Mônica Maria de Almeida Lopes

Compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante total de pedúnculos de caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) durante o amadurecimento de clones de cajueiro anão-precoce

Lately, tropical fruit consumption has increased due to a higher knowledge of its nutritional and therapeutic value. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of cashew apples from different early dwarf clones during their ripening. The clones analyzed included: CCP 76, CCP 09, BRS 189 and BRS 265 in seven ripening stages. They were analyzed for vitamin C, total carotenoid, total anthocyanin, yellow flavonoids and polyphenol content and total antioxidant capacity. Clone BRS 265 ripe cashew apple presented the highest vitamin C content (279.37 mg x 100 g-1). The ripe BRS 189 cashew apple is colored bright red, and its total anthocyanin content was the highest (21.16 mg x 100 g-1). The yellow flavonoids content was higher for ripe CCP 76 and BRS 189 cashew apples with 56.32 and 50.75 mg x 100 g-1, respectively. The highest levels of extrable polyphenols and antioxidant capacity were observed in CCP 09 in the first five ripening stages. The antioxidant activity of cashew apples (Anacardium occidentale L.) is mainly attributed to polyphenol content (r = 0.90; p < 0.01), and, therefore, they may be considered relevant sources of antioxidant compounds, which are necessary for human health. Cashew apples are consumed fresh which confers direct benefits for human health and present high potential for the development of new products with functional properties.

Diagnóstico e tratamento da tuberculose latente em pacientes com doenças inflamatórias crônicas e uso de imunobiológicos inibidores do TNF-α

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients who are candidates for TNF-α inhibitor use and are classified as having latent tuberculosis (LTB), as well as to evaluate the outcomes of prophylactic treatment with isoniazid. METHODS A prospective descriptive analysis followed by an analytical, observational, cross-sectional study of the outcomes of prophylactic treatment in a group of 45 candidates for TNF-α inhibitor use. We evaluated the patients through anamnesis, clinical examination, chest X-ray, and tuberculin skin test (TST) using the Mantoux method. RESULTS The mean age was 45 years, and 56.0% of the patients were female. Chronic rheumatic diseases, chronic dermatological diseases, and Crohns disease were present in 46.7%, 40.0%, and 13.3% of the patients, respectively. The mean TST induration was 14.6 mm (range: 5-30 mm). The majority (n = 30) of the 45 patients (66.7%) had an induration > 10 mm. In the 16 patients with BCG vaccination scars, the mean induration was 15.7 mm, and 14 of those patients had an induration > 10 mm. Chest X-ray results were considered normal, with minimal alterations, in 64.4% and 35.6% of the patients, respectively. The treatment with isoniazid was abandoned by 1 patient (2.2%) and completed by 41 (91.2%), whereas it was interrupted because of drug-induced hepatitis in 2 (4.4%), and 1 patient (2.2%) was transferred to another hospital. Of those who completed the treatment, 5 experienced mild side effects. CONCLUSIONS Determining the profile of candidates for TNF-α inhibitor use is important for the management of LTB treatment and for the establishment of clinical protocols for the use and monitoring of the use of these medications.

Caracterização física de pedúnculos de clones de cajueiro anão precoce em diferentes estádios de maturação

Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar os atributos de pedunculos de clones de cajueiro anao precoce CCP 76, CCP 09, BRS 189 e BRS 265 em sete diferentes estadios de maturacao, oriundos do Campo Experimental da Embrapa Agroindustria Tropical localizado no municipio de Pacajus (CE). As variaveis avaliadas foram: diâmetro basal e apical, comprimento dos pedunculos, massa total dos cajus (massa da castanha + pedunculo), massa dos pedunculos e das castanhas e firmeza dos pedunculos. Considerando a homogeneidade ou nao das variâncias, confirmadas pelo teste F de Fisher, as medias foram comparadas por meio do Teste t de Student ao nivel de 5%. O clone CCP 76 destacou-se por possuir os melhores parâmetros fisicos, a excecao da firmeza dos pedunculos, sendo o mesmo indicado para o consumo e comercializacao in natura.

Enhancing storage stability of guava with tannic acid-crosslinked zein coatings

The quality of zein (Z)- and zein-tannic acid (ZTA)-coated guavas was monitored throughout 12 days of storage. Coated fruit showed lower changes in terms of visual appearance, chlorophyll contents and color. Weight loss, softening, and changes in soluble solids were also decreased by the coatings. The respiration peak as well as H2O2 and superoxide dismutase activity peaks were delayed by the coatings, and the ethylene production was reduced. So, the results were consistent with a slowed down ripening of guavas by the coatings, which was probably related to lowered oxygen permeability of guava skin. ZTA coating was more effective than Z to reduce weight loss, softening, color changes, ethylene production, and oxidative stress. The higher efficiency of ZTA coating was ascribed to zein crosslinking, which probably resulted in decreased gas permeability, promoting lower respiration rates and lower ROS production, slowing down the ripening process, and extending guava stability.