Health-enhancing Properties Research Articles

Phytochemicals, vitamin C and sugar content of Thai wild fruits

The objective of the present study was to generate information about the potential health-enhancing properties of selected Thai wild fruits. Nineteen varieties of wild fruits, collected from the natural forest in north-eastern Thailand, were analysed for phytochemicals, anti-oxidant activity, vitamin C and sugar content. The results showed that Diospyros decandra Lour. exhibited the highest content of total phenolic compounds (215mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (187mg RE/g). Terminalia chebula Retz. had higher anti-oxidant activities than other fruits, as measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (99% inhibition) and ferric reducing/anti-oxidant power assays (63mmol FeSO4/g). The sum of sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose and galactose) ranged from 33 to 430mg/g fresh weight, being dominated by glucose (ranging from 7.5 to 244mg/g) and fructose (ranging from 5.3 to 193mg/g). The highest content of vitamin C was found in Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (2.2mg/g). Thai wild fruits, which were investigated in this study, have been shown to be a novel rich source of phytochemicals.

Towards the discovery of novel phytochemicals for disease prevention from native Australian plants: an ethnobotanical approach.

Investigation into phytochemicals from foods for disease prevention has increased substantially in the last few decades. However, a clear strategy on the selection of the most promising foods for research has been lacking. An ethnobotanical approach represents an effective method which may improve the outcomes of phytochemical research. Research on the health properties of native Australian plants is limited. The vast number of edible plants used as foods and medicines by the Australian Aboriginal population creates opportunities for the discovery of novel physiologically active compounds. Within this review, we propose an ethnobotanical approach to accelerate research towards the utilisation of native Australian plants for foods with health-enhancing properties.

Polysaccharides from Capsosiphon fulvescens Stimulate the Growth of IEC-6 Cells by Activating the MAPK Signaling Pathway

Seaweed extracts show diverse bioactivities, such as antioxidant and antitumor activity. Capsosiphon fulvescens is a green alga that is abundant along the southwest coast of South Korea. Although it is consumed for its purported health-enhancing properties, particularly as a treatment for stomach disorders and hangovers, the health effects of dietary C. fulvescens remain unclear. We extracted polysaccharides from C. fulvescens (Cf-PS), investigated their effects on the proliferation of rat small intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cells, and determined the signaling cascade involved. We cultured IEC-6 cells in the presence of Cf-PS, which stimulated cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and analyzed the Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways, which are related to cell proliferation. Cf-PS treatment induced the translocation of β-catenin, an effector of the Wnt signaling pathway, from the cytosol to the nucleus and increased the expression of cyclinD1 and c-myc. Cf-PS also induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which is activated by mitogenic and proliferative stimuli such as growth factors, but the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was not enhanced. Our results show that Cf-PS regulates proliferation via stimulating the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and ERK1/2 activation in intestinal epithelial cells.

Physicochemical, textural and viscoelastic properties of palm diacylglycerol bakery shortening during storage

Diacylglycerol (DAG), which has health-enhancing properties, is sometimes added to bakery shortening to produce baked products with enhanced physical functionality. Nevertheless, the quantity present is often too little to exert any positive healthful effects. This research aimed to produce bakery shortenings containing significant amounts of palm diacyglycerol (PDG). Physicochemical, textural and viscoelastic properties of the PDG bakery shortenings during 3 months storage were evaluated and compared with those of commercial bakery shortening (CS). PDG bakery shortenings (DS55, DS64 and DS73) had less significant increments in slip melting point (SMP), solid fat content (SFC) and hardness during storage as compared to CS. Unlike CS, melting behaviour and viscoelastic properties of PDG bakery shortenings remained unchanged during storage. As for polymorphic transformation, CS contained only β crystals after 8 weeks of storage. PDG bakery shortenings managed to retard polymorphic transformation for up to 10 weeks of storage in DS55 and 12 weeks of storage in DS64 and DS73. PDG bakery shortenings had similar if not better storage stability as compared to CS. This is mainly due to the ability of DAG to retard polymorphic transformation from β' to β crystals. Thus, incorporation of DAG improved physical functionality of bakery shortening.

Is the term ‘Mediterranean diet’ a misnomer?

A greater adherence to what has been labelled the Mediterranean diet is associated with a significant improvement in health status. However, it is unclear what this diet really contains. The objective of the present study is to discuss the contents of the scientific Mediterranean diet. We argue that the evidence of the health-enhancing properties of the Mediterranean diet is not necessarily based on Mediterranean foods, and that we indeed do not have to eat Mediterranean foods to enjoy the health-promoting properties of the diet it represents. To maintain dietary variety, cultural diversity and heritage, as well as for environmental reasons, it seems more appropriate to promote regionally appropriate diets throughout the world - rather than a global Mediterranean diet.

Effect of Genotype, Environment, and Their Interaction on Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Low-Linolenic Soybeans Grown in Maryland

Eight soybean genotypes grown in three environments in Maryland were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity, isoflavone composition, lutein, tocopherols, fatty acid composition, and oil content. Fatty acid composition, isoflavones, lutein, tocopherols, and specific antioxidant assays had significant variation by genotype (G) (P < 0.05). Environment (E) had a significant effect on fatty acids, lutein, individual tocopherols, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and the isoflavone glycitein (P < 0.05). In addition, the interaction between genotype and environment (G x E) showed a significant effect on antioxidant capacity, isoflavones, lutein, tocopherols, and fatty acids (P < 0.05). Factorial designed analysis of variance of all data indicated that G had a larger effect than E on the majority of fatty acids, total isoflavones, lutein, and total tocopherols. E had a larger effect than G on stearic acid (18:0), glycitein, delta-tocopherol, and ORAC. The results of this study show that the genotype, growing environment, and their interactions in Maryland-grown soybeans may alter the levels of specific health-enhancing properties.

EFFECT OF CARRAGEENAN AND OAT FLOUR ON STORAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF FRIED MUTTON KOFTA

Low-fat high-fiber mutton kofta containing minced meat and optimized quantities of refined wheat flour (8.5%), oat flour (8.0%) and carrageenan (0.5%) was prepared. The product with wheat flour (9.0%) and fat (8.0%) and without oat flour and carrageenan was treated as control. The product was deep fat fried, packed under air or nitrogen and stored at 4 ± 2C. Inclusion of oat flour and carrageenan resulted in substantially lower contents of fat and higher moisture content compared with control. The carrageenan-containing product was softer in texture and juicier than control. Color traits b and L values of the product were affected by addition of carrageenan and oat flour in the formulation, whereas the value of a was unaffected. Decrease in pH, chewiness and other sensory attributes were noticed in kofta stored for 6 weeks. Products stored in nitrogen had better keeping quality and were sensorily acceptable up to 6 weeks. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Growing awareness of the risk between diet and health is changing consumer habits fast, so that there has been an increasing demand for foods with health-enhancing properties such as high-fiber and low-fat meat products. The apparent relationship between dietary fat and development of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and obesity has prompted consumers to be aware of and concerned about the amount of fat in their diet. A major problem in the acceptability of low-fat processed meat products is the decline in palatability with fat reduction. Incorporation of carrageenan and oat flour in the development of low-fat high-fiber meat kofta improved the product quality without affecting the sensory profile of the product.

The Okinawan Diet: Health Implications of a Low-Calorie, Nutrient-Dense, Antioxidant-Rich Dietary Pattern Low in Glycemic Load

Residents of Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, are known for their long average life expectancy, high numbers of centenarians, and accompanying low risk of age-associated diseases. Much of the longevity advantage in Okinawa is thought to be related to a healthy lifestyle, particularly the traditional diet, which is low in calories yet nutritionally dense, especially with regard to phytonutrients in the form of antioxidants and flavonoids. Research suggests that diets associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases are similar to the traditional Okinawan diet, that is, vegetable and fruit heavy (therefore phytonutrient and antioxidant rich) but reduced in meat, refined grains, saturated fat, sugar, salt, and full-fat dairy products. Many of the characteristics of the diet in Okinawa are shared with other healthy dietary patterns, such as the traditional Mediterranean diet or the modern DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. Features such as the low levels of saturated fat, high antioxidant intake, and low glycemic load in these diets are likely contributing to a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and other chronic diseases through multiple mechanisms, including reduced oxidative stress. A comparison of the nutrient profiles of the three dietary patterns shows that the traditional Okinawan diet is the lowest in fat intake, particularly in terms of saturated fat, and highest in carbohydrate intake, in keeping with the very high intake of antioxidant-rich yet calorie-poor orange-yellow root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, and green leafy vegetables. Deeper analyses of the individual components of the Okinawan diet reveal that many of the traditional foods, herbs, or spices consumed on a regular basis could be labeled “functional foods” and, indeed, are currently being explored for their potential health-enhancing properties.

The Effects of Soy Isoflavones on Obesity

Over the last decades, the prevalence of obesity and related diseases has increased rapidly in the Western world. Obesity is a disorder of energy balance and is associated with hyper-insulinemia, insulin resistance, and abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and it is one of the most important risk factors in the development of Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and certain cancers. Because of the lower frequency of these diseases in Asian countries, attention has been turned toward the Asian diet, which consists highly of soy and soy-based products. The health benefits associated with soy consumption have been linked to the content of isoflavones, the main class of the phytoestrogens. As a result of their structural similarities to endogenous estrogens, isoflavones elicit weak estrogenic effects by competing with 17beta-estradiol (E2) for binding to the intranuclear estrogen receptors (ERs) and exert estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects in various tissues. The estrogenic activities of soy isoflavones are thought to play an important role in their health-enhancing properties. Additionally, the isoflavones have been proved to exert non-ER-mediated effects through numerous other pathways. Genistein, daidzein, and glycitein are the principal isoflavones in soy. Genistein is the most thoroughly examined of these, because it is the most prevalent isoflavone in soy and the most active of these compounds, because of its higher binding affinity for the ER. Genistein and daidzein can be obtained in high levels in humans under certain nutritional conditions, and epidemiologic and laboratory data suggest that these compounds could have health benefits in human obesity. This review will focus on the latest results of research on isoflavones and their effect on obesity in cell cultures, rodents, and humans.

Acute Oral Safety Study of Rosemary Extracts in Rats

Increasing interest in rosemary plants is due to their antioxidant and health-enhancing properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential acute toxicity of two supercritical fluid extracts of rosemary. An acute safety study of rosemary extracts was conducted in Wistar rats at a single oral gavage dosage of 2,000 mg/kg of body weight. Rosemary extracts were well tolerated; no adverse effects or mortality were observed during the 2-week observation period. No abnormal signs, behavioral changes, body weight changes, or change in food and water consumption occurred. Two weeks after a single oral rosemary extract dose of 2,000 mg/kg of body weight, there were no changes in hematological and serum chemistry values, organ weights, or gross or histological characteristics. Rosemary extracts appear to have low acute toxicity, and the oral lethal doses (LD50) for male and female rats are greater than 2,000 mg/kg of body weight.

Bioavailability of epicatechin after consumption of grape seed extract in humans

Diets that are rich in plant foods have been associated with a decreased risk for specific disease processes and certain chronic diseases. In addition to essential macronutrients and micronutrients, the flavonoids in a variety of plant foods may have health-enhancing properties. Grape Seed Extract (GSE) is a common supplement that is known to be rich in the flavan-3-ol epicatechin and procyanidin oligomers. However, the bioavailability and the biological effects of the grape seed extract flavonoids are poorly understood. To begin to address these issues, we developed a method based on LC-MS detection to determine the physiological levels of epicatechin and catechin. This method allows for the determination of epicatechin in plasma at concentrations as low as 1 ng/mL. We next evaluated the absorption of epicatechin, from 1-g grape seed extract taken orally in capsule form. By 2 h after ingestion, plasma epicatechin increased from an undetectable amount to 172 ng/ml (P, 0.001). Consistent with the antioxidant properties of epicatechin, within three hours, there was a significant 25% increase in plasma antioxidant reserve (P, 0.05). The data support the concept that the consumption of grape seed extract can result in significant increases in plasma epicatechin concentrations as well as an increase in plasma antioxidant reserve.

Quantitative evaluation of the antioxidant properties of garlic and shallot preparations

Objective Shallots and garlic are an important part of the diet of many populations and there is long-held belief in their health enhancing properties. This study tested whether fresh and commercial shallot and garlic preparations have antioxidant properties that might justify such claims. Methods Samples produced by pressing and extraction of bulbs were tested for their ability to decrease free radicals of 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and the results were compared with commercial preparations of aged garlic and with trolox, butylated hydroxytoluene, N-acetyl cysteine, and gallic acid. We also measured the phenolic content of the extracts and the amounts of diallyl sulfides present. Results Antioxidant activities were directly related to the contents of phenolic compounds, with the fresh freeze-dried extracts significantly more potent than commercial preparations. Hexane-extracted shallot and garlic had the highest antioxidant activity, followed by water extracts, bulb pressings, and commercial products. Fresh shallot and garlic preparations inhibited lipid oxidation and accelerated their decomposition but had no effect on protein oxidation. Conclusions Organic solvent and aqueous extracts of garlic and shallot bulbs had significant antioxidant potential, as measured by decreases in free radicals and an ability to inhibit lipid oxidation.

Study of Hypsizygus marmoreus (Peck) Bigel. and Grifola frondosa (Dicks.: Fr.) S.F. Gray: Cultural-Morphological Peculiarities, Growth Characteristics, Qualitative Enzymatic Activity, and Resistance to Fungal Pest Contamination

Hypsizygus marmoreus (HM) and Grifola frondosa (GF) are two highly praised culinary-medicinal mushrooms with good taste, texture, and fragrance. They possess health-enhancing properties and good commercial potential worldwide. We aimed to develop biotechnologically viable cultivation methods for these mushrooms, and to reveal the taxonomic significance of several growth and macro- and micromorphological characteristics of vegetative mycelia. Among the HM strains, we have documented vegetative mycelium with incrustations, networks of vegetative hyphae, some with short side protuberances, arthroconidia, some of them connected as chains, chlamydospores and intercalary chlamydospores, and clamp connections. GF structures included vegetative hyphae with clamps, anastomoses, and terminal chlamydospores. We have found that HM strains favored malt extract agar (MEA) and wort agar (WA) the most, with pH of 5.5 and 6.0. A growth coefficient of 47.3 was the highest and belonged to HM strain 571. Among GF strains, potato dextrose agar (PDA) was the most favored media at pH 4.5; GC of 58.2 was the highest and belonged to GF strain 924. In the solid-state measurement of laccase activity on guaiacol, we have found that enzyme secretion was associated with the agar media, or guaiacol, and not with the supplement, sawdust, or straw. Other enzymes demonstrated very low activity. When observing the relationship between the study mushroom mycelia and pest fungi, we have found that in all strains of the study mushrooms Aspergillus versicolor formed a border with GF and later overgrew it; HM formed a border with A. versicolor and later overgrew it; and Penicillium brevicompactum inhibited both HM and GF. Both mushrooms and pests did not form any contact with each other during these studies. The above-mentioned characteristics could be useful in culture for in vitro identification protocol of screened species during their biotechnological cultivation process.

Purification and characterization of phycocyanin from the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae☆

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a blue-green alga and represents a nutrient-dense food source. In this study the presence of phycocyanin (PC), a blue protein belonging to the photosynthetic apparatus, has been demonstrated in AFA. An efficient method for its separation has been set up: PC can be purified by a simple single step chromatographic run using a hydroxyapatite column (ratio A620/A280 of 4.78), allowing its usage for health-enhancing properties while eliminating other aspecific algal components. Proteomic investigation and HPLC analysis of purified AFA phycobilisomes revealed that, contrary to the well-characterized Synechocystis and Spirulina spp., only one type of biliprotein is present in phycobilisomes: phycocyanins with no allo-phycocyanins. Two subunit polypeptides of PC were also separated: the beta subunit containing two bilins as chromophore and the alpha subunit containing only one.

(252) Correlation of Pungency, Thiosulfinates, Antiplatelet Activity, and Total Soluble Solids in Two Garlic Families

Allium plants possess organosulfur compounds and carbohydrates that provide unique flavor and health-enhancing properties. In previous studies of onion F3 families, significant phenotypic and genetic correlations have been reported between pungency, in vitro antiplatelet activity (IVAA), and soluble solids content (SSC); although in other studies SSC and pungency have not always been correlated. In this study we analyzed SSC, pungency, garlic-induced in vitro antiplatelet activity and the content of three predominant thiosulfinates in bulbs from two garlic families obtained from unrelated self-pollinated plants. A strong positive correlation was observed between pungency and IVAA for both sample sets, indicating that it will be difficult to develop garlic populations with low pungency and high IVAA. Allicin was the most abundant thiosulfinate and its content was positively correlated with pungency and IVAA (r= 0.70 and 0.74, respectively). The thiosulfinates AllS(O)SPropenyl and AllS(O)SMe were also positively correlated with pungency and IVAA. When compared with IVAA, AllS(O)SMe had higher r values than AllS(O)SPropenyl (0.88 and 0.50, respectively). These differences could reflect differential platelet anti-aggregatory properties of different thiosulfinates. SSC was not correlated with IVAA, pungency, or thiosulfinates content, suggesting that soluble solids in garlic can be independently selected.

Identification and Antioxidant Potential of Flavonoids and Low Molecular Weight Phenols in Olive Cultivar Chemlali Growing in Tunisia

Increasing interest in phenolic compounds in olives is due to their antioxidant and health-enhancing properties. In this study the phenolics in fruits of the Tunisian olive cultivar Chemlali were extracted by methanol-water and fractionated using Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The identification of phenolic monomers and flavonoids was based on separation by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode array detector followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Oleuropein, a secoiridoid glycoside esterified with a phenolic acid, was the major compound. Eight phenolic monomers and 12 flavonoids were also identified in Chemlali olives. Five flavonoids were isolated and purified using Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and preparative paper chromatography. The antioxidant activity of the extract and the purified compounds was evaluated by measuring the radical scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and by using the beta-carotene-linoleate model assay. Acid hydrolysis of the extract enhanced its antioxidant activity. Hydroxytyrosol and quercetin showed antioxidant activities similar to that of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. A hydroxyl group at the ortho position at 3' on the B ring of the flavonoid nucleus could contribute to the antioxidant activity of the flavonoids.

Inhibition of Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 prostatic cancer cell proliferation by water-soluble black bean condensed tannins

The potential anti-angiogenic activities of water-soluble condensed tannins isolated from black beans were evaluated using HEL 299 normal human fibroblast lung cells, Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 human prostatic cancer cells. Condensed tannins at 0.24–24 μM did not affect the growth of normal cells, but dose-dependently induced cancer cell death by apoptosis as shown by a concentration-dependent decrease in ATP and cell gross morphology. After 24 h exposure to Caco-2, MCF-7, Hs578T, and DU 145 cancer cells, water-soluble black bean condensed tannins at 24 μM suppressed fetal bovine serum stimulated cell migration, the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2 or gelatinase A), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9 or gelatinase B), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF 165 receptor expression by the cancer cells in the conditioned media. The potential health enhancing properties of condensed tannins from black beans as inhibitors of angiogenesis is discussed.

Fat Replacers in Meat Products

There is a great interest regarding demand for foods with health enhancing properties as low-fat meat products due to the human health and nutrition correlation. Various aspects of interest relating to product design and fat reducing strategy has been reported. These aspects concerning nutritional, sensory, technological, safety, appreciation, legal and cost procedures are important to a improved new product design. Due to their different texture properties, processing conditions and different quality evaluations used in the reformulated meat derivatives, the feasibility of low-fat meat products manufacturing has been investigated. In previous review paper, various factors such as consumer acceptability, technological, emerging strategies for the modification of meat fat level, fatty acid (FA) composition, and non-meat ingredients or fat-replacers for the production were monitored for low-fat meat products and fat reduction concept.

Conjugated linoleic acid biosynthesis by human-derived Bifidobacterium species.

To assess strains of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Bifidobacterium for their ability to produce the health-promoting fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from free linoleic acid. In this study, strains of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Bifidobacterium were grown in medium containing free linoleic acid. Growth of the bacteria in linoleic acid and conversion of the linoleic acid to CLA was assessed. Of the bacteria assessed, nine strains of Bifidobacterium produced the c9, t11 CLA isomer from free linoleic acid. The t9, t11 CLA isomer was also produced by some strains, but at much lower concentrations. The production of CLA by bifidobacteria exhibited considerable interspecies variation. Bifidobacterium breve and B. dentium were the most efficient CLA producers among the range of strains tested, with B. breve converting up to 65% linoleic acid to c9, t11 CLA when grown in 0.55 mg ml(-1) linoleic acid. Strains also varied considerably with respect to their sensitivity to linoleic acid. The production of CLA by probiotic bifidobacteria offers a possible mechanism for some health-enhancing properties of bifidobacteria and provides novel opportunities for the development of functional foods.

Characterization of human monocyte activation by a water soluble preparation of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a fresh-water microalgae that is consumed as a nutrient-dense food source and for its health-enhancing properties. The current research characterizes the effect of a water soluble preparation from AFA on human monocyte/macrophage function and compares the effect of AFA with responses from known agents that modulate the immune system. At 0.5 pg/ml the AFA extract robustly activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) directed luciferase expression in THP-1 human monocytic cells to levels at 50% of those achieved by maximal concentrations (10 microg/ml) of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the AFA extract substantially increased mRNA levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and enhanced the DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B. The effects of AFA water soluble preparation were similar to the responses displayed by LPS, but clearly different from responses exhibited by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma). Pretreatment of THP-1 monocytes with factors known to induce hyporesponsiveness suppressed both AFA-dependent and LPS-dependent activation. These results suggest that the macrophage-activating properties of the AFA water soluble preparation are mediated through pathways that are similar to LPS-dependent activation.