Effects of Myrcia pubipetala Miq (Myrtaceae) extract on innate inflammatory response.

Myrcia is a genus widespread in South America with many species presenting anti-inflammatory and biological properties. We investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of crude hydroalcoholic extract of Myrcia pubipetala leaves (CHE-MP) using macrophages (RAW 264.7), and the air pouch model in mice to evaluate leukocyte migration and mediator's release. Adhesion molecule expression, CD49 and CD18, was evaluated in neutrophils. In vitro, the CHE-MP significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels in the exudate and the supernatant culture. CHE-MP did not present cytotoxicity and modulated the percentage of positive neutrophils for CD18 and its expression per cell, without modifying the expression of CD49, which corroborated with significantly reduced neutrophil migration to inflammatory exudate and subcutaneous tissue. Taken together, the data demonstrate that CHE-MP presents a potential activity on innate inflammatory.

Immobilized acetylcholinesterase in magnetic nanoparticles for in-line inhibition studies using a capillary electrophoresis system.

Enzyme assays can be performed with the capillary electrophoresis technique (CE) in many approaches, such as the immobilized enzyme micro-reactor. Acetylcholinesterase is a promising enzyme to be used when pursuing such a method, as it has already been explored in the proposal of similar methods of miniaturizing enzyme assays. The present work proposes a novel enzyme micro-reactor, based on the anchorage of the enzyme on magnetic nanoparticles of MnFe2O4, with chitosan and glutaraldehyde as the cross-linker in the capillary by means of an arrange of neodymium magnets. The calculated Km of the enzyme evaluated by this method was 1.12 mmol L-1, comparable to other studies in the literature that utilizes immobilized enzymes. Also, IC50 for neostigmine was assessed in 3 different micro-reactors, with an average of 29.42 ± 3.88 µmol L-1. In terms of the micro-reactor stability, it was possible to perform at least 25 experiments with assembled micro-reactor. The method was applied to hydroalcoholic extracts of 7 plant species. Plinia cauliflora had the best result, with 42.31 ± 6.81% of enzyme inhibition in a concentration of 100 mg L-1.

GC-MS comparison of fatty acids profile of oils extracted from viscera of Tainha (Mugil liza) and Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).

The commercial activity of the grey mullet (known as Tainha: TAI) and Tambaqui (TAM) generates tons of waste that can be turned into valuable resources. Therefore, this work aimed to chemically characterize and quantify the fatty acids profiles of the two fishes. GCMS quantification was performed by using calibration curves built from a standard that contains 19 FAME. The analysis revealed that visceral wastes from both fishes contain 16 fatty acids (FA) consisting of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA). However, their compositions were different as FA side chains in TAI and TAM contain 12 to 20 and 13 to 22 carbon atoms, respectively. Also, the SFA amount in TAI was greater than in TAM. On the other hand, TAM is richer in MUFA and PUFA compared to TAI. Both have similar chemical compositions of ω-3 and ω-6 in PUFA and ω-5, ω-7, and ω-9 in MUFA.

Kinetic Profile of Urine Metabolites after Acute Intake of a Phenolic Compounds-Rich Juice of Juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) and Antioxidant Capacity in Serum and Erythrocytes: A Human Study.

The juçara palm tree produces a small spherical and black-purple fruit similar to açaí. It is rich in phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. A clinical trial evaluated the absorption and excretion of the main bioactive compounds in urine and the antioxidant capacity in serum and erythrocytes of 10 healthy subjects after juçara juice intake. Blood samples were collected before (0.0 h) and 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h after a single dose (400 mL) of juçara juice, while urine was collected at baseline and 0-3 and 3-6 h after juice intake. Seven phenolic acids and conjugated phenolic acids were identified in urine deriving from the degradation of anthocyanins: protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, vanillic acid glucuronide, hippuric acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and ferulic acid derivative. In addition, kaempferol glucuronide was also found in urine as a metabolite of the parent compound in juçara juice. Juçara juice caused a decrease in the total oxidant status of serum after 0.5 h in comparison to baseline values (p < 0.05) and increased the phenolic acid metabolites excretion. This study shows the relationship between the production of metabolites of juçara juice and the total antioxidant status in human serum, indicating evidence of its antioxidant capacity.

Phenolic compounds of Eugenia involucrata (Myrtaceae) extracts and associated antioxidant and inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase.

Eugenia involucrata DC. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as "cereja-do-Rio-Grande", is a native tree from Brazil, popularly used as a hypoglycemiant. Crude hydroalcoholic extract (CHE) and fractions (insoluble (FI), dichloromethane (FDM), ethyl acetate (FEA) and butanol (FBu)) of leaves were assessed to determine the phenolic chemical composition by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. 10 compounds were identified, being 7 new for this species: rutin, isoquercitrin, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, mandelic acid, naringenin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and salicylic acid. Extract and fractions showed inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) enzyme (best result: IC50 = 44.19 µg mL-1, for FEA) and α-glucosidase (α-Glu) (best result: IC50 = 31.25 ± 0.15 µg mL-1, for CHE). The observed antioxidant and inhibitory activity on the AchE and α-Glu is due to, at least in part, the presence of phenolic compounds in the samples.

Phenolic profile by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and enzymatic inhibitory effect of Bryophyllum delagoense.

Bryophyllum delagoense (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Druce, native to Madagascar, is popularly known as "abyssian cactus" and popularly used in folk medicine as an analgesic and healing agent. The study methodology was divided into the phytochemical study: fractionation and identification of phenolic compounds by HLPC-ESI-MS/MS from the methanolic extract (ME), and fractions (DCMF and EAF) of leaves of B. delagoense, and biological activity with acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibition of extracts and fractions by in vitro enzymatic techniques. Twenty-seven phenolic compounds were identified, being the highest concentration of syringic acid (87.848 mg g-1). The DCMF fraction showed the best biological activity for inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme (0.125 mg mL-1).

Chitosan packaging functionalized with Cinnamodendron dinisii essential oil loaded zein: A proposal for meat conservation.

The nanoencapsulation of essential oils for biodegradable films functionalization is a viable alternative for the production of active food packaging. In this study, the Cinnamodendron dinisii Schwanke essential oil was nanoencapsulated using zein as wall material, and applied in chitosan matrix to produce an active nanocomposite film packaging for food conservation. The chemical composition of the Cinnamodendron dinisii Schwanke essential oil showed a variety of unexplored bioactive compounds, and 1,8-cineole was the major compound. The oil nanoencapsulation produced stable and homogeneous nanoparticles with zeta potential close to 30 mV and polydispersity index lower than 0.2. The nanoparticles size showed a size variation between 70 and 110 nm. The chitosan films obtained functionalized with nanoparticles demonstrated antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity. The active packaging containing zein nanoparticles was efficient in the conservation of ground beef, stabilizing the deterioration reactions and preserving the color.

Dual electrophoretically-mediated microanalysis in multiple injection mode for the simultaneous determination of acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase activity applied to selected polyphenols.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-glucosidase (α-glu) are key target enzymes in the search for novel strategies in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and type II diabetes. Therefore, methods to assess the enzyme inhibition are of great value in the research field. Here is proposed a novel a dual electrophoretically-mediated microanalysis for the simultaneous determination of both enzymes' activity. In order to do so, the various solutions required for both assays were introduced in the capillary electrophoresis system using the multiple injections approach. Enzymatic kinetic parameters were tested, Km for AChE and α-glu were 3.81 and 0.43 mmol L-1. Ki values were 4.27 µmol L-1 for neostigmine (an AChE inhibitor) and 0.40 mmol L-1 for acarbose (an α-glu inhibitor). Results of IC50 (concentration for 50% of inhibition) were 5.11 ± 0.47 µmol L-1 and 0.58 ± 0,02 mmol L-1 for neostigmine and acarbose, respectively. All parameters (except for Ki of neostigmine) were comparable with the literature, indicating a good reliability of the proposed method to evaluate these enzymes activity. Total time analysis was approximately 10 min, being possible to perform around 12 enzymatic assays per hour, with low sample and reagent consumption, thus satisfying some of the principles of green chemistry. The method was applied to evaluate 10 phenolic compounds, of wich p-coumaric acid showed the best inhibitory activity for AChE (40.14 ± 4.75% at 10 mg L-1); and quercetin for α-glu (46.53 ± 4.90% at 10 mg L-1).

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) juices improved HDL-c levels and antioxidant defense of healthy adults in a 4-week randomized cross-over study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of moderate-term açaí and juçara juice intake on fasting glucose, lipid profile, and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy subjects. METHODS: A randomized cross-over study was performed with 30 healthy adults. The subjects were assigned to drink 200 mL/day of açaí or juçara juice for four weeks with a 4-week washout period. Before and after each nutritional intervention, blood samples were obtained to evaluate the outcomes: fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), small, dense LDL-c (sd-LDL-c), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), uric acid, and activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). RESULTS: After four weeks, açaí and juçara juices increased the concentrations of HDL-c by 7.7% and 11.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, açaí juice intake promoted significant increases in TAC (66.7%), CAT (275.1%), GPx (15.3%), and a decrease in OSI (55.7%) compared to baseline (P < 0.05 for all). Juçara juice intake significantly increased CAT activity (~15.0%) in relation to baseline. No significant intergroup differences were observed for any outcomes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicated a positive impact of regular consumption of açaí and juçara juices on the HDL-c levels, as well as on the antioxidant enzyme activities, which may contribute to cardiovascular health.

Rapid method for the determination of citrate, phosphate and sulfite in seafood by capillary zone electrophoresis.

Since seafood is susceptible to decomposition, additives may be used to maintain its quality. However, some additives may be improperly used to disguise spoilage, thus resulting in food fraud. Market growth demands faster and more reliable quality control tools that incorporate the most common additives in a single analysis. This study developed a rapid analytical method for the determination of citrate, phosphate and sulfite in seafood by capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV-Vis detection. Electrophoretic separation was achieved in less than 3.5 min. The background electrolyte consisted of 20 mmol L-1 of benzenesulfonic acid and 45 mmol L-1 of aminocaproic acid. After validation, the method was applied for 24 seafood real samples. Citrate was found in five samples. Four samples presented higher phosphate and sulfite concentrations than those permitted by Brazilian legislation. Good analytical performance indicates that the method is a viable alternative for food control in routine analysis.

Potentiometric titration of microhydrolysis products of oils: A new low-cost methodology and investment for the analysis of oil binders present in works of art.

The analysis of oil paints present in historical paintings is commonly carried out for research, authenticity and forensic purposes. This paper proposes potentiometric titration and calculation of the fatty acids concentrations with the aid of the Best7 program as an alternative technique to characterize the oil binders used in works of art. The method involves determining the ratio between the levels of palmitic (P) and stearic (S) acids present in the microhydrolysis products of commercial oil binders and paints. The microhydrolysis products were characterized, using FTIR spectroscopy, by displacement of the carbonyl band and the pKa values for the C16 and C18 in the system studied were determined. The P/S ratios found for the microhydrolysis products of linseed, palm and nut oils were 1.65, 5.91 and 2.42, respectively. For the commercial paints analyzed, values ranging from 1.34 to 1.98 were obtained, characterizing the presence of linseed oil. The values were confirmed by GC-MS and are in agreement with those reported in the literature for the oils investigated in this study.

Dataset about Southern-Brazilian geopropolis: Physical and chemical perspectives.

The dataset showed in this manuscript belongs to the investigation of the Southern-Brazilian geopropolis of stingless bees. Stingless bees are native species of insects from tropical areas; they produce honey, pollen and geopropolis that is composed of a mix of vegetal extracts, digestive enzymes, and mostly by soil. Used in folk medicine as antiseptic, antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, the composition is due to bee species, climate changes, local flora, and soil type. Moreover, the complex chemical content gives to the geopropolis a bioactive potential, with scavenging characteristics that is important to avoid free radical damages in the human health. Regarding the importance of exploring new natural matrices sources with bioactive potential, the first approach of chemical characterization of geopropolis is indispensable. Thus, ten samples of Southern-Brazilian geopropolis were analyzed and the bioactive responses obtained were discussed in the accompanying article titled "Southern-Brazilian geopropolis: A potential source of polyphenolic compounds and assessment of mineral composition". Furthermore, the physicochemical analysis of moisture and ash content, the yield of extraction, the reducing activity and free radical scavenging potential of ethanolic extracts, the antimicrobial activity, and the analysis of HPLC-ESI-MS/MS chromatograms are the main data presented in brief. The data can guide scientists in order to know methods and data for these samples.

Kinetics Analysis of the Inhibitory Effects of Alpha-Glucosidase and Identification of Compounds from Ganoderma lipsiense Mycelium.

The studies on natural compounds to diabetes mellitus treatment have been increasing in recent years. Research suggests that natural components can inhibit alpha-glucosidase activities, an important strategy in the management of blood glucose levels. In this work, for the first time in the literature, the compounds produced by Ganoderma lipsiense extracts were identified and evaluated on the inhibitory effect of these on alpha-glucosidase activity. Four phenolic compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) to crude extract from G. lipsiense grown in red rice medium (RCE) and synthetic medium (SCE), being syringic acid identified in both extracts. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed fatty acids and their derivatives, terpene, steroid, niacin, and nitrogen compounds to SCE, while RCE was rich in fatty acids and their derivatives. Both extracts demonstrated alpha-glucosidase inhibition (RCE IC50 = 0.269 ± 8.25 mg mL-1; SCE IC50 = 0.218 ± 9.67 mg mL-1), and the purified hexane fraction of RCE (RHEX) demonstrated the highest inhibition of enzyme (81.1%). Studies on kinetic inhibition showed competitive inhibition mode to RCE, while SCE showed uncompetitive inhibition mode. Although the inhibitory effects of RCE and SCE were satisfactory, the present findings identified some unpublished compounds to G. lipsiense in the literature with important therapeutic properties.

Determination of acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibition by electrophoretically-mediated microanalysis and phenolic profile by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS of fruit juices from Brazilian Myrtaceae Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel and Eugenia uniflora L.

Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus are contemporary diseases of great concern. Phenolic compounds are linked to several health benefits and could lead to novel strategies to combat these ailments. The objective of this study was to evaluate by electrophoretically-mediated microanalysis the potential inhibitory activity of the fruit juices from Plinia cauliflora ("jaboticaba") and Eugenia uniflora ("pitanga") toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-glucosidase, target enzymes in strategies for the treatment of these diseases. The phenolic profiles of the samples were also investigated. Jaboticaba and pitanga juices inhibited 85.90 ± 1.73 and 52.67 ± 1.24% of AChE activity at 5 mg mL-1, and 57.91 ± 2.60 and 69.47 ± 2.89% of α-glucosidase activity at 1 mg mL-1, respectively. Total phenolic content of the juices were 303.54 ± 28.28 and 367.00 ± 11.42 mgGA L-1, respectively. The observed inhibitory activity can be explained, at least in part, by the presence of the phenolic compounds.

Degradation of indigo carmine in water induced by non-thermal plasma, ozone and hydrogen peroxide: A comparative study and by-product identification.

The non-thermal plasma (NTP) technique is an advanced oxidation technology (AOT) applied to the degradation of organic compounds in water. In this study, the degradation kinetics of indigo carmine was investigated systematically, applying N2-NTP, O2-NTP, ozonolysis and hydrogen peroxide and the results were compared. The transient species (OH, O and NO radicals) formed with the NTP discharge at the gas-liquid interface and their products (NO3-, NO2-, H2O2) stabilized by the water, were identified and quantified. These species contribute to the effects on the chemical characteristics of the water, such as a decrease in the pH and increase in the conductivity and redox potential. Additionally, the stabilization of the oxidative species was estimated from the degradation reactions induced by the post-discharge effect, which was significant in the case of N2-NTP, due to the presence of long-lived species, such as nitrite and nitrate. The kinetics study revealed first-order kinetics for IC color removal and the rate constant values followed the order: O2-NTP (3.0 × 10-1 min-1) > O3 (1.4 × 10-1 min-1) > N2-NTP (2.2 × 10-2 min-1) > H2O2 (negligible). Also the main by-products of N2-NTP, O2-NTP and ozonolysis degradation reaction were identified by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The route fragmentation showed the formation of indole intermediates, such as isatin, which is an important precursor in organic synthesis.

Southern-Brazilian geopropolis: A potential source of polyphenolic compounds and assessment of mineral composition.

Geopropolis is a stingless bee product compose mainly by soil, presenting complex composition geopropolis has bioactive compounds that will depend on geographical characteristics as well bee species, changing their chemical and biological properties. Thus the study aims to evaluate the solubility and chemical stability of geopropolis extracts, through radical capture capacity and reducing capacity. Besides, analysis of free and bonded phenolic compounds, and mineral composition. Geopropolis samples of Melipona mondury, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona scutellaris, Melipona seminigra and Tetragonisca angustula were analyzed. Both reducing compounds with a maximum of 2.96% GAE and free radical scavenging potential with a maximum of 5.84% AAE and 8.58% TE increases over 30 days of storage time. Also, methanolic extracts released at least 51% more reducing compounds and exhibited at least 27% more free radical scavenging potential in comparison to ethanolic extracts. The polyphenolic profile shows 31 compounds after acid and alkaline hydrolysis as cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, aromadendrin, vanillin. For the mineral composition, sixteen minerals were found among essential and non-essential, differentiating each sample by chemometric PCA and HCA analysis according to geographic region. Geopropolis is a potential source of natural compounds that could enhance food quality, increasing the bioactive content and preventing oxygen damages in foods, likewise for pharmacological application for healthcare.

Kinetic identification of phenolic compounds and potential production of caffeic acid by Ganoderma lipsiense in solid-state fermentation.

Basidiomycetes fungi have been utilized for the production of several compounds with bioactive properties, such as phenolic compounds. The present work quantified and identified the phenolic compounds produced in a kinetic study (63 days) and evaluated the antimicrobial activity from the extract obtained by Ganoderma lipsiense cultivation in solid-state fermentation using red rice. Phenolic compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and caffeic acid content was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Caffeic and syringic acids were produced by G. lipsiense. In the control medium (red rice), the following compounds were identified: p-coumaric acid, salicylic acid, ferulic acid and vanillin. High concentrations of caffeic acid (0.977 µg g-1) were measured in 49 days. Antimicrobial activity was investigated against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus using a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) technique. Ganoderma lipsiense extract was only effective against P. aeruginosa. These data have proved to be satisfactory in the study of biosynthesis of caffeic acid and antibacterial compounds by G. lipsiense in solid-state fermentation with red rice.

Neuroprotective effect of juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius) fruits extracts against glutamate-induced oxytosis in HT22 hippocampal cells.

This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of juçara fruit extracts against glutamate-induced oxytosis in HT22 cells. Potential relationships between the extracts' polyphenolic composition and their protective/antioxidant capacities were also investigated. Experiments with the addition of either the crude methanolic extract or hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions 24 h before glutamate (pretreatment) and together with glutamate (co-treatment) were performed. At the concentration of 10 µg ml-1, the hexane and dichloromethane fractions were able to protect cells, both in pretreatment and co-treatment. These fractions presented the highest number of quantified polyphenolics (24 and 21, respectively) although the total levels were 63-fold higher in the dichloromethane fraction. Syringaldehyde, vanillin and 4-aminobenzoic, cinnamic, salicylic and syringic acids were found only in these fractions. The dichloromethane fraction presented higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity, while the butanol and ethyl acetate fractions showed higher ferric reducing antioxidant power. These results suggest juçara fruits extracts as promising for the reduction of the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Exploiting green sorbents in rotating-disk sorptive extraction for the determination of parabens by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

In this study, the viability of applying cork and montmorillonite clay modified with ionic liquid as biosorbents in the rotating-disk sorptive extraction technique was investigated. Specifically, this was aimed at the determination of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, and isobutyl paraben, with separation/determination by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The optimization of the method for both biosorbents was performed using multivariate procedures. The extraction efficiencies for the target compounds in aqueous matrices were compared to those obtained using the commercial sorbent Octadecil Silano-C18. The optimum extraction conditions for both natural sorbents were the use of an ammonia solution (pH 10) as desorption solvent and an extraction time of 30 min. The proposed methods show limits of quantification of 0.8 µg/L for cork, 3.0 µg/L for montmorillonite clay and 6.0 µg/L for Octadecil Silano-C18. The relative recoveries from river water and tap water samples ranged from 80.3 to 118.7% and 80.0 to 119.9% for cork and montmorillonite clay modified with ionic liquid, respectively. Relative standard deviations were obtained for intra- and interday precisions of <15% and <19% for cork and <19% and <17% for montmorillonite clay modified with ionic liquid.

Sapucaia nut (Lecythis pisonis Cambess) and its by-products: A promising and underutilized source of bioactive compounds. Part II: Phenolic compounds profile.

In this study, the profile of the bioactive compounds of sapucaia nut (Lecythis pisonis Cambess) and its by-products have been investigated. The phenolic profile by LC-ESI-MS/MS, the total phenolic content, the condensed tannins and the antioxidant activity of the sapucaia nut and shell were determined. 14 phenolic compounds were identified in the sapucaia nut extract, primarily phenolic acids and flavonoids. Catechin, epicatechin, myricetin, ellagic acid and ferulic acid presented significant correlation to the antioxidant activity. The sapucaia shell contained 22 phenolic compounds, 13 of which were quantified. The sapucaia shell extract showed a high content of total phenolic compounds, a high condensed tannins content, and high antioxidant activity. The higher antioxidant activity of the shell can be associated with a higher content of phenolics. Overall, it can be concluded that the sapucaia nut is a raw material rich in phenolic compounds that present high antioxidant activity. The nuts and the cake may be used as a promising raw material for the food industry, while the shells could be an alternative source of natural antioxidants. Further use in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry may also be envisaged.