Functional Food Ingredients For Prevention Research Articles

Functional food ingredients for prevention of COVID-19 infection and aggravation: Clinical evidence update 2022

Functional food ingredients for prevention of COVID-19 infection and aggravation: Clinical evidence update 2022

Physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of polysaccharides from the leaves of different loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) cultivars

In order to explore polysaccharides from loquat leaves (LLPs) as functional food ingredients for prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, the physicochemical characteristics, in vitro binding properties, and inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase of polysaccharides from the leaves of different loquat cultivars, including ‘Baiyu’, ‘Chuannong8’, ‘Yuanbao’, and ‘Dawuxing’, were investigated and compared. Results showed that the contents of total uronic acids and degree of esterification in LLPs ranged from (27.04 ± 1.76)% to (41.46 ± 1.91)%, and from (20.54 ± 0.11)% to (26.90 ± 0.10)%, respectively. The weight-average molecular weights of LLPs ranged from 4.307 × 106 Da to 5.101 × 106 Da, and the major constituent monosaccharides of LLPs were rhamnose, galacturonic acid, arabinose, and galactose. Furthermore, LLPs exerted strong in vitro fat binding, cholesterol binding, and bile acid binding capacities, as well as remarkable inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which might be attributed to their molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and degree of esterification. Results are helpful for better understanding of chemical structures and bioactivities of polysaccharides from loquat leaves, and LLPs had good potential to be explored as functional food ingredients for prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Characterization, in vitro binding properties, and inhibitory activity on pancreatic lipase of β-glucans from different Qingke (Tibetan hulless barley) cultivars

In order to explore Qingke β-glucans as functional food ingredients for prevention of obesity, the physicochemical structures, in vitro binding properties, and inhibitory activities on pancreatic lipase of β-glucans from three different Qingke cultivars, including Ganyucang (black), Dingqing (blue), and Zangqing 320 (white), were investigated and compared. Results showed that molecular weights, particle sizes, and intrinsic viscosities of β-glucans from colored (black and blue) Qingke cultivars were much higher than those of white Qingke β-glucans, respectively. In addition, the constituent monosaccharides of β-glucans from colored Qingke cultivars were determined as arabinose, xylose, glucose, and galactose, and glucose was the dominant monosaccharide. Furthermore, colored Qingke β-glucans exerted strong fat binding, cholesterol binding, and bile-acid binding capacities, as well as inhibitory activities on pancreatic lipase, which were much higher than those of white Qingke β-glucans. Indeed, the fat binding, cholesterol binding, and bile-acid binding capacities, as well as the inhibitory activities on pancreatic lipase of Qingke β-glucans were positively associated with their molecular weights and intrinsic viscosities. Results are beneficial for better understanding of the structure-function relationship of Qingke β-glucans, and β-glucans from colored Qingke cultivars (Ganyucang and Dingqing) could be further explored as functional food ingredients for prevention of obesity.

Generation of Bioactive Hydrolysates and Peptides from Bovine Hemoglobin withIn VitroRenin, Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitory Activities

Bovine hemoglobin was selected for use in the generation of bioactive hydrolysates with potential for use as functional food ingredients for prevention of disorders such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Bovine hemoglobin was isolated and hydrolyzed with papain, which was selected using in silico analysis. The generated hydrolysate was enriched by ultrafiltration and further purified by high performance liquid chromatography. A number of peptides were identified using de novo peptide sequencing and these peptides were chemically synthesized to confirm their bioactivity in vitro. Three multifunctional peptides with both, ACE-I and renin-inhibitory properties and one peptide with ACE-I-inhibiting properties were identified. These included the di-peptide HR with ACE-I and renin IC50 values of 0.19 and 7.09 mM, respectively. The generated papain hydrolysate of bovine hemoglobin not only inhibited the enzymes ACE-I and renin but also the enzyme DPP-IV, which has been linked to type-2 diabetes. Practical Applications Slaughterhouse blood represents a problematic coproduct to meat processors due to the large volumes generated and its high pollutant load, and it is usually discarded as waste or used for low value purposes such as blood meal. However, bovine blood represents a valuable source of protein which is underused in the food industry. To find potential applications for this largely underutilized coproduct, the ACE-I, renin and DPP-IV inhibitory properties of a papain hydrolysate of bovine hemoglobin were studied and a number of novel multifunctional bioactive hydrolysates and peptides were identified. Results obtained herein may not only reduce blood disposal but also have a role in improving public health. In addition, this study demonstrates the potential of bovine hemoglobin as a resource for the generation of bioactive peptides and opens new commercial opportunities for its use beyond its current applications in the food industry.