Prevention of breast cancer by dietary polyphenols—role of cancer stem cells

Abstract

Breast cancer is a common malignancy with poor prognosis. Cancer cells are heterogeneous and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are primarily responsible for tumor relapse, treatment-resistance and metastasis, so for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Diets are known to be associated with carcinogenesis. Food-derived polyphenols are able to attenuate the formation and virulence of BCSCs, implying that these compounds and their analogs might be promising agents for preventing breast cancer. In the present review, we summarized the origin and surface markers of BCSCs and possible mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of polyphenols on BCSCs. The suppressive effects of common dietary polyphenols against BCSCs, such as curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and related polyphenolic compounds were further discussed.     

Effect of chemical phosphorylation on solubility of buffalo milk proteins

Buffalo milk proteins (casein, co-precipitate or whey protein concentrate) were phosphorylated with phosphorus oxychloride (POCl₃) at three different pH values (5.0, 7.0 and 9.0). The solubilities of phosphorylated milk proteins were examined over the pH range 3.0–9.0 in water and ionic (0.1 m NaCl or 10–70 mm Ca²⁺) systems. The solubilities of buffalo milk proteins decreased at pH 3.0, while there was an increase in the solubilities of casein and co-precipitate near their isoelectric points upon phosphorylation. Solubilities of these phosphorylated milk proteins were pH dependent in 0.1 m NaCl but there was a decrease in their solubilities with increase in calcium ion concentration. This alteration could be due to the shifting of isoionic points of phosphorylated buffalo milk proteins towards acidic pH.     

Impact of cryoconcentration on casein micelle size distribution,micelles inter-distance,and flow behavior of skim milk during refrigerated storage

Cryoconcentration combined with a cascade effect was used to concentrate skim milk up to 25.12% total dry matter. Size, shape, and inter-micellar distance of casein micelles were characterized by ZetasizerNano-ZS, transmission electron microscopy, and ImageJ analyses. Flow properties of the cryoconcentrated skim milk were evaluated during 5 weeks of storage under refrigerated condition at 4 °C. Milk color was also evaluated according to the L*, a*, and b* system. The cryoconcentrated skim milk obtained after three cryoconcentration cycles was characterized by a monomodal distribution of its micelles with a tendency to smaller casein micelles. Approximately 60% of the total micellar volume was occupied by the casein micelles with a size of 100–200 nm, less than 18% of the volume with a size of 50–100 nm and only less than 1% was occupied by micelles with a size > 350 nm. This result shows that cryoconcentration changed the distribution of the mean size of the casein micelles to smaller units. No significant difference was observed on the inter-micellar distance. Cryoconcentration significantly improved the color of skim milk by increasing the L* value up to 67 which was similar to that of whole milk. Transition from a Newtonian to a non-Newtonian behavior was observed from the fourth week storage with a slight increase of casein micelle size.Industrial relevanceA concentration procedure of skim milk based on a complete block cryoconcentration technique was proposed. Application of this sub-zero technology permitted the concentration of skim milk total dry matter up to 25%. The casein micelle size was positively affected by moving the major part of the micelles toward the smaller size, whereas the inter-micellar distance was not affected. This new knowledge can be exploited in milk-based products to enhance the product stability. The cryoconcentrated skim milk color was positively affected since its L* value, which represents the milk whiteness, was significantly improved. The flow behavior of the cryoconcentrated milk was of Newtonian type up to 4 weeks of storage at 4 °C. The generated knowledge in this study can be easily used by the milk processing industry in order to make stable milk product with high dry matter content without adding milk powder, which negatively affects the product sensory properties (floury consistency).     

Comparative studies of quality changes in white and dark muscles from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during refrigerated (4 °C) storage

Differences between white and dark muscles from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in sensory assessment, total viable counts (TVC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), biogenic amines (BAs), nucleotide degradation products and colours were investigated under air and vacuum conditions during refrigerated (4 °C) storage. Compared with white muscle, dark muscle had a higher lipid content, but lower crude protein and moisture content. TVC, TVB‐N, pH, and L* value were higher in white muscle, while K value and a* value were higher in dark muscle. Under both conditions, white and dark muscles had significant (P < 0.05) differences in tyramine and cadaverine content. Although dark muscle was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in ATP content, it had higher rate of IMP degradation and K value increase. Taking sensory and microbial indexes into consideration, dark muscle appeared to have a longer shelf life than white muscle under both conditions.     

Effects of different osmo‐dehydrofreezing treatments on the volatile compounds,phenolic compounds and physicochemical properties in mango (Mangifera indica L.)

The influences of different osmotic solution pretreatments (sucrose, glucose and maltose with concentration of 45%) on the volatile compounds, phenolic compounds and other physicochemical parameters in frozen mangoes were studied. Volatile and phenolic compounds were measured using SPME/GC‐MS and HPLC method, respectively. The results revealed that compared with untreated frozen mango, some volatile compounds (e.g. alcohols, aldehydes and some terpenes and esters) increased significantly and there were more compounds identified in osmo‐dehydrofrozen samples. These changes positively affected mango aroma and resulted in higher sensory scores for osmo‐dehydrofrozen samples. In addition, data on phenolic compounds showed that dehydrofrozen samples pretreated in glucose and sucrose had higher ρ‐hydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin contents, respectively, while samples pretreated in maltose showed higher ρ‐coumaric acid and sinapic acid contents compared with untreated frozen samples. The current work indicates that osmo‐dehydrofreezing can improve the retention of phenolic and aromatic compounds in frozen mango.     

Controlled transglutaminase treatment in Edam cheese-making

Transglutaminase (TG) has been widely used in the dairy industry to increase product yield. However, it has not been used in the production of ripened cheeses because of the difficulty of controlling TG activity. It was observed that cross-linking of TG in ultrafiltration retentate could be controlled using a protein standardisation step. TG increased the cheese yield 4%, due to an increase in the moisture content of the cheeses. Traditionally, increased cheese moisture reduces hardness of cheese, but this was not observed in the cheese from TG-treated milk. Furthermore, the organoleptic properties of the TG-cheeses did not differ significantly from those of the control cheeses. No differences were observed in the protein profile of the whey fraction as a result of the TG treatment. The protein standardisation process thus makes it possible to use TG in the production of Edam cheese.     

Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide and nisin on the inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) and nisin on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. Changes in morphology, interior structure, and membrane permeability were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. Synergetic effects were found, especially in S. aureus. HPCD alone or with nisin led to morphological and intracellular alterations in both bacteria, but nisin alone led to these damages only in S. aureus. A positive correlation between membrane damage and inactivation was found, but ratios of inactivation were higher, probably because of viable but non-culturable state. Mechanisms were proposed for synergism: for E. coli, outer membrane was damaged first by HPCD, and then HPCD and nisin jointly acted on and destroyed the cytoplasmic membrane, leading to further intracellular damage by HPCD; for S. aureus, HPCD and nisin acted on the cytoplasmic membrane together leading to cell death.Industrial RelevanceEscherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are two common microorganisms, which exist widely in the environment and easily contaminate food such as vegetables and dairy products, respectively. Considering heat treatment may destroy some heat-sensitive quality of the products, this study evaluated synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) combined with the bacteriocin nisin. The investigations provided evidence for potentially combined application of HPCD and nisin to help keep food safe in the industry.     

Quercetagetin loaded in soy protein isolate–κ-carrageenan complex: Fabrication mechanism and protective effect

In the present study, the potential of soy protein isolate (SPI)–κ-carrageenan (κ-CG) complex as a protective carrier for quercetagetin was investigated at different pH values (pH 2.3 and 6.5). The particle size of the ternary aggregates was slightly increased at pH 2.3, yet dramatically decreased at pH 6.5 with increasing quercetagetin concentration. Moreover, the negative ζ-potential of the ternary aggregates was increased significantly (p < 0.05) at pH 6.5. The addition of quercetagetin to the SPI–κ-CG complex could highly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of SPI. Circular dichroism spectra further suggested that the bound quercetagetin could induce the rise of β-sheet and β-turn contents at the cost of α-helix and unordered coil fractions of SPI. In addition, quercetagetin could increase the viscoelasticity of the ternary aggregates at both pH. Furthermore, the SPI–κ-CG complex was found to be superior to single SPI or κ-CG in terms of improving light stability and radical scavenging ability of quercetagetin.     

Isolation and identification of high pressure‐resistant bacteria naturally contaminating strawberry pulp

The inactivation of bacteria naturally present in strawberry pulp was investigated after high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment at pressure levels up to 600 MPa at 25 °C for 5 ~ 25 min. Five strains of pressure‐resistant bacteria designated as A, B, C, D and E were isolated and identified. The five strains were gram‐positive, spore‐forming, rods or rod in chains. Growth of the strains was observed at 30 ~ 45 °C, and strain B also grew well at 55 °C. They could produce acid from glucose and were catalase‐positive. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the five strains belonged to the genus Bacillus. Strain A and D exhibited the greatest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99% with B. licheniformis and B. firmus, respectively. By combination of phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain C was B. mycoides and E was B. pumilus. On the basis of physiological and biochemical characteristics, gyrB gene sequences analysis and whole‐cell fatty acids analysis, strain B was B. amyloliquefaciens. Further studies showed that strain B (B. amyloliquefaciens) exhibited the highest pressure resistance, and it was reduced by 4.62‐log after treatment at 600 MPa for 25 min at 25 °C as the most effective observed inactivation.