Characterization and bioactivities of coffee husks extract encapsulated with polyvinylpyrrolidone

Coffee processing generates large amounts of residues of which a portion still has bioactive properties due to their richness in phenolic compounds. This study aimed to obtain a coffee husks extract (CHE) and to encapsulate it (ECHE) with polyvinylpyrrolidone using a one-step procedure of solid dispersion. The extraction and encapsulation yields were 9.1% and 92%, respectively. Thermal analyses revealed that the encapsulation increased the thermal stability of CHE and dynamic light scattering analyses showed a bimodal distribution of size with 81% of the ECHE particles measuring approximately 711 nm. Trigonelline and caffeine were the main alkaloids and quercetin the main phenolic compound in CHE, and the encapsulation tripled quercetin extraction. The total phenolics content and the antioxidant activity of ECHE, assayed with three different procedures, were higher than those of CHE. The antioxidant activity and the bioaccessibility of the phenolic compounds of ECHE were also higher than those of CHE following simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID). Both CHE and ECHE were not toxic against Alliumcepa cells and showed similar capacities for inhibiting the pancreatic α-amylase in vitro. After SGID, however, ECHE became a 1.9-times stronger inhibitor of the α-amylase activity in vitro (IC50 = 8.5 mg/mL) when compared to CHE. Kinetic analysis revealed a non-competitive mechanism of inhibition and in silico docking simulation suggests that quercetin could be contributing significantly to the inhibitory action of both ECHE and CHE. In addition, ECHE (400 mg/kg) was able to delay by 50% the increases of blood glucose in vivo after oral administration of starch to rats. This finding shows that ECHE may be a candidate ingredient in dietary supplements used as an adjuvant for the treatment of diabetes.

Adsorbent selection for pesticides removal from drinking water

Pesticides present in water resources can cause adverse health effects even in low concentrations, due to their bio-accumulative character. Therefore, the challenge for drinking water production increases, due to the limitations of conventional water treatment technologies in the removal of small molecular weight dissolved compounds. This work aimed to provide technical and scientific support for the selection of pulverized activated carbon - PACs, granular activated carbon - GACs, and carbon nanotubes - CNT concerning atrazine - ATZ, simazine - SMZ, and diuron - DIU adsorption for application in water treatment plants, considering two forms of application commercial product - CP and analytical standard - SD. These forms of application were tested aiming to verify the influence of the purity of the products used in experiments on the adsorption efficiency. It was possible to verify the adsorption efficiencies were not guided only by the characteristics of the adsorptive materials used, and that the selection should not be carried out only based on the, specific superficial area - BET size and distribution of specific pore volume. The isotherms demonstrated that the parameter Kf associated with the results of the selection experiment can be considered an alternative technical tool of simple application and sufficient for this purpose. Also, the capacity of activated carbons - ACs and nanomaterials - NMs were affected by the application of the compounds, highlighting the importance of using commercial product - CP in scientific research and technical investigations.Hightlights The pesticides efficiency removal was affected due to the forms of application, SD and CP;The parameters IN and MBI were not decisive in the selection of the activated carbon;The main adsorption mechanism in all the materials was chemical;GAC was the most efficient adsorbent in the removal of the pesticides;An adequate adsorbent selection is crucial for satisfactory removal of pesticides in water.

Extraction of soluble sugars from green coffee beans using hot water and quantification by a chromatographic method without an organic solvent

An optimal condition for extraction of soluble sugars from green coffee using water and a validated chromatographic method for its separation and quantification were proposed in this research. An orbital incubator shaker (OIS) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were the 2 techniques used to extract soluble sugars. In such experiments, the variables: sample amount (300, 400, and 500 mg), time (30, 60, and 90 min), and temperature (30, 45, and 60 °C) were tested. The separation of sugars was performed in a chromatographic system (high-performance liquid chromatography refractive index detector [HPLC-RID]), which presented the selectivity for the analytes, a limit of detection of 0.020 g/L, a limit of quantification of 0.0625 g/L, and recovery rates greater than 95%. The repeatability and inter-day precision had low dispersion, RSD < 2.0% and < 3.0%, respectively. Sucrose content ranged from 0.65 to 2.39 g/L using an OIS and from 1.19 to 2.72 g/L by MAE, while glucose and fructose concentration varied from 0.08 to 0.12 g/L using both methods. The OIS technique is preferably indicated for extraction of soluble sugars at the following conditions: 500 mg of grounded green coffee, 90 min, and 60 °C. The proposed method for soluble sugar extraction and quantification may be applied in research laboratories and food industries since it is a low-cost and environment-friendly technique.

Chimarrão consumption and prognostic factors in breast cancer: Correlation with antioxidants and blood caffeine levels

Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among women. Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil, known as yerba mate, is widely consumed in southern Brazil as a hot infusion drink known as chimarrão. This herb has a complex chemical composition and is rich in antioxidants, which may interfere in the course of chronic inflammatory diseases as breast cancer. This study investigated the impact of chimarrão consumption on the clinicopathological profile of women with breast cancer attended at Francisco Beltrão Cancer Hospital, Paraná, Brazil. Blood antioxidants and caffeine profiles were assessed. Decreases in reduced glutathione and metallothionein levels, and increase in catalase activity were observed among breast cancer patients that were chimarrão consumers. The levels of circulating caffeine in breast cancer patients with luminal A tumors were higher than those in patients with luminal B and HER-2 subtypes. Furthermore, overweight patients presented higher caffeine levels than the eutrophic ones. It was found positive associations between chimarrão intake and high body mass index, and chimarrão intake and menopause at diagnosis. Altogether, these findings suggest that chimarrão consumption affects the blood antioxidants of breast cancer patients, and that the caffeine present in this mixture may favor the development of tumor of good prognosis. HIGHLIGHTS: Chimarrão consumption may affect the course of chronic inflammatory diseases, as breast cancer. Chimarrão intake changed blood antioxidants in breast cancer patients who were current consumers when compared to the non-consumers ones. High levels of caffeine were detected in patients bearing luminal A tumors, suggesting a protective role.

Analysis of the phenolic composition and yield of 'BRS Vitoria' seedless table grape under different bunch densities using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS

Grapes are considered to be a major source of phenolic compounds as compared with other fruits. To improve the quality of table grapes, some techniques like thinning can be used. In addition, grape cultivars with distinct characteristics are directly linked to its phenolic profile. This study aimed to identify and quantify the phenolic compound profile and yield of the hybrid 'BRS Vitoria' seedless table grape under different bunch densities, using a combination of solid-phase extraction (SPE) methodologies and analytical high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS). A trial was carried out in 2016, in a commercial vineyard at Marialva, state of Parana (South Brazil). Three weeks after anthesis, the following bunch densities were evaluated: 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6 bunches per m² (corresponding to an estimation of 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 tons ha^-1). The randomized block design was used as a statistical model with each treatment was replicated four times, with one vine per plot. Different characteristics were evaluated at harvest, e.g., soluble solids content (SS), total acidity (TA), maturation index (MI = SS/TA), bunch and berry masses, yield, as well hydroxycinnamic acid derivative (HCAD), anthocyanin, flavonol, and flavan-3-ol contents by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The evaluated bunch densities did not interfere with the physicochemical characteristics of the berries, such as SS and MI. Under the density of 6.0 bunches per m², the highest yield of 25 tons ha^-1 was reached. Under all bunch densities, the phenolic profile presented the same compounds, but at different concentrations. Under a density of 5.0 bunches per m², the compounds belonging to the anthocyanin and flavonol families were present in high concentrations. In contrast, at the densities of 4.0 and 4.5 bunches per m², there was a reduction in the flavan-3-ol content. With respect to stilbenes, only the trans-piceid and its cis- isomer were detected. However, their concentrations had no significant influence on the evaluated bunch densities.

Highly specific changes in antioxidant levels and lipid peroxidation in Parkinson's disease and its progression: Disease and staging biomarkers and new drug targets

There is evidence that immune-inflammatory, stress of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (IO&NS) processes play a role in the neurodegenerative processes observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of the present study was to investigate peripheral IO&NS biomarkers in PD. We included 56 healthy individuals and 56 PD patients divided in two groups: early PD stage and late PD stage. Plasma lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), sulfhydryl (SH) groups, catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, paraoxonase (PON)1 activity, total radical trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. PD is characterized by increased LOOH, MDA and SOD activity and lowered CAT activity. A combination of five O&NS biomarkers highly significantly predicts PD with a sensitivity of 94.5% and a specificity of 86.8% (i.e., MDA, SOD activity, TRAP, SH-groups and CAT activity). The single best biomarker of PD is MDA, while LOOH and SOD activity are significantly associated with late PD stage, but not early PD stage. Antiparkinson drugs did not affect O&NS biomarkers, but levodopa+carbidopa significantly increased CRP. It is suggested that MDA may serve as a disease biomarker, while LOOH and SOD activity are associated with late PD stage characteristic. New treatments for PD should not only target dopamine but also lipid peroxidation.

Aflatoxin M1 in the urine of non-carriers and chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus in Maringa, Brazil

Exposure to aflatoxins (AFs) in the diet may favour the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the acute exacerbation of hepatitis in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. Measurement of biomarkers such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), in urine allows for the assessment of populations exposed to aflatoxins. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in the urine of HBV carrier and non-carrier patients. One group included 43 randomly selected HBV carriers treated at two hospitals in the city of Maringa, Brazil, from March to June 2008. Control group consisted of 29 healthy adult volunteers with anti-HBs positive and HBsAg negative test results. Detection of AFM1 was performed by fluorescence using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and post-column derivation with the Kobra Cell®. Of the 72 samples analysed, 05/29 (17.2%) AFM1 positive samples were from HBV non-carriers, and 16/43 (37.2%) of samples were from chronic HBV carriers. This study showed AFM1 in the urine of the two surveyed population. However, there is evidence that the chronic HBV carriers have a higher risk of developing HCC due to additive interaction between AFs and HBV.

Association between soy and green tea (Camellia sinensis) diminishes hypercholesterolemia and increases total plasma antioxidant potential in dyslipidemic subjects

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the hypolipemic and antioxidant effects of soy and green tea alone and/or in association in dyslipidemic subjects.

METHODS

One hundred dyslipidemic individuals were allocated into four groups. The soy group ingested 50 g of soy (kinako) daily, and the green tea group ingested 3 g of green tea in 500 mL of water per day. A third group ingested 50 g of soy and 3 g of green tea daily, and the control group had a hypocholesterolemic diet. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 45 and 90 d. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerols were evaluated by automated methods. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was calculated using the Friedewald equation. LDL was isolated by ultracentrifugation. Total plasma antioxidant capacity and plasma levels of total lipid hydroperoxides and those linked to LDL were evaluated by chemiluminescence. The results were expressed as median values and their 25th to 75th percentiles, with a 5% level of significance.

RESULTS

No significant difference occurred in LDL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerol levels across groups. However, a statistically significant difference in total cholesterol occurred within the soy/green tea group 45 and 90 d after intervention. No statistically significant difference occurred in plasma levels of lipid hydroperoxides or those linked to LDL in any of the groups studied. All the groups that used soy and/or green tea presented increased total plasma antioxidant potential.

CONCLUSION

Soy and green tea, alone or in combination, increased the total antioxidant potential of hypercholesterolemic patients, whereas only the combination decreased total cholesterol levels.