The Genus Capsicum: A Review of Bioactive Properties of Its Polyphenolic and Capsaicinoid Composition.

Chili is one of the world's most widely used horticultural products. Many dishes around the world are prepared using this fruit. The chili belongs to the genus Capsicum and is part of the Solanaceae family. This fruit has essential biomolecules such as carbohydrates, dietary fiber, proteins, and lipids. In addition, chili has other compounds that may exert some biological activity (bioactivities). Recently, many studies have demonstrated the biological activity of phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids in different varieties of chili. Among all these bioactive compounds, polyphenols are one of the most studied. The main bioactivities attributed to polyphenols are antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive. This review describes the data from in vivo and in vitro bioactivities attributed to polyphenols and capsaicinoids of the different chili products. Such data help formulate functional foods or food ingredients.

Coffee Chlorogenic Acids Incorporation for Bioactivity Enhancement of Foods: A Review.

The demand of foods with high antioxidant capacity have increased and research on these foods continues to grow. This review is focused on chlorogenic acids (CGAs) from green coffee, which is the most abundant source. The main CGA in coffee is 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA). Coffee extracts are currently the most widely used source to enhance the antioxidant activity of foods. Due to the solubility of CGAs, their extraction is mainly performed with organic solvents. CGAs have been associated with health benefits, such as antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity, and others that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. However, the biological activities depend on the stability of CGAs, which are sensitive to pH, temperature, and light. The anti-inflammatory activity of 5-CQA is attributed to reducing the proinflammatory activity of cytokines. 5-CQA can negatively affect colon microbiota. An increase in anthocyanins and antioxidant activity was observed when CGAs extracts were added to different food matrices such as dairy products, coffee drinks, chocolate, and bakery products. The fortification of foods with coffee CGAs has the potential to improve the functionality of foods.

Effects of Germination and Popping on the Anti-Nutritional Compounds and the Digestibility of Amaranthus hypochondriacus Seeds.

Amaranth seeds, although a valuable food in Mexico, contain anti-nutritional compounds that can affect food quality. As a part of this work, the proximate composition, fatty acid profile, protein digestibility, and the effect of germination and popping of Amaranthus hypochondriacus seeds was analyzed with the aim of eliminating anti-nutritional compounds. Untreated seeds comprised of 11.35-18.8% protein and 0.27-13.39% lipids, including omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acid. The main minerals detected were Ca+2, K+1, and Mg+2. Nevertheless in vitro studies indicate that germination significantly improved digestibility, whereby treatments aimed at reducing anti-nutritional compounds decreased lectin concentration, while significantly increasing tannins and completely eliminating trypsins and saponins.

Optimization of the treatment of wheat samples for the determination of phytic acid by HPLC with refractive index detection.

The treatment of wheat samples was optimized before the determination of phytic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection. Drying by lyophilization and oven drying were studied; drying by lyophilization gave better results, confirming that this step is critical in preventing significant loss of analyte. In the extraction step, washing of the residue and collection of this water before retention of the phytates in the NH2 Sep-Pak cartridge were important. The retention of phytates in the NH2 Sep-Pak cartridge and elimination of the HCI did not produce significant loss (P = 0.05) in the phytic acid content of the sample. Recoveries of phytic acid averaged 91%, which is a substantial improvement with respect to values reported by others using this methodology.

HPLC with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric detection for the analysis of inositol phosphates.

The use of inductively coupled plasma optimal emission spectroscopy as a detector for the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of inositol phosphates is studied. It is found that separation of different inositol phosphates with a mobile phase consisting of tetraethylammonium (0.14%, w/v), methanol (5%, v/v), and formic acid (0.18%, w/v) may be obtained on a PRP-1 column with an analysis time of 18 min. In addition, high specificity and sensitivity of the detection system used permits detection of the inositol phosphates from bi- to hexaphosphate free from interference of other chromatographic peaks, which could be from the sample or mobile phase. Additionally, it is possible to use less sample because of the high sensitivity of the detection system.

Capacitar os cuidadores informais de pessoa dependente no domicílio: projeto de intervenção comunitária no concelho do Seixal / Training informal caregivers of dependent people at home: community intervention project in the municipality of Seixal

Ter um familiar dependente dos cuidados de outrem implica que o sistema familiar se adapte, fortaleça a linha de resistência e reponha o equilíbrio. É muitas vezes um familiar próximo que se torna o cuidador informal (CI). A assunção do papel de prestador de cuidados no domicílio, sujeita o cuidador a um elevado stress, com efeitos negativos na sua saúde física e mental. Neste sentido, foi desenvolvido este projeto de intervenção em enfermagem comunitária, cujo objetivo foi capacitar os cuidadores informais (CIs) de pessoas dependentes (PDs), pertencentes à Equipa de Cuidados Continuados Integrados (ECCI) do Seixal, de forma a adquirirem conhecimentos sobre estratégias compensatórios da sobrecarga, melhorando assim, a sua qualidade de vida. Com base na metodologia do Planeamento em Saúde e na teoria dos Sistemas de Betty Neuman, desenvolveu-se um projeto de intervenção comunitária dirigido aos CIs. Foi feito o diagnóstico de situação de saúde aplicando um questionário com a escala de Sobrecarga do cuidador (ESC) adaptada. Da análise dos resultados recolhidos e de acordo com o referencial teórico, elaboraram-se os diagnósticos de enfermagem com base na identificação dos stressores, fatores de sobrecarga, que ameaçam o equilíbrio do sistema CI. A aplicação das competências de enfermeiro especialista em enfermagem comunitária possibilitou o desenvolver de estratégias de capacitação dos CIs, que através da educação para a saúde (EpS), adquiriram conhecimento de autocuidado ao nível das variáveis fisiológica, psicológica e sociocultural do sistema cliente.

Having a family member who is dependent on medical care implies adaptation, resilience and balance setting of its family. Often, this care rests on a close family member who becomes the informal caregiver (IC). The assumption that this care is taken at the family home subjects the informal caregiver to high stress loads, with immediate negative effects on its mental and physical health. With this in mind, this intervention research project on community health nursing was developed with the objective of better enabling informal caregivers with the task of taking care of their loved ones, by sharing with them strategies that aim to compensate possible physical and mental overload and thus better quality of life of all involved. The dependent subjects are under the care of Equipa de Cuidados Continuados Integrados (ECCI) in Seixal. Based on the Health Planning methodology and on the The Neuman Systems Model, the reasearch project was developed with a comnunitary intervention directed on the informal caregivers. A diagnosis on their health situation was conducted with the use of an adapted Zarit Burden Interview (ESC). From the analysis of obtained results and according to the theoretical references, several nursing diagnoses were proposed based on the identified stress factors of each IC. The use of spetiality nursing competences in community health nursing made possible the development of strategies to better capacitate the IC, who through Health Education, have acquired care knowledge on physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural of himself and others.

Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, the traditional maize cultivation system has resisted intensification attempts for many decades in some areas, even in some well-connected regions of the temperate highlands. We suggest that this is due to economics. METHODS: The total useful biomass of several fields in Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala, are evaluated for productivity and costs. RESULTS: Maize grain production is low (1.5 t ha(-1)) and does not cover costs. However, maize stover demands a relatively high price. If it included, a profit is possible (about 110 US $ ha(-1)). We show that non-crop production (weeds for food and forage) potentially has a higher value than the crop. It is only partially used, as there are constraints on animal husbandry, but it diversifies production and plays a role as a back-up system in case of crop failure. CONCLUSION: The diversified system described is economically rational under current conditions and labor costs. It is also stable, low-input and ecologically benign, and should be recognized as an important example of integrated agriculture, though some improvements could be investigated.

Influence of hydrogen gas over the interference of acids in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

The effect of hydrogen gas on the plasma and its influence on acid interferences in plasma atomic emission spectrometry was studied. The study was performed with HCl and HNO(3) in the concentration range of 0-2 mol l(-1). Vanadium and magnesium were used as test elements, the study was extended to other several elements. The effects of hydrogen gas on the plasma were studied by measuring excitation temperature, electron number density and the ionic-to-atomic line intensity ratio. The net effect of hydrogen was an increase in electron density and ionic to atomic line intensity ratio. A small increase in the excitation temperature was observed. The signal suppression for ionic lines causes by mineral acid was reduced when small amounts of hydrogen was introduced into the plasma as sheathing gas. This effect was attributed to the increase in plasma electron density.