Abstract Pitaya is a rich source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and betalains. Moreover, these compounds has been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of this fruit on glycemia and oxidative stress in aloxan-induced diabetic mice. Thus, considering that In the in vivo assays, the mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 6): (a) healthy group treated with water; (b) diabetic mice treated with metformin at 200 mg/kg body weight diluted in water; (c) untreated diabetic mice; (d) diabetic mice treated with pitaya at 200 mg/kg and (e) diabetic mice treated with pitaya at 400 mg/kg of body weight diluted in water. The results shows that pitaya was able significantly to reduce blood glucose (p < 0.05) (200 mg/kg); significantly reduce cholesterol (200 and 400 mg/kg) and significantly increase HDL-c (400 mg/kg) levels. In the oxidative stress experiment, Malondialdehyde levels in the liver were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the groups treated with pitaya, when compared to the other groups, suggesting lower lipid peroxidation. The consumption of pitaya reduced the blood glucose and cholesterol and increase the HDL, in addition, the lipid peroxidation - which is common in diabetic patients, was reduced.

Abstract We investigate the impact of yacon syrup consumption on glycemic, lipid and metabolic endotoxemia in healthy subjects. Thus, 32 healthy were randomized into two groups that consumed 40 g of yacon syrup/day (= 8.74 g FOS/day) or a placebo, for 2-weeks. Anthropometric assessments, gastrointestinal effects, glycemic and lipid profile, and LPS were performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. The results obtained shown that the 2-weeks consumption of yacon syrup does not promote serum LPS alteration in healthy volunteers. Moreover, the glycemic and lipid profile were also similar between the groups before and after the intervention. Yacon syrup did not affect blood lipid, glucose or metabolic endotoxemia. However, it is possible that positive effects of yacon syrup will turn evident only in a long-term intervention. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effect of yacon syrup consumption, and its use in obese and diabetic individuals.

Resumo O xarope de yacon (XY) e o extrato concentrado de caju (ECC) são produtos que apresentam elevadas concentrações de compostos bioativos, como fruto-oligossacarídeos e carotenoides, que exibem propriedades prebióticas e antioxidantes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto de XY e ECC nas características químicas, físicas, físico-químicas e sensoriais, quando estes produtos foram incorporados em um iogurte. Inicialmente, o XY e o ECC foram caracterizados através de análises químicas, físico-químicas, físicas e de compostos bioativos (carotenoides, fruto-oligossacarídeos, compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante). Após a caracterização, o XY e o ECC foram adicionados ao iogurte natural em diferentes concentrações, sendo estas: formulação A (sem adição de XY e ECC), formulação B (iogurte com adição de 20% de XY), formulação C (iogurte com adição de 20% de XY e 10% de ECC) e formulação D (10% de ECC e iogurte com adição de 20% de XY e 20% de ECC). As amostras foram então avaliadas sensorialmente com relação a aceitação (global, textura e aparência) e intenção de compra, além de serem caracterizadas através de análises químicas, físico-químicas e físicas. Os resultados indicaram que o XY e o ECC apresentam elevadas concentrações de compostos bioativos. Além disso, quando adicionados ao iogurte, a suplementação induziu mudanças nas propriedades químicas, físico-químicas e físicas do iogurte. Com relação aos testes sensoriais, todas as formulações apresentam uma boa aceitação sensorial. Esses resultados indicam que o iogurte pode ser considerado um veículo interessante para XY e ECC, que são produtos que apresentam elevadas concentrações de compostos bioativos que podem exercer efeitos benéficos à saúde humana.

Abstract Yacon syrup (YS) and cashew apple extract (CAE) are products with high concentrations of bioactive compounds such as fructooligosaccharides and carotenoids, which exhibit prebiotic and antioxidant properties. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of YS and CAE on the chemical, physical, physicochemical and sensory properties when these products were incorporated into natural yoghurt. Initially, the YS and CAE were characterized by chemical, physical and physicochemical analyses. The bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, fructooligosaccharides and phenolic compounds, and the antioxidant activity were also determined. After characterization, natural yoghurt was supplemented with YS and CAE in different concentrations as follows: formulation A (non-supplemented yoghurt, as the control), formulation B (yoghurt with the addition of 20% of YS), formulation C (yoghurt with the addition of 20% of YS and 10% of CAE) and formulation D (yoghurt with the addition of 20% of YS and 20% of CAE). The formulations were evaluated for their sensory acceptance (overall acceptance, texture and appearance) and purchase intent, and were then characterized by chemical, physicochemical and physical analyses. The results indicated that the YS and CAE presented high concentrations of bioactive compounds, such as fructooligosaccharides and carotenoids, respectively. In addition, when the yoghurt was supplemented with these products, this induced changes in the chemical, physicochemical and physical properties of the yoghurt. In the sensory analysis, all the formulations presented good acceptance. The results indicated that yoghurt could be considered as an interesting vehicle for YS and CAE, products with high levels of bioactive compounds that may exert beneficial effects on human health.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar los efectos sinérgicos, aditivos y antagónicos de mezclas de diferentes frutas tropicales en la capacidad antioxidante total (TAC) y compuestos bioactivos presentes en los jugos mixtos, y optimizar su formulación por la metodología de superficie de respuesta basado en las evaluaciones de: polifenoles totales (TP), capacidad antioxidante total (TAC), contenido de ácido ascórbico y la aceptación sensorial. Camu-camu, acerola y acai fueron las frutas que más influyeron en el potencial antioxidante del jugo mixto; y el jobo mostró un efecto positivo en la aceptación del jugo mixto tropical. Se observó un efecto antagónico entre acerola y camu-camu para la TAC. La formulación óptima obtenida contenía 20% acerola, 10% de camu-camu, 10% el jobo, 10% de manzana de marañón y 10% de acai, la cual ha proporcionado contenidos medio de 155,46 mg.100 g-1 de ácido ascórbico, 103,01 mg de GAE.100 g-1 de TP, 10,27 mM Trolox g-1 de TAC y aproximadamente 6.1 de aceptación sensorial.

The objective of this work was investigate the synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects of fruit mixtures on total antioxidant capacities and bioactive compounds in tropical fruit juices, and optimize its formulation by the response surface methodology based on the responses: total polyphenols (TP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ascorbic acid content and sensorial acceptance. Camu-camu, acerola and acai were the major factors that influenced the antioxidant potential of the juice; and the yellow mombin showed a positive effect on the acceptance of the tropical juice. It was observed an antagonistic effect between acerola and camu-camu for the TAC response. The optimum formulation obtained was 20% acerola, 10% camu-camu, 10% yellow mombin, 10% cashew apple and 10% acai, which was responsible for a response of 155.46 mg.100 g-1 of ascorbic acid, 103.01 mg of GAE.100 g-1 of TP, 10.27 μM Trolox g-1 of TAC and approximately 6.1 of acceptance.

Bioaromas e oligossacarídeos são duas classes de substâncias que podem ser produzidas biotecnológicamente por meio de bioprocessos microbiológicos. Estes compostos têm atraído o interesse das indústrias farmacêutica e de alimentos não só devido às suas propriedades tecnológicas (adoçantes/fibras ou aromatizantes, respectivamente), mas também como consequência de outras propriedades funcionais como, por exemplo, benefícios na promoção da saúde. O uso de resíduos agroindustriais como substrato em processos biotecnológicos parece ser uma alternativa valiosa para superar os altos custos de manufatura envolvidos nas fermentações industriais. Este manuscrito faz uma revisão dos mais importantes avanços na produção biotecnológica de bioaromas e oligossacarídeos. O uso de alguns resíduos agroindustriais nestes processos também são citados e discutidos, mostrando que esta é uma tendência crescente na biotecnologia.

Bioflavors and oligosaccharides are two classes of substances that may be produced biotechnologically through microbial bioprocesses. These compounds have attracted the interest of pharmaceutical and food industries not only due to their technological properties (sweetening/fiber or flavoring, respectively), but also as a consequence of other functional properties such as, for example, health promoting benefits. The use of agro-industrial residues as substrates in biotechnological processes seems to be a valuable alternative in helping to overcome the high manufacturing costs of industrial fermentations. This manuscript reviews the most important advances in biotechnological production of bioflavors and oligosaccharides. The use of some agro-industrial residues in such processes is also cited and discussed, showing that this is a rising trend in biotechnology.

Assim como outras técnicas de processamento de alimentos, a irradiação induz certas alterações, que podem modificar a composição química e o valor nutritivo dos alimentos. A natureza e extensão destas mudanças dependem essencialmente da composição do alimento, da dose de irradiação e de fatores tais como a temperatura e a presença ou ausência do oxigênio do ar. Enquanto que algumas vitaminas, como a riboflavina, niacina e vitamina D são bastante estáveis, outras, como a tiamina e vitaminas A e E, são relativamente lábeis. O objetivo da presente revisão foi discutir as prováveis perdas de vitaminas de diversos produtos submetidos ao processo de irradiação.

Ionizing radiation has been widely used in industrial processes, especially in the sterilization of medicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products, and in food processing. Similar to other techniques of food processing, irradiation can induce certain alterations that can modify both the chemical composition and the nutritional value of foods. These changes depend on the food composition, the irradiation dose and factors such as temperature and presence or absence of oxygen in the irradiating environment. The sensitivity of vitamins to radiation is unpredictable and food vitamin losses during the irradiation are often substantial. The aim of this study was to discuss retention or loss of vitamins in several food products submitted to an irradiation process.