Lorena M.A. Silva

Influence of fruit biotypes on the chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oils of eugenia uniflora leaves

A analise multivariada da composicao quimica dos oleos essenciais das folhas de Eugenia uniflora com diferentes cores de fruto indicou a presenca de tres grupos de oleos em relacao ao biotipo do fruto das amostras. O primeiro grupo incluiu amostras de frutos amarelos, vermelhos escuros e roxos contendo altas percentagens de germacreno B (11,1-30,7%), germacrona (9,8-54%) e atractilona (0-19,9%). No grupo II, com amostras de frutos vermelhos claro, os constituintes majoritarios foram o curzereno (42,0-43,2%), germacreno D (8,7-9,0%) e germacreno A (5,9-8,9%), enquanto que o grupo III incluiu amostras com frutos vermelho-alaranjado, caracterizadas por um alto conteudo de selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-ona (40,3-55,4%) e epoxido de selina-1,3,7(11)-trien8-ona (12,7-24,4%). Os oleos essenciais foram investigados frente ao fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis pela tecnica de macrodiluicao em caldo. O resultado mais significativo foi obtido com o oleo do grupo II, com a forma leveduriforme de P. brasiliensis sendo inibida completamente na concentracao de 62,5 mg mL -1 . The multivariate chemical analysis of essential oils of Eugenia uniflora leaves with different fruit colours indicated the presence of three oil clusters regarding sample biotypes. The first cluster included yellowish, dark red and purple fruits with high percentages of germacrene B (11.1-30.7%), germacrone (9.8-54%) and atractylone (0-19.9%). In cluster II, with bright red fruit samples, the major constituents were curzerene (42.0-43.2%), germacrene D (8.7-9.0%) and germacrene A (5.9-8.9%), whereas cluster III included red-orange fruit samples containing high contents of selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one (40.3-55.4%) and selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one epoxide (12.7-24.4%). The clustered oils were investigated against the systemic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis via the broth macrodilution method. The oil from cluster II revealed the most significant result. The yeast form of P. brasiliensis was completely inhibited at a concentration of 62.5 mg mL -1

Tracking thermal degradation on passion fruit juice through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and chemometrics.

Thermal food processing mainly aims to control microorganism in order to extend its shelf life. However, it may induce chemical and nutritional changes in foodstuff. The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) coupled to multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the effect of different thermal processing conditions (85 and 140°C for 4; 15; 30; and 60s) on the passion fruit juice using an Armfield pasteurizer. Through this approach it was possible to identify the changes in the juice composition. The temperature and the time lead to a hydrolysis of the sucrose to glucose and fructose. Additionally, juice submitted to 140°C for 60s results in the degradation of the sucrose and the formation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (HMF). Despite no novel chemical marker has been identified, the 1H NMR chemometrics approach may contribute in the choice of the temperature and time to be employed in the juice processing.

Pretreatment of cashew apple bagasse using protic ionic liquids: Enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis

To enhance the enzymatic digestibility of cashew apple bagasse (CAB) feedstock in order to produce sugar fermentation-derived bioproducts, the CAB was subjected to three different pretreatments with the ionic liquid 2-hydroxyl-ethylammonium acetate (2-HEAA) and characterized by FTIR, NMR and chemical methods. All conditions were able to delignify CAB, however the best lignin removal (95.8%) was achieved through the method performed with 8.7% w/w of CAB/2-HEAA ratio at 130°C for 24h. Although the cellulose crystallinity has been increased in CAB treated with the ionic liquid, but this fact did not influence its digestibility. Nevertheless, the pretreatment with 2-HEAA enhanced significantly the cellulose digestibility, increasing the glucose yield from 48 to 747.72mgglucose/gCAB. Furthermore, 2-HEAA pretreatment was efficient even with reused ionic liquid, obtaining high glucose concentration.

NMR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics to Evaluate Different Processing of Coconut Water

NMR and chemometrics was applied to understand the variations in chemical composition of coconut water under different processing. Six processing treatments were applied to coconut water and analyzed: two control (with and without sulphite), and four samples thermally processed at 110°C and 136°C (with and without sulphite). Samples processed at lower temperature and without sulphite presented pink color under storage. According to chemometrics, samples processed at higher temperature exhibited lower levels of glucose and malic acid. Samples with sulphite processed at 136°C presented lower amount of sucrose, suggesting the degradation of the carbohydrates after harshest thermal treatment. Samples with sulphite and processed at lower temperature showed higher concentration of ethanol. However, no significant changes were verified in coconut water composition as a whole. Sulphite addition and the temperature processing to 136°C were effective to prevent the pinking and to maintain the levels of main organic compounds.

Use of diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy and HPLC–UV–SPE–NMR to identify undeclared synthetic drugs in medicines illegally sold as phytotherapies

The informal (and/or illegal) e‐commerce of pharmaceutical formulations causes problems that governmental health agencies find hard to control, one of which concerns formulas sold as natural products. The purpose of this work was to explore the advantages and limitations of DOSY and HPLC–UV–SPE–NMR. These techniques were used to identify the components of a formula illegally marketed in Brazil as an herbal medicine possessing anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties. DOSY was able to detect the major components present at higher concentrations. Complete characterization was achieved using HPLC–UV–SPE–NMR, and 1D and 2D NMR analyses enabled the identification of known synthetic drugs. These were ranitidine and a mixture of orphenadrine citrate, piroxicam, and dexamethasone, which are co‐formulated in a remedy called Rheumazim that is used to relieve severe pain, but it is prohibited in Brazil because of a lack of sufficient pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information. Copyright

Looking for the interactions between omeprazole and amoxicillin in a disordered phase. An experimental and theoretical study.

In this paper, co-grinding mixtures of omeprazole-amoxicillin trihydrate (CGM samples) and omeprazole-anhydrous amoxicillin (CGMa samples) at 3:7, 1:1 and 7:3 molar ratios, respectively, were studied with the aim of obtaining a co-amorphous system and determining the potential intermolecular interactions. These systems were fully characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR). The co-grinding process was not useful to get a co-amorphous system but it led to obtaining the 1:1 CGMa disordered phase. Moreover, in this system both FTIR and ssNMR analysis strongly suggest intermolecular interactions between the sulfoxide group of omeprazole and the primary amine of amoxicillin anhydrous. The solubility measurements were performed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) to prove the effect of the co-grinding process. Complementarily, we carried out density functional theory calculations (DFT) followed by quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses in order to shed some light on the principles that guide the possible formation of heterodimers at the molecular level, which are supported by spectroscopic experimental findings.

Advancements in waste water characterization through NMR spectroscopy: review

There are numerous organic pollutants that lead to several types of ecosystem damage and threaten human health. Wastewater treatment plants are responsible for the removal of natural and anthropogenic pollutants from the sewage, and because of this function, they play an important role in the protection of human health and the environment. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has proven to be a valuable analytical tool as a result of its versatility in characterizing both overall chemical composition as well as individual species in a wide range of mixtures. In addition, NMR can provide physical information (rigidity, dynamics, etc.) as well as permit in depth quantification. Hyphenation with other techniques such as liquid chromatography, solid phase extraction and mass spectrometry creates unprecedented capabilities for the identification of novel and unknown chemical species. Thus, NMR is widely used in the study of different components of wastewater, such as complex organic matter (fulvic and humic acids), sludge and wastewater. This review article summarizes the NMR spectroscopy methods applied in studies of organic pollutants from wastewater to provide an exhaustive review of the literature as well as a guide for readers interested in this topic. Copyright

1H qNMR and Chemometric Analyses of Urban Wastewater

The industrial development, urbanization and agriculture play a major role in the degradation of the global environmental. Thus, the wastewater treatments need to be monitored continuously to ensure efficient operation. This manuscript presents an application of 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) associated with chemometric and quantitative analyses to study the wastewater before and after the sewage treatment plant (STP). The concentration of compounds related to organic matter degradation ranged with treatment and seasonality. Anomalous discharges and the influence of stormwater on the sewage composition were further identified. All the variations indicated that the employed procedure might be useful to enhance the effectiveness of STPs, plan prevention actions for equipment protection and preserve the environment.

Chemometric analysis of NMR and GC datasets for chemotype characterization of essential oils from different species of Ocimum

The genus Ocimum (Labiatae) comprises 30 species found in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet, of which species O. basilicum L. and O. gratissimum are widely used in food and traditional medicine. Phytochemical studies on Ocimum have revealed a number of essential oil chemotypes, for example, eugenol, methyl chavicol, linalool, and methyl cinnamate. Since essential oils are commercially assessed according to their content, the aim of this study was to develop a simple and precise method for their qualitative and quantitative analysis using NMR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics. Seven essential oils from different species of Ocimum, an unknown sample, and a commercial sample were evaluated and the results compared to those from established and precise GC-MS and GC-FID methods. Chemometric evaluation from both 1H NMR and GC-MS data revealed three chemotypes: eugenol for O. gratissimum, O. micranthum, and O. tenuiflorum; estragole for O. basilicum, O. basilicum var. purpuracens, and O. selloi; and methyl cinnamate for O. americanum. The unknown and commercial species were classified as cinnamate and eugenol chemotypes, respectively. Despite the corroborating results, the chemometric analysis revealed the higher robustness (better adjustment) of the 1H NMR model compared to the GC-MS method in terms of certain statistical parameters. The 1H NMR method allows for the detection and quantification of organic compounds in a complex mixture without the need for certified standard compounds. Although GC-MS and GC-FID were able to detect five compounds not observed by NMR spectroscopy, the four most important metabolites (eugenol, estragole, methyl cinnamate, and eucalyptol) were more readily detected and quantified by 1H NMR.

Bionanocomposite films based on polysaccharides from banana peels

Pectin and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) isolated from banana peels were used to prepare films. The effects of a reinforcing phase (CNCs) and a crosslinker (citric acid, CA) on properties of pectin films were studied. Glycerol-plasticized films were prepared by casting, with different CNC contents (0-10wt%), with or without CA. Overall tensile properties were improved by intermediate CNC contents (around 5wt%). The water resistance and water vapor barrier properties were also enhanced by CNC. Evidences were found from Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra supporting the occurrence of crosslinking by CA. Additionally, the tensile strength, water resistance and barrier to water vapor were improved by the presence of CA. The 13C ssNMR spectra indicated that both CA and CNC promoted stiffening of the polymer chains.