-The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of different levels of cottonseed (0, 14.35, 27.51 and 34.09 kg/100 kg) in the diet of Nellore steers on the meat characteristics. Thirty-six steers (average initial body weight of 333.50 and average age of 20 months) were kept in feedlot stalls for 94 days, each stall with three animals. The experiment was a completely randomized design with four treatments and nine replications. The values of protein, fixed mineral residue, shear force, lipid oxidation, meat color and fat color were similar among the treatments. The increase of the cottonseed levels in the diet reduced the amount of intramuscular fat and increased the moisture content in the meat linearly. Meat aroma and flavor were negatively influenced when cottonseed addition was greater than 27.51 and 34.09 kg/100 kg of the diet, respectively. Cottonseed diet did not modify the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid, saturated fatty acids or total unsaturated fatty acids, but linearly reduced the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids in the meat.

A B S T R A C T ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and establish the profile of the consumption of dietary supplements among Brazilian athletes. MethodsA total of 182 athletes of both genders from 20 different sports participated in this study. The athletes answered a questionnaire containing sociodemographic and sports-related questions and were interviewed about the consumption of dietary supplements. ResultsForty seven percent of athletes reported having consumed at least one type of dietary supplement and 38% said they use more than three different types of supplements concurrently. Whey protein was the most commonly

Development of nanosuspensions offers a promising tool for formulations involving poorly water-soluble drugs. In this study, methotrexate (MTX) nanosuspensions were prepared using a bottom-up process based on acid-base neutralization reactions. Computational studies were performed to determine structural and electronic properties for isolated molecules and molecular clusters in order to evaluate the mechanism of MTX nanoparticle formation. Computational results indicated that the clusters in zwitterionic and cationic states presented larger dimensions and higher energies of interaction between MTX molecules, which favored aggregation. In contrast, the clusters in the anionic state exhibited lower energies of interaction, indicating aggregation was less likely to occur. Experimental results indicated that the higher the HCl proportion during drug precipitation, the greater the particle size, resulting in micrometric particles (2874-7308nm) (cationic and zwitterionic forms). However, MTX nanoparticles ranging in size from 132 to 186nm were formed using the lowest HCl proportion during drug precipitation (anionic form). In vitro release profiles indicated that the drug release rate from nanosuspension was increased (approximately 2.6 times) over that of the raw material. Overall, computational modeling and experimental analysis were complementary and assisted in the rational design of the nanosuspension based on acid-base reactions.

-Buriti is a fruit with potential for economic exploitation due to its nutritional components; however, there are few studies about their post-harvest characteristics. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics and analyze the antioxidant activity of Buriti pulp. Fruits were harvested at full maturity stage, sanitized, pulped and stored under refrigeration until freezing. Then, pulp was submitted to the following analyses: moisture, protein, total carbohydrates and reducing carbohydrates, ashes, lipids, crude fiber, water activity, titratable acidity (TA), pH, color, β-carotene, α-carotene, antioxidant activity and total energy value (TEV). Analyses were performed in triplicate, and the mean, standard deviation and variation coefficient were determined. Fruit pulp presented 0.98 of water activity, TA of 8.82g/100 g of citric acid, pH 3.78, 59.69% of moisture, 20.92% of fat, 8.56 % of crude fiber, 1.04% of ash, 7.28% of total carbohydrates, 4.50% of reducing carbohydrates, 9098µg/100g of β carotene and 10086µg/100g of α-carotene. TEV found was 228.28 kcal/100g, the color analysis showed that the pulp has an average light tint value of L * = 59.69, with high hue H * = 68.36 and vivid color with C *= 62.03. Regarding the antioxidant activity, it was observed that Buriti is a fruit that can be used to combat oxidation, as it reduced by 82.42% the amount DPPH reagent used. Index Terms: DPPH reduction; calorific value; proximate composition. ATIVIDADE ANTIOXIDANTE E CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICO

Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K stem bark (Fabaceae), locally known as "sucupira-preta", is a reputed folk-remedy to treat some inflammatory disorders. To validate its traditional claim, the ethanolic extract from B. virgilioides was evaluated in several animal models of inflammation and nociception. The extract at oral doses of 100 to 1000 mg/kg body weight caused a significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema, suppression of exudate volume and leukocyte immigration in rat pleurisy induced by carrageenan, and reduction of granuloma weights in the model of subcutaneous granulomas promoted by cotton pellets. In addition, the plant extract significantly inhibited the vascular permeability increase induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid. It also showed marked antinociceptive effect in acetic acid-induced writhing test and in the second phase of formalin test in mice. These findings evidence the anti-inflammatory potential of Bowdichia virgilioides bark and supports its traditional use in inflammatory conditions.