Pharmacological importance of Manilkara zapota and its bioactive constituents / Importancia farmacologica de Manilkara zapota y sus constituyentes bioactivos

Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae), commonly known as Sapodilla, is widely known for its delicious fruit. Various parts of this plant are also used in folk medicine to treat a number of conditions including fever, pain, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhage and ulcers. Scientific studies have demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, anti-hypercholesteremic, antihyperglycemic and hepatoprotective activities in several parts of the plant. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of phenolic compounds including protocatechuic acid quercitrin, myricitrin, catechin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, etc. as main constituents of the plant. Several fatty acids, carotenoids, triterpenes, sterols, hydrocarbons and phenylethanoid compounds have also been isolated from M. zapota. The present review is a comprehensive description focused on pharmacological activities and phytochemical constituents of M. zapota.

Manilkara zapota (Sapotaceae), comúnmente conocida como Sapodilla, es ampliamente conocida por su delicioso fruto. Variadas partes de esta planta se usan en medicina popular para tratar una serie de afecciones, como fiebre, dolor, diarrea, disentería, hemorragia y úlceras. Estudios científicos han demostrado actividad analgésica, antiinflamatoria, antioxidante, citotóxica, antimicrobiana, antidiarreica, antihipercolesterolémica, antihiperglucémica y hepatoprotectora en diferentes partes de la planta. Los estudios fitoquímicos han revelado la presencia de compuestos fenólicos que incluyen ácido protocatechúico, quercitrina, miricitrina, catequina, ácido galico, ácido vanílico, ácido cafeico, ácido sirínico, ácido cumárico, ácido fúnico y ácido ferúlico como componentes principales de la planta. Varios ácidos grasos, carotenoides, triterpenos, esteroles, hidrocarburos y compuestos feniletanoides también han sido aislados de M. zapota. La presente revisión es una descripción exhaustiva centrada en las actividades farmacológicas y los constituyentes fitoquímicos de M. zapota.

Enhancement of pigment extraction from B. braunii pretreated using CO2 rapid depressurization

Abstract Extraction of compounds from microalgae requires cell disruption as a pretreatment to increase extraction yield. Botryococcus braunii is a microalga with a significant content of carotenoids and other antioxidant compounds, such as chlorophylls. Cell disruption of B. braunii using CO2 rapid depressurization was studied as a pretreatment for the extraction of carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments. We studied the effect of temperature (21–49 °C) and pressure (6–13 MPa) during static compression on pigment recovery with supercritical CO2 at 40 °C, 30 MPa and solvent flow of 4.7 L NPT/min. Within the experimental region, the extraction yield of carotenoids and chlorophylls increased by 2.4- and 2.2-fold respectively. Static compression conditions of high pressure and low temperature increased the extraction of carotenoids and especially chlorophylls. We selected 21 °C and 13 MPa as the cell disruption condition, which produced 1.91 g/kg d.s. of carotenoids and 14.03 mg/kg d.s. of chlorophylls. Pretreated microalga gave a 10-fold higher chlorophyll extraction yield compared to the untreated sample. While for carotenoids and tocopherols were 1.25 and 1.14-fold higher, respectively. Additionally, antioxidant activity of pretreated microalga (33.22 mmol TE/kg oil) was significantly higher than the value for the untreated samples (29.11 mmol TE/kg oil) (p ≤ 0.05). Confocal microscopy images showed morphological differences between micro-colonies with and without disruption treatment, suggesting that partial cell disruption by rapid depressurization improved the extraction of microalga compounds.

Carotenoid extraction from the gonad of the scallop Nodipecten nodosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bivalvia: Pectinidae) / Extração de carotenóides da gônada da vieira Nodipecten nodosus (Bivalvia: Pectinidae)

In marine bivalve mollusks, unsaturated molecules called carotenoids are present in the natural diet and play an important role in different biological process, especially in reproduction. In order to gain more insights into these compounds in Nodipecten nodosus it was necessary to develop a suitable protocol for extraction of carotenoids from the gonads. Female gonads of cultured scallops (75 mm length) were lyophilized and macerated in liquid N2. To verify the effect of composition in organosolvents on the extracting solutions, two organic solvents were tested: acetone and hexane (Ac = O:Hex) at four ratios, 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, and 2:3, in four static extraction times: 0, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Total carotenoids and astaxanthin contents were determined in the crude extracts by UV-visible spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Triplicate aliquots of 50 mg were used for each treatment. The results indicated that the best single extraction (0.312 ± 0.016 µg carotenoids/mg) was attained with Ac = O: Hex 1:3, for 15 minutes. Through exhaustive extraction methodology (10x), a superior yield (0.41 ± 0.001 µg carotenoids/mg) was obtained from a gonad sample in comparison to the highest value found for a single extraction. Astaxanthin content was reduced by 8.6 percent in carotenoid extract preservation assay, i.e., -18 °C, 26 days incubation, under N2 atmosphere.

Em moluscos bivalves marinhos, carotenóides insaturados estão presentes na dieta natural, com um importante papel em diversos processos biológicos, em especial na reprodução. A elucidação dos efeitos destes compostos em Nodipecten nodosus requer o desenvolvimento de um protocolo adequado para a extração de carotenóides das gônadas desses animais. Para isso, gônadas de vieiras cultivadas (75 mm de comprimento) foram liofilizadas e maceradas em N2 líquido. Amostras em triplicata com 50 mg foram coletadas para a utilização em cada tratamento. Os conteúdos de carotenóides totais e astaxantina foram determinados via espectrofotometria de luz UV-visível e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE), respectivamente. O efeito da composição em organosolventes das soluções de extração foi testado utilizando-se acetona (Ac = O) e hexano (Hex) em quatro proporções (Ac = O:Hex): 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, e 2:3; em quatro tempos de extração: 0, 5, 10, e 15 minutos. Os resultados mostraram que o melhor rendimento de extração (0,312 ± 0,016 µg carotenóides/mg) foi obtido com Ac = O:Hex, 1:3, por 15 minutos. Com a utilização de protocolo de extração exaustiva (10x), uma quantidade superior (0,41 ± 0,001 µg de carotenóides/mg) foi obtida de amostras de gônada, comparativamente aos valores obtidos em extrações únicas. O conteúdo de astaxantina foi reduzido em 8,6 por cento em testes de preservação deste metabólito em extratos crus (-18 °C, 26 dias de incubação em atmosfera de N2).

Selection and characterization of carotenoid-producing yeasts from Campinas region, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to select and identify yeasts from Brazil capable of producing carotenoids. Pigmented yeasts were isolated from soil, leaves, fruits, flowers and a processed product. The samples were incubated at 30°C in Erlenmeyer flasks, containing YM broth. After 48 hours, they were inoculated in Petri dishes with YM agar, and incubated at 30°C during 120 hours. The yeast colonies, which presented yellow to red coloration, were transferred to culture tubes containing YM agar, and incubated at 30°C for 72 hours. Out of 242 samples, only five had yellow to red color at high intensity. These highly pigmented yeasts were re-isolated in Petri dishes with YM agar and then transferred to tubes with GPYM agar. Identification through morphological and reproduction characteristics, along with physiological and biochemical tests, classified four strains as R. mucilaginosa and one strain as R. graminis. The main carotenoids extracted from them were identified through HPLC analysis as beta-carotene and torulene. The strains showed potential as promising microorganisms for the commercial production of carotenoids.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo selecionar e identificar leveduras encontradas no Brasil capazes de produzir carotenóides. As leveduras pigmentadas foram isoladas de amostras de solos, folhas, frutos, flores e um alimento processado. As amostras foram colocadas em frascos de erlenmeyer, contendo meio de Extrato de Malte e Levedura (YM), e incubadas a 30°C. Após 48 horas, as amostras foram inoculadas em placas de petri contendo meio YM ágar e incubadas a 30°C por 120 horas. As colônias, que apresentaram coloração entre amarelo e vermelho, foram transferidas para os tubos de culturas, contendo meio YM ágar e incubadas a 30°C por 72 horas. Das 242 amostras, somente cinco delas apresentaram coloração intensa entre amarelo e vermelho. Estas colônias de leveduras foram reisoladas, em placas de petri contendo YM ágar e, posteriormente, transferidas para tubos de ensaios contendo GPYM ágar. A identificação das leveduras, baseada nas características morfológicas, de reprodução, além dos testes fisiológicos e bioquímicos, classificou quatro linhagens como Rhodotorula mucilaginosa e uma como Rhodotorula graminis. Os principais pigmentos extraídos destas linhagens foram identificados através da análise de cromatografia de alta eficiência como beta-caroteno e toruleno. As linhagens de leveduras mostraram potencial como microrganismos promissores para a produção comercial de carotenóides por fermentação.

Extraction of astaxanthin esters from shrimp waste by chemical and microbial methods

The carotenoid pigments specifically astaxanthin has many significant applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The goal of this research was the extraction of Astaxanthin from a certain Persian Gulf shrimp species waste [Penaeus semisulcatus], purification and identification of the pigment by chemical and microbial methods. Microbial fermentation was obtained by inoculation of two Lactobacillus species Lb. plantarum and Lb. acidophilus in the medium culture containing shrimp waste powder by the intervention of lactose sugar, yeast extract, the composition of Both and the coolage [-20°C]. The carotenoids were extracted by an organic solvent system. After purification of astaxanthin with the thin layer chromatography method by spectrophotometer, NMR and IR analysis the presence of astaxanthin esters was recognized in this specific species of Persian Gulf shrimp. Results obtained from this study showed that the coolage at -20°C not only does not have an amplifiying effect on the production of astaxanthin but also slightly reduces this effect. Also the effect of intervention of lactose sugar showed more effectiveness in producing astaxanthin than yeast extract or more than with the presence of both. The results also indicated that there is not much difference in the ability of producing the pigment by comparing both Lb. plantarum and Lb. acidophillus. Also results showed the microbial method of extraction of astaxanthin is more effective than chemical method. The pigment extracted from certain amount of shrimp powder, 23.128 mg/g, was calculated

Composiçäo de carotenóides em nectarina (PRUNUS PERSICA) brasileira / Carotenoide composition of Brazilian nectarine (Prunus persica)

Foi determinada pela primeira vez a composiçäo de carotenóides de nectarina (Prunus persica). Onze carotenóides foram identificados: 13-cis-B-caroteno, trans-B-caroteno, 9-cis-B-caroteno, trans-$-caroteno, neo-B-criptoxantina, trans-luteína, trans-zeaxantina, trans-violaxantina, trans-mutatoxantina e trans-auroxantina. O principal carotenóide foi a trans-B-criptoxantina (3,9 mais ou menos 0,7 ug/g), perfazendo 40,6(por cento) do total de carotenóides (9,6 mais ou menos 0,7 ug/g), seguida pela trans-zeaxantina (1,6 mais ou menos 0,3 ug/g) trnas-luteína (1,1 mais ou menos 0,2 u/g) e trans-B-caroteno (1,0 mais ou menos 0,2 ug/g). O valor de vitamina A, proveniente de isômeros cis e trans da b-criptoxantina e do B-caroteno foi de 54 mais ou menos 5 ER/100g. A composiçäo de carotenóides de nectarina mostrou-se muito semelhante a do pessêgo, fato esperado já que estas frutas pertencem à mesma família

Determinación de beta-carotenos en extractos oleosos por cromatografía líquida de alta presión / Determination of beta-carotenos in oily extracts by high pressure liquid cchromatography

Se utilizó un método por cromatrografía líquida de alta resolución para cuantificar beta-caroteno en extractos oleosos. Las muestras se disolvieron en tetrahidrofurano estabilizado y se inyectaron en una columna de Spherisorb S5 ODS 1 fase reversa, con una fase móvil de acetonitrilo/tetrahidrofurano/agua (85:12,5:2,5). La detección se realizó con detector UV a 450 nm. No se presentaron interferencias para la identificación de los beta-carotenos y se logró la separación de varios de sus esteroisómeros presentes

Carotenoid composition and vitamin A value of a squash and a pumpkin from northeastern Brazil

Se determinó la composición en carotenoides de dos tipos de calabazas de la región noreste del Brasil. Se detectaron 19 carotenoides en la variedad "Baianinha" de Cucurbita moschata, en la que el principal carotenoide es el ß-caroteno, representando alrededor de 74% del promedio de 317.8µg/g de carotenoide total. En la variedad "Jerimum Caboclo", de la especie C. maxima, se encontraron 11 carotenoides, de los cuales luteína y ß-caroteno representan aproximadamente 60 y 27%, respectivamente, del promedio total de 7.4µg/g. La abundancia de ß-caroteno en la variedad "Baianinha" de C. moschata hacen de esta calabaza una de las más ricas fuentes conocidas de pro-vitamina A. El promedio de valor de viatmina A fue de 43,145 (Unidades Internacionales) UI por 100g, o 4,317 ER (equivalentes de retino) por 100g. Su valor vitamínico A es más de 11 veces el de la variedad "Jerimum Caboclo" de C. maxima, y más de cinco veces el valor del cultivar "Menina Verde" de C. moschata, la calabaza que anteriormente se conocía como la de mayor contenido de pro-vitamina A, entre las calabazas comercializadas em Säo Paulo, región sureste del país