Controlled Release of Phycocyanin in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions Using Alginate-Agavins-Polysaccharide Beads.

C-phycocyanin (CPC) is an antioxidant protein that, when purified, is photosensitive and can be affected by environmental and gastrointestinal conditions. This can impact its biological activity, requiring an increase in the effective amount to achieve a therapeutic effect. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a microencapsulate of a complex matrix, as a strategy to protect and establish a matrix for the controlled release of CPC based on polysaccharides such as agavins (AGV) using ionic gelation. Four matrices were formulated: M1 (alginate: ALG), M2 (ALG and AGV), M3 (ALG, AGV, and κ-carrageenan: CGN), and M4 (ALG, AGV, CGN, and carboxymethylcellulose: CMC) with increasing concentrations of CPC. The retention and diffusion capacities of C-phycocyanin provided by each matrix were evaluated, as well as their stability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The results showed that the encapsulation efficiency of the matrix-type encapsulates with complex composites increased as more components were added to the mixtures. CMC increased the retention due to the hydrophobicity that it provides by being in the polysaccharide matrix; CGN enabled the controlled diffusive release; and AGV provided protection of the CPC beads under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, matrix M4 exhibited an encapsulation efficiency for CPC of 98% and a bioaccessibility of 10.65 ± 0.65% after the passage of encapsulates through in vitro digestion.

The Effects of Agave Fructans in a Functional Food Consumed by Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Irritable bowel syndrome displays three different subtypes: constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), and mixed (IBS-M). Treatment with dietary fiber is used, with consideration given both to the chemical composition of the fiber and to the different subtypes of IBS. The IBS-D subtype is usually treated with a low-FODMAPs diet, whereas the IBS-C subtype suggests prebiotics and probiotics to promote microbiota restoration. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of employing agave fructans as the soluble fiber of a jelly (Gelyfun®gastro) containing 8 g per serving in the IBS-C group (n = 50), using a randomized, double-blind, time-limited trial for four weeks. We evaluated changes in the frequency and types of bowel movements through the Bristol scale, and the improvement of the condition was evaluated using quality of life (IBS-QOL) and anxiety-depression (HADS) scales. The main results were that the number of bowel movements increased by more than 80%, with at least one stool per day from fifteen days onwards, without a laxative effect for the group treated. Finally, the quality of life with the prebiotic jelly was significantly improved compared to the placebo in all specific domains, in addition to significantly reducing anxiety and depression.

A Mixture of Kaempferol-3-O-sambubioside and Kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside from Malvaviscus arboreus Prevents Ethanol-Induced Gastric Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Histologic Changes.

Malvaviscus arboreus is used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, a mixture of Kaempferol-O-sambubioside and Kaempferol-O-sophoroside (MaSS) isolated from flowers of this species was tested as a preventive treatment on gastric lesions induced with ethanol in rats. MaSS was obtained by chromatographic methods and administered by oral pathway to male Sprague Dawley rats with ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Pretreatment with MaSS at doses of 30, 90, 120, and 180 mg/kg significantly prevents gastric lesions, inhibits the increment in relative stomach weight (%) in gastric IL-6, and also provokes an increment of IL-10 concentration and catalase activity. Finally, MaSS prevented edema in the mucosa and submucosa and diminished microscopic gastric lesions provoked by ethanol.

Kinetics and Mechanisms of Saccharomyces boulardii Release from Optimized Whey Protein-Agavin-Alginate Beads under Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions.

Encapsulation is a process in which a base material is encapsulated in a wall material that can protect it against external factors and/or improve its bioavailability. Among the different encapsulation techniques, ionic gelation stands out as being useful for thermolabile compounds. The aim of this work was to encapsulate Saccharomyces boulardii by ionic gelation using agavins (A) and whey protein (WP) as wall materials and to evaluate the morphostructural changes that occur during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Encapsulations at different levels of A and WP were analyzed using microscopic, spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Encapsulation efficiency and cell viability were evaluated. S. boulardii encapsulated at 5% A: 3.75% WP (AWB6) showed 88.5% cell survival after the simulated gastrointestinal digestion; the bead showed a significantly different microstructure from the controls. The mixture of A and WP increased in the survival of S. boulardii respect to those encapsulated with alginate, A or WP alone. The binary material mixture simultaneously allowed a controlled release of S. boulardii by mostly diffusive Fickian mechanisms and swelling. The cell-release time was found to control the increment of the Damköhler number when A and WP were substrates for S. boulardii, in this way allowing greater protection against gastrointestinal conditions.

Production and Characterization of Gelatin Biomaterials Based on Agave Microfibers and Bentonite as Reinforcements.

The objective of this work was to obtain biomaterials as gelatin films or biofilms produced by casting, reinforced with a microfiber (MF) from Agave angustifolia Haw bagasse and bentonite (BN) nanoparticles and evaluate the effect of such reinforcements at different concentrations. Agave microfibers were obtained by a non-abrasive chemical method. Three formulations based on gelatin with glycerol were reinforced with microfiber, bentonite and both materials with 1.5, 3.5 and 5.5% w/w solids content. Physicochemical properties were determined using SEM and FTIR, thickness, soluble matter and moisture. The XRD, barrier, mechanical and thermal properties were measured. The films' micrographs showed agglomerations on the surface. Interactions between its functional groups were found. The solubility increased when the MF concentration increased. The thickness of the films was between 60 and 110 µm. The crystallinity ranged from 23 to 86%. The films with both MF and BN and 3.5% w/w solids had the lowest barrier properties, while the film with 5.5% w/w solids showed the highest mechanical properties, being thermally resistant. Overall, Agave microfibers together with bentonite were able to improve some of the films' properties, but optimized mixing conditions had to be used to achieve good particle dispersion within the gelatin matrix to improve its final properties. Such materials might have the potential to be used as food packaging.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Mexican Adults.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has increased worldwide, and since 2012, prevalence of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia has increased in Mexico. Objective: To assess the prevalence of MetS, and its relationship with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among Mexican adults. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study nationally representative, carried out on Mexican adults (≥20-year-old adults of both sexes; n = 4595). Socioeconomic factors, geographic area, health care coverage and previous medical diagnoses of diabetes and hypertension, and smoking were assessed. Anthropometrics, and triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol), creatinine, and glucose plasma levels were measured. The ATP III MetS definition was applied. Results: A MetS prevalence of 44.2% was observed, which was higher in males than females, and increased with age, lower school level, and overweight. Hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-chol, abdominal obesity, and hypertension were higher in people with MetS, and were associated with obesity. Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS in the Mexican adult observed in the ENSADER 2007 was high, and mainly in men than women. Specific associations of MetS with age, scholar level, and body mass index have been found. Obesity and MetS were associated.

Anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of Baccharis conferta Kunth in a kaolin/carrageenan-induced monoarthritis model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Popularly known as "escoba" (broom) or "escobilla china" (Chinese brush), Baccharis conferta Kunth (Asteraceae), is a plant widely used in Mexican folk medicine for alleviating muscular and rheumatic pain. A recent study described that dichloromethane extract as well as fractions and isolated compounds, possess anti-inflammatory activity in TPA-induced acute edema. AIM OF THE STUDY: Based on the popular medicinal uses of B. conferta as well as previous studies on its anti-inflammatory activity, the aim of this research was to evaluate the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of dichloromethane extract, fractions, and compounds from B. conferta in a monoarthritis model induced with kaolin/carrageenan (K/C). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aerial parts of B. conferta were collected, dried, and macerated with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane extract (BcD) was separated by open column chromatography to obtain the BcD2 fraction where the diterpene kingidiol (KIN) was isolated and from the BcD3 fraction the flavonoid cirsimaritin (CIR), which are the most active compounds in the TPA model. In addition, the flavonoids acacetin, pectolinaringenin and 6-methoxykaempferide were identified and isolated from the BcD2 fraction. The content of the main compounds was estimated in BcD, BcD2 and BcD3. The anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of B. conferta were investigated by evaluating ankle joint inflammation, hyperalgesia using the hot plate test, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in the synovial capsule as well as histological changes in ankle joint tissue in a monoarthritis model induced with K/C in Balb/c mice. RESULTS: Oral administration of BcD2 fraction (25 mg/kg) and KIN (10 mg/kg) reduced the ankle thickness induced by K/C and decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-17, while BcD2 increased IL-10. In addition, BcD2 and KIN showed significant edema attenuation of the synovial membrane and decreased inflammatory infiltration and cartilage erosion compared to the VEH group. Finally, BcD (50 mg/kg), KIN (10 mg/kg) and CIR (5 mg/kg) decreased hyperalgesia. CONCLUSIONS: B. conferta constitutes a therapeutic or preventive candidate for osteoarthritis, because of decreased articular inflammation and pain accompanied with the modulation of cytokine concentrations, which confirms the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of B. conferta and support its popular use.

Corneal Healing and Recovery of Ocular Crystallinity with a Dichloromethane Extract of Sedum dendroideum D.C. in a Novel Murine Model of Ocular Pterygium.

Pterygium is a corneal alteration that can cause visual impairment, which has been traditionally treated with the sap of Sedum dendroideum D.C. The pharmacological effect of a dichloromethane extract of S. dendroideum was demonstrated and implemented in a pterygium model on the healing process of corneal damage caused by phorbol esters. In mice of the ICR strain, a corneal lesion was caused by intravitreal injection of tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA). The evolution of the corneal scarring process was monitored with vehicle, dexamethasone, and dichloromethane extract of S. dendroideum treatments by daily ophthalmic administration for fifteen days. The lesions were evaluated in situ with highlighted images of fluorescence of the lesions. Following treatment levels in eyeballs of IL-1α, TNF-α, and IL-10 cytokines were measured. The effective dose of TPA to produce a pterygium-like lesion was determined. The follow-up of the evolution of the scarring process allowed us to define that the treatment with S. dendroideum improved the experimental pterygium and had an immunomodulatory effect by decreasing TNF-α, IL-1α, and maintaining the level of IL-10 expression, without difference with respect to the healthy control. Traditional medical use of S. dendroideum sap to treat pterygium is fully justified by its compound composition.

Identification and Quantification of ß-Sitosterol ß-d-Glucoside of an Ethanolic Extract Obtained by Microwave-Assisted Extraction from Agave angustifolia Haw.

ß-sitosterol ß-d-glucoside (BSSG) was extracted from "piña" of the Agave angustifolia Haw plant by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) with a KOH solution such as a catalyst and a conventional maceration method to determine the best technique in terms of yield, extraction time, and recovery. The quantification and characterization of BSSG were done by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). With an extraction time of 5 s by MAE, a higher amount of BSSG (124.76 mg of ß-sitosterol ß-d-glucoside/g dry weight of the extract) than those for MAE extraction times of 10 and 15 s (106.19 and 103.97 mg/g dry weight respectively) was shown. The quantification of BSSG in the extract obtained by 48 h of conventional maceration was about 4-5 times less (26.67 mg/g dry weight of the extract) than the yields reached by the MAE treatments. MAE achieved the highest amount of BSSG, in the shortest extraction time while preserving the integrity of the compound's structure.

Optimization of the Microwave-Assisted Ethanosolv Extraction of Lignocellulosic Compounds from the Bagasse of Agave angustifolia Haw Using the Response Methodology.

The main objective of this work was to optimize the process of fractionation of the bagasse of Agave angustifolia Haw, applying organosolv assisted with microwaves. The DCC was used to evaluate the effect of independent variables such as ethanol concentration (40, 50, and 60%) and reaction time (1, 1.5, and 2 h) on yield, cellulose and lignin percentages. Lignocellulosic fractions (F1 and F2) were obtained by means of organosolv assisted with microwave in an open system (atmospheric pressure) and a closed system (controlled pressure). The lignocellulosic fractions were microstructurally characterized. The highest extraction yields (70.39%) were reached in the open system at 50% ethanol for 1.5 h. The highest percentages of LK (5.05%) were obtained in the closed system at 60% ethanol for 2 h. The SEM photomicrograph showed that the microstructure of F1 was retained even after treatment with 60% ethanol for 2 h, and the exposure of the fibrillar part was observed obtaining the disposition of pectin.

Digital image analysis of diverse Mexican rice cultivars.

BACKGROUND: Digital image analysis has an important role in geographical provenance of grains, as it can provide parameters of size, shape and color, which are important quality parameters for the design of engineering processes such as drying and milling of grains. In this study, digital image analysis was used to classify nine rice cultivars based on different morphometric parameters using the three sides of the grain (lateral, ventral and axial), Feret diameter, and 10 different form factors and color parameters (CIE L*, a* and b*). RESULTS: Result of principal component analyisis was an equation with seven variables (area, perimeter, length, width, thickness, sphericity and color), which was useful for distinguishing between nine different cultivars. The morphometric and color parameters for the Mor A-98 and Mor A-92 varieties showed they had 88% similarity. The variability was expressed with a confidence of 95%. CONCLUSION: Multivariate analysis indicated that the lateral side is the most sensitive for the classification of Mexican rice grains because of its color and morphometric characteristics. These results showed the application of image analysis for the future classifications of grains.

Morphostructural characterization of rice grain (Oryza sativa L.) variety Morelos A-98 during filling stages.

The morphostructure of grain rice Morelos A-98 was characterized in five stages of physiological maturation, in order to generate morphometric information during the filling process. Micrographic images from optical and scanning electron microscopy coupled to a digital capture system were used. Images were digitally processed to measure different descriptors such as shape, fractal dimension, and surface texture. Results showed that, two weeks after anthesis, an accelerated grain filling was observed, particularly on those grains positioned in the distal panicle zone, compared to those located in the base of this one. As deposition of assimilates in the grain increased, the area and perimeter of the transversal cut of the grains also increased (P ≤ 0.05); meanwhile, the rounded shape factor tended to increase as well (P ≤ 0.05), while the elliptic shape factor decreased. As the dehydrated endosperm passed from "milky" to "doughy" stages, values of fractal dimension area and endosperm perimeter as well as surface texture values showed that grain borders tended to become smoother and that there was a greater structured endosperm area (P ≤ 0.05).

Estudio del desarrollo, calidad de planta y acumulación de pigmentos en lígulas de tagetes erecta l: expuestas a dos intensidades de luz / Study of development, quality of plant and accumulation of pigments in ligules of tagetes erecta l: exposed to two light intensities

The carotenoids are photosensitive pigments during photosynthesis. The objective of this work was to study the effect on development and accumulation of carotenoids in ligules of Tagetes erecta exposed under two different lighting ambient (with mesh and without mesh of 50 percent). The plant development was evaluated measuring the height of the plant, number of floral buds, the ligules diameter. In adition, the quantification and identification of carotenoids from ligules was done by HPLC. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the height of the plant, number of floral buds and ligules diameter of T. erecta. The group grown without mesh received greater UV radiation and different temperature, that under a mesh. The first conditions lead to a reduction of the ligules diameter and total content of xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin). The plastids ultrastructure in the cells of T. erecta developed with mesh showed the greatest amount of thylakoid membranes and more conspicuous starch granules.

Los carotenoides son pigmentos fotosensibles frente a un exceso de intensidad luminosa durante el proceso de fotosíntesis. El objetivo de este trabajo fue el estudio del efecto en el desarrollo de la planta y la acumulación de carotenoides por la exposición a dos diferentes intensidades lumínicas (con y sin malla de sombra al 50 por ciento). Se evaluó el desarrollo de T. erecta en cuanto a la altura de la planta, número de botones florales y el diámetro de las lígulas. Adicionalmente, en las lígulas se cuantificaron e identificaron los carotenoides por HPLC. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas (p<0.05) en cuanto al desarrollo de las plantas expuestas a mayor radiación UV y temperatura, presentaron reducción del diámetro de las lígulas y disminución en el contenido de Xantófilas totales ( luteína y zeaxantina) con respecto a las cultivadas con malla,. La ultraestructura de los plastidios mostró mayor cantidad de membranas tilacoidales y gránulos de almidón más conspicuos en las células de las plantas de T erecta desarrolladas con malla.