Effects of Cocoa-Derived Polyphenols on Cognitive Function in Humans. Systematic Review and Analysis of Methodological Aspects.

The effects of cocoa-derived polyphenols on cognitive functions have been analyzed through numerous studies using different interventions (doses, vehicles, time frame, cognition tests, and characteristics of participants) which may hamper the interpretation and comparison of findings across investigations. Thus, a systematic review was conducted to analyze the effects of cocoa-derived polyphenols intake on human cognition and discuss the methodological aspects that may contribute to the heterogeneity of findings. Randomized clinical trials evaluating the effect of cocoa polyphenols on cognitive function in healthy subjects were selected according to selection criteria. Twelve studies were selected. Quality was assessed according to the Cochrane risk for bias tool. The most common risk for bias was the lack of information about the sequence generation process. Effects on cognitive function were observed after consumption of 50 mg/day of (-)-epicatechin and in studies using a component-matched placebo and cocoa as the polyphenol vehicle given to healthy adults (18-50 years). Memory (n = 5) and executive function (n = 4) showed the most significant effects with medium and large effect sizes after intake of intermediate doses of cocoa flavanols (500-750 mg/day). Overall, this set of studies suggest a positive effect of cocoa polyphenols on memory and executive function. However, the available evidence is very diverse and future studies may address the identified sources of variation to strengthen current evidence on this promising field.

Evaluación del impacto ambiental del proceso de modificación química de almidones nativos como potenciales excipientes en la industria cosmética / Evaluation of the environmental impact of the process of chemical modification of native starches as potential excipients in the cosmetic industry

RESUMEN El almidón por ser un polímero natural biodegradable es utilizado en la industria cosmética, gracias a que posee un bajo impacto ambiental. Para mejorar las propiedades anfifílicas de este polímero, se introduce una cadena alifática en la estructura, que permita interactuar con las cadenas apolares del almidón, generando así un aumento de su capacidad lipofílica. Por tanto, en este trabajo se usaron almidones de ñame, yuca, batata y maíz USP, este último como referencia, y fueron sometidos a tres metodologías de modificación: 1. Esterificación directa, 2. Hidrólisis y posterior esterificación y 3. Esterificación mediante microondas, empleando anhídrido dodecenil succínico (DDSA). En todos los casos, se incrementó significativamente la capacidad captadora de aceite y la emulsificante (tensoactiva) de los almidones; sin embargo, el "método en microondas" presentó algunas ventajas en comparación con otros métodos, de las cuales destacamos: aumento de la eficiencia de esterificación, disminución del tiempo de reacción de esterificación y menor impacto ambiental.

SUMMARY Starch, as a biodegradable natural polymer, is used in the cosmetic industry, exhibiting a low environmental impact. To improve the amphiphilic properties of this polymer, an aliphatic chain is introduced in the structure, which allows interacting with the polar chains of the starch, generating an increase of its lipophilic capacity. Therefore, in this paper we evaluated starches of yam, cassava, sweet potato and corn USP (as reference), which were subjected to three chemical modification methodologies: 1. Direct esterification; 2. Hydrolysis and esterification; 3. Esterification by microwaves, by using dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA). In all cases significant increasing of the oil capturing capacities and emulsifier (active) of the starches. However, the "microwave method" presented some advantages compared to other methods, in particular, an increase in esterification efficiency, a decrease in the esterification reaction time and a lower environmental impact.

Evaluación de la actividad antioxidante de las pulpas de Rubus glaucus B, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L / Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of pulps from Rubus glaucus B., Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L

Introducción: actualmente se ha demostrado una relación entre el consumo de alimentos con altos niveles de compuestos antioxidantes, los cuales están directamente asociados con la prevención de enfermedades. Objetivos: evaluar la actividad antioxidante de las pulpas Rubus glaucus B, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L. Métodos: Rubus glaucus Benth variedad Castilla, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L fueron adquiridas en un mercado local de la ciudad de Cartagena, Bolívar (10°25'25″N 75°31'31″O). La pulpa se obtuvo a partir del fruto (mora y agraz) y raíz (remolacha); y le se determinó pH, Brix, acidez titulable, índice de madurez, humedad, ceniza, grasa, proteínas, fibra cruda, carbohidratos y la actividad antioxidante fue determinada mediante la técnica de actividad antiradicalaria por el método DPPH, asimismo el contenido de fenoles totales se realizó por el método colorimétrico Folin-Ciocalteu. Resultados: los sólidos solubles totales oscilaron entre 5,94 - 10,91 Brix, pH 2,9 - 5,96, ceniza 0,407 - 1,05 g/100 g, humedad 87,263 - 83,95 g/100 g, proteína 0,624 - 1,59 g/100 g, grasa 0,12 - 0,62 g/100 g, fibra cruda 2,107 - 3,637 g/100 g, carbohidratos 10,01 - 14,446 g/100 g para las pulpas de mora, agraz y remolacha. Los resultados de la prueba de actividad antioxidante presentaron valores de IC50 mediante la técnica de DPPH• en el rango de 53,33 - 141,88 µg/mL, lo cual está directamente relacionado con el contenido en fenoles. Conclusiones: por lo tanto, la pulpa de Rubus glaucus Benth variedad Castilla, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L, son considerados como promisorios para diseñar productos nutracéuticos por su elevada actividad antioxidante(AU)

Introduction: A direct relationship has been proved to exist between consumption of foodstuffs with a high content of antioxidant compounds and disease prevention. Objectives: Evaluate the antioxidant activity of pulps from Rubus glaucus B., Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L. Methods: Rubus glaucus Benth variety Castile, Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L. were acquired at a local marketplace in the city of Cartagena, Bolívar (10°25?25?N 75°31?31?W). The pulp was obtained from fruits (Andean raspberry and Andean blueberry) and roots (beet). Determination was conducted of its pH, Brix, titratable acidity, maturation index, humidity, ash, fat, proteins, crude fiber, carbohydrates, and antioxidant activity using the technique of anti-radical activity by the DPPH method. Content of total phenols was determined by the Folin-Ciocaltey colorimetric method. Results: Total soluble solids ranged between 5.94 - 10.91 Brix, pH 2.9 - 5.96, ash 0.407 - 1.05 g / 100 g, humidity 87.263 - 83.95 g / 100 g, protein 0.624 - 1.59 g / 100 g, fat 0.12 - 0.62 g / 100 g, crude fiber 2.107 - 3.637 g / 100 g, carbohydrates 10.01 - 14.446 g / 100 g for pulps from Andean raspberry, Andean blueberry and beet. Antioxidant activity testing using the DPPHo technique obtained CI50 values of 53.33 - 141.88 ?g/ml, directly proportional to phenol content. Conclusions: It is therefore concluded that pulp from Rubus glaucus Benth variety Castile, Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L., is considered to be promising for the design of nutraceutical products due to its antioxidant activity(AU)

Evaluación de la actividad antioxidante de las pulpas de Rubus glaucus B, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L / Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of pulps from Rubus glaucus B., Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L

Introducción: actualmente se ha demostrado una relación entre el consumo de alimentos con altos niveles de compuestos antioxidantes, los cuales están directamente asociados con la prevención de enfermedades. Objetivos: evaluar la actividad antioxidante de las pulpas Rubus glaucus B, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L. Métodos: Rubus glaucus Benth variedad Castilla, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L fueron adquiridas en un mercado local de la ciudad de Cartagena, Bolívar (10°25'25″N 75°31'31″O). La pulpa se obtuvo a partir del fruto (mora y agraz) y raíz (remolacha); y le se determinó pH, Brix, acidez titulable, índice de madurez, humedad, ceniza, grasa, proteínas, fibra cruda, carbohidratos y la actividad antioxidante fue determinada mediante la técnica de actividad antiradicalaria por el método DPPH, asimismo el contenido de fenoles totales se realizó por el método colorimétrico Folin-Ciocalteu. Resultados: los sólidos solubles totales oscilaron entre 5,94 - 10,91 Brix, pH 2,9 - 5,96, ceniza 0,407 - 1,05 g/100 g, humedad 87,263 - 83,95 g/100 g, proteína 0,624 - 1,59 g/100 g, grasa 0,12 - 0,62 g/100 g, fibra cruda 2,107 - 3,637 g/100 g, carbohidratos 10,01 - 14,446 g/100 g para las pulpas de mora, agraz y remolacha. Los resultados de la prueba de actividad antioxidante presentaron valores de IC50 mediante la técnica de DPPH• en el rango de 53,33 - 141,88 µg/mL, lo cual está directamente relacionado con el contenido en fenoles. Conclusiones: por lo tanto, la pulpa de Rubus glaucus Benth variedad Castilla, Vaccinium floribundum K y Beta vulgaris L, son considerados como promisorios para diseñar productos nutracéuticos por su elevada actividad antioxidante(AU)

Introduction: A direct relationship has been proved to exist between consumption of foodstuffs with a high content of antioxidant compounds and disease prevention. Objectives: Evaluate the antioxidant activity of pulps from Rubus glaucus B., Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L. Methods: Rubus glaucus Benth variety Castile, Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L. were acquired at a local marketplace in the city of Cartagena, Bolívar (10°25?25?N 75°31?31?W). The pulp was obtained from fruits (Andean raspberry and Andean blueberry) and roots (beet). Determination was conducted of its pH, Brix, titratable acidity, maturation index, humidity, ash, fat, proteins, crude fiber, carbohydrates, and antioxidant activity using the technique of anti-radical activity by the DPPH method. Content of total phenols was determined by the Folin-Ciocaltey colorimetric method. Results: Total soluble solids ranged between 5.94 - 10.91 Brix, pH 2.9 - 5.96, ash 0.407 - 1.05 g / 100 g, humidity 87.263 - 83.95 g / 100 g, protein 0.624 - 1.59 g / 100 g, fat 0.12 - 0.62 g / 100 g, crude fiber 2.107 - 3.637 g / 100 g, carbohydrates 10.01 - 14.446 g / 100 g for pulps from Andean raspberry, Andean blueberry and beet. Antioxidant activity testing using the DPPHo technique obtained CI50 values of 53.33 - 141.88 ?g/ml, directly proportional to phenol content. Conclusions: It is therefore concluded that pulp from Rubus glaucus Benth variety Castile, Vaccinium floribundum K. and Beta vulgaris L., is considered to be promising for the design of nutraceutical products due to its antioxidant activity(AU)