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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]

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]

[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]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake and excess sodium intake among adults age 19 years and older in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Twenty-four–hour dietary recall and sociodemographic data were collected from each participant (n=1,663) in a cross-sectional study, Inquiry of Health of São Paulo, of a representative sample of the adult population of the city of São Paulo in 2003 (ISA-2003). The variability in intake was measured through two replications of the 24-hour recall in a subsample of this population in 2007 (ISA-2007). Usual intake was estimated by the PC-SIDE program (version 1.0, 2003, Department of Statistics, Iowa State University), which uses an approach developed by Iowa State University. The prevalence of nutrient inadequacy was calculated using the Estimated Average Requirement cut-point method for vitamins A and C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, copper, phosphorus, and selenium. For vitamin D, pantothenic acid, manganese, and sodium, the proportion of individuals with usual intake equal to or more than the Adequate Intake value was calculated. The percentage of individuals with intake equal to more than the Tolerable Upper Intake Level was calculated for sodium. The highest prevalence of inadequacy for males and females, respectively, occurred for vitamin A (67% and 58%), vitamin C (52% and 62%), thiamin (41% and 50%), and riboflavin (29% and 19%). The adjustment for the within-person variation presented lower prevalence of inadequacy due to removal of within-person variability. All adult residents of São Paulo had excess sodium intake, and the rates of nutrient inadequacy were high for certain key micronutrients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is hypothesized that apples of 2 Brazilian cultivars with different content of sugars and antioxidant compounds promote similar effects on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in human serum after acute intake. Nine healthy women ingested 300 mL of Golden Delicious or Catarina apple juice (AJ) or water, and blood samples were collected before and 1 hour after intake. After intake of both AJ, a similar and significant increase in serum antioxidant capacity and ascorbic and uric acid levels and a significant decrease in serum lipid peroxidation was observed. The increase in serum antioxidant capacity after consumption of both AJ was correlated directly with the uric acid levels and inversely with serum lipid peroxidation. In summary, the acute intake of AJ of 2 cultivars promoted a similar effect on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in human blood serum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Araçá or strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum Sabine) is an attractive tasty small fruit native to temperate zones of Brazil. In this study, functional chemical constituents and the nutraceutical and therapeutic potential of aqueous and acetone extracts of red and yellow accessions of araçá were characterised. While carotenes, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanins were present as minor constituents, araçá fruit presented high levels of phenolic compounds (up to 768mg 100g−1 fresh fruit pulp, ffp), particularly (−)-epicatechin (up to 2.7mgg−1 ffp), which were in general more efficiently extracted with acetone. Abundance of phenolic compounds was positively correlated with antioxidant activity, antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Foods rich in antioxidants play an essential role in the prevention of diseases. The present study compared contents of phenolics, vitamin C, anthocyanin and antioxidant activity of 11 fresh exotic fruits, cultivated in the northeastern part of Brazil. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using two antioxidant systems 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), expressed as TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) and VCEAC (Vitamin C Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) values. The results indicated that the above fruits, such as murici and mangaba, were good sources of antioxidants. The phenolic contents showed positive correlations with total antioxidant by ABTS (R=0.94, P≤0.001) and DPPH (R=0.88, P≤0.001) assays. However, this correlation was not noticed when examining vitamin C and anthocyanins contents. The 11 fruits studied had comparable antioxidant activity in both, ABTS and DPPH assays. These methods are recommended as useful tools for the evaluation of the total activity antioxidant in fruits. Our results indicated promising perspectives for the development and usage of fruits species studied with considerable levels of antioxidant activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The physical characteristics (diameters, height and mass), chemical composition (tritratable acidity, soluble solids, pH, moisture, ash, protein, lipids and total dietary fiber), occurrence and content of vitamin C (ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid), carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene), vitamin E (α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol and tocotrienol) and folates (tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were evaluated in the cagaita obtained from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The analyses of vitamin C and carotenoids were performed by HPLC-DAD and vitamin E and folates by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The cagaita pulp presented high content of moisture (91.56g100g−1), vitamin C (34.11mg100g−1) and folates (25.74μg100g−1). The presence of protein (0.63g100g−1), ash (0.18g100g−1), lipids (0.57g100g−1), carbohydrates (5.54g100g−1), dietary fiber (1.54g100g−1) and carotenoids (0.77mg100g−1) was observed in its composition. Vitamin E isomers were not detected. Consumption of cagaita (100g) contributed significantly to supply the daily requirements of vitamin C (on average 71.0%), vitamin A (on average 7.5%) and folates (on average 7.9%). The cagaita showed high pulp yield, reduced total energy value and was considered a source of vitamin C, which play important role in human health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study compared the concentration of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA, and dehydroascorbic acid, DHA) and carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene) between three fruits produced by organic and conventional farming. Vitamin C and carotenoids were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The Student t-test (α =5%) was applied to determine differences between the organic and conventional production systems. AA content was significantly higher in organic acerola (4023.39mg/100g) compared to its conventional production (2294.53mg/100g). Conversely, AA content was significantly higher in conventional strawberries (42.45mg/100g) than the organic ones (30.74mg/100g). The conventional production also showed significantly higher contents of DHA (persimmon: 7.50mg/100g vs. 0.96mg/100g) and β-carotene (acerola: 6130.24μg/100g vs. 2486.38μg/100g) than the organic fruits. Lycopene was only detected in persimmons, but no significant difference was observed between farming systems. There was no evidence of the nutritional superiority of the organically grown fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa; Actinidaceae) is an exotic fruit to Brazil, introduced from southeastern China. The kiwi fruit presents a high nutritional value, rich mainly in vitamin C and fibers, calcium, iron and phosphorus, which give it an excellent nutritional value. Its quality attributes and flavor has lead to acceptance in consuming markets, mainly among children. The objective of this work was to formulate a non-alcoholic sweetened drink based on kiwi fruits, to submit the drink to gamma radiation using increasing doses: 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0kGy, and to evaluate changes in physical and chemical quality attributes. We found that no significant difference was observed between treatments relative to the control. So we could conclude that for the doses tested significant alterations in the physiochemical characteristics of the kiwi nectar were introduced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• 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]

• Acerola harvested at the green stage with density < 1 g cm−3 turn red after harvest. • 'Flor Branca' acerola should be harvested at the green stage and stored at 10 °C. • 'Junco' acerolas should be harvested at the green stage and stored at 12 °C. Acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) is native to Central and Northern South America and is considered a super-fruit due to its high vitamin C content. Acerola postharvest life is highly dependent on the maturity stage at harvest and storage temperatures. The objectives of this study were to determine the ideal harvest maturity and storage temperature for 'Flor Branca' and 'Junko' acerolas produced in the São Francisco Valley in the Northeast of Brazil. Acerolas 'Flor Branca' and 'Junko' were harvested at maturity stages green (green skin color at 18 days after full bloom), turning (initial skin color changes from green to red at 20 days after full bloom) and red (red skin color at 22 days after full bloom) and were stored at 8, 10 and 12 °C with RH of 90–95% for 14 days. Green fruit with density lower than 1 g cm−3 were used due to the capacity to change skin color from green to red after harvest. Fruit harvested at maturity stage green showed better storage potential than fruit harvested at more advanced stages. Storage temperatures of 10 °C for 'Flor Branca' and 12 °C for 'Junko' acerolas harvested at maturity stage green maintained fruit quality without chilling injury, keeping the fruit greener with higher ascorbic acid content and flesh firmness during 14 days of storage. Lower storage temperatures resulted in chilling injury incidence in 'Flor Branca' and 'Junco' acerolas. In both acerola cultivars, harvest at maturity stage green resulted in lower fruit decay incidence and weight loss during 14 days of storage. According to the results, 'Flor Branca' and 'Junco' acerolas should be harvested the maturity stage green with density lower than 1 g cm−3 and stored at 10 °C and 12 °C, respectively, in order to maintain high fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrabidaea chica (Brazilian name = pariri) is a plant species that belongs to the Bignoniaceae family, occurring in tropical America and widespread in the Amazonian region of Brazil. In this study, the phenolic compound and carotenoid profiles of A. chica leaves were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS. Scutellarin was identified as the main phenolic compound (15,147.22 μg/g, dry basis, d.b.) and lutein (204.28 μg/g, d.b.), β-carotene (129.5 μg/g, d.b.) and α-carotene (79.86 μg/g, d.b.) as the major carotenoids. Moreover, A. chica leaves presented 152.7 μg/g of ascorbic acid (fresh weight). For the first time, the carotenoid profile and ascorbic acid contents were reported for A. chica leaves. Regarding the antioxidant capacity, A. chica extract was able to scavenge ABTS radical (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)), and for the first time, the protective effect against singlet oxygen (1O 2) was reported. The A. chica extract was efficient as ABTS radical scavenger (86.81 μM Trolox/g of fresh leaves) and inhibited the degradation of tryptophan by 1O 2 in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC 50 at 177 μg/mL. Thus, A. chica leaves can be exploited as a promising source of bioactive compounds that may be useful to human health or food systems against oxidative damage. Unlabelled Image • Scutellarin was the major phenolic compound identified in A. chica leaves. • A. chica can be seen as a source of antioxidant compounds for the food industry. • First report of carotenoid profile and ascorbic acid content of A. chica leaves. • Lutein, β-carotene and α-carotene were the major carotenoids of A. chica leaves. • Extracts of A. chica leaves showed high antioxidant capacity against singlet oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]