Spirotetramat — An Alternative for the Control of Parasitic Sucking Insects and its Fate in the Environment

Spirotetramat is an insecticide derived from tetramic acid, a systemic material, for the control of sucking insects in their juvenile, immature stages, including aphids, scale insects, and whitefly. It produces growth inhibition of younger insects, reduces the ability of insects to reproduce, resulting in mortality. It acts to inhibit the biosynthesis of lipids and represents a new alternative for the control of problematic insects such as Planococcus ficus and Aphis gossypii. After a foliar application of spirotetramat, it enters the plant and transforms to its metabolite enol, along with the metabolite ketohydroxy, which are the two main products of degradation

Residuos agroindustriales como fuente de nutrientes y compuestos fenólicos

El presente trabajo describe los nutrientes y compuestos fenólicos contenidos en diversos residuos agroindustriales (RAI). Los RAI pueden derivar en problemas que comprometen la alimentación y salud de las poblaciones más vulnerables si no son aprovechados adecuadamente. Por ello  es importante crear alternativas que contribuyan a contrarrestar el problema, desde la producción de alimentos hasta la mesa del consumidor. Los RAI de frutas, verduras, cereales y oleaginosas contienen nutrientes y compuestos fenólicos que pueden ser benéficos a la salud debido a sus efectos antioxidantes, antiinflamatorios, antidiabéticos, entre otros. Los RAI podrían también ser aplicados en el desarrollo de alimentos, debido a sus características tecnofuncionales como la capacidad de actuar como agentes gelificantes, emulsificantes, estabilizantes y espesantes. De acuerdo con lo anterior, el empleo de RAI para un segundo uso es prometedor, sin embargo, aún quedan algunos retos por resolver, tales como el escalamiento y la optimización de su extracción

Nueva información del perfil de compuestos bioactivos, potencial antioxidante y antiproliferativo de Parkinsonia praecox (Fabaceae)

Background and Aims: Parkinsonia praecox,“palo brea”, is a medicinal plant distributed in the Mexican Sonoran Desert. However, there is little information about the chemical composition and biological potential of this plant. As a consequence, the objective of the present study was to determine the chemical composition, as well as the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity, of P. praecox. Methods: Methanolic extracts of stems (PPS), berries (PPB) and flowers (PPF) were performed. Chemical composition was determined by phytochemical screening, Folin Ciocalteu and UPLC-DAD methods. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and FRAP methods. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by MTT against A549 (non-small-cell lung cancer cells), MDA-MB-231 (triple negative breast cancer), PC-3 (adenocarcinoma prostate cancer grade IV), HeLa (human cervical cancer) and L929 (non-cancerous subcutaneous connective tissue) cell lines. Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of terpenes, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and sugars in the extracts. PPS showed the highest (p<0.05) concentration of phenolic compounds (65.5 mg GAE/g), identifying and quantifying quercetin (218.86 µg/g). Additionally, PPS exhibited the highest capacity (p<0.05) to stabilize the DPPH (IC50: 137 µg/ml), ABTS (39.56 µM TE/g), hydroxyl radicals (ORAC: 1777.78 µM TE/g), and to reduce metals (FRAP: 935.6 µM Fe(II)/g). Similar behavior was observed in antiproliferative activity, since PPS presented the highest cytotoxicity (p<0.05): A549 (IC50: 341.3 µg/ml), MDA-MB-231 (IC50: 147.3 µg/ml), PC-3 (IC50: 78.8 µg/ml), HeLa (IC50: 121.6 µg/ml) and L929 (IC50: 93.29 µg/ml). Conclusion: This is the first research where the bioactive compound profile and the biological potential of P. praecox are reported. The results show the strong association between the antioxidant and the antiproliferative activities with the presence of phenolic compounds. This represents a potential support for the development of pharmacological therapies.Antecedentes y Objetivos: Parkinsonia praecox,“palo brea”, es una planta medicinal distribuida en el Desierto de Sonora en México. Sin embargo, existe poca información acerca de la composición química y del potencial biológico de esta planta. Basado en lo anterior, el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la composición química y el potencial antioxidante y antiproliferativo de P. praecox. Métodos: Se prepararon extractos metanólicos de tallos (PPS), frutos (PPB) y flores (PPF). La composición química se determinó a través de los métodos de perfil fitoquímico, Folin-Ciocalteu y UPLC-DAD. La actividad antioxidante se evaluó por los métodos DPPH, ABTS, ORAC y FRAP. La actividad antiproliferativa se determinó por el ensayo MTT contra las líneas celulares A549 (cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas), MDA-MB-231 (cáncer de mama triple negativo), PC-3 (cáncer de próstata grado IV), HeLa (cáncer de cervix) y L929 (tejido conectivo subcutáneo no canceroso). Resultados: El perfil fitoquímico mostró la presencia de terpenos, compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides, taninos y azúcares en los extractos. PPS presentó la concentración más elevada (p<0.05) de compuestos fenólicos (65.5 mg GAE/g), identificando y cuantificando quercetina (218.86 µg/g). Además, PPS mostró la capacidad más elevada (p<0.05) para estabilizar a los radicales DPPH (IC50: 137 µg/ml), ABTS (39.56 µM TE/g), hidroxilo (ORAC: 1777.78 µM TE/g), y reducir metales (FRAP: 935.6 µM Fe(II)/g). Un comportamiento similar se observó en la actividad antiproliferativa, ya que PPS mostró la citotoxicidad más elevada (p<0.05): A549 (IC50: 341.3 µg/ml), MDA-MB-231 (IC50: 147.3 µg/ml), PC-3 (IC50: 78.8 µg/ml), HeLa (IC50: 121.6 µg/ml) y L929 (IC50: 93.29 µg/ml).Conclusión: Este es el primer estudio donde se reporta el perfil de compuestos bioactivos y el potencial biológico de P. praecox. Los resultados muestran una fuerte asociación entre la actividad antioxidante y antiproliferativa con la presencia de compuestos fenólicos. Esto representa un potencial soporte para el desarrollo de terapias farmacológicas

Technologies applied to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench): changes in phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity

Abstract The search for foods with biological potential for the prevention of chronic diseases has highlighted sorghum, and numerous studies have been conducted to determine the best processing conditions without compromising the nutritional, functional or sensory qualities. We conducted a review of the scientific literature on the techniques used in sorghum and their effects on phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. This review allowed us to conclude that the type and content of phenolic compounds in the different varieties of sorghum must be considered for the selection of adequate technologies that allow the retention of phenolic compounds with improved bioaccessibility and biological potential. The available information has been mostly focused on the content of total phenols and the antioxidant activity of sorghum, while the digestibility, absorption, utilization and excretion of phenolic compounds have been poorly studied. In this regard, there is a clear need for further studies on sorghum with the aim of including sorghum as part of a healthy diet

Could Naringenin Participate as a Regulator of Obesity and Satiety?

Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide, since it is associated with multiple metabolic disorders and complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and overall metabolic dysfunction. Dysregulation of the hunger–satiety pathway, which includes alterations of central and peripheral signaling, explains some forms of obesity by favoring hyperphagia and weight gain. The present work comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms by which naringenin (NAR), a predominant flavanone in citrus fruits, could modulate the main pathways associated with the development of obesity and some of its comorbidities, such as oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia, as well as the role of NAR in modulating the secretion of enterohormones of the satiety pathway and its possible antiobesogenic effect. The results of multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that NAR has various potentially modulatory biological effects against obesity by countering IR, inflammation, OS, macrophage infiltration, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and adipose deposition. Likewise, NAR is capable of modulating peptides or peripheral hormones directly associated with the hunger–satiety pathway, such as ghrelin, cholecystokinin, insulin, adiponectin and leptin. The evidence supports the use of NAR as a promising alternative to prevent overweight and obesity

Could Naringenin Participate as a Regulator of Obesity and Satiety?

Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide, since it is associated with multiple metabolic disorders and complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and overall metabolic dysfunction. Dysregulation of the hunger–satiety pathway, which includes alterations of central and peripheral signaling, explains some forms of obesity by favoring hyperphagia and weight gain. The present work comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms by which naringenin (NAR), a predominant flavanone in citrus fruits, could modulate the main pathways associated with the development of obesity and some of its comorbidities, such as oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia, as well as the role of NAR in modulating the secretion of enterohormones of the satiety pathway and its possible antiobesogenic effect. The results of multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that NAR has various potentially modulatory biological effects against obesity by countering IR, inflammation, OS, macrophage infiltration, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and adipose deposition. Likewise, NAR is capable of modulating peptides or peripheral hormones directly associated with the hunger–satiety pathway, such as ghrelin, cholecystokinin, insulin, adiponectin and leptin. The evidence supports the use of NAR as a promising alternative to prevent overweight and obesity

Propiedades bioactivas de frutas tropicales exóticas y sus beneficios a la salud

Las frutas exóticas se encuentran dentro del grupo de las frutas tropicales y su carácter perecedero limita su exportación a mercados distantes. En general, su consumo es local, son subutilizadas o poco valoradas tanto en el hogar como industrialmente; sin embargo, debido su alto valor nutricional, su consumo se ha incrementado significativamente en los últimos años. Estas frutas son fuente de compuestos bioactivos como fibra, vitamina C, carotenoides, ácidos fenólicos y polifenoles, los cuales han sido asociados a la reducción de los riesgos de enfermedades crónicas causadas por el estrés oxidativo. Estos compuestos bioactivos han demostrado que poseen varias actividades biológicas in vitro e in vivo incluyendo actividad antioxidante, antimicrobiana, antiinflamatoria, antiedad, neuroprotectora y antiviral entre otras. Por lo tanto, la obtención de ingredientes funcionales a partir de las frutas tropicales consideradas exóticas resulta viable; así como su utilización para el desarrollo de alimentos funcionales y nutracéuticos, para elaboración de productos de la industria farmacéutica y la conservación de alimentos. En la presente revisión se discute la información más relevante publicada en el período 2010-2020 de las principales bases de datos científicas, incluyendo Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Medline y Scielo, sobre los compuestos fenólicos y las bioactividades reportadas de las frutas tropicales exóticas como acai (Euterpe oleraceae), acerola (Malpighia emarginata), buruti (Mauritia flexuosa) caqui (Diospyros kaki), chicozapote (Manilkara zapota), litchi (Litchi chinensis), maracuyá (Passiflora edulis), noni (Morinda citrifolia) rambután (Nephelium lappaceum), pitaya blanca (Hylocereus undatus), pitaya roja (Hylocereus polyrhizus) y su relación con sus potenciales efectos benéficos en la salud.Exotic fruits are found in the group of tropical fruits and their perishable nature limits their export to distant markets. In general, their consumption is local; they are underutilized or little valued both at home and industrially; however, its consumption has increased significantly in recent years due to its high nutritional value. These fruits are a source of bioactive compounds such as fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, phenolic acids and polyphenols, which have been associated with reducing the risks of chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress. These bioactive compounds have been shown to possess various in vitro and in vivo biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, neuroprotective, and among others. Therefore, obtaining functional ingredients from tropical fruits considered exotic is viable and used to develop functional and nutraceutical foods, prepare products for the pharmaceutical industry and food preservation. This review discusses the most relevant information published in the 2010-2020 period from the main scientific databases, including Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Medline and Scielo, on phenolic compounds and reported bioactivities of exotic tropical fruits such as acai (Euterpe oleraceae), acerola (Malpighia emarginata), persimmon (Diospyros kaki), chicozapote (Manilkara zapota), litchi (Litchi chinensis), passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) noni (Morinda citrifolia), rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), white pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) and red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and their relationship with their potential beneficial effects on health

Contribution and Interactions of Hydroxycinnamic Acids Found in Bran and Wholegrain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench): Effects on the Antioxidant Capacity and Inhibition of Human Erythrocyte Hemolysis

An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants is known as oxidative stress, and it promotes cellular aging and the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The bioactive compounds present in food play an important role in preventing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine the contributions and interactions of the hydroxycinnamic acids found in the bran and whole grain of sorghum and to evaluate their effects on the antioxidant capacity and inhibition of the hemolysis of human erythrocytes. Results showed that the caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid found in sorghum contributed to the scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals in various proportions. Ferulic acid, which was present in bound form in the bran and wholegrain sorghum, significantly inhibited the AAPH radical-induced oxidation of the erythrocyte membranes by 78.0 and 4.3%, respectively. Combinations of two, three, or four hydroxycinnamic acids may interact in an antagonistic or synergistic manner, thereby altering each other’s bioactivities. The various interactions between the different sorghum bioactives can have a significant impact on their potential bioactivities. These results can be useful in the design of functional foods that aim to deliver bioactives to mitigate cellular aging or noncommunicable diseases