Brown and golden flaxseed reduce intestinal permeability and endotoxemia, and improve the lipid profile in perimenopausal overweight women.

The effect of brown and golden flaxseeds on lipid profile, oxidative stress, intestinal permeability, endotoxemia, and fasting glycaemia of perimenopausal overweight women was investigated in this clinical trial. Thirty participants were divided into control (CG), brown flaxseed (BF), and golden flaxseed (GF) groups. BF and GF received 40 g of brown and golden flaxseed for 12 weeks. Venous blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end. Intestinal permeability analysis was performed by urinary excretion of lactulose and mannitol. There was significant reduction in intestinal permeability in flaxseed groups, with delta of lactulose/mannitol ratio smaller (p ≤ 0.05). LPS levels were reduced in the flaxseed groups, whereas low-density lipoproteins (LDL) was decreased in the GF group (p ≤ 0.05). Flaxseed consumption did not change oxidative stress markers and glycaemia. Flaxseed consumption, especially golden flaxseed, reduced intestinal permeability and improved the lipid profile, showing positive effects on metabolic changes caused by menopausal transition.HIGHLIGHTSBrown and golden flaxseeds show a high content of insoluble fibre and alpha-linolenic acid, and brown flaxseed presented higher antioxidant activity.Golden flaxseed improved the lipid profile.Brown and golden flaxseeds reduced intestinal permeability and endotoxemia.Brown and golden flaxseed can be a promising alternative for the prevention of metabolic changes caused by menopausal transition, and for the improvement of the intestinal health.

Use of coconut sugar as an alternative agent in osmotic dehydration of strawberries.

This study aimed to evaluate coconut sugar (CS) as an alternative osmotic agent to sucrose for the osmotic dehydration (OD) of strawberries. OD was performed by immersing strawberries cut into 13.6 ± 0.4 mm edge cubes in osmotic solutions of CS or sucrose, at two different concentrations (40% and 60%, w/w), with and without application of vacuum (AV) in the first 20 min of the process. The total OD time was 300 min. Evaluations of the kinetics of solid gain (SG), water loss (WL), and weight reduction (WR) were performed at 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 min. SG, WL, and WR increased over the OD time and showed values of up to 7.94%, 63.40%, and 55.94%, respectively. AV increased WL, WR, shrinkage, pH, and total color difference and decreased anthocyanin, ascorbic acid (AA), phenolic, and antioxidant contents. The higher concentration led to higher SG, WL, WR, shrinkage, hardness, and lower moisture content, water activity, anthocyanin, AA, phenolic, and antioxidant contents. The use of CS instead of sucrose had little influence on strawberry properties, except pH and color responses. The optimal treatment was using a 60% CS solution without AV, showing a very distinct color change, hardness increased by approximately 4.5 times and maintenance of acidity, anthocyanins, AA, total phenolics, and antioxidants of 38.0%, 39.6%, 11.8%, 30.0%, 31.1%, and 30.3%, respectively, compared to fresh strawberries. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Osmotic dehydration of fruit is a process traditionally carried out using sucrose. However, increasing health concerns have made consumers seek alternative sugars to sucrose. The use of coconut sugar made it possible to produce osmo-dehydrated strawberries different from the traditional one, maintaining product quality and process efficiency.

Green Coffee Extract Microencapsulated: Physicochemical Characteristics, Stability, Bioaccessibility, and Sensory Acceptability through Dairy Beverage Consumption.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of spray drying (SD) and freeze-drying (FD) on the microencapsulation of green coffee extracts by using polydextrose (PD) and inulin (IN) as encapsulating agents and their physicochemical, bioactive compounds' stability, phenolic compounds' bioaccessibility after digestion, and sensory effects in unfermented dairy beverages. The extract encapsulated with IN by FD had lower moisture content, water activity, and hygroscopicity, while particles encapsulated by SD exhibited a spherical shape and the structure of the FD products was irregular. No difference was observed in phenolic compounds' bioaccessibility. Dairy beverages with added encapsulated extracts had higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Microencapsulation allowed a controlled release of the bioactive compounds with an increase in the content of caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and trigonelline during storage. The dairy beverage with added extract encapsulated with IN by FD had the highest scores of acceptability regarding the overall impression and purchase intent.

Method for simultaneous analysis of eight vitamin E isomers in various foods by high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection.

The objective of this study was to optimize a method to investigate the occurrence and to quantify the full isomeric composition of vitamin E (α-, ß-, γ- and δ-tocopherols and tocotrienols) in 6 vegetables (raw and cooked), 3 herbs/spices, raw and cooked eggs, vegetable oils (canola, olive and soybean), flaxseed and sorghum (flour and seeds) and soy (flour) by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Different conditions of extraction and analysis were tested. The optimized method consisted of direct extraction with solvent (hexane:ethyl acetate, 85:15, v/v). For analysis normal phase column was used with mobile phase consisting of hexane:isopropanol:acetic acid (98.9:0.6:0.5) with isocratic elution and fluorescence detection. Excellent separation of all isomers was obtained along with adequate quantification in the foods analyzed. Recovery rates of standards ranged from 91.3 to 99.4%. The linearity range for each isomer varied from 2.5 to 137.5 ng/mL (R² greater than 0.995 in all cases). Detection limits ranged from 21.0 to 48.0 ng/mL for tocopherols and from 56.0 to 67.0 ng/mL for tocotrienols, while quantification limits ranged from 105.0 to 240.0 ng/mL for tocopherols and from 280.0 to 335.0 ng/mL for tocotrienols. The optimized method was considered simple, fast and reliable, and also preserved vitamin E isomers when compared to validated methods involving saponification.

Carotenoids and Vitamin C during Handling and Distribution of Guava (Psidium guajava L.), Mango (Mangifera indica L.), and Papaya (Carica papaya L.) at Commercial Restaurants.

The content and stability of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA, and dehydroascorbic acid, DHA) and carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) were analyzed in papaya, mango, and guava after the reception, preparation (cleaning, peeling, and slicing), and distribution stages for consumption in a commercial restaurant. The analysis of carotenoids and vitamin C was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The fruits analyzed were considered excellent sources of vitamin C and carotenoids. There were no significant differences in the vitamin C and carotenoids content during the different fruit handling stages at the commercial restaurant, which demonstrates the excellent stability of the components under the usual handling conditions employed. The results show that customers of the commercial restaurant are directly benefitted since the nutritional quality of the fruits was preserved during all of the handling and distribution periods.

Chemical characterization and size distribution of sorghum genotypes for human consumption

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the approximate composition, size distribution, minerals and vitamin E isomers concentrations in eight sorghum geno types available for human consumption. The protein concentration of samples ranged from 8.57 to 11.59%, lipids from 1.24 to 3.07% and carbohydrates from 57.3 to 64.7%. The total dietary fiber varied from 9.13% to 15.09%. Sorghum genotytes flours were characterized as hard grain and of coarse granulometry, which are the relevant aspects for developing food products. Soghum genotypes were considered as sources of iron, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. The áand ã-tocopherol isomers were determined in sorghum genotypes grain and flour, and ã-tocopherol was predominant. In conclusion, sorghum genotypes evidenced to be as relevant sources of dietary fiber, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Furthermore, the sorghum genotypes were classified as hard grain ,suitable for formulating bakery products.

Teores de B-caroteno e vitamina C durante o amadurecimento da manga "UBÀ"(Mangifera indica L. var. Ubá)

A manga Ubá é uma fruta de custo reduzido, amplamente cultivada na Zona da Mata Mineira e muito apreciada pelos consumidores. Com o objetivo de avaliar o conteúdo de antioxidantes naturais ao longo do amadurecimento da fruta, este trabalho quantificou o conteúdo de β-caroteno e vitamina C total (ácido ascórbico-AA e ácido desidroascórbico-ADA) na fruta in natura em três estádios de maturação: verde, parcialmente madura e madura. As análises foram feitas por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). O conteúdo médio de β-caroteno foi maior na manga madura, seguido pela manga parcialmente madura e manga verde. Para AA e vitamina C total, ao contrário, observou-se maior conteúdo na manga verde, seguido pela fruta parcialmente madura e menor conteúdo na manga verde. Para ADA não foi observada diferença entre os estádios de maturação. A manga Ubá apresentou-se como uma excelente fonte de antioxidantes naturais, com teores de β-caroteno e vitamina C superiores aos comumente encontrados em outras variedades de manga, o que pode contribuir para atender boa parte das necessidades diárias de vitaminas A e C.

Vitamina C, carotenoides, fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante de goiaba, manga e mamão procedentes da ceasa do estado de Minas Gerais / Vitamin C, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of guava, mango and papaya from ceasa of Minas Gerais state

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o conteúdo de compostos antioxidantes (ácido ascórbico - AA, ácido desidroascórbico - ADA, vitamina C total, licopeno, β-caroteno, β-criptoxantina e estimativa de compostos fenólicos) e avaliar a atividade antioxidante, em goiaba, manga e mamão. A análise de carotenoides e vitamina C foi realizada por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). O teor de fenólicos totais foi determinado utilizando o reagente de Folin-Ciocalteu e leitura espectrofotométrica. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada pelo Teste do 2,2-diphenil-2-picril-hidrazil (DPPH•) e do Poder Redutor. A Anova (α= 0,05) foi utilizada para a análise dos dados. Os teores dos constituintes antioxidantes diferiram entre as três frutas, mas a goiaba foi a fruta que apresentou teores mais elevados de compostos fenólicos, vitamina C total, ADA e licopeno, além dos maiores valores para atividade antioxidante. Foi constatada forte correlação entre os testes que avaliaram a atividade antioxidante e o teor de fenólicos totais, demonstrando serem estes os principais compostos antioxidantes a contribuírem para a atividade antioxidante das frutas analisadas, em ambos os testes. É importante incentivar a utilização das frutas avaliadas neste estudo, tanto em nível doméstico quanto em estabelecimentos de alimentação coletiva para aumentar o consumo de antioxidantes naturais pela população.

This study aimed to analyze the content of antioxidant compounds (ascorbic acid - AA, dehydroascorbic acid - DHA, total vitamin C, lycopene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and phenolic compounds) and to evaluate the antioxidant activity in guava, mango and papaya. The analysis of carotenoids and vitamin C was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The content of phenolic compounds was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and spectrophotometric reading. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by testing the 2.2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH•) and reducing power. ANOVA was used for data analysis (α= 0.05). The levels of antioxidant constituents differed among the three fruits; guava was the fruit that had the highest levels of phenolic compounds, total vitamin C, lycopene and DHA, and the highest values for antioxidant activity. There was a strong correlation between tests that evaluated antioxidant activity and the content of phenolic compounds, demonstrating that these are the main antioxidant compounds to contribute to antioxidant activity of fruits examined in both tests. It is important to encourage the use of fruits evaluated in this study, both at home and in food service establishments, in order to increase the intake of natural antioxidants by the population.

Influência da embalagem e estocagem no conteúdo de beta-caroteno e ácido ascórbico em suco de manga ?Ubá? industrializado / Influence of package and storage on the content of beta-carotene and ascorbic acid in industrialized? Ubá? mango juice

Este trabalho investigou o conteúdo e avaliou a estabilidade de dois antioxidantes naturais - beta-caroteno e ácido ascórbico (AA) - em suco de manga ?Ubá? industrializado e armazenado em diferentes tempos de estocagem e correlacionou as recomendações de vitaminas A e C com o teor encontrado nos sucos. O ?-caroteno e o AA foram analisados nos sucos comercializados em embalagem tetra pak, em cinco tempos de estocagem (1 a 5 meses) e em embalagem de vidro, em três tempos de estocagem (após 3, 4 e 5 meses de armazenamento). A análise foi realizada por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). Não foram detectadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (? = 5%) entre os diferentes tempos de estocagem, para ambos os componentes analisados, tanto em embalagens tetra pak quanto em embalagens de vidro. Além disso, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre o conteúdo de ?-caroteno dos sucos comercializados nas duas embalagens. No entanto, houve diferença significativa no teor de AA entre as diferentes embalagens, e a embalagem de vidro apresentou maior teor em relação à embalagem tetra pak. Assim, as perdas ocasionadas especialmente pela permeabilidade da embalagem ao oxigênio deveriam ser alvo de atenção das indústrias de alimentos.

This work investigated the content and stability of two natural antioxidants beta-carotene and ascorbic acid (AA) - in mango juice industrialized and stored during different storage times, correlating the recommendations of vitamins A and C with the content found in the juice. ?-carotene and AA were analyzed in juice sold in tetra pak packaging, during five storage times (1 to 5 months) and in glass containers, during three storage times (after 3, 4 and 5 months of storage). The analysis was carried out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). No statically differences (? = 5 %) were found between the different times of storage for both compounds analyzed, both in tetra pak package and glass container. Furthermore, no significant differences were found between the ?-carotene content of the juices sold in both containers. However, we found statistical differences in AA levels between the different packages, with glass containers showing greater content compared to tetra pak packaging. Thus, losses occasioned by package permeability to oxygen should be subject of concern in the food industry.