Identification of volatile compounds associated with the aroma of white strawberries (Fragaria chiloensis).

BACKGROUND: Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Mill spp. chiloensis form chiloensis, is a strawberry that produces white fruits with unique aromas. This species, endemic to Chile, is one of the progenitors of Fragaria x ananassa Duch. In order to identify the volatile compounds that might be responsible for aroma, these were extracted, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and compared with sensory analyses. RESULTS: Three methods of extraction were used: solvent-assisted evaporation (SAFE), headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Ninety-nine volatile compounds were identified by GC-MS, of which 75 showed odor activity using GC-O. Based on the highest dilution factor (FD = 1000) and GC-O intensity ≥2, we determined 20 major compounds in white strawberry fruit that contribute to its aroma. We chose 51 compounds to be tested against their commercial standards. The identities were confirmed by comparison of their linear retention indices against the commercial standards. The aroma of white strawberry fruits was reconstituted with a synthetic mixture of most of these compounds. CONCLUSION: The volatile profile of white strawberry fruit described as fruity, green-fresh, floral, caramel, sweet, nutty and woody will be a useful reference for future strawberry breeding programs.

Influence of BDNF Genetic Polymorphisms in the Pathophysiology of Aging-related Diseases.

For the first time in history, most of the population has a life expectancy equal or greater than 60 years. By the year 2050, it is expected that the world population in that age range will reach 2000 million, an increase of 900 million with respect to 2015, which poses new challenges for health systems. In this way, it is relevant to analyze the most common diseases associated with the aging process, namely Alzheimer´s disease, Parkinson Disease and Type II Diabetes, some of which may have a common genetic component that can be detected before manifesting, in order to delay their progress. Genetic inheritance and epigenetics are factors that could be linked in the development of these pathologies. Some researchers indicate that the BDNF gene is a common factor of these diseases, and apparently some of its polymorphisms favor the progression of them. In this regard, alterations in the level of BDNF expression and secretion, due to polymorphisms, could be linked to the development and/or progression of neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. In this review we will deepen on the different polymorphisms in the BDNF gene and their possible association with age-related pathologies, to open the possibilities of potential therapeutic targets.

Identification, quantification, and sensory characterization of steviol glycosides from differently processed Stevia rebaudiana commercial extracts.

Stevia rebaudiana is known for its sweet-tasting ent-kaurene diterpenoid glycosides. Several manufacturing strategies are currently employed to obtain Stevia sweeteners with the lowest possible off-flavors. The chemical composition of four commercial S. rebaudiana extracts, obtained by different technologies, was characterized using UHPLC-ESI-MS(n). The composition of one of the ethanol-crystallized extracts (EC2) was entirely rebaudioside A, whereas the enzymatically modified (EM) extract contained the lowest concentration of this compound (2.7 mg/100 mg). The membrane-purified (MP) extract had the highest content of minor natural steviol glycosides (23.7 mg/100 mg total extract) versus an average of 2.4 mg/100 mg total extract for the EC samples. Thirteen trained panelists evaluated sweetness, bitterness, licorice, and metallic attributes of all four extracts. The highest licorice intensity (p ≤ 0.05) was found for MP. Both samples EC1 and EC2, despite their different chemical compositions, showed no significant differences in sensory perception.

Estudio cualitativo del involucramiento del varón en la salud sexual y reproductiva / Qualitative study of man role in sexual and reproductive health

En Chile, la marginación de los varones de los temas de salud sexual y reproductiva provoca conflictos y tensiones en la pareja, por la inquietud de género. Mediante grupos focales se investiga sobre los conocimientos, actitudes y necesidades de los varones en esta materias, para proyectar acciones y estrategias que permitan el acceso de los hombres a la información, educación y servicios integrales de salud sexual y reproductiva. Se estudian roles de género, paternidad, sexualidad y disfunciones, violencias en la pareja, planificación familiar, enfermedades de transmisión sexual y capacitación