Utilization of Agro-Industrial Residues in the Rearing and Nutritional Enrichment of Zophobas atratus Larvae: New Food Raw Materials

Edible insects are a potential alternative food source of high feed conversion efficiency and protein content. Zophobas atratus is an edible insect that adapts to different diets, enabling sustainable rearing by adding value to by-products and agro-industrial residues. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and nutritional characterization of Zophobas atratus larvae fed with different proportions of grape residue. Physicochemical analysis of the diets and larvae (AOAC procedures), fatty acid profile (chromatographic techniques), metals and non-metals (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry), larval mass gain, feed conversion efficiency, and mortality rate were assessed. The replacement of 25% of the conventional diet with grape residue increased lipid, ash, and fiber contents and reduced protein, carbohydrates, and energy. It promoted greater mass gain, lower mortality rate, and reduced larval growth time by 51%. Among the replacements, 25% resulted in the second-highest content of calcium, sodium, magnesium, and zinc, and the lowest content of potassium and phosphorus in the larvae. The 100% replacement resulted in the highest amounts of C18:2n6 (27.8%), C18:3n3 (2.2%), and PUFA (30.0%). Replacing 25% of the conventional diet with grape residue is equivalent to the conventional diet in many aspects and improves several larvae performance indices and nutritional values.     

Microscopical Evaluation of the Effects of High-Pressure Processing on Milk Casein Micelles

The effect of different high-pressure processing (HPP) treatments on casein micelles was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a particle size distribution analysis. Raw whole and skim milk samples were subjected to HPP treatments at 400, 500 and 600 MPa for Come-Up Times (CUT) up to 15 min at ambient temperature. Three different phenomena were observed in the casein micelles: fragmentation, alterations to shape and agglomeration. The particle size distribution analysis determined that, as pressure and time treatment increased, the three phenomena intensified. First, the size of the casein micelles began to decrease as their fragmentation occurred. Subsequently, the casein micelles lost roundness, and their shape deformed. Finally, in the most intense treatments (higher pressures and/or longer times), the micelles fragments began to agglomerate, which resulted in an increase in their average diameter. Homogenization and defatting had no significant effect on the casein micelles; however, the presence of fat in whole milk samples was bioprotective, as the effects of the three phenomena appeared faster in treated skim milk samples. Through this study, it was concluded that the size and structure of casein micelles are greatly altered during high-pressure treatment. These results provide information that broadens the understanding of the changes induced on casein micelles by high-pressure treatments at room temperature.     

Aminoquinolones and Their Benzoquinone Dimer Hybrids as Modulators of Prion Protein Conversion

Prion Diseases or Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies are neurodegenerative conditions associated with a long incubation period and progressive clinical evolution, leading to death. Their pathogenesis is characterized by conformational changes of the cellular prion protein—PrP^C—in its infectious isoform—PrP^Sc—which can form polymeric aggregates that precipitate in brain tissues. Currently, there are no effective treatments for these diseases. The 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzoquinone structure is associated with an anti-prion profile and, considering the biodynamic properties associated with 4-quinolones, in this work, 6-amino-4-quinolones derivatives and their respective benzoquinone dimeric hybrids were synthesized and had their bioactive profile evaluated through their ability to prevent prion conversion. Two hybrids, namely, 2,5-dichloro-3,6-bis((3-carboxy-1-pentyl-4-quinolone-6-yl)amino)-1,4-benzoquinone (8e) and 2,5-dichloro-3,6-bis((1-benzyl-3-carboxy-4-quinolone-6-yl)amino)-1,4-benzoquinone (8f), stood out for their prion conversion inhibition ability, affecting the fibrillation process in both the kinetics—with a shortening of the lag phase—and thermodynamics and their ability to inhibit the formation of protein aggregates without significant cytotoxicity at ten micromolar.     

Bauhinia forficata Link Infusions: Chemical and Bioactivity of Volatile and Non-Volatile Fractions

This study aimed to evaluate Bauhinia forficata infusions prepared using samples available in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As such, infusions at 5% (w/v) of different brands and batches commercialized in the city (CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS4) and samples of plant material botanically identified (BS) were evaluated to determine their total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC), antioxidant capacity (ABTS^•+, DPPH^•, and FRAP assays), phytochemical profile, volatile compounds, and inhibitory effects against the α-amylase enzyme. The results showed that infusions prepared using BS samples had lower TPC, TFC and antioxidant potential than the commercial samples (p < 0.05). The batch averages presented high standard deviations mainly for the commercial samples, corroborating sample heterogeneity. Sample volatile fractions were mainly composed of terpenes (40 compounds identified). In the non-volatile fraction, 20 compounds were identified, with emphasis on the CS3 sample, which comprised most of the compounds, mainly flavonoid derivatives. PCA analysis demonstrated more chemical diversity in non-volatile than volatile compounds. The samples also inhibited the α-amylase enzyme (IC₅₀ value: 0.235–0.801 mg RE/mL). Despite the differences observed in this work, B. forficata is recognized as a source of bioactive compounds that can increase the intake of antioxidant compounds by the population.     

Reduction of Weed Growth under the Influence of Extracts and Metabolites Isolated from Miconia spp.

Weeds pose a problem, infesting areas and imposing competition and harvesting difficulties in agricultural systems. Studies that provide the use of alternative methods for weed control, in order to minimize negative impacts on the environment, have intensified. Native flora represents a source of unexplored metabolites with multiple applications, such as bioherbicides. Therefore, we aimed to carry out a preliminary phytochemical analysis of crude extracts and fractions of Miconia auricoma and M. ligustroides and to evaluate these and the isolated metabolites phytotoxicity on the growth of the target species. The growth bioassays were conducted with Petri dishes with lettuce, morning glory, and sourgrass seeds incubated in germination chambers. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, isolated myricetin, and a mixture of quercetin and myricetin. The results showed that seedling growth was affected in a dose-dependent manner, with the root most affected and the seedlings of the lettuce, morning glory, and sourgrass as the most sensitive species, respectively. Chloroform fractions and myricetin were the most inhibitory bioassays evaluated. The seedlings showed structural changes, such as yellowing, nonexpanded cotyledons, and less branched roots. These results indicate the phytotoxic potential of Miconia allelochemicals, since there was the appearance of abnormal seedlings and growth reduction.     

Upcycling Rocha do Oeste Pear Pomace as a Sustainable Food Ingredient: Composition,Rheological Behavior and Microstructure Alone and Combined with Yeast Protein Extract

This work explores the potential of Rocha do Oeste pear pomace to be used as a sustainable and healthy food ingredient. Moreover, the enrichment with yeast protein extract (YPE) may be useful to design innovative food products. The main goals of this study were to assess pear pomace concerning: (i) chemical composition and antioxidant capacity; (ii) rheology, texture, and microstructure characterization (alone or enriched with YPE), before and after heating. The results showed that pear pomace was a rich source of dietary fibers (74.5% DW), with phenolic compounds (3.9 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents/g dry weight), also presenting antiradical activity (3.90 μmol Trolox equivalents/g DW). Pear pomace showed a shear thinning behavior and a typical soft-gel behavior, which was not affected by YPE enrichment, thus suggesting that YPE did not affect pear pomace technological properties. Thermal treatment also did not alter pear pomace rheological properties. YPE addition induced a decrease in the apparent viscosity and a destabilizing effect, compared to the samples that were subjected to thermal processing. These results highlight the importance of pear pomace and the use of YPE for protein enrichment, opening new opportunities for their exploitation.     

Evaluation of Genotoxicity and Toxicity of Annona muricata L. Seeds and In Silico Studies

Cancer is a multifactorial organic dysfunction for which great efforts are being devoted in searching for new treatments and therapeutic adjuvants. Annona muricata is a fruit that has promising activity against several types of cancer, as it contains acetogenins, the metabolite group associated with this action. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate, in experimental models, the toxic behavior of an extract and fraction rich in acetogenins from A. muricata seeds and study the acetogenin, Annonacin, in silico. Phytochemical characterization was made by thin layer chromatography, spectroscopy in the infrared region and nuclear magnetic resonance. Toxicity was evaluated by tests of Allium cepa and Artemia salina, and in silico studies using the SwissDock servers DockThor, PharmMapper, ADMETLab, PreADME, Osiris and ProTox. The extract and fraction showed genotoxic activity against meristematic cells of A. cepa, reducing the mitotic index; however, the extract produced great deleterious effects on the system, even causing cell necrosis. In A. Saline, the extract was more toxic than the fraction, but both samples were considered toxic. Annonacin was effectively linked to complex I, and presented different activities regarding toxicity. Thus, the results of this study are promising, highlighting the anticancer potential of acetogenins.     

Polysaccharides as Green Fuels for the Synthesis of MgO: Characterization and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities

The synthesis of structured MgO is reported using feedstock starch (route I), citrus pectin (route II), and Aloe vera (route III) leaf, which are suitable for use as green fuels due to their abundance, low cost, and non-toxicity. The oxides formed showed high porosity and were evaluated as antimicrobial agents. The samples were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystalline periclase monophase of the MgO was identified for all samples. The SEM analyses show that the sample morphology depends on the organic fuel used during the synthesis. The antibacterial activity of the MgO-St (starch), MgO-CP (citrus pectin), and MgO-Av (Aloe vera) oxides was evaluated against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). Antifungal activity was also studied against Candida albicans (ATCC 64548). The studies were carried out using the qualitative agar disk diffusion method and quantitative minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. The MIC of each sample showed the same inhibitory concentration of 400 µg. mL⁻¹ for the studied microorganisms. The formation of inhibition zones and the MIC values in the antimicrobial analysis indicate the effective antimicrobial activity of the samples against the test microorganisms.     

激光触发多级多通道开关研究

研究了200kV激光触发多级多通道开关的运行机理,该开关在直流电压下以四倍频Nd:YAG激光器为触发源进行的实验结果表明：开关触发延迟时间及其抖动随开关电压、激光能量和充气压力上升呈指数下降趋势,对混合气体则随气体密度上升而上升。随透镜焦距的增大延迟时间及其抖动呈上升趋势。该开关实现了多通道放电。     

爆磁压缩发生器对脉冲形成线充电的模拟和实验研究

将爆磁压缩发生器等效为电流源,利用电路模拟程序对爆磁压缩发生器通过脉冲变压器对脉冲形成线充电过程进行了分析,结果发现这种分析方法可以准确地模拟爆磁压缩发生器通过脉冲变压器对脉冲形成线的充电过程,与实验结果吻合较好。利用这种模拟方法和实验验证的结果,得出了一些重要的结论,增加变压器的耦合互感特别是变压器的副边电感和爆磁压缩发生器负载电流斜率可以明显提高充电电压的幅值,调制器的水介质电阻率对于充电幅值有一定的影响,这些结论对脉冲变压器和爆磁压缩发生器的设计具有一定的指导意义。