Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh): An Amazonian Fruit with Biofunctional Properties-A Review.

Amazonian Camu camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh) has been called a "superfruit" due to its high levels of bioactive and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C. The biofunctional properties of camu camu fruit (including pulp, peel, and seeds) have been well established through several in vitro and in vivo studies. Several reports confirmed the nutritious and biofunctional value of camu camu extracts or its food-derived products, exhibiting antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and antiobesity activity, contributing to quality life improvement. Other studies showed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antihepatotoxic, antihemolytic, antimutagenic, and cell rejuvenation bioactivities. This Review summarizes the bioactive profile of camu camu fruit through the understanding of some physiological modulation processes and its contribution to the Amazon bioeconomy under the development of biofunctional food ingredients exhibiting health benefits.

Antibacterial and hemolytic activity of extracts and compounds obtained from epicarps and seeds of Garcinia madruno(Kunth) Hammel / Actividad antimicrobiana y hemolítica de extractos y compuestos obtenidos del epicarpio y las semillas de Garcinia madruno (Kunth) Hammel

This paper describes the evaluation of the antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from seeds and epicarps of Garcinia madruno; as well garcinol, morelloflavone and volkensiflavone isolated from the same species. In the preliminary test of bacterial susceptibility, hexane extracts from seeds and epicarps and the three compounds tested only displayed inhibitory growth effect against Gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of extract and compounds ranging from 86.6 to 1253.4 µg/mL. The hemolytic activity was assessed; however, except for the methanol extract from seeds, none of the samples studied induced hemolysis. Thus, our results suggest that extracts and compounds from G. madruno have the potential to be used in the control of pathologies associated to Gram-positive bacteria. This is the first report of the antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of extracts of different polarity obtained from seeds and epicarps of this edible species.

El presente artículo describe la evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana y hemolítica de los extractos de hexano, diclorometano, acetato de etilo y metanol, obtenidos de la semilla y el epicarpio de Garcinia madruno; así como de garcinol, morelloflavona y volkensiflavona; aislados de la misma especie. En el ensayo de susceptibilidad bacteriana, tanto el extracto de hexano obtenido a partir de la semilla y el epicarpio, y los tres compuestos aislados, únicamente mostraron actividad inhibitoria del crecimiento contra bacterias Gram-positivas. La concentración mínima inhibitoria presentó valores entre 86.6 y 1253.4 µg/mL. También se estableció la actividad hemolítica; sin embargo, con excepción del extracto metanólico obtenido a partir de las semillas, ninguna de las muestras evaluadas indujo hemólisis. Por lo tanto, los resultados sugieren que los extractos y compuestos de G. madruno tienen el potencial de ser usados en el control de bacterias Gram-positivas asociadas a diversas patologías. Este es el primer reporte de actividad antimicrobiana y hemolítica de extractos de diferente polaridad obtenidos de las semillas y epicarpios de esta especie comestible.

Morfoanatomía e histoquímica de Hypericum juniperinum (Hypericaceae)

Hypericum es un género que pertenece a la familia Hypericaceae, conformado por 469 especies de hierbas, árboles y arbustos. Dos secciones en particular, Brathys y Trygynobrathys, son parte integral de la flora de Páramo. Hypericum tiene una amplia variedad de metabolitos que están asociados con múltiples actividades farmacológicas, y específicamente en H. juniperinum se han reportado propiedades antidepresivas relacionadas con la presencia de flavonoides y compuestos fenólicos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue relacionar las estructuras anatómicas con los metabolitos detectados por métodos histoquímicos presentes en los órganos vegetativos y reproductivos de Hypericum juniperinum recolectados en el Páramo colombiano. Los órganos aéreos (tallos, hojas y flores) de Hypericum juniperinum se recolectaron en la vereda Arbolocos del municipio de Cuitiva, Boyacá (código voucher No.589611, COL). Para el análisis anatómico, los órganos de H. juniperinum se procesaron con técnicas de fijación, incorporación en parafina, corte en microtomo y tinción con azul de astra y fucsina básica. Para el análisis histoquímico se realizaron cortes a mano alzada con tinciones específicas para lípidos, compuestos fenólicos, alcaloides y pectinas. La anatomía de los órganos de H. juniperinum debe entenderse en el contexto de las condiciones de vida del Páramo. Las hojas son altamente xeromorfas ya que son cartáceas, arrosetadas, convolutas y verticales, con parénquima en empalizada biestratificado, paredes engrosadas, cutícula gruesa y cera epicuticular en ambas epidermis foliares, estomas en el lado abaxial con cámara epidérmica. Sin embargo, tiene algunas características mesomórficas, como las vainas parenquimáticas de los haces vasculares y el parénquima esponjoso suelto. Hypericum juniperinum presenta glándulas translúcidas en hojas, cáliz y gineceo, y carece de las glándulas negras típicas de la sección Hypericum a la que pertenece la planta medicinal Hypericum perforatum. El análisis histoquímico mostró lípidos en los canales de la hoja, parénquima radial del tallo y en algunas estructuras florales. Los compuestos fenólicos se detectaron a lo largo de la hoja, en el floema del tallo y en las anteras. Hypericum juniperinum carece de alcaloides y presenta pectinas en el parénquima de la vaina que rodea el haz vascular de la hoja. El presente trabajo contribuye a relacionar los metabolitos con su distribución en los tejidos de esta especie nativa. Además, la anatomía mostró que H. juniperinum tiene características de una planta de Páramo. La descripción que se proporciona aquí podría utilizarse como una monografía preliminar de plantas del género Hypericum con propiedades terapéuticas prometedoras.

Hypericum is a genus that belongs to the Hypericaceae family, with has 469 species of herbs, trees and shrubs. Two sections in particular, Brathys and Trygynobrathys are an integral part of the Paramo flora. Hypericum genus has a wide variety of metabolites that are associated with multiple pharmacological activities, and specifically in H. juniperinum antidepressant properties related to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds have been reported. The objective of this research is to relate the anatomical structures with the metabolites detected by histochemical methods present in the vegetative and reproductive organs of Hypericum juniperinum collected in the Colombian Paramo. The aerial organs (stems, leaves and flowers) of Hypericum juniperinum were collected in the village Arbolocos of the municipality of Cuitiva, Boyacá (voucher code No. 589611, COL). For the anatomical analysis, the organs of H. juniperinum were processed with fixation techniques, incorporation in paraffin, cutting in microtome and staining with Astra-blue and basic fuchsin; for the histochemical analysis freehand cuts were made with specific stains for lipids, phenol compounds, alkaloids and pectins. The anatomy of the organs of H. juniperinum should be understood in the context of the living conditions of the Paramo. Leaves are highly xeromorphic as they are chartaceous, rosette-shaped, convolute and upright, with parenchyma in bistratified palisade, thickened walls, thick cuticle and epicuticular wax in both foliar epidermis, stomata on the abaxial side and with epidermal chamber. However, it has some mesomorphic characteristics such as parenchymatic bundle sheath and loose spongy parenchyma. Hypericum juniperinum has translucent glands in leaves, calyx and gynoecium, and lacks black glands typical of the Hypericum section belonging to the medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum. Histochemical analysis showed lipids in leaf canals, radial parenchyma of the stem and in some floral structures. Phenolic compounds were detected along the leaf, in the phloem of the stem and in the anthers. Hypericum juniperinum lacks alkaloids and presents pectins in the parenchyma of the sheath surrounding the vascular bundle of the leaf. The present work contributes by relating the metabolites with their distribution in the tissues of this native species. In addition, the anatomy of H. juniperinum has characteristics of the Paramo plants. Description given here could be used as a preliminary monograph of plants from the Hypericum genus with promising therapeutic properties.

Characterization of odour-active volatiles and sensory analyses of roasted oak (Quercus humboldtii Bonpl) acorns, a coffee substitute / Caracterización de los compuestos activos olfativamente y análisis sensorial de los frutos tostados del roble (Quercus humboldtii Bonpl), como una bebida sustituta de café

Background: Oak acorns are roasted and grounded to produce a powder that is used to prepare a coffee substitute beverage. Objective: To identify the odour-active volatiles of the powder derived from roasted acorns of Quercus humboldtii and to perform a quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) of its appearance, odour, and taste. Methods: The odour-active volatiles of roasted oak acorn powder were extracted by SDE and analyzed by GC/MS and olfactory analyses (GC/O). Sensorial analyses of this beverage were done by QDA (Quantitative Descriptive Analysis). Results: Nineteen compounds were identified, showing acid, buttery/caramel, smoke/roasted, and fruity odour notes, which are common to those of roasted coffee. Ketones, aldehydes, aliphatic acids, furanic alcohols and pyrazines were identified as relevant for this coffee substitute beverage. The major volatile compounds were furfural, 5-methyl furfural, furfuryl alcohol, and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, some of them related to the sugar breakdown by heating. Odour attributes characterized by QDA, were in agreement with those detected by GC-O (Gas Chromatography coupled to Olfactometry), but some off-taste notes were detected. Conclusions: The results of molecular sensory approach confirmed that this product resembles coffee; however, QDA analyses showed the presence of undesirable taste. More studies are needed in order to improve the taste quality of this coffee substitute.

Antecedentes: los frutos del roble se tuestan y muelen para producir un polvo que es empleado en la preparación de una bebida sustituta del café. Objetivos: identificar los compuestos volátiles activos olfativamente presentes en el polvo proveniente de los frutos tostados de Quercus humboldtii; así como llevar a cabo un análisis cuantitativo descriptivo (QDA) de la apariencia, olor y sabor de este polvo. Métodos: os compuestos volátiles activos olfativamente del polvo de los frutos tostados del roble se extrajeron por DES y se analizaron por CG-EM y análisis olfativo (CG-O). La caracterización sensorial de esta bebida sustituta de café fue realizada mediante el empleo de QDA. Resultados: se identificaron diecinueve compuestos y se evidenció la presencia de notas de olor como manteca/caramelo, ahumado/tostado y frutal, similares a las encontradas en el café tostado. Los componentes mayoritarios identificados para este sustituto de café fueron cetonas, aldehídos, ácidos alifáticos, alcoholes furánicos y pirazinas. Los compuestos mayoritarios detectados fueron furfural, 5-metil furfural, alcohol furfurílico y 3-hidroxi-2-butanona, algunos de ellos relacionados con la descomposición térmica de azúcares. Los atributos de olor caracterizados por QDA fueron similares a los detectados por CG-O, aunque se detectaron algunas notas de sabor desagradable. Conclusiones: los resultados del molecular sensory approach confirmaron que este producto se parece al café; sin embargo el QDA mostró la presencia de un sabor desagradable. Estudios adicionales son necesarios para mejorar la calidad del sabor de este sustituto de café.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids of the endemic Mexican genus Pittocaulon and assignment of stereoisomeric 1,2-saturated necine bases.

The endemic Mexican genus Pittocaulon (subtribe Tussilagininae, tribe Senecioneae, Asteraceae) belongs to a monophyletic group of genera distributed in Mexico and North America. The five Pittocaulon species represent shrubs with broom-like succulent branches. All species were found to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). With one exception (i.e., stems of Pittocaulon velatum are devoid of PAs) PAs were found in all plant organs with the highest levels (up to 0.3% of dry weight) in the flower heads. Three structural types of PAs were found: (1) macrocyclic otonecine esters, e.g. senkirkine and acetylpetasitenine; (2) macrocyclic retronecine esters, e.g. senecionine, only found in roots, and (3) monoesters of 1,2-saturated necines with angelic acid. For an unambiguous assignment of the different stereoisomeric 1,2-saturated necine bases a GC-MS method was established that allows the separation and identification of the four stereoisomers as their diacetyl or trimethylsilyl derivatives. All otonecine esters that generally do not form N-oxides and the 1,2-saturated PAs were exclusively found as free bases, while the 1,2-unsaturated 7-angeloylheliotridine occurring in P. velatum was found only as its N-oxide. In a comparative study the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the four stereoisomeric necine bases were completely assigned by the use of DEPT-135, H,H-COSY, H,C-HSQC and H,H-NOESY experiments and by iterative analysis of the 1H NMR spectra. Based on these methods the PA monoesters occurring in Pittocaulon praecox and P. velatum were assigned as 7-O-angeloyl ester respectively 9-O-angeloyl ester of dihydroxyheliotridane which could be identified for the first time as naturally occurring necine base. Unexpectedly, in the monoesters isolated from the three other Pittocaulon species dihydroxyheliotridane is replaced by the necine base turneforcidine with opposite configuration at C-1 and C-7. The species-specific and organ-typical PA profiles of the five Pittocaulon species are discussed in a biogenetic context.