Coagulants modulate the hypocholesterolemic effect of tofu (coagulated soymilk)

The recent increase in soymilk and tofu (coagulated soymilk) consumption especially in western countries is due to the recognition of the health benefits of soy foods. The amount and the type of coagulated biomolecules (such as isoflavones) vary with the type of coagulant, and this will inevitable alter their biological activity. This study sought to assess the effect of some coagulants (calcium chloride, alum and steep water from pap production) commonly use in the production of tofu in Nigeria on the serum cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) level in albino rats fed tofu for 14 days. The result of the study revealed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the tofu yield (17.6 – 18.3%), however steep water (12.0 g/kg) had a significantly higher (P<0.05) total phenol content than tofu produced using other coagulants (8.0 – 9.0 g/kg). Furthermore, feeding albino rats with tofu and water ad libitum for 14 days caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the serum cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins, while there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the average daily feed intake of the rats. Conversely, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the serum high-density lipoproteins when compared with the control. However, rats fed steep watercoagulated tofu had the lowest serum level of cholesterol and LDL followed by those fed CaCl2 and alum coagulated tofu. Those fed with calcium chloride-coagulated tofu had the highest serum HDL level, closely followed by those fed steep water-coagulated tofu. It was therefore concluded that of all the coagulants, steep water appeared to be the most promising coagulant with regard to the production of tofu with high hypocholesterolemic effect base on the low serum cholesterol, LDL and high HDL.Keywords: Coagulant, soymilk, tofu, phenol, HDL, LDL, cholestero

Nutrient enrichment of cassava peels using a mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisae and Lactobacillus spp solid media fermentation techniques

Cassava pulp was fermented with pure strains of Saccharomyces cerevisae and two bacteria namely Lactobacillus delbruckii and Lactobacillus coryneformis for 3 days. The squeezed liquid from the fermented pulp was used to ferment cassava peels for 7 days. Analysis of the dried fermented peels revealed that there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the protein content of the cassava peels fermented with squeezed liquid from the inoculated cassava pulp (21.5%) when compared with the unfermented cassava peel (8.2%). Moreover, the treatment equally brought about a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in the cyanide (6.2 mg/kg) and phytate content (789.7 mg/100g) when compared with the unfermented cassava peels, which had 44.6 mg/kg cyanide and 1043.6 mg/100g phytate. The fermented cassava peels could be a good protein source in livestock feeds

Effects of drying on cholinesterases and angiotensin‐I converting enzyme inhibitory potential and phenolic constituents of African mistletoe (Loranthus bengwensis L) leaves from kolanut host tree

This study investigated the most appropriate drying method (sun drying, oven drying, and shade drying) for mistletoe leaves obtained from kolanut tree. The phenolic constituents were characterized using high performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector, while the inhibitory effect of the aqueous extracts of the leaves on cholinesterases and angiotensin‐I converting enzyme (ACE) and antioxidant activities were determined in vitro. The extracts inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and ACE in dose‐dependent manner. However, extract from sun‐dried sample exhibited the highest AChE, BChE, and ACE inhibitory effect while extract from shade‐dried sample had the least. Likewise, sun‐dried sample exhibited the highest antioxidant properties as exemplified by Fe2+‐chelating, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2 picrylhdrazyl, OH, and nitric oxide radical scavenging abilities. This study also revealed the presence of 20 phenolic compounds with caffeic acid being the most predominant. Conclusively, kolanut host tree mistletoe leaves can be used as therapeutic agent in the management of Alzheimer's disease and hypertension

Modulatory effect of protocatechuic acid on cadmium induced nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in rats in vivo

Introduction: This study sought to investigate the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA); a phenolic compound readily available in most plant foods on cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in rats. Case description: Thirty six adult male rats weighing about 150–160 g were acclimatized for 2 weeks and subsequently divided into six groups: Group 1 rats received normal saline (control group), group 2 rats were administered 5 mg Cd/kg body weight in form of solution orally (induced group), groups 3 and 4 received cadmium solution and different doses of PCA (10 and 20 mg/kg body weight) respectively, while groups 5 and 6 were the normal rats administered different doses of PCA (10 and 20 mg/kg) respectively in an experiment that lasted for twenty one days. The animals were sacrificed, the blood was collected and the serum was subsequently prepared. Furthermore, the liver was excised, homogenized and centrifuged to obtain the tissue homogenate used for the analyses. The serum was used for the determination of the total protein, urea, creatinine and uric acid levels while the liver homogenate was used for the estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Discussion and evaluation: The result revealed that total protein level was reduced in cadmium induced toxicity rat group which was elevated upon treatment with PCA. Conversely, the elevated levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine in cadmium induced toxicity kidney rats were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in PCA treated groups. Similarly, marked elevation in the ALT, AST and ALP activity were observed in cadmium induced toxicity rat group when compared with the control group. However, significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ALT, AST and ALP activity were noticed in groups administered different doses of PCA. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that PCA may protect against cadmium-induced toxicity in the kidney and liver

Traditional Fermented Condiments Modulate Biochemical Indices in High Cholesterol Diet-Fed Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is implicated in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is identified as a common cause of mortality in this degenerative condition. Hence, CVD management strategy should include control of hypercholesterolemia. This study describes the effect of some legume condiments on biochemical indices in hypercholesterolemia rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were used for this study and hypercholesterolemia was induced by inclusion of 1% cholesterol in the rat feed. The animals were divided into five groups containing six animals each and were fed with diets supplemented with 16% fermented soybean, bambara groundnut and African locust bean. The study lasted for 30 days after which plasma was analyzed for the lipid profile and liver function marker enzymes and the liver tissue analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Elevated plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and MDA content showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the rats fed with fermented legume condiment-supplemented diets, with a concomitant increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol as compared with the hypercholesterolemia control rats. This study revealed that fermented legume condiment-supplemented diets attenuate hypercholesterolemia and protect the liver of the experimental rats from oxidative damage, with African locust bean condiment displaying the best biological potential

Antioxidative Properties and Inhibition of Key Enzymes Relevant to Type-2 Diabetes and Hypertension by Essential Oils from Black Pepper

The antioxidant properties and effect of essential oil of black pepper (Piper guineense) seeds on α-amylase, α-glucosidase (key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes), and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) (key enzyme linked to hypertension) were assessed. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and dried with anhydrous Na2SO4, and the phenolic content, radical [1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and nitric oxide (NO)] scavenging abilities as well as the ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) and Fe2+-chelating ability of the essential oil were investigated. Furthermore, the effect on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and ACE enzyme activities was also investigated. The characterization of the constituents was done using GC. The essential oil scavenged DPPH*, NO*, and ABTS* and chelated Fe2+. α-Pinene, β-pinene, cis-ocimene, myrcene, allo-ocimene, and 1,8-cineole were among the constituents identified by GC. The essential oil inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and ACE enzyme activities in concentration-dependent manners, though exhibiting a stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase than α-amylase activities. Conclusively, the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme activities by the essential oil extract of black pepper could be part of the mechanism by which the essential oil could manage and/or prevent type-2 diabetes and hypertension

Inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and oxidative stress by some common apple varieties

In recent times, the consumption of apples has been encouraged for the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, but biochemical evidence to support this practice is lacking. Therefore, this study investigated α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability, Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation potential as well as the total phenol and flavonoid contents of aqueous extracts of the apple varieties Malus sylvestris (green apple), Malus pumila (red apple) and Syzygium samarangense (wax apple). The results showed that all apple varieties inhibited α-amylase (IC50=12.66–16.98 µg/ml) and α-glucosidase (13.55–16.23 µg/ml) in a dosedependent manner, with green apple showing the highest inhibitory activity while wax apple had the least. Similarly, all apple varieties showed dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity (EC50=222.92–278.71 µg/ml) with green apple also showing the highest scavenging activity while wax apple showed the least. Furthermore, the aqueous extracts of the apple varieties dosedependently inhibited Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat pancreas (38.60–53.57 µg/ml), with wax apple exhibiting the highest inhibitory potential. Also, the total phenol content of the apple varieties ranged from 16.14 to 17.45 mg GAE/100g, while the flavonoid content ranged from 4.17 to 5.56 mg QUE/100 g, with green apple having the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The biological activities exhibited by the apple varieties could be attributed to the presence of biologically active photochemicals. Furthermore, the apple variety (green apple) with the highest phenolic content showed the best overall activity, indicating the potent role of phenolic compounds in the management of diabetes, thereby providing biochemical support for the use of apples as a functional food in diabetes management

Modulatory effect of wild lettuce and African eggplant leaf extract on key enzymatic activity linked to hypertension in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats

Vegetables are vital for balanced diets as they are a good source of nutraceuticals for humans. This study looks to assess the underlying preventive mechanisms of wild lettuce (WL) and African eggplant leaves (AE) in hypertensive rats. The experimental rats were grouped into seven groups with six rats in each group as follows: Normotensive rats (group 1); hypertensive (HYP) rats (group 2); HYP rats treated with captopril (10 mg/kg/day) (group 3); HYP rats treated with WL (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) (group 4 and 5 respectively) and HYP rats treated EP (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) (group 6 and 7). The experiment lasted for 14 d. Administration of WL and EP leaves extract normalized altered activity of angiotensin 1 converting enzymes (ACE), arginase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in treated HYP rats when compared with the untreated HYP rats. Also, nitric oxide (NO) levels and antioxidant status were enhanced in the treated HYP rats when compared with the untreated HYP rats. Meanwhile, some of the antihypertensive preventive mechanisms of WL and EP leaves were able to modulate the altered activity of ACE, arginase, AChE, enhanced endothelial function (improved NO production and reduced arginase activity), and improved antioxidant prowess when compared with untreated HYP rats. Remarkably, WL leaves had better anti-hypertensive properties than EP leaves. Nevertheless, the consumption of these vegetables could be a veritable dietary approach to actualizing healthy status in a hypertensive state

ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES AND INHIBITORY EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF STRUCHIUM SPARGANOPHORA (EWURO ODO) LEAF ON α - AMYLASE AND α – GLUCOSIDASE ACTIVITIES

Recent studies have shown that vegetables consumption could lower the risk of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the inhibitory effect of Struchium sparganophora (Ewuro Odo) leaf on key enzyme linked to type-2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) as well as assessing the effect of blanching (a commonly practiced food processing technique) of this leafy vegetable on these key enzymes. Fresh leaves of Struchium sparganophora were blanched in hot water for 10 minutes, and the 70% ethanolic extracts of the fresh and blanched vegetables were prepared and used for subsequent analysis. The antioxidant properties and interaction of the extracts on α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities was determined in vitro. The result revealed that Struchium sparganophora leaf scavenged DPPH free radical and also inhibited α - amylase and α - glucosidase activities in a dose dependent manner (0.05 -0.2 mg/ml). However, blanching of this leafy vegetables caused a significant (

Distribution of Phenolic Contents, Antidiabetic Potentials, Antihypertensive Properties, and Antioxidative Effects of Soursop ( Annona muricata

Soursop fruit has been used in folklore for the management of type-2 diabetes and hypertension with limited information on the scientific backing. This study investigated the effects of aqueous extracts (1 : 100 w/v) of Soursop fruit part (pericarp, pulp, and seed) on key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and hypertension [angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE)]. Radicals scavenging and Fe2+ chelation abilities and reducing property as well as phenolic contents of the extracts were also determined. Our data revealed that the extracts inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase and ACE activities dose-dependently. The effective concentration of the extract causing 50% antioxidant activity (EC50) revealed that pericarp extract had the highest α-amylase (0.46 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (0.37 mg/mL), and ACE (0.03 mg/mL) inhibitory activities while the seed extract had the least [α-amylase (0.76 mg/mL); α-glucosidase (0.73 mg/mL); and ACE (0.20 mg/mL)]. Furthermore, the extracts scavenged radicals, reduced Fe3+ to Fe2+, and chelated Fe2+. The phenolic contents in the extracts ranged from 85.65 to 560.21 mg/100 g. The enzymes inhibitory and antioxidants potentials of the extracts could be attributed to their phenolic distributions which could be among the scientific basis for their use in the management of diabetes and hypertension. However, the pericarp appeared to be most promising