ASSESSMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF FERMENTED PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA FRUIT JUICE

Objective: The present study evaluated the subchronic toxicity of Lactobacillus mediated fermented Phyllanthus emblica fruit juice (FPJ) using a rat as a model system.Methods: FPJ was prepared, and estimated the changes in pH by pH meter, and microbial load by a plating method. Rats were fed with different dose of FPJ for 60 days. The changes in the body mass were noted. The blood and organs of the experimental rats were collected, after 60 days of intervention. Then, they were analyzed for the selected hematological and biochemical parameters by following standard hospital protocols.Results: The pH of FPJ after 30 days of fermentation was 3.16. FPJ was rich in probiotic Lactobacillus spp. (7.23 Log CFU per mL) without contamination. The supplementation of FPJ was not significantly affected the body weight of the experimental animals, except the female rats in posteffective dose (PED) group showed significant changes (20.83±8.49 g) compared to control (40±17.22 g). The internal organs of the rat were not affected by the FPJ supplementation. The changes observed in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase; alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase level of experimental rats, both male and female, were not significantly differed from the respective controls. The average of lymphocytes level was significantly increased in continuous dosing group of males and females. Interestingly, the increase in red blood cell and hemoglobin (HGB) were statistically significant for ED group and PED in both sexes, except for females with no effect on HGB content.Conclusion: The prepared FPJ was enriched with probiotic Lactobacillus spp. The supplementation of FPJ (up to 9 mL/kg/day) for 60 days was not significantly influenced the body weight, internal organs, biochemical and hematological parameters of experimental rats (both male and female). The results revealed that FHJ is suitable for the human consumption

ANTHOCYANIN PROFILE AND ITS ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF WIDELY USED FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND FLOWERS IN THAILAND

Objective: Anthocyanins are the water-soluble pigments most commonly present in flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Anthocyanins have been reported for is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties and other health benefits in human. This study was performed to extract and determine the anthocyanin and to access the antioxidant properties of the most commonly used fruits, vegetables and flowers in Thailand.Methods: Extraction of anthocyanin and its aglycones from the selected samples and determination of anthocyanin and anthocyanidins using reversed-phase HPLC analysis. Determination of total antioxidant ability using ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assay.Results: Maximum distribution of tested anthocyanin and anthocyanidin contents was observed in the extracts of Jambolan plum, Ceylon Spinach, Purple Sweet Potato, Purple Lettuce followed by common plum and Red dragon fruit. The extracts of Ma-Kiang, Purple Eggplant, Red Grape, and Purple Lettuce showed the maximum amount of cyanidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, peonidin 3-glucoside, and malvidin 3-glucoside, respectively. Likewise, the maximum concentration of cyanidin, delphinidin, peonidin, and malvidin were found in Common plum, Red Khae, Red Cabbage, and Purple Lettuce, respectively. Ma-Kiang extract exhibited the maximum antioxidant activity followed by Red Cabbage, Common Plum, and Purple Eggplant extract compared to the other extracts.Conclusion: The present study, primarily profiled the anthocyanin content of selected fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Among the tested samples, Ma-Kiang extract showed the high cyanidin 3-glucoside content and antioxidant activity. Further, detailed study on the content of anthocyanins at different climate and geographical conditions and other factors are necessary to develop nutraceutical or cosmetic product with a functional ingredient.Keywords: Anthocyanin, Anthocyanidin, Antioxidant activity

EVALUATION OF SUBCHRONIC TOXICITY OF LACTOBACILLUS PARACASEI HII03 FERMENTED MORINDA CITRIFOLIA (NONI) FRUIT JUICE

Objective: The present study evaluated the subchronic toxicity of Lactobacillus paracasei mediated fermented Morinda citrifolia (Noni) juice (FMJ) using Sprague Dawley rat as a model system.Methods: FMJ was prepared. The microbial load and pH of FMJ during fermentation were measured by a plating method and using pH meter, respectively. The healthy rats were supplemented with different doses of FMJ for 60 days. The changes in body weight of the animals were measured during FMJ intervention period. The blood and organs of the experimental rats were collected and were subjected to hematological and biochemical analysis by following standard hospital protocols, after the treatment period.Results: After 30 days of fermentation, the pH of FMJ was reduced to 4.10 from 4.31. Lactobacillus load was increased gradually during fermentation while Bacillus spp. load decreased progressively, finally after 30 days of fermentation, no Bacillus spp., and yeast was found in FMJ. FMJ supplementation did not affect the body mass of experimental animals. The alternations in the organ weight were not associated with FMJ intervention. FMJ supplementation did not significantly affect the normal range of the selected hematological and biochemical parameters, which suggested that FMJ was not harmful to experimental rats.Conclusion: FMJ was enriched with lactic acid bacteria, and free from pathogenic microbes. FMJ was found as safe for rodent consumption without any adverse effects. Further, studies are needed to explain the beneficial effect of L. paracasei mediated FMJ

CHANGES IN THE TOTAL POLYPHENOLIC CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FERMENTED MORINDA CITRIFOLIA L.

Objective: The fermented plant beverages (FPBs) are considered as functional food. A detailed scientific investigation is required to develop functionally potential FPBs. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in total phenolic content and antioxidant properties of Lactobacillus paracasei HII01-mediated fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) juice.Methods: The fermentation media consist of 3:10:1 ratio of noni, water, and carbon source (either cane sugar or honey) along with 10% of inoculum (L. paracasei). The control samples were prepared without inoculum or substrate. The variations in pH, acidity, total phenolic content, and the antioxidant capacity of the samples were kinetically measured by standard methods.Results: The pH and total acidity of the samples were progressively reduced and improved when the duration of fermentation was prolonged, respectively. After 15 days of fermentation, F1 (1.198 mg GAE/ml sample) and F3 (1.265 mg GAE/ml sample) exhibited high total phenolic compound compared to other samples. Likewise, sample F3 displayed maximum antioxidant capacity. The samples with cane sugar exhibited high phenolic content, free radical scavenging activity, and chelating power than samples with honey.Conclusion: About 15 days of fermentation in sufficient to obtain the high quality (rich in phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity) fermented M. citrifolia juice using L. paracasei, and cane sugar as starter, and carbon source, respectivel

ASSESSMENT OF SUBCHRONIC TOXICITY OF FERMENTED HOUTTUYNIA CORDATA THUNB. USING RODENT MODEL SYSTEM

Objective: The present study was intended to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of Lactobacillus-mediated fermented Houttuynia cordata juice (FHJ) using rodent model system.Methods: FHJ was prepared and the microbial load, lactic acid content, and pH was estimated. Rats were fed with different doses of FHJ for 60 days. The body mass changes were measured during FHJ supplementation. After the treatment period, blood and organs of the experimental rats were collected. The samples were subjected to hematological and biochemical analysis by following standard hospital protocols.Results: The pH of FHJ after 30 days of fermentation was 3.63. The lactic acid content of FHJ was gradually increased and reached 19.70 mg per mL after 30 days of the fermentation process. Lactobacillus load was high in FHJ after 30 days and no Bacillus spp. and yeast were detected in FHJ at any point of fermentation. There were no significant changes in body weight of male and female experimental rats supplemented with FHJ, irrespective of dose. There were no significant treatment-related pathological changes found in any organ of the experimental rats at all tested dose levels when compared with organs in control animals. There were no significant changes observed in red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin, hematocrits, lymphocyte, and platelets level of male rats of all groups. Whereas, significant (p<0.01) changes were observed in the RBC (1.02±0.26 106/mm3) of female rats in effective dose (ED) group compared to control. Similarly, significant (p<0.01) changes were detected in the WBC level of female rats in high dose (−7.53±0.03 103/mm3), and post-ED group (−8.86±0.75 103/mm3) compared to control. There were no alterations in tested biochemical parameters of experimental rats.Conclusion: The FHJ was rich in probiotic Lactobacillus. The supplementation of FHJ (9 mL/kg/day) for 60 days did not significantly affect the body mass, internal organs, hematological, and biochemical parameters of rats. The results suggested that FHJ is qualified for the human consumption

รูปแบบการประเมินบทบาทครูในการส่งเสริมทักษะการเรียนรู้ตลอดชีวิต ของนักเรียนระดับการศึกษาขั้นพื้นฐาน

(Evaluation Model for Teachers’ Roles to Promote Lifelong  Learning Skills of Students at the Basic Education Level) Abstract The purposes of this research were to develop, implement and determine quality of the evaluation modelfor teachers’ roles to promote lifelong learning skills of students in basic education level in Thailand. The sample for implementing and evaluating the model consisted of  11 schools and 42 people. Research instruments included questionnaires and an interview form. Content analysis, mean, standard deviation, concurrent validity analysis of instrument, Rater Agreement Index and generalizability coefficient were used for evaluation.The findings of this study were as follows. The Evaluation Model for Teachers’ Roles to Promote Lifelong  Learning Skills of Students at the Basic Education Level consists of five components: 1) the goal of evaluation, 2) the expectation of evaluation, 3) the evaluation method, 4) criteria, and 5) evaluation report and application to the future plan. The evaluation results showed that the learning skills of students was at an “excellent” level, whereas students’ lifelong learning skills were at a “good” level. The results of the analysis regarding concurrent validity quality showed that the Index of Item Objective Congruence was at 0.81-0.93. This means that the assessors strongly agreed in scoring. The result of validity value of the evaluation generalizability coefficient was 0.97. Keywords: evaluation model, teachers’ roles to promote students, lifelong learning skills

TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF REPRESENTATIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THAILAND

  Objective: Plants are the vital source of pharmaceutically important compounds with less or no adverse side effects. The current study was conducted to catalog the commonly used indigenous and medicinal plants of Thailand based on their phenolic acid content and antioxidant activity.Methods: The herbs were collected from Chiang Mai province, Thailand. The plants were extracted with 70% ethanol. The total phenolic acid content and antioxidant activity were evaluated.Results: The ethanolic extract of plant samples was prepared. Among the tested plant samples, Phyllanthus emblica Linn. and Terminalia belerica Roxb. showed highest phenolic content (Gallic acid equivalent [GAE]; 764.81 mg GAE/g sample) and antioxidant activity (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity [TEAC]; 394.20 mg/g sample), respectively. About 94-97% of inhibition of free radical was detected in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay tested against the plant samples. The ethanolic extract of Anaxagorea luzonensis Gray., Terminalia sp., T. belerica Roxb, Terminalia chebula Retz., Albizia procera Benth., Harrisonia perforata Merr., and P. emblica Linn. exhibited 97.87, 96.08, 92.26, 86.74, 86.08, 84.47, and 83.13% of superoxide radical inhibition, respectively.Conclusion: The results suggested that T. belerica Roxb. possessed high TEAC ability and DPPH radical scavenging capacity and A. luzonensis Gray. exhibited high superoxide scavenging activity, when compared to that of the other tested samples. The additional detailed study is desirable to understand the complexity and distribution of bioactive compounds present in the commonly used plant species of Thailand

Enrichment of nutritional value of Phyllanthus emblica fruit juice using the probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus paracasei HII01 mediated fermentation

The fermented herbal juices are capable of curing and preventing diseases and reducing the aging progress. The present study was performed to investigate the fermentation of Phyllanthus emblica fruit by Lactobacillus paracasei HII01 with respect to carbon sources, polyphenols, and antioxidant properties. The physical changes, for instance, color, odor, taste, turbidity and gas formation, throughout the fermentation process was manually monitored. The fermented product was rich in polyphenolic content. The acid content and pH of the product were under the norms of Thai community product standards. Antioxidant properties of the fermented product were proved using ABTS, and FRAP assays. Chelation based study suggested that fermented P. emblica fruit juices are healthy enough to stabilize the oxidized form of the metal ion. The optimum fermentation period was 15 days. All the results supported that studied carbon sources did not interfere with the quality of the product. This report is the prelude study on the use of probiotic starter culture for the production of P. emblica fruit based lactic acid bacteria fermented beverages (LAFB) enriched with bioactive compounds. Further research on the impact of different carbon sources and upstream processes on the quality of LAFB is currently in progress

Influence of Paraprobiotics-Containing Moisturizer on Skin Hydration and Microbiome: A Preliminary Study

The skin is a physical barrier to protect the human body and is rich in microbial niches. Skin is damaged due to several factors, including poor nutrition and exposure to harsh environments resulting in dryness, acidic skin, and infections. Studies have shown that probiotics and their derivatives could protect the skin. Skin care products with probiotic components are the latest approach to developing cosmetic products with health benefits. The current study aimed to examine the moisturizing effect of paraprobiotics (moist heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis), Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum))-containing moisturizer (APM) and its influences on the skin microbiome of healthy subjects. Fifty healthy subjects were randomly divided into treatment (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The APM or placebo (without paraprobiotics; PM) was applied on the skin of the right forehand of subjects, and the changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum moisture (SCM) levels every 1 h for 4 h and after 4 weeks of treatment were observed. Skin swab samples were collected before and after the treatments (4 weeks) and subjected to microbiome analysis through next-generation sequencing technology. The results indicated that the APM treatment significantly reduced the TEWL and increased the SCM values compared to the respective baseline values and controls. The sequencing study showed significant changes in Cutibacterium (p = 0.0431), Corynebacterium (p = 0.0431), and Acinetobacter (p = 0.0431) in the treatment group. The changes in phylum were not statistically significant. Still, based on the relative frequency, the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and Cyanobacterial was decreased, and the abundance of Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Verrucomicrobia, and Gemmatimonadetes was increased after treatment. Additionally, the APM treatment suppressed C. tuberculostearicum in healthy subjects. The results suggested that APM could improve skin hydration and skin-beneficial microbial composition. The study has limitations such as a small sample size and treatment period, so further extensive studies are required to confirm the findings of the current study, which could aid in developing paraprobiotics-based skin care formulations