Consumption of osmo-dehydrated Andean Berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) decreases levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers of overweight and obese adults / Consumo de agraz osmodeshidratado (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) disminuye los niveles de biomarcadores proinflamatorios de adultos con sobrepeso y obesidad

Background: A Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 24.9 Kg/m2 promotes chronic inflammation due to increased secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines. Consuming fruits rich in bioactive compounds such as berries is a promising strategy to counteract this effect. Objectives: Determine the effect of osmo-dehydrated Andean Berry consumption on inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL- 6, IL-1ß, and adiponectin) and plasma antioxidant capacity in overweight and obese adults after 21 days. Methods: Andean Berry was osmo-dehydrated in 70% sucrose syrup. Antioxidant activity, proximal composition, phenolic content, microbiological analysis, and sensory analysis of the product were determined. Twenty-five obese and overweight subjects consumed 35g of osmo-dehydrated berry for 21 days. Inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidant capacity in plasma were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study. Results: Osmo-dehydrated Andean Berry presented a total phenolic content of 692.7 ± 47.4 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents/100 g. All biomarkers evaluated in the subjects showed statistically significant differences (p> 0.05), except for CRP, before and after the study. IL-6 presented the more significant reduction among all pro-inflammatory adipokines with an effect size of 18.4 Conclusions: Regular consumption of osmo-dehydrated Andean Berry contributes to decreasing pro-inflammatory biomarkers and improves the plasma antioxidant capacity of overweight and obese adults

Antecedentes: un índice de masa corporal (IMC) superior a 24.9 kg/m2 promueve la inflamación crónica debido al aumento en la secreción de adipocinas proinflamatorias. El consumo de frutas ricas en compuestos bioactivos como las bayas es una estrategia prometedora para contrarrestar este efecto. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto del consumo de agraz osmodeshidratado en biomarcadores inflamatorios (TNF-α, IL- 6, IL-1ß y adiponectina) y capacidad antioxidante plasmática de adultos con sobrepeso y obesidad después de 21 días. Métodos: El agraz fue osmo-deshidratado en jarabe de sacarosa al 70%. Se determinó la actividad antioxidante, composición proximal, contenido fenólico, análisis microbiológico y análisis sensorial del producto. Veinticinco sujetos obesos y con sobrepeso consumieron 35 g de agraz osmodeshidratado durante 21 días. Se evaluaron biomarcadores inflamatorios y capacidad antioxidante en plasma al inicio y al final del estudio. Resultados: El agraz osmodeshidratado presentó un contenido fenólico total de 692.7 ± 47.4 mg GAE / 100 g. Todos los biomarcadores evaluados en los sujetos mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p> 0.05), a excepción de la PCR, antes y después del estudio. La IL-6 presentó la mayor reducción entre todas las adipocinas proinflamatorias con un tamaño del efecto de 18.4 Conclusiones: El consumo regular de agraz osmodeshidratado contribuye a disminuir los biomarcadores proinflamatorios y mejora la capacidad antioxidante plasmática de adultos con sobrepeso y obesidad

Preparing multicomponent snack bars based on tapioca flour, Brazil nut, and regional fruits / Preparación de barras multicomponentes a base de harina de tapioca, castaña de brasil y frutos regionales

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop and assess the physicochemical, sensory parameters, and shelf life estimation of multicomponent snack bars based on tapioca flour, Brazil nut, and açaí or cupuassu pulp. The physicochemical composition of açaí- and cupuassu-flavored snack bars had, respectively, 0.92 and 0.99% ash, 19.22 and 17.02% lipids, 3.02 and 3.03% protein, 1.06 and 1.69% fiber, and 448 and 436 kcal/100 g energy value. The shear stress test showed the consumer needs to bite more strongly to break the açaí-flavored bar. The opposite was observed in the hardness test, in which the bite compression force during mastication was greater for the cupuassu-flavored bar. The bars had water activity below 0.6, which denotes microbiological stability. The sensory analysis ranked the bars between "liked slightly" and "liked very much," which was confirmed by the acceptability index above 75% for all attributes assessed. According to the results a significant increase in water activity over storage was observed suggest the packaging used in the tests did not present a satisfactory barrier to water vapor permeability. Only water activity was used to estimate shelf life, which was determined as 58 days and 49 days for the açaí- and cupuassu-flavored bars, respectively. Thus, the snack bars represent an alternative for athletes as well as individuals with celiac disease since they are gluten free.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar y evaluar los parámetros físicos, físico-químicos, microbiológicos, sensoriales y la vida útil en estante de barras a base de harina de tapioca, castaña de Brasil y pulpa de açaí o cupuaçu. En cuanto a la composición físico-química, las barras multicomponentes sabor açaí y cupuaçu presentaron, respectivamente, 0,92 y 0,99% de cenizas, 19,22 y 17,02% de lípidos, 3,02 y 3,03% proteínas, 1,06 y 1,69% de fibras y 448 y 436 kcal/100g de valor energético. La prueba de cizallamiento y dureza mostraron que el consumidor necesita una fuerza de mordida mayor para romper la barra sabor açaí. El comportamiento contrario fue observado en la prueba de dureza donde la fuerza de compresión de la mordida, durante la masticación, fue mayor en la barra sabor cupuaçu. Para el análisis sensorial se observó que las barras evaluadas recibieron notas situadas entre las categorías "me gustó ligeramente" y "me gustó mucho", resultado comprobado por el índice de aceptabilidad con valores superiores al 75% para todos los atributos evaluados. De acuerdo con los resultados, se observó un aumento significativo en la actividad de agua durante el almacenamiento, lo que sugiere que el embalaje utilizado en las pruebas no presentó una barrera satisfactoria para la permeabilidad al vapor de agua. Para la estimación de vida de estante sólo la actividad de agua fue utilizada para los cálculos, siendo el tiempo de vida de estante determinado en 58 días para la barra sabor açaí y 49 días para la barra sabor cupuaçu. Así, las barras multicomponentes elaboradas representam una alternativa para atletas, así como para portadores de la enfermedad celíaca, visto la ausencia de gluten en su composición.

Impact of osmodehydrated Andean berry (Vaccinium merdionale Swartz) on overweight adults / Impacto del consumo de agraz (Vaccinium merdionale Swartz) osmodeshidratado en adultos con sobrepeso

Background: Andean berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) is a native Colombian berry with potential health benefit comparable to cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), both rich in phenolic compounds with a wide range of biological activities. Objectives: to evaluate the effect of Andean berry consumption on blood biochemical parameters (lipid profile and glucose), anthropometric parameters (body weight, waist circumference, body mass index or BMI) and blood pressure of overweight adults. Methods: glycemia, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and total triglycerides in blood serum, body weight, size and waist perimeter, and blood pressure were analyzed in 25 overweight adults at day 1 and 21 after consumption of 35 g/day of osmodehydrated Andean berry. Results: a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (10%, p = 0.0388), systolic blood pressure (6%, p = 0.0400), BMI (1.7%, p = 0.0306), weight (2%, p = 0.0388) and waist circumference (4.1%, p = 0.0052) were observed in the participants who completed the study. However, the lipid profile did not have a significant effect, the glycemia increased significantly (6.9%, p = 0.0004). Conclusions: the results of the present study suggest that the regular consumption of Andean berry treated by osmotic dehydration is a food that may help control weight and blood pressure; however, it requires another type of osmotic agent to prevent the increase of glycemia.

Antecedentes: Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) es una baya nativa colombiana con potencial beneficio en la salud comparable al arándano (Vaccinium macrocarpon), ambas ricas en compuestos fenólicos con amplio rango de actividades biológicas. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto del consumo de agraz osmodeshidratado en parámetros bioquímicos sanguíneos (perfil lipídico y glucemia), antropométricos, (perímetro de cintura, índice de masa corporal o IMC) y presión arterial en adultos con sobrepeso Métodos: se analizaron los parámetros glucosa, colesterol total, colesterol-LD, colesterol-HDL, triglicéridos totales en suero, peso, talla y perímetro de cintura, y presión arterial de adultos con sobrepeso al inicio y 21 días después de consumir 35g de agraz osmodeshidratado/día. Resultados: se observó en los participantes que completaron el estudio una reducción significativa en la presión arterial diastólica (10%, p = 0,0388) y sistólica (6%, p = 0,0400), así como en el índice de masa corporal (1,7%, p = 0,0306), peso (2%, p = 0,0388) y perímetro de cintura (4,1%, p = 0,0052). Sin embargo, en el perfil lipídico no tuvo efecto significativo, aunque si aumentó significativamente el valor de la glicemia (6,9%, p = 0,0004). Conclusión: los resultados del presente estudio sugieren que el consumo regular de agraz tratado por deshidratación osmótica es un alimento que ayuda al control del peso y presión arterial, sin embargo requiere otro tipo de agente osmótico para evitar el aumento de la glicemia.

Steroidal feedback on photoperiodic induction of testicular growth and development in two bird species.

Present study was performed to demonstrate the effect of exogenous administration of testosterone propionate on photoperiodic induction of testicular growth and development in brahminy myna (Sturnus pagodarum) and baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus). Two groups of brahminy myna and baya weaver (n=5 each) were exposed to15L:9D (group-I) and 9L:15D (group-II), and received 30 µg of TP bird-1 for 15 days. Then, the photoperiod was reversed; the one receiving15L was exposed to 9L and vice versa. Observations on body mass and testis volume were taken at the beginning and at 15 days interval. In brahminy myna, a significant change in body mass occurred under 9L:15D, transfer to 15L:9D, but not under 15L:9D group, transfer to 9L:15D. Also, testes were stimulated under 15L:9D transferred to 9L:15D, but not under 9L:15D transferred to 15L:9D. In baya weaver, body mass increased under 15L:9D and 9L:15D for first 15 days and was maintained until the end of the experiment. Testes enlarged gradually in both groups (15L:9D and 9L:15D transfer to vice versa), but it regressed in 15L:9D group, transferred to 9L:15D after 45 days. Taken together it appears that body mass response indicates the photoperiodic effect and gonadal response indicates the hormonal effect. Finally results conclude that the photoperiod and circulating testosterone levels feedback on to hypothalamus regulates reproductive cycle in these birds.

Short-day experience is not a prerequisite for the termination of photorefractoriness in the reproductive cycle of baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus.

In most photoperiodic avian forms (irrespective of temperate or tropical distribution) including the baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus, seasonal reproduction comes to an end due to the development of a photoperiodically controlled photorefractory phase when birds cease to respond to the stimulatory effect of long days. In the present paper photoperiodic control of the termination of photorefractory phase has been examined by studying the effect of short-day exposure lasting 4–6 months on long-day response of birds. Results indicate that unlike in other photoperiodic birds short-day exposure of winter is not a prerequisite for the termination of photorefractory phase in the reproductive cycle of baya weaver. Artificial long days on the other hand hasten the termination of this phase. Refractory phase in baya weaver, therefore, unlike that in temperate forms, is a temporary state resulting most likely from a sequel of physiological events triggered by long days of spring/summer which temporarily mask the photostimulatory response. Spontaneous termination of photorefractoriness in birds of tropical habitats may have a selective value imparting to the reproductive cycle the necessary elasticity for adaptation to diverse ecological conditions.