Anthocyanins

This book contains 20 articles published in Molecules that concern the color quality of food and wine, anthocyanin biosynthesis and regulation, anthocyanin composition and the biological properties of anthocyanin pigments

Risk factors for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and stage 4 chronic kidney disease treated with bardoxolone methyl

Background: A phase 3 randomized clinical trial was designed to test whether bardoxolone methyl, a nuclear factor erythroid-2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator, slows progression to end-stage renal disease in patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The trial was terminated because of an increase in heart failure in the bardoxolone methyl group; many of the events were clinically associated with fluid retention.<p></p> Methods and Results: We randomized 2,185 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) (estimated glomerular filtration rate 15 to <30 mL min−1 1.73 m−2) to once-daily bardoxolone methyl (20 mg) or placebo. We used classification and regression tree analysis to identify baseline factors predictive of heart failure or fluid overload events. Elevated baseline B-type natriuretic peptide and previous hospitalization for heart failure were identified as predictors of heart failure events; bardoxolone methyl increased the risk of heart failure by 60% in patients with these risk factors. For patients without these baseline characteristics, the risk for heart failure events among bardoxolone methyl– and placebo-treated patients was similar (2%). The same risk factors were also identified as predictors of fluid overload and appeared to be related to other serious adverse events.<p></p> Conclusions: Bardoxolone methyl contributed to events related to heart failure and/or fluid overload in a subpopulation of susceptible patients with an increased risk for heart failure at baseline. Careful selection of participants and vigilant monitoring of the study drug will be required in any future trials of bardoxolone methyl to mitigate the risk of heart failure and other serious adverse events.<p></p&gt

Cultivar and maturity effects on Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) colour, texture and cell wall polysaccharide composition

Abstract: Cell wall polysaccharides (CWP) of two types of melons were isolated and purified. Fractionations were performed using cyclohexane trans-1,2-diamine tetraacetate (CDTA), Na,CO, , guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC) and KOH. Alditol acetate derivatives of neutral sugars from each CWP fraction were prepared and analysed by gas chromatography. Trifluoro-acetic acid insoluble fractions were analysed colorimetrically and uronic acid was determined. The CDTA and Na,CO, fractions were found to be composed of typical pectic materials containing primarily galacturonic acid with the neutral sugars arabinose, galactose, rhamnose and a smaller amount of xylose. As maturity increased, CDTA fraction yields increased, though total neutral sugar CWP compositions decreased. GTC and KOH fractions were typical of hemicellulose, and contained principally xylose, glucose, galactose, mannose and fucose, with very small amounts of uronic acid, arabinose and rhamnose. The residues contained principally glucose and galactose, with smaller amounts of mannose, xylose, arabinose and fucose. With the exception of xylose and glucose, all neutral sugars decreased significantly during ripening in both the Cantaloupe and Honey Dew melons. Total uronic acid did not change as maturity increased, except for Cantaloupe, where total uronic acid decreased from the ripe to overripe stages. Relationships between firmness, drip loss and other composition measurements, as well as the total CWP sugar composition, were also determined. Only the CDTA fraction yields were negatively correlated with the changes in firmness of both melons and positively correlated with changes in drip loss as maturity increased

An experimental design approach to the chemical characterisation of pectin polysaccharides extracted from Cucumis melo Inodorus

Extracted pectins have been utilised in a number of applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries where they are generally used as gelling agents, thickeners and stabilisers, although a number of pectins have been shown to be bioactive. These functional properties will depend upon extraction conditions. A statistical experimental design approach was used to study the effects of extraction conditions pH, time and temperature on pectins extracted from Cucumis melo Inodorus. The results show that the chemical composition is very sensitive to these conditions and that this has a great influence on for example the degree of branching. Higher temperatures, lower pHs and longer extraction times lead to a loss of the more acid labile arabinofuranose residues present on the pectin side chain. The fitting of regression equations relating yield and composition to extraction conditions can therefore lead to tailor-made pectins for specific properties and/ or applications

Using the COPM with Veterans Who Have Sustained a Stroke

The authors collaborated with Mary Matthews-Brownell, OTR/L at the American Lake Veterans Affairs (VA). Our research question was, “What evidence is there to support best practices for veteran re-engagement in meaningful activities to promote overall quality of life for veterans who have sustained a stroke?” In response to Mary’s specific interest in the research supporting the use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and her desire to have concrete data to support her intervention outcomes, we chose to host an in-service on the use of the COPM for the occupational therapists at the VA. To monitor the impact of the in-service and use of the COPM in practice, we gave three surveys. The first survey was given before the in-service to measure the therapists’ knowledge of the COPM and its use with clients. The second survey was given immediately after the in-service to rate confidence in implementing the use of the COPM. The final survey was given five weeks post-implementation to gauge perception in the COPM’s usefulness in developing goals and measuring client performance and satisfaction. We recommend continued use of the COPM as a way to identify client interests and promote engagement in meaningful activities for veterans who have sustained a stroke

Color and pigment analyses in fruit products

Published May 1993. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

pulsed electric field assisted juice extraction of frozen thawed blueberries

Pulsed electric field is an efficient method for cell membrane permeabilization of food tissues with most research being done on fresh plant cells. Freeze/thawing is also known to be capable of cell membrane permeabilization. In this work, frozen/thawed European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits were treated with pulsed electric field in order to further enhance the cell membrane permeabilization and, hence, the quality of blueberry juice during the subsequent pressing process. Blueberries tissues were exposed to 20 μs monopolar square wave pulses of different electric field strength (E = 1–3–5 kV cm-1) and total specific energy input (WT = 1–5–10 kJ kg -1), with their permeabilization being characterized by electrical impedance measurements and cell disintegration index (Zp). The juice, obtained after pressing (1.32 bar), was characterized for total polyphenols, anthocyanins content and antioxidant activity. The cell disintegration index (Zp) significantly (p < 0.05) increased from 0.2 up to 0.6 with increasing pulsed electric field treatment intensity (E and WT). As a results, in comparison with control, pulsed electric field treatment induced a slightly higher release of polyphenols (up to +8.0%) and anthocyanins (up to +8.3%), thus improving the antioxidant activity of the juice (up to +16.7%). In conclusion, frozen/thawed blueberries could be pulsed electric field treated in order to further increase juice quality

Antioxidant activity, total phenolics and flavonoids contents: should we ban in vitro screening methods?

As many studies are exploring the association between ingestion of bioactive compounds and decreased risk of non-communicable diseases, the scientific community continues to show considerable interest in these compounds. In addition, as many non-nutrients with putative health benefits are reducing agents, hydrogen donors, singlet oxygen quenchers or metal chelators, measurement of antioxidant activity using in vitro assays has become very popular over recent decades. Measuring concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids, and other compound (sub)classes using UV/Vis spectrophotometry offers a rapid chemical index, but chromatographic techniques are necessary to establish structure-activity. For bioactive purposes, in vivo models are required or, at the very least, methods that employ distinct mechanisms of action (i.e., single electron transfer, transition metal chelating ability, and hydrogen atom transfer). In this regard, better understanding and application of in vitro screening methods should help design of future research studies on ‘bioactive compounds’