Microencapsulação de oleoresina de cúrcuma (curcuma longa l.) em misturas de goma arábica, maltodextrina e amido modificado

Pós-graduação em Engenharia e Ciência de Alimentos - IBILCE

A mass transfer model applied to the supercritical extraction with CO2 of curcumins from turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa L)

ABSTRACT: Increasing restrictions on the use of artificial pigments in the food industry, imposed by the international market, have increased the importance of raw materials containing natural pigments. Of those natural substances with potential applications turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa L), are one of the most important natural sources of yellow coloring. Three different pigments (curcumin, desmetoxycurcumin, and bis-desmetoxycurcumin) constitute the curcuminoids. These pigments are largely used in the food industry as substitutes for synthetic dyes like tartrazin. Extraction of curcuminoids from tumeric rhizomes with supercritical CO2 can be applied as an alternative method to obtain curcuminoids, as natural pigments are in general unstable, and hence degrade when submitted to extraction with organic solvents at high temperatures. Extraction experiments were carried out in a supercritical extraction pilot plant at pressures between 25 and 30 MPa and a temperature of 318 K. The influence of drying pretreatment on extraction yield was evaluated by analyzing the mass transfer kinetics and the content of curcuminoids in the extracts during the course of extraction. The chemical identification of curcuminoids in both the extract and the residual solid was performed by spectrophotometry. Mass transfer within the solid matrix was described by a linear first-order desorption model, while that in the gas phase was described by a convective mass transfer model. Experimental results showed that the concentration profile for curcuminoids during the supercritical extraction process was higher when the turmeric rhizomes were submitted to a drying pretreatment at 343 K.

Extração de oleoresina de Cúrcuma (Curcuma longa l) com CO2 supercrítico

Dentre as fontes de corantes naturais mais utilizadas na indústria de alimentos, encontra-se a cúrcuma (Curcuma longa L.) uma rizomaina do qual podem ser obtidas substâncias como a curcumina, demetoxicurcumina e bis-demetoxicurcumina. Estes pigmentos possuem coloração amarela e capacidade de substituir corantes artificiais. Com a finalidade de verificar a influência do pré-tratamento de secagem na extração, foram realizados experimentos de extração de oleoresina de cúrcuma com CO2 supercrítico, na unidade de extração do Laboratório de Engenharia Química da Universidade Federal do Pará, submetendo-se a matéria-prima a uma secagem nas temperaturas de 70 e 105oC. As extrações foram feitas a pressões de 200, 250 e 300 bar, e na temperatura de 45oC. Os resultados estão apresentados em tabelas e gráficos, em termos de rendimentos totais e teor de curcumina presente na oleoresina. A secagem a 70oC favoreceu a extração de oleoresina em termos de tempo de extração, e contribuiu para a manutenção de curcumina na matéria-prima.

Magnetic Purification of Curcumin from Curcuma longa Rhizome by Novel Naked Maghemite Nanoparticles

Naked maghemite nanoparticles, namely, surface active maghemite nanoparticles (SAMNs), characterized by a diameter of about 10 nm, possessing peculiar colloidal stability, surface chemistry, and superparamagnetism, present fundamental requisites for the development of effective magnetic purification processes for biomolecules in complex matrices. Polyphenolic molecules presenting functionalities with different proclivities toward iron chelation were studied as probes for testing SAMN suitability for magnetic purification. Thus, the binding efficiency and reversibility on SAMNs of phenolic compounds of interest in the pharmaceutical and food industries, namely, catechin, tyrosine, hydroxytyrosine, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, naringenin, curcumin, and cyanidin-3-glucoside, were evaluated. Curcumin emerged as an elective compound, suitable for magnetic purification by SAMNs from complex matrices. A combination of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin was recovered by a single magnetic purification step from extracts of Curcuma longa rhizomes, with a purity >98% and a purification yield of 45%, curcumin being >80% of the total purified curcuminoids.

Síntese verde de nanopartículas de prata a partir de extrato aquoso do tubérculo de Curcuma longa associadas à quitosana e avaliação da atividade antitumoral in vitro em câncer de pele não melanoma (linhagem A431)

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação Nanociência e Nanobiotecnologia, 2016.

Biosynthetic production of curcuminoids

Curcuminoids are natural phenylpropanoids from plants that have been reported as potential cancer-fighting drugs. Nevertheless, these compounds present a poor bioavailability. Cellular uptake is low and curcuminoids are quickly metabolized once inside the cell, requiring repetitive oral doses to achieve an effective concentration for therapeutic activity [1]. Herein, we report an engineered artificial pathway for the production of curcuminoids in Escherichia coli. Arabidopsis thaliana 4-coumaroyl-CoA ligase and Curcuma longa diketide-CoA synthase (DCS) and curcumin synthase (CURS1) were used and 188 µM (70 mg/L) of curcumin was obtained from ferulic acid [2]. Bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin were also produced, but in lower concentrations, by feeding p-coumaric acid or a mixture of p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, respectively. Additionally, curcuminoids were produced from tyrosine through the caffeic acid pathway. To produce caffeic acid, tyrosine ammonia lyase from Rhodotorula glutinis and 4-coumarate 3-hydroxylase from Saccharothrix espanaensis were used [3]. Caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyl-transferase from Medicago sativa was used to convert caffeoyl-CoA to feruloyl-CoA. Using caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid or tyrosine as a substrate, 3.9, 0.3, and 0.2 µM of curcumin were produced, respectively. This is the first report on the use of DCS and CURS1 in vivo to produce curcuminoids. In addition, curcumin, the most studied curcuminoid for therapeutic purposes and considered in many studies as the most potent and active, was produced by feeding tyrosine using a pathway involving caffeic acid. We anticipate that by using a tyrosine overproducing strain, curcumin can be produced in E. coli without the need of adding expensive precursors to the medium, thus decreasing the production cost. Therefore, this alternative pathway represents a step forward in the heterologous production of curcumin using E. coli. Aiming at greater production titers and yields, the construction of this pathway in another model organism such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae is being considered.

Synthetic biology approaches to engineer new pathways for the production of plant secondary metabolites

Secondary metabolites from plants are important sources of high-value chemicals, many of them being pharmacologically active. These metabolites are commonly isolated through inefficient extractions from natural biological sources and are often difficult to synthesize chemically. Therefore, their production using engineered organisms has lately attracted an increased attention. Curcuminoids, an example of such metabolites, are produced in Curcuma longa and exhibit anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein we report the construction of an artificial biosynthetic pathway for the curcuminoids production in Escherichia coli. Different 4-coumaroyl-CoA ligases (4CL) and polyketide synthases (diketide-CoA synthase (DCS), curcumin synthase (CURS) and curcuminoid synthase) were tested. The highest curcumin production (70 mg/L) was obtained by feeding ferulic acid and with the Arabidopsis thaliana 4CL1 and C. longa DCS and CURS enzymes. Other curcuminoids (bisdemethoxy- and demethoxycurcumin) were also produced by feeding coumaric acid or a mixture of coumaric and ferulic acids, respectively. Curcuminoids, including curcumin, were also produced from tyrosine through the caffeic acid pathway. To produce caffeic acid, tyrosine ammonia lyase and 4-coumarate 3-hydroxylase were used. Caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase was used to convert caffeoyl-CoA to feruloyl-CoA. This pathway represents an improvement of the curcuminoids heterologous production. The construction of this pathway in another model organism is being considered, as well as the introduction of alternative enzymes.

CURCUMINA, O PÓ DOURADO DO AÇAFRÃO-DA-TERRA: INTROSPECÇÕES SOBRE QUÍMICA E ATIVIDADES BIOLÓGICAS

Turmeric, obtained from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), is a golden colored material, commonly used around the world for seasoning and coloring food dishes. Since antiquity, turmeric has been widely used in the treatment of several diseases in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine (Ayurveda), where it is also known by other names such as Kanchani (goddess gold) or also Gauri (having a bright and luminous face), a designation stemming from the gilded appearance of the plant material. Curcumin, the main chemical component of turmeric, is responsible both for its properties as dyes as well as its biological activities. This diarylheptanoid was first isolated almost two centuries ago and had its chemical structure determined in 1910 as being diferuloylmethane. Subsequently, more detailed and relevant data were obtained furthering the understanding of structural features of curcumin. The classical methodology for the synthesis of curcumin and other curcuminoids was described in 1960 by Pabon. Subsequently, different variations on this methodology have been developed, culminating with the synthesis of different curcuminoids. Several studies have been published in recent years on the biological activities exhibited by curcumin including its antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial and leishmanicidal activities.

Avaliação de produtos alternativos para controle da requeima do tomateiro

Em condições de campo, avaliaram-se produtos alternativos no manejo da requeima do tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum), causada por Phytophthora infestans, em três experimentos (E). Compararam-se, em E1, extratos de: [pimenta (Capsicum chinense) + pimenta-do-reino (Piper nigrum) + cravo (Syzygium aromaticum) + açafrão-da-índia (Curcuma longa) + alho (Allium sativum)]; (pimenta-do-reino + cravo + alho); e (cravo + açafrão-da-índia + alho); em E2, óleo de nim (Azadirachta indica) (0,5%); leite (20%); e calda bordalesa; e em E3, preparado homeopático obtido de tecido de tomateiro com requeima (dinamização C30); mistura água-etanol; e calda bordalesa. Em E1, os extratos e a testemunha não diferiram quanto à severidade na metade da epidemia (Y50), severidade final (Ymáx), área abaixo da curva de progresso (AACPD) e taxa de progresso da doença (r). Em E2, Y50 com óleo de nim (3%) e calda bordalesa (1%) não diferiram; Ymáx foi maior com óleo de nim (44%) que com calda bordalesa (14%); leite não reduziu Ymáx; r e AACPD foram menores com óleo de nim (0,161 e 533, respectivamente) que na testemunha (0,211 e 1186, respectivamente) e semelhantes àqueles com calda bordalesa (0,156 e 130, respectivamente); r e AACPD foram similares nos tratamentos leite e testemunha. Em E3, Y50, Ymáx, AACPD e r com a mistura água-etanol e preparado homeopático foram similares aos da testemunha. A calda bordalesa foi o tratamento mais eficiente no controle da requeima, e o óleo de nim foi promissor. No manejo da doença em sistemas alternativos de produção, é necessário integrar práticas, para se potencializarem os efeitos individualizados.

Identificação de compostos voláteis da cúrcuma empregando microextração por fase sólida e cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas

Compostos voláteis da cúrcuma (Curcuma longa L.) cultivada no Brasil foram isolados por microextração por fase sólida. Os rizomas foram cozidos em solução de bicarbonato de sódio 0,1%, fatiados, secos e triturados. Visando estabelecer o sistema ideal para a microextração, fibras de polidimetilsiloxano de 100µm de espessura foram expostas ao headspace de frascos de 10mL. Estudou-se a influência das seguintes variáveis sobre o rendimento dos compostos voláteis obtidos: amostras em pó (0,1 a 1,0g) e em solução (40mg/L), diferentes temperaturas (40 a 70ºC) e tempos (2 a 20min) de partição. O efeito da temperatura (210 a 240ºC) e do tempo (3 e 5min) de dessorção também foi avaliado. As melhores condições para a partição dos compostos voláteis foram 0,1g do pó, 70ºC e 5min. A temperatura de 220ºC e o tempo de 5 minutos foram os de maior eficiência para a dessorção. A cromatografia gasosa foi conduzida em coluna capilar, detecção por ionização de chama e identificação por espectrometria de massas. A análise dos espectros de massas obtidos para os nove compostos voláteis predominantes indicou a presença de ar-curcúmeno, ar-turmerona, zingibereno, beta-sesquifelandreno, sabineno, 1,8-cineol e 1,4-terpineol.

Changes of traditional farming systems and their effects on land degradation and socio-economic conditions in the Inle Lake region, Myanmar

At many locations in Myanmar, ongoing changes in land use have negative environmental impacts and threaten natural ecosystems at local, regional and national scales. In particular, the watershed area of Inle Lake in eastern Myanmar is strongly affected by the environmental effects of deforestation and soil erosion caused by agricultural intensification and expansion of agricultural land, which are exacerbated by the increasing population pressure and the growing number of tourists. This thesis, therefore, focuses on land use changes in traditional farming systems and their effects on socio-economic and biophysical factors to improve our understanding of sustainable natural resource management of this wetland ecosystem. The main objectives of this research were to: (1) assess the noticeable land transformations in space and time, (2) identify the typical farming systems as well as the divergent livelihood strategies, and finally, (3) estimate soil erosion risk in the different agro-ecological zones surrounding the Inle Lake watershed area. GIS and remote sensing techniques allowed to identify the dynamic land use and land cover changes (LUCC) during the past 40 years based on historical Corona images (1968) and Landsat images (1989, 2000 and 2009). In this study, 12 land cover classes were identified and a supervised classification was used for the Landsat datasets, whereas a visual interpretation approach was conducted for the Corona images. Within the past 40 years, the main landscape transformation processes were deforestation (- 49%), urbanization (+ 203%), agricultural expansion (+ 34%) with a notably increase of floating gardens (+ 390%), land abandonment (+ 167%), and marshlands losses in wetland area (- 83%) and water bodies (- 16%). The main driving forces of LUCC appeared to be high population growth, urbanization and settlements, a lack of sustainable land use and environmental management policies, wide-spread rural poverty, an open market economy and changes in market prices and access. To identify the diverse livelihood strategies in the Inle Lake watershed area and the diversity of income generating activities, household surveys were conducted (total: 301 households) using a stratified random sampling design in three different agro-ecological zones: floating gardens (FG), lowland cultivation (LL) and upland cultivation (UP). A cluster and discriminant analysis revealed that livelihood strategies and socio-economic situations of local communities differed significantly in the different zones. For all three zones, different livelihood strategies were identified which differed mainly in the amount of on-farm and off-farm income, and the level of income diversification. The gross margin for each household from agricultural production in the floating garden, lowland and upland cultivation was US$ 2108, 892 and 619 ha-1 respectively. Among the typical farming systems in these zones, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plantation in the floating gardens yielded the highest net benefits, but caused negative environmental impacts given the overuse of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and spatial analysis within GIS were applied to estimate soil erosion risk in the different agricultural zones and for the main cropping systems of the study region. The results revealed that the average soil losses in year 1989, 2000 and 2009 amounted to 20, 10 and 26 t ha-1, respectively and barren land along the steep slopes had the highest soil erosion risk with 85% of the total soil losses in the study area. Yearly fluctuations were mainly caused by changes in the amount of annual precipitation and the dynamics of LUCC such as deforestation and agriculture extension with inappropriate land use and unsustainable cropping systems. Among the typical cropping systems, upland rainfed rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation had the highest rate of soil erosion (20 t ha-1yr-1) followed by sebesten (Cordia dichotoma) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) plantation in the UP zone. This study indicated that the hotspot region of soil erosion risk were upland mountain areas, especially in the western part of the Inle lake. Soil conservation practices are thus urgently needed to control soil erosion and lake sedimentation and to conserve the wetland ecosystem. Most farmers have not yet implemented soil conservation measures to reduce soil erosion impacts such as land degradation, sedimentation and water pollution in Inle Lake, which is partly due to the low economic development and poverty in the region. Key challenges of agriculture in the hilly landscapes can be summarized as follows: fostering the sustainable land use of farming systems for the maintenance of ecosystem services and functions while improving the social and economic well-being of the population, integrated natural resources management policies and increasing the diversification of income opportunities to reduce pressure on forest and natural resources.

Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: a pilot study

Objectives: To assess the effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptomology in otherwise healthy adults. Design: Partially blinded, randomized, two-dose, pilot study. Subjects: Five hundred (500) volunteers were screened for IBS using the Rome II criteria. Two hundred and seven (207) suitable volunteers were randomized. Interventions: One or two tablets of a standardized turmeric extract taken daily for 8 weeks. Outcomes measures: IBS prevalence, symptom-related quality of life (IBSQOL) and self-reported effectiveness. Results: IBS prevalence decreased significantly in both groups between screening and baseline (41% and 57%), with a further significant drop of 53% and 60% between baseline and after treatment, in the one- and two-tablet groups respectively (p < 0.001). A post-study analysis revealed abdominal pain/discomfort score reduced significantly by 22% and 25% in the one- and two-tablet group respectively, the difference tending toward significance (p = 0.071). There were significant improvements in all bar one of the IBSQOL scales of between 5% and 36% in both groups, approximately two thirds of all subjects reported an improvement in symptoms after treatment, and there was a favorable shift in self-reported bowel pattern. There were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: Turmeric may help reduce IBS symptomology. Placebo controlled trials are now warranted to confirm these findings.

Caracterização dos estádios fenológicos da cúrcuma, em função da época e densidade de plantio

A cúrcuma é uma espécie, originária da Índia, com grande potencial de utilização nos mercados de corantes, medicinal e alimentício. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta da planta aos fatores época e densidade de plantio, por meio da caracterização dos estádios fenológicos. Verificou-se que o período de crescimento vegetativo caracterizou-se pelas etapas de pré-perfilhamento e perfilhamento. A primeira etapa, de crescimento lento, mostrou-se influenciada significativamente pela época de plantio, havendo maior precocidade no aparecimento de perfilhos com atraso no plantio. A etapa seguinte, de perfilhamento, mostrou acentuado acúmulo de fitomassa, sendo grande a contribuição dos perfilhos. O período de crescimento dos rizomas teve seu início influenciado significativamente pelo fator época de plantio, sendo tanto mais precoce quanto mais tardio foi o plantio. A extensão do período de crescimento foi de 147, 124, 102 e 79 dias para os plantios efetuados em 20 de outubro, 20 de novembro, 20 de dezembro e 20 de janeiro, correspondente a ciclo cultural, respectivamente, de 270, 240, 210 e 180 dias. Somente foi observado efeito significativo do fator densidade de plantio sobre o período de crescimento vegetativo, sendo o comprimento deste inversamente proporcional à densidade utilizada.

Cúrcuma: planta medicinal, condimentar e de outros usos potenciais

A cúrcuma (Curcuma longa L.), espécie originária do sudeste asiático, é considerada uma preciosa especiaria. Com a proibição do uso de pigmentos sintéticos nos principais países da América do Norte e Europa, têm sido procuradas alternativas naturais. A cúrcuma, além de sua principal utilização como condimento, possui substâncias antioxidantes, antimicrobianas e corantes (curcumina) que lhe conferem possibilidade de emprego nas áreas de cosméticos, têxtil, medicinal e alimentício. Até o presente momento, poucos estudos foram realizados com a cúrcuma no Brasil, fato que determina baixa produtividade. Entretanto, recentes resultados de pesquisa mostram a possibilidade de obtenção de produtividades semelhantes às de seu país de origem, ainda que maiores estudos sejam necessários para definição de estande, adubação e outras práticas culturais. Os objetivos do presente trabalho são apresentar a versatilidade mercadológica da cúrcuma, caracterizar a espécie quanto a aspectos botânicos, nutricionais e químicos, bem como reunir e discutir informações técnicas para melhoria da produtividade e qualidade dos rizomas.

Época e densidade de plantio na produção de cúrcuma

Com o objetivo de avaliar a produtividade da cúrcuma em função da época e densidade de plantio, este experimento foi instalado no período de outubro de 1994 a julho de 1995, em campo, na Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), no município de Lavras-MG. Foram avaliados os fatores épocas de plantio (20/out, 20/nov, 20/dez e 20/jan) e espaçamento entre plantas na linha de plantio (0,20; 0,35 e 0,50m), sob delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em parcelas sub-divididas, com três repetições. A produção de rizomas por planta e por área foram influenciados significativamente pela interação dos fatores avaliados. Maiores produtividades por planta (673,13g) e por área (24.678,82kg ha-1) foram obtidas nos plantios de 20 de novembro e espaçamentos entre plantas, respectivamente, de 0,36 e 0,30m.