Capsaicin, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds from cumari-do-Pará peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) harvested from two different locations in Pará, Brazil, and at different ripening stages were extracted by employing green methodologies as an alternative to organic solvents. Edible vegetable oils from soybeans (Glycine max), Brazilian nuts (Bertholettia excelsa H.B.), and palm olein were used in combination with ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). The proximate composition of the pepper extracts and vitamin C were determined through AOAC methods, total phenolics and carotenoids were assessed by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, and capsaicin by high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant cumari-do-Pará extract activities were evaluated by the ABTS radical scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. The vegetable oils were suitable for extracting and preserving bioactive pepper compounds, especially mature ones harvested from Igarapé-Açu. Bioactive compound content and antioxidant activity varied with harvesting location and ripening stage. Soybean oil was the most effective in extracting bioactive pepper compounds, particularly carotenoids, with 69% recovery. Soybean oil extracts enriched in capsaicin, carotenoids, and phenolics obtained from cumari-do-Pará can be used as spices in foodstuffs and/or as additives in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations. Edible vegetable oils combined with UAE are promising for bioactive compound extraction, representing an environmentally friendly, safe, low-cost, versatile, and fast alternative.

Background/Objectives: Tarin exhibits immunomodulatory and antiproliferative properties against several tumor cell lines. Nano-encapsulation in liposomes enhances its therapeutic potential by improving protein stability, bioavailability, and sustained release. Previous studies demonstrated that nano-encapsulated tarin induces cell cycle arrest, migration inhibition, apoptosis, and autophagy in triple-negative breast cancer cells; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. To investigate the proteomic response elicited by nano-encapsulated tarin, MDA-MB-231 cells were treated for 24 and 48 h. Methods: Intracellular proteins were extracted, digested with trypsin, and analyzed by label-free LC-2D-MS/MS using HDMSE acquisition. Differentially expressed proteins were identified and quantified using the Progenesis QI platform, and then functional classification and pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Results: A total of 2818 proteins were identified, of which 2150 displayed time-dependent modulation following treatment. After 24 h, cells exhibited an adaptive stress response profile characterized by increased DNA repair proteins (CHEK1, CDK12), migration/remodeling factors (LAMA4, CTTN, A2M), and immune/cell cycle regulators (PER2, HLA-B), while antioxidant proteins (SOD1, GPX1) and BRCA1 were reduced, indicating oxidative stress and DNA damage. After 48 h, the proteomic profile shifted toward cell death, with increased PARK7, OPA1, ATL3, and CASP8 expression, disruption of DNA repair and cell cycle regulators (CHEK1, CDK12, MSH6, KIF2C), and decreased migration-related proteins (LAMA4, CTTN, ITGB3, A2M). Conclusions: Nano-encapsulated tarin promotes a time-dependent transition from early adaptive stress responses to apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle disruption, and loss of migratory capacity. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tarin antitumoral activity and support its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy against triple-negative breast cancer.

Os sorvetes são basicamente produtos elaborados com leite e ou derivados lácteos e ou outras matérias-primas alimentares e nos quais os teores de gordura e ou proteína são total ou parcialmente de origem não láctea, podendo ser adicionados de outros ingredientes alimentares. O leite utilizado no preparo desse alimento pode ser fonte de contaminação cruzada para os produtos lácteos processados. O controle microbiológico de sorvetes é de extrema importância e por não sofrer qualquer processo de cocção ou esterilização após seu preparo final, como acontece com outros alimentos, pode se tornar num veículo de disseminação de microorganismos patogênicos, e, por conseguinte, toxinfecções. Com isso, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de sorvetes produzidos e comercializados em estabelecimentos situados no município de Zé Doca, MA. Para tanto, foram coletadas 25 amostras de sorvetes, as mesmas foram adquiridas em cinco estabelecimentos do município supracitado. Em cada amostra adquirida foi realizada analise do número mais provável de coliformes a 45 ºC, contagem de fungos e quantificação de Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus, todas as amostras foram realizadas em duplicata. Os resultados obtidos de forma relevante na pesquisa foram expressos em tabela informativa com o valor logaritmo mediano de cada amostra. Com valoração acima do permitido pela legislação vigente concluiu-se que tal alimento caracteriza um risco potencial à saúde do consumidor.

Capsaicin, vitamin C, carotenoids and phenolic compounds from cumari-do-Pará peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) harvested from two different locations from Pará, Brazil, and at different ripening stages were extracted employing ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Edible vegetable oils from soybean (Glycine max), Brazilian nuts (Bertholettia excelsa H.B.), and palm olein were used as the extraction solvent, as an alternative to organic solvents combined with UAE. The proximate composition of the pepper extracts and vitamin C were determined through AOAC methods, while total phenolic compounds and carotenoids were assessed by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, and capsaicin, by high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activities of cumari-do-Pará extracts were evaluated by the ABTS radical scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid system assays. Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity varied with harvesting location and pepper ripening stage. Soybean oil was the most effective in extracting hydrophobic molecules particularly linoleic acid, corresponding to about 60% of the total fatty acid. Carotenoids were extracted whith highest yields by all oil extracts . Oily cumari-do-Pará extracts can be used as spices in foodstuffs and as additives in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Edible vegetable oils combined with UAE are, thus, efficient for bioactive compound extraction, also comprising an environmentally friendly, safe, low-cost, and fast alternative.

A mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) é um fruto característico da região Nordeste do Brasil e apresenta excelentes atributos sensoriais e nutritivos, sendo também utilizado na industrialização, sob a forma de doces, geleias, compotas, vinho, vinagre, suco e sorvete. Esta pesquisa objetiva otimizar o processo de desidratação osmótica (DO) da mangaba ao analisar a influência de diferentes concentrações de solução osmótica (C) em diferentes períodos de imersão (T) do fruto, sobre as respostas perda de água (PA) e ganho de sólidos (GS), a fim de estabelecer condições ótimas para a melhor conservação do fruto. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, os frutos foram adquiridos no estádio de maturação maduro de um fornecedor local da região de Salvaterra (Pará) e transportados para o Laboratório de Tecnologia de Alimentos (UEPA – Campus Salvaterra), onde se iniciaram os procedimentos de desidratação osmótica. A relação amostra/solução foi de 1 g do fruto para cada 5 mL da solução osmótica, sendo a umidade determinada antes e após o processo. Para avaliar os efeitos das variáveis independentes (C e T), foi utilizado um delineamento composto central rotacional (DCCR) do tipo 22, totalizando 11 ensaios experimentais. As análises estatísticas dos coeficientes de regressão e a análise de variância (ANOVA) foram utilizados para avaliar o grau de ajuste dos modelos propostos aos dados experimentais. As superfícies de respostas apontaram que maiores concentrações de solução osmótica (C) e maiores tempos de imersão (T) favoreceram as maiores PA e GS no fruto. Os resultados obtidos para a otimização simultânea das respostas definiu como condições ótimas para o processo: C = 56 % e T = 55,18 min, visando a maximização da PA e minimização do GS.

Reliable quantitative proteomic profiling is essential for understanding drug-induced molecular responses in cancer cells. Efficient extraction and digestion of proteins, especially membrane-associated proteins, remain major analytical challenges. Herein, we validated a surfactant-assisted protein extraction and digestion workflow for comprehensive proteome profiling of MDA-MB-231 cell, to establish a baseline reference for drug-response studies at different time points (0, 24, and 48 h). Total proteins were extracted using acid-labile surfactant - RapiGest™ SF - and trypsinized, followed by two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to high-definition data-independent mass spectrometry (2D-LC-HDMSE). Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD076864. Label-free quantitative analysis identified 2,818 proteins, achieving performance comparable or superior to urea-based and filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) protocols under similar chromatographic conditions. The employed workflow was able to discriminate distinct cellular stages associated with culture establishment and progression over 48h. This temporal proteomic profiling enabled the mapping of protein expression modulated during adhesion, cytoskeletal reorganization, metabolic adaptation, and high-density growth. Data indicate that at high-density culture, intrinsic pathways for immunogenicity are downregulated, a typical evading mechanism of tumor masses and metastatic niches. This study provides a high-depth, reproducible, and MS-compatible strategy to characterize MDA-MB-231 baseline proteome, which may be a reference for drug-response studies.