Resumo As características intrínsecas de muitas frutas tropicais causam grandes perdas pós-colheita e impedem sua comercialização como frutas frescas. As informações sobre sua composição são cruciais para definir as condições de processamento e identificar oportunidades de desenvolvimento de produtos. No entanto, os métodos analíticos geralmente usados para quantificar açúcares e ácidos orgânicos são caros e demorados. A análise simultânea por Cromatografia Líquida-Ionização por Electrospray-Espectrometria de Massa (LC-ESI-MS/MS) é uma técnica muito sensível e reproduzível, permitindo a quantificação simultânea precisa em sistemas complexos. Assim, desenvolvemos um método LC-ESI-MS/MS de monitoramento de reações múltiplas (MRM) usando coluna de fase reversa para detectar e quantificar açúcares e alguns ácidos orgânicos em apenas quatro minutos, em frutas selecionadas: araza (Psidium cattleianum), ceriguela (Spondias purpurea), manga (Mangifera indica), goiaba (Psidium guajava) e pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.). Todas as frutas apresentaram concentrações semelhantes de glicose e frutose, exceto a pitanga, que apresentou valores superiores. O conteúdo de ácidos cítrico, málico e tartárico foi quantificado; algumas frutas se destacaram pelo alto teor de ácidos orgânicos. Os dados gerados sobre a composição das frutas tropicais permitem estabelecer uma correlação entre o teor de carboidratos e as propriedades físicas das polpas das frutas, auxiliando no desenvolvimento de novos produtos.

Abstract The intrinsic characteristics of many tropical fruits cause high post-harvest losses and prevent their commercialization as fresh fruits. Information about their composition is crucial for defining processing conditions and identifying opportunities for product development. However, the analytical methods generally used to quantify sugars and organic acids are costly and time-consuming. Simultaneous analysis by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) is a very sensitive and reproducible technique, allowing for accurate simultaneous multi-analyte quantitation in complex systems. Thus, a LC-ESI-MS/MS Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) method was developed using reverse phase column for detecting and quantifying sugars and some organic acids in only 4 min, in selected fruits as following: araza (Psidium cattleianum L.), ciriguela (Spondias purpurea L.), mango (Mangifera indicaL.), guava (Psidium guajava L.) and pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.). All fruits had a similar concentration of glucose and fructose, except for pitanga that presented higher values of both. The content of citric, malic and tartaric acids was quantitated; some fruits stood out by their high content of organic acids, for instance, araza was rich in citric acid. The newly generated data on the composition of tropical fruits allowed establishing a correlation between the carbohydrate content and the physical properties of the fruit pulps, assist in product development.

Abstract The protein adsorption on the porous alginate microparticles was evaluated in regards to the coating ability and this protective effect during gastrointestinal assay. The coating was performed at suitable pH for optimized electrostatic interaction between protein and alginate. Concentrations of gelatin (HGE) and their hydrolysates (Collagel® (MGE) (> 10 kDa) and Fortigel® (LGE) (3 kDa)) from 1 to 10% (w/w) were tested. Higher protein adsorption was observed in the highest concentration of protein in solution and the amount adsorbed was inversely proportional to the degree of hydrolysis with 47.3, 41.4 and 29.3% of protein adsorbed when HGE, MGE and LGE were used, respectively. The particles that showed higher protein adsorption were submitted to gastrointestinal in vitro assay. In gastric simulation, 39.1, 41.8 and 49.0% of protein from HGE, MGE and LGE were solubilized while 81.3, 61.5 and 95.2% were solubilized after 5 h under enteric conditions.

Abstract In this work, an experimental unit of a vacuum spray dryer was built. This prototype attempted to combine the advantages of freeze-drying (drying at low temperatures due to vacuum) and spray drying (increase of surface area aiming the improvement of heat transfer efficiency). Maltodextrin solutions were dried in the vacuum operated equipment and in conventional spray dryer. The vacuum spray dryer system allowed obtaining powder at low temperatures due to the lowering of pressure conditions (2-5 kPa) inside the drying chamber. The products obtained in the two systems were characterized and compared for particle size distribution, moisture content, water activity, bulk density and solubility in water. The processes yields were also evaluated and compared. The vacuum spray dryer system allowed the production of larger, more soluble and less dense particles than those obtained in the conventional configuration of the equipment, resulting in drier and, therefore, with lower water activity particles. Thus, the use of the vacuum spray dryer as a drying technique may be an alternative for the production of powder rich in thermosensitive compounds.

O sangue animal de abatedouros representa uma fonte importante de ingrediente alimentício subutilizado. A produção de sangue bovino no Brasil foi aproximadamente 3,6 x 10(6) tons em 2005. Além do desperdício de uma proteína de boa qualidade, a subutilização deste subproduto da indústria animal é uma fonte importante de poluição dos recursos hídricos e do solo. A concentração de proteína albumina (BSA) e globulina (BSG) bovinas secas em spray ou liofilizadas foi, aproximadamente, 85,0%. O score de aminoácidos (EAAS) foi 72,7%, para BSA liofilizada, e 89,3%, para BSG. As propriedades emulsificantes e espumantes de ambas as frações protéicas foram altas, principalmente a pH 5,5. A capacidade emulsificante e espumante foi maior para BSA, no entanto, tanto a estabilidade da emulsão quanto a da espuma formada foram melhores para a BSG. A adição de NaCl apresentou uma tendência de reduzir as duas propriedades surfactantes, independentemente do pH. Considerando a solubilidade, a estabilidade ao calor, propriedades emulsificante e espumante, tanto a BSA quanto a BSG deveriam ser consideradas bons ingredientes funcionais para a manufatura de produtos alimentícios. O estudo não apenas confirmou dados já reportados na literatura, como também explorou novas propriedades, o que amplifica o potencial de aplicações do soro de sangue bovino.

Animal blood from slaughterhouses represent an important source of food ingredients which have been so far underutilized. Bovine blood production in Brazil was about 3.6 x 10(6) in the year 2005. Besides wasting a good food quality protein, underutilization of this byproduct from the animal industry is an important cause of soil and water resources pollution. Protein concentration of both freeze-dried and spray-dried bovine albumin (BSA) and globulin (BSG) was around 85.0%. Essential Amino Acid Scoring (EAAS) was 72.7% for freeze-dried BSA and 89.3% for BSG. Emulsifying and foaming properties of both protein fractions were good mainly at pH 5.5. Foaming and emulsifying capacity was higher for BSA. Nevertheless, both foam and emulsion stabilities were better for BSG. NaCl tended to decrease both surfactant properties independently of pH. Considering solubility, heat stability, emulsifying and foaming properties, both BSA and BSG should be considered good functional ingredients for the manufacturing of food products. The study not only confirmed data already reported in the literature, but also enabled exploring new features, which amplifies the potential of applications.

O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi o isolamento e a caracterização química e nutricional (in vitro) das duas principais frações protéicas do soro de sangue bovino. Imediatamente, após coleta higiênica do sangue em matadouro, promoveu-se a coagulação e a remoção da fração celular por centrifugação, em condições apropriadas. A fração globulina (GB) foi precipitada do soro pela saturação a 50% com (NH4)2 SO4 . Após separação da GB por centrifugação a saturação do sobrenadante foi elevada a 80%, para a precipitação da albumina (BSA). A precipitação de proteínas séricas das duas frações somou 98% das proteínas totais do soro. As duas frações protéicas foram caracterizadas quanto à composição centesimal, perfil de aminoácidos, composição mineral, escore de aminoácidos essenciais (EAE), digestibilidade da proteína e PDCAAS ("Protein digestibility corrected amino acid scoring"). O teor de proteína nas duas frações foi de aproximadamente 85% e a BSA se caracterizou pelo elevado teor de lisina, histidina e aminoácidos sulfurados. O EAE para BSA foi 70% sendo triptofano o aminoácido mais limitante e 87,8% para a GB, sendo a isoleucina o aminoácido mais limitante. O uso das técnicas de eletroforese e densitometria permitiu a caracterização das frações quanto ao número de bandas pesos moleculares e proporção relativa entre as várias proteínas.

The main objective of this work, was the isolation, chemical and nutritional (in vitro) characterization of the two main protein fractions of bovine blood serum. Immediatly after hygienic collection at the slaughter house the blood was coagulated and the cellular fraction separated by centrifugation under appropriate conditions. The globulin (GB) fraction was precipitated from blood serum by 50% saturation with ammonium sulfate. The supernalant was separated by centrifugation and the (NH4)2SO4 saturation elevated to 80%. Under this condition BSA precipitated. Precipitation (recovery) of proteins amounted to 98% of total serum protein, in the two fractions. Both GB and BSA were characterized as to proximate percent composition, mineral, amino acid profiles, essential amino acid score (EAE), protein digestibility, and protein digestibility corrected amino acid scoring (PDCAAS). Protein concentration in both fractions was around 85%. BSA presented high concentrations of lysine, histidine and sulfur amino acids, particulary cistine. The EAE for BSA was 70%, tryptophan being the most limiting amino acid, and for GB the EAE score was 87.8% with isoleucine as the most limiting amino acid. PAGE-SDS and densitometry permitted the fractions characterization as the number of protein bands molecular weight and relative proportions among the various proteins.