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Introduction: Diabetes is a worldwide pandemic disease with an expensive way of control. Locals around the world have been used botanical extracts to reduce the effects of this deadly disease to improve the quality of life of the patients. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of crude extracts of the ethnobotanical species K. daigremontiana on a hyperglycemia rat model to support its antidiabetic use in traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: Crude leaves extract were daily administered per os to Wistar rats for six months. Hyperglycemic induction model was rich-sucrose diets. Six animals per group were used: i) standard diet, ii) sucrose-rich diet, iii) sucrose-rich diet + extract (1 ml), iv) sucrose-rich diet + extract (2 ml) and v) standard diet + extract (2 ml). All animals were sacrificed and the liver prepared for histopathological analysis. Powdered leaves were functionally characterized and analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results: Treatment with 2 ml of the crude extract caused the least tissue damage, compared to the control. A high antioxidant activity (DPPH: 111.14 μM Trolox equivalents g-1 dry weight (DW); ABTS: 223.90 μM Trolox equivalents g-1 DW) was observed. A content of 0.54 mg ascorbic acid g-1 DW, total phenol content of 17.45 mg gallic acid g-1 DW and flavonoid content of 2.3 mg equivalent quercetin g-1 DW were determined. No conclusive evidence on the molecules present in the extract was obtained by FTIR spectroscopy. Conclusion: The use of dosages of 2 ml of crude extract of Kalanchoe daigremontiana reduces liver damage under high sucrose conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural extracts have been used as antimicrobial agents, and extracts of the rhizomes of the dragon's blood plant (Jatropha dioica) and of the fruit of xoconostle 'Ulapa' (Opuntia oligacantha) are among these agents. To be able to use the extracts, it is necessary to eliminate their natural microbiota by the means of sterilization methods; however, the effects of thermal sterilization on their properties have not been evaluated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the physico-chemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of extracts of the rhizomes of dragon's blood and the fruit of xoconostle, when not sterilized, and when sterilized by autoclaving. The contents of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans were not affected in autoclave-sterilized extracts of dragon's blood rhizomes, and naringenin, apigenin, galagina, vanillic, and caffeic acid were detected, while in autoclave-sterilized extracts of xoconostle fruits, the betalain content decreased, with galagin, gallic, vanillic, and p-coumaric acid being identified. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the extract sterilized by autoclaving dragon's blood was 2 mg/mL, and for the extract sterilized by autoclaving xoconostle, it was 28 mg/mL. Both represent natural alternatives as antimicrobial agents against S. mutans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant that has recently gained importance as a food because of its nutritional value and bioactive compound content and because practically all the organs are usable. The use of nanoparticles has appeared as an alternative to increase bioactive compounds in plants. The goal of this work was to determine if the application of copper nanoparticles would increase the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in M. oleifera. Copper (Cu) nanoparticles were applied to the leaves at four different times throughout crop growth. The biocompounds were analyzed after the second, third, and fourth applications. The results show that application of Cu nanoparticles has a beneficial effect on the accumulation of bioactive compounds in M. oleifera leaves. In addition, the antioxidant capacity and carotenoid and chlorophyll contents in the leaves of M. oleifera increased after Cu nanoparticles application. The same effect was not observed in the fruit of M. oleifera. Here, the bioactive compound contents diminished. Therefore, the use of Cu nanoparticles can be an important alternative to improve the quality of this plant, particularly that of the leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a cultural point of view, the xoconostles (Opuntia spp.) Have been an important factor in the economic sustenance of the peasant of the semi-arid zones of Mexico; however, to date, although xoconostles are a plant genetic resource with great potential, there are few works that allow us to know their diversity or their very existence. The recent efforts of the integrated inter-institutional group within the framework of the Nopal Network of the National System of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (SINAREFI), have allowed the rescue and evaluation of an important part of the diversity of xoconostles existing in Mexico. A new horticultural form of the genus Opuntia Miller (Cactaceae), considered as a variety of common use, is found in Villa of Tezontepec Municipality, Hidalgo, Mexico, known as xoconostle ‛Borrego' (Opuntia oligacantha Förster). It was evaluated from 2012 to 2015 and it was found that its fruit is of medium size (74 ±1.09 cm) and oboval shape, with floral scar strongly sunken and very long peduncle (15.4 ±0.217 cm), with an external coloration of irregular coloration medium red, walls of pink hue, wide (10.6 ±0.363 mm, characteristic of the xoconostles), acidic (pH 3.22 ±0.039, dry to semi-dry and tasteless pink fungus, firm consistency, low sugar content (6.9 ±0.169 °Brix) and with an average number of fully developed seeds (218 ±1.723). The average yield in four years of evaluation was 13.59 t ha-1 and its fruits remain for more than six months in the plant, after the beginning of the This variety has the definitive registration Number XOC-026-290212 of the CNVV-SNICS and has been validated under the conditions of the central table of Mexico, in order to increase the varietal pattern for the commercial production of cactus in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes are important for human diet due to their content of bioactive compounds. However, is little known about behavior of these compounds during fruit shelf life. The goal of this research was to evaluate the effects on bioactive compounds of tomato fruits stored during different times and conditions, obtained from tomato plants developed under conditions of saline stress and with the application of copper nanoparticles. Four treatments were evaluated: foliar spray of copper nanoparticles (250 mg L-1with or without saline stress, only saline stress, and the absolute control. The results show that application of copper nanoparticles has a positive effect on the accumulation of bioactive compounds such as total phenols, β-carotene, and vitamin C. The saline stress during the development of tomato plants causes a decrease of the bioactive compounds as well as antioxidant capacity in tomato fruits. However, this negative effect can be reduced with the application of copper nanoparticles. The application of copper nanoparticles may be a technique to increase and maintain the content of bioactive compounds in tomato fruits and can be an effective alternative to diminish the negative effects on bioactive compounds caused by saline stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia spp. is easily adaptable to arid and semiarid climates, and represents a valuable alternative for the agricultural development in dry regions. The aim of this work was to know the evolution of bioactive compounds concentration such as phenolics, flavonoids and pigments (Isobetanins, betanins, indicaxanthins and total betalains) during the ripening process of twelve accessions of Opuntia spp. fruits. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity were determined and correlated with pigments and bioactive compounds concentration. Bioactive compounds and pigments concentration increased along ripening. Higher concentration of total betalains were found in ripe 'Bonda' (O. guerrana Griffiths) and 'Rojo Toluca' (Opuntia robusta var. Larreyi) accessions, being of 78.96 ± 0.54 mg 100 g-1 DW and 69.87 ± 0.29 mg 100 g-1 DW respectively. Findings in this work can help to select Opuntia spp. accessions with high potential to be established as a valuable crop in the arid zones of Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction and characterization of collagen were carried out in rabbit skins as a new alternative for collagen type I. Acetic acid and pepsin were for the extraction of soluble and insoluble collagen, respectively. The enzymatic treatment yielded higher amount of collagen (71%). The average pH value was 6.3, no matter what the method of extraction was. Denaturation temperature of collagen was found at 36°C approximately in two different techniques: Rheometer and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Despite the amount of collagen in solution was low, its viscosity was high because of the hydrodynamic behaviour of collagen molecules. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results showed three different bands that reflected two alpha-chains and one beta-chain with molecular weights of 102, 118 and 220 kDa, respectively. Determination of hydroxyproline gave evidence that the extracted material was collagen. It was concluded that rabbit skin could be an alternative source for the extraction of collagen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Quelites are Mexican wild plants, reported as excellent sources of nutritional compounds such as amino acids (serine, glycine, and cysteine), minerals (Mg, Fe, and Zn), and phytochemicals, as phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid) and flavonoids (phloridzin and naringenin); on the other hand, high biological activity has been shown in these compounds. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of a supplementation with two endemic quelites of Mexico (Chenopodium berlandieri L. and Portulaca Oleracea L.); in addition to supplementation, a nutritional intervention was performed; the biomarkers of hemoglobin (Hb), urinary malondialdehyde (UMDA), and urinary arsenic (UAs) were measured in adolescents exposed to arsenic. A clinical intervention study was conducted in 27 adolescents ages 11 to 12 years for 4 weeks. Weekly anthropometric and dietary evaluations were carried out, as well as the concentration of Hb; the UMDA and UAs were performed by plate-based colorimetric measurement and atomic absorption spectrophotometry with the hydrides generation system, respectively. The results showed that UMDA concentrations had a significant improvement in the supplemented group (SG) vs. control group (CG) (SG = 1.59 ± 0.89 µM/g creatinine vs. CG = 2.90 ± 0.56 µM/g creatinine) in the second week of intervention; on the other hand, the supplemented group showed an increase in Hb levels (15.12 ± 0.99 g/dL) in the same week; finally after the second week, an increase in UAs levels was observed significantly compared to the baseline value (Baseline: 56.85; Week 2: 2.02 µg/g creatinine). Therefore, the results show that the mixture of quelites (a rich source of phytochemicals and nutrients) improved hemoglobin and UMDA levels, and urinary arsenic excretion from the second week in the exposed population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on plants are contrasting; these depend on the model plant, the synthesis of the nanoparticles (concentration, size, shape), and the forms of application (foliar, substrate, seeds). For this reason, the objective of this study was to report the impact of different concentrations of selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) NPs on yield, antioxidant capacity, and quality of tomato fruit. The different concentrations of Se and Cu NPs were applied to the substrate every 15 days (five applications). The yield was determined until day 102 after the transplant. Non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant compounds were determined in the leaves and fruits as well as the fruit quality at harvest. The results indicate that tomato yield was increased by up to 21% with 10 mg L−1 of Se NPs. In leaves, Se and Cu NPs increased the content of chlorophyll, vitamin C, glutathione, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and phenylalanine ammonia liasa (PAL). In fruits, they increased vitamin C, glutathione, flavonoids, firmness, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. The combination of Se and Cu NPs at optimal concentrations could be a good alternative to improve tomato yield and quality, but more studies are needed to elucidate their effects more clearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]