Ma. Garnica-Romo

Electrochemical Study and Characterization of an Amperometric Biosensor Based on the Immobilization of Laccase in a Nanostructure of TiO2 Synthesized by the Sol-Gel Method

Laccase amperometric biosensors were developed to detect the catechol compound. The laccase enzyme (LAC) immobilization was performed on nanostructures of (a) titania (TiO2); (b) titania/Nafion (TiO2/NAF) (both immobilized by the sol-gel method) and a third nanostructure, which consisted of a single biosensor composite of Nafion and laccase enzyme denoted as NAF/LAC. The Nafion was deposited on a graphite electrode and used to avoid “cracking” on the matrix. The TiO2 particle size was an average of 66 nm. FTIR spectroscopy vibration modes of different composites were determined. The electrochemical behavior of the biosensor was studied using electrochemical spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The biosensor based on TiO2/NAF/LAC presented the best electro-chemical properties with regard to sensitivity, stability and detection limit after a period of 22 days.

Chemical composition and physicochemical properties of shiitake mushroom and high fiber products Composición química y propiedades físico-químicas del hongo shiitake y de productos con alto contenido de fibra

Increasing dietary fiber (DF) intake may help to decrease risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. The objective of this work was to study and compare the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of some products used as DF sources. The DF source products evaluated were Metamucil, Kania, Tarasca, Nopalinaza, Xotzil and dried shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes). Metamucil showed the highest content of DF (52.72%), followed by Kania (50.57%) and DS (49.09%). Also, Metamucil, Kania and DS showed the highest water absorption values 15.9, 8.5, and 5.7 g water/g sample respectively, while DS showed the highest oil absorption capacity (3.1 g oil/g sample). Best values delaying diffusion of glucose were obtained in Metamucil, Nopalinaza, Kania and DS samples. Multiple correlation analysis indicated that soluble fiber contents positively correlated with water absorption capacity, viscosity and minor particle size.

Antioxidant Properties of Polyphenolic Extracts from Quercus Laurina, Quercus Crassifolia, and Quercus Scytophylla Bark

The objective of this work was to determine the concentration of total phenols, total flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and proanthocyanidins present in crude extracts of Quercus laurina, Q. crassifolia, and Q. scytophylla bark. They were extracted by ethanol (90%) maceration and hot water. The antioxidant capacity was determined by the ability to capture OH•, O2•−, ROO•, H2O2, NO•, and HClO. The hot water crude extract of Q. crassifolia was chosen to be concentrated and purified due to its higher extraction yield (20.04%), concentration of phenol compounds (747 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 25.4 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g, 235 mg ChAE/g, 25.7 mg chlorogenic acid equivalents (ChAE)/g), and antioxidant capacity (expressed as half maximal effective concentration (EC50, µg/mL): OH• = 918, O2•− = 80.5, ROO• = 577, H2O2 = 597, NO• ≥ 4000, HClO = 740). In a second stage, Q. crassifolia extracted with hot water was treated with ethyl acetate, concentrating the phenol compounds (860 mg GAE/g, 43.6 mg QE/g, 362 ChAE/g, 9.4 cyanidin chloride equivalents (CChE)/g) and improving the scavenging capacity (OH• = 467, O2•− = 58.1, ROO• = 716, H2O2 = 22.0, NO• ≥ 4000, HClO = 108). Q. crassifolia had the highest polyphenolic concentration and the better capacity for scavenging reactive species, being a favorable candidate to be considered in the development of new products.

Quantification of Phenolic Compounds and In Vitro Radical Scavenging Abilities with Leaf Extracts from Two Varieties of Psidium guajava L.

Guava leaf (Psidium guajava L.) extracts are used in both traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. The antioxidant compounds in P. guajava leaves can have positive effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, analgesic, anti-cancer effects, as well as protecting against cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant capacity were measured in extracts obtained with polar and non-polar solvents from leaves of two varieties of guava, Calvillo Siglo XXI and Hidrozac. The quantity of total phenolics and total flavonoids were expressed as equivalents of gallic acid and quercetin, respectively. Hydroxyl radical, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity using fluorescein (ORAC-FL) in vitro tests were used to assess the radical scavenging abilities of the extracts. The total phenolics were higher in the aqueous fraction of the variety Calvillo Siglo XXI, while in the Hidrozac variety total phenolics were higher in the acetone and chloroform fractions. Total flavonoids were higher in all fractions in the variety Calvillo Siglo XXI. Total phenolics showed a highly positive correlation for ORAC-FL, and a moderately positive correlation with hydroxyl radicals. Finally, total flavonoids showed a slightly positive correlation for ORAC-FL and hydroxyl radicals. Both varieties of guava leaf extract showed excellent antioxidant properties.

Optical and mechanical nondestructive tests for measuring tomato fruit firmness

Ripening is one of the most important processes to occur in fruits which involve changes in color, flavor, and texture. An important goal in quality control of fruits is to substitute traditional sensory testing methods with reliable nondestructive tests (NDT). In this work we study the firmness of tomato fruits by using optical and mechanical NDT. Optical and mechanical parameters, measured along the tomato shelf life, are shown.