Non-extractable Procyanidins and Lignin are Important Factors in the Bile Acid Binding and Radical Scavenging Properties of Cell Wall Material in some Fruits

The cell wall components and the food functions of alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) of Chinese quince, quince, hawthorn, apple, pear and blueberry fruits were analyzed. Chinese quince contained characteristically high contents of cellulose, lignin, and non-extractable procyanidins (NEPCs). On the other hand, the quince AIS contained the highest proportion of NEPCs, the highest mean degree of polymerization (mDP), the strongest radical scavenging activity, and strong bile acid binding activity. In fruit AIS, the lignin and NEPC contents both showed positive correlations with the bile acid binding and radical scavenging activities. The value for mDP x NEPC content was a good index for the radical scavenging activity. The results suggest that highly polymerized NEPCs and lignin are important factors of cell wall components of fruits to having a high functionality, and Chinese quince and quince are interesting fruits from this view point.ArticlePLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION. 66(1):70-77 (2011)journal articl

To live together with others : from Husserl's phenomenology of intersubjectivity

講演原稿This paper was read at the Renmin University of China, on the 20th September, 2016. I deeply appreciate prof. Li Kelin’ s organizing my seminar

On Dis/Ability in Husserl’s Phenomenology

Photograph taken by Salt Lake Tribune staf

Heat treatment of Chinese quince polyphenols increases rat plasma levels of protocatechuic and vanillic acids

The effect of heat-treated Chinese quince polyphenols on plasma antioxidant activity and the plasma levels of aromatic acids after oral administration to rats was investigated. The aqueous solution of Chinese quince polyphenols (CP) that had been extracted using 60% (v/v) acetone turned reddish during the heat treatment in the presence of citric acid. During the treatment, decreases in polymeric procyanidins and an increase in monomers, dimers and oligomers were observed. In the oral administration study, CP subjected to 2 h of heat treatment (CPT-2) caused a significant increase in antioxidant activity as assessed by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method. In addition, CP, CP + citric acid and CP subjected to 8 h of heat treatment (CPT-8) also tended to increase the FRAP value but the increase was not significant. Of the plasma aromatic acids detected, protocatechuic acid increased in all rats given the polyphenols. Vanillic acid increased significantly in rats given CPT-2 and CPT-8, reflecting a facilitatory effect of heat treatment on the intestinal absorption of protocatechuic acid and subsequent conversion by catechol-O-methyl transferase. These results suggested that the heat-induced breakdown of Chinese quince polyphenols seems to be an effective method of leading to an elevation of plasma antioxidant activity and levels of aromatic acid that are health-benefiting compounds derived from procyanidins.ArticleFOOD CHEMISTRY. 118(3):757-763 (2010)journal articl