Avaliação físico-química e funcional da algaroba prosopis juliflora proveniente da mesorregião agreste do Rio Grande do Norte

Algaroba (Prosopis juliflora) is a typical legume from arid and semi arid regions, which is composed by sugar-rich pods and high protein seeds. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites recognized as potent bioactive compounds, found in several vegetables.Therefore, the objective of this work is to characterize the algaroba flour in terms of its physicalchemical composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS methods, a-amylase and a-glycosidase inhibition, as well as to analyze its organic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three experimental groups were investigated (seeds, seeds and pod together and only pod), which were prepared by oven drying and posterior grinding. Water and ethanol extracts (70, 80, 100% v/v) were prepared and used for functional studies. Organic compounds were detected by using HPLC equipment coupled to mass spectrometer. Results show important physical-chemical differences among the experimental groups, seeds, seeds and pod together and only pod. The algarroba seed flour is high in protein (49.49%) and fat (3.10%), while the pod flour is especially rich in sugar (60.3% to 67.9%). Algaroba phenolics are concentrated in pod flour, mainly in water extracts (1.30 mg GAEQ/100g sample). All seed extracts showed high DPPH activity and maximum antioxidant activity was registered for ethanol 80% extracts (19.81 μM Trolox/g sample). The ABTS activity ranged from 9.73 to 12.74 μM Trolox/g sample. Nearly all the extracts were able to inhibit α-amylase activity mildly (30.50% to 48.80%), while the maximum α-glycosidase inhibition was observed for pod water extracts (81.03%). Algaroba water extracts proven to be especially rich in organic compounds, observed by the high number of chromatographic peaks. Results demonstrate that algaroba is a potential candidate for further investigations concerning its possible functional applications

Estudo das características físico-químicas e funcionalidade de bagaços de frutas tropicais desidratados em leito de jorro

Fruits are rich sources of bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds. Tropical fruit cultivation is an important productive segment in Brazilian Northeast. Its industrialization generates solid wastes as co-products, with potential environmental impact. Considering the recognized bioactive content of fruit and its derivatives, this research has the objective of investigating acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), cajá-umbu (Spondia ssp), jambolan (Syzygium cumini) and pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) dried wastes obtained by spouted bed drier. It was analyzed the physical-chemical composition, solubility and microphotographic aspect of these dried wastes. Besides this, it was also evaluated the bioactive content, antioxidant activity and inhibitory activity against aamylase and a-glycosidase enzymes of water and ethanol (70%, 80% e 100% v/v) extracts prepared from fruit dried wastes, as well as their possible correlations. The dried fruit wastes showed high phenolic (606.04 to 3074.6 mg GAE eq/100 g sample), anthocyanin (478.7 mg/100 g for jambolan) and ascorbic acid (2748.03 mg/100 g for acerola) contents, as well as high antioxidant DPPH activity (14.27 a 36.30 mg Trolox eq/g sample). The extracts exhibited moderate to high a-amylase inhibition (23.97% a 76.58%) and high α-glycosidase inhibition, which 99.32% peak was reached for ethanol 70% pitanga extracts. It was also observed great positive correlation between phenolic content and DPPH activity (0.97 for acerola), anthocyanin (0.95 for jambolan) and α- glycosidase inhibition (0.98 for acerola). The α-glycosidase inhibition also correlated well with the antioxidant activity for all fruit extracts. The results show that these dried fruit wastes are valuable material for further applications as functional ingredients

Efeito do ácido lático sobre as características microbiológicas, físico-químicas e sensoriais na carne do sol

The dried beef is a food traditionally eaten by Northeastern and has an extensive trade in the city of Natal-RN. It is usually produced in an empirical manner, without any standardization in production. Characterized as partially dehydrated meat product, so that the activity of water present is not sufficient to prevent microbial growth, degradation or the production of microbial toxins. The guarantee that the market dried beef is to provide a quality product hygienic, microbiological, physicochemical and sensory stable and adequate for the safety and consumer satisfaction, which has been increasingly attracted to food with natural preservatives. Thus, the meat industries are replacing the current seasonings and natural preservatives for similar, with it without affecting the shelf life of products. Lactic acid has been used to meet these requirements. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of lactic acid on the physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory, besides knowing the consumer profile of dried meat of the City of Natal / RN. The results demonstrated that the use of lactic acid in concentrations of 1% and 2% during the processing of dried meat, had statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on the physico-chemical (pH and water activity) and consequently reduced the microbial count does not alter the taste of the new product developed. Regarding the results on the consumer profile, it was found that the majority of respondents (71.75%) did not observe the presence of the stamp of the Federal Inspection Service (SIF) to buy this meat food that 81.55% of consumers check the hygiene conditions of the site and handlers, however, a large proportion of respondents not concerned with the guarantee of origin of typical regional products featuring a hazard to food safety for consumers of the city of Natal-RN

Suco desidratado de caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) por atomização: caracterização físico-química, bioativa e estudo da vida de prateleira do produto

Despite the relatively organized cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) productive chain and the number of cashew derivatives found in the market, it is estimated that over 90% of the cashew peduncle is wasted. A possible strategy for a better commercial exploitation of this agroindustrial commodity would be the production of spray dried cashew pulp. Thus, this paper approaches the yellow cashew pulp spray drying process and the final product evaluation. Based on that, the shelf life of the spray dried cashew pulp packed in different packaging was evaluated. Drying was conducted in two drying temperatures (140 °C to 150 °C) and two concentrations of Arabic gum (AG, 15% and 25%), which summed four experimental groups. The drying performance was evaluated as well as the physicochemical characteristics (moisture, water activity, total soluble solids, pH, density, solubility, particle diameter, hygroscopicity, degree of caking, color, scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray diffraction), composition (protein, ash, fat and sugars) and bioactive and functional value (total phenolic compounds, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity) of the final products. Results showed spray drying efficiency higher than 65% for all experiments, mainly for the C4 group (150 °C and 25% AG) which reached efficiency of 93.4%. It was also observed high solubility (94.7% to 97.9%) and the groups with lower hygroscopicity (5.8% and 6.5%) were those with the highest proportion of drying coadjuvant. The particle diameters ranged between 14.7 μm and 30.2 μm and increased with the proportion of AG. When comparing the product before and after spray drying, the drying impact was evident. However, despite the observed losses, dried yellow cashew showed high phenolic concentration (from 235.9 to 380.4 mg GAE eq / 100 g DM), carotenoids between 0.22 and 0.49 mg/100 g DM and remarkable ascorbic acid levels (852.4 to 1346.2 mg/100 g DM), in addition to antioxidant activity ranging from 12.9 to 16.4 μmol TE/ g DM. The shelf life study revealed decreased phenolic content over time associated to a slight water activity increase. Overall, our results unveil the technological and bioactive potential of dried yellow cashew as a functional ingredient to be used in food formulations or as a ready-to-use product. The technological approach presented here can serve as an efficient strategy for a rational use of the cashew apple, avoiding its current underutilization

Obtenção de Propriedades Físico-Químicas de Misturas de Hidrocarbonetos em Baixa e Alta Pressão Visando a Caracterização e a Modelagem

The composition of petroleum may change from well to well and its resulting characteristics influence significantly the refine products. Therefore, it is important to characterize the oil in order to know its properties and send it adequately for processing. Since petroleum is a multicomponent mixture, the use of synthetic mixtures that are representative of oil fractions provides a better understand of the real mixture behavior. One way for characterization is usually obtained through correlation of physico-chemical properties of easy measurement, such as density, specific gravity, viscosity, and refractive index. In this work new measurements were obtained for density, specific gravity, viscosity, and refractive index of the following binary mixtures: n-heptane + hexadecane, cyclohexane + hexadecane, and benzene + hexadecane. These measurements were accomplished at low pressure and temperatures in the range 288.15 K to 310.95 K. These data were applied in the development of a new method of oil characterization. Furthermore, a series of measurements of density at high pressure and temperature of the binary mixture cyclohexane + n-hexadecane were performed. The ranges of pressure and temperature were 6.895 to 62.053 MPa and 318.15 to 413.15 K, respectively. Based on these experimental data of compressed liquid mixtures, a thermodynamic modeling was proposed using the Peng-Robinson equation of state (EOS). The EOS was modified with scaling of volume and a relatively reduced number of parameters were employed. The results were satisfactory demonstrating accuracy not only for density data, but also for isobaric thermal expansion and isothermal compressibility coefficients. This thesis aims to contribute in a scientific manner to the technological problem of refining heavy fractions of oil. This problem was treated in two steps, i.e., characterization and search of the processes that can produce streams with economical interest, such as solvent extraction at high pressure and temperature. In order to determine phase equilibrium data in these conditions, conceptual projects of two new experimental apparatus were developed. These devices consist of cells of variable volume together with a analytical static device. Therefore, this thesis contributed with the subject of characterization of hydrocarbons mixtures and with development of equilibrium cells operating at high pressure and temperature. These contributions are focused on the technological problem of refining heavy oil fractions

Desenvolvimento de sorvete probiótico a base de leite de cabra: estudo da formulação, características físico químicas, sensoriais e viabilidade das bactérias probióticas

This work targetet the caprine ice cream production added with probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. It is divided into two parts. In the first one, four caprine ice cream formulations were evaluated, in which it was used hydrogenated fat (F1 and F3) or fat substitute (F2 and F4) in two different flavors (F1 and F2, passion fruit, F3 and F4, guava). Statistical differences (p<0.05) were detected for their physical-chemical properties, mainly for total solids and fat, but no differences were observed for melting test results. When it went to sensory acceptance, all four ice cream formulations reached high acceptance indexes, mostly formulation F4, which was selected for further studies. In the second part, F4 formulation was prepared with the addition of probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. The growth kinetics was studied and it was observed that the cellular concentration peak was reached after four fermentation hours (10.14 log UFC/g). This time was selected for pre-fermentation procedure and posterior addition at ice cream syrup. In this part of the study, two experimental groups were evaluated: group G1, in which the probiotic addition occurred before the maturation step and group G2, which included a pre-fermentation step and probiotic addition after ice cream maturation. The physical-chemical properties of these two ice cream groups were similar, except for pH, which was higher for group G2 (p<0.05). G1 samples had superior melting rate (3.566 mL/min) and both groups presented microbiological and sanitary results in accordance to current Brazilian legislation. Also, G1 and G2 were considered sensory accepted due to their acceptance indexes higher than 70%. G1 and G2 sensory profiles were similar (p>0.05), and both ice cream samples exhibited high creaminess (6.76 to 6.91) and mouth melting sensation (6.53 to 6.67) scores, while low sandiness scores (0.85 to 0.86) were observed, positive characteristics for this kind of food product. During the first 24 hours after ice cream production, the population of B. animalis subsp. lactis decreased, reaching 7.15 e 6.92 log CFU/g for G1 and G2, respectively. Probiotic bacteria counts fluctuated in ice cream samples during the first 108 days at frozen storage, especially for G2 group. Decreased probiotic viability was observed for G1 samples during the first 35 days of frozen storage, mild variation between 35 and 63 days and stabilized counts were observed after this time. After 21 days at frozen storage, ice cream samples of G1 and G2 groups reached 1.2 x 109 and 1.3 x 109 CFU/portion, respectively. After 108 days under these storage conditions, the survival rate of B. animalis subsp. lactis was 94.26% and 81.10% for G1 and G2 samples, respectively. After simulation of gastroenteric conditions, G2 group reached 9.72 x 105 CFU/portion. Considering the current requirements of Brazilian legislation, which stipulates that functional foods must have minimum probiotic count between 108 and 109 CFU/portion and detectable probiotic bacteria after being submitted to gastroenteric conditions, it is concluded that the ice cream with the addition of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis made as shown in this work, can be considered as a dairy functional food

Aditivos de formulação na formação de filmes isolados de etilcelulose. estudos físico-químicos e morfológicos

Formulation Additives on Formation of Films isolated from Ethylcellulose. Physicochemical and Morphological Studies. In this work were developed free films from Surelease (R), additives alpha-GOS (alfa-glucooligosaccharide) and/or Tween (R) 80 in aqueous solution. It was obtained by Teflon plates casting process. The free films were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC and TO analysis showed that the additives do not influenced in the thermal stability of Surelease (R) films. SEM analysis observed homogeneous morphological characteristics and phase detachment absence. FTIR-ATR spectra were used to confirm the physical mixture between the components of films.

Influência do tabagismo passivo associado ao exercício físico realizado por ratas durante prenhez e lactação, sobre o desenvolvimento dos filhotes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito do exercício físico e estatinas na função muscular em animais com dislipidemia

As estatinas são utilizadas no tratamento das dislipidemias, com grande tolerância; no entanto, vários efeitos colaterais podem surgir, destacando-se miopatia. A prática regular do exercício físico (EF) produz modificações favoráveis no perfil lipídico; entretanto, pode gerar lesões musculares. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da associação entre exercício físico e estatinas na função muscular, pela análise histológica, em modelo experimental animal com dislipidemia. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 80 ratos machos Wistar, distribuídos em oito grupos, incluindo animais submetidos à dieta hipercolesterolêmica (DH), sinvastatina com (G1) e sem (G2) EF; DH e fluvastatina, com (G3) e sem EF (G4); alimentados com ração comercial (RC) na presença (G5) e ausência de (G6) EF; DH submetidos (G7) ou não (G8) a EF. A DH foi administrada por 90 dias, as estatinas e prática de EF em esteira rolante por oito semanas. Os animais foram sacrificados, e o músculo sóleo retirado para análise histológica. Aplicaram-se os testes t de Student pareado e análise multivariada, com nível significante para p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: As principais alterações histológicas encontradas foram fibras de diferentes diâmetros, atróficas, em degeneração, splitting, edema, infiltrado inflamatório. Essas alterações foram observadas em 90% dos animais do grupo G1, 80% do G2, 70% do G3, 30% do G4, 40% do G5 e 30% do G7. Nos grupos G6 e G8 identificaram-se fibras musculares com morfologia preservada. CONCLUSÕES: Na avaliação histológica muscular, a associação entre fluvastatina, sinvastatina e exercício físico acarreta alterações morfológicas com predomínio no uso da sinvastatina, variando de grau leve a grave, no músculo sóleo de ratos, induzidos pelos inibidores da HMG-CoA redutase.

Efeitos do esteróide anabólico nandrolona sobre o músculo sóleo de ratos submetidos a treinamento físico através de natação: estudo histológico, histoquímico e morfométrico

Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar as alterações histológicas, histoquímicas e morfométricas das fibras do músculo sóleo de ratos submetidos a um programa de natação, associado ou não à administração do esteróide anabólico decanoato de nandrolona. Foram utilizados 22 ratos Wistar machos, 12 dos quais receberam injeção intramuscular do esteróide (5mg/kg) e 10, óleo mineral (5mg/kg), duas vezes por semana. Os animais foram submetidos a 42 sessões de natação por nove semanas (de segunda a sexta-feira), com aumento progressivo de carga por meio do tempo de natação. Após o sacrifício, o músculo sóleo esquerdo foi retirado, imerso em n-hexana e acondicionado em nitrogênio líquido. Cortes do terço médio desse músculo foram feitos em micrótomo criostato (-20ºC) e corados pela técnica HE e pelo método histoquímico NADH-TR. Os animais submetidos a treinamento físico e a esteróide (TA) ou óleo mineral (TO) apresentaram fibras musculares com maior diâmetro, quando comparados com os animais-controle (NTA e NTO). Não houve diferença significativa entre as medidas das médias dos diâmetros das fibras dos grupos NTA e NTO e entre TA e TO. Nos grupos TA e NTA notou-se acentuado processo de fagocitose, arredondamento e hialinização das fibras musculares. Já nos grupos TA, TO e NTA observou-se perda da atividade enzimática oxidativa. Os resultados sugerem que a natação produz hipertrofia muscular de forma semelhante, tanto no grupo que recebeu esteróide como no que recebeu óleo mineral. No entanto, o grupo que recebeu esteróide apresentou sinais claros de maior degeneração muscular.

O exercício físico melhora a sensibilidade à insulina de ratos expostos à fumaça de cigarro

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

Aspectos sensoriais e físico-químicos de “iogurtes” de soja com espessantes/estabilizantes a base de fécula de inhame (Dioscorea alata), amido modificado e gelatina

This study had as objective to evaluate the effect of yam starch, modified starch from Cargill-Brasil (Amidomax 4800 (R)) and gelatin from Gelita-Brasil (GEL-LAC) as stabilizers/thickeners in different ratios and combinations in the soy yoghurt fermented with Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus helveticus ssp jugurti. Ten soy yoghurt formulations containing these different stabilizers/thickeners, always totalizing 0.5% in relation to the final formulation, were analyzed in sensorial and physical-chemical terms. Based on the observed results, it was concluded in relation to the sensorial point of view that the more appropriate product was processed only with gelatin at 0.5% concentration. This product also presented the best physical-chemical results related to consistency, syneresis and water holding capacity. However, the isolated use of gelatin increased fermentation time of the soy yoghurt.

Controles físico, físico-químico, químico e microbiológico dos frutos de Dimorphandra mollis Benth., Fabaceae

Considerando-se a qualidade dos fitoterápicos, é importante salientar que a preocupação com esta questão inclui rigoroso acompanhamento das diferentes etapas de desenvolvimento e produção, desde a coleta do vegetal até o produto final. O controle de qualidade de drogas vegetais e seus extratos é essencial quando utilizados como matéria-prima para o desenvolvimento de fitoterápicos. Neste trabalho foram utilizadas diversas técnicas (farmacopeicas e não farmacopeicas) visando estabelecer parâmetros de qualidade dos frutos de Dimorphandra mollis Benth. (Leguminosae), popularmente conhecida como faveiro. Os resultados obtidos determinaram as características físico-químicas da droga vegetal e mostraram que o pó dos frutos e o extrato etanólico 70% de D. mollis apresentam um teor de flavonóides de 10,25% e 17,21%, respectivamente. A análise fitoquímica preliminar dos frutos caracterizou a presença de taninos, saponinas e flavonóides. Na análise microbiológica do extrato não houve crescimento de patógenos entre os testes realizados.

Parâmetros físico-químicos de estrelas nos campos de exoplanetas do satélite corot

A rotação estelar é um dos mais importantes observáveis da evolução estelar. Neste sentido, o satélite CoRoT representa uma oportunidade única de medir os períodos rotacionais para uma amostra de estrelas estatisticamente robusta, oferecendo dados absolutamente necessários para o estudo da rotação e seu papel na evolução estelar. Para conseguir isto, um passo fundamental é a caracterização física e química das estrelas observadas pelo CoRoT, especificamente devido ao fato de que o cálculo de períodos rotacionais confiáveis é um trabalho difícil sem a ajuda dos parâmetros estelares. Desta forma, foi elaborado um importante seguimento observacional das estrelas nos campos do CoRoT do anticentro LRa01 e do centro LRc01, permitindo a correta identificação dos períodos que reflitam a modulação rotacional. Nesta tese de doutorado são apresentados os resultados de tal seguimento. Parâmetros físicos e químicos, tais como temperatura efetiva Teff , gravidade superficial log(g), velocidade de microturbulência Vmic, abundância de ferro [Fe/H], velocidade de rotação projetada Vsin(i), e abundância de lítio A(Li) são apresentados para uma amostra de 116 estrelas dos campos CoRoT. Elas se encontram em diferentes estágios evolutivos, desde a sequência principal (SP) até o ramo das gigantes vermelhas (GV). As observações foram feitas utilizando os espectrógrafos UVES (VLT) e HYDRA (CTIO). Para a derivação de tais parâmetros foram utilizados o programa TurboSpectrum e os modelos de atmosfera de MARCS. Paralelamente, velocidades rotacionais Vsin(i) foram obtidas a partir do ajuste dos perfis observados e sintéticos das linhas de ferro e por meio de uma calibração de função de correlação cruzada (CCF). Períodos rotacionais Prot para 77 estrelas da amostra foram obtidos a partir das curvas de luz do satélite CoRoT. Extensas tabelas destes parâmetros e seus respectivos erros são apresentadas. Foram encontradas diferenças nas distribuições de Teff , [Fe/H] e estágios evolutivos entre os diferentes campos do CoRoT, indicando possíveis efeitos de seleção na amostra, assim como a existência de diferentes populações estelares do disco Galáctico. Por outro lado, o comportamento rotacional e as abundâncias de lítio não apresentam diferenças entre estrelas de parâmetros físicos similares, mas que pertencem a diferentes campos do CoRoT. A partir da análise de temperaturas, foi encontrada uma maior extinção por avermelhamento para estrelas do CoRoT localizadas no campo LRc01, assim como um gradiente deste valor em função da distância. Os resultados mostram que as abundâncias de lítio, as velocidades de rotação e os períodos rotacionais apresentam o mesmo comportamento descrito na literatura. Por outro lado, é apresentada pela primeira vez a relação que existe entre o lítio e o período de rotação em diferentes estágios evolutivos, mostrando, tal como era esperado, que ambas as grandezas possuem uma anticorrelação. Também é apresentada a evolução simultânea da rotação e do lítio, e foram calculadas relações que permitem obter valores médios de A(Li) como função da temperatura efetiva e do período rotacional. Os dados apresentados nesta tese de doutorado representam um importante ponto de partida para serem utilizados como uma amostra de calibração para diferentes programas no contexto da missão do satélite CoRoT, uma vez que a lista de estrelas aqui analisadas são parte das mais brilhantes que compõem o campo Exo do CoRoT

Exercício físico de baixa intensidade na dpoc: comparação dos programas solo e aquático

Physical Exercise (PE) is a necessary component in the management in COPD patients, where respiratory symptoms are associated with reduced functional capacity. Even with the increase in the number of studies that have been published and the therapeutics success using aquatic therapy approach, studies using PE in water in COPD patients are so few. Objective: the aim of this present study was to analyze the effects of low intensity water exercise in COPD patients, developed in two different places aquatic and ground. Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial study, 42 patients with moderate to very severe DPOC were recruited for the study, mean age of 63,2  10,9 years old. Randomized in 3 groups: Control Group (CG), Land Group (LG) and Water Group (WG). The PE protocol was performed in a period of 8 weeks, with frequency of 3 times per week. The CG participated in an educational program. All the patients were assessed twice through spirometry, respiratory muscular strength, the 6-min walk test, the quality of life (SF-36 and SGRQ), the LCADL, the MRC, the BODE index and the upper limbs (UP) incremental test. Results: There was a significant difference after the approaches in DP6 from the WG (p=0,02); in VEF1 in LG (p=0,00) and WG (p=0,01); in MIP in LG (p=0,01) and WG (p=0,02); in MEP in LG (p=0,02) and WG (p=0,01); the MRC decreases in WG (p=0,00). there was an increase of the weight supported by the UP in LG (p=0,00) and WG (p=0,01). The LG showed an increase of the quality of life represented by the SGRQ total score (p=0,00). The BODE index decreased in LG (p=0,00) and WG (p=0,01). In LCDAL, the LG showed a decrease. Conclusion: This data in this present study suggest that both approaches of low intensity exercise showed to be beneficial in moderate to very severe COPD patients. The WG showed additional benefits in physical function, pointing to a new therapeutic modality for COPD patients