Effect of thermal treatment and storage on bioactive compounds, organic acids and antioxidant activity of baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata) pulp from Malawi

Bioactive compounds of baobab (Adansonia digitata) pulp from Malawi were investigated. The effect of thermal treatment and storage on selected quality attributes of the juice was also evaluated. Organic compounds were analysed by HPLC; total phenol content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (FRAP, ABTS and DPPH) were measured by spectrophotometry. Malawi baobab pulp contains high levels of procyanidin B2 (533 ± 22.6 mg/100 g FW), vitamin C (AA + DHA) (466 ± 2.5 mg/100 g FW), gallic acid (68.5 ± 12.4 mg/100 g FW) and (−)-epicatechin (43.0 ± 3.0 mg/100 g FW) and showed a maximum TPC of 1.89 × 103 ± 1.61 mg GAE/100 g FW. The maximum antioxidant activity was 2.81 × 103 ± 92.8 mg TEAC/100 g FW for FRAP, 1.52 × 103 ± 17.1 mg TEAC/100 g FW for ABTS and 50.9 ± 0.43% DPPH for DPPH. Thermal pasteurisation (72 °C, 15 s) retained vitamin C which further showed extended half-life under refrigeration temperature (6 °C). Procyanidin B2, (−)-epicatechin, TPC and antioxidant activity fluctuated during storage. Antioxidant activity was significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with bioactive compounds and TPC

Iron Status and Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Ferric Carboxymaltose Treatment in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background and Aims:We analyzed iron deficiency and the therapeutic response following intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in a large single-center inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort. Methods: 250 IBD patients were retrospectively analyzed for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. A subgroup was analyzed regarding efficacy and side effects of iron supplementation with ferric carboxymaltose. Results: In the cohort (n = 250), 54.4% of the patients had serum iron levels 60 mu g/dl, 61.6% had ferritin >100 ng/ml, and 90.7% reached Hb >12/13 g/dl at follow-up (p < 0.0001 for all parameters vs. pretreatment values). The most frequent adverse event was a transient increase of liver enzymes with male gender as risk factor (p = 0.008, OR 8.62, 95% CI 1.74-41.66). Conclusions: Iron deficiency and anemia are frequent in IBD patients. Treatment with ferric carboxymaltose is efficious, safe and well tolerated in iron-deficient IBD patients. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Bio-augmentation of antioxidants and phenolic content of Lablab purpureus by solid state fermentation with GRAS filamentous fungi

The present study was conducted to find out the effect of solid state fermentation on release of phenolics and subsequently on improvement of antioxidant activity of fermented seed and flour of Lablab purpureus (seim), using GRAS filamentous fungi i.e. Aspergillus awamori and Aspergillus oryzae. Significant increase in TPC level was observed on 5th day of fermentation of seed and flour with A. awamori and A. oryzae as compared to non-fermented ones. In DPPH and ABTS antioxidant assay, maximum activity was noticed in fermented ethanolic extract of seim seed with A. awamori and A. oryzae on 3rd and 4th day of incubation, respectively. The findings showed higher antioxidant activity formation in fermented seim seed than flour. Significant increase in enzyme activity of α-amylase was also contributed by SSF. This study demonstrated that fermented seed and flour of seim are better source of phytochemicals compared to the non-fermented ones

Optimization of extraction conditions and enhancement of phenolic content and antioxidant activity of pearl millet fermented with Aspergillus awamori MTCC-548

AbstractThe present study envisaged two stage optimization of conditions using RSM for extraction of total phenolic compounds from pearl millet koji prepared with Aspergillus awamori. Antioxidant activity was determined by employing DPPH and radical cation of ABTS. In phase-1, fermentation time (5–8 days), extraction temperature (40–60 °C), extraction time (45–60 min.) and solvent (ethanol, 50%; 0.5 ml HCL + 99.5 ml methanol) were tested for maximizing extraction process. The optimum conditions of phenolic recovery were achieved at 8 days fermentation time, 40 °C extraction temperature, 45 min. extraction time with 50% ethanol as solvent, with values of 169.19 mg GAE/g for TPC, 262.7 VCEAC µmol/g for DPPH and 281.86 VCEAC µmol/g for ABTS. TPC were found to be positively correlated (p < 0.05) with DPPH and ABTS under these conditions. In phase-2, a central composite design was applied for design of experiments and model building using extraction time and extraction temperature as process variables for further maximizing the extraction of TPC. The optimized conditions using RSM for maximizing the extraction of total phenolic compounds were: ethanol concentration, 50%; extraction temperature, 44.5 °C and extraction time, 23.8 mins. Under these conditions, 176.82 mg GAE/g of total phenolic compounds were extracted which was very close to the predicted value of 173.2 mg GAE/g. The model was validated at these optimal points

Pathologic response with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy for borderline resectable and locally-advanced pancreatic cancer

Background: Neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has potential applicability in the management of borderline resectable and locally-advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In this series, we report the pathologic outcomes in the subset of patients who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant SBRT. Methods: Patients with borderline resectable or locally-advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma who were treated with SBRT followed by resection were included. Chemotherapy was to the discretion of the medical oncologist and preceded SBRT for most patients. Results: Twelve patients met inclusion criteria. Most (92%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and gemcitabine/capecitabine was most frequently utilized (n = 7). Most were treated with fractionated SBRT to 36 Gy/3 fractions (n = 7) and the remainder with single fraction to 24 Gy (n = 5). No grade 3+ acute toxicities attributable to SBRT were found. Two patients developed post-surgical vascular complications and one died secondary to this. The mean time to surgery after SBRT was 3.3 months. An R0 resection was performed in 92% of patients (n = 11/12). In 25% (n = 3/12) of patients, a complete pathologic response was achieved, and an additional 16.7% (n = 2/12) demonstrated <10% viable tumor cells. Kaplan-Meier estimated median progression free survival is 27.4 months. Overall survival is 92%, 64% and 51% at 1-, 2-, and 3-years. Conclusions: This study reports the pathologic response in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and SBRT for borderline resectable and locally-advanced pancreatic cancer. In our experience, 92% achieved an R0 resection and 41.7% of patients demonstrated either complete or extensive pathologic response to treatment. The results of a phase II study of this novel approach will be forthcoming. © 2013 Rajagopalan et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Antioxidant activities and polyphenolics from the shoots of Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng in a polar to a polar medium system.

Solvents of different polarities (water, ethanol, ethyl acetate and hexane) were used for the extraction of antioxidants from the leaves and stems of the shoots of Barringtonia racemosa. The leaf water extracts had the highest polyphenol and ascorbic acid contents. Flavonoids and carotenoids were highest in the leaf ethyl acetate extracts. The leaf water extracts had the highest ferric reducing activities and scavenging activities against ABTS, DPPH and superoxide anion radicals. Antioxidant activities of these extracts were comparable to, if not higher than the antioxidants BHT, ascorbic acid, rutin and gallic acid. UHPLC analyses revealed the presence of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin and kaempferol in the leaves. Overall, the leaves contained more antioxidant compounds and higher antioxidant activities than the stems. This study demonstrates the polar nature of antioxidants in the shoots of B. racemosa. There is great potential for the plant as a natural source of antioxidants

Mechanisms of CFTR Functional Variants That Impair Regulated Bicarbonate Permeation and Increase Risk for Pancreatitis but Not for Cystic Fibrosis

CFTR is a dynamically regulated anion channel. Intracellular WNK1-SPAK activation causes CFTR to change permeability and conductance characteristics from a chloride-preferring to bicarbonate-preferring channel through unknown mechanisms. Two severe CFTR mutations (CFTRsev) cause complete loss of CFTR function and result in cystic fibrosis (CF), a severe genetic disorder affecting sweat glands, nasal sinuses, lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, and male reproductive system. We hypothesize that those CFTR mutations that disrupt the WNK1-SPAK activation mechanisms cause a selective, bicarbonate defect in channel function (CFTRBD) affecting organs that utilize CFTR for bicarbonate secretion (e.g. the pancreas, nasal sinus, vas deferens) but do not cause typical CF. To understand the structural and functional requirements of the CFTR bicarbonate-preferring channel, we (a) screened 984 well-phenotyped pancreatitis cases for candidate CFTRBD mutations from among 81 previously described CFTR variants; (b) conducted electrophysiology studies on clones of variants found in pancreatitis but not CF; (c) computationally constructed a new, complete structural model of CFTR for molecular dynamics simulation of wild-type and mutant variants; and (d) tested the newly defined CFTRBD variants for disease in non-pancreas organs utilizing CFTR for bicarbonate secretion. Nine variants (CFTR R74Q, R75Q, R117H, R170H, L967S, L997F, D1152H, S1235R, and D1270N) not associated with typical CF were associated with pancreatitis (OR 1.5, p = 0.002). Clones expressed in HEK 293T cells had normal chloride but not bicarbonate permeability and conductance with WNK1-SPAK activation. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest physical restriction of the CFTR channel and altered dynamic channel regulation. Comparing pancreatitis patients and controls, CFTRBD increased risk for rhinosinusitis (OR 2.3, p<0.005) and male infertility (OR 395, p≪0.0001). WNK1-SPAK pathway-activated increases in CFTR bicarbonate permeability are altered by CFTRBD variants through multiple mechanisms. CFTRBD variants are associated with clinically significant disorders of the pancreas, sinuses, and male reproductive system. © 2014 Whitcomb et al

Bio-enrichment of phenolics and antioxidant activity of combination of Oryza sativa and Lablab purpureus fermented with GRAS filamentous fungi

Cereal and legumes meet a considerable requirement of protein and carbohydrate of the local population. Most of the foods are cereal based but some cereal/legume or legume based foods are also common in many countries of Asia and Africa. In present study, the effect of fermentation on total phenolics, antioxidant activity and α-amylase enzyme activity of ethanolic extracts of each of seeds and flours combination (1:1) of Oryza sativa (rice) and Lablab purpureus (seim) was determined. The percentage inhibition of free radicals formation by DPPH and ABTS assays was found maximum i.e. 80.66 ± 0.21, 97.67 ± 0.35 on 4th day of incubation of combined sample of rice and seim seeds fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus awamori, respectively. The increased percentage inhibition of free radical formation of fermented samples was found greater than the non-fermented samples (65.88 ± 0.15, 42.00 ± 0.63). The TPC of substrate i.e. rice:seim seeds (1:1) was also found maximum i.e. 47.53 ± 0.20 on 5th day of fermentation with A. awamori. α-amylase activity of fermented samples was also found higher than that of non fermented samples. Almost similar results were obtained in combined flour extract of both the substrates. Increase in level of α-amylase enzyme during SSF indicates that enzymes produced by microorganisms were responsible for release of bound phenolics which may be responsible for increase in antoxidant activity of extracts of fermented seeds and flour combination a cereal and a legume

Nutrient pathways and their susceptibility to past and future change in the Eurasian Arctic Ocean

Climate change is altering nutrient cycling within the Arctic Ocean, having knock-on effects to Arctic ecosystems. Primary production in the Arctic is principally nitrogen-limited, particularly in the western Pacific-dominated regions where denitrification exacerbates nitrogen loss. The nutrient status of the eastern Eurasian Arctic remains under debate. In the Barents Sea, primary production has increased by 88% since 1998. To support this rapid increase in productivity, either the standing stock of nutrients has been depleted, or the external nutrient supply has increased. Atlantic water inflow, enhanced mixing, benthic nitrogen cycling, and land–ocean interaction have the potential to alter the nutrient supply through addition, dilution or removal. Here we use new datasets from the Changing Arctic Ocean program alongside historical datasets to assess how nitrate and phosphate concentrations may be changing in response to these processes. We highlight how nutrient dynamics may continue to change, why this is important for regional and international policy-making and suggest relevant research priorities for the future

Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of non-refined sugarcane alternatives to white sugar

[EN] Antioxidant properties of commercial sugarcane-derived products were analysed to study their suitability for being used as functional ingredients. Cane honey, several jaggeries and several brown sugars were selected from the market and analysed in terms of physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant properties, and compared with white refined sugar (twelve products in total). Moisture, water activity, total soluble solids, pH, colour and sugar profile are reported. As for antioxidant properties, total phenols and flavonoid content, as well as antiradical ability (DPPH. and the TEAC-ABTS methods), are given. All sugarcane products contained phenols and flavonoids and exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity, determined by degree of refining. Among the alternatives analysed, jaggeries and cane honey showed the best antioxidant properties. Thermal treatment did not significantly affect the antioxidant capacity of sugarcane products, especially jaggeries. As sugar-rich products are widely consumed worldwide, the use of non-refined sugarcane derivatives in food formulation is encouraged.The authors would like to acknowledge the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Project PAID2010-2420) and Generalitat Valenciana Government (GV/2013/047) for financial support.Seguí Gil, L.; Calabuig Jimenez, L.; Betoret Valls, N.; Fito Maupoey, P. (2015). Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of non-refined sugarcane alternatives to white sugar. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. 50(12):2579-2588. doi:10.1111/ijfs.12926S257925885012Abbas, S. R., Sabir, S. M., Ahmad, S. D., Boligon, A. A., & Athayde, M. L. (2014). Phenolic profile, antioxidant potential and DNA damage protecting activity of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Food Chemistry, 147, 10-16. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.09.113Amer, S., Na, K.-J., El-Abasy, M., Motobu, M., Koyama, Y., Koge, K., & Hirota, Y. (2004). Immunostimulating effects of sugar cane extract on X-ray radiation induced immunosuppression in the chicken. International Immunopharmacology, 4(1), 71-77. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2003.10.006Bahorun, T., Luximon-Ramma, A., Crozier, A., & Aruoma, O. I. (2004). Total phenol, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and vitamin C levels and antioxidant activities of Mauritian vegetables. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 84(12), 1553-1561. doi:10.1002/jsfa.1820Brand-Williams, W., Cuvelier, M. E., & Berset, C. (1995). Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 28(1), 25-30. doi:10.1016/s0023-6438(95)80008-5Cataldi, T. R. I., Margiotta, G., Iasi, L., Di Chio, B., Xiloyannis, C., & Bufo, S. A. (2000). Determination of Sugar Compounds in Olive Plant Extracts by Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection. Analytical Chemistry, 72(16), 3902-3907. doi:10.1021/ac000266oChan, E. W. C., Lim, Y. Y., Wong, S. K., Lim, K. K., Tan, S. P., Lianto, F. S., & Yong, M. Y. (2009). Effects of different drying methods on the antioxidant properties of leaves and tea of ginger species. Food Chemistry, 113(1), 166-172. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.07.090Dawidowicz, A. L., Wianowska, D., & Olszowy, M. (2012). On practical problems in estimation of antioxidant activity of compounds by DPPH method (Problems in estimation of antioxidant activity). Food Chemistry, 131(3), 1037-1043. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.09.067Del Caro, A., Piga, A., Vacca, V., & Agabbio, M. (2004). Changes of flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity in minimally processed citrus segments and juices during storage. Food Chemistry, 84(1), 99-105. doi:10.1016/s0308-8146(03)00180-8Dittrich, R., El-massry, F., Kunz, K., Rinaldi, F., Peich, C. C., Beckmann, M. W., & Pischetsrieder, M. (2003). Maillard Reaction Products Inhibit Oxidation of Human Low-Density Lipoproteins in Vitro. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51(13), 3900-3904. doi:10.1021/jf026172sDowd, L. E. (1959). Spectrophotometric Determination of Quercetin. Analytical Chemistry, 31(7), 1184-1187. doi:10.1021/ac60151a033Maurício Duarte-Almeida, J., Novoa, A. V., Linares, A. F., Lajolo, F. M., & Inés Genovese, M. (2006). Antioxidant Activity of Phenolics Compounds From Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Juice. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 61(4), 187-192. doi:10.1007/s11130-006-0032-6Duarte-Almeida, J. M., Negri, G., Salatino, A., de Carvalho, J. E., & Lajolo, F. M. (2007). Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of a tricin acylated glycoside from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) juice. Phytochemistry, 68(8), 1165-1171. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.01.015EL-ABASY, M., MOTOBU, M., NA, K.-J., SHIMURA, K., NAKAMURA, K., KOGE, K., … HIROTA, Y. (2003). Protective Effects of Sugar Cane Extracts (SCE) on Eimeria tenella Infection in Chickens. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 65(8), 865-871. doi:10.1292/jvms.65.865El-Abasy, M., Motobu, M., Nakamura, K., Koge, K., Onodera, T., Vainio, O., … Hirota, Y. (2004). Preventive and therapeutic effects of sugar cane extract on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in chickens. International Immunopharmacology, 4(8), 983-990. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2004.01.019Feng, S., Luo, Z., Zhang, Y., Zhong, Z., & Lu, B. (2014). Phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacities of different parts of two sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars. Food Chemistry, 151, 452-458. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.11.057Harish Nayaka, M. A., Sathisha, U. V., Manohar, M. P., Chandrashekar, K. B., & Dharmesh, S. M. (2009). Cytoprotective and antioxidant activity studies of jaggery sugar. Food Chemistry, 115(1), 113-118. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.11.067Kadam, U. S., Ghosh, S. B., De, S., Suprasanna, P., Devasagayam, T. P. A., & Bapat, V. A. (2008). Antioxidant activity in sugarcane juice and its protective role against radiation induced DNA damage. Food Chemistry, 106(3), 1154-1160. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.07.066KOGE, K., NAGAI, Y., MIZUTANI, T., SUZUKI, M., & ARAKI, S. (2001). Inhibitory Effects of Sugar Cane Extracts on Liver Injuries in Mice. NIPPON SHOKUHIN KAGAKU KOGAKU KAISHI, 48(4), 231-237. doi:10.3136/nskkk.48.231Kumazawa, S., Hamasaka, T., & Nakayama, T. (2004). Antioxidant activity of propolis of various geographic origins. Food Chemistry, 84(3), 329-339. doi:10.1016/s0308-8146(03)00216-4Lin, J.-Y., & Tang, C.-Y. (2007). Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents in selected fruits and vegetables, as well as their stimulatory effects on mouse splenocyte proliferation. Food Chemistry, 101(1), 140-147. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.01.014LO, D.-Y., CHEN, T.-H., CHIEN, M.-S., KOGE, K., HOSONO, A., KAMINOGAWA, S., & LEE, W.-C. (2005). Effects of Sugar Cane Extract on the Modulation of Immunity in Pigs. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 67(6), 591-597. doi:10.1292/jvms.67.591Luximon-Ramma, A., Bahorun, T., Soobrattee, M. A., & Aruoma, O. I. (2002). Antioxidant Activities of Phenolic, Proanthocyanidin, and Flavonoid Components in Extracts ofCassia fistula. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 50(18), 5042-5047. doi:10.1021/jf0201172Motobu, M., Amer, S., Koyama, Y., Hikosaka, K., Sameshima, T., Yamada, M., … Hirota, Y. (2006). Protective effects of sugar cane extract on endotoxic shock in mice. Phytotherapy Research, 20(5), 359-363. doi:10.1002/ptr.1860Ozgen, M., Reese, R. N., Tulio, A. Z., Scheerens, J. C., & Miller, A. R. (2006). Modified 2,2-Azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic Acid (ABTS) Method to Measure Antioxidant Capacity of Selected Small Fruits and Comparison to Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and 2,2‘-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Methods. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(4), 1151-1157. doi:10.1021/jf051960dPayet, B., Shum Cheong Sing, A., & Smadja, J. (2005). Assessment of Antioxidant Activity of Cane Brown Sugars by ABTS and DPPH Radical Scavenging Assays:  Determination of Their Polyphenolic and Volatile Constituents. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(26), 10074-10079. doi:10.1021/jf0517703Phillips, K. M., Carlsen, M. H., & Blomhoff, R. (2009). Total Antioxidant Content of Alternatives to Refined Sugar. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(1), 64-71. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2008.10.014Re, R., Pellegrini, N., Proteggente, A., Pannala, A., Yang, M., & Rice-Evans, C. (1999). Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 26(9-10), 1231-1237. doi:10.1016/s0891-5849(98)00315-3Vijaya Kumar Reddy, C., Sreeramulu, D., & Raghunath, M. (2010). Antioxidant activity of fresh and dry fruits commonly consumed in India. Food Research International, 43(1), 285-288. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2009.10.006Sendra, J. M., Sentandreu, E., & Navarro, J. L. (2006). Reduction kinetics of the free stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) for determination of the antiradical activity of citrus juices. European Food Research and Technology, 223(5), 615-624. doi:10.1007/s00217-005-0243-3Singleton, V. L., Orthofer, R., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. (1999). [14] Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of folin-ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology, 152-178. doi:10.1016/s0076-6879(99)99017-1Varzakas, T., & Chryssanthopoulos, C. (2012). Nutritional and Health Aspects of Sweeteners. Sweeteners, 329-366. doi:10.1201/b12065-12Wojtczak, M., Antczak, A., & Lisik, K. (2013). Contamination of commercial cane sugars by some organic acids and some inorganic anions. Food Chemistry, 136(1), 193-198. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.07.036Wolfe, K., Wu, X., & Liu, R. H. (2003). Antioxidant Activity of Apple Peels. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51(3), 609-614. doi:10.1021/jf020782aYAMAGUCHI, T., MIZOBUCHI, T., KAJIKAWA, R., KAWASHIMA, H., MIYABE, F., TERAO, J., … MATOBA, T. (2001). Radical-Scavenging Activity of Vegetables and the Effect of Coking on Their Activity. Food Science and Technology Research, 7(3), 250-257. doi:10.3136/fstr.7.250Yamauchi, K., Buwjoom, T., Koge, K., & Ebashi, T. (2006). Histological Intestinal Recovery in Chickens Refed Dietary Sugar Cane Extract. Poultry Science, 85(4), 645-651. doi:10.1093/ps/85.4.645YAO, L. H., JIANG, Y. M., SHI, J., TOM�S-BARBER�N, F. A., DATTA, N., SINGANUSONG, R., & CHEN, S. S. (2004). Flavonoids in Food and Their Health Benefits. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 59(3), 113-122. doi:10.1007/s11130-004-0049-