Selection of the solvent and extraction conditions for maximum recovery of antioxidant phenolic compounds from coffee silverskin

The extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from coffee silverskin (CS) was studied. Firstly, the effect of different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and distilled water) on the production of antioxidant extracts was evaluated. All the extracts showed antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH assays), but those obtained with methanol and ethanol had significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH inhibition than the remaining ones. Due to the lower toxicity, ethanol was selected as extraction solvent, and further experiments were performed in order to define the solvent concentration, solvent/solid ratio, and time to maximize the extraction results. The best condition to produce an extract with high content of phenolic compounds (13 mg gallic acid equivalents/g CS) and antioxidant activity [DPPH = 18.24 μmol Trolox equivalents/g CS and FRAP = 0.83 mmol Fe(II)/g CS] was achieved when using 60 % ethanol in a ratio of 35 ml/g CS, during 30 min at 60–65 °C.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The authors gratefully acknowledge Teresa Conde, student of Biological Engineering, for the help and interest in this work

Swimming performance of the freshwater neotropical fish: Pimelodus maculatus Lacepède, 1803

The present study used fixed and increasing velocity tests in an experimental apparatus based on Brett's respirometer to examine prolonged and sustained speeds of the "mandi-amarelo", Pimelodus maculatus. When comparing the curves of critical speed versus total length between the mandi and the sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka, it is observed that for an equal total length, the mandi presents a greater speed, probably due to water temperature differences. The sustained speed for the species was estimated in 5 lengths per second and the percentage of fatigued fish within time in a certain velocity was established. The data raised for the mandi represents an important contribution to the improvement of the handling of the species, providing guidance and criteria for designing several structures, such as fishways, fish screens and guidance systems