INFLUENCE OF DRYING TEMPERATURE AND PULP LAYER THICKNESS ON THE PHYSICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF PEQUI POWDER1

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to characterize the physical and physicochemical parameters of pequi powders obtained by means of convective drying at different temperatures (50, 60, 70 and 80 °C) and pulp layer thicknesses (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 cm). Initially, the physicochemical characterization of fresh pulp was carried out, followed by convective drying under the conditions mentioned, until the equilibrium moisture content and subsequent disintegration to obtain the powders. Subsequently, the physical and physicochemical properties of the obtained powders were analyzed and the best powder was selected based on reduced moisture content and water activity and lower peroxide index. Pequi pulp showed a high fat content and a yellowish color; with the increase in drying temperature, there were reductions in the moisture content, water activity and protein content of the powders. As for the color parameters, the powder showed a darkening with the increase in drying time; the water adsorption isotherms of the selected pequi powder were classified as Type II, and the GAB model showed the best fits. The pequi powders showed good solubility and low cohesiveness. The powder that showed good flowability was produced at a drying temperature of 60 °C and with pequi pulp layer thickness of 0.5 cm.

Flavonoid/Polyphenol Ratio in Mauritia flexuosa and Theobroma grandiflorum as an Indicator of Effective Antioxidant Action

Studies on polyphenols and flavonoids in natural products reveal benefits in the prevention of multiple diseases. Proper extraction, treatment of extracts, and quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids demand attention from the scientific community in order to report more specific biological action. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (measured at three different times) of ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts of Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje) and Theobroma grandiflorum (copoazú) fresh pulp, from the Colombian Amazon region, were evaluated with the purpose of focusing in the polyphenol/flavonoid proportion and its effective antioxidant activity. This objective could help to explain specific flavonoid biological action based on higher flavonoid proportion rather than higher total polyphenol content. Differences in extracting solvents resulted in statistically significant different yields; the highest TPC was observed with acetone 70% in Mauritia flexuosa and ethanol 80% for T. grandiflorum. The best flavonoid/polyphenol ratio in M. flexuosa was about 1:2.4 and 1:12.8 in T. grandiflorum and the antioxidant efficacy was proportionally higher for flavonoids extracted from T. grandiflorum. HPLC analysis revealed 54 µg/g of the flavonoid kaempferol in M. Flexuosa and 29 µg/g in T. grandiflorum. Further studies evaluating this proportionality, in seeds or peel of fruits, as well as, other specific biological activities, could help to understand the detailed flavonoid action without focusing on the high total polyphenol content.

Determination of physical and mechanical properties of sugar beet cake, density dependence on humidity and pressure

In many livestock farms that are engaged in the breeding of cattle, both meat and dairy directions fresh pulp is mixed with molasses, and then this mass is given to the animals. Beet pulp is a by product of the beet sugar production process, representing desaccharified beet chips (80-82% by weight of processed sugar beet with a dry matter content of about 6.5-7%). The main direction of using sugar beet pulp is the use of it in the feeding of cattle for meat and milk directions. Beet pulp remains one of the most valuable feed for feeding cattle. Pulp is a highly digestible source of carbon, its main components are pectin and hemicellulose. At present, the issue of the quality of beet pulp plays a crucial role in its use for feed purposes. The volume of its implementation in feed production depends on it.

Change in Physicochemical Parameters during Traditional Processing of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) into Attiéké (Cassava semolina)

Attieke has become one of the most consumed foodstuffs and very popular among the populations of Côte d'Ivoire. It is a steamed cassava semolina with a long transformation process involving different fermentation times. Physicochemical and biochemical analyses have shown that attiéké has many nutritional potentials. Physicochemical parameters (pH, lactic and acetic acids, ethanol, starch, sugars (total and reducing) and vitamin C) were analysed during the process of transforming cassava (Manihot esculenta C.) into attieke. Moisture levels ranged from 61.5% (fresh pulp) to 45% (Attieke). The pH of the fresh cassava (6.1) decreases and reaches 4.7 on the third day of fermentation while that of the attiéké is 5. The acetic (0.48%) and lactic (0.72%) acid contents increase and are respectively 2.40 and 3.60% in the attieke. The ethanol content, which does not exist in the fresh pulp, appears during the fermentation and then decreases from 0.86% (24 hours of fermentation) to 2.40 (attieke). The starch content of cassava pulp decreased from 41.1 (fresh pulp) to 39.5% (fresh Attieke). The vitamin C content of the fresh pulp (69mg/100g) decreases and represents only 1 mg/100g in the fresh attieke.

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HERBAL TABLETS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DENGUE

Tablets are used as formulation and are prepared by using plant extracts i.e., Carica papaya and Embelica officinalis. These tablets were prepared by using wet granulation method. In this article the extract of leaves of Carica papaya and fruits of Embelica officinalis were used for making herbal tablets. Extracts of leaves of Carica papaya was obtained by cold extraction and through maceration method and the extract of fruits of Embelica officinalis was obtained by maceration process. Both extracts were dried and mixed. These extracts were then impregnated with the excipients like diluents, binding agents, super disintegrating agent, lubricants, etc. to make granules. These granules were then evaluated by using various parameters like Angle of repose, tapped density, bulk density, Carr’s Index, Hausner’s Ratio and void volume. These granules were then used for the making of tablets of desired size and shape by punching in the machine. After preparation of the tablets their evaluation parameters were studied like physical appearance, weight variation, friability, disintegration time, hardness test and thickness. Also the parameters for the acceptance of the tablets is also done like flavor and sweetness. Recent studies have shown that herbal extract of leaves of papaya has beneficial effect as an anti-inflammatory agent, for its wound healing properties, anti-tumor as well as Immunomodulatory effects and as an antioxidant. Amla fruit is a rich natural source of vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) and contains 600-750 mg/100 g of the fresh pulp. Also it is rich in minerals matters like phosphorus, iron and calcium. Amla is used as an Immunomodulatory agent and hence enhance the immunity of the patient. Aim of the study is to design develop and optimize the dosage form to cure dengue and is based on the use of natural plant ingredients to intermingle with chemical as well as synthetic ingredients to develop an effective unit dosage forms for better patient compliance. KEYWORDS: Papaya, Amla, Extracts, Herbal tablet, Dengue, Immunomodulatory, Platelets.

Digestion and utilization of citrus by-products by two breeds of West African goats

TWELVE young goats, consisting of 6 West African Dwarf (Fouta Djallon), (10.19 to 15.45 kg).and 6 Red Sokoto (Maradi), (9.09 to 14.09 kg), were used throughout the experiment (3 trials). The 12 goats were maintained on basal forage (Cynodon nlemfuensis) in Trial 1 but in Trial 2, they were divided into two groups with two animals per sub-group. Animals in a sub-group were maintained on basal forage plus 25, 50 or 75 % fresh citrus pulp. In Trial 3, six West African Dwarfs were maintained on similar levels as in Trial 2 but using dried citrus pulp. The results showed that protein content of citrus pulp was low (6%) with high crude fibre value of 15% high moisture content (84%), and high nitrogen-free extractive (NFE) value (57%). Dry matter (DM) intakes of basal forage ration were higher than those of mixtures of basal forage and fresh citrus pulp (P < 0.01) due probably to high moisture content of the pulp, because the DM intakes of dried pulp mixtures were higher than those of basal rations (P < 0.01). The rations with 50% fresh or dried pulp was consumed more than the other mixture. Fresh pulp significantly depressed nutrient digestibilities at all levels of supplementation relative to basal forage (P < 0.05), while those of dried samples were about the same with the values for the basal ration. Red Sokoto and West African dwarf goats retained 39.29 and 41.34g/N/100g/N consumed respectively when fed on forage only, but 11.43 and 17.03, 14 11 and -14.22, -2.48 and 15.23g N/100g N consumed respectively when fed on grass/fresh citrus mixtures. The corresponding N retention for West African dwarf goats were 38.51, 31.86 and 40.01g N/100g N when fed the forage dried citrus mixtures. The digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) intakes for these animals were optimal at the 25 and 50% citrus supplementation. There was highly significant correlation between ME intake and liveweight changes throughout the experiment (P <0.01]). Animals fed on forage fresh pulp mixtures lost weights (-0.59 <0.01 kg/ animal/week) in Trial 2, while those on forage-dried citrus mixtures gained weights (0.05 <03 kg/ animal/week) in Trial 3.

Development of Mango and Tomato Paste and It's Physico-Chemical Characterization

Mangoes are most widely used in cuisine. The Soil requirement for cultivation of Mango tree is a hardy perennial and evergreen tree and it can be grown on a wide range of soils. Value added product such as Milk Shakes can be obtained from fresh pulp of Mango which acts as an excellent source of Vitamin-A and flavonoids. Similar to that high quality Tomato product can be prepared from tomato pulp by using uniformly ripened, red colour tomato. Thus Tomato is nutritious and mostly eaten as processed fruit. So the importance of Climatic Fruit in food industries for the manufacturing of value added Product has received great attention. So the objective of present study is to analyse the composition of mango and tomato and to develop the pulp, and also to know its shelf life which favour the health benefits.

The Influence of Environmental Features on the Morphometric Variation in Mauritia flexuosa L.f. Fruits and Seeds

The environmental heterogeneity may reflect the different morphological and phenotypic traits of individuals belonging to a single species. We used 14 morphological traits of Mauritia flexuosa L.f. to understanding the relation between environment and phenotypic traits. Twenty-five fruits were collected from each of the 10 individuals sampled in each study site: Chapada dos Guimarães (CG), Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade (VB), and Alta Floresta (AF). We analyzed the genetic divergence, using the standardized Euclidean distance, the sequential method of Tocher, unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), and the projection of the distances onto 2D plane, and calculated the relative importance of the traits evaluated. The analysis showed the partition of individuals into three main groups: Two groups comprising the majority of individuals. Fresh fruit weight, pulp rate, fresh pulp weight, and moisture rate were the traits that most helped explaining the difference between materials. The results shown in the current study evidenced the influence of these three different environments on the biometric traits of M. flexuosa. Such influence has led to the formation of Alta Floresta and Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade individuals in different groups, whereas the Chapada dos Guimarães individuals were able to permeate the two other groups, although they showed stronger tendency to group with individuals from Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade.

Cryopreservating Human Dental Pulp Tissue at Tooth Extraction for Later Culturing Proliferative and Multipotent Cells

Background Teeth extracted are usually disposed as bio-waste whereas they could serve as an autologous tissue for culturing multipotent dental pulp cells which have application potential in regenerative medicine. The present study aims to examine the feasibility of cryopreservating dental pulp tissue at teeth extraction for later culturing cells. Methods The pulp tissue from each of a total of 10 teeth were cut into small fragments which were then divided into two portions. One portion was directly used for culturing pulp cells using the explant method. The other portion was cryopreserved with 10% DMSO in liquid nitrogen for at least one month and then thawed for culturing pulp cells. Results Vital cells were obtained from all the 10 pulp fragment suspensions which went through cryopreservation. The cell outgrowth from the explants of cryopreserved pulp fragments was two days later than that of corresponding fresh pulp tissue. Otherwise, no difference was observed in proliferation, expression of stem cell markers and differentiation into adipose cells and osteoblasts between the two groups of cells cultured from the fresh or the cryopreserved pulp fragments. Conclusions Cryopreservating fragmented dental pulp tissue therefore provides a feasible option for saving pulp tissues as autologous cells sources for possible later application.

Physalis peruviana L. Pulp Prevents Liver Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscles of Diet-Induced Obese Mice

A chronic high-fat diet (HFD) produces obesity, leading to pathological consequences in the liver and skeletal muscle. The fat in the liver leads to accumulation of a large number of intrahepatic lipid droplets (LD), which are susceptible to oxidation. Obesity also affects skeletal muscle, increasing LD and producing insulin signaling impairment. Physalis peruviana L. (PP) (Solanaceae) is rich in peruvioses and has high antioxidant activity. We assessed the ability of PP to enhance insulin-dependent glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and the capacity to prevent both inflammation and lipoperoxidation in the liver of diet-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into groups and fed for eight weeks: control diet (C; 10% fat, 20% protein, 70% carbohydrates); C + PP (300 mg/kg/day); HFD (60% fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrates); and HFD + PP. Results suggest that PP reduces the intracellular lipoperoxidation level and the size of LD in both isolated hepatocytes and skeletal muscle fibers. PP also promotes insulin-dependent skeletal muscle glucose uptake. In conclusion, daily consumption of 300 mg/kg of fresh pulp of PP could be a novel strategy to prevent the hepatic lipoperoxidation and insulin resistance induced by obesity.