Applied Sciences in Functional Foods

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.5	5.3	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2400
Molecules molecules	4.2	7.4	1996	15.1 Days	CHF 2700
Nutraceuticals nutraceuticals	-	-	2021	23.2 Days	CHF 1000
Nutrients nutrients	4.8	9.2	2009	13.5 Days	CHF 2900
Applied Biosciences applbiosci	-	-	2022	19.1 Days	CHF 1000

10 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Profile of Cold-Pressed Beech Nut (Fagus sylvatica L.) Oil

by Marko Obranović, Klara Kraljić, Dubravka Škevin, Sandra Balbino and Kristijan Tomljanović

Nutraceuticals 2024, 4(1), 94-103; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals4010007 - 21 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1804

The objective of this study was to assess the chemical characteristics of cold-pressed beech nut oil. The nuts, gathered from the forest, comprised 25.35% water, 13.19% oil, and 19.40% protein. The predominant fatty acid was linoleic acid (40.5%), followed by oleic acid (35.0%) [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to assess the chemical characteristics of cold-pressed beech nut oil. The nuts, gathered from the forest, comprised 25.35% water, 13.19% oil, and 19.40% protein. The predominant fatty acid was linoleic acid (40.5%), followed by oleic acid (35.0%) and gondoic acid (7.7%). All four tocopherols were present in the oil, with γ-tocopherol being the dominant form at 99.38 mg per 100 g of oil. The total sterol content was 2708.73 mg per kg of oil, with β-sitosterol constituting 80.5% of all sterols. The main characteristics of the oil included its relatively high tocopherol and gondoic acid content, a dominant oleic–linoleic fatty acid profile, and elevated levels of carotenoids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

17 pages, 1898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Maceration Solvent on Chemical Composition of Gemmotherapy Macerates—A Case Study on Olea europaea Young Shoots

by Dimitri Bréard, Hélène Esselin, Lucie Bugeia, Séverine Boisard, David Guilet, Pascal Richomme, Anne-Marie Le Ray and Christophe Ripoll

Nutraceuticals 2023, 3(4), 574-590; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals3040041 - 1 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2061

Abstract

Gemmotherapy, a natural therapy based on bud macerates, has recently gained importance in the field of food supplements. However, two coexisting extraction methods employ a glycerin-based solvent, either in a binary or ternary solvent mixture. The absence of an official method for bud [...] Read more.

Gemmotherapy, a natural therapy based on bud macerates, has recently gained importance in the field of food supplements. However, two coexisting extraction methods employ a glycerin-based solvent, either in a binary or ternary solvent mixture. The absence of an official method for bud preparation leads to non-standardized bud macerates. Given this context, this study aimed to (i) assess the influence of solvent composition on the chemical profile of olive young shoot macerates obtained using glycerin-based solvents or using different solvent extractions and (ii) to compare the two coexisting traditional bud extraction methods described by Dr Pol Henry and by the European Pharmacopoeia. A comprehensive phytochemical analysis of all macerates was conducted using HPLC-DAD-ELSD-MS², identifying 50 metabolites divided into 7 classes through dereplication. The extracts obtained with the solvent described by the European Pharmacopoeia (ethanol/glycerin) and by Dr Pol Henry (water/ethanol/glycerin) appeared to be the most diversified in terms of metabolite distribution and possessed higher rates of secondary metabolites. These observations reinforce the interest in a glycerin-based solvent mixture for bud extraction in gemmotherapy. In addition, the difference in composition between the two traditional solvents was highlighted. Indeed, iridoids were predominant in both macerates, representing about 50% of the chemical composition, but differences were observed from one macerate to another regarding the proportions of the other chemical classes. This emphasizes the necessity for standardized gemmotherapy macerates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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16 pages, 24129 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioactive Peptides from Ruditapes philippinarum Attenuate Hypertension and Cardiorenal Damage in Deoxycorticosterone Acetate–Salt Hypertensive Rats

by Zonghui Sun, Weixia Wang, Jinli Liu, Shengcan Zou, Dongli Yin, Chenghan Lyu, Jia Yu and Yuxi Wei

Molecules 2023, 28(22), 7610; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227610 - 15 Nov 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1664

Abstract

Hypertension is a common disease that affects human health and can lead to damage to the heart, kidneys, and other important organs. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of bioactive peptides derived from Ruditapes philippinarum (RPP) on hypertension and organ protection [...] Read more.

Hypertension is a common disease that affects human health and can lead to damage to the heart, kidneys, and other important organs. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of bioactive peptides derived from Ruditapes philippinarum (RPP) on hypertension and organ protection in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)–salt hypertensive rats. We found that RPPs exhibited significant blood pressure-lowering properties. Furthermore, the results showed that RPPs positively influenced vascular remodeling and effectively maintained a balanced water–sodium equilibrium. Meanwhile, RPPs demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential by reducing the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6). Moreover, we observed the strong antioxidant activity of RPPs, which played a critical role in reducing oxidative stress and alleviating hypertension-induced damage to the aorta, heart, and kidneys. Additionally, our study explored the regulatory effects of RPPs on the gut microbiota, suggesting a possible correlation between their antihypertensive effects and the modulation of gut microbiota. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RPPs can significantly reduce blood pressure in SHR rats. This suggests that RPPs can significantly improve both essential hypertension and DOAC–salt-induced secondary hypertension and can ameliorate cardiorenal damage caused by hypertension. These findings further support the possibility of RPPs as an active ingredient in functional anti-hypertensive foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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13 pages, 1146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Nattokinase-Monascus Supplements on Dyslipidemia: A Four-Month Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

by Xiaoming Liu, Xuejiao Zeng, Jinli Mahe, Kai Guo, Panpan He, Qianwen Yang, Zhiwei Zhang, Zhongxia Li, Di Wang, Zheqing Zhang, Lei Wang and Lipeng Jing

Nutrients 2023, 15(19), 4239; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194239 - 30 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6699

Abstract

Dyslipidemia, a condition implying high cardiovascular risks, has been widely studied on its potential nutrition interventions, including functional foods. This study aims to examine the effect of nattokinase monascus supplements (NMSs) on cardiovascular biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with dyslipidemia. [...] Read more.

Dyslipidemia, a condition implying high cardiovascular risks, has been widely studied on its potential nutrition interventions, including functional foods. This study aims to examine the effect of nattokinase monascus supplements (NMSs) on cardiovascular biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with dyslipidemia. A total of 113 eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive either NMSs or a placebo (55 and 58, respectively). After a 120-day intervention, there were significant mean absolute changes in total cholesterol (TC), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and low-density cholesterol to high-density cholesterol ratio (LDL-C to HDL-C ratio), with values of −0.52 (95% CI: −0.51 to −0.54) mmol/L, −0.43 (95% CI: −0.45 to −0.41) mmol/L, −0.52 (95% CI: −0.52 to −0.52) mmol/L, and −0.29 (95% CI: −0.30 to −0.28) mmol/L, respectively, between the two groups. However, no significant differences were found in triglycerides (TGs), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), and CIMT. Furthermore, the results for lipids and CIMT remained essentially unchanged after adjusting for various confounding factors using the analysis of covariance model. There were no significant differences in coagulation, liver function, renal function, or other indicators. No intervention-related adverse events, such as mouth ulcers, drooling, and stomach pain, were reported. The study results demonstrate that NMSs can ameliorate lipid levels (TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and the LDL-C to HDL-C ratio) without the occurrence of adverse events. However, it did not significantly affect serum TG, HDL-C, and CIMT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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17 pages, 63490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rice Bran Extract Suppresses High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia and Hepatosteatosis through Targeting AMPK and STAT3 Signaling

by Joe Eun Son, Jay-Young Jo, San Kim, Min Ju Park, Yerin Lee, Seong Shil Park, Shin Young Park, Su Myung Jung, Sung Keun Jung, Ji Yeon Kim and Sanguine Byun

Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3630; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163630 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3896

Abstract

Rice bran, a by-product of rice milling, is abundant in bioactive molecules and is highly recognized for its health-promoting properties, particularly in improving metabolic conditions. Building on this knowledge, we aimed to optimize the extraction conditions to maximize the functional efficacy of rice [...] Read more.

Rice bran, a by-product of rice milling, is abundant in bioactive molecules and is highly recognized for its health-promoting properties, particularly in improving metabolic conditions. Building on this knowledge, we aimed to optimize the extraction conditions to maximize the functional efficacy of rice bran extract (RBE) and further validate its impact on lipid metabolism. We found that the optimized RBE (ORBE) significantly suppressed high-fat diet-induced weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and hepatosteatosis in mouse models. ORBE treatment not only suppressed lipid uptake in vivo, but also reduced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Importantly, we discovered that ORBE administration resulted in activation of AMPK and inhibition of STAT3, which are both crucial players in lipid metabolism in the liver. Collectively, ORBE potentially offers promise as a dietary intervention strategy against hyperlipidemia and hepatosteatosis. This study underlines the value of optimized extraction conditions in enhancing the functional efficacy of rice bran. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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16 pages, 2699 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiochemical and Microbial Analysis of Tibetan Yak Milk Yogurt in Comparison to Locally Available Yogurt

by Zhipeng Huang, Arslan Habib, Xiaoming Ding and Hong Lv

Molecules 2023, 28(13), 5242; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135242 - 6 Jul 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2841

Abstract

Yak yogurt, which is rich in microorganisms, is a naturally fermented dairy product prepared with ancient and modern techniques by Chinese herdsmen in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The objective of this research was to assess the impact of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus starter [...] Read more.

Yak yogurt, which is rich in microorganisms, is a naturally fermented dairy product prepared with ancient and modern techniques by Chinese herdsmen in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The objective of this research was to assess the impact of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus starter cultures on the quality and shelf life of yak yogurt, as well as the genetic stability across multiple generations, in comparison to commercially available plain yogurt and peach oat flavor yogurt. Following that, the samples were evenly divided into four treatment groups denoted as T1 (treatment 1), T2, T3, and T4, with each group employing a distinct source of yogurt formulation. T1 included L. bulgaricus, T2 comprised S. thermophilus, T3 consisted of plain yogurt, and T4 represented peach oat yogurt flavor. The findings indicate that T1 yogurt consistently presents a lower pH and higher acidity compared to the other three yogurt types throughout the entire generation process. Moreover, the fat content in all generations of the four yogurt types exceeds the national standard of 3.1 g/100 g, while the total solid content shows a tendency to stabilize across generations. The protein content varies significantly among each generation, with T1 and T4 yogurt indicating higher levels compared to the T2 and T3 yogurt groups. In terms of overall quality, T1 and T4 yogurt are superior to T2 and T3 yogurt, with T1 yogurt being the highest in quality among all groups. The findings revealed that the inclusion of L. bulgaricus led to enhanced flavor, texture, and genetic stability in yak yogurt. This study will serve as a valuable source of data, support, and methodology for the development and screening of compound starters to be utilized in milk fermentation in future research and applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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17 pages, 6724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nobiletin Intake Attenuates Hepatic Lipid Profiling and Oxidative Stress in HFD-Induced Nonalcoholic-Fatty-Liver-Disease Mice

by Zunli Ke, Chaowen Fan, Jun Li, La Wang, Haiyang Li, Weiyi Tian and Qi Yu

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2570; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062570 - 12 Mar 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3010

Abstract

Nobiletin (NOB) is a naturally occurring compound, commonly found in citrus peel, that shows hepatoprotective and lipid-reducing effects. However, the lipid biomarkers and the potential improvement mechanisms have not been adequately explored. Therefore, we investigated the ameliorative effect and the molecular mechanism of [...] Read more.

Nobiletin (NOB) is a naturally occurring compound, commonly found in citrus peel, that shows hepatoprotective and lipid-reducing effects. However, the lipid biomarkers and the potential improvement mechanisms have not been adequately explored. Therefore, we investigated the ameliorative effect and the molecular mechanism of NOB on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in mice. The results showed that supplementation with NOB over 12 weeks markedly improved glucose tolerance, serum lipid profiles, inflammatory factors, hepatic steatosis, and oxidative stress. These beneficial effects were mainly related to reduced levels of potential lipid biomarkers including free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, and cholesteryl esters according to hepatic lipidomic analysis. Twenty lipids, including DGs and phosphatidylcholines, were identified as potential lipid biomarkers. Furthermore, RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis indicated that NOB inhibited the expression of lipogenesis-related factors such as SREBP-1c, SCD-1, and FAS, and upregulated the expression of lipid oxidation (PPARα) and cholesterol conversion (LXRα, CYP7A1, and CYP27A1) genes as well as antioxidation-related factors (Nucl-Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and GCLC), indicating that NOB intake may reduce lipid biosynthesis and increase lipid consumption to improve hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress. This study is beneficial for understanding the ameliorative effects of NOB on NAFLD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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16 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Fatty Acid Indices and the Nutritional Properties of Karakul Sheep Meat

by Otilia Cristina Murariu, Florin Murariu, Gabriela Frunză, Marius Mihai Ciobanu and Paul Corneliu Boișteanu

Nutrients 2023, 15(4), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15041061 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4017

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the fatty acid profile and health lipid indices of sheep meat (from 52 Karakul sheep from NE Romania). The effect of age at slaughter and the influence of muscle region were studied for nutritional parameters, especially the fatty [...] Read more.

This study aimed to evaluate the fatty acid profile and health lipid indices of sheep meat (from 52 Karakul sheep from NE Romania). The effect of age at slaughter and the influence of muscle region were studied for nutritional parameters, especially the fatty acids from lipid fractions. Based on the fatty acid profiles and lipid contents, the sanogenic indices were determined for two sheep muscle groups. Thus, two different muscle regions from lamb and adult sheep were analysed from both genders, the Longissimus dorsi and Triceps brachii, to argue the advantages of each category and the rationalization, in terms of meat consumption, regarding their impact on human health. Sheep meat has many components with beneficial effects on human health. Apart from the fact that it is an important source of nutrients due to its high content of proteins, lipids, and minerals, it is also a product that can provide fundamental bioactive compounds for maintaining metabolic functions. The qualitative indices assessment revealed that lambs have meat with high PUFA content on Longissimus dorsi muscles (approx. 25% of total fatty acids), 0.68 for PUFA/SFA, with highest values for n-3 (approx. 8%) and n-6 (approx. 14%). Appropriate values can also be observed in Triceps brachii muscles from adult sheep. The sanogenic indices also presented good values for Longissimus dorsi from lambs and Triceps brachii from adult sheep (polyunsaturation index = 7.2–10.2; atherogenic index = 0.56–0.67; thrombogenic index = 0.78–0.96; hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index = 2.4–2.7 (for Longissimus dorsi)). Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

16 pages, 4756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Chinese Herbal Decoctions with Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Sequential Fermentation as Potential Nutrient Supplements

by Shanshan Han, Hongyan Zhang and Yongliang Wang

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042154 - 7 Feb 2023

Viewed by 2836

Abstract

Chinese herbal medicine has attracted increasing attention due to its therapeutic effects. It demands increasing understanding of the processing methods and the generated changes to control quality and offer better final products. In this study, extraction differences were compared among direct plant extracts [...] Read more.

Chinese herbal medicine has attracted increasing attention due to its therapeutic effects. It demands increasing understanding of the processing methods and the generated changes to control quality and offer better final products. In this study, extraction differences were compared among direct plant extracts (DE), standard decoction (SD), spontaneous fermentation (SF) and inoculated sequential fermentation (IF). Results showed that the extraction with the transformation of probiotics positively contributed to the release of functional compounds from Chinese herbs. It provided the strongest antioxidant capacity and the best amino acid profile. The flavor and the compositions of the herbal decoctions were further characterized. Distinctive volatile differences were found, indicating that the different treatments profoundly altered the spectrum of volatile components. The most aromatic changes were in the IF group, which corresponded with the greatest number of upregulated and the lowest number of downregulated differential compounds. Beneficial intestinal microbiota with voluntary intake of herbal tea suggested a possible positive metabolism shift in the healthy host. In conclusion, the combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and sequential fermentation provided better extraction efficiency than direct plant extraction and traditional herbal decoction. It may enable a broader utilization of traditional Chinese herbs as potential nutrient supplements, such as antibiotic alternatives in animal husbandry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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14 pages, 1179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Glycaemic Response of Pasta Enriched with Juice, Puree, and Pomace from Red Cabbage and Spinach

by Jinghong Wang, Margaret Anne Brennan, Charles Stephen Brennan and Luca Serventi

Nutrients 2022, 14(21), 4575; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214575 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2257

Abstract

This study reports the digestibility and nutritional quality of pasta made from durum wheat semolina which was partially substituted by puree, juice or pomace from spinach and red cabbage. The results show that 10% substitution of semolina with red cabbage pomace and spinach [...] Read more.

This study reports the digestibility and nutritional quality of pasta made from durum wheat semolina which was partially substituted by puree, juice or pomace from spinach and red cabbage. The results show that 10% substitution of semolina with red cabbage pomace and spinach pomace, 1% substitution of spinach juice, and 2% substitution of spinach puree significantly reduced the area under the curve of the in vitro starch digestion. This reduction was due to a combined effect of decreased starch content, increased dietary fibre content and inhibition of α-amylase caused by vegetable material addition. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity increased significantly on raw, cooked and digested samples of vegetable fortified pasta compared to control. The β-carotene content of spinach pasta (raw, cooked, and digested) was also higher than that of control. At the 1% substitution level, the juice was more efficient in improving the antioxidant capacity of resultant pasta compared to puree or pomace. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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15 pages, 1286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy and Safety of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Leaf Tea in Adults with Mild Atopic Dermatitis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Preliminary Trial

by Tatsuya Abe, Yukari Koyama, Kosaku Nishimura, Aya Okiura and Toru Takahashi

Nutrients 2022, 14(21), 4470; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214470 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4413

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent pruritic skin disease with repeated remissions and exacerbations. Various factors, such as allergies, skin conditions and lifestyle, combine to cause AD, making it difficult to cure completely. Although AD symptoms are suppressed with medications, this is [...] Read more.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent pruritic skin disease with repeated remissions and exacerbations. Various factors, such as allergies, skin conditions and lifestyle, combine to cause AD, making it difficult to cure completely. Although AD symptoms are suppressed with medications, this is a long-term effort and burden on patients. Thus, safer drugs and alternatives are needed. We previously found that consumption of tea prepared from fig (Ficus carica L.) leaves alleviated allergy and AD symptoms in cultured cells and animals. Therefore, here, we conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled study in patients with mild AD to evaluate the safety and AD-relieving effects of prolonged consumption of fig leaf tea. Positive effects of fig leaf tea consumption were confirmed in 14 of 15 participants. Eczema Area and Severity Index values were significantly lowered in the fig leaf tea-treated group than in the placebo-treated group. The effect weakened 4 weeks after the end of the intervention, suggesting that continued intake of fig leaf tea was effective. Further assessments confirmed the safety of fig leaf tea consumption and revealed no variations that might pose a health hazard. Therefore, we postulate that fig leaf tea is a natural and safe therapeutic option for AD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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11 pages, 2166 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Study of the Antioxidant Potential of UV-Treated Vegetables

by Svetlana Ivanova and Alexander Prosekov

Nutraceuticals 2022, 2(4), 289-299; https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals2040022 - 14 Oct 2022

Viewed by 2342

Abstract

The effect of UV-A irradiation (353 nm, 365 nm, and 400 nm) on the antioxidant properties of fresh vegetables (cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchinis) was investigated. This type of processing was found to increase the total content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in vegetables. [...] Read more.

The effect of UV-A irradiation (353 nm, 365 nm, and 400 nm) on the antioxidant properties of fresh vegetables (cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchinis) was investigated. This type of processing was found to increase the total content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in vegetables. With a UV irradiation of 360 min at a wavelength of 365 nm, the greatest increase in antioxidant activity occurred in vegetable samples vs. untreated control samples. The total content of phenolic compounds increased by 34–58% and the content of flavonoids by 26–53% for various vegetable varieties. There was an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase up to 86%, peroxidase from 38%, polyphenol oxidase up to 74% depending on the variety of vegetables) after 360 min of exposure (p < 0.05). The results of the conducted studies indicate that post-harvest ultraviolet irradiation of vegetables has the potential to control the antioxidant characteristics of vegetables; however, additional research is needed to form a complete mechanism of this effect and create a technology for vegetable processing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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21 pages, 20489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reconfiguration of Gut Microbiota and Reprogramming of Liver Metabolism with Phycobiliproteins Bioactive Peptides to Rehabilitate Obese Rats

by Jing Liu, Dongyu Zhen, Changbao Hu, Yawen Liu, Xuanri Shen, Pengcheng Fu and Yanfu He

Nutrients 2022, 14(17), 3635; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173635 - 2 Sep 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3119

Abstract

Phycobiliproteins (derived from Arthrospira platensis) bioactive peptide extracts (PPE) possess multiple pharmacological effects in the mitigation of human metabolic disorders. The role of PPE in the treatment of diet-induced obesity and the understanding of the underlying mechanism between the gut microbiome and [...] Read more.

Phycobiliproteins (derived from Arthrospira platensis) bioactive peptide extracts (PPE) possess multiple pharmacological effects in the mitigation of human metabolic disorders. The role of PPE in the treatment of diet-induced obesity and the understanding of the underlying mechanism between the gut microbiome and metabolic blood circulation for obese patients remains poorly understood. In this study, we showed that PPE attenuated obesity by reducing body weight, and ameliorated glucose and lipid indexes in serum. In particular, PPE is postulated to mitigate liver steatosis and insulin resistance. On the other hand, dietary treatment with PPE was found to “reconfigure” the gut microbiota in the way that the abundances were elevated for Akkermansia_muciniphila, beneficial Lactobacillus and Romboutsia, SCFA-producing species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Lachnospiraceae_bacterium, Clostridiales_bacterium, probiotics Clostridium sp., Enterococcus faecium, and Lactobacillus_johnsonii, while the abundance of Firmicutes was reduced and that of Bacteroidetes was increased to reverse the imbalance of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Finally, the metabolomics of circulating serum using UHPLC-MS/MS illustrated that PPE supplementation indeed promoted lipid metabolism in obese rats. As summary, it was seen that PPE reprogrammed the cell metabolism to prevent the aggravation of obesity. Our findings strongly support that PPE can be regarded as a potential therapeutic dietary supplement for obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Sciences in Functional Foods - 2nd Volume)

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