Physicochemical, nutritional properties, and antioxidant potential of 'limilla' fruit (Rhus aromatica var. schmidelioides (Schltdl.) Engl.).

Rhus aromatica inhabits humid oak and oakpine forests in the State of Michoacán (Mexico). The fruit of R. aromatica is edible and is traditionally used in the preparation of soft drinks, ice pops, ice creams and 'atole'. The objective of the present investigation was to carry out a physical and chemical characterization and analysis of the antioxidant capacity of fruit. For the physical characterization, the equatorial and longitudinal diameter, weight and percentage of pulp were determined. In the chemical characterization, a proximal analysis was carried out, quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids was performed, and the antioxidant capacity was determined. The results showed that the fruit had a longitudinal diameter of 6.58 ± 1.02 mm, an equatorial diameter of 7.17 ± 0.66, a weight of 55.22 ± 5.47 mg, and a 40 % pulp proportion. The chemical characterization analysis indicated 8.7 % moisture, 30.6 % lipids, 8.7 % proteins, 29.4 % total sugars, 3.8 % ashes and 18.7 % crude fibre, 3.1 °Brix, pH 3.1, 1.92 % acidity total and a caloric intake of 4.27 kcal/g. The polyphenol content was higher in 60 % ethanol extracts with 88.6 ± 50.89 mg EAG/g; for flavonoids from extracts with 100 % acetone, it was 26.52 ± 0.65 mg EQ/g, and the total carotenoid content was 46.37 mg/100 g. The total antioxidant activity was higher in extracts with 80 % acetone, with 87.17 % inhibition of the DPPH radical and 90 % inhibition of ABTS without showing a significant difference with the different solvents used. The lowest IC50 values were presented in 100 % ethanol and 60 % methanol extracts for the DPPH radical and for the ABTS radical were the 80 % ethanol and 60 % methanol extracts. The lipid, protein, carotenoid, and polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacity of the fruit of R. aromatica were as high as those of other fruits consumed in the human diet.

Effect of Light Quality on the seed Germination and Development of Coffee Seedlings (Coffea arabica).

Coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivation is vital to the global economic, social and cultural life of farmers. However, senescent and disease-susceptible plantations affect coffee productivity. Therefore, it is crucial to improve biotechnological strategies such as micropropagation to increase the number of plants for replanting. In this study, the dark condition (T1) and different light qualities (T0-white light 400-700 nm; T2-red light 660 nm and T3-blue light 460 nm) were evaluated to optimize the in vitro propagation of 4 and 9 month-old coffee seeds. The results showed that red light had the highest percentage, an outstanding germination rate index, which may suggest that in the case of coffee seeds could be involved phytochromes that promote germination in a red light quality. In summary, the ideal conditions for in vitro micropropagation of coffee are under white and red light condition.

The Phytoestrogenic Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa Involves Estrogen Receptor α in Ovariectomized Wistar Rats.

The calyxes of Hibiscus sabdariffa present multiple pharmacological effects primarily attributed to their high anthocyanin content; however, little is known about their phytoestrogenic effect. Ovarian hypofunction (OH) is a process characterized by the rapid detention of the production of ovarian hormones, which compromises reproductive and cognitive functions. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) efficiently compensates for OH; nevertheless, questions have been raised on its secondary effects and safety. One of the alternatives to tackling OH involves using phytoestrogens such as anthocyanins for their structural similarity to natural estrogens. In a Wistar rat model of ovariectomy (OVX), we recently reported the beneficial properties of an anthocyanin-rich extract prepared from the calyces of H. sabdariffa (HSE) in hindering the adverse effects of OH on memory performance and highlighted a possible phytoestrogenic impact through the modulation of estrogen receptor (ER) expression. We now report that HSE and estradiol differentially affected the expression of ERα and ERß. ERα was more sensitive to HSE; meanwhile, estradiol preferentially modulated ERß. Thus, our study leads to further research on using H. sabdariffa as a nutrition-based alternative to HRT.

Aloe Vera and Nopal mucilage on the reduction of agglomeration during spray drying and storage of blackberry and raspberry extracts.

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of two carrier agents, Nopal and Aloe Vera mucilage on the physicochemical properties and stability of blackberry and raspberry powders obtained by spray drying. A pilot scale spray dryer with a feed flow of 20 L/h and an atomization speed of 28,000 rpm was used. The inlet and outlet air temperatures were from 180 to 80°C, respectively. Yield, moisture content, water activity, hygroscopicity index, solubility time, volumetric density, stability diagrams, micrographs, and particle temperature were evaluated. The highest yields for blackberry extract were 75% with a concentration of 2.5% (w/v) Nopal mucilage, while raspberry extract yielded 65% with a concentration of 5% (w/v) Nopal mucilage. The increase in the concentration of the carrier agent presented an increase in the values of humidity, water activity, volumetric density, and solubility when Nopal mucilage was used as a carrier agent in both blackberry and raspberry extracts. Furthermore, when Aloe Vera mucilage was used as a carrier agent, these same values decreased with increasing concentration. The storage conditions of the powders obtained should be stored at temperatures below 20°C and water activities below 0.4. In addition, the stability diagrams show the particle conditions that should not be exceeded during spray drying.

Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on spatial memory and hippocampal expression of BDNF in ovariectomized rats.

Ovarian hypofunction is characterized by decay in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin associated with cognitive and memory function. Hormone replacement therapy is the most common treatment to counteract the negative effects of ovarian insufficiency; however, this therapy may increase the odds of endometrial cancer, blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer. Therefore, a safer alternative to synthetic estrogens is needed. One possible candidate may be phytoestrogens. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) is a source of natural food colorants; the calyces and leaves of the plant are consumed in drinks and culinary preparations and are recognized for several health benefits related to their high content of anthocyanins. In the present study, we used an ovariectomized rat model to assess the phytoestrogenic effect of H. sabdariffa, and evaluated spatial memory and BDNF expression. Ninety-day-old female Wistar rats were randomly separated into six groups. Rats from four groups were ovariectomized and injected with a physiological dose of estradiol, or given, in drinking water, an extract prepared from calyces of H. sabdariffa at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight. Both Intact and Sham groups were included as controls. At day 42, short- and long-term memories were assessed by the Barnes maze test, and hippocampal BDNF expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Ovariectomy significantly decreased memory performance and BDNF expression, compared with controls. However, administration of H. sabdariffa extract reversed the negative effect of ovariectomy on short- and long-term memory parameters and BDNF expression. A stronger effect was observed at a lower dose of the extract. In conclusion, the extract from H. sabdariffa acted as a phytoestrogen in ovariectomized rats, improving spatial memory performance and hippocampal BDNF expression. Based on these promising results, further clinical experimentation is recommended to study the benefits of H. sabdariffa as an alternative hormonal therapy in patients with ovarian hypofunction.

Effect of the temperature on the spray drying of Roselle extracts (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.).

The effect of the drying temperature on the volatile components and sensory acceptance of the Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) extract in powder was investigated. The Roselle extraction was carried out by maceration with 7 L of 30% ethanol (v/v), 560 g of fresh Roselle calyces for 168 h. The Roselle extracts were spray dried at different temperatures 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200 and 210 degrees C, giving different outlet values about yield and final moisture. The volatile compounds in Roselle extract and dried samples were performed using needles of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS HP-5890). Twenty volatile compounds were identified in the extracts among them terpenoids, esters, hydrocarbons and aldehydes. Fourteen volatile compounds were identified in the powder sample, but only ten were present in the Roselle extract. This indicates that some compounds were lost and some others were generated due to a degradation process. An acceptability sensory analysis showed that the best powder sample was the Roselle extract dehydrated using temperature between 190 degrees C and 200 degrees C (p<0.05). There was not statistically significant difference in the pH of Roselle extracts ranging from 3.4 to 3.9. It was concluded that the spray drying temperature of the Roselle extracts has an effect on the volatile compounds losses.