Evaluation of the composition and functional properties of whole egg plasma obtained by centrifugation

Hen eggs have many applications in the food industry. Centrifugation split liquid whole egg in two fractions: supernatant plasma and precipitate granules. Plasma can be used directly by the food industry. The aim of this study was to analyse how the operational conditions affect the composition and functional properties of plasma obtained by centrifugation. Protein and cholesterol contents, dry matter, emulsion activity and foam activity were evaluated. Plasma showed lower protein content and dry matter than liquid whole egg. Within the operational conditions studied, plasma contained 74–85% of egg cholesterol, maintaining the emulsifying activity and increasing the foaming properties. Prediction models were obtained for all the parameters studied except for emulsifying activity. Plasma doubled the foam capacity and increased until almost 15% the foam stability compared with liquid whole egg. Whole egg plasma could be a great substitute of whole egg for the food industry.     

Effects of quercetin supplementation on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: In spite of promising experimental findings, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have yielded mixed results on the impact of quercetin supplementation on plasma lipid levels.

Aim: The present study aimed to quantify the effects of quercetin on plasma lipids using a meta-analysis of RCTs.

Methods: A systematic literature search of Medline was conducted for RCTs that investigated the efficacy of quercetin supplementation on plasma lipids comprising total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for net changes in lipid concentrations using a random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to assess the effect of quercetin dose and duration of supplementation as moderators on the calculated effect measures.

Results: Five RCTs totaling 442 subjects (221 in the quercetin and 221 in the control group) fulfilled the eligibility criteria and selected for analyses. Combined estimate of effect size for the impact of quercetin on plasma LDL-C (WMD: 1.43 mg/dL, 95% CI: ?0.92–3.78, p = 0.23), HDL-C (WMD: 0.26 mg/dL, 95% CI: ?0.74–1.25, p = 0.61) and triglycerides (WMD: ?9.42 mg/dL, 95% CI: ?27.80–8.96, p = 0.32) was not statistically significant. However, a borderline significant but clinically non-relevant increase in total cholesterol was observed (WMD: 3.13 mg/dL, 95% CI: ?0.01–6.27, p = 0.05). When the analysis was confined to the subgroups of studies with quercetin doses ≥500 mg/day and follow-up of ≥ 4 weeks, a significant increase in total cholesterol (WMD: 3.57 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.21–6.92, p = 0.04) and a decline in triglycerides (WMD: ?24.54 mg/dL, 95% CI: ?33.09 to ?15.99, p < 0.00001) was observed, but LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Changes in plasma triglycerides, but not other indices of lipid profile, were significantly associated with quercetin dose (slope: ?0.057; 95% CI: ?0.103 to ?0.010; p = 0.02) and duration of supplementation (slope: ?5.314; 95% CI: ?9.482 to ?1.147; p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Available evidence from RCTs does not suggest any clinically relevant effect of quercetin supplementation on plasma lipids, apart from a significant reduction of triglycerides at doses above 50 mg/day.     

Nigella sativa L. improves lipid profile and prevents atherosclerosis: Evidence from an experimental study on hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The effects of Nigella sativa (NS) on lipid profile, C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, antioxidant capacity, Apo A and Apo B and fatty streak formation in hypercholesterolemic male rabbits were examined. Fifteen rabbits were distributed into three groups of five each [normal diet, hypercholesterolemic diet (1% cholesterol) and hypercholesterolemic diet (1% cholesterol) supplemented with 5% NS]. They received rabbit laboratory chow diet for a period of 8 weeks. At the start and end of the study, fasting blood was taken from all animals. NS significantly decreased fatty streak formation as well as total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in hypercholesterolemic male rabbits. NS showed positive effects on other factors (triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein, C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, antioxidant capacity, Apo A and Apo B), but these were insignificant. Based on favorable efficiency of NS on TC and LDL reduction and its anti-atherogenic cardioprotective properties, it is suggested using this plant with fat-rich diets simultaneously may reduce their adverse health effects.     

Physiochemical,Pasting, and Thermal Properties of Starch Isolated from Different Barley Cultivars

Starches from eight different barley cultivars were isolated and evaluated for their physiochemical, thermal, and pasting properties. The amylose content varied significantly among cultivars and ranged from 21.0 to 28.3%. The majority of the starch granules were of the B-type (20 to 40 μm) in size and accounted for 50.5 to 61.6% of the total granules. The starch gel from RD-2052 showed the highest firmness (0.55 N). The pasting behavior of starch varied significantly; the PL-172 cultivar showed the highest peak viscosity (2622 cP) while it was lowest for RD-2035 (1913cP). The time to peak of pasting properties exhibited a significant (p ≤ 0.05) negative correlation with water solubility index (r =??0.74). The pasting temperature showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) positive correlation with water binding capacity (r = 0.73) and significant negative correlation with water solubility index (r =??0.82). The highest enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) was exhibited by DWR-28 cultivar (4.9 J/g). Amylose content showed a significant (p ≤ 0.01) negative correlation with ΔH (r =??0.90). A significant (p ≤ 0.01) positive correlation was observed between gelatinization temperature range and water binding capacity of starch (r = 0.85).     

Antihyperlipidemic effect of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) protein isolate in rats fed a normal and high cholesterol diet

The dietary influence of sesame protein isolate (protein content 91.5%), produced from dehulled, defatted sesame meal, on blood and tissue lipid profile and lipid peroxidation has been assessed in normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. To evaluate their hypocholesterolemic and antioxidative activity in vivo, we fed 18% sesame protein isolate with or without 2% cholesterol in comparison with casein to rats for 28 d. We determined plasma total protein, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triacylglycerol as well as susceptibility of plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid to oxidation ex vivo. Liver tissue lipid, cholesterol, phospholipids, and lipid peroxidations were also determined. The total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were significantly reduced in the sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol group than the corresponding control casein groups. HDL-cholesterol level was also increased in sesame protein isolate (41%) and protein isolate containing cholesterol group (38%) than the corresponding control casein and casein containing cholesterol groups. There was 49% and 64% lowering of plasma lipid peroxidation as well as 36% and 56% lowering of lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility (LOS) in the 2 experimental groups (sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol group) than the corresponding control (casein and casein containing cholesterol) groups. There was significant lowering of erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation (68% and 63% lowering in sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol groups) and liver lipid peroxidation (61% and 76% lowering in the 2 experimental groups than the corresponding control casein groups). Therefore, our results indicate that sesame protein isolate decreases cholesterol concentration in plasma, increases HDL-cholesterol, and also decreases plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation with or without cholesterol fed diet in rats.     

啤酒高分子蛋白检测方法的评估及应用

通过对考马斯亮蓝法检测啤酒高分子蛋白含量的操作方法进行优化,提升其方法的重复性和稳定性,优化后该方法的重复性和稳定性相对标准偏差(RSD)分别为3.68%和3.92%。同时,对该方法检测的高分子蛋白含量与啤酒泡持性进行了相关性分析。结果表明,巴氏杀菌啤酒泡持值与高分子蛋白含量的Pearson相关系数为0.923(P＜0.01);纯生啤酒在贮存3 d、1个月、2个月和4个月的泡持值和其高分子蛋白含量的Pearson相关系数分别为0.700(P＜0.01)、0.739(P＜0.01)、0.899(P＜0.01)和0.883(P＜0.01)。表明该方法不仅能用于啤酒高分子蛋白含量的检测,还能用于巴氏杀菌啤酒和纯生啤酒泡持性的监控。     

Emulsifying Properties of Bovine Milk Fat Globule Membrane in Milk Fat Emulsion: Conditions for the Reconstitution of Milk Fat Globules

A procedure for the reconstitution of milk fat globules (MFG) stabilized with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) was developed. MFG was reconstituted by homogenizing a mixture of 1% MFGM and 25% milk fat at 45°C and at pH 7.0 for 1 min. The emulsifying properties of MFGM were evaluated by emulsifying activity (EA), emulsion stability (ES), whippability and foam stability. Of the variables affecting the reconstitution of MFG, prolonged homogenization decreased EA and ES. About 25% milk fat gave maximal EA and ES, increasing the MFGM concentration increased both EA and ES, which were also influenced by the pH level. Foam disappeared at >30°C.     

牛血清白蛋白的乳化和起泡特性

研究蛋白质量浓度、pH 值、CaCl2 质量浓度和温度对牛血清白蛋白(BSA)的乳化性、乳化稳定性、起泡性和起泡稳定性的影响。结果表明：蛋白质量浓度为0.1g/100mL 时乳化性和乳化稳定性最大,pH 值为5 时乳化性和乳化稳定性最小,乳化性随着CaCl2 质量浓度的增加而缓慢增大,乳化稳定性随着CaCl2 质量浓度的增加而减小,60℃时乳化性较好,乳化稳定性在60℃后显著下降;随着蛋白质质量浓度的增加,起泡性呈上升趋势,起泡稳定性先上升后下降,在质量浓度为1.5g/100mL 时起泡稳定性最好;pH 值为5 时起泡性最小,而此时起泡稳定性最好;CaCl2 质量浓度对起泡性和起泡稳定性没有影响。     

Structural and Functional Properties of Caseinate and Whey Protein Isolate as Affected by Temperature and pH

The structural properties, i.e., active sulfhydryl (SH), flexibility and hydrophobicity, and functional properties, i.e., solubility, emulsion activity (EA), emulsion stability (ES), foam overrun (FO) and foam stability (FS), of commercial sodium caseinate (SC) and whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions were investigated at pH 6, 7 and 8 and at 25, 55 and 65°C. WPI contained a higher concentration of active SH and was more hydrophobic than SC. WPI provided comparable solubility and EA, lower FO, but higher FS than SC. Temperature and pH effects on the two proteins were somewhat inconsistent.     

6‐Dihydroparadol,a Ginger Constituent,Enhances Cholesterol Efflux from THP‐1‐Derived Macrophages

1 Scope

Ginger is reported to be used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells is an important process in reverse cholesterol transport, whose increase may help to prevent or treat CVD. In this study, we investigated the effects of 6‐dihydroparadol from ginger on macrophage cholesterol efflux.

2 Methods and results

We show that 6‐dihydroparadol concentration‐dependently enhances both apolipoprotein A1‐ and human plasma–mediated cholesterol efflux from cholesterol‐loaded THP‐1‐derived macrophages using macrophage cholesterol efflux assay. 6‐Dihydroparadol increases protein levels of both ATP‐binding cassette transporters A1 and G1 (ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 [ABCA1] and ATP‐binding cassette transporter G1 [ABCG1]) according to Western blot analysis. The ABCA1 inhibitor probucol completely abolishes 6‐dihydroparadol‐enhanced cholesterol efflux. Furthermore, increased ABCA1 protein levels in the presence of 6‐dihydroparadol were associated with both increased ABCA1 mRNA levels and increased ABCA1 protein stability. Enhanced ABCG1 protein levels were only associated with increased protein stability. Increased ABCA1 protein stability appeared to be the result of a reduced proteasomal degradation of the transporter in the presence of 6‐dihydroparadol.

3 Conclusion

We identified 6‐dihydroparadol from ginger as a novel promoter of cholesterol efflux from macrophages that increases both ABCA1 and ABCG1 protein abundance. This newly identified bioactivity might contribute to the antiatherogenic effects of ginger.     

纯生啤酒存放过程中泡沫稳定性与酵母蛋白酶A以及蛋白含量与组成变化的研究

酵母蛋白酶A已经被证实对啤酒泡沫稳定性有负面作用。通过测定纯生啤酒存放过程中酵母蛋白酶A活性变化、泡持性衰减及蛋白含量的变化,进一步说明酵母蛋白酶A以及蛋白种类与含量对纯生啤酒泡沫稳定性的影响及其相互关系。对不同存放时期纯生啤酒样品中蛋白质进行电泳鉴定的结果显示,存放3月后的纯生啤酒中脂肪转运蛋白1(LTP1)完全消失,这一结果表明LTP1是影响啤酒泡沫稳定性的主要蛋白,该蛋白降解可能是酵母蛋白酶A作用的结果。     

Cholesterol‐Lowering Properties of Whole Cowpea Seed and Its Protein Isolate in Hamsters

ABSTRACT: Hypercholesterolemic hamsters were fed for 4 wk on diets rich in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, differing only in protein source (20 %): casein (control group, HC), whole cowpea seed (HWS), and cowpea protein isolate (HPI). Hamsters fed on HWS and HPI presented significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol and non‐HDL cholesterol. HPI and HC presented similar protein digestibility, which were significantly higher than that of HWS. Animals fed on HWS presented significantly higher levels of bile acids and cholesterol in feces than did the animals fed on casein or HPI diets. Histological analyses of the liver showed that HC diet resulted in steatosis widely distributed throughout the hepatic lobule, while HWS and HPI diets promoted reductions in liver steatosis. The effectiveness of HWS for modulating lipid metabolism was greater than that of HPI, as measured by plasma cholesterol reduction and liver steatosis.     

黄伞子实体多糖的初步纯化及降血脂研究

目的：探讨黄伞子实体多糖的纯化方法及对高脂血症小鼠降血脂作用。方法：子实体多糖经中性蛋白酶和S e v a g 法联合除蛋白,用高脂饲料建立高脂血症模型,给药高、中、低剂量组分别为4 0 0 、2 0 0 、100mg/(kg bw·d),5 周后测定小鼠血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)。结果：黄伞子实体多糖能显著降低TC(高、低剂量组P ＜ 0.05)、TG(中剂量组P ＜ 0.05,低、高剂量组P ＜ 0.01)、LDL-C(中、高剂量组P ＜ 0.05,低剂量组P ＜ 0.01)水平,提高HDL-C 水平(低、高剂量组P ＜ 0.05,中剂量组P ＜ 0.01)和动脉粥样硬化因子(AI)(高剂量组P ＜ 0.05)。结论：黄伞子实体多糖具有降低小鼠高血脂症、预防动脉粥样硬化的作用。     

Combination effect of herring roe lipids and proteins on plasma lipids and abdominal fat weight of mouse

ABSTRACT:  Dietary effects of herring roe lipids (HR-L) and proteins (HR-P) on plasma lipids and abdominal fat pad weight were determined. The main lipid class of HR-L was phospholipids (74%) and the main fatty acids were palmitic acid (16:0, 25.8%), DHA (22:6n-3, 21.6%), EPA (20:5n-3, 14.4%), and oleic acid (18:1n-9, 13.2%). A little increase in total cholesterol level was observed in plasma lipids of mouse fed with HR-L, although HR-L contained 9% cholesterol. This would be due to the lowering effect of EPA and DHA contained in HR-L on plasma cholesterol. Replacement of a part of dietary protein (5%) to HR-P reduced abdominal fat pad weight, but not significantly. On the other hand, combination of HR-P and HR-L significantly reduced the fat pad weight of the mouse as compared with the control. A significant effect of HR-P + HR-L was also observed in the reducing plasma lipid levels.     

The Impact of Malt Derived Proteins on Beer Foam Quality. Part II: The Influence of Malt Foam-positive Proteins and Non-starch Polysaccharides on Beer Foam Quality

Pilot (50 litre) and small scale (700 mL) brewing trials conducted using, similar brewing protocols with 25 different malts, indicated that differences in malt quality influenced foam stability (Rudin head retention value) by up to 24%. In addition to conventional measures of malt quality, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure the level of the putative foam-positive proteins, BSZ4 (protein Z4), BSZ7 (protein Z7), BSZ7b and lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1). Regression analysis performed on the combined pilot and small scale data sets identified that malt BSZ4, wort β-glucan and wort viscosity, and beer protein, β-glucan and arabinoxylan were positively correlated with foam stability, while malt Kolbach index (KI), and beer FAN were negatively correlated with foam stability. Potentially foam-positive proteins such as BSZ7 and LTP1 were not correlated with foam stability. The negative correlation of BSZ4 level with KI suggested an additional role for BSZ4 in influencing protein modification. Step-wise multiple regression indicated that up to 82% of the variation in foam stability could be predicted from the malt and beer characteristics measured, demonstrating that there are a number of inter related malt derived factors that influence beer foam stability.     

Maleic anhydride derivatives of a protein isolate: preparation and functional evaluation

African locust bean protein isolate (NPI) was acylated with maleic anhydride at various concentrations. Addition of maleic anhydride at the levels of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 g/g of protein produced 36.4% (MP1), 43.7% (MP2) and 73.6% (MP3) of maleylated protein isolate, respectively. Water absorption capacity increased after maleylation but oil absorption capacity reduced progressively with increase in level of modification. Results also revealed that gelation capacities reduced after protein modifications. Emulsifying activity (EA) and emulsion stability (ES) increased following protein modification. In addition, corresponding increases in emulsifying properties were observed with increase in degree of modification of the proteins. Maleylation improved the foaming capacity of the native protein. Foaming capacity increased with increases in protein concentration for both native and maleylated protein derivatives while progressive decline in foam stability occurred with increases in level of protein modification.     

Dry-pasteurization of egg albumen powder in a fluidized bed. II. Effect on functional properties: gelation and foaming

Dry‐pasteurization of egg albumen (EA) powder in a fluidized bed was studied in two experiments. Experiment 1 consisted of two different temperatures (90 and 130 °C) and experiment 2 of two air moisture levels (high and low). Powders were processed from 10 min to 3 h. The reference treatment was traditional pasteurization at 90 °C for 21 h. The fluidized bed treatment effects on gel texture, water‐holding capacity (WHC), protein binding, gel colour, foaming capacity, foam stability and surface pressure were evaluated. Gels of EA powders treated at high temperature and high air moisture levels exhibited higher stress, strain and WHC values than gels of untreated EA powder. The gel colour became significantly darker, greener and less yellow by fluidized bed treatment. Foaming and surface activity properties were un‐affected by the treatments, however, foam stability against liquid drainage correlated positively with surface pressure.     

Apple favourably affects parameters of cholesterol metabolism and of anti-oxidative protection in cholesterol-fed rats

The effects of apples on lipid metabolism were studied on 40 male Wistar rats adapted to semi-purified diets containing 0.3% cholesterol. In the experimental ‘apple’ diet, a part of starch (15%) was replaced by lyophilized apple (Gala variety). In the control diet, 13% of carbohydrate was replaced by a mixture of fructose/glucose/saccharose to match the sugar supply from the apples. The lipid source was corn oil and the dietary supply of vitamin E was reduced to 1/3 of the recommended value. The rats were sampled after 21 days adaptation. The fibre supply of the apple diet was notably low (about 2%); nevertheless, there was a slight but significant cholesterol-lowering effect in plasma, as well as in liver where cholesterol esters accumulate with cholesterol diets. The lipoprotein profile was markedly altered in apple-fed rats: a reduction of cholesterol in the triglyceride rich lipoprotein (TGRLP) fraction, together with a rise in the HDL fraction; hence there was a favourable effect in a cardiovascular protection perspective. This was paralleled by effects of the apple on cholesterol apparent absorption, which was markedly depressed, whereas bile acid digestive balance was unaffected. In parallel, there was a positive effect of the apple diet on parameters of oxidative stress prevention: higher FRAP plasma levels than in controls, together with a reduced MDA excretion in urine. In conclusion, the present work indicates that a moderate supply of dessert apples elicits interesting effects on lipid and peroxidation parameters.     

Lipid and Cholesterol Oxidation in Whole Milk Powder during Processing and Storage

The influence of animal feed quality on lipid and cholesterol oxidation in whole milk powder was investigated. Powders from a herd receiving a ‘supplemented’ diet showed reduced PV (p < 0.01) and TBARS (p < 0.09) compared to a ‘restricted’ herd, after storage in both vacuum and sachet-packs and less (p < 0.003) cholesterol oxidation products (COPs). High pre-heating temperatures resulted in higher levels of PV, TBARS and COPs in fresh whole milk powders than low pre-heat temperatures, but after storage the reverse occurred. Superior animal feed quality and proper control of processing and storage conditions enhanced oxidative stability of whole milk powder. Lipid and cholesterol oxidation were positively correlated (p < 0.001).     

Proteose Peptones and Physical Factors Affect Foaming Properties of Whey Protein Isolate

Effects of peptides and nonprotein components of whey on whey protein isolate (WPI) were studied using a differential pressure method. Decay of WPI foam followed biphasic first-order kinetics, but was affected by solution conditions. WPI foam stability exhibited two pH optima (5.0 and 8.5). Addition of 0.02–0.15M NaCl progressively decreased foaming capacity and foam stability. Addition of 0.01–0.2% proteose-peptones caused a sharp decrease in foam stability, but did not affect WPI foaming capacity. Foam stability was increased by addition of up to 20% lactose. Removal of proteose-peptones should greatly improve foaming properties of whey proteins.