Context:Echinacea (Asteraceae) is used because of its pharmacological properties. However, there are few studies that integrate phytochemical analyses with pharmacological effects.Objective: Evaluate the chemical profile and biological activity of hydroalcoholic Echinacea extracts.Materials and methods: Density, dry matter, phenols (Folin–Ciocalteu method), flavonoids (AlCl3 method), alkylamides (GC-MS analysis), antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS methods), antiproliferative effect (SRB assay), anti-inflammatory effect (paw oedema assay, 11 days/Wistar rats; 0.4 mL/kg) and hypoglycaemic effect (33 days/Wistar rats; 0.4 mL/kg) were determined in three Echinacea extracts which were labelled as A, B and C (A, roots of Echinacea purpurea L. Moench; B, roots, leaves, flowers and seeds of Echinacea purpurea; C, aerial parts and roots of Echinacea purpurea and roots of Echinacea angustifolia DC).Results: Extract C showed higher density (0.97 g/mL), dry matter (0.23 g/mL), phenols (137.5 ± 2.3 mEAG/mL), flavonoids (0.62 ± 0.02 mEQ/mL), and caffeic acid (0.048 mg/L) compared to A and B. A, B presented 11 alkylamides, whereas C presented those 11 and three more. B decreased the oedema (40%) on day 2 similar to indomethacin. A and C showed hypoglycaemic activity similar to glibenclamide. Antiproliferative effect was only detected for C (IC50 270 μg/mL; 8171 μg/mL; 9338 μg/mL in HeLa, MCF-7, HCT-15, respectively).Discussion and conclusion: The difference in the chemical and pharmacological properties among extracts highlights the need to consider strategies and policies for standardization of commercial herbal extracts in order to guarantee the safety and identity of this type of products.

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Introduction. Mexico harbors a great diversity of Spondias purpurea ecotypes, whose fruit is called Mexican plum and has a good consumer acceptance because of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics. Materials and methods. The concentrations of metabolites in 11 ecotypes of Mexican plum were determined from samples of rind (epicarp) and pulp originating from fresh seasonal fruit. Results and discussion. The mass of these fruits varied from 11.1 to 35.0 g, and the epicarp color ranged from purple and red, to orange and yellow. The content of total soluble solids, total sugars, and vitamin C was of 9.4−18.2 • Brix, 101.0−185.9 mg g −1 fresh weight (FW), and 0.6−2.1 mg g −1 FW, respectively. The total phenolic content was always higher in the epicarp (3.7 mg g −1 FW) than in the pulp (1.3 mg −1 FW), as was the total content of carotenoids and the levels of antioxidant activity. Additionally, positive correlations could be established between antioxidant activity and total phenolics, total phenolics and total carotenoids, and between the antioxidant activity in the epicarp and the total content of vitamin C. In addition, negative correlations were found between hue and the carotenoid content of the pulp, and between hue and the antioxidant activity in the epicarp and pulp. Conclusion. The results suggest that a higher content of phenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C, together with a purple or red coloration of the epicarp, can all be associated with an increase in the antioxidant activities of the epicarp and pulp of the Mexican plum.Keywords: Mexico / Latin America / Mexican plum / Spondias purpurea / antioxidant activity / carotenoids / phenolics / vitamin C / nutritional value Résumé -Attributs de qualité et composés fonctionnels des fruits de divers écotypes de prune mexicaine (Spondias purpurea L.). Introduction. Le Mexique abrite une grande diversité d'écotypes de Spondias purpurea dont le fruit est appelé prune mexicaine et possède une bonne image auprès des consommateurs en raison de ses caractéristiques organoleptiques et nutritionnelles. Matériel et méthodes. Les concentrations en métabolites de 11 écotypes de prune mexicaine ont été déterminées à partir d'échantillons de la peau (épicarpe) et de la pulpe de fruits frais de saison. Résultats et discussion. La masse de ces fruits s'est inscrite entre 11,1 et 35,0 g, et la couleur de l'épicarpe pouvait varier du rouge violacé à l'orange et au jaune. Le contenu en solides solubles totaux, en sucres totaux, et en vitamine C variait de 9,4 à 18,2 • Brix, de 101,0 à 185,9 mg g −1 poids frais (FW), et de 0,6 à 2,1 mg g −1 FW, respectivement. Le contenu phénolique était toujours plus élevé dans l'épicarpe (3,7 mg g −1 FW) que dans la pulpe (1,3 mg g −1 FW), tout comme la teneur en caroténoïdes totaux et les niveaux d'activité anti-oxydante. En outre, des corrélations positives ont pu être établies entre l'activité anti-oxydante et les composés phénoliques totaux, entre les composés phénoliques totaux et les caroténoïdes totaux, et entre l'activité anti-oxyda...

Commercialization of agricultural products, including seeds and its derived products, represents an important economic source for developing countries. Natural colorants obtained from the seeds of achiote plant (annatto) have been used since pre-Hispanic times. Also, production of this crop has been important for Mayan cuisine. Annual world production of achiote seeds is approximately 14,500 tons (dry weight). Two thirds of the production is commercialized as dried seeds and the rest as colorant. Latin America produces 60% of the total world production, followed by Africa (27%) and Asia (12%). The main producers in Latin America are Peru, Brazil and Mexico. The purpose of the present paper is to review the most recent literature on Bixa orellana L. focusing on bixin, norbixin, tocotrienols and tocopherols biosynthesis, use and industrial applications of annatto extracts, as well as its nutraceutical potential and its benefits for human health.

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