Preventive Nutrition and Food Science最新文献

Folate (vitamin B9) is an essential nutrient for cell metabolism, especially in pregnant women; however, folate deficiency is a major global health issue. To address this issue, folate-rich fermented foods have been used as alternative sources of natural folate. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are commonly involved in food fermentation, can synthesize and excrete folate into the medium, thereby increasing folate levels. However, screening for folate-producing LAB strains is necessary because this ability is highly dependent on the bacterial strain. Some strains of LAB consume folate, and their presence in a fermentation mix can lower the folate levels of the final product. Since microorganisms efficiently regulate folate biosynthesis to meet their growth needs, some strains of folate-producing LAB can deplete folate levels if folate is available in the media. Such folate-efficient producers possess a feedback inhibition mechanism that downregulates folate biosynthesis. Therefore, the application of folate-overproducing strains may be a key strategy for increasing folate levels in media with or without available folate. Many studies have been conducted to screen folate-producing bacteria, but very few have focused on the identification of overproducers. This is probably because of the limited understanding of the regulation of folate biosynthesis in LAB. In this review, we discuss the roles of folate-biosynthetic genes and their contributions to the ability of LAB to synthesize and regulate folate. In addition, we present various hypotheses regarding the regulation of the feedback inhibition mechanism of folate-biosynthetic enzymes and discuss strategies for obtaining folate-overproducing LAB strains.

Stunted growth (stunting) caused by malnutrition is a growing concern in Indonesia. The nutritional composition of cereals is important information for improving people's nutrition. This research aimed to comparatively study the nutritional values of several Indonesian local cereal crops and provide a nutritional database for promoting local food with the aim of combating malnutrition. The cereals investigated included varieties of rice, corn, and sorghum. The nutritional analysis included ash, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. A purposive sampling method was performed by collecting five lots from each sampling area and forming composite samples by combining 1∼2 kg of each sample, then mixed before laboratory analysis. The results showed that colored rice, colored corn and sorghum, contain richer essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and essential amino acids compared to white rice and corn. The highest protein content was found in sorghum (13.26%), followed by corn (9.18%), and rice (8.0%). The highest energy value was also found in sorghum (380.5 kcal/100 g), followed by corn (379.9 kcal/100 g), and rice (362.1 kcal/100 g). The same sequence was seen for the mineral contents, where the zinc and iron contents were 1.57 and 2.39 mg/100 g, respectively for sorghum; 1.36 and 0.79 mg/100 g for corn; and 0.93 and 0.58 mg/100 g for rice. Accordingly, it can be concluded that sorghum has the highest nutritional value and therefore potential for combating malnutrition, while corn and rice are also highly nutritious and can be grown locally in order to combat malnutrition.

Rice contains many bioactive compounds that perform various biological activities. Some of these compounds have been identified as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors, including guaiacol, vanillin, methyl vanillate, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and 2-pentyl furan. In this study, we assessed the growth rate, photosynthetic pigment content, phenolic content, and flavonoid content of gamma-irradiated Thai pigmented rice. Bioactive components of gamma-irradiated rice that had been subjected to salt treatment were also investigated. The findings showed that production of photosynthetic pigments, which are associated with plant growth, was induced by low gamma exposure. Phenolic and flavonoid content of rice was increased after gamma irradiation at 5 to 1,000 Gy. Both gamma irradiation and the salt conditions changed the quantity of vanillin, methyl vanillate, and vanillic acid in the rice. However, at a salt concentration of 40 mM, the salt stress had more of an effect than the gamma dosage. However, the high concentrations of methyl vanillate and vanillic acid detected in the rice under salt conditions were ameliorated by gamma irradiation. Guaiacol served as the substrate of guaiacol peroxidase for catalyzed reactive oxygen species, as evidenced by the observation that the guaiacol content of rice decreased between increased gamma dosages. A gamma dose of 40 to 1,000 Gy resulted in the production of syringic acid. Under salt stress, syringic acid buildup was also seen to be ameliorated by gamma irradiation. In comparison to salt conditions, particularly for 20 mM salt, gamma irradiation had less of an impact on the 2-pentyl furan in rice.

In this study, we investigated the impact of lipid oxidation on the discoloration of Sawai (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) lipids and proteins. Sawai microsomes, liposomes, and salt-soluble myofibrillar proteins were prepared and subjected to lipid oxidation process. The results revealed that the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, yellowness (as indicated by b* values), and pyrrole compounds increased when Sawai liposomes and microsomes were oxidized using iron and ascorbate. Meanwhile, the levels of free amines decreased, particularly as the iron content (25∼100 μM) and incubation time (0∼20 h) increased. The impact of oxidized liposomes at different levels (1, 2, and 5%) on the salt-soluble Sawai myofibrillar proteins was also evaluated. The findings revealed that lipid oxidation products reduced the sulfhydryl content and increased the surface hydrophobicity and carbonyl content of the salt-soluble Sawai myofibrillar proteins. These results imply that the formation of yellow discoloration in Sawai muscle could be due to nonenzymatic browning reactions occurring between lipid oxidation products and amines in the muscle protein.

Rosehip (Rosa canina L.) seeds, a by-product of the food processing industry, contain various bioactive compounds that have potential cosmetic and pharmacological applications. Rosehip seed oil (RHSO) has been shown to exert therapeutic effects in skin disorders, but its role in promoting hair growth remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the hair growth-promoting activity of RHSO and the related mechanisms of action. The depleted dorsal skin of telogenic C57BL/6 mice was topically treated with RHSO for 21 days, and the extent of hair regrowth was assessed. The results indicated that RHSO stimulated hair growth by inducing the early transition of hair follicles from telogen to anagen phase. Histological analysis revealed significant increases in hair follicle density, hair bulb size, and skin thickness. RHSO treatment also upregulated the expression of hair growth-associated genes, including β-catenin, phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, Sonic hedgehog, smoothened, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and insulin like growth factor 1. These findings suggest that RHSO stimulates hair growth and may show promise as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for hair loss.

The protective effects of wheat ceramide powder (WC-P) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin oxidative stress and photoaging in hairless mice were investigated in this study. Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, inflammation, wrinkle formation-related pathway, and moisturizing capacity were evaluated. Mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=8): normal control (non-UVB irradiation), control (UVB irradiation), L-ascorbic acid [positive control, UVB irradiation with dietary supplementation of L-ascorbic acid at 100 mg/kg/body weight (bw)], WC-P5 (UVB irradiation with dietary supplementation of WC-P at 5 mg/kg/bw), WC-P20 (UVB irradiation with dietary supplementation of WC-P at 20 mg/kg/bw), and WC-P40 (UVB irradiation with dietary supplementation of WC-P at 40 mg/kg/bw). AIN-96G diet and water were supplemented ad libitum, and 100 mL of L-ascorbic acid and WC-P dissolved in water were forcefully administered orally to mice. UVB irradiation resulted in dehydration and wrinkle formation in the dorsal skin of mice. However, WC-P supplementation suppressed. Furthermore, WC-P supplementation enhanced the activites of antioxidant enzymes and expression of transforming growth factor-β receptor I, procollaten C-endopeptideas enhancer protein, hyaluronan synthase, and ceramide synthase 4 and reduced the activation of the inflammation and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/c-FOS/c-Jun- mediated matrix metalloproteinase pathways. These findings demonstrate that WC-P can protect the skin from UVB-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and photoaging by inhibiting collagen proteolysis and promoting collagen synthesis, thereby promoting skin health.

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis and progression of noncommunicable diseases. Kefir is a fermented food that has been reported to repress oxidative stress. This study aimed to assess the antioxidant activity, bioactive composition, and encapsulation efficiency of white jack bean (WJB) kefir. The following procedures were conducted: WJB was prepared and converted into juice using water solvent. The sterilized WJB juice was then fermented with kefir grain (10%) for 24∼72 h. Every 24 h, the kefir was evaluated for antioxidant activity, and the dominant bioactive component suspected to be the source of the antioxidant activity was identified. The final stage was the encapsulation process. WJB kefir showed high antioxidant activity, inhibiting DPPH radicals by 90.51±4.73% and ABTS radicals by 86.63±2.34% after 72 h of fermentation. WJB kefir contained 0.35±0.01 mg GAE/g total phenolics and 0.08 mg/g total flavonoids. The LC/MS identification suggested that the bioactive antioxidant components of the WJB kefir were from the alkaloid, saponin, phenolic, and flavonoid groups. The encapsulation with maltodextrin using freeze drying resulted in microencapsulation of WJB kefir with a particle size of 6.42±0.13 μm. The encapsulation efficiency was 79.61%, and the IC₅₀ value was 32.62 ppm. The encapsulation method was able to maintain the antioxidant stability of the kefir and extend its shelf life. WJB kefir, a nondairy, lactose-free kefir, can be used as an antioxidant functional food.

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing Leuconostoc mesenteroides K1501 and K1627, isolated from kimchi, exhibited the highest GABA production in 1% monosodium glutamic acid. Both strains showed high survival rates of approximately 87% in artificial gastric juice (pH 3.0) and >80% in 0.1% artificial bile salt fluid. The survival rate was approximately 28% in 0.3% artificial bile salt fluid and 0% in 0.5% artificial bile salts. Both strains showed excellent adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells (>99%). Furthermore, it was observed that growth was not inhibited at 2% salt concentration; however, it was slightly retarded at salt concentrations of 3% and 4%. Moreover, L. mesenteroides K1501 and K1627 inhibited the growth of certain species of Lactobacillus, whose presence in kimchi fermentation is undesirable. Therefore, L. mesenteroides K1501 and K1627 have the potential to be used as starter organisms for functional GABA-rich kimchi.

In this study, we investigated the physicochemical and antioxidative properties of the traditional Korean confectionery, Yanggaeng, when various amounts of tempeh powder (TP) were added. We replaced a portion of the white bean paste in Yanggaeng with TP at percentages of 0% (CON), 2% (TP2), 4% (TP4), and 6% (TP6) by total weight. The proximate composition results showed that TP6 exhibited the highest crude ash and crude protein contents, but its moisture content and carbohydrate content were the lowest compared to the CON. Tempeh addition altered the colorimetric properties by increasing the L* value, b* value, and browning index; however, tempeh addition did not alter the a* value. The results also showed that tempeh addition gradually decreased the pH of Yanggaeng. The Brix value was the highest in TP2; in TP4 and TP6, the Brix value gradually decreased, and these formulations exhibited lower Brix values than the CON. Furthermore, tempeh addition gradually induced antioxidative capacities, as evidenced by 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities. The results of this study demonstrate that the addition of tempeh to Yanggaeng alters its physicochemical properties and antioxidative capacity.

We evaluated the efficacy of mixtures of lactulose with probiotic strains to ameliorate constipation and to identify suitable probiotic strains. Constipation was induced in Institute of Cancer Research mice (6-week-old, male) by the administering loperamide (5 mg/kg, twice a day) orally for 5 days, whereas the control group was not treated. To evaluate the laxative effects of the lactulose-probiotic and lactulose-magnesium hydroxide mixtures, fecal parameters, the gastrointestinal (GI) transit ratio, and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content were analyzed. The administration of lactulose and Bacillus licheniformis or Saccharomyces boulardii significantly improved stool number and water content, which were reduced by loperamide. The GI transit ratio was significantly increased compared with that of the control group. The combined administration of lactulose and probiotics (B. licheniformis or S. boulardii) increased total SCFA content, including that of acetate, more effectively compared with lactulose alone. Similarly, coadministration of lactulose and magnesium hydroxide improved the loperamide-induced changes in fecal parameters and GI transit as well as increased total SCFA content. Overall, the combination of lactulose and probiotics relieves the symptoms of constipation by increasing SCFA content and is more effective compared with lactulose alone.