Physicochemical Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, and Antimicrobial Activity of Honeys from Tropical Forests of Colombia: Apis mellifera and Melipona eburnea.

Honey is a functional food used worldwide and recognized for its multiple health benefits. In the present study, the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of honey produced by two species of bees (Melipona eburnea and Apis mellifera) in two seasons were evaluated. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of honey against three bacterial strains was studied. The quality of honey analyzed by LDA (linear discriminant analysis) showed four clusters mediated by the interaction, the bee species, and the collection season resulting from a multivariate function of discrimination. The physicochemical properties of the honey produced by A. mellifera met the requirements of the Codex Alimentarius, while the M. eburnea honey had moisture values outside the established ranges of the Codex. Antioxidant activity was higher in the honey of A. mellifera, and both kinds of honey showed inhibitory activity against S. typhimurium ATCC 14028 and L. monocytogenes ATCC 9118. E. coli ATCC 25922 showed resistance to the analyzed honey.

Towards Bioprospection of Commercial Materials of Mentha spicata L. Using a Combined Strategy of Metabolomics and Biological Activity Analyses.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) has been widely studied for its diversity of compounds for product generation. However, studies describing the chemical and biological characteristics of commercial spearmint materials from different origins are scarce. For this reason, this research aimed to bioprospecting spearmint from three origins: Colombia (Col), Mexico (Mex), and Egypt (Eg). We performed a biological activity analysis, such as FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS, inhibition potential of S. pyogenes, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. aeuroginosa, S. aureus, S aureus Methicillin-Resistant, and E. faecalis. Furthermore, we performed chemical assays, such as total polyphenol and rosmarinic acid, and untargeted metabolomics via HPLC-MS/MS. Finally, we developed a causality analysis to integrate biological activities with chemical analyses. We found significant differences between the samples for the total polyphenol and rosmarinic acid contents, FRAP, and inhibition analyses for Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus and E. faecalis. Also, clear metabolic differentiation was observed among the three commercial materials evaluated. These results allow us to propose data-driven uses for the three spearmint materials available in current markets.

Vinegar of andean berries (Vaccinium meridionale SW): antioxidant and antiproliferative activity in colon cancer cells SW480 / Vinagre de bayas andinas (Vaccinium meridionale SW): actividad antioxidante y antiproliferativa en células de cáncer de colón SW480

Background:Vaccinium meridionale produces fruits with a high content of anthocyanins and polyphenols with great antioxidant capacity. Objective: produce vinegar from V. meridionale alcoholic beverages and to determine the content of bioactive antioxidant compounds, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxic activity on colorectal cancer cells. Methods: Wine and vinegar samples were obtained by fermentation of V. meridionale berries juice, using three extractive processes: mechanical maceration (MAC), preheating to 80°C (CAL) and a combination of both (MIX). During acetic fermentation, titratable acidity and acetic acid content were evaluated. Fermentation progress was recorded and compared by measuring the antioxidant potential by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC. Polyphenols, anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids were quantified. Finally, the antiproliferative activity of vinegar was evaluated in SW480 colon cancer cells. Results: In acetic fermentation, yield and productivity were independent of extraction, indicating that they do not affect the biotransformation of alcohol into vinegar. The alcoholic beverages showed the highest antioxidant activity; after acetic fermentation, a decrease in antioxidant potential was observed in all three extractive processes evaluated. The different vinegar obtained by CAL and MIX, showed the highest values of antioxidant activity, polyphenols, and anthocyanins. The inhibition of the antiproliferative activity of vinegar was dose-dependent and showed an IC50 of 536 µg/mL. Conclusions: The vinegar prepared from V. meridionale berries presented an outstanding antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. The reason is the contents of bioactive compounds and their antioxidant power, which may contribute to chemoprevention in secondary cancer prevention.

Antecedentes: Vaccinium meridionale produce frutos con alto contenido en antocianinas y polifenoles con elevada capacidad antioxidante. Objetivo: Producir vinagre a partir de bebidas alcohólicas de V. meridionale y determinar el contenido de compuestos bioactivos antioxidantes, capacidad antioxidante y actividad citotóxica sobre células de cáncer colorrectal. Métodos: Muestras de Vino y vinagre fueron obtenidas mediante fermentación del jugo de V. meridionale, usando tres procesos extractivos: maceración mecánica (MAC), precalentamiento a 80 °C (CAL) y una combinación de ambos (MIX). En la fermentación acética fueron evaluadas la acidez titulable y el contenido de ácido acético. Se registró y comparó la evolución de la fermentación midiendo el potencial antioxidante por DPPH, FRAP y ORAC. Se cuantificaron los polifenoles, antocianinas y ácidos hidroxicinámicos. Finalmente, la actividad antiproliferativa del vinagre fue evaluada en células de cáncer de colon SW480. Resultados: En la fermentación acética, el rendimiento y la productividad fueron independientes de la extracción indicando que no afectan la biotransformación del alcohol en vinagre. Las bebidas alcohólicas mostraron la mayor actividad antioxidante, después de la fermentación acética se observó una disminución del potencial antioxidante en los tres procesos extractivos evaluados. Los vinagres obtenidos por CAL y MIX, presentaron los mayores valores de actividad antioxidante, polifenoles y antocianinas. La inhibición de la actividad antiproliferativa del vinagre fue dosis dependiente y mostró un IC50 de 536 µg/mL. Conclusiones: El vinagre preparado a partir de bayas de V. meridionale presentó una excelente actividad antioxidante y antiproliferativa debido al contenido de compuestos bioactivos y poder antioxidante que puede contribuir a la quimioprevención en la prevención secundaria del cáncer.