https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/item/131823 Artigo em periódico indexado (CNAT) Fri, 08 May 2026 14:00:02 GMT 2026-05-08T14:00:02Z https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1186595 Título: Exploring anatomical and chemical markers to characterize and differentiate among Bidens species. Autoria: SABEDOTTI, C.; SILVEIRA, I. DA; MIGACZ, I. P.; CRUZ, L. S.; VENTURA, A. C. T.; FARAGO, P. V.; MONDIN, C. A.; RAMAN, V.; BRITO, E. S. de; RIBEIRO, P. R. V.; BELTRAME, F. L.; MANFRON, J. Conteúdo: Bidens pilosa L., Bidens alba (L.) DC., and Bidens subalternans DC., Asteraceae, are often misidentified because of their morphological similarities. The present study provides a comparative analysis of the morpho-anatomical characteristics, histochemical, and chemical fingerprints obtained by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for these three species. Light microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize diagnostic structures. Histochemical assays and LC-MS were applied to obtain chemical information from leaf, stem, and root extracts, and multivariate chemometrics including principal component analysis were used to classify the datasets. The morpho-anatomical and histochemical analysis allowed the identification and differentiation of the three species; also, the LC-MS analysis revealed that the main compounds in Bidens extracts are phenolics, and using chemometrics methods was possible to discriminate by species and plant parts. Together, these complementary approaches provide a robust basis for distinguishing closely related Bidens species and support more reliable pharmacognostic identification. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1186595 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1185733 Título: Effects of avocado (Persea americana) fruit and byproducts on molecular pathways related to oxi-inflammation: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Autoria: FORTINI, T. V. L.; RIBEIRO, M. G. C.; CÂNDIDO, F. G.; ROCHA, D. M. U. P.; HERMSDORFF, H. H. M. Conteúdo: Context Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis (OA), and cardiovascular conditions, while avocado (Persea americana) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, which supports its nutritional and nutraceutical prescription. Objective In this review we sought to investigate the effects of acute and chronic consumption of avocado and its byproducts on molecular pathways related to oxi-inflammation in adults. Data Sources In this systematic review, we searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from May 2024 through April 2025. Data Extraction To identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs), we used Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Study design (PICOS) criteria and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for result presentation. The risk of bias analysis was performed using the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) tool. Additionally, a nutrigenomic theoretical model was developed and validated by experts to integrate clinical findings with mechanistic evidence on transcriptional pathways related to oxi-inflammation. Data Analysis Among 982 studies identified, 14 RCTs (n = 2438) of moderate to high quality were included in this review, with 10 studies evaluating avocado pulp, 3 evaluating avocado and soy unsaponifiable (ASU), and 1 study evaluating the effect of avocado pulp and powder skin. The byproducts included fresh pulp, pulp combined with meals, freeze-dried pulp flour, and fatty acids extracted from pulp (ASU). From the 4 postprandial studies (n = 67), with doses ranging from 68  to 489 g of avocado pulp, 3 had reduction in inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), nuclear factor–κB (NF-κB), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as an increased total antioxidant capacity. In the 10 chronic studies (n = 2371), with a mean duration of 18.4 ± 5.6 weeks, doses of 300 mg/d of ASU or avocado in various quantities and types, concentrations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), TNF-α, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were reduced, while antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) increased in individuals with overweight, obesity, or osteoarthritis compared to the placebo control group. Among the studies, only 1 chronic study investigated gene expression of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, highlighting a research gap in this area. Although this review was conceptually grounded in a nutrigenomics perspective, we acknowledge the limited number of RCTs directly assessing gene expression or transcriptomic outcomes. The validated model highlighted potential modulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2-) dependent antioxidant pathways and inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signaling by bioactive compounds from avocado and its byproducts. Conclusion Despite the limited data on gene expression, the results suggest that both acute and chronic avocado consumption may beneficially modulate oxi-inflammation, especially in pro-inflammatory conditions. The theoretical model reinforces the biological plausibility of the clinical findings and provides a mechanistic framework for understanding how avocado components may influence oxi-inflammatory responses. Further studies are necessary to evaluate these effects using a molecular approach. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1185733 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1184483 Título: Unveiling the bioactive potential of cashew nut testa shell (Anacardium occidentale L.): a despised by-product. Autoria: SILVA, J. DA; BRITO, E. S. de; FERREIRA, S. R. S. Conteúdo: Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) processing generates several by-products that are mostly not managed sustainably and can have environmental and economic impacts. Among these by-products, cashew nut testa shell (CNTS) stands out as an underutilized material despite being a rich source of primary and secondary metabolites. To recover the compounds with bioactive potential present in CNTS, efficient extraction methods aligned with the principles of sustainability are essential. This review explores the paradigm shift towards emerging extraction techniques, aiming to add value to CNTS. Evidence from recent studies highlights that CNTS is particularly rich in polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and lipid compounds, which exhibit strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Alternative methods such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), subcritical water extraction (SWE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) have demonstrated high selectivity and efficiency compared to traditional methods. Nonetheless, the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory approvals for food and pharmaceutical uses remain a challenge for the alternative methods. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on CNTS valorization, highlights the potential of green extraction technologies, and points out the main gaps for industrial applications. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1184483 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1184481 Título: Cooperative stabilization of pickering emulsions by starch and chitin nanoparticles: roles of ball-milling, gelatinization, adsorption, and viscosity behavior. Autoria: BARROS, M. DE O.; PICONE, C. S. F.; LU, Y.; BRITO, E. S. de; ROJAS, O. J. Conteúdo: We demonstrate enhanced Pickering emulsion stabilization by modified starch nanoparticles (SNP) through their combination with chitin nanocrystals (ChNC). The effect of the biopolymer’s ratio on the emulsion stabilization mechanisms was elucidated based on their role at the interface and bulk phases. The stabilization achieved with a 1:1 (SNP:ChNC) ratio surpasses that of other ratios studied, exhibiting a synergistic effect compared with neat SNP and the 10:1 and 5:1 systems. Emulsion stability was further improved by applying thermal pretreatment to the aqueous phase before homogenization. The heat-treated 1:1 emulsion maintained a consistent droplet size (∼3.4 μm) over four months, even after slow creaming. This stability is attributed to SNP adsorption at the oil–water interface, providing a mechanical barrier to droplet’s coalescence, while ChNC is also present in the oil–water interface and forms a colloidal network in the continuous phase, hindering droplet’s mobility and preventing Ostwald ripening. These findings expand the application of chitin as an emulsifier and address the rising demand for healthier and sustainable emulsified formulations with reduced costs. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1184481 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z