Sciadonic acid ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression by modulating the immune response and altering the gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Cyclophosphamide (Cy) is a frequently used chemotherapeutic drug, but long-term Cy treatment can cause immunosuppression and intestinal mucosal damage. The intestinal mucosal barrier and gut flora play important roles in regulating host metabolism, maintaining physiological functions and protecting immune homeostasis. Dysbiosis of the intestinal flora affects the development of the intestinal microenvironment, as well as the development of various external systemic diseases and metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS

The present study investigated the influence of sciadonic acid (SA) on Cy-induced immunosuppression in mice. The results showed that SA gavage significantly alleviated Cy-induced immune damage by improving the immune system organ index, immune response and oxidative stress. Moreover, SA restored intestinal morphology, improved villus integrity and activated the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway, stimulated cytokine production, and reduced serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Furthermore, gut microbiota analysis indicated that SA increased t beneficial bacteria (Alistipes, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Rikenella and Odoribacter) and decreased pathogenic bacteria (norank-f-Oscillospiraceae, Ruminococcus and Desulfovibrio) to maintain intestinal homeostasis.

CONCLUSION

The present study provided new insights into the SA regulation of intestinal flora to enhance immune responses. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sciadonic acid attenuates high-fat diet-induced bone metabolism disorders in mice

High-fat diet (HFD) has been associated with certain negative bone-related outcomes, such as bone metabolism disruption and bone loss. Sciadonic acid (SC), one of the main nutritional and functional components of Torreya grandis seed oil, is a unique Δ5-unsaturated-polymethylene-interrupted fatty acid (Δ5-UPIFA) that has been claimed to counteract such disorders owing to some of its physiological effects. However, the role of SC in ameliorating bone metabolism disorders due to HFD remains unclear. In the present investigation, we observed that SC modulates the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway by modifying the lipid metabolic state and decreasing inflammation in mice. In turn, it could balance bone resorption and formation as well as calcium and phosphorus levels, enhance bone strength and bone mineral density (BMD), and improve its microstructure. In addition, SC could inhibit fat vacuoles in bone, reverse the phenomenon of reduced numbers and poor continuity of bone trabeculae, and promote orderly arrangement of collagen fibers and cartilage repair. This study provides some theoretical basis for SC as a dietary intervention agent to enhance bone nutrition.

Effect of coffee, tea and alcohol intake on circulating inflammatory cytokines: a two sample-Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Despite the abundance of research examining the effects of coffee, tea, and alcohol on inflammatory diseases, there is a notable absence of conclusive evidence regarding their direct causal influence on circulating inflammatory cytokines. Previous studies have primarily concentrated on established cytokines, neglecting the potential impact of beverage consumption on lesser-studied but equally important cytokines.

METHODS

Information regarding the consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol was collected from the UK Biobank, with sample sizes of 428,860, 447,485, and 462,346 individuals, respectively. Data on 41 inflammatory cytokines were obtained from summary statistics of 8293 healthy participants from Finnish cohorts.

RESULTS

The consumption of coffee was found to be potentially associated with decreased levels of Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (β = -0.57, 95% CI -1.06 ~ -0.08; p = 0.022) and Stem cell growth factor beta (β = -0.64, 95% CI -1.16 ~ -0.12; p = 0.016), as well as an increase in TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (β = 0.43, 95% CI 0.06 ~ 0.8; p = 0.023) levels. Conversely, tea intake was potentially correlated with a reduction in Interleukin-8 (β = -0.45, 95% CI -0.9 ~ 0; p = 0.045) levels. Moreover, our results indicated an association between alcohol consumption and decreased levels of Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted (β = -0.24, 95% CI -0.48 ~ 0; p = 0.047), as well as an increase in Stem cell factor (β = 0.17, 95% CI 0.02 ~ 0.31; p = 0.023) and Stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (β = 0.20, 95% CI 0.04 ~ 0.36; p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Revealing the interactions between beverage consumption and various inflammatory cytokines may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, thereby facilitating dietary interventions to complement clinical disease treatments.

Physicochemical characteristics of grease-trap wastewater with different potential mechanisms of FOG solid formation, separation, and accumulation inside grease traps

This work investigates the physicochemical characteristics of grease-trap wastewater discharged from a large community market. It proposes potential mechanisms of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) solid formation, separation, and accumulation inside grease traps. Sixty-four samples, i.e., the floated scum, suspended solid-liquid wastewater, and settled sludge, were collected from the grease-trap inlet and outlet chambers. A lower pH of 5-6 at 25-29 °C inside the grease trap than those reported under the sewer conditions (pH 6-7) was revealed. A significant difference in solid and dissolved constituents was also discovered between the inlet and outlet chambers, indicating that the baffle wall could affect the separation mechanism. The sludge samples had 1.5 times higher total solids (TS) than the scum samples, i.e., 0.225 vs. 0.149 g g-1 TS, revealing that the sludge amount impacted more significantly the grease trap capacity and operation and maintenance. In contrast, the scum samples had 1.4 times higher volatile solids (VS) than the sludge samples, i.e., 0.134 vs. 0.096 g g-1 VS, matching with the 64.2 vs. 29.7% of carbon content from CHN analysis. About 2/3 of the free fatty acids (FFAs) with palmitic acids were the primary saturated FFAs, while the remaining 1/3 of unsaturated FFAs were found in the solid and liquid samples. Although up to 0.511 g g-1 FOG can be extracted from the scum samples, none from the sludge samples. More diverse minerals/metals other than Na, Cl, and Ca were found in the sludge samples than in the scum samples. Grease-trap FOG solids and open drain samples exhibited similar physicochemical properties to those reported in the literature. Four potential mechanisms (crystallization, emulsification, saponification, and baffling) were presented. This work offers insights into the physicochemical properties of grease-trap wastewater that can help explore its FOG solid formation, separation, and accumulation mechanisms inside a grease trap.

Effect of alternative sweetener and carbohydrate polymer mixtures on the physical properties, melting and crystallization behaviour of dark compound chocolate

This study aims to evaluate the effect of sucrose replacer mixtures (erythritol, mannitol, or tagatose in combination with inulin or polydextrose) on the crystal morphology, particle size distribution, rheology, melting properties, and fat polymorphism of dark compound chocolate. The result showed that the replacer mixture's hygroscopicity, particle size, and sugar crystal shape might significantly impact dark compound chocolate's rheological and textural properties but had no substantial impact on the melting properties and fat crystallization. Mannitol-containing samples exhibited the highest rheological value, likely related to their high moisture content, small particle size, and elongated crystal shape. Due to the similar specific surface area and comparable D90 value, the sample containing erythritol-polydextrose mixture resulted in a similar (P ≥ 0.05) Casson yield value (46.184 ± 2.45 Pa) compared to the sample containing sucrose (38.348 ± 1.68 Pa). It could be a potential sucrose replacer in the dark compound chocolate.

Enhancing silkworm protein yield, extraction efficiency, structure, functionality, and antioxidant activity using ultrasound-, microwave-, and freeze-thaw-assisted methods

BACKGROUND

Silkworm protein applications are limited in the food industry because of their low emulsifying and foaming properties. This study investigated the effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for 15 and 30 min, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for 1 and 2 min, and freeze-thaw-assisted extraction (FTAE) for one and three cycles on the yield, extraction efficiency, functional properties, and antioxidant activities of proteins from silkworm pupae. Relationships of protein structure and functionality were also examined.

RESULTS

UAE for 15 and 30 min and MAE for 1 and 2 min significantly increased protein yield and extraction efficiency compared to the control. Both UAE and MAE processes, especially MAE for 2 min, greatly improved the emulsifying and foaming properties of extracted proteins. FTAE one and three cycles did not increase the protein yield and extraction efficiency but showed enhanced functional properties, especially foaming. All samples showed changes in protein structure, such as increased exposed sulfhydryl (SH) contents, denaturation temperatures, and enthalpy. Only MAE samples had low-molecular-weight proteins based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. UAE and FTAE samples had significantly higher antioxidant activities, while the MAE process showed the opposite.

CONCLUSION

UAE and MAE processes improved the yield and functionality of extracted silkworm proteins, while MAE negatively impacted protein antioxidant activities. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antidiabetic effect of Ardisia elliptica extract and its mechanisms of action in STZ-NA-induced diabetic rat model via 1H-NMR-based metabolomics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ardisia elliptica Thunb. (AE) (Primulaceae) is a medicinal plant found in the Malay Peninsula and has been traditionally used to treat diabetes. However, limited studies to date in providing scientific evidence to support the antidiabetic efficacy of this plant by in-vitro and in-vivo models.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-hyperglycemic potential of AE through in-vitro enzymatic activities and streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic rat models using proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-based metabolomics approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anti-α-amylase and anti-α-glucosidase activities of the hydroethanolic extracts of AE were evaluated. The absolute quantification of bioactive constituents, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was performed for the most active extract. Three different dosage levels of the AE extract were orally administered for 4 weeks consecutively in STZ-NA induced diabetic rats. Physical assessments, biochemical analysis, and an untargeted 1H-NMR-based metabolomics analysis of the urine and serum were carried out on the animal model.

RESULTS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model was successfully developed based on the clear separation observed between the STZ-NA induced diabetic and normal non-diabetic groups. Discriminating biomarkers included glucose, citrate, succinate, allantoin, hippurate, 2-oxoglutarate, and 3-hydroxybutyrate, as determined through an orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model. A treatment dosage of 250 mg/kg body weight (BW) of standardized 70% ethanolic AE extract mitigated increase in serum glucose, creatinine, and urea levels, providing treatment levels comparable to that obtained using metformin, with flavonoids primarily contribute to the anti-hyperglycemic activities. Urinary metabolomics disclosed that the following disturbed metabolism pathways: the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), butanoate metabolism, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, were ameliorated after treatment with the standardized AE extract.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the first attempt at revealing the therapeutic effect of oral treatment with 250 mg/kg BW of standardized AE extract on chemically induced T2DM rats. The present study provides scientific evidence supporting the ethnomedicinal use of Ardisia elliptica and further advances the understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanisms affected by this herbal antidote.

Windows Scanning Multiomics: Integrated Metabolomics and Proteomics

Metabolomics and proteomics offer significant advantages in understanding biological mechanisms at two hierarchical levels. However, conventional single omics analysis faces challenges due to the high demand for specimens and the complexity of intrinsic associations. To obtain comprehensive and accurate system biological information, we developed a multiomics analytical method called Windows Scanning Multiomics (WSM). In this method, we performed simultaneous extraction of metabolites and proteins from the same sample, resulting in a 10% increase in the coverage of the identified biomolecules. Both metabolomics and proteomics analyses were conducted by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), eliminating the need for instrument conversions. Additionally, we designed an R-based program (WSM.R) to integrate mathematical and biological correlations between metabolites and proteins into a correlation network. The network created from simultaneously extracted biomolecules was more focused and comprehensive compared to those from separate extractions. Notably, we excluded six pairs of false-positive relationships between metabolites and proteins in the network established using simultaneously extracted biomolecules. In conclusion, this study introduces a novel approach for multiomics analysis and data processing that greatly aids in bioinformation mining from multiomics results. This method is poised to play an indispensable role in systems biology research.

The indigenous microbial diversity involved in the spontaneous fermentation of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) identified by means of molecular tools

Red dragon fruit (RDF) is well-known for its high nutritional content, especially the red pigment betacyanins that possess high antioxidant activity. Natural fermentation is an ancient yet outstanding technique that relies on the autochthonous microbiota from fruits and vegetables surfaces to preserve and improve the nutritional values and quality of the food product. The present study was to evaluate and identify the indigenous microbial community (bacteria and fungi) that are involved in the natural fermentation of RDF. Results revealed a total of twenty bacterial pure cultures and nine fungal pure cultures were successfully isolated from fermented red dragon fruit drink (FRDFD). For the first time, the PCR amplification of 16S rRNA and ITS regions and sequence analysis suggested nine genera of bacteria and three genera of fungi (Aureobasidium pullulans, Clavispora opuntiae, and Talaromyces aurantiacus) present in the FRDFD. Four dominant (≥10 % isolates) bacteria species identified from FRDFD were Klebsiella pneumonia, Brevibacillus parabrevis, Bacillus tequilensis and Bacillus subtilis. The carbohydrate fermentation test showed that all the indigenous microbes identified were able to serve as useful starter culture by fermenting sucrose and glucose, thereby producing acid to lower the pH of FRDFD to around pH 4 for better betacyanins stability. The present study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the indigenous microbial community that serves as the starter culture in the fermentation of RDF. Besides, this study provides a useful guide for future research to be conducted on studying the rare bacterial strains (such as B. tequilensis) identified from the FRDFD for their potential bioactivities and applications in medical treatment and functional foods industries.

Synergistic enhancing effect of xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose and citric acid on the stability of betacyanins in fermented red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) drink during storage

Nowadays, the demand for using healthy natural pigments (betacyanins) in the food industry is increasing. The present study aimed to overcome the circumstances that render the betacyanins instability in the red dragon fruit drink using mild approaches. These included optimised fermentation, incorporation of anionic polysaccharide mixture solution [xanthan gum (XG, 0.30-0.40 %, w/v) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC, 0.50-0.90 %, w/v)] and also addition of citric acid (CA, 0.05-0.20 %, w/v). The results of this study showed that the hydrocolloid mixture solution of XG and CMC significantly increased the samples' viscosity, pH and °Brix but reduced the aw, while betacyanins concentration had no significant change. The incorporation of CA at increasing concentration only reduced the samples' pH significantly without affecting the viscosity, aw and °Brix. Among all fermented samples, Formulation 3E (0.40 % XG + 0.50 % CMC + 0.20 % CA) had achieved the desired commercial reference viscosity while also successfully minimised betacyanins degradation from 60.18 % to 14.72 %, had the best pH stability and no significant change in viscosity, aw and °Brix values after 4-week storage at 25 °C. The fermented red dragon fruit drink with betacyanins stabilised by Formulation 3E can be produced and served as an independent functional drink product and as a stable, functional ingredient (natural colourant) for the food industry.

Structured lipids produced from palm-olein oil by interesterification: A controllable lipase-catalyzed approach in a solvent-free system

Palm olein (POL) was modified by enzymatic interesterification with different degrees of acyl migration in a solvent-free packed bed reactor. The fatty acid and acylglycerol composition, isomer content, thermodynamic behavior, and relationship between crystal polymorphism, solid fat content (SFC), crystal microstructure, and texture before and after modification were studied. We found that the increase in sn-2 saturation interesterification was not only due to the generated tripalmitin (PPP) but also caused by acyl migration, and the SFC profiles were changed accordingly. The emergence of high melting point acylglycerols was an important factor accelerating the crystallization rate, further shortening the crystallization induction time, leading to the formation of large crystal spherulites, thereby reducing the hardness. The transformation from the β' to the β form occurred during post-hardening during storage. The isomer content also affected the physicochemical properties of the modified POL.

Comparative Lipidomic Analysis Reveals the Lactational Changes in the Lipid Profiles of Chinese Human Milk

Human milk (HM) lipid plays a crucial role in infant development, whereas its complex lipid profiles and its dynamic changes during prolonged lactation have not been investigated yet. Comparative lipidomic analyses were employed in investigating the lipid profiles of breast milk covering all lactation stages herein. Results revealed significant differences between colostrum and the remaining lactations. A total of 237 species of glycerolipids (GLs) and 231 phospholipids (PLs) were identified. Colostrum had the most abundant lipid species and was enriched with triacylglycerols (TGs) with a high molecular weight. TG(17:1/18:1/24:1), TG(24:1/24:1/26:1), TG(24:0/24:1/26:1), and SM(d20:1/14:1) were characteristic lipids of colostrum. Differential lipid species which were responsible for distinguishing the adjacent lactations were also indicated. Our findings can help deepen the overall understanding of HM lipid profiles and its dynamic changes, which will facilitate the development of infant formulas suitable for Chinese babies in diverse age groups.

Sciadonic acid attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice with alterations in the gut microbiota

Obesity has been reported to be associated with dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Sciadonic acid (SC) is one of the main functional components of Torreya grandis "Merrillii" seed oil. However, the effect of SC on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity has not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SC on lipid metabolism and the gut flora in mice fed with a high-fat diet. The results revealed that SC activates the PPARα/SREBP-1C/FAS signaling pathway and reduces the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but increases the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and inhibits weight gain. Among them, high-dose SC was the most effective; the TC, TG and LDL-C levels were reduced by 20.03%, 28.40% and 22.07%, respectively; the HDL-C level was increased by 8.55%. In addition, SC significantly increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels by 98.21% and 35.17%, respectively, decreased oxidative stress, and ameliorated the pathological damage to the liver caused by a high-fat diet. Furthermore, SC treatment altered the composition of the intestinal flora, promoting the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while simultaneously decreasing the relative abundance of potentially harmful bacteria such as Faecalibaculum, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, and Romboutsia. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that the gut microbiota was associated with SCFAs and biochemical indicators. In summary, our results suggested that SC can improve lipid metabolism disorders and regulate the gut microbial structure.

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) reinforces solid encapsulation of d-limonene into V-type starch and its application in strawberry storage

The formation of inclusion complexes (ICs) between V-type starch and flavors is traditionally conducted in an aqueous system. In this study, limonene was solid encapsulated into V6-starch under ambient pressure (AP) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). The maximum loading capacity reached 639.0 mg/g after HHP treatment, and the highest encapsulation efficiency was 79.9 %. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) results showed that the ordered structure of V6-starch was ameliorated with limonene, which avoided the reduction of the space between adjacent helices within V6-starch generated by HHP treatment. Notably, HHP treatment may force molecular permeation of limonene from amorphous regions into inter-crystalline amorphous regions and crystalline regions as the Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns indicated, leading to better controlled-release behavior. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) revealed that the solid encapsulation of V-type starch improved the thermal stability of limonene. Further, the release kinetics study showed that a complex prepared with a mass ratio of 2:1 under HHP treatment sustainably released limonene over 96 h and exhibited a preferable antimicrobial effect, which could extend the shelf life of strawberries.

Lipid Profiles of Human Milk and Infant Formulas: A Comparative Lipidomics Study

Infant formulas (IFs) are prevalent alternatives for human milk (HM), although their comparative lipid profiles have not been fully investigated. We adopted lipidomics to analyze and compare in-depth the lipid patterns of HM and IFs. The results indicated that the distribution of fatty acids (FAs) and the structure of triacylglycerols varied substantially in the analyzed samples. A total number of 425 species were identified during the analysis. HM was abundant in triacylglycerols that contained unsaturated and long-chain FAs (>C13), while triacylglycerols in IFs were mainly comprised of saturated and medium-chain FAs (C8-C13). Higher levels of sphingomyelin were observed in HM. Furthermore, HM and IF1 contained 67 significantly differential lipids (SDLs), and 73 were identified between HM and IF2. These SDLs were closely associated with nine metabolic pathways, of which the most significant was the glycerophospholipid metabolism. The results shed light on the differences between the lipid profiles of human and infant formula milks, and provide support for designing Chinese infant formula.

Influence of Soy Lecithin and Sodium Caseinate on The Stability and In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Lycopene Nanodispersion

Research background. Various approaches have been used to present functional lipids including lycopene in a palatable food form to consumers. However, being highly hydrophobic, lycopene is insoluble in aqueous systems and has a restricted absorption level in the body. Producing lycopene nanodispersion is expected to improve the properties of lycopene, but its stability and bioaccessibility are also affected by emulsifier type and environmental conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature. Experimental approach. The influence of soy lecithin (LC), sodium caseinate (SC), and soy lecithin: sodium caseinate (LC:SC) at one to one ratio on the physicochemical properties and stability of lycopene nanodispersion prepared using the emulsification-evaporation methods before and after being subjected to different pH, ionic strength and temperature treatment were investigated. The in-vitro bioaccessibility of the nanodispersions was also studied. Results and conclusion. Under neutral pH conditions, LC-stabilized nanodispersion showed the highest physical stability by exhibiting the smallest particle size (78 nm), lowest PDI value (0.180), and highest zeta potential (-64 mV) but lowest lycopene concentration (1.826 mg/100mL). SC-stabilized nanodispersion conversely had the lowest physical stability. Combining the LC with SC at 1:1 ratio resulted in a physically stable lycopene nanodispersion with the highest lycopene concentration (2.656 mg/100mL). The lycopene nanodispersion produced by LC also exhibited high physical stability under different pH range (pH=2-8) where the particle size, PDI, and zeta potential remained fairly consistent. The SC-containing nanodispersion was unstable with respect to droplet aggregation when the pH was reduced close to the isoelectric point of SC (pH=4-5). The particle size and PDI value of LC:SC stabilized nanodispersion increased sharply when the NaCl concentration increased above 100 mM while the LC and SC counterparts were more stable. All of the nanodispersions showed good stability with respect to temperature changes (30-100 °C) except for the one stabilized by SC, which exhibited an increased particle size when heated to a temperature above 60 °C. The combination of LC and SC was found to increase the bioaccessibility of the lycopene nanodispersion. The physicochemical properties, stability, and extent of the lycopene nanodispersion digestion were highly dependent on the emulsifier types. Novelty and scientific contribution. Producing a nanodispersion is considered one of the best ways to overcome the poor water solubility stability, and bioavailability issues of lycopene. Currently, studies related to lycopene-fortified delivery systems, particularly in the form of nanodispersion are still limited. The information obtained on the physicochemical properties, stability, and bioaccessibility of lycopene nanodispersion is useful for the development of an effective delivery system for various functional lipids.

Foodomics Reveals Anti-Obesity Properties of Cannabinoids from Hemp Oil

SCOPE

Molecular networking (MN) analysis intends to provide chemical insight of untargeted mass spectrometry (MS) data to the user's underlying biological questions. Foodomics is the study of chemical compounds in food using advanced omics methods. In this study, an MS-MN-based foodomics approach is developed to investigate the composition and anti-obesity activity of cannabinoids in hemp oil.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 16 cannabinoids are determined in optimized microwave pretreatment of hemp oil using the developed approach. Untargeted metabolomics analysis reveals that cannabinoid extract (CE) and its major constituent (cannabidiol, CBD), can alleviate high glucose-induced increases in lipids and carbohydrates, and decreases in amino acid and nucleic acid. Moreover, CE and CBD are also found to suppress the expression levels of mdt-15, sbp-1, fat-5, fat-6, fat-7, daf-2, and elevate the expression level of daf-1, daf-7, daf-16, sod-3, gst-4, lipl-4, resulting in the decrease of lipid synthesis and the enhance of kinetism. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) uncovers strong associations between specific metabolic alterations and gene expression levels.

CONCLUSION

These findings from this exploratory study offer a new insight into the roles of cannabinoids in the treatment of obesity and related complications.

Deep-fat Frying Using Soybean Oil-based Diacylglycerol-Palm Olein Oil Blends: Thermo-oxidative Stability, 3-MCPDE and Glycidyl Ester Formation

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is commonly known as one of the precursors for the 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) formation. However, due to its health-promoting effects, its potential as alternative frying medium was examined. This study aimed to assess the frying performance of soybean oil-based diacylglycerol oil (DO) and its oil blends with palm olein (PO), in comparison with PO. Four different oil types (DO, PO, OB I (DO:PO, 1:1, w/w) and OB II (DO:PO, 1:2, w/w)) were used to fry potato chips for five consecutive days at 180℃. The formation of oxidation compounds, acylglycerol composition, 3-MCPDE and GE changes throughout the frying study were investigated. Both OB I and OB II exhibited lower oxidation compounds' formation rates than PO. Besides, significant (p < 0.05) reductions of 3-MCPDE and increments of GE levels were observed in all frying systems throughout the frying study. After 25 frying cycles, the 3-MCPDE levels in all frying oils were below 0.13 mg/kg, while the GE levels ranged from 1.51 mg/kg to 1.89 mg/kg. Despite the poorer oxidative stability of DO, its 3-MCPDE and GE levels were much lower compared to PO. In comparison to DO, the 3-MCPDE degradation and GE formation rates were enhanced and reduced, respectively with the blending of PO and DO. This study showed the potential of DO:PO oil blend in deep-fat frying application. With appropriate blending ratio of DO and PO, an alternative frying medium with enhanced nutritional value and oxidative stability could be developed.

Antidiabetic effect of sciadonic acid on type 2 diabetic mice through activating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and altering intestinal flora

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of sciadonic acid (SA) on disorders of glucolipid metabolism and intestinal flora imbalance and to further investigate its potential molecular mechanism of anti-diabetes. The experimental data indicated that SA could alleviate hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, repair liver function damage, and promote glycogen synthesis caused by T2DM. SA could also activate the PI3K/AKT/GLUT-2 signaling pathway, promote glucose metabolism gene expression, and maintain glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, 16S rRNA analysis revealed that SA could reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio; promote norank_f__Muribaculaceae, Allobaculum, Akkermansia, and Eubacterium_siraeum_group proliferation; increase the levels of major short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid; and maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal flora. In conclusion, these results suggested that SA could reshape the structural composition of intestinal microbes, activate the PI3K/AKT/GLUT2 pathway, improve insulin resistance, and decrease blood glucose levels.

Effect of potassium salts on the structure of γ-cyclodextrin MOF and the encapsulation properties with thymol

BACKGROUND

Thymol is a natural essential oil with strong volatility, low solubility, poor dispersion, strong irritation, and an unpleasant smell, which often requires appropriate porous materials to encapsulate thymol during the application process. However, the encapsulation efficiency of thymol in inclusion complexes is low, and new methods of encapsulation need to be developed. In the present study, the encapsulation capacity, storage stability, and antibacterial activity of thymol were investigated using γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by cocrystallization and high-temperature adsorption methods. The effect of different potassium salts (i.e. KOH, KCl, and KAc) on the structure and complexation of γ-CD-MOFs was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with γ-CD, the thymol encapsulation capacity of γ-CD-MOFs was increased by two- to three-fold, with the encapsulation content following the order: KAc-γ-CD-MOF (293.8 mg g^-1 ) > KOH-γ-CD-MOF (287.7 mg g^-1 ) > KCl-γ-CD-MOF (249.3 mg g^-1 ). The anions in the solution participate in the coordination and influence the symmetry relationship between atoms and ions. This explains the differences in both the three-dimensional γ-CD-MOF structure and the thymol encapsulation amount, as well as the high storage stability of thymol.

CONCLUSION

The in vitro release kinetics and antibacterial experiments showed that the inclusion complexes prepared by γ-CD-MOFs had higher stability, sustainability, and antibacterial activity, which suggests that it is an excellent complex material for industrial and agricultural applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sinapine improves LPS-induced oxidative stress in hepatocytes by down-regulating MCJ protein expression

Oxidative stress is an important part of the development of NAFLD, and hepatic injury can be prevented by inhibiting oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the potential role of sinapine in protecting the liver. LPS was selected to establish the oxidative stress model of THLE-2 cells, and the treatment concentrations of LPS (5 μg/mL) and sinapine (5 μM, 20 μM, and 80 μM) were determined by toxicity experiments. The MDA of the sinapine (80 μM) pretreatment group was 1.09 ± 0.13 nmol/mg prot which was reduced by 27.67 % compared with the LPS group. Furthermore, SOD and GSH-Px levels were significantly increased by 40.61 % and 49.60 %, respectively. And the ROS levels of 20 and 80 μM sinapine were reduced by 31.47 % and 40.31 %, respectively (p < 0.01) compared with the model group. The mitochondrial membrane potential had similar results. It was also found that sinapine can significantly down-regulate the level of MCJ protein (p < 0.01), which is related to oxidative stress. Our results indicate that sinapine can maintain liver health by down-regulating the expression of MCJ protein to inhibit oxidative stress, which provides a theoretical basis for the use of sinapine as an inhibitor of MCJ.

In vitro safety evaluation of sunscreen formulation from nanostructured lipid carriers using human cells and skin model

There is a risk of toxicological reactions due to systemic absorption and photo-instability of sunscreens. The study aimed to investigate the safety profile (cytotoxicity, phototoxicity, photostability, UV filter release profile, and skin irritation properties) of sunscreen (NLC-TRF sunscreen) produced from nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF). The cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of the sunscreen were evaluated on normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) and skin irritation properties was tested on skin model. Besides, the photoprotection in pre- and post-UV irradiation were analysed to determine the photostability. Additionally, the release profile for UV filters (diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB) and ethylhexyl triazone (EHT)) were evaluated. The NLC-TRF sunscreen demonstrated no cytotoxicity and skin irritation to cause cell death. It showed no phototoxic effect and high photostability up to 10 Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) to ensure high SPF value above 50 and broad-spectrum of UV absorption. The NLC-TRF sunscreen implies its safety for topical application with sustainable release profile for UV filter (cumulative release of 28% for DHHB and 40% for EHT after 8 h) due to the application of NLCs. The results suggest that the NLC-TRF sunscreen is an advanced formulation with improved stability and is safe for topical delivery.

Exploring the Antioxidant and Structural Properties of Black Bean Protein Hydrolysate and Its Peptide Fractions

A great deal of attention has been paid to charactering the protein hydrolysates prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis, while the influence of molecular weight (MW) distributions on the resultant hydrolysates remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the physicochemical and antioxidant characteristics of protein hydrolysate and its peptide fractions. Bromelain has been commonly used to hydrolyze black bean protein via response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal hydrolysis parameters were observed at 52°C, pH 7, E/S ratio of 2.2 (ratio of enzyme to substrate), and 4 h. Under these parameters, the hydrolysate (BPH) presented DPPH radical scavenging activity and Fe²⁺ chelating activity with IC₅₀ values of 100.08 ± 2.42 and 71.49 ± 0.81 μg/mL, respectively. This might be attributed to structural characteristics, varying with different molecular weight distributions. Interestingly, among BPH and its peptide fractions, peptides smaller than 3 kDa were noted to exhibit the strongest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. More intriguingly, this peptide fraction (<3 kDa) could predominantly prolong the induction period of sunflower oil, which was, respectively increased to 1.31 folds. This may be due to high proportions of hydrophobic amino acids. Unexpectedly, the optimal Fe²⁺ chelating activity was observed in the peptide fraction measuring at 3–10 kDa, showing highly positive correlations with histidine and arginine. These identified peptide fractions derived from black bean protein can therefore be employed for food fortification acting as natural antioxidant alternatives.

In-vitro and in-vivo evaluations of tocotrienol-rich nanoemulsified system on skin wound healing

Proper wound healing is vital for the survival of higher organisms. Responses to skin injury can lead to complications such as scar formation that can affect the quality of life. In this study, keratinocytes migration (scratch assay) and zebrafish tail regeneration experiments were used to evaluate the wound healing effect of a tocotrienol-based nanoemulsified (NE) system against ascorbic acid and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as positive and negative controls, respectively. MTT assay provided a concentration range of 0.35–8.75 μg/ml of nanoemulsion that produced cell viability more than 100%. After 24 hours of treatment, the wound closure of keratinocytes were found to be significantly faster by 73.76%, 63.37% and 35.56%, respectively when treated with 3.50 μg/ml and 1.75 μg/ml of NE compared to the blank. The lethal concentration at 50% (LC₅₀ value) obtained from acute and prolonged toxicity was almost similar, which was 4.6 mg/ml and 5.0 mg/ml, respectively. Growth of zebrafish tail regeneration treated with NE at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml was significantly faster than the untreated zebrafish, which regenerated to 40% on the fifth day, more than 60% on the tenth day of treatment and fully recovered at the twentieth day. In conclusion, these results showed the potential of the tocotrienols-based nanoemulsified system in enhancing wound healing through accelerated wound closure.

W/O high internal phase emulsion featuring by interfacial crystallization of diacylglycerol and different internal compositions

High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) show promising application in food and cosmetic industries. In this work, diacylglycerol (DAG) was applied to fabricate water-in-oil (W/O) HIPEs. DAG-based emulsion can hold 60% water and the emulsion rigidity increased with water content, indicating the water droplets acted as "active fillers". Stable HIPE with 80% water fraction was formed through the combination of 6 wt% DAG with 1 wt% polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR). The addition of 1 w% kappa (κ)-carrageenan and 0.5 M NaCl greatly reduced the droplet size and enhanced emulsion rigidity, and the interfacial tension of the internal phase was reduced. Benefiting from the Pickering crystals-stabilized interface by DAG as revealed by the microscopy and enhanced elastic modulus of emulsions with the gelation agents, the HIPEs demonstrated good retaining ability for anthocyanin and β-carotene. This study provides insights for the development of W/O HIPEs to fabricate low-calories margarines, spread or cosmetic creams.

Production of Cocoa Butter Substitute via Enzymatic Interesterification of Fully Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil and Fully Hydrogenated Palm Stearin Blends

This research synthesized structure lipids (SL) from blends of fully hydrogenated palm kernel oil (FHPKO), coconut oil (CNO) and fully hydrogenated palm stearin (FHPS) by enzymatic interesterification (EIE)using rProROL, an sn-1,3-specific lipase from Rhizopus oryzae, as a catalyst. Five physical blends of FHPKO:CNO:FHPS were prepared with the following wt. ratios: 40:10:50, 50:10:40, 60:10:30, 70:10:20 and 80:10:10. The EIE reactions were carried out at 60℃ for 6 h in a batch-type reactor using rProROL 10% wt. of the substrate. It was found that EIE significantly modified the triacylglycerol compositions of the fat blends resulting in changes in the crystallization and melting behavior. In particular, SL obtained from EIE of blend 70:10:20 exhibited high potential to be used as a cocoa butter substitute (CBS) because it showed similar solid fat content curve to the commercial CBS and crystallized into fine spherulites and desirable β' polymorph.

Application of Aqueous Saline Process to Extract Silkworm Pupae Oil (Bombyx mori): Process Optimization and Composition Analysis

Silkworm pupae, a waste product from the silk production industry, can be an alternative source of edible oil, thus reducing the industry’s waste. In the present work, frozen silkworm pupae were used as raw material to extract oil via an aqueous saline process. The Box–Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize the extraction process. The extraction conditions with the highest oil yield and a low peroxide value were obtained when using a saline solution concentration of 1.7% w/v, a ratio of aqueous liquid to silkworm pupae of 3.3 mL/g, and a 119 min stirring time at the stirring speed of 100 rpm. Under these conditions, silkworm oil with a yield of 3.32%, peroxide values of approximately 1.55 mM, and an acid value of 0.67 mg KOH/g oil was obtained. The extracted oil contained omega-3 acids (α-linolenic acid), which constituted around 25% of the total fatty acids, with approximate cholesterol levels of 109 mg/100 g oil. The amounts of β-carotene and α-tocopherol were approximately 785 and 9434 μg/100 g oil, respectively. Overall, the results demonstrated that oil extracted from silkworm pupae has good quality parameters and thus can be used as a new valuable source of edible lipids.

Influence of extraction technology on rapeseed oil functional quality: a study on rapeseed polyphenols

Extraction technology can influence the vegetable oil functional quality. Polyphenols in rapeseed oil have been proved to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. In this study, we evaluated the effect of extraction methods on the functional quality of rapeseed oil from the perspective of phenolic compounds. The results showed that hot pressing produces the highest amount of phenolic compounds in rapeseed oil. Its most abundant phenolic compound, sinapine (9.18 μg g^-1), showed the highest activity in inhibiting anaerobic choline metabolism with an EC₅₀ value of 1.9 mM, whose downstream products are related to cardiovascular diseases. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that sinapine exhibits good binding affinity toward CutC, and CutC-sinapine is a stable complex with fewer conformational fluctuations and similar tightness. Taken together, hot pressing can be considered the best extraction method for rapeseed oil from the perspective of phenolic compounds.

Palm Olein Organogelation Using Mixtures of Soy Lecithin and Glyceryl Monostearate

The present work investigated the interaction between soy lecithin (SL), glyceryl monostearate (GMS), and water in structuring palm olein (PO) to create an organogel having similar mechanical properties to commercial spread. Extreme vertices mixture design was used to optimize the composition of PO-based organogel. The resulting model showed a good fit to the predicted data with R² ≥ 0.89. The optimum composition was 8% SL, 22% GMS, 28% water, and 42% PO (w/w) to produce a mean firmness of 1.91 N, spreadability of 15.28 N s⁻¹, and oil binding capacity (OBC) of 83.83%. The OBC of optimized organogel was 10% higher than commercial spread product, and no significant difference was observed in the mechanical properties (p > 0.05). The microstructure, as well as the rheological and thermal properties of the optimized organogel were characterized. Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions were the key driving forces for organogelation. The mixture of SL and GMS favored the formation of β′ + β form crystals with a predominance of the β′ form. These results have important implications for the development of PO-based organogel as a potential fat replacer in the production of low-fat spread.

Production of &lsquo;kedondong&rsquo; (Spondias cytherea Sonnerat) powder as affected by different drying methods

BACKGROUND

&lsquo;Kedondong&rsquo; fruit is regarded as an exotic fruit that is gaining popularity due to its deliciousness and pleasant flavour. However, this fruit has a short shelf life, leading to problems with postharvest loss. In order to prevent losses, the fruit could be produced as a value-added product. In this study, the &lsquo;kedondong&rsquo; fruit was preserved by drying into powder using different drying methods.

METHODS

The kedondong powder was dried using five methods: convection oven drying, vacuum drying, spray drying, drum drying and freeze drying. The physical properties, flowability and DPPH radical scavenging ability of dried kedondong powder were examined.

RESULTS

Spray-dried powder provided the significantly (p &le; 0.05) highest process yield, which was 54.93%. All the powder produced had a low moisture content (3.03 to 5.66%) and water activity (0.19&ndash;0.37). Visually, whitish and fine powders were observed on spray-dried and freeze-dried samples, while convection oven-dried and vacuum-dried powder appeared yellowish and coarse. The pH of the reconstituted powders varied from 2.71 to 2.83, where drum-dried powder was the most acidic. Spray-dried powder showed the highest wettability and shortest dissolution time, which was 172.65 s and 10.55 s, respectively. With the exception of drum-dried powder, all the dried powders were classified as non-caking powders. The bulk and tapped density of the powders ranged from 0.32 to 0.70 g/mL and 0.38 to 0.86 g/mL, respectively. Vacuum-dried powder had very good flowability, convection oven-dried and drum-dried powder had good flowability, while spray-dried and drum-dried powder had fair flowability. Antioxidant assay showed that freeze-dried powder exhibited the highest free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 701.29 &mu;g/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that spray-dried kedondong powder has great potential in the food industry due to its high process yield and better powder quality. Meanwhile, freeze drying best preserved the antioxidant properties of the powder, which could potentially be used as a functional ingredient as a result. This study is important for the fruit processing industry as it offers an alternative for the farmer to produce kedondong fruit powder because the fruit has a short shelf life. Converting the fruit into powder can diversify the resulting produce into different applications, such as fruit juice, beverages, jam and other food products.

Pickering emulsion-templated ionotropic gelation of tocotrienol microcapsules: effects of alginate and chitosan concentrations and gelation process parameters

BACKGROUND

Throughout the past decade, Pickering emulsion has been increasingly utilized for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds due to its high stability and biocompatibility. In the present work, palm tocotrienols were initially encapsulated in a calcium carbonate Pickering emulsion, which was then subjected to alginate gelation and subsequent chitosan coating. The effects of wall material (alginate and chitosan) concentrations, gelation pH and time, and chitosan coating time on the encapsulation efficiency of palm tocotrienols were explored.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that uncoated alginate microcapsules ruptured upon drying and exhibited low encapsulation efficiency (13.81 ± 2.76%). However, the addition of chitosan successfully provided a more complex and rigid external wall structure to enhance the stability of the microcapsules. By prolonging the crosslinking time from 5 to 30 min and increasing the chitosan concentration from 0.1% to 0.5%, the oil encapsulation efficiency was increased by 28%. Under the right gelation pH (pH 4), the extension of gelation time from 1 to 12 h resulted in an increase in alginate-Ca²⁺ crosslinkings, thus strengthening the microcapsules.

CONCLUSION

With the optimum formulation and process parameters, a high encapsulation efficiency (81.49 ± 1.75%) with an elevated oil loading efficiency (63.58 ± 2.96%) were achieved. The final product is biocompatible and can potentially be used for the delivery of palm tocotrienols. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tailored rigidity of W/O Pickering emulsions using diacylglycerol-based surface-active solid lipid nanoparticles

Pickering water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions were fabricated by using medium-long chain diacylglycerol (MLCD)-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and the connection between the characteristics of the SLNs and the colloidal stability of the emulsions was established. Via melt-emulsification and ultrasonication, MLCD-based SLNs with particle sizes of 120-300 nm were obtained with or without other surfactants. The particle size of the SLNs was influenced by the chemical properties of the surfactants, and surfactants decreased the contact angle of SLNs at the oil-water interface. Gelation was observed in SLNs modified by sodium stearoyl lactylate and lecithin, whereas the addition of Tween 20 resulted in a homogeneous SLN solution. The adsorption of surfactants onto SLN surfaces caused the production of higher amounts of α crystals accompanied by delayed crystallization onset which contributed to the reduction of particle size, interfacial tension and oil wetting ability. The W/O emulsions with higher rigidity and physical stability can be obtained by varying surfactant types and by increasing SLN mass ratios to 60%, whereby more SLNs are adsorbed at the droplet surface as a Pickering stabilizer. This study provides useful insights for the development of diacylglycerol-based SLNs and Pickering W/O emulsions which have great potential for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

Metabolomic analysis reveals the valuable bioactive compounds of Ardisia elliptica

INTRODUCTION

Ardisia elliptica Thunb. (Primulaceae) is a medicinal herb that is traditionally used for the treatment of fever, diarrhoea, measles and herpes. However, there is limited information regarding the correlation of its phytoconstituents with the bioactivity. Optimisation of solvent extraction is vital for maximising retention of bioactive molecules.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the metabolite variations in A. elliptica leaves and the correlation with antioxidant activities.

METHODOLOGY

Total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals scavenging assays were performed on A. elliptica leaves extracted with four different ethanol ratios (0%, 50%, 70% and absolute ethanol). The correlation of metabolites with antioxidant activities was evaluated using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics approach.

RESULTS

The results showed that the 50% and 70% ethanolic extracts retained the highest TPC, and the 70% ethanolic extract was the most active, exhibiting half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ ) values of 10.18 ± 0.83 and 43.05 ± 1.69 μg/mL, respectively, in both radical scavenging assays. A total of 46 metabolites were tentatively identified, including flavonoids, benzoquinones, triterpenes and phenolic derivatives. The 50% and 70% ethanolic extracts showed similarities in metabolites content and were well discriminated from water and absolute ethanol extracts in a principal component analysis (PCA) model. Moreover, 31 metabolites were found to contribute significantly to the differentiation and antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

This study provides information on bioactive compounds in A. elliptica leaves, which is promising as a functional ingredient for food production or for the development of phytomedicinal products.

In Vitro Antiaging Evaluation of Sunscreen Formulated from Nanostructured Lipid Carrier and Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction

Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation leads to photoaging. There is a tremendous rise in products having a dual activity of photoprotection and antiaging. In vitro analysis in dermal fibroblasts and their biological mechanisms involved are critical to determine antiaging potential. The study aimed to investigate the antiaging potential of sunscreen formulated from nanostructured lipid carrier and tocotrienol-rich fraction (NLC-TRF sunscreen). The antioxidant activity of the NLC-TRF sunscreen was evaluated by radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide inhibition properties. Also, collagenase, elastase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) inhibition activities, and type I collagen and elastin protein expression were studied. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I collagen (COL1A1), elastin (ELN), MMP-1, MMP-2, and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). The results suggested that NLC-TRF sunscreen is effective in radical, anti-hydrogen peroxide, and collagenase, elastase and MMP-1 inhibition activities. Besides, a significant increase for type I collagen (3.47-fold) and elastin (2.16-fold) protein and fibroblast regeneration genes (FGF (2.12-fold), VEGF (1.91-fold), TGF-β1 (2.84-fold), TIMP-1 (1.42-fold), ELN (2.13-fold)) were observed after sample treatment. These findings support the therapeutic potential of NLC-TRF sunscreen in antiaging.

Palm oil supply chain factors impacting chlorinated precursors of 3-MCPD esters

Chlorinated compounds such as sphingolipid-based organochlorine compounds are precursors for the formation of 3-monochlororopanediol (3-MCPD) esters in palm oil. This study evaluates the effects of several factors within the palm oil supply chain on the levels of sphingolipid-based organochlorine, which in turn may influence the formation of 3-MCPD esters during refining. These factors include application of inorganic chlorinated fertiliser in the oil palm plantation, bruising and degradation of oil palm fruits after harvest, recycling of steriliser condensate as water for dilution of crude oil during oil palm milling, water washing of palm oil and different refining conditions. It was observed that bruised and degraded oil palm fruits showed higher content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine than control. In addition, recycling steriliser condensate during milling resulted in elevated content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine in palm oil. However, the content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine compounds was reduced by neutralisation, degumming and bleaching steps during refining. Although water washing of crude palm oils (CPO) prior to refining did not reduce the content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine, it did reduce the formation of 3-MCPD esters through the removal of water-soluble chlorinated compounds. It was found that the use of inorganic chlorinated fertiliser in plantations did not increase the content of chlorinated compounds in oil palm fruits and extracted oil, and hence chlorinated fertiliser does not seem to play a role in the formation of 3-MCPD esters in palm oil. Overall, this study concluded that lack of freshness and damage to the fruits during transport to mills, combined with water and oil recycling in mills are the major contributors of chlorinated precursor for 3-MCPD esters formation in palm oil.

Enzymatic Interesterification of Palm Stearin and Palm Olein Blend Catalyzed by sn-1,3-Specific Lipase: Interesterification Degree, Acyl Migration, and Physical Properties

Acyl migration of fatty acid at sn-2 is often observed alongside enzymatic interesterification (EIE), causing the loss of lipase selectivity toward the acyl group at sn-1,3. In this study, an oil blend consisting of palm stearin (PST) and palm olein (POL) was interesterified via a chemical interesterification (CIE) and enzymatic method using a packed bed reactor. Characterization in terms of the triacylglycerol (TAG) compositions, sn-2 fatty acid distributions, and solid fat content profiles was performed. In comparison to that of CIE fats, EIE fats showed different modification effects on the solid fat content. Under similar reaction conditions, different interesterification degrees (IDs) were obtained according to the various blend ratios. Using the same mass ratio of substrates (POL/PST of 9:1), the EIE reaction time and temperature affected the ID and the change in the fatty acyl group at the sn-2 position. Under the reaction time of 46 min, an ID of 94.41% was acquired, while at 80 °C, the degree of acyl migration at sn-2 was 92.87%. EIE with high acyl migration exhibited a lower crystallization rate than that of EIE with low acyl migration. However, the effect of acyl migration on crystal polymorphism and oxidative stability was insignificant. Outcomes from this study are meaningful for the establishment of a theoretical basis for a controlled positional-specific EIE that is catalyzed by sn-1,3-specific lipase.

A summary of 2-, 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl ester occurrence during frying and baking processes

Monochloropropanediol (MCPD) esters and glycidyl esters (GE) are the process contaminants found in frying and baking, except the refining process. The free form MCPD and glycidol are released from their parent esters via lipase hydrolysis while they are carcinogen and genotoxic carcinogen, respectively. MCPD esters and GE are formed endogenously during vegetable oil refining process. Then, their concentration were experimented during subsequent food processing methods, especially frying and baking. This review discussed the occurrence of 2-, 3-MCPD esters and GE during frying and baking processes. Process temperature, process duration, presence of precursors, and their combined effects are highly related to MCPD esters and GE formations. An elevated temperature and processing time can increase the formation of these contaminants until an optimum rate and then followed by the decomposition. Also, other factors such as the presence of chloride ions, moisture, and partial acylglycerol can further facilitate MCPD esters and/or GE formation.

•

Frying and baking trigger formation of MCPD esters and GE.

•

MCPD esters and GE are formed endogenously during refining process.

•

The concentration of MCPD esters and GE elevated during thermal processing.

•

Temperature, process duration, and precursors cause MCPD esters and GE formations.

The In Vitro α-Glucosidase Inhibition Activity of Various Solvent Fractions of Tamarix dioica and 1H-NMR Based Metabolite Identification and Molecular Docking Analysis

The Tamarix dioica (T. dioica) is widely used medicinal plant to cure many chronic ailments. T. dioica is being used to manage diabetes mellitus in traditional medicinal system; however, very little scientific evidence is available on this plant in this context. The current study involves the fractionation of crude methanolic extract of T. dioica using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-butanol. The screening for antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was carried out. The in vitro antidiabetic potential was assessed by measuring α-glucosidase inhibition. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined for each fraction. The metabolites were identified using highly sensitive and emerging ¹H-NMR technique. The results revealed the ethyl acetate fraction as the most potent with DPPH scavenging activity of 84.44 ± 0.21% and α-glucosidase inhibition with IC₅₀ value of 122.81 ± 2.05 µg/mL. The total phenolic and flavonoid content values of 205.45 ± 1.36 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dried extract and 156.85 ± 1.33 mg quercetin equivalent per gram dried extract were obtained for ethyl acetate fraction. The bucketing of ¹H-NMR spectra identified 22 metabolites including some pharmacologically important like tamarixetin, tamaridone, quercetin, rutin, apigenin, catechin, kaempferol, myricetin and isorhamnetin. Leucine, lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine, and tyrosine were the major amino acids identified in ethyl acetate fraction. The molecular docking analysis provided significant information on the binding affinity among secondary metabolites and α-glucosidase. These metabolites were most probably responsible for the antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of ethyl acetate fraction. The study ascertained the ethnomedicinal use of T. dioica to manage diabetes mellitus and may be a helpful lead towards naturopathic mode for anti-hyperglycemia.