Source Of Functional Food Research Articles

Carotenoids, chlorophylls, vitamin E and amino acid profile in fruits of nineteen Chaenomeles cultivars

This study aimed to identify and quantify carotenoids, chlorophylls, tocopherols, tocotrienols and the free amino acid profile of 19 fruit cultivars of Chaenomeles × superba, Chaenomeles japonica, and Chaenomeles speciosa. For this purpose ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with a photodiode array (PDA) and fluorescence (FL) detector coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (QToF–ESI–MS) was used. Most of the Chaenomeles species and cultivars analyzed in this study have not been examined in this respect until now. Fruits contained 32.44–314.94 mg of carotenoids, 19.27–227.19 mg of chlorophylls, 5.51–37.58 mg of tocopherols, and 2.06–42.30 mg of tocotrienols per kg of dry weight (dw). Analysis of the amino acid profile revealed the presence of 10 amino acids, three of them essential (l-threonine, l-valine and l-isoleucine). The highest content of total amino acids was shown by C. × superba ˈJet Trailˈ (2326.33 mg/100 g dw). Among tested species, C. speciosa was characterized by the highest content of all analyzed compounds, except for chlorophylls, present in the highest concentration in C. × superba fruits. These results indicate that Chaenomeles fruits could be regarded as a promising source of bioactive functional food containing vitamins A and E and indispensable amino acids.

Inhibitory effect on human platelet aggregation and coagulation and antioxidant activity of C. edulis Ker Gawl rhizome and its secondary metabolites

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAlthough Canna edulis Ker Gawl rhizome has been used in Traditional Vietnamese Medicine to prevent and treat heart diseases without thorough scientific evidence, limited intensive search for the bioactivities and useful substances has been done. Aim of the studyThis study aims to investigate the antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulant and antioxidant activity of extracts from C. edulis rhizome, separate and purify its compounds from the most active fraction and evaluate the antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulant and antioxidant activity of isolated compounds. Materials and methodsC. edulis rhizome was extracted with ethanol, then fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water. The inhibitory effect on adenosine diphosphate- and collagen-induced human platelet aggregation was evaluated. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastine time and thrombine time were measured to examine the anticoagulant activity. The free radical scavenging ability was assessed with DPPH and ABTS assays. The fraction that showed the most active was used to separate and purify compounds. The structures of compounds were elucidated by NMR and MS spectroscopic methods. Isolated compounds were also tested for antiplatelet, anticoagulant and antioxidant activity. ResultsThe ethyl acetate fraction showed the most potent antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulant and antioxidant activity. Subsequent fractionation of this active fraction resulted in the isolation of seven known compounds: 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (1), epimedokoreanone A (2), nepetoidin B (3), ferulic acid (4), caffeic acid (5), hydroxytyrosol (6), and 1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde (7). Previous studies reported the antiplatelet, anticoagulant and antioxidant activity of ferulic acid (4), caffeic acid (5) and hydroxytyrosol (6) and the antioxidant activity of nepetoidin B (3). This study demonstrated that both epimedokoreanone A (2) and nepetoidine B (3) also exhibited good antiplatelet effect and epimedokoreanone A (2) also had effective anticoagulant and antioxidant activity, while 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (1) showed weaker antiplatelet and antioxidant activity but no anticoagulant effect. ConclusionsThis is the first experimental study to demonstrate the potent dose-dependent antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulant and antioxidant activity of C. edulis rhizome and its pure compounds, supporting the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of heart diseases. The C. edulis rhizome is a potential source of bioactive compounds or functional food for treatment and/or prevention of heart- and oxidative stress-related diseases and its bioactive compounds are good candidates for drug development of anti-thrombosis and antioxidant agents.

Evaluation of the Cookies Formulated with Costus igneus Plant Material for Antidiabetic Activity

Diabetes Mellitus is a fast-growing disorder in the current scenario commonly affecting all age groups especially elder groups. The high blood glucose can be kept in control with nutraceutical foods. The present study is aimed to formulate a nutritionally rich cookie with Costus igneus leaf extract and to determine the effect of cookie consumption on decreasing blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Cookies made with Costus igneus leaf powder etc. were analyzed for proximate analysis and phytochemical analysis with standard procedures. A total of 30 Type-II diabetic patients were selected for the study whose demographic variables and blood glucose levels were measured on the first day and after 15 days, 30 days of cookies consumption. The proximate and physic-chemical analysis showed cookies contain high amount of secondary metabolites including antioxidant compounds. Among the 30 study subjects, the mean levels of FBS and PBS were decreased significantly in all the four groups from day 0 to day 30 which indicates that C.igneus cookies consumption had good effect in reducing the blood glucose levels. However the HbA1C has been decreased by one unit in all the four study groups. The cookies made with Costus igneus plant material have good antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities and can be used as a therapeutic and functional food source for the treatment of overweight, obesity and diabetes.

Extracts of Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. fruit fermented by lactic acid bacteria inhibit SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma via induction of cell cycle arrest and suppression of metastatic potential

AbstractElaeagnus multiflora Thunb. (cherry silverberry, CS) is an underutilized fruit with notable phytochemical profile and biological activities. However, there are few studies on cancer inhibitory effect using fermented CS fruits. This study aimed to develop fermented CS fruits using lactic acid bacteria and investigate its anticolorectal cancer (CRC) property and phenolic composition. SW480 CRC cells were treated with aqueous extracts of CS fermented by single and coculture of Lactobacillus plantarum and L. casei. The extracts of fermented CS exhibited greater antiproliferative activity and anticlonogenicity in comparison with the unfermented extract and the control. Among the extracts of CS fruits, the ones fermented by the coculture (LPLC) showed the most potent tumor suppression property, at 25 to 50 µg/mL, by induction of cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases, downregulating cyclins and its dependent kinases while increasing tumor suppressor proteins p27 and p53. LPLC also exerted its tumor suppression effect by inhibiting the chemotactic motility and invasiveness of SW480 cells, downregulating matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways and upregulating TIMP‐9, and E‐cadherin. HPLC‐PDA analysis revealed that the levels of major flavonoids in CS extracts, namely, catechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, rutin, naringin, and quercetin, were enhanced by fermentation with L. plantarum and L. casei in coculture. Overall, this study showed that the extracts of fermented CS have augmented and multifaceted anticancer property and can be utilized in the development of functional food or ingredient for the prevention of CRC.Practical ApplicationElaeagnus multiflora, commonly known as cherry silverberry, has been proven to contain bioactive components and possesses high functionality. However, due to limited shelf‐life as a fresh commodity, development of novel product is essential. Fermentation is a beneficial process employed in the food industry to enhance the shelf stability, nutritional, sensory, and functional properties of food products. The present study has explored the possibility of adding value to an underutilized fruit, cherry silverberry, through the process of fermentation, making it as a potential source of functional food and ingredient for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Starch Digestion: <i>in Vitro</i> and <i>in Vivo</i> Models to Characterize the Glucose Release of Dietary Fiber and Rutin in Tartary Buckwheat

Tartary buckwheat has established itself as a functional food source because of its basic nutrition and phenolic compound contents, such as dietary fiber (DF) and rutin (RU). However, little information has been obtained concerning the comparative effects of DF and RU on the in vitro and in vivo glucose responses of tartary buckwheat flour. Moreover, the relationship between the flour’s in vitro starch digestibility and its components’ blood glucose response is not well-known. This study found that DF and RU reduced rapidly digestible starch (RDS) by 37.32→33.88% and 41.71→30.28%, whereas they increased resistant starch (RS) by 30.47→31.46% and 28.41→36.78%, respectively. Furthermore, RU had a lower glycemic index (GI) compared to DF. The regression equation for the in vitro and in vivo data from RU exhibited positive correlation (R 2 = 0.99); however, DF did not display positive correlation, which indicates that the in vitro and in vivo GI mechanisms by DF and RU are different.

Enhancement of amino acid contents by germination in a Korean weedy rice germplasm

Germination can improve the nutritional value of cereals. A weedy rice, WD3, showed the highest antioxidant activity among Korea-native weedy rice germplasm (Cho et al. Korean K Crop Sci 64:219–228, 2018). Thus, it was expected that WD3 might contain the higher functional and nutritional compounds. The purpose of this study is to examine the amino acid contents of WD3 in germinated and non-germinated seeds compared with a cultivated rice, Sindongjin (SDJ). Amino acid contents were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The amino acids were grouped, and the percentage and ratio of the respective amino acid group were evaluated. As a result of the experiment, the contents of all kind of free amino acids increased after germination in both WD3 and SDJ, but their increasing rates were much higher in WD3 than in SDJ except only two (GABA, Glu) among 21 kinds of amino acids. The total amino acid (TAA) content increased only 1.3 times in SDJ, while it increased 4.2 times in WD3 after germination. Especially, the branched-chain amino acid (TBCAAss) content after germination increased 18.2 times in WD3, compared to 4.1 times increase in SDJ. Additionally, as the ratio of the non-essential amino acid (NEAA) to the essential amino acid (EAA) of WD3 changed from 4.0 to 1.1 after germination, germinated WD3 grain could get well balance between EAAs and NEAAs. In conclusion, the nutritional value of the weedy rice, WD3, was much better than that of the cultivated rice, SDJ, when it is used as a germinated grain. Thus, WD3 could be used as a potential functional and nutritional food source for health benefits.

Insights into the Phytochemical Composition and Bioactivities of Seeds from Wild Peony Species.

Peony is an important medicinal and ornamental plant widely cultivated in the world. Its seeds as a functional food source have attracted much more attention in recent years, and they are rich in monoterpene glycosides and phenolic compounds. To assess the application value of wild peony seeds, the main chemical composition and content, such as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total flavanol content (TAC), and α and γ tocopherol content, of the seeds from 12 species and 2 subspecies were systematically explored in the present study. Four different antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and HRSA), antibacterial, and antifungal assays were also performed using various in vitro biochemical methods. The results showed that the seeds of P. delavayi, P. obovata. subsp. obovata, and P. rockii. subsp. rockii had a high content of TPC, TFC, and TAC, respectively. Twenty-five individual chemical compounds were qualitatively and quantitatively measured by HPLC-MS, with paeoniflorin being the most abundant compound in all samples. P. mairei was grouped individually into a group via hierarchical cluster analysis according to its relatively highest monoterpene glycosides and TPC content. This work has provided a basis for the development and utilization of seeds for the selection of wild peony species of dietary interest.

Functional Properties of Newly-Bred ‘Summer King’ Apples

In this study, we investigated the various physiological properties of ‘Summer King’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh) to highlight this fruit as a high value functional food source. The peels of newlybred ‘Summer King’ apple were extracted using water and ethanol, and each extract demonstrated relatively high levels of phenolic compounds at 4.41 ㎎·g-1 and 7.39 ㎎·g-1, respectively. The water and ethanol extracts also showed antioxidant protection factor (PF) levels of 3.37 PF and 2.65 PF, respectively, and the antioxidation effects towards thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were 38% and 30% at 100 ㎍·mL-1 phenolic concentrations. Therefore, extracts of ‘Summer King’ apple possess substantial properties for anti-aging. The anti-inflammatory effect (hyaluronidase inhibition) of the extracts were 4.97% for the water extract and 20.40% for the ethanol extract, both at a 200 ㎍·mL-1 phenolic concentration. Both the water and ethanol extracts showed low α-amylase inhibition effects, but each demonstrated 93.59% and 98.80% α-glucosidase inhibition at a 200 ㎍·mL-1 phenolic concentration, respectively. In an anti-wrinkle assay, the water extract showed 14.55% and 67.73% inhibition of elastase and collagenase, respectively, and the ethanol extract had 56.50% and 77.81% inhibition, respectively. These results support the high potential for the use of these extracts in functional food and cosmetics, and the ‘Summer King’ apple peel was determined to have various functions including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-wrinkle, and anti-diabetic effects.

Native and exotic plants with edible fleshy fruits utilized in Patagonia and their role as sources of local functional foods

BackgroundTraditionally part of the human diet, plants with edible fleshy fruits (PEFF) contain bioactive components that may exert physiological effects beyond nutrition, promoting human health and well-being. Focusing on their food-medicine functionality, different ways of using PEFF were studied in a cross-sectional way using two approaches: a bibliographical survey and an ethnobotanical case study in a rural community of Patagonia, Argentina.MethodsA total of 42 studies were selected for the bibliographical review. The case study was carried out with 80% of the families inhabiting the rural community of Cuyín Manzano, using free listing, interviews, and participant observation. In both cases we analyzed species richness and use patterns through the edible consensus and functional consensus indices. Local foods, ailments, medicines and drug plants were also registered.ResultsThe review identified 73 PEFF, the majority of which (78%) were native species, some with the highest use consensus. PEFF were used in 162 different local foods, but mainly as fresh fruit. Of the total, 42% were used in a functional way, in 54 different medicines. The principal functional native species identified in the review were Aristotelia chilensis and Berberis microphylla. In the case study 20 PEFF were in current use (50% were native), and consensus values were similar for native and exotic species. These were used in 44 different local foods, mainly as fresh fruit. Only 30% were recognized for their functional value by inhabitants (mainly as gastrointestinal and respiratory treatments). The species with the highest functional consensus were the exotic Sambucus nigra and Rosa rubiginosa, followed by the native A. chilensis, Ribes magellanicum and B. microphylla. Infusions also constituted important local functional foods.ConclusionsThis survey highlights the importance of studying the different local functional foods to depict the biocultural diversity of a human society. The preparation of different beverages and herbal medicines was relevant, and would be a promising subject to investigate in the future. The living heritage of PEFF appears to have undergone hybridization processes, such that exotic species play an increasingly significant role.

Assessment of In Vitro Antidiabetic Potential of Purified Anthocyanin Extract from Floral Petals of Wild Balsam Species


 
 Diabetes is a notorious and growing clinical and public health issue. The International Diabetes Federation assumes that 592 million had diabetes by 2035 and that by 2040 the number will increase to 642 million. Cardiovascular corollary accounts for four million deaths annually attributable to diabetes. Evidence reveals that certain glucose-lowering phytochemicals can improve vascular outcomes with type 2 diabetes, which, together with better understanding of using multiple therapies concurrently, offers opportunities for beneficial personalization of medication regimens. Anthocyanins are coloured pigments and are natural antioxidants. Keeping this in focus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic activity in the petals of wild Impatiens balsamina L. The anthocyanin was extracted from floral petals of wild balsam species and purified to homogeneity using chromatographic techniques. Evaluation of in vitro antidiabetic properties of anthocyanin extract revealed a dose-dependent increase in the inhibitory effect on the alpha-glucosidase (200 μg/ml) and alpha-amylase enzymes (500 μg/ml) and was comparable with the standard acarbose drug (189 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml). These results indicated that anthocyanin could be used as a source of functional food and nutraceuticals. This information from wild species will be useful in finding more potent antidiabetic principle from the natural resources for the clinical development of antidiabetic therapeutics. Future studies are planned to substantiate the antidiabetic power of anthocyanin using in vivo animal models.
 Keywords: Alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase, diabetes, herbal remedies, Impatiens balsamina L.
 

Studi Perbandingan Kebijakan Pangan Fungsional di Indonesia dan Beberapa Negara Lainnya

Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk memberikan gambaran bagaimana perubahan peraturan terkait pangan fungsional dan perbandingan pengaturan pangan di beberapa negara lainnya khususnya pada pangan fungsional atau berklaim, serta untuk memetakan tantangan di masa depan bagi pengaturan pangan fungsional. Metode penelitian yang digunakan bersifat kualitatif dan data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder. Hasil kajian memperlihatkan bahwa beberapa negara mengatur secara khusus tentang pangan fungsional. Tantangan yang dihadapi untuk perkembangan pangan fungisional adalah regulasi, kelembagaan, database, dan eksplorasi serta identifikasi sumber pangan fungsional dari laut.
 
 Kata kunci: pangan fungsional, berklaim, komparasi, peraturan, tantangan

Solanum leaves extracts exhibit antioxidant properties and inhibit monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase activities (in vitro) in Drosophila melanogaster.

Background This study sought to determine the in vitro antioxidant, anti-monoamine oxidase and anticholinesterase properties of extracts (aqueous and alkaloid) of two tropical vegetables from Solanum spp- African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L) and black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L) as indices of their neuroprotective properties. Methods Both aqueous and alkaloid extracts of African eggplant (AE) and black nightshade (BN) were prepared by solvent extraction according to standard methods. Thereafter, the inhibitory effects of the extracts on monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, as well as their free radical-scavenging and reducing abilities were assessed. Also, phytochemical analysis for phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids were carried out. Results The results showed that the extracts inhibited MAO and AChE activities dose dependently, with aqueous extracts showing significantly higher MAO inhibition that the alkaloid extracts from both samples, but in all, BN showed higher MAO inhibitory effect compared to AE; the reverse was however, observed for AChE inhibition. Furthermore, the aqueous extracts showed significantly higher antioxidant properties than the alkaloid extracts, while BN had higher antioxidant properties compared to AN. The phytochemical analysis also showed that BN had significantly higher amount of phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids than AE. Conclusions The anti-monoamine oxidase, anticholinesterase, and antioxidant properties exhibited by extracts from both samples could contribute to their neuroprotective abilities. Thus, these vegetables can be potential sources of functional foods and nutraceuticals in the management of neurodegenerative diseases, especially in the tropics.

Growing Location Affects Physical Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate Fruit (Punica granatum L. var. Gabsi)

ABSTRACT Pomegranate (Punica granatum. L) has gained much attention as a functional food and nutraceutical source. Pomegranate fruit quality depends on climate and growing conditions. The aim of this research was to evaluate the physical properties, phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins contents, mineral composition as well as antioxidant activity of ‘Gabsi’ pomegranates grown in different regions (northern, southern, and center of Tunisia). A significant variation was recorded for most quality attributes. However, weight, height, diameter, chroma (C), DPPH antioxidant activity and potassium content did not significantly differ among the three studied regions. The northern Tunisia gave colorful fruits with high zinc and copper contents, high anthocyanins, phenols contents and exhibited high antioxidant activity. Temperature has affected negatively total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, while a positive relationship was observed between them, rainfall, and relative humidity. Zerkine, a warmer and drier region, produced fruits with an intense red color, heavier and thicker skin and juice rich in flavonoids, sodium, and magnesium levels. However, pomegranates grown in center of Tunisia presented high aril yield, juice yield and high magnesium, sodium, and manganese contents. Also, a correlation analysis reported a significant relationship between sodium, magnesium contents, temperature, and relative humidity. This study provides a clear understanding on the impact of environment on bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and allows guiding for a better selection of the growing location to improve pomegranate fruit quality.

Untargeted metabolite profiling and phytochemical analysis based on RP-HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS and MS/MS for discovering new bioactive compounds in Rumex algeriensis flowers and stems.

Natural products with distinctive pharmaceutical activities are considered as the main source of new herbal drugs, functional foods and cosmetic additives. Rumex algeriensis is an endemic medicinal plant with no accessible information about its chemical profile and biological activities. In the quest for new sources of biologically-active compounds, we intended in the present work to undertake a comprehensive characterisation of phytochemical compounds from Rumex algeriensis flowers and stems hydro-methanolic extract. Chemical profiles were evaluated by a rapid analytical method reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled to electrospray ionisation-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using negative and positive ions modes. In this work, 44 bioactive compounds were tentatively identified using high mass accuracy data and confirmed by MS/MS experiments, among which five compounds were reported for the first time in the Polygonaceae family. These compounds were classified as sugars, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, flavanones, flavone, flavanols, condensed tannins, hydrolysable tannins and their conjugated derivatives. The obtained results highlighted that Rumex algeriensis, even though undervalued and unexplored, contributes to the preclinical knowledge that could be considered as a renewable source of nutraceutical compounds that may be exploited in novel herbal medicinal products, in the food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Biodegradation raw trimming waste from goat’s skin tannery by enzymatic method

The tannery industry produces large amount of waste from many parts that cannot be used in making leather products. Process of minimizing the waste can be done by trimming the goat skin. The treatment of trimmed goat skin waste from tanneries can potentially produce value-added products. A study on enzymatic treatment of leather processing waste from local goat skin was conducted. This method utilized pepsin which belong to alkaline protease. Pepsin hydrolysed the skin for 48 hours at 4 °C. Hydrolysed raw skin was used to produce collagen. The size measurement of hydrolysed collagen can be analysed and after electrophoresis using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) technique. Hydrolysed of collagen resulted in bioactive peptide identification. Amino acid composition in the hydrolysate obtained by the enzyme hydrolysis was determined. This relative simple biological treatment of leather processing waste may provide a practical solution. The treatment method can be used to produce value-added collagen as alternative source of functional food, medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Tinjauan manfaat bunga telang (clitoria ternatea l.) bagi kesehatan manusia

All part of the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) plant reported having a various positive effect on human health. The blue petal, in particular, shows a wide range of functional activity including as an antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic. The hydrophilic phase of butterfly pea flower extract contains flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins, flavones, flavonols, phenolic acids, and cyclotides. Meanwhile, the terpenoids, alkaloids, and fatty acids were found in the lipophilic phase of butterfly pea flower extract. The proven health benefits and the wide range of the type of bioactive compounds promote butterfly pea flower as the source of functional food and nutraceuticals. However, a series of intensive research, including the clinical trial, is still needed.

Comparison on chemical compositions and antioxidant capacities of the green, oolong, and red tea from blueberry leaves.

Blueberry leaves, by‐products of the blueberry industry, could be explored as source of functional foods, such as teas. Three different types of tea, including nonfermented green tea, semifermented oolong tea, and fully fermented red tea from blueberry leaves, were investigated on their chemical compositions and antioxidant capacities here. The contents of individual amino acids in three types varied, while the total amounts retained constant. A total of 167 volatiles were detected with alcohols, alkenes, and aldehydes as the dominant. More volatiles produced in the fermented teas. The total phenolic/flavonoid contents were highest in the green tea and decreased significantly in the oolong and red teas, correlating inversely with the fermentation degree. The highest levels of representative phenolics, that is, phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides, contributed to the strongest antioxidant capacity in the green tea. These indicated that blueberry leaves provided promising and prospective potential to develop new teas beneficial for health.

Molecular identification and functional characterization of a cyanogenic glucosyltransferase from flax (Linum unsitatissimum).

Flax seed has become consumers’ choice for not only polyunsaturated alpha-linolenic fatty acid but also nutraceuticals such as lignans and soluble fiber. There is, however, a major drawback of flax as a source of functional food since the seeds contain significant level of cyanogenic glucosides. The final step of cyanogenic glucoside biosynthesis is mediated by UDP-glucose dependent glucosyltransferase. To date, no flax cyanogenic glucosyl transferase genes have been reported with verified biochemical functionality. Here we present a study on the identification and enzymatic characterization of a first flax cyanogenic glucosyltransferase, LuCGT1. We show that LuCGT1 was highly active towards both aliphatic and aromatic substrates. The LuCGT1 gene is expressed in leaf tissues as well as in developing seeds, and its expression level was drastically reduced in flax mutant lines low in cyanogenic glucosides. Identification of LuCGT1 provides a molecular handle for developing gene specific markers for targeted breeding of low cyanogenic glucosides in flax.

Production of a Protein Concentrate from Hazelnut Meal Obtained as a Hazelnut Oil Industry By-Product and Its Application in a Functional Beverage

This study aimed to extract protein from hazelnut meal, to evaluate its functional properties, and to apply it in a functional beverage. Hazelnut meal protein (HMP) was extracted by isoelectric precipitation. Proximate composition as well as solubility and water and oil absorption capacities of HMP were evaluated. Functional beverages with 2% and 4% of HMP were produced and compared to a reference beverage in terms of physicochemical and sensory properties. HMP with 86.8% protein was obtained. Essential amino acid concentration (36.65%) of HMP was considerably higher than many plant-based proteins. Moreover, branched-chain amino acids concentration composed of 12.33% of total protein. Water and oil absorption capacities of HMP was 2.21 ± 0.03 (g water/g protein) and 4.85 ± 0.28 (mL oil/g protein), respectively. 2% and 4% (w/v) HMP beverages (HMPB2 and HMPB4) were prepared and compared with the reference beverage (RB). All physiochemical properties investigated significantly differed except turbidity and viscosity. Sensory evaluation revealed that overall acceptability of the formulations was comparable to each other and that both HMPB2 and HMPB4 were preferred by the panelists. Results suggested that hazelnut meal can be a protein source for functional foods and partially replace the existing sources in a more environmentally friendly, cheap and sustainable manner.

게르마늄 수경재배 미나리 추출물 처리에 의한 In Vitro/In Vivo에서의 사이토카인 감소 및 면역 활성에 대한 효과

RAW 264.7 cells were used to test if the extracts of water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica), cultivated in either tap water (OJ) or water containing germanium (GO) affect the secretion of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Normal male ICR mice were administered OJ or GO extracts orally to evaluate the production of nitric oxide/pro-inflammatory cytokines and activities of natural killer (NK) cells in spleen and abdominal cavity. ICP-AES determined the germanium contents of the GO extracts with 116.68 mg germanium being found in 1 kg of the GO extracts. The chemical compositions of the GO extracts were analyzed using LC-Q-orbitrap and chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, isorhamnetin were detected in the GO extracts. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, the levels of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines were decreased by treatments with the OJ and GO extracts, but the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels were increased. The nitric oxide levels were reduced by both OJ and GO extracts in the spleen of normal male ICR mice fed 400 mg/kg of OJ or GO extracts. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also decreased by both OJ and GO extracts, but the IFN-γ levels were increased. Both OJ and GO extracts elevated the additional NK cell activities in the spleen and abdominal cavity. Overall, these results provide evidence that GO extracts are better than OJ extracts in terms of inhibiting the inflammatory responses. Therefore, GO extracts may be used as novel and natural functional food source to produce anti-inflammatory foods.