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La pandemia de COVID-19 en México ha provocado la muerte de más de 326,000 personas en cifras oficiales y un exceso de mortalidad de casi 645,020, es decir, de personas que no se esperaba que murieran de acuerdo al INEGI durante el periodo del 2020-2022. Del total de muertes en exceso el 61 % corresponde a varones y muchos de ellos eran cabeza de familia por lo tanto dejaron huérfanos y viudas que tuvieron que asumir la responsabilidad de la economía familiar. Además, estas muertes dejaron procesos de duelo muy complicados en las familias, debido a las circunstancias inesperadas, dolorosas y la soledad en que ocurrió la muerte por COVID-19. Estos duelos complicados promovieron procesos de ansiedad y depresión, que se han reflejado en un aumento en la búsqueda de apoyo emocional en instituciones públicas y privadas. Junto con el exceso de muertes, el confinamiento parcial o total durante la pandemia fomentó que se elevaran lo índices de obesidad y enfermedades crónicas degenerativas en la población. De ahí la importancia de formar redes de apoyo emocional y alimentario, ya que en una parte importante de las familias mexicanas el manejo de crisis emocionales y de salud recae en las mujeres.

Se evaluó el efecto de tres extractos naturales elaborados a base de especias culinarias con actividad antioxidante, sobre la estabilidad oxidativa de lípidos y proteínas, cambios de color, y calidad sensorial de carne de cerdo cocinada durante 12 días de almacenamiento refrigerado. Se elaboraron sistemas modelo tipo hamburguesa con el músculo Longissimus thoracis et lomborum, grasa dorsal, sal, agua y el extracto correspondiente. La actividad antioxidante de los extractos se determinó mediante los métodos DPPH y ABTS+, mientras que la oxidación de lípidos y proteínas por TBA-RS y DNPH respectivamente. Para la evaluación de color se utilizaron los parámetros de luminosidad (L*) y ángulo Hue (°h). El análisis sensorial se realizó con un panel no entrenado, el cual evaluó los atributos de sabor, color, olor y textura. El procesamiento estadístico de los datos obtenidos de actividad antioxidante, oxidación lipídica y proteica, así como de color se realizaron mediante un análisis de varianza. La evaluación sensorial fue procesada con estadística no paramétrica. El extracto dos presentó la mayor actividad antioxidante (P≤0.05); los tres extractos lograron inhibir (P≤0.05) la oxidación de lípidos en las hamburguesas (P≤0.05); sin embargo, ninguno de los tres extractos logró inhibir la oxidación proteica. Tampoco hubo diferencias (P≥0.05) respecto al parámetro de L*, mientras que los valores de °h mostraron que los tres extractos lograron conservar el color de las hamburguesas cocinadas durante el almacenamiento refrigerado. Finalmente, la evaluación sensorial evidenció que ninguno de los tres extractos alteró la calidad organoléptica de las hamburguesas.

During the harvest, processing, and distribution of avocado (Persea americana Mill.), a large amount of waste (peel, seed, and pulp) is produced, which has proven to have antioxidant properties and this by-product might be used as input within the food production chain. This study evaluates the lipid oxidation, antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds of two pastes made with avocado by-products (with seed: PS and without seed: PWS) during 60 d stored under refrigeration. On the results obtained, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, followed by the Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). The lipid oxidation was controlled in both pastes and was even reduced during storage. In the PS, the antioxidant capacity declined, although it remained high and very similar to the PWS towards the end of the storage. The concentration of phenolic acids increased during most of the time of storage. Although PWS displayed better results with two of the analyses performed, both pastes were considered to have important antioxidant characteristics, which remained during the refrigerated storage. Due to this, its potential use in the production of foods is inferred, particularly for animals such as cattle, pigs, in aquaculture, or even in the cosmetics industry.

Las especias culinarias son fuente importante de compuestos fenólicos que presentan actividad antioxidante, se han utilizado desde hace siglos para la conservación de alimentos y ampliar su vida de anaquel, así como mitigar los efectos negativos de la exposición de los alimentos a altas temperaturas. El uso de tratamientos térmicos en los alimentos ricos en carbohidratos como las papas fritas puede provocar la formación de diversos productos de la reacción de Maillard o glicotoxinas, entre ellos la acrilamida, la cual presenta actividad carcinogénica. Existen algunos estudios que reportan que la aplicación de una película de especias culinarias con actividad antioxidante puede inhibir la formación de acrilamida durante el freído de papas. Sin embargo, solo algunas investigaciones reportan lo contrario. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto antioxidante de cinco aditivos comestibles elaborados con distintas especias culinarias sobre el contenido de acrilamida en papas fritas tipo a “la Francesa”. Los análisis fueron realizados mediante cromatografía de líquidos de alta resolución-espectrometría de masas. Los resultados indican que los cinco aditivos provocaron un efecto discordante, pues no lograron inhibir la formación de acrilamida como se esperaba sino que por el contrario promovieron su formación.ABSTRACTCulinary spices are an important source of phenolic compounds that have antioxidant activity, they have been used for centuries to preserve food and extend their shelf life, as well as mitigate the negative effects of food exposure to high temperatures. The use of heat treatments in carbohydrate- rich foods such as French fries can cause de formation of various products of the Maillard reaction or glycotoxins, including acrylamide, which has carcinogenic activity. There are some studies that report that the application of a film of species culinary with antioxidant activity can inhibit acrylamide formation during potato frying. However, only some research reports otherwise. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of five edible additives made with different culinary spices on the acrylamide content in French fries. The analyzes were performed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results indicate that the five additives caused a discordant effect, since the failed to inhibit acrylamide formation as expected but instead promoted its formation.

In this study the effect of temperature (25, 40 and 60 °C), solvent polarity using water (H2O)-ethanol (EtaOH) solvent with 100, 90:10 and 80:20 (H2O:EtaOH % v/v), and solvent-to-solid ratio (40/1, 60/1 and 80/1 mL/g) on the extraction yield of anthocyanins from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was analyzed. The experimental data were fitted to Spiro and Siddique model with a good accuracy () and the specific extraction rate constant was perfectly related to the apparent diffusivity using the lumped parameter model. The major percentage of the anthocyanin extraction yield was 63.81±1.33, 68.95 ±1.53, and 83.09±3.14 when the used solvent was H2O, H2O-EtaOH (90:10), and H2O-EtaOH (80:20), respectively. The diffusivity was affected mainly by temperature, tending to be more temperature sensitive as the solvent polarity decreased. Activation energy values (), in range from 19.64 to 29.28 kJ mol-1, allow to infer that the extraction of anthocyanins is favored when using an ethanolic aqueous solution as a solvent. Response surface methodology was successfully applied to the anthocyanin extraction yield, confirming that the process parameters (solvent polarity, solid-to-solvent ratio and temperature) affected the extraction yields.

Since synthetic antioxidants have been questioned for their potential carcinogenic and teratogenic effects, interest has grown in aquaculture for alternatives of natural antioxidants used in diets. This study analyzed antioxidant properties of a diet for tilapia with the inclusion an avocado by-product (AP) paste. Avocado seed, skin and pulp, despite their proven antioxidant capacity, represent a great amount of waste in Mexico. We included four diets in this study: base diet 0 (BD), 10 (D10), 20 (D20) and 30 % (D30) of AP inclusion, and a commercial diet (CD) for comparison. The antioxidant activity was assessed by free-radical techniques, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-pricrylhydrazil (DPPH•), 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylben zthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+), iron ion (Fe III) and concentration of total phenolic compounds (TPC). An increasing pattern was observed both in antioxidant activity and TPC as the level of AP inclusion increased. In some determinations, CD showed the highest levels, which were attributed to the synthetic antioxidants added and undeclared in these formulations. Therefore, AP was considered a good option for its inclusion in aquaculture diets because of its antioxidant properties and the added value granted with its use.

In recent years, there has been an increased concern about the presence of toxic compounds derived from the Maillard reaction produced during food cooking at high temperatures. The main toxic compounds derived from this reaction are acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The majority of analytical methods require sample treatments using solvents which are highly polluting for the environment. The difficulty of quantifying HMF in complex fried food matrices encourages the development of new analytical methods. This paper provides a rapid, sensitive and environmentally-friendly analytical method for the quantification of HMF in corn chips using HPLC-DAD. Chromatographic separation resulted in a baseline separation for HMF in 3.7 min. Sample treatment for corn chip samples first involved a leaching process using water and afterwards a solid-phase extraction (SPE) using HLB-Oasis polymeric cartridges. Sample treatment optimisation was carried out by means of Box-Behnken fractional factorial design and Response Surface Methodolog y to examine the effects of four variables (sample weight, pH, sonication time and elution volume) on HMF extraction from corn chips. The SPE-HPLC-DAD method was validated. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.82 and 2.20 mg kg

Nayarit es el principal productor de guanábana (Annona muricata L.) a nivel mundial; sin embargo, no se reconocen variedades o ecotipos presentes en la entidad, la mayoría de la producción se realiza en árboles a pie franco. Así, se presentan resultados de una investigación preliminar sobre la caracterización de frutos de guanábana (Annona muricata L.) de Tepic, Nayarit. Se seleccionaron 13 árboles de ocho años de edad, de los cuales se cosecharon de cuatro a siete frutos entre junio y julio de 2014. La masa del fruto en la población varió entre 837.8 y 2513 g, la proporción promedio de pulpa, cascara y semilla fue de 71, 20.5 y 8.5%, respectivamente, en la población. Los frutos fueron elípticos en promedio, con un contenido de semillas entre 19 y 311. El color de la epidermis del fruto fue verde opaca y poco luminosa (h= 151.7 - 164.9, C*= 9.4-21.4; L*= 30.2 -45.8), la firmeza fue en promedio de 7.3 N, los sólidos solubles totales entre 7.1 y 14 °Brix, la acidez titulable promedio fue de 0.7 % y el pH de 3.6. El análisis de conglomerados formó 4 grupos. El grupo cuatro presentó el menor número de semillas (41) y mayor cantidad de SST (13.2 oBrix). Las variables masa, dimensiones y color de la cascara ayudaron a la separación de los grupos. Se determinó variabilidad en guanábana con potencial para obtener frutos para el mercado en fresco e industrial; así como para propagación de la especie.

El sistema poscosecha de los frutos de guanábana (Annona muricata L.) aún no está desarrollado completamente, por lo que existen diversos problemas durante el manejo de los frutos. El ablandamiento acelerado, durante el almacenamiento postcosecha, y su comercialización es un problema constante y de suma importancia. Los frutos de guanábana son del tipo climatérico, caracterizándose por su alta tasa de respiración y producción de etileno, aunado a una actividad enzimática alta y su sensibilidad al frío. Los periodos prolongados de almacenamiento aun no son posibles, debido principalmente a la alta susceptibilidad al daño por frio. La información científica al respecto es aun limitada y dispersa y aunque se ha realizado investigación al respecto, ésta ha sido insuficiente. En este documento se hace una recopilación de las investigaciones más importantes, especialmente en las generalidades del fruto, la respiración, producción de etileno, cambios de maduración, actividad enzimática y técnicas de almacenamiento postcosecha para extender la vida de anaquel del fruto.

The structures of thioethers I-III and the new amidic compounds 1(a-f)-3(a-f) derived from 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBZ) and cinnamic acids were confirmed by NMR and elemental analysis. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●) radical scavenging assay and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) ABTS●+ radical cation decolorization method. Besides, donor-acceptor maps (DAM) and electrophilicity were calculated using DFT/B3LYP method with a 6-311G(d,p) basis set. MBZ, I-III and (1a-3a) compounds showed higher activity in in vitro antioxidant assays, confirming with in silico studies that they are the best candidates. The findings found in antiradical activity suggest that these compounds could be promising in the development of new antitumor and antimicrobial agents. QSAR Molecular properties and topological descriptors of the synthesized compounds 1(a-f)-3(a-f) were calculated. The QSAR model indicates that the size and molecular shape are relevant for the antiradical activity for this family of compounds.

The development of new postharvest technologies, which prolong useful fruit life and are also biodegradable, has promoted the use of edible coatings, prepared based on polysaccharides obtained from nonconventional sources, such as the starch and pectin in banana fruits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of coatings based on starch and pectin from ‘Pear’ banana, as well as chitosan applied to ‘Ataulfo’ mango fruit. Coverings with 1 % starch and others with 1 % pectin were applied by immersion to mango fruits at physiological maturity; fruits were then stored for 12 days at 10 ± 2°C, plus another 9 days at 22 ± 2°C. The assessed variables were: weight loss (%), color (L*, a*, b*), firmness (kgf∙cm-2), total soluble solids (°Brix), and titratable acidity (%). ‘Ataulfo’ mango fruits covered with starch from ‘Pear’ banana (Musa ABB) showed greater firmness (3.34 kgf∙cm-2) and a high content of total soluble solids (16.96 °Brix), compared to the control fruits (2.26 kgf∙cm-2 and 15.8 °Brix, respectively); this coating extended the postharvest period to 21 days. The edible coatings did not affect the cuticle color of ‘Ataulfo’ mango fruits and retained their typical yellow color

The compound 2-aryl-2,3-dihydro-4H- [1,3]thiazino[3,2-a]benzimidazol-4-one (C16H12N2OS) (III) was synthesized. The compound crystallized in a monoclinic crystal system with P21/c space group as revealed by mono-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray analysis and density functional theory complementary calculations showed that noncovalent C–H···π interactions between the benzimidazole system and the thiazine ring form a dimerization along the direction of the b axes, additionally π···π interactions were found between the benzene rings. The C12, in the thiazine ring, has a distortion angle (41.69°) respect to the plane of benzimidazole. The intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure were quantified and analyzed using Hirshfeld surface analysis. The predominant interaction within the crystalline structure was found to be H⋯H interaction. On the other hand, antioxidant activity of the C16H12N2OS system was studied using the DPPH and ABTS + assay. Using the energy profile for the reaction of DPPH with III it was demonstrated that the antioxidant activity is carried out through HAT (H12) mechanism where conjugation of the radical can occur between the C12 of the thiazine ring and the aromatic ring, this was confirmed by a H function calculation. The importance of this study focuses on the promising range of biological activities and molecular characteristics of the synthesized compound (III).

Actualmente el consumidor exige que los alimentos de origen animal sean inocuos y orgánicos. Por lo cual, la industria cárnica se ha enfrentado a la necesidad de buscar aditivos naturales que coadyuven a la prolongación de la vida de anaquel de sus productos. Diversos estudios proporcionan evidencias sobre la actividad antibacteriana y antioxidante de los extractos acuosos de los cálices de jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). En consecuencia, estos podrían ser eficaces para prolongar la vida de anaquel de productos cárnicos.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto de tres aditivos comestibles, elaborados a base de especias culinarias (canela, clavo, cebolla, cilantro, pimienta negra, chile verde, ajo, orégano, hojas de laurel), así como cálices de jamaica verde y jugo de limón sobre la inhibición en el crecimiento de Escherichia coli O157:H7 en carne cruda de cerdo. Los resultados experimentales mostraron que en particular el aditivo 3 fue el que logró mostrar la mayor concentración de compuestos fenólicos totales así como el mejor efecto antibacteriano. Dicho efecto se puede atribuir a su alto contenido de compuestos fenólicos totales, los cuales han sido reportados que poseen actividad antimicrobiana. La eficacia de los compuestos polifenólicos podría atribuirse a su interacción con la membrana celular de los microorganismos, inhibiendo así actividades metabólicas básicas de las células bacterianas.

There are many chronic diseases related with inflammation. The chronic inflammation can produce other problems as cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to design drugs with better anti-inflammatory activity than those in the clinic. Likewise, these could be used in chronic treatments with minimum adverse effects. The amide or ester functionality in combination with the insertion of a silyl alkyl moiety is able to improve some drug properties. In this context, the evaluation of a group of silicon containing ibuprofen derivatives (SCIDs) as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents is reported. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH⨪), 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS•+) and the Fe(II) chelating ability methods. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined by using the carrageenan induced rat paw edema. The gastrotoxic profile of the SCIDs that displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity was determined by the indomethacin induced ulceration method. The SCIDs performed better than ibuprofen as chelating agents for Fe(II) and as scavengers for the free radicals DPPH• and ABTS•+. On the anti-inflammatory test, compound 4a inhibited the edema up to 87%, while 4d &10b achieved significant inflammation inhibition at a lower effective dose 50 (ED50) than ibuprofen´s. None of the SCIDs endowed with anti-inflammatory activity, showed significant gastrotoxic effects with respect to those displayed by ibuprofen. Based on the experimental results and aided by the theoretical docking approach, it was possible to rationalize how the SCIDs may bind to cyclooxygenase isoforms and helped to explain their reduced gastrotoxicity. The evaluated effects were improved in SCIDs with respect to ibuprofen.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. The agents capable of causing damage to genetic material are known as genotoxins and, according to their mode of action, are classified into mutagens, carcinogens or teratogens. Genotoxins are involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic degenerative diseases including hepatic, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, chronic inflammation and ageing. In recent decades, researchers have found novel bioactive phytocompounds able to counteract the effects of physical and chemical mutagens. Several studies have shown potential antigenotoxicity in a variety of fruits. In this review (Part 1), we present an overview of research conducted on some fruits (grapefruit, cranberries, pomegranate, guava, pineapple, and mango) which are frequentl consumed by humans, as well as the analysis of some phytochemicals extracted from fruits and yeasts which have demonstrated antigenotoxic capacity in various tests, including the Ames assay, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus and comet assay.

A Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) of coumarins by genetic algorithms employing physicochemical, topological, lipophilic and electronic descriptors was performed. We have used experimental antioxidant activities of specific coumarin derivatives against the DPPH· radical molecule. Molecular descriptors such as Randic Path/Walk, hydrophilic factor and chemical hardness were selected to propose a mathematical model. We obtained a linear correlation with R2 = 96.65 and Q 2 = 93.14 values. The evaluation of the predictive ability of the model was performed by applying the Q 2 , $\hat r^2 $ and Δr 2 methods. Fukui functions were calculated here for coumarin derivatives in order to delve into the mechanics by which they work as primary antioxidants. We also investigated xanthine oxidase inhibition with these coumarins by molecular docking. Our results show that hydrophobic, electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions are crucial in the inhibition of xanthine oxidase by coumarins.

For many years, several studies have been employing lectin from vegetables in order to prove its toxic effect on various cell lines. In this work, we analyzed the cytotoxic, antiproliferative, and post-incubatory effect of pure tepary bean lectins on four lines of malignant cells: C33-A; MCF-7; SKNSH, and SW480. The tests were carried out employing MTT and 3[H]-thymidine assays. The results showed that after 24 h of lectin exposure, the cells lines showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, the effect being higher on MCF-7, while C33-A showed the highest resistance. Cell proliferation studies showed that the toxic effect induced by lectins is higher even when lectins are removed, and in fact, the inhibition of proliferation continues after 48 h. Due to the use of two techniques to analyze the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect, differences were observed in the results, which can be explained by the fact that one technique is based on metabolic reactions, while the other is based on the 3[H]-thymidine incorporated in DNA by cells under division. These results allow concluding that lectins exert a cytotoxic effect after 24 h of exposure, exhibiting a dose-dependent effect. In some cases, the cytotoxic effect is higher even when the lectins are eliminated, however, in other cases, the cells showed a proliferative effect.

Plants belonging to the genus Opuntia spp. are the most abundant of the Cactaceae family, grown throughout America and the Mediterranean central area. Its fruit, known as cactus pear or prickly pear, is an oval berry grouped in different colors. Some studies have shown its antioxidant activities which may help in preventing chronic pathologies such as diabetes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of three varieties of prickly pear juice (red-purple, white-green and yellow-orange) in five different concentrations (100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/mL) by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) colorimetric method, selecting the best variety to determine its anticlastogenic potential against methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The results indicate that the highest antioxidant was found in the juice of the prickly pear red-purple variety (PPRP), in all concentrations. Its anticlastogenic potential was therefore evaluated with a micronucleus assay. The experiment was run over two weeks. A negative control was included along with a positive control with MMS (40 mg/kg), a group of mice treated with PPRP (25 mL/kg), and three groups with PPRP (in doses of 25, 16.5 and 8.3 mL/kg) plus the mutagen. The PPRP was administered daily by oral gavage and the MMS was injected intraperitoneally five days prior to the end of the experiment. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in order to determine the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE). The results indicated that PPRP is not a genotoxic agent, on the contrary, it may reduce the number of MNPE. In this regard, the PPRP showed an anticlastogenic effect directly proportional to its concentrations. Thus, the highest protection was obtained with a concentration of 25 mL/kg after 48 h of treatment.

In Mexico, natural populations of the opossum pipefish, Microphys brachyurus, are under pressure by anthropogenic alteration of their habitat and unregulated fishing as this species is traded as an aquarium fish, where its survival is low due to inadequate culture practices. The development of culturing techniques has been a successful strategy to protect many exploited species through providing an alternative source to wild exploitation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect on growth, condition, and survival of pipefish cultured for 6 wk at temperatures of 26, 28, and 30 C. Pipefish were fed enriched Artemia nauplii maintaining a ration rate of 14% body weight per day (dry weight Artemia : wet weight fish). The pipefish cultured at 26 and 28 C were longer, heavier, grew faster, and presented better condition than those at 30 C. The survival of pipefish cultured at 26 C was greater (83%) than at 30 C (30%) but not different than at 28 C (50%). This study is the first to report the acceptance of Artemia nauplii by juveniles of the species and that a temperature of 30 C is not suitable for juvenile M . brachyurus culture.

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) is a serious health problem in developed countries. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), the current therapy for APAP-induced ALF, is not always effective, and liver transplantation is often needed. Opuntia spp. fruits are an important source of nutrients and contain high levels of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Opuntia robusta and Opuntia streptacantha extracts against APAP-induced ALF. In addition, we analyzed the antioxidant activities of these extracts. Fruit extracts (800 mg/kg/day, orally) were given prophylactically to male Wistar rats before intoxication with APAP (500 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Rat hepatocyte cultures were exposed to 20 mmol/L APAP, and necrosis was assessed by LDH leakage. Opuntia robusta had significantly higher levels of antioxidants than Opuntia streptacantha. Both extracts significantly attenuated APAP-induced injury markers AST, ALT and ALP and improved liver histology. The Opuntia extracts reversed APAP-induced depletion of liver GSH and glycogen stores. In cultured hepatocytes, Opuntia extracts significantly reduced leakage of LDH and cell necrosis, both prophylactically and therapeutically. Both extracts appeared to be superior to NAC when used therapeutically. We conclude that Opuntia extracts are hepatoprotective and can be used as a nutraceutical to prevent ALF.

In vitro antioxidant activity for 12 stannoxanes derived from Ph(3)SnCl (compounds 1-3), Ph(2)SnCl(2) (compounds 4-6), Bu(3)SnCl (compounds 7-9), and Bu(2)SnCl(2) (compounds 10-12), was assayed qualitatively by the chromatographic profile with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) method and by two quantitative methods: the DPPH radical scavenging activity and Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. The results were compared with those obtained with the starting materials 2-pyridine- carboxylic acid (I), 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (II) and 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid (III), as well as with standard compounds, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, respectively. The in vitro antiradical activity with DPPH of diphenyltin derivative 5 showed a very similar behavior to vitamin C at a 20 microg/mL concentration, whereas according to the FRAP method, compound 8 was better. This difference is due to the mechanism of the antioxidant process. The Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) for both methods is also reported.

E. Cruz-Crespo, M.T. Sumaya-Martínez, Á. Can-Chulim, J. Pineda-Pineda, R. Bugarín-Montoya and G. Aguilar-Benítez. 2015. Quality, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of serrano chili peppers cultivated in volcanic rock-vermicompost and nutrient solutions. Cien. Inv. Agr. 42(3): 375-384. The concentration of antioxidant compounds, the antioxidant activity, physical quality characteristics, and the yield of serrano chilies (Capsicum annuum L.) are affected by agricultural practices, such as the use of vermicompost in containers combined with chemical fertilizers, the investigations of which have focused on yield. A study was performed to determine whether vermicompost mixed with volcanic rock and the ionic composition of the nutrient solution affect the variables mentioned above. Serrano chilies were planted in volcanic rock:vermicompost in the following proportions 100:0, 80:20 and 60:40 and were watered with Steiner nutrient solution at 25, 50, and 75%. Interaction of the factors was determined for the fresh weight of the fruits. Fruit length, diameter, number, weight, yield, firmness, hue, and chroma increased with the nutrient solutions at 50 and 75%. Ascorbic acid levels fell with the solutions at 50 and 75%, and total phenols and antioxidant activity increased with the solutions at 25 and 50%. The 80:20 and 60:40 volcanic rock:vermicompost substrates similarly increased the length, diameter, number, weight, total phenols and antioxidant activity of the fruit. Yield increased with a greater proportion of the vermicompost. The solution at 50% and the volcanic rock:vermicompost mixture 80:20 were the best conditions for the content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, as well as diverse quality variables, although the 60:40 proportion was more favorable for yield.

The effect of refrigerated 48h transport and 4 days storage on the quality and shelf life of the whole lion's paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus gonad was evaluated. Proximal composition, adenosine 5´triphosphate (ATP) and related products, K-value, total volatile bases (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA-N), pH, fatty acid profile and microbiological analyses were quantified. Gonad holds a significant composition of essential fatty acids while levels of gonadal ATP were initially low; moreover, K-value of the gonad remained constant. With respect to TVB-N and TMA-N, only the former exceeded allowed limits. The pH level showed no significant variation during storage and, despite the high level of TVB-N, according to the TMA-N as well as microbiological analyses it was demonstrated innocuity after 4 days under the transportation and storage conditions utilized. Avaliou-se o efeito do transporte em refrigeração por 48 horas e quatro dias de armazenamento sobre a qualidade e vida de prateleira da gônada do bivalve pata de leão, Nodipecten subnodosus. Determinou-se a composição centesimal, a adenosina 5'trifosfato (ATP) e afins, o índice K, bases voláteis totais (TVB-N), trimetilamina (TMA-N), pH, perfil de ácidos graxos e análise microbiológica. A Gônada apresentou uma importante composição de ácidos graxos essenciais e baixos níveis iniciais de ATP, enquanto o índice K manteve-se constante. Quanto a TVB -N e TMA- N, apenas as primeiras ultrapassaram os limites admissíveis. Os valores de pH não mostraram nenhuma mudança significativa durante o armazenamento e, apesar dos altos níveis de TVB -N, de acordo com a análise quantitativa e microbiológica TMA- N, a segurança do produto foi demonstrada após quatro dias sob as condições de transporte e armazenamento utilizado.

The in vitro antioxidant activities of eight 3-carboxycoumarin derivatives were assayed by the quantitative 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH•) radical scavenging activity method. 3-Acetyl-6-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (C1) and ethyl 6-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylate (C2) presented the best radical-scavenging activity. A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study was performed and correlated with the experimental DPPH• scavenging data. We used structural, geometrical, topological and quantum-chemical descriptors selected with Genetic Algorithms in order to determine which of these parameters are responsible of the observed DPPH• radical scavenging activity. We constructed a back propagation neural network with the hydrophilic factor (Hy) descriptor to generate an adequate architecture of neurons for the system description. The mathematical model showed a multiple determination coefficient of 0.9196 and a root mean squared error of 0.0851. Our results shows that the presence of hydroxyl groups on the ring structure of 3-carboxy-coumarins are correlated with the observed DPPH• radical scavenging activity effects.

Recent studies have shown that handcrafted glass-clay containers are a health risk because they can be contaminated by heavy metals, which can be transferred to food, thus reaching the human body to potentially cause illness. Therefore, in the present work, we evaluate the leaching of lead, cadmium, and cobalt from glass-clay containers into two types of food: tomato sauce (salsa), and chickpea puree. The containers were obtained from four regions in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. Repetitive extractions from the containers were carried out to quantify the leaching of the heavy metals into the salsa, the chickpea puree, and acetic acid using the technique proposed by the USFDA. The results show that greater use of the containers leads to more leaching of heavy metals into both types of food and into the acetic acid, with the greatest metal extraction recorded for the Ixmiquilpan vessels. These results indicate that the metals present in the glass-clay containers leach into the food and that increased reuse increases the risk to the people who use them in food preparation.

La reología es de fundamental importancia en la fabricación de alimentos para comprender la manera en la cual una sustancia se mueve y se comporta para poder transportarla y mezclarla durante su procesamiento. El objetivo fue cuantificar la extracción y caracterizar reológicamente el almidón y la pectina de frutos de plátano ‘Pera’(MusaABB). Por cada 100 g de harina seca de frutos de plátano ‘Pera’ se tuvo un rendimiento de extracción de 56.53% de almidón y 9.73% de pectina. El perfil reológico de los polisacáridos tuvo un índice de consistencia (Pa sn) de 0.0325 (almidón) y 0.0140 (pectina) e índices de flujo (n, adimensional) de 0.7225 (almidón) y 0.7800 (pectina). Ambos polisacáridos presentaron un f lujo no- Newtoniano y un comportamiento pseudoplastico. Los frutos de plátano ‘Pera’ (Musa ABB) pueden representar una fuente alternativa no convencional para la extracción de almidón y pectina, y potencialmente podrían utilizarse en la industria de los alimentos como ingredientes o para elaborar recubrimientos comestibles.

La jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) es una planta rica en compuestos bioactivos, tales como polifenoles, flavonoides, vitaminas, fibra y anto- cianinas. Se comercializa principalmente en forma de cálices deshidratados con los que se preparan infusiones acuosas que promueven efectos benéficos en la salud. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la actividad antioxidante (actividad antirradical y capacidad de reducción de iones hierro) de los extractos acuosos de 64 variedades de jamaica, la concentración de compuestos bioactivos (compuestos fenólicos totales y antocianinas monoméricas totales) y la correlación que existe entre ellos. Se encontró que la actividad antioxidante de los extractos está prin- cipalmente correlacionada con la concentración de antocianinas monoméricas totales y en menor medida con los compuestos fenólicos totales.