This study aimed to present a literature review about the characteristics, applications, and potential of avocado (Persea americana). Avocado is considered one of the main tropical fruits, as it ...contains fat-soluble vitamins which are less common in other fruits, besides high levels of protein, potassium and unsaturated fatty acids. Avocado pulp contains variable oil content, and is widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, and in the production of commercial oils similar to olive oil. This fruit has been recognized for its health benefits, especially due to the compounds present in the lipidic fraction, such as omega fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols and squalene. Studies have shown the benefits of avocado associated to a balanced diet, especially in reducing cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular diseases. The processed avocado pulp is an alternative to utilize fruits, which can be used in various value-added food products. Fluid extract of the avocado leaves is widely used in pharmaceutical products, mainly due to the diuretic characteristic of the present compounds in plant leaves. With the increasing research supporting the nutritional characteristics and benefits of avocado, the tendency is to increase the production and exploitation of this raw material in Brazil, as also observed in other countries.
RESUMO: Objetivou-se com este trabalho apresentar uma revisão da literatura sobre as características, aplicações e potencialidades do abacate (Persea americana). O abacate é considerado um dos principais frutos tropicais, pois possui as vitaminas lipossolúveis que, em geral, são deficientes nas outras frutas. Além destas, contém proteínas e elevados teores de potássio e ácidos graxos insaturados. Apresenta quantidade variável de óleo na polpa, sendo esta vastamente utilizada nas indústrias farmacêutica e de cosméticos, e na obtenção de óleos comerciais similares ao azeite de oliva. Esse fruto tem sido reconhecido por seus benefícios à saúde, especialmente em função dos compostos presentes na fração lipídica, como ácidos graxos ômega, fitoesterois, tocoferois e esqualeno. Estudos têm demonstrado os benefícios do abacate associado a uma dieta balanceada, principalmente, na redução do colesterol e na prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares. A polpa do abacate na forma processada é uma alternativa para aproveitar os frutos, passível de ser utilizada em diversos produtos alimentícios de maior valor agregado. O extrato fluido das folhas do abacateiro é muito utilizado em produtos farmacêuticos, principalmente, pelo caráter diurético de compostos presentes nas folhas da planta. Com o aumento das pesquisas que comprovam as características nutricionais e os benefícios do abacate, a tendência é aumentar a produção e exploração dessa matéria-prima no Brasil, como já acontece em outros países.
An extraction method based on a multivariate analytical approach was developed for enhancement of the phenolic compounds in cashew nut extracts. The different extractor solvents (acetone, water, ...ethanol, and methanol) and their binary, ternary, and quaternary combinations were evaluated using a simplex-centroid design and surface response methodology. The special cubic model exhibits no lack of fit and explains 89.2% of the variance. The total phenolic measurements by the Folin-Ciocalteu method revealed the highest values for ethanol (5.93 mg GAE g−1) and acetone–methanol–ethanol ternary mixture (5.92 mg GAE g−1) extracts. ESI (−)-Q/TOFMS analyses combined with PCA and HCA revealed the presence of fatty acids, phospholipids, and sugars in the ternary mixture cashew extract, while for the ethanol extract only phenolic compounds, such as anacardic acids and derivatives, were found. The proposed approach was adequate to reach the optimal extractor which ethanol, a low-toxicity solvent, enabled the selective extraction of a high content of phenolic compounds from cashew nuts.
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•A multivariate analytical approach is highlighted to optimize the phenol extraction.•The simplex-centroid design and Response Surface Methodology were used.•A high content of total phenols was found using ethanol (5.93 mg GAE g−1).•ESI-Q/TOFMS analyses combined PCA and HCA showed selective extraction using ethanol.•The method is simple, fast, cheap and efficient for phenol extraction from cashew nut.
The work aimed at developing formulations of hamburger using the chia mixed flour, oats and linseed, as a partial replacement to textured soy protein (PTS), commonly used in this product. Income ...analyzes, instrumental color and sensory analysis, were carried out indicating that the addition of 3% of the mixed flour reduced the loss of water after baking, indicating the probable contribution of the fibers present in the seed used for the preparation of flour for moisture retention in the product. Regarding color, significant differences (p<0.05) between the burgers were identified only in instrumental analysis, not being noticed by the sensory panelists. For sensory analysis, only the taste and texture attributes were significantly different, with higher averages for the formulation added to mixed flour, which contributed to the high levels of acceptability, above 70%. It highlights the possibility of product preparation adding new ingredients, examples of the chia mixed flour, oats and linseed, however there is a need for further analysis to characterize the hamburger.
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•EtOH extract from Oxandra sessiliflora branches was phytochemically investigated.•Five know sesquiterpenes (1–5) and one new compound (6 - 4β,6β,7β,10α-tetrahydroxy-guaiane) were ...isolated.•Compounds 1–6 displayed activity against Trypanosoma cruzi (EC50 16.3–47.5 μM).•Sesquiterpenes 5 and 6 exhibited higher selectivity index (SI > 12.3 and 11.4, respectively).
In this work, the CH2Cl2 phase from the EtOH extract of Oxandra sessiliflora (Annonaceae) branches was subjected to chromatographic fractionation to afford six sesquiterpenoids: 4α,10β-aromadendranediol (1), 4β,10α-aromadendranediol (2), 4α,10α-aromadendranediol (3), 1β,6α-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene (4), 4β,10α-dihydroxy-guai-6-ene (5), and 4β,6β,7β,10α-tetrahydroxy-guaiane (6), the last one identified as a new natural product. The structures of isolated compounds were identified by analysis of NMR and HRESIMS spectral data. Compounds 1–6 exhibited activity against T. cruzi with EC50 values ranging from 16.3–47.5 μM. Additionally, no cytotoxicity to mammalian cells (NCTC- L929 clone) was observed for tested compounds at the highest concentration (200 μM). Sesquiterpenes 5 and 6 exhibited higher selectivity index (SI) with values higher than 12.3 and 11.4, respectively. This data suggests that guaiane sesquiterpenes 5 and 6, isolated from O. sessiliflora, may contribute as scaffolds for the design of novel and selective drug candidates for treatment of neglected diseases, mainly for Chagas disease.
Abstract A factorial categorical design totalling six treatments was applied to investigate the influence of the substitution of corn starch with whole and partially defatted chia flour under the ...technical characteristics (centesimal composition, instrumental analyses, and sensory evaluation) and nutritional disorders (composition of fatty acids and index of the nutritional quality of the lipid fraction) of ‘dulce de leche’ concentrated to 72 and 78 °B. The treatments with chia flour concentrated to 72 °B showed higher moisture content and lower compression force, and when the concentration range increased to 78 °B, the levels of total lipids amounted up to 1.40 times when compared to treatment with corn starch. The polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6 levels, were higher in treatments with chia flour on both tracks of concentration, allowing a reduction in the atherogenic index and thrombogenic index effects and the n-6/n-3 ratio. The treatments of ‘dulce de leche’ with a lower concentration of soluble solids obtained greater acceptance and consumer purchase intention. The application of whole chia flour in small proportions and in the concentration of 72 °B was the most appropriate under the studied conditions, showing improvement in the nutritional quality and with good technical aspects of candy made with goat milk.
Sex steroid hormones are critical in gonadal differentiation in turtles. The gonads are not the only organs responsible for producing these hormones during this phase. Mesonephros play an important ...role in steroidogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of steroidogenic cells in mesonephros of
Podocnemis expansa
during gonadal differentiation and to evaluate their morphology and ultrastructure. Ten embryos of
P. expansa
were collected from 5 nests on day 36 of incubation, during spawning period on an artificial beach. Embryos were extracted from eggs by slicing the shell and euthanized. They were dissected under a stereoscopic microscope to collect the gonad-mesonephro complex, in which were fixed and subsequently processed for light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy analysis. During histological analysis was observed mesonephros has typical morphological structure. Immunohistochemistry showed immunoreaction to aromatase in cells of intertubular space. Confirming these findings, it was possible to observe a type of intertubular cell in several regions of mesonephro, being more predominant in region close to blood vessels, distal and proximal tubules. In ultrastructural analysis these cells were characterized by having a clear, large, and rounded nucleus with evident nucleolus and cytoplasm rich in electron-dense droplets. This study demonstrated for the first time the presence of cells with morphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics similar to steroid-producing cells in P. expansa mesonephrons, suggesting that this organ may contribute to gonadal differentiation in this species.
Summary This study investigated the effect of three different culture media (α minimum essential medium (α-MEM), McCoy or TCM199 during the in vitro culture (IVC) of bovine isolated pre-antral ...follicles. Pre-antral follicles greater than 150 μm in size were isolated and cultured for 0 (control), 8 or 16 days in one of the abovementioned culture media. Follicles were evaluated for survival, growth and antrum formation at days 8 and 16. The results showed that TCM199 was the most suitable medium to preserve follicular viability and ultrastructure, resulting in the highest rates of antrum formation. In conclusion, TCM199 promotes the in vitro development of isolated pre-antral follicles without hampering follicular functionality by sustaining in vitro growth and antrum formation.
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