Betalains and their applications in food: The current state of processing, stability and future opportunities in the industry

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Several fruits, plants, and roots are sources of betalains.

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Betalains analysis can be performed by spectroscopic and chromatographic methods.

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Betalains extraction techniques have advantages and disadvantages.

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Betalains encapsulation increases its stability and possibility of incorporation in foods.

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The incorporation of betalains in food packaging is a potential application.

Betalains are water-soluble nitrogenous pigments with coloring properties and antioxidant activities, which is why they have been incorporated into several foods. However, their use is limited by their instability in response to different factors, such as, pH, oxygen, water activity, light, metals, among others. In this work, a review of up-to-date and relevant information is presented on the primary natural sources of betalains. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of the primary betalain extraction techniques are discussed and compared. The results of these studies were focused on the stability of betalains when incorporated into foods, either in pure or encapsulated form, and they are discussed through different technologies. Lastly, the most relevant information related to their stability and a projection of their promising future applications within the food industry is presented.

Physicochemical and functional properties of native and modified agave fructans by acylation

Native agave fructans were modified by an acylation reaction with lauric acid. Native and modified fructans were characterized using NMR, FTIR and various physicochemical and functional properties at different pHs were evaluated. NMR and FTIR spectra demonstrated the incorporation of lauric acid in the molecular structure of fructans. Modified agave fructans exhibited a color, moisture and water activity similar to native fructans, but properties such as solubility, swelling capacity, emulsifying activity and foam capacity were significantly modified by the acylation reaction mainly when the samples were analyzed at different pHs. The thermogram of the acylated fructans evidenced significant changes in thermal properties when compared with native fructans and acylated fructans were able to form micellar aggregates. In general, modified fructans showed improved functional properties in comparison with native fructans representing an important opportunity to improve the functionality of the foods in which it is incorporated.

Health promoting microbial metabolites produced by gut microbiota after prebiotics metabolism

Human gut microbiota (HGM) is a microbial complex where dynamic mutualistic interactions related to digestion and absorption of dietary components take place. The consumption of specific food ingredients, such as prebiotics and dietary fibers, constituted mainly by carbohydrates polymers, can modulate the HGM composition and metabolism serving as a fermentable substrate to produce bacterial metabolites with beneficial effects on host health. Especially, bacterial short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan and organic acids have shown positive effects on pathogenic bacteria control, mineral absorption, weight control and obesity, immune response homeostasis, gut barrier improvement, brain modulation and anticancer activity. Despite the fact that these effects vary between individuals due to personal HGM richness, the information presented in this review contributes to understanding the effects of prebiotics and dietary fibers consumption on the generation of HGM metabolites and the mechanisms by which these metabolites interact with host cells improving host health.

Microencapsulation of Eugenia uniflora L. juice by spray drying using fructans with different degrees of polymerisation

The objective of this work was to microencapsulate pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) juice by spray drying, using High Performance Agave Fructans (HPAF) and High Degree of Polymerisation Agave Fructans (HDPAF) and maltodextrin (MD), respectively, as the wall materials. The physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the capsules during storage at various temperatures were evaluated. The microparticles developed using fructans HPAF and HDPAF, exhibited similar physicochemical and flow properties to those presented by the microparticles prepared with MD. The highest yield and concentration of anthocyanins after drying and during storage were found for a 1:6 core:wall material ratio. The total color change was a good indicator of the microcapsule stability. This study showed that both fructans fraction possess similar encapsulating properties to MD and that the HDPAF were more efficacious than MD at protecting the antioxidants during drying and storage.

[Facial paralysis reported in a paediatric emergency department: actuation protocol reviewed and verified]

INTRODUCTION

As result of our aim to improve the quality standard of our emergency system, work has been carried out in relation to the development and monitorization of effective clinical protocols in the department of paediatric practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An evidence based review approach was taken to design a clinical protocol about Bell's palsy condition for the paediatric emergency department. Previous protocol approved in March 2003 was reviewed accordingly with the new designed protocol's quality standards. The Bell's palsy cases reported since March 2003 until June 2006 to paediatric emergency department were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 27 patients affected by Bell's palsy were reported to the hospital's emergency department. Facial expression was described in 85.19% of the cases. Cranial nerves normal function was reported in 77.78%. Fundoscopic examination was described in 77.78% and otoscopic findings in 44.44%; the absence of herpes vesicles was analyzed only in 11.11%. All patients received steroid therapy (prednisone) and the treatment resulted in the complete recovery. The mean time to resolution was 58.6 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to improve hospital's quality standards, clinical protocols should be designed and verified regularly to ensure the proper performance. Medical auditing also contributes to improve effectiveness in health attendance.

[Intracraneal hemorrhage caused by neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. Report of a case and review]

INTRODUCTION

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAT) is due to the transplacental transfer of circulating maternal alloantibodies developed against fetal platelet antigens inherited from the father. Intracranial hemorrhage occurs in 15-30% of the cases, and very important neurological sequelaes can be due to it.

CASE REPORT

We present the clinical and immunohematologic findings of a case of severe NAT that had two siblings who died by this illness. In the 31st week of gestation an intracranial hemorrhage is detected by echography, the birth was by caesarean section. Apgar score of 8 and 9, it wasn't necessary reanimation procedures. Cutaneous purpura and pallor were presented since birth. Neonatal complete blood count showed a platelet count of 6,000/mm3 (whereas maternal blood count was normal), haemoglobin of 8.8 g/dL and hematocrit of 26.1%, without other biological alterations. In maternal blood alloantibodies antiHPA-1a were detected, being the father homozigous for 1a/1a and the mother homozigous for 1b/1b. The patient was treated with transfusions, endovenous gammaglobulin and corticosteroids and his condition improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraparenchymatous hemorrhage is an uncommon pathology in neonates, but when this occurs it's obligated to rule out a coagulation inherited illness, NTA especially, because of its prevalence and potentially serious neurological sequelaes, sometimes having a good neurological development. Prevention, early treatment and neuroimaging studies should be done in all newborn babies with alloimmune thrombocytopenia even when no neurological clinic is seen.