Simulation of ethanol recovery and economic analysis of pectin production on an industrial scale.

Taking into account that the industrial processing of passion fruit generates significant amounts of waste (only the peels represent 51% of the total mass of the fruit), in the present study an economic analysis was conducted to evaluate industrial line viability for pectin extraction from passion fruit peels. Knowing that absolute ethanol (99.50% purity), used in the precipitation and washing steps, has a higher cost, a simulation of extractive distillation was performed using solvents ethylene glycol and glycerol, in the software Aspen Plus v.11, being possible to recover 99.63% of ethanol for both solvents. The results of the economic evaluation showed that the process using ethylene glycol has an advantage, mainly due to its higher profitability (1.13 times higher), lower production cost (94.86% of the price using glycerol), and a lower breakeven point (around 3% smaller). The financial indicators showed profitability and attractiveness for the implementation of this processing line.

Pro-apoptotic activities of polyphenolics from açai (Euterpe oleracea Martius) in human SW-480 colon cancer cells.

This study aimed to evaluate the cell growth inhibition activity of açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolic extract against colon cancer HT-29 and SW-480 cells and the nonmalignant CCD-18Co colon fibroblast cells. Results showed that açai polyphenolic extract (5-20 mg/L) inhibited preferentially the growth of SW-480 cells with no toxicity in CCD-18Co cells, and this was accompanied by reduction of H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The mechanisms involved in SW-480 cell growth-inhibition by açai polyphenolic extract included the downregulation of NF-κB proinflammatory transcription factor and the nuclear factor-kappa B targets intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Furthermore, prooncogenic specificity proteins (Sp) were downregulated as well as Sp-targets Bcl-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and survivin. This was accompanied by activation of mitochondrial proapoptotic pathway involving increase of cytochrome c, cleavage of caspase-3, and decrease of PARP-1. Results strongly suggest that açai polyphenolic extract has antiinflammatory and cytotoxic activities in colon cancer cells and can be effective as natural colon cancer chemopreventive agents.

Baru oil (Dipteryx alata vog.) applied in the formation of O/W nanoemulsions: A study of physical-chemical, rheological and interfacial properties.

The oil extracted from baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) seeds is in bioactive compounds and it presents potential to be used in food and cosmetic industries. Therefore, this study aims to provide insights into the stability of baru oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions. For this purpose, the effects of the ionic strength (0, 100 and 200 mM), pH (6, 7 and 8), and storage time (28 days) on the kinetic stability of these colloidal dispersions were evaluated. The nanoemulsions were characterized in terms of interfacial properties, rheology, zeta potential (ζ), average droplet diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), microstructure, and creaming index. In general, for samples, the equilibrium interfacial tension ranged from 1.21 to 3.4 mN.m-1, and the interfacial layer presented an elastic behavior with low dilatational viscoelasticity. Results show that the nanoemulsions present a Newtonian flow behavior, with a viscosity ranging from 1.99 to 2.39 mPa.s. The nanoemulsions presented an average diameter of 237-315 nm with a low polydispersity index (<0.39), and a ζ-potential ranging from 39.4 to 50.3 mV after 28 days of storage at 25 °C. The results obtained for the ζ-potential suggest strong electrostatic repulsions between the droplets, which is an indicative of relative kinetic stability. In fact, macroscopically, all the nanoemulsions were relatively stable after 28 days of storage, except the nanoemulsions added with NaCl. Nanoemulsions produced with baru oil present a great potential to be used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Lifestyle and vitamin D dosage in women with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The prevention strategy of breast cancer is still the key factor for early diagnosis and the most effective method for tracking the disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association vitamin D level with breast cancer in women. METHODS: This hospital case-control study was conducted with 181 women with breast cancer and 197 healthy controls. Vitamin D status, calcium, phosphorus and PTH serum dosage and data collection related to lifestyle and patient's history, besides anthropometric measurements were performed. Univariate analysis (Chi-square and raw odds ratio) and multivariate analysis were performed through multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: This study shows a higher value of vitamin D in health controls (26.9 mg/dL) than in breast cancer women (24.8 mg/dL). Higher numbers of women with sufficient vitamin D status (34.85%) were found in control group than cancer group. Using the multiple logistic regression model, the family history of breast cancer (OR 36.37, 95%CI 4.75-278.50) and menopause (OR 5.17, 95% CI 2.72-9.80) had a direct association with breast cancer, while the level of vitamin D (OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.91-0.99) and moderate physical activity (OR 0.31, 95%CI 0.10-0.93) maintained the inverse associations with the disease. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D status and the practice of moderate physical activity were considered protective factors for breast cancer. However, menopause and family history of breast cancer were considered a risk factor for breast cancer.

Anti-inflammatory activity of polyphenolics from açai (Euterpe oleracea Martius) in intestinal myofibroblasts CCD-18Co cells.

The demand for tropical fruits high in polyphenolics including açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) has been increasing based on ascribed health benefits and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of açai polyphenolics in human colon myofibroblastic CCD-18Co cells to investigate the suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory proteins. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of açai extract, 1-5 mg gallic acid equivalent L(-1), were selected. The generation of ROS was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and açai extract partially reversed this effect to 0.53-fold of the LPS-control. Açai extract (5 mg GAE L(-1)) down-regulated LPS-induced mRNA-expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNF-α (to 0.42-fold), cyclooxygenase 2, COX-2 (to 0.61-fold), toll-like receptor-4, TLR-4 (to 0.52-fold), TNF receptor-associated factor 6, TRAF-6 (to 0.64-fold), nuclear factor kappa-B, NF-κB (to 0.76-fold), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, VCAM-1 (to 0.71-fold) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1, ICAM-1 (to 0.68-fold). The protein levels of COX-2, TLR-4, p-NF-κB and ICAM-1 were induced by LPS and the açai extract partially reversed this effect in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest the anti-inflammatory effect of açai polyphenolic extract in intestinal cells are at least in part mediated through the inhibition of ROS and the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB. Results indicate the potential for açai polyphenolics in the prevention of intestinal inflammation.

Mechanisms used by inulin-type fructans to improve the lipid profile.

AIMS: The consumption of prebiotics has been associated with improvement in the lipid profile. Thus, this review aims to describe the main mechanisms by which inulin-type fructans improve the lipid profile and thereby reduce the cardiovascular risk. DATA SYNTHESIS: Inulin-type fructans have been demonstrated to improve the lipid profile through a number of mechanisms. These mechanisms include: decrease in gene expression of hepatic enzymes responsible for de novo synthesis of lipids; increase of muscle lipoprotein lipase enzyme activity, enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids; altered production of polyamines which increases the production of satiogenic peptide; altered blood glucose and insulinemia; increase of fecal excretion of bile salts and cholesterol and increase of the Bifidobacterium population. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of inulin-type fructans enhances lipid profile. Generally, the mechanisms vary according to the physiologic state of the individual and the type of diet to which the inulin-type fructans are added. Thus, inulin may be used for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Objetivos: El consumo de prebióticos ha sido asociado con el mejoramiento del perfil lipídico. Por tanto, esta revisión tiene como objetivo describir los principales mecanismos por los cuales fructanos tipo inulina, mejoran el perfil lipídico reduciendo el riesgo cardivascular. Síntesis de los datos: Los fructanos tipo inulina, han demostrado una mejora del perfil lipídico, a través de varios mecanismos, incluyendo: disminución de la expresión génica de las enzimas hepáticas responsables por la síntesis de novo de lípidos; aumento de la actividad enzimática del lipoproteína lipasa muscular; aumento de la producción de ácidos grasos de cadena corta; producción alterada de poliaminas que aumentan la producción del peptido Satiogen; alteración de la glicemia e insulinemia; aumento de la populación de Bifidobacterium y el incremento de la excreción fecal de las sales biliares y el colesterol. Conclusiones: El consumo de los fructanos tipo inulina mejora el perfil lipídico. Generalmente, los mecanismos varian de acuerdo com el estado fisiológico del individuo y el tipo de dieta, en la que son adicionados los fructanos tipo inulina. Por tanto, la inulina puede ser utilizada para la prevención y/o tratamiento de enfermedades cardiovasculares.