Abstract Acrocomia aculeata, known as macauba, is extensively distributed in the Southeast and Midwest of Brazil. Macauba fruit is used as food; however, its therapeutic properties are still poorly understood. The goal of the study was to investigate the chemical composition of macauba pulp oil (MPO) and anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and antioxidant properties of MPO. The anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic properties were evaluated in Swiss mice treated with MPO per gavage or incorporated in the diet for 10 days. The serum of mice was subjected to lipid peroxidation evaluation and the in vitro MPO antioxidant activity was assessed. The organoleptic profile of MPO showed it was suitable for consumption and this composition showed unsaturated fatty acids with oleic acid the most abundant. The MPO presented anti-inflammatory properties, inducing a decrease in the migration of neutrophil and mononucleate cells to the peritoneal cavity of mice; it also inhibited the formation of micronuclei in mice. Furthermore, MPO presented antioxidant activity and high carotenoid content. Our data support the hypothesis that MPO has anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic properties, and these effects can correlate with fatty acid profile and antioxidant compounds. There is great potential for the application of MPO for nutritional purposes.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine if the quality of macauba pulp oil is affected by drying the whole fruits at 60 ºC. Mature fruits were collected at every five days on the ground under 10 palm trees. A mixed batch of 3 kg of whole fruits, with three replications each, was dried in an oven with air circulation for 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h at 60 ºC. After every drying time, dried fruits were pulped using an automated device, followed by oil extraction with hexane. Moisture and oil content were determined in the pulp, and the pulp oil quality was analyzed for fatty acid composition, free fatty acids content, peroxide value, molar absorptivity at 232 and 270 nm, refractive index, and total carotene content. The tested temperature was sufficient to decrease moisture to a range suitable for automated pulping, with the best combination and easier pulping being reached after 24 h of drying. In the first 12 h there was an apparent synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and carotenes. The tested temperature was insufficient to avoid the enhancement of acidity since the beginning and throughout the drying period, nor the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, it is concluded that drying of fresh fruits of macauba palm at 60 ºC is not appropriate to obtain an overall good quality pulp oil for industrial purposes.

O baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) é uma leguminosa abundante no Cerrado brasileiro, cuja castanha pode ser explorada através do uso sustentável para o aproveitamento das frações proteicas e lipídicas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar as proteínas desta castanha, presentes na farinha desengordurada e no concentrado proteico, quanto as suas propriedades funcionais, ao perfil das frações proteicas e à digestibilidade in vitro. A farinha desengordurada com hexano foi submetida à extração no pH de maior solubilidade das proteínas, obtendo-se o concentrado proteico. O perfil eletroforético das frações proteicas foi avaliado em gel de SDS-PAGE. As propriedades funcionais indicaram a possibilidade de emprego em diversos alimentos, assim como a soja, conferindo capacidade de absorção de água, capacidade de absorção de óleo, propriedades emulsificantes e espumabilidade. As globulinas, seguidas das albuminas, são as frações majoritárias da farinha e do concentrado proteico, respectivamente. A digestibilidade foi superior no concentrado em relação à farinha desengordurada.

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) is an abundant legume in the Brazilian Savanna. Its nuts can be exploited sustainably using its protein and lipid fractions. This study aimed to analyze the proteins of the nuts present in the defatted flour and protein concentrate in terms of their functional properties, the profile of their fractions, and the in vitro digestibility. The flour was defatted with hexane and extracted at the pH of higher protein solubility to obtain the protein concentrate. The electrophoretic profile of the protein fractions was evaluated in SDS-PAGE gel. The functional properties of the proteins indicate the possibility of their use in various foods, like soybeans providing water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, emulsifying properties, and foamability. Globulins, followed by the albumins, are the major fractions of the flour and protein concentrate, respectively. Digestibility was greater for the concentrate than for the defatted flour.

Componentes de polpa e de semente de baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.), leguminosa do cerrado brasileiro, foram objetos de estudo neste trabalho. Análises térmicas, Termogravimetria (TG) e Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC) foram utilizadas na investigação de proteínas em farinha desengordurada, concentrado e isolado proteico. A extração do concentrado proteico foi em pH 10, seguida de precipitação no ponto isoelétrico para obter o isolado, o qual foi seco por atomização. As curvas termogravimétricas foram obtidas em atmosfera de nitrogênio em vazão de 100 mL/minutos. As temperaturas iniciais, finais e de pico foram analisadas, assim como a perda de massa. Na faixa de temperatura avaliada, a farinha desengordurada e o concentrado apresentaram quatro etapas de perda de massa, enquanto que o isolado apenas duas etapas. O conteúdo de proteína da farinha desengordurada da semente de Baru foi mais alto do que do isolado. Por outro lado, ocorreu redução da entalpia, sugerindo que o processo aplicado na obtenção do concentrado e isolado de baru levou à desnaturação das proteínas.

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.), a species of legume found in the Brazilian savannas, was investigated in this study for the composition of its flesh and seed. Thermal analyses, Thermogravimetry (TG), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the proteins in defatted meal, concentrate, and protein isolate. The protein concentrate was extracted at pH 10, followed by a precipitation at the isoelectric point to obtain the isolate that was spray dried. The thermogravimetric curves were obtained under a nitrogen atmosphere with a 100 mL/minutes flow. The initial, final and peak temperatures and mass loss were analyzed. Within the performed temperature ranges studied, the defatted meal and concentrate presented four steps of mass loss, while the isolate showed only two steps. The protein content of defatted meal from Baru nuts was higher than that of the isolate. On the other hand, there was a reduction in enthalpy, which suggests that the process applied to obtain the baru concentrate and isolate led to protein denaturation.

Na avaliação sobre o potencial de mercado consumidor de produtos orgânicos em Campo Grande, MS, conclui-se que a maioria das mulheres entrevistadas afirmou conhecer o produto orgânico, porém, apenas aproximadamente a metade realmente sabe seu significado. Cerca de 52% delas pagaria mais caro por esse produto e estariam dispostas a procurar local próprio de comercialização (63,23%). Após esclarecimentos sobre os benefícios do produto orgânico, quase a totalidade (99,35%) optaria por estes produtos.

Evaluation the potential market in Campo Grande for organic products, it was concluded that most of the interviewed women declared to know organic product is, although only a half part of them actually knew its meaning. Around 52% of the evaluated group would spend higher values to acquire organic products, and 66.23% were willing in going to a specific market place. Almost the entirely interviewed women (939.35%) would choose organic products after an explanation about their benefits.

La evaluación del potencial de mercado consumidor de productos orgánicos en Campo Grande, MS, he llegado a la conclusión de que la mayoría de las mujeres entrevistadas afirmaran conocer el producto ecológico, sin embargo, sólo aproximadamente la mitad sabe realmente su significado. Aproximadamente el 52% de ellas pagarían más caro por ese producto y estarían dispuestas a ir asta tiendas específicas para su comercialización (63,23%). Después de una aclaración sobre los beneficios del producto ecológico, casi la totalidad (99,35%) optarían por estos productos.

Pour évaluer le potentiel du marché de consommation pour les produits biologiques à Campo Grande, MS, a conclu que la majorité des femmes interrogées ont déclaré connaître les produits biologiques, cependant, seulement environ la moitié sait vraiment son importance. Environ 52% d'entre eux paient plus cher pour ce produit et être prêts à chercher leur propre mise sur le marché (63,23%). Après des éclaircissements sur les avantages des produits biologiques, la quasi-totalité (99,35%) optent pour ces produits.

Os íons cálcio apresentam importante papel em muitos processos bioquímicos, retardando a senescência e controlando desordens fisiológicas em frutas e hortaliças. O objetivo deste experimento foi analisar o efeito de concentrações crescentes de cálcio em feijão vagem. A cultivar UEL 1 foi semeada em areia grossa contendo 80 mg L-1 de cálcio suplementada com solução nutritiva, acrescida dos seguintes teores de cálcio 0, 75, 150 e 300 mg L-1. A maior concentração de cálcio foi observada na parte aérea (ramos + folhas), seguida das raízes e, por fim, as vagens. A quantidade de cálcio nas vagens foi de 130, 259, 349 e 515 mg 100 g-1 matéria seca, respectivamente da menor para a maior dose de cálcio aplicada. Observou-se relação negativa entre a concentração de nitrogênio nas vagens e o teor total absorvido em função do aumento na quantidade de cálcio da solução nutritiva. Plantas cultivadas em solução nutritiva isenta de cálcio, apresentaram necrose da porção apical das vagens e morte apical de raízes, ramos e folhas jovens. A quantidade de matéria seca de vagens, raízes e parte aérea, número de vagens por planta, massa de vagens e comprimento de vagens aumentou proporcionalmente à maior disponibilidade de cálcio na solução nutritiva aplicada. O cultivo em maiores doses de cálcio proporcionou aumento da biomassa produzida pelas plantas de feijão vagem cv. UEL 1.

Calcium ions (Ca) play an important role in many biochemical processes, delaying senescence and controlling physiological disorders in fruits and vegetables. The objective of this experiment was to analyze the effect of increasing calcium concentrations in snap beans. Snap bean cultivar UEL 1 was sown in sand containing 80 mg L-1 of calcium supplemented with nutrient solution, plus calcium at different contents: 0, 75, 150 and 300 mg L-1. Ca was mainly recovered in the shoots, followed by roots and pods. Calcium concentrations in the pods were 130, 259, 349 and 515 mg 100 g-1dry matter on a dry weight basis, in relation to the enhancement of calcium contents in the nutrient solution, respectively. A negative relationship between nitrogen content in the pods and calcium concentration in the nutrient solution was observed. Pods from plants grown in a solution without Ca presented necrosis in their apical region. Dieback of roots, shoots and young leaves also occurred under low calcium supply. Dry matter of pods, roots and shoots, number of pods per plant, pod weight and pod length increased proportionally to calcium concentration in solution. Increasing rates of calcium improved biomass production in snap bean cultivar UEL 1.