Β-carotene Content Research Articles

Optimization of the Cultivation Conditions of the Green Algae Dunaliella salina by Using Simplex Method

The green algae Dunaliella salina offers great potential for the food industry due to its high β-carotene content. To guarantee the economic profitability of cultivation, growth conditions must be improved. Therefore, the effects of pH and salinity on the cultivation of the green alga D. salina were investigated and optimized. The simplex method was applied to find the optimum of these two parameters to maximize the biomass and the cell number of D. salina. The optimum pH was found at 7 and 8 at a salt content of 50 g/L, with a biomass content of 1.09 and 1.11 g/L, respectively. The highest biomass was found at a salinity of 50 g/L, with a final biomass of 1.11 g/L. However, by using the simplex method, an optimum product yield was found at a salinity of 64 g/L and an initial pH value of 7.2. Thus, a biomass of 1.23 mg/mL was achieved. In the single observation of both parameters, 14 experiments were conducted to obtain a satisfactory result, whereas eight runs only were required with the simplex method. This leads to the conclusion that using the simplex method is a useful way to drastically reduce the number of required experiments.

Integrative Analysis of Metabolome and Transcriptome Reveals the Mechanism of Color Formation in Yellow-Fleshed Kiwifruit.

During the development of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis), the flesh appeared light pink at the initial stage, the pink faded at the fastest growth stage, and gradually changed into green. At the maturity stage, it showed bright yellow. In order to analyze the mechanism of flesh color change at the metabolic and gene transcription level, the relationship between color and changes of metabolites and key enzyme genes was studied. In this study, five time points (20 d, 58 d, 97 d, 136 d, and 175 d) of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit were used for flavonoid metabolites detection and transcriptome, and four time points (20 d, 97 d, 136 d, and 175 d) were used for targeted detection of carotenoids. Through the analysis of the content changes of flavonoid metabolites, it was found that the accumulation of pelargonidin and cyanidin and their respective anthocyanin derivatives was related to the pink flesh of young fruit, but not to delphinidin and its derivative anthocyanins. A total of 140 flavonoid compounds were detected in the flesh, among which anthocyanin and 76% of the flavonoid compounds had the highest content at 20 d, and began to decrease significantly at 58 d until 175 d, resulting in the pale-pink fading of the flesh. At the mature stage of fruit development (175 d), the degradation of chlorophyll and the increase of carotenoids jointly led to the change of flesh color from green to yellow, in addition to chlorophyll degradation. In kiwifruit flesh, 10 carotenoids were detected, with none of them being linear carotenoids. During the whole development process of kiwifruit, the content of β-carotene was always higher than that of α-carotene. In addition, β-cryptoxanthin was the most-accumulated pigment in the kiwifruit at 175 d. Through transcriptome analysis of kiwifruit flesh, seven key transcription factors for flavonoid biosynthesis and ten key transcription factors for carotenoid synthesis were screened. This study was the first to analyze the effect of flavonoid accumulation on the pink color of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit. The high proportion of β-cryptoxanthin in yellow-fleshed kiwifruit was preliminarily found. This provides information on metabolite accumulation for further revealing the pink color of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit, and also provides a new direction for the study of carotenoid biosynthesis and regulation in yellow-fleshed kiwifruit.

Lipid Characteristics of the Muscle and Perirenal Fat in Young Tudanca Bulls Fed on Different Levels of Grass Silage.

Beef derived from grass-fed cattle is a specific quality criterion. The effect of grass silage intake on quality characteristics, i.e., fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and lipid-derived volatile composition of intramuscular and perirenal fat from fattening bull weaners were studied. Visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) spectra were also obtained from perirenal fat. Perirenal fat analysis was performed for feeding differentiation purposes. A total of 22 Tudanca breed 11-month-aged bulls were finished on three different diets: grass silage and a commercial concentrate ad libitum (GS-AC), grass silage ad libitum and the commercial concentrate restricted to half of the intake of the GS-AC group (GS-LC), and barley straw and concentrate ad libitum (Str-AC). Feeding had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on γ-linolenic acid and the ratio n-6/n-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, β-carotene content was greater in beef from silage groups than in the Str-AC group. Feeding also affected the perirenal fat composition. Beef from silage-fed bulls and straw-fed bulls could be differentiated by fatty acid percentages, especially 18:0, t-18:1, and c9-18:1, β-carotene content, b* colour value, and carotenoid colour index. However, the VIS or NIR spectra data showed poor differentiating performance, and the volatile composition did not have appreciable differentiation power.

Effect of clarification on physicochemical properties and nutrient retention of pressed and blended cashew apple juice.

The cashew apple is a nutritious pseudofruit of the cashew tree, after the nut. It is highly perishable and has an astringent taste, which hinder its utilization in the food sector. This study was designed to optimize clarification of cashew apple juice (CAJ) using gelatine, and assess the effect of clarification on physicochemical properties (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and pH), nutrient retention, and sensory quality of pressed and blended CAJ. CAJ was treated with gelatine concentrations (0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4g/L) at room temperature (24-26°C) for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h. Both clarified and unclarified juice were analyzed for tannin, total phenol, β-carotene, vitamin C, sugar, minerals, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical and sensory qualities. The results showed that tannin in pressed CAJ was optimally reduced from 217.6mg/100 ml TAE to 24.6 mg/100 ml TAE, and from 258.0 mg/100 ml TAE to 55.0 mg/100 ml TAE in blended CAJ, using 0.2 g of gelatine in a liter of juice, for 2 h at room temperature. Both CAJ with and without clarification showed no significant difference in pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity (p < .05). However, blended CAJ had higher contents of total phenol, tannin, β-carotene, vitamin C, sugar, minerals, and antioxidant activity (p < .05). The use of a low concentration (0.2 g/L) of gelatine in a liter of either blended or pressed CAJ yielded sweet and less astringent CAJ with high-intensity yellow color. The technologies performed well at room temperature and therefore provide the basis for potential business investment.

Comparative Assessment of Functional Components and Antioxidant Activities between Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis and H. tibetana Berries in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the main production area of Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. sinensis (Rha) and H. tibetana (Tib), but studies on the types and contents of soluble sugars, organic acids, free phenolics, bound phenolics, vitamin C (VC), tocopherol (VE) and carotenoids of the two sea buckthorn berries from this region have not been reported. In this paper, we found that the soluble sugars in Rha and Tib were mainly glucose and fructose; Rha exhibited a higher content of total sugar and fructose compared to Tib. The organic acids were mainly quinic acid and malic acid; Rha exhibited a higher content of total acids and quinic acid, but lower tartaric acid and citric acid compared to Tib. Rha also possessed a higher total (free and bound) phenolic as well as total (free and bound) flavonoid content than those in Tib; twelve phenolic compounds were analyzed, among which flavonols were dominant. Catechin, isorhamnetin and quercetin were the main phenolic substances. VC and VE (γ-tocopherol (γ-VE) and δ-tocopherol (δ-VE)) were higher in Rha than Tib. The total carotenoid, lutein, β-carotene and lycopene content of Tib was remarkably higher than that in Rha. Moreover, both Rha and Tib showed good in vitro and cellular antioxidant activities, and Rha had a stronger antioxidant activity. Taken together, Rha had a higher antioxidant activity, which may be due to its higher content of phenolics, flavonoids, VC and VE.

Quality Traits and Nutritional Components of Cherry Tomato in Relation to the Harvesting Period, Storage Duration and Fruit Position in the Truss.

It is well known that the harvesting period and the storage duration have a significant effect on the quality characteristics of cherry tomato fruits. On the other hand, the effect of the fruit position in the truss has not been studied, as well as the relative contribution of each one of these factors on fruit quality. For this purpose, cherry tomato (Genio F1) whole trusses were harvested at the fruit red ripe stage during three periods. At each harvesting period, the first four (at the base of the truss) and the last four (at the top) fruits from each truss that was previously trimmed to 10 fruits, were stored at 12 °C for 0, 4 and 10 days. At the end of each storage duration, the external color, firmness, antioxidant capacity, pH and titratable acidity, as well as dry matter, soluble solid, total soluble phenol, lycopene, total carotenoid and β-carotene content, were determined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the harvesting period had the most significant effect on skin color parameters L * and C * and β-carotene, as well as on antioxidant capacity, total soluble phenols, dry matter and total soluble solids, while it also had an appreciable effect on titratable acidity. The storage duration had a dominant effect on firmness, total carotenoids and lycopene, while it had an appreciable effect on skin color parameter L * as well. On the other hand, the fruit position in the truss exerted an exclusive effect on ho and a */b * ratio skin color parameters and pH and an appreciable effect on titratable acidity.

Growth, nutritional and antioxidant properties of Agaricus bisporus (crimini and white) mushrooms harvested from soils collected around mining areas in South Africa

The influence of different soil samples collected around different mining areas in Brits, South Africa was evaluated on antioxidant properties and mineral composition of Agaricus bisporus (white and crimini mushrooms). Spawns of A. bisporus added to the collected soil samples from control site (D) and three different mining sites A, B and C were grown under controlled environment. At maturity, they were evaluated for growth parameters (cap diameter, stalk's girth and height) and analyzed for mineral nutrients, total phenolic (TP), flavonoids (F), and β-carotene (BC) contents, and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) using standard methods. The growth parameters differed on the basis of areas from where soil samples were collected and varieties. The decreasing order in the cap of white and crimini mushroom across the sites for TP: C>D>A>B and C>A>D>B; F: A>B>D>C and C>D >A>B; BC: C>A>B>D and A>B>D>C; FRSA: B>D>C>A and C>D>A>B while in the stalk TP: B>C>D>A and C>A>B>D; F: C = D>B>A and B>A>D>C; BC: C>A>B>D and C>B>D>A; FRSA: C>B>D>A and B>A>C>D, respectively. The highest mean concentration for all the nutrients was recorded for magnesium in the caps of crimini mushrooms (site A) while the lowest mean concentration was recorded for manganese in the caps of white mushrooms (site C). The highest mean concentration for all the nutrients in the stalk was recorded for sodium in crimini mushrooms (site C) while the lowest mean concentration for all the nutrients was recorded for copper in the stalks of crimini mushrooms (site B). Differences obtained in the concentrations of nutrients and antioxidants may suggest the impact of different mining activities on their levels.

Natural pigments in fruit and vegetable juices: the content of anthocyanins, carotenoids and betalaines

The color of the juice is determined by the color of the corresponding fruit or vegetable from which the juice is made. The color of a fruit or vegetable, in turn, is determined by the presence of natural coloring pigments - secondary plant metabolites, which include mainly anthocyanins, carotenoids and betalains. These substances, in addition to bright colors, give the juices properties that largely provide a positive effect on health. The quantitative content of these pigments in juices (especially in commercially produced juices, the most commonly consumed by the population at present) is important for understanding of the contribution of that juices in real intake of these bioactive compounds with diet. The purpose of the work was to study the content of anthocyanins, carotenoids and betalaines in juices a nd nectars (cherry, pomegranate, red grapes, tomato, carrot, peach and vegetable juices containing red beetroot) widely represented on the Russian market. Material and methods. The content of natural coloring pigments was determined by HPLC: anthocyanins - according to GOST 32709-2014 "Juice products. Methods for the determination of anthocyanins», carotenoids - in accordance with R 4.1.1672-03 "Guidelines for methods of quality control and safety of biologically active food supplements", betalains by revised IFU method of analysis No 71 (rev. 2023) "Anthocyanins and Betalains by HPLC". The results of measurements in 66 samples selected from Russian retail chains were analyzed. Results. The highest content of anthocyanins (in terms of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside) was found in cherry nectars - an average of 11.4 mg/100 cm3, lower values were obtained for red grape juices (an average of 2.5 mg/100 cm3) and pomegranate juices (0.9 mg/100 cm3). In tomato juices, in addition to lycopene (7.0-14.1 mg/100 cm3), β-carotene was found in an amount of 0.3- 1.2 mg/100 cm3. In carrot juices, the content of β-carotene was at the level of 5.7-12.5 mg/100 cm3, in peach nectars - 0.14- 0.38 mg/100 cm3. The highest concentrations of betalains were found in directly pressed red beet juice at a level of 156.2 mg/100 cm3, with a predominance of betacyanins (99.4 mg/100 cm3) over betaxanthins (56.8 mg/100 cm3). The content of betacyanins decreased to 51.5 mg/100 cm3 in directly pressed lacto-fermented juice and to 2-3 mg/100 cm3 in multi-vegetable juices; betaxanthins were not detected in these samples. Conclusion. The study showed high levels of natural coloring substances - anthocyanins, carotenoids and in some extent betalains in juice products. A serving (200 cm3) of cherry nectar can provide up to 100% of an adequate daily intake of anthocyanins, a serving of red grape juice and a serving of pomegranate juice can provide up to 20% and up to 10%, respectively. The content of β-carotene in a serving of carrot juice is several times higher than the daily requirement for adults; a serving of peach nectar contains up to 10% of the daily requirement for β-carotene. Tomato juice is rich in lycopene, this carotenoid content in a serving is several times higher than the adequate daily intake, while the content of β-carotene is also at a high level - up to 50% of the daily requirement for this substance. Despite the fact that direct data on the adequate daily intake of betalains have not yet been established, relatively high concentrations of betalains, especially in directly pressed red beet juices, determine their significant potential in increasing the nutritive value of the diet through beet-based juices intake.

Разработка технологии сыра, обогащенного овощными биологически активными веществами

The search for plant raw materials containing biologically active substances and its use in food production is a promising direction that allows increasing the range of products with high biological value. The aim of the work was the development of technology production and evaluation of the quality of dairy products, namely cheese, using local vegetables rich in biologically active substances. In order to expand the range of functional dairy products, we studied the chemical composition of vegetables common in Western Georgia, namely carrots. It is a complete source of vitamins, minerals, organic acids, pectins, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, β-carotene. Carrot has antitumor, antimutagenic properties; strengthens the immune system. It is also easily digestible and therefore occupies an important place in the human diet. As a result of research, a technology has been developed for manufacturing a new dairy product – cheese using carrots. Cheese enriched with carrots provides the body with many vitamins, macro- and microelements. Vegetable raw materials, with their taste properties, are well combined with a dairy product, and at the same time form a specific color, new pleasant taste characteristics, and increase the nutritional value of the product. The used biologically active additive not only enriches the product with a certain biologically active substance, but also affects the technological properties and quality indicators of the finished product. One of our goals in this experiment was to ensure the maximum concentration of biologically active substances in a functional product without compromising the organoleptic characteristics of the finished product. Since the new product is characterized by a specific taste, we considered it appropriate to include it in different percentages, which ensure the formation of color, taste and aroma, and the structure of the cheese. At the final stage of research work, the content of β-carotene, calcium and vitamin C, physicochemical and microbiological parameters, and storage periods were determined in the new product.

Effect of bio control agents and botanical extracts on antioxidant activity in chilli fruits

Chilli fruit are good antioxidant sources and hold promise as natural ingredients in functional foods. Many other types of carotenoids accumulate in the fruit during the ripening process, for example, β-carotene, violaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. The present experiment was carried out to Effect of bio control agents and botanical extracts on antioxidant activity in chilli fruits. Chilli seedlings were treated with individually and in combination with effective bio control agents and botanical extracts in field condition applied as seedling treatment and foliar spray. Efficacy of botanical extract and bio control agents on antioxidant activity of fruits of chilli plant applied seedling treatment and foliar spray with T. Viride + P. Fluorescens + Neem + Garlic showed higher β-carotene and capsaicin content in chilli fruits in comparison to control. Maximum β-carotene (3.56 mg/mL) and capsaicin (2831.67µg/g) content were recorded in chilli fruits respectively. These antioxidants sources are responses to disease resistant against pathogen and benefiting the digestive tracts, promote healthy heart, relieve joint pains, promote weight loss, mitigate migraine, reduce cancer risk, prevent allergies etc.

Amino acids foliar application for maximizing growth, productivity and quality of peanut grown under sandy soil.

Two field experiments were conducted during 2019 and 2020 summer seasons at the experimental station of national research center, Al-Nubaryia district, El-Behaira Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of Phenyl alanine and Aspartic acid foliar fertilizers at rates of (0.0, 50, 75 and 100 ppm) on morphological characters, photosynthetic pigments, seed yield and its components as well as seed quality of groundnut grown under sandy soil. Results indicated superiority of aspartic acid over phenyl alanine on increasing different growth parameters, chlorophyll b, biological and seed yields/plant, biological, seed and oil yields (kg/fed.), % of carbohydrate in peanut seeds. Meanwhile, phenyl alanine was superior on increasing carotenoids, indole acetic acid, phenolics, free amino acids, flavonoids, Lycopene, β-Carotene contents, antioxidant activity expressed as (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl DPPH %) and shilling percentage. In addition, aspartic acid and phenyl alanine with various levels caused significant increases in growth and seed yield quantity and quality of peanut plants through increases in photosynthetic pigments, indole acetic acid, phenolics and free amino acids contents. Aspartic acid was more effective than phenyl alanine, Foliar treatment with 100 mg/L aspartic acid increased oil yield (700.36 over 568.05 ton/fed.) and seed yield (1531.98 over 1253.49 kg/fed.). Finally, it can conclude that using aspartic acid and phenyl alanine as foliar treatment improved growth and yield of ground nut plants under sandy soil.

Assessment on Hybrid Solar Dryer for an Effective Red Chili Drying Process

This study aims to assess hybrid solar drying method for processing red pepper compared to sun drying and solar drying. Independently selecting heat variables of 40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C, the temperature profiles, drying curves, thermal efficiency and effectiveness, and energy and exergy were analyzed to meet the standardized moisture content of the product as well as other features (color, vitamin C content, and β-carotene content). It was found that the drying rate decreased when the temperature rose, while the drying chamber efficiency and drying effectiveness were inversely proportional to the duration. The collector became the most efficient at 40 °C. The drying air temperature is directly proportional to utility, energy efficiency, exergy input, exergy ouput, exergy loss, exergetic efficiency, and development potential while inversely proportional to the energy utilization ratio. Drying red pepper with a hybrid solar dryer at all observed temperatures was deemed able to meet the nationally standardized water content of ≤ 10.78 %. Processing red pepper at 80 °C resulted in the L, a, and b values of color analysis of 30.37, 27.45, and 10.63 respectively, vitamin C content of 14.79 g 100 g–1, and β-carotene content of 4.43 mg 100 g–1.

The comparative analysis of agronomic, compositional, and physiological traits of miraculin transgenic tomato in the confined field trial

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;The miraculin transgenic tomato is a genetically modified (GM) crop that can be used as an alternative for low calories food and a natural non-sugar sweetener. Before the release and distribution, transgenic crop needs to go through an environmental risk assessment (ERA) as a backbone to achieve biosafety. Comparative analysis is a general principle of ERA to identify differences between transgenic crop and its non-transgenic counterpart which may indicate substantial equivalence and unintended effects. This experiment was aimed to compare the agronomic, compositional, and physiological characteristics of miraculin transgenic tomato cv. Moneymaker with non-transgenic tomato. The data obtained were plant height, stem diameter, relative growth rate, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, days to 50% flowering, days to fruit maturity, a number of flowers per cluster, a number of fruits per cluster, a number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit diameter, harvest index, total dissolved solids, fructose, glucose, and sucrose contents, and total carotenoids, lycopene, and β-carotene contents. This study found that there were no significant differences between miraculin transgenic and non-transgenic tomato in all variables observed. It suggests that miraculin transgenic tomato is equivalent to its counterpart and unintended effects are not detected as.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

Thermal stabilities of lycopene and β-carotene in tomato pulp and pink grapefruit juice

Thermal stabilities of lycopene and β-carotene in tomato pulp and pink grapefruit juice were studied at 80, 95 and 110 °C. Lycopene and β-carotene degradations in both products followed to first-order reaction kinetics, but biphasic curves were obtained for β-carotene degradation. Stabilities of both pigments are highly affected by processing temperatures. For example, t 1/2 values for lycopene degradation decreased from 7.4 at 80 °C to 4.0 h at 110 °C in tomato pulp, and from 32.1 to 5.9 h in pink grapefruit juice, respectively. Similar decreases in t 1/2 values (46.8–27.3 h in tomato pulp and 113.6 to 11.7 h in grapefruit juice, respectively) were obtained for β-carotene degradations. Lycopene and β-carotene degradations in tomato pulp were not very sensitive to temperature elevations (E a = 22.7 and 20.2 kJ/mol, respectively), but very sensitive in pink grapefruit juice (E a = 63.8 and 85.3 kJ/mol, respectively). High correlations were found between a*, b*and h° values, and lycopene concentrations ( r = 0.659–0.978) and β-carotene concentrations ( r = 0.647–0.997). • Both pigments showed much higher thermostability in grapefruit juice than tomato pulp. • Both pigments were more sensitive to temperature changes in grapefruit juice than tomato pulp. • High correlations were found between colour values and pigment contents in both products. • Changes in red colour of both products can be followed by measuring a* and h° values. • Changes in yellow colour can be tracked by measuring h° values in tomato pulp.

FUNCTIONAL DIVERSIFICATION OF THE CAROTENOID-&lt;i&gt;CIS-TRANS&lt;/i&gt;-ISOMERASES CrtISO, CrtISO-L1, AND CrtISO-L2 IN TOMATO SPECIES (&lt;i&gt;SOLANUM&lt;/i&gt;, SECTION LYCOPERSICON)

The expression of the genes of carotenoid-cis-trans isomerases CrtISO, CrtISO-L1 and CrtISO-L2 was studied in comparison with the content of carotenoids in tomato species with different ripe fruit colors: green (Solanum habrochaites), yellow (S. cheesmaniae) and red (S. pimpinellifolium and S. lycopersicum). More ancient origin of CrtISO-L2 was shown in relation to CrtISO and CrtISO-L1. A similar content of total carotenoids (leaves) and β-carotene (ripe fruits) was found between the samples. Unlike fruits of S. habrochaites and S. cheesmaniae, red fruits accumulated lycopene and 20-30 times more total carotenoids. The highest level of transcripts both in leaves and in ripe fruits was detected for CrtISO. The CrtISO-L1 and CrtISO-L2 were transcribed high in leaves and low in fruits, except for the high expression of CrtISO-L2 in S. lycopersicum fruits. No relationship was observed between the content of carotenoids and the level of gene expression in the fruit. In the leaves, a positive correlation between the amount of carotenoids and the levels of CrtISO-L1 and CrtISO-L2 transcripts was found.

Development and quality evaluation of cookies fortified with Spirulina

The present study was undertaken to assess the nutritional composition of Spirulina powder, development of Spirulina based value added products and their nutritional composition and shelf life. Value added biscuits were prepared by using Spirulina, Flour mixture, Amul butter, Sugar, Baking powder and 5,10 and15 percent level of Spirulina powder. Mean score for overall acceptability of value for 10% spirulina added cookies was 6.2 against the control sample on nine point hedonic ranking scale. The developed value added cookies contained 4.29 percent moisture, 12.43 g protein, 27.26 g fat, 1.99 g ash on dry weight basis. Spirulina supplemented biscuits contain β-carotene, vitamin C, iron and potassium contents. Fat acidity revealed satisfactory quality of the value added biscuit at the end of three months of storage period. Thus, Spirulina based value added products may be beneficial for vulnerable populations due its high nutritive value. These would also be advantageous for those who are suffering from degenerative diseases because of its therapeutic properties.

Association between Advanced Glycation End-Products, Carotenoids, and Severe Erectile Dysfunction.

To investigate the association between skin advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) levels, blood antioxidative vitamin and carotenoid concentrations, and severe erectile dysfunction (ED) in community-dwelling men. This cross-sectional study used the 5-Item International Index of Erectile Function to identify 335 community-dwelling men with ED. The accumulation of skin AGEs was assessed noninvasively by measuring skin autofluorescence. Background-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses using the inverse probability of treatment weighting method were performed to evaluate the effects of AGEs, vitamins, and carotenoids on severe ED. Moreover, multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between skin AGEs levels and serum carotenoid concentrations. The median age of study participants was 57 years. Of the 335 men, 289 (86.3%) and 46 (13.7%) were classified into the mild/moderate and severe ED groups, respectively. Multivariable analyses revealed that skin AGEs levels, blood vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, total lycopene, and cis-lycopenes concentrations were significantly associated with severe ED, whereas all-trans lycopene concentrations were not. In the multiple linear regression analyses, serum zeaxanthin concentrations were negatively and significantly correlated with skin AGEs levels. Higher skin AGEs levels and lower blood antioxidative vitamin and carotenoid concentrations were significantly associated with severe ED. Serum zeaxanthin levels were negatively and significantly correlated with skin AGEs levels, suggesting the possible effects of zeaxanthin on ED by decreasing tissue AGEs levels.

Antioxidant Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Prepared from Capsicum Annuum (Bell Pepper) Extract

Vegetables have reported to contain high content of wide verity of important phytochemicals that can be used in medical approach. Bell pepper are one of the most important vegetables that can be used as spice in foods, as well as it has a diversity of the phytochemical compounds. Carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, polyphenolic compounds and other metabolites were found in bell peppers of all colors. Red pepper is characterized by its high content of β-carotene. Our goal was to prepare an aqueous red pepper extract solution and use it to synthesize Ag NPs, then examine the antioxidant activity of the extract and the nanoparticle solutions. Ag NPs were prepared at room temperature by utilizing the aqueous red pepper extract solution as well as characterized by using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and field emission scanning electron microscope. The characterization result has shown the presence of Ag NPs in particle average of approximately 58 nm. The antioxidant activity was determined by using a DPPH assay, where ascorbic acid has shown IC50 of 23.71 μg/mL which was lower than Ag NPs (IC50 = 43.72 μg/mL). The best antioxidant behavior was obtained from the red pepper extract solution (IC50 = 17.26 μg/mL). This may attributed to the high content of phytochemicals in the extract solution. Importantly, the use of red pepper extract solution in preparing AgNPs have shown to improve their antioxidant activity, which is considered as good additive to the medical features of Ag NPs.

Optimization of spray-drying parameter for production of better quality orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) powder: Selected physiochemical, morphological, and structural properties

Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) tuber is a rich source of β-carotene with potential antioxidants and phenolic compounds, nevertheless it is highly perishable root crop. Hence, we considered the optimization of parameters for the preparation of OFSP powder in spray drying technique. This study was designed by the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with three factors in three levels considered in Central Composite Design (CCD). In case of spray drying process specification, inlet air temperature (IAT) (150 °C–190 °C), flow rate (FR) (10–20 ml/min), and carrier (Maltodextrin) concentration (MDC) (5–15%) were considered and optimized for better quality OFSP powder. As concentration of maltodextrin increased the powder yield, solubility, β-carotene content of OFSP powder increased, while hygroscopicity is decreased. The optimized conditions comprised of an inlet temperature of 172.71 °C, feed flow rate of 20 ml/min, and maltodextrin of 1% concentration. Under this optimized conditions, OFSP powder yield of 48.460%, with the solubility of 26.839%, β-carotene of 25.823 mg/100 g and minimum hygroscopicity of 13.862% was attained. The SEM images of spray-dried OFSP powder produced from the optimized conditions showed hexagonal in shapes, irregular in arrangement and compact. The OFSP powder had lower relative crystallinity (34.7%). In conclusion, the optimized OFSP powder with highest β-carotene and desirable physiochemical properties was produced and it can effectively utilize in the food formulation products.

Developing a nutritious soup product using purple sweet potatoes supplemented with composite of vegetables and freezed-dried chicken

This research aimed to develop a nutritious instant purple sweet potato soup (PSP) combination with a variety of vegetables and freeze-dried chicken. The nutritional characteristics of the product were evaluated. The current study employs principal component analysis (PCA), consumer preference mapping, and check-all-that-apply (CATA) data processing to describe sensory instant mixed soup attributes. The results showed that the soup was made from the formula F2 (PSP flour 47.5%, orange-fleshed sweet potato flour 12.5%, potatoes 6%, banana 7%, mushroom 8%, petit poise 3%, pumpkin 5%, protein powder 5% and cream powder 6%) gave good quality, high sensory value and attractive colors product. The PCA identified important soup attributes such as sweetness, milk flavor, vegetable odor, and color. Adding 15% freeze-dried chicken improved the quality of mixed soup products with energy distribution from macronutrients: proteins 24%, carbohydrates 65%, and lipids 10%. The anthocyanin and β-carotene content analyzed from the product was 13.1 mg/100 g and 370.2 μg/100 g. Score analysis according to the CATA model with two main components accounting for 95.57% of the variance in sensory attribute data, showing liking attributes of mixed soup sample that the panelists preferred in color, flavor, chicken meat distribution, and sweetness. The essential nutritional characteristics of mixed soup have been carefully analyzed.