Phenol-Rich Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava) Extracts Protect Human Red Blood Cells from Mercury-Induced Cellular Toxicity

Plant polyphenols, with broadly known antioxidant properties, represent very effective agents against environmental oxidative stressors, including mercury. This heavy metal irreversibly binds thiol groups, sequestering endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione. Increased incidence of food-derived mercury is cause for concern, given the many severe downstream effects, ranging from kidney to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the possible beneficial properties of Feijoa sellowiana against mercury toxicity were tested using intact human red blood cells (RBC) incubated in the presence of HgCl2. Here, we show that phenol-rich (10–200 µg/mL) extracts from the Feijoa sellowiana fruit potently protect against mercury-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. Peel and pulp extracts are both able to counteract the oxidative stress and thiol decrease induced in RBC by mercury treatment. Nonetheless, the peel extract had a greater protective effect compared to the pulp, although to a different extent for the different markers analyzed, which is at least partially due to the greater proportion and diversity of polyphenols in the peel. Furthermore, Fejioa sellowiana extracts also prevent mercury-induced morphological changes, which are known to enhance the pro-coagulant activity of these cells. These novel findings provide biochemical bases for the pharmacological use of Fejioa sellowiana-based functional foods in preventing and combating mercury-related illnesses.

Post-harvest quality of pineapple guava [Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret] fruits produced in two locations at different altitudes in Cundinamarca, Colombia

The quality of pineapple guava fruits during post-harvest storage depends directly on their quality at harvest and is influenced by climatic conditions during growth. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of climatic conditions on certain parameters of fruit quality during post-harvest storage. Twenty trees were tagged in two locations within the department of Cundinamarca (Colombia), recording the climatic conditions during fruit growth until harvest. The fruits were differentiated by place of origin and stored at 18 ± 1ºC (76 ± 5% relative humidity, RH) for 11 d or 5 ± 1ºC (87 ± 5% RH) for 31 d, evaluating several quality attributes every two d. The places of origin were San Francisco de Sales (1,800 m a.s.l., 20.6oC, 63-97% RH, with an average annual precipitation of 1,493 mm) and Tenjo (2,580 m a.s.l., 12.5oC, 74-86% RH, with an average annual precipitation of 765 mm). The results indicated that the fruits stored at the highest temperature were sweeter and had reduced weight and firmness, lower acidity, and faster postharvest senescence (lower post-harvest durability). The postharvestN fruit characteristics were determined by considering the fruit quality during growth and the influence of climatic conditions during cultivation in each location. At the higher altitudes, the total soluble solid content in the fruits was higher and firmness decreased, and the total titratable acidity and weight loss were lower. For fruit color, significant differences were not observed that would demonstrate the effect of climatic conditions during the post-harvest period.

Post-harvest quality model of pineapple guava fruit according to storage and weather conditions of cultivation

ABSTRACT The post-harvest quality of pineapple guava fruit is determined by the storage and prevailing weather conditions during growth and development. This study proposes a model for post-harvest fruit quality according to the storage and weather conditions in the pineapple guava growing region. Physiologically ripe fruit were collected during two harvests from two locations within the Department of Cundinamarca (Colombia): Tenjo and San Francisco de Sales. The fruits were stored at 18 ± 1 °C (76 ± 5% relative humidity (RH), over 11 days) and at 5 ± 1 °C (87 ± 5% RH, over 31 days), and the quality attributes were evaluated every two days. Models of the most significant physio-chemical quality characteristics of the post-harvest fruit were developed by using the Excel® Solver tool for all data obtained in the two crop periods. The results showed that storage and prevailing weather conditions, which differed according to the altitude of the growing site, had considerable impacts on the physio-chemical characteristics of the fruit throughout the post-harvest ripening process.

Growth model of the pineapple guava fruit as a function of thermal time and altitude

The growth of the pineapple guava fruit is primarily stimulated by temperature but is also influenced by other climactic factors, such as altitude. The goal of this study was to develop a growth model for the pineapple guava fruit as a function of thermal time (GDD, growing-degree day) and altitude (H) of the production area. Twenty trees per farm were marked in two sites in the Cundinamarca department (Colombia) during the 2012 and 2014 seasons. The measurements were performed every seven days after day 96 and 99 post-anthesis until harvest in the sites of Tenjo (2,580 m.a.s.l.) and San Francisco de Sales (1,800 m.a.s.l.), respectively. A growth model was produced for weight as a function of fruit length and diameter as well as for the weight of the fruit as a function of GDD and H, with this last measure adjusted to a sigmoidal logistic growth model. The parameters for the regression analysis showed that the models satisfactorily predicted fruit growth for both of the sites, with a high determination coefficient. The cross-validation showed good statistical fit between the predicted and observed models; the intercept was not significantly different than zero, and the slope was statistically equal to one.

Effect of indigenous herbal preparations on coccidiosis of poultry

Coccidiosis is a protozoan disease in chickens caused by Eimeria spp with great economic significance. The disease can be controlled by using modern anticoccidial drugs. However large scale and long term use of anticoccidial drugs has led to the resistance. Phytotherapy can be used successfully as an alternative coccidiosis control strategy. Ninety six chicks experimentally infected with coccidiosis were used in the present study. The chicks were divided into 24 groups and were treated with the crude watery extract (10%) of mango, pineapple, guava, chutra leaves and thankuni at the dose rate of 1ml, 5ml and 10ml per Kg body weight as well as one group was treated with Embazine® at recommended dose. The effects of these drugs were evaluated by oocyst count from faecal sample and the mortality rate. The result shows that the 10ml/Kg dose worked better than other dose. In this dose oocyst count significantly decreased (P< 0.01) at the day of 4 (mango), 2 (pineapple), 12 (guava), 2 (chutra) and 4 (thankuni). No oocyst found in feces at the day 8 (chutra and thankuni), 12 (mango and pineapple) whereas on day 12 it shows oocyst in feces in case guava. It shows that mortality encounter 75% in mango and guava group, 50% in pineapple and thankuni group, wheras no mortality recorded in chutra group. After completion of experiment it was noted that chutra leaves was most effective at the dose rate of 10 ml/kg body weight and effective near about Embazine.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 145-149, April 2016

Physicochemical characterization and nutritional composition analysis of pineapple guava at three different ripening stages

Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana [O. Berg] Burret) is a fruit with export and production potential in Colombia. However, there are few reports about its composition concerning physiological behavior throughout the different ripening phases. Intending to confront this situation, a study was proposed in order to evaluate the physicochemical properties and the nutritional composition of pineapple guava fruits in three different phases of ripening, determined by the weeks elapsed after anthesis, considering it undeveloped for week 17 (W17), ripe for week 20 (W20) and overripe from week 21 (W21). Pineapple guava fruits were preliminarily characterized, they underwent a bromatological analysis and their content of vitamin A and C content was established. The results showed a significant content of crude fiber and total carbohydrates in the three evaluated phases. There was also a decrease in the neutral detergent fiber of 38% between W17 and W21. The highest level of vitamin C was reported in W17 (67.82 mg ascorbic acid/g dry sample), as well as for vitamin A (12.65 mg β-carotene/g dry sample). In a physical-chemical characterization, the existence of a particular physiological behavior is possible because of the development in size and mass of the fruit after physiological ripening. Additionally, the calcium and reducing carbohydrate content can be associated with the pulp browning phenomenon. Clearly, pineapple guava is a promising fruit thanks to its nutritional properties, according to the current consumption tendencies.