Dalia I. Sánchez-Machado

Bio: Dalia I. Sánchez-Machado is an academic researcher from Sonora Institute of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Chitosan & High-performance liquid chromatography. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 87 publications receiving 2675 citations. Previous affiliations of Dalia I. Sánchez-Machado include University of Santiago de Compostela.

Nutritional Quality of Edible Parts of Moringa oleifera

Abstract: This study was carried out in order to compare the biochemical characteristics from three edible parts of the multipurpose tree Moringa oleifera such as the leaves, flowers, and immature pods. On average, the three most abundant amino acids were glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid. The fatty acids present at the highest content were linolenic acid (C18:3ω3), palmitic acid (C16:0), linoleic acid (C18:2ω6), and oleic acid (C18:1ω9). The chemical composition (of dry weight) ranged from 19.34% to 22.42% for protein, 1.28% to 4.96% for lipids, 7.62% to 14.60% for ash, and 30.97% to 46.78% for dietary fiber. M. oleifera is a nonconventional plant with substantial nutritional value.

An HPLC method for the quantification of sterols in edible seaweeds

Abstract: This study presents an HPLC method for the quantification of sterols in edible seaweeds. Sterols were identified by HPLC/mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) in positive APCI mode. The samples were saponified by refluxing with 1 m ethanolic KOH, and the non-saponifiable fraction was extracted with hexane. Sterols were quantified by HPLC with UV detection (HPLC-UV), on a 15 x 0.4 cm Kromasil 100 C(18) 5 micro m column (mobile phase 30:70 v/v methanol:acetonitrile; fl ow rate 1.2 mL/min; column temperature 30 degrees C; detection wavelength 205 nm). Method repeatability for fucosterol was good (coefficient of variation 2.4%). Sterol contents were determined in canned or dried brown seaweeds (Himanthalia elongata, Undaria pinnatifida, Laminaria ochroleuca) and red seaweeds (Palmaria sp., Porphyra sp.). The predominant sterol was fucosterol in brown seaweeds (83-97% of total sterol content; 662-2320 micro g/g dry weight), and desmosterol in red seaweeds (87-93% of total sterol content; 187-337 micro g/g dry weight).

Aloe vera: Ancient knowledge with new frontiers

Abstract: Background There are many plants with interesting pharmaceutical activities but Aloe vera is probably the most applied medicinal plant worldwide. Since biblical times, aloe has been used for its purgative effect, skin disorders healing and beauty treatments. Scope and approach For this study, an extensive review on Aloe vera was carried out, including its main uses, components (both nutrients and bioactives), biological activities, and applications. Future trends were also assessed. Key findings and conclusions Aloe possesses numerous activities including, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antiulcer and antidiabetic. Some of these activities are due to the presence of polysaccharides (acemamman; glucomannan). A wide variety of commercial products based on Aloe vera are available on the market. However, the knowledge of the relationship between biological and therapeutic properties and its components has to be clearly defined in order to know the exact mechanism of action to develop effective new products, namely pharmaceuticals. The knowledge of the factors that affect Aloe vera variability, such as processing conditions, is also of great importance to be able to standardize the final products.

Bioactive compounds in seaweed: functional food applications and legislation

Abstract: Seaweed is more than the wrap that keeps rice together in sushi. Seaweed biomass is already used for a wide range of other products in food, including stabilising agents. Biorefineries with seaweed as feedstock are attracting worldwide interest and include low-volume, high value-added products and vice versa. Scientific research on bioactive compounds in seaweed usually takes place on just a few species and compounds. This paper reviews worldwide research on bioactive compounds, mainly of nine genera or species of seaweed, which are also available in European temperate Atlantic waters, i.e. Laminaria sp., Fucus sp., Ascophyllum nodosum, Chondrus crispus, Porphyra sp., Ulva sp., Sargassum sp., Gracilaria sp. and Palmaria palmata. In addition, Undaria pinnatifida is included in this review as this is globally one of the most commonly produced, investigated and available species. Fewer examples of other species abundant worldwide have also been included. This review will supply fundamental information for biorefineries in Atlantic Europe using seaweed as feedstock. Preliminary selection of one or several candidate seaweed species will be possible based on the summary tables and previous research described in this review. This applies either to the choice of high value-added bioactive products to be exploited in an available species or to the choice of seaweed species when a bioactive compound is desired. Data are presented in tables with species, effect and test organism (if present) with examples of uses to enhance comparisons. In addition, scientific experiments performed on seaweed used as animal feed are presented, and EU, US and Japanese legislation on functional foods is reviewed.

Nutritional value of edible seaweeds

Abstract: This article presents information on the nutritional aspects of seaweeds in terms of fiber, mineral content, fats and lipids, vitamin contents, and components that have a confirmed and investigated nutritional effect. The nutrient levels of seaweeds are also shown in comparison to currently applicable reference nutrient intakes or guideline daily amounts of nutrients and are contrasted with terrestrial foodstuffs with respect to selected nutrients. For the purpose of comparison, a sample serving size of 8 g dry weight of seaweed is used to illustrate the potential contribution of seaweeds to the diet.