Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic, Tannin, and Flavonoid Content of Five Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in Penjamo, Guanajuato.

In Mexico, plants are commonly used to alleviate various ailments, including controlling some chronic degenerative diseases through the regular consumption of decoctions, infusions, and teas. However, there is little scientific evidence consolidating traditional medicine within health systems. Therefore, this work determined the phytochemical profile of the most used plants to treat various ailments (Cedro rojo, Cancerina, Ortiguilla, Hierba de la golondrina, Hierba de arlomo) and their general consumption as infusions. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were generated, while the phytochemical compound content in the extracts obtained was quantified. The results indicate that the ethanolic extracts showed the highest phenolic compound and tannin content, with the highest contents for Cedro rojo (831.04 mg L-1 ) and Cancerina (864.80 mg L-1 ). The antioxidant activity was also determined, and a significant difference was observed (p<0.05). The extracts with the highest antioxidant capacity were the ethanolic extracts ranging from 250 to 907 µMET mL-1 , while the aqueous extracts ranged from 112 to 390 µMET mL-1 . The compounds identified by high-performance liquid chromatography characterization on the aqueous extracts highlighted the presence of chlorogenic acid>cinnamic acid>quercetin. In ethanolic extracts, the presence of chlorogenic acid>cinnamic acid>quercetin>gallic acid>ferulic acid>coumaric acid was highlighted. The correlation between bioactive compounds, type of extract, and antioxidant activity suggests a significant affinity of these phytochemical compounds for the ethanol solvent. The results indicate that these plants are good sources of antioxidant phenolics and can be incorporated for use as functional beverages. However, more studies are needed to corroborate their beneficial effect.

Influence of keeping the calyces during fermentation on physicochemical and sensory properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa wines.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) wines are usually made through the fermentation of its calyces extracts. However, the exhausted calyces could still contain a considerable amount of extractable bioactive compounds. This work analyzed the effect of keeping the hibiscus calyces during fermentation on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics and acceptance of its wines. Hibiscus wines Filtered-Ch and Filtered-C were generated by fermentation of filtered musts of China and Colima varieties, respectively, while Unfiltered-Ch and Unfiltered-C were obtained by fermentation of musts from calyces that were kept for 120 days. Unfiltered-C and Unfiltered-Ch wines had higher contents of total monomeric anthocyanins (32.5 mg/L in Unfiltered-C and 48.5 mg/L in Unfiltered-Ch), condensed tannins (around 200 mgCE/L), total phenolic compounds (800 mgGAE/L), and antioxidant activity (8.4-8.8 mMTE/L), as well as a higher concentration of tartaric, citric and malic acids (0.26, 0.32 and 2.25 g/L, respectively) than Filtered-C and Filtered-Ch wines (P < 0.05). Moreover, Unfiltered-C and Unfiltered-Ch wines had darker red colors, evidenced by lower lightness, chroma and hue values, than those observed in Filtered-C and Filtered-Ch wines (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Unfiltered-Ch and Unfiltered-C wines were more appreciated, having a more intense taste and smell according to the descriptions obtained from consumers by applying the Check-All-That-Apply technique. Sensory attributes observed in hibiscus wines were statistically correlated with the physicochemical characteristics. Keeping hibiscus calyces during fermentation allows for the production of wines with acceptable sensory characteristics and a higher concentration of bioactive compounds than producing wines from filtered musts.

Dietary Supplementation with Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth Fruits to Fattening Rabbits.

Pithecellobium dulce produces a fruit used in alternative medicine that could be utilized to feed rabbits. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of the P. dulce fruit on productive performance, carcass traits, meat characteristics, and meat product quality as well as shelf-life. Seventy-two California × English pot crossbreed rabbits (35 d age) were randomly distributed into two treatments: a control group without P. dulce and another group fed with 5% of P. dulce, and fattening for 28 d. Productive performance parameters, blood biochemistry and hematology, apparent digestibility, carcass traits, meat characteristics, and meat product shelf-life were measured. The results indicate inclusion of 5% P. dulce improves (p < 0.05) dry and organic matter digestibility and feed conversion rate, but some serum blood enzymes were increased (p < 0.05). The a* value, hardness, and pH decreased (p < 0.05) in the group fed with P. dulce. Antioxidant properties in the meatballs were different (p < 0.05), improving shelf-life and acceptance in sensory analysis. In conclusion, the use of 0.5% of P. dulce fruits to feed fattening rabbits can be used to improve the shelf-life of rabbit meat.

Physicochemical and Rheological Properties of a Dairy Dessert, Enriched with Chickpea Flour.

Dairy desserts are complex mixtures and matrices including main components such as milk, sugar, starch, hydrocolloids, colorants and flavors, with a proteinaceous structure; they are widely consumed and present a semisolid consistency. In this work, the physicochemical and rheological properties of a dairy dessert with the addition of chickpea flour (raw and cooked, at four concentrations) were studied to determine the effect of the flour. The results indicated that luminosity (L*: 62.75-83.29), pH (6.35-7.11) and acidity (1.56-3.56) changed with the type of flour. The flow properties of the custards exhibited a non-Newtonian behavior that was well fitted by three flow models. The studied custard systems were stored for twelve days at 4 °C. The physicochemical and flow properties of the custards changed notably as a function of flour addition and storage time. From all samples, only four were analyzed with oscillatory tests, showing their mechanical spectra with elastic behavior. The dessert texture was also measured, founding that those formulated with Blanco Noroeste chickpea flour exhibited the highest values of hardness (0.356-0.391 Newton (N)) through the twelve days. It can be concluded that those custard systems with the highest content of flour presented a very good response as a potential new dairy product.