Chitosan-based Pickering emulsion: A comprehensive review on their stabilizers, bioavailability, applications and regulations

BACKGROUND

Chitosan-based particles are one of the most promising Pickering emulsions stabilizers due to its cationic properties, cost-effective, biocompatibility, biodegradability. However, there are currently no comprehensive reviews analyzing the role of chitosan to develop Pickering emulsions, and the bioavailability and multiple uses of these emulsions.

SCOPE AND APPROACH

This review firstly summarizes the types, preparation and functional properties of chitosan-based Pickering emulsion stabilizers, followed by in vivo and in vitro bioavailability, main regulations, and future application and trends.

KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

Stabilizers used in chitosan-based Pickering emulsions include 6 categories: chitosan self-aggregating particles and 5 types of composites (chitosan-protein, chitosan-polysaccharide, chitosan-fatty acid, chitosan-polyphenol, and chitosan-inorganic). Chitosan-based Pickering emulsions improved the bioavailability of different compounds compared to traditional emulsions. Current applications include hydrogels, microcapsules, food ingredients, bio-based films, cosmeceuticals, porous scaffolds, environmental protection agents, and interfacial catalysis systems. However, due to current limitations, more research and development are needed to be extensively explored to meet consumer demand, industrial manufacturing, and regulatory requirements. Thus, optimization of stabilizers, bioavailability studies, 3D4D printing, fat substitutes, and double emulsions are the main potential development trends or research gaps in the field which would contribute to increase adoption of these promising emulsions at industrial level.

Non-volatile and volatile metabolic profiling of tomato juice processed by high-hydrostatic-pressure and high-temperature short-time

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing has become a commercial success in fruit and vegetable processing. Herein, the effects of HHP and high-temperature short-time (HTST) processing on metabolic profiling in tomato juice was evaluated by UPLC-MS/MS, HPLC, and GC-MS; a total of 425 metabolites, 14 carotenoids, and 56 volatile compounds were identified in tomato juice. HHP processing affects the composition of the juice less than HTST processing, considering 4 and 33 differential metabolites discriminated after HHP and HTST processing, respectively. The total lycopene and carotenoid contents in tomato juice increased after HHP processing, while the β-carotene and lycopene contents decreased after HTST processing. Further, more volatile compounds and higher contents of aldehydes that contribute to green aroma and lower contents of alcohols were observed after HHP and HTST processing, respectively. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the advantages of HHP processing on metabolite profiles in tomato juice.

Suppression of apoptosis in vascular endothelial cell, the promising way for natural medicines to treat atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, a chronic multifactorial disease, is closely related to the development of cardiovascular diseases and is one of the predominant causes of death worldwide. Normal vascular endothelial cells play an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis and inhibiting atherosclerosis by regulating vascular tension, preventing thrombosis and regulating inflammation. Currently, accumulating evidence has revealed that endothelial cell apoptosis is the first step of atherosclerosis. Excess apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by risk factors for atherosclerosis is a preliminary event in atherosclerosis development and might be a target for preventing and treating atherosclerosis. Interestingly, accumulating evidence shows that natural medicines have great potential to treat atherosclerosis by inhibiting endothelial cell apoptosis. Therefore, this paper reviewed current studies on the inhibitory effect of natural medicines on endothelial cell apoptosis and summarized the risk factors that may induce endothelial cell apoptosis, including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), reactive oxygen species (ROS), angiotensin II (Ang II), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), homocysteine (Hcy) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We expect this review to highlight the importance of natural medicines, including extracts and monomers, in the treatment of atherosclerosis by inhibiting endothelial cell apoptosis and provide a foundation for the development of potential antiatherosclerotic drugs from natural medicines.

Synergistic antioxidant effects of phenolic acids and carotenes on H2O2-induced H9c2 cells: Role of cell membrane transporters

Phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid,) and carotenes (β-carotene, lycopene) were mixed in different ratios to investigate antioxidant interactions on H₂O₂-induced H9c2 cells with ezetimibe (inhibitor of carotenes membrane transporters). Cellular uptake of carotenes, expression of membrane transporters, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) were analyzed. Results revealed that phenolic acids increased cellular uptake of carotenes and expression of their membrane transporters. Combination groups contained more phenolic acids showed synergistic effects. For example, β-carotene: caffeic acid = 1:2 significantly suppressed the intracellular ROS (+EZT, 66.34 ± 51.53%) and enhanced the accumulation of nucleus-Nrf2 (+EZT, 30.23 ± 5.30) compared to the groups contained more β-carotene (+EZT, ROS: 75.48 ± 2.55%, nucleus-Nrf2: 19.48 ± 4.22). This study provided an implication of functional foods formulation and demonstrated that antioxidant synergism may due to the up-regulation of carotenes membrane transporters by phenolic acids.

Impact of phenolic compounds and vitamins C and E on antioxidant activity of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) berries and leaves of diverse ripening times

Bioactive compounds demonstrating antioxidant activity were analyzed in berries and leaves of nine cultivars of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) of various ripening times. Total polyphenols were ranging between 0.70-3.62 g GAE.kg^-1 (berries) and 1.88-3.72 g GAE.kg^-1 (leaves). Leaves were significantly richer source of total flavonoids (14.40-49.44 mg RE.kg^-1) in comparison with berries (0.55-4.11 mg RE.kg^-1). Phenolic compounds, carotenoids and vitamins were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detection. The content of vitamin C was 0.98-3.65 g.kg^-1 in berries and 22.81-46.32 g.kg^-1 in leaves, vitamin E content was 6.98-29.91 g.kg^-1 in berries and 71.54-153.99 g.kg^-1 in leaves. Distribution of individual phenolic compounds varied, their total content in berries was considerably lower (76.1-205.2 mg.kg^-1) than in leaves (1477.7-8709.0 mg.kg^-1). Regarding antioxidant activity, Raisa and Slovan (berries) and Bojan and Maslicnaja (leaves) were evaluated as the best cultivars.

Influence of controlled deficit irrigation on tomato functional value

The effect of controlled deficit irrigation (CDI) on the accumulation of carotenoids, polyphenols and l-ascorbic acid was studied in conventional and high lycopene tomato cultivars. Plants were initially irrigated to cover 100%ET_c and after the fruit set phase, the dose was reduced to 75% or 50% of ET_c. CDI had no significant effect on the accumulation of carotenoids, while it increased the levels of the hydroxycinnamic acids chlorogenic and ferulic acids, the flavonoid rutin and l-ascorbic acid. Nevertheless, there were important interactions and this effect was highly dependent on the year and site of cultivation. Certain growing areas would be more favorable to supply high quality markets, and, fortunately, CDI would maximize polyphenol (100-75%ET_c) and l-ascorbic acid (100-50%ET_c) in these areas. A combination of the best genotype and growing area with CDI would offer high quality products, preserving a scarce resource: water.

Targeted secondary metabolic and physico-chemical traits analysis to assess genetic variability within a germplasm collection of "long storage" tomatoes

"Long storage" tomato is a crop traditionally cultivated in the Mediterranean area under no water supply, that recently has attracted the interest of breeders for its high tolerance to drought and as potential genetic source in breeding programs for water stress resistance. A collection of 28 genotypes of "long storage" tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was studied for carotenoid and polyphenol profile and content, vitamin C, and other physico-chemical traits of fruits. Tomato carotenoids and polyphenols were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray-mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD/ESI-MS); nineteen different phenolic compounds and six different carotenoids, for a total of 25 markers, have been detected, quantified and used to discriminate among the different landraces to find out which could be the best candidate for a medium-to-large scale cultivation. Different statistical approaches (ANOVA, Principal Components Analysis, Cluster Analysis) have been used for data analysis.

A metabolomic evaluation of the phytochemical composition of tomato juices being used in human clinical trials

Juices from the traditional red tomato and a unique tangerine tomato variety are being investigated as health promoting foods in human clinical trials. However, it is unknown how the tangerine and red tomato juices differ in biologically relevant phytochemicals beyond carotenoids. Here liquid-chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry metabolomics was used to evaluate broadly the similarities and differences in carotenoids and other phytochemicals between red and tangerine tomato juices intended for clinical interventions. This untargeted approach was successful in the rapid detection and extensive characterization of phytochemicals belonging to various compound classes. The tomato juices were found to differ significantly in a number of phytochemicals, including carotenoids, chlorophylls, neutral lipids, and cinnamic acid derivatives. The largest differences were in carotenoids, including lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene, neurosporene, and ζ-carotene. Smaller, but significant, differences were observed in polar phytochemicals, such as chlorogenic acid, hydroxyferulic acid, phloretin-di-C-glycoside, and isopropylmalic acid.

Overexpression of the primary sigma factor gene sigA improved carotenoid production by Corynebacterium glutamicum: Application to production of β-carotene and the non-native linear C50 carotenoid bisanhydrobacterioruberin

Corynebacterium glutamicum shows yellow pigmentation due to biosynthesis of the C50 carotenoid decaprenoxanthin and its glycosides. This bacterium has been engineered for production of various non-native cyclic C40 and C50 carotenoids such as β-carotene, astaxanthin or sarcinaxanthin. In this study, the effect of modulating gene expression more broadly by overexpression of sigma factor genes on carotenoid production by C. glutamicum was characterized. Overexpression of the primary sigma factor gene sigA improved lycopene production by recombinant C. glutamicum up to 8-fold. In C. glutamicum wild type, overexpression of sigA led to 2-fold increased accumulation of the native carotenoid decaprenoxanthin in the stationary growth phase. Under these conditions, genes related to thiamine synthesis and aromatic compound degradation showed increased RNA levels and addition of thiamine and the aromatic iron chelator protocatechuic acid to the culture medium enhanced carotenoid production when sigA was overexpressed. Deletion of the gene for the alternative sigma factor SigB, which is expected to replace SigA in RNA polymerase holoenzymes during transition to the stationary growth phase, also increased carotenoid production. The strategy of sigA overexpression could be successfully transferred to production of the non-native carotenoids β-carotene and bisanhydrobacterioruberin (BABR). Production of the latter is the first demonstration that C. glutamicum may accumulate a non-native linear C50 carotenoid instead of the native cyclic C50 carotenoid decaprenoxanthin.

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Overexpression of the primary sigma factor gene sigA enhanced carotenoid production.

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Enhanced production of carotenoids in the absence of alternative sigma factor SigB.

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Production of the linear C50 carotenoid bisanhydrobacterioruberin established.

Effect of solvent addition sequence on lycopene extraction efficiency from membrane neutralized caustic peeled tomato waste

Lycopene is a high value nutraceutical and its isolation from waste streams is often desirable to maximize profits. This research investigated solvent addition order and composition on lycopene extraction efficiency from a commercial tomato waste stream (pH 12.5, solids ∼5%) that was neutralized using membrane filtration. Constant volume dilution (CVD) was used to desalinate the caustic salt to neutralize the waste. Acetone, ethanol and hexane were used as direct or blended additions. Extraction efficiency was defined as the amount of lycopene extracted divided by the total lycopene in the sample. The CVD operation reduced the active alkali of the waste from 0.66 to <0.01M and the moisture content of the pulp increased from 93% to 97% (wet basis), showing the removal of caustic salts from the waste. Extraction efficiency varied from 32.5% to 94.5%. This study demonstrates a lab scale feasibility to extract lycopene efficiently from tomato processing byproducts.

Determination of free and esterified carotenoid composition in rose hip fruit by HPLC-DAD-APCI(+)-MS

Rose hip fruit, which contains high concentration of carotenoids is commonly used for different food products in Europe and it is considered to have medical properties. In this study, a simple, rapid and efficient HPLC-DAD-APCI(+)-MS method was developed and applied to identify and quantify the carotenoids in rose hip fruit of four rose species, including both unsaponified and saponified extract. In the unsaponified extract 23 carotenoid esters were detected, in which either rubixanthin ester or violaxanthin ester was the dominant component of the ester composition. In the saponified extract 21 carotenoids, including 11 xanthophylls and 10 carotenes were detected. This is the first time the total carotenoid composition, including the carotenoid esters in rose hip fruit were identified and quantified. This work reveals the potential of rose hip fruit to be utilized as a healthy dietary material and give chemical information for the possible future development in the pharmacology field.

The protective effect of lycopene on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in H9C2 cardiomyocytes

Nowadays, drugs protecting ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) myocardium become more suitable for clinic. It has been confirmed lycopene has various protections, but lacking the observation of its effect on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-mediated apoptosis caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). This study aims to clarify the protective effect of lycopene on ERS induced by H/R in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Detect the survival rate, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, apoptosis ratio, glucose-regulated proteins 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), c-Jun-N-terminal protein Kinase (JNK) and Caspase-12 mRNA and protein expression and phosphorylation of JNK (p-JNK) protein expression. LDH activity, apoptosis ratio and GRP78 protein expression increase in the H/R group, reduced by lycopene. The survival rate reduces in the H/R and thapsigargin (TG) groups; lycopene and 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA) can improve it caused by H/R, lycopene also can improve it caused by TG. The apoptosis ratio, the expression of GRP78, CHOP and Caspase-12 mRNA and protein and p-JNK protein increase in the H/R and TG groups, weaken in the lycopene+H/R, 4-PBA+H/R and lycopene+TG groups. There is no obvious change in the expression of JNK mRNA or protein. Hence, our results provide the evidence that 10 μM lycopene plays an obviously protective effect on H/R H9C2 cardiomyocytes, realized through reducing ERS and apoptosis. The possible mechanism may be related to CHOP, p-JNK and Caspase-12 pathways.

The effect of high-pressure processing on colour, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity in smoothies during refrigerated storage

The effects of high-pressure processing--HPP--(450 and 600 MPa/3 min/20 °C) on the colour, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, polyphenols and antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH) of a smoothie were compared to thermal processing (80 °C/3 min). Stability during 45 days at 4 °C was also evaluated. HPP samples showed slight differences (p < 0.05) in colour compared to untreated smoothies. Both HPP significantly increased the extractability of lycopene, β-carotene and polyphenols compared to untreated samples. After HPP, ascorbic acid was retained by more than 92% of the initial content. The best results for antioxidant activity were obtained when HPP was applied at 600 MPa. FRAP and DPPH showed a high correlation with ascorbic acid (R(2) = 0.7135 and 0.8107, respectively) and polyphenolic compounds (R(2) = 0.6819 and 0.6935, respectively), but not with total carotenoids. Changes in bioactive compounds during the storage period were lower in the HPP smoothie than in the thermal-treated sample.

What do we know about phytotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urological diseases in aging men. Because of its long latency, BPH is a good target for prevention. The aim of the study has been to review the various options of treatment, currently available, in the field of phytotherapy. Watchful waiting, pharmacological therapy, and surgery are also helpful, depending on the severity of the disease. Although drug therapy (alpha1-blockers, 5alpha-reductase inhibitors) and surgery (prostatectomy, transurethral resection, etc.) seem to be most effective for patients with moderate-severe BPH, herbal medicines (i.e., Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, Urtica dioica) are also commonly used in patients with mild-moderate symptoms. On the basis of preclinical studies several mechanisms of action have been postulated, including 5alpha-reductase inhibition, alpha-adrenergic antagonism, dihydrotestosterone and estrogen receptor inhibition. Randomized clinical trials indicate significant efficacy in improving urinary symptoms and mild adverse effects for some phytotherapeutic agents, while further clinical evidence is needed for others (e.g., Epilobium spp., Secale cereale, Roystonea regia). Healthcare professionals should be constantly informed about BPH phytotherapy, taking into account the risk/benefit profile of the use of medicinal plants in the management of BPH.

Antiplatelet properties of natural products. Vascul Pharmacol. 2013;59:67-75. [PMID: 23994642 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2013.08.002]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and its main underlying cause, atherothrombosis, are the major culprits of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Apart from the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors and the use of antithrombotic agents there is considerable interest in the role of natural food products and their bioactive components in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The consumption of healthy diets rich in functional foods, such as the Mediterranean diet, has shown to exert profound cardioprotective effects in the primary and secondary prevention of CVD. Moreover, accumulating data have attributed these beneficial effects, at least in part, to the modulation of key players in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, including amelioration in the lipid profile and vascular function and a decrease in oxidative stress and inflammation. Although with a much less clear picture, natural dietary compounds have also demonstrated to exert antiplatelet activities, further contributing to reduce the thrombotic risk. This article provides a brief overview of the atherothrombotic process to further provide an up-to-date review of the antiplatelet properties exerted by natural products and/or food-derived bioactive constituents - including ω-3 PUFA, olive oil, garlic and onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, polyphenol-rich beverages, and flavonol-rich cocoa - as well as to describe the mechanisms underlying these antiplatelet activities.