Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water of rivers in Sergipe State, Brazil: A comprehensive analysis of sources, spatial and temporal variation, and ecotoxicological risk.

This study conducted in Sergipe State, Brazil, aimed to investigate the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface water of five rivers, determining their sources, spatial and temporal variations, and ecotoxicological risks. Correlation and principal component analyses were utilized to identify the relationship between PAH concentrations and water sample properties. Results indicated higher PAH concentrations during the rainy season, attributed to increased run-off and sediment resuspension. The composition of PAHs suggested a main petroleum source with organic material combustion in minor scale. Ecological risk assessment revealed potential risks to the ecosystem, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of PAHs pollution. This study highlights the importance of understanding and mitigating PAHs contamination in rivers to protect aquatic ecosystems.

Evaluation of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Produced with Interesterified Buriti Oil.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Extracted from the pulp of an Amazonian fruit, buriti oil is rich in micronutrients with antioxidant properties and high biological value. The few studies available indicate that this oil could be used in a wide range of applications; however, there are no studies that work on the improvement in the characteristics of this oil for commercial application. The enzymatic interesterification is one of the tools available to improve the properties of oils and fats and our recent studies have demonstrated that the lipase could specifically act on buriti oil to produce structured lipids rich in oleic acid, while preserving most of the minor compounds present in this oil. Still looking for ways to expand the applicability of this raw oil, in this work, we are interested in studying the behaviour of this structured oil in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The NLCs were produced with interesterified buriti oil and the stability, droplet size, electrical charge, microstructure, polymorphism and antioxidant activity of the samples were evaluated by ORAC and FRAP methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the interesterification formed more unsaturated triacylglycerols (TAGs), and NLCs prepared with interesterified buriti oil had smaller droplets than NLCs with crude buriti oil. Particles remained stable throughout the storage period and NLCs exhibited complex polymorphism with the presence of three crystalline forms. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value was approx. 23% higher in nanolipid carries with structured lipids than in the nanolipid carriers with crude buriti oil, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value 16% higher, demonstrating the influence of interesterification on the antioxidant activity of nanocarriers. Thus, NLCs prepared with interesterified buriti oil had small droplets, high stability and antioxidant capacity, and have a potential for nutritional and biological applications. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: This research showed that interesterification positively influenced the physicochemical properties of NLCs, producing the oil rich in oleic acid, high stability and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, it may be interesting to use these nanocarriers to obtain efficient carrier systems for future applications.

Evaluation of cytotoxicity of nanolipid carriers with structured Buriti oil in the Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines.

Buriti oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and tocopherols and it is used for the treatment of various diseases. One strategy to restructure the triglycerides is enzymatic interesterification and nanocarriers have been employed to improve the solubility, bioavailability and stability of active compounds. This work aims to investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity of this structured oil in nanoemulsions and nanostructured lipid carriers to expand the applicability of the crude oil. None of the samples had a cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines at the concentrations tested. Structured lipids acted protecting against oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, no consumption of glutathione has been observed in both cells, and the compounds present in buriti oil are possibly acting as antioxidants. Thus, nanoparticles prepared with interesterified buriti oil had low cytotoxicity and high oxidative stability, with great potential for future applications.

Avaliação físico-química e aceitação sensorial de biscoitos tipo cookies elaborados com farinha de resíduos de acerola / Physical-chemical and sensory characteristics of cookies formulated with acerola

A farinha obtida dos resíduos de processamento da polpa de acerola foi utilizada para preparar biscoitos tipo cookies. O efeito da mistura dessa farinha foi avaliado na composição e aceitabilidade dos cookies. Foram elaboradas formulações com 0% (padrão), 10% (Tipo I) e 20% (Tipo II) de farinha de resíduos de acerola em substituição parcial da farinha de trigo. A farinha de resíduos, constituída de cascas e sementes, apresentou 8,60% de umidade, 8,88% de proteína, 0,52% de lipídios, 3,03% de cinzas, 24,33% de açúcares redutores em glicose, 8,09 μg.g-1 de carotenoides totais, 47,5ºBrix e 9549,61 mg de ácido ascórbico.100g-1. Os cookies preparados com farinha de resíduos obtiveram menores notas na impressão global (5,34-Tipo I e 4,14-Tipo II) em comparação à formulação padrão (6,62). Há necessidade de se efetuar melhorias, como ajuste no teorde umidade nas formulações, para maior aceitação do produto. No biscoito padrão não houve detecção de carotenoides totais e ácido ascórbico, mas estes estiveram presentes no Tipo I, respectivamente, nos valores de1,51 μg.g-1 e 2172,60 mg.100g-1. A farinha de resíduos de acerola, pelo elevado teor de ácido ascórbico, torna se boa alternativa para substituição parcial da farinha de trigo em cookies para melhorar seu valor nutritivo.

Acerola pulp processed residues flour was used as a mixture material for cookies. The effect of the addition ofthis flour was evaluated in the cookies composition and acceptability. Formulations containing 0% (standard),10% (Type I) and 20% (Type II) of acerola residues flour were prepared partially replacing the wheat flour.The residue flour, consisting of peels and seeds, showed 8.60% humidity, 8.88% protein, 0.52% lipids, 3.03%ash, 24.33% of reducing sugars into glucose, 8.09 μg.g-1 of total carotenoids, 47.5°Brix, and 9549.61 mg of ascorbic acid.100g-1. The cookies prepared with acerola residue flour formulations were not well scored onthe global impression of them, being 5.34 (Type I) and 4.14 (Type II) when compared with the standard one (6.62). Improvements as adjusting the moisture contents have to be carried out for increasing cookies acceptance. Neither total carotenoids nor ascorbic acid were detected in the standard cookies, however in Type I cookies these substances rates were of 1.51 μg.g-1 and 2172.60 mg.100g-1, respectively. Acerola residue flour showed a distinct advantage owing to its high ascorbic acid contents, being an useful alternative for partially replacing the wheat flour to improve the nutritional value of prepared cookies.