Effect of pine bark extract and its phenolic compounds on selected pathogenic and probiotic bacterial strains.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a heterogeneous group of chronic diseases as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBD is the result of a dysregulation of intestinal homeostasis with a host's loss of tolerance toward normal enteric microflora. Plant-based extracts as phenolic compounds can play a role by modulating the intestinal inflammation response. Methods: The in vitro antimicrobial activity of French maritime pine bark extract (PBE) and its phenolic constituents has been investigated in this study. Furthermore, the ability of PBE and phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid and taxifolin) to modulate the microbiota has been assessed. Results: Phenolic compounds and PBE showed a great inhibitory effect on the pathogens growth at the highest concentration assessed (1.25 mg/mL). The growth of E. sakazakii and E. faecalis were affected by the effect of caffeic acid and ferulic acid. Taxifolin showed a very strong activity against Listeria sp. (with a reduction ~98%). Gallic acid revealed antibacterial effect on S. aureus at different concentrations. The inhibitory effect of PBE was highly significant on the growth of E. coli O157:H7. PBE, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid seem to provide the greatest beneficial effect on the probiotic bacteria. However, the highest concentrations of taxifolin may have impaired the growth of beneficial microbiota. Conclusion: Present findings could be of interest for considering PBE and/or its phenolic constituents as protectors against gastrointestinal disturbances which lead to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The Iron and Calcium Availability and the Satiating Effect of Different Biscuits.

Biscuits are bakery products made with wheat flour. Wheat is a good source of minerals and dietary fibre, although the presence of phytate or other components could modify mineral availability. In addition, cereal-based products are usually characterised by high fibre content that can influence satiety. The objectives of this study were to evaluate both the iron and calcium availability and the satiety effect of different types of biscuits (traditional recipe vs. "Digestive") sold in the Spanish market, identifying whether the biscuit type could have effects on these parameters. Nutritional composition and the use of the generic descriptor "Digestive" of biscuits were collected from labels. Phytate and mineral contents were also measured. All samples were previously digested by a simulated process of the gastrointestinal conditions. The satiating effect of biscuits was evaluated according to VAS questionnaires. Results indicated that the mineral content and availability were different between types of biscuits (the traditional recipe showed the highest calcium concentration, while iron was higher in the "Digestive" type). However, mineral availability showed the highest percentages for both minerals, calcium and iron, in the Maria-type samples. Regardless of the different fibre content of both types of biscuits, and despite being higher in the Digestive type than in the Maria type, the satiety measures indicated that the Maria type had more effect on the food intake control. Thus, the descriptor "Digestive¨ in biscuits does not seem to be a marker of better nutritional quality, including parameters of effects on health such as mineral availability or satiety.

In vitro prebiotic activity of rhLf and galactooligosaccharideson infant intestinal microbiota / Actividad prebiótica in vitro de lactoferrina y galactooligosácridossobre la microbiota intestinal infantil

Objective: human lactoferrin (Lf) and human milk oligosaccharides possess a wide range of functions. So, the present study focusses on the role of Lf and/or galactooligosaccharides (GOS) in the modulation of gut microbiota composition.Methods: recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) was added to the first infant formula (0.10, 0.15, 0.20 %) alone or in combination with GOS (1 %) in vessels of a small-scale batch culture fermentation model. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial population groups, and pH were monitored through fermentation for 24 hours. Results: insignificant changes were observed in pH values and acetic acid accumulated during fermentation. Propionic acid content has been insignificantly increased while butyric acid has been insignificantly decreased. Moreover, increments in all bacterial groups except for Bacteroides were observed through the fermentation process. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium showed an increase in relation to initial time over thefermentation process, demonstrating the prebiotic effect of lactoferrin and GOS. After 24 hours of fermentation, all tested ingredients showed significant similarities in Enterococcus for controls except for 0.20 % rhLf + 1 % GOS, which provoked a diminution of Enterococci growth. Conclusion: despite the importance of the batch culture fermentation technique in uncovering the prebiotic activity of food ingredients, it is not useful for detecting the prebiotic nature of Lf due to its nature as a protein. Thus, Lf maybe shows its prebiotic activity on the gut microbiota through other mechanisms.(AU)

Objetivo: la lactoferrina humana (Lf) y los oligosacáridos de leche materna presentan un amplio rango de funciones. El presente estudio se centra en el papel de la Lf y/o galactooligosácridos (GOS) en la modulación de la composición de la microbiota intestinal. Métodos: se añadió lactoferrina humana recombinante (rhLf) a fórmula infantil (0,10, 0,15, 0,20 %), sola o en combinación con GOS (1 %) en botes de fermentación colónica. A lo largo de 24 horas de fermentación, se monitorizaron ácidos grasos de cadena corta, grupos de poblaciones microbianas y pH. Resultados: se observaron pequeños cambios en valores de pH y cantidad de ácido acético durante la fermentación. El contenido de ácido propiónico aumentó ligeramente, mientras que el butírico sufrió un ligero descenso. Todos los grupos bacterianos estudiados incrementaron, excepto los Bacteroides, durante la fermentación. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium mostraron un incremento respecto al valor inicial, demostrando el efecto prebiótico de la lactoferrina y los GOS. A las 24 horas de fermentación, todos los ingredientes estudiados mostraron similitud al control en cuanto a Enterococcus, excepto para 0,20 % rhLf + 1 % GOS, donde disminuyó el crecimiento de los enterococos. Conclusión: a pesar de la importancia de los estudios de fermentación in vitro para descubrir potenciales ingredientes prebióticos, no fue útil en el caso de lactoferrina debido a su naturaleza proteica. Por tanto, la lactoferrina podría mostrar su actividad prebiótica en la microbiota intestinal a través de otros mecanismos.(AU)

[Anti-inflammatory effect of milk whey from different species after in vitro digestion]. / Efecto antiinflamatorio del suero de leche de diferentes especies tras una digestión in vitro.

Introduction: Introduction: there is a close relationship between obesity, gut health and immune system. A low-grade of inflammation, which could precede obesity, may have implications for the development of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Objective: analyzing the anti-inflammatory capacity of several types of whey (cow, sheep, goat and a mixture of them). Methods: an in vitro model of intestinal inflammation employing a cell co-culture (Caco-2 and RAW 264.7) was performed after an in vitro digestion and fermentation (simulating mouth-to-colon conditions). Inflammatory markers such as IL-8 and TNF-α, as well as the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of Caco-2 monolayer, were determined. Results: digested and fermented whey had a protective effect on cell permeability, being lower in the case of fermented goat whey and mixture. The anti-inflammatory activity of whey was greater the more digestion progressed. Fermented whey showed the greatest anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting IL-8 and TNF-α secretion, probably due to its composition (protein degradation products such as peptides and amino acids, and SCFA). However, fermented goat whey did not show this degree of inhibition, perhaps due to its low SCFA concentration. Conclusion: milk whey, especially after being fermented in the colon, can be useful nutritional strategy to preserve the intestinal barrier and mitigate the low-grade of inflammation that characterizes metabolic disorders and obesity.

Introducción: Introducción: existe una estrecha relación entre obesidad, salud intestinal y sistema inmune. Un bajo grado de inflamación, que precedería a la obesidad, puede tener implicaciones en el desarrollo de síndrome metabólico y resistencia a la insulina. Objetivo: analizar el poder antiinflamatorio de varios tipos de lactosuero (vaca, oveja, cabra y mezcla de los anteriores). Metodología: se utilizó un modelo in vitro de inflamación intestinal, empleando un cocultivo celular (Caco-2 y RAW 264.7). Para ello, se realizó una digestión y fermentación in vitro (simulando las condiciones de boca a colon). Se estudiaron IL-8 y TNF-α como marcadores inflamatorios y la resistencia eléctrica transepitelial celular (RETE) de la monocapa celular Caco-2. Resultados: el suero digerido y fermentado tuvo un efecto protector sobre la permeabilidad celular que fue menor en el caso de lactosuero fermentado de cabra y mezcla. La actividad antiinflamatoria del suero fue mayor cuanto más progresaba la digestión. El lactosuero fermentado mostró el mayor efecto antiinflamatorio, inhibiendo la secreción de IL-8 y TNF-α, probablemente debido a su composición (productos de degradación proteica como péptidos y aminoácidos, y ácidos grasos de cadena corta [AGCC]). Sin embargo, el suero fermentado de cabra no mostró ese grado de inhibición, quizás debido a su baja concentración en AGCC. Conclusión: el lactosuero, sobre todo tras ser fermentado en colon, puede ser una estrategia nutricional útil para preservar la barrera intestinal y mitigar el bajo grado de inflamación que caracteriza a desordenes metabólicos y a la obesidad.

In vitro prebiotic activity of rhLf and galactooligosaccharides on infant intestinal microbiota.

Introduction: Objective: human lactoferrin (Lf) and human milk oligosaccharides possess a wide range of functions. So, the present study focusses on the role of Lf and/or galactooligosaccharides (GOS) in the modulation of gut microbiota composition. Methods: recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) was added to the first infant formula (0.10, 0.15, 0.20 %) alone or in combination with GOS (1 %) in vessels of a small-scale batch culture fermentation model. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial population groups, and pH were monitored through fermentation for 24 hours. Results: insignificant changes were observed in pH values and acetic acid accumulated during fermentation. Propionic acid content has been insignificantly increased while butyric acid has been insignificantly decreased. Moreover, increments in all bacterial groups except for Bacteroides were observed through the fermentation process. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium showed an increase in relation to initial time over the fermentation process, demonstrating the prebiotic effect of lactoferrin and GOS. After 24 hours of fermentation, all tested ingredients showed significant similarities in Enterococcus for controls except for 0.20 % rhLf + 1 % GOS, which provoked a diminution of Enterococci growth. Conclusion: despite the importance of the batch culture fermentation technique in uncovering the prebiotic activity of food ingredients, it is not useful for detecting the prebiotic nature of Lf due to its nature as a protein. Thus, Lf maybe shows its prebiotic activity on the gut microbiota through other mechanisms.

Introducción: Objetivo: la lactoferrina humana (Lf) y los oligosacáridos de leche materna presentan un amplio rango de funciones. El presente estudio se centra en el papel de la Lf y/o galactooligosácridos (GOS) en la modulación de la composición de la microbiota intestinal. Métodos: se añadió lactoferrina humana recombinante (rhLf) a fórmula infantil (0,10, 0,15, 0,20 %), sola o en combinación con GOS (1 %) en botes de fermentación colónica. A lo largo de 24 horas de fermentación, se monitorizaron ácidos grasos de cadena corta, grupos de poblaciones microbianas y pH. Resultados: se observaron pequeños cambios en valores de pH y cantidad de ácido acético durante la fermentación. El contenido de ácido propiónico aumentó ligeramente, mientras que el butírico sufrió un ligero descenso. Todos los grupos bacterianos estudiados incrementaron, excepto los Bacteroides, durante la fermentación. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium mostraron un incremento respecto al valor inicial, demostrando el efecto prebiótico de la lactoferrina y los GOS. A las 24 horas de fermentación, todos los ingredientes estudiados mostraron similitud al control en cuanto a Enterococcus, excepto para 0,20 % rhLf + 1 % GOS, donde disminuyó el crecimiento de los enterococos. Conclusión: a pesar de la importancia de los estudios de fermentación in vitro para descubrir potenciales ingredientes prebióticos, no fue útil en el caso de lactoferrina debido a su naturaleza proteica. Por tanto, la lactoferrina podría mostrar su actividad prebiótica en la microbiota intestinal a través de otros mecanismos.

Effect of Gazpacho, Hummus and Ajoblanco on Satiety and Appetite in Adult Humans: A Randomised Crossover Study.

Nowadays, overweight and obesity has reached an epidemic level around the world. With the aim to tackle them, an interesting strategy is the study of food and ingredients with satiety properties. In addition to reducing food and/or calorie intake, this type of foods must be included as part of a healthy diet. With regard to this, it is well known that the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a feeding pattern that helps us to maintain good health, providing an adequate intake of micronutrients and active compounds. With this background, the main aim of this research was to identify MD foods with a high satiating potential capacity. For this purpose, three typical foods of the Mediterranean region, mainly based on vegetables, were selected: hummus, ajoblanco and gazpacho. As a control, white bread was used. Twenty-four human healthy volunteers consumed a standard breakfast followed by the different typical Mediterranean foods, and then the subjective sensation of hunger and satiety for each food was assessed by visual analogue scales (VAS) during 3 h. Subsequently, volunteers had ad libitum access to a standard meal. The results indicate that gazpacho showed the highest satiating scores, despite the fact that it was not the food that provided the highest protein or fibre amount. More studies of this type are needed to determine the proportion and/or combination of ingredients from these classical Mediterranean recipes that could enhance human satiety.

Diet: A Specific Part of the Western Lifestyle Pack in the Asthma Epidemic.

The Western lifestyle is a complex concept that includes the diet as the main axis of different factors which contribute to a detrimental effect on health, lower life expectancy and low quality-of-life. This type of diet is characterized by being high in calories, mainly provided by saturated fats, and rich in sugars that can lead to changes in immune cells and their responsiveness, by different mechanisms that have yet to be totally clarified. Inflammatory processes are perpetuated through different pathways, in which adipose tissue is a major factor. High fat stores in overweight and obesity accumulate energy but the endocrine function is also producing and releasing different bioactive compounds, adipokines, known to be pro-inflammatory and which play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. This review therefore explores the latest evidence regarding the adverse effect of the Western diet on adipose tissue inflammation and its causative effect on the asthma epidemic.

Nondigestible Carbohydrates Affect Metabolic Health and Gut Microbiota in Overweight Adults after Weight Loss.

BACKGROUND: The composition of diets consumed following weight loss (WL) can have a significant impact on satiety and metabolic health. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to test the effects of including a nondigestible carbohydrate to achieve weight maintenance (WM) following a period of WL. METHODS: Nineteen volunteers [11 females and 8 males, aged 20-62 y; BMI (kg/m2): 27-42] consumed a 3-d maintenance diet (15%:30%:55%), followed by a 21-d WL diet (WL; 30%:30%:40%), followed by 2 randomized 10-d WM diets (20%:30%:50% of energy from protein:fat:carbohydrate) containing either resistant starch type 3 (RS-WM; 22 or 26 g/d for females and males, respectively) or no RS (C-WM) in a within-subject crossover design without washout periods. The primary outcome, WM after WL, was analyzed by body weight. Secondary outcomes of fecal microbiota composition and microbial metabolite concentrations and gut hormones were analyzed in fecal samples and blood plasma, respectively. All outcomes were assessed at the end of each dietary period. RESULTS: Body weight was similar after the RS-WM and C-WM diets (90.7 and 90.8 kg, respectively), with no difference in subjectively rated appetite. During the WL diet period plasma ghrelin increased by 36% (P < 0.001), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) decreased by 33% (P < 0.001), and insulin decreased by 46% (P < 0.001), but no significant differences were observed during the RS-WM and C-WM diet periods. Fasting blood glucose was lower after the RS-WM diet (5.59 ± 0.31 mmol/L) than after the C-WM diet [5.75 ± 0.49 mmol/L; P = 0.015; standard error of the difference between the means (SED): 0.09]. Dietary treatments influenced the fecal microbiota composition (R2 = 0.054, P = 0.031) but not diversity. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic benefits, for overweight adults, from WL were maintained through a subsequent WM diet with higher total carbohydrate intake. Inclusion of resistant starch in the WM diet altered gut microbiota composition positively and resulted in lower fasting glucose compared with the control, with no apparent change in appetite. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01724411.

Fe and Zn in vitro bioavailability in relation to antinutritional factors in biofortified beans subjected to different processes.

The present work evaluated the effect of different processes in relation to mineral content and its bioavailability, as well as the effect of phytate and oxalate contents in biofortified beans. The following treatments were evaluated: raw beans (RB), cooked and oven-dried soaked beans (BOS), cooked and freeze-dried soaked beans (BFS), cooked and oven-dried beans without soaking (BOWS) and cooked and freeze-dried beans without soaking (BFWS). The mineral contents (mg per 100 g) varied between 3.56 and 5.80 (iron), 20.26 and 89.32 (calcium) and 1.56 and 2.38 (zinc). The oxalate content varied from 3.74 to 10.54 mg per 100 g. The total phytate content ranged from 1803.23 to 2.301 mg per 100 g. Regarding mineral bioavailability in Caco-2 cells, iron retention ranged from 8.89 to 17.85% and uptake was from 12.07 to 13.74 µg. On the other hand, the zinc retention was from 92.27 to 98.6% and uptake ranged from 24.68 to 36.26 µg. The different forms of bean processing can contribute to the mineral profile of this legume, in addition to increasing the bioavailability of some minerals, such as iron and zinc.

In vitro effectiveness of recombinant human lactoferrin and its hydrolysate in alleviating LPS-induced inflammatory response.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory role of the most produced form of lactoferrin expressed in various expression systems (Fe-saturated recombinant human Lf, rhLf) and its hydrolysate in concentrations resembles that found in mature human milk. Co-culture model consisted of CaCo-2 and RAW 246.7 cell lines was used to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory activity of rhLf and its hydrolysate. During this experiment, CaCo-2 monolayer permeability and integrity was assayed through the measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER values). Also, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and different cytokines (IL-8, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, and TNF-α) were measured. The treatment with rhLf and its hydrolysate protected the monolayer integrity against LPS effect and reduced IL-8 and ROS production. This effect was dependent on the dose and 2mgmL-1 of rhLf hydrolysate was more effective. The addition of rhLf and its hydrolysate to infant formula is a prominent step towards improving both infant formula functionality and newborn health. Thus, these functional ingredients could be incorporated in infant foods. In this context, ongoing researches are conducted to clarify this effect whether by using synthetic peptides or by using LPS-sepsis animal.

In vitro effect of green tea and turmeric extracts on GLP-1 and CCK secretion: the effect of gastrointestinal digestion.

Plant extract activity can be modified by the digestion process. In order to assess the satiety effect of green tea and turmeric extracts, an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion process was performed and the STC-1 cell line was used. The enteroendocrine cell line was incubated (for 30, 60 and 120 minutes) with the digested and non-digested extracts measuring the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The release of satiety hormones by the STC-1 cells showed similar or higher results for plant extracts compared to the positive controls reported as satiatogenic (proteins and short chain fatty acids). For the non-digested samples, the largest amount of CCK and GLP-1 was found for turmeric, with 379 ± 46 pg ml-1 (60 min) and 347 ± 125 pg ml-1 (120 min) respectively. For the digested samples, the highest level of CCK was found for turmeric at 30 minutes (43.3 ± 11) and for GLP-1 by green tea at 120 minutes (165.7 ± 52). The in vitro gastrointestinal digestion process affects the satiety of plant extracts, increasing for green tea and decreasing for turmeric. Green tea showed the most stable satiating capacity after the in vitro digestion process and this may be useful for using it as a stable food supplement to reduce hunger associated with overweight and obesity.

Degree of malnutrition and its relationship with major structural and eating factors in Honduran preschool population. Prevalence of breastfeeding / Grado de malnutrición y su relación con los principales factores estructurales y alimentarios de la población preescolar hondureña. Prevalencia de la lactancia materna en los mismos.

Introduction: Child malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in Honduras, with a national prevalence according to the World Health Organization (WHO) reference values of 29% in children under fi ve. In addition, the average chronic malnutrition in the region amounts to 80% in poor and indigenous communities, making Honduras the second country in Central America with the highest incidence of chronic malnutrition. Another problem of the region is the early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding: only 29.7% of children were exclusively breastfed until they were six months. Therefore, the study seeks to understand, identify and quantify the situation determinants and provide information for the design of public policies. Material and method:: The study consisted of a cross-sectional descriptive anthropometric assessment in which the nutritional status and the prevalence of undernourishment, malnutrition and malnutrition in 141 children aged between six months and fi ve years, belonging to urban and rural regions of the country, were analyzed, as well as assessing the prevalence of breastfeeding in fi ve Honduran departments (Intibucá, Lempira, Atlántida, Olancho and Francisco Morazán). Results and conclusion: When making the analysis by departments, differences regarding nutritional status and breastfeeding were observed between urban and rural areas, the latter being doubled in the case of chronic malnutrition and underweight, with percentages of 14.6% in urban areas versus28.8% in rural areas, and 4.6% in urban areas compared to 9% in rural areas, respectively. However, with respect to acute malnutrition and overweight in both regions, similar values were observed, above 1.1% for acute and 14% for overweight malnutrition. In relation to exclusive breastfeeding for six months, the departments of Olancho and Lempira maintained it for two years, with a percentage distribution of 80% and 48%, respectively. It must be noted that 36% of mothers did not provide breastfeeding, with the highest rate (15%) in the department of Francisco Morazán.

Introducción: la desnutrición infantil sigue siendo un grave problema de salud pública en Honduras, con una prevalencia nacional según valores de referencia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) del 29% en niños menores de cinco años. Además, el promedio de desnutrición crónica en la región asciende hasta el 80% en comunidades pobres e indígenas, convirtiendo a Honduras en el segundo país en la región centroamericana con mayor incidencia de desnutrición crónica. Otro de los problemas que presenta la región resulta del abandono precoz de la lactancia materna exclusiva: solo el 29,7% de los menores fue alimentado exclusivamente con leche materna hasta los seis meses. Por ello, el estudio busca conocer, identificar y cuantificar la situación con factores determinantes y brindar información para el diseño de políticas públicas. Material y método: el estudio consistió en una evaluación antropométrica descriptiva transversal en la que se analizó el estado nutricional y la prevalencia de malnutrición en 141 niños con edades comprendidas entre los seis meses y los cinco años, pertenecientes a regiones urbanas y rurales del país, así como la valoración de la prevalencia de la lactancia materna en cinco departamentos hondureños (Intibucá, Lempira, Atlántida, Olancho y Francisco Morazán). Resultados y conclusión: al analizar por departamentos observamos diferencias en el estado nutricional y de lactancia según fuese un área urbana o rural, siendo esta última el doble en el caso de la desnutrición crónica y la desnutrición global, con porcentajes del 14,6% en áreas urbanas frente a 28,8% áreas rurales, y el 4,6% en áreas urbanas frente al 9% en áreas rurales, respectivamente. Sin embargo, en cuanto a la desnutrición aguda y el sobrepeso en ambas regiones se observaron valores afines, por encima del 1,1% para la desnutrición aguda y del 14% para el sobrepeso. En relación con la lactancia materna exclusiva durante seis meses, los departamentos de Lempira y Olancho mostraron una duración de la misma hasta los dos años, con una distribución porcentual del 80% y el 48%, respectivamente. Es importante destacar que un 36% de las madres no proporcionaron lactancia, destacando como la tasa más elevada un 15% en el departamento de Francisco Morazán.

Grado de malnutrición y su relación con los principales factores estructurales y alimentarios de la población preescolar hondureña. Prevalencia de la lactancia materna en los mismos / Degree of malnutrition and its relationship with major structural and eating factors in Honduran preschool population. Prevalence of breastfeeding

Introducción: la desnutrición infantil sigue siendo un grave problema de salud pública en Honduras, con una prevalencia nacional según valores de referencia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) del 29% en niños menores de cinco años. Además, el promedio de desnutrición crónica en la región asciende hasta el 80% en comunidades pobres e indígenas, convirtiendo a Honduras en el segundo país en la región centroamericana con mayor incidencia de desnutrición crónica. Otro de los problemas que presenta la región resulta del abandono precoz de la lactancia materna exclusiva: solo el 29,7% de los menores fue alimentado exclusivamente con leche materna hasta los seis meses. Por ello, el estudio busca conocer, identificar y cuantificar la situación con factores determinantes y brindar información para el diseño de políticas públicas. Material y método: el estudio consistió en una evaluación antropométrica descriptiva transversal en la que se analizó el estado nutricional y la prevalencia de malnutrición en 141 niños con edades comprendidas entre los seis meses y los cinco años, pertenecientes a regiones urbanas y rurales del país, así como la valoración de la prevalencia de la lactancia materna en cinco departamentos hondureños (Intibucá, Lempira, Atlántida, Olancho y Francisco Morazán). Resultados y conclusión: al analizar por departamentos observamos diferencias en el estado nutricional y de lactancia según fuese un área urbana o rural, siendo esta última el doble en el caso de la desnutrición crónica y la desnutrición global, con porcentajes del 14,6% en áreas urbanas frente a 28,8% áreas rurales, y el 4,6% en áreas urbanas frente al 9% en áreas rurales, respectivamente. Sin embargo, en cuanto a la desnutrición aguda y el sobrepeso en ambas regiones se observaron valores afines, por encima del 1,1% para la desnutrición aguda y del 14% para el sobrepeso. En relación con la lactancia materna exclusiva durante seis meses, los departamentos de Lempira y Olancho mostraron una duración de la misma hasta los dos años, con una distribución porcentual del 80% y el 48%, respectivamente. Es importante destacar que un 36% de las madres no proporcionaron lactancia, destacando como la tasa más elevada un 15% en el departamento de Francisco Morazán (AU)

Introduction: Child malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in Honduras, with a national prevalence according to the World Health Organization (WHO) reference values of 29% in children under five. In addition, the average chronic malnutrition in the region amounts to 80% in poor and indigenous communities, making Honduras the second country in Central America with the highest incidence of chronic malnutrition. Another problem of the region is the early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding: only 29.7% of children were exclusively breastfed until they were six months. Therefore, the study seeks to understand, identify and quantify the situation determinants and provide information for the design of public policies. Material and method: The study consisted of a cross-sectional descriptive anthropometric assessment in which the nutritional status and the prevalence of undernourishment, malnutrition and malnutrition in 141 children aged between six months and five years, belonging to urban and rural regions of the country, were analyzed, as well as assessing the prevalence of breastfeeding in five Honduran departments (Intibucá, Lempira, Atlántida, Olancho and Francisco Morazán). Results and conclusion: When making the analysis by departments, differences regarding nutritional status and breastfeeding were observed between urban and rural areas, the latter being doubled in the case of chronic malnutrition and underweight, with percentages of 14.6% in urban areas versus 28.8% in rural areas, and 4.6% in urban areas compared to 9% in rural areas, respectively. However, with respect to acute malnutrition and overweight in both regions, similar values were observed, above 1.1% for acute and 14% for overweight malnutrition. In relation to exclusive breastfeeding for six months, the departments of Olancho and Lempira maintained it for two years, with a percentage distribution of 80% and 48%, respectively. It must be noted that 36% of mothers did not provide breastfeeding, with the highest rate (15%) in the department of Francisco Morazán (AU)

Cultivation of Solanum tuberosum in a former mining district for a safe human consumption integrating simulated digestion.

BACKGROUND: Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a global crop and by far the most important non-cereal crop in the world. Therefore, it is necessary to assure its safe consumption. This is especially relevant in the case of its cultivation in abandoned mining areas, where the population tends to return to agriculture. In the present work, the objective is to evaluate the contribution to the diet of nutrients and contaminants of potato grown in soils from the Almadén area (mining district) by studying the intestinal absorption (in vitro) of the tuber, taking into account the preparation methods for its consumption. RESULTS: The results of contaminant and nutrient contents show that the potato peel retains significantly more elements (mainly in the case of toxic elements) than the flesh. Furthermore, potato (peel and flesh) is a good source of iron. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to boil potatoes with the peel in order to minimize nutrient loss and, before consumption, peeling them to eliminate possible risks due to contaminants. In addition, to minimize the risk due of mercury and to improve the levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, it is recommended to add salt during the boiling process. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Contribution of bioavailable iron and zinc to the diet of Honduran children under 24 month / Aporte de hierro y zinc bioaccesible a la dieta de niños hondureños menores de 24 meses

Objective: In the present study we analyzed 18 baby food (10 made from traditional Honduran recipes, and 8 industrial baby food sold in that country) involving the staple food of Honduran excluded infants breast milk and infant formulas. Material and methods: The content and bioaccesibility (soluble and dialysable fractions) of Fe and Zn were determined. For thisin vitro gastrointestinal digestion in a first phase of gastric digestion (pepsin) followed by a second phase of intestinal digestion (with pancreatin and bile salts) was simulated. The atomic absorption spectrometry mineral content measured in soluble and dialyzable fractions. Results: Traditional porridges from Honduras (PTH) showed low density of micronutrients being the PTH prepared based on "rice with beans and greens", "rice with ground beans" and "beans with banana" which had a higher content values of 1.96, 1.56, and 1.46 mg Fe/100 g, respectively, although in vitroavailability values below 50% of its content. For Zn in these recipes, the values found were very low being below the detection limit. In relation to industrial porridges (PIH), those of "rice", "wheat with milk" and "5 cereals" they had a higher content of Fe (9.4, 8.53 and 7.56 mg Fe/100 g, respectively). Its availability in vitro was greater than 70% in all cases. PIH Zn showed values of 1.36, and 0.99 mg Zn/100 g samples of "wheat with milk" and "wheat with honey", respectively, and increased availability of 75%. Conclusions: It is shown that PTH have some limitations in its formulation that makes the selected micronutrients are in fewer and even less bioaccessible, compared with PIH, so review is recommended to avoid supplementation of these micronutrients and help improve the nutritional status of the child population as Honduran model country in Central America.

Objetivo: en el presente estudio se han analizado 18 alimentos infantiles (10 elaborados con recetas tradicionales hondureñas y 8 papillas industriales comercializadas en ese país), que suponen la base de la alimentación de los lactantes hondureños excluida la leche materna y las fórmulas infantiles. Material y métodos: se determinó el contenido y bioacesiblidad (fracciones solubes y dializables) de Fe y Zn. Para ello se simuló una digestión in vitro gastrointestinal con una primera fase de digestión gástrica (con pepsina), seguida de una segunda fase de digestión intestinal (con pancreatina y sales biliares). La espectrometría de absorción atómica midió el contenido mineral en las fracciones soluble y dializable. Resultados: las papillas tradicionales hondureñas (PTH) mostraron baja densidad de los micronutrientes estudiados, siendo las PTH elaboradas con base de "arroz con frijoles y hojas verdes", "arroz con frijol molido" y "frijoles con plátano" las que presentaron un contenido superior con valores de 1,96, 1,56, y 1,46 mg Fe/100 g, respectivamente, aunque con valores de disponibilidad in vitro inferiores al 50% de su contenido. Para el Zn en estas recetas, los valores encontrados fueron muy bajos y están por debajo del límite de detección. En relación a las papillas industriales (PIH), las de "arroz", "trigo con leche" y "5 cereales" presentaron un mayor contenido de Fe (9,4, 8,53 y 7,56 mg Fe/100 g, respectivamente). Su disponibilidad in vitro fue mayor del 70% en todos los casos. Las PIH mostraron valores de Zn de 1,36, y 0,99 mg Zn/100 g en las muestras de "trigo con leche" y "trigo con miel", respectivamente, y una disponibilidad mayor del 75%. Conclusión: queda demostrado que las PTH poseen algunas limitaciones en su formulación que hace que los micronutrientes seleccionados se encuentren en menor cantidad e incluso menos bioaccesibles, frente a los PIH, por lo que se recomienda su revisión para evitar la suplementación de estos micronutrientes y ayudar a mejorar el estado nutricional de la población infantil hondureña como país modelo de la región centroamericana.

Aporte de hierro y zinc bioaccesible a la dieta de niños hondureños menores de 24 meses / Contribution of bioavailable iron and zinc to the diet of Honduran children under 24 month

Objetivo: en el presente estudio se han analizado 18 alimentos infantiles (10 elaborados con recetas tradicionales hondureñas y 8 papillas industriales comercializadas en ese país), que suponen la base de la alimentación de los lactantes hondureños excluida la leche materna y las fórmulas infantiles. Material y métodos: se determinó el contenido y bioacesiblidad (fracciones solubes y dializables) de Fe y Zn. Para ello se simuló una digestión in vitro gastrointestinal con una primera fase de digestión gástrica (con pepsina), seguida de una segunda fase de digestión intestinal (con pancreatina y sales biliares). La espectrometría de absorción atómica midió el contenido mineral en las fracciones soluble y dializable. Resultados: las papillas tradicionales hondureñas (PTH) mostraron baja densidad de los micronutrientes estudiados, siendo las PTH elaboradas con base de «arroz con frijoles y hojas verdes», «arroz con frijol molido» y «frijoles con plátano» las que presentaron un contenido superior con valores de 1,96, 1,56, y 1,46 mg Fe/100 g, respectivamente, aunque con valores de disponibilidad in vitro inferiores al 50% de su contenido. Para el Zn en estas recetas, los valores encontrados fueron muy bajos y están por debajo del límite de detección. En relación a las papillas industriales (PIH), las de «arroz», «trigo con leche» y «5 cereales» presentaron un mayor contenido de Fe (9,4, 8,53 y 7,56 mg Fe/100 g, respectivamente). Su disponibilidad in vitro fue mayor del 70% en todos los casos. Las PIH mostraron valores de Zn de 1,36, y 0,99 mg Zn/100 g en las muestras de «trigo con leche» y «trigo con miel», respectivamente, y una disponibilidad mayor del 75%. Conclusión: queda demostrado que las PTH poseen algunas limitaciones en su formulación que hace que los micronutrientes seleccionados se encuentren en menor cantidad e incluso menos bioaccesibles, frente a los PIH, por lo que se recomienda su revisión para evitar la suplementación de estos micronutrientes y ayudar a mejorar el estado nutricional de la población infantil hondureña como país modelo de la región centroamericana (AU)

Objective: In the present study we analyzed 18 baby food (10 made from traditional Honduran recipes, and 8 industrial baby food sold in that country) involving the staple food of Honduran excluded infants breast milk and infant formulas. Material and methods: The content and bioaccesibility (soluble and dialysable fractions) of Fe and Zn were determined. For this in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in a first phase of gastric digestion (pepsin) followed by a second phase of intestinal digestion (with pancreatin and bile salts) was simulated. The atomic absorption spectrometry mineral content measured in soluble and dialyzable fractions. Results: Traditional porridges from Honduras (PTH) showed low density of micronutrients being the PTH prepared based on «rice with beans and greens», «rice with ground beans» and «beans with banana» which had a higher content values of 1.96, 1.56, and 1.46 mg Fe/100 g, respectively, although in vitro availability values below 50% of its content. For Zn in these recipes, the values found were very low being below the detection limit. In relation to industrial porridges (PIH), those of «rice», «wheat with milk» and «5 cereals» they had a higher content of Fe (9.4, 8.53 and 7.56 mg Fe/100 g, respectively). Its availability in vitro was greater than 70% in all cases. PIH Zn showed values of 1.36, and 0.99 mg Zn/100 g samples of «wheat with milk» and «wheat with honey», respectively, and increased availability of 75%. Conclusions: It is shown that PTH have some limitations in its formulation that makes the selected micronutrients are in fewer and even less bioaccessible, compared with PIH, so review is recommended to avoid supplementation of these micronutrients and help improve the nutritional status of the child population as Honduran model country in Central America (AU)

Effect of in Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on Encapsulated and Nonencapsulated Phenolic Compounds of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Pulp Extracts and Their Antioxidant Capacity.

To determine the effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the release and antioxidant capacity of encapsulated and nonencapsulated phenolics carob pulp extracts, unripe and ripe carob pulp extracts were microencapsulated with polycaprolactone via double emulsion/solvent evaporation technique. Microcapsules' characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis. Total phenolics and flavonoids content and antioxidant activities (ORAC, DPPH, and FRAP) were evaluated after each digestion step. The release of phenolic acids and flavonoids was measured along the digestion process by HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The most important phenolics and flavonoids content as well as antioxidant activities were observed after gastric and intestinal phases for nonencapsulated and encapsulated extracts, respectively. The microencapsulation of carob polyphenols showed a protective effect against pH changes and enzymatic activities along digestion, thereby promoting a controlled release and targeted delivery of the encapsulated compound, which contributed to an increase in its bioaccessibility in the gut.

Elaboración de guías nutricionales para lactantes hondureños y madres con alto grado de analfabetismo / Development of nutritional guidelines for honduran infants and mothers with high illiteracy

Fundamentos: La alimentación durante la infancia en Honduras presenta muchos problemas debidos, no sólo a la escasa disponibilidad de alimentos a nivel familiar, sino también a la falta de conocimientos de las madres en cuanto a los alimentos que el niño pequeño necesita, su salubridad y la forma de prepararlos. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar las pautas erróneas de lactancia y alimentación complementaria en los infantes hondureños y diseñar un instrumento educativo destinada orientar a madres con un alto grado de analfabetismo contemplando aspectos de lactancia y alimentación complementaria. Métodos: El estudio descriptivo transversal. Realizado en 100 familias Hondureñas con hijos menores de 24 meses. Los análisis se realizaron en 5 departamentos (Olancho, Intibucá, Lempira, Atlántida y Francisco Morazán), mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple. Se utilizó un formulario precodificado con patrones alimentarios, demográficos, socioeconómicos, ambientales, clínicos, y aplicando el método frecuencia de consumo para niños menores de 24 meses. Resultados: Se observó cómo en las comunidades estudiadas un porcentaje alto de las familias (67%) no practicaban la lactancia materna exclusiva durante los 2 primeros meses, a pesar de que el 94% de las madre encuestadas si daban lactancia natural (p<0,005). El 31% de las madres presentaban un nivel educativo bajo y un 6,4% era analfabeta. La prevalencia de desnutrición global en esta población fue del 11% y de un 20% en desnutrición crónica. Conclusiones La educación alimentaria y nutricional es un elemento esencial en la prevalencia y control de problemas de salud relacionados con la dieta, los resultados plantean la necesidad de modificar conductas no deseadas, que están profundamente arraigadas en el contexto social y cultural de las familias Hondureñas (AU)

Background: Childhood feeding in Honduras presents many problems due not only to the scarce availability of food at the family level, but also to the lack of knowledge of the mothers about the food the child needs, the healthiness and the form to prepare them. The aim of this study was to identify the erroneous patterns of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in Honduran infants and to design an educational instrument aimed at orienting mothers with a high degree of illiteracy regarding aspects of breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-evaluation 100 Honduran families with children under 24 months. Analyses were performed in 5 departments (Olancho, Intibucá, Lempira, Atlantis and Francisco Morazán), by a simple random sampling. A pre-coded form was used with food, demographic, socioeconomic, environmental, clinical patterns and also the frequency of consumption method for children under 24 months form was applied. Results: A high percentage of families (67%) did not practice exclusive breastfeeding during the first two months, though, that 94% of stem surveyed if they gave breastfeeding, was noted how, in the communities studied (p <0.005). The 31% of mothers participating in the study had a low educational level and 6.4% were illiterate. The prevalence of underweight in this population was 11% and 20% in chronic malnutrition. Conclusions food and nutrition education is an essential element in the prevalence and control of health problems related to diet, the results suggest the need to modify unwanted behaviors that are deeply rooted in the social and cultural context of the Honduran families (AU)

Satiety Innovations: Food Products to Assist Consumers with Weight Loss, Evidence on the Role of Satiety in Healthy Eating: Overview and In Vitro Approximation.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing globally, driven by the availability of energy-dense palatable foods. Most dietary strategies fail because of hunger generated by calorie restriction, and interventions that specifically control hunger and/or promote fullness may aid success. Current consumers have a limited choice of satiety-enhancing products with proven health benefits, and innovative ways to produce new foods (as structural modification) to enhance satiety/satiation may provide new opportunities. However, this potential is hindered by the cost of product testing. Within the SATIN-SATiety INnovation project-an in vitro platform has been developed to offer a cost-effective means of assessing the potential satiation/satiety effect of novel foods. This combines in vitro technologies to assess changes in colonic bacteria metabolism, appetite hormone release and the stability and bioavailability of active compounds in the new products/ingredients. This article provides a brief review of nutrients for which an impact on short-term appetite regulation has been demonstrated, and a summary of the changes to food structure which can be used to produce a change in appetite expression. Furthermore, the SATIN in vitro platform is discussed as a means of assessing the impact of nutritional and structural manipulations on appetite.

Physicochemical properties of different thickeners used in infant foods and their relationship with mineral availability during in vitro digestion process.

Locust bean gum (LBG) and modified starches are commonly used as thickeners in food products for infants. However, there is no consensus on their possible effects on infant nutrition, especially on mineral availability. The aim of the present work was to characterize the effect of LBG, cross-linked, hydroxypropylated maize starch (Mhdp) and pre-gelatinized rice starch (gRS) on Ca, Fe and Zn availability during a gastric and intestinal in vitro digestion assay in relation to their physicochemical properties in solution (apparent viscosity, solubility, molar mass (M) and conformational properties) through the simulated digestion process. LBG gave the highest decrease in Ca and Fe gastric (17.96% and 17.6% respectively) and intestinal (19.5% and 13.5%) solubility with respect to the reference without thickeners. Ca (11.1%±1.1), Fe (2.77%±0.3) and Zn (7.78%±0.6) dialyzability was also lower than for the reference (23.4%±2.9; 19.65%±3.53 and 27.74%±3.3 respectively). LBG solubility remained stable during gastric digestion, decreasing significantly from a range of 65-69% to 61.1% after intestinal digestion. LBG viscosity remained stable during the digestion process, being these findings attributable to its resistance to enzymes. On the other hand, the addition to Mhdp or gRS slightly affected Ca and Fe solubility or Ca dialyzability, decreasing after gastric digestion and then increasing after intestinal digestion with respect to the reference. These results correlated to the changes in their viscosity enhancing properties, which increased during gastric digestion and decreased after intestinal digestion, being attributable to their digestion by pancreatic enzymes. Gastric digestion resulted in an increase in M for the modified starches (more pronounced for gRS). The increase in mineral solubility and dialyzability after intestinal digestion with respect to the gastric stage was explained by the degradation of starches by intestinal enzymes, which resulted in a decrease in apparent shear viscosity (from 1.2 to 1Pas, measured in a shear rate range 0.00-50s-1) and an increase in solubility (from 3 to 6% to approximately 70%) after intestinal digestion. In conclusion, LBG could be more effective than Mhdp and gRS as thickener, providing higher viscosity and resistance to digestive process. However, its negative effect on mineral solubility and dialyzability should be taken into account. On the contrary, Mhdp and gRS showed to be degraded after intestinal digestion.