Probabilistic neural network classification for Model B-Glucan Suspensions

โครงการหนึ่งอาจารย์หนึ่งผลงาน ประจำปี 255

Maltodextrin from Sweet Cassava: A Promising Endurance Enhancer

The effects of maltodextrin and crude extract from sweet cassava on exercise endurance were examined in the male Wistar rat. The rats were randomly assigned to either an exercise training group or a non-exercise training group. Both groups were further divided into subgroups that received either a control, crude extract (250 or 500 mg/kg), or maltodextrin (250 or 500 mg/kg) orally once daily for 16 days. The time to the point of exhaustion after weight-loaded forced swimming was measured on day 16. Body weight gain, relative organ weight, biochemical parameters, and liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen content were also determined. Maltodextrin at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly increased the time to the point of exhaustion compared to all other groups. Maltodextrin and crude extract with both doses significantly increased liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen content compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in glucose, BUN, triglyceride, or insulin levels between the groups. Crude extract at a dose of 250 mg/kg significantly increased AST and ALT levels, and LDH levels significantly increased in the exercise training group. Creatinine levels were significantly higher in the exercise training group compared to the non-exercise training group. Exercise boosted antioxidant enzymes, glycogen, and reduced damaging free radicals in the rats. Maltodextrin and crude extract further amplified this effect by activating AMPK and PGC-1α, suggesting that they combat fatigue through an antioxidant pathway linked to AMPK. These findings suggest that maltodextrin and crude extract from sweet cassava may have the potential to enhance exercise endurance. They may increase glycogen storage in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle, potentially through improved glycogen reserves and glycogen sparing effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects

Evaluation of Short-Term Toxicity and Cholesterol-Lowering Effects in Rats Exposed to Dietary Fiber Derived from Cassava Pulp

The dietary fiber extracted from cassava pulp, composed of crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and cellulose content, demonstrates promise as a functional food ingredient. The study’s objectives encompassed the assessment of short-term toxicity and the evaluation of its potential cholesterol-lowering effects. The results indicated that cassava pulp dietary fiber (CDF) is well-tolerated with non-toxic thresholds determined at 10.01 g/kg body weight/day for male rats and 11.21 g/kg body weight/day for female rats during the short-term toxicity assessment. Furthermore, CDF exhibited notable cholesterol-lowering effects, significantly reducing serum triglyceride and serum total cholesterol levels, along with decreased liver total lipids and liver cholesterol levels. In contrast, it led to significant increases in fecal total lipids and cholesterol when compared to the control group. Most notably, there were no significant differences in terms of serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, liver total lipids, and liver cholesterol between CDF and the conventional cholesterol-lowering medication, simvastatin. These findings underscore the potential of cassava pulp dietary fiber as a natural and safe alternative for managing hyperlipidemia and related conditions. It offers a valuable avenue for the development of functional foods aimed at improving cardiovascular health and further investigation for its potential application in the field of nutraceuticals

Structural and Rheological Properties of Yanang Gum (Tiliacora triandra)

Plant polysaccharides are used in the food industry to improve the texture and stability of food. The viscosity of polysaccharides, which includes both thickening and gelling, is an important characteristic. Yanang, Tilaicora triandra (Colebr.) Diels., composed of polysaccharide gum in its leaves. In this research, Yanang gum’s structural and rheological properties were investigated. The gum’s structure is xylan, with a backbone made up mostly of mixed (1,3)- and (1,4)-D-xylan. The average molecular weight of Yanang gum is 3819 kDa, with a gyration radius of 120.4 nm and an intrinsic viscosity of 14.6 dL/g. The power-law model was found to be the best fit for Yanang gum flow curves. The consistency coefficient, k, increases significantly with concentration in both the forward and the reverse measurements, whereas the flow behavior index, n, decreased as concentration increased. Yanang gum exhibited shear-thinning flow behavior. Increasing the concentration results in heightened G′ and G″, and the cross-over point shifts toward lower frequencies. The results of this study show that Yanang gum may be beneficial as other natural gums for food products

A Culinary and Medicinal Gem: Exploring the Phytochemical and Functional Properties of Thai Basil

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the potential health benefits of Thai basil extracts from two species, Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum and Ocimum basilicum cv. Jumbo 4320, by investigating their bioactivities, phytochemical composition, and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antithrombotic activities. Thai basil extracts from two species (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum and cv. Jumbo 4320) were obtained using water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. Phytochemical analysis revealed chlorophylls, carotenoids, and diverse phenolic compounds. Its water extract boasted the highest total phenolics (459.62 ± 3.07 mg GAE/100 g), outperforming ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts (171.20 ± 1.10 and 66.02 ± 0.99 mg GAE/100 g, respectively). The ethanol extract of Jumbo 4320 also reigned supreme in total flavonoids (557.12 ± 14.27 mg CE/100 g), surpassing its counterparts (209.07 ± 23.31 and 131.41 ± 0.37 mg CE/100 g). O. basilicum cv. Jumbo 4320 extracts exhibited superior antioxidant activity by various assays. Jumbo 4320′s water extract further dominated in the DPPH assay (IC50 48.52 ± 1.15 mg/mL), demonstrating superior free radical scavenging compared to ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts (IC50 60.54 ± 0.52 and 82.09 ± 3.18 mg/mL), respectively. While thyrsiflorum’s ethanol extract claimed the top spot in the FRAP assay (0.0186 ± 0.00 mmol Fe2+/g), Jumbo 4320′s water extract showcased the highest cellular antioxidant activity (80.62 ± 0.00% relative fluorescence intensity) in the DCFH-DA assay. Interestingly, Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum extracts demonstrated stronger antithrombotic activity at prolonging the prothrombin time at 78.3 ± 17.56 s. While the antimicrobial activity against most tested pathogens was limited, both species’ extracts inhibited Bacillus cereus. These findings suggest the potential of Thai basil extracts, particularly from Jumbo 4320, as functional food ingredients with antioxidant and antithrombotic properties

Identification of Pheophytin a and Hydroxy Pheophytin a from Rang Chuet (<i>Thunbergia laurifolia</i> Linn.) as Potent NQO-1 Inducers in Liver Cells

Thunbergia laurifolia Linn. (Rang Chuet, RC), a Thai medicinal plant, possesses various bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This study aimed to identify detoxifying compounds within RC crude extract. RC leaves were extracted using the Soxhlet method with chloroform. Total carotenoids, chlorophylls, extract yield, total phenolic contents (TPCs), and total flavonoid contents (TFCs) were measured. The extract’s composition was analyzed. Cytotoxicity and effects on the detoxification enzyme NQO-1 were assessed in liver cell lines (AML12 and HepG2) using MTT and NQO-1 assays, respectively. Bioactive fractions were identified using fractionation techniques and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RC extract displayed significant levels of carotenoids (0.375 mg/g), chlorophylls (2.682 mg/g), and favorable yield (15.3%). TPC and TFC were 363.776 mg/g and 112.22 mg/g of extract, respectively. Analysis revealed phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid), flavonoid (apigenin), chlorophylls (chlorophylls a, b, pheophytin a and b), and lutein. Among the fractions, Fraction 3 (F3) exhibited the highest NQO-1 enzyme activity. F3 contained pheophytin a and hydroxy pheophytin a, confirmed by LC-MS (m/z 871.59+ [M + H]+ and 887.59+ [M + H]+). F3 significantly induced NQO-1 activity in both HepG2 (3.908-fold) and AML12 (1.99-fold) cells. This study identified F3 from RC extract as a promising fraction containing pheophytin a and hydroxy pheophytin a, responsible for inducing the detoxification enzyme NQO-1 in liver cells. These findings suggest RC’s potential for promoting detoxification

Optimum aquaculture and drying conditions for Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Wimn

This study aimed to investigate the effects of aquaculture and the optimum conditions for drying duckweed plants to maintain the highest nutritional value and bioactive substances. Protein quantification was used to screen duckweed plants subjected to the 14 treatments under aquaculture conditions. Proximate analysis of three aquaculture conditions showed the highest quantification of protein. Moreover, these samples were analyzed for total phenolics, flavonoids, and chlorophylls. The optimal drying conditions for duckweed plants with the highest protein content were determined using a factorial design with three temperature and time parameters.The results showed that the duckweed under aquaculture conditions in an outdoor cement pond with hydroponic electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.5 mS/cm contained the highest protein at 41.81 ± 3.40%. Moreover, proximate analysis of this sample showed fat, fiber, moisture, ash, and carbohydrate contents of 1.99 ± 0.08%, 4.46 ± 0.71%, 3.29 ± 0.17%, 22.06 ± 0.07% and 14.12 ± 1.63%, respectively. In addition, the optimum drying conditions for this sample were 50 °C and a drying time of 6 h. Under optimum drying conditions, this sample showed total phenolics, flavonoids, and chlorophylls contents of 55.28 ± 1.35 (μg GAE/g dry weight), 159.84 ± 6.65 (μg catechin equivalent [QE]/g dry weight) and 22.91 ± 0.15 (mg/g dry weight), respectively.In conclusion, the dried duckweed under aquaculture conditions in an outdoor cement pond with hydroponic EC 0.5 mS/cm contained the highest contents of proteins, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total chlorophyll, which could be used as functional ingredients in health food products