RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo analisou se a exposição ao ambiente enriquecido durante a fase juvenil da vida interferiria na atividade elétrica do cérebro de ratos adultos. Além disso, a presente pesquisa também investigou se esse provável efeito na atividade elétrica cerebral poderia ser afetado pela hipernutrição durante a lactação. A eletrofisiologia foi medida através da depressão alastrante cortical, um fenômeno relacionado à excitabilidade cerebral. Métodos: Ratos Wistar foram amamentados em ninhadas de nove ou três filhotes, formando os grupos nutridos ou hipernutridos, respectivamente. Aos 36 dias, metade dos animais de cada condição nutricional foram expostos ao ambiente enriquecido. A outra metade foi mantida na condição de ambiente padrão. Aos 90-120 dias de vida, foram obtidos os registros da depressão alastrante cortical. Resultados: A hipernutrição durante a lactação causou incrementos (p < 0,05) nos pesos corporal e cerebral.O Ambiente Enriquecido desacelerou a velocidade de propagação da depressão alastrante cortical independentemente do estado nutricional durante a lactação (p < 0,001). A desaceleração da depressão alastrante cortical no grupo nutrido/ambiente enriquecido foi de 23,8% e no grupo hipernutrido/ambiente enriquecido foi de 15% em comparação com os grupos nutrido/ambiente padrão e hipernutrido/ambiente padrão, respectivamente. Conclusão: Nossos dados demonstram que a exposição ao ambiente enriquecido na fase juvenil da vida do rato reduz a excitabilidade cerebral, e esse efeito pode ser observado mesmo se os animais estiverem hipernutridos durante a lactação. O ambiente enriquecido pode ser considerado um recurso terapêutico adjuvante para modular a excitabilidade cerebral.

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to analyze whether exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) during the juvenile phase of life interferes with the electrical activity of the adult rat brain. In addition, the present research also investigated whether this putative effect on brain electrical activity could be affected by prior overnutrition during lactation. Electrophysiology was measured through cortical spreading depression (CSD), a phenomenon related to brain excitability. Methods: Wistar rats were suckled in litters of either nine or three pups, forming the nourished (N) or overnourished (ON) groups, respectively. At 36 days old, half of the animals from each nutritional condition were exposed to EE. The other half was kept in the standard environment (SE). At 90-120 days of life, each animal was anesthetized for CSD recordings. Results: Overnutrition during lactation caused increases (p < 0.05) in body and brain weights. The EE decelerated CSD propagation velocity regardless of nutritional state during lactation (p < 0.001). The CSD deceleration in the N-EE group was 23.8% and in the ON-EE group was 15% in comparison with the N-SE and ON-SE groups, respectively. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that EE exposure in the juvenile phase of the rat's life reduced brain excitability, and this effect was observed even if animals were overnourished during lactation. An EE could be considered an adjuvant therapeutic resource to modulate brain excitability.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of Murici extract on the brain excitability-dependent phenomenon known as cortical spreading depression (CSD) and on brain oxidative stress. Methods: Adult and aged Wistar rats were supplemented with murici extract (150 mg/kg/day or 300 mg/kg/day) by gavage for fifteen days. Afterwards, the animals were submitted to a CSD electrophysiological recording and to brain oxidative stress evaluation. Results: Our results showed that aging decreased CSD propagation velocity, catalase activity and glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) in the brain cortex of the rats, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The highest dose (300 mg/kg/day) of murici extract accelerated CSD, whereas the lowest (150mg/kg/day) decelerated, in both adult and aged animals. In contrast, aged animals supplemented with murici extract in both doses presented low MDA levels and high GSG/GSSG ratio in comparison to the control-aged animals. Conclusion: Murici extract supplementation seems to revert detrimental effects in aged brains and could be considered as a strategy in the treatment of pathologies related to aging and cortical spreading depression.

The Brazilian Savannah, known as "Cerrado," has an extensive biodiversity, but it is under explored. Among the native vegetables is the jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart.), a legume with great potential for exploration for its content of dietary fiber. Legumes are an important source of nutrient compounds, such as phenolic compounds and vitamins that have antioxidant properties. This study aimed at determining the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the jatobá flour. The jatobá flour showed high fiber content (insoluble and soluble fiber 47.8 and 12.8 g.100 g- 1, respectively), significant amounts of carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein, and some minerals such as calcium: 145 mg.100 g- 1, magnesium: 125 mg.100 g- 1, and potassium: 1352 mg.100 g- 1. The jatobá flour extracted with different solvents (water, methanol, and acetone) exhibited antioxidant activity by the DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC methods. The solvent used in the extraction affected the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Acetone extraction produced the best results. Therefore, the jatobá flour is an ingredient that can be used to develop new products with properties that promote health.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of kefir and banana pulp and skin flours on the serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triacylglycerols in rats fed cholesterol-rich diet. METHODS: Thirty Male Wistar rats were used. In the first 21 days, the animals were fed purified hypercholesterolemic diets, except the standard group. In the next 21 days, the animals were given modified diets: Group GC: standard diet AIN-93G; Group HIP: hypercholesterolemic diet; Group F: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% of banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour; Group Q: hypercholesterolemic diet plus kefir suspension by oral infusion (1.5 ml/animal); Group FQ: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour plus kefir suspension (1.5 ml/animal). RESULTS: In spite of the high fiber content, the addition of banana pulp (7%) and skin (1%) flour did not alter the plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c. However, they reduced the TG levels in 22%. Already fermented kefir reduced significantly the levels of VLDL, LDL-c and triacylglycerols, in addition to having increased HDL-c. However, it was not possible to verify the symbiotic effect between both. CONCLUSION: The results reinforce the beneficial effects of kefir in reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a concentração dos compostos fenólicos dos resíduos de polpas de frutas tropicais acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), goiaba (Psidium Guayaba L.), abacaxi (Ananas comosus L.), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), bacuri (Platonia insignis) e graviola (Annona muricata L.), bem como avaliar a sua capacidade antioxidante in vitro, pelos métodos de captura de radicais DPPH• e ABTS+. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram elevados teores de fenólicos totais para o resíduo da polpa de acerola, com 247,62 ± 2,08 mg.100 g-1 de fenólicos totais para o extrato aquoso e 279,99 ± 3,5 mg.100 g-1 para o extrato hidroalcoólico (p < 0,05). Quanto à atividade antioxidante, avaliada pelo método DPPH, o extrato hidroalcoólico do resíduo de goiaba apresentou a maior atividade antioxidante, com EC50 de 142,89 ± 4,85 μg.mL-1, seguido pelo extrato hidroalcoólico (EC50 de 308,07 ± 0,75 μg.mL-1) e aquoso (EC50 de 386,46 ± 1,41 μg.mL-1) do resíduo de acerola. Avaliando-se a capacidade antioxidante pelo método ABTS, observou-se que o resíduo de polpa de acerola apresentou a mais elevada capacidade antioxidante, com valores TEAC de 0,518 ± 0,103 mM.g-1 e 0,743 ± 0,127 mM.g-1 de resíduo para os extratos aquoso e hidroalcoólico (p < 0,05), respectivamente. Os resíduos de polpas de frutas empregados neste estudo são fontes potenciais de compostos fenólicos, além de possuírem significativa atividade antioxidante in vitro; tal atividade varia de acordo com o resíduo estudado, destacando-se os resíduos de acerola e goiaba.

The objective of this study was to determine the phenolic compound contents and evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity of the following extracts from tropical fruit pulp wastes: acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), guava (Psidium Guayaba L.), pineapple (Ananas comosus L.), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), bacury (Platonia insignis), and cherimoya (Annona muricata L.) using the DPPH and ABTS+ radical capture methodologies. The results showed high levels of phenolic compounds in the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of the acerola pulp wastes, of 247.62 ± 2.08 mg.100 g-1 and 279.99 ± 3.5 mg.100 g-1, respectively (p < 0.05). The antioxidant activity, when measured by the DPPH method, showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of the guava wastes presented the highest values with an EC50 of 142.89 μg.mL-1, followed by the hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of the acerola wastes, with EC50 values of 308.07 and 386.46 μg.mL-1, respectively. When the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ABTS method, the acerola pulp wastes showed the highest antioxidant capacity, with TEAC values of 0.518 ± 0.103 and 0.743 ± 0.127 mM.g-1 of residue for the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts, respectively (p < 0.05). Thus, the fruit pulp wastes studied in this work, especially acerola and guava, represented potential sources of phenolic compounds, apart from possessing significant in vitro antioxidant capacity, the levels varying according to the residue studied.

O consumo de frutos e suas polpas tem sido muito recomendado por seu valor nutricional, alto teor de fibras, vitamina C e carotenoides. Trabalhos recentes têm apontado esses alimentos como fontes de compostos fenólicos com ação antioxidante, portanto sequestradores de radicais livres, com ação protetora contra o surgimento e/ou desenvolvimento de processos degenerativos que conduzem a doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Devido à crescente comercialização e consumo de polpas de frutas no Brasil, especialmente na cidade de Teresina-Piauí, este trabalho selecionou um grupo de polpas de frutos de elevado consumo local para avaliação do teor de fenólicos totais e da atividade antioxidante in vitro pelo método de captura de radicais livres: DPPH (radical 1,1-diphenil-2-picrilhydrazil) e ABTS (radical 2,2'azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)). Os frutos selecionados foram: Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.), Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.), Cajá (Spondias mombin L.), Caju (Anacardium occidentale), Goiaba(Psidium guajava) e Tamarindo (Tamarindus indica L.). Os teores de fenólicos totais encontrados nas polpascongeladas destes frutos exibiram quantidades relevantes de polifenóis, destacando-se a polpa de acerola com 835,25 ± 32,44 e 449,63 ± 10,24 mg /100g nos extratos aquosos e hidroalcoólicos, respectivamente, seguido pela polpa de caju com 201,61 ± 19,15 e 165,07 ± 4,10 mg /100g. As polpas de bacuri e tamarindo foram as que apresentaram os menores teores de fenólicos totais. Com relação à atividade antioxidante in vitro, os melhores resultados foram encontrados para os extratos aquosos e hidroalcoólicos das polpas de acerola, caju e goiaba. A capacidade antioxidante destas polpas (EC50 em µg/mL) variou de 24,42 a 413,36 e de 1,74 a 259,18 para os extratos aquosos e hidroalcoólicos, respectivamente. Utilizando o radical ABTS, a atividade antioxidante para essas mesmas polpas de frutas apresentou valores TEAC que variaram de 3,69 ± 0,209 a 0,052 ± 0,013 (mM TROLOX/g de polpa). Foi observado existir uma correlação direta entre a quantidade de fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante nas polpas avaliadas.

The consumption of fruit, pulps has been highly recommended for its nutritional value, high-fiber, vitamin C and carotenoids. Recent studies have demonstrated these foods as sources of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, therefore, free radical scavengers, with a protective effect against the emergence anddevelopment or degenerative processes that lead to chronic diseases. Due to the increasing commercializationand consumption of fruit pulp in Brazil, especially in the city of Teresina, Piauí, this study selected a group of fruit pulp of high local consumption to evaluate the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in vitro by the method of capture of free radicals: DPPH (1,1-radical diphenil-2-picrilhydrazil) and ABTS (2,2 'azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)). The fruit were selected Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) Caja (Spondias mombin L.), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), Guava(Psidium guajava) and Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.). The levels of phenolics found in the frozen pulp of fruit exhibited relevant quantities of polyphenols, especially if the pulp with 835.25 ± 32.44 and 449.63 ± 10.24 mg / 100g in hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts, respectively followed by cashew pulp with 201.61 ± 19.15 and 165.07 ± 4.10 mg / 100g. The pulp of tamarind bacuri showed the lowest levels of total phenolics. Regarding the antioxidant activity in vitro, the best results were found for aqueous and ethanolic of pulp of acerola, cashew and guava. The antioxidant activity of these pulps (EC50 in mg / mL) rangedfrom 24.42 to 413.36 and 1.74 to 259.18 for the hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Using the ABTS radical, the antioxidant activity for these same fruit pulps showed that TEAC values ranged from 3.69 ± 0.209 to 0.052 ± 0.013 (mM Trolox / g of pulp). We observed that a direct correlation exists between the amount of total phenolics and antioxidant activity in the analyzed pulps.

O Brasil é um dos países que mais produz resíduos agroindustriais, como os resíduos de frutas pelas indústrias de polpas, o que tem contribuído para o aumento da produção do lixo orgânico, provocando graves problemas ambientais. Nesse contexto, estudos têm sido conduzidos com o intuito de investigar o valor nutricional desses resíduos, valorizando-os e sugerindo novas alternativas de utilização. Assim, neste trabalho, objetivou-se realizar a caracterização nutricional e determinar os compostos antioxidantes dos resíduos de polpas de frutas tropicais: acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), goiaba (Psidium Guayaba L.), abacaxi (Ananas comosus L.), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), bacuri (Platonia insignis) e graviola (Annona muricata L.). Os resultados encontrados mostraram que os resíduos analisados apresentaram quantidades significativas de macronutrientes (carboidratos, proteínas e lipídios). Todos os resíduos avaliados, com exceção do cupuaçu, apresentaram valores elevados de vitamina C. Quanto aos carotenóides, destacou-se o resíduo de acerola com 881,56 ± 9,01 µg/100 g e o resíduo de goiaba, com 644,9 ± 10,02 µg/100 g. Os resíduos analisados apresentaram baixas concentrações de antocianinas e flavonóides. Com relação aos teores de fenólicos totais se destacou o resíduo da polpa de acerola com 247,62 ± 2,08 mg/100 g. Portanto, pode-se concluir que os resíduos de polpas de frutas empregados neste estudo são fontes potenciais de macronutrientes e compostos bioativos, destacando-se os resíduos de acerola e goiaba como mais ricos em compostos antioxidantes.

Brazil is one of the largest agro-industrial residues producers, such as waste fruit pulp industries, which has contributed to the increased production of organic waste, causing serious environmental problems. In this context, studies have been conducted in order to investigate the nutritional value of these wastes, valuing them and suggesting new alternatives for use. The objective of this study was to characterize and determine nutritional antioxidant compounds of the waste pulp of the following tropical fruits: acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), guava (Psidium Guayaba L.), pineapple (Ananas comosus L.), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), bacuri (Platonia insignis) and soursop (Annona muricata L.). The results showed that the waste analyzed showed significant amounts of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids). All waste assessed, except cupuaçu, showed elevated levels of vitamin C. As for carotenoids, highlighted the residue of acerola with 881.56 ± 9.01 µg/100 g and residue of guava, with 644.9 ± 10.02 µg/100 g. The waste also showed low concentrations of anthocyanins and flavonoids. Regarding of total phenolic levels, the residue of the pulp acerola with 247.62 ± 2.08 mg/100 g of total phenolics was high. Therefore, it may be concluded that the waste of fruit pulp used in this study are potential sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds, especially the waste from acerola and guava as richer in antioxidant compounds.