Unravelling potential biomedical applications of the edible flower Tulbaghia violacea.

Traditionally, edible flowers have been used as foods and for therapeutic purposes, today they have gained importance due to their bioactive compounds such as flavonols, anthocyanins or other phenolic compounds, which give them potential for biomedical applications. This work evaluated a methanolic extract of Tulbaghia violacea. Eleven individual phenolic compounds were found and quantified by mass spectrometry in the extract. Antioxidant activity tests (TEAC, FRAP and DPPH) and other characterization parameters were assayed (total phenolic content and total flavonoid content). In vitro studies showed antitumoral activity against ovarian tumoral cells mediated by the induction of non-dependent caspase cell death and by the activation of reactive oxygen species. The effect of the extract against features of Alzheimer disease was in vivo assayed in Caenorhabditis elegans. Tulbaghia extract led to a reduction in the 1-42 beta amyloid peptide formation and prevented oxidative stress. These results suggested that Tulbaghia violacea could be a new source of phenolic compounds for nutraceuticals and functional food development.

[Assessing the profile and nutritional intake of an Ibero-American group of nutrition postgraduate students]. / Valoración del perfil e ingesta de nutrientes de un grupo de estudiantes iberoamericanos de postgrados en nutrición.

INTRODUCTION: Dietary habits have a great influence on people health of, and its study is extremely important to proof adaptation to current recommendations in order to develop nutritional education and/or supplementation policies adjusted to reality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive cross study with the participation of postgraduate students. Participants were selected using non-probability accidental sampling accidental. Information was sent by e-mail, including a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics and a 3-day dietary record. We obtained a sample of n = 50 participants. The 3-day dietary records were evaluated with NutrIber software and the data obtained were treated using the statistical software SPSS 15. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The profile of the students was 80% females and 20% males, mean age 33.7 ± 9.32 years, and body mass index of 22.91 ± 4.07. All groups have an excessive consumption of proteins and lipids and carbohydrates deficit. At the macro-story is remarkable that no group covers iodine recommended nutrient intake, and that no group of women covers the recommendations for fiber, folic acid and iron intake. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to confirm the results found. However, it can be concluded that urban populations in Latin America are increasingly closer to the model of Western diet, rich in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients, which is indicative of poor diets in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Introducción: Los hábitos alimentarios tienen una gran influencia sobre la salud de las personas, por ello es de suma importancia profundizar en su estudio para comprobar su adaptación a las recomendaciones actuales y poder realizar políticas de educación nutricional y/o suplementación ajustadas a la realidad. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal descriptivo con la colaboración de estudiantes de postgrado. Los participantes se seleccionaron mediante muestreo no probabilístico accidental enviando vía mail la información del estudio, realizado mediante un cuestionario sobre sus características socio-demográficas y un registro dietético de 3 días. La muestra estuvo formada por n = 50 participantes. Los registros dietéticos de 3 días se valoraron con el software NutrIber y los datos obtenidos fueron tratados mediante el software estadístico SPSS 15. Resultados y discusión: El perfil de los estudiantes es de 80% mujeres y 20% hombres, con edad media de 33,7 ± 9,32 AÑOs, e índice de masa corporal de 22,91 ± 4,07. Todos los grupos presentan un consumo excesivo de proteínas y lípidos y deficitario en glúcidos. En cuanto a los micronutrientes es destacable que ningún grupo cubre las ingestas recomendadas de yodo, y que ningún grupo de mujeres cubre las recomendaciones de ingesta de fibra, ácido fólico ni hierro. Conclusiones: Son necesarios más estudios para confirmar los resultados hallado, sin embargo, se puede concluir que las poblaciones urbanas de Latinoamérica cada vez se acercan más al modelo de dieta occidental, rica en proteínas y grasas y pobre en glúcidos, fibra y micronutrientes, lo que es indicativo de dietas pobres en cereales integrales, frutas y verduras.