Preventive Nutrition and Food Science最新文献

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced from energy metabolism and may cause diseases or cell death. Antioxidation refers to the suppression of ROS production and is considered beneficial in preventing diseases. This study aimed to examine the antioxidative effects of Cnidium officinale Makino (COM) extracts and fractions using Caenorhabditis elegans as an experimental model. The COM ethanol extract was fractionated according to polarity. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of COM showed powerful radical scavenging activities and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in C. elegans in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the ethyl acetate fraction reduced the ROS production rate in C. elegans and increased the cell survival rate, suggesting oxidative and thermal stress resistance. In addition, the SOD-3::green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression level in the transformed cells of C. elegans (CF1553) increased, suggesting oxidative stress resistance. Similarly, the HSP-16.2::GFP expression level increased, suggesting thermal stress resistance. In conclusion, the ethyl acetate fraction of COM demonstrated the strongest antioxidative effects, indicating that it may help extend longevity.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of a green tea and java pepper mixture (GTP) on the gut microbiome and microRNA (miR)-221/222 expression in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: DSS-, DSS+, GTP50, and GTP100. In the GTP50 and GTP100 groups, GTP was orally administered to mice at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, every day for 2 weeks, and colitis was induced in the DSS+, GTP50, and GTP100 groups by adding 3% DSS to their drinking water for 1 week. GTP was found to mitigate the severity of inflammation and the damage to goblet cells caused by DSS-induced colitis. The results showed that compared with the DSS- group, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was increased and that of Proteobacteria and Candidatus Melainabacteria was decreased in the GTP100 group. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was also reduced in the GTP100 group. However, GTP administration did not modulate the microbial diversity. GTP administration upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of occludin and zonula occludens 1. In addition, GTP effectively downregulated the expression of miR-221 and miR-222. Overall, GTP altered the gut microbiota composition and downregulated colonic miR-221/222 expression in mice with DSS-induced colitis.

Among the most frequent causes of respiratory infections in humans are influenza A virus H1N1 (H1N1), influenza B virus (IVB), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Echinacea is a perennial wildflower belonging to the Asteraceae family. Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is a species belonging to the Echinacea genus. Its characteristic compound, chicoric acid (CA), is known for its physiological activities, including antiviral effects and immune enhancement. Activities of E. purpurea 60% ethanol extract (EPE) and CA in inhibiting infections caused by H1N1, IVB, and RSV subtype A (RSV-A) were evaluated through plaque inhibition tests, quantification of viral gene expression, and analysis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Additionally, inhibitory activities of EPE and CA for hemagglutination and neuraminidase (NA) of H1N1 and IVB were determined. In the plaque reduction assays, both EPE and CA reduced infectivity against H1N1, IVB, and RSV-A. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that EPE and CA reduced gene expression levels for H1N1, IVB, and RSV-A, whereas TEM image analysis confirmed their inhibitory effects on host cell infection by these viruses. Hemagglutination assays exhibited the ability of EPE and CA to hinder H1N1 and IVB attachment to host cell receptors. Furthermore, EPE and CA displayed inhibition activity against the NA of H1N1 and IVB. These findings suggest that EPE and CA can suppress the infection and propagation of H1N1, IVB, and RSV-A, demonstrating their potential as preventive and therapeutic agents for viral respiratory infections or as ingredients for health functional foods.

Exogenous proline can improve the growth, aroma intensities, and bioactive compounds of rice. This study evaluated the effects of gamma irradiation under proline conditions on the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP), phenolic, and flavonoid contents of rice. Moreover, the bioactive compounds of gamma-irradiated rice under proline conditions that inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase were evaluated by in silico study. A low gamma dose (40 Gy) induced the highest rice growth under 5 mM proline concentration. The highest 2AP content was stimulated at a gamma dose of 5－100 Gy under 10 mM proline concentration. At 500 and 1,000 Gy gamma dose, the highest flavonoid and phenolic contents of rice were stimulated. 1-(2-Hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-ethanone, which had the highest binding affinity (-7.9 kcal/mol) against α-glucosidase, was obtained at 500 and 1,000 Gy gamma dose under 5 and 10 mM proline concentrations. Meanwhile, 6-amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, which had the highest binding affinity (-6.3 kcal/mol) against α-amylase, was obtained under 10 mM proline concentration in non-gamma-irradiated rice. The results indicate that using a combination of gamma irradiation and exogenous proline is suitable for producing new rice varieties. Moreover, the bioactive compounds that were obtained in new rice varieties exhibited health benefits, especially for diabetes mellitus treatment (inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase).

In this study, we investigated the effect of roasting conditions and time on the physicochemical properties of pomegranate seed oil. We analyzed the fatty acid, total phenolic, flavonoid, tocopherol, and phytosterol contents of pomegranate seed oil extracted under four conditions: raw, heated at 160°C for 15 min, heated at 160°C for 20 min, and heated at 180°C for 10 min, which included three that were well-established to enhance nutritional and flavor properties. Furthermore, the oxidative stability was evaluated based on the acid value, peroxide value, and induction period. Roasting significantly decreased the contents of punicic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherol, and phytosterol and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (P<0.05) of the oil. Conversely, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, acid value, peroxide value, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and induction period were significantly increased (P<0.05). Our results suggest that the roasting conditions were nutritionally and oxidatively stable, thereby enhancing the roasting process and providing a database for essential roasting treatments for pomegranate seed oil.

Considering the diverse findings regarding the impact of osmotic pretreatment on the quality of dried products, it is important to determine whether osmotic pretreatment can either maintain or reduce the quality of fruit products. Thus, the present study aimed to scrutinize research regarding the influence of osmotic pretreatment on the qualities of dried fruits through meta-analysis. The Scopus database was used to search for relevant articles. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses protocol, 26 studies that met the criteria for meta-analysis were identified. The presentation included statistics (mean, standard deviation, sample size) and moderator variables (fruit types, osmotic agents, solution concentrations, drying methods, and drying temperatures). After pooling data using a random effects model, the OpenMEE software was used to conduct meta-analysis. The results showed that osmo-dried fruits had significantly decreased total color difference, titratable acidity, total flavonoid content, and vitamins B₁ and B₃ (P<0.05) and significantly increased β-carotene and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl levels (P<0.05). Osmotic pretreatment did not affect total phenolic content and vitamin C. Subgroup analysis highlighted the influence of moderator variables on the quality of osmo-dried fruits, with each fruit responding differently to osmotic pretreatment. Moreover, using 10% sugar solution as an additive effectively enhanced the quality of dried fruits. In addition, osmotic dehydration can be combined with convective drying at a temperature of 60°C for optimal results in the drying process.

Edible films are thin films frequently manufactured using natural bioresources and are employed in food packaging to safeguard food quality. This research prepared edible films from renewable biomass consisting of Belitung taro tuber starch (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and incorporated sorbitol as a plasticizer, carboxymethyl cellulose as a reinforcing agent, and moringa leaf extract (Moringa oleifera) as an antioxidant. The physicochemical characteristics of the resulting edible films were examined. The most favorable treatment was identified in an edible film containing 3% (v/v based on the total volume of 100 mL) of moringa leaf extract. This exhibited a tensile strength of 6.86 N/mm², percent elongation of 73.71%, elasticity of 9.37×10^-3 kgf/mm², water absorption of 349.03%, solubility of 93.18%, and water vapor transmission speed of 3.18 g/h m². Its shelf life was five days at ambient temperature. The edible film was found to have 135.074 ppm of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) based on the antioxidant analysis of inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value measurements, and was classified as having moderate antioxidant activity. Additionally, the biodegradability assessment revealed that the edible films degraded within 14 days. Based on this data, it can be deduced that adding moringa leaf extract enhances the physicochemical and functional characteristics of the film. These edible films can be used as substitutes for nonrenewable and nonbiodegradable packaging materials.

This study aimed to compare the nutritional quality of beverages sold in Türkiye according to their labeling profiles. A total of 304 nonalcoholic beverages sold in supermarkets and online markets with the highest market capacity in Türkiye were included. Milk and dairy products, sports drinks, and beverages for children were excluded. The health star rating (HSR) was used to assess the nutritional quality of beverages. The nutritional quality of beverages was evaluated using a decision tree model according to the HSR score based on the variables presented on the beverage label. Moreover, confusion matrix tests were used to test the model's accuracy. The mean HSR score of beverages was 2.6±1.9, of which 30.2% were in the healthy category (HSR≥3.5). Fermented and 100% fruit juice beverages had the highest mean HSR scores. According to the decision tree model of the training set, the predictors of HSR quality score, in order of importance, were as follows: added sugar (46%), sweetener (28%), additives (19%), fructose-glucose syrup (4%), and caffeine (3%). In the test set, the accuracy rate and F1 score were 0.90 and 0.82, respectively, suggesting that the prediction performance of our model had the perfect fit. According to the HSR classification, most beverages were found to be unhealthy. Thus, they increase the risk of the development of obesity and other diseases because of their easy consumption. The decision tree learning algorithm could guide the population to choose healthy beverages based on their labeling information.

This study aimed to investigate the potential in vitro antihyperglycemic activity of honey sourced from three different species of stingless bees (Heterotrigona itama, Geniotrigona thoracica, and Kelulut matahari) by assessing their α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents in comparison with honey from Apis cerana, obtained from West Sumatra, Indonesia. The honey samples were obtained from stingless bee farms at the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Andalas. Variations were observed in α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, antioxidant activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC₅₀), and total phenolic and flavonoid contents among the honey samples from H. itama, G. thoracica, K. matahari, and A. cerana. In terms of α-glucosidase inhibition, honey from the stinging bee A. cerana demonstrated higher inhibition than that from the other three stingless bees species. Honey derived from K. matahari exhibited the lowest IC₅₀ value, indicating its superior antioxidant activity, followed by honey from A. cerana, H. itama, and G. thoracica. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in honey from A. cerana, followed by honey from K. matahari, H. itama, and G. thoracica. Analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the predominant absorptions in all four honey samples were observed at 767∼1,643 cm^-1, indicating that absorptions are primarily ascribed to monosaccharides and disaccharides. Additionally, some peaks implied the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Overall, honey from stingless bees shows promise as an antihyperglycemic food, as evidenced by its α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition activity, antioxidant activity, and relatively high total phenolic content.

Although zinc's involvement in bone calcification is well-established, its role in vascular calcification, characterized by abnormal calcium and phosphorus deposition in soft tissues and a key aspect of various vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, remains unclear. This review focuses on zinc's action in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification, including the vascular calcification mechanism. Accumulated research has indicated that zinc deficiency induces calcification in VSMCs and the aorta, primarily through apoptosis accompanied by a downregulation of smooth muscle cell markers. Moreover, zinc deficiency-induced vascular calcification operates independently of the action of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, typically associated with osteogenic processes, but is partly regulated via inorganic phosphate transporter-1 (Pit-1). To date, research has shown that zinc regulates vascular calcification through a mechanism distinct from that of osteogenic calcification, providing insight into its dual effects on physiological and pathological calcification and thereby explaining the "zinc paradox," wherein zinc simultaneously increases osteoblastic calcification and decreases VSMC calcification.