Effects of γ-irradiation on antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and color of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ecklonia cava</Emphasis>

Ecklonia cava (EC) was irradiated with γ-rays at doses of 3, 7, and 20 kGy. The extraction yields, total polyphenol content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, antimicrobial activity, and color of the EC extracts were assessed. The results showed that irradiation caused an increase in the extraction yields of ethanol and water. TPC was found to be significantly increased when EC powder was subjected to irradiation, followed by ethanol and water extraction. However, DPPH radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities were stable under all irradiation conditions. In the heat and pH stability tests, the DPPH radical scavenging activities of EC ethanol extracts were not influenced by irradiation. Irradiation caused an increase in the lightness and redness of EC extracts and decreased the yellowness. In conclusion, γ-irradiation increased the extraction yield and TPC and brightened the color, while maintaining the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.     

Complexation and molecular microcapsules of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litsea cubeba</Emphasis> essential oil with β-cyclodextrin and its derivatives

The inclusion interactions of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), heptakis (2,6-di-methyl)-β-CD (DM-β-CD), mono[2-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)]-β-CD (HE-β-CD), and mono[2-O-(2-hydroxy-propyl)]-β-CD (HP-β-CD) with Litsea cubeba essential oil (LCEO) were investigated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and the various factors affecting the inclusion process were examined in detail. At the same time, the formation constants at different temperatures and the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) were calculated. The results suggest that the stoichiometry of the LCEO–CDs inclusion complexes was 1:1 (molar ratio), the formation constants of CDs with LCEO decreased with the increasing of temperature, and the order that the capability associated with LCEO was HP-β-CD > HE-β-CD > DM-β-CD > β-CD. The thermodynamic measurements showed that the inclusive process was an exothermic and enthalpy-driven process accompanied with a negative entropic contribution, and Van der Waals force plays an important role in the process. In addition, the molecular microcapsule of LCEO in β-CD was prepared by suspension method. The content of LCEO in the microcapsules was 0.12 g/g and their stabilities were obviously improved because of Van der Waals forces and the steric hindrance. Furthermore, the formation of the inclusion complex was characterized by FTIR.     

US consumers’ acceptability of soy sauce and <Emphasis Type="Italic">bulgogi</Emphasis>

This study investigated acceptability and consumer segmentation of soy sauce and famous Korean dish, bulgogi. A total of 123 participants evaluated intensity of 18 attributes and sensory liking of 4 commercial soy sauce samples and bulgogi samples made by aforementioned soy sauces. The overall results showed that appearance liking was the only significant different attribute among soy sauce samples and there were no significant differences among bulgogi samples. Furthermore, there was little correlation between overall liking of soy sauce and bulgogi samples. However, different segments of consumer groups were found by cluster analysis. Four and five subgroups of consumers were identified on evaluation of soy sauce samples and bulgogi samples, respectively. These results demonstrated that consumers’ different preference pattern. In conclusion, this study specified characteristics of commercial soy sauce perceived by consumers and consumers’ acceptability toward soy sauces and bulgogi made using soy sauces.     

Preparation of Acryloyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-Cyclodextrin Organic Polymer Monolithic Column and Its Application in Solid-Phase Microextraction and HPLC Analysis for Carbofuran and Carbaryl in Rice

An acryloyl β-cyclodextrin (A-β-CD) monolithic column for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and determination of carbofuran and carbaryl by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have been prepared through a “one-step” polymerization method. The synthesis conditions, including the volume of cross-linker, the ratio and volume of mixed porogenic solvent consisted of methanol and N,N-dimethylformamide were optimized. The prepared monolithic column was characterized by thermogravimeteric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Brunner-Emmet-Teller (BET) measurement. The eluent type, volume and flow rate, sample volume, flow rate, acidity, and ionic strength were optimized in detail. Under the optimized conditions, a simple, rapid, and sensitive SPME-HPLC method was developed for determination of carbofuran and carbaryl in rice samples. The method yielded a linear calibration curve in the concentration ranges of 1.5–200 μg/kg for carbofuran and 0.3–200 μg/kg for carbaryl with correlation coefficients (R ²) of above 0.9955. Limits of detection (S/N = 3) were 0.5 μg/kg for carbofuran and 0.1 μg/kg for carbaryl, respectively. The recoveries of this method ranged from 88.1 to 105.8%. The relative standard deviations were less than 8.1%.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dracaena mannii</Emphasis> Baker—physical,mechanical and related properties

Wood anatomy, physical and mechanical properties and decay resistance of the monocotyledon Dracaena mannii Baker from the Central African Republic were determined and compared with the wood of two dicotyledons of the comparable density. Despite of the completely different anatomical structure the mechanical properties of Dracaena are comparable to the dicotyledonous wood of comparable density. As opposed to mechanical properties the radial and tangential shrinkage in Dracaena is twice as great as in dicots of comparable density and the ratio of tangential to radial shrinkage is almost 3:1.     

Effects of <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co-γ and Electron Beam Irradiation on Storage Quality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis>

Fresh ginseng was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co-γ or an electron beam at the dose of 2 and 4 kGy and stored at 2 °C. The quality of ginseng was evaluated after 60 and 120 days. Results suggest that when the storage time was 120 days, 2 kGy EI-treated ginseng had the lowest decay rate. During the 2 storage periods, the amounts of most of 9 ginsenosides decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose. The total saponin content of both ⁶⁰Co-γ-irradiated and EI-treated samples decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose. Significant (P <?0.05) upregulation of total polysaccharide content was observed in the 4 kGy EI samples after storage. Samples irradiated at 2 or 4 kGy by electron beam irradiation had the highest concentration of total saponin and ginseng polysaccharides, respectively. Levels of most of 17 amino acids decreased with the increasing irradiation dose. Exposure to irradiation doses up to 4 kGy affected the amino acid content of fresh ginseng. Ginseng irradiated at 4 kGy by ⁶⁰Co-γ irradiation and stored for 120 days had a significantly higher activity of superoxide dismutase (P <?0.05). A significant difference was observed in the total concentration of nucleosides and nucleobases between irradiated and un-irradiated ginseng samples (P <?0.05). These data suggest that the combination of a lower irradiation dose and low temperature is an optimal condition for extending the shelf-life of fresh ginseng without detriment to its ingredients.     

Purification and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-glucosidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oenococcus oeni</Emphasis> 31MBR

This study was designed to characterize a β-glucosidase from Oenococcus oeni 31MBR, a strain widely used in Chinese winemaking. An intracellular β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) was partially purified using a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatographic methods. A single band was obtained in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, indicating that the enzyme was highly purified and had an estimated molecular mass of 38.9 kDa. The enzyme exhibited highest activity at pH 4.5–5.0. The optimum temperature was 45 °C. Ethanol promoted the activity of this enzyme up to three times. Among the several metal ions assayed, only Mn²⁺ exhibited a partial promotion effect. The K _m and V _max values for p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside were 1.05 mmol/L and 0.957 nmol/min, respectively. Up to now, this study contains the first characterization of a native β-glucosidase purified from crude extracts of O. oeni 31MBR.     

Gamma-irradiation as a method of microbiological control,and its impact on the oxidative labile lipid component of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cannabis sativa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annus</Emphasis>

The effect of irradiation (0–20 kGy) on hemp and sunflower seeds was assessed, with specific reference to the oxidatively labile lipid component (unsaturated fatty acids and tocochromanols). Total protein, lipid, and solids content of the seeds did not vary with irradiation dose. Lipid hydroperoxide concentration increased significantly in the sunflower seeds (48 mmol kg⁻¹ lipid) and a significant increase in volatile secondary oxidation products was measured in both seeds (e.g. hexanal, heptanal, 1-penten-3-ol) with increasing irradiation dose. Irradiation at 5 kGy sterilised the seeds of all microbial contamination and irradiation doses of 20 kGy prevented germination. A loss of the antioxidant tocopherol was shown with increasing irradiation doses, although this was selective for specific tocopherol isoforms (α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol).     

Optimised quantification method for yeast-derived 1,3-β-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucan and α-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-mannan

The polysaccharides 1,3--d-glucan and -d-mannan show numerous beneficial effects for the health of humans and animals. For several years, an increasing number of glucan- and mannan-containing products intended for food and feed applications are commercially available. For the determination of glucan and mannan contents, however, widely accepted methods have not yet been established. We have developed a practicable and reliable quantification method characterised by acidic hydrolysis with trifluoroacetic acid and subsequent determination of released d-glucose and d-mannose. The unavoidable loss of the monosaccharides due to the acidic conditions was minimised by optimisation of the hydrolysis parameters. The best conditions found were compared with literature methods in order to demonstrate the suitability. Finally, glucan and mannan contents of various commercial products were determined and compared to the specifications given by the manufacturers.     

Inflammatory Diseases and Vitamin E—What Do We Know and Where Do We Go?

Inflammation‐driven diseases and related comorbidities, such as the metabolic syndrome, obesity, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular diseases cause significant global burden. There is a growing body of evidence that nutrients alter inflammatory responses and can therefore make a decisive contribution to the treatment of these diseases. Recently, the inflammasome, a cytosolic multiprotein complex, has been identified as a key player in inflammation and the development of various inflammation‐mediated disorders, with nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat pyrin domain (NLRP) 3 being the inflammasome of interest. Here an overview about the cellular signaling pathways underlying nuclear factor “kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer” of activated B‐cells (NF‐κB)‐ and NLRP3‐mediated inflammatory processes, and the pathogenesis of the inflammatory diseases atherosclerosis and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is provided; next, the current state of knowledge for drug‐based and dietary‐based interventions for treating cardiovascular diseases and NAFLD is discussed. To date, one of the most important antioxidants in the human diet is vitamin E. Various in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that the different forms of vitamin E and also their derivatives have anti‐inflammatory activity. Recent publications suggest that vitamin E—and possibly metabolites of vitamin E—are a promising therapeutic approach for treating inflammatory diseases such as NAFLD.     

Flavonoids and furocoumarins distribution of unripe chinotto (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">myrtifolia Rafinesque</Emphasis>) fruit: beverage processing homogenate and juice characterization

The present study reports for the first time qualitative and quantitative data about flavonoids and furocoumarins distribution of unripe Citrus × myrtifolia Rafinesque homogenate, used as ingredient of the popular soft drink Chinotto. No data are available in literature about the chemical characterization of flavonoids and furocoumarins of the chinotto homogenate used to produce the industrial extract. Samples for analysis were therefore processed to better reproduce the crude materials used to obtain industrial chinotto extract: the whole fruits were cut in half, seeds removed, softly squeezed discarding part of the juice, and homogenized in small pieces. The polyphenolics separation was made by HPLC–PDA detector coupled to ESI/MS/MS in positive and negative mode. It has allowed the identification and relative quantification of 16 compounds, among which the flavone-C-glycoside lucenin-2, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl flavanone glycoside melitidin and five polymethoxylated flavones have been detected for the first time in Citrus × myrtifolia. The flavonoids and furocoumarins distribution was compared with one of the Citrus × myrtifolia juice, and the antioxidant activity of both samples was assessed by ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)-fluorescein assay.     

Lectins,trypsin and α-amylase inhibitors in dietary supplements containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis>

Some dietary supplements used to control overweight are based on protein concentrates from Phaseolus vulgaris, or kidney bean, known to contain high levels of α-amylase inhibitor, which may reduce the adsorption and prevent the digestion of carbohydrates. These concentrates of kidney bean also contain significant levels of antinutritional factors such as lectins and trypsin inhibitors. In recent years the concentrates of kidney bean have been processed to inactivate lectins and trypsin-inhibitor activity while preserving substantial α-amylase inhibitor activity. The aim of this study was to investigate and to compare the activity of the α-amylase inhibitor in some commercial supplements, and to determine the levels of residual lectins and trypsin inhibitors. The results show that the technological treatment used to reduce the levels of lectins and trypsin inhibitors partially decreases the activity of the amylase inhibitor. This study suggests the need for better standardization of the technological treatment of protein concentrates to ensure both the efficacy and safety of these dietary supplements.     

High Relative Humidity In‐Package of Fresh‐Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Advantage or Disadvantage Considering Microbiological Problems and Antimicrobial Delivering Systems?

ABSTRACT:  This hypothesis article states that the high relative humidity (RH) of packaged fresh-cut fruits or vegetables that is associated with spoilage can be used as an advantageous way to deliver antimicrobial compounds using cyclodextrins (CDs) as carriers. CDs can function as antimicrobial delivery systems as they can release antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds (guest molecules) as the humidity levels increase in the headspace. Hydrophobic antimicrobial guests can be complexed with CDs due to the amphiphatic nature of the host. Then, at high RH values, due to the water–CDs interaction, host–guest interactions are weakened; consequently, the antimicrobial molecule is released and should protect the product against the microbial growth. Potential antimicrobial compounds capable of forming complexes with CDs are discussed, as well as possible applications to preserve fresh-cut produce and future research in this area.     

Anatomical characteristics and physical–mechanical properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neosinocalamus affinis</Emphasis> from Southwest China

The anatomical characteristics and physical–mechanical properties of Neosinocalamus affinis culms from three locations in China were investigated. The fiber percentage, length, wall thickness, basic density, and mechanical properties all increased with culm height, while the fiber lumen diameter and volume shrinkage showed an inverse trend. The site had significant influence on the fiber percentage and physical–mechanical properties, while the influence on vascular bundle density and fiber morphology was not significant. Therefore, the influences of site on bamboo properties may be taken into consideration for constructional utilization, and those for pulping may be ignored.     

Antioxidant and <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-glucosidase inhibitory activities of different solvent extracts of skullcap (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scutellaria baicalensis</Emphasis>)

In this study, different solvent extracts of skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) were assayed for their total phenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity [determined as DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and comet assay], and α-glucosidaseinhibitory activity. The TPC of skullcap ranged from 9.06 mg/g gallic acid equivalents (GAE) for acetone extract (AE) to 91.8 mg/g GAE for methanol extract (ME). AE, which had a low TPC, exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD-like activity. TPC positively correlated with the ORAC assay (r=0.96, p<0.001). All skullcap extracts significantly reduced the hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in human leukocytes. ME with a high TPC and ORAC value showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibition. The difference in the biological activities of the extracts may be due to the differences in their chemical structure or polarity. Therefore, the results obtained indicate that might be a potential source of compounds with health-protective effects. ME, in particular, might be a prospective therapeutic agent for diabetes.