Uso do anidrido naftálico para reduzir os efeitos fitotóxicos de herbicidas inibidores da síntese de carotenóides em culturas gramíneas

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Compostos bioativos em frutas cítricas: quantificação, avaliação da atividade antioxidante, parâmetros de cor e efeito da pasteurização

Pós-graduação em Alimentos e Nutrição - FCFAR

Caracterização de óleos extraídos de sementes de frutas: composição de ácidos graxos, tocoferóis e carotenóides

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo do transporte eletrônico em nanoestruturas baseadas em carotenoides e tétrades com fulereno C60

Neste Trabalho é apresentado um estudo teórico da estrutura eletrônica de uma molécula de fulereno C60 com junções em quatro terminais baseados em grupos doadores de elétron – etratiofulvaleno (TTF) – e grupos aceitadores de elétrons – fenilpropanodinila (FPP) e dispositivos moleculares baseados em derivados dos Carotenoides. O mecanismo de transporte investigado para os derivados dos Carotenoides foram utilizados para o melhor entendimento das curvas de Fowler- Nordheim (FN) e Millikan-Lauritsen (ML) para os sistemas baseados em fulereno C60. Em todos os casos foi possível confirmar que a análise empírica de Millikan-Lauritsen (ML) também é suficiente para descrever em todos os aspectos a espectroscopia de voltagem de transição (TVS). Para estudar os sistemas, foram feitas otimizações de geometria sistematicamente e observado uma transferência eletrônica calculada por métodos derivados de Hartree-Fock e Teoria do Funcional Densidade (DFT). Os resultados apresentados mostram um estudo detalhado do rearranjo de carga molecular para a estrutura, que sob a ação de um campo elétrico externo apontou que o transporte de carga está diretamente ligado ao tipo de junção que esse sistema é submetido de forma que a voltagem aplicada é intensa o bastante para criar um potencial de saturação nos sistemas em estudo: fulereno C60 com três terminais de tetratiofulvaleno e um terminal de fenil-propanodinila (C60-(TTF)₃-FPP); fulereno C60 com quatros terminais de fenil-propanodinila (C60-(FPP)₄). Os resultados mostram que se tem um retificador molecular que pode trabalhar corretamente como um retificador macroscópico.

Carotenogênese em células de Haematococcus pluvialis induzidas pelos estresses luminoso e nutricional

The objective of this work was to evaluate the responses of Haematococcus pluvialis cells to the carotenogenesis induction process, under light and nutrition stress. Cells were acclimated during 15 days in WC medium, with aeration with synthetic, filtered atmospheric air and flow rate of 100 mL min-1, light intensity of 50 µmol photons m-2 s-1, photoperiod of 12 hours, and temperature of 23ºC. The following two treatments were compared: cultivation under the described conditions, but with increase of light intensity up to 350 µmol photons m-2 s-1 ; and cultivation under the same conditions as the previous treatment, but with aeration containing 4% CO2. The treatments were done in triplicate, during ten days. With the addition of CO2 and the increment in lighting, an increase was observed in the carotenoids/chlorophyll ratio and cell biomass. Cells stopped dividing on the second day of stress, when nitrate became limiting, and significantly increased their biovolume. The excretion of organic carbon and the concentration of astaxanthin increase in response to the addition of CO2. Stress by light intensity combined with CO2 addition optimizes carotenogenesis in H. pluvialis and increases astaxanthin production.

Retinoids for prevention and treatment of actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a common cause of dermatological consultations and it presents a strong association with squamous cell carcinoma. Many substances are used for treatment and prevention, such as retinoids. Nevertheless, many studies on retinoids emphasize their application in treating and preventing non melanoma skin cancers. In this article, we reviewed studies about systemic and topical retinoids used with immunocompetent patients and organ transplant recipients with actinic keratosis, as primary or secondary outcomes. The majority of these papers pointed to a reduction in actinic keratosis count after treatment with retinoids. However, studies need to be better-defined in order to address the lack of a standardized dose, the absence of control groups, the low number of patients and short follow-up periods. Blind, randomized and controlled clinical trials with adequate sample sizes, specifically focused on actinic keratosis, are needed to clarify the real benefit of topical and/or oral retinoids. Comparison of efficacy and safety between oral and topical retinoids in the prevention and treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers and actinic keratosis is an essential pre requisite to establish new strategies to control these conditions.

Pigmentos fotossintéticos e índice spad como descritores de intensidade do estresse por deficiência hídrica em cana-de-açúcar

The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of sugar cane subject to water stress by photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b, total a + b, ratio chlorophylls a/b and carotenoids) and verify the use of SPAD index as a cultivar differentiation tool. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, where four cultivars (IACSP95-5000, RB835054, RB928064 and SP80-3280) were grown in pots. After 65 days of planting, two treatments were implemented, i.e., with no stress (-D) and with water stress (D +). Cultivars of sugar cane respond differently in relation to photosynthetic pigments when subjected to water deficit. Cultivars IACSP95-5000 and RB928064 have less effect of drought, that is attributed to the ability of maintaining the chlorophyll and carotenoid content, as well as higher SPAD index values under this condition. Water stress affects with more intensity the cultivars RB835054 and SP80-3280 due to higher reductions in photosynthetic pigments and SPAD index. SPAD index is correlated with chlorophyll and carotenoid content in sugar cane and can be used as a technique for selecting tolerant cultivars to drought in breeding programs.

Comparison of selective and non selective cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitors in experimental colitis exacerbation: role of leukotriene B4 and superoxide dismutase

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

Gestational protein restriction delays prostate morphogenesis in male rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fat-Soluble Bioactive Components in Colored Rice Varieties

Bioactive components in rice vary depending on the variety and growing condition. Fat-soluble components such as gamma-oryzanol, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids, and fatty acids were analyzed in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties using established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and GC methodologies. In addition, these colored rice varieties were further analyzed using a high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (LTQ-Orbitrap XL) to identify the [M-H](-) ions of gamma-oryzanol, ranging from m/z 573.3949 to 617.4211. The highest content of tocopherols (alpha-, 1.5; gamma-, 0.5 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (lutein 244; trans-beta carotene 25 mu g/100 g) were observed in black rice; tocotrienols (alpha-, 0.07; gamma-, 0.14 mg/100 g) in red rice, and gamma-oryzanol (115 mg/100 g) in sugary brown rice. In all colored rice varieties, the major fatty acids were palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1n-9), and linoleic (18:2n-6) acids. When the gamma-oryzanol components were further analyzed by LC-MS/MS, 3, 10, 8, and 8 triterpene alcohols or sterol ferulates were identified in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties, respectively. Such structural identification can lead to the elucidation of biological function of each component at the molecular level. Consumption of colored rice rich in beneficial bioactive compounds may be a useful dietary strategy for achieving optimal health.

Optimizing xanthophyll concentrations in diets to obtain well-pigmented yolks

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bioavailability of plant pigment phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei in older adults: A pilot absorption kinetic study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Angelica keiskei is a green leafy vegetable rich in plant pigment phytochemicals such as flavonoids and carotenoids. This study examined bioavailability of flavonoids and carotenoids in Angelica keiskei and the alteration of the antioxidant performance in vivo.SUBJECTS AND MATERIALS: Absorption kinetics of phytochemicals in Angelica keiskei were determined in healthy older adults (>60 y, n = 5) and subjects with metabolic syndrome (n = 5). Subjects consumed 5 g dry Angelica keiskei powder encapsulated in gelatin capsules with a low flavonoid and carotenoid liquid meal. Plasma samples were collected at baseline, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 h. Samples were analyzed for flavonoids and carotenoids using HPLC systems with electrochemical and UV detection, respectively, and for total antioxidant performance by fluorometry.RESULTS: After ingestion of Angelica keiskei increases in plasma quercetin concentrations were observed at 1-3 and 6-8 hr in the healthy group and at all time points in the metabolic syndrome group compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Plasma lutein concentrations were significantly elevated in both the healthy and metabolic syndrome groups at 8 hr (P < 0.05). Significant increases in total antioxidant performance were also observed in both the healthy and the metabolic syndrome groups compared to baseline (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study clearly demonstrate the bioavailability of phytonutrients of Angelica keiskei and their ability to increase antioxidant status in humans.

MORPHOGENESIS AND PRODUCTION OF TANZANIA, MOMBACA AND MULATO GRASSES UNDER NITROGEN FERTILIZATION

A field trial was conducted designed in a completely randomized block in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement to evaluate the application of nitrogen doses (N) (0, 40, 80 and 160 kg/ha) on the morphogenical characteristics and dry matter partition of three forage grasses (Panicum maximum cvs. Mombasa and Tanzania and Brachiaria sp. Hybrid Mulato). The leaf appearance (LAR, leaf/day) and stretching (LER; mm/day) rates, the number of green leaves per tiller (NLT) and the average weight of tillers (MTW; g) presented s positive linear response to the N dose while the phyllochron (Phil; day/leaves) showed a negative linear response. The highest LER, IAL and final leaf length (FLL; cm) occurred in the Mombaca and Tanzania grasses, while the highest LAR occurred in the Mulato grass. There was a negative quadratic effect of the N dose on the stem elongation rate (SER; mm/day) and LF. The Mombaca and Tanzania grasses presented the highest SER; however, in just two forages. The production of total dry matter (TDM; kg/ha), leaves (LDM; kg/ha) and stems (SDM; kg/ha) increased linearly and quadratically with the N dose, respectively, for the Mombaca and Tanzania grasses. There was a high positive correlation among DM, LDM and SDM and the Mombaca grass MTW. The dry matter production and morphogenic characteristics were influenced by the nitrogen fertilization as a result of the substantial increase in the flow of tissues stimulated by fertilization, proving the importance of N for forage biomass accumulation.

Atividade antioxidante e determinação de fenóis totais, carotenoides, betacarotenos, licopeno e zinco em variedades branca, amarela e rosada de Manihot Esculenta Crantz

There are cassava varieties that present compounds as carotenoids, beta-carotene, lycopene and minerals important for human and animal health. The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity of the white, yellow and pinkish varieties of Manihot esculenta, by mean of the DPPH test and by the ferrous ion-chelating activity. Furthermore, the total phenols, carotenoids, beta-carotene, lycopene and zinc contents were also determined. Utilizing the DPPH test it was possible to find that extracts of boiled samples presented higher antioxidant activity (89.53% - pinkish) in comparison to the fresh samples (1.97% - white). For the ferrous ion-chelating test, the highest activity was found for the boiled pinkish variety extract (63.43%) and the lowest was for fresh yellow extract (17.34%) the white sample did not present activity. The highest concentration of total phenols and zinc content was obtained for the boiled pinkish variety extract 136.12 mg EAG/g of extract and 0,811ppm, respectively, in the concentration of 1000 µg/mL. The pinkish variety presented also higher quantity of pigments, including carotenoid (29.40 µg/g), beta-carotene (9.14 µg/100g) and lycopene (68.92%). According to the results obtained in this study it was possible to conclude that the yellow and pinkish varieties of M. esculenta present quantity of phenolic compounds and minerals sufficient to attribute the antioxidant activity and may thus contribute to reduce oxidative damage and be used as nutraceuticals or directly ingested in the diet to maintain good health.