Enhancing mortadella formulations: Exploring the impact of curcumin microcrystals, cochineal carmine, and annatto dyes on sensory preferences, stability, and antioxidant potential.

The effects of adding cochineal carmine and annatto dyes in five mortadella formulations made with curcumin microcrystals were compared, and the preference was evaluated and described sensorially. Based on the optimized formulation obtained with color parameters, two formulations were elaborated: curcumin microcrystals and cochineal carmine were added. During 60 days, pH, objective color, water retention capacity, lipid oxidation, and texture profile analyses were performed. The results demonstrate the possibility of excluding sodium erythorbate from formulations containing curcumin microcrystals. There was no significant difference in lipid oxidation between the samples, presenting at the end of 60 days a value of 0.11 mg and 0.10 mg of MDA kg-1 for the two samples, respectively. There were also no significant differences between the two samples or the evaluated storage times, and the average values obtained for pH, WRC, objective color, and TPA were expected for this type of cooked meat sausage. In the presence of curcumin microcrystals, the synthetic antioxidant, sodium erythorbate, can be eliminated from the formulations, as it does not affect the physical-chemical parameters studied, such as pH, water retention capacity, color objective, and texture profile.

In vitro evaluation of the protective effects of plant extracts against amyloid-beta peptide-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and has no cure. Therapeutic strategies focusing on the reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) toxicity and inhibition of tau protein hyperphosphorylation are warranted to avoid the development and progression of AD. The aim of this study was to screen the crude extracts (CEs) and ethyl-acetate fractions (EAFs) of Guazuma ulmifolia, Limonium brasiliense, Paullinia cupana, Poincianella pluviosa, Stryphnodendron adstringens and Trichilia catigua using preliminary in vitro bioassays (acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content) to select extracts/fractions and assess their protective effects against Aß25-35 toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. The effect of the EAF of S. adstringens on mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid peroxidation, superoxide production and mRNA expression of 10 genes related to AD was also evaluated and the electropherogram fingerprints of EAFs were established by capillary electrophoresis. Chemometric tools were used to correlate the in vitro activities of the samples with their potential to be evaluated against AD and to divide extracts/fractions into four clusters. Pretreatment with the EAFs grouped in cluster 1 (S. adstringens, P. pluviosa and L. brasiliense) protected SH-SY5Y cells from Aß25-35-induced toxicity. The EAF of S. adstringens at 15.62 µg/mL was able completely to inhibit the mitochondrial depolarization (69%), superoxide production (49%) and Aß25-35-induced lipid peroxidation (35%). With respect to mRNA expression, the EAF of S. adstringens also prevented the MAPT mRNA overexpression (expression ratio of 2.387x) induced by Aß25-35, which may be related to tau protein hyperphosphorylation. This is the first time that the neuroprotective effects of these fractions have been demonstrated and that the electropherogram fingerprints for the EAFs of G. ulmifolia, L. brasiliense, P. cupana, P. pluviosa and S. adstringens have been established. The study expands knowledge of the in vitro protective effects and quality control of the evaluated fractions.

Paullinia cupana: a multipurpose plant - a review

Abstract Seeds of guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth, Sapindaceae) feature diverse pharmacological functions, for example, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, stimulating, and cognitive functions, as well as liver protection and weight loss. Many of these actions are probably due to the high content of methylxanthines and tannins in its seeds. In Brazil, the world's largest producer of guarana, the plant material is predominantly used in the soft drinks industry, although it is also used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Although the Amazon region has the largest cropping area, the state of Bahia is the main guarana producer in Brazil (71%). This review focuses mainly on the possible pharmacological actions of guarana that have been investigated. Moreover, it discusses less-considered topics, such as the toxicology and quality control of seeds and extractives of guarana that will ultimately influence the safety of its use. In addition, it presents a detailed discussion of the methods used to prepare herbal drugs and their extracts, focusing on the importance of standardization and on the direct impact of preparatory factors, on the pharmacological properties of guarana extracts.

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) seeds: Selective supercritical extraction of phenolic compounds.

Approximately 70% of the Brazilian production of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) seeds is absorbed by the beverage industries. Guaraná has several pharmacological properties: energy stimulant, antimicrobial, chemoprophylactic, antigenotoxic, antidepressive, anxiolytic, and anti-amnesic effects. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of bioactive compounds from guaraná seeds was carried out and optimized by an orthogonal array design (OA9(3(4))). The factors/levels studied were: modifier(s) (ethanol and/or methanol), extraction time (20, 40, and 60min), temperature (40, 50, and 60°C), and pressure (100, 200, and 300bar). The statistical design was repeated with increasing proportions of modifiers. The percentage of modifier used was proportional to the amount of polar compounds extracted. The best conditions for the supercritical extraction, based on the content of polyphenols, epicatechin/catechin quantification, yield and operating cost, proved to be: 40% ethanol:methanol during 40min, under 40°C, and 100bar. The temperature had a significant effect on the total phenolic content.

Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antineoplastic, and Immunomodulatory Activity of Paullinia cupana Seeds Crude Extract and Ethyl-Acetate Fraction.

Paullinia cupana (Guarana) is a native plant of Amazon region that has very traditional importance. Its seeds are rich in bioactive compounds, including tannins, which exhibit relevant properties. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate antibacterial, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory activity of P. cupana seeds crude extract (CE) and ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF). Methods. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). Antineoplastic activity was evaluated by MTT assays in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), ductal carcinoma (T47-D), non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma (Toledo), T cell leukemia (Jukart), and Acute Leukemia (HL-60) cell lines. BALB/c mice splenocytes were treated to assess IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-10 levels by sandwich ELISA. Results. CE and EAF were not toxic to peripheral blood cells and splenocytes. CE and EAF fractions showed a bacteriostatic activity (MIC = 250 µg/mL) and presented IC50 values of 70.25 µg/mL and 61.18 µg/mL in HL-60 leukemia cell line. All cytokines evaluated had their levels reduced after treatment, following dose-response model. Discussion and Conclusion. Different biological activities were observed for both CE and EAF, suggesting P. cupana as a source of bioactive substances, especially tannins that may be used for several diseases treatments.

Effect of raffinose and ultrasound pulses on invertase release by free and immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae in loofa (Luffa cylindrica) sponge

This study investigated the effect of raffinose and ultrasound pulses on invertase release from free S. cerevisiae and S. cerevisiae immobilized in Luffa cylindrica. The free cell culture was submitted to 2 percent raffinose pulse and irradiated for 2 minutes at 0.12 and 0.46 h-1 dilution rates. The immobilized cell culture was submitted to raffinose pulse and irradiated for 1, 2 and 4 minutes, at 0.10 h-1 dilution rate. In immobilized cells, the raffinose pulse increased the invertase activity from 5.38 to 7.27 U/mg. Ultrasound application in free cell culture at the 0.12 h-1 dilution rate gave the best results. The activity varied from 25.08 to 29.38 U/mg while the increase in immobilized cells was from 5.22 to 9.70 U/mg when sonicated for two minutes. These results showed that ultrasound application in continuous culture could have great potential for application in biotechnological techniques.

Neste trabalho investigou-se o efeito de pulsos de rafinose e ultra-som, na liberação de invertase de Saccharomyces cerevisiae livre e imobilizado em Luffa cylindrica. A cultura de células livres foi submetida a pulso de rafinose 2 por cento e irradiada por 2 min, nas taxas de diluição 0,12 e 0,46 h-1. A cultura de células imobilizadas foi submetida a pulso de rafinose e irradiada por 1, 2 e 4 min, em taxa de diluição 0,10 h-1. Em células imobilizadas, o pulso de rafinose aumentou a atividade invertásica de 5,38 para 7,27 U/mg. Entretanto a aplicação do ultra-som, em cultivo de células livres na taxa de diluição 0,12 h-1, obteve-se os melhores resultados. A atividade variou de 25,08 para 29,38 U/mg, enquanto que o aumento em células imobilizadas foi de 5,22 para 9,70 U/mg, quando sonicadas por 2 min. Esses resultados demonstram que a aplicação de ultra-som, em cultivo contínuo de células livres, pode ter um grande potencial de aplicação em processos biotecnológicos.