Características físicas e químicas de grãos verdes de linhagens e cultivares de feijão caupi para processamento tipo conserva Physical and chemical characteristics of green grains of cowpea cultivars and lines for processing and preservation

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a viabilidade da introdução de dez linhagens e duas cultivares de feijão caupi verde para processamento tipo conserva. O processamento iniciou-se pelo debulhamento, branqueamento dos grãos e acondicionamento nos frascos de vidro. Para qualificar os doze lotes de grãos para conserva, foi verificado o grau de maturação de acordo com a coloração dos grãos, na sua totalidade verdes, obtidos com aproximadamente 30 a 40 dias após a floração. O tratamento térmico foi otimizado em 121 &ordm;C com o tempo de esterilização de 6 min. Foram realizados estudos físicos e químicos dos grãos verdes e processados, ressaltando-se o valor médio de proteínas entre 23,30 a 31,30%, para grãos frescos, e 22,00 a 27,10% para grãos processados, apresentando uma pequena perda de proteínas, em média de 7%. Os valores de pH dos grãos frescos (6,72 a 6,90) e dos grãos processados (6,38 a 6,60) classificam este alimento como de baixa acidez. A absorção de água (%) e a perda de água (%) dos grãos, após o processamento, apresentaram grande variabilidade. As amostras das linhagens TE-87-108-6G, Linguagem Avançada, TE-90-180-88F e TE-92-199-20F apresentaram melhor aparência quanto à coloração dos grãos verdes acinzentado e do líquido de acondicionamento, em relação às demais amostras, proporcionando conservas com boas características técnicas.<br>The objective of this study was to observe viability of introduction of ten lines and two cultivars of green cowpea for processing and preservation. The preservation procedure started by diluting, pod bleaching and packing in glass recipients. To qualify the twelve lots of grains for preservation, the maturation degree was verified according to grain color, in its totality green, obtained approximately 30 to 40 days after flowering. The processing heat was optimized for 121 &ordm;C with the sterilization time of 6 min. Physical and chemical studies of the green grains were accomplished and processed, the mean values of proteins were between 23.30 and 31.30% for fresh grains and 22.00 to 27.10% for processed grains presenting a small loss (7%) of proteins. The values of pH of the fresh grains (6.72 to 6.90) and that of processed grains (6.38 to 6.60) permit to classify this product as of low acidity. The absorption of water (%) and the loss of water (%) of the grains after the processing presented high variability. The samples of the lines TE-87-108-6G, Linguagem Avançada, TE-90-180-88F and TE-92-199-20F presented better appearance of green greyish grains and that of packing liquid in comparison to other samples, providing preservation with good technical characteristics

PERTINENT - PERindopril-Thrombosis, InflammatioN, endothelial dysfunction and neurohormonal activation trial: A sub-study of the EUROPA study

BACKGROUND: Markers of thrombosis, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and neurohumoral activation such as fibrinogen, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, von Willebrand factor, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and chromogranin-A are reported to be linked to the increase of cardiovascular risk for atherosclerosis progression and events in patients with cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: EUROPA is a double blind, placebo-controlled trial on 12,231 patients that evaluates the effect of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor--perindopril--on prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. PERTINENT is a sub-study of EUROPA that evaluates (a) in Part A (300 patients): the influence of perindopril vs. placebo on fibrinogen, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, von Willebrand factor, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and chromogranin-A. In addition, NOS expression and induction of apoptosis on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and angiotensin converting enzyme levels are also studied; (b) in Part B (about 1200 patients): the predictive role of plasma levels of C-reactive protein and von Willebrand factor on the occurrence of cardiovascular events. To this end, matched case-control analyses are planned (patients with vs. patients without events). STATUS OF PERTINENT: Blood analyses are in progress in four specialised laboratories: (a) Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, TNO-PG, The Netherlands; (b) University Department of Medicine, Birmingham, UK; (c) University of Pavia, Italy; (d) Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Cardiovascular Research Centre, Gussago, Italy. CONCLUSIONS: The PERTINENT sub-study might help elucidating the phenomena contributing to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease and the role of perindopril in such context

Efficacy of perindopril in reduction of cardiovascular events among patients with stable coronary artery disease: randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial (the EUROPA study)

BACKGROUND: Treatment with angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduces the rate of cardiovascular events among patients with left-ventricular dysfunction and those at high risk of such events. We assessed whether the ACE inhibitor perindopril reduced cardiovascular risk in a low-risk population with stable coronary heart disease and no apparent heart failure. METHODS: We recruited patients from October, 1997, to June, 2000. 13655 patients were registered with previous myocardial infarction (64%), angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease (61%), coronary revascularisation (55%), or a positive stress test only (5%). After a run-in period of 4 weeks, in which all patients received perindopril, 12218 patients were randomly assigned perindopril 8 mg once daily (n=6110), or matching placebo (n=6108). The mean follow-up was 4.2 years, and the primary endpoint was cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or cardiac arrest. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Mean age of patients was 60 years (SD 9), 85% were male, 92% were taking platelet inhibitors, 62% beta blockers, and 58% lipid-lowering therapy. 603 (10%) placebo and 488 (8%) perindopril patients experienced the primary endpoint, which yields a 20% relative risk reduction (95% CI 9-29, p=0.0003) with perindopril. These benefits were consistent in all predefined subgroups and secondary endpoints. Perindopril was well tolerated. INTERPRETATION: Among patients with stable coronary heart disease without apparent heart failure, perindopril can significantly improve outcome. About 50 patients need to be treated for a period of 4 years to prevent one major cardiovascular event. Treatment with perindopril, on top of other preventive medications, should be considered in all patients with coronary heart disease