RESUMO
Less common tropical fruits have been the subject of little research, leaving a vast field to be explored. In this context, a comprehensive study was carried out on the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of 51 non-traditional fruits consumed in Ecuador. Vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds were evaluated using microextraction and rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) techniques, while antioxidant activity was measured using microplate readings. The results showed high levels of vitamin C (768.2 mg/100 g DW) in Dovyalis hebecarpa, total organic acids (37.2 g/100 g DW) in Passiflora tripartita, carotenoids (487.0 mg/100 g DW) in Momordica charantia, phenolic compounds (535.4 mg/g DW) in Nephelium lappaceum, Pourouma cecropiifolia (161.4 µmol TE/g DW) and Morus alba (80.5 µmol AAE/g DW) in antioxidant activity. Effective extraction of carotenoids was also observed using a mixture of methanol: acetone: dichloromethane (1:1:2) with an extraction time of 2 min, while an 80% solution of 0.1% acidified methanol with hydrochloric acid with an extraction time of 3 min was highly effective for phenolics in fruit. These results provide a valuable basis for optimising future extraction processes of bioactive compounds from non-traditional fruits, with significant implications for their potential use in various nutritional and pharmaceutical contexts.
RESUMO
Flowers have played a significant role in society, focusing on their aesthetic value rather than their food potential. This study's goal was to look into flowering plants for everything from health benefits to other possible applications. This review presents detailed information on 119 species of flowers with agri-food and health relevance. Data were collected on their family, species, common name, commonly used plant part, bioremediation applications, main chemical compounds, medicinal and gastronomic uses, and concentration of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds. In this respect, 87% of the floral species studied contain some toxic compounds, sometimes making them inedible, but specific molecules from these species have been used in medicine. Seventy-six percent can be consumed in low doses by infusion. In addition, 97% of the species studied are reported to have medicinal uses (32% immune system), and 63% could be used in the bioremediation of contaminated environments. Significantly, more than 50% of the species were only analysed for total concentrations of carotenoids and phenolic compounds, indicating a significant gap in identifying specific molecules of these bioactive compounds. These potential sources of bioactive compounds could transform the health and nutraceutical industries, offering innovative approaches to combat oxidative stress and promote optimal well-being.
RESUMO
Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) is susceptible to nematode attack; for this reason, grafting is used as an alternative to reduce this impact. In this study, the bioactive compounds of the fruit (shell, pulp, and seed jelly) of two tree tomato ecotypes ('giant orange' and 'giant purple') were evaluated in both control and grafted plants grown at different altitudes (2010-2250, 2260-2500, 2510-2750 and 2760-3000 masl). Commercial quality, vitamin C, organic acids, phenolics, carotenoids and antioxidant activity were determined by microextraction and quantified by liquid chromatography (RRLC) or spectrophotometry (microplate reader). The results showed high concentrations of vitamin C, organic acids and antioxidant activity in the seed jelly, organic acids in the pulp and phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity in the shell. The main phenolics were ferulic acid, caffeic acid and luteolin, while the main carotenoids were lutein, B-cryptoxanthin and B-carotene. Multivariate analysis showed that tree tomato quality was mainly influenced by altitude and fruit part and that grafting positively affected soluble solids for both ecotypes and all altitudes.
RESUMO
El calostro bovino es una secreción mamaria que se genera aproximadamente siete días antes del parto para alimentar al becerro. El contenido de sus componentes puede llegar a ser 100 veces mayor que en la leche cruda y estudios de otros autores señalan los beneficios alimenticios y medicinales que este presenta. En tal virtud, se estudió el efecto de la aplicación de microfiltración tangencial sobre la concentración de proteínas de calostro bovino como una fuente alimenticia y medicinal. El estudio consideró vacas de la raza Holstein y sus entrecruzamientos, desarrolladas en el cantón Cayambe. Los análisis químicos (grasa, proteína total, inmunoglobulinas totales, lactosa, sólidos totales y sólidos no grasos) fueron analizados en un equipo MilkoScan, los microbiológicos (contaje de células somáticas y contaje total) en un analizador Bacto Scan, la cuantificación de inmunoglobulina G con un cromatógrafo líquido Varian y la influencia de la aplicación de microfiltración tangencial con membranas de 0,45 µm de poro. Los resultados mostraron que en la mayoría de los casos las concentraciones de los parámetros en estudio a las primeras horas presentaron elevados valores (23 a 76 % de aumento con respecto a las 36 horas). El análisis factorial mostró que las condiciones de crianza y las horas después del parto, son los factores que mayormente influyeron sobre los parámetros físico-químicos. Finalmente, la microfiltración concentró la inmunoglobulina G en un 27 %, este concentrado podría ser empleado en la elaboración de nuevos productos que presenten beneficios a la salud de los humanos.
