Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Different Grafted Varieties of Bell Pepper

Grafting favors the presence of bioactive compounds in the bell pepper, but many species and varieties have not yet been analyzed in this sense, including commonly grafted varieties. The aim of the present study is to characterize the content in β-carotenes, vitamin C, lycopene, total phenols, and the antioxidant activity of bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) using the cultivar/rootstock combinations: Jeanette/Terrano (yellow), Sweet/Robusto (green), Fascinato/Robusto (red), Orangela/Terrano (orange), and Fascinato/Terrano (red). The plants were grown in a net-shading system and harvested on three sampling dates of the same crop cycle. The results show statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between cultivar/rootstock combinations and sampling dates for the content in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Fascinato/Robusto presented the highest concentration of lycopene and total phenols as well as the greatest antioxidant activity of all cultivar/rootstock combinations evaluated. In addition, it was found that the best sampling time for the peppers to have the highest concentrations of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was September

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Different Grafted Varieties of Bell Pepper

Grafting favors the presence of bioactive compounds in the bell pepper, but many species and varieties have not yet been analyzed in this sense, including commonly grafted varieties. The aim of the present study is to characterize the content in β-carotenes, vitamin C, lycopene, total phenols, and the antioxidant activity of bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) using the cultivar/rootstock combinations: Jeanette/Terrano (yellow), Sweet/Robusto (green), Fascinato/Robusto (red), Orangela/Terrano (orange), and Fascinato/Terrano (red). The plants were grown in a net-shading system and harvested on three sampling dates of the same crop cycle. The results show statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between cultivar/rootstock combinations and sampling dates for the content in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Fascinato/Robusto presented the highest concentration of lycopene and total phenols as well as the greatest antioxidant activity of all cultivar/rootstock combinations evaluated. In addition, it was found that the best sampling time for the peppers to have the highest concentrations of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity was September

Characterization of Bioactive Compounds, Mineral Content and Antioxidant Capacity in Bean Varieties Grown in Semi-Arid Conditions in Zacatecas, Mexico

This research describes the characterization of bioactive compounds, mineral content, and antioxidant capacity in bean varieties grown in semi-arid conditions in Zacatecas, Mexico. This will provide better progress perspectives for agriculture nationwide and will ensure that bean crops are in the condition to satisfy the population’s nutritional needs by placing it not only as one of the foodstuffs comprising Mexico’s basic diet but also as one of the legumes having greater biofortification potential in Mexico. Eleven bean varieties were collected (flor de mayo, bayo, frijola, patola, navy beans, flor de junio, reata beans, Japanese beans, black beans, canary beans, and pinto Saltillo). The evaluation done included the physical and physico-chemical characteristics, as well as the mineral content, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of these bean varieties. Data gathered were subject to a variance and mean separation analysis. The most remarkable individual results were as follows: Canary beans had the highest iron content (105.29 mg/kg), while bayo beans had the highest zinc concentration (48.18 mg/kg) and reata beans had the highest level of protein (26.88%). The varieties showing the most remarkable results with regard to zinc, iron and protein content and antioxidant capacity were as follows: Flor de junio, flor de mayo, reata beans, navy beans and pinto Saltillo; however, the most remarkable variety in comprehensive terms was flor de junio, which showed a reducing power of 0.20%, an antioxidant capacity of 80.62% inhibition, a protein content of 0.17%, in addition to Ca (0.24%), Fe (90.97 mg/kg), Zn (27.23 mg/kg), fiber (3.22%), energy (353.50 kcal), phenols (94.82 mg gallic acid (GA)/g extract) and flavonoids (1.30 mg mg Cat/g−1 dw). Finally, we came to the conclusion that beans grown in Zacatecas, Mexico, offer a huge benefit to consumers as a result of the mineral, protein, fiber, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity contributions such beans provide. Thus, these beans can be used in a biofortification program using micronutrients to improve their nutritional quality

Biofortificación con micronutrientes en cultivos agrícolas y su impacto en la nutrición y salud humana

Los seres humanos requieren de más de 22 elementos minerales para su desarrollo óptimo, los cuales pueden ser suplementados con una dieta balanceada. Las deficiencias de micronutrientes se han incrementado en las últimas décadas debido a la depreciación general de la calidad de la dieta de las poblaciones vulnerables, tanto en los países desarrollados y en desarrollo. Se estima que, de la población que padece malnutrición de micronutrientes, entre un 60 a 80% presenta deficiencia de hierro (Fe), más de 30% tiene deficiencia en zinc (Zn), 30% es deficiente en yodo (I) y alrededor del 15% es deficiente en selenio (Se). Las deficiencias de hierro (Fe) y zinc (Zn) son un problema crítico de salud pública en todo el mundo, con el impacto negativo en la salud, la esperanza de vida y la productividad. El proceso de biofortificación es un enfoque agrícola que puede mejorar la nutrición humana a nivel mundial. La biofortificación agronómica se considera a corto plazo y como una estrategia complementaria. Los análisis económicos sugieren que la biofortificación genética es la estrategia más eficaz para aumentar la dieta la ingesta de Fe y Zn de las poblaciones vulnerables. El enriquecimiento de micronutrientes esenciales de los granos de cereales mediante el mejoramiento genético es un área de alta prioridad de la investigación, y una estrategia eficaz entre otros enfoques, por ejemplo, el enriquecimiento, la suplementación y la diversificación de los alimentos. El presente manuscrito pretende dar a conocer la problemática de la deficiencia de micronutrientes a nivel mundial y cómo afecta a la nutrición y salud humana. Así mismo, se plantean algunas soluciones a este problema, como es el caso de la estrategia de biofortificación de micronutrientes en cultivos agrícolas. Abstract Humans require more than 22 mineral elements for optimum growth, which can be supplemented with a balanced diet. Micronutrient deficiencies have increased over recent decades due to the general depreciation of the quality of the diet of vulnerable populations, both in developed and developing countries. It is estimated that the population suffering from micronutrient malnutrition, between 60-80% of the population are deficient in iron (Fe), over 30% are deficient in zinc (Zn), 30% are deficient in iodine (I) and about 15% are deficient in selenium. Deficiencies of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are a critical public health problem worldwide, with negative impact on health, lifespan and productivity. Biofortification process is an agricultural approach that can improve human nutrition worldwide. Agronomic biofortification is considered a short-term and as a complementary strategy, but economic analyses suggest that genetic biofortification is the most effective strategy for increasing dietary intake of Fe and Zn of vulnerable populations. Enrichment of cereal grains by breeding is a high-priority area of research, and an effective strategy among other approaches, such as fortification, supplementation and food diversification. This manuscript seeks to highlight the problem of micronutrient deficiency in the world and how it affects the human health and nutrition. Also, some solutions to this problem arise, as in the case of the strategy of micronutrient biofortification in agricultural crops. Keywords: biofortification, micronutrient deficiencies, nutrition, human health

CARBONIC ANHYDRASE AND ZINC IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) (EC: 2.4.1.1) catalyzes the rapid conversion of carbon dioxide plus water into a proton and the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) that can be found in prokaryotes and higher organisms; it is represented by four different families. Carbonic anhydrase is a metalloenzyme that requires Zn as a cofactor and is involved in diverse biological processes including pH regulation, CO2 transfer, ionic exchange, respiration, CO2 photosynthetic fixation, and stomatal closure. Therefore, the review includes relevant aspects about CA morphology, oligomerization, and structural differences in the active site. On the other hand, we consider the general characteristics of Zn, its geometry, reactions, and physiology. We then consider the CA catalysis mechanism that is carried out by the metal ion and where Zn acts as a cofactor. Zinc deficiency can inhibit growth and protein synthesis, and there is evidence that it reduces the CA content in some plants, which is a relationship addressed in this review. In leaves, CA represents 20.1% of total soluble protein, while it is the second most abundant in the chloroplast after ribulose 1,5-disphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO). This facilitates the supply of CO2 to the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in C4 and CAM plants and RuBisCO in C3 plants

Zinc nutritional status of pecan trees influences physiological and nutritional indicators, the metabolism of oxidative stress, and yield and fruit quality

7 Pags.- 1 Tabl.- 4 Figs.In the United States of America and in Mexico, zinc deficiency is a common nutritional disorder in pecan trees [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch], especially in calcareous soils. This study in Chihuahua, northern Mexico, analyses the effects of zinc nutritional status on various physiological and nutritional indicators, on the metabolism of oxidative stress, and on the yield and fruit quality of pecan. The aim was to identify possible bioindicators of soil zinc deficiency. The experimental design was completely randomized with four nutritional conditions with respect to zinc: a control and three levels of zinc deficiency - slight, moderate and severe. Zinc deficiency is characterised by small leaves with interveinal necrosis and rippled leaf margins. The lowest values of leaf area, SPAD values, total N and NO3 concentration were observed under conditions of severe zinc deficiency. With worsening zinc deficiency, results indicate an increased enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Interestingly, under severe zinc deficiency there are decreases in trunk cross-sectional area growth, in yield and in percentage kernel. Increased activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase enzymes is associated with detoxification of reactive oxygen species. The activity of enzymes detoxifying reactive oxygen species lessens the negative effects of zinc deficiency stress, and may be good bioindicators of zinc deficiency and its visual symptoms on pecan trees.The authors express their gratitude to Sistema Producto Nuez México and to Sistema Producto Nuez del Estado de Chihuahua, Mexico, for financial support granted for the completion of the present research.Peer reviewe

Effect of oxidation and crosslinking on functional, rheological and thermal properties of oat and apple starches

Oat (Oa) and apple (Ap) starches were isolated and chemically modified by oxidation with 10% NaOCl to obtain oxidized starches (OOa and OAp), followed by cross-linking with a mixture of 5.6 g of sodium tripolyphosphate and 11 g of sodium trimetaphosphate to obtain doubly modified starches (OCOa and OCAp). In the native and modified starches, the functional properties (swelling power and solubility, and freeze-thaw stability) and thermal and rheological properties (steady-state flow curves and paste formation profile) were evaluated. The swelling power of native and double modified starches varied from 57 to 86 g/g and the solubility from 0.8 to 6.0 g/100 g, these variables increased as the study temperature increased; the increment in these properties was greater in Oa compared to Ap. Oxidation followed by crosslinking increased the freeze-thaw stability in Oa and Ap starches at 30, 60, 75, and 90 °C. It also increased the Tg of OCAp and OCOa ≈ 9% compared to the native samples, respectively; while an inverse pattern was observed in apparent viscosity were this value decreased ≈ 0.8 Pa × s for Oa and ≈ 0.5 Pa × s for Ap compared to the double modified samples. All samples presented a thinning cut-type behavior (pseudoplastic), indicating structural differences. Cross-linking in oxidized starches produced a reinforcing matrix that was determined in the paste formation profile. Dual modification (oxidation-cross-linking) could be an alternative for using starches from underused botanical sources, such as apples and oats, with different functional properties and feasible applications in food systems