Fruits, seeds and leaves of guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand): characteristics, uses and health benefits.

Native fruit trees have potential for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, which is widely used in folk medicine. Guabiju, known as guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) is a perennial tree that belongs to the family Myrtaceae, occurring in Brazil from São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul, and other countries like Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. This species demonstrates great commercial potential regarding the consumption of its fresh fruit or industrialized. Due to its importance is necessary to develop studies aimed at characterization (phenotypic, propagative, reproductive, chemical and nutritional), uses and applications. However, the available information has never been systematized and in this sense the objective of this review is to compile information about the species to guide further research. Regarding morphology, the guabijuzeiro is a semi-deciduous tree species, with propagation is carried out mainly through seeds and vegetative. Regarding reproductive aspects, there is a lack of studies that assess the mode of reproduction. The fruit can be consumed fresh or processed as ice cream, juice, freeze-dried or dehydrated. It is sweet and slightly acidic, low in calories, high in carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, calcium and potassium. Both the fruit, the seed and the leaves have high levels of bioactive compounds and high antioxidant capacity. The fruit pulp stands out for its carotenoids and phenolic compounds and the peel is rich in anthocyanins, especially in the mature phase, in addition to terpenoids. M. pungens has antimicrobial effects, gastroprotective activity and is promising in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and against the side effects of cisplatin, an anticancer agent. Finally, there is a need for further studies with this species, mainly in the characterization of the leaves, uses and applications of the fruit.

Application of prebiotics in apple products and potential health benefits.

Among the fruits, the apple stands out among the most used for elaboration of processed foods. However, the importance of prebiotics in apple products has never been widely analyzed. Prebiotic is a food component resistant to gastric acidity, digestion by mammalian enzymes and gastrointestinal absorption. But following fermentation in the colon, prebiotics result in specific changes in the composition and / or metabolism of the gastrointestinal microbiota, conferring benefits to the health of the host. Therefore, fortifying apple-based products with additional prebiotics is an important strategy for improving consumer health benefits. In this review, after compiling and analyzing scientific and technological studies focusing on prebiotics in apple products, the following benefits of these prebiotics became evident: (1) reduction of water loss in the food matrix; (2) preservation of bioactive and volatile compounds; (3) texture improvement (thickening) in the food industry; (4) increased shelf-live and (5) increased survival of probiotic bacteria, promoting positive effects on microbiota. In addition, this review shows the benefits of different prebiotics for stability and sensory acceptance of apple processed foods.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Aqueous Extract and Essential Oil of Thymus Serrulatus Hochst. Ex Benth.

Thymus serrulatus, an endemic plant of Ethiopia, is traditionally used to cure various diseases and as a food ingredient. In the Ethiopian folk medicine, the decoction is orally taken as a remedy to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects of the aqueous extract and of the essential oil of Thymus serrulatus. The chemical composition of the aqueous extract was determined by LC-MS and the essential oil was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Radical scavenging assays, namely scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), hydroxyl (•OH), and nitric oxide (•NO), were used as a first approach to screen the potential antioxidant abilities of the samples. Alpha-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory studies were also employed to evaluate the in vitro antihyperglycemic potential of the plant. The in vivo blood glucose lowering effect of the extracts was assessed using hypoglycemic activity and the oral glucose tolerance test in normal and in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. When compared to the aqueous extract, the essential oil showed superior radical scavenging activity, particularly for •NO, as well as greater inhibitory potency against α-amylase and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.01 mg/ml and 0.11 mg/ml, respectively). Both tested samples showed a statistically significant antihyperglycemic effect. The aqueous extract at 600 mg/kg exerted maximum antihyperglycemic activity (44.14%), followed by the essential oil (30.82%). Body weight and glucose tolerance parameters were also improved by the samples both in normal and diabetic mice. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that aqueous extract and essential oil of T. serrulatus are promising therapeutic agents.

Araçá (Psidium cattleianum Sabine): bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and pancreatic lipase inhibition / Araçá (Psidium cattleianum Sabine): compostos bioativos, atividade antioxidante e inibição da lipase pancreática

ABSTRACT: "Araçá" has been reported with different biological activities such as antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial as well as inhibitors of digestive enzymes. The digestive pancreatic lipase enzyme plays a fundamental role in lipid metabolism, and its inhibition has been studied as a target for obesity treatment. This study quantified the bioactive compounds present in different parts of "araçá" fruit and evaluated their antioxidant activity and lipase inhibition properties. Three samples were analyzed for total anthocyanins, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and pancreatic lipase inhibition. Anthocyanins were reported only in pulp-peel of red "araçá" sample. Phenolic compounds concentration was higher in pulp-peel than in seeds for all samples. The antioxidant activity followed the same trend. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolic content and both antioxidant activity and lipase inhibition. Lipase inhibition activity was higher for pulp-peel compared to the seeds. Overall, the results showed that "araçá" fruit extracts could be beneficial for the treatment of obesity.

RESUMO: A fruta araçá tem sido destacada por suas diferentes atividades biológicas como antioxidante, antiproliferativa e antimicrobiana, além de inibidores de enzimas digestivas. A enzima digestiva lipase tem papel fundamental no metabolismo lipídico, e sua inibição tem sido estudada como alvo para o tratamento da obesidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo quantificar os compostos bioativos presentes em diferentes partes do fruto do araçá e avaliar sua atividade antioxidante e propriedades de inibição da lipase. Três amostras foram analisadas quanto a antocianinas totais, compostos fenólicos totais, atividade antioxidante e inibição da lipase pancreática. Antocianinas foram encontradas apenas na polpa-casca da amostra de araçá vermelho. A concentração de compostos fenólicos foi maior na polpa-casca do que nas sementes para todas as amostras. A atividade antioxidante seguiu a mesma tendência. Os compostos fenólicos totais, a atividade antioxidante e a inibição da lipase apresentaram uma correlação positiva. A atividade de inibição da lipase foi ligeiramente superior para a polpa-casca em comparação com as sementes. No geral, os resultados revelaram que os extratos da fruta do araçá podem ser benéficos para o tratamento da obesidade.

Apple Phenolic Extracts Strongly Inhibit α-Glucosidase Activity.

The beneficial health effects of apple consumption are well known, however, little is known about the potential of its phenolic fractions to inhibit α-glucosidases and thereafter to treat diseases related to the carbohydrate metabolism, such as postprandial hyperglycemia and diabetes. In the present study, the α-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant activity of different phenolic fractions of apple were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the phenolic fractions were chemically characterized by LC-MS in order to identify the compounds responsible for the biological properties. The purified extract (not fractionated) had the highest α-glucosidase and hydroxyl radical inhibitions. The purified extract and fractions III and IV were more active against the enzyme activity than the positive control acarbose, the drug used by diabetic patients to treat postprandial hyperglycaemia. Our results show that apple phenolic extracts strongly inhibit α-glucosidase acitivity, validating their potential to be used in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Psidium cattleianum fruits: A review on its composition and bioactivity.

Psidium cattleianum Sabine, commonly known as araçá, is a Brazilian native fruit, which is very juicy, with sweet to sub acid pulp and a spicy touch. The fruit can be eaten fresh or processed into juice, jellies and ice creams. Araçás are source of vitamin C, minerals, fatty acids, polysaccharides, volatile compounds, carotenoids and phenolic compounds, which can provide nutrients and phytochemical agents with different biological functions. Different pharmacological studies demonstrate that P. cattleianum exerts antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiaging effects. Thus, this article aims to review the chemical composition and biological effects reported for araçá fruit in the last years.

Composted slaughterhouse sludge as a substitute for chemical fertilizers in the cultures of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Abstract Flotation sludge (FS) is produced in huge amounts at slaughterhouses in western Santa Catarina, Brazil. This waste is rich in plant nutrients and a valuable resource for soil amendments. Five FS composts were tested as a replacement for chemical fertilizers (QF), namely T1 (75% poultry manure (PM) and 25% sawdust (SD)); T2 (50% PM and 50% SD); T3 (25% PM and 75% SD); T4 (100% PM and 0% SD); and T5 (0% PM x 100% SD). For lettuce plants, treatments containing composted FS resulted in an increased number of leaves, leaf area and leaf fresh weight (LFW). T1 presented the best results with increases of 1.4 fold in LFW compared to plants supplemented with QF. T2 was the most effective treatment for radish with the best results of root fresh weight and root diameter. Although T4 had the highest nitrogen content, it did not present the best results in growth performance for lettuce or radish. The presence of higher proportions of SD in composts (25% for lettuce and 50% for radish) improved the physical characteristics of the soil and proved to be a more balanced compost.

Acute Toxicity and Cytotoxicity of Pereskia aculeata, a Highly Nutritious Cactaceae Plant.

Pereskia aculeata is a Cactaceae plant with valuable nutritional properties, including terrific amounts of protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. However, P. aculeata is reported to contain antinutrients and alkaloids in its leaves. In addition, in a study on growth and development, Wistar rats fed with P. aculeata and casein as protein source grew less than the control group (fed with casein only). Therefore, in this study, we evaluated, for the first time, the oral acute toxicity of P. aculeata in rats and also the cytotoxicity behavior of the plant on lettuce seeds. The acute toxicity research was carried out using dried P. aculeata ethanolic extract, in three different doses, administered by gavage to 24 female Wistar rats. The rats were then examined for signs of toxicity, food intake, body weight, and fecal excretion fluctuations, as well as histopathological alterations, using eight different body tissues. The acute toxicity study did not show any difference among the groups in either clinical evaluation or histopathological analyses. For the cytotoxicity study, dried P. aculeata ethanolic extract was applied on lettuce seeds in five different concentrations. These seeds were evaluated for germination, root and shoot length, and mitotic index. The results show that P. aculeata extract affects lettuce root and shoot growth, but not germination or mitotic index. In conclusion, the acute toxicity on rats and the cytogenotoxicity on lettuce of P. aculeata are neglectable, validating the potential of this plant to be used as a functional food.

Isolation of high-quality RNA from grains of different maize varieties.

The study of gene expression in maize varieties represents a powerful tool aiming to increase vitamin A precursors. However, the isolation of RNA from different maize varieties is challenging because these varieties show different levels of polysaccharides, and most methods available for RNA isolation are inappropriate for grain samples. The polysaccharides co-purify and co-precipitate with RNA during isolation, resulting in low-quality RNA, compromising the use of RNA in subsequent applications. Thus, a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-based method was adapted in this study and compared with six methods for RNA isolation, including commercial reagents and RNA and DNA isolation kits, in order to identify the most appropriate for maize grains from different varieties. Most of the methods evaluated were considered inadequate due to limitations in terms of purity and/or quantity of the isolated RNA, which affected the efficiency of subsequent RT-qPCR analysis, resulting in nonamplification of ß-carotene hydroxylase gene (HYD3) or high deviation among replicates. However, the CTAB modified method allowed the study to obtain intact RNA, with high quality and quantity, from 25 maize varieties. Furthermore, this RNA was successfully used to evaluate the expression of HYD3 gene by real-time qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and thus represents a simple, efficient, and low-cost strategy.

Boron and calcium sprayed on 'Fuyu' persimmon tree prevent skin cracks, groove and browning of fruit during cold storage / Boro e cálcio pulverizado em árvores de caqui "Fuyu" previnem fissuras, estrias e escurecimento do fruto durante o armazenamento refrigerado

Flesh softening, skin browning and rotting are chief problems during cold storage (CS) of 'Fuyu' Persimmon. We studied the effects of boron (B) and calcium (Ca) sprayed on the trees during three consecutive years, on the development of skin cracks, grooves and browning in persimmon fruit under CS in Farroupilha, RS, Brazil (29º31' south, 51º21' west, about 750 m altitude). A homogeneous orchard area of 0.5 ha was delimitated and three sets of five plants for each treatment were randomly selected. The persimmon trees were sprayed at a 20 day interval, from 15th January until harvest, for three consecutive years, with: T1) water; T2) calcium nitrate at 0.5 percent (m/v); T3) calcium chloride at 0.5 percent (m/v); and T4) boron at 0.3 percent (m/v). The fruit were harvest with orange-reddish colour; 18-20ºBrix, pulp firmness of 45 to 60N, and kept under CS at 0±1ºC for 45 days. The fruits were evaluated immediately before CS, after six hours at 23±2ºC after removal from CS, and after four days at 23±2ºC after removal from CS. Equally boron and calcium sprayed on the trees prevented skin cracks, skin grooves and skin browning. Besides, when boron was sprayed on the trees, the mentioned effects were additive in the following year.

As principais alterações indesejáveis observadas no período pós-colheita de caquis em armazenamento refrigerado (AR) são a perda de firmeza de polpa, e a ocorrência de escurecimento epidérmico e de podridões. Este trabalho teve por objetivo principal estudar as respostas da aplicação de boro (B) e cálcio (Ca), em três safras sucessivas, na prevenção da ocorrência de fissuras, estrias e escurecimento epidérmico de caquis "Fuyu". No pomar (Farroupilha-RS-Brasil, 29º31' Sul, 51º21' Oeste, aproximadamente 750m altitude) delimitou-se uma área homogênea de 0,5ha., marcando-se, ao acaso, três repetições de cinco plantas para cada tratamento: T1 - controle, caquizeiros não-pulverizados com B e Ca; T2 - pulverizações com Nitrato de Ca 0,5 por cento (m/v); T3 - pulverizações com Cloreto de Ca 0,5 por cento (m/v); e T4 - pulverizações com B 0,3 por cento (m/v). As aplicações foram realizadas em três anos sucessivos a partir de 15 de janeiro a intervalos de 20 dias. Foram colhidos os caquis na coloração alaranjado-avermelhada, com 18-20ºBrix e 45 a 60N, que posteriormente foram armazenados em AR a 0±1ºC por 45 dias. As avaliações foram realizadas no dia do armazenamento, após seis horas a 23±2ºC a partir da retirada AR, e após quatro dias a 23±2ºC a partir da retirada do AR. Foi avaliada a ocorrência de frutas com fissuras, estrias e escurecimento epidérmico. Comprovou-se o efeito benéfico da aplicação de B ou Ca na prevenção de fissuras, estrias e escurecimento epidérmico. Adicionalmente, foi detectado o incremento da resposta à aplicação de B, que, além de prevenir (à semelhança das aplicações com Ca), apresentou efeito aditivo no segundo ano. O resultado sugere que as respostas às aplicações com B são progressivas.