Nictly: Prickly pear and sour prickly pear gummies

To improve the health of the Mexican population with lipid disorders, we create "Gomitas Nictly" a creative, economical, and innovative solution: Prickly pear and sour prickly pear gummies.

Mexico has consolidated as one of the countries with the highest rates of obese and hyperglycemic population in the world; 1 in 20 children under five years old and 1 in 3 between 6 and 19 years old is overweight or obese. This positioned Mexico among the first places in childhood and adult obesity worldwide. Similarly, Nutritional education and knowledge about the nutritional contributions of consumers in the confectionery industry is almost nil since only a few confectionery companies are concerned about the dietary contributions of their products, in addition to the high consumption of sweets and snacks by children and adults in Mexico. According to a study on snacks conducted by Canacintra and Nielsen, in November 2011, 99.7% of Mexican households consumed snacks; likewise, Mexico was consolidated as the second country in Latin America with the highest consumption of sweets in 2021, which indicates that on many occasions the Mexican population is inclined to consume products with high energy and sugar content such as candy and snacks, yet what would happen if a candy that excels in nutritional contributions were invented? Through our project, we seek to benefit the health of the Mexican population with an innovative product that contributes to reducing the levels of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood, in addition to its consumption is accessible and rich in nutritional properties such as the contribution of vitamins A, B, C, D and E, minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, It contains antioxidants and laxative properties, without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and also takes into account the SDGs number 3, 8 and 12, and despite all the above mentioned, it is still a candy that could alternate the classic sweet and snacks without nutritional contribution. Our project is called "Nictly gummies" its name comes from the Nahuatl "nochtl" (prickly pear) and "xokonochtli" (xoconostle or sour prickly pear) since Nahuatl is one of the indigenous dialects spoken in Hidalgo, a state of Mexico where the project was born, which is also a  major producer of prickly pear and sour prickly pear in the country.

Nictly gummies emerge through the laboratory since we use several techniques for their obtention, such as dissolutions, mixing, boiling points, filtration processes, crushing, and hydration. Likewise, we understand that technology is not only a series of procedures; it is the fusion of science, creativity, commerce, thinking outside the box, and a need that forms it. This is the main reason why we thought of the prickly pear and sour prickly pear fruits to produce the gummies. The prickly pear is a fruit of the cacti family, it has a thick and thorny shell with a pulp abundant in seeds, and the sour prickly pear is a fruit that comes from the variety of cactus known as Opuntia Joconostle; it has a remarkable resemblance to the prickly pear, but with a sour taste, and in their pulp we can find critical nutritional quantities for our organism. Both fruits constitute a nourishment of great nutritional value, as they provide vitamins, minerals, and proteins, are juicy, healthy, and have excellent properties for digestion due to the fiber in their seeds. Traditionally they have been used not only as food or nourishment but also as natural remedies to treat multiple diseases. The prickly pear and sour prickly pear are also endemic in the region of Hidalgo, where its production is abundant, economical, and feasible since we can find it throughout the year except for the prickly pear, whose season is from April to December. Therefore. Our product is 100% natural because the only preservative used is citric acid and lemon zest; the juice extracted, along with the properties of the fruit, contains its natural color. Likewise, the taste of the prickly pear is a little sweet, so the amount of added sugar or supplement such as stevia is minimal.

As mentioned, Mexico is one of the countries with the highest rates of obesity worldwide, and it is common to see in any state of the republic people with obesity and lipid disorders, followed by a lack of healthy habits. In correlation with the above, the Mexican population is highly inclined to consume sweets and snacks, yet what happens when people get a disease related to lipid profile or diabetes? On many occasions, the consumption of products such as candy, snacks, and high-fat content is prohibited; otherwise, a significant part of the population does not follow the conditions and medical recommendations, which is why Mexico continues as the sixth country with the highest number of diabetes cases worldwide with 12.8 million according to data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in the year 2019. Likewise, Mexico occupied the fifth place in obesity worldwide in 2022. It is calculated that the number will increase to 35 million adults in the next decade, according to the World Obesity Federation. In addition, very few confectionery companies have developed products such as candy and snacks for people with these conditions, and existing confectionery products for people with these conditions are not affordable due to the cost. This is why we thought of people with lipid disorders and diabetes since, with the help of the gummies, they could have a candy that alternates the traditional snacks or sweets and, in addition, contributes to improving their conditions or not worsening their state of health, also is affordable, innovative, and tasty. Therefore, we see people with these types of health problems as the primary beneficiaries of the product. It is also thought that gummies would be an excellent alternative to usual sweets for people with diabetes or obesity problems; however, anyone could consume them to improve their health habits and contribute to the prevention of these diseases. However, we can find another population benefitted from this solution, the agriculture industry or farmers producers of prickly pear and sour prickly pear. 

Our team is composed of César Tapia Pérez, Karla Ximena Hernández Martínez, Juan Diego Camacho, and I, Karla Téllez Vera. The four of us studied the technical career of clinical laboratory technicians in the 6lm1 group in the center of scientific studies number 16 of the National Polytechnic Institute in Hidalgo. We learned to perform and analyze laboratory tests and clinical laboratory studies. During our career, we visualized the pathologies and emerging diseases of obesity and diabetes, thus beginning our focus on health. We discovered an excellent opportunity for resources and took advantage of them because in the state of Hidalgo, prickly pears and sour prickly pear are not used in great quantity, and many times resources are not harnessed.
After a series of investigations and practices, we concluded a report which helped the 6lm1 group to participate in the state contest of the classroom project. Along with 16 other colleagues, we achieved 1st place, which opened the doors for the national competition of classroom project of the National Polytechnic Institute held in October 2022 in Mexico City, in which my partner César Tapia and I, Karla Téllez represented the project where we also achieved the 1st place, Later we were invited to the first Colloquium of Educational Innovation and Research of the National Polytechnic Institute, where researchers, educators, scientists, and teachers met to analyze and learn about the winning projects at the national level. That same day the Directorate of Incubation of Technological Enterprises offered us help to formulate the business plan and connections with sponsorships. Even researchers and educators were interested in the project and showed us various opportunities, such as a stay in New York. Subsequently, the project was invited to the IPN Excellence Recognition Ceremony on December 14, 2022, in Mexico City. Our project was born with the intention of improving the health of the Mexican population because it is surprising that in every family, at least one family member suffers from diabetes or obesity. My partner Cesar told us that one of his relatives is a merchant and suffers from diabetes but often does not eat healthy because of his work and is forced to buy any snack or candy he finds. Cesar began to give him our gummies. When his relative had to undergo laboratory studies, he realized that his glucose levels were already better controlled. Although the gummies are not a food supplement or medicine, it is just candy that contributes to improving people's health. For me, it is surprising and sad how these diseases can diminish the quality of life of people and their condition, and I see it every day with some of my family members who suffer from these types of diseases. Nictly seeks to serve, contribute, and contributes to improving health; there is no other cause or reason but to see our friends, family, neighbors, and society with a better quality of life.

Through all the events to which the project was invited, we met several people interested in the project to follow it up or consume it;  We even had an order of 120 jars of gummies. However, we were not able to do it due to the project is still in the prototype stage. Nevertheless, we were surprised to see the number of people interested in the project outside the National Polytechnic Institute as future product consumers. In the first instance, we offered family, friends, and people with obesity and diabetes some samples of the gummies and modified and improved them with the suggestions and feedback obtained. So far, we have not worked with any organization yet. However, we expect to do it in the future since the direction of the technological business incubator of the IPN offered us help in developing the business plan and its incorporation into the market.
Similarly, our research on future product users has turned out quite well since there is no age distinction for its consumption. The only restrictions are for people allergic to any prickly pear or xoconostle component. Moreover, its accessibility is very affordable since the estimated cost of a 120g jar of gummies is the equivalent of 35 Mexican pesos or 1.8 U.S. dollars. Currently, a series of tests are being proposed for the gummies, and more research is being made to improve their consistency and properties, which is why the gummies have not been sold yet.