Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculture - Volume 11, Issue 3, 2020

Background: Rapid lifestyle, especially among people living in urban areas, has led to increasing reliance on the processed food market. Unfortunately, harmful effects caused by the excessive use of food additives in such type of industry are often neglected. Objective: This proposal investigates in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of three food preservatives commonly consumed in daily meals; sodium sulphite, boric acid, and benzoic acid. Methods: The effect of the three preservatives on cell viability was tested on two different cell lines; normal liver cell line THLE2 and human hepatocellular carcinoma cancer cell line HepG2 using MTT assay. Cell cycle arrest was measured using flow cytometry by propidium iodide. Measurement of expression levels of two central genes, p53 and bcl-2 that play key roles in cell cycle and apoptosis was carried out in HepG2 cells using real time-PCR. Results: Although the effect was more significantly realized in the HepG2 cell line, the viability of both cell lines was decreased by all of the three tested compounds. Flow cytometric analysis of HepG2 cells treated with sodium sulphite, boric acid, and benzoic acid has revealed an increase in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. In Sodium sulphite and boric acid-treated cells, expression levels of p53 were up-regulated, while that of the Bcl2 was significantly down-regulated. On the other hand, Benzoic acid has shown an anti-apoptotic feature based on the increased expression levels of Bcl-2 in treated cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, all of the tested compounds have decreased the cell line viability and induced both cell cycle arrest and apoptotic events indicating their high potential of being cytotoxic and genotoxic materials.

Background: Pectin is a natural polysaccharide that has been used widely as a stabilizer in food emulsion system. Objective: This study aimed to optimize the yield of pectin extracted from sweet potato residue and investigate its emulsifying properties. Methods: Response surface methodology (RSM) has been utilized to investigate the pectin extracted from sweet potato peels using citric acid as the extracting solvent. Investigation of the effect of different extraction conditions namely temperature (°C), time (min) and solution pH on pectin yield (%) were conducted. A Box-Benhken design with three levels of variation was used to optimize the extraction conditions. Results: The optimal conditions determined were temperature 76&°C, time 64 min and pH 1.2 with 65.2% yield of pectin. The degree of esterification (DE) of the sweet potato pectin was determined using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The pectin is high-methoxyl pectin with DE of 58.5% . Emulsifying properties of sweet potato pectin were investigated by measuring the zeta-potential, particle size and creaming index with addition of 0.4 and 1.0 wt % pectin to the emulsion. Conclusion: Extraction using citric acid could improve the pectin yield. Improved emulsion stability was observed with the addition of the sweet potato pectin.

Background: For many years, Ganoderma was highly considered as biofactory for the production of different types of bioactive metabolites. Of these bioactive compounds, polysaccharides gained much attention based on their high biotherapeutic properties. Therefore, special attention has been paid during the last years for the production of mushrooms bioactive compounds in a closed cultivation system to shorten the cultivation time and increase the product yield. Objectives: This work focuses on the development of a simple cultivation strategy for exopolysaccharides (EPS) production using Ganoderma lucidum and submerged cultivation system. Methods: At first, the best medium supporting EPS production was chosen experimentally from the current published data. Second, like many EPS production processes, carbon and nitrogen concentrations were optimized to support the highest production of polysaccharides in the shake flask level. Furthermore, the process was scaled up in 16-L stirred tank bioreactor. Results: The results clearly demonstrated that the best cultivation strategy was cultivation under controlled pH conditions (pH 5.5). Under this condition, the maximal volumetric and specific yield of EPS production were, 5.0 g/L and 0.42 g/g, respectively. Conclusion: The current results clearly demonstrate the high potential use of submerged cultivation system as an alternative to conventional solid-state fermentation for EPS production by G. lucidum. Furthermore, the optimization of both carbon and nitrogen sources concentration and scaling up of the process showed a significant increase in both volumetric and specific EPS production.

Background: Apples often experience postharvest damage due to being attacked by mold organisms. Several groups of molds such as Aspergillus sp., Penicilium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, and Venturia sp. can cause a serious postharvest disease exhibited as watery regions where areas of blue-green tufts of spores develop. Current methods using fungicides to control pathogenic fungi can cause resistance if applied in the long term. An alternative procedure using yeast as a biological agent has been found. Objective: The aim of this study is to screen potential yeast, which has the ability to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus brasielensis (isolate A1) and Aspergillus flavus section flavi (isolate A17) isolated from apple fruits. Methods: Antagonism test using YMA dual culture medium using in vitro assays and ITS rDNA identification were performed. Results: The result showed that 3 out of 19 yeast isolated from Cerbera manghas L, T1, T3 and T4, demonstrated the potential ability as a biocontrol agent. ITS rDNA identification demonstrated that T1 has a similarity to Rhodotorula mucilaginosa while T3 and T4 were identified as Aureobasidium sp. nov. The 3 isolates exhibited the ability to reduce the growth of A. brasiliensis sensu lato better than dithane 0.3% with a Disease Incidence (DI) of 100% and a Disease Severity (DS) value of 45%. Only isolate T1 and T3 were able to reduce decay symptoms in apples inoculated with A. flavus sensu lato (with DO and DS were 100% and 25%, respectively) compared to dithane pesticides 0.3%. Conclusion: This study indicated that competition between nutrients occurs between pathogenic molds and under-yeast in vitro and in vivo conditions. However, further studies in the future might be able to elucidate the ‘killer’ activity and interaction with the pathogen cells and the bio-product production using Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Aureoubasidium namibiae strains to control postharvest diseases.

Characteristic of cassava flour is relatively similar to wheat flour. Cassava flour has the potential to substitute 70-80% of wheat flour as the main ingredient for wet noodle production. Unfortunately, cassava flour has no gluten and lower protein content than wheat flour, which is important for the characteristic of a wet noodle. Therefore, transglutaminase (MTGase) is often applied in non-gluten products to improve its texture. This enzyme catalyzes the reaction between lysine and glutamine to form isopeptide cross-links. Moreover, the addition of MTGase to cassava-based wet noodle improves its texture and color. In addition, this effect gives better palatability for wet noodle. This enzyme can increase the shelf life of wet noodles and safe for our health. The present study demonstrates with patent and literature data the potential of MTGase in noodles based on cassava flour.

Background: The health benefits of dietary fibers have been proved for a long time. The importance of microbiota has been identified in human health and there is a growing interest to study the factors affecting it. Objective: This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of fiber and whole grains (WGs) on human gut microbiota in a patent-based review. Methods: All related clinical trials were systematically searched on PubMed and Scopus search engines from inception up to Feb 2020. Interventional human studies reporting changes in microbiota by using any type of grains/fibers were included. The following information was extracted: date of the publication, location and design of the study, sample size, study population, demographic characteristics, the amount of dietary WGs/fiber, the duration of intervention, the types of grains or fibers, and changes in the composition of the microbiota. Results: Of 138 studies which were verified, 35 studies with an overall population of 1080 participants, met the inclusion criteria and entered the systematic review. The results of interventional trials included in this review suggest some beneficial effects of consuming different amounts and types of WGs and fibers on the composition of intestinal microbiota. Most included studies showed that the intake of WGs and fibers increases bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and reduces the pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and clostridia in the human gut. Conclusion: The consumption of WGs/fibers may modify the intestinal microbiota and promote the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Nevertheless, further research is warranted in different populations and pathological conditions.

Background: Pistacia atlantica Desf. (Anacardiaceae) has various applications for dietetic and medicinal purposes. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate antioxidant, antiproliferative and anticholinesterase activities of different extracts from leaf and stem of Pistacia atlantica Desf. Methods: The antioxidant activity was performed by four methods: DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC and reducing power assays. Anti-cholinesterase activity was performed against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes. Antiproliferative assays were investigated against HeLa cell lines using xCELLigence RTCA instrument. The secondary metabolites composition was established by HPLC-TOF/MS analysis. Results: In DPPH, reducing power and in ABTS^.+ scavenging activity, all the extracts showed strong inhibitory activity compared to synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), in which the activities were almost equal to the two standards. The results were less significant in CUPRAC assay. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts exhibited the best antioxidant activity in all tests. Moreover, P. atlantica extracts inhibited AChE and BChE activities in a dose-dependent manner. The strongest AChE and BuChE inhibition activities were obtained for EtOAc extract of the stem (IC50 values 15.14± 0.74 and 24.01μ0.21 μg/mL, respectively) compared to galantamine (IC50 values 6.27±1.15 and 34.75±1.99 μg/mL, respectively). P. atlantica extracts also showed significant antiproleferative activity against HeLa cell lines, the best antiproleferative activity was obtained for the methanol and EtOAc extracts. The observed biological activities can be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the extracts. The HPLC-TOF/MS analysis identified the presence of 22 phytochemicals. Gallic acid and rutin were the main compounds detected. Cichoric, gentisic, vanillic, protocatechuic and rosmarinic acids as well as catechin and quercetin were also present. Conclusion: This study demonstrated good antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antiproliferative activities of P. atlantica extracts, which opens up new possibilities for pharmaceutical and food industries.

Background: Diarrhea and malnutrition are major health problems in developing countries. Inflammation, high oxidative stress, poor nutritional status, and fatty liver were encountered during such diseases. Patents for diarrhea and malnutrition management (WO2007/130882A2, WO00/37106A1, WO2014/152420, and CA2987364A1) were published. Objective: The objective was to introduce anti-diarrhea functional foods with a preventive effect on malnutrition. Methods: Two processing techniques were applied for preparing functional foods (formula 1 ingredients were made into cookies followed by grinding; formula 2 ingredients were pre-cooked, dried, and mixed in powder form) that were evaluated in a rat model of diarrhea with malnutrition (DM). Formula 2 was also assessed when mixed with nucleotides. The ingredients were edible plants that possess an anti-diarrheal effect with high protein sources (legumes and casein). Results: Induction of diarrhea with malnutrition, high oxidative stress, inflammation, accumulation of liver fat, and histopathological changes were demonstrated in DM control compared to normal control. The functional foods produced variable improvement in growth curves, food efficiency ratio, hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma zinc, protein, albumin, globulin, lipase activity, and MDA. Formula 1 was superior in improving intestinal histopathology while formula 2 was more efficient in elevating plasma iron. Formula 2 with nucleotides was the best in improving growth curves, alkaline phosphatase, and reducing liver fat. Intestinal mucosa reduced glutathione and nitrite showed an efficient significant reduction on treatment with formula 2 with or without nucleotides. The formulas showed an anti-diarrheal effect by improving feces weight and moisture content. Conclusion: Studied functional foods showed an anti-diarrheal effect and malnutrition improvement with different degrees.