Elaboración y evaluación de las propiedades laxantes de mermelada de Pitahaya (HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS) y Maracuya (PASSIFLORA EDULIS)

Abstract

The elaboration and evaluation of the laxative activity of Pitahaya (Hyalocereus undatus) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulius) jam was carried out by performing the bromatological analysis in the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology of the Faculty of Livestock Sciences and the pharmacological analysis in the Biotherium of the School of Biochemistry and Pharmacy of the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo, to look for new alternative solutions to the public health problem (constipation). The jam was made with the following proportions: 75:25; 50:50; and 25:75, being the first proportion for pitahaya and the second for passion fruit, to continue with the bromatological analysis where the values of protein, fiber, fat, ash, total solids, sugars, and pH were obtained, where each parameter was statistically equal, except for humidity where there were differences. The values obtained were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis statistical parameter. For the evaluation of the laxative effect, Wistar rats from the city of Guayaquil were divided into groups and were administered the three proportions of jam plus the positive control group and the blank with the vehicle. The vehicle was composed of all the ingredients present in the jam except for the fruits to rule out that they are contributing to the laxative activity, and the positive control was given by Ciruelax, which contains plum jam and Cassia flower. The number of stools passed by each group before and after administration was evaluated for 8 consecutive hours. The 50:50 ratio jam provoked a statistically equal higher number of bowel movements than the positive control group (p = 0.6193), so it is the jam that has a greater laxative effect while the vehicle provokes no effect, and the other ratios both 75:25 and 25:75 give a slight effect. The effective reaction of the jam 50:50 is mainly given by the vehicle.