Caracterização físico química e colorimétrica das polpas de cacau (theobroma cacao) e cajá (spondias mombin)

O Cacau (Theobroma cacao), é uma cultura economicamente importante em vários países tropicais. No Brasil, a agroindústria do cacau ocupa lugar de expressão nas regiões norte e nordeste, que se destaca dentre aquelas utilizadas na produção de sementes, pois são utilizados como matéria-prima para fabricação do chocolate, sendo a polpa desses frutos pouco utilizada na indústria alimentícia. A cajá (Spondias mombin), tem vasta distribuição tropical, esta fruta encontra-se, hoje, cultivada nas regiões Norte e Nordeste, podendo ser conhecida também como taperebá, é de sabor, aroma e coloração adequada à conquista dos paladares mais exigentes. O estudo em questão objetivou caracterizar a polpa dos frutos de cacau e cajá, como também avaliação da cor. Os frutos foram coletados na cidade de Conceição do Araguaia (PA), e em seguida transportado para uma unidade de processamento de frutas sediado no mesmo município, aonde passou por processos tecnológicos para obtenção das polpas de frutas. Onde as mesmas foram encaminhadas e armazenadas em temperatura controlada no laboratório de tecnologia de frutas e hortaliças da Universidade Federal do Tocantins do Curso de Engenharia de Alimentos. As análises que foram realizadas nas polpas são: pH, sólidos solúveis, acidez, lipídios, umidade, sólidos totais, vitamina C, cinza, fibra total dentre outras e parâmetros instrumentais de cor (L, a*, b*, C e H), resultados obtidos, demonstraram que as polpas estão em conformidade com a Instrução normativa Nº 37/2018 do MAPA, para os parâmetros analíticos e quesitos complementares aos padrões de identidade e qualidade de polpa de fruta.

Chemical Composition and Anti-Microbial Activity of Hog Plum (Spondias mombin L.) Peel Oil Extracted from Different Regions of Tropical Climates

The hydro-distilled essential oil of hog plum peel may be used for enhancing the flavor and taste of food products as well as for hiding the unpleasant odor of drugs. Thus, the waste peels of Spondias mombin appear to have economic importance. To find out the chemical composition and anti-microbial properties of hog plum peel oil, the samples were collected from different regions of Bangladesh for extraction and identification of volatile compounds by GC-MS, where dichloromethane was used as an extraction solvent. The required standard analytical methods were used to assay the anti-microbial properties of hog plums. In this study, pentenyl-3-thy-met-4-alpha-methyl-alpha-ethanol-oxiranen (29.04%), (3,3.1,1)-4-dimethylethyl-1,1-phenol (8.00%), cycohexanol-3 (10.85%), 4-hydroxy-penzeneethanamine (7.09%), hydroxylamine (4.63%), dibutyl phthalate (6.85%), etc., were majorly determined. Consequently, the highest content of 75.81% volatile compounds was found in the Dinajpur district, where the lowest content of 35.00% was found in the Rajshahi district. In contrast, 33 volatile compounds were identified in hog plum peels collected from the Barishal district, whereas 22 compounds were detected in the peel samples collected from the Dinajpur district. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the oil was analyzed by the disk diffusion method, and the results revealed that the highest Ciprocin content was recorded in the hog plums of Barishal (22.0–23.0 mm), while the lowest was recorded in the Mymensingh sample (20.67–21.63 mm), which was on par with Rajshahi sample (20.70–21.50 mm). The results of the anti-fungal activities of the peel oil showed the highest zone of inhibition against the Aspergillus niger (11.63 ± 0.0003 mm) and Penicillium oxalicum (13.67 ± 1.97 mm) content of the Rajshahi and Pabna district samples, respectively.

Carotenoid-Enriched Fractions From Spondias mombin Demonstrate HER2 ATP Kinase Domain Inhibition: Computational and In Vivo Animal Model of Breast Carcinoma Studies

Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in about 20% of breast cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. We report in this study that carotenoid-enriched fractions from Spondias mombin demonstrate HER2 ATP kinase domain inhibition. HER2 breast carcinoma was modeled in female Wistar rats and authenticated via immunohistochemical studies. Inhibition of HER2 ATP kinase domain by the carotenoid-enriched fractions was investigated by molecular docking, atomistic simulation, and the expression of HER2 mRNA in HER2-positive breast carcinoma model in female Wistar rats. The therapeutic efficacy of the treatments (carotenoid-rich fractions) was determined by biochemical, tumor volume, and histopathological analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced HER2-positive breast carcinoma. Phytoconstituents of the carotenoid-enriched fractions astaxanthin, 7,7′,8,8′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotene, beta-carotene-15,15′-epoxide, and lapatinib (standard drug) demonstrate inhibition of HER2 with docking scores of −3.0, −8.5, −11.5, and −10.6 kcal/mol, respectively; and during atomistic simulation, the compounds ruptured the canonical active-state K753/E770 salt-bridge interaction. The treatment similarly downregulated HER2 mRNA expression significantly at p < 0.05. It also upregulated the expression of p53 and p27 mRNAs significantly at p < 0.05 and reduced creatinine and urea concentrations in the serum at p < 0.05. The tumor volume was also significantly reduced when compared with that of the untreated group. Carotenoid-enriched fractions from S. mombin demonstrate anti-HER2 positive breast carcinoma potentials via HER2 ATP kinase domain inhibition.

Microscopical Characterization and Physicochemical Standardization of Leaves, Stems and Roots of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae)

Background: Spondias mombin L. belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. Despite its wide ethnomedicinal applications in the management of diverse diseases, there is a paucity of documented reports on its standardization.Objectives: The present study evaluated microscopical characters and some physicochemical properties of different parts of the plant for its identification and standardization.Material and Methods: Epidermal tissue preparation of the leaf of Spondias mombin (SM) was obtained using physical method while thin sections (10-12 μm) of the stem bark and root were obtained using a rotary microtome. Physicochemical parameters were determined for the powdered samples of SM using standard methods.Results: Diagnostic characters from the epidermal tissue of the leaf revealed anomocytic, paracytic stomatal type, non-glandular trichome, smooth to slightly wavy anticlinal walls while sections of the stem bark and root were characterized with abundant sclereids and calcium oxalate crystals. The stomatal number and stomatal index of the abaxial epidermis were 23.70±0.86 and 24.62±0.78 %, respectively. Ethanol had the highest extractive value (17.84±0.50) % in the leaf whereas it was lowest in petroleum ether (1.92±0.08) %. The leaf had the lowest ash value (7.13±0.76) %.Conclusion: The microscopical characterization and some of the physicochemical parameters reported herein could be useful in the compilation of monograph for the correct identification of Spondias mombin, thus contributing to the knowledge of its collection and preservation.

Phytodiversity of agroforestry systems with coffee trees and degree of Loranthaceae infestation in the department of Daloa (Central-West, Côte d'Ivoire)

The floristic condition of the agroforestry systems established on coffee trees in Daloa, in the Central-West of the Côte d'Ivoire has been carried out. Surface surveys and itinerant surveys identified 123 species, 93 genera and 37 families. Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae are the most represented families. The study made it possible to count 52.03% of the species of the Guinean-Congolese region, 27.65% of the transition species (GC-SZ), 11.3% of the indeterminate species, 5.69% of the endemic species West African and 2.44% of the GCI block species. The degree of infestation of plant species evaluated shows that the values vary from 8.33% at Alchornea cordifolia to 79.17% in Spondias mombin. The results also indicated a significant difference between the degrees of infestation of plant species according to the DBH, the age of the coffee plantations. The rate of infestation of plant species is 33.35±9.84% and the intensity of infestation is 2.83±0.60 tufts/plant. The analysis of the degree of infestation among others of Albizia zygia, Cecropia peltata, Cola nitida, Persea americana, and Spondias mombin has made it possible to identify major problems of Loranthaceae infestation sources posed by the presence of these species in coffee plantations.

RELATO DE CASO: POTENCIAL ECONÔMICO SUSTENTÁVEL EM PROPRIEDADE PRIVADA EM ALTOS-PI, BRASIL

Introdução: Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) é uma unidade de conservação (UC) oficial de proteção integral no Estado do Piauí, a única com caráter privado (Lei Ordinária Nº 5.977 de 24/02/2010). Tem o intuito de conservar a biodiversidade e recursos naturais, além de oferecer vantagens econômicas como isenção de imposto territorial rural, além de oportunidades com ecoturismo e pagamento por serviços ambientais (Lei Nº 14.119, 13/01/2021). Objetivos: Avaliou-se os potenciais econômicos e naturais de uma propriedade particular subutilizada de 56 hectares em Altos-PI. Material e Métodos: As visitas foram feitas ao fim da estação chuvosa, em maio de 2021, no local -5.160495, -42.560679, seguindo-se o formulário estabelecido pelo ICMBio no seu roteiro de criação de RPPNs. A identificação da flora foi feita através de consultas a guias de campo e speciesLink. Resultados: Ameaças identificadas: veredas abertas por caçadores e gado, compactação do solo, circulação de terceiros, corte ilegal de madeira, erosão, cercamento e georreferenciamento incompletos. Fitofisionomias identificadas: cerradão, carrasco, brejo, cerrado rupestre e babaçual. A altitude variou de 109m a 168m. Potencial econômico: ecoturismo, balneário, pesquisa científica e pagamentos por serviços ambientais. Exemplares botânicos encontrados: Acrocomia aculeata (Macaúba), Agonandra brasiliensis sp. (Pau-marfim), 1 Anacardiaceae, Anadenanthera colubrina (Angico Branco), Astronium fraxinifolium (Gonçalo Alves), Bactris setosa (Tucun), Bromelia sp. (Croatá), Cecropia sp. (Embaúba), Cedrela sp. (Cedro), Cenostigma Macrophyllum (Caneleiro), Combretum sp. (Mufumbo), Copaifera langsdorffii (Copaíba), Copernicia prunifera (Carnaúba), Dimorphandra mollis (Fava D’anta), Genipa americana (Jenipapo), 2 Hymenaea sp. (Jatobá), Jacaranda sp. (Banha-de-galinha), Lecythis pisonis sp. (Sapucaia), 1 Melastomataceae, Orbignya speciosa (Babaçu), Parkia platycephala (Faveira), Pleroma sp. (Quaresmeira do cerrado), Spondias mombin (Cajazeira), Sterculia striata (Chichá), Tabebuia chrysotricha (Ipê amarelo), 3 Pteridophyta, 1 Philodendron, e 2 Bryophyta (sensu lato). Conclusão: O terreno apresenta diferentes fitofisionomias de cerrado, influenciadas pelas condições de solo, umidade e altitude, o que proporciona uma variedade botânica e de ambientes ideal para conservação de biodiversidade, pesquisa e ecoturismo. Recomenda-se finalizar o georreferenciamento e cercamento da área, adotar medidas para diminuir a velocidade de escoamento da água pluvial, manejar os babaçus, e dar prosseguimento na criação da RPPN em órgão responsável.