Rodrigo Scherer

Determinação simultânea dos ácidos orgânicos tartárico, málico, ascórbico e cítrico em polpas de acerola, açaí e caju e avaliação da estabilidade em sucos de caju

The aim of the present study was determining the main organic acids in pulp and juices, as well as evaluating their stability, after opening the package, by liquid chromatography in a C18 column with isocratic elution and UV detection. In acai pulp tartaric, malic and citric acids were found. Cashew samples presented all of the organic acids evaluated, besides high concentrations of ascorbic and malic acids. Acerola pulp had the highest ascorbic acid concentration. A small decrease in organic acid content during storage was observed. Malic and citric acids seem to be more stable than tartaric and ascorbic acids.

Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of Hydrodistilled and Supercritical Extracts of Xanthium strumarium L. Leaves

Abstract The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and the composition of the essential oil and of the supercritical extracts of Xanthium strumarium were studied. The best yields were observed in the supercritical extracts (SFE). The composition of the extracts obtained by SFE and by hydrodistillation presented little qualitative difference, but they did differ quantitatively. The essential oil contained a high content of β-guaiene (79.6%) while as the major compounds in the supercritical extracts were unidentifiable compound with Kovats Index of 2303 and xanthinin. All the X. strumarium extracts showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella thyphimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens, however no differences were observed between the extracts. Poor antioxidant activity was found for all the Xanthium strumarium extracts.

Struthanthus vulgaris ointment prevents an over expression of inflammatory response and accelerates the cutaneous wound healing

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Struthanthus vulgaris (Vell.) Mart. (Loranthaceae) has been largely used in traditional folk medicine in Brazil as an anti-inflammatory agent and to treat various skin disorders, including wounds. AIMS OF THE STUDY To investigated the influence of 5% Struthanthus vulgaris ointment during cutaneous wound healing in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty Wistar rats were used in each group according the daily treatment, S. vulgaris 5% ointment (SV 5%) and vehicle control groups. Four full thicknesses wounds were punched in back side skin of each animal, and five animals were sacrificed after 2, 7, 14 and 21 days after surgery for histological, immunological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS A significant wound closured area in the S. vulgaris 5% group of about 38% and 35% as compared to 19% and 21% in the control group was observed after 2 and 5 days, respectively. Histological and biochemical analysis of the skin biopsies showed that S. vulgaris treated wounds exhibited increased granulation tissue and regulated the inflammatory response by modulating the release of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1α, TNF-α and IL-10, nitric oxide and, growth factors like TGF-β. Moreover, S. vulgaris showed a marked and robust increase in the deposition and organization of collagen fibers in the wounds, and improve the quality of the scar tissue. CONCLUSIONS Altogether these data revealed that S. vulgaris seems to prevent an over expression of inflammation and accelerates wound epithelialization and might be beneficial for treating healing disorders.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and wound healing properties of Struthanthus vulgaris

Abstract Context: Struthanthus vulgaris (Vell.) Mart. (Loranthaceae) has been widely used in traditional medicine in Brazil to bathe wounds. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the in vitro wound healing effects, together with the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of S. vulgaris leaf and branch extracts. Material and methods: Ethanol leaf and branch extracts of S. vulgaris were investigated at 1–100 µg/ml concentrations in the scratch assay after 14 h. Antioxidant activity was investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay, and the antibacterial activity was tested at concentrations up to 1000 µg/ml against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by the microdilution test after 24 h. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by colorimetric methods. Results: Struthanthus vulgaris leaf and branch extracts at 100 µg/ml concentration stimulated migration and proliferation of fibroblasts and enhanced cell numbers by 56.2% and 18.6%, respectively. Antioxidant activity exhibited IC50 values of 24.3 and 18.9 µg/ml for the leaf and branch extracts, respectively. The ethanol leaf extract showed antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive Staphylococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentration values of 125 and 500 µg/ml, respectively. An appreciable total phenolic content in the leaves (813.6 ± 2.7 mg/g) and branches (462.8 ± 9.6 mg/g), and relatively low concentration of flavonoids in the leaves (13.3 ± 4.3 mg/g) and branches (1.9 ± 0.2 mg/g), was detected. Discussion and conclusion: The antioxidant and antibacterial activities, together with the strong ability to stimulate proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, provide some support for the traditional use of S. vulgaris.

Phytochemical and in vitro and in vivo biological investigation on the antihypertensive activity of mango leaves (Mangifera indica L.).

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the antihypertensive effect of leaves Mangifera indica L. using in vitro and in vivo assays. Methodology: The ethanol extract of leaves of M. indica was fractionated to dichloromethanic, n-butyl alcohol and aqueous fractions. The chemical composition of ethanolic extract and dichloromethanic fraction were evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Antioxidant activity was evaluated in the DPPH scavenging activity assay. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was investigated using in vitro and in vivo assays. The chronic antihypertensive assay was performed in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar rats treated with enalapril (10 mg/kg), dichloromethanic fraction (100 mg/kg; twice a day) or vehicle control for 30 days. The baroreflex sensitivity was evaluated through the use of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine. Cardiac hypertrophy was evaluated by morphometric analysis. Results: The dichloromethanic fraction exhibited the highest flavonoid, total phenolic content and high antioxidant activity. Dichloromethanic fraction elicited ACE inhibitory activity in vitro (99 ± 8%) similar to captopril. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of ferulic acid (48.3 ± 0.04 µg/g) caffeic acid (159.8 ± 0.02 µg/g), gallic acid (142.5 ± 0.03 µg/g), apigenin (11.0 ± 0.01 µg/g) and quercetin (203.3 ± 0.05 µg/g). The chronic antihypertensive effects elicited by dichloromethanic fraction were similar to those of enalapril, and the baroreflex sensitivity was normalized in SHR. Plasma ACE activity and cardiac hypertrophy were comparable with animals treated with enalapril. Conclusions: Dichloromethanic fraction of M. indica presented an antihypertensive effect, most likely by ACE inhibition, with benefits in baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac hypertrophy. Altogether, the results of the present study suggest that the dichloromethanic fraction of M. indica leaves may have potential as a promoting antihypertensive agent.

Xanthium strumarium L. antimicrobial activity and carboxyatractyloside analysis through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Xanthium strumarium L. leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens, as well as to investigate the presence of the toxic compound carboxyatractyloside in different plant parts. S. aureus and C. perfringens were more sensitive to non-polar than to polar fractions, and there was no difference between extracts for the remaining bacteria. All extracts had strong antimicrobial activity against the evaluated microorganisms. Carboxyatractyloside was found in cotyledons and seeds but not in adult leaves and burrs. Thus, only Xanthium strumarium leaves in adult stage can be used for medicinal purposes.

(E)-2-Nonenal determination in brazilian beers using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatographic coupled mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS)

O (E)-2-nonenal e considerado um importante off-flavor da cerveja, sendo relacionado ao sabor de cerveja envelhecida. Neste estudo, um novo metodo para determinacao de (E)-2-nonenal em cerveja usando microextracao em fase solida do headspace e cromatografia a gas acoplada a espectrometria de massa (HS-SPME-GC-MS) foi desenvolvido e aplicado em amostras de cerveja brasileira. As extracoes foram realizadas utilizando a fibra CAR/PDMS (carboxen/polidimetilsiloxano), com 15 minutos de tempo de equilibrio e 90 minutos de exposicao da fibra a 50 °C. O metodo foi linear na faixa de 0,02 e 4,0 μg.L-1, com coeficiente de correlacao de 0,9994. Os limites de deteccao e quantificacao foram 0,01 e 0,02 μg.L-1, respectivamente. Foram obtidos 96,5% de recuperacao e 4% de variacao entre replicatas de amostras de cerveja fortificadas com 2,0 μg.L-1 de (E)-2-nonenal. O metodo desenvolvido foi considerado simples, eficiente e altamente sensivel para a determinacao deste analito, sendo facilmente aplicado no controle de qualidade das cervejarias. O (E)-2-nonenal foi encontrado em todas as amostras de cervejas analisadas com niveis entre 0,17 to 0,42 μg.L-1.

Simultaneous determination of B-Group vitamins in enriched cookies

The objective of this research was to determine the levels of enrichment of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B3 in different types and brands of enriched cookies. The chromatographic separation was performed in a C18 column with gradient elution and UV detection at 254 and 287 nm. The results show that only 5 of the 24 brands evaluated are in accordance with the Brazilian legislation with respect to the vitamin content declared on the labels. However, consumption of approximately 100-150 g of most of the brands supplies the recommended dietary intake for children and adults of the vitamins evaluated.

Avaliação do teor e da estabilidade de vitaminas do complexo B e vitamina C em bebidas isotônicas e energéticas

Vitamin C stability and concentration was evaluated in isotonic beverages and B group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6) in power beverages. The amount of vitamins was found to be above of that declared on the labels, even after the shelf life had been exceeded. A small decrease in the amount of B group vitamins was observed during the shelf life of the products. In the case of vitamin C this decrease was slightly higher. The present research shows the need of increased quality control and inspection.EVALUATION OF THE AMOUNT AND STABILITY OF B GROUP VITAMINS AND VITAMIN C IN POWER AND ISOTONIC BEVERAGES. Vitamin C stability and concentration was evaluated in isotonic beverages and B group vitamins (B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 5 and B 6 ) in power beverages. The amount of vitamins was found to be above of that declared on the labels, even after the shelf life had been exceeded. A small decrease in the amount of B group vitamins was observed during the shelf life of the products. In the case of vitamin C this decrease was slightly higher. The present research shows the need of increased quality control and inspection.

MONITORING OF ORGANOPHOSPHOROUS PESTICIDE RESDUES IN SAMPLES OF BANANA, PAPAYA, AND BELL PEPPER

The objective of this study was to monitor 11 organophosphorus pesticides in samples of papaya, bell pepper, and banana, commercialized in the metropolitan area of Vitoria (ES, Brazil). The pesticides were determined by an optimized and validated method using high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). All three samples exhibited a matrix effect for most of the pesticides, mainly with signal suppression, and therefore the calibration curves were produced in matrices. Linearity revealed coefficients of determination (r2) greater than 0.9895 for all pesticides and recovery results ranged from between 76% and 118% with standard deviation no greater than 16%. Precision showed relative standard deviation values lower than 19% and HorRat values lower than 0.7, considering all pesticides. Limits of quantification were less than 0.01 mg/kg for all pesticides. Regarding analysis of the samples (50 of each), none of the pesticides exceeded the maximum residue limit determined by Brazilian legislation.