Solid-state fermentation using wheat bran to produce glucose syrup and functional cereal bars.

Wheat bran is one of the most abundant by-products from grain milling, which can be used as substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) to obtain enzymes able to convert this agro-industrial waste into glucose syrup, which in turn can be applied for the production of different food products. The present study aimed to determine centesimal composition of wheat bran, obtain enzymatic extract that converts wheat bran into wheat glucose syrup (WGS), produce rice flakes cereal bars (RFCB), and evaluate their nutritional composition and the presence of functional compounds, as well as their antioxidant potential. Determination of centesimal composition of wheat bran demonstrated its nutritional potential. Enzymatic extract was obtained and it converted wheat bran into WGS, which were applied to rice flakes producing RFCB. These cereal bars proved to be a source of dietary fiber (1.8 g) and soluble protein (7.2 g) while RCFB produced with corn glucose syrup did not present these nutritional components. In addition, RFCB produced with WGS showed polyphenolic compounds, among them flavonoids, which exhibited antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging (47.46% and 711.89 µM Trolox Equivalent/g, respectively), and iron ion reduction (71.70 µM Trolox equivalent/g). Final product showed a decrease in caloric value and sodium content. Therefore, the present study showed that the bioprocess of SSF yields a nutritional, ecological, and functional food product, which might be of great interest for food industry, adding nutritional and functional value to a well-stablished product.

Analysis of antioxidant, cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of Agave sisalana Perrine extracts using Vero cells, human lymphocytes and mice polychromatic erythrocytes.

Brazilian Northeast is the world's largest producer of Agave sisalana Perrine for the supply of the sisal fiber. About 95% of plant biomass, which comprise the mucilage and sisal juice, is considered a waste residual is discarded in the soil. However, the sisal juice is rich in steroidal saponins, which exhibits different pharmacological properties. Despite this, natural products are not necessarily safe. Based on this, this study analyzed the antioxidant, cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of three extracts derived from acid hydrolysis (AHAS), dried precipitate (DPAS) and hexanic of A. sisalana (HAS). These analyses were performed by in vitro and in vivo methods, using Vero cells, human lymphocytes and mice. Results showed that AHAS 50 and 100 can be considered a useful antineoplastic candidate due to their antioxidant and cytotoxic activity, with no genotoxic/clastogenic potential in Vero cells and mice. Although the comet assay in human lymphocytes has showed that the AHAS 25, AHAS 50 and AHAS 100 can lead to DNA breaks, these extracts did not promote DNA damages in mice bone marrow. Considering the different mutagenic responses obtained with the different methods employed, this study suggest that the metabolizing pathways can produce by-products harmful to health. For this reason, it is mandatory to analyze the mutagenic potential by both in vitro and in vivo techniques, using cells derived from different species and origins.

Applications of the hexanic fraction of Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm (Asparagaceae): control of inflammation and pain screening.

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Agave sisalana Perrine in classic models of inflammation and pain. The hexanic fraction of A. sisalana (HFAS) was obtained by acid hydrolysis followed by hexanic reflux. Anti-inflammatory properties were examined in three acute mouse models (xylene ear oedema, hind paw oedema and pleurisy) and a chronic mouse model (granuloma cotton pellet). The antinociceptive potential was evaluated in chemical (acetic-acid) and thermal (tail-flick and hot-plate test) models of pain. When given orally, HFAS (5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg) reduced ear oedema (p < 0.0001; 52%, 71%, 62% and 42%, respectively). HFAS also reduced hind paw oedema at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg (p < 0.05; 42% and 58%, respectively) and pleurisy at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg (41% and 50%, respectively). In a chronic model, HFAS reduced inflammation by 46% and 58% at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, this fraction showed analgesic properties against the abdominal writhing in an acetic acid model (at doses of 5-25 mg/kg) with inhibitory rates of 24%, 54% and 48%. The HFAS also showed an increased latency time in the hot-plate (23% and 28%) and tail-flick tests (61% and 66%) for the 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg doses, respectively. These results suggest that HFAS has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.