A contaminação do amendoim com aflatoxinas é objeto de estudo de vários trabalhos de pesquisa. Entretanto, não consta em trabalhos publicados no país, o estudo da distribuição da contaminação com aflatoxinas entre embalagens de produtos processados que apresentam grãos inteiros e grãos triturados, assim como a estimativa da ingestão de aflatoxinas oriundas do consumo de produtos de amendoim. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a ocorrência e a distribuição da contaminação com aflatoxinas entre embalagens de produtos de amendoim comercializados em estabelecimentos da cidade de Piracicaba - SP, além de caracterizar as amostras quanto a dados qualitativos e quantitativos e condições do ambiente no local da amostragem, assim como estimar a ingestão de aflatoxinas através de produtos de amendoim. A análise qualitativa visual das embalagens não constata esta como fonte de favorecimento da contaminação por aflatoxinas. Quantitativamente, a análise das faixas dos pesos líquidos dos produtos corresponderam aos pesos declarados nas embalagens dos produtos. A atividade de água, mostraram valores normalmente não altos o suficiente para permitirem crescimento fúngico e somente em alguns produtos específicos, os valores poderiam proporcionar o crescimento fúngico. Quanto aos parâmetros temperatura e umidade relativa, observou-se que a temperatura em vários locais amostrados poderia favorecer o crescimento fúngico, enquanto que a umidade relativa não demonstrou valores favoráveis. Os dados de contaminação com aflatoxina mostraram que os produtos comercializados, em alguns casos, ainda apresentam contaminação acima do permitido pela legislação brasileira e que estabelecimentos de diferentes portes apresentaram mesma freqüência e nível de contaminação. O estudo da distribuição da contaminação mostrou que pode ocorrer uma distribuição bastante diferente entre embalagens do mesmo lote, também no produto processado a partir de amendoim triturado, e a detecção da contaminação com aflatoxinas nesses produtos, mostra ser de mais fácil detecção, do que em produtos processados que utilizam amendoim inteiro ou parcialmente inteiro. A avaliação do consumo de produtos de amendoim mostrou níveis de consumo diferentes dos obtidos através de dados de literatura, ressaltando a importância de se trabalhar com dados realísticos de consumo para estimar a ingestão diária provável de aflatoxina AFB1. A estimativa da ingestão diária provável (IDP) de aflatoxina AFB1, mostrou ser inferior a ingestão diária aceitável (IDA) proposta na literatura, ressaltando que as (IDP) relatadas neste estudo foram somente devido ao consumo de produtos de amendoim e não em relação a dieta completa da população. / The peanut contamination with aflatoxins has already been objective of several researches. However there is no published article dealing with the aflatoxin contamination distribution among packages of processed peanut products, containing hole or smashed grains of peanut, neither with the estimate of ingestion of aflatoxins related to peanut products. The objective of this research study was to investigate the occurrence and the widespread-distribution of contamination with aflatoxins in packages of processed peanut products available on the market in Piracicaba city - state of São Paulo and to characterize the samples in terms of: the aspect of the package by visual inspection, the actual weight in comparison to the weight printed on the labels, the water activity of the peanut products and the ambient conditions (temperature and relative humidity) in the sampled stores, as well as to estimate the ingestion of aflatoxin AFB1 through peanut products. In general, based on the visual inspection of the aspect of the peanut products sampled in this study, the packages were not considered a potential source of contamination with aflatoxins. Also, the check of the actual net weight of the products in comparison to the declared weight on the product labels didn’ t show harmfull weight variations to the consumers. The analytical results for water activity showed that in general the values of aw of the products were not high enough to allow the fungic growth-development and the values of water activity could allow the fungic growth. With respect to the temperature and relative humidity it was observed that the temperature of many stores could favor the fungic growth while that relative humidity wasn‘t show values favorable to the fungic growth. The results of contamination with aflatoxins showed that there were some cases which showed contamination with aflatoxin above accepted levels by the Brazilian legislation and that establishment of different size showed one same frequency and level of contamination by aflatoxin. The research of the distribuition of contamination showed that can occur on distribuition enough different among packages of the same lot, also in processed product from peanut products that presented grains crushed, and detection of contamination with aflatoxin in these products, showed to be the more easy detection that in processed products that used grains not crushed or entire grains. The evaluation the consumption the peanut products showed levels differents the levels obtained across the literature datas, to stand up an importance the if to work with real datas of consumption for estimated the probable diary ingestion the aflatoxin AFB1. The estimated of probable diary ingestion (IDP) the aflatoxin AFB1, showed be lower than acceptable diary ingestion (IDA) to proposal by literature, to stand up that as (IDP) reported in this reasearch were only due the consumption the peanut products and not in the statement the completed diet of population.

O creme de amendoim é um produto popular no Brasil pelo seu excelente sabor e características nutricionais. No entanto, apesar de seu consumo consagrado e de seguir padrões rigidamente estabelecidos de processos e qualidade, pode ocorrer alteração na consistência e diminuição de características de espalhamento, diminuindo a qualidade sensorial. Como forma de procurar controlar estes problemas, são normalmente usados ingredientes gordurosos como promotores de melhoria de estabilidade e consistência, como óleo de palma, estearina de palma, oleína de palma, óleos hidrogenados, monoacilgliceróis e diacilgliceróis. O projeto teve como objetivo a formulação de cremes de amendoim com óleo de amendoim, óleo de palma e estearina de palma em várias proporções, visando a obtenção de produtos mais estáveis e consistentes, que sejam equivalentes aos produtos comerciais de largo consumo por consumidores no mercado nacional. Foram realizadas as seguintes análises nas gorduras e suas misturas: composição em ácidos graxos e triacilgliceróis, índices de iodo e de peróxido, acidez, consistência, conteúdo de gordura sólida e análise térmica de cristalização e fusão. Os ácidos graxos saturados foram predominantes na estearina e óleo de palma, principalmente o ácido palmítico, enquanto o óleo de amendoim tem como principal constituinte o ácido oleico. À medida que aumenta a proporção de óleo de amendoim nas misturas, aumentam a quantidade de ácidos graxos insaturados e o índice de iodo e diminui a quantidade de ácidos graxos saturados. Os pontos de fusão , entalpia total de fusão, consistência e conteúdo de gordura sólida aumentaram nas misturas que apresentavam maior proporção de estearina e óleo de palma, em função do aumento no teor de triacilgliceróis trissaturados. Para a consistência (mistura de gorduras e cremes formulados), o conteúdo de gordura sólida, a entalpia total de cristalização e fusão e o ponto de fusão das misturas de gorduras foi aplicado um modelo de regressão múltipla, procurando evidenciar a influência das gorduras nas propriedades do produto final. As interações entre as gorduras foram do tipo eutético, caracterizando incompatibilidade no estado sólido. O modelo de regressão múltipla foi considerado preditivo para a consistência dos cremes, o conteúdo de gordura sólida e para as os resultados da análise térmica. Os resultados mostraram que as misturas de maior potencial para a consistência ideal de cremes espalháveis (200-800 gf/cm2) na faixa da temperatura de uso, ou seja, desde temperatura de conservação em geladeira até temperatura de mesa (15 - 25°C), foram as seguintes: 50% de óleo de palma e 50% de estearina de palma; 66,6% de óleo de palma, 16,7% de óleo de amendoim e 16,7% de estearina de palma; 16,7% de óleo de palma, 16,7% de óleo de amendoim e 66,6% de estearina de palma. Portanto, estas amostras apresentavam larga faixa de presença de óleo de palma e/ou estearina de palma na formulação. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a simples mistura é uma forma eficaz para modificar as propriedades físicas e químicas de estearina de palma, óleo de amendoim e óleo de palma. As misturas permitiram a obtenção de gorduras com vários graus de consistência ,de conteúdo de gordura sólida e ponto de fusão, possibilitando a obtenção de cremes de amendoim formulados a partir delas, que eram mais estáveis e firmes, porém plásticos e consistentes o suficiente para garantir efetiva espalhabilidade e correspondência ao padrão observado nas melhores marcas de cremes de amendoim do mercado. / The peanut cream is a popular product in Brazil for its excellent flavor and nutritional characteristics. However, despite its huge consumption and to follow strict patterns of quality and processes, some alterations may occur in consistency that can reduce spread characteristics, lowering the sensorial quality. As a way to try to control these problems, fatty ingredients are typically used as promoters to improve stability and consistency, as palm oil, palm stearin, palm olein, hydrogenated oils, monoacylglycerols and diacylglycerols. The project aimed to formulate creams with peanut oil, palm oil and palm stearin in various proportions in order to obtain a more stable and consistent product, equivalent to the best commercial creams widely consumed in the brazilian market. The following analyzes were performed on fats and their blends: fatty acids and triacylglycerols composition, iodine and peroxide values, acidity, consistency, solid fat content and thermal analysis of melting and crystallization. Saturated fatty acids have been prevalent in palm stearin and palm oil, particularly palmitic acid, while peanut oil has at its main constituent the oleic acid. As peanut oil increases in the blends, increases the amount of unsaturated fatty acids and the iodine value and reduces the amount of saturated fatty acids. Fat blends with a high proportion of saturated fatty acids (palm stearin and palm oil), showed higher melting points, total enthalpy of melting, consistency and solid fat content, due to the increase of the content of trisatured triacylglycerols. For the consistency (fats blends and formulated creams), solid fat content, total enthalpy of melting and crystallization and melting point of the fat blends, a multiple regression model was applied in order to show how fats influence the properties of the final product. Interactions between fats were eutectic, showing incompatibility in the solid state. The multiple regression model was considered predictive for the consistency of the cream, solid fat content and results of the thermal analysis. The results showed that the mixtures of higher potential for optimal consistency of spreadable cream (200 to 800 gf/cm2) in temperature range from the storage at a refrigerator temperature up to the ambient temperature (10 - 25 °C) were: 50% palm oil and 50% palm stearin, 66.6% palm oil, 16.7% peanut oil and 16.7% palm stearin; 16.7 % palm oil, 16.7% peanut oil and 66.6% palm stearin. Therefore, these samples had a broad range presence of palm oil and / or palm stearin in the formulation. The results obtained showed that a simple mixture is an effective way to modify physical and chemical properties of palm stearin, peanut oil and palm oil. The mixtures enabled to obtain fats with various degrees of consistency, solid fat content and melting point parameters, making it possible to obtain peanut creams made from them which were more stable and firm but plastic and consistent enough to ensure effective spreadability and correspondence to the pattern observed in the best brands of peanut creams of the brazillian market.

O creme de amendoim é um produto popular no Brasil pelo seu excelente sabor e características nutricionais. No entanto, apesar de seu consumo consagrado e de seguir padrões rigidamente estabelecidos de processos e qualidade, pode ocorrer alteração na consistência e diminuição de características de espalhamento, diminuindo a qualidade sensorial. Como forma de procurar controlar estes problemas, são normalmente usados ingredientes gordurosos como promotores de melhoria de estabilidade e consistência, como óleo de palma, estearina de palma, oleína de palma, óleos hidrogenados, monoacilgliceróis e diacilgliceróis. O projeto teve como objetivo a formulação de cremes de amendoim com óleo de amendoim, óleo de palma e estearina de palma em várias proporções, visando a obtenção de produtos mais estáveis e consistentes, que sejam equivalentes aos produtos comerciais de largo consumo por consumidores no mercado nacional. Foram realizadas as seguintes análises nas gorduras e suas misturas: composição em ácidos graxos e triacilgliceróis, índices de iodo e de peróxido, acidez, consistência, conteúdo de gordura sólida e análise térmica de cristalização e fusão. Os ácidos graxos saturados foram predominantes na estearina e óleo de palma, principalmente o ácido palmítico, enquanto o óleo de amendoim tem como principal constituinte o ácido oleico. À medida que aumenta a proporção de óleo de amendoim nas misturas, aumentam a quantidade de ácidos graxos insaturados e o índice de iodo e diminui a quantidade de ácidos graxos saturados. Os pontos de fusão , entalpia total de fusão, consistência e conteúdo de gordura sólida aumentaram nas misturas que apresentavam maior proporção de estearina e óleo de palma, em função do aumento no teor de triacilgliceróis trissaturados. Para a consistência (mistura de gorduras e cremes formulados), o conteúdo de gordura sólida, a entalpia total de cristalização e fusão e o ponto de fusão das misturas de gorduras foi aplicado um modelo de regressão múltipla, procurando evidenciar a influência das gorduras nas propriedades do produto final. As interações entre as gorduras foram do tipo eutético, caracterizando incompatibilidade no estado sólido. O modelo de regressão múltipla foi considerado preditivo para a consistência dos cremes, o conteúdo de gordura sólida e para as os resultados da análise térmica. Os resultados mostraram que as misturas de maior potencial para a consistência ideal de cremes espalháveis (200-800 gf/cm2) na faixa da temperatura de uso, ou seja, desde temperatura de conservação em geladeira até temperatura de mesa (15 - 25°C), foram as seguintes: 50% de óleo de palma e 50% de estearina de palma; 66,6% de óleo de palma, 16,7% de óleo de amendoim e 16,7% de estearina de palma; 16,7% de óleo de palma, 16,7% de óleo de amendoim e 66,6% de estearina de palma. Portanto, estas amostras apresentavam larga faixa de presença de óleo de palma e/ou estearina de palma na formulação. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a simples mistura é uma forma eficaz para modificar as propriedades físicas e químicas de estearina de palma, óleo de amendoim e óleo de palma. As misturas permitiram a obtenção de gorduras com vários graus de consistência ,de conteúdo de gordura sólida e ponto de fusão, possibilitando a obtenção de cremes de amendoim formulados a partir delas, que eram mais estáveis e firmes, porém plásticos e consistentes o suficiente para garantir efetiva espalhabilidade e correspondência ao padrão observado nas melhores marcas de cremes de amendoim do mercado. / The peanut cream is a popular product in Brazil for its excellent flavor and nutritional characteristics. However, despite its huge consumption and to follow strict patterns of quality and processes, some alterations may occur in consistency that can reduce spread characteristics, lowering the sensorial quality. As a way to try to control these problems, fatty ingredients are typically used as promoters to improve stability and consistency, as palm oil, palm stearin, palm olein, hydrogenated oils, monoacylglycerols and diacylglycerols. The project aimed to formulate creams with peanut oil, palm oil and palm stearin in various proportions in order to obtain a more stable and consistent product, equivalent to the best commercial creams widely consumed in the brazilian market. The following analyzes were performed on fats and their blends: fatty acids and triacylglycerols composition, iodine and peroxide values, acidity, consistency, solid fat content and thermal analysis of melting and crystallization. Saturated fatty acids have been prevalent in palm stearin and palm oil, particularly palmitic acid, while peanut oil has at its main constituent the oleic acid. As peanut oil increases in the blends, increases the amount of unsaturated fatty acids and the iodine value and reduces the amount of saturated fatty acids. Fat blends with a high proportion of saturated fatty acids (palm stearin and palm oil), showed higher melting points, total enthalpy of melting, consistency and solid fat content, due to the increase of the content of trisatured triacylglycerols. For the consistency (fats blends and formulated creams), solid fat content, total enthalpy of melting and crystallization and melting point of the fat blends, a multiple regression model was applied in order to show how fats influence the properties of the final product. Interactions between fats were eutectic, showing incompatibility in the solid state. The multiple regression model was considered predictive for the consistency of the cream, solid fat content and results of the thermal analysis. The results showed that the mixtures of higher potential for optimal consistency of spreadable cream (200 to 800 gf/cm2) in temperature range from the storage at a refrigerator temperature up to the ambient temperature (10 - 25 °C) were: 50% palm oil and 50% palm stearin, 66.6% palm oil, 16.7% peanut oil and 16.7% palm stearin; 16.7 % palm oil, 16.7% peanut oil and 66.6% palm stearin. Therefore, these samples had a broad range presence of palm oil and / or palm stearin in the formulation. The results obtained showed that a simple mixture is an effective way to modify physical and chemical properties of palm stearin, peanut oil and palm oil. The mixtures enabled to obtain fats with various degrees of consistency, solid fat content and melting point parameters, making it possible to obtain peanut creams made from them which were more stable and firm but plastic and consistent enough to ensure effective spreadability and correspondence to the pattern observed in the best brands of peanut creams of the brazillian market.

Groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important legume cultivated in several developing countries in the tropics and subtropics. It plays a significant role as a food crop in regions with alarming population growth rates. The disease “peanut clump”, which is caused by viruses in the genus Pecluvirus, has been reported from India and from several countries of West Africa. In India, the causal agent is the Indian peanut clump virus (IPCV), which is transmitted by a soil-borne root parasite, Polymyxa graminis. The virus is also transmitted by infected seed and so far no economical method of control has been found. Therefore efforts have been concentrated on understanding the epidemiology of peanut clump disease with the aim of devising cultural methods of control. The work addressed in this thesis describes how investigation in various aspects of clump disease epidemiology, including identification of alternative hosts of the virus and the vector, and of factors that contribute to survival and spread of inoculum, has led to formulation of simple cultural practices that could reduce disease incidence.

Groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important legume cultivated in several developing countries in the tropics and subtropics. It plays a significant role as a food crop in regions with alarming population growth rates. The disease “peanut clump”, which is caused by viruses in the genus Pecluvirus, has been reported from India and from several countries of West Africa. In India, the causal agent is the Indian peanut clump virus (IPCV), which is transmitted by a soil-borne root parasite, Polymyxa graminis. The virus is also transmitted by infected seed and so far no economical method of control has been found. Therefore efforts have been concentrated on understanding the epidemiology of peanut clump disease with the aim of devising cultural methods of control. The work addressed in this thesis describes how investigation in various aspects of clump disease epidemiology, including identification of alternative hosts of the virus and the vector, and of factors that contribute to survival and spread of inoculum, has led to formulation of simple cultural practices that could reduce disease incidence.

A contaminação do amendoim com aflatoxinas é objeto de estudo de vários trabalhos de pesquisa. Entretanto, não consta em trabalhos publicados no país, o estudo da distribuição da contaminação com aflatoxinas entre embalagens de produtos processados que apresentam grãos inteiros e grãos triturados, assim como a estimativa da ingestão de aflatoxinas oriundas do consumo de produtos de amendoim. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a ocorrência e a distribuição da contaminação com aflatoxinas entre embalagens de produtos de amendoim comercializados em estabelecimentos da cidade de Piracicaba – SP, além de caracterizar as amostras quanto a dados qualitativos e quantitativos e condições do ambiente no local da amostragem, assim como estimar a ingestão de aflatoxinas através de produtos de amendoim. A análise qualitativa visual das embalagens não constata esta como fonte de favorecimento da contaminação por aflatoxinas. Quantitativamente, a análise das faixas dos pesos líquidos dos produtos corresponderam aos pesos declarados nas embalagens dos produtos. A atividade de água, mostraram valores normalmente não altos o suficiente para permitirem crescimento fúngico e somente em alguns produtos específicos, os valores poderiam proporcionar o crescimento fúngico. Quanto aos parâmetros temperatura e umidade relativa, observou-se que a temperatura em vários locais amostrados poderia favorecer o crescimento fúngico, enquanto que a umidade relativa não demonstrou valores favoráveis. Os dados de contaminação com aflatoxina mostraram que os produtos comercializados, em alguns casos, ainda apresentam contaminação acima do permitido pela legislação brasileira e que estabelecimentos de diferentes portes apresentaram mesma freqüência e nível de contaminação. O estudo da distribuição da contaminação mostrou que pode ocorrer uma distribuição bastante diferente entre embalagens do mesmo lote, também no produto processado a partir de amendoim triturado, e a detecção da contaminação com aflatoxinas nesses produtos, mostra ser de mais fácil detecção, do que em produtos processados que utilizam amendoim inteiro ou parcialmente inteiro. A avaliação do consumo de produtos de amendoim mostrou níveis de consumo diferentes dos obtidos através de dados de literatura, ressaltando a importância de se trabalhar com dados realísticos de consumo para estimar a ingestão diária provável de aflatoxina AFB1. A estimativa da ingestão diária provável (IDP) de aflatoxina AFB1, mostrou ser inferior a ingestão diária aceitável (IDA) proposta na literatura, ressaltando que as (IDP) relatadas neste estudo foram somente devido ao consumo de produtos de amendoim e não em relação a dieta completa da população. / The peanut contamination with aflatoxins has already been objective of several researches. However there is no published article dealing with the aflatoxin contamination distribution among packages of processed peanut products, containing hole or smashed grains of peanut, neither with the estimate of ingestion of aflatoxins related to peanut products. The objective of this research study was to investigate the occurrence and the widespread-distribution of contamination with aflatoxins in packages of processed peanut products available on the market in Piracicaba city – state of São Paulo and to characterize the samples in terms of: the aspect of the package by visual inspection, the actual weight in comparison to the weight printed on the labels, the water activity of the peanut products and the ambient conditions (temperature and relative humidity) in the sampled stores, as well as to estimate the ingestion of aflatoxin AFB1 through peanut products. In general, based on the visual inspection of the aspect of the peanut products sampled in this study, the packages were not considered a potential source of contamination with aflatoxins. Also, the check of the actual net weight of the products in comparison to the declared weight on the product labels didn’ t show harmfull weight variations to the consumers. The analytical results for water activity showed that in general the values of aw of the products were not high enough to allow the fungic growth-development and the values of water activity could allow the fungic growth. With respect to the temperature and relative humidity it was observed that the temperature of many stores could favor the fungic growth while that relative humidity wasn‘t show values favorable to the fungic growth. The results of contamination with aflatoxins showed that there were some cases which showed contamination with aflatoxin above accepted levels by the Brazilian legislation and that establishment of different size showed one same frequency and level of contamination by aflatoxin. The research of the distribuition of contamination showed that can occur on distribuition enough different among packages of the same lot, also in processed product from peanut products that presented grains crushed, and detection of contamination with aflatoxin in these products, showed to be the more easy detection that in processed products that used grains not crushed or entire grains. The evaluation the consumption the peanut products showed levels differents the levels obtained across the literature datas, to stand up an importance the if to work with real datas of consumption for estimated the probable diary ingestion the aflatoxin AFB1. The estimated of probable diary ingestion (IDP) the aflatoxin AFB1, showed be lower than acceptable diary ingestion (IDA) to proposal by literature, to stand up that as (IDP) reported in this reasearch were only due the consumption the peanut products and not in the statement the completed diet of population.

Peanut, a major allergenic food, has life-threatening potential and is difficult to be totally avoided due to its common use in processed foods. Thermal processing can influence the allergenic properties of peanuts. However, the kinetics of the reactions caused by thermal processing has not been characterized. In our study, kinetics of the commonly used thermal processing methods on a commercial peanut cultivar (Virginia) using five time intervals was conducted. Water-soluble and SDS-sample buffer soluble proteins were extracted sequentially, and analyzed by sodium-dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western-blot using human plasma containing IgE antibodies. The relationships between thermal processing (time) and log transformed water-soluble/total extractable major allergen content could be explained by a simple linear regression kinetic model for most of the processing methods (except high-pressure steaming). Among all the methods with optimal processing point, frying for 6 min had relatively lower IgE binding (linear epitopes) ratio may be due to the fact that this processing condition causing break down, cross-linking and aggregation of Ara h 2, and relatively lower solubility. Besides thermal processing, enzymatic processing also is considered to be an effective method in the allergenicity of peanuts. Eleven peanut lines (Coded MS-1~MS-11, MS-9 is the check and a common cultivar namely Valencia) were pre-screened from 122 peanut lines harvested in 2015 for allergen levels. These pre-screened lines were re-planted in 2016 for further analysis. One line, MS-7, was selected for lower Ara h 1 (8.5-9.5% of total protein) and Ara h 2 (4.2-6.6% of total protein) content in 2015 and 2016. Roasted MS-9 (check) peanut powders were used for enzymatic treatment for enzyme selection. A first order kinetic reaction model was conducted to describe the relationship between enzyme concentration (0-400AzU/g) and IgE-binding property reduction. Among eight food-grade enzymes, bromelain, papain and ficin hydrolysates had lower IgE-binding properties in terms of high IgE-binding property reducing rate (K, ≥ 0.4) and were selected for the following study. MS-7 (selected) & MS-9 (at level of 200AzU/g) hydrolyzed by three selected enzymes (200AzU/g) were used for IgE binding property comparison, TGase crosslinking and functional properties study. After hydrolyzed by the selected enzymes (200 AzU/g), the emulsion and foaming stabilities were decreased. Emulsion and foaming stabilities were increased in TGase (5U/g protein) crosslinked hydrolysates, which were even higher than soy protein isolate (SPI). The IgE-binding properties of TGase treated hydrolysates were similar to the hydrolysates without TGase treatment. MS-7 hydrolysates (with/without TGase) possessed less IgE-binding properties and similar functionality as compared with MS-9 hydrolysates.

Peanut skins are a low-value byproduct of peanut blanching operations. They have been shown to contain significant levels of phenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant properties. The effects of two types of extraction methods: solid-liquid extraction (SLE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) on the recovery of phenolic compounds from peanut skins were investigated. Response surface methodology was used to optimize extraction conditions based on total phenolic content (TPC), ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) activity and <i>trans</i>-resveratrol content. The protective effect of peanut skin extracts (PSE) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) and the effect of PSE on lipid oxidation in commercial peanut butter were also evaluated. In the SLE method, EtOH was found to be the most efficient extraction solvent followed by MeOH, water and EA. Despite EtOH extracts having a higher TPC, samples extracted with MeOH demonstrated slightly higher ORAC activity. Resveratrol was identified in MeOH extracts but was not found in EtOH, water or EA extracts. In the MAE procedure, the maximum predicted TPC under the optimized conditions was 144 mg phenols/g skins compared to 118 mg/g with SLE. The maximum predicted ORAC activity was 2789 μmol TE/g as opposed to 2149 μmol TE/g with the SLE method. MAE was able to extract more phenolic compounds (with higher antioxidant activity) in a faster time than the SLE procedure. In addition, resveratrol was identified in PSE derived from MAE although at relatively low levels. PSE were found to have some protective effects against oxidative stress in HBMEC. Higher doses of PSE appeared to have a slightly cytotoxic effect. However, the data were highly variable which made it difficult to arrive at any definitive conclusions regarding the potential benefits of PSE in preventing oxidative damage to cells. In the PB experiment, hexanal levels over the storage period were not high enough for the samples to be considered oxidized. However, hexanal values of PB samples treated with PSE were lower than the control throughout storage, which suggests that PSE may provide some protection against oxidation of PB. / Ph. D.

Food allergies are an increasing health problem throughout the developed world. Among these, peanut allergy is particularly significant, due to its exceptional severity and frequent lifelong duration. Much of its aetiology remains unclear. In particular, it remains unknown why, unlike other food allergies, peanut allergy incidence correlates poorly with average dietary peanut consumption. A popular explanation for this discrepancy is that peanut allergy is more common in regions where predominantly dry-roasted (DR) peanuts are consumed, leading to speculation that DR-induced chemical modifications may contribute to pathological T_h2 responses in humans. Yet to date, no research group has demonstrated an enhanced immunogenicity of DR peanuts relative to raw in a murine model of sensitisation. This thesis begins with the hypothesis that dry-roasting does indeed alter the chemical composition of peanut proteins in such a way as to increase immunogenicity and allergenicity. To test this hypothesis robustly, I have first addressed flaws in previous studies by developing a methodology to thoroughly characterise samples of raw and DR peanut protein, as well as purifying samples of individual peanut allergens. Using these samples, I have demonstrated an enhanced immunogenicity of DR peanut protein relative to raw, in intragastric, subcutaneous and epicutaneous models of mouse sensitisation, and furthermore, that such enhanced responses feature a pronounced T_h2 bias and functional IgE production. I will present evidence that this difference is not caused by either protein aggregation or the presence of other non-protein substances, but is due to an intrinsic property of the DR peanut proteins. I will go on to clarify candidate molecular mechanisms of this effect, examining several putative receptors and probing the effects of roasting on dendritic cell binding and interactions of peanut proteins. I conclude in light of these investigations that the dry-roasting hypothesis remains the most plausible explanation for the epidemiological distribution of peanut allergy, although many additional questions remain regarding the nature of the chemical modifications produced by roasting and the molecular basis of their recognition by the immune system.

Orientador: Sandra Cristina de Oliveira / Resumo: Está dissertação teve como objetivo principal, averiguar os efeitos da inoculação de sementes de amendoim, com as bactérias Bradyrhizobium sp. e Azospirillum brasilense de forma isolada e em conjunto (coinoculação). Para tanto foram realizadas analises bioquímicas das folhas, afim de analisar os teores de compostos fotossintetizantes, açucares solúveis totais, ureídeos, feofitinas totais e compostos nitrogenados e também foi foram feitas avaliações referentes a parâmetros fitotécnicos. Primeiramente foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica por meio de levantamentos de dados sobre o panorama da produção de amendoim a nível mundial, nacional e algumas cidades localizadas no Oeste paulista, região a qual é destaque na produção de amendoim. Além do levantamento bibliográfico, foi realizado um experimento à campo e em laboratório, a fim de investigar os efeitos da inoculação e coinoculação em sementes de amendoim com bactérias promotoras do crescimento de plantas. Na parte experimental utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e sete tratamentos, sendo: Controle (sem inoculação); Az 2 mL kg-¹ (Azospirillum brasilense na dose de 2 mL para 1 kg de sementes); Az 4 mL kg-¹ (Azospirillum brasilense na dose de 4 mL para 1 kg de sementes); Bd 2 mL kg-¹ (Bradyrhizobium sp. na dose de 2 mL para 1 kg de sementes); Bd 4 mL kg-¹ (Bradyrhizobium sp. na dose de 4 mL kg-¹ para 1 kg de sementes); Az + Bd 2 mL kg-¹ (Azospirillum brasilense + Bradyrhizobium sp.... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre