Consumption effects of Açaí extract (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) on parameters related to glycemia metabolism of Wistar rats.

Scientific data has shown that some vegetable species, like Euterpe oleracea (açaí), are capable of control a few diseases as glycemia and cholesterol by reducing their levels in the organism, regulating the metabolism through biologic effects related with bioactive phenolic compounds such as anthocyanin. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of açaí extract about respecting the metabolism of glycemia in Wistar rats. This work was developed following the AOAC (2005) recommendations to the characterization of the extract. As a nutritional parameter, was determined the values of: moisture, ashes, lipids, protein, soluble and insoluble fibers, and total carbohydrates. The minerals were quantified by spectrometric atomic absorption, and the anthocyanin was determined following De Rosso and Mercadante (2007) recommendations. The biologic assay was developed on Biotério Central of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, during 28 days. Fifteen animals were necessary for the diabetes assay, separated on three groups. The first was the control group, the second was the diabetic group treated with açaí extract and the third was the diabetic group without treatment. The diabetes was induced with aloxana in a concentration of 42 mg/kg and the animals that had values of fasting glycemia over 125 mg/dL were considered diabetic. The insertion of the açaí extract was made through gavage, by administrating 2,5 mL of the extract in a concentration of 10% (0,25 g of açaí per sample). All those analysis resulted on the following data: The moisture of the freeze-dried açaí sample was higher than the in natura sample, due to the hygroscopic potential of the freeze-dried samples. High values of lipids were obtained on this sample, because the preservation of low molecular weight oils, which gives the freeze-dried sample its organoleptic characteristics. The content of anthocyanin measured was 45,3 mg/100g, this value is considered a good parameter because it is similar to the average described by Cruz (2008) varying between 50 at 180 mg/100g. The consumption of açaí extract resulted in high satiety of the rats. Those that consumed the extract ate less ration than the others, more precisely, 20g per day. Interestingly, plasma glucose was significantly reduced (p<0.05) after açaí treatments, the final glycemia value of the rats fed with açaí were smaller than the control group and diabetic group without treatment, with values of 148,5 ± 8,5 mg/dL, 172,5 ± 12,5 mg/dL and 197,3 ± 22,4 mg/dL respectively. In summary, the açaí diet tended to improve blood glucose and may help to reduce the incidence of diabetes.
References
Cruz, A.P.G. Avalição do Efeito da Extração e da Microfiltração do Açaí Sobre a Sua Composição e Atividade Antioxidante. Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro – RJ. 104p. 2008.
De Rosso, V.V.; Mercadante, A.Z. Identification and Quantification Of Carotenoids, By HPLC PDA-MS/MS, From Amazonian Fruits. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Washington, V.55, N.13, P.5062-5072, 2007.
AOAC. (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). Official methods of analysis. 16.ed. Washington. 1995.