Purple Corn Extract Research Articles

Purple Corn Extract Improves Dry Eye Symptoms in Models Induced by Desiccating Stress and Extraorbital Lacrimal Gland Excision.

Dry eye disease (DED) occurs when there are not enough tears, and the associated symptoms-burns, itching, and a gritty feeling in the eye-can cause great discomfort. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of purple corn extract (PCE) on DED. Pretreatment with PCE prevented desiccation-stress-induced cell damage in human retinal pigment epithelial cells and primary human corneal epithelial cells. Furthermore, PCE reduced the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators in the induction of desiccation stress. The therapeutic effects of PCE on DED were evaluated in an animal model with induced unilateral excision of the exorbital lacrimal gland. The administration of PCE was effective at recovering tear production, corneal surface irregularity, and conjunctival goblet cell density, as well as at reducing apoptotic cell death in the outer layer of the corneal epithelium. Collectively, PCE improved dry eye symptoms, and, therefore, it could be a potential agent to ameliorate and/or treat DED.

PENGARUH JAHE TERHADAP AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN DAN SIFAT ORGANOLEPTIK MINUMAN EKSTRAK JAGUNG UNGU (Zea mays L.)

One of the cultivable food crops, corn also serves a strategic purpose and has economic worth. Corn, as the primary source of carbs, is utilized as a rice alternative. Beverage goods are one alternative that can be made from corn. Anthocyanins found in purple corn work as antioxidants to stop atherosclerosis in the body. One sort of spice that offers numerous health advantages is ginger. Antioxidants are substances that can limit oxidation reactions by attaching to free radicals and highly reactive molecules. Antioxidants in food can minimize food spoiling processes, free radical oxidation, slow down the oxidation of lipids and oils, increase shelf life in the food sector, increase the storage of fat contained in food and prevent sensor and nutritional quality degradation. This study used the DPPH method (1,1-diphenyl-2,-picrylhydrazyl) which is a purple compound that will turn yellow when reacted with antioxidant activity and used a completely randomized design (CRD) method in the form of a single factor ratio of corn: ginger extract ( 100 g : 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, and 5 g) using 5 treatments and 3 replications. The organoleptic test used is the hedonic test, namely the level of preference test for the taste, texture, color, color of the purple corn extract drink. The score used is 1 – 5 (very dislike, dislike, somewhat like, like, and like very much). The data obtained were then analyzed and processed using SPSS with one way ANOVA. The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity and the panelists' preference level of purple corn extract drink.

Effect of purple corn extract on performance, antioxidant activity, egg quality, egg amino acid, and fatty acid profiles of laying hen.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCE) on performance, antioxidant potential, egg quality, egg amino acid and fatty acid profiles of laying hens during the late laying period. A total of 360 88-wk-old laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups, and fed a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 120 (LP), 240 (MP), and 360 mg/kg (HP) PCE, respectively. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the ADFI or average egg weight among the groups. However, the mean feed to egg ratio was quadratically decreased (P < 0.05) in the LP and HP treatments. The mean TAC was linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) in all PCE supplemented treatments. The mean SOD was linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) in the HP treatment compared with CON and MP groups. The GPX was linearly and quadratically lower in the HP treatment compared to the CON and LP groups. Differently, the MDA was linearly and quadratically lower (P < 0.05) in the PCE treatments compared with the CON. The eggshell thickness value in MP and HP treatments were linearly and quadratically higher (P < 0.05) than that of the CON and LP groups. Hens fed PCE was linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) most individual amino acids, essential amino acid and umami amino acid profiles in egg. The PCE treatments showed linearly and quadratic (P < 0.05) effect on the myristoleate, heptadecenoic acid, elaidic acid, eicosenoic acid, heneicosanoic acid, and eicosatrienoic acid concentrations. Moreover, dietary supplementation of PCE was quadratically increased egg stearic acid, oleic acid, arachidic acid, linolenic acid methyl ester, arachidonic acid, diphenylamine, docosahexaenoic acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid compared to the CON. Therefore, dietary anthocyanin-rich PCE can enhance plasma antioxidant potential, is beneficial to egg production, and improves amino acids and fatty acids in hen eggs during the late laying period.

The potential of anthocyanin-loaded alginate hydrogel beads for intelligent packaging applications: Stability and sensitivity to volatile amines

pH indicators have emerged as promising tools for real-time monitoring of product freshness and quality in intelligent food packaging applications. However, ensuring the stability of these indicators is critical for practical use. This study aims to evaluate the stability of anthocyanins-loaded alginate hydrogel beads of varying sizes at different temperatures under accelerated light conditions and relative humidity (RH) levels of 53% and 97% during 21 days of storage. Moreover, their sensitivity to the principal spoilage volatiles of muscle food products such as ammonia (NH3), dimethylamine (DMA) and trimethylamine (TMA) was investigated. The half-life of cyanidin-3-glucoside in small hydrogel beads was roughly twice as long as that of the larger beads under accelerated light exposure at 4 °C and they were less likely to undergo noticeable color changes over time. Both sizes of hydrogel beads stored at 97% RH and 4 °C showed color stability over the 21-day period with minimal color variation (|ΔE| ≤ 3). The UV–vis spectra of the purple corn extract exhibited changes across pH 2 to 12, as evidenced by the visible color variations, ranging from pink to green. The limit of detection (LOD) for NH3 was 25 ppm for small beads and 15 ppm for large ones. Both types of beads exhibited similar LOD for DMA and TMA, around 48 ppm. This research showed that alginate hydrogel beads containing anthocyanins from purple corn are a viable option for developing intelligent packaging of muscle foods. Furthermore, the use of hydrogel beads of different sizes can be customized to specific muscle foods based on the primary spoilage compound generated during spoilage.

Purple Corn Extract Improves Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating Prostate Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis.

Purple corn (Zea mays L.), utilized as a natural pigment in food production and processing, has been used to treat obesity, cystitis, and urinary tract infections. However, no reports of its use for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) exist. Purple corn extract (PCE) contains anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, which have various pharmacological characteristics. Therefore, this study sought to elucidate the ameliorative effect of PCE on BPH in dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-stimulated WPMY-1 cells and testosterone propionate (TP)-induced rats. Expression levels of the upregulated androgen receptor (AR) and its related genes in DHT-stimulated WPMY-1 cells were reduced by PCE, and proapoptotic gene expression increased by modulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling cascade. PCE reduced the weight of the enlarged prostate by inhibiting the androgen/AR signaling-related markers. Histological variations in the prostate epithelium caused by TP injection were restored by PCE. Thus, PCE alleviates BPH by modulating prostate cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Nutritional Regimes Enriched with Antioxidants as an Efficient Adjuvant for IBD Patients under Infliximab Administration, a Pilot Study.

Antioxidants are privileged candidates for the development of adjuvants able to improve the efficiency of pharmacological therapies, particularly for chronic inflammatory syndromes. During the last 20 years, anti-TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) monoclonal antibodies infusion has been the biological therapy most frequently administered but there is still large space for improvement in disease remission rates and maintenance. In this context, nutritional bioactive compounds contained in dietary patterns or included as supplements, may act as adjuvants for the induction and maintenance of IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases) remission. To verify this possibility, a single-center preliminary study (SI-CURA, Soluzioni Innovative per la gestione del paziente e il follow up terapeutico della Colite UlceRosA) was designed and carried out to evaluate whether a daily administration of purple corn supplement could improve the response to Infliximab (IFX) infusion of IBD patients with both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). A cohort of 47 patients was enrolled in the study. Biological samples were collected before the first and the third IFX infusion. All patients received nutritional guidelines, 27 of them received commercial red fruit tea with low anthocyanins content, while 20 received a purple corn supplement with a high anthocyanin content. Results show that the administration of an antioxidant-enriched purple corn supplement could improve IFX-mediated disease remission in terms of circulating inflammatory markers. Comparison between CD and UC patients revealed that, at this anthocyanin dosage, the purple corn extract administration improved the IFX response in CD but not in UC patients. Our results may pave the way for a new metacentric study of CD patients, recruiting a wider cohort and followed-up over a longer observational time.

Purple corn extract alleviates 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like phenotypes in BALB/c mice

ABSTRACT Zea mays L. (Poaceae), also known as purple corn, is an annual herbaceous plant that is grown as food for human consumption in a variety of forms, including cooking oils and sweeteners in processed food and beverage products. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a novel purple corn extract, FB801, might have an anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effect on AD-like skin lesions induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in BALB/c mice. Topical sensitization (1%) and challenge (0.3%) by DNCB were performed on the dorsal skin and right ear of BALB/c mice to induce AD. Following FB801 and dexamethasone administered orally, the severity of skin lesions was examined macroscopically and histologically. Serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and various cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Oral administration of FB801 significantly reduced typical symptoms of AD (erythema/bleeding, swelling, molting/erosion and scaling/drying), scratching frequencies, and the recruitment of inflammatory and mast cells. In addition, FB801 suppressed serum levels of IgE and T helper (Th)2 type cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 in DNCB-treated BALB/c mice. Furthermore, FB801 reduced the degradation of inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB proteins (NF-κB) in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. These results suggest that FB801 inhibited the development of the AD-like skin symptoms by regulating Th1 and Th2 responses in the skin lesions in mice and suppressing TNF-α induced NF-κB activation in HaCaT cells, suggesting that FB801 has potential application as an effective alternative therapy for the prevention and management of AD.

Chondroprotective effects of purple corn anthocyanins on advanced glycation end products induction through suppression of NF-\u03baB and MAPK signaling

Formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are associated with diabetes mellitus, contributes to prominent features of osteoarthritis, i.e., inflammation-mediated destruction of articular cartilage. Among the phytochemicals which play a role in anti-inflammatory effects, anthocyanins have also been demonstrated to have anti-diabetic properties. Purple corn is a source of three major anthocyanins: cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside and peonidin-3-O-glucoside. Purple corn anthocyanins have been demonstrated to be involved in the reduction of diabetes-associated inflammation, suggesting that they may have a beneficial effect on diabetes-mediated inflammation of cartilage. This investigation of the chondroprotective effects of purple corn extract on cartilage degradation found a reduction in glycosaminoglycans released from AGEs induced cartilage explants, corresponding with diminishing of uronic acid loss of the cartilage matrix. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms in human articular chondrocytes showed the anti-inflammatory effect of purple corn anthocyanins and the metabolite, protocatechuic acid (PCA) on AGEs induced human articular chondrocytes via inactivation of the NFκb and MAPK signaling pathways. This finding suggests that purple corn anthocyanins and PCA may help ameliorate AGEs mediated inflammation and diabetes-mediated cartilage degradation.

Purple corn extract (PCE) alleviates cigarette smoke (CS)-induced DNA damage in rodent blood cells by activation of AMPK/Foxo3a/MnSOD pathway

ABSTRACT Purple corn extract (PCE) is a nutraceutical, an activator of AMPK, and it has antioxidants and anticancer properties. Therefore, PCE could be a candidate for alleviating cigarette smoke (CS)-induced oxidative DNA damage. This study examined whether PCE can have a protective effect on blood cells in an animal model of cigarette smoke (CS)-induced DNA damage. PCE was orally administered to CS-inhaled Spraque-Dawley (SD) rats, followed by the target cells being examined for markers of DNA damage. The study also sought to elucidate the mechanism of PCE action in the PCE treated animals. SD rat inhalation of CS was for once a day for 30 min, repeated for 7 days. PCE was administered orally before CS inhalation. Pretreatment of the animals with oral PCE kept the numbers of white blood cells (WBC) as well as neutrophils (NE), lymphocytes (LY), monocytes (Mo), eosinophils (EO), abd jasophils (BA) from increasing as those were increased in the CS-inhaling SD rats. The amount of phosphorylated γ-H2AX, a DNA damage marker, was assayed in the circulating blood cells collected from the animals and western blot analysis with anti-Foxo3a, p-Foxo3a, p-AMPK, MnSOD antibodies were performed on those cells. PCE protected the circulating blood cells from CS inhalation-induced DNA damage by 44% as assayed by increases in γ-H2AX. PCE also increased the nuclear localization of Foxo3a by 52% over control cells. Mechanistically, PCE appears to efficiently protect various blood cell types from CS-induced DNA damage through removal of ROS via activation of the AMPK/Foxo3a/MnSOD pathway.

Cascading effects of polyphenol-rich purple corn pericarp extract on pupal, adult, and offspring of tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta L.)

ABSTRACT A major bottleneck in the commercialization of plant-based pest management compounds is that the extraction methods are complex, time-consuming, and even highly expensive. Using a recently developed inexpensive extraction and quantification methodology to isolate polyphenols (including anthocyanins and condensed tannins) from purple corn pericarp, we examined their effects on Manduca sexta, a common insect herbivore. Following up on our previous work which demonstrated the negative impacts of polyphenol-rich extract on larval stages, we further examined whether there are any cascading effects on subsequent life stages (pupal and adult) including any possible transgenerational effects. Our results show that polyphenol-rich purple corn extract-fed caterpillars had significantly lower pupal mass and survival. Moreover, adult moths also had lower mass when eclosed from caterpillars reared on the extract diet. To test whether there were any transgenerational effects, we allowed male and female adults fed on purple corn extract diet and control diet to mate and lay eggs in a full factorial experiment. We found that purple corn extract-fed adult pair laid a lower number of eggs compared to other treatments. In addition, we also found that second instar M. sexta caterpillars hatched from eggs laid by any mating combination with at least one parent reared on purple corn extract gained significantly lower mass compared to caterpillars with both parents reared on the control diet. Taken together, our results show that there are cascading negative effects for feeding purple corn pericarp extract on pupal, adult, and second generation of M. sexta, reaffirming its potential application as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly pest deterrent.

Purple corn extract induces long-lasting reprogramming and M2 phenotypic switch of adipose tissue macrophages in obese mice

BackgroundObesity is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disorder and an important risk factor for the onset of several chronic syndromes. Adipose tissue (AT) plays a crucial role in the development of obesity, promoting the infiltration and accumulation of leukocytes in the tissue and sustaining adipocyte expansion. Anthocyanins exert a broad range of health benefits, but their effect in improving obesity-related inflammation in vivo has been poorly characterized. We examined the effects of a purple corn cob extract in the context of AT inflammation in a murine diet-induced obesity (DIO) model.MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice were subjected to control diet (CTR + H2O), high fat diet (HF + H2O) or high fat diet plus purple corn extract (HF + RED) for 12 weeks. Blood glucose, AT, and liver gene expression, metabolism, biochemistry, and histology were analysed and flow cytometry was performed on AT leukocytes and Kupffer cells.ResultsRED extract intake resulted in lower MCP-1 mediated recruitment and proliferation of macrophages into crown-like structures in the AT. AT macrophages (ATM) of HF + RED group upregulated M2 markers (ArgI, Fizz1, TGFβ), downregulating inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2) thanks to the suppression of NF-kB signalling. ATM also increased the expression of iron metabolism-related genes (FABP4, Hmox1, Ferroportin, CD163, TfR1, Ceruloplasmin, FtL1, FtH1) associated with a reduction in iron storage and increased turnover. ATM from HF + RED mice did not respond to LPS treatment ex vivo, confirming the long-lasting effects of the treatment on M2 polarization. Adipocytes of HF + RED group improved lipid metabolism and displayed a lower inflammation grade. Liver histology revealed a remarkable reduction of steatosis in the HF + RED group, and Kupffer cell profiling displayed a marked switch towards the M2 phenotype.ConclusionsRED extract attenuated AT inflammation in vivo, with a long-lasting reprogramming of ATM and adipocyte profiles towards the anti-inflammatory phenotype, therefore representing a valuable supplement in the context of obesity-associated disorders.

Preparation and characterization of antioxidant, antimicrobial and pH-sensitive films based on chitosan, silver nanoparticles and purple corn extract

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCE) were incorporated into chitosan to develop active and intelligent food packaging films. The structural, physical and functional properties of chitosan/AgNPs/PCE films were compared with those of chitosan, chitosan/AgNPs and chitosan/PCE films. Spectroscopic analysis showed seven kinds of anthocyanins were present in PCE. Some particles and spots appeared on the surfaces and cross-sections of composite films. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction analyses suggested the interactions between chitosan and AgNPs were based on coordination effect, whereas the interactions between chitosan and PCE were mainly established through hydrogen bonds. The incorporation of PCE and/or AgNPs remarkably promoted the light and water vapor barrier ability, mechanical strength, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of chitosan film. Notably, chitosan/AgNPs/PCE film exhibited the highest barrier, mechanical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties due to synergistic effect between PCE and AgNPs. Besides, chitosan/PCE and chitosan/AgNPs/PCE films could change their colors in different pH buffers because of abundant anthocyanins in PCE. Our results suggested chitosan/AgNPs/PCE film could be used as novel active and intelligent food packaging material in food industry.

The Topical Skin Application of Purple Corn Extract (Zea Mays) Inhibited the Increase in MMP-1 Levels and Decreased Collagen in Wistar Rats (Rattus Norvegicus) Exposed to UV-B Rays

Formation of free radicals is an important mechanism causing skin aging. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons which can directly disrupt various structures of cell membrane, lipids, proteins, and DNA. Antioxidant is a substance which can give protection from endogenous and exogenous oxidative pressure caused by free radicals. Purple corn contains phenolic acid, vitamin C, and anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is the main contained substance in purple corn and acts as antioxidant and able to inhibit aging process on skin surface of mice exposed with UV-B ray. This research aims to prove the effectivity of administration of purple corn extract cream on inhibiting the elevation of MMP-1 level and the decrease of collagen amount on Wistar mice (Rattus norvegicus) exposed with UV-B. This research is animal experiment with post test only control group design. As many as 36 mice were divided into 2 groups containing 18 mice each, control group with appliance of placebo cream and intervention group applied with 50% purple corn extract cream. All groups were exposed with UV-B with dose of 840 mJ/cm² for 4 weeks, and biopsy was taken to examine the level of MMP-1 and collagen amount on dermis. The results of Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s test showed that the data distribution between the two groups was normally distributed with homogenous variance and p ≥ 0.05. Comparative analysis with t-independent test showed that there is a significant difference between both groups, either on the mean level of MMP-1 or the collagen amount on both groups with p &lt; 0.05. The mean collagen amount and mean MMP-1 level of intervention 2 are 71.7% and 1.9 mg/ml, respectively. Intervention-1 group shows the mean amount of collagen and MMP-1 level are 65.54 % and 3.22 mg/ml, respectively. The conclusion of this research is the administration of 50% purple corn extract cream inhibits the increase of MMP-1 level and the decrease of the amount of dermal collagen on mice’s skin exposed with UV-B.

Purple Corn Extract as Anti-allodynic Treatment for Trigeminal Pain: Role of Microglia.

Natural products have attracted interest in the search for new and effective analgesics and coadjuvant approaches to several types of pain. It is in fact well known that many of their active ingredients, such as anthocyanins (ACNs) and polyphenols, can exert potent anti-inflammatory actions. Nevertheless, their potential beneficial effects in orofacial painful syndromes have not been assessed yet. Here, we have evaluated the preventive effect of an ACN-enriched purple corn extract against the development of orofacial allodynia, in comparison with isogenic yellow corn extract containing only polyphenols. Orofacial allodynia developed following induction of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation in male rats, due to the injection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), and was evaluated by von Frey filaments. Animals drank purple or yellow corn extracts or water starting from 11 days before induction of inflammation and up to the end of the experiment 3 days later. To highlight possible additive and/or synergic actions, some animals also received the anti-inflammatory drug acetyl salicylic acid (ASA). In parallel with the evaluation of allodynia, we have focused our attention on the activation of microglia cells in the central nervous system (CNS), as it is well-known that they significantly contribute to neuronal sensitization and pain. Our data demonstrate that purple corn extract is as effective as ASA in preventing the development of orofacial allodynia, and only partial additive effect is observed when the two agents are co-administered. Yellow corn exerted no effect. Multiple mechanisms are possibly involved in the action of purple corn, including reduction of trigeminal macrophage infiltration and the shift of microglia cell polarization to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. In fact, in rats receiving yellow corn or water microglia cells show thick, short cell processes typical of activated cells. Conversely, thinner and longer microglia cell processes are observed in the brainstem of animals drinking purple corn extract; shape changes are accompanied by a reduction in the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules and increased production of anti-inflammatory mediators. Administration of purple corn extracts therefore represents a possible low-cost and easy way to reduce trigeminal-associated pain in various pathological conditions also thanks to the modulation of microglia reactivity.

Adding a purple corn extract in rats supplemented with chia oil decreases gene expression of SREBP-1c and retains Δ5 and Δ6 hepatic desaturase activity, unmodified the hepatic lipid profile

Flavonoids upregulate gene expression of PPAR-α and underregulate the gene expression of SREBP-1c, and their intake increases the plasmatic concentration of n-3 LC-PUFAs. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these effects have not been elucidated. In this work, the effect of oral supplementation of ALA from chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed oil and anthocyanins from a purple corn extract (PCE) on gene expression of SREBP-1c, PPAR-α and Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases (Δ5D and Δ6D), the activity of these enzymes in the liver as well as the hepatic lipid profile were evaluated in thirty-six female Sprague Dawley rats whose diet was supplemented with olive oil (OL), chia oil (CH), olive oil and PCE (OL + PCE) or chia oil and PCE (CH + PCE). Gene expression of PPAR-α was significantly higher when supplemented with CH and CH + PCE, SREBP-1c gene expression was higher when supplemented with chia oil. CH supplementation enhanced Δ5D expression whereas no significant differences between treatments were observed concerning Δ6D gene expression. Activities of both desaturases were increased by including olive oil (OL + PCE and OL), and they were found to be higher in CH + PCE respect to CH for both enzymes. The ALA and n-3 LCPUFAs hepatic content was higher with CH, decreasing the levels of AA and n-6 LCPUFAs. It is concluded that the joint action of flavonoids such as anthocyanins and ALA show an anti-adipogenic effect. Desaturase activity was inhibited by ALA and kept by the anthocyanins from PCE, thus anthocyanins would exert a protective effect on the desaturase activity but they would not affect on its gene expression, however, high doses of ALA increased the production of its metabolites, masking the effect of PCE.

Encapsulation of purple corn and blueberry extracts in alginate-pectin hydrogel particles: Impact of processing and storage parameters on encapsulation efficiency

Purple corn (PC) and blueberry (BB) extracts were encapsulated in alginate-pectin hydrogel particles to protect anthocyanins (ACNs) from degradation. Combinations of alginate to pectin ratios at 82 to 18% and 43 to 57% and total gum concentrations (TGC) at 2.2% and 2.8% TGC were prepared to encapsulate both PC and BB ACN. The alginate-pectin hydrogel particles containing PC or BB extracts were produced by dripping solution into pH 1.2 buffer. Blueberry extract encapsulation efficiency was significantly higher than that of purple corn extract due to ACN chemical structure differences and the compatibility between the ACN structures and alginate-pectin hydrogel structure at the low pH environment. Effect of initial ACN concentration in droplets, particle shape, alginate to pectin ratio, TGC, ACN source, and curing bath conditions on encapsulation efficiency after curing (EEm) was investigated. The initial ACN concentration and particle shape didn't influence the EEm, while the alginate to pectin ratio, TGC, ACN source and the pH of the curing bath showed significant effect on the EEm. The EEm was improved from 26% to 65% for PC ACN and from 48% to 116% for BB ACN by augmenting curing bath with ACN at various concentrations. The ACN retention during storage (ARs) in hydrogel particles stored in pH 3.0 buffer was improved at low temperature and high particle weight to solution volume ratio. Higher amount of ACN was retained in the hydrogel particles when spherical particles were used. Encapsulation in hydrogel particles significantly reduced the anthocyanin photodegradation upon exposure to fluorescence light. The degradation of ACN was described with a first-order kinetics with half-life values of 630 h for encapsulated PC ACN and 58 h for PC ACN aqueous solution. Hydrogel production and subsequent storage conditions can be optimized to increase the anthocyanin delivered to human body using the low pH beverages such as fruit juices as a delivery vehicle.

Aphrodisiac Activity of the Aqueous Crude Extract of Purple Corn ( Zea mays) in Male Rats.

In the present study, the aphrodisiac properties of the purple corn (Zea mays) in male rats were analyzed. The aqueous crude extract of purple corn (at 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg) was administered to (a) copulating male rats and (b) anesthetized and spinal cord transected male rats. Behavioral parameters of copulatory behavior and parameters of the genital motor pattern of ejaculation previous to its inhibition, under the influence of the purple corn extract, are described. Administration of the aqueous crude extract of purple corn significantly facilitates the arousal and execution of male rat sexual behavior without significant influences on the ambulatory behavior. In addition, purple corn extract elicit a significant increase in the number of discharges of the ejaculatory motor patterns and in the total number of genital motor patterns evoked in spinal rats. The present findings show that the aqueous crude extract of purple corn possesses aphrodisiac activity.

A comparative study of anthocyanin distribution in purple and blue corn coproducts from three conventional fractionation processes

The aim was to compare the distribution of ANCs in purple and blue corn coproducts from three conventional corn fractionation processes and linking ANC partitioning in different coproducts to corn kernel phenotype. Total monomeric anthocyanin (TA) from purple corn extract was 4933.1±43.4mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent per kg dry corn, 10 times more than blue corn. In dry milled purple corn, maximum ANCs were present in the pericarp (45.9% of total ANCs) and in wet-milling they were concentrated in steeping water (79.1% of total ANCs). For blue corn, the highest TA was in small grits and gluten slurry in dry-milling and wet-milling coproducts, respectively. HPLC showed the highest concentration of each ANC in steeping water for purple corn coproducts. Micrographs of kernel showed pigments concentrated in pericarp layer of purple but only in aleurone of blue corn. ANCs can concentrate in certain coproducts depending upon physical distribution of pigments in kernel.

Dietary cyanidin 3-glucoside from purple corn ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice

Background and aimsAnthracyclines are effective anticancer drugs that have improved prognosis of hundred thousand cancer patients worldwide and are currently the most common chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of blood, breast, ovarian and lung cancers. However, their use is limited because of a cumulative dose-dependent and irreversible cardiotoxicity that can cause progressive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Aim of the present study was to determine the cardioprotective activity of a dietary source of cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G), such as purple corn, against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Methods and resultsIn vitro studies on murine HL-1 cardiomyocytes showed that pretreatment with both pure C3G and purple corn extract improved survival upon DOX treatment. However, C3G and purple corn extract did not affect the cytotoxic effect of DOX on human cancer cell lines. We then validated in vivo the protective role of a C3G-enriched diet against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by comparing the effect of dietary consumption of corn isogenic lines with high levels of anthocyanins (purple corn – Red diet – RD) or without anthocyanins (yellow corn – Yellow diet – YD) incorporated in standard rodent diets. Results showed that mice fed RD survived longer than mice fed YD upon injection of a toxic amount of DOX. In addition, ultrastructural analysis of hearts from mice fed RD showed reduced histopathological alterations. ConclusionDietary intake of C3G from purple corn protects mice against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Purple Corn Extract in High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity Mice

Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Purple Corn Extract in High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity Mice