Characterization of mesocarp flour and oil from almonds of babacu (Orbignya phalerata, Mart.) obtained via extraction with supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid - pre-clinical and toxicological studies

• Grant number: 15/04729-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Lopes de Oliveira
• Grantee: Naila Albertina de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research aims to study the phytochemical composition and the toxicity potential in vivo of mesocarp flour and their extracts and extracts from almonds of Babaçu, a native plant from Brazilian flora with confirmed activities. The extracts will be obtained using innovative extraction techniques, which employ low temperatures and prevent degradation of heat sensitive compounds. Extraction with supercritical CO2 (SFE) that it is possible to obtain extracts free of residues of organic solvents; and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), a technique for fast, efficient and selective extraction. The extracts obtained under different conditions of the two different processes will be evaluated for the presence of substances that may be related to the activities assigned to the mesocarp flour, such as phenolic compounds, terpenes and volatile. The antioxidant activity of these extracts will be evaluated by testing inhibition of DPPH and ABTS radical. The extracts obtained in optimized conditions of the different methods, with higher levels of compounds with activity will be evaluated for acute toxicity and repeated doses beyond their effects on histological, hematological and biochemical parameters using mice as in vivo system. In vitro digestibility studies will be conducted to evaluate the bioavailability and biotransformation of the active compounds. This study will contribute to the generation of original results that will serve as basis for the development and regulation of flour and almonds extracts, normally used in folk medicine, contributing to the data updating in national and international regulatory agencies.Regarding the national territory, this research project will contribute significantly to the regulation of Babaçu mesocarp extract consumption as an herbal, and/or nutraceutical widely used without control in Brazilian Northeast that will clarify therapeutic or toxic effects. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE OLIVEIRA, NAILA ALBERTINA; MAZZALI, MONICA ROBERTA; FUKUMASU, HEIDGE; GONCALVES, CINTIA BERNARDO; DE OLIVEIRA, ALESSANDRA LOPES. Composition and physical properties of babassu seed (Orbignya phalerata) oil obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS, v. 150, p. 21-29, AUG 2019. (15/04729-0, 16/13460-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

OLIVEIRA, Naila Albertina de. Characterization of mesocarp flour and almonds oil from babassu (Orbignya phalerata, Mart.) as obtained via supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid extractions: preclinical and toxicological studies. 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Zootecnica e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZE/BT) Pirassununga.