A New Polysaccharide Carrier Isolated from Camelina Cake: Structural Characterization, Rheological Behavior, and Its Influence on Purple Corn Cob Extract's Bioaccessibility

A polysaccharide fraction obtained from camelina cake (CCP), selected as a carrier to encapsulate purple corn cob extract (MCE), was investigated. A wide population of carbohydrate polymers (with a polydispersivity index of 3.26 ± 0.07 and an average molecular weight of about 139.749 × 103 ± 4.392 × 10³ g/mol) with a gel-like behavior and a thixotropic feature characterized the fraction. MCE-CCP combinations (50–50 and 25–75, w/w), selected based on CCP encapsulation efficiency, were tested for their stability and MCE polyphenols’ bioaccessibility during digestion (monitored using an in vitro static procedure). During the oral and gastric phases of the digestion process, CCP gradually swelled and totally released MCE polyphenols. MCE-CCP50 had the fastest release. Moreover, anthocyanins were still detectable during the duodenal phase, in both MCE-CCP ingredients. Furthermore, CCP (5 mg/mL) exerted in vitro potential hypocholesterolemic activity via bile salts binding during digestion.

Effect of Cooking Methods on Ascorbic Acid Destruction of Green Leafy Vegetables

Ascorbic acid is highly sensitive vitamin to various modes of cooking processes. Ethiopian green collards (Brassica carinata), locally called Ye’abesha Gomen, and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) are important green vegetables for ascorbic acid source in the country. The rate of ascorbic acid degradation in cabbage and Ethiopian green collard was studied employing two processing methods: open-pan and pressure cooking which are highly customized in household cooking. Samples were cooked at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 min under each processing method. Ascorbic acid concentration in each sample was determined by using a spectrophotometer at 520 nm wavelength using the standard plot of pure ascorbic acid solution. The initial concentration of ascorbic acid in fresh cabbage and Ethiopian green collard were found to be 33.76 ± 0.58 and 38.14 ± 0.19 mg/100 g, respectively. Well-cooked and edible Ethiopian green collard was obtained at 10 minutes of cooking time by pressure cooking with ascorbic acid retention of 31.8% from its initial contents. However, a cooking time of 25 min was required by the open-pan cooking method with 26.8% ascorbic acid retention. Edible cabbage was attained at 10 and 20 minutes of cooking time by pressure and open-pan cooking methods maintaining 36.9 and 30.9% of ascorbic acid, respectively. Thus, the pressure cooking method required short cooking time for having well-cooked and edible green leafy vegetable with better ascorbic acid retention. The outputs of this work would be helpful to design and control practical thermal processing situations and to minimize the loss of ascorbic acid in green leafy vegetables.

Review on Bile Acids: Effects of the Gut Microbiome, Interactions with Dietary Fiber, and Alterations in the Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds

Bile acids are cholesterol-derived steroid molecules that serve various metabolic functions, particularly in the digestion of lipids. Gut microbes produce unconjugated and secondary bile acids through deconjugation and dehydroxylation reactions, respectively. Alterations in the gut microbiota have profound effects on bile acid metabolism, which can result in the development of gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases. Emerging research shows that diets rich in dietary fiber have substantial effects on the microbiota and human health. Plant-based foods are primary sources of bioactive compounds and dietary fiber, which are metabolized by microbes to produce different metabolites. However, the bioaccessibility of these compounds are not well-defined. In this review, we discuss the interaction of bile acids with dietary fiber, the gut microbiota, and their role in the bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds. To understand the possible mechanism by which bile acids bind fiber, molecular docking was performed between different dietary fiber and bile salts.

Identification and Quantification of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant Activity, and Bile Acid-Binding Capacity of Garnet Stem Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) var. Garnet Stem was harvested from Texas and New Jersey for identification, quantification of phytochemicals, measurement of free radical scavenging activity, and bile acid binding capacity. The red midrib and petioles were extracted with methanol or ethanol and with or without water in combination with four different acids such as formic, hydrochloric, acetic, and citric acid. LC-ESI-HR-QTOF-MS was used to identify four anthocyanins including cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-(6-malonyl)-glucoside (A-1), cyanidin-3-(6-malonyl)-glucoside (A-2), and peonidin-3-(malonyl)-glucoside for the 1st time. In New Jersey samples, vitamin C and β-carotene were highest in the leaf blades versus whole leaf and petioles. Samples from Texas had highest amount of lutein, violaxanthin, and chlorophyll a and b in leaf blades versus whole leaf and petioles. Maximum DPPH free scavenging activity was found in MeOH: water: acid (80:19:1) and the combination of FA with EtOH: water: acid (80:19:1) demonstrated the higher level of total phenolic. Among six bile acids, sodium chenodeoxycholate was bound maximum in both Texas and New Jersey samples. This is the first report of anthocyanin identification from the midvein and petiole of Garnet Stem dandelion and results suggested that the phytochemicals and nutrients are highest in the leaf but may vary the amount depending on harvest location.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Four anthocyanins in the red midrib and petioles of Garnet Stem could be a potential source for antioxidants and can be used as a source of natural food color.