Avaliação do efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico das folhas de Anacardium occidentale L. em ratos submetidos à colite ulcerativa

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, in most cases affects the colon and rectum. The therapeutic drugs are used as aminosalicylates and glucocorticosteroids, but due to the low response and the various side effects caused by them, reveals the need to search for new sources of useful compounds in the treatment of this disease.The species Anacardium occidentale popularly known as cashew, has been used for centuries in folk medicine in the healing aid of skin and mucosa lesions.Recent studies show its expressive antiulcerogenic effect, what we instigated to assess the effect of the extract of A. occidentaleleaves in rats with acute ulcerative colitis, therefore, 42 rats were used male Wistar, divided into 06 groups, and Negative Control (C) Positive Control (C +), treated with Sulfasalazine (Sz500) and treated with Extract A. occidentale at doses of 50 (Ao50), 100 (Ao100) and 200 mg / kg (Ao200).All groups were submitted to experimental colitis Ulcerative except C-, moreover, C- and C + received saline via gavage for 7 consecutive days while the other groups received their respective treatments.Euthanasia of animals took place on the 8th day in which it was collected intestinal colon sample for later analysis macroscopic, histopathological, morphometric and biochemistry, as well as complementary collection of blood and liver tissue. The extract is rich in saponins and phenolic compounds such as flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol) and tannins.When the Sz500 groups and 100 showed significant protection to damage to lipids and proteins, among the groups subjected to experimental ulcerative colitis, the animals Ao100 group obtained the lowest score in all parameters analyzed.Treatment with 100 mg / kg of A. occidentale extract seems to have a combination of antiinflammatory, antioxidant, bactericidal and anabolic promoted by the bioactive compounds present in the extract.However, it is necessary to investigate harder treating dose of 100mg / kg to higher doses compared to elucidate more properly the best therapeutic dosage ulcerative colitis.

Optimization of lipase production from yeasts strains isolated from olive mil wastewater

Dissertação submetida à Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Microbiologia Aplicada.

Estudo das propriedades físico-químicas e avaliação de compostos bioativos em camarinhas ('Corema album' L.D. Don)

As camarinhas ('Corema album' L. D. Don) são pequenos frutos selvagens que se desenvolvem em arbustos dunares ao longo das costas da Península Ibérica. Apesar de serem ainda pouco conhecidas, as camarinhas são pequenos frutos que podem pertencer ao vasto grupo dos frutos vermelhos, vulgarmente conhecidos pelos seus efeitos benéficos na saúde. Desta forma, neste estudo foram realizadas várias análises às camarinhas no que respeita a propriedades de natureza física e química e em particular a alguns compostos com efeitos bioativos. Com a realização deste trabalho pretendeu-se avaliar as propriedades físico-químicas das camarinhas, bem como dos compostos bioativos com potenciais benefícios para a saúde. Nesse sentido, as bagas de camarinha foram avaliadas quanto às suas propriedades físicas (dimensões, peso, cor e textura), propriedades químicas (humidade, acidez, ºBrix, fibra, açúcares totais, açúcares redutores e vitamina C) e propriedades fenólicas (compostos fenólicos totais, orto-difenóis, flavonóides, taninos e atividade antioxidante, por DPPH e ABTS), em diferentes extratos de amostras de polpas e de grainhas liofilizadas. Os primeiros extratos ainda foram submetidos a uma simulações das condições do trato digestivo, para avaliar a bioacessibilidade dos compostos fenólicos e da atividade antioxidante. Este trabalho teve ainda como objetivo conhecer a bioacessibilidade dos compostos fenólicos totais e da sua atividade antioxidante, através do método da simulação “in vitro” das diferentes etapas do trato gastrointestinal. No que diz respeito às propriedades físicas analisadas, as camarinhas frescas demonstraram uma altura média de 8,6 mm, um diâmetro médio de 9,4 mm e uma massa média de 0,7 g. Relativamente à caraterização da cor, estas apresentavam uma cor clara (L*=79,8). Quanto à textura apresentaram alguma elasticidade média (2,9 mm) e uma baixa dureza (1,9 N). Nas análises químicas as camarinhas revelaram ser compostas, maioritariamente, por água (87,9%), por açúcares totais e fibras. Para além disso, apresentavam um teor em sólidos solúveis totais de 6,3 ºBrix, uma acidez de 1,4 g ácido tartárico/100 g e um teor de vitamina C de 2,8 mg de ácido ascórbico/100 g.Na quantificação dos compostos fenólicos totais e flavonóides, os extratos de acetona:água das amostras de polpas de camarinha branca apresentaram os valores mais elevados, 1614,1 mg EAG/100 g e 143,7 mg EQ/100 g, respetivamente. Relativamente à quantificação dos orto-difenóis e dos taninos os extratos de metanol e de acetona:água das amostras de grainhas de camarinha branca registaram os valores de 23,4 mg EAG/100 g e 915,7 mg/100 g, respetivamente. Na atividade antioxidante por DPPH e ABTS os extratos de acetona:água das amostras de polpas de camarinha branca apresentaram, respetivamente, os valores de 40,1 µmol ET/g e de 79,6 µmol ET/g. Na avaliação da bioacessibilidade verificou-se que ocorreu uma maior percentagem de compostos fenólicos disponíveis para absorção e uma maior preservação da sua atividade antioxidante nos extratos das grainhas, comparativamente aos extratos das polpas. Com este estudo concluiu-se que as camarinhas são pequenos frutos portadores de um grande potencial em diversos compostos bioativos benéficos para a saúde dos consumidores.

Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental, Valorização do Efluente e dos Resíduos Sólidos da Indústria Corticeira

A preocupação com o meio ambiente, nomeadamente na descarga de águas residuais, consumo de água excessivo e produção de resíduos industriais, está cada vez mais presente no quotidiano. Devido a estas problemáticas, efetuou-se a avaliação de impacte ambiental (AIA) do processo produtivo das rolhas de cortiça naturais, tratamento das águas de cozedura da cortiça (estudo da possível reutilização do efluente tratado) e valorização de subprodutos – resíduo sólido (raspa de cortiça), sendo estes os objetivos propostos para a realização da presente dissertação. Na AIA, efetuada no decorrer das fases da Análise do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), foram selecionadas 8 categorias de impacte – aquecimento global, acidificação, dessecação, toxicidade e ecotoxicidade, eutrofização, consumo de recursos não renováveis e oxidação foto-química. A água de cozedura caracterizou-se por uma elevada carga poluente, apresentando elevada concentração de cor, Carência Química de Oxigénio (CQO), taninos e lenhina e Sólidos Suspensos Totais (SST). O processo de tratamento proposto consistiu num pré-tratamento por ultrafiltração (UF), com membranas de 30.000 e 20.000 MWCO, seguido de adsorção por carvão ativado (comercial e produzido a partir de raspa de cortiça). No tratamento por UF, utilizando uma membrana de 30.000 MWCO, foram obtidas percentagens de remoção para a primeira amostra de água de cozedura de 74,8 % para a cor, 33,1 % para a CQO e para a segunda amostra de 85,2 % para a cor e 41,8 % para a CQO. Posteriormente, apenas para a segunda amostra de água de cozedura e com uma membrana de 20.000 MWCO, as percentagens de remoção obtidas foram superiores, de 93% para a cor, 68,9 % para a CQO, 88,4 % para taninos e lenhina e 43,0 % para azoto total. No tratamento por adsorção com carvão ativado estudou-se o tempo de equilíbrio do carvão ativado comercial e do carvão ativado produzido a partir de aparas de cortiça, seguindo-se o estudo das isotérmicas de adsorção, no qual foram analisados os parâmetros da cor e CQO para cada solução. Os ajustes dos modelos teóricos aos pontos experimentais demonstraram que ambos os modelos (Langmuir e Freundlich) poderiam ser considerados, uma vez que apresentaram ajustes idênticos. Relativamente ao tratamento de adsorção em contínuo do permeado, obtido por UF com membrana de 20.000 MWCO, constatou-se que ambos os carvões ativados (comercial e produzido) não ficaram saturados, tendo em consideração os tempos de saturação estimados pela capacidade máxima de adsorção (determinada para a isotérmica de Langmuir) e as representações gráficas dos valores experimentais obtidos para cada ensaio. No ensaio de adsorção com carvão ativado comercial verificou-se que o efluente tratado poderia ser descarregado no meio hídrico ou reutilizado no processo industrial (considerando os parâmetros analisados), uma vez que até aos 11 minutos de ensaio a concentração da solução à saída foi de 111,50 mg/L O2, para a CQO, e incolor, numa diluição de 1:20. Em relação à adsorção em contínuo com carvão ativado produzido verificou-se no ensaio 4 que o efluente resultante apresentou uma concentração de CQO de 134,5 mg/L O2 e cor não visível, numa diluição de 1:20, ao fim de 1h22 min de ensaio. Assim, concluiu-se que os valores obtidos são inferiores aos valores limite de emissão (VLE) presentes no Decreto-Lei n.º 236/98 de 1 de Agosto. O carvão ativado produzido apresentou elevada área superficial específica, com 870 m2/g, comparativamente ao carvão comercial que foi de 661 m2/g. O processo de extração da suberina a partir de raspa de cortiça isenta de extraíveis, efetuado através da metanólise alcalina, apresentou percentagens de extração superiores aos restantes métodos. No processo efetuado em scale-up, por hidrólise alcalina, obteve-se uma extração de 3,76 % de suberina. A aplicação da suberina no couro demonstrou que esta cera apresenta enormes potencialidades, uma vez que a sua aplicação confere ao couro um aspeto sedoso, com mais brilho e um efeito de “pull-up”.

Some factors that may affect the physical-chemical properties of blueberries

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different production and conservation factors on some properties of blueberries. Among the production factors considered were cultivar (Duke, Bluecrop and Ozarkblue) and production mode (organic or conventional). Regarding the conservation factors were evaluated temperature (ambient or refrigeration) and storage time (0, 7 and 14 days). The properties under study belong to three categories: physical properties (color and texture); chemical properties (moisture content, sugars and acidity) and phenolic and antioxidant properties (total phenols, anthocyanins, tannins, ABTS antioxidant activity, DPPH antioxidant activity). The results revealed that moisture content was only influenced by cultivar and that both acidity and sugar contents varied according to the production mode used. Also it was evidenced that the antioxidant activity was not statistically different between cultivars, production modes or conservation conditions. Regarding the phenolic compounds, the tannins were significantly higher for the blueberries produced in organic agriculture. Regarding color significant differences were also encountered and the most intense blue was found in blueberries from cv. Duke, produced in organic farming and stored under refrigeration. Textural attributes were also very significantly influenced by all factors at study: cultivar, production mode and conservation, and the berries from cv. Duke stored under refrigeration showed the highest firmness.

Efeito do teor proteico da dieta na digestibilidade da bolota em porcos alentejanos

O objectivo do presente ensaio é avaliar o efeito do teor proteico da dieta na digestibilidade da bolota em porcos Alentejanos. Para tal, nove animais foram seccionados e colocados em caixas metabólicas onde as dietas foram distribuídas aleatoriamente, segundo o Modelo de Quadrado Latino 3 x 3. O ensaio in vivo foi assim dividido em três períodos, durante os quais se recolheram amostras de alimento, refugos fezes e urina para posterior análise em laboratório. Foi determinada a composição química do alimento e calculada a digestibilidade e balanço de azoto dos três tratamentos. Também foi determinado o conteúdo em compostos fenólicos e taninos da bolota pelo método do Folin­ Ciocalteu, taninos condensados pelo método do Butanol-HCl e a capacidade complexante dos taninos pelo método da Difusão Radial. Devido à reduzida capacidade de os taninos complexarem as proteínas e à baixa ingestão da luzerna não foi possível verificar diferenças na proteína ingerida entre os tratamentos testados. ABSTRACT; The aim of present experiment is to evaluate the effect of protein content in diet digestibility of oak acorn in Alentejano pigs. For that, nine animals were selected and housed in metabolic cages where diets were given randomly, in a Latin Square model3 x 3. The in vivo experiment was divided in three periods, during which were collected feed, refusals, feces and urine samples for subsequent laboratory analyses. Chemical feed composition was determinate and calculated the digestibility and nitrogen balance in three treatments. It was also determinate the amount of phenolic compounds and tannins on oak acorn by Folin-Ciocalteu assay, condensed tannins by Butanol-HCl assay and the availability to form complex with protein by Radial Diffusion assay. It was observed a reduced availability of tannins to bind proteins and a low Lucerne intake, so it wasn't possible to verify differences on protein intake, between tested treatments.

Degradation of compounds present in cork boiling water by gamma radiation

Cork boiling water is an aqueous and complex dark liquor with high concentration of phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and tannins [1, 2], which are considered biorecalcitrants [2]. Ionizing radiation has been widely studied as an alternative technology for the degradation of organic contaminants without the addition of any other (e.g.: Fenton technologies). The aim of this work was to identify the compounds present in cork boiling water and further evaluate the resulting stable degradation products after gamma irradiation. The irradiation experiments of standard solutions were carried out at room temperature using a Co-60 experimental equipment. The applied absorbed doses were 20 and 50 kGy at a dose rate of 1.5 kGy/h, determined by routine dosimeters [3]. The identification of radiolytic products was carried out by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. The phenolic compounds were identified by comparing their retention times and UV–vis and mass spectra with those obtained from standard compounds, when available, as well as by comparing the obtained information with available data reported in the literature. Concerning the obtained results and the literature review, the main cork wastewater components are: quinic, gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic, syringic and ellagic acids. Based on this, we used protocatechuic, vanillic and syringic acids as model compounds to study their degradation by gamma radiation in order to identify the corresponding radiolytic products. Standard aqueous solutions were irradiated and the derivatives of each model compound are represented in figure 1. The obtained results seem to demonstrate that the derivatives of the parent compounds could also be phenolic acids, since it was observed the loss of 44 u (CO2) from the [M-H]- ions. Gallic and protocatechuic acids are identified as derivatives of vanillic and syringic acids, and gallic acid as a protocatechuic acid derivative. Compound 5 ([M-H]- at m/z 169) was tentatively identified as 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid, since its fragmentation pattern (m/z 151, 125 and 107) is similar to that previously reported in literature [4]. The structure of compound 7 was proposed based on the molecular ion and its fragmentation and compound 6 remains unknown.

Chemotaxonomic studies on Schwenckia americana LINN.

This study investigated the chemotaxonomic studies on Schwenckia americana Linn., a member of the family Solanaceae predominantly found mostly in low grass fields, Nigeria. The habit is annual herbaceous weed with slender stem characterized with free branching and growing up to 45cm in height.They are used mainly as medicine. The leaves are simple, entire, elliptic to ovate in shape, smooth, variable, petiolate and larger at the lower region of stem and narrowing to smaller almost sessile and oblanceolate towards the apical regions which are alternately arranged and acrescently structured from the top to the base upto 3.7 ± 1.5cm long and 2.4±0.6cm wide. The inflorescence is a panicle of 15 or more flowers occurring at stem terminal.The flowers are whitish tubular structures measuring up to 1.0±0.2cm in length and 0.1cm in diameter. The petals are whitish up to 0.9 ±0.2cm in length and sepals are greenish up to 0.1cm in length. The berry fruit is greenish when unripe and pale yellowish when ripe up to 0.3±0.1cm in diameter. The seeds are blackish and spherical or triangular shaped with rough edges measuring up to 0.1cm in diameter. The epidermal studies reveal anomocytic stomata whereas the trichomes are simple uniseriate forms wth bulge heads. The anatomy of mid-ribs and petioles showed bicollateral vascular systems. There are three vascular traces and the node is unilacunar. The petioles have 2 rib traces at primary growth phase. At secondary growth phase, the mid-rib and petiole revealed vascular arcs and the stem has a ring of open vascular system. The cytological studies showed a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 24 and n = 12 for the haploids. Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phlobatannins, flavonoids, combined anthraquinones, free anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides are present.

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory potentials of fractions from the extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf in rats and mice

Tetracarpidium conophorum (TC) (Euphorbiaceae) is a perennial woody climbing shrub in low bush forest of some parts of West Africa and used among the natives for relief of ailments accompanying pain and inflammation. In this study, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract (METC) and fractions (ethyl acetate, F1 and n-hexane, F2) of Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf were evaluated in rat and mice. The analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced paw licking and hot plate test models. Carrageenan-induced paw oedema was used to assess anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The mechanism of action of (TC) was explored by the use of naloxone, a non-selective opioid receptor blocker. The highest analgesic effect was observed in F2 extract at 57.21% inhibition and was further studied on various analgesic and anti-inflammatory models in graded doses. F2 significantly inhibited the late phase of formalin-induced paw licking and prolong hot plate latency at 55±1°C. The n-hexane fraction also significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats at 100 and 200mg/kg doses significantly (p< 0.001) and reduced paw licking response by 85.08% compared with control. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, did not significantly affect the changes observed with n-hexane fraction, thus ruling out the possibility of the involvement of opioid receptors in the analgesic actions of Tetracarpidium conophorum. Phytochemical screening showed that the leaf extracts contain alkaloids, tannins, saponins and cardenolides. The investigations showed that Tetracarpidium conophorum possesses significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities that should be explored.

EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-FUNGAL PROPERTIES OF EXTRACTS OF Daniella oliveri

The in vitro anti-fungal activity of leaf and stem bark of Daniella oliveri Rolfe was investigated against selected yeasts and moulds including dermatophytes. Water and methanol were used to extract the powdered leaf and stem bark using cold infusion. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by agar-well diffusion. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard procedures. The plant extracts were active against the test organisms at concentrations ranging from 3.125-100 mg/mL. The methanol extracts were more active than the aqueous extracts with the highest inhibition against the yeasts, Candida albicans and Candida krusei (MIC values of 3.125 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL respectively). Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton interdigitale were the least inhibited of all the fungal strains. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids and saponins. The anti-fungal activity of Daniella oliveri as shown in this study indicates that the plant has the potential of utilisation in the development of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of relevant fungal infections.

Improving bioactive compounds extractability of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson

Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) is an underground, unbranched deciduous plant that produces a large tubercle (rhizome) with recognized health effects. In this study, the influence of solvent nature (water, water/etanol (1:1) and absolute ethanol) and processing type (fresh, lyophilized and boiled) on the antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds extractability of elephant foot yam was evaluated. Extracts were compared for their contents in total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins. Moreover, their antioxidant capacity was assessed by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH▪) scavenging capacity assays. Phenolics (154 mg GAE/L) and tannins (109 mg GAE/L) were maximized in lyophilized samples extracted with the hydroalcoholic solvent, which attained also the highest FRAP value (711 mg FSE/L). In turn, flavonoids reached the highest yields in lyophilized samples (95 mg ECE/L) extracted with pure ethanol, as well as the highest DPPH▪ scavenging activity. These findings might have practical applications to define the best processing methodology regarding the enhancement of elephant foot yam, either for prompt consumption, as well as to develop food supplements or pharmaceutical related products.

Non-fermented and fermented jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora Mart.) pomaces as valuable sources of functional ingredients

abuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora. Mart) is a highly perishable fruit native to Brazil, which is consumed both fresh and industrially processed in the form of juices, jams, wines and distilled liqueurs. This processing generates a large amount of waste by-products, which represent approximately 50% of the fruit weight. The by-products are of interest for obtaining valuable bioactive compounds that could be used as nutraceuticals or functional ingredients. In this study, fermented and non-fermented jabuticaba pomaces were studied regarding their hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, as well as their antioxidant properties, including: soluble sugars, organic acids and tocopherols (using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to refraction index, diode array and fluorescence detector, respectively); phenolics and anthocyanins, (using liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection, and mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization); and fatty acids (using gas-liquid chromatography with flame ionization detection). The analytical data demonstrated that jabuticaba pomaces are a rich source of bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, polyunsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds (namely hydrolyzable tannins and anthocyanins) with antioxidant potential. Therefore, jabuticaba pomace may have good potential as a functional ingredient in the fabrication of human foods and animal feed.

Marine photosynthetic organisms from the Portuguese coast as sources of antitumoural compounds

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, 2016

Effect of post-harvest ozone treatments on the skin phenolic composition and extractability of red winegrapes cv Nebbiolo and Berbera

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL