High Concentrations Of Fructose Research Articles

Message from the Executive Editor Genetically modified organisms in processed foods and adverse effects on kidney functions

The advent of Genetic Engineering has paved a way to alter the genetic machinery of living organisms like plants, animals and microorganisms. This process involves recombinant DNA technology or Genetic editing where new genes from one species is introduced or incorporated into a completely unrelated species for obtaining specific or desired traits. Such organisms are known as genetically modified, genetically engineered or transgenic organisms (Bawa and Anilakumar, 2013). In comparison to animals, agriculture plants have been extensively subjected to genetic engineering to obtain new plants with improved and desired traits. Today, a wide array of genetically modified crops with varied traits like high crop yield, pests and disease resistant, abiotic and biotic stress tolerant, improved nutritional value, etc., are commercially cultivated all over the world. These crops have been approved by regulatory agencies like Food and Drug Administration for marketing and are available to us as fruits, vegetable, oils. The list includes vitamin enriched Golden rice, delayed ripening/ senescence tomatoes, Glyphosate herbicide tolerant sugarbeet, wheat and soybean, Canola and soybean with modified oil/fatty acid composition; fruits like apples, melon, papaya, plum, squash with antibiotic resistant traits and many more (Phillips, 2008; Zhang et al., 2016). Most crops have been genetically modified with multiple traits. GM crops are also used as animal feed. Another term associated with GMO is 'GM foods' which refers to the foods produced from GMO-plants or animals. Several food products and packaged foods contain ingredients derived from genetically modified crops. For instance, Canola oil is a key ingredient in many foods and is sold as margarine or cooking oil. This oil is also used to make lipsticks. Similarly, Corn oil is also used as cooking oil and as an ingredient in prepared foods like mayonnaise, sauces and soups and also a frying agent for potato chips and French fries. GM cottonseed oil is also used as cooking oil and in salad dressing. GM maize is used in the production of ethanol, corn starch and high fructose corn syrup. Corn syrup is used as a sweetener in many foods and drinks. Highly refined sugar is produced from GM sugarbeets (Bawa and Anilakumar, 2013). Although to certain extent, GM crops have overcome the challenges in areas related to population growth, food insecurity, malnutrition, however, production and consumption of GM crops still remains a contentious issue due to the health and ecological risks associated with them. Despite the undeniable advantages of GM crops, there's a growing public concern on the use of GM crops/food. It raises a question, “Can tempering or manipulation of a genome in an organism lead to hazardous effects on human? Do these genetically improved organisms cause diseases or disorders in human?” Long-term health effects of GM crops and foods on humans remain unknown due to limited studies, however, three major health risks viz. toxicity, allergenicity and genetic hazards have been associated with GM foods (Zhang et al., 2016).Toxicity studies on animals have reported the adverse effects of GM crops on the hepatic, pancreatic, renal and reproductive organs, and also alternation in the hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters (Dona and Arvanitoyannis, 2008). Hepato-renal toxicity and histopathological changes like congestion of renal blood vessels and cystic dilation of renal tubules in kidney have been reported in the rats fed on GM corn, maize varieties (de Vendomois et al., 2009; El-Shamei et al., 2012; Tehri et al., 2024). The prevalence of GMO ingredients in processed food makes it crucial to evaluate their safety, particularly for sensitive organs like the kidneys. Glyphosate, a herbicide commonly used with GM crops has also been implicated with kidney toxicity due to its residual presence infoods (Mesnage et al., 2015). Moreover, GMO-related allergens of anti-nutritional factors may exacerbate inflammation, indirectly affecting renal health. The GMO crop rich foods have very high content of fructose per gram of the crop as compared to normal crop. The excessive intake of such foods can elevate blood fructose levels which at one hand enhance uric acid production by liver and the other hand reduce renal excretion of uric acid. The latter happens because high blood fructose enhance lactate production by liver and this lactate competes with uric acid for tubular excretion. This unintentional and persistent high uric acid levels may adversely affect renal functions. While human data remain limited, these findings emphasize the need for long-term studies and stricter regulations on selective GMO foods. Minimizing processed food consumption can help mitigate potential risks.

Метаболічний синдром: механізми розвитку та експериментальні моделі

Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by the presence of insulin resis­tance and the presence of two of the following risk factors: obesity, hyperlipidemia (hypertriglyceridemia, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), hypertension, or microalbuminuria. The multifactorial nature of metabolic syndrome makes it difficult to create an adequate experimental model that would best represent the entire spectrum of the pathophysiology of this condition. This review aims to summarize current literature data on the pathophysiological mechanisms of metabolic syndrome in the context of the development of insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and inflammation. The article also summarizes modern approaches to the induction of metabolic syndrome in rodents, among which dietary manipulation, genetic modifications, and the use of pharmaceuticals are the most common. As genetic models of metabolic syndrome, rodents with leptin or leptin receptor deficiency are most often used, in particular leptin-deficient mice (ob/ob), leptin receptor-deficient mice (db/db), Zucker obese rats (ZF), diabetic rats lines Zucker with obesity (ZDF) and others. Pharmaceutical drugs that can be used to induce metabolic syndrome include endogenous glucocorticoids and antipsychotic drugs. Several dietary manipulations are used to induce metabolic syndrome in laboratory animals. In particular, one type of diet or a combination of diets can be used, such as diets high in fructose, sucrose and fat, or a diet characterized by a high content of both fructose and fat or sucrose and fat. Manipulations with the composition of products consumed by experimental animals make it possible to simulate the development of metabolic syndrome, since the diet affects the metabolism of the entire body, and has a regulatory effect on hormones, glucose and lipid metabolism pathways.

Characteristics and in vitro properties of potential probiotic strain Fructobacillus tropaeoli KKP 3032 isolated from orange juice.

Fructobacillus, a Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic bacterium, belongs to the fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) group. The group's name originates from fructose, the favored carbon source for its members. Fructobacillus spp. are noteworthy for their distinctive traits, captivating the interest of scientists. However, there have been relatively few publications regarding the isolation and potential utilization of these microorganisms in the industry. In recent years, F. tropaeoli has garnered interest for its promising role in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, although the availability of isolates is rather limited. A more comprehensive understanding of Fructobacillus is imperative to evaluate their functionality in the industry, given their unique and exceptional properties. Our in vitro study on Fructobacillus tropaeoli KKP 3032 confirmed its fructophilic nature and high osmotolerance. This strain thrives in a 30% sugar concentration, shows resistance to low pH and bile salts, and exhibits robust autoaggregation. Additionally, it displays significant antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens. Evaluating its probiotic potential, it aligns with EFSA recommendations in antibiotic resistance, except for kanamycin, to which it is resistant. Further research is necessary, but preliminary analyses confirm the high probiotic potential of F. tropaeoli KKP 3032 and its ability to thrive in the presence of high concentrations of fructose. The results indicate that the isolate F. tropaeoli KKP 3032 could potentially be used in the future as a fructophilic probiotic, protective culture, and/or active ingredient in fructose-rich food.

Selenicereus undatus (Dragon Fruit) Phytochemicals for Managing Three Human Pathogenic Bacteria: An In Vitro and In Silico Approach.

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are a growing global concern. A natural remedy for bacterial infections could be available in the Selenicereus undatus fruit, but its antibacterial and biochemical properties are not fully known. In this study, the biochemical composition and antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of the Jindu No. 1 (JD) and Bird's Nest (YW) dragon fruit varieties and their potential effects against E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., and Staphylococcus sp. were scrutinized. The JD fruit extract showed higher antibacterial activity than the YW variety against E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., and Staphylococcus sp. in vitro. Additionally, the JD variety demonstrated more significant antioxidant activity than the YW variety and showed less cytotoxic activity. The JD variety had a higher glucose content, while the YW variety had a higher fructose content, and the phytoconstituents analysis confirmed 659 metabolites in total from the two varieties. Through in silico analyses, phytoconstituents were evaluated to identify potential drug molecules against the selected bacterial strain. Moreover, the molecular docking study revealed that riboprobe and Z-Gly-Pro might be effective against E. coli, 4-hydroxy retinoic acid, and that succinyl adenosine may target Pseudomonas sp., and xanthosine and 2'-deoxyinosine-5'-monophosphate may be effective against Staphylococcus sp. These results were further validated by 100 ns Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation, and all of the selected compounds exhibited acceptable ADMET features. Therefore, phytoconstituents from S. undatus fruit varieties could be employed to fight human bacterial diseases, and future studies will support the continuation of other biological activities in medical research.

Innovative process for improving functional and sensory quality of black garlic

Black garlic (BG) is an aged product high in brown melanoidin pigment and functional quality, however, the long aging process limits its commercial production. The present investigation was undertaken to develop an innovative process for improving the functional quality of BG as well as shortening the aging duration. Peeled garlic was subjected to two pre-treatment steps viz. Freeze-thaw (FT) and blanching (BL) followed by ascorbic acid (AA) infusion and effects were monitored during aging. Non-enzymatic browning, the main visible indicator of MR was significantly (p < 0.05) high in FT garlic due to high infused AA content. The pre-treated garlic showed significantly (p< 0.05) high fructose content (6-7-fold) over the control on the 6th day of aging. The treatment also enhanced the total phenolic content (2.5–3.0-fold) and antioxidant activity (14-fold) while reducing the processing time from 18 to 12 days. The soluble solid content (58.7 °B) and Fast index (fluorescent of advanced Maillard reaction products and soluble tryptophan) was maximum (305.2) in FT garlic on the 12th day. FTIR confirmed a strong peak at 1515 cm−1 depicting the dark nature of the BG subjected to FT. The innovative short process saved 50% of energy in production and was 43% more economical compared to its control counterpart. Overall sensory quality of FT garlic in terms of color, flavour and texture was on par with control except BL sample which showed high stickiness and low score values. Overall results suggest that FT treatment followed by infusion of ascorbic acid accelerated the Maillard reaction (MR), and improved the functional quality of BG.

Why do understorey Licuala palm fruits turn from red to white and then black when ripe?

Licuala ferruginea Becc., a tropical forest understorey palm, is observed to have fruits that appear red in colour when unripe, turning pink, then white, purple and finally black in colour as they ripen. We monitored 13 fruiting palms in rainforest fragments and recorded the consumption of fruits by animals via camera traps. We also documented the fruiting phenology of two palms in the nursery. In the rainforest fragments, a Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex) was observed plucking a mature purple fruit from a L. ferruginea palm, before flying away with the fruit in its beak. This was the only bird that was observed feeding on the mature fruit. A range of mammals, dominated by edge species such as the Long-tailed Macaque and Wild Boar, were observed to consume L. ferruginea fruits indiscriminately across all five colour stages, thereby limiting the dispersal of the fruits. Forest bulbul gape sizes also matched the fruit size, suggesting that forest bulbuls are the likely dispersers of the palm in the original forest where edge species are not in high densities. We further posit that the initial phase of red fruits, with high contrasting red reflectance against a green foliage background, might be a form of early advertisement to birds. The fruit then turns pink and white, which have high green reflectance and is less contrasting, thereby reducing the conspicuity of the fruit. This allows the fruit to ripen with high fructose and glucose content, and turn purple and black, which are known visual cues for birds. This study provides indicative support for the dispersal syndrome hypothesis and highlights the potential effects of forest fragmentation on plant-frugivore interactions.

Influence of various corn syrup types on the quality and sensory properties of gelatin-based jelly confectionery

Jelly candies are soft confectionery products primarily composed of sucrose, corn syrup and gelling agents. This study investigates the impact of six different corn syrup, all used at constant amount (46.22%), on the physicochemical (moisture content, pH, Colour), texture and sensory properties of gelatin-based jelly samples. The Moisture content, pH, colour, and texture properties of samples were analysed at 0th, 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th day during storage. Before storage moisture content of the candiesranged from21.03 to 22.57% whereas after 60 days, it was found between 19.31 and 20.72%. Sample JF42 exhibited the least moisture rate loss. The type of corn syrup did not significantly affect the pH of the samples. Samples with higher fructose content in the corn syrup had the lowest hardness, whereas the sample with the highest maltose content exhibited the highest hardness. Changes in gumminess and chewiness paralleled variations in hardness results. Hardness and gumminess were found suitable to follow up gelatin-based samples storage using the zero-order kinetics modelling. Corn syrups with high fructose amounts intensified the redness, while those with high glucose levels led to yellowness in the candies. In sensory evaluation, products made with G40, G60, and M50 corn syrups received higher general Understanding how various types of corn syrup impact the candies quality helps producers optimize their formulation. This information enables producers to mitigate quality deterioration during storage, ensuring that their candies maintain at the desired level and appeal to consumers.

Study of the Behavioral Pattern in Type-2 Diabetic Mice Prepared by Introducing 10% and 15% Fructose Solution

An altered behavioral pattern is a deliberate fact in diabetic conditions that could be induced due to the consumption of foods rich in fructose content. The objective of this research was to develop a fructose-induced diabetic mice model to determine the behavioral changes. Swiss albino mice were involved in this study as the animal model which was subdivided into three groups (control, test groups 1 and 2). Diabetes was induced in test groups 1 and 2 by introducing 10% and 15% fructose solution orally for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, behavioral tests including hole board test (HBT), tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus maze test (EMT), and forced swim test (FST) were performed to evaluate the behavioral pattern. Findings indicated that test group 1 showed a considerable increase in body weight but only a minor increase in fasting blood glucose (FBG) level than the control group. Neither the behavioral studies for test group 1 stretch any substantial alteration. Whereas test group 2 showed a considerable increase in FBG level and body weight as well as in the behavioral tests. (HBT: 47.87% lower head dipping than the control group; TST: 90.85% higher immobility time than the control group; EMT: 58% lower exploration to open arm than the control group; FST: 38.64% less mobility time than the control group). The findings of the study illustrate that consumption of high concentrations of fructose for long term could have a positive correlation with the induction of type 2 diabetes along with the altered behavioral pattern. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 27(2): 158-163, 2024 (July)

Exploring formation of turanose in honey via stable isotope labelling and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis

Turanose, an isomer of sucrose, naturally exists in honey. Previous study indicated that turanose content increased gradually in acacia honey as honeybees brewed honey in the hive. However, it is unclear how turanose is generated in honey. We hypothesised that turanose was produced by enzymes from honeybees and performed a series of simulation experiments to prove this hypothesis. We found turanose in honey was produced by honeybees processing sucrose. Furthermore, we determined that sugar composition of simulated nectar influenced the turanose concentration in honey: when sucrose concentration was below 5%, turanose was difficult to form, whereas high concentration of fructose and limited glucose were beneficial in producing turanose. Using 13C-labelled sucrose tests combined with proteomics analysis, we identified that α-glucosidase converted sucrose to turanose through an intermolecular isomerisation process. This study reveals the formation mechanism of turanose in honey and assists in the scientific control and improvement of honey quality.

Preliminary Study: Antimicrobial Permeation and Release Rates of Biocellulose Wound Dressing Produced Using Acetobacter Xylinum 0416 in Pineapple Peel Waste Culture

Modern wound dressings are employed to hasten the healing of damaged skin. Alginate, foam, hydrogel, hydrocolloid and film are contemporary wound dressings. These contemporary wound dressings are effective for treating wounds because they keep moisture in the wound to help the skin of the damaged tissue heal. Another application for biocellulose (BC) is as a material for treating wounds. This is because biocellulose can absorb exudates from skin wounds and has a considerable water-holding capacity. Because pineapple peel waste has a high concentration of glucose and fructose, it can be used as a fermentation medium to make biocellulose. The manufacture of biocellulose also makes use of the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum 0416. The biocellulose fermentation process lasts five days at 30 °C in an incubator with static conditions. Utilising antimicrobial agents such as silver nanoparticle compounds, Moringa oleifera, or Melastoma malabathricum leaf extract will improve the antibacterial capabilities of biocellulose. The growth of A. xylinum 0416 indicates an exponential phase at 48 hours, where the number of bacterial cells increases, and the process of transferring 20% of the inoculum to the fermentation medium is carried out. BC fermentation in 6-well plates with 3 ml of pineapple peel extract volume at 30°C and pH 5.15 recorded the highest BC wet weight reading at 1.740g and an average of 1.393g. Low concentrations of silver nanoparticles and Moringa leaf extract at 0.02mg/ml, 5mg/l and 0.0125mg/l showed a good effect against the pathogen. The water absorption capacity of the raw BC shows a good absorption value of 144.84.

Composite "Crosslinked Polyvinyl Alcohol-Magnetite" as a Stimuli-Responsive Matrix for Optical Methods.

The preparation and application of the composite material "crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol-magnetite" as a sensitive matrix for use in digital colorimetry and optical micrometry methods are discussed. The material was synthesized in the form of spherical granules (for micrometry) and thin films (for digital colorimetry). The obtained composites were characterized by the registration of magnetization curves. It was shown that the amount of grown Fe3O4 particles in the polymer gel is in linear dependence with the iron salt concentrations in the impregnating solutions. The composite granules were applied to determining monosaccharides using optical micrometry. The optimal pH value for the total amount of monosaccharides' determination was 8.6. The study of the analytical response of composite granules and films performed with a low limit of detection (7.9 mmol/dm3) of both glucose and fructose and a possibility of the control of high alcohol contention in water media. The granules were used to determine the total carbohydrate content in samples of natural honey and syrups with high fructose contents, while the films were used to control the alcohol content in hand antiseptics. The results obtained are in good agreement with the data provided by the manufacturers.

Effect of By-Product from C-Phycocyanin Extraction as a Prebiotic Properties and Probiotic Microbial Population

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of alternative prebiotic supplements derived from phycocyanin extraction by-product in enhancing the growth of probiotic. These alternative prebiotic supplements included Spirulina platensis, the by-product of phycocyanin extraction, and inulin. The efficacy of alternative prebiotics was assessed using beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus johnsonii ck-3 and ck-8), pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli), and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The alternative prebiotics source was used to analyse the chemical composition, prebiotic activity, and bacteria growth. It was demonstrated that the phycocyanin extraction by-product included a high concentration of crude protein (67.74% DM), carbohydrates (31.29% DM). The phycocyanin extraction by-product has a high content of glucose, fructose, and sucrose (63.55, 68.00, and 0.24 µg/ml, respectively). The phycocyanin extraction by-product has presented hydrolysis ability (in vitro) at 2.51% while S. platensis showed at 1.81 %. The composition of the phycocyanin extraction by-product showed similar activation of probiotic bacteria to inulin. Especially, Lactobacillus strain showed the best growth was achieved with the phycocyanin extraction by-product with decrease the final pH and high microbial colony number at 48 hours in 7.5–9.5 log10 colony-forming unit per milliliter (CFU/ml) when compared with the glucose group. The study results revealed that the phycocyanin extraction by-product with the prebiotic potential are effective at increasing numbers of Lactobacillus strain. Consequently, the study reveals that phycocyanin extraction by-product are effective as alternative prebiotic supplement, significantly enhancing beneficial probiotic bacteria. These findings suggest the potential use of phycocyanin extraction by-products in creating new prebiotic formulations for gut microbiota modulation through dietary

Interspecific differences and mechanisms of Lactobacillus-derived anti-inflammatory exopolysaccharides

Accumulating evidence has revealed the anti-inflammatory properties of Lactobacillus-derived exopolysaccharides (EPSs). However, interspecific differences among these Lactobacillus-derived anti-inflammatory EPSs have not been investigated. Cell experiments showed that Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-derived EPSs exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory efficacy in vitro. Subsequently, we used Lactobacillus-derived EPSs to treat colitis in mice. There was no significant difference in EPS's repair of the intestinal barrier from the five Lactobacillus species. However, Ligilactobacillus salivarius-derived EPSs and L. plantarum-derived EPSs more potently reduced proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-γ, and IL-17), increasing IL-10 concentrations in the colon. Lactobacillus-derived EPS moieties from five species regulate intestinal bacteria at the strain level. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that owing to the different infiltration and polarization effects of Lactobacillus-derived EPSs on macrophages, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus-derived EPSs were inconsistent. The structure-activity relationship showed that Lactobacillus-derived EPSs with high fructose content had excellent anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. The results mentioned above revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of Lactobacillus-derived EPSs had interspecific variability, and the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action in vitro and in vivo was different.

Expression of the C-allele of intronic rs8192675 in SLC2A2 is associated with improved glucose response to metformin.

Glucose is a critical nutrient for energy metabolism. The SLC2A2 gene is essential for glucose sensing and homeostasis, as it encodes the facilitated glucose transporter GLUT2. During diabetes treatment, the C-allele of rs8192675 in SLC2A2 has been found to regulate the action of metformin and reduce the absolute level of HbA1c more effectively than the T-allele. In this study, stable HEK293T cell lines carrying the CC, CT, and TT genotypes of rs8192675 in SLC2A2 were generated using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. GLUT2 mRNA and protein levels were elevated in cell clones with the TC genotype compared to those with the CC genotype but were reduced relative to the TT genotype. Additionally, high concentrations of glucose or fructose induced more GLUT2 protein production in CT-genotype cells than that induced in CC-genotype cells, yet less than that induced in TT-genotype cells. Metformin induced a greater increase in GLUT2 expression and a smaller increase in activated AMPK protein expression in CC-genotype cells than those induced in TT-genotype cells, resulting in a remarkable reduction in activated mTOR and S6 levels. This study directly supports the biological mechanism linking the C-allele of rs8192675 with improved treatment outcomes in metformin therapy for diabetes.

Characterization of Italian honeys: integrating volatile and physico-chemical data

This article focuses on the comprehensive characterization of Italian honeys using various physico-chemical analyses and their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) fingerprint obtained through the PTR-ToF-MS technology. Honey characteristics, including pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and sugar content, were analyzed to assess their quality and origin. Honey samples from different flowers, including acacia, chestnut, citrus, linden, and multifloral, were collected and investigated. Furthermore, a few aged honeys were collected and analyzed and compared with the fresh ones. Physico-chemical analysis revealed that chestnut honey is characterized by high pH and EC values. Acacia honey has a higher fructose content, while aging appears to influence HMF levels, a vital indicator of honey quality, with aged samples exhibiting significant increases in HMF content. The VOC profiles have been found to vary among different honey types, suggesting that VOCs could be used as indicators of honey origin. Multivariate statistical analyses, such as partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), have been applied to the VOCs data to differentiate honey types based on their volatile profiles. Acacia honey exhibited different physicochemical parameters but on the contrary, in the VOCs analysis, it displayed similarities with the linden honey due to their shared low emissions of volatile compounds. Citrus honey had similar chemical parameters to linden and multifloral honeys, but its distinctive VOCs emission allowed for a more accurate identification. In conclusion, the analysis performed with the PTR-ToF-MS was successful in obtaining specific volatile fingerprints of those samples and was effective for improving the characterization of honeys.

High-yield synthesis of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid from fructose via a two-step strategy without 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural isolation using dioxane as a bridging solvent

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a crucial bio-platform molecule for renewable polymers and fine chemicals. Here, a two-step method including fructose dehydration and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oxidation has been reported as an effective strategy to produce FDCA with high yield from fructose directly. In this method, for fructose dehydration over CH3SO3H, tetramethylammonium chloride (TmaCl) was first used as phase modifier and co-solvent in a H2O-dioxane biphasic-solvent system, affording HMF yield up to 90.6 % under mild condition (383 K) with relatively high fructose concentration (e.g. 5–10 wt %). Detailed 13C NMR studies verified the interaction between TmaCl and fructose, which significantly promoted the proportion of fructofuranoses and helped to improve the fructose dehydration activity and HMF yield. After dehydration step, more than 97.8 % of CH3SO3H were recovered in reaction phase for catalyst reuse, while the dioxane solution of extracted HMF was separated via simple phase separation. Followed by water commixing, this HMF dioxane solution (with the HMF concentration of 6.3 wt %) was directly oxidized over Ru/C (393 K, 1 MPa O2) to produce FDCA without HMF isolation and alkali addition, affording FDCA yield near 90 %. This study integrates the fructose dehydration and HMF oxidation rationally via dioxane as the bridging solvent to achieve high FDCA yield without complex HMF purification steps, and thus proposes an applicable model for high-efficient production of FDCA in practice.

The effect of evening primrose oil on some biochemical parameters in brain tissue in a model of metabolic syndrome induced with fructose in rats

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a disease characterized by hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, and constitutes an important risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. The effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on insülin, adiponectin and resistin levels in brain tissue was investigated in a fructose-related metabolic syndrome model. &#x0D; Materials and Methods: The rats were divided into 4 groups as control, evening primrose oil (orally at a dose of 0.1 ml/rat/day), fructose (20% fructose added), fructose+evening primrose oil for 57 days. At the end of the experiment, brain samples were taken and homogenized. Then, insülin, adiponectin and resistin levels were determined by ELISA. &#x0D; Results: Plasma insulin and resistin levels of the fructose group increased (p≤0.05 ) compared to the controls, on the contrary, adiponectin levels were significantly decreased (p≤0.05 ) in the fructose group. When EPO was given to rats given fructose, increased insulin and resistin levels decreased, while decreased adiponectin levels were increased. &#x0D; Conclusion: Fructose-induced impaired metabolic changes in brain tissue were partially ameliorated when EPO was administered. Accordingly, the use of EPO in the medical setting may be recommended by clinicians to reduce the harmful effects on the brain, since metabolic changes in the brains of rat fed with high fructose content can also occur with the intake of fructose from various foods in humans.

Study on the accumulation pattern of anthocyanins, sugars and organic acids in medicinal Vitis vinifera ‘SuoSuo’ during ripening

In this study, targeted metabolomics technology was used to accurately and quantitatively analyze the metabolic pathways of anthocyanin, sugars and organic acid metabolites during the ripening of ‘SuoSuo’ grape berries. Results, 33, 10 and 36 metabolites of anthocyanins, sugars and organic acids, respectively, were detected. The anthocyanin with the highest content was cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (136.343 ng/g), which reached a maximum at 135 days after full bloom. The highest fructose content in sugar was 167.69 ng/g (135 days after full bloom). Among the organic acids, tartaric acid exhibited the highest content (37,196.67 mg/kg, 105 days after full bloom). The content of oleanolic acid (230.064 mg/kg, 135 days after full bloom) was higher in organic acids. These results clarify how anthocyanin, sugar and organic acid metabolites accumulate and change as ‘SuoSuo’ grapes ripen and provide a reference for the development and utilization of ‘SuoSuo’.

CD38 Inhibition Protects Fructose-Induced Toxicity in Primary Hepatocytes.

A fructose-enriched diet is thought to contribute to hepatic injury in developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the cellular mechanism of fructose-induced hepatic damage remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether fructose induces cell death in primary hepatocytes, and if so, to establish the underlying cellular mechanisms. Our results revealed that treatment with high fructose concentrations for 48 h induced mitochondria-mediated apoptotic death in mouse primary hepatocytes (MPHs). Endoplasmic reticulum stress responses were involved in fructose-induced death as the levels of phosho-eIF2α, phospho-C-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) increased, and a chemical chaperone tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) prevented cell death. The impaired oxidation metabolism of fatty acids was also possibly involved in the fructose-induced toxicity as treatment with an AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activator and a PPAR-α agonist significantly protected against fructose-induced death, while carnitine palmitoyl transferase I inhibitor exacerbated the toxicity. However, uric acid-mediated toxicity was not involved in fructose-induced death as uric acid was not toxic to MPHs, and the inhibition of xanthine oxidase (a key enzyme in uric acid synthesis) did not affect cell death. On the other hand, treatment with inhibitors of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+-consuming enzyme CD38 or CD38 gene knockdown significantly protected against fructose-induced toxicity in MPHs, and fructose treatment increased CD38 levels. These data suggest that CD38 upregulation plays a role in hepatic injury in the fructose-enriched diet-mediated NASH. Thus, CD38 inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent fructose-enriched diet-mediated NASH.

Underutilized Crocus Sativus L. Flowers: A Hidden Source of Sustainable High Value-Added Ingredients

Crocus sativus L. is used as a spice due to its organoleptic characteristics. Only flower stigmas are used for its production, as the rest of the flower is discarded as waste. This fact represents a lack of sustainability, since around 230,000 flowers are necessary to produce 1 kg of saffron. The main aim of this study was to contribute to the valorization of Crocus sativus L. spice and its floral by-products, through the study of their nutritional value and composition, in terms of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, as well as their functional properties. The results showed that saffron stigmas and floral bio-residues presented high contents of fiber, and the most abundant macronutrient were the carbohydrates, followed by proteins, and a low content in fats. All samples had high concentrations of glucose, fructose, lactic and malic acids, and minerals, mainly K, Ca and Mg. Furthermore, the polyunsaturated fatty acids were predominant, being linoleic acid (C18:2n6) the most abundant. Therefore, this research provides more in-depth information about the composition of saffron stigmas and floral by-products, to be considered as promising sources for the development of functional ingredients with new applications in the food industry.