Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) extract reverts glycaemic imbalance and cognitive impairment in an animal model of obesity.

The rates of overweight and obesity around the world have increased in past years. The body's adipose tissue stimulates the antioxidant and oxidation imbalance capacity at the cellular level. This scenario favors an inflammatory low-grade systemic condition starting with insulin resistance, which in turn may involve diabetes mellitus type 2 and cognitive decline afterward. Neurological diseases have been correlated to senile age diseases over time. This scenario calls for a change in the incidence of obesity in the younger generation. An unhealthy dietary consumption together with sedentary habits might lead to poor gut absorption of nutrients. Several plants and foods have bioactive compounds that can reduce or inhibit radical scavengers, reactive oxygen species, and metal ion complexes that threaten the cerebral defense system. The bitter acids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) have been demonstrated to have promising effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism improvement, reducing inflammatory responses through alpha acids, beta acids, and analogs action. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of hop bitter acids in obese and lean mice. For that, a dry hop extract (DHE) was obtained by applying carbon dioxide as the fluid of supercritical extraction. Afterward, seventy-eight male mice of the C57BL/6J strain were weighed and randomly distributed into six groups of 13 animals each according to the diet offered: (NO) normolipidic diet, (NO1) normolipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, (NO2) normolipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids, (HP) hyperlipidic diet, (HP1) hyperlipidic diet containing 0.35% alpha acids, and (HP2) hyperlipidic diet containing 3.5% alpha acids. After applying the glycemic tolerance and insulin tolerance tests, a better stabilization of glycemia levels and weight gain among those animals fed with DHE (NO2 and HP2) were observed in comparison to the obese control group (HP) (p < 0.05). There was also an amelioration of antioxidant capacity observed by checking the enzymatic profile by SOD and an apparent mitigation of brain degeneration by checking GSK3ß and p-IRS1 proteins expression (p < 0.05). The y-maze cognitive test applied to highlight possible obesity-harmful animal brains did not indicate a statistical difference between the groups. Although the weekly dietary intake between the obese HP2 group (33.32 ± 4.11, p < 0.05) and control HP (42.3 ± 5.88, p < 0.05) was different. The bioactive compounds present in DHE have demonstrated relevant effects on glycemic control, insulin signaling, and the consequent modulatory action of the obesity-related markers with the brain's inflammatory progression.

Paraprobiotics obtained by six different inactivation processes: impacts on the biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota of Wistar male rats.

This study investigated the effects of feeding paraprobiotics obtained by six processes [heat, ultrasound, high pH, low pH, irradiation and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2)] on biochemical parameters and intestinal microbiota of Wistar male rats. Daily administration of paraprobiotics did not affect (p ≥ 0.05) the food intake, body weight, glucose and triglycerides levels, expression of antioxidant enzymes or thermal shock proteins in comparison to the control. Bifidobacterium lactis inactivated by irradiation and supercritical CO2 decreased the total cholesterol levels in serum (p < 0.05). Bifidobacterium lactis inactivated by supercritical CO2 increased the albumin and creatinine levels, while decreased the HDL-cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). Clostridiales (45.6-56%), Bacteroidales (31.9-44.2%) and Lactobacillales (3.9-7.8%) corresponded to the major orders in paraprobiotic groups. The properties of paraprobiotics are dependent on the method of inactivation, the intensity of the method employed and on the strain used.

Quantifying the impact of eight unit operations on the survival of eight Bacillus strains with claimed probiotic properties.

This study assessed the impact of eight unit operations [slow pasteurization, high-temperature short time (HTST) pasteurization, cooking, baking, drying, fermentation, supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2), irradiation and extrusion] in different food matrices (milk, orange juice, meatballs, bread, crystallized pineapple, yogurt, orange juice, ground black pepper, snacks, and spaghetti) on the resistance of eight (Bacillus flexus Hk1 Bacillus subtilis Bn1, Bacillus licheniformis Me1, Bacillus mojavensis KJS3, Bacillus subtilis PXN21, Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 and Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) Bacillus strains with claimed probiotic properties (PB). The number of decimal reductions (γ) caused by the unit operations varied (p < 0.05) amongst the PB. Most of the unit operations caused ≤ 2 γ of PB in the food matrices evaluated. Irradiation caused up to 4.9 γ (p < 0.05) amongst the PB tested. B. subtilis Bn1, B. mojavensis KJS3, B. licheniformis Me1, and B. coagulans GBI-30 showed higher resistance to most of the tested unit operations. These results indicate that the choice of PB for application in foods should also be based on their resistance to unit operations employed during processing. Finally, the high resistance of PB to the unit operations tested comprise valuable data for the development and diversification of probiotic foods with sporeforming strains with claimed probiotic properties.

Extraction of bioactive compounds from defatted passion fruit bagasse (Passiflora edulis sp.) applying pressurized liquids assisted by ultrasound.

Passion fruit bagasse is a rich source of phenolic compounds, including piceatannol, a stilbene to which several biological activities are conferred. This work reports the application of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) assisted by ultrasound (US) to intensify the extraction of phenolic compounds from defatted passion fruit bagasse (DPFB). PLE at different temperatures (65-75 °C) without and with different US powers (240-640 W) was performed to investigate the mechanism of the assisted process. The extracts were evaluated in terms of global, total phenolic (TP), piceatannol and total reducing sugar yields. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was determined by FRAP and ORAC assays. PLE assisted by US increased the yields, resulting in 60% more TP and piceatannol. The observed yields suggest that the main mechanism driving PLE assisted by US from DPFB was the rise in temperature caused by the ultrasonic waves. Pearson coefficient revealed a strong correlation between antioxidant capacity and total phenolics and piceatannol yield. The three-line spline model was adequately fitted to the experimental curves, showing three extraction periods in which the recovery of TP and piceatannol was higher than 70% at the end of the falling extraction rate period. PLE assisted or not by US showed to be clean, efficient and green alternatives for the recovery of phenolic compounds. The findings of this work indicate that PLE assisted by US has a great potential to improve the extraction of bioactive compounds from natural products.

Análise de aflatoxinas em pastas de amendoim comercializadas no mercado central de Belo Horizonte, MG

Aflatoxicose é uma intoxicação resultante da ingestão de aflatoxinas presentes nos alimentos. O quadro clínico está diretamente relacionado ao grau de contaminação do produto, tempo e quantidade ingerida pelo individuo assim como seu estado nutricional. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a presença de aflatoxina em amostras selecionadas de pastas de amendoim comercializadas em Belo Horizonte, MG e correlacionar com a legislação vigente no Brasil e em outros países. Para tal, foram coletadas uma amostra de cada marca diferente de pasta de amendoim integral, sem adição de outros ingredientes, comercializadas no Mercado Central, em Belo Horizonte-MG, em dezembro de 2016. Como critério de escolha foram selecionadas todas as marcas comercializadas no referido estabelecimento, com a descrição de pasta de amendoim integral sem adição de açúcar e outros ingredientes. Os resultados mostraram que em todas as amostras analisadas a quantidade de aflatoxina encontrada foi menor que 2,0 µg/kg de amostra, dentro do recomendado na legislação brasileira e internacional.

Aflatoxicosis is an intoxication caused by the ingestion of aflatoxins present in food. The symptoms are directly related to the degree of contamination of the product, time and amount of ingest by the individual as well as their nutritional status. The present study aimed to determine the presence of aflatoxin in peanut pastes commercialized in Belo Horizonte, MG and correlate with current legislation in Brazil and other countries. For this purpose, six samples of whole peanut paste, without addition of other ingredients, commercialized at the Central Market in Belo Horizonte, MG, in December 2016. As a selection criterion, all the brands marketed in the establishment were selected. Description of whole peanut paste without added sugar and other ingredients. The results showed that in all analyzed samples the amount of aflatoxin found was lower than 2.0 µg / kg of sample, within the recommended in international and Brazilian legislation.

Análise de aflatoxinas em pastas de amendoim comercializadas no mercado central de Belo Horizonte, MG

Aflatoxicose é uma intoxicação resultante da ingestão de aflatoxinas presentes nos alimentos. O quadro clínico está diretamente relacionado ao grau de contaminação do produto, tempo e quantidade ingerida pelo individuo assim como seu estado nutricional. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a presença de aflatoxina em amostras selecionadas de pastas de amendoim comercializadas em Belo Horizonte, MG e correlacionar com a legislação vigente no Brasil e em outros países. Para tal, foram coletadas uma amostra de cada marca diferente de pasta de amendoim integral, sem adição de outros ingredientes, comercializadas no Mercado Central, em Belo Horizonte-MG, em dezembro de 2016. Como critério de escolha foram selecionadas todas as marcas comercializadas no referido estabelecimento, com a descrição de pasta de amendoim integral sem adição de açúcar e outros ingredientes. Os resultados mostraram que em todas as amostras analisadas a quantidade de aflatoxina encontrada foi menor que 2,0 µg/kg de amostra, dentro do recomendado na legislação brasileira e internacional

Aflatoxicosis is an intoxication caused by the ingestion of aflatoxins present in food. The symptoms are directly related to the degree of contamination of the product, time and amount of ingest by the individual as well as their nutritional status. The present study aimed to determine the presence of aflatoxin in peanut pastes commercialized in Belo Horizonte, MG and correlate with current legislation in Brazil and other countries. For this purpose, six samples of whole peanut paste, without addition of other ingredients, commercialized at the Central Market in Belo Horizonte, MG, in December 2016. As a selection criterion, all the brands marketed in the establishment were selected. Description of whole peanut paste without added sugar and other ingredients. The results showed that in all analyzed samples the amount of aflatoxin found was lower than 2.0 µg / kg of sample, within the recommended in international and Brazilian legislation

Effect of ultrasound on the supercritical CO2 extraction of bioactive compounds from dedo de moça pepper (Capsicum baccatum L. var. pendulum).

Extracts with bioactive compounds were obtained from the red pepper variety "dedo de moça" (Capsicum baccatum L. var. pendulum) through supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide assisted by ultrasound (SFE-US). The process was tested at pressures of 15, 20 and 25 MPa; temperatures of 40, 50 and 60 °C, and ultrasonic powers of 200, 400 and 600 W applied during 40, 60 and 80 min of extraction. The CO2 mass flow rate was fixed at 1.7569 × 10(-4) kg/s. Global yield, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and capsaicinoid concentration were evaluated in the extracts. The application of ultrasound raised the global extraction yield of SFE up to 45%. The phenolic content of the extract increased with the application of higher ultrasound power and radiation time. The capsaicinoid yield was also enhanced with ultrasound up to 12%. However, the antioxidant capacity did not increase with the ultrasound application. The BET-based model and the broken and intact cell model fitted well to the kinetic SFE curves. The BET-based model with three adjustable parameters resulted in the best fits to the experimental data. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images showed that SFE disturbed the vegetable matrix, releasing particles from the inner region of the plant cells to their surface. When the ultrasound was applied this effect was more pronounced. On the other hand, cracks, fissures or any sign of rupture were not identified on the sample surface.

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of capsaicinoids from malagueta pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) assisted by ultrasound.

Extracts from malagueta pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) were obtained using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) assisted by ultrasound, with carbon dioxide as solvent at 15MPa and 40°C. The SFE global yield increased up to 77% when ultrasound waves were applied, and the best condition of ultrasound-assisted extraction was ultrasound power of 360W applied during 60min. Four capsaicinoids were identified in the extracts and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. The use of ultrasonic waves did not influence significantly the capsaicinoid profiles and the phenolic content of the extracts. However, ultrasound has enhanced the SFE rate. A model based on the broken and intact cell concept was adequate to represent the extraction kinetics and estimate the mass transfer coefficients, which were increased with ultrasound. Images obtained by field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the action of ultrasonic waves did not cause cracks on the cell wall surface. On the other hand, ultrasound promoted disturbances in the vegetable matrix, leading to the release of extractable material on the solid surface. The effects of ultrasound were more significant on SFE from larger solid particles.