The annatto carotenoids and the norbixin absorption coefficient / Carotenoides de urucum e o coeficiente de absorção danorbixina

Annatto seeds present cis-bixin as the major carotenoids, but the norbixin salt is the main pigment present in dyes obtained from the alkaline extraction process. For analyzing the norbixin, the absorptions are obtained in the two spectral peaks with higher intensity, but discrepancies in the published extinction values have led to serious doubts. Taking into account the use of absorption coefficient for evaluating the norbixin concentration in annatto seeds and extracts, the present study evaluated the absorption coefficient in various solvents and the total uncertainty associated with this value was determined. The norbixin standard was prepared from annatto seeds, purified by column chromatography and the purity of norbixin was evaluated by HPLC-DAD. The absorption coefficients were determined for norbixin in different solvents and the uncertainty was evaluated. The 0.5% potassium hydroxide, the main solvent used for marketing the annatto seeds and extracts, showed the absorption coefficients of 2887 at 454nm and of 2546 at 483nm, and the estimation of expanded uncertainty (K=2) was ±86 and 85 g 100 mL-1, respectively.

O principal carotenoide em sementes de urucum é a cis-bixina, mas o sal de norbixina torna-se o principal pigmento presente em corantes obtidos pelo processo de extração alcalino.Para a análise de norbixina as absorbâncias são obtidas nos dois picos espectrais de maior intensidade, mas discrepâncias no valor de absortividade levam a sérias dúvidas. Levando-se em conta o uso do coeficiente de absorção na avaliação da concentração de norbixina em sementes de urucum e extratos, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o coeficiente de absorção em vários solventes e determinar a incerteza expandida associada a esse valor. Para a execução do estudo, um padrão de norbixina foi preparado a partir de sementes de urucum, purificado em coluna aberta e a pureza da norbixina foi avaliada por HPLC-DAD. O coeficiente de absorção da norbixina foi determinado pela construção de curvas analíticas em diferentes solventes e a incerteza expandida foi avaliada. O hidróxido de potássio a 0,5%, principal solvente utilizado na comercialização de sementes de urucum e extratos, apresentou o coeficiente de absorção determinado em 2887 a 454nm e 2546 a 483nm e a estimação da incerteza expandida (K=2) foi86 e 85 g 100 mL-1, respectivamente.

Desempenho e qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras alimentadas com semente de urucum / Performance and quality of eggs from laying hens fed with annatto seed / Rendimiento y calidad de los huevos de gallinas ponedoras alimentadas con semillas de achiote

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da adição de níveis de semente de urucum moída nas rações sobre o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais de ovos vermelhos. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por cinco dietas, sendo quatro experimentais contendo níveis de inclusão de semente de urucum moída (0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0%) e um grupo controle. Adotou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e oito aves por unidade experimental. As variáveis analisadas foram: consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura, massa de ovos, conversão alimentar (kg/kg e kg/dz), peso médio do ovo, unidade Haugh, índice de gema, cor, gravidade específica, pH de gema e de albúmen, porcentagem e espessura da casca. As variáveis de desempenho e qualidade dos ovos não foram influenciadas (P>0,05) pelos níveis de semente de urucum estudados, exceto a coloração da gema que apresentou efeito quadrático (Y=5,93+5,86X-1,51X2), demonstrando que a coloração da gema crua foi intensificada com a inclusão de 1,94% de semente de urucum às rações. Conclui-se que adição de semente de urucum moída em níveis de até 2,0% na ração de poedeiras comerciais de ovos vermelhos não influencia o desempenho e a inclusão de 1,94% intensifica a coloração da gema.(AU)

This paper had the aim of evaluating the effect of adding annatto seeds ground in the feeds on the performance and quality of the eggs from red-egg laying hens. The treatments consisted of five diets, four experimental ones containing the inclusion of ground annatto seeds (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) and a control group. A completely randomized design was adopted, with four replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The variables analyzed were feed intake, egg production, egg mass, feed conversion (kg/kg and kg/dozen), average egg weight, Haugh unit, yolk index, color, specific gravity, pH yolk and albumen, shell percentage and thickness. The performance variables and egg quality were not affected (P>0.05) by the levels of annatto seed studied, except the color of the yolk, which presented a quadratic effect (Y=5.93+5,86x-1,51x2) demonstrating that the staining of the raw egg yolk was enhanced with the addition of 1.94% annatto seed to the feeds. It can be concluded that the addition of ground annatto seed at levels up to 2.0% in the feed of red-egg laying hens does not influence the performance, and the inclusion of 1.94% intensifies the color of the yolk.(AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de la adición de niveles de semillas de achiote molidas en piensos, sobre el rendimiento y la calidad de los huevos de gallinas ponedoras de huevos rojos. Los tratamientos se han constituido por cinco dietas, siendo cuatro experimentales conteniendo niveles de inclusión de semillas de achiote molidas (0,5, 1,0, 1,5 y 2,0%) y un grupo control. Se adoptó un diseño completamente al azar, con cuatro repeticiones y ocho aves por unidad experimental. Las variables analizadas fueron: consumo de alimento, producción de huevos, masa de huevos, conversión alimenticia (kg/kg y kg/dz), peso promedio del huevo, la unidad Haugh, índice de la yema, color, densidad, pH de yema y de albumen y grosor de la cáscara. Las variables de rendimiento y calidad de los huevos no se vieron afectados (P>0,05) por los niveles de semillas de achiote estudiados, excepto el color de la yema que mostró un efecto cuadrático (Y=5,93+5,86x-1,51x2), lo que demuestra que la tinción de la yema cruda fue intensificada con la adición de 1,94% de semillas de achiote a los piensos. Se concluye que la adición de semillas de achiote molidas a niveles de hasta 2,0% en la dieta de las gallinas ponedoras de huevos rojos no influye en el rendimiento y la inclusión de 1,94% intensifica el color de la yema.(AU)

Protective effect of bixin on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

BACKGROUND: The liver is an important organ for its ability to transform xenobiotics, making the liver tissue a prime target for toxic substances. The carotenoid bixin present in annatto is an antioxidant that can protect cells and tissues against the deleterious effects of free radicals. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of bixin on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. RESULTS: The animals were divided into four groups with six rats in each group. CCl4 (0.125 mL kg-1 body wt.) was injected intraperitoneally, and bixin (5.0 mg kg-1 body wt.) was given by gavage 7 days before the CCl4 injection. Bixin prevented the liver damage caused by CCl4, as noted by the significant decrease in serum aminotransferases release. Bixin protected the liver against the oxidizing effects of CCl4 by preventing a decrease in glutathione reductase activity and the levels of reduced glutathione and NADPH. The peroxidation of membrane lipids and histopathological damage of the liver was significantly prevented by bixin treatment. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we can conclude that the protective effect of bixin against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 is related to the antioxidant activity of the compound.

Absence of antimutagenicity of Cochlospermum regium (Mart. and Schr.) Pilger 1924 by micronucleus test in mice

Cochlospermum regium (Mart. and Schr.) Pilger, popularly known as "algodãozinho do campo", is a medicinal plant that grows in the Cerrado of Brazil. This plant has been used in traditional medicine against various diseases such as leucorrhoea, gastritis and ulcers. It has also been effective in treating skin problems like pimples, boils and blotches. In the present study, the in vivo antimutagenicity of aqueous extract of C. regium was evaluated. The Micronucleus Test was performed in polychromatic erythrocytes from Swiss male mice treated with one of the four doses of extract of the plant (19, 38, 76 and 114 mg.kg-1 body weight), administered by intraperitonial injection (i.p.) simultaneously with cyclophosphamide (24 mg.kg-1 b.w.) or mitomycin C (4 mg.kg-1 b.w.). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes ratio (PCE/NCE). The results showed no significant reduction of the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes frequency (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the data indicate that C. regium roots aqueous extract, for the conditions used, did not exhibit the antimutagenic effect.

Cochlospermum regium (Mart. & Schr.) Pilger, conhecido popularmente como "algodãozinho-do-campo", é uma planta medicinal que cresce no Cerrado brasileiro. Esta planta tem sido utilizada na medicina tradicional contra várias doenças como leucorréia, gastrites e úlceras. Esta também tem se mostrado efetiva no tratamento de doenças de pele como espinhas, furúnculos e manchas. No presente estudo, foi avaliada a antimutagenicidade do extrato aquoso de C. regium pelo Teste do Micronúcleo in vivo. Este ensaio foi realizado em eritrócitos policromáticos de camundongos machos Swiss tratados com quatro concentrações diferentes do extrato da planta (19, 38, 76 e 114 mg.kg-1 por peso corpóreo), administrado por injeção intraperitonial (i.p.) simultaneamente com ciclofosfamida (24 mg.kg-1 p.c.) ou mitomicina C (4 mg.kg-1 p.c.). A citotoxicidade foi avaliada pela razão eritrócitos policromáticos e normocromáticos (PCE/NCE). Os resultados obtidos não mostraram redução significativa da freqüência de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, os resultados indicam que o extrato aquoso de raiz de C. regium, para as condições utilizadas, não exibiu efeito antimutagênico.

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of bixa orellana in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated to benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of Bixa Orellana (BO) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presenting moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. One thousand four hundred and seventy eight patients presenting moderate LUTS associated to BPH were interviewed, from whom we selected 136 to fulfill the criteria of inclusion and exclusion. Assignation was performed at random in blocks of four to receive B0 at a dose of 250 mg 3 times a day or placebo (Pbo) for 12 months, 68 patients were assigned to each group. From the patients in the study we obtained data of demographic, epidemiologic, symptom score, uroflowmetry and post void residual urine variables. RESULTS: Basically both groups were compared clinically, demographically and biochemically. Throughout the study variations of symptom score, mean delta symptom score during each visit and the final average delta were similar for both groups (BO - 0.79 ± 1.87 and Pbo - 1.07 ± 1.49) (p = 0.33). Similarly variations of Qmax mean, Qmax average delta and final average delta were similar (BO 0.44 ± 1.07 and Pbo 0.47 ± 1.32) (p = 0.88). Variations of post void residual urine mean, post void residual urine average delta in each visit and the final average delta were similar for both groups (BO 4.24 ± 11.69 and Pbo 9.01 ± 18.66) (p = 0.07). No differences were found in the answers of clinically significant improvement assessed with relative risk and risk differences, even though the proportion of adverse effects was similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with BPH that present moderate LUTS did not show any benefit receiving BO when compared to placebo.

Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic potential of an annatto pigment (norbixin) against oxidative stress

Carotenoids are 40-carbon molecules with conjugated double bonds, making them particularly effective for quenching free radicals. They have always been believed to possess anticancer properties, which could be due to their antioxidant potential. Norbixin is an unusual dicarboxylic water-soluble carotenoid present as a component in the pericarp of the seeds of Bixa orellana L. (from the Bixaceae family), a tropical shrub commonly found in Brazil. The main carotenoids present in these seeds, bixin and norbixin, form a coloring material, known as annatto, which is mainly used in the food industry. As annatto is only used as a coloring material, most studies of annatto pigments have focused on the determination of annatto levels in food. However, little attention has been given to the biological properties of bixin and norbixin. We evaluated the effect of norbixin on the response of Escherichia coli cells to DNA damage induced by UV radiation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anions (O2*-)) and found that norbixin protects the cells against these agents. Norbixin enhanced survival at least 10 times. The SOS induction by UVC was inhibited 2.3 times more when cells were grown in the presence of norbixin. We also found that norbixin has antimutagenic properties, with a maximum inhibition of H2O2-induced mutagenic activity of 87%, based on the Salmonella mutagenicity test

Atividade antimicrobiana de Bixa orellana L. (Urucum) / Antimicrobial activity from Bixa orellana L. (Urucum)

Realizou-se o estudo da atividade antimicrobiana de tinturas de bixa orellana L., conhecida popularmente como "urucum". As tinturas foram testadas pelo método de difusão em ágar e apresentaram atividade antibacteriana, mas foram inativas sobre as cepas de Cryptococcus neoformans e Candida albicans. Verificou-se, por triagem fitoquímica, a presença de saponinas, flavonóides, taninos, alcalóides e esteróides.

Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts from plant parts and corresponding calli of Bixa orellana L.

Ethanol extracts from the different parts of B. orellana showed differential antimicrobial activity. It was found that the extracts of in vitro leaves showed maximum activity against Bacillus pumilus followed by the extracts from the roots and hypocotyls. The callus derived from different explants too showed antimicrobial activity. The leaf callus showed maximum activity. The zone of inhibition for the diluted extracts of in vitro hypocotyls and roots and their corresponding calli showed minimum zone of inhibition at concentration 24 mg/ml, whereas the diluted extract of in vitro leaves and leaf derived callus showed minimum zone of inhibition at 16 mg/ml.