The present study investigates the impact of traditional and novel cooking techniques on the nutritional and bioactive profile of Brassica oleracea, commonly known as kale. As a member of the Brassica family, kale is well known for its high nutritional value and possible health benefits. However, it is crucial to remember that the cooking techniques can significantly impact the nutritional profile of kale. Various cooking methods were applied to kale samples through controlled experiments. Traditional techniques like boiling and steaming were compared with innovative approaches such as microwave cooking and vacuum cooking. Soluble solids, which include sugars and other compounds, were used as indicators of nutritional change. Additionally, the levels of vital bioactive components, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, were analyzed to assess the overall impact of cooking methods. Preliminary findings suggest that the choice of cooking method plays a pivotal role in determining the extent of nutritional and bioactive alterations in kale. Traditional methods, such as boiling, exhibited substantial losses of soluble solids and certain heat-sensitive nutrients. In contrast, novel methods like vacuum cooking displayed better preservation of soluble solids and bioactive compounds. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between cooking techniques and the nutritional integrity of kale. By exploring various methods, this review paper contributes to understanding how culinary practices can be optimized to enhance the retention of vital nutrients and beneficial bioactive components in kale. These findings hold practical implications for individuals seeking to maximize the health benefits of kale consumption while enjoying its culinary versatility.

Several medicinal plants have drawn the attention of researchers by its phytochemical composition regarding their potential for treating chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. In this context, plants of the Myrtaceae family popularly used in Brazil for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, including Eugenia sonderiana, have shown beneficial effects due to the presence of phenolic compounds and saponins in their chemical constitution. Thus, the present work aimed to perform the phytochemical characterization of the hydroethanolic extract of E. sonderiana leaves using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), along with in vitro and in vivo studies of antidiabetic activity. The chemical characterization revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, neolignans, tannins, and saponins. In addition, the extract exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations of alpha-amylase and alpha-glycosidase higher than the acarbose in the in vitro tests. Also, the in vivo tests revealed a slight increase in body mass in diabetic rats, as well as a significant decrease in water and feed consumption provided by the extract. Regarding serum biochemical parameters, the extract showed significant activity in decreasing the levels of glucose, hepatic enzymes, and triglycerides, in addition to maintaining HDL cholesterol levels within normal ranges, protecting the cell membranes against oxidative damage. Thus, the extract of E. sonderiana leaves was considered promising pharmaceutical ingredient in the production of a phytotherapy medication.

Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (Sansão-do-Campo) is a native species of the caatinga in northeastern Brazil that has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activity. It is popularly consumed as a medicinal plant and its pharmacological benefits are evidenced in the literature. The present work was carried out to promote the chemical profile and evaluate the pharmacological activity of the dry extract and the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the dry leaves of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia. The leaves were collected in the municipality of Alfenas-MG and subjected to drying, followed by division in a knife mill. The preparation of the dry extract was carried out by the extraction method using simple percolation and the fraction was obtained by liquid-liquid partition. Part of the extractive solution was concentrated in a rotary evaporator followed by a drying process using the spray technique with the addition of colloidal silicon dioxide. The dry extract (33.33%) showed a higher yield in mass when compared to the yield of the ethyl acetate fraction (19.67%). The in vivo pharmacological evaluation was conducted with a total of 82 male Wistar rats that underwent cecal ligation and perforation surgery to induce the inflammatory process. One week after surgery, these animals were treated for 7 days with the dry extract and the ethyl acetate fraction and submitted to behavioral tests (open field and forced swimming). The chemical results were obtained through analysis by HPLC-PDA coupled to a mass spectrometer, enabling the verification of the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, aglycones, and glycosides, in addition to tannins. This corroborates with data present in the literature for the genus Mimosa sp. Some compounds had their structure determined, where they were identified as catechin (m/z 288.97), cassiaocidentalin A (m/z 560.75), and procyanidin B2 [(epi)catechin-(epi)catechin; m/z 576.83)]. It was found that the animals that were submitted to the treatment did not present statistically significant results, demonstrating that the pharmacological action evaluated in the test was not highlighted in this type of experiment. The groups that underwent treatment had an aggravated locomotor activity. The results found with the chemical study contributed to the knowledge of the plant species studied. On the other hand, further studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the pharmacological evaluation of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia.

During the Covid-19 pandemic period, the indiscriminate use of macrolide-class antibiotics was frequent among the Brazilian population due to the lack of knowledge and information with a scientific basis. Thus, the class of drugs that includes azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin, which alter metabolic reactions in the body and act on the immune system, was widely used without medical prescription. Samples of bacterial strains from hospital environments were obtained during the most extensive spread of Covid-19 and studied in the present article, emphasizing the investigation for macrolide resistance genes (erm and msr) bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus isolated from urinary tract infections. In addition, the physiological, genetic, immunological, and socio-epidemiological aspects were highlighted with a focus on the One Health approach and implications on the gut-brain axis in this integrative research, revealing that the inappropriate use of antibiotics directly affects entire communities, representing a significant concern for public and environmental health.

The brain-gut axis evidences the interactions between the gastrointestinal system and the brain in a general context. This physiological system is a mutual balance connection between two individual organs of the body in response to internal and external changes. It is extremely important to appreciate the current concepts that involve this system to understand brain-gut interaction, as well as to highlight the insertion of the axis today, using clinical conditions, neuropsychiatric disorders, intestinal microbiota, immunomodulators, and scientific evidence to verify and highlight axis activity in the human body. In this sense, there is a consistent background in literature supporting the physiological development and shaping of the gut in brain disorders by a constant interplay mediated by the several products originating from the microbiota.

Growing medical, engineering, biochemical, and biological interest has led to a steady pace of research and development into polymeric monolithic structures with densely interconnected pores for purifying bio compounds. Cryogels, which are generated by freezing a reactive polymerization mixture, are highlighted due to their versatility and low relative cost as macroporous, polymeric, monolithic adsorbents. The conversion of cryogels into affinity adsorbents is one possible alternative to their optimal application. Some of the most often utilized supports for immobilizing particular ligands are monolithic columns manufactured with epoxy radicals on their surfaces. The purification of biomolecules with a high degree of specificity, such as lectins and glycoproteins with an affinity for glycosylated groups, has garnered interest in the use of fixed non-traditional beds functionalized with ligands of particular interest. The interaction is both robust enough to permit the adsorption of glycoproteins and reversible enough to permit the dissociation of molecules in response to changes in the solution’s pH. When compared to other protein A-based approaches, this one has been shown to be more advantageous than its counterparts in terms of specificity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Information on polymeric, macroporous, monolithic adsorbents used in the affinity chromatographic purification of lectins has been published and explored.