Preparación y Usos de la Harina de Maíz en Antojitos Regionales en el Municipio de Escárcega, Campeche, México

Corn, as it is said in Mexico (Zea mays L.) is an annual grass native to America, specifically from the central-western region of Mexico. There is a great diversity of varieties of corn. Ethnic groups and farmers have selected this crop for thousands of years for different uses, and have created and preserved the right types of corn for specialized uses. Based on all of the above, the objective of this research was to identify the processes of the preparation of corn flour (masa) and its uses in the gastronomy of the southern state of Campeche, Mexico. In order to achieve the research, a total of 28 establishments were visited, 10 dedicated to the production of corn flour (masa) and 18 focused on the preparation of regional snacks based on corn masa. Basically two ways of preparing corn flour were observed. Similarly, for the preparation of the dough to make regional snacks, four styles were identified. In the city of Escárcega 14 different types of regional snacks are sold. Fried or comal empanadas are the ones in greatest demand. The south of the state of Campeche presents a gastronomic wealth in the preparation of regional snacks, since it has influences from the central and southern communities of Mexico, so it is important to consider the area as an area rich in its gastronomy. El maíz, como se dice en México (Zea mays L.) es una gramínea anual originaria de América, concretamente de la región centro Occidente de México. Existe una gran diversidad de variedades de maíz. Los grupos étnicos y agricultores han seleccionado este cultivo por miles de años para diferentes usos, y han creado y conservado los tipos adecuados de maíz para usos especializados. Con base en todo lo anterior, el objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar los procesos de la preparación de la harina de maíz (masa) y sus usos en la gastronomía del sur del estado de Campeche, México. Para el logro de la investigación se visitaron en total 28 establecimientos, 10 dedicados a la elaboración de la harina de maíz (masa) y 18 enfocadas a la preparación de antojitos regionales a base de masa de maíz. Se observaron básicamente dos formas de preparar harina de maíz. De igual forma para la preparación de la masa para elaborar antojitos regionales fueron identificados cuatro estilos. En la ciudad de Escárcega se comercializan 14 tipos diferentes de antojitos regionales. Las empanadas fritas o al comal son las de mayor demanda. El sur del estado de Campeche presenta una riqueza gastronómica en la preparación de antojitos regionales, ya que presenta influencias de comunidades centro y sur de México, por lo que es importante considerar al área como una zona rica en su gastronomía.

Impact of Voluntary Folic Acid Fortification of Corn Masa Flour on RBC Folate Concentrations in the U.S. (NHANES 2011–2018)

Objectives Surveillance data have highlighted continued disparities in neural tube defects (NTDs) among infants of Hispanic women of reproductive age (HWRA) in the United States. Starting in 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration implemented voluntary folic acid fortification of corn masa flour to reduce the risk of NTDs. We assessed folate status, using red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations, in HWRA (aged 12–49 y) before (2011–2016) and after (2017–2018) voluntary fortification of corn masa, stratified by acculturation factors (i.e., primary language spoken at home, length of time residing in the US). Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 with available RBC folate concentrations for HWRA were analyzed. Additional analyses were conducted among HWRA whose only folic acid source was fortified foods (enriched cereal grain products (ECGP) only), including usual intake and NTD prevalence estimations based on previously published models. Results Overall, RBC folate concentrations (adjusted geometric means) among HWRA remained similar from 2011–2016 to 2017–2018, though RBC folate significantly increased in 2017–2018 among lesser acculturated HWRA consuming ECGP only. Concentrations for those who were born outside the US and resided in the US < 15 y increased from 894 nmol/L (95% CI: 844–946) in 2011–2016 to 1018 nmol/L (95% CI: 982–1162; p < 0.001) in 2017–2018. Primarily Spanish speaking HWRA who consumed ECGP only increased from 941 nmol/L (95% CI: 895–990) in 2011–2016 to 1034 nmol/L (95% CI: 966–1107; p = 0.03) in 2017–2018. We observed no significant changes in the proportion at risk of NTD (<748 nmol/L) and no changes in Bayesian model-based estimated NTD rates. Conclusions This early analysis following voluntary corn masa fortification found an increase in RBC folate concentrations in lesser acculturated groups relying on fortified foods as their primary folic acid source, though HWRA overall had no significant increase in folate concentrations. These early data suggests that there is remaining risk among Hispanics for folate sensitive NTDs; continued monitoring of folate status with NHANES will help assess the long-term efficacy of voluntary fortification. Funding Sources No funding sources outside of salaries.

Impact of Voluntary Folic Acid Fortification of Corn Masa Flour on RBC Folate Concentrations in the U.S. (NHANES 2011–2018)

Surveillance data have highlighted continued disparities in neural tube defects (NTDs) by race-ethnicity in the United States. Starting in 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized voluntary folic acid fortification of corn masa flour to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) among infants of Hispanic women of reproductive age. To assess the impact of voluntary corn masa fortification, cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 for Hispanic women of reproductive age with available red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations were analyzed, with additional analyses conducted among Hispanic women whose sole source of folic acid intake was fortified foods (enriched cereal grain products (ECGP) only), excluding ready-to-eat cereals and supplements. RBC folate concentration (adjusted geometric mean) among Hispanic women of reproductive age did not differ between 2011–2016 and 2017–2018, though RBC folate concentration increased significantly among lesser acculturated Hispanic women consuming ECGP only. Concentrations of RBC folate for those born outside the U.S and residing in the U.S <15 years increased from 894 nmol/L (95% CI: 844–946) in 2011–2016 to 1018 nmol/L (95% CI: 982–1162; p < 0.001) in 2017–2018. Primarily Spanish-speaking Hispanic women of reproductive age who only consumed ECGP saw an increase from 941 nmol/L (95% CI: 895–990) in 2011–2016 to 1034 nmol/L (95% CI: 966–1107; p = 0.03) in 2017–2018. By subpopulation, we observed no significant changes in the proportion at risk of NTDs (<748 nmol/L) and no changes in the model-based estimated NTD rates following voluntary corn masa fortification. This analysis suggests that there is a remaining risk among Hispanics for folate sensitive NTDs, though continued monitoring of folate status in future NHANES data cycles will help inform the long-term efficacy of voluntary fortification of corn masa flour.

Cricket (Acheta domesticus) protein hydrolysates’ impact on the physicochemical, structural and sensory properties of tortillas and tortilla chips

Consumer interest towards consumption of more sustainable protein sources has led way towards the adoption of insect protein for human food applications. Research shows that insect proteins utilised as food ingredients are more promising to be accepted by Westerners. In this study, cricket protein hydrolysates (CPH) were produced using Alcalase (AL) and Flavourzyme (FL) proteases. The physicochemical and structural properties, as well as the sensory acceptability of corn tortillas formulated with 20% (w/w) CPH were evaluated. CPH-tortillas contained all essential amino acids, including 40% of the daily lysine requirement. In raw corn masa (dough), AL-CPH increased the elastic modulus (G’), indicating cross-linking between polymers, while FL-CPH decreased G’. Tortillas formulated with AL-CPH resulted in matrices with low hardness and extensibility values, while FL-CPH tortillas developed a strong and flexible structure, indicating differences in intermolecular interactions between the AL- and FL-CPH and the tortilla matrix in the cooked tortillas compared to the raw masa. Sensory evaluation results showed acceptability (scores>6.0) towards tortillas chips formulated with 20% CPH. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cricket protein can create peptides with functional characteristics and sensory acceptability for their use as ingredients in food formulation.

Fortification of bakery and corn masa–based foods in Mexico and dietary intake of folic acid and folate in Mexican national survey data

ABSTRACT Background In Mexico, wheat and corn flour fortification with folic acid (FA) was implemented in 2001 and mandated in 2008, but without direct enforcement. Current Mexican nutrient-content tables do not account for FA contained in bakery bread and corn masa–based foods, which are dietary staples in Mexico. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the impact of FA fortification of dietary staples on the proportion of the population consuming below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for folate or above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for FA. Methods We measured FA and folate content in dietary staples (bakery bread and tortillas) using microbial assays and MS, and we recalculated FA intake from 24-h recall dietary intake data collected in the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición) utilizing estimates from our food measurements, using nutrient concentrations from tortillas to approximate nutrient content of other corn masa–derived foods. The revised FA intake estimates were used to examine population-level intake of FA and dietary folate equivalent (DFE) accounting for geographic differences in FA content with statistical models. Results FA content in dietary staples was variable, whereas use of FA-fortified flour in corn masa tortillas increased with population size in place of residence. Accounting for dietary staples’ FA fortification increased population estimates for FA and DFE intake, resulting in a lower proportion with intake below the EAR and a higher proportion with intake above the UL. Despite accounting for FA-fortified staple foods, 9–33% of women of childbearing age still have intake below the EAR, whereas up to 12% of younger children have intake above the UL. Conclusions Unregulated FA fortification of dietary staples leads to unpredictable total folate intake without adequately impacting the intended target. Our findings suggest that monitoring, evaluation, and enforcement of mandatory fortification policies are needed. Without these, alternate strategies may be needed in order to reach women of childbearing age while avoiding overexposing children.