Yogurt Fortification by the Addition of Microencapsulated Stripped Weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa) Protein Hydrolysate.

The aim of the present work was to fortify yogurt by adding a stripped weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa) protein hydrolysate obtained with the enzyme Protamex and microencapsulated by spray drying, using maltodextrin (MD) as wall material. The effects on the physicochemical properties, syneresis, texture, viscoelasticity, antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities of yogurt after 1 and 7 days of storage were evaluated. In addition, microbiological and sensory analyses were performed. Four yogurt formulations were prepared: control yogurt (without additives, YC), yogurt with MD (2.1%, YMD), with the free hydrolysate (1.4%, YH) and the microencapsulated hydrolysate (3.5%, YHEn). Yogurts to which free and microencapsulated hydrolysates were added presented similar characteristics, such as a slight reduction in pH and increased acidity, with a greater tendency to present a yellow color compared with the control yogurt. Moreover, they showed less syneresis, the lowest value being that of YHEn, which also showed a slight increase in cohesiveness and greater rheological stability after one week of storage. All yogurts showed high counts of the microorganisms used as starters. The hydrolysate presence in both forms resulted in yogurts with antioxidant activity and potent ACE-inhibitory activity, which were maintained after 7 days of storage. The incorporation of the hydrolysate in the microencapsulated form presented greater advantages than the direct incorporation, since encapsulation masked the fishy flavor of the hydrolysate, resulting in stable and sensorily acceptable yogurts with antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities.

Cellulose fibers extracted from rice and oat husks and their application in hydrogel.

The commercial cellulose fibers and cellulose fibers extracted from rice and oat husks were analyzed by chemical composition, morphology, functional groups, crystallinity and thermal properties. The cellulose fibers from rice and oat husks were used to produce hydrogels with poly (vinyl alcohol). The fibers presented different structural, crystallinity, and thermal properties, depending on the cellulose source. The hydrogel from rice cellulose fibers had a network structure with a similar agglomeration sponge, with more homogeneous pores compared to the hydrogel from oat cellulose fibers. The hydrogels prepared from the cellulose extracted from rice and oat husks showed water absorption capacity of 141.6-392.1% and high opacity. The highest water absorption capacity and maximum stress the compression were presented by rice cellulose hydrogel at 25°C. These results show that the use of agro-industrial residues is promising for the biomaterial field, especially in the preparation of hydrogels.

Starch digestibility and molecular weight distribution of proteins in rice grains subjected to heat-moisture treatment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the heat-moisture treatment (HMT) applied to paddy rice grains on the physicochemical properties, in vitro starch digestibility, and molecular weight distribution of proteins in rice flour. The paddy rice grains were adjusted to 13%, 16%, and 18% moisture and autoclaved at 121°C for 30 and 60min. The HMT promoted a reduction of the amylose content, the swelling power, and the solubility of the rice flour. Changes in the relative crystallinity and molecular weight of the proteins extracted with a sodium phosphate buffer containing 2.0% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDDS) were observed in HMT samples. The different methods for the quantification of resistant starch resulted in distinct resistant starch contents. The HMT (18%-60min) promoted an increase in resistant starch content and the HMT (16%-60min) caused an increase in the slowly digestible starch in the rice flour.

Compliant surface after ACL reconstruction and its effects on gait / Superfície instável após reconstrução do LCA e seu efeito na marcha

Previous studies of gait analysis in patients following reconstructive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery have shown changes in kinematics, kinetics and energy patterns in the lower limb. Usually these patients perform complaint surface training during clinical treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in selected gait kinematic parameters following ACL reconstruction while walking on an unstable surface. We tested 16 subjects: eight patients who underwent ACL reconstruction, at four weeks after the surgical intervention; and eight healthy subjects (control group) matched by age and gender. Participants walked at a self-selected comfortable speed on an 8 m-walkway while sagittal plane kinematic data of the principal lower limb joints (hip, knee and ankle) were collected using 60-Hz cameras. We compared the joint angles under three conditions: (A) walking on stable ground, (B) walking on a foam mat (5 cm thick; 33 kg m-3 density) and (C) back at the normal ground. Results showed that ACL patients were slower and had smaller range of motion at all joints as compared to the control group under all conditions; however the repeated exposure to unstable surface may help changes in such patients. Further investigation is necessary to expand our understanding and may improve the development of more effective rehabilitation treatments.

Estudos avaliando a marcha em pacientes com reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) mostram diferenças em parâmetros cinemáticos, cinéticos e energéticos. É comum para estes pacientes realizar treinamento de marcha em superfícies instáveis durante o tratamento clinico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as mudanças em parâmetros cinemáticos específicos da marcha após a cirurgia de reconstrução do LCA quando caminhando em superfície instável. Foram testados 16 indivíduos: oito pacientes que realizaram a cirurgia de reconstrução do LCA com quatro semanas após a cirurgia; e oito indivíduos saudáveis (grupo controle) pareados por idade e gênero. Os participantes caminharam em velocidade confortável numa plataforma de 8 m enquanto os dados cinemáticos do plano sagital das articulações do membro inferior (quadril, joelho e tornozelo) eram obtidos com câmeras de 60 Hz. Foram comparados os ângulos articulares em três diferentes condições: (A) caminhando na superfície estável, (B) caminhando num colchão (5 cm de espessura e densidade de 33 kg m-3), e (C) de volta na superfície estável. Os resultados mostraram que os pacientes andaram mais devagar e apresentaram maior amplitude de movimento quando comparados ao grupo controle em todas as condições testadas, entretanto a exposição repetida a instabilidade pode auxiliar na promoção de mudanças neste tipo de paciente. Novos estudos são necessários para expandir nosso entendimento e talvez melhore o desenvolvimento de técnicas de reabilitação mais efetivas.