Dietary flavonoids may have a protective and therapeutic effect in Parkinson disease: A systematic review.

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons because of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Polyphenols in vegetables, known for their high antioxidant capacity, may prevent the onset, or delay the progression of the disease; among these, flavonoids are the most abundant class of polyphenols in foods. Clinical and cohort studies have evaluated the effect of polyphenol consumption on the risk of developing PD or of attenuating the symptoms after diagnosis; therefore, it is necessary to integrate the scientific evidence into making dietary recommendations. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that have investigated the use of polyphenols in PD. The studies were identified through the PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Web of Science databases. A total of 1100 studies were found; these were analyzed and filtered by 2 independent reviewers. After completion, 5 studies were included (3 randomized controlled trials and 2 cohort studies). The consumption of flavonoids, anthocyanins, or 2-5 servings/week of specific foods (apples, red wine, blueberries, and strawberries) reduces the risk of PD and associated mortality. Treatment with licorice, curcumin, or cocoa, which are rich in flavonoids and other polyphenols, improves motor function in PD patients. No statistically significant differences were found in quality of life, disease progression or nonmotor symptoms such as cognitive ability and mood. Although cohort studies suggest a neuroprotective effect, further clinical studies are urgently needed to evaluate the effect of specific flavonoids and other polyphenols in PD.

Actividad antioxidante y quelante de sistemas hidrocoloides mixtos formados por hidrolizados proteicos de Phaseolus vulgaris endurecido y goma modificada de flamboyán (Delonix regia) / Antioxidant and metal-chelating activities of mixed hydrocolloid systems formed by hard-to-cook Phaseolus vulgaris protein hydrolysates and flamboyant (Delonix regia) modified gum

Las proteínas y polisacáridos con frecuencia son utilizados simultáneamente en la industria de alimentos. Las interacciones entre ambos biopolímeros juegan un papel importante en la estructura y estabilidad de muchos alimentos procesados ya que pueden resultar en un sistema con propiedades bioactivas diferentes como ocurre en el caso de las funcionales. Objetivo. Evaluar los cambios en la capacidad antioxidante de un sistema hidrocoloide mixto formado por un hidrolizado enzimático proteico de frijol endurecido (P. vulgaris) y goma modificada de flamboyán (Delonix regia) (SHM). Materiales y métodos. El estudio se hizo entre febrero-octubre, 2014, en Mérida, México. Se modificó enzimáticamente el concentrado proteico de P. vulgaris con Pepsina-Pancreatina® y la goma extraída del flamboyán mediante carboximetilación, preparando dispersiones al 1% de cada uno de los biopolímeros, determinado la fluorescencia intrínseca de Trp (FIT) como indicador de la interacción entre ambos biopolímeros y la actividad antioxidante y quelante del sistema resultante. Resultados. Se obtuvo un hidrolizado proteico extensivo con 28,8% de grado de hidrólisis y una goma de flamboyán con grado de sustitución de 0,91. La mayor interacción entre ambos biopolímeros, se obtuvo empleando una relación 5:1 del SHM a pH 4 de acuerdo con el valor de FIT. Conclusiones. Los sistemas hidrocoloides mixtos preparados con hidrolizado extensivo de las proteínas Phaseolus vulgaris y goma modificada de flamboyán presentaron un incremento en la actividad antioxidante, respecto del hidrolizado dependiendo del mecanismo de oxidación, así como de las condiciones de pH en que se encuentra el sistema y la interacción entre ambos componentes(AU)

Proteins and polysaccharides are frequently used simultaneously in the food industry. The interactions between both biopolymers play an important role in the structure and stability of many processed foods since they can result in a system with different bioactive properties as in the case of functional ones. Objective. Evaluate the changes in the antioxidant capacity of mixed hydrocolloid system formed by a hard to cook bean (P. vulgaris) protein enzymatic hydrolyzate and modified flamboyant gum (Delonix regia) (SHM). Materials and methods. The study was conducted from February to October 2014 in Merida, Mexico. For this, the protein concentrate of P. vulgaris was treated with Pepsin-Pancreatin® and the gum extracted from the flamboyant were modified enzymatically by carboxymethylation, preparing 1% dispersions of each of the biopolymers, determining the intrinsic Trp fluorescence (FIT) as an indicator of the interaction between both biopolymers and the antioxidant and chelating activity of the resulting system. Results. The main results indicated that an extensive protein hydrolyzate with 28.8% degree of hydrolysis and a flamboyant gum with a substitution degree of 0.91 were obtained. The greatest interaction between both biopolymers was obtained using a 5:1 ratio of SHM to pH 4 according to the FIT value. Conclusions. The mixed hydrocolloid systems prepared with extensive hydrolyzate of the hard to cook P. vulgaris and modified flamboyant gum proteins showed an increase in antioxidant activity, compared to the hydrolyzate depending on the oxidation mechanism, as well as the pH conditions used and interaction between both component(AU)

Diagnóstico nutricional e intervención de orientación alimentaria en dos comunidades rurales de mujeres campesinas del sureste mexicano / Nutritional diagnosis and intervention in two rural communities located in the southeast part of Mexico

Introducción: La malnutrición afecta el crecimiento y desarrollo del ser humano. La falta de conocimiento sobre alimentación y nutrición es uno de los principales desencadenantes de este padecimiento. Este problema afecta a México, acrecentándose en áreas rurales. Objetivos: Evaluar el impacto de un programa educativo para modificar conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre alimentación y nutrición en mujeres adultas campesinas de zonas rurales. Métodos: Se seleccionaron dos comunidades rurales del sur del estado de Yucatán, México. Se hizo un diagnóstico nutricional mediante antropometría asociado al nivel socioeconómico; y se aplicó una Intervención de Orientación Alimentaria con pre y post prueba. Las diferencias entre las variables antropométricas y sociales en cada localidad se calcularon con estadística no paramétrica (χ2). Las calificaciones obtenidas en la pre y postprueba fueron comparadas analizándose en función de la edad, nivel educativo de las participantes y estado civil. Los análisis se facilitaron empleando un paquete estadístico. Resultados: Los datos globales indicaron en promedio, que se trató con mujeres jóvenes, con un nivel educativo bajo, viviendo una relación de pareja bajo el régimen matrimonial, siendo de reducida estatura y mostrando signos de sobrepeso y obesidad el 62.5% de las participantes incidiendo en situaciones de riesgo nutricional. Las calificaciones de la pre y post prueba no se vieron afectadas por la edad de las participantes (p>0,05), pero el nivel educativo influenció a estas variables (p<0,05). El estado civil no afectó significativamente ninguna de las dos calificaciones. La Intervención en Orientación Alimentaria favoreció de manera positiva y significativa cambios sobre conocimientos en alimentación saludable (p< 0,01). Discusión: La aplicación de intervenciones en nutrición como la empleada en este trabajo representan una herramienta importante para coadyuvar a revertir el fenómeno de obesidad manifestado en la población mexicana, sobre todo en el área rural. Esta alternativa de solución debe complementarse con políticas que promuevan la comercialización de alimentos equilibrados y no lo contrario. Conclusiones: La aplicación de una Orientación Alimentaria aumentó significativamente el nivel de conocimientos sobre una alimentación saludable

Introduction: Malnutrition is a key factor affecting growth and development of humans. Lack of knowledge on feeds and nutrition is one of the main reasons that triggers this problem. Malnutrition affects countries like Mexico being bigger in rural areas. Objective: Evaluate the impact of an educational intervention to modify knowledge, attitudes and practices on feeding and nutrition, in rural female adults. Methods: Two rural communities located in the south of Yucatán State were chosen. A nutritional diagnosis was made by means of anthropometry associated to the socioeconomic level; and a Food Orientation Intervention was applied with pre and post test. The differences between the anthropometric and social variables in each location were estimated using non-parametric statistics (χ2). The grades obtained in the pre and post test were analyzed in function of age, educational level of the participants and their marital status. Analysis were facilitated by the use of a statistical package. Results: Overall data from both communities indicated that, on average target population consisted of young women, with a low educational level, living in a marriage relationship, having a low height and showing 62,5% of them signs of overweight and obesity which induced a nutritional health risk. The pre and post test scores were not affected by the age of the participants (p>0,05), but the educational level influence these variables (p<0,05). Marital status did not significantly affect either score. The educational intervention improved knowledge on the importance of a healthy diet (p<0,01). Discussion: The application of nutrition interventions such as the one used in this work represent an important tool to reverse the phenomenon of obesity affecting the Mexican population, especially in rural areas. This tool must be complemented with policies that promote the commercialization of balanced foods and not the opposite. Conclusions: The implementation of a Food Orientation Intervention program, turned into a significant increase in the level of knowledge of a healthy diet

[STUDIES IN VITRO INHIBITION OF THE ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-I, HYPOTENSIVE AND ANTIHYPERTENSIVE EFFECTS OF PEPTIDE FRACTIONS OF V. UNGUICULATA]. / ESTUDIOS DE INHIBICIÓN IN VITRO DE LA ENZIMA CONVERTIDORA DE ANGIOTENSINA-I, EFECTOS HIPOTENSOR Y ANTIHIPERTENSIVO DE FRACCIONES PEPTÍDICAS DE V. UNGUICULATA.

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme I (ACE-I) in vitro and in vivo from peptide fractions by enzymatic hydrolysis of the Vigna unguiculata protein concentrate was evaluated. Hydrolysis was done with Pepsin-Pancreatin and Flavourzima in two separate systems. The resulting hidrolysates were ultrafiltrated to obtain fractions with different molecular weight. The fractions with better inhibition Flavourzima were size > 1 kDa (> 1 kDa-F) and < 1 kDa (< 1 kDa-F), with an IC50 of 1222.84 and 1098.6 µg/ml respectively. Pepsin-Pancreatin fraction.

Se evaluó la inhibición de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina-I (ECA-I) in vitro e in vivo por fracciones peptídicas provenientes de la hidrólisis enzimatica del concentrado proteico de Vigna unguiculata; el cual fue separado en distintos pesos moleculares por ultrafiltración. La hidrólisis se realizó con Flavourzima® y Pepsina- Pancreatina en dos sistemas separados. Las fracciones obtenidas con Flavourzima® con mejor inhibición fueron las de tamaño > 1KDa (> 1KDa-F) y < 1KDa (< 1KDa-F), con un IC50 de 1222,84 y 1098,6 µg/ml, respectivamente. Con Pepsina-Pancreatina la fracción < 1KDa (< 1KDa­ P-P) presentó la mejor actividad, con un IC50 de 402,23 µg/ml. El efecto hipotensor se evaluó en un modelo normotenso durante cuatro semanas, 10 mg/kg peso/vía oral en ratas Wistar. < 1KDa-F disminuyó la presión sistólica: diastólica un 8,61:14,09%, respectivamente; mientras que < 1KDa­P-P disminuyó la presión diastólica un 14,15%. El efecto antihipertensivo se evaluó en un modelo inducido durante tres semanas con L-NAME (25mg/ kg/día). Durante las siguientes cuatro semanas se administraron las fracciones peptídicas, en donde > 1KDa-F redujo la presión sitólica:diastólica un 10,27:4,92%, respectivamente; mientras que < 1KDa-F disminuyó la presión diastólica un 3,56%. < 1KDa­P-P disminuyó la presión sistólica:diastólica un 15,98:17,12%, respectivamente.

Estudios de inhibición in vitro de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina-I, efectos hipotensor y antihipertensivo de fracciones peptídicas de V. unguiculata / Studies in vitro inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme-i, hypotensive and antihypertensive effects of peptide fractions of v. Unguiculata

Se evaluó la inhibición de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina-I (ECA-I) in vitro e in vivo por fracciones peptídicas provenientes de la hidrólisis enzimatica del concentrado proteico de Vigna unguiculata; el cual fue separado en distintos pesos moleculares por ultrafiltración. La hidrólisis se realizó con Flavourzima® y Pepsina-Pancreatina en dos sistemas separados. Las fracciones obtenidas con Flavourzima® con mejor inhibición fueron las de tamaño>1KDa (>1KDa-F) y<1KDa (<1KDa-F), con un IC50 de 1222,84 y 1098,6 μg/ml, respectivamente. Con Pepsina-Pancreatina la fracción<1KDa (<1KDa–P-P) presentó la mejor actividad, con un IC50 de 402,23 μg/ml. El efecto hipotensor se evaluó en un modelo normotenso durante cuatro semanas, 10 mg/kg peso/vía oral en ratas Wistar. <1KDa-F disminuyó la presión sistólica: diastólica un 8,61:14,09%, respectivamente; mientras que<1KDa–P-P disminuyó la presión diastólica un 14,15%. El efecto antihipertensivo se evaluó en un modelo inducido durante tres semanas con L-NAME (25mg/kg/día). Durante las siguientes cuatro semanas se administraron las fracciones peptídicas, en donde >1KDa-F redujo la presión sitólica: diastólica un 10,27:4,92%, respectivamente; mientras que <1KDa-F disminuyó la presión diastólica un 3,56%.<1KDa–P-P disminuyó la presión sistólica: diastólica un 15,98:17,12%, respectivamente (AU)

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme I (ACE-I) in vitro and in vivo from peptide fractions by enzymatic hydrolysis of the Vigna unguiculata protein concentrate was evaluated. Hydrolysis was done with Pepsin-Pancreatin and Flavourzima® in two separate systems. The resulting hidrolysates were ultrafiltrated to obtain fractions with different molecular weight. The fractions with better inhibition Flavourzima® were size > 1 kDa (> 1 kDa-F) and < 1 kDa (< 1 kDa-F), with an IC50 of 1222.84 and 1098.6 μg/ml respectively. Pepsin-Pancreatin fraction <1 kDa (<1 kDa-PP) showed the best activity with an IC50 of 402.23 μg/ml. Hypotensive effect was evaluated in a normotensive model for 4 weeks, 10 mg/kg (weight)/orally, in Wistar rats. < 1 kDa-F decreased systolic: diastolic in 8.61: 14.09% respectively, while in the case of <1 kDa-PP lowed diastolic pressure in 14.15%. Antihypertensive effect was evaluated in induced model for 3 weeks with L-NAME (25 mg/kg (weight)/day). In the next 4 weeks peptide fractions, were administered, noticing >1 kDa-F decreased systolic pressure and diastolic 10.27: 4.92% respectively, while <1 kDa-F decreased diastolic pressure 3.56%. <1 kDa-PP decreased systolic: diastolic in 15.98: 17.12%, respectively (AU)

Antioxidant and chelating activity of Jatropha curcas L. protein hydrolysates.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidant and chelating activities were determined in protein hydrolysates that were produced by treating a protein isolate of a non-toxic genotype of Jatropha curcas with the protease preparation alcalase. RESULTS: 50 min protein hydrolysate with a degree of hydrolysis of 31.7% showed highest antioxidant and chelating activity. These activities were also determined in six peptidic fractions that were separated by gel filtration chromatography of the 50 min hydrolysate. The lower-molecular-weight peptidic fractions had the highest antioxidant and chelating activities, which correlated with a higher content in antioxidant and chelating amino acids such as tyrosine and histidine. CONCLUSION: Results show that J. curcas represents a good source of bioactive peptides. This may be important for the revalorization of defatted J. curcas flour, a by-product resulting form oil extraction for biodiesel production. This is especially important in Third World and developing countries such as Mexico.

Antifungal Activity in Ethanolic Extracts of Carica papaya L. cv. Maradol Leaves and Seeds.

Bioactive compounds from vegetal sources are a potential source of natural antifungic. An ethanol extraction was used to obtain bioactive compounds from Carica papaya L. cv. Maradol leaves and seeds of discarded ripe and unripe fruit. Both, extraction time and the papaya tissue flour:organic solvent ratio significantly affected yield, with the longest time and highest flour:solvent ratio producing the highest yield. The effect of time on extraction efficiency was confirmed by qualitative identification of the compounds present in the lowest and highest yield extracts. Analysis of the leaf extract with phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenes. Antifungal effectiveness was determined by challenging the extracts (LE, SRE, SUE) from the best extraction treatment against three phytopathogenic fungi: Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium spp. and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The leaf extract exhibited the broadest action spectrum. The MIC(50) for the leaf extract was 0.625 mg ml(-1) for Fusarium spp. and >10 mg ml(-1) for C. gloeosporioides, both equal to approximately 20% mycelial growth inhibition. Ethanolic extracts from Carica papaya L. cv. Maradol leaves are a potential source of secondary metabolites with antifungal properties.

[Extraction and characterization of soluble protein fractions from Phaseolus lunatus L seeds]. / Extracción y caracterización de las fracciones proteínicas solubles del grano de Phaseolus lunatus L.

Legume proteins as a potential source of valuable nutrients, are the object of several studies in order to obtain the best use. A basic knowledge becomes more important for those proteins from species not wholly utilized, before using them as food ingredients. The objective of this work was to determine several structural and nutritional characteristics of the protein fractions from Phaseolus lunatus, separated in different solvents. The relative amount of extraction for the albumins (ALB), globulins (GLB), prolamines (PRL), and glutelins (GLT) was 62.3, 34.8, 1.4 and 1.5%, respectively. The SDS-PAGE electrophoretic profile of both ALB and GLB, showed seven common bands in intervals from 10 to 95 kDa, and 14 to 99 kDa, respectively; the amino acids profile showed that PRL was the rich fraction in sulfurated amino acids (11.5 g/100 g protein); the content of lysine in the fraction of ALB was smaller than expected but the requirement of the FAO in the fractions of GLB and GLT was covered. In general, the fraction of GLB had the best balance of amino acids and digestibility (80%); however, it had a relationship of calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) of 0.11, smaller than the ratio in ALB (0.97). The calorimetric analysis showed denatured temperatures around 90 degrees C for the ALB, GLB, and GLU fractions. The PRL fraction probably did not present a thermal transition because the proteins were denaturalized by the extraction conditions.

Extracción y caracterización de las fracciones proteínicas solubles del grano de phaseolus lunatus L / Extraction and characterization of soluble protein fractions from phaseolus lunatus L seeds

Las proteínas de los granos de leguminosas son fuente potencial de nutrientes valiosos, por lo cual son objeto de estudios para lograr su mejor aprovechamiento. Esto se hace más importante para aquellas proteínas provenientes de especies subexplotadas, por lo cual es necesario un conocimiento básico, previo a su utilización como ingrediente. El propósito de este trabajo consistió en determinar varias características estructurales y nutrimentales de las fracciones proteínicas de Phaseolus lunatus, separadas por solubilidad en diferentes agentes. La cantidad relativa de albúminas (ALB), globulinas (GLB), prolaminas (PRL) y glutelinas (GLT) fue 62,3, 34,8, 1,4 y 1,5 por ciento, respectivamente. En el perfil electroforético SDS-PAGE de las ALB y GLB se encontró siete bandas comunes en un intervalo de 10 a 95 kDa y 14 a 99 kDa, respectivamente. El perfil de aminoácidos mostró que la fracción rica en aminoácidos azufrados fue la de PRL (11,5 g/100 g proteína), encontrando el contenido de lisina, en la fracción de ALB, menor al esperado. El requerimiento de la FAO fue cubierto en las fracciones de GLB y GLT. En general el mejor balance de aminoácidos así como de digestibilidad (80 por ciento) lo presentó la fracción de GLB; sin embargo, tuvo una relación de eficiencia proteínica calculada (REP-C) de 0,11, menor que el de las ALB (0,97). El análisis calorimétrico, enseñó temperaturas de desnaturalización alrededor de 900C para las fracciones ALB, GLB, GLU. La fracción de PRL no presentó transición térmica probablemente porque las proteínas se encontraban desnaturalizadas debido a las condiciones de extracción