Comparison of Properties of Breads Enriched with Omega-3 Oil Encapsulated in β-Glucan and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Cells

  Background and objective: Flaxseed oil, as a potential source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, is susceptible to oxidation. Yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and β-glucan can be used as biocompatible and biodegradable matrices for the protection of this nutritious oil from oxidation in foods enriched with omega-3 fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate quality properties of breads containing encapsulated and free flaxseed oils. Materials and methods: Flaxseed oil was encapsulated in either yeast cells or β-glucan. Functional wheat bread samples were prepared using unencapsulated and encapsulated flaxseed oils. These were compared with control samples in terms of dough rheological and bread quality parameters. Results and conclusion: Encapsulation significantly increased dough rheological properties (G′ and G″ values), firmness and density and decreased lightness, compared to control samples. Breads, containing flaxseed oil encapsulated in yeast cells, showed a lower peroxide index and a higher α-linolenic acid value, compared to two other samples containing oil samples. This showed a better protection of unsaturated fatty acids against deleterious oxidation reactions. Results of this study indicate that addition of microencapsulated flaxseed oil into breads helps preserve sensory properties of the control sample, compared to breads fortified with free flaxseed oil. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Detoxification activity of bioactive food compounds against ethanol‐induced injuries and hangover symptoms: A review

Abstract Alcohol drinking is a popular activity among adolescents in many countries, largely due to its pleasant, relaxing effects. As a major concern, ethanol consumption put the drinkers at risk of nutrients' deficiency due to the disordered eating, anorexia, and malabsorption of nutrients. Moreover, alcohol drinking may lead to the development of hangover symptoms including diarrhea, thirsty, fatigue, and oxidative stress. A broad range of functional food components with antioxidant and/or anti‐inflammatory properties including pectin, aloe vera polysaccharides, chito‐oligosaccharides, and other herbal components have been explored due to their detoxification effects against ethanol. The underlying anti‐hangover mechanisms include reducing the intestinal absorption of ethanol or its metabolites, increasing the activity of ethanol metabolizing enzymes, development of fatty acid β‐oxidation in mitochondria, inhibition of inflammatory response, blocking the target receptors of ethanol in the body, and possession of antioxidant activity under the oxidative stress developed by ethanol consumption. Therefore, the development of bioactive food‐based therapeutic formula can assist clinicians and also drinkers in the alleviation of alcohol side effects

Risk assessment of lead and cadmium concentrations in hen's eggs using Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract The hen egg is one of the main sources of cheap, great quality, and nutritious food. This study aimed at determining the level of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in hen eggs and at assessing the carcinogenic and non‐carcinogenic risks caused by the consumption of hen eggs collected in Iran. A total of 42 hen eggs from 17 major brands were randomly sampled from supermarkets. Lead and cadmium concentrations were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Additionally, using the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method to calculate dietary exposure, target hazard quotient (THQ), and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), the related human health risk associated with ingesting these hazardous metals for adults was evaluated. The average Pb and Cd concentrations in whole eggs were 7.16 ± 0.248, and 2.83 ± 0.151 μg kg−1, respectively, which were less than the maximum permitted levels, established by FAO/WHO and the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). Pb and Cd concentrations were significantly correlated at the 0.05 level (r = 0.350). Regarding the levels of Pb and Cd in eggs, overall, the estimated weekly intake (EWI) of these metals for adults by egg consumption was determined 0.014 and 0.007 mg/week, respectively, which were lower than the risk values suggested. The carcinogenic and non‐carcinogenic indexes of Cd and Pb indicated that the adult population in Iran was safe (THQ Pb and Cd <1, ILCR <10−6 Pb). It should be emphasized that this research primarily focuses on egg consumption, which may account for a relatively small portion of Iranian consumers' overall exposure to Pb and Cd. Therefore, a comprehensive study on the risk assessment of these metals through whole‐diet foods is recommended. The findings showed that lead and cadmium levels in all evaluated eggs were suitable for human consumption. Adults' Pb and Cd exposure from eating eggs was significantly lower than the risk levels established by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), per the exposure assessment. According to the THQ values of these dangerous metals, which were below one value, egg eating by Iranian consumers does not present a non‐carcinogenic risk. In addition, this finding provides accurate and reliable information for policymakers to improve food safety status to reduce public health hazards

Fatty acid (fa) compositions and trans content of frequently consumed edible oils and fats from Iran' market

In this study, trans FA (TFA) contents and also intakes of TFAs of frequently consumed edible oils and fats marketed in Iran were estimated. 6 brands in 4 groups of edible oils and fats (partially vegetable hydrogenated oils, non-hydrogenated vegetable oils, frying oils and margarines) were considered. The highest amount of TFA was found in partially vegetable hydrogenated oils (7.38%) and margarines (11.63%). Moreover, Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran has drastically decreased the TFA intake from 12.3 g/day in 2007 to 1.42 g/day in 2013 by planning121566

Characterization of microcapsule containing walnut (Juglans regia L.) green husk extract as preventive antioxidant and antimicrobial agent

Background: Walnut green husk (WGH) extract has been known as potential preventive and therapeutic antioxidants and antimicrobials due to its high polyphenol content. In this study, preparation of spray dried WGH extract-loaded microcapsules by maltodextrin and its blending with two other natural biodegradable polymers, pectin, or alginate were investigated. Methods: In this study, encapsulation efficiency (EE), total phenol content (Folin–Ciocalteu reagent method), antioxidant (DPPH scavenging assay) and antimicrobial activities (agar well diffusion method) structural (SEM and FTIR studies), and release properties of WGH extract-loaded microcapsules were investigated. Results: High retention of phenolic content in microcapsules indicated the successful encapsulation of WGH extract. Addition of biopolymers to maltodextrin matrix has a positive effect on EE and other properties of microcapsules. The microcapsules prepared with mixture of maltodextrin and pectin had higher EE (79.35 ± 0.87%) and total phenolic (TP) content (56.83 ± 1.04 mg gallic acid equivalents [GAE]/100 g) in comparison to maltodextrin and alginate mixture (EE: 75.21 ± 0.24%, TP content: 54.33 ± 1.53 mg GAE/100 g) and maltodextrin only matrix (EE: 72.50 ± 1.00%, TP content: 50.67 ± 1.35 mg GAE/100 g). Extract-loaded microcapsules also showed nearly spherical structure, good antioxidant (with the percentage DPPH inhibition ranged from 75.17 ± 1.42% to 80.87 ± 2.29%), and antimicrobial properties (with mean inhibition diameter zone ranged from 7.76 ± 0.86 mm to 11.53 ± 0.45 mm). Fourier transform infrared analyses suggested the presence of extract on microcapsules. The in vitro extract release from microcapsules followed an anomalous non-Fickian diffusion mechanism with almost complete release. Conclusions: WGH extract microcapsules can be used as novel and economic bioactive phytochemical and therapeutic agents to prevent oxidation and microbial activity