PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION

Isolation of Potent 5α-Reductase Inhibitors and Antioxidants from Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. for the Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Abhirami BL, Krishna AA, Bashi MB, Abhijith BS, Varghese AW and Kumaran A
Fermented Unripe Banana Flour Utilization as a Functional Ingredient in Biscuits
Çetin-Babaoğlu H, Coşkun A, Taşçı S and Arslan-Tontul S
To prevent losses before consumption due to the rapid ripening of bananas, turning unripe bananas into flour and using it in bakery products can both enhance the functional properties of the product and transform bananas into a high-value product. In this study, it is aimed to enhance the functional properties of banana flour through fermentation, thereby investigating its potential use in the production of healthy snack biscuits which are widely consumed, especially by children and busy people. Different proportions (0%, 15%, and 30%) of unripe banana flour (UBF) and fermented unripe banana flour (FUBF) were added to biscuits, evaluating their impact on physical (color, diameter, thickness, spread ratio), textural (hardness), and functional properties (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, dietary fiber, glycemic index). The effect of FUBF on biscuit spread ratio compared to UBF was positive (p < 0.05). The addition of UBF or FUBF significantly increased total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (p < 0.05), with the highest TPC (1167.88 mg GAE/kg) observed in biscuits containing 30% FUBF (p < 0.05). Fermentation showed no significant effect on antioxidant activity of samples (p > 0.05). The glycemic index (GI) values were notably high across all samples, with the control at 78.59 and the 30% FUBF sample at 72.74 (p < 0.05), indicating all samples fell into the high GI food category. Biscuit hardness decreased significantly with UBF or FUBF addition (p < 0.05), while fermentation had no significant impact on hardness (p > 0.05). This study underscores the potential of UBF or FUBF to contribute to healthier snack options with improved functional characteristics.
Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Epigallocatechin Gallate on the Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes
He R, Shi Y, Lu X, Zhou Y, Liu Z, Zhang S and Liu A
Green tea possesses a range of beneficial effects, including anti-obesity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, owing to its biologically active components, primarily catechins such as epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). However, few studies have investigated the four catechin monomers simultaneously, and the molecular mechanisms of their anti-obesity effects have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of four catechin monomers on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes of mice. Our findings demonstrated that four catechin monomers EC/ECG/EGC/EGCG (12, 25, 50 µM) dose-dependently inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and reduced triglyceride content. EGCG exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect with an optimal concentration of 50 µM. In addition, transcriptome sequencing and lipidomic analysis of EGCG-treated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes revealed that Ptgs2 and Pim1 were the most differentially expressed genes involved in regulating adipocyte differentiation. The results suggested that EGCG up-regulated the expression of the Pla2g2e gene and down-regulated the expression of the Pla2g4a and Pla2g2a genes via the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, which subsequently elevated lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) levels, influencing the differentiation process of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.
Effect of Various Fruit Extracts on Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) and Kallikrein (KLK) Activities
Gu S, Ling Q, Bao G, Xie L, Shi Y and Wang X
Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease and causes widespread morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this work was to screen the fruit with high angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and kallikrein (KLK) promotion activity by three different extraction methods from 22 kinds of fruits. Results showed that the aqueous extracts of fresh kiwifruit significantly inhibited ACE activity (47.71%), whereas the KLK activity was also inhibited (4.56%). This indicated that the substances inhibiting ACE activity existed in kiwifruit might be small molecular substances such as polyphenols. The nonpolar substance existed in the ethanol extracts of grape inhibited ACE activity significantly. The enzymatic hydrolysates of red grape significantly promoted KLK activity, whereas its ethanol extracts significantly inhibited KLK activity. This results suggested that the components that lower blood pressure and raise blood pressure are generally presented in the same fruit, the former are mostly water-soluble substances, while the latter are generally alcohol-soluble substances. If certain or individual components can be isolated from edible fruits, they may significantly affect blood pressure in humans.
Research Progress and Biosynthetic Mechanisms of Nutritional Compounds Obtained from Various Organs During the Developmental Stages of a Medicinal Plant (Chinese Jujube)
Muhammad N, Uddin N, Liu Z, Yang M and Liu M
The fruit of the jujube tree is high in nutrients and has various health benefits. China is a major producer of jujube, and it is now cultivated all around the world. Numerous studies have demonstrated the nutritional value and potential health advantages of bioactive compounds found in the jujube tree. Furthermore, the jujube tree has a remarkable 7000-year agricultural history. The jujube plant has developed a rich gene pool, making it a valuable resource for germplasm. Different studies have focused on the developmental stages of jujube fruits to identify the optimal time for harvest and to assess the changes in their bioactive natural compounds or products during the process of development but the molecular mechanism underlying the production of bioactive natural products in Z. jujuba is still poorly understood. Moreover, the potential differential expressed genes (DEGs) identified as responsible for the synthesis of these compounds should be further functionally verified. It has been noticed that the contents of total flavonoids, total phenolic, and vitamin C increase significantly during the ripening process, while the contents of soluble sugars and organic acids decrease gradually. In this review, we have also scrutinized the challenges that hinder the utilization of jujube fruit resources and suggested potential areas for further research. As such, our review serves as a valuable resource for the future development of jujube-based nutritional compounds and the incorporation of their nutritional elements into the functional foods industry.
Influence of Plant Phenology on Chemical Composition of Monarda fistulosa L. Organs and their Bioactive Properties
Gontar Ł, Geszprych A, Sitarek-Andrzejczyk M and Osińska E
Monarda fistulosa L. above-ground organs, collected at three phases of plant phenology, were investigated as potential raw materials for application in the food industry. They were evaluated regarding essential oil (EO) content, composition, and antimicrobial activity, as well as characteristics of phenolic fractions and antioxidant properties, which may determine health benefits and potential use in food preservation. The dominant constituent of leaf EO was carvacrol. In the inflorescence EO carvacrol content was especially high at the full flowering phase (45.12%), while during the fruit setting phase its content was lower than that of p-cymene (39.75%) and thymoquinone (25.04%). In the agar dilution test, leaf and inflorescence EOs inhibited the growth of the six tested microorganisms at the concentration range of 0.156-0.625 µL/mL. Leaves collected at the vegetative phase of plant growth were characterised by the highest content of rosmarinic acid and didymin. Inflorescences harvested during the flowering of plants were rich in linarin. Flavonoid content was highly correlated with antioxidant activity of extracts. Due to these properties, M. fistulosa extracts and essential oils could be used in the food industry as natural preservatives or antioxidants, thereby contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable food products.
Nutritional and Functional Value of Andean Native Legumes and Their Potential Industrial Application
Choque-Delgado GT, Condo-Mamani AR, Quispe-Sucso MG and Hamaker BR
Legumes are edible seeds that have high nutritional and functional value. Their cultivation and consumption turn out to be an alternative to hunger and guarantee food security in vulnerable populations. This manuscript explores the nutritional and functional properties and potential uses of native Andean legumes such as Pajuro, Tarhui, Common bean, and Lima beans. They contain macro and micronutrients and bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive that benefit consumer health. These compounds are particular proteins, peptides, polyphenols, alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, and among others. Moreover, Andean legumes have shown industrial potential due to their technological properties that could be useful in adding value to other food products. These properties are due to their content of starch, oil, fiber, and protein that could facilitate their processing and obtain products with adequate sensory characteristics. Andean legumes have good nutritional and functional value and have the potential to be included in daily diets. Given the accumulated evidence, we believe that the consumption of Andean legumes in nature and processed should be strongly encouraged.
Identification and Function Analysis of Novel Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Peptides from Chickpea
Li P, Chen G, Liang R, Cai K, Chen Z, Yang N, Huang W, Xie Z, Chen Y and Liao Q
Chickpea is rich in protein and has been demonstrated to possess hypoglycaemic effects. However, the specific bioactive ingredients and mechanisms underlying their hypoglycaemic effects remain unclear. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis and gel permeation chromatography were used to extract chickpea bioactive peptide (CBP) from chickpea protein. One of the products, CBP-75-3, was found to inhibit α-glucosidase (GAA) activity and significantly increase the viability of insulin resistant (IR) cells. Moreover, CBP-75-3 significantly increased the rate of glucose consumption and glycogen synthesis in IR-HepG2 cells. Moreover, CBP-75-3 decreased the levels of malondialdehyde and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase. Subsequently, 29 novel bioactive peptides in CBP-75-3 were identified by LC‒MS/MS, and the potential hypoglycaemic targets of these novel bioactive peptides were investigated using molecular docking. Based on the results, the residues of the novel bioactive peptides interact with GAA through hydrogen bonding (especially LLR, FH, RQLPR, KGF and NFQ by binding to the substrate binding pocket or the active centre of GAA), thereby inhibiting GAA activity and laying a foundation for its hypoglycaemic activity. In short, the novel bioactive peptides isolated and identified from chickpea can effectively exert hypoglycaemic effects and increase the antioxidant capacity of IR-HepG2 cells. This study reveals that CBP-75-3, a natural hypoglycaemic ingredient, has potential for applications in functional foods and provides a theoretical basis for the development and application of CBP in the future.
Phytochemical content, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of Morrocan Cynara cardunculus L. var. ferocissima leaf methanolic extract
Nechchadi H, Kacimi FE, McDonald A, Boulbaroud S, Berrougui H and Ramchoun M
Cyanra cardunclus L. var. ferocissima is widely used in Morocco as a food and in traditional medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to determine, for the first time, the phytochemical content and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of this variety. Qualitative tests were used to screen for the phytochemical compounds present in the extract, and spectrophotometric methods were used for quantification. The sugar profiles were determined using HPLC. Antioxidant activity was determined in vitro using DPPH, FRAP, and total antioxidant activity assays, and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using serum albumin denaturation and membrane stabilization assays. The extract contained a high amount of total polyphenols, hydrocinnamic acids, anthocyanins, chlorophyll, ortho-diphenols, terpenoids, and triterpenoids. In addition, five sugars were identified with high amounts of raffinose and sucrose. The extract exerted considerable antioxidant activity by scavenging radicals and reducing power. It exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting protein denaturation and heat-inducing hemolysis. From the correlation results, anthocyanin, polyphenol, and triterpenoid contents were strongly correlated with DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Orthodiphenols, flavonols, and chlorophyll α were strongly correlated with FRAP, whereas orthodiphenols, hydrocinnamic acids, and triterpenoids were strongly correlated with total antioxidant activity. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, orthodiphenols, hydrocinnamic acids, and triterpenoids correlated strongly with inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation activity, whereas terpenoids, flavonols, and chlorophyll correlated strongly with red cell membrane-stabilizing activity. In conclusion, the Moroccan Cynara cardunclus var. ferocissima leaf methanolic extract constitutes a promising source of phytochemicals with considerable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Anti-inflammatory Effect of Symplocos prunifolia Extract in an In Vitro Model of Acute Pneumonia
Kim SW, Jee W, Park SM, Park YR, Bae H, Na YC, Lee HG, Kwon S and Jang HJ
Acute pneumonia is a respiratory disease characterized by inflammation within the lung tissue, exhibiting higher morbidity rates and mortality rates among immunocompromised children and older adults. Symplocos species have been traditionally used as herbal remedies for conditions like dysentery, skin ulcers, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Contemporary research has employed various Symplocos species in the study of diverse diseases. However, the exact efficacy and mechanisms of action of Symplocos Prunifolia remain unknown. Therefore, this study investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of S. prunifolia extract (SPE) in A549 and RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). SPE significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) production and the protein expression levels of like inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, it reduced the protein expression levels of iNOS, COX-2 and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated A549 cells. The mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of SPE was associated with the inhibition of LPS stimulated the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. Moreover, we confirmed that SPE decreased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/p65 stimulated by LPS. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SPE alleviates inflammatory responses by deactivating the PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that SPE is a potential candidate for acute pneumonia prevention.
Nomilin Reversed Cardiotoxicity Caused by Co-exposure to Zearalenone and Deoxynivalenol via the Keap1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Zebrafish
Liu X, Peng Y, Chen R, Zhou Y, Xia M, Wu X and Yu M
The contamination of food and feed by mycotoxins, particularly zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON), is a global issue. Prenatal exposure to ZEA and DON can result in congenital cardiac malformations in fetuses. Addressing the prevention and mitigation of embryonic cardiotoxicity caused by these toxins is crucial. Citrus limonoid nomilin (NOM) is an extract known for its pathological properties in various diseases. This study investigated the potential mechanism of NOM in mitigating cardiotoxicity caused by ZEA and DON co-exposure in a zebrafish model. The findings indicated that NOM pretreatment alleviated cardiac developmental toxicity induced by ZEA and DON and normalized the expression of key genes involved in heart development, including gata4, vmhc, nkx2.5, and sox9b. Co-exposure to NOM, ZEA, and DON enhanced SOD and catalase activity, increased glutathione levels, and reduced ROS and malondialdehyde production. Furthermore, NOM reduced cardiac oxidative damage by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. In summary, this study offers new insights for preventive interventions against congenital heart disease caused by mycotoxin exposure.
Investigating the Impact of Moisture Levels on Structural Alterations and Physicochemical Properties of Cassava Flour through Extrusion: A Comprehensive Study
Qi M, Jiang L, Song J, Han F, Xu M, Li Y, Ma C, Chen S and Li H
The extrusion process, a vital technique for starch modification, is notably influenced by the moisture content (MC). This study aimed to elucidate the effect of varying MC levels (18, 22, 26, and 30%) on the structural and physicochemical characteristics of cassava flour during extrusion. Extrusion resulted in the fraction of degree of polymerization 13‒24, degree of branching, and molecular weight increased with increasing MC, with values of above indexes being 32.29%, 1.05%, and 1.21 × 10 g/mol, respectively, at a MC of 18%. This suggested that the degradation of amylopectin and amylose. Additionally, there was an increase in rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and a decrease in slowly digestible starch (SDS) in the extrudates in comparison to the native cassava flour. The extrusion of cassava flour at 18% MC exhibited the highest levels of RDS and SDS, reaching 64.52% and 4.06%, respectively. These findings indicated that low moisture extrusion could be a more effective method for disrupting the structure of cassava starch and enhancing the digestibility of cassava flour, offering valuable insights for the optimized use of cassava extrudates in various applications.
Effect and Mechanism of Apple Polyphenols in Regulating Intestinal Flora and Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/TGF-β Signaling Pathway to Alleviate Alcoholic Liver Fibrosis
Meng X, Ma Y, Li K, Ji M, Lin L, Xiao X, Zhao Y and Su G
Apple polyphenols (APs) have gained attention for their various bioactivities, while no studies on anti-liver fibrosis activity are reported. This study evaluated the protective effect of APs on liver fibrosis using LPS-treated activated HSC-T6 cells and alcohol-treated liver fibrosis (ALF) mice. The results indicated that APs inhibited HSC-T6 cells activation in vitro and reduced the level of serum hyaluronic acid (HA) (p < 0.05), decreased fibrogenesis marker expression (p < 0.05), thereby alleviating ALF. In addition, APs (800 mg/kg b.w.) decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (p < 0.05) in ALF mice, inhibited LPS accumulation in the liver tissue and serum (p < 0.05), and significantly inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB/TGF-β signaling in mice liver. In conclusion, APs markedly ameliorated ALF, possibly by improving gut microbiota homeostasis, decreasing the translocation of bacterial endotoxins to the blood, and suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB/TGF-β signaling pathway, indicating its potential as lead compounds for functional foods and/or drugs against ALF.
Multivariate Data Analysis Assisted Mining of Nutri-rich Genotypes from North Eastern Himalayan Germplasm Collection of Perilla (Perilla frutescens L.)
Kaur S, Godara S, Singh N, Kumar A, Pandey R, Adhikari S, Jaiswal S, Singh SK, Rana JC, Bhardwaj R, Singh BK and Riar A
Understanding the nutritional diversity in Perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) is essential for selecting and developing superior varieties with enhanced nutritional profiles in the North Eastern Himalayan (NEH) region of India. In this study, we assessed the nutritional composition of 45 diverse perilla germplasm collected from five NEH states using standard protocols and advanced analytical techniques. Significant variability was observed in moisture (0.39-11.67%), ash (2.59-7.13%), oil (28.65-74.20%), protein (11.05-23.15%), total soluble sugars (0.34-3.67%), starch (0.01-0.55%), phenols (0.03-0.87%), ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.45-1.36%), palmitic acid (7.06-10.75%), stearic acid (1.96-2.29%), oleic acid (8.11-13.31%), linoleic acid (15.18-22.74%), and linolenic acid (55.47-67.07%). Similarly, significant variability in mineral content (ppm) was also observed for aluminium, calcium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, nickel, phosphorus, and zinc. Multivariate analyses, including hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA), revealed the enriched nutritional diversity within the germplasm. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive and negative relationships between nutritional parameters, indicating potential biochemical and metabolic interactions present in the perilla seeds. TOPSIS-based ranking identified promising genotypes for functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutritional applications. This study provides a first in-depth report of the nutritional composition and diversity of perilla germplasm in the NEH region, thus aiding in the identification of superior varieties for food and nutritional diversification and security.
Effect of Variation in Temperature and Light Duration on Morpho-physiology and Phytochemical Content in Sprouts and Microgreens of Common Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)
Johnson MA, Kumar M and Thakur S
Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a gluten-free underutilized pseudocereal with excellent therapeutic and nutraceutical potential. Sprouts and microgreens produced from this plant species can be consumed regularly owing to a rich nutritional profile that can be improved by regulating the abiotic factors during their growth. Therefore, this study explores the responses of common buckwheat sprouts and microgreens in terms of growth and phytochemicals accumulation under temperature (16, and 25 ºC) and photoperiodic (16/8 h and 20/4 h, light/dark intervals) variations. Some analyses were also performed at 4 and 8 ºC. The findings highlight the beneficial effects of mild stress induced by extended photoperiod and moderate temperature like enhanced yield and phytochemical content. Extending the photoperiodic duration from 16/8 h to 20/4 h significantly triggered the biosynthesis of pigments such as carotenoids and chlorophyll in 12-day-old microgreen leaves. Likewise, a moderate temperature i.e., 16 ºC was proved more effective in inducing the accumulation of secondary metabolites including phenolics and flavonoids. However, extreme cold conditions hindered the sprouting and growth rate underscoring common buckwheat sensitivity to low temperature. These findings are crucial for refining the production strategies, ensuring the nutritional values, and optimizing the potential of common buckwheat sprouts and microgreens as "superfoods".
Evaluation of Proximate Composition, Cooking Quality, and Texture Profile Analysis in Himalayan Landraces of Black Gram (Vigna mungo)
Soharu A, Mittal RK, Sood VK, Dhaliwal YS and Sharma S
The black gram is a traditional pulse crop and is a source of different nutritional components. Due to the scientific community's preference for yield and its components, the area of nutritional composition remains unexplored. Therefore, the evaluation of various quality traits such as proximate composition, cooking quality, texture profile, and association between them is keen important for the identification of the traits influencing the selection of the genotypes. This research aimed at the evaluation of the 25 black gram genotypes for their proximate composition, the effect of different cooking methods (conventional and microwave) on cooking quality parameters, and texture profile analysis. The genotypes were screened on 17 parameters, mean and replicated value of each variable were subjected to statistical analysis. The results for proximate composition showed the range from 11.2-11.7%, 24.24-28.22%, 1.25-1.85%, 3.10-4.45%, 5.35-6.60%, 60.23-64.86% and 368.35-372.75 Kcal/100 g for moisture, protein, fat, dietary fiber, ash, utilizable carbohydrate, and gross energy respectively. Cooking time ranged from 33 to 55.5 min (traditional) to 29.5-48.5 min (microwave), L: B ratio from 1.35 to 1.85, WUR from 1.85 to 2.60, and GSL from 0.25 to 11.30%. TPA's cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness ranged from 0.19 to 1.44 N, 0.14-1.30 N, 0.58-3.67 N, 1.14-10.81 N, and 0.58-5.29; 1.16-10.50 N in traditional and microwave cooking. Chewiness, gumminess, protein, ash, and cooking time were positively correlated. The first seven PCs have ≥ 1 eigenvalues, accounting for 23.30, 18.00, 13.50, 9.50, 7.40, 6.70%, and 6.40% of total variability. Mandi-2, Kinnour-1, Kirmour-1, Kangra-2, Bilaspur-1, Kangra-3, Kullu-1, Kullu-4, Chamba-3, and Chamba-7 to PCs 1-2 contributed the most to diversity, indicating good selection for subsequent upgrading initiatives.
Effect of Partial Replacement of Wheat Flour by Flour from Extruded Sunflower Seed Kernels on Muffins Quality
Tsykhanovska I, Stabnikova O, Riabchykov M, Lazarieva T and Korolyova N
The use of new types of raw materials to improve the quality and nutritional value of products is an important trend in flour confectionery. Flour from extruded sunflower seed kernels (FESSK), the by-product of oil production, was used as a new ingredient in muffin formulation. Analysis of physicochemical and nutritional properties of muffins prepared with FESSK, which was added in the amounts of 5, 10, and 15% to the total weight of mixture of wheat and rye flours, as well as their sensory evaluation, were performed. According to the sensory evaluation, the muffins with FESSK had a pleasant, nutty and sunflower aroma, and the best results were shown by muffins with 10% of FESSK. Addition of FESSK, 10%, led to an increase of the content of protein by 24.7%, fat by 16.9%, fiber by 23.3%, ash by 16.9%, and a decrease of content of total carbohydrates by 5.2% and sugars by 16.2%. Enriched muffins had improved texture characteristics, particularly, smooth, crack-free surface, soft, and elastic crumb with well-developed porosity and small, evenly distributed, thin-walled pores. The FESSK could be recommended as an ingredient for improving the nutritional and technological properties of flour confectionery products.
Blended Tea Ameliorates T2DM via Modulation of Gut Microflora
Liu S, Dai X, Zhao J, Zhang X, Zhu M, Wang K and Fu D
Increasing evidences suggest that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is closely related to gut microflora dysbiosis, which can be improved by dietary intervention. Four natural plant products, including Cyclocarya paliurus, Fu brick tea, Ampelopsis grossedentata, and Lithocarpus litseifolius, were blended to form a blended tea product for obtaining the better flavor. The blended tea was also expected to have excellent pharmacological activity. Therefore, the ameliorative effect of blended tea on T2DM and underlying mechanisms were studied in this study. The results showed that the blended tea extract effectively attenuated the symptoms of glucose and lipid metabolism-related disorders in T2DM mice fed by high-fat and high-sucrose diet. Furthermore, blended tea extract intervention significantly attenuated gut microbiota dysbiosis, the abundance of bacteria such as Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which aid in the hydrolysis and utilization of carbohydrates, significantly increased, while the abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Proteobacteria significantly decreased. Certain core microorganisms involved in energy metabolism, including Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Butyricimonas, Roseburia, Oscillibacter, [Eubacterium]_nodatum_group, Muribaculaceae, Prevotellaceae UCG 001, were also found to be improved by blended tea extract. Collectively, our results demonstrated that the blended tea may ameliorate T2DM through modulation of gut microflora. The blended tea may serve as novel functional drink for the treatment of T2DM and dysbiosis of gut microbiota.
Gastrointestinal Health Benefits of Sorghum Phenolics
Sleem I, Smolensky D and Dia V
Sorghum is considered a promising food security crop and remarkable rich source of bioactive components including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. Sorghum phenolics exhibited numerous protective effects against multiple chronic diseases. However, there is no review of the effects of sorghum phenolics on gastrointestinal (GI) health. Specifically, recent studies have highly suggested that sorghum phenolics can maintain gastrointestinal homeostasis and enhance microbial diversity and richness. Furthermore, sorghum phenolics showed GI anticancer effects in both in vitro and in vivo studies against colorectal and esophageal cancers. Treatment of GI related human cancer cell lines stimulated apoptosis and suppressed proliferation. Sorghum intake and extracts treatments reduced intestinal oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in human and in vivo studies. In addition, understanding the role and mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal health benefits of sorghum phenolics is crucial to determine treatment strategies of different GI diseases.
Characterization and Techno-Functional Properties of High Protein Walnut Flour from an Oil by-Product
Burbano JJ, Cabezas DM and Correa MJ
A high protein walnut flour (HPWF) was obtained by defatting walnut flour (WF), which is a by-product of the oil industry. The objective of this study was the chemical and techno-functional characterization of HPWF. Composition, amino acid content, protein secondary structure, protein solubility and thermal transitions were measured. Besides, the techno-functional properties, emulsion activity and stability, and water holding and oil absorption capacities, of HPWF were evaluated. Also, the molecular mass of proteins under denaturing conditions and the microstructure of HPWF were evaluated by electrophoresis and confocal scanning laser microscopy, respectively. HPWF had 55.4% protein content and 21.5% total dietary fibre. In terms of HPWF amino acid composition, the limiting amino acids were the sulphurated cysteine and methionine. By FTIR analysis, the main secondary structures were β-sheet (49%) followed by α-helix (24%); both structures are considered to be ordered. Likewise, HPWF soluble proteins increased at basic pH and HPWF proteins were separated in 11 bands with molecular masses ranging from 97 kDa to 18 kDa by electrophoresis. With respect to techno-functional properties, HPWF presented good emulsion activity (51%) and high thermal emulsion stability (46%). In addition, HPWF retained 571% and 242% of water and oil by weight, respectively. Finally, the micrograph showed the predominance of protein structures and fibre fragments, and the presence of few lipids mostly trapped. These results showed that HPWF is an interesting source of plant-based proteins and walnut flour can be used to obtain high protein ingredients from non-traditional sources.
Evaluation of Nutritional and Functional Properties of Chasubi - A Traditional Food
Athokpam M and Sidhu S
Chasubi, a rice flour-based flatbread is an ethnic delicacy in the Kakching district of Manipur, India. The present study explored the nutritional and functional properties of chasubi. Chasubi was prepared by mixing rice flour with, Allium tuberosum Rottl ex Spreng, Allium hookeri Thw, Zanthoxylum armatum DC, and fermented fish. A dough was prepared, rolled into round flatbread, transferred to banana leaves, and cooked. The proximate composition, antioxidant properties, physicochemical properties, texture profile and biochemical composition of chasubi were determined. The moisture content of the chasubi was in the range of intermediate moisture foods. The protein content of chasubi was 10.17 ± 1.46%. Chasubi was low in fat content (0.40 ± 0.07%) and had crude fibre in good amounts (1.28 ± 0.61%). The carbohydrate content and energy value of chasubi were 48.08% and 236.6 kcal/100 g. The antioxidant properties of chasubi are presented as 50% inhibitory concentration (IC). Chasubi showed a high concentration of total phenolics (IC 5.41 ± 0.37 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and the IC values of ferric reducing power assay and total flavonoid were 9.31 ± 1.69 mg ferrous sulphate equivalent/g and 60.81 ± 11.70 mg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. The hardness and adhesiveness of the chasubi were 72.43 N and 0.0589 mJ, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of chasubi showed phenolic peaks indicating that phenolics were preserved after cooking. In conclusion, chasubi is a high-protein, low-fat snack with good antioxidant properties. The physical properties of chasubi make it shelf-stable.