Sugar Content and Sources in Commercial Infant Cereals in Spain

Instant infant cereals reconstituted with infant formula are the first complementary food for most Spanish infants. The main aim is to provide information on sugars in the formulation of infant cereals. Product information was collected from department stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies and completed with data from brand websites. A portion of the samples was selected for total sugars determination using the HPLC and Luff-Schoorl methods. The information regarding a total of 120 milk-free instant infant cereals marketed in Spain from 12 companies was summarized. The mean of total sugars was 23 +/- 9 g/100 g (25-42%), providing 24% of the calories. Most of porridges are prepared with partially hydrolyzed flours providing free sugars (glucose and maltose). The most commonly added sugar is sucrose. A total of 43.3% of products contain added sucrose, and 16.7% contain fruits. Infant cereals analyzed with added sugars can have a sugar content similar to that found in products without added sugars. Consistent differences were found in sugars content between assayed methods and this label information. Although the European legislation of infant cereals establishes values for added sugars, the labeling reflects the content of total sugars, but not that of added sugars

Grape Seeds Proanthocyanidins: An Overview of In Vivo Bioactivity in Animal Models

Over the last decade, proanthocyanidins (PACs) are attracting attention not only from the food industry but also from public health organizations due to their health benefits. It is well-known that grapes are a good source of PACs and for that reason, the industry is also focused on grape by-products identification and bioactivity evaluation. Grape seeds extract (GSPE) is a rich source of PACs, mainly composed of monomeric catechin and epicatechin, gallic acid and polymeric and oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Thus, this review encompasses the state-of-art structure and the most recent evidence about the impact of GSPE on chronic diseases, with a focus on oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolic syndrome (MeS)-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk disease in vivo to offer new perspectives in the field that allow further research. Despite the controversial results, is undeniable that PACs from grape seeds are highly antioxidants, thus, the capacity of GSPE to improve oxidative stress might mediate the inflammation process and the progress of MeS-related pathologies. However, further well-design animal studies with standardized dosages and GSPE composition are necessary to shed light into the cause-effect relationship in a more accurate way to later allow a deeper study of the effect of GSPE in humans

Estudio del efecto relajante de la fibra lisa en útero asilado de rata inducido por derivados terapénicos con y sin oxígeno

Se ha estudiado el efecto de dos series de terpenos, oxigenados (linalol) y no oxigenados (alfa-pineno, sabineno y limoneno) componentes mayoritarios estos últimos del aceite esencial del J. sabina L., tras comprobación cromatográfica, sobre la contracción del útero aislado de rata inducida por oxitocina (10-10 - 1O-9M). Los resultados obtenidos indican la presencia de un antagonismo no competitivo entre dichos fármacos y la oxitocina a partir de concentraciones de 2,5. 1O-4M. El empleo de un emulgente como fue la sal sódica del ácido cólico con la intención de mejorar la dispersión en agua de los terpenos no mejoró los resultados obtenidos tras homogeneización de los mismos cuando estaban en disolución acuosa.A study on the relaxing effect'of sorne terpenic derivates, with oxygen (linalool) and without oxygen (alfa-pinene, sabinene and limonene), major com ponents from essential oil of J. sabina L., over smooth muscle has been performed. Contraction rat isolated uterus was induced by increasing doses of oxytocin (lO-JO - 1O-9M). The results obtaines showed that ter penes (2,5. 10-4M) have relaxing activity of uterus "in vitro" (non competitive antogonism with oxytocin dose depent). The use of emulsifier (sodium cholate) for help to solubility of terpenes in the water don't modifity the results obtaines when the ter penes have been homogeneity in the water for agitation. Key words: Terpenes, Smooth muscle, Uterus and Oxytocin

New Insight on Phenolic Composition and Evaluation of the Vitamin C and Nutritional Value of Smoothies Sold on the Spanish Market

Fruits and vegetables are a source of a wide range of nutrients, including bioactive compounds. These compounds have great biological activity and have been linked to the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. Currently, the food industry is developing new products to introduce these compounds, whereby smoothies are becoming more popular among consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality and the polyphenol and vitamin C content of smoothies available on the Spanish market. An evaluation of the nutritional information and ingredients was carried out. The phenolic compounds were determined by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS; the vitamin C content was quantified using HPLC-UV/VIS; and the antioxidant activity was analyzed by DPPH and FRAP. Among all of the ingredients of the smoothies, coconut and banana have shown a negative impact on the polyphenol content of the smoothies. In contrast, ingredients such as orange, mango, and passion fruit had a positive correlation with the vitamin C content. Moreover, apple and red fruits showed the highest positive correlations with most of the phenolic acids, flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities. In addition, a clustering analysis was performed, and four groups were clearly defined according to the bioactive composition determined here. This research is a precious step for the formulation of new smoothies and to increase their polyphenol quality.SHEALTHY project from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program 81793

Valoración de la Calidad de Suplementos Proteicos Medida Como Lisina Bloqueada

Las proteínas más extensamente utilizadas como suplementos deportivos son las caseínas y las proteínas del lactosuero y, en menor extensión, los hidrolizados de lactosuero y las proteínas de soja. La obtención de estas proteínas lleva tratamientos térmicos más o menos drásticos, como pasteurización, evaporación y secado. Una de las modificaciones más importantes causadas por el calor y el almacenamiento es la Reacción de Maillard (MR), la cual implica la combinación de aminoácidos proteicos, principalmente lisina, con carbohidratos reductores, en este caso lactosa. Produciendo un descenso en el valor nutricional del ingrediente obtenido, entre otros aspectos por reducir la digestibilidad de las mismas al formar enlaces cruzados e isopéptidos. Los suplementos proteicos tienen una fuerte posición en el mercado de la nutrición deportiva, usados como suplementos de deportistas profesionales y por usuarios de gimnasios. El propósito de este estudio es conocer el daño nutricional de suplementos comerciales proteicos en polvo determinando lisina bloqueada

Descripción de índices basados en la adhesión al patrón dietético mediterráneo: una revisión

Introduction: diet quality indexes are tools are aimed at quantifying the compliance to a defined dietary pattern. These indexes are a combined measure of dietary factors (food groups, foods, nutrients and ratios) and/or lifestyles factors. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a dietary pattern characterized by their positive effects against chronic diseases. There have been many indexes proposed for the assessment of this dietary pattern. An evaluation of their composition and health benefits is therefore convenient. Objective: the objective is to evaluate indexes of adherence to the MD with regard to their definition, methodological issues and validation as reported in epidemiological studies. Methods: we searched in PubMed for studies that developed MD Indexes up to October 2014. Results: a total number of 22 indexes were identified, with differences regarding the number of components (7-28), scoring (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or 10, in case of compliance), range (0-100) and type of components (which could be food groups/foods or their combination, with nutrients). Among the positive components, fruits and vegetables were the most common and meats, among the negative components. There were also differences with regard to their composition and evaluation (e.g. criteria of moderate alcohol consumption), as well as with the scoring system (in medians, terciles or established servings).Conclusions: this review suggests that since there is great heterogeneity in the definition of MD. It would be therefore convenient to establish more clearly the components to be included and to establish commonly defined criteria to quantify this dietary pattern.Introducción: los índices de calidad la de dieta son herramientas que sirven para cuantificar el cumplimiento de un patrón dietético definido. Estos índices son una medida combinada de factores dietéticos (grupos alimenticios, alimentos, nutrientes y ratios) y/o estilos de vida. La dieta mediterránea (DM) es un patrón dietético que se caracteriza por sus efectos positivos contra ciertas enfermedades crónicas. Existen numerosos índices propuestos para la valoración de este patrón dietético. Es por lo tanto conveniente una evaluación de su composición y sus efectos sobre la salud. Objetivo: el objetivo es evaluar los índices de adhesión al patrón dietético mediterráneo en cuanto a su definición, aspectos metodológicos y validación en estudios epidemiológicos. Métodos: se buscaron en PubMed estudios que desarrollaron índices de DM hasta octubre de 2014. Resultados: se identificaron un total de 22 índices, con diferencias en cuanto al número de componentes (7-28), puntuación (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 o 10, en el caso de cumplimiento), rango (0-100) y tipo de componentes (grupos de alimentos/alimentos o su combinación con nutrientes). Entre los componentes positivos, los más comunes fueron frutas y verduras, y carnes entre los negativos. También hubo diferencias con respecto a su composición y evaluación (p. ej. criterios de consumo moderado de alcohol), así como con el sistema de puntuación (en medianas, terciles o raciones establecidas). Conclusiones: esta revisión sugiere que existe una gran heterogeneidad en la definición de DM. Sería por tanto apropiado establecer con mayor claridad los componentes que deben incluirse, así como definir criterios comunes para cuantificar este patrón dietético.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Health. Health Research Fund. PI12/00002, co-funded ERDF and It’s part of the doctoral thesis named: “Relación entre ingesta y acumulación de productos de Maillard de la dieta con el status endógeno antioxidante/oxidativo/ inflamatorio individual (“Indice de balance oxidativo”) y con la calidad de la dieta

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Moringa Leaves Grown in Spain Versus 28 Leaves Commonly Consumed in Pre-Packaged Salads

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) evaluated by ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, ABTS, DPPH, and Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and total polyphenol content (TPC) by Folin–Ciocalteu were determined in Moringa oleifera leaves (MO) grown in Spain, and compared with 28 different vegetable leaves pre-packaged for consumption as a salad. Total carotenoids, flavonoids, and chlorophylls were also determined in the samples with highest TAC. Two different extraction procedures were applied to obtain the methanolic fraction and the lipophilic and hydrophilic fractions. The highest TAC and TPC contents were found in MO. High values were also found in red chicory, “lollo rosso”, and oak lettuce. The lowest TAC and TPC values were obtained in iceberg lettuce. The correlations between the extraction procedures and methods assayed were high and statistically significant. In the light of these results, we suggest the addition of MO to the existing range of fresh-cut salad foods would increase their antioxidant content by up to six times.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness RTI2018-099835-A-I0

A Review of A Priori Defined Oxidative Balance Scores Relative to Their Components and Impact on Health Outcomes

Oxidative Balance Scores (OBSs) are tools that have emerged to evaluate the global balance of individuals’ oxidation—reduction status. The aim was to compare OBSs available in the literature regarding their characteristics and associations with chronic diseases in epidemiological studies. Studies that developed OBSs were searched in PubMed until August 2018. A total of 21 OBSs were identified. These OBSs presented di erent scoring schemes and di erent types of anti- and pro-oxidant components, including dietary factors (dietary intake and/or nutrient biomarkers), lifestyle factors, and medications. Most OBSs were based on over 10 components, and some included only dietary factors. Few considered weighted components in the score. Only three OBSs were validated as potential surrogates of oxidative balance through inflammation and OS-related biomarkers. Notably, all the OBSs were associated—to a varying degree—with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, colorectal adenomas, and di erent cancer types (colorectal and breast cancer), as well as with all-cause and cancer-related mortality. For other outcomes, e.g., prostate cancer, contradictory results were reported. In summary, there is a great heterogeneity in the definition of OBSs. Most studies are concordant in supporting that excessive OS reflected by a lower OBS has deleterious e ects on health. Unified criteria for defining the proper OBSs, valuable to gauge OS-related aspects of the diet and lifestyle that may lead to adverse health outcomes, are needed.This research was co-funded by the Health Research Fund (FIS), Acción Estratégica en Salud (AES), of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, grant number PI12/00002, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

New Advances in the Determination of Free and Bound Phenolic Compounds of Banana Passion Fruit Pulp (Passiflora tripartita, var. Mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey) and Their In Vitro Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Capacities

Banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartite L.H. Bailey) is a lesser known species of the genus Passiflora. This fruit typically grows in the Andean region of Ecuador and it is locally known as tumbo, taxo or curuba. The juice of this fruit is highly appreciated in South America. Extracts of banana passion fruit were characterized for their content levels of free and bound phenolic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS). A total of 82 polar compounds classified as phenolic acid derivatives, organic acids, benzophenones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols and flavones were detected in the extracts. The total phenolic content was 2356 mg 100 g−1 dry matter, with the bound phenolic fraction representing 37.7% of total amounts. Flavan-3-ols, such as (epi)catechin, (epi)azfelechin and their derivatives, were the main phenolic compounds in the free phenolic fraction; however, phenolic acids represented the most abundant class of bound phenolic extracts. The antioxidant and hypoglycemic capacities reported for banana passion fruit were higher than for other fruits. To our knowledge, this is the first time that bound phenolic compounds have been described in banana passion fruit pulp.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) RYC-2015-18795 FJCI-2017-33216Ministerio de Educacion y Formacion Profesional FPU16/0253

Biomechanical behavior of customized scaffolds: A three-dimensional finite element analysis

Teeth loss due to periodontal diseases, trauma, or infections often causes dimensional loss in the affected maxillary. In patients with reduced maxillary size, restoration of chewing function and esthetics with endosseous dental implants may fail. The aim of this work was to simulate the biomechanical behavior, using the finite element method, of customized scaffolds fixed by a dental implant on a partially edentulous jaw. Porous scaffolds were designed from medical images of a partially edentulous jaw with type IV bone quality. The influence of the diameter of the hole and the porosity of the scaffold on the maximum levels of stress and strain in the peri-implant bone was evaluated. The highest stress values in the scaffolds, dental implant, and crown were lower than the yield strength of their respective materials. The customized scaffolds allow to recover the dimensions of the evaluated jaw. A significant decrease in stress and strain values was observed in the peri-implant cortical bone. Furthermore, it was found that the evaluated parameters did not have a significant influence on the maximum von Mises equivalent stress and maximum strain values in the peri-implant bone.MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033 PID2019-109371 GB-I0