Resumo Betalaínas são pigmentos de frutos que possuem propriedades benéficas à saúde. Para isolamento dos pigmentos, o suco deve ser separado da polpa da fruta, que contém biopolímeros. O objetivo deste estudo foi clarificar o suco de figo da índia utilizando microfiltração para obtenção de um suco clarificado contendo betalaínas. Para isso, duas membranas de microfiltração (cerâmica e polimérica) de 0,2 µm de tamanho de poro foram testadas. O permeado obtido foi límpido, livre de turbidez e concentrado em betalaínas (20%), contendo também polifenóis e atividade antioxidante, enquanto que a fração retida foi concentrada em mucilagens. A melhor separação foi obtida usando a membrana cerâmica.

Summary Betalains are fruit pigments possessing health-giving properties. To isolate the pigments, the juice must be separated from the fruit matrix, which contains biopolymers. The aim of this study was to clarify cactus pear juice by microfiltration to obtain a clarified juice containing betalains. For this purpose, two 0.2 µm pore size microfiltration membranes (ceramic and polymeric) were tested. The permeates were clear, free of turbidity and high in betalains (20%), also containing polyphenols and antioxidant activity, whereas the retained fractions were high in mucilage. The best separation was obtained using the ceramic membrane.

Natural forests of Pinus tropicalis Morelet in Cuba have been altered by inadequate management. The aim of this study was to characterize the structure of a disturbed forest of Pinus tropicalis in Galalón, Pinar del Rio. We carried out a floristic inventory, and determined the ecological importance value and the increased ecological importance index. The alpha diversity was calculated by means of the reciprocal of the Simpson index (1/D) and the Jackknife index. The beta diversity was estimated through the Morisita-Horn and Jaccard. The degree of interference of the area was evaluated by means of indicators of changes in the ecosystem. We identified 30 genera and 31 species from 22 families. The structural parameters indicated that the species of higher ecological importance were P. tropicalis, P. caribaea var. caribaea and Byrsonima crassifolia. The floristic diversity was low and the similarity indexes yielded three groups differing in floristic composition.

Los bosques naturales de Pinus tropicalis Morelet en Cuba han sido alterados por prácticas inadecuadas de aprovechamiento forestal. Esta investigación tiene el objetivo de caracterizar la estructura de un bosque perturbado de Pinus tropicalis en Galalón, Pinar del Río. Para ello se realizó un inventario florístico, se determinaron los índices de valor de importancia ecológica y de importancia ecológica ampliado. Se calculó la diversidad alfa mediante el recíproco del índice de Simpson (1/D) y el índice de Jackknife, así como la diversidad beta por medio de Morisita-Horn y Jaccard. Se evaluó el grado de perturbación del área mediante indicadores de cambios en el ecosistema. Se identificaron un total 22 familias, 30 géneros y 31 especies. Los parámetros estructurales indicaron que las especies de mayor importancia ecológica son P. tropicalis, P. caribaea var. caribaea y Byrsonima crassifolia. La diversidad florística se calificó de baja y la similitud resultó en tres grupos diferenciados por su composición florística.

The bioactive compounds content in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice is variable and depends on agronomic factors, genetic and fruit maturity. In Chile, the areas with this crop have increased more than 65% in the last 5 years. This paper aims to determine the phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity and chromatic parameters of juices from eight Chilean pomegranate genotypes (PG2 to PG9), containing red (PG2 to PG6) or pink arils (PG7 to PG9). Color, total polyphenol content (using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent), total anthocyanins (by differences in absorbance at different pHs of the juice) and antioxidant capacity (oxygen-radical absorbance capacity, ORAC) were determined. Anthocyanins were identified and quantify using HPLC-DAD and HPLC/ESI-MS, the results were expressed as cyanidin-3-glucoside. ANOVA was used for establish differences between total polyphenols (TP), antioxidant capacity, total anthocyanins (TA), total polyphenols/total anthocyanins relations (TP/TA) and color parameters. Statgraphics plus 7.0 was used. Genotypes PG2-PG6 (red arils) showing higher values for total polyphenols (1055-1280 mg L-1) and anthocyanins (588-1328 mg L-1) and higher ORAC values (21.2-24.4 μmol Trolox mL-1) than the pink arils PG7-PG9 (12.7-16.8 μmol Trolox mL-1) values. The latter genotypes showed the highest values of pH (3.5-3.7). The anthocyanin compounds identified in the juices were the 3-glucoside and 3,5-diglucoside derivatives of delphinidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin. Differences in their relative amounts were found among the Chilean pomegranate genotypes studied. The relationships between TP/TA and Pg/Cy (pelargonidin 3-glucoside and pelargonidine 3,5-diglucoside/cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside) could be useful in the analytical characterization of Chilean pomegranate genotypes, as well as in the differentiation with other juices containing anthocyanins.

El contenido de compuestos bioactivos del jugo de granada (Punica granatum L.) es variable y depende de manejos culturales, factores genéticos y grado de madurez del fruto. En Chile, las áreas destinadas a este cultivo han aumentado más de un 65% en los últimos 5 años. Los objetivos fueron determinar la composición fenólica, capacidad antioxidante y parámetros cromáticos de los jugos provenientes de ocho genotipos de frutos de granada cultivados en Chile (PG2-PG9), de arilos rojos (PG2 a PG6) y rosados (PG7 a PG9). Se determinó color del jugo, contenido de polifenoles totales (utilizando el reactivo de Folin-Ciocalteu), antocianos totales por diferencias de absorbancias a pH ácido y tamponado del jugo y capacidad antioxidante (capacidad de absorción de radicales de oxígeno, ORAC). Los antocianos se identificaron y cuantificaron utilizando HPLC-DAD y HPLC/ESI-MS, los resultados se expresaron en cianidín-3-glucósido. Las diferencias entre los polifenoles totales (TP), capacidad antioxidante, antocianos totales (TA), se analizaron aplicando ANDEVA, utilizando el programa Statgraphics plus 7.0. Los genotipos PG2-PG6 (arilos rojos), muestran mayores valores de polifenoles totales (1055-1280 mg L-1) y antocianos (588-1328 mg L-1) y mayores valores de ORAC (21,2-24,4 μmol Trolox mL-1) que los de arilos rosados PG7-PG9 (12,7-16,8 μmol Trolox mL-1). Estos genotipos presentan mayores valores de pH (3,5-3,7). Los compuestos antociánicos identificados en el jugo fueron los derivados 3-glucósido y 3,5-diglucósido de la delfinidina, cianidina y pelargonidina, encontrándose diferencias, en sus contenidos relativos, entre los genotipos estudiados. Las relaciones entre TP/TA y Pg/Cy (pelargonidina 3-glucósido y pelargonidina 3,5-diglucósido/cianidina 3-glucósido y cianidina 3,5-diglucósido) pueden ser útiles en la caracterización de las granadas cultivadas en Chile, así como para diferenciarlas de otros jugos que contienen antocianos.

En este trabajo se plantea la formulación de un alimento tipo"snack" utilizando residuos en polvo provenientes de la industria procesadora de jugo de naranja, como fuente de fibra dietética. Para ello se elaboraron 6 formulaciones, utilizando el polvo con 3 niveles de humedad (25, 15 y 10%) que se incorporó a 2 mezclas, una compuesta por un 33,3% de polvo de naranja, 33,3% de miel, 16,6% de maní tostado y molido y 16,6% de pasas molidas y otra compuesta por un 28,6% de polvo de naranja, 35,7% de miel, 17,85% de maní y 17,85% de pasas. El residuo de naranja presentó un contenidode 64% de fibra dietética total, 54% fibra dietética insoluble y 10% fibra dietética soluble. Los "snack" tuvieron forma esférica con 2,5cm de diámetro y 10g de peso; una humedad que fluctuó entre 12,6 y 17,4%, y una actividad de agua entre 0,65 a 0,71. La composición proximal (base materia seca), fluctuó entre 1,6 y 1,9% de cenizas; 12,3 y 15,2% de lípidos; 6,1 y 7,1% de proteínas y 56,2 a 59,6% de hidratos de carbono con 326,8 a 342,9 Kcal/100g de producto. El aporte de fibra en los "snack" fluctuó entre un 20 a 26% de fibra dietética total, 18 a 22% de fibra dietética insoluble y 3,0 a 4,5% de fibra dietética soluble. El "snack" con mayor contenido de polvo de naranja presentó el mayor contenido de fibra dietética. Los "snack" fueron bien aceptados por el panel de evaluación sensorial sin registrar diferencias significativas entre los distintos tratamientos

Orange juice residues as dietary fiber source for foods. Food snacks using powdered residues from the orange juice industry as a source of dietary fiber were formulated. Six formulations utilizing powdered orange residues with three different moisture levels (25%, 15% and 10%) were elaborated. There were used two basic blends. The first one was 33.3% of orange dry powder, 33.3% of honey, 16.6% of roasted peanut, 16.6% of raisins; the second one was 28.6% of orange powder, 35.7% of honey, 17.85% of roasted peanut, 17.85% of raisins. Snacks had spherical shape with 2.5 cm diameter and a weight close to 10g. The snack moisture was between 12.6 and 17.4%, and their aw between 0.65 and 0.71. The snack chemical composition, on dry matter basis, was 1.6 and 1.9% of ash; 12.3 and 15.2% of lipids; 6.1 and 7.1% of proteins; and 56.2 to 59.6% of carbohydrates; the caloric contribution (calculated) was between 326.8 and 342.9 kcal/100g. The powdered orange residue had 64% of total dietary fiber, 54% of insoluble dietary fiber and 10% of soluble dietary fiber. In the snack the fiber amount fluctuated between 20 and 26% of total dietary fiber; 18 and 22% of insoluble dietary fiber, and 3.0 and 4.5% of soluble dietary fiber. The snack with the higher content of orange residue presented the higher content of dietary fiber. The snacks were well accepted by a sensory panel, without showing differences among treatments

El desarrollo de diversos tipos de alimentos de bajo contenido energético y con alto contenido en fibra dietética ha ocupado en los últimos años un lugar preponderante en la industria alimentaria, debido al creciente interés de los consumidores por una dieta sana y nutritiva. Los alimentos listos para preparar, son atractivos por el ahorro de tiempo que significan, si a esto se suma un adecuado valor nutritivo, el atractivo es mayor. Por esta razón, se estudiaron en este trabajo, distintas formulaciones de un polvo para preparar un postre (flan), con diferentes porcentajes de incorporación de harina de nopal, como fuente de fibra dietética (16%, 18% y 20%). Se ensayaron dos sabores (melón-tuna y plátano). Se observó que el flan sabor a plátano con 16% de harina de nopal, era el que reunía las mejores características sensoriales. Mayores porcentajes de harina de nopal afectaron desfavorablemente algunas características sensoriales, principalmente sabor, color y textura. Los análisis mostraron que el polvo para flan presentó 5,7% de humedad, baja actividad de agua (0,48) y por tanto un bajo recuento total de microorganismos. El contenido de proteína fue alto (27,2%), el extracto etéreo bajo (2,0%) al igual que el aporte energético (40 Kcal/porción). El flan mostró un 9,8% de fibra dietética total, siendo mayor el aporte de fibra soluble (6,1%) que de insoluble (3,7%).

Use of nopal dietary fiber in a powder dessert formulation. The development of diverse types of foods of low caloric value and with high content in dietary fiber have occupied a preponderant place in the food industry in the last years, due to the growing interest of the consumers for a healthy and nutritious diet. Pre-cooked or quick to prepare foods are attractive for the time they save; if to this you add their nutritious value, the attractiveness is even greater. For this reason, this study analyzes different formulations of a powder to prepare a dessert (flan), with different percentages of incorporation of nopal flour, as a source of dietary fiber (16, 18, 20%). Two flavors (melon and banana) were tried. It was observed that the flan flavored with banana and with 16% of nopal flour, reached better sensorial characteristics. Greater percentages of nopal flour negatively affected the sensorial characteristics, mainly flavor, color and texture. The analysis showed that the powder presented 5,7% of moisture, low water activity (0,48) and therefore a low total recount of microorganisms. The content of protein was high (27,2%), the ether extract low (2,0%) similar to the caloric contribution (40 Kcal/ portion). The flan showed a 9,8% of total dietary fiber, being greater the contribution of soluble fiber (6,1%)than that of insoluble fiber (3,7%). Due to these characteristics this formulation could be considered as a food that provides benefits for the human health.