Bauhinia Linnaeus: an overview of the chemistry and bioactivity of essential oils / Bauhinia Linnaeus: una descripción general de la química y bioactividad de los aceites esenciales

Bauhinia genus comprises 300 diferent species distributed in tropical and subtropical forests. Infusions of some species have been frequently used in folk medicine to treat several ailments, especially diabetes. S tudies are focused on the extracts and little is reported about their essential oils. This review aims to compile data about the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils from diferent species of the genus Bauhinia , in order to show the potential of these oils, since they have a rich composition in terpenoids, with emphasis on sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, which have a broad spectrum of biological actions and can be explored in various application areas.

El género Bauhinia comprende 300 especies diferentes distribuidas en bosques tropicales y subtropicales. Las infusiones de algunas especies se han utilizado con frecuencia en la medicina popular para tratar varias dolencias, especialmente la diabetes. Los estudios se centran en los extractos y se informa poco sobre sus aceites esenciales. Esta revisión tiene como objetivo recopilar datos sobre la composición química y activida des biológicas de los aceites esenciales de diferentes especies del género Bauhinia , con el fin de mostrar el potencial de estos aceites, ya que tienen una composición rica en terpenoides, con énfasis en sesquiterpenos y diterpenos, que tienen un amplio es pectro de acciones biológicas y pueden explorarse en diversas áreas de aplicación.

Phenolic-rich smoothie consumption ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obesity mice by increasing antioxidant response.

Consumption of foods rich in phenolic compounds can be beneficial for health. This study aimed to examine whether the consumption of a phenolic-rich smoothie, based on juçara, strawberry and banana, ameliorates metabolic status and liver damage of diet-induced obese mice. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were assigned into four groups (n = 10) and fed control diet with free access to water (C) or phenolic-rich smoothie (C-S), or fed high-fat diet with free access to water (HF) or phenolic-rich smoothie (HF-S) for five weeks. HF and HF-S groups had higher body weight gains than the C group, however the HF had a greater adipose index, higher plasma levels of glucose, insulin and leptin, as well as higher plasma and hepatic steatosis than C, C-S and HF-S groups. The liver oxidative stress markers were reduced in C-S and HF-S groups and the activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were higher compared with their counterparts. The present study suggests that regular consumption of a phenolic-rich smoothie improves the liver antioxidant status, prevents metabolic disorders and ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by high-fat diet consumption.

Effect of Processing on Bioactive Compounds, Physicochemical and Rheological Characteristics of Juçara, Banana and Strawberry Smoothie.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of processing steps on bioactive compounds and physicochemical and rheological characteristics of a juçara, banana and strawberry smoothie. The product was obtained by mixing the pulps of these fruits in previously defined proportions. The mixture was standardized in a pilot disintegrator, homogenized at 60 MPa in continuous mode and pasteurized at 90 °C for 35 s. The homogenization step increased the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, major anthocyanins in the smoothie. However, these anthocyanins, as well as perlagonidin-3-O-glucoside, have been reduced (p<0.05) after the pasteurization step. The pasteurization also affected the instrumental color of the smoothie, expressed by Hue angle (p<0.05). Regarding to the rheological behavior, the smoothie, in all processing steps, presented a non-Newtonian fluid behavior with pseudoplastic characteristics (n<1). After homogenization, the smoothie became more fluid and homogeneous. Thus, despite the negative impact of pasteurization on the smoothie's color, the pasteurized product preserves the bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids that are of great importance to human health. Furthermore, the development of this product contributes to add value to the juçara agro-chain and Atlantic Forest preservation.