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The bitter carqueja (Baccharis trimera) is widely used in alternative and herbal medicine. The essential oil components of its leaves could be included among the most important active principles of this herb and some of them can also be used as chemical markers of the species. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to establish the chemical composition and evaluate the toxicological potential and antioxidant capacity of essential oils from carqueja samples commercialized in Rio de Janeiro city as sachets, comparing these results with those obtained for essential oils classified as reference for this species. The essential oils from these sachet samples were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by chromatographic techniques (GC/FID and GC/MS), spectrophotometric techniques (DPPH) and by the Artemia salina test. In the present study, 41 compounds were identified in the essential oils analyzed. Terpenic compounds were the majority and only carquejil acetate, palustrol, spathulenol and β-eudesmol were detected in all the samples evaluated. The chemical variability of the essential oils in the sachet samples turned difficult to assess their authenticity. The antioxidant potentials of all essential oils evaluated were much lower than the antioxidant capacities measured for the positive controls of rutin and gallic acid (IC50 = 0.093 mg mL-1 and 0.0085 mg mL-1, respectively). All essential oils analyzed can be classified as cytotoxic agents according to the Artemia salina toxicity test. La carqueja amarga (Baccharis trimera) es muy utilizada en la medicina alternativa y fitoterapia. Los componentes del aceite esencial de sus hojas podrían incluirse entre los principios activos más importantes de esta hierba y algunos de ellos también pueden usarse como marcadores químicos de la especie. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio es establecer la composición química y evaluar el potencial toxicológico y la capacidad antioxidante de los aceites esenciales de muestras de carqueja comercializados en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro en forma de sobres, comparando estos resultados con los obtenidos para los aceites esenciales clasificados como referencias para esta espécie. Los aceites esenciales de estas muestras de sobres fueron aislados por hidrodestilación y analizados por técnicas cromatográficas (CG/DII y CG/EM), técnicas espectrofotométricas (DPPH) y por la prueba de Artemia salina. En el presente estudio, se identificaron 41 compuestos en los aceites esenciales analizados. Los compuestos terpénicos fueron mayoritarios y solo se detectaron acetato de carquejila, palustrol, espatulenol y β-eudesmol en todas las muestras evaluadas. La variabilidad química de los aceites esenciales en las muestras de los sobres hizo difícil evaluar su autenticidad. Los potenciales antioxidantes de todos los aceites esenciales evaluados fueron mucho más bajos que las capacidades antioxidantes medidas para los controles positivos de rutina y ácido gálico (IC50 = 0,093 mg mL-1 y 0,0085 mg mL-1, respectivamente). Todos los aceites esenciales analizados pueden clasificarse como agentes citotóxicos según la prueba de toxicidad de Artemia salina. A carqueja amarga (Baccharis trimera) possui amplo uso na medicina alternativa e na fitoterapia. Os componentes do óleo essencial de suas folhas têm potencial para figurarem entre os princípios ativos mais importantes dessa erva e alguns deles também podem funcionar como marcadores químicos da espécie. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo é estabelecer a composição química e avaliar o potencial toxicológico e a capacidade antioxidante dos óleos essenciais de amostras de carqueja comercializadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro na forma de sachês, comparando os resultados com os obtidos para óleos essenciais de referência para essa espécie. Os óleos essenciais dessas amostras em sachês foram isolados por hidrodestilação e analisados através de técnicas cromatográficas (CG/DIC e CG/EM), espectrofotométricas (DPPH) e pelo teste com Artemia salina. Nesse estudo, 41 compostos foram identificados nos óleos essenciais analisados. Os compostos terpênicos foram os majoritários e apenas o acetato de carquejila, o palustrol, o espatulenol e o β-eudesmol foram detectados em todas as amostras avaliadas. A variabilidade química dos óleos essenciais das amostras de sachês dificultou a avaliação de sua autenticidade. Os potenciais antioxidantes de todos os óleos essenciais avaliados mostraram-se bem inferiores às capacidades antioxidantes medidas para os controles positivos de rutina e ácido gálico (CI50 = 0,093 mg mL-1 e 0,0085 mg mL-1, respectivamente). Todos os óleos essenciais analisados podem ser classificados como citotóxicos com base no teste de toxicidade com Artemia salina.

The German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) is a plant of the Asteraceae family that is widely used by the world population due to its characteristic flavor and aroma and striking medicinal properties like its calming, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and carminative actions. The flavor, aroma and part of the medicinal properties of this herb can be associated with the composition of its volatile fraction. Thus, this bibliographic review sought to establish the characteristics of the volatile fraction of German chamomile, indicating the levels, sensory and pharmacological properties of its main constituents. This information was obtained from different databases available online, with the selection of forty-three scientific articles (last three decades) that specifically dealt with the volatile compounds of this herb. La manzanilla alemana (Matricaria recutita L.) es una planta de la familia Asteracea ampliamente utilizada por la población mundial debido a su sabor y aroma característicos y algunas propiedades medicinales notables como su acción calmante, sedante, antiinflamatoria, antimicrobiana y carminativa. El aroma y parte de las propiedades medicinales de la manzanilla alemana se pueden asociar con la composición de su fracción volátil. Por lo tanto, esta revisión bibliográfica buscó establecer las características de la fracción volátil de la manzanilla alemana, indicando los contenidos, las propiedades sensoriales y farmacológicas de sus componentes principales. Esta información se obtuvo de diferentes bases de datos disponibles en línea, con la selección de cuarenta y tres artículos científicos (últimas tres décadas) que se ocuparon específicamente de los compuestos volátiles de esta hierba. A camomila alemã (Matricaria recutita L.) é uma planta da família Asteracea amplamente utilizada pela população mundial por conta de seu sabor e aroma característicos e de algumas propriedades medicinais marcantes como sua ação calmante, sedativa, antinflamatória, antimicrobiana e carminativa. O aroma e parte das propriedades medicinais da camomila alemã podem ser associados à composição de sua fração volátil. Sendo assim, essa revisão bibliográfica procurou estabelecer as características da fração volátil da camomila alemã, indicando os teores, propriedades sensoriais e farmacológicas de seus principais constituintes. Essas informações foram obtidas em diferentes bases de dados disponíveis online, com a seleção de quarenta e três artigos científicos (últimas três décadas) que tratavam especificamente dos compostos voláteis dessa erva.

A review about composition, origin and importance of carbohydrates in honey is presented. Fructose and glucose are the major carbohydrates, ranging from 65-85 % of the total soluble solids. Other minor carbohydrates, chiefly di- and trisaccharides, have been also identified. Fructose, glucose and sucrose are mainly originated from nectar. Oligosaccharides are mainly formed by trans-alpha-D-glucosylation reactions catalysed by honeybee alpha-D-glucosidase. The profile of carbohydrates can be useful for the identification of the brazilian region in which honey was produced and may also be useful for testing brazilian honey authenticity.

Niacin (nicotinamide, nicotinic acid) interferes on homeostasis, DNA regulation, signaling and longevity. Nicotinic acid reduces synthesis of lipoproteins-apo-B and increases HDL. Its antilipemic action in liver produces: 1) inhibition of DGAT2, with decreased triacylglycerol synthesis, 2) downregulation of the b-chain of adenosine triphosphate synthase, leading to reduced HDL-apo-A-I catabolism. Nicotinic acid could increase redox potential in vascular endothelium. HM74A receptor activation in macrophages would be responsible for the release of prostaglandins, causing flushing in epidermis. HM74A agonists could assist in identifying antilipemic agents. Extended release niacin in combination with statin appears to protect cardiovascular system of patients with low HDL.

This paper describes the analytical methods for determination of total chlorogenic acid (CGA) and their individual isomers. Spectrofotometric methods are adequate for total CGA analysis in green coffee but they can provide inflated results for coffee products. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with gel permeation column and ultraviolet (UV) monitoring is adequate for the simultaneous analysis of total CGA, alkaloids and sugars in coffee products. HPLC-UV-reversed phase is a simple, rapid and precise method for the determination of the individual isomers of CGA. Gas chromatography (GC) also is applied to the analysis of the individual isomers but phenolic acids need to be derivatized before analysis. Both HPLC- and GC-mass spectrometry provide an unequivocal identification of the individual isomers. The capillary electrophoresis method is simple, rapid and adequate to the simultaneous analysis of polyphenols and xanthines. Advantages and limitations of each method are discussed throughout the text.

A review about composition, origin and importance of carbohydrates in honey is presented. Fructose and glucose are the major carbohydrates, ranging from 65-85 % of the total soluble solids. Other minor carbohydrates, chiefly di- and trisaccharides, have been also identified. Fructose, glucose and sucrose are mainly originated from nectar. Oligosaccharides are mainly formed by trans-alpha-D-glucosylation reactions catalysed by honeybee alpha-D-glucosidase. The profile of carbohydrates can be useful for the identification of the brazilian region in which honey was produced and may also be useful for testing brazilian honey authenticity.

A review about composition, origin and importance of carbohydrates in honey is presented. Fructose and glucose are the major carbohydrates, ranging from 65-85 % of the total soluble solids. Other minor carbohydrates, chiefly di- and trisaccharides, have been also identified. Fructose, glucose and sucrose are mainly originated from nectar. Oligosaccharides are mainly formed by trans-alpha-D-glucosylation reactions catalysed by honeybee alpha-D-glucosidase. The profile of carbohydrates can be useful for the identification of the brazilian region in which honey was produced and may also be useful for testing brazilian honey authenticity.

This review is about the aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic compounds (non-heterocyclic compounds) that are present in the volatile fractions of roasted coffees. Herein, the contents, aroma precursors and the sensorial properties of volatile phenols, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, anhydrides, esters, lactones, amines and sulphur compounds are discussed. Special attention is given to the compounds of these groups that are actually important to the final aroma of roasted coffees.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior Vitamin A is important in many essential body processes and its deficiency results in serious consequences for human health. Breast milk is the only source of this vitamin for children that are exclusively breastfed. Analysis of vitamin A in mother s milk is important because its concentration is related to maternal vitamin A status and to its ingestion by the mother during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of maternal supplementation with retynil palmitate on the concentration of colostrum retinol under fasting and postprandial conditions. A total of 149 nursing mothers were recruited at the Januário Cicco Maternity School (Natal, Brazil) and allocated to two groups: Comparison (n = 69) and Test (n = 80). Blood and colostrum (in fasting and postprandial conditions) samples were collected up to 24hs after delivery. Serum retinol and colostrum levels were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The serum retinol level of 41.6 ± 12.7μg/dL (mean ± standard deviation) indicates adequate biochemical nutritional status. Colostrum retinol level was not influenced by serum retinol levels under any of the conditions established. In the colostrum, the retinol concentration in the unsupplemented test group was 67.3 ± 37.7 μg/dL under fasting and 80.3 ± 35.1 μg/dL under postprandial conditions (p