IAF, QGF, and QDF Peptides Exhibit Cholesterol-Lowering Activity through a Statin-like HMG-CoA Reductase Regulation Mechanism: In Silico and In Vitro Approach.

In this study, in silico approaches are employed to investigate the binding mechanism of peptides derived from cowpea ß-vignin and HMG-CoA reductase. With the obtained information, we designed synthetic peptides to evaluate their in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity. In vitro, the total protein extract and <3 kDa fraction, at 5000 µg, support this hypothesis (95% and 90% inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, respectively). Ile-Ala-Phe, Gln-Gly-Phe, and Gln-Asp-Phe peptides were predicted to bind to the substrate binding site of HMGCR via HMG-CoAR. In silico, it was established that the mechanism of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition largely entailed mimicking the interactions of the decalin ring of simvastatin and via H-bonding; in vitro studies corroborated the predictions, whereby the HMG-CoA reductase activity was decreased by 69%, 77%, and 78%, respectively. Our results suggest that Ile-Ala-Phe, Gln-Gly-Phe, and Gln-Asp-Phe peptides derived from cowpea ß-vignin have the potential to lower cholesterol synthesis through a statin-like regulation mechanism.

In vitro and in silico studies of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitory activity of the cowpea Gln-Asp-Phe peptide.

Previous studies have shown that cowpea protein positively interferes with cholesterol metabolism. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the fraction containing peptides of <3 kDa, as well as that of the Gln-Asp-Phe (QDF) peptide, derived from cowpea ß-vignin protein, to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase activity. We established isolation and chromatography procedures to effectively obtain the protein with a purity above 95%. In silico predictions were performed to identify peptide sequences capable of interacting with HMG-CoA reductase. In vitro experiments showed that the fraction containing peptides of <3 kDa displayed inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity. The tripeptide QDF inhibits HMG-CoA reductase (IC50 = 12.8 µM) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in silico studies revealed the binding profile of the QDF peptide and hinted at the molecular interactions that are responsible for its activity. Therefore, this study shows, for the first time, a peptide from cowpea ß-vignin protein that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase and the chemical modifications that should be investigated to evaluate its binding profile.

Incorporação de ômega-3 no tecido muscular da tilápia do Nilo alimentada com dietas contendo silagem de cabeça de camarão

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of diets supplemented with shrimp-head silage on the incorporation of n-3 in the Nile tilapia fillets. EPA (eicosapentaenoic), DHA (docosahexanoic) and total lipids were determined by chromatography in feeds and the muscles of tilapia specimens were submitted to diets supplemented with a varying degree of silage (0, 4, 8, 12, 16%). The total lipid content ranged from 6.70 to 10.30% in the diets and from 0.79 to 1.37% in the tilapia fillets. In diet with high concentration of silage, it was observed an increase in the level of omega-3 (r=0.92). There was an incorporation of 0.59% (1.34mg 100g-1) and 9.5% (40.50mg 100g-1) of EPA and DHA, respectively, when the addition of silage to the diet was 16%. The results implication states that the inclusion of 16% of the shrimp head silage in the diet for tilapias increases the levels of incorporation of EPA and DHA in the filet.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a incorporação de ômega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenóico) e DHA (docosahexanóico) no tecido muscular de tilápias do Nilo alimentadas com dietas suplementadas com diferentes níveis de silagem de cabeça de camarão Litopenaeus vannamei (0, 4, 8, 12, 16%). Foram analisados os teores de EPA, DHA e lipídios totais das dietas e dos tecidos musculares das tilápias. Os teores de lipídios totais variaram entre 6,70 a 10,30% nas dietas e 0,79 a 1,37% no tecido muscular. Através da análise de regressão, houve um aumento nos teores de ômega-3 (r=0,92) com a inclusão da silagem na dieta. Foi observada incorporação de 0,59% (1,34mg 100g-1) e 9,5% (40,50mg 100g-1) de EPA e DHA, respectivamente, no tratamento com 16% de silagem na dieta. A inclusão de 16% da silagem ácida de cabeça de camarão na dieta das tilápias aumentou significativamente os níveis de incorporação de EPA e DHA no filé.

Incorporação de ômega-3 no tecido muscular da tilápia do Nilo alimentada com dietas contendo silagem de cabeça de camarão

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of diets supplemented with shrimp-head silage on the incorporation of n-3 in the Nile tilapia fillets. EPA (eicosapentaenoic), DHA (docosahexanoic) and total lipids were determined by chromatography in feeds and the muscles of tilapia specimens were submitted to diets supplemented with a varying degree of silage (0, 4, 8, 12, 16%). The total lipid content ranged from 6.70 to 10.30% in the diets and from 0.79 to 1.37% in the tilapia fillets. In diet with high concentration of silage, it was observed an increase in the level of omega-3 (r=0.92). There was an incorporation of 0.59% (1.34mg 100g-1) and 9.5% (40.50mg 100g-1) of EPA and DHA, respectively, when the addition of silage to the diet was 16%. The results implication states that the inclusion of 16% of the shrimp head silage in the diet for tilapias increases the levels of incorporation of EPA and DHA in the filet.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a incorporação de ômega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenóico) e DHA (docosahexanóico) no tecido muscular de tilápias do Nilo alimentadas com dietas suplementadas com diferentes níveis de silagem de cabeça de camarão Litopenaeus vannamei (0, 4, 8, 12, 16%). Foram analisados os teores de EPA, DHA e lipídios totais das dietas e dos tecidos musculares das tilápias. Os teores de lipídios totais variaram entre 6,70 a 10,30% nas dietas e 0,79 a 1,37% no tecido muscular. Através da análise de regressão, houve um aumento nos teores de ômega-3 (r=0,92) com a inclusão da silagem na dieta. Foi observada incorporação de 0,59% (1,34mg 100g-1) e 9,5% (40,50mg 100g-1) de EPA e DHA, respectivamente, no tratamento com 16% de silagem na dieta. A inclusão de 16% da silagem ácida de cabeça de camarão na dieta das tilápias aumentou significativamente os níveis de incorporação de EPA e DHA no filé.

Incorporação de ômega-3 no tecido muscular da tilápia do Nilo alimentada com dietas contendo silagem de cabeça de camarão

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of diets supplemented with shrimp-head silage on the incorporation of n-3 in the Nile tilapia fillets. EPA (eicosapentaenoic), DHA (docosahexanoic) and total lipids were determined by chromatography in feeds and the muscles of tilapia specimens were submitted to diets supplemented with a varying degree of silage (0, 4, 8, 12, 16%). The total lipid content ranged from 6.70 to 10.30% in the diets and from 0.79 to 1.37% in the tilapia fillets. In diet with high concentration of silage, it was observed an increase in the level of omega-3 (r=0.92). There was an incorporation of 0.59% (1.34mg 100g-1) and 9.5% (40.50mg 100g-1) of EPA and DHA, respectively, when the addition of silage to the diet was 16%. The results implication states that the inclusion of 16% of the shrimp head silage in the diet for tilapias increases the levels of incorporation of EPA and DHA in the filet.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a incorporação de ômega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenóico) e DHA (docosahexanóico) no tecido muscular de tilápias do Nilo alimentadas com dietas suplementadas com diferentes níveis de silagem de cabeça de camarão Litopenaeus vannamei (0, 4, 8, 12, 16%). Foram analisados os teores de EPA, DHA e lipídios totais das dietas e dos tecidos musculares das tilápias. Os teores de lipídios totais variaram entre 6,70 a 10,30% nas dietas e 0,79 a 1,37% no tecido muscular. Através da análise de regressão, houve um aumento nos teores de ômega-3 (r=0,92) com a inclusão da silagem na dieta. Foi observada incorporação de 0,59% (1,34mg 100g-1) e 9,5% (40,50mg 100g-1) de EPA e DHA, respectivamente, no tratamento com 16% de silagem na dieta. A inclusão de 16% da silagem ácida de cabeça de camarão na dieta das tilápias aumentou significativamente os níveis de incorporação de EPA e DHA no filé.

Incorporação de ômega-3 no tecido muscular da tilápia do Nilo alimentada com dietas contendo silagem de cabeça de camarão / Incorporation of n-3 in muscular tissue of Nile tilapia fed with shrimp head silage

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a incorporação de ômega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenóico) e DHA (docosahexanóico) no tecido muscular de tilápias do Nilo alimentadas com dietas suplementadas com diferentes níveis de silagem de cabeça de camarão Litopenaeus vannamei (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 por cento). Foram analisados os teores de EPA, DHA e lipídios totais das dietas e dos tecidos musculares das tilápias. Os teores de lipídios totais variaram entre 6,70 a 10,30 por cento nas dietas e 0,79 a 1,37 por cento no tecido muscular. Através da análise de regressão, houve um aumento nos teores de ômega-3 (r=0,92) com a inclusão da silagem na dieta. Foi observada incorporação de 0,59 por cento (1,34mg 100g-1) e 9,5 por cento (40,50mg 100g-1) de EPA e DHA, respectivamente, no tratamento com 16 por cento de silagem na dieta. A inclusão de 16 por cento da silagem ácida de cabeça de camarão na dieta das tilápias aumentou significativamente os níveis de incorporação de EPA e DHA no filé.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of diets supplemented with shrimp-head silage on the incorporation of n-3 in the Nile tilapia fillets. EPA (eicosapentaenoic), DHA (docosahexanoic) and total lipids were determined by chromatography in feeds and the muscles of tilapia specimens were submitted to diets supplemented with a varying degree of silage (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 percent). The total lipid content ranged from 6.70 to 10.30 percent in the diets and from 0.79 to 1.37 percent in the tilapia fillets. In diet with high concentration of silage, it was observed an increase in the level of omega-3 (r=0.92). There was an incorporation of 0.59 percent (1.34mg 100g-1) and 9.5 percent (40.50mg 100g-1) of EPA and DHA, respectively, when the addition of silage to the diet was 16 percent. The results implication states that the inclusion of 16 percent of the shrimp head silage in the diet for tilapias increases the levels of incorporation of EPA and DHA in the filet.

Mango and acerola pulps as antioxidant additives in cassava starch bio-based film.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of incorporating mango and acerola pulps into a biodegradable matrix as a source of polyphenols, carotenoids, and other antioxidant compounds. We also sought to evaluate the efficacy of mango and acerola pulps as antioxidants in film-forming dispersions using a response surface methodology design experiment. The bio-based films were used to pack palm oil (maintained for 45 days of storage) under accelerated oxidation conditions (63% relative humidity and 30 °C) to simulate a storage experiment. The total carotenoid, total polyphenol, and vitamin C contents of films were evaluated, while the total carotenoid, peroxide index, conjugated diene, and hexanal content of the packaged product (palm oil) were also monitored. The same analysis also evaluated palm oil packed in films without antioxidant additives (C1), palm oil packed in low-density polyethylene films (C2), and palm oil with no package (C3) as a control. Although the film-forming procedure affected the antioxidant compounds, the results indicated that antioxidants were effective additives for protecting the packaged product. A lower peroxide index (36.12%), which was significantly different from that of the control (p<0.05), was detected in products packed in film formulations containing high concentration of additives. However, it was found that the high content of vitamin C in acerola pulp acted as a prooxidant agent, which suggests that the use of rich vitamin C pulps should be avoided as additives for films.