Extraction of oil and β-sitosterol from peach (Prunus persica) seeds using supercritical carbon dioxide

Oil was extracted from the peach (Prunus persica) seeds by supercritical carbon dioxide. Principal phytosterols (stigmasterol, campesterol and β-sitosterol) that have been known to have cholesterol lowering properties were investigated in the extracted oil. Based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, β-sitosterol was identified in the peach seed oil. The effects of temperature, pressure, flow rate of supercritical CO₂, mean particle size of the seeds and extraction time on the amounts of extracted oil and β-sitosterol were investigated. Supercritical fluid extractions were performed in a range of 35–55 °C, 160–240 bar, 4–8 ml CO₂/min, 0.3–1.7 mm and 1–4 h for mentioned parameters. The results indicated that the amounts of oil and β-sitosterol extracted from the peach seeds were optimal with values of 35.3 g/100 g seed and 1220 mg/kg seed respectively at 40 °C, 200 bar, 7 ml/min, 0.3 mm and 3 h.     

Influence of phytosterol and phytostanol food supplementation on plasma liposoluble vitamins and provitamin A carotenoid levels in humans: An updated review of the evidence

Phytosterols and phytostanols (PAP) compete with cholesterol absorption in the intestine, resulting in a 5–15%-reduction in plasma total and LDL cholesterol. An important issue is the PAP potential to reduce the plasma concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins and provitamin A carotenoids. Here, an update of the scientific evidence is reviewed to evaluate plant PAP-enriched foods impact on plasma fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoid levels, and to discuss potential implications in terms of cardiovascular risk. Based on 49 human interventional and 3 bioavailability studies, results showed that regular consumption, particularly over the long term, of foods fortified with PAP as recommended in labeling does not significantly impact plasma vitamins A, D, and K concentration. A 10% significant median reduction was observed for α-tocopherol. Concerning carotenoids, while 13 studies did not demonstrate statistically significant plasma β-carotene reduction, 20 studies showed significant reductions, with median effect size of ?24%. This decline can be mitigated or offset by increased fruits and vegetables consumption. Furthermore, higher cardiovascular risk was observed for differences in plasma β-carotene concentration of the same magnitude as the estimated average decrease by PAP consumption. These results are supported by the only study of β-carotene bioavailability showing decrease in absorption by phytosterols daily intake.     

Variability of Phytosterols in Jatropha curcas Germplasm

Jatropha curcas L. has great potential for biofuel and phytosterol production. The objective of this research was to evaluate G × E variability for kernel phytosterol content and composition in Jatropha germplasm. Freshly matured seeds from 21 accessions grown in Málaga, Spain were collected at two stages of development. Significant genetic variation was detected for total kernel phytosterol content, which ranged from 2,246 to 2,883 mg kg^?1; and stigmasterol concentration, which ranged from 7.6 to 11.5 % of the total phytosterols. An accession with 9.2 % Δ⁵‐avenasterol was also identified. The coefficient of variation for kernel phytosterol content and stigmasterol concentration was 6.2 and 14.0 % respectively between accessions and 7.2 and 10.2 % respectively within accessions. Accordingly, evaluation of plant to plant variation is advisable. The existence of variability for kernel phytosterol content and composition in Jatropha will enable breeding for enhanced levels of these compounds.     

新型功能性食品添加剂——植物甾醇类

植物甾醇,包括甾烷醇及其酯的形式,是一类具有降低血清胆固醇作用的功能因子。本文介绍了它的分类、物化性质、生理活性、产品开发方面的概况。     

植物甾醇生理功能及其研究进展

就植物甾醇中最主要的生理功能一降低血清胆固醇的研究与开发方面的历史和最新进展进行了综述，并对其作用机理、安全性评价作了介绍。     

Protective effect of bamboo shoot oil on experimental nonbacterial prostatitis in rats

This study aim to investigate the protective effects of bamboo shoot oil (BSO) and its mechanisms on nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP). The anti-prostatitis effect of BSO were evaluated by prostate weight, acid phosphatase, density of lecithin corpuscles (DLCC), white blood cell count (WBC), and prostatic histomorphological parameters using Xiaozhiling-induced experimental NBP model in rats. The mechanisms of anti-prostatitis effect were assessed using functionally focused cDNA microarray and real-time PCR. BSO could significantly inhibited absolute prostate weight, prostate index, total acid phosphatase, prostatic acid phosphatase, WBC and the expression levels of thirty up-regulated genes, while BSO could significantly increased DLCC and the expression levels of fifteen down-regulated genes. Histologically, BSO treatment significantly suppressed the severity of the lesion in NBP-induced rats. Thus, BSO may be useful for treatment of NBP, as it may inhibits prostate inflammation in NBP patients by affecting the expression of inflammatory cytokines, their receptors, and related genes.     

Lipids and phytosterol oxidation products in commercial potato crisps commonly consumed in Sweden

The stability of frying oils and fried foods is mainly affected by the fatty acids present and by the types and levels of minor components such as phytosterols and tocopherols. This study assessed the current status of lipid composition and the occurrence of oxidised phytosterols as a parameter of lipid oxidation in potato crisps available in the Swedish market. Fatty acid composition and concentrations of tocopherols, sterols and phytosterol oxidation products (POPs) were determined in 16 commercial potato crisp samples of two types, distinguished by a high or low fat content. The fatty acid composition in most samples was dominated by saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The sum of α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol content varied from undetectable levels to 10.2 mg/100 g potato crisps, with α-tocopherol dominating. Among the tocotrienols, α-tocotrienol and γ-tocotrienol were present in almost equal proportions, while δ-tocotrienol was present in all samples but in smaller amounts. Fatty acid composition, tocopherol and tocotrienol content, showed that all potato crisp samples were prepared in palm oil or a blend of palm oil and unspecified fats and oils. Total sterol content ranged from 10.2 to 93.1 mg/100 g sample, with β-sitosterol being the major sterol in all samples. The content of POPs ranged from 0.05 to 0.68 mg/100 g potato crisps. In general, there were no significant differences in content of POPs between high and low fat samples, and generally no correlations could be established between content of POPs and fatty acid, tocopherol, tocotrienol, and sterol content among the potato crisp samples.     

植物甾醇脂肪酸酯的抗氧化作用研究

通过检测50℃时鱼油体系中过氧化值的方法,研究植物甾醇脂肪酸酯的抗氧化能力。50℃时植物甾醇月桂酸酯、棕榈酸酯、油酸酯和共轭亚油酸酯在鱼油中的最佳抗氧化浓度为50μg／L。在此浓度下24h内抗氧化效果为：月桂酸酯〉油酸酯〉共轭亚油酸酯〉棕榈酸酯,且甾醇酯与VE有抗氧化协同作用,其效果为：VE＋月桂酸酯〉VE＋共轭亚油酸酯〉VE。因此,植物甾醇脂肪酸酯具有显著的抗氧化作用。     

Preparation and characterisation of water-soluble phytosterol nanodispersions

The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterise water-soluble phytosterol nanodispersions for food formulation. The effects of several factors were examined: four different types of organic phases (hexane, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol and acetone), the organic to aqueous phase ratio and conventional homogenisation vs. high-pressure homogenisation. We demonstrated the feasibility of phytosterol nanodispersions production using an emulsification–evaporation technique. The results showed that hexane was able to produce the smallest particle size at a mean diameter of approximately 50 nm at monomodal distribution. Phytosterol nanodispersions prepared with a higher homogenisation pressure and a higher organic to aqueous phase ratio resulted in significantly larger phytosterol nanoparticles (P < 0.05). Phytosterol loss after high-pressure homogenisation ranged from 3% to 28%, and losses increased with increasing homogenisation pressure. Elimination of the organic phase by evaporation resulted in a phytosterol loss of 0.5–9%.