Design of Experiments for Optimizing Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Plant-Based Sources.

Plant-based materials are an important source of bioactive compounds (BC) with interesting industrial applications. Therefore, adequate experimental strategies for maximizing their recovery yield are required. Among all procedures for extracting BC (maceration, Soxhlet, hydro-distillation, pulsed-electric field, enzyme, microwave, high hydrostatic pressure, and supercritical fluids), the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) highlighted as an advanced, cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative for recovering BC (polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids) from plant sources with higher yields. However, the UAE efficiency is influenced by several factors, including operational variables and extraction process (frequency, amplitude, ultrasonic power, pulse cycle, type of solvent, extraction time, solvent-to-solid ratio, pH, particle size, and temperature) that exert an impact on the molecular structures of targeted molecules, leading to variations in their biological properties. In this context, a diverse design of experiments (DOEs), including full or fractional factorial, Plackett-Burman, Box-Behnken, Central composite, Taguchi, Mixture, D-optimal, and Doehlert have been investigated alone and in combination to optimize the UAE of BC from plant-based materials, using the response surface methodology and mathematical models in a simple or multi-factorial/multi-response approach. The present review summarizes the advantages and limitations of the most common DOEs investigated to optimize the UAE of bioactive compounds from plant-based materials.

Biofunctionalization of natural extracts, trends in biological activity and kinetic release.

The health benefits provided by plant matrices is due to the presence of certain compounds that, in studies carried out in vitro and in vivo, have shown to have biological activity in certain conditions, not only as a natural treatment against various conditions, but also for the quality of preventing chronic diseases, these compounds, already identified and studied, they can increase their biological function by undergoing structural chemical modifications or by being incorporated into polymer matrices that allow, in the first instance, to protect said compound and increase its bioaccessibility, as well as to preserve or increase the biological effects. Although the stabilization of compounds is an important aspect, it is also the study of the kinetic parameters of the system that contains them, since, due to these studies, the potential application to these systems can be designated. In this review we will address some of the work focused on obtaining compounds with biological activity from plant sources, the functionalization of extracts through double emulsions and nanoemulsions, as well as their toxicity and finally the pharmacokinetic aspects of entrapment systems.

A standardized method for genus Colletotrichum characterization by isothermal microcalorimetry using thermokinetic parameters.

A new standardized method, using isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC), was established to determine thermokinetic parameters from heat flow curves and to demonstrate the reproducibility and repeatability of the parameters of five Colletotrichum species on different days. Measurements on IMC were made at different periods and by two operators. Repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) measurement system analysis was performed on the technique used to measure the heat flow of Colletotrichum strains. The results showed that the %GageR&R was found to be within the acceptable ranges of a measurement system. Also, the parameters obtained from the curves were subjected to a combination of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Clustering, the data showed that the total heat (Ht) and maximum growth rate (µmax) are probably the most specific distinguishing characteristic of the strains evaluated in this study. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the usefulness of IMC in obtaining heat flow curves and thermokinetic parameters, providing repeatable and reproducible measurements over a period and under controlled conditions, for future identifications of phytopathogenic fungi.

In vitro human colonic fermentation of indigestible fraction isolated from lunch menus: impact on the gut metabolites and antioxidant capacity.

The indigestible fraction (IF) isolated from three lunch menus: Modified Mexican Lunch (MM-L), Traditional Mexican Lunch (TM-L) and Alternative Mexican Lunch (AM-L), was studied in terms of antioxidant capacity (AOX) and metabolites produced through fermentation by human intestinal microbiota. IFs were isolated after withstanding in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and total soluble polyphenols (TSP), condensed tannins (CT), hydrolysable polyphenols (HP) and AOX (DPPH, FRAP) were evaluated. AOX, pH and bacterial metabolites profile changes were also monitored during in vitro colonic fermentation. Lunch menus showed differences in IF, TSP, CT and FRAP values (p<.05). TM-L had the highest TSP and CT contents (0.84 and 1.89 g/100 g DW, respectively). Changes in pH and AOX during fermentation were time-dependent and substrate-dependent (p<.05). Butyric acid production was not significantly modified by the IFs (p>.05). Fifty-seven microbiota-produced volatile compounds were detected by SPME-GC-MS. This study shows the potential effects of food habits on bacterial metabolite production.

Microbial metabolites profile during in vitro human colonic fermentation of breakfast menus consumed by Mexican school children.

The nutrition transition promotes the development of childhood obesity. Currently, Mexico is affected by this serious public health problem. The nutritional and functional characterization of a whole menu has a number of advantages over the study of single nutrients. Since breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, this study aimed to evaluate the metabolite profile produced by in vitro human colonic fermentation of the isolated indigestible fraction (IF) from three different Mexican breakfast (M-B) menus (Modified "MM-B", traditional "TM-B", and alternative "AM-B"), previously identified as commonly consumed by Mexican schoolchildren in Nayarit State, Mexico. The M-B's consist of egg, corn tortilla, beans (higher in TM-B), sugar and chocolate powder (higher in AM-B) and milk, combined in different proportions. The IF in all breakfasts was about 4.7-5.6g/100g FW, with a relatively high content of protein (≈21%), which might have negative physiological implications. Fermentation of IF from TM-B resulted in the largest pH decrease after 72h (pH=6.07), with a low short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production (0.75 to 47.23mmol/L), but greater relative concentration of other fatty acids (FA) (C7, C8, C9). Besides, 55 volatile compounds were detected in the fermentation media by SPME-GC-MS and three principal components (PC) were identified. PC1 was influenced by SCFA production, low FA esters production (<8C), and low volatile organic acids production. PC2 was influenced by the decrease in pH and an increase in antioxidant capacity (p<0.0001). These results suggest that the production of different metabolites in the luminal medium may affect the pH and antioxidant status in the colon. Fermentation of IF from TM-M, assessed after 48 and 72h, showed the highest correlation for PC2; the metabolic pattern registered for this IF maybe considered beneficial.

Dietary patterns, nutritional profile, and body mass index in Mexican schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study

Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem in Mexico. In this study, childhoodspecific dietary patterns and their relationship with overweight-obesity prevalence, nutrient profiles and types of foods consumed were studied. A descriptive cross-sectional study of 724 randomly selected schoolchildren between 9 to 12 years old from Nayarit State, Mexico was performed. Data on anthropometric characteristics and food intake were recorded. Seven dietary patterns and three specific diets were identified by multivariate analysis. A dietary pattern characterized by high legume, snack and low beverage intake was negatively associated with weight and body mass index. The overall overweight and obesity prevalence was 20.2% and 20.6%, respectively. Diet type significantly influenced (p<0.05) protein, carbohydrates and fat intake but did not show correlation with the overweightobesity status. Simple sugars, candies, pastries and sweetened beverages appeared in all dietary patterns. Dietary patterns in countries with a wide gastronomic diversity should be considered to design preventive nutrition intervention programs(AU)

La obesidad infantil es un problema de salud pública en México. En este trabajo, se estudiaron los patrones dietéticos de escolares mexicanos y su relación con la prevalencia de sobrepeso-obesidad, el perfil de nutrientes y los principales grupos de alimentos consumidos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal descriptivo donde participaron 724 escolares seleccionados al azar de entre 9 a 12 años del Estado de Nayarit, México evaluándose las características antropométricas y la ingesta de alimentos. Siete patrones dietéticos y tres dietas específicas fueron identificados mediante análisis multivariado. Un patrón de dieta caracterizada por una alta ingesta de legumbres y aperitivos junto con una baja ingesta de bebidas azucaradas se asoció negativamente con el peso e índice de masa corporal. La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad fue del 20.2 y 20.6%, respectivamente. El tipo de dieta influyó significativamente (p<0.05) en la ingesta de proteínas, hidratos de carbono y el consumo de grasas, pero no mostró correlación con la condición de sobrepeso-obesidad. Los azúcares simples, dulces, postres y bebidas endulzadas aparecieron en todos los patrones dietéticos. Los patrones dietéticos en los países con una gran diversidad gastronómica podrían ser considerados de interés para diseñar programas de intervención nutricional preventiva(AU)