The Peruvian production of cocoa represents, approximately, 2% of the world production, with a very recognized contribution because of the quality and diversity of its flavors and aromas. With a millenary Amazonian origin and proved utilization by at least 5200 years ago, this crop just became visible for the agrarian development in the last two decades, when it was used with relative success for the substitution of illegal coca crops ¿And how much is the academy contributing to the value chain of cocoa? A sample of 44 theses which cocoa obtained from production centers and farmers plots was their object of study, has been registered and analyzed in an exploratory way. 41 theses were for obtain professional titles, two for magister degree and one for doctorate degree. These theses were done in universities of 13 Department of Peru, where Lima reached the highest number (12). Eleven thes...

Allergic asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of the airways, however it still remains underdiagnosed and hence undertreated. Therefore, an allergic asthma rat model would be useful to be applied in future therapeutic strategy studies. The aim of the present study was to develop an objective model of allergic asthma in atopic rats that allows the induction and quantification of anaphylactic shock with quantitative variables. Female Brown Norway rats were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA), alum and Bordetella pertussis toxin and boosted a week later with OVA in alum. At day 28, all rats received an intranasal challenge with OVA. Anaphylactic response was accurately assessed by changes in motor activity and body temperature. Leukotriene concentration was determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and total and IgE anti-OVA antibodies were quantified...

Cocoa contains bioactive components, which vary according to genetic and environmental factors. The present study aimed to ascertain the anti-allergic properties of native Peruvian cocoa populations (“Blanco de Piura” or BPC, “Amazonas Peru” or APC, “Criollo de Montaña” or CMC, “Chuncho” or CCC, and an ordinary cocoa or OC). To do so, after an initial in vitro approach, an in vivo study focused on the induction of an anaphylactic response associated with allergic asthma in Brown Norway rats was carried out. Based on their polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and in vitro effects, the APC and CMC were selected to be included in the in vivo study. Cocoa diets were tested in a model of allergic asthma in which anaphylactic response was assessed by changes in body temperature, motor activity and body weight. The concentration of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), mast cell...