Biological properties of natural dyes

El propósito del presente trabajo es evaluar el aumento en el uso de colorantes naturales en la industria alimentaria y la posibilidad de desarrollar nuevos medicamentos gracias a sus diversas propiedades biológicas. La presente revisión aborda las principales actividades biológicas observadas en los carotenoides y las antocianinas y pone énfasis en el amplio uso del extracto de achiote o bija (Bixa orellana L.) y de la curcumina (Curcuma longa) en estas actividades.The aim of the present work is to evaluate the increase uses of natural colorants in the nourishing industry and in the promising of new medicines due its several biological properties. In this review the main biological activities observed in the carotenóids and the anthocyianins are boarded, with emphasis in the wide use of the urucum‘s extract from Bixa orellana L.) and of curcumin from Curcuma longa in these activities

Implication of anthropometric profile and alimentary consumption on risk for diseases among school children in the 1st to 4th grades

This study aimed to determine the anthropometric profile and diet of 652 school children from the 1st to 4th grades of elementary education in six private schools in the city of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. Children's weight and height were classified according to the Body Mass Index proposed by Must et al. (1991). Food consumption was evaluated by means of a questionnaire about daily food frequency. Statistical analysis was carried out using linear and logistic regression tests, with a significance level of 5%. High rates of overweight and obesity, 21.9% and 13.3% respectively, were observed, which did not show a significant relationship with total food consumption. The data obtained were: high consumption of foods rich in energy, such as sugar- and fat-rich foods, and insufficient consumption of low-energy foods that are sources of micronutrients, such as vegetables. It is necessary to enhance the promotion of good alimentary and health habits within schools to lower risk factors for developing diseases, as well as to develop and validate a questionnaire to reliably assess the diet of the infant population.Este trabalho objetivou determinar o perfil antropométrico e o consumo alimentar entre escolares de 1ª a 4ª séries do ensino fundamental de escolas privadas de Maringá - PR. A amostra de estudo foi de 652 alunos. Verificou-se o peso e a estatura e classificados de acordo com o Índice de Massa Corporal proposto por Must et al. (1991). O consumo alimentar foi avaliado por meio de um questionário de freqüência alimentar diária. A análise estatística foi realizada pelos testes de associação e regressão logística linear, com nível de significância de 5%. Verificaram-se índices altos de sobrepeso e obesidade, 21,9% e 13,3%, respectivamente, os quais não mostraram relação significativa com o consumo alimentar. Os dados obtidos foram: alto consumo de alimentos ricos em energia, como aqueles ricos em açúcares e gorduras, e um consumo insuficiente de alimentos pouco energéticos e fonte de micronutrientes, como os vegetais. Para diminuir os fatores de risco do desenvolvimento de doenças faz-se necessário o aumento da promoção de bons hábitos alimentares e saúde dentro das escolas, além da necessidade de elaborar e validar um questionário de consumo alimentar para avaliar a população infantil

Stability Of Anthocyanic Pigments From Panicum Melinis

The two major pigments from the inflorescences of Panicum melinis were identified as cyanidin-3-caffeoylarabinosylglucoside and a non-acylated cyanidin-3-glycoside. The stabilities in both light and dark of the partially pure pigments as well as the pure ones were studied at pH 2·0. The stability of the crude extract of P. melinis was studied under the same conditions. Light strongly affected color stability of all fractions which showed good stability in the dark. The decreasing order of instability to light was: partially purified anthocyanins, crude extract, pure anthocyanins. © 1992.4413739Chen, Hrazdina, Structural aspects of anthocyanin-flavonoid complex formation and its role in plant colour (1981) Phytochemistry, 20, pp. 297-301Francis, Analysis of anthocyanins (1982) Anthocyanins as Food Colors, , P. Markakis, Academic Press, New YorkFrancis, Food colorants: anthocyanins (1989) Critical Reviews in Food and Nutrition, 28 (4), pp. 273-314Fuleki, Francis, Quantitative methods for anthocyanins 2 Determination of total anthocyanins and degradation index for cranberry juice (1968) Journal of Food Science, 33 (1), pp. 78-83Harborne, (1967) Comparative Biochemistry of the Flavonoids, , Academic Press, New YorkMazza, Brouillard, Recent development in the stability of anthocyanins in food products (1987) Food Chemistry, 25, pp. 207-225Osawa, Copigmentation of anthocyanins (1982) Anthocyanins as Food Colors, , P. Markakis, Academic Press, New YorkScheffeldt, Hrazdina, Copigmentation of anthocyanins under physiological conditions (1978) Journal of Food Science, 43 (2), pp. 517-520Timberlake, Bridle, Anthocyanins: Color augmentation with catechin and acetaldehyde (1977) J. Sci. Food Agric., 28 (5), pp. 539-544Wrolstad, Struthers, Polyvinylpyrrolidone column chromatography of strawberry, rhubarb and raspberry anthocyanins (1971) J. Chromatography, 55 (2), pp. 405-40