Functional Food Material Research Articles

Fermented Yak-Kong using Bifidobacterium animalis derived from Korean infant intestine effectively relieves muscle atrophy in an aging mouse model.

Yak-Kong (YK) is a small black soybean widely cultivated in Korea. It is considered to have excellent health functionality, as it has been reported to have better antioxidant efficacy than conventional black or yellow soybeans. Since YK has been described as good for the muscle health of the elderly in old oriental medicine books, this study sought to investigate the effect of fermented YK with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LDTM 8102 (FYK) on muscle atrophy. In C2C12 mouse myoblasts, FYK elevated the expression of MyoD, total MHC, phosphorylated AKT, and PGC1α. In addition, two kinds of in vivo studies were conducted using both an induced and normal aging mouse model. The behavioral test results showed that in the induced aging mouse model, FYK intake alleviated age-related muscle weakness and loss of exercise performance. In addition, FYK alleviated muscle mass decrease and improved the expression of biomarkers including total MHC, myf6, phosphorylated AKT, PGC1α, and Tfam, which are related to myoblast differentiation, muscle protein synthesis, and mitochondrial generation in the muscle. In the normal aging model, FYK consumption did not increase muscle mass, but did upregulate the expression levels of biomarkers related to myoblast differentiation, muscle hypertrophy, and muscle function. Furthermore, it mitigated age-related declines in skeletal muscle force production and functional limitation by enhancing exercise performance and grip strength. Taken together, the results suggest that FYK has the potential to be a new functional food material that can alleviate the loss of muscle mass and strength caused by aging and prevent sarcopenia.

Comparative analysis of isothiocyanates in eight cruciferous vegetables and evaluation of the hepatoprotective effects of 4-(methylsulfinyl)-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (sulforaphene) from daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L.) sprouts.

The contributions of cruciferous vegetables to human health are widely recognised, particularly at the molecular level, where their isothiocyanates play a significant role. However, compared to the well-studied isothiocyanate 4-(methylsulfinyl)butyl isothiocyanate (sulforaphane) produced from broccoli sprouts, less is known about the pharmacological effects of other isothiocyanates and the stage of vegetables preferable to obtain their benefits. We analysed the quantity and quality of isothiocyanates produced in both the sprouts and mature stages of eight cruciferous vegetables using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of isothiocyanates in a mouse model of acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Furthermore, we explored the detoxification enzyme-inducing activities of crude sprout extracts in normal rats. Among the eight cruciferous vegetables, daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L.) sprouts produced the highest amount of isothiocyanates, with 4-(methylsulfinyl)-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (sulforaphene) being the dominant compound. The amount of sulforaphene in daikon radish sprouts was approximately 30 times that of sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts. Sulforaphene demonstrated hepatoprotective effects similar to sulforaphane in ameliorating CCl4-induced hepatic injury in mice. A crude extract of 3-day-old daikon radish sprouts upregulated the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the liver, whereas the crude extract of broccoli sprouts showed limited upregulation. This study highlights that daikon radish sprouts and sulforaphene have the potential to serve as functional food materials with hepatoprotective effects. Furthermore, daikon radish sprouts may exhibit more potent hepatoprotective effects compared to broccoli sprouts.

Pediococcus pentosaceus KF159 alleviates house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis by promoting IL10 production and regulatory T cell induction.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic immune disease that requires long-term management owing to its relative ease of recurrence. However, steroid treatment is limited owing to the side effects. Therefore, research on therapeutics with proven safety is required. Here, we evaluated the anti-allergic activity of the probiotic strain Pediococcus pentosaceus KF159 (PPKF159) with an ex vivo mouse model sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and a mouse model of AD induced by house dust mites. Changes in pathological symptoms were confirmed based on the clinical status of the AD-induced lesion site and the levels of T helper type 2 (Th2)-derived cytokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE). In addition, cell-mediated responses and related mechanisms were elucidated using various kinds of primary cells including splenocytes, mesenteric lymph nodes, Peyer's patch, and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro and ex vivo. Oral administration of PPKF159 alleviated AD-like clinical symptoms such as erythema, edema, hemorrhage, and increased tissue thickness, and suppressed the production of Th2-associated cytokines and serum IgE while increasing T helper type 1 (Th1)-mediated cytokine production. PPKF159 induced tolerogenic dendritic cells (tol-DCs) by increasing the expression of ICOS-L, PD-L1, and IDO which were closely related to Treg induction in PPKF159-treated BMDCs. In addition, BMDCs and naive T cells co-cultured in the presence of PPKF159 had elevated IL10 production and increased proportions of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs compared to the absence of PPKF159. This study showed that PPKF159 relieved AD-like clinical symptoms, modulated the Th1/Th2 immune balance, and inhibited IgE production in a mouse AD model. PPKF159 induced the transformation of dendritic cells into tolerogenic versions. These induced tol-DCs directly enhanced the production of IL10 or improved the secretion of IL10 through the induction of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells, thereby improving AD. These results suggest that PPKF159 can be applied as a functional food material for the treatment and prevention of AD.

Postbiotics: Functional Food Materials and Therapeutic Agents for Cancer, Diabetes, and Inflammatory Diseases.

Postbiotics are (i) "soluble factors secreted by live bacteria, or released after bacterial lysis, such as enzymes, peptides, teichoic acids, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, polysaccharides, cell-surface proteins and organic acids"; (ii) "non-viable metabolites produced by microorganisms that exert biological effects on the hosts"; and (iii) "compounds produced by microorganisms, released from food components or microbial constituents, including non-viable cells that, when administered in adequate amounts, promote health and wellbeing". A probiotic- and prebiotic-rich diet ensures an adequate supply of these vital nutrients. During the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients, such as prebiotics, postbiotics act as a benevolent bioactive molecule matrix. Postbiotics can be used as functional components in the food industry by offering a number of advantages, such as being added to foods that are harmful to probiotic survival. Postbiotic supplements have grown in popularity in the food, cosmetic, and healthcare industries because of their numerous health advantages. Their classification depends on various factors, including the type of microorganism, structural composition, and physiological functions. This review offers a succinct introduction to postbiotics while discussing their salient features and classification, production, purification, characterization, biological functions, and applications in the food industry. Furthermore, their therapeutic mechanisms as antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agents are elucidated.

Multi-omics techniques to compare the potential of raw and processed licorice as food supplements for ameliorating chronic fatigue syndrome

Licorice is the dried root or rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., and Glycyrrhiza glabra L., which has attracted considerable interest as a well-known dietary and medicinal plant. Licorice possesses a number of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antitumor, and is used as a major ingredient in various healthy food products. According to traditional Chinese medicine, raw licorice effectively eliminates heat and detoxifies, and processed licorice is effective in regulating the spleen and qi. Thus, we compared the effectiveness of raw and processed licorice in treating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and found that processed licorice is more effective than raw licorice. The mechanisms underlying the effects of raw and processed licorice in the treatment of CFS were clarified in this study through multi-omics analysis. Results demonstrated that processed licorice increased the expression levels of the pyruvate kinase, acetyl coenzyme A acetyltransferase, and cytochrome P-450 4A2 genes, which in turn promoted glycolytic processes, cholesterol metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. After processing, licorice's total flavone and saponin content decreased, and the decrease in flavonoid content was more pronounced. This finding is in line with the findings of plant metabolomics, which showed that the content of saponins in the total licorice extract increased, possibly accounting for the majority of the enhanced effects. In conclusion, processed licorice is more suitable as a raw material or ingredient for medicines and functional food for CFS than raw licorice.

In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extract of Sargassum confusum.

This study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Sargassum confusum (SCEE). LPS is recognized by TLR4 on the macrophage surface, which activates the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, increasing the expression of inflammatory cytokine like interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The anti-inflammatory effect of SCEE (0, 1, 10, 50μg/mL) was identified using LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. As a result, it was confirmed that inflammatory factors were suppressed by inhibiting expression of COX-2 and iNOS without any cytotoxicity. In addition, phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and NF-κB p65, transcription factors, were inhibited by SCEE does-dependent manner. These results suggest that SCEE has an anti-inflammatory effect and can be used as a material for health functional foods to prevent inflammatory diseases.

Physiological and Agronomic Characteristics of Alternative Black Barley Genotypes (Hordeum vulgare var. nigricans and H. v. var. rimpaui) under Different Hydrothermal Conditions of the Growing Seasons

Black-seeded barley can be a valuable raw material for functional food. However, its restoration to cropping should be preceded by the identification of the characteristics determining productivity. The field study was conducted to identify specific parameters of the black-seeded barley genotypes (Hordeum vulgare var. nigricans and H. v. var. rimpaui) and compare them with common barley (H. vulgare) under the different hydrothermal conditions of the two growing seasons of 2021 and 2022. Our research has shown that each genotype has a set of specific characteristics that best describe it at a given developmental stage. H. v. rimpaui was well characterized by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as FV/FM, FV/F0, and PIABS at the seedling stage and H. v. nigricans by FV/FM and FV/F0 at the flag leaf stage. Moreover, H. v. var. rimpaui was distinguished by a high biomass of shoot (726 g m−2) and straw yield (5.04 t ha−1) but H. v. var. nigricans by a high number of sterile generative tillers (103 m−2 in the dry year 2022). Further research should focus on the response of black-seeded barley genotypes to abiotic stresses, while in agronomic practice, efforts should be made to increase the number of grains per ear and 1000-grain weight.

Changes in Nutrient Components and Digestive Enzymatic Inhibition Activities in Soy Leaves by Ethephon Treatment.

In this study, the high isoflavone-enriched soy leaves (IESLs) were manufactured by treating with the chemical inducer ethephon, a plant growth regulator, to confirm changes in the properties of soy leaves (SLs), which are underutilized. Ethephon treatment concentrations consisted of 0 (SL1), 150 (SL2), and 300 (SL3) μg/mL. The composition analysis and physiological activity were conducted according to the ethephon treatment concentration of SLs. There was no significant difference in the proximate composition and fatty acids, except for an increase with increasing ethephon treatment concentrations. Depending on the ethephon treatment concentration, free amino acids increased to 1413.0, 1569.8, and 2100.4 mg/100 g, and water-soluble vitamins increased to 246.7, 244.7, and 501.6 mg/100 g. In particular, the functional substance isoflavone increased significantly to 1430.11, 7806.42, and 14,968.00 μg/g. Through this study, it was confirmed that the nutritional components and isoflavones of SLs increased according to the ethephon treatment concentration, a chemical inducer treatment agent. This can be used as a high-value-added biosubstance for raw materials for functional foods, cosmetics, and for natural drugs.

Effects of different extraction methods on the physicochemical properties and biological activities of polysaccharides from maca roots

ABSTRACT Maca is rich in bioactive compounds and has considerable potential for commercial application as a functional food material. In this study, maca root polysaccharides (MRPs) were prepared via hot water extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based UAE, and their physicochemical properties and biological activities were compared. The MRP obtained using DES-based UAE (MRP-DU) exhibited the highest yield (30.85%), oil-holding capacity (5.21 g/g), emulsifying capacity (50.58%), and emulsion stability (48.14%). Additionally, MRP-DU exhibited the highest antidiabetic and absorption-retarding effects on glucose and bile acid. These results suggest that MRP obtained using DES-based UAE have high application potential as functional food materials and could also serve as antidiabetic and cholesterol-lowering agents.

Distribution and Effects of Selenoneine by Ingestion of Extract from Mackerel Processing Residue in Mice.

Selenoneine is an organic selenium compound contained in blood and dark muscle of fish. It has a strong antioxidative capacity and is considered useful as a new functional food material. However, the distribution and effects of selenoneine in the mammalian body have not been thoroughly examined. In this study, a selenoneine-rich mackerel extract was developed and fed to mice at 0.07% in standard rodent chow (ME diet) for 32days to examine its distribution in the body. Selenoneine was distributed in the liver, kidney, and spleen in mice fed with mackerel extract, but it was not distributed in the plasma or erythrocytes. Moreover, concentrations of the major selenium-containing protein were not affected by the mackerel extract. The results of this study suggest that selenoneine is absorbed in the body following ingestion of low doses in crude material and preferentially accumulates in organs and later distributes in erythrocytes. Biochemical analyses of plasma in male mice showed that the glucose level was significantly increased and LDL-cholesterol level was significantly decreased by ME diet feeding. The results indicate that male mice are sensitive to ME diet.

Alginate-based gel beads with bigel structures: Preparation, characterization and bioactive encapsulation

The current study developed novel gel beads with bigel structures based on alginate hydrogel and glycerol monostearate oleogel. Bigel beads with different structures were prepared by varying oleogel content, and the beads were also used to co-encapsulate lipophilic and hydrophilic biaoctives. All the beads had high sphericity (>0.94), and the bead size was increased with the increase in oleogel content. Beads with higher content of oleogel had lower shrinking rates and higher level of oil filling the gel pores. The oil droplets were generally acting as inactive fillers in the gel beads, as the mechanical strength (Young's modulus and hardness) was declining with the increase in oleogel content, and no interaction between the oleogel and hydrogel was detected by FTIR. Swelling studies revealed that beads in salt solution at higher temperature had higher swelling ratio, and the increase in oleogel content could inhibit the swelling. The bigel beads were able to encapsulate EGCG and curcumin simultaneously, and beads with higher oleogel content generally had lower encapsulation efficiency of EGCG but higher efficiency of curcumin. The gel structures provided good protection for curcumin, and about 70% of the original curcumin was retained after a 40-day storage test. The study provided novel information regarding the structure-function relationship of the bigel beads, which could be useful for the development of functional food materials.

Effects of Solid-State Fermentation with the Ganoderma spp. and Coriolus versicolor on the Total Phenol Contents and Antioxidant Properties on Black Soybean

Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of solid-state fermentation of 4 strains ((Ganoderma oregonense (GO), Ganoderma lucidum (GL), Ganoderma sinensis (GS), and Coriolus versicolor (CV))) on the nutrients, functional ingredients, and antioxidant activity in black soybean. As a result, after fermentation by 3 strains of Ganoderma spp. and CV, the contents of crude protein, crude fat, reducing sugar, soluble protein, triterpenoid, and total phenol contents in black soybean significantly increased P < 0.01 , particularly in CV-black soybean. The contents of crude protein, crude fat, reducing sugar, soluble protein, and total phenol were 122.92%, 132.69%, 290.08%, 122.58%, and 142.47% higher than those of the control groups, respectively. But the total sugar and crude fiber contents decreased significantly P < 0.01 . Furthermore, analysis of antioxidant capacity showed that all the fermented products had scavenging effects on DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals. In addition, the DPPH scavenging ability of CV fermented products was highest, the hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of GS fermented products was highest, and the superoxide anion radical scavenging ability of GO fermented products was highest, which were 9.43, 7.65, and 3.39 folds higher than those of control groups, respectively. All results evidenced that the fermented strains and the fermented time had remarkable influences on the nutritional ingredient and antioxidant activity of fermented products in black soybean. Also, there was a significant correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activities. In conclusion, fermented black soybean with fungus has the potential to be developed into a functional food and nutraceutical material.

Anti-Amnesia-like Effect of Pinus densiflora Extract by Improving Apoptosis and Neuroinflammation on Trimethyltin-Induced ICR Mice.

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-amnestic property of Korean red pine bark extract (KRPBE) on TMT-induced cognitive decline in ICR mice. As a result of looking at behavioral function, the consumption of KRPBE improved the spatial work ability, short-term learning, and memory ability by Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. KRPBE suppressed antioxidant system damage by assessing the SOD activity, reduced GSH content, and MDA levels in brain tissue. In addition, it had a protective effect on cholinergic and synaptic systems by regulating ACh levels, AChE activity, and protein expression levels of ChAT, AChE, SYP, and PSD-95. Also, the KRPBE ameliorated TMT-induced mitochondrial damage by regulating the ROS content, MMP, and ATP levels. Treatment with KRPBE suppressed Aβ accumulation and phosphorylation of tau and reduced the expression level of BAX/BCl-2 ratio and caspase 3, improving oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Moreover, treatment with KRPBE improved cognitive dysfunction by regulating the neuro-inflammatory protein expression levels of p-JNK, p-Akt, p-IκB-α, COX-2, and IL-1β. Based on these results, the extract of Korean red pine bark, which is discarded as a byproduct of forestry, might be used as an eco-friendly material for functional foods or pharmaceuticals by having an anti-amnesia effect on cognitive impairment.

Determination of Antimicrobial Properties of Curcuma longa L. (Turmeric) Leaf Extract and Its Potential Application in Consumer Goods

Turmeric has been used as a functional food material but, other parts of the plant such as leaves are wasted as byproducts. This project aims at utilization of turmeric leaves which is generally thrown off or burnt as waste. Disposal of turmeric leaves after harvest of turmeric possesses a huge challenge for the farmers, removal of leaves from the plant comes with an extra cost as the workers need to be paid for removing the leaves, thus to cut the cost farmers burn the leaves. India dominates the world production scenario contributing 80% of turmeric growth, which is mainly used as spice with other applications being used in preparation of dyes, drugs, cosmetics and for religious ceremonies. Karnataka is the third largest producer of turmeric in India. According to studies, the phytochemical characteristics of the turmeric leaf extract demonstrates functional effects such as cosmeceutical, skin immunity, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial, anti-insecticidal activities and antixidant activities. Turmeric leaves also have large volume and surface area and thus can be used for industrial applications. Turmeric leaf oil is rich in phenolic components. The main constituents of the turmeric leaves are curcumnene, limonene, phellandrene and turmerone. In this regard, this project aims at complete utilization of turmeric leaves and turning the leaves which is generally regarded as waste into value added products. The final products developed from the leaves are Dhoop sticks and Room Freshener. The Dhoop sticks developed are organic and chemical free and has aroma that can be refreshing and relaxing as turmeric leaves have strong aroma. Turmeric leaves are rich in Curcumin which is known to have Anti-insecticidal properties in this regard Dhoop sticks are being developed. Perfumes/Room freshener are developed using turmeric leaves as they have anti-bacterial properties and prevents any type of skin allergy while producing fresh fragrance. The products are developed keeping in the mind the source of extra income they act as for the farmers. When tested for anti-bacterial activity the results gave positive results, which is an indication that turmeric leaves have great applications and needs to be explored.

Codium fragile Suppressed Chronic PM2.5-Exposed Pulmonary Dysfunction via TLR/TGF-β Pathway in BALB/c Mice.

This study investigated the ameliorating effect of the aqueous extract of Codium fragile on PM2.5-induced pulmonary dysfunction. The major compounds of Codium fragile were identified as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleamide using GC/MS2 and hexadecanamide, oleamide, and 13-docosenamide using UPLC-Q-TOF/MSE. Codium fragile improved pulmonary antioxidant system deficit by regulating SOD activities and reducing GSH levels and MDA contents. It suppressed pulmonary mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating ROS contents and mitochondrial membrane potential levels. It regulated the inflammatory protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-JNK, p-NF-κB, iNOS, Caspase-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β. In addition, it improved the apoptotic protein expression of BCl-2, BAX, and Caspase-3 and attenuated the fibrous protein expression of TGF-β1, p-Smad-2, p-Smad-3, MMP-1, and MMP-2. In conclusion, this study suggests that Codium fragile might be a potential material for functional food or pharmaceuticals to improve lung damage by regulating oxidative stress inflammation, cytotoxicity, and fibrosis via the TLR/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Sparassis latifolia Polysaccharide Attenuates Cholesterol in Rats Maintained on a High-Fat, High-Cholesterol Diet

Sparassis latifolia polysaccharide (SLP) has broad application prospects as a raw material of functional food. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SLP on liver cholesterol metabolism and its mechanism. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, and various assessments were conducted including hematoxylin and eosin staining, measurement of liver and metabolic indices, and antioxidant analysis. In addition, fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze mRNA expression, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed for screening differential metabolites. The results demonstrated that SLP reduced the abnormal increase in the liver index caused by high fat and cholesterol and improved liver tissue morphology, metabolism level, and antioxidant-related enzyme activities. The polysaccharide regulated the liver sterol metabolism pathway, decreased the mRNA expression levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoAR) and sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1), upregulated the mRNA expression levels of cholesterol 7α hydroxylase (CYP7α-1) and ABCA1, and increased the contents of propionic acid and butyric acid in the liver. These findings indicated a novel pathway through which SLP prevented hepatic lipid deposition and ameliorated sterol metabolism via regulating the HMG-CoAR-CYP7α-1 axis.

Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Pectolinarin against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cells.

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of pectolinarin against oxidative stress-induced cell damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Neurodegenerative diseases-such as Alzheimer's disease-are potentially associated with oxidative stress, which causes excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage DNA and proteins in neuronal cells. The results of this study demonstrate that pectolinarin can scavenge hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, pectolinarin significantly increased cell viability while reducing ROS production and LDH release in the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced control group. Additionally, Pectolinarin recovered protein expression from H2O2-altered levels back to close-to-normal SH-SY5Y cell levels for components of the oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis pathways-such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap1), anti-heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), B-cell lympho-ma-2 (Bcl-2) protein, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). These findings suggest that pectolinarin has the potential to be used as a plant material for functional foods to be applied in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, by mitigating oxidative stress-induced damage to neuronal cells.

The Effect of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Intake on UVB- Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice.

The skin, the largest organ in the body, undergoes age-related changes influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The primary external factor is photoaging which causes hyperpigmentation, uneven skin surface, deep wrinkles, and markedly enlarged capillaries. In the human dermis, it decreases fibroblast function, resulting in a lack of collagen structure and also decreases keratinocyte function, which compromises the strength of the protective barrier. In this study, we found that treatment with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) had no toxicity to skin fibroblasts and GABA enhanced their migration ability, which can accelerate skin wound healing. UVB radiation was found to significantly induce the production of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), but treatment with GABA resulted in the inhibition of MMP-1 production. We also investigated the enhancement of filaggrin and aquaporin 3 in keratinocytes after treatment with GABA, showing that GABA can effectively improve skin moisturization. In vivo experiments showed that oral administration of GABA significantly improved skin wrinkles and epidermal thickness. After the intake of GABA, there was a significant decrease observed in the increase of skin thickness measured by calipers and erythema. Additionally, the decrease in skin moisture and elasticity in hairless mice exposed to UVB radiation was also significantly restored. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of GABA as functional food material for improving skin aging and moisturizing.

Effect of Centella asiatica Extract on Anti-obesity Suppression via Inhibition of Adipogenesis-related Gene Expression in Preadipocyte

The present study was conducted to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-obesity activities of Centella asiatica hot-water extract (CHE). Total polyphenol content and radical scavenging activity were evaluated for the anti-oxidant activity of CHE, and 14.4 mg GAE/g DM and 82.6% were measured, respectively. Lipase activity inhibition, an anti-obesity marker, was measured as 68.1%, confirming that triglyceride hydrolysis was significantly inhibited by CHE. To study the anti-obesity mechanism, mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α (CEBP-α), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) in 3T3-L1 were evaluated. The level of mRNA expression was significantly suppressed by 1.52, 1.81, 1.13, and 1.18 times, respectively, compared to the control group, confirming that CHE had an anti-obesity effect by inhibiting adipocytes development and lipid accumulation. These results indicate that CHE can be used as a raw material for functional foods and pharmaceuticals with anti-oxidant and anti-obesity potential by reducing lipase activity and preadipocyte differentiation.

Structural, physicochemical, and immune-enhancing properties of edible insect protein isolates from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae.

Edible insects are promising future food resources globally. Herein, the structural, physicochemical, and bio-functional properties of edible insect protein isolates (EPIs) extracted from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae were investigated. The results showed that EPIs have a high total essential amino acid content; moreover, β-sheet is the major secondary protein structure. The EPI protein solution was highly soluble and electrically stable and did not aggregate easily. In addition, EPIs exhibited immune-enhancing properties; EPI treatment of macrophages induced the activation of macrophages and consequently promoted the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, TNF-α, and IL-1β). Moreover, macrophage activation of EPIs was confirmed to occur through the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, our results suggest that the isolated P. brevitarsis protein can be fully utilized as a functional food material and alternative protein source in the future food industry.