Folate Content Research Articles

Physicochemical Properties and Nutrient Content of Tempe Flour Enriched Eel Flour

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the nutritional content and physicochemical aspect of the combination of eel and tempe flour. METHODS: Samples of swamp eel and tempe flour were combined in a ratio of 1:1 (A), 1:2 (B), 1:3.5 (C), and 1 kilogram of Asian swamp eel meat without additional tempe (D), respectively. Homogenization was done using a sinmag planetary mixer. The sample analysis was performed at the SIG Laboratory (PT. Saraswanti Indo Genetech) on November 16, 2021. The samples were analyzed triple (triplicates). Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 9.3.0 for Mac OS. Variables were analyzed using multivariate ANOVA with 95% CI (0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant difference between Samples A, B, C, and D for every proximate analysis parameter (p = 0.000) p < 0.05. The results showed a significant difference in the unsaturated fatty acid parameter between the groups (p < 0.001). Sample C has the highest B9 (folic acid) content compared to other samples (1258.53 ± 1.39 mcg/100 g) and a significant difference was found between samples (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Tempe flour enriched eel flour can act as a source of folate, due to its high folate content. Tempe flour enriched eel flour could be used as a flour mixture in any food products that require flour to increase folate content.

Sulfonamides repress cell division in the root apical meristem by inhibiting folates synthesis

Sulfonamides, as broad-spectrum antibiotics, are widely used to protect against bacterial infections in livestock production. A large number of sulfa antibiotics are discharged into soil and water system, which poses a great threat to the safety of organisms. The antibacterial mechanism of sulfonamides is to prevent folate biosynthesis by competitively inhibiting bacterial dihydropteroate synthetase (DHPS). The inhibitory effect of sulfanilamide on root growth has been reported, but the mechanism has not been determined. Here, we used high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV) and transgenic technology to study the effect of sulfonamides on folate synthesis in plants. The results showed that the application of sulfonamide sharply reduced the content of folic acid in plants, resulting in strong inhibition of cell division in the root apical meristem. The inhibition of sulfonamide on cell division can be relieved by supplementing synthetic folic acid and folinic calcium salt hydrate. The transgenic plants expressing the bacterial antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) Sul1 or Sul2 showed obvious antibiotic resistance. Taking these results together, we suggest that sulfonamides repress cell proliferation in the root apical meristem by competitively inhibiting the biosynthesis of folic acid in plants.

Effects of Bambara groundnut and butternut blend on proximate, mineral, beta-carotene and folic acid contents of sorghum flour

<abstract> <p>The refined sorghum flour (SF) used is limited in fiber and micronutrients because of bran removal during milling, and protein digestibility is poor due to kafrin crosslinking. In this research, the effects of Bambara groundnut (BG) (15%, 25%, 35%) and butternut (BU) powder (23%) blending on SF were investigated, using 100% SF as a control. The proximate, mineral, beta-carotene and folic acid compositions of the flour mix were determined. As the BG levels increased, the protein, fat, fiber, and ash contents increased significantly (p < 0.05), ranging between 8.62–14.19%, 2.36–3.38%, 1.37–3.04% and 0.87–2.19%, respectively. The iron, zinc, calcium and phosphorus contents in mg/100 g were 3.43–5.08, 2.96–3.74, 80.00–106.67 and 150.63–594.53, respectively. The beta-carotene (mg/100 g) and folic acid (μg/100 g) contents were < 0.01–0.63 and 0.75–1.42, respectively. The mineral, beta-carotene and folic acid contents of the flour mix varied significantly (p < 0.05) from the control. The pro-vitamin A beta-carotene content was improved in the blend flours with the addition of BU powder, whereas, in the control sample, it was not detected (<0.01 mg/100 g). With the 35% BG blend, increases of 37% protein, 45% crude fiber, 48% iron, 26% zinc, 133% calcium and 154% folic acid contents from the control were observed. The study showed food-to-food fortification of SF with BG flour and BU powder has the potential to combat malnutrition, and the public health challenges associated with deficiencies in bioactive fibers, proteins and micronutrients (pro-vitamin A carotenoids, folic acid and minerals).</p> </abstract>

Metabolic disorders in hereditary optic neuropathies

To compare the content of folic acid, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in the blood serum of patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and autosomal recessive optic neuropathy (ARON), optic neuropathy of other genesis, and the comparison group. The study involved 58 patients with LHON and ARON, the control group of 49 patients with ischemic, inflammatory, traumatic and compressive optic neuropathies, and the comparison group of 20 healthy volunteers. A decrease in blood folic acid levels was revealed (4.0±1.6 ng/mL) in patients with HON compared to the control group (p=1.3·10-8) and the comparison group (p=1·10-17). The content of vitamin B12 in patients with HON was 380.8±168.1 pg/mL, which was significantly lower than in the comparison group (p=0.0001). The homocysteine content was 14.1±5.6 μmol/L in patients with HON, which was significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.0007) and the comparison group (p=0.000003). At the same time, an increase in homocysteine level of more than 10 µmol/L was revealed in 75% of patients with HON. Similar metabolic disorders were found in groups with various mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Patients with HON showed marked decrease in the levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, as well as hyperhomocysteinemia. It is very important to identify the causes of metabolic disorders in order to determine the role of folate deficiency in the development of HON, as well as the possibility of its pharmacological treatment.

A New Method for Calculating Folate Content and Determining Appropriate Folate Levels in Foods

A New Method for Calculating Folate Content and Determining Appropriate Folate Levels in Foods

Effect of milling and sourdough fermentation on bioactive compounds of selected multigrain blends

Blends of wheat, rye and barley were used to obtain multigrain milling fractions. The multigrain flours were further subjected to fermentation, and the metabolites profile and the nutritional potential of the obtain sourdoughs were explored. Increasing the level of rye and barley in the multigrain blends resulted in increased DPPH RSA, total phenolic and folic acid contents in flours and brans. The level of panthotenic acid decreased in flours and brans, with the increase of rye and barley levels. Both spontaneous and lactic acid bacteria assisted sourdough fermentation resulted in lower levels of folic acid compared to the corresponding flours, but the concentration increased with the level of rye and barley within blends. The metabolites biosynthesized by lactic acid bacteria varied with the levels of rye and barley in the blends. Multigrain milling and sourdough fermentation are valuable tools for modulating the nutritional profile of the cereal based food products.

Methotrexate Disposition, Anti-Folate Activity, and Metabolomic Profiling to Identify Molecular Markers of Disease Activity and Drug Response in the Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model.

Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used in the treatment of autoimmune arthritis but is limited by its unpredictable and variable response profile. Currently, no biomarkers exist to predict or monitor early therapeutic responses to MTX. Using a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model, this study aimed to identify biochemical pathways and biomarkers associated with MTX efficacy in autoimmune arthritis. Following arthritis disease induction, DBA/1J mice were treated with subcutaneous MTX (20 mg/kg/week) and disease activity was assessed based on disease activity scores (DAS) and paw volume (PV) measurements. Red blood cell (RBC) and plasma samples were collected at the end of the study and were assessed for folate and MTX content. Plasma samples were analyzed by semitargeted global metabolomic profiling and analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Treatment with MTX was associated with significant reductions in disease activity based on both DAS (p = 0.0006) and PV (p = 0.0006). MTX therapy resulted in significant reductions in 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5mTHF) levels in plasma (p = 0.02) and RBCs (p = 0.001). Reductions in both RBC and plasma 5mTHF were associated with lower DAS (p = 0.0007, p = 0.01, respectively) and PV (p = 0.001, p = 0.005, respectively). Increases in RBC MTX were associated with lower DAS (p = 0.003) but not PV (p = 0.23). Metabolomic analysis identified N-methylisoleucine (NMI) and quinolone as metabolites significantly altered in disease mice, which were corrected towards healthy control levels in mice treated with MTX. Reductions in plasma NMI were associated with lower DAS (p = 0.0002) and PV (p = 9.5 × 10−6). Increases in plasma quinolone were associated with lower DAS (p = 0.02) and PV (p = 0.01). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis identified plasma NMI (AUC = 1.00, p = 2.4 × 10−8), RBC 5mTHF (AUC = 0.99, p = 2.4 × 10−5), and plasma quinolone (AUC = 0.89, p = 0.01) as top discriminating metabolites of MTX treatment. Our data support a relationship between MTX efficacy and its effect on circulating folates and identified 5mTHF, NMI, and quinolone as potential therapeutic biomarkers of disease activity and MTX response in the CIA mouse model of autoimmune arthritis.

Sprouted Syrian Wheat in The Production of Arab Bread

هدف هذا البحث إلى دراسة الشروط المثلى لإنبات القمح السوري القاسي شام 3، وإمكانية الاستفادة من القمح المنبت في تدعيم الخبز العربي السوري، وقد عولجت النتائج بعد ذلك إحصائياً عند مستوى وثوقية 0. 05 باستخدام برنامج Minitab الإصدار 14. 0. تبيّن من خلال النتائج الإحصائية أنّ شروط الإنبات المثلى للقمح السوري القاسي شام 3 هي عند حرارة 20 م° ولمدة 4 أيام، حيث وصل بهذه الشروط محتوى حمض الفوليك 1. 75 ملغم/كغ وهو يعادل 13 ضعف تقريباً من محتوى حمض الفوليك في مجروش القمح غير المنبت (0. 135 ملغم/كغ). من خلال دراسة خصائص الدقيق والمجروش الريولوجية باستخدام الألفيوغراف والميكسولاب لوحظ أنّ الإنبات أدى إلى انخفاض قوة المجروش، حيث إنخفضت جميع مؤشرات الألفيوغراف (P, L, G, W) والميكسولاب (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, DDT) لمجروش القمح المنبت بشكل معنوي كبير بالمقارنة مع كل من الدقيق والمجروش غير المنبت. تبين إمكانية الاستفادة من القمح السوري المنبت في تدعيم الخبز العربي السوري، وأفضل نسبة إضافة من مجروش القمح المنبت للخبز العربي هي 40%، حيث أعطت خبزاً عربياً مقبولاً حسياً من ناحية القوام وانفصال الشطرين وقابلية الطي ومن ناحية الخصائص الفيزيائية.

Natural variation of folate content in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) germplasm and its correlation with the expression of the GTP cyclohydrolase I coding gene

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the most important sources of vitamins, protein, and minerals for Africa, Latin America and Asia. In addition, grains are a rich source of folates. Folates are cofactors for the one-carbon transfer reactions needed for many biochemical processes. Their deficiency is associated with several diseases. In this study, we investigated variation in total folate levels in cowpea genotypes from Northern Brazil, Western Africa and Southwestern Asia and the correlation with VugchI gene expression. Results revealed that VugchI transcripts were observed in all studied developmental stages [10-, 15-, 20- and 25-days post anthesis (dpa)], reaching a maximum at 20 dpa. Folate content ranged from 780.7–177.2 μg/100 g of dried seeds, and the highest amounts were observed in traditional varieties cultivated in Nigeria and Northern Brazil. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the amounts of total folate and the expression of the VugchI gene at 20 dpa. Data showed a large variation in the total folate content that could be exploited by breeding programs to generate higher-folate varieties. It would be important to combine both high folate content and agriculturally relevant traits, which would lead farmers to adopt modern varieties enriched with folates.

Excess Vitamins or Imbalance of Folic Acid and Choline in the Gestational Diet Alter the Gut Microbiota and Obesogenic Effects in Wistar Rat Offspring.

Excess vitamin intake during pregnancy leads to obesogenic phenotypes, and folic acid accounts for many of these effects in male, but not in female, offspring. These outcomes may be modulated by another methyl nutrient choline and attributed to the gut microbiota. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed an AIN-93G diet with recommended vitamin (RV), high 10-fold multivitamin (HV), high 10-fold folic acid with recommended choline (HFol) or high 10-fold folic acid without choline (HFol-C) content. Male and female offspring were weaned to a high-fat RV diet for 12 weeks post-weaning. Removing choline from the HFol gestational diet resulted in obesogenic phenotypes that resembled more closely to HV in male and female offspring with higher body weight, food intake, glucose response to a glucose load and body fat percentage with altered activity, concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and gut microbiota composition. Gestational diet and sex of the offspring predicted the gut microbiota differences. Differentially abundant microbes may be important contributors to obesogenic outcomes across diet and sex. In conclusion, a gestational diet high in vitamins or imbalanced folic acid and choline content contributes to the gut microbiota alterations consistent with the obesogenic phenotypes of in male and female offspring.

Comparative Analysis Reveals Changes in Some Seed Properties in Amaranth Mutant Variety ‘Zobor’ (A. hypochondriacus × A. hybridus)

The aim of our long-term research program is to improve the quality and quantity of amaranth production through mutation breeding using γ-radiation. In this paper, we present the characterization of the new variety ‘Zobor’ of A. hypochondriacus × A. hybridus developed by radiation-induced mutagenesis of hybrid K-433. Multiyear phenotypic characterization of an important yield parameter (1000-seed weight) showed that the studied mutant variety ‘Zobor’ has an advantage in seed weight over the nonirradiated control seeds of K-433 with predictable performance of this yield trait. ‘Zobor’ exhibited changes in seed morphometric parameters, starch particle size, and pasting properties with no change in amylose content and swelling power. Moreover, the seeds of ‘Zobor’ showed the significantly highest folate content among selected amaranth varieties. The mutant variety could, therefore, be interesting for the development of functional foods and as a low-management crop, attractive for cultivation in Europe.

Evaluation of Nutritional Ingredients, Biologically Active Materials, and Pharmacological Activities of Stropharia rugosoannulata Grown under the Bamboo Forest and in the Greenhouse

Evaluations of the nutritional ingredients, biologically active materials, and pharmacological activities (antibacterial and antioxidant) of two types of Stropharia rugosoannulata, grown under the bamboo forest and in the greenhouse, respectively, were carried out in this study. The nutritional ingredient tests included moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, total carbohydrates, total sugar, mineral elements, vitamins, and amino acids. The biologically active material assays included total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, total triterpenoids, and reducing sugars. In addition, a broth microdilution susceptibility test was performed to evaluate antibacterial activity. The antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS+ radical scavenging, ferric-reducing power, and β-carotene bleaching assays. Results showed that two types of S. rugosoannulata were rich in protein, carbohydrate, fiber, mineral, B-group vitamins, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and reducing sugars, with low content of fat and low Na/K ratio. Besides, they were effective in antibacterial and antioxidant activities, while S. Rugosoannulata grown under the bamboo forest was better than the greenhouse one in some respects such as higher content of protein, calcium, selenium, nicotinic acid, folic acid, polysaccharides and triterpenoids, and stronger antibacterial and antioxidant activities. They were appropriate for functional food and nutritional supplements, especially bamboo forest.

The effect of germination in barely on its chemical composition, nutritional value and rheological properties

Abstract Barley is considered a functional food as it is a good source of antioxidants and dietary fiber such as β-glucan. The current study aims to evaluate the characteristics of common and germinated barley. This was done by estimating the effect of germination on the antioxidant content, the content of anti-nutritional factors, the content of amino acids, some vitamins and minerals, as well as the rheological properties (dough raising ability) of common and sprouted barley. Results indicated an improvement in the chemical composition of barley after germination. Germination of barley increased its content of folic acid, vitamin E, and vitamin B complex. The content of minerals such as chromium, magnesium and calcium also increased significantly upon germination. Anti-nutritional factors such as tannin and phytic acid decreased while amino acids such as lysine and leucine significantly increased after germination. Results also showed a significant increase in flavonoids and phenolic contents along with antioxidant activity in sprouted barley compared to normal barley. The study recommends promoting and encouraging consumption of sprouted barley products in Egypt. تأثير الإنبات في الشعير علي ترکيبه الکيميائي وقيمته الغذائية وخواصه الريولوجيه يعتبر الشعير غذاء وظيفي فهو مصدر جيد لمضادات الأکسدة والألياف الغذائية مثل بيتا جلوکان. تهدف الدراسة الحالية إلى تقييم صفات للشعير العادي والمنبت. و قد تم ذلک عن طريق تقدير تأثير الإنبات على محتوي مضادات الأکسدة ، ومحتوى العوامل المضادة للتغذية ، ومحتوى الأحماض الأمينية ، وبعض الفيتامينات والمعادن ، والخصائص الريولوجية (قدرة رفع العجين) للشعير العادي والمنبت. أشارت النتائج إلى تحسن في الترکيب الکيميائي للشعير بعد الإنبات.فزاد محتواه من الفوليک اسيد، فيتامين هـ وفيتامين ب المرکب وزاد محتوي الشعير من المعادن مثل الکروم الماغنسيوم والکالسيوم وانخفض محتواه من مضادات التغذية مثل التانيين والفيتيک اسيد وزاد محتوي الشعير من الاحماض الامينية مثل الليسين والليوسين و أظهرت النتائج زيادة في محتويات الفلافونويدات والفينولات إلى جانب نشاط مضادات الأکسدة في الشعير المنبت ، وتوصي الدراسة الي تعزيز وتشجيع استهلاک منتجات الشعير المنبت في مصر.

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VITAMIN B9 - ELECTROSPRAYED NON-WOVEN SURFACES FOR WOUND HEALING APPLICATIONS

In this study, novel wound dressing materials based on non-woven (NW) surfaces were developed using electrospraying (e-spraying) process. Polyester spunbond (PET SPB), polypropylene spunbond (PP SPB), and polypropylene melt-blown (PP MB) surfaces used as matrix, and folic acid (FA), vitamin B9 were sprayed on these surfaces. The resulting NW fabrics with the same FA content were investigated in terms of chemical, morphological, thermal, wettability properties. Scanning Electron Microscopy and (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy results showed formation of physical interaction between NWs and FA is successfully deposited onto NWs with average fiber diameters from 2.6 µm to 23.11 µm. According to the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) FA loaded-PP SPB have enhaced thermal stability compared to pure one (PP SPB). The FA-loaded surfaces have hydrophobic property with contact angles values more than >90°. The in-vitro release was carried out by UV-Vis within the 8 hour-period phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.2). The results indicated that FA-loaded surfaces have a fast release behaviour. The total FA release amounts of the FA-loaded PET SBP, PP SPB and PP MB NWs were found as 22.8, 17.1, and 17.5 ppm. Moreover, biocompatibility of all resulting NW surfaces was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red uptake (NRU) cytotoxicity tests in L929 cell lines. The obtained NWs have biocompatible and non-toxic material except PET SPB-sFA.The study indicated that FA-loaded NWs can be potential candidates for wound healing applications.

Agronomic Biofortification of Cayenne Pepper Cultivars with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Chili Residue in a Chinese Solar Greenhouse.

Agronomic biofortification of horticultural crops using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) under crop residue incorporation systems remains largely underexploited. Bacillus subtilis (B1), Bacillus laterosporus (B2), or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (B3) was inoculated on soil containing chili residue, while chili residue without PGPR (NP) served as the control. Two hybrid long cayenne peppers, succeeding a leaf mustard crop were used in the intensive cultivation study. Net photosynthesis, leaf stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, photosynthetic water use efficiency, shoot and root biomass, and fruit yield were evaluated. Derivatives of folate, minerals, and nitrate contents in the pepper fruits were also assessed. B1 elicited higher net photosynthesis and photosynthetic water use efficiency, while B2 and B3 had higher transpiration rates than B1 and NP. B1 and B3 resulted in 27–36% increase in pepper fruit yield compared to other treatments, whereas B3 produced 24–27.5% and 21.9–27.2% higher 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and total folate contents, respectively, compared to B1 and NP. However, chili residue without PGPR inoculation improved fruit calcium, magnesium, and potassium contents than the inoculated treatments. ‘Xin Xian La 8 F1’ cultivar had higher yield and plant biomass, fruit potassium, total soluble solids, and total folate contents compared to ‘La Gao F1.’ Agronomic biofortification through the synergy of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and chili residue produced better yield and folate contents with a trade-off in the mineral contents of the greenhouse-grown long cayenne pepper.

Red light enhances folate accumulation in wheat seedlings.

Red, white, blue, green, and yellow lights were applied to investigate their effects on folate accumulation in wheat seedlings. The different lights, especially red light, significantly increased the total folate content. Total folate showed maximum accumulation under 30 μmol/(m2·s) of red light, with an increase of 24% compared with the control (darkness). 5-Methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-CH3-THF) was the dominant folate component, and was significantly increased by red light irradiation. In addition, under red light, the folate content of leaves was higher and more sensitive to light than that of endosperm or roots. Red light up-regulated the expression of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) and aminodeoxychorismate synthase(ADCS), enhanced the activity of GCH1 and ADCS, and increased the content of precursors of folate synthesis, including pterin and p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA). Hence, the increased folate accumulation promoted by light could be attributed to the increased content of folate synthesis precursors, the activity of key enzymes, and related gene expression.

Effect of targeting ligand designation of self-assembly chitosan-poloxamer nanogels loaded Paclitacel on inhibiting MCF-7 cancer cell growth

In this study, we investigated two formulations of chitosan-Pluronic P123 with different folate ligand designation for targeted delivery of Paclitaxel (PTX), in which folic acid (FA) was directly conjugated to chitosan (FA-Cs-P123) or substituted onto P123 (Cs-P123-FA). The results showed that the FA content of Cs-P123-FA was determined at 0.71 wt/wt% which was significantly higher than that of FA-Cs-P123 (0.31 wt/wt%). Two copolymers were low critical gel concentrations (CGC). FA-Cs-P123 and Cs-P123-FA nanogels performed high PTX encapsulation efficiency reaching 95.57 ± 5.51 and 92.51 ± 6.68 wt/wt%, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential analysis indicated that the PTX-loaded nanogels were spherically formed around 60 nm in diameter along with positive charge. Furthermore, the PTX release profile was slow and it was controlled by the pH of the medium. In particular, in vitro biocompatibility assays indicated that both FA-Cs-P123 and Cs-P123-FA exhibited good biological compatibility with a human foreskin fibroblast cell line and well uptake efficiency into MCF-7 cancer cells. Cs-P123-FA nanogel significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of PTX in comparison with FA-Cs-P123. The result indicates that Cs-P123-FA nanogels with a higher decorated FA content perform a better targeting efficiency; therefore, they could have great potential application towards breast cancer treatment.

Role of fermented goat milk as a nutritional product to improve anemia.

Goat milk, like cow milk, needs some modifications to be used as the sole source of nutrition during early infancy. For goat milk to be more like human milk and more nutritionally complete, sugar, vitamins and minerals need to be added to it and for reduction of renal solute load, it needs to be diluted. To prevent megaloblastic anemia in infants fed exclusively on goat milk, folic acid should be supplied either by adding it to goat milk or by an oral folic acid supplement. In fortification of milk products, thermal processing, fermentation, and species differences in milk folate bioavailability are three additional factors that should be considered besides absolute difference in folate concentration between goat and human milk. Whether different feeding regimes (e.g., iron and folate content of diets) influence milk folate content needs to be elucidated by more research. Our findings showed that fermented goat milk during anemia recovery can be improve antioxidant status, protection from oxidative damage to biomolecules, protective effects on testis, improve Fe and skeletal muscle homeostasis as well as improve cardiovascular health. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: To be used as part of a postweaning nutritionally well-balanced diet, fermented goat milk is most likely an excellent source of nutrition for the human.

Changes in the Folate Content and Fatty Acid Profile in Fermented Milk Produced with Different Starter Cultures during Storage.

The application of bacterial cultures in food fermentation is a novel strategy to increase the “natural” levels of bioactive compounds. The unique ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to produce folate, B vitamins, and conjugated linolenic acid cis9trans11 C18:2 (CLA) during cold storage up to 21 days was studied. Although some species of LAB can produce folates and other important nutrients, little is known about the production ability of yogurt starter cultures. Pasteurized milk samples were inoculated with four different combinations of commercially available yogurt vaccines, including starter cultures of Bifidobacterium bifidum. Both the type of vaccine and the time of storage at 8 °C had a significant effect on the folate and CLA contents in the tested fermented milks. The highest folate content (105.4 µg/kg) was found in fresh fermented milk inoculated with Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Only the mix of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum showed potential (59% increase) to synthesize folate during seven days of storage. A significant increase in the content of CLA, when compared to fresh fermented milk, was observed during cold storage for up to 21 days in products enriched with Bifidobacterium bifidum.

Evaluation of prenatal vitamin-mineral preparations in the context of recommended dietary supplementation. Are pregnant women supplied with what they should get?

The composition of preparations, intended for pregnant women is an important issue of proper dietary supplementation. The range of such products on the market is very wide and their composition is not regulated by law. To evaluate the composition of preparations for pregnant women in the context of 2014 Polish Gynecological Society (PTG) recommendation and the 2020 recommendation of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (PTGiP). A range of preparations was collected in pharmacies and e-pharmacies in 2019. The nutrient content was determined based on the information on the unit packaging or the pharmacy's website. The content of folic acid, vitamin D, iodine, DHA, and iron was assessed. There were 33 vitamin-mineral preparations (VMPs) on offer on the analyzed market. All preparations contained folic acid, of which 55% contained precisely the dose recommended by the PTG, and 45% of the preparations is compliant in this respect with the recommendation of the PTGiP. Ninety seven percent of VMPs contained vitamin D. Fifty percent of them did not contain this vitamin at the dose recommended by the PTG, and half of the preparations do not meet the PTGiP recommendation either. Ninety seven percent of VMPs contained iodine. Out of them 44% contained a too low dose of iodine, by the PTG standards, but only 9% of preparations do not meet the PTGiP recommendation in this respect. DHA was a component contained in 73% of VMPs. Among them, 33% contained the dose recommended by the PTG for women who eat little fish and 88% of the preparations are in line with the new recommendation PTGiP. Eighty two percent of preparations contained iron, which in the light of the PTGiP recommendation is debatable. The composition of many VMPs did not reflect experts' recommendations regarding the type and amounts of particular nutrients.