ABSTRACT
We evaluate the flour obtained from the residue of turmeric dye extraction, designated turmeric flour, as a protective coating to extend banana (Musa acuminata) shelf life. The coating formulation consists of 6 g of turmeric flour/100 g of solution and 30 g of glycerol/100 g of turmeric flour, produced by immersion. We also investigate how the coating affects banana weight loss, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids and reducing sugars contents, and peel color along 15 days of storage at 27 ± 2 °C and 65% RH. Coatings based on turmeric flour display good antioxidant activity, which is attributed to the presence of curcuminoids, mainly curcumin. These coatings delay weight loss, color development, and firmness reduction, and they afford lower acidity and sugars content in coated bananas as compared to control bananas. Compared to uncoated samples, turmeric flour-based coatings extend the original characteristics of bananas stored at 27 °C by 3 days.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in the detection of coronary artery disease in patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB). METHODS: Thirty one patients (24 male, 62.3 +/- 10.5 years) with RBBB, submitted to myocardial perfusion scintigraphy associated with exercise (n = 7) or dipyridamole (n = 24) and previous cinecoronariography were studied retrospectively. Left ventricle scintigraphic image was divided in three segments corresponding to the three main epicardic coronary territories in a total of 93 segments. Cineangiographic and scintigraphic data were then compared according to the different artery territories. RESULTS: Twenty three patients had significant lesions (> or = 60%) in one or more coronary arteries and eight had no obstruction. Forty nine segments were irrigated by normal coronary arteries and 44 were related to arteries that had significant lesions. Twenty out of twenty three patients showed alterations in perfusion (sensitivity = 87%). All patients without coronary obstructions showed normal perfusion scintigraphy (specificity = 100%). One of the segments perfused by normal coronaries showed abnormal scintigraphy. Scintigraphy showed perfusion defects in 29 out of 44 segments with coronary obstructions. Sensitivity and specificity of the method for each arterial territory were 72% and 100% (left descending coronary artery), 67% and 94% (right coronary artery), 55% and 100% (circunflex coronary artery), respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of RBBB does not modify the sensitivity and specificity of the method in the detection of coronary artery disease.
