Browsing by Author "Rodriguez, Karina"

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    Influence ofBrassica campestrisandGalega officinalison Antioxidant Activity of Bee Pollen
    (2020) Munoz, Eduardo; Velasquez, Patricia; Rodriguez, Karina; Montenegro, Gloria; Giordano, Ady
    The presence of polyphenol compounds in bee pollen differs with the floral species that comprise the pollen. These polyphenols are thus responsible for the free radical scavenging ability that the pollen exhibits. To correlate the botanical origin with the polyphenol content of Chilean bee pollen, samples were extracted in methanol using ultrasound-assisted extraction. Total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity were determined in all samples along with the polyphenol HPLC profile. According to the melissopalynological analysis, samples were either monofloral or multifloral bee pollen, with total polyphenol content between 7.7 and 22mg eq gallic acid/g of bee pollen and total flavonoid content between 76 and 296mg quercetin/kg pollen. All extracts showed an antioxidative activity for the ABTS radical of 23.9 to 43 mg eq trolox/g of bee pollen, and lower values for DPPH scavenging capacity (0.98 to 4.74 mg eq trolox/g of bee pollen). Coumaric acid and caffeic acid were present in all bee pollen, but different polyphenol profiles were observed among the samples. Results show a high correlation between the properties exhibited and the relative amount of pollen fromBrassica campestris and Galega officinalis in the sample, indicating a dependence of the bioactivity of bee pollen with the botanical origin and chemical composition.
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    Rapid Scanning of the Origin and Antioxidant Potential of Chilean Native Honey Through Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
    (2019) Giordano, Ady; Retamal, Mauricio; Fuentes, Edwar; Ascar, Loreto; Velasquez, Patricia; Rodriguez, Karina; Montenegro, Gloria
    Antioxidant compounds have the ability to trap free radicals; in honey, this capacity is related to the botanical origin of the sample, and therefore, there has been a growing interest in verifying the floral origin of beehive products and its relation with the polyphenolic compounds with potential antioxidant activity. A FTIR spectrum has been use to discriminate floral origin in Chilean monofloral samples and to predict their antioxidant capacity. Forty-nine honey samples from different geographical zones and botanical origin were classified according to melissopalynology analysis, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified by spectrophotometric methods. Discriminant analysis showed that Quillay (Quillaja saponaria), Corcolen (Azara petiolaris), and Tebo (Retanilla trinervia) honeys showed similarities related to their common geographical origin, while Ulmo (Eucryphia cordifolia) presents a differentiate behavior. The FTIR spectra were able to predict phenolic and flavonoid content, establishing the potential of spectroscopic tools for quality control in Chilean beehive industry.
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    Serologically Confirmed Human Leptospirosis in Colombia, 2015–2020
    (American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2024) Parra Barrera, Eliana Liseth; Bello-Piruccini, Solmara; Rodriguez, Karina; Duarte-Valderrama, Carolina; Torres Hidalgo, Marisa; Undurraga, Eduardo A.
    Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with infected animals or contaminated water sources, imposes a substantial health burden in Colombia. Since 2007, the National Institute of Health (INS) has mandated the notification and confirmation of all suspected leptospirosis cases. This passive surveillance program employs the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) on serum samples to ascertain confirmed cases of leptospirosis infection. However, the absence of a robust surveillance system has hindered our comprehensive understanding of the morbidity, mortality, geographical distribution, species/serovars, and strains responsible for severe disease. Our study aimed to provide an epidemiological overview of MAT-confirmed human leptospirosis cases reported over 6 years (2015–2020) in Colombia. In addition, we offer insights into the status of leptospirosis in the country, focusing on risk factors and proposing potential improvements for diagnosis and disease management. During the 6-year surveillance period, the laboratory at the INS received 3,535 serum samples from suspected human leptospirosis cases, with 880 (25%) confirmed through MAT. The incidence of leptospirosis was calculated at 1.9 cases per 100,000 people, with a higher prevalence among men (82.1%). Furthermore, 54 (6.1%) deaths were confirmed as leptospirosis, and cases were documented across nearly all regions of Colombia. Our findings emphasize the urgent need to strengthen leptospirosis laboratory surveillance, implement effective prevention measures, and enhance diagnostic capabilities in Colombia. The analysis conducted in this study provides the groundwork for estimating the impact of leptospirosis and raises awareness of its significance in public health.