Growth Dynamics and Water Potential Components of Three Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) Cultivars

Summer squash fruit is a horticultural crop that possesses a very short postharvest life due to its high rates of metabolism and transpiration along with a low cuticle resistance exhibited mainly when the fruit is harvested at horticultural maturity. This research was realized following the fruit growth of the summer squash cultivars: ‘Enterprise’, ‘Pascola’ and ‘Hurakan F1’, whose seeds were germinated in polystyrene trays and their seedlings were subsequently transferred to pots for optimum growth under greenhouse conditions. Fruits were sampled at 3, 5, 7 and 9 days after anthesis (DAA). Physical (weight, diameter, and length of fruit), chemical (pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids), hydric status (water, osmotic and pressure potentials), and histological analysis were done. The highest number of fruits having marketing quality were shown in both ‘Pascola’ and ‘Hurakan F1’ cultivars at 7 DAA, whereas, in ‘Enterprise’ was shown at 9 DAA. Marketing quality fruits from the three cultivars showed similarities on pH (about 6.6), titratable acidity (TA) decreases in ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Hurakan F1’, whereas total soluble solids (TSS) decreases in ‘Pascola’ and ‘Hurakan F1’ (pJ 0.5). From 3 to 9 DAA, in all cultivars, the water potential was close to -1.0 MPa, the osmotic potential showed an increasing pattern ranging between -1.59 and -1.15 MPa, and the pressure potential remained in the positive range. Tissue water stability was histologically related to a well-defined parenchyma tissue showing thin-walled, polygonal, intact and turgid cells during fruit growth

LEAF MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF VARIETIES OF TURNERA DIFFUSA VAR. DIFFUSA AND TURNERA DIFFUSA VAR. APHRODISIACA (WARD) URB

Background: Mexican damiana (Turnera diffusa Willd. Ex. Schult), specifically damiana of California has a high demand in the international market for its popularity as aphrodisiac, but its marketing has been affected by the adulteration of its products due to a lack of authentication mechanisms and limited information on the differences between the two currently known varieties. The aim of this study was to establish a leaf standard monograph with scientific bases of the varieties aphrodisiaca and diffusa of Turnera diffusa Willd. Ex. Schult, cultivated at the same agronomic and environmental conditions. Material and Methods: Damiana leaves were collected from a cultivar located in the municipality of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico in 2016. The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of macroscopic and both optical and electronic microscopic characteristics of leaves of the two varieties for their distinction. Results: The leaves of diffusa variety were twice as large as those of the aphrodisiaca variety, whereas papillose glandular trichomes were observed with greater density in the aphrodisiaca variety than those on diffusa leaves where unicellular trichomes were the ones observed in greater density. The leaves of both varieties are dorsiventral and hypostomatic with paracytic stomata. Conclusion: The obtained qualitative and quantitative leaf standards provide reference information for the proper identification and monograph preparation of the aphrodisiaca and diffusa varieties of Turnera diffusa. Pharmacognostic characteristics such as the type of stomata, trichomes, and leaf identify the species, whereas characteristics as leaf size and trichome density differ between varieties

Fertilización foliar con nanopartículas de ZnO y su efecto en la producción, calidad biofísica y nutraceútica en frutos de nogal pecanero (Carya illinoinensis)

El nogal pecanero (Carya illinoinensis) es uno de los cultivos más importantes de la Comarca Lagunera. La deficiencia de zinc (Zn) es uno de los principales problemas que limitan su productividad. La nanotecnología incluye materiales nutrimentales con los que se pueden sustituir fertilizantes convencionales con variado efecto en rendimiento, calidad biofísica y nutracéutica en el fruto. Los efectos de la aplicación foliar de nanopartículas de ZnO en nogal pecanero variedad Western fueron evaluados mediante dosis de Zn con los siguientes tratamientos: control, 4000 (ZnSO4), 2000 (nps ZnO), y 4000 (nps ZnO) mg L-1. El diseño experimental fue en bloques al azar con cuatro repeticiones. Las variables evaluadas en fruto y árbol fueron: rendimiento, número de nueces kg-1, largo y ancho de nuez, concentración de Zn en foliolos, ácidos grasos, proteína cruda, porcentaje de grasa y humedad. Se observó diferencia significativa en rendimiento y nivel de Zn en los foliolos, donde el mejor tratamiento fue 4000 mg L-1 de nanopartículas de ZnO, mientras que para la variable largo de nuez se observó diferencia significativa, siendo inferior el tratamiento de 4000 mg L-1 de ZnSO4. En las variables nutracéuticas, el contenido de ácidos grasos evaluado mediante el contenido de grasas saturadas (C16:0 y C18:0) mostró cambios altamente significativos, siendo el tratamiento con la dosis de 4000 mg L-1 de nanopartículas el que tuvo mayor porcentaje. Los ácidos grasos insaturados (C18:1 y C18:3) mostraron diferencias significativas, siendo los tratamientos evaluados con nanopartículas los que tuvieron un porcentaje inferior. El contenido de proteína también mostró diferencias altamente significativas, siendo el tratamiento control y el químico a base de ZnSO4 los tratamientos superiores. Las nanopartículas pueden ser usadas para mejorar el rendimiento y abastecer el contenido de Zn al cultivo, pero la calidad de fruto se ve afectada desde el punto de vista nutricional

Physicochemical Parameters, Mineral Composition, and Nutraceutical Properties of Ready-to-Drink Flavored-Colored Commercial Teas

The physicochemical parameters, mineral composition, and nutraceutical properties of ready-to-drink flavored-colored commercial teas were analyzed in the present study. The pH of samples was slightly acidic (3.72 to 4.11), titratable acidity was low (0.092 to 0.174%), and color parameters were wide variable (pink, yellow, brown, and red). Citrus-flavored tea obtained the highest content of manganese (0.281mg·L−1), zinc (0.069mg·L−1), magnesium (2.92mg·L−1), potassium (62.65mg·L−1), and sodium (271.74mg·L−1), while lemon-, peach-, and blueberry-flavored teas obtained the highest levels of copper (0.035mg·L−1), iron (0.246mg·L−1), and calcium (18.21mg·L−1), respectively. Citrus, lemon-, sangria-, and rose petal-flavored teas obtained the highest content in total phenols (211.56mg·L−1), total flavonoids (65.46mg·L−1), total catechins (640.79mg·L−1), and total anthocyanins (640.79mg·L−1), respectively. Lemon- and rose petal-flavored teas showed the highest and lowest antioxidant capacity levels in DPPH (1096.00 to 118.77μmolTE·L−1), ABTS (1048.84 to 232.00μmolTE·L−1), and FRAP (1269.20 to 147.70μmolTE·L−1) assays. The levels of sodium reported in labels of all samples were lower than data obtained in our analysis. Alsothelevelsobservedfortotalphenolsinblueberry-,citrus-,androsepetal-flavoredteaswerelowerthanouranalysis,buttotal phenolsoflemon-,peach-,andsangria-flavoredteaswerehigherthanthecontentreportedintheirlabels.Theresultsobtainedin thepresentworkgiveinformationtoconsumersforchoosingflavored-coloredready-to-drinkteabasedonthephysicochemical, nutritional, and nutraceutical properties

Ácidos fenólicos con actividad antioxidante en salvado de maíz y salvado de trigo

Soluble and bound phenolic acids were obtained from maize and wheat bran and the level of total phenols were determined (Folin-Ciocalteu), phenolic acids (HPLC), antioxidant activity (DPPH, ORAC) and the presence of diferulic acids (UV spectra). The concentrations of total phenols, ferulic acid, and coumaric acid ranged from 1 637 to 9 718 µg EAF g-1, from 12 to 4 527 µg g-1 and from 7 to 664 µg g-1, while the antioxidant activity µmol ET g-1 acids 8-8', 8-5', 5-5' and 8-0-4' was identified in the bound fractions. All fractions presented significant levels of total phenols, phenolic acids and antioxidant activity, the bound fraction of maize bran being the one that presented the highest concentrations.Ácidos fenólicos solubles y ligados, fueron obtenidos de salvado de maíz y trigo, en los que se determinaron los niveles de fenoles totales (Folin-Ciocalteu), ácidos fenólicos (HPLC), actividad antioxidante (DPPH, ORAC) y presencia de ácidos diferúlicos (espectros UV). Las concentraciones de fenoles totales, ácido ferúlico y ácido cumárico fueron de 1 637 a 9 718 µg EAF g-1, de 12 a 4 527 µg g-1 y de 7 a 664 µg g-1, mientras que la actividad antioxidante fue de 9.52 a 64.14 % de inhibición de DPPH y de 11.46 a 67.09 µmol ET g-1 en ORAC. Se identificó la presencia de los ácidos diferúlicos 8-8', 8-5', 5-5' y 8-0-4' en las fracciones ligadas. Todas las fracciones presentaron niveles importantes de fenoles totales, ácidos fenólicos y actividad antioxidante, siendo la fracción ligada de salvado de maíz la que presentó las mayores concentraciones

Recuperación de niveles de hemoglobina (Hb) en ratas Wistar con betabel fermentado por Lactobacillus sporogenes

The effect of a diet based on fermented beets and oranges with Lactobacillus sporogenes in male Wistar rats with induced anemia was evaluated. No significant difference was found after 120-hour treatment with respect to a diet without fermented beets and oranges. However, the recovery with diet alone consisting of fermented low iron and protein shows a possible beneficial effect in the recovery from anemia.El efecto de una dieta de fermentado de Lactobacillus sporogenes con betabel y naranja fue evaluado en ratas Wistar con anemia inducida. No se encontraron diferencias significativas a las 120 horas de recuperación con respecto a una dieta sin fermentado. Sin embargo, la recuperación con una dieta únicamente con fermentado con deficiencia de hierro y proteínas muestra un posible efecto benéfico en la recuperación de anemia

Caracterización del polvo y pectina del pericarpio del mango (Mangifera indica L.) ʻAtaulfoʼ maduro y análisis FODA para su procesamiento

The mango industrialization generates byproducts to have a great potential to be reprocessed and sold. In this study, pericarp and pectin powder from a ripe ʻAtaulfoʼ mango were characterized, additionally a proposal to extract pectin was analyzed according to the SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) matrix. The ʻAtaulfoʼ mango pericarp was dehydrated and ground; the main characteristics of pericarp powder includes 34.36 ± 1.67% soluble fiber, 22.86 ± 0.03% insoluble fiber, 0.39 ± 0.01 water activity, and 38.72 ± 0.8 degrees of rest angle. Pectin yield, regarding to the pericarp powder was 5.40 ± 1%, with 94.27 ± 8.7 kDa in molecular weight, 6.35 ± 0.63% of methoxyl groups, and 46.07±0.87% of esterification. The infrared spectrum obtained from ripe ʻAtaulfoʼ mango pectin was similar to the spectrum of commercial pectins from citrus byproducts. The dehydrated pericarp of ʻAtaulfoʼ mango can be used in food formulations and for obtaining pectin as a value-adding alternative in the dehydrated mango products industry.La industrialización del mango genera subproductos con potencial para reprocesarse y comercializarse. En este estudio, se obtuvo del mango ʻAtaulfoʼ maduro la pectina del polvo del pericarpio, que se evaluó con un análisis FODA (Fortalezas-Oportunidades, Debilidades-Amenazas) la propuesta de valor agregado de extracción de pectina. El pericarpio del mango ʻAtaulfoʼ maduro, fue deshidratado, molido y presentólas siguientes características: contenido de 34.36 ± 1.67% de fibra soluble, 22.86 ± 0.03% de fibra insoluble, 0.39 ± 0.01 de actividad de agua y 38.72 ± 0.8 grados de ángulo de reposo. El rendimiento de la pectina con respecto al polvo de pericarpio fue de 5.40 ±1 %, con 94.27 ± 8.7 kDa en peso molecular, 6.35 ± 0.63% de grupos metoxilo y 46.07 ± 0.87% de esterificación. El espectro en infrarrojo de la pectina de mango ʻAtaulfoʼ maduro fue similar al espectro de las pectinas de subproductos de cítricos comerciales. El pericarpio deshidratado del mango ʻAtaulfoʼ maduro, puede ser utilizado en la elaboración de fórmulas alimenticias y la pectina enla industria de productos deshidratados de mango como valor agregado