Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 14, Issue 3, 2018

Inflammation is a normal response to tissue injury or infection and many chronic diseases are characterised to some extent by the presence of low-grade inflammation. Considerable interest exists in reducing chronic disease risk or managing illnesses through health-promoting dietary ingredients. Cereals are a source of macronutrients, minerals, vitamins and other micronutrients and are also known to contain a range of biologically active substances such as arabinoxylans, β-glucans, cellulose, lignans, lignin, sterols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, alkylresorcinols, phenolic acids and microelements. Cereal grains displaying anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity may have an important role to play in alleviating some of the primary symptoms of inflammation. This paper reviews some of the recent research conducted on cereal grains in relation to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a serious health problem worldwide. Literature sources indicated that liver fibrosis was reversible and an effective treatment would probably reverse the process. However, there was no satisfied agent in the clinical practice to reverse the pathological process yet. Oxidative stress and inflammation are important pathological mechanisms propagating CCl4-induced liver injury. Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of Silybum marianum seeds oil (SMSO) on CCl4-induced oxidative hepatic injury and inflammatory responses. Methods: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered with 20% CCl4 in corn oil (1 ml/kg, twice a week) in rats, at the same time, SMSO (5-20 mL/kg body weigth/day) was simultaneously administrated orally for six weeks. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) were measured to assess antioxidant activity of SMSO. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of SMSO. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBIL), collagen and hydroxyproline were measured to evaluate the liver protection effect of SMSO. Results: MDA levels in SMSO groups were significantly lower than that of CCl4 group, while the levels of SOD and GSH were high than that of CCl4 group. SMSO treatment could decrease the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α significantly compared with CCl4 group. SMSO treated rats showed a significant decrease in ALT, AST, TBIL, collagen and hydroxyproline levels compared with CCl4 group. Conclusion: SMSO may be a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.

Background: Studies on the inclusion complex between cholesterol and cyclodextrins (α, β in addition to γ-CDs) are well known and have been documented, but the molecular details of this process are largely unknown. Methods: A molecular modeling study adopting Autodock 4.2 and quantum mechanical calculations by using the Gaussian 03 software was conducted. The quantum mechanical calculations were performed using the semi-empirical strategy PM3. Results & Conclusion: The results show that efficient cholesterol extraction depends on the free energy calculations, which indicates that β-CDs have a strong affinity as the best host of one of several studied CDs compounds. Its covalent bond was formed in the inclusion complex of CHO- β-CDs to pack cholesterol molecules, thereby making their extraction favorable to confirm cholesterol removal.

Background: The prickly pear cactus or Nopal is a plant that is well adapted to arid and semi-arid climates like that of Algeria. It produces sweet nutritionally rich edible fruits, and it has been used in traditional folk medicine. Objective: This study aimed to chemically characterize the cactus seed extracts by using different solvents, to optimize extraction parameters of bioactive compounds, and to evaluate in vitro their antioxidant activities by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Methods: Two extraction methods were used (soxhlet, maceration); the active antioxidant, phenolic and flavonoids contents were determined using colorimetric method. Results: The best extraction yields are recorded in the polar extracts with 31.5% as the highest percentage represented by the hydro-ethanolic extract. The same extract contains high rate of phenolic compound with 144.5 gallic acid mg/100 g DM followed by the aqueous extract 114.87 mg GAE/100 g. The radical scavenging activity, expressed as a function of IC50, equals 0.13, and 0.15 for hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Conclusion: Cactus seeds could be a potential source of natural compounds and therapeutic agents which are useful in the prevention or treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Background: Poor nutritional status among adolescent girls who are future potential mothers, impacts their growth, cognitive development, immunity and work productivity. Objective: We aimed to assess the nutritional status of female adolescent employees of the textile industry of Tamil Nadu, as compared to that of former young female employees of the industry and adolescent girls who have never been employed. Methods: A cross sectional study was done in Nagapattinam district. Height and weight were measured using standard procedures. Diet and physical activity were assessed using the Indian Adolescent Health Questionnaire. Participants were enquired if they were diagnosed to have anaemia. Adolescent girls who are currently employed in textile factories, women aged 16 to 28 who were employed in textile factories in the past and adolescent girls who were never employed formed the 3 study groups, with 107 participants in each group. Results: As per the Body Mass Index, 45.8% of the current employees, 41.1% of the former employees and 52.3% of the never been employed participants were underweight. Ever been diagnosed to have anaemia (at-least once in their life time) was reported by 11.2% of the current employees, 16.8% of the past employees and 4.7% of the never been employed adolescent girls. Significant differences among the study groups regarding practice of health behaviours were observed, with more current employees practising adverse health behaviours as compared to others. Conclusion: Being underweight and/or anaemia are major public health problems among adolescent girls, irrespective of their employment status. The study findings indicate the need for inculcation of positive practice of health behaviours from childhood.

Background: Tuna Cooking Juice (TCJ) is a by-product of canned tuna industry. It usually was either used as protein source of feed meal or directly discharged to wastewater treatment system. However, the soluble proteins in TCJ could be used for producing bioactive peptides by enzymatic hydrolysis. The aims of this study were to produce and purify the anticoagulant and ACE inhibitory peptides from TCJ. Methods: The bioactive peptides were prepared from tuna cooking juice by enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, four commercial proteases including alcalase, flavourzyme, pancreatin and pepsin were used for enzymatic hydrolysis of tuna cooking juice. Six biological activities including angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor, anticoagulant, calcium binding, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, and antidiabetes were determined. The hydrolysate was performed in an in vitro digestive system. The bioactive peptides were purified by size exclusion chromatography and then high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The alcalase hydrolysate at the hydrolysate time of 240 and 120 min showed the highest ACE inhibitory of 96.9±0.54% and anticoagulant activities of 92.0±0.75%, respectively. Both ACE inhibitory and anticoagulant peptides from tuna cooking juice hydrolysate were able to survive in an in vitro digestive tract and improve its activities. The molecular weight range of peptides exhibited highest ACE inhibitory and anticoagulant activities was 238-829 and 1355-1880 Da, respectively and these peptides still showed high activities. Conclusion: Therefore, tuna cooking juice is a potential source of bioactive peptides production used for functional food and neutraceutical ingredients.

Background: The hypoglycaemic effects of β-glucan (BG) extracts from some mushrooms and Folium mori (FM) have been reported. Objective: To determine the most effective composition of combined β-glucan originated from Aureobasidium and Folium mori extract (BGFM) for treating diabetes and complicated hepatopathy and nephropathy using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Method: Six days after STZ dosing, rats (n = 5 per group) were selected based on body weight and blood glucose levels. BGFM was orally administered once a day for 28 days (Qd 28), and changes in blood glucose levels, body weight, liver and kidney weight, and levels of serum Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured. Results: The diabetic control group exhibited dramatic decreases in body weight, and increase in liver and kidney weight, and blood glucose, serum BUN, creatinine, AST, and ALT levels compared to the non-diabetic sham group. However, these hyperglycaemic changes were markedly reduced in the Folium mori extract single group (S-FM) and some groups that received a mixed composition. Additionally, the changes related to the complicated hepatopathy and nephropathy of body weight were attenuated in the β-glucan single (S-BG) and some mixed groups compared to the diabetic control group. The anti-diabetic effects of β-glucan composition increased with its dose, and similarly, the hypoglycaemic effects of FM composition increased with its dose. Of the 11 types of mixed composition and single formulations, the BG:FM 1:4 composition was considered most effective for dual efficacy in terms of its hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic effects. Conclusion: The greatest synergistic effects of the BGFM complex in treating the hyperglycaemic and complicated hepatopathy and nephropathy of STZ were obtained using a BG:FM 1:4 ratio.

Purpose: Not many studies have been done on amino acids changes during freezing storage. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of amino acids (Arg, Asp, Ala, Glu, His, Ilu, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Gly, Pro, Ser, Thr, Tyr, Val, Cys) in Rutilus frisii kutum (Caspian Kutum), Liza aurata (Golden Grey Mullet), Cyprinus carpio (Common Carp), Sander lucioperca (Pick perch) and Clupeonella cultriventris caspia (Common Kilka or Sprat) during frozen storage (-24 °C) in time intervals of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months. Design/Methodology/Approach: To study the effects of frozen storage (-24 °C) on changes of fish amino acids, 5 species of fish (Caspian kutum, golden grey mullet, common carp, pick perch and common kilka) were used and the amount of amino acids were evaluated during frozen storage at - 24 °C in time intervals of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months. Findings: Glutamic acid was the dominant amino acid in all species. The procedure of amino acids alteration was not similar but the amount of most of them decreased gradually. In all spices, His, Phe and Gly increased during frozen storage. The content of Lys enhanced significantly (P≤0.01) at sixth month compared with first day in common carp, pike perch and common kilka. Amino acids resistance to freezing in pike perch and common Kilka was higher than the other species because they had insignificant change during storage at -24 °C. Practical Implications: Determination amount of amino acids by derivatization with PITC and measurement with Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) showed that alterations were not similar in different amino acids and different species. Originality/Value: Comparison content of amino acids in Caspian kutum, golden grey mullet, common carp, pick perch and common kilka in during storage period (6 months) at -24 °C showed that the frozen storage can alter the amount of amino acids in these fishes.

Background: Milk is one of the important drinks for human and serves many nutrients including trace elements required for growth. In terms of prediction of element availability in food, fractionation analysis is helpful for understanding element partitioning. Objective: The current study was conducted to examine the effect of dietary olive pellets on goat milk. The milk samples of goats which were fed with basal diet and olive pellet added basal diet were investigated. Method: Lipid, protein and serum fractions of milk were separated and elements including Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg, Ca, Cr, Ni, Mo, Al, Ba, Pb, Sn, V, Co and Cd were detected using inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometry. Results: The distribution tendency of the elements was variable. The relatively highest bioavailable metal species were found in the milk of olive pellet fed goats, and the percentages were between 5.4 and 83.6%. Sum of the element contents of lipid, protein and serum fractions was compared with whole sample analysis and recoveries were between 93.3 and 110.7%. Fatty Acid (FA) profile of the milk samples was determined using gas chromatography. Classification of milk samples was carried out based on FA contents by principal component analysis. The milk obtained from goats fed with olive pellets have been shown to be similar in terms of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and long chain FA contents. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that feeding the goats with olive pellets improves the quality of milk in terms of FA content. On the other hand, distribution of the elements between investigated fractions was not remarkable.

Background: Availability of minerals in foodstuff depends on their physicochemical form. This study was conducted to determine the concentration and partitioning of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg, Ca, Cr, Ni, Mo, Al, Ba, Pb, Sn, V, Co and Cd in yogurt, ayran, kefir, ice-cream, cream, and pudding. Methods: Assessment of element partitioning was carried out by applying a sequential fractionation scheme in dairy products. The protein, lipid and serum fractions of each sample were separated successfully and determination of elements was achieved using inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometry. Results: The total amount of elements varied between dairy products. On the other hand, partitioning tendency of elements between fractions showed similarities. Zn, Mg and Ca were mainly found in serum fractions within the range of 56.8 - 80.6 %, 87.0 - 96.6 % and 85.2 - 96.6 %, respectively. Additionally, higher proportions of Fe and Cu were detected in protein fraction. Conclusion: It was concluded that kefir is a good source of elements in dairy products and the obtained data provides information for availability.