Kombucha analogs from maqui juice: Consortium age and sugar concentration effects on anthocyanin stability and its relationship with antioxidant activity and digestive enzyme inhibition

The fermentation of maqui juice (MJ), by incorporating kombucha as a starter culture, produces beverages with variable and stable anthocyanin contents. The metabolic effect of kombucha starter cultures obtained at different fermentation times was explored on the anthocyanin stability of maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz) juice supplemented at different concentrations of sucrose and fermented at different times. The stability of anthocyanins was associated with the levels of catechin detected in the fermentation system. This study concludes that the fermentation of MJ with sucrose (10%) and kombucha consortium of 7-days old, promotes the release and accumulation of phenolic compounds that act as co-pigments, with the best response in quality parameters of beverages such as color intensity, tone, hyperchromic effect, and a significant bathochromic shift. Finally, the additive effect of phenolic constituents with stable anthocyanins, confers to kombucha analogs an outstanding antioxidant quality and inhibitory effects on key enzymes in digestive processes.

Rheological properties of ethyl cellulose-monoglyceride-candelilla wax oleogel vis-a-vis edible shortenings

The gelation process, elasticity, and mechanical recovery after shear were studied in mixed oleogels of ethylcellulose (EC), monoglycerides (MG), and candelilla wax (CW). EC oleogels produced without MG showed grainy texture due to incomplete dissolution of crystalline fractions of raw EC in the vegetable oil (150 °C). These fractions were eliminated by dissolving the raw EC/MG mixture in ethanol, evaporating the solvent, dispersing, and dissolving the solid residue in the vegetable oil (150 °C) prior gelation. The EC polymeric network, and MG, and CW crystals had a positive interaction on the elasticity of mixed oleogels. Mixed oleogels produced under static conditions showed a 100 % of elasticity recovery after shearing, a phenomenon associated with an EC interchain hydrogen bonding mediated by hydroxyl groups of MGs. This tentatively resulted from the formation of junction zones of the type EC-[MG]_n-EC. The rheological behavior of these olegels was remarkably close to that of commercial shortenings.

Water-in-oil organogel based emulsions as a tool for increasing bioaccessibility and cell permeability of poorly water-soluble nutraceuticals

The use of organogels in food and pharmaceutical sciences has several technical problems related with restricted diffusion of the drugs and lack of a proper gelator molecule. These features are important into the new product design. An alternative to improve technological properties in organogels is the use of emulsions. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the behavior on bioaccessibility and permeability of bioactives loaded into organogel-based emulsions. The objective of the present experimental work was to study the physical properties of organogel-based emulsions made with vegetable oil loaded with three different bioactives (betulin, curcumin and quercetin) and the influence on their bioaccessibility. Organogels were made of canola or coconut oils and myverol as gelator (10% w/w). Water-in-oil emulsions (at 5, 10 and 12.5 wt% of water content) were prepared by mixing the melted proper organogel and water (80 °C) under high shear conditions (20,000 rpm). Micrographs, rheological tests (amplitude, frequency, temperature sweeps and creep-compliance measurements), DSC and particle size analysis were performed to samples. In vitro digestion (oral, gastric and intestinal phase), lipolysis assays, bioaccessibility and permeability tests by cell culture of Caco-2 were made. Organogels of coconut oil have shown poor emulsification properties.

Lupane-type triterpenes and their anti-cancer activities against most common malignant tumors: A review

In recent times, a great deal of interest has been motivated on plant derived compounds known as nutraceuticals. These compounds exert important beneficial activities that improve people's health status when are consumed regularly, and now they appear as a viable option to explore their possible therapeutic effects against diseases like cancer. Particularly, lupane-type triterpenes have shown great ability to modulate multiple cancer-related signaling pathways and processes, including NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, apoptosis, and many other routes related to proliferation or cell death, which are uncontrolled in malignant tumors. These investigations have promoted in vitro and in vivo studies, searching their mechanisms of action; although more research is still needed to prove its potential in human clinical trials. This review focuses on the ability of betulin, betulinic acid and lupeol to show benefits against the most common types of malignant tumors, which are considered a major global threat for public health.

Morphological and release characterization of nanoparticles formulated with poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and lupeol: In vitro permeability and modulator effect on NF-κB in Caco-2 cell system stimulated with TNF-α

Lupeol exhibits anti-inflammatory effects; unfortunately it shows low water solubility. An alternative to overcome this is the development of nanomaterials. Several methods for nanomaterial production are available. One of them is emulsification/solvent-evaporation. The objective of the present work was to evaluate physical properties, transport and in vitro modulator effects on NF-κB of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with lupeol. Nanonutraceuticals were prepared with 16% (w/v) of lupeol. Size distribution and morphology were measured by particle size analyzer and TEM. In vitro release of lupeol was studied by three different models: Higuchi, Siepmann & Peppas, and Power law. Transport of nanonutraceutical was studied in a Caco-2 cell model and by GC-MS. Modulator effect on NK-κB was studied by western blot analysis. Nanonutraceuticals were 10% larger than the nanoparticles without lupeol (372 vs 337 nm) and presented a broader size distribution (0.28 vs 0.22). TEM results displayed spherical structures with a broader size distribution. Entrapment efficiency of lupeol was 64.54% and it in vitro release data fitted well to the Power law and Higuchi equation (R > 0.84-0.84). Strong regulation of NF-κB of nanonutraceutical was observed. It was not observed any transport across the Caco-2 cell model at the different experimental conditions.

Plants with potential use on obesity and its complications

Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disease and a growing public health problem worldwide. This disease is a causal component of the metabolic syndrome related with abnormalities, including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, inflammation, among others. There are anti-obesity drugs, affecting the fundamental processes of the weight regulation; however they have shown serious side effects, which outweigh their beneficial effects. Most recent studies on the treatment of obesity and its complications have focused on the potential role of different plants preparation that can exert a positive effect on the mechanisms involved in this pathology. For instance, anti-obesity effects of green tea and its isolated active principles have been reported in both in vitro (cell cultures) and in vivo (animal models) that possess healthy effects, decreasing adipose tissue through reduction of adipocytes differentiation and proliferation. A positive effect in lipid profile, and lipid and carbohydrates metabolisms were demonstrated as well. In addition, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were studied. However, the consumption of green tea and its products is not that common in Western countries, where other plants with similar bioactivity predominate; nevertheless, the effect extension has not been analyzed in depth, despite of their potential as alternative treatment for obesity. In this review the anti-obesity potential and reported mechanisms of action of diverse plants such as: Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hypericum perforatum, Persea americana, Phaseolus vulgaris, Capsicum annuum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ilex paraguariensis, Citrus paradisi, Citrus limon, Punica granatum, Aloe vera, Taraxacum officinale and Arachis hypogaea is summarized. We consider the potential of these plants as natural alternative treatments of some metabolic alterations associated with obesity.

Gastroprotective potential of Buddleja scordioides Kunth Scrophulariaceae infusions; effects into the modulation of antioxidant enzymes and inflammation markers in an in vivo model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

A common plant used to treat several gastric disorders is Buddleja scordioides Kunth, commonly known as salvilla.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To detect inflammatory markers, in order to evaluate the gastroprotective potential of salvilla infusions, as this could have beneficial impact on the population exposed to gastric ulcers and colitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present work attempted infusions were prepared with B. scordioides (1% w/w) lyophilized and stored. Total phenolic content and GC-MS analysis were performed. Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=8), a negative vehicle control, an indomethacin group, and three experimental groups, named preventive, curative, and suppressive. All rats were sacrificed under deep ether anesthesia (6h) after the last oral administration of indomethacin/infusion. The rat stomachs were promptly excised, weighed, and chilled in ice-cold and 0.9% NaCl. Histological analysis, nitrites quantification and immunodetection assays were done.

RESULTS

B. scordioides infusions markedly reduced the visible hemorrhagic lesions induced by indomethacin in rat stomachs, also showed down-regulation of COX2, IL-8 and TNFα and up-regulation of COX-1 with a moderate down-regulation of NFkB and lower amount of nitrites. However, this behavior was dependent on the treatment, showing most down-regulation of COX-2, TNFα and IL-8 in the curative treatment; more down-regulation of NF-kB in the preventive treatment; and more up-regulation of COX-1 for the suppressor and preventive treatments.

CONCLUSION

The anti-inflammatory potential of B. scordioides infusions could be related with the presence of polyphenols as quercetin in the infusion and how this one is consumed.

Antioxidant activity of oak (Quercus) leaves infusions against free radicals and their cardioprotective potential

The aim of present study was to evaluate antioxidant capacity and cardioprotective potential of leaves infusions and partially purified fractions of Quercus sideroxyla and Q. eduardii (red oaks) and Q. resinosa (white oak). Consumption of polyphenol-rich beverages derived from plants, such as oak may represent a beneficial diet in terms of cardiovascular protection. Infusions from Oak leaves were obtained and probed for total phenolics by Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and hydroxyl radicals scavenging by DPPH test and Deoxy-D-ribose method, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated by FRAP and ORAC tests, inhibitions of Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) oxidation and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) activity were measured. A HPLC analysis was performed by HPLC-MS. Bioactive polyphenols such as gallic and ellagic acids, catechin, quercetin and derivatives: naringenin and naringin were detected in Quercus infusions. A distinctive HPLC profile was observed among the red and white oak samples. Q. resinosa infusions have exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in comparison with the other species, although in the inhibition of LDL oxidation no differences were observed. In the inhibition of the ACE, Q. resinosa was more effective (IC50, 18 ppm) than Q. sideroxyla, showing same effect as the control Captopril. From the results it is possible to postulate that not only chelating activity is important in these infusions, especially in Q. resinosa.

Study of the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes after convective drying

BACKGROUND

The process of convective drying was evaluated in terms of the bioactive compounds contained in nopal samples before and after dehydration. Total polyphenol, flavonoid, flavonol, carotene and ascorbic acid contents were determined in undehydrated and dehydrated samples. Two drying temperatures (45 and 65 °C) and two air flow rates (3 and 5 m s(-1) ) were evaluated. The rheology of samples under the best drying conditions was also studied, since it provides important information regarding processing (mixing, flow processing) as well as the sensory attributes (texture) of rehydrated samples.

RESULTS

Non-Newtonian shear-thinning behaviour was observed for samples dried at 45 °C, while samples dried at 65 °C showed shear-thickening behaviour, possibly caused by thermal chain scission of high-molecular-weight components.

CONCLUSION

The best conditions for bioactive compound preservation were a drying temperature of 45 °C and an air flow rate of 3 m s(-1) , resulting in 40.97 g phenols, 23.41 g flavonoids, 0.543 g β-carotene and 0.2815 g ascorbic acid kg(-1) sample as shown in table 3.

Physical properties of extruded products from three Mexican common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars

The physical properties of extruded products from three Mexican common bean cultivars were investigated. Common bean cultivars Flor de Mayo, Pinto Villa and Bayo Victoria from the same harvesting season (2006) were used in this work. Beans were milled and the flour was hydrated to 24, 26 and 28 g of water/100 g of dry weight. Two temperatures, 130 degrees C and 165 degrees C at the end of the extruder barrel without die, were experimented. Common bean flour extrudates were evaluated for water absorption index (WAI), water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), and emulsifying capacity (EC). Flor de Mayo extrudates showed the highest WAC and WAI values. Thus starch from Flor de Mayo beans showed minor restricted water availability. In all cases, the OAC of extruded products was lower than the crude bean flour. The EC for Bayo Victoria flour increased as a consequence of the extrusion process. The EC for Flor de Mayo was higher at lower temperature and lower moisture content than Pinto Villa and Bayo Victoria beans. EC behavior of Pinto Villa was similar to Bayo cultivar. These results indicate that it is possible to produce new extruded products with good physical properties from these common bean cultivars.