Flours from Spondias mombin and Spondias tuberosa seeds: Physicochemical characterization, technological properties, and antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activities.

Yellow mombin (Spondias mombin) and Brazil plum (Spondias tuberosa) seeds are byproducts of exploiting their pulp and currently have no relevant food or industrial applications. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, technological, and functional characteristics of flours obtained from yellow mombin (YMF) and Brazil plum (BPF) residues. The flours presented a high percentage of insoluble fiber (68.8-70.2 g/100 g) and low carbohydrate (2.7-4.0 g/100 g) and caloric (91.9-95.3 kcal) values. The flours showed potential for technological application. In addition, the highest concentration of total phenolic content (31.1-50.2 mg GAE/g) was obtained with 70% acetone, which provided excellent results for antioxidant capacity evaluated by 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (81.0%-89.7%) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (60.6%-69.1%) radical scavenging capacity assays. Flour extracts in 70% acetone also exhibited inhibition of α-amylase (63.3%-78.8%) and amyloglucosidase (63.5%-71.0%). The antibacterial study revealed that extracts inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Burkholderia cepacia, and Burkholderia multivorans. Therefore, this study suggests the use of yellow mombin and Brazil plum residues for different food or industrial applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The knowledge gained from this study will open a new approach to add value to yellow mombin and Brazil plum fruit seeds as sources of fiber and bioactive compounds, with promising application in the formulation of functional and nutraceutical products, benefiting both a sustainable environment and a sustainable industry.

Microencapsulation of Probiotics by Oil-in-Water Emulsification Technique Improves Cell Viability under Different Storage Conditions.

Probiotics are associated with health benefits to the host. However, their application can be limited due to a decrease in cell viability during processing, storage, and passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Microencapsulation is a simple and efficient alternative to improve the physical protection and stability of probiotics. The present study aimed to produce and characterize alginate or gelatin-based microparticles containing Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL B-4495 or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NRRL B-4496 by oil-in-water (O/W) emulsification and to evaluate the stability under storage conditions. The results showed that L. acidophilus and L. plantarum encapsulated in gelatin (LAEG and LPEG) presented diameters of 26.08 ± 1.74 µm and 21.56 ± 4.17 µm and encapsulation efficiencies of 89.6 ± 4.2% and 81.1 ± 9.7%, respectively. However, those encapsulated in alginate (LAEA and LPEA) showed an encapsulation efficiency of <1.0%. Furthermore, LAEG was stable for 120 days of storage at 5 °C and 25 °C. Therefore, encapsulation in gelatin by O/W emulsification is a promising strategy for protecting and stabilizing probiotic bacteria, enabling future application in foods.

Nanoencapsulation of buriti oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) in porcine gelatin enhances the antioxidant potential and improves the effect on the antibiotic activity modulation.

The present study evaluated the cytotoxicity, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial effect on the antibiotic activity modulation of gelatin nanoparticles containing buriti oil (OPG). The cytotoxicity analysis was performed on Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells (CHO) using a MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] test. The antioxidant potential of buriti oil and OPG was determined by total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, and the ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) test. The modulating antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) concentration against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, gentamicin and norflaxacillin. The nanoformulation of OPG did not show a cytotoxic effect on CHO cells and had a higher antioxidant potential than free buriti oil (p<0.05). The combination of antibiotics with free buriti oil and OPG was more efficient in inhibiting E. coli and P. aeruginosa than isolated norfloxacillin and gentamicin (p<0.05). Regarding the inhibition of S. aureus, OPG in combination with norfloxacillin reduced MIC by 50%. Nanoencapsulation was a viable alternative to enhance functionality and adding commercial value to buriti oil.

Antioxidant stability enhancement of carotenoid rich-extract from Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) nanoencapsulated in gelatin under different storage conditions.

The study evaluated the potential and antioxidant stability of nanoencapsulated carotenoid-rich extract (CE) from Cantaloupe melon (EPG). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays were used to investigate the nanoencapsulation effect on antioxidant potential. CE and EPG stability were evaluated at 25 °C and 5 °C, with and without light (1600 lx) for 60 days, determining the ß-carotene concentration by UHPLC and antioxidant potential by ABTS. The antioxidant potential of carotenoids increased after nanoencapsulation (57-59%). After 60 days, there was low retention of ß-carotene (0-43.6%) in the CE, mainly at 25 °C light (0.00%) and dark (10.0%), and total loss of activity in the four conditions. EPG preserved the ß-carotene concentration in the dark at 25 °C (99.0%) and in the light (83.1%) and dark (99.0%) at 5 °C, maintaining the antioxidant potential (68.7-48.3%). Therefore, EPG enhanced and stabilized the antioxidant potential of carotenoids, beneficial to human health.

Chemical and biological activities of faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl) seed oil for potential health applications.

Faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius) is an emerging Brazilian plant, with seeds rich in edible oil. This study investigates physicochemical properties, chemical composition, thermal and oxidative stability, in vitro and in vivo toxicity, antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of faveleira seed oil. It was observed that the oil has low acidity, value of peroxide, chlorophyll, carotenoids, ß-carotene and high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids. In addition to presenting thermal and oxidative stability and high total phenolic content, with vanillin, eugenol and quercetin were predominating. The oil showed no toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and presented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. These findings provide relevant and appropriate conditions for processing of faveleira seed oil as functional food.

Whey protein isolate-gelatin nanoparticles enable the water-dispersibility and potentialize the antioxidant activity of quinoa oil (Chenopodium quinoa).

The quinoa oil presents benefits to health, but its low water dispersibility in the aqueous matrix and instability of bioactive compounds is challenging for food application. This study performed the physicochemical and chemical characterization of quinoa oil and evaluated its water dispersibility and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity after nanoencapsulation in porcine gelatin and combination with whey protein isolate by emulsification O/W technique. Thus, three formulations were obtained: 1) OG-containing quinoa oil and porcine gelatin in aqueous phase 2; 2) OWG1-containing quinoa oil, whey protein isolate, and porcine gelatin in aqueous phase 2; and 3) OWG2-containing quinoa oil and whey protein isolate in aqueous phase 1, and porcine gelatin in aqueous phase 2. The oil characterization showed that quinoa oil presented the predominance of linoleic acid (53.4%), and concentration of alpha and gamma-tocopherol, respectively, of 8.56 and 6.28 mg.100g-1. All formulations presented a smooth surface without depression or cracking, an average diameter between 165.77 and 529.70 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated chemical interaction between the encapsulating agents and the oil in all formulations, being more intensified in OWG1 and OWG2. Based on this, these formulations showed higher dispersibility in aqueous solution [68% (3.48) and 71% (2.97)]. This resulted in higher antioxidant activity for OWG1 and OWG2, showing the amounts that reduces antioxidant activity by 50% equal to 5.30 (0.19) mg/mL and 5.54 (0.27) mg/mL, respectively, compared to quinoa oil [13.36 (0.28) mg/mL] (p < 0.05). Thus, quinoa oil nanoencapsulation proved to be an efficient alternative to enable water-dispersibility and enhance antioxidant activity, increasing its potential for application in the food industry.

Gelatin nanoparticles enable water dispersibility and potentialize the antimicrobial activity of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) oil.

BACKGROUND: Buriti oil presents numerous health benefits, but due to its lipophilic nature and high oxidation, it is impossible to incorporate it into aqueous food matrices. Thus, the present study evaluated whether powder nanoparticles based on porcine gelatin (OPG) and in combination with sodium alginate (OAG) containing buriti oil obtained by O/W emulsification followed by freeze-drying enabled water dispersibility and preserved or increased the antimicrobial activity of the oil. RESULTS: OPG presented spherical shape, smooth surface, smaller particle size and polydispersity index [51.0 (6.07) nm and 0.40 (0.05)], and better chemical interaction between the nonpolar amino acids and the hydrophobic oil chain. OPG also presented a higher dispersibility percentage [85.62% (7.82)] than OAG [50.19% (7.24)] (p < 0.05), and significantly increased the antimicrobial activity of the oil by 59, 62, and 43% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, nanoencapsulation in gelatin is a promising strategy to increase the potential to use buriti oil in foods.

Chitooligosaccharides antagonize the cytotoxic effect of glucosamine.

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) are partially hydrolyzed compounds derived from chitosan that exhibit a number of biological activities, including antitumor, antibacterial and antifungal properties. In this work, we examined the cytotoxicity of pure COS and oligomers A, B and C (solutions composed of different amounts of COS) produced by enzymatic hydrolysis using a crude enzyme extract produced by the fungus Metarhrizium anisopliae. The antiproliferative effect of these molecules was analyzed using tumor cell lines (HepG2 and HeLa cells) and in a normal cell line (3T3). The antioxidant activity was analyzed in several in vitro experiments. Glucosamine showed higher toxicity (approximately 92%) to all cell lines studied. However, the oligomers obtained after hydrolysis demonstrated no toxic effects on the normal cells (3T3). Furthermore, we showed that a small amount of other COS can decrease the cytotoxic effect of glucosamine against 3T3 cells, indicating that glucosamine could be used as an antitumor drug in the presence of other COS. In addition, different effects were found in antiproliferative assays, which depended on the COS composition in the oligomers (A, B and C), showing that a combination of them may be essential for developing antineoplastic drugs. Superoxide anion scavenging was the main antioxidant activity demonstrated by the COS and oligomers. This activity was also dependent on the oligomer composition of the chitosan hydrolysates. Further work will identify the ideal proportions of COS and glucosamine for maximizing the effects of these biological activities.

Influence of protein phosphatase inhibitors on HL60 cells death induction by dehydrocrotonin.

Oxidative stress can be involved in several cellular responses, such as differentiation, apoptosis and necrosis. Dehydrocrotonin (DCTN, diterpene lactone) from Croton cajucara, Brazilian medicinal plant, slightly induced NBT-reducing activity. In presence of protein phosphatase inhibitors significant differentiation of HL60 cells was observed. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that apoptosis was induced when the cells were treated with okadaic acid (OKA) and plus trans-dehydrocrotonin (t-DCTN) this effect was two-fold increased. Unlike, when the cells were treated only with t-DCTN, necrosis was observed. On the other hand, the necrosis induced by t-DCTN could be due to oxidative stress, revealed by increase of GSH content. Therefore, this differentiation pathway involves the modulation of protein phosphatases and this inhibition promotes the t-DCTN action on apoptosis induction.