Application of a Simplex-Centroid Mixture Design to Evaluate the Phenolic Compound Content and Antioxidant Potential of Plants Grown in Mexico.

Nowadays, the food and health industries are generating new products with antioxidant potential; among them are those rich in phenolic compounds that have a beneficial impact on human health. Therefore, the aim of this research was to obtain different types of mixtures from Portulaca oleraceae (P), Chenopodium album (C), Opuntia oligacantha Förster var. Ulapa (O), and Amaranthus tricolor (A) and evaluate the content of total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant potential in order to select the mixture with the highest content of phenolic compounds. An experimental simplex-centroid mixture design with 15 experimental treatments was used; the data were analyzed and adjusted to a quadratic model that allowed for the prediction of the content of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) of different experimental mixtures. The results show that the individual components of C and P had the highest content of phenols and antioxidant potential. It was observed that the binary mixtures P-C and P-A presented values of total phenols greater than 11 mg of gallic acid equivalents g-1 DW and values of flavonoids greater than 13 mg of quercetin equivalents g-1 DW. These values were higher than those found in the individual components. The P-C mixture with an antioxidant potential of 66.0 ± 0.07 Trolox equivalents g-1 DW could be used as an additive in food or to obtain a functional food that improves the intake of antioxidant compounds in the population.

Fluoride Concentration in Urine after Supplementation with Quelites in a Population of Adolescents.

Wild plants have detoxifying and protective properties. They reduce or neutralize the toxic effects caused by chemical agents and pollutants and have beneficial effects on the nutritional and health status. This research was conducted to complement a previous clinical intervention in which participants were exposed to high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water to discover similarities or differences in the pattern of fluoride (F-) excretion after supplementation with partial areas of purslane and quelite cenizo (SP-Q). The study was 4 weeks long, and it was carried out on a sample of 27 adolescents in an age range of 11-12 years. Anthropometric and dietary evaluations were performed, and the concentrations of fluoride (F-) in urine and drinking water were quantified using the potentiometric method with an ion-selective electrode. The treated group increased urinary F- excretion after the first week (Baseline: 9.23 mg/g creatinine; Week 2: 0.73 mg/g creatinine), together with significant mobilization of F- and a recovery process at the end of the intervention (Week 4: 0.52 mg/g creatinine). The supplement may act by increasing the excretion of F- and the nutritional dietary conditions that contribute to mitigation and recovery in participants exposed to the contaminant while also managing access to drinking water.

Actividad antioxidante en genotipos de Theobroma spp. (Malvaceae) en México / Antioxidant activity in genotypes of Theobroma spp. (Malvaceae) in Mexico

Abstract Introduction: The organoleptic qualities of aromatic species and their derived products are directly related to some characteristics of flavor, color and nutritional value and depend largely on their genetic origin and content of secondary metabolites. Objective: The antioxidant activity of different genotypes of Theobroma spp. from Mexico was evaluated in order to distinguish promising qualities for genetic improvement, and to differentiate phylogenetic traits, considering biochemical variables. Methods: The amount of phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity was determined by ABTS and DDPH, in addition to the content of anthocyanins, theobromine and caffeine in four species of Theobroma L., and 50 genotypes derived from T. cacao. The results were analyzed using an analysis of variance, means test, principal component analysis and cladistic analysis. Results: There are highly significant differences between genotypes. The phenol content ranged from 7.5-85 mg g-1; flavonoids 6.57-69.6 mg g-1, antioxidant activity by ABTS of 17.3-86.1 and by DDPH of 40.0-53.3; anthocyanin content of 0.01-3, caffeine of 1.8-6.7-and theobromine of 2.9-9.8 mg g-1. Principal component and cladistic analysis helped explain the variation found and distinguish evolutionary characters and phylogenetic brotherhoods. The variation in content of phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, theobromine and caffeine was mainly due to the degree of domestication, while for the group of genotypes derived from T. cacao (forastero, trinitario and criollo) it was the origin of the seeds. Conclusions: The degree of domestication influences the content of phenols and antioxidant capacity. The results suggest that the evaluated variables can help to form criteria for genetic improvement in the complex derived from T. cacao oriented to the selection of higher phenol content and greater antioxidant activity.

Resumen Introducción: Las cualidades organolépticas de las especies aromáticas y sus productos derivados se relacionan directamente con algunas características del sabor, color y valor nutricional y dependen en gran medida de su origen genético y contenido de metabolitos secundarios. Objetivo: Se evaluó la actividad antioxidante de diferentes genotipos de Theobroma spp. de México, con el fin de distinguir cualidades promisorias para el mejoramiento genético, y diferenciar rasgos filogenéticos, considerando variables bioquímicas. Métodos: Se determinó la cantidad de fenoles, flavonoides y actividad antioxidante mediante ABTS y DDPH, además de contenido de antocianinas, teobromina y cafeína en cuatro especies de Theobroma L., y 50 genotipos derivados de T. cacao. Resultados: Los resultados fueron analizados mediante un análisis de varianza, prueba de medias, análisis de componentes principales y análisis cladístico. Existen diferencias altamente significativas entre genotipos. El contenido de fenoles varió de 7.5-85 mg g-1; flavonoides 6.57-69.6-mg g-1, actividad antioxidante por ABTS de 17.3-86.1 y por DDPH de 40.0-53.3; el contenido de antocianinas de 0.01-3, cafeína de 1.8-6.7 y teobromina de 2.9-9.8 mg g-1. El análisis de componentes principales y cladístico ayudó a explicar la variación encontrada y distinguir caracteres evolutivos y hermandades filogenéticas. La variación en contenido de fenoles, flavonoides, actividad antioxidante, antocianinas, teobromina y cafeína estuvo dada principalmente por el grado de domesticación, mientras que para el grupo de genotipos derivados de T. cacao (forastero, trinitario y criollo) fue el origen de las semillas. Conclusión: El grado de domesticación influye en el contenido de fenoles y actividad antioxidante. Los resultados sugieren que las variables evaluadas pueden ayudar a formar criterios para el mejoramiento genético en el complejo derivado de T. cacao orientado a la selección de mayor contenido de fenoles y mayor actividad antioxidante.

Nutritional Composition, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Edible Flowers Consumed in Semiarid Regions of Mexico.

In semiarid regions of Mexico, it is common to use the floristic richness of wild plants as food ingredients. Hence, flowers of Agave salmiana, Aloe vera, Erythrina americana, and Myrtillocactus geometrizans, which are typical and traditionally consumed flowers, were analyzed. The physicochemical properties; proximate composition; the contents of minerals, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenols, and total flavonoids; the quantification of phenolic compounds by HPLC; and the antioxidant activity in vitro were determined. The flowers were high in carbohydrates, proteins and minerals, mainly K and N in flowers from E. americana and M. geometrizans, respectively. The highest concentration of carotenoids was detected in red flowers (E. americana). Total phenols ranged from 4.73 to 72.40 mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry weight (GAE/g DW). However, the highest value of antioxidant activity was 819.80 µmol of Trolox equivalents per gram of dry weight (TE/g DW). The highest values of phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity were found in the flowers of M. geometrizans. The antioxidant activity of flowers was mainly related to phenolic compounds. The main phenolic compounds detected in flowers were rutin and phloridzin. The edible flowers analyzed in this study are a potential source of compounds with high biological activity.