Identifying markers volatiles in Brazilian virgin oil by multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction, and chemometrics tools.

A protocol was optimized to determine the volatile profile from monovarietal virgin olive oil (VOO) by multiple headspace solid-phase microextraction (MHS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. For this, a Plackett-Burman (PB) and central composite rotational designs (CCRD) were used to define the best condition of extraction. Moreover, fatty acids profile and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify markers among the cultivars. The amount of 0.1 g of sample was enough to express the volatile composition of the olive oils by MHS-SPME. Volatile compounds [nonanal, (Z)-3-Hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-Hexenyl Acetate, Hexyl Acetate, 3-Methylbutyl Acetate, (E)-2-Hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-Hexenyl Acetate] and fatty acids [C17:1, C18, C18:1, C18:2] were those reported such as the markers in the varieties of olive oils. The PCA analysis allowed the classification of the most representative volatiles and fatty acids for each cultivar. Through two principal components was possible to obtain 81.9% of explanation of the variance of the compounds. The compounds were quantified using a validated method. The MHS-SPME combined with multivariate analysis showed a promising tool to identify markers and for the discrimination of olive oil varieties.

Changes in stability, tocopherols, fatty acids and antioxidant capacity of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) oil during French fries deep-frying.

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) oil (SI) is appreciated for its nutritional and sensorial characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate SI changes during French fries deep-frying at 170 °C or 180 °C up to 119 and 50 min, respectively; commercial soybean oil (SO) was tested as control. SI had high α-linolenic acid (53.8%), linoleic acid (33.4%) and total tocopherols (2540.1 mg/kg). During frying tocopherol content, oil stability and antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH) decreased following zero-order kinetics; γ-tocopherol showed the strongest decrease. Notwithstanding the high SI unsaturation and the commercial antioxidant (TBHQ) in SO, SI showed slightly higher or similar hydrolysis (free fatty acids and diacylglycerols), similar primary (K232, oxidized-triacylglycerols) and lower secondary (K268, triacylglycerol oligopolymers) oxidation. Because of the high tocopherol content, SI showed lower degradation than SO. Thus, SI is suitable for short-term deep-frying; additionally, it may enhance the nutritional value and the flavour of fried foods.

Acetone fraction from Sechium edule (Jacq.) S.w. edible roots exhibits anti-endothelial dysfunction activity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A recent ethnomedical survey on medicinal plants grown in Mexico revealed that Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (Cucurbitaceae) is one of the most valued plant species to treat cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Fruits, young leaves, buds, stems, and tuberous roots of the plant are edible. Considering that endothelial dysfunction induced by Angiotensin II plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and is accompanied by a prooxidative condition, which in turn induces an inflammatory state, vascular remodeling, and tissue damage, and that S. edule has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive activity, its capability to control endothelial dysfunction was also assessed. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess in vivo the anti-endothelial dysfunction activity of the acetone fraction (rSe-ACE) of the hydroalcoholic extract from S. edule roots. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endothelial dysfunction was induced in female C57BL/6 J mice by a daily intraperitoneal injection of angiotensin II for 10 weeks. Either rSe-ACE or losartan (as a control) were co-administered with angiotensin II for the same period. Blood pressure was measured at weeks 0, 5, and 10. Kidney extracts were prepared to determine IL1ß, IL4, IL6, IL10, IL17, IFNγ, TNFα, and TGFß levels by ELISA, along with the prooxidative status as assessed by the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The expression of ICAM-1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in kidney histological sections. Kidney and hepatic damage, as well as vascular tissue remodeling, were studied. RESULTS: The rSe-ACE fraction administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg was able to control hypertension, as well as the prooxidative and proinflammatory status in kidney as efficiently as losartan, returning mice to normotensive levels. Additionally, the fraction was more efficient than losartan to prevent liver and kidney damage. Phytochemical characterization identified cinnamic acid as a major compound, and linoleic, palmitic, and myristic acids as the most abundant non-polar components in the mixture, previously reported to aid in the control of hypertension, inflammation, and oxidative stress, three important components of endothelial dysfunction. IN CONCLUSION: this study demonstrated that rSe-ACE has anti-endothelial dysfunction activity in an experimental model and highlights the role of cinnamic acid and fatty acids in the observed effects.

In vitro mutagenicity assay (Ames test) and phytochemical characterization of seeds oil of Helianthus annuus Linné (sunflower).

The objective of this research was to investigate the genotoxic potential of the oil of H. annuus L. (sunflower) seeds via the Ames test as well as its oxidative properties and lipid composition. The pre-incubation method, system metabolic activation (S9 fraction) and five S. typhimurium strains (TA97, TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA102) were employed for the Ames test. The oxidative stability and fatty acid composition were analyzed by standard methods and gas chromatography. A revertant analysis showed no significant differences between the treatment doses (10-200 µl/plate) and the negative controls, regardless of S9+ and S9-, and included all of the S. typhimurium strains. Chromatographic analysis showed high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, followed by monounsaturated, saturated and total trans-isomers. Among the polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids predominated. The results suggest that the sunflower oil is not genotoxic as indicated by frameshift mutations and base pair substitutions regardless of the treatment dose, but shows dose-dependent toxicity. The oxidative properties of the sunflower oil were consistent with the requirements of national and international standards. However, its composition could also indicate phytotherapeutic properties.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm fruit pulp fixed ethyl acetate extract on zymosan-induced arthritis in rats.

The ethyl acetate extract from the fruit pulp of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm (Caryocaraceae), popularly known as pequi, has wide applications in popular medicine. Preclinical tests have demonstrated the therapeutic properties of the oil. We investigated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Pequi C. coriaceum Wittm ethyl acetate extract (PCCO) on zymosan-induced arthritis in rat knee joint. The animals were pretreated with PCCO for 7 consecutive days or with a single dose. Paw elevation time (PET), leukocyte infiltration, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and cytokine levels were assessed 4h after zymosan injection. Synovial tissue was harvested for immunohistochemical analysis, edema and vascular permeability. We observed a significant decrease in PET with PCCO pretreatment. PCCO showed a significant reduction of leukocyte migration and a decrease in MPO. Decreases were observed in cytokine release in the synovial fluid and TNF-α and cyclooxygenase-1 immunostaining in synovial tissue. Edema was inhibited by treatment with all doses of PCCO. The data suggest that PCCO exerts antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on arthritis in rats.

Subcritical extraction of flaxseed oil with n-propane: Composition and purity.

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) oil was obtained via subcritical n-propane fluid extraction (SubFE) under different temperatures and pressures with an average yield of 28% and its composition, purity and oxidative stability were compared to oils obtained via conventional solvent extraction methods (SEMs). When the oxidative stability was measured by differential scanning calorimetry, the oil was found to be up to 5 times more resistant to lipid oxidation as compared to the SEM oils. Direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis showed characteristic and similar TAG profiles for SubFE and SEMs oils but higher purity for the SubFE oil. The flaxseed oil content of ß-tocopherol, campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol were quantified via GC-MS. SubFE showed to be a promising alternative to conventional SEM since SubFE provides an oil with higher purity and higher oxidation stability and with comparable levels of biologically active components.

Effect of the refining process on Moringa oleifera seed oil quality.

We evaluated the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of the oil extracted from the seeds of Moringa oleifera during its refining process. Refining is accomplished in three stages: neutralization, degumming, and bleaching. Four samples were analyzed, corresponding to each step of the processed and crude oil. Increases in the density, viscosity, saponification value and oxidation of the oil were detected during the refining, while the peroxide value and carotenoid content diminished. Moreover, the refractive index and iodine content were stable throughout the refining. Nine fatty acids were detected in all four samples, and there were no significant differences in their composition. Oleic acid was found in the largest amount, followed by palmitic acid and behenic acid. The crude, neutralized, and degummed oils showed high primary oxidation stability, while the bleached oil had a low incidence of secondary oxidation.