Pasta Enrichment with an Amaranth Hydrolysate Affects the Overall Acceptability while Maintaining Antihypertensive Properties.

BACKGROUND: Alcalase-treated amaranth proteins generate angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE-1) inhibitory peptides, which could be useful for functional foods development. Our aim was to evaluate the technological, sensory, and antihypertensive properties of pasta enriched with an amaranth hydrolysate. METHODS: Pasta with 11% (A; control), 15% (B), and 20% (C) of protein content were formulated. Pastas B and C were supplemented with an alcalase-treated amaranth protein concentrate. Cooking time, cooking lost, color, and texture were assessed. An untrained panel (n = 30) evaluated sensory attributes. The antihypertensive effect was evaluated in hypertensive rats. RESULTS: The hydrolysate IC50 was 0.014 mg/mL. Optimum cooking time and cooking loss decreased in products B and C vs. A (p < 0.05). The L* values decreased in pasta C. Firmness increased in pasta C vs. A (p < 0.05). Adhesiveness was different among groups (p < 0.05). Pasta A had the highest acceptability (p < 0.05). The products B and C, and captopril (positive control) showed antihypertensive properties after 3 h of supplementation (p < 0.05). This effect remained after 7 h, 8 h, or 9 h. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of amaranth hydrolysates to pasta negatively impacts on the overall acceptability and, to a lesser extent, on pasta taste. However, it is possible to maintain the antihypertensive properties of the supplemented pasta under physiological conditions.

Physicochemical characterization of actomyosin-paramyosin from giant squid mantle (Dosidicus gigas).

BACKGROUND: The giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) has been proposed as raw material to obtain myofibrillar protein concentrates. However, it has been observed that colloidal systems formed from squid proteins have limited stability. Therefore, the isolation and characterization of the actomyosin-paramyosin isolated (API) complex were performed, because they are the main proteins to which functionality has been attributed. RESULTS: Densitogram analysis revealed 45% of actin, 38% of myosin and 17% of paramyosin. The amino acid profile indicates a higher proportion of acidic amino acids, which gives a higher negative charge; this was supported by the zeta potential. Total sulfhydryl (TSH) content was lower compared with proteins of other aquatic species. CONCLUSION: The higher percentage of actin in relation to myosin, the presence of paramyosin, as well as the low content of sulfhydryl groups, could comprise the main causes of the low technological functional property of proteins from D. gigas mantle. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Breast milk intake and mother to infant pesticide transfer measured by deuterium oxide dilution in agricultural and urban areas of Mexico.

Vector-borne diseases have increased pesticide use in urban areas (UA) and agricultural areas (AA) in Mexico. Breast milk can be contaminated by pesticide exposure. The objective of the study was to measure breast milk intake by deuterium oxide dilution as well as organochlorine and pyrethroid transfer from mother to infant in AA and UA of Sonora, Mexico. Human milk intake was determined by the 'dose-to-mother' technique using deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution. Mothers' body composition was also assessed by this technique and the intercept method. Pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin and cyhalothrin) and organochlorine pesticide residues (p,p'- DDT, p,p'- DDE, p,p'- DDD) in breast milk samples were measured by gas chromatography. Sixty-two lactating women and their infants participated in the study, 32 lived in the UA and 30 lived in the AA. Breast milk intake was approximately 100 mL higher in the AA than in the UA 799 ± 193 and 707 ± 201 mL/day, respectively (p < 0.05). The concentrations of p,p'- DDT and cypermethrin levels in breast milk were higher in the UA than in the AA (p < 0.05 and p = 0.001, respectively). None of the pyrethroids and organochlorine pesticides studied surpassed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) in milk for humans according to EPA and FAO/WHO. In conclusion, breast milk intake was higher in the AA compared to the UA. The p,p'- DDT and cypermethrin levels in breast milk were higher in the UA compared to the AA. Since pesticide levels in human milk did not exceed the ADI, breastfeeding is still a safe practice and should be encouraged.

Residual pyrethroids in fresh horticultural products in Sonora, Mexico.

This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of cyhialothrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, and deltamethrin in vegetables produced and consumed in Sonora, Mexico. A total of 345 samples were collected from cluster sampling of markets and fields. Approximately 9% of the samples tested positive for pyrethroids (residue range 0.004-0.573 mg kg(-1)). Based on the results, the potential toxicological risk of human exposure to the pyrethroid insecticides measured in vegetables appears to be minimal, with the estimated exposure being 1,000 times lower than admissible levels.