Stability of Nano-encapsulated Rice Bran Derived Bioactive Pentapeptide in Apple Juice

Cereal grains and their components derived Bioactive compounds such as rice bran can promote health and can be derived from Rice bran contains 12-20 % protein and could be a good source for extracting bioactive peptides. A pentapeptide with a secqunce of amino acids Glu-Gln-Arg-Pro-Arg (EQRPR) has been prepared from heat stablized defatted rice bran (HDRB) and has demonstrated anti-cancer proprerties in-vitro. This bioactive pentapeptide can thus be used as a nutraceutical by incorporating it into a suitable food system. Fruit juces can be vehicles to incorporate this pentapeptide. Fruit juices contribute to about 60% of the consumed beverages in the U.S. However, the stability of the pentapeptide in beverages can be a problem due to possible interactions with other components. Nano-encapsulation is a novel and promising technique that can be used to deliver bioactive ingredients into food systems. This study involves the use of a nano-encapsulating technique to protect the bioactive pentapeptide, incorporating the encapsulated pentapeptide into apple juice (model system), and testing for the stability of the peptide. The null hypothesis of the study: The Nano-encapsulated pentapeptide shall degrade over time when incorporated in apple juice and the alternate hypothesis that the Nano-encapsulated pentapeptide incorporated apple juice shall be stable over a storage period of 6 months or more. The specific objectives of this research were to: (1) prepare nanoparticles using polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) to encapsulate the rice bran pentapeptide, (2) incorporate the encapsulated pentapeptide into apple juice, (3) evaluate the stability of incorporated pentapeptide at 4◦C for 6 months. Nanoparticles that can deliver three different concentrations (200/ 400/and 600 µg/ml) of pentapeptide were prepared, and the particle size were measured using a laser particle size analyzer. Apple juice containing nanoparticles (loaded with pentapeptide) was ultra-centrifuged to separate nanoparticles, and the supernatant was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) C18 column reverse phase (RP) to test the stability of pentapeptide. Physical properties of the apple juice were studied which included the evaluation of color, microbial count total, acidity (pH), and soluble solid (TSS) during storage period of 60 days. A particle size ranging from 81 to 83 nm was observed, and the results indicated that there were no significant changes in the size over the storage period (0 - 60 days). There was no microbial growth observed in the prepared apple juice samples. Total Soluble Solids content was 11.0 ºBrix for the controls and 31.0 ºBrix for the Nano-encapsulated pentapeptide. The stability of pentapeptide at prepared concentrations: 200, 400 and 600µg/ml in water at pH of 3.7 at 0th day was: 200ug/mL - 87 %, 400ug/mL - 97%, 600ug/mL - 91%) and in apple juice was: 200ug/mL - 96%, 400ug/mL - 98%, 600ug/mL - 94 %. The stability of pentapeptide at 60th day in water was: 200ug/mL - 41%, 400ug/mL - 60%, 600ug/mL - 55%, and in apple juice was: 200ug/mL - 60%, 400ug/mL - 67%, 600ug/mL - 59%. The Nano-encapsulated pentapeptide in water at pH of 3.7 and apple juice was stable over the storage period of 60 days, which implies that the nanoparticles were effective in protecting the bioactive pentapeptide in the acidic environment of apple juice. The PLGA nanoparticles showed a remarkable effect in protecting and stabilizing the bioactive compounds (pentapeptide) during the shelf life at 4ºC. Polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles can thus be a promising carrier for the bioactive pentapeptide when incorporated into a juice medium

Comparative Quantification of the Phenolic Compounds, Piperine Content, and Total Polyphenols along with the Antioxidant Activities in the <i>Piper trichostachyon</i> and <i>P. nigrum</i>

India is the largest producer in the world of black pepper and it is the center of origin for Piper. The present study gives a comparative account of the chemical composition of the Piper nigrum and its wild putative parent the P. trichostachyon. Microextractions were performed and the quantification of six phenolic compounds (namely epicatechin, gallic acid, catechol, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and catechin), piperine from leaves, petioles, and the fruits of both the species, were accomplished using the RP-UFLC system. The polyphenols (phenolic, flavonoid) and their antioxidant activities were also estimated. Among the six phenolic compounds studied, only three were detected and quantified. The polyphenol content correlating to the antioxidant activities was higher in the P. trichostachyon, whereas the piperine content was 108 times greater in the P. nigrum fruits. The Piper trichostachyon comparatively showed a higher content of polyphenols. The microextractions reduced the solvent consumption, the quantity of the plant material, and the amount of time used for the extraction. The first report on the TPC, TF, and the antioxidant activity of the P. trichostachyon has been described, and it also forms a scientific basis for its use in traditional medicine. The petioles of both species are good sources of phenolic compounds. A quantitative chemical analysis is a useful index in the identification and comparison of the species

Anthocyanin Delivery Systems: A Critical Review of Recent Research Findings

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are polyphenolic, water-soluble pigments, and phytochemicals, which in recent years, have garnered the interest of consumers, researchers, and industries for their various potential preventative and/or therapeutic health benefits and applications in the food industry. ACN-based processed foods have emerged as functional foods with significant therapeutic potential against various health conditions. However, their wider application in food and pharmaceutical formulations is hindered by their inherent instability under different environmental conditions, such as pH, light, and temperature, rendering them non-functional due to loss of biological activity. The current review focuses on the frequently used bio-based encapsulation materials for ACN-based delivery systems and their formulation techniques. Various bio-based materials including pectin, gums, pectin, proteins, lipids, phospholipids, and their conjugates are being widely used for targeted delivery and controlled release of bioactive compounds and drugs. The incorporation of advanced technologies seems to be promising in the context of extraction, encapsulation, and storage of ACNs. However, more comprehensive studies are required for the application of encapsulated ACNs in various food products, and improvements in their stability under different processing conditions

Anthocyanin Delivery Systems: A Critical Review of Recent Research Findings

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are polyphenolic, water-soluble pigments, and phytochemicals, which in recent years, have garnered the interest of consumers, researchers, and industries for their various potential preventative and/or therapeutic health benefits and applications in the food industry. ACN-based processed foods have emerged as functional foods with significant therapeutic potential against various health conditions. However, their wider application in food and pharmaceutical formulations is hindered by their inherent instability under different environmental conditions, such as pH, light, and temperature, rendering them non-functional due to loss of biological activity. The current review focuses on the frequently used bio-based encapsulation materials for ACN-based delivery systems and their formulation techniques. Various bio-based materials including pectin, gums, pectin, proteins, lipids, phospholipids, and their conjugates are being widely used for targeted delivery and controlled release of bioactive compounds and drugs. The incorporation of advanced technologies seems to be promising in the context of extraction, encapsulation, and storage of ACNs. However, more comprehensive studies are required for the application of encapsulated ACNs in various food products, and improvements in their stability under different processing conditions

Stilbenes, a Versatile Class of Natural Metabolites for Inflammation—An Overview

Stilbenes are polyphenolic allelochemicals synthesized by plants, especially grapes, peanuts, rhubarb, berries, etc., to defend themselves under stressful conditions. They are now exploited in medicine for their antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the immune system’s response to invading bacteria, toxic chemicals or even nutrient-deprived conditions. It is characterized by the release of cytokines which can wreak havoc on healthy tissues, worsening the disease condition. Stilbenes modulate NF-κB, MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways, and reduce the transcription of inflammatory factors which result in maintenance of homeostatic conditions. Resveratrol, the most studied stilbene, lowers the Michaelis constant of SIRT1, and occupies the substrate binding pocket. Gigantol interferes with the complement system. Besides these, oxyresveratrol, pterostilbene, polydatin, viniferins, etc., are front runners as drug candidates due to their diverse effects from different functional groups that affect bioavailability and molecular interactions. However, they each have different thresholds for toxicity to various cells of the human body, and thus a careful review of their properties must be conducted. In animal models of autoinflammatory diseases, the mode of application of stilbenes is important to their absorption and curative effects, as seen with topical and microemulsion gel methods. This review covers the diversity seen among stilbenes in the plant kingdom and their mechanism of action on the different inflammatory pathways. In detail, macrophages’ contribution to inflamed conditions in the liver, the cardiac, connective and neural tissues, in the nephrons, intestine, lungs and in myriad other body cells is explored, along with detailed explanation on how stilbenes alleviate the symptoms specific to body site. A section on the bioavailability of stilbenes is included for understanding the limitations of the natural compounds as directly used drugs due to their rapid metabolism. Current delivery mechanisms include sulphonamides, or using specially designed synthetic drugs. It is hoped that further research may be fueled by this comprehensive work that makes a compelling argument for the exploitation of these compounds in medicine

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research