Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 2, Issue 3, 2012

The “umbu” (Spondias tuberosa Arruda) is an important plant in the semi-arid regions of the rural communities in northeastern Brazil. Thus, the purpose of this study was to obtain the physical and chemical characteristics of Spondias tuberosa grown under different landscapes in order to identify promising materials for commercial use. Ten individual plants were selected from each of the region's landscape units (mountain, mountain base, pasture, crops and home garden), and 20 completely developed, yet unripe fruits were collected for determining the physical and chemical characteristics. It was verified that the S. tuberosa plants found in the pasture regions weighed more (with greater sizes near mountains and home gardens) (p<0.05) and had the second highest pulp yield (p>0.05). The same trend was observed for peel thickness (p>0.05). In relation to average soluble solids (SS) content values, plants obtained from home gardens were significantly different from all other plants taken from the other regions except for those found in cultivated areas (p>0.05). These plants also had the highest values of ascorbic acid and were statistically different from all of the other plants (p<0.05). The umbu plants from the pasture and home garden areas had the most important commercial characteristics, such as the chemical characteristics of the pulp, when compared to those from the other landscapes and had excellent SS and ascorbic acid values.

The objectives of this work were to evaluate workers' consumption of fruits and vegetables in their main meals in food service unit, the principal author's local work place, as well as to analyze the effect of diet contracts of this group of food intake. The study was divided into three phases, and it lasted two years. It involved a registered company in the Workers' Nutrition Program (WNP) that chooses one of its units to prepare meals. It was formalized by contract intermediates and was signed under a business beneficiary and the agencies. It was found that the satisfactory consumption of fruits and vegetables was directly related to the way foods were offered. This included the correct menu planning and preparation of nutritional choices. Results obtained emphasized the importance of direct management of contracts and suppliers to help provide a healthy lifestyle.

Avocado is a tropical fruit is high nutritional value. This fruit is also rich in carotenoids and vitamins, particularly vitamin E, however, it is sensitive to climate and is perishable. So, postharvest techniques are needed to prolong its useful life and to maintain its nutritional quality. This work evaluates the antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and coloration of Hass avocado submitted to UV-C radiation. Fruits were selected and exposed to the ultraviolet light for 5, 10, 15 and 20 min. They were then stored in a refrigerator (10±1°C and 90±5% relative humidity) and evaluated over a 12-day period. The values of total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity were superior for the control fruits in the two storage conditions during the experimental period. The brightness, color a * and b * values decreased with the storage days. Superior color values were observed for the control fruits and those kept refrigerated. No significant correlation was found between antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content.

Commercialization of processed avocado is difficult due to darkening of the pulp and sensorial alterations during the storage. The objective of this research was to verify the sensorial parameters, along with polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities in an avocado product with added α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid and stored at low temperature. Samples of products were wrapped in polyethylene and polyethylene plus nylon packing, with and without being vacuum sealed. They were submitted to low temperature treatments: refrigeration, slow and fast freezing. Evaluations were done on days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 for the refrigerated treatment (± 4 °C) and days 0, 7, 30, 60 and 90 for the samples submitted to the slow and fast freezing. Enzyme activities decreased in the product (24.55 mM of catechol/gram of fresh mass) in relation to the avocado pulp (58.31 mM of catechol/gram of fresh mass of sample). They were almost unaltered during low temperature storage, but were slightly lower in the vacuum packed samples. The ascorbic acid concentration was not enough to inhibit the enzyme activity totally. Sensorial analysis showed that the addition of ascorbic acid allowed the conservation of product refrigerated in polyethylene bags without altering its sensorial characteristics. The α-tocopherol addition proved to be unviable as it did not conserve the product's flavor.

Persimmons have a short harvest season, making it necessary to use adequate storage techniques to extend their shelf life. The objective of this work was to find the best time to harvest the fruit and the best storage temperature for the persimmon, caqui ‘giombo’. The fruits were harvested in four different stages of maturity: 1 - totally green; 2 - start of maturity 75% green; 3 – medium maturity 50% green; 4 - mature 25% green. The fruits were stored 35 days at 0, 3 and 6 °C and 85±5% relative humidity. The following analyses were done every seven days: respiratory activity, weight loss, soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content. The weight loss was less in the advanced maturity states and lower storage temperature. The production of CO2 oscillated during the experimental period for all four maturity states. More CO2 was produced by the most mature fruits. The soluble solids content varied little during the experiment and was greatest for the most mature fruits. The ascorbic acid content increased throughout the 35 days for all maturity states. They were highest in the most mature fruits.

The Bioactive composition of blueberries has attracted interest as a potential source of beneficial bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, because the consumption of plant phenolics and others bioactive compounds has been recognized as lowering the risk of aging-associated diseases. Berries such as the Brazilian blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) are increasingly cultivated throughout the world. In Brazil, its cultivation is rather recent and not wellknown. However, Brazil has an ideal climate and has a great potential for increasing production. The study aimed to identify and quantify the major bioactive compounds in the skin, pulp and entire fruit of six Brazilian blueberry cultivars belonging to the group Rabbiteye, and to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Determinations of L-ascorbic acid, tocopherols, phenolics, individual carotenoids and antioxidant activity were done. These determinations were made on Powderblue, Briteblue, Bluebelle, Climax, Delite and Woodard cultivars, provided by Embrapa Clima Temperado, Pelotas-RS. The blueberry fruits are rich sources of phenolic compounds but other bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, carotenoids and vitamin C also were found. All phytochemicals analyzed, with the exception of some phenolic acids, were found at high levels in the peels (or skin) of blueberry cultivars tested, due to its function as plant protector, resulting in a higher antioxidant activity of fruit peel.

Consumption of bioactive compounds in fruits, vegetables and their derivatives is related to lower incidences of non-communicable diseases. This study determines the contents of bioactive compounds and vitamin C and verifies the antioxidant capacities of fresh (FG) and industrialized frozen pulps (IP1 and IP2) of guava. Results showed that the total soluble solids and pH for FG and IP were within the limits established by current legislation. IP and FG are excellent sources of phenolic compounds, especially proanthocyanidins, whose values were 38.45±0.21, 51.26±6.15, 38.03±2.48 mg catechin equivalent/100 g (fresh or wet weight) for FG and IP1 and IP2, respectively. There was only a significant difference between IP1 and IP2 in the amount of total flavonoids. The major carotenoid present in guava, lycopene, was significantly higher in FG (7.46±0.37 mg lycopene/100 g wet weight). The IP2 had the highest content of vitamin C (68.10 mg AA/100 g wet weight), while the FG (9.51 mg AA/100 g wet weight) had the smallest amount of this vitamin. After performing three different antioxidants methods, a significant difference was observed. FG had a lower antioxidant capacity measured by DPPH scavenging. For the other methods, no significant difference was found between samples. Finally, we conclude that fresh and frozen guava pulp have considerable levels of antioxidants. So frozen guava pulp may be an excellent choice for consumers who are looking for a convenient, healthy food.

Musa (AAB group) Thap Maeo is very productive and resistant to various banana diseases. However, quality attributes of this fruit were poorly investigated so far. The aim of this work was to establish a parallel between the sensory and volatile compound profile of this cultivar. A Quantitative Descriptive Analysis technique was used for sensory evaluation and the headspace volatile profile was analyzed by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Judges have described Thap Maeo with a moderate intensity of ripe banana aroma and flavor, which was confirmed by obtaining a poor volatile profile, with 14 compounds. 3-methybutyl butanoate and 3-methylbutanoate were the major compounds detected in the headspace, which could explain the perception of significant fruity flavors by the judges in the sensory tests.

The genus Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) was reviewed for its chemical constituents and pharmacological significance including traditional uses. The structure-activity relationship for various compounds was illustrated to understand the mechanism of a particular activity. The genus has been known for its numerous biological activities like antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory etc. Most of the plants of this genus are rich sources of triterpenoids and saponins. Besides, these plants also contain flavonoids, alkaloids, anthocyanins and other phenolics in minute quantity. The bioactive constituents or plants extracts themselves, in the form of herbal drugs from this genus, have been validated for the treatment of various diseases and these would be used as a new formulation for the novel drugs discovery in pharmaceutical industries.

Plant endophytic fungi are considered an important source of natural bioactive compounds which commonly applied in agriculture, medicine, and food industry. In the past two decades, many valuable bioactive secondary metabolites obtained from the endophytic fungi have antimicrobial, insecticidal, cytotoxic and anticancer activities. Many recent articles revealed endophyte natural products as new compounds and discussed their biological activities and source organisms, as well as the plant sources.

Nerium oleander Linn. (Family: Apocynaceae) is a Ayurvedic traditional ornamental plant in Indian gardens useful in various ailments including indigestion, malaria, leprosy, mental and venereal diseases. It is also used as cardiac tonic, aborifacient, diuretic, molluscicide and insecticide and for the treatment of epilepsy, snake bites and skin condition such as leprosy, pruritus, ulcers, ringworm infection, and scabies. Preliminary neuropsychopharmacological screening also revealed cognition enhancing ability of this plant, especially the flower extract. The present study aims at evaluating the potential effectiveness of the methanol extract of the flowers of this plant in dementia related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), owing to its inherent cognition enhancing ability. Dementia was induced in animals by feeding excess Copper and Aluminium in drinking water and confirmed by Radial 8 arm maze test. Several biochemical parameters were also estimated including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-oxidized (GSSG), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitrite estimation, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Lipid profile was also investigated along with the histopathological observations to further strengthen the results of the study. Results indicated a neuroprotective profile of the methanol extract of the flowers of N. oleander L. as well as revealed a reversal of the dementia.