Myrcia eriopus DC. (Myrtaceae) fruits, a new endemic Brazilian source of bioactive anthocyanins.

Myrcia eriopus DC. (Myrtaceae) is a native and endemic Brazilian species, and there is no information about its chemical composition. In our study, five different anthocyanins and two other phenolic compounds were described for the first time in M. eriopus fruits. Delphinidin 3-O-glucoside (1), cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (2), petunidin 3-O-glucoside (3), peonidin 3-O-glucoside (4), malvidin 3-O-glucoside (5), gallic acid (6) and myricetin (7) were identified by offline system RP-HPLC-DAD/ESI-QTOF-MS and compared to the scientific literature. Furthermore, the lyophilized powder of M. eriopus fruits showed a high anthocyanin content (1878.14 mg cy-3-glu eqv/100 g f.w.), with greater levels of compounds 1 and 3, and an antioxidant potential in DPPH and ABTS assays (EC50 2419 µg/mL and 339 µmol Trolox/g f.w.), results superior to other non-conventional Brazilian fruits. This first report about the chemical composition of M. eriopus fruit reveals the potential of this fruit as a new source of bioactive anthocyanins.

Beneficial effects of anthocyanin-rich peels of Myrtaceae fruits on chemically-induced liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis in mice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising from fibrosis/cirrhosis is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Conversely, a higher intake of fruits and vegetables might play a protective role in HCC risk. Recently, Myrtaceae family tropical fruits have raised great interest due to the high levels of anthocyanins especially in their peels, which are usually discarded upon consumption. Anthocyanins are antioxidant pigments known to have beneficial effects in vivo/in vitro cancer bioassays. Thus, we evaluated whether dietary Myrciaria jaboticaba, Syzygium cumini, and Syzygium malaccense fruit peel powders reduce fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. Female C3H/HeJ mice were submitted to the model of diethylnitrosamine/carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis and carcinogenesis. Concomitantly, mice received a basal diet containing 2% of M. jaboticaba, S. cumini, or S. malaccense fruit peel powders, obtained by convective drying, for 10 weeks. M. jaboticaba peel powder showed the highest levels of total anthocyanins, while S. cumini peel powder displayed the greatest diversity of these pigments. All Myrtaceae family peel powders reduced the serum levels of the liver injury marker alanine aminotransferase. M. jaboticaba peel feeding reduced the incidence of liver preneoplastic foci, hepatocyte proliferation (Ki-67), and the protein levels of hepato-mitogen tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). M. jaboticaba peel feeding also diminished liver lipid peroxidation and increased total glutathione levels. S. cumini peel feeding reduced hepatic collagen, lipid peroxidation, and TNF-α levels while increased catalase activity. Although S. malaccense peel powder, which displayed the lowest anthocyanin levels, decreased oxidative stress, and cytokine levels, no effects were observed on liver fibrosis or preneoplastic lesion outcomes. Findings indicate a protective effect of anthocyanin-rich M. jaboticaba and S. cumini peel powder feeding on preneoplastic lesion development and fibrosis, respectively. Results indicate that differential biological responses may be attributed to distinct anthocyanin profiles and levels, assigning a functional/market value to the underutilized peel fraction.

Effect of Processing on Bioactive Compounds, Physicochemical and Rheological Characteristics of Juçara, Banana and Strawberry Smoothie.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of processing steps on bioactive compounds and physicochemical and rheological characteristics of a juçara, banana and strawberry smoothie. The product was obtained by mixing the pulps of these fruits in previously defined proportions. The mixture was standardized in a pilot disintegrator, homogenized at 60 MPa in continuous mode and pasteurized at 90 °C for 35 s. The homogenization step increased the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, major anthocyanins in the smoothie. However, these anthocyanins, as well as perlagonidin-3-O-glucoside, have been reduced (p<0.05) after the pasteurization step. The pasteurization also affected the instrumental color of the smoothie, expressed by Hue angle (p<0.05). Regarding to the rheological behavior, the smoothie, in all processing steps, presented a non-Newtonian fluid behavior with pseudoplastic characteristics (n<1). After homogenization, the smoothie became more fluid and homogeneous. Thus, despite the negative impact of pasteurization on the smoothie's color, the pasteurized product preserves the bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids that are of great importance to human health. Furthermore, the development of this product contributes to add value to the juçara agro-chain and Atlantic Forest preservation.

Chemical characterization of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd) fruit.

M. floribunda fruit was studied to characterize its chemical composition. The chemical composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and volatiles of the fruit were determined. The chemical composition was determined according to AOAC and AOCS, the bioactive compounds by HPLC, the volatiles by GCMS and the antioxidant activity by ABTS+ and DPPH methods. The chemical composition of the freeze-dried fruit was 1.89 g·100 g-1, 2.43 g·100 g-1, 4.78 g·100 g-1 and 90.89 g·100 g-1 of ashes, lipids, proteins and total carbohydrates on a dry base, respectively. The concentration of the carotenoids was 52.22 mg·100 g-1 and for the flavonoid rutin was 78.56 mg·100 g-1. The gallic and ellagic acid contents were 5.45 mg·g-1 and 2.21 mg·g-1, respectively. The cis-ß-ocimene corresponded to 50.90% of the volatiles. The antioxidant activity by ABTS+ method was 550.14 µmol Trolox·g-1 and by the DPPH method the EC50 was 85.68 g·g-1. The fruits presented relevant antioxidant activity, a high concentration of carotenoids and of rutin.

Antioxidant potential of tomatoes cultivated in organic and conventional systems

The objective of the study was to compare the effect of organic and conventional cultivation on the antioxidant compound content and antioxidant activity of the Carmen tomato cultivar. Tomatoes were analyzed regarding ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, lycopene content and antioxidant activity. Organic tomatoes presented higher content of ascorbic acid and total phenolics (641.39 and 4466.66 mg/100 g EAG on dry wt basis) than did the conventional tomatoes (510.16 and 3477.50 mg/100 g EAG on wt dry basis, respectively). There was no difference in lycopene concentrations between the organic and conventional. The ether, alcohol and aqueous extracts obtained from the tomatoes were subjected to the DPPH test and the β-carotene/linoleic acid system assay. The alcohol and aqueous extracts from organic tomatoes presented higher antioxidant activity in the DPPH test (25.43 and 14.28%, respectively) than the conventional tomatoes (19.52 and 11.33%, respectively). Organic tomatoes had higher antioxidant potential probably due to its higher ascorbic acid and total phenolic values.

Teor de carotenoides em nutricosméticos: análise da adequação e qualidade do produto / Carotenoids content in nutricosmetics products: evaluation of product adequacy and quality

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a adequação dos nutricosméticos contendo carotenoides em sua formulação em relação aos teores de β-caroteno, luteína, licopeno e zeaxantina, considerando-se as quantidades declaradas pelos fabricantes. Dezenove nutricosméticos foram adquiridos no comércio varejista do município do Rio de Janeiro, em 2012. Duas metodologias de extração foram aplicadas,variando-se de acordo com o tipo de invólucro (cápsula), veículos (excipientes) e carotenoides presentes.A quantificação e determinação do perfil de carotenoides nas amostras foram realizadas por cromatografialíquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) com método validado e acreditado. Quatro amostras das 19 analisadas estavam dentro dos limites estabelecidos pelas Boas Práticas de Fabricação (90 a 110 %). As demais amostras revelaram conteúdo inadequado de carotenoides e, consequentemente, falhas no controle de qualidade para a produção dos nutricosméticos. Desta forma, esta pesquisa demonstra que este setor deve ser objeto de atenção especial da vigilância sanitária, com necessidade de estabelecer legislação específica para regulamentar a fabricação, a rotulagem e a propaganda destes produtos.

The present study analyzed the nutricosmetics adequacy referring to the carotenoids contents, such asβ-carotene, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin, and these findings were compared with the contents declaredby the manufacturers. Nineteen carotenoids-containing nutricosmetics were purchased at retail marketin Rio de Janeiro city in 2012. Two methodologies of extraction were used according to the type of shell(capsules), carriers (excipients) and carotenoids. Quantification and determination of carotenoids profilewere performed in a High Performed Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) with validated and accreditedmethodology. Of 19 analyzed samples, four were within the limits established by the Good ManufacturingPractice specification (90 to 110 %), and the others were out of this range, revealing an inadequacy inthe carotenoids contents and failures in the quality control of nutricosmetics production. This studydemonstrated that the nutricosmetics production sector should receive a special attention from the healthsurveillance, and it needs a specific legislation to regulate the manufacture, labeling and advertising ofthese products.

Hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of extracts of pollen samples from Southeast Brazil.

Seven bee pollen samples (C1-C7) with different palynological sources were harvested from Pindamonhangaba municipality (Southeast Brazil). Methanol extracts of untreated samples (control), samples frozen at -18 °C and samples frozen and then dried were analyzed by HPLC/PAD/ESI/MS/MS. Flavonoid diglycosides of quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and patuletin were detected, together with hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives, such as N',N'',N'''-tris-p-feruloylspermidine and N',N'',N'''-tris-p-coumaroylspermidine. Distinct phenolic profiles characterized the analyzed samples, but no differences were noted as resulting from different treatments. Total phenolic contents determined with the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent ranged from 1.7 to 2.2%. Antioxidant activities above 75%, based on the DPPH method, were observed for all extracts, not correlated with total phenolic contents. Among samples from the same origin, those frozen were more active than samples untreated (control), and the samples frozen and then dried were the most active.

O conteúdo nutricional de tomates obtidos por cultivo orgânico e convencional / The nutricional content of lycopersicon esculentum gotten for organic and conventional culture

O conteúdo nutricional do tomate orgânico foi comparado ao convencional, tendo por base análises dos tomates cultivares Carmem e Débora. Foram determinados os teores de ácidos ascórbico, de licopeno, de B-caroteno e de minerais. Para o cultivar Débora foi identificado um teor de ácido ascórbico mais elevado, nas amostras de frutos produzidos convencionalmente. Com relação aos teores dos carotenóides (licopeno e B-caroteno), não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os resultados obtidos para os frutos produzidos por meio do cultivo orgânico e convencional, para ambos cultivares. Com relação aos teores dos minerais, como o cálcio e o enxofre, os resultados apresentam valores que podem ser atribuídos às distintas formas de cultivo.

Avaliação do potencial antioxidante e de algumas características físico-químicas do tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum) orgânico em comparação ao convencional / Antioxidant potential and physical-chemical characteristics of organic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in comparison with conventional tomato

Objetivo: O principal objetivo desta pesquisa foi comparar os efeitos dos cultivos orgânicos e convencional sobre as características físico-químicas, o teor de compostos antioxidantes, a atividade antioxidante e os resíduos de pesticidas de tomates cultivar Carmen. Considerando-se que o preparo doméstico de alimentos exerce efeitos expressivos sobre o nível de nutrientes em relação ao alimento in natura, particularmente no que tange ao teor de compostos antioxidantes e, consequentemente, na atividade antioxidante destes compostos, verificou-se também a influência de diversas formas de preparo doméstico para o consumo de tomates. Métodos: Os tomates foram submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: inteiro, sem pele, sem semente, molho e purê de tomate. As amostras foram avaliadas físico-quimicamente quanto à atividade de água, sólidos solúveis totais, umidade, pH, cor, teor de ácido ascórbico, de fenólicos totais e de licopeno. As amostras foram liofilizadas e, posteriormente, submetidas ao processo de extração sequencial para frutos, dando origem aos extratos etéreos, etanólicos e aquoso. Aos extratos foram aplicados o teste do 1,1-difenil-2picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e o sistema beta-caroteno/ácido linoléico para avaliação da atividade antioxidante in vitro. As amostras foram ainda submetidas à análise multiresíduos de pesticidas. Para análise estatística dos resultados utilizou-se análise univariada e o teste de Tukey, adotando-se um nível de significância de 5 por cento. Resultados: O tomate orgânico inteiro e o molho apresentaram teores médios de ácido ascórbico maiores que seus semilares convencionais. O tomate orgânico apresentou teor médio de fenólicos maior que o tomate convencional, para todos os produtos e preparações. Não foi possível identificar diferença entre orgânicos e convencionais quanto ao teor de licopeno, para todas as preparações e produtos avaliados. Para o extrato etéreo pelo método DPPH, verificou-se que apenas para o tomate...

A opinião do consumidor sobre os alimentos orgânicos / The opinion of the consumer about the health food

A presente pesquisa visa descrever o perfil, a opinião e as atitudes dos consumidores com relação aos alimentos orgânicos. Visando preencher a lacuna de informações sobre o comportamento do consumidor, no tocante aos alimentos orgânicos, realizou-se uma pesquisa envolvendo indivíduos pertencentes à comunidade universitária, entre outros. Considerando a opinião do consumidor, preocupações com a saúde foram as principais motivações para a compra de alimentos orgânicos. O fato de serem identificados como livres de pesticidas foi considerada, pelos consumidores, como uma característica importante. Com relação às restrições, registradas pelos consumidores, ao consumo de alimentos orgânicos, merecem destaque as citações relativas aos preços elevados e a disponibilidade limitada.