The present study evaluated the effects of blackberry juice that is rich in different concentrations of anthocyanins and polyphenols (2.6 mg/kg anthocyanins, 14.57 mg/kg polyphenols; 5.83 mg/kg anthocyanins, 27.10 mg/kg polyphenols; 10.57 mg/kg anthocyanins, 38.40 mg/kg polyphenols) on anxiety-like behaviour in Wistar rats. The rats were treated with blackberry juice for 21 days and then tested in the elevated plus maze, locomotor activity test and forced swim test. The results were compared with a reference anxiolytic drug diazepam (2.0 mg/kg) and vehicle (8.7 ml/kg). The intermediate dose of blackberry juice exerted an anxiolytic-like effect that was similar to diazepam, without affecting locomotive activity. The low and high doses of blackberry juice exerted no significant effects on anxiety-like behaviour compared with vehicle. In the forced swim test, both the high and intermediate doses of blackberry juice reduced total immobility time, suggesting a protective effect against behavioural changes that are induced by acute stress. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic effect of blackberry juice on anxiety that is associated with a stressful event.

The biofunctionality of native and nanostructured starch obtained from blue corn was evaluated on prediabetic Wistar rats. The surface of both types of starch was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Total polyphenols content, antioxidant activity and digestibility were also evaluated. Prediabetes was induced by feeding a diet high in fat, carbohydrates and the administration of streptozotocin. Experimental design included a control group, prediabetic group and two prediabetic groups, one supplemented with native starch and the other with nanostructured starch. AFM analysis showed nano-cavities <5 nm in nanostructured starch. Nanostructured starch also had a higher content of total polyphenols, higher antioxidant activity and higher percentage of slow digestibility starch compared to native starch. Glucose, triglycerides 34 and insulin in the plasma increased significantly in the prediabetic group. Nanostructured starch administration decreased the levels of glucose and insulin in the plasma and therefore has potential as functional ingredient.

In this study, avocado pulp and oil were added to mayonnaise type-dressing to produce a healthy and microbiologically safe product with improved sensory properties. First, oil avocado was obtained by solvent-free ultrasonic-assisted extraction and centrifugation. The mayonnaise type-dressing was formulated with avocado pulp and oil and then treated with ultrasound. Chemical and sensory qualities were determined in the oil. Microbiological quality, color and sensory analysis were carried out in the mayonnaise type-dressing along a storage period under refrigeration. The avocado oil yield was 64% with an outstanding emerald green color. The avocado oil quality agreed with Mexican Official Standards. Oleic, palmitic, palmitoleic and linoleic acids were found to be the major fatty acids in avocado oil. The mayonnaise-type dressing showed a reduction of the microbial load without the need for thermal pasteurization, and the green color was stable during storage. Color, odor and flavor were sensorially evaluated as “like much.”