Optimization of Enzymatic Production of Oligopeptides from Apricot Almonds Meal with Neutrase and N120P

Neutrase 0.8L and N120P proteases were used for oligopeptide production from apricot almonds meal, and response surface design was carried out to optimize the effect of hydrolysis conditions on hydrolysis degree (DH) and oligopeptide yield rate. Four independent variables were used to optimize the hydrolysis process: hydrolysis temperature (X1), enzyme-to substrate ratio (E/S) (X2), substrate concentration (X3) and reaction time (X4). Statistical analysis indicated that the four variables, quadratic terms of X1, X3, and X4, and the interaction terms with X1 had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on DH. The yield rate was also significantly affected by the four variables and quadratic terms of X1, X2 and X4. Two mathematical models with high determination coefficient were obtained and could be employed to optimize protein hydrolysis. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined as follows: hydrolysis temperature 52.5 °C; enzyme-to-substrate ratio (E/S) 7200 U/g; substrate concentration 2%; reaction time 173 min. The initial pH 6.5 and Neutrase-to-N120P dosage ratio 2:1 were fixed in this study according to the preliminary research. Under these conditions, the experimental DH and yield rate were 34.10 ± 5.25% and 72.42 ± 2.27%, respectively

Effects of long-term moderate exercise and increase in number of daily steps on serum lipids in women: randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN21921919]

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 24-month period of moderate exercise on serum lipids in menopausal women. METHODS: The subjects (40–60 y) were randomly divided into an exercise group (n = 14) and a control group (n = 13). The women in the exercise group were asked to participate in a 90-minute physical education class once a week and to record their daily steps as measured by a pedometer for 24 months. RESULTS: Mean of daily steps was significantly higher in the exercise group from about 6,800 to over 8,500 steps (P < 0.01). In the control group, the number of daily steps ranged from 5,700 to 6,800 steps throughout the follow-up period. A significant interaction between the exercise group and the control group in the changes og total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and TC : HDLC ratio could be observed (P < 0.05). By multiple regression analysis, the number of daily steps was related to HDLC and TC : HDLC levels after 24 months, and the changes in TC and HDLC concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that daily exercise as well as increasing the number of daily steps can improve the profile of serum lipids

Phyto-oestrogen excretion and rate of bone loss in postmenopausal women

Objective: The hypothesis was tested that the rate of postmenopausal bone loss is inversely associated with long-term urinary excretion of phyto-oestrogens, as a marker of habitual dietary intake. Design: Secondary analysis of a 10-year follow-up study (1979-1989) among postmenopausal women in the Netherlands. Subjects: From the original population of 154 women, 32 women were selected with an annual rate of radial bone loss of ≤ 0.5% over the first 5 years of the study and 35 women with a rate of ≥ 2.5% per year. Methods: The isoflavonoids genistein, daidzein and equol, and the lignan enterolactone were determined by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry in aggregate samples from annually collected urine samples. Cortical bone density of the radius had previously been measured annually by single-photon absorptiometry. Results: Excretion of isoflavonoids did not differ between both groups, although in multivariate analysis equol excretion was weakly positively associated with rate of bone loss in the 5 years after the menopause. Enterolactone excretion was significantly higher in the group with high rate of bone loss. This positive association remained in multivariate linear regression analysis after adjustment for age, years since menopause, body mass index and intake of calcium, vegetable protein and dietary fibre. Conclusions: Enterolactone excretion is likely to be an indicator of consumption of grains and legumes; it is not clear whether the observed positive association with rate of bone loss is a causal one. Our results do not support a preventive effect of low, unsupplemented dietary intake of phyto-oestrogens on postmenopausal cortical bone loss. However, no conclusions can be drawn about effects of higher doses of phyto-oestrogens