ABSTRACT The control of dyslipidemia by using herbal products is an important subject for studies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of dry Passiflora incarnata L. extract over dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hepatic oxidative stress of LDL receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-). Forty 4-month old male LDLr-/- mice were distributed into four groups: Group standard diet; Group standard diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract; Group high-fat diet; Group high-fat diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract. After 30 days, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract reduced the effects of the high-fat diet, with a decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as a reduction of C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase and insulin. There was no effect on glucose, Homa index and enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. However, the prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy occurred, as well as lipid peroxidation and the production of carbonyl proteins, which are both oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract acts in the prevention of dyslipidemia, consequently, hindering the occurrence of hepatic oxidative stress and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy by the increase of serum HDL, in mice that had the effects of a high-fat diet.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização física, química e bioquímica do pequi, produzido no sul de Minas Gerais, ao longo do seu desenvolvimento. Frutos coletados na 8ª, 9ª, 10ª, 12ª e 13ª semanas após a antese foram selecionados quanto ao tamanho, cor da casca, ausência de injúrias e avaliados quanto à firmeza da polpa, teores de beta-caroteno, de açúcares solúveis totais e de pectinas total e solúvel, assim como quanto à atividade das enzimas pectinametilesterase (PME), poligalacturonase (PG), peroxidase (POD) e polifenoloxidase (PPO). Verificou-se que, com o avanço dos dias, após a antese nos frutos do pequizeiro, ocorre a síntese do beta-caroteno e de açúcares solúveis totais, redução da firmeza, solubilização das pectinas, ausência de PME, diminuição na atividade da PG e aumento nas atividades da POD e da PPO na polpa.

The aim of this study was to characterize physical, chemical and biochemical pequi fruit produced in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil, during their development stages. Fruits collected in the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th weeks after anthesis, were selected for size, skin color, and absence of injuries and evaluated according to firmness, levels of beta-carotene, total soluble sugars, and total and soluble pectins as well as the activity of pectinmethylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO). It was found that with the advancement of days after anthesis occurs in pequi fruits the synthesis of beta-carotene and total soluble sugars, reducing firmness, pectic solubilization, absence of PME activity, decrease in PG activity and increased in activities POD and PPO in the pulp.

As vendas no mercado de frutas e hortaliças frescas prontas para o consumo têm crescido rapidamente nos últimos anos como resultado de mudanças nas atitudes dos consumidores. Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de dois tipos de cortes nas características fisiológicas, físicas, químicas, físico-químicas e bioquímicas de abobrinha 'Menina Brasileira' minimamente processada, armazenada a 5º C em embalagens de polipropileno rígido, com tampas do mesmo material, contendo abobrinha fatiada e ralada, por 15 dias. As variáveis taxas respiratórias, pH, valor L*, pectina solúvel, atividade de PME e PG, foram interativamente afetadas pelos fatores tipo de corte e tempo de armazenamento. As variáveis perda de massa, atividade da fenilalanina amônia-liase e a pectina total foram afetadas significativamente apenas pelo fator tempo de armazenamento. Pode-se concluir que a abobrinha 'Menina Brasileira' fatiada apresentou uma maior acidez titulável e sólidos solúveis e uma menor taxa respiratória, pectina solúvel e atividade da fenilalanina amônia-liase, em comparação com abobrinha ralada, contribuindo para a preservação dos atributos de qualidade.

Market sales of ready-to-use fresh fruit and vegetables have grown quickly in the recent years as a result of changes in consumer attitudes. The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of two kinds of cuts on the physiological, physical, physical-chemical, chemical and biochemical traits of fresh-cut 'Menina Brasileira' zucchini stored in rigid polypropylene packages, with lids of the same material containing sliced and grated zucchini and stored at 5º C, for 15 days. The variables respiratory rate, pH, L* value, soluble pectin, PME and PG activity, was interactively affected by the cut type and storage time factors. The variables mass loss, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and total pectin variable were only significantly affected by storage time factor. It can be concluded that sliced 'Menina Brasileira' zucchini shows a higher titratable acidity and soluble solids and a lower respiratory rate, pectin soluble and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity when compared with grated zucchini, contributing to the preservation of quality attributes.