Bioactive assessment of the antioxidative and antidiabetic activities of oleanane triterpenoid isolates of sprouted quinoa yoghurt beverages and their anti-angiogenic effects on HUVECS line

Recent advances in physiochemical changes, nutritional value, bioactivities, and food applications of germinated quinoa: A comprehensive review

The production and consumption of functional foods has become an essential food industry trend. Due to its high nutritional content, quinoa is regarded as a super pseudocereal for the development of nutritious foods. However, the presence of antinutritional factors and quinoa's distinctive grassy flavor limit its food applications. Due to its benefits in enhancing the nutritional bioavailability and organoleptic quality of quinoa, germination has garnered significant interest. To date, there is no systematic review of quinoa germination and the health benefits of germinated quinoa. This review details the nutritional components and bioactivities of germinated quinoa, as well as the potential mechanisms for the accumulation of bioactive compounds during the germination process. Additionally, evidence supporting the health benefits of germinated quinoa, the current status of related product development, and perspectives for future research are presented. Thus, our research is likely to provide theoretical support for the use of germinated quinoa resources.

Structural diversity, fermentation production, bioactivities and applications of triterpenoids from several common medicinal fungi: Recent advances and future perspectives

Medicinal fungi are beneficial to human health and it reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Triterpenoids are polycyclic compounds derived from the straight-chain hydrocarbon squalene, which are widely distributed in medicinal fungi. Triterpenoids from medicinal fungal sources possess diverse bioactive activities such as anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity. This review article describes the structure, fermentation production, biological activities, and application of triterpenoids from the medicinal fungi including Ganoderma lucidum, Poria cocos, Antrodia camphorata, Inonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Laetiporus sulphureus. Besides, the research perspectives of triterpenoids from medicinal fungi are also proposed. This paper provides useful guidance and reference for further research on medicinal fungi triterpenoids.

Quinoa flour as a skim milk powder replacer in concentrated yogurts: Effect on their physicochemical, technological, and sensory properties

Milk standardization with solids (i.e., nonfat milk solids, MSNF) for yogurt manufacture is traditionally achieved by the addition of skim milk powder (SMP). However, the addition of SMP to milk‐based yogurt increases lactose content and decreases both protein content and gel firmness. Thus, in this work, quinoa flour (QF; 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% w/w) was used to replace SMP in concentrated yogurt. The physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties and microstructure of the yogurt were evaluated during cold storage. Generally, protein content, water‐holding capacity, and L* value decreased, while syneresis, textural attributes, and viscosity increased with increasing QF content. The substitution of high levels of QF (>25%, w/w) for SMP led to significantly shorter fermentation times, as compared to the control sample. The scanning electron microscopy observations showed significant changes in the yogurt microstructure as a consequence of QF replacement. Samples with 25% (w/w) substitution of QF and control had the highest scores in overall acceptance. According to the results, QF could be applied as an interesting raw material for concentrating the milk‐based yogurt at substitution level of 25% (w/w).

The novel homologue of the human α-glucosidase inhibited by the non-germinated and germinated quinoa protein hydrolysates after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is a potential source of protein with ideal amino acid profiles which its bioactive compounds can be improved during germination and gastrointestinal digestion. The present investigation studies the impact of germination for 24 hr and simulated gastrointestinal digestion on α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the quinoa protein and bioactive peptides against the novel homologue of human α-glucosidase, PersiAlpha-GL1. The sprouted quinoa after gastroduodenal digestion was the most effective α-glucosidase inhibitor showing 81.10% α-glucosidase inhibition at concentration 4 mg/ml with the half inhibition rate (IC₅₀ ) of 0.07 mg/ml. Based on the kinetic analysis, both the germinated and non-germinated samples before and after digestion were competitive-type inhibitors of α-glucosidase. Results of this study showed the improved α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the quinoa bioactive peptides after germination and gastrointestinal digestion and highlighted the potential of metagenome-derived PersiAlpha-GL1 as a novel homologue of the human α-glucosidase for developing the future anti-diabetic drugs. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of germination and gastrointestinal digestion of the quinoa protein and bioactive peptides on α-glucosidase inhibitory activity against the novel PersiAlpha-GL1. Metagenomic data were used to identify the novel α-glucosidase structurally and functionally homologue of human intestinal. The results showed the highest inhibition on PersiAlpha-GL1 by a germinated quinoa after gastroduodenal digestion and confirmed the potential of PersiAlpha-GL1 to enhance the effectiveness of the anti-diabetic drugs for industrial application.

The hyperglycemic regulatory effect of sprouted quinoa yoghurt in high-fat-diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mice via glucose and lipid homeostasis

Recently, we have proposed that quinoa yoghurt (QY) has the anti-diabetic properties based on an in vitro study. Here, its antidiabetic activity was further validated by investigating its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic influence in high fat diet/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice. The results showed that QY increased the body weights of and reduced the fasting blood glucose levels in T2DM mice. QY significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C, while it increased the HDL-C level. In addition, the hepatic glycogen content, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, while lipid peroxidation was remarkably reduced. Sprouted QY had the highest influence on serum oxidation when compared with non-germinated QY. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, while the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased. Histopathological studies showed that QY protected the tissue structure of the liver of T2DM mice. Immunohistochemistry showed that QY increased AKT-2 and AMPK-α2 expressions, while it suppressed p85. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that QY exerted its hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects through the AKT/AMPK/PI3K signaling pathway. Germination significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the glucose and lipid homeostasis in T2DM mice in such a way that sprouted QY showed the highest hypoglycemic and cholesterol-lowering effects when compared with non-germinated QY.