Effect of Incorporating 1 Avocado per Day Versus Habitual Diet on Vascular Function in Adults With Abdominal Obesity: An Ancillary Study of HAT, a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is associated with endothelial dysfunction and poorer vascular health. Avocado consumption improves postprandial endothelial function; however, the longer-term effects remain unclear. It was hypothesized that the daily addition of 1 avocado to a habitual diet for 6 months would improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in individuals with abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥35 in for women, ≥40 in for men), compared with a habitual diet low in avocados. METHODS AND RESULTS: HAT (Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial) was a multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-arm study that investigated the health effects of adding 1 avocado per day to a habitual diet in individuals with abdominal obesity. At the Pennsylvania State University, University Park study center (n=134; age, 50 ± 13 years; women, 78%; body mass index, 32.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2), markers of vascular function were measured, including endothelial function, assessed via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, and arterial stiffness, assessed via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. Between-group differences in 6-month change in flow-mediated dilation and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were assessed using independent t tests. Prespecified subgroup analyses were conducted using linear regression. No significant between-group differences in flow-mediated dilation (mean difference=-0.62% [95% CI, -1.70 to 0.46]) or carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (0.25 m/s [95% CI, -0.13 to 0.63]) were observed. Results of the subgroup analyses were consistent with the primary analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Longer-term consumption of 1 avocado per day as part of a habitual diet did not improve measures of vascular function compared with a habitual diet low in avocados in individuals with abdominal obesity. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03528031.

Identification of Phytophthora cinnamomi CRN effectors and their roles in manipulating cell death during Persea americana infection.

The oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi is a devastating plant pathogen with a notably broad host range. It is the causal agent of Phytophthora root rot (PRR), arguably the most economically important yield-limiting disease in Persea americana (avocado). Despite this, our understanding of the mechanisms P. cinnamomi employs to infect and successfully colonize avocado remains limited, particularly regarding the pathogen's ability to maintain its biotrophic and necrotrophic lifestyles during infection. The pathogen utilises a large repertoire of effector proteins which function in facilitating and establishing disease in susceptible host plants. Crinkling and necrosis effectors (CRN/Crinklers) are suspected to manipulate cell death to aid in maintenance of the pathogens biotrophic and necrotrophic lifestyles during different stages of infection. The current study identified 25 P. cinnamomi CRN effectors from the GKB4 genome using an HMM profile and assigned putative function to them as either cell death inducers or suppressors. Function was assigned to 10 PcinCRNs by analysing their RNA-seq expression profiles, relatedness to other functionally characterised Phytophthora CRNs and tertiary protein predictions. The full-length coding sequences for these PcinCRNs were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, six of which were found to have two divergent alleles. The presence of alleles indicates that the proteins encoded may perform contradicting functions in cell death manipulation, or function in different host plant species. Overall, this study provides a foundation for future research on P. cinnamomi infection and cell death manipulation mechanisms.

Priming avocado with sodium hydrosulfide prior to frost conditions induces the expression of genes involved in protection and stress responses.

Priming plants with chemical agents has been extensively investigated as a means for improving their tolerance to many biotic and abiotic stresses. Earlier, we showed that priming young avocado (Persea americana Mill cv. 'Hass') trees with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of hydrogen sulfide, improves the response of photosynthesis to simulated frost (cold followed by high light) conditions. In the current study, we performed a transcriptome analysis to gain insight into the molecular response of avocado 'Hass' leaves to frost, with or without NaHS priming. The analysis revealed 2144 (down-regulated) and 2064 (up-regulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) common to both non-primed and primed trees. Non-primed trees had 697 (down) and 559 (up) unique DEGs, while primed trees exhibited 1395 (down) and 1385 (up) unique DEGs. We focus on changes in the expression patterns of genes encoding proteins involved in photosynthesis, carbon cycle, protective functions, biosynthesis of isoprenoids and abscisic acid (ABA), as well as ABA-regulated genes. Notably, the differential expression results depict the enhanced response of primed trees to the frost and highlight gene expression changes unique to primed trees. Amongst these are up-regulated genes encoding pathogenesis-related proteins, heat shock proteins, enzymes for ABA metabolism, and ABA-induced transcription factors. Extending the priming experiments to field conditions, which showed a benefit to the physiology of trees following chilling, suggests that it can be a possible means to improve trees' response to cold stress under natural winter conditions.

Comparative transcriptional analysis of Persea americana MYB, WRKY and AP2/ERF transcription factors following Phytophthora cinnamomi infection.

Plant cells undergo extensive transcriptional reprogramming following pathogen infection, with these reprogramming patterns becoming more complex when pathogens, such as hemibiotrophs, exhibit different lifestyles. These transcriptional changes are often orchestrated by MYB, WRKY and AP2/ERF transcription factors (TFs), which modulate both growth and defence-related gene expression. Transcriptional analysis of defence-related genes in avocado (Persea americana) infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi indicated differential immune response activation when comparing a partially resistant and susceptible rootstock. This study identified 226 MYB, 82 WRKY, and 174 AP2/ERF TF-encoding genes in avocado, using a genome-wide approach. Phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial sequence conservation within TF groups underscoring their functional significance. RNA-sequencing analysis in a partially resistant and susceptible avocado rootstock infected with P. cinnamomi was indicative of an immune response switch occurring in either rootstock after 24 and 6 h post-inoculation, respectively. Different clusters of co-expressed TF genes were observed at these times, suggesting the activation of necrotroph-related immune responses at varying intervals between the two rootstocks. This study aids our understanding of avocado immune response activation following P. cinnamomi infection, and the role of the TFs therein, elucidating the transcriptional reprogramming disparities between partially resistant and susceptible rootstocks.

[Analysis of the electrophoretic profiles of the protein extracts of the species Manihot esculenta (Crantz, 1975), Persea Americana (Mill., 1768) and Actinidia delicious (A. Chevalier., 1984), and their association with the latex-fruit syndrome for searching for potential allergens]. / Análisis de los perfiles electroforéticos de los extractos proteicos de las especies Manihot esculenta (Crantz,1975), Persea americana (Mill.,1768) y Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chevalier., 1984), y su asociación con el síndrome látex-fruta para la búsqueda de alérgenos potenciales.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the electrophoretic profiles of the extracts of Manihot esculenta, Actinidia Deliciosa and Persea Americana and their possible relationship with Latex-Fruit Syndrome. METHODS: Protein extracts of M. esculenta, P. Americana and A. Deliciosa were prepared through the processes of maceration and solvent extraction from plant samples. In the case of the avocado, a prior extraction by soxhlet was carried out to eliminate the fat. The extracts were vacuum filtered, dialyzed and finally lyophilized. Separation of proteins based on molecular weight was performed by SDS PAGE electrophoresis. The electrophoretic profiles obtained were compared with the allergenic proteins previously identified in the latex extract, in order to determine a possible relationship with Latex-Fruit Syndrome, depending on the molecular weight. RESULTS: The extracts of M. esculenta and P. Americana showed a wide range of protein fractions with molecular weights varying from 10 to 250 KD, finding that the region with the highest concentration of bands was between 20 and 89 KD, (60 and 65%), respectively. A 20-band profile was obtained for the M. esculenta extract (Figure 1), with seven bands sharing similar weights with the latex allergens (Hev b 1, Hev b 2, Hev b3, Hev b 4, Hev b 5, Hev b 6.03, Hev b 8 and Hev b 10) (3-5). For the P. Americana extract, 20 bands were also observed (Figure 2), seven of which presented approximate weights to the Latex allergens (Hev b 1, Hev b 2 Hev b 4 Hev b 6.01 Hev b 6.03 Hev b 8 , Hev b 10 Hev b 11 Hev b 14). The Kiwi extract showed two bands of 19.1 and 22.9 KD, with weights close to latex proteins (figure 3), (Hev b 3 and Hev b 6.01), and allergens (Act d 2 and Act d 6), reported in the literature for this fruit. CONCLUSIONS: When analyzing the relationship between the separated protein fractions and the latex allergens described in the literature, a possible association of 35% was found for the extracts of M. esculenta and P. Americana, and 10% for A. Delicious, with great relevance being the association found with the allergens Hev b 4, Hev b 2, Hev 8 and Hev b 11, which are involved in Latex-Fruit Syndrome. The electrophoretic profiles of the prepared extracts were determined and compared with the Latex allergens. This information generates a contribution for the development of new research and advances in the standardization of these extracts on a large scale and for their future use in diagnostic tests.

OBJETIVO: Determinar los perfiles electroforéticos de los extractos de Manihot esculenta, Actinidia deliciosa y Persea americana y su posible relación con el Síndrome de Látex ­ Fruta. MÉTODOS: Se prepararon extractos proteicos de M. esculenta, P. Americana y A. Deliciosa, a través de los procesos de macerado y extracción con solventes a partir muestras vegetales. En el caso del aguacate, se realizó una extracción previa por soxhlet, para eliminar la grasa. Los extractos se filtraron al vacío, se sometieron a diálisis y por último se liofilizaron. La separación de las proteínas en función del peso molecular se realizó mediante electroforesis SDS PAGE. Se compararon los perfiles electroforéticos obtenidos con las proteínas alergénicas previamente identificadas en el extracto de látex, con el fin de determinar una posible relación con el Síndrome de Látex-Fruta, en función del peso molecular. RESULTADOS: Los extractos de M. esculenta y P. americana mostraron una amplia gama de fracciones proteicas con pesos moleculares que varían desde 10 a 250 KD, encontrando que la región con mayor concentración de bandas se situó entre 20 y 89 KD, (60 y 65 %), respectivamente. Se obtuvo un perfil de 20 bandas para el extracto de M. esculenta (figura 1), con siete bandas que comparten pesos similares con los alérgenos del látex (Hev b 1, Hev b 2, Hev b3, Hev b 4, Hev b 5, Hev b 6.03, Hev b 8 y Hev b 10) (3-5). Para el extracto de P. americana, también se observaron 20 bandas (figura 2), siete de las cuales presentaron pesos aproximados a los alérgenos de Látex (Hev b 1, Hev b 2 Hev b 4 Hev b 6.01 Hev b 6.03 Hev b 8, Hev b 10 Hev b 11 Hev b 14). El extracto de Kiwi mostró dos bandas de 19,1 y 22,9 KD, con pesos cercanos a proteínas de látex (figura 3), (Hev b 3 y Hev b 6.01), y los alérgenos (Act d 2 y Act d 6), reportados en la literatura para esta fruta. CONCLUSIONES: Al analizar la relación existente entre las fracciones proteicas separadas y los alérgenos de los látex descritos en la literatura, se encontró una posible asociación del 35% para los extractos de M. esculenta y P. Americana, y del 10% para A. Deliciosa, siendo de gran relevancia la asociación encontrada con los alérgenos Hev b 4, Hev b 2, Hev 8 y Hev b 11, los cuales se encuentran implicados en el Síndrome de Látex-Fruto. Se lograron determinar los perfiles electroforéticos de los extractos elaborados y se compararon con los alérgenos del Látex. Está información genera un aporte para el desarrollo de nuevas investigaciones y avances en la estandarización de estos extractos a gran escala y para su uso futuro en pruebas diagnósticas.

Rice starch modification by thermal treatments with avocado oil: Autoclave versus microwave methods.

This study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical alterations in rice starch modified by heat-moisture treatment (HMT) using an autoclave and a microwave, in association with avocado oil (AO), and evaluate the effects on thermal and structural properties, in vitro digestibility, and estimated glycemic index (eGI). Samples were adjusted to 30 % (w/w) moisture and 2, 4 and 8 % AO. HMT was conducted at 110 °C for 1 h in the autoclave (A0%, A2%, A4%, and A8%) and at 50 °C for 3 min in the microwave (M0%, M2%, M4%, and M8%). Both procedures did not alter the starch crystallinity pattern (type-A). Pasting viscosity, setback, relative crystallinity, and gelatinisation enthalpy decreased as the AO content increased in both HMT processes. The M8% showed reduced digestibility, decreased eGI (72.99, p < 0.05), and lower starch hydrolysis concentration (62.75 %, p < 0.05). The application of HMT with the addition of AO may be an interesting process for obtaining resistant starch since its content increased after both treatments (A8%, M4%, and M8%). The microwave process proved efficient, making it possible to use a lower temperature, less time, and less energy for modification and obtain starches with improved characteristics.

Looking into the lipid profile of avocado and byproducts: Using lipidomics to explore value-added compounds.

Consumer priorities in healthy diets and lifestyle boosted the demand for nutritious and functional foods as well as plant-based ingredients. Avocado has become a food trend due to its nutritional and functional values, which in turn is increasing its consumption and production worldwide. Avocado edible portion has a high content of lipids, with the pulp and its oil being rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and essential omega - 3 and omega - 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These fatty acids are mainly esterified in triacylglycerides, the major lipids in pulp, but also in minor components such as polar lipids (phospholipids and glycolipids). Polar lipids of avocado have been overlooked despite being recently highlighted with functional properties as well. The growth in the industry of avocado products is generating an increased amount of their byproducts, such as seed and peels (nonedible portions), still undervalued. The few studies on avocado byproducts pointed out that they also contain interesting lipids, with seeds particularly rich in polar lipids bearing PUFA, and thus can be reused as a source of add-value phytochemical. Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics approaches appear as an essential tool to unveil the complex lipid signature of avocado and its byproducts, contributing to the recognition of value-added lipids and opening new avenues for their use in novel biotechnological applications. The present review provides an up-to-date overview of the lipid signature from avocado pulp, peel, seed, and its oils.

Near-freezing temperature suppresses avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit softening and chilling injury by maintaining cell wall and reactive oxygen species metabolism during storage.

To enhance the postharvest quality of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit, this study investigates alterations in cell wall metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism during near-freezing temperature (NFT) storage, and explores their impact on fruit softening. The fruit was stored at 25 °C, 5 °C, 2 °C, and NFT, respectively. NFT storage retarded firmness loss and chilling injury in comparison with 25 °C, 5 °C, and 2 °C. NFT storage delayed the decrease of ionic-soluble pectin (ISP) and cellulose (CLL) contents by suppressing cell wall degradation enzyme activities. Correlation analysis showed that cell wall degradation enzyme activities were positively correlated to rates of ethylene release and respiration. Moreover, NFT storage maintained higher levels of DPPH and ABTS scavenging abilities, activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase, as well as ascorbate-glutathione cycle (ascorbic acid, glutathione, glutathione disulfide, ascorbate peroxidase, cycle-related enzymes), thereby inhibited the increase of ROS content, malondialdehyde content, and cell membrane permeability. Fruit firmness and chilling injury were correlated with the contents of hydrogen (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2.-), ISP, and CLL. These results suggested that NFT could suppress fruit softening and chilling injury by inhibiting cell wall degradation through delaying respiration and ethylene production and suppressing ROS production via activation of antioxidant systems, thereby maintaining quality and prolonged storage life during avocado fruit storage.

Review of the genus Tetralicia (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and description of two new species of whiteflies found on avocado trees in Peru.

Two new species, Tetralicia sawyeri n. sp. and Aleuroplatus martini n. sp. found on avocado (Persea americana) trees in Peru are described and illustrated. The synonymy of Aleuropleurocelus Drews & Sampson, 1956 n. syn. with Tetralicia Harrison, 1917 is proposed and a review and an illustrated key to the 39 species of Tetralicia of the world based on characteristics of the puparia is provided. Thirty-three species are transferred from Aleuropleurocelus to Tetralicia. A lectotype is designated for Aleurodes abnormis Quaintance, 1900. Aleurotrachelus gratiosus Bondar, 1923 is transferred to the genus Aleuroplatus. Paracarniella mexicana (Distant) and Adparaproba cf. yungensis Carvalho (Hemiptera: Miridae) are recorded for the first time in Peru and are important predators of both new whitefly species. Other natural enemies of these whiteflies found in the study include predatory species: Nephaspis isabelae Gonzlez (Coccinellidae), Chrysoperla sp., Ceraeochrysa sp. (Chrysopidae) and Gasteracantha cancriformis L. (Araneidae) as well as Encarsia brasiliensis Hempel, a common whitefly parasitoid in the Neotropics. A key to the New World genera of whiteflies similar to Aleuroplatus and Tetralicia is provided.

New insight of chemical constituents in Persea americana fruit against obesity via integrated pharmacology.

Persea americana fruit (PAF) is a favorable nutraceutical resource that comprises diverse unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). UFAs are significant dietary supplementation, as they relieve metabolic disorders, including obesity (OB). In another aspect, this study was focused on the anti-OB efficacy of the non-fatty acids (NFAs) in PAF through network pharmacology (NP). Natural product activity & species source (NPASS), SwissADME, similarity ensemble approach (SEA), Swiss target prediction (STP), DisGeNET, and online Mendelian inheritance in man (OMIM) were utilized to gather significant molecules and its targets. The crucial targets were adopted to construct certain networks: protein-protein interaction (PPI), PAF-signaling pathways-targets-compounds (PSTC) networks, a bubble chart, molecular docking assay (MDA), and density function theory (DFT). Finally, the toxicities of the key compounds were validated by ADMETlab 2.0 platform. All 41 compounds in PAF conformed to Lipinski's rule, and the key 31 targets were identified between OB and PAF. On the bubble chart, PPAR signaling pathway had the highest rich factor, suggesting that the pathway might be an agonism for anti-OB. Conversely, estrogen signaling pathway had the lowest rich factor, indicating that the mechanism might be antagonism against OB. Likewise, the PSTC network represented that AKT1 had the greatest degree value. The MDA results showed that AKT1-gamma-tocopherol, PPARA-fucosterol, PPARD-stigmasterol, (PPARG)-fucosterol, (NR1H3)-campesterol, and ILK-alpha-tocopherol formed the most stable conformers. The DFT represented that the five molecules might be promising agents via multicomponent targeting. Overall, this study suggests that the NFAs in PAF might play important roles against OB.

Avocado seed starch utilized in eco-friendly, UV-blocking, and high-barrier polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites for active food packaging applications.

Efficient and effective use of biopolymers, such as starch, has increasingly prompted interest due to the current environmental challenges. However, starch-based composites still show poor ductility along with water and oxygen permeability, which may not meet the requirements for food packaging standards. In this study, modified starch (m-St), isolated from the avocado seed and synthesized with tert-butyl acetoacetate (t-BAA), was embedded into polylactic acid (PLA) to design new eco-friendly composites. The developed biocomposites were found to exhibit high performance with outstanding mechanical properties in conjunction with remarkable light, water vapor, and oxygen blocking features for food packaging applications. PLA/m-St(1:6) 20 wt% composites showed a dramatic increase in elongation at break (EB%) from 3.35 to 27.80 % (about 730 % enhancement) and exhibited remarkable UV-blocking performance from 16.21 to 83.86 % for UVB, relative to pure PLA. Equally importantly, these biocomposites revealed significant improvement in oxygen and water vapor barrier performance by reducing their values from 1331 to 32.9 cc m-2 day-1 (indicating a remarkable reduction of 97.53 %) and 61.9 to 28 g m-2 day-1, respectively. This study can show the great potential of extracting starch from biowaste resources and transforming it into sustainable bio-based composites as a promising solution for food packaging applications.

Breads formulated with avocado pulp powder as a fat substitute: Quality parameters and in vitro inhibition activities.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of increasing contents (5%-25%) of avocado pulp powder (APP) produced by foam-mat drying (FMD) as a substitute for hydrogenated vegetable fat in bread on its nutritional composition, physical properties, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, color, structure, and x-ray diffraction patterns. The increase in the APP content decreased the values of lipids, carbohydrates, energy, firmness, and specific volume of breads. The inhibition of lipase activity showed a pronounced increase, while the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were significantly elevated. The color parameters a* and b* were higher in the breads with added APP. The crystalline structure transitioned from type A to type V with 15% APP incorporation. Taken together, these results suggest that APP has potential to act as a healthier substitute for saturated fats in breads, paving the way to develop creative and innovative solutions for the functionalization of bakery food products.

Predicting the dispersal and invasion dynamics of ambrosia beetles through demographic reconstruction and process-explicit modeling.

Evaluating potential routes of invasion of pathogens and vectors of sanitary importance is essential for planning and decision-making at multiple scales. An effective tool are process-explicit models that allow coupling environmental, demographic and dispersal information to evaluate population growth and range dynamics as a function of the abiotic conditions in a region. In this work we simulate multiple dispersal/invasion routes in Mexico that could be taken by ambrosia beetles and a specific symbiont, Harringtonia lauricola, responsible for a severe epiphytic of Lauraceae in North America. We used Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff 1868 as a study subject and estimated its demography in the laboratory in a temperature gradient (17, 20, 26, 29, 35 °C), which we then used to parameterize a process-based model to estimate its metapopulation dynamics. The maximum intrinsic growth rate of X. bispinatus is 0.13 with a thermal optimum of 26.2 °C. The models suggest important regions for the establishment and dispersal the states of Veracruz, Chiapas and Oaxaca (high host and secondary vectors diversity), the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (connectivity region), and Michoacán and Jalisco (important avocado plantations). The use of hybrid process-based models is a promising tool to refine the predictions applied to the study of biological invasions and species distributions.

Avocado-derived extracellular vesicles loaded with ginkgetin and berberine prevent inflammation and macrophage foam cell formation.

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of aorta, remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality among cardiovascular disease patients. Macrophage foam cell formation and inflammation are critically involved in early stages of atherosclerosis, hence chemopreventive targeting of foam cell formation by nutraceuticals may be a promising approach to curbing the progression of atherosclerosis. However, many nutraceuticals including berberine and ginkgetin have low stability, tissue/cell penetration and bioavailability resulting in inadequate chemotherapeutic effects of these nutraceuticals. We have used avocado-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) isolated from avocado (EVAvo ) as a novel carrier of nutraceuticals, in a strategy to alleviate the build-up of macrophage foam cells and expression of inflammatory genes. Our key findings are: (i) Avocado is a natural source of plant-derived EVs as shown by the results from transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and NanoBrook Omni analysis and atomic force microscopy; (ii) EVAvo are taken up by macrophages, a critical cell type in atherosclerosis; (iii) EVAvo can be loaded with high amounts of ginkgetin and berberine; (iv) ginkgetin plus berberine-loaded EVAvo (EVAvo(B+G) ) suppress activation of NFκB and NLRP3, and inhibit expression of pro-inflammatory and atherogenic genes, specifically Cd36, Tnfα, Il1ß and Il6; (v) EVAvo(B+G) attenuate oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced macrophage foam cell formation and (vi) EVAvo(B+G) inhibit oxLDL uptake but not its cell surface binding during foam cell formation. Overall, our results suggest that using EVAvo as a natural carrier of nutraceuticals may improve strategies to curb the progression of atherosclerosis by limiting inflammation and pro-atherogenic responses.

Avocado and Guacamole Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk: The Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Dietary fiber and phytonutrients can protect against colorectal cancer, yet their consumption is low in the US. Avocados are a potential source of these beneficial nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between avocados/guacamole consumption and colorectal cancer risk in the Multiethnic Cohort Study. We assessed avocados/guacamole consumption by using a food frequency questionnaire. We classified participants into three consumer groups: <1 serving/month, 1-3 servings/month, and ≥1 serving/week with one serving defined as ½ avocado or ½ cup. Colorectal cancer cases were ascertained through the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program cancer registries. Cox proportional hazards models of colorectal cancer were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals across avocados/guacamole intake groups in each sex overall and by anatomic subsite (i.e., right colon, left colon, and rectum) and race and ethnicity. Of 192,651 eligible participants, 62.8% reported consuming <1 serving/month avocados/guacamole, 26.7% reported 1-3 servings/month, and 10.5% reported ≥1 serving/week. When adjusted for relevant covariates, there was no significant association with incident colorectal cancer overall, for subsites, or within racial and ethnic subgroups (all p for trend ≥ 0.06). In this large prospective cohort study, we did not find that consumption of avocados/guacamole was associated with colorectal cancer risk.

Cytotoxic and Antitumoral Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Avocado Fruit Mesocarp in Colorectal Cancer Cell Line HT29.

Colorectal cancer is a widespread neoplasia with high ratios of chemoresistance. Phytochemicals in plant-based extracts could be useful to treat colorectal cancer, and/or reduce chemoresistance. Methanolic extract of avocado mesocarp (MEAM) has demonstrated antitumoral properties, depending on the fruit ripening stage (RS). The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of methanolic extracts of "Hass" avocado fruit at different RS on cytotoxicity, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-invasive, cell cycle, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition inhibition in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT29. The MEAM showed an increasing concentration of total phenolic compounds as the RS progressed, which was correlated with antioxidant capacity measured by the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay but not with the 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The specific phenolic compounds of MEAM were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and it was found that concentrations of epicatechin decreased while concentrations of chlorogenic acid increased as the RS progressed. The HT29 cell line was treated with MEAM for 48 h, and all MEAM had a cytotoxic effect, reported by MTT assay, nevertheless, the strongest effect was associated with the presence of chlorogenic acid. MEAM induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in phase G0/G1, reported by flow cytometry. Moreover, MEAM inhibited cell migration evidenced by the wound healing assay. On the other hand, MEAM significantly reduced expression of mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase 2. These effects comprise important inhibition of some hallmarks of cancer. This, in turn, may provide interesting guidelines for developing antitumoral intervention agents.

Activated carbon from avocado seed as sorbent phase for microextraction technologies: activation, characterization, and analytical performance.

According to green analytical chemistry principles, the use of agricultural byproducts as sorbent phases is an interesting topic due to their lignocellulosic origin, as they are biodegradable and inexpensive. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which avocado seed and avocado seed activated carbon are proposed as sustainable sorbents for solid-phase microextraction technologies, which were used to assess the proof of concept. Rotating disk sorptive extraction (RDSE) was used as a model technology and ibuprofen (Ibu) and 1-hydroxy-ibuprofen (1-OH-Ibu) as representative analytes. It was found that activated carbon (AC) prepared at 600 °C with an impregnation ratio (raw material/activating agent (ZnCl2), w/w) of 1:1.2 had better extraction efficiency than other ACs obtained at different temperatures, impregnation ratios, and activating agents (K2CO3). Characterization revealed several differences between natural avocado seed, biochar prepared at 600 °C, and selected AC since the typical functional groups of the natural starting material begin to disappear with pyrolysis and increasing the surface area and pore volume, suggesting that the main interactions between analytes and the sorbent material are pore filling and π-π stacking. By using this AC as the sorbent phase, the optimal extraction conditions in RDSE were as follows: the use of 50 mg of sorbent in the disk, 30 mL of sample volume, pH 4, 90 min of extraction time at a rotation velocity of the disk of 2000 rpm, and methanol as the elution solvent. The extracts were analyzed via gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method provided limits of detection of 0.23 and 0.07 µg L-1 and recoveries of 81% and 91% for Ibu and 1-OH-Ibu, respectively. When comparing the extraction efficiency of the selected activated carbon with those provided by Oasis® HLB and C18 in RDSE, nonsignificant differences were observed, indicating that avocado seed activated carbon is a suitable alternative to these commercial materials.

Isohydric stomatal behaviour alters fruit vascular flows and minimizes fruit size reductions in drought-stressed 'Hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plant water status is important for fruit development, because many fleshy fruits contain large amounts of water. However, there is no information on vascular flows of Persea americana 'Hass' avocado. The aims of this research were to explore the impact of drought stress on the water relationships of the 'Hass' avocado plant and its fruit growth. METHODS: Well-watered and water-stressed 'Hass' avocado plants were compared. Over 4 weeks, water flows through the shoot and fruit pedicel were monitored using external sap flow gauges. Fruit diameter was monitored using linear transducers, and stomatal conductance (gs), photosynthesis (A) and leaf and stem water potentials (Ñ°leaf and Ñ°stem) were measured to assess the response of the plants to water supply. KEY RESULTS: In well-watered conditions, the average water inflow to the shoot was 72 g day-1. Fruit water inflow was 2.72 g day-1, but there was water loss of 0.37 g day-1 caused by the outflow (loss back into the tree) through the vascular tissues and 1.06 g day-1 from the fruit skin. Overall, fruit volume increased by 1.4 cm3 day-1. In contrast, water flow into fruit of water-stressed plants decreased to 1.88 g day-1, with the outflow increasing to 0.61 g day-1. As a result, increases in fruit volume were reduced to 0.4 cm3 day-1. The values of A, gs and sap flow to shoots were also reduced during drought conditions. Changes in the hourly time-courses of pedicel sap flow, fruit volume and stem water potential during drought suggest that the stomatal response prevented larger increases in outflow from the fruit. Following re-watering, a substantial recovery in growth rate was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, a reduction in growth of avocado fruit was observed with induced water deficit, but the isohydric stomatal behaviour of the leaves helped to minimize negative changes in water balance. Also, there was substantial recovery after re-watering, hence the short-term water stress did not decrease avocado fruit size. Negative impacts might appear if the drought treatment were prolonged.

Avocado intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in a representative survey of Australians: a secondary analysis of the 2011-2012 national nutrition and physical activity survey.

BACKGROUND: Avocados are a rich source of nutrients including monounsaturated fats, dietary fibre and phytochemicals. Higher dietary quality is reported in studies of consumers with higher avocado intakes. The present study aimed to examine avocado consumption and cardiometabolic risk measures in a representative sample of Australian adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using Australian Health Survey 2011-2013 (n = 2,736 observations). Day 1 24-hour recall data was used to examine reported avocado intake (whole avocados and avocado-containing products excluding avocado oil) and cardiometabolic risk measures (LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, HbA1c, plasma glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure). T-tests and chi square analyses were conducted between low (5.21 [95% CI: 4.63, 5.79] grams/day) and high (44.11 [95% CI: 35.89, 52.33] grams/day) consumers of avocado. RESULTS: 14.7% of Australians were 'avocado consumers' (n = 403 observations). Mean avocado intake was 24.63 (95% CI: 20.11, 29.15) grams per day, with a median intake of 10.40 (IQR: 4.49-26.00) grams per day for those considered 'avocado consumers'. Consumers of avocados had a lower BMI and waist circumference (each, p ≤ 0.001), lower plasma glucose level (p = 0.03), and higher HDL cholesterol (p ≤ 0.001) when compared with non-consumers. A trend towards lower plasma glucose, HbA1c (each, p = 0.04) and higher dietary fibre intake (p = 0.05) was found between high and low consumers of avocado. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests favourable outcomes for avocado intake and cardiometabolic characteristics of consumers. Future studies should explore glucose homeostasis using a clinical trial design to understand potential relationships between avocado intake and cardiometabolic risk factors.