Neuza Mariko Aymoto Hassimotto

Antioxidant Status in Humans after Consumption of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) Juices With and Without Defatted Milk

The present study was designed to evaluate the possible effect of the consumption of blackberry juices (BJ) prepared with water (BJW) and defatted milk (BJM) on the plasma antioxidant capacity and the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the ascorbic acid content in the plasma was observed after intake of both BJs. However, no changes were observed in the plasma urate and alpha-tocopherol levels. An increase on the plasma antioxidant capacity, by ORAC assay, was observed only after consumption of BJW but not statistically significant. Plasma antioxidant capacity had a good positive correlation with ascorbic acid (r = 0.93) and a negative correlation with urate level (r = -0.79). No correlation was observed between antioxidant capacity and total cyanidin or total ellagic acid contents. Further, it was observed that plasma catalase increased following intake of BJs. No change was observed on the plasma and erythrocyte CAT and glutathione peroxidase activities. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the urinary antioxidant capacity between 1 and 4 h after intake of both BJs was observed. A good correlation was observed between total antioxidant capacity and urate and total cyanidin levels. These results suggested association between anthocyanin levels and CAT and a good correlation between antioxidant capacity and ascorbic acid in the human plasma after intake of BJs. Follow-up studies investigating the antioxidant properties and health benefits are necessary to demonstrate the health benefits of polyphenols.

Phenolics and Antioxidant Properties of Fruit Pulp and Cell Wall Fractions of Postharvest Banana (Musa acuminata Juss.) Cultivars

Banana fruits are important foods, but there have been very few studies evaluating the phenolics associated with their cell walls. In the present study, (+) catechin, gallocatechin, and (-) epicatechin, as well as condensed tannins, were detected in the soluble extract of the fruit pulp; neither soluble anthocyanidins nor anthocyanins were present. In the soluble cell wall fraction, two hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were predominant, whereas in the insoluble cell wall fraction, the anthocyanidin delphinidin, which is reported in banana cell walls for the first time, was predominant. Cell wall fractions showed remarkable antioxidant capacity, especially after acid and enzymatic hydrolysis, which was correlated with the total phenolic content released after the hydrolysis of the water-insoluble polymer, but not for the posthydrolysis water-soluble polymer. The acid hydrolysis released various monosaccharides, whereas enzymatic hydrolysis released one peak of oligosaccharides. These results indicate that banana cell walls could be a suitable source of natural antioxidants and that they could be bioaccessible in the human gut.

Physico-chemical characterization and bioactive compounds of blackberry fruits (Rubus sp.) grown in Brazil

Five blackberry cultivars (Rubus sp.) were evaluated for antioxidant capacity, bioactive compounds and composition. Ascorbic acid levels, consisting of dehydro-ascorbic acid, ranged from 9.8 to 21.4 mg.100 g-1 fresh weight. Cyanidin (66 to 80% of total flavonoids), epicatechin, quercetin and traces of kaempferol were the main flavonoids found in all cultivars. The five cultivars presented high antioxidant capacity in the β-carotene/linoleic acid system, with inhibition similar to the synthetic antioxidant BHT, at a 50 µM concentration. Caingangue cultivar presented high vitamin C and total phenolics content, while Guarani had the highest cyanidin, total anthocyanin and total flavonoids levels and also the highest antioxidant capacity. These cultivars also presented good TSS/TA ratios. From the data, at a quantitative level, blackberry can be considered a good source of bioactive compounds, as well as potentially beneficial to human health.

Isoflavone Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Brazilian Soybean Varieties

Thirteen varieties and one new strain of soybean, developed by the Genetic Improvement Program from Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), crop year of 2003, were analysed in relation to their isoflavones profiles and contents. Total isoflavone content varied from 57 to 188mg per 100g of soybeans. Most (90-95%) of the isoflavones were present as glycosilated derivatives. The β-glycosides represented the main forms of the isoflavones in the seed (50 to 59% of the total) followed by malonylglycosides (28 to 39% of the total). The ratio between malonyldaidzin and daidzin varied from 0.44 (Embrapa soyseeds BRS 155) to 0.74 (BRS 185) and between malonylgenistin and genistin from 0.56 (BRS 155) to 0.87 (BRS 185). The total percentage of each isoflavone, corresponding to the sum of the four chemical forms (malonylglycoside, acetylglycoside, β-glycoside and aglycone) varied from 39 to 57% for genistein, 34 to 47% for daidzein, and 8 to 17% of the total for glycitein. Antioxidant activity varied from 37.8 (BRS 214) to 48.9% (BRS 233) of inhibition of the β-carotene bleaching, and a low correlation was found for antioxidant activity and total phenolics content or level and kind of isoflavones.

Identification and Characterisation of Anthocyanins from Wild Mulberry (Morus Nigra L.) Growing in Brazil

Anthocyanin pigments from the wild mulberry (Morus nigra L.) growing in Brazil, were extracted with methanol/water/acetic acid (70:30:5v/v), and the crude methanolic extract (CME) was cleaned up by polyamid solid-phase extraction (SPE). Two major anthocyanins were isolated by paper chromatography, and their chemical structures were identified by spectral analyses, HPLC/DAD and mass spectroscopy. Information from HPLC profiles, saponification and acid hydrolysis of the mulberry anthocyanins showed that the two major pigments were cyanidin-3-glucoside (ca. 71% of the total) and cyanidin-3-glucosylrhamnoside (ca. 19% of the total), with no cinnamoyl groups. The CME (at 10μM gallic acid equivalent), neutral flavonoids (NF) and acidic flavonoids (AF) eluate from SPE (at 1μM GAE), showed a higher antioxidant activity than quercetin and synthetic antioxidant (butyrate hydroxytoluene (BHT)) at 10μM, by the β-carotene bleaching method.

Identification of Ellagitannins and Flavonoids from Eugenia brasilienses Lam. (Grumixama) by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS

The grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.), also known as Brazilian cherry, is a fruit native to Brazil. This study identified the flavonoids in the flesh and seeds and ellagitannin in the flesh of purple and yellow varieties. The physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of these fruits were also evaluated. Anthocyanins and flavonols were found in high levels in the flesh of purple (32-180 mg 100 g(-1) FW) and yellow grumixama (13-41 mg 100 g(-1) FW), respectively. The major flavonoids identified were cyanidin 3-glucoside and quercetin aglycone. Furthermore, ellagitannins were found in high levels in the flesh of purple (82-243 mg ellagic acid equiv 100 g(-1) FW) and yellow grumixama (92 mg ellagic acid equiv 100 g(-1) FW) and seeds (2220-2905 mg ellagic acid equiv 100 g(-1) FW). The ellagitannin profiles of both varieties were first characterized in which pedunculagin isomers, strictinin isomers, and ellagic acid galloyl hexoside were the major ellagitannins identified. In summary, both varieties of the grumixama fruit as well as the seeds could be good sources of bioactive compounds, mainly ellagitannins.

Inhibition of Carrageenan-Induced Acute Inflammation in Mice by Oral Administration of Anthocyanin Mixture from Wild Mulberry and Cyanidin-3-Glucoside

Anthocyanins are flavonoids which demonstrated biological activities in in vivo and in vitro models. Here in the anti-inflammatory properties of an anthocyanin-enriched fraction (AF) extracted from wild mulberry and the cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), the most abundant anthocyanin in diet, were studied in two acute inflammation experimental models, in the peritonitis and in the paw oedema assays, both of which were induced by carrageenan (cg) in mice. In each trial, AF and C3G (4 mg/100 g/animal) were orally administered in two distinct protocols: 30 min before and 1 h after cg stimulus. The administration of both AF and C3G suppresses the paw oedema in both administration times (P < 0.05). In the peritonitis, AF and C3G reduced the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) influx in the peritoneal exudates when administered 1 h after cg injection. AF was more efficient reducing the PMN when administered 30 min before cg. Both AF and C3G were found to suppress mRNA as well as protein levels of COX-2 upregulated by cg in both protocols, but the inhibitory effect on PGE2 production in the peritoneal exudates was observed when administered 30 min before cg (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that AF and C3G minimize acute inflammation and they present positive contributions as dietary supplements.

Teores de isoflavonas e capacidade antioxidante da soja e produtos derivados

ISOFLAVONE CONTENT AND PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SOY AND SOY PRODUCTS. The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity and isoflavone content and type of soy seeds and soy products. The antioxidant activity was measured using β-carotene bleaching and 2.2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•) free radical methods. The total isoflavone content of soy products varied from 95 to 711 mg/100 g DW (expressed as aglycones) and total phenolics content from 101 to 413 mg equivalents of catechin/100 g DW. Soybeans presented 110 and 200 mg/100 g DW of isoflavones and total phenolics, respectively. The β-glycosides and malonylglycosides were the main forms of the isoflavones found in the whole flour, defatted flour and commercial defatted flour, similar to the soy seeds. The soy germ (hypocotyl) and the defatted soy flours presented the highest antioxidant activities in both methods (5.0 μmoles equivalents of trolox/g DW and ~ 0.8 μmoles equivalents of BHT/g DW). Taking this into account, the results showed that total isoflavone and phenolic contents and isoflavone profile of soy products depend on processing conditions and that antioxidant activity varied significantly among products. Keywoards: soy, soy products, isoflavones, antioxidant activity.

Black Leaf Streak Disease Affects Starch Metabolism in Banana Fruit

Black leaf streak disease (BLSD), also known as black sigatoka, represents the main foliar disease in Brazilian banana plantations. In addition to photosynthetic leaf area losses and yield losses, this disease causes an alteration in the pre- and postharvest behavior of the fruit. The aim of this work was to investigate the starch metabolism of fruits during fruit ripening from plants infected with BLSD by evaluating carbohydrate content (i.e., starch, soluble sugars, oligosaccharides, amylose), phenolic compound content, phytohormones, enzymatic activities (i.e., starch phosphorylases, α- and β-amylase), and starch granules. The results indicated that the starch metabolism in banana fruit ripening is affected by BLSD infection. Fruit from infested plots contained unusual amounts of soluble sugars in the green stage and smaller starch granules and showed a different pattern of superficial degradation. Enzymatic activities linked to starch degradation were also altered by the disease. Moreover, the levels of indole-acetic acid and phenolic compounds indicated an advanced fruit physiological age for fruits from infested plots.

Orange juice affects acylcarnitine metabolism in healthy volunteers as revealed by a mass-spectrometry based metabolomics approach

Citrus juices, especially orange juice, constitute rich sources of bioactive compounds with a wide range of health-promoting activities. Data from epidemiological and in vitro studies suggest that orange juice (OJ) may have a positive impact on lipid metabolism. However, the effect of orange juice intake on blood lipid profile is still poorly understood. We have used two different blood samples, Dried Blood Spots (DBS) and plasma, to assess the effect of two-week orange juice consumption in healthy volunteers by a mass-spectrometry based metabolomics approach. DBS were analysed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and plasma samples were analysed by the gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). One hundred sixty-nine lipids including acylcarnitines (AC), lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPC), (diacyl- and acyl-alkyl-) phosphatidylcholines (PC aa and PC ae) and sphingomyelins (SM) were identified and quantified in DBS. Eighteen fatty acids were identified and quantified in plasma. Multivariate analysis allowed to identify an increase in C3:1, C5-DC(C6-OH), C5-M-DC, C5:1-DC, C8, C12-DC, lysoPC18:3, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitoleic and palmitic acid and a decrease in nervonic acid, C0, C2, C10, C10:1, C16:1, C16-OH, C16:1-OH, C18-OH, PC aa C40:4, PC ae C38:4, PC ae C42:3, PC ae C42:4 and cholesterol levels after orange juice intake. A two-week period of orange juice intake could affect fatty acids β-oxidation through mitochondrial and peroxisomal pathways, leading to an increase of short-chain acylcarnitines and a decrease of medium and long-chain acylcarnitines. This is the first report analyzing the effect of orange juice intake in healthy volunteers using a dried blood spot-based metabolomics approach.