Dietary Brown Propolis Extract Modulated Nonspecific Immune System and Intestinal Morphology of Pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus

Abstract The immunomodulatory and growth promoter effects of brown propolis ethanolic extract (PEE) were determined in pacu. Fish (28.4±0.4 g) were randomly distributed into 12 polyethylene circular tanks (250 L, 30 fish per tank) and fed for 60 days with a commercial diet (32% crude protein) supplemented with 0.0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% (v/w) of PEE in a totally randomized experimental design (n=3). Fish organic defense cells numbers such as thrombocytes and neutrophils increased (p<0.05) in fish fed 3.0% dietary PEE. Serum lysozyme concentration also increased (p<0.05) in fish fed 1.5 and 3.0% PEE supplementation when compared to unsupplemented fish. Growth parameters were not influenced (p>0.05) by treatments. Moreover, dietary PEE decreased (p<0.05) fish intestinal muscular thickness when compared to control treatment. Intestine villi height also significantly decreased in fish fed 3.0% PEE. Long term dietary PEE at 3.0% supplementation level modulated fish nonspecific immune system and it is a non-toxic substance for pacu.

Microbiological profile and aerobic stability of Tifton 85 bermudagrass silage with or without vacuum and microbial inoculants / Perfil microbiológico e estabilidade aeróbia em silagem de capim-tifton 85, a vácuo e sem vácuo, adicionados ou não inoculante microbiano

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological profile and aerobic stability of grass silage Tifton 85, with or without vacuum, and with or without microbial inoculants. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 2 factorial design, where the treatments included five replicates, with and without vacuum or addition of inoculants. The inoculum consisted of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus, at a concentration of 3 x 109 CFU mL-1 per mL. The analyzed variables included the microbiological profile after opening the silage, as well as the aerobic stability at the time of opening on the sixth day of the silage's exposure to oxygen. It was found that no variation occurred in the population of lactic acid bacteria between the applied treatments. The Bacillus population was lower irrespective of the inoculant application, since it was applied in vacuum. When the population of Clostridium was applied, there was a reduction in the inoculant population in the vacuum system compared to that of the non-vacuum system. Without applying the inoculant, there was also a reduction in the population of Clostridium in the non-vacuum system. The yeast population showed linear growth in all of the evaluated treatments from the first to the sixth day of exposure to air, which may have contributed to the high temperatures observed during the air exposure period. There was no growth of fungi in the silage during the period of exposure to oxygen. The breaking of the aerobic stability occurred from the 3rd day after opening the silage. The pH was below the level that is considered to be good for silage preservation at the time of opening. In addition, during the exposure to oxygen, the same phenomenon occurred with the temperature, which demonstrated a quadratic behavior during the study period. Under the conditions evaluated, Tifton 85 bermudagrass silage lost its stability after the third day of exposure to air.

A pesquisa objetivou avaliar o perfil microbiológico e a estabilidade aeróbia em silagens de capim Tifton 85, a vácuo e sem vácuo, adicionados ou não inoculante microbiano. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x2, sendo os tratamentos com e sem vácuo e com e sem adição de inoculante, com cinco repetições. O inoculante era composto por bactérias ácido láticas (BAL): Lactobacillus acidophilus, na concentração de 3 x 109 UFC ml-1 de células viáveis por ml do produto. As variáveis analisadas foram o perfil microbiológico após abertura da silagem e a estabilidade aeróbia da abertura ao sexto dia de exposição da silagem ao oxigênio. Verificou-se que não houve variação na população de bactérias láticas entre os tratamentos aplicados. A população de Bacillus foi inferior tanto com aplicação quanto sem aplicação de inoculante desde que aplicado o vácuo. A população de Clostridium quando aplicado o inoculante, o sistema a vácuo reduziu a população em comparação ao sistema sem vácuo. Sem a aplicação de inoculante o sistema sem vácuo reduziu a população de Clostridium. A população de leveduras apresentou tendência a crescimento linear em todos os tratamentos avaliados do primeiro ao sexto dia de exposição ao oxigênio o que pode ter contribuído para as altas temperaturas observadas no período de exposição ao ar. Não se observou crescimento de fungos nas silagens durante o período de exposição ao ar. A quebra da estabilidade aeróbia ocorreu a partir do 3º dia após abertura da silagem. O pH ficou abaixo do preconizado para uma boa conservação da silagem na abertura e durante a exposição ao oxigênio, com comportamento quadrático, o mesmo ocorrendo com a temperatura no período avaliado. Silagens de capimtifton 85 nas condições avaliadas perdem a estabilidade após o terceiro dia de exposição ar.

Propolis from Southwest of Parana produced by selected bees: Influence of seasonality and food supplementation on antioxidant activity and phenolic profile

ABSTRACT Propolis produced by selected bees Apis mellifera were collected from March to June of 2013 and in March of 2015 and analyzed in order to evaluate the influence of climate, colony of origin, and food supplementation of colonies on the content of total phenolic and flavonoid by chromatographic analysis and antioxidant activity by radical scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out with propolis collected in 2013 and two clusters were formed. Propolis produced in the months of March and April showed a higher content of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant capacity than those produced in May and June. The results of PCA obtained from samples collected in March of 2013 and 2015 showed two clusters, and propolis collected in 2015 were more bioactive and presented a higher content of TPC. The chromatographic analysis of extracts allowed the identification of phenolic acids p-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic with similar chemical profiles that could be closely related to the botanical origin of propolis. It can be concluded that the season and food supplementation of colonies influenced the chemical composition and the biological activity of samples analysed.

The correlation between the phenolic composition and biological activities of two varieties of Brazilian propolis (G6 and G12)

Biological assays that have been performed on different types of Brazilian propolis have shown that type 6 propolis (G6) has a strong antimicrobial activity and a low flavonoid content. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the phenolic composition and the biological activities displayed by propolis G6 from the state of Bahia and green propolis, also known as type 12 (G12). The values of the flavonoids and the total phenolics in propolis G6 were different than those in propolis G12. Although the G12 variety presented greater antioxidant activity, propolis G6 proved to have greater antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. The results showed that the phenolic compounds may not be the only compounds responsible for the biological activity. More detailed studies of the chemical composition and an assessment of the biological activity are required to establish the quality of propolis.

Ensaios biológicos realizados com diferentes tipos de própolis brasileira têm mostrado que a própolis do tipo 6 (G6) tem forte atividade antimicrobiana e menor teor de flavonóides. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a correlação entre a composição fenólica e atividades biológicas apresentadas pela própolis G6, do Estado da Bahia, e a própolis verde, do tipo 12 (G12). Os teores de flavonóides e fenólicos totais na própolis G6 foram diferentes dos teores da própolis G12. Apesar da G12 apresentar maior atividade antioxidante, a própolis G6 apresenta maior atividade antimicrobiana e citotóxica. Os resultados mostraram que os compostos fenólicos não são os únicos compostos responsáveis pela atividade biológica da própolis. Estudos mais específicos da composição química, em adição à avaliação das atividades biológicas, são requeridos para determinar a qualidade da própolis.

Antioxidant activity by DPPH assay of potential solutions to be applied on bleached teeth

The aim of this study was to assess, using the DPPH assay, the antioxidant activity of several substances that could be proposed to immediately revert the problems caused by bleaching procedures. The percentage of antioxidant activity (AA percent) of 10 percent ascorbic acid solution (AAcidS), 10 percent ascorbic acid gel (AAcidG), 10 percent sodium ascorbate solution (SodAsS), 10 percent sodium ascorbate gel (SodAsG), 10 percent sodium bicarbonate (Bicarb), Neutralize® (NE), Desensibilize® (DES), catalase C-40 at 10 mg/mL (CAT), 10 percent alcohol solution of alpha-tocopherol (VitE), Listerine® (LIS), 0.12 percent chlorhexidine (CHX), Croton Lechleri (CL), 10 percent aqueous solution of Uncaria Tomentosa (UT), artificial saliva (ArtS) and 0.05 percent sodium fluoride (NaF) was assessed in triplicate by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical assay. All substances exhibited antioxidant activity, except for CL. AAcidS, AAcidG and VitE exhibited the highest AA percent (p<0.05). On the contrary, CHX, NE, LIS and NaF showed the lowest AA percent (p<0.05). In conclusion, AAcidS, AAcidG, SodAsS, SodAsG and VitE presented the highest antioxidant activity among substances tested in this study. The DPPH assay provides an easy and rapid way to evaluate potential antioxidants.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, por meio do DPPH, a atividade antioxidante de substâncias que poderiam ser propostas para reverter de imediato os problemas causados pelos procedimentos de clareamento. A porcentagem de atividade antioxidante (AA por cento) da solução de acido ascórbico 10 por cento (AAcidS), gel de ácido ascórbico a 10 por cento (AAcidG), solução de ascorbato de sódio 10 por cento (SodAsS), gel de ascorbato de sódio 10 por cento (SodAsG), bicarbonato de sódio 10 por cento (Bicarb), Neutralize® (NE), Desensibilize® (DES), catalase C-40 10 mg/mL (CAT), solução alcoólica 10 por cento de alfa-tocoferol (VitE), Listerine® (LIS), clorexidina 0,12 por cento (CHX), CrotonLechleri (CL), solução aquosa 10 por cento de Uncaria Tomentosa (UT), saliva artificial (ArtS) e fluoreto de sódio 0,05 por cento (NaF) foi avaliada em triplicata pelo teste de radicais livres 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH). Todas as substâncias apresentaram atividade antioxidante, exceto a CL. AAcidS, AAcidG e VitE mostraram os maiores valores de AA por cento (p<0,05). Por outro lado, CHX, NE, LIS e NaF mostraram os valores mais baixos de AA por cento (p<0,05). Em conclusão, AAcidS, AAcidG, SodAsS, SodAsG e VitE apresentaram os mais altos valores de atividade antioxidante entre as substâncias testadas. O teste DPPH é um método rápido e fácil para avaliar o potencial antioxidante.

Composição fenólica e atividade antioxidante de resíduos agroindustriais / Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of agroindustrial residues

Atualmente, são produzidas milhões de toneladas de resíduos provenientes do processamento agroindustrial. Muitos deles são ricos em compostos bioativos sendo potenciais fontes naturais dessas substâncias. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o teor de compostos fenólicos totais, a atividade antioxidante e a composição fenólica de três resíduos gerados por agroindústrias brasileiras: bagaço de uva Isabel (BI) (Vitis labrusca), bagaço de uva Verdejo (BV) (Vitis vinifera) e bagaço de goiaba (BG) (Psidium guajava). Os resultados do teor de compostos fenólicos totais (mg GAE g-1) encontrados nos extratos etanólicos e aquosos dos resíduos foram, respectivamente: BV (20,94±0,46; 8,03±0,43)> BI (16,57±0,19; 4,41±0,01)> BG (3,41±0,09; 1,88±0,06). Alta atividade antioxidante, principalmente em BV e BI, foi verificada nos ensaios realizados (ABTS ●, DPPH ● e auto-oxidação do sistema beta-caroteno/ácido linoléico). Uma forte correlação positiva entre atividade antioxidante e o teor de compostos fenólicos totais foi encontrada. Os compostos fenólicos encontrados, por cromatografia gasosa com espectrometria de massas (CG-EM), foram: ácido gálico, epicatequina, quercetina (BV, BI e BG); ácido isovanílico (BI, BG); ácido p-cumárico (BI); ácido caféico e resveratrol (BV, BI). Esses resultados mostram que os resíduos agroindustriais analisados, particularmente os vinícolas, são ricos em substâncias bioativas e podem ser explorados pela indústria de alimentos e farmacêutica.

Nowadays, the agro-industrial processing produces millions of tons of wastes. Many of them are rich in bioactive compounds, being a potential natural source of these substances. This study aimed to evaluate the content of total phenolics, antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of residues generated by three Brazilian agribusiness: Isabel grape pomace (PI) (Vitis labrusca), Verdejo grape pomace (PV) (Vitis vinifera) and guava pomace (PG) (Psidium guajava). The results of total phenolics content (mg GAE g-1) found in the ethanol and aqueous extracts of residues were: PV (20.94±0.46; 8.03±0.43)>PI (16.57±0.19; 4.41±0.01)>PG (3.41±0.09; 1.88±0.06). High antioxidant activity of these extracts, particularly PV and PI, was found by the methods DPPH ●, ABTS ● and beta-carotene bleaching method. A strong positive correlation between antioxidant activity and content of total phenolic compounds was found. The following phenolic compounds were found by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS): gallic acid, epicatechin, quercetin (PV, PI and PG); isovanilic acid (PI, PG), p-coumaric acid (PI), caffeic acid and resveratrol (PV, PI). The results show that these residues, particularly the wineries, are rich in bioactive substances and should be exploited by the food industry and pharmaceuticals.