Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 8, Issue 4, 2012

Water-soluble polysaccharides have been extracted from the fruiting bodies of Lentinus edodes mushrooms. Three carbohydrate fractions (cold water, hot water and hot aqueous NaOH) from the mushrooms were separated by ethanol precipitation. Size exclusion chromatography revealed the presence of a unique polysaccharide in each fraction. Cold water fraction polysaccharide (PLeC) was composed of glucose and galactose bound by (1→3) and (1→4) linkages with a high degree of branching at O-3 and O-4 of galactose residues. Hot water fraction polysaccharide (PLeH) showed (1→4),(1→6)-linked glucopyranosyl residues with branches at O-4 and O-6. Differently, hot aqueous NaOH fraction (PLeB) consisted of a (1→3),(1→6)-linked glucan branched at O-3 and O-6. NMR studies revealed that the polysaccharides PLeC and PLeH displayed both α and β configurations whereas PLeB presented β anomeric configuration. The analysis of molecular arrangement by complexation with Congo red showed that the three polysaccharides (PLeC, PLeH and PLeB) displayed a triple helix conformation.

The prevalence of allergic diseases increased during past decades, but has more recently plateaued. Dietary changes, especially an altered fatty acid consumption of diet, may be contributing to this phenomenon. However, the results of studies examining this hypothesis remain inconsistent. This review extends the work previously conducted by Sausenthaler et al. which summarized the literature published up to 2005. The current article includes findings from observational studies investigating the association between dietary fat intake and allergic diseases and allergic sensitization published after 2005. In general, the results of these recently published studies are inconclusive, partly conflicting, and do not convincingly support the notion that dietary intake is related to the onset of allergic diseases and allergic sensitization. However, the association between fish consumption and allergic diseases appears most consistent. We hypothesize that improvement in dietary intake assessment in combination with the measurement of fatty acid composition in tissues, while considering the genetic co-effects of the FADS genes, may lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms regulating the associations between food intake and allergies. Dietary recommendations could thus be improved, leading to a better prevention of allergic diseases. Future studies should aim to identify the role of dietary intake and genetic determinants of fatty acid metabolism on the development of allergic diseases.

Association between intake of polyphenols and reduction in the risk of disease has been reported in cohort studies. Extensive researches which started after World War II have proposed many mechanisms to explain the biology behind this association. The exact molecular interactions of polyphenols at cellular level in the biological system remains speculative. Besides, doses for effective response and bioavailability are other important issues which remain unanswered. In 2009, we reviewed dietary polyphenols including their occurrence, synthesis and properties (Curr Nutr Food Sci 2009; 5: 249-63). Much progress has recently been made in the field of polyphenol research. Tools have improved significantly over the past few years and new databases have been created. The present article provides an update on the current understanding of polyphenols.

Panoply of influences operates to shape particular food choices. Thus, probing into the drivers of people's healthy food choices is primordial to addressing the public health issue of obesity. The aim of the current study was to investigate the factors that influence University students' choice for healthy and unhealthy foods. For the cross-sectional study, data using a structured questionnaire were collected from a stratified sample of 370 students at the University of Mauritius. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools namely factor analysis, Pearson correlations and independent sample t-tests were used for data analysis. Choice decisions were affected by various factors. Students who attached significantly more importance to health, weight control and natural content ate more healthily as opposed to those who were influenced by the social & physical factor. Decisions to choose foods varied significantly with respect to gender. Girls considered factors such as health, weight control, convenience and attitude to be more important and ate more healthily as opposed to boys (p < 0.05). Health benefits derived from foods were perceived as the predominant food motive for students believed that their current diets were nutritionally adequate. These results are salient for health professionals and suggest that interventions should be geared to increase awareness about the nutritional inadequacy of diets consumed by University students and should specifically target boys. To the best of one's knowledge, this is the only explicit research on food motives of University of Mauritius students.

To understand the effect of extracts of cherries (Prunus avium) on bacterial growth, the antimicrobial activities of sweet cherry extracts (SCE) were measured on a wide spectrum variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial spp. and Candida albicans in culture. SCEs were subdivided into variables: whole juice extracts (WJE), methanolextracted juice (MEJ), ddH2O-extracted pomace (dPOM) and methanol-extracted pomace (mPOM). Bacteria/fungus were grown on Mueller-Hinton agar suitable for disk-diffusion method. WJE showed prominent inhibition on Enterococcus Group D, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris, with minor attenuation of Streptococcus Group B and C. albicans. In contrast, MEJ exhibited more prominent inhibition on Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus Group D, Citrobacter koseri, E. coli, E. coli ESBL and P. vulgaris, with minor attenuation of Streptococcus Group A and Klebsiella pneumoniae. No inhibitory/ attenuation effect was reported with dPOM on the entire spectrum of gram-positive bacteria; however, dPOM showed prominent inhibition of Enterobacter cloacae, E. coli, and E. coli ESBL, with minor effect on C. koseri and P. vulgaris. Notably, mPOM showed substantial inhibition of B. subtilis and Enterococcus Group D, with attenuation of Streptococcus Group B. Furthermore, mPOM significantly inhibited the growth of C. koseri, E. coli, E. coli ESBL and P. vulgaris. These results confirm the measurable attenuating effect of P. avium extracts on the differential growth of grampositive and gram-negative bacteria. Since many of the aforementioned are pathogenic in their nature, cherry extracts are interestingly of value in regulating/attenuating the growth of microorganisms of medical importance in vitro.

We have previously measured the antimicrobial activities of sweet cherry extracts (SCE) in grampositive/ negative bacteria and C. albicans using disk diffusion method [1]. Extracts were subdivided into the following categories: Whole juice (WJE), methanol-extracted (MEJ), ddH2O-extracted pomace (dPOM) and methanol-extracted pomace (mPOM). In this study the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were assessed @ 24 hrs. following bacterial/ fungus inoculations. WJE: MICs (1/4 – 1/8) for gram-positive and (undiluted – 1/32) for gram-negative bacteria; MIC for fungus was 1/32. MEJ: MICs (undiluted – 1/16) for gram-positive and (undiluted – 1/16) for gram-negative bacteria; MIC for fungus was 1/16. dPOM: MICs (undiluted – 1/32) for gram-positive and (undiluted – 1/32) for gram-negative bacteria; MIC for fungus was 1/2. mPOM: MICs (1/2 – 1/16) for gram-positive and (1/2 – 1/16) for gram-negative bacteria; MIC for fungus was 1/8. These results confirm the measurable attenuating effect of P. avium extracts on the differential resistance/sensitivity of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and C. albicans in broth cultures.

When used in animal feeding, the majority of evidence indicates a role for propionate in decreasing feed intake. Although anorectic effects of propionate have been extensively documented in ruminants and other farm animals, evidence in humans is scarce. In general, human studies show a beneficial effect of bread products added with high doses of sodium propionate on postprandial glucose and insulin responses as well as on satiety. The lowered glycemic response to ingestion of sodium propionate-enriched breads appears to be related to a lowered gastric emptying rate. However, low doses of oral propionate in a palatable form do not seem to significantly influence appetite and food intake, suggesting that the optimal palatability-to-efficacy ratio remains to be determined. Because of the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes and other related metabolic diseases, it is of great importance to identify food components that promote low glycemic and insulinemic indexes. On the basis of the favorable metabolic effects noted, the use of propionate offers new avenue to innovate in the production of low glycemic index food products with less acidic characteristics than a fermented product or a product with the added corresponding acids. Although propionate shows promises as a candidate to increase satiety-enhancing properties of food and potentially reducing subsequent energy intake in humans, more research is urgently needed to determine whether the properties of propionate can be useful in obesity management.

The aim of this longitudinal study is to describe a multi-step long-term multidisciplinary approach to morbidly obesity and report 5 years results in a representative sample of obese patients. One hundred and sixty four obese patients, enrolled to the long term, multidisciplinary weight loss program at San Luca's Hospital (Torino, Italy), were all recruited from May 2005 to December 2005 and they were followed up until December 2010. The weight loss goals were individually established on a year-to-year basis, based on the “7 steps” model, and were reviewed every 6 months. Of the whole sample 123 were females and 41were males; the mean age was 46.9 (14-77) years, and the mean BMI was 44.4 (37-56) kg/m2. The drop out rate during the whole study period was about the 53% mainly due lack of motivation as well as scarce perception of treatment outcomes. Eight percent (n=13) did not achieve their goals, 39% (n=64) achieved their goals either through “non surgical treatment” (n= 25) or throughout invasive procedures (n=39) such as intragastric balloon and lap-band (n=18), intragastric balloon and gastric bypass (n=14) , intragastric balloon and lap band followed by gastric by-pass surgery (n=7). The results obtained during the “non surgical treatment” procedure together with those obtained using intra-gastric balloon and lap-band procedures were successful since these procedures allowed some of the patients to achieve their proposed goals, even if their weight loss was inferior to that obtained with gastric by-pass surgery.

This open label, single arm, prospective, interventional, weight loss trial evaluated a meal replacement beverage (Right Size® Smoothie) used to replace breakfast and lunch each day for 12 weeks (7 clinic visits) as part of a calorierestricted diet in overweight and obese adults. A total of 155 individuals were screened, 55 enrolled and 28 completed this 12 week study. Subjects were obese (mean weight: 206 pounds and BMI: 32.7 kg/m2) and the mean age was 40 years including 42 (76.4%) female and 13 (23.6%) male volunteers. The modified Intent to Treat and Completer groups lost an average of 10.6 and 13.8 pounds and reduced their average BMI by 1.7 and 2.2 kg/m2 respectively during this 12 week trial. The Per Protocol group lost 15.2 pounds and 2.4 kg/m2 and the Optimal Weight Loss group lost 18.5 pounds and 2.9 kg/m2. Using the Satiety Labeled Intensity Magnitude scale (SLIM) questionnaire, subjects reported feeling relatively hungry before they consumed the beverage, then feeling relatively full 15 minutes following the beverage with the sensation of some fullness lasting more than 2 hours and then feeling relatively hungry again at 3 hours after consuming the beverage. Study subjects reported significant improvements in physical functioning, general health, vitality and mental health as well as increased cognitive restraint of eating, reduced disinhibition and reduced hunger during the trial. The study beverages were well tolerated and no Serious Adverse Events (SAE) reported. This study suggests the study beverage aids in weight loss by helping to curb hunger during a reduced calorie diet program.