Plant Foods for Human Nutrition最新文献

Sambucus australis is a wild species with purple fruits like berries. It is native from South America and can be found in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil. A comprehensive characterization of S. australis fruiting period and ripening could provide valuable information on the stage of development suitable for formulating typical and new food and cosmetic products, as well as it could contribute to reveals its nutritional value. This study aimed to examine the evolution of fruit size and weight alongside the accumulation patterns of sugars, organic acids, biophenols and antioxidant activity during different development stages of S. australis fruit, assessing its potential as a source of health-promoting compounds. The increase in total sugar (269.59 g/kg dry weight), together with the decrease in the total organic acids (321.63 g/kg dry weight) at the fully ripe stage, indicates that the fruit is sweet. This suggests that it is an appealing product to be consumed when it is fully ripe. The fatty acid composition contains significant levels of α-linolenic, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids. It is characterized by high ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, ranging from 5.8 to 6.4. S. australis fruits appeared to possess good levels of biophenols at fully ripe fruits (4709.7 µg/g dry weight) together with antioxidant activity (higher than 80%), so, it could be considered as a functional food.

The growing consumer demand for healthier foods that help reduce the risk of chronic diseases has driven the food industry to innovate with nutritionally and technologically viable products. This trend and the nutritional gaps in gluten-free diets have spurred the exploration of unconventional, high-quality ingredients like flour from pseudocereals, legumes, and oilseeds. This study evaluated the nutritional and functional profiles of chia expeller and flours from buckwheat, green/yellow peas, and rice to study their potential as techno-functional ingredients for new gluten-free premixes. Chia expeller, rich in protein, lipids, and fiber, with a notable fatty acid profile -particularly α-linolenic and linoleic acids- and significant levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, P, and Na, emerged as a standout ingredient. It also demonstrated remarkable water-binding functionality. Pea flours were notable for their high protein, Ca, Cl, Fe, and linoleic acid content. Meanwhile, rice and buckwheat flours were distinguished by their carbohydrate and oleic acid content. Buckwheat also provides substantial Mg and Zn, while rice flour stood out for its higher brightness. These findings underscore the potential of these flours to contribute to the development of functional foods tailored to meet specific nutritional needs and consumer preferences for healthier options. The distinct functional properties of each flour type can contribute to making targeted formulations, improving the technological properties of gluten-free products.

NAFLD is one of the most common and rapidly increasing liver diseases. Procyanidin C1 and procyanidin C2, B-type trimeric procyanidins, show beneficial effects on regulating lipid metabolism. However, the mechanism underlying these effects remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the anti-NAFLD effects and mechanisms of procyanidin C1 and procyanidin C2 on HFD- induced zebrafish and OA-treated HepG2 cells. Network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to predict potential targets and analyze intermolecular forces. The results demonstrated that procyanidin C1 and procyanidin C2 significantly reduce lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in both HFD-induced zebrafish and OA-treated HepG2 cell. And, treatment with procyanidin C1 and procyanidin C2 significantly enhance fatty acid oxidation and improve mitochondria function. Furthermore, procyanidin C1 and procyanidin C2 increased phosphorylated AMPKα levels and inhibited phosphorylated mTOR, along with downstream lipogenic proteins such as SREBP-1c, FAS, ACC, SCD-1 and PPARγ.

The plant specie, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is one of the most important species of the Lamiaceae family and its use as a plant extract has been highlighted by the population and the scientific community due to its rich chemical composition and the presence of bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant activity, associated with various health benefits. Research and development of innovative technologies are focused on the identification of these substances, their properties and applications. The present study aimed to select a type of lemon balm extract based on its bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential, obtained from lemon balm microcapsules through the ionic gelation process and evaluate the physicochemical changes and the profile of the volatile compounds. The extract obtained from the fresh plant sample infused at 80 °C showed a higher content of bioactive compounds. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis revealed similar spectra between the samples. Terpenes and terpenoids were the predominant class of compounds, with compounds such as (E)-citral and caryophyllene being the major compounds in both the fresh lemon balm sample and the microcapsules. The results were satisfactory in the preservation of aroma and volatile compounds through the microencapsulation process by ionic gelation.

This study aimed to explore the effects of egg albumin protein addition (5, 15 and 20 g/100 g db) on the textural characteristics, as well as in the in vitro digestibility of protein and starch of wheat bread. Egg albumin addition resulted in smoother bread loaves as compared to traditional wheat bread. Reduced hardness and increased cohesiveness were correlated to the protein secondary structure, mainly with the content of β-sheets. The in vitro protein digestibility decreased with the albumin addition, suggesting the mediation of protein-starch interactions. The in vitro starch digestibility was also decreased, reflected in a huge decrease of the slowly digestible starch fraction, but with non-significant changes in the rapidly digestible starch fraction. The supplemented albumin can form a physical barrier around the starch granules, which hampers the access of the amylolytic enzymes to the starch chains. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the addition of egg albumin is a viable alternative for producing wheat bread with reduced glycemic index and improved nutritional properties.

Sea buckthorn is a model of medicine and food homology, but the chemical composition and mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects are limited. In this study, the key components and mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of sea buckthorn were identified based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and RAW264.7 cells. The predicted key anti-inflammatory compounds in sea buckthorns were cianidanol, kaempferol, pelargonidin, and ent-epicatechin, and the key targets were EGFR, TNF, STAT3, and IL-10. The anti-inflammatory effects of sea buckthorn may be achieved via the synergistic regulation of multiple biological pathways. Furthermore, cianidanol significantly reduced the secretion of NO, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β and the expression of phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, as determined by ELISA and western blotting. Cianidanol from sea buckthorns exerts anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Thus, sea buckthorn can be developed into a promising functional food with anti-inflammatory properties.

Insulin resistance was considered to be the most important clinical phenotype of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Almond is a widely-consumed nut and long-term intake was beneficial to alleviating insulin resistance in patients with T2DM. Hence, screening of anti-diabetic peptides from almond proteins was feasible based on the effectiveness of peptides in the treatment of T2DM. Pro-Arg (PR), a potential anti-diabetic peptide screened from almonds proteins using in-silico technology and cell experiment, upregulated the phosphorylation levels of IRS1, PI3K, AKT, and translocation of GLUT4, and showed potential to target AKT1 in molecular simulation, suggesting PR mediated the activation of IRS1/PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway by targeting AKT1 to alleviate insulin resistance. Consequently, PR was the potential anti-diabetes peptide from almond proteins and showed the potential application as a candidate drug for alleviating T2DM.

This review aimed to explore the impact of extrusion on Andean grains, such as quinoa, kañiwa, and kiwicha, highlighting their macromolecular transformations, technological innovations, and contributions to food security. These grains, which are rich in starch, high-quality proteins, and antioxidant compounds, are versatile raw materials for extrusion, a continuous and efficient process that combines high temperatures and pressures to transform structural and chemical components. Extrusion improves the digestibility of proteins and starches, encourages the formation of amylose-lipid complexes, and increases the solubility of dietary fiber. However, it can degrade heat-sensitive nutrients, such as certain amino acids. The role of extrusion in food innovation is highlighted, especially in the creation of healthy and functional products such as snacks, gluten-free pastas, and meat analogs. Some innovations in the extrusion process and future trends, such as the use of artificial intelligence to optimize formulations and customize products, have been presented. The importance of Andean grains in the fight against food insecurity has been emphasized. These grains can be transformed into accessible, long-lasting, and nutritious foods, diversifying the diet and taking advantage of local resources. This review aims to serve as a valuable guide for researchers, food developers, and policymakers in their pursuit of creating more accessible, nutritious, and sustainable food options to meet escalating global demands for food security and enhanced nutrition.

Grape pomace (GP) is a by-product rich in phytochemicals, including extractable polyphenols (EPPs) and non-extractable polyphenols (NEPPs), which have distinct metabolic fates that may affect their biological activities. The benefits of GP have been reported in relation to obesity and its comorbidities, particularly when administered preventively focusing on EPPs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EPPs and NEPPs from GP as a treatment for obesity and its associated metabolic alterations. A previous comprehensive characterization of the selected GP revealed the most relevant individual compounds in the EPPs fraction (malvidin hexoside, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin, and procyanidin dimer B2 isomer II), as well as in the NEPPs fraction (hydroxybenzoic acid isomers I-II). The experiment was performed in obese rats with insulin resistance, treated for 8 weeks with EPPs or NEPPs grape pomace fractions (100 mg/kg). After the intervention, the HFFD + EPP group showed a significantly lower weight gain (9.6%) and body mass index (9.7%) compared to the HFFD group. While liver triglyceride levels were only significantly reduced in the HFFD + NEPP group (47%) compared to the HFFD group. Neither treatment resulted in a reduction of insulin resistance. Therefore, the supplementation with grape pomace phenolic fractions to an animal model of obesity exerted differential beneficial effects on body weight and liver lipid accumulation, overall contributing to an amelioration of some the metabolic alterations present in obesity, although not to aspects such as glycemic homeostasis.

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant native to South America known for producing steviol glycosides and fructans used in low-calorie and functional foods. This study aimed to cultivate and isolate inulin from hydroponically grown S. rebaudiana roots. Seedlings were grown hydroponically for 28 days; then, roots were dried and extracted at 121 °C for 20 min. Extracts were centrifuged and lyophilized, yielding supernatant (SSR-H) and precipitate (PSR-H) fractions. Fructan yields were 21.34% (SSR-H) and 2.91% (PSR-H). HPLC, FTIR, and NMR analyses confirmed inulin-like fructans with polymerization degrees of 16 and 31, respectively. The characteristic peaks of a fructan-like-inulin were observed in the FTIR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectra. These results demonstrate effective inulin extraction from hydroponically grown S. rebaudiana roots, highlighting its potential applications in the food industry.