Ethyl carbamate was quantified in cachaça using high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection during the production process and during storage in different types of wooden casks and glass containers, with and without the presence of light. According to the physicochemical analysis, the head and tail fractions are unacceptable for consumption. Ethyl carbamate was detected in sugarcane juice and during fermentation. During distillation, ethyl carbamate levels ranged from the limit of detection to 17.1 μg L−1. Ethyl carbamate increased during storage in wooden casks. The presence (or absence) of light did not affect the formation of ethyl carbamate in cachaça stored in glass containers. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

The possibility of commercialization of Moro blood oranges in tropical countries such as Brazil was evaluated to verify whether post-harvest management through storage at low temperatures for a period of 60 days can improve the bioactive properties and quality parameters. Moro blood oranges cultivated in Brazil did not contain significant amounts of anthocyanins at the time of harvesting, but these compounds were activated by post-harvest management through storage at low temperatures (4˚C and 8˚C) for a period of 60 days. The emergence of the anthocyanins in the juices occurred within a few weeks of storage, but the maximum levels were attained after 60 days and at the temperature of 8˚C. Cold storage positively influenced other bioactive compounds such as total phenolic compounds, individual phenolic compounds, β-carotene and the antioxidant activity determined by the sequestration of DPPH free radicals. It did not influence the vitamin C content. In addition, storage significantly altered the color, total acidity and pH of the fruits, but it did not prevent its commercial use. The remaining quality parameters were not influenced. It is possible to commercialize these oranges in Brazil through post-harvest management.

The present work sought to characterize the cyanogenic glycoside dhurrin in five sugarcane varieties and to determine its possible relationship with the formation of ethyl carbamate in cachaça. For each variety, methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts were prepared and submitted to thin layer chromatography. Chromatographic spots were revealed with iodine vapors. The physical and chemical parameters of the spirits produced from the five different varieties of sugar cane and by different production processes were within the legal limits. Although not exceeding the limit for ethyl carbamate, a significant variation in the final concentration of this compound was observed for each sample analyzed. The R f values for the dhurrin standard and for the sugarcane variety SP 83-2847 were equal, similar to those for SP 80-3280 and CTC 11 and different from the R f values for the RB 86-7515 and IAC 86-2480 samples.

BACKGROUNDNutritional intervention with the use of phytochemicals is an important method for the treatment and prevention of a metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to chemically characterize Moro orange juice. The influence of juice intake on metabolic parameters of rats that were obese, diabetic or both by means of body mass management after the activation of anthocyanins during refrigerated storage was also assessed.RESULTSJuice intake reversed most of the metabolic abnormalities exhibited by obese rats, including reduction of body mass and improvement of the biochemical profile. The loss of body mass by diabetic animals and obese and diabetic animals was not attributed to juice intake, but to type I diabetes mellitus. In these animals, no improvement was observed in the biochemical profile, liver enzymes and glycemia, so this treatment model was deemed unfeasible.CONCLUSIONThe beneficial effects cannot be explained only by the anthocyanin C3G present in the juice, but rather, by the synergism between all the components. Studies in humans are needed to determine whether the ingestion of this orange can be recommended as an effective strategy to prevent or ameliorate complications of obesity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

In addition to pesticidal activity, the capacity of natural compounds to inhibit the reproduction of parasites emerge as an important alternative tick control method. In this context, Satureja spp. stand out due to their recognized pesticidal properties. Among parasites of veterinary importance, the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is responsible for great economic losses in livestock and transmission of relevant pathogens. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of the essential oil of Satureja montana L. on the ovary morphology of R. microplus engorged females through histological and histochemical techniques. The most remarkable morphological changes found were: cytoplasmic vacuolation of germ cells, irregular and thicker chorion, irregular oocyte shape, ring‐shaped nucleolus, decrease in protein and carbohydrate content in oocytes, in addition to cellular changes in the oviduct and pedicel. All morphological changes were assessed using a semiquantitative method already established in the literature. Ticks exposed to 5.0 μl/ml of essential oil showed the most significant changes when compared to control groups. Thus, the essential oil of S. montana L. damaged the reproductive system of R. microplus, which may impair ticks' offspring production and promote a long‐term control of this species. Highlights The essential oil of Satureja montana L. affects the ovary morphology of the cattle tick. The main morphological alterations found were cytoplasmic vacuolation, irregular and thicker chorion and irregular oocyte shape. These alterations may impair the development of eggs.

Essential oils can be a useful alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides because they have biological potential and are relatively safe for food and agricultural products. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities of the essential oils from Satureja montana L., Myristica fragrans H. and Cymbopogon flexuosus S. against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus ochraceus, as well as their effects on ergosterol synthesis and membrane morphology. The antifungal potential was evaluated by mycelial growth analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Fungicidal effects against A. flavus, with MFC of 0.98, 15.62 and 0.98 µL/mL, respectively, were observed for the essential oils from S. montana, M. fragrans and C. flexuosus. Aspergillus ochraceus did not grow in the presence of concentrations of 3.91, 15.62 and 0.98 µL/mL of the essential oils from S. montana, M. fragrans and C. flexuosus, respectively. The essential oils significantly inhibited the production of ochratoxin A by the fungus A. ochraceus. The essential oils also inhibited the production of aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin B2. The biosynthesis of ergosterol was inhibited by the applied treatments. Biological activity in the fungal cell membrane was observed in the presence of essential oils, given that deleterious effects on the morphologies of the fungi were detected. The essential oils under study are promising as food preservatives because they significantly inhibit toxigenic fungi that contaminate food. In addition, the essential oils hindered the biosynthesis of mycotoxins.

No abstract

The effective control of an insect pest such as Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) has been challenging because its attack on red fruits can cause losses in production of up to 80% worldwide. The objective of this work was to extract and characterise the essential oil from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), produce and characterise nanoparticles incorporated with this essential oil, evaluate the in vivo insecticide activity of free and nanoencapsulated essential oil against D. suzukii, and evaluate the effect of that oil on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. The nanoparticles produced with the essential oil from rosemary had a particle size and surface charge of 236.6 nm and À11.8 mV, respectively. According to the FTIR data, the essential oil was incorporated into the polymeric matrix of poly(ε-caprolactone). Through in vivo toxicity analysis, the free and nanoencapsulated essential oils were found to possess insecticidal activity, with an LD 50 close to 9.1 g/L. The maximum anticholinesterase activity for the essential oil was 75% at a concentration of 0.10 mg/mL. The incorporation of the essential oil from R. officinalis into biodegradable nanoparticles of poly(ε-caprolactone) potentiated and prolonged its in vivo insecticidal activity against D. suzukii.