Brazilian stingless bee honey: A pioneer study on the in vitro bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds.

In this study, the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of phenolic compounds, the total phenolic content, and the antioxidant potential of stingless bee honey were investigated. Among the 33 phenolic compounds investigated, 25 were quantified, and only eight were not bioaccessible (p-aminobenzoic acid, sinapic acid, pinobanksin, isorhamnetin, quercetin-3-glucoside, syringaldehyde, coumarin, and coniferaldehyde). Benzoic acid was predominant in most undigested samples (21.3 to 2414 µg 100 g-1), but its bioaccessibility varied widely (2.5 to 534%). Rutin, a glycosylated flavonoid, was quantified in all samples and might have been deglycosylated during digestion, increasing the bioaccessibility of quercetin in a few samples. Overall, the concentration of phenolic compounds prior digestion and their bioaccessibility varied greatly among samples. Nevertheless, higher concentrations before digestion were not correlated to greater bioaccessibility. This study is the first to assess the in vitro bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in SBH, providing novel insights into SBH research.

Commercial propolis extracts from Apis mellifera, Scaptotrigona bipunctata and Melipona quadrifasciata: quality control, antioxidant and antiglycemic potential.

Quality control of propolis plays a pivotal role in ensuring the appropriate concentrations of active compounds, limiting unwanted substances, verifying authenticity, and adhering to regulatory standards. This study aimed to assess the identity and quality standards, the individual phenolic composition (LC-ESI-MS/MS), and the antioxidant and antiglycemic potential of commercial propolis extracts (CPEs) from Apis mellifera, Scaptotrigona bipunctata, and Melipona quadrifasciata bees. CPEs met wax content and oxidation activity criteria, surpassing minimum thresholds for total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC), although stingless bee CPE did not test positive for 10% lead acetate. CPEs exhibited antioxidant and potential antiglycemic activities. Epicatechin among the thirty-three identified phenolics, showed significant correlation with TPC, DPPH, ABTS, and EC50 values of α-amylase enzyme. These promising attributes underscore the potential health benefits of commercial propolis extracts from Apis mellifera and stingless bees for further medicinal and nutritional applications.

The Protective Effect of Juçara Fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius) Extracts on LPS-Activated J774 Macrophages.

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts from juçara fruits (Euterpe edulis Martius) through measurement of nitric oxide (NOx) and cytokines (IL-12p70, TNF-α, INF-γ, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-10). J774 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (1 µg/mL) and treated with various concentrations (1-100 µg/mL) of juçara fruits extracts from crude extracts, and hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions. Potential relationships between the phenolic composition of the extracts determined by LC-ESI-MS/MS and their anti-inflammatory capacity were also evaluated. Hexane and dichloromethane fractions inhibited NOx and IL-12p70 while increased IL-10. Hexane fractions also decreased IL-6 and IFN-γ production. Hexane and dichloromethane fractions showed a higher number of phenolic compounds (32 and 34, respectively) than the other extracts tested and were also the only ones that presented benzoic acid and pinocembrin. These results suggest juçara fruits compounds as potential anti-inflammatory agents, especially those of a more apolar nature.

"Cocaine Shark": First report on cocaine and benzoylecgonine detection in sharks.

Cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE), the main COC metabolite, have been detected in aquatic ecosystems. Studies focusing on wild fish are, however, very limited, and no reports concerning elasmobranchs are available. This study investigated COC and BE levels in Brazilian Sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) (n = 13) using LC-MS/MS. All samples (13/13) tested positive for COC, with 92 % (12/13) testing positive for BE. COC concentrations (23.0 µg kg-1) were over 3-fold higher than BE (7.0 µg kg-1). COC levels were about three-fold significantly higher in muscle (33.8 ± 33.4 g kg-1) compared to liver (12.2 ± 14.2 µg kg-1). Females presented higher COC concentrations in muscle (40.2 ± 35.8 µg kg-1) compared to males (12.4 ± 5.9 µg kg-1). Several positive statistical correlations were noted between COC and BE (rho = 0.84) in females, indicating systemic COC transport and metabolization, as well as between BE and weight (rho = 0.62), and between COC and the Condition Factor (rho = 0.73). A strong correlation was noted between BE and COC in the muscle of non-pregnant females (rho = 1.00). This study represents the first COC and BE report in free-ranging sharks, and the findings point to the potential impacts of the presence of illicit drugs in environments.

Investigating the etiology of Haff disease: Optimization and validation of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for palytoxins analysis in directly associated freshwater and marine food samples from Brazil.

Haff disease typically develops after eating contaminated marine or freshwater species, especially fish. Despite still having an unknown etiology, recent reports have suggested its possible correlation with palytoxins. Therefore, the present work aimed to optimize and perform a validation of a sensitive method using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the analysis of palytoxin and some of its analogs, with the main purpose of investigating their presence in marine and freshwater food samples associated with Haff disease in Brazil. The method optimization was performed using a central composite rotatable design and fish samples fortified with the palytoxin standard. Then, the optimized method was validated for different food matrices, including freshwater and marine fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. The sample preparation involved a solid-liquid extraction using methanol and water, solid-phase extraction using Strata-X cartridges, and on-column palytoxin oxidation. The detection of the main oxidized fragments (amino and amide aldehydes) was achieved by LC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization in positive mode, using a C18 column, as well as acetonitrile and water as mobile phases, both acidified with 0.1 % of formic acid. After optimization and validation, the etiological investigation involved the analysis of 16 Brazilian Haff disease-related food samples (in natura and leftover meals) from 2022. The method was demonstrated to be appropriate for quantitative analysis of freshwater and marine species. So far, it has proven to be one of the most sensitive methods related to palytoxin detection (LOD 10 µg/kg), being able to work in a range that includes the provisional ingestion limit (30 µg/kg). Regarding the Haff disease-related samples analysis, there is a strong indication of palytoxin contamination since the amino aldehyde (common fragment for all palytoxins) was detected in 15 of the 16 samples. Selected results were confirmed using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS).

Search for new green natural solid phases for sample preparation for PAHs determination in seafood samples followed by LC and GC-MS/MS analysis.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic organic pollutants found in various environments, notably aquatic ecosystems and the food chain, posing significant health risks. Traditional methods for detecting PAHs in food involve complex processes and considerable reagent usage, raising environmental concerns. This study explores eco-friendly approaches suing solid phases derived from natural sources in matrix solid phase dispersion. We aimed to develop, optimize, and validate a sample preparation technique for seafood, employing natural materials for PAH analysis. Ten natural phases were compared with a commercial reference phase. The methodology involved matrix solid phase dispersion and pressurized liquid extraction, followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Three solid phases (perlite, sweet manioc starch, and barley) showed superior performance in LC-MS/MS and were further evaluated with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), confirming perlite as the most effective phase. Validation followed Brazilian regulatory guidelines and European Community Regulation 2021/808/EC. The resulting method offered advantages in cost-effectiveness, reduced environmental impact, cleaner extracts, and enhanced analytical performance compared to the reference solid phase and LC-MS/MS. Proficiency analysis confirmed method reliability, with over 50% alignment with green analytical chemistry principles. In conclusion, this study developed an environmentally sustainable sample preparation technique for seafood analysis using natural solid phases, particularly perlite, for PAH determination.

Chemical Constituents and Antioxidant Potential of Red Guava (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) from Southern Brazil in Different Edible Ripening Stages.

Ripening and growing location are important factors that can impact fruit quality characteristics. In this study, the influence of these factors on physicochemical characteristics, carbohydrates, aliphatic organic acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity of red guava (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) was evaluated. Fruit ripening increased fructose and glucose (up to 22.83 and 16.42 g 100 g- 1 dry matter (DM), respectively), and decreased citric acid, the major organic acid (up to 135.35 mg g- 1 DM). Ripening and growing location also influenced the concentration of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of red guava, in which a dependency between both factors was observed in most cases. Apigenin, galangin, isoquercitrin, among other phenolic compounds were quantified for the first time in red guava, in which isoquercitrin was the major (up to 13409.81 mg kg- 1 DM). The antioxidant potential of red guava was also confirmed by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (up to 82.63 µmol Fe+ 2 g- 1 DM), Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity assay (up to 17.79 mg gallic acid equivalent g- 1 DM), and DPPH free radical scavenging assay (up to 25.36 mg ascorbic acid equivalent g- 1 DM). These results especially demonstrated the bioactive potential of red guava and provided knowledge regarding the influence of ripening and growing location on chemical and bioactive components encouraging its industrial exploitation.

Phenolic compounds profile of optimised green and eco-friendly extracts of Eugenia pyriformis leaves: an alternative for antioxidant and antibacterial applications.

The Eugenia pyriformis Cambess (uvaia) is a well-known source of bioactive compounds. This study investigated the efficiency of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) and Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE) in obtaining uvaia leaf extracts with high antioxidant and antibacterial activity. In a first step, different variables of the leaves were employed to define the best conditions for obtaining the extract with the highest total phenolic content. In a second step, the optimised extracts were characterised. In total, twenty-four phenolic compounds were identified through LC-ESI-MS/MS. The EAE in optimised conditions showed a higher amount of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential. It was possible to note an analogous potential of antibacterial activity of the extracts, which showed action mainly against Gram-positive bacteria. These findings suggest that the aqueous extracts of uvaia leaves are feasible, economic, and sustainable alternatives for adding value to uvaia leaves, which are an agricultural residue that is generally underutilised.

Survey of pyrethroid, macrocyclic lactone and antibacterial residues in bulk milk tank from Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Resíduos de piretróides, lactonas macrocíclicas e antimicrobianos em amostras de leite de tanque no estado de Minas Gerais

A survey of veterinary drug residues in bulk milk tank from Minas Gerais State, Brazil, was carried out through a broad scope analysis. Here, 132 raw milk samples were collected at 45 dairy farms in Minas Gerais from August 2009 to February 2010, and analyzed for 42 analytes, comprising pyrethroids, macrocyclic lactones and antibacterials, using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry in tandem mode and gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Within all milk samples, at least one veterinary drug residue was identified in 40 milk samples (30.30%) by confirmatory tests, whereas 16 samples (12.12%) showed the presence of at least two residues. With regard to the Brazilian maximum residue levels, 11 milk samples (8.33%) were non-compliant according to Brazilian Legislation. The veterinary drugs detected in the non-compliant milk samples include penicillin V (one sample), abamectin (one sample) and cypermethrin (nine samples). Furthermore, the antibacterial screening methods failed to identify most of the positive samples that were detected by confirmatory tests, leading to a large discrepancy between the screening and confirmatory antimicrobial tests. Thus, the present study indicated that the veterinary drugs residues still represents a great concern for the milk production chain.(AU)

Avaliou-se a presença de 42 analitos, incluindo piretróides, lactonas macrocíclicas e antimicrobianos em 132 amostras de leite de tanque proveniente de 45 propriedades leiteiras localizadas no Estado de Minas Gerais. Para tal, utilizou-se a cromatografia líquida acoplada a espectrofotometria de massas tandem e cromatografia gasosa com detector com captura de elétrons. Dentre todas as amostras de leite, 40 (30,30%) amostras de leite de tanque apresentaram a presença de pelo menos um analito, enquanto 16 amostras (12,12%) de leite demonstraram a presença de pelo menos dois analitos. Considerando os limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira, 11 amostras de leite (8,33%) seriam consideradas como não conforme. Ademais, os testes de triagem para detecção de antimicrobianos no leite não conseguiram identificar a maioria das amostras positivas nos testes confirmatórios, levando a grande discrepância entre estes testes. Desta forma, os resultados do presente estudo indicam que os períodos de descarte do leite, especialmente para piretróides, não foram plenamente respeitados por todos os produtores de leite. Além disto, uma discrepância entre os resultados dos testes confirmatórios e os testes de triagem foi observada.(AU)