Preventive Nutrition and Food Science最新文献

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) possesses various biological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-aging and hepatoprotective properties. Although djulis husk is typically considered agricultural waste, there is value in exploring ways to utilize it effectively. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of the water extract of djulis husk (WDH) in rats with high-fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. The results showed that WDH significantly ameliorated the metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fructose diet in rats. Supplementation with low-dose WDH (0.5% of diet, w/w) significantly improved metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and insulin resistance. The protective effects of WDH against metabolic syndrome may be associated with increased expression of the genes encoding insulin receptor substrates-1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) in the epididymal fat. Thus, WDH is likely a functional food ingredient for the prevention of metabolic syndrome.

This study investigated the potential of substituting wheat flour with drum-dried overripe Kepok plantain flour (KPF) to enhance instant the nutritional and textural properties of noodles. Noodles were prepared with varying KPF substitutions (10%, 20%, and 30%) and compared to a control (0% KPF). The results show that KPF remarkably influences the adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, and hardness of noodles. Notably, 10% KPF substitution yielded noodles with moderate elasticity and good shape retention but increased their firmness. Increasing the KPF substitution resulted in less sticky noodles, with noodles with 20% KPF substitution showing improved elasticity and shape retention but a firmer texture. At 30% substitution, noodles were less sticky and slightly softer, although their shape retention somewhat decreased. Moreover, KPF substitution greatly altered the pasting properties of flour. Increasing the KPF substitution resulted in lower peak viscosity values, indicating a potential for stronger gelling of amylose in the noodles. This modification aligns with the desired characteristics of alkaline noodles, suggesting that KPF substitution, particularly at 30%, can improve the gelling properties and overall quality of the final product. Furthermore, KPF substitution improved the cooking quality, resulting in shorter cooking times and lower cooking losses than control noodles. This is attributed to the lower water uptake of KPF noodles, leading to a slimmer shape after cooking. Furthermore, KPF substitution increased the content of resistant starch and decreased oil absorption during frying. This study highlights the potential of KPF as a functional ingredient for developing more nutritious and sustainable instant noodles.

Stingless bee honey and Clitoria ternatea flowers are functional foods known for their numerous health benefits. Incorporating these functional ingredients into fermented milk can influence the properties of the final product. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing stingless bee honey (SBH) from Heterotrigona itama and Clitoria ternatea flower extract (CTFE) on the physicochemical and functional characteristics of fermented goat milk. SBH and CTFE were added in varying concentrations during the fermentation process. The proximate composition, total titratable acidity (TTA), pH, color (L*, a*, b*), total lactic acid bacteria (LAB), antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content were analyzed. Supplementation with SBH and CTFE led significant changes in proximate composition across treatments, with notable increases in carbohydrate content and total LAB. However, SBH and CTFE had no effect on the TTA or pH of the fermented goat milk. Brightness and yellowness increased with SBH, while CTFE reduced L* and a* values. Moreover, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content increased with higher concentrations of SBH and CTFE. In conclusion, SBH and CTFE supplementation can modify the physical properties of fermented goat milk while enhancing its quality by boosting total LAB, antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content.

The inhibitory effect of Chrysanthemum indicum L. on adipocyte differentiation can be enhanced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation. In this study, we assessed the cellulose resolution, C. indicum L. quantity, and fermentation time and process to verify the LAB selection and fermentation efficiency. In addition, the antioxidant activity, adipocyte signaling and differentiation, and hedgehog (Hh) signaling were investigated, and the changes in compounds before and after fermentation were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). All strains exhibited satisfactory cellulose resolution. With 20% C. indicum L., fermentation was only effective up to 24 h. The results of the antioxidant assays showed that the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical scavenging capacities were higher in all fermentations than in unfermented C. indicum L. extract (CI). 3T3-L1 cell differentiation signaling evaluation revealed that CI inhibited adipocyte differentiation by reducing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase activity in all fermentations. In the Hh signaling analysis, CI fermented with Lactococcus lactis KCTC 3115 significantly increased glioma-associated oncogene 1 (GLI1) activity by inhibiting patched 1 activity and activating smoothened (P<0.001). UHPLC quantitative analysis revealed elevated levels of luteolin and quercetin. Fermentation with C. indicum L. and L. lactis KCTC 3115 activated GLI1, a transcription factor in the Hh signaling pathway, which enhanced the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, indicating its potential in anti-obesity treatment. However, the exact compounds affecting GLI1 activity require further elucidation in future studies.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo metabolic pathway transitions, including aerobic glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and amino acid metabolism, which are important for their function. Metabolic dysfunction in VSMCs can lead to age-related vascular diseases. O-GlcNAcylation, a nutrient-dependent posttranslational modification linked specifically to glucose metabolism, plays an important role in this context. Magnolia kobus DC. (MK), derived from the flower buds of Magnolia biondii, is known for its anticancer, anti-allergy, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the role of O-GlcNAcylation in VSMCs under aging and the association between MK and O-GlcNAc remain unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of O-GlcNAc on VSMC proliferation, along with the expression of MOF (males absent on the first, KAT8) and its correlation with the efficacy of MK. The results showed that aging and O-GlcNAc induction increased the expression levels of O-GlcNAc, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein, and MOF in mouse vascular smooth muscle cells (MOVAS) and aorta tissue. Transfection with OGT siRNA reduced the expression of MOF and OGT, indicating that OGT regulates MOF and influences cell proliferation. MK treatment reduced the expression of OGT, ATM, and MOF, which was correlated with O-GlcNAc levels. These findings suggest that O-GlcNAcylation is important for VSMC homeostasis and may be a novel target for vascular diseases. Thus, MK exhibits potential as a new drug candidate for treating vascular diseases by modulating O-GlcNAcylation and MOF interactions.

This study aimed to develop tuber bread from purple sweet potato and bambara beans with high satiety and low glycemic index (GI). Different ratios of purple sweet potato to bambara bean were used: 100:0 (F0), 80:20 (F1), 60:40 (F2), and 40:60 (F3). The satiety index (SI) was determined by assessing the consumption of a 240 kcal isocaloric food and collecting data through a visual analog scale. Blood samples were collected from 11 subjects to determine the GI of the test food. This was achieved using the finger-prick capillary blood sampling method or an EasyTouch glucometer. The results showed that tuber-bread F1 was categorized as high-fiber sources (6.92±0.03 g), whereas F2 and F3 were classified as fiber sources (5.50±0.07 and 5.14±0.11 g, respectively). Significant differences were observed among all formulas. Additionally, formula F3 showed a high SI (160.12%±18.38%) and GI (81.94±2.13), suggesting that the consumption of fiber-rich food may promote feelings of fullness and reduce food cravings. The satiety score analysis of the selected products against standard food yielded a regression equation (y=-0.257x+66.648), showing that tuber-bread F3 extended satiety by up to 95 min compared with white bread. As a result, tuber-bread F3 may help to reduce the consumption of additional food, which is frequently a significant contributor to excessive calorie intake.

Recently, there has been increasing interest in exploring the effects of royal jelly on athletic performance. This systematic review examined existing literature on the effects of royal jelly on athletic performance. We conducted a detailed search in the Institute for Scientific Information, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. We meticulously selected nine studies from an initial pool of 97 studies up to June 2024. Our findings will provide evidence supporting the beneficial effects of royal jelly in reducing blood lactate levels and enhancing athletic performance. Additionally, royal jelly does not affect muscle damage or its associated markers. However, the influence of royal jelly on athletes' body composition measurements remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research.

Capsicum oleoresin (CO) is a concentrated extract derived from peppers (Capsicum annum L.) containing capsaicin (the active compound responsible for its pungency) and other bioactive components. The present study aimed to determine whether CO affects the energy expenditure and mitochondrial content of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in diet-induced obese mice. Four-week-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups and fed with a normal chow diet, 45% high-fat diet (HF), or HF supplemented with 0.01% CO (HF+CO) for 16 weeks. The results showed that CO supplementation significantly suppressed weight gain and improved serum lipid profiles compared with HF feeding. The energy expenditure was significantly higher in the HF+CO group than in the HF group. Compared with the HF group, the HF+CO group had significantly upregulated the messenger RNA expression levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) in BAT. The mitochondrial DNA content, which was reduced by HF intake, was significantly restored in the HF+CO group. Furthermore, the mitochondrial size and number were restored in the HF+CO group than in in the HF group. The activity of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in BAT was significantly increased in the HF+CO group than in the HF group. In conclusion, CO potentially inhibits weight gain by increasing energy expenditure in diet-induced obese mice. This beneficial effect is likely associated with the enhancement of mitochondrial content by upregulating key markers, including UCP1, PGC-1α, and AMPK, in BAT.

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, poses an emerging threat as it can lead to colorectal cancer, thrombosis, and other chronic conditions. The present study demonstrated the protective effects of peanut sprout extracts (PSEs) prepared from day 2 to day 7 of germination against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced epithelial barrier breakdown. Although the peanut sprout length increased in a time-dependent manner from day 1 to day 7, the extraction yields remained relatively consistent from day 2 to day 7. With regard to antioxidant activities, the PSE from day 6 of germination exhibited the highest oxidative radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content. Similarly, it showed remarkable anti-permeability effects in LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells and suppressed the degradation and dissociation of junctional markers (e.g., ZO-1 and E-cadherin) at cell-cell junctions. Collectively, these data demonstrate that PSE from day 6 of germination can be used as a functional food resource to reduce inflammatory barrier dysfunction.

Phytonutrients (e.g., phenolic compounds and flavonoids) are secondary plant metabolites that play an important role in the defense against pathogens and protection from oxidative injury because of their potential ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species. The present study aimed to determine the antioxidant contents, scavenging activity, and toxicity of aqueous extracts of common Omani plants. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), scavenging activity against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and brine shrimp lethality of the aqueous extracts of commonly used Omani ethnobotanical plants were evaluated. The samples exhibited a wide range of the investigated parameters. TPC ranged from 0.52 to 65.14 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry solid, whereas TFC ranged from 0.07 to 37.14 mg catechin equivalent/g dry solid. Moreover, the scavenging activity ranged from 6.9% to 91.9%. Among 18 plant species that were examined, Pteropyrum scoparium, Moringa peregrina, Dodonaea viscosa, Rhus aucheri, Acridocarpus orientalis, and Prosopis cineraria showed high values in almost all parameters. At exposure levels of 1 to 1,000 μg/mL, the lethality test using four plants with the highest TPC values and scavenging activity (M. peregrina, P. scoparium, R. aucheri, and P. cineraria) revealed that they may be safe for consumption as food or medicine. In general, the study demonstrated that some Omani plant species may be potential sources of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Thus, these plant species should be propagated to be used in the food and nutraceutical industries. Moreover, they can be consumed to combat chronic oxidative stress-mediated diseases.