cell lung) (GI50 1.2 μg/mL), which could be accounted for the presence of flavonoids and/or diterpenes. F4 showed moderate activity (mean log GI50 1.05), while F5 showed weak activity (mean log GI50 1.36). It is suggested that the antiproliferative activity of the crude EtOH extract and MeOH phase is accounted for a synergistic combination of flavonoids and diterpenes.201521280

Antiproliferative activity of flavonoids from croton Sphaerogynus baill. (euphorbiaceae)

Croton sphaerogynus is a shrub from the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern Brazil. A lyophilized crude EtOH extract from leaves of C. sphaerogynus, obtained by maceration at room temperature (seven days), was suspended in methanol and partitioned with hexane. The purified MeOH phase was fractionated over Sephadex LH-20 yielding five fractions (F1-F5) containing flavonoids, as characterized by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS analyses. The antiproliferative activity of the crude EtOH extract, MeOH and hexane phases, and fractions F1-F5 was evaluated on in vitro cell lines NCI-H460 (nonsmall cell lung), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and U251 (glioma). The MeOH phase showed activity (mean log GI(50) 0.54) higher than the hexane phase and EtOH extract (mean log GI(50) 1.13 and 1.19, resp.). F1 exhibited activity against NCI-H460 (nonsmall cell lung) (GI(50) 1.2 mu g/mL), which could be accounted for the presence of flavonoids and/or diterpenes. F4 showed moderate activity (mean log GI(50) 1.05), while F5 showed weak activity (mean log GI(50) 1.36). It is suggested that the antiproliferative activity of the crude EtOH extract and MeOH phase is accounted for a synergistic combination of flavonoids and diterpenes2015COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informação2012/10079-

Effect edible antimicrobial coating in the white blush and anaerobic psychrotrophs baby carrots

[POR] Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade visual e microbiológica de minicenouras submetidas a diferentes concentrações de amido de milho em suspensão utilizado para revestimento comestível. Cenouras cv. Esplanada colhidas aos 90 dias, minimamente processadas na forma de minicenouras, foram imersas em suspensão contendo 2, 3 ou 4% de amido de milho; 1,5 % de quitosana, 2 % de glicerol e 0,4 % de ácido acético glacial e mantidas sob ventilação. Minicenouras não imersas em suspensão, serviram de controle. Em seguida, as minicenouras foram embaladas em bandejas de polipropileno envoltas em filme de polivinilcloreto e mantidas a 5±1ºC, por 12 ou 15 dias. Minicenouras sem revestimento, apresentaram intenso aumento no índice de esbranquecimento, e no quarto dia, apresentaram entre 21 a 60 % de sua superfície esbranquecida. Independente da concentração de amido na suspensão, o índice de esbranquecimento não alterou. As minicenouras tratadas em suspensão contendo 4 % de amido, não apresentaram sintomas visuais de esbranquecimento durante todo o armazenamento. As minicenouras tratadas em suspensão contendo 2 ou 3% de amido, apresentaram até 20% da superfície esbranquecida, nas extremidades, sem comprometer sua qualidade visual. O tempo para secagem do revestimento foi de proximadamente 2,5; 3,5 e 5h para minicenoura tratadas em suspensão com 2, 3 e 4 %, respectivamente, dificultando o uso de suspensão mais concentrada. A velocidade de perda de massa fresca apresentou a mesma tendência para todos os tratamentos. O revestimento utilizado contendo quitosana, inibiu em 1,2 ciclos logs o crescimento de psicotróficos anaeróbicos após 15 dias, em relação ao controle. A suspensão contendo 2 ou 3 % de amido de milho, proporcionou manutenção da coloração característica de minicenoura e inibiu parcialmente o crescimento de psicotróficos anaeróbicos. Apoio financeiro: CAPES, CNPq e FAPEMIG. [ENG] This work aimed to develop an edible antimicrobial coating base on a starch- chitosan matrix to evaluate is effect on baby carrot by means of visual quality and anaerobic Psychrotrophs analyses. Carrots of, Esplanada cultivar were harvested at 90 days after planting, were minimally processed in form of baby carrots and immersed in the suspensión coating based on 2; 3 or 4 % maiz starch (w/v) + 2 % glycerol (v/v) + chitosan (1,5 %, w/v) and 0,4 % glacial acetic acid (v/v). All the samples were placed in extended polystyrene trays, wrapped in polyvinylchloride film and stored at 5±1 ºC for 12 or 15 days. Baby carrot no immersed, presented intense increase whiteness index, and 21 – 60 % at days four whitness surface. Independent of the starch concentration in the suspension, the whiteness index did not modify. The Baby carrot treated in suspension contend 4 % of starch, had not presented visual symptoms of whiteness during the storage. The baby carrots treated in suspension contend 2 or 3% of starch, had presented up to 20 % of the whiteness surface, in the extremities, without compromising its visual quality. The time for drying of the coatings was of approximately 2,5; 3,5 and 5h for baby carrot treated in suspension with 2, 3 and 4 %, respectively, making it difficult the use of more concentred suspension. The speed of mass loss presented the same trend for all the treatments. The use chitosan in the coating, inhibited in 1,2 cycles logs the growth of anaerobic psychrotrophs after 15 days, in relation to the control. The suspensión contend 2 or 3 % of maize starch, provided maintenance of the characteristic coloration of baby carrot and inhibited partially the anaerobic psychrotrophs growth.Os autores agradecem ao prof. Ricardo Henrique Silva Santos e estudantes pelo fornecimento da matéria-prima. À CAPES, CNPq e FAPEMIG pelo apoio financeiro

MarinEye - A tool for marine monitoring

This work presents an autonomous system for marine integrated physical-chemical and biological monitoring – the MarinEye system. It comprises a set of sensors providing diverse and relevant information for oceanic environment characterization and marine biology studies. It is constituted by a physicalchemical water properties sensor suite, a water filtration and sampling system for DNA collection, a plankton imaging system and biomass assessment acoustic system. The MarinEye system has onboard computational and logging capabilities allowing it either for autonomous operation or for integration in other marine observing systems (such as Observatories or robotic vehicles. It was designed in order to collect integrated multi-trophic monitoring data. The validation in operational environment on 3 marine observatories: RAIA, BerlengasWatch and Cascais on the coast of Portugal is also discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio