Optimisation of the production of fish gelatine nanoparticles as a carrier for sunflower-derived biopeptide

Gelatine obtained from fish skin has become a potential source of preparing nanoparticles and encapsulation of bioactive compounds. Within these fish skin, gelatine nanoparticles show potent benefits for application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. The encapsulated bioactive ingredients within nanoparticles have improved bioavailability, delivery properties, and solubility of the nutraceuticals within the human body and blood stream. Many of such bioactive peptides (biopeptides) are potent antioxidants; and as oxidative stress is the main cause of the onset of various chronic diseases, encapsulation of antioxidant biopeptides within fish gelatine nanoparticles could be a potential remedy to prevent or delay the onset of such diseases and for better health prospects. The purpose of the present work was to prepare a simple, safe, and reproducible novel food delivery nanoparticle system encapsulating a desirable antioxidant biopeptide. An optimisation study was conducted to produce a desirable size of gelatine nanoparticles which showed a higher encapsulation efficiency of an antioxidant biopeptide. Sunflower biopeptide was chosen as the antioxidant biopeptide, as the activity of this protein hydrolysate is quite high at DPPH of 89% and FRAP assay of 968 µm/L. Tilapia fish was used as gelatine source at an average yield of the process at 10% wt/wt. Effects of parameters such as pH, biopeptide concentration, and cross-linking agent ‘glutaraldehyde’ on the size, stability, and encapsulation efficiency on the nanoparticles were studied. The average diameter of the biopeptide loaded gelatine nanoparticle was between 228.3 and 1,305 nm. Encapsulation efficiency was 76% at an optimal pH of 2, glutaraldehyde concentration of 2 mL, and biopeptide concentration of 0.1 mg/mL exhibited DPPH at 92% and FRAP assay of 978 µm/L. To understand the absorption of sunflower biopeptide in stomach, blood stream, and biopeptide release of the gelatine nanoparticles, biopeptide loaded gelatine nanoparticles were subjected to simulated gastrointestinal conditions mimicking human stomach and intestine; and showed peptide release of 0.1464 and 0.277 mg/mL upon pepsin and pancreatin digestion, respectively

Non-Halal biomarkers identification based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (GC-TOF MS) techniques

Consumption of meat from halal (lawful) sources is essential for Muslims. The identification of non-halal meat is one of the main issues that face consumers in meat markets, especially in non-Islamic countries. Pig is one of the non-halal sources of meat, and hence pig meat and its derivatives are forbidden for Muslims to consume. Although several studies have been conducted to identify the biomarkers for nonhalal meats like pig meat, these studies are still in their infancy stages, and as a result there is no universal biomarker which could be used for clear cut identification. The purpose of this paper is to use Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (GC-TOF MS) techniques to study fat of pig, cow, lamb and chicken to find possible biomarkers for pig fat (lard) identification. FTIR results showed that lard and chicken fat have unique peaks at wavenumbers 1159.6 cm-1, 1743.4 cm-1, 2853.1 cm-1 and 2922.5 cm-1 compared to lamb and beef fats which did not show peaks at these wavenumbers. On the other hand, GC/MS-TOF results showed that the concentration of 1,2,3-trimethyl-Benzene, Indane, and Undecane in lard are 250, 14.5 and 1.28 times higher than their concentrations in chicken fat, respectively, and 91.4, 2.3 and 1.24 times higher than their concentrations in cow fat, respectively. These initial results clearly indicate that there is a possibility to find biomarkers for non-halal identification.Gunawan Witjaksono, Irwan Saputra, Marsad Latief, Irwandi Jaswir, Rini Akmeliawati, and Almur Abdelkreem Saeed Rabi

Viability of lactic acid bacteria, fatty acid profile and quality of cocoghurt made using local and commercial starters during fermentation

Cocoghurt is a novel fermentation product with coconut milk as the main raw ingredient. In this study, the starter concentration and fermentation time on the viability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and the fatty acid profile and quality of the cocoghurt were examined. Lactobacillus casei sub sp. casei R-68 and Streptococcus thermophilus were used as starter cultures. The results showed that 3.0% of the L. casei subsp. casei R-68 and S. thermophilus starters resulted in the optimal growth of LAB. Fermentation time significantly affected pH, total lactic acid, total LAB, and protein content but did not significantly influence ash, moisture, fat, and total solid content. The duration of fermentation also did not significantly affect the fatty acid profile. The probiotic cocoghurt fatty acid profiles consisted mainly of medium-chain saturated fatty acids followed by long-chain saturated fatty acids and finally unsaturated fatty acids. Cocoghurt produced using skim milk 3.0% starter and fermentation time for 10 hours had the characteristic of being slightly white, tasting sour and sweet, with an aroma of coconut milk; the texture was relatively thick and preferred by the panelists

Gelatin-based hemostatic agents for medical and dental application at a glance: A narrative literature review

Uncontrolled bleeding is linked to higher treatment costs, risk of post-surgical infection and increased disease and death. Hemostatic agents are used to treat excessive bleeding. A good hemostatic agent controls bleeding effectively, reduces the need for blood transfusion, removes the need for systemic drugs to control bleeding, results in shorter surgery time, and reduces the cost and length of hospital stay of the patient. Gelatin-based hemostatic agents have been widely used in medical and dental procedures, owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility, as well as availability and low cost of raw materials. In this narrative literature review, we discuss the back- ground and different types of gelatin-based hemostatic agents in medical and dental procedures, the comparison of gelatin-based and non-gelatin-based hemostatic agents, and the usage and develop- ment of enhanced or novel gelatin-based hemostatic agents. Gelatin-based hemostatic agents are effective and important part of bleeding control, as evidenced by its wide application in medicin

Bio-processing of algal bio-refinery: a review on current advances and future perspectives

Microalgae biomass contains various useful bio-active components. Microalgae derived biodiesel has been researched for almost two decades. However, sole biodiesel extraction from microalgae is time-consuming and is not economically feasible due to competitive fossil fuel prices. Microalgae also contains proteins and carbohydrates in abundance. Microalgae are likewise utilized to extract high-value products such as pigments, anti-oxidants and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which are useful in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry. These compounds can be extracted simultaneously or sequentially after biodiesel extraction to reduce the total expenditure involved in the process. This approach of bio-refinery is necessary to promote microalgae in the commercial market. Researchers have been keen on utilizing the bio-refinery approach to exploit the valuable components encased by microalgae. Apart from all the beneficial components housed by microalgae, they also help in reducing the anthropogenic CO2 levels of the atmosphere while utilizing saline or wastewater. These benefits enable microalgae as a potential source for bio-refinery approach. Although life-cycle analysis and economic assessment do not favor the use of microalgae biomass feedstock to produce biofuel and co-products with the existing techniques, this review still aims to highlight the beneficial components of microalgae and their importance to humans. In addition, this article also focuses on current and future aspects of improving the feasibility of bio-processing for microalgae bio-refinery

Daily consumption of a fruit and vegetable smoothie alters facial skin color

Consumption of dietary carotenoids or carotenoid supplements can alter the color (yellowness) of human skin through increased carotenoid deposition in the skin. As fruit and vegetables are the main dietary sources of carotenoids, skin yellowness may be a function of regular fruit and vegetable consumption. However, most previous studies have used tablets or capsules to supplement carotenoid intake, and less is known of the impact of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on skin color. Here, we examined skin color changes in an Asian population (Malaysian Chinese ethnicity) over a six week dietary intervention with a carotenoid-rich fruit smoothie. Eighty one university students (34 males, 47 females; mean age 20.48) were assigned randomly to consuming either a fruit smoothie (intervention group) or mineral water (control group) daily for six weeks. Participants’ skin yellowness (CIELab b*), redness (a*) and luminance (L*) were measured at baseline, twice during the intervention period and at a two-week follow-up, using a handheld reflectance spectrophotometer. Results showed a large increment in skin yellowness (p<0.001) and slight increment in skin redness (p<0.001) after 4 weeks of intervention for participants in the intervention group. Skin yellowness and skin redness remained elevated at the two week follow up measurement. In conclusion, intervention with a carotenoid-rich fruit smoothie is associated with increased skin redness and yellowness in an Asian population. Changes in the reflectance spectrum of the skin suggest that this color change was caused by carotenoid deposition in the skin

The thrombolytic and cytotoxic effects of nigella sativa (L.) seeds: the prophetic medicine

The Water-Soluble Extract (WSE) is a crude bioactive phytoconstituent of Nigella sativa (L.) seeds discovered recently. The current findings report about the thrombolytic and cytotoxic effects of WSE using human blood clot lysis and brine shrimp lethality (BSL) bioassay. The thrombolytic effect of WSE (1,666.67 µg/mL) was determined via the clot and lysate weight measurements compared to streptokinase (STK) of 30,000 IU/mL and normal saline (NS) while the cytotoxicity of WSE (44.14-2,000 µg/mL) against vincristine sulfate (VCS;3.125-100 µg/mL). WSE has shown extremely statistically significant (p<0.0001) clot lysis (90.00%) compared to NS (3.76%) whilst it was also significantly different (p<0.0063) to STK (72.41%) exhibiting LC50 of 1,795.90 µg/mL vs. VCS (39.25 µg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. The current results suggested WSE has a potent thrombolytic effect with mild dose-dependent cytotoxicity towards brine shrimp nauplii (Artemia salina). It also suggested WSE might have enzymatic roles on thrombin, fibrin, and plasmin of blood. This pharmacological action of WSE is might be due to its antioxidant property, short-chain fatty acids and/or amino acids. Further studies are highly recommended on the enzymatic role(s) and bioactive phytoconstituents of WSE

Structural and spectroscopic characterisation of a heme peroxidase from sorghum

A cationic class III peroxidase from Sorghum bicolor was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme contains a high-spin heme, as evidenced by UV-visible spectroscopy and EPR. Steady state oxidation of guaiacol was demonstrated and the enzyme was shown to have higher activity in the presence of calcium ions. A Fe(III)/Fe(II) reduction potential of -266 mV vs NHE was determined. Stopped-flow experiments with H2O2 showed formation of a typical peroxidase Compound I species, which converts to Compound II in the presence of calcium. A crystal structure of the enzyme is reported, the first for a sorghum peroxidase. The structure reveals an active site that is analogous to those for other class I heme peroxidase, and a substrate binding site (assigned as arising from binding of indole-3-acetic acid) at the γ-heme edge. Metal binding sites are observed in the structure on the distal (assigned as a Na(+) ion) and proximal (assigned as a Ca(2+)) sides of the heme, which is consistent with the Ca(2+)-dependence of the steady state and pre-steady state kinetics. It is probably the case that the structural integrity (and, thus, the catalytic activity) of the sorghum enzyme is dependent on metal ion incorporation at these positions