Background Among the food additives used in the food industry, food dyes are considered the most toxic. For instance, tartrazine (TRZ) is a food colorant commercially available with conflicting data regarding its cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of TRZ using different eukaryotic cells (in vitro). Methods This study employed 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), brine shrimp lethality, Allium cepa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae tests. Different concentrations of TRZ and different exposure times were used in this study. Results The results demonstrate that TRZ induced a concentration-dependent toxic effect on the test systems. It also exerted cytotoxicity in fibroblasts and human gastric cells. In addition, TRZ showed mutagenic effects on the A. cepa test system. However, its toxicogenic effects may not relate to the oxidizing activity, which was confirmed by the S. cerevisiae test model. Conclusion Taken together, TRZ exerted toxicogenic effects on the test systems. Therefore, it may be harmful to health, especially its prolonged use may trigger carcinogenesis.

No abstract

Background: Alpha-terpineol is a monoterpene alcohol with anti-tumor activity against different tumor cell lines (lung, breast, leukemias and colorectal) through blockage of NF-kB expression, which play an important role in tumor cells growth. Objective: Evaluate the antitumor activity of alpha-terpineol in murine Sarcoma 180 cell line Methods: For the tests, different cytotoxic and genotoxic assays were used, including Trypan blue, cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay, comet assay, agarose gel DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry and cell viability using fluorescence. Ascitic fluid cells from sarcoma 180 were obtained from Mus musculus peritoneal cavity and Alpha-terpineol was tested at 100, 250 and 500 μg/mL. Doxorubicin and Cisplatin were used as positive controls. Results: Cytotoxic effects of alpha-terpineol were found in all concentrations tested, reducing cell viability in 50.9; 38.53; 30.82% at 100, 250 and 500 μg/mL, respectively. Alpha-terpineol induced genotoxic effects due to DNA fragmentation (increased frequency and index of damage), and was clastogenic by increased micronuclei formation, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds. DNA fragmentation and increased cell death indicated that alpha-terpineol can cause early, late, and necrotic apoptosis. Conclusion: Our data indicate that alpha-terpineol has antitumor activity revealed by cytogenetic mechanisms and / or loss of cell membrane integrity.

This study aimed to evaluate the physical-chemical composition and hypoglycemic properties of okra and eggplant flours. Initially, the vegetables were dehydrated, crushed to the point of flour, conditioned and stored until use. The flours were subjected to physical-chemical evaluation to determine the moisture, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and polyphenols contents and, then, the experimental analysis was carried out. This was done using Swiss mice, distributed in 6 groups (n = 3), one healthy, two diabetic controls and three diabetics treated with commercial diets containing eggplant flour, okra and the mixture of the two flours. The survey lasted 20 days, with daily measurement of water and food and, in the interval of 5 days, blood glucose and weight. The research was approved by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee of the same institution, under protocol number 157/16. Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA Software version 7.0. The results showed that the flours have an important nutritional composition, mainly in terms of fiber content. In relation to functional activity, okra flour was able to significantly reduce the glycemia of mice when compared to eggplant flour, a result comparable to that of other authors, who emphasize the importance of fibers and bioactive compounds in obtaining this result. both flours had a good nutritional composition, but the okra was more efficient in reducing the glycemia of diabetic mice, and may become an alternative in the dietary treatment of this pathology.

Qualidade microbiológica de polpas de açaí comercializadas em um estado do nordeste brasileiroMicrobiological quality of açaí pulps marketed in a state of northeastern Brazil