Variability in nutritional composition and phytochemical properties of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) from Malaysia and Australia

The present work sought to investigate the nutritional composition and phytochemical properties of red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) juices from Malaysia and Australia and to determine the optimum ethanol concentration (in the range of 0-100% ethanol) for the extraction of phenolic, flavonoid and betacyanin contents. The predominant macronutrient in red pitaya juice was carbohydrate while potassium and vitamin A were the major mineral and vitamin content. Red pitaya juice from Malaysia achieved optimal total phenolic content at 20% of ethanol (20mL ethanol in 100mL water, v/v); total flavonoid content at 60% (v/v); and betacyanin content at 0% (v/v). Red pitaya juice from Australia achieved the maximum total phenolic content at 60% (v/v); total flavonoid content at 20% (v/v); and betacyanin content at 80% (v/v). Nutritional composition and the phytochemical properties of red pitaya in Malaysia and Australia were significantly different suggested the role of environmental factors like soil and climate on the phytochemical properties of red pitaya

Effects of red pitaya juice supplementation on cardiovascular and hepatic changes in high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome rats

Background: The fruit of Hylocereus polyrhizus, also known as red pitaya, and buah naga in Malay, is one of the tropical fruits of the cactus family, Cactaceae. Red pitaya has been shown to protect aorta from oxidative damage and improve lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic rats probably due to phytochemicals content including phenolics and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in cardiac stiffness, hepatic and renal function in high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced obese rats following supplementation of red pitaya juice. Methods: Total 48 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: corn-starch group (CS), corn-starch + red pitaya juice group (CRP), high-carbohydrate, high fat group (HCHF) and high-carbohydrate, high fat + red pitaya juice (HRP). The intervention with 5% red pitaya juice was started for 8 weeks after 8 weeks initiation of the diet. Heart function was determined ex vivo with Langendorff hearts while plasma liver enzymes, uric acid and urea were measured using commercial kits. Total fat mass was determined with Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Glucose uptake was measured with Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Liver and cardiac structures were defined by histology. Results: Supplementation of red pitaya juice for 8 weeks increased energy intake and abdominal circumference but no change in body fat and lean mass respectively. Also, there were a trend of uric acid and glucose normalization for HRP as compared to H-fed rats. Red pitaya juice treatment reduced ALP and ALT but caused significant increment in AST. Diastolic stiffness of the heart was reduced after supplementation of red pitaya juice in corn starch fed rats. However, the reduction was not significant in HRP rats in comparison with H rats. Conclusion: The present study concluded that red pitaya juice may serve as a complimentary therapy for attenuating some signs of metabolic syndrome

Comparison of protein, total fat, and omega-3 fatty acids content in yellowtail catfish (Pangasius pangasius) and long tail shad (Hilsa (clupea) macrura) in raw and pressurized fish

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer as well as promote brain development among infants and children. This study was carried out to compare total protein, fat and omega-3 fatty acids content of raw and pressurized fish of P. pangasius (yellowtail catfish) and H. macrura (long tail shad). The fish was cooked using pressure cooker for six minute to be pressurized. The protein content was determined by using Kjedahl method while total fat was determined using solvent extraction using chloroform and methanol. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were prepared by a direct transesterification method, and quantified by gas chromatography using external standard. Results showed that marine fish H. macrura (long tail shad) had higher content (p < 0.05) of protein (18.30 ± 0.040 g/100 g), fat (10.965 ± 1.610 g/100 g), EPA (11.83 ± 0.02 g/100 g) and DHA (5.96 ± 0.31 g/100 g) compared to freshwater fish P. pangasius (yellowtail catfish). The protein content of pressurized fish was higher compare to raw fish, but there was no difference in total fat and omega-3 fatty acids content between raw and pressurized of freshwater fish P. pangasius and marine fish, H. macrura. In conclusion, marine fish are better source of protein, fat and omega-3 content, while pressurized fish shown to have comparable amount of protein, fat and omega-3 fatty acids content with raw fish. The result obtained assist the consumers to prepare a healthy menu in order to retain the protein and omega-3 fatty acids content of fish through healthy way of cooking

Antioxidant properties and toxicity assessment of the Crescentia cujete extracts in brine shrimp (Artemia salina)

Crescentia cujete has traditionally been used to treat various ailments. The present study attempted to determine the antioxidant activities of 100% ethanol, 50% ethanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves, bark and fruit of the herb. Additionally, the toxicity of the extracts was investigated in brine shrimp. The results showed that 100% ethanol leaf extract had the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 261.97 ± 0.57 μg/mL according to the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Estimation of the total phenolic content (TPC) using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent showed that the leaves extracted with 100% ethanol had the highest concentration of TPC compared to the extracts prepared with other solvents of all parts of the plant. Analysis of the minerals using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) showed that the parts of the plant primarily consist of high levels of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. Titration analysis of vitamin C showed that the highest concentration of the vitamin is present in the bark. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of vitamin E indicated that the content is the highest in the fruit, and the content of vitamin A was the highest in the leaves. Brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) results showed that 50% ethanol extract of the leaves is the most toxic during a 24 h treatment. Thus, the leaves and bark exhibit excellent antioxidant effects and can be potentially developed as functional food ingredients. The findings of the present study suggest further research in cell lines and in vivo

Effect of oven and microwave drying on polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity of herbal tea from strobilanthes crispus leaves

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oven and microwave drying on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity of unfermented and fermented tea developed from Strobilanthes crispus leaves

Applications of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits as bioactive ingredients in functional foods

The demand for food bioactive ingredients from natural sources with low cost and broad range of applications is extremely increasing. In this study, five date varieties marketed in Malaysia were evaluated for their potential applications as functional food ingredients. The date fruits were extracted with 80% ethanol, and biological activities including antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-elastase activity were determined by referenced methods. Results of the study showed that the date variety Piyarom demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 11.3 µg/ mL), strong antibacterial activity towards tested pathogens that was ranged in 62-76 %, and strong anti-elastase activities (61.2±4.9%). The varieties Ajwa and Anbar showed moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activity, while Deglet Nour and Rabbi exhibited low activities. The results revealed high potential of Piyarom extract to be used as ingredient for functional food applications and fulfilled the high demand for natural functional food ingredients

Effect of different extraction solvents on polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of Peel, Pulp and Seed Kernel of Kuini (Mangifera odorata)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different extraction solvents and determine the optimum solvent concentration (in the range of 0–100%) for the recovery of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of peel, pulp and seed kernel of Mangifera odorata fruit. The total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride assays, respectively. The highest level of TPC was found in 60% and 80% (v/v) acetone for pulp and seed kernel while peel showed the highest TPC at the concentration of 80% (v/v) acetone. The optimum total flavonoid content was achieved at 100% (v/v) methanol for all fruit parts. Antioxidant activity was measured using ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, and the result showed the highest activity at 60% (v/v) ethanol for all parts of M. odorata fruit. The highest scavenging activity was shown at 60% (v/v) acetone for pulp and seed kernel, respectively. Peel exhibited the highest scavenging activity at 40% acetone. It can be concluded that the recovery of phenolic compounds was dependent on the polarity of the chemical constituents in the different parts of fruit as well as the polarity of the solvent systems used. Seed kernel had the highest TPC, TFC and possessed excellent antioxidant capacity compared to peel and pulp of M. odorata. Therefore, the seed kernel can be incorporated into food products as a functional ingredient for the prevention of oxidative-stress related diseases

Complementary NMR- and MS-based metabolomics approaches reveal the correlations of phytochemicals and biological activities in Phyllanthus acidus leaf extracts

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR)- and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS)-based analytical tools are frequently used in metabolomics studies. These complementary metabolomics platforms were applied to identify and quantify the metabolites in Phyllanthus acidus extracted with different ethanol concentrations. In total, 38 metabolites were tentatively identified by 1H NMR and 39 via UHPLC-MS, including 30 compounds are reported for the first time from this plant. The partial least square analysis (PLS) revealed the metabolites that contributed to α-glucosidase and nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities, including kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, phyllanthusol A, phyllanthusol B, chlorogenic, catechin, cinnamic coumaric, caffeic, quinic, citric, ellagic and malic acids. This study shows the significance of combining 1H NMR- and UHPLC-MS-based metabolomics as the best strategies in identifying metabolites in P. acidus extracts and establishing an extract with potent antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties

Dough rheology and physicochemical properties of steamed buns fortified with cross-linked rice starch

Although fibre is associated with numerous health effects, daily fibre consumption is less than recommended. Fibre-enriched food is desirable to overcome this problem and resistant starch (RS) has potential as fibre ingredient. The objective of the research was to study the effect of cross-linked (CL) rice starch (RS type 4) at different levels (0%, 15% and 30%) on dough rheology, physicochemical and sensory acceptance of steamed bun. CL rice starch was produced by cross-linking rice starch with combination of 12% sodium trimetaphosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate for 3h at 45°C under alkaline condition. The dough of steamed bun was characterized by Farinograph and Extensograph, whereas cooked steamed bun was characterized by total dietary fibre, protein, moisture, textural properties, colour and sensory acceptance. Incorporation of CL rice starch in wheat flour lowered the strength, extensibility and quality of dough. The quality of dough was positively correlated with the protein content, indicating lower gluten formation in fortified SB. Total dietary fibre of steamed bun increased significantly with increasing CL starch in the order: 30CL (2.44%) > 15CL (1.33%) > 0CL (0.75%). Hardness and yellowness of steamed bun incorporated with CL rice starch reduced significantly. SB with 15% CL rice starch showed similar sensory acceptability with control SB. The study suggests that CL rice starch at 15% is suitable to increase fibre in steamed bun with little effects on the appearance and sensory attributes

Metabolomics approach to investigate the ergogenic effect of Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract on obese Sprague Dawley rats

Introduction: Natural products are obtaining much acceptance as ergogenic aid, not only among athletes but also among the general population including people with excess body fat. Under normal circumstances, an obese person will have the desire and ability to exercise reduced; mainly because they are easily fatigued. Thus, they need to boost their energy production so that they can be more active and healthier. Objective: In this present work, Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract (MLE) which is believed to possess ergogenic property, was evaluated on its effect on an obese animal model using 1 H-NMR based metabolomics. Material and methods: Rats were fed with high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks for obese development. Once this was achieved, all the rats underwent endurance exercise (forced swimming test) every 2 weeks for 8 weeks together with treatment. The time to exhaustion was recorded for each rat. Three different dosages of MLE: 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of body weight were used together with two positive controls: 5 mg/kg caffeine and 100 mg/kg green tea. Blood was collected before and after treatments for metabolomics study. Results: Findings showed that feeding the rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight MLE significantly prolonged the exhaustive swimming time of the rats, and altered the metabolites present in their serum. Discriminating metabolites involved were the product of various metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate, lipids metabolism and energy metabolism. Treatment with 200 mg/kg body weight MLE resulted in significant improvement in the metabolic perturbations where the proximity of the obese exercised treated group to that of normal exercised group in the partial least squares discriminant analysis score plot was observed. Conclusion: The present work demonstrated ergogenic property of MLE based on the improved metabolic perturbation in exercised obese rats