Anti-Zika Virus Effects, Placenta Protection and Chemical Composition of Passiflora edulis Seeds Ethanolic Extract

Various beneficial biological activities have been reported for passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), grown in tropical and subtropical regions. However, no study has yet demonstrated its action against the Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-ZIKV of the ethanolic passion fruit seed extract (PFSE), from which, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis allowed to putatively annotate the occurrence of piceatannol, astringin, scirpusin A, scirpusin B, isookanin-7-O-glucoside and naringenin-7-O-glucoside, two quadranguloside derivatives, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. PFSE is well tolerated by cell lines (Vero E6 and HTR-8/SVneo) and tissue explants from the human placenta. With 1- and 24-h treatments, PFSE consistently reduced the viral load and NS1 protein expression of the two strains of ZIKV (MR766 and PE243) in placental explants and cell lines. Thus, PFSE has a promising potential for developing anti-ZIKV treatments, protecting the placenta against infection caused by ZIKV, along with relevant antioxidant potential, represented by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of 390.5 Trolox eq per g dry extract and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) of 12.1 μg mL–1, and more than 90% protection from lipid peroxidation. Although further studies need to be conducted, PFSE treatment was safe and effective in trophoblast cells and placental explants, thus representing a promising class of all-accessible products based on the reuse of industrial by-products.

Physicochemical and sensorial characterization of yacon mixed juice with bioactive properties

ABSTRACT: This study developed a palatable, acceptable, and functional mixed juice of pineapple (Ananas comosus var. Comosus), passion fruit (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa degener), and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), with enhanced bioactive and prebiotic compounds. The ideal proportion of fruit and yacon was derived after planning a mixture with six formulations and by evaluating their bioactive compounds and organic acid profile. The best formulation sensory evaluation was performed by the Just-About-Right test (JAR) and global acceptance. The chosen mixed juice (M6 - 30% pineapple, 45% passion fruit, and 30% yacon) presented results that showed elevated levels of antioxidant activity (82.5% DPPH* inhibition), carotenoids (0.97 mg.100g-1), and total polyphenols (70.28 mg.100g-1). Total flavonols (23.95 mg.100g-1), total anthocyanins (1.37 mg.100g-1), gallic acid (3.13 μg.mL-1), quercetin (2.25 μg.mL-1), syringic acid (1.01 μg.mL-1), citric acid (949.30 mg.100g-1), malic acid (140.35 mg.100g-1), and 0.58% of dietary fiber were also reported. Sensorially, consumers perceived high acidity, strong flavor, and a fibrous texture, which might have affected the global acceptance of the juice (6.0). Results indicated the feasibility of obtaining a functional and palatable mixed juice using yacon.

Constituent Characteristics and Functional Properties of Passion Fruit Seed Extract

The genus Passiflora L. is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The major species, Passiflora edulis Sims, is known as ‘passion fruit’ and is widely used in processed foods as well as eaten raw. P. edulis fruits are eaten for their pulp together with the seeds; however, the seeds are often discarded when used in processed foods. P. edulis seeds contain a variety of nutrients and functional components, and their industrial use is desirable from the perspective of waste reduction. Previous studies have analyzed the constituents of P. edulis and their physiological functions. P. edulis seeds contain various types of polyphenols, especially those rich in stilbenes (e.g., piceatannol). P. edulis seed extracts and isolated compounds from seeds have been reported to exhibit various physiological functions, such as antioxidant effects, improvement of skin condition, fat-burning promotion effects, and hypoglycemic effects. This review summarizes the nutritional characteristics, polyphenol content, and physiological functions of P. edulis seeds.

Evidences of Colletotrichum fructicola Causing Anthracnose on Passiflora edulis Sims in China

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a tropical and subtropical plant that is widely cultivated in China due to its high nutritional value, unique flavor and medicinal properties. In August 2020, typical anthracnose symptoms with light brown and water-soaked lesions on Passiflora edulis Sims were observed, which result in severe economic losses. The incidence of this disease was approximately 30%. The pathogens from the infected fruit were isolated and purified by the method of tissue isolation. Morphological observations showed that the colony of isolate BXG-2 was gray to celadon and grew in concentric circles. The orange conidia appeared in the center after 14 days of incubation. The pathogenicity was verified by Koch’s postulates. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS), chitin synthase (CHS-1), actin (ACT), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were amplified by relevant PCR programs. The multi-gene (ITS, GAPDH, ACT, CHS-1) phylogeny analysis confirmed that isolate BXG-2 belongs to Colletotrichum fructicola. The inhibitory effect of six synthetic fungicides on the mycelial growth of the pathogen was investigated, among which difenoconazole 10% WG showed the best inhibitory effect against C. fructicola with an EC50 value of 0.5579 mg·L−1. This is the first report of anthracnose on Passiflora edulis Sims caused by Colletotrichum fructicola in China.

Optimization of pigment production by Rhodotorula minuta URM 5197 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa URM 7409 using yellow passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis)

The objective of this work was to optimize the production of pigments by Rhodotorula minuta and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa through submerged fermentation, using yellow passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis), as the only substrate. The independent variables evaluated to optimize were: yellow passion fruit peel (YPFP), in grams (g) as culture medium, pH and fermentation time, in days. The study of pigment production and its optimization was carried out using the Doehlert matrix, with fifteen experimental conditions, of which thirteen had different combinations and two repeated the central point. The fixed variables were 30ºC and 150 rpm. Data analysis was performed using the Statistica software version 10.0. The largest amount of total pigments and total carotenoids produced by R. minuta was 28±0.01 mg/L and 72.8±0.026 µg/g, respectively; while for R. mucilaginosa the production of total pigments was 37±0.002 mg/L and total carotenoids 236.8±0.013 µg/g. The optimum production point of total pigments for R. minuta was 2.3g of YPFP, pH 6.5 and 5 days and for R. mucilaginosa 2.5g of YPFP pH 6 and 5 days. In samples of total pigments, the presence of 0.29mg/L of β-carotene for R. minuta and 0.83 mg/L for R. mucilaginosa was identified. It is possible to conclude that yellow passion fruit peel can be used as a nutrient source for Rhodotorula spp growth and pigment production with total carotenoids and β-carotene in its composition.

Caracterización y tipificación de los sistemas de producción de Gulupa (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims) en las regiones Norte y Centro - Occidente de Tolima

Contextualización: La gulupa es una de las frutas exóticas con mayor demanda en el mercado internacional y es el tercer fruto que más exporta el país. El departamento de Tolima incrementó el área de cultivos de gulupa en un 61 %, del 2015 al 2019, lo que indica la progresiva importancia económica del cultivo en el departamento. Vacío de conocimiento: A pesar de lo anterior, no se evidencian estudios de caracterización y/o tipificación de los productores, lo que limita una adecuada orientación de las políticas públicas de inversión, investigación y transferencia de tecnología. En consideración con esta situación, este estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar y tipificar los sistemas de producción de gulupa, teniendo en cuenta los aspectos productivos, tecnológicos y sanitarios vinculados al cultivo en los principales municipios productores de las regiones norte y centro - occidente del departamento de Tolima. Metodología: Con este propósito se diseñó y aplicó una encuesta estructurada para la captura de la información. La caracterización de los productores se realizó mediante análisis multivariado empleando análisis de correspondencia múltiple (ACM). La agrupación se llevó a cabo a través de análisis clúster, utilizando la distancia euclidiana y el método de Ward. Resultados y conclusiones: En general, los resultados revelaron un nivel tecnológico bajo-alto asociado a la producción de gulupa en el departamento. Se identificaron dos grupos de productores. El Grupo I (GI) agrupó los productores ubicados principalmente en Cajamarca y Casabianca con un nivel tecnológico alto y con empleo de buenas prácticas agrícolas (BPA), el Grupo II (GII) agrupó a los productores ubicados principalmente en Santa Isabel y Rovira con un nivel tecnológico bajo y uso deficiente de BPA. El empleo de sistema de riego y cubierta plástica fueron identificadas como las practicas tecnológicas asociadas al grado de tecnificación del cultivo de gulupa en el Tolima. Los niveles de incidencia de la marchitez vascular (Fusarium oxysporum) alcanzaron valores entre el 4 al 59 % en los principales municipios productores, constituyéndose así en una potencial limitante sanitaria para la sostenibilidad en el tiempo del agronegocio de gulupa en el departamento.

Potenciales áreas cultivables de pasifloras en una región tropical considerando escenarios de cambio climático

Contextualización: El cambio climático y las actividades antrópicas sobre los recursos naturales se constituyen como los principales causantes de la pérdida de biodiversidad y la redistribución de las especies. Vacío de conocimiento: Sin embargo, los efectos a nivel de comunidades y ecosistemas, así como los impactos en cultivos agrícolas en escala regional, son poco estudiados. Los modelos de distribución de especies se han convertido, por lo tanto, en valiosas herramientas para la predicción de áreas potencialmente aptas para especies cultivables, su gestión y planificación. Propósito: Este estudio consistió en la predicción de potenciales áreas cultivables de maracuyá (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa Degener), granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss), y cholupa (Passiflora maliformis L.) en una región tropical, a través del modelo MaxEnt, en escenarios de cambio climático. Metodología: Se utilizaron como datos de entrada (para el modelo MaxEnt) registros de presencia de las especies analizadas, obtenidos a partir de sus coordenadas geográficas. En total, fueron usados 141 registros de presencia de maracuyá, 256 registros de granadilla y 40 registros de cholupa, así como 12 variables bioclimáticas para las proyecciones actuales y futuras en los periodos 2050 y 2070, considerando así dos escenarios RCPs (Representative Concentration Pathways) del Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) (RCP 4.5 y RCP 8.5). Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados revelan que las potenciales áreas cultivables para las especies analizadas podrían pronosticarse a través de MaxEnt utilizando registros de presencia en campo y variables bioclimáticas. Así mismo, las simulaciones indicaron que las áreas de ocurrencia potencial para las especies analizadas podrían disminuir en el futuro dependiendo de los escenarios climáticos (RCP 4.5 y RCP 8.5) para los periodos 2050 y 2070. Para los cultivos de maracuyá, granadilla y cholupa, las mayores reducciones en las áreas de ocurrencia potencial corresponden al 23 %, 25 % y 31 % respectivamente, y se presentarían en el período 2070 en un escenario pesimista (RCP 8.5). Este es el primer estudio que pronostica las potenciales áreas cultivables de pasifloras utilizando el modelo Maxent y escenarios de cambio climático en escala regional en una región tropical. El abordaje propuesto puede proveer importantes herramientas para la gestión y aprovechamiento sostenible de las especies estudiadas.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO PÓS-COLHEITA DE FRUTOS DE MARACUJÁ-ROXO CULTIVADOS EM SISTEMA CONVENCIONAL E ORGÂNICO

Cultivares de maracujá-roxo desenvolvidas regionalmente podem contribuir para o aumento da produção de frutos de qualidade atendendo às necessidades do mercado. Objetivou-se avaliar os frutos de maracujá-roxo, obtidos em sistemas de cultivo convencional e orgânico. Os frutos foram colhidos em estágio de maturação comercial (casca totalmente roxa) e analisados quanto à caracterização físico-química, centesimal, compostos bioativos e capacidade antioxidante. Os frutos analisados apresentaram maiores valores médios para o rendimento de polpa e sólidos solúveis em sistema convencional, que foram de 49,04% e 13,86 °Brix. O valor calórico energético foi de 45,95 kcal/100 g em sistema orgânico, indicando que o consumo do fruto “maduro” pode ser realizado a fim de suprir as necessidades energéticas diárias. As polpas dos frutos de maracujá-roxo estudados demonstraram serem fontes importantes de componentes bioativos, com respaldo aos elevados valores médios para ácido ascórbico e polifenóis extraíveis totais em ambos os sistemas de cultivo. Palavras-chave: Passiflora edulis Sims; manejo; sólidos solúveis; compostos fenólicos. Postharvest characterization of purple passion fruits cultivated in conventional and organic system ABSTRACT: Regionally developed purple passion fruit cultivars can contribute to the increase in the production of quality fruits, meeting marked needs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the purple passion fruits, obtained in conventional and organic cultivation systems. The fruits were harvested at the stage of commercial maturation (totally purple peel) and analyzed for characterization of the physicochemical, centesimal composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. The analyzed fruits showed higher average values ​​for pulp yield and soluble solids in a conventional system, which were 49.04% and 13.86 °Brix. The caloric energetic value was 45.95 kcal/100 g in organic system, indicating that the consumption of the “ripe” fruit can be carried out in order to meet the daily energy needs. The pulps of the purple passion fruit studied proved to be important sources of bioactive components, supported by the high mean values ​​for ascorbic acid and total extractable polyphenols in both farming systems. Keywords: Passiflora edulis Sims; management; soluble solids; phenolic compounds.

A Study on the Identification and Comparison of Functional Components in Different Species of Passion Fruit Vine Leaves

Functional components are found abundantly in plants which are non-nutritive and bio active compounds that prevents the onset of degenerative diseases and protects the body by maintaining the health. The objective of this study is to identify the chemical components of different varieties of passion fruit leaves (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa,Passifloraedulisf. edulis and Passiflora quadrangularis) available wildly in the hills of Tamil Nadu, India. Young tender passion fruit leaves can be used as a raw leafy green as they contain vitamin A and niacin. The dried leaves are used for calming teas and herbal remedies. The functional components were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR(ATR) spectrophotometer. The leaves contain polyphenols, triterpenes, carotenoids, polysaccharides, amino acids and flavonoids which have a lot of beneficial effect on human health especially in preventing degenerative diseases. This paves way to use these amazing abundant greens in clinical studies as ayurvedic preparations and treat illness naturally.

Propiedades físicas de productos cocristalizados de jugo de maracuyá y pulpa de guayaba y su cinética de cocristalización

La cocristalización con sacarosa se ha utilizado para obtener productos con mejores propiedades físicas, como solubilidad, humectabilidad, hidratación y estabilidad, así como para preservar los componentes activos presentes en la mayoría de las futas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el efecto del pH y concentración de pulpa de guayaba (Psidium guajava L) y jugo de maracuyá (Passiflora edulis, en adelante concentración de fruta), sobre la humedad, la densidad aparente, la solubilidad, el ángulo de reposo, la higroscopicidad y la cinética de cocristalización de productos cocristalizados de jugo de maracuyá y pulpa de guayaba. Se prepararon los cocristalizados con jarabe de sacarosa a 70 °Brix, pulpa de guayaba concentrada a 18 °Brix y el jugo de maracuyá a 40 °Brix. Para concentrar las mezclas y prepararlas para la cocristalización se utilizó un evaporador rotativo Heidolph D-91126 HB y un controlador de vacío Heidolph DC1/1HO. La cinética de cocristalización se evaluó utilizando un reómetro TA Instrument AR 1500ex, determinando la viscosidad compleja en el tiempo, a través de una rampa de temperatura de 80 °C a 15 °C a 1 Hz, descendiendo 6,5 °C/min, ajustando los datos experimentales a un modelo empírico. El aumentar la concentración de fruta añadida en el proceso, aumentan el tiempo de cristalización y la humedad final del producto, y disminuye su solubilidad. La velocidad de cocristalización se ve favorecida por la menor concentración de fruta, presentándose una mayor velocidad de cristalización para los cocristalizados de pulpa de guayaba que en los de jugo de maracuyá.