Advances on multiclass pesticide residue determination in citrus fruits and citrus-derived products - A critical review.

The application of agrochemicals in citrus fruits is widely used to improve the quality of crops, increase production yields, and prolong post-harvest life. However, these substances are potentially toxic for humans and the ecosystem due to their widespread use, high stability, and bioaccumulation. Conventional techniques for determining pesticide residues in citrus fruits are chromatographic methods coupled with different detectors. However, in recent years, the need for analytical strategies that are less polluting for the environment has encouraged the appearance of new alternatives, such as sensors and biosensors, which allow selective and sensitive detection of pesticide residues in real time. A comprehensive overview of the analytical platforms used to determine pesticide residues in citrus fruits and citrus-derived products is presented herein. The review focuses on the evolution of these methods since 2015, their limitations, and possible future perspectives for improving pesticide residue determination and reducing environmental contamination.

Polysaccharides extracted from tucum-do-cerrado fruits (Bactris setosa Mart) have antineoplastic effects in mice while preserving hepatic gluconeogenesis.

This study investigated the antitumoral, anti-inflammatory and oxidative effects of polysaccharides from tucum (Bactris setosa, TUC) using the Ehrlich carcinoma as a tumor model. Additionally, the glycogen content, cytochrome P levels, and gluconeogenesis from lactate were assessed in the liver of healthy animals. Tumor-bearing female mice were orally treated with 50 and 100 mg.kg-1 of TUC or vehicle, once a day, or with 1.5 mg.kg-1 methotrexate via i.p., every 3 days, along 21 days. Both doses of TUC reduced the tumor weight and volume. In the tumor tissue, it decreased GSH and IL-1ß levels, and increased LPO, NAG, NO and TNF-α levels. The tumor histology showed necrosis and leukocytes infiltration. The metabolic effects of TUC were investigated by measurement of total cytochrome P (CYP) and glycogen in tumor-bearing mice, and by ex vivo liver perfusion on non-bearing tumor male mice, using lactate as gluconeogenic precursor. Metabolically, the hepatic glucose and pyruvate productions, oxygen uptake, and the total CYP concentration were not modified by TUC. Thus, tucum-do-cerrado polysaccharides have antitumor effects through the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation, without impairing glucose production from lactate in the liver, the main organ responsible for the metabolism of organic and xenobiotic compounds.

First report of Gnomoniopsis castaneae associated with branch dieback on chestnut tree (Castanea sativa) in Southern Chile.

European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) currently reaches 1,470 ha, distributed from the Maule region to the Los Rios region in Chile. Almost 3000 tons of fruit have been exported in the last three years. A survey was carried out in January 2023 in an eight-year-old orchard located in Vilcún (38°34'46.22"S 72° 9'58.61"O), Araucanía Region. Chestnut trees with branch die back and reduced growth and vigor were detected. The incidence in the orchard was 3% (6 out of 200 trees) estimated by visual observation. Cross and longitudinal sections of the woody trunk of two trees were collected and examined, and an internal dark-brown discoloration to partial necrosis lesion was observed. To identify the causal agent, small pieces of wood from the edge of the symptomatic area were surface sterilized with 70% ethanol, rinsed twice with sterile distilled water, blotted on dry sterile filter paper, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 22°C. Fungal colonies were consistently isolated, and after 5 days, pure cultures were obtained by transferring mycelium to new PDA plates, preliminarily identified as Gnomoniopsis sp. (Visentin et al. 2012, Shuttleworth 2012). All cultures exhibited characteristics consistent with the description of G. castaneae (Syn. G. smithogilvyi), such as concentric development of greyish-brown mycelium, abundant stroma, hyaline conidia of 7.2 ±0.54 (6.1-8.1) X 2.3 ±0.26 (1.5-2.9) µm (n= 30), mainly biguttulate and fusoid. Total DNA was extracted, rDNA amplified using ITS1/ITS4 primers (White et al. 1990), and the fragment was Sanger sequenced and the sequence was deposited in GenBank (OR665735). BLAST analysis revealed a 99% identity to G. castaneae (MH384925). In addition, the DNA of the isolate was evaluated in a species-specific multiplex PCR (Silva-Campos et al. 2022), and the amplicons were electrophoretically separated, giving a similar band profile to G. smithogilvyi RGM 2903 and RGM 2904 strain from Chilean Collection of Microbial Genetic Resources. Pathogenicity of G. castaneae isolate (CV-11) was tested on ten replicates of 3-year-old C. sativa plants. Two wounds were made on the same season growing shoot and two on the previous season shoot. Longitudinal wounds (5 mm long, 4 mm wide and 2 mm depth) were made using a scalpel without removing the outer bark to inoculate the plants. Each wound was inoculated with a 5-mm mycelium plug, covered with the outer bark, and wrapped with Parafilm. Plugs of PDA were placed onto the wounds of two plants as control. The plants were kept in a growth chamber (22 ±1 0C and 90± 5% RH). All plants showed dark brown cankers measuring 20 to 40 mm long two weeks after inoculation. Also, most plants inoculated in the same season shoot presented wilted and chlorotic foliage. Mature conidiomata with cirri developed in most of the cankers. No symptoms were observed in the control. Fungal colonies of G. castaneae were reisolated on PDA from all inoculated chestnut plants and were not recovered from the controls. Recently, G. smithogilvyi has been identified as the causal agent of brown rot on chestnut nuts in Chile (Cisterna Oyarce et al. 2022); however, in several countries, it has also been associated as the causal agent of cankers in branch and stem of chestnut, as well as an endophyte in different hardwood species. Future studies on the incidence of this pathogen and its impact on chestnut yield should be carried out in the producing regions because it represents an emerging threat to Chilean chestnut production.

Interventions based on alternative and sustainable strategies for postharvest control of anthracnose and maintain quality in tropical fruits.

Colletotrichum spp. is a phytopathogen causing anthracnose in a variety of tropical fruits. Strategies used to control postharvest diseases in tropical fruits typically rely on the use of synthetic fungicides, which have stimulated the emergence of resistant pathogens. Safer alternative strategies to control anthracnose in tropical fruits have been described in the literature. This review presents and discusses the main innovative interventions concerning the application of sustainable alternative strategies in the postharvest control of pathogenic Colletotrichum species in tropical fruits, with a particular emphasis on the studies published in the last 5 years. The available studies have shown the use of various methods, including physical barriers, natural antimicrobials, and biological control with antagonistic microorganisms, to reduce anthracnose lesion severity and incidence in tropical fruits. The available literature showed high inhibitory activity in vitro, reduced anthracnose incidence and lesion diameter, and total disease inhibition in tropical fruits. Most studies focused on the inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on avocado, papaya, and mango, as well as of Colletotrichum musae on banana; however, the inhibition of other Colletotrichum species was also demonstrated. The application of emerging sustainable alternative methods, including natural antimicrobial substances, also stimulated the induction of defense systems in tropical fruits, including enzymatic activity, such as polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. The retrieved data helped to understand the current state of the research field and reveal new perspectives on developing efficient and sustainable intervention strategies to control pathogenic Colletotrichum species and anthracnose development in tropical fruits.

Eugenia calycina and Eugenia stigmatosa as Promising Sources of Antioxidant Phenolic Compounds.

In this study, Eugenia calycina and Eugenia stigmatosa, native Brazilian berries, were explored regarding their proximal composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities. The edible parts of both fruits presented a low content of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, resulting in a low caloric value (<70 kcal/100 g fw). E. stigmatosa fruit showed a high total fiber content (3.26 g/100 g fw), qualifying it as a source of dietary fiber. The sugar profile was mainly monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, and rhamnose). Significant contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanins and, condensed tannins, were observed in both fruits. E. calycina contains a high level of anthocyanins, primarily cyanidin-3-glucoside (242.97 µg/g). Other phenolic compounds were also found, the main ones being rutin and ellagic acid. In contrast, E. stigmatosa is mainly composed of rutin and gallic acid. Furthermore, these fruits showed expressive antioxidant activity, evidenced by ORAC, FRAP, and ABTS. These Eugenia fruits are promising sources of bioactive compounds and have a low caloric and high dietary fiber content, making them interesting options for inclusion in a balanced diet, contributing to the promotion of health and the valorization and conservation of Brazilian biodiversity.

First Report of Beet Western Yellows Virus Infecting Vasconcellea x heilbornii (Caricaceae) in Ecuador.

Vasconcellea x heilbornii, known as babaco, is a hybrid native to Ecuador grown in small orchards in sub-tropical highland regions. Over the last decade, several viruses have been identified in babaco using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) (Cornejo-Franco et al. 2020, (Reyes-Proaño et al. 2023). In 2021, total RNA from a babaco plant showing distinctive leaf yellowing was extracted using the PureLink RNA Mini Kit (Thermo Fischer Scientific, USA) and subjected to HTS on an Illumina NovaSeq6000 system as 150 paired-end reads (Macrogen Inc., South Korea). Library construction was done using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA Sample kit with Plant Ribo-Zero, as described (Villamor et al. 2022). Reads were processed using BBDuk and de novo assembled using SPAdes 3.15. both implemented in Geneious 2022. Contig analysis was done by BLASTx using the NCBI viral sequence database (as of November 2022). HTS generated 54 million reads, of which 12% assembled into contigs corresponding to genomes of previously reported babaco viruses including babaco virus Q (BabVQ), babaco nucleorhabdovirus 1 (BabRV1) and babaco ilarvirus 1 (BabIV1). Interestingly, 144 reads (0.0003%) assembled into seven contigs ranging from 100 to 480 nucleotides (nt) in length. These contigs showed homology, with 97% amino acid (aa) identity (100% query coverage), to regions of the RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (RdRp) of beet western yellows virus (BWYV, Acc. No. NC_004756), a member of the Polerovirus genus. To confirm the occurrence of BWYV in babaco, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was extracted from 15 g of leaf tissue from the original sample as described (Dodds et al. 1984) and used as template for reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR using overlapping primers designed to span all short contigs. RT-PCR amplified fragments were cloned into a pGEM®T-easy vector (Promega, USA) and sequenced by the Sanger method (Macrogen Inc., South Korea). The sequences were assembled into a single 2.7 kbp BWYV genome fragment comprising the complete protein 1 (P1) and partial RdRp gene (GenBank Acc. No. PP480670). Sequence alignments between the partially sequenced genome of the babaco isolate and its corresponding fragment from the closest BWYV isolate (NC_004756) revealed 94% and 97% identities at the nt and aa levels, respectively. To assess the prevalence of BWYV in babaco, 30 leaf samples showing yellowing symptoms from Pichincha (n=15) and Azuay (n=15) provinces were tested by RT-PCR using total RNA. Total RNA extraction and reverse transcription were done using the methodology described by Halgren et al. (2007). For RT-PCR, the primer set BWYV_Bab_F: 5'-CAGTGTCCTCCAAGTGCAACAT-3' / BWYV_Bab_R: 5'GGTTCCTTCCCAGTTTGGTGGT-3', which amplifies a 235 nt-long P1 region, was used. Three RT-PCR products from each positive sample were purified using the GeneJET PCR clean-up kit (Thermo Scientific, USA) and sequenced. BWYV was confirmed in 9 out of 15 samples (60%) from Pichincha, and in 10 out of 15 samples (64%) from Azuay. Samples were also tested for additional babaco viruses as described (Reyes-Proaño et al. 2023). All BWYV-infected plants turned out positive for papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), babaco mosaic virus (BabMV), BabVQ, and BabIV1. Hence, the impact of BWYV infection on babaco plants in single and mixed infections warrants further investigation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BWYV in a crop in Ecuador, and the first time it has been found in a Caricaceae species.

Utilization of ripe coconut water in the development of probiotic gelatin.

Background: Desserts with vegetable ingredients are a constantly expanding global market due to the search for alternatives to cow's milk. Fermentation of these matrices by lactic acid bacteria can add greater functionality to the product, improving its nutritional, sensory, and food safety characteristics, as well as creating bioactive components with beneficial effects on health. Concern for health and well-being has aroused interest in byproducts of the industry that have functional properties for the body, such as mature coconut water, a normally discarded residue that is rich in nutrients. This study aimed to develop a probiotic gelatin based on pulp and water from mature coconuts and evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, viability of the Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR32 strain in the medium, as well as the texture properties of the product. Methods: After collection and cleaning, the physicochemical characterization, mineral analysis, analysis of the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of mature coconut water were carried out, as well as the centesimal composition of its pulp. Afterwards, the gelling was developed with the addition of modified corn starch, gelatin, sucrose, and probiotic culture, being subjected to acidity analysis, texture profile and cell count, on the first day and every 7 days during 21 days of storage, under refrigeration at 5 °C. An analysis of the centesimal composition was also carried out. Results: The main minerals in coconut water were potassium (1,932.57 mg L-1), sodium (19.57 mg L-1), magnesium (85.13 mg L-1) calcium (279.93 mg L-1) and phosphorus (11.17 mg L- 1), while the pulp had potassium (35.96 g kg-1), sodium (0.97 g kg-1), magnesium (2.18 g kg-1), 37 calcium (1.64 g kg-1), and phosphorus (3.32 g kg-1). The phenolic content of the water and pulp was 5.72 and 9.77 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) 100 g-1, respectively, and the antioxidant capacity was 1.67 and 0.98 39 g of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) mg-1, respectively. The coconut pulp had 2.81 g 100 g-1of protein, 1.11 g 100 g-1 of 40 ash, 53% moisture, and 5.81 g 100 g-1 of carbohydrates. The gelatin produced during the storage period presented firmness parameters ranging from 145.82 to 206.81 grams-force (gf), adhesiveness from 692.85 to 1,028.63 gf sec, cohesiveness from 0.604 to 0.473, elasticity from 0.901 to 0.881, gumminess from 86.27 to 97.87 gf, and chewiness from 77.72 to 91.98 gf. Regarding the viability of the probiotic microorganism, the dessert had 7.49 log CFU g-1 that remained viable during the 21-day storage, reaching 8.51 CFU g-1. Acidity ranged from 0.15 to 0.64 g of lactic acid 100 g-1. The centesimal composition of the product showed 4.88 g 100 g-1 of protein, 0.54 g 100 g-1 of ash, 85.21% moisture, and 5.37g 100 g-1 of carbohydrates. The development of the gelatin made it possible to obtain a differentiated product, contributing to diversification in the food sector, providing a viable alternative for maintaining consumer health and reducing costs compared to desserts already available on the market.

Five Underutilized Ecuadorian Fruits and Their Bioactive Potential as Functional Foods and in Metabolic Syndrome: A Review.

The Ecuadorian Amazon harbors numerous wild and cultivated species used as food, many of which are underutilized. This review explores the bioactive potential of five such fruits-Borojó (Alibertia patinoi); Chonta (Bactris gasipaes); Arazá (Eugenia stipitata); Amazon grape (Pourouma cecropiifolia), a wild edible plant; and Cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum)-and their applications against metabolic syndrome. This study highlights their health-promoting ingredients and validates traditional medicinal properties, emphasizing their significance in improving health and mitigating the effects of the Western diet. These fruits, integral to Ecuadorian cuisine, are consumed fresh and processed. Chonta is widely cultivated but less prominent than in pre-Hispanic times, Borojó is known for its aphrodisiac properties, Cocona is traditional in northern provinces, Arazá is economically significant in food products, and Amazon grape is the least utilized and researched. The fruits are rich in phenolics (A. patinoi, E. stipitata) and carotenoids (B. gasipaes, E. stipitata), which are beneficial in controlling metabolic syndrome. This study advocates for more research and product development, especially for lesser-known species with high phenolic and anthocyanin content. This research underscores the economic, cultural, and nutritional value of these fruits, promoting their integration into modern diets and contributing to sustainable agriculture, cultural preservation, and public health through functional foods and nutraceuticals.

The fate of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in the pulp of eight native Brazilian and exotic fruits.

Despite the wide variety of native and exotic fruits in Brazil, there is limited understanding of their ability to support pathogens during storage. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated into the pulp of eight fruits native and exotic to Brazil: Jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), Umbu (Spondias tuberosa Arruda), Maná (Solanum sessiliflorum), Cajá-manga (Spondias dulcis), Physalis (Physalis angulata L.), Feijoa (Acca sellowiana), Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) (average pH < 3.3) and in a low acidy fruit: Abiu (Pouteria caimito) (pH 6.11). The pathogens were inoculated into the different fruits and stored at 10, 20, 30 and 37 °C for up to 12 h and 6 days, respectively. Among the fruits evaluated, Abiu was the only one that allowed Salmonella growth, showing higher δ-values at 20 and 30 °C (5.6 log CFU/g for both temperatures). For Physalis and Feijoa, there was a small reduction in the pathogen concentration (<1 log-cycle), mainly at 10 and 20 °C, indicating its ability to remain in the matrices. For the other fruits, notable negative δ-values were obtained, indicating a tendency towards microbial inactivation. The survival potential was significantly affected by temperature in Abiu, Maná, Cupuaçu, and Cajá-manga (p < 0.05). The same phenomena regarding δ-value were observed for L. monocytogenes population, with the greatest survival potential observed at 20 °C in Abiu (3.3 log CFU/g). Regarding the exponential growth rates in Abiu, the highest values were observed at 30 and 37 °C, both for Salmonella (4.6 and 4.9 log (CFU/g)/day, respectively) and for L. monocytogenes (2.8 and 2.7 log (CFU/g)/day, respectively), with no significant difference between both temperatures. Regarding microbial inactivation, L. monocytogenes showed greater resistance than Salmonella in practically all matrices. Jenipapo and Umbu were the pulps that, in general, had the greatest effect on reducing the population of pathogens. Furthermore, the increase in storage temperature seems to favor the increase on inactivation rates. In conclusion, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes can grow only in Abiu pulp, although they can survive in some acidic tropical fruits kept at refrigeration and abusive temperatures.

Amazonian Fruits for Treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Amazon region has a high biodiversity of flora, with an elevated variety of fruits, such as Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dúbia), Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), Tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum and Astrocaryum vulgare), Fruta-do-conde (Annona squamosa L.), Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), Graviola (Annona muricata L.), Guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth var. sorbilis), and Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora), among many others, that are rich in phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins with prominent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies evaluating the chemical composition of these fruits have observed a high content of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Such components are associated with significant biological effects in treating various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related complications. Regular intake of these fruits from Amazonas emerges as a potential therapeutic approach to preventing and treating NCDs as a nutritional strategy to reduce the incidence or mitigate common complications in these patients, which are the leading global causes of death. As studies remain largely unexplored, this narrative review discusses the possible health-beneficial effects for patients with NCDs.

Exploring Pijuayo (Bactris gasipaes) Pulp and Peel Flours as Fat Replacers in Burgers: A Multivariate Study on Physicochemical and Sensory Traits.

Meat products are known for their lipid profile rich in saturated fats and cholesterol, and also for the formation of oxidation compounds; therefore, a reduction in animal fat may result in a product less harmful to health. Pijuayo is an Amazon fruit known for its nutritional properties, such as its fiber and lipid content. For these reasons, it is an attractive fruit to replace animal fat in meat products. The present work used pijuayo pulp and peel flours to partially replace animal fat in beef-based burgers at 25% and 50% levels, considering sensory and physicochemical outcomes evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Correspondence Analysis (CA) and Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA). Pijuayo flour affected the physicochemical characteristics evaluated by PCA, where the samples with greater fat replacement were characterized by a high carbohydrate content and instrumental yellowness. The minimal fat replacement did not abruptly affect the PCA's instrumental texture and color, proximal composition, yield properties, and lipid oxidation. The overall liking was greater in the 25% fat reduction treatments, even greater than the control, in which positive sensory attributes for liking were highlighted for those treatments. A small segment of consumers (11% of total consumers) preferred the treatment with greater replacement of fat with pijuayo peel flour, which these consumers tended to characterize as seasoned. However, this treatment had the lowest liking. The MFA showed that the sensory characteristics tender and tasty were strongly correlated with overall liking and were highlighted in the samples of 25% fat reduction, suggesting that the pijuayo improves the tenderness and flavor of reduced-fat burgers. Other inclusion levels between 25% and 50% of fat replacement could be explored, and optimization studies are needed. In addition, the sensory characteristics and flavor-enhancing compounds of the fruit, as well as the nutritional aspects of the inclusion of pijuayo, should be studied, such as the fatty acid profile. These characteristics will be informative to explore pijuayo as a fat replacer at a pilot scale and industrial scale.

Mango Fruit Detachment of Trees after Applying a Blend Composed of HNO3 and Charcoal Activated.

As young workers prefer urban labors and migrate to USA and Canada, mango harvesting is becoming scarce on Mexican coasts. This seasonal labor is becoming expensive and when many orchards produce fruit simultaneously, grower losses increase. In this research, an innovative fruit detachment method was tested after applying a viscous paste to the pedicel of mango fruits hanging in the tree. Activated carbon or charcoal (AC), was mixed with different amounts of nitric acid to provide three AC composite blends named: light, medium, and dense. The nanomaterial was applied with a brush to the fruit pedicel/peduncle taking up to 4 h before the mango fruits felt to a net below the tree canopy. Mango detachment experiments indicated that the medium blend was the most efficient in releasing the fruit, taking an average of 2 h. The dense nano-material decreased latex exudation to 7% of the fruits. Fruit maturity emerged as a crucial factor for detachment time, followed by mango weight.

Sources of Carotenoids in Amazonian Fruits.

Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in bioactive components significantly reduces cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. In this sense, there is a need for meta-analytical research that confirms this phenomenon and increases specific knowledge about certain bioactive compounds such as carotenoids. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to disseminate knowledge about the sources of carotenoids in fruit consumed in the north of Brazil which are outside the Brazilian trade balance. A systematic review and a meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines were conducted based on a random effects synthesis of multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs). Searches of seven sources were carried out, including PubMed, Science Direct from Elsevier, Web of Science, Scielo, Eric Research and Google Scholar databases. The systematic review was guided by a systematic review protocol based on the POT strategy (population, outcome and type of study) adapted for use in this research. Mendeley was a resource used to organize and manage references and exclude duplicates of studies selected for review. In this review, we present the potential bioactive compounds concentrated in little-known fruit species from the Amazon and their benefits. Consuming fruits that are rich in notable constituents such as carotenoids is important for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases through anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, as well as antivirals, immunomodulators and antioxidants agents that directly affect the immune response.

Volatile Constituents of Some Myrtaceous Edible and Medicinal Fruits from the Brazilian Amazon.

Native and exotic fruits from the Amazon have varied characteristics, with aroma being a decisive factor in their acceptance for medicinal use as a nutraceutical supplement. This work aimed to analyze the chemical constituents of the volatile concentrates of some Myrtaceous fruit species sampled in the Brazilian Amazon. The fruit's pulps were subjected to simultaneous distillation-extraction, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze their volatile chemical composition. In the volatile concentrate of Eugenia stipitata (Araçá-boi) α-pinene (17.5%), citronellyl butanoate (15.6%), and pogostol (13.5%) were identified as primary constituents; Eugenia uniflora (Ginja) concentrate comprised curzerene (30.5%), germacrone (15.4%), atractylone (13.1%), and (E)-ß-ocimene (11.1%); in Myrciaria dubia (Camu-Camu), α-pinene (55.8%), (E)-ß-ocimene (13.1%), and α-terpineol (10.0%) were present; in Psidium guajava (Goiaba) were (2E)-hexenal (21.7%), hexanal (15.4%), caryophylla-4(12),8(13)-dien-5-ß-ol (10.5%), caryophyllene oxide (9.2%), and pogostol (8.3%); and in Psidium guineense (Araçá), limonene (25.2%), ethyl butanoate (12.1%), epi-ß-bisabolol (9.8%), and α-pinene (9.2%) were the main constituents. The analyzed volatile concentrates of these fruit species presented a significant diversity of constituents with a predominance of functional groups, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and fatty acid derivatives, originating from the plant's secondary metabolism and playing an important role in their nutritional and medicinal uses.

Tumbo, an Andean fruit: Uses, nutrition, processing, and biomolecules.

Tumbo fruit has potential for industrialization due to its nutritional and functional properties, but scientific knowledge of this species is still limited compared to other species of the same genus, Passiflora. This review compiles the latest scientific advances on Tumbo, which cover the food technological aspects of Tumbo fruit, its uses and its potential as a source of bioactives for different industries, especially food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. The products (nectar, jellies, jams, wines, others) and by-products of the processing of the Tumbo fruit have various nutritional, sensory, and composition attributes for developing new food and non-food products. The potential applications of the fruit and its derivatives are broad, such as cosmetics, drugs, functional foods, and additives; these applications are due to its technological properties and its content of bioactive molecules. The Tumbo biorefinery presents an important perspective, especially for its bioactivity of high biological value for different industries.

Are organics more nutritious than conventional foods? A comprehensive systematic review.

The growing consumer interest fueled by the belief in the superiority of organic foods raises questions about their actual nutritional superiority over conventional ones. This assumption remains a controversial issue. The present study addresses scientific evidence to clarify this controversy and provide relevant insights for informed decision-making regarding dietary choices. We collected 147 scientific articles containing 656 comparative analyses based on 1779 samples of 68 vegetable, fruit, and other (cereals, pulses, etc.) foods, 22 nutritional properties, and nine residues. Results show that in 191 (29.1%) comparisons, there were significant differences between organic and conventional foods. In a similar quantity of cases (190; 29.0%), there were divergences in the results since some studies reported significant differences while others did not. Finally, most of the comparative analyses (275; 41.9%) showed no significant difference between organic and conventional foods. Therefore, the results herein show no generalizable superiority of organic over conventional foods. Claims for nutritious advantages would eventually be applied to specific comparisons, depending on the food type and nutritional parameter.

Araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.): A critical review for the food industry.

This review aimed to critically and comparatively analyze the physicochemical, proximate, nutritional, phytochemical composition, and bioactivities of araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) (AAc), a fruit from the Brazilian Cerrado. Additionally, the potential applications of this fruit in the food industry were reviewed. Data and information were collected from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. AAc, a fruit mainly studied in the Brazilian regions of Minas Gerais and Goiás, has well-documented physicochemical, proximate, and nutritional characteristics. It is rich in fiber, sugars, vitamins A and C, minerals, and oil, making it attractive to the food industry. However, there are research gaps, such as the impact of climatic conditions on the AAc chemical composition. Additional studies are needed, especially for the peel and seeds, and investigations of pre-treatments effect on the chemical composition are recommended. The application of AAc in food products is mainly limited to pulp, but there is potential for using peels and seeds. AAc is a rich source of phytochemical compounds with various biological properties, such as antioxidants, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial activities. Future studies should explore other phytochemicals present in the fruit beyond phenolic compounds. The consumption of AAc can contribute to combating food insecurity malnutrition, and promoting the conservation of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effects of Murici (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth and verbascifolia (L.) DC) and Taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) Extracts in Human Prostate Cell Line (PC-3).

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of extracts obtained from the murici (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth and verbascifolia (L.) DC) and taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) pulps, on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis on human prostate cell line (PC-3). METHODS: Four extract was produced from the pulps:  murici aqueous extract (MA), taperebá aqueous extract (TA), murici ethanolic extract (ME) and taperebá ethanolic extract (TE). In the present study, the analysis of cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis analyze were performed using the MTT method and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results showed that murici and taperebá extracts proved to be inhibitors of cell growth, modulation of cell cycle promoters and capable of enhancing the death in prostate carcinoma cells PC-3; suggesting a regulatory effect in prostate cell line, depending on type of extract and dosage used. CONCLUSION: These results open a series of perspectives on the use of these bioactive extracts in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Impacto del consumo de frutas y verduras en el riesgo de desarrollo de la preeclampsia: una revisión sistemática

Introducción: La preeclampsia es una afectación multisistémica que contribuye a la morbilidad y mortalidad materna junto con importantes complicaciones fetales. Dado que se ha observado que el consumo de frutas y vegetales posee un efecto beneficioso en la reducción del riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, el consumo de estos alimentos también podría reducir el riesgo de desarrollo de preeclampsia en la mujer embarazada. Objetivo: Analizar el impacto del consumo de frutas y vegetales en el riesgo de desarrollo de preeclampsia en la mujer embarazada. Metodología: Se ha realizado una revisión sistemática siguiendo la metodología PRISMA. Las bases de datos utilizadas fueron Scopus, Pubmed y Web of Science. Se han incluido artículos publicados en los últimos cinco años, escritos en inglés o español y de acceso gratuito. La calidad metodológica se evaluó mediante la escala de STROBE y MINCIR. Resultados: Se han seleccionado nueve artículos para dar respuesta al objetivo planteado. El porcentaje de gestantes con un patrón dietético basado en frutas y vegetales que desarrolla preeclampsia es relativamente bajo, oscilando entre el 7 y el 8,8%. Así mismo, la mayoría de los estudios seleccionados muestran que la ingesta de frutas y vegetales tiene un efecto protector en el desarrollo de preeclampsia y, que este efecto protector es directamente proporcional al número de raciones consumidas de estos alimentos. Conclusiones: La literatura disponible para analizar el impacto que tiene el consumo de frutas y vegetales en el riesgo de desarrollo de preeclampsia es muy limitada. Por ello, se insta a realizar más investigaciones sobre este tema para poder aportar unos resultados más robustos.

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a multisystem affectation that contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality along with important fetal complications. Since it has been observed that the consumption of fruits and vegetables has a beneficial effect in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the consumption of these foods could also reduce the risk and development of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Objective: To analyze the impact of fruit and vegetable consumption on the risk of development of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Methodology: A systematic review has been carried out following the PRISMA methodology. The databases used were Scopus, Pubmed and Web of Science. Articles published in the last five years, written in English or Spanish and with free access have been included. Methodological quality was assessed using the STROBE and MINCIR scales. Results: There have been selected nine articles to provide a response to the proposed objective. The percentage of pregnant women with a dietary pattern based on fruits and vegetables who develop preeclampsia is relatively low, ranging between 7 and 8.8%. Likewise, most of the selected studies show that the intake of fruits and vegetables has a protective effect on the development of preeclampsia and that this protective effect is directly proportional to the number of servings consumed of these foods. Conclusions: The literature available to analyze the impact that fruit and vegetable consumption has on the risk and development of preeclampsia is very limited. Therefore, more research on this topic is urged to provide more robust results.

Low Diversity and High Genetic Structure for Platonia insignis Mart., an Endangered Fruit Tree Species.

Platonia insignis is a fruit tree native to Brazil of increasing economic importance, with its pulp trading among the highest market values. This study aimed to evaluate the structure and genomic diversity of P. insignis (bacurizeiro) accessions from six locations in the Brazilian States of Roraima, Amazonas, Pará (Amazon biome), and Maranhão (Cerrado biome). A total of 2031 SNP markers were obtained using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), from which 625 outlier SNPs were identified. High genetic structure was observed, with most of the genetic variability (59%) concentrated among locations, mainly between biomes (Amazon and Cerrado). A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.85; p < 0.005) was detected between genetic and geographic distances, indicating isolation by distance. The highest genetic diversity was observed for the location in the Cerrado biome (HE = 0.1746; HO = 0.2078). The locations in the Amazon biome showed low genetic diversity indexes with significant levels of inbreeding. The advance of urban areas, events of burning, and expansion of agricultural activities are most probably the main factors for the genetic diversity reduction of P. insignis. Approaches to functional analysis showed that most of the outlier loci found may be related to genes involved in cellular and metabolic processes.