Influence of Marolo (Annona crassiflora Mart.) pulp intake on the modulation of mutagenic/antimutagenic processes and its action on oxidative stress in vivo.

Brazilian savanna constitutes a valuable ecoregion that contributes to the supply of fruit known worldwide for its nutritional value and peculiar flavors. Among them, the Marolo (Annona crassiflora Mart.) fruit is known for its use in folk medicine. In order to establish the safety of Marolo for human consumption, this study evaluated the following: the chemical composition of Marolo pulp; its mutagenic and antimutagenic activities using micronucleus test; and the oxidative stress induced in the livers of mice fed a diet containing 1%, 10% or 20% pulp. It was observed that the chemical composition of marolo pulp was similar to that of common fruit; nevertheless, its lipidic content and energetic values were higher. In the mice fed experimental diets, the biochemical parameters of the blood serum showed normal levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. The micronucleus test indicated neither mutagenic nor antimutagenic effects of Marolo consumption on bone marrow cells but showed potentialization of cyclophosphamide (CP). The oxidative stress levels observed indicated that CP was not exerting a great influence on the induction of reactive oxygen species. As the whole fruit is a complex matrix, the interactions between its components could be responsible for its negative and positive biological effects.

Caqui cv. 'Mikado': análise de compostos voláteis em frutos adstringentes e destanizados / Persimmon cv. 'Mikado': analysis of volatile compounds in astringent and astringency removal

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar os compostos voláteis em frutos de caqui Mikado adstringentes e destanizados, em dois períodos de armazenamento, utilizando microextração em fase sólida (MEFS, fibra DVB/CAR/PDMS) por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). A partir dos resultados foi possível observar diferenças na composição volátil em frutos adstringentes e destanizados de caqui Mikado, com perdas em ambas as amostras. A remoção da adstringência com exposição ao álcool promoveu aumento dos voláteis no 1o dia após a destanização. Os compostos voláteis de caqui Mikado são representados, majoritariamente, por hidrocarbonetos terpênicos, seguidos de ésteres de cadeia linear.

The objective of this study was to determine the volatile compounds in persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Mikado variety, astringent and astringency removal in two periods of storage, using solid phase microextraction (SPME, fiber DVB/CAR/PDMS) by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed differences in the volatile composition of astringent and astringency removal, with losses in both analyses. The removal of astringency with alcohol exposure increased the volatiles on day 1 after astringency removal. The volatiles from persimmon Mikado are mainly represented by terpene hydrocarbons, followed by straight-chain esters.

Conservação pós-colheita de espigas de milho verde minimamente processado sob diferentes temperaturas / Post-harvest conservation of fresh-cut corn on the cob (Zea maiz L. ) under different temperatures

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar o efeito de três temperaturas (5ºC, 8ºC e 11ºC), na qualidade de híbridos de milho verde (Zea maiz L.) com endosperma normal, minimamente processado, durante oito dias de armazenamento, com avaliações a cada dois dias. Foram utilizadas espigas de dois híbridos, sendo um comercial da Sementes Agroceres (Ag 1051) e outro do programa de melhoramento da Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Embrapa HT1). A temperatura de 5ºC foi a que melhor preservou a qualidade das espigas dos híbridos de milho verde estudados, por proporcionar perda de massa reduzida e manutenção dos teores de sólidos solúveis, frutose e glicose. O híbrido Ag 1051 apresentou menor perda de massa, maiores valores de umidade e maior teor de frutose. O Embrapa HT1 apresentou maiores valores iniciais e finais para os teores de sólidos solúveis e maior valor para a coloração b*. O valor L*, que indica quãoclaro e escuro é produto, também diminuiu ao longo do armazenamento, indicando escurecimento das espigas ao longo do armazenamento.

This work had the aim of evaluating the effect of three temperatures (5ºC, 8ºC and 11ºC) on the quality of fresh-cut corn on the cob (Zea maiz L.) with normal endosperm, for 8 days, with analyses taken every two days. Corn on the cob of two hybrids was used, a commercial common type from Sementes Agroceres (Ag 1051) and the other from the breeding program Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Embrapa HT1). The temperature of 5ºC was more efficient to preserve the quality of normal corn by promoting reduced mass loss and higher contents of soluble solids, fructose and glucose. The hybrid Ag 1051 presented lower mass loss, higher contents of moisture and higher content of fructose. The hybrid Embrapa HT1 presented higher initial and final values for soluble solids and higher b* value. The L* value also decreased along storage, indicating browning of the corns along the storage.