RESUMO
The health benefits of nut consumption have been extensively demonstrated in observational studies and intervention trials. Besides the high nutritional value, countless evidences show that incorporating nuts into the diet may contribute to health promotion and prevention of certain diseases. Such benefits have been mostly and certainly attributed not only to their richness in healthy lipids (plentiful in unsaturated fatty acids), but also to the presence of a vast array of phytochemicals, such as polar lipids, squalene, phytosterols, tocochromanols, and polyphenolic compounds. Thus, many nut chemical compounds apply well to the designation "nutraceuticals," a broad umbrella term used to describe any food component that, in addition to the basic nutritional value, can contribute extra health benefits. This contribution analyses the general chemical profile of groundnut and common tree nuts (almond, walnut, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio, macadamia, pecan), focusing on lipid components and phytochemicals, with a view on their bioactive properties. Relevant scientific literature linking consumption of nuts, and/or some of their components, with ameliorative and/or preventive effects on selected diseases - such as cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative pathologies - was also reviewed. In addition, the bioactive properties were analyzed in the light of known mechanistic frameworks.
Assuntos
Suplementos Nutricionais , Juglans , Nozes , Compostos Fitoquímicos , Pistacia , Nozes/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/análise , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Humanos , Suplementos Nutricionais/análise , Juglans/química , Pistacia/química , Lipídeos/análise , Valor Nutritivo , Anacardium/química , Macadamia/química , Corylus/química , Fitosteróis/análise , Carya/química , Prunus dulcis/química , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controleRESUMO
Walnut green husk (WGH) is a waste generated by the walnut (Juglans regia L.) harvest industry. It represents a natural source of polyphenols, compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, but their activity could be dependent on the ripeness stage of the raw material. In this study, the effect of the different ripeness stages-open (OH) and closed (CH) husks-on the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of WGH extracts were analyzed, emphasizing the influence of the extracts in inhibiting Escherichia coli growth. The ripeness stage of WGH significantly affected the antioxidant activity of the extracts. This was attributed to the different polyphenol profiles related to the mechanical stress when the husk opened compared to the closed sample. The antimicrobial activity showed inhibition of E. coli growth. OH-extracts at 96 µg/mL caused the lowest specific growth rate (µmax = 0.003 h-1) and the greatest inhibition percentage (I = 93%) compared to CH-extract (µmax = 0.01 h-1; I = 69%). The obtained results showed the potential of the walnut green husk, principally open husk, as an economical source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents with potential use in the food industry.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Indústrias , Juglans/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Bactérias/efeitos dos fármacos , Cinética , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Polifenóis/farmacologiaRESUMO
Cardiovascular diseases remain a global challenge, and lipid-associated biomarkers can predict cardiovascular events. Extensive research on cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs) is geared towards fish oil supplementation and fish-rich diets. Nevertheless, vegetarianism and veganism are becoming more popular across all segments of society, due to reasons as varied as personal, ethical and religious values, individual preferences and environment-related principles, amongst others. Due to the essentiality of PUFAs, plant sources of n3-PUFAs warrant further consideration. In this review, we have critically appraised the efficacy of plant-derived n3-PUFAs from foodstuffs and supplements upon lipid profile and selected cardiometabolic markers. Walnuts and flaxseed are the most common plant sources of n3-PUFAs, mainly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and feature the strongest scientific rationale for applicability into clinical practice. Furthermore, walnuts and flaxseed are sources of fibre, potassium, magnesium, and non-essential substances, including polyphenols and sterols, which in conjunction are known to ameliorate cardiovascular metabolism. ALA levels in rapeseed and soybean oils are only slight when compared to flaxseed oil. Spirulina and Chlorella, biomasses of cyanobacteria and green algae, are important sources of n3-PUFAs; however, their benefits upon cardiometabolic markers are plausibly driven by their antioxidant potential combined with their n3-PUFA content. In humans, ALA is not sufficiently bioconverted into eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. However, evidence suggests that plant sources of ALA are associated with favourable cardiometabolic status. ALA supplementation, or increased consumption of ALA-rich foodstuffs, combined with reduced omega-6 (n6) PUFAs intake, could improve the n3/n6 ratio and improve cardiometabolic and lipid profile.
Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Suplementos Nutricionais , Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3/administração & dosagem , Metabolismo dos Lipídeos , Fitoterapia , Antioxidantes , Doenças Cardiovasculares/metabolismo , Chlorella/química , Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3/isolamento & purificação , Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3/farmacologia , Linho/química , Análise de Alimentos , Humanos , Juglans/química , Spirulina/química , Ácido alfa-Linolênico/administração & dosagemRESUMO
Walnut kernels contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids that determine a limited shelf life on these nuts. The application of walnut phenolics as antioxidants through a walnut protein-based coating, obtained from walnut oil cake residue, can help to increase the shelf life of walnuts. The objective was to evaluate the preservative effect of walnut polyphenols included in a walnut-proteic edible coating on walnut kernels. Three treatments of walnuts coated with walnut flour were prepared: without the addition of antioxidants (control); with the addition of a walnut phenolic extract; and with the addition of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). On the last storage day, the sample with the addition of walnut phenolics presented a lower peroxide (3.64 meq 02 /kg oil) and anisidine value (1.11), conjugated diene (15.92), and hexanal content (19.67 × 106 e.c.) than the control sample (6.23, 1.81, 24.65, and 122.37 × 106 e.c., respectively). Also, on the last day, the control sample showed the highest deterioration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (from 74.83 to 71.08 g/100g), carotenoid (from 3.43 to 1.90 mg/kg), and γ-tocopherol content (from 349.66 to 298.42 mg/kg). In addition, this sample exhibited the highest oxidized (20.33) and the lowest walnut flavor intensity (64.67) on day 84. Regarding consumer acceptance, the phenolic-added sample displayed a greater flavor acceptance score. Walnut phenolics, implemented through a walnut protein-based coating, improve the preservation of walnuts. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The combination of walnut-phenolic extracts and walnut-based edible coating applied on walnuts by food industries allows to prolong their shelf life, by preserving their nutritional, sensory, and quality properties. Considering the practical feasibility, the procedure used to prepare these products is simple and requires machineries already present in food industries. In addition, the utilization of this coating with walnut-phenolics exerts benefits like, the prevention of allergen cross-contamination in the chain of production, the utilization of an industry's residue, the replacement of synthetic antioxidants and, and the diminishment of the amount and thickness of plastic needed for walnuts' packaging.
Assuntos
Filmes Comestíveis , Juglans/química , Nozes/química , Fenóis/química , Antioxidantes/análise , Hidroxitolueno Butilado/análise , Humanos , Extratos Vegetais/análise , Polifenóis/análise , Paladar , gama-Tocoferol/análiseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and the inflammatory process are involved in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Juglans mollis has been reported as having antioxidant activity, which could attenuate the damage caused by I/R. We evaluated whether a methanolic extract of Juglans mollis (JM) exhibits nephroprotective activity in a Wistar rat model of I/R injury. METHODS: Four groups of six rats were used: Sham, I/R, JM, and JM + I/R. Two groups were dosed with JM (300 mg/kg) for 7 days before I/R. I/R injury was induced by clamping the renal hilums for 45 min and then reperfusing the kidneys for 15 h. Blood samples were taken to evaluate the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). RESULTS: The levels of creatinine, ALT, MDA, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were lower in JM + I/R than in I/R rats, whereas SOD level only was higher in JM + I/R than in Sham rats. No biochemical or histological damage was observed in JM rats compared with Sham rats; however, less histological damage was observed in JM + I/R rats compared with I/R rats. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of nephroprotective activity of J. mollis against damage induced by I/R. This activity may be related to decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α) and modulation of oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) observed in the present study.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/administração & dosagem , Juglans/química , Extratos Vegetais/administração & dosagem , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/tratamento farmacológico , Animais , Creatinina/metabolismo , Humanos , Rim/efeitos dos fármacos , Rim/imunologia , Rim/metabolismo , Masculino , Malondialdeído/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/genética , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/imunologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutase/genética , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismo , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Juglone is a naphthoquinone currently obtained by chemical synthesis with biological activities including antitumor activity. Additionally, juglone is present in the green husk of walnut, which suggests evaluating the effect of GH extracts on carcinogenic cell lines. RESULTS: Walnut green husk ethanolic extract was obtained as 169.1 mg juglone/100 g Green Husk and antioxidant activity (ORAC) of 44,920 µmol Trolox Equivalent/100 g DW Green Husk. At 1 µM juglone in HL-60 cell culture, green husk extract showed an antiproliferative effect, but pure juglone did not; under these conditions, normal fibroblast cells were not affected. A dose-dependent effect on mitochondrial membrane potential loss was observed. Apoptosis of HL-60 was detected at 10 µM juglone. Despite high ORAC values, neither purified juglone nor the extract showed protective effects on HL-60 cells under oxidative conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Green husk extract generates an antiproliferative effect in HL-60 cells, which is related to an induction of the early stages of apoptosis and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The normal cells were not affected when juglone is present at concentrations of 1 µM, while at higher concentrations, there is loss of viability of both cancerous and healthy cells.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Células HL-60/metabolismo , Juglans/química , Polifenóis/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Sobrevivência Celular , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Técnicas de Cultura de Células , Potencial da Membrana MitocondrialRESUMO
Biochemical composition and antioxidant activity were determined in kernel nuts for eleven Moroccan walnut (Juglans regia L.) accessions representing its main cropping area. Total oil, carbohydrates, crude protein, energy value, crude fiber and flavonoid have varied significantly between accessions, respectively within the range values of 54.50-65.48%, 8.17-19.25%, 11.5-25.58%,648.91-713.83 Kcal, 4.17-6.75% and 12.59-62.11mg RE 100g-1DM. Besides, mineral composition (mg 100g-1) of kernel have varied also significantly among accessions and particularly for phosphorus (338.1-675.87), copper (2.08-6.67), zinc (3.39-18.63), iron (1.17-2.64), chromium (0.16-0.20), nickel (1.26-1.45) and boron (0.07-1.49). However, dry matter (96.75-98.56%), moisture (1.44-3.24%), ash (1.67-2.53%), total phenols content (1017-3739 mg GAE 100g-1DM), DPPH radical scavenging activity (75.02-85.96%), potassium (210.10-338.93 mg 100g-1), magnesium (79.15-374.54 mg 100g-1), sodium (1.17-12.63 mg 100g-1) and manganese (0.79-1.67 mg 100g-1) did not show significant variations between accessions. Furthermore, the results showed that Moroccan walnut constitutes an important source of nutrient elements, essentially fat, carbohydrates, protein, phosphorus and zinc, and natural antioxidants, phenolic compounds. Accordingly, consumption of all studied kernels accessions would be beneficial to health. This study showed considerable biochemical variation between the analyzed walnut accessions, which could help to select genotypeswith desired traitsaccording to their chemotypes.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes , Fenômenos Bioquímicos , Juglans/químicaRESUMO
Proteins from Juglans regia L. were isolated. Then, proteins were hydrolyzed with different enzymes. Antiproliferative activity of proteins and of the protein hydrolysates of J. regia L. were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B method. Glutelin and prolamin proteins presented a high antiproliferative activity against cancer cells PC-3 (prostate) and K-562 (leukemia) with values of 43.9 and 84.4 µg/mL, respectively. The highest inhibitory effect observed was 50% at 0.25 µg/mL concentration in gastrointestinal digestion with pepsin and corolase pp in a dose-dependent manner against cancer cell UACC62 (melanoma). Pepsin hydrolysate showed inhibitory effects against cancer cell UACC62 (melanoma) with a concentration of 71.0 µg/mL. The effects were studied in a dose-dependent manner. The hydrolysate obtained with neutrase enzyme presented inhibitory effects against cancer cell UACC62 (melanoma) at a concentration of 25 µg/mL. Neither proteins nor protein hydrolysates presented cytotoxicity against normal cell assay VERO (epithelial).
Assuntos
Inibidores do Crescimento/farmacologia , Juglans/química , Proteínas de Plantas/farmacologia , Antioxidantes , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células , Inibidores do Crescimento/química , Humanos , Hidrólise , Nozes/química , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Hidrolisados de Proteína/química , Hidrolisados de Proteína/farmacologiaRESUMO
This study evaluated the action of Pfaffia paniculata K., Juglans regia L., and Rosmarius officinalis L. extracts against planktonic form and biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) values were determined for each extract by microdilution broth method, according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Next, antimicrobial activity of the extracts on biofilm was analyzed. For this, standardized suspension at 107 UFC/mL of K. pneumoniae was distributed into 96-well microplates (n = 10) and after 48 h at 37°C and biofilm was subjected to treatment for 5 min with the extracts at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. ANOVA and Tukey tests (5%) were used to verify statistical significant reduction (p < 0.05) of planktonic form and biofilm. P paniculata K., R. officinalis L., and J. regia L. showed reductions in biomass of 55.6, 58.1, and 18.65% and cell viability reduction of 72.4, 65.1, and 31.5%, respectively. The reduction obtained with P. paniculata and R. officinalis extracts was similar to the reduction obtained with chlorhexidine digluconate 2%. In conclusion, all extracts have microbicidal action on the planktonic form but only P. paniculata K. and R. officinalis L. were effective against biofilm.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Biofilmes , Klebsiella pneumoniae/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Amaranthaceae/química , Juglans/química , Klebsiella pneumoniae/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Rosmarinus/químicaRESUMO
The probe electrospray ionization (PESI) is an ESI-based ionization technique that generates electrospray from the tip of a solid metal needle. In the present work, we describe the PESI mass spectra obtained by in situ measurement of soybeans and several nuts (peanuts, walnuts, cashew nuts, macadamia nuts and almonds) using different solid needles as sampling probes. It was found that PESI-MS is a valuable approach for in situ lipid analysis of these seeds. The phospholipid and triacylglycerol PESI spectra of different nuts and soybean were compared by principal component analysis (PCA). PCA shows significant differences among the data of each family of seeds. Methanolic extracts of nuts and soybean were exposed to air and sunlight for several days. PESI mass spectra were recorded before and after the treatment. Along the aging of the oil (rancidification), the formation of oxidated species with variable number of hydroperoxide groups could be observed in the PESI spectra. The relative intensity of oxidated triacylglycerols signals increased with days of exposition. Monitoring sensitivity of PESI-MS was high. This method provides a fast, simple and sensitive technique for the analysis (detection and characterization) of lipids in seed tissue and degree of oxidation of the oil samples.