Chemical composition and volatile compounds in the artisanal fermentation of mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico

The differences among the several varieties of mezcal produced in Mexico, besides the Agave species, consist essentially in the individuality of the traditional methods used in the elaboration or fermentation process. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the artisanal fermentation processes and to make clear the factors and management practices that have an influence on the chemical composition. Two mezcal artisanal factories of Agave angustifolia Haw. under two fermentation seasons were investigated in Oaxaca, Mexico. Volatile compounds were analyzed using a gas chromatograph and a capillary column HP-FFAP. Reference standards were used for the identification and quantification of volatile compounds. Samples were successfully separated, and the main volatile compounds identified corresponded to ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, and acetic acid. The chemical composition of the artisanal fermentation process differs significantly from factory to factory, season to season, and the interaction between the factories in which the fermentation process takes place and the seasons. Addition of ammonium sulfate reduces the fermentation time and affects significantly the production of ethanol, propanol and butanol, but decreases the methanol, ethyl acetate, and acetic acid production, and this practice is more convenient in fall than in spring.Key words: Fermentation, ammonium sulfate, volatile compounds, higher alcohol, gas chromatography, mezcal

Agromorphological variation and postharvest biophysical changes in fruits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Se evaluó la variación fenotípica agromorfológica y cambios biofísicos de frutos después de 10 días de almacenamiento a temperatura ambiente, en una colección de tomate de Oaxaca, México. La colección de 57 colectas fue sembrada y caracterizada bajo invernadero. En poscosecha se evaluó pH, grados Brix, pérdida de peso y parámetros de color (L*, a*, b*, cromaticidad y ángulo Hue) a 0 y 10 días después de la cosecha. Las colectas mostraron diferencias significativas (P < 0,01) en todos los caracteres agromorfológicos y también hubo diferencias significativas entre acervos genéticos preclasificados como cultivados, ruderales e intermedios entre cultivados y ruderales. Nueve grupos de diversidad fenotípica fueron conformados. Se determinaron diferencias significativas entre tiempos de almacenamiento (0 y 10 días) para todas las características biofísicas. Después de 10 días de almacenamiento a temperatura ambiente (20,6±5°C y 34±10% HR), se incrementaron los °Brix de 4,1 a 4,6 y pH de 3,7 a 4,3. Entre grupos fenotípicos e interacción tiempo de almacenamiento-grupos, se determinaron diferencias significativas en °Brix, coordenadas de color L* y b*, y ángulo Hue. Los cambios diferenciales poscosecha indican divergencias fenotípicas entre y dentro de acervos genéticos que pueden explotarse en programas de mejoramiento con objetivos regionales.Agromorphological phenotypic variation and postharvest biophysical changes in fruits after 10 days of storage at room temperature were evaluated in a collection of tomatoes from Oaxaca, Mexico. The collection of 57 accessions were planted and characterized under greenhouse. During postharvest the pH, degrees Brix (°Brix), weight loss and color parameters (L*, a*, b*, chromaticity and Hue angle) were evaluated at 0 and 10 days after harvest. The accession showed significant differences (P < 0.01) over all agromorphological traits, and there were differences among genepools classified a priori as cultivated, ruderal, and intermediate populations between cultivated and ruderal. Nine groups of phenotypic diversity were determined. The storage times (0 and 10 days) presented significant differences at all biophysical traits. After 10 days of storage at room temperature (20.6±5°C and 34±10% RH) the °Brix increased from 4.1 to 4.6 and similarly pH from 3.7 to 4.3. Among phenotypic groups and interaction storage times-groups, significant differences were found for °Brix, color coordinates L* and b*, and Hue angle. The differential postharvest changes indicate phenotypic divergences among and within genepools, which can be exploited in the plant breeding programs with regional objectives.Fil: Ríos-Osorio, Oliva. Instituto Tecnológico del Valle de Oaxaca (México)Fil: Chávez-Servia, José Luis. Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Oaxaca, México)Fil: Carrillo-Rodríguez, José Cruz. Instituto Tecnológico del Valle de Oaxaca (México)Fil: Vera-Guzmán, Araceli Minerva. Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Oaxaca, México

Medicinal Plants Used by Indigenous Communities of Oaxaca, Mexico, to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and ethnodiseases such as diarrhea, stomachache, dysentery, “empacho” (blockage), and bile is a common strategy among indigenous communities. It is estimated that approximately 34% of medicinal plants are used to treat diseases of the digestive tract. In Mexico, gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses represent one of the main causes of death in children in rural populations. Our objective was to document the use of medicinal plants used by the indigenous groups of Oaxaca, Mexico, for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, based on previous studies, experiences, and field observations in indigenous communities and supplemented with bibliographic references. In Oaxaca, there are 16 indigenous groups, the largest being the speakers of the Zapoteco, Mixteco, Mazateco, Mixe, Chinanteco, Amuzgo, Tacuate, Chatino, and Cuicateco languages. In this review of the medicinal plants used for gastrointestinal disorders, 186 species were grouped into 147 genera and 71 botanical families, among which the largest number of species belonged to Asteraceae (29), Fabaceae (15), Euphorbiaceae (9), Solanaceae (9), and Lamiaceae (9). Different pharmacological studies showed potential for preventing microbial and fungal pathogens that cause gastrointestinal disease

Variación agromorfológica y cambios biofísicos poscosecha en frutos de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Agromorphological phenotypic variation and postharvest biophysical changes in fruits after 10 days of storage at room temperature were evaluated in a collection of tomatoes from Oaxaca, Mexico. The collection of 57 accessions were planted and characterized under greenhouse. During postharvest the pH, degrees Brix (°Brix), weight loss and color parameters (L*, a*, b*, chromaticity and Hue angle) were evaluated at 0 and 10 days after harvest. The accession showed significant differences (P < 0.01) over all agromorphological traits, and there were differences among genepools classified a priori as cultivated, ruderal, and intermediate populations between cultivated and ruderal. Nine groups of phenotypic diversity were determined. The storage times (0 and 10 days) presented significant differences at all biophysical traits. After 10 days of storage at room temperature (20.6±5°C and 34±10% RH) the °Brix increased from 4.1 to 4.6 and similarly pH from 3.7 to 4.3. Among phenotypic groups and interaction storage times-groups, significant differences were found for °Brix, color coordinates L* and b*, and Hue angle. The differential postharvest changes indicate phenotypic divergences among and within genepools, which can be exploited in the plant breeding programs with regional objectives.Se evaluó la variación fenotípica agromorfológica y cambios biofísicos de frutos después de 10 días de almacenamiento a temperatura ambiente, en una colección de tomate de Oaxaca, México. La colección de 57 colectas fue sembrada y caracterizada bajo invernadero. En poscosecha se evaluó pH, grados Brix, pérdida de peso y parámetros de color (L*, a*, b*, cromaticidad y ángulo Hue) a 0 y 10 días después de la cosecha. Las colectas mostraron diferencias significativas (P < 0,01) en todos los caracteres agromorfológicos y también hubo diferencias significativas entre acervos genéticos preclasificados como cultivados, ruderales e intermedios entre cultivados y ruderales. Nueve grupos de diversidad fenotípica fueron conformados. Se determinaron diferencias significativas entre tiempos de almacenamiento (0 y 10 días) para todas las características biofísicas. Después de 10 días de almacenamiento a temperatura ambiente (20,6±5°C y 34±10% HR), se incrementaron los °Brix de 4,1 a 4,6 y pH de 3,7 a 4,3. Entre grupos fenotípicos e interacción tiempo de almacenamiento-grupos, se determinaron diferencias significativas en °Brix, coordenadas de color L* y b*, y ángulo Hue. Los cambios diferenciales poscosecha indican divergencias fenotípicas entre y dentro de acervos genéticos que pueden explotarse en programas de mejoramiento con objetivos regionales

Phenotypic variation in grain mineral compositions of pigmented maize conserved in indigenous communities of Mexico

In recent decades, pigmented corn has aroused great interest due to its contributions of bioactive compoundsand nutritional elements for the improvement of health. To evaluate the mineral grain contents in a pigmented corncollection from Oaxaca, Mexico, 57 accessions from indigenous communities and three commercial varieties weregrown in two cultivation locations. A random grain sample was obtained from the crops, and the Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, P,Mg, K, Ca, Na, and S contents were quantified using an optical emission spectrophotometer with inductively coupledplasma (ICP-OES). The cropping localities significantly influenced the mineral contents. Likewise, significantdifferences were observed between accessions, groups of pigmented grains, and accession-locality interactionsexcept for zinc. The groups of pigmented grains interact with Cu, Fe, Ca, and Na in the environment. Among theaccessions, high variation was observed in all elements except for Zn. The results show that a breeding programcan be initiated for the outstanding blue, red, and yellow grain accessions

PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF WILD AND CULTIVATED PEPPER ( Capsicum annuum L. and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pav.) FROM OAXACA, MEXICO

Reports of the last decade show that some types of food and spices included in the human diet, such as pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) can have a positive effect on human health. The Mexican pepper germplasm is poorly documented with regard to variety and the amount of phytochemical compounds that it contains. In the present study, the variation of phytochemical compounds was evaluated in nine fruit variants (morphotypes) of wild and cultivated pepper grown in Oaxaca. ANOVA detected significant differences among pepper morphotypes and ripeness stages of fruits; vitamin C, total phenols, flavonoids, β-carotene, coordinated chromatic of color, and capsaicinoids. The highest values of vitamin C were found in 'Tabaquero', 'Güero' and 'Costeño' morphotypes (151.6 to 183.2 mg 100 g-1). With regard to total phenols and flavonoids, 'Piquín' and 'Solterito' had the highest levels. Coordinates of color a* and b*, and chroma presented a positive correlation with phenol and flavonoid contents. The evaluated morphotypes differed in capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin; C. annuum had higher capsaicin content (4.9 to 142 μg mL-1) than dihydrocapsaicin (1.5 to 65.5 μg mL-1) and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pav. showed the opposite pattern

Agromorphological Traits and Mineral Content in Tomato Accessions from El Salvador, Central America

The agromorphological traits and phenotypic variation of mineral content in the fruit were evaluated in eleven tomato accessions from nine communities in El Salvador. The tomato collection was cultivated in a greenhouse with a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plant phenological and fruit traits, as well as the mineral content, were evaluated using atomic-absorption and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. In the analysis of variance, significant differences (p < 0.01) among the accessions were determined for agromorphological traits and all mineral elements except Cu. Plant height at 30, 60 and 90 days after transplant, days to flowering and maturating of the fruits, and the number and weight of fruits per plant were useful variables for describing the phenotypic divergences among the tomato accessions. In terms of mineral content, the differences among the accessions were based on Mg, P, S, Fe, Zn and Mn. The weights of the fruits per cluster and per plant and fruit weight presented negative correlations with Ca, Mg, Fe and P (r = −0.67 to −0.71, p < 0.05) and a positive correlation with Na (0.63)

Edible Leafy Plants from Mexico as Sources of Antioxidant Compounds, and Their Nutritional, Nutraceutical and Antimicrobial Potential: A Review

A review of indigenous Mexican plants with edible stems and leaves and their nutritional and nutraceutical potential was conducted, complemented by the authors’ experiences. In Mexico, more than 250 species with edible stems, leaves, vines and flowers, known as “quelites,” are collected or are cultivated and consumed. The assessment of the quelite composition depends on the chemical characteristics of the compounds being evaluated; the protein quality is a direct function of the amino acid content, which is evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the contribution of minerals is evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or ICP mass spectrometry. The total contents of phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, saponins and other general compounds have been analyzed using UV-vis spectrophotometry and by HPLC. For the determination of specific compounds such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, organic acids and other profiles, it is recommended to use HPLC-DAD, UHPLC-DAD, UFLC-PDA or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The current biochemical analysis and biological evaluations were performed to understand the mechanisms of action that lead to decreased glucose levels and lipid peroxidation, increased hypoglycemic and antitumor activity, immune system improvement, increased antibacterial and antifungal activity and, in some cases, anti-Helicobacter pylori activity