Novel soybean-based high protein bar rich in isoflavones improves insulin sensitivity in diabetic Wistar rats.

This study assessed the effect of whey protein substitution with isolated soy protein in protein bar (PB) formulations at 25% (PB2), 50% (PB3), or 75% (PB1) weight/weight on the proximate and mineral composition, sensory, and antidiabetic properties. Sensory evaluation was conducted within diabetic (DB) and non-diabetic (NDB) consumers by preference ranking and acceptance test. The formulations were analysed in terms of moisture, ash, protein, lipid, carbohydrates, fibers and mineral content. The consumers did not distinguish the formulations by preference ranking test. However, the acceptability test showed a rating of 9 most frequent for PB1 (36.30%), followed by PB2 and PB3 (both 34.09%), among DB consumers. The PB1 and PB3 showed higher content of total, soluble and insoluble fibers and, PB 2 presented higher carbohydrate content. Potassium, sodium and calcium showed the highest mineral content in the formulations. PB3 was assessed for glycaemic and lipidemic control in diabetics and non-diabetics female Wistar rats, for this 20% of PB was added in the ration consumed ad libitum, besides, the rats received 100 mg/kg b. w. by gavage daily. The treatment did not reduce significantly fasting glucose, lipid profile, or peripheral glucose disposal in DB or NDB rats. However, it significantly improved insulin tolerance test values in diabetic rats. The results suggest that the formulations showed good acceptance and potentially ameliorate insulin resistance both in control group and in animal model of type II diabetes.

Determination of the Lead, Cadmium, and Chromium Concentration in Mineral Feeds and Supplements for Cattle Produced in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil.

This work aimed to determine the concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) in mineral feeds and supplements for cattle produced in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Three different lots of nine mineral supplements and eleven mineral feeds were collected, and the samples were prepared by wet decomposition and quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.18 to 0.64 mg kg-1 and 0.54 to 1.94 mg kg-1, respectively. Cr concentrations varied from lower than the LQI to 11.9 mg kg-1, and all samples presented values below the maximum recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) and European Union (EU). Cd concentrations varied from lower than the LQI to 6.1 mg kg-1, and 100 % of the mineral supplements and 60 % of the mineral feed showed Cd concentrations above the recommended by the EU (1.0 mg kg-1). Pb concentrations ranged from lower than the LQI to 33.1 mg kg-1, and 100 % of the mineral supplements and 90 % of the mineral feed showed Pb concentrations above the recommended by the EU (5.0 mg kg-1). All samples presented values below the maximum recommended by the NRC for Cd and Pb (10 and 100 mg kg-1, respectively). A large scatter of results was observed in the different samples for the three elements analyzed. This can be attributed to inhomogeneous impurity levels between batches of phosphate rocks used in the mineral feeds and supplements. A strict control of such mineral feeds and supplements should be implemented.

Internal standardization combined with dilute-and-shoot preparation of distilled alcoholic beverages for Cu determination by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

Internal standardization (IS) and dilute-and-shoot preparation of distilled alcoholic beverages were evaluated for the direct determination of Cu by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Among Bi, In, Sn and Te evaluated as internal standards, Bi and Te furnished best results. Calibration curves were built up by plotting A(Cu)/A(Bi) and A(Cu)/A(Te)versus Cu concentration (0.05-4.0 mg L(-1)) and linear correlation coefficients were 0.9994 and 0.9990, respectively. Contents of Cu in 22 commercial distilled beverages analyzed by the proposed method varied in the 0.029-3.608 mg L(-1) interval. These results were in agreement (paired t-test) at 95% confidence level with those obtained by line source FAAS using standard addition calibration. Recoveries improved from 77-83% (without IS) to 99-101% (with IS) intervals. The relative standard deviation (n=12) was 0.8-3.7% (IS-Bi), 0.4-4.4% (IS-Te), and 0.5-9.1% (without IS) and the limit of detection was ca. 5 µg L(-1) using Bi or Te.