Fernanda Rodrigues Goulart

ZnCl2 exposure protects against behavioral and acetylcholinesterase changes induced by HgCl2.

This study examined the effects of inorganic mercury exposure on behavioral and biochemical parameters and investigated the possible preventive effects of zinc on the alterations induced by mercury. Pups were exposed from 3rd to 7th postnatal day to ZnCl2 (27 mg/kg/day, s.c.) and subsequently to HgCl2 (5 doses of 5 mg/kg/day, s.c.). Each litter contained two rats for each treatment. The rats were submitted to behavioral task and litters were killed at 13 or 33 days old for acetylcholinesterase activity assays and for the determination of metal levels. Based on the results obtained from 13‐day‐old rats, they were divided in two groups of litters that were defined at the end of the experimental period (33 days) as less sensitive rats to mercury and more sensitive rats to mercury in accordance with the recovery of body weight until day 33. The mercury exposure caused accumulation of this metal in cerebrum and cerebellum in all mercury treated rats, and inhibited the cerebellum acetylcholinesterase activity from 13‐day‐old rats. Besides, the mercury‐animals of the most sensitive litters to mercury presented impairment in motor function and muscular strength verified in the beaker test, as well as a reduction of the locomotor and exploratory activities in the open field task. Zinc partially prevented all the alterations induced by mercury exposure and reduced the mercury level accumulated in cerebrum and cerebellum. This study confirms the preventive effect of zinc on behavioral alterations induced by mercury in young rats and demonstrates that the mercury behavioral effects are present even for a long time after the end of the exposure.

Grape Pomace Skins and the Effects of Its Inclusion in the Technological Properties of Muffins

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the incorporation of 5, 7.5, and 10% of Riesling skin flour (RSF) and Tannat skin flour (TSF) as wheat flour replacement in muffins. The flour was evaluated for gluten content and Alveograph parameters. The finished products were evaluated for chemical composition and technological properties, and a sensory analysis was performed. All samples presented higher dietary fiber content than wheat flour, and this was mainly in the form of soluble dietary fiber. The inclusion of grape skin flour decreased the lightness of the flour and increased the lightness values (L*) of the muffin crumbs and crusts. The hardness of the muffins that incorporated RSF and TSF muffins increased as the percentage of the skin flour increased. There was a decrease in the cohesiveness value as the skin flour percentage increased. Consumers did not perceive the levels of substitution. The results of the sensory analysis indicated that grape skin can be added to the ingredients of muffins without changing the color, taste, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability of the final product.

Alternative protein sources in nutrition and metabolism of jundiá: "in nature" and demucilaged linseed meal

Este estudo avaliou o crescimento e efeitos metabolicos da substituicao parcial da fonte proteica de origem animal pelos farelos de linhaca in natura (FL) e demucilada (FLD) na dieta de juvenis de jundia (Rhamdia quelen). Apos a demucilagem, os niveis de proteina bruta aumentaram e houve reducao da fibra soluvel do farelo de linhaca. Durante sete semanas, 240 juvenis de jundia foram criados em sistema de recirculacao de agua e alimentados ate a saciedade aparente com as seguintes dietas: dieta controle (farinha de carne e ossos e concentrado proteico de soja como as principais fontes proteicas); 17%FL (17% da proteina bruta do farelo de linhaca em substituicao da farinha de carne e ossos); 17% FLD (17% da proteina bruta do farelo de linhaca demucilada em substituicao da farinha de carne e ossos); 35%FLD (35% da proteina bruta do farelo de linhaca demucilada em substituicao da farinha de carne e ossos). Ao final do experimento, peso e comprimento total e padrao nao diferiram entre os tratamentos, porem menores valores de conversao alimentar foram encontrados no grupo controle. Em relacao as repostas metabolicas, os animais alimentados com 35%FLD apresentaram maiores niveis de glicose e colesterol no plasma, porem triglicerideos, albumina, proteinas totais e os parâmetros bioquimicos do figado (glicogenio, glicose, lactato, proteina, aminoacidos, amonia) nao foram alterados entre os tratamentos. Os resultados demonstraram que tanto o farelo de linhaca in natura como o demucilado podem ser utilizados na dieta de jundias sem comprometer os parâmetros metabolicos e de peso final.

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) protein concentrates: production methods and nutritional properties for use in fish feed

The purpose of this study was to develop and improve protein concentration techniques for two industrial by-products with the potential for use in fish feed. In particular, we chemically characterized crambe meal and sunflower meal and their protein concentrates. Three different protein concentration methods were tested: isoelectric pH (pHi), acid pH and alkaline pH. For crambe and sunflower meals extraction using the pHi method was most efficient in terms of protein yield and crude protein content in the concentrates; this method also increased lysine and methionine content in the concentrates. The water holding capacity of the sunflower protein concentrate was greater than that of the crambe protein concentrate. The crambe protein concentrate had a foam-formation capacity of 15%, which stabilized at 6% after 90 minutes. The protein concentration method also reduced total phenolic content by approximately 50% in the concentrates compared with the meals. Therefore, we conclude that protein concentration using the pHi method is the most efficient technique for crambe and sunflower meals, and the use of this technique can decrease total phenolic compounds while improving meal quality for fish feeding.

Farelo de tungue in natura ou detoxificado na alimentação de carpa húngara (Cyprinus carpio)

This study evaluated the partial replacement of animal meal by tung meal as protein source in feeding Hungarian carp. The treatments consisted of the inclusion of in natura or detoxified tung meal (obtained after chemical treatment applied to tung meal) as well as the reference treatment in which the protein basis was composed of meat and bone pork meal and fish meal. The feeding period was 63 days. During 30 experimental days no difference was observed in growth indicators among animals fed the control diet or with chemically treated tung meal, however, the consumption of diets with in natura tung meal caused reduced performance until the end of the experimental period. After 63 days of feeding, some growth indicators were also are lower for the treatment containing treated tung meal compared to control. Biochemical analysis in plasma and liver revealed increased triglycerides, glycogen, glucose and use of other sources, possibly amino acids, as precursors in the production of energy when animals consumed the diet with in nature tung meal in relation to others, which reflected in lower levels of protein and higher fat deposition in the carcass. Regarding the activity of digestive enzymes, trypsin showed increased activity in the treatment with in natura tung meal and acid protease, chymotrypsin, amylase and lipase were not changed in any of the treatments.