Effect of baking conditions on resistant starch: Model systems and cake formulations.

Five ingredients rich in RS (resistant starch) were assessed in a model system simulating baking process (water addition 30-50%, 180 °C/35 min) and in reformulated cakes (50% replacement of wheat flour). Moreover, two enzymatic methods used for RS determination (official and rapid) were compared. The combined effect of heating and water addition (50%) significantly decreased the RS content in all ingredients. Reformulated vegan cakes presented significantly lower RS values than those theoretically expected, according to the RS value of raw ingredients. The highest RS amount was observed for Hi Maize, which kept 84% and 72% of the initial RS content in the model systems and cake, respectively. Only the cakes made with Hi Maize reached the criteria for the health claim related to the reduction of post-prandial glycemic response (European Union regulation). Finally, differences between the official and rapid methods were less significant in the cakes than in the model systems.

Olive and echium oil gelled emulsions: Simulated effect of processing temperature, gelling agent and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on oxidation and bioactive compounds.

The impact and relative relevance of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, processing temperature (room temperature or 180 °C), and gelling agent (GA) (carrageenan and alginate) on the bioactive compounds and oxidation status of olive and echium oils gelled formulations with 40% lipid incorporation was assessed. In vitro digestion was not affected by the GA, with >90% lipolysis in all formulations, but was the most relevant variable, promoting oxidation (MDA) regardless of the oil type, GA or temperature applied. Tocopherols and phenolic decreased with digestion, which could be interpreted as a protective response to pro-oxidative conditions during digestion. Temperature decreased olive oil phenolics. Gelification of echium oil using alginate reduced secondary oxidation products formation in comparison with carrageenan, with oxidation degrees after digestion equivalent to those shown with olive oil. The use of alginate with olive oil resulted in the most stable formulations, although not protecting its minor bioactive compounds from thermal degradation.

Fatty acid profile, sterols, and squalene content comparison between two conventional (olive oil and linseed oil) and three non-conventional vegetable oils (echium oil, hempseed oil, and moringa oil).

New sources of bioactive compounds are constantly explored for reformulating healthier foods. This work aimed to explore and characterize the fatty acid profile and sterol content of three non-conventional oils used in functional food products (hempseed oil, moringa oil, and echium oil) and to compare them with two conventional ones (extra virgin olive oil [EVOO] and linseed oil). Oxidative stability was assessed by determining their acidity value and peroxide content. All oils showed adequate values for acidity and oxidation status. Echium and hempseed oils showed a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (>70%), especially omega-3 fatty acids, while moringa oil was rich in oleic acid. Echium oil, hempseed oil, and moringa oil presented higher sterol content than EVOO, but lower than that of linseed oil. Sitosterol was the most abundant sterol in all samples (97.88-275.36 mg/100 g oil), except in echium oil, where campesterol (170.62 mg/100 g oil) was the major sterol. Squalene was only found in significant amounts in EVOO. In conclusion, non-conventional oils seem to be interesting sources of bioactive compounds and have great potential for the food industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Non-conventional vegetable oils can be used as alternative sources of lipids in a variety of food products. Additionally, these oils have great potential to be included in the formulation of functional ingredients for the delivery of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, among others.

Gels as fat replacers in bakery products: a review.

Several strategies have been studied to replace or decrease fat content in bakery products aiming improving their nutritional profile. This paper reviewed the effect of different vehiculization systems (hydrogels, emulgels and oleogels) as fat replacers in different types of bakery goods, focusing on technological and nutritional properties of the reformulated products. The most commonly used fat source for replacement purposes were vegetable oils with high monounsaturated fatty acid content, such as olive oil and canola oil (44% of the revised papers used them), whereas high polyunsaturated fatty acid content oils were used in 34% of papers. Oleogelation was the most frequent used method of oil structuring, using waxes and fibers as stabilizers. Reductions of total fat between 19% and 46% and saturated fatty acid between 33% and 87% were achieved, enough to reach the minimum legal limit to state nutrition claims, under the EU legislation, on several products. Sensory evaluation results showed that partially replaced products (<75% replacement) were more appreciated by panelists than fully replaced ones. This review highlights the wide range of alternatives within gel-like fat replacers, that have potential to be applied in different bakery products and the challenge to produce nutritionally enhanced foods and technologically and sensory acceptable.

Flax and hempseed oil functional ingredient stabilized by inulin and chia mucilage as a butter replacer in muffin formulations.

The addition of different amounts of a functional ingredient composed of water, inulin, chia seeds, and hemp or flaxseed oil was examined as butter replacer to improve the nutritional value of muffins. Nutritional, technological, and sensory characteristics of the reformulated products were assessed, as well as the stability under storage at room temperature. One control and six modified formulations with three levels of butter replacement (50%, 75%, and 100%) were analyzed. Modified muffins improved their nutritional profile, reducing up to 78% of fat and increasing fiber (up to 62.5%) and omega-3 fatty acids content (from 0.12 g/100 g of product to 0.62 g and 1.55 g in hemp and flaxseed oil samples, respectively). Sensory analysis revealed that flaxseed oil samples were indistinguishable from the control in all evaluated attributes, even in the highest level of replacement. During storage, texture of modified samples behaved similar to the control and no oxidation problems were observed in any of the formulations. Therefore, the functional ingredient proved to be a feasible alternative for replacing butter in muffins, preserving the quality attributes and making them healthier foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Functional ingredients including fiber and low amounts of good-quality sources of fat have a simple manufacturing process, do not require heating, and perform well once incorporated to the matrix. They are versatile and could be incorporated in other bakery products to substitute butter or even oil, to obtain a reduced calorie product and with an enhanced nutritional profile and good sensory properties.

Disorder driven metal-insulator transition in BaPb(1-x)Bi(x)O3 and inference of disorder-free critical temperature.

We performed point-contact spectroscopy tunneling measurements on single crystal BaPb(1-x)Bi(x)O(3) for 0≤x≤0.28 at temperatures T=2-40 K and find a suppression in the density of states at low bias voltages that is characteristic of disordered metals. Both the correlation gap and the zero-temperature conductivity are zero at a critical concentration x(c)=0.30. Not only does this suggests that a disorder driven metal-insulator transition occurs before the onset of the charge disproportionated charge density wave insulator, but we also explore whether a scaling theory is applicable. In addition, we estimate the disorder-free critical temperature and compare these results to Ba(1-x)K(x)BiO(3).

[Attalea butyracea palms adjacent to housing as a source of infestation by Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)]. / Attalea butyracea próximas a las viviendas como posible fuente de infestación domiciliaria por Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) en los Llanos Orientales de Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of Rhodnius prolixus in palms on the eastern plains area of Colombia provide a high risk for infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Intensive surveillance of the palm tree habitat are necessary to confirm the presence of bugs and provide evidence that this habitat is a source of house infestations. OBJECTIVE: The infestation by R. prolixus in the palm, Attalea butyracea, was investigated near homes for assessment of risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Palms were examined for Rhodnius bugs adjacent to rural housing in the eastern plains provinces of Casanare and Arauca, Colombia. Bait traps were used as well as an active search by the investigators and a community watch program to collect intradomiciliary triatomine bugs. Collected species were identified by morphological criteria,and natural T.cruzi infections in the triatomine bugs were detected by the PCR technique. RESULTS: In 111 of 172 (64.5%) palms (A. butyracea) inspected, 529 nymphs and adults of R. prolixus and 5 nymphs of Eratyrus mucronatus were collected. The A. butyracea were located within 500 m of housing. In the same period, 132 R. prolixus and specimens of the triatomine species Psammolestes arthuri,Cavernicola pilosa, Triatoma maculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus were collected inside houses. Twenty nymphs of E. mucronatus were found in a pile of bricks on the porch of a home. Natural infection of T. cruzi was detected in 28.8% of R. prolixus from palm trees and 30.0% inside houses. CONCLUSIONS: A new epidemiological scenario of transmission of Chagas disease was revealed, characterized by high rates of infestation of R. prolixus in palms near houses with frequent intrusion into houses. In designing measures to prevent Chagas disease, the association of palm trees, triatomine bugs and housing proximity is a significant consideration.

In vitro susceptibility of Trypanosoma cruzi strains from Santander, Colombia, to hexadecylphosphocholine (miltefosine), nifurtimox and benznidazole

Introduction. The current chemotherapy for Chagas disease is unsatisfactory with only two drugs available for treatment. Research to discover new drugs for Chagas disease is urgent. Hexadecyl-phosphocholine (HPC, miltefosine) has been demonstrated to have in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, but its activity on different Colombian T. cruzi strains is not known. Objective. To evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of T. cruzi strains isolated from humans and vectors in Santander, Colombia, to miltefosine, nifurtimox and benznidazole. Materials and methods. Eight T. cruzi Colombian strains and three reference strains (Esmeraldo, SilvioX10 and Y) were studied. Drug activities against extracellular epimastigotes and intracellular amastigotes were determined by microscopic counting. The results were expressed as the concentrations that inhibited 50% and 90% growth (IC50 and IC90). Results. For miltefosine a similar range of drug activity was observed against all the Colombian strains, all parasites being more susceptible to miltefosine than to the reference drugs. The intracellular amastigotes were more susceptible to miltefosine (IC50 0.08 to 0.63 ìM and IC90 0.21 to 2.21 ìM) than extracellular forms (IC50 <0.92 to 2.29 ìM and IC90 1.38 to 4.76 ìM). For reference drugs, parasites were more susceptible to nifurtimox than to benznidazole and some differences in activity of benznidazole between T. cruzi strains was observed. Conclusions. The results showed the significant in vitro activity of miltefosine against T. cruzi stages, and the expected results for the reference drugs. Further in vivo studies with miltefosine are planned.

Introducción. Los tratamientos actuales para la enfermedad de Chagas son insatisfactorios y sólo existen dos medicamentos disponibles. La búsqueda de alternativas terapéuticas es prioritaria. La hexadecilfosfocolina (miltefosina) ha mostrado actividad in vitro contra Trypanosoma cruzi. Sin embargo, su actividad en aislamientos de T. cruzi obtenidos en Colombia aún no ha sido reportada. Objetivo. Evaluar la susceptibilidad in vitro a miltefosina, nifurtimox y benznidazole de cepas de T. cruzi aisladas de humanos y vectores en Santander, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluó la susceptibilidad de los tres medicamentos en ocho cepas colombianas de T. cruzi y tres cepas de referencia: Esmeraldo, Silvio X10 y Y. La actividad de los compuestos fue determinada en epimastigotes extracelulares y amastigotes intracelulares, por conteo microscópico. Los resultados se expresaron en concentraciones inhibitorias 50 y 90 (CI50 y CI90). Resultados. Para la miltefosina, se observaron rangos similares en la actividad del medicamento entre las cepas colombianas; todos los parásitos fueron más susceptibles a la miltefosina que a los medicamentos de referencia. Los amastigotes intracelulares fueron más sensibles a la miltefosina (CI50, 0,08 a 0,63 µM y CI90, 0,21 a 2,21 µM) que las formas extracelulares (CI50, <0,92 a 2,29 µM y CI90, 1,38 a 4,76 µM). En los medicamentos de referencia, los parásitos fueron más susceptibles al nifurtimox que al benznidazole. Se observaron algunas diferencias en la actividad del benznidazole en las cepas estudiadas de T. cruzi. Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos de la actividad in vitro de miltefosina y de los medicamentos de referencia contra aislamientos de T. cruzi son satisfactorios y serán considerados en estudios posteriores in vivo.

In vitro susceptibility of Trypanosoma cruzi strains from Santander, Colombia, to hexadecylphosphocholine (miltefosine), nifurtimox and benznidazole.

INTRODUCTION: The current chemotherapy for Chagas disease is unsatisfactory with only two drugs available for treatment. Research to discover new drugs for Chagas disease is urgent. Hexadecyl-phosphocholine (HPC, miltefosine) has been demonstrated to have in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, but its activity on different Colombian T. cruzi strains is not known. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of T. cruzi strains isolated from humans and vectors in Santander, Colombia. to miltefosine, nifurtimox and benznidazole. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight T. cruzi Colombian strains and three reference strains (Esmeraldo, SilvioX10 and Y) were studied. Drug activities against extracellular epimastigotes and intracellular amastigotes were determined by microscopic counting. The results were expressed as the concentrations that inhibited 50% and 90% growth (IC50 and IC90). RESULTS: For miltefosine a similar range of drug activity was observed against all the Colombian strains, all parasites being more susceptible to miltefosine than to the reference drugs. The intracellular amastigotes were more susceptible to miltefosine (IC50 0.08 to 0.63 microM and IC90 0.21 to 2.21 microM) than extracellular forms (IC50 <0.92 to 2.29 microM and IC90 1.38 to 4.76 microM). For reference drugs, parasites were more susceptible to nifurtimox than to benznidazole and some differences in activity of benznidazole between T. cruzi strains was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed the significant in vitro activity of miltefosine against T. cruzi stages, and the expected results for the reference drugs. Further in vivo studies with miltefosine are planned.

Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) en un foco suburbano de leishmaniosis visceral en el Cañón del Chicamocha en Santander, Colombia / Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) at a suburban focus of visceral leishmaniasis in the Chicamocha Canyon, Santander, Colombia

Introducción. Entre los años 1998-2000 la aparición de 8 casos de leishmaniosis visceral americana en niños de un asentamiento humano de reciente establecimiento en la localidad de Guatiguará del municipio de Piedecuesta (Santander Colombia), señaló la posible presencia de un ciclo de transmisión de Leishmania en dicho lugar que motivó el presente estudio entomológico. Objetivos. Determinar frecuencia relativa en el intra y peridomicilio de Lutzomyia longipalpis y la infección natural de este vector con Leishmania spp. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron para el muestreo trampas CDC intra y peridomiciliares, capturas sobre cebo humano, cebo animal y en sitios de reposo, en el periodo de mayo de 1999 a septiembre del 2000. La infección natural se determinó mediante la técnica de PCR, en pooles de hembras de Lutzomyia longipalpis. Resultados. Se capturaron 7.391 flebótomos. La especie predominante fue Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), con un 99,5 por cioento de las capturas. En las recolecciones con trampas de luz CDC, L. longipalpis tuvo una mayor frecuencia en el intradomicilio que en el peridomicilio (p=0,0001). La tasa total de infección natural fue del 1,93 por ciento y se observó una correlación positiva entre los meses de mayor abundancia y el número de hembras infectadas que ingresan al domicilio. Conclusiones. Los resultados indican que en la localidad de Guatiguará Lutzomyia longipalpis, presenta tendencias marcadas hacia el intradomicilio, lo cual tiene serias implicaciones en la transmisión por cuanto el riesgo de transmisión se ve aumentado durante los meses de mayor abundancia por el ingreso de un mayor número de hembras infectadas. Desde el punto de vista de control este comportamiento permite diseñar estrategias que disminuyan la transmisión del parásito en el interior del domicilio.

Introduction. Between 1998 and 2000, the occurrence of 8 cases of American visceral leishmaniasis in children from a recently established human settlement in Guatiguará, in the municipality of Piedecuesta (Santander, Colombia) indicated the possible presence of Leishmania transmission in this locality. This observation motivated the current entomological investigation. Objectives. To determine the relative frequency of Lutzomyia longipalpis inside houses and outdoors, and the natural infection of this vector with Leishmania spp. Materials and methods. CDC light traps were used for sampling inside houses and outdoors, and sand flies were collected on human volunteers and domestic animals, and in resting places, during the period from May 1999 through September 2000. Natural infection was determined by PCR, in pools of female Lutzomyia longipalpis. Results: A total of 7,391 phlebotomine sand flies were collected. The predominant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), representing 99.5% of captures. In the sand flies collected with CDC light traps, L. longipalpis was more frequently collected indoors than outdoors ( p=0.0001). The total rate of natural infection was 1.93% and a positive correlation was observed between months with higher abundance and the number of infected females entering human dwellings. Conclusions: The results indicate that in Guatiguará Lutzomyia longipalpis, shows marked tendency for the indoors, which has important implications for leishmaniasis transmission. Furthermore, transmission risk is increased during the months of higher abundance due to the entry of a higher number of infected females. From the standpoint of control, this behaviour permits the design of strategies to reduce indoor transmission.

[Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) at a suburban focus of visceral leishmaniasis in the Chicamocha Canyon, Santander, Colombia]. / Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) en un foco suburbano de leishmaniosis visceral en el Cañón del Chicamocha en Santander, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Between 1998 and 2000, the occurrence of 8 cases of American visceral leishmaniasis in children from a recently established human settlement in Guatiguará, in the municipality of Piedecuesta (Santander, Colombia) indicated the possible presence of Leishmania transmission in this locality. This observation motivated the current entomological investigation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative frequency of Lutzomyia longipalpis inside houses and outdoors, and the natural infection of this vector with Leishmania spp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CDC light traps were used for sampling inside houses and outdoors, and sand flies were collected on human volunteers and domestic animals, and in resting places, during the period from May 1999 through September 2000. Natural infection was determined by PCR, in pools of female Lutzomyia longipalpis. RESULTS: A total of 7,391 phlebotomine sand flies were collected. The predominant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), representing 99.5% of captures. In the sand flies collected with CDC light traps, L. longipalpis was more frequently collected indoors than outdoors (p = 0.0001). The total rate of natural infection was 1.93% and a positive correlation was observed between months with higher abundance and the number of infected females entering human dwellings. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that in Guatiguará Lutzomyia longipalpis, shows marked tendency for the indoors, which has important implications for leishmaniasis transmission. Furthermore, transmission risk is increased during the months of higher abundance due to the entry of a higher number of infected females. From the standpoint of control, this behaviour permits the design of strategies to reduce indoor transmission.