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.

Increase of gastric area and weight gain in rats submitted to the ingestion of gasified water

OBJETIVO: em virtude do aumento progressivo da utilização de bebidas gaseificadas e do ganho de peso na população brasileira, e sabendo-se que os refrigerantes têm no gás carbônico um fator em comum, planejou-se um estudo experimental em ratos para investigar os efeitos da água gaseificada na ingestão hídrica e alimentar, ganho de peso, área gástrica, glicemia, hematócrito e hemoglobina. MÉTODOS: Foram constituídos 4 grupos de 12 ratos acompanhados por 36 dias. Ao Grupo-1 foi oferecido 35 g/dia de ração ad libitum e 20 ml de água não gaseificada em 4 períodos diários, ao Grupo-2 foi oferecido 35 g/dia de ração ad libitum e 20 ml de água gaseificada em 4 períodos diários, ao Grupo-3 foi oferecido 10 g/dia de ração ad libitum e 20 ml de água não gaseificada em 4 períodos diários e ao Grupo-4 foi oferecido 10 g/dia de ração ad libitum e 20 ml de água gaseificada em 4 períodos diários. RESULTADOS: Os resultados identificaram que os animais que foram submetidos ao tratamento com água gaseificada (Grupo-2 e Grupo-4), apresentaram um maior volume de ingestão hídrica e aumento significativo da área gástrica (p<0,001), no Grupo-2 a ingestão alimentar assim como o ganho de peso foi significativo (p<0,01), os dados de glicemia, hematócrito e hemoglobina não tiveram alterações significativas entre os grupos estudados. CONCLUSÃO: Nas condições em que foi realizado este experimento, concluímos que a água gaseificada favoreceu a ingestão hídrica e alimentar, o ganho de peso e o aumento da área gástrica.

Hábito alimentar e percepção ambiental : um estudo de caso com estudantes do Ensino Médio em Natal-RN

This study has as objective to examine the level of perception of high school students from two private schools in Natal-RN about the existence of a direct link between alimentary habit and its effects on environmental. The research was lead with 433 students, who had their school alimentary habits investigated according to the 24-hour recall method and presents the results of data collection from their opinions on participating in the generation of industrialized solid residues and their yearnings about the improvements of the standard of the food offered in the school. The students show a high rate of grading age for level at school, traditional family structure, riding, predominantly, by car or by bus in the house-school-house way, have generally all three important meals at home, feed frequently at their school, getting it from their won school, which included, mainly, soft drinks and fried or grilled appetizers; show a good knowledge about selective collectors, however with a high variation in their correct use. They show significant approval in the existence of a connection between their alimentary habits and debased effects about environmental and consider their food compounds at school could improve the offering of health/natural food, slowing industrialized foods, which are highly used, sometimes. The study on the students knowledge and concern level with regard to the interface alimentary habit-environmental impact allowed delimitating some of the mainly involved components in the alimentary choices of the same students in the school environment, what might help to develop a set of proposals that stimulates the formation of a responsible consumption standard among teenagers and the need of a consideration about the consequences of their choices

Impacto da ingestão de cálcio sobre a mineralização óssea em adolescentes

A puberdade destaca-se como período fundamental para a aquisição de massa óssea. Durante essa fase da vida, a mineralização encontra-se aumentada com taxas de formação óssea superior às de reabsorção. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desta revisão foi investigar a inter-relação da ingestão dietética de cálcio com a mineralização óssea, durante a puberdade. Entre os fatores influenciadores nutricionais, merecem destaque o fosfato e o magnésio, que, juntamente com o cálcio, mantêm a integridade estrutural do esqueleto. A revisão de literatura indicou que os excessos de proteína e de refrigerantes, na alimentação dos jovens, acarretam comprometimento na mineralização óssea, embora os dados sejam ainda contraditórios. Conclui-se que, durante o período da puberdade, é indicado manter o aporte de cálcio em níveis adequados, na perspectiva de maximizar o pico da massa óssea.

Effect of salivary stimulation on erosion of human and bovine enamel subjected or not to subsequent abrasion: An in situ/ex vivo study

This in situ/ex vivo study evaluated whether saliva stimulated by chewing gum could prevent or reduce the wear and the percent change in microhardness (%SMH) of bovine and human enamel submitted to erosion followed by brushing abrasion immediately or after 1 h. During 2 experimental 7-day crossover phases, 9 previously selected volunteers wore intraoral palatal devices, with 12 enamel specimens (6 human and 6 bovine). In the first phase, the volunteers immersed the device for 5 min in 150 ml of cola drink, 4 times per day (at 8, 12, 16 and 20 h). Immediately after the immersions, no treatment was performed in 4 specimens, 4 other specimens were immediately brushed (0 min) using a fluoride dentifrice, and the device was replaced into the mouth. After 60 min, the remaining 4 specimens were brushed. In the second phase, the procedures were repeated, but after the immersions, the volunteers stimulated the salivary flow rate by chewing a sugar-free gum for 30 min. Changes in wear and %SMH were measured. ANOVA and Tukey's test showed statistical differences (p < 0.05) for the following comparisons. The chewing gum promoted less wear and %SMH. A decreasing %SMH and an increasing enamel wear were observed in the following conditions: erosion only, 60 min and 0 min. The human enamel presented greater %SMH and less wear compared to bovine enamel. The data suggest that the salivary stimulation after an erosive or erosive/abrasive attack can reduce the dental wear and the %SMH.

Effect of different concentrations of fluoride in dentifrices on dentin erosion subjected or not to abrasion in situ/ex vivo

This in situ/ex vivo study assessed the effect of different concentrations of fluoride in dentifrices on dentin subjected to erosion or to erosion plus abrasion. Ten volunteers took part in this crossover and double-blind study performed in 3 phases (7 days). They wore acrylic palatal appliances containing 4 bovine dentin blocks divided in two rows: erosion and erosion plus abrasion. The blocks were subjected to erosion by immersion ex vivo in a cola drink (60 s, pH 2.6) 4 times daily. During this step, the volunteers brushed their teeth with one of three dentifrices D (5,000 ppm F, NaF, silica); C (1,100 ppm F, NaF, silica) and placebo (22 ppm F, silica). Then, the respective dentifrice slurry (1: 3) was dripped on dentin surfaces. While no further treatment was performed in one row, the other row was brushed using an electric toothbrush for 30 s ex vivo. The appliances were replaced in the mouth and the volunteers rinsed with water. Dentin loss was determined by profilometry and analyzed by 2-way ANOVA/Bonferroni test (alpha = 0.05). Dentin loss after erosive-abrasive wear was significantly greater than after erosion alone. Wear was significantly higher for the placebo than for the D and C dentifrices, which were not significantly different from each other. It can be concluded that the presence of fluoride concentrations around 1,100 ppm in dentifrices is important to reduce dentin wear by erosion and erosion + abrasion, but the protective effect does not increase with fluoride concentration. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Radionuclide concentrations in raw and purified phosphoric acids from Brazil and their processing wastes: implications for radiation exposures

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

Estudo de bactérias do gênero Gluconobacter: isolamento, purificação, identificação fenotípica e molecular

A importância do estudo de bactérias acéticas, em especial as do gênero Gluconobacter, está baseada em suas aplicações industriais, pois estas possuem a capacidade de bioconversão de sorbitol a sorbose, viabilizando o processo de produção de vitamina C. O estudo envolveu coletas de amostras em indústrias de refrigerante, flores, frutos e mel, seguidas de purificação, identificação fenotípica e identificação molecular, com a utilização de iniciador definido a partir de consulta ao Nucleotide Sequence Database. Preservaram-se as linhagens identificadas como membros da família Acetobacteriaceae, gênero Gluconobacter. Foi isolado um total de 110 linhagens dos substratos: Pyrostegia venusta (Cipó de São João), mel, Vitis vinifera (uva), Pyrus communis (pêra), Malus sp. (maçã) e de duas amostras de refrigerantes envasados em embalagens de PET de 2 L. Deste total, 57 linhagens foram recuperadas em meio MYP (manitol, extrato de levedura, peptona), 12 em meio YGM (glicose, manitol, extrato de levedura, etanol, ácido acético), 41 em meio de enriquecimento e, posteriormente, em meio GYC (glicose, extrato de levedura e carbonato de cálcio). Obtiveram-se 68 linhagens identificadas como bastonetes Gram negativos. Destas, 31 foram caracterizadas bioquimicamente como pertencentes à família Acetobacteriaceae por serem catalase positivas, oxidase negativas e produtoras de ácido a partir de glicose. A caracterização dessas linhagens foi complementada com os testes bioquímicos: liquefação da gelatina, redução de nitrato, formação de indol e H2S e oxidação de etanol a ácido acético. Métodos moleculares foram aplicados para identificação do gênero Gluconobacter. Finalmente, oito linhagens foram caracterizadas como pertencentes ao gênero Gluconobacter. As linhagens encontram-se depositadas em coleção de cultura do laboratório de Microbiologia do Departamento de Biologia da UNESP, campus de Assis, estocadas em extrato de malte 20 a -196 ºC.

The effect of gastric dilatation in rats submitted to gasified water ingestion under the hepatic metabolic function

INTRODUÇÃO: O excesso de peso na população aumentou de forma significante nas últimas décadas e as bebidas gasosas tornaram-se um fator ambiental importante no comportamento alimentar das pessoas, sendo os EUA, México e Brasil, nesta ordem, os três maiores paises produtores e consumidores de refrigerantes. OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos da dilatação gástrica em ratos submetidos a ingestão de água gaseificada, veículo uniforme para todos os refrigerantes, sobre parâmetros metabólicos da função hepática. MÉTODOS: Foram constituídos dois grupos de 15 ratos acompanhados por 15 semanas. Ao Grupo-I, foram oferecidos 200 g/dia de ração ad libitum e 100 ml de água não gaseificada em 3 períodos diários, ao Grupo-II, foram oferecidos 200 g/dia de ração ad libitum e 100 ml de água gaseificada em 3 períodos diários; em cada grupo,foram calculados a média (x) e o desvio padrão (s); para todos os atributos estudados foi utilizado o método estatístico de teste t pareado, comparando-se GI com GII, testando-se o efeito dos tipos de água. RESULTADOS: Os resultados identificaram que os animais que foram submetidos ao tratamento com água gaseificada (Grupo-II), apresentaram um aumento de transaminase glutâmica pirúvica (TGP) e fosfatase alcalina p<0,01), tendência de aumento da transaminase glutâmica oxalacética (TGO) (0,10>p>0,05) e aumento da área gástrica com alterações morfológicas macroscópicas como o desaparecimento do pregueamento mucoso característico. CONCLUSÃO: A água gaseificada favoreceu o aumento da área gástrica com conseqüente desaparecimento macroscópico do pregueamento mucoso do órgão, que ocasionou alterações metabólicas da função hepática.

Determinação da variação da viscosidade intrínseca do poli (tereftalato de etileno) de embalagens

O mercado de embalagens de poli(tereftalato de etileno) -PET- para acondicionamento de refrigerantes, água mineral, sucos concentrados e óleos comestíveis apresenta polímeros de diferentes tipos, que foram desenvolvidos para personalizar o atendimento a clientes desejosos de propriedades melhores e mais específicas, principalmente em termos de massa molar. No caso do PET, assim como na indústria da reciclagem do polímero, o ensaio de viscosidade intrínseca é muito usado para determinar a massa molar. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de viscosidade intrínseca de PET advindo de embalagens de várias marcas de refrigerantes, sucos e óleos de soja. Amostras de cada embalagem foram dissolvidas em solução de fenol-tetracloroetano (60:40 em peso) e o fluxo das mesmas em um viscosímetro Cannon-Fenske a 30 °C para medir a viscosidade relativa, que foi convertido para viscosidade intrínseca. Os resultados mostraram uma variação no valor da propriedade conforme se variava o volume, tipo e a marca do produto envasado. Para as 21 amostras analisadas, os resultados variaram de 0,70 a 0,79 dL/g. Portanto, uma melhor seleção das embalagens pode ajudar os recicladores na obtenção de produtos melhores, com menor variação na massa molar. Os valores de densidade obtidos apresentaram uma pequena variação, que torna-se maior quando transformados em cristalinidade.

Influence of fluoride dentifrice on brushing abrasion of eroded human enamel: An in situ/ex vivo study

This in situ/ex vivo study assessed the effect of fluoride dentifrice on eroded enamel subjected to brushing abrasion. In a crossover study performed in 2 phases, 10 volunteers wore acrylic palatal appliances, each containing 3 human enamel blocks. Dentifrice was used to brush the volunteers' teeth and the specimens subjected to abrasion. In phases A and B the dentifrices used had the same formulation, except for the absence or presence of fluoride, respectively. The blocks were subjected to erosion by immersion of the appliances in a cola drink for 5 min, 4 times a day. Then the blocks were brushed, and the appliance was replaced into the mouth. Enamel alterations were determined using profilometry and percentage change in surface microhardness (%SMHC) tests. The data were tested using the paired t test. The mean wear values (+/- SD, mu m) were: group A 6.84 +/- 1.72 and group B 5.38 +/- 1.21 (p = 0.04). The mean %SMHC values (+/- SD) were: group A 54.6 +/- 16.2 and group B 45.7 +/- 6.8 (p = 0.04). Fluoride dentifrice had a protective effect on eroded enamel subjected to brushing abrasion. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Survey of the Microbiological Quality of Nonalcoholic Carbonated Beverages

The number and the main groups of microorganisms present in samples of different nonalcoholic carbonated beverages (lemon, orange and guaraná soft drinks) obtained from a small factory were analyzed. The samples were obtained at the end of the processing line. They were then divided into two lots: one was sent to immediate analysis, the other was stored at environmental temperature for 90 d thereafter it was submitted to the same analysis. Aliquots of 1 mL were drawn from the various samples and the corresponding decimal dilutions were prepared. They were then grown in culture media and counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, molds and yeasts, acid-producing bacteria, total and fecal coliforms were taken. It was observed that, of all the analyzed samples, at time 0 or after storage sample C (orange) was the best, since it conformed to the microbiological standards established by legislation. The guaraná type could also be consumed on day zero; the lemon type was inadequate for consumption of all the analyzed samples, the orange type was the only one that could be consumed within 3 months of storage.

Fluoride concentrations in industrialized beverages consumed by children in the City of Bauru, Brazil

The increasing consumption of juices, soft drinks and teas among children has increased significantly fluoride ingestion at the age range of risk for development of dental fluorosis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate fluoride concentrations in some brands of industrialized beverages consumed by children in the city of Bauru, SP, Brazil. Material and Methods: 98 brands of beverages were analyzed, divided into 3 lots, comprising 36, 32 and 30 brands, respectively, for the first, second and third lots. Fluoride concentrations were determined by HMDS-facilitated diffusion, using a fluoride ion-specific electrode (Orion 9409). Results: Fluoride concentrations ranged between 0.04 and 1.76 μg F/mL. It was observed a wide variation in fluoride concentrations among the different brands, as well as the different lots of the same brand. There was no information on fluoride concentrations on the labels of any product. Conclusions: Some of the products analyzed could contribute significantly to the total fluoride intake and, thus, be important risk factors for development of dental fluorosis, which indicates the need of controlling the production of these beverages with respect to fluoride concentration.

Tabu search to solve the Synchronized and Integrated Two-Level Lot Sizing and Scheduling Problem

This paper proposes a tabu search approach to solve the Synchronized and Integrated Two-Level Lot Sizing and Scheduling Problem (SITLSP). It is a real-world problem, often found in soft drink companies, where the production process has two integrated levels with decisions concerning raw material storage and soft drink bottling. Lot sizing and scheduling of raw materials in tanks and products in bottling lines must be simultaneously determined. Real data provided by a soft drink company is used to make comparisons with a previous genetic algorithm. Computational results have demonstrated that tabu search outperformed genetic algorithm in all instances. Copyright 2011 ACM.

Bioactive substance contents and antioxidant capacity of the lipid fraction of Annona crassiflora Mart. seeds

Annona crassiflora Mart. is a typical fruit of the Brazilian cerrado, considered to be a species of economic interest, mainly for its use in cooking, which is widespread among the inhabitants of that region, and can be found in many typical local dishes, especially sweets, jellies, liqueurs, soft drinks, ice creams and juices. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the bioactive substance contents and the antioxidant capacity of the lipid fraction of A. crassiflora Mart. seeds in the interest of better identifying the quality of this raw material from the Brazilian cerrado. After the receipt of the fruits, the seeds were removed manually and, then, the lipid fraction was obtained by cold extraction with chloroform:methanol:water (2:1:0.8, v/v/v) and analyzed for the composition of phytosterols, tocopherols, fatty acids, total carotenoids, antioxidant activity and oxidative stability index. The lipid fraction showed significant quantity of bioactive substances, especially phytosterols, tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as significant antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability, influenced by the content of phytosterols and the composition of fatty acids present in the analyzed fraction. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.