<p>  </p> <p>Edible insects, a novel source of protein, are gaining interest for their health promoting attributes. In this study, the <em>in vivo and in vitro</em> antioxidant effect of tropical banded cricket (<em>Gryllodes sigillatus</em>) peptides was evaluated. Antioxidant activity by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and caco-2 cellular antioxidant activity, were measured in hydrolyzed followed by simulated gastrointestinal digested (SGD) cricket peptides. <em>In vivo</em> analysis was conducted using <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> as a model. <em>In vitro</em> analysis showed cricket peptides had greater (p< 0.05) antioxidant activity than the unhydrolyzed protein (control). In <em>C. elegans,</em> the lifespan of nematodes fed SGD peptides increased under chronic and acute oxidative stress conditions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of nematodes fed SGD peptides under paraquat induced oxidative stress were lower (p<0.05) than that of the control group. Further studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated that the increased resistance to oxidative stress in <em>C. elegans</em> fed SGD peptides could be due to the increased expression of the stress-related gene gst-4. Taken together, these results indicate that tropical banded cricket peptides could be used as a functional food and nutraceutical to combat oxidative stress. </p>

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Research was conducted to investigate the effect of phenolic compounds derived from inherently rich antioxidant grape extracts (GE) on α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro and in vivo blood glucose control, oxidative stress, and inflammation associated with obesity-induced type 2 diabetes. Because intestinal α-glucosidase plays a key role in the digestion and absorption of complex carbohydrates, the inhibition of this enzyme is a metabolic target for managing diabetes by improving post-prandial blood glucose control. Initially, red Norton wine grape (Vitis aestivalis) and pomace extracts were evaluated and determined to have notable phenolic content and antioxidant properties. Next, grape skin (GSE) and pomace extract (GPE) were tested and both had in vitro yeast and mammalian α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The GSE was 32-times more potent at inhibiting yeast α-glucosidase than acarbose, a commercial oral hypoglycemic agent. From HPLC and LC-MS analysis, three phenolics from the GSE (resveratrol, ellagic acid, and catechin) were identified as active inhibitory compounds. The acute administration of GPE (400 mg/kg bw) to mice reduced postprandial blood glucose level by 35% following an oral glucose tolerance test compared to the control. The daily supplementation (250 mg/kg bw) of GSE and GPE for 12-weeks to mice affected fasting blood glucose levels, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. At the end of the study, the GSE group gained significantly (P < 0.05) more weight (24.6 g) than the control, high fat, or GPE groups (11.2, 20.2, 19.6 g, respectively). Both GSE and GPE groups had lower fasting blood glucose levels (119.3 and 134.2 mg/dL, respectively) compared to the high fat group (144.6 mg/dL). The 12-week supplementation of GSE was associated with a higher plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), lower liver lipid peroxidation as measure by TBARS, and lower levels of inflammation as measured by plasma C-reactive protein compared to the high fat group. In conclusion, our collective observations from these studies provide insight into the potential effects of antioxidant rich grape extracts on diabetes-related biomarkers through a dual mechanism of antioxidant protection and specific inhibition of intestinal α-glucosidases. / Ph. D.

An increased interest in functional beverages is occurring, and omega-3 fatty acids (FA) are one of the most commonly sought ingredients to fortify such beverages. Omega-3 FA produce beneficial health effects, likely due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The majority of current omega-3 FA-fortified products include marine-derived omega-3 FA sources, often producing undesired flavors due to lipid oxidation. Little research regarding incorporation of alpha-linolenic acid in functional beverage formulation has been conducted. Alpha-linolenic acid is less susceptible to oxidation and may be a candidate to deliver omega-3 FA into the diet via functional products. Flaxseed is the richest plant source for alpha-linolenic acid; consumption may increase omega-3 FA intake and lower the omega-6:omega3 FA ratio, thereby, attenuating inflammation. Finely ground flaxseed was, therefore, incorporated into a chocolate milk foundation ("flaxmilk") to increase dietary omega-3 FA. An untrained consumer panel tasted and rated flaxmilk's palatability using a 9-point hedonic scale. A score of "6.0" ("like slightly") was targeted. A mean hedonic score of 6.35 was achieved, surpassing the targeted score and indicating an acceptable product. Sensory and analytical analyses of flaxmilk were conducted and compared to standard chocolate milk. Flaxmilk was significantly different in most physical, chemical and sensory characteristics compared to chocolate milk. A reduction in the omega-6:omega-3 FA ratio may attenuate inflammation; inflammation has been linked to osteoporosis. Thus, a secondary analysis of data collected from 202 women was conducted to estimate the dietary omega-6:omega-3 FA ratio and examine relationships between the omega-6:omega-3 FA ratio and total body and site-specific bone mineral density (BMD). The omega-6:omega-3 FA ratio had no appreciable association with any measure of BMD in the overall sample of women or in younger or older subsamples of women. In summary, consumers found flaxmilk to be an acceptable product, despite sensory and compositional differences compared to chocolate milk. The relationship between the omega-6:omega-3 FA ratio and BMD remains unclear. / Ph. D.

O aumento da produção pela agroindústria, ao mesmo tempo em que proporciona benefícios, gera uma grande quantidade de resíduos que, se não tratados de forma adequada, trazem malefícios à sociedade e ao ambiente. A utilização destes subprodutos diminui custos da produção, aumenta o aproveitamento total do alimento e reduz o impacto ambiental. Dessa forma, alguns subprodutos como cascas, sementes e bagaços podem ser transformados em ingredientes alimentícios. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar as polpas e os resíduos do processamento de açaí, buriti e cupuaçu, bem como avaliar a melhor fonte de fibras para a elaboração de pães integrais. Os resíduos foram separados em: torta desengordurada de açaí, de buriti e cupuaçu; açaí integral; semente do açaí; endocarpo esclerificado do buriti; casca do buriti; buriti integral; semente do buriti; casca do cupuaçu; cupuaçu integral e semente do cupuaçu. Foram realizadas análises de composição centesimal e coloração nas polpas e resíduos, onde a casca de cupuaçu apresentou melhores características para elaboração de uma farinha para desenvolvimento dos pães. Os pães foram desenvolvidos substituindo parcialmente a farinha de trigo pela farinha de casca de cupuaçu (FCC) em 0%, 3%, 6% e 9% e analisados quanto à composição centesimal, fatores antinutricionais, propriedades físicas e aceitabilidade pelos consumidores. Para elaboração da FCC, as cascas foram lavadas, sanitizadas com hipoclorito de sódio, liofilizadas e trituradas em moinho de facas. Como resultados, os pães integrais tiveram sua composição centesimal quase inalterada em função da substituição da farinha de trigo pela farinha de casca de cupuaçu, exceto pelo aumento gradativo no teor de fibras alimentares em detrimento do teor de carboidrato. Assim, os pães com 6% de FCC, segundo a legislação brasileira, podem ser considerados como fonte de fibras e os pães com 9% com alto teor de fibras alimentares. O aumento do teor de FCC proporcionou diminuição no valor calórico dos pães em relação ao padrão, assim como melhor digestibilidade protéica in vitro; aumento não significativo nos teores de taninos; leve aumento no teor de fitatos e fenólicos totais, porém próximos aos encontrados na literatura. O valor de pH pouco variou nos pães. A farinha de casca de cupuaçu contribuiu para aumentar a diferença de cor dos miolos dos pães do que da crosta dos mesmos, onde maiores quantidades de farinhas de casca adicionadas promovem colorações mais escuras. O volume dos pães diminuiu proporcionalmente em relação ao aumento da substituição da farinha branca pela de casca, quando comparados ao pão padrão. Todos os pães encontram-se dentro da legislação em relação aos microrganismos. Para o teste de aceitação aplicado, constatou-se que 72,5% consumiam pães diariamente; 67,5% consideraram pães importantes na alimentação e 65,0% declararam importante o consumo de fibras para a saúde. Quanto à avaliação da qualidade, os pães com 0%, 3% e 6% de farinha de casca de cupuaçu obtiveram ótima aceitação e seriam adquiridos/consumidos por 92,5% dos provadores. / The increasing agribusiness production where as providing benefits, generates a large amount of waste that if not treated properly, may harm society and the environment. The use of these by products reduces production costs, increase the total utilization of food and reduce environmental impact. Thus, some byproducts such as hulls, seeds and meals can be processed into food ingredients. This study aimed to characterize the pulps and waste processing of assai, buriti and cupuassu as well as evaluate the best source of fiber for the production of whole grain breads. The residues were separated into: assai, buriti, cupuassu hulls, seeds and whole fruits as well as buriti sclerified endocarp and were analyzed for bromatological composition and pulp and waste coloR. Cupuassu hulls presented better characteristics for the preparation of a meal for the development of the loaves. The breads were developed by partially replacing wheat flour by ground cupuassu hulls (FCC) at 0%, 3%, 6% and 9% levels and analyzed for proximate composition, antinutritional factors, physical properties and consumer S acceptability. For preparation of the FCC, the shells were washed, sanitized with sodium hypochlorite, dried and crushed in a grinder of knives. As a result, the breads had their composition almost unchanged due to the substitution of wheat flour by cupuassu hull flour, except for a gradual increase in dietary fiber content at the expense of carbohydrate content. Hence, the breads with 6% of FCC, according to brazilian laws, can be considered as source of fiber and breads with 9% with high-fiber food. The increased content of FCC provideS a decrease in the caloric value of bread in relation to the pattern, as well as better protein digestibility in vitro, no significant increase in the levels of tannins, a slight increase in the content of phytate and total phenolics, but close to those found in the literature. The pH varied little in the breads. The cupuassu hull flour helped increase the difference in color between bread crumbs and crust, where larger quantities of hull flour promoted the darker hues. The loaf volume decreased proportionally to the increase of hull flour, when compared to standard bread. All breads are within the law in relation to microbiological patterns. For the acceptance test applied, it was found that 72.5% ate bread daily, 67.5% considered important in the diet breads and 65.0% reported significant fiber intake for health. Regarding the evaluation of quality, the bread containing 0%, 3% and 6% of cupuassu hull flour had great acceptance and would be bought or consumed by 92.5% of the panelists.

Os inibidores da enzima acetilcolinesterase constituem o principal tratamento da doença de Alzheimer e fontes de substâncias naturais com potencial anticolinesterásico vêm sendo amplamente estudadas. Dentre os frutos com benefícios para a saúde, a romã é evidenciada como excelente fonte de compostos antioxidantes, sendo que maior parte dos compostos se concentram em sua casca. Com base nisso, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi buscar novas substâncias naturais com potencial anticolinesterásico, através da avaliação de extratos de casca de romã. Quatro extratos com diferentes concentrações de etanol foram analisados quanto à atividade antioxidante, quantidade de compostos fenólicos, taninos e atividade anticolinesterásica. Do presente estudo foi constatado que a casca da romã apresentou elevada capacidade antioxidante, independente da concentração do solvente de extração empregado. O extrato formulado com 80% de etanol se destacou perante os demais pelo seu poder de inibição da acetilcolinesterase. Houve correlação negativa entre a atividade anticolinesterásica e a atividade antioxidante dos extratos. A atomização do extrato não acarretou mudanças em sua atividade anticolinesterásica e nem na sua capacidade antioxidante. Da mesma forma, a adição das micropartículas a um suco elaborado a partir de um preparado em pó não modificou suas características sensoriais. Diante do exposto, a elaboração de micropartículas de extrato de casca de romã constitui alternativa viável para a incorporação em diversos produtos, com a finalidade de prevenir ou reduzir risco da doença de Alzheimer. / The acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the primary treatment of Alzheimer\'s disease and sources of natural substances with potential anticholinesterase have been widely studied. Among the fruits with health benefits, the pomegranate is evidenced as an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and most compounds are concentrated in its peel. Based on this, the objective of this research was to find new substances with potential anticholinesterase, through the evaluation of pomegranate peel extracts. Four extracts with different concentrations of ethanol were analyzed for their antioxidant activity, amount of phenolic compounds, tannins and anticholinesterase activity. From this study it was found that pomegranate peel showed high antioxidant capacity, independent of the concentration of the solvent extraction employed. The extract formulated with 80% ethanol in relation to other stood out by his power of acetylcholinesterase inhibition. There was a negative correlation between acetylcholinesterase activity and antioxidant activity of the extracts. Microencapsulation of extract did not cause changes in their anticholinesterase activity and antioxidant capacity. The same way, the addition of microcapsules to a powder preparation for refreshment not changed their sensory characteristics. Given the above, the preparation of microcapsules of pomegranate peel extract is a viable alternative for incorporation into various products, in order to prevent or reduce risk of Alzheimer\'s disease.