Jailane de Souza Aquino

Gut microbiota and probiotics intervention: A potential therapeutic target for management of cardiometabolic disorders and chronic kidney disease?

&NA; The gut microbiota plays an important role in host metabolism and its dysregulation have been related to cardiometabolic disorders (CMD), such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension, as well as to chronic kidney diseases (CKD). The implication of the gut microbiota on systemic disorders has been associated with changes in its composition (dysbiosis) as a result of the oxidative unbalance in the body. This alteration may be the result of the adoption of unhealthy lifestyle behavior, including lack of physical activity and fat‐ or sugar‐rich diets, which are largely associated with increased incidence of CMD and CKD. In last years, a number of clinical trials and experimental studies have demonstrated that probiotics can modulate the host metabolism, resulting in amelioration of systemic disease phenotypes by the improvement of dyslipidemia, glycemic profile and blood pressure or CKD parameters. The beneficial effects of probiotics consumption have been associated with their anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and gut‐modulating properties. Despite of some mechanistic evidence, these effects are not totally elucidated. The present review summarizes and clarifies the effects of probiotics administration on CMD and CKD using combined evidence from clinical and experimental studies. Considering that the microbiota dysregulation has been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress and consequently with CMD and CKD, supplementation with probiotics is discussed as a strategy for management of CMD and CKD. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available.

Processamento de biscoitos adicionados de óleo de buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.): uma alternativa para o consumo de alimentos fontes de vitamina A na merenda escolar

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver biscoitos tipo cookie adicionado de oleo de buriti a fim de se analisarem sua aceitacao sensorial e seu valor nutricional, visando a sua utilizacao na merenda escolar, bem como avaliar o consumo de alimentos fontes de vitamina A por escolares. METODOS: Uma formulacao-controle (15% de oleo de soja) e duas formulacoes experimentais (7,5% e 15% de oleo de buriti) foram produzidas e avaliadas quanto a composicao centesimal, conteudo de vitamina A e aceitacao sensorial, testada por 201 escolares. Avaliou-se tambem o consumo de alimentos fontes de vitamina A por esses escolares mediante questionario semiquantitativo contendo 28 alimentos considerados fontes da referida vitamina. RESULTADOS: O biscoito elaborado com 15% de oleo de buriti obteve boa aceitacao, e apresenta maior percentual de proteinas, de minerais e de vitamina A, podendo ser considerado fonte deste ultimo nutriente. Observou-se uma maior frequencia de consumo de alimentos com baixo teor de vitamina A, como tambem uma menor frequencia de consumo dos frutos da regiao Nordeste. CONCLUSAO: Os biscoitos adicionados de oleo de buriti podem ser uma alternativa de inclusao de alimentos fontes de vitamina A na dieta de escolares, no entanto o consumo de frutas e hortalicas fontes dessa vitamina deve ser estimulado, tendo em vista que os escolares consomem pouca variedade de alimentos fontes dessa vitamina, o que aumenta o risco de deficiencia a longo prazo.

Potential prebiotic properties of cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) agro-industrial byproduct on Lactobacillus species.

BACKGROUND The prebiotic effects of a cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) agro-industrial byproduct powder (CAP) on different potentially probiotic Lactobacillus strains, namely Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-05, Lactobacillus casei L-26 and Lactobacillus paracasei L-10, were assessed using in vitro experimental models. Accordingly, the growth of the Lactobacillus strains when cultivated in a broth containing CAP (20 or 30 g L-1 ), glucose (20 g L-1 ) or fructooligosaccharides (FOS) (20 g L-1 ) was monitored over 48 h; the prebiotic activity scores of CAP were determined; and the changes in pH values, production of organic acids and consumption of sugars in growth media were verified. RESULTS During the 48-h cultivation, similar viable cell counts were observed for the Lactobacillus strains grown in the different media tested. The CAP presented positive prebiotic activity scores toward all the tested Lactobacillus strains, indicating a desirable selective fermentable activity relative to enteric organisms. The cultivation of the Lactobacillus strains in broth containing glucose, FOS or CAP resulted in high viable cell counts, a decreased pH, the production of organic acids and the consumption of sugars over time, revealing intense bacterial metabolic activity. CONCLUSION The CAP exerts potential prebiotic effects on different potentially probiotic Lactobacillus strains and should be an added-value ingredient for the food industry.

Effects of Dietary Brazilian Palm Oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.) on Cholesterol Profile and Vitamin A and E Status of Rats

In vitro studies have been carried out to establish the nutritional differences between crude and refined vegetable oils; however, the impact of the consumption of these foods on metabolism, in particular the effect of buriti oil, needs to be further evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and murine parameters and the vitamin A and E status in young rats fed with diets supplemented with crude or refined buriti oil. The animals (n = 30) were randomized into three groups receiving diet added of soybean oil (control), crude buriti oil (CBO) and refined buriti oil (RBO) for 28 days. Rats fed with diet added of refined buriti oil (RBO) showed reduced total cholesterol (up to 60.27%), LDL (64.75%), triglycerides (55.47%) and enzyme aspartate transaminase (21.57%) compared to those fed with diet added of crude oil. Serum and hepatic retinol and tocopherol were higher by two to three times in CBO and RBO groups compared to the control group, but no differences were observed for murine parameters. The results indicate that buriti oil is an important source of the antioxidant vitamins A and E, and refined buriti oil is suggested as alternative to improve the lipid profile of healthy rats.

Qualidade sensorial e físico-química de uvas finas de mesa cultivadas no submédio São Francisco

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar uvas Vitis vinifera L. das variedades comerciais: Brasil, Benitaka, Italia e Red Globe, quanto as caracteristicas fisico-quimicas e sensoriais. Os teores de solidos soluveis, diâmetro e comprimento das bagas, cujos resultados apresentaram conformidade com os padroes comerciais, foram determinados. A avaliacao sensorial foi realizada por meio da Analise Descritiva Quantitativa - ADQ. Foram selecionados e treinados os julgadores que, sob orientacao de um lider, estabeleceram os atributos sensoriais capazes de descrever com fidedignidade as caracteristicas das uvas, conforme se segue: tonalidade de cor, uniformidade de cor, aroma caracteristico, firmeza, gosto doce, gosto amargo, gosto acido, adstringencia, sabor e qualidade global. Constatou-se que as medias obtidas nos atributos tonalidade de cor, uniformidade de cor, firmeza, sabor e qualidade global diferiram estatisticamente dentre as uvas avaliadas e, ainda, que os atributos do sabor, seguido do gosto doce e da tonalidade da cor, apresentaram as correlacoes mais fortes com a qualidade global, determinantes, portanto, das caracteristicas sensoriais das uvas.

Food insecurity and socioeconomic, food and nutrition profile of schoolchildren living in urban and rural areas of Picos, Piauí

Objetivo: Determinar a prevalencia de inseguranca alimentar em familias com escolares de areas urbana e rural do municipio de Picos, Piaui, relacionando-a com o perfil socioeconomico das familias, com o consumo alimentar e o estado nutricional dos escolares. Metodos: Participaram do estudo familias com escolares entre 7 e 10 anos matriculados na rede municipal de ensino, totalizando 342 familias/escolares. O estudo foi conduzido na propria escola, mediante entrevista com as maes ou responsaveis, utilizando-se questionarios baseados na Escala Brasileira de Inseguranca Alimentar e variaveis socioeconomicas das familias e de frequencia alimentar dos escolares. O estado nutricional dos escolares foi avaliado quanto aos indices: peso/ idade, altura/idade e indice de massa corporal/idade. Resultados: A prevalencia de inseguranca alimentar foi elevada e similar para as areas rural e urbana: 84,3% e 83,3% respectivamente. No geral, a menor renda familiar e o consumo de agua sem tratamento estiveram associados a maior frequencia de inseguranca alimentar (p≤0,01). Na area urbana, observa-se um maior percentual de inseguranca alimentar para os menores niveis de escolaridade (p≤0,05). O consumo alimentar e o perfil nutricional dos escolares nao estiveram associados a condicao de inseguranca alimentar de suas familias. Conclusao: O percentual de familias em inseguranca alimentar bem como o perfil de consumo alimentar e nutricional dos escolares foram similares entre as areas urbana e rural, caracterizando-se como uma populacao homogenea quanto as condicoes socioeconomicas.

Characterization of the chemical and structural properties of native and acetylated starches from avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seeds

ABSTRACT Avocado seeds are discarded as by-products during pulp consumption or processing despite their high starch content. This study aimed to characterize the chemical, morphological, and functional properties of the native and acetylated starches extracted from avocado seeds. The granules of native avocado seed starch exhibited an oval shape and A-type crystallinity pattern, while the acetylated form obtained with 0.07 degree of substitution (DS) yielded granules with a rounded bell shape and C-type pattern. The solubility and swelling power (SP) of the native and acetylated forms of avocado seed starch increased with increasing temperature; however, at 55°C and 65°C the acetylated form exhibited a higher solubility index (SI). The acetylated avocado seed starch showed reduced breakdown and synergy during freezing, as well as greater oil absorption, compared to the native form. These results showed that acetylation improved the functional properties of avocado seed starch, thereby increasing its potential for use in food products.

Effect of maternal dyslipidaemia on the cardiorespiratory physiology and biochemical parameters in male rat offspring

The present study evaluated the effects of maternal dyslipidaemia on blood pressure (BP), cardiorespiratory physiology and biochemical parameters in male offspring. Wistar rat dams were fed either a control (CTL) or a dyslipidaemic (DLP) diet during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, both CTL and DLP offspring received standard diet. On the 30th and 90th day of life, blood samples were collected for metabolic analyses. Direct measurements of BP, respiratory frequency (RF), tidal volume (VT) and ventilation (VE) under baseline condition, as well as during hypercapnia (7 % CO2) and hypoxia (KCN, 0·04 %), were recorded from awake 90-d-old male offspring. DLP dams exhibited raised serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) (4·0-fold), TAG (2·0-fold), VLDL+LDL (7·7-fold) and reduced HDL-cholesterol (2·4-fold), insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis at the end of lactation. At 30 d of age, the DLP offspring showed an increase in the serum levels of TC (P<0·05) and VLDL+LDL (P<0·05) in comparison with CTL offspring. At 90 d of age, DLP offspring exhibited higher mean arterial pressure (MAP, approximately 34 %). In the spectral analysis, the DLP group showed augmented low-frequency (LF) power and LF:high-frequency (HF) ratio when compared with CTL offspring. In addition, the DLP animals showed a larger delta variation in arterial pressure after administration of the ganglionic blocker (P=0·0003). We also found that cardiorespiratory response to hypercapnia and hypoxia was augmented in DLP offspring. In conclusion, the present data show that maternal dyslipidaemia alters cardiorespiratory physiology and may be a predisposing factor for hypertension at adulthood.

Physico-Chemical Characterization, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Malay Apple [Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Malay apple fruit (Syzygium malaccense) grown in Brazil with regard to the geographical origin and its peel fractions and edible portion analyzed independently. Fruit diameter, weight, yield, and centesimal composition, ascorbic acid, reductive sugars, total soluble solids, pH and fiber content were determined. Total phenolics (1293 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g) and total anthocyanins (1045 mg/100 g) contents were higher in the peel, with the major anthocyanin identified using HPLC-DAD-MS/MS as cyanidin 3-glucoside. Higher values for DPPH antiradical scavenging activity (47.52 μMol trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity/g) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP, 0.19 mM ferreous sulfate/g) were also observed in the peel fraction. All extracts tested showed the ability to inhibit oxidation in the β-carotene/linoleic acid system. This study highlights the potential of Malay apple fruit as a good source of antioxidant compounds with potential benefits to human health.

Avaliação das Boas Práticas em unidades de alimentação e nutrição de escolas públicas do município de Bayeux, PB, Brasil

The occurrence of foodborne illness outbreaks is increasing in schools, and due to the number of children who consume school meals as the only daily meal, this factor becomes even more worrisome. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic-health aspects of Food and Nutrition Units (SFNU) of public schools of Bayeux / PB in relation to the adoption of best practices in school food and nutrition. Data were collected through SFNU checklist during visits to units in 29 schools. The health risk of units evaluated was from regular to very high regarding structure and facilities, hygiene of food handlers, environment and food preparation. It was found that 10.3% of handlers used clean and adequate uniforms, and environment and equipment showed poor conservation status in 75.9% and 89.7% of Units, respectively; control of urban pests and vectors was not effective and cleaning of fresh produce was incorrectly conducted in 51.7% of SFNU of schools evaluated. It could be concluded that the production of meals in SFNU of schools evaluated does not meet the requirements established by the best practices in school food and nutrition.The occurrence of foodborne illness outbreaks is increasing in schools, and due to the number of children who consume school meals as the only daily meal, this factor becomes even more worrisome. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic-health aspects of Food and Nutrition Units (SFNU) of public schools of Bayeux / PB in relation to the adoption of best practices in school food and nutrition. Data were collected through SFNU checklist during visits to units in 29 schools. The health risk of units evaluated was from regular to very high regarding structure and facilities, hygiene of food handlers, environment and food preparation. It was found that 10.3% of handlers used clean and adequate uniforms, and environment and equipment showed poor conservation status in 75.9% and 89.7% of Units, respectively; control of urban pests and vectors was not effective and cleaning of fresh produce was incorrectly conducted in 51.7% of SFNU of schools evaluated. It could be concluded that the production of meals in SFNU of schools evaluated does not meet the requirements established by the best practices in school food and nutrition.