Profile of phenolic compounds in jabuticaba (Myrciaria sp.) a potential functional ingredient.

Phenolic compounds have attracted a lot of attention due to their benefits to human health. Jabuticaba (Myrciaria sp.) fruit has been described as an excellent source of these compounds, while Jabuticaba leaf, considered as plant residue, has shown functional effects. The present study aimed to characterize the phenolic profile in two different leaves extracts (hydroalcoholic ethanol and butanol) of Myrciaria sp. by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MSE. A total of 40 phenolic compounds were tentatively identified. Jabuticaba leaf extracts presented a rich and diversified composition of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, being ellagic acid, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin the most abundant in butanol extracts. Very distinct phenolic profiles were obtained depending on the the solvent indicating that specific preparations can be obtained from the jabuticaba leaf depending on the desired application. This work emphasized the potential of this residue vegetable to be used as a functional ingredient.

Spray-drying wall materials: relationship with bioactive compounds.

The encapsulation by spray drying is a common method of encapsulation on the food industry. Many biopolymers are described on the literature as wall materials for this purpose. As different wall materials are applied on spray drying, it is necessary to know their physicochemical characteristics. In view of the different applications for this technology, the objective of the present study is to discuss the physicochemical characteristics of several wall materials used in encapsulation of bioactive compounds by spray drying for human consumption. Among all biopolymers make blends of carbohydrate-based and protein-based biopolymers seems to be the better way to encapsulate bioactive compounds, especially when using vegetable proteins in view of reach a less allergenic product.

Potential prebiotic effect of fruit and vegetable byproducts flour using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Fruit and vegetable byproducts (FVBP) present high content of bioactive compounds and dietary fibers and have demonstrated a positive modulatory effect upon gut microbiota composition. In the present study, the prebiotic potential of a FVBP flour obtained from solid byproducts after fruit and vegetable processing was evaluated after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. An initial screening with three strains of Lactobacillus (Lactobacillus casei 01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus R11 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5®) and one Bifidobacterium strain (Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis BB12®) was carried out and then the prebiotic effect of FVBP flour was performed with fecal samples of five donors. The changes in gut microbiota were evaluated at 0, 12, 24 and 48 h of fermentation by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method with 16S rRNA-based specific primers. The pH and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production at each fermentation time were assessed. The fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were used as positive control. The impact of FVBP flour upon cell viability was also evaluated. FVBP flour showed higher prebiotic effect than FOS on growth enhancement of Lactobacillus after 48 h of fermentation and similar bifidogenic effect as FOS on Bifidobacterium growth at 12, 24 and 48 h of fermentation. SCFA production was observed when FVBP flour was used as carbon source, including butyrate, which supports the prebiotic potential of this flour. Additionally, it was observed that after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the FVBP flour at 3% promoted cell metabolism of Caco-2 cell line up to 67%. Thus, the present study demonstrates the viability of using a fruit and vegetable byproducts flour as a potential sustainable prebiotic source.

Chemical speciation: an instrument for evaluation of mineral bioavailability / Especiação química - uma ferramenta para avaliação da biodisponibilidade de minerais em alimentos

Chemical speciation allows knowing the the different chemical forms of metals in a sample. Sequential extraction procedures are used to evaluate the fractionation of the metals in solid matrices. Few studies are described in the literature related to chemical speciation in food. Residues from fruits and vegetables generated in industry processes results in significant nutritional losses. The nutritional value of a food containing a given mineral depends not only on its content, but also on its bioavailability. The present paper emphasizes the importance of chemical speciation in food, considering the amount of loss of fruits and vegetables, since they are great sources of minerals.

A especiação química permite conhecer as diferentes formas químicas de minerais em uma matriz. A extração sequencial identifica as diferentes frações químicas que um metal está na amostra. Há pouco relato na literatura da aplicação da extração sequencial em alimentos. Muitos resíduos de frutas e hortaliças são gerados em processos industriais caracterizando perda nutricional significativa. O valor nutricional dos minerais em um alimento está relacionado à quantidade deste e à sua biodisponibilidade. O presente estudo enfatiza a aplicação da extração sequencial em alimentos para melhor aproveitamento de resíduos de frutas e hortaliças, que são fontes de minerais.