Il est maintenant bien établi que le vieillissement est lié à l’apparition de troubles cognitifs. Ces altérations mnésiques liées à l’âge peuvent être mises en évidence à la fois chez l’Homme et l’animal. Plusieurs études ont pu mettre en évidence le rôle bénéfique des polyphénols sur les fonctions mnésiques et en particulier sur le déclin mnésique lié au vieillissement. Ainsi, le projet Neurophénols a pour objectif de mettre au point des actifs nutritionnels riches en polyphénols provenant de raisin et de bleuet, et d’objectiver leur rôle bénéfique sur le déclin cognitif lié à l’âge chez l’Homme et les animaux de compagnie. L’objectif de cette thèse était de mettre en évidence des effets bénéfiques d’un mélange de polyphénols de raisin et de bleuet, l’extrait Neurophenol®, sur les performances d’apprentissage et de mémoire chez la souris âgée et mieux comprendre les mécanismes neurobiologiques sous-tendant ces performances. Nous avons plus spécifiquement ciblé l’hippocampe, structure cérébrale clé impliquée dans les processus d’apprentissage et de mémoire, et particulièrement altérée au cours du vieillissement. Ces travaux précliniques permettront par la suite d’objectiver les résultats obtenus chez l’Homme. Nos principaux résultats montrent une altération des capacités d’apprentissage et de mémoire dépendant de l’hippocampe au cours du vieillissement qui sont récupérées par une supplémentation en polyphénols. Nous montrons également que ces troubles mnésiques liés à l’âge sont associés à une diminution d’expression de marqueurs moléculaires impliqués dans les voies de signalisation sous-tendant les processus mnésiques ainsi qu’à une diminution de la neurogenèse hippocampique. La supplémentation en polyphénols permet de rétablir les niveaux d’expression de certains gènes et également de sur-réguler l’expression de neurotrophines au niveau hippocampique. De plus, cette supplémentation a un effet bénéfique sur la neurogenèse hippocampique chez les souris âgées. Enfin, nous montrons qu’une supplémentation en Neurophenol® permet de réduire la mortalité des souris âgées. Ces résultats mettent en évidence l’efficacité du mélange Neurophenol® sur le maintien des performances mnésiques au cours du vieillissement chez la souris, via leur action sur la plasticité synaptique et la neurogenèse. Le développement d’une étude clinique visant à supplémenter des personnes âgées avec l’extrait Neurophenol® et à évaluer leurs performances mnésiques a également fait partie de ce travail de thèse et les résultats encourageant obtenus chez les souris âgées apportent des arguments favorables quant au bienfait des polyphénols sur la mémoire au cours du vieillissement. / It is now well accepted that aging is linked to the onset of cognitive impairments. Among them, age-related memory alterations can be brought in evidence both in humans and animals. Several studies have highlighted the beneficial role of polyphenols on memory functions and particularly on age-related memory decline. Thus, the Neurophenols project aims at developing nutritional assets rich in polyphenols from grape and blueberry, and to objectify their beneficial role on the age-related cognitive decline in humans and pets. The aim of this thesis was to highlight beneficial effects of a polyphenol mix from grape and blueberry, the Neurophenol TM extract, on learning and memory performances in aged mice and to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these performances. More specifically, we have focused on the hippocampus, a key brain structure involved in learning and memory processes that is particularly altered during aging. This preclinical work will subsequently objectify the results in humans. Our main results show that hippocampal-dependent learning and memory alterations during aging are recovered by a polyphenol supplementation. We also show that these age-related memory deficits are linked to a decrease of gene expression of proteins involved in signaling pathways underlying memory processes and to a decrease of hippocampal neurogenesis. The polyphenol supplementation can restore the expression level of some genes and up-regulate neurotrophin expression in the hippocampus. Moreover, this supplementation has a beneficial impact on hippocampal neurogenesis in aged mice. Finally, we show that a Neurophenol TM supplementation can reduce mortality in aged mice. These results demonstrate the efficiency of the mix Neurophenol TM on the maintenance of memory performances in mice during aging, through their action on synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. These promising results in aged mice provide positive arguments on the benefits of polyphenols on memory during aging. Thus, it was also developed a clinical study aiming at supplementing elderly subjects with the Neurophenol TM extract in order to evaluate their memory performances.

No description available.

<p>Sporedni proizvodi industrijske prerade voća, trop borovnice i maline, postupcima su&scaron;enja i mlevenja prevedeni su u oblik pogodan za aplikaciju u prehrambene proizvode. Ovako dobijeni sastojci imaju visok sadržaj prehrambenih vlakana, esencijalnih masnih kiselina poput linolne i &alpha;-linolenske, a karakteri&scaron;e ih i izbalansiran odnos PUFA/SFA. Od makronutrijenata, u najvećoj koncentraciji prisutni su K, Mg i Ca. Imajući u vidu da su glavne fitohemikalije bobičastog voća polifenolna jediinjenja, u proizvedenim funkcionalnim sastojcima određen je sadržaj ukupnih rastvorljivih polifenola, antocijana i flavonoida, kao i sastav i sadržaj odabranih polifenolnih jedinjenja primenom LC/MS-MS tehnike.<br />Primena osu&scaron;enih i samlevenih tropova kao sastojaka prehrambenih proizvoda ispitana je u formulaciji bezglutenskog keksa, sa ciljem njegovog funkcionalnog obogaćivanja. Za optimizaciju formulacije keksa kori&scaron;ćen je postupak odzivne povr&scaron;ine (RSM), a formulacija u kojoj je bezglutenska sme&scaron;a zamenjena sa 28,2% tropa borovnice i 1,8% tropa maline dobijena je kao optimalna, uzimajući u obzir sve zadate kriterijume. Dodatkom ova dva funkcionalana sastojka u gorenavedenom odnosu, postignuto je značajno pobolj&scaron;anje nutritivnih svojstava bezglutenskog keksa, a dobijeni proizvod po kvalitetu može da parira komercijalno dostupnim funkcionalno obogaćenim keksovima, namenjenim zdravoj populaciji.<br />Rezultati dijetetske interventne studije sprovedene na 20 zdravih, normalno uhranjenih ispitanika ženskog pola, ukazuju da se konzumiranjem kreiranog bezglutenskog keksa u količini od 32 g dnevno, postiže značajna redukcije LDL holesterola, i povećanje nivoa adiponektina u krvi, a budući da se ovaj adipocitni-sekretorni protein dovodi u vezu sa antiinflamatornim i antiaterogenim potencijalom u tretmanu metaboličkog sindroma i dijabetesa tipa 2, može se očekivati protektivno dejstvo kreiranog bezgutenskog keksa.</p> / <p>Blueberry and raspberry pomace, by-products from fruit juice industry, were processed into the new food ingredients by drying and grinding. The obtained functional ingredients are characterized by high content of dietary fibres and essential fatty acids (linoleic and &alpha;-linolenic acid), as well as by optimal ratio of PUFA/SFA. The main macronutrients in dried and ground pomace are K, Mg and Ca. The content of total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and flavonoids were determined, as well as composition and content of individual phenolic compounds using LC/MS-MS in order to evaluate their antioxidant potential.<br />In the form of dried powder, blueberry and raspberry pomace were used as ingredients in formulation of gluten-free cookies. Response surface methodology (RSM) approach was applied to obtain optimal ingredients proportion. Formulation in which gluten-free flour mixture is substituted with 28.2% of the blueberry and 1.8% of the raspberry pomace was found to be optimal following the used optimization criteria. Addition of blueberry and raspberry pomace has led to a remarkable improvement in nutritional properties, and resulted in a product with similar nutritional profile with commercially available gluten containing cookies.<br />Dietary intervention study on a group of 20 healthy, normal weight female subjects was conducted to investigate the health effect of the created gluten-free cookies. The results showed a significant reduction in levels of LDL cholesterol, and an increase in plasma concentrations of adiponectin, suggesting a potential positive effect of the created product on human health.</p>

Le bleuet démontre un potentiel thérapeutique dans le traitement du cancer et des maladies cardiovasculaires et neurodégénératives. Ces effets bénéfiques sont attribuables aux composés phénoliques abondants dans le bleuet, tels que les anthocyanines et les flavonoïdes. La biotransformation du jus de bleuet avec les bactéries Serratia vaccinii augmente sa teneur en composés phénoliques et son activité anti-oxydante, et modifie ses activités physiologiques. L’objectif de la présente étude est d’évaluer l’activité neuroprotectrice et le potentiel antidiabétique du jus de bleuet biostranformé (BJ). Le BJ est étudié dans différents tests dont : 1) La protection des neurones (N2a) contre le stress oxydatif (SO) induit par le peroxyde d’hydrogène; 2) La stimulation de la prise de glucose par les cellules musculaires (C2C12) et adipeuses (3T3-L1); 3) L’activité anti-hyperglycémique chez les souris obèses diabétiques KKAy. En effet, tandis que le jus de bleuet normal n’a aucun effet, le BJ augmente l’activité des enzymes anti-oxydantes, comme la catalase et la SOD (Superoxide Dimutase) et protège les neurones contre les changements de la signalisation des MAPKs et contre la toxicité induite par le peroxyde d’hydrogène. Le BJ augmente aussi la prise de glucose de 48% dans les cellules C2C12 et de 142% dans les cellules 3T3-L1. Cette augmentation n’est pas expliquée par une augmentation du calcium cytosolique mais plutôt par une stimulation de la phosphorylation de l’AMPK. De plus, le BJ inhibe l’adipogenèse chez les 3T3-L1. Le BJ diminue également l’hyperglycémie chez les souris obèses diabétiques KKAy et protège les jeunes souris pré-diabétiques contre le développement de l’obésité et du diabète. L’activité anti-hyperglycémique du BJ pourrait impliquer les adipokines puisque le BJ augmente le niveau d’adiponectine chez les souris diabétiques. Le BJ représente ainsi une approche prometteuse pour le traitement du diabète et les maladies neurodégénératives et une source de nouveaux agents thérapeutiques contre ces maladies. / Blueberry demonstrates therapeutic potential against cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. These desirable effects are thought to involve abundant phenolic compounds in blueberry such as anthocyanins and flavonoids. Blueberry juice biotransformation by Serratia vaccinii bacteria increases its phenolics content, its antioxidant activity and modifies its physiological properties. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotection activity and the antidiabetic potential of biostranformed blueberry juice (BJ). BJ was studied for: 1) Protection of neurons (N2a) against oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide; 2) Stimulation of glucose uptake by muscle cells (C2C12) and adipocytes (3T3-L1); 3) Anti-hyperglycemic activity in diabetic obese KKAy mice. Indeed, whereas normal blueberry juice did not show any effect, BJ increased antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase, SOD) and protected neurons against modifications in MAPKs pathways and toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide. BJ also increased glucose uptake by 48% in C2C12 cells and by 142% in 3T3-L1 cells. Enhanced glucose uptake could not be explained by an increase of cytosolic calcium but was related to the stimulation of AMPK phosphorylation. Moreover, BJ inhibited 3T3-L1 adiopogenesis. BJ also reduced hyperglycemia of obese diabetic KKAy mice and protected pre-diabetic young mice against the development of obesity and diabetes mellitus. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of BJ may involve adipokine pathways since BJ increased adiponectin levels in diabetic mice. Thus, BJ represents a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and possibly neurogenerative diseases as well as a source of novel therapeutic agents against these disorders.

Agri-food production is necessary to sustain the growing global population, but it adversely impacts the environment in various ways, including climate change, eutrophication, acidification, land and water uses, and loss of biodiversity, etc. These environmental impacts can also negatively affect human health, which could in theory outweigh the health benefits of nutritious food. While better agricultural practices need to be developed and applied to minimize the environmental burdens associated with the production chains, consumers are expected to implement more sustainable lifestyles and eat more environment-friendly foods. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an analytical tool to evaluate the sustainability of a product by examining all the resources used and emissions generated during its life cycle. The first part of this work focused on the upstream production. An LCA of organic blueberry production was conducted to evaluate the trade-off between seasonal and local options and answer the question of whether imported fresh or domestic frozen blueberries are more sustainable. Fresh blueberries from Chile showed superior environmental performance within 2-week storage, due to lower electricity use associated with refrigeration and higher farming yield. Furthermore, length of storage and transportation distance were also found important; if farming yields are comparable, consumption of locally produced, fresh blueberries will be a better choice because of less energy use and shorter transportation distance. The second part of this work targeted at the downstream consumption and aimed to reduce the U.S. environmental footprint through changing adult eating habits. Supplemental functional units were applied in the LCA to incorporate the functions of food to provide nutrition and satiety. With controlled caloric intake, vegetarian diets were found overall more sustainable. However, large possible variations in the environmental impacts of the compared diets were observed due to wide range of nutritional quality of selected foods. Animal products, including meat and dairy especially, and discretionary foods were identified as hotspots in the American diet, that is, reducing the consumption of these foods or deliberately choosing more sustainable alternatives within the same food categories, like chicken and low-fat milk, can significantly improve the sustainability of current American dietary patterns. <br>

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-11-22T18:23:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Lygia Werlang.pdf: 1588631 bytes, checksum: 6dd691286c38257fae4af70198871298 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-22T18:23:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Lygia Werlang.pdf: 1588631 bytes, checksum: 6dd691286c38257fae4af70198871298 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Também conhecida por blueberry, arándano ou uva-do-monte, o mirtilo se inclui no grupo de pequenas frutas. Muito apreciado pelo seu sabor exótico, valor comercial e suas alegações terapêuticas, sendo considerado como uma das frutas que fornece fonte de longevidade. Apesar da sua grande importância comercial em outros países, ainda é inespressiva no Brasil. O mirtileiro pode desenvolver associações com bactérias promotoras de crescimento vegetal. Essas associações estimulam a ampliação de sua zona radicular de absorção de nutrientes e, em troca, a planta fornece compostos fotoassimilados a esses microrganismos. Muitos estudos têm demonstrado que o Azospirillum brasilense estimula o desenvolvimento e a produtividade de várias espécies de plantas, muitas delas com grande relevância agronômica e ecológica. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a produção do mirtileiro e a qualidade físicoquímica dos frutos em função da inoculação com o Azospirillum brasilense (AZ) AbV5/AbV6 ativo e estéril, associado ou não com nitrogênio na região dos Campos Gerais no Paraná. Foram analisadas variáveis de crescimento como número de ramos vegetativos (RV), número de folhas (NF), área foliar (AF), número de frutos (NFRU), massa fresca (MF) e diâmetro dos frutos (DM), produtividade (PR), produção por planta (PP). Variáveis fisiológicas como taxa de fotossíntese (TF), condutância estomática (CE) e taxa de transpiração (TT). Analisou-se também as variáveis químicas dos frutos como: sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), pH, teor de antocianinas (TA) e teor de polifenóis totais (PF). A inoculação com AZ favoreceu o crescimento de ramos vegetativos, aumentou o número de folhas e a área foliar das plantas inoculadas. A produção por planta e a produtividade das plantas inoculadas com o AZ foram superiores à produção da testemunha. T. AZ apresentou maior quantidade de frutos, com maior massa, porém com menor valor de sólidos solúveis. Condutância estomática no estádio de floração foi mais eficiente para AZ com nitrogênio, AZE com nitrogênio obteve melhores resultados na fotossíntese e eficiência do uso da água. As condições climáticas influenciaram a produção e a composição química dos frutos. Há necessidade de mais estudos sobre a interação do mirtileiro, Azospirillum brasilense e condições edafoclimáticas. / Also known as blueberry, cranberry or blueberry, blueberry is included in the small fruit group. Much appreciated for its exotic taste, commercial value and its therapeutic claims, being considered as one of the fruits that provides source of longevity. Despite its great commercial importance in other countries, it is still inexpressive in Brazil. The goldfish may develop associations with plant growth promoting bacteria. These associations stimulate the expansion of their root zone of nutrient absorption, and in return, the plant provides photoassimilated compounds to these microorganisms. Many studies have shown that Azospirillum brasilense stimulates the development and productivity of several plant species, many of them with great agronomic and ecological relevance. The present work had as objective to verify the production of the blue herring and the physical-chemical quality of the fruits as a function of the inoculation with active and sterile Azospirillum brasilense (AZ) AbV5 / AbV6, associated or not with nitrogen in the Campos Gerais region of Paraná. Growth variables such as number of vegetative branches (VN), number of leaves (NF), leaf area (FA), number of fruits (NFRU), fresh mass (DM) and fruit diameter ), production per plant (PP). Physiological variables such as photosynthesis rate (TF), stomatal conductance (EC) and transpiration rate (TT). Fruit chemical variables were analyzed as: soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (AT), pH, anthocyanin content (AT) and total polyphenol content (PF). The inoculation with AZ favored the growth of vegetative branches, increased the number of leaves and the leaf area of the inoculated plants. The yield per plant and the productivity of the plants inoculated with AZ were higher than the production of the control. T. AZ presented higher amount of fruits, with higher mass, but with lower soluble solids value. Stomatal conductance at the flowering stage was more efficient for AZ with nitrogen, AZE with nitrogen obtained better results in photosynthesis and efficiency of water use. The climatic conditions influenced the production and the chemical composition of the fruits. There is a need for further studies on the interaction of the bluebird, Azospirillum brasilense and edaphoclimatic conditions.

Diariamente são descartados no mundo toneladas de resíduos do processamento de frutas que poderiam ser aproveitados pelo seu elevado poder nutricional e funcional, que acabam sendo desperdiçados e podem gerar sérios problemas ao meio ambiente. Outro descarte inadequado que agrava esse problema ambiental é o de embalagens plásticas, que quando não submetidas ao processo de reciclagem trazem enormes danos. Por esses fatores, esse estudo teve como objetivo o aproveitamento de subprodutos da indústria de alimentos para o desenvolvimento de farinhas funcionais e aproveitamento dos resíduos da indústria de capsulas nutracêuticas de gelatina e óleo de chia como matriz para as embalagens biodegradáveis ativas. A quitosana também foi utilizada como matriz no desenvolvimento de filmes aplicados como embalagens. Primeiramente foram avaliados quatro resíduos obtidos de diferentes frutas: resíduo do processamento de suco de mirtilo (bagaço), resíduo do processamento de azeite de oliva (bagaço), cascas de mamão e abacaxi. As propriedades físico químicas, funcionais e antioxidantes desses resíduos foram analisadas, sendo que no geral todos demonstraram alto teor de fibras dietéticas. Em relação às propriedades funcionais a farinha de mamão se destacou pelos elevados valores de capacidade de retenção de água e óleo, pela alta solubilidade e maiores teores de carotenoides (15,56 ± 0,35 mg/100g). A farinha de mirtilo foi a que apresentou o maior poder antioxidante pelo método DPPH (4,62 ± 0,18 IC50 em mg de farinha) e maior teor de compostos fenólicos (23,59 ± 0.85 mg/g GAE), além disso exibiu alto teor de antocianinas. Devido a estas propriedades, a farinha e o extrato do resíduo de mirtilo foram incorporados à gelatina do resíduo do processamento de cápsulas nutracêuticas de óleo de chia para o desenvolvimento de filmes biodegradáveis ativos. Os filmes foram avaliados em relação as suas propriedades mecânicas, de barreira ao vapor da água e luz UV, capacidade antioxidante e aplicação como embalagem em produtos alimentícios. Os resultados sugeriram que a adição de fibras promoveu uma diminuição da resistência à tração e aumento na permeabilidade ao vapor da água. No entanto, a adição de fibra também proporcionou um aumento significativo na barreira de luz UV a 500 nm, sendo eficaz na redução da oxidação lipídica de óleo de girassol. Os filmes com adição de extrato não exibiram alteração nas propriedades mecânicas ou de barreira em comparação com a formulação controle. Além disso, estes filmes exibiram capacidade antioxidante estável por 28 dias. Filmes desenvolvidos com a farinha de mamão e resíduos de gelatina apresentaram comportamento similar aos filmes com resíduos de mirtilo, já que a farinha de mamão também alterou algumas propriedades originais do filme como as propriedades mecânicas e de barreira, e agregaram poder antioxidante. Com o objetivo de melhorar essas propriedades foram então desenvolvidas micropartículas de farinha de casca de mamão em spray drying utilizando o resíduo de gelatina como material de parede. Os resultados indicaram que as micropartículas de casca de mamão ao serem adicionadas na gelatina originaram uma matriz de filme mais contínua e homogênea com aumento da resistência à tração e do módulo de Young. Os filmes com micropartículas (7,5%), quando aplicados como material de embalagem para banha de porco, foram os mais eficientes como barreiras ativas (maior atividade antioxidante), pois um menor teor de peróxidos, dienos e trienos conjugados foram quantificados na amostra após 22 dias. A farinha de resíduos da produção de azeite de oliva também foi utilizada para o desenvolvimento de filmes biodegradáveis, porém o biopolimero utilizado foi a quitosana. A incorporação de farinha de resíduo de oliva na matriz de quitosana também causou alterações na morfologia, tornando o filme mais heterogêneo e áspero. Por esse motivo foram testadas a adição de micropartículas de farinha de oliva nos filmes. A adição de 10% de micropartículas de oliva melhorou significativamente a resistência à tração dos filmes sem alterar as suas propriedades originais. A farinha e as micropartículas de oliva aumentaram a capacidade antioxidante dos filmes, esse aumento foi proporcional à concentração de farinha ou micropartículas adicionadas ao filme. Os filmes com 30% de farinha ou micropartículas foram eficazes como embalagem protetora contra a oxidação de nozes durante 31 dias. A partir dos resultados obtidos neste trabalho fica evidenciado a viabilidade do uso de resíduos da indústria de alimentos e resíduos da indústria de cápsulas nutracêuticas para o desenvolvimento de filmes e uso como embalagens biodegradáveis em diferentes produtos. / Every day tons of fruit processing residues are discarded worldwide that could be harnessed for their high nutritional and functional power and that end up being wasted and generating problems for the environment. Another inadequate disposal that aggravates this environmental problem is the plastic packaging, which when not subjected to the recycling process bring huge damages. Due to these factors, this study aims at the utilization of by-products of the food industry for the development of active biodegradable packaging. Firstly, four residues obtained from different fruits, processing residue of blueberry juice (bagasse), processing residue of olive oil (bagasse), peels of papaya and pineapple were evaluated. The physicochemical, functional and antioxidant properties of these residues were analyzed, and in general, all showed high total dietary fiber content. In relation to the functional properties, papaya flour was distinguished by high water and oil retention capacity, high solubility and higher carotenoid content (15.56 ± 0.35 mg / 100g). The blueberry flour had the highest antioxidant power by the DPPH method (4.62 ± 0.18 IC50 in mg of flour) and a higher content of phenolic compounds (23.59 ± 0.85 mg / g GAE), in addition, it exhibited a high content of anthocyanins. Due to these properties, the flour and extract of the blueberry residue were incorporated into the gelatin from the processing residue of chia oleuroceutical capsules for the development of active biodegradable films for packaging. The films were evaluated in relation to their mechanical properties, water vapor barrier, and UV light, antioxidant capacity and application as packaging in food products. The results suggested that fiber addition promoted a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in water vapor permeability. However, the addition of fiber also provided a significant increase in the UV light barrier at 500 nm being effective in reducing the lipid oxidation of sunflower oil. Films with added extract showed no change in mechanical or barrier properties compared to the control formulation. In addition, these films exhibited a stable antioxidant capacity for 28 days. Films developed with papaya flour and gelatin residues showed similar behavior to films with blueberry residues since papaya flour also altered some of the original properties of the film as mechanical and barrier properties, and added antioxidant power. In order to improve these properties microparticles of papaya peel flour were then developed in spray drying using the gelatin residue as the wall material. The results indicated that the microparticles of papaya peel, when added to gelatin, gave a more continuous and homogeneous film matrix increasing tensile strength and Young's modulus. Microparticles films (7.5%), when applied as packaging material for lard, were the most efficient as active barriers (higher antioxidant activity) because a lower peroxide content was quantified in the sample after 22 days. The residue flour from olive oil production was also used for the development of biodegradable films, but the biopolymer used was chitosan. The incorporation of olive residue flour in the chitosan matrix also caused changes in the morphology, making the film more heterogeneous and rough. For this reason, the addition of olive flour microparticles in the films was tested. The addition of 10% of olive microparticles significantly improved the tensile strength of films without altering their original properties. The flour and the microparticles of olive increased the antioxidant capacity of the films; this increase was proportional to the concentration of flour or micro added to the film. Films with 30% flour or microparticles were effective as protective packaging against Walnut oxidation for 31 days. From the results obtained in this work, it is evident the viability of the use of residues from the food and waste industry of the nutraceutical capsule industry for the development of films and use as biodegradable packaging in different products.

Berry ripening in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) is influenced by developmental, physiological and climatic factors resulting in a heterogenous mix of maturities at harvest. This study characterizes the physico-chemical changes which occur during fruit ontogeny and links ripening patterns to micoclimate. Individual clones in five commercial fiels were followed in the 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. Phenolic acids, flavonols, and flavan-3-ols decreased and anthocyanins increased with maturity. Peak maturity consistently occurred at 1200 accumulated growing degree days (GDD). There was a sharp decline in fruit retention at the end of the growing season suggesting a date after which harvested yield declines but no consistent pattern was detected between years or fields.The consistency of GDD accumulation in relation to ripening pattern suggests GDDs can be used as a predictive ripening index. The physico-chemical nature of ripe berries indicates ripe berries could be harvested earlier than is currently the practice.

Le bleuet démontre un potentiel thérapeutique dans le traitement du cancer et des maladies cardiovasculaires et neurodégénératives. Ces effets bénéfiques sont attribuables aux composés phénoliques abondants dans le bleuet, tels que les anthocyanines et les flavonoïdes. La biotransformation du jus de bleuet avec les bactéries Serratia vaccinii augmente sa teneur en composés phénoliques et son activité anti-oxydante, et modifie ses activités physiologiques. L’objectif de la présente étude est d’évaluer l’activité neuroprotectrice et le potentiel antidiabétique du jus de bleuet biostranformé (BJ). Le BJ est étudié dans différents tests dont : 1) La protection des neurones (N2a) contre le stress oxydatif (SO) induit par le peroxyde d’hydrogène; 2) La stimulation de la prise de glucose par les cellules musculaires (C2C12) et adipeuses (3T3-L1); 3) L’activité anti-hyperglycémique chez les souris obèses diabétiques KKAy. En effet, tandis que le jus de bleuet normal n’a aucun effet, le BJ augmente l’activité des enzymes anti-oxydantes, comme la catalase et la SOD (Superoxide Dimutase) et protège les neurones contre les changements de la signalisation des MAPKs et contre la toxicité induite par le peroxyde d’hydrogène. Le BJ augmente aussi la prise de glucose de 48% dans les cellules C2C12 et de 142% dans les cellules 3T3-L1. Cette augmentation n’est pas expliquée par une augmentation du calcium cytosolique mais plutôt par une stimulation de la phosphorylation de l’AMPK. De plus, le BJ inhibe l’adipogenèse chez les 3T3-L1. Le BJ diminue également l’hyperglycémie chez les souris obèses diabétiques KKAy et protège les jeunes souris pré-diabétiques contre le développement de l’obésité et du diabète. L’activité anti-hyperglycémique du BJ pourrait impliquer les adipokines puisque le BJ augmente le niveau d’adiponectine chez les souris diabétiques. Le BJ représente ainsi une approche prometteuse pour le traitement du diabète et les maladies neurodégénératives et une source de nouveaux agents thérapeutiques contre ces maladies. / Blueberry demonstrates therapeutic potential against cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. These desirable effects are thought to involve abundant phenolic compounds in blueberry such as anthocyanins and flavonoids. Blueberry juice biotransformation by Serratia vaccinii bacteria increases its phenolics content, its antioxidant activity and modifies its physiological properties. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotection activity and the antidiabetic potential of biostranformed blueberry juice (BJ). BJ was studied for: 1) Protection of neurons (N2a) against oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide; 2) Stimulation of glucose uptake by muscle cells (C2C12) and adipocytes (3T3-L1); 3) Anti-hyperglycemic activity in diabetic obese KKAy mice. Indeed, whereas normal blueberry juice did not show any effect, BJ increased antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase, SOD) and protected neurons against modifications in MAPKs pathways and toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide. BJ also increased glucose uptake by 48% in C2C12 cells and by 142% in 3T3-L1 cells. Enhanced glucose uptake could not be explained by an increase of cytosolic calcium but was related to the stimulation of AMPK phosphorylation. Moreover, BJ inhibited 3T3-L1 adiopogenesis. BJ also reduced hyperglycemia of obese diabetic KKAy mice and protected pre-diabetic young mice against the development of obesity and diabetes mellitus. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of BJ may involve adipokine pathways since BJ increased adiponectin levels in diabetic mice. Thus, BJ represents a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and possibly neurogenerative diseases as well as a source of novel therapeutic agents against these disorders.

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) has one of the highest antioxidant capacities and flavonoid concentrations of any fruit or vegetable, and regular consumption of blueberries has been connected to a wide range of health benefits. A diversity of flavonoids (flavonols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins) are likely responsible for many of the health benefits, and these compounds also significantly contribute to the organoleptic properties of ripe blueberries. Despite the potential importance of these flavonoids in diet, there has been little investigation into the molecular genetics of blueberry flavonoid biosynthesis. Therefore, I developed a real-time quantitative PCR protocol to monitor expression of flavonoid genes throughout development and ripening. Following evaluation of five reference genes, expression profiling of biosynthetic genes revealed that flavonoid synthesis is tightly controlled at the transcriptional level in a biphasic developmental pattern. These results are discussed in relation to flavonoid metabolite accumulation profiles, which were produced as part of a collaboration. Finally, in conjunction with a second group of collaborating scientists, some promising preliminary evidence is provided suggesting that the hormone abscisic acid might have a role in regulating ripening initiation in blueberry. / Graduate