Abstract A chromatographic method consisting of multi wavelength detection for identification of six phenolic acids, one stilbene and five flavonoids in grape and apple pomaces was proposed. Scavenging of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), reactive oxygen species and reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ using in vitro and HPLC-UV-ABTS on-line methods are herein presented. A reversed phase C18 coupled with an absorption detector operating at 280, 300, 320 and 360 nm for the benzoic acid derivatives and flavanols; stilbenes; cinnamic acid derivatives and flavonols, were respecctively used. The solvents water, methanol and acetonitrile acidified with acetic acid were evaluated as mobile phase. The optimized chromatographic method presented recoveries ranged from 68 to 130% and from 66 to 130% for grape and apple pomaces respectively. The determination coefficients (R2) of the 12 compounds were > 0.98. The extracts showed high total phenolic content and exhibits strong capacities to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen species. The results obtained by HPLC-ABTS on-line method suggest that pomaces of grape and apple are rich in bioactive compounds and that catechin and epicatechin contribute in a significantly way to the antioxidant activity in both agroindustrial pomaces.

ResumenLos compuestos volátiles tienen un papel vital en el ciclo de vida de las plantas. Poseen actividad antimicrobiana y anti-herbivoría biológica y una gran importancia en la industria de alimentos, cosméticos, perfumes, productos químicos y farmacéuticos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar los compuestos volátiles de trece flores de especies, pertenecientes a cuatro géneros de Bromeliaceae utilizando microextracción en fase sólida mediante cromatografía de gases hifenada con espacio de cabeza acoplada a espectrometría de masas. Se han identificado setenta y un diferentes compuestos volátiles pertenecientes a nueve grupos. Los compuestos identificados representaron más del 97 % de los componentes principales en Aechmea bicolor, Ae. bromeliifolia, Ae. distichantha, Ae. fasciata, Vriesea friburgensis, 99 % en las variedades de Ananas y 90 % en V. Simplex. V. friburgensis mostró la mayor diversidad de compuestos volátiles con 31, mientras que en Al. nahoumii se han encontrado sólo 14 compuestos. Las tres variedades de Ananas presentan los mismos 28 compuestos en cantidades relativamente similares, lo que se confirmó por el análisis de componentes principales. Estudios taxonómicos y síndromes de polinización disponibles podrían explicar la variación de los compuestos volátiles entre especies.

Abstract:Volatile compounds play a vital role in the life cycle of plants, possessing antimicrobial and anti-herbivore activities, and with a significant importance in the food, cosmetic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to identify the volatile compounds emitted by flowers of thirteen species belonging to four genera of Bromeliaceae, using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction and detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 71 volatile compounds belonging to nine chemical groups were identified. The compounds identified represented more than 97 % of the major components in Aechmea bicolor, Ae. bromeliifolia, Ae. distichantha, Ae. fasciata, and Vriesea friburgensis. In the Ananas varieties, over 99 % of the components were identified, and around 90 % in V. simplex. V. friburgensis presented the largest diversity of volatiles with 31 compounds, while Alcantarea nahoumii presented only 14. All three Ananas varieties presented the same 28 compounds in relatively similar abundance, which has been confirmed by principal component analysis. Current taxonomy and pollination syndrome studies available can adequately explain the variation in volatile compounds among species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1101-1116. Epub 2016 September 01.

The extraction process of bioactive compounds from propolis produced by selected bees was optimized using a 2³ factorial design planning to evaluate the effect of ethanol concentration, time and temperature on the extraction of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Analysis of total flavonoids, antioxidant activity and chemical characterization performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) detection were carried out in optimal conditions of extraction. Optimizing results suggest that the best condition for extraction of bioactive compounds was obtained in higher levels: time (45 min), temperature (70 °C) and concentration of ethanol (80%). The extract evaluated in optimal conditions presented good antioxidant activity by the radical scavenging 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods and chromatographic analysis identified phenolic acids: para-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic, indicating that this material is a potential source of bioactive compounds.

Vinte e duas amostras da própolis produzida por Apis mellifera L. em uma região do Semiárido no Estado da Bahia (Agreste de Alagoinhas), Brasil, foram analisadas palinologicamente e quantificadas em relação aos níveis de compostos fenólicos totais. Essas amostras foram processadas utilizando a técnica da acetólise com as modificações sugeridas para uso de própolis. Foram encontrados 59 tipos pertencentes a 19 famílias e 36 gêneros. A família Fabaceae foi a mais representativa neste estudo com nove tipos de polens, seguida da família Asteraceae com sete tipos. Os tipos Mikania e Mimosa pudica estiveram presentes em todas as amostras analisadas. Os tipos Mimosa pudica e Eucalyptus apresentaram frequência de ocorrência superior a 50% em pelo menos uma amostra. O maior índice de similaridade (c. de 72%) ocorreu entre as amostras ER1 e ER2 pertencentes ao município de Entre Rios. As amostras da cidade de Inhambupe apresentaram os maiores (36,78±1,52 mg/g EqAG) e menores (7,68±2,58 mg/g EqAG) níveis de compostos fenólicos totais. Através do Coeficiente de Correlação de Spearman notou-se que existia uma correlação linear negativa entre os tipos Mimosa pudica (rs= -0,0419) eEucalyptus (rs = -0,7090) com o perfil dos níveis totais de compostos fenólicos das amostras.

Twenty-two propolis samples produced by Apis mellifera L. in an area of the Semiarid region the the State of Bahia (Agreste of Alagoinhas), Brazil, were palynologically analyzed and quantified regarding their levels of total phenolic compounds. These samples were processed using the acetolysis technique with the changes suggested for use with propolis. We found 59 pollen types belonging to 19 families and 36 genera. The family Fabaceae was the most representative in this study with nine pollen types, followed by the family Asteraceae with seven types. The typesMikania and Mimosa pudica occurred in all samples analyzed. The types Mimosa pudica andEucalyptus had frequency of occurrence above 50% in at least one sample. The highest similarity index (c. 72%) occurred between the samples ER1 and ER2, belonging to the municipality of Entre Rios. Samples from the municipality of Inhambupe displayed the highest (36.78±1.52 mg/g EqAG) and lowest (7.68 ± 2.58 mg/g EqAG) levels of total phenolic compounds. Through the Spearman Correlation Coefficient we noticed that there was a negative linear correlation between the types Mimosa pudica (rs = -0.0419) and Eucalyptus (rs = -0.7090) with the profile of the levels of total phenolic compounds of the samples.

The contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of bee pollen ethanolic extract were determined and compared to those of commercial antioxidants. Bee pollen extract from the state of Rio Grande do Sul presented antioxidant activity statistically equal to that of α -tocopherol and higher than those of BHT and BHA. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity and the total phenolics and total flavonoids contents of bee pollen extracts. HPLC technique made the identification of high contents of rutin and myricetin possible, which may partially explain the high antioxidant activity of Brazilian bee pollen.

Cogumelos comestíveis contêm importantes propriedades funcionais. Em particular, beta-glucanos, homo- e hetero-glucanos com ligações glicosídicas beta(1->3), beta(1->4) e beta(1->6), supostamente responsáveis por algumas propriedades benéficas à saúde humana, como atividade imunomodulatória, antioxidante, antiinflamatória e anticancerígena. Neste trabalho, a quantidade de beta-glucano presente em cogumelo Agaricus blazei Murill, coletados de três diferentes locais, foi analisada utilizando-se método enzimático. As amostras (em base seca) foram tratadas com alfa-amilase, protease bacteriana e com glicoamilase fúngica. beta-glucano foi quantificado após hidrólise ácida e determinação da glicose liberada. Foi verificado que amostras de A. blazei Murill cultivadas em estufas apresentaram menor concentração de b-glucano (8,4±0,9 e 7,6±2,8g/100g) quando comparado com amostras cultivadas em campo aberto (10,1±2,1g/100g). Observou-se ainda que, mesmo sendo cultivado em condições semelhantes, porém em locais diferentes, as amostras apresentaram diferenças significativas (7,6±2,8 e 8,4±0,9g/100g).

Edible mushrooms contains a very interesting functional properties. Among them, the beta-glucans, polysaccharides with beta-1,3; b-1,4 and beta-1,6glucosidic linkages, they are responsible to a series of properties to human health, such as immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antiinflammatory and, antitumoral activities. In the present work, the Agaricus blazei Murill beta-glucan concentrations from three locations, were determined through the enzymatic method. Samples were treated with alpha-amylase, bacterial protease and fungal glucoamylase. beta-glucans were quantified after acid hydrolysis and, the glucose determined for spectrophotometric method. It was verified that samples cultivated inside stoves presented smaller beta-glucan concentration (8.4±0.9 and 7.6±2.8g/100g), when compared with samples cultivated in open field (10.1±2.1g/100g). It was also observed that the samples cultivated in similar conditions, even so in different place, presented significant differences (7.6±2.8 and 8.4±0.9g/100g).

Isolados e concentrados protéicos de soja são ingredientes largamente utilizados na indústria de panificação, confeitaria, bebidas e embutidos. As isoflavonas presentes na soja podem sofrer alterações em quantidade e perfil de distribuição dependendo das condições de processamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o balanço de massa de isoflavonas e proteína em processamento de isolados e de concentrados protéicos de soja (tratamento com ácido e com álcool). A maior parte das isoflavonas presentes na matéria-prima (farinha desengordurada de soja) é perdida nos sobrenadantes de processo (90% para extração com etanol 60%, 52% para processamento de isolado protéico e 47% para extração com ácido). O teor de isoflavonas nos produtos obtidos foi de 686µg/g base seca (b.s.) para isolado protéico, 871µ g/g b.s. para concentrado protéico obtido por tratamento ácido e apenas 153µg/g b.s. para concentrado protéico obtido por tratamento com álcool. Não foi observada alteração no perfil de distribuição das isoflavonas nesse último processo, enquanto que nos dois primeiros notou-se diminuição da quantidade das formas malonil glicosídeos e aumento da quantidade das formas beta-glicosiladas e gliconas.

Soy protein isolate (SPI) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) are largely used in bakery, confectionary, meat and beverage products. Isoflavones present in soybeans products can undergo changes in quantity and profile depending on the processing conditions. The objective of this work was to conduct mass balance studies of isoflavones and protein during the processing of SPI and SPC (acid and alcohol leach). The majority of isoflavones present in the raw material is lost in the supernatants (90% for SPC treated with alcohol, 52% for SPI and 47% for SPC treated with acid). Total concentration of isoflavones was 652µg/g for SPI, 838µg/g for SPC (acid leach), and only 147µg/g for SPC (alcohol leach). There were no changes in the profile of isoflavones in this last process, whereas in the previous two, the amount of malonyl glycosides decreased while the total amount of beta-glycosides and aglucones significantly increased.

Foram efetuados estudos fenológicos de 10 espécies arbóreas de valor econômico, ocorrentes em uma área de caatinga (Alagoinha-PE). Durante 6 anos (1982 a 1988) observações fenológicas foram realizadas, porém o ano de 1986 foi considerado como ponto de referência para a análise, com registro de observações fenológicas, mensalmente. Analisaram-se as fenofases de queda foliar, formação de novas folhas, floração e frutificação, utilizando-se 3 indivíduos de cada espécie selecionada. As espécies estudadas apresentaram quanto aos aspectos fenológicos 2 grupos de comportamento: perenes, com substituição de novas folhas do início para o final do período seco e floração apenas no período chuvoso, exceto Ziziphus joazeiro Mart, que floresceu no final do período seco (dezembro). Decíduas, queda foliar, no intervalo de 1 a 3 meses, no final do período seco; 2 espécies floresceram no período seco (folhas novas e floração quase simultâneas); 2 espécies floresceram no período chuvoso (folhas novas e floração em etapas distintas) e 2 espécies (Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart, e Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.) obtiveram 2 picos de floração em cada período, com formação de novas folhas de imediato. Quanto à frutificação 7 das 10 espécies, frutificaram no final do período seco para o início das chuvas, as demais no período chuvoso.

Phenological studies were carried out on 10 tree species of economical value occurring in a caatinga area (Alagoinha-PE). The observations were made over a period of 6 years (1982 to 1988), but 1986 was considered as the reference point for the analysis, when monthly phenological records were made. The phenophases of leaf fall, new leaf formation, flowering and fruiting were analyzed using 3 individuals per selected species. The species studied were divided into two groups in terms of phenological behavior: evergreens with leaf replacement from the begirining to the end of the dry season and flowering only during the rainy season, except for Ziziphus joazeiro Mart, which flowered at the end of the dry season (December). Deciduos trees casting leaves over a period of 1 to 3 months ot the end of the dry season; 2 species flowered during the dry season (new leaves and flowering occurring almost simultaneously); 2 species flowered during the rainy season (new leaves and flowering occurring at different times), and 2 species (Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart, and Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.) showed two flowering peaks during each season, with immediate formation of new leaves. Seven of the 10 species studied produced fruits from the end of the dry season to the beginning of the rainy season, and the remaining ones produced fruit during the rainy season.