Sidney Pacheco

Retention of total carotenoid and β-carotene in yellow sweet cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) after domestic cooking

Background Over the last decade, considerable efforts have been made to identify cassava cultivars to improve the vitamin A nutritional status of undernourished populations, especially in northeast Brazil, where cassava is one of the principal and essentially only nutritional source. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the total carotenoid, β-carotene, and its all-E-, 9-, and 13-Z-β-carotene isomers content in seven yellow sweet cassava roots and their retention after three boiling cooking methods. Design The total carotenoid, β-carotene, and its all-E-, 9-, and 13-Z-β-carotene isomers in yellow sweet cassava samples were determined by ultraviolet/visible spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively, before and after applying the cooking methods. All analyses were performed in triplicate. Results The total carotenoid in raw roots varied from 2.64 to 14.15 µg/g and total β-carotene from 1.99 to 10.32 µg/g. The β-carotene predominated in all the roots. The Híbrido 2003 14 08 cultivar presented the highest β-carotene content after cooking methods 1 and 3. The 1153 – Klainasik cultivar presented the highest 9-Z-β-carotene content after cooking by method 3. The highest total carotenoid retention was observed in cultivar 1456 – Vermelhinha and that of β-carotene for the Híbrido 2003 14 11 cultivar, both after cooking method 1. Evaluating the real retention percentage (RR%) in sweet yellow cassava after home cooking methods showed differences that can be attributed to the total initial carotenoid contents. However, no cooking method uniformly provided a higher total carotenoid or β-carotene retention in all the cultivars. Conclusion Differences were found in the cooking methods among the samples regarding total carotenoid or β-carotene retention, suggesting that the different behaviors of the cultivars need to be further analyzed. However, high percentages of total carotenoid or β-carotene retention were observed and can minimize vitamin A deficiency in low-income populations.

Effects of Boiling and Frying on the Bioaccessibility of β-Carotene in Yellow-Fleshed Cassava Roots (Manihot Esculenta Crantz cv. BRS Jari)

Background The effects of boiling and frying on the bioaccessibility of all-trans-β-carotene in biofortified BRS Jari cassava roots have not been investigated, although these are conventional methods of cassava preparation. Objective The aims of the present study were to investigate β-carotene micellarization efficiency of yellow-fleshed BRS Jari cassava roots after boiling and frying, as an indicator of the bioaccessibility of this carotenoid, and to apply fluorescence microscopy to investigate β-carotene in the emulsified fraction. Methods Uncooked, boiled, and fried cassava roots were digested in vitro for the evaluation, by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), of the efficiency of micellarization of all-trans-β-carotene in BRS Jari cassava roots. Fluorescence microscopy of the micellar fraction was used to confirm the presence of β-carotene in the emulsified fraction and to observe the structure of the microemulsion from the boiled and fried cassava samples. Results Fried cassava roots showed the highest (p < .05) micellarization efficiency for total carotenoids and all-trans-β-carotene (14.1 ± 2.25% and 14.37 ± 2.44%, respectively), compared with boiled and raw samples. Fluorescence microscopy showed that after in vitro digestion there were no carotenoid crystals in the micellar fraction, but rather that this fraction presented a biphasic system compatible with emulsified carotenoids, which was consistent with the expected high bioavailability of β-carotene in this fraction. Conclusions Increased emulsification and bioaccessibility of β-carotene from fried biofortified BRS Jari cassava roots compensates for chemical losses during preparation, indicating that this preparation is suitable for home use of BRS Jari cassava roots and might represent a relatively good food source of bioavailable provitamin A.

Comparative analysis of nutritional compositions of transgenic RNAi-mediated virus-resistant bean (event EMB-PV051-1) with its non-transgenic counterpart

Golden mosaic is among the most economically important diseases that severely reduce bean production in Latin America. In 2011, a transgenic bean event named Embrapa 5.1 (EMB-PV051-1), resistant to bean golden mosaic virus, was approved for commercial release in Brazil. The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate the nutritional components of the beans, as well as the anti-nutrient levels in the primary transgenic line and its derived near-isogenic lines after crosses and backcrosses with two commercial cultivars. Nutritional assessment of transgenic crops used for human consumption is an important aspect of safety evaluations. Results demonstrated that the transgenic bean event, cultivated under field conditions, was substantially equivalent to that of the non-transgenic bean plants. In addition, the amounts of the nutritional components are within the range of values observed for several bean commercial varieties grown across a range of environments and seasons.

Microscale extraction method for HPLC carotenoid analysis in vegetable matrices

In order to generate simple, efficient analytical methods that are also fast, clean, and economical, and are capable of producing reliable results for a large number of samples, a micro scale extraction method for analysis of carotenoids in vegetable matrices was developed. The efficiency of this adapted method was checked by comparing the results obtained from vegetable matrices, based on extraction equivalence, time required and reagents. Six matrices were used: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), sweet potato with orange pulp (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) flour. Quantification of the total carotenoids was made by spectrophotometry. Quantification and determination of carotenoid profiles were formulated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with photodiode array detection. Microscale extraction was faster, cheaper and cleaner than the commonly used one, and advantageous for analytical laboratories.

Validade comercial de sardinhas inteiras e refrigeradas avaliada por análises físico-químicas, bacteriológicas e sensorial

Theshelf life of sardines of Sardinella brasiliensis and Cetengraulis edentulus species kept on ice at +2°Cwas determined by physical-chemical, bacteriological and sensory parameters. In both samples, the levels of Total Volatile Bases (TVB) and Trimethylamine (TMA) reached the limits recommended by law (30mg N 100g-1 for TVB and 4mgN100g-1 for TMA) after 14 and 8 days of storage, respectively. The contents of histamine, putrescine and cadaverine remained at levels below 2.0µg g-1 in both samples during the storage period. The hypoxanthine production ranged from 0.65 to 2.62µmol g-1 in samples of S. brasiliensis and 1.40 to 2.09µmol g-1 in samples of C. edentulus. The initial count of Enterobacteriaceae was 3.81logCFU g-1 and 3.82logCFU g-1 reaching, after 18days of storage, 6.57logCFU g-1 and 6.87logCFU g-1, in samples of S. brasiliensis and C. edentulus, respectively. For heterotrophic bacteria aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic count the limit of 7logCFU g-1 recommended by international legislation was reached after12 and 8days of storage in samples of S. brasiliensis and after 12 and 6days of storage in samples of C. edentulus, respectively. The quality index method suggested for samples of S. brasiliensis, a limit of acceptable consumption less than 11 and for samples of C. edentulus a limit of acceptability below 14. As a result of this study, we recommend a shelf life of ten days for the S. brasiliensis and nine days for the C. edentulus.

LC-MS Based Screening and Targeted Profiling Methods for Complex Plant: Coffee a Case Study

In the recent years the way of thinking about human health necessarily passes by human food. Recent discoveries are not only concerned about valuable biomolecules but also contaminants. Thus, the screening of substances in animal and vegetable matrices by analytical techniques is focused on the presence and absence of target substance. In both cases, the majority of these substances are present as traces or in very low levels. Contaminants could be naturally present in the food, inserted on it or even developed on it as a consequence of food processing or cooking. Pesticides, mycotoxins, dioxins, acrylamide, Sudan red, melamine and now 4(5)-methylimidazole can be, at present, be listed as some of the world big problems related to food contaminants and adulterants. With the development of liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), in the last few decades, analysis of some food contaminants in trace levels trace become less laborious, more accurate and precise. The multiple approach of those techniques make possible to obtain many results in one single run. On the other hand, European Union (2002/657/EC) established regulations for analytical methods regarding mass spectrometry as detection tool, showing the importance of this technique in food quality control. The EU criteria uses identification points (IPs) that could be achieved basically with four product ions (including molecular ion) or reduced with the use of high resolution equipments. This kind of mass spectrometers made the IPs criteria more accessible, as the exact mass information is a differential tool. In view of this the aim of this review is to present the actual scenario for mass spectrometry analysis in a complex vegetable food matrix such as roasted coffee, with emphasis on needs and challenges regarding the LC-MS technique in order to meet and contribute to food safety standards in this complex matrix.

Aplicacao de baixas doses de radiacao ionizante no fruto brasileiro tucuma (Astrocarium vulgare Mart.)

The tucuma (Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.) is a native fruit of Amazonia, occurring mainly in the state of Para, but also found in the Brazilian northeast states and in the Brazilian central-western states. The tucuma is considerated an excellent source of carotenoids with a very high concentration of β-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. In addition to carotenoids it is an important source of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in fruits. This study aimed to analyze the effects of gamma radiation on the nutritional value of tucuma. The fruits were irradiated at doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 kGy irradiator with a source of cesium 137. The carotenoids were determined by spectrophotometry. The analysis of α and β-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The β-carotene accounts for 80% of total carotenoids in tucuma, and with a dose of 2 kGy, it showed the highest reduction of β-carotene, about 7.5% in relation to the control. The tucuma fruit showed high levels of riboflavin from 0.183 to 0.222 μg 100 g -1 , and maintained stability after the gamma radiation process. However, it had low levels of thiamine from 0.050 to 0.033 μg 100 g -1 , and irradiated at a dose of 2 kGy showed significant

Potential use of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) in Brazil: Food security, processing, health benefits and nutritional products

Climate change can cause an increase in arid soils, warmer weather, and reduce water availability, which in turn can directly affect food security. This increases food prices and reduces the availability of food. Therefore, knowledge concerning the nutritional and technological potential of non-traditional crops and their resistance to heat and drought is very interesting. Pearl millet is known to produce small nutritious cereal grains, which can endure both heat and dry conditions, and is one of the basic cereals of several African and Asian countries. Although this species has been cultivated in Brazil for at least 50 years it is only used as a cover crop and animal feed, but not for human consumption. Nonetheless, pearl millet grains have a high potential as food for humans because they are gluten-free, higher in dietary fiber content than rice, similar in lipid content to maize and higher content of essential amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and lysine) than other traditional cereals, such as wheat and rye. In addition, the crop is low cost and less susceptible to contamination by aflatoxins compared to corn, for example. Most grains, including pearl millet, can be milled, decorticated, germinated, fermented, cooked and extruded to obtain products such as flours, biscuits, snacks, pasta and non-dairy probiotic beverages. Pearl millet also has functional properties; it has a low glycemic index and therefore it can be used as an alternative food for weight control and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Thus, this review intends to show the potential of pearl millet as an alternative food security crop, particularly in countries, like Brazil, where it is not commonly consumed. Also this review presents different processes and products that have been already reported in the literature in order to introduce the great potential of this important small grain to producers and consumers.

Chemical characterization of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd) fruit

M. floribunda fruit was studied to characterize its chemical composition. The chemical composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and volatiles of the fruit were determined. The chemical composition was determined according to AOAC and AOCS, the bioactive compounds by HPLC, the volatiles by GCMS and the antioxidant activity by ABTS+ and DPPH methods. The chemical composition of the freeze-dried fruit was 1.89 g·100 g-1, 2.43 g·100 g-1, 4.78 g·100 g-1 and 90.89 g·100 g-1 of ashes, lipids, proteins and total carbohydrates on a dry base, respectively. The concentration of the carotenoids was 52.22 mg·100 g-1 and for the flavonoid rutin was 78.56 mg·100 g-1. The gallic and ellagic acid contents were 5.45 mg·g-1 and 2.21 mg·g-1, respectively. The cis-β-ocimene corresponded to 50.90% of the volatiles. The antioxidant activity by ABTS+ method was 550.14 µmol Trolox·g-1 and by the DPPH method the EC50 was 85.68 g·g-1. The fruits presented relevant antioxidant activity, a high concentration of carotenoids and of rutin.

Detecção de soja pelo teor de isoflavonas em lombo injetado de suíno

The present research aimed to detect the use of soy protein isolate (1.5%) in enhanced pork loins through isoflavones identification, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The genistine peak has been chosen for the soy quantification, and it has been correlated with a standard curve built with the soy protein isolate used for the preparation of brines which have been injected into meat. Identification of isoflavones with HPLC is an efficient technique for the detection of soy in meat products.