Seaweeds as Ingredients to Lower Glycemic Potency of Cereal Foods Synergistically-A Perspective

Are Maternal Dietary Patterns During Pregnancy Associated with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus? A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Maternal nutritional status is a "key" contributor to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). However, the role of maternal dietary patterns (DPs) during pregnancy remains poorly understood. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to assess associations between "a posteriori-derived" DPs and GDM.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus for cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies published until June 2024. A total of twenty-eight studies involving 39,735 pregnant women were included, and their quality was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The 91 identified DPs were classified into four categories: "Westernized", "Nutritious", "Plant-based", and "Miscellaneous".

RESULTS

Our findings do not reveal definitive associations between maternal DPs during pregnancy and GDM risk. Notably, "Westernized" DPs tended to be associated with an increased risk. However, a very small portion of patterns within this category exhibited protective associations. Conversely, "Nutritious" and "Plant-based" appear beneficial for GDM prevention in specific populations. The "Miscellaneous" category presented an almost equal distribution of DPs with both detrimental and protective associations, pinpointing the absence of a clear directional trend regarding GDM risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The heterogeneity in findings can be attributed to geographic and sociocultural variations and methodological differences across studies. Thus, there is a need for more standardized research methodologies to provide more precise insights that will ultimately help develop effective and tailored dietary guidelines for GDM prevention.

A comprehensive review to assess the potential, health benefits and complications of fucoidan for developing as functional ingredient and nutraceutical

Polysaccharides from seaweeds or macroalgae are garnering significant interest from pharmaceutical and food industries due to their bioactivities and promising therapeutic effects. Among the diverse agal polysaccharides, fucoidan is a well-documented and stands out as a well-researched sulphated heteropolysaccharide found in brown seaweeds. It primarily consists of l-fucose and sulfate ester groups, along with other monosaccharides like xylose, mannose, uronic acid, rhamnose, arabinose, and galactose. Recent scientific investigations have unveiled the formidable inhibitory prowess of fucoidan against SARS-CoV-2, offering a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention in our current landscape. Moreover, fucoidan has demonstrated remarkable abilities in safeguarding the gastrointestinal tract, regulating angiogenesis, mitigating metabolic syndrome, and fortifying bone health. Despite the abundance of studies underscoring fucoidan's potential as a vital component sourced from nature, its exploitation remains constrained by inherent limitations. Thus, the primary objective of this article is to furnish a comprehensive discourse on the structural attributes, health-enhancing properties, safety parameters, and potential toxicity associated with fucoidan. Furthermore, the discourse extends to elucidating the practical applications and developmental prospects of fucoidan as a cornerstone in the realm of functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Assessment of the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of seaweed-derived extracts

In swine farming, animals develop diseases that require the use of antibiotics. In-feed antibiotics as growth promoters have been banned due to the increasing concern of antimicrobial resistance. Seaweeds offer bioactive molecules with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The aim was to estimate the in vitro properties of seaweed extracts: Ascophyllum nodosum (AN), Palmaria palmata (PP), Ulva lactuca (UL), and 1:1 mixes (ANPP, ANUL, PPUL). Escherichia coli strains were used to test for growth inhibitory activity, and chemical-based assays were performed for antioxidant properties. The treatments were 2 (with/without Escherichia coli) × 2 (F4 + and F18 +) × 5 doses (0, 1.44, 2.87, 5.75, 11.50, and 23.0 mg/mL). Bacteria were supplemented with seaweed extracts, and growth was monitored. The antioxidant activity was assessed with 6 doses (0, 1, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 600 mg/mL) × 6 compounds using two chemical assays. Data were evaluated through SAS. The results showed that AN and UL significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) the growth of F4 + and F18 +. PP and mixes did not display an inhibition of the bacteria growth. AN, PP, UL extracts, and mixes exhibited antioxidant activities, with AN showing the strongest dose-response. Thus, AN and UL seaweed extracts reveal promising antibacterial and antioxidant effects and may be candidates for in-feed additives.

Infesting Seaweeds as a Novel Functional Food: Analysis of Nutrients, Antioxidants and ACE Inhibitory Effects

Globalization and climate change are both contributing to an increase in the number of potentially invasive algae in coastal areas. In terms of biodiversity and financial losses, the invasiveness of algae has become a significant issue in Orbetello Lagoon. Indeed, studies from the Tuscany Regional Agency for Environmental Protection show that the reduction in dissolved oxygen caused by algal diffusion is detrimental to fisheries and biodiversity. Considering that wakame and numerous other potentially invasive seaweeds are consumed as food in Asia, we assess the nutritional and nutraceutical qualities of two potentially invasive seaweeds: Valonia aegagrophila and Chaetomorpha linum. We found that both algae are a valuable source of proteins and essential amino acids. Even if the fat content accounts for less than 2% of the dried weight, its quality is high, due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids. Both algae are rich in antioxidants pigments and polyphenols, which can be exploited as nutraceuticals. Most importantly, human gastrointestinal digestion increased the quantity of polyphenols and originated secondary metabolites with ACE inhibitory activity. Taken together, our data strongly promote the use of Valonia aegagrophila and Chaetomorpha linum as functional foods, with possible application in the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Seaweeds as Nutraceutical Elements and Drugs for Diabetes Mellitus: Future Perspectives

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition marked by high blood glucose levels caused by inadequate insulin synthesis or poor insulin use. This condition affects millions of individuals worldwide and is linked to a variety of consequences, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Diabetes therapy now focuses on controlling blood glucose levels through lifestyle changes, oral medicines, and insulin injections. However, these therapies have limits and may not successfully prevent or treat diabetic problems. Several marine-derived chemicals have previously demonstrated promising findings as possible antidiabetic medicines in preclinical investigations. Peptides, polyphenols, and polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds, sponges, and other marine species are among them. As a result, marine natural products have the potential to be a rich source of innovative multitargeted medications for diabetes prevention and treatment, as well as associated complications. Future research should focus on the chemical variety of marine creatures as well as the mechanisms of action of marine-derived chemicals in order to find new antidiabetic medicines and maximize their therapeutic potential. Based on preclinical investigations, this review focuses on the next step for seaweed applications as potential multitargeted medicines for diabetes, highlighting the bioactivities of seaweeds in the prevention and treatment of this illness.

Nutritional and Antioxidative Benefits of Dietary Macroalgae Supplementation in Weaned Piglets

This study explores the effects of dietary brown macroalgae (Ascophyllum nodosum) inclusion on digestibility and blood biochemical indices and redox markers in piglets fed diets with varying levels (0%, 0.6% and 1%) of macroalgae from 18 to 64 days of age. Macroalgae significantly influenced lipid profiles, reducing total cholesterol levels (quadratic contrast p = 0.001) and demonstrating an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, particularly with 1% macroalgae inclusion (linear contrast p < 0.001), with a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both macroalgae-supplemented groups (linear contrast p = 0.001). Additionally, macroalgae had a positive impact on the activities of antioxidative enzymes (ferric-reducing ability of plasma, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione) and reduced lipid peroxidation products (lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde) in the blood, liver tissue, and intestinal epithelium of the ileum, suggesting enhanced antioxidative defense mechanisms. These changes were dose-dependent; in blood plasma, they exhibited both a linear and quadratic response, while in the tissues, the response was primarily linear. Additionally, an increase in the digestibility of crude fat in macroalgae-supplemented groups was observed (linear contrast p < 0.001), highlighting their potential role in improving nutrient absorption and digestion. The study findings emphasize the health benefits of natural, seaweed-based additives in diets, particularly in managing oxidative stress and improving lipid profiles, and highlight the potential of macroalgae as a natural dietary supplement to improve antioxidant systems and lipid metabolism in piglets.

Cochayuyo (Durvillaea incurvata) Extracts: Their Impact on Starch Breakdown and Antioxidant Activity in Pasta during In Vitro Digestion

Seaweeds, notably cochayuyo (Durvillaea incurvata), are recognized for their rich macro- and micronutrient content, along with their inhibitory effects on the α-glucosidase enzyme. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this inhibition in actual starchy food products under in vitro gastrointestinal conditions. This study utilized freeze-dried cochayuyo, extracted using hot pressurized liquid extraction with 50% ethanol at 120 °C and 1500 psi. The inhibition mechanism of α-glucosidase was determined, and the polyphenol composition of the extract was analyzed using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. This study further evaluated the extract's impact on starch digestibility, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity in pasta (noodles) as representative starchy food under gastrointestinal conditions. The results indicate that the α-glucosidase inhibition mechanism is of mixed type. Phenolic compounds, primarily tetraphloroethol, could contribute to this anti-enzymatic activity. The extract was observed to decrease starch digestibility, indicated by a lower rate constant (0.0158 vs. 0.0261 min-1) and digested starch at an infinite time (77.4 vs. 80.5 g/100 g). A significant increase (~1200 vs. ~390 µmol TROLOX/100 g) in antioxidant activity was also noted during digestion when the extract was used. Thus, this study suggests that the cochayuyo extract can reduce starch digestion and enhance antioxidant capacity under gastrointestinal conditions.

The effect of incorporating dietary green seaweed (Ulva sp.) on growth performance, blood parameters, and carcass and meat quality characteristics of Jumbo quail

Seaweeds are functional aquatic plants that can be used in Jumbo quail (Coturnix sp.) feeds as sources of phytochemicals and nutrients. However, no studies have investigated the feed value of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) meal (SM) for the Jumbo quail. Thus, the impact of different dietary inclusion levels of SM on productive traits, serum biochemistry, haematology, visceral organ sizes, carcass features, and meat quality attributes in Jumbo quail was investigated. In a completely randomised design, one-week-old quail (n = 385; 67.7 ± 3.44 g body weight) were allotted to five treatments, with seven replicate pens (experimental unit). The treatments were produced by including 0 (SM0), 20 (SM20), 40 (SM40), 60 (SM60) and 80 g/kg (SM80) of green SM in a commercial grower diet. Regression results showed no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.05) to different levels of SM for average weekly feed intake, overall weight gain, haematological indices, internal organs, carcass features, and meat quality characteristics of the birds. However, incorporating SM up to 80 g/kg in the diet linearly reduced overall gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) [R2 = 0.282; P = 0.0001] and slaughter weights [R2 = 0.159; P = 0.026]. Treatment SM80 promoted (P < 0.05) higher feed intake than diet SM60 in weeks 3, 4 and 5, but were comparable to the control treatment in weeks 4 and 5. Birds fed with diets SM0 and SM20 had higher (P < 0.05) overall weight gain than birds fed with diet SM60. Diet SM80 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) overall G:F (0.250) than diet SM0 (0.277). Higher slaughter weights were observed on SM0 and SM20 groups than the SM60 group. We concluded that the use of dietary green SM up to 80 g/kg in Jumbo quail feeds compromises gain-to-feed ratio and slaughter weights but not physiological and meat quality attributes.

Algae-Derived Natural Products in Diabetes and Its Complications-Current Advances and Future Prospects

Diabetes poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Natural products and their derivatives have emerged as promising candidates for diabetes management due to their diverse compositions and pharmacological effects. Algae, in particular, have garnered attention for their potential as a source of bioactive compounds with anti-diabetic properties. This review offers a comprehensive overview of algae-derived natural products for diabetes management, highlighting recent developments and future prospects. It underscores the pivotal role of natural products in diabetes care and delves into the diversity of algae, their bioactive constituents, and underlying mechanisms of efficacy. Noteworthy algal derivatives with substantial potential are briefly elucidated, along with their specific contributions to addressing distinct aspects of diabetes. The challenges and limitations inherent in utilizing algae for therapeutic interventions are examined, accompanied by strategic recommendations for optimizing their effectiveness. By addressing these considerations, this review aims to chart a course for future research in refining algae-based approaches. Leveraging the multifaceted pharmacological activities and chemical components of algae holds significant promise in the pursuit of novel antidiabetic treatments. Through continued research and the fine-tuning of algae-based interventions, the global diabetes burden could be mitigated, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes.

Sulfated Polysaccharides from Chaetoceros muelleri: Macromolecular Characteristics and Bioactive Properties

Simple Summary

Algae are an important source of bioactive compounds. The interest in microalgae is increasing due to their high-value products and the advantage of biomass cultivation under controlled conditions. Polysaccharides are released by algae and microalgae species and have been reported to have bioactivities found beneficial to human health. Despite the recognized importance of these organisms, the structure of polysaccharides in microalgae has been practically unexplored in contrast to that of macroalgae. Only a few microalgae polysaccharide structures have been solved due to the difficulties in the extraction of pure samples and the complexity of their chemical structures. Reports emphasize how the molecular weight, the content of sulfate groups, and the negative charge may be responsible for their multiple bioactivities. To better understand the uses and potential applications of extracellular polysaccharides, it is necessary to know their structure and physicochemical properties, which include molecular weight and chain conformation, since they are decisive in their biochemical behavior.

Abstract

In the present study, a culture of Chaetoceros muelleri, a cosmopolitan planktonic diatom microalga present in the Sea of Cortez, was established under controlled laboratory conditions. A sulfated polysaccharide (CMSP) extraction was carried out from the biomass obtained, resulting in a yield of 2.2% (w/w of dry biomass). The CMSP sample was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, showing bands ranging from 3405 to 590 cm⁻¹ and a sulfate substitution degree of 0.10. Scanning electron microscopy with elemental analysis revealed that the CMSP particles are irregularly shaped with non-acute angles and contain sulfur. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a dynamic light-scattering detector yielded molecular weight (Mw), polydispersity index (PDI), intrinsic viscosity [η], and hydrodynamic radius (Rh) values of 4.13 kDa, 2.0, 4.68 mL/g, and 1.3 nm, respectively, for the CMSP. This polysaccharide did not present cytotoxicity in CCD-841 colon cells. The antioxidant activity and the glycemic index of the CMSP were 23% and 49, respectively, which gives this molecule an added value by keeping low glycemic levels and exerting antioxidant activity simultaneously.