Applications and Pharmacological Properties of Cactus Pear (Opuntia spp.) Peel: A Review.

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the exploitation of by-products from fruits and vegetables, generated from industrial processing or human feeding. Residues of popularly consumed fruits such as orange, lemon, banana, pomegranate, among others, have been widely described and studied; however, cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) residues, as a locally consumed product, have been forgotten. The whole fruit can be divided into the edible portion (pulp) and the non-edible portion (seeds and peel). Several studies mainly focus on the characteristics of the edible portion or in the whole fruit, ignoring by-products such as peels, which are rich in compounds such as phenols, flavonoids and dietary fiber; they have also been proposed as an alternative source of lipids, carbohydrates and natural colorants. Some uses of the peel have been reported as a food additives, food supplements, as a source of pectins and for wastewater treatment; however, there have not been any deep investigations of the characteristics and potential uses of the cactus pear peel (CPP). The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of the current research on CPP. CPP has many bio-active compounds that may provide health benefits and may also be useful in pharmaceutical, food and manufacturing industries; however, greater research is needed in order to gain thorough knowledge of the possibilities of this by-product.

Effects of Strength Training on Body Fat in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Childhood overweight and obesity represent a growing public health problem worldwide. Since the 1980s, the global prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence has increased by 47%. The promotion of exercise is an important intervention to reduce the physical damage of obesity. The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the general guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases were searched from August to December 2021. The search yielded 722 titles published between 2000 and 2021. After screening the titles and abstracts, 64 duplicate articles were detected, and 27 articles were ultimately included in the systematic review, including 26 articles published in English and one published in Spanish. There was a statistically significant effect of the strength training interventions on the percentage of body fat, Test of 0 i = (p = 0.00, z = 6.92), Test of 0 = (p = 0.00, Q (9) = 42.63). The findings reveal that strength training has a positive impact on the treatment of body fat in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Effect of Ultrasound on In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Residues cv. Tupy.

Agro-industries residues of fruit are a source of antioxidant compounds with a possible health impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), individual phenolic compounds (IPC), antioxidant capacity and in vitro intestinal bioaccessibility from blackberry residues (BR), and ultrasonicated blackberry residues (US-BR). The results showed that BR had higher TPC (4,016.43 mg GAE/100 g DM), TMA (364.53 mg Cy-3-Gl/100 g) antioxidant capacity by ABTS (5,422.38 mg AAE/100 g DM) and FRAP (12511.44 µmol Fe(II)/100 g DM) than US-BR. TPC and TMA obtained by US-BR were more bioaccessible (70 and 51%, respectively) compared to BR (37 and 34%, respectively). The use of ultrasound can aid the extraction of total phenolic compounds and improve their bioaccessibility. After acid hydrolysis, a high amount of individual phenolic compounds (IPC) in US-BR (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin, luteolin and kaempferol) was obtained compared with BR. Before in vitro digestion, total individual compounds (TIC) content was lower in the BR (29.49 mg/100 g DM) than US-BR (92.36 mg/100 g DM) and there was 5 and < 1%, respectively. Therefore, the food industry would use residues of blackberry fruits as a source of antioxidant compounds with possible health benefits.

Study of Edible Plants: Effects of Boiling on Nutritional, Antioxidant, and Physicochemical Properties.

The consumption of vegetables in Mexico includes a wide variety of plants that grow naturally as weeds in the fields. The intake of these vegetables is very important in the Mexican diet because these plants supply an important input of nutrients and compounds such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Thus, the plants may be universally promoted as healthy. However, there is little information about these vegetables of popular consumption, especially in terms of the nutritional changes caused by boiling. To determine the influence of boiling on five plants of popular consumption in Mexico, the nutritional composition (proximal analysis, dietary fiber, and oxalates), antioxidant compounds (ascorbic acid, phenolics), antioxidant activity (measured by ABTS and DPPH assays), and physicochemical characteristics (water retention capacity, viscosity, color, and SEM) were evaluated. The boiling affected the nutritional composition of plants, mainly soluble compounds as carbohydrates (sugars and soluble fiber), ash, ascorbic acid, and phenolic compounds and caused changes in food hydration and color. Therefore, it is recommended that these plants be consumed raw or with short boiling times and included the cooking water in other preparations to take advantage of the nutrients released in the food matrix. In the future, to complete studies, 3 to 5 min of cooking should be considered to minimize undesirable modifications in terms of the vegetables' composition.

Study of Xoconostle (Opuntia spp.) Powder as Source of Dietary Fiber and Antioxidants.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the nutritional composition, antioxidant properties, and functional characteristics of two cultivars of xoconostle Opuntia xoconostle F.A.C. Weber in Diguet cv. Cuaresmeño (XC) and Opuntia matudae Scheinvar cv. Rosa (XR). The samples were frozen (-32 °C, 48 h), lyophilized (96 h, -55 ± 1 °C, vacuum of 0.040 Mbar), and homogenized (size particle 500 µm) to get the xoconostle powder. Both cultivars (XC and XR) had a high content of carbohydrates characterized by soluble sugars (9.8 ± 0.7 and 29.9 ± 0.5 g/100 g dm) and dietary fiber (30.8 ± 0.7 and 36.8 ± 0.9 g/100 g dm), as well as lower proportions of organic acids, mainly citric acid (18.8 ± 0.0 and 13.6 ± 0.0 mg/100 g dm). These samples also had a high content of phenolic compounds (1580.3 ± 33.1 and 1068.5 ± 70.8 mg GAE/100 g dm), vitamin C (723.1 ± 16 and 320.2 ± 7.5 mg/100 g dm), and antioxidant activity ABTS·+ and DPPH· (between 1348.1 ± 74.0 and 3318.7 ± 178.8 µmol TE/100 g dm). Since xoconostle samples had a high content of dietary fiber, they were characterized by the capacity of water retention (water holding capacity 6.00 ± 0.1 and 5.5 ± 0.2 g H2O/g dm) and gel formation (swelling 5.2 ± 0.0 and 5.5 ± 0.0 g H2O/g dm), related with the retention of lipids and glucose in the food matrix similar to other foods. XR was characterized by a higher amount of dietary fiber, sugars and organic acids, while XC had higher phenols content and antioxidant properties, with higher values of functional properties. Then, our data suggest that both xoconostle cultivars in powder can be used as a functional ingredient for its fiber content and antioxidant properties, contributing with sensorial aspects as flavor and color. Therefore, these highly valued products can be used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Effect of thermoultrasound on aflatoxin M1 levels, physicochemical and microbiological properties of milk during storage.

The aim of this research was to determine the physicochemical properties, microbial counts and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) levels of thermoultrasonicated, pasteurized and untreated milk (control) at days 1, 7 and 14 of storage. Thermoultrasound treatment was performed at a rate of 20 kHz for 10 or 15 min and 95% amplitude on homogenized and non-homogenized milk samples. Results showed that most physicochemical parameters were within the Mexican norms established for milk. Ultrasound treatment for 15 min reduced solids precipitation (p < 0.05) in unhomogenized milk during storage as compared to the pasteurized milk. All samples complied with aerobic mesophilic counts limits set by the Mexican norm except the control and the homogenized milk sample which was thermoultrasonicated for 10 min. Enterobacteriaceae counts of pasteurized and 15 min-thermoultrasound homogenized milks complied with the norm. The lowest levels of AFM1 were found in the 10 min-thermoultrasound unhomogenized milk (0.15 ±â€¯0.05 pg AFM⁠1E/mL) one day after storage. Thermoultrasound did not affect the color of samples but homogenized milk treated for 10 min exhibited less total color difference. A high phenolic content was found in thermoultrasound and pasteurized milks on day 1. Thermoultrasound could be an alternative to milk pasteurization that preserves the physicochemical and microbiological quality of milk while reducing AFM1 levels.

Enzymatic inactivation and antioxidant properties of blackberry juice after thermoultrasound: Optimization using response surface methodology.

The purpose of this research was to optimize the thermoultrasound conditions for blackberry juice using the response surface methodology and considering juice quality parameters and antioxidant capacity. With the exception of microbial growth, the response variables showed high correlation coefficients with the mathematical model (R2adj>0.91). Thermoultrasound treatment inactivated all the evaluated microorganisms, and at the optimum conditions (50±1°C at 17±1min) it increased enzyme inactivation and antioxidant activity in comparison to pasteurized juice. The results demonstrated that thermoultrasound can be an alternative to pasteurization for the production of safe and high-quality juices with the added value of higher concentration of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity.

Effect of Thermoultrasound on the Antioxidant Compounds and Fatty Acid Profile of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus spp.) Juice.

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus spp.) fruit has high antioxidant activity due to its significant content of anthocyanins and antioxidant compounds. Among emerging technologies for food preservation, thermoultrasound is a technique that reduces microbial loads and releases compounds with antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant content and fatty acid profile of blackberry juice subjected to thermoultrasound treatment in comparison to pasteurized juice. Blackberry juice and n-hexane extracts from a control (untreated juice), pasteurized, and thermoultrasonicated samples were evaluated for antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant content. The juice treated with thermoultrasound exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of total phenols (1011 mg GAE/L), anthocyanins (118 mg Cy-3-GlE/L); antioxidant activity by ABTS (44 mg VCEAC/L) and DPPH (2665 µmol TE/L) in comparison to the control and pasteurized samples. Oil extract from thermoultrasound juice also had the highest antioxidant activity (177.5 mg VCEAC/L and 1802.6 µmol TE/L). The fatty acid profile of the n-hexane extracts showed the presence of myristic, linolenic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids and was not affected by the treatments except for stearic acid, whose amount was particularly higher in the control. Our results demonstrated that thermoultrasound can be an alternative technology to pasteurization that maintains and releases antioxidant compounds and preserves the fatty acids of fruit juice.

Effect of ultrasound on survival and growth of Escherichia coli in cactus pear juice during storage

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound as a conservation method for the inactivation of Escherichia coli inoculated into cactus pear juices (green and purple). Total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and the kinetics of E. coli in cactus pear juices treated by ultrasound (60%, 70%, 80% and 90% amplitude levels for 1, 3 and 5 min) were evaluated over 5 days. Total inactivation was observed in both fruit juices after 5 min of ultrasound treatment at most amplitude levels (with the exception of 60% and 80%). After one and two days of storage, the recovery of bacteria counts was observed in all cactus pear juices. Ultrasound treatment at 90% amplitude for 5 min resulted in non-detectable levels of E. coli in cactus pear juice for 2 days. The parameters of pH, titratable acidity and soluble solids were unaffected.

Effect of ultrasound on survival and growth of Escherichia coli in cactus pear juice during storage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound as a conservation method for the inactivation of Escherichia coli inoculated into cactus pear juices (green and purple). Total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and the kinetics of E. coli in cactus pear juices treated by ultrasound (60%, 70%, 80% and 90% amplitude levels for 1, 3 and 5min) were evaluated over 5 days. Total inactivation was observed in both fruit juices after 5min of ultrasound treatment at most amplitude levels (with the exception of 60% and 80%). After one and two days of storage, the recovery of bacteria counts was observed in all cactus pear juices. Ultrasound treatment at 90% amplitude for 5min resulted in non-detectable levels of E. coli in cactus pear juice for 2 days. The parameters of pH, titratable acidity and soluble solids were unaffected.

Shelf life, physicochemical, microbiological and antioxidant properties of purple cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica) juice after thermoultrasound treatment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in color, betalain content, browning index, viscosity, physical stability, microbiological growth, antioxidant content and antioxidant activity of purple cactus pear juice during storage after thermoultrasonication at 80% amplitude level for 15 and 25 min in comparison with pasteurized juice. Thermoultrasound treatment for 25 min increased color stability and viscosity compared to treatment for 15 min (6.83 and 6.72 MPa, respectively), but this last parameter was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to the control and pasteurized juices (22.47 and 26.32 MPa, respectively). Experimental treatment reduced significantly (p<0.05) sediment solids in juices. Total plate counts decreased from the first day of storage exhibiting values of 1.38 and 1.43 logCFU/mL, for 15 and 25 min treatment, respectively. Compared to the control, both treatments reduced enterobacteria counts (1.54 logCFU/mL), and compared to pasteurized juice decreased pectinmethylesterase activity (3.76 and 3.82 UPE/mL), maintained high values of ascorbic acid (252.05 and 257.18 mg AA/L) and antioxidant activity (by ABTS: 124.8 and 115.6 mg VCEAC/100 mL; and DPPH: 3114.2 and 2757.1 µmol TE/L). During storage thermoultrasonicated juices had a minimum increase in pectinmethylesterase activity (from day 14), and exhibited similar total plate counts to pasteurized juice. An increase of phenolic content was observed after 14 days of storage, particularly for treatment at 80%, 25 min, and an increase in antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH) by the end of storage.

Effect of electric field treatment on unsaturated fatty acid in crude avocado oil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of the fatty acids in avocado oil when the product is subjected to different conditions of electric field treatment (voltage: 5 kV cm(-1); frequency: 720 Hz; treatment time: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min). Fatty acids were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region. Electric field is a suitable method to preserve the oil quality and composition with minimal modifications in unsaturated fatty acids.