Nutraceutical Industries Research Articles

STUDY OF THE RHEOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF FRUCTAN FRACTIONS OF Agave tequilana cv. cenizo

The physico-mechanical properties of fructan fractions in different agave species without Tequila Denomination of Origin (DOT) need to be studied to identify and expand industrial applications. The rheological and physicochemical characterization of three fractions of Agave tequilana cv. cenizo fructans without DOT, with different degree of polymerization (DP) was carried out to propose their use as an additive in the food industry. Fractions were obtained by apparent DP enrichment (DPa) by stepwise ultradiafiltration with 10, 5 and 1 kilodalton (kDa) membranes and classified on the basis of the enriched fraction evidenced by HPLC profiling with amperometric detector. The ultradiafiltrate of the membrane with 10 kDa, called High Degree of Polymerization (HDP), showed enrichment of fructans with high DPa ≥ 30, the one with 5 kDa called Intermediate Degree of Polymerization (IDP), presents enrichment in DPa between 10 to 30, these fractions dried by spray, showed a modal particle size distribution (D [4,3] < 20 µm). In the ultradiafiltrate of the 1 kDa membrane, called Low Polymerization Grade (LDP), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and fructans with maximum DPa of 15 were enriched; this sample was concentrated to 72 °Brix. The glass transition (Tg) showed a DPa-dependent increase (LDP = 152.17 °C, IDP = 216.12 °C and HDP = 227.5 °C). Viscosity was dependent on the degree of polymerization, exhibiting thermo-mechanically stable flow behavior. The reconstituted powders exhibited Newtonian and flow-stable behavior in a concentration range of 2-50 %, temperature of 5-45 °C and pH of 2-9. The macro and micro structural properties identified in the respective fractions of agave fructans, diversify possible applications with potential interest as encapsulating material, stabilizer and prebiotic sweetener, among others that agave fructans have in the food and nutraceutical industry.

Advances in the Production of Theanine by Plants and Microorganisms

Theanine, a representative non-protein amino acid in tea, is one of the umami components of tea and a major factor in the formation of the unique flavor of tea leaves. In addition to its delicious taste, theanine has a variety of health functions and is used in the food supplement, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. This review briefly describes the physiological functions, application prospects, and production methods of theanine. The biosynthetic pathway of L-theanine in natural plants is also introduced. Finally, the microbial synthesis of L-theanine is divided into two major biosynthetic pathways guided by glutamine and glutamate according to the different substrates. According to the status, at present, of the microbial synthesis of L-theanine, the future development of microbial synthesis of L-theanine is prospected, in order to provide technical and theoretical basis for in-depth research on the industrial production of theanine.

Simultaneous microwave-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from aged garlic

In this work, the simultaneous extraction of bioactives (organosulfur compounds, such as S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), carbohydrates, such as neokestose and neonystose, and total phenolic compounds) from aged garlic has been optimized for the first time to obtain multifunctional extracts for further application as food ingredients. Analytical methods using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection (HILIC-ELSD) were also previously optimized. High sensitivity (limits of detection between 0.013 and 0.77 µg mL−1) and appropriate repeatability (< 12%) and accuracy (> 92%) for the analysis of bioactives were achieved. After selecting water as the extraction solvent and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) as the most efficient technique, operation conditions were optimized using a Box-Behnken experimental design (60 min; 120 °C; 0.05 g mL−1; 1 cycle) to maximize the content of bioactives from different aged garlic samples. Regarding organosulfur compounds, only SAC (traces-2.32 mg g−1 dry sample) and cycloalliin (1.23–3.01 mg g−1 dry sample) were detected in all samples, while amino acids such as arginine (0.24–3.45 mg g−1 dry sample) and proline (0.43–3.91 mg g−1 dry sample) were, in general, the most abundant. Bioactive carbohydrates (from trisaccharides to nonasaccharides) were only detected in fresh garlic and aged garlic processed under mild conditions, whereas all garlic extracts showed antioxidant activity. The developed MAE methodology is shown as a successful alternative to other procedures for the simultaneous extraction of aged garlic bioactives intended by the food and nutraceutical industries, among others.

Genetic dissection of thousand-seed weight in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) using multi-locus genome-wide association study.

Flaxseed/linseed is an important oilseed crop having applications in the food, nutraceutical, and paint industry. Seed weight is one of the most crucial determinants of seed yield in linseed. Here, quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) associated with thousand-seed weight (TSW) have been identified using multi-locus genome-wide association study (ML-GWAS). Field evaluation was carried out in five environments in multi-year-location trials. SNP genotyping information of the AM panel of 131 accessions comprising 68,925 SNPs was employed for ML-GWAS. From the six ML-GWAS methods employed, five methods helped identify a total of 84 unique significant QTNs for TSW. QTNs identified in ≥ 2 methods/environments were designated as stable QTNs. Accordingly, 30 stable QTNs have been identified for TSW accounting up to 38.65% trait variation. Alleles with positive effect on trait were analyzed for 12 strong QTNs with r 2 ≥ 10.00%, which showed significant association of specific alleles with higher trait value in three or more environments. A total of 23 candidate genes have been identified for TSW, which included B3 domain-containing transcription factor, SUMO-activating enzyme, protein SCARECROW, shaggy-related protein kinase/BIN2, ANTIAUXIN-RESISTANT 3, RING-type E3 ubiquitin transferase E4, auxin response factors, WRKY transcription factor, and CBS domain-containing protein. In silico expression analysis of candidate genes was performed to validate their possible role in different stages of seed development process. The results from this study provide significant insight and elevate our understanding on genetic architecture of TSW trait in linseed.

Analysis of Consumer Preferences for Instant Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Powder Drink in Bogor Regency and City

The peel of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) constitutes a larger proportion of the fruit in comparison to its flesh. The peel extract product manufactured by nutraceutical industries does not require using the fruit flesh. To increase the shelf life and value of the product, the development of a mangosteen powder drink can be carried out. Therefore, this research aims to determine the characterization of initial raw materials and factors influencing consumer preferences for instant mangosteen powder drink to improve the acceptance of the product. The data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Furthermore, the chi-square test showed that demographic regions affected mangosteen fruit price, the level of preferences for the powder drink, consumption time, as well as feelings and interests of potential customers. The results of the Total Plate Count (TPC), Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC), and coliform microbiological test conducted on mangosteen purée raw materials met the quality requirements established by National Standardization Body (NSB) for fruit purées.

Sustainable production of astaxanthin from Dilocarcinus pagei crab and optimisation of its extraction with edible oils

Dilocarcinus pagei is a South American crab commonly found in fishponds. As crabs are a source of astaxanthin (AST) and food inputs, this preliminary research aimed at studying the composition of females and males of this species to assess its potential for commercial applications, and at optimising the extraction of AST with edible oils to promote its use as an ingredient for the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and feed industries. The chemical composition differed between males and females only in moisture, and the values obtained were: 65.4 ± 1.0% and 72.5 ± 3.1% moisture, 45.7–40.3% d.m. minerals, 22.0–24.1% d.m. fibres, 18.2–17.4% d.m. proteins, and 10.4–11.1% d.m. lipids. The Box-Behnken design was applied and validated for extraction with soya bean and sunflower oils, adjusting the oil:crab ratio, temperature, and extraction time. The optimal conditions found consisted of 140 mL/g, 90 °C and 170 min for soya bean oil, reaching an accumulation of AST of 50 ± 5 μg/g crab d.m. For sunflower oil, the conditions were 60 mL/g, 90 °C and 161 min, reaching 31 ± 3 μg/g crab d.m. Finally, the amounts of AST obtained using soya bean oil were higher than those obtained using sunflower oil; thus, soya bean oil would be recommended as a solvent to extract the pigment.

From Industrial Food Waste to Bioactive Ingredients: A Review on the Sustainable Management and Transformation of Plant-Derived Food Waste.

According to the United Nations, approximately one-third of the food produced for human consumption is wasted. The actual linear "Take-Make-Dispose" model is nowadays obsolete and uneconomical for societies and the environment, while circular thinking in production systems and its effective adoption offers new opportunities and benefits. Following the "Waste Framework Directive" (2008/98/CE), the European Green Deal, and the actual Circular Economy Action Plan, when prevention is not possible, recovering an unavoidable food waste as a by-product represents a most promising pathway. Using last year's by-products, which are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as dietary fiber, polyphenols, and peptides, offer a wake-up call to the nutraceutical and cosmetic industry to invest and develop value-added products generated from food waste ingredients.

Nutritional composition of some wild edible plants consumed in Southwest Ethiopia

Wild Edible Plants (WEPs), namely Chaw (Solanum nigrum L.), Shutamodoroy (Vigna membranacea A. Rich), Entut (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.), Gagut (Trilepisium madagascariense D.C.), and Tikawoch (Cleome gynandra L.), are naturally grown WEPs and are consumed by the Meinit cultural community in the Bench Maji zone of southwest Ethiopia. However, their nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of these WEPs have not been documented. In this regard, the proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient contents of the edible portions of these WEPs were analyzed using standard food analysis methods. The nutritional analysis revealed that the WEPs contain valuable nutrients in the following ranges: protein (4.0–21.7%), fat (0.7–6.1%), fiber (8.9–22.3%), carbohydrates (38.1–83%) and energy (275–371.1 kcal/100 g). These WEPs were also rich in macro and micro minerals such as calcium (3.7–594.8 mg/100 g), potassium (440.6–1487.8 mg/100 g), sodium (174.9–277.4 mg/100 g), magnesium (68.2–588.1 mg/100 g), iron (0.8–38.5 mg/100 g), zinc (2.4–5.9 mg/100 g) and copper (0.1–0.5 mg/100 g). The phytate, condensed tannin, and oxalate content of WEPs varied from 8.6 to 307.3 mg/100 g, 5.8–329.0 mg/100 g, and 43.7–443.9 mg/100 g, respectively. The result indicated that these WEPs are rich sources of nutrients that could help combat nutrient deficiencies, particularly in rural communities. The results of this study can be used as baseline information for the nutraceuticals industry and community-based nutrition practitioners.

Effect of Deployment and Harvest Date on Growth and High-Value Compounds of Farmed Alaria esculenta.

Alaria esculenta is a brown seaweed farmed in many European countries for its biomass rich in useful bio compounds. This study aimed to identify the optimal growing season to maximise biomass production and quality. The seeded longlines of the brown seaweed were deployed in the southwest of Ireland in October and November 2019 and samples of the biomass were harvested in different dates, between March and June 2020. Biomass gain and composition, phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) and biological activities (antioxidant and anti-hypertensive activities) of seaweed extracts prepared with Alcalase were evaluated. The biomass production was significantly higher for the line deployed in October (>20 kg·m-1). In May and June, an increasing amount of epiphytes was observed on the surface of A. esculenta. The protein content of A. esculenta varied between 11.2 and 11.76% and fat content was relatively low (1.8-2.3%). Regarding the fatty acids profile, A. esculenta was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The samples analysed were very rich in Na, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cr and Ni. The content of Cd, Pb Hg was relatively low and below the maximum levels allowed. The highest TPC and TFC were obtained in extracts prepared with A. esculenta collected in March and levels of these compounds decreased with time. In general, the highest radical scavenging activities (ABTS and DPPH), as well as chelating activities (Fe2+ and Cu2+) were observed in early spring. Extracts from A. esculenta collected in March and April presented higher ACE inhibitory activity. The extracts from seaweeds harvested in March exhibited higher biological activity. It was concluded that an earlier deployment allows for maximising growth and harvest of biomass earlier when its quality is at the highest levels. The study also confirms the high content of useful bio compounds that can be extracted from A. esculenta and used in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry.

Combinatorial Effect of Multiple Abiotic Factors on Up-Regulation of Carotenoids and Lipids in Monoraphidium sp. for Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Applications

Carotenoids have attracted significant interest due to their potential use in human health and nutrition, and their global demand increases by 3.7% annually. Currently, synthetic carotenoids dominate the market, but possess challenges such as low antioxidant ability, issues with health benefits, and safety concerns. Microalgae are potential producers of natural carotenoids with extraordinary antioxidant properties, although the yield is often low in their natural cycle. The present investigation aimed to analyze the effect of multiple abiotic factors on enhancing algal carotenoids synthesis and other metabolites without affecting growth. The potential microalgae Monoraphidium sp. were grown under altered nutrient and light conditions employing RSM-CCD. The optimized conditions, such as Nitrogen (5 g·L−1), Phosphorus +Potassium (250 mg·L−1), Sulphur (70 mg·L−1), and light (137.5 µmol·m−2·S−1), resulted in increased biomass (1357.36 mg·L−1), lipid accumulation (40.28% of dry biomass), and carotenoids (16.26 µg·mL−1) as compared to the control conditions. The total carotenoids fraction consisted of astaxanthin (14.8%), violaxanthin (3.61%), lutein, (45.12%), 9-cis-β carotene (7.62%), and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide (24.21%). Among them, violaxanthin (1.32-fold), astaxanthin (1.19-fold), 9-cis- β carotene (1.07-fold), and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide (1.08-fold) content increased while lutein (1.32-fold) content decreased significantly. The improvement in algal carotenoids under novel culture conditions provides a significant advantage to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Ginkgols and bilobols in Ginkgo biloba L. A review of their extraction and bioactivities.

Ginkgo biloba (GB) has enormous bioactives with anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and immune-stimulating properties, with global sales exceeding $10 billion. The terpene trilactones (ginkgolides A, B, and C) and flavonoids (mostly quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol) have received the most significant focus in GB research to date, whereas other bioactive compounds such as ginkgols and bilobols with various bioactivities such as anti-viral, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor actions have received less attention. Therefore, for the first time, this review focused on GB ginkgols, bilobols extraction, and bioactivities. This review showed that petroleum ether and acetone extraction had successfully extracted ginkgols and bilobols. Furthermore, bioactivities such as anti-tumor activity and so on have been demonstrated for ginkgols, and bilobols, providing theoretical justification for ginkgols and bilobol as raw material for nutraceuticals, functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. Future research could look into other biological applications (such as anti-oxidant, antitoxins, anti-radiation, anti-microbial, and antiparasite) and their applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical industries. Besides, the primary research should be on developing green and effective methods for preparing ginkgols and bilobols and fully utilizing their pharmacological activity. This will also provide a new avenue for efficiently utilizing these bioactive compounds.

Antioxidant Effect Assessment and Trans Epithelial Analysis of New Hempseed Protein Hydrolysates.

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa) is one of the most promising sources of plant proteins. It contains approximately 24% (w/w) protein, and edestin accounts for approximately 60-80% (w/w) of its total proteins. In a framework of research aimed at fostering the proteins recovered from the press cake by-products generated after the extraction of hempseed oil, two hempseed protein hydrolysates (HH1 and HH2) were produced at an industrial level using a mixture of different enzymes from Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, and Bacillus licheniformis for different times (5 h and 18 h). Using a combination of different direct antioxidant tests (DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, and ORAC assays, respectively), it has been demonstrated that HHs exert potent, direct antioxidant activity. A crucial feature of bioactive peptides is their intestinal bioavailability; for this reason, in order to solve this peculiar issue, the ability of HH peptides to be transported by differentiated human intestinal Caco-2 cells has been evaluated. Notably, by using mass spectrometry analysis (HPLC Chip ESI-MS/MS), the stable peptides transported by intestinal cells have been identified, and dedicated experiments confirmed that the trans-epithelial transported HH peptide mixtures retain their antioxidant activity, suggesting that these hempseed hydrolysates may be considered sustainable antioxidant ingredients to be exploited for further application, i.e., nutraceutical and/or food industries.

Assessment of Various Food Proteins as Structural Materials for Delivery of Hydrophobic Polyphenols Using a Novel Co-Precipitation Method.

In this study, sodium caseinate (NaCas), soy protein isolate (SPI), and whey protein isolate (WPI) were used as structural materials for the delivery of rutin, naringenin, curcumin, hesperidin, and catechin. For each polyphenol, the protein solution was brought to alkaline pH, and then the polyphenol and trehalose (as a cryo-protectant) were added. The mixtures were later acidified, and the co-precipitated products were lyophilized. Regardless of the type of protein used, the co-precipitation method exhibited relatively high entrapment efficiency and loading capacity for all five polyphenols. Several structural changes were seen in the scanning electron micrographs of all polyphenol-protein co-precipitates. This included a significant decrease in the crystallinity of the polyphenols, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis, where amorphous structures of rutin, naringenin, curcumin, hesperidin, and catechin were revealed after the treatment. Both the dispersibility and solubility of the lyophilized powders in water were improved dramatically (in some cases, >10-fold) after the treatment, with further improvements observed in these properties for the powders containing trehalose. Depending on the chemical structure and hydrophobicity of the tested polyphenols, there were differences observed in the degree and extent of the effect of the protein on different properties of the polyphenols. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrated that NaCas, WPI, and SPI can be used for the development of an efficient delivery system for hydrophobic polyphenols, which in turn can be incorporated into various functional foods or used as supplements in the nutraceutical industry.

The effect of date seed powder supplementation on glycaemic markers and lipid profile in women with overweight and obesity: a randomised controlled trial

SummaryThis randomised controlled trial aimed to investigate the effect of date kernel on glycaemic control, lipid profile, and weight in women with overweight and obesity. A total of 124 women with overweight or obesity were randomly assigned to receive the date kernel supplement or placebo for 12 weeks. Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography and fasting plasma glucose and lipid profiles by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. In all, 98 subjects aged 40.7 years completed the trial (48 in the date kernel group and 50 in the placebo group). After 12 weeks, date kernel supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in HbA1c [mean (SD): −0.45 (0.36)] and fasting plasma glucose compared to the placebo [−0.16 (0.27)]. No significant change was observed in the lipid profiles of the total participants. However, date kernel decreased cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) in hypercholesterolaemic and hypertriglyceridaemic participants compared to the placebo. Date kernel improved glycaemic markers in overweight or obese women compared with the placebo. Furthermore, a significant reduction in total cholesterol and TG was observed only in hyperlipidaemic subjects. Date seed is a source of valuable components, including dietary fibre and bioactive compounds, that could provide economic, nutritional, and health benefits to the nutraceutical and food industries.

Identifying Natural Bioactive Peptides from the Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797) Skin Mucus By-Products Using Proteogenomic Analysis.

The common octopus is a cephalopod species subject to active fisheries, with great potential in the aquaculture and food industry, and which serves as a model species for biomedical and behavioral studies. The analysis of the skin mucus allows us to study their health in a non-invasive way, by using a hardly exploited discard of octopus in the fishing sector. A shotgun proteomics approach combined with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using an Orbitrap-Elite instrument was used to create a reference dataset from octopus skin mucus. The final proteome compilation was investigated by integrated in-silico studies, including Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, network studies, and prediction and characterization analysis of potential bioactive peptides. This work presents the first proteomic analysis of the common octopus skin mucus proteome. This library was created by merging 5937 identified spectra of 2038 different peptides. A total of 510 non-redundant proteins were identified. Obtained results show proteins closely related to the defense, which highlight the role of skin mucus as the first barrier of defense and the interaction with the environment. Finally, the potential of the bioactive peptides with antimicrobial properties, and their possible application in biomedicine, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industry was addressed.

Enhancement of physicochemical properties, antioxidant, antitumor, and anticoagulant activities via acetylation of Hypsizygus ulmarius polysaccharide

SummaryA polysaccharide (HUP1) was extracted and purified from Hypsizygus ulmarius fruiting bodies and further acetylated (Ac‐HUP1) to improve their physicochemical properties and bioactivities. Chemical and FT‐IR spectrum analyses results indicated differences in functionality and activity between HUP1 and Ac‐HUP1, demonstrating the efficacy of the acetylation. HUP1 has an acetyl group with a degree of substitution (DS) 0.34. The molecular weight of the modified acetylated derivatives was reduced, according to the HPSEC findings. The native and acetylated polysaccharides included varying molar percentages of Ara, Man, Glu, GlcA, and GalA. The Ac‐HUP1 outperformed HUP1 in antioxidant activity using the radical scavengers ABTS, DMPD, DPPH, superoxide, and OH radicals. In addition, Ac‐HUP1 demonstrated higher activity in reducing power using Prussian blue, cupric ion, ferric ion, and phosphomolybdenum, as well as in lipid peroxidation inhibition assay. HUP1 and Ac‐HUP1 inhibited five cancer cells (HT29, PC3, HeLa, Jurkat, and HepG‐2) at concentrations from 10 to 320 μg mL−1, and the impact was more pronounced in acetylated derivative, which was determined by MTT assay. Ac‐HUP1, compared to HUP1, considerably prolonged the APTT, PT, and TT exhibiting anticoagulant activities. Therefore, acetylation modification may improve polysaccharide'sphysicochemical and biological characteristics, allowing them to be employed in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

Comparative Analysis of Glucosinolate and Phenolic Compounds in Green and Red Kimchi Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) Hairy Roots after Exposure to Light and Dark Conditions

Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt (kimchi cabbage) is a major vegetable cultivated in Korea, and its hairy roots (HRs) are rich in glucosinolates and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to induce HRs from cotyledon explants via the transformation of the Agroacterium rhizogenes strain R1000 and examine the glucosinolate and phenolic compounds present in the HRs of two kimchi cabbage (green and red) cultivars after exposure to 16 h light/8 h dark conditions (photosynthetic photon flux density of 54.6 µmol m−2 s−1) and continuous dark conditions. The highest HR production was achieved in the green kimchi cabbage grown under dark conditions (0.37 ± 0.01 DW g/30 mL). The highest glucosinolate and phenolic contents were neoglucobrassicin and catechin hydrate, which were highest in the green kimchi HRs grown under dark (GKHD) conditions (5268.29 ± 292.84 µg/g DW) and green HRs grown under light (GKHL) conditions (203.49 ± 4.70 µg/g DW), respectively. A heat map showed that the red kimchi HRs grown under dark conditions (RKHD) and the GKHL condition accumulated the highest glucosinolate and phenolic contents. Principal component (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant (PLS-DA) analyses of the 13 identified metabolites showed a clear separation. According to a variable importance in projection (VIP) analysis, quercetin was the most important metabolite, leading to a clear separation. The most suitable conditions for enhancing the glucosinolate and phenolic contents were the GKHD and GKHL conditions, respectively, whereas both compounds were enhanced in the RKHD condition. HRs cultures cultivated under light and dark conditions are a promising method to enhance the production of specific health-promoting bioactive metabolites, which might be helpful in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Past, Present, and Likely Future of Nutraceuticals in India: Evolving Role of Pharmaceutical Physicians.

Nutraceuticals are gaining importance owing to the current pandemic situation and increasing focus on overall health. Nutraceuticals include products, which help in maintaining immunity and prevent diseases. It also includes products that support the optimal functioning of the human body. Poor nutrition plays an important role in lifestyle-related disorders as well. Various nutraceuticals have exhibited therapeutic potential, hence gaining popularity. Nutraceuticals are mainly categorized into dietary supplements and functional foods. With multiple factors contributing to the growth of nutraceutical industry in India, we are marching toward global leadership in nutraceuticals. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is solely responsible for regulating the approvals, promotions, and labeling standards for health supplements and nutraceuticals. As the understanding of these nutraceuticals is improving, the regulations are becoming stricter and there is a pressing need to monitor the usage of such products regularly and stringently. Nutrivigilance and phytovigilance are relatively new concepts in our country; however, regulatory authorities need to proactively observe the adverse effects and issues related to substandard and counterfeit nutraceutical products. Healthcare professionals including pharmaceutical physicians can play an important role in safeguarding the population by advocating the rational use of nutraceuticals, food supplements, and consumer health products.

Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Collagen Peptide from Fish and Recent Biological Activities of the Collagen Peptides

Particularly in the form of collagen peptides, collagen, an important structural protein present in many animal tissues, has drawn much interest for its possible health advantages. In this study, we look at the methods for isolating, characterizing, and extracting collagen peptides from fish sources. Due to its great availability and sustainability, fish collagen is a possible replacement for conventional collagen sources. Fish collagen peptides must be extracted using a number of processes, including demineralization, deproteinization, and acid or enzymatic treatment. These procedures are necessary to produce collagen that is very pure and bioactive. For characterizing isolated collagen peptides, methods including SDS-PAGE, FTIR spectroscopy, and amino acid analysis are frequently used to evaluate their quality and make-up. The subject of contemporary research has been the biological functions of collagen peptides generated from fish. These peptides have demonstrated a range of health-promoting qualities, including as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activities. They have also shown promise in boosting joint health, skin health, and wound healing. Fish collagen peptides are useful additives in medications, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements due to their bioavailability and bioactivity. Additionally, new research has demonstrated the potential of fish collagen peptides to improve gastrointestinal, bone, and cardiovascular health. These results indicate that fish collagen peptides have several uses in the nutraceutical and functional food industries

A Novel D-Psicose 3-Epimerase from Halophilic, Anaerobic Iocasia fonsfrigidae and Its Application in Coconut Water.

D-Psicose is a rare, low-calorie sugar that is found in limited quantities in national products. Recently, D-psicose has gained considerable attention due to its potential applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, a novel D-psicose 3-epimerase (a group of ketose 3-epimerase) from an extremely halophilic, anaerobic bacterium, Iocasia fonsfrigidae strain SP3-1 (IfDPEase), was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and characterized. Unlike other ketose 3-epimerase members, IfDPEase shows reversible epimerization only for D-fructose and D-psicose at the C-3 position but not for D-tagatose, most likely because the Gly218 and Cys6 at the substrate-binding subsites of IfDPEase, which are involved in interactions at the O-1 and O-6 positions of D-fructose, respectively, differ from those of other 3-epimerases. Under optimum conditions (5 µM IfDPEase, 1 mM Mn2+, 50 °C, and pH 7.5), 36.1% of D-psicose was obtained from 10 mg/mL D-fructose. The IfDPEase is highly active against D-fructose under NaCl concentrations of up to 500 mM, possibly due to the excessive negative charges of acidic amino acid residues (aspartic and glutamic acids), which are localized on the surface of the halophilic enzyme. These negative charges may protect the enzyme from Na+ ions from the environment and result in the lowest pI value compared to those of other 3-epimerase members. Moreover, without adjusting any ingredients, IfDPEase could improve coconut water quality by converting D-fructose into D-psicose with a yield of 26.8%. Therefore, IfDPEase is an attractive alternative to enhancing the quality of fructose-containing foods.