Synbiotic ice cream containing YACON flour and Lactobacillus acidophylus - Helado simbiótico que contiene harina de YACÓN y Lactobacillus acidophilus

https://www.yacon.com.au

Highlights
• The ice cream is symbiotic during the 150-day storage period.
• All formulations have acceptable sensory atributes.
• The formulations containing 3% yacon flour have a higher mineral content.
• The addition of yacon flour enhances the number of viable probiotic microorganisms.

The food industry is continually seeking to provide healthy functional foods to satisfy increasing consumer demand. However, numerous challenges exist, such as the requirement for making technological improvements to the processing of these foods, in order to increase consumer acceptability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of strawberry ice cream, processed to include yacon flour (YF) and Lactobacillus acidophylus NCFM culture, for its physicochemical, microbiological and sensory attributes, as well as its probiotic potential, over a 150-day storage period. Five formulations were developed: T1 (0% YF and 0% culture); T2 (1.5% YF and 0.06% culture); T3 (3% YF and 0.06% culture); T4 (1.5% YF and 0.13% culture) and T5 (3% YF and 0.13% lactic culture). The physicochemical and microbiological analyses showed suitability with standards required by legislation, and all formulations had acceptable sensory attributes. The formulations containing 3% YF (T3 and T5) had a higher mineral content and higher count of viable probiotic microorganisms compared to the other formulations (P < 0.05). During the 150-day storage period, the food matrix, acidity and pH maintained the viability of the probiotic microorganisms above to 107 cfu/g, therefore, demonstrating the potential of the developed synbiotic ice cream.

Source: Gilson Parussolo, Rita Tatiana Busatto, Janaína Schmitt, Roberson Pauletto, Patrícia Fernanda Schons, Edi Franciele Ries. http://www.sciencedirect.com/

Extracto de raíz de YACÓN demuestra efecto cardioprotector en ratas con hipercolesterolemia - Cardioproteic effect of YACON root extract on hyperercolesterolemic rats

Foto de https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdJHEOW_YnFwI4blo7oFyNoitL4w2kFGklixxvSq1GUONWu1HhgmMKAEwc3b4otLJPFQEu8qlpQGqnz8hQV5pRPmAf6Qu0GXrCxUpKxfmayqDuJoCrudVDdphSOjDv7oXMzcvYG5rxaB6/s720/05-Ensalada-Yacon.jpg

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) son la principal causa de muerte en el mundo, y la dislipidemia un importante factor de riesgo. La creatina-quinasa (CK) y su isoforma CK-MB, la homocisteína y LDH (lactato deshidrogenasa) se utilizan como marcadores biológicos de la enfermedad cardíaca y se asocia con un mayor riesgo de eventos aterotrombóticos. Un alimento que ha despertado interés es el yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius), una raíz tuberosa originaria de la región de los Andes, que se ha utilizado en la medicina popular para el tratamiento de la diabetes tipo 2 y trastornos del colesterol. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto cardioprotector de extracto de raíz de yacón hidroalcohólica en ratas Wistar con hipercolesterolemia. Este estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en el Uso de Animales (CEUA-UNIPAMPA). Los animales fueron divididos en 7 grupos G1: saludables (dieta normal); G2: control (dieta hipocalórica); G3: Suspensión oral de simvastatina 10 mg / kg (SIN); G4: Extracto de raíz de yacón 20 mg / kg (ERY20); G5: Extracto de raíz de yacón 40 mg / kg (ERY40); G6: ERY20 + SIN; G7: ERY40 + SIN. Sólo el grupo 1 recibió dieta normal (grupo sano) y el otro recibió una dieta hipercolesterolémica durante 30 días. Después de la confirmación de la hipercolesterolemia, las formulaciones se administraron una vez al día por sonda durante 2 semanas. CK, CK-MB y LDH se determina por el equipo automatizado (A25 Biosystems). La homocisteína se midió mediante HPLC acoplada a espectrometría de masas (LC-MS / MS), de acuerdo con el método descrito por Nelson y colaboradores (2003). La dieta hipercolesterolémicos aumentó significativamente los niveles séricos de creatina quinasa, CK-MB y la homocisteína LDH, pero la administración de extracto redujo significativamente los niveles de estos marcadores no sólo cuando se compara el grupo no tratado (G2), pero también en comparación con el grupo sano (G1). Por lo tanto, la administración del extracto hidroalcohólico de la raíz de yacón en ratas con hipercolesterolemia, reduce los niveles de marcadores de daño cardíaco, lo que indica una posible reversión de los daños causados ​​por la dieta alta en calorías, sugiriendo un posible efecto cardioprotector.
Fuente: Micaela Federizzi de Oliveira, Vanusa Manfredini, Patricia Martinez Oliveira, Lyana Berro, Ritiele Pinto Coelho. 2016. Anais do Salão Internacional de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão. UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PAMPA (Brasil). http://seer.unipampa.edu.br/

Taller sobre productos forestales no madereros de las Yungas en Argentina - Workshop on non-timber forest products from the Yungas in Argentina

Chilto o tomate de árbol (http://static.elfederal.com.ar/)

PROGRAMA

3er Taller Nacional de Chilto: “Estado del conocimiento y Perspectivas de desarrollo del Cultivo de Tomate de Árbol”

1er Taller de PFNM (Productos Forestales No Madereros) de las Yungas”.

FECHAS: 28 y 29 de julio de 2016

LUGAR: Salón Hansen de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias de Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Alberdi 47, San Salvador de Jujuy, Prov. de Jujuy, Argentina

CRONOGRAMA

3 er Taller Nacional de Chilto – Jueves 28 de Julio.

8:45 – 9:00 hs: Acreditaciones.

9:00 – 9:25 hs: Apertura.

9:30 – 9:55 hs: Ley de Bosques (MAyDS).

10:00 – 10:25 hs: Actualidad del Chilto (Solanum betaceum) en el Mundo y Argentina. Ing. Agr. Juan Pablo Moro

10:30 – 11:00 hs: CAFÉ.

11:00 – 11:25 hs: Presentación video. Chilto en Colombia. TVAgro de Colombia.

11:30 – 11:55 hs: Ensayo experimental de una clasificación comercial post-cosecha, muestral de Chilto de Yunga Jujeña”. Prof. Ec. Daniel R. Biagetti (INTI).

12:00 – 12:25 hs: Experiencias de cultivo de Chilto en Valle Grande. Prof. Elber Ríos y Orlando Jara. Representantes de Escuela Provincial Agrotécnica N° 13. Valle Grande, Jujuy.

12:30 – 12:55 hs: Experiencias de cultivo de Chilto en La Candelaria, Ledesma,  Jujuy. Matías Entrocassi.

13:00 – 14:00 hs: Almuerzo.

14:00 – 14:25 hs: Experiencia de Chilto en la Prov. de Tucumán. Norberto Primo, Fundación Ecologista Nuestra Tierra.

14:30 – 14:55 hs: Diversidad morfológica y genética del Chilto. Lic. G. Caruso, V. Broglia y F. Yañez (Consejo de Investigación. UNSa).

15:00 – 15:25 hs: Avances en el conocimiento de las propiedades nutricionales y funcionales de Chilto y productos derivados. Control de calidad de los productos derivados. Estudio de Variedades. Dra. María Inés Isla y Lic. Eugenia Orqueda (UNT – CONICET Tucumán).

15:30 – 15:55 hs: Distribución geográfica y economías vinculadas al Chilto. BGEN, UNSa.

16:00 – 16:30 hs: CAFE

16:30 – 16:55 hs: Caracterización de seis poblaciones nativas del Chilto. BGEN, UNSa.

17:00  – 17:25 hs: Prospección y conservación de poblaciones silvestres de Chilto en el Noroeste Argentino. Lic. Mariana Ferreyra, Banco de Germoplasma de la EEA Salta del INTA.

17:30 – 18:00 hs: Conclusiones Taller CHILTO 2016. Intercambio de ideas. Redacción de conclusiones y determinación de futuras acciones.

1er Taller de PFNM de las Yungas – Viernes 29 de Julio.

8:45 – 9:00 hs: Acreditaciones.

9:00 – 9:30 hs: Avances en el conocimiento de las propiedades nutricionales y funcionales de Eugenia uniflora  (arrayán /ñangapiri) y Myrcianthes pungens (Mato blanco/Mato arrayán / Guabiyú). Comparación. Dra. Catiana Zampini (UNT – CONICET Tucumán).

9:30 – 9:55 hs: Avances en el conocimiento de las propiedades nutricionales y funcionales de Achoscha o Achojcha (Cyclanthera pedata). Dra. Maria Rosa Alberto (UNT – CONICET Tucumán).

10:00 – 10:25 hs: Yacón. Alfredo Grau (UNT).

10:30 – 11:00 hs: CAFÉ.

11:00 – 11:25 hs: Procesamiento y conservación de productos derivados de frutos. Ing. Susana Monserrat (Tucumán).

11:30 – 11:55 hs: Papaya o higuera del monte (Vasconcellea quercifolia): una especie y varias potencialidades. María Manuela Urtasun (BGEN, UNSa).

12:00 – 12:25 hs: Uvilla o Uchuva (Physalis peruviana) o (Physalis pubescens). Matias Entrocassi.

12:30 – 12:55 hs: El Picante que nos da el campo, el Ají Kitucho (Capsicum microcarpum subesp. baccatum). Ing. Agr. (MSc.) María Julia Fagiani (INTA EECT Yuto).

13:00 – 14:00 hs: Almuerzo.

14:00 – 14:25 hs: Granadilla, la pasionaria del campo (Passiflora caerulea). Ing. Agr. (MSc.) María Julia Fagiani (INTA EECT Yuto).

14:30 – 14:55 hs: Aspectos generales sobre la Chirimoya (Rollinia occidentalis). Ing. Sebastián Horacio Buono (FCA – UNJu e INTA AER San Pedro).

15:00 – 15:25 hs: El Nogal de las Yungas (Junglans australis). Ing. Agr. Dante Aramayo (UNJu).

15:30 – 15:55 hs:  "Conclusiones del Seminario “Etnobiología. El inventario de los saberes locales: ¿hacia dónde y para qué?” y sus proyecciones". Dra. Nilda Dora Vignale, Lics. Estela Noemí Flores, Marina Eva Acosta y Leila A. S. Giménez y Bromat. Analía Vera INECOA, UNJu-CONICET y Referente Cs.Naturales-Unidad de Investigación. Sede UNJu San Pedro de Jujuy.

16:00 – 16:30 hs: CAFE

16:35 – 17:00 hs: ProYungas: Actividades en las Yungas. Amelie Lester.

17:00  – 17:30 hs: Conclusiones Finales

Fuente: Juan Pablo Moro: jpmoro@ambiente.gob.ar 

Phytochemical evaluation of PHYSALIS peruviana fruits - Evaluación fitoquímica de frutos de PHYSALIS peruviana

Source: Vandana Bharthi et al., 2016

For centuries fruits have been an integral part of human consumption for medicinal and nutritive purposes. Fresh fruits can be useful to nourish our body, acts as good cleansers and protects our body from toxic metal. The present study, conducted in India, communicates on the preliminary phytochemical analysis, powder microscopy of fruits of Physalis peruviana. It is a widely used medicinal herb for treating cancer, malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism. It is commonly known cape gooseberry, physalis or goldenberry. It has potential anti-hyperglycemic activity, antioxidant activity and anion scavenging activity, anti-hepatotoxic and antiinflammatory effect. The major bioactive compounds, physalins (A, B, D and F) and glycosides (such as myricetin-3-O-neohesperidoside), showed anticancer activity. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, proteins, saponins, tannins, glycosides and starch. 

Source: Vandana Bharthi, Prathapa Reddy M, Shantha TR, Venkateshwarlu G. 2016. International Journal of Herbal Medicine. Full paper @ http://www.florajournal.com

Improving vitamin C content in RASPBERRY - Mejorando el contenido de vitamina C en FRAMBUESA

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Raspberries05.jpg

Reaserchers Javier A. Miret and Sergi Munné-Bosch from the Departament de Biologia Vegetal, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain found a practical way to increase  vitamin C content in raspberries (Rubus idaeus). Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant growth regulator with roles in senescence, fruit ripening and environmental stress responses. ABA and pyrabactin (a non-photosensitive ABA agonist) effects on red raspberry  fruit development (including ripening) were studied, with a focus on vitamin and antioxidant composition. Application of ABA and/or pyrabactin just after fruit set did not affect the temporal pattern of fruit development and ripening; neither provitamin A (carotenoids) nor vitamin E contents were modified. In contrast, ABA and pyrabactin altered the vitamin C redox state at early stages of fruit development and more than doubled vitamin C contents at the end of fruit ripening. These were partially explained by changes in ascorbate oxidation and recycling. Therefore, ABA and pyrabactin applications may be used to increase vitamin C content of ripe fruits, increasing fruit quality and value. However, treatments containing pyrabactin—combined with ABA or alone—diminished protein content, thus partially limiting its potential applicability.

Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814616302059

BLUEBERRY fruit extracts reduce ovarian damage caused by subchronic cadmium exposure - Extractos de frutos de ARÁNDANO reducen el daño ovárico causado por exposición subcrónica al cadmio

Photo adapted from http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/34900000/Blueberry-fruit-34914641-1776-1492.jpg

Females are born with a finite number of oocyte-containing follicles and ovary damage results in reduced fertility. Cadmium accumulates in the reproductive system, damaging it, and the cigarette smoke is a potential exposure route. Natural therapies are relevant to health benefits and disease prevention. Researchers in Brazil verified the effect of cadmium exposure on the ovaries of mice and the blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) extract as a potential therapy. Blueberry therapy was effective in restoring reactive species levels and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, and partially improved the viability of cadmium-disrupted follicles. This therapy was not able to restore the 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Extract HPLC evaluation indicated the presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercetin, and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was the major substance and its concentration was 620.24 µg/mL. Thus, cadmium accumulates in the ovaries of mice after subchronic exposure, inducing cellular damage, and the blueberry extract possesses antioxidant properties that could protect, at least in part, the ovarian tissue from cadmium toxicity. 

Source: A Pinto Izaguirry, M Bucco Soares, L Musacchio Vargas, C Chiapinotto Spiazzi, D dos Santos Brum, S Noremberg, AS Loureiro Mendez, F Weber Santos. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2015.

Cognitive effects following acute wild BLUEBERRY supplementation in 7- to 10-year-old children - Efectos cognitivos de la suplementación aguda con ARÁNDANO silvestre en niños de 7 a 10 años de edad

Photo from http://1.bp.blogspot.com

Previously, anthocyanin-rich blueberry treatments have shown positive effects on cognition in both animals and human adults. However, little research has considered whether these benefits transfer to children. Here we describe an acute time-course and dose–response investigation considering whether these cognitive benefits extend to children. 

Using a double-blind cross-over design, on three occasions children (n = 21; 7–10 years) consumed placebo (vehicle) or blueberry drinks containing 15 or 30 g freeze-dried wild blueberry (WBB) powder. A cognitive battery including tests of verbal memory, word recognition, response interference, response inhibition and levels of processing was performed at baseline, and 1.15, 3 and 6 h following treatment.

Significant WBB-related improvements included final immediate recall at 1.15 h, delayed word recognition sustained over each period, and accuracy on cognitively demanding incongruent trials in the interference task at 3 h. Importantly, across all measures, cognitive performance improved, consistent with a dose–response model, with the best performance following 30 g WBB and the worst following vehicle.

Findings demonstrate WBB-related cognitive improvements in 7- to 10-year-old children. These effects would seem to be particularly sensitive to the cognitive demand of task. 

Source: Adrian R. Whyte, Graham Schafer, Claire M. Williams. 2015. European Journal of Nutrition. http://link.springer.com

Protective effects of anthocyanins from purple SWEET POTATO on hepatic fibrosis - Los efectos protectores de las antocianinas de la BATATA (CAMOTE, BONIATO) morada sobre la fibrosis hepática

Photo source: http://static.communitytable.parade.com

The effects of anthocyanins obtained from purple sweet potato (PSPAs) on hepatic fibrosis were studied in mices. Anthocyanins are natural food colorants. PSPAs showed high scavenging effects against 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). Tested mice were orally treated with PSPAs every day for 3 weeks and in combination with CCl4 at last. The results indicated that treatment with CCl4 caused hepatotoxicity which was assessed by an increase in the levels of relative liver weight, serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, as well as in hepatic lipid peroxide malondialdehyde. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were found reduced. However, these changes were inhibited by the treatment with PSPAs prior to the administration of CCl4. The biochemical alterations were accompanied by histopathological changes, such as vacuolization, necrosis and congestion. In conclusion, the present finding revealed that PSPAs' administration can effectively improve liver damage caused by CCl4, and has the potential to be used as a therapeutic option and the prevention of hepatic fibrosis.

Source: Man Zhanga, Li-Jun Panb, Shao-Tong Jiangb & Yu-Wen Moa. 2015. Protective effects of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato on acute carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity fibrosis in mice. Food and Agricultural Immunology. http://www.tandfonline.com