Extraction of hops pelletized (Humulus lupulus) with subcritical CO2 and hydrodistillation: Chemical composition identification, kinetic model, and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Hop essential oil and hop extract using carbon dioxide (CO2) are products with high added value because they have bioactive and sensory properties. In this context, the objective of this study was to obtain and characterize essential oil and extracts from pelleted hops of El Dorado, Polaris, Hallertau Blanc and Callista varieties using hydrodistillation and subcritical CO2 extraction methods. Extraction yield ranged from 0.38 % to 1.97 % (m/m) for essential oils and from 8.76 % to 15.35 % (m/m) for extracts using subcritical CO2. The chemical compositions of the essential oils were mainly monoterpene (18.14 % to 29.91 %) and sesquiterpene (46.01 % to 59.03 %) hydrocarbons and for the extracts were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (33.05 % to 71.90 %) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (14.80 % to 34.89 %). The extracts showed better antioxidant activity than essential oils due to the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Hop extracts showed some antimicrobial activity, but essential oils did not demonstrate antimicrobial potential. Hop extracts obtained with subCO2 have the potential to be used in the brewing industry as a flavoring and as natural antioxidants.

Bioactive content of six passion fruit genotypes cultivated in southern Brazil

Passion fruit production in Brazil is concentrated in tropical regions, however, recently production has expanded to regions with temperate climate. Cultivar performance in different climate and soil can lead to variation in the contents of bioactive compounds in the juice and rind of the fruit. This study characterized the bioactive content of passion fruit rind and juice of six passion fruit genotypes ('Catarina Roxo', 'Catarina', 'Urussanga', 'BRS Gigante Amarelo', 'BRS Rubi do Cerrado', and 'BRS Sol do Cerrado') cultivated in southern Brazil. Phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, carotenoid, and ascorbic acid contents and the antioxidant potential of each fruit portion from each genotype were evaluated. Fruit composition varied with genotype and evaluated tissue. Bioactive compound contents were greatest in the rind of 'Urussanga' and 'Catarina', whereas the juice of 'BRS Sol do Cerrado' and 'Catarina Roxo' had the greatest bioactive content. Given cultivar and tissue variability for bioactive content, postharvest use of passion fruit will determine the choice of cultivar to obtain a product with maximum bioactive compounds. Passion fruit genotypes evaluated in this study have shown to be potential sources of bioactive compounds. Fruit rind has the potential to be explored in the scientific and technological scope, due to its high amounts of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity.

Extraction and characterization of phytochemical compounds from araçazeiro (Psidium cattleianum) leaf: Putative antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Underexplored species have phytochemical potential for pharmacological and nutraceutical applications. The fruits of such species, including aracá (Psidium cattleianum Sabine), are rich in specialized metabolites with putative antioxidant and antimicrobial activity; therefore, the leaves of these species are also a potential source of bioactive compounds. In this study, araçazeiro leaves were extracted using an aqueous infusion (Al) and a pressurized liquid extraction system with water (PLE-W), ethanol (PLE-E), and 1:1 water:ethanol ratio combination (PLE-W:E). PLE-W:E yielded a greater diversity of extracted compounds. Nonetheless, all extracts showed inhibitory activity against pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and antioxidant activity in the in vitro thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays with rat brain and yeast model systems. Thus, araçazeiro leaves can be exploited as a promising source of bioactive compounds.

Stability of bioactive compounds in butiá (Butia odorata) fruit pulp and nectar.

Butia odorata is a palm tree native to southern Brazil whose fruit (known as butiá) and leaves are used to make many food products and crafts. Butiá contain several biologically active compounds with potential health benefits. However, processing conditions can alter quality attributes including bioactive compound content. This study evaluated the stability of bioactive compounds in butiá pulp upon pasteurization, during 12months of frozen storage, and in butiá nectar after a 3-month storage period. Pulp pasteurization resulted in a reduction in phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, and ascorbic acid contents. After a 12-month frozen storage period, flavonoid, phenolic, and ascorbic acid contents decreased while carotenoid content remained unaltered. Carotenoid, ascorbic acid, and phenolic contents were unaffected by the 3-month storage of butiá nectar; however, flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were reduced. Despite bioactive compound degradation upon heat treatment and storage, butiá nectar remained rich in phenolics, especially (-)-epicatechin, rutin, and (+)-catechin.