Xoconostle fruit (Opuntia matudae Scheinvar cv. Rosa) by-products as potential functional ingredients

There is a lack of information on the potential use of xoconostle cultivars as sources of antioxidants for food, pharmaceutical and colorant industries. The aim of this study was to provide a phytochemical characterisation and antioxidant activity evaluation of Opuntia matudae Scheinvar cv. Rosa by-products (epicarp and endocarp mucilage's), in order to evaluate their interest as sources of functional ingredients for human or animal foods. These by-products showed a high content in glucose, citric and linoleic acids, tocopherols, and isorhamnetin-O-(di-deoxyhexosyl-hexoside) (mainly in epicarp), and presented relevant antioxidant properties. The obtained results support the use of O. matudae Scheinvar cv. Rosa agro-industrial by-products as functional food ingredients, namely for antioxidant-enriched formulations, instead of being discarded.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (strategic project Pest-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011) and to L. Barros (researcher contract under “Programa Compromisso com Ciência-2008”). The authors also acknowledge the support of Mexican association CoMenTuna for providing the plant materials

FACTORES ASOCIADOS AL SOBREPESO EN ESTUDIANTES DE 8 A 18 AÑOS DE ÁREAS SUBURBANAS, HIDALGO, MÉXICO

Determinar y analizar los factores asociados al sobrepeso de preadolescentes y adolescentes de escuelas suburbanas. Se aplicó una encuesta transversal a 257 estudiantes de primaria, secundaria y preparatoria. Se determinó sobrepeso por medio del índice de masa corporal (IMC).Se evaluaron asociaciones con el autoreporte de aspectos sociodemográficos, percepciones y actitudes en salud, actividad física y consumo de alimentos. La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue de 23.9% y fue asociado al sexo masculino, a un perímetro de cintura mayor a 80.3 cm., a una correcta autopercepción de la imagen corporal, a una actitud negativa frente a la comida, así como a percepciones de difícil acceso y disponibilidad de frutas. En este grupo el sobrepeso es menor a lo reportado por estudios nacionales, es mayor en hombres y se asocia más a factores alimentarios y percepciones en salud, que a la actividad física.Palabras clave: sobrepeso, adolescentes, percepciones, actividad física, alimentación.   overweight, adolescents, perceptions, physical activity, feedin

Creatividad e innovación del cactus como producto artesanal en el distrito de Riohacha

This article focused on a creativity that guides the constant innovation of the market andthus generates, acquires and applies very different knowledge to produce changes in its processes and services, in order to increase its income and reduce its costs, achieving thus improve productivity. For this reason, this article was carried out with the main objective of analyzing the creativity and innovation of the cactus as a craft product in theDistrict of Riohacha. The literature review article was carried out in four phases, in the first phase it begins with obtaining all the relevant information for its development, through search engines such as academic google, google Chrome, Science Direct, SciELO among others. others, likewise the methodology for the realization of the article is chosen, in this the development of theoretical content is shown, and the cases are selected for analysis, in the second phase a discussion and analysis of the informationobtained is carried out, in the third phase the conclusion is shown and finally bibliographical references are presented.Este artículo se centró en una creatividad que oriente a la innovación constante del mercado y que así genere, adquiera y aplique conocimientos muy distintos para producir cambios en sus procesos y en sus servicios, con el fin de aumentar sus ingresos y reducir sus costes, logrando así mejorar la productividad. por ello se realizó ese artículo teniendo como principal objetivo analizar la creatividad e innovación del cactus como producto artesanal en el Distrito de Riohacha. El artículo de revisión de literatura, se realizó en cuatro fases, en la primera fase se inicia con la obtención de toda la información pertinente para el desarrollo de la misma, a través de buscadores como google académico, google Chrome, Science Direct, SciELO entre otros, asimismo se elige la metodología para la realización del artículo, en esta se muestra el desarrollo de contenido teórico, y se seleccionan los casos para el análisis, en la segunda fase se realiza a discusión y análisis de la información obtenida, en la tercera fase se muestra la conclusión y por último se presentan referencias bibliográficas

Advanced Space Flight Mechanical Qualification Test of a 3D- Printed Satellite Structure Produced in Polyetherimide ULTEMTM

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the use of additive manufacturing with thermoplastic material in the whole functional structure of spacecraft and to mechanically qualify it for space flight. For such purpose, an 8 U CubeSat structure was manufactured in polyetherimide (PEI) ULTEM™ through 3D printing and passed several vibration tests. The results are compared with those obtained in the qualification of the same structure manufactured in aluminum alloy AA-6082 T651 through a conventional CNC method. The qualification consisted of passing the vibration requirements in quasi-static, sine, and random tests to fly in PSLV launcher. Finally, a robustness test for the 3D-printed structure is included, and all the results are analyzed. This study is being part of the H2020 European Project ReDSHIFT (Project ID 687500)

Nutritional and antioxidant properties of pulp and seeds of two xoconostle cultivars (Opuntia joconostle F.A.C. Weber ex Diguet and Opuntia matudae Scheinvar) of high consumption in Mexico

The genus Opuntia embraces different species of cactus, and many of them produce acid fruits known as xoconostle, which are considered valuable vegetable foods in Latin America. Xoconostle fruit contains an edible thick-acid-freshly mesocarp, and seeds that are considered as by-products. Given the high potential of its use and consumption, and the lack of information about its detailed chemical composition and bioactive compounds, the aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and antioxidant properties of pulp and seeds of two highly consumed commercial cultivars of xoconostle fruits (Opuntia joconostle F.A.C. Weber ex Diguet, cv. Cuaresmeño, and Opuntia matudae Scheinvar, cv. Rosa). This investigation shows that the pulp of the studied xoconostle cultivars had an appreciable amount of soluble fiber and antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, while the seeds are a source of fiber, phenolics, flavonoids, PUFAs and tocopherols (specially γ-tocopherol), which provide a good antioxidant capacity. In the light of these results, xoconostle fruits should be considered of great interest for either promoting the conventional consumption, and also as sources of bioactive compounds for the addition to other food products, so that all the nutrients present are fully used, instead of being discarded

Efecto del etiquetado frontal de advertencia de alimentos y bebidas. La experiencia de otros países de América Latina

Introducción. En México se ha propuesto una serie de estrategias para la prevención y control de la obesidad, como el etiquetado frontal de advertencia, aprobado con la modificación a la NOM 051. Algunos países de América Latina como Chile y Ecuador ya han implementado etiquetados resumidos y simplificados sobre nutrientes relevantes para la salud. Objetivo. Describir la información disponible acerca de los efectos en la elección, compra y consumo de alimentos y bebidas procesadas, posterior a la implementación de un etiquetado nutrimental de advertencia en Chile y Ecuador. Material y métodos. Revisión sistémica en las bases de datos Medline, Pubmed, NCBI, Crossref, Scielo, Redalyc, buscador web y Google Académico. Las palabras claves fueron: etiquetado nutrimental, etiquetado de advertencia y semaforización de alimentos. La búsqueda se realizó en español e inglés. Resultados. Se encontró que existe buena comprensión y aceptabilidad de los sistemas de etiquetado de advertencia, sin embargo, los individuos con mayor nivel socioeconómico y educativo tienen una mayor predisposición a elegir productos más saludables, de igual manera en la elección de un alimento interfieren otros factores como la edad, las preferencias y el precio del producto. Por otro lado, el etiquetado de advertencia octogonal de Chile brinda resultados más favorables en comparación con el etiquetado de semáforo de Ecuador. Conclusiones. Este estudio permite describir un ligero panorama de las expectativas para México, posterior a la entrada en vigor de la modificación de la NOM 051 y muestra que, a pesar de brindar resultados favorables, requerirá estrategias adicionales para reforzar su efecto, esto evitaría resultados negativos

Unravelling the relevance of the polyadenylation factor EhCFIm25 in entamoeba histolytica through proteomic analysis

We recently reported that silencing of the polyadenylation factor EhCFIm25 in Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan which causes human amoebiasis, affects trophozoite proliferation, death, and virulence, suggesting that EhCFIm25 may have potential as a new biochemical target. Here, we performed a shotgun proteomic analysis to identify modulated proteins that could explain this phenotype. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD027784. Our results revealed changes in the abundance of 75 proteins. Interestingly, STRING analysis, functional GO‐term annotations, KEGG analyses, and literature review showed that modulated proteins are mainly related to glycolysis and carbon metabolism, cytoskeleton dynamics, and parasite virulence, as well as gene expression and protein modifications. Further studies are needed to confirm the hypotheses emerging from this proteomic analysis, to thereby acquire a comprehensive view of the molecular mechanisms involved

Optimiranje postupka obrade nektara graviole (Annona muricata) toplinom i ultrazvukom, te usporedba fizikalno-kemijskih svojstava i biološke raspoloživosti antioksidansa in vitro optimiranog nektara s pasteriziranim uzorkom

Research background. Soursop nectar contains antioxidants and is preserved by pasteurization. However, this technology impairs its physicochemical properties and bioactive compounds. An alternative is therefore thermoultrasound, which could counteract these effects. The thermosonicated nectar was compared with a pasteurized one and the in vitro bioaccessibility of antioxidants was estimated. Experimental approach. The soursop nectar (25 %) was processed and the response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal conditions for thermoultrasound treatment (TUS). The TUS (75–90 % amplitude, 3.15–15 min) was applied, and 2 % stevia and 6 % agave inulin were added as sweeteners. The microbiological, physicochemical, enzymatic and antioxidant properties were analyzed. The properties of thermosonicated nectar obtained under optimal conditions were compared with pasteurized nectar. In addition to the above determinations, microstructure, total dietary fiber (TDF) and in vitro bioaccessibility of antioxidants were determined. Results and conclusions. The response variables that fit the mathematical model were L*, b*, chroma (C*), total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity determined by ABTS•+, DPPH˙ and Fe(III) reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The L* and DPPH˙ were affected by quadratic time and TPC by time (p<0.0001). The optimum TUS condition was 82 % amplitude for 9.15 min and the responses variables were L*, b* and C* (45.48, 3.55 and 3.62, respectively), TPC expressed as gallic acid equivalents (38.40 mg/100 mL), ABTS•+ expressed as Trolox equivalents (TE) (31.28 μmol/100 mL), DPPH˙ expressed as TE (124.22 μmol/100 mL) and FRAP expressed as Fe(II) (3.06 μmol/100 mL). Compared to the pasteurized sample, thermosonicated sample had high values of L* (45.56), h° (-56.49), TPC (26.63 mg/100 mL), ABTS•+ and DPPH˙ (22.03 and 129.22 μmol/100 mL, respectively), FRAP (3.10 μmol/100 mL) and low pectin methylesterase (PME) activity (0.28 U/mL). For in vitro bioaccessibility, thermosonicated nectar showed high absorption of TPC (15.26/100 mL) and high antioxidant activity determined by ABTS (34.92 μmol/100 mL) and FRAP (7.88 μmol/100 mL). Novelty and scientific contribution. The thermoultrasound improves the physicochemical properties and in vitro bioaccessibility of antioxidants in soursop nectar. On the other hand, as an alternative, this beverage offers low-calorie alternative with prebiotic properties that benefits consumer health.Pozadina istraživanja. Nektar graviole sadržava antioksidanse, a radi produljenja roka trajanja tretira se pasterizacijom. Međutim, taj postupak narušava fizikalno-kemijska svojstva nektara i smanjuje količinu biološki aktivnih tvari u njemu. Stoga se kao alternativna metoda koristi kombinacija obrade toplinom i ultrazvukom. U radu smo usporedili svojstva nektara obrađenog toplinom i ultrazvukom s onima pasteriziranog uzorka te ispitali biološku raspoloživost antioksidansa in vitro. Eksperimentalni pristup. Obrađen je nektar graviole (s 25 % voćnog soka), a metodom odzivnih površina određeni su optimalni uvjeti obrade toplinom i ultrazvukom. Primijenjen je ultrazvuk amplitude 75-90 % tijekom 3,15–15 min, a kao zaslađivači su dodani 2 % stevije i 6 % inulina iz agave. Ispitana su mikrobiološka, fizikalno-kemijska, enzimska i antioksidacijska svojstva. Svojstva nektara dobivenog obradom toplinom i ultrazvukom pri optimalnim uvjetima uspoređena su s onima pasteriziranog uzorka. Osim toga, određeni su mikrostruktura, ukupna količina prehrambenih vlakana i in vitro biološka raspoloživost antioksidansa. Rezultati i zaključci. Varijable koje su odgovarale matematičkom modelu bile su L*, b*, zasićenost boje (C*), ukupni udjel fenola i antioksidacijska aktivnost određena metodama ABTS˙+, DPPH˙ i FRAP. Na vrijednost L* i sposobnost uklanjanja DPPH˙ utjecali su kvadratna vrijednost vremena te interakcija ukupnog udjela fenola i vremena (p<0,0001). Optimalni uvjeti obrade toplinom i ultrazvukom bili su amplituda 82 % tijekom 9,15 min, a odzivne varijable bile su L* (45,48), b* (3,55 ) i C* (3,62), ukupni udjel fenola izražen u ekvivalentima galne kiseline (38,40 mg/100 mL), sposobnost uklanjanja ABTS˙+ izražena u Trolox ekvivalentima (TE) (31,28 μmol/100 mL), sposobnost uklanjanja DPPH˙ izražena u TE (124,22 μmol/100 mL) i FRAP izražen kao Fe(II) (3,06 μmol/100 mL). U usporedbi s pasteriziranim uzorkom, dobiveni je nektar imao velike vrijednosti L* (45,56), h° (–56,49), ukupnog udjela fenola (26,63 mg/100 mL), dobru sposobnost uklanjanja ABTS˙+ (22,03 μmol/100 mL) i DPPH˙ (129,22 μmol/100 mL), veliku vrijednost FRAP (3,10 μmol/100 mL), a malu aktivnost metil esteraze (0,28 U/mL). Ispitivanje in vitro bioraspoloživosti antioksidansa pokazalo je da dobiveni nektar ima veliku biorapoloživost ukupnog udjela fenola (15,26/100 mL) i izraženu antioksidacijsku aktivnost, određenu pomoću ABTS (34,92 μmol/100 mL) i FRAP (7.88 μmol/100 mL) metoda. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Obradom toplinom i ultrazvukom poboljšana su fizikalno-kemijska svojstva i in vitro biološka raspoloživost antioksidansa iz nektara graviole. Dobiveni napitak može poslužiti kao niskokalorična alternativa s prebiotičkim svojstvima i pozitivnim učinkom na zdravlje korisnika