Characterization and Quantification of the Major Bioactive Compounds in Mexican Purple Tomatoes.

The present work carries out a quantitative analysis of the major bioactive compounds found in the native Mexican purple tomatoes. Total phenolic content ranged from 7.54 to 57.79 mg TPC/g DM, total flavonoid content ranged from 1.89 to 16.93 mg TFC/g DM, total anthocyanin content ranged from 0.29 to 2.56 mg TAC/g DM, and total carotenoid content ranged from 0.11 to 0.75 mg TCC/ g DM. In addition, 14 phenolic acids were identified, among which caffeoylquinic acid derivatives were the most abundant compounds with chlorogenic acid concentration up to 9.680 mg/g DM, together with flavonoids, such as rutin and quercetin-hexoxide. The qualitative analysis also showed the presence of 9 acylated anthocyanins and 2 carotenoids with significant functional features. As for anthocyanins, their chemical structures disclosed special structural features: glycosylated anthocyanins exhibited cis-trans hydroxycinnamic moieties and petunidin-3-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-rutinoside-5-glucoside was reported to be the main anthocyanin, whitin the range of concentrations between 0.160 and 1.143 mg/g DM.

Escuelas de salud para personas mayores. Espacios que sanan, personas que curan / Health Schools for the elderly. Spaces that heal, people who cure

Las escuelas de salud son proyectos comunitarios con un bagaje y una evidencia científica ya conocidos y demostrados. Su influencia en la mejora de la calidad de vida de las persones mayores con soledad no deseada es uno de sus grandes beneficios. Por este motivo, como equipo de Atención Primaria apostamos por ella. El objetivo principal de la escuela es promover el envejecimiento activo y mejorar el estado de salud percibido por las persones mayores de 60 años participantes. Las escuelas de salud son espacios sanadores. Su repercusión es bidireccional, ya que influye en todas las personas que participan, mejorando su calidad de vida y dotándolas de herramientas útiles y sencillas para su día a día a través de los conocimientos adquiridos y las experiencias compartidas. Generar puntos de encuentro en el barrio enriquece y aporta salud más allá de los centros sanitarios. Salir a la calle, hablar de igual a igual, fomentar las redes de apoyo y vincularse a una red, son elementos que fortalecen y mejoran la vertiente social de las personas, ayudándolas a curar heridas de vida. Apostar por la salud comunitaria, es apostar por la salud en todas sus dimensiones. (AU)

Health schools are community projects with a well-known and proven scientific past and background. Their influence in improving the quality of life for elderly individuals experiencing unwanted loneliness is one of their significant benefits. That's why we, as a primary health care team, decided to support it. The main aim of the school is to promote active aging and enhance the perceived health status of participants aged over 60. Health schools are healing spaces. Their impact is bidirectional, which has an impact on all participants. Our quality of life improves as we share knowledge and experiences, providing us with healing, useful and straightforward tools for our daily lives. Creating meeting points in the neighbourhood enriches us and contributes to our well-being beyond healthcare centres. Going out into the community, having peer to peer conversations, fostering support networks, and connecting with others sustain us and make us socially stronger, healing life's wounds. To take a chance on the community is in essence to bet on health in all its dimensions. (AU)

Chemical characterization of yellow-orange and purple varieties of Opuntia ficus-indica fruits and thermal stability of their betalains.

Betalains are plant pigments with biological properties and can be used instead of synthetic colorants to confer color and functional properties to foods. The objective of this work was to carry out the chemical characterization of two varieties of prickly pear of Opuntia ficus-indica, one of yellow-orange coloration (Mandarina) and the other of purple coloration (Vigor), through measurements of chemical parameters and color in pulp, antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, and betalain content. Considering the thermolability of betalains and their potential applications in food, the thermal stability and activation energy of betacyanins from Vigor variety and betaxanthins from the Mandarina variety were also evaluated and compared with those from beetroot, the main source of betalains. Results for chemical characterization agreed with previous prickly pear reports of other regions, while the thermal degradation kinetics of betalains showed a first-order degradation pattern with respect to time and temperature treatment. Betacyanins from Vigor prickly pear showed similar thermal stability to those from beetroot, which was reflected in similar values of activation energy, while betaxanthins from Mandarina prickly pear showed a higher stability, and therefore a higher activation energy, than those from beetroot. Based on the results, the prickly pear varieties used in this study can be considered as a good source of betalains with potential applications in food and, in addition, the methodology for the evaluation of thermostability can be used to compare the stability of betalains from different sources in a temperature range of 50-90°C. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The varieties of prickly pear used in this study can be considered a good source of red-purple and yellow-orange easily extractable pigments. In addition, we report a methodology that can be used for the evaluation of the thermal stability of these pigments and to compare this stability between different plant sources. Gaining knowledge on betalain thermal stability will make it possible to propose specific applications, for example, in processed foods requiring different pigment stabilities.

Extraction of Lipophilic Antioxidants from Native Tomato Using Green Technologies.

Research background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit is highly consumed worldwide and contains high amounts of carotenoids and tocopherols, two powerful antioxidants. Native tomato genotypes are rarely used in large-scale market but serve as a reservoir to diversify the species gene pool and can be employed to obtain functional compounds. Extraction methods are currently changing towards cleaner procedures that are more efficient and environmentally friendly, including avoiding toxic or polluting solvents. Experimental approach: In this study, factorial and fractional factorial designs were used to evaluate the efficiency of digestive enzymes, sonication and green solvents to obtain lipophilic antioxidant extracts from native tomato. To monitor the efficiency of the extraction process, spectrophotometric quantification of total carotenoids and antioxidant activity was carried out, and then individual quantification of carotenoids and tocopherols in the extracts was done by HPLC. Results and conclusions: Digestive enzymes and sonication increased the carotenoid content and the antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts when applied individually. However, when these treatments were applied together and in combination with isopropyl acetate, a green solvent, the obtained extracts had the highest carotenoid and tocopherol contents as well as the maximal antioxidant activity. A correlation analysis suggested that antioxidant activity resulted from synergistic effects rather than individual compounds. Tomato extracts were obtained through a rapid and environmentally friendly extraction method and their antioxidant activity was enhanced. Novelty and scientific contribution: Tomato fruits have been the subject of numerous studies; however, functional compound extraction through environmentally friendly methods remains an attractive use of native tomato fruit, enhancing its limited production and harnessing a large amount of tomato product industry. There are few reports where environmentally friendly extraction methods are combined; even rarer are those where green solvents are also used. In this work, the combination of different environmentally friendly extraction methods improved the extraction of carotenoids and tocopherols and allowed to establish a more efficient process. These results could stimulate the use of clean technologies and make the native tomato more attractive for industrial or compound extraction processes.

The Obese Brain: Mechanisms of Systemic and Local Inflammation, and Interventions to Reverse the Cognitive Deficit.

Overweight and obesity are now considered a worldwide pandemic and a growing public health problem with severe economic and social consequences. Adipose tissue is an organ with neuroimmune-endocrine functions, which participates in homeostasis. So, adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia induce a state of chronic inflammation that causes changes in the brain and induce neuroinflammation. Studies with obese animal models and obese patients have shown a relationship between diet and cognitive decline, especially working memory and learning deficiencies. Here we analyze how obesity-related peripheral inflammation can affect central nervous system physiology, generating neuroinflammation. Given that the blood-brain barrier is an interface between the periphery and the central nervous system, its altered physiology in obesity may mediate the consequences on various cognitive processes. Finally, several interventions, and the use of natural compounds and exercise to prevent the adverse effects of obesity in the brain are also discussed.

Betalain plant sources, biosynthesis, extraction, stability enhancement methods, bioactivity, and applications.

Betalains are plant pigments with functional properties used mainly as food dyes. However, they have been shown to be unstable to different environmental factors. This paper provides a review of (1) Betalain plant sources within several plant families such as Amaranthaceae, Basellaceae, Cactaceae, Portulacaceae, and Nyctaginaceae, (2) The biosynthesis pathway of betalains for both betacyanins and betaxanthins, (3) Betalain extraction process, including non-conventional technologies like microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and pulsed electrical field extraction, (4) Factors affecting their stability, mainly temperature, water activity, light incidence, as well as oxygen concentration, metals, and the presence of antioxidants, as well as activation energy as a mean to assess stability, and novel food-processing technologies able to prevent betalain degradation, (5) Methods to increase shelf life, mainly encapsulation by spray drying, freeze-drying, double emulsions, ionic gelation, nanoliposomes, hydrogels, co-crystallization, and unexplored methods such as complex coacervation and electrospraying, (6) Biological properties of betalains such as their antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, and anti-inflammatory activities, among others, and (7) Applications in foods and other products such as cosmetics, textiles and solar cells, among others. Additionally, study perspectives for further research are provided for each section.

Environmentally friendly achiote seed extracts with higher δ-tocotrienol content have higher in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity than the conventional extract.

Achiote (Bixa orellana) is highly appreciated as a condiment and as the main source of bixin and tocotrienols, both having antioxidant properties. To explore the possibility of maximizing the antioxidant activity of achiote seed extracts using clean methodologies, the use of sonication and green solvents were tested. Ethyl lactate, isopropyl acetate, and ethanol combined with probe sonication produced the best results, obtaining similar bixin contents but higher δ-tocotrienol contents, as well as significantly higher in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity compared with the maceration method extract, requiring low energy and saving time and solvents. The probe-sonicated achiote extract with the highest δ-tocotrienol content was better at increasing the Caenorhabditis elegans resistance to oxidative stress than the extract obtained through maceration. This is the first report about the effect of sonication combined with green solvents on the bixin and δ-tocotrienol content in achiote seed extracts and its relevance on the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity.

Achiote (Bixa orellana) Lipophilic Extract, Bixin, and δ-tocotrienol Effects on Lifespan and Stress Resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The onset of many degenerative diseases related to aging has been associated with a decrease in the activity of antistress systems, and pharmacological interventions increasing stress resistance could be effective to prevent the development of such diseases. Achiote is a valuable source of carotenoid and tocotrienols, which have antioxidant activity. In this work, we explore the capacity of an achiote seed extract and its main compounds to modulate the lifespan and antistress responses on Caenorhabditis elegans, as well as the mechanisms involved in these effects. Achiote lipophilic extract, bixin, and δ-tocotrienol were applied on nematodes to carry out lifespan, stress resistance, and fertility assays. The achiote seed extract increased the median and maximum lifespan up to 35% and 27% and increased resistance against oxidative and thermal stresses without adverse effects on fertility. The beneficial effects were mimicked by a bixin+δ-tocotrienol mixture. All the effects on lifespan and stress resistance were independent of caloric restriction but dependent on the insulin/insulin growth factor-1 pathway. This study could provide insights for further research on a new beneficial use of this important crop in health and nutraceutical applications beyond its use as a source of natural pigments.

Some naturally occurring compounds that increase longevity and stress resistance in model organisms of aging.

Humans and other organisms show age-related signs of deterioration, which makes aging an interesting process to study. In the present work, we review the anti-aging evidence of several of the most promising natural compounds. Quercetin, rapamycin, resveratrol, spermidine, curcumin or sulforaphane administration increase longevity and stress resistance in model organisms such as yeasts, nematodes, flies and mice. Even more, rapamycin, resveratrol, and curcumin are currently in preclinical tests on the Interventions Testing Program of the National Institute on Aging due to their encouraging results in model organisms. The potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of these compounds are briefly described.

A Tomato Tocopherol-Binding Protein Sheds Light on Intracellular α-Tocopherol Metabolism in Plants.

Tocopherols are non-polar compounds synthesized in the plastids, which function as major antioxidants of the plant cells and are essential in the human diet. Both the intermediates and final products of the tocopherol biosynthetic pathway must cross plastid membranes to reach their sites of action. So far, no protein with tocopherol binding activity has been reported in plants. Here, we demonstrated that the tomato SlTBP protein is targeted to chloroplasts and able to bind α-tocopherol. SlTBP-knockdown tomato plants exhibited reduced levels of tocopherol in both leaves and fruits. Several tocopherol deficiency phenotypes were apparent in the transgenic lines, such as alterations in photosynthetic parameters, dramatic distortion of thylakoid membranes and significant variations in the lipid profile. These results, along with the altered expression of genes related to photosynthesis, and tetrapyrrole, lipid, isoprenoid, inositol/phosphoinositide and redox metabolism, suggest that SlTBP may act in conducting tocopherol (or its biosynthetic intermediates) between the plastid compartments and/or at the interface between chloroplast and endoplasmic reticulum membranes, affecting interorganellar lipid metabolism.

Phytochemical Profile, Toxicity, and Pharmacological Potential of Peels from Four Species of Tropical Fruits.

Tropical fruit peels are generally discarded as waste, yet they contain bioactive substances that could have various uses; in addition, their pharmacological potential remains unexplored. This study aims to characterize the phytochemical profile, toxicity, and pharmacological potential of methanol extracts obtained from the peels of the following tropical fruit species: Annona squamosa L. (purple sugar apple), Annona reticulata L. (custard apple), Chrysophyllum cainito L. (green star apple), and Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. (mamoncillo). Methanol peel extracts were obtained by maceration. All extracts contained flavonoids, anthraquinones, and triterpenoids as determined by colorimetric methods. A. squamosa and C. cainito exhibited the highest content of total phenols as assayed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. M. bijugatus showed the highest content of total sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. A. squamosa and C. cainito presented the highest antioxidant capacities (according to 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assays), displayed moderate toxicity against HCT-116 cells, and increased the vinblastine susceptibility of MCF-7/Vin+. A. squamosa and M. bijugatus extracts demonstrated modulation of acetylcholinesterase activity, whereas those of A. reticulata showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting protein denaturation. These results confirm that tropical fruit peels can be valuable sources of bioactive compounds, and our findings provide new information about their pharmacologic potential so that they can be used as raw material for the development of new drugs aimed at treating a variety of ailments.

Antioxidant Capacity In Vitro and In Vivo of Various Ecotypes of Mexican Plum (Spondias purpurea L.).

Spondias purpurea L. is a fruit native to Mexico, however, it is found as far away as Brazil. It possesses a high commercial potential owing to its sensorial and nutritional qualities and its low cost of production. There exists a variety of ecotypes that have not been characterized and their adequate selection process, according to their strongest functional characteristics, will allow the establishment of improvement programs for this genetic resource. The object of this study was the chemical characterization and the determination of the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacity of 7 Spondias purpurea L. ecotypes. Differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity and the content of functional compounds among all the ecotypes analyzed. A high total phenolic content and a low flavonoid and carotenoid content were found, both in the epicarp and in the pulp. In each ecotype, the hydrophilic phase presented up to 40 times greater antioxidant capacity compared to the lipophilic phase. The hydrophilic phase of the epicarp of "Costeña Tierra Colorada" had the greatest antioxidant capacity and highest total phenolic content, whereas "Jocote" presented the lowest antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. A positive correlation was observed between phenol levels and the antioxidant capacity in the epicarp. Regarding antioxidant activity in vivo, it was observed that in all analyzed concentrations of hydrophilic extracts of the epicarp of "Costeña Tierra Colorada" and in the highest "Jocote" concentrations, they provided thermo-protection against heat stress as well as a general well-being to the worm as evidenced by their high mobility.

Achiote (Bixa orellana L.): a natural source of pigment and vitamin E.

Commercialization of agricultural products, including seeds and its derived products, represents an important economic source for developing countries. Natural colorants obtained from the seeds of achiote plant (annatto) have been used since pre-Hispanic times. Also, production of this crop has been important for Mayan cuisine. Annual world production of achiote seeds is approximately 14,500 tons (dry weight). Two thirds of the production is commercialized as dried seeds and the rest as colorant. Latin America produces 60% of the total world production, followed by Africa (27%) and Asia (12%). The main producers in Latin America are Peru, Brazil and Mexico. The purpose of the present paper is to review the most recent literature on Bixa orellana L. focusing on bixin, norbixin, tocotrienols and tocopherols biosynthesis, use and industrial applications of annatto extracts, as well as its nutraceutical potential and its benefits for human health.

Studies on phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic and antiproliferative activities of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia extracts.

CONTEXT: Echinacea (Asteraceae) is used because of its pharmacological properties. However, there are few studies that integrate phytochemical analyses with pharmacological effects. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the chemical profile and biological activity of hydroalcoholic Echinacea extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Density, dry matter, phenols (Folin-Ciocalteu method), flavonoids (AlCl3 method), alkylamides (GC-MS analysis), antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS methods), antiproliferative effect (SRB assay), anti-inflammatory effect (paw oedema assay, 11 days/Wistar rats; 0.4 mL/kg) and hypoglycaemic effect (33 days/Wistar rats; 0.4 mL/kg) were determined in three Echinacea extracts which were labelled as A, B and C (A, roots of Echinacea purpurea L. Moench; B, roots, leaves, flowers and seeds of Echinacea purpurea; C, aerial parts and roots of Echinacea purpurea and roots of Echinacea angustifolia DC). RESULTS: Extract C showed higher density (0.97 g/mL), dry matter (0.23 g/mL), phenols (137.5 ± 2.3 mEAG/mL), flavonoids (0.62 ± 0.02 mEQ/mL), and caffeic acid (0.048 mg/L) compared to A and B. A, B presented 11 alkylamides, whereas C presented those 11 and three more. B decreased the oedema (40%) on day 2 similar to indomethacin. A and C showed hypoglycaemic activity similar to glibenclamide. Antiproliferative effect was only detected for C (IC50 270 µg/mL; 8171 µg/mL; 9338 µg/mL in HeLa, MCF-7, HCT-15, respectively). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The difference in the chemical and pharmacological properties among extracts highlights the need to consider strategies and policies for standardization of commercial herbal extracts in order to guarantee the safety and identity of this type of products.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and chitosan in the reduction of browning of pericarp Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum).

The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum alone or in combination with chitosan were evaluated on quality and color retention in rambutan fruits (Nephelium lappaceum) stored at 25 degrees C and 10 degrees C with 75+/-2.5% of relative humidity for 10 and 15 days, respectively. The development of the microorganisms was evidenced by viability analyses and lactic acid production. The application of L. plantarum significantly improved color retention (a* and L*), and reduced weight losses. The lactobacilli, alone or in combination with chitosan, preserved fruit quality characteristics such as firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity. The lactobacilli application on rambutan pericarp produced acidification of pericarp and avoided the browning; thereby desiccation was prevented due to biofilm formation.

Expression analysis of a GA 20-oxidase in embryos from two sorghum lines with contrasting dormancy: possible participation of this gene in the hormonal control of germination.

The role of GAs in promoting seed germination is well known and experiments with seeds from different species have suggested the requirement of de novo synthesis of GAs upon imbibition for germination. There are also strong indications that the enhancement of GA synthesis is part of the mechanism through which environmental signals (i.e. light) induce germination. Since along the GA biosynthetic pathway, oxidation at C-20 carried out by GA 20-oxidases is thought to be a site of regulation, a cDNA clone encoding a GA 20-oxidase was isolated from embryos of sorghum (SbGA 20ox). Expression analysis of this gene in embryos within imbibed caryopses with low dormancy showed detectable amounts of the specific mRNA early upon incubation, increasing thereafter. In contrast, it remained barely detectable in embryos from dormant caryopses. Changes in endogenous GA4 levels were in agreement with those of SbGA 20ox mRNA, suggesting that GA production might be regulated differentially at the level of transcription of this gene. The expression of SbGA 20ox was enhanced in incubated embryos isolated from either type of caryopses, illustrating a physiological control exerted by the surrounding seed tissues on gene expression. The results also show that ABA leads to a suppression of transcription of this gene.