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Arecaceae palm tree fruits (APTFs) with pulp or kernel rich in oil are widely distributed in six Brazilian biomes. APTFs represent a great potential for the sustainable exploitation of products with high added value, but few literature studies have reported their properties and industrial applications. The lack of information leads to underutilization, low consumption, commercialization, and processing of these fruit species. This review presents and discusses the occurrence of 13 APTFs and the composition, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and potential applications of their 25 oils and fats. The reported studies showed that the species present different lipid profiles. Multivariate analysis based on principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) indicated a correlation between the composition of pulp and kernel oils. Myristic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids are the main saturated fatty acids, while oleic acid is the main unsaturated. Carotenoids and phenolic compounds are the main bioactive compounds in APTFs, contributing to their high oxidative stability. The APTFs oils have a potential for use as foods and ingredients in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. However, more studies are still necessary to better understand and exploit these species.

Nuts such as Brazil nut, cashew nuts, pecan nuts, pistachios, and walnut; peanut; and their press cakes may be valued through their use in innovative vegetable-based spreads for balanced diets. This review addressed the relevant scientific and technological aspects for designing functional spreads from nutritious nuts and peanuts, rich in bioactive compounds. The latest studies and inventions in this field have included the development of clean-label and sustainable oilseeds-based spreadable creams with a wide range of ingredients, natural additives and technologies, including formulations designed for customized and even specific diets. Recent findings indicate that nut- or peanut-based creams have great potential to reach a growing niche of consumers seeking foods with healthy benefits. These advantages are linked to specific components, including high-quality plant-based proteins, fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids), minerals (e.g., potassium and phosphorus in all discussed nuts and selenium in Brazil nut), tocopherols, and phytosterols. Additionally, these products usually possess desirable sensory characteristics and are considered convenient. The overview of developments and trends of nut- and peanut-based spreadable creams indicate alternatives for allergies, reduced trans fats and palm oil, and claims such as a source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These findings may be relevant for diversifying the use of these nutritious lipid sources for use in high-quality and functional products.

In light of the increasing interest in the development of functional food, several researches have focused on the production of food grade emulsifiers of nutritional interest, especially enriched in the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA). The aim of this paper is to make a review of the production of monoacylglycerols (MAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG) obtained from different feedstock, mainly fish oil. A section of this paper is dedicated to the raw materials used as feedstock for these emulsifiers production. The health benefits of these partial acylglycerols are outlined. The chemical and enzymatic methods for producing these esters of glycerol are discussed, focusing on glycerolysis reactions. Recent advances on the lipase-catalyzed production of these partial acylglycerols in alternative reaction media and systems are also reviewed.

The Amazonian Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze nuts contain a lipidic fraction with health-promoting effects, but little is known about the bioactivity of other constituents. In this study, the lipidic fraction obtained using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 was chemically characterized by using lipidomics techniques. The SFE-CO2 residue, named as pracaxi cake, was re-extracted by pressurized liquid extraction following a biorefinery approach. Using a response surface methodology and based on the extraction yield and different in vitro assays, two optimum conditions were obtained: 80% and 12.5% of ethanol at 180 °C. Under these conditions, extraction yield and different in vitro measurements related to neuroprotection were assessed. Chemical characterization of these extracts suggested the presence of triterpenoid saponins and spermidine phenolamides, which were not previously reported in pracaxi nuts. These results suggest that pracaxi oil extraction by-products are a valuable source of bioactive compounds with neuroprotective potential.

The fruits from the Arecaceae family, although being rich in bioactive compounds with potential benefits to health, have been underexplored. Studies on their composition, bioactive compounds, and effects of their consumption on health are also scarce. This review presents the composition of macro- and micronutrients, and bioactive compounds of fruits of the Arecaceae family such as bacaba, patawa, juçara, açaí, buriti, buritirana, and butiá. The potential use and reported effects of its consumption on health are also presented. The knowledge of these underutilized fruits is important to encourage production, commercialization, processing, and consumption. It can also stimulate their full use and improve the economy and social condition of the population where these fruits are found. Furthermore, it may help in future research on the composition, health effects, and new product development. Arecaceae fruits presented in this review are currently used as raw materials for producing beverages, candies, jams, popsicles, ice creams, energy drinks, and edible oils. The reported studies show that they are rich in phenolic compounds, carotenoids, anthocyanins, tocopherols, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids. Moreover, the consumption of these compounds has been associated with anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antiobesity, and cardioprotective effects. These fruits have potential to be used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Despite their potential, some of them, such as buritirana and butiá, have been little explored and limited research has been conducted on their composition, biological effects, and applications. Therefore, more detailed investigations on the composition and mechanism of action based on in vitro and/or in vivo studies are needed for fruits from the Arecaceae family.

In recent years, coconut oil has emerged as a potential ‘miracle’ food. Some media vehicles and health specialists assure that this fat is capable of promoting health benefits, such as weight reduction, cholesterol lowering, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and anti-inflammatory effect, among others. These claims are used to market the product and boost its sales by coconut oil companies. However, governmental regulatory agencies in many countries are still sceptical about the benefits obtained by the consumption of coconut oil due to its high-saturated fatty acid content. In light of such controversy, this review focused on analysing the published literature on the alleged health claims, in order to investigate if there is enough scientific evidence to support them. It was verified that the metabolism of lauric acid, the major fatty acid in coconut oil, remains unclear. Many studies reported that the product was not efficient in weight loss. Also, it has been reported that the consumption of coconut oil increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, consequently increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In general, the studies present conflicting results and there is a lack of long-term human-based clinical trials. Therefore, as a saturated fat, coconut oil should be consumed with moderation and the health allegations should not be used to market the product, once they are not scientifically proven so far.

The effect of the partial replacement of cocoa butter (CB) by cocoa butter equivalent (CBE) in the release of volatile compounds in dark chocolate was studied. The fatty acid profile, triacylglyceride composition, solid fat content (SFC) and melting point were determined in CB and CBE. Chocolate with CB (F1) and with different content of CBE (5 and 10%—F2 and F3, respectively) were prepared. Plastic viscosity and Casson flow limit, particle size distribution and release of volatile compounds using a solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography (SMPE-GC) were determined in the chocolate samples. The melting point was similar for the studied samples but SFC indicated different melting behavior. CBE showed a higher saturated fatty acid content when compared to CB. The samples showed similar SOS triglyceride content (21 and 23.7% for CB and CBE, respectively). Higher levels of POS and lower POP were observed for CB when compared to CBE (44.8 and 19.7 and 19 and 41.1%, respectively). The flow limit and plastic viscosity were similar for the studied chocolates samples, as well as the particle size distribution. Among the 27 volatile compounds identified in the samples studied, 12 were detected in significantly higher concentrations in sample F1 (phenylacetaldehyde, methylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, trimethylpyrazine, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, phenethyl alcohol, 2-acetylpyrrole, acetophenone and isovaleric acid). The highest changes were observed in the pyrazines group, which presented a decrease of more than half in the formulations where part of the CB was replaced by the CBE.

Gurguéia nut represents a rich source of lipids and bioactive compounds with the potential for sustainable exploitation. In this work, the nutritional composition, and functional properties of gurguéia cakes obtained by hydraulic press (C1), supercritical CO 2 (C2), and Soxhlet (SOX) with hexane (C3) were evaluated. In addition, hydroethanolic extracts obtained using SOX, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were evaluated for their yield, total phenolic compounds (TPC), flavonols, flavonoids, ortho -diphenols (ODP), condensed tannins (CT), and antioxidant potential (ABTS, TRC, CUPRAC, DPPH, FRAP, and IPL). The highest content of protein (34.8 g 100 g −1 ), carbohydrate (45.0 g 100 g −1 ), cellobiose (1710.7 mg 100 g −1 ), and malic acid (1399.4 mg 100 g −1 ) was observed for the sample C2. The highest water and oil absorption and foam capacities were also determined in sample C2. The main phenolic compounds in cakes were catechin (1.2-1.7 mg kg −1 ) and gallic acid (0.7-0.8 mg kg −1 ). The extraction using PLE with 70% ethanol showed the highest yield (35.6-39.9%) and higher antioxidant potential for ABTS (1319.1 mmol TE 100 g −1 ), TRC (1064.0 mg QE 100 g −1 ), CUPRAC (70.4 mmol TE 100 g −1 ), and IPL (75.6%). On the other hand, higher TPC (4624.7 mg GAE 100 g −1 ), flavonoids (418.4 mg EC 100 g −1 ), flavonols (150.4 mg QE 100 g −1 ), and ODP (381.9 mg CGA 100 g −1 ) contents were observed for the extract obtained by PLE with 30% ethanol. The results indicated that gurguéia cake is rich in bioactive compounds and can be fully explored using clean alternative technologies.

INTRODUCTIONIn the recent decades, a global effort from food suppliers, industries, and governments has ensured that food production would meet the high quality required by the sanitary authorities, minimizing public health implications and economic losses caused by food-borne diseases.BACKGROUNDSeveral programmes and initiatives have been developed worldwide both by government agencies and the private sector to achieve this goal. Food-borne diseases, caused by pathogens, natural toxins, and chemical contaminants, remain a global public health challenge, since new threats are continuously emerging while others are being controlled. Also, in many countries, the consumption of food prepared outside the home increases the exposure to the risks posed by poor hygiene in food service. In this context, a reliable sanitary surveillance system is urgently needed to identify potential hazards, conduct risk analysis, and control food-borne diseases outbreaks worldwide.BRAZILIAN SAFETY POLICIES AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKSBrazil national agencies are tasked with controlling the hazards in the food chain by means of federal regulations based on a set of global sanitary authorities’ guidelines.CONCLUSIONThe occurrence of food-borne diseases, control measures, policies, and regulatory frameworks in Brazil drawn to ensure the quality and safety of food are presented in this paper.