Fibre Polysaccharides Research Articles

New Sustainable Ionic Polysaccharides Fibers Assist Calcium Phosphate Mineralization as Efficient Adsorbents

Polysaccharides containing active sites allow the incorporation of chemical moieties that may improve the adsorption properties of contaminants. The current article describes the bioactivity and adsorption properties of new sustainable ionic fibers prepared from polysaccharides. The TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and N-guanidinuim chitosan acetate (GC) were prepared from neat cellulose and chitosan, respectively. The prepared ionic fibers, CNF/GC, enhanced the deposition of calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles. The analysis showed that the ionic fibers initiate the growth of calcium phosphate to form a hybrid with high inorganic ratio, 42.6%. The mineralized calcium phosphate showed sponge-like morphology consisting of spherical to flake-like particles. The potential of the prepared materials for removal methylene blue (MB) was calculated. The prepared CNF/GC/CaP exhibited high removal efficiency for MB (531.9 mg/g) compared to CNF/GC which is 384.6 mg/g. Langmuir and pseudo second-order models are the appropriate models for the equilibrium isotherm and kinetic studies. The CNF/GC/CaP hybrid, thus, provides a sustainable adsorbent for dye removal applications.

Structure of the polysaccharide sheath from the B race of the green microalga Botryococcus braunii

The green microalga Botryococcus braunii forms a colony of cells held together by an intricate extracellular matrix. This extracellular matrix also acts as a storage location for liquid hydrocarbons initially produced inside the cells. These hydrocarbons can be used as feedstocks to produce transportation fuels. In the B race of B. braunii, the extracellular matrix is composed of several elements: a cross-linked hydrocarbon network filled with the liquid hydrocarbons, a retaining wall to hold the hydrocarbons in the extracellular matrix, an arabinogalactan polysaccharide fibrillar sheath that extends outward from the retaining wall, and a single protein known as polysaccharide associated protein is found at the base of the polysaccharide fibers where they connect to the retaining wall. During growth, colonies of the B race of B. braunii shed fragments of the retaining wall with polysaccharide fibrils attached into the media. Here we describe the isolation and structural analysis of these polysaccharides using a series of chemical degradations in combination with glycosyl residue composition and linkage analysis, as well as 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that the polysaccharide is highly branched, consisting of a galactan backbone with short branches comprised of d-galactopyranose, l-arabinofuranose, 4-O-methyl-d-glucopyranuronic acid, and 6-deoxy-d-altropyranose. To our knowledge, this is the first description of 6-deoxyaltrose in algae or plants.

Ultrastructural Study of Cryptococcus neoformans Surface During Budding Events.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. It is surrounded by three concentric structures that separate the cell from the extracellular space: the plasma membrane, the cell wall and the polysaccharide (PS) capsule. Although several studies have revealed the chemical composition of these structures, little is known about their ultrastructural organization and remodeling during C. neoformans budding events. Here, by combining the latest and most accurate light and electron microscopy techniques, we describe the morphological remodeling that occurs among the capsule, cell wall and plasma membrane during budding in C. neoformans. Our results show that the cell wall deforms to generate a specialized region at one of the cell’s poles. This region subsequently begins to break into layers that are slightly separated from each other and with thick tips. We also observe a reorganization of the capsular PS around the specialized regions. While daughter cells present their PS fibers aligned in the direction of budding, mother cells show a similar pattern but in the opposite direction. Also, daughter cells form multilamellar membrane structures covering the continuous opening between both cells. Together, our findings provide compelling ultrastructural evidence for C. neoformans surface remodeling during budding, which may have important implications for future studies exploring these remodeled specialized regions as drug-targets against cryptococcosis.

Cellhesion VP enhances the immunomodulating potential of human mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising therapy for regenerative medicine. However, MSCs grown under two-dimensional (2D) culture conditions differ significantly in cell shape from those in the body, with downregulated stemness genes and secretion of paracrine factors. Here, we evaluated the effect of 3D culture using Cellhesion VP, a water-insoluble material composed of chitin-based polysaccharide fibers, on the characteristics of human Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (hMSCs). Cellhesion VP significantly increased cell proliferation after retrieval. Transcriptome analyses suggested that genes involved in cell stemness, migration ability, and extracellular vesicle (EV) production were enhanced by 3D culture. Subsequent biochemical analyses showed that the expression levels of stemness genes including OCT4, NANOG, and SSEA4 were upregulated and migration capacity was elevated in 3D-cultured hMSCs. In addition, EV production was significantly elevated in 3D cells, which contained a distinct protein profile from 2D cells. Gene and drug connectivity analyses revealed that the 2D and 3D EVs had similar functions as immunomodulators; however, 3D EVs had completely distinct therapeutic profiles for various infectious and metabolic diseases based on activation of disease-associated signaling pathways. Therefore, EVs from Cellhesion VP-primed hMSCs offer a new treatment for immune and metabolic diseases.

Functionalization of Enzymatically Treated Apple Pomace from Juice Production by Extrusion Processing.

Food by-products can be used as natural and sustainable food ingredients. However, a modification is needed to improve the technofunctional properties according to the specific needs of designated applications. A lab-scale twin-screw extruder was used to process enzymatically treated apple pomace from commercial fruit juice production. To vary the range of the thermomechanical treatment, various screw speeds (200, 600, 1000 min−1), and screw configurations were applied to the raw material. Detailed chemical and functional analyses were performed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the extrusion processing on apple pomace composition and technofunctional properties as well as structures of individual polymers. Extrusion at moderate thermomechanical conditions increased the water absorption, swelling, and viscosity of the material. An increase in thermomechanical stress resulted in a higher water solubility index, but negatively affected the water absorption index, viscosity, and swelling. Scanning electron microscopy showed an extrusion-processing-related disruption of the cell wall. Dietary fiber analysis revealed an increase of soluble dietary fiber from 12.6 to 17.2 g/100 g dry matter at maximum thermo-mechanical treatment. Dietary fiber polysaccharide analysis demonstrated compositional changes, mainly in the insoluble dietary fiber fraction. In short, pectin polysaccharides seem to be susceptible to thermo-mechanical stress, especially arabinans as neutral side chains of rhamnogalacturonan I.

Dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone Promote Cell Proliferation, Capsule Enlargement, and in vivo Dissemination of C. neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals, who often have some inflammatory condition and, therefore, end up using glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone and methylprednisolone. Although the effects of this class of molecules during cryptococcosis have been investigated, their consequences for the biology of C. neoformans is less explored. Here, we studied the effects of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone on the metabolism and on the induction of virulence factors in C. neoformans. Our results showed that both glucocorticoids increased fungal cell proliferation and surface electronegativity but reduced capsule and secreted polysaccharide sizes, as well as capsule compaction, by decreasing the density of polysaccharide fibers. We also tested whether glucocorticoids could affect the fungal virulence in Galleria mellonella and mice. Although the survival rate of Galleria larvae increased, those from mice showed a tendency to decrease, with infected animals dying earlier after glucocorticoid treatments. The pathogenesis of spread of cryptococcosis and the interleukin secretion pattern were also assessed for lungs and brains of infected mice. While increases in the spread of the fungus to lungs were observed after treatment with glucocorticoids, a significant difference in brain was observed only for methylprednisolone, although a trend toward increasing was also observed for dexamethasone. Moreover, increases in both pulmonary and cerebral IL-10 production, reduction of IL-6 production but no changes in IL-4, IL-17, and INF-γ were also observed after glucocorticoid treatments. Finally, histopathological analysis confirmed the increase in number of fungal cells in lung and brain tissues of mice previously subjected to dexamethasone or methylprednisolone treatments. Together, our results provide compelling evidence for the effects of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone on the biology of C. neoformans and may have important implications for future clinical treatments, calling attention to the risks of using these glucocorticoids against cryptococcosis or in immunocompromised individuals.

Citrus-derived DHCP inhibits mitochondrial complex II to enhance TRAIL sensitivity via ROS-induced DR5 upregulation

Heat-modified citrus pectin, a water-soluble indigestible polysaccharide fiber derived from citrus fruits and modified by temperature treatment, has been reported to exhibit anticancer effects. However, the bioactive fractions and their mechanisms remain unclear. In this current study, we isolated an active compound, trans-4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopentene-l-one (DHCP), from heat-treated citrus pectin, and found that is induces cell death in colon cancer cells via induction of mitochondrial ROS. On the molecular level, DHCP triggers ROS production by inhibiting the activity of succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR) in mitochondrial complex II. Furthermore, cytotoxicity, apoptotic activity, and activation of caspase cascades were determined in HCT116 and HT-29 cell-based systems, the results indicated that DHCP enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), with DHCP-induced ROS accounting for the synergistic effect between DHCP and TRAIL. Furthermore, the combination of DHCP and TRAIL inhibits the growth of HCT116 and HT-29 xenografts synergistically. ROS significantly increases the expression of TRAIL death receptor 5 (DR5) via the p53 and C/EBP homologous protein pathways. Collectively, our findings indicate that DHCP has a favorable toxicity profile and is a new TRAIL sensitizer that shows promise in the development of pectin-based pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and dietary agents aimed at combating human colon cancer.

Regulation of stem cell fate using nanostructure-mediated physical signals.

One of the major issues in tissue engineering is regulation of stem cell differentiation toward specific lineages. Unlike biological and chemical signals, physical signals with adjustable properties can be applied to stem cells in a timely and localized manner, thus making them a hot topic for research in the fields of biomaterials, tissue engineering, and cell biology. According to the signals sensed by cells, physical signals used for regulating stem cell fate can be classified into six categories: mechanical, light, thermal, electrical, acoustic, and magnetic. In most cases, external macroscopic physical fields cannot be used to modulate stem cell fate, as only the localized physical signals accepted by the surface receptors can regulate stem cell differentiation via nanoscale fibrin polysaccharide fibers. However, surface receptors related to certain kinds of physical signals are still unknown. Recently, significant progress has been made in the development of functional materials for energy conversion. Consequently, localized physical fields can be produced by absorbing energy from an external physical field and subsequently releasing another type of localized energy through functional nanostructures. Based on the above concepts, we propose a methodology that can be utilized for stem cell engineering and for the regulation of stem cell fate via nanostructure-mediated physical signals. In this review, the combined effect of various approaches and mechanisms of physical signals provides a perspective on stem cell fate promotion by nanostructure-mediated physical signals. We expect that this review will aid the development of remote-controlled and wireless platforms to physically guide stem cell differentiation both in vitro and in vivo, using optimized stimulation parameters and mechanistic investigations while driving the progress of research in the fields of materials science, cell biology, and clinical research.

Modification of Apple Pomace by Extrusion Processing: Studies on the Composition, Polymer Structures, and Functional Properties.

By-products of fruit and vegetable processing are an inexpensive and sustainable source of dietary fiber, potentially offering valuable functional properties such as water binding and thickening. Due to these favorable properties, they can be utilized to reformulate widely-consumed foods, e.g., bakery products or beverages. In this study, apple pomace was used as a model system to study whether extrusion technology affects food by-product functionality and thus has the potential to broaden the application of by-products in foods. The effect of the process parameters and the extent of thermo-mechanical treatment on the structural and functional properties of apple pomace were analyzed after extrusion trials using various screw speeds, water contents, and barrel temperatures. Compared to the raw material, apple pomace extruded at Tbarrel = 100 °C, n = 700 min−1 and mH2O = 17% showed an increased water solubility up to 33%. The water absorption increased from 5 to 19 Pa·s and the paste viscosity from 5 to 339 Pa·s by extrusion processing. Analyses of dietary fiber contents and fiber polysaccharide structures revealed that thermo-mechanical stress (n = 700 min−1, mH2O = 22%) increased the content of soluble dietary fiber from 12.5 to 16.7 g/100 g dry matter, and that the harshest conditions even enabled the formation of low-molecular-weight dietary fiber. Arabinans (as neutral rhamnogalacturonan I side chains) appeared to be most sensitive to thermo-mechanical stress, whereas xylans (i.e., a group of minor polysaccharides) were an example of a more stable fiber polysaccharide. Also, the degree of methylation of the pectic polysaccharides was strongly reduced from 50% to 15% when thermo-mechanical stress was applied. Imaging and pore size analysis showed that extrusion processing could disrupt the rigid cell wall macromolecular structure.

Characterization of Flaxseed Oil Bimodal Emulsions Prepared with Flaxseed Oil Cake Extract Applied as a Natural Emulsifying Agent.

Currently, a majority of oilseeds plants are converted into byproducts and waste materials during processing. Press cakes are rich in valuable biopolymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides (fiber, lignans, etc.). In this study flaxseed oil cake extract (FOCE) was used to stabilize flaxseed oil-in-water emulsions. The effect of FOCE with various flaxseed oil concentrations (10–50% v/v) on several physicochemical properties of emulsions, such as stability, rheology, color and particle size was investigated. The rheological parameters suggested that all samples were non-Newtonian fluids, whereas particle size measurements and calculation SPAN index provided information about the broadness of emulsions particle size distribution. FOCE was able to efficiently stabilize oil/water interfaces with a high oil content. Results obtained for FOCE were compared with effects for synthetic emulsifier (Tween 80) and separated FOCE compounds (flaxseed gum and flaxseed protein). FOCE emulsifying activity is a result of different water-holding and oil-binding capacities of flaxseed gum and protein. This result is an intriguing conclusion regarding the necessity for using pure emulsifiers, showing the possibility of using a bio-based extract containing biopolymers, which is part of the principles of circular economy and the idea of zero-waste. The results give the opportunity to use FOCE as an ingredient in efficient flaxseed oil emulsions stabilizer for food applications.

Berry Polyphenols and Fibers Modulate Distinct Microbial Metabolic Functions and Gut Microbiota Enterotype-Like Clustering in Obese Mice.

Berries are rich in polyphenols and plant cell wall polysaccharides (fibers), including cellulose, hemicellulose, arabinans and arabino-xyloglucans rich pectin. Most of polyphenols and fibers are known to be poorly absorbed in the small intestine and reach the colon where they interact with the gut microbiota, conferring health benefits to the host. This study assessed the contribution of polyphenol-rich whole cranberry and blueberry fruit powders (CP and BP), and that of their fibrous fractions (CF and BF) on modulating the gut microbiota, the microbial functional profile and influencing metabolic disorders induced by high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS) diet for 8 weeks. Lean mice-associated taxa, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Dubosiella newyorkensis, and Angelakisella, were selectively induced by diet supplementation with polyphenol-rich CP and BP. Fiber-rich CF also triggered polyphenols-degrading families Coriobacteriaceae and Eggerthellaceae. Diet supplementation with polyphenol-rich CP, but not with its fiber-rich CF, reduced fat mass depots, body weight and energy efficiency in HFHS-fed mice. However, CF reduced liver triglycerides in HFHS-fed mice. Importantly, polyphenol-rich CP-diet normalized microbial functions to a level comparable to that of Chow-fed controls. Using multivariate association modeling, taxa and predicted functions distinguishing an obese phenotype from healthy controls and berry-treated mice were identified. The enterotype-like clustering analysis underlined the link between a long-term diet intake and the functional stratification of the gut microbiota. The supplementation of a HFHS-diet with polyphenol-rich CP drove mice gut microbiota from Firmicutes/Ruminococcus enterotype into an enterotype linked to healthier host status, which is Prevotella/Akkermansiaceae. This study highlights the prebiotic role of polyphenols, and their contribution to the compositional and functional modulation of the gut microbiota, counteracting obesity.

Optimization of enzyme‐assisted extraction of bioactive‐rich juice from Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne by response surface methodology

The aim of this study was to improve the extraction rate (ER) of Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne (C. sinensis) juice via an enzyme-assisted extraction using a combination of cellulase and pectinase. Response surface methodology was used to optimize extraction conditions of juice, including enzymolysis time (X1), pectinase concentration (X2), cellulase concentration (X3), and enzymolysis temperature (X4). Results showed that the highest ER of C. sinensis juice (90.4%) was obtained under the optimal conditions: X11.5 hr, X20.05%, X30.08%, and X450°C. At the same temperature and time (50°C, 1.5 hr), the ER and contents of ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total triterpenoids in the juice obtained with the enzymatic treatment were higher than those obtained without any enzymatic treatment. Thus, the optimized enzymatic pretreatment was effective in assisting the production of C. sinensis juice rich in bioactive substances. Practical applications The fruit of Chaenomeles sinensis has a golden color and contains many nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as organic acids, polyphenols (including flavonoids), steroids, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, unsaturated fatty acids, and fiber polysaccharides, which makes it an ideal food material for pure natural juice with pleasant aroma and health-promoting bioactive substances. However, the conventional juicing methods simply through squeezing and pressing have been proven inefficient in producing juice from the C. sinensis fruit, due to the hard flesh of fruit resulting from its high contents of cellulose and lignin and cross-linked network microstructure. Our results suggested that enzyme-assisted extraction using a combination of cellulase and pectinase not only increased the extraction rate of C. sinensis juice, but also could effectively increase its contents of ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total triterpenoids, which will provide a theoretical instruction for the production of C. sinensis juice.

Impact of defined thermomechanical treatment on the structure and content of dietary fiber and the stability and bioaccessibility of polyphenols of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) pomace

Dietary fiber is a potential replacement for other ingredients such as starch in reformulated extruded breakfast cereals. Analysis of chokeberry pomace powder revealed a total dietary fiber content of 57.8 ± 2 g/100 g with 76% being insoluble, 20% high molecular soluble and 4% low molecular soluble dietary fiber. The fiber polysaccharide composition was analyzed in detail by using a variety of analytical approaches. Extrusion-like processing conditions were studies in a Closed Cavity Rheometer enabling the application of defined thermal (temperature range 100–160 °C) and mechanical treatments (shear rates between 0.1 s−1 and 50 s−1) to chokeberry pomace powder. Application of temperatures up to 140 °C irrespective of the mechanical treatment does not remarkably alter dietary fiber structure or content, but reduces the initial content of total polyphenols by about 40% to a final content of 3.3 ± 0.5 g/100 g including 0.63 ± 0.1 g/100 g of anthocyanins, 0.18 ± 0.02 g/100 g of phenolic acids and 0.090 ± 0.007 g/100 g of flavonols, respectively. The retained polyphenols are fully bioaccessible after in vitro digestion, and antioxidant capacity remains unchanged as compared to the untreated pomace powder. Glucose bioaccessibility remains unaffected, whereas glucose content is reduced. It is concluded that chokeberry pomace powder is a good source of dietary fiber with the potential to partially substitute starch in extruded breakfast cereals.

Dietary fibre profiles of Turkish Tombul hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) and hazelnut skin

Dietary fibre (DF) profiles of natural hazelnut, roasted hazelnut and hazelnut skin were analyzed. Insoluble (IDF) and soluble (SDF) DFs were examined for monosaccharide and glycosyl-linkage compositions using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Total DF contents of natural hazelnut, roasted hazelnut, and hazelnut skin were 17.8, 15.4, and 69.8%, respectively; majority of which (>96%) were water-insoluble. IDFs of natural and roasted hazelnuts were composed of cellulose (~49%), pectic polysaccharides (~30%), and xyloglucans (~15%), whereas that of hazelnut skin made up lignin (~55%) and fibre polysaccharides (cellulose, pectic polysaccharides, and xyloglucans, ~45%). Unlike the ones from other sources, pectic polysaccharides in IDFs had lower proportion of smooth region and higher proportion of hairy region that is heavily branched with arabinan and galactan side chains. Xyloglucans were also densely branched with monomeric and/or dimeric side chains. SDFs of the samples were composed of heavily branched heteromannans (~60%), slightly branched pectic polysaccharides (~25%), and xyloglucans possessing monomeric side chains (~5%). These results suggest that hazelnut is rich in DFs that have potential to improve large bowel function and hazelnut skin, a byproduct of hazelnut roasting process, could be utilized for the production of functional carbohydrates having prebiotic capacities.

The inhibitory activity of alginate against allergic reactions in an ovalbumin-induced mouse model.

Marine seaweed polysaccharides have been considered as a potential resource for antiallergic therapy. Alginate is an acidic linear polysaccharide and soluble dietary fiber that was extracted from brown algae, Laminaria japonica. The molecular weight of alginate was 108 kDa, and its water solution exhibited non-Newtonian characteristics, including viscoelasticity and shear-thinning behavior. The ability of alginate to inhibit allergic reactions was investigated in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced BALB/c mice, which have been widely used as a mouse model of egg allergy. The results showed that alginate could effectively attenuate the occurrence of allergic reactions, including improving the integrity of the intestinal epithelial villi and inhibition of mast cell degranulation in the jejunum, in OVA-induced mice. Moreover, after treatment with alginate, the levels of IgE, histamine and IL-4 in OVA-induced mice were remarkably decreased, and the levels of IFN-γ were markedly increased. In addition, the number of Treg cells in spleen tissues in OVA-induced mice was increased by alginate, and the OVA-induced differentiation of Th0 cells into Th2 cells was significantly inhibited. These results demonstrate that alginate possesses potential antiallergic activities in a mouse model of egg allergy, which might provide important evidence that alginate, extracted from Laminaria japonica, can be developed into a novel functional food for inhibiting egg allergy.

Extensive Transfer of Genes for Edible Seaweed Digestion from Marine to Human Gut Bacteria

Humans harbor numerous species of colonic bacteria that digest the fiber polysaccharides in commonly consumed terrestrial plants. More recently in history, regional populations have consumed edible macroalgae seaweeds containing unique polysaccharides. It remains unclear how extensively gut bacteria have adapted to digest these nutrients and use these abilities to colonize microbiomes around the world, especially outside Asia. Here, we show that the ability of gut bacteria to digest seaweed polysaccharides is more pervasive than previously appreciated. We show that enrichment-cultured Bacteroides harbor previously known genes for seaweed degradation, which have mobilized into many members of this genus. We identify previously unknown examples of marine bacteria-derived genes, and their mobile DNA elements, that are involved in degrading seaweed polysaccharides, including genes in gut-resident Firmicutes. Our results are important for understanding the metabolic plasticity of the human gut microbiome and the global exchange of genes in the context of dietary selective pressures.

Improvement of emulsifying behavior of pea proteins as plant-based emulsifiers via Maillard-induced glycation in electrospun pea protein-maltodextrin fibers.

Heat-treated electrospun pea protein isolate (PPI)-maltodextrin fibers containing glycated PPI were analyzed for their interfacial tension and emulsifying properties compared to unheated electrospun PPI-maltodextrin fibers. Interfacial tension at the oil-water-interface of the heated fibers was higher (19.2 ± 0.1 mN m-1) compared to the unheated fibers (16.3 ± 1.4 mN m-1) due to the covalently bound hydrophilic maltodextrin in the glycoconjugates. Applied in oil-in-water emulsions (10% w/w oil, 0.7% protein, 103.4 MPa, 3 passes), unheated PPI-maltodextrin fibers produced large droplets (72-259 μm) with multimodal distributions in the pH range of 2-7. The largest droplet size was at pH 4, which was around the pI of PPI. Emulsions were also prone to flocculation, which was most probably caused by a depletion flocculation mechanism due to an excess of maltodextrin in the aqueous phase. In contrast, emulsions made with heated PPI-maltodextrin fibers were monomodal (36-55 μm) at pH 2-7 and only showed a minor increase in droplet size close to the pI of PPI. The improved properties of heated PPI-maltodextrin fibers were ascribed to the enhanced steric repulsion caused by the covalently bound maltodextrin. The results indicate that Maillard-induced glycation of PPI with maltodextrin in electrospun fibers can be used as a novel method to improve the properties of PPI as a plant-based emulsifier.

Evaluation of date palm pollen (Phoenix dactylifera L.) encapsulation, impact on the nutritional and functional properties of fortified yoghurt.

The aim of this study was to evaluate Egyptian date palm pollen (DPP) grains composition, physical and functional potentials in comparing with two forms; 80% ethanol extract, and nanoencapsulated form. Functional yoghurt fortified with DPP in three forms was prepared and their physicochemical, microstructure, texture and sensory characteristics were assessed. The micro morphology was explored via Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed for functional groups detection. Phenolic compounds were detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) while fatty acids were identified via Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). Cytotoxicity of DPP nanocapsules was evaluated against RPE1 cell line (BJ1). The Egyptian date palm pollen grains evaluation revealed its rich content of protein and carbohydrate (36.28 and 17.14 g/ 100g), high content of Fe, Zn and Mg (226.5, 124.4 and 318 mg/100g), unsaturated fatty acids ω-3, ω-6 and ω-9 (8.76, 20.26 and 7.11 g/100g, which was increased by ethanol extraction) and phenolic compounds especially catechin (191.73 μg/mL) which was pronounced in DPP antioxidant potentials (IC50 35.54 mg/g). The FTIR analyses indicated the presence of soluble amides (proteins) and polysaccharides (fibers) functional groups in DPP. Fortification with nanoencapsulated DPP proved to be safe and the recommended form due to the announced positive characteristics. Yoghurt fortification with DPP forms enhanced viscosity, syneresis and Water Holding Capacity (WHC), which can be considered a symbiotic functional product as it contained both probiotics (106 CFU/g) and prebiotics represented in DPP forms.

Okra Infusion Water Improving Stress Oxidative and Inflammatory Markers on Hyperglycemic Rats

Objective: Okra has been known for its properties in improving diabetes markers. Most study used okra extract instead of its infusion water. Okra infusion water (OIW) contains polysaccharide and viscous fiber that delay gastric emptying, and help controlling glucose and HbA1C level. As the glucose low level, so does the inflammation and oxidative stress on hyperglycemic rats. This study aims to investigate the effect of OIW in improving glucose level, HbA1C, SOD and CRP levels.
 Materials and methods: Posttest only control group design was applied to this experimental study using 15 male wistar rats divided randomly into 3 groups: Control, Streptozotocine (STZ), Streptozotocine+okra (OKRA). STZ, and OKRA groups induced with 65 mg/kg BW Streptozotocine and 110 mg/kg BW Nicotinamide on day 8. After the desirable glucose level achieved, OKRA were given 3.6 ml OIW on day 12-28. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in each variable.
 Results: Fasting and Postprandial Glucose level of OKRA (137,40±3,57 mg/dL and 154.58±2.71 mg/dL), STZ (251,77±2,30 mg/dL and 270.18±3.03 mg/dL); HbA1C level of OKRA (7.93±0.25), STZ (21.29±0.65); SOD level of OKRA (55.292±3.77%), STZ (16.472±5.298%); CRP level of OKRA (1,540±0,059 mg/dL), STZ (2,230±0,093 mg/dL)
 Conclusions: OIW able to improve glucose, HbA1C, SOD, and CRP level on hyperglycemic rats.
 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(4) 2019 p.748-752

Customising the requirement of fibrolytic enzymes to improve feeding value of sorghum stover, ragi straw and groundnut haulms

A study was carried out to determine fibre and non starch polysaccharide fractions of sorghum stover, ragi straw and groundnut haulms. Sorghum stover had the significantly highest fibre fractions (NDF, ADF, Cellulose, hemicelluloses and Lignin) and non starch polysaccharide fractions (Total, Soluble and Insoluble) compared to the other two crop residues. Enzyme activity assay of cellulase, hemicellulase, xylanase and pectinase revealed multiple activities in a single enzyme. In vitro trials were carried out to evolve substrate specific customized non - starch polysaccharidase mixture for sorghum stover, ragi straw and groundnut haulm. The first trial was conducted to locate the range of enzymes required for maximum sugar release, followed by another in vitro trial to precisely identify the enzymes needed for respective substrates and the third one was to identify the inclusion level of these enzymes in combination to sorghum stover or ragi straw or groundnut haulm. All these trials were conducted in duplicate in three runs. These experiments established that each gram of sorghum stover and ragi straw requires 1200 U of Cellulase, 120 U of Xylanase and 700 U of Pectinase for maximum hydrolysis and each gram of groundnut haulm requires 1600 U of Cellulase, 100 U of Xylanase and 600 U of Pectinase for maximum hydrolysis.