Ascorbic acid from lyophilized camu-camu fruit: stability and quality control of hard capsules

Camu-camu, a fruit found in the Amazon Basin river banks and lake shores, is known for its high ascorbic acid content together with, other antioxidants. This feature shows high potential for being exploited in agribusiness industry and pharmaceutical processes. However, its high acidity, as well as peel bitterness associated with the phenolic substances content, has discouraged its consumption while still fresh. The development of alternative forms for consuming this fruit, while still preserving its ascorbic acid and polyphenol content, in addition to its great potential for maintaining human health, has become a major economic activity in coastal communities. The present study evaluated the ascorbic acid stability found in camu-camu capsules. Lyophilization was performed with the fruit pulp and peel. Both freeze-dried fruit and powder-flled capsules were stored at 5° C. Ascorbic acid stability was monitored for 90 days using HPLC assay technique. The encapsulation process of freezedried pulp was considered satisfactory in the ascorbic acid conservation, since there was only a loss of 10% of its initial concentration throughout the study period for 60 days.(AU)

Stability evaluation of tocopheryl acetate and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate in isolation and incorporated in cosmetic formulations using thermal analysis / Estabilidade de avaliação de acetato de tocoferol e ascorbil tetraisopalmitato isoladamente e incorporados em formulações de cosméticos por meio de análise térmica

In view of the increase in the number of cosmetic preparations containing antioxidant vitamins, chiefly, due to their action in preventing the process of skin aging, there is a need to develop pre-formulation studies and to validate analytical methods in order to obtain high quality products. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the thermal behavior of tocopheryl acetate and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate as raw materials, and incorporated into a base cream. Thermogravimetry (TG / DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used for this purpose. Both vitamins were found to be stable up to 250ºC. The base cream (placebo) and the sample (base cream containing the vitamins) presented different weight loss. Thermal analysis has shown itself to be an excellent tool for the characterization of these vitamins and can be used in routine analysis for quality control of this type of cosmetic formulation.

Considerando o potencial antioxidante das vitaminas utilizadas em produtos cosméticos, seu uso na prevenção do processo de envelhecimento da pele e a necessidade de estudos de pré-formulação que garantam o desenvolvimento de cosméticos de qualidade, foi objetivo deste trabalho avaliar e comparar o comportamento térmico dos ativos acetato de tocoferila e tetraisopalmitato de ascorbila, matérias-primas, isoladamente e incorporados em creme base. As técnicas termogravimetria/termogravimetria derivada (TG/DTG) e calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) foram utilizadas para tal finalidade. Verificou-se que as vitaminas mantiveram-se estáveis até a temperatura de, aproximadamente, 250 ºC, observando-se diferença na perda de massa entre o creme base e o creme base associado às vitaminas. Assim sendo, a análise térmica mostrou-se como excelente ferramenta para caracterização das vitaminas e do creme base, podendo ser empregada em análises de rotina no controle de qualidade deste tipo de formulação cosmética.

Effects of enrichment with ascorbil palmitate and starvation in cold condition on ascorbic acid content in nauplii of Artemia urmiana

A trial was conducted to study the effects of different periods of enrichment with ascorbil pulmitate and starvation in cold condition on ascorbic acid [AA] content in nauplii of Artemia urmiana. Four treatment groups with 4 replicates of freshly hatched nauplii were kept at 28°C in incubators containing enrichment medium for 0, 12, 18 and 24 hrs, respectively. Then all of them starved at 5°C for 0, 12, 18 and 24 hrs. AA content was determined using a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrochemical detector. The results showed that nauplii of A urmiana had high levels of AA in their bodies [1534 +/- 166 ug/g DW]. AA content increased following enrichment and reached to their maximum after 18 hrs [3600 +/- 282] and then reduced by 24 hrs of enrichment [2938 +/- 254]. There was a significant difference in AA levels between non-enriched and enriched groups [P<0.05]. Although AA content enhanced in all groups during starvation periods at 5°C, the increases were not significant. However, significant correlations could be observed between duration of starvation and increasing of AA levels in non-enriched, 12 h and 18 h enriched groups. In conclusion, nauplii of A. urmiana had high levels of AA and enrichment with ascorbil plamitate increased their AA content significantly

Effects of glutamate on dehydroascorbate uptake and Its enhanced vulnerability to the peroxidation in cerebral cortical slices

Pro-oxidant properties of ascorbate have been studied with uses of brain tissues and neuronal cells. Here we address potential mechanism of ascorbate coupling with glutamate to generate oxidative stress, and the role which oxidized ascorbate (dehydroascorbate) transport plays in oxidative neuronal injury. Ascorbate in neurones can be depleted by adding glutamate in culture medium since endogenous ascorbate can be exchanged with glutamate, which enhances ascorbate/ dehydroascorbate transport by depleting ascorbate in the neurons with the glutamate-heteroexchange. However, ascorbate is known readily being oxidized to dehydroascorbate in the medium. Glutamate enhanced the dehydroascorbate uptake by cells via a glucose transporter (GLUT) from extracellular region, and cytosolic dehydroascorbate enhanced lipid peroxide production and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations. Iso-ascorbate, the epimer of ascorbate was ineffective in generating the oxidative stress. These observations support the current concept that the high rates of dehydroascorbate transport via a GLUT after the release of ascorbate by glutamate leads to peroxidation, the role of glutamate on ascorbate/ dehydroascorbate recycling being critical to induce neuronal death via an oxidative stress in the brain injury.

Vitamina C tópica: usos en dermatología / Topic vitamin C: use in dermatology

La vitamina C es considerada un antioxidante poderoso protector de la fase acuosa de la piel. Su absorción sistémica asegura niveles muy bajos en la piel, por lo que su uso por vía tópica representa una vía de llegada más directa y eficaz para ejercer su acción. La vitamina C tópica (L-ácido ascórbico) tiene los siguientes efectos a nivel de la piel: estimulación de la síntesis de colágeno, prevención de inmunosupresión por radiación UV, prevención del fotodaño y del fotoenvegecimiento, actuando como coadyuvante de los filtros solares. Ejerce su acción principalmente como captador de especies reactivas de oxígenos producidas por la luz ultravioleta y contaminantes ambientales. Se la considera útil en el tratamiento de quemaduras solares y otras condiciones inflamatorias, como acné, rosácea, psoriasis, poscirugía por lácer. Se la ha utilizado en el manejo de estrías de distensión y en el borramiento de arrugas de la piel. Sin embargo, para que el preparado de vitamina C tópica sea activo debe cumplir algunos requisitos. Debe ser un preparado de derivado levógiro, ser estable, a pH bajo (< 3,5), a concentración alta (10 por ciento - 20 por ciento) y no ser removida de la piel por frote, lavado o perspiración

O leite pó fortificado com ferro e vitamina C como medida de intervencao no combate a anemia carencial ferropriva em criancas atendidas em Unidade Básica de Saúde / Use of fortified powdered milk for iron deficient anemia in children seen at a Basic Health Care Unit

Estudo realizado como o objetivo de verificar influencia do uso do leite em pó integral fortificado com ferro e vitamina C sobre os niveis dehemoglobina de 238 criancas de 6 a 18 meses de idade atendidas em Unidades Básica de Saúde. O leite em pó distribuído foi fortificado com 9 mg de ferro, sob a forma de sulfato ferroso, e 65 mg de vitamina C por 100 g de pó e distribuído aos beneficiários nas seguintes quantidades: 4 por més para menores de 1 año e 2 kg por més aos maiores. Realizaram-se avaliacoes clínicas, antropométricas e hematológicas (dosagem de hemoglobina (no momento anterior a cada 3 meses após iniciada a suplementacao Ao final do experimento, ainda havia disponibilidad de leite para prorrogar a intervencao em um grupo de 39 criancas que havia apresentado as piores evolucoes nos 6 meses iniciais. No momento inicial, 72,6 por ciento das criancas apresentavam anemia. Após 3 a 6 meses, este percentual reduziu-se 38,9 por ciento e 18.5 por ciento respectivamente. Aquellas acompñanhadas por 9 meses, restaram apenas 2,5 por ciento de criancas anémicas. As maiores prevaléncias foram encontradas nas faixas etárias dos 6 aos 12 meses e as mehores respostas dos 10 aos 18 meses. Em 30,7 por ciento das familias ocorreu a diluicao intrafamiliar do leite destinado ao beneficiario. Registraram-se decréscimos significantes da ocorréncia de anemia com ou sem diluicao intrafamiliar do leite, sem difrencas entre os dois grupos. O leite fortificado ñao alterou condicao nutriconal das criancas. Concluiuse que a fortificacao de alimentos, além de ser o método de eleicao para a prevencao da caréncia de ferro é excelente alternativa para auxiliar na recuperacao da anemia carencial ferropriva em menores de 2 anos

Suplementación de hierro en lactantes mapuches de la Provincia de Cautin, Chile / Iron supplementation in Chilean Mapuche infants

Con el propósito de profundizar la caracterización del metabolismo del hierro, en lactantes mapuches, se realizó un estudio de suplementación con Sulfato Ferroso (Fer-In-Sol) de 1.8 ml diarios durante 90 días, a 76 lactantes mapuches de 12 meses de edad, de ambos sexos, rurales, de la Provincia de Cautín. se evaluó la nutrición de hierro antes y después de la suplementación, mediante: Hemoglobina, Hematocrito, Saturación de Transferrina (Fe/IBC) y Ferritina Sérica. Para confirmar la ingesta del suplemento, se tomó en el domicilio de los lactantes, muestras de deposiciones para medir el hierro excretado. Para estudiar el aporte de hierro dietario, se aplicó la Encuesta Recordatorio 24 hrs (ER) y análisis Químico Proximal (AQP), en muestras de comidas obtenidas en los hogares de los lactantes. La prevalencia de anemia a los meses, antes de iniciar la suplementación fue de 28.3 por ciento, la que desapareció complementamente como producto de la intervención. El 65.3 por ciento de los lactantes, aumentaron su Hemoglobina en 1 g o más, lo que índica que eran anémicos al iniciar la suplementación. Es decir, mediante esta prueba terapéutica se pesquizó un 31 por ciento más de lactantes anémicos, lo que indica mayor sensibilidad de este método. La alta prevalencia de anemia se debe fundamentalmente, a la baja ingesta de hierro dietético, que según la ER alcanza un promedio de 2.8 ñ 1.2 mg de Fe/día, versus 4.8 ñ 4.0 mg de Fe/día, según AQP. La diferencia entre ambos aportes demostró que hay un proceso de contaminación ambiental de los alimentos, por el uso de utensilios de hierro y el gran contacto con la tierra. Este hecho también se pudo comprobar por la alta excreción de Fe a través de las deposiciones (140 mg de Fe/100 g deposiciones), cifra considerablemente más alta, que las reportadas en lactantes urbanos (30 mg de Fe/100 g deposiciones). Este método para medir la excreción de Fe del suplemento, no discrimina entre la excreción de la ingesta y la contaminación ambiental, que es extremadamente alta. Sin embargo, en el grupo suplementado, la excreción fue considerablemente más alta que en el grupo control, lo que estaría comprobado la ingesta de Fe. Para prevenir el desarrollo de anemia por carencia de hierro, en los lactantes, se hace imprescindible, dar un alimento fortificado con hierro, a partir de los 6 meses de vida como complemento de la leche materna

Role of exogenous ascorbic acid in tissue status of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs were given ascorbic acid orally in two doses; a low and a high dose. The tissue levels of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate was estimated in these animals after 15 days of feeding and a subsequent deprivation period of 15 days. The specific activity of the enzymes ascorbic acid sulphotransferase and ascorbic acid-2-sulphate sulphohydrolase was studied. During higher ascorbic acid intake, the activity of ascorbic acid sulphotransferase was increased, whereas ascorbic acid-2-sulphate sulphohydrolase showed a decreased activity. But when ascorbic acid intake was lowered or ceased, the activity of the above enzymes showed a reverse pattern. Possible reasons for the lack of antiscorbutic activity of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate in guinea pigs is discussed.

Analise citogenetica relacionada a idade e ao tratamento com drogas em macrofagos peritoneais e celulas da medula ossea de camundongos femeas Swiss hiperimunes intactos ou ooforectomizados / Citogenetic studies relationships to age and to tretment with drugs in peritoneal macrophages and bone marrow cells in the intact and ovarectomized female mouse Swiss hiperimunes

Estudos citogeneticos relacionados com a idade em camundongos Swiss femeas hiperimunes intactos mostraram aumento da frequencia de macrofgos peritoneais com alteracoes cromossomicas estruturais aos 6 meses e aumento progressivo da frequencia de macrofagos hiperdiploides dos 6 aos 15 meses de idade. Nos animais ooferectomizados, os macrofagos apresentaram estes aumentos aos 2 meses, 30 dias apos a ooferectomia, e dos 6 aos 18 meses, respectivamente. Os resultados evidenciam uma relacao entre alteracoes hormonais e aberracoes cromossomicas nos macrofagos peritoneais. Estas aberracoes cromossomicas nao foram observadas em celulas da medula ossea dos animais intactos e dos ooferectomizados, sugerindo respostas diferentes nos macrofagos peritoneais e seus precurssores na medula ossea.Os antioxidantes acido ascorbico e alfa-tocoferol protegeram os macrofagos peritoneais de camundongos ooforectomizados das aberracoes cromossomicas estruturais, evidenciando papel dos radicais livres no aparecimento das mesmas. Considerando que os estrogenos têm acao antioxidante na peroxidacao lipidica, que o tocoferol é um captador de radicais lipofilicos e que o ácido ascórbico pode ser um regenarador do tocoferol, é provável que as quebras verificadas nos cromossomos dos macrófagos peritoneais de camundongos ooforectomizados resultam de peridoxidacao lipidica. O metotrexato mostrou efeito sinergico com a ooforectomia em relacäo ás alteracöes cromossômicas, e teve este efeito parcialmente suprimido pelo ácido ascórbico, tanto nos animais intactos, como nos ooferectomizados, sugerindo que, além da inibicäo de reparo de DNA, a droga tenha possível acäo através dos radicais livres. O benzonidazol provocou um grande número de delecöes, sobretudo nos macrófagos peritoneais de animais ooferectomizados. Seu efeito foi antagonizado, em grande proporcäo, pelo tocoferol, o que corrobora os dados da literatura em relacäo á atuacäo do benzonidazol através da formacäo de radicais livres. Por serem mais suscetíveis ás alteracöes hormonais e aos tratamentos com drogas que as celulas da medula óssea, conclui-se que os macrófagos säo adequados para estudos dos fenômenos ligados ao envelhecimento, dos mecanismos de inducäo de aberracöes cromossomicas, dos efeitos de drogas e seu modo de acäo, constituindo, assim, importante modelo para investigacöes em citogenetica

Ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and glutathione in liver disease.

Controlled studies were conducted to find out the plasma values of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), urinary excretion of ascorbic acid and blood levels of glutathione in patients with viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver and carcinoma of liver. Leucocyte ascorbic acid and DHA/AA index were also determined in order to assess the ascorbic acid status of these patients. It was observed that the plasma and leucocytes contents of ascorbic acid were significantly subnormal with markedly decreased urinary excretion in these patients. Decreased level of glutathione and significantly higher level of DHA reflect an over all reducing status of the body is markedly deranged in these conditions. Further it was observed that the DHA/AA ratios were significantly altered in these groups of patients.

In vitro effect of certain compounds on the lysosomal release of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

From studies on the release of acid phosphatase and B-glucuronidase, it was observed that quercetin, a vitamin P like compound and ascorbic acid stablise while dehydroascorbate, acetoacetate and B-hydroxybutyrate labilise the leukocytic lysosomes in vitro. These effects were compared with chloroquine and progesterone, known stabiliser and destabiliser, respectively. The possible mode of lysosomal labilisation by ketone bodies and dehydroascorbate has been suggested.

Physiological role of dehydroascorbic acid.

Dehydroascorbic acid is present in insignificant amounts in plant and animal tissue but appears in considerable amounts under various physiological and pathological conditions. It is found increased: in blood of patients suffering from infectious diseases; in blood and tissues of thyrotoxic patients; in blood after injection of thyroxin, corticotropin and cortisone. In all the above conditions there is concomitant decrease in L-ascorbic acid and glutathione values of blood and tissues. Dehydroascorbic acid, however, disappears after continued administration of a high dose of ascorbic acid. The accumulation of dehydroascorbic acid seems to be an indication of ascorbic acid deficiency. The extreme sensitivity of the ascorbate system to physiological changes is suggestive of a major biochemical role for this redox system. Accumulated evidences indicate that dehydroascorbic acid possible control cell division.