Chemical Approach to the Optimization of Conditions Using HS-SPME/GC-MS for Characterization of Volatile Compounds in Eugenia brasiliensis Fruit.

Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) is a native fruit of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, which designatesthe most significant number of species with food potential. It stands out due to its phytochemical characteristics because of the presence of polyphenols and volatile organic compounds. Volatile compounds are substances released by foods that give off an aroma and influence flavor. Solid-phase microextraction is a technique that allows for low-cost, fast, and solvent-free extraction, has an affinity for numerous analytes, and is easily coupled to gas chromatography. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the efficiency of different fibers of SPME (solid-phase microextraction) in the extraction of volatile organic compounds from grumixama pulp; optimize a method for extraction time, temperature, and sample weight; and to determine the characteristic volatile profile of this fruit. For the extraction of volatile compounds, three fibers of different polarities were used: polar polyacrylate (PA) fibers, divinylbenzene/carboxyne/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) semipolar fibers, and polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB). Fourteen volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified by DVB/CAR/PDMS, six by PA, and seven by PDMS/DVB through solid-phase microextraction in the headspace mode (SPME-HS). Considering the total number of compounds identified, regardless of the fiber used, and the optimization of the method, Eugenia brasiliensis presented sesquiterpene fractions (85.7%, 83.3%, and 85.7% of total VOCs) higher than the monoterpene fractions (14.3%, 16.7%, and 14.3%) for DVB/CAR/PDMS, PA, and PDMS/DVB, respectively in its composition. In addition, it was possible to verify that the fiber DVB/CAR/PDMS presented a better efficiency due to the larger chromatographic area observed when the grumixama pulp was subjected to conditions of 75 °C, 2.0 g, and an adsorption time of 20 min.

Respiratory rates of Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. (Myrtaceae) seeds at modified atmospheres / Taxas respiratórias de sementes de Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. (Myrtaceae) sob atmosferas modificadas

Successful seed conservation depends on reducing the metabolism of both the seeds and other associated organisms. The metabolic activity can be analyzed by the respiratory rates but it depends on the developing of methodological protocols. In addition, modified atmosphere has shown some control in respiration when O2 and CO2 concentrations are changed. This work evaluated the effect of changes in O2 and CO2 concentrations on the inhibition of the respiratory metabolism of Eugenia brasiliensis Lam seeds. The results showed that in atmospheres with CO2 concentration between 1.9% and 3.7% it is possible to decrease the metabolism of these seeds. In addition, a model that allows controlling the factors involved in the analysis of respiratory rates in seeds is presented.

O sucesso da conservação de sementes se resume à redução tanto do seu metabolismo quanto de outros organismos associados a elas. Uma das formas de se avaliar a intensidade metabólica é analisando-se as taxas respiratórias, mas há necessidade de se desenvolver protocolos metodológicos para isso. Além disso, atmosfera modificada tem demonstrado algum controle na respiração quando as concentrações de O2 e CO2 são alteradas. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o efeito da alteração das concentrações de O2 e CO2 do ambiente em que sementes foram armazenadas de maneira a inibir o metabolismo respiratório das sementes de Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. Os resultados demonstraram que em atmosferas com concentração de CO2 entre 1,9% e 3,7% é possível diminuir o metabolismo respiratório dessas sementes. Além disso, é apresentado um modelo que permite controlar os fatores envolvidos na análise das taxas respiratórias em sementes.

Bioprospection of Eugenia brasiliensis, a Brazilian native fruit, as a source of anti-inflammatory and antibiofilm compounds.

The anti-inflammatory and antibiofilm activities as well as toxicity and chemical profile of Eugenia brasiliensis pulp extract (EBE), were evaluated. EBE chemical profile and phenolic content were determined by LC-MS/MS. EBE was tested for its in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, including TNF-α release, NF-кB activation, neutrophil migration and paw edema. The MIC/MBC and antibiofilm activities were tested against methicillin sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomona aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. EBE acute toxicity was evaluated in Galleria mellonella and RAW 264.7 macrophage. EBE total phenolic content was 389.88 ±â€¯3.48 mg GAE/g with identified polyphenols. EBE decreased TNF-α release in vivo and in vitro, NF-кB activation, neutrophil influx into peritoneal cavity, and it showed maximal inhibition of paw edema after 2 h. MIC of EBE ranged from 62.5-500 µg/mL while MBC values were >500 µg/mL, with a decrease in L. acidophilus biofilm formation. EBE showed negligible toxicity in larvae and macrophage cells. Our findings open new perspectives concerning EBE application as source of anti-inflammatory and antibiofilm molecules as a functional food, pharmaceutical lead or agribusiness commodity.

Recovery of anthocyanins from residues of Rubus fruticosus, Vaccinium myrtillus and Eugenia brasiliensis by ultrasound assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction and their combination.

This work investigated the extraction efficiency of polyphenols (anthocyanins) from blackberry, blueberry and grumixama residues using combined ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) (UAE+PLE). The performance of UAE+PLE was compared to those achieved by the isolated PLE and UAE methods and conventional Soxhlet extraction. The effects of the extraction methods and solvents (acidified water pH 2.0, ethanol+water 50% v/v and ethanol+water 70% ethanol v/v) on total phenolics content, anthocyanin composition and antioxidant capacity of extracts were investigated by a full factorial design. The extraction efficiency for total phenolics and antioxidant capacity in decreasing order was: UAE+PLE>PLE≈Soxhlet>UAE, and for anthocyanins it was: Soxhlet≈UAE>UAE+PLE>PLE, using hydroethanolic mixtures as solvents. Extractions with acidified water and ultrasound were not effective to recover phenolics. Two, four and fourteen anthocyanins were identified in the extracts from grumixama, blackberry and blueberry, respectively.

Biomarker exposure of phenolic compounds from grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. ) in healthy human model: Metabolomic approach / Identificação de biomarcadores de exposição de compostos fenólicos degrumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. ): Abordagem metabolômica

The fruits and vegetables intake has been associated to the reduction of chronic non-communicable disease incidence, such as cancer, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The biological activities attribute to them has been related mainly to the phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and ellagitannins, presents in their composition. However, the bioavailability and influence of these compounds under human metabolism still unclear. Thus, the objective of the present study was investigate changes in human metaboloma as a result of the acute intake of the polyphenol-rich source from purple grumixama juice (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.), searching to identify possible sites of metabolic regulation. In this way, purple and yellow grumixama varieties were characterized to polyphenol profile, and a single dose of the purple grumixama juice was administered to healthy human. The purple grumixama showed be a good source of anthocyanins and ellagitannins, mainly cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and strictinin, respectively. In the clinical trial, 15 healthy subjects intake a single dose of purple grumixama juice (10 ml of juice/kg of body mass). Plasma and urine samples were collected, before and after intake (over 24 h), and analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS. The exogenous metabolites excreted and identified in urine samples by LC-MS were identified as urolithins and phenolic acids, gut microbiota catabolites of ellagitannins and anthocyanins, respectively. Four urolithins were detected beginning excretion 4 h after juice intake, increasing over 24 h. Furthermore, four phenolic acids were identified, being the hippuric acid the majority of them. 114 metabolites were identified to urine collection points before and after intake (1-2 h and 2-4 h) by CG-MS, being 17 amino acids, 7 other classes, 47 organic acids and 43 unknown compounds. A OPLS-DA discriminated the metabolites changed by the grumixama juice intake. The pathway analysis showed that juice intake influenced mainly three metabolic pathways: glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism (up-regulated), beta-alanine metabolism (down-regulated), and phenylalanine metabolism (up-regulated), being these pathways related to energetic metabolism. Furthermore, the purple and yellow grumixama fruits extracts were evaluated in animal model of obesity and insulin resistance (C57BL/6J mice) induced by high fatty and high sugar diet. The treatment, during 8 weeks, promoted lipid metabolism modulation. As conclusions, purple grumixama showed to be a good source of anthocyanins and ellagitannins, and the interaction among the metabolites from fruits and endogenous metabolites can be related to changes in energetic metabolism and amino acid metabolism. However, more studies are necessary to elucidate and validate these hypotheses

O consumo de frutas e verduras na dieta está associado à redução da incidência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis entre eles câncer, síndrome metabólica e doenças cardiovasculares. A atividade biológica atribuída à ingestão desses alimentos é relacionada principalmente à presença de compostos bioativos, entre eles os compostos fenólicos, tais como flavonoides e elagitaninos. Contudo, a biodisponibilidade e a influência destes compostos no metabolismo humano não estão estabelecidas. Assim, o objetivo geral do presente estudo foi investigar as alterações no metaboloma humano decorrente da ingestão de uma fonte rica em compostos fenólicos, o suco da grumixama roxa (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.), buscando identificar possíveis pontos de regulação do metabolismo. Para isto, a grumixama, variedades amarela e roxa, foram caracterizadas quanto ao seu perfil de compostos fenólicos e administradas na forma de suco, em dose única, a voluntários saudáveis. A grumixama roxa se mostrou rica em antocianinas e elagitaninos, principalmente cianidina 3-O-glicosídeo e a strictinina, respectivamente. Para o ensaio clínico, 15 voluntários saudáveis consumiram, em dose única, suco de grumixama roxa (10 ml de suco/kg de peso corporal). Amostras de plasma e urina foram coletadas em diferentes tempos durante 24 h após ingestão e analisados por CG-MS e LC-ESI-MS/MS. Os metabólitos exógenos excretados na urina foram identificados como urolitinas e ácidos fenólicos, derivados da degradação, principalmente, pela microbiota dos elagitaninos e das antocianinas, respectivamente. Quatro urolitinas (A, B, C e D) foram encontradas na urina, principalmente como metabólitos de fase II, detectados a partir de 4 h após a ingestão do suco com aumento na concentração observado até 24h. Além disso, quatro ácidos fenólicos foram identificados, destes o ácido hipúrico como majoritário. 114 metabólitos, entre eles, 17 aminoácidos, 47 ácidos orgânicos, 7 outras classes de compostos e 43 compostos desconhecidos foram identificados por CG-MS, para os tempos de coleta de urina antes da ingestão de suco de grumixama (T0) e para os períodos de 1-2 h e 2-4 h após a ingestão. A OPLS-DA foi utilizada para descriminar os metabólitos alterados pela ingestão de suco de grumixama. A análise das vias metabólicas mostrou que a ingestão do suco de grumixama influenciou principalmente em três vias metabólicas: metabolismo do glioxilato e dicarboxilato (up-regulated), da beta-alanina (down-regulated) e da fenilalanina (up-regulated), sendo essas direcionadas ao metabolismo energético. Além disso, os extratos de grumixama roxa e amarela também foram testados em modelo animal (camundongo C57BL/6J) de obesidade e resistência à insulina induzido por uma dieta rica em lipídeos e açúcares. O tratamento com os extratos, concomitante à dieta e durante 8 semanas, promoveu modulação significativa do metabolismo lipídico. Como conclusões, a grumixama roxa mostrou ser uma boa fonte de antocianinas e elagitaninos, e a interação entre metabólitos oriundos da ingestão do fruto e dos metabólitos endógenos podem estar relacionados com alterações nos metabolismos de aminoácidos e energético. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para elucidar e validar as hipóteses geradas

Identification of Ellagitannins and Flavonoids from Eugenia brasilienses Lam. (Grumixama) by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

The grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.), also known as Brazilian cherry, is a fruit native to Brazil. This study identified the flavonoids in the flesh and seeds and ellagitannin in the flesh of purple and yellow varieties. The physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of these fruits were also evaluated. Anthocyanins and flavonols were found in high levels in the flesh of purple (32-180 mg 100 g(-1) FW) and yellow grumixama (13-41 mg 100 g(-1) FW), respectively. The major flavonoids identified were cyanidin 3-glucoside and quercetin aglycone. Furthermore, ellagitannins were found in high levels in the flesh of purple (82-243 mg ellagic acid equiv 100 g(-1) FW) and yellow grumixama (92 mg ellagic acid equiv 100 g(-1) FW) and seeds (2220-2905 mg ellagic acid equiv 100 g(-1) FW). The ellagitannin profiles of both varieties were first characterized in which pedunculagin isomers, strictinin isomers, and ellagic acid galloyl hexoside were the major ellagitannins identified. In summary, both varieties of the grumixama fruit as well as the seeds could be good sources of bioactive compounds, mainly ellagitannins.