Vegetable Proteins: Non-sensitizing Encapsulation Agents for Bioactive Compounds

Plant-derived proteins are remarkable macromolecules of scientific interest because they represent an alternative to the animal-derived proteins and petroleum-derived polymers. Many food proteins especially those derived from animal sources could act as antigens in humans. For instance, milk proteins extracted from cows may cause food intolerance during infancy. Further, soybean, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish and egg proteins may act as antigens in 90% of children. Since the GI tract is permeable to intact antigens the oral intake of these proteins may generate gastrointestinal (50–80%), cutaneous (20-40%) and respiratory symptoms (4–25%). Most of these allergens are water-soluble glycoproteins that are resistant to acids and enzymes. Usually, these proteins have a small molecular weight (10,000–60,000 kDa), water solubility, glycosylation residues, and a relative resistance to heat and digestion. Allergenicity is less frequent in vegetable proteins due to their less flexible and non-compact structure. Allergenicity is also related to the resistance to proteolysis, post-translational glycosylation, presence of epitopes, and enzymatic proteolysis. Moreover, proteins serve as a coating material if structural modifications in the protein, either by physical, chemical or enzymatic mechanisms are conducted. As a result, their allergenicity is reduced, and their functional properties are enhanced

Vegetable proteins as potential encapsulation agents : a review

ABSTRACT: Proteins from plant sources are macromolecules of industrial interest due to its high availability, biodegradability, renewable character and functional properties such as biocompatibility, good amphiphilic properties, water solubility, foaming, emulsifying, gelling and film-forming abilities. In this scenario, these macromolecules have a high applicability in various emulsification stabilization processes, and have a potential use as a wall-forming material for the encapsulation processes of active ingredients. Currently, proteins extracted from soybean, pea, sunflower, rice and wheat seeds have already been studied as versatile stabilizers and emulsion coatings by coacervation and encapsulation processes by spray-drying. However, the capsule-forming ability of these macromolecules is enhanced by physical, chemical or enzymatic changes in their structure, favoring the interactions with the core material, the solvent, and increase of the encapsulation efficiency and its versatility in other encapsulation techniques

Optimization of pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration of the cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) using the response surface methodology

The objective of this study was to optimize mass transfer during pulsed vacuum osmotic dehydration (PVOD) of cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana L.) by means of the surface response methodology. The effects of the factors temperature (25-45ºC), solids (50-70ºBrix), rotation speed (60-100 rpm), pressure (50-100 mbar) and number of vacuum pulses (1-3) on osmotic dehydration, weight reduction percentage (WR), water loss percentage (WL), and solid gain percentage (SG%) were assessed. Sucrose syrup at a 5/1 syrup/fruit ratio was used for 2 h. The results provided 45ºC, 70ºBrix, 99.99 rpm, 98.92 mbar and 2.87 pulse vacuum, for a WR of 47.52%, WL of 21.12%, and SG of 118.40% as the optimal conditions. Mathematic models were adjusted to the optimal conditions to describe the PVOD kinetics of cape gooseberries. Azuara’s penetration empiric model, a phenomenological model from the solution of Fick’s second law, and Peleg’s empiric model were used. The latter adjusted better to the experiment data

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Annatto Seeds, Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity, and Identification of Main Compounds by LC/ESI-MS Analysis

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity (i.e., against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and the antioxidant activity (i.e., ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH) ofannatto seeds extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. A response surface design with three levels such as pH (2-11), solvent concentration (50-96 %), seed-to-solvent ratio (1:2–1:10), and treatment time (0-30min) was employed to determine the optimal experimental conditions. Thus, a pH of 7.0, seed-to-solvent ratio of 1:7, and treatment time of 20 min were selected as optimal rendering an extract having a 0.62% of bixin, 3.81 mg gallic acid/mg equivalent of polyphenol compounds (ABTS 1035.7, FRAP 424.7, and DPPH 1161.5 µM trolox/L), and a minimal inhibitory concentration against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus of 32 and 16 mg/L, respectively. Further, the main bioactive compounds identified by LC/ESI-MS were bixin and catechin, chlorogenic acid, chrysin, butein, hypolaetin, licochalcone A, and xanthohumol

Optimization of osmotic dehydration of pineapple (ananas comosus l.) using the response surface methodology

The response surface methodology was used to optimize the effects of temperature (25 - 45⁰C) and citric acid concentration (0.5 - 2.5% w/w) in osmotic dehydration of pineapple in a sucrose solution. A 32 factorial design was used with weight loss (WL, %), moisture loss (ML, %) and solid gain (SG, %) as responses. The models obtained for all the responses were significant (P≤0.05) without a significant lack of fit. The results suggest that WL, ML and SG can reach 42.62%, 36.54% and 292.16% respectively, after 4 to 6 h of the process, with 100% sensory acceptance and reductions in microbial counts of more than two log cycles, using the conditions defined by the optimization (44.99⁰C and 2.48% citric acid)

Optimization of the Microwave-Assisted Extraction Process of Bioactive Compounds from Annatto Seeds (Bixa orellana L.)

ABSTRACT: This study deals with the extraction, optimization, and evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bioactive compounds obtained from the seeds of annatto using microwave-assisted extraction as compared to leaching. Annatto seeds were subjected to a microwave treatment of 2450 MHz and power of 700 watts using a response surface design involving four factors: pH (4–11), solvent concentration (ethanol) (50–96%), solvent-to-seed ratio (2–10), and microwave exposure time (0–5 min). The contents of polyphenol compounds and bixin were taken as response variables. Subsequently, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were assessed at the optimal processing conditions predicted by the experimental design. Microwaves, solvent concentration, and the solvent-to-seed ratio showed a statistically significant effect for the extraction of polyphenol compounds and bixin. Thus, microwaves accelerated the extraction of those compounds and the slight increase in temperature caused some degradation of the polyphenol compounds. The microwave-assisted extraction increased the contents of polyphenols and bixin along with their antioxidant activity as compared to leaching extraction. However, this technique does not significantly improve the antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus

Use of Plant Proteins as Microencapsulating Agents of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Annatto Seeds (Bixa orellana L.)

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the thermal stability of the bioactive compounds from annatto seed extract, encapsulated by ionic gelation using quinoa proteins, lentil proteins, soy proteins, and sodium caseinate as carrying materials. The 10.0% aqueous dispersions of the different proteins (carriers) were prepared and mixed with the annatto seed extract. The dispersions were then extruded into a calcium chloride solution to induce the extract encapsulation. The capsules were characterized by encapsulation efficiency, particle size, infrared transmission spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, the polyphenol compounds, and bixin content from the free and encapsulated extract were assessed once stored for 12 d at different temperatures (4 ◦C, 25 ◦C, and 65 ◦C). The results demonstrated the ability of the proteins to encapsulate the annatto extract with encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 58% to 80%, where the protein structure and amino acid content were the relevant factors to obtain high encapsulation efficiencies. The free extracts stored at 65 ◦C for 12 d experienced a degradation of bixin and polyphenol compounds, respectively. Conversely, the encapsulated extract had degradations from ~34.00% to ~4.05% for polyphenol compounds and ~20.0% for bixin, respectively. These proteins have a potential encapsulation capacity of annatto extract by ionic gelation

Evaluation of agraz consumption on adipocytokines, inflammation, and oxidative stress markers in women with metabolic syndrome

ABSTRACT: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by increased oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state. Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (known as “agraz”) is a berry rich in polyphenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of agraz consumption on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in women with MetS. Forty women with MetS (47 ± 9 years) were randomly assigned to consume daily either 200 mL of agraz nectar or placebo over four weeks in a double-blind, cross-over design study, separated by a 4-week washout period. Metabolic and inflammatory markers in serum and antioxidant/oxidative stress markers in serum and urine were assessed at the end of each period. Serum antioxidant capacity measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was significantly higher (p = 0.028), while urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was lower (p = 0.041) after agraz consumption, compared to placebo. In conclusion, consumption of agraz during four weeks increased serum antioxidant capacity and decreased a marker of DNA oxidative damage in women with MetS, compared to placebo. These results suggest that agraz consumption may play a protective role in patients with MetS

Effect of Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) on high-density lipoprotein function and inflammation in women with metabolic syndrome

ABSTRACT: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with low-grade inflammation and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) dysfunction. Polyphenol-rich foods may improve these alterations. Agraz is a fruit rich in polyphenols (mainly anthocyanins); however, there is limited information about its effects on human health. We evaluated the effects of agraz consumption as compared to placebo on HDL function and inflammation in women with MetS. Forty volunteers (25–60 years) were included in this double-blind crossover study. Women consumed agraz or placebo over 4 weeks; separated by a 4-week washout period. HDL function (apoliprotein-A1; paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity; cholesterol efflux capacity), oxidative stress (myeloperoxidase (MPO), advanced oxidation protein products) and inflammatory markers (serum cytokines/chemokines and peripheral blood mononuclear cell nuclear factor-kB) were measured after each period. Compared to placebo, agraz consumption did not significantly change any of the biomarkers measured. Interestingly, only after agraz period there were significant positive correlations between PON1 activities and cholesterol efflux. Additionally, there were significant inverse correlations between changes in inflammatory markers and HDL function markers and positive correlations with oxidative markers. Although polyphenol-rich foods have been shown to be beneficial for certain conditions; polyphenol-rich agraz fruit consumption did not impact inflammation and HDL function in the current study of women with MetS

Physico-chemical characterization and antioxidant capacity of the colombian berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) with a high-polyphenol content: potential effects in people with metabolic syndrome

ABSTRACT: Colombian berry (agraz) has demonstrated a high antioxidant content in vitro. In the present study, it was elaborated and characterized an agraz nectar, designed a placebo with similar physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of the agraz nectar, but without polyphenols; and evaluated their antioxidant capacity both in vitro and in vivo in adults with cardiovascular risk factors. The polyphenolic concentration of the agraz nectar and its antioxidant capacity was superior than other reported for this fruit. A high content of total cyanidins was observed in the freeze-dried agraz, but not delphinin was detected by HPLC. For the intervention study, sixty-six subjects, with at least three cardiometabolic risk factors, consumed agraz nectar or placebo daily during 4 weeks each, separated by a 4-week washout period. Total phenol concentration and antioxidant capacity in the participants’ serum were not statistically different after consuming agraz nectar and placebo. However, women increased significantly their serum DPPH scavenging capacity after consuming agraz nectar, compared to placebo. This is one of the first studies showing data about the effects of this colombian berry on the antioxidant capacity in people with metabolic syndrome