Strawberry Biostimulation: From Mechanisms of Action to Plant Growth and Fruit Quality.

The objective of this review is to present a compilation of the application of various biostimulants in strawberry plants. Strawberry cultivation is of great importance worldwide, and, there is currently no review on this topic in the literature. Plant biostimulation consists of using or applying physical, chemical, or biological stimuli that trigger a response-called induction or elicitation-with a positive effect on crop growth, development, and quality. Biostimulation provides tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, and more absorption and accumulation of nutrients, favoring the metabolism of the plants. The strawberry is a highly appreciated fruit for its high organoleptic and nutraceutical qualities since it is rich in phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals, in addition to being a product with high commercial value. This review aims to present an overview of the information on using different biostimulation techniques in strawberries. The information obtained from publications from 2000-2022 is organized according to the biostimulant's physical, chemical, or biological nature. The biochemical or physiological impact on plant productivity, yield, fruit quality, and postharvest life is described for each class of biostimulant. Information gaps are also pointed out, highlighting the topics in which more significant research effort is necessary.

Novel nutraceutical supplements with yeast ß-glucan, prebiotics, minerals, and Silybum marianum (silymarin) ameliorate obesity-related metabolic and clinical parameters: A double-blind randomized trial.

Purpose: It is known that obesity has a multifactorial etiology that involves genetic and environmental factors. The WHO estimates the worldwide prevalence of 1.9 billion overweight adults and more than 650 million people with obesity. These alarming data highlight the high and growing prevalence of obesity and represent a risk factor for the development and aggravation of other chronic diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is frequently considered the hepatic outcome of type 2 diabetes. The use of non-pharmacological therapies such as food supplements, nutraceuticals, and natural integrative therapies has grown as an alternative tool for obesity-related diseases compared to conventional medications. However, it is a still little explored research field and lacks scientific evidence of therapeutic effectiveness. Considering this, the aim is to evaluate whether a new nutraceutical supplement composition can improve and supply essential mineral nutrients, providing an improvement of obesity-related metabolic and endocrine parameters. Methods: Sedentary volunteers (women and men) with body mass index (BMI) ≤34.9 kg/m2 were divided into two groups: Novel Nutraceutical Supplement_(S) (n = 30) and Novel Nutraceutical Supplement (n = 29), differing in the absence (S) or presence of silymarin, respectively. Volunteers were instructed to take two capsules in the morning and two capsules in the evening. No nutritional intervention was performed during the study period. The data (anthropometrics and anamneses) and harvest blood (biochemistry and hormonal exams) were collected at three different time points: baseline time [day 0 (T0)], day 90 (T90), and day 180 (T180) post-supplementation. Results: In the anthropometric analysis, the waist circumference in middle abdomen (WC-mid) and waist circumference in iliac crest (WC-IC) were reduced. Also, the waist-to-height ratio (WHt R) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) seem to slightly decrease alongside the supplementation period with both nutraceutical supplements tested as well as transaminase enzyme ratio [aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AAR)], a known as a biomarker of NAFLD, and endocrine hormones cortisol and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at 90 and 180 days post-supplementation. Conclusions: In a condition associated with sedentary and no nutritional intervention, the new nutraceutical supplement composition demonstrated the ability to be a strong and newfangled tool to improve important biomarkers associated with obesity and its comorbidities.

Flavonoid, Nitrate and Glucosinolate Concentrations in Brassica Species Are Differentially Affected by Photosynthetically Active Radiation, Phosphate and Phosphite.

We evaluated the effects of phosphate (Pi-deficiency: 0.1 mM; Pi-sufficiency: 0.5 mM), phosphite (low-Phi: 0.1 mM; medium-Phi: 0.5 mM; and high-Phi: 2.5 mM), and two mean daily photosynthetically active radiations (lower PAR: 22.2 mol ⋅ m-2 ⋅ d-1; higher PAR: 29.7 mol ⋅ m-2 ⋅ d-1), as well as their interactions, on flavonoid, nitrate and glucosinolate (GL) concentrations and growth characteristics in hydroponically grown Brassica campestris cv. Mibuna Early and Brassica juncea cv. Red Giant. As expected, higher PAR increased dry matter and contrariwise decreased number of leaves but only in B. campestris. Total flavonoid and individual flavonoid compounds increased with the higher PAR value in B. campestris. Pi-sufficiency resulted in a lower quercetin concentration in both species, the isorhamnetin and total flavonoid concentrations in B. campestris, and the cyanidin concentration in B. juncea, in comparison to Pi-deficiency. Similarly, Pi-sufficient plants exhibited lower GL concentration, especially alkyl-GLs in B. campestris and alkenyl-GLs and an aryl-GL in B. juncea. Pi did not affect the nitrate concentration in either species, and nor did Phi influence the flavonoid concentrations in either species. In B. campestris, medium Phi (0.5 mM) increased the 1-methoxyindol-3-ylmethyl GL concentration by 28.3%, as compared to that observed at low Phi. In B. juncea, high Phi level increased the but-3-enyl-GL concentration by 18.9%, in comparison to values recorded at medium Phi. B. campestris plants exposed to higher PAR increased total flavonoids concentration. In both Brassica species, higher PAR stimulated the alkyl-, alkenyl-, and indole-GLs. The interaction of lower PAR and increasing Phi significantly decreased flavonoid concentration in B. juncea, whereas increasing Phi at higher PAR increased such concentration in this species. The same combination reduced the concentration of 2-phenylethyl- and indol-3-ylmethyl-GL in B. juncea. The highest indol-3-ylmethyl-GL concentration was observed when Pi was deficient combined with medium Phi in B. juncea. Thus, PAR, Pi and Phi may modulate flavonoid, GL and nitrate concentrations in Brassica species, which may be a useful tool to improve the nutraceutical quality of these leafy vegetables if properly managed.

Aqueous extract of yellow maca (Lepidium meyenii) improves sperm count in experimental animals but response depends on hypocotyl size, pH and routes of administration.

Lepidium meyenii, a Peruvian plant growing over 4000 m.a.s.l., has effects on nutrition and fertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sperm count in 105 male mice receiving boiled aqueous extract of yellow maca hypocotyls from different sizes, under different pH conditions and using two different routes of administration. Five mice per group were treated daily for 3 days with vehicle (oral and intraperitoneal) or maca aqueous extracts (5 mg/0.5 ml/day) belonging to the first, second, third and fourth categories, according to their hypocotyl size. On day four, sperm count was evaluated at testis, epididymis and vas deferens. Sperm count was higher in mice receiving maca from the larger sizes (first and second categories). Reduction in maca extract pH increased sperm count, whereas an increase in the pH resulted in a reduction in sperm count. The effect of pH reduction is observed only in maca from the first and second categories. Aqueous extract of maca was effective only after oral administration. In conclusion, the larger size of hypocotyls presented the best biological effect, and the low pH in the extract and the transformation after gastrointestinal passage are both important for its biological action.

Colágeno: nuevas aplicaciones clínicas en reumatología / Collagen: new clinical applications in rheumatology

El manejo del dolor articular ofrece para la población afectada novedosos suplementos nutricionales que incluyen el colágeno, y cuya extracción es desde variadas fuentes de origen animal, no así de vegetales. Esta revisión tiene como objetivo aclarar qué es el colágeno, su constitución estructural molecular, el rol que cumple en nues-tro organismo y revisar las indicaciones propuestas por la literatura, tanto para la profilaxis como el tratamiento de cuadros reumatológicos de alta prevalencia o impacto funcional, como son Artrosis, Artritis Reumatoidea y Osteoporosis.

Novel nutritional supplements for the management of joint pain have been made available to the population, including collagen, which can not be extracted from plant products, but from a variety of animal sources. This review aims to clarify what it is collagen, the molecular structures that constitute it, the determined role they play in our body and review the indications that the literature proposes both in prophylaxis and treatment, for high prevalence rheumatologic or functional impact, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study on the effects of (-)-epicatechin on the triglyceride/HDLc ratio and cardiometabolic profile of subjects with hypertriglyceridemia: Unique in vitro effects.

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic disruptions such as insulin resistance, obesity, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemias, are known to increase the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Several screening tools for assessing cardiometabolic risk have been developed including the TG/HDLc ratio, which has been, demonstrated to possess a strong association with insulin resistance and coronary disease. Dietary modifications, together with regular moderate exercise have proven to be effective in attenuating cardiometabolic disruptions. However, they often exhibit poor long-term patient compliance. Nutraceutics, including (-)-epicatechin (EPI), have gained increasing interest as coadjuvant effective and safe therapies that are able to attenuate hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia. METHODS: The aims of this study were: 1) to compare the in vitro effect of EPI vs. (+)-catechin on fructose induced triglyceride accumulation and mitochondrial function in Hep2 cells in culture, 2) to evaluate the efficacy of EPI treatment in reducing fasting blood triglycerides and improving the TG/HDLc ratio in hypertriglyceridemic patients with a total daily dose of 100mg of EPI. Secondary clinical variables included total cholesterol, LDLc, fructosamine, glucose, insulin, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein blood levels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our results provide preliminary evidence as to favorable effects of EPI on glycemia homeostasis, lipid profile and systemic inflammation such bioactive actions are not class-effects (i.e. limited to their antioxidant potential) but instead, may result from the specific activation of associated downstream signaling pathways since catechin has no effects.

Actividad antibacteriana de extractos de frutos de nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth), arrayán (Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg) Nied.) y ayale (Crescentia alata Kunth) / Antibacterial activity of extracts obtained from the nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth), arrayan (Psidium sartorianum (O. Berg) Nied.) and ayale (Crescentia alata Kunth) fruits

Nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia), arrayan (Psidium sartorianum) and ayale (Crescentia alata) are wild and under-utilized plants from Mexico; their fruits have been used as food and as Mexican traditional remedies against human bacterial infections (e.g. bacillary dysentery). However, scientific reports which support such uses or promote their consumption are scarce. In this work, the antibacterial activities of fruit extracts (i.e. hexanic, HE; chloroformic, CE; and methanolic, ME) were determined by the micro-dilution assay, establishing the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericide Concentration (MBC) against 21 human pathogenic bacteria. The HE of arrayan and ayale showed the highest activity against enterobacteria (E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp.) (MIC 0.25-2 mg/mL; MBC 0.5-16 mg/mL). The arrayan ME was the most active against the Gram-positive bacteria, showing Staphylococcus aureus the highest sensitivity (MIC 2 mg/mL; MBC 2-4 mg/mL). The presented results support the traditional uses of these plant materials for treating bacterial infectious diseases.

Nanchi (Byrsonima crassifolia), arrayán (Psidium sartorianum) y ayale (Crescentia alata) son plantas silvestres subutilizadas de México; sus frutos son comestibles y usados como medicamentos tradicionales contra infecciones bacterianas humanas (e.g. disentería bacilar). Sin embargo, los reportes científicos que avalen los usos y promuevan su consumo son escasos. En este trabajo se determinó, ensayo de micro-dilución en caldo, la Concentración Mínima Inhibitoria (CMI) y Concentración Mínima Bactericida (CMB), de los extractos de frutos (hexánico, EH; clorofórmico, EC; y metanólico, EM) contra 21 bacterias patógenas humanas. Los EH de arrayán y ayale mostraron la mayor actividad (CMI 0.25-2 mg/mL; CMB 0.5-16 mg/mL) contra enterobacterias (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. y Shigella spp.). El EM de arrayán fue el más activo contra bacterias Gram positivas, presentando Staphylococcus aureus la mayor sensibilidad (CMI 2 mg/mL; CMB 2-4 mg/mL). Estos resultados apoyan el uso tradicional de estos materiales en padecimientos asociados al tratamiento de infecciones bacterianas.

Conhecimento da comunidade universitária em relação aos alimentos funcionais / Knowledge of the academic community in relation to the functional foods

Alimentos funcionais apresentam componentes fisiologicamente ativos, capazes de promover a saúde, além dos benefícios nutricionais. A uva e seus derivados, por apresentar compostos com alto potencial bioativo, especialmente o resveratrol, foram escolhidos como objeto de pesquisa na avaliação do conhecimento do consumidor em relação aos alimentos funcionais. A população de estudo escolhida foi a comunidade de três instituições universitárias da cidade de Maringá, Estado do Paraná. Foi elaborado um questionário e aplicado a um total de 485 indivíduos. O alimento mais aceito e mais consumido foi o suco de uva (51% de aceitação), seguido do vinho tinto (49% de aceitação). A bebida de soja sabor uva, alimento que apresentou menor popularidade, nunca foi experimentada por 13% da população entrevistada e 40% nunca consomem este alimento. Dos entrevistados, 48% pareceram desconhecer ou não estar certos das alegações de saúde propostas no questionário. Tal desconhecimento refere-se à relação do vinho e compostos fenólicos com efeitos sobre a pressão arterial, osteoporose, diurese e antidepressão. Apesar do interesse e curiosidade quanto aos alimentos funcionais, os jovens entrevistados ainda não têm conhecimento suficiente sobre os benefícios dos alimentos funcionais à saúde humana.

Functional foods have physiologically active components capable of promoting health, and nutritional benefits. The grape and its derivatives, due to the compounds with high bioactive potential, especially resveratrol, were chosen as a research subject in the assessment of consumer knowledge regarding functional foods. The study population was the community of three universities in the city of Maringá, Paraná State. A questionnaire was developed and applied to a total of 485 individuals. The food most accepted and consumed was grape juice (51% acceptance), followed by red wine (49% acceptance). The soy drink grape-flavored, food with the lowest popularity has never been tried by 13% of the population interviewed, and 40% never consume this food. Of the interviewees, 48% seemed to be unaware or not sure of the health claims proposed in the questionnaire. This ignorance refers to the relationship of wine and phenolic compounds with positive effects on the blood pressure, osteoporosis, diuresis and depression. Although the interest and curiosity about the functional food, young interviewed still do not know enough about the benefits of functional foods on human health.

ts e aplicações

In recent years, much interest has been focused on the biotechnological potential of microalgae, mainly due the identification of several substances synthesized by these organisms. The great biodiversity and consequent variability in the biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from the microalgal cultures, allied to the genetic improvement and to the establishment of technology in massive production, have allowed various species to be commercially cultivated. In this sense, microalgae cultivations have been developed aiming at the biomass production not only for use in the food elaboration but also for the obtainment of natural compounds with high value in the world market. Among the main extracted substances, or with potential of commercial exploration, can be related polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phycobilins, polysaccharides, vitamins, sterols and several bioactive compounds (antioxidants, cholesterol reducers etc.), the which ones can be especially used in the development of functional food, for its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties.

Nos últimos anos, muito interesse tem sido focado no potencial biotecnológico das microalgas, principalmente devido à identificação de diversas substâncias sintetizadas por estes organismos. A imensa biodiversidade e conseqüente variabilidade na composição bioquímica da biomassa obtida das culturas microalgais, aliadas ao emprego de melhoramento genético e ao estabelecimento de tecnologia de cultivo em grande escala, vêm permitindo que determinadas espécies sejam comercialmente utilizadas. Nesse sentido, cultivos de microalgas têm sido realizados visando à produção de biomassa tanto para uso na elaboração de alimentos quanto para a obtenção de compostos naturais com alto valor no mercado mundial. Dentre os inúmeros compostos extraídos, ou com potencial de exploração comercial, podem ser relacionados ácidos graxos poliinsaturados, carotenóides, ficobilinas, polissacarídeos, vitaminas, esteróis e diversos compostos bioativos naturais (antioxidantes, redutores do colesterol etc.), os quais podem ser empregados especialmente no desenvolvimento de alimentos funcionais, por suas propriedades nutricionais e farmacêuticas.

ts e aplicações

In recent years, much interest has been focused on the biotechnological potential of microalgae, mainly due the identification of several substances synthesized by these organisms. The great biodiversity and consequent variability in the biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from the microalgal cultures, allied to the genetic improvement and to the establishment of technology in massive production, have allowed various species to be commercially cultivated. In this sense, microalgae cultivations have been developed aiming at the biomass production not only for use in the food elaboration but also for the obtainment of natural compounds with high value in the world market. Among the main extracted substances, or with potential of commercial exploration, can be related polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phycobilins, polysaccharides, vitamins, sterols and several bioactive compounds (antioxidants, cholesterol reducers etc.), the which ones can be especially used in the development of functional food, for its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties.

Nos últimos anos, muito interesse tem sido focado no potencial biotecnológico das microalgas, principalmente devido à identificação de diversas substâncias sintetizadas por estes organismos. A imensa biodiversidade e conseqüente variabilidade na composição bioquímica da biomassa obtida das culturas microalgais, aliadas ao emprego de melhoramento genético e ao estabelecimento de tecnologia de cultivo em grande escala, vêm permitindo que determinadas espécies sejam comercialmente utilizadas. Nesse sentido, cultivos de microalgas têm sido realizados visando à produção de biomassa tanto para uso na elaboração de alimentos quanto para a obtenção de compostos naturais com alto valor no mercado mundial. Dentre os inúmeros compostos extraídos, ou com potencial de exploração comercial, podem ser relacionados ácidos graxos poliinsaturados, carotenóides, ficobilinas, polissacarídeos, vitaminas, esteróis e diversos compostos bioativos naturais (antioxidantes, redutores do colesterol etc.), os quais podem ser empregados especialmente no desenvolvimento de alimentos funcionais, por suas propriedades nutricionais e farmacêuticas.