Phenolic compounds, organic acids profiles and antioxidative properties of beefsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica)

The phenolic compounds and the organic acids composition of the edible beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica was determined by HPLC/DAD and HPLC/UV, respectively. The results showed a profile composed by five phenolic compounds (caffeic, p-coumaric and ellagic acids, hyperoside and quercetin) and six organic acids (oxalic, aconitic, citric, malic, ascorbic and fumaric acids). The quantification of the identified compounds revealed that ellagic acid (ca. 49.7%) and malic acid (ca. 57.9%) are the main compounds in this species. In a general way the phenolic profile revealed to be more constant than the organic acids one and could be more useful for the quality control of the species. Beefsteak fungus was also investigated for its capacity to act as a scavenger of DPPH- radical and reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid). Good results were obtained against DPPH in a concentration-dependent manner. Beefsteak fungus also displayed good activity against superoxide radical, achieved by its capacity to act as both scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor. A prooxidant effect was noticed for hydroxyl radical, which may be due to its capacity for iron ions reduction. Little ability for iron chelation was also observed. Beefsteak fungus showed a weak protective effect against hypochlorous acid

Contents of carboxylic acids and two phenolics and antioxidant activity of dried Portuguese wild edible mushrooms

The organic acids and phenolics compositions of nine wild edible mushrooms species ( Suillus bellini, Tricholomopsis rutilans, Hygrophorus agathosmus, Amanita rubescens, Russula cyanoxantha, Boletus edulis, Tricholoma equestre, Suillus luteus, and Suillus granulatus) were determined by HPLC-UV and HPLC-DAD, respectively. The antioxidant potential of these species was also assessed by using the DPPH¥ scavenging assay. The results showed that all of the species presented a profile composed of at least five organic acids: oxalic, citric, malic, quinic, and fumaric acids. In a general way, the pair of malic plus quinic acids were the major compounds. Only very small amounts of two phenolic compounds were found in some of the analyzed species: p-hydroxybenzoic acid (in A. rubescens, R. cyanoxantha, and T. equestre) and quercetin (in S. luteusand S. granulatus). All of the species exhibited a concentration-dependent scavenging ability against DPPH¥. T. rutilansrevealed the highest antioxidant capacity

Fatty acid composition of wild edible mushrooms species: a comparative study

A comparative study was developed on the total fatty acids composition of twelve wild edible mushroom species (Suillus bellini, Suillus luteus, Suillus granulatus, Hygrophorus agathosmus, Amanita rubescens, Russula cyanoxantha, Boletus edulis, Tricholoma equestre, Fistulina hepatica, Cantharellus cibarius, Amanita caesarea and Hydnum rufescens). In order to define qualitative and quantitative profiles, combined fatty acids were hydrolyzed with potassium hydroxide/methanol and all free compounds were derived to their methyl ester forms with methanolic boron trifluoride, followed by analysis by GC-MS. Thirty fatty acids were determined. As far as we know, the fatty acid profiles of A. caesarea and H. rufescens are described for the first time. As for the remaining species, a high number of new compounds were identified, which much improved the knowledge about their fatty acids profiles. In general, oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids were present in highest contents. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, valuable healthy compounds for humans, predominated over saturated fatty acids for all the studied mushroom species. R. cyanoxantha presented the highest fatty acids amounts, while B. edulis was the poorest species. By Agglomerative Hierarchic Cluster Analysis the studied species were gathered in 5 groups, based in their fatty acid patternsFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for a grant (SFRH/BD/22108/2005)

Organic acids in two Portuguese chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) varieties

The organic acids composition of two different chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) varieties (Judia and Longal) were determined by HPLC/UV. In order to check the influence of the processing over these compounds, samples treated in three distinct manners (roasted, boiled and fried) were also analysed. The results showed that chestnut is characterized by the presence of seven organic acids: oxalic, cisaconitic, citric, ascorbic, malic, quinic and fumaric acids. The organic acid quantitative profile allows the distinction of the two varieties. Longal variety samples presented higher organic acids contents than those from Judia variety. The contents of the pair malic plus quinic acids may be useful for the discrimination of the two varieties. Roasting, boiling and frying procedures lead to significant reduction of total organic acids contents

Antioxidant potential and relation with chemical composition of wild edible mushrooms cap and stipe

A comparative study of the organic acids and phenolics composition and of the total alkaloids content of entire wild edible mushrooms (Russula cyanoxantha, Amanita rubescens, Suillus granulatus and [Boletus edulis) and correspondent cap and stipe was performed. All species presented oxalic, citric, malic and fumaric acids. Phenolic compounds were present in all of the analyzed species, beingp-hydroxybenzoic acid identified in A. rubescens and S. granulatus species. It seems that this compound may have a propensity to accumulate in the cap of A. rubescens. B. edulis was the species that presented the highest total alkaloids amounts. All species revealed DPPH radical scavenging activity, being B. edulis the most effective one

Effect of the conservation procedure on the contents of phenolic compounds and organic acids in Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) Mushroom

To check the influence of the conservation procedure in the chemical composition of chanterelle mushroom, phenolic compounds and organic acids of samples preserved under four different conditions (drying, freezing, conservation in olive oil and in vinegar) were determined. Phenolics and organic acids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-UV, respectively. The results showed that chanterelle is characterized by the presence of six phenolic compounds (3-, 4-, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin) and five organic acids (citric, ascorbic, malic, shikimic, and fumaric acids). Samples preserved in olive oil also exhibited hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, luteolin, and apigenin, whereas conservation in vinegar led to the detection of hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and tartaric acid in the analyzed samples. The conservation procedures to which chanterelle samples were subjected seem to affect the qualitative and quantitative phenolics and organic acids profiles

Comparative study of phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of wild edible mushroom caps and stipes

A comparative study of the organic acids and phenolics composition and of the total alkaloids content of entire wild edible mushrooms (Russula cyanoxantha, Amanita rubescens, Suillus granulatus and Boletus edulis) and correspondent caps and stipes was performed. All species presented oxalic, citric, malic and fumaric acids, with A. rubescens exhibiting the highest total organic acids content. Organic acids were preferably fixed in the cap. Among phenolics, only p-hydroxybenzoic acid was found in A. rubescens and S. granulatus, in very low amounts. B. edulis was the species that presented the highest total alkaloid amounts. Except for this species, alkaloids mainly accumulated in the cap. All of the species exhibited a concentration-dependent scavenging ability against DPPH . B. edulis revealed the highest antioxidant capacity. The cap seemed to be the part with highest antioxidant potential. Some relationships between chemical composition and antioxidant capacity were consideredFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for a grant (SFRH/BD/22108/2005

FLUTUAÇÃO POPULACIONAL DE Whitius piger (PSEUDOSCORPIONIDA) EM GRANJA AVÍCOLA EM PELOTAS, RS, BRASIL

To evaluate the populational flotation of Whitius piger two monitoring methods were used, a tube type trap and a sandwich type trap. The experiment took place in the period of April 2002 to March of 2003, in an aviary from the Conjunto Agrotécnico Visconde da Graça (CAVG), located at Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. During that period 1539 samples of Whitius piger were captured, being the period of larger occurrence in the month of March (312), when the monthly medium temperature was 22,2ºC and the smallest occurrence during the month of June (11), with a monthly medium temperature of 14,5ºC. It has been found that the Whitius piger was present iduring all the 12 months of collection, displaying a larger capture during the months of higher temperatures and a smaller capture in the months of lower temperatures.Para avaliar a flutuação populacional de Whitius piger foram utilizados dois métodos de monitoramento, armadilha do tipo tubo e do tipo sanduíche. O experimento realizou-se no período de abril de 2002 a março de 2003, em aviário do Conjunto Agrotécnico Visconde da Graça (CAVG), localizado em Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Nesse período foram capturados 1539 exemplares de Whitius piger, sendo o período de maior ocorrência no mês de março (312), quando a temperatura média mensal foi de 22,2ºC e a menor ocorrência foi no mês de junho (11) com temperatura média mensal de 14,5ºC. O pseudoescorpionideo esteve presente nos 12 meses de coleta, apresentando maior captura nos meses de maior temperatura e menor captura nos meses de menor temperatura

Social roles and aging from a life-span perspective

Este trabalho investigou os papéis sociais e as tarefas evolutivas desempenhados por adultos. O local escolhido para investigação foi um assentamento de famílias de baixa renda do Distrito Federal criado em 1989. Utilizou-se um questionário contendo 17 questões abertas e 15 questões fechadas, preenchido pela primeira autora durante uma visita domiciliar. Participaram 98 respondentes (73 F e 25 M), sendo 51 entre 50 e 59 anos e 47 a partir de 60 anos. Os resultados apontaram que este grupo é heterogêneo e que seus papéis sociais são influenciados pelas variáveis demográficas (idade, sexo, escolaridade, ocupação, naturalidade e estado civil) e também pelas variáveis relativas à moradia atual. Concluiu-se também que as expectativas sociais, o suporte social e a escolarização são fatores de suma importância para oferecer recursos para a otimização e compensação necessárias a um envelhecimento bem sucedido. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis study investigated the social roles and developmental tasks of adults. The study took place in a settlement of low-income families, created in The Federal District in 1989. Data were collected through a questionnaire composed of 17 open and 15 closed questions, administered by the first author during a home visit. There were 98 respondents, 73 female and 25 male, being 51 between 50 to 59 years old and 47 elders above the age of 60. The result indicated that this group is heterogeneous and that its social roles are influenced by the demographic variables - age, sex, educational level, work, place of the birth and marital status, as well for the relative variables to current residence. The data allow the conclusion that social expectations, social support and the educational level are important resources for the optimization and necessary compensation to successful aging