Visceral and body adiposity are negatively associated with vitamin A nutritional status independently of Body Mass Index and recommended intake of vitamin A in Brazilian Women.

Vitamin A (VA) has a negative association with body mass index (BMI) since it is involved in the regulation of body adiposity via nuclear receptors. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between VA nutritional status and the way body adipose is stored, which is the aim of this cross-sectional analytical study with Brazilian adult women in different BMI classes with the intake of VA recommended. VA nutritional status was assessed by serum retinol and ß-carotene measurements, dietary intake, and diagnosis of night blindness (NB). Results: 268 women with mean age of 38.00±5.80 years. According to the BMI, 30.97% were normal weight, 14.18% overweight, 25.37% class I obesity, 14.55% class II, and 14.93% class III.The prevalence of low serum of ß-carotene, retinol, and presence of NB in the total sample was 73.5%, 45.9%, and 20.1%, respectively. A total of 86.7% of normal weight women had inadequate visceral adiposity index (VAI) and 41.0% had inadequate body adiposity index (BAI).VAI was the body adiposity marker with the highest association with low serum retinol and b-carotene concentrations (P<.001). There was presence of NB in 100% of cases of inadequacy of BAI (P<.001). High visceral and body adiposity were associated with compromised VA nutritional status regardless of BMI and the recommended intake of VA. Additional measures to assess body adiposity, and especially its distribution, may collaborate in clinical practice to identify women at risk of compromising their VA nutritional status even when they are classified as normal weight according to their BMI.

The Identification of SNPs in BCDO2 Gene for Skin Color in Chinese Indigenous Chicken

ABSTRACT A complete linkage disequilibrium between the SNP (SNP B) in BCDO2 gene and the yellow skin phenotype in European domestic chicken has been reported. Here, we genotyped the reported SNPs (SNP A, SNP B, and SNP C) of the BCDO2 gene in 183 Chinese Indigenous chickens from 11 breeds/populations, including 57 yellow, 17 white, and 109 black skin chickens. The frequency of all three SNPs were significantly different between yellow and white skin chickens (p 0.01). In black skin chickens, a high frequency of the heterozygous genotype (AG) in SNP A (0.51) and SNP B (0.48) was observed. A total of three haplotypes (AAA, AGA, and GAA) from these three SNPs were obtained. Frequencies of the proposed yellow skin-associated haplotype AGA in yellow skin, white skin, and black skin chickens were 0.81, 0.35, and 0.56, respectively. The results showed that the yellow skin phenotype of the evaluated birds has not been under selection, and that the BCDO2 gene in black skin chickens, evolutionally may undergo a transition phase from yellow to white skin chicken. We concluded that, the SNPs of BCDO2 gene not only can be used to determine whether the chicken was subjected to selection, but may also be used as a marker when selecting for the preferred skin color in chicken breeding programs.

The Identification of SNPs in BCDO2 Gene for Skin Color in Chinese Indigenous Chicken

ABSTRACT A complete linkage disequilibrium between the SNP (SNP B) in BCDO2 gene and the yellow skin phenotype in European domestic chicken has been reported. Here, we genotyped the reported SNPs (SNP A, SNP B, and SNP C) of the BCDO2 gene in 183 Chinese Indigenous chickens from 11 breeds/populations, including 57 yellow, 17 white, and 109 black skin chickens. The frequency of all three SNPs were significantly different between yellow and white skin chickens (p 0.01). In black skin chickens, a high frequency of the heterozygous genotype (AG) in SNP A (0.51) and SNP B (0.48) was observed. A total of three haplotypes (AAA, AGA, and GAA) from these three SNPs were obtained. Frequencies of the proposed yellow skin-associated haplotype AGA in yellow skin, white skin, and black skin chickens were 0.81, 0.35, and 0.56, respectively. The results showed that the yellow skin phenotype of the evaluated birds has not been under selection, and that the BCDO2 gene in black skin chickens, evolutionally may undergo a transition phase from yellow to white skin chicken. We concluded that, the SNPs of BCDO2 gene not only can be used to determine whether the chicken was subjected to selection, but may also be used as a marker when selecting for the preferred skin color in chicken breeding programs.(AU)

Atividade antioxidante de extratos de folhas de ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill. ) usando métodos espectrofotométricos e voltamétricos in vitro / Antioxidant activity of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill. ) leaves extracts using spectrophotometric and voltammetric assays in vitro

Atualmente tem crescido a busca por plantas como fontes naturais de antioxidantes. Plantas com esta propriedade podem ser utilizadas para melhorar a qualidade de alimentos, seja para fins nutritivos ou de conservação, como também para a prevenção de doenças relacionadas ao aparecimento de radicais livres. A Pereskia aculeata Mill. (Ora-pro-nóbis) é uma espécie da família Cactaceae e suas folhas são consumidas por muitas pessoas. Neste contexto, este trabalho estudou o teor de fenóis totais (método Folin-Ciocalteau) e de proantocianidinas (vanilina sulfúrica), correlacionando-os com a atividade antioxidante (radical DPPH, sistema b-caroteno/ácido linoleico e voltametria por pulso diferencial) de extratos em acetona 80%, etanol 70% e água das folhas da espécie P. aculeata Mill., apresentando o extrato em acetona 80% maior teor de fenóis totais e proantocianidinas. Com relação à atividade antioxidante frente ao radical DPPH, o extrato em acetona 80% se apresentou ligeiramente melhor que o em etanol 70%. A técnica de voltametria por pulso diferencial mostrou que o extrato em acetona 80% apresenta constituintes com maior potencial redutor que o extrato em etanol 70%. Os dados obtidos a partir da voltametria corroboram com os resultados obtidos pelo método tradicional de DPPH. Os extratos em etanol 70% e em água apresentaram melhor atividade antioxidante pelo sistema b-caroteno/ácido linoleico, o que sugere a presença de outra classe de compostos que atuam na inibição do b- caroteno. Portanto, as folhas da espécie Pereskia aculeata podem ser consideradas como fonte potencial de compostos antioxidantes.

Currently, the search for plants as natural sources of antioxidants has been growing because they can be used to improve the nutritive or preservation properties of food, as soon as for the prevention of diseases related to free radicals. The Pereskiaaculeata Mill. (Ora-pro-nóbis,) is a specie of Cactaceae family and its leaves are consumed by many people. In this context, this paper studied the total phenols (Folin-Ciocalteu) and proanthocyanidins (vanillin sulfuric) correlating with the antioxidant activity (DPPH, b-carotene/linoleic acid system and differential pulse voltammetry) of extracts of 80% acetone, 70% ethanol and water of Pereskiaaculeata Mill. leaves. The 80% acetone extract showed higher total phenols and proanthocyanidins. Regarding to the antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenger, the 80% acetone extract was slightly better than 70% ethanol extract. The differential pulse voltammetry technique displayed that the 80% acetone extract presented constituents with greater reducing potential than the ones presented in 70% ethanol extract, what can corroborate the results obtained. The 70% ethanol and water extracts has shown better antioxidant activity by b-carotene/linoleic acid system, what probably suggests the presence of another compounds classes that are responsible for the inhibition the b-carotene. Therefore, the Pereskiaaculeata Mill. showed that its leaves may be considered as a potential source of antioxidant compounds.

Composition, antioxidant capacity and quality of yellow passion fruit during storage / Composição, atividade antioxidante e qualidade do maracujáamarelo durante armazenamento

 In this work, the contents of phenolic compounds, B-carotene, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity (DPPH and TEAC methods) were determined in the yellow passion fruit juice during storage at 5 and 24 C, at intervals of 10 days. The fruit quality during storage was determined, and the parameters weight loss, wrinkles, skin color and pathogenic degradation index were used. Samples of fruit at maturity stage with the skin color predominantly green were used for the tests. The results showed that total phenolic compounds, B-carotene and antioxidant activity of the yellow passion fruit juice were not affected by storage temperature and the content of total phenolic compounds of the juice increased with storage time. It as demonstrated that the effects of high temperature during storage is much more evident and impacting the appearance of the fruit, which in the nutritional quality of the juice. The antioxidant activity of juice, expressed in kidnapping DPPH decreased during storage. Based on the microbiological quality, the shelf life of yellow passion fruit was extended to 20 days in refrigerated storage. 

Neste trabalho, os conteúdos de compostos fenólicos totais, B-caroteno, ácido ascórbico e a atividade antioxidante (pelos métodos DPPH e TEAC) foram determinados no suco do maracujá-amarelo durante o armazenamento a 5 e 24 ºC, em intervalos de 10 dias, durante 40 dias. A qualidade dos frutos foi determinada durante o armazenamento, tomando como parâmetros as variáveis perda de massa, enrugamento, cor da casca e o índice de degradação por patógenos. Amostras de frutos em estádio de maturação com a cor da casca predominantemente verde, em início de amarelecimento, foram utilizadas nos ensaios. Os teores de compostos fenólicos totais e B-caroteno, e a atividade antioxidante do suco do maracujá-amarelo não foram influenciados pela temperatura de armazenamento. O conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais do suco aumentou com o tempo de armazenamento. Os efeitos da temperatura de armazenamento foram mais evidentes e impactantes na aparência do fruto do que na qualidade nutricional do suco. A atividade antioxidante do suco, expressada em seqüestro do radical DPPH, diminuiu durante o armazenamento. Com base na qualidade microbiológica, a vida útil do maracujáamarelo se estendeu até 20 dias no armazenamento refrigerado.

Composition, antioxidant capacity and quality of yellow passion fruit during storage / Composição, atividade antioxidante e qualidade do maracujáamarelo durante armazenamento

In this work, the contents of phenolic compounds, B-carotene, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity (DPPH and TEAC methods) were determined in the yellow passion fruit juice during storage at 5 and 24 C, at intervals of 10 days. The fruit quality during storage was determined, and the parameters weight loss, wrinkles, skin color and pathogenic degradation index were used. Samples of fruit at maturity stage with the skin color predominantly green were used for the tests. The results showed that total phenolic compounds, B-carotene and antioxidant activity of the yellow passion fruit juice were not affected by storage temperature and the content of total phenolic compounds of the juice increased with storage time. It as demonstrated that the effects of high temperature during storage is much more evident and impacting the appearance of the fruit, which in the nutritional quality of the juice. The antioxidant activity of juice, expressed in kidnapping DPPH decreased during storage. Based on the microbiological quality, the shelf life of yellow passion fruit was extended to 20 days in refrigerated storage.

Neste trabalho, os conteúdos de compostos fenólicos totais, B-caroteno, ácido ascórbico e a atividade antioxidante (pelos métodos DPPH e TEAC) foram determinados no suco do maracujá-amarelo durante o armazenamento a 5 e 24 ºC, em intervalos de 10 dias, durante 40 dias. A qualidade dos frutos foi determinada durante o armazenamento, tomando como parâmetros as variáveis perda de massa, enrugamento, cor da casca e o índice de degradação por patógenos. Amostras de frutos em estádio de maturação com a cor da casca predominantemente verde, em início de amarelecimento, foram utilizadas nos ensaios. Os teores de compostos fenólicos totais e B-caroteno, e a atividade antioxidante do suco do maracujá-amarelo não foram influenciados pela temperatura de armazenamento. O conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais do suco aumentou com o tempo de armazenamento. Os efeitos da temperatura de armazenamento foram mais evidentes e impactantes na aparência do fruto do que na qualidade nutricional do suco. A atividade antioxidante do suco, expressada em seqüestro do radical DPPH, diminuiu durante o armazenamento. Com base na qualidade microbiológica, a vida útil do maracujáamarelo se estendeu até 20 dias no armazenamento refrigerado.

Capacidade antioxidante de frutas / Antioxidant capacity of the fruits

Extratos aquoso e acetônico de 15 frutas foram submetidos a ensaios para investigar a habilidade de seqüestrar o radical estável 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e a capacidade de inibir a oxidação em sistema modelo β-caroteno/ácido linoléico. Todas as frutas exibiram propriedade antioxidante, entretanto a ação foi diferenciada entre elas. O extrato aquoso da acerola, caju, mamão "Formosa", mamão Havaí, laranja pêra e goiaba foram os mais eficazes (superior a 70 por cento), enquanto que o do abacaxi, laranja cravo, manga rosa, melão espanhol, melão japonês, melão orange flesh e pinha apresentaram ação moderada (60-70 por cento) e o da manga espada e melancia exibiram a mais fraca capacidade de seqüestrar o radical DPPH. Os extratos acetônico da acerola, caju, pinha e goiaba exibiram uma forte capacidade de seqüestrar o radical DPPH (superior a 70 por cento). Em sistema modelo β-caroteno/ácido linoléico, o extrato aquoso da pinha e o acetônico da goiaba exibiram moderada capacidade antioxidante (60-70 por cento) enquanto que a acerola (extrato aquoso) e o mamão formosa (extrato acetônico) os menores percentuais. Frente à capacidade antioxidante exibida, as frutas podem ser apontadas como fontes de antioxidantes naturais, destacando-se a acerola, caju, mamão Formosa, mamão Havaí, goiaba, laranja pêra, e a pinha por terem apresentado uma potente capacidade antioxidante.

Aqueous and acetone extracts from 15 fruits have been screened for antioxidant activity using DPPH method and ß-carotene/linoleic acid model. All fruits studied showed antioxidant activity, but in different extent. Acerola, cashew-apple, papaya "formosa", papaya "solo", orange and guava showed the higher antioxidant activity (>70 percent) in DPPH method, followed by pineapple, bergamont, mango "rosa", melon "reticulares", melon "inodorus", melon "orange flesh" and sugar-apple aqueous extract (moderate, 60-70 percent) and mango "espada" and watermelon aqueous extract, the lowest activity. Acerola, cashew-apple, sugar-apple and guava acetone extracts exhibited higher scavenging activity toward DPPH radicals (>70 percent).β-carotene/linoleic acid model index of sugar-apple aqueous extract and guava acetone extract demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity (60-70 percent), meanwhile acerola aqueous extract and papaya "formosa" acetone extract the lower. According to antioxidant activity, fruits can be indicated as natural antioxidants sources, pointing out acerola, cashew-apple, papaya "solo", papaya "formosa", guava, orange and sugar-apple as the highest in antioxidant capacity.

Concentrações séricas de retinol de éguas gestantes em haras do Vale do Rio Doce e Sul de Minas Gerais / Retinol serum concentration in pregnant mares in farms of Vale do Rio Doce and Sul de Minas Gerais, Brazil

Foram analisadas as concentrações séricas de retinol de 16 éguas gestantes em haras de duas diferentes regiões de Minas Gerais (Vale do Rio Doce e Sul de Minas). Os animais foram mantidos em pastagens com sal mineral à vontade, sem qualquer suplementação concentrada. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas a cada 30 dias, nos meses de maio a novembro de 2002, objetivando verificar a necessidade de suplementação das éguas com vitamina A nos meses de seca. A concentração de betacaroteno das pastagens também foi correlacionada com as concentrações sorológicas de vitamina A, a fim de verificar a utilização da reserva hepática dessa vitamina pelos eqüinos. As análises do retinol sorológico e do betacaroteno das pastagens foram realizadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC). O experimento foi em parcelas subdivididas, no delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, e os resultados foram comparados pelo teste Duncan. A correlação entre as concentrações séricas de retinol e betacaroteno das pastagens foi estimada pelo método de Pearson. Os resultados demonstraram que, no ano de 2002, não houve necessidade de suplementação das éguas dos haras das regiões estudadas nos meses de seca e que não houve correlação entre os teores de retinol plasmático das éguas com os de betacaroteno das pastagens.(AU)

Retinol serum concentrations were analyzed from 16 pregnant mares raised in farms of two different regions of Minas Gerais state, Brazil (Vale do Rio Doce and Sul de Minas). The animals were maintained on pasture with free access to mineral supplement without grain concentrate supplementation. Blood samples were collected monthly from May to November 2002, aiming to verify the need of vitamin A supplementation during the dry season. The concentration of b-carotene from pasture samples was also correlated with blood plasma concentration to verify the utilization of hepatic stock of vitamin A. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine vitamin A and b-carotene concentrations. The used statistics was the split plot design and the results were compared by Duncan test. The Pearson correlation between the serum concentration of retinol and b-carotene from pasture was estimated. The results demonstrated that the supplementation of pregnant mares in farms of the studied regions was not necessary during the dry season and that no significant correlation between the serum concentration of retinol and b-carotene from pasture was observed.(AU)