Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is one of the most widely consumed fresh and processed vegetables in the world, and contains bioactive key components. Phenolic compounds are one of those components and, according to the present study, farmers’ varieties of tomato cultivated in homegardens from the northeastern Portuguese region are a source of phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acid derivatives. Using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, it was concluded that a cis p-coumaric acid derivative was the most abundant compound in yellow (Amarelo) and round (Batateiro) tomato varieties, while 4-O-caffeolyquinic acid was the most abundant in long (Comprido) and heart (Coração) varieties. The most abundant flavonoid was quercetin pentosylrutinoside in the four tomato varieties. Yellow tomato presented the highest levels of phenolic compounds (54.23 μg/g fw), including phenolic acids (43.30 μg/g fw) and flavonoids (10.93 μg/g fw). The phenolic compounds profile obtained for the studied varieties is different from other tomato varieties available in different countries, which is certainly related to genetic features, cultivation conditions, and handling and storage methods associated to each sample.

Thymus is an important genus in the West Mediterranean region, where many species are cultivated for confection of several dishes, including salads, soups, stews and sauces. Many Thymus, including T. zygis and T. pulegioides are also commonly used in traditional medicine. Whist phenolic compounds are commonly associated to health-beneficial properties of Thymus, the specific phenolic composition of T. zygis and T. pulegioides is presently unknown. The extracts of the aerial parts of T. zygis and T. pulegioides species were prepared with hot water as previously described. Total phenolic contents were determined according to the adapted Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and the identification of the phenolic compounds was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD). The extracts of T. zygis and T. pulegioides contained 319±44 and 391±3 μg GAE/mg, respectively. Likewise other Thymus species, both extracts were enriched in caffeic acid derivatives, showing characteristic UV spectra maxima at 290 and 328 nm. The two extracts also contained moderate amounts of the flavone luteolin-7-O-glucoside that has been previously described in others Thymus species. Yet, T. zygis and T. pulegioides phenolic profiles could be clearly distinguished: while the first had high levels of the phenolic acid salvianolic acid K the extract of T. pulegioides was enriched in eriodictyol derivatives. The phenolic compounds of T. zygis and T. pulegioides are here described for the first time.

Thymus is an important genus in the West Mediterranean region, where many species are cultivated for confection of several dishes, including salads, soups, stews and sauces. Many Thymus, including T. zygis and T. pulegioides are also commonly used in traditional medicine [1]. Whist phenolic compounds are commonly associated to health-beneficial properties of Thymus, the specific phenolic composition of T. zygis and T. pulegioides is presently unknown [2]. The extracts of the aerial parts of T. zygis and T. pulegioides species were prepared with hot water as previously described [3]. Total phenolic contents were determined according to the adapted Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method [4] and the identification of the phenolic compounds was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD). The extracts of T. zygis and T. pulegioides contained 319±44 and 391±3 μg GAE/mg, respectively. Likewise other Thymus species [2], both extracts were enriched in caffeic acid derivatives, showing characteristic UV spectra maxima at 290 and 328 nm. The latter included rosmarinic acid (MW 360) and 3′-O-(8″-Z-caffeoyl)rosmarinic acid (MW 538) [2]. The two extracts also contained moderate amounts of the flavone luteolin-7-O-glucoside (MW 448) that has been previously described in others Thymus species [2]. Yet...

The phenolic composition of heartwood from Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known as false acacia, before and after toasting in cooperage was studied by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS. A total of 41 flavonoid and nonflavonoid compounds were identified, some tentatively, and quantified. Seasoned acacia wood showed high concentrations of flavonoid and low levels of nonflavonoid compounds, the main compounds being the dihydroflavonols dihydrorobinetin, fustin, tetrahydroxy, and trihydroxymethoxy dihydroflavonol, the flavonol robinetin, the flavanones robtin and butin, and a leucorobinetinidin, none of which are found in oak wood. The low molecular weight (LMW) phenolic compounds present also differed from those found in oak, since compounds with a beta-resorcylic structure, gallic related compounds, protocatechuic aldehyde, and some hydroxycinnamic compounds are included, but only a little gallic and ellagic acid. Toasting changed the chromatographic profiles of extracts spectacularly. Thus, the toasted acacia wood contributed flavonoids and condensed tannins (prorobinetin type) in inverse proportion to toasting intensity, while LMW phenolic compounds were directly proportional to toasting intensity, except for gallic and ellagic acid and related compounds. Even though toasting reduced differences between oak and acacia...

The phenolic composition of heartwood extracts from Fraxinus excelsior L. and F. americana L., both before and after toasting in cooperage, was studied using LC-DAD/ESI-MS/MS. Low-molecular weight (LMW) phenolic compounds, secoiridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, dilignols and oligolignols compounds were detected, and 48 were identified, or tentatively characterized, on the basis of their retention time, UV/Vis and MS spectra, and MS fragmentation patterns. Some LMW phenolic compounds like protocatechuic acid and aldehyde, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, were unlike to those for oak wood, while ellagic and gallic acid were not found. The toasting of wood resulted in a progressive increase in lignin degradation products with regard to toasting intensity. The levels of some of these compounds in medium-toasted ash woods were much higher than those normally detected in toasted oak, highlighting vanillin levels, thus a more pronounced vanilla character can be expected when using toasted ash wood in the aging wines. Moreover, in seasoned wood, we found a great variety of phenolic compounds which had not been found in oak wood, especially oleuropein, ligstroside and olivil, along with verbascoside and isoverbascoside in F. excelsior, and oleoside in F. americana. Toasting mainly provoked their degradation...

O arroz (Oryza sativa L.) integral é rico em compostos fenólicos livres e conjugados (solúveis) e ligados (insolúveis). Atribui-se a estas substâncias propriedades benéficas à saúde humana devido à elevada ação antioxidante. Porém, pouco se conhece sobre o efeito do ambiente e de processos tecnológicos como a parboilização sobre os seus teores. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a variabilidade nos teores de compostos fenólicos solúveis e insolúveis em arroz integral em função da região de plantio e safras. Avaliou-se também o efeito da parboilização nos fenólicos e sua atividade antioxidante. Fez parte do escopo desta pesquisa analisar a composição química de 9 amostras de arroz integral e compará-la ao arroz parboilizado integral, e com isso contribuir com dados para tabelas de composição de alimentos. Foram analisadas 54 amostras de arroz integral fornecidas pela Epagri/Estação Experimental de Itajaí, pertencentes a três cultivares comerciais, produzidas simultaneamente em três regiões do Estado de Santa Catarina por diferentes produtores em sistema irrigado e colhidas nas safras de 2007/2008 e 2008/2009. Todas as amostras referentes à safra 2007/2008 foram analisadas antes e após a parboilização. Os compostos fenólicos solúveis foram extraídos com EtOH 80% e os insolúveis com acetato de etila após tratamento em meio alcalino. O método espectrofotométrico de Folin-Ciocalteau foi empregado para a sua quantificação e os métodos ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) e DPPH (1...

Introdução: O estudo da ação biológica de compostos bioativos e de nutrientes, a fim de que se possa explicar a relação entre o consumo de alimentos e a redução do risco de doenças, é uma das áreas que tem aplicação direta com a saúde pública. A erva mate (Ilex paraguariensis) é uma planta rica em compostos fenólicos (ácidos clorogênicos), extensivamente metabolizados após a ingestão. O conhecimento detalhado sobre os compostos formados pela metabolização dos mesmos, concentrações e tecidos-alvo é fundamental para o completo esclarecimento sobre os mecanismos de ação envolvidos. Objetivo: Avaliar a biotransformação dos ácidos fenólicos do chá mate in vivo em ratos Wistar. Métodos: Os animais foram eutanasiados 90 min (ensaio piloto) ou 30, 60, 120, 240 e 480 minutos (ensaio principal) após a administração de chá mate ou padrão de ácido 5-cafeoilquínico (5CQA) por gavagem. O grupo Controle recebeu solução salina. No ensaio piloto foram analisados plasma, fígado, rins, músculo, estômago e intestino delgado para identificação dos compostos fenólicos e com base nos resultados definida a dose de 2g de chá mate solúvel/kg de peso do animal para ser usada no ensaio principal, que corresponde a 240 mg de fenólicos totais/kg peso...

Dentro da perspectiva da utilização de compostos fenólicos como antioxidantes naturais para minimizar os efeitos in vitro e in vivo do processo oxidativo dos lípides insaturados, foi realizada a monitoração dietética de duas dietas ricas em lípides das séries ω3 e ω6 e a suplementação de um chá de uma mistura de especiarias, em ratos Wistar, com o objetivo de verificar a influência dos compostos fenólicos, presentes nas especiarias, sobre o metabolismo de ácidos graxos das séries ω3 e ω6. Extratos e frações das especiarias mostarda, canela e erva doce foram obtidos e tiveram suas atividades antioxidantes testadas em sistemas aquoso (cooxidação de substratos com o uso de ácido linoléico/β-caroteno) e lipídico (RANCIMAT) e o perfil de compostos fenólicos identificados e quantificados por CGMS. A partir de uma mistura de especiarias, foi elaborado um chá que foi fornecido aos animais de cada grupo dietético (ω3 e ω6). Após 45 dias de tratamento, os animais foram sacrificados e tiveram seus tecidos coletados para análise de TBARs e do perfil lipídico por CGMS. Todos os extratos das especiarias apresentaram atividade antioxidante equivalente ou superior ao BHT. Foram identificados por CGMS os ácidos fenólicos: catecol...

Considerando que os artigos de pesquisa desta tese já estão em inglês e na forma para serem enviados aos periódicos internacionais, nos quais os resumos estão restritos a 100 ou 200 palavras, nesta seção, os resumos estão apresentados com maiores detalhes para uma apreciação melhor dos trabalhos e dos seus resultados. Devido à grande abrangência dos trabalhos, e para facilitar a leitura, os resumos estão apresentados em parágrafos separados, em vez de um único parágrafo. Os chás verde e preto (Camellia sinensis) são bebidas muito consumidas mundialmente. Na última década, estas bebidas têm sido alvo de investigação intensa devido a seus possíveis efeitos benéficos à saúde, atribuídos aos compostos fenólicos. Catequinas e teaflavinas são os fenólicos mais importantes em chá verde e chá preto, respectivamente. Têm sido também atribuídas a infusões de chá mate (Ilex paraguariensis), bebidas bastante consumidas no Brasil, atividades biológicas promotoras da saúde, possivelmente devido aos compostos derivados cafeoilquínicos e outros fenólicos. Portanto, o Capítulo 1 é um artigo de revisão que discute os avanços na instrumentação e metodologia analítica aplicadas aos compostos fenólicos em chás. Técnicas analíticas modernas...

Antioxidantes naturais são metabólitos secundários presentes em uma gama variada de plantas medicinais com propriedades específicas. Podem apresentar ação tranqüilizante, analgésica, antiinflamatória, citotóxica, anticoncepcional, antimicrobiana, antiviral e fungicida.Vários metabólitos secundários são conhecidos. Os três principais grupos são os terpenos, os polifenóis (flavonóides) e os alcalóides. A carqueja foi escolhida por apresentar em sua composição vários compostos fenólicos (antioxidantes), tais como a quercetrina, a rutina e o canferol. Estes flavonóides de origem natural são fisiologicamente ativos, isto é, apresentam propriedades anti-inflamatórias, antifragilidade capilar e antitumoral, respectivamente, além de serem antioxidantes. O trabalho foi realizado em duas etapas, a saber, a primeira etapa foi realizada no Brasil, e teve como objetivo, o desenvolvimento e validação de métodos para determinação de compostos fenólicos (ácidos fenólicos e flavonóides) em extrato de carqueja empregando técnicas cromatográficas e eletroforéticas e análise de algumas amostras comerciais de diferentes regiões. A segunda etapa foi realizada na Espanha, tendo como objetivos o desenvolvimento e validação do método empregando eletroforese capilar acoplada a um espectrômetro de massas (CE-ESI-TOF)...

A tanase, também conhecida como tanino acil hidrolase (EC 3.1.1.20), catalisa principalmente a hidrólise de ligações ésteres de taninos hidrolisáveis, liberando ácido gálico e glicose. Esta enzima tem grande potencial nas indústrias, química, farmacêutica e alimentícia. Para a produção da tanase, a fermentação em estado sólido apresenta vantagens sob a submersa, como maior produção enzimática de forma extracelular, maior produtividade, maior estabilidade de pH e temperatura, e menor custo do produto. Este menor custo se dá, entre outros motivos, pelo uso de resíduos agroindustriais e menor quantidade de água no meio. O grupo de pesquisa do laboratório de Bioquímica de Alimentos (DCA ¿ FEA ¿ UNICAMP) iniciou um estudou da produção da tanase em resíduo de Citrus. Os resultados obtidos mostraram grande potencial da produção enzimática, e simultâneo aumento do potencial antioxidante no resíduo fermentado, que por seguintes trabalhos foram constatados que este potencial se dava pelo aumento da concentração de compostos fenólicos bioativos. Os compostos fenólicos têm sido foco em pesquisas pela sua ação no metabolismo humano, agindo na prevenção de doenças crônicas, sendo portanto, importantes antioxidantes na indústria de alimentos. Com tudo...

The extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from spent coffee grounds (SCG) was studied. Extraction experiments were carried out by the conventional solid–liquid method, using methanol as solvent at different concentrations (20–100%), solvent/solid ratios (10–40 ml/g SCG), and extraction times (30–90 min), and the influence of these operational variables on the content of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the produced extracts was evaluated. Flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, and protocatechuic acid were found in all the produced extracts and were also quantified. A strong influence (p < 0.05) of the variables on the extraction results was verified, and the conditions able to maximize each response (contents of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, chlorogenic acid and protocatechuic acid, and antioxidant activity) were established. Extraction using 60% methanol in a solvent/solid ratio of 40 ml/g SCG, during 90 min, was the most suitable condition to produce a extract with high content of phenolic compounds (16 mg gallic acid equivalents/g SCG) and high antioxidant activity (FRAP of 0.10 mM Fe(II)/g), simultaneously. These findings are of interest since antioxidant phenolic compounds have an outstanding role in health area...

Background and Aims: Phenolic compounds influence the colour, flavour and astringency of wines. These compounds are extracted into the wine during grape fermentation and maceration and thus the winemaking process is the main factor affecting the phenolic content of wines, besides the varietal factor. In this work, we aimed to apply self organizing maps to investigate the relationships between the profile of phenolic compounds and grape variety of wines, as well as the changes in the phenolic profile resulting from the malolactic fermentation. The results are compared with principal component analysis, and variation partitioning. Methods and Results: A reversed phase liquid chromatography/DAD method was used for the analysis of major non-flavonoid phenolic compounds in wines. The method employed allowed to evaluate the impact of malolactic fermentation in low molecular phenolic compounds in different wine varieties: Trincadeira, Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alfrocheiro, Castelão and Touriga Nacional. The malolactic fermentation process was also study in Trincadeira variety using indigenous bacteria and two different commercial lactic bacteria. The impact of malolactic fermentation and grape varieties on the phenolic profile was evaluated by different multivariate statistical approaches: principal component analysis...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of the phenolic compounds and anthocyanins and the antioxidant activity of blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) cultivars grown in Brazil. The Folin-Ciocalteau method was applied in order to quantify the phenolic compounds and ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods were applied in order to evaluated antioxidant activity. The phenolic compounds content ranged from 274.48 to 694.60 mg GAE.100 g-1 of fresh weight (FW). Anthocyanins content ranged from 40.62 to 378.31 mg.100 g-1 FW for Bluecrop and Tifblue cultivars, respectively. Antioxidant activities assessed by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP methods presented significant differences among the studied cultivars ranging from 1238.48 to 2445.96, 1014.24 to 2055.06 and 699.78 to 1740.25 µmol TEAC.100 g-1 FW, respectively. The results confirm the blueberry as a source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity and also show that there are different levels of concentrations of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity according to the cultivar and production location.

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the intake of phenolic compounds by the Brazilian population. METHODS: To estimate the average per capita food consumption, micro data from the National Dietary Survey and from the Household Budget Survey from 2008 to 2009 was analyzed. The phenolic content in food was estimated from the base of Phenol-Explorer. It was chosen according to compatibility and variety of food items and usual method of preparation. RESULTS: The Brazilian population consumed, on average, 460.15 mg/day of total phenolic compounds, derived mainly from beverages (48.9%), especially coffee and legumes (19.5%). Since this analysis of classes of phenolics it was possible to observe an intake of 314 mg/day of phenolic acids, 138.92 mg/day of flavonoids and 7.16 mg/ day of other kinds of phenolics. Regarding the variables studied this present study shows that those men who live in the countryside and in the northeastern region of the country had a higher consumption of phenolic compounds. Besides, consumption was higher by adults and the elderly, the medium income classes, the population with incomplete and complete primary education and those with adequate nutrition and also overweight status. CONCLUSION: The intake of phenolic compounds can be considered low...

The interaction between three phenolic compounds (catechin, caffeic acid and ferulic acid) onto two dietary fibres (cellulose and xylan) has been evaluated to inquire possible interferences on the biodisponibility of phenolic compounds. The adsorption kinetics were performed using solutions containing 100 mg/L of phenolic compounds during a contact time ranging between 10 and 120 minutes at pH 2.0, 4.5, and 7.0. After the kinetics, isotherms were obtained using phenolic compounds concentration ranging between 10 and 80 mg/L during 60 minutes, at pH 2.0 and 7.0 and temperature of 36 °C. Results indicate that adsorbed quantities mainly changed in function of pH, however the maximum adsorption was only of 0.978 mg of caffeic acid/g of xylan at pH 2 and after 60 min. Redlich-Peterson model were able to predict the adsorption isotherms of all phenolic compounds onto cellulose, except for caffeic acid at pH 7.0. The low adsorption capacities observed suggest that both dietary fibres are unable to compromise the biodisponibility of phenolic compounds, especially in the small intestine, where they are partially absorbed.

Na busca por vinhos tintos de grande cor, aroma, corpo e identidade, enólogos forçam a extração dos compostos fenólicos durante a maceração. Nesta etapa, que ocorre durante a fermentação do mosto, estes compostos são extraídos da casca e sementes e modificados em sua estrutura à formas mais estáveis ao longo do tempo. Fatores como sistema de encubagem e remontagem do mosto, tempo de contato entre o mosto e as partes sólidas da baga, e a temperatura são críticos neste processo. A alteração do ciclo da videira para colheita no período de inverno na região sudeste do Brasil permitiu avanço na maturação fenólica das bagas. As uvas colhidas neste período apresentam potencial para a elaboração de vinhos de guarda, entretanto faltam estudos para estabelecer as melhores técnicas de vinificação para este novo ciclo de produção. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o emprego de baixas temperaturas na extração e estabilidade de antocianinas, taninos e do precursor de aroma acetato de isoamila. Uvas da variedade Syrah colhidas no inverno foram submetidas a vinificação com maceração pré-fermentativa a frio (5 - 8°C) e posterior fermentação alcoólica na presença das cascas a baixa temperatura (15 °C)...

Nos últimos anos, o consumo de chás aumentou significativamente em função da divulgação dos benefícios à saúde, provenientes da sua ingestão, sendo considerado importante na dieta devido ao elevado potencial antioxidante. No entanto, os estudos sobre o teor de compostos com propriedades antioxidantes encontrados em chás brasileiros são escassos. Devido a estudos que comprovam a presença de fitoquímicos bioativos em chás, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais (CFT), flavonóides totais (FT) e a capacidade antioxidante (DPPH¿ e ß-Caroteno/ linoleato) das infusões de 9 ervas provenientes da Região Amazônica: Agirú (Chrysobalanus icaco), Açoita-cavalo (Luehea speciosa), Capim-santo (Cymbopogon citratus), Erva-cidreira (Lippia alba), Graviola (Annona muricata), Jucá (Caesalpinia ferrea), Pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia forticata), Parirí (Arrabidaea chica) e Sacaca comum (Croton spp). Além disso, os compostos fenólicos presentes nos extratos metanólicos das folhas de três espécies foram separados e quantificados pela técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) acoplado ao detector de arranjo de diodos (DAD). A metodologia analítica consistiu de uma extração aquosa (infusão) para análise de compostos fenólicos e flavonóides totais...

Strawberries are usually consumed in high quantities and can thus be a valuable source of phenolic compounds, vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds. The main phenolic compounds in strawberries are anthocyanins, responsible for the red color in strawberry flesh, combined with flavonoids, flavanols, and derivatives of hydroxycinnamic and ellagic acid (Aaby et al, 2007; Pinto et al, 2008). Wild strawberries (Fragaria Vesca L.) are usually claimed as more antioxidant and more rich in specific phenolic compounds. So the aim of this work was to characterize the phenolic compounds profile and evaluate the antioxidant capacity of wild strawberries in order to ascribe the relevant nutritional and functional properties of these strawberries. Total phenolics were assessed by Folin Ciocalteau's method, total anthocyanins by spectrophotometric methods, total antioxidant activity by the ABTS method and the phenolic compounds were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLCDAD). The results obtained reveal that wild strawberries are indeed a great source of phenolic compounds (catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, rutin and ellagic acid) and anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside...

In this work, the effectiveness of phenolic compounds of different varieties of wines as antibacterial agent in a meat model system was determined. Total phenolic, flavonoid and flavanol compounds concentrations were greater inMerlot andMalbec wines compared with Cabernet Sauvignon variety. In meat, the best antibacterial effect of wine phenolic compounds against both bacteria was observed withMerlot and Malbec wine varieties at 4C, even when inhibitory effect was also observed at 20C. The lowest decimal reduction time was obtained withMerlot wine for Listeriamonocytogenes and with Malbec and Merlot wines for Escherichia coli. From our results,we propose the use of wine phenolic compounds as natural biopreservatives for meat in combination with low temperatures. These natural products provide the additional human health benefit inherent to polyphenols properties. The exploration of natural antimicrobials for food preservation receives increased attention due to a growing microbial resistance towards conventional preservatives, added to consumer awareness of natural food products. The antibacterial effect of individual phenolic compounds in culturemedia has been largely studied,, but there is no information about the antibacterial effect of natural combinations of polyphenols fromdifferent varieties of wines in meat. In thiswork...