Evaluation of the digestibility and antioxidant activity of protein and lipid after mixing nuts based on in vitro and in vivo models

Effects of exogenous selenium application on quality characteristics, selenium speciation, and in vitro bioaccessibility of rice pancakes

Selenium is an essential trace element for human health. To date, a hotspot of functional foods is strengthening the content of organic Se in food using biological Se enrichment. Herein, Se-enriched rice pancakes were produced by directly adding different sodium selenite concentrations into the fermentation process. The effects of sodium selenite addition on the texture properties, structure, and Se species of rice pancakes were investigated. Meanwhile, the bioaccessibility of Se and the changes of Se species in Se-enriched rice pancakes were determined by digestion experiments in vitro. The results showed significant differences in hardness, adhesiveness, chewiness, porosity, and flavor substances of Se-enriched rice pancakes after adding sodium selenite (p < 0.05). In Se-enriched rice pancakes, selenocystine (SeCys2) and methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) are the main Se species. When sodium selenite was added at 3.3 μg/mL, the maximum values of SeCys2 and MeSeCys were 328.35 ± 33.43 and 311.11 ± 49.48 μg/kg, respectively. Se bioaccessibility was negatively correlated with sodium selenite content. The electronic nose results of Se-enriched rice pancakes showed that the sulfur compounds, nitrogen substances, alcohol substances, alkane substances, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones in rice pancakes significantly increased following sodium selenite addition. The results can provide a significant basis for developing high efficiency Se-enriched fermented food and the processing of Se-enriched rice pancakes.

The Influence of Juglans regia L. Extract and Ellagic Acid on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Bone Regeneration Biomarkers

Bone regeneration is a highly dynamic and complex process that involves hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal cells, collagen fibers, non-collagenous proteins and biomolecules from extracellular matrices, and different cytokines and immune cells, as well as growth factors and hormones. Some phytochemicals due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can modulate the bone signaling pathways and improve bone healing and thus can be a good candidate for osteoregeneration. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of Juglans regia L. extract compared to ellagic acid on bone neoformation in rats. The animals with a 5 mm calvaria defect were divided into four groups (n = 10): group 1 was treated with ellagic acid 1% (EA), group 2 was treated with Juglans regia L. extract 10% (JR), group 3 was treated with a biphasic mix of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate (Ceraform), and group 4 was treated with vehicle inert gel with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). After 3 weeks of treatment, blood samples were collected for oxidative stress and inflammation assessment. Additionally, the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) and hydroxyproline levels were quantified in blood. The skull samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy in order to detect the modifications in the four groups. The results suggested that JR extract had relevant anti-oxidant effect and bone protective activity and generated the accumulation of Ca and P, demonstrating the potential therapeutic abilities in bone regeneration.

Impact of polyphenol-loaded edible starch nanomaterials on antioxidant capacity and gut microbiota

Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) have the capability to adsorb polyphenol components from apple pomace efficiently, forming bound polyphenols (P-SNPs). These bound polyphenols may have potential bioactivities to affect human health positively. Therefore, in-depth in vivo observation of the antioxidant activity and evaluation of its gut microbiota regulatory function are essential. The results revealed that P-SNPs indicated significant scavenging abilities against DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, the nanomaterials exhibited non-toxic properties, devoid of hepatorenal and intestinal damage, while concurrently stimulating the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) within the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, P-SNPs significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity in serum, liver, and kidney tissues, fostering the proliferation of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bacillus, norank_f__Muribaculaceae) while suppressing pathogenic bacterial growth (Helicobacter, Odoribacter). This study proposes a novel research concept for the scientific use of polyphenols in promoting gut health.

The Antioxidant Activities In Vitro and In Vivo and Extraction Conditions Optimization of Defatted Walnut Kernel Extract

The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant activities of defatted walnut kernel extract (DWE) and whole walnut kernel extract (WE) in vitro and in vivo. Three spectrophotometric methods, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, were used in in vitro experiments, and mice were used in in vivo experiments. In addition, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize reflux-assisted ethanol extraction of DWE for maximum antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The results of in vitro experiments showed that both extracts showed antioxidant activity; however, the antioxidant activity of DWE was higher than that of WE. Both extracts improved the mice's oxidative damage status in in vivo studies. An ethanol concentration of 58%, an extraction temperature of 48 °C, and an extraction time of 77 min were the ideal parameters for reflux-assisted ethanol extraction of DWE. The results may provide useful information for further applications of defatted walnut kernels and the development of functional foods.