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Grape seeds are rich in bioactive substances, including polyphenols, terpenoids, and phytosterols. Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) boasts a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), lignans, phytoestrogens, and soluble fibers, all contributing to its therapeutic potential. In this study, we pioneered the formulation of an oil blend (GL) combining grape seed oil (G) and golden linseed oil (GL) in equal volumes (1:1 (v/v)) and we evaluated in terms of the nutritional, physical, and chemical properties and their influence in an in vivo experimental model. We analyzed the oils by performing physical-chemical analyses, examining the oxidative stability using Rancimat; conducting thermal analyses via thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), performing optical UV-vis absorption analyses; examining the fluorescence emission-excitation matrix, total carotenoids, and color, and conducting metabolic assessments in an in vivo experimental trial. The fatty acid profile presented a higher fraction of linoleic acid (C18:2) in G and GL and alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3) in L. The acidity and peroxide indices were within the recommended ranges. The TG/DTG, DSC, and Rancimat analyses revealed similar behaviors, and the optical analyses revealed color variations caused by carotenoid contents in L and GL. In the in vivo trial, G (G2: 2000 mg/kg/day) promoted lower total consumption, and the blend (GL: 2000 mg/kg/day) group exhibited less weight gain per gram of consumed food. The group with G supplementation (G2: 2000 mg/kg/day) and GL had the highest levels of HDL-c. The group with L supplementation (L2: 2000 mg/kg/day) had the lowest total cholesterol level. The L2, G1 (1000 mg/kg/day), and G2 groups exhibited the lowest MCP-1 and TNF-α values. Additionally, the lowest adipocyte areas occurred in G and GL. Our results suggest that this combination is of high quality for consumption and can influence lipid profiles, markers of inflammation, and antioxidant status.

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Pantanal is a unique biome located in Brazil, with diverse fauna and flora, being home to native species such as the rice types Oryza latifolia and Oryza rufipogon. Rice is a staple food for two-thirds of the population, with increasing consumption, especially in Asia, regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, countries in the Caribbean, and Latin America. The per capita rice consumption had an average consumption of 160 g/day. However, rice consumption may lead to the intake of other harmful substances to health, such as toxic metals/metalloids. The determination of potential hazards in native species is crucial in maintaining the local population in good health. In this study, we determined the concentration of essential elements and potentially toxic elements in seven different types of Brazilian rice grains, including the two Pantanal native species O. latifolia and O. rufipogon, using ICP-OES to identify their nutritional richness or potential toxicity. The contaminant with the highest HQ levels was chromium, with an HQ above one only in the native species. All species (commercial and native) showed carcinogenic risk considering inorganic arsenic. Rice exhibits duality in its classification, providing nutritional content and leading people to potential risks of overexposure to toxic elements. While rice can be part of a healthy and nutritious diet, more studies should be conducted on avoiding or remedying contamination with toxic elements.

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Vitis vinifera L. (grapevine) is a perennial plant of the Vitaceae family that is widely used to produce grapes and wines. Grape seed oil is rich in fatty acids such as linoleic acid (65-75%), vitamin E (50 mg), and phytosterols in addition to phenolic compounds, such as catechins (414 mg), epicatechins (130.4 mg), and gallic acid (77 µg), shows promise as a nutritional compound and is outstanding as a therapeutic substance with active properties for health, detected mainly by in vitro studies, as well as some in vivo studies. The benefits of consuming this oil include modulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory effects, and protection against oxidative cell damage and some types of cancer. However, experimental findings confirm that therapeutic functions remain scarce; thus, more studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of action involved in the indicated therapeutic qualities.

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People are constantly exposed to particulate matter and chemicals released during fires. However, there are still few studies on gas and particulate emissions related to exposure to burning firewood and charcoal during forest fires, making it difficult to understand the effects on the health of the population. The objective of this study was to quantify the metal(loid)s present in the smoke from wood and charcoal fires through the deposition of metals in beef topside and pork loin, considering the routes of skin exposure, inhalation, and ingestion, contributing to the understanding of metals in the increase of the risks of cancer and mortality associated with firefighting and children. The concentrations of metals [aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn)] and metalloids arsenic (As) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP OES) after microwave digestion. Moreover, we assessed the associated risk regarding the elemental intake of these elements through the smoke, using the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), Total Hazard Index (HIt), and carcinogenic risk (CR). All samples had results for HQ and HIt < 1, indicating a non-potential health risk. However, the carcinogenic risks posed by As and Cr via the three exposure pathways (except for inhalation exposure to children and adults, and by Cr via ingestion and inhalation for children and adults) exceeded the standard threshold. In conclusion, continuous exposure of firefighters or children to smoke from fires containing high concentrations of heavy metals such as As and Cr can be harmful to health. The study used animal tissues; thus, new methods must be developed to quantify the concentration of heavy metals deposited in human tissue when humans are exposed to smoke from fires.

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Maternal food habits and gut microbiota composition have potential effects on fetal neurodevelopment, impacting Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our research aims to outline the relationship that ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the composition of maternal gut microbiota have with the possible development of ASD in offspring. We suggest that genetic factors could be related to the different conversions between unsaturated fatty acids according to sex and, mainly, the impact of the pregnancy diet on the higher or lower risk of neurological impairments. The proportion of the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes is high with an increased consumption of linoleic acid (LA, n-6 PUFA), which is associated with maternal intestinal dysbiosis and consequently starts the inflammatory process, harming myelinization. In contrast, the consumption of α-linolenic acid (ALA, n-3 PUFA) tends to re-establish the balance of the maternal microbiota with anti-inflammatory action. Moreover, human observational studies showed a strong correlation between the consumption of n-3 PUFA, mainly above 340 g of fish per week, with beneficial effects on infant neurodevelopment. Therefore, we suggest that the proper intake of foods rich in n-3 PUFAs and their supplementation during pregnancy until lactation has an impact on reducing the development of ASD. Controlled studies with n-3 PUFA supplementation are still necessary to verify the ideal dose and the best form of administration.

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The study of medicinal plants, such as the genus Garcinia (Clusiaceae), in the treatment of non-communicable chronic diseases has aroused the interest of researchers. However, there are no studies in the literature that have investigated the effects of Garcinia gardneriana in experimental models of obesity for possible metabolic alterations. Swiss mice receiving a high-fat diet were supplemented with aqueous or ethanolic extract of G. gardneriana at doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg/day. It was found that there was a reduction in food consumption in experimental groups compared with the control groups, and the group supplemented with aqueous extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg/daydisplayed a reduction in weight. The results showed an increase in the values of high density lipoprotein (HDL-c), total cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose. G. gardneriana did not protect against insulin resistance, and caused in an increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) concentrations and a reduction in interleukin 10 (IL-10). In addition, hepatic steatosis and microvesicular steatosis were indicated. It was revealed that, under the experimental conditions in the study, G. gardneriana did not prevent weight gain or comorbidities; that is, a different behavior was obtained from that described in the literature with regard to the medicinal potential of the Garcinia species, which is probably related to the phytochemical properties.

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BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that different parts of Carica papaya Linn have nutritional properties that mean it can be used as an adjuvant for the treatment of various pathologies. METHODS: The fatty acid composition of the oil extracted from the seeds of Carica papaya Linn was evaluated by gas chromatography, and an acute toxicity test was performed. For the experiment, Swiss mice were fed a balanced or high-fat diet and supplemented with saline, soybean oil, olive oil, or papaya seed oil. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests were performed. After euthanasia, adiposity, glycemia, total cholesterol and fractions, insulin, resistin, leptin, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 and the histology of the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue were evaluated. RESULTS: Papaya seed oil showed predominance of monounsaturated fatty acids in its composition. No changes were observed in the acute toxicity test. Had lower food intake in grams, and caloric intake and in the area of adipocytes without minimizing weight gain or adiposity and impacting the liver or pancreas. Reductions in total and non-HDL-c, LDL-c, and VLDL-c were also observed. The treatment had a hypoglycemic and protective effect on insulin resistance. Supplementation also resulted in higher leptin and lower insulin and cytokine resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Under these experimental conditions, papaya seed oil led to higher amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids and had hypocholesterolemic, hypotriglyceridemic, and hypoglycemic effects.

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The consumption of regular vegetable oils has been linked to energy acquisition, nutritional benefits, health improvement, and the regulation of metabolic diseases. This study evaluated fatty acids composition, physicochemical, thermal, oxidative, and optical properties, and quantified trace elements in the sunflower oil extracted by a domestic cold-press machine. The oil presented linoleic (54.00%) and oleic (37.29%) primary unsaturated fatty acids (91.67%), in which atherogenic (0.05), thrombogenic (0.16), hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (21.97), peroxide (16.16), saponification (141.80), and relative density indices (0.92) demonstrated to be suitable for human consumption and possible health promotion. In addition, the concentrations of trace elements by ICP OES were ordered Zn > Fe > Al > Cu > Mn > Cr. Concentrations of Zn, Fe, Al, Cu, and Mn were lower than FAO/WHO and DRI/AI limits, while Cr concentrations exceeded the FAO/WHO limits, which can be used as an indicator of the polluted ambiance. Sunflower oil quantities daily consumption were calculated by taking into account non-carcinogenic risk (CR < 10-4), and total non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI < 1). Based on trace elements determined in this study, the suitable quantity of sunflower oil consumption varies according to individuals aged 8, 18, and 30 years and will be deemed 0.61, 1.46, and 1.65 g/kg, respectively, attending HI = 0.99 and CR < 10-4.

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Antioxidants have drawn the attention of the scientific community due to being related to the prevention of various degenerative diseases. The antioxidant capacity has been extensively studied in vitro, and different methods have been used to assess its activity. However, the main issues related to studying natural antioxidants are evaluating whether these antioxidants demonstrate a key role in the biological system and assessing their bioavailability in the organism. The majority of outcomes in the literature are controversial due to a lack of method standardization and their proper application. Therefore, this study aims to compile the main issues concerning the natural antioxidant field of study, comparing the most common in vitro methods to evaluate the antioxidant activity of natural compounds, demonstrating the antioxidant activity in biological systems and the role of the main antioxidant enzymes of redox cellular signaling and explaining how the bioavailability of bioactive compounds is evaluated in animal models and human clinical trials.

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Mauritia flexuosa (Buriti) pulp oil contains bioactive substances and lipids that are protective against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. We performed physical and chemical analyses to verify its quality and stability. Buriti oil was stable according to the Rancimat test, presenting an induction period of 6.6 h. We evaluated the effect of supplementation with crude buriti oil and olive oil on metabolic parameters in 108 Swiss mice for 90 days. We investigated six groups: extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) 1 and 2 (1000 and 2000 mg/kg), buriti oil (BO) 1 and 2 (1000 and 2000 mg/kg), synergic (S) (BO1 + EVOO1), and control (water dose 1000 mg/kg). The animals were euthanized to examine their blood, livers, and fats. The supplementation did not interfere with food consumption, weight gain, and histological alterations in the liver. Group S showed the strongest relationship with the fractions HDL-c and non-HDL-c, indicating a possible cardioprotective effect. Moreover, we observed significantly higher IL-6 levels in the control, EVOO2, and BO1 groups than in the EVOO1 group. Resistin was also significantly higher for the synergic treatment than for the control. We conclude that BO combined with EVOO could be an excellent food supplement for human consumption.

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