Nutritional, chemical and functional potential of Inga laurina (Fabaceae): A barely used edible species.

Inga laurina is a plant species which produces edible fruits, and until now there is little information available concerning its nutritional, chemical and bioactive composition. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the proximate composition and mineral contents in its fruit (peel, pulp and seed), that is the traditionally consumed part. The seeds obtained the highest protein (19.52 g/100 g), carbohydrate (22.5 g/100 g) and mineral contents, mainly Cu, Cr, P, Mn, Se and Zn. The peel and pulp were excellent sources of fiber (4.5 and 11.05 g/100 g) as well as mineral content, with Cr and Cu standing out in the pulp. This study is notably the first to provide a detailed assessment of the nutritional compositions of traditionally consumed and not consumed parts of this fruit. Sensory analysis of the pulp was also performed, which indicated good acceptance. The antioxidant properties were characterized in the fruit, peels and leaves. The ABTS test showed that leaf supernatant hydroethanolic crude extract (EC50 = 2.70 µg/mL) and its corresponding ethyl acetate (EC50 = 1.68 µg/mL) and butanol (EC50 = 2.48 µg/mL) partitions presented higher antioxidant potential compared to the control Ginkgo biloba (EC50 = 12.17 µg/mL). The most active precipitate extract regarding DPPH was from the peel (EC50 = 13.30 µg /mL) and the most active partition was the ethyl acetate (EC50 = 13.37 µg/mL), both with better activity compared to the control Ginkgo biloba (EC50 = 46.97 µg/mL). The ethyl acetate partition (EC50 = 13.45 µg/mL) and butanol partition (EC50 = 7.97 µg/mL) from the leaves showed the highest antioxidant capacity. Thus, extracts and partitions from the peels and leaves were studied from a phytochemical point of view due to presenting the best results for antioxidant capacity. The presence of phenolic compounds such as myricetin-3-O-rhamnopyranoside, myricetin-3-O-(2″-O-galloyl)-rhamnopyranoside and myricetin-3-O-(2″,4″-di-O-galloyl)-arabinopentoside-methyl ether were observed in the leaf crude extract and polar partitions, being reported for the first time in the Inga genus and Fabaceae family. Moreover, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-galatoctoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-(2″-O-galloyl)-rhamnoside, and quercetin tri-hexose were identified in the peel crude extract and ethyl acetate partition, in which the galloyl derivative of quercetin was identified for the first time in I. laurina fruit peels. GC-MS enabled separating and identifying substances such as palmitic and stearic acids, and ethyl oleate. It is possible to conclude that I. laurina pulp can be a supplementary food as a source of phenolic compounds, and the other organs of the plant (leaves and peel) are rich in flavonoids with great antioxidant capacity, making this species a promising source of antioxidants.

Evaluation of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions of Ocotea notata (Ness) Mez (Lauraceae).

The specie Ocotea notata (Nees & Mart). Mez is a tree with 5 meters high, that can be found in restinga regions in the Brazilian coast. This study describes a phytochemical investigation, total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions by DPPH and ORAC. Phenolic content revealed equivalent concentration between evaluated samples, similar to found in the leave extract (66.4 mEq GA/g). By DPPH, extracts and fractions showed effective concentration (EC50) lower than the standards Ginkgo biloba 761® (23.60 ± 0.64 µg/ml) and quercetin (6.06 ± 0, 92 µg/mL); for the ORAC method, ethyl acetate partition showed a value of 2.06 mmol Trolox equivalent g-1 better than obtained in Ginkgo biloba (1.03 ± 0.25 mmol.Trolox equivalent g-1. The butanol partition (0.52 mmol.Trolox equivalent g-1) and the aqueous residue (0.74 mmol Trolox equivalent g-1) have a lesser ORAC potential than ethyl acetate partition. The butanolic partition, investigated by LC-DAD-MS/MS and QTOF-MS, revealed six major compounds: miquelianin (1), isoquercitrin (2), quercitrin (3), kaempferol-3-O-pentose (4), afzelin (5) and isorhamnetin-glucuronide (6).

Rutin derivatives obtained by transesterification reactions catalyzed by Novozym 435: Antioxidant properties and absence of toxicity in mammalian cells.

Flavonoids are one of the most important and diversified phenolic groups among products of natural origin. An important property of this metabolite class is the antioxidant action. This study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and oxidative stress of transesterification products of the flavonoid rutin, catalyzed by Novozym® 435. The presence of monoacetate and diacetate was confirmed by quantitative evaluation of the retention times (rutin, 15.68 min; rutin monoacetate, 18.14 min; and rutin diacetate, 18.57 min) and by the data from LC-MS and NMR 1H and 13C. The experiment showed excellent conversion values of 96% in total acetates (rutin monoacetate and diacetate). These results confirmed that rutin derivatives have antioxidant potential, as evaluated by the ORAC method (rutin standard: 0.53 ± 0.08 µM Trolox/g and rutin derivatives: 2.33 ± 1.08 µM Trolox/g) and also show low cytotoxicity in human and animal cells. Rutin derivatives reduced the production of reactive oxygen species in RAW macrophages as well. Many qualities attributed to rutin derivatives make them promising potential candidates for use as nutraceuticals, including their high amounts of antioxidants, biological potential and low toxicity, which contribute to the reduction of oxidative stress.

A saúde no diálogo com a vida cotidiana: a experiência do trabalho educativo com idosos no grupo roda da saúde / Health in the dialogue with daily life: experience of an educational work with an elderly population of the roda da saúde group

Ações educativas em promoção da saúde no envelhecimento são um dos eixos de atuação do Núcleo de Atenção ao Idoso da Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade/UERJ, no sentido de orientação do serviço pelo norte de integralidade da atenção à saúde e fomento da participação popular. Baseadas em premissas da Educação Popular em Saúde, diversas atividades grupais e de comunicação em saúde são desenvolvidas com objetivo de ampliar espaços de interação e participação no âmbito assistencial. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a proposta metodológica do grupo aberto Roda da Saúde e apontar alguns dados de avaliação do trabalho. O grupo caracteriza-se como "chá da tarde" e a dinâmica dos encontros busca estimular a reflexão e a produção coletiva sobre temas relacionados à saúde e qualidade de vida. A programação é definida no próprio grupo, com temas emergentes no processo e/ou sugeridos pelos participantes. A experiência tem sido valiosa para profissionais e idosos pela partilha de saberes e a construção de vínculos. Espera-se que a proposta educativa, exemplificada em sua dinâmica, possa servir de referência ao desenvolvimento do potencial dos serviços de saúde para práticas articuladas, criativas e politizantes, centradas no usuário e no direito à vida.

Educational initiatives towards health promotion of theelderly population, one of the aims of the Division for theCare of the Elderly Population, of the Rio de Janeiro StateUniversity, aim to promote integral health care and fosterpopular participation. Based on the principles of PopularHealth Education, several group and health communicationactivities are developed to increase interaction andparticipation in health care. The objective of this articleis to present the methodological approach of the Rodada Saúde open group and discuss some assessment data.The group characterizes itself as an ?afternoon tea?, andthe dynamics of the meetings are designed to stimulatethe reflection and collective production on issues relatedto health and quality of life. The agenda is defined by thegroup itself, with issues arising during the process and/orbeing suggested by the participants. The experience hasbeen invaluable for professionals and elders alike, due toknowledge sharing and link building. We expect that thiseducational proposal, herein exemplified by its dynamics,may serve as a reference to the development of the fullpotential of articulated, creative and empowering healthservices, centered on the users and the right to life.