Prevalence of Parasitic Infections with Zoonotic Potential in Tilapia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Tilapia has a high socioeconomic value in many countries worldwide. However, it has been identified as a zoonotic parasite reservoir. A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were carried out in order to estimate the global prevalence of zoonotic parasites that affect tilapia. The search was performed by three field experts to avoid reviewer bias. Polled prevalence was estimated using a logistic-normal random-effect regression model in the R software. We dealt with the heterogeneity among studies through subgroup analysis, taking into account the continent, country, genus of the host, parasite taxonomic group, sample origin, and type of diagnostic test as moderator variables. Fifty-two eligible articles were identified covering five tilapia genera with a pooled prevalence of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.10−0.20) showed significant heterogeneity (I2 = 98.4; p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis revealed that the most affected host was Sarotherodon, with a prevalence of 0.42 (95% CI: 0.22−0.65). Cestode was the taxonomic group with the largest prevalence (0.40; 95% CI:0.32−0.48), followed by amoeba (0.24; 95% CI: 0.16−0.35) and nematode (0.22; 95% CI: 0.11−0.38), among which, Schyzocotyle spp., Opistorchis spp., Gnathostoma spp. and Vermamoeba spp. have an impact on public health. Significant differences (p < 0.004) were found among continents and countries, with the highest value of prevalence detected in the African continent (0.28; 95% CI: 0.20−0.37), specifically in Tanzania (0.56; 95% CI: 0.22−0.87) and Egypt (0.43; 95% CI: 0.20−0.55). The origin of samples had a significant effect (p < 0.0001) on the detected prevalence, especially from those that showed the highest prevalence (0.24; 95% CI: 0.17−0.33). Finally, there were no differences in prevalence according to the diagnostic test (p = 0.97). Our results provide useful information on the development of epidemiological programs for the control of zoonoses associated with parasites in tilapia and in the design, planning, and implementation of future research.

The Activity of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Hepatogastrointestinal Disorders and Diseases Associated with Metabolic Syndrome.

The components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hepatogastrointestinal diseases are widespread worldwide, since many factors associated with lifestyle and diet influence their development and correlation. Due to these growing health problems, it is necessary to search for effective alternatives for prevention or adjuvants in treating them. The positive impact of regulated microbiota on health is known; however, states of dysbiosis are closely related to the development of the conditions mentioned above. Therefore, the role of prebiotics, probiotics, or symbiotic complexes has been extensively evaluated; the results are favorable, showing that they play a crucial role in the regulation of the immune system, the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and the biotransformation of bile acids, as well as the modulation of their central receptors FXR and TGR-5, which also have essential immunomodulatory and metabolic activities. It has also been observed that they can benefit the host by displacing pathogenic species, improving the dysbiosis state in MetS. Current studies have reported that paraprobiotics (dead or inactive probiotics) or postbiotics (metabolites generated by active probiotics) also benefit hepatogastrointestinal health.

Impact of the Gut Microbiota Balance on the Health-Disease Relationship: The Importance of Consuming Probiotics and Prebiotics.

Gut microbiota is a group of microorganisms that are deposited throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. Currently, thanks to genomic tools, studies of gut microbiota have pointed towards the understanding of the metabolism of important bacteria that are not cultivable and their relationship with human homeostasis. Alterations in the composition of gut microbiota could explain, at least in part, some epidemics, such as diabetes and obesity. Likewise, dysbiosis has been associated with gastrointestinal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer. That is why several studies have recently been focused on the direct relationship that these types of conditions have with the specific composition of gut microbiota, as in the case of the microbiota-intestine-brain axis. In the same way, the control of microbiota is related to the diet. Therefore, this review highlights the importance of gut microbiota, from its composition to its relationship with the human health-disease condition, as well as emphasizes the effect of probiotic and prebiotic consumption on the balance of its composition.

Biogenic amines levels in food processing: Efforts for their control in foodstuffs.

Fermented and/or protein-rich foods, the most widely consumed worldwide, are the most susceptible to the presence of high levels of biogenic amines (BAs). Many reviews have focused on BAs toxicity and presence in foods; however, technological strategies such as evaluation of physical parameters, the addition of natural or synthetic compounds or the use of specific starter cultures of BAs reduction, and quick detection methods have been scarcely approached. In current research, there has been a focus on fast detection of BAs through colorimetric methods that allow these compounds to be quickly and easily identified by consumers. To reduce BAs presence in food, several alternatives have been developed and investigated with the aim of preventing negative effects caused by their intake, which can be applied before, during, or after processing. Food safety is one of the most important concerns of consumer and sanitary authorities. Therefore, detecting toxins such as BAs in food has become a priority for research. Recent reports that focus on the development of rapid detection methods of BAs are reviewed in this analysis. These methods have been successfully applied to food matrices with little to no sample pretreatment. Several alternatives for BAs reduction in food was also summarized. These findings will help the food industry to improve its processes for developing safe food.

Comparative Evaluation of Four Extraction Methods of Antioxidant Compounds from Decatropis bicolor in Aqueous Medium Applying Response Surface Design.

The objective of this paper is to compare conventional, ultrasound, microwave, and French press methods for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from Decatropis bicolor in an aqueous medium. This plant is widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for breast cancer treatment. Despite that, there are few studies on D. bicolor. Two response surface designs were applied to establish the best conditions of the liberation of antioxidants from D. bicolor, which were determined by DPPH• and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) techniques. The total phenolic content was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results showed that D. bicolor is a source of antioxidants (669-2128 mg ET/100 g and 553-1920 mg EFe2+/100 g, respectively) and phenolic compounds (2232-9929 mg EGA/100 g). Among the physical factors that were analyzed, the temperature was the determinant factor to liberate the compounds of interest by using low concentrations of the sample and short times of extraction. The French press was the most efficient method, obtaining values of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds even higher than those reported by using extraction methods with solvents such as methanol.

Antithrombotic Activity of Milk Protein Hydrolysates by Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Commercial Fermented Milks

ABSTRACT In the last decade, thrombosis has been one of the pathologies with high incidence creating great concern in Health Institutes all around the world. Considering this, the aim of this research was to determine the antithrombotic activity of peptides released during lactic fermentation. Reconstituted skim milk powder was fermented by Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Lactobacillus johnsonii LA1 isolated from commercial fermented milks. The hydrolysis degree and proteolytic profile were analyzed by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid spectrophotometry method and by peptide polyacrylamide electrophoresis gel separation. The milk fermented by Lactobacillus casei Shirota exhibited a higher concentration of free amino groups than that fermented by Lactobacillus johnsonii LA1. Additionally, in both fermentation systems peptides with molecular weights lower than 1.4 kDa were observed. The highest inhibition of thrombin (31.67±2.35%) was observed in milk fermented by Lactobacillus johnsonii LA1 at 10 hours of fermentation. Finally, no relationship was found between the antithrombotic capacity and the proteolytic profile.

Optimization of Physical Conditions for the Aqueous Extraction of Antioxidant Compounds from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Applying a Box-Behnken Design.

Since ancient times, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. This rhizome possesses several chemical constituents; most of them present antioxidant capacity due mainly to the presence of phenolic compounds. Thus, the physical conditions for the optimal extraction of antioxidant components of ginger were investigated by applying a Box-Behnken experimental design. Extracts of ginger were prepared using water as solvent in a conventional solid-liquid extraction. The analyzed variables were time (5, 15 and 25 min), temperature (20, 55 and 90 °C) and sample concentration (2, 6 and 10 %). The antioxidant activity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method and a modified ferric reducing antioxidant power assay while total phenolics were measured by Folin & Ciocalteu's method. The suggested experimental design allowed the acquisition of aqueous extracts of ginger with diverse antioxidant activity (100-555 mg Trolox/100 g, 147-1237 mg Fe2+/100 g and 50-332 mg gallic acid/100 g). Temperature was the determining factor in the extraction of components with antioxidant activity, regardless of time and sample quantity. The optimal physical conditions that allowed the highest antioxidant activity were: 90 °C, 15 min and 2 % of the sample. The correlation value between the antioxidant activity by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and the content of total phenolics was R2 = 0.83. The experimental design applied allowed the determination of the physical conditions under which ginger aqueous extracts liberate compounds with antioxidant activity. Most of them are of the phenolic type as it was demonstrated through the correlation established between different methods used to measure antioxidant capacity.

Microextraction method of medium and long chain fatty acids from milk.

The aim of this research was to develop a method for microextraction and quantification of long and medium chain fatty acids from milk. The proposed method was carried out on three steps: (1) lipids extraction from 10 µL of whole or skimmed milk containing omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) during 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, in 2 mL chloroform: methanol mixture (2:1); (2) acid methylation of FAs; and (3) quantification of FAs methyl esters by gas chromatography. Using this method, the percentage recovery of FAs was higher (67% for whole and 85% for skimmed milk) compared with AOAC method 905.02 recovery (49% and 83%, respectively). Good reproducibility and repeatability (<3%) were obtained. The method developed can be useful for researching and in routine quality control. Additionally, it is simpler, faster and cheaper than the reference procedure since it requires minimum sample and solvents volume as well as fewer steps.

Behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei during production of pulque, a traditional Mexican beverage.

Pulque is a typical fermented alcoholic beverage of central Mexico, produced from the nectar of maguey agave plants. Production systems are largely artisanal, with inadequate hygiene conditions and exposure to multiple contamination sources. No data exist on pulque microbiological safety and the behavior of pathogenic microorganisms in agave nectar and pulque. An initial trial was done of the behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei during fermentation of nectar from a single producer, nectar mixture from different producers, and seed pulque. A second trial simulating artisanal pulque production was done by contaminating fresh nectar with each of the five strains, storing at 22°C for 14 h, adding seed pulque, and fermenting until pulque was formed. During incubation at 16 or 22°C in the first trial, all the pathogenic strains multiplied in both the single producer nectar and the nectar mixture, reaching maximum concentrations at 12 h. Strains concentration then decreased slowly. In the seed pulque, the strains did not multiply and tended to die. In the second trial, all strains increased concentration from 0.7 to 1.6 log at 22°C, and from 0.5 to 1.1 at 16°C in the first 14 h. After addition of seed pulque, they were quickly deactivated until none was detected in the final product. The results suggest that the potential risk to consumers of contracting any of the five tested pathogenic bacterial strains from pulque is low.

Propiedades fisicoquímicas y sensoriales de harinas para preparar atole de amaranto / Physicochemical and sensory properties of flours ready to prepare an amaranth "atole"

El atole es una bebida prehispánica mexicana tradicionalmente preparada con maíz; sin embargo cereales como el arroz y el amaranto también han sido usados empleados. El objetivo fue caracterizar las propiedades fisicoquímicas y sensoriales de una harina para preparar una bebida (atole) a base de amaranto a fin de determinar su aporte nutricional. El análisis bromatológico del atole de amaranto y de las marcas comerciales (a base de maíz y arroz) fue realizado siguiendo las técnicas de la AOAC. El análisis de minerales se llevó a cabo mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. La determinación de la viscosidad se realizó en un reómetro en un intervalo de temperatura de 25 a 90ºC. El perfil descriptivo cuantitativo (QDA) del atole de amaranto fue determinado por un panel de 10 jueces entrenados. El atole de amaranto presentó un mayor contenido de proteína y grasa que los atoles de maíz y arroz. En general, sodio y potasio fueron los macrominerales más abundantes. Los atoles de maíz y arroz presentaron una viscosidad constante de 20 a 84ºC, a partir de 85ºC se observó un incremento importante de ésta; en el atole de amaranto se detectó este incremento a 75ºC. Los descriptores definidos por los jueces entrenados para los perfiles descriptivos cuantitativos de los atoles de amaranto fueron: almidón, almendra/cereza, caramelo macizo, vainilla, fresa, nuez y chocolate. El atole de amaranto, respecto a los atoles de maíz y arroz, presentó el mejor perfil nutricional, destacando su aporte proteico.

Atole is a Mexican prehispanic drink prepared traditionally with corn; however, cereals as wheat, rice and amaranth have also been used. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical and sensory properties of an amaranth flour to prepare a drink (atole) mentioned above, in order to determine its nutritive value. Proximate analysis of the amaranth, corn and rice drink flours was determined by means of official techniques of AOAC. Mineral content was carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry. Viscosity was measured in a reometer from 25 to 90ºC. The quantitative descriptive profile (QDA) of the amaranth drink was studied by a trained panel of 10 judges. Results showed that the amaranth drink flour presented the highest protein and fat content compared to corn and rice drink flours. Sodium and potassium were the most abundant minerals in all flours studied. Corn and rice drink flours showed a constant viscosity from 20 to 84ºC, to 85ºC an important increase in this parameter was observed. This increase was detected in the amaranth drink flour to 75ºC. Descriptors defined by trained judges for the QDA of the amaranth drink flours were: starch, almond/cherry, caramel, vanilla, strawberry, walnut and chocolate. The amaranth drink flour, compared to corn and rice drink flours, presented the best nutritional profile; it is important to emphasize its protein content.