The Brazilian flora is one of the richest in biodiversity and has many species with high pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. Among these species is ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.), which stands out for the high protein content found in its leaves. The exogenous application of amino acids in crop production has shown promising results, such as the increase in productivity and plant quality, besides their capacity in alleviating environmental stress in plants. Exogenous application of L-arginine (0, 0.25, 1.0 and 2.0 g L−1 of water) was performed by drenching on coconut fiber growing media of ora-pro-nobis plants. Plant growth parameters analyzed were chlorophylls and carotenoids contents, crude protein content, and determination of enzymes and oxidative stress substances. The higher concentration of L-arginine (2 g L−1 of water) increased net photosynthetic rate, leaf area, plant fresh and dry mass, carotenoids content and crude protein content in leaves. Thus, the exogenous application of L-arginine in ora-pro-nobis plants can improve both the productivity and nutritional value of its leaves.

: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do pré-resfriamento e do armazenamento refrigerado de cambucis, por meio de parâmetros físico-químicos e bioquímicos. A colheita ocorreu em Natividade da Serra (SP), o experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Pós-Colheita do Departamento de Ciências Biológicas da Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”. Os tratamentos se diferenciam pela realização do pré-resfriamento e pelo armazenamento, a 5 e 25 ºC, por 48 horas. As avaliações foram feitas nos momentos: campo, chegada, 12 horas, 24 horas e 48 horas de armazenamento. Os parâmetros avaliados foram sólidos solúveis totais (SST), acidez titulável (AT), teor de ácido ascórbico, acúmulo de etanol e acetaldeído e teor de proantocianidinas da casca e da polpa. O teor de SST não variou consideravelmente ao longo do armazenamento. A acidez titulável e o teor de ácido ascórbico foram menores nos tratamentos que foram pré-resfriados e nos que foram armazenados a 5 ºC. Os frutos que foram pré-resfriados e também armazenados a 25 ºC apresentaram maior acúmulo de etanol e acetaldeído. O conteúdo de proantocianidinas na casca e na polpa reduziu quando feito pré-resfriamento e armazenamento a 25 ºC, sendo este o melhor tratamento ao fim das 48 horas.

Minimally processed ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) leaves: functional and physiological aspectsThe species Pereskia aculeata Mill, popularly known as "ora-pro-nóbis", belongs to the group of vegetables known as Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANC). Its leaves arouse great interest due to its nutritional value, as it has a high content of proteins, dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins. Despite its high nutritional value, consumption of ora-pro-nóbis is still low, both because it is not widely known and disseminated, and because of the presence of thorns, which make it difficult to manage the stems and consume the leaves. A viable option would be to detach the leaves from the stems, and process them to be marketed ready for consumption. The objective of this work was to develop strategies for the commercialization of ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill) leaves, and to quantify the functional and physiological aspects as a function of its minimal processing, cold storage and the use of amino acids as additives. For that, experiments were carried out in order to determine the ideal condition for its storage, and the effectiveness of arginine and cysteine additives, at different concentrations, in preserving the freshness of the product. In the first chapter, temperatures of 5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C and 24 °C were tested for 10 days, with relative humidity between 85 and 90%. The leaves still on the stem and the minimally processed leaves were compared regarding the visual quality parameters, considered decisive in the choice of the product, analyzed by the color parameters (L*, a*, b*), visual analysis and darkening index, and the minimally processed leaves stored at lower temperatures presented better results in relation to the stems. The minimal processing did not change the crude protein content of the leaves, and the temperature of 5 ± 2 °C preserved the expected quality parameters for a longer time, presenting a lower respiratory rate and better maintenance of the levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidants, which are already popularly associated with the consumption of the plant. In the second chapter, different concentrations of arginine (10, 25 and 50 mM) and cysteine (5, 10 and 20 mM) were applied during processing, in addition to the control treatment (0 mM), for 10 days, with relative humidity between 85 and 90%, and the quality parameters (color, visual analysis and browning index), crude protein content, content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and profiles of polyamines and polyphenols showed a beneficial effect when applied in post-harvest treatment of minimally processed ora-pro-nóbis leaves. Arginine showed better results when applied at the highest concentration, 50 mM, while cysteine showed levels of bioactive compounds and more expressive antioxidant activity at lower concentrations, 5 and 10 mM, with the values found being higher when compared to arginine. . Cysteine at a concentration of 10 mM was defined as the best option for postharvest treatment of minimally ...