Glycolipids improve lutein bioavailability and accumulation in eyes in mice

Intestinal carotenoid absorption is greatly affected by dietary factors. In this study, it was hypothesized that lipids with varying functional groups may influence differentially lutein bioavailability. Hence, the influence of glyco‐, phospho‐, neutral, crude (mixture of lipids) lipids, or mixed micelles (control) on the percent lutein micellarization in vitro and its postprandial plasma, liver, and eye response in mice were investigated. Results show that the percent micellarization of lutein with crude lipids and glycolipids were higher (91.4 and 45.7%) than control, while no significant difference was found between phospho‐ and neutral lipids. The mean plasma response of lutein was higher for crude‐ (6 times), glyco‐ (3 times), phospho‐ (2.7 times), and neutral (2 times) lipid than control (12.4 ± 1.18 nmol/mL 8 h^?1) group. Lutein levels (pmol/g) in liver were higher in crude (7.4 ± 1) and phospho‐ (3.6 ± 0.8) lipid groups while in eyes it was higher in glyco‐ (54.0) and neutral (21.2) lipid groups than control. The influential effect of glyco‐ and phospholipids may be due to smaller micellar size (glyco‐upto 3.43 µm, phospho‐ upto 5.78 µm) than the neutral lipids (upto 66 µm). Ingestion of lutein with glycolipid or phospholipids may improve lutein bioavailability. Practical applications: The findings of the present study will be useful in nutritional and biomedical applications for feeding lutein with specific lipid combinations to achieve enhanced lutein absorption. Specifically, feeding diet/emulsion with lutein and glyco‐ and phospholipid combination may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, owing to the influential effect of these lipids on intestinal absorption of lutein.     

Physicochemical properties of steamed bread fortified with ground linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Chinese steamed bread (CSB) is a staple food among Asian populations. Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) is an emerging ‘healthy’ food ingredient rich in a range of bioactive components. Ground linseeds were incorporated in northern style CSB formulation up to 20%. Various physico-chemical, nutritional and sensory properties of the resulting CSB were studied. Linseed addition decreased the specific volume and spread ratio of CSB, while increasing the hardness and chewiness in a dose-dependent manner. Linseed addition up to 15% little affected the overall sensory acceptability of CSB. Nutritionally, linseed addition increased the in vitro antioxidant activities of CSB, while decreasing in vitro starch digestibility and expected glycaemic index. It may be concluded that linseed has the potential to enhance the nutritional quality of CSB without negatively affecting the eating quality.     

Effect of clove extract pretreatment and drying conditions on lipid oxidation and sensory discrimination of dried omena (Rastrineobola argentea) fish

Sun‐drying is a low‐cost, low‐technology fish preservation method frequently employed in developing areas. However, the process promotes lipid oxidation and its associated undesired flavours and odours. This study investigated low‐technology solutions for impact on lipid oxidation and sensory attributes of oven‐dried omena fish (Rastrineobola argentea). Two oven‐drying conditions and four doses of clove water extract ‘dip’ pretreatments were studied in a complete factorial design. Lipid oxidation in dried fish was assessed by TBARS, peroxide value and fatty acid analysis by GC‐FID. Results showed that soaking in 10 g L^?1 clove water extract for 1 h and oven‐drying at 150 °C × 30 min significantly reduced TBARS and peroxide values in omena fish by 77% and 79%, respectively, and polyene index showed improved retention of long‐chain polyunsaturated fats, compared to original drying condition. Lastly, panellists of a triangle test were able to discriminate between biscuits made with the modified and original dried fish.     

Glycerol and Acetate Additions to Maximize Lipid Content in High-Density Cultures of Phagotrophic Alga Ochromonas danica

Waste organics conversion to algal lipid is environmentally friendly and it promotes sustainability. Achieving high-lipid content in cells is crucial to the economic feasibility of algal lipid production and collection. Here, a phagotrophic microalga Ochromonas danica was grown on waste ketchup and then stimulated to accumulate high-lipid content using glycerol and acetate. Individually, glycerol and acetate could increase lipid synthesis. Sequential glycerol-then-acetate addition was more effective; for an O. danica culture with 0.25 g L⁻¹ cells, the intracellular lipid content was increased to 70–80% (w/w) in 6–12 hours. However, acetate added at >1 g L⁻¹ damaged cells. For high-density (25 g L⁻¹) fermentations, glycerol and acetate addition strategies were evaluated to overcome this inhibition. Results indicated that glycerol could be added in batches or continuously as long as the amount was sufficient to satisfy the glycerol consumption rate of 6 mg (g cells-hour)⁻¹ while acetic acid needed to be added continuously, optimal at a rate of 0.27–0.30 g hour⁻¹ or 12–14 mg (g cells-hour)⁻¹. Intracellular lipid content could reach 70–80% after 2-day supplementation of glycerol and acetic acid. The methods of glycerol/acetate additions developed here enhance algal lipid production and enable effective conversion of organic wastes to algal lipids as sustainable bioproducts.     

Evolution of oxidative and structural characteristics of proteins,especially lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1) in beer during forced-ageing

The evolution of oxidative and structural characteristics of proteins, especially lipid transfer protein 1 (LTP1), in beer during forced-ageing was examined. The oxidative characteristics of beer and proteins were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical cation scavenging activity. Results showed that the levels of proteins, thiols, LTP1 and antioxidant activity decreased gradually. This was accompanied by the degradation of macromolecular proteins in beer during forced-ageing. Results from circular dichroism (CD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface hydrophobicity (S₀) and ζ-potential further indicated that the secondary and tertiary structure of LTP1 changed drastically during forced-ageing, with the reduction of the S₀, α-helix and β-sheet contents and the increase in negative ζ-potential and random coil. Thus, the proteins, especially LTP1, might play important roles in maintaining oxidative stability of beer.     

The production of volatile compounds in model casein systems with varying fat levels as affected by low-frequency ultrasound

The effects of low-frequency ultrasound on the production of volatile compounds in model casein protein systems containing various fat concentrations of 2%, 4% and 6% (w/w) were investigated. Ultrasound application was performed at 20 kHz for up to 10 min which corresponded to energy densities ranging from 9.54 to 190.8 J mL⁻¹. Similar volatile compounds were detected both in pure fat and mixtures of casein and fat (CF) systems. These volatiles belonged to the groups of aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols and hydrocarbons, which were the products of oxidation of lipids or protein degradation due to acoustic cavitation. The amount of fat in the casein systems had minor effects on the production of volatiles, whereas the production of volatile compounds was significantly affected by the ultrasound treatment. Short sonication times <5 min generated similar volatile profiles to the untreated samples. In contrast, prolonged sonication for 5 and 10 min considerably increased the production of volatile compounds and the amounts of fatty acids. Thus, the application of low–frequency ultrasound for short periods should be considered to minimise the production of volatile compounds which can ultimately affect the taste.     

A trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) perfusion model approach to elucidate the role of blood removal for lipid oxidation and colour changes in ice-stored fish muscle

Whole body saline-perfused rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was ice-stored for 4 weeks and compared with unwashed/washed minces from unbled and bled trout in terms of rancid odour, peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and redness loss. Muscle from saline-perfused fish, which had 72% less total haem, was deficient in rancid odour during the whole storage, while bled (54% less haem) and unbled samples developed rancid odour already after ~4 and 2 days; higher intensity without bleeding. PV/TBARS also developed in the order unbled > bled > perfused samples; however, PV/TBARS were not as completely prevented as rancid odour after perfusion. Saline washing (3 × 3 volumes) of unbled mince removed 84% haem and yielded the second most stable sample while saline washing (1 × 1 volumes) destabilised unbled mince, despite 64% haem removal. Concurrent antioxidant removal during washing of minces obviously counteracted the effect of blood removal and washing fish mince with small volumes of solution should be used with great care.