Measurement of the relative sweetness of stevia extract, aspartame and cyclamate/saccharin blend as compared to sucrose at different concentrations

Special diets are used to mitigate many human diseases. When these diets require changes in carbohydrate content, then sweetness becomes an important characteristic. The range of low-calorie sweeteners available to the food industry is expanding. It is essential to have an exact knowledge of the relative sweetness of various sweeteners in relation to different sucrose concentrations. The objective of this study was to determine the variation on the relative sweetness of aspartame (APM), stevia [Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni] leaf extract (SrB) and the mixture cyclamate/saccharin - two parts of cyclamate and one part of saccharin - (C/S) with the increase in their concentrations, and in neutral and acid pH in equi-sweet concentration to 10% sucrose, using magnitude estimation. Sweetness equivalence of SrB in relation to sucrose concentrations of 20% or higher and of APM and C/S to sucrose concentrations of 40% or higher could not be determined, because a bitter taste predominated. The potency of all sweeteners decreased as the level of sweetner increased. In equi-sweet concentration of sucrose at 10%, with pH 7.0 and pH 3.0, the potency was practically the same for all sweeteners evaluated.

Synthesis, characterization and antimycobacterial activity of Ag(I)-aspartame, Ag(I)-saccharin and Ag(I)-cyclamate complexes

The present work describes the synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of three Ag(I)-complexes with the sweeteners aspartame, saccharin, and cyclamate as ligands, with the aim of finding new candidate substances for fighting tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections. The minimal inhibitory concentration of these three complexes was investigated in order to determine their in-vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium malmoense, and Mycobacterium kansasii. The MIC values were determined using the Microplate Alamar Blue Assay. The best MIC values found for the complexes were 9.75 mu M for Ag(l)-aspartame against M. kansasii and 15.7 mu M for Ag(I)-cyclamate against M. tuberculosis.

Development of a potentiometric sensor for the determination of saccharin in instant tea powders, diet soft drinks and strawberry dietetic jam

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis and X-ray structure of the dinuclear platinum(II) complex with saccharin {K[Pt(sac)(3)(H2O)] center dot H2O}(2): Studies on its antiproliferative activity in aqueous solution

Synthesis and X-ray structure of a dinuclear platinum(II) complex with the ligand saccharin(sac) are described. The structure shows two approximately square-planar platinum centers. Each platinum atom is coordinated to one water molecule and three N-bonded saccharinate ligands. The two centers are linked through two potassium atoms. Each potassium atom interacts with six oxygen atoms from hydration and coordinated water molecules and from carbonyl and sulfonate groups of the ligands. It is suggested that, in aqueous solution, the dimeric structure of the complex is dissociated and the monomeric species K[Pt(sac)(3)(H2O)] is formed. The complex was dissolved in water and submitted to in vitro cytotoxic analyses using HeLa cells (human cervix cancer). It was shown that the monomeric complex elicited a potent cytotoxic activity when compared to the vehicle-treated cells. The IC50 value for the monomeric complex is 6.8 mu M, a little bit higher than that obtained for cisplatin. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Potentiometric determination of saccharin in commercial artificial sweeteners using a silver electrode

A simple, precise, rapid and low-cost potentiometric method for saccharin determination in commercial artificial sweeteners is proposed. Saccharin present in several samples of artificial sweeteners is potentiometrically titrated with silver nitrate solution using a silver wire as the indicator electrode, coupled to a titroprocessor. The best pH range was from 3.0 to 3.5 and the detection limit of sodium saccharin was 2.5 mg/ml. Substances normally found along with saccharin in several commercial artificial sweeteners such as maltodextrin, glucose, sucrose, fructose, aspartame, cyclamate, caffeine, sorbitol, lactose, nitrate, methyl- and n-propyl-p-hydroxybenzoate, benzoic, citric and ascorbic acids do not interfere even in significant amounts (e.g. 20 excess relative to saccharin). Chloride ion interferes when present in concentrations larger than 10 mg l(-1); this interference is eliminated with previous extraction of the sweetener from the aqueous medium with ethyl acetate. The results obtained by applying the proposed method compared very favorably with those given by the HPLC method recommended by the FDA. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A simplified spectrophotometric method for routine analysis of saccharin in commercial noncaloric sweeteners

A simple, rapid, and sensitive spectrophotometric method for routine analysis of saccharin in commercial noncaloric sweeteners is proposed. This method is based on the reaction of saccharin with tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (p-chloranil) accelerated by hydrogen peroxide and conducted in an ethanol:acetone (4:1) medium, producing a violet-red compound (γ max = 550 nm). Beer's law is obeyed in a concentration range of 2.05 × 10 -4 to 3.00 × 10 -3 M with an excellent correlation coefficient (r = 0.9998). The detection limit was 1.55 × 10 -5 M, and the effect of interferences on the spectrophotometric measurements was evaluated. The proposed procedure was applied successfully to the determination of saccharin in noncaloric sweeteners. Recoveries were within 99.2-104.3% with standard deviations ranging from to 0.5-1.6%. Results of the proposed method compare very favorably with those given by the high-performance liquid chromatography method recommended by the Food and Drug Administration.

Short terms effects of air pollution from biomass burning in mucociliary clearance of Brazilian sugarcane cutters

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeito imediato e a curto prazo do cigarro sobre o transporte mucociliar nasal de fumadores

Background and objectives: The efficiency of mucociliary transport may vary in different conditions, such as in exposure to harmful particles of the cigarette smoke. The present study evaluated the acute and short term effects of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance in current smokers by the quantification of the Saccharin Transit Time (STT), and to investigate its correlation with the history of tobacco consumption.Methods: Nineteen current smokers (11 men, 51 +/- 16 years; BMI 23 +/- 9 kg/m(2), 27 +/- 11 cigarettes per day, 44 +/- 25 pack-years), entering a smoking cessation intervention program, responded to a questionnaire concerning smoking history and were submitted to lung function assessment (spirometry) and the STT test. STT was assessed immediately after smoking and 8 hours after smoking. The STT test was also performed in nineteen matched healthy non-smokers' who served as control group.Results: When compared to STT in non-smokers' (10 +/- 4 min; mean +/- standard deviation), smokers presented similar STT immediately after smoking (11 +/- 6 min; p = 0.87) and slower SIT 8 hours after smoking (16 +/- 6 min; p = 0.005 versus non-smokers' and p = 0.003 versus immediately after smoking). STT 8 hours after smoking correlated positively with age (r = 0.59; p = 0.007), cigarettes per day (r = 0.53; p = 0.02) and pack-years index (r = 0.74; p = 0.0003).Conclusions: In smokers, although the mucociliary clearance immediately after smoking is similar to non-smokers', eight hours after smoking it is reduced, and this reduction is closely related to the smoking habits. (C) 2010 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.

Mucociliary clearance and its relation with the level of physical activity in daily life in healthy smokers and nonsmokers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reversibility of impaired nasal mucociliary clearance in smokers following a smoking cessation programme

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Maternal separation stress in male mice: long-term increases in alcohol intake

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of Diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] on the urinary bladder of male Wistar rats

Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) is a substituted urea herbicide widely used on agricultural crops such as soy, cotton and sugar cane. In a previous long-term study this herbicide exerted carcinogenic activity on the urinary bladder mucosa of male Wistar rats. In general, the genotoxic and mutagenic potentials of Diuron are considered to be negative. The present study aimed to evaluate the mode of action of Diuron on the urinary bladder mucosa of male Wistar rats. Six-week old male Wistar rats were fed pelleted Nuvilab diet mixed with Diuron at 125, 500 and 2500 ppm. As a positive control, 8.3% sodium saccharin (NaS) was fed in the diet. Preceding the sacrifice of the animals at the 20th week, urinary pH was measured and the genotoxic potential of Diuron was evaluated by the comet assay. Histological urothelial lesions in the urinary bladder and in the renal pelvis mucosa, cell proliferation/apoptosis evaluations, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the urinary bladder mucosa were also performed. No DNA changes were found in urothelial or peripheral blood cells, and urinary pH was comparable to controls in all Diuron groups. In the urinary bladder urothelium, the incidence of simple hyperplasia (SH) by light microscopy was significantly increased (7/10; p < 0.005) in the 2500 ppm Diuron group but not at the lower doses. By SEM, three of five animals treated with 2500 ppm Diuron showed urothelial cell necrosis and hyperplasia. In the renal pelvis, the incidence of SH was significantly increased in the Diuron 500 and 2500 ppm and in the NaS 8.3% groups. Cell proliferation was significantly increased in the Diuron 2500 ppm, (p < 0.05) and NaS 8.3% (p < 0.05) groups. The results indicate that a high dietary concentration of Diuron is associated with urothelial necrosis and continuous regenerative cell proliferation that leads to urothelial hyperplasia. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Physical-chemical, caloric and sensory characterization of light jambolan (Syzygium cumini Lamarck) jelly

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aditivos na ensilagem do capim-elefante. I. Composição bromatológica das forragens e das respectivas silagens

The effect of the addition of ground ear corn with husks, wheat bran and saccharin, on the rate of 0, 8, 16 and 24% (dry weight of additive/wet weight of cut green grass), upon the chemical composition of both fodder and silage of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Guaçu was evaluated. A split-plot randomized block design was used. The plots were the additives and their levels and the sub-plots the material types (forage + additives and their silages). The grass was fertilized with 20 t/ha of green manure and 80, 160 and 160 kg/ha of P2O5, N and K2O, respectively. The material (chopped grass mixed with the levels of the additives) was ensiled in experimental silos (200 L plastic vessels). The dry matter percentages increased linearly as additive levels increased, being greater the effect of ground ear corn with husks. Wheat bran addition and saccharin increased the crude protein and soluble carbohydrates percentages while the ground ear corn with husks addition decreased them. Losses of dry matter soluble compounds (CP, ash and NFE) and a relative rise in the less soluble compounds (CF and organic matter) were observed.

Aditivos na ensilagem do capim-elefante. II. Qualidade das silagens amostradas por dois métodos

Silages of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Guaçu prepared with 0, 8, 16 and 24% of ground ear com with husks, wheat bran and saccharin, dry weight of additive/wet weight of green chop basis. The experimental design was a randomized blocks one in split-plot; the plots were the additives and levels, and the sub-plots the sampling methods. The material was ensiled using plastic vessels in middle of which holed pvc pipes (3 inches diameter) were put. These pipes (one per vessel) had the same length as the height of the vessels, and were filled at the same time and compacted the same way as the vessels. The first method of sampling used the material ensiled inside the pvc pipe, which was lifted out from the vessel at the moment of the silo opening. The other sampling method, normaly used in digestibility trials, consisted of samples composed by daily sub-samples collected in the vessels. The pvc sampling method was more efficient because it sampled a profile of the whole silage. All of the silages showed high percentages of lactic acid and low percentages or even absence of butyric acid, though in all silages high ammoniacal-N percentages were detected.