Bioaccessibility of some minerals in infant formulas.

To guarantee the adequate intake of nutrients a variety of food supplementation (including infant formulas) has been used to ensure the nutrition of infants. Considering that the total concentration of nutrients is not enough to determine whether the food provides all the nutritional needs, the objective of this study was to evaluate the total concentration and bioaccessibility of some elements in thirty commercial infant formulas consumed in Brazil. A standardized in vitro gastrointestinal digestion method was used to obtain the soluble fraction of each mineral, which was analyzed by ICP OES after microwave oxidative digestion to obtain the bioaccessibility values. The total concentration and the bioaccessibility of the elements varied considerably according to the sample type (traditional infant formulas, formulas for infants with gastrointestinal problems, formulas for premature and soy-based). The bioaccessibility values are 3-43% (Ca), 53-97% (Cu), 35-100% (Fe), 70-114% (K), 47-90% (Mg), 52-95% (P), 31-92% (Zn). In general, the total concentration values for the elements were higher than that declared by the manufacturers, also than the current legislation as well, regarding the DRI. Although these results, it is important to emphasize that the consumption of infant formulas can provide an adequate intake of minerals for the infants. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05215-0.

Short communication: Effects of different whey concentrations on physicochemical characteristics and viable counts of starter bacteria in dairy beverage supplemented with probiotics.

Fermented dairy beverages supplemented with the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis containing different concentrations of whey in their formulas (0, 20, 35, 50, 65, and 80%, vol/vol) were processed and checked for pH; proteolysis; levels of glucose, lactose, ethanol, acetic acid, lactic acid, diacetyl, and acetaldehyde; and lactic bacteria and probiotic counts. The results allowed the effect of whey concentration on the dairy beverages to be observed for each of the different parameters analyzed. The degree to which the whey concentration was useful for the microbial cultures, particularly probiotic cultures, appeared to have a limit. In general, dairy beverages processed with different levels of whey in their formulation exhibited good potential as a food matrix for supplementation with probiotic bacteria, with production of characteristic compounds of fermented milk products, such as volatiles and organic acids.

Probiotic yogurts manufactured with increased glucose oxidase levels: postacidification, proteolytic patterns, survival of probiotic microorganisms, production of organic acid and aroma compounds.

We investigated the effect of increased glucose oxidase concentration as a technological option to decrease oxidative stress during the processing of probiotic yogurts. Probiotic yogurts were produced with increased concentrations of glucose oxidase (0, 250, 500, 750, or 1,000 mg/kg) and submitted to physicochemical and microbiological analysis at 1, 15, and 30 d of refrigerated storage. Higher concentrations of glucose oxidase (750 and 1,000 mg/kg) and a longer storage time were found to have an influence on the characteristics of the probiotic yogurt, contributing to more extensive postacidification, an increase in the dissolved oxygen level, and higher proteolysis. In addition, increased production of aroma compounds (diacetyl and acetaldehyde) and organic acids (mainly lactic acid) and a decrease in the probiotic bacteria count were reported. The use of glucose oxidase was a feasible option to minimize oxidative stress in probiotic yogurts. However, supplementation with excessive amounts of the enzyme may be ineffective, because insufficient substrate (glucose) is present for its action. Consumer tests should be performed to evaluate changes in the sensory attributes of the probiotic yogurts with increased supplementation of glucose oxidase. In addition, packaging systems with different permeability to oxygen should be evaluated.

Xanthium strumarium L. antimicrobial activity and carboxyatractyloside analysis through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry / Atividade antimicrobiana e análise de carboxiatractilosideo por espectrometria de massas com ionização por electrospray de Xanthium strumarium L

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Xanthium strumarium L. leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens, as well as to investigate the presence of the toxic compound carboxyatractyloside in different plant parts. S. aureus and C. perfringens were more sensitive to non-polar than to polar fractions, and there was no difference between extracts for the remaining bacteria. All extracts had strong antimicrobial activity against the evaluated microorganisms. Carboxyatractyloside was found in cotyledons and seeds but not in adult leaves and burrs. Thus, only Xanthium strumarium leaves in adult stage can be used for medicinal purposes.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de folhas de Xanthium strumarium L. sobre os microrganismos Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella thyphimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Clostridium perfringens, bem como verificar a presença do composto tóxico carboxiatractilosideo em diferentes partes da planta. As bactérias S. aureus e C. perfringens foram mais sensíveis às frações não polares do que as polares, sendo que para as outras bactérias não foi verificada diferença entre os extratos. Todos os extratos apresentaram uma forte ação antimicrobiana sobre os microrganismos avaliados. O carboxiatractilosideo foi encontrado nos cotilédones e nas sementes da planta, entretanto, não foi encontrado nas folhas em estádio adulto e na carapaça espinhosa que envolve a semente. Portanto, somente as folhas de Xanthium strumarium na fase adulta podem ser utilizadas para o uso medicinal.

Simultaneous determination of B-group vitamins in enriched Brazilian dairy products.

In addition to serving as good natural sources of vitamin B(2), milk and milk products are currently being enriched with the vitamins B(1), B(2), B(6), and nicotinamide in Brazil. The objective of this research was to evaluate the levels of enrichment of these products according to their availability in supermarkets in the Campinas (SP, Brazil) region. The separation of the vitamins was carried out on a C 18 column with gradient elution with acetonitrile and aqueous phase. Detection of vitamins was effected in the ultraviolet region and quantification by an external standard. The levels of vitamin B(2) determined in powdered whole milk, skimmed milk powder, and one brand of flavored lactic beverage, were practically double those stated on the packages. The same occurred with vitamins B(6) and PP (nicotinic acid + nicotinamide), when determined in the same lactic beverage and with vitamin B(6), determined in acidified milk. The high levels of vitamin B(2), naturally present in whole milk, and the predominance of the free form, allowed for the determination of this vitamin in non-enriched milk.

Carotenoid composition and vitamin A value of Brazilian loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.).

Six sample lots of loquat commercialized in Campinas, Brazil were analyzed for their carotenoid composition beta-carotene (7.8 micrograms/g), zeta-carotene (0.1 micrograms/g), neurosporene (1.1 micrograms/g), beta-cryptoxanthin (4.8 micrograms/g), 5,6-monoepoxy-beta-cryptoxanthin (0.6 micrograms/g), violaxanthin (1.6 micrograms/g), (0.8 micrograms/g) and auroxanthin (0.9 micrograms/g) were identified beta-Carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin were the principal pigments, being responsible for 44% and 27%, respectively, of the total carotenoid content (17.6 micrograms/g). Both were also the principal contributors to the vitamin A value of 175 RE/100g. The carotenoid composition of the Brazilian loquat resembles that of the Japanese loquat variety Tanaka.

Absence of genotoxic effects of crude and refined red palm oil on mouse bone marrow cells

Red Palm Oil (RPO), extracted from fruits of Elaeis guineensis, is a complex mixture consisting of over 99 per cent glycerides and about 1 per cent non-glyceride compounds. Its orange-red colour is due to its high content of carotenoid pigments, mainly alpha- and beta-carotene. Based on the fact that palm oil is a rich source of provitamin A, and because it is largely consumed in North and Northeastern Brazil, we evaluated possible clastogenic and cytotoxic activities of this oil on mouse bone marrow cells in vivo, as well as the alpha- and beta-carotene content. The experiments were performed using samples of refined and crude palm oil, of which two different phases, supernatant, sediment, and the mixture of both, were tested. The animals were treated by gavage, at daily doses of 4.5 g/Kg, for five consecutive days, and killed 24 hours after the last treatment, for chromosome preparations. The negative control group was treated with corn oil. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and in mitotic index when the animals which received palm oil were compared with the negative control. The beta-carotene content was higher than that of alpha-carotene, and the supematant phase was the richest source of carotenoids. These findings suggest that RPO has no genotoxic effect.

Assessment of provitamin A determination by open column chromatography/visible absorption spectrophotometry.

Determination of provitamin A content by open column chromatography/visible absorption spectrophotometry is assessed using food samples of varying carotenoid composition. A general method consisting of extraction with acetone, transfer to petroleum ether, saponification (optional), concentration, separation on activated MgO:Hyflo Supercel column developed with 1 to 15% acetone in petroleum ether, and quantitation of individual provitamins spectrophotometrically demonstrates repeatability comparable with that of high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods. Overnight saponification (10% methanolic KOH, ambient temperature) does not degrade the provitamins and is unnecessary for kale, tomato, and squash; however, it is required for good separation of papaya carotenoids due to the presence of carotenol esters. The current Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method is found to be inappropriate because (1) the volume of extracting solvent is not adjusted to the type of sample; (2) the less active alpha- and gamma-carotene, alpha- and beta-cryptoxanthin, and 5,6-monoepoxy-beta-cryptoxanthin (50% active) are quantified as beta-carotene (100% active); (3) inactive carotenoids such as xi-carotene and zeinoxanthin are also quantified as beta-carotene.