Extraction optimization and structural characterization of pectin from persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki Thunb. var. Rojo brillante).

In this work we have efficiently extracted and characterized pectin from different tissues of astringent (AS) and non-astringent (NAS) persimmon fruits (peel, pulp, whole fruit) for the first time. The highest pectin extraction (≥7.2%) was carried out at 80 °C, 120 min with 1.5% sodium citrate in peel of both AS and NAS persimmon samples. All persimmon pectins showed a molecular weight and galacturonic acid content upper than 328 kDa and 78%, respectively, indicating their suitability as food ingredient. Pectin extracted from AS pulp and peel tissues exhibited an enriched structure in rhamnose and arabinose, whereas the opposite behavior was observed in NAS persimmon whole fruit samples. Remarkably, both pulp tissues (AS and NAS) presented the highest levels of glucose and mannose, non-pectic carbohydrates. In addition, techno-functional assessment (zeta potential, particle size, apparent viscosity, gelation) showed the suitability of the persimmon pectins for a broad range of industrial applications.

Berry fruits as source of pectin: Conventional and non-conventional extraction techniques.

Three non-conventional extraction techniques (enzyme-assisted with cellulase, citric acid ultrasound-assisted and enzyme-ultrasound-assisted treatment) and conventional citric acid extraction were applied to obtain pectin from raspberry, blueberry, strawberry and redcurrant, and were compared in terms of extraction yields and physicochemical properties of the extracted pectins. Except for pectin from raspberry, conventional citric acid extraction led to the highest extraction yield (~8%) and, for the same berries, the lowest pectin recovery was found for the extraction with cellulase (~4%). Regarding the structural characteristics of pectins, enzymatically extracted pectins from redcurrant and strawberry exhibited the highest levels of galacturonic acid (≥73%) whereas, in general, this monosaccharide was found from 51 to 69% in the rest of samples. Although, ultrasound-assisted extraction did not improve pectin yield, it minimized the levels of "non-pectic" components leading to the obtainment of purer pectin. The different monomeric composition and the wide range of molecular weight of the obtained pectins pointed out their usefulness in different potential food applications (e.g., thickening, gelling ingredients) and biological activities. This has been evidenced by the differences found in their physicochemical and techno-functional characteristics. Finally, it can be considered that the berries here studied are efficient sources of pectin.

Morphological, technological and nutritional properties of flours and starches from mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) and melloco (Ullucus tuberosus) cultivated in Ecuador.

Morphological, technological and nutritional analyses were done in two scarcely studied starches from Andean tubers (mashua and melloco). The low sedimentation values, and the high zeta potential of mashua and melloco starches in cold dispersions, as consequence of their electronegativity, indicated a better behaviour as stabilizer than potato starch. During heating, mashua and melloco starches presented much higher viscosity than potato starch, associated with their higher average particle size and greater amylose content. DSC and TGA analyses indicated that melloco starch had the highest gelatinization enthalpy ΔHgel (12.32 J g-1) and degradation temperature (270 °C), in comparison with potato starch, which are indicators of a better thermal resistance. Consequently, extracted mashua and melloco starches could be excellent and cost-effective thickening or gelling agents in both foods and a wide range of biomaterials. Mashua and melloco starches exhibited a digestion rate close to 80%, which agreed with the low resistant starch content.

Structural and Rheological Properties of Pectins Extracted from Industrial Sugar Beet By-Products.

In this work, the efficient extraction of pectin from sugar beet by-products (pressed, ensiled and dried pulp), by using an acid method or a commercial cellulose, is accomplished. The extraction method had an impact on the pectin monomeric composition, mainly in xylose, arabinose, and galacturonic acid content, as determined by GC-FID. FTIR and SEC analyses allowed the determination of similar degrees of methoxylation and molecular weights, respectively, in the extracted pectins. The acid extraction of pectin in the ensiled by-product led to the highest yield (19%) with a galacturonic acid content of 46%, whereas the application of the enzymatic extraction method resulted in a lower yield (13%) but higher galacturonic acid content (72%). Moreover, the stability in aqueous solution as well as the emulsifying activity index was higher for pectin extracted by the acid method, whereas the viscosity was higher in pectin extracted by the enzymatic method. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the physicochemical properties and exploring the potential reuse of ensiled and dried by-products from sugar beet industry for the extraction of pectin to be further used in the food and pharmaceutical areas.

Preparation of citrus pectin gels by power ultrasound and its application as an edible coating in strawberries.

BACKGROUND: Pectin is heteropolysaccharide found in cell walls originating mainly from by-products, as well as citrus peels, apple and sugar beet pulp, and presenting biological and techno-functional properties. In the present study, a general and structural characterisation of industrial citrus pectins was performed together with a study of impact of power ultrasound (US) on their rheological properties, with the aim of using them as edible coatings for fresh strawberries. RESULTS: The results obtained indicated that pure pectin showed a methylesterification degree greater than 50% and galacturonic acid content > 65%, supporting its consideration as additive E-440; such conditions were not achieved in pectin with sugar addition. Furthermore, in the rheological study, pectin gels showed a non-Newtonian flow and pseudoplastic behaviour and presented different viscosity ranges depending on the preparation methods, including power US. Gels were used as edible coatings for fresh strawberries aiming to improve their quality during storage over a period of 5 days, controlling quality characteristics such as humidity loss, acidity and colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, C, h°, ΔE). CONCLUSION: The results obtained demonstrate that US treatments give rise to pectin gels that can improve the quality of strawberries over their lifetime. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Perfil de pacientes que abandonan un programa de rehabilitación respiratoria / Patient Profile of Drop-Outs From a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Introducción: Aunque los beneficios de los programas de rehabilitación respiratoria (RR) en pacientes EPOC han sido demostrados, la adherencia es baja, relacionándose con peores resultados. Objetivo: Identificar las causas de abandono de un programa de RR para EPOC y las características de los pacientes con mala adherencia, haciendo especial énfasis en características funcionales y clínicas. Método: Estudio prospectivo en 83 EPOC desde febrero a noviembre de 2015. Se realizó un programa mixto (fuerza y resistencia) ambulatorio de 36 sesiones. Se facilitó la accesibilidad con ambulancias. Los pacientes fueron divididos en adherentes (acudieron al menos al 70% del programa) o no adherentes (al menos a una sesión). Resultados: Se evaluaron 83 pacientes, de los que 26 fueron excluidos. Un 15,7% rehusó participar. La tasa de abandono fue del 38,5%. Las principales causas fueron tener baja motivación para acudir al gimnasio y problemas de trasporte. El grupo que abandonó el programa presentó una menor capacidad vital forzada (abandonan 58,9% vs. completan 67,8%; p = 0,03), peores resultados en el test de esfuerzo submáximo (abandonan 6,2 min vs. completan 9,2 min; p = 0,02), en W totales (abandonan 42,6 vs completan 56,5; p = 0,03) y en VO2, tanto en ml/min/kg (abandonan 11,4 vs completan 13,6; p = 0,03) como en ml/min (abandonan 839 vs completan 1.020; p = 0,04). Este grupo también presentó mayor uso de esteroides orales (abandonan 23,8% vs completan 2,9%; p = 0,01). Conclusiones: Más de 1/3 de los pacientes abandonan los programas. Las causas principales son relativas a la motivación y el transporte. El perfil de paciente que abandona presenta peores pruebas funcionales, más exacerbaciones, uso de esteroides y tabaquismo

Introduction: While the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation programs (PR) in COPD have been demonstrated, poor adherence, related with worse clinical outcomes, is common. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine causes for drop-out during a 12-week multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program and to investigate the characteristics of patients with poor adherence, with special emphasis on functional and clinical characteristics. Method: A prospective study was performed between February and November 2015 in 83 COPD patients enrolled in an outpatient program of 36 strength +resistance training sessions. Ambulances were provided to facilitate access to the clinic. Patients were divided into: adherent (A) (attended at least 70% of the program) or non-adherent (NA) (at least one session). Results: A total of 83 patients were evaluated and 26 excluded; 15.7% refused to participate. The drop-out rate was 38.5%. The main causes were low motivation and transport problems. Lower forced vital capacity (NA, 58.9% vs A, 67.8%; P = .03), worse results on submaximal exercise test (NA, 6.2 minutes vs A, 9.2 minutes; P = .02), in total distance walked (NA, 42.6 vs A, 56.5; P = .03) and VO2 in ml/min/kg (NA, 11.4 vs A, 13.6; P = .03) and in ml/min (NA, 839 vs A, 1020; P = .04) were found in the non-adherent group. This group also showed higher use of oral steroids (NA, 23.8% vs A, 2.9%; P = .01). Conclusions: More than 1/3 of patients leave programs. The main causes are related to motivation and transport. The patients who dropout are those with worse functional tests, more exacerbations, steroids and smoking habit

Efectos terapeúticos de la magnetoterapia en la cicatrización del tejido óseo en alveolos posexodoncia simple posexodoncia / Therapeutic effects of magnetotherapy on osseous healing of alveolus after simple extraction

En esta investigación con diseño cuasiexperimental ,al usar la estrategia de casos y controles, se estudiaron los efectos terapeúticos del campo electromagnético en la osteogénesis de alveolos posexodoncia simple de los primeros premolares mandibulares de tres perros con dos años de edad, ubicados en el laboratorio de morfología experimental de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.