Denise Alvarenga Rocha

Anti-nutritional compounds in fresh and dried lychee fractions (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

The present study evaluated the anti-nutritional factors of “Bengal” lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), in the fresh pulp, peel and seed, both fresh and processed. The samples were analyzed for the levels of phenolic compounds, nitrate, oxalic acid and inhibitory activities of trypsin, lipase and α-amylase. Drying influenced the activity of all enzyme inhibitors, resulting in a reduction in the inhibitory activity of lipase (0.13 and 0.15 lipase inhibitor units for peel and seed, respectively) and an increase in the inhibitory activities of trypsin (10.14 and 10.66 trypsin inhibitor units for peel and seed, respectively) and α-amylase (1.13 and 1.08 amylase inhibitor units for peel and seed, respectively). With drying, it was possible to observe an increase in the levels of phenolic compounds, the low content of nitrate did not change with drying, while oxalic acid was not detected. The antinutrients evaluated in lychee fractions are present in amounts that do not preclude its use; thus, the use of lychee fractions, fresh or dried, is feasible as nutrient sources and add value to the fruits, since industries can use these residues for developing new products, as well as in food enrichment.

Emprego da farinha e do extrato de frutanos de yacon na elaboração de apresuntados

The objective of this study was to develop two luncheon meat formulations containing yacon flour and yacon fructan extract, in order to obtain products with improved nutritional quality and rich in dietary fiber. The luncheon meats were prepared replacing the cassava starch (1.73%) with yacon flour, and the water used in the formulation (37.85%) with the aqueous fructan extract. The effects of these substitutions on the technological and sensory qualities of the luncheon meats were evaluated, comparing them with a control. The results obtained showed there were significant differences between the formulations. The addition of yacon flour to the luncheon meat resulted in a formulation with a lower sodium content, yellow index, hue, hardness, flexibility and adhesion and lower scores for the items of taste and overall impression. However, they showed that the luncheon meat prepared with the fructan extract presented an acceptability similar to that of the control, but with reduced hardness and higher levels of potassium and fiber, resulting in a meat product beneficial to the health.

Método de obtenção e análise da composição centesimal do polvilho da fruta-de -lobo(Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil)

Fruit-of-wolf flour is a product extracted from the unripe fruit-of-wolf pulp (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil), according to folk knowledge. Little is known of that starch; in spite of it is being marketed in pharmacies in the region of Lavras, in 300 mg capsules. It is utilized in the treatment of diabetes and it is also ascribed other therapeutic effects such as reduction of obesity and cholesterol, but without any scientific knowledge and without knowing its centesimal composition. With the objective of knowing its centesimal composition, eighty fruits were collected in the pasture area of the Animal Science Department of the UFLA/Lavras-MG. Sixty-one fruits were selected, taking into account the size and maturation stage. The selected fruits were washed, peeled, chopped, the seeds removed and the obtained starch was filtered, decanted, washed with distilled water twice and dried in an air forced oven. The sample was ground in a china mortar and stored in air-tightly sealed glass container and protected from light at room temperature. The centesimal composition analyses were performed and observing that in the fruit-of-wolf flour, carbohydrates are the predominant constituents (84.99%), followed by soluble fibers (1.35%), insoluble fibers (1.60%), proteins (0.60%), lipids (0.07%), ashes (0.03%) and moisture (11.16%). The contents of food fibers found in the fruit-of-wolf flour can be related to the therapeutic effects which are ascribed to it.

Estudo dos métodos de extração de carotenóides em cenoura por fluido supercrítico (efs) e convencional

The carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a plant of the Umbelliferae family. It produces an aromatic and edible root, and is one of the most widely cultivated vegetable in Brazil. It represents the main source of plant-origin, pro-vitamin A carotenoids, especially α and β-carotene, and is also a great source of dietary fiber, antioxidants and minerals. This study aimed to evaluate two methods of extraction of β-carotene, supercritical fluid (SFE) and conventional, and to examine the proximate composition of the carrot in nature. The contents of β-carotene obtained by SFE and by conventional extraction were 2,457 and 2,455 µg/100g, respectively. The average values found for the dry-matter of the carrot were: dry matter = 8.9%; ether extract = 0.29%; ashes = 8.11%, crude fiber = 14.57%, crude protein = 6,4%, non- nitrogen extract = 6.3% and caloric value = 27.7 kcal. It is concluded that the extraction of carotenoids using the supercritical fluid is a viable separation technique since this fluid is inert and does not generate waste or final environmental waste. It can be concluded from the levels found that carrots are good sources of fiber, present high moisture content and low fat, ash and calorific value.

OBTENÇÃO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE MATERIAL HÍBRIDO ENTRE SÍLICA E CICLODEXTRINAS

The obtention of silica and cyclodextrin hybrid materials was accomplished by refluxing them in xylol using citric acid as a binding agent. The materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Evidence for the docking of cyclodextrins α and γ was substantiated based on the variation in band intensity for groups such as ≡Si-OH. Additional docking evidence includes the displacement of some of the bands that are related to cyclodextrin such as the deformation of the C-H axial bond. The α and γ-CDSi materials were characterized as amorphous compounds. The products obtained in the synthesis showed changes in the decomposition temperatures of their isolated constituents, in which the mass of α and γ-CD docked to the silica surface gave the estimated values of 41% and 47%, respectively. The elemental constituents were shown to be consistent and close to their relative theoretical values. ​Thermogravimetric analysis showed that a reduction in the percentage of the hybrids was proportional to the amount of lost mass. This new material is an improvement over synthesized organosilane materials because the operator and the environment benefit from a less toxic methodology. In addition, the material has several potential applications in complexation systems with cyclodextrin.

Caracterização química e efeito cicatrizante de quitosana, com baixos valores de massa molar e grau de acetilação, em lesões cutâneas

Several researches look for drugs with healing properties, capable to cure skin lesions. The objective of this study was to chemically characterize one chitosan and evaluate its healing effects in mice skin lesions. The chitosan was characterized in relation to the viscosity, molar mass, acetylation degree, elementary analysis, thermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy. To evaluate the healing properties of chitosan mices were submitted to tissue excision and treated during 21 days. The macroscopic parameters were weekly evaluated and the microscopic parameters at the end of the experiment. Chitosan presented viscosity of 5 mPa s, low acetylation degree (GA= 5.9%) and molar mass of 132.0 kDa. By elemental analysis, we observed that the composition of chitosan is similar to the formula C6H11O4N, its main characteristic bands were observed in the infrared spectrum and the thermogravimetric curve showed two decomposition steps. There was no significant difference on the histology between the control and the treated group after the 21st day of lesion. Macroscopically, chitosan caused the reduction of 81.4% of the lesions width, which is significantly superior to the observed reduction in the control group (71.2%), thus helping the cure of skin lesions. These results reinforces its potential use for medical application.

Preparação, caracterização e análise sensorial de pão integral enriquecido com farinha de subprodutos do mamão

Due to the industrial processing of papaya, a great amount of byproducts from this fruit is generated. The peel and seeds are amongst these byproducts and have great nutritional value, since they present considerable amounts of fibre, lipids, proteins and antioxidants. The objective of this study was to develop whole wheat bread loaves with the addition of a mixed flour made from the peel and seeds of papayas of the Hawaiian cultivar. In the whole-grain breadmaking process, the mixed flour (peel and seeds) was added in different concentrations (0%, 3%, 6% and 9%), in the proportion of 70% of papaya peel flour to 30% of papaya seed flour. The addition of the mixed flour resulted in products with high fibre (7.96 g 100 g-1) and protein (12.71 g 100 g-1) contents and low lipid contents (0.55 g 100 g-1). The results of the sensory analysis showed that the bread made with the addition of 3% of the mixed flour resulted in good acceptance when compared to the control. Thus the addition of papaya byproducts flour in the manufacture of bread is a good alternative for the diet of the population, since it is nutritionally rich in fibre and protein.

Qualidade de pitaia (Hylocereus undatus) submetida à adubação orgânica e armazenada sob refrigeração

Abstract In this work the effect of organic fertilization associated with refrigeration on red pitaya quality was investigated. For 4 years the plants were fertilized every three months according to the following treatments: control (no fertilization) (T1); bovine manure (14 kg / plant) (T2); chicken manure (2 kg / plant) (T3) and chicken manure (2 kg / plant) + bovine manure (14 kg / plant) (T4). The fruits were stored for 21 days at 13 °C and evaluated on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 for loss of fresh mass, colour, firmness, total titratable acidity (TTA), pH, total soluble solids (TSS), TSS / TA, total sugars and reducing and non-reducing sugars. The results showed that during refrigerated storage of the pitaya fruits, the organic fertilization treatments interfered with the quality parameters evaluated, attenuating the loss of fruit quality. It should be highlighted that fertilization with bovine manure associated with chicken manure proved to be more effective than the other organic fertilizers, and resulted in fruits with reduced quality losses during storage.

Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) peel flour: effects on hepatoprotection and dyslipidemia induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet

Dyslipidemias are associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hepatic steatosis, being the cause of morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the effects of lychee peel flour (PF) on serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triacylglycerols (TAG) and various parameters related to obesity, in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. Therefore, 20 male rats were used. In the first 21 days, the animals were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, except for control group. In the following 21 days, their diets were modified, and they received a standard diet (Control); hypercholesterolemic (Hyper); hypercholesterolemic + 5% PF (PF5) and hypercholesterolemic + 10% PF (PF10). The results revealed that PF intake attenuated weight gain, reduced body mass index, glucose and the levels of TAG, TC, LDL-c, hepatic enzymes and leptin, besides the percentage of hepatic lipids, liver lipid peroxidation and frequency of severe steatosis. Histological studies of the aorta did not show the formation of the atheromatous plaque. These results reinforce its potential to reduce the risk of diseases associated with obesity.