Composição química de folhas de oliveira (Olea europaea L.) da região de Caçapava do Sul, RS / Chemical composition of olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) from the region of Caçapava do Sul, RS, Brazil

A oliveira (Olea europaea L.) é uma planta característica da região Mediterrânea que teve seu cultivo disseminado para diversos países do mundo, devido ao grande interesse na produção de olivas e de seu azeite, ricos em ácidos graxos essenciais. As folhas da oliveira podem ser um importante subproduto gerado pela poda das árvores, pois apresentam quantidade significativa de compostos fenólicos e ácidos graxos benéficos à saúde. Tendo em vista a importância da constituição química das folhas de oliveira e o recente cultivo no sul do Brasil, este trabalho teve como objetivo fazer um estudo exploratório sobre a composição centesimal, compostos fenólicos totais, ácidos graxos e minerais presentes nas folhas da cultivar 'Arbequina', cultivada em Caçapava do Sul, RS. Os resultados encontrados mostraram que as folhas possuem 8,14±0,24% de lipídios totais, sendo que os ácidos graxos poli-insaturados representaram mais da metade do teor total de ácidos graxos, com elevada concentração de ácido linolênico (18:3n3, 46,7%) que está presente no azeite, normalmente em concentrações próximas a 1%. A concentração de compostos fenólicos totais foi de 30,21±0,31mg GAE g-1 e os minerais predominantes nas folhas foram Ca, K, Mg, P e S (entre 1153 e 11448µg g-1). A concentração de sódio encontrada foi baixa (65,4±5,20µg g-1). Esses resultados demonstram que as folhas de oliveira cultivadas na região de Caçapava do Sul apresentam grande potencial de uso para suplementação da dieta tanto humana quanto de animais, por serem ricas em nutrientes.

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a plant characteristic of the Mediterranean region that is cultivated in various countries of the world due to the great interest in the production of olives and their oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids. The leaves of the olive tree are an important by-product generated by pruning of trees that have significant amount of phenolic and fatty acids important to health. Given the importance of compounds present in olive leaves and the recent crop in southern Brazil, this study aimed to perform an exploratory study on the proximate composition, total phenolic compounds, fatty acids and minerals present in the leaves of the 'Arbequina' variety from Caçapava do Sul, RS, Brazil. The results showed that the leaves had 8.14±0.24% of total lipids, with an amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids more than half of the total content of fatty acids, in special linolenic acid (18:3n3, 46,7%), which is present in the olive oil in general close to the concentration of 1%. The concentration of total phenolics was 30.21±0.31mg GAE g-1 and the predominant minerals in the leaves were Ca, K, Mg, P and S (between 1153 and 11448mg g-1). The sodium concentration was considered low (65.4±5.20mg g-1). These results demonstrate that the leaves from olive trees cultivated in the region of Caçapava do Sul have great potential for use in dietary supplementation both human and animal because are rich in nutrients.

The ingredients in Saengshik, a formulated health food, inhibited the activity of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase as anti-diabetic function

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated total 26 ingredients of Saengshik which will be commercially produced as an anti-diabetic dietary supplement. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirteen vegetables, nine cereals, three legumes and one seed were extracted with aqueous ethanol for 2 h at 60degrees C, and evaluated for their inhibitory effects against alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase and for total phenolic and flavonoid contents. RESULTS: All ingredients inhibited alpha-amylase activity except cabbage. Strong inhibitory activity of alpha-amylase was observed in leek, black rice, angelica and barley compared with acarbose as a positive control. Stronger inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity was found in small water dropwort, radish leaves, sorghum and cabbage than acarbose. All Saengshik ingredients suppressed alpha-glucosidase activity in the range of 0.3-60.5%. Most ingredients contained total phenols which were in the range of 1.2-229.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dried extract. But, total phenolic contents were not observed in carrot, pumpkin and radish. All ingredients contained flavonoid in the range of 11.6-380.7 mg catechin equivalent/g dried extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Saengshik containing these ingredients would be an effective dietary supplement for diabetes.

Atividade antioxidante e teor de fenólicos de folhas da Terminalia catappa Linn em diferentes estágios de maturação / Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of Terminalia catappa Linn leaves at different stages of maturation

Foram determinados o teor de fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante de folhas da Terminalia catappa Linn em diferentes estágios de maturação. O teor de fenólicos totais foi avaliado em extratos etanólicos e etanólicos acidificados, não havendo diferença significativa entre os mesmos (P>0,05); o teor de fenólicos médio foi de 15,77 (mg/g) e 15,41 (mg/g), para as folhas verdes e maduras, respectivamente, expressos em mg de catequina por g de amostra. A atividade antioxidante foi determinada pelo método de decomposição do β-caroteno/ácido linoleico, sendo expressa como fator antioxidante (AOX), variando de 0,0140 (A/h) a 0,0767 (A/h), como atividade antioxidante (AA), variando de 0,00% a 84,92% e como razão da velocidade de oxidação (RVO), variando 0,1508 a 1,000, utilizando BHT como padrão. A atividade antioxidante do BHT e das amostras não diferiram estatisticamente (P>0,05), demonstrando a potencialidade de uso desta planta como fonte natural de compostos antioxidante em ambos os estágios de maturação.

The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Terminalia catappa Linn leaves were determined at different stages of maturation. The total phenolic content was assayed in ethanol and acidified ethanol extracts, there being no significant difference between the two (P>0.05); the average total phenolic content was 15.77 (mg/g) and 15.41 (mg/g), for young and mature leaves, respectively, expressed in mg of catechin per g of sample. The antioxidant activity was determined by β -carotene/linoleic acid decomposition and expressed as antioxidant factor (AOX), ranging from 0.0140 (A/h) to 0.0767 (A/h), as antioxidant activity (AA), ranging from 0.00% to 84.92% and as oxidation rate ratio (ORR), ranging from 0.1508 to 1.0000, using BHT as a standard. The antioxidant activity of BHT and samples did not differ statistically (P>0.05), showing the possibility of using this plant as a natural source of antioxidant compounds at both stages of maturation.

Antioxidant activity of Blechnum chilense (Kaulf.) Mett., Curcuma domestica Valeton and Tagetes verticillata Lag. & Rodriguez / Actividad antioxidante de Blechnum chilense (Kaulf.) Mett., Curcuma domestica Valeton y Tagetes verticillata Lag. & Rodríguez

Because of the increasing interest in improving human health worldwide, phytochemical antioxidants from medicinal and food plants are of great interest. The search for new sources of antioxidants is important for the best use of biodiversity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic compounds with DPPH and Folin-Ciocalteu assays for extracts and fractions of Blechnum chilense, Curcuma domestica and Tagetes verticillata. B. chilense water-methanolic and EtOAc fractions, follows of C. domestica EtOAc extract showed an important quantity of total phenolic compounds. Compared with Aristotelia chilensis MeOH extract, T. verticillata extract showed good activity, follows by EtOAc fraction from B. chilense and by EtOAc extract from C. domestica, with very similar results with n-hexane fraction from B. chilense and petroleum ether extract from C. domestica. All of these results were greater than alpha-tocopherol DPPH scavenging activity. The results suggest that all plants studied could be are new sources of antioxidants and the work are following with the identification of these compounds.

Debido al creciente interés mundial en el mejoramiento de la salud humana los antioxidantes provenientes de plantas medicinales y alimenticias se han convertido en compuestos de gran interés. La búsqueda de nuevas fuentes de antioxidantes es importante para el mejor uso de la biodiversidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la actividad antioxidante y el contenido de fenoles totales usando el método de Folin-Ciocalteu y la actividad inhibitoria del radical DPPH de fracciones y extractos de Blechnum chilense (Kaulf.) Mett, Curcuma domestica Valeton y Tagetes verticillata Lag. & Rodr. Las fracciones acuosa-metanólica y EtOAc de B. chilense, seguida del extracto EtOAc de C. domestica, mostraron una cantidad importante de compuestos fenólicos. La prueba con DPPH mostró que la actividad secuestrante más importante, comparada con la del extracto metanólico de Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz, fue la del extracto de T. verticillata, seguido de la fracción EtOAc de B. chilense y el extracto EtOAc de C. domestica, con resultados similares a la fracción hexánica de B. chilense y el extracto obtenido con éter de petróleo de C. domestica, superando todas la actividad secuestrante de DPPH del alfa-tocoferol. Los resultados sugieren que todas las plantas estudiadas podrían ser nuevas fuentes de antioxidantes y se está trabajando para la identificación de los compuestos responsables de la actividad.

Glycaemic Evaluation of Folk Recipe (Medicinal Plants) in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits.

Aim/Background: The present study was planned to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of ‘Folk recipe’ a combination of traditional medicinal plants in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetes rabbits. The level of antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH in relation to the total phenolic contents. Methods: Antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Folk Recipe (AFR) in 100-300 mg/kg, b.w. doses was determined by estimating blood glucose and serum insulin levels before and 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hour post-treatment(s) intervals in treated rabbits. Total phenolic contents and DPPH-antioxidant activity of AFR were measured in vitro. Results: AFR showed a dose dependent antidiabetic activity; maximum effect was established with 300 mg/kg, b.w. dose. The extract exerted a high significant (P<0.001) hypoglycemic effect in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits. Extract showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in insulin levels and protected completely against alloxan-induced histopathological changes in pancreatic beta-cells of diabetic rabbits. A high antioxidant activity of AFR (5-10 μg/mL) was observed in comparison with L-ascorbic acid (5-10 μg/mL). The doses used did not show any sign of acute toxicity or resulted in any behavioral change. Conclusion: From this study it may be concluded that the Folk recipe causes a reduction in blood glucose and increasing serum insulin levels may combat due to antioxidant activity by protecting beta-cells. Evaluation agreed with the potential use of Folk recipe as a traditional anti-diabetic tool.

Sementes de pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L. ): potencial antioxidante e perfil de ácidos graxos / Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L. )seeds: antioxidant potential and fatty acids profile

As sementes de pitanga foram analisadas quanto à composição centesimal, bem como o potencial antioxidante e o perfil dos ácidos graxos. Para a obtenção do extrato, as sementes desidratadas e trituradas foram extraídas com álcool etílico por 30 minutos, na proporção de 1:3 de sementes:álcool etílico, sob agitação contínua à temperatura ambiente. Em seguida, a mistura foi filtrada e o sobrenadante submetido ao roto evaporador a 40ºC com vistas a determinar, por pesagem direta, o rendimento em matéria secado extrato. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, as sementes de pitanga demonstraram elevado teor de carboidratos totais, além de apresentarem relevante atividade antioxidante e teor de compostos fenólicos totais. No óleo das sementes de pitanga destacou-se maior porcentagem de ácidos graxos insaturados, sendo o oleico o principal componente.

The purpose of the present investigation was to characterize the pitanga seeds on centesimal composition, and also to evaluate its antioxidant potential and fatty acid profile. For obtaining the extract, the dehydrated and ground seeds were treated with ethyl alcohol for 30 minutes, at a proportion of 1:3 of seeds:ethyl alcohol, under continuous agitation at room temperature. Afterwards, the mixture was filtered and the supernatant was placed into a rotoevaporator at 40ºC for determining the extract’s dry matter yield, by direct weighing. According to the results, the seeds of cherry showed high amounts of carbohydrates, and offer relevant content and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds. In the seed oil, cherry high lighted a higher percentage of unsatured fatty acids, oleic being the main component.

Importance of the extraction method in the quantification of total phenolic compounds in Phaseolus Vulgaris L / Importancia del método de extracción en la cuantificación de compuestos fenólicos totales en Phaseolus Vulgaris L / Importância do método de extração na quantificação de compostos fenólicos totais em Phaseolus Vulgaris L

In order to study the effects of the type of solvent and extraction technique on the quantification of the total phenolic compounds in samples of Phaseolus vulgaris, four techniques of methanol extraction (plate stirring, wrist-action shaking, sonication and homogenization-sonication) and two procedures of sequential extraction, were evaluated. With the various techniques of methanol extraction, significantly different results were obtained. The highest content of total phenolic compounds was obtained with plate stirring. Comparing the six tested procedures, the highest concentrations of total phenolic compounds were obtained with the sequential extraction in water-NaOH 0.2N-methanol. The results showed that the extraction of phenolic compounds of P. vulgaris depends to a large extent on the analytic technique and that the type of solvent used, and the methanol extraction-alkaline hydrolysis-ethylacetate extraction is the method that enables the best quantification. Thus, its use can be recommended for analytical purposes.

Se estudió el efecto del tipo de solvente y de la técnica de extracción sobre la cuantificación de los compuestos fenólicos totales de una muestra de Phaseolus vulgaris. Para ello se evaluaron cuatro técnicas de extracción en metanol (agitación en plancha, agitador de muñeca, sonicación y homogenización-sonicación) y dos procedimientos de extracción secuencial. Con las técnicas de extracción metanólica se obtuvieron resultados significativamente diferentes, y el mayor contenido de compuestos fenólicos totales se obtuvo con la agitación en plancha. Al comparar los seis procedimientos ensayados, las concentraciones de compuestos fenólicos totales más elevadas se obtuvieron con la extracción secuencial en agua-NaOH 0,2N-metanol. Los resultados mostraron que la extracción de los compuestos fenólicos de P. vulgaris depende en buena medida de la técnica analítica y del tipo de solvente utilizado, y que la extracción metanólica-hidrólisis alcalina-extracción con acetato de etilo es el método que permite una mejor cuantificación, por lo que se puede recomendar su uso para propósitos analíticos.

Estudou-se o efeito do tipo de solvente e da técnica de extração sobre a quantificação dos compostos fenólicos totais de uma amostra de Phaseolus vulgaris. Para isto foram avaliadas quatro técnicas de extração em metanol (agitação mecânica, agitador manual, sonicação e homogeneização-sonicação) e dois procedimentos de extração sequencial. Com as técnicas de extração metanólica obteve-se resultados significativamente diferentes, e o maior conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais se obteve com a agitação mecânica. Ao comparar os seis procedimentos ensaiados, as concentrações de compostos fenólicos totais mais elevadas foram obtidas com a extração sequencial em água-NaOH 0,2N-metanol. Os resultados mostraram que a extração dos compostos fenólicos de P. vulgaris depende principalmente da técnica analítica e do tipo de solvente utilizado, e que a extração metanólica-hidrólise alcalina-extração com acetato de etilo é o método que permite uma melhor quantificação, por tanto pode ser recomendado seu uso para propósitos analíticos.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bitter and sweet apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. ) kernels

The present study describes the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of methanol and water extracts of sweet and bitterapricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels. The antioxidant properties of apricot kernels were evaluated by determining radicalscavenging power, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity and total phenol content measured with a DPPH test, the thiocyanatemethod and the Folin method, respectively. In contrast to extracts of the bitter kernels, both the water and methanol extracts ofsweet kernels have antioxidant potential. The highest percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (69%) and total phenolic content (7.9± 0.2 μg/mL) were detected in the methanol extract of sweet kernels (Hasanbey) and in the water extract of the same cultivar,respectively. The antimicrobial activities of the above extracts were also tested against human pathogenic microorganismsusing a disc-diffusion method, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of each active extract were determined. Themost effective antibacterial activity was observed in the methanol and water extracts of bitter kernels and in the methanol extractof sweet kernels against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the methanol extracts of the bitterkernels were very potent against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (0.312 mg/mL MIC value). Significant anti-candidaactivity was also observed with the methanol extract of bitter apricot kernels against Candida albicans, consisting of a 14 mm indiameter of inhibition zone and a 0.625 mg/mL MIC value.