Abstract During corn industrial dry milling, a residue rich in dietary fibers is generated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of micronized corn fiber (MCF) as part of a cafeteria diet in the macronutrient metabolism and body weight. Wistar male rats, with initial body weight of 249 ± 14 g (n = 13), received AIN-93M diet (Group 1) or cafeteria diet (Groups 2, 3 and 4), composed of commercial ration, cookies, fried potato sticks, milk chocolate, bacon and chicken liver pâté. Groups 3 and 4 received MCF to replace 100 and 50% of the cellulose from the AIN-93M diet, respectively. After 35 days, blood, tissues and feces were collected. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey test (p < 0.10). The weight gain of the animals increased by 25.9%, 20.8% and 22.0%, when fed cafeteria diet or 100 and 50% of MCF respectively, compared to the control group, although food consumption did not differ between them. Body weight and food efficiency ratio did not differ between the groups fed cafeteria diet with or without MCF. The addition of MCF to the cafeteria diet did not alter the animal lipid profile and glycemia, however, the accumulation of lipids in their livers was similar to the control group. The intake of 100% MCF resulted in higher fecal weight and fecal excretion of lipids, and lower fecal nitrogen, lipid absorption and lipid deposition in the liver than the cafeteria diet. In conclusion, MCF has a potential to improve intestinal transit and lipid excretion, but showed no benefit on blood lipid and glucose levels.

RESUMO Massas alimentícias apresentam boa aceitação em todo o mundo, principalmente devido à sua versatilidade, baixo preço e facilidade de preparo, porém, não são nutricionalmente equilibradas fornecendo basicamente carboidratos. Assim sendo, o uso de ingredientes alternativos que reduzam as essas deficiências nutricionais, sem afetar, no entanto, suas características tecnológicas e sensoriais. Este trabalho avaliou o efeito da utilização de semolina de trigo e pericarpo micronizado de milho (PMM) na composição físico -química, qualidade de cozimento e cor de massas tipo espaguete. Espaguete foi produzido utilizando farinha de trigo, com a incorporação de pericarpo de milho, nas concentrações de 0, 10, 20 e 30%. Não foram observadas diferenças no conteúdo de umidade e lipídios, tempo de cozimento, ganho de peso e aumento de volume (p > 0,05). Foi possível observar que a suplementação com pericarpo micronizado de milho apresentou diferença significativa no conteúdo de proteínas, minerais, fibras alimentares e perda de sólidos solúveis dos espaguetes (p < 0,05). Com o aumento da concentração de pericarpo micronizado de milho, a diferença de cor foi acentuada. A utilização de PMM mostrou-se viável, apresentando um produto enriquecido nutricionalmente sem maiores comprometimentos à qualidade final das massas.

ABSTRACT Pastas are generally accepted all over the world, mainly because they are versatile, cheap and easy-to-prepare. They are not nutritionally balanced, since they provide mainly carbohydrates. As a result of this, it is important to use ingredients which could improve the nutritional deficiencies, without affecting the technological and sensorial characteristics. This study evaluated the effect of using wheat semolina and micronized corn pericarp (MCP), on the proximate composition, cooking quality and color of spaghetti type pasta. Spaghetti pasta was produced using wheat semolina with the incorporation of micronized corn pericarp, at levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30%. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the formulated samples with regards to the contents of moisture and lipid, cooking time, weight gain and volume increase. As observed, supplementation with micronized corn pericarp presented significant difference on the contents of proteins, minerals, dietary fiber and solid soluble loss of the spaghetti pasta (p < 0.05). With increase in micronized corn pericarp concentration, the color difference became accentuated. The use of MCP appears to be viable, providing a nutritionally enriched product without further impairment on pasta quality.

AbstractMaize is considered a source of carotenoids; however, these compounds are highly unstable, degraded by high temperatures, exposure to light and presence of oxygen. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the moisture and type of drying applied to grains on the level of carotenoids in yellow maize. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (2 × 4 factorial), two levels of initial moisture at the harvest (22 and 19%) and three types of drying (in the sun; in the shade and in a dryer) and control (no drying). The samples of grains after drying with 12% of final moisture were analyzed by concentration of total carotenoids, carotenes (α-carotene + β-carotene), monohydroxilated carotenoids (β-cryptoxanthin), and xanthophylls (lutein + zeaxanthin). Initial moisture, type of drying and the interaction between moisture versus drying influence (p≤0.05) the levels of carotenoids in grains. This is the first report about the drying conditions and harvest’s initial moisture as influence on the profile and content of carotenoids in maize grains. Based on the results, this work suggested that the harvest be carried out preferably when the grains present 22% humidity, with drying in a dryer or in shade for further use or storage.

O armazenamento de produtos alimentícios processados pode causar alterações na sua composição química. Sendo assim, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, determinar a retenção de carotenóides em grãos de milho verde normal e biofortificado com precursores de vitamina A, em espigas minimamente processadas, embaladas em bandeja de poliestireno com cobertura de filme comercial e embalagem multicamadas nylon poli ao longo do período de estocagem do produto. Os carotenóides foram extraídos dos grãos de milho verde em esquema sequencial de solventes orgânicos e quantificados por CLAE. O experimento foi planejado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial, constituído de três fatores (cultivar, embalagem, período de armazenamento). Os grãos verdes das cultivares de milho BRS1030 e BRS4104 apresentam semelhança no perfil de carotenóides, sendo zeaxantina o principal carotenoide presente nos grãos verdes desses materiais. Maiores concentrações dos carotenóides luteína, &beta;-criptoxantina, &beta;-caroteno, carotenóides totais e do total de carotenóides precursores de vitamina foram identificadas nos grãos verdes do milho biofortificado BRS4104. A retenção de carotenóides em grãos verdes de milho, durante o período de estocagem das espigas minimamente processadas, não foi influenciada pelos tipos de embalagens estudadas.

Storing processed food products can cause alterations in their chemical compositions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate carotenoid retention in the kernels of minimally processed normal and vitamin A precursor (proVA)-biofortified green corn ears that were packaged in polystyrene trays covered with commercial film or in multilayered polynylon packaging material and were stored. Throughout the storage period, the carotenoids were extracted from the corn kernels using organic solvents and were quantified using HPLC. A completely factorial design including three factors (cultivar, packaging and storage period) was applied for analysis. The green kernels of maize cultivars BRS1030 and BRS4104 exhibited similar carotenoid profiles, with zeaxanthin being the main carotenoid. Higher concentrations of the carotenoids lutein, &beta;-cryptoxanthin, and &beta;-carotene, the total carotenoids and the total vitamin A precursor carotenoids were detected in the green kernels of the biofortified BRS4104 maize. The packaging method did not affect carotenoid retention in the kernels of minimally processed green corn ears during the storage period.

The degermination of corn grains by dry milling generates 5% of a fibrous residue. After segregation and micronization, corn bran becomes a potential source of dietary fiber consumption. However, its effect on iron bioavailability has not been reported in the literature. The objective of the present study was to determine the nutritional composition of corn bran and its effects on iron bioavailability using the hemoglobin depletion-repletion method in rats. The animals were divided into two groups: cellulose (control) and corn bran (experimental). The bran had high content of total dietary fiber, especially the insoluble fraction, and low phytate content. Hemoglobin uptake did not differ between groups at the end of repletion period, and the iron relative bioavailability value of the corn bran diet was 104% in comparison to that of the control group. The product evaluated proved to be a potential source of dietary fiber and it showed no negative effects on iron bioavailability.

This study aims to describe the single-cross, super sweet corn hybrid BRS Vivi, with above-average ear diameter, light-colored grains and competitiveness with other sweet corn cultivars. BRS Vivi is a contribution to the expansion of the range of available cultivars on the market and the genetic basis of sweet corn in Brazil.

Ainda que sejam considerados os aspectos de magnitude e significância, o estudo de correlações entre caracteres por si só não garante causa e efeito entre eles. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi desdobrar as correlações fenotípicas em seus efeitos diretos e indiretos, pela análise de trilha, considerando o perfil de carotenoides em genótipos de milho. Foram utilizados dados obtidos do ensaio nacional de cultivares de milho conduzido pela Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, no ano agrícola 2004/2005, com média de 10 genótipos em cinco ambientes. Avaliaram-se os teores de carotenoides totais (CT), α e β-carotenos, luteína, zeaxantina e β-criptoxantina. A xantofila zeaxantina apresenta o maior efeito direto sobre β-caroteno. As altas correlações entre β-caroteno e carotenoides totais e entre β-caroteno e β-criptoxantina são devidas ao efeito indireto, via zeaxantina. A seleção direta de genótipos com altos teores de β-caroteno apresenta-se como a alternativa de maior efetividade, mas se outras frações de carotenoides também forem consideradas, esquemas de seleção simultânea de caracteres, por meio da utilização de índices de seleção, mostram-se mais eficientes na obtenção de genótipos com altos teores de β-caroteno do que a resposta correlacionada.

Although aspects of magnitude and significance are considered, the study of correlations between traits, alone, does not necessarily guarantee a cause and effect relationship between them. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use path analysis to allow the unfolding of correlations in direct and indirect effects, considering the carotenoids profile of maize genotypes. Data was obtained from the national assay of maize cultivars conducted by Embrapa Maize and Sorghum in the 2004/2005 growing season, with means of ten genotypes in five environments. The contents of total carotenoids (CT), alpha and β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and β-criptoxantin were evaluated. Xanthophyll zeaxanthin provided the highest direct effect on β-carotene. The high correlations between β-carotene and total carotenoids and between β-carotene and β-criptoxanthin are due the indirect effect via zeaxanthin. The direct selection of genotypes with high levels of β-carotene appears as a more effective alternative, but if other fractions of carotenoids were also considered, methods of simultaneous selection of characters using selection indices are more efficient in obtaining genotypes with high levels of β-carotene than the correlated response.

Avaliaram-se as características químicas de milho verde cultivado em sistemas de produção orgânico e convencional. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 × 2, com quatro cultivares (AG 1051, BR 106, SWB 551 e VIVI) em dois sistemas de cultivo (orgânico e convencional), duas ou três repetições. Os parâmetros físico-químicos analisados foram cor, composição centesimal, valor energético total, teor de carotenoides e aminas bioativas. O sistema de produção tem influência sobre as características químicas do milho verde, mas esse efeito é na maioria dos casos específico para cada cultivar. Pode-se generalizar que os grãos advindos de culturas orgânicas apresentam tom mais avermelhado (a*) e maiores teores de β-caroteno, sendo possível que esses dois atributos estejam relacionados. Além disso, milho verde orgânico tem maior teor de carboidratos e teor energético. Em contrapartida, o teor de fibras foi mais alto no cultivo convencional, e esse dado inesperado merece maior investigação. Os teores das aminas bioativas acadaverina e espermina não foram afetados pelo sistema de produção ou cultivar.

The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical properties of green corn, grown in both organic and conventional farming systems, using a completely randomized factorial design. Four corn varieties (AG 1051, BR 106, SWB 551 and VIVI) of green corn kernels were evaluated for color, proximate composition, total calories, carotenoids and bioactive amines. The farming system affected some chemical and physical characteristics of green corn, but this effect was dependent upon variety. In general, organic green corn kernels were reddish (a* color component) and had higher levels of β-carotene compared to the conventional ones, suggesting that these characteristics are related. Moreover, organic green corn had higher levels of total carbohydrates and total energy compared to conventional varieties. On the other hand, crude fiber levels were higher in conventional grains - an unexpected result that deserves further investigation. Finally, the levels of cadaverine and spermine bioactive amines were not affected either by the corn variety or by the farming system.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de herbicidas pós-emergentes no teor de carotenoides em grãos de milho verde. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos - sem aplicação; foramsulfuron + iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium (40 g ha-1); nicosulfuron (20 g ha-1); mesotrione (120 g ha-1) e tembotrione (100 g ha-1) - e duas repetições. Os grãos foram avaliados para teores de luteína, zeaxantina, betacriptoxantina, alfacaroteno e betacaroteno, carotenoides pró-vitamina A, carotenoides totais e percentuais de luteína, zeaxantina e carotenoides pró-vitamina A. Os herbicidas tembotrione e o nicosulfuron não causaram efeitos deletérios nos teores de carotenoides totais ou nas frações com atividade pró-vitamina A.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efect of post-emergence herbicide application on carotenoid content in green corn grains. A completely randomized design was used, with five treatments - no application; foramsulfuron + iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium (40 g ha-1); nicosulfuron (20 g ha-1); mesotrione (120 g ha-1) and tembotrione (100 g ha-1) -, and two replicates. The grains were evaluated in terms of lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, pro-vitamin A carotenoids, total carotenoid contents, and percentage of lutein, zeaxanthin and pro-vitamin A carotenoids. Tembotrione and nicosulfuron herbicides did not cause deleterious effects on total carotenoids or fractions with pro-vitamin A activity.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar e avaliar a variabilidade quanto ao teor e perfil de carotenoides nos grãos de 134 genótipos de milho (Zea mays), com vistas à utilização em programas de biofortificação. Os materiais foram provenientes dos campos experimentais e do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma da Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, Sete Lagoas, MG. São cultivares e híbridos comerciais, linhagens-elite e outros acessos escolhidos com base na coloração amarelo-alaranjada do endosperma. A quantificação do teor de carotenoides totais, carotenos e xantofilas mono-hidroxilada e di-hidroxilada dos grãos foi realizada por método cromatográfico-espectrofotométrico. As médias encontradas nos grãos foram 22,34µ gg-1 de carotenoides totais, 2,55µ gg-1 de carotenos, 3,86µ gg-1 de xantofilas mono-hidroxiladas e 15,93µ gg-1 de xantofilas di-hidroxiladas. Os genótipos foram agrupados em 18 grupos pelo método de Tocher. O germoplasma da Embrapa possui potencial para ser usado em programas de desenvolvimento de linhagens de milho biofortificadas, quanto ao total de carotenoides pró-vitamina A.

The objective of this work was to characterize 134 maize (Zea mays) genotypes, for carotenoids content and build a genetic profile to facilitate future breeding to increase grain nutritional value (biofortification). Seeds came from experimental fields and from the Banco Ativo de Germoplasma of Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil. The genotypes were co mmercial hybrids, varieties, and inbred lines developed by the Embrapa biofortification program and other accessions, chosen for their yellow-orange endosperm color. Total grain carotenoids, carotenes, xanthophylls (monohydroxylates and dihydroxylates) were determined by chromatographic-spectrophotometric methods. The detected averages were: 22.34µ gg-1 for total carotenoids, 2.55µ gg-1 for carotenes, 3.86µ gg-1 for monohydroxylated xanthophylls, and 15.93µ gg-1 for dihydroxylated xanthophylls. The genotypes variability was divided into 18 groups by the method of Tocher. The Embrapa germplasm has variability and potential for development of maize lines biofortified for total of provitamin A carotenoids.