Brazilian native passion fruit (Passiflora tenuifila Killip) is a rich source of proanthocyanidins, carotenoids, and dietary fiber.

Passiflora tenuifila is a Brazilian native passion fruit consumed by the local population and is a dietary source of bioactive compounds with potential biological activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional value of P. tenuifila fruit and its bioactive compounds at two ripening stages. Three batches of fruit were collected at mature-green and ripe stages, and phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and polyamines were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. The fruit is a good source of dietary fiber. Proanthocyanidin dimers are the major phenolic compounds (up to 84%) at both stages, followed by the C-glycosylated luteolin. Lutein and ß-carotene are the major carotenoids, contributing up to 50% of total carotenoids. The OPLS-DA segregates the mature-green and ripe fruits, as carotenoids are responsible for this separation. In conclusion, passion fruit can be consumed at both stages of maturation without losses of bioactive compound contents or nutritional value.

Caracterização de compostos bioativos de maracujá (Passiflora tenuifila) e efeito do seu consumo sobre marcadores bioquímicos, microbiota intestinal em indivíduos eutróficos e obesos / Characterization of bioactive compounds of passion fruit (Passiflora tenuifila) and effect of consumption on biochemical markers, intestinal microbiota in eutrophic and obese subjects

O maracujá (Passiflora ssp.) é conhecido por suas características sensoriais e por apresentar diversos compostos bioativos. Estudos prévios demonstraram que o consumo a longo prazo de maracujá melhorou os parâmetros bioquímicos, inflamatórios e antioxidantes. Uma espécie que tem despertado interesse é a Passiflora tenuifila Killip consumida pela população local, porém, ainda com baixa expressão comercial. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho consiste em avaliar o efeito da ingestão a médio prazo de maracujá (P. tenuifila Killip) em indivíduos eutróficos e obesos. Inicialmente foi realizada uma caracterização do fruto em dois estágios de amadurecimento (verde e maduro), uma vez que são consumidas nestas duas formas. Foram avaliadas características físicoquímicas e o perfil de flavonoides por HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. O conteúdo de Sólidos Totais Solúveis variou entre 20,80 e 23,55° Brix, porém não foi observada diferença significativa entre os dois estágios. Os principais açúcares identificados foram a sacarose e glicose, variando entre 4,0-8,5%, apresentando maior conteúdo no estádio verde (p<0.05). Os principais ácidos orgânicos encontrados foram o cítrico, tartárico e málico, no entanto os teores variaram entre os lotes analisados. Os frutos nos dois estádios apresentaram o mesmo perfil de flavonoides, apresentando como compostos majoritários a procianidinaTipo B e flavonas C -glicosiladas (luteolina e apigenina). Após a caracterização do fruto, foram recrutados indivíduos adultos (entre 19 e 59 anos), eutróficos (IMC= 19,0- 24,99 Kg/m2) ou obesos (IMC > 30,00) que ingeriram durante 30 dias uma dose diária do maracujá (P. tenuifila Killip). Foram avaliados marcadores antropométricos, perfil bioquímico sérico, do estresse oxidativo e permeabilidade intestinal. Foi avaliado também a excreção de flavonoides na urina por HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS e a microbiota intestinal por 16s rRNA. A ingestão diária por somente 30 dias de uma porção de P. tenuifila Killip demonstrou grandes benefícios. O consumo da P. tenuifila Killip foi responsável pela redução da concentração de colesterol total e LDL sérico dos indivíduos obesos (p<0,05). Foi observado tendência na redução da permeabilidade intestinal e redução significativa (p<0,05) no biomarcador do estresse oxidativo 8-OHdG (associado à dano à estrutura do DNA). O consumo do maracujá P. tenuifila Killip aumentou a excreção de metabólitos na urina produzidos a partir da metabolização de flavonas-C-glicosiladas e flavan-3-ol e, por fim, foi capaz de modular a microbiota reduzindo a abundância relativa do filo Firmicutes (associada a obesidade) e aumentando a proporção de Lachonospiraceae (família associada à redução de inflamação local e ao metabolismo de compostos fenólicos)

Passion fruit (Passiflora ssp.) is known for its sensory characteristics and for presenting various bioactive compounds. Previous studies shown that long-term passion fruit consumption has improved biochemical, inflammatory and antioxidant parameters. A species that has aroused interest is Passiflora tenuifila Killip consumed by the local population, but has no commercial expression yet. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of medium-term intake of passion fruit (P. tenuifila Killip) on eutrophic and obese subjects. Initially, the fruit was characterized in two ripening stages (green and ripe), which are the most consumed stages. Physico-chemical characteristics and flavonoid profile were evaluated by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The total soluble solids content ranged from 20.80 to 23.55 ° Brix, but no significant difference was observed between the two stages. The main sugars identified were sucrose and glucose, ranging from 4.0- 8.5%, with higher content in the green stage (p<0.05). The main organic acids found were citric, tartaric and malic, however the levels varied between the lots analyzed. The fruits in both stages presented the same profile of flavonoids, presenting as major compounds procianidin Type B and C-glycosylated flavones (luteolin and apigenin). After fruit characterization, adult (between 19 and 59 years), eutrophic (BMI = 19.0-24.99 Kg/m2) or obese (BMI>30.00) ingested for 30 days a daily dose of passion fruit (P. tenuifila Killip) and anthropometrics indicators, serum biochemical profile, oxidative stress and intestinal permeability were evaluated. The excretion of flavonoids in urine by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and intestinal microbiota by 16s rRNA was also evaluated. Daily intake for only 30 days of a portion of P. tenuifila Killip has shown great benefits. The P. tenuifila Killip consumption was responsible for reduction of total cholesterol and LDL in obese subjects (p<0.05). There was a tendency to reduce intestinal permeability and a significant reduction (p<0.05) of 8-OHdG (oxidative stress biomarker, associated with damage to DNA structure). P. tenuifila Killip consumption increased the excretion of urine metabolites produced by metabolization of flavones-C-glycosylated and flavan-3-ol and, finally, was able to modulate the microbiota, reducing the relative abundance of the Firmicutes (phylum associated with obesity) and increasing the proportion of Lachonospiraceae (family associated with reduced local inflammation and metabolism of phenolic compounds)

Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton Extract Ameliorates Inflammation and Hyperalgesia through Oxidative Stress Inhibition in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis.

We evaluated the effect of the hydroethanolic extract of fruits of Vaccinium macrocarpon (HEVm) in a model of acute pancreatitis (AP) in mice. AP was induced by two injections of L-arginine and animals were treated with HEVm (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (saline) every 24 h, starting 1 h after the induction of AP. Phytochemical analysis of the extract and measurement of inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, as well as abdominal hyperalgesia, were performed. Catechin, epicatechin, rutin, and anthocyanins were identified in HEVm. Treatment with HEVm decreased L-arginine-induced abdominal hyperalgesia (from 48 to 72 h). Also, treatment with HEVm decreased L-arginine-induced pancreatic edema, pancreatic and pulmonary neutrophil infiltration, and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6, after 72 h of induction. L-arginine-induced hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia were also reduced by the treatment with HEVm in comparison to vehicle-treated group. Moreover, lipoperoxidation, carbonyl radicals, nonprotein sulfhydryl groups, and activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, but not glutathione peroxidase, were restored by the treatment with HEVm. These results show that treatment with HEVm decreased hyperalgesia and pancreatic/extrapancreatic inflammation and oxidative damage in L-arginine-induced AP, making this extract attractive for future approaches designed to treat this condition.