Patricia Viera de Oliveira, Otavio Sanaiotto, Ketelin Zamin Kuhn, Amanda Oltramari, Adailton J Bortoluzzi, Marcelo Lanza, Gean Pablo S Aguiar, Anna Maria Siebel, Liz Girardi Müller, J Vladimir Oliveira

_{April 2023}

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104382

Abstract
Naringenin is a citrus flavonoid that shows relevant biological actions. However, naringenin presents low solubility in water and poor oral bioavailability. These characteristics are a limiting factor for its biomedical applications. The micronization process can reduce particle size and improve properties such as dissolution rate, potentially improving the bioavailability of the compounds. Thus, this study aimed to obtain microparticles of naringenin by gas antisolvent (GAS) technique. After, the application of micronized naringenin was tested in vivo in a mice model predictive of positive symptoms of schizophrenia, the ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion model in mice. Naringenin microparticles were successfully obtained by the GAS technique. In vitro dissolution rate assays confirmed that micronized NAR exhibited a significantly higher dissolution rate than raw NAR. Our in vivo data suggest the antipsychotic potential of micronized naringenin, which is probably related to its increased solubility and, consequently, increased bioavailability.

Gabriela Polmann, Gerson Lopes Teixeira, Pedro Henrique Santos, Gerardo Álvarez Rivera, Elena Ibañez, Alejandro Cifuentes, Sandra Regina Salvador Ferreira, Jane Mara Block

_{March 2023}

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04042-x

Abstract
Dipteryx lacunifera, known as gurguéia nut, is a potential crop for obtaining specialty oils. The processing of gurguéia nut to obtain the oil generates circa 635 g kg−1 of cake, a biomass rich in residual oil. A sequential approach using hydraulic pressing (HP) and supercritical fluid extraction with CO2 (SFE-CO2) has been employed to maximize the oil recovery from gurguéia nut. High contents of β-sitosterol (55.8 mg 100 g−1), stigmasterol (38.6 mg 100 g−1), campesterol (13.9 mg 100 g−1), squalene (668.7 mg 100 g−1), total phenolics (6.1 mg GAE 100 g−1) and antioxidant potential (4.2 mg TE 100 g−1 in FRAP; 5.4% in DPPH; and 54.3% in ILP) were observed in the oil from SFE-CO2 as compared to HP and Soxhlet oils. Significant contents of γ- and α-tocopherol (3.5–4.2, and 18.2–21.5 µg g–1) were found in oils. Oleic (~ 60%), palmitic (9.9–18.9%), and linoleic (11.6–12.9%) were the major fatty acids. As a result, the main triacylglycerols were OOO (23.0–35.5 wt%), POO (13.4–31.3 wt%), and OLO (2.1–15.6 wt%). Thermal analysis revealed two major exothermic events during crystallization and a single peak on melting, also showing that gurguéia oils are liquid at 20 °C. Combining sustainable technologies was useful for valorizing residual biomass from hydraulic pressing to obtaining a high-quality oil with potential uses in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Bruna P Soares, Ana M Ferreira, Marina Justi, Luiz Gustavo Gonçalves Rodrigues, J Vladimir Oliveira, Simão P Pinho, João AP Coutinho

_{February 2023}

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041607

Abstract
Anthocyanins from juçara fruits were extracted by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) or ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), using aqueous solutions of 1,2-alkanediols and glycerol ethers as biobased solvents. The PLE (100 bar, 13 min, 1 mL/min flow rate) in the optimal extraction conditions originated 23.1 mganthocyanins·gdry biomass−1. On the other hand, the UAE was 10 min long, and the optimal conditions using 1,2-propanediol were 42.6 wt%, 160 W, and pH 7.0, leading to 50 mganthocyanins·gdry biomass−1. Extractions at the UAE optimized conditions, with aqueous solutions of five different 1,2-alkanediols and three glycerol ethers were performed, and compared to water and ethanolic extracts. The biobased solvent solutions presented anthocyanin yields up to 33% higher than water, and were shown to be as efficient as ethanol/water, but generated extracts with higher antioxidant capacity. The anthocyanin-rich extract of juçara, obtained with 1,2-propanediol, was used in the production of a natural soap and incorporated into a cream, showing that the addition of the juçara extract resulted in an antioxidant capacity in both products.

Sabrina De Quadros, Evertan A Rebelatto, Camila Guindani, Leandro Scorsin, Francisco Paulo dos Santos, Diego A Mayer, J Vladimir Oliveira

_{January 2023}

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jct.2022.106911

Abstract
Globalide is a 16-membered macrolactone, which contains a double bond, typically used in the fragrance industry, due to its musky odor. However, its application as a monomer for the synthesis of the polyester polyglobalide (PGl) is drawing attention of the scientific community, due to its biocompatible and non-toxic character, being a great candidate for biomedical applications. This kind of polymer are frequently synthesized using green solvents, and pressurized carbon dioxide is being reported as a suitable alternative in polymerization processes. In this work, we evaluate the phase behavior of the ternary system carbon dioxide (1) + globalide (2) + dichloromethane (3), at high pressures. Experimental measurements of the phase equilibrium of the system were carried out at the following dichloromethane/globalide mass ratios: 0.5:1, 1:1 and 2:1, in a range of temperatures varying from 313 to 343 K. Thermodynamic modeling of the experimental data was performed using Peng Robinson equation of state with van der Waals biparametric quadratic mixing rule (PR-vdW2). Phase transitions of vapor–liquid (bubble point), liquid–liquid and vapor–liquid–liquid types were observed. The system showed LCST behavior (Lower Critical Solution Temperature), whose temperature increase results in higher pressures necessary for complete solubilization of the system. Dichloromethane showed to be an effective co-solvent, reducing the pressure required for the solubilization of the system. PR-vdW2 equation satisfactorily represented the system, with acceptable deviations under the studied conditions.

Jonas da Silva, Edy Sousa de Brito, Sandra Regina Salvador Ferreira

_{October 2022}

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-022-02916-y

Abstract
Due to its high nutritional content, delectable flavor, and advantageous health effects, cashew production has recently expanded significantly on a global scale. Massive quantities of cashew by-products (nut shell, testa shell, nut meal, and bagasse) are produced during cashew industrial processing, with adverse environmental and economic effects. These residual biomasses still contain relevant content of bioactive or functional compounds, making their recovery an excellent opportunity to increase the sustainability and profitability of cashew production chains. Generally, these waste materials are disposed of incorrectly; however, if they are valorized for more adequate and complete uses, they can generate different products depending on the recovery routes. This review addresses this subject by covering significant studies and presenting the state-of-the-art strategies for extracting compounds with high-value-added from cashew by-products. The main idea is to use the biorefinery and circular economy concept using sequential extraction techniques to obtain several valuable products with prospects for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.

Guilherme Dallarmi Sorita, Fernanda Vitória Leimann, Sandra Regina Salvador Ferreira

_{September 2022}

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-022-02901-5

Abstract
Peanut skin is a by-product rich in bioactive compounds with high nutritional and pharmaceutical values. The phenolic fraction, rich in proanthocyanidins/procyanidins, is a relevant class of bioactive compounds, which has been increasingly applied as functional ingredients for food and pharmaceutical applications and is mostly recovered from peanut skins through low-pressure extraction methods. Therefore, the use of green high-pressure extractions is an interesting alternative to value this peanut by-product. This review addresses the benefits of the phenolic fraction recovered from peanut skin, with a focus on proanthocyanin/procyanidin compounds, and discusses the improvement of their activity, bioavailability, and protection, by methods such as encapsulation. Different applications for the proanthocyanidins, in the food and pharmaceutical industries, are also explored. Additionally, high-pressure green extraction methods, combined with micro/nanoencapsulation, using wall material derived from peanut industrial processing, may represent a promising biorefinery strategy to improve the bioavailability of proanthocyanidins recovered from underutilized peanut skins.