Starch Consumption Research Articles

Kinetic and technological regularities of the filtration process of suspensions using excipients in the production of baker’s yeast

Optimal design and management of baker’s yeast production should be based on an in-depth analysis of individual technological processes. Filtration of suspensions using excipients refers to complex technological processes and depends on a large number of factors. In this paper, the kinetic and technological regularities of the process of filtration of suspensions using excipients are considered. The main kinetic regularities of the filtration process are revealed depending on the thickness of the sediment, the pressure drop, concentration, temperature and microbiological purity of the suspension. The effect of the suspension temperature on the main qualitative indicators of yeast: lifting force, acidity and persistence has been established. The performed experimental studies of the filtration process on an industrial continuous vacuum filter and the analysis of the obtained patterns allowed us to formulate a number of recommendations aimed at effective management of the process, reducing losses during the processing of baker’s yeast. Recommendations have also been developed to reduce starch consumption and increase the cycle of operation of the vacuum filter.

Health benefits of resistant starch: A review of the literature

• The consumption of resistant starch has positive effects on human health. • Resistant starch may improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and body weight. • Resistant starch as a prebiotic improves intestinal function. Starch is an essential source of energy for the human diet. Resistant starch is the portion of starch that is not digested in the small intestine and is fermented in the colon by microorganisms, resulting in the formation of short-chain fatty acids, which may be associated with some metabolic effects. In this regard, this review aims to present relevant research on the health benefits of consuming resistant starch and its effects on physiological properties such as intestinal health, glycemic balance, lipid metabolism, and body weight to be evaluated. However, the effect of resistant starch in reducing the risk of diet-dependent disorders such as diabetes, obesity, lipid disorders, and intestinal health is promising but still inconclusive.

Altered Circulating Bile Acid Composition After Cross-Linked Resistant Starch Consumption

ObjectivesRecent studies have shown potential mechanisms underlying the role of bile acid (BA)-gut microbiota axis in human health and diseases. We and others have shown that resistant starch type 4 (RS4) intake modulates gut microbiota and a range of immunometabolic outcomes in humans and mice. Using available samples (#NCT01887964), we retrospectively examined the hitherto unknown effects of RS4-intake on human plasma BA.MethodsIn a placebo-controlled, two-arm crossover trial, 14 adults with metabolic syndrome consumed control and RS4 supplemented (30% v/v in wheat flour) diets, each for 12 weeks separated by a 2-week washout. Stealth organoleptic properties of RS4 allowed double-blinding. Overnight-fasted samples were collected before and after each diet phase. LC/MS with isotope-labeled internal standards and 16S-rDNA sequencing were used for targeted metabolite and microbiome measurements, respectively. Univariate and multivariate data were analyzed with supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms in R-platform.ResultsDifferences in food ingredients, meal preparations, macronutrients, and energy intakes were minimal among participants due to following communal kitchen and dining practices (p > 0.05). Being a prebiotic fiber, RS4 increased fiber consumption by 1.5-fold (p < 0.001). Taurocholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid increased in the RS4 group by 92%, 58%, 77%, and 79% respectively (all, p < 0.05) and enriched species of Bacteroides, Bifidobacteria, Roseburia, Eubacterium, Ruminococcus, and Blautia. Members of these genuses are known to have high bile salt hydrolase activity, an enzyme proposed to have a cholesterol-lowering effect. One such species, Bifidobacterium adolescentis showed RS4 specific association with deoxycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, and taurodeoxycholic acid (all, rho >0.50, p < 0.05). Interestingly, the parent study reported significant cholesterol-lowering effects of RS4.ConclusionsRS4-enriched diet increased fiber consumption and resulted in altered microbiota-dependent secondary BA pool size and composition. Future research may help advance the understanding of the role of prebiotic fibers in BA-microbiota interactions.Funding SourcesNational Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Ruminal responses, digestibility, and blood parameters of beef cattle fed diets without forage with different hybrids and processing of the corn.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of corn hybrid and processing methods on intake and digestibility of nutrients, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of steers fed no-forage finishing diets. Four ruminally fistulated Nellore castrated steers (502 ± 15 kg initial body weight) were distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two corn hybrids (semi-dent and flint) and two processing methods (dry milled and high moisture grain). Interactions of hybrid and processing methods were observed on intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM)and crude protein (CP), as well as on digestibility of DM and CP, rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3 ). There was no interaction between hybrid and processing for the volatile fatty acids (VFA) total, acetate (C2), propionate (C3), isobutyric (iC4) and valeric (nC5) concentrations. VFAtotal concentration shown an average of 103.4 mmol/L. The C2 and C3 concentrations had no effect of the hybrid or processing with averages of 58.7 mmol/L for C2, and 31.3 mmol/l for C3. There was an effect of the processing method on starch consumption and fecal pH, the highest values were observed in grains with high moisture content. Starch digestibility was 0.89 g/g in dry milled and 0.96 g/g in high moisture corn. The greatest digestibility of starch in high moisture corn, irrespective of the corn hybrid, provided evidence of an increase in the energy supply, which may improve the feed efficiency and growth performance of cattle fed no-roughage finishing diets.

Effect of Ultrasonic Induction on the Main Physiological and Biochemical Indicators and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Content of Maize during Germination.

Research on the nutrient content of cereal grains during germination is becoming a hot topic; however, studies on germinated maize are still scarce. This study aimed to provide a technical reference and theoretical basis for the development of functional maize health foods and to expand the application of ultrasonic technology in the production of germinated grains. In this study, the germination rate of maize was used as the evaluation index, and the ultrasonic frequency, ultrasonic temperature, and induction time were selected as the influencing factors in orthogonal experiments to determine the optimal process parameters for ultrasonic induction of maize germination (ultrasonic frequency of 45 kHz, ultrasonic temperature of 30 °C, and ultrasonic induction time of 30 min). Based on this process, the effects of ultrasonic induction on the main physiological, biochemical, and γ–aminobutyric acid contents of maize during germination were investigated. The results showed that the respiration of the ultrasonic treated maize was significantly enhanced during germination, resulting in a 27% increase in sprout length, as well as a 4.03% higher dry matter consumption rate, and a 2.11% higher starch consumption rate. Furthermore, the reducing sugar content of germinated maize increased by 22.83%, soluble protein content increased by 22.52%, and γ–aminobutyric acid content increased by 30.55% after ultrasonic induction treatment. Throughout the germination process, the glutamate acid decarboxylase activity of the ultrasonically treated maize was higher than that of the control group, indicating that ultrasonication can promote maize germination, accelerate the germination process, and shorten the enrichment time of γ–aminobutyric acid in germinated maize. The results of this study can be applied to the production of γ–aminobutyric acid enrichment in germinated maize.

Dietary intake of animal and plant proteins and risk of all cause and cause-specific mortality: The Epic-Italy cohort

BACKGROUND: To examine the associations of animal and plant protein intake with all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality risk in middle-aged Italian men and women with substantially lower animal protein intake than North Americans. METHODS AND RESULTS: Food consumption was assessed by validated Epic semiquantitative FFQs. Multivariable Cox models stratified by center, age, and sex, and adjusted for confounders, estimated associations of animal and plant protein consumption with mortality for all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. After a median follow-up of 15.2 years, 2,449 deaths were identified in 45,009 participants. No significant association between intake of total, animal or plant protein and mortality was found in the fully adjusted models. Substitution of plant protein for animal protein was inversely associated with cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.24–0.92) only in people with at least 1 unhealthy lifestyle risk factor and poor adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Participants in the highest quintile group of animal protein intake had higher glucose, total and LDL cholesterol levels than those in the lowest quintile. In contrast, higher plant protein intake was negatively associated with fasting insulin and cholesterol, despite higher BMI, physical inactivity and starch consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Replacing plant protein for animal protein was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality among individuals with unhealthy lifestyle risk factors. High animal but not plant protein intake is associated with impaired fasting glucose and hypercholesterolemia, despite lower calorie and carbohydrate intake, suggesting that protein source plays crucial roles in modulating cardiometabolic health independently of body weight.

Application of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support in Outpatients with Type II DM

Education through self-management and support plays an important role in providing knowledge and instilling an awareness of the importance of healthy living. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support on eating habits, body weight, nutritional status, and glycemic control. The design of this study was quasi-experimental with the experimental design of the Pre Test Post Test without a control group. The number of samples was 60 patients who were taken by purposive sampling with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Interventions were conducted 2 times a month for 6 months. From this study, it is known that for 6 months there was an increase in the consumption of vegetables, fruit, and milk (p&lt;0,05), a significant decrease in the consumption of tubers and starches (p &lt;0.05), while the consumption of rice and side dishes did not experience a significant change (p&gt; 0, 05). Besides, there was a significant decrease in glycemic control (p &lt;0.05) but there was no significant reduction in body weight and nutritional status (p&gt; 0.05). The application of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support for 6 months can influence glycemic control and change eating habits.

The Effects of Resistant Starch Consumption in Adult Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background:Resistant starches (RSs) are not digested by human digestive enzymes and pass through the upper digestive tract to become substrates for colonic bacteria. Resistant starch supplementation has shown promising results in altering the microbiota of animal models of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Resistant starch consumption may influence the production of uremic toxins in CKD.Objective:To conduct a systematic review to determine whether the consumption of RS reduces the progression of kidney disease in adult patients with CKD.Design:We included randomized controlled trials comparing RS supplementation to placebo, no treatment, or standard care. Cochrane Central, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases were searched. There was no limitation on publication date, but only English manuscripts were included. The search was conducted in July 2020.Patients:Adult outpatient populations with CKD, using any recognized diagnostic criteria.Measurements:The primary outcome was change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from baseline through the end of the trial in patients not on dialysis; secondary outcomes included change in uremic toxin concentrations (p-cresol/p-cresyl sulfate [p-CS], indoxyl sulfate [IS]) and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin 6 [IL-6]) from baseline through the end of the trial, and changes in self-reported symptom scores.Methods:The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool was used to assess risk of bias in included studies. The systematic review results are reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.Results:We identified 4 unique studies, reported in 9 publications that met our inclusion criteria, including a total of 215 enrolled participants. Results were calculated using data from the longest reported follow-up time. The primary outcome of changes in kidney function markers was only studied in 1 trial; this trial reported an increase in creatinine and a decrease in blood urea nitrogen; no changes in GFR were reported. A review of the secondary outcomes showed an overall decline in IS, TNF-α, and IL-6, in RS groups, but with mixed results in p-CS and CRP/high-sensitivity CRP. Safety data showed that RS was well tolerated with no reports of excessive side effects.Limitations:We determined a meta-analysis was not feasible due to clinical heterogeneity between study populations and differences in reported outcomes in the included studies.Conclusion:There is limited and inconsistent evidence on the impact of RS in adult patients with CKD. Further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of RS supplementation in this population.

Daily dynamics of intermediate metabolite profiles lead to time-dependent phenylethanoid glycosides production in Scrophularia striata during the day/night cycle.

Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) are important medicinal compounds found in Scrophularia striata, one of the plant species native to Iran. Since almost all aspects of plant life are controlled by night/light cycle, studying its relationship to valuable plant metabolites production will help us to determine the right time for their extraction. Therefore, the aim of this investigation is to figure out whether the diel light oscillations control PhGs production and how it relates to daily changes in upstream metabolic reactions and circadian clock in S. striata. For this, daily rhythms of metabolic pathways were examined every 4h during a day/night cycle in 3 groups of control (16h light/8h dark), continuous light and darkness. The results showed that acteoside and echinacoside levels in each group peaked during the night and day, respectively. Thus, the PhGs production follows a rhythmic behavior in S. striata, which is probably controlled by circadian clock. Also, the levels of photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, amino acids, phenolic acids, phytohormones and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) enzyme activities varied diel in a similar or different way among study groups. The observations revealed that light/dark cycle controls the carbon and energy flow from light reception to the production and consumption of starch, biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, cinnamic acid and coumaric acid, activation of hormonal signaling pathways and enzymes involved in phenylpropanoid pathway. Overall, it can be concluded that PhGs accumulation time-dependent patterns is likely due to daily fluctuations in upstream metabolic reactions induced by light/dark cycle.

Resistant Starch Consumption Effects on Glycemic Control and Glycemic Variability in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Study.

We previously observed beneficial effects of native banana starch (NBS) with a high resistant starch (RS) content on glycemic response in lean and obese participants. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of NBS and high-amylose maize starch (HMS) on glycemic control (GC) and glycemic variability (GV) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) when treatments were matched for digestible starch content. In a randomized, crossover study, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed in 17 participants (aged 28–65 years, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, both genders) consuming HMS, NBS, or digestible maize starch (DMS) for 4 days. HMS and NBS induced an increase in 24 h mean blood glucose during days 2 to 4 (p < 0.05). CONGA, GRADE, and J-index values were higher in HMS compared with DMS only at day 4 (p < 0.05). Yet, NBS intake provoked a reduction in fasting glycemia changes from baseline compared with DMS (p = 0.0074). In conclusion, under the experimental conditions, RS from two sources did not improve GC or GV. Future longer studies are needed to determine whether these findings were affected by a different baseline microbiota or other environmental factors.

Development of technology for obtaining starch gluing modified with uzkhitan and hydrolyzed emulsion

In this article, in order to reduce the consumption of starch for gluing warp threads and reduce the cost of sizing materials used in sizing and improve the quality of threads, an effective gluing composition was created based on a hydrolyzed acrylic emulsion (GAE) and uzkhitan (chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose), that is, corn starch polymer and studied their rheological properties. In the article, the main threads passing through the gluing process and moving at a certain speed, which are then impregnated with liquid gluing. Then they pass through a nip roller and a drying drum, are subjected to friction and form a layer of a certain thickness. A theoretical analysis of the surface of the warp threads is carried out to determine the change in the diameter of the threads when a layer of a certain thickness is formed on their surface.

Влияние предварительной подготовки картона на определение крахмала ферментативным методом

We determined the amount of starch by the enzymatic method in different samples of corrugated cardboard, including the sample produced of primary semi-finished products and corrugated cardboard made of 100 % waste paper. For starch enzymatic degradation, it is necessary to extract it from the corrugated board structure, since the processes of compression and keratinization of pulp fibers reduce the availability of starch for extraction. Enzymatic treatment requires the use of a complex amylolytic preparation for complete hydrolysis of starch to glucose. We were able to determine, respectively, 70 and 84 % of starch obtained from primary semi-finished products by mechanical methods, such as defibrillation in water and degradation in a liquid nitrogen medium, and added at the production stage of corrugated cardboard. It was shown that extraction with alkaline agents was necessary for more complete extraction of starch from corrugated cardboard. The influence of alkaline treatment on the characteristics of fibers of waste paper fractions obtained at the Sukhonsky Cardboard and Paper Mill has been analyzed. The fibers swell in alkali, resulting in an increase in fiber width and its shortening, as well as a decrease in crystallinity, which can be a positive opportunity for more complete starch extraction. Fiber swelling and crystallinity reduction are more intensive for the short fiber fraction compared to the long fiber fraction. When determining starch in corrugated cardboard using the standard method SCAN-P 91:09 SСAN-W 13:09 it was not possible to detect all the starch added at the production stage of corrugated cardboard from primary semi-finished products. Also the processing conditions of this methodology lead to degradation of the partially hydrolyzed starch. The most complete extraction of starch from corrugated cardboard was achieved by two stages of alkaline extraction under the following conditions: 5 % NaOH, temperature of 20 °C, the duration of each extraction – 2 h. Under these processing conditions it was possible to determine all the starch (22.8 kg/t) in the corrugated cardboard produced of primary semi-finished products with known consumption of starch; the starch content in the corrugated cardboard produced of 100 % waste paper was 48.2 kg/t. For citation: Khadyko I.A., Novozhilov E.V., Chukhchin D.G. Influence of Cardboard Pretreatment on the Determination of Starch Content by the Enzymatic Method. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 5, pp. 150–162. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-5-150-162

Dynamics of nutrition structure and metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight and obese women with dietary counseling and remote monitoring

Aim. To study the effects of diet optimization and weight loss on the dynamics of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in women with overweight and obesity in six-month dietary counseling and remote monitoring.Material and Methods. A balanced caloric restriction by 240–250 kcal a day on average was recommended to 119 women with overweight and obesity. Actual nutrition was evaluated using special computer software “1C Nutrition Evaluation”.Results. The study showed a significant nutritional imbalance with a relatively high consumption of fats (40.4%) and low consumption of carbohydrates (39.6%), mainly due to the low consumption of starch. On the contrary, the consumption level of monoand disaccharides (20.9%) was twice as high as recommended (10%) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dietary restriction and nutritional optimization led to a significant decrease in the values of body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism. As a result, the risks and probability of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases decreased.Conclusion. Correction of eating habits allowed to establish a rational and balanced approach to dietary energy restriction and nutritional structure optimization. Achieved weight loss was associated with normalization of parameters of abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism. Six-month dietary intervention in women promoted control of risk factors for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The results of the study may be used to improve the personalized technology of distant preventive counseling in primary health care aimed at weight loss to achieve both primary and secondary prophylactics of metabolic syndrome and chronic non-infectious diseases.

Effects of sago starch on body weight, food intake, caecum short chain fatty acids, adipose tissue, and hepatic lipid content of fat-induced Sprague Dawley rats

Sago starch which naturally contains high amount of resistant starch, comes to the attention due to its ability to confer health benefits as functional food i.e., prebiotic. The present work aimed to investigate the effects of sago starch consumption on body weight, satiation, caecum short chain fatty acids body, and hepatic lipid content on diet-induced obese rats for obesity management. A total of 36 male Sprague Dawley rats were fat-induced and divided into the obesity-prone and obesity-resistant groups. Eight percent and sixteen percent resistant starch from sago and Hi-maize260 were incorporated into the standardised feed formulation. Food intake was weighed throughout the intervention period. The caecum sample was subjected to short chain fatty acids analysis using HPLC. Hepatic lipid content was measured using the Folch method. Both dosages of sago starch (8 and 16% SRS) promoted body weight loss with a reduction of food intake, which suggested satiety. No significant differences was observed in the production of lactate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate from the caecum sample. Both dosages of sago starch (8 and 16% SRS) also showed lower hepatic lipid content and visceral adipose tissue than the baseline and control groups. However, 8% sago starch showed the lowest hepatic lipid content in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant groups. Overall results demonstrated that sago starch has the potential as an obesity and overweightness control regime as it promotes satiety, lowers visceral adipose tissue, and reduces hepatic lipid content. Consumers should consider adding sago starch in their daily meals.

Type 2 Diabetes and Dietary Carbohydrate Intake of Adolescents and Young Adults: What Is the Impact of Different Choices?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has a high prevalence worldwide, with a rapidly increasing incidence even in youth. Nutrition, dietary macronutrient composition, and in particular dietary carbohydrates play a major role in the development of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the current evidence on the role of dietary carbohydrates in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. The digestibility or availability of carbohydrates and their glycemic index (and glycemic load) markedly influence the glycemic response. High consumption of dietary fiber is beneficial for management of type 2 diabetes, whereas high consumption of both glycemic starch and sugars may have a harmful effect on glucose metabolism, thereby increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the presence of genetic predisposition or making its glycemic control more difficult to achieve in people with established T2D. Therefore, the same dietary macronutrient may have harmful or beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes mainly depending on the subtypes consumed. Some other factors are involved in glucose metabolism, such as meal composition, gut microbiota and genetics. For this reason, the glycemic response after carbohydrate consumption is not easy to predict in the single individual. Nutrition suggested to subjects with known type 2 diabetes should be always person-centered, considering the individual features of each subject.

Commensal microbe-derived acetate suppresses NAFLD/NASH development via hepatic FFAR2 signalling in mice

BackgroundNon-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, and it can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Alterations in the gut microbiome have been implicated in the development of NAFLD/NASH, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.ResultsWe found that the consumption of the prebiotic inulin markedly ameliorated the phenotype of NAFLD/NASH, including hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, in mice. Inulin consumption resulted in global changes in the gut microbiome, including concomitant enrichment of the genera Bacteroides and Blautia, and increased concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, particularly acetate, in the gut lumen and portal blood. The consumption of acetate-releasing resistant starch protected against NAFLD development. Colonisation by Bacteroides acidifaciens and Blautia producta in germ-free mice resulted in synergetic effects on acetate production from inulin. Furthermore, the absence of free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2), an acetate receptor, abolished the protective effect of inulin, as indicated by the more severe liver hypertrophy, hypercholesterolaemia and inflammation. These effects can be attributed to an exacerbation of insulin resistance in the liver, but not in muscle or adipose tissue.ConclusionThese findings demonstrated that the commensal microbiome–acetate–FFAR2 molecular circuit improves insulin sensitivity in the liver and prevents the development of NAFLD/NASH.1auxpva_RZCTQ5SP89UX9TVideo abstract

Dietary diversity and social determinants of nutrition among late adolescent girls in rural Pakistan.

The conditions in which adolescent girls mature shape their health, development and nutrition. Nutrient requirements increase to support growth during adolescence, but gaps between consumption and requirements exist in low‐ and middle‐income countries. We aimed to identify and quantify the relationship between dietary intake and diverse social determinants of nutrition (SDN) among a subset of adolescent girls 15–18.9 years (n = 390) enrolled within the Matiari emPowerment and Preconception Supplementation (MaPPS) Trial. The primary outcome, dietary diversity score (DDS), was derived by applying the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women 10‐item scale to 24‐h dietary recall data collected three times per participant. To examine the associations between the SDN‐related explanatory variables and DDS, we generated a hierarchical, causal model using mixed effects linear regression to account for the cluster‐randomized trial design. Using all data, diets lacked diversity (DDS mean ± SD: 3.35 ± 1.03 [range: 1–7; n = 1170]), and the minimum cut‐off for dietary diversity was infrequently achieved (13.5%; 95% CI: 11.6–15.6%). Consumption of starches was reported in all recalls, but micronutrient‐rich food consumption was less common. Of the SDN considered, wealth quintile had the strongest association with DDS (P < 0.0001). The diets of the sampled Pakistani adolescent girls were insufficient to meet micronutrient requirements. Poverty was the most important predictor of a diet lacking in diversity, indicating limited purchasing power or access to nutritious foods. Dietary diversification and nutrition education strategies alone are unlikely to lead to improved diets without steps to tackle this barrier, for example, through fortification of staple foods and provision of supplements.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitory peptides derived from salmon milt and their effects on postprandial blood glucose level

The hydrolysate of Oncorhynchus keta (chum salmon) milt was found to exhibit strong inhibitory activity against dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), and the hypoglycaemic effect of these salmon milt peptides (SMPs) was confirmed using oral starch tolerance tests in Sprague–Dawley rats. Specifically, the oral administration of SMPs at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for 1 week resulted in a significant decrease in the blood glucose level of the rats 60 min after starch consumption compared with the control. The bioassay-guided separation of SMPs, using a combination of column chromatographic techniques, led to the identification of 12 active di-, tri- and tetrapeptides, including four novel DPP-IV inhibitory peptides, namely Phe-Pro-Val-Gly, Leu-Pro-Val-Leu, Val-Pro-Phe-Pro and Ile-Pro-Leu. Among these 12 peptides, Ile-Pro contributed the most (1.3%) to the total DPP-IV inhibitory activity of SMPs. Therefore, SMPs may have the potential to be used as a suppressor of postprandial hyperglycaemia and to be considered a promising functional food material for the prevention of type II diabetes.

Dietary practices of adult Egyptians before and during the COVID-19 lockdown.

AimThe aim of this study was to describe dietary practices of adult Egyptians, estimate changes in their body mass index (BMI), and identify possible determinants of such changes before and during the COVID-19 lockdown.Subject and methodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted during the nationwide COVID-19 partial lockdown. Data were obtained from 430 Egyptian adults regarding their personal and socio-demographic characteristics, routine daily physical activities, dietary patterns, practices related to food purchase and food handling, and weight and BMI before and during the lockdown using an online web-based questionnaire.ResultsThe number of daily meals and daily snacks significantly increased during the lockdown. Moreover, the consumption of all types of snacks increased, except for chocolate and sweets, whose consumption decreased. Eating of fast food decreased, whereas the number of individuals practicing indoor physical activities increased during the lockdown. During the lockdown, no significant changes in the mean BMI were observed. The mean weekly consumption of starch, meat, milk, fat, and free foods decreased, whereas the mean weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables increased. Food handling practices improved during the lockdown. Based on the results of the linear regression analysis, age, the number of daily meals, practicing of physical activities during lockdown, and mean weekly consumption of meat were the independent predictors of BMI during the lockdown.ConclusionDuring the lockdown, no significant changes in the BMI of adult Egyptians were observed, whereas dietary practices and food handling practices changed.

Developing synbiotic bacterial therapeutics to treat food allergy

Abstract The recent generational rise in the incidence of food allergies has been correlated to adverse changes in the commensal microbiome, particularly depletion of potentially protective bacteria. By correlating the abundance of fecal bacteria with functional data sets between healthy and food allergic human cohorts, we have identified candidate bacteria for live biotherapeutics. Ruminococcus bromii is more abundant in healthy adult twins than their allergic counterparts and is a keystone species for the initial stages of resistant starch consumption. Anaerostipes caccae is comparatively abundant in healthy infants and uses the intermediate products of starch or fiber digestion to produce butyrate. We have observed cross-feeding between R. bromii and A. caccae in vitro and are now investigating their therapeutic potential. Monocolonization of germ free mice with A. caccae mimics the protective effects of the replete healthy microbiome in a model of food allergy. Our hypothesis is that A. caccae will not provide the same protection to a microbially replete host without the aid of additional factors (e.g. R. bromii). In mice colonized with the dysbiotic fecal bacteria of a cow’s milk allergic (CMA) infant, A. caccae colonizes but does not produce measurable butyrate, even when supplemented with potato starch. We predict that treating CMA-colonized mice with the combination therapy of potato starch, R. bromii, and A. caccae will increase luminal butyrate and influence the local gut immune environment. Our synbiotic strategy of combining protective bacteria with their preferred substrate(s) will address the current limitations of live biotherapeutics and provide insight into the microbiome/immune interactions relevant to food allergy.