Recent patents on food, nutrition & agriculture最新文献

Background: Liver diseases are globally recognized as major medical problems. Several species of herbal medicine have been investigated for the management of liver-related diseases.

Objective: In this context, Thymoquinone (TQ) as the main constituent of Nigella sativa has long been focused for the treatment of liver diseases in recent years. To suppressing liver diseases, it was reported that TQ exhibits hypolipidic effects, which prevented the fatty acid accumulation in the hepatocytes. The other activity of TQ, not only in the management of chronic liver diseases but also regarding the carcinogenesis, is its potent antioxidant effects, which affect several signaling pathways.

Result: The effect of TQ on NF-κβ is the hepatoprotective effect of this flavonoid. Recently, a few patents of TQ derivatives for protective effects have been developed. This article also discusses our findings with the patents for this agent.

Conclusion: The present review purposed that although the experimental studies indicated the beneficial effects of TQ against liver diseases, more designed clinical trials in human are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of TQ.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of using the computerized imaging Seed Analysis System (SAS) in the biometric and morphophysiological characterization of seeds and the initial growth of seedlings from peach rootstocks.

Methods: The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates of 20 seeds. The variables analyzed were the seed humidity content, length and width of seeds measured by SAS technology and manual measurements, mean germination time, germination percentage, radicle length and width, taproot length, length of the aerial part and taproot/aerial part ratio.

Results: The highest seed length, germination percentage (100%) and lower germination time (11.3), were obtained with the cv. Capdeboscq while, 'Tsukuba 1', 2' and 3' had intermediate seedlings length, varying from 1.55 to 1.65 cm with mean germination times between 14.5 and 18.0 days and average germination percentage of 96%. The computerized analysis of images is fast and efficient for biometric evaluations such as seed width and length, as well as initial growth of peach tree seedlings. The cvs Capdeboscq, Flordaguard and Tsukuba 2 presented greater radicle width, length and a mean taproot/aerial part ratio equal to 2, as well as higher number of adventitious roots, which indicated a strong positive correlation between radicle length, taproot length and initial seedling growth.

Conclusion: The continuity of the research will certainly allow the development of reliable procedures for other species, besides allowing the identification of wider alternatives for the use of this system for the expansion of knowledge in the areas of physiology and evaluation of the physiological potential of seeds.

Background: Medicinal plants contain large amount of natural antioxidant compounds, which enable them to neutralize free radicals. Asteraceae family is an important source of phytochemical compounds.

Objective: The objective of this research is to find out the antioxidant potential and radical scavenging from the leaf and flowers of five species (Artemisia absinthium L., Arctium lappa L., Silybum marianum L., Centaurea cyanus L. and Echinops ritro L.) of the Asteraceae family. This research includes recent patents (US20110179530A1) in plant biotechnology.

Methods: The plant extract obtained by absolute extraction method was investigated for Total Phenolic Content (TPC), total Flavonoid Content (TFC), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and Chain Breaking Activity (CBA). THIOBARBIOTURIC ACID (TBA), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), IC50, nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O-) radical scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) were also measured.

Results: The results showed the highest values for the TPC, TBA, FRAP and DPPH radical scavenging related to A. absinthium. While, A. lappa extract showed the maximum content for TFC, TAC, CBA and O2 radical scavenging. In addition, our results indicated that E. ritro is a good source of NO2 and H2O2 radical scavenging activity (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that the flower is more successful than the leaf.

Conclusion: Artemisia absinthium, A. lappa and E. ritro can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and as a possible food supplement or in pharmaceutical industry.

Objective: The sharp increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine becomes a severe problem in some degenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Cherry Leaf Extract (CLE) on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in hyperglycaemic mouse model. A recent patent mentioned that Muntinga calabura is a flavonoid-containing plant which is capable of reinforcing the stomach, appetizing, helping digestion (CN 201611138374), and improving stomach distention (CN106071017A). The efficacy of this miracle plant has inspired this experiment.

Methods: In this study, we induced hyperglycemia with high-fat diet and 20% fructose drink. Hyperglycemic mice were orally administered with CLE with the doses 420, 700, and 28000 mg/kg BW for two weeks. After treatment, the pro-inflammatory molecule was analyzed by flow cytometry from splenic cells.

Results: This study showed that CLE decreased the production of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IFN γ. In hyperglycemic mice, we found CD68+IL-6+, NK1.1+IL- 6+, B220+NFκB+, CD4+TNF-α+, and CD4+IFN γ + increased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to control mice without manipulation. After treatment with 420, 700, or 2800 mg/kg BW of CLE, the pro-inflammatory molecules decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and reached a normal physiology level.

Conclusion: CLE can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines in hyperglycemic mouse model, suggesting this medicinal herb may be beneficial as a potential strategy for future therapeutic interventions in degenerative diseases or a disease involving cell activation.

Background: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the most important tool for implementing Sustainability Guidelines for Business (US20030018487A1), delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all the stakeholders and is currently the focus of international studies and debates (US7260559B1), especially in the agri-food sector as demonstrated by recent patents (CA2862273A1). In most agri-food businesses operating in Italy, there is little effectiveness in the communication strategies of this instrument to the stakeholders since they are often not advanced.

Methods: Identifying the first two food companies in the European ranking of the 6th CSR Online Awards, through an empirical survey on consumers, their level of perception of the CSR strategies communication of these companies will be analyzed.

Results: In both case studies analyzed, there is the presence of a Sustainability Orientation and the evolution of CSR tools within such companies and their promotion and communication to all the stakeholders. Despite this, the level of perception of respondents on the CSR strategies communication of these companies and the promotion of CSR instruments is not optimal.

Conclusion: The interviewed consumers have not enriched their knowledge on CSR due to the lack of an adequate communication strategy for both case studies. Consequently, to raise awareness on the subject, there is still a great deal of cooperation needed between public institutions, local communities, businesses and citizens.

Background: Mushrooms (US6759049B2, CA2372185A1, DE60108325D1) can be contaminated by heavy metals as described in various patents.

Objective: This study has determined the potential human health risk associated with the consumption of mushroom in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Sn, Cu, Ni, Al and Zn in both wild/cultivated mushroom and background soil/substrate were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS).

Methods: Heavy metal pollution was calculated using Bio-Concentration Factor (BCF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) while human health risk assessment employed Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), Carcinogenic Risk (CR) and Total Cancer Risk (TCR). The mean concentration of metals in mushroom and soil/substrate ranged from 0.021 mg/kg - 29.16 mg/kg and 0.01 mg/kg - 56.11 mg/kg. When compared with standards by WHO, EU, SON, DPR, USEPA and NAFDAC, 100% violation was observed in Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn and partial violation by Pb in the mushroom sample although soil heavy metal concentrations were within safe limits.

Results: There was bioconcentration and heavy metal enrichment as PLI ranged from 3.39 - 23.58. Estimated daily intakes were (0.00 - 0.47, 0.00 - 0.51 and 0.00 - 1.17) mg/kg/day and THQ were (0.01 - 0.46, 0.01 - 0.31 and 0.03 - 1.51) for adults, adolescents and children respectively. There was a violation of Permissible Tolerable Daily Intakes (PTDI) set by JECFA. Hazard indices were all >1, another indication of health concern.

Conclusion: Nickel showed the highest carcinogenic risk with values of 4.83E-04 - 1.43E-01, 5.31E-04 - 1.00E-01 and 1.20E-03 - 2.29E-01 for adults, adolescents and children respectively. About 80% of TCR ranged from x10-1 - x10-3. Consumption of mushroom in Niger delta-Nigeria may pose significant health risk.

Background: Lipids are biomolecules with interesting structural variability. They are involved in many processes such as the storage of energy, in nutrition and are also of relevance for signal transduction processes, in apoptosis, cell differentiation and phagocytosis, etc. Macroalgae and microalgae are a promising and very diverse group of organisms. These living arganisms inhabit a vaste range of ecosystems from the Antarctic to the Deserts. They account for above half the primary productivity at the base of the food chain because of their multiple nutritional products including, for instance, lipids.

Results: Recently, studies on the oleaginous algae encompass their uses for commercial exploitations with applications ranging from human health food, animal feed, aquaculture, nutraceutical, biofuels and others. In this article, updated knowledge of lipids and recent research studies for algae's valorization performed by several authors were reviewed. Special attention was paid to lipids accumulation and their characterization.

Conclusion: The selection of the prominent species of algae will be of great importance to satisfy the corresponding valorization process. Patents identified with algal lipids composition, production and application are presented.

Background: Using antioxidant diets may be a good strategy for the inhibition of oxidative stress connected to age-related disease. Saffron is a dried stigma of with antioxidant properties. This investigation was done to study the effects of saffron administration on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in female aged rats.

Methods: The rats were treated with the ethanolic extract of saffron for 4 weeks. At the end of our investigation, the hippocampi of rats were removed. The homogenate was used for the evaluation of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxides (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH). There are recent patents also suggesting the use of saffron and its gradients for prevention of oxidative stress in aged tissues.

Result: The results showed that the aging was connected with a significant reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and an increase in MDA and nitric oxide levels in the hippocampus of aged rats. In addition, treatment of saffron was effective in reducing hippocampus MDA and NO levels and in increasing the antioxidant status. There is a possibility that saffron extract acts as a hormetin by inducing mild oxidative damage which leads to the activation of antioxidative enzymes.

Conclusion: Therefore, saffron exerted considerable neuroprotective effect and proved to be efficacious in protecting rat hippocampus against age-related oxidative damage.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of growing of algae Ulva lactuca L.under different salinity levels coupled with varied KNO3 concentrations (source of N) as a potential source of oil for biodiesel production.

Methods: U. lactuta was cultured in 10.0% NaCl coupled with either 2.5 g/L (S1+ 1N) or 1.0 g/L KNO3 (S1+ 2N) and in 30.0% NaCl coupled with 2.5 g/L (S2+ 1N) or 1.0 g/L KNO3 (S2+ 2N) nutrient medium. Among all algae cultures, biomass (dry weight) and lipid accumulation (total lipid content, TL) were significantly different (P>0.5%), with various degrees. The TL was increased (8.21% to 15.95%, g/100g) by increasing the NaCl % (from 10% to 30%) coupled with the depletion of KNO3 level (from 2.5% to 1%) in culture medium. High lipid content (15.95%) was obtained in S2+ 2N culture, this lipid showed physical (density, viscosity and average molecular weight) and chemical (iodine, acid, saponification and peroxide values) properties suitable for biodiesel production.

Results: The fatty acid methyl esters (FAME, biodiesel) prepared by trans-esterifiction reaction under acidic condition were mainly composed of saturated (50.33%), monounsaturated (MUFA, 36.12%) and polyunsaturated (13.55%) esters. C-18:1 was found to be the main MUFA, representing 25.76% of total FAME. On the other hand, the values of some critical of physiochemical parameter (density, kinematic viscosity, iodine value, acid value and oxidation stability) of biodiesel were found to meet the standards for a high quality biodiesel.

Conclusion: Hence, U. lactuta could be serving as a valuable renewable biomass of oil for biodiesel production. There are recent patents also suggesting use of oil of U. lactuta marine biomass for biodiesel production.