Bioactive Food Components Research Articles

Nutrition and Immunity in Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury.

Perinatal hypoxia ischaemia (PHI), acute and chronic, may be associated with considerable adverse outcomes in the foetus and neonate. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of injury and repair associated with PHI in the perinate are not completely understood. Increasing evidence is mounting for the role of nutrients and bioactive food components in immune development, function and repair in PHI. In this review, we explore current concepts around the neonatal immune response to PHI with a specific emphasis on the impact of nutrition in the mother, foetus and neonate.

Arabinoxylan-Based Microcapsules Being Loaded with Bee Products as Bioactive Food Components Are Able to Modulate the Cell Migration and Inflammatory Response-In Vitro Study.

The aim of the research was to use bioactive heteropolysaccharides isolated from rye bran to obtain innovative systems for the controlled release of bioactive compounds. The core of the obtained encapsulates was honey and royal jelly. It was shown for the first time that preparations effectively ameliorated inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, decreasing the secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO). The in vitro digestion process revealed that bee products’ encapsulates were stronger oxidative stress reducers and had sustained ability to reduction in inflammation state mediators. The lack of inhibitory effect on migration rate of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) endothelial cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH-3T3), both cell models involved in wound healing process, additionally identified these preparations as agents potentially used in the management of inflammatory response. In the process of a simulated digestion in vitro, the innovative microcapsules showed 85% higher biostability and two to ten times better bioavailability, compared to natural bee products.

Polymorphisms, diet and nutrigenomics.

Every human being possesses an exclusive nutritional blueprint inside their genes. Bioactive food components and nutrients affect the expression of such genes. Nutrigenomics is the science that analyzes gene-nutrient interactions (nutrigenetics), which can lead to the development of personalized nutritional recommendations to maintain optimal health and prevent disease. Genomic diversity among various ethnic groups might affect nutrients bioavailability as well as their metabolism. Nutrigenomics combines different branches of science including nutrition, bioinformatics, genomics, molecular biology, molecular medicine, and epidemiology. Genes regulate intake and metabolism of different nutrients, while nutrients positively or negatively influence the expression of a number of genes; testing of specific genetic polymorphisms may therefore become a useful tool to manage weight loss and to fully understand gene-nutrient interactions. Indeed, several approaches are used to study gene-nutrient interactions: epigenetics, the study of genome modification not related to changes in nucleotide sequence; transcriptomics, the study of tissue-specific and time-specific RNA transcripts; proteomics, the study of proteins involved in biological processes; and metabolomics, the study of changes of primary and secondary metabolites in body fluids and tissues. Hence, the use of nutrigenomics to improve and optimize a healthy, balanced diet in clinical settings could be an effective approach for long-term lifestyle changes that might lead to consistent weight loss and improve quality of life.

Methyl Donors Reduce Cell Proliferation by Diminishing Erk-Signaling and NFkB Levels, While Increasing E-Cadherin Expression in Panc-1 Cell Line.

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy with high metastatic potential. There are several lifestyle-related determinants in its etiology, including diet. Methyl donors are dietary micronutrients which play an important role in fueling vital metabolic pathways, and as bioactive food components provide methyl groups as substrates and cofactors. The imbalanced nutritional status of methyl donors has recently been linked to pathological conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that dietary methyl donors may improve the physiology of cancer patients, including those with pancreatic cancer, and could be used for intervention therapy. In this study, methyl-donor treatment (L-methionine, choline chloride, folic acid and vitamin B12) of an aggressive pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line (Panc-1) resulted in significantly increased p21WAF1/Cip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor levels, along with apoptotic SubG1 fractions. At the same time, phospho-Erk1/2 levels and proliferation rate were significantly reduced. Though methyl-donor treatments also increased the pro-apoptotic protein Bak, Puma and Caspase-9, it failed to elevate cleaved Caspase-3 levels. In addition, the treatment significantly reduced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17a and the transcription factor NFkB. Similarly, a significant decrease in VEGF and SDF-1a levels were detected, which may indicate reduced metastatic potential. As expected, E-cadherin expression was inversely associated with these changes, showing elevated expression after methyl-donor treatment. In summary, we found that methyl donors may have the potential to reduce aggressive and proliferative phenotype of Panc-1 cells. This suggests a promising role of dietary methyl donors for complementing relevant cancer therapies, even in treatment-resistant pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Non-targeted metabolomics of cooked cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) from Ghana using two distinct and complementary analytical platforms

Legumes are global staple foods with multiple human health properties that merit detailed composition analysis in cooked forms. This study analyzed cowpea [Vigna unguiculata] (three varieties: Dagbantuya, Sangyi, and Tukara), pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan], and common bean [Phaseolus vulgaris] using two distinct ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) platforms and analytical workflows. Comparisons between cowpea and pigeon pea consumed in Ghana, and common bean (navy bean) from USA, revealed 75 metabolites that differentiated cowpeas. Metabolite fold-change comparisons resulted in 142 metabolites with significantly higher abundance in cowpea, and 154 higher in abundance from pigeon pea. 3-(all-trans-nonaprenyl)benzene-1,2-diol, N-tetracosanoylphytosphingosine, and sitoindoside II are novel identifications in cowpea, with notably higher abundance than other legumes tested. Cowpea variety specific markers were tonkinelin (Dagbantuya), pheophytin A (Sangyi), and linoleoyl ethanolamide (Tukara). This study identified novel cowpea and pigeon pea food metabolites that warrant continued investigation as bioactive food components following consumption in people.

Current Advances in Multifunctional Nanocarriers Based on Marine Polysaccharides for Colon Delivery of Food Polyphenols.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been considered as a chronic disease that is difficult to cure and needs lifelong treatment. Marine polysaccharides with good biocompatibility and biodegradability, mucoadhesion, sensitivity to external stimuli, and targeting ability can be used as wall materials for oral colon-targeted delivery of polyphenols in nutrition intervention of IBD. This manuscript reviewed the latest progress in the design, preparation, and characterization of marine polysaccharides-derived multifunctional nanocarriers for polyphenol colon delivery. Chitosan, sodium alginate, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid were discussed in the preparation of polyphenol delivery systems. The design strategy, synthesis methods, and structure characterization of multifunctional polyphenol carriers including stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, mucoadhesive and mucus-penetrating nanocarriers, colon targeted nanocarriers, and bioactive compounds codelivery nanocarriers were reviewed in the alleviation of IBD. The research perspectives in the preparation and characterization of delivery carriers using marine polysaccharide as materials were proposed for their potential application in food bioactive components.

Bioactive Components in Traditional Foods Aimed at Health Promotion: A Route to Novel Mechanistic Insights and Lead Molecules?

Traditional foods and diets can provide health benefits beyond their nutrient composition because of the presence of bioactive compounds. In various traditional healthcare systems, diet-based approaches have always played an important role, which has often survived until today. Therefore, investigating traditional foods aimed at health promotion could render not only novel bioactive substances but also mechanistic insights. However, compared to pharmacologically focused research on natural products, investigating such nutrition-based interventions is even more complicated owing to interacting compounds, less potent and relatively subtle effects, the food matrix, and variations in composition and intake. At the same time, technical advances in 'omics' technologies, cheminformatics, and big data analysis create new opportunities, further strengthened by increasing insights into the biology of health and homeostatic resilience. These are to be combined with state-of-the-art ethnobotanical research, which is key to obtaining reliable and reproducible data. Unfortunately, socioeconomic developments and climate change threaten traditional use and knowledge as well as biodiversity.

Identification of G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) as a target of curcumin

The identification of molecular targets of bioactive food components is important to understand the mechanistic aspect of their physiological functions. Here, we have developed a screening system that enables us to determine the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by food components and have identified GPR55 as a target for curcumin. Curcumin activated GPR55 and induced serum-response element- and serum-response factor-mediated transcription, which were inhibited by Rho kinase and GPR55 antagonists. Both the methoxy group and the heptadienone moiety of curcumin were required for GPR55 activation. The F1905.47 residue of GPR55 was important for the interaction with curcumin. The curcumin-induced secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 in GLUTag cells was inhibited by a GPR55 antagonist. These results indicate that expression screening is a useful system to identify GPCRs as targets of food components and strongly suggest that curcumin activates GPR55 as an agonist, which is involved in the physiological function of curcumin.

Age wise preferences for fortified aloo tikki with soybean

Food fortification process includes addition of nutrients and bioactive components in foods. Fortification used as a tool to prevent malnutrition which is cost-effective, applicable and defensive methodology for malnutrition such as salt fortification, milk fortification and rice fortification in rising countries. Fortification is useful for the people suffering from undernourishment mostly influencing children and generative women. Soybean is single one houseplant which provide complete protein along with many other important nutrients like iron, manganese, copper, molybdenum, potassium and vitamin K, dietary fiber, Isoflavone, fat (63% polyunsaturated fatty acids, 23% monounsaturated fatty acids and 14% saturated fatty acids also provide omega-3 fatty acids), 30% carbohydrates and 38-40% protein (70% protein characterized by the blend of glycinin & β-conglycinin). The present research is intended to evaluate sensory quality and overall consumer acceptability of different blends of fortified aloo tikki with soybean by hedonic rating test. For preparation of different blends, boiled grated aloo was blended with boiled grinded soybean (Control group - 100% potato + 0% soybean, Sample A - 75% Potato + 25% Soybean, Sample B - 50% Potato + 50% Soybean and Sample C - 25% Potato + 75% Soybean). The sensory characteristics like appearance, mouth feel, texture and overall acceptability of fortify aloo tikki were evaluated by 50 panelists (Male 23 and female 27) by using 9-Point hedonic rating test. The results concluded that both age group 18-29 year and 30-40 year gave higher acceptability for sample B which hold equal ratio of soybean and aloo. Appearance of sample A and texture of Sample C were highly preferred by both age groups. Respondents of 18-29 year age group prefer sample A (52%) for mouth feel and respondents of 30-40 year age group prefer sample B (64%).

Polyphenols, Olive oil and Colonrectal cancer: the effect of Mediterranean Diet in the prevention.

In recent years, scientific research has shown that the incidence of various diseases, including some cancers, is relatively low in the Mediterranean Countries compared to that of other European countries or North America. This support the hypothesis that the Mediterranean diet, rich in bioactive food components, including methyl group donors, polyphenols, and fatty acids has efficacy in terms of prevention. Few studies evaluated the efficacy of Med Diet on colon cancer however they all support the beneficial effects of this Diet in preventing cancer. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Structure, controlled release mechanisms and health benefits of pectins as an encapsulation material for bioactive food components.

Encapsulation of food and feed ingredients is commonly applied to avoid the loss of functionality of bioactive food ingredients. Components that are encapsulated are usually sensitive to light, pH, oxygen or highly volatile. Also, encapsulation is also applied for ingredients that might influence taste. Many polymers from natural sources have been tested for encapsulation of foods. In the past few years, pectins have been proposed as emerging broadly applicable encapsulation materials. The reasons are that pectins are versatile and inexpensive, can be tailored to meet specific demands and provide health benefits. Emerging new insight into the chemical structure and related health benefits of pectins opens new avenues to use pectins in food and feed. To provide insight into their application potential, we review the current knowledge on the structural features of different pectins, their production and tailoring process for use in microencapsulation and gelation, and the impact of the pectin structure on health benefits and release properties in the gut, as well as processing technologies for pectin-based encapsulation systems with tailor-made functionalities. This is reviewed in view of application of pectins for microencapsulation of different sensitive food components. Although some critical factors such as tuning of controlled release of cargo in the intestine and the impact of the pectin production process on the molecular structure of pectin still need more study, current insight is that pectins provide many advantages for encapsulation of bioactive food and feed ingredients and are cost-effective.

Bioactives in bovine milk: chemistry, technology, and applications.

The significance of dairy in human health and nutrition is gaining significant momentum as consumers continue to desire wholesome, nutritious foods to fulfill their health and wellness needs. Bovine milk not only consists of all the essential nutrients required for growth and development, it also provides a broad range of bioactive components that play an important role in managing human homeostasis and immune function. In recent years, milk bioactives, including α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, glycomacropeptide, milk fat globule membrane, and milk oligosaccharides, have been intensively studied because of their unique bioactivity and functionality. Challenges for the application of these bioactive components in food and pharmaceutical formulations are associated with their isolation and purification on an industrial scale and also with their physical and chemical instability during processing, storage, and digestion. These challenges can be overcome by advanced separation techniques and sophisticated nano- or micro-encapsulation technologies. Current knowledge about the chemistry, separation, and encapsulation technology of major bioactives derived from bovine milk and their application in the food industry is reviewed here.

Improved stability and aqueous solubility of β-carotene via encapsulation in self-assembled bioactive oleanolic acid nanoparticles

Poor water solubility and stability of β-carotene (Car) greatly hinder its application in foods. Herein, naturally occurring bioactive oleanolic acid (OA) was used as a nanocarrier to overcome these shortcomings by fabricating Car-loaded OA nanoparticles (Car/OA NPs). Through optimization, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity reached 80.7% and 32.6%, respectively. Systematic characterization suggested that Car was successfully encapsulated, and hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions are the main forces facilitating the self-assembly and encapsulation. Compared with free Car, Car/OA NPs exhibited significantly improved water dispersibility and enhanced stability against UV radiation, heat, ionic strength, and acidic conditions. Further, Car/OA NPs provided gastric protection, delayed-release in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and controlled release in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Additionally, both OA NPs and Car/OA NPs showed markedly inherent hepatoprotective effects. This work demonstrates that OA NPs can be used as inherent bioactive nanocarriers to deliver hydrophobic nutrients and bioactive food components.

Therapeutic Potential of Mitophagy-Inducing Microflora Metabolite, Urolithin A for Alzheimer's Disease.

Mitochondrial dysfunction including deficits of mitophagy is seen in aging and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Apart from traditionally targeting amyloid beta (Aβ), the main culprit in AD brains, other approaches include investigating impaired mitochondrial pathways for potential therapeutic benefits against AD. Thus, a future therapy for AD may focus on novel candidates that enhance optimal mitochondrial integrity and turnover. Bioactive food components, known as nutraceuticals, may serve as such agents to combat AD. Urolithin A is an intestinal microbe-derived metabolite of a class of polyphenols, ellagitannins (ETs). Urolithin A is known to exert many health benefits. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-Aβ, and pro-mitophagy properties are increasingly recognized. However, the underlying mechanisms of urolithin A in inducing mitophagy is poorly understood. This review discusses the mitophagy deficits in AD and examines potential molecular mechanisms of its activation. Moreover, the current knowledge of urolithin A is discussed, focusing on its neuroprotective properties and its potential to induce mitophagy. Specifically, this review proposes potential mechanisms by which urolithin A may activate and promote mitophagy.

The anti-diabetic effects of betanin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through modulating AMPK/SIRT1/NF-\u03baB signaling pathway

BackgroundIn the last few years, the effects of bioactive food components have received much attention because of their beneficial effects including decreasing inflammation, scavenging free radicals, and regulating cell signaling pathways. Betanin as a potent antioxidant has been previously reported to exhibit anti diabetic effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of betanin on glycemic control, lipid profile, hepatic function tests, as well as the gene expression levels of 5′ adenosine monophosphate‑activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‑κB) in streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.MethodsDiabetes was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats by intraperitoneal administration of STZ. Different doses of betanin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg.b.w) was administered to diabetic rats for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose and serum insulin were measured. The histopathology of liver and pancreas tissue evaluated. Real-time PCR was performed to assess gene expression levels.ResultsTreatment of diabetic rats with betanin (10 and 20 mg/kg.b.w) reduced FBG levels compared to the control diabetic rats (P < 0.001). Betanin at the dose of 20 mg/kg.b.w was most effective in increasing serum insulin levels (P < 0.001) improving glucose tolerance test (GTT) as well as improvement in lipid profile and liver enzymes levels. According to histopathologic assay, different damages induced by STZ to liver and pancreas tissues was largely eliminated by treatment with 10 and 20 mg/kg.b.w of betanin. Betanin also significantly upregulated the AMPK and SIRT1 and downregulated the NF-κB mRNA expression compared to the diabetic control rats (P < 0.05).ConclusionBetanin could modulate AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway and this may be one of its anti-diabetic molecular mechanisms.

Acylated anthocyanins: A review on their bioavailability and effects on postprandial carbohydrate metabolism and inflammation.

Anthocyanins, the natural red and purple colorants of berries, fruits, vegetables, and tubers, improve carbohydrate metabolism and decrease the risk factors of metabolic disorders, but their industrial use is limited by their chemical instability. Acylation of the glycosyl moieties of anthocyanins, however, changes the chemical properties of anthocyanins and provides enhanced stability. Thus, acylated anthocyanins are more usable as natural colorants and bioactive components of innovative functional foods. Acylated anthocyanins are common in pigmented vegetables and tubers, the consumption of which has the potential to increase the intake of health-promoting anthocyanins as part of the daily diet. For the first time, this review presents the current findings on bioavailability, absorption, metabolism, and health effects of acylated anthocyanins with comparison to more extensively investigated nonacylated anthocyanins. The structural differences between nonacylated and acylated anthocyanins lead to enhanced color stability, altered absorption, bioavailability, in vivo stability, and colonic degradation. The impact of phenolic metabolites and their potential health effects regardless of the low bioavailability of the parent anthocyanins as such is discussed. Here, purple-fleshed potatoes are presented as a globally available, eco-friendly model food rich in acylated anthocyanins, which further highlights the industrial possibilities and nutritional relevance of acylated anthocyanins. This work supports the academic community and industry in food research and development by reviewing the current literature and highlighting gaps of knowledge.

Screening bioactive food compounds in honey bees suggests curcumin blocks alcohol-induced damage to longevity and DNA methylation

Various bioactive food compounds may confer health and longevity benefits, possibly through altering or preserving the epigenome. While bioactive food compounds are widely being marketed for human consumption as ‘improving health and longevity’ by counteracting harmful effects of poor nutrition and lifestyle, claimed effects are often not adequately documented. Using the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as a model species, we here employed a multi-step screening approach to investigate seven compounds for effects on lifespan and DNA methylation using ELISA and whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). A positive longevity effect was detected for valproic acid, isovaleric acid, and cyanocobalamin. For curcumin, we found that lifespan shortening caused by ethanol intake, was restored when curcumin and ethanol were co-administered. Furthermore, we identified region specific DNA methylation changes as a result of ethanol intake. Ethanol specific changes in DNA methylation were fully or partially blocked in honey bees receiving ethanol and curcumin together. Ethanol-affected and curcumin-blocked differentially methylated regions covered genes involved in fertility, temperature regulation and tubulin transport. Our results demonstrate fundamental negative effects of low dose ethanol consumption on lifespan and associated DNA methylation changes and present a proof-of-principle on how longevity and DNA methylation changes can be negated by the bioactive food component curcumin. Our findings provide a fundament for further studies of curcumin in invertebrates.

Beneficial Effects of Plant Extracts and Bioactive Food Components in Childhood Supplementation

The pivotal role of childhood nutrition has always roused a growing interest from the scientific community. Plant extracts and bioactive dietary components play a significant role in the maintenance of human health and wellness, with the potential to modulate risk factors and manage symptoms for a large number of common childhood disorders such as memory impairment, respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic derangements, and pathologies related to the oral cavity. This review is designed to highlight the health benefits of botanical extracts and bioactive dietary components in children as evidenced by clinical trials, considering their safety with regards to childhood sensibilities. The supplementation of children with the herbal extracts or bioactive components mentioned in this review leads to the conclusion that they are useful for treating various ailments, with no serious adverse events being reported. However, for the limited number of investigations specifically focused on the safety of such products in children, time is needed to expand the literature data covering the safety of childhood supplementation with botanical extract and bioactive food components.

Potential of Bioactive Food Components against Gastric Cancer: Insights into Molecular Mechanism and Therapeutic Targets.

Simple SummaryRecently, it has been found that cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, especially gastric cancer (GC), is the second most leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Extensive research has shown that most epidemiological investigations indicated the increased intake of naturally-occurring bioactive food components could decrease the gastric cancer risk. Several experimental studies have explained that the molecular mechanisms of action to prevent GC comprise induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, suppression of angiogenesis and metastasis, and regulation of autophagy. To provide an updated understanding of relationships between naturally occurring bioactive food components and gastric cancer, this study will be helpful for guiding and preventing gastric cancer by natural bioactive food products.Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is a cancer that develops from the lining of the stomach. Accumulated evidence and epidemiological studies have indicated that bioactive food components from natural products play an important role in gastric cancer prevention and treatment, although its mechanism of action has not yet been elucidated. Particularly, experimental studies have shown that natural bioactive food products display a protective effect against gastric cancer via numerous molecular mechanisms, such as suppression of cell metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and modulation of autophagy. Chemotherapy remains the standard treatment for advanced gastric cancer along with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, as well as immunotherapy, and its adverse side effects including neutropenia, stomatitis, mucositis, diarrhea, nausea, and emesis are well documented. However, administration of naturally occurring bioactive phytochemical food components could increase the efficacy of gastric chemotherapy and other chemotherapeutic resistance. Additionally, several studies have suggested that bioactive food components with structural stability, potential bioavailability, and powerful bioactivity are important to develop novel treatment strategies for gastric cancer management, which may minimize the adverse effects. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the potential therapeutic effects of natural bioactive food products on the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer with intensive molecular mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and safety efficacy.

Casein Micelles as an Emerging Delivery System for Bioactive Food Components.

Bioactive food components have potential health benefits but are highly susceptible for degradation under adverse conditions such as light, pH, temperature and oxygen. Furthermore, they are known to have poor solubilities, low stabilities and low bioavailabilities in the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, technologies that can retain, protect and enable their targeted delivery are significant to the food industry. Amongst these, microencapsulation of bioactives has emerged as a promising technology. The present review evaluates the potential use of casein micelles (CMs) as a bioactive delivery system. The review discusses in depth how physicochemical and techno-functional properties of CMs can be modified by secondary processing parameters in making them a choice for the delivery of food bioactives in functional foods. CMs are an assembly of four types of caseins, (αs1, αs2, β and κ casein) with calcium phosphate. They possess hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties that make them ideal for encapsulation of food bioactives. In addition, CMs have a self-assembling nature to incorporate bioactives, remarkable surface activity to stabilise emulsions and the ability to bind hydrophobic components when heated. Moreover, CMs can act as natural hydrogels to encapsulate minerals, bind with polymers to form nano capsules and possess pH swelling behaviour for targeted and controlled release of bioactives in the GI tract. Although numerous novel advancements of employing CMs as an effective delivery have been reported in recent years, more comprehensive studies are required to increase the understanding of how variation in structural properties of CMs be utilised to deliver bioactives with different physical, chemical and structural properties.