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PubMed1994

The changing spectrum of fungal keratitis in south Florida.

PURPOSE: To review the clinical experience with fungal keratitis in south Florida over a 10-year period. METHODS: One hundred twenty-five cases of fungal keratitis were identified in the microbiology laboratory records between January 1982 and January 1992. The medical record of each patient was reviewed. RESULTS: The most commonly associated risk factor was trauma (44%). Fungal keratitis developed in five patients using extended wear contact lenses and one patient wearing a therapeutic bandage contact lens. Clinical features included irregular, feathery margins (62%), a dry, rough texture (47%), and satellite lesions (41%). An initial positive culture was obtained in 90% of patients, with a majority of cultures becoming positive within 48 hours. The Fusarium sp accounted for 62% of the isolates, with Fusarium oxysporum being the most commonly isolated organism. New fungal isolates include Candida parapsilosis, Aspergillus terreus, Candida tropicalis, and Trichosporon beigellii. Natamycin 5% suspension was the initial antifungal agent used for 91% of the patients, with an average duration of treatment of 38 days. Twenty-five patients were treated with oral ketoconazole for a median duration of 2 weeks, in addition to topical antifungal therapy. Thirty-four patients (27%) required a penetrating keratoplasty. Six patients had recurrence of fungal keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma, including contact lens wear, is the most commonly associated risk factor. The fungal organisms can be readily identified in culture. F. oxysporum is the most common organism, with new isolates identified. The mainstay of therapy is topical natamycin with the increasing use of imidazoles.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed2000

A survey of oysters Crassostrea virginica from Tampa Bay, Florida: associations of internal defense measurements with contaminant burdens.

Oysters from 16 sites in Tampa Bay, Florida, were collected during a 6-week period in winter 1993 and analyzed for both biological characteristics and tissue chemical concentrations. Using previous sediment contamination and toxicity data, oyster tissues from the selected sites were expected to exhibit a wide range in both quantity and type of chemicals. Chemical analysis showed tissue concentrations at some of these sites to be greater than national averages, as reported by the National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program, for total PAH, total PCB, total chlordanes, DDT, Cu, Pb and Zn. Measures of oyster internal defense, including hemocyte density, rate of locomotion and superoxide generation, varied significantly among sites and were generally higher at sites with higher tissue concentrations of xenobiotic chemicals. Potential associations between oyster defense characteristics and accumulated chemical contaminants, either singly or in chemical classes, were explored using correlation analysis and a composited ranking procedure. Positive relationships were found for hemocyte characteristics with certain trace metal (Cu, Sn and Zn) and PAH analytes, whereas negative relationships were found with certain PCB and pesticide analytes. Heightened defenses in contaminated conditions may reflect a hemocyte process for sequestration and detoxification of environmental contaminants. Oysters from four of the 16 sites were additionally collected in June and September 1993 and site-related differences did not closely parallel those obtained in winter. Seasonal environmental factors may have altered contaminant-related differences among sites.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Relationships between tissue contaminants and defense-related characteristics of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from five Florida bays.

Evidence linking bivalve defense responses with pollutant exposure is increasing. Contaminant effects on immune or defense responses could influence the ability of an organism to resist infectious disease. This study explored relationships between xenobiotic chemicals accumulated in oyster (Crassostrea virginica) tissue and various measures of putative oyster internal defense activities and physiological condition. Defense-related and physiological measurements were made on individual oysters collected from 22 sites at five Florida bays and pooled oyster tissue from each site was analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals and certain pesticides. Chemical concentrations, physiological condition, and hemocyte and hemolymph characteristics varied across bays and among sites within a bay. Within-bay comparisons showed that sites with high oyster defense-related activities often had accompanying high tissue concentrations of one or more classes of xenobiotic chemicals. Correlation analysis performed across bays demonstrated significant positive relationships between most defense-related characteristics and at least one contaminant, including various PAH, PCB and trace metal analytes. In combination with other recent studies, these results strengthen the hypothesis that certain xenobiotic chemicals may be associated with elevated oyster hemocyte activities, even though the ultimate influence on disease resistance remains unknown.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

The spatial variability of nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in a sand aquifer influenced by onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems: a case study on St. George Island, Florida.

Groundwater from a shallow freshwater lens on St. George Island, a barrier island located in the Panhandle of Florida, eventually discharges into Apalachicola Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. Nutrient concentrations in groundwaters were monitored downfield from three onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) on the island. Estimates of natural groundwater nutrient concentrations were obtained from an adjacent uninhabited island. Silicate, which was significantly higher in the imported drinking water relative to the surficial aquifer on St. George Island (12.2+/-1.9 mg Si l(-1) and 2.9+/-0.2 mg Si l(-1), respectively), was used as a natural conservative tracer. Our observations showed that nitrogen concentrations were attenuated to a greater extent than that of phosphorus relative to the conservative tracer. At the current setback distance (23 m), both nitrogen and phosphate concentrations are still elevated above natural levels by as much as 2 and 7 times, respectively. Increasing the setback distance to 50 m and raising the drainfields 1 m above the ground surface could reduce nutrient levels to natural concentrations (1.1+/-0.1 mg N l(-1), 0.20+/-0.02 mg P l(-1)).

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMed2002

The effects of Orimulsion and Fuel Oil #6 on the hatching success of copepod resting eggs in the seabed of Tampa Bay, Florida.

A 3-month microcosm study was conducted to observe the potential effects of two fuels, Orimulsion and Fuel Oil #6, on the hatching success of copepod resting eggs in the seabed of Tampa Bay, Florida. Microcosms were dosed with one of five hydrocarbon treatments via hydrocarbon-coated sand and compared with controls. Acartia tonsa eggs were nonviable in all treatments after only a few weeks of incubation, as evidenced by a marked decline in the abundance of nauplii. However, there was no evidence that exposure to simulated spills of 700 or 7000 ppm of either fuel led to significant increases in resting egg mortality as compared with controls. The results further indicate that, regardless of environmental conditions, resting eggs of A. tonsa do not remain viable in the sediment for extended periods of time.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Highway cowboys, old hands, and Christian truckers: risk behavior for human immunodeficiency virus infection among long-haul truckers in Florida.

This paper reports the results of ethnographic research to describe risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among long-haul truck drivers and the contexts and factors that influence risk and protective behaviors. Drivers were selected using purposive and snowball sampling at trucking-related businesses along major truck routes in Florida. Interview information was used to categorize truckers' levels of potential risk, describe behavioral characteristics of each group, identify sex partners, and assess perceptions of the risk of HIV infection. One-third of the 71 men interviewed had frequent sexual intercourse on the road with multiple partners, but few ever used condoms. Commercial sex workers were their most frequent partners for on-the-road sex. The risk was compounded by occupational conditions, which motivated truckers to drive long hours, often using drugs to stay alert. Sex, alcohol, and drugs were perceived as quick, effective stress relievers during downtime on long, lonely trips. Despite their high-risk behaviors, truckers tended to consider themselves at low risk for HIV infection and expressed a number of misconceptions regarding HIV transmission. For example, many truckers did not associate HIV risk with heterosexual contact or think that condoms were effective in preventing HIV transmission. In addition, many truckers maintained strong homophobic and anti-government opinions that reinforced their suspicion of safe-sex messages. These findings suggest that high-risk sexual behavior is common among long-haul truckers in the US, who may be at risk for HIV infection primarily because of unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners. Also, drug use may be associated with HIV risk behavior. The authors recommend establishing prevention programs that are developed by and for truckers, determining HIV seroprevalence rates of truckers, addressing drug and alcohol abuse among truckers, and altering industry policy that keeps truckers on the road too long for their own and others' safety.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Prevalence of ectoparasites in a population of feral cats from north central Florida during the summer.

Ectoparasites are a common and important cause of skin disorders in cats. Ectoparasites are capable of disease transmission and can cause life-threatening anemia in young or debilitated animals. The objective of this study was to determine the potential feline ectoparasites in domestic cats by using a cohort of feral cats from north central Florida that have not received veterinary care and have no known exposure to insecticide application. A total of 200 feral cats were randomly selected for this study. Four monthly sessions were scheduled for feral cat ectoparasite examination and sample collection. Five minutes flea combing revealed that 185/200 (92.5%) of the cats were infested with fleas. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis was the most common flea infesting 92.5% feral cats (mean = 13.6; standard deviation +/- 16.4 fleas per cat). Pulex simulans was identified on 9/200 (4.5%) (mean = 1 +/- 0.50 fleas per cat). Echidnophaga gallinacea was found on 11/200 (5.5%) of cats (mean = 14.8 +/- 9.63 fleas per cat). There was a significant difference (P = 0.0005) in the average number of C. felis counted per cat between months. Mean counts in June (18.3 +/- 2.4) and July (16.6 +/- 2.1) were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than in August (8.4 +/- 2.5) and September (7.7 +/- 2.0). Only 15/200 cats had skin disease. Flea infestation may potentially be the underlying cause in 10/15. Otoscopic examination of both ears revealed mite movement and black ceruminous exudate typically indicative of the presence of Otodectes cynotis in 45/200 (22.5%) cats. Examination of a swab specimen from both ear canals of all cats revealed O. cynotis in 74/200 (37%) cats. Of 74 cats positive on ear swab, 8 (10.8%) showed a normal ear canal appearance (no or mild ceruminous exudate) in both ears upon otoscopic examination. A total of nine ticks were recovered from five cats. The number and species of ticks recovered were: one adult female Rhipicephalus sanguineus; one adult female Amblyomma americanum; one adult male A. americanum; five adult female Dermacentor variabilis; and one adult female Ixodes scapularis. All superficial skin scrapes were negative. Hair clippings from the abdomen of all cats revealed 2/200 (1%) of the cats were infested with Felicola subrostratus.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Subdiaphragmatic Hodgkin's disease: the University of Florida experience.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term outcomes and late effects of patients with subdiaphragmatic Hodgkin's disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-one patients with Stage I and II subdiaphragmatic Hodgkin's disease were treated with curative intent between February 1966 and February 1998 at the University of Florida. Patient characteristics were as follows: mean age, 38.7 years (range, 3-75 years); 20 males and 1 female; 33% lymphocyte predominant, 43% nodular sclerosing, 14% mixed cellularity, 5% lymphocyte depletion, and 5% unclassified Hodgkin's disease. Treatment included inverted Y irradiation (InY) (8 patients), total nodal irradiation (TNI) (7 patients), and combined modality irradiation and chemotherapy (CMT) (6 patients). Median follow-up was 12.3 years (range, 3.1-33.6 years). RESULTS: Progression-free survival and overall survival were 80% and 70%, respectively, at 10 years. There were no deaths from Hodgkin's disease. Treatment failures occurred in 1 of 8 patients after InY, 1 of 7 after TNI, and 1 of 6 after CMT. Two of 3 recurrences were in patients with 3 or more sites of involvement and/or splenic involvement; 1 was in-field. There were 5 second malignant neoplasms and 3 cardiac events, including 4 second malignant neoplasms and 2 cardiac events in the 9 patients > or =40 years old at diagnosis and 1 second malignant neoplasm and 1 cardiac event in the 12 patients <40 years old. All 3 second solid malignancies in this study occurred 7-14 years after treatment in areas receiving 10-20 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: Subdiaphragmatic Hodgkin's disease is an uncommon manifestation with excellent disease control achieved with InY, TNI, and CMT. This subgroup of patients with Hodgkin's disease is predominantly male and older than subgroups with other presentations, which may predispose the group to a higher risk for serious adverse events after treatment. We recommend InY with spleen for clinical Stages IA and nodular sclerosis or lymphocyte-predominant clinical Stage IIA, InY alone for pathologic Stages IA and IIA, and CMT for all Stage I/II patients with greater than three involved sites, B symptoms, bulky disease (>6 cm), central (para-aortic) presentation, or splenic involvement.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Antithrombin activity of medicinal plants from central Florida.

A chromogenic bioassay was utilized to determine the antithrombin activity of methylene chloride and methanol extracts prepared from 30 plants of central Florida. Extracts of Ardisia crenata, Tetrapanax papyriferus, Lagerstroemia indica, Callistemon lanceolatus, Antigonon Leptopus, Magnolia virginiana, and Myrica cerifera demonstrated activity of 80% or higher in this bioassay system.

Fibrinolytic Agents↗

PubMed1999

Cadmium content of the marine sponge Microciona prolifera, other sponges, water and sediment from the eastern Florida panhandle: possible effects on Microciona cell aggregation and potential roles of low pH and low salinity.

Marine sponges from shallow bays and estuaries along the Florida panhandle contained cadmium (Cd), 1.78-27.9 microg g(-1) (dry weight). Levels > 7 microg g(-1) were never found in a variety of other benthic invertebrates. Water levels of Cd were of the order 0.22-0.43 microg ml(-1) and did not differ significantly between the two study areas (Panacea and St. Joseph Bay). Cd in organic sediment however, was significantly (P = 0.033) higher around Panacea (0.343 +/- 0.063 S.E.M.) than in St. Joseph Bay (0.18 +/-0.223 S.E.M.). Salinity of 10 and pH 6.5 were recorded following heavy rains, and can constitute a hostile environment for these organisms. Temporal variations of Cd and Cu but not Zn were observed in Microciona prolifera over a period of 2 years in St. Joseph Bay, and a negative correlation was observed between Cd content and the Ca(2+)-induced aggregation of Microciona cells suspended in Ca2+/Mg(2+)-free artificial seawater. Cells unresponsive to Ca2+ aggregated in response to releasers of Ca2+ from internal stores (thapsigargin, A23187 and tetredecylamine), suggesting that they were viable but dormant. In vitro studies showed that Cd2+ is about equipotent with Ca2+ in inducing aggregation of Microciona cells, whereas lower concentrations (1-2 x 10(-3) M), added 10 min before inducing aggregation with CaCl2, inhibited aggregation, possibly by blocking Ca2+ uptake. Microciona contained a metallothionein (MT)-like protein. Taken together these results suggest that naturally-acquired Cd may interfere with cell regulatory processes in Microciona. Possible effects of low pH and salinity on Cd uptake and detrimental effects on cell function are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Prevalence of dementia in three ethnic groups: the South Florida program on aging and health.

To determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in a multi-ethnic community, we examined a population sample of 2,759 elderly (65 years of age and older) African American, Hispanic-Cuban and white non-Hispanic men and women of Dade County, Florida. The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) was used as a screening test. The prevalence of cognitive impairment for African American men was 17.0% and women 16.7%; Cuban men 9.4% and women 11.4%; and white non-Hispanic men 9.0% and women 8.5%. Participants with cognitive impairment were referred to two Memory Disorder Clinics for diagnosis of dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD). SPMSQ cutpoints took account of race and education. The prevalence of dementia/AD was adjusted for sensitivity and specificity of the SPMSQ in each sex/ethnic group. The prevalence of dementia among African American men (20.9%) was twice that among white non-Hispanic men (11.6%). White non-Hispanic and Cuban women had a similar prevalence of dementia (12.1% vs. 12.9%). Low SPMSQ specificity for Cuban men and African American women gave unstable dementia prevalence estimates. More than two thirds of all dementia cases had AD, and among white non-Hispanics, women had double the prevalence of AD among men (10.9% vs. 5.4%). The prevalence of AD among African American men was more than two and a half times greater than the prevalence among white non-Hispanic men (14.4% vs. 5.4%). Age (p = 0.001), family history of AD (p = 0.02) and African American (p = 0.0001) or Cuban (p = 0.006) ethnic group were directly and independently associated with the prevalence of AD.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2001

House dust mite, cat, and cockroach allergen concentrations in daycare centers in Tampa, Florida.

BACKGROUND: Allergen exposure in early childhood is a risk factor for sensitization and the development of asthma. Studies performed in Europe, New Zealand, and Singapore indicated the presence of indoor allergens in childcare centers and schools. However, the importance of indoor allergens in daycare centers in humid and warm regions of the world is not known. OBJECTIVE: To measure total mite counts, Der p 1, Der f 1, Fel d 1, and Per a 1 allergens in dust samples and mite allergen airborne concentrations in daycare centers in Tampa, Florida, United States. METHODS: Twenty daycare centers were surveyed for mite, cat, and cockroach allergens in Tampa, FL. One dust and two air samples (one during the day and one during the night) were collected in each center. Dust samples were extracted and analyzed for mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1), cat (Fel d 1), and cockroach (Per a 1) allergens. Mite airborne allergen concentrations were analyzed by RAST inhibition and expressed in standardized mite allergen units per m3 of air (AU/m3). RESULTS: Mites were identified in 15 samples, and concentrations ranged from 10 to 1,200 mites/g (298 +/- 355.2). The most prevalent mite species was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ( Der p 1). Der p 1 and/or Der f 1 were detected in 10 daycare centers. Der p 1 was detected in eight centers and ranged from I to 21.8 microg/g of dust (5.4 +/- 6.9); Der f 1 was detected in 3 centers and ranged from 0.2 to 2.1 microg/g of dust (1.3 +/- 0.9). Per a 1 and Fel d 1 were detected in all centers in small quantities; Per a 1 ranged from 8 to 1,806 ng/g (263.1 +/- 449.7) and Fel d 1 from 0.2 to 120 U/g of dust (16.6 +/- 31.7), respectively. Airborne mite allergen was detected in 18 centers and ranged from 0.01 to 2.7 AU/m3 during the day (0.2 +/- 0.6) and from 0.01 to 0.12 AU/m3 during the night (0.06 +/- 0.03), P = 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Mite, cat, and cockroach allergens are present in daycare centers in Tampa, FL. Mite allergen concentrations exceeded levels that have been associated with sensitization and symptoms in allergic subjects in 40% of these centers.

Allergens↗

PubMed2002

Plasma steroid concentrations in relation to size and age in juvenile alligators from two Florida lakes.

Previous studies have reported a number of physiological differences among juvenile alligators from two well-studied populations (Lake Apopka and Lake Woodruff) in north central Florida. These studies obtained alligators of similar size from each lake under the assumption that the animals were of similar age. Lake Apopka is a hypertrophic lake with a 50-year history of contamination from agricultural and municipal operations, whereas Lake Woodruff is a eutrophic lake and part of a National Wildlife Refuge that receives little point source pollution. If growth rates differ among these areas, it could be argued that differences in endocrine parameters reported previously (e.g. steroid or thyroid hormone concentrations) could be the result of differences in the animals' ages. Using growth annuli in cross-sections of femurs, we estimated the ages of juvenile alligators and compared the relationship of estradiol-17beta (E(2)) and testosterone (T) to size and age within each lake and sex. No differences were detected in the relationship between size and age between the two areas indicating similar growth rates between lakes. Plasma E(2) was positively related to size in females from Lake Apopka, and age in Woodruff females. Males from Lake Apopka had elevated plasma E(2) compared with Lake Woodruff males and did not differ from Woodruff females. No significant relationships were detected for T from either lake, and no differences in plasma T were detected among lakes or sexes. Our data indicate that both size and age can have a significant relationship with steroid concentrations. However, the relationship between steroid concentrations and size or age differed between lakes. We suggest both factors should be considered when conducting physiological studies where there is evidence to suggest growth rates may differ among populations.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗

PubMed1970

Winter vomiting disease in Florida students.

On 14 November 1967 an investigation was begun at the University of South Florida to determine the cause of an increased number of gastrointestinal illnesses on campus. An estimated 300 students suddenly became ill with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. While at first food poisoning was suspected, no common food, water, or toxic exposure could be found. The data collected were most consistent with Winter Vomiting Disease. This entity is characterized by acute gastrointestinal illnesses which may occur in epidemic form in residential schools between September and March. Most investigators suspect that a viral agent is responsible for the illnesses, though attempts to isolate a virus have been unsuccessful. The incubation period in the University outbreak was estimated at 28 hr., and contact was the most likely mode of transmission. The outbreak illustrated that Winter Vomiting Disease in residential institutions may be an accentuation of the gastrointestinal illnesses occurring simultaneously in the community at large.

Communicable Diseases↗

PubMed1986

The efficacy of a Florida hospital consortium for infection control: 1975-1982.

From 1975 through 1982, the South Florida Hospital Consortium for Infection Control provided consultative and educational services to personnel of 20 community hospitals. To evaluate program efficacy, outbreak frequencies were compared at 11 hospitals with 5 to 8 years of experience through 1982. Annual outbreak rates during the first 4 membership years were compared with those of subsequent years, by service. Each hospital served as its own control. Outbreaks were most frequent in critical care and orthopedic-general surgery patients, and among hospital personnel. Critical care outbreaks occurred more often in hospitals classified as oncology centers (P less than .05); their frequency did not decrease significantly after 4 years of membership. However, surgical outbreak rates did decrease from .36 annually in the first years to .03 thereafter (P less than .01). This was not attributable to a secular decrease and is taken to indicate program efficacy. No change in frequency of hospital personnel outbreaks was evident.

Communicable Disease Control↗

PubMed2000

Epidemiological features of and public health response to a St. Louis encephalitis epidemic in Florida, 1990-1.

A St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) epidemic in Florida during 25 weeks in 1990-1, resulted in 222 laboratory-diagnosed cases, an attack rate in the 28 affected counties of 2.25/100,000. Disease risk rose with advanced age, to 17.14/100,000 in persons over 80 years, and all 14 fatal cases were in persons over 55 years (median, 70 years). Community serosurveys in Indian River County, the epicenter of the outbreak (attack rate 21/100,000), showed acute asymptomatic infections in 3.6% of the persons surveyed, with higher rates in persons with outdoor occupational exposure (7.4%) and in clients of a shelter for the indigent (13.3%). A matched case-control study found that evening outdoor exposure for more than 2 h was associated with an increased risk for acquiring illness (odds ratio [OR] 4.33, 95% CI 1.23-15.21) while a number of recommended personal protective measures were protective. Four SLE patients were dually infected with Highlands J virus, the first reported cases of acute infection with this alphavirus. The case-control study provided the first evidence that a public education campaign to reduce exposure had a protective effect against acquiring the disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Mercury(II) sorption to two Florida Everglades peats: evidence for strong and weak binding and competition by dissolved organic matter released from the peat.

The binding of mercury(II) to two peats from Florida Everglades sites with different rates of mercury methylation was measured at pH 6.0 and 0.01 M ionic strength. The mercury(II) sorption isotherms, measured over a total mercury(II) range of 10(-7.4) to 10(-3.7) M, showed the competition for mercury(II) between the peat and dissolved organic matter released from the peat and the existence of strong and weak binding sites for mercury(II). Binding was portrayed by a model accounting for strong and weak sites on both the peat and the released DOM. The conditional binding constants (for which the ligand concentration was set as the concentration of reduced sulfur in the organic matter as measured by X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy) determined for the strong sites on the two peats were similar (Kpeat,s = 10(21.8 +/- 0.1) and 10(22.0 +/- 0.1) M-1), but less than those determined for the DOM strong sites (Kdom,s = 10(22.8 +/- 0.1) and 10(23.2 +/- 0.1) M-1), resulting in mercury(II) binding by the DOM at low mercury(II) concentrations. The magnitude of the strong site binding constant is indicative of mercury(II) interaction with organic thiol functional groups. The conditional binding constants determined for the weak peat sites (Kpeat,w = 10(11.5 +/- 0.1) and 10(11.8 +/- 0.1) M-1) and weak DOM sites (Kdom,w = 10(8.7 +/- 3.0) and 10(7.3 +/- 4.5) M-1) were indicative of mercury(II) interaction with carboxyl and phenol functional groups.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Total antioxidant activity and fiber content of select Florida-grown tropical fruits.

Fourteen tropical fruits from south Florida (red guava, white guava, carambola, red pitaya (red dragon), white pitaya (white dragon), mamey sapote, sapodilla, lychee, longan, green mango, ripe mango, green papaya, and ripe papaya) were evaluated for antioxidant activity, total soluble phenolics (TSP), total ascorbic acid (TAA), total dietary fiber (TDF), and pectin. ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, radical scavenging activity) assays were used to determine antioxidant activity. The TSP, ORAC, and DPPH ranged from 205.4 to 2316.7 g gallic acid equiv/g puree, <0.1 to 16.7 micromol Trolox equiv/g puree, and 2.1 to 620.2 microg gallic acid equiv/g puree, respectively. The TAA, TDF, and pectin ranged from 7.5 to 188.8 mg/100 g, 0.9 to 7.2 g/100 g, and 0.20 to 1.04 g/100 g, respectively. The antioxidant activities, TSP, TAA, TDF, and pectin were influenced by cultivar (papaya, guava, and dragon fruit) and ripening stage (papaya and/or mango). Antioxidant activity showed high correlations with levels of TSP compounds (r = 0.96) but low correlations with levels of ascorbic acid (r = 0.35 and 0.23 for ORAC and DPPH data, respectively). The antioxidant activities evaluated by both ORAC and DPPH showed similar trends where red guava and carambola exhibited the highest and sapodilla and green papaya exhibited the lowest levels. Guava and mamey sapote exhibited the highest TDF and pectin levels. Many of the tropical fruits were shown to contain an abundance of hydrolyzable tannins, ellagic acid conjugates, and flavone glycosides. Preliminary descriptions are given of the phenols in red/white pitaya (dragonfruit), lychee, and mamey sapote, these fruit being thus far uncharacterized in the literature.

Antioxidants↗