In vivo effect of orally given polyvinyl alcohol/starch nanocomposites containing bioactive peptides from Phaseolus vulgaris beans

Common beans as a source of food ingredients: Techno-functional and biological potential

Common beans are an inexpensive source of high-quality food ingredients. They are rich in proteins, slowly digestible starch, fiber, phenolic compounds, and other bioactive molecules that could be separated and processed to obtain value-added ingredients with techno-functional and biological potential. The use of common beans in the food industry is a promising alternative to add nutritional and functional ingredients with a low impact on overall consumer acceptance. Researchers are evaluating traditional and novel technologies to develop functionally enhanced common bean ingredients, such as flours, proteins, starch powders, and phenolic extracts that could be introduced as functional ingredient alternatives in the food industry. This review compiles recent information on processing, techno-functional properties, food applications, and the biological potential of common bean ingredients. The evidence shows that incorporating an adequate proportion of common bean ingredients into regular foods such as pasta, bread, or nutritional bars improves their fiber, protein, phenolic compounds, and glycemic index profile without considerably affecting their organoleptic properties. Additionally, common bean consumption has shown health benefits in the gut microbiome, weight control, and the reduction of the risk of developing noncommunicable diseases. However, food matrix interaction studies and comprehensive clinical trials are needed to develop common bean ingredient applications and validate the health benefits over time.

Development of a Halochromic, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Starch-Based Film Containing Phenolic Extract from Jaboticaba Peel

In this study, the antioxidant, antimicrobial, mechanical, optical, and barrier attributes of Solanum lycocarpum starch bio-based edible films incorporated with a phenolic extract from jaboticaba peel were investigated. Aiming to determine the effect of the polymers and the phenolic extract on the properties of the films, a three-factor simplex-lattice design was employed, and the formulation optimization was based on the produced films' antioxidant potential. The optimized formulation of the starch-PEJP film showed a reddish-pink color with no cracks or bubbles and 91% antioxidant activity against DPPH radical. The optimized starch-PEJP film showed good transparency properties and a potent UV-blocking action, presenting color variation as a function of the pH values. The optimized film was also considerably resistant and highly flexible, showing a water vapor permeability of 3.28 × 10-6 g m-1 h-1 Pa-1. The microbial permeation test and antimicrobial evaluation demonstrated that the optimized starch-PEJP film avoided microbial contamination and was potent in reducing the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. In summary, the active starch-PEJP film showed great potential as an environmentally friendly and halochromic material, presenting antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and high UV-protecting activity.

A peptide fraction from hardened common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) induces endothelium-dependent antihypertensive and renal effects in rats

Beans reached the research spotlight as a source of bioactive compounds capable of modulating different functions. Recently, we reported antioxidant and oxidonitrergic effect of a low molecular weight peptide fraction (<3 kDa) from hardened bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in vitro and ex vivo, which necessitate further in vivo assessments. This work aimed to evaluate the hypotensive effect and the involved physiological mechanisms of the hardened common bean peptide (Phaseolus vulgaris) in normotensive (Wistar) and hypertensive (SHR) animals. Bean flour was combined with a solution containing acetonitrile, water and formic acid (25: 24: 1). Protein extract (PV3) was fractioned (3 kDa membrane). We assessed PV3 effects on renal function and hemodynamics of wistar (WT-normotensive) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and measured systemic arterial pressure and flow in aortic and renal beds. The potential endothelial and oxidonitrergic involvements were tested in isolated renal artery rings. As results, we found that PV3: I) decreased food consumption in SHR, increased water intake and urinary volume in WT, increased glomerular filtration rate in WT and SHR, caused natriuresis in SHR; II) caused NO- and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in renal artery rings; III) reduced arterial pressure and resistance in aortic and renal vascular beds; IV) caused antihypertensive effects in a dose-dependent manner. Current findings support PV3 as a source of bioactive peptides and raise the potential of composing nutraceutical formulations to treat renal and cardiovascular diseases.

Behavioral effects of a low molecular weight peptide fraction from Phaseolus vulgaris in rats

Seminal studies stated that bean proteins are efficient neuronal tracers with affinity for brain tissue. A low molecular weight peptide fraction (<3kDa) from Phaseolus vulgaris (PV3) was previously reported to be antioxidant, non-cytotoxic, and capable of reducing reactive oxygen species and increasing nitric oxide in cells. We evaluated the effects of PV3 (5, 50, 100, 500, and 5000 µg/kg) on behavior and the molecular routes potentially involved. Acute and chronic PV3 treatments were performed before testing Wistar rats: i) in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) to assess the anxiolytic-like effect; ii) in the open field (OF) to evaluate locomotion and exploration; and iii) for depression-like behavior in forced swimming (FS). Catecholaminergic involvement was tested using the tyrosine hydroxylases (TH) enzyme inhibitor, α-methyl-DL-tyrosine (AMPT). Brain areas of chronically treated groups were dissected to assess: i) lipid peroxidation (LPO); ii) carbonylated proteins (CP); iii) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activities. Neuronal nitric oxide synthases (nNOS) and argininosuccinate synthase (ASS) protein expression was evaluated by western blotting. Acute treatment with PV3 increased the frequency and time spent in the EPM open arms, suggesting anxiolysis. PV3 increased crossing episodes in the OF. These PV3 effects on anxiety and locomotion were absent in the chronically treated group. Acute and chronic PV3 treatments reduced the immobility time in the FS test, suggesting an antidepressant effect. TH inhibition by AMPT reverted acute PV3 effects. PV3 decreased LPO and CP levels and SOD and CAT activities, whereas nNOS and ASS were reduced in few brain areas. In conclusion, PV3 displayed central antioxidant actions that are concomitant to catecholaminergic-dependent anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.

A new trend of using poly(vinyl alcohol) in 3D and 4D printing technologies: Process and applications

Recently, 3D/4D printing technologies have been the researchers' interest, and they are getting improved more important. They are applicable in various fields like medical fields, pharmaceutics, construction, tissue engineering, dentistry, water treatment, etc. These technologies overcame the difficulty of the conventional methods in producing complicated structures. They can be fed by different materials such as nanomaterials, smart polymers, responsive polymers, metamaterials, synthetic polymers, natural polymers, and so forth. One of the smart and stimuli-responsive polymers is poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). In addition to numerous applications of PVA like medicine, environmental fields, etc., researchers are showing a tendency to use PVA in 3D/4D printing technologies. The main reasons for PVA's increased interest in 3D/4D printing technologies are suitable flowability, stimuli-responsivity, extrudability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and other features. This review aims to introduce the 3D/4D printing technologies' knowledge and then the applications of PVA as a feed in these novel technologies.