Extraction and Fractionation of Insoluble Fibers from Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv)

Changes in biologically active substances of stone fruits under the influence of low temperatures

Sufficient consumption of natural biologically active substances (BAS) – vitamins, dietary fiber, mineral compounds – reduces the risk of developing diseases associated with negative external factors. A large number of BAS are contained in the cherry plum fruits. Cherry plum is characterized by storage short term, during which quality changes are possible. Studies have been conducted on the low temperatures effect the change of BAS in cherry plum fruits. Studied objects were five cherry plum varieties grown in the Russian southern regions – Dinnaya, Zhemchuzhina, Obilnaya, Puteshestvennitsa, Neberdzhayskaya ranyaya. It was found that during storage, the physical and chemical parameters change slightly, the dry substances content decreases (within 1.3-3.2 %), sugars (5.5-7.0 %), the total acids content increases (2.8 3.3 %). The BAS content slight decrease during storage does not significantly affect the nutritional value of cherry plum fruits. The ascorbic acid reduction is 9.8-17.3 %, the anthocyanins content decreases on average from 16.9 to 19.7 %, the beta-carotene content decreases by 8.7-14.8 %, the reduction level of pectin substances is 15.75-22.2 %. Thus, the freezing method application allows to preserve valuable BAS in cherry plum fruits and use them in the future as a basis for the production of functional food products.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions for Determination of Tiliroside in Tilia L. Flowers Using an LC-ESI-MS/MS Method

Tiliroside exhibits a wide spectrum of effects on the human body; considering expensive synthesis of tiliroside, linden trees seem to be a good source of this compound. For the first time, 46 various extraction methods were developed to receive tiliroside from Tilia L., including ultrasound-assisted extraction, maceration, maceration with stirring, accelerated solvent extraction, and extraction under reflux. The effects of extraction techniques, solvents, additives, and temperature on the content of tiliroside were studied using analytical and statistical methods. A new, rapid, simple, sensitive, and selective liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed to determine the content of tiliroside in Tilia L. flowers. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis demonstrated the highest content of tiliroside in Tilia L. flowers obtained using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) where 70% ethanol with addition of 1% acetic acid was used as a solvent (7.400 ± 0.019 mg of tiliroside per g dry extract).The results showed that the extracts of Tiliae inflorescentia contained large amounts of tiliroside; therefore, they are good sources of this compound. Moreover, ASE was found to be superior to other extraction techniques due to its high efficiency as well as considerable saving of time and solvent.

Influence of conventional and recent extraction technologies on physicochemical properties of bioactive macromolecules from natural sources: A review

The incorporation of bioactive macromolecules from natural sources into marketable functional foods and nutraceuticals is of major significance to the agri-food sector. Interest in this area of research stems from the application of purified bioactive macromolecules in enhancing food quality and as an alternative to some pharmaceutical drugs for delivery of potential health benefits, with less associated adverse effects. To obtain bioactive macromolecules of high quality, appropriate use of extraction techniques and its influence on sensory and physicochemical properties is paramount. With the advent of technology-aided processes, there has been remarkable improvement in the extraction efficiency of these bioactive agents. An overview of the influence of these new techniques on extraction efficiency and physicochemical properties of proteins, lipids and fibers, which this detailed review provides, will prove to be a valuable resource to food industries aiming to maximize production of bioactive macromolecules from natural sources as well as the scientific community.

Postprandial glycaemic response of foxtail millet dosa in comparison to a rice dosa in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Millets are rich source of dietary fibre and non-starchy polysaccharides with low glycaemic index (GI), hence can be used as a therapeutic diet. This study was conducted to estimate the effects of a millet-based dosa (foxtail dosa) compared to a rice dosa for breakfast on postprandial glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

The GI of rice dosa and foxtail millet dosa was estimated. A total of 105 T2DM participants were randomly selected for the study. The participants were on oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) and not on insulin. In this study, each individual served as their own control and experimental group. The postprandial increase in blood glucose was compared after a breakfast of rice dosa and millet dosa. Single and paired t test was used to note the change in blood glucose levels and the level of the significance.

RESULTS

The GI of foxtail millet dosa was 59.25 and rice dosa was 77.96. There was a significant reduction (P<0.001) in the postprandial glucose level of patients who consumed a millet-based dosa when compared to those who consumed a rice-based dosa. No significant reduction was observed in the fasting glucose levels.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that replacing a rice-based breakfast item with a millet-based breakfast item lowers the postprandial blood glucose levels in T2DM patients. Thus, millets may have a protective role in the management of hyperglycaemia. Further studies need to be done in a systematic manner to confirm these findings.