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Pulque, An Alcoholic Drink from Rural Mexico, Contains Phytase. Its in vitro Effects on Corn Tortilla

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Abstract

Pulque is made by fermenting the agave sap or aguamiel of Agave atrovirens with a whole array of microorganisms present in the environment including several lactic acid bacteria and yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ascorbic acid was determined in pulque and aguamiel, respectively. Phytase activity in lees, liquid and freeze-dried pulque was assayed by measuring the appearance of phosphate from phytate by a colorimetric method likewise phosphate from phytate present in fresh corn tortilla was measured after in vitro incubation with pulque. Iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium contents were measured in pulque and corn tortilla as well as in nixtamalized corn flour (NCF), the latter is used to make instant tortilla, since corn provides most of the energy as well as most of the phytate in the Mexican rural diet. Pulque showed phytase activity but much less ascorbic acid and iron than previously reported; additionally, phytase in pulque hydrolyzed most of phytate’s corn tortilla. Lees, which is mostly made of pulque’s microbiota, significantly accumulated iron and zinc but no selenium. NCF was fortified with iron by the manufacturers but poorly blended. There were significant differences on selenium content between tortillas samples, apparently some soils in central Mexico are selenium deficient. Moderate pulque intake appears to increase the bioavailability of iron and zinc bound by phytate in corn.

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Abbreviations

NCF:

Nixtamalized corn flour

Pi:

inorganic phosphate

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Acknowledgments

Two of us, LRT and MEG, are fellows from the Commission for the Promotion of Academic Activities, an organization that belongs to the National Polytechnic Institute. We appreciate the reviewers’ comments on this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Environment and Development, National Polytechnic Institute, Calle 30 de Junio de 1520 S/N, Barrio La Laguna Ticoman, 07340, D.F., Mexico

    Luis Raul Tovar, Manuel Olivos & Ma. Eugenia Gutierrez

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  1. Luis Raul Tovar
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  2. Manuel Olivos
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  3. Ma. Eugenia Gutierrez
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Correspondence to Luis Raul Tovar.

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Tovar, L.R., Olivos, M. & Gutierrez, M.E. Pulque, An Alcoholic Drink from Rural Mexico, Contains Phytase. Its in vitro Effects on Corn Tortilla. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 63, 189–194 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-008-0089-5

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