Fluoride Concentration in Urine after Supplementation with Quelites in a Population of Adolescents

Wild plants have detoxifying and protective properties. They reduce or neutralize the toxic effects caused by chemical agents and pollutants and have beneficial effects on the nutritional and health status. This research was conducted to complement a previous clinical intervention in which participants were exposed to high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride in drinking water to discover similarities or differences in the pattern of fluoride (F−) excretion after supplementation with partial areas of purslane and quelite cenizo (SP-Q). The study was 4 weeks long, and it was carried out on a sample of 27 adolescents in an age range of 11–12 years. Anthropometric and dietary evaluations were performed, and the concentrations of fluoride (F−) in urine and drinking water were quantified using the potentiometric method with an ion-selective electrode. The treated group increased urinary F− excretion after the first week (Baseline: 9.23 mg/g creatinine; Week 2: 0.73 mg/g creatinine), together with significant mobilization of F− and a recovery process at the end of the intervention (Week 4: 0.52 mg/g creatinine). The supplement may act by increasing the excretion of F− and the nutritional dietary conditions that contribute to mitigation and recovery in participants exposed to the contaminant while also managing access to drinking water

Effects of Sterilization on Bioactives of <em>Jatropha dioica</em> and <em>Opuntia oligacantha</em> Extracts, and on Antimicrobial Capacity against <em>Streptococcus mutans</em>

Natural extracts have been used as antimicrobial agents, and extracts of the rhizomes of the dragon’s blood plant (Jatropha dioica) and of the fruit of xoconostle ‘Ulapa’ (Opuntia oligacantha) are among these agents. To be able to use the extracts, it is necessary to eliminate their natural microbiota by the means of sterilization methods; however, the effects of thermal sterilization on their properties have not been evaluated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the physico-chemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of extracts of the rhizomes of dragon’s blood and the fruit of xoconostle, when not sterilized, and when sterilized by autoclaving. The contents of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans were not affected in autoclave-sterilized extracts of dragon’s blood rhizomes, and naringenin, apigenin, galagina, vanillic, and caffeic acid were detected, while in autoclave-sterilized extracts of xoconostle fruits, the betalain content decreased, with galagin, gallic, vanillic, and p-coumaric acid being identified. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the extract sterilized by autoclaving dragon’s blood was 2 mg/mL, and for the extract sterilized by autoclaving xoconostle, it was 28 mg/mL. Both represent natural alternatives as antimicrobial agents against S. mutans.</i

Influencia de los métodos de cocción sobre la actividad antioxidante y compuestos bioactivos de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

In order to evaluate the effect of three types of cooking (sautéed, boiled, and roasted) on content of the bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity in tomato, four treatments were established: sautéed, boiled, roasted, and control (without application of some cooking method). Once the treatments were applied, the physiochemical properties such as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and pH were evaluated as well as the lycopene content, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, phenols and total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in vitro by essays of 2-2diphenil-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolino-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). All the cooking methods increased the TSS and reduced the acidity of the fruit. By roasting, a higher concentration of ascorbic acid (58.10%) was retained, as compared to the control. A significant increased (P ≤ 0.05) was observed in the concentration of carotenoids, and phenolic compounds in tomatoes due to the effect of the treatment sautéed, therefore a greater antioxidant activity. An inhibition of DPPH● radicals was found of 17.92%, and an antioxidant activity expressed as Trolox equivalents of 25.97 µM per g of fresh weight, as a result of the ABTS test. The boiling treatment caused a lixiviation effect of the bioactive compounds in the cooking media; therefore a smaller concentration was found. Sautéed was a better cooking method for tomatoes to obtain a higher concentration of antioxidant compounds.Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de tres tipos de cocción (rehogado, hervido y asado), sobre el contenido de los compuestos bioactivos y la actividad antioxidante en tomate, se establecieron cuatro tratamientos: rehogado, hervido, asado y testigo (sin aplicación de algún método de cocción). Una vez aplicados los tratamientos fueron evaluadas las propiedades fisicoquímicas tales como sólidos solubles totales (SST), ácidez titulable (AT) y pH, así como el contenido de licopeno, β-caroteno, ácido ascórbico, fenoles y flavonoides totales y actividad antioxidante in vitro mediante los ensayos de 2-2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo (DPPH) y 2,2'-azino-bis (3-etilbenzotiazolino-6-ácido sulfónico) (ABTS). Todos los métodos de cocción aumentaron los SST y redujeron la acidez del fruto. Mediante el asado se retuvo una mayor concentración de ácido ascórbico (58.10%), respecto al testigo. Se observó un aumento significativo (P ≤ 0.05) en la concentración de carotenoides y compuestos fenólicos en tomates por efecto del rehogado y por lo tanto una mayor actividad antioxidante. Se encontró una inhibición del radical DPPH● de 17.92% y una actividad antioxidante expresada en equivalentes de Trolox de 25.97 µM por gramo de peso fresco, de acuerdo con el ensayo de ABTS. El hervido provocó un efecto de lixiviación de los compuestos bioactivos al medio de cocimiento y por lo tanto una menor concentración de estos compuestos. El rehogado fue el mejor método de cocción de tomates para obtener una mayor concentración de compuestos antioxidantes

Changes of the antioxidant system in pear (Pyrus communis L.) fruits by foliar application of copper, selenium, iron, and zinc nanoparticles

Innovations in agricultural nanotechnology are a viable option for improving the antioxidant system in the pear crop helping to mitigate the different types of abiotic and biotic stresses whose effects have increased due to the advance of climate change. Therefore, foliar applications were made with nanoparticles (NPs) of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) at 250 ppm, as well as applications with selenium (Se) at 50 ppm, and control with water in a commercial pear orchard (Bartlett variety), to evaluate its effect on the behavior of the enzymatic antioxidant system, the concentration of bioactive compounds, and the evaluation of damage by lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and activity of polyphenol oxidases (PPO) in the fruits. The results indicate that the Cu and Se NPs stimulated in the fruits a greater synthesis of total phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, achieving higher concentrations than the control fruits, and also exhibited greater antioxidant activity in vitro. An opposite effect was observed in the fruits of the treatment with Zn NPs, since the concentration of phenols and flavonoids was reduced by 33.14 and 34.24 %, respectively, as well as a decrease in antioxidant activity. On the other hand, the Cu and Fe NPs improved the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase, additionally, the integrity of the membranes was maintained, thus avoiding enzymatic browning due to the activity of the PPOs in the fruits. The highest concentration of malondialdehyde and PPOs activity was observed in the fruits of the treatment with Se and Zn NPs. The results indicate that the application of Cu NPs at 250 ppm can improve the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system in Bartlett cultivar pear fruits

The Effect of an Edible Coating with Tomato Oily Extract on the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Garambullo (<i>Myrtillocactus geometrizans</i>) Fruits

The Myrtillocactus geometrizans (Mart. ex. Pfeiff.) fruit, locally called garambullo, is an important source of bioactive compounds, mainly betalains, polyphenols, and ascorbic acid. However, information on the application of post-harvest technologies that prolong the shelf life of the fruits is still insufficient. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effect of a gelatin coating incorporating 0%, 1%, or 3% tomato oily extract (TOE), compared to a control (without coating), on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of garambullo fruits stored for 15 days at 5 &#176;C. The gelatin coatings with TOE significantly (p &#8804; 0.05) delayed changes in weight loss, brix degrees, titratable acidity and pH, compared to the control during storage. Fruits coated with TOE-gelatin had a higher content of betalains, ascorbic acid, total phenols, and flavonoids. The results showed that a higher concentration of phytochemicals increased antioxidant activity in vitro; the maximum values found for Trolox equivalents per kg of fresh weight were 10.46 and 17.65 mM for the 2,2&#8242;-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity Method (TEAC) tests, respectively. The gelatin coating with TOE-3% (COTE-3%) reduced water loss by 1.66 times, compared to the control. In addition, the fruits covered with COTE-3% showed the highest concentration of bioactive compounds during storage

Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of gelatin-based films containing oily tomato extract (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of oily tomato extract (OTE) at concentrations of 0, 1, 3 and 5% on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of gelatin-based films. Characterization of the extract showed lycopene and β-carotene concentrations of 159.15 and 20.38 μg/mL, respectively. The results showed that the addition of OTE was associated with a decrease in moisture content, a lower solubility, a lower water vapor permeability, and a lower Young’s modulus, while the elongation percentage showed a significant increase. The addition of OTE improved the barrier properties of the films against UV and visible light. The higher the OTE concentration was, the greater the amounts of lycopene and β-carotene within the films, and therefore, the higher the antioxidant activity was (2.49 μM Trolox equivalents per g of film). The results suggest that the addition of OTE to gelatin-based films can improve their mechanical properties and increase their antioxidant capacity

Foliar Application of Cu Nanoparticles Modified the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Moringa oleifera Lam

Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant that has recently gained importance as a food because of its nutritional value and bioactive compound content and because practically all the organs are usable. The use of nanoparticles has appeared as an alternative to increase bioactive compounds in plants. The goal of this work was to determine if the application of copper nanoparticles would increase the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in M. oleifera. Copper (Cu) nanoparticles were applied to the leaves at four different times throughout crop growth. The biocompounds were analyzed after the second, third, and fourth applications. The results show that application of Cu nanoparticles has a beneficial effect on the accumulation of bioactive compounds in M. oleifera leaves. In addition, the antioxidant capacity and carotenoid and chlorophyll contents in the leaves of M. oleifera increased after Cu nanoparticles application. The same effect was not observed in the fruit of M. oleifera. Here, the bioactive compound contents diminished. Therefore, the use of Cu nanoparticles can be an important alternative to improve the quality of this plant, particularly that of the leaves

Effects of Edaphic Fertilization and Foliar Application of Se and Zn Nanoparticles on Yield and Bioactive Compounds in Malus domestica L.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of edaphic fertilization with N, P, and K (150-50-80, 100-60-60, and without edaphic fertilization (SFE)) and foliar fertilization with nanoparticles (NPs) of Se and Zn (Se: 50 ppm, Zn: 250 ppm, and no nanoparticles (NP0)) on the yield and antioxidant compounds of apple fruits. We conducted this study in a 20-year-old commercial orchard. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design of nine treatments. The treatments with fertilization doses of 150-50-80 and 100-60-60, supplemented with Se and Zn NPs, generally increased the yield, sugar content, and ascorbic acid of the apple fruits. The SFE + NPZn treatment produced the highest increase (+193% compared with the control) in fruit yield. The SFE + NPSe and SFE + NPZn treatments led to higher contents of phenols and flavonoids, with maximum values of 7.6 mg GAE and 15.82 mg QE per gram of dry weight. These compounds presented a direct correlation with the antioxidant activity in the fruits. The foliar application of Se and Zn nanoparticles supplemented the soil fertilization with N, P, and K to improve the yield and bioactive-compound synthesis of the apple fruits

Effects of Edaphic Fertilization and Foliar Application of Se and Zn Nanoparticles on Yield and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Malus domestica</i> L.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of edaphic fertilization with N, P, and K (150-50-80, 100-60-60, and without edaphic fertilization (SFE)) and foliar fertilization with nanoparticles (NPs) of Se and Zn (Se: 50 ppm, Zn: 250 ppm, and no nanoparticles (NP0)) on the yield and antioxidant compounds of apple fruits. We conducted this study in a 20-year-old commercial orchard. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design of nine treatments. The treatments with fertilization doses of 150-50-80 and 100-60-60, supplemented with Se and Zn NPs, generally increased the yield, sugar content, and ascorbic acid of the apple fruits. The SFE + NPZn treatment produced the highest increase (+193% compared with the control) in fruit yield. The SFE + NPSe and SFE + NPZn treatments led to higher contents of phenols and flavonoids, with maximum values of 7.6 mg GAE and 15.82 mg QE per gram of dry weight. These compounds presented a direct correlation with the antioxidant activity in the fruits. The foliar application of Se and Zn nanoparticles supplemented the soil fertilization with N, P, and K to improve the yield and bioactive-compound synthesis of the apple fruits