Dry Extract of Passiflora incarnata L. leaves as a Cardiac and Hepatic Oxidative Stress Protector in LDLr-/- Mice Fed High-Fat Diet

ABSTRACT The control of dyslipidemia by using herbal products is an important subject for studies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of dry Passiflora incarnata L. extract over dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hepatic oxidative stress of LDL receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-). Forty 4-month old male LDLr-/- mice were distributed into four groups: Group standard diet; Group standard diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract; Group high-fat diet; Group high-fat diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract. After 30 days, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract reduced the effects of the high-fat diet, with a decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as a reduction of C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase and insulin. There was no effect on glucose, Homa index and enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. However, the prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy occurred, as well as lipid peroxidation and the production of carbonyl proteins, which are both oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract acts in the prevention of dyslipidemia, consequently, hindering the occurrence of hepatic oxidative stress and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy by the increase of serum HDL, in mice that had the effects of a high-fat diet.

Caracterização física, química e bioquímica do mesocarpo interno de frutos do pequizeiro colhidos em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento / Physical, chemical and biochemical characterization of pequi fruit harvested at different stages of development

O objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização física, química e bioquímica do pequi, produzido no sul de Minas Gerais, ao longo do seu desenvolvimento. Frutos coletados na 8ª, 9ª, 10ª, 12ª e 13ª semanas após a antese foram selecionados quanto ao tamanho, cor da casca, ausência de injúrias e avaliados quanto à firmeza da polpa, teores de beta-caroteno, de açúcares solúveis totais e de pectinas total e solúvel, assim como quanto à atividade das enzimas pectinametilesterase (PME), poligalacturonase (PG), peroxidase (POD) e polifenoloxidase (PPO). Verificou-se que, com o avanço dos dias, após a antese nos frutos do pequizeiro, ocorre a síntese do beta-caroteno e de açúcares solúveis totais, redução da firmeza, solubilização das pectinas, ausência de PME, diminuição na atividade da PG e aumento nas atividades da POD e da PPO na polpa.

The aim of this study was to characterize physical, chemical and biochemical pequi fruit produced in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil, during their development stages. Fruits collected in the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th weeks after anthesis, were selected for size, skin color, and absence of injuries and evaluated according to firmness, levels of beta-carotene, total soluble sugars, and total and soluble pectins as well as the activity of pectinmethylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO). It was found that with the advancement of days after anthesis occurs in pequi fruits the synthesis of beta-carotene and total soluble sugars, reducing firmness, pectic solubilization, absence of PME activity, decrease in PG activity and increased in activities POD and PPO in the pulp.

Effect of cut type on fresh-cut 'menina brasileira' zucchini quality / Efeito do tipo de corte na qualidade de abobrinha 'Menina Brasileira' minimamente processada

Market sales of ready-to-use fresh fruit and vegetables have grown quickly in the recent years as a result of changes in consumer attitudes. The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of two kinds of cuts on the physiological, physical, physical-chemical, chemical and biochemical traits of fresh-cut 'Menina Brasileira' zucchini stored in rigid polypropylene packages, with lids of the same material containing sliced and grated zucchini and stored at 5º C, for 15 days. The variables respiratory rate, pH, L* value, soluble pectin, PME and PG activity, was interactively affected by the cut type and storage time factors. The variables mass loss, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and total pectin variable were only significantly affected by storage time factor. It can be concluded that sliced 'Menina Brasileira' zucchini shows a higher titratable acidity and soluble solids and a lower respiratory rate, pectin soluble and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity when compared with grated zucchini, contributing to the preservation of quality attributes.

As vendas no mercado de frutas e hortaliças frescas prontas para o consumo têm crescido rapidamente nos últimos anos como resultado de mudanças nas atitudes dos consumidores. Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de dois tipos de cortes nas características fisiológicas, físicas, químicas, físico-químicas e bioquímicas de abobrinha 'Menina Brasileira' minimamente processada, armazenada a 5º C em embalagens de polipropileno rígido, com tampas do mesmo material, contendo abobrinha fatiada e ralada, por 15 dias. As variáveis taxas respiratórias, pH, valor L*, pectina solúvel, atividade de PME e PG, foram interativamente afetadas pelos fatores tipo de corte e tempo de armazenamento. As variáveis perda de massa, atividade da fenilalanina amônia-liase e a pectina total foram afetadas significativamente apenas pelo fator tempo de armazenamento. Pode-se concluir que a abobrinha 'Menina Brasileira' fatiada apresentou uma maior acidez titulável e sólidos solúveis e uma menor taxa respiratória, pectina solúvel e atividade da fenilalanina amônia-liase, em comparação com abobrinha ralada, contribuindo para a preservação dos atributos de qualidade.

Qualidade dos frutos do pequizeiro submetidos a diferentes tempos de cozimento / Quality Caryocar brasiliense Camb. fruits submitted to different cooking times

O pequi é consumido tradicionalmente cozido, podendo sofrer influência desse processo. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar o efeito de diferentes tempos de cozimento sobre a qualidade do pequi. Os frutos oriundos do Norte de Minas Gerais foram selecionados, lavados, sanificados, descascados e submetidos a diferentes tempos de cozimento (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 e 40 minutos). As análises foram realizadas no mesocarpo interno e na água de cozimento. Com o aumento do tempo de cozimento, observou-se, no fruto, diminuição da cor, firmeza e sólidos solúveis e dos minerais potássio, sódio, zinco e ferro, sendo esses minerais detectados na água. O cobre aumentou no mesocarpo interno e reduziu na água. Fósforo, cálcio, magnésio, manganês e enxofre não foram influenciados pelo tempo de cozimento. Vitamina C, carotenóides totais e β-caroteno diminuíram proporcionalmente ao tempo de cozimento e desses, apenas a vitamina C foi encontrada na água de cozimento. Conclui-se que, mesmo com 40 minutos de cozimento, o pequi continua sendo importante fonte de nutrientes.

Caryocar brasiliense Camb. fruits is traditionally consumed cooked; and may suffer influences from this process. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different times of cooking on the quality of this fruit. The fruits from North of Minas Gerais (Brazil) were selected, washed, sanitized, peeled and submitted to different times of cooking (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 minutes). The analyses were carried out at the internal mesocarp and in the cooking water. With the increase of cooking time, decrease of color, firmness and the minerals potassium, sodium, zinc and iron decreased in the fruit and were detected in the water. The copper increased in internal mesocarp and reduced in the water. Potassium, sodium, zinc and iron decreased in the fruit with increased time of cooking and were detected in the water. Copper increased in the internal mesocarp and decreased in water. Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese and sulfur were not influenced by cooking time. Vitamin C, total carotenoids and beta-carotene decreased to the time of cooking and of these, only vitamin C was found in the cooking water. It was concluded that even with 40 minutes of cooking these fruits continues as an important source of nutrients.