No abstract

Acrylamide is a vinyl monomer that is widely used for the synthesis of polyacrylamides, the treatment of drinking water, and as an additive in cosmetics. Acrylamide is also produced during the thermal processing of carbohydrate-rich foods. Although the potential toxic effects of acrylamide have been reported, few studies have evaluated biochemical parameters in blood. The present study investigated alterations of blood chemistry, hepatic function, and blood cytometry in acrylamide-treated rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were assigned to four experimental groups (n = 8/group): one control group received 0.3 ml of vehicle (saline solution), and the other three groups received acrylamide (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg, i.p., for 14 days). At the end of treatment, blood samples were collected to obtain serum, which was then processed using a Vitros250 device. For blood cytometry, the samples were processed in a Sysmex analyzer. The blood chemistry results showed that urea nitrogen, urea, and creatinine were elevated in the acrylamide-treated groups. Tests of hepatic function showed that total and direct bilirubins, transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase were also elevated compared with vehicle, whereas the levels of total proteins and albumin decreased. Blood cytometry showed that the levels of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocytes, and platelets and mean cell volume decreased in the acrylamide-treated groups compared with vehicle. Overall, the present findings indicate that acrylamide causes deleterious effects on renal and hepatic physiology, producing dose-dependent alterations of blood chemistry and cytometry parameters in male Wistar rats.

A. Vázquez-Luna, F. Fuentes, E. Rivadeneyra, C. Hernández, and R. Díaz-Sobac. 2019. Nutrimental Content and Functional Properties of Quinoa Flour from Chile and Mexico. Cien. Inv. Agr. 46(2): 144-153.Knowledge related to the genetic improvement of quinoa has been increasing in recent years, demonstrating an effective advance in obtaining morphological characteristics meant to achieve uniformity in the quantity and quality of the production obtained in the field. For this research, quinoa flour harvested in Mexico and Chile, the latter of which was genetically improved, was obtained and characterized. Next, the determination of moisture, fats, fiber, carbohydrates, acidity, ash, proteins, polyphenols, and flavonoids was performed. Functional properties were also evaluated, and a microbiological count was made. No differences were observed in the odor and color of the flours, nor was there a change in moisture during 6 months of storage. The initial percentages of acidity, fats, proteins and ashes were higher in Chilean flour (2.25, 10.99, 10.69 and 3.54%, respectively), while flour from Mexico presented 1.75, 7.64, 8.4 and 3.17%, respectively. Regarding raw fiber and carbohydrates, the results obtained were lower for Chilean flour (2.78 and 59.78%, respectively), while Mexican flour showed 4.08 and 66.67%, respectively. The content of flavonoids and polyphenols in Chilean flour were higher than those of Mexico. The results obtained reveal that the nutritional content of Chilean quinoa flour was better than that of Mexico. The growth of molds and yeasts was observed in the 6th month for the Mexican flour; however, the values did not exceed the limits of the OMN (Official Mexican Norm) 247.

The long-term consumption of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) juice produce neurotoxic effects in the rat, characterized by an increased motor activity in the open field test and presence of uncoordinated swim (i.e., lateral swimming), in the swim test; which has been associated with damage in the hippocampus (CA1). On the other hand, flavonoids content in the Ginkgo biloba extract has been reported to produces neuroprotective effects at experimental level; therefore we hypothesized that G. biloba extract may prevents the motor alterations produced by cassava juice and reduce cellular damage in hippocampal neurons of the rat. In present study the effect of vehicle, cassava juice (linamarin, 0.30 mg/kg), G. biloba extract (dry extract, 160 mg/kg), and combination of treatment were evaluated in the open field and swim tests to identify locomotor and hippocampal alterations in adult male Wistar rats. All treatments were administered once per day, every 24 h, for 28 days, by oral rout. The effect was evaluated at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of treatment. The results show that cassava group from day 14 of treatment increase crossing and rearing in the open field test, as compared with the vehicle group; while in the swim test produces an uncoordinated swim characterized by the lateral swim. In this same group an increase in the number of damage neurons in the hippocampus (CA1) was identified. Interestingly, both behavioral and neuronal alterations produced by cassava juice administration were prevented by treatment with G. biloba extract. The results shown that G. biloba extract exert a protective effect against behavioral and neuronal damage associated with consumption of cassava juice in the rat. These effects are possibly related with flavonoid content in the G. biloba extract.

A. Vazquez-Luna, V. Pimentel Cortés, F. Fuentes Carmona, R. Díaz-Sobac. 2019. Quinoa leaf as a nutritional alternative. Cien. Inv. Agr. 46(2): 137-143. Chenopodium quinoa is an herbaceous plant that possesses green polymorphic leaves. They are traditionally consumed in America and are considered nutritive vegetables. Most vegetables are considered valuable sources of micronutrients, such as mineral, vitamins, carbohydrates and dietetic fiber; however, because they are poor in proteins, they are considered to have no energetic value. The consumption of vegetables generates a satiety sensation and favors the reduction of total calories consumed. Quinoa leaves can be consumed raw when they are ripe or steam cooked; they retain most of their vitamins and minerals. The FAO considers quinoa to be the "perfect food", and it is not only used in common diets, but it is also suitable for the unique diets of those that are vegetarian or high-performance athletes as well as those with celiac disease and diabetes. The objective of this work was to determine the nutritional value of quinoa leaves. For every test, dried and powdered quinoa leaves were used, and the following parameters were determined: total polyphenols, total flavonoids, proteins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, water content, ash content, and raw fiber, and the flavonoids were determined by HPLC. The results obtained for the polyphenols were 131.8 ± 10.3 mg 100 g -1 and 62.07 ± 5.1 mg 100 g -1 for flavonoids, and the main compounds were gallic acid, kaempferol and catechin. The content of proteins was 11.8 ± 0.6%, the carbohydrates was 18.3 ± 0.9, the reducing sugars were 3.2 ± 0.27%, the water content was 2.8 ± 0.9%, the ash content was 1.4 ± 0.14%, and the raw fiber content was 43.7 ± 3.9%. Based on the nutritional profile and the content of polyphenols and total flavonoids, quinoa leaves can be considered an alternative for human consumption because they offer interesting potential in nutrients and antioxidant capacity, which is a dietary requirement.