Use of bacaba peel for the development of hydroelectrolytic beverages and their consumer acceptance

Abstract The hydroelectrolytic beverages segment has been expading its market and introducing new flavors in order to meet the demand for new products. However, experimental studies find concerns about the chemical compositions of these drinks. The aim of this study was to develop a drink without synthetic coloring or flavoring, with functional attributes based on the bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) peel extract. Two hydroelectrolytic drinks were developed, one hypotonic and the other isotonic, containing 0.5 and 1.0% of bacaba peel extract. Physicochemical characterization, determination of total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity were perfomed, in addition to color evaluation, as well as sensory analysis by means of preference tests. The developed formulations showed potential antioxidant activity and natural red coloring due to the phenolic compounds and anthocyanins present in the beverages. The sensory evaluation indicated positive acceptance by the tasters regarding the addition of the bacaba peel extract to the beverage formulations. The developed formulations demonstrated that the use of the bacaba peel is a viable option for the production of sports drinks, acting as a natural dye and offering health benefits due to its bioactive compounds.

Essential Oil from the Stem Bark of Casuarina equisetifolia Exerts Anti-inflammatory and Anti-nociceptive Activities in Rats

Abstract Herein the chemical constituents and the anti-pain properties of the essential oil from the stem bark of Casuarina equisetifolia L. (Casuarinaceae) grown in Nigeria were evaluated. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method in an all glass Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The hot plate method was used to determine the anti-nociceptive property whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced and formalin experimental models. The pale-yellow essential oil was obtained in yield of 0.21% (v/w), calculated on a dry weight basis. The main constituents of the essential oil were methyl salicylate (30.4%), a-zingiberene (15.5%), (E)-anethole (9.5%), b-bisabolene (8.6%), b- sesquiphellandrene (6.9%), and ar-curcumene (6.2%). In the anti-nociceptive study, the rate of inhibition increases as the doses of essential oil increases with optimum activity at the 30th and 60th min for all tested doses. The essential oil displayed anti-nociceptive activity independently of reaction time at the highest tested dose (200 mg/kg). The essential oil of C. equisetifolia moderately reduced pain responses in early and late phases of the formalin test. The oil inhibited the paw licking in the neurogenic phase (60-63%) compared to the late phase of the formalin test. The carrageenan- induced oedema model revealed the suppression of inflammatory mediators within the 1st - 3rd h. Thus, C. equisetifolia essential oil displayed both anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities independent of the dose tested. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of C. equisetifolia essential oil are herein reported for the first time

Anxiolytic-like effect of Citrus limon (L. ) Burm f. essential oil inhalation on mice / Efeito ansiolítico da inalação do óleo essencial de Citrus limon (L. ) Burm f. em camundongos.

ABSTRACT Experimental in vivo study aimed to characterize the anxiolytic-like effect of the Citrus limon fruit peel’s essential oil (CLEO) in animal models of anxiety, besides evaluating the viability J774.A1 cells in vitro through the MTT reduction method at the concentrations of 10 and 100 µg/mL. The anxiolytic behavior was evaluated in Swiss mice (n = 8) using the methodology of Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) and Open-Field (OF). CLEO was tested by inhalation at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 µL, and as control, animals were subjected to inhalation of the vehicle (saline solution 0.9% + Tween80®) and intraperitoneal administration of diazepam (1.5 mg/kg). In the cell viability assay, it was observed that none of the concentrations showed cytotoxicity. OF test showed significant anxiolytic activity at all tested doses of OECL, compared to the control group, without changing the motor performance of the animals. Corroborating OF data, the EPM test confirmed anxiolytic activity in at least two doses of the tested oil (200 and 400 µL), justified by the number of entries and increase in the percentage of time in the open arms. The data analysis of this study evidenced that inhalation of OECL was able to induce an anxiolytic behavior in mice; however, further studies are required to ensure its safe use by the population.

RESUMO O estudo experimental in vivo objetivou caracterizar o efeito ansiolítico do óleo essencial das cascas do fruto de Citrus limon (OECL) em modelos animais de ansiedade, além de avaliar in vitro a viabilidade de células J774.A1 através do método de redução do MTT nas concentrações de 10 e 100 µg/mL. O comportamento ansiolítico foi avaliado em camundongos Swiss (n = 8), utilizando a metodologia do Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (LCE) e do Campo Aberto (CA). O OECL foi testado por inalação nas doses de 100, 200 e 400 µL, e como controle, os grupos foram submetidos à inalação do veículo (Solução fisiológica 0,9% + Tween80®) e administração intraperitoneal de diazepam (1,5 mg/kg). No ensaio de viabilidade celular, observou-se que nenhuma das concentrações apresentou citotoxicidade. O teste de CA demonstrou atividade ansiolítica significativa em todas as doses testadas do OECL, comparada ao grupo controle, sem alterar a performance motora dos animais. Corroborando os dados do CA, o teste do LCE confirmou a atividade ansiolítica em pelo menos duas das doses do óleo testadas (200 e 400 µL), justificada pelo número de entradas e aumento na percentagem de tempo nos braços abertos. A análise dos dados deste estudo evidenciou que a inalação do OECL foi capaz de induzir um comportamento ansiolítico em camundongos; entretanto, outros estudos são necessários para garantir o seu uso seguro pela população.

Morphoanatomical characterization and chemical study of the internal portion of the stem bark of Sambucus australis Cham. & Schltdl / Caracterização morfoanatômica e estudo químico da porção interna da casca do caule de Sambucus australis Cham. & Schltdl.

ABSTRACT The internal part of the stem bark of this species is used to produce a homemade ointment in some regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The purpose of this study is to characterize the morphoanatomy and identify the compounds present in the internal part of the stem bark of S. australis through chemical and histochemical methods. In addition, the best extraction conditions for the sample were determined. It was possible to quantify the rutin and total phenolic compounds, as well as define the Soxhlet method with an 80% hydroethanolic solution as the best method for extracting these compounds from the bark of the species. The portion of the stem bark that is popularly used could also be determined. Based on the results, new studies will be performed in order to identify other characteristics of the species and the possible reasons that sustain its traditional use.

RESUMO Sambucus australis Cham. & Schtdl. (Adoxaceae) é uma espécie arbórea nativa do sul do Brazil, conhecida como “sabugueiro”. A parte interna da casca do caule dessa espécie é utilizada na produção de uma pomada caseira em algumas regiões do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O objetivo desse estudo é caracterizar a morfoanatomia e identificar compostos presentes na parte interna da casca do caule de S. australis por métodos químicos e histoquímicos. Ademais, realizou-se avaliações para determinar as melhores condições extrativas para a amostra. Foi possível quantificar rutina e compostos fenólicos totais, além de determinar o método Soxhlet com solvente hidroetanólico 80% como o melhor método para extrair esses compostos da casca da espécie. Ainda foi possível determinar a porção da casca do caule utilizada popularmente. Com base nos resultados, novas investigações serão realizadas a fim de determinar mais características da espécie e as possíveis razões que corroboram o uso tradicional.

Recipientes e substratos na produção de mudas e no cultivo hidropônico de tomilho (Thymus vulgaris L. ) / Containers and substrates on seedling production and hydroponic cultivation of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L. )

Bandejas com diferente número de células (128, 200 e 288) e dois substratos (fibra de casca de coco e casca de pinus) foram avaliados para a produção de mudas de tomilho e sobre o desempenho das plantas em sistema hidropônico. Para ambos os experimentos, o delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso. As mudas provenientes de estaquia foram avaliadas aos 30 dias quanto ao comprimento e massa seca de raízes. Aos 40 dias após o transplante das mudas, as plantas cultivadas em sistema hidropônico foram avaliadas quanto à massa fresca da parte aérea, massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca das raízes. A maior massa seca de raízes foi obtida para as mudas cultivadas em substrato à base de casca de fibra de coco. As mudas com maior comprimento de raízes foram obtidas nas bandejas com 128 e 200 células. As plantas de tomilho provenientes de mudas produzidas em bandejas de 128 células apresentaram maior massa fresca da parte aérea, massa seca da parte aérea e massa seca das raízes.

Trays with different number of cells (128, 200 and 288) and two substrates (coir and pine bark-based) were studied for thyme seedling production and plant development in hydroponic system. In both experiments, experimental design was in randomized blocks. Seedlings from cuttings were evaluated at 30 days as to root length and dry matter. At 40 days after transplanting, plants grown in hydroponic system were evaluated for shoot fresh matter, shoot dry matter and root dry matter. The highest root dry matter was detected in seedlings grown in coir-based substrate. Seedlings that presented the greatest root length were obtained by using trays with 128 and 200 cells. Thyme plants from seedlings produced in trays with 128 cells had higher shoot fresh matter, shoot dry matter and root dry matter.