Encapsulation of bioactive compounds extracted from date palm seeds (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and their use in functional food

Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Hashim, Huang, Nadtochii, Baranenko, Boulkrane and El-Messery.Liposomes have been used as a novel phytoconstituent delivery system to encapsulate lyophilized palm seed phenolic extract (PSPE) and incorporate it into yogurt as a food model to enhance the bioavailability of PSPE. Phenolic compounds were extracted with aqueous ethanol from palm seed powder using the solvent-maceration approach assisted by ultrasonication. Lyophilized PSPE (0.2–1% w/v) was enclosed in a liposome structure coated with or without chitosan (primary/secondary liposome). Particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to investigate the primary and secondary liposomes. To assess the in vitro bioaccessibility of PSPE and primary/secondary liposomes, the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity were studied during the oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion stages. Three concentrations of lyophilized secondary liposomes (1.25, 2.5, and 3.75% w/v) were added to the yogurt food model. During the 14 days of storage, the physical, chemical, and sensory properties were assessed. Compared to the primary liposomes (87%), the secondary liposomes (91%) showed a higher encapsulation efficiency. Comparing the secondary liposomes to the original liposomes and the non-encapsulated PSPE, the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds was improved. Fortified yogurt with secondary liposomes had a lower syneresis and viscosity than the reference yogurt. The encapsulated PSPE provided a good level of protection, and its release increased throughout the intestinal phase. Thus, PSPE in a microencapsulated form has been proven to be a rich and cost-effective source of phenolics that can be used successfully to produce functional yogurt.Peer reviewe

Vitamin D and depression in women: a mini-review

Affective-related disorders, including depression are constantly rising, complicating people’s personal life style increasing disqualification and hospital care. Because of the high intensity of urbanization, our lifestyle and food altered dramatically in the last twenty years. These food modifications have been associated to scores of depression and other affective-related disorders in urbanized countries with high economic levels. Nutrients imbalance is considered as one of the critical causes enabling to the pathophysiological mechanisms for the development of psychiatric disorders. Application of additional nutritional interventions for treatment of mood deteriorations can be beneficial for both the prophylaxis and therapy of affective-related disorders. Thise paper will reviews recent research on the relation of Vitamin D levels and the epidemiology of depression in women. In this paper we will provide an overview of the results of a variety of different studies taking on board research which both suggests and refutes an association. Based on these findings we will propose important directions for future research in relation to this topic

Enhancing date seed phenolic bioaccessibility in soft cheese through a dehydrated liposome delivery system and its effect on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

IntroductionThe consumption of dairy products, including soft cheese, has been associated with numerous health benefits due to their high nutritional value. However, the phenolic compounds bioaccessibility present in soft cheese is limited due to their poor solubility and stability during digestion. So, this study aimed to develop an innovative soft cheese enriched with date seed phenolic compounds (DSP) extracted ultrasonically and incorporated into homogeneous liposomes and study its attenuation effect on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats.MethodsDate seed phenolic compounds were extracted using 98 and 50% ethanol along with water as solvents, employing ultrasonication at 10, 20, and 30-min intervals. The primary and secondary DSP-liposomes were prepared and dehydrated. The particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and morphology were measured. Incorporating dehydrated liposomes (1–3% w/w) into soft cheese and their impact on BPH using male Sprague–Dawley rats was assessed. After inducing BPH, rats were fed a cheese diet with dehydrated DSP-liposomes. Over 8 weeks, parameters including nutrition parameters, prostate enlargement analysis, biochemical parameters, hormones level, oxidative stress, and cytokines were analyzed.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction effectively reduced the extraction time and 30 min extraction EtOH 50% was enough to extract high yield of phenolic compounds (558 mg GA/g) and flavonoids (55 mg qu/g) with high antioxidant activity (74%). The biological results indicate that prostate weight and prostate index% were diminished in the treatment groups (1 and 2) compared to the BPH control group. The high antioxidant content present in the DSP-liposomes acted as the catalyst for suppressing the responses of the inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting the anti-inflammatory IL-10 production, and suppressing the elevated levels of lipid peroxidation products compared to the BPH group.ConclusionThe treatment group (2) supplemented with dehydrated secondary DSP-liposomes exhibited the most significant variance (p < 0.05) as opposed to the BPH group. Liposomal encapsulation was proved to be a feasible approach for administering DSP in soft cheese, thereby establishing new functional food category possessing prophylactic properties against the advancement of BPH in rats

Increasing of Food and Bioenergy Potato Resources by Microbial Influence on Tubers Phytohormonal Status

Potato and its by-products became a promising both food and bioenergy resource. The determination of the bacteriaantagonists influence on phytohormone status and productivity of potato tubers was studied. The indole-3-acetic acid content during the dormancy end and germinating in the tubers treated with Bacillus subtilis Ch-13 was fewer than in the control samples. L-tryptophan significant quantity compared to the control was found in the treated tubers in a state of physiological dormancy (more than 2-fold) and especially during active germination (43 times greater). Average potato yield increase at treated fields was of 18.8 %

Increasing of Food and Bioenergy Potato Resources by Microbial Influence on Tubers Phytohormonal Status

Potato and its by-products became a promising both food and bioenergy resource. The determination of the bacteria-antagonists influence on phytohormone status and productivity of potato tubers was studied. The indole-3-acetic acid content during the dormancy end and germinating in the tubers treated with Bacillus subtilis Ch-13 was fewer than in the control samples. L-tryptophan significant quantity compared to the control was found in the treated tubers in a state of physiological dormancy (more than 2-fold) and especially during active germination (43 times greater). Average potato yield increase at treated fields was of 18.8 %

EFFECT OF COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF CHITOSAN-BASED EDIBLE COATINGS ON MICROFLORA OF MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS

ABSTRACT Background. Analysis of the properties of various chitosan grades has resulted in a working hypothesis that chitosan can be used as part of protective fi lm-forming coatings for meat and meat products. The aim of this study was the research of composition, properties and antibacterial activity of chitosan-based coatings used for cold storage of meat and meat products. Material and methods. Protective coatings, developed by the authors, based on organic acids and chitosan with food gelatin, or distarch glycerol, or wheat fi ber, or sodium alginate, or guar gum have been used as research material. The coatings were applied on the surfaces of retail cuts of veal and rabbit meat, boiled sausages, smoked sausages and smoked-boiled pork brisket. Antimicrobial activity of the solutions was evaluated in vitro. Microbial indicators of the mixtures were also determined by the zone of inhibition assay. Dynamic viscosity, the activation energy of viscous fl ow and pH of mixtures of fl uids were measured. During the storage of meat and meat products total viable count of microorganisms was determined. Results. Polymer solutions of chitosan:starch and chitosan:gelatin are technologicaly compatible, solutions of chitosan:fi ber are two-phase colloidal systems. Coatings did not alter the samples inherent fl avour characteristics. All coatings reduced total viable count of microorganisms compared to control samples without coating. Composition based on 2% solution of chitosan and organic acids and 2% gelatin solution in a ratio of 1:1 has the strongest bacteriostatic effect for meat and meat products. Including potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in gelatin and chitosan solutions mixture for protective coating was not found reasonable, because of their lower bacteriostatic effect. Combined application of vacuum and protective coatings provided the strongest suppressing effect on microfl ora in all samples. Conclusions. The chitosan-based edible coatings developed can be used to increase the shelf life and improve the microbial safety parameters of meat and meat products. The results of this study indicate that coatings have bigger stabilising effect on samples with the least amount of basic hurdle factors, in other words on most shelf unstable products

Low Temperature Refrigeration as an Alternative Anti-Pest Treatment of Dates

Large amounts of dates are produced and consumed around the world each year. Apomyelois ceratoniae causes main losses during storage and export of date fruit. Fumigation is the most widely used treatment to prevent postharvest losses. However, this treatment negatively affects the biological value of dates, environmental and economic parameters of production. Widespread fumigation agent methyl bromide is toxic to a human body and contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer. The aim of the current work was to find a new method based on the use of low temperature refrigeration to reduce the pest and insect infestation preserving the nutritive value of dates during cold storage at the same time. A. ceratoniae mortality under different temperatures and dates respiration rate, sugar, organic acids, pectic substances content and sensorial characteristics were studied. The results indicate that at −18 °С the A. ceratonie larva dies within 2 h, the eggs and larvae - within 24 h respectively. Thus, it is clearly shown that there is no need in using chemicals or irradiation to prevent dates pests. Physicochemical and organoleptic proprieties of dates were satisfactory during 360 d at −18 °С and during 180 d at +4 °С. The low temperature refrigeration and storage at −18 °С is recommended for dates to prevent pests and quality losses. It is apparently advantageous for environment and climate if compared with other anti-pest treatment variants

GHG Performance Evaluation in Green Deal Context

Recently introduced European Green Deal has set a target for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This ambitious commitment will bring a serious challenge for the EU. However, the degree of this challenge will not be the same to all EU member states. In this paper, the multi-criteria decision analysis is applied to rank eight selected EU countries (Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden) regarding GHG performance, and thus illustrate different starting points of the transition to carbon-neutrality. In parallel to the widely used indicator of GHG emissions per capita, evaluation incorporates various other criteria covering energy consumption, population size, and the use of renewable energy and fossil fuel, as well as investment and tax rates. TOPSIS analysis shows that the best GHG performance is achieved by Sweden, while Latvia ranks the lowest. The presented evaluation method could be a useful tool in planning implementation of policies to reach Green Deal settings on European, as well as on a national level

Differential Dynamics of the Levels of Low Molecular Weight DNA Fragments in the Plasma of Patients With Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes

Introduction: To evaluate Low-Molecular-Weight (LMW) DNA as a possible prognostic biomarker in acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Methods: LMW DNA samples were isolated from plasma and cerebrospinal fluid by phenol deproteinization, analyzed by gradient polyacrylamide electrophoresis and quantified by spectrophotometry. Results: Two common types of stroke, i.e. ischemic and hemorrhagic, differ by the temporal dynamics of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) accumulation. In hemorrhagic stroke, an initial increase in LMW DNA levels, most likely reflects an extent of the tissue damage, while in ischemic patients, the LMW DNA levels increase in parallel with the damage caused by hypoxia and subsequent compensatory reperfusion. Conclusion: These time-course data specify optimal assessment windows with maximum differentiating power for stroke outcomes: 24-48 hours post-event for ischemic stroke, and as close as possible to the moment of hospital admission for hemorrhagic stroke. These data also indicate the role of apoptosis in the formation of ischemic focus

Alternative “Green” Antimicrobial Agents Obtained by Selective Sorption from Lactobacillus plantarum Culture

According to the world health organization report from September 2016, the development of pathogenic bacteria resistance to antimicrobial drugs is one of the most important problems of the modern medicine. In this regard, the urgent task is the search for alternative antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections. One approach to solving this problem is obtaining antimicrobial compounds synthesized by probiotic lactic acid bacteria. The probiotic strain of Lactobacillus plantarum 8P-A3, was chosen to study its antimicrobial action. This strain produces at least two bacteriocins – plantaricin EF and plantaricin NC8. The chromatographic isolation of peptide fractions from the supernatant was carried out using a polymer sorbent based on methacrylic acid and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate. Optimal parameters for chromatographic process were determined. It is shown that all the target biologically active substances were bound with the sorbent in sorption at acidic pH values. Elution was performed in isocratic mode. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained peptide fractions against indicator culture was determined by turbidimetric method. During incubation process, the turbidity of the microbial suspension was determined by measuring the optical density at λ = 600 nm. It is revealed that the fraction obtained at rinse by eluent with pH 8 has the maximum inhibitory ability. Сhromatomass-spectrometry analysis of the peptide fraction was carried out using Shimadzu LCMS-8040.The antimicrobial activity of the fraction is comparable to the action of ampicillin against gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. To confirm the peptide nature of the antimicrobial activity of the fraction, an indicator culture was incubated with the fraction treated with proteolytic enzymes (trypsin). It is determined the fraction can be stored at −18 °C and saves antimicrobial properties after defrosting