Objetivo:Identificar prevalência e fatores associados à deficiência de vitamina A (DVA) entre crianças e adolescentes.Métodos:Estudo transversal envolvendo 546 escolares, com idade entre 7 e 14 anos, de ambos os sexos, matriculadas na rede pública do ensino fundamental. O sangue foi coletado para dosagem dos níveis séricos de retinol. A concentração de retinol das amostras foi determinada pelo método da cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Coletaram-se dados antropométricos, alimentares, demográficos e socioeconômicos. Utilizou-se da regressão logística politômica para avaliar as associações de interesse.Resultados:Aproximadamente 27,5% dos estudantes apresentaram valores de retinol < 30 μg/dL. Em análise multivariada, verificou-se, após devidos ajustes, associação positiva e estatisticamente significante da DVA moderada/grave (OR = 2,19; IC 95%: 1,17-4, 10) e da DVA marginal (OR = 2,34; IC 95%: 1,47-3,73) com a idade < 10 anos. Verificou-se, igualmente, associação da DVA moderada/grave (OR = 2,01; IC 95%: 1,01-5,05) e DVA marginal (OR = 2,14; IC 95%: 1,08-4,21) com o estado antropométrico magreza. Menor consumo de retinol foi detectado entre aqueles com DVA grave.Conclusão:A deficiência de vitamina A configura-se como um problema de saúde preocupante entre os escolares e adolescentes. Constatou-se maior vulnerabilidade dos escolares de baixo peso e mais jovens à DVA.

Objective:To identify the prevalence and factors associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children and adolescents.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study involving 546 schoolchildren, aged between 7 and 14 years, of both genders, enrolled in public elementary schools. Blood was collected for measurement of serum retinol. The retinol concentration in the samples was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were collected on anthropometrics, dietary, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. Polytomous logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations of interest.Results:Approximately 27.5% of the students had retinol values < 30 μg/dL. The multivariate analysis showed, after the appropriate adjustments, a positive and statistically significant association of moderate/severe VAD (OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.17 to 4.10) and marginal VAD (OR = 2.34; 95% CI 1.47 to 3.73) with age < 10 years. There was also association of VAD moderate/severe (OR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.01 to 5.05) and borderline VAD (OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.08 to 4.21) with the anthropometric status of underweight. Lower intake of retinol was detected among those with severe VAD.Conclusion:VAD is a health concern among children and adolescents. Lower weight and younger schoolchildren had greater vulnerability to VAD.

Composites strengthened with nanocellulose have been developed with the aim of improving mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of materials. This improvement is primarily due to the nanometric size and the high crystallinity of the incorporated cellulose. Cassava starch films plasticized with glycerol and incorporated with nanocellulose from coconut fibers were developed in this study. The effect of this incorporation was studied with respect to the water activity, solubility, mechanical properties, thermal analysis, and biodegradability. The study demonstrated that the film properties can be significantly altered through the incorporation of small concentrations of nanocellulose.

As pesquisas com licopeno têm sido intensificadas uma vez que o consumo de alimentos ricos neste caroteno, como tomate e seus produtos, tem sido associado com o menor risco de desenvolvimento de câncer de próstata. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram (1) desenvolver e otimizar um método para extração de licopeno a partir de descarte de tomate, (2) utilizar este método na obtenção de licopeno a partir de diferentes coletas de tomate, (3) obter cristais de licopeno puro e (4) acompanhar o processo de purificação de licopeno por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em coluna C30. O método desenvolvido e otimizado através de planejamento experimental fatorial para a obtenção de licopeno consistiu de uma etapa preliminar para retirada de água do tomate, com 4 extrações de 30 minutos, cada uma com 30mL de etanol, seguido por 4 extrações de 120 minutos com acetato de etila e relação massa/volume de 1:0,7. O teor de carotenóides médio (calculado como licopeno) obtido de 6 lotes de tomate foi de 59,2 ± 21,8µg/g. Através de duas cristalizações sucessivas obteve-se licopeno com 98% de pureza. A análise por CLAE mostrou a presença de traços dos isômeros 5-cis, 5-cis, 5'-cis- e 13-cis-licopeno no cristal de licopeno.

Over the past few years, research regarding lycopene has intensified since the consumption of lycopene rich foods such as tomato and tomato products has been associated with reduced risks of developing prostrate cancer. Thus the objectives of this research were (1) develop and optimise methodology for the extraction of lycopene from tomato waste, (2) use the methodology to obtain lycopene from different tomato batches, (3) produce high purity lycopene crystals and (4) follow the purification process of lycopene using high performance liquid chromatography on a C30 column. The method developed to obtain lycopene from tomato residue, and optimised using a factorial experimental design, consisted of a preliminary water removal step with four 30-minute extractions, each with 30mL ethanol, followed by four 120-minute extractions with ethyl acetate, each extraction with a mass/volume ratio of 1:0.7. The mean carotenoid content (calculated as lycopene), obtained from 6 tomato pickings, was 59.2 ± 21.8µg/g. Lycopene with 98% purity was obtained from two successive crystallisation processes. HPLC analysis showed the presence of traces of the 5-cis-, 5-cis,5'-cis- and 13-cis-lycopene isomers in the lycopene crystal.