Melon Research Articles

Abstract 2123: A combinatorial approach using gemcitabine and bitter melon juice overcomes drug resistance impacting gemcitabine uptake and metabolism

Abstract Pancreatic cancer (PanC) has the lowest 5-year survival rate (<3%) of all cancer types and is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortalities by the year 2030 in the United States. Surgery alone fails to suffice in a majority of cases; the disease relapses in 70-80% of patients and is fatal without additional therapy. Currently, of all the available treatment modalities for PanC, gemcitabine (GEM) is the standard of care frontline drug, with a moderate success rate in improving the median overall PanC patient survival by about 5.7-6.8 months. Although a modest improvement is achieved using a combination therapy approach, the patient survival still remains less than 12 months, and includes a poor quality of life due to the extensive side effects. Moreover, chemoresistance to GEM is a major contributing factor for PanC patient’ morbidity and mortality resulting from dysfunctional uptake and metabolism of GEM in cancer cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need for agents that could reverse GEM resistance and allow continued chemosensitivity in PanC. Here, we employed natural agent bitter melon juice (BMJ) and GEM to examine their anticancer potential alone and in combination in PanC patient derived xenograft (PDX) - pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas explants in nude mice. Comparing single agents versus combination in three explants PDX272, PDX261, and PDX266, both at the end of the active dosing regimen as well as following a post treatment-washout period (no drug administration) revealed enhanced efficacy of the combination treatment over failed GEM-in the post treatment termination cohort. Extensive mechanistic assessments revealed that overcoming GEM resistance was possibly due to modulation of GEM metabolism pathway molecules by the BMJ administration. While all drug exposures led to a decreased RRM1 expression during treatments in PanC-explants, at the end of treatment washout period explants displayed increased RRM1 levels in GEM-only group but a sustained decrease in BMJ and Combo groups. Investigation into hENT1 (human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1) expression, responsible for bidirectional GEM trafficking, revealed that at the end of washout period, combination therapy was the only group that continued to express high levels of hENT1 for all three explants, whereas GEM only group showed poor hENT1 expression. Furthermore, analysis for deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), the enzyme responsible for GEM metabolism, revealed that the combination group had the most augmented dCK expression levels by study end. Taken together, the study outcomes highlight the efficacy of BMJ in combination with GEM in modifying and regulating multiple key players in GEM uptake and metabolism. These conclusions make a compelling case for future clinical investigations in PanC patients wherein BMJ is combined with GEM to target and overcome GEM resistance. Citation Format: Deepanshi Dhar, Dileep Kumar, Komal Raina, David J. Orlicky, Chapla Agarwal, Rajesh Agarwal. A combinatorial approach using gemcitabine and bitter melon juice overcomes drug resistance impacting gemcitabine uptake and metabolism [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2123.

Effect of acute bitter melon intake on postprandial glucose and insulin in sedentary, abdominally obese persons

Background: Lifestyle modifications have been considered to be the primary prevention strategies for diabetes. However, there is a lack of evidence guiding the use of functional food sthat potentially possess anti-hyperglycemic effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the acute effect of bitter melon intake on postprandial glucose and insulin levels in sedentary, abdominally obese persons.Methods: In this study, 16 sedentary, abdominally obese participants were randomly assigned to receive either 100 ml of bitter melon juice or placebo juice 30 minutes prior to an oral glucose tolerance test. Plasma glucose and serum insulin were measured every 30 minutes during the 2-hour postprandial period. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to test the effects of bitter melon on postprandial glucose and insulin levels after adjustment for covariates.Results: The 2-h postprandial glucose was significantly lower in bitter melon group as compared with control group (99.5 ± 22.3 vs 133.9 ± 36.9 mg/dL, P=0.04), resulting in an absolute glucose reduction of 34.4 mg/dL (95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 67.1 mg/dL) and a relative glucose reduction of 26%. There was a fairly significant reduction in 2-h postprandial glucose incremental area under the curve (iAUC) (52.9 ± 29.5 vs 94.7 ± 47.3 mg/dL·h, P=0.052), resulting in a relative glucose reduction of 44%.Conclusion: Our acute study demonstrated that the single-dose intake of bitter melon juice decreased postprandial glucose levels among sedentary, abdominally obese persons. Bitter melon juice appears to be a promising functional food to manage hyperglycemia for people who are at elevated risk of developing diabetes.Key Words: Functional Food; Momordica Charantia; Hyperglycemia; Sedentary; Obese

Chemometric characterization of 30 commercial thermal and cold processed juices using UPLC-QTOF-HR-MS fingerprints

The present study investigated the phenolic fingerprinting of untargeted metabolites using UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with chemometrics to identify potential metabolites in 30 commercial juices belongs to thermal and cold processed juices. A total of 47 compounds were tentatively identified using high resolution mass spectra. Kaempferol and quercetin glycosides were found in higher abundance in cold processed kale and melon juices respectivley whereas decarboxylated betalains were found to be high in thermal processed beet juices. The HPLC results shows the significant variation of ascorbic acid (2.6 ± 0.1 to 661 ± 9 μg/mL) and total ascorbic acid (4.6 ± 0.0 to 1183 ± 96 μg/mL) in tested juice samples, whereas pure beet juice had the highest nitrate content (1075 ± 9 μg/mL). The food ingredients and processing technique massively affected the antioxidant capacity. For instance, thermal processed kale, beet, and melon juices exhibited higher total phenolics and antioxidant capacity than the cold-pressed juices. Moreover, organic beet and organic melon juice samples showed relatively higher phenolics and antioxidant capacity kale samples. The results demonstrated that chemometrics is an efficient tool for discriminating thermally and cold-pressed commercial juices.

Bitter melon juice-intake modulates glucose metabolism and lactate efflux in tumors in its efficacy against pancreatic cancer.

The established role of bitter melon juice (BMJ), a natural product, in activating master metabolic regulator adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in pancreatic cancer (PanC) cells served as a basis for pursuing deeper investigation into the underlying metabolic alterations leading to BMJ efficacy in PanC. We investigated the comparative metabolic profiles of PanC cells with differential KRAS mutational status on BMJ exposure. Specifically, we employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics and in vivo imaging platforms to understand the relevance of altered metabolism in PanC management by BMJ. Multinuclear NMR metabolomics was performed, as a function of time, post-BMJ treatment followed by partial least square discriminant analysis assessments on the quantitative metabolic data sets to visualize the treatment group clustering; altered glucose uptake, lactate export and energy state were identified as the key components responsible for cell death induction. We next employed PANC1 xenograft model for assessing in vivo BMJ efficacy against PanC. Positron emission tomography ([18FDG]-PET) and magnetic resonance imaging on PANC1 tumor-bearing animals reiterated the in vitro results, with BMJ-associated significant changes in tumor volumes, tumor cellularity and glucose uptake. Additional studies in BMJ-treated PanC cells and xenografts displayed a strong decrease in the expression of glucose and lactate transporters GLUT1 and MCT4, respectively, supporting their role in metabolic changes by BMJ. Collectively, these results highlight BMJ-induced modification in PanC metabolomics phenotype and establish primarily lactate efflux and glucose metabolism, specifically GLUT1 and MCT4 transporters, as the potential metabolic targets underlying BMJ efficacy in PanC.

Melon juice concentrate supplementation in an animal model of obesity: Involvement of relaxin and fatty acid pathways

Abstract Chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress associated with obesity induce molecular changes in extracellular matrix connected to relaxin pathway and fibrosis, the lipidome of various tissues and the level of lipid mediators. Increase of desaturase enzymatic activity and activation of the inflammatory mediator cascades are known to be associated with obesity. Decrease of enzymatic antioxidant defenses is strictly involved. The effects of a 10 days supplementation of encapsulated melon juice concentrate rich in superoxide dismutase were studied in Zucker Fat rats compared with Zucker Lean rats, following relaxin pathways, lipid mediators and fatty acid-based lipidomic analysis in adipose tissue and erythrocytes. Significant ameliorations in obese rats concerned the restored relaxin levels, connected with fibrosis reduction, the reduction of inflammatory mediators and a favorable fatty acid remodeling, with the decrease of unsaturated fatty acids in the lipidome of adipose tissue and erythrocytes becoming closer to the lipidome of normal rats.

Design and performance of a robotic arm for farm use

Smart technology which is the backbone of high-efficiency production opens a new horizon in sustainable agriculture. Nowadays, harvesting the heavy-weight crops is considered an arduous job, specifically in Japan which has faced a serious labor shortage in agricultural fields. In this study, a development procedure and evaluation of a 4-degrees-of-freedom articulated robotic arm is presented, and it provides an appropriate infrastructure to develop a smart harvesting robotic system for heavy-weight crops such as pumpkin, watermelon, melon, and cabbage. This robotic arm designed as an actuating unit of a robot tractor for the agricultural outdoor environment. In this regard, different degree of freedom was evaluated under consideration of economic and technical indexes to find an optimized mechanism. The controlling algorithm of the system was developed by consideration of kinematic and dynamic aspects of the real-world condition. A special harvesting methodology was developed based on optimum harvesting conditions. A controlling unit was developed by using PLC system. Experimental performance, accuracy, payload per weight, and repeatability of the system were measured. The payload per weight, overall average accuracy, and overall average repeatability of the robot were 0.21, 1.85 mm, and ±0.51 mm, respectively. The results indicated that the developed system had a front access, harvesting length, and workspace volume of 2.024 m, 1.36 m, and 8.27 m3, respectively. One of the significant advantages of the proposed robotic arm is its capability to use in different industries with minimum modifications. Keywords: agricultural robot, robotic arm, harvesting, modeling, simulation, design DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191201.3721 Citation: Roshanianfard A, Noguchi N, Kamata T. Design and performance of a robotic arm for farm use. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(1): 146–158.

Growth and survival of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut produce and their juice extracts: Impacts and interactions of food matrices and temperature abuse conditions

Storage temperature and nutrient availability are major factors impacting pathogen growth and thus food safety risks. This study evaluated the survival and growth of Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes in relation to temperature abuse variations, and food matrices. Fresh-cut cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, pineapple, and radish contaminated with S. enterica and L. monocytogenes were subjected to cold (4 °C), chronic temperature abuse at 8 and 12 °C, and acute temperature abuse (35 °C for 2 h followed by 4 °C for the remainder 7-day storage). Pathogen growth potential in the juice extracts from each product was further compared to that on the respective cut produce. Under chronic temperature abuse, three different pathogen growth patterns emerged on five test products: both S. enterica and L. monocytogenes grew significantly on cut cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon at 8 and 12 °C; but only survived on cut radish, and even declined in population on cut pineapple under the same conditions. Specifically, S. enterica populations reached up to 5.28 log CFU/g and L. monocytogenes up to 7.77 log CFU/g after 7 days at 12 °C. During cold storage at 4 °C, significantly different growth patterns were also observed between S. enterica and L. monocytogenes on cut melons, where S. enterica populations remained unchanged during the 7-day storage while L. monocytogenes grew continuously. In the juice extracts, S. enterica and L. monocytogenes reached maximum population density in melon juices, but failed to grow in pineapple juice, similar to the growth patterns on cut melon and pineapple. Distinctly different growth patterns, however, were shown in S. enterica and L. monocytogenes on cut radish and in radish juice; exhibiting no growth on cut radish, but maximum growth in radish juice. The disparity in pathogen growth observed on cut pineapple and radish versus on melon in this study supports commodity specific risk-based food safety policies pertaining to temperature control for food safety.

UV-C light processing of Cantaloupe melon juice: Evaluation of the impact on microbiological, and some quality characteristics, during refrigerated storage

UV-C light is a non-thermal technology with potential application in food industries. The objective was to assess UV-C radiation effect (13.44 W/m2) on microbiological decontamination and some quality characteristics of Cantaloupe melon juice, during refrigerated storage.Juice was inoculated with Listeria innocua (non-pathogenic surrogate of L. monocytogenes) and Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores (spoilage indicators) used as indicators of the UV-C treatment efficacy. Total mesophylls and yeasts and molds were also enumerated. Results demonstrated that 5 min of exposure allowed 3.7 ± 0.3 log10 cycles reduction of L. innocua, while for A. acidoterrestris, 20 min were required to decrease 4.7 ± 0.1 log10 cycles.At the end of refrigerated storage for 13 days, UV-C treated juices retained color, total phenolics content and antioxidant activity, and yeast and molds did not grow.Since UV-C process was effective on microbial inactivation and allowed juice quality maintenance, it can be considered as a promising alternative to thermal pasteurization.

Effect of palm leaf biochar on melon plants (Cucumis melo L.) under drought stress conditions

In order to investigate the effect of palm leaf biochar on some characteristics of Cucumis melo L. under drought stress, a split plot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications for two consecutive years. The main plot was irrigation level (60, 85, and 100% water requirement) and subplot was biochar in four levels (0, 0.18, 0.24, and 0.36 kg/m2). Results showed that treatment of 0.24 kg/m2 biochar and 100% water requirement increased the characteristics of water use efficiency as 88%, shoot fresh weight as 77%, shoot dry weight as 32%, root fresh weight as 100%, root dry weight as 84%, root length as 54%, and average fruit weight 84% compared to treatment without biochar and 60% water requirement. The highest level of leaf N, Mn and K, shoot length, leaf area, leaf number, fruit diameter and fruit flesh thickness in the treatment of 0.36 kg/m2 biochar and 100% water requirement were higher 58%, 48%, 65%, 18%, 50%, 95%, 43% and 55%, than to of treatment without biochar and 60% water requirement respectively and had no significant difference with the treatment of 0.24 kg/m2 biochar and 85% water requirement. The highest rates of Fe, Zn and Cu were related to 0.36 kg/m2 biochar and 60% water requirement as 60, 44 and 66% respectively compared to treatment without biochar and 100% water requirement. The biochar-free treatment with 60% water requirement accounted for the highest amount of proline due to high stress, and the proline content reduced with increasing biochar and decreasing stress in treatments. Generally, the treatments of 0.24 and 0.36 kg/m2 of biochar increased most of the characteristics, however no significant difference was observed between these treatments. Moreover, in 85% water requirement the drought stress conditions could compensate with the application of biochar. Thus, using 0.24 kg/m2 of biochar and 85% of water requirement, recommended for the best result.

Soils of tropical meadow submitted to the cultivation of Watermelon and Melon in the State of Tocantins

A exploracao das areas de varzeas tropicais no Estado do Tocantins iniciou-se com o avanco da fronteira agricola do agronegocio a partir da implantacao do Projeto de Irrigacao Rio Formoso, no fim da decada de 1970. Ate entao, poucos trabalhos tem sido desenvolvidos no intuito estudar as caracteristicas dos solos das varzeas do Tocantins e associar tais caracteristicas a indices de produtividade de culturas cultivadas nesse ambiente. Objetivo – se com o presente trabalho caracterizar os tipos de solos encontrados nas areas de varzea do Estado do Tocantins, bem como associar os mesmos aos cultivos de melao e melancia. Buscou-se interligar os fatores de produtividade das culturas em destaque com as caracteristicas inerentes aos solos estudados. Embora os solos apresentem de maneira geral entre media e baixa concentracao de nutrientes como, Ca, Mg, P, Zn, Cu, Mn, entre medio a alto teor de Al e Fe, o moderno sistema de irrigacao proveniente da alteracao da agua no lencol freatico em periodo de plantio, contribui para que a producao em tonelada seja superior do que a media nacional, desde que sejam feitas medidas corretivas adequadas.

Antidiabetic effect of bitter melon/Kerala (Momordica charantia) in alloxan induced diabetic rat

This study aims at investigating the effect of Momordica charantia extract on glucose tolerance and some biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetes rat. A total of 150 rats (50 normal rats and 100 alloxan induced diabetic rats) were used for five trials. The rats were divided into three groups for each trial, each containing 10 individuals as follows: Group A: is the control group, Group B as diabetic control group and group C were diabetic rat received bitter melon (Momordica charantia). Then alloxan injection was injected at a dose rate of 150 mg/kg body weight through intra-peritoneal route to each rat to induce diabetes in groups B and C. Aqueous extract of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) were fed by gavage at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 days in group C. On 15th day blood glucose level and the body weights, biochemical parameters were measured for the first time to ensure diabetic induction. Then all the rats of this group were kept for more 21 days for the treatment of diabetic condition. Alloxan produced a significant increase in serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and significant decrease in body weight and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). Bitter melon treatment reduced non-fasting and fasting glucose level (p<0.05). In addition, administration of bitter melon juice was associated with a reduction in the serum levels of Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) when compared with positive diabetic control (p<0.05). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and body weight level significantly increased in bitter melon treated group C compare to Group B (p<0.05).
 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(3): 373-379, December 2018

Reducing Transfer of Salmonella and Aerobic Mesophilic Bacteria on Melon Rinds Surfaces to Fresh Juice by Washing With Chlorine: Effect of Waiting Period Before Refrigeration of Prepared Juice

Cantaloupes, honeydew melons and watermelons inoculated with Salmonella cocktail at 4.5 log10 CFU/cm2, 3.810 log CFU/cm2 and 3.2 log10 CFU/cm2, respectively were sanitized with 200 ppm chlorine before rinds removal, cutting and juice preparation. Efficacy of 200 ppm chlorine in reducing transfer of Salmonella, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mold, and Pseudomonas from the melon surfaces to freshly prepared fruit juice was investigated including the effect of waiting period before refrigeration of the juices. The melon juice filtrates were refrigerated immediately or stored at room temperature (~22oC) for 3 and 5 h before refrigeration. Average Salmonella bacteria recovered in fresh melon juice prepared from unwashed whole cantaloupes, watermelon and honeydew melons was 1.4 log10 CFU/ml, 0.5 log10 CFU/ml and 0.4 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. Juices from unwashed inoculated melons had the highest bacterial populations and storage at an abusive temperature of 10oC led to proliferation. Holding these juices at room temperature for 5 h before refrigeration allowed Salmonella bacteria to increase by 0.5-0.8 log in cantaloupe juice and 0.3-0.5 log in watermelon and honeydew juices. No Salmonella bacteria was determined in fresh juices prepared from melons washed with chlorinated water. The results of this study showed that washing melons with 200 ppm chlorine before juice preparation and immediately refrigerating the juice will minimize the chances of Salmonella proliferation.

Variation of Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Domesticated and Non-Domesticated Momordica Charantia L. Populations in Different Maturity Stages

Momordica charantia Linn. commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd is an annual plant, belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. Bitter gourd possesses antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antivirus, and cholesterol lowering effects. The content and composition of bioactive molecules are varied according to the plant parts and maturity levels of the plant. However, phytochemical distribution of leaves and fruits at different maturity stages of domesticated and non-domesticated populations of M. charantia populations cultivated in Sri Lanka is scattered or lacking. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the phytochemical distribution of leaves and fruits of domesticated and non-domesticated populations of M. charantia at different maturity stages. Fruits were harvested at three different maturity stages viz. 10 days (immature), 20 days (mature) and 30 days (ripen) after fruit set. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) were determined using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, modified Folin-Ciocalteu colourimetric method and the colourimetric method respectively. Results revealed that TPC and TAC were higher in immature stages and decreased with the maturity. However, values were slightly increased at ripening stage. Significantly higher TPC, TFC and TAC were reported in leaves than fruits. In conclusion, since most of the tested phytochemicals were high in immature fruits and leaves of domesticated and non-domesticated populations of Momordica charantia, immature fruits and leaves can be recommended for the production of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals with elevated therapeutic activity.

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure, dense phase carbon dioxide, and thermal processing on the quality of Hami melon juice

AbstractThis article investigates how high hydrostatic pressure (HHP; 400 MPa, 45 °C, 10 min), dense phase carbon dioxide (DPCD; 30 MPa, 65 °C, 15 min), and thermal processing (TP; 85 °C, 10 min) affect the quality of Hami melon juice in storage. After HHP treatment, the total plate counts, yeasts, and molds were undetectable during storage (28 days) while microorganisms were observed at 14 and 21 days in DPCD‐ and TP‐treated samples, respectively. It seems that the total soluble solids (TSS) and the color parameters, that is, a*, b*, and L* were less affected by different processing methods. However, the activity of lipoxygenase (LOX), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) remarkably decreased after TP, whereas residual activities of these three enzymes (>70%) were detected after HHP treatment. The glucose and fructose of Hami melon juice remained at the same level after HHP treatment, while sucrose decreased in HHP‐treated juice. Additionally, the reduction of organic acids after HHP treatment was less than that after TP. In general, the overall quality of Hami melon juice after HHP treatment was much better than that of the TP‐ and DPCD‐treated juice, suggesting that HHP treatment could be an optimal way to maintain the quality of Hami melon juice.Practical applicationFrom this work, the effects of three different treatments (HHP, DPCD, TP) on the microorganisms, enzyme activities, sugars, organic acids and sensory quality of Hami melon juice was studied, and HHP showed the great potential. Thus, it can be optional new techniques for the industrial production of Hami melon juice.

Antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of fresh bitter melon and change of charantin and lutein content upon brining and blanching treatments of pickling

본 연구에서는 여주의 산화방지 활성과 알파글루코시데이스 저해 활성을 측정하고 총폴리페놀, $\text\tiny{L}$ -아스코브산, 카란틴, 루테인 등 유효성분의 함량을 분석하였으며 초절임조건에서 카란틴과 루테인의 함량 변화를 비교하였다. 본 실험에 사용된 여주는 카란틴 $777.92{\pm}27.59mg/100g$ , 루테인 $16.8...

The effect of radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia on the expression of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in the blood of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis

Objective To explore the effect of radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia on the morphology of articular cartilage and any changes in serum-1 interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the process of knee osteoarthritis in rabbits. Methods Fifty-four male rabbits were selected and knee osteoarthritis was introduced to their right hind limbs using the modified Hulth model. They were then randomly divided into a model group, a cervus and cucumis polypeptide (CCP) group and a radiofrequency thermotherapy (RT) group, each of 18. The CCP group was injected with deer melon peptide intramuscularly. The RT group was given radiofrequency hyperthermia treatment. The model group was not provided with any special treatment. On the 7th, 13th and 19th day of the treatment, 6 rabbits in each group were sacrificed to resect the right medial femoral condyle cartilage. The morphological characteristics of the cartilage were evaluated using the modified Mankins score, while the content of IL-1βand TNF-α in the serum were detected using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISAs). Results At the same time points, the average Mankins score and the average content of IL-1βand TNF-α in the serum of the model group were significantly higher than in the CCP group, with the values in the latter group significantly higher than in the RT group. In the RT group, the average Mankins score, as well as the IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels in the serum, decreased significantly with longer treatment. Conclusion Radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia is superior to deer melon polypeptide in treating knee osteoarthritis, at least in rabbits. Its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the control of serum IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels. Key words: Knee osteoarthritis; Radiofrequency hyperthermia; Interleukin-1β; Tumor necrosis factor-α

The effect of cultivar and processing method on the stability, flavor, and nutritional properties of winter melon juice

Two major winter melon (Benincasa hispida) cultivars, waxy ‘Large Round’ and non-waxy ‘Southern Dark Skin’ were used for comparison of the physical, chemical and sensory properties of processed juice. Two types of juice were processed by using non-waxy fruits: non-waxy juice without peel (NW) and non-waxy juice with peel (NWP). For waxy fruit, the juice was prepared without peel (W) only. Peel tissues contributed firm particles, and more primary and secondary metabolites. The total tyrosine, phenylalanine, and dietary fiber content in NWP were 12.14 mg L−1, 11.78 mg L−1 and 1.04% respectively, which were significantly higher than in W and NW. However, NWP had more off-flavor, such as hexanal and (E)-2-hexenal, less stability, and higher pulpy mouthfeel. W samples were more stable than NW and NWP during storage without visible sedimentation. The glucose, fructose and TA content of W were 0.58%, 0.58 and 0.23% respectively, which were significantly lower than in NW and NWP. The W juice also had less dimethyl disulfide, and hexanal, and was better rated by the sensory panel for having lower sour, salty, bitter, grassy and cooked vegetable characteristics. The results indicate that the waxy ‘Large Round’ melons are a viable candidate for juice processing.

Bitter melon juice exerts its efficacy against pancreatic cancer via targeting both bulk and cancer stem cells.

Pancreatic cancer (PanC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide and frontline treatment with gemcitabine becomes eventually ineffective due to increasing PanC resistance, suggesting additional approaches are needed to manage PanC. Recently, we have shown the efficacy of bitter melon juice (BMJ) against PanC cells, including those resistant to gemcitabine. As cancer stem cells (CSCs) are actively involved in PanC initiation, progression, relapse and drug-resistance, here we assessed BMJ ability in targeting pancreatic cancer-associated cancer stem cells (PanC-CSCs). We found BMJ efficacy against CD44+ /CD24+ /EpCAMhigh enriched PanC-CSCs in spheroid assays; BMJ also increased the sensitivity of gemcitabine-resistant PanC-CSCs. Exogenous addition of BMJ to PanC-CSC generated spheroids (not pre-exposed to BMJ) also significantly reduced spheroid number and size. Mechanistically, BMJ effects were associated with a decrease in the expression of genes and proteins involved in PanC-CSC renewal and proliferation. Specifically, immunofluorescence staining showed that BMJ decreases protein expression/nuclear localization of CSC-associated transcription factors SOX2, OCT4 and NANOG, and CSC marker CD44. Immunohistochemical analysis of MiaPaCa2 xenografts from BMJ treated animals also showed a significant decrease in the levels of CSC-associated transcription factors. Together, these results show BMJ potential in targeting PanC-CSC pool and associated regulatory pathways, suggesting the need for further investigation of its efficacy against PanC growth and progression including gemcitabine-resistant PanC.

Improving functional properties of “Piel de Sapo” melon juice by addition of a Lippia citriodora natural extract and probiotic-type lactic acid bacteria

Six selected lactic-acid probiotic-type (PT-LAB) bacteria were screened for sensitivity towards a Lippia citrodora extract with reported functional properties (PLX®). The effect of pH (6.7 and 5.5) and temperature (35 °C and 4 °C) on the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) was determined by the microdilution broth assay. PLX® MIC values at 4 °C were lower than those at 35 °C, and at pH 5.5 were generally higher than those at pH 6.7. After storage at 4 ºC-4 days, both plain “Piel de Sapo” melon juice (MJ) and fortified with PLX® (PLX®FMJ) at 2500 μg/mL (maximum sensorial acceptable limit in MJ), maintained the viability of the six PT-LAB bacteria. Additionally, four of these bacteria showed growth potential (δ > 0.5) in MJ and only one of them (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) in PLX®FMJ. PLX® synergistically increased the antioxidant activity of MJ. PLX® and PT-LAB are promising ingredients to increase the functional properties of “Piel de Sapo” MJ.

Identification of Cooked Off-Flavor Components and Analysis of Their Formation Mechanisms in Melon Juice during Thermal Processing.

Cooked off-flavor components were identified, and their formation mechanisms were studied in heat-treated melon juices. When flavor dilution analysis methods and odor activity values were used to evaluate the cooked off-flavor in heat-treated melon juice, four volatile sulfide compounds (VSCs) were identified as contributors to the cooked off-flavor: dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and 3-(methylthio)propanal (MTP). The cooked off-flavor intensities of heated juices from thick-skinned melons were stronger than those in juices from thin-skinned melons. We conducted a comparative analysis of VSCs before and after heat treatment by adding unlabeled and labeled S-methylmethionine (SMM) and/or methionine (Met) to the original melon juices. DMS and MTP were formed from SMM and Met through nucleophilic substitution and Strecker degradation, respectively. DMDS and DMTS were partly formed through the oxidative degradation of methanethiol produced from Met. Moreover, SMM could accelerate degradation of Met by increasing the amount of dicarbonyl compounds during heat treatment.