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RESUMENEl objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar el contenido de algunos compuestos bioactivos y la capacidad antioxidante de xocotuna (Opuntia chiangiana) en comparación con tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica) y xoconostle (Opuntia spp.). Se cosecharon frutos en madurez fisiológica durante los meses de junio, agosto y octubre de 2013 en el municipio de El Orito, Zacatecas, México. Las variables evaluadas fueron: capacidad antioxidante, fenoles totales, vitamina C, contenido de betalaínas, clorofila total y carotenos. Se observó que el cultivar de xocotuna 'Coral' presentó diferencias estadísticas a los 3, 6, 9 y 12 días de almacenamiento con los niveles más altos de contenido de capacidad antioxidante (entre 0,92 y 1,04 mg VCEAC g -1 ). El contenido de fenoles totales fue significativamente mayor en 'Cuaresmeño' con valores iniciales de 44,61 mg EAG 100 g -1 , mientras que 'Amarilla Plátano' tuvo el menor valor con 6,27 mg EAG 100 g -1 . Se encontraron diferencias significativas en el contenido de vitamina C donde los cultivares de xoconostle mostraron los niveles más altos durante el periodo evaluado (entre 41,80 y 125,98 mg 100 g -1 ). Con relación al contenido de betalaínas, clorofila total y carotenos, se encontró una alta variabilidad debido al color característico de cada cultivar. Los cultivares analizados, principalmente los de xoconostle y xocotuna, podrían ser considerados una excelente fuente alternativa de vitamina C y antioxidantes para ser incorporados a la dieta o como ingredientes naturales en la elaboración de otros productos.Palabras clave: xocotuna, tuna, xoconostle, Opuntia spp., cactus, carotenos, ácido ascórbico, betalaína. ABSTRACTThe objective of this research was to determine the content of some bioactive compounds and the antioxidant potential of xocotuna (Opuntia chiangiana) compared to that of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) and xoconostle (Opuntia spp.). Fruits at physiological maturity were harvested in the months of June, August and October of 2013 in El Orito, Zacatecas, México. The variables evaluated were: antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, vitamin C, betalain content, and total chlorophyll and carotene contents. Statistical differences were observed in 'Coral' xocotuna after 3, 6, 9 and 12 days of storage, reaching the highest levels of antioxidant capacity (between 0.92 and 1.04 mg VCEAC Chilean J. Agric. Anim. Sci., ex Agro-Ciencia (2017) 33(3): 264 263-272. g -1 ). 'Cuaresmeño' recorded the highest total phenolic content with initial values of 44.61 mg GAE 100 g -1 , while 'Amarilla Plátano' recorded the lowest value of 6.27 mg GAE 100 g -1 . Significant differences were also found in the content of vitamin C; xoconostle cultivars showed the highest levels during the evaluated period, with values ranging between 41.80 and 125.98 mg 100 g -1 . Regarding the content of betalain, and total chlorophyll and carotene contents, a high variability was found because of the characteristic color of each cultivar. The cultivars analyzed, mainly those of xoconostle ...

The green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a very widely grown food crop that contributes significantly to human dietary needs in many countries due to its high content of protein. This study evaluates foliar applications of ZnSO4 versus that of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to leaves of the green bean cv. ‘Strike’ and records the plant responses in terms of Zn uptake and concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and bioactive compounds. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Chihuahua, Mexico, with a completely randomised experimental design with 10 replicates. The two treatments were foliar applications of either an aqueous solution of ZnSO4 or an aqueous suspension of ZnO NPs (both 150 mg · L−1). The application of ZnO NPs significantly increased concentrations of Zn2+ in the leaflets, roots, stems and pods of chlorophylls a and b (values 15.40 μg · g−1 and 11.64 μg · g−1, respectively). Sucrose concentration was also increased by Zn2+ applications, but no differences were found in total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TFl) or antioxidant capacity (AC). In the pods and seeds, Zn2+ application left sucrose and TFl concentrations unchanged, but the TP increase was significant. The AC was affected by both zinc sources and only in the pods. The applications of ZnSO4 or ZnO NPs significantly increased the biomass accumulation (79.10 g · p−1 and 84.70 g · p−1 DW) and yield (55.64 g · p−1 and 53.80 g · p−1 FW). These results suggest that the application of ZnO NPs could represent a worthwhile biofortification strategy in the commercial production of green bean cv. ‘Strike’.

Mexico is the centre of origin and domestication of the dahlia, which has the widest distribution worldwide as an ornamental plant; however, due to changes in eating habits in some sectors of the population (vegetarians and vegans), it has also been incorporated as an ingredient in the gastronomic field. The aim of this research was to determine the attributes of physicochemical quality, antioxidant capacity and nutritional value of ligulate flowers of some wild dahlia species. A completely randomized experimental design with five repetitions was used. Fresh weight, total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid (AA), colour, total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TFl), total anthocyanins (TAn), antioxidant capacity (AC) and proximate composition were evaluated. The highest fresh weight was observed in D. × hortorum, with similar values among its different flower colours. Likewise, D. merckii and D. coccinea stood out for their high TTA value; however, D. coccinea also had the highest AA content (0.77-0.9 mg g−1 FW), TP (12.87-19.92 mg GAE g−1 FW), TFl (6.78-11.32 mg QE g−1 DW) and AC (47.28-60.43 mg AAEVC g−1 FW). On the other hand, D. campanulata was notable for its high levels of moisture, fat and raw fibre; similarly, D. coccinea stood out for its high amounts of dry matter and total carbohydrates. The ligulate flowers of wild dahlias have a high concentration of bioactive compounds and a nutritional composition with beneficial contributions to health care, so they could be used for consumption as fresh products.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the physicochemical quality, antioxidant capacity and nutritional value in tuberous roots of some wild dahlia species. The experiment was carried out in the Department of Plant Science of the Autonomous University Chapingo, Mexico. Plants were established in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C (VC), total phenols (TP), antioxidant capacity (AC), inulin and its proximate composition were evaluated. Among the materials analyzed, the most outstanding wild species were Dahlia campanulata, D. coccinea and D. brevis, where D. campanulata stood out for its concentration of VC (0.05 mg 100 g-1), AC (1.88 mg VCEAC g-1), inulin, DM and TC (72.25, 24.38 and 88.37%, respectively), however, the inulin content was similar to D. coccinea (66.17%), which was also outstanding with respect to the content of TP (1.74 mg GA g-1). Likewise, D. brevis presented the highest values of RFi (5.49%) and A (78.42%). According to our results, the tuberous roots of wild dahlia species can be used as food, as well as being a source of selection of traits of nutraceutic interest for genetic improvement.   ********* In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue. *********