Organic cocoa extract -loaded surfactant-based systems intended to skin bioadhesion

ABSTRACT This study was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the physical-chemical stability, in vitro antioxidant activity and in vitro safety profile of liquid crystalline systems (LCS) and microemulsions (MEs) with and without organic cocoa (OC) extract. LCS stabilized by surfactant polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether, containing water and oleic acid were studied. LCS and MEs were characterized using polarized light microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, rheology and in vitro bioadhesion, and were evaluated for a period of 30 days by visual aspects, centrifuge test, pH value and relative density. PLM and SAXS assays showed the presence of domains of MEs, cubic and hexagonal mesophasephases, varying the proportions of the components of the formulations; where in the addition of the extract did not change rheological behavior of the formulations. All of the formulations were stable in the period analyzed and presented higher bioadhesive strength. In vitro antioxidant activity suggests that LCS and MEs presented a high capacity to maintain the antioxidant activity of OC extract. The results showed that the incorporation of OC in LCS improved the safety profile, according to cytotoxicity assays of systems may be a promising platform to OC extract for topical application for the potential treatment of skin disorders.

Perdas na ensilagem de capim-elefante aditivado com farelo de cacau e cana-de-açúcar / Losses in ensiling of elephantgrass added with cocoa meal and sugarcane

Foram estudados os efeitos da adição de farelo de cacau e de cana-de-açúcar sobre as perdas de silagem de capim-elefante. Utilizou-se um esquema fatorial 2 x 4, sendo 0 e 15 por cento de farelo de cacau e 0, 15, 30 e 45 por cento de cana-de-açúcar, com quatro repetições, no delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. O capim-elefante apresentava 29,2 por cento de matéria seca, e as silagens foram produzidas em silos experimentais de PVC, utilizando-se compactação de 600 kg de silagem/m³. A abertura dos silos ocorreu aos 60 dias após a ensilagem, quando foram determinados o teor de nitrogênio amoniacal e o pH das silagens. O farelo de cacau foi eficaz na redução da umidade e da concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal. Recomenda-se a inclusão de até 22,4 por cento da cana-de-açúcar, cv-IAC86-2480, na ensilagem de capim-elefante com 29 por cento de matéria seca, podendo-se aumentar para 45 por cento, desde que se utilizem 15 por cento de farelo de cacau.

The effects of the addition of cocoa meal and sugarcane in the elephant-grass silage losses were studied. A 2 x 4 factorial scheme was used, being 0 and 15 percent of cocoa meal and 0, 15, 30, and 45 percent of sugarcane, with four repetitions, in a completely randomized design. The elephant-grass showed 29.2 percent of dry matter and the silages were produced in PVC experimental silos, using 600 kg/m³ silage compaction. The silos were opened 60 days after ensilage, when ammonia nitrogen content and pH of the silages were determined. Cocoa meal was effective in the reduction of moisture and ammonia nitrogen concentrations. It is recommended the inclusion of up to 22.4 percent of the sugar-cane, cv-IAC86-2480, in the elephant-grass ensiling with 29 percent of dry matter, which can be increased to 45 percent, since 15 percent of cocoa meal be used.

O doce pecado da páscoa / The sweet sin of Easter

Uma tentação para o paladar, um risco para os dentes. O chocolate é uma das fontes de sacarose mais comuns na dieta do brasileiro. Consumo do produto aumenta durante o mês de abril, com a oferta dos ovos de Páscoa