Simone Mendonça

Effects of Maté Tea (Ilex paraguariensis) Ingestion on mRNA Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes, Lipid Peroxidation, and Total Antioxidant Status in Healthy Young Women

The antioxidant activity of mate tea, the roasted product derived from yerba mate (Ilex paraguarienis), was observed in vitro and in animal models, but studies in humans are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mate tea supplementation on plasma susceptibility to oxidation and on antioxidant enzyme gene expression in healthy nonsmoking women, after acute or prolonged ingestion. We evaluated plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), the kinetics of diene conjugate generation, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) contents in plasma, as well as mRNA levels of antioxidant gluthatione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). After the supplementation period with mate tea, lipid peroxidation was acutely lowered, an effect that was maintained after prolonged administration. Total antioxidant status and the level of antioxidant enzyme gene expression were also demonstrated after prolonged consumption. These results suggest that regular consumption of mate tea may increase antioxidant defense of the body by multiple mechanisms.

Major Peptides from Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) Protein Inhibit HMG-CoA Reductase Activity

The objective of this study was to identify the major peptides generated by the in vitro hydrolysis of Amaranthus cruentus protein and to verify the effect of these peptides on the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), a key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. A protein isolate was prepared, and an enzymatic hydrolysis that simulated the in vivo digestion of the protein was performed. After hydrolysis, the peptide mixture was filtered through a 3 kDa membrane. The peptide profile of this mixture was determined by reversed phase high performance chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the peptide identification was performed by LC-ESI MS/MS. Three major peptides under 3 kDa were detected, corresponding to more than 90% of the peptides of similar size produced by enzymatic hydrolysis. The sequences identified were GGV, IVG or LVG and VGVI or VGVL. These peptides had not yet been described for amaranth protein nor are they present in known sequences of amaranth grain protein, except LVG, which can be found in amaranth α‑amylase. Their ability to inhibit the activity of HMG-CoA reductase was determined, and we found that the sequences GGV, IVG, and VGVL, significantly inhibited this enzyme, suggesting a possible hypocholesterolemic effect.

Bayesian Multi-Trait Analysis Reveals a Useful Tool to Increase Oil Concentration and to Decrease Toxicity in Jatropha curcas L.

The biggest challenge for jatropha breeding is to identify superior genotypes that present high seed yield and seed oil content with reduced toxicity levels. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for three important traits (weight of 100 seed, oil seed content, and phorbol ester concentration), and to select superior genotypes to be used as progenitors in jatropha breeding. Additionally, the genotypic values and the genetic parameters estimated under the Bayesian multi-trait approach were used to evaluate different selection indices scenarios of 179 half-sib families. Three different scenarios and economic weights were considered. It was possible to simultaneously reduce toxicity and increase seed oil content and weight of 100 seed by using index selection based on genotypic value estimated by the Bayesian multi-trait approach. Indeed, we identified two families that present these characteristics by evaluating genetic diversity using the Ward clustering method, which suggested nine homogenous clusters. Future researches must integrate the Bayesian multi-trait methods with realized relationship matrix, aiming to build accurate selection indices models.

Critical Analysis of Feedstock Availability and Composition, and New Potential Resources for Biodiesel Production in Brazil

The worldwide demand for renewable energy has increased considerably in the recent years, and the need for biofuels should increase even more, especially in developing countries. Brazil has 43 % of its energy matrix based on renewable resources and is a leading country in the production of biofuels. The Brazilian National Program for Biodiesel Production and Use (PNPB) that started in 2005 encouraged biodiesel production, leading Brazil to become one of the world’s top producers with a production of 2,718.48 thousand m3 of biodiesel in 2012. Currently, soybean is the main feedstock used for biodiesel production in Brazil. However, as the demand for this fuel is constantly increasing, and soybean has low oil yield and productivity, alternative feedstocks for biodiesel production have been evaluated. In this review, we discuss the feedstocks that are currently most used for biodiesel production in Brazil (i.e., soybean, tallow, and cotton), as well as the more important feedstock alternatives (i.e., oil palm, physic nut, and microalgae) for the future. In addition, an analysis of oil physical–chemical properties and their effects on biodiesel production and quality is presented. Finally, different scenarios for the biodiesel industry in Brazil for the short-, medium-, and long-terms are discussed.

Apparent digestibility of nutrients, energy, and amino acid of nontoxic and detoxified physic nut cakes for Nile tilapia

The objective of this work was to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients, energy, and amino acids of nontoxic and detoxified physic nut cakes treated with solvent plus posterior extrusion, for Nile tilapia. The apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein and gross energy were higher for detoxified than for nontoxic physic nut cake. However, the apparent digestibility coefficient of ether extract of the nontoxic physic nut cake was higher than that of the detoxified one. The apparent digestibility coefficient of amino acids of both feed ingredients was superior to 80%, except for glycine, for the nontoxic psychic nut cake, and for threonine, for the detoxified one. Nontoxic and detoxified physic nut cakes show apparent digestibility coefficient values equivalent to those of the other evaluated oilseeds and potential for inclusion in Nile tilapia diets.

Technical and Economic Evaluation of Phorbol Esters Extraction from Jatropha curcas Seed Cake using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Jatropha curcas plant shrub of Euphorbiaceae family is a plant whose seeds are rich in oil that can be used for biofuel production. However the seeds contain many toxic compounds which the most important ones are known as phorbol esters (PEs). This study has as aim the study of the technical and economic feasibility of the supercritical fluid for the PEs extraction present in the Jatropha seed cake. The effect of temperature (40-100°C) and pressure (100-500 bar) on the phorbol yield was investigated using a central composite design methodology to determine the significance and interactions of these parameters. PEs in the extracted samples were analyzed and quantified by HPLC. The supercritical fluid extraction was effective in the recovery of PE extracted from Jatropha curcas cake varying from 23.0%, at 70°C and 500 bar to 2.6% at 90°C and 160 bar. The results showed that pressure had the most significant enhancing effect on the phorbol ester yield. Simulations of phorbol ester extraction from Jatropha curcas cake were carried out using SuperPro Designer 9.0 (Intelligen, Inc) to evaluate production costs of an industrial process to treat the necessary quantity of cake. It was possible to conclude that the supercritical extraction is viable to be applied.

Development of an RP-UHPLC-PDA method for quantification of free gossypol in cottonseed cake and fungal-treated cottonseed cake

Cottonseed cake biomass, which is a residue of oil extraction, is potentially appropriate for use as animal feed, given the high mineral, fibre and protein content. The presence of free gossypol, however, a toxic pigment in the glands of the cotton plant, limits use of this biomass for monogastric livestock. A promising method to detoxify cottonseed cake relies on fermentation by fungi, which can eliminate up to 100% of gossypol. In order to quantify trace levels of free gossypol in different cotton materials, including cottonseed cake treated with macrofungi, a simple and rapid chromatographic detection method was developed and validated. Under optimized conditions, extraction was performed using 70% acetone. The extract was then analysed by Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC), with gradient elution on a C18 reverse phase column KINETEX® (100 x 2.10 mm, 2.6 μm). Methanol-0.1% TFA aqueous solution was employed as mobile phase and PDA detection conducted at 254 nm. The optimized method was validated by analysis of specificity, linearity and range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision and accuracy. Detection and quantification limits were observed at 0.2 and 0.5 μg/mL, respectively. With good reproducibility, with precision (RSD)<10% and recovery greater than 94%, the developed assay was appropriate for quantification of low quantities of free gossypol. The validated method was successfully applied to determine trace levels of free gossypol cottonseed treated with a macrofungus.

Current Strategies for the Detoxification of Jatropha curcas Seed Cake: A Review

Jatropha curcas is an important oilseed plant, with considerable potential in the development of biodiesel. Although Jatropha seed cake, the byproduct of oil extraction, is a residue rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon, with high protein content suitable for application in animal feed, the presence of toxic phorbol esters limits its application in feed supplements and fertilizers. This review summarizes the current methods available for detoxification of this residue, based upon chemical, physical, biological, or combined processes. The advantages and disadvantages of each process are discussed, and future directions involving genomic and proteomic approaches for advancing our understanding of biodegradation processes involving microorganisms are highlighted.

Competencies for the provision of comprehensive medication management services in an experiential learning project

Objective To understand students’ and tutors’ perceptions of the development of clinical competencies for the delivery of comprehensive medication management services in an experiential learning project linked to a Brazilian school of pharmacy. Methods An autoethnographic qualitative study was carried out based on participant observation, focus groups and individual interviews with students and tutors involved in an experiential learning project. Results The study revealed the development of competencies related to the philosophy of practice, the pharmacotherapy workup of drug therapy and interprofessional relationships. Conclusions The experiential learning project contributed to the professional development of pharmacy students in pharmaceutical care practice, pointing to its potential benefits for incorporation into professional pharmacy curricula.

Histopathological and Reproductive Evaluation in Male Rats Fed Jatropha curcas Seed Cake with or without Alkaline Hydrolysis and Subjected to Heat Treatment

Jatropha curcas cake, a by-product of biodiesel production, is rich in protein and has potential to be used in livestock feed; however, the presence of antinutritional factors and phorbol esters limits its use. Thus, this study investigated toxicological and reproductive effects in male Wistar rats after subchronic exposure to J. curcas cake subjected to detoxification procedures. Rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10) and treated for 60 days. The control group received commercial feed, while experimental groups received a diet containing 5% J. curcas cake nonhydrolyzed or hydrolyzed with 5 M NaOH. The cakes were unwashed or washed with ethanol or water and were autoclaved at 121°C for 30 minutes. Alkaline hydrolysis combined with ethanol washing decreased the phorbol ester concentration in the cake by 98%. Histopathological findings included diffuse degeneration of the liver and edema around the pulmonary vessels in the nonhydrolyzed groups. In addition, nontreated females mated with males of nonhydrolyzed unwashed group showed a decreased number of live fetuses and an increased placental weight. There were no signs of toxicity in rats given hydrolyzed cakes washed and unwashed, indicating that alkaline hydrolysis associated with heat treatment is an efficient method for detoxification of the J. curcas cake.