Protective Effects of Tropical Fruit Processing Coproducts on Probiotic Lactobacillus Strains during Freeze-Drying and Storage

This study evaluated the protective effects of coproducts from agroindustrial processing of the tropical fruits acerola (Malpighia glabra L., ACE), cashew (Anacardium occidentale L., CAS), and guava (Psidium guayaba L., GUA) on the probiotics Lactobacillus paracasei L-10, Lactobacillus casei L-26, and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-05 during freeze-drying and storage. The occurrence of damage to membrane integrity, membrane potential, and efflux activity of Lactobacillus cells after freeze-drying was evaluated by flow cytometry, and viable counts were measured immediately after freeze-drying and during 90 days of storage under refrigerated or room temperature conditions. Probiotic strains freeze-dried without substrate had the overall highest count reductions (0.5 ± 0.1 to 2.9 ± 0.3 log cycles) after freeze-drying. Probiotics freeze-dried with fruit processing coproducts had small cell subpopulations with damaged efflux activity and membrane potential. Average counts of probiotics freeze-dried with ACE, CAS, or GUA after 90 days of storage under refrigerated or room temperature were in the range of 4.2 ± 0.1 to 5.3 ± 0.2 and 2.6 ± 0.3 to 4.9 ± 0.2 log CFU/g, respectively, which were higher than those observed for strains freeze-dried without substrate. The greatest protective effects on freeze-dried probiotics were overall presented by ACE. These results revealed that ACE, CAS, and GUA can exert protective effects and increase the stability of probiotic lactobacilli during freeze-drying and storage, in addition to supporting a possible added-value destination for these agroindustrial coproducts as vehicles for probiotics and for the development of novel functional foods.Fil: Araújo, Caroliny Mesquita. Universidade Federal Da Paraiba; BrasilFil: Sampaio, Karoliny Brito. Universidade Federal Da Paraiba; BrasilFil: Dantas Duarte Menezes, Francisca Nayara. Universidade Federal Da Paraiba; BrasilFil: Tayse da Cruz Almeida, Erika. Universidade Federal Da Paraiba; BrasilFil: Lima, Marcos dos Santos. Instituto Federal do Sertão de Pernambuco. Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos; BrasilFil: Bordin Viera, Vanessa. Universidade Federal Campina Grande. Centro de Educação e Saúde; BrasilFil: Fernandez Garcia, Estefânia. Universidade Federal Da Paraiba; BrasilFil: Gomez Zavaglia, Andrea. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Leite de Souza, Evandro. Universidade Federal Da Paraiba; BrasilFil: Gomes de Oliveira, Maria Elieidy. Universidade Federal Da Paraiba; Brasi

Estimulação precoce na primeira infância: incentivando a cultura de paz em pré-escolares / Early stimulation in early childhood: encouraging the culture of peace in preschoolers

O desenvolvimento infantil corresponde às habilidades cognitivas, físicas, sociais e afetivas, as quais podem sofrer interferências positivas ou negativas, dependendo de estímulos ou ausência deles. A violência é um exemplo de interferência negativa nesta fase. A Lei 13.663, de 14 de maio de 2018, dispõe a respeito da promoção de medidas de conscientização, de prevenção e de combate a todos os tipos de violência e a promoção da cultura de paz entre as incumbências dos estabelecimentos de ensino. Portanto, o presente estudo objetiva relatar a experiência de extensionistas do Projeto de Estimulação Precoce na Primeira Infância (PEPPI), na realização de atividades de estimulação precoce em crianças na Unidade de Educação Infantil Professora Telma Vitória na Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, do tipo relato de experiência em que os extensionistas realizaram atividades voltadas à Cultura de Paz, a fim de trabalhar e promover a interação social e contribuir para a conscientização da redução de atos violentos. A atividade consistiu na construção de um cartaz pelas crianças, utilizando figuras que ilustravam os bons e maus modos, e mencionando as atitudes devidas e indevidas que rodeiam a rotina, especialmente das crianças. A Estimulação Precoce visa o favorecimento ao desenvolvimento motor, cognitivo e social. Isto posto, conclui-se que a realização de atividades envolvendo a Cultura de paz são favoráveis tanto ao desenvolvimento cognitivo quanto a questões relacionadas à sociabilidade e redução da violência. Ademais, sugere-se a realização de buscas na literatura para melhor entendimento de como atividade de estimulação sobre Cultura de Paz tem ocorrido no ambiente escolar.

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Physicochemical Parameters, Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Properties of a New Beverage Formulated with Xique-Xique (Pilosocereus gounellei) Cladode Juice

This study elaborated different formulations with xique-xique (Pilosocereus gounellei) cladode, passion fruit and lime juice and sugar cane syrup. The formulated beverages were subjected to physical and physicochemical analysis, determination of total carotenoid, total flavonoid and total phenolic compound contents, as well as of their antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP method), organic acid, sugar and phenolic compound profile during 21 days of refrigeration storage (4 °C). Significant variations were found among formulated beverages for most of the measured parameters during storage. Beverages with xique-xique juice were less acidic (7.90–10.27 g/100 mL) than beverages without this juice (11.66–12.76 g/100 mL). Beverages with xique-xique juice had overall higher contents of bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant activity when compared to the control formulation. Beverages with the highest xique-xique juice concentrations had the highest contents of carotenoids (51.51–59.27 µg/100 mL), flavonoids (1.39–2.15 mg CE/100 mL), phenolic compounds (68.49–115.66 mg EGA/100 mL) and antioxidant activity, as measured by ABTS (0.71–0.84 µmol Trolox/mL) and FRAP (0.33–0.39 µmol Trolox/mL). These results indicate that the incorporation of xique-xique cladode juice in these mixed beverages enhanced their bioactive properties, especially of antioxidant compounds, enabling the development of a new product with potential functional properties to the beverage industry

Evaluation of the effectiveness of macaíba palm seed kernel (Acrocomia intumescens drude) on anxiolytic activity, memory preservation and oxidative stress in the brain of dyslipidemic rats.

Macaíba palm seed kernel is a source of lipids and phenolic compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of macaíba palm seed kernel on anxiety, memory, and oxidative stress in the brain of health and dyslipidemic rats. Forty rats were used, divided into 4 groups (n = 10 each): control (CONT), dyslipidemic (DG), kernel (KG), and Dyslipidemic kernel (DKG). Dyslipidemia was induced using a high fat emulsion for 14 days before treatment. KG and DKG received 1000 mg/kg of macaíba palm seed kernel per gavage for 28 days. After treatment, anxiety tests were carried out using the Open Field Test (OFT), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), and the Object Recognition Test (ORT) to assess memory. In the animals' brain tissue, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total glutathione (GSH) were quantified to determine oxidative stress. The data were treated with Two Way ANOVA followed by Tukey (p <0.05). Results demonstrated that the animals treated with kernel realized more rearing. DG and KG groomed less compared with CONT and DKG compared with all groups in OFT. KG spent more time in aversive open arms compared with CONT and DKG compared with all groups in EPM. Only DKG spent more time in the central area in EMP. KG and DKG showed a reduction in the exploration rate and MDA values (p <0.05). Data showed that macaíba palm seed kernel consumption induced anxiolytic-like behaviour and decreased lipids peroxidation in rats' brains. On the other hand, this consumption by healthy and dyslipidemic animals compromises memory

Physical, Nutritional, and Bioactive Properties of Mandacaru Cladode Flour (<i>Cereus jamacaru</i> DC.): An Unconventional Food Plant from the Semi-Arid Brazilian Northeast

In this study, we evaluated the physical, nutritional, and bioactive properties of mandacaru cladode flour (Cereus jamacaru DC.). The granulometric profile revealed particles with non-uniform geometry, flakiness, a rectangular tendency, and a non-homogeneous surface, with particle sizes ranging from 20 to 60 µm. The flour presented low water activity (0.423), a moisture content of 8.24 g/100 g, high ash (2.82 g/100 g), protein (5.18 g/100 g), and total carbohydrate contents (74.48 g/100 g), and low lipid contents (1.88 g/100 g). Mandacaru flour is an excellent source of insoluble dietary fiber (48.08 g/100 g), calcium (76.33%), magnesium (15.21%), and potassium (5.94%). Notably, 1H NMR analysis revealed the presence of N-methyltyramine. Using HPLC chromatography, glucose was identified as the predominant sugar (1.33 g/100 g), followed by four organic acids, especially malic acid (9.41 g/100 g) and citric acid (3.96 g/100 g). Eighteen phenolic compounds were detected, with relevant amounts of kaempferol (99.40 mg/100 g), myricetin (72.30 mg/100 g), and resveratrol (17.84 mg/100 g). The total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were 1285.47 mg GAE/100 g and 15.19 mg CE/100 g, respectively. The mean in vitro antioxidant activity values were higher using the FRAP method (249.45 µmol Trolox TEAC/100 g) compared to the ABTS•+ method (0.39 µmol Trolox TEAC/g). Finally, the ascorbic acid had a content of 35.22 mg/100 g. The results demonstrate the value of mandacaru as a little-explored species and an excellent matrix for the development of flours presenting good nutritional value and bioactive constituents with excellent antioxidant potential

Maternal rat prenatal and neonatal treatment with pequi pulp reduces anxiety and lipid peroxidation in brain tissue of rat offspring at adolescence

The Pequi fruit (Caryocar Brasiliense cambess), typical of the Brazilian cerrado or savannah, is a source of essential fatty acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of consuming this fruit on anxiety behavior and lipid peroxidation in the brains of rats whose mothers were treated (by gavage) during pregnancy and lactation with Pequi fruit (pulp or nuts) at 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Anxiety parameters were assessed using the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), and light/dark box (LDB) tests. The brain was removed to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Data were analyzed using One-way Anova (p < 0.05). In the OF, the animals in the pulp group presented more time spent in the central area (20.37 ± 0.73 vs Control: 12.51 ± 0.39; Nuts: 8.28 ± 0.40) and increased locomotion (159.7 ± 6.10) compared to the other groups (Control: 127.3 ± 5.54; Nuts: 139.08 ± 6.57). In the EPM, the pulp group entered into the open arms (8.57 ± 0.36) and stayed more time in the central area (19.44 ± 1.17) compared to the Nuts group (7.14 ± 0.34; 13.00 ± 1.57). In the LDB the pulp group entered more (8.00 ± 0.42 vs Control: 7.16 ± 0.16 and Nuts: 7.42 ± 0.75) and stayed longer in the clear light side (92.18 ± 6.42) than all the other groups (Control: 71.44 ± 3.53; Nuts: 80.57 ± 6.50), respectively. Pulp group presented lower MDA in the brain (55.34 ± 3.04) compared to Control (72.06 ± 4.66) and Nuts (66.57 ± 2.45). We conclude that Pequi pulp consumption during pregnancy and lactation reduces lipid peroxidation in brain tissue and induces anxiolytic-like behavior in rat offspring. These effects were not observed in the Pequi nuts group

Núcleos de Ensino da Unesp: artigos 2008

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora