OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de dietas hiperlipídicas adicionadas de 1%, 2% e 4% de casca de jabuticaba liofilizada sobre os perfis lipídicos do fígado, soro e fezes de ratos. MÉTODOS: Trinta ratos, machos, Sprague-Dawley, foram divididos em cinco grupos. A obesidade foi induzida em quatro grupos, com dieta hiperlipídica ou High-Fat - HF (35% de lipídeos). Três desses grupos receberam a dieta hiperlipídica adicionada de 1%, 2% e 4% de casca de jabuticaba liofilizada (Jabuticaba - HFJ1, HFJ2 e HFJ4, respectivamente) nos últimos 40 dias de experimento. Sangue e fígado foram coletados após 70 dias de tratamento e as fezes na última semana experimental. Colesterol e triglicerídeos totais foram avaliados no soro, fígado e fezes secas, bem como lipídeos totais. RESULTADOS: No segundo período do experimento, a ingestão dietética e energética dos animais HFJ4 foi maior em relação ao grupo High-Fat. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos experimentais para colesterol total e triglicerídeos séricos. O grupo HFJ2 demonstrou maiores níveis de lipídeos hepáticos e fecais em relação a N, apesar de a peroxidação lipídica ter diminuído nesse grupo. O HFJ4 mostrou a maior média de colesterol hepático e fecal. Não houve diferenças significativas para triglicerídeos hepáticos, e os grupos HFJ1 e HFJ4 excretaram mais triglicerídeos pelas fezes. CONCLUSÃO: As doses utilizadas de casca de jabuticaba não mostraram efeitos benéficos contra a esteatose hepática ou outro parâmetro lipídico avaliado, com exceção para a excreção de triglicerídeos. O índice de peroxidação lipídica hepática diminuiu nos ratos alimentados com 2% de casca de jabuticaba liofilizada.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of high-fat diets with 1%, 2%, and 4% freeze-dried jaboticaba peel on the serum, liver, and fecal lipid profile of obese rats. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups. Obesity was induced in four groups using a high-fat diet (35% lipids). One group was used as a high-fat diet control (High-fat group - HF). The other three high-fat-diet groups were given 1%, 2%, and 4% freeze-dried jaboticaba peel (High-Fat Jaboticaba - HFJ1, HFJ2, and HFJ4, respectively) in the last 40 experimental days. Blood and the liver were collected after 70 days of treatment and feces were collected in the last experimental week. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipids were measured in the serum, liver, and dried feces. ffer in the experimental groups. HFJ2 group had the highest hepatic and fecal lipid contents compared with the group fed a diet with normal fat content (N), but low hepatic lipid peroxidation. HFJ4 group had the highest mean hepatic and fecal cholesterol levels. Hepatic triglyceride levels did not differ among the groups, and groups HFJ1 and HFJ4 presented the highest fecal triglyceride content. CONCLUSION: The amounts of jaboticaba peel used by this study did not protect against hepatic steatosis or undesired levels of other studied lipids, but it did increase fecal triglycerides. Lipid peroxidation in the liver decreased in the HFJ2 group.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as possíveis alterações causadas pela ingestão de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) e de fitosteróis no ganho de peso, na glicemia e no perfil lipídico de camundongos alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica. Durante nove semanas, vinte e cinco camundongos Swiss machos receberam dietas hiperlipídicas suplementadas com CLA e/ou fitosteróis, na concentração de 2%. Foram aferidos consumo alimentar, ganho de peso, glicemia em jejum, além dos níveis séricos de colesterol total, triglicérides, HDL colesterol e ácidos graxos livres. O grupo suplementado com CLA e fitosteróis apresentou menor ganho de peso e bom controle glicêmico, quando comparado aos demais grupos. Os resultados encontrados incentivam a continuação de pesquisas que investiguem os efeitos biológicos causados pela suplementação concomitante de CLA e fitosteróis, com possível aplicação na indústria de alimentos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible changes caused by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and phytosterols intake in weight gain, blood glucose levels and lipid profile on mice fed with high fat diet. Twenty-five male Swiss mice received for nine weeks high fat diets supplemented with 2% of CLA and/or phytosterols. Feed intake, weight gain, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and free fatty acids were determined. The group supplemented with CLA and phytosterols gained less weight and showed better glycemic control compared to other groups. The results encourage further research to investigate the biological effects caused by supplementation of CLA and phytosterols, with possible application in food industry.

There is considerable progress in the study of the biotransformation of limonene. Extensive research on the biotransformation of limonene has resulted in the elucidation of new metabolic pathways. Natural flavors can be produced via biotransformation, satisfying consumer demand for natural products. This review presents some elements concerning the biotransformation of limonene with emphasis on the metabolic pathways. Some comments are also made on problems related to biocatalysis as well as on the application of some compounds originating from the biotransformation of the inexpensive limonene.

Surfactin, a lipopeptide produced by strains of Bacillus subtilis, has been proved to be a suitable biosurfactant in several applications. For many years, it has been investigated mainly for oil recovery and environmental usage. Its chemical, technological and functional characteristics turn surfactin into an attractive compound for several utilizations. In this review we emphasize some aspects of surfactin as a new food ingredient and its potential pharmaceutical and health applications.