Iron bioavailability from diets containing isolated or intact sources of lignin

Intestinal iron bio-accessibility changes by Lignin and the subsequent impact on cell metabolism and intestinal microbiome communities

Lignin chelates iron within the gastrointestinal lumen, altering bio-accessibility and leading to modulated enterocyte iron metabolism and changes in intestinal bacteria.

In Vitro Evaluation of Cu, Fe, and Zn Bioaccessibility in the Presence of Babassu Mesocarp

In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of babassu mesocarp in the absence and presence of milk and lignin was performed to evaluate the bioaccessibility of Cu, Fe, and Zn. Extractions using NaOH solutions (pH 7 and 12) were carried out to evaluate the interactions of Cu(II), Fe(III), and Zn(II) with the extracted compounds and with the washed mesocarp. Studies using reference solutions showed a decrease in the free concentration of the elements in the presence of mesocarp. Phytate, a component present in the mesocarp, can be the main compound responsible for the elements' interactions with mesocarp. Lignin increases the elements' soluble fractions; however, the elements' concentrations in the dialyzed fractions, representing the bioaccessible portion, were very low. On the other hand, Cu, Fe, and Zn bioaccessibility in milk was not influenced by the mesocarp.

Study of Ligmed-A, an antidiarrheal drug based on lignin, on rat small intestine enzyme activity and morphometry

This study aimed to determine the potential toxic effect of 4-day oral treatment with a lignin-based formulation on the enzymatic activity and morphology of the small intestine of rat. Ligmed-A is collected from sugarcane and is used to treat diarrhea in weaning pigs. The compound is about 90% lignin, an insoluble polyphenolic constituent of plants and a component of dietary fiber. The duodenal, jejunal and ileal mucosa of control rats and those receiving 2 g/kg Ligmed-A showed similar protein contents of about 100 mg/g. The sucrase and alkaline phosphatase activities of the three intestinal segments were unaltered after administration of the compound. Nonhistological alterations were observed after treatment. Our results, together with those of previous studies which found no toxicological effects, indicate that Ligmed-A could provide a potent antidiarrheal treatment in the veterinary area. However, further studies are required to examine its use in humans.