Dietary fibers fractionated from gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) husk: structure and in vitro hypoglycemic effect

Effect of Gardeniae Fructus Powder on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Barrier Function, and Colonic Microbiota of Weaned Piglets

The present study aimed to explore the effect of GF powder on the growth performance, diarrhea rate, antioxidant and immune capacity, and intestinal health of weaned piglets. A total of 144 weaned piglets (8.29 ± 0.11 kg) at 21 d old were randomly assigned to four groups, with each treatment consisting of six replicate pens, with six piglets per pen, and each pen containing three barrows and three gilts. The piglets were fed a basal diet supplement with 0%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% GF powder (n = 36). Our results indicated that compared with the basal diet, the F/G and diarrhea rate were remarkably decreased in the 0.8% GF group (p < 0.05). Serum biochemical parameters showed that supplementation with GF significantly increased the content of HDL-C (0.6 and 0.8% levels), IL-6 (0.8% level), IL-10 (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% levels), Ig G (0.4% level), and Ig A (0.8% level) compared with the basal diet (p < 0.05). The index of antioxidant capacity showed that compared with a basal diet, supplementation with GF significantly decreased serum MDA content (0.4% and 0.8% levels) and jejunal and ileal MDA content (0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% levels) (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the basal diet, supplementation with GF significantly increased serum and ileal T-AOC content (0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% levels), serum T-SOD content (0.4% and 0.8% levels), ileal T-SOD content (0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% levels), CAT content (0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% levels), and jejunal GSH-Px content (0.8% level) (p < 0.05). The results of gene expression indicate that compared with the basal diet, supplementation with GF significantly increased Nrf 2 (0.4% level), NQO (0.4% level), SOD 1 (0.4% and 0.8% levels), and GCLC (0.4% level) and GCLM (0.8% level) abundance in jejunal mucosa; supplementation with GF significantly increased Nrf 2 (0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% levels), HO-1 (0.4% level), NQO (0.8% level), SOD 1 (0.4% and 0.8% levels), and GCLC (0.4% level) and GCLM (0.8% level) abundance in ileal mucosa (p < 0.05). Ulteriorly, the present results indicate that supplementation with GF at the 0.8% level significantly increased the villus height in the jejunum and ileum as well as the villus/crypt ratio in the ileum compared with the basal diet (p < 0.05). Compared with the basal diet, 0.4% GF significantly increased Occludin gene expression in ileal mucosa (p < 0.05), 0.6% GF significantly increased ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin gene expression in jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05), and 0.8% GF significantly increased ZO-1 and Occludin gene expression in jejunal mucosa along with Occludin expression in ileal mucosa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, colonic microbiota composition showed that Shannon, observed species, and Chao 1 indices were significantly increased in the 0.8% GF group compared with the basal diet (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, in comparison with the basal diet, the relative abundance of Firmicutes significantly decreased in the 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% GF groups, and Bacteroidetes increased in the 0.8% GF group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, compared with the basal diet, 0.6% and 0.8% GF significantly increased Prevotella abundance, and 0.6% GF significantly decreased Coprococcus abundance (p < 0.05). At the species level, compared with the basal diet, 0.8% GF significantly increased Prevotella copri abundance, and 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% GF significantly decreased Blautia obeum abundance (p < 0.05). In summary, a dietary supplement with 0.8% Gardeniae Fructus powder significantly decreased the F/G and diarrhea rate and improved antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier function, which may be associated with the improvement of the relative abundance of Prevotella copri. These findings indicate that Gardeniae Fructus powder may be used as a feed additive in swine weaning.

Xylooligosaccharides from lignocellulosic biomass and their applications as nutraceuticals: a review on their production, purification, and characterization

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are considered a potent source of prebiotics for humans. The global prebiotic market is expanding in size, was valued at USD 6.05 billion in 2021, and is expected to grow at a 14.9% compound annual growth rate between 2022 and 2030, indicating a huge demand. These XOS are non-digestible pentose sugar oligomers comprising mainly xylose. Xylose is naturally present in the lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), fruits and vegetables. Apart from the prebiotic effect, these XOS have been reported to reduce blood cholesterol, possess antioxidant effects, increase calcium absorption, reduce colon cancer risk, and benefit diabetic patients. The primary use of XOS is reported in the feed industry followed by health, medical use, food and drinks. LCB mainly contains glucan, xylan and lignin. After glucan, xylan is the second-highest available sugar on the globe composed of xylose. Therefore, the xylan fraction of LCB has great significance in producing food, feed and energy. Glucan has been exploited for the commercial production of ethanol, xylitol, furfural, hydroxymethyl furfural and glucose. As of now, xylan has limited applications. Therefore, xylan can be exploited to convert to XOS. The production of XOS from LCB fraction not only helps to produce these at a very low price, but also helps in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Its use in food and drinks is increasing as it can be derived from the abundantly and cheaply available LCB. The article provides a review on the production, purification and characterization of XOS in view of their use as nutraceuticals. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A review of healthy role of dietary fiber in modulating chronic diseases

Dietary fiber (DF) is considered an interventional diet beneficial for human health. High DF intake effectively reduces the incidence of three major chronic diseases, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and colorectal cancer (CRC). The health benefits of DF are closely related to their physicochemical properties with major positive roles in human digestion and intestinal health. However, mechanisms linking DF with diseases remain unclear. The development of genomics, metabolomics, and immunology, and the powerful combination of animal models and clinical trials, have facilitated a better understanding of the relationships between DF and diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that the physical existence of DF and DF-microbiota interaction are the key parameters controlling the action mechanisms of DF in chronic diseases. Therefore, this review discusses the potential mechanism of DF modulating T2DM, CVD, and CRC, therefore providing a theoretical basis for more effective use of DF to intervene in chronic diseases.

Detection of sulphur(II) of carbon dots synthesized from Gardenia residue

The detection of anions using carbon dots (CDs) has received less attention compared to cations. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a fluorescence sensor based on carbon dots (CDs) capable of detecting S2- in real water samples. The CDs were successfully prepared from the residues of a traditional Chinese herb, Gardenia, which emitted green photoluminescence (PL) under ultraviolet light irradiation. The as-prepared CDs were quasi-spherical in shape and ranged in size from 10 to 30 nm. Different detailed analyses proved that the CDs had good morphology, various functional groups, high water solubility, great optical features, and excellent stability under diverse environmental conditions. The ion detection showed that only Ag+ had the strongest fluorescence quenching effect on the CDs, however, the addition of S2- could recover their fluorescence. Based on these results, an "off-on" fluorescence sensor was achieved to selectively detect the concentration of S2- in real water samples with a limit of detection (LOD) of 39 μM, which further expanded the application of residues from traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

Comprehensive quality evaluation of different types of Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) and Shuizhizi based on LC-MS/MS

Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) serves as both a medicinal and edible substance and finds widespread use in various industries. There are often two kinds of medicinal materials in the market: Zhizi and Shuizhizi. Typically, Zhizi with small, round fruit is used for medicinal purposes, while Shuizhizi, characterized by large, elongated fruit, is employed for dyeing. Market surveys have revealed a diverse range of Zhizi types, and modern research indicates that Shuizhizi contains rich chemical components and pharmacological activities. In this study, we collected 25 batches of Zhizi and Shuizhizi samples, categorizing them based on appearance into obovate and round fruits, with seven length grades (A-G). Using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS) method, we simultaneously quantified 13 main chemical components in fruits of Gardenia species. In addition, we compared the weight percentage of the pericarp, flesh, and seeds parts of samples with different traits, and quantified 13 chemical components in different parts. Results indicated that, aside from a few instances of overlapping fruit size ranges, Shuizhizi generally exhibits larger and longer dimensions than Zhizi. The weight proportion of the Shuizhizi pericarp is often higher than that of the Zhizi pericarp. Quantitative results highlighted significant differences in the chemical component content between Zhizi and Shuizhizi, with Shuizhizi generally containing higher levels of iridoids. The PCA and OPLS-DA analysis distinctly divided Shuizhizi and Zhizi, among which three iridoids, two organic acids, and one flavonoid made significant contributions to their classification. Cluster heatmap analysis also demonstrated complete separation between Zhizi and Shuizhizi, with clear distinctions among Zhizi samples from different origins. The distribution of the 13 chemical components in different Zhizi and Shuizhizi parts remained consistent, with iridoids and pigments concentrated in the seeds and flesh, and two organic acids and one flavonoid enriched in the pericarp. In summary, this study contributes valuable insights for classifying Zhizi and offers guidance on the rational use of Shuizhizi and the different parts of Zhizi.

Polysaccharides (pectin, mucilage, and fructan inulin) and their fermented products: A critical analysis of their biochemical, gut interactions, and biological functions as antidiabetic agents

Diabetes mellitus is a globally metabolic endocrine syndrome marked by a deficiency of insulin secretion (type-1 DM) or glucose intolerance arising from insulin response impairment (type-2 DM) leading to abnormal glucose metabolism. With an increasing interest in natural dietary components for diabetes management, the identification of novel agents witnessed major discoveries. Plant-derived mucilage, pectin, and inulin are important non-starch polysaccharides that exhibit effective antidiabetic properties often termed soluble dietary fiber (SDF). SDF affects sugar metabolism through multiple mechanisms affecting glucose absorption and diffusion, modulation of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), ameliorating β-pancreatic cell dysfunction, and improving insulin release or sensitivity. Certain SDFs inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and influence the expression levels of genes related to glucose metabolism. This review is designed to discuss holistically and critically the antidiabetic effects of major SDF and their underlying mechanisms of action. This review should aid drug discovery approaches in developing novel natural antidiabetic drugs from SDF.

Intestinal flora: a potential pathogenesis mechanism and treatment strategy for type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia, and its incidence is increasing year by year. The pathogenesis of T1DM is complex, mainly including genetic and environmental factors. Intestinal flora is the largest microbial community in the human body and plays a very important role in human health and disease. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that intestinal flora and its metabolites, as an environmental factor, regulate the development of T1DM through various mechanisms such as altering the intestinal mucosal barrier, influencing insulin secretion and body immune regulation. Intestinal flora transplantation, probiotic supplementation, and other approaches to modulate the intestinal flora appear to be potential therapeutic approaches for T1DM. This article reviews the dysbiosis of the intestinal flora in T1DM, the potential mechanisms by which the intestinal flora affects T1DM, as well as discusses potential approaches to treating T1DM by intervening in the intestinal flora.

Comparison on structure, properties and functions of pomegranate peel soluble dietary fiber extracted by different methods

In this research, the different methods (acid extraction, alkaline extraction and enzymatic extraction) were used to extract soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from pomegranate peel and compared with water extraction. Results revealed that all three extraction methods influenced the structure, physicochemical and functional properties of SDF. Especially, SDF extracted by enzymes (E-SDF) and SDF extracted by alkali (A-SDF) had higher yield (27.30% and 27.17%), molecular weight and thermal stability than SDF extracted by water (W-SDF). Higher oil holding capacity (OHC) was found in SDF extracted by acid (C-SDF) (3.18 g/g), A-SDF (3.18 g/g) and E-SDF (5.36 g/g) compared with W-SDF. In addition, A-SDF showed the smallest particle size, lowest ζ-potential and highest viscosity among the tested samples. E-SDF presented a more porous structure, better glucose adsorption capacity (GAC) and antioxidant activity than C-SDF and A-SDF. To sum up, A-SDF and E-SDF may have great potential to be functional food ingredients in the food industry.

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) fruit: a critical review of its functional nutrients, processing methods, health-promoting effects, comprehensive application and future tendencies

Gardenia fruit (GF) is the mature fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, boasting a rich array of nutrients and phytochemicals. Over time, GF has been extensively utilized in both food and medicinal contexts. In recent years, numerous studies have delved into the chemical constituents of GF and their associated pharmacological activities, encompassing its phytochemical composition and health-promoting properties. This review aims to provide a critical and comprehensive summary of GF research, covering nutrient content, extraction technologies, and potential health benefits, offering new avenues for future investigations and highlighting its potential as an innovative food resource. Additionally, the review proposes novel industrial applications for GF, such as utilizing gardenia yellow/red/blue pigments in the food industry and incorporating it with other herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. By addressing current challenges in developing GF-related products, this work provides insights for potential applications in the cosmetics, food, and health products industries. Notably, there is a need for the development of more efficient extraction methods to harness the nutritional components of GF fully. Further research is needed to understand the specific molecular mechanisms underlying its bioactivities. Exploring advanced processing techniques to create innovative GF-derived products will show great promise for the future.

New valorization approach of Algerian dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by ultrasound pectin extraction: Physicochemical, techno-functional, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties

To exploit the great fortune of date fruits, the current study aimed to valorize an Algerian common variety by extracting pectins. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied as process optimization tool to achieve the highest yield using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) as compared to conventional acid extraction (CAE). The experimental yield value (6.7%) was well matched with the predicted one (6.6%) at the optimum conditions (60 °C, 90 min, pH 1.5), confirming the validity of the model. The evaluation of the monomeric composition showed higher content of galacturonic acid and lower of neutral sugars in UAE pectin, as compared to CAE pectin. Conventional treatments decreased the molecular weight (Mw) of the extracted pectins (539 kDa) in a higher extent than ultrasound treatment (800 kDa). Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectral analysis showed that both samples were low-methoxyl pectins. CAE gave rise to pectins with slightly upper technological samples in terms of water and oil holding capacity (5.2 and 3.8 g/g, respectively), and emulsifying activity (38.5 m²/g). Moreover, date pectins obtained by UAE presented enhanced antioxidant activity (24.3 and 61.0 mg/g DW for DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively), and in vitro antidiabetic properties, showing higher glucose adsorption capacity (4 mmol g^-1 at 200 min), as well as α-amylase inhibition (73.7%) and potential capacity to decrease glucose diffusion (1.4 mmol mM g^-1 at 150 min), which could improve the ability to retard starch digestion (0.1 mmol mM g-1 at 150 min), providing potential health-promoting properties.