: The effect of ascorbic acid applied by 2 hydrocooling methods on chemical and physical properties of‘Waldmann's’dark green leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) during cold storage was evaluated. Lettuce was immersed (in 1% ascorbic acid or tap water) or sprayed (with 1% ascorbic acid or tap water) or left untreated (control). Treatment solutions for immersion or spraying were applied at 5°C for 2 min. Afterward, lettuce was packaged in moisture impermeable plastic bags and stored at 5°C for up to 21 d. Analytical assays included total ascorbate content, 2,2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenz‐thiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS˙+) Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, relative water content and instrumental color. Lettuce was analyzed at 5 time intervals: before treatment application and at days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of storage time. Hydrocooling of leaf lettuce by immersion or spraying using 1% ascorbic acid solution increased total ascorbate content for up to 7 d, with an increase of more than 300% in total ascorbate content on day 1 compared with its initial value before treatments. However, the ABTS antioxidant capacity of leaf lettuce did not increase in ascorbic acid treated lettuce even though total ascorbate content increased. Ascorbic acid immersion was the only treatment that maintained the relative water content of leaf lettuce for 21 d. Further experimentation with the application of ascorbic acid during hydrocooling is needed to assess its usefulness as a processing treatment.
La chaya es una planta con calidad nutricional y posee un alto potencial en la salud pública en el tratamiento de diabetes mellitus. La diabetes mellitus es una de las enfermedades crónico-degenerativas con mayor prevalencia en México. Por otra parte, en los últimos años se ha incrementando el interés por la evaluación de los efectos del consumo de extractos de plantas como alternativa inocua para el tratamiento de diabetes. Estudios recientes han demostrado que extractos de chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) tienen propiedades antioxidantes. Sin embargo, se desconoce si las infusiones (extractos acuosos) de dicha planta poseen propiedades hipoglicemiantes. La capacidad hipoglicemiante y toxicidad de una infusión de hojas de chaya hidropónica producida orgánicamente fueron evaluadas mediante modelos in vivo, usando ratas macho Wistar albinas (evaluación de capacidad hipoglicemiante), y larvas de Artemia salina (determinación de toxicidad). Asimismo se determinaron el contenido fenólico y la capacidad antioxidante de la infusión. El consumo de la infusión evaluada redujo los niveles de glucosa de las ratas diabéticas, teniendo un mayor efecto hipoglicemiante que la aplicación de glibenclamida. La evaluación de toxicidad mostro que la infusión de hoja de chaya hidropónica orgánica no es toxica y es segura para su consumo como potencial agente hipoglicemiante.
Consumption of fruits and vegetables provides natural antioxidants in the human diet that are capable of preventing diseases resulting from the action of free radicals. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of organic nutrient solutions on the nutraceutical quality of hydroponic cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) produced under greenhouse conditions. The applied organic solutions consisted of compost and vermicompost teas and vermicompost leachate, while Steiner nutrient solution was used as a control. Analytical tests were run to determine the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of the melon fruits. The nutraceutical quality (antioxidant capacity and phenolic content) of the fruits fertilized with the organic solutions was higher than that of melons fertilized using Steiner solution. Treatment with vermicompost leachate led to the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content among all of the treatments, resulting a 46.1% higher in antioxidant capacity (DPPH + method) and a 29.3% higher phenolic content compared with inorganically fertilized fruits. Vermicompost solutions (leachate and tea) are viable alternatives for use as a nutrient source in the production of hydroponic cantaloupe melon with improved nutraceutical quality under greenhouse conditions.
Increasing public concern about negative environmental effects of agricultural practices like conventional chemical fertilization has promoted the evaluation of alternatives like the use of organic nutrient solutions. This study evaluated the effect on fruit yield and commercial and nutraceutical qualities of fresh tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits grown under greenhouse conditions fertilized with nutrient solutions prepared from organic materials. Treatments were: a) Inorganic nutritive solution (Steiner); b) Compost tea; c) Vermicompost tea; and d) Vermicompost leachate. Highest fruit yield derived from fertilization with inorganic solution. However, highest antioxidant capacity, soluble solids content and phenolic content were obtained with organic nutrient solutions. Fresh tomatoes obtained with vermicompost leachate had the best nutraceutical quality, higher phenolic content and higher antioxidant capacity, than the inorganically fertilized fruits. Vermicompost leachate is a feasible fertilization alternative for tomato production under greenhouse conditions.
El transporte de azúcares de tejidos de asimilación a tejidos de reserva determina el crecimiento o el almacenamiento reproductivo vegetal. El objetivo fue determinar las concentraciones de azúcares solubles en nogal pecanero crecidos en una huerta ubicada en Torreón, Coahuila, durante las etapas de producción y letargo. Se tomaron muestras de raíz, tallo, rama y brote emitido del año (crecimiento anual) en cuatro árboles adultos. Durante el letargo se observaron mayores concentraciones de azúcares solubles que durante la etapa de producción. La raíz y los brotes anuales tuvieron concentraciones similares, más altas que los otros dos órganos. La menor concentración se encontró siempre en las ramas. El tallo presentó una concentración similar a las ramas durante la etapa de producción, mientras que, en la etapa de letargo, el tallo tuvo mayor concentración de azúcares que las ramas. A pesar de que la raíz presenta las mayores concentraciones de azúcares solubles, el tallo, por su tamaño, acumula la mayor cantidad de azúcares totales a nivel de todo el árbol. Se estimó que el porcentaje de los azúcares solubles del total del carbono contenido en la biomasa representa un valor porcentual de 66%.
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