Effect of microwave drying and oven drying on the water activity, color, phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity of coconut husk (Cocos nucifera L.).

The coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk is basically composed by fiber and pith material and remained under-utilized. This is an important source of phenolic compounds that could be used as functional ingredients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of: oven-drying (OD) and microwave drying (MD), on the water activity, color, phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity of coconut husk. The OD was performed at 60 °C for 12 h and MD was performed at 900 W for 10 min. The total phenolic content (TPC) in fresh coconut husk was 64.2 mg GAE/g dry wt and significant higher than observed after OD and MD of 35.8 and 45.5 mg GAE/g dry wt, respectively. Ten phenols were identified in fresh and dehydrated coconut husks. The husk MD showed an increase in the content of gallic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, ferulic and syringic acids and epicatechin compared with the fresh; while coconut husk OD and MD, showed a decrease in the content of vanillic acid, vanillin, catequin and kaempferol. The antioxidant activity decreased after both OD and MD. However, MD resulted in a better antioxidant activity in husk than OD. MD of husk resulted into better retention of preserved color, TPC and TFC than OD.

[Reactivity to antigens of the microbiome of the respiratory tract in patients with respiratory allergic diseases]. / Reactividad a antígenos del microbioma de vías respiratorias en pacientes con enfermedad alérgica respiratoria.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased worldwide. Recent studies have informed that the dysbiosis of some specific members of the human microbiota may enhance the allergic response of the respiratory tract. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively explore the role of some microorganisms of the human microbiota on the skin reactivity and their effect on the chronicity of allergic respiratory diseases in humans. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a 5-year database of patients with allergic respiratory tract disease. The frequency and magnitude of the reactivity to 38 different allergens was determined. RESULTS: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus had the highest frequency of reactivity (93.7 %), followed by the bacterial allergen (a mixture of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) with a frequency of reactivity of 91.82 %; whereas Candida albicans had a frequency of reactivity of only 79.32 %. The frequency of reactivity to the pollen of native Mexican weeds was even lower ~79 %. CONCLUSION: The microorganisms of the microbiota that were analyzed in this study seem to have an influence on the development of respiratory allergic inflammation, associated with long-term colonization of the pharynx, nasal mucosa, and sinuses because of these microorganisms.

Antecedentes: La prevalencia de las enfermedades alérgicas ha aumentado en todo el mundo. En estudios recientes se ha informado que la disbiosis de algunos miembros específicos de la microbiota humana puede potenciar la respuesta alérgica de las vías respiratorias. Objetivo: Explorar retrospectivamente el papel de algunos microorganismos de la microbiota humana en la reactividad cutánea y su efecto sobre la cronicidad de las enfermedades alérgicas respiratorias en el humano. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de la base de datos de un periodo de cinco años de pacientes con enfermedad alérgica de las vías respiratorias. Se determinó la frecuencia y magnitud de la reactividad a 38 alérgenos diferentes. Resultados: La mayor frecuencia de reactividad la presentó Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (93.7 %), al que le siguió una combinación bacteriana de Staphylococcus aureus-Staphylococcus epidermidis (91.82 %) y Candida albicans (79.32 %). La reactividad a alérgenos de polen de malezas nativas de México fue aun menor, aproximadamente de 79 %. Conclusión: Los microorganismos de la microbiota analizados en este estudio parecen tener una influencia en el desarrollo de la inflamación alérgica respiratoria, asociada a la colonización a largo plazo de la faringe, la mucosa nasal y los senos paranasales.

Structural characterisation of pectin obtained from cacao pod husk. Comparison of conventional and subcritical water extraction.

Pectin was obtained with citric acid and subcritical water extraction from cacao pod husk with or without a previous step consisting of a supercritical fluid extraction of phenols. By subcritical conditions a higher yield (10.9%) was attained in a time 3-fold shorter than that obtained by conventional extraction (˜8%) and a greater effectiveness in the recovery of pectin with higher molecular weight (750 kDa) was also found. Regarding pectin structure, galacturonic acid and degree of methyl esterification content were similar (˜55 and ˜36%, respectively) in both methods. Moreover, pectin recovered by citric acid presented 2-fold higher amount of impurities as compared to subcritical water extraction. Hardly any effects of a previous supercritical treatment were observed in the structure and composition of pectin, indicating the efficiency of the integrated supercritical carbon dioxide and subcritical water extraction as green processes for the obtainment of phenol and pectin from cacao pod husk.