Hypolipidemic effect in cholesterol-fed rats of a soluble fiber-rich product obtained from cocoa husks

A new soluble cocoa fiber product (SCFP), obtained after enzymatic treatment of cocoa husks, was characterized and its potential health effects studied in an animal model of dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia. The SCFP was rich in soluble dietary fiber (DF) and antioxidant polyphenols. Consumption of a cholesterol-rich diet containing the SCFP as a source of DF resulted in lower food intake and body weight gain in comparison with control groups consuming cholesterol-free or cholesterol-rich diets with cellulose as DF. The cholesterol-rich diet caused remarkable hypercholesterolemia. However, the SCFP diminished the negative impact of the cholesterol-rich diet, buffering the decrease of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and the increase of total and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) induced by the fatty diet. The SCFP also decreased triglyceride levels to values lower than those in the group fed the cholesterol-free diet. These results put forward the potential application of the SCFP as a dietary supplement or functional food ingredient.     

Impact of some alternative methods to chemical control in controlling aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha) and their side effects on natural enemies on young Moroccan citrus groves

Aphid control in Moroccan citrus orchards is based mainly on carbamate and neonicotinoid sprays, especially methomyl and imidacloprid. The extensive use of these insecticides may have side effects on natural enemies and environment quality and raises human health concerns. This research aimed to assess the control of aphids with insecticidal soap, kaolin and augmentative biological control using the indigenous predator Adalia decempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The insecticides were applied and the predators were released in April 2009 and 2010. Under field experimentation, the methomyl and imidacloprid foliar pulverization were very effective against aphids. In contrast, the insecticidal soap and kaolin application were less efficient while A. decempunctata adults were effective only in the first week after release. The side effects on beneficial insects were also assessed and discussed. The possibility of employing A. decempunctata in an integrated pest management package in citrus groves is discussed in relation to effectiveness and side effects on beneficial arthropods.     

Richesse spécifique des ennemis naturels associés aux vergers d'agrumes au Maroc: Intérêt et implication pour la lutte biologique

Ce travail a pour objectif de connaitre la richesse spécifique des ennemis naturels associés aux vergers d'agrumes au Maroc de 2001 à 2011. Les parasitoides Aphytis hispanicus Mercet, Aphytis lepidosaphes Compere, Aphytis melinus De Bach, Aphidius spp., Cales noacki Howard, Comperiella bifasciata Howard, Leptomastix dactylopii Howard, Citrostichus phyllocnistoides Narayanann et Semielacher petiolatus Girault, sont les plus abondants. Seules quatre espèces contribuent rèellement à la diminution de certains ravageurs du verger : A. melinus pour Aonidiella aurantii Maskell, C. noacki pour Aleurothrixus floccosus Maskell, et C. phyllocnistoides et S. petiolatus pour Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton. La cératite Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann est uniquement parasitée par Psyttalia concolor Szepligeti, mais sans avoir un impact réel de réduction de ses populations. Les prédateurs Adalia decempunctata L., Aphidoletes Aphidimyza Rondani, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens, Coccinella septempunctata L., Cybocephalus spp., Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer, Rodolia cardinalis Mulsant, Rhyzobius lophantae Blaisdell, Scymnus spp. et Stethorus punctillum Weise, sont les plus abondants. La coccinelle S. punctilllum et certaines espèces des genres Euseius, Iphiseius, Phytoseiulus, Neoseiulus, Typhlodromus, limitent essentiellement les populations des acariens. La conservation et la prise en compte de ces espèces bénéfiques dans les programmes de protection intégrée en vergers d'agrumes au Maroc est une nécessité. Certaines de ces espèces utiles inventoriées, en particulier celles introduites et reconnues comme efficaces en lutte biologique sur agrumes au Maroc, devraient êtres inscrites dans la Norme PM 6/3 de l'OEPP (Organisation Européenne et Méditerranéenne pour la Protection des Plantes).     

Highly methoxylated pectin improves insulin resistance and other cardiometabolic risk factors in Zucker fatty rats

In this study, we evaluated the effect of a highly methoxylated apple pectin (HMAP) on cardiometabolic risk factors in Zucker fatty rats. beta-Glucan, a fiber known for its hypocholesterolemic properties, also was used. The rats fed both fiber-enriched diets exhibited a reduction in body weight and in total cholesterol and triglycerides when compared to the Zucker fatty rats fed the standard diet. The effect on the lipid profile was more remarkable in the HMAP group. A decrease in blood glucose was only noticed in this group. Moreover, a decrease in plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-beta was noticed in the fiber groups, and in particular in the HMAP group, these variables being similar to the lean rats. Blood pressure and endothelial function were similar in all the Zucker fatty rats. These results warrant evaluation in humans to determine if HMAP could be used as a functional ingredient to reduce lipid profile, insulin resistance, and other cardiometabolic risk factors.     

A multipurpose tool to evaluate the nutritional quality of individual foods: Nutrimap

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: With obesity and nutrition-related diseases rising, public health authorities have recently insisted nutritional quality be included when advertising and labelling food. The concept of nutritional quality is, however, difficult to define. In this paper we present an innovative, science-based nutrient profiling system, Nutrimap, which quantifies nutritional assets and weaknesses of foods. METHODS: The position of a food is defined according to its nutritional composition, food category, the consumer's nutritional needs, consumption data and major public health objectives for nutrition. Amounts of each of 15 relevant nutrients (in 100 kcal) are scored according to their ability to 'rebalance' or 'unbalance' the supply in the whole diet, compared with current recommendations and intakes. These scores are weighted differently in different food categories according to the measured relevance of the category to a nutrient's supply. Positive (assets) and negative (weaknesses) scores are totalled separately. RESULTS: Nutrimap provides an overall estimate of the nutritional quality of same-category foods, enabling easy comparisons as exemplified for cereals and fruit/vegetables. Results are consistent with major nutritional recommendations and match classifications provided by other systems. Simulations for breakfasts show that Nutrimap can help design meals of controlled nutritional value. CONCLUSIONS: Combining objective scientific bases with pragmatic concerns, Nutrimap appears to be effective in comparing food items. Decision-makers can set their own limits within the Nutrimap-defined assets and weaknesses of foods and reach categorisations consistent with their objectives--from regulatory purposes to consumer information or support for designing meals (catering) or new products (food industry).     

Total Synthesis and Biological Activity of Marine Alkaloid Eudistomins Y1–Y7 and Their Analogues

Eudistomin Y class compounds are a series of β-carbolines which was originally isolated from a marine turnicate or ascidian near the South Korea Sea. These compounds contain bromo-substituted groups, which is one of the typical characters of marine natural products. We report herein the chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of seven new β-carboline-based metabolites, Eudistomins Y₁–Y₇, and their hydroxyl-methylated phenyl derivatives. Using bromo-substituted tryptamines and bromo-substituted phenylglyoxals as the key intermediates, Eudistomins Y₁–Y₇ and their derivatives were synthesized via the acid-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler reaction and fully characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and mass spectroscopy. Biological studies revealed that all of the compounds showed moderate growth inhibitory activity against breast carcinoma cell line MDA-231 with IC₅₀ of 15–63 μM and the inhibitory activities of hydroxyl-methylated phenyl products were higher than that of the corresponding natural products Eudistomins Y₁–Y₇.     

Effect of altering the steric hindrance of the nitrogen atom in 2,5-bis(pyridin-n-yl)-1,3,4 thiadiazole isomers on their ability to elicit tomato defense responses against Verticillium wilt and crown gall diseases

Three isomers of the ligand 2,5-bis(pyridinyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole, with the N atom of pyridine group in position 2, 3 or 4, named respectively, L2, L3 and L4 were compared for their use as plant defense activators. They were examined for their ability to protect tomato plants from Verticillium dahliae and Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the greenhouse, to induce reactive oxygen species and to activate plant defenses, including antioxidant enzymes. The three ligand isomers exhibited in vitro only slight inhibition of radial growth of V. dahliae, while no significant inhibition was observed for phytopathogenic bacteria. In the greenhouse, the three ligand isomers statistically reduced the severity of Verticillium wilt and crown gall on tomato plants, and the isomers L3 and L4 were the most efficient to control Verticillium wilt. This superiority was reflected in their differential ability to activate H₂O₂ accumulation, antioxidant enzymes including catalase and ascorbate peroxidase and other defense-related enzymes such as guaiacol peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. These results demonstrated that the presence of the N atom within the two pyridinyl groups in the position 3 or 4 highly enhanced the activity of plant defense and antioxidant responses as well as their ability to reduce the severity of symptoms caused by V. dahliae on tomato.