Microscopical Evaluation of the Effects of High-Pressure Processing on Milk Casein Micelles.

The effect of different high-pressure processing (HPP) treatments on casein micelles was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a particle size distribution analysis. Raw whole and skim milk samples were subjected to HPP treatments at 400, 500 and 600 MPa for Come-Up Times (CUT) up to 15 min at ambient temperature. Three different phenomena were observed in the casein micelles: fragmentation, alterations to shape and agglomeration. The particle size distribution analysis determined that, as pressure and time treatment increased, the three phenomena intensified. First, the size of the casein micelles began to decrease as their fragmentation occurred. Subsequently, the casein micelles lost roundness, and their shape deformed. Finally, in the most intense treatments (higher pressures and/or longer times), the micelles fragments began to agglomerate, which resulted in an increase in their average diameter. Homogenization and defatting had no significant effect on the casein micelles; however, the presence of fat in whole milk samples was bioprotective, as the effects of the three phenomena appeared faster in treated skim milk samples. Through this study, it was concluded that the size and structure of casein micelles are greatly altered during high-pressure treatment. These results provide information that broadens the understanding of the changes induced on casein micelles by high-pressure treatments at room temperature.

High Hydrostatic Pressure Induced Changes in the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Milk and Dairy Products: A Review.

High-pressure processing (HPP) is a nonthermal technology used for food preservation capable of generating pasteurized milk products. There is much information regarding the inactivation of microorganisms in milk by HPP, and it has been suggested that 600 MPa for 5 min is adequate to reduce the number of log cycles by 5-7, resulting in safe products comparable to traditionally pasteurized ones. However, there are many implications regarding physicochemical and functional properties. This review explores the potential of HPP to preserve milk, focusing on the changes in milk components such as lipids, casein, whey proteins, and minerals, and the impact on their functional and physicochemical properties, including pH, color, turbidity, emulsion stability, rheological behavior, and sensory properties. Additionally, the effects of these changes on the elaboration of dairy products such as cheese, cream, and buttermilk are explored.

Evaluación de la calidad de la dieta y de la actividad física en jugadores de fútbol, de 13 a 16 años, del Principado de Asturias / Assessment of diet quality and physical activity of soccer players aged 13 to 16, from the Principality of Asturias, Spain

Introducción: La dieta y la actividad física son 2conductas que juegan un papel clave en la aparición de sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil. Es una tarea esencial en salud pública el análisis de su prevalencia en diferentes contextos.Objetivo: Describir la composición corporal, el nivel de actividad física y la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea de jugadores de fútbol de 13 a 16 años de Asturias. Secundariamente, determinar la relación entre dieta, actividad física, composición corporal y variables personales.Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Participaron 303 niños, con una edad media de 14,15 años (DE=1,06). Se analizaron la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea y el nivel de actividad física con los cuestionarios KIDMED y PAQ-A, respectivamente, y se estableció su composición corporal de acuerdo con su índice de masa corporal.Resultados: Un 23,1% de los participantes presentó exceso de peso. El 54,8% y el 8,9% tenían una adherencia media o baja, respectivamente, a la dieta mediterránea. La puntuación media del PAQ-A fue de 2,69 (DE=0,47). El exceso de peso se asoció con jugar de portero (p=0,001), mayor puntuación de PAQ-A (p=0,011) y menor de KIDMED (p=0,032). El análisis de correlación presentó una asociación inversa entre edad y puntuación de PAQ-A (r=−0,122) y directa entre las puntuaciones de KIDMED e PAQ-A (r=0,152).Conclusiones: Los participantes en el estudio mostraron un adecuado nivel de actividad física. Sin embargo, presentaron un perfil obesogénico similar al de la población de su edad y una potencial necesidad de mejora sobre la adherencia a las recomendaciones de la dieta saludable. (AU)

Introduction: Diet and physical activity are factors that have key roles in childhood overweight and obesity prevention. Appropriate assessment of these factors is an essential task in public health.Objective: The main aims of the study are to assess body composition, physical activity, and adherence to Mediterranean diet of soccer players, aged 13 to 16 years old in Asturias, Spain. It also aims to evaluate the relationships between diet, physical activity, body composition, and personal characteristics.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey approach was used involving children (n=303) with a mean age of 14.15 years (SD=1.06), and using the KIDMED and PAQ-A questionnaires to assess adherence to Mediterranean diet and level of physical activity, respectively. Body composition was represented using the participants’ body mass index.Results: Approximately 23.1% of the participants were overweight or obese. With regards to adherence to Mediterranean diet, 54.8% of the participants had medium adherence, while 8.9% had low adherence. PAQ-A mean score was 2.69 (SD=0.47). Excess weight was associated with being a goalkeeper (P=.001), higher PAQ-A (P=.011), and lower KIDMED scores (P=.032). Correlation analysis showed an inverse association between age and PAQ-A score (r=−0.122), and a direct association between KIDMED and PAQ-A scores (r=0.152).Conclusion: Participants had an adequate level of physical activity. However, they had an obesogenic profile similar to that of their age population, who were not soccer players. Actions to improve adherence to healthy diet practices are highly recommended. (AU)

Assessment of diet quality and physical activity of soccer players aged 13 to 16, from the Principality of Asturias, Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Diet and physical activity are factors that have key roles in childhood overweight and obesity prevention. Appropriate assessment of these factors is an essential task in public health. OBJECTIVE: The main aims of the study are to assess body composition, physical activity, and adherence to Mediterranean diet of soccer players, aged 13 to 16 years old in Asturias, Spain. It also aims to evaluate the relationships between diet, physical activity, body composition, and personal characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive survey approach was used involving children (n = 303) with a mean age of 14.15 years (SD = 1.06), and using the KIDMED and PAQ-A questionnaires to assess adherence to Mediterranean diet and level of physical activity, respectively. Body composition was represented using the participants' body mass index. RESULTS: Approximately 23.1% of the participants were overweight or obese. With regards to adherence to Mediterranean diet, 54.8% of the participants had medium adherence, while 8.9% had low adherence. PAQ-A mean score was 2.69 (SD = 0.47). Excess weight was associated with being a goalkeeper (P = .001), higher PAQ-A (P = .011), and lower KIDMED scores (P = .032). Correlation analysis showed an inverse association between age and PAQ-A score (r = -0.122), and a direct association between KIDMED and PAQ-A scores (r = 0.152). CONCLUSION: Participants had an adequate level of physical activity. However, they had an obesogenic profile similar to that of their age population, who were not soccer players. Actions to improve adherence to healthy diet practices are highly recommended.

Feasibility Study of an Educational Intervention to Improve Water Intake in Adolescent Soccer Players: A Two-Arm, Non-Randomized Controlled Cluster Trial.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of an educational intervention on hydration behavior in adolescent soccer players. A pilot study of a two-arm, non-randomized controlled cluster trial was conducted. A total of 316 players aged 13-16 agreed to participate. The response variables were the players' participation in the intervention, their perception of the knowledge acquired, the usefulness and the overall assessment of the intervention. Hydration patterns and acquisition of knowledge on hydration behavior were also assessed. The intervention involved two elements: posters and a web app. A total of 259 adolescents completed the study (intervention group (IG) = 131; control group (CG) = 128). 80.6% of the players responded to the survey assessing the feasibility of the intervention. The mean number of correct answers regarding behavior was significantly higher in the IG (3.54; SD = 1.162) than in the CG (2.64; SD = 1.174) (p < 0.001). The water consumption pattern at all the clubs was ad libitum. Of the players, 10% did not drink any water at all during the game. In conclusion, this intervention has been shown to be feasible for implementation with adolescent soccer players. It suggests that hydration guidelines should be informed by personal factors and that ad libitum water consumption should be avoided.

Concordance Between the Weight of Spanish Adolescent Soccer Players, Their Self-Perceived Weight, and Their Weight as Perceived by Their Parents.

PURPOSE: In the context of soccer clubs, to analyze the concordance between players' actual weight, their self-perceived weight, and their weight as perceived by their parents; to determine which variables might explain the presence of concordance between parents' perception of adolescents' weight and their actual weight. Design and study: A cross-sectional study involving 330 soccer players aged between 13 and 16. Data on personal characteristics of adolescents and parents were analyzed, as well as parents' perceptions of adolescents' weight status and their self-perception. A descriptive analysis of the personal characteristics of the sample (adolescents and parents) and an analysis of the variables explaining the presence of concordance between the parents' perception of adolescents' weight and their actual weight were performed. RESULTS: 19% of the adolescents were overweight and 3.4% were obese. The concordance between parents' perceptions of players' weight and players' actual weight was weak. The concordance between adolescents' self-perceived weight and their actual weight was moderate. The difference in BMI scores according to presence or absence of concordance was statistically significant: these scores were higher in the absence of concordance. Discordance between adolescents' weight and their parents' perception of their weight was associated with parents having lower levels of education. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of parents and players misperceived their actual weight. This discrepancy was associated with higher BMI scores for adolescents. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should include promotion of accurate weight perception in educational interventions on excess weight.

A nutrition education intervention in adolescents who play soccer: the ideha-f project / Intervención educativa sobre alimentación en futbolistas adolescentes: proyecto IDEHA-F

BACKGROUND: Diet and physical activity are prioritised in behavioural interventions given their influence on major child health issues. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of an educational intervention, based on the Behaviour Change Wheel model, on adherence to healthy eating habits in adolescent soccer players in Asturias, Spain. METHOD: This pilot study involved 319 soccer players (mean age=14.19 years; SD=1.089), who were distributed into a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). The response variables were: the usage rate of, adherence to, and acquisition of knowledge of the Mediterranean diet. The intervention included posters, a web-app, and practical activities. RESULTS: The mean score on the knowledge questionnaire was 2.53 for the CG and 3.42 for the IG (p <.001). A weak direct correlation was observed between diet knowledge and KIDMED scores (r =.222, p =.013). The total pre-test KIDMED (p <.001) and diet knowledge ( p =.05) scores explained approximately 33% of the total post-test KIDMED score. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of posters and a web app as intervention tools have been shown to be feasible in order to provide information on healthy eating habits to adolescents who play soccer and to help them maintain those eating habits

ANTECEDENTES: alimentación y actividad física son objeto de abordaje prioritario, mediante intervenciones conductuales, dada su influencia sobre los principales problemas de salud infantil. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la factibilidad de una intervención educativa, basada en el modelo Behaviour Change Wheel, sobre adherencia a la alimentación saludable en adolescentes jugadores de fútbol del Principado de Asturias. MÉTODO: estudio piloto sobre 319 jugadores de fútbol, edad media 14,19 años (DE= 1.089), distribuidos en grupo control (GC) e intervención (GI). Las variables de respuesta fueron: tasa de uso, adherencia y adquisición de conocimientos en relación con la dieta mediterránea. La intervención estuvo compuesta por 3 elementos: carteles, web-app y actividades prácticas. RESULTADOS: la puntuación media del cuestionario de conocimientos fue de 2.53 y 3.42 en GC y GI, respectivamente (p<.001). Se observó correlación directa baja entre conocimientos y puntuación de KIDMED (r=.222, p=.013). La puntuación total de KIDMED en PRE (p<.001) y los conocimientos (p=.05) explicaron aproximadamente el 33% de la puntuación total de KIDMED en POST. CONCLUSIONES: la combinación de carteles y el uso de una web-app como herramientas han demostrado factibilidad para aportar información sobre la alimentación saludable y mantener su calidad en adolescentes que juegan al fútbol

A nutrition education intervention in adolescents who play soccer: The IDEHA-F project.

BACKGROUND: Diet and physical activity are prioritised in behavioural interventions given their influence on major child health issues. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of an educational intervention, based on the Behaviour Change Wheel model, on adherence to healthy eating habits in adolescent soccer players in Asturias, Spain. METHOD: This pilot study involved 319 soccer players (mean age=14.19 years; SD=1.089), who were distributed into a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). The response variables were: the usage rate of, adherence to, and acquisition of knowledge of the Mediterranean diet. The intervention included posters, a web-app, and practical activities. RESULTS: The mean score on the knowledge questionnaire was 2.53 for the CG and 3.42 for the IG (p <.001). A weak direct correlation was observed between diet knowledge and KIDMED scores (r =.222, p =.013). The total pre-test KIDMED (p <.001) and diet knowledge ( p =.05) scores explained approximately 33% of the total post-test KIDMED score. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of posters and a web app as intervention tools have been shown to be feasible in order to provide information on healthy eating habits to adolescents who play soccer and to help them maintain those eating habits.

Composición nutricional de los alimentos de las vending de edificios públicos universitarios y hospitalarios de Asturias / Nutritional composition of vending foods of public university and hospital buildings in Asturias

Objetivo: Evaluar la composición nutricional de las máquinas vending (MV) localizadas en edificios públicos y hospitales en Asturias. Diseño: Descriptivo transversal. Emplazamiento: Se analizaron las MV ubicadas en edificios públicos, hospitales y centros universitarios de Asturias. Mediciones principales: Se realizó un mapeo de los edificios y posteriormente se acudió a cada uno de ellos para comprobar la presencia de MV, en cuyo caso se tomó una fotografía de los alimentos contenidos en ellas. Las variables analizadas fueron la ubicación, el tipo de alimento y su composición nutricional. Resultados: Se incluyeron 215 alimentos identificados en 19 edificios, 12 universitarios y 7 hospitalarios, y se agruparon en 11 categorías. Los más frecuentes fueron los «chocolates y chocolatinas» (30,2%), «galletas» (11,6%) y «patatas fritas» (11,6%). La media de kcal fue de 216 (DE = 133,1). La media, en gramos de grasas 12,52 (DE = 11,21), grasas saturadas 4,48 (DE = 3,83), azúcares 11,88 (DE = 31,13), fibra 1,9 (DE = 2,47), proteínas 3,38 (DE = 3,62) y sal 0,3 (DE = 0,62). Se observó un exceso alto de grasa, grasa saturada y sal, y medio de azúcares. Conclusiones: La calidad nutricional de las MV de los hospitales y centros universitarios públicos del Principado de Asturias no puede ser definida como saludable. Por tanto, se podrían desarrollar estrategias de promoción de la salud con el objetivo de mejorar su composición nutricional u orientar a la población hacia la selección y consumo de alimentos saludables

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional composition of food vending machines (VM) located in university public buildings and hospitals in Asturias. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Location: The analysis was made of the contents of VMs located in public buildings, hospitals, and university teaching centres in the Principality of Asturias. Main measurements: After the public buildings were mapped, each of them was visited to check for the presence of the VMs. A a photograph was then taken of the food contained in them. The variables analysed were the type of products and their nutritional composition. Results: The VMs of 19 buildings (12 university and 7 hospital), contained 215 foods that were grouped into 11 categories. The most frequent were "chocolates and chocolate bars" (30,2%), "cookies" (11.6%) and "chips" (11.6%). The Kcal average was 216 (SD = 133.1). The mean fat, in grams was 12.52 (SD = 11.21), saturated fat 4.48 (SD = 3,83), sugars 11.88 (SD = 31.13), fibre 1.9 (SD=2.47), proteins 3.38 (SD = 3.62), and salt 0.3 (SD = 0.62). A high excess of fat, saturated fat, and salt was observed, as well as a medium excess of sugars. Conclusions: The nutritional quality of VM in hospitals and public university centres of the Principality of Asturias cannot be defined as healthy. Therefore, health promotion strategies could be developed with the aim of improving their nutritional composition or guiding the population/users towards the selection and consumption of healthier foods

[Nutritional composition of vending foods of public university and hospital buildings in Asturias]. / Composición nutricional de los alimentos de las vending de edificios públicos universitarios y hospitalarios de Asturias.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional composition of food vending machines (VM) located in university public buildings and hospitals in Asturias. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. LOCATION: The analysis was made of the contents of VMs located in public buildings, hospitals, and university teaching centres in the Principality of Asturias. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: After the public buildings were mapped, each of them was visited to check for the presence of the VMs. A a photograph was then taken of the food contained in them. The variables analysed were the type of products and their nutritional composition. RESULTS: The VMs of 19 buildings (12 university and 7 hospital), contained 215 foods that were grouped into 11 categories. The most frequent were "chocolates and chocolate bars" (30,2%), "cookies" (11.6%) and "chips" (11.6%). The Kcal average was 216 (SD=133.1). The mean fat, in grams was 12.52 (SD=11.21), saturated fat 4.48 (SD=3,83), sugars 11.88 (SD=31.13), fibre 1.9 (SD=2.47), proteins 3.38 (SD=3.62), and salt 0.3 (SD=0.62). A high excess of fat, saturated fat, and salt was observed, as well as a medium excess of sugars. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional quality of VM in hospitals and public university centres of the Principality of Asturias cannot be defined as healthy. Therefore, health promotion strategies could be developed with the aim of improving their nutritional composition or guiding the population/users towards the selection and consumption of healthier foods.

Supercritical CO2-based tailor made valorization of Origanum vulgare L extracts: A green approach to extract high-value compounds with applied perspectives.

In this study, the supercritical CO2-based extraction approach was used from the green technologies to extract Oregano oil (Origanum vulgare L.). A Taguchi experimental design was applied to evaluate the effect of pressure, temperature and ethanol as co-solvent. High yield of oregano oil (13.40%) was obtained at 40 °C, 100 bar and 8 g min-1 of co-solvent flow. Fatty acids profile include α-linolenic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic that contribute to 70.9-76.8% of total fatty acids. Volatile compounds including carvacrol (29.99%), heneicosane (8.21%), nonacosane (11.78%), docosane (7.18%), borneol (4.35%) and thymol (4.51%) were the main compounds identified. Antimicrobial activity assays showed that extracts obtained at 40 °C were highly efficient against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. Highest antioxidant activities on DPPH and FRAP assays were reached under 8 g min-1 of co-solvent flow (6.08 and 6.89 µmol TE g-1 extract, respectively). On the other hand, antioxidant activity (35.76 µmol TE g-1) on ABTS assay was improved at 40 °C, 100 bar, and 4 g min-1 of co-solvent flow.

Adaptación de los calendarios de vacunación en población pediátrica que ha recibido quimioterapia / Adapting immunisation schedules for children undergoing chemotherapy

Introducción: Los niños que son sometidos a quimioterapia en el contexto de un cáncer presentan necesidades especiales de vacunación una vez finalizado el tratamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la adaptación de los calendarios de vacunación posquimioterapia en una población pediátrica. Método: Estudio observacional de una cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyeron todos los niños entre 0 y 14 años que recibieron quimioterapia en un hospital de tercer nivel entre 2009 y 2015. Se aplicaron criterios de inclusión/exclusión. Se siguieron las indicaciones oficiales del Comité Asesor de Vacunas de la Asociación Española de Pediatría para estas situaciones. Se consultó el registro de vacunación de Atención Primaria y el de la Unidad de Vacunas del Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública del centro sanitario. Resultados: De los 99 niños que recibieron quimioterapia, se incluyeron en el estudio 51. El 70,6% fueron varones. El 54,9% padecían un tumor de órgano sólido y el 45,1% un tumor hematológico. El 70,6% tenía registrada alguna vacuna tras el tratamiento. Las vacunas administradas con mayor frecuencia fueron: difteria-tétanos-tosferina o difteria-tétanos (54,9%), meningococo C(41,2%) y la gripe estacional (39,2%). La tasa de adaptación de calendario posquimioterapia fue del 9,8%. La vacuna frente a neumococo conjugada 7v o 13v fue administrada en el 21,6% de los niños evaluados, sin embargo, solo se completó con polisacárida 23v en el 17,6% de los casos. Ninguno recibió vacunación frente a hepatitis A. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el cumplimiento del calendario y el tipo de tumor (p=0,066), el sexo (p=0,304) o la edad (p=0,342). Conclusión: Existe un importante margen de mejora en la adaptación de la vacunación posquimioterapia en niños con cáncer. La participación de los profesionales en programas de formación y la derivación de estos pacientes a las Unidades de Vacunas podría mejorar la tasa de adaptación garantizando una correcta inmunización en estos niños (AU)

Introduction: Children undergoing chemotherapy for cancer have special vaccination needs after completion of the treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of post-chemotherapy vaccination schedules. Method: An observational study was performed on a retrospective cohort that included all children aged from 0 to 14 years, who completed chemotherapy in a tertiary hospital between 2009 and 2015. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Immunisation was administered in accordance with the guidelines of the Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics. Primary Care immunisation and clinical records of the Preventive Medicine and Public Health Department were reviewed. Results: Of the 99 children who had received chemotherapy, 51 (70.6% males) were included in the study. As regards the type of tumour, 54.9% had a solid organ tumour, and 45.1% had a haematological tumour. Post-chemotherapy immunisation was administered to 70.6%. The most common vaccines received were: diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis or diphtheria-tetanus (54.9%), meningococcus C (41.2%), and seasonal influenza (39.2%). The rate of adaptation of the immunisation schedule after chemotherapy was 9.8%. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against 7v or 13v was administered to 21.6% of study subjects. However, only 17.6% received polysaccharide 23v. None received vaccination against hepatitis A. No statistically significant differences were observed between adherence to immunisation schedules and type of tumour (P=.066), gender (P=.304), or age (P=.342). Conclusion: Post-chemotherapy immunisation of children with cancer is poor. The participation of health professionals in training programs and referral of paediatric cancer patients to Vaccine Units could improve the rate of schedule adaptation and proper immunisation of this population (AU)

Adapting immunisation schedules for children undergoing chemotherapy. / Adaptación de los calendarios de vacunación en población pediátrica que ha recibido quimioterapia.

INTRODUCTION: Children undergoing chemotherapy for cancer have special vaccination needs after completion of the treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of post-chemotherapy vaccination schedules. METHOD: An observational study was performed on a retrospective cohort that included all children aged from 0 to 14 years, who completed chemotherapy in a tertiary hospital between 2009 and 2015. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Immunisation was administered in accordance with the guidelines of the Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics. Primary Care immunisation and clinical records of the Preventive Medicine and Public Health Department were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 99 children who had received chemotherapy, 51 (70.6% males) were included in the study. As regards the type of tumour, 54.9% had a solid organ tumour, and 45.1% had a haematological tumour. Post-chemotherapy immunisation was administered to 70.6%. The most common vaccines received were: diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis or diphtheria-tetanus (54.9%), meningococcus C (41.2%), and seasonal influenza (39.2%). The rate of adaptation of the immunisation schedule after chemotherapy was 9.8%. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against 7v or 13v was administered to 21.6% of study subjects. However, only 17.6% received polysaccharide 23v. None received vaccination against hepatitis A. No statistically significant differences were observed between adherence to immunisation schedules and type of tumour (P=.066), gender (P=.304), or age (P=.342). CONCLUSION: Post-chemotherapy immunisation of children with cancer is poor. The participation of health professionals in training programs and referral of paediatric cancer patients to Vaccine Units could improve the rate of schedule adaptation and proper immunisation of this population.

Effect of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction Parameters on the Biological Activities and Metabolites Present in Extracts from Arthrospira platensis.

Arthrospira platensis was used to obtain functional extracts through supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SFE-CO2). Pressure (P), temperature (T), co-solvent (CX), static extraction (SX), dispersant (Di) and dynamic extraction (DX) were evaluated as process parameters through a Plackett-Burman design. The maximum extract yield obtained was 7.48 ± 0.15% w/w. The maximum contents of bioactive metabolites in extracts were 0.69 ± 0.09 µg/g of riboflavin, 5.49 ± 0.10 µg/g of α-tocopherol, 524.46 ± 0.10 µg/g of ß-carotene, 1.44 ± 0.10 µg/g of lutein and 32.11 ± 0.12 mg/g of fatty acids with 39.38% of palmitic acid, 20.63% of linoleic acid and 30.27% of γ-linolenic acid. A. platensis extracts had an antioxidant activity of 76.47 ± 0.71 µg GAE/g by Folin-Ciocalteu assay, 0.52 ± 0.02, 0.40 ± 0.01 and 1.47 ± 0.02 µmol TE/g by DPPH, FRAP and TEAC assays, respectively. These extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Overall, co-solvent was the most significant factor for all measured effects (p < 0.05). Arthrospira platensis represents a sustainable source of bioactive compounds through SFE using the following extraction parameters P: 450 bar, CX: 11 g/min, SX: 15 min, DX: 25 min, T: 60 °C and Di: 35 g.

Antimicrobial Activity of Rhoeo discolor Phenolic Rich Extracts Determined by Flow Cytometry.

Traditional medicine has led to the discovery of important active substances used in several health-related areas. Phytochemicals in Rhoeo discolor extracts have proven to have important antimicrobial activity. In the present study, our group determined the antimicrobial effects of extracts of Rhoeo discolor, a plant commonly used in Mexico for both medicinal and ornamental purposes. We evaluated the in vitro activity of phenolic rich extracts against specifically chosen microorganisms of human health importance by measuring their susceptibility via agar-disc diffusion assay and flow cytometry: Gram-positive Listeria innocua and Streptococcus mutans, Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and lastly a fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Ten different extracts were tested in eight different doses on all the microorganisms. Analytical data revealed a high content of phenolic compounds. Both agar-disc diffusion assay and flow cytometry results demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the least affected by extract exposure. However, low doses of these extracts (predominantly polar), in a range from 1 to 4 µg/mL, did produce a statistically significant bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect on the rest of the microorganisms. These results suggest the addition of certain natural extracts from Rhoeo discolor could act as antibacterial and antimycotic drugs or additives for foods and cosmetics.

Bactericidal action of binary and ternary mixtures of carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol against Listeria innocua.

The bactericidal effect of 3 natural agents (carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol) was evaluated as well as their binary and ternary mixtures on Listeria innocua inactivation in liquid model systems. Minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of these agents were determined, and then binary and ternary mixtures were evaluated. Culture media were inoculated with L. innocua and incubated for 72 h at 35 °C. Turbidity of studied systems were determined every 24 h. The most effective individual antimicrobial agent was carvacrol, followed by thymol and then eugenol with MBCs of 150, 250, and 450 mg kg(-1), respectively. It was observed that the most effective binary mixture was 75 mg kg(-1) carvacrol and 62.5 mg kg(-1) thymol. Furthermore, the ternary mixture carvacrol-thymol-eugenol in concentrations of 75, 31.25, and 56.25 mg kg(-1), correspondingly, was the most effective for L. innocua inactivation. Several binary and ternary mixtures of these 3 natural antimicrobial agents worked adequately to inactivate L. innocua.