Sugar Profile Research Articles

The Probiotication of a Lychee Beverage with Saccharomyces boulardii: An Alternative to Dairy-Based Probiotic Products

Probiotic vegetable-based beverages, such as lychee, can be rich in nutrients, free of cholesterol and lactose, and also have few allergenic components. Saccharomyces boulardii is an alternative to make lychee juice a probiotic beverage. This work aimed to develop probiotic lychee beverage (LB) using S. boulardii by evaluating the effect of refrigerated storage on cell viability, physicochemical characteristics, and acceptance. LB supplemented with S. boulardii was fermented (24 h/30 °C), supplemented with sucrose (4–12 °Brix), and refrigerated (up to 28 days/4 °C). The yeast viability, total soluble solid (TSS) and, ethanol content, pH, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and antioxidant activity (AA) levels were evaluated over 28 days of storage. Also, the profiles of sugars, organic acids, and phenolic were determined via chromatographic analysis. The sensory acceptance of the probiotic beverage was evaluated. Higher sucrose levels (12 °Brix) resulted in greater yeast viability (6.9 log CFU/mL) on the 21st day of storage and superior TPC (153 µmol TEAC/mL) and ethanol levels (8.7%). Storage reduced the TPC, AA, and TSS. LB supplemented with sucrose to 12 °Brix, probioticated by S. boulardii, and stored for 21 days became accepted by the consumer and presented an adequate physicochemical profile with probiotic potential. The probiotication of lychee beverage is an alternative to dairy-based probiotic beverages.

Harnessing deep eutectic solvent for enhanced inulinase production from agricultural via submerged fermentation with Aspergillus niger.

This study aimed to enhance inulinase production from agricultural biomass pretreated with deep eutectic solvents (DES) using Aspergillus niger A42 (ATCC 204447). Barley husk (BH), wheat bran (WB), and oat husk (OH) were selected as substrates and were pretreated using different molar ratios of choline chloride: glycerol (ChCl: Gly) and choline chloride: acetic acid (ChCl: AA). DES pretreatment was followed by dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The fermentable sugar content (FSC), sugar profiles, and inhibitory components in the hydrolysates were analyzed. DES pretreatment improved the FSC in all substrates, with wheat bran showing the highest FSC of 72.54g/mL. Considering the fermentable sugar contents, ChCl: Gly (1:2) was selected as the most suitable DES. The analysis of biomass composition after pretreatment indicated a reduction in extractives and lignin, along with an increase in cellulose content. Subsequently, inulinase fermentation using Aspergillus niger A42 has demonstrated that DES-pretreated wheat bran was the most effective substrate, yielding 416.05U/mL inulinase activity (Iase) and 486.22U/mL invertase-type (Sase) activity. The enzyme solution was partially purified via Spin-X UF membranes (50kDa cut-off), resulting in Iase activity of 769.93U/mL and Sase activity of 566.69U/mL. The purification coefficients were 1.88 and 0.92 for inulinase and invertase-type activity, respectively. In conclusion, DES pretreatment was successfully applied to produce inulinase enzyme from BH, WB, and OH. Among the materials studied, WB emerged as the most suitable biomass for producing inulinase from Aspergillus niger A42.

Мониторинг подлинности и качества концентрированного виноградного сусла

The Russian wine industry permits the use of concentrated grape must. Due to its shortage on the market, it often becomes subject to adulteration. The article introduces a comprehensive system for assessing the quality of concentrated grape must that prevents adulteration of semi-dry and semi-sweet wines. The research featured 446 samples of fresh and concentrated grape must, commercial preparations of concentrated white grape must, and sugar or glucose-fructose syrups. The method of high-performance liquid chromatography made it possible to identify the profile of organic acids and sugars. After introducing authentic concentrated grape must, the samples were tested for colloidal turbidity and crystalline destabilization. The authentic samples retained the chemical composition of the original grape variety, as evidenced by such authenticity markers as pH, disaccharide content, tartaric and malic acids, and glucose-fructose index. In the adulterate samples, these values did not fit the standard limits. The experiment involved 179 samples of commercial preparations: 21% proved to be mixes of authentic must with other products; 9% proved to be syrup substitutes, and 1% was concentrated apple juice. Authentic concentrated must aggravated the trend to colloidal opacity (17%) and crystalline destabilization (13%); a combination of both trends occurred in 13%. Low-quality preparation of fresh grape must before vacuuming increased the content of high- molecular components, tartrate anions, and potassium cations in the concentrated product. The following two-step assessment of concentrated grape must quality made it possible to adopt a rational technological solution: I – confirming the grape origin; II – assessing the effect of the authentic product on the colloidal and crystalline stability of wine. This protocol demonstrated a good potential for ensuring the authenticity and bottling stability of semi-dry and semi-sweet wines.

Characterization and Classification of Berry (Aronia, Haskap, and Goji) Fruits with High Bioactive Value Grown in Spain.

Aronia, haskap, and goji berries are characterized by their high content of bioactive compounds and their beneficial health properties as well as their resistance to harsh agronomic conditions. In this work, cultivars of these species growing in a mountainous region of central-western Spain were characterized by analyzing physicochemical parameters and bioactive compounds. Goji fruits showed the highest total soluble solid content and the lowest acidity values. The sugar profile suggested that goji cultivars will have a higher sweetness due to higher fructose and glucose content. However, aronia cultivars will be the least sweet due to their high sorbitol content. The total organic acid content was much higher in aronia and haskap than in goji fruits, and the profile varied according to species. The total phenolic content was significantly higher in aronia fruits. A total of 15 phenolic compounds were detected, with anthocyanins being predominant in aronia and haskap berries; however, they were not detected in goji fruits. Nevertheless, carotenoid compounds were found in goji berries and not detected in aronia and haskap fruits. Aronia fruits showed the highest antioxidant capacity compared to haskap and goji fruits. The PCA analysis classified the samples to determine which parameters have the greatest influence.

Hypolipidemic Effects of Eryngium Caucasicum Leaves Extract on Rats with Induced Diabetes Mellitus

Research Article AJVS. 2024; 17(2): 1-7doi: 10.37940/AJVS.2024.17.2.1 Hypolipidemic Effects of Eryngium Caucasicum Leaves Extract on Rats with Induced Diabetes Mellitus Glaucio Dire Feliciano. Abstract This research aimed to assess the hypolipidemic effects of an extract from Eryngium caucasicum in a Rat model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus produced by Streptozotocin. Forty adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups, with a total of eight rats in each: (1) healthy control rats, (2) diabetic rats with no diabetes, (3) diabetic rats given insulin, (4) diabetic rats given 200 mg/kg orally for 30 days of Eryngium caucasicum extract, and (5) diabetic rats given 300 mg/kg orally for 30 days. Injecting Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin intraperitoneally caused diabetes. Fasting blood sugar, hepatic enzymes, and lipid profiles were determined from blood samples taken after the trial. The levels of HDL were increased significantly in G3, G4, and G5 compared to G2. The insulin group and the group given 300 mg/kg of Eryngium caucasicum substantially reduced LDL cholesterol compared to the G2. It should be mentioned that the diabetic control group had higher TC compared to the healthy control group after rat diabetes induction (P = 0.020). Compared to the G2, G3 treated with insulin and groups treated with extract at dosages of 200 as well as 300 mg/kg body weight had a substantially lower TC (P < 0.01). Serum TG was improved when insulin and Eryngium caucasicum extract were administered at 200 and 300 mg/kg dosages, respectively (P < 0.05). Serum ALT and AST levels were shown to be elevated after STZ diabetes induction as compared to the G1. Even though diabetic rats' ALT and AST levels were enhanced by insulin and all 2 plant trial dosages, 200 and 300 mg/kg. In summary, our findings suggest that the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and hepato-protective properties of Eryngium caucasicum, when administered to an animal model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, may vary with dosage.

Proper activity of the age-dependent miR156 is required for leaf heteroblasty and extrafloral nectary development in Passiflora spp.

Passion flower extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) protrude from leaves and facilitate mutualistic interactions with insects; however, how age cues control EFN growth remains poorly understood. Here, we examined leaf and EFN morphology and development of two Passiflora species with distinct leaf shapes, and compared the phenotype of these to transgenics with manipulated activity of the age-dependent miR156, which targets several SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) transcription factors. Low levels of miR156 correlated with leaf maturation and EFN formation in Passiflora edulis and P. cincinnata. Accordingly, manipulating miR156 activity affected leaf heteroblasty and EFN development. miR156-overexpressing leaves exhibited less abundant and tiny EFNs in both Passiflora species. EFN abundance remained mostly unchanged when miR156 activity was reduced, but it led to larger EFNs in P. cincinnata. Transcriptome analysis of young leaf primordia revealed that miR156-targeted SPLs may be required to properly express leaf and EFN-associated genes. Importantly, altered miR156 activity impacted sugar profiles of the nectar and modified ecological relationships between EFNs and ants. Our work provides evidence that the miR156/SPL module indirectly regulates EFN development in an age-dependent manner and that the EFN development program is closely associated with the heteroblastic developmental program of the EFN-bearing leaves.

Molecular profiles and long-term outcomes of Thai children with hepatic glycogen storage disease in Thailand.

Thus far, genetic analysis of patients clinically diagnosed with glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) in Thailand has not been reported. To evaluate the clinical and biochemical profiles, molecular analysis and long-term outcomes of Thai children diagnosed with hepatic GSD. Children aged < 18 years diagnosed with hepatic GSD and followed up at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital were recruited. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify the causative gene variants. Medical records were assessed. All eight children with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis were classified by WES into subtypes Ia (n = 1), III (n = 3), VI (n = 3), and IX (n = 1). A total number of 10 variants were identified including G6PC (n = 1), AGL (n = 4), PYGL (n = 5), and PHKA2 (n = 1). AGL had two novel variants. The clinical manifestations were hepatomegaly (n = 8), doll-like facies (n = 3), wasting (n = 2), and stunting (n = 5). All patients showed hypoglycemia, transaminitis, and dyslipidemia. The mainstay of treatment was cornstarch supplementation and high-protein and low-lactose-fructose diet. After a median follow-up time of 9.59 years, height turned to normal for age in 3/5 patients and none had malnutrition. Liver enzymes, blood sugar, and lipid profiles improved in all. Hepatomegaly, transaminitis, and hypoglycemia are the hallmarks of GSD confirmed by liver histopathology. Molecular analysis can confirm the diagnosis or classify the subtype that might benefit from personalized treatment, prognosis, and long-term care.

Comparative Study on the Proximate and Selected Sugar Composition of Raw and Processed Breadfruit

Introduction: African bread fruit possesses great promise as a dietary source for humans. Its seeds, when processed are considered to be nutritious and healthy. There are limited information on the sugar profiles of African breadfruit, which has limited its utilization as a dietary source for humans. Objective: The study evaluated the proximate composition and sugar profiles of raw and processed breadfruit. Methods: The samples used were the raw, boiled and toasted forms of breadfruit. Standard procedures were followed for the proximate composition and gas chromatography was used to determine the sugar composition. The statistically differences between the groups at p&lt;0.05 was tested using ANOVA. Results: The study’s findings showed that in comparison to the boiled and toasted forms, the raw form had significantly higher percentage of carbohydrate (81.10), crude protein (1.73), ash (2.93) and crude fibre (4.80). The boiled had significantly higher moisture (19.49) than raw and toasted forms. The sugar profiling revealed that the concentration(mg/100g) of glucose (13.77), and xylose (3.42) was significantly higher in the raw compared to the processed forms. D-fructose (3.93) was significantly higher in the boiled form while D-Galacturonic acid (5.76) and D-Glucuronic acid (8.57) were significantly higher in the toasted form. Conclusion: The findings suggest that breadfruit is a good source of carbohydrates and can be used as sustainable food and can help to alleviate malnutrition among humans.

Phenolic Characterization and Quality Evaluation of Herbal Coffee from Roasted Juniper Berry Fruits (Juniperus drupacea L.): Elucidating the Impact of Roasting.

Consumers' demand for foods with health benefits and different tastes is on an increasing trend. Juniper berries ("andiz" in Turkish) are the fruits of perennial, aromatic, and resinous Juniperus drupacea trees. In this study, quality properties of herbal coffee samples obtained from juniper berries roasted at three different temperatures (120, 160, and 200 °C) and four different durations (10, 25, 32.5, and 55 min) were elucidated. The herbal coffee samples were prepared from roasted and powdered fruits, and their total phenolic contents (TPCs), sugar profiles, antioxidant activities (AAs), and other quality parameters were examined. The highest AA value was determined as 17.99 and 29.36 mM Trolox/L (DPPH and ABTS, respectively) in the herbal coffee prepared from berries roasted at 120 °C for 25 min. Sucrose and glucose were dominant in all herbal coffee samples. Sixteen phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by a LC-ESI-MS/MS device. The TPC values of the herbal coffee varied from 236.7 to 917.0 g/L, and the procyanidin dimer, amentoflavone, methyl-biflavone, and digalloylquinic acid were dominant in all samples. The hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content of the herbal coffee varied between 0.01 and 0.39 mg/kg. According to a sensory analysis, the herbal coffee obtained from fruits roasted at 120 °C for 25 min was the most appreciated sample. In sum, this work shows that herbal coffee is non-caffeinated and is an alternative to regular coffee drinks derived from juniper berries roasted at lower temperatures and has more significant phenolic and antioxidant contents. It also has the potential to offer innovative and healthy alternatives to the food industry. Future research should focus on investigating how this herbal coffee can be positioned in the market and can influence consumer preference.

Enzyme Inhibitory, Physicochemical, and Phytochemical Properties and Botanical Sources of Honey, Bee Pollen, Bee Bread, and Propolis Obtained from the Same Apiary.

Bee products are an important source of nutrients and bioactive phytochemicals. This study aimed to determine the chemical composition (proximate composition, general phytochemical composition, sugar, and phenolic profiles) of four different products (honey, bee pollen, bee bread, and propolis), obtained from the same apiary, as well as to assess their biological activity through antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assays (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, AchE, neuraminidase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, urease, trypsin, tyrosinase, carbonic anhydrase, thioredoxin reductase, adenosine deaminase). Clear differences were observed among the samples in terms of both chemical composition and biological activity. The analysis revealed that bee pollen exhibited the highest carbohydrate content (87.9%), while propolis was identified as the richest source of phenolic compounds (14,858.9 mg/kg) among the analyzed samples. Propolis exhibited the highest biological activity in all applied antioxidant assays (CUPRAC, DPPH•, and ABTS•+) and in most enzyme inhibition assays. Notably, the α-glucosidase inhibition activity of propolis was comparable to that of the reference standard. In addition, honey exhibited remarkable trypsin inhibition, also comparable to the applied standard. These findings highlight the diverse bioactivities of hive products, which could play a key role in promoting health and preventing diseases.

Effects of wildfire ash on the fatty acid and sugar profiles of bivalves - A comparative study of a freshwater and a marine species.

Wildfires can impact both freshwater and marine ecosystems through post-fire runoff, but its effects on bivalves, particularly those living in marine habitats, remain largely overlooked. While evidence exists that wildfire ash can alter the fatty acid (FA) and sugar profiles of aquatic biota, its influence on the biochemical profiles of bivalves have not been addressed to date. This study aimed to assess the effects of ash exposure on the FA and sugar profiles of two bivalve species used for human consumption: a freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) and a marine bivalve (Cerastoderma edule), additionally evaluating potential effects on their nutritional value. Both species were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of aqueous extracts of Eucalypt ash (AEAs) for 96h. Results showed species-specific responses to ash extracts exposure, with more pronounced effects on C. edule. This species exhibited a trend for reduced FA content, statistically significant for C17:0 but also evident for unsaturated FAs, which is relevant for human health as they represent a decrease in the nutritional value. Conversely, an increase in the sugar content of this species was observed with increasing AEA concentrations, despite only statistically significant for galactose and xylose. In contrast, the clams exhibited only minor effects, showing a trend for increased FA and decreased sugar contents, but only significant for the monounsaturated FA content. This study suggests a higher sensitivity of marine bivalves to wildfire ash compared to their freshwater counterparts. Moreover, it highlights, for the first time, the potential of post-fire runoff to alter the biochemical profiles of bivalve species, raising concerns about broader impacts on aquatic trophic webs and human health, an issue that becomes particularly relevant given the forecasted increase in wildfire's frequency and extension due to global warming.

Obstetrical Characteristics and Glucose Profile of Singleton Primigravid Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Meru Mother and Child Health Clinic, Malaysia

This study aims to explore the baseline obstetric characteristics of singleton, primigravid women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) from an experimental study. A total of 58 subjects with GDM, who were solely on diet control, were recruited from Meru Health Clinic in Selangor. The majority of the subjects (97%) were Malay. The mean age of the subjects was 27.59±3.2 years, with a pre-pregnancy weight of 68.86±17.8 kg, a height of 1.56±0.1 m, and Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28.08±6.7 kg/m2. Most subjects in this study (93%) were diagnosed with GDM at their first Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), conducted at a mean gestational age of 18.93±2.8 weeks. The OGTT readings at diagnosis were 5.1±0.6 mmol/L for Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) and 7.9±1.5 mmol/L for 2-Hour Postprandial (2HPP). The Blood Sugar Profile (BSP) levels were recorded as follows: fasting at 4.8±0.4 mmol/L, pre-lunch at 5.1±0.5 mmol/L, post-lunch at 5.3±0.5 mmol/L, and post-dinner at 5.3±1.5 mmol/L. Macronutrient intake was within the recommended guidelines. The subjects delivered at a mean gestational age of 38.8±1.1 weeks, with a mean birth weight of 2.99±0.4 kg. No incidences of macrosomia were recorded in this study. In conclusion, the subjects underwent early GDM screening, had well-controlled antenatal blood glucose levels, and experienced no adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Variation in chemical composition of fresh and commercial Royal Jelly associated with international standards

The chemical composition of fresh (local) and commercial (imported) Royal Jelly (RJ) from Saudi Arabia was investigated. 10-hydroxydec-2-enoic acid (10-HDA), protein content, sugar profile, moisture content, pH, free acidity, electric conductivity (EC), and macro and micro-minerals were analyzed in both RJ groups. Most samples and about 50 % of fresh RJ samples showed 10-HDA and protein content percentages lower or higher than the international standard limits. Differences were significant (p < 0.0001) between fresh and commercial RJ samples in all tested parameters except moisture content. Furthermore, 29 percent of the commercial samples did not pass the 10-HDA standard limits. On the other hand, lactose, a non-RJ sugar, was detected in two commercial samples indicating some contamination or adulteration of these samples. The minerals Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Aluminum (Al), Manganese (Mn), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), and Calcium (Ca) were detected in all samples. Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), and Sodium (Na) were significantly higher in fresh RJ samples (P < 0.05). Sodium, potassium, and phosphorus demonstrated significantly higher occurrence in fresh RJ samples from Saudi Arabia and might be good candidates for its characterization. Although 10-HDA and protein ratios are important parameters of RJ authenticity, the current standards of both parameters (ISO,12824:2016) should be updated to cover occurrence limits worldwide. Moreover, mineral analyses might be useful to characterize RJ's originality and explore RJ's adulteration.

Metabolomic Profiling of Tenebrio molitor Reared on Chestnut Shell-Enriched Substrate Using NMR Spectroscopy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolomic profile of T. molitor larvae reared on the following innovative growth substrates: wheat bran (control, CTRL); wheat bran supplemented with 12.5% w/w chestnut shell (TRT1); and wheat bran supplemented with 25% w/w chestnut shell (TRT2) for 14 days of trial. At the end of this experiment, larvae were transformed into insect meals for nutritional characterization. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was carried out to evaluate the metabolomic profile of organic acids, sugars, nitrogen bases and derivates, fatty acids, and other compounds. Chemical analysis showed an increased level of crude protein in TRT1 compared to CTRL and TRT2 (p = 0.0391). The metabolite profiles of TRT1 and TRT2 were similar to each other but distinct from those of the CTRL group. Notably, larvae enriched with chestnut shells revealed the presence of uracil, uridine, and glucose, while fumarate was absent. The enrichment analysis showed that in TRT1 and TRT2, the glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism was more relevant compared to CTRL. These findings indicate that chestnut shell inclusion affects the larvae metabolism of T. molitor and demonstrates the effectiveness of NMR spectroscopy in revealing a relation between insect metabolism and growth substrate.

Impact of Vitiligo on Fasting Blood Sugar and Thyroid Hormone Profile on Libyan Patients

Vitiligo is a common acquired skin disease characterized by the development of circumscribed white patches of skin. It affects 1-2% of the general population. Autoimmunity plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of vitiligo. This study was intended to assess the prevalence and association of fasting blood sugar and thyroid function abnormalities among Vitiligo patients and healthy controls. A case-control study was carried out among thirty patients with a confirmed diagnosis of vitiligo (53.3% female and 46.7% male) who attended Tripoli Central Hospital (TCH) and Tajoura Hospital for follow-up, and a matched number of control subjects were recruited randomly. All blood samples were collected to assay for the FBS test, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). According to the recent data, the mean age of patients who were involved in this study was 34.4±16.51 years, while the mean age of onset was 20.13 ±14.19. Additionally, the data revealed that there were significant differences in FBS between vitiligo patients and healthy control groups (p-value = &lt;0.001). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences between vitiligo patients and non-vitiligo subjects in T4 (p-value = 0.042). Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between the vitiligo phenotypes and thyroid hormone levels. P-value = 0.911 Chi-Square = 0.186. According to the results of the present study, it appears that vitiligo affects both sexes, especially women. It has also been noted that generalized vitiligo was more common, and there was no correlation between patterns of vitiligo and thyroid state.

Osmotic Dehydration of Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica) Fruits in Erythritol Solutions: Impact of Processing Conditions on the Kinetic Parameters and on Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of the Fruits.

The present work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of erythritol as an osmotic agent in the osmotic dehydration (OD) process of Japanese quince fruits and to assess its effects on their physicochemical and antioxidant properties. The efficiency of the OD process was determined by examining its kinetics and comparing the results to those from a sucrose solution. In selected osmotically dehydrated fruits, the following parameters were determined: dry matter content, total acidity, pH, sugar profile, color parameters, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays), and vitamin C content. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) was also performed. Generally, the OD process using a 40% erythritol solution demonstrated the most efficient kinetics among all osmotic agents tested; however, fruits dehydrated in this solution also showed the most significant changes in physicochemical and antioxidant properties compared to fresh fruits. Remarkably, Japanese quince fruits dehydrated in a 30% erythritol solution exhibited higher levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity than those treated with a 50% sucrose solution, despite displaying similar dehydration kinetics. The use of erythritol solutions also led to a decrease in sugar content. In turn, PCA analysis confirmed a correlation between pH values and the L* color parameter, with the highest L* value observed in fruits dehydrated with the sucrose solution. Thus, erythritol may be utilized as a low-calorie alternative to sucrose as an osmotic agent while simultaneously minimizing the loss of antioxidant compounds.

Lowering the carbon footprint of beer through waste breadcrumb substitution for malted barley: Life cycle assessment and experimental study

Beer is the most produced and consumed alcoholic beverage in the world, but the agricultural production of its most common ingredient, i.e. malted barley, is a significant contributor to the overall environmental footprint of beer. In addition, food wastage, particularly bread with millions of slices wasted daily, poses a waste management challenge across the globe. This study aims to address both issues through brewing beer with waste bread that would have otherwise ended up in landfill by replacing a portion of malted barley with waste bread. A sourdough pale ale was brewed at various bread percentages to understand how the inclusion of bread changed the sugar profile and fermentability of the beer. The samples were mashed at two different temperatures, 65 °C and 70 °C, to assess the impacts of mashing. It was found that the volume of alcohol produced declined with increasing bread amounts, but brewing with up to 60 wt% bread produced the same volume of alcohol as a standard beer. A life cycle assessment was performed to quantify the change in cradle to grave environmental impact for brewing beers with varying bread percentages with the view to conduct more targeted feasibility studies in the future with waste bread substitution. Significant reductions in emissions were observed as regards global warming potential, terrestrial ecotoxicity, acidification, eutrophication, ozone depletion, and abiotic depletion of fossil fuels. In particular, the global warming potential for the real-life example microbrewery studied in this work was decreased by 7.13% of the total carbon dioxide equivalent annually, demonstrating the environmental advantages of brewing beer with waste bread.

Effects of resveratrol supplementation on inflammatory markers, fatigue scale, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objectives: Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes, has been studied extensively for its potential benefits on metabolic markers and inflammation. While promising results have been observed in animal studies and some human trials, the overall evidence is mixed. Moreover, elevated inflammatory markers have been closely linked to more severe symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Therefore, strategies to reduce systemic inflammation could potentially improve outcomes for MS patients. So we aimed to examine the effectiveness of resveratrol supplementation on inflammatory markers in patients with Multiple sclerosis (MS), in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded parallel clinical trial. Methods: A total of 55 subjects with MS were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to the two groups who were supplemented with resveratrol at a dose of 500 mg/day or received placebo capsules for 8 weeks. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Malondialdehyde (MDA), fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein – cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein – cholesterol (HDL-C), and the degree of fatigue were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Results: Resveratrol treatment significantly decreased TNF-α (P < 0.001), and MDA (P < 0.001) compared to the placebo. The respective increase and decrease in FBS and HDL levels were seen in both groups, while the change in participants receiving resveratrol was significantly less pronounced. Changes in the levels of TG and fatigue scale remained unchanged. Conclusion: This study showed that resveratrol supplementation exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in patients with MS. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20230315057731N1.

Enhanced Analysis of Carcinogens and Nutritional Profile of Vitis vinifera by Employing Pulsed Electric Field.

Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC-TQ/MS) was optimized and validated to specifically analyze aldehydes and furans after drying Vitis vinifera grape variety by conventional as well as modern pre-drying technique i.e. pulsed electric field (PEF). Analytical method was validated in terms of linearity (R 2), recovery (%), relative standard deviation (% RSD), limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ). Sample pre-treatment with PEF (1 kV/cm) followed by drying at 65°C produced dried product with fewer chemical changes in the composition than convective hot air drying. Meanwhile, nutritional parameters including polyphenolics, amino acids, fatty acids and sugars profiles were also extensively investigated to get deeper insights into the effect of drying treatments on the nutritional quality of dried product. Conclusively, sample pre-treatment on relatively lower PEF voltage, followed by drying at minimum temperature with longer time duration can preserve nutritional quality of product by forming less harmful compounds.

Bioactive compounds (LC-PDA-Qtof-ESI-MS and UPLC-PDA-FL) and in vitro inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase in leaves and fruit from different varieties of Ficus carica L.

The aim of the study was to analyze the potential health-promoting and nutritional components of leaves and figs from several Spanish varieties of Ficus carica L. The study focused to identify (by LC-PDA-QTof/MS) and quantify (by UPLC-PDA-FL) various components including carotenoids, chlorophylls, tocols, amino acids, phenolic acids, flavonols, anthocyanins. Besides, the sugar profile, the antioxidant capacity (ORAC, FRAP and ABTS) and the in vitro hypoglycaemic potential via inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were evaluated. The leaves were found to have significant antioxidant properties. This is attributed to their high content of carotenoids (3170.77-6763.77 mg/ 100 g dm), chlorophylls (405.58–744.23 mg/ 100 g dm), tocols (59.35–115.61 mg/ 100 g dm), and polyphenols (1150.34 mg/100 g dm). Additionally, figs presented greater sources of amino acids (725.07 mg/100 g dm) and exhibited higher anti-diabetic activity than leaves. Figs of “Cuello Dama Negra” variety presented the highest content of anthocyanins (108.22 mg/100 g dm). The study suggests that incorporating these vegetal materials into another food matrix could have potential health benefits, especially in terms of antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects.