Phenolic acid bound arabinoxylans extracted from Little and Kodo millets modulate immune system mediators and pathways in RAW 264.7 cells

Cereal-Derived Water-Unextractable Arabinoxylans: Structure Feature, Effects on Baking Products and Human Health

Arabinoxylans (AXs) are non-starch polysaccharides with complex structures naturally occurring in grains (i.e., barley, corn, and others), providing many health benefits, especially as prebiotics. AXs can be classified as water-extractable (WEAX) and water-unextractable (WUAX) based on their solubility, with properties influenced by grain sources and extraction methods. Numerous studies show that AXs exert an important health impact, including glucose and lipid metabolism regulation and immune system enhancement, which is induced by the interactions between AXs and the gut microbiota. Recent research underscores the dependence of AX physiological effects on structure, advocating for a deeper understanding of structure-activity relationships. While systematic studies on WEAX are prevalent, knowledge gaps persist regarding WUAX, despite its higher grain abundance. Thus, this review reports recent data on WUAX structural properties (chemical structure, branching, and MW) in cereals under different treatments. It discusses WUAX applications in baking and the benefits deriving from gut fermentation.

Role of bZIP transcription factors in the regulation of plant secondary metabolism

MAIN CONCLUSION

This study provides an overview of the structure, classification, regulatory mechanisms, and biological functions of the basic (region) leucine zipper transcription factors and their molecular mechanisms in flavonoid, terpenoid, alkaloid, phenolic acid, and lignin biosynthesis. Basic (region) leucine zippers (bZIPs) are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors (TFs) in eukaryotic organisms. The bZIP TFs are widely distributed in plants and play important roles in plant growth and development, photomorphogenesis, signal transduction, resistance to pathogenic microbes, biotic and abiotic stress, and secondary metabolism. Moreover, the expression of bZIP TFs not only promotes or inhibits the accumulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, but also affects the stress response of plants to the external adverse environment. This paper describes the structure, classification, biological function, and regulatory mechanisms of bZIP TFs. In addition, the molecular mechanism of bZIP TFs regulating the biosynthesis of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and lignin are also elaborated. This review provides a summary for in-depth study of the molecular mechanism of bZIP TFs regulating the synthesis pathway of secondary metabolites and plant molecular breeding, which is of significance for the generation of beneficial secondary metabolites and the improvement of plant varieties.

Understanding the Antinutritional Factors and Bioactive Compounds of Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense)

Kodo and little millet (Kutki) have a variety of phytochemical constituents including derivatives of hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxycinnamic acids, myricetin, catechin, luteolin, apigenin, daidzein, naringenin, kaempferol, and quercetin with vast health benefits and thus can be utilized as functional food ingredients. Millet-based foods and their food products have physiological and health-promoting impacts, notably antidiabetic, anti-obesity, and cardiovascular disease, and based on the actions of phytochemicals, it plays a major role in the body’s immune system. However, antinutrients (tannins, oxalate, trypsin inhibitor, and phytates) present in these millets restrict their utilization since these factors bind the essential nutrients and make them unavailable. Therefore, this review suggested overcoming the effects of antinutrients in these millets, thereby opening up important applications in food industries that may promote the development of novel functional foods. Various methods were discussed to eliminate the antinutrient factors in these millets, and hence, the review holds immense significance to the food industry for effectively utilizing these millets to develop value-added RTE/RTC products/functional food/beverages.

Coarse cereals modulating chronic low-grade inflammation: review

Chronic low-grade inflammation (CLGI) is closely associated with various chronic diseases. Researchers have paid attention to the comprehensive application and development of food materials with potential anti-inflammatory activity. Owing to their abundant nutrients and biological activities, coarse cereals have emerged as an important component of human diet. Increasing evidence has revealed their potential protective effects against CLGI in chronic conditions. However, this property has not been systematically discussed and summarized. In the present work, numerous published reports were reviewed to systematically analyze and summarize the protective effects of coarse cereals and their main active ingredients against CLGI. Their current utilization state was investigated. The future prospects, such as the synergistic effects among the active compounds in coarse cereals and the biomarker signatures of CLGI, were also discussed. Coarse cereals show promise as food diet resources for preventing CLGI in diseased individuals. Their active ingredients, including β-glucan, resistant starch, arabinoxylan, phenolic acids, flavonoids, phytosterols and lignans, function against CLGI through multiple possible intracellular signaling pathways and immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, coarse cereals play a crucial role in the food industry due to their health effects on chronic diseases and are worthy of further development for possible application in modulating chronic inflammation.