Linseed, Baru, and Coconut Oils: NMR-Based Metabolomics, Leukocyte Infiltration Potential In Vivo, and Their Oil Characterization. Are There Still Controversies?

Different fatty acid proportions produce potential inflammatory and metabolic changes in organisms. However, the evidence for how each fatty acid mediates the metabolic pathway, and its lipid stability remains controversial. To resolve this controversy, the present study investigated the metabolic effects of cold-pressed linseed (LG), coconut (CG), and baru (BG) oils in comparison to those of soybean oil (SG) in mice, in terms of their oil characterization and stability. The quality analysis showed less oxidative behavior among PUFA-rich oils (SO, BO, and LO, with induction periods lower than 2 h compared to 39.8 h for CG), besides the high contents of tocopherols and carotenoids in SG and LG. In the experimental study, CG presented higher triglyceride (257.93 ± 72.30) and VLDL-cholesterol levels (51.59 ± 14.46, p < 0.05), while LG reduced LDL levels (59.29 ± 7.56, p < 0.05) when compared to SG (183.14 ± 22.06, 36.63 ± 4.41 and 131.63 ± 29.0, respectively). For visceral fats, the adiposity index was lower for BG (7.32 ± 3.13) and CG (9.58 ± 1.02, p < 0.05) in relation to SG (12.53 ± 2.80), and for leukocyte recruitment, CG presented lower polymorphonuclear (PMN) (p < 0.0001) and mononuclear (MN) (p < 0.05) cell infiltration, demonstrating anti-inflammatory potential. In NMR-based metabolomics, although CG presented higher values for the glucose, lactate, and LDL/VLDL ratio, this group also evidenced high levels of choline, a lipotropic metabolite. Our study emphasized the controversies of saturated fatty acids, which impair serum lipids, while alfa-linolenic acid presented cardioprotective effects. However, coconut oil also has a positive immunomodulatory pathway and was found to reduce visceral bodyfat in mice. Therefore, for future applications, we suggest a combination of lauric and al-fa-linolenic acid sources, which are present in coconut and linseed oil, respectively. This combination could be less obesogenic and inflammatory and exert cardioprotective action.

A new feed additive composed of urea and soluble carbohydrate coated with wax for controlled release in ruminal fluid.

Urea is a compound widely used as a feed additive for ruminants; however, when used profusely, it can lead animals to intoxication. Another factor that affects the effectiveness of urea is the lack of synchronization between the nitrogen and the availability of carbohydrates, necessary for better development of the ruminal microbiota. In order to circumvent these problems and improve the efficiency in urea use, the present study developed two new nutritional additives (F16 and F17) with different carbohydrate sources. One of the products developed (F16) used sugarcane molasses as a carbohydrate source, while the other (F17) used cassava starch. In addition to the carbohydrate source, both products contained the same amounts of urea, sulfur, calcium carbonate and were coated with carnauba wax. The supplements developed and two other commercial products based on extruded urea (UE) and polymer-coated urea (UP) were tested for solubility and cumulative gas production. The wax used in the coating process of the developed products (F16 and F17) proved to be efficient in reducing the solubility of the ingredients used. During chemical composition analysis it was verified that both supplements developed contained protein equivalent above 150% of crude protein. The cumulative gas production showed a higher production related to the product F17 (p < 0.05). Through thermogravimetric analysis, it was found the chemical integrity of the ingredients that make up the supplements developed. Therefore, is possible to reduce the solubility of urea using carnauba wax as a coating material. The formula with cassava starch associated with urea (F17) had a better synchronization during the degradation of its ingredients.

Data on elemental composition of the medicinal plant Hymenaea martiana Hayne (Jatobá).

This data article provides elemental compositions profile, determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES), of the medicinal plant Hymeneaea martiana Hayne which belongs of the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae).It is a tree that demonstrates medicinal purposes as antioxidant, immunomodulatory (Boniface et al., 2017) [1], microbial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective (Almeida et al., 2012) [2] and antifungal (Souza et al., 2010) [3].The content of 13 elements (Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S and Zn) in the barks, leaves, tea leaves and bark tea were detected. Data on the cataloging of the plant can be found in the deposit number 64779 of Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul herbarium, available in www.splink.org.br/form?lang=pt&collectioncode=CGMS.