Evaluation of the Antigenotoxic Potential of Two Types of Chayote (Sechium edule) Juices.

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz is a perennial herbaceous climbing plant with tendrils and tuberous roots belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Its fruits ("chayote"), stems, roots, and leaves are edible and are commonly ingested by humans. It has shown medicinal properties attributed to its bioactive compounds (vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenoids, polyphenolic compounds, phytosterols, and cucurbitacins), which together have been associated with the control and prevention of chronic and infectious diseases, highlighting its antibacterial, anti-cardiovascular/antihypertensive, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative, and antioxidant activities. The objective of the study was to determine the antigenotoxic potential of two types of fresh chayote juice (filtered (FChJ) and unfiltered (UFChJ)) against DNA damage produced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) using an in vivo mouse peripheral blood micronucleus assay (MN). The juices were consumed freely for 2 weeks. A negative control, a control group of each juice, a positive batch [B[a]P], and two combined batches (B[a]P plus FChJ or UFChJ) were included. Blood smears were stained and observed under a microscope to quantify the number of micronucleated normochromic erythrocytes (MNNEs). The results indicate: (a) B[a]P increased the frequency of MNNEs and reduced the rate of PEs; and (b) no juice produced toxic effects or induced MN. On the contrary, both juices were genoprotective. However, the most significant effect was presented by UFChJ at the end of the experiment (70%). It is suggested that UFChJ has a greater amount of fiber and/or phytochemicals that favor the therapeutic effect. Possibly, the genoprotection is also related to its antioxidant capacity.

Foliar applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles and boric acid affect leaf oxidative metabolism and productivity in young pecan trees.

Zinc and boron are nutrients that often suffer low bioavailability to pecan trees grown in calcareous soils whereas adequate supplies of these two elements is essential for commercial pecan production. Working with young pecan trees, we evaluated changes in oxidative metabolism, levels of bioactive compounds, yield components and foliar nutrient concentrations in response to foliar sprays (50 or 100 mg L-1) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and boron (H3BO3). Four different treatment solutions were applied in a completely randomised design with six replications per treatment (24 trees in total). Zinc and B treatments were applied before pistil receptivity (3 weeks before anthesis) and at stem elongation stage 31, 39/60; flowering stage 69; fruit stages 7-75 and continued for a total of five applications at 14-day intervals. We evaluated enzyme activities (SOD, H2O2, CAT and GPx), AC, phenols, flavonoids, leaf area, chlorophyll, total anthocyanins and nut yield and quality (nut weight and % kernel). The mineral concentrations in the leaflets were also determined. The mineral concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn and B) in the leaflets were also determined. Spraying ZnO NPs and B increased SOD activity, CA, chlorophyll concentration, mineral nutrients (N, K, Ca, Zn and B) and yield. However, reductions were observed for CAT activity, nut quality and concentrations of phenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin and Fe. Boron increased GPx activity and P concentration. These results demonstrate that spraying low doses (50 mg L-1) of ZnO NPs and B can help reduce oxidative stress and increase yield, nut quality and leaf concentrations of Zn and B in young cv. Wichita pecan trees established on a calcareous soil.

Beneficial Consequences of One-Month Oral Treatment with Cannabis Oil on Cardiac Hypertrophy and the Mitochondrial Pool in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Introduction: It has been demonstrated the dysregulation of the cardiac endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the modulation of this system through the administration of phytocannabinoids present in medicinal cannabis oil (CO) emerges as a promising therapeutic approach. Furthermore, phytocannabinoids exhibit potent antioxidant properties, making them highly desirable in the treatment of cardiac pathologies, such as hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy (CH). Objective: To evaluate the effect of CO treatment on hypertrophy and mitochondrial status in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) hearts. Methods: Three-month-old male SHR were randomly assigned to CO or olive oil (vehicle) oral treatment for 1 month. We evaluated cardiac mass and histology, mitochondrial dynamics, membrane potential, area and density, myocardial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and citrate synthase (CS) activity and expression. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n) and compared by t-test, or two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test were used as appropriate. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: CH was reduced by CO treatment, as indicated by the left ventricular weight/tibia length ratio, left ventricular mass index, myocyte cross-sectional area, and left ventricle collagen volume fraction. The ejection fraction was preserved in the CO-treated group despite the persistence of elevated systolic blood pressure and the reduction in CH. Mitochondrial membrane potential was improved and mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, area, and density were all increased by treatment. Moreover, the activity and expression of the CS were enhanced by treatment, whereas ROS production was decreased and the antioxidant activity of SOD increased by CO administration. Conclusion: Based on the mentioned results, we propose that 1-month oral treatment with CO is effective to reduce hypertrophy, improve the mitochondrial pool and increase the antioxidant capacity in SHR hearts.

Pre-harvest application of sodium nitroprusside enhances storage root quality in red beet cultivated under normal and drought conditions.

BACKGROUND: The role of nitric oxide (NO) in plant stress tolerance, as well as in increasing post-harvest quality, has been extensively demonstrated in several fruits and vegetable crops; however, the effects of its pre-harvest application on post-harvest quality are still poorly documented. Therefore, the pre-harvest application of NO in red beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) plants cultivated under well-watered and drought conditions was evaluated to assess whether it improves the post-harvest quality of their storage roots. Red beet plants cultivated under well-watered (80% of water holding capacity) or drought condition (15% of water holding capacity) were sprayed weekly with water (control) or 100 µmol L-1 sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor. Sixty-six days after sowing, red beet roots were harvested, and root yield, total sugar yield, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, proteins, lipids, root ashes, root moisture, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, vitamin C, total phenolics, total betalains, betacyanins, betaxanthins and antioxidant capacity were determined. RESULTS: While drought led to a reduction in root yield, sugars, lipids and titratable acidity, it increased phenolic compounds, betalains and the antioxidant capacity of beets. SNP reversed the negative effects of drought on sugar, lipid and organic acid contents and increased antioxidant capacity independent of stress. CONCLUSION: Pre-harvest SNP treatment reversed drought-induced yield reductions in beets, while boosting bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. It also enhanced vitamin C content independently, indicating its dual role in stress mitigation and beet quality improvement. Future research should explore other crops and stress conditions. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optimization of enzymatic production of anti-skin aging biopeptides from white sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] grain.

Recently, kafirins from white sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] grain have shown promise as a source of biopeptides with anti-skin aging effects (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and inhibition of photoaging-associated enzymes). This study employed response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis of kafirins (KAF) for the production of peptides with anti-skin aging properties. The optimization of conditions (reaction time and enzyme/substrate ratio) for liquefaction with α-amylase and hydrolysis of KAF with alcalase was performed using 32 complete factorial designs. Subsequently, ultrafiltered peptide extracts were obtained with molecular weights of 1-3 kDa (KAF-UF3) and lower than 1 kDa (KAF-UF1), which mainly contain hydrophobic amino acids (proline, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and valine) and peptide fractions with molecular weights of 0.69, 1.14, and 1.87 kDa. Consequently, the peptide extracts protected immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) from ultraviolet B radiation (UVB)-induced damage by preventing the decrease and/or restoring the activity of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)]. Furthermore, KAF-UF3 and KAF-UF1 inhibited (20-29%) elastase and collagenase overactivity in UVB-exposed murine fibroblasts (3T3 cells). Thus, KAF-UF3 and KAF-UF1 exhibited behavior similar to that observed with glutathione (GSH), suggesting their potential as functional peptide ingredients in skincare products.

Optimization of Oil and Tocopherol Extraction from Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) by Supercritical CO2 Procedure.

This study focused on the oil extraction from freeze-dried maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) by supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2). The basic objective was to optimize the oil yield and the tocopherol concentration. A Box/Behnken experimental design was developed with three processing variables: supercritical pressure (74, 187, and 300 bar), temperature (35, 48, and 60 °C), and extracting time (30, 135, and 240 min). Multiple optimizations, based on the combination of factor levels at 274 bar, 240 min, and 60 °C, led to the highest oil yield and tocopherol values. The validation of the optimized conditions of maqui oil extraction led to an oil yield of 8% and values of 735, 53, and 97 (mg·kg-1 oil) for α-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, and γ-tocopherol, respectively. A higher concentration of tocopherol compounds was observed when compared to the employment of the conventional extracting method. The optimized SFE-CO2 method led to an oil extract exhibiting higher Hydrophilic-Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (H-ORAC) assay and total phenol content (22 µmol Trolox equivalents·g-1 oil and 28 mg gallic acid equivalents·g-1 oil) than the oil obtained by the conventional procedure. A practical and accurate oil extraction is proposed for obtaining tocopherol-enriched oil including high concentrations of valuable lipophilic antioxidants.

Botanical Origin and Biological Properties of Honey and Propolis from Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, Mexico.

Beekeeping is an activity that generates various products, mainly honey and propolis, with different biological activities that are studied extensively using various methodologies. The influence of various phenolic compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids, which are synthesized and concentrated differently in each product depending on the melliferous flora and sources of resources, on the manufacture of propolis or honey has been investigated. However, the analysis of these products has been performed separately and is outdated in time, and depending on the area and the flowering periods, different crops may be harvested. The analysis of the honey and propolis produced in Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, in the high plateau beekeeping zone, for a period of four years, both in the dry and rainy seasons, was proposed to determine the botanical origin of the honey and propolis. The primary pollen type in both honey and propolis was from Brassica rapa. Physicochemical tests were conducted, revealing higher concentrations of antimicrobial activity in the dry season than in the rainy season. Honey, propolis, and a vegetation extract showed activity against S. aureus, while only honey had an effect on E. coli in both seasons. For antifungal activity, only propolis collected in the rainy season had this activity. The biological properties of these products are closely related to the flora that varies both annually and between seasons, influencing the concentrations of phenolic compounds, as well as the biological activity of honey and propolis.

Innovative strategies in yacon drying: Ethanol pretreatment and intermittent microwave drying.

The yacon roots are rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and highly perishable. Drying is crucial for food quality and extending shelf life. However, preserving thermosensitive compounds, such as FOS, poses a challenge in conventional drying methods. In this regard, microwave drying and ethanol pretreatment (ET) have emerged as promising solutions for maintaining nutrients and reducing drying time (DT). The objective of this study was to assess how ET and sample temperature affect quality and process parameters during intermittent microwave drying of yacon. Drying at 52°C treated with ethanol was the one that stood out for presenting the highest fructan retention (64.1%), low DT, lower energy consumption (EC) (364.00 ± 5.03 kWh kg water-1), higher retention of antioxidant capacity (73.9%) and total phenolic content (77.5%), and slight variation in color parameters. Therefore, microwave drying with a controlled temperature of yacon pretreated with ethanol effectively reduces DT and EC by maintaining quality parameters.

Incorporation of microencapsulated polyphenols from jabuticaba peel (Plinia spp.) into a dairy drink: stability, in vitro bioaccessibility, and glycemic response.

This work incorporated bioactives extracted from jabuticaba peel in the form of concentrated extract (JBE) and microencapsulated powders with maltodextrin (MDP) and gum arabic (GAP) in a dairy drink, evaluating its stability, in vitro bioaccessibility, and glycemic response. We evaluated the pH, acidity, colorimetry, total phenolics and anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity, degradation kinetics and half-life of anthocyanins, bioaccessibility, and postprandial glycemic physicochemical characteristics response in healthy individuals. The drinks incorporated with polyphenols (JBE, GAP, and MDP) and the control dairy drink (CDD) maintained stable pH and acidity over 28 days. In color, the parameter a*, the most relevant to the study, was reduced for all formulations due to degradation of anthocyanins. Phenolic and antioxidant content remained constant. In bioaccessibility, we found that after the gastrointestinal simulation, there was a decrease in phenolics and anthocyanins in all formulations. In the glycemic response, we observed that the smallest incremental areas of glucose were obtained for GAP and JBE compared to CDD, demonstrating that polyphenols reduced glucose absorption. Then, the bioactives from jabuticaba peel, incorporated into a dairy drink, showed good storage stability and improved the product's functional aspects.

High methoxyl pectin grafted onto gallic acid by one- and two-pot redox-pair procedures.

The aim of this research was to graft gallic acid (GA) onto high methoxyl pectin (HMP) through the redox-pair of ascorbic acid (Aa) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with one- and two-pot procedures. The effectiveness of the both procedures and the chemical, physical and antioxidant properties of the obtained HMP-GA were evaluated. HMP-GAone-pot (23.3 ± 0.21 mg GA Equivalent (GAE)/g) and HMP-GAtwo-pot (32.3 ± 0.52 mg GAE/g) were best obtained at H2O2/Aa molar ratio-HMP/GA weight ratio of 9.0-0.5 and 16.0-0.5, respectively. The UV-Vis and FT-IR spectra and along with their derivative and thermal gravimetric analyses, revealed differences between HMP-GAone-pot and HMP-GAtwo-pot. The latter exhibited a greater antioxidant capacity than the former in single electron transfer (ET), hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), and ET-HAT mixed assays. The chemical differences can be attributed to side reactions that may have interfered with the grafting reaction. Consequently, HMP-GA, possessing unique antioxidant and prebiotic properties, can be synthesized through redox-pair procedures.

Semisynthesis of Betaxanthins from Purified Betacyanin of Opuntia dillenii sp.: Color Stability and Antiradical Capacity.

The availability of pure individual betalains in sufficient quantities which permit deeper understanding is still a challenge. This study investigates the high-yielding semisynthesis of betaxanthins using betalamic acid from a natural source (Opuntia dillenii), followed by condensation with ʟ-amino acids and further purification. Moreover, the color stability of the four synthesized individual betaxanthins, namely proline (ʟ-ProBX), alanine (ʟ-AlaBX), leucine (ʟ-LeuBX), and phenylalanine (ʟ-PheBX) betaxanthins, was investigated at different pHs. Their relative contribution to free radical scavenging was also scrutinized by TEAC and DPPH. ʟ-AlaBX and ʟ-LeuBx showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity, whereas ʟ-ProBX was the most resistant to the hydrolysis of betaxanthin and hence the least susceptible to color change. The color stability was strongly influenced by pH, with the color of ʟ-ProBX, ʟ-LeuBX, and ʟ-AlaBX at pH 6 being more stable, probably due to the easier hydrolysis under acid conditions. The semisynthesis and purification allowed us to have available remarkable quantities of pure individual betaxanthins of Opuntia dillenii for the first time, and to establish their color properties and antioxidant capacity. This study could be a step forward in the development of the best natural food colorant formulation, based on the betalain structure, which is of special interest in food technology.

Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of native Ecuadorian fruits: Rubus glabratus Kunth, Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, and Opuntia soederstromiana.

The native berries of South America present promising marketing opportunities owing to their high antioxidant content, notably rich in anthocyanin and phenolic compounds. However, Ecuador's endemic fruits, primarily found in the wild, lack comprehensive data regarding their phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity, underscoring the need for research in this area. Accordingly, this study evaluated the total phenolic, anthocyanin, flavonoid, resveratrol, ascorbic acid, citric acid, sugars, and antioxidant content of three native Ecuadorian fruits: mora de monte (Rubus glabratus Kunth), mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth), and tuna de monte (Opuntia soederstromiana). Determination of resveratrol, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and sugars was determined by HPLC analysis, and UPLC analysis was used to determine tentative metabolites with nutraceutical properties. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using cyclic voltammetry and the DPPH method; differential pulse voltammetry was used to evaluate antioxidant power. Analysis of results through UPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry indicated that R. glabratus Kunth and V. floribundum Kunth are important sources of various compounds with potential health-promoting functions in the body. The DPPH results showed the following antioxidant capacities for the three fruits: R. glabratus Kunth > O. soederstromiana > V. floribundum Kunth; this trend was consistent with the antioxidant capacity results determined using the electrochemical methods.

The Management of Irrigation and Potassium Fertilization to Mitigate the Effect of Light Frosts on the Phenolic and Volatile Compounds in Virgin Olive Oils.

The frequency of early frosts has increased in recent years, which are injurious to olive growing, causing losses in the yield and quality of virgin olive oil. In this research, it was studied how the management of agronomic factors mitigates frost damage in Arbequina olives, minimizing the loss of phenols and volatiles in virgin olive oil, at different fruit ripening stages. A Box-Behnken design and multivariate analysis were performed, with three levels of irrigation, potassium fertilization, and foliar copper application (15 treatments). Virgin olive oil was extracted from fresh and frozen olives. Light frost caused a significant decrease in the total phenols and secoiridoid compounds in and the antioxidant capacity of the frost-affected oils, which were perceived as more pungent and had the slight defect of "frostbitten olives". According to the Box-Behnken design, an 86% reference evapotranspiration (ET0) or higher with 100 potassium oxide units (UK2O) and a 100% ET0 or higher with 250 UK2O would be required to minimize the effect of light frost on phenols and volatiles. Partial Least Squares Regression-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) differentiated the virgin olive oils according to their ripening stage and fresh and frost conditions. Moreover, PLS-DA positively correlated a 75-100% ET0 and 0 Uk2O with the dialdehydic form of the decarboxymethyl ligstroside aglycone (p-HPEA-EDA), the dialdehydic form of the decarboxymethyl oleuropein aglycone (3,4-DHPEA-EDA), the dialdehydic form of the ligstroside aglycone (p-HPEA-EDA-DLA), and with fruity, pungent, and bitter attributes. Precision agronomic management based on the needs of the crop itself would avoid unnecessary stress on olive trees and oil damage.

Development of a tamarind-based functional beverage with partially-hydrolyzed agave syrup and the health effects of its consumption in C57BL/6 mice.

Excess consumption of sweetened beverages is associated with a global rise in metabolic diseases. Tamarind and partially-hydrolyzed agave syrup have potential for developing healthier beverages. Our objective was to develop a functional beverage using these ingredients (PH-AS-B). We also evaluate shelf-life stability (physicochemical, microbiological, and antioxidant properties) and health effects in C57BL/6 mice compared with tamarind beverages sweetened with glucose or fructose. Optimal tamarind extraction conditions were a 1:10 ratio (g pulp/mL water) and boiling for 30 min, and the resulting beverage had a shelf life of two months at 4 °C. Non-volatile metabolites were identified using HPLC/MS. PH-AS-B was associated with decreased blood cholesterol (5%) and triglyceride (20-35%) concentrations in healthy mice as well as lower lipid (82%) concentrations and evidence of protein oxidation (42%) in the liver, compared with glucose- and fructose-sweetened tamarind beverages. In conclusion, PH-AS-B was stable and associated with beneficial metabolic properties in healthy mice.

Fast FRAP-SIA method to determine antioxidant capacity.

One of the most used methods to measure antioxidant capacity in food is the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test, which is simple, sensitive, and economical, nevertheless has long analysis times, causing measurement errors due to the instability of the FRAP reagent due to its precipitation sequential injection analysis (SIA) is a flow technique that can correct these disadvantages because it is more quickly. So, a novel FRAP-SIA method was developed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The system was optimized using a central composite design for hydrodynamic and chemical factors, resulting in a flow rate of 35 µL s-1, and aspirate volumes of 33 µL-38 µL-33 µL for the sequence (FRAP-Antioxidant-FRAP). FRAP reagent was prepared with an HCl solution at 0.005 mol L-1, improving its stability 24 times, concerning when it is in acetate buffer at pH 3.6. The method showed excellent accuracy (RSD <3%) with a LOD of 1.0 µmol L-1 of Trolox for a linear range of 5-120 µmol L-1. The reaction time was diminished by 96% concerning the FRAP-microplate assay (from 30 min to 1.2 min). The method was applied in beverages and extracts, obtaining recovery values ranging from 91.24 to 114.22%.

Hematological, biochemical and oxidative responses induced by thermal shock in juvenile Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and its hybrid Tambatinga (Colossoma macropomum x Piaractus brachypomus).

The effects of thermal shock on hematological, biochemical and antioxidant responses were evaluated in liver tissue of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and tambatinga (♀ C. macropomum × â™‚ Piaractus brachypomus). Forty juveniles of tambaqui and 40 juveniles of tambatinga, of the same age and with an initial weight of 23.3 ± 6.7 g, were randomly distributed in eight 28L circular tanks. A tank (n = 10 fish) of tambaqui and a tank (n = 10 fish) of tambatinga were then used to obtain basal data. The other animals were subjected to thermal shock with sudden temperature reduction from 28 to 18 ºC. Blood and tissue were then collected after 1, 6 and 24 h from the onset of thermal shock. No mortality was observed during the experimental period. Thermal shock increased triglyceride levels after 24 h of stress for tambaqui and reduced values for tambatinga. There was an effect on plasma glucose only for fish group (P < 0.0001) and collection time (P < 0.0001) with a peak observed for the hybrid after 6 h. The interaction of factors for SOD indicated greater activity for tambatinga at the 6 h collection and lower at basal and 1 h collections. There was an interaction for CAT (P = 0.0020) with less activity for tambatinga at 1 h. However, thermal shock and hybridization did not influence GST and TBARS levels in liver tissue. Therefore, the results suggest that the hybrid, tambatinga, is more efficient at promoting adjustments of biochemical responses and antioxidant enzymes during thermal shock.

Effect of Germination on the Physicochemical Properties, Functional Groups, Content of Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Capacity of Different Varieties of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Grown in the High Andean Zone of Peru.

Germination is an effective strategy to improve the nutritional and functional quality of Andean grains such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.); it helps reduce anti-nutritional components and enhance the digestibility and sensory aspects of the germinated. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of germination (0, 24, 48, and 72 h) on the physicochemical properties, content of bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity of three varieties of quinoa: white, red, and black high Andean from Peru. Color, nutritional composition, mineral content, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. Additionally, infrared spectra were obtained to elucidate structural changes during germination. The results showed color variations and significant increases (p < 0.05) in proteins, fiber, minerals, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity after 72 h of germination, attributed to the activation of enzymatic pathways. In contrast, the infrared spectra showed a decrease in the intensity of functional groups -CH-, -CH2-, C-OH, -OH, and C-N. Correlation analysis showed that flavonoids mainly contributed to antioxidant activity (r = 0.612). Germination represents a promising alternative to develop functional ingredients from germinated quinoa flour with improved nutritional and functional attributes.

Assessment of Technological and Sensory Properties, Digestibility, and Bioactive Compounds in Polentas from Different Maize Genotypes.

The sensory profile of polenta and the connections between technological attributes and varieties of maize have not been extensively studied. Thus, it is necessary to understand the possible effect of its consumption on consumers' health in terms of postprandial glucose levels and molecules associated with healthy activities. This work aims to study polenta's technological and sensory properties from different maize genotypes and evaluate their digestibility and the potential contribution of bioactive compounds on health. A commercial hybrid, two open-pollinated varieties, and three inbred lines were used. Grain physical determinations and physical-chemical semolina traits were determined. Polenta's technological quality was evaluated after simulated cooking. In vitro digestion was performed for polentas, and a sensory evaluation test was conducted. A significant correlation was found between semolina polyphenols and rapidly digestible starch (r = -0.6). Panellists characterised the genotype C6006 as having a good flavour, sandier mouthfeel, and low consistency. Also, the polenta from the hybrid exhibited sensory attributes more closely resembling commercial polenta in terms of maize odour, flavour, and consistency. The higher content of polyphenols presents in semolina affected the digestion of polenta, showing a lower proportion of rapidly digestible starch and a lower amount of bioaccessible protein fraction.

Protective effect of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy bract in toxicity induced by Paraquat in Drosophila melanogaster.

Paraquat (PQ) is a herbicide widely used in agriculture to control weeds. The damage caused to health through intoxication requires studies to combating its damage to health. Bougainvillea glabra Choisy is a plant native to South America and its bracts contain a variety of compounds, including betalains and phenolic compounds, which have been underexplored about their potential applications and benefits for biological studies to neutralize toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant and protective potential of the B. glabra bracts (BBGCE) hydroalcoholic extract against Paraquat-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. BBGCE demonstrated high antioxidant capacity in vitro through the assays of ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), free radical ABTS and quantification of phenolic compounds, confirmed through identifying the main compounds. Wild males of D. melanogaster were exposed to Paraquat (1.75 mM) and B. glabra Choisy (1, 10, 50 and 100 µg/mL) in agar medium for 4 days. Flies exposed to Paraquat showed a reduction in survival rate and a significant decrease in climbing capacity and balance test when compared to the control group. Exposure of the flies to Paraquat caused a reduction in acetylcholinesterase activity, an increase in lipid peroxidation and production of reactive species, and a change in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes. Co-exposure with BBGCE was able to block toxicity induced by PQ exposure. Our results demonstrate that bract extract has a protective effect against PQ on the head and body of flies, attenuating behavioral deficit, exerting antioxidant effects and blocking oxidative damage in D. melanogaster.

Phenolic composition and bioactivity of Ribes magellanicum fruits from southern Patagonia.

Eight Ribes magellanicum collections from three different places in southern Patagonia were compared for content of different groups of phenolics, antioxidant capacity and inhibition of enzymes related to metabolic syndrome (α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase). The sample with the highest antioxidant capacity was assessed for glutathione (GSH) synthesis stimulation in human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. The chemical profile was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-MS/MS) and the main phenolics were quantified. The samples from Navarino Island and Reserva Nacional Magallanes showed higher content of anthocyanins and caffeoylquinic acid, with better activity towards α-glucosidase and antioxidant capacity. A sample from Omora (Navarino Island), significantly increased intracellular GSH content in AGS cells. Some 70 compounds were identified in the fruit extracts by HPLC-MS/MS. The glucoside and rutinoside from delphinidin and cyanidin and 3-caffeoylquinic acid were the main compounds. Different chemical profiles were found according to the collection places.