Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) in frozen banana pulp: Influence on rheological, nutritional and sensory characteristics.

A frozen banana pulp with functional properties was developed and characterized in this work. For this, 0 g, 3 g, 5 g and 7 g of psyllium in 100 g of banana pulp were added. The use of this fiber in industrialized products can contribute to the nutritional enrichment of the products and provide functional benefits already acknowledged, such as lowering LDL cholesterol, lowering blood glucose, increasing satiety and relieving constipation. According to the World Health Organization, vegetable consumption should be increased, as it reduces the risk of chronic diseases. The main purpose of this work was to incorporate psyllium in frozen banana pulp to develop a healthy product. The samples were evaluated through chemical analyses, rheological properties and sensory testing with Check-All-That-Apply questions (CATA). The addition of psyllium had a significant effect not only on the viscosity but also on the sensory and nutritional properties of the frozen banana pulp. This study indicated that the production of frozen banana pulp with psyllium is viable, as it has desirable nutritional and sensory characteristics which can contribute to the maintenance of health.

Morphological, barrier, and mechanical properties of banana starch films reinforced with cellulose nanoparticles from plantain rachis.

The main aim of the present study was to characterize banana starch films reinforced with nanoparticles from plantain rachis. Nanoparticles were obtained by acid hydrolysis and sonication, exhibiting a mean hydraulic diameter of about 60 nm. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that the nanoparticle thickness ranged between 9.8 and 22.3 nm. The thermal gravimetric analysis showed that nanoparticles are thermally stable for temperatures up to 340 °C. Films were made for different fractions of nanoparticles (0.0, 1.75, 2.5, and 4.0%) relative to total solids, and glycerol was used as a plasticizer. The influence of the addition of nanoparticles to starch films on the morphology, water vapor permeability (WVP), and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites films was explored. Cellulose nanoparticles reduced the WVP, and increased the tensile strength and flexibility of the starch films. FTIR analysis of films was used to show that nanoparticles improved the molecular organization of starch chains. It was proposed that nanoparticles acted as a crosslinked for starch chains via hydrogen bonding effects.

Effectiveness of different methods for the extraction of principle actives and phytochemicals content in medicinal herbals / Efectividad de diferentes métodos para la extracción de principios activos y contenido de fitoquímicos en hierbas medicinales

In this present study, we investigated the influence of various extraction methods including maceration, sonication, infusion, decoction, and microwave extraction, on the chemical and biological potential of phytochemicals extracted from three medicinal plants (Ageratum conyzoides, Plantago majorand Arctium lappa L). The results were subsequently analyzed by variance analysis. Our results suggested that sonication is the most effective extraction method among the five methods tested herein, for the extraction of phytochemicals that have a high antioxidant potential and high phenolic content. The three plants employed for this study had a high concentration of flavonoids and phenolics which was compatible with the chemosystematics of the species. All the samples possessed a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of less than 6. Interestingly, a maximum reaction time of approximately 20 min was noted for the complexation of AlCl3 with the flavonoids present in the phytochemical extract during analyses of the kinetic parameters. We finally identified that the Ageratum conyzoides extract, prepared by sonication, possessed a significant pharmacological potential against hepatocarcinoma tumour cells, whose result can guide further studies for its therapeutic efficacy.

En el presente estudio, investigamos la influencia de varios métodos de extracción, incluyendo maceración, sonicación, infusión, decocción y extracción por microondas, sobre el potencial químico y biológico de los fitoquímicos extraídos de tres plantas medicinales (Ageratum conyzoides, Plantago majory Arctium lappa L). Los resultados se analizaron posteriormente mediante análisis de varianza. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la sonicación es el método de extracción más eficaz entre los cinco métodos aquí probados, para la extracción de fitoquímicos que tienen un alto potencial antioxidante y un alto contenido fenólico. Las tres plantas empleadas para este estudio tenían una alta concentración de flavonoides y fenólicos que era compatible con la quimiosistemática de las especies. Todas las muestras poseían un factor de protección solar (SPF) menor a 6. Curiosamente, se observó un tiempo máximo de reacción de aproximadamente 20 min para la complejación de AlCl3con los flavonoides presentes en el extracto fitoquímico durante los análisis de los parámetros cinéticos. Finalmente, identificamos que el extracto de Ageratum conyzoides, elaborado por sonicación, posee un importante potencial farmacológico frente a las células tumorales del hepatocarcinoma, cuyo resultado puede orientar nuevos estudios sobre su eficacia terapéutica.

Starch from two unripe plantains and esterified with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA): Partial characterization.

Chemical modification with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) helps to control the physicochemical and thermal properties of isolated starches. The main objective, herein, was to partially characterize modified starches from Dominico-Harton plantain and FHIA 21 planted in Colombia. The highest degree of substitution was found in FHIA 21 (0.020) starch with 3% OSA and 4-h reaction at room temperature. The grain morphology was not affected, but small changes on the surface were evident. Both modified starches reported absorption bands in the IR at 1566 and 1738 cm-1, proper for these types of starch derivatives. The hexagonal and monoclinic structures of starch were altered through chemical modification. In the bending curves, a drastic decrease in the viscosity of the modified starches was observed with respect to the native one. The gelatinization temperatures of the modified starches were similar to those of the isolated starches.

Bioactive amines changes during the ripening and thermal processes of bananas and plantains.

Bioactive amines are found in food and can be relevant for the assessment of fruits shelf life and nutritional quality. The pulp and peel of 20 banana and plantain were analyzed and the bioactive amine content varied according to the genotype, ripening stage, fruit tissue and thermal processing. In most of the analyzed genotypes, tyramine, histamine, dopamine, serotonin, spermidine, and spermine were decreased during the ripening process in the pulps. By contrast, there was an increase in putrescine level. In many genotypes of plantains, the serotonin and dopamine contents in pulp decreased until stage 5 and increased at stage 7. Peels contain higher levels of serotonin, dopamine, histamine and tyramine than pulps. Additionally, thermal processing affects the content of amines present in fruit. Boiling with the peel should be preferred in domestic preparations, regardless of the genotype used.

Esterified plantain flour for the production of cookies rich in indigestible carbohydrates.

The role of raw plantain flour (RPF) and its citric acid (CA)-esterified counterpart (EPF) on the carbohydrate nutritional properties of cookies was investigated. Cookies were elaborated with commercial wheat flour (CWF), RPF, EPF, or a CWF-EPF blend, and assessed for composition, starch digestibility, texture and sensory properties. EPF-cookie showed the lowest digestible starch (DS) content and estimated glycemic index (pGI) (25.0% and 59.3, respectively). Cookies made with CWF-EPF exhibited the highest indigestible fraction values attributed to the synergistic presence of the RS from EPF and the protein and non-starch polysaccharides from CWF. All RPF containing cookies exhibited lower hardness than CWF-cookie. Although the use of RPF decreased consumer's acceptability compared to CWF-cookie, the cookies with EPF showed sensory characteristics of 52-65% compared with the CWF-cookie (100%). This study shows CA esterification of plantain flour as a successful strategy to manufacture cookies with low DS and pGI.

Application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry fingerprinting associated with macroscopic and histological analysis for Plantago major herbal infusions quality control.

The present study demonstrates the need to conduct an integrative quality control of teas marketed as Plantago major. In the present study, quality control checks were performed through macroscopic, microscopic and chemical analyses of commercial brands. Leaves with parts not allowed for consumption were found in all brands. Six brands showed histological similarity <50% with the authentic P. major. Eight brands demonstrated low chemical similarity (40 to 60%), indicating that they do not have the same compounds from the authentic P. major. All commercial samples are contaminated with aflatoxins, indicative of fungicide contamination and consequent degradation of phenolic compounds and reduction of antioxidant activity from the commercial samples. The difference in the present study is the integrative application of methods for success in the quality control of P. major, which can be applied to other species. Thus, more rigorous inspection actions in the production of teas to guarantee the therapeutic benefit of these products.

Multivariable Analysis of Gluten-Free Pasta Elaborated with Non-Conventional Flours Based on the Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant Capacity and Color.

The phenolic compounds, color and antioxidant capacity of gluten-free pasta prepared with non-conventional flours such as chickpea (CHF), unripe plantain (UPF), white maize (WMF) and blue maize (BMF) were analyzed. Fifteen phenolic compounds (five anthocyanins, five hydroxybenzoic acids, three hydroxycinnamic acids, one hydroxyphenylacetic acid and one flavonol) were identified in pasta prepared with blue maize, and 10 compounds were identified for samples prepared with white maize. The principal component analysis (PCA) led to results describing 98% of the total variance establishing a clear separation for each pasta. Both the proportion (25, 50 and 75%) and type of maize flour (white and blue) affected the color parameters (L*, C ab *, h ab and ΔE* ab ) and antioxidant properties (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods) of samples, thus producing gluten-free products with potential health benefits intended for general consumers (including the population with celiac disease).

Profiling of antioxidant potential and phytoconstituents of Plantago coronopus / Avaliação do potencial antioxidante e perfil fitoquímico do Plantago coronopus

Abstract The halophyte species Plantago coronopus has several described ethnomedicinal uses, but few reported biological activities. This work carried out for the first time a comparative analysis of P. coronopus organs in terms of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of organic and water extracts from roots, leaves and flowers. The leaves contents in selected nutrients, namely amino acids and minerals, are also described. Roots (ethyl acetate and methanol extracts) had the highest radical scavenging activity (RSA) towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, while leaves (hexane extract) had higher RSA on nitric oxide radical and iron chelating ability. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified eighteen phenolics from which salicylic acid and epicatechin are here firstly described in Plantago species. Leaves had mineral levels similar to those of most vegetables, proving to be a good source for elements like calcium, sodium, iron and magnesium, and also for several of the essential amino acids justifying it use as food. Our results, especially those regarding the phenolics composition, can explain the main traditional uses given to this plantain and, altogether, emphasize the potential of P. coronopus as a source of bioactive molecules particularly useful for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Resumo A espécie halófita Plantago coronopus tem vários usos etnomedicinais já descritos, mas em relação à bioatividade a informação é escassa. Este trabalho efetuou, pela primeira vez, uma análise comparativa dos órgãos de P. coronopus em termos de compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante de extratos orgânicos e aquosos provenientes das raízes, folhas e flores da planta, bem como o conteúdo de determinados nutrientes, aminoácidos e minerais, nas folhas da planta. As raízes (extratos de acetato de etila e metanol) apresentaram a maior atividade de captação para os radicais 1,1-difenil-2-picril hidrazil (DPPH) e 2,2'-azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfónico) (ABTS), enquanto as folhas (extrato de hexano) mostraram maior atividade captadora para o radical óxido nítrico bem como maior capacidade quelante do ferro. A análise por cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) identificou dezoito compostos fenólicos e, destes, o ácido salicílico e a epicatequina são aqui descritos pela primeira vez em espécies de Plantago. As folhas desta planta halófita mostraram ainda conter minerais em níveis semelhantes aos da maioria dos vegetais, provando ser uma boa fonte de elementos como o cálcio, sódio, ferro e magnésio, bem como de vários dos aminoácidos essenciais o que justifica seu uso na alimentação. Os resultados, particularmente aqueles relacionados à composição fenólica, podem justificar os principais usos medicinais atribuídos a esta espécie e, na sua totalidade, demonstram o potencial de P. coronopus como fonte de moléculas bioativas particularmente úteis na prevenção de doenças relacionadas com estresse oxidativo.

Profiling of antioxidant potential and phytoconstituents of Plantago coronopus.

The halophyte species Plantago coronopus has several described ethnomedicinal uses, but few reported biological activities. This work carried out for the first time a comparative analysis of P. coronopus organs in terms of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of organic and water extracts from roots, leaves and flowers. The leaves contents in selected nutrients, namely amino acids and minerals, are also described. Roots (ethyl acetate and methanol extracts) had the highest radical scavenging activity (RSA) towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, while leaves (hexane extract) had higher RSA on nitric oxide radical and iron chelating ability. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified eighteen phenolics from which salicylic acid and epicatechin are here firstly described in Plantago species. Leaves had mineral levels similar to those of most vegetables, proving to be a good source for elements like calcium, sodium, iron and magnesium, and also for several of the essential amino acids justifying it use as food. Our results, especially those regarding the phenolics composition, can explain the main traditional uses given to this plantain and, altogether, emphasize the potential of P. coronopus as a source of bioactive molecules particularly useful for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Protective Effect of Plantago major Extract against t-BOOH-Induced Mitochondrial Oxidative Damage and Cytotoxicity.

Plantago major L. produces several chemical substances with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and its use in the treatment of oral and throat inflammation in popular medicine is well described. In this study, the antioxidant potential of the Plantago major hydroethanolic extract was screened and its protective action was evaluated against t-BOOH-induced oxidative stress. The extract was obtained by fractionated percolation using 50% ethanolic solution and, after drying, suspended in dimethyl sulfoxide. The chromatographic profile of crude extract was obtained with the identification of some phytochemical markers and the total phenols and flavonoids were quantified. The scavenger activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals was determined and the antioxidant activity in biological systems was evaluated in isolated rat liver mitochondria and HepG2 cells. The extract exhibited a significant free radical scavenger activity at 0.1 mg/mL, and decreased the ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation in succinate-energized mitochondria. Such an effect was associated with the preservation of the intrinsic antioxidant defenses (reduced glutathione and NAD(P)H) against the oxidation by t-BOOH, and also to the protection of membranes from lipid oxidation. The cytoprotective effect of PmHE against t-BOOH induced cell death was also shown. These findings contribute to the understanding of the health benefits attributed to P. major.

Preparation and characterization of octenylsuccinylated plantain starch.

Plantain starch was esterified with octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA) at two concentrations (3 and 15% w/w) of OSA. The morphology, granule size distribution, pasting, gelatinization, swelling, and solubility of granules and structural features of the starch polymers were evaluated. Granules of the OSA-modified starches increased in size during cooking more than did the granules of the native starch, and the effect was greater at the higher OSA concentration. Pasting viscosities also increased, but gelatinization and pasting temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization decreased in the OSA-modified starches. It was concluded that insertion of OS groups effected disorder in the granular structure. Solubility, weight average molar mass, Mw¯, and z-average radius of gyration, RGz, of the amylopectin decreased as the OSA concentration increased, indicating a decrease in molecular size.

Evaluation of healing wound and genotoxicity potentials from extracts hydroalcoholic of Plantago major and Siparuna guianensis.

Despite the large use of the Plantago major and Siparuna guianensis in traditional medicine, there are no studies demonstrating the effectiveness from extracts of these plants in the healing process by the present methodology. This study reported the effects and toxicity of the P. major and S. guianensis extracts in the wound healing compared with a commercial product used in Brazil by macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Following injury in cervical dorsal area of the mice, the extract from P. major and S. guianensis and ointment was applied after an injury in cervical dorsal area of the mice. Wound healing rates were calculated at 4, 9, 15 and 21 d after the wounding, and tissues were obtained on the ninth day for histological analysis. Moreover, mutagenic assay of extracts was performed. Mutagenicity studies carried out with plant extracts showed not mutagenic with or without metabolic activations. Reduction of the wound area occurred earlier in mice treated with P. major and control treatment. On the 15th day, the complete wound closure occurred in P. major-treated wounds. Throughout ointment and S. guianensis treatment it was not observed the wound closured. Microscopic analyses of the wound, on the ninth day, showed the more efficient formation of the neoepithelium and skin appendages in animals treated with S. guianensis and P. major, while ointment treatment presented no re-epithelialization and absent skin appendages in wound. Thus, P. major extract showed good effects on wound healing processes rendering it a promising candidate for the treatment of wounds what also justified its traditional usage in wound treatment.

Plantain and banana starches: granule structural characteristics explain the differences in their starch degradation patterns.

Different banana cultivars were used to investigate the influences of starch granule structure and hydrolases on degradation. The highest degrees of starch degradation were observed in dessert bananas during ripening. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed smooth granule surface in the green stage in all cultivars, except for Mysore. The small and round granules were preferentially degraded in all of the cultivars. Terra demonstrated a higher degree of crystallinity and a short amylopectin chain length distribution, resulting in high starch content in the ripe stage. Amylose content and the crystallinity index were more strongly correlated than the distribution of amylopectin branch chain lengths in banana starches. α- and ß-amylase activities were found in both forms, soluble in the pulp and associated with the starch granule. Starch-phosphorylase was not found in Mysore. On the basis of the profile of α-amylase in vitro digestion and the structural characteristics, it could be concluded that the starch of plantains has an arrangement of granules more resistant to enzymes than the starch of dessert bananas.

Antioxidant activities of extracts from Barkleyanthus salicifolius (Asteraceae) and Penstemon gentianoides (Scrophulariaceae).

Various extracts of the aerial parts of Barkleyanthus salicifolius (Asteraceae) and Penstemon gentianoides (Scrophulariaceae) have been used in folk medicine to treat many ailments, particularly inflammation and migraine. Neither the bioactive components responsible nor the mechanisms involved have been evaluated. Here are reported antioxidant activities of their methanol, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts. Samples were evaluated for oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and inhibition of the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), a measure of lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant activities were strongly correlated with total polyphenol content. The most active extracts from P. gentianoides in scavenging DPPH radicals and inhibiting TBARS formation were the methanol extract (A) and a further ethyl acetate extract of this (E). Partition E was further divided into eight fractions, and both E and the fractions were compared for activity against butylated hydroxytoluene, quercetin, and tocopherol. Partition E and the most active fractions, 5 and 6, were found to have I(50) values of 14.1, 38.6, and 41.8 ppm, respectively, against DPPH and 18.5, 26.0, and 12.7 ppm, respectively, against TBARS formation. Consistent with this finding, partition E and fractions 4-6 had the greatest ORAC and FRAP values. These results show that these plants could be useful antioxidant sources.

Genotoxicity testing of Plantago major extracts in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster.

Plantago major is used in many parts of the world for the treatment of diseases and to promote the healing of wounds. In the present study, the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster was used to evaluate the genotoxic activity of an aqueous extract of P. major. The following Drosophila crosses were made: standard (ST) cross, in which virgin flare females (flr3/TM3, Bds) were mated with mwh/mwh males, and high-bioactivation (HB) cross, in which virgin ORR females (ORR/ORR; flr3/TM3, Bds) were mated with mwh/mwh males. Each cross produced two types of descendents, marker-transheterozygous (MH) (mwh +/+ flr3) and balancer-heterozygous (BH) (mwh +/+ TM3, Bds) flies. Three-day-old larvae of both types of descendents were treated with undiluted and diluted (1:1 and 1:2 in water) aqueous extracts of P. major. The extracts were genotoxic in both crosses, producing similar induced frequencies in ST and HB flies. Comparison of the frequencies of wing spots in the BH and MH descendents indicated that recombination was a major response. The results indicate that, under these experimental conditions, aqueous extracts of P. major are genotoxic (recombinagenic).

Oral subchronic toxicity of aqueous crude extract of Plantago australis leaves.

The toxic effects of chronic oral administration (60 days) of aqueous crude extract (AE) of Plantago australis Lam. (Plantaginaceae) in rats at doses of 850 and 1700 mg/kg on biochemical (ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins and albumin), hematological (complete hemogram), and histopathological (heart, lung, liver, kidney, esophagus, stomach and gut) parameters were studied. All biochemical and hematological parameters were found to be in the normal range, but ALT in animals that received AE of 850 mg/kg was higher. Histopathological analysis of organs, especially the liver did not present alterations.

Estudio comparativo del efecto antiinflamatorio del plantago major "Llantén" y del diclofenaco / Comparative study of the antiinflammatory effect of the plantago major

Se determinó la Dosis Letal 50(DL50) del extracto metanólico del Plantago major "Llantén" administrado por vía intraperitoneal, hallándose como resultado una DL50 equivalente a 4,000 mg/Kg de peso de animal utilizándose para ello 36 ratones divididos en 6 grupos de 6 animales cada uno. Se utilizarón 40 ratas albinas divididas en 4 grupos de 10 animales cada uno, a las cuales se les infiltró en el lomo 2 ml de carragenina al 1 por ciento a las bolsas de aire. Después de 30' de haber colocado la carragenina se administró los extractos y el diclofenaco. A las seis horas fueron sacrificados los animales. Del exudado obtenido se utilizó una parte para el recuento de Leucocitos en el Coulter Counter, el resto se centrifugó para determinar la concentración de proteínas totales por el método colorimétrico de Gornall utilizando el reactivo de Biuret y un patrón de proteína de 70 g/L. Se evidenció las propiedades antiinflamatorias significativas del extracto metanólico, administrado por vía intraperitoneal, a la dosis de 400 mg/Kg y 800 mg/Kg de peso frente al diclofenaco, utilizando la técnica estandarizada de Edwars (CYTED), del Granuloma de Pouche.

We have determined the 50 Lethal dose of the Metanolic extract of Plantago major "Llanten" given by intraperitoneal route. We have found that 50LD was 4000 mg/Kg. Of animal weigtht, using 36 mice divided in six groups with 6 animal s each one. 40 rats divided in four groups of ten animals each one received on the back 2 mI of carragenin 1 % to the air pouch. After 30 minutes, the extract and diclofenac were administered. Six hours afterwards the animal s were killed. The exudate obtained was used to find the leucocyte count in the Coulter Counter. The rest of the material was centrifuged to determine the concentracion of proteins with de Gornall colorimetric method using the Biuret reactive and a model of protein lof 70 g/L. We found the anti-inflammatory properties of the methanolic extract, administered by the intraperitoneal route 400 mg/Kg. and 800mg/Kg and with diclofenac using the standardized technique of Edwards (CYTED) from the granuloma of .. Pouche.

[Nutritional evaluation of green plantain flour dehydrated soups. Starch in vitro digestibility]. / Evaluación nutricional de sopas deshidratadas a base de harina de plátano verde. Digestibilidad in vitro del almidón.

Previous works have shown that green plantain flour (GPF) contains a considerable amount of resistant with similar effects to dietary fiber. In order to diversify the use of this fruit the purpose of present study was to formulate and elaborate powered, dehydrated, cream type soups with green plantain flour flavored with vegetables (onion, coriander and leak) which increase the dietary fiber content of the preparation. Green plantain was peeled, cut in medium size pieces and submerged in 0.1% citric acid solution. The dehydration process was forced air-drying (80 degrees C), followed by milling. The same procedure was applied to the flavoring vegetables. To obtain the cream type soups various formulations were tried containing 50-63% resistant starch, 11.7-12% dietary fiber 6.5-6.9% protein. The mineral content of the preparations is reported. Viscosity of 1:10 (w/v) soups was 630-670 cps. In vitro starch digestibility after 6 hours was 38% with porcine amylase, increasing to 48% if the enzyme was from bacterial origin, supporting previous results that suggest resistance to hydrolysis of green plantain (GP) starch granules. In conclusion this study diversifies the use of GP and suggests that dehydrated GPF soups due to their high dietary fiber, resistant starch content and to the slow starch hydrolysis may be used in special nutrition regimes.