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The purpose of this research was to obtain optimal thermosonication (TS) processing conditions of beetroot juice by using response surface methodology and its comparison with two thermal treatments at 70 °C for 20 min (TT1) and 80 °C for 10 min (TT2). Optimal TS processing conditions were amplitude of 80% and 10.5 min. Treated beetroot juice by TS had a greater inactivation in microbiological load and enzymatic activity in comparison to treated juices by thermal treatment (TT). Higher betanin content, antioxidant activity by ABTS and chelating activity were found in treated beetroot juice by TS than TT ones. After in vitro digestion processing, juice by TS presented higher betalains content than TT1, similar TPC and high chelating activity in comparison with both juice by TT and similar antioxidant activity by ABTS with TT1. These results suggest that TS processing can replace the thermal treatment in beetroot juice, maintaining their antioxidant properties as well as providing better in vitro digestion.

Silymarin (SM) is a mixture of flavolignans extracted from the seeds of species derived from Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle or St. Mary’sthistle. These species have been widely used in the treatment of liver disorders in traditional medicine since ancient times. Several properties had been attributed to the major SM flavolignans components, identified as silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, isosilychristin, and silydianin. Previous research reported antioxidant and protective activities, which are probably related to the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), known as a master regulator of the cytoprotector response. Nrf2 is a redox-sensitive nuclear transcription factor able to induce the downstream-associated genes. The disruption of Nrf2 signaling has been associated with different pathological conditions. Some identified phytochemicals from SM had shown to participate in the Nrf2 signaling pathway; in particular, they have been suggested as activators that disrupt interactions in the Keap1-Nrf2 system, but also as antioxidants or with additional actions regarding Nrf2 regulation. Thus, the study of these molecules makes them appear attractive as novel targets for the treatment or prevention of several diseases.

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), also known as jamaica in Spanish, is a perennial plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions, including China, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. It has a long history of uses, mainly focused on culinary, botanical, floral, cosmetic, and medicinal uses. The latter being of great impact due to the diuretic, choleretic, analgesic, antitussive, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-cancer effects. These therapeutic properties have been attributed to the bioactive compounds of the plant, mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and organic acids (citric, hydroxycitric, hibiscus, tartaric, malic, and ascorbic). Most literature reviews and meta-analyses on the therapeutic potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs) compounds have not adequately addressed the contributions of its organic acids present in the Hs extracts. This review compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on demonstrated pharmacological properties of organic acids found in Hs. The intent is to encourage and aid researchers to expand their studies on the pharmacologic and therapeutic effects of Hs to include assessments of the organic acid components.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the optimal ultrasound conditions (amplitude level and time) for the extraction of cactus pear seed oil with the highest antioxidant activity using a closed system. Seed oil was analyzed for yield, antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH, and antimicrobial activity. Conventional extraction methods were assessed for comparison. Amplitude level significantly affected antioxidant activity in linear terms (p< 0.0001 DPPH andp< 0.001 ABTS, resp.) so, at lower amplitudes, the higher antioxidant activity was achieved. The optimum ultrasound extraction conditions were of 78% amplitude for 10 min and yielded antioxidant activity values of 66.25 mg AAE/100 g and 289 µmol TE/100 g for ABTS and DPPH, respectively. Compared with conventional extraction methods, ultrasound exhibited lower oil yield and antioxidant activity but had the potential to achieve comparable results if multiple ultrasound extractions are performed in the time needed by conventional methods. Seed oils showed similar antimicrobial activity despite the extraction method and were more effective againstEscherichia coli. The results demonstrated that ultrasound can be an alternative extraction method of seed oils from fruits such as cactus pear.

Summary Undernutrition induces an increase of the oxidative stress that can predispose offspring to various diseases in adulthood through epigenetic reprogramming. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intergenerational undernutrition on protein oxidation and antioxidant defence response on liver, heart and brain of the second-generation neonates (F2) of undernourished rats. For this purpose, both parents in parental (F0) and first generation (F1) were fed with a low-nutrient diet. Body mass and length decreased (p 0.05) while catalase activity increased only in brain (p

In Mexico, the consumption of green cactus pear fruit it is usually eaten fresh. This fruit could be a natural product with a rapid presence in the market, especially if the production technologies are optimized. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound (amplitudes 40, 60 and 80% at different times 10, 15 and 25 min) in the quality (pH, °Brix, stability), microbial growth, phenolic content, ascorbic acid and the antioxidant activity of green cactus pear juice. We found that application of a greater amplitude and time of ultrasound (higher 60% 15 min) significantly decreased the microbial load. Treatment >15 min presented higher total solid soluble (°Brix) with values of 13.00 - 13.40 °Brix. Treatment 60% 15 min, 80% 8, 15 and 25 min showed better physical stability (lower % settled solids) around 16.93%-19.41%. Appreciable amount of bioactive compounds was found mainly in treatment at 80% 25 min in total phenolic contents, while ascorbic acid was the treatments at 60% 25 min and 80% 10 min, preserving the antioxidant activity present in the juice mainly treatments >15 min in ABTS. The amplitude and time of ultrasound applied in the juice might allow the suitable conditions of conservation for industrial use.