Optimization of beef patties produced with vegetable oils: a mixture design approach and sensory evaluation

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Viabilidade de subproduto de pupunha, Spirulina platensis e espinafre para enriquecimento de sopa desidratada

The objective of this work was to develop dehydrated soup formulations using flour from peach palm by-product (PPB), Spirulina platensis or spinach, as well as to evaluate their composition by physical, chemical, instrumental, and sensory methods. Four formulations were developed: standard, PPB flour, PPB flour and S. platensis, and PPB flour and spinach. The samples were analyzed for proximate composition, chlorophyll content, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, color, viscosity, water absorption, and microbiological parameters. The sensory characterization was performed by the check-all-that-apply method. The soups containing spinach or S. platensis presented the highest protein contents of 3.3 and 4.6 g 100 g-1, respectively. The soups formulated with the microalgae S. platensis showed higher contents of fibers, lipids, and antioxidants. Changes were observed in the color and viscosity of the soups. The standard dehydrated soup was characterized as shiny, creamy, with seasoning flavor and fragments, and a pale-yellow color; the formulation with spinach, as grainy, with an herb odor and flavor, seasoning fragments, and a dark-green color; and with S. platensis, with herb flavor, seasoning fragments, and a dark-green color. The developed formulations are within the microbiological standards for food established by the Brazilian legislation. The sensory analysis revealed a new market niche, and the soups containing PPB and S. platensis showed good acceptability. Peach palm flour, Spirulina platensis, and spinach are alternatives for the nutritional enrichment of dehydrated soups with high protein, ash, fiber, and antioxidant contents.O objetivo deste trabalho foi preparar formulações de sopa desidratada com farinha de subproduto de pupunha (SPP), Spirulina platensis ou espinafre, bem como avaliar sua composição por meio de métodos físicos, químicos, instrumentais e sensoriais. Foram preparadas quatro formulações: padrão, farinha de SPP, farinha de SPP e S. platensis, e farinha de SPP e espinafre. As amostras foram avaliadas quanto a composição aproximada, conteúdo de clorofila, compostos fenólicos totais, atividade antioxidante, cor, viscosidade, absorção de água e parâmetros microbiológicos. As características sensoriais foram analisadas pelo método “check-all-that-apply”. As sopas contendo espinafre ou S. platensis apresentaram os maiores teores de proteína de 3,3 e 4,6 g 100 g-1, respectivamente. As sopas preparadas com a microalga S. platensis tiveram os maiores teores de fibras, lipídios e antioxidantes. Foram observadas diferenças na cor e na viscosidade das sopas. A sopa desidratada padrão foi caracterizada como brilhante, cremosa, com sabor e fragmentos de tempero e cor amarelo-clara; a formulação com espinafre, como granulosa, com odor e sabor de ervas, fragmentos de tempero e cor verde-escura; e a com S. platensis, com sabor de ervas, fragmentos de tempero e cor verde-escura. As formulações preparadas estão de acordo com os padrões microbiológicos para alimentos estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira. A análise sensorial indicou novo nicho de mercado, e as sopas com SPP e S. platensis mostraram boa aceitabilidade. Farinha de pupunha, Spirulina platensis e espinafre são alternativas para o enriquecimento nutricional de sopas desidratadas com alto teor de proteínas, cinzas, fibras e antioxidantes

CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICA E MECÂNICA DE TIJOLOS DE SOLO-CIMENTO COM INCORPORAÇÃO DE RESÍDUOS DIVERSOS

O aproveitamento de resíduos da indústria na fabricação de tijolos de solo-cimento é uma alternativa ambientalmente sustentável e possibilita a valorização destes resíduos, em vez de simplesmente lançá-los na natureza. Neste trabalho, analisou-se a influência da incorporação de cinza de bagaço de cana, pó de serra e PET nas características físicas e mecânicas de tijolos de solo-cimento. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a incorporação dos resíduos (cinza de bagaço de cana e pó de serra) ao tijolo de solo-cimento manteve as propriedades mecânicas gerais, possibilitando a produção de tijolos prensados mais eficiente na relação custo-benefício, constituindo-se, portanto, numa excelente alternativa para o aproveitamento destes materiais

Goodbye Hartmann trial: a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study on the current use of a surgical procedure developed a century ago

Background: Literature suggests colonic resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) instead of Hartmann's procedure (HP) for the treatment of left-sided colonic emergencies. We aim to evaluate the surgical options globally used to treat patients with acute left-sided colonic emergencies and the factors that leading to the choice of treatment, comparing HP and RPA. Methods: This is a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A total 1215 patients with left-sided colonic emergencies who required surgery were included from 204 centers during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. with a 1-year follow-up. Results: 564 patients (43.1%) were females. The mean age was 65.9 ± 15.6 years. HP was performed in 697 (57.3%) patients and RPA in 384 (31.6%) cases. Complicated acute diverticulitis was the most common cause of left-sided colonic emergencies (40.2%), followed by colorectal malignancy (36.6%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were higher in the HP group (P < 0.001). 30-day mortality was higher in HP patients (13.7%), especially in case of bowel perforation and diffused peritonitis. 1-year follow-up showed no differences on ostomy reversal rate between HP and RPA. (P = 0.127). A backward likelihood logistic regression model showed that RPA was preferred in younger patients, having low ASA score (≤ 3), in case of large bowel obstruction, absence of colonic ischemia, longer time from admission to surgery, operating early at the day working hours, by a surgeon who performed more than 50 colorectal resections. Conclusions: After 100 years since the first Hartmann's procedure, HP remains the most common treatment for left-sided colorectal emergencies. Treatment's choice depends on patient characteristics, the time of surgery and the experience of the surgeon. RPA should be considered as the gold standard for surgery, with HP being an exception

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others