1,971 research outputs found

    Caracterização físico-química do cajá (Spodias mombin L.) e cajá-manga (Spondias dulcis Parkinson)

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    The fruit cajá and cajá-manga have several uses and potential as: nutritive, economic, help in weight loss and prevention of diseases. The present work sought to investigate physicochemical characteristics of the cajá (Spondias mombin L.) and cajá-manga (Spondias dulcis Parkinson) and the performance of the volatile profile of the cajá fruit. For the cajá the measures were 9.16 g of average weight, 88% of total titratable acidity, pH 8.50, ºBrix value equal to 18% and 79% humidity. For the cajá-manga the average weight was 123 g, total titratable acidity with 43%, pH 8.51, 28% of humidity and ºBrix 13%. The characterization of the volatile compounds of the cajá was performed by HS-SPME and GC-MS in which 41 compounds were detected, among these 9 compounds were identified; β-myrcene; hexanoic acid ethyl ester; benzoic acid methyl ester; linalool; benzoic acid ethyl ester; caryophyllene; humulene; (E)-ethyl ester, 2- proprenoic acid 3-phenyl and α-muurolene. The terpenes linalool, β-caryophyllene and humulene possess biological activities. With the obtained results it was possible to observe the importance of the chemical characterization of the fruit for presenting several substances with biochemical properties.Los frutos cajá y cajá-manga tienen varios usos y potencialidades como: nutritivo, económico, ayudaen la pérdida de peso y prevención de enfermedades. El presente trabajo buscó, investigar lascaracterísticas físicas, fisicoquímicas y el porcentaje de sólidos solubles (ºBrix) de cajá (Spondiasmombin L.) y cajá-manga (Spondias dulcis Parkinson) y la realización del perfil volátil del fruto cajá.Para el cajá las medidas fueron 9,16 g de peso medio, 88% de acidez total titulable, pH 8,50, valor deºBrix igual a 18% y 79% de humedad. Para la cajá-manga el peso medio fue de 123 g, acidez totaltitulable con 43%, pH 8,51, 28% de humedad y ºBrix 13%. La caracterización de los compuestosvolátiles del cajá fue realizada por HS-SPME y GC-MS en la cual fueron detectados 49 compuestos,entre estos fueron identificados 9 compuestos; β-mirceno; éster etílico del ácido hexanoico; éstermetílico del ácido benzoico; linalol; éster etílico del ácido benzoico; cariofileno; humuleno; éster (E)-etil, ácido 3- fenil 2- proprenoico y α-muuroleno. Los terpenos linalol, β-cariofileno y humulenoposeen actividades biológicas. Con los resultados obtenidos se pudo observar la importancia de lacaracterización química del fruto por presentar varias sustancias con propiedades bioquímicas.Descriptores: Spondias Mombin L; Spondias dulcis Parkinson; HS-SPME/GC-MS.Os frutos cajá e cajá-manga têm diversas utilizações e potencialidades como: nutritiva, econômica, auxiliam no emagrecimento e prevenção de doenças. O presente trabalho buscou investigar as características físico-químicas do cajá (Spondias mombin L.) e cajá-manga (Spondias dulcis Parkinson) e o perfil volátil do fruto do cajá. Para o cajá as medidas foram 9,16 g de peso médio, 88% de acidez total titulável, pH 8,50, valor de Brix igual a 18% e umidade 79%. Para o cajá-manga o peso médio foi 123 g, acidez total titulável 43%, pH 8,51, umidade 28% e ºBrix 13%. Foi realizada a caracterização dos compostos voláteis do cajá por HS- SPME\GC-MS em que detectou-se 41 compostos, dentre estes foram identificados 9 compostos; β- mirceno; éster etílico do ácido hexanóico; éster metílico do ácido benzóico; linalol; éster etílico do ácido      benzóico; cariofileno; humuleno; (E)-éster etílico, 3-fenil do ácido 2- proprenóico e α-muuroleno. Os terpenos linalol, β-cariofileno e humuleno possuem atividades biológicas. Com os resultados obtidos foi possível observar a importância da caracterização química do fruto por apresentar diversas substâncias com propriedades bioquímicas

    Peat bogs of the Serra do Espinhaço Meridional - Minas Gerais, Brazil: I - characterization and classification

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    As turfeiras são ambientes especiais para estudos relacionados com a dinâmica da matéria orgânica, evolução das paisagens, mudanças climáticas e ciclos de poluição atmosférica locais, regionais e globais. Elas contribuem para o sequestro global de carbono, funcionam como reservatórios de água e constituem o ambiente de uma biodiversidade endêmica. A Serra do Espinhaço Meridional (SdEM), Reserva da Biosfera Terrestre, apresenta uma área significativa formada por diferentes tipos de turfeira, que foram descritas em três perfis, situados a 1.250 m (P1), 1.800 m (P2) e 1.350 m (P4) de altitude e classificados respectivamente como Organossolo Háplico Sáprico térrico (P1), Organossolo Háplico Fíbrico típico (P2) e Organossolo Háplico Hêmico típico (P4), de acordo com o Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos. Os três perfis foram caracterizados morfologicamente e, nas amostras coletadas, foram realizadas análises químicas, físicas e microbiológicas. Verificou-se que a localização, a altitude e a drenagem influenciaram os atributos morfológicos, físicos, químicos e microbiológicos das turfeiras da SdEM. O estádio de decomposição da matéria orgânica é mais avançado com a melhoria da drenagem nas turfeiras. O teor de metais pesados está relacionado com o teor e a composição granulométrica da fração mineral e com a localização das turfeiras. O perfil P1 apresentou os mais elevados teores médios de Ti, Zr e Pb; em P2 foram detectados os teores médios mais elevados de Mn, Zn e Cu; e o teor médio de Fe é mais elevado em P4. A intensidade da atividade microbiológica das turfeiras P2 e P4 relacionou-se com sua drenagem e com o teor de metais pesados de suas camadas.Peat bogs are a special environment for studies related with the dynamics of organic matter, landscape evolution and climatic changes and with local, regional and global cycles of atmospheric pollution. Peat bogs contribute to the global C sequestration, act as water reservoirs and are the habitat of an endemic biodiversity. The Serra do Espinhaço Meridional (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) - SdEM - a terrestrial biosphere reservation area, contains a considerably large area with different types of peat bogs, which were described in three profiles at 1,250, 1,800 and 1,350 m above sea level and classified, respectively, as Organosol Haplic sapric terric (P1), Organosol Haplic fibric typical (P2) and Organosol Haplic Hemic typical (P4), in agreement with the Brazilian System of Soil Classification. The three profiles were characterized morphologically and the samples were chemically, physically and microbiologically analyzed. It was found that the location, altitude and drainage influenced the morphologic, physical, chemical, and biological properties of the peat bogs in SdEM. The decomposition state of organic matter is more advanced when the drainage in the peat bogs is better. The amount of heavy metals is related with the quantity and granulometric composition of the mineral fraction and location of the peat bogs. The highest mean levels of Ti, Zr, Pb were detected in profile P1, highest mean levels of Mn, Zn and Cu in P2, and the highest mean Fe content in P4. The intensity of microbiological activity in the peat bogs P2 and P4 was related with the drainage and heavy-metal content of its layers.(FAPEMIG) Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai

    Differences in Blood and Milk Fatty Acid Profile of Primiparous and Multiparous Mediterranean Buffaloes Cows During Transition Period and Early Lactation

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    The objective of this study was to determine the differences in blood and fatty acid (FA) profile between primiparous and multiparous Mediterranean buffaloes cows from 28 days of expected calving date until 56 days in milk. Nine multiparous (MUL) and 7 primiparous (PRI) cows were used in the present study, animals grazed in Brachiaria decumbens and supplemented with 2.0 kg of concentrate/day. Blood and milk samples were collected once a week and data were submitted to repeated measures analysis using PROC MIXED of SAS. Multiparous cows presented higher concentrations of glucose and non-esterified FA during pre- and post-partum period, higher cholesterol during post-partum when compared to PRI. Milk yield and fat content were higher for MUL (6.44 kg/d and 7.89%) when compared to PRI (5.66 kg/d and 6.75%). Palmitic and palmitoleic FA were lower and C18:0, C18:1 trans-11 and C18:1 cis-9 FAwere higher in MUL cows. Multiparous buffalo cows demonstrated higher milk yield and fat content than PRI, and milk FA profile of MUL had higher amounts of C18:0 FA. Multiparous buffalos presented higher non-esterified fatty acid, which altered milk fat content, and higher milk yield than primiparous cows. Furthermore, multiparous cows presented a higher content of FA from incomplete biohydrogenation process

    Novel anti-invasive properties of a Fascin1 inhibitor on colorectal cancer cells

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    Tumor invasion and metastasis involve processes in which actin cytoskeleton rearrangement induced by Fascin1 plays a crucial role. Indeed, Fascin1 has been found overexpressed in tumors with worse prognosis. Migrastatin and its analogues target Fascin1 and inhibit its activity. However, there is need for novel and smaller Fascin1 inhibitors. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of compound G2 in colorectal cancer cell lines and compare it to migrastatin in in vitro and in vivo assays. Molecular modeling, actin-bundling, cell viability, inmunofluorescence, migration, and invasion assays were carried out in order to test anti-migratory and anti-invasive properties of compound G2. In addition, the in vivo effect of compound G2 was evaluated in a zebrafish model of invasion. HCT-116 cells exhibited the highest Fascin1 expression from eight tested colorectal cancer cell lines. Compound G2 showed important inhibitory effects on actin bundling, filopodia formation, migration, and invasion in different cell lines. Moreover, compound G2 treatment resulted in significant reduction of invasion of DLD-1 overexpressing Fascin1 and HCT-116 in zebrafish larvae xenografts; this effect being less evident in Fascin1 known-down HCT-116 cells. This study proves, for the first time, the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumoral activity of compound G2 on colorectal cancer cells and guides to design improved compound G2-based Fascin1 inhibitors. Key messages center dot Fascin is crucial for tumor invasion and metastasis and is overexpressed in bad prognostic tumors. center dot Several adverse tumors overexpress Fascin1 and lack targeted therapy. center dot Anti-fascin G2 is for the first time evaluated in colorectal carcinoma and compared with migrastatin. center dot Filopodia formation, migration activity, and invasion in vitro and in vivo assays were performed. center dot G2 blocks actin structures, migration, and invasion of colorectal cancer cells as fascin-dependent.Peer reviewe

    New role of the antidepressant imipramine as a Fascin1 inhibitor in colorectal cancer cells

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    Colorectal cancer: Antitumor antidepressant The antidepressant drug imipramine can block the activity of a protein that contributes to the progression of certain aggressive tumors. Serrated adenocarcinoma (SAC) is a form of colorectal cancer with a poor prognosis. A key factor in SAC development is the overexpression of the protein fascin1, which promotes the formation of structures that help cancer cells move around, thereby leading to metastasis. Pablo Conesa-Zamora at Santa Lucia University Hospital in Cartagena, Horacio Perez-Sanchez at the Universidad Catolica de Murcia in Guadalupe, Spain, and coworkers demonstrated that imipramine shows promise in binding to fascin1 and blocking its activity. The team analyzed over 9500 compounds as potential fascin1 blockers, identifying imipramine as a possible option. In tests on human tissues and in vivo studies using zebrafish, the drug reduced cancer invasion and metastasis. Serrated adenocarcinoma (SAC) is more invasive, has worse outcomes than conventional colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and is characterized by frequent resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and overexpression of fascin1, a key protein in actin bundling that plays a causative role in tumor invasion and is overexpressed in different cancer types with poor prognosis. In silico screening of 9591 compounds, including 2037 approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was performed, and selected compounds were analyzed for their fascin1 binding affinity by differential scanning fluorescence. The results were compared with migrastatin as a typical fascin1 inhibitor. In silico screening and differential scanning fluorescence yielded the FDA-approved antidepressant imipramine as the most evident potential fascin1 blocker. Biophysical and different in vitro actin-bundling assays confirm this activity. Subsequent assays investigating lamellipodia formation and migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells in vitro using 3D human tissue demonstrated anti-fascin1 and anti-invasive activities of imipramine. Furthermore, expression profiling suggests the activity of imipramine on the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, in vivo studies using a zebrafish invasion model showed that imipramine is tolerated, its anti-invasive and antimetastatic activities are dose-dependent, and it is associated with both constitutive and induced fascin1 expression. This is the first study that demonstrates an antitumoral role of imipramine as a fascin1 inhibitor and constitutes a foundation for a molecular targeted therapy for SAC and other fascin1-overexpressing tumors.Peer reviewe

    γ-Linolenic acid in maternal milk drives cardiac metabolic maturation.

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    Birth presents a metabolic challenge to cardiomyocytes as they reshape fuel preference from glucose to fatty acids for postnatal energy production1,2. This adaptation is triggered in part by post-partum environmental changes3, but the molecules orchestrating cardiomyocyte maturation remain unknown. Here we show that this transition is coordinated by maternally supplied γ-linolenic acid (GLA), an 18:3 omega-6 fatty acid enriched in the maternal milk. GLA binds and activates retinoid X receptors4 (RXRs), ligand-regulated transcription factors that are expressed in cardiomyocytes from embryonic stages. Multifaceted genome-wide analysis revealed that the lack of RXR in embryonic cardiomyocytes caused an aberrant chromatin landscape that prevented the induction of an RXR-dependent gene expression signature controlling mitochondrial fatty acid homeostasis. The ensuing defective metabolic transition featured blunted mitochondrial lipid-derived energy production and enhanced glucose consumption, leading to perinatal cardiac dysfunction and death. Finally, GLA supplementation induced RXR-dependent expression of the mitochondrial fatty acid homeostasis signature in cardiomyocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our study identifies the GLA-RXR axis as a key transcriptional regulatory mechanism underlying the maternal control of perinatal cardiac metabolism.S

    Energy Estimation of Cosmic Rays with the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory

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    The Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) is part of the Pierre Auger Observatory and is used to detect the radio emission of cosmic-ray air showers. These observations are compared to the data of the surface detector stations of the Observatory, which provide well-calibrated information on the cosmic-ray energies and arrival directions. The response of the radio stations in the 30 to 80 MHz regime has been thoroughly calibrated to enable the reconstruction of the incoming electric field. For the latter, the energy deposit per area is determined from the radio pulses at each observer position and is interpolated using a two-dimensional function that takes into account signal asymmetries due to interference between the geomagnetic and charge-excess emission components. The spatial integral over the signal distribution gives a direct measurement of the energy transferred from the primary cosmic ray into radio emission in the AERA frequency range. We measure 15.8 MeV of radiation energy for a 1 EeV air shower arriving perpendicularly to the geomagnetic field. This radiation energy -- corrected for geometrical effects -- is used as a cosmic-ray energy estimator. Performing an absolute energy calibration against the surface-detector information, we observe that this radio-energy estimator scales quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy as expected for coherent emission. We find an energy resolution of the radio reconstruction of 22% for the data set and 17% for a high-quality subset containing only events with at least five radio stations with signal.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

    Measurement of the Radiation Energy in the Radio Signal of Extensive Air Showers as a Universal Estimator of Cosmic-Ray Energy

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    We measure the energy emitted by extensive air showers in the form of radio emission in the frequency range from 30 to 80 MHz. Exploiting the accurate energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory, we obtain a radiation energy of 15.8 \pm 0.7 (stat) \pm 6.7 (sys) MeV for cosmic rays with an energy of 1 EeV arriving perpendicularly to a geomagnetic field of 0.24 G, scaling quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy. A comparison with predictions from state-of-the-art first-principle calculations shows agreement with our measurement. The radiation energy provides direct access to the calorimetric energy in the electromagnetic cascade of extensive air showers. Comparison with our result thus allows the direct calibration of any cosmic-ray radio detector against the well-established energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DOI. Supplemental material in the ancillary file
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