Lactose, Maltose, and Sucrose in Health and Disease

Development of a Scalable Extraction Process for Anthocyanins of Haskap Berry (Lonicera caerulea)

Haskap (Lonicera caerulea) berry is rich in anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G). In this investigation, a response surface methodology was applied to optimize the anhydrous ethanol-based extraction parameters to obtain the maximum yield of anthocyanins from haskap berry and to compare the recovery of anthocyanins from different extraction methods. The central composite design was employed to study the effect of three independent variables (XA = ultrasonic bath power, XB = extraction temperature, and XC = extraction time) which were found to significantly affect the response variable total anthocyanin content (TAC) and fit to the second-order polynomial model. The optimum process parameters of XA = 536 W, XB = 62.3 °C, and XC = 63.5 min provided a predicted TAC of 16.5 mg C3G equivalence (C3GE)/g dry weight (DW), which was experimentally validated with 16.1 mg of C3GE/g DW. The optimized ultrasonication-assisted extraction process using anhydrous ethanol was also effective in recovering quercetin glycosides, catechin, procyanidin B2, and iridoids, as determined by ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Though the anthocyanin recovery was the highest (17.6 mg of C3GE/g DW) when a deep eutectic solvent consisting of citric acid and D-(+)-maltose was used, this solvent system has limitations when preparing dehydrated extracts for industrial applications. This study concludes that the effective extraction of anthocyanins and other phytochemicals from haskap berries can be performed using food-grade anhydrous ethanol.

A Rhodamine-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensor for Dual-Channel Visible and Near-Infrared Emission Detection of NAD(P)H in Living Cells and Fruit Fly Larvae

The detection and dynamic monitoring of intracellular NAD(P)H concentrations are crucial for comprehending cellular metabolism, redox biology, and their roles in various physiological and pathological processes. To address this need, we introduce sensor A, a near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent sensor for real-time, quantitative imaging of NAD(P)H fluctuations in live cells. Sensor A combines a 3-quinolinium electron-deficient acceptor with a near-infrared rhodamine dye, offering high sensitivity and specificity for NAD(P)H with superior photophysical properties. In its unbound state, sensor A emits strongly at 650 nm and weakly at 465 nm upon 400 nm excitation. Upon binding to NAD(P)H, it shows a fluorescence increase at 465 nm and a decrease at 650 nm, enabling accurate ratiometric measurements. Sensor A also exhibits ratiometric upconversion fluorescence when excited at 800 or 810 nm, offering additional flexibility for different experimental setups. The sensor's response relies on the reduction of the 3-quinolinium acceptor by NAD(P)H, forming a 1,4-dihydroquinoline donor that enhances fluorescence at 465 nm and quenches the near-infrared emission at 650 nm through photoinduced electron transfer. This mechanism ensures high sensitivity and reliable quantification of NAD(P)H levels while minimizing interference from sensor concentration, excitation intensity, or environmental factors. Sensor A was validated in HeLa and MD-MB453 cells under various metabolic and pharmacological conditions, including glucose and maltose stimulation and treatments with chemotherapeutic agents. Co-localization with mitochondrial-specific dyes confirmed its mitochondrial targeting, enabling precise tracking of NAD(P)H fluctuations. In vivo imaging of Drosophila larvae under nutrient starvation or chemotherapeutic exposure revealed dose-dependent fluorescence responses, highlighting its potential for tracking NAD(P)H changes in live organisms. Sensor A represents a significant advancement in NAD(P)H imaging, providing a powerful tool for exploring cellular metabolism and redox biology in biomedical research.

Functional Variation in Human CAZyme Genes in Relation to the Efficacy of a Carbohydrate-Restricted Diet in IBS Patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Limiting the dietary intake of certain carbohydrates has therapeutic effects in some but not all irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. We investigated genetic variation in human Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes (hCAZymes) genes in relationship to the response to a FODMAP-lowering diet in the DOMINO study.

METHODS

hCAZy polymorphism was studied in patients with IBS from the dietary (FODMAP-lowering; n = 196) and medication (otilonium bromide; n = 54) arms of the DOMINO trial via targeted sequencing of 6 genes of interest (AMY2B, LCT, MGAM, MGAM2, SI, and TREH). hCAZyme defective (hypomorphic) variants were identified via computational annotation using clinical pathogenicity classifiers. Age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression was used to test hCAZyme polymorphisms in cumulative analyses where IBS patients were stratified into carrier and non-carrier groups (collapsing all hCAZyme hypomorphic variants into a single bin). Quantitative analysis of hCAZyme variation was also performed, in which the number of hCAZyme genes affected by a hypomorphic variant was taken into account.

RESULTS

In the dietary arm, the number of hypomorphic hCAZyme genes positively correlated with treatment response rate (P = .03; odds ratio = 1.51; confidence interval = 0.99-2.32). In the IBS-D group (n = 55), hCAZyme carriers were 6 times more likely to respond to the diet than non-carriers (P = .002; odds ratio = 6.33; confidence interval = 1.83-24.77). These trends were not observed in the medication arm.

CONCLUSIONS

hCAZYme genetic variation may be relevant to the efficacy of a carbohydrate-lowering diet. This warrants additional testing and replication of findings, including mechanistic investigations of this phenomenon.

Noncaloric monosaccharides induce excessive sprouting angiogenesis in zebrafish via foxo1a-marcksl1a signal

Artificially sweetened beverages containing noncaloric monosaccharides were suggested as healthier alternatives to sugar-sweetened beverages. Nevertheless, the potential detrimental effects of these noncaloric monosaccharides on blood vessel function remain inadequately understood. We have established a zebrafish model that exhibits significant excessive angiogenesis induced by high glucose, resembling the hyperangiogenic characteristics observed in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Utilizing this model, we observed that glucose and noncaloric monosaccharides could induce excessive formation of blood vessels, especially intersegmental vessels (ISVs). The excessively branched vessels were observed to be formed by ectopic activation of quiescent endothelial cells (ECs) into tip cells. Single-cell transcriptomic sequencing analysis of the ECs in the embryos exposed to high glucose revealed an augmented ratio of capillary ECs, proliferating ECs, and a series of upregulated proangiogenic genes. Further analysis and experiments validated that reduced foxo1a mediated the excessive angiogenesis induced by monosaccharides via upregulating the expression of marcksl1a. This study has provided new evidence showing the negative effects of noncaloric monosaccharides on the vascular system and the underlying mechanisms.

Selection of a galactose-positive mutant strain of Streptococcus thermophilus and its optimized production as a high-vitality starter culture

Streptococcus thermophilus is a common starter in yogurt production and plays an important role in the dairy industry. In this study, a galactose-positive (Gal+) mutant strain, IMAU20246Y, was produced using the chemical mutagen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) from wild-type S. thermophilus IMAU20246, which is known to have good fermentation characteristics. The sugar content of milk fermented by either the mutant or the wild type was determined using HPLC; metabolism of lactose and galactose was significantly increased in the mutant strain. In addition, we used response surface methodology to optimize components of the basic M17 medium for survival ratio of the mutant strain. Under these optimal conditions, the viable counts of mutant S. thermophilus IMAU20246Y reached 4.15 × 108 cfu/mL and, following freeze-drying in the medium, retained cell viability of up to 67.42%. These results are conducive to production of a high-vitality starter culture and development of "low sugar, high sweetness" dairy products.

Novel Metabolites Associated With Blood Pressure After Dietary Interventions

BACKGROUND

The blood pressure (BP) etiologic study is complex due to multifactorial influences, including genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and their intricate interplays. We used a metabolomics approach to capture internal pathways and external exposures and to study BP regulation mechanisms after well-controlled dietary interventions.

METHODS

In the ProBP trail (Protein and Blood Pressure), a double-blinded crossover randomized controlled trial, participants underwent dietary interventions of carbohydrate, soy protein, and milk protein, receiving 40 g daily for 8 weeks, with 3-week washout periods. We measured plasma samples collected at baseline and at the end of each dietary intervention. Multivariate linear models were used to evaluate the association between metabolites and systolic/diastolic BP. Nominally significant metabolites were examined for enriching biological pathways. Significant ProBP findings were evaluated for replication among 1311 participants of the BHS (Bogalusa Heart Study), a population-based study conducted in the same area as ProBP.

RESULTS

After Bonferroni correction for 77 independent metabolite clusters (α=6.49×10-4), 18 metabolites were significantly associated with BP at baseline or the end of a dietary intervention, of which 11 were replicated in BHS. Seven emerged as novel discoveries, which are as follows: 1-linoleoyl-GPE (18:2), 1-oleoyl-GPE (18:1), 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-GPC (18:0/18:2), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-GPE (16:0/18:1), maltose, N-stearoyl-sphinganine (d18:0/18:0), and N6-carbamoylthreonyladenosine. Pathway enrichment analyses suggested dietary protein intervention might reduce BP through pathways related to G protein-coupled receptors, incretin function, selenium micronutrient network, and mitochondrial biogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Seven novel metabolites were identified to be associated with BP at the end of different dietary interventions. The beneficial effects of protein interventions might be mediated through specific metabolic pathways.

Syntheses and Applications of Coumarin-Derived Fluorescent Probes for Real-Time Monitoring of NAD(P)H Dynamics in Living Cells across Diverse Chemical Environments

Fluorescent probes play a crucial role in elucidating cellular processes, with NAD(P)H sensing being pivotal in understanding cellular metabolism and redox biology. Here, the development and characterization of three fluorescent probes, A, B, and C, based on the coumarin platform for monitoring of NAD(P)H levels in living cells are described. Probes A and B incorporate a coumarin-cyanine hybrid structure with vinyl and thiophene connection bridges to 3-quinolinium acceptors, respectively, while probe C introduces a dicyano moiety for replacement of the lactone carbonyl group of probe A which increases the reaction rate of the probe with NAD(P)H. Initially, all probes exhibit subdued fluorescence due to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) quenching. However, upon hydride transfer by NAD(P)H, fluorescence activation is triggered through enhanced ICT. Theoretical calculations confirm that the electronic absorption changes upon the addition of hydride to originate from the quinoline moiety instead of the coumarin section and end up in the middle section, illustrating how the addition of hydride affects the nature of this absorption. Control and dose-response experiments provide conclusive evidence of probe C's specificity and reliability in identifying intracellular NAD(P)H levels within HeLa cells. Furthermore, colocalization studies indicate probe C's selective targeting of mitochondria. Investigation into metabolic substrates reveals the influence of glucose, maltose, pyruvate, lactate, acesulfame potassium, and aspartame on NAD(P)H levels, shedding light on cellular responses to nutrient availability and artificial sweeteners. Additionally, we explore the consequence of oxaliplatin on cellular NAD(P)H levels, revealing complex interplays between DNA damage repair, metabolic reprogramming, and enzyme activities. In vivo studies utilizing starved fruit fly larvae underscore probe C's efficacy in monitoring NAD(P)H dynamics in response to external compounds. These findings highlight probe C's utility as a versatile tool for investigating NAD(P)H signaling pathways in biomedical research contexts, offering insights into cellular metabolism, stress responses, and disease mechanisms.

Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) shell flour: Nutritional composition, chemical profile, and antioxidant potential as a strategy for valuing waste from native Brazilian fruits

The Cerrado is one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world, characterized by a wealth of native fruits with unique nutritional characteristics. In this sense, the social, economic, and environmental importance of fully utilizing food is widely recognized. Therefore, generally considered waste, fruit shells can be transformed into a coproduct with high added value. The objective of this work was to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the physicochemical properties, carbohydrate and fatty acid profile, phytochemical compounds, phenolic profile, and antioxidant potential of the recovered extracts of buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) shells in natura and dehydrated at 55 °C (flour). In addition, the functional properties were verified by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) from buriti shell flour. The results indicated high fiber content and energy value for the sample processed at 55 °C (58.95 g/100 g and 378.91 kcal/100 g, respectively) and low lipid and protein content (1.03 g/100 g and 1.39 g/100 g, respectively). Regardless of the sample analyzed, maltose was the majority sugar (37.33 - 281.01 g/100 g). The main fatty acids detected were oleic acid (61.33 - 62.08 %) followed by palmitic acid (33.91 - 34.40 %). The analysis of the mineral profile demonstrated that the samples did not differ significantly from each other, showing that the drying process did not interfere with the results obtained (p ≤ 0.05). The analysis of individual phenolics allowed the identification of six phenolic compounds in buriti shells. However, it is possible to observe that the drying method had a positive and significant influence on the phenolic profile (p ≤ 0.05), with chlorogenic acid (2.63 - 8.27 mg/100 g) and trigonelline (1.06 - 41.52 mg/100 g), the majority compounds. On the other hand, it is important to highlight that buriti shells have a high content of carotenoids, mainly β-carotene (27.18 - 62.94 µg/100 g) and α-carotene (18.23 - 60.28 µg/100 g), also being positively influenced by the drying process at 55 °C (p ≤ 0.05). The dried shells showed a high content of phytochemical compounds and high antioxidant activity based on the different methods tested. The results show that buriti shell flour can be fully utilized and has nutritional and chemical aspects that can be applied to develop new sustainable, nutritious, and functional food formulations.

Metabolite Diversity and Carbohydrate Distribution in Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis L. Cultivars: A UPLC-MS/MS Approach

Pak choi exhibits a wide range of phenotypic and morphological variations, significantly impacting its carbohydrate composition. This study aimed to analyze these variations by employing UPLC-MS/MS technology on eight biological replicates of seven Pak choi cultivars. The untargeted metabolic analysis identified 513 metabolites, focusing on 16 key carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides were the most prevalent, which were followed by di-, poly-, and oligosaccharides. Suzhouqing had the highest number of differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), while Xiangqingcai had the least. Notably, the cultivars Xiangqingcai, Suzhouqing, and Aijiaohuang showed significant metabolite differentiation. The study found 114 metabolites that differed significantly between Suzhouqing and Aijiaohuang, of which 69 were upregulated and 45 were downregulated. In Xiangqingcai and Aijiaohuang, 66 metabolites were upregulated and 49 were downregulated. Between Xiangqingcai and Suzhouqing, 80 metabolites were downregulated and 53 were upregulated. Key carbohydrate digestion and absorption pathways were identified alongside the most enriched flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in Xiangqingcai and Suzhouqing. The findings highlight the considerable carbohydrate variation among Pak choi cultivars, providing valuable insights for targeted carbohydrate extraction and improving nutritional and agricultural practices.

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of the effects of oral trehalose in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: An interim analysis

INTRODUCTION

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by increasingly worsening ataxia and non-ataxia features, negatively impacting patients' quality of life. This study was designed to test formally evaluate whether oral trehalose was effective in SCA3 patients.

METHODS

In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, SCA3 patients received either 100 g oral trehalose or 30 g maltose to improve ataxia severity over six months. We also measured other clinical (non-ataxia), patient-reported (quality of life, motivations), and safety endpoints. An unscheduled interim analysis was conducted using two-way ANOVAs to analyze the interaction between time (baseline, 3-months, 6-months) and intervention (Trehalose vs. Placebo).

RESULTS

Fifteen participants (Trehalose = 7 vs. Placebo = 8) completed the study at the time of interim analysis. There was no interaction effect on the ataxia severity, and available data suggested an estimated sample size of 132 (66 per arm) SCA3 patients required to demonstrate changes in a 6-month trial. There were significant interaction effects for executive function (ƞ2 = 0.28-0.43). Safety data indicated that 100 g oral trehalose was well-tolerated.

CONCLUSION

We performed an unplanned interim analysis due to a slow recruitment rate. The new estimated sample size was deemed unfeasible, leading to premature termination of the clinical trial. In this small, current sample of SCA3 patients, 100 g oral trehalose did not differentially impact on ataxia severity compared to placebo. Interestingly, our findings may suggest an improvement in executive function. Future efforts will require a large multi-country, multi-center study to investigate the potential effect of trehalose.

Preparation, structural characterization, biological activity, and nutritional applications of oligosaccharides

Oligosaccharides are low-molecular-weight carbohydrates between monosaccharides and polysaccharides. They can be extracted directly from natural products by physicochemical methods or obtained by chemical synthesis or enzymatic reaction. Oligosaccharides have important physicochemical and physiological properties. Their research and production involve many disciplines such as medicine, chemical industry, and biology. Functional oligosaccharides, as an excellent functional food base, can be used as dietary fibrer and prebiotics to enrich the diet; improve the microecology of the gut; exert antitumour, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering properties. Therefore, the industrial applications of oligosaccharides have increased rapidly in the past few years. It has great prospects in the field of food and medicinal chemistry. This review summarized the preparation, structural features and biological activities of oligosaccharides, with particular emphasis on the application of functional oligosaccharides in the food industry and human nutritional health. It aims to inform further research and development of oligosaccharides and food chemistry.

Systematic Metabolic Profiling of Mice with Sleep-Deprivation

Adequate sleep is essential for the biological maintenance of physical energy. Lack of sleep can affect thinking, lead to emotional anxiety, reduce immunity, and interfere with endocrine and metabolic processes, leading to disease. Previous studies have focused on long-term sleep deprivation and the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. However, systematic metabolomics analyses of blood, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, brown adipose tissue, and fecal granules have not been performed. This study aims to systematically assess the metabolic changes in the target organs caused by sleep deprivation in vivo, to search for differential metabolites and the involved metabolic pathways, to further understand the impact of sleep deprivation on health, and to provide strong evidence for the need for early intervention.

Introduction to Nutrition and Cancer

By the beginning of the year 2021, the estimated number of new cancer cases worldwide was about 19.3 million and there were 10.0 million cancer-related deaths. Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide that can be attributed to genetic and environmental factors, including nutrition. The good nutrition concept focuses on the dietary requirements to sustain life. There is a substantial amount of evidence suggesting that a healthy diet can modulate cancer risk, particularly the risk of colorectal and breast cancers. Many studies have evaluated the correlation between our diet and the risk of cancer development, prevention, and treatment. The effect of diet on cancer development is likely to happen through intertwining mechanisms including inflammation and immune responses. For instance, a greater intake of red and processed meat along with low consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers that are implicated in cancer development. On the other hand, the consumption of phytosterols, vitamins, and minerals, which exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles have been linked to lower cancer risk, or even its occurrence prevention. In this book, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the role of nutrition in cancer to provide the best scientific advice in this regard.

Approaches to Enhance Sugar Content in Foods: Is the Date Palm Fruit a Natural Alternative to Sweeteners?

The current levels of added sugars in processed foods impact dental health and contribute to a range of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This review presents sugars and sweeteners used in food processing, the current possibility to replace added sugars, and highlights the benefits of using dates as a new natural, nutritious and healthy alternative to synthetic and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the context of environmental sustainability, palm groves afford a propitious habitat for a diverse array of animal species and assume a pivotal social role by contributing to the provisioning of sustenance and livelihoods for local communities. The available literature shows the date as an alternative to added sugars due to its composition in macro and micronutrients, especially in bioactive components (fiber, polyphenols and minerals). Therefore, dates are presented as a health promoter and a preventative for certain diseases with the consequent added value. The use of damaged or unmarketable dates, due to its limited shelf life, can reduce losses and improve the sustainability of date palm cultivation. This review shows the potential use dates, date by-products and second quality dates as sugar substitutes in the production of sweet and healthier foods, in line with broader sustainability objectives and circular economy principles.

Isolation and structural elucidation of prebiotic oligosaccharides from Ziziphi Spinosae Semen

Six oligosaccharides were discovered and isolated for the first time from Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. On the basis of spectroscopic analysis, their structures were determined to be verbascose (1), verbascotetraose (2), stachyose (3), manninotriose (4), raffinose (5), and melibiose (6). The prebiotic effect of the oligosaccharide fraction was assayed by eight gut bacterial growth in vitro, revealing a significant increase in cell density, up to 4-fold, for Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus johnsonii. The impact of six oligosaccharides with different degrees of polymerization (DPs) and structures on the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus was evaluated. As a result, stachyose and raffinose demonstrated superior support for bacterial growth compared to the other oligosaccharides. This study explored the structure-activity relationship of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) and showed that the more the monosaccharide type, the more supportive the gut bacteria growth when oligosaccharides have the same molecular weight.

Preliminary Findings on the Salivary Metabolome of Hookah and Cigarette Smokers

The aim of the study was to evaluate the salivary metabolomic profile of patients who habitually smoke hookah and cigarettes. The groups consisted of 33 regular and exclusive hookah smokers, 26 regular and exclusive cigarette smokers, and 30 nonsmokers. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected for the measurement of salivary metabolites by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The MetaboAnalyst software was used for statistical analysis and evaluation of biomarkers. 11 smoking salivary biomarkers were identified using the area under receiving-operator curver criterion and threshold of 0.9. Xylitol and octadecanol were higher in cigarette smokers compared to controls; arabitol and maltose were higher in controls compared to cigarette smokers; octadecanol and tyramine were higher in hookah smokers compared to controls; phenylalanine was higher in controls compared to hookah smokers; and fructose, isocitric acid, glucuronic acid, tryptamine, maltose, tyramine, and 3-hydroxyisolvaleric acid were higher in hookah smokers compared to cigarettes smokers. Conclusions: The evaluation of the salivary metabolome of hookah smokers, showing separation between the groups, especially between the control versus hookah groups and cigarette versus hookah groups, and it seems to demonstrate that the use of hookah tobacco is more damaging to health.

Comparison of Hepatic Metabolite Profiles between Infant and Adult Male Mice Using 1H-NMR-Based Untargeted Metabolomics

Although age-related characteristics of hepatic metabolism are reported, those in infants are not fully understood. In the present study, we performed untargeted metabolomic profiling of the livers of infant (3-week-old) and adult (9-week-old) male ICR mice using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and compared 35 abundant hepatic metabolite concentrations between the two groups. The liver/body weight ratio did not differ between the two groups; however, serum glucose, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were lower in infants than in adults. Hepatic carbohydrate metabolites (glucose, maltose, and mannose) were higher, whereas amino acids (glutamine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and valine) were lower in infant mice than in adult mice. The concentrations of ascorbate, betaine, sarcosine, and ethanolamine were higher, whereas those of taurine, inosine, and O-phosphocholine were lower in infant mice than in adult mice. The differences in liver metabolites between the two groups could be due to differences in their developmental stages and dietary sources (breast milk for infants and laboratory chow for adults). The above results provide insights into the hepatic metabolism in infants; however, the exact implications of the findings require further investigation.

Microbe-Based Sensor for Long-Term Detection of Urine Glucose

The development of a reusable and low-cost urine glucose sensor can benefit the screening and control of diabetes mellitus. This study focused on the feasibility of employing microbial fuel cells (MFC) as a selective glucose sensor for continuous monitoring of glucose levels in human urine. Using MFC technology, a novel cylinder sensor (CS) was developed. It had a quick response time (100 s), a large detection range (0.3-5 mM), and excellent accuracy. More importantly, the CS could last for up to 5 months. The selectivity of the CS was validated by both synthetic and actual diabetes-negative urine samples. It was found that the CS's selectivity could be significantly enhanced by adjusting the concentration of the culture's organic matter. The CS results were comparable to those of a commercial glucose meter (recovery ranged from 93.6% to 127.9%) when the diabetes-positive urine samples were tested. Due to the multiple advantages of high stability, low cost, and high sensitivity over urine test strips, the CS provides a novel and reliable approach for continuous monitoring of urine glucose, which will benefit diabetes assessment and control.

Application of accelerated heteronuclear single quantum coherence experiments to the rapid quantification of monosaccharides and disaccharides in dairy products

Monosaccharides and disaccharides are important dietary components, but if insufficiently metabolized by some population subgroups, they are also linked to disease patterns. Thus, the correct analytical identification, quantification, and labeling of these food components are crucial to inform and potentially protect consumers. Enzymatic assays and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection are established methods for the quantification of monosaccharides and disaccharides that, however, require long measuring times (60-180 min). Accelerated methods for the identification and quantification of the nutritionally relevant monosaccharides and disaccharides d-glucose, d-galactose, d-fructose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose were therefore developed. To realize this goal, the NMR experiments HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence) and acceleration by sharing adjacent polarization (ASAP)-HSQC were applied. Measurement times were reduced to 27 and 6 min, respectively, by optimizing the interscan delay and applying non-uniform sampling. The optimized methods were used to quantify d-glucose, d-galactose, d-fructose, sucrose, and lactose in various dairy products. Results of the HSQC and ASAP-HSQC methods are equivalent to the results of the reference methods in terms of both precision and accuracy, demonstrating that these methods can be used to correctly analyze nutritionally relevant monosaccharides and disaccharides in short times.

Consumer Motives for Choosing Fruit and Cereal Bars-Differences Due to Consumer Lifestyles, Attitudes toward the Product, and Expectations

Fruit and cereal bars are the response to the changing needs of consumers seeking health-promoting and convenient products. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method, with 1034 respondents consuming products of this kind. The aims of the study were (1) to identify consumer segments based on the importance they attached to the selected attributes of fruit and cereal bars and (2) to characterize the identified segments in terms of frequency and reasons for the consumption of fruit and cereal bars, views on their impact on health, and consumer behavior related to the selected lifestyle elements. Five distinct consumer clusters were identified. Involved and Health-oriented were more likely to consume bars, perceiving them as nutritious products, with a positive impact on health. Frugal and Visual consumed fruit and cereal bars the least frequently. They paid little attention to choosing healthier products in daily diet and physical activity. The Information seekers consumed bars to reduce stress and to improve their mood.

Quantification of Isomaltulose in Food Products by Using Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence NMR-Experiments

Isomaltulose is a commonly used sweetener in sports nutrition and in products intended for consumption by diabetics. Because previously established chromatographic methods for quantification of isomaltulose suffer from long analysis times (60–210 min), faster quantitative approaches are required. Here, an HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence) experiment with reduced interscan delay was established in order to quantify isomaltulose next to potential additional sugars such as d-glucose, d-fructose, d-galactose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose in 53 min. By using HSQC coupled to non-uniform sampling (NUS) as well as ASAP-HSQC (acceleration by sharing adjacent polarization), analysis times were reduced to a few minutes. Application of NUS-HSQC with reduced interscan delay takes 27 min, resulting in accurate and precise data. In principle, application of ASAP-HSQC approaches (with analysis times as low as 6 min) can be used; however, precision data may not suffice all applications.

Current Advances and Future Aspects of Sweetener Synergy: Properties, Evaluation Methods and Molecular Mechanisms

Sweetener synergy is the phenomenon in which certain combinations of sweeteners work more effectively than the theoretical sum of the effects of each components. It provides benefits in reducing sweetener dosages and improving their sweetness. Many mixtures of sweeteners with synergistic effects have been reported up to now. Both artificial high-intensity sweeteners and natural sweeteners are popularly used in sweetener mixtures for synergism, although the former seem to display more potential to exhibit synergy than the latter. Furthermore, several evaluation methods to investigate sweetener synergy have been applied, which could lead to discrepancies in results. Moreover, structurally dissimilar sweeteners could cooperatively bind at the different sites in the sweet taste receptor T1R2/T1R3 to activate the receptor, and their hydration characters/packing characteristics in solvents could affect their interaction with the receptor, providing the preliminary explanations for the molecular basis of sweetener synergy. In this article, we firstly present a systematic review, analysis and comment on the properties, evaluation methods and molecular mechanisms of sweetener synergy. Secondly, challenges of sweetener synergy in both theory and practice and possible strategies to overcome these limitations are comprehensively discussed. Finally, future perspectives for this important performance in human sweet taste perception are proposed.

Pre-germinated brown rice alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high fructose and high fat intake in rat

In past researches, we had been proved the action mechanism of pre-germinated brown rice (PGBR) to treat metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. This study was to investigate the protective effect of PGBR in high fructose and high fat-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rodents. WKY rats were divided into: Control group was fed normal drinking water and diet; FLD group was fed 10% high-fructose-water (HFW) and high-fat-diet (HFD); PGBR group was given HFW, and HFD mixed PGBR. After four weeks, the body, hepatic and cardiac weight gains of FLD group had significant increases than that of Control group. The enhanced blood pressure and heart rate, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, and higher liver function index (GPT levels) were observed; meanwhile, the IL-6 and TNF-α levels of serum, and TG level of liver were also elevated in FLD group. The related protein expressions of lipid synthesis, inflammation, cardiac fibrosis, and hypertrophy were deteriorated by HFW/HFD. However, in treatment group, PGBR decreased all above influenced parameters, additionally GOT; and related protein expressions. PGBR treated HFW/HFD-induced NAFLD and cardiac complications might be via improving lipid homeostasis, and inhibiting inflammation. Together, PGBR could be used as a healthy food for controlling NAFLD and its' cardiac dysfunction.

Biomarkers for Components of Dietary Protein and Carbohydrate with Application to Chronic Disease Risk in Postmenopausal Women

BACKGROUND

We recently developed protein and carbohydrate intake biomarkers using metabolomics profiles in serum and urine, and used them to correct self-reported dietary data for measurement error. Biomarker-calibrated carbohydrate density was inversely associated with chronic disease risk, whereas protein density associations were mixed.

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate and extend this earlier work through biomarker development for protein and carbohydrate components, including animal protein and fiber.

METHODS

Prospective disease association analyses were undertaken in Women's Health Initiative (WHI) cohorts of postmenopausal US women, aged 50-79 y when enrolled at 40 US clinical centers. Biomarkers were developed using an embedded human feeding study (n = 153). Calibration equations for protein and carbohydrate components were developed using a WHI nutritional biomarker study (n = 436). Calibrated intakes were associated with chronic disease incidence in WHI cohorts (n = 81,954) over a 20-y (median) follow-up period, using HR regression methods.

RESULTS

Previously reported elevations in cardiovascular disease (CVD) with higher-protein diets tended to be explained by animal protein density. For example, for coronary heart disease a 20% increment in animal protein density had an HR of 1.20 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.42) relative to the HR for total protein density. In comparison, cancer and diabetes risk showed little association with animal protein density beyond that attributable to total protein density. Inverse carbohydrate density associations with total CVD were mostly attributable to fiber density, with a 20% increment HR factor of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83, 0.94). Cancer risk showed little association with fiber density, whereas diabetes risk had a 20% increment HR of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.88, 0.98) relative to the HRs for total carbohydrate density.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population of postmenopausal US women, CVD risk was associated with high-animal-protein and low-fiber diets, cancer risk was associated with low-carbohydrate diets, and diabetes risk was associated with low-fiber/low-carbohydrate diets.

Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Chlorophytum Comosum (Green Type) (Thunb.) Jacq

Chlorophytum genus has been extensively studied due to its diverse biological activities. We evaluated the methanolic extract of leaves of Chlorophytum comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques, the species that is less studied compared to C. borivilianum. The aim was to identify phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum and biological properties of its different fractions. Water fraction was analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Nineteen compounds belonging to different chemical classes were identified in the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques. In addition to several fatty acids, isoprenoid and steroid compounds were found among the most abundant constituents. One of the identified compounds, 4'-methylphenyl-1C-sulfonyl-β-d-galactoside, was not detected earlier in Chlorophytum extracts. The water fraction was toxic to HeLa cells but not to Vero cells. Our data demonstrate that methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum can be a valuable source of bioactive constituents. The water fraction of the extract exhibited promising antitumor potential based on a high ratio of HeLa vs. Vero cytotoxicity.

Impacts of polyols and temperature on the micellization, interaction and thermodynamics behavior of the mixture of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and polyvinyl alcohol

Herein, the aggregation manner of the mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) was performed in polyols (glucose, maltose and galactose) media over 300.55–320.55 K temperatures range with 5 K interval through conductivity measurement method. The micelle formation of TTAB + PVA mixture was identified by the assessment of critical micelle concentration (CMC) from the plots of specific conductivity (κ) versus TTAB concentration. The degree of micelle ionization (α), the extent of bound counter ions (β) as well as thermodynamic properties ( Δ G m 0 ${\Delta}{G}_{m}^{0}$ , Δ H m 0 ${\Delta}{H}_{m}^{0}$ and Δ S m 0 ${\Delta}{S}_{m}^{0}$ ) of TTAB + PVA systems have been estimated. The CMC values reveal that the micelle formation of TTAB + PVA mixture experience an enhancement in the manifestation of polyols. The values of free energy of micellization ( Δ G m 0 ${\Delta}{G}_{m}^{0}$ ) are negative for the TTAB + PVA system in aqueous polyols media, suggesting a spontaneous aggregation phenomenon. The Δ H m 0 ${\Delta}{H}_{m}^{0}$ and Δ S m 0 ${\Delta}{S}_{m}^{0}$ values of TTAB + PVA systems direct that the PVA molecule interacts with TTAB through the exothermic, ion-dipole, and hydrophobic interactions. The thermodynamic properties of transfer were also determined for the move of TTAB + PVA mixture from H2O to water + polyols mixed solvents. The values of compensation temperature (T c) and intrinsic enthalpy gain ( Δ H m 0 , ∗ ${\Delta}{H}_{m}^{0,\ast }$ ) were evaluated and discussed for the studied system.

Influence of Dietary Nutrient Intake on Episodic Memory Across the Adult Life Span

The aim of the study was to identify nutrients that have the ability to impact brain functioning and, as a consequence, influence episodic memory. In particular, we examined recollection, the ability to recall details of previous experiences, which is the episodic memory process most affected as age advances. A sample of 1,550 healthy participants between 21 and 80 years old participated in the study. Nutritional intake was examined through a food frequency questionnaire and software developed to determine the daily consumption of 64 nutrients based on food intake during the last year. Recollection was measured through a computerized source memory paradigm. First, we identified which nutrients influence recollection across the entire adult life span. Then, moderator analyses were conducted by dividing the sample into young (21–40 years old), middle-aged (41–60 years old) and older (61–80 years old) adults to establish in which life stage nutrients influence episodic memory. Across the adult life span, recollection accuracy was shown to benefit from the intake of sodium, heme, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, cholesterol, alcohol, fat, protein, and palmitic, stearic, palmitoleic, oleic, gadoleic, alpha-linoleic and linoleic acid. The effects of energy, maltose, lactose, calcium and several saturated fatty acids on recollection were modulated by age; in older adults, the consumption of these nutrients negatively influenced episodic memory performance, and in middle-aged adults, only lactose had negative effects. Several brain mechanisms that support episodic memory were influenced by specific nutrients, demonstrating the ability of food to enhance or deteriorate episodic memory.

Recent Advances in Chiral Analysis of Proteins and Peptides

Like many biological compounds, proteins are found primarily in their homochiral form. However, homochirality is not guaranteed throughout life. Determining their chiral proteinogenic sequence is a complex analytical challenge. This is because certain d-amino acids contained in proteins play a role in human health and disease. This is the case, for example, with d-Asp in elastin, β-amyloid and α-crystallin which, respectively, have an action on arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and cataracts. Sequence-dependent and sequence-independent are the two strategies for detecting the presence and position of d-amino acids in proteins. These methods rely on enzymatic digestion by a site-specific enzyme and acid hydrolysis in a deuterium or tritium environment to limit the natural racemization of amino acids. In this review, chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques, such as LC, SFC, GC and CE, will be recently developed (2018–2020) for the enantioseparation of amino acids and peptides. For future work, the discovery and development of new chiral stationary phases and derivatization reagents could increase the resolution of chiral separations.

Lactobacillus acidophilus LA14 Alleviates Liver Injury

Although the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus LA14 is used worldwide, its effect on liver diseases remains unelucidated. Here, 32 rats were divided into four groups, gavaged with L. acidophilus LA14 (3 × 10⁹ CFU) or phosphate-buffered saline for 7 days, and then intraperitoneally injected with d-galactosamine or saline. After 24 h, blood, liver, ileum, and feces samples were collected for liver injury, inflammation, intestinal barrier, gut microbiota, metabolome, and transcriptome analyses. Pretreatment with L. acidophilus LA14 alleviated the d-galactosamine-induced elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bile acids; mitigated the histological injury to the liver and gut; and suppressed the inflammatory cytokines macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), MIP-3α, and MCP-1. L. acidophilus LA14 also ameliorated the d-galactosamine-induced dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and metabolism, such as the enrichment of Bacteroides sp. strain dnLKV3 and the depletion of Streptococcus, butanoic acid, and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine. The underlying mechanism of L. acidophilus LA14 included prevention of not only the d-galactosamine-induced upregulation of infection- and tumor-related pathways but also the d-galactosamine-induced downregulation of antioxidation-related pathways during this process, as reflected by the liver transcriptome and proteome analyses. Furthermore, the administration of L. acidophilus LA14 to healthy rats did not alter the tested liver indicators but significantly enriched the beneficial Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, promoted metabolism and regulated pathways to improve immunity. The ability of L. acidophilus LA14 to alleviate liver injury was further confirmed with an acetaminophen-induced mouse model. These results might provide a reference for future studies on the application of L. acidophilus LA14 for the prevention of liver injury.

IMPORTANCE The probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus LA14 is widely used, but its effect on liver diseases has not been elucidated. We explored the protective effect of L. acidophilus LA14 on the liver using rats with d-galactosamine-induced liver injury. Pretreatment with L. acidophilus LA14 alleviated the d-galactosamine-induced elevation of serum ALT, AST, ALP, and bile acids, mitigated the histological injury to the liver and gut, and suppressed the inflammatory cytokines MIP-1α, MIP-3α, and MCP-1. These effects were correlated with the modulations of the gut microbiome, metabolome, and hepatic gene expression induced by L. acidophilus LA14. Moreover, the ability of L. acidophilus LA14 to alleviate liver injury was further confirmed with an acetaminophen-induced mouse model. These results might provide a reference for future studies on the application of L. acidophilus LA14 for the prevention of liver injury.

Is sugar extracted from plants less healthy than sugar consumed within plant tissues? The sugar anomaly

There are dilemmas in the minds of consumers with respect to sugar consumption - they would like to consume sugars for sweetness, but in a healthy (and perhaps guilt free!) way. In a sense, consumers believe that if sugar does not appear as an ingredient on the product label, but is intrinsic in the food (and will appear as a nutrient), it is 'good'. As an ingredient, however, it is viewed as a 'bad chemical' associated with tooth decay and obesity. The reality is that unless processing induced modifications have occurred, the sugar molecule within a plant tissue is the same molecule structure as present in purified sugar. The same calorific value. However, there is an argument that humans eat too refined food and that if sugars were eaten in their natural context (e.g. within a fruit), their presence and concentration would be in harmony (where different nutrients complement and balance the sugar concentration) with the human body. This reflects the process of eating, satiety, presence of other nutrients (including water) and the associated impact of the indigestible components of plant foods on the transit/nutrient bioavailability control and thus benefits through the gut. The authors explore these issues in this article and seek to provide a scientific basis to different sides of the argument - sugar is good or bad depending on how (in which format and how much/how concentrated) it is consumed. More importantly perhaps, how should sugar consumption - an important nutrient - be managed to optimize the benefits but reduce the disadvantages? © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

96-Well Microtiter Plate Made of Paper: A Printed Chemosensor Array for Quantitative Detection of Saccharides

Simple, rapid, and accurate detection methods for saccharides are potentially applicable to various fields such as clinical and food chemistry. However, the practical applications of on-site analytical methods are still limited. To this end, herein, we propose a 96-well microtiter plate made of paper as a paper-based chemosensor array device (PCSAD) for the simultaneous classification of 12 saccharides and the quantification of fructose and glucose among 12 saccharides. The mechanism of the saccharide detection relied on an indicator displacement assay (IDA) on the PCSAD using four types of catechol dyes, 3-nitrophenylboronic acid, and the saccharides. The design of the PCSAD and the experimental conditions for the IDA were optimized using a central composite design. The chemosensors exhibited clear color changes upon the addition of saccharides on the paper because of the competitive boronate esterification. The color changes were employed for the subsequent qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative analyses using an automated algorithm combined with pattern recognition for digital images. A qualitative linear discrimination analysis offered discrimination of 12 saccharides with a 100% classification rate. The semiquantitative analysis of fructose in the presence of glucose was carried out from the viewpoint of food analysis utilizing a support vector machine, resulting in clear discrimination of the various concentrations of fructose. Most importantly, the quantitative detection of fructose in two types of commercial soft drinks was also successfully carried out without sample pretreatments. Thus, the proposed PCSAD can be a powerful method for on-site food analyses that can meet the increasing demand from consumers for sensors of saccharides.