STORAGE RESULTS IN LOSS OF THE ANTIGENOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF LENTINULA EDODES (SHIITAKE MUSHROOM) AND DEVELOPMENT OF IN VIVO GENOTOXICITY

In this study, we have investigated the stability of the antigenotoxic properties of dried of Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Singer mushroom powder stored at room and at − 20C. Mice were pretreated by gavage for 15 consecutive days with 0.6 mL/day of an aqueous extract of dried L. edodes powder prepared at 60C. On day 15, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU); 3 h later, peripheral blood was withdrawn from the animals and used to evaluate DNA damage using the comet assay. The mice were sacrificed 24 h after the ENU treatment and the bone marrow used to measure the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. The results indicated that storage at both room temperature and at − 20C significantly reduced the antigenotoxic effects of the mushroom powder. In addition, whereas freshly dried mushroom powder was nongenotoxic, storage of the powder at − 20C resulted in genotoxic activity ( P <  0.05). Taken together, our data indicate that constituents of L. edodes powder are altered during storage, resulting in both genotoxicity and a reduction in antigenotoxicity.     

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFUSION PROCESS INSIDE PROLATE SPHEROIDAL SOLIDS

ABSTRACT

A numerical solution of the diffusion equation to describe solute transport inside ellipsoids, assuming a constant difiusion coefficient and a corrective boundary condition, is presented. The difiusion equation in a prolate spheroidal coordinate system was used for a hidimensional case. The finite volume method was employed to discretize the basic equation, utilizing a uniform grid size. The equation was solved irteratively using the Gauss-Seidel method. The effect of Biot number and the aspect ratio of the body on diffusion rate and concentration during the process is presented. Plots are presented for Biot numbers from 0.05 to infinity and aspect ratios of 1.1, 2.0 and 5.0. To investigate the effect of the aspect ratio, different results changing the aspect ratio for Bi= 1.0 are shown. The results show that the model is consistent and it may be used to solve other cases such as those that include cylinder and sphere geometry, and/ or those with variable diffusion coefficients with small modifications.     

ACEROLA's CLONES OF INDUSTRIAL INTEREST

In order to know which clone of acerola is better for acerola industrialization, we studied the pectin methylesterase (PME) specific activity, pectin content and vitamin C content in five different clones of acerola. The pectin yield varied from 1.37 to 2.99% and the highest content of pectin occurred in clones 3 and 5. Ascorbic acid varied significantly from 1157.5 to 1735.5 mg/100 g of pulp in the five clones. The highest content of vitamin C occurred in clone 4. The PME specific activity varied from 0.79 to 2.92 units g ^?1 /g of pulp and the highest values occurred in clone 2. We also studied the optimum temperature and the optimum pH of this enzyme. Clones 1, 2, 4 and 5 showed optimum temperature at 90C. Clone 3 showed practically the same specific activity at all temperatures studied. Clones 1 and 4 showed an optimum pH of 9.0 and clone numbers 2, 3 and 5 showed a pH optimum at 8.5.     

Fatty acid composition of the total, neutral and phospholipids of pond-raised Brazilian Piaractus mesopotamicus

Seven sample lots of farmed Piaractus mesopotamicus , fed a set diet, collected at different times during the year were analysed. The total lipids (11 ± 3% fresh weight, muscle) consisted of 94% neutral lipids and 5% phospholipids. Sixty-seven fatty acids and dimethylacetals were detected in the total lipids, the principal acids being 18:1ω9±ω7 (41.0 ± 1.7%), 16:0 (24.2 ± 1.2%), 18.2ω6 (9.1 ω 0.5%), 16:1ω7 (8.9 ± 0.7%), 18:0 (7.7 ± 0.5%) and 14:0 (3.2 ± 0.5%). The neutral lipids exhibited a similar profile. The phospholipids had a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, the major components being 18:1ω6 (9.1 ± 0.7%) (17.5 ± 1.8%), 16:0 (16.7 ± 2.0%), 20:4ω6 (11.6 ± 1.3%), 22:6ω3 (11.0 ± 1.3%), 18:2ω6 (9.1 ± 0.7%), 18:0 (8.9 ± 1.1%), 22:5ω (5.8 ± 0.7%). No definite trend was seen in relation to season (water temperature, 7–26°C). The fish samples analysed were poor in ω3 fatty acids, which appeared to reflect the low ω3 fatty acid content of the diet.     

Effect of somatic cell counts on lipolysis,proteolysis and apparent viscosity of UHT milk during storage

In this work, lipolysis, proteolysis and viscosity of ultra‐high temperature (UHT) milk containing different somatic cell counts (SCC) were investigated. UHT milks were analysed on days 8, 30, 60, 90 and 120 of storage. Lipolysis as measured by free fatty acids increase, casein degradation and viscosity of UHT milk were not affected by SCC but increased during storage. A negative relationship was observed between SCC and casein as a percentage of true protein on the 120th day of storage, hence indicating that high SCC increases the proteolysis of UHT milk by the end of its shelf life.     

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CASHEW APPLE (ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE L.) AND GUAVA (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L.) FRUIT POWDERS

Cashew apple and guava residues from fruit juice processing industry were prepared as dehydrated fruit powders. Differences in compositional and physicochemical characteristics between both fruit powders were significant at the 5% probability level, with exception to ash content. It is important to point out that despite the dehydration process, both samples can still be considered good sources of vitamin C. In addition, the results show that the guava and cashew apple powders may be useful in the food industry as high dietary "fiber ingredients." Higher lipid (14.05%) content was observed in guava powder. The guava powder could be an alternative source of lipid. The data also indicated that these materials are good sources of ash. The results suggest further utilization of these residues as valuable food ingredients or as a resource for nutraceuticals.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Large quantity of agro-industrial residues formed by fruit juice extraction represents a major disposal problem. An alternative to recycling the fruit-industrial residue is to submit it to drying processes and transform into value-added products as dehydrated fruit powder. In this way, this process contributes to diminish the problem and to recover valuable biomass and nutrients. The purpose of this study was to develop a technology to obtain guava and cashew apple powders with the objective of finding alternatives to the exploitation of these residues as valuable sources of vitamin C, as ashes and lipid that should also be regarded as potential nutraceutical resources in future or functional ingredients.     

Polyphenoloxidase Activity, Polyphenols Concentration and Browning Intensity during Soursop (Annona muricata, L.) Maturation

Values for polyphenoloxidase (PPO), total phenols and ascorbic acid, browning intensity and pH in soursops (Annona muricata, L.) decreased during maturation. Optimum pH was 7.5 (fully developed immature, mature unripe and ripe fruits) or 7.0 (fully ripe fruits). High correlation was found between PPO activity and phenolic compounds. The enzymic browning of soursops occurred during maturation. The least browning intensity was in fully ripe fruits.     

DEVELOPMENT OF A BLENDED NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMPOSED OF COCONUT WATER AND CASHEW APPLE JUICE CONTAINING CAFFEINE

ABSTRACT

In this work, the stability of a blended beverage composed by coconut water and clarified cashew apple juice (“cajuina”) is presented. The physicochemical, microbiological and sensory stability of a blended nonalcoholic beverage composed of coconut water and cajuina (80:20 v/v) were evaluated during 6 months. The results showed that the beverage presented good stability in all analyzed parameters except for vitamin C, which presented a loss of about 80% of the initial content. The beverage color also presented changes during the storage time. Despite these alterations, the product acceptance during the storage period did not show any rejection.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The development of blended beverages is a good way of improving the nutritional quality of traditional products. By mixing two or more kinds of fruits, a product with more vitamins and minerals and with different sensory and flavor characteristics when compared to the raw materials is obtained. In the present work, coconut water and cashew apple juice were mixed to obtain a different product combining the nutritional components from both fruits. The blended beverage combines the high vitamin C content of the cashew apple juice with the high mineral level of the coconut water. Caffeine was also added conferring stimulating properties to the product. The product acceptance was evaluated by sensory analysis and presented good acceptance until 6 months of storage at room temperature, presenting the required characteristics for a commercial product.

     

Influence of Fluid Rheological Properties and Particle Location on Ultrasound-assisted Heat Transfer between Liquid and Particles

Convective heat transfer between fluids and a particle was investigated as a function of fluid rheological properties and position in the ultrasonic field, expressed as dimensionless parameters. The convective heat transfer coefficient was determined for an irregularly shaped particle immersed in sodium carboxymethylcellulose solutions of various concentrations. The extent of sonic enhancement was strongly dependent on fluid rheological properties. At low viscosity, the distance of the particle to the nearest corner of the tank was found to be significantly correlated with heat transfer coefficient; this effect decreased as viscosity increased. Dimensionless correlations were developed.