Potential of nanofiltration for the concentration of bioactive compounds from watermelon juice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of nanofiltration for the concentration of bioactive compounds of watermelon juice. Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant activities were determined through two assays, ferric reducing antioxidant power and DPPH. The content of lycopene, flavonoids and total phenolic in the concentrate samples increased with the increase in the volume reduction factor. Volume reduction factor of three showed the best performance of concentration, generating the highest values for lycopene, flavonoid and total phenolic contents. Average permeation flux was 2.3 L h^?1 m^?2, with continuous extraction of the concentrate at a volumetric reduction ratio of three. Lycopene showed the highest rejection coefficient (0.99), followed by flavonoids (0.96) and total phenolic content (0.65). The hydrophilic antioxidant activity values in both assays were higher than the lipophilic antioxidant activity values. A highly significant correlation was noted between the contents of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and lycopene and their antioxidant potential in both lipophilic and hydrophilic fractions.     

Relationship between carotid plaque surface morphology and perfusion: a 3D DCE-MRI study

Objective

This study aims to explore the relationship between plaque surface morphology and neovascularization using a high temporal and spatial resolution 4D contrast-enhanced MRI/MRA sequence.

Materials and methods

Twenty one patients with either recent symptoms or a carotid artery stenosis ≥40% were recruited in this study. Plaque surface morphology and luminal stenosis were determined from the arterial phase MRA images. Carotid neovascularization was evaluated by a previously validated pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling approach. K ^trans (transfer constant) and v _p (partial plasma volume) were calculated in both the adventitia and plaque.

Results

Image acquisition and analysis was successfully performed in 28 arteries. Mean luminal stenosis was 44% (range 11–82%). Both adventitial and plaque K ^trans in ulcerated/irregular plaques were significantly higher than smooth plaques (0.079 ± 0.018 vs. 0.064 ± 0.011 min^?1, p = 0.02; 0.065 ± 0.013 vs. 0.055 ± 0.010 min^?1, p = 0.03, respectively). Positive correlations between adventitial K ^trans and v _p against stenosis were observed (r = 0.44, p = 0.02; r = 0.55, p = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a single sequence to acquire both high resolution 4D CE-MRA and DCE-MRI to evaluate both plaque surface morphology and function. The results demonstrate significant relationships between lumen surface morphology and neovascularization.

     

Rheological and physico-chemical characterization of prebiotic microfiltered fermented milk

Microfiltered cow’s milk samples were fermented with (prebiotic) and without inulin and evaluated regarding the physico-chemical composition (day 1 of storage) and rheological (days 1, 7, 14 and 21) evaluation, at temperatures of 4.0 ± 0.1 °C and 6.0 ± 0.1 °C. The addition of inulin increased the total solids content of the prebiotic fermented milk, increasing its acidity. The Power Law and Mizhari and Berk models were applied successfully to describe the flow of the fermented milks, which had characteristics of shear thinning and non-Newtonian fluid behavior. As with the addition of inulin, the storage time contributed to an increase in the apparent viscosity of the product. The prebiotic fermented milk had greater thixotropy and the hysteresis was lower with an increase in the temperature.     

Concentration of biologically active compounds extracted from Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. by nanofiltration

The aim of this study was to characterise the bioactive compounds in mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil) extract and in concentrated mate extract obtained by nanofiltration (NF). Also, the impact of NF on the antioxidant activity of both mate extracts was evaluated in vitro and using eukaryotic cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast assay). The results showed a significant increase in the contents of total phenolics (338%), chlorogenic acid (483%), theobromine (323%), caffeine (251%), chlorophyll (321%), condensed tannins (278%) and saponins (211%) in the concentrated mate extract. The concentrated mate extract showed higher in vitro antioxidant activity than the mate extract. According to the results obtained, it can be stated that the use of nanofiltration membrane is a valid approach for the concentration of biologically active compounds in aqueous extract of mate.     

Optimisation of pectin acid extraction from passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa) using response surface methodology

Pectin was extracted from passion fruit peel using three different acids (citric, hydrochloric or nitric) at different temperatures (40–90 °C), pH (1.2–2.6) and extraction times (10–90 min), with and without skins using a 2⁴ factorial design. Temperature, pH and extraction time had highly significant effects on the pectin yield. A central composite design with face centring was used to optimise the extraction process conditions for citric acid without skins. Pectin yields varied from 10% to 70%. The optimal conditions for maximisation of pectin yield were the use of citric acid at 80 °C and pH 1 with an extraction time of 10 min considering model extrapolation.     

Concentration of phenolic compounds in aqueous mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil) extract through nanofiltration

In order to establish the parameters to obtain aqueous mate extract with the highest content of total phenolic compounds (TPC), the response surface methodology (RSM) was used. The extract obtained at 100 °C, within 3 min and with pH of 6.0 was submitted to nanofiltration to concentrate the phenolic compounds of mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hill). The total phenolic content values in the permeate and in the concentrate collected in different volumetric reduction factors (VRF) were different from those detected in the feed extract. The concentration of phenolic compounds increased when VRF was increased, reaching the highest retention index (R) of 0.99 when VRF was 4.0. The permeate and the concentrate obtained in VRF 4.0 were verified through HPLC. 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and gallic acid showed retention index of 1.00 and 0.95, respectively, while 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and chlorogenic acid reached 0.99 and 0.98, respectively.     

Multi-element determination in acid-digested soy protein formulations by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

The concentrations of major (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P) and trace elements (Al, Cu and Fe) in soy protein formulations sold in Bahia (Brazil) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Liquid and powdered soy protein formulation samples, both whole and light, were digested using a conventional heating program on a hot-plate. The powdered samples were prepared according to the label instructions for human consumption. A 5.0-ml aliquot of the soy protein emulsion was transferred to a borosilicate Erlenmeyer and concentrated nitric and sulfuric acid added. After a digestion time of approximately 50 min, hydrogen peroxide was added and heating continued to give a final volume of approximately 5 ml; the colorless digests were then made up to 15.0 ml with deionised water. Residual acid content was determined by acid-base titration. Good agreement between measured and certified values for all analytes in a non-fat milk powder (NIST SRM 1549) indicated that the method was suitable for major and trace elements determination in soy protein formulations.