Partial characterization of ethanolic extract of Melipona beecheii propolis and in vitro evaluation of its antifungal activity

ABSTRACT The ethanolic extract of Melipona beecheii Bennett 1831, propolis from Yucatán Mexico was evaluated in vitro for the determination of its phenolic compound content, antioxidant capacity and antifungal activity. The results were compared against those of the ethanolic extract of Apis mellifera propolis. The total phenolic content, flavonoid content and flavanones-dihydroflavonols content were assessed by colorimetric methods. The antifungal activity was assessed in vitro against Candida albicans. For the ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis; total phenolic content, was 263.25 ± 8.78 µg/ml, total flavonoid content was 768 ± 204 µg/ml and flavanones-dihydroflavonols content was 335.42 ± 15.08 µg/ml. For antioxidant activity assessed as DPPH scavenging and iron reducing power ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis reported IC50 of 32.47 and 1.60 µg/ml of gallic acid equivalent respectively. Regarding antifungal activity against C. albicans, the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration for ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis were 1.62 ± 0.33 and 2.50 ± 0.22 µg/ml of dry extract; For both minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration, ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis required 30% less concentration of dry extract than ethanol extract of A. mellifera propolis to exert the same antifungal actions against C. albicans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the flavonoid and flavanones-dihydroflavonols content of M. beecheii propolis. Due to the lack of information available about the stingless bee's honeycomb products, the study and conservation of endemic honeybees should remain as an active focus of research.

Asociación de la obesidad abdominal y alteraciones de la presión arterial con estrategias de afrontamiento ante la carestía alimentaria en niños en edad escolar / Food shortages and abdominal obesity in schoolchildren. An association study

Resumen Introducción Las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las complicaciones de la diabetes mellitus representan las principales causas de mortalidad en adultos en México. La obesidad abdominal (OA) y las alteraciones en la tensión arterial (TA) son dos de sus determinantes fundamentales. Las alteraciones ocasionadas por estas entidades se han demostrado en niños a partir de los 3 años. Objetivo Analizar la asociación entre el estatus socioeconómico, episodios de carestía alimentaria, sedentarismo y consumo de embotellados con el desarrollo de obesidad y alteraciones en la TA en niños en edad escolar. Material y métodos En 264 participantes en edad escolar (6-12 años) se determinaron peso, talla, perímetro abdominal y TA. Mediante entrevista semiestructurada se valoró estatus socioeconómico, episodios de carestía alimentaria, ingesta de embotellados y sedentarismo. Se aplicaron pruebas de Chi-cuadrada, T- de Student para búsqueda de asociación. Resultados Se encontró una prevalencia del 28.4% para sobrepeso-obesidad en términos del IMC, 28% para obesidad abdominal, 15.7% en alteraciones de la TA. La OA y alteraciones en TA se asociaron con consumo de refrescos embotellados (p<0.001). En caso de presentarse carestía alimentaria la estrategia de afrontamiento (préstamo vs reorganización) guardó asociación significativa con OA (p=0.019). El sexo del participante no se asoció con IMC, aunque si con OA (p<0.01). Conclusiones El estatus socioeconómico guarda asociación con las alteraciones en IMC en aquellos participantes con carestía alimentaria periódica. Las estrategias empleadas por la familia determinan en gran medida los desenlaces en términos de variables antropométricas.

Abstract Introduction Cardiovascular diseases and the complications of diabetes mellitus account for most of adult mortality in Mexico. Abdominal obesity (AO) and alterations in blood pressure (BP) are two of its fundamental determinants. The pathological changes caused by these entities have been demonstrated in children from 3 years of age. Objective To analyze the association between socioeconomic status, episodes of food shortages, sedentary lifestyle and soft drinks consumption with the development of obesity and alterations in BP in children of school age in an elementary school during 2015-2016 in Mérida Yucatán México. Materials and methods 264 participants, aged between 6 and 12 years were evaluated for weight, height, abdominal perimeter, BP. Semi-structured interviews were used to determine socioeconomic status, episodes of food shortages, soft drinks consumption, and sedentary lifestyle. Descriptive statistics were determined; Chi-square tests and Student's T-tests were used for association analysis. Results A prevalence for overweigh in terms of BMI of 28.4% was found, 28% for abdominal obesity, and 15.7% for alterations of BP. Abdominal obesity and BP alterations were associated with consumption of bottled soft drinks (p <0.001). In case of food shortages, the coping strategy (loan vs reorganization was asociated with AO (p = 0.019). The sex of the participant was not associated with BMI, although it was with AO (p <0.01). Conclusions Socioeconomic status is associated with alterations in BMI. in those participants who had periodic shortages of food ,the strategy employed for dealing with the issue determines the outcomes in terms of anthropometric variables.