Abstract Zn treatment effects on the stability of polyphenols, MDA (malondialdehyde) content, antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibition activities of two varieties of fennel bulbs were studied by using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model. Likewise, the effect of Zn on viability cells of E. coli was also performed. The results revealed that high amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were released during the digestion process, especially after the intestinal phase. Additionally, the antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity were affected by the gastrointestinal digestion process and seems to be correlated with total phenol contents. On the other hand, the viability of E. coli was not affected by the activity of our tested bulbs during passage through the artificial digestion model, but the treated bulbs activity contribute relatively to the inhibition growth of bacteria. The survival of E. coli in fennel bulbs was challenged with simulated gastrointestinal fluids and the results showed that the E. coli strains, despite having experienced a viability reduction at the intestinal phase, were able to overcome the exposure to the gastrointestinal synthetic fluids. This E. coli ability reinforces the need for good hygienic measures to assure safe fresh produce, even for those that are rich in antibacterial compounds.

INTRODUÇÃO: Dado o papel nuclear do Helicobacter pylori (Hp) na etiopatogenia das doenças gastroduodenais, é fundamental conhecer a sua prevalência e as suas características em cada região. OBJECTIVOS: determinar, numa população dispéptica no Algarve, a prevalência da infecção por Hp, fazer a sua caracterização genética e correlacionar ambas com os diagnósticos endoscópicos. MÉTODOS: Seleccionamos, aleatoriamente, 205 doentes dispépticos submetidos a endoscopia digestiva alta. Para detecção de Hp utilizámos teste rápido da urease, exame cultural e exame histológico, admitindo-se infecção quando pelo menos dois testes foram positivos. Usámos a técnica de PCR para caracterizar os genes cagA, vacA, oipA e babA em 22 das estirpes isoladas. Estatística: testes χ2 e exacto de Fisher; IC - 95%. RESULTADOS: prevalência 44,9% (superior no sexo masculino e entre os 30 e os 59 anos); genes cagA + em 90,9%, oipA funcional em 78,9%, babA + em 50% e genótipo s1m1 em 31,8% das estirpes. Associação da infecção apenas com úlcera duodenal. CONCLUSÕES: 1) Prevalência da infecção de 44,9%, decrescente após os 60 anos. 2) Associação da infecção apenas com úlcera duodenal. 3) Estirpes cagA + e oipA ON em proporção superior à esperada num país ocidental.

INTRODUCTION: The role of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in the ethiology of several gastroduodenal diseases is well established; it is thus important to know its prevalence and characteristics in different geographical zones. AIMS: to evaluate the prevalence of Hp infection in a dyspeptic population, to identify its genetic characteristics and correlate them with endoscopic findings. METHODS: 205 dyspeptic patients submitted to endoscopy were included. Helicobacter pylori presence was evaluated by rapid urease test as well as bacteriology tests and histopathology; infection was admitted when at least two tests were positive. We used PCR to characterize the genes cagA, vacA, oipA and babA in 22 of the isolated strains. Statistical: χ2 and exact Fisher’s tests; CI - 95%. RESULTS: prevalence: 44,9% (higher between 30 and 59 years old); genes cagA + in 90,9%, oipA functional in 78,9%, babA + in 50% and genotype s1m1 in 31,8% of the strains. Infection was only associated with duodenal ulcer. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Prevalence of the infection: 44,9 %, decreasing after 60 years of age. 2) Association of the infection only with duodenal ulcer. 3) rate of cag A + and oipA ON strains higher than expected in a western country.