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In pregnant women, the Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) is adopted to measure the inflammatory potential of the diet, but it does not predict the quality of the diet. Our hypothesis is that a more pro-inflammatory diet during pregnancy is also a poorer quality diet. Thus, the objective of this study is to verify the association of the E-DII with the Diet Quality Index Adapted for Pregnancy (DQI-P) and the nutrient intake from the diet in terms of the second and third gestational trimesters. This is a cross-sectional study that took place in Brazil (2018–2019), with eligible adult women up to 72 hours' postpartum and in good health. Socioeconomic, gestational, anthropometric, and food consumption data were collected, enabling the calculation of E-DII, DQI-P, and nutrient intake. The sample (n = 260) had a median E-DII of 0.04 (–1.30 to 1.90) and DQI-P of 68.82 (18.82–98.22). There was no relevant difference between E-DII tertiles by sociodemographic, gestational, and anthropometric characteristics. The E-DII and the DQI-P showed agreement (55.7%) and inverse correlation (r = –0.53; P <.001). Each 1-unit increase in DQI-P, iron, iodine, magnesium, pyridoxine, and vitamin E decreased the E-DII score (P <.05). An increase of 1 unit in protein, saturated fatty acids, and vitamin C increased the E-DII score (P <.05). Thus, the results suggest that the E-DII can predict diet quality during pregnancy, with the added benefit of measuring the inflammatory potential of the diet. In a cross-sectional study with Brazilian pregnant women (n = 260), we found that the E-DII and the DQI-P showed concordance and inverse correlation. Increasing DQI-P, iron, iodine, Mg, and vitamins B 6 and E decreased E-DII. The opposite occurred for PTN, SFA, and vitamin C. Image source: Canva/Flaticon. Abbreviations: B 6 , pyridoxine; DQI-P, Diet Quality Index Adapted for Pregnancy; E-DII, Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index; Mg, magnesium; PTN, proteins; SFA, saturated fatty acids. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus orchards in northeastern Brazil are mostly rainfed and comprised basically of 'Pera CNPMF D6' sweet orange budded on 'Rangpur' lime, for the drought tolerance and productivity imparted by this rootstock. Therefore, the selection of new varieties is needed to broaden the genetic basis of citrus cultivated in this region. Accordingly, this study compared vegetative, productive, and fruit quality traits of eight sweet orange scions grafted on 'Rangpur' lime over eleven years under the tropical rainfed conditions of northeastern Brazil. 'Kona' trees excelled in yield performance associated with bulk canopy, precocity, sweet fruit with intermediate acidity, and high vitamin C contents in spite of proneness to alternate yields and low ratio (maturity index). 'Valencia Montemorelos' and 'Rubi' trees, in turn, had high yield performances coupled with intermediate canopies, sweet fruit, intermediate acidity ('Rubi') and vitamin C contents, low propensity for yield fluctuation ('Valencia Montemorelos'), and high precocity ('Rubi'), albeit low ratio. Overall, our results emphasize 'Kona,' 'Valencia Montemorelos,' and 'Rubi' as superior sweet orange varieties for diversification of tropical rainfed orchards for their outstanding yield performance and good fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitaya, originally from Central America, has in recent years become one of the most produced and commercialized tropical fruits across the Brazilian Cerrado small scale commercial family farms. However, despite the economic value, production in Brazil is still incipient. The same is true of the fruit's nutritional value information. In this study, a throughput physical-chemical analysis with emphasis on the antioxidant potential and the identification of volatile compounds, of pitaya fruits at different ripening stages was conducted. Results showed that vitamin C variables, total phenolics, and total antioxidant activity had their values significantly reduced across ripening stages. In total, 12 volatile compounds were detected in the flesh of pitaya, of which, esters appeared to be more expressive, followed by aldehydes and alcohols. The ripe pulp of the fruit can be characterized as having a low caloric value, in addition to significant levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and iron. Thus, pitaya has potential for use in the food industry, in addition to being nutritionally rich, and can effectively contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases and in the human diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is sensitive to the salinity of water and soil, a common abiotic stress in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil; however, such sensitivity is variable with water management in the soil-plantatmosphere system. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the fertilization with nitrogen-potassium combinations in okra cultivated under salt stress. Photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, growth and fruit quality were evaluated. Fertilization with N1:K1 (40% N + 40% K2O) reduced the damage caused by salt stress and increased the chlorophyll contents, while the application of N4:K4 (130% N + 100% K2O) decreased the damage caused by salt stress and increased the carotenoid contents. The combination of N:K fertilization did not affect gas exchange, however, salt stress decreased these variables. Fertilization with N2:K2 (70% N + 60% K2O) reduced the damage caused by salt stress and increased the leaf area of okra. In addition, salt stress decreased the number of fruits and increased the fresh mass of okra fruits. The N:K fertilization also reduced the damage caused by salt stress and in the soluble solids content, titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio, and ascorbic acid content. Thus, N:K fertilization can be seen as an important agronomic strategy to improve the performance of okra quality subjected to saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike most animals, most bats cannot synthesize vitamin C endogenously. Consequently, this vitamin must be obtained from the diet. Among the bat species, there are several food groups, such as frugivorous, nectarivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous. In this work, we measured and compared vitamin C levels in different organs of four species of bats, all collected in southern Brazil. When analyzing and comparing the levels of vitamin C in the four bat species, (regardless of the organ), no significant differences were observed. However, when analyzing and comparing the levels of vitamin C in the four organs (regardless of the species), significant differences were observed, with the highest concentrations in the heart, followed by the liver and brain, while the lowest concentration was measured in the kidneys. Additional differences in the levels of Vitamin C were only observed when each organ was analyzed according to the species/diet. These results indicate a high degree of metabolic homeostasis in bats despite the marked difference in the type of diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underused crops have been expanding in the market due to their nutritional and antioxidant characteristics. Lulo, or naranjilla, can be considered an underused crop because it is grown on a small scale in Colombia and has high nutritional value. The edaphoclimatic conditions of cultivation of this fruit can influence its post-harvest characteristics. Thus, the objective of the work was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and the physicochemical characteristics of lulo fruit obtained from cultivation in Brazil. The post-harvest variables analyzed were antioxidant activity by ABTS, DPPH, FRAP methods, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, and physicochemical characteristics of acidity, soluble solids, and ratio. Twenty replicates were used for each variable, including three replicates for antioxidant analyses and two replicates for carotenoids; each replicate consisted of one fruit. The mean and standard deviation were calculated. The FRAP antioxidant activity method showed 81.40 mg Ferrous Sulfate g-1 (dry mass), ABTS 57.00 mg Trolox g-1 (dry mass) and DPPH 14.40 mg Trolox g-1 (dry mass). The flavonoids contents were 1.00 mg Quercetin g-1 (dry mass), which is considered low. Lulo fruit showed to be a good source of β-carotene (7.00 mg 100 g-1), lycopene (3.57 mg 100 g-1) and ascorbic acid (57.71 mg 100 g-1). The fruit is acidic (2.29 g Citric Acid 100 mL-1), with low soluble solids content (5.12%) and low ratio (2.25). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jambolan is a fruit with a sweet taste, slightly bitter and astringent, with a purple color. Acerola is a popular fruit in Brazil, rich in vitamin C. Both stand out for the high content of antioxidant compounds, whose importance has generated growing interest. In view of this, the present work was carried out with the objective of elaborating formulations with the mixed pulp of jambolan and acerola, incorporating foam promoting additives for drying by the foam-mat drying method and evaluating them for the beat time, density, volumetric expansion (overrun) and foam stability according to the beat time and physicochemical characteristics. Three formulations were made with the mixed pulp, all containing 1% albumin combined with 0.5% xanthan gum, 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose and 0.5% guar gum. The formulations were analyzed for stability, density, volumetric expansion, beating time, between 5 and 30 minutes, layer thickness, water content and volume drained at temperatures of 50 to 80 ºC. All the elaborated foams were suitable for drying by the foam-mat process; the best results of density, beating time, overrun, stability (volume drained), drying time and yield were obtained with the albumin/guar gum combination, followed by albumin/CMC; the incorporation of additives and the foaming mixture changed the composition of the formulations in relation to the mixed pulp (control), increasing the TSS/TTA ratio, the protein content and reducing the levels of ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids and carotenoids, yield, shorter drying time, water content in dry base and wet base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jambolan is a fruit with a sweet taste, slightly bitter and astringent, with a purple color. Acerola is a popular fruit in Brazil, rich in vitamin C. Both stand out for the high content of antioxidant compounds, whose importance has generated growing interest. In view of this, the present work was carried out with the objective of elaborating formulations with the mixed pulp of jambolan and acerola, incorporating foam promoting additives for drying by the foam-mat drying method and evaluating them for the beat time, density, volumetric expansion (overrun) and foam stability according to the beat time and physicochemical characteristics. Three formulations were made with the mixed pulp, all containing 1% albumin combined with 0.5% xanthan gum, 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose and 0.5% guar gum. The formulations were analyzed for stability, density, volumetric expansion, beating time, between 5 and 30 minutes, layer thickness, water content and volume drained at temperatures of 50 to 80 ºC. All the elaborated foams were suitable for drying by the foam-mat process; the best results of density, beating time, overrun, stability (volume drained), drying time and yield were obtained with the albumin/guar gum combination, followed by albumin/CMC; the incorporation of additives and the foaming mixture changed the composition of the formulations in relation to the mixed pulp (control), increasing the TSS/TTA ratio, the protein content and reducing the levels of ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids and carotenoids, yield, shorter drying time, water content in dry base and wet base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spondias tuberosa is a tree fruit native to the Caatinga biome in Brazil whose fruits (umbu) are usually consumed fresh, in regional recipes or in the form of pulp. Grown in Brazilian low-income regions, S. tuberosa fruits present high sociocultural importance in the Semiarid region of Brazil, acting as a source of livelihood for various family groups in these regions. In this sense, the aim of this work was to develop an integrative review of the nutritional and biological attributes of S. tuberosa fruits using a systematic approach. We searched on four databases: CABI, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Twenty-four studies were included after the review protocol was applied. The results showed that umbu exhibits low carbohydrate and protein content, varying according to the maturation stage and fruit part. Both the pulp and peel of umbu presented low lipid content whereas the highest lipid content was found in the seeds, which also presented the highest fiber content. The fruits presented considerable amounts of vitamin C and minerals. Bioactive phenolic compounds and carotenoids are concentrated mainly in the fruit peel and seeds. The studies presented promising findings, which reinforce the importance of considering the consumption of this fruit due to its potential for health benefits and increase of its socioeconomic value. • Umbu (Spondias tuberosa) is a fruit native from Brazilian semi-arid (Caatinga). • Low concentration of carbohydrates and lipids are found in Spondias tuberosa. • High concentrations of dietary fiber and minerals are found in Spondias tuberosa. • The fruit's peel presents high carotenoid concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refrigeration and coating of active biopolymers are two potential approaches to extending the shelf life of fresh fruits. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the influence of storage temperature (5 and 10 °C ± 1 °C) and whey concentration (edible coating), on functional, physical-chemical and microbiological characteristics of acerola stored for 12 days. Edible coatings were produced using whey (30% and 60%) and glycerol. Samples were compared to a control (no coating), during storage at both temperatures. Storage at 10 °C improved the maintenance of the acerola colour, while storage at 5 °C increased the stability of vitamin C and decreased microbial growth (p =0.05). The application of edible coating reduced the total colour variation and degradation (a*) at both temperatures. The concentration of whey influenced significantly (p=0.05) on the vitamin C content (A10-60), and on the mesophilic (A5-60 and A10-60) and psychrotrophic bacteria (A10-60) counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is one of the most important fruit produced in the São Francisco Valley, a Semi-arid region in the Northeast of Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical quality of thirty-five acerola genotypes produced during two growing seasons in a Semi-arid region and to identify the best ones with potential for fresh consumption based on a multivariate selection index. Fruit of each genotype were harvested during two growing seasons at the maturity stage red-ripe, characterized by full red skin color. After harvest, the fruit were evaluated for diameter, mass, flesh firmness, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, ascorbic acid content and skin color. A multivariate selection index (SI) was applied for scoring and ranking the genotypes for fresh consumption based on red-ripe fruit physicochemical quality. According to the results, all physicochemical attributes had high variability among genotypes. The SI was a powerful tool for identifying genotypes with high potential for fresh consumption, since it allowed selecting genotypes with multiple desirable traits. In the first and second growing seasons, the SI identified the genotypes PROG 052 (SI = 76.1 and 78.9), BRS Rubra (SI = 74.1 and 99.5), Cabocla (SI = 72.3 and 70.7), Costa Rica (SI = 61.2 and 73.8) and PROG 069 (SI = 68.1 and 72.4) as the most promising ones for fresh consumption due to the presence of multiple desirable traits such as high diameter, mass, flesh firmness, SS, and SS/AT ratio, as well as lower acidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Importance of non-conventional edible plants in food security. • Identification of carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals in non-conventional plants. • A. spinosus leaves were shown to be sources of minerals, fibers, and β-carotene. • C. benghalensis were shown to be sources of minerals, ascorbic acid, and β-carotene. Caruru (Amaranthus spinosus L) and trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis) are NCEPs introduced into Brazil and are widely used by certain communities. Given the lack of information on carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals present in A. spinosus and C. benghalensis grown in Brazil, this study aimed to determine the proximate composition and the micronutrient profile of these two NCEPs obtained from family farming in the Middle Doce River (Médio Rio Doce) region in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The proximate composition was evaluated using AOAC methods, vitamin E by HPLC with fluorescence detection, vitamin C and carotenoids by HPLC-DAD, and minerals by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. In summary, the leaves of A. spinosus exhibited a high content of dietary fiber (10.20 g.100 g−1), potassium (708.8 mg·100 g−1), iron (4.0 mg·100 g−1) and β-carotene (6.94 mg·100 g−1), while the leaves of C. benghalensis were sources of potassium (1399.31 mg·100 g−1), iron (5.7 mg·100 g−1), calcium (163 mg·100 g−1), zinc (1.3 mg·100 g−1), ascorbic acid (23.61 mg·100 g−1), and β-carotene (31.33 mg·100 g−1). It was therefore concluded that C. benghalensis and A. spinosus , especially, presented excellent potential as important nutritional sources for human consumption, highlighting the gap existing between the available technical and scientific material, thus making them an important and necessary axis of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Neglected and underutilized edible species (NUS) are important food sources. • Optimization resulted in extracts with promising antioxidant capacities against ROS. • O. gratissimum extracts effectively inhibited S. Choleraesuis growth. • P. oleracea presented the most promising cytostatic effect against tumor cell lines. • O. gratissimum and E. foetidum inhibited nitrosation reaction. This study investigated the vitamin C content, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and the potential bioactivities (antioxidant, antiproliferative, antibacterial activities, and inhibition capacity against N -nitrosation) of seven neglected and underutilized species (NUS): culantro (Eryngium foetidum) , false roselle (Hibiscus acetosella) , roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) , tree basil (Ocimum gratissimum) , Barbados Gooseberry (Pereskia aculeata) , purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium). Phenolic-rich extracts were obtained by a sequential optimization strategy (Plackett-Burman and Central Composite Design). O. gratissimum presented the highest TPC and X. sagittifolium the greater total vitamin C content. Overall, the plant extracts presented promising bioactive capacities, as scavenging capacity against HOCl, H 2 O 2 and ROO• induced oxidation. P. oleracea demonstrated the highest cytostatic effect against ovarian and kidney tumor cells. O. gratissimum effectively inhibited S. Choleraesuis growth. Maximum inhibition on n -nitrosation was showed by O. gratissimum and E. foetidum. These results highlight the studied NUS as sources of potential health-promoting compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]