Spent coffee grounds improve the nutritional value in minerals of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and are an ecological alternative to inorganic fertilizers

The concentrations of several essential and toxic mineral elements of five groups of lettuces (non-cultivated, cultivated with low or high percentages of spent coffee grounds-SCG, without SCG and with NPK) were compared. The influence of adding increasing amounts of SCG in an in vitro assay with a crop soil from Vega of Granada (Spain) was studied. Lettuces with SCG had a higher level of most essential elements (Fe, Co, V, Mn and Zn) as well as some toxic elements (As, Pb and Al), without exceeding the limits established for these elements. Furthermore, blocking of Cd absorption from soil was observed. The direct relations between nutrient absorption and toxic elements and the presence of SCG could be related with minerals chelation by some SCG components, such as melanoidins. In conclusion, the addition of SCG produces lettuces with a higher nutritional value

Magnesium and calcium content in waters from the Mediterranean coastal area of south-eastern Spain and their relation with industrial activity

Se han determinado los niveles de calcio y magnesio en aguas (potables, de riego, residuales y marinas) de la zona industrial y costera del sureste de España. Las muestras de agua acidifi cadas fueron analizadas por espectrometría de absorción atómica. Previamente las muestras fueron tratadas con 0,2 ml de LaCl3 (10 mg/mL La) como modifi cador de matriz. Las concentraciones de magnesio oscilaron entre 18,2 μg/L y 2286,7 μg/L y las de calcio desde 48,8 μg/L a 627,1 μg/L. Los niveles medios de magnesio y calcio en aguas marinas fueron signifi cativamente superiores (P < 0,001). Las concentraciones de magnesio encontradas en los diferentes grupos de aguas estuvieron linear y signifi - cativamente correlacionadas con los niveles de calcio correspondientes (r= 0,942; P < 0,001). La actividad humana e industrial no infl uyó en los niveles de magnesio y calcio en las aguas de riego y marinas de la zona. Sin embargo, los efl uentes de la fábrica de papel existente en la zona y los de origen doméstico aumentaron signifi cativamente las concentraciones de calcio en las aguas residuales.Magnesium and calcium levels in waters (potable, irrigation, waste and sea waters) from a coastal and industrial zone in south-eastern Spain, have been determined. Acidifi ed water samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were previously treated with a matrix modifi er consisting in 0.2 mL of LaCl3 (10 mg/mL La). Magnesium concentrations ranged from 18.2 μg/L to 2286.7 μg/L and those for calcium from 48.8 μg/L to 627.1 μg/L. Mean magnesium and calcium levels in sea water samples were signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001). Magnesium concentrations found in different water groups were signifi cantly and linearly related with corresponding calcium levels (r= 0.942; P < 0.001). Human and industrial activity did not infl uence magnesium and calcium levels in irrigation and sea waters of the zone. Nevertheless, effl uents from the paper factory existing in the zone and from domestic origin increased signifi cantly the calcium concentrations in waste waters

Study of the effect of different fermenting microorganisms on the Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn contents in fermented goat and cow milks

The aim of this study was to determine the Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn concentrations of different types of goat- and cow-milk fermented products and evaluate the influence of fermenting bacteria (classical fermenting starters and a probiotic strain) on these concentrations. Atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation was used to measure Se and electrothermal atomization to measure Cu, Cr and Mn. Analytical parameters determined in the fermented milks demonstrated that the procedures used were adequate for Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn analyses. Se levels were significantly lower in fermented goat milk products than in fermented cow milk products (p < 0.05). Se, Cu, Cr, and Mn levels did not differ as a function of the fermenting bacteria used in commercial fermented goat or cow milks or in the lab-produced goat yoghurt. Given the Se, and Cr intakes for healthy adults, goat and cow yogurts may be important dietary sources.Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología, AGR-14

Melatonin Improves Mitochondrial Dynamics and Function in the Kidney of Zücker Diabetic Fatty Rats

Obesity and associated diabetes (diabesity) impair kidney mitochondrial dynamics by augmenting fission and diminishing fusion, which results in mitochondrial and renal dysfunction. Based on available evidence, the antioxidant activities of melatonin may improve impaired renal mitochondrial function in obese diabetic animals by restoring the imbalanced dynamics through inhibiting fission and promoting fusion. Male Zücker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and lean littermates (ZL) were orally treated either with melatonin (10 mg/kg BW/day) (M-ZDF and M-ZL) or vehicle (C-ZDF and C-ZL) for 17 weeks. Kidney function was evaluated by measurement of total urine volume, proteinuria, creatinine clearance, and assessment of kidney mitochondrial dynamics and function. C-ZDF exhibited impaired dynamics and function of kidney mitochondria in comparison to C-ZL. Melatonin improved nephropathy of ZDF rats and modulated their mitochondrial dynamics by reducing expression of Drp1 fission marker and increasing that of fusion markers, Mfn2 and Opa1. Furthermore, melatonin ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction by increasing respiratory control index and electron transfer chain complex IV activity. In addition, it lowered mitochondrial oxidative status. Our findings show that melatonin supplementation improves nephropathy likely via modulation of the mitochondrial fission/fusion balance and function in ZDF rats.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Spain) SAF2016-79794-

Bioaccessible peptides released by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of fermented goat milks

In this study, ultrafiltered goat milks fermented with the classical starter bacteria Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus salivarus subsp. thermophilus or with the classical starter plus the Lactobacillus plantarum C4 probiotic strain were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) and/or liquid chromatography-ion trap (LC-IT-MS/MS). Partial overlapping of the identified sequences with regard to fermentation culture was observed. Evaluation of the cleavage specificity suggested a lower proteolytic activity of the probiotic strain. Some of the potentially identified peptides had been previously reported as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory, antioxidant and antibacterial and might account for the in vitro activity previously reported for these fermented milks. Simulated digestion of the products was conducted in presence of a dialysis membrane to retrieve the bioaccessible peptide fraction. Some sequences with reported physiological activity resisted digestion but were found in the non-dialyzable fraction. However, non-previously detected sequences such as the antioxidant αs1-casein 144YFYPQL149, the antihypertensive αs2-casein 90YQKFPQY96 and the antibacterial αs2-casein 165LKKISQ170 were found in the dialyzable fraction of both fermented milks. Moreover, in the fermented milk including the probiotic strain, the k-casein dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor (DPP-IV) 51INNQFLPYPY60 as well as additional ACE-inhibitory or antioxidant sequences could be identified. With the aim to anticipate further biological outcomes, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was applied to the bioaccessible fragments and led to propose potential ACE inhibitory sequences

Hypotensive effect of an extract of bioactive compounds of olive leaves: preliminary clinicals study

Objetivo: evaluar el posible efecto hipotensor en sujetos pre-hipertensos e hipertensos, de un extracto de hoja de olivo (EHO) estandarizado al 15% (m/m) en oleoeuropeína y con un contenido medio del 10% (m/m) en ácidos triterpénicos y del 1% (m/m) en hidroxitirosol. Asimismo, se ha valorado su acción sobre el estatus antioxidante y el perfil lipídico sanguíneos. Material y métodos: se ha llevado a cabo un ensayo de intervención en humanos con administración de 1.600 mg de extracto/día. Los parámetros evaluados han sido presión sistólica y diastólica, retardo de la oxidación del colesterol LDL (lag time) y niveles sanguíneos de óxido nítrico (NO), malondialdehído (MDA), capacidad antioxidante (CAO), perfil lipídico, glucosa, transaminasas y creatinina. Resultados: se observó en todos los sujetos una disminución estadísticamente significativa de la presión sistólica y diastólica, y un aumento de los niveles de NO (P < 0,050). En los sujetos con presión sistólica más elevada también se redujo significativamente su valor tras la intervención (P = 0,002). El “lag time” de las LDL aumentó significativamente (P = 0,047), y en todos los sujetos los niveles de colesterol (CHO) se redujeron significativamente. Los niveles de colesterol LDL, triglicéridos (TG) y del índice CHO/colesterol HDL disminuyeron con tendencia a la significancia (P = 0,076; P = 0,059; P = 0,056; respectivamente). Conclusión: este estudio, aunque preliminar, pone de relieve por primera vez la influencia positiva del EHO ensayado en la regulación de la hipertensión así como en la velocidad de oxidación de las LDL y en el perfil lipídico sanguíneo.Objective: to evaluate the possible hypotensive effect in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive subjects of an olive leaf extract (OLE) standardized to 15% (w/w) in oleoeuropein, and with a 10% (w/w) mean content of triterpenic acids and 1% (w/w) in hydroxytirosol. Moreover, the possible effects on the blood antioxidant status and lipid profile have been also evaluated. Materials and methods: this interventional study has been performed in human volunteers, to whom 1 600 mg OLE/days, was administered. The analyzed parameters at the beginning and end of the study were diastolic and systolic pressure, delay in the LDL-cholesterol oxidation “lag time” and blood levels of nitric oxide (NO), malonic dialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant capacity (AOC) lipid profile, glucose, transaminases and creatinine. Results: a decrease in the diastolic and systolic pressure, and an increase in the NO values all statistically significant (CHO) for all volunteers, was found. In volunteers with higher systolic pressure their levels were also significantly diminished after the intervention trial (P = 0,002). The LDL lag time increased significantly (P = 0,047). Additionally, in all volunteers CHO levels were significantly decreased, and those of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and the CHO/HDL cholesterol ratio were diminished with a tendency to the significance (P = 0,076; P = 0,059; P = 0,056; respectively). Conclusions: this preliminary study reports by the first time the positive influence of the OLE assayed in the regulation of the hypertension, LDL lag time and blood lipid profile. Therefore, further studies are of great interest.Queremos manifestar nuestro agradecimiento a la empresa Biosearch Life y al grupo AGR-141, colaboradores directos en el desarrollo y financiación de los ensayos necesarios para la realización del estudio

Melatonin induces fat browning by transdifferentiation of white adipocytes and de novo differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

This research was partially supported by grant SAF2016-79794R from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (Spain), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), University of Granada and FEDER Funds grant number B-CTS-102-UGR20. The authors thank Antonio Tirado for their technical assistance.The role of melatonin in obesity control is extensively accepted, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. Previously we demonstrated that chronic oral melatonin acts as a brown-fat inducer, driving subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) into a brown-fat-like function (beige) in obese diabetic rats. However, immunofluorescence characterization of beige depots in sWAT and whether melatonin is a beige-fat inducer by de novo differentiation and/or transdifferentiation of white adipocytes are still undefined. Lean (ZL) and diabetic fatty (ZDF) Zücker rats were subdivided into two groups, control (C) and oral melatonin-supplemented (M, 10 mg kg−1 day−1) for 6 weeks. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from both rat inguinal fat and human lipoaspirates followed by adipogenesis assays with or without melatonin (50 nM for 12 h in a 24 h period, 12 h+/12 h−) mimicking the light/dark cycle. Immunofluorescence and western-blot assays showed the partial transdifferentiation of white adipocytes in both ZL and ZDF rats, with increasing thermogenic and beige markers, UCP1 and CITED1 and decreasing white adipocyte marker ASC-1 expression. In addition, melatonin increased UCP1, CITED1, and PGC1- α expression in differentiated adipocytes in both rats and humans. These results demonstrate that melatonin increases brown fat in obese diabetic rats by both adipocyte transdifferentiation and de novo differentiation. Furthermore, it promotes beige MSC adipogenesis in humans. This may contribute to the control of body weight attributed to melatonin and its metabolic benefits in human diabesity.Spanish Government SAF2016-79794REuropean Commission B-CTS-102-UGR20University of Granad

Total Zn of foods and bioaccesible fractions in the small and large intestine after in vitro digestion and fermentation with fecal material of healthy adults and children: Influence of culinary techniques

This work was supported by the European Research Commission (Research Executive Agency) under the research project Stance4Health under Grant Contract No 816303 and by the Plan propio de Investigación y Transferencia of the University of Granada under the program “Intensificación de la Investigación, modalidad B”.The healthy status of human beings is associated with an appropriate nutritional status in Zn, which must firstly be bioavailable. We measured the total Zn amount and its bioaccesibility in raw foods and after cooking by common culinary techniques. These foods were submitted to an in vitro digestion and fermentation with faecal inocula from healthy adults and children to evaluate Zn bioaccesibility in the small and large intestine. Mean total Zn amount provided by foods was 8.080 μg/g. Zn amount released from food in the small intestine was significantly different among several food groups and lower in raw vegetal foods compared to cooked ones (frying, roasting and grilling; p < 0.05); the same behaviour was found in the large intestine for healthy children. Zn bioaccesibility in the large intestine varied statistically according to the subjects’ idiosyncrasies, and was higher in healthy children (p < 0.05) probably due to growth demands and different composition of the colonic microbiota. In healthy adults and children, the bioaccesible fractions were 33.0 ± 20.4 % for the small intestine, 16.4 ± 22.0 and 59.6 ± 29.9% for the large one, and the non-bioaccessible ones 50.6 ± 19.9 and 7.4 ± 9.1%, respectively.European Research Commission 816303Plan propio de Investigación y Transferencia of the University of GranadaUniversidad de Granada UG

Selenium bioaccesibility after in vitro digestion/fermentation of foods differs in adults and children

Selenium (Se) as essential element regulates the immune, endocrine, reproductive and neurological systems through selenoproteins. More important than its content, is the fraction available to be absorbed (bioaccesibility) to exert its important metabolic functions. The objective of this study was to determine the bioaccessibility of Se (Se-BA) in multiple foods by an in vitro digestion/fermentation method. Samples were subjected to homemade culinary techniques and fermented with feces from healthy adults (HE-AD), and healthy (HE-CH) and unhealthy children (with gluten related disorders, GRD-CH; obesity, OB-CH; or allergy/intolerance to cow’s milk proteins, AICM-CH). Se-BA varied largely among samples depending on their vegetal/animal origin, category and type of food. Animal-vs. plant-based foods have higher mean Se concentration and total Se-BA (82.5(±97.5) and 93.6 (±8.58) vs. 44.3(±55.6) μg/kg and 77.7(±20.4)%, respectively). In plant-based foods, higher Se-BA values were found in the large intestine (41.0(±25.7) vs. 30.1(±26.7%) in animal-base foods). In comparison to raw foods, the cooking techniques of vegetal- and animal-based foods grouped by heating in liquid media (frying-boiling) or hot air (roasting-grilling) decrease Se-BA in the small intestine (42.5(±27.0) vs. 34.8(±25.1) and 34.0(±24.3), and 75.9(±38.0) vs. 52.4(±28.9) and 71.3(±24.8)%, respectively), while it is increased in the large intestine (36.6(±28.5) vs. 41.3(±24.9) and 44.2(±23.6), and 19.9(±30.4) vs. 39.9(±26.0) and 23.4(±22.7)%, respec tively). The higher Se-BA levels in the large intestine found in HE-CH (42.1 (±26.5) vs. HE-AD (35.2(±27.1) and unhealthy children (GRD-CH and OB-CH; 38.0(±24.6) and 35.8(±28.1)%, respectively) could be related to greater demands on growth and specific fermentative microbiota.AGR-295 Alimentación y microbiota intestinal: relación con los alimentos y su procesado (Foodmicrogut

Chronic melatonin treatment improves obesity by inducing uncoupling of skeletal muscle SERCA-SLN mediated by CaMKII/AMPK/PGC1α pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis in female and male Zücker diabetic fatty rats

Melatonin acute treatment limits obesity of young Zücker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats by non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). We recently showed melatonin chronically increases the oxidative status of vastus lateralis (VL) in both obese and lean adult male animals. The identification of VL skeletal muscle-based NST by uncoupling of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA)- sarcolipin (SLN) prompted us to investigate whether melatonin is a SERCA-SLN calcium futile cycle uncoupling and mitochondrial biogenesis enhancer. Obese ZDF rats and lean littermates (ZL) of both sexes were subdivided into two subgroups: control (C) and 12 weeks orally melatonin treated (M) (10 mg/kg/day). Compared to the control groups, melatonin decreased the body weight gain and visceral fat in ZDF rats of both sexes. Melatonin treatment in both sex obese rats restored the VL muscle skin temperature and sensitized the thermogenic effect of acute cold exposure. Moreover, melatonin not only raised SLN protein levels in the VL of obese and lean rats of both sexes; also, the SERCA activity. Melatonin treatment increased the SERCA2 expression in obese and lean rats (both sexes), with no effects on SERCA1 expression. Melatonin increased the expression of thermogenic genes and proteins (PGC1-α, PPARγ, and NRF1). Furthermore, melatonin treatment enhanced the expression ratio of P-CaMKII/CaMKII and P-AMPK/AMPK. In addition, it rose mitochondrial biogenesis. These results provided the initial evidence that chronic oral melatonin treatment triggers the CaMKII/AMPK/PGC1α axis by upregulating SERCA2-SLN-mediated NST in ZDF diabetic rats of both sexes. This may further contribute to the body weight control and metabolic benefits of melatonin.This study was supported by grant PID2021-125900OB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and, as appropriate, by “ERDF A way of making Europe”