A Scoping Review on Carotenoid Profiling in Passiflora spp.: A Vast Avenue for Expanding the Knowledge on the Species.

The Passiflora genus is recognised for its ethnopharmacological, sensorial, and nutritional significance. Yet, the screening of its dietary and bioactive molecules has mainly targeted hydrophilic metabolites. Following the PRISMA-P protocol, this review assessed the current knowledge on carotenoid composition and analysis within Passiflora, examining 968 records from seven databases and including 17 studies focusing on carotenoid separation and identification in plant parts. Those publications originated in America and Asia. P. edulis was the most frequently examined species of a total of ten, while pulp was the most studied plant part (16 studies). Carotenoid analysis involved primarily high-performance liquid chromatography separation on C18 columns and detection using diode array detectors (64.71%). Most studies identified the provitamin A ß-carotene and xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin, with their geometric configuration often neglected. Only one study described carotenoid esters. Besides the methodology's insufficient description, the lack of use of more accurate techniques and practices led to a high risk of bias in the carotenoid assignment in 17.65% of the articles. This review highlights the opportunity to broaden carotenoid studies to other species and parts within the diverse Passiflora genus, especially to wild, locally available fruits, which may have a strategic role in enhancing food diversity and security amidst climatic changes. Additionally, it urges the use of more accurate and efficient analytical methods based on green chemistry to better identify Passiflora carotenoids.

Analysis of environmental variables and deforestation in the amazon using logistical regression models.

In this study, we applied a multivariate logistic regression model to identify deforested areas and evaluate the current effects on environmental variables in the Brazilian state of Rondônia, located in the southwestern Amazon region using data from the MODIS/Terra sensor. The variables albedo, temperature, evapotranspiration, vegetation index, and gross primary productivity were analyzed from 2000 to 2022, with surface type data from the PRODES project as the dependent variable. The accuracy of the models was evaluated by the parameters area under the curve (AUC), pseudo R2, and Akaike information criterion, in addition to statistical tests. The results indicated that deforested areas had higher albedo (25%) and higher surface temperatures (3.2 °C) compared to forested areas. There was a significant reduction of the EVI (16%), indicating water stress, and a decrease in GPP (18%) and ETr (23%) due to the loss of plant biomass. The most precise model (91.6%) included only surface temperature and albedo, providing important information about the environmental impacts of deforestation in humid tropical regions.

Increased frequency of detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in domestic cats after outbreak of human toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis affects various organisms, including humans. In 2018, the largest outbreak of human toxoplasmosis described so far was reported in southern Brazil, with 809 human cases reported, and water as the potentially primary source of infection. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected domestic cats before and after the human toxoplasmosis outbreak, as well as the potential for environmental contamination by the number of cats infected after the outbreak. We evaluated 381 serum samples from domestic cats in southern Brazil, using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, with samples considered positive at a titer of 1:20. We found that 73% (204/279) and 27% (75/279) of the samples analyzed before the outbreak were negative and positive, respectively. After the outbreak, 62% (69/112) were negative of the samples were and 38% (43/112) were positive. Notably, the proportion of positive samples before the outbreak before (27%) was significantly lower than that after the outbreak (38%; P = 0.020). Therefore, the increased seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats was probably correlated with the ingestion of contaminated water. Therefore, it is important to monitor animals, mainly definitive hosts, after toxoplasmosis outbreaks, considering that these animals can contaminate the environment and, consequently, humans.

Imputation of precipitation data in northeast Brazil.

This article evaluates four statistical methods of multiple imputation to fill in the missing data of daily precipitation in Northeast Brazil (NEB). We used a daily database collected by 94 rain gauges distributed in NEB from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 2015. The methods were: random sampling from the observed values; predictive mean matching, Bayesian linear regression; and bootstrap expectation maximization algorithm (BootEm). To compare these methods, missing data from the original series were initially excluded. The next step was to create three scenarios for each method, in which 10\%, 20\% and 30\% of the data were removed at random. The BootEM method presented the best statistical results. With the average bias between the complete series and the imputed series values ranging between -0.91 and 1.30 mm/day. The values of the Pearson correlation ranging between 0.96, 0.91 and 0.86 respectively for 10\%, 20\% and 30\% missing data. We conclude that this is an adequate method for the reconstruction of historical precipitation data in NEB.

Cross preferences and genetic diversity of Psidium interspecific hybrids through morphoagronomic traits and resistance to Meloidogyne enterolobii.

The introgression of M. enterolobii resistance-related genes in guava breeding programs can be compromised by incompatibility among Psidium species. This study aimed to evaluate the female parent preference and genetic diversity of Psidium interspecific hybrids using morphoagronomic traits and resistance to M. enterolobii. There were evaluated cross successes and germination from crosses between accesses of P. cattleyanum, P. guineense and P. guajava and the genetic diversity by Ward-MLM method of hybrids according to descriptors developed for the genus. Crosses were more successful when P. cattleyanum was the female parent. Germination was more successful in crosses involving P. cattleyanum and P. guajava. Four groups were formed. The group IV clustered the most resistant genotypes, composed by genotypes of P. cattleyanum x P. guineense, while the group II was the most susceptible. The groups I and III grouped some genotypes of P. cattleyanum x P. guajava with low levels of susceptibility. There are preferences of female parent species among crosses. Some individuals of groups I and III can be used as source of resistance genes for the breeding program, due the presence of favorable alleles inherited from guava parent. The high susceptibility leads to reduction in root development.

Polyphenol Composition by HPLC-DAD-(ESI-)MS/MS and Bioactivities of Extracts from Grape Agri-Food Wastes.

BACKGROUND: Grape agri-food wastes, such as skin, seeds, and other discarded by-products, contain phytochemical compounds that offer potential health benefits. METHODS: This study aimed to investigate the polyphenol composition and bioactivities of different extracts obtained from grape marc and seeds, with the goal of exploring their potential for application as natural food additives. RESULTS: Regardless of the extraction method used (dynamic maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)), all extracts exhibited relatively high concentrations of phenolic compounds. The chemical characterization of the extracts revealed the presence of specific compounds and chemical groups associated with each extraction methodology. Moreover, the extracts displayed satisfactory antioxidant activities, especially in inhibiting lipoperoxidation as assessed by the TBARS assay. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated effective inhibition against different strains of bacteria and fungi known as food contaminants. Taken together, these findings indicate that those extracts have the potential to be tested as natural antioxidants and preservatives with sustainable origins in food and beverage systems. Among the extraction methods evaluated, traditional maceration and UAE provided extracts with the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the opportunity to explore grape marc and seeds discarded by the winery industry in Portugal as natural sources of bioactive compounds, which could be employed as functional food ingredients or technological additives. The valorization of grape biowastes offers a promising strategy to reduce waste and harness their potential health benefits.

Genetic structuring of segregating populations of Psidium spp resistant to the southern root-knot nematode by Bayesian approach as basis for the guava breeding program.

There are no guava cultivars resistant to the Meloidogyne enterolobii; for this reason, genetic breeding has been performed by introgressing genes into the current cultivars through interspecific hybridization. We used 33 microsatellite markers for the genetic-molecular characterization of segregating populations of Psidium resistant to M. enterolobii, aiming at selection within and between populations for generation advancement in the guava breeding program. The average number of alleles per locus ranged from 1.60 to 2.09. Populations 1 (P. guineense × P. cattleyanum) and 5 (P. guajava × P. cattleyanum) obtained the greatest genetic diversity, which can be confirmed by the higher observed-heterozygosity values (0.422 and 0.312, respectively). Bayesian analysis showed that the populations were subdivided into three groups, agreeing with the number of groups observed by Nei's genetic distance. The population obtained from the P. guineense × P. cattleyanum cross differed from the others with a clear structuring, whereas the P. guajava × P. cattleyanum and P. cattleyanum × P. guineense populations were the most similar between each other. The SSR markers were efficient in discriminating the populations, and individual 80 may be employed in future crosses with guava, allowing generation advancement in the guava breeding program aimed at resistance to M. enterolobii.

Seed morphobiometry, morphology of germination and emergence of quinoa seeds 'BRS Piabiru'.

Quinoa, classified as a pseudocereal, presents greater nutritional value compared to traditional cereals. Considering the potential for cultivation presented by the species and the benefits of studying plant morphology and morphobiometry, this paper describes seed and seedling morphobiometric characteristics of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivar BRS Piabiru during germination and emergence. To evaluate seed morphobiometry the 1000-seeds weight, moisture content, seed morphological characterization and the tetrazolium test were performed. The morphological characterization of germination and seedling emergence were performed by periodic observations during the development, allowing the description using pictures and drawings. Quinoa seeds cv. BRS Piabiru present an average diameter of 2.05 mm and 1.07 width. 1000-seeds weight of 2.68 g and moisture content of 11%. Externally, quinoa seeds present the pericarp as testa, the hilum and the raphe and, internally, the embryonic axis (cotyledons, radicle and hypocotyl-radicle), perisperm and endosperm. The germination is characterized as epigeal, phanerocotylar type, with radicle protrusion at 3 hours after sowing and complete formed seedlings at 24 hours after sowing. Emergence occurs at 9 days after sowing and plants are completely formed at 12 days after sowing.

Copper oxide and closantel prevent alterations in hepatic energetic metabolism and reduce inflammation in Haemonchus contortus infection.

The aims of this study were to evaluate if the use of copper oxide wire particles, isolated or in association with closantel, in lambs infected with Haemonchus contortus enhances the anthelmintic efficacy of closantel, as well as to evaluate the effects of treatment in hepatic energy metabolism, inflammatory markers and hematological and biochemical tests. The lambs were randomly divided into five groups (6 animals each), as follows: uninfected animals (Control); animals infected with H. contortus (HC); infected and treated with closantel (HC + CL); infected and treated with copper oxide wire particles (HC + Cu); and infected and treated with closantel plus copper oxide wire particles (HC + CL + Cu). The animals of infected groups were infected orally with H. contortus (5,000 L3 -larvae) and on day 14 post infection (p.i) the treatments were initiated. The egg per gram of feces (EPG), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), myeloperoxidase (MPO), adenylate kinase (AK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) activities and hematological and biochemical tests were evaluated. Treatments with copper oxide (isolated and associated) were able to reduce the EPG count on days 28, 35, 42 and 49 p.i when compared to HC group, while closantel was able to reduce EPG only from day 35 p.i. Moreover, treatment with closantel (isolated or associated) was able to prevent the inhibition of hepatic AK and PK activities caused by H. contortus infection, which may contribute to efficient intracellular energetic communication in order to maintain the balance between cellular ATP consumption and production. Butyrylcholinesterase and MPO activities were higher in infected lambs compared to uninfected, while treated groups showed lower enzymatic activity compared to the group HC. The use of all therapeutic protocols was able to reduce the EPG count. Based on these evidences, the use of copper oxide plus closantel may be considered an alternative to treat lambs infected by H. contortus.

Brazilian Capsicum peppers: capsaicinoid content and antioxidant activity.

BACKGROUND: Capsicum peppers are known as a source of capsaicinoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidants. Brazilian Capsicum peppers are important spices used in foods worldwide. However, little information is available on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of these peppers. RESULTS: Capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were investigated in extracts of three Brazilian peppers: Capsicum frutescens, C. chinense and C. baccatum var. pendulum, in two different harvest years and at two ripening stages. The bioactive compound content was dependent on harvest year, and changes in the concentration profiles were found for capsaicin. Mature fruits of C. chinense harvested in the first year had the highest capsaicin concentration (2.04 mg g-1 fresh pepper), and mature fruits of C. frutescens harvested in the same first year had the highest dihydrocapsaicin content (0.95 mg g-1 fresh pepper). Mature fruits of C. frutescens harvested in the first year showed the major total phenolic compound content (2.46 mg g-1 fresh pepper). The total phenolic compound content was directly related to antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that phenolic compounds significantly contribute to the antioxidant activity of the investigated peppers. Also, these data add valued novel information that enhances current knowledge of Brazilian pepper fruits. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthesis and activity of novel homodimers of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts against Leishmania donovani: A twin drug approach.

It is reported here the synthesis of novel Homodimers 12-19 of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) from one-pot Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction (MBHR) between aromatic aldehydes as eletrophiles and ethylene glycol diacrylate as Michael acceptor (35-94% yields) using cheap and green conditions. The bioactivities were evaluated against promastigote form of Leishmania donovani. All homodimers showed to be more potent than corresponding monomers. It is worth highlighting that the halogenated homodimers 17 and 18 (0.50µM) is almost 400 times more active than the corresponding monomer 10 and 1.24 times more potent than the second-line drug amphotericin B (0.62µM). Moreover, the selectivity index to 18 is very high (SIrb>400) far better than amphotericin B (SIrb=18.73). This is the first report of twin drugs strategy applied on Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts.

Pollen dispersal and breeding structure in a hawkmoth-pollinated Pampa grasslands species Petunia axillaris (Solanaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The evolution of selfing is one of the most common transitions in flowering plants, and this change in mating pattern has important systematic and ecological consequences because it often initiates reproductive isolation and speciation. Petunia axillaris (Solanaceae) includes three allopatric subspecies widely distributed in temperate South America that present different degrees of self-compatibity and incompatibility. One of these subspecies is co-distributed with P. exserta in a restricted area and presents a complex, not well-understood mating system. Artificial crossing experiments suggest a complex system of mating in this sympatric area. The main aims of this study were to estimate the pollen dispersal distance and to evaluate the breeding structure of P. axillaris subsp. axillaris, a hawkmoth-pollinated taxon from this sympatric zone. METHODS: Pollen dispersal distance was compared with nearest-neighbours distance, and the differentiation in the pollen pool among mother plants was estimated. In addition, the correlation between genetic differentiation and spatial distance among plants was tested. All adult individuals (252) within a space of 2800 m(2) and 15 open-pollinated progeny (285 seedlings) were analysed. Genetic analyses were based on 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci. KEY RESULTS: A high proportion of self-pollination was found, indicating a mixed-mating system. The maximum pollen dispersal distance was 1013 m, but most pollination events (96 %) occurred at a distance of 0 m, predominantly in an inbreeding system. Both parents among sampled individuals could be identifed in 60-85 % of the progeny. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that most pollen dispersal in the hawkmoth-pollinated P. axillaris subsp. axillaris occurs within populations and there is a high proportion of inbreeding. This mating system appears to favour species integrity in a secondary contact zone with the congener species P. exserta.

Effect of drying methods on the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Brazilian winemaking byproducts and their stability over storage.

This work aimed to study the antioxidant capacity by different methods, the total content of polyphenols and the stability over time of dried byproducts from Brazilian hybrids and Vitis vinifera varieties. Oven-dried at 50 °C and spray-dried samples were monitored for 90 days of storage. Under testing conditions, BRS Violeta grapes showed the greatest stability and initial high levels of total phenolics and anthocyanins remained almost unchanged until the end of storage period. The same behavior was observed in BRS Violeta freeze-dried skins, seeds and lees (8557, 9520 and 4261 mg GAE/100 g DM, respectively, and 829 and 257 mg mv-3-glc/100 g DM in skin and lees, respectively). In all methodologies tested, BRS Violeta also showed higher values for antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that dried winemaking byproducts can be used as rich sources of polyphenol compounds for industrial extractions with high stability and antioxidant capacity.

Spatiotemporal nonhomogeneous poisson model with a seasonal component applied to the analysis of extreme rainfall.

This paper develops an extension of spatiotemporal models that handle count data using nonhomogeneous Poisson processes. In this new proposal, we incorporate a seasonal cycle component in the definition of the intensity function to control possible effects produced by the occurrence of the event of interest in regular periods. The seasonal cycle can cause problems in estimating the shape parameter of the Weibull and generalized Goel intensity functions. This shape parameter serves to confront the research hypothesis that seeks to identify a trend in the occurrence rate of an event of interest. In the case of the Weibull intensity function, a value significantly equal to one of the shape parameters indicates a constant rate of occurrence, less than one indicates a decreasing rate, and greater than one indicates an increasing rate. In the case of the Goel intensity function, parameter values less than or equal to one indicate a decreasing occurrence rate, and values greater than one indicate the presence of a change point. We also built a spatial model using the Musa-Okumoto intensity function as an alternative to approximate counting processes for which there is a decreasing trend in the occurrence rate of the event of interest. We estimated the parameters of the proposed method from a Bayesian perspective. Finally, we fitted the proposed model and compared it with other approximations to analyze the frequency of extreme rainfall in the northern region of the states of Maranhão and Piauí in northeastern Brazil over ten years. Among the main results, we found that (1) the proposed method has proven superior in terms of fit and prediction performance than the other models, and (2) unlike other approximations, the proposed model does not detect changes in the rate of extreme rainfall occurrences.

Chemical and Bioactive Screening of Green Polyphenol-Rich Extracts from Chestnut By-Products: An Approach to Guide the Sustainable Production of High-Added Value Ingredients.

Opportunities for the valorisation of agro-industrial residues of the chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) production chain have been fostered with the production of multifunctional polyphenol-rich extracts with the potential to be introduced as natural additives or active components in several products. Nonetheless, it is crucial to explore the feasibility of different extracts from the various by-products for these applications through the exhaustive study of their composition and bioactivities without losing sight of the sustainable character of the process. This work aimed at the screening of the phenolic compound composition and bioactivities of different green extracts of chestnut burs, shells and leaves, as the first step to establish their potential application as natural ingredients, primarily as food preservatives. To this end, maceration (MAC) as a conventional extraction method besides ultrasound and microwave-assisted extractions (UAE and MAE) was employed to obtain the extracts from chestnut by-products using water (W) and hydroethanolic solution (HE) as solvents. Phenolic compounds were analysed by HPLC-DAD-(ESI-)MS/MS; the antioxidant capacity was assessed by colourimetric assays, and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated against several strains of food-borne bacteria and fungi. The leaf extracts obtained by MAC-HE and UAE-HE presented the highest concentration of phenolic compounds (70.92 ± 2.72 and 53.97 ± 2.41 mg.g-1 extract dw, respectively), whereas, for burs and shells, the highest recovery of total phenolic compounds was achieved by using UAE-HE and UAE-W (36.87 ± 1.09 and 23.03 ± 0.26 mg.g-1 extract dw, respectively). Bis-HHDP-glucose isomers, chestanin and gallic acid were among the most abundant compounds. Bur extracts (MAC-HE and UAE-HE) generally presented the highest antioxidant capacity as measured by TBARS, while the best results in DPPH and reducing power assays were found for shell extracts (MAE-W and MAC-HE). Promising antibacterial activity was noticed for the aqueous extracts of burs, leaves and hydroethanolic extracts of shells, with emphasis on the MAE-W extract of burs that showed bactericidal activity against E. cloacae, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus (MBC 5 mg.mL-1). Overall, it can be concluded that chestnut by-products, including burs, shells and leaves, are sources of polyphenolic compounds with significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The choice of extraction method and solvent greatly influenced the composition and bioactivity of the extracts. These findings highlight the potential of chestnut by-products for the development of natural additives, particularly for food preservation, while also emphasizing the importance of sustainable utilization of agricultural waste materials. Further research is warranted to optimize extraction techniques and explore additional applications for these valuable bioactive compounds.

Trust your gut: Bioavailability and bioaccessibility of dietary compounds.

Studying the composition of a certain food is not enough to predict its health benefits. Research over the past decades has decisively strengthened the notion that any putative health benefit is best related to the fraction of compounds transferred from ingested foods into the body since the absorption may be incomplete after oral consumption. In other words, the bioavailability of food components is crucial information. Therefore, a variety of in vitro models have been developed to predict their bioaccessibility and bioavailability in the most diverse food matrices and food products. These models can also be applied to study the impact of several endogenous or exogenous factors on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of nutrients and bioactive compounds, guiding nutrition and food scientists, technologists, and engineers towards the development of strategies to optimize the positive impact of the diet on well-being and quality of life. While bioavailability is ideally examined in human volunteers, in vitro digestion methods, as well as intestinal absorption and microphysiological models, simulate human physiological conditions. Additionally, in vitro methods are alternatives to offset ethical, economical, and experimental limitations associated with in vivo studies conducted either with individuals or animals. This graphical review draws parallels between in vitro models mimicking digestion processes, uptake, absorption, metabolism, and distribution of dietary compounds and human physiology.

The effect of caffeine on tinnitus: Randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that caffeine can influence tinnitus, we recruited 80 patients with chronic tinnitus and randomly allocated them into two groups (caffeine and placebo) to analyze the self-perception of tinnitus symptoms after caffeine consumption, assuming that this is an adequate sample for generalization. METHODS: The participants were randomized into two groups: one group was administered a 300-mg capsule of caffeine, and the other group was given a placebo capsule (cornstarch). A diet that restricted caffeine consumption for 24 hours was implemented. The participants answered questionnaires (the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory-THI, the Visual Analog Scale-VAS, the profile of mood state-POMS) and underwent examinations (tonal and high frequency audiometry, acufenometry (frequency measure; intensity measure and the minimum level of tinnitus masking), transient otoacoustic emissions-TEOAE and distortion product otoacoustic emissions-DPOAE assessments) at two timepoints: at baseline and after capsule ingestion. RESULTS: There was a significant change in mood (measured by the POMS) after caffeine consumption. The THI and VAS scores were improved at the second timepoint in both groups. The audiometry assessment showed a significant difference in some frequencies between baseline and follow-up measurements in both groups, but these differences were not clinically relevant. Similar findings were observed for the amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio in the TEOAE and DPOAE measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine (300 mg) did not significantly alter the psychoacoustic measures, electroacoustic measures or the tinnitus-related degree of discomfort.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequence of Murine Hepatitis Virus Strain 3 from Brazil.

Murine hepatitis virus (MHV) strain 3, one of the most important inducers of viral hepatitis, has been extensively studied as an organism to gain a better understanding of coronavirus biology and pathogenesis. Only one sequence is currently available. Another representative isolate has now been sequenced and added to the arsenal of MHV-3 variants.

Physicochemical characterization and nano-emulsification of three species of pumpkin seed oils with focus on their physical stability.

We present the chemical composition, quality parameters and antioxidant capacity of pumpkin seed oils (PSO) from Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, and Cucurbita moschata cultivated in Brazil. In addition, PSO nanoemulsions (nanopepo, nanomax and nanomosc) were developed and their physical stabilities were assessed under long-term storage at two temperatures. Among the PSO, C. pepo presented the highest contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids, total carotenoids, and chlorophylls, but the lowest oxidative stability. Conversely, C. maxima PSO showed highest oxidative stability and total tocopherol content but the lowest chlorophyll content. Nanomax and nanopepo were more stable to droplet growth at 4 °C, while nanomosc was more stable at 25 °C. Nanopepo was the most stable formulation after the heating-cooling cycles, whereas nanomax was the most stable under centrifugation regardless the temperature. Overall, all nanoemulsions presented droplet diameter lower than 200 nm and ζ-potential approaching -30 mV until the end of storage.