Phytochemical analysis of carotenoid profile in Mentha piperita and Artemisia vulgaris: cytotoxicity in tumoral cells and evaluation of plasmid DNA cleavage.

Several medicinal plants have been administered to cancer patients attributed to their anticarcinogenic and chemoprotective properties, in addition to lower toxicity compared to traditional therapies. The aim was to investigate the antioxidant properties and carotenoid composition of aqueous extracts of Mentha piperita or Artemisia vulgaris which were previously found to exert beneficial effects on human health through diet. aqueous extracts exhibited potent antioxidant activity. A diversity of carotenoids was identified in these extracts using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. Both extracts contained predominantly all-trans-lutein as the main component within this class. In order to investigate antioxidant properties, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) techniques were used. The (3-4,5 dimethylthiazol-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) and Crystal Violet assays assessed cellular cytotoxicity. Assessments of presence of reactive species were carried out following exposure of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCC-4) to various aqueous extracts of M piperita or A vulgaris utilizing dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and nitric oxide (NO) assays. Exposure to these extracts induced severe cytotoxic effects, which led to investigation of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying this observed effect. Data demonstrated that both solutions induced oxidative stress and DNA damage, especially at higher concentrations using agarose gel subjected to electrophoresis. It is known that exposure to excess amounts of antioxidants results in a prooxidant effect which is beneficial in cancer therapy. Further, the extracts were found to reduce viability of SCC-4 in culture, indicating that this antitumoral activity may be of therapeutic importance and requires further study.

Co-encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum and bioactive compounds extracted from red beet stem (Beta vulgaris L.) by spray dryer.

Probiotic bacteria and bioactive compounds obtained from plant origin stand out as ingredients with the potential to increase the healthiness of functional foods, as there is currently a recurrent search for them. Probiotics and bioactive compounds are sensitive to intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the processing and packaging of the finished product. In this sense, the present study aims to evaluate the co-encapsulation by spray dryer (inlet air temperature 120 °C, air flow 40 L / min, pressure of 0.6 MPa and 1.5 mm nozzle diameter) of probiotic bacteria (L.plantarum) and compounds extracted from red beet stems (betalains) in order to verify the interaction between both and achieve better viability and resistance of the encapsulated material. When studying the co-encapsulation of L.plantarum and betalains extracted from beet stems, an unexpected influence was observed with a decrease in probiotic viability in the highest concentration of extract (100 %), on the other hand, the concentration of 50 % was the best enabled and maintained the survival of L.plantarum in conditions of 25 °C (63.06 %), 8 °C (88.80 %) and -18 °C (89.28 %). The viability of the betalains and the probiotic was better preserved in storage at 8 and -18 °C, where the encapsulated stability for 120 days was successfully achieved. Thus, the polyfunctional formulation developed in this study proved to be promising, as it expands the possibilities of application and development of new foods.

Use of prebiotic sources to increase probiotic viability in pectin microparticles obtained by emulsification/internal gelation followed by freeze-drying.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hi-maize, inulin, and rice bran in the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 in pectin microparticles obtained by internal gelation and subjected to freeze-drying. For this, the development of a matrix capable of extending Lactobacillus acidophilus viability to develop new functional foods was emphasized. Microparticle size, encapsulation efficiency, probiotic survivability after gastrointestinal simulation, and storage stability were analyzed. The pectin + inulin encapsulation matrix presented the highest encapsulation efficiency (68.1%) compared to the other treatments. Microparticle sizes ranged from 166 ± 2 µm (pectin + hi-maize) to 345 ± 9 µm (pectin + inulin). The microparticles added from the different prebiotics showed better microorganism protection when compared to treatment without prebiotics, which presented greater viability in the gastrointestinal simulation. Under storage conditions of 25 °C and -18 °C, the microparticles containing hi-maize, inulin, and rice bran maintained the probiotic microorganisms viable for longer periods than the pectin microparticles. At 7 °C, the pectin + rice bran treatment stood out from the other treatments, as it was able to maintain probiotic stability during 120 days of storage.

Exploratory data of the microalgae compounds for food purposes.

This brief data article refers to the previous exploration of Scenedesmus obliquus and Phormidium autumnale biomass about the possibility of using these microalgae species as an unconventional functional food. Data on chemical composition, fatty acids, volatile compounds, and carotenoid profiles were determined. In parallel, are provided the antioxidant capacity (reducing capacity - RC and reactive oxygen species deactivation - ORAC) of aqueous, lipophilic, and carotenoid extracts isolated from microalgae biomass. Both species have similar compounds in their biomass. However, S. obliquus was statistically different with a lower saturated fatty acid (STF) followed by higher mono (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) content, also showed higher antioxidant potential for acetone extract and isolated carotenoids. On the other hand, P. autumnale aqueous extract showed high RC and ORAC. The significance of the experimental data was determined using the t-test (p < 0.05) based on the Statistica 7.0 software. These findings led us to explore the microalgae S. obliquus in an in vivo experimental model.

Microalgae carotenoids intake: Influence on cholesterol levels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of carotenoids intake of Scenedesmus obliquus, on lipid peroxidation, the endogenous antioxidant defense system as well as the serum lipid profile in vivo. Male mice were divided into control groups and supplemented with different doses of microalgae carotenoids: 0.25 (MC1) and 2.5 (MC2) mg·kg-1 bodyweight. The lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low and high-density lipoprotein) and markers of hepatic toxicity were determined in serum samples. Antioxidant enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were determined in the heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Both doses used to treat the animals did not show adverse effects by markers of hepatic toxicity. MC1 did not cause significant changes in the serum lipid profile. In contrast, it created a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation of the spleen (46%) as well as an increase in the GR in the heart (40%) and GPx in the kidneys (79%) activity. The MC2 treatment also increased GR (49%) in the heart and GPx (243%) in the heart and kidneys (58%) activity, however, significantly increased levels of lipid peroxidation in the liver (160%) as well as serum triglycerides (60%). According to results, it is suggested that the consumption of S. obliquus carotenoids at the MC1 dose was safe to the animals and could be explored as an alternative to improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce lipid peroxidation.

The role of photoperiods on photobioreactors - A potential strategy to reduce costs.

The aim of this work was evaluate the role of photoperiods (long-term, frequencies and short) on the growth and lipid content of microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus CPCC05. The results showed that Scenedesmus obliquus can store sufficient energy to sustain cell growth for continuous periods of up to 2h in the dark, without affecting the photosynthetic rate. The values for maximum biomass (9.58mg/Lh) and lipid productivities (2.56mg/Lh) were obtained at photoperiod of 0.91:0.09s (light:dark) and 48 t/d, respectively. Moreover, the best trade-offs between biomass productivity and light energy economy occurred in photoperiods of 0.5:0.5s and 0.91:0.09s (light:dark), and those between lipid productivity and light energy economy occurred in the frequency photoperiod of 24 and 48 t/d. Thus, the use of the photoperiods are an effective strategy for reducing costs of microalgal biomass production.

Nutritional evaluation of single-cell protein produced by Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the nutritional characteristics of Aphanothece microscopica Nägeli microalgae developed in the effluent of parboiled rice. The biomass was biologically evaluated by rat growth, during 10 days for nitrogen balance studies and 28 days for blood analysis. The feeding of Aphanothece biomass diets resulted in a nitrogen balance of 1.42 g/rat/day, an apparent biological value of 73.33%, an apparent digestibility of 82.12%, an apparent net protein utilization of 60.21% and a net protein retention of 2.40. Significant differences between the glycemic indices of rats fed with the Aphanothece and those fed with the control diet were not observed. However, the total cholesterol levels in the plasma of rats fed the test diet proved to be significantly lower. These results suggest the use of A. microscopica Nägeli developed in parboiled rice effluent as a potential source of single-cell protein.