Rheological properties, biochemical changes, and potential health benefits of dehulled and defatted industrial hempseeds after fermentation

Dehulled hempseed (DHS), fermented dehulled hempseed (FDHS), hempseed cake (HSC), and fermented HSC (FHSC) were examined for their phytochemical composition, health benefits, and rheological characteristics. At 500 µg/mL concentration, DHS, FDHS, HSC, and FHSC extracts exhibited the ability to inhibit DPPH radicals, with 32.46 %, 47.35 %, 33.85 %, and 47.41 %, respectively. Similarly, they demonstrated potential to scavenge ABTS radicals by 13.7 %, 27.87 %, 14.40 % and 25.70 %, respectively. For lipase inhibition activity, FDHS (72.92 %) and FDHS (85.89 %) outperformed DHS (52.94 %) and HSC (43.08 %). Furthermore, FHSC enhanced the survival and reduced fat accumulation in glucose-supplemented Caenorhabditis elegans. We used HPLC and UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS for metabolite analysis, quantifying eight polyphenols using HPLC and identifying thirty-four metabolites with UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Generally, metabolomics indicated an improved metabolite profile after fermentation. Fermentation also showed impact on rheological characteristics, modifying viscosity, loss modulus, and storage modulus. These findings collectively demonstrate the ability of fermentation in enhancing overall value of hempseed.

Effect of transglutaminase on ovalbumin emulsion gels as carriers of encapsulated probiotic bacteria

BACKGROUND

The use of emulsion gels to protect and deliver probiotics has become an important topic in the food industry. This study used transglutaminase (TGase) to regulate ovalbumin (OVA) to prepare a novel emulsion gel. The effects of OVA concentration and the addition of TGase on the microstructure, rheological properties, water-holding capacity, and stability of the emulsion gels were investigated.

RESULTS

With the addition of TGase and the increasing OVA, the particle size of the emulsion gels decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The gels with TGase exhibited greater water holding, hardness, and chewiness to some extent by forming a more uniform and stable system. After simulated digestion, the survival rate of Bifidobacterium lactis embedded in OVA emulsion gels improved significantly in comparison with the oil-water mixture as a result of the protective effect of the emulsion gel encapsulation.

CONCLUSION

By increasing the OVA content and adding TGase, the rheological characteristics, stability, and encapsulation capability of the OVA emulsion gel could be enhanced, providing a theoretical basis for the use of emulsion gels to construct probiotic delivery systems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Polyphenol-rich fermented hempseed ethanol extracts improve obesity, oxidative stress, and neural health in high-glucose diet-induced Caenorhabditis elegans

Whole hempseed (WHS), fermented whole hempseed (FWHS), dehulled hempseed (DHS), and fermented dehulled hempseed (FDHS) ethanol extracts were tested for their toxicity and physiological benefits in relation to their phenolic profiles. The safety of all samples was confirmed by the absence of toxic effects on HepG2 cells. FWHS exhibited the highest capacity to inhibit lipase activity (70.80%) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (78.94%) in vitro. Similarly, in HepG2 cells, FWHS revealed the greatest ability to reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Fermented hempseed demonstrated superior antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-fat potential, counteracting ageing in high glucose diet-induced C. elegans than unfermented. HPLC and UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS2 phenolic identification revealed the presence of diverse flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignanamides, and phenylamides in hempseed extracts. Among these polyphenols, quercetin, gallic acid, and kaempferol exhibited excellent antioxidant potential, whereas N-trans-feruloyl tyramine displayed the highest anti-lipase potential. This study suggests that polyphenol-rich hempseed exhibits potent antioxidant, and anti-obesity effects, and could improve neural health.

A Novel Food Bore Protein Hydrogel with Silver Ions for Promoting Burn Wound Healing

Hydrogels have emerged as a promising option for treating local scald wounds due to their unique physical and chemical properties. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ovalbumin/gelatin composite hydrogels in repairing deep II-degree scald wounds using a mouse dorsal skin model. Trauma tissues collected at various time points are analyzed for total protein content, hydroxyproline content, histological features, and expression of relevant markers. The results reveal that the hydrogel accelerates the healing process of scalded wounds, which is 17.27% higher than the control group. The hydrogel treatment also effectively prevents wound enlargement and redness of the edges caused by infection during the initial stage of scalding. The total protein and hydroxyproline content of the treated wounds are significantly elevated. Additionally, the hydrogel up-regulates the expression of VEGF (a crucial angiogenic factor) and down-regulates CD68 (a macrophage marker). In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of multifunctional protein-based hydrogels in wound healing.

Chitin nanofibers prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis: Characterization and application for Pickering emulsions

Chitin nanofibers (ChNFs) have a wide range of applications in numerous fields owing to their exceptional material properties and biological functionality. This research focused on producing ChNFs with diameters of 20-70 nm using chitinase and ultrasound from crayfish shells. The impact of enzymatic duration on ChNF yield and performance was investigated. Results revealed ChNFs forming a high aspect ratio network structure. Chitinase hydrolysis enhanced ChNF dispersion and yield while improving crystallinity and thermal stability without significantly altering their chemical structure. Enzymatically modified ChNF suspensions also exhibited stable rheological properties. Moreover, ChNFs showed good emulsification and emulsion stability in Pickering emulsion. The mechanism may be the effective adsorption of ChNFs at the oil-water interface, and the formation of a ChNF network in the continuous phase that prevents droplet coalescence. This study highlights that the potential of chitinase and ultrasound for the production of ChNFs and the utilization of crayfish shell waste.

Encapsulating potential and functional properties of exopolysaccharide from Limosilactobacillus reuteri KCTC 14626BP isolated from human breast milk

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are natural, nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable macromolecules produced by microorganisms, including the Lactic acid bacteria, to enhance protection against environmental stress conditions. The current study focused on the encapsulation and functional efficiency of EPS produced by probiotic strains isolated from human milk. Among 27 isolates, the potential high EPS-producing strain Limosilactobacillus reuteri KCTC 14626BP was selected based on biofilm production. The structural Characterization of EPS was performed based on FTIR, NMR and functional properties were determined; further, the encapsulation efficiency of EPS was determined with caffeic acid. The results indicate that L. reuteri produced EPS major component consisting of glucose, galactose and arabinose with the ratio of (0.78:0.16: 0.05). The antioxidant efficiency of EPS-LR was determined on DPPH (60.3 %) and ABTS (48.9 %); EPS showed enhanced functional activities. The absence of toxicity was confirmed based on Caenorhabditis elegans. The EPS-loaded Caffeic acid (CA) EPS-LR indicated spherical capsules with rough surfaces, with sizes ranging from 1.39 to 6.75 μm. These findings indicate that EPS-LR can be applied as a bioactive compound and encapsulating material in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Draft genome sequence of Limosilactobacillus reuteri, isolated from human breast milk

Limosilactobacillus reuteri is a lactic acid bacterium with several probiotic properties. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of L. reuteri isolated from human breast milk. The average genome size was estimated as 2,087,202 bp, with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 51.6%. GC content is the percentage of nitrogenous bases in a DNA or RNA molecule that are either guanine (G) or cytosine (C). De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe, often abbreviated to MRS, is a selective culture medium designed to favor the luxuriant growth of lactobacilli for lab study.

A Comprehensive Mini-Review on Lignin-Based Nanomaterials for Food Applications: Systemic Advancement and Future Trends

The shift to an environmentally friendly material economy requires renewable resource exploration. This shift may depend on lignin valorization. Lignin is an aromatic polymer that makes up one-third of total lingo-cellulosic biomass and is separated into large amounts for biofuel and paper manufacture. This renewable polymer is readily available at a very low cost as nearly all the lignin that is produced each year (90-100 million tons) is simply burned as a low-value fuel. Lignin offers potential qualities for many applications, and yet it is underutilized. This Perspective highlights lignin-based material prospects and problems in food packaging, antimicrobial, and agricultural applications. The first half will discuss the present and future studies on exploiting lignin as an addition to improve food packaging's mechanical, gas, UV, bioactive molecules, polyphenols, and antioxidant qualities. Second, lignin's antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses will be discussed. In conclusion, lignin agriculture will be discussed in the food industries.

In Vitro Bioactivities of Commonly Consumed Cereal, Vegetable, and Legume Seeds as Related to Their Bioactive Components: An Untargeted Metabolomics Approach Using UHPLC-QTOF-MS2

We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-glycation activities associated with the consumption of broccoli, red cabbage, alfalfa, and buckwheat seeds. Additionally, we explored the relationship between these biological activities and the profiles of amino acids, polyphenols, and organic acids identified in the seeds. Our findings demonstrated that red cabbage, broccoli, and buckwheat extracts exhibited significantly higher antioxidant potential compared to the alfalfa extract. Moreover, buckwheat displayed the most significant capacity for inhibiting alpha-glucosidase. Remarkably, broccoli and red cabbage demonstrated substantial anti-glycation and lipase inhibitory potentials. We identified the presence of amino acids, polyphenols, and organic acids in the extracts through untargeted metabolomics analysis. Correlation analysis revealed that pyroglutamic acid positively correlated with all the investigated functional properties. Most polyphenols made positive contributions to the functional properties, with the exception of ferulic acid, which displayed a negative correlation with all tested biological activities. Furthermore, gluconic acid and arabinonic acid among the organic acids identified displayed a positive correlation with all the functional properties. These results strongly support the anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-glycation potential of red cabbage, broccoli, and buckwheat seeds.

Impacts of germination and lactic acid bacteria fermentation on anti-nutrients, bioactive compounds, and selected functional properties of industrial hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.)

The impact of fermentation and germination on the metabolite profile and bioactive of 'Cheongsam' hempseed was investigated. The seeds were germinated for 3 days at 26 °C and fermented for 48 h at 37 °C using Pediococcus acidilactici (SRCM201591). The raw (R), fermented seed (RF), sprouts (S), and fermented sprouts (SF) extracts were assessed for anti-nutrients, metabolite profile, and selected bioactivities. Germination and fermentation significantly altered anti-nutrient levels (tannins, saponins, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitors). They increased total polyphenols, flavonoid contents, and individual polyphenols and cannabinoids. SF demonstrated the highest ABTS (IC50, 291.65 µg/mL) and DPPH (IC50, 345.30 µg/mL) scavenging capacities. However, S (IC50, 73.295 µg/mL) was the most potent anti-inflammatory ingredient. SF (IC50, 74.07 µg/mL) exhibited the most potent alpha-glucosidase inhibition for enzyme inhibitions, while RF (IC50, 63.31 µg/mL) showed the best lipase inhibition potential. The findings demonstrate that germination and fermentation could improve the functional properties of hempseed.

Whole-genome analysis of gamma-aminobutyric acid producing Psychobiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri with its Untargeted metabolomics using UHPLC-Q-Tof MS/MS

The gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) is a chemical messenger and is essential for the health of the brain and muscles. Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have the potential to function as psychobiotic cultures because they can produce significant amounts of neuroactive compounds like GABA. Psychobiotics are known to alter bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. In the present study, the Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) strain, isolated from human breast milk, was used to detect the GABA-producing glutamic acid decarboxylase (gad) gene and GABA production. PCR, HPLC and UHPLCQ-TOF-MS² approaches were applied to identify the gad gene, GABA content, and bioactive compounds produced by the bacterial strain, respectively. Additionally, the whole genome was sequenced to better understand the strain's psychobiotic and technological genomic properties. The gadB and gadC genes were confirmed in plasmid 1 of the whole genome. The complete genome sequence of L. reuteri comprises the genome length of 2,087,202 bp with 51.6 percent of G + C content. The results indicate that L. reuteri can be used as a starter culture for the production of GABA-enriched functional foods as well as psychobiotics for health benefits.

Antiobesity and Antioxidative Effect of Fermented Brown Rice Using In Vitro with In Vivo Caenorhabditis elegans Model

Naturally occurring phytochemicals from plants or grains are crucial in reducing various metabolic disorders. Bioactive phytonutrients are abundant in the Asian dietary staple, brown rice. This research evaluated the impact of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) bioconversion and fermentation on antioxidant and antiobesity activities and ferulic acid content in brown rice. The combination of bioconversion with Pediococcus acidilactici MNL5 among all LABs used showed a synergistic impact with 24 h of solid-state brown rice fermentation. The 24-h MNL5 fermented brown rice (FBR) demonstrated the most potent pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity (85.5 ± 1.25%) compared to raw brown rice (RBR) (54.4 ± 0.86%). The antioxidant potential of MNL5-FBR was also found to be highest in the DPPH assay (124.40 ± 2.40 mg Trolox Equiv./100 g, DW), ABTS assay (130.52 ± 2.32 mg Trolox Equiv./100 g, DW), and FRAP assay (116.16 ± 2.42 mg Trolox Equiv./100 g, DW). Based on higher antioxidant and antiobesity activities, samples were quantified for ferulic acid content using the HPLC-MS/MS approach. Furthermore, C. elegans supplementation with FBR showed enhanced life span and lipid reduction in fluorescence microscope analysis compared to the control. Our results indicate that the expression study using the C. elegans model (N2 and Daf-2 models) fat gene was conducted, showing a lowering of obesity ability in FBR-fed worms. Our study indicates that FBR has improved antioxidant and antiobesity actions, especially in MNL5-FBR, and can be employed to develop functional foods that combat obesity.

Uncovering the secrets of industrial hemp in food and nutrition: The trends, challenges, and new-age perspectives

Hemp is a valuable crop with a wide range of use, from applications in foods and textiles to pharmaceuticals. Over recent years, the use of hemp as food and food ingredients has drastically increased. The growth is driven by numerous health benefits hemp possesses and its wide range of applications in the food industry. This review provides the scientific literature concerning the benefits of industrial hemp in the food industry. The relevant historical context of use, recent applications in the food industry, health benefits, various development challenges, and the global market outlook for hemp-based food products have been analyzed. Evidence suggests that today hemp is widely consumed as food or an ingredient in the food. Hemp-based foods are marketed as having various health benefits, although their reception by target consumers and success varies. Besides, scientific research on hemp-derived foods has dramatically increased over recent years. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the health benefits of hemp-based foods. Therefore, there is a promising growth trend in producing novel foods from industrial hemp. Nevertheless, due to health concerns related to THC, there is a general need for regulatory compliance when integrating hemp into foods to ensure product safety before use.

Fabrication of Hierarchical Patterned Surfaces Using a Functionalized CeO2-EPDM Composite for Crevice Corrosion Prevention on High-Voltage Insulators

Crevice corrosion accounts for 62% of the recorded breakdown of insulators utilized in transmission lines, which may interfere with the reliability of power utilities. To address these challenges, sustainable and resilient slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) are developed on insulators to prevent electrochemically/biochemically induced crevice corrosion especially occurring in tropical and coastal environments. The conventional way of developing SLIPS by chemical and physical etching might interfere with the mechanical stability of insulators composed of pin (galvanized steel), cement, and shell (porcelain). The current study proposes a noble concept of developing hierarchical patterned textured surfaces on insulators to fabricate a resilient SLIPS coating without physical/chemical etching. The proposed coating exhibits 99% antiadhesion performance against a mixed culture of bacterial strains, superior hydrophobicity (contact angle: 160°, contact angle hysteresis: 4°), and crevice corrosion resistance performance at elevated temperatures (25-75 °C) and humidity. This study could facilitate a new route for the development of sustainable and highly reliable SLIPS coatings in the future.

Phytochemical profiling and cellular antioxidant efficacy of different rice varieties in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells exposed to oxidative stress

In the present study, white (Baegilmi), brown (hyunmi) and black (chalheugmi) Korean local rice varieties ethanol extracts were analyzed for in-vitro antioxidant assays (ABTS, FRAP and DPPH), cellular antioxidant activities (CAAs) and phenolic phytochemicals content. The highest antioxidant assays, phenolic, flavonoid and anthocyanins content were identified among the free fractions of black rice. Phenolic phytochemicals were detected and quantified using the ultra-high-performance liquid tandem chromatography quadrupole flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS²). Which indicated the richness of several phytochemicals like ascorbic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, catechin, epigallocatechin and quercetin in black rice than in other rice samples. The cellular antioxidant activities (CAA) of black rice were found equivalent to that of ascorbic acid, the standard employed in the assay. The CAAs of free fractions were as follows: white rice < brown rice < black rice. These findings are significant for enhancing human health through increased consumption of black and brown rice in the development of functional food products.

Control of bacterial biofilms in red meat - A systematic review

Biofilm formation is a serious threat in the meat industry, mainly since it aids food-borne pathogen survival. Biofilms are often difficult to eliminate, and it is essential to understand the best possible deployable measures to remove or inactivate biofilms. We systematically reviewed the published in vitro studies that investigated various methods for removing biofilms in red meat. Publicly available databases, including Google Scholar and PubMed, were queried for relevant studies. The search was restricted to articles published in the English language from 2010 to 2021. We mined a total of 394 studies, of which 12 articles were included in this review. In summary, the studies demonstrated the inhibitory effect of various methods, including the use of bacteriophages, dry heat, cold atmospheric pressure, ozone gas, oils, and acids, on red meat extract or red meat culture. This systematic review suggests that in addition to existing sanitation and antibiotic procedures, other methods, such as the use of phage cocktails and different oils as nanoparticles, yield positive outcomes and may be taken from the in vitro setting to industry with prior validation of the techniques.

Effect of Fermentation on the Bioactive Compounds of the Black Soybean and Their Anti-Alzheimer’s Activity

Black soybean is one of the nutritious crops and is being used in traditional medicines in Asian countries. In the present study, we fermented black soybean and screened against in vitro Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers such as cholinesterase enzymes, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and presence of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. Firstly, we fermented black soybean with different lactic acid bacteria (LABs) and selected the Pediococcus acidilactici as the best LAB on the basis of GABA levels in the fermentate. We have found that black soybean fermented with P. acidilactici significantly inhibited the inflammatory factors (proteinase, protein denaturation, and lipoxygenase) and cholinesterase enzymes than non-fermented samples. An increase in the antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH), anthocyanins, phenolics, flavonoids, and GABA content was also observed in fermented samples. Moreover, UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS technique identified 38 bioactive components, including polyphenols, amino acids, and fatty acids. Among identified components, eight bioactive compounds were quantified, and an increase in the concentration of daidzein, genistein, glycitein, (+)-catechin, quercetin, and gallic acid was observed in fermented samples. However, the concentration of rutin and soyasaponin was higher in raw samples. These results indicated that fermentation of black soybean with P. acidilactici is a promising approach that can be used to develop functional foods to inhibit/prevent AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Quantification of Amino Acids, Phenolic Compounds Profiling from Nine Rice Varieties and Their Antioxidant Potential

In recent years, the health benefits of the pigmented rice varieties have been reported due to the richness of their bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study evaluated the antioxidant, total flavonoid, total phenolic, anthocyanin content, amino acid and individual phenolic compound quantification of nine Korean-grown rice varieties using spectrophotometric, HPLC-FLD-MS/MS and UHPLC Q-TOF-MS/MS methods. Our research found that the free fractions of DM29 (red rice) had the highest free radical scavenging ability of ABTS and DPPH. In contrast, the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power was observed in the 01708 brown rice variety. The majority of phenolic compounds such as quercetin, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, ascorbic acid, caffeic acid and genistein were found in the DM29 sample. The phenolic content of rice varies depending on its color, with DM29 red rice having the highest TPC, TFC and TAC levels. At the same time, the presence of the majority of amino acids was quantified in the 01708 and GR (Gangwon) brown rice varieties. According to this study, colored rice varieties are high in amino acids, phenolic compounds and antioxidants. This research would be beneficial in furthering our understanding of the nutritional value of different colors of rice and their high potential as a natural antioxidant.

Comprehensive profiling of bioactive compounds in germinated black soybeans via UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and their anti-Alzheimer's activity

Black soybeans contain several bioactive compounds and commonly consumed due to their health-related activities but rarely cultivated as edible sprouts. The present study investigated the changes that occurred during germination in two new genotypes black soybeans. Raw and germinated seeds were tested against in vitro Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers, including oxidative stress, inflammatory factors and cholinesterase enzymes as well as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. Sprouts significantly inhibited the cholinesterase enzymes and inflammatory factors (protein denaturation, proteinase and lipoxygenase) than seeds. An increase in phenolic, flavonoid and GABA (10-folds) content and antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) was observed in germinated seeds. However, anthocyanin content was decreased in sprouts. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS2 metabolites profiling approach identified 22 compounds including amino acids, peptides, fatty acids, and polyphenols. Among identified compounds, daidzein, genistein, gallic acid, spermidine, L-asparagine, and L-lysine exhibited the highest increase after germination. The current study reveals that germination of black soybeans have promising potential to inhibit/prevent AD and can be used to develop functional foods.

Elicitation: a new perspective into plant chemo-diversity and functional property

Sprouts are consumed as fresh foods or their flours can be added in processed products as determinants of sensory perception, product differentiation, and shelf life. Elicitation technique can be used to accumulate phytochemicals in plant sprouts thereby improving their functionality. This review summarized the recent state of knowledge on the use of elicitors to produce sprouts with improved functional properties. Elicitation using abiotic or biotic elicitors has been applied to increase the yield of sprout secondary metabolites (glucosinolates, aminobutyric acid, phenolic compounds), biological activities (antioxidant, anti-obesity, antidiabetic properties), and growth. Elicitors trigger the synthesis of plant metabolites by changing enzyme activities or gene expression related to the plant defence system. They also promote sprout growth by enhancing the levels of plant growth hormones. Elicitation is an effective method to produce sprouts with improved health benefits, and enhance their growth. Future studies are needed to identify early plant signaling pathways to fully understand elicitors' mechanisms on plant metabolites. Moreover, further investigation can be impetus in revealing the lower and upper limits of elicitor that can be applied in sprouts without compromising health and environmental safety.

The Potential Role of Polyphenols in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Gut Microbiota in Alzheimer's Disease

Gut microbiota (GM) play a role in the metabolic health, gut eubiosis, nutrition, and physiology of humans. They are also involved in the regulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, immune responses, central and peripheral neurotransmission. Aging and unhealthy dietary patterns, along with oxidative and inflammatory responses due to gut dysbiosis, can lead to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the exact mechanism between AD and GM dysbiosis is still unknown, recent studies claim that secretions from the gut can enhance hallmarks of AD by disturbing the intestinal permeability and blood-brain barrier via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Dietary polyphenols are the secondary metabolites of plants that possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and can ameliorate gut dysbiosis by enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. Thus, modulation of gut by polyphenols can prevent and treat AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and GM in AD. Further, it provides an overview on the ability of polyphenols to modulate gut dysbiosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation against AD.

Role of Recent Therapeutic Applications and the Infection Strategies of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a global foodborne bacterial pathogen that is often accountable for colon disorder or distress. STEC commonly induces severe diarrhea in hosts but can cause critical illnesses due to the Shiga toxin virulence factors. To date, there have been a significant number of STEC serotypes have been evolved. STECs vary from nausea and hemorrhoid (HC) to possible lethal hemolytic-based uremic syndrome (HUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Inflammation-based STEC is usually a foodborne illness with Shiga toxins (Stx 1 and 2) thought to be pathogenesis. The STEC's pathogenicity depends significantly on developing one or more Shiga toxins, which can constrain host cell protein synthesis leading to cytotoxicity. In managing STEC infections, antimicrobial agents are generally avoided, as bacterial damage and discharge of accumulated toxins are thought the body. It has also been documented that certain antibiotics improve toxin production and the development of these species. Many different groups have attempted various therapies, including toxin-focused antibodies, toxin-based polymers, synbiotic agents, and secondary metabolites remedies. Besides, in recent years, antibiotics' efficacy in treating STEC infections has been reassessed with some encouraging methods. Nevertheless, the primary role of synbiotic effectiveness (probiotic and prebiotic) against pathogenic STEC and other enteropathogens is less recognized. Additional studies are required to understand the mechanisms of action of probiotic bacteria and yeast against STEC infection. Because of the consensus contraindication of antimicrobials for these bacterial pathogens, the examination was focused on alternative remedy strategies for STEC infections. The rise of novel STEC serotypes and approaches employed in its treatment are highlighted.

In Vitro Probitotic Evaluation of Saccharomyces boulardii with Antimicrobial Spectrum in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model

In the present study, we screened for potential probiotic yeast that could survive under extreme frozen conditions. The antimicrobial and heat-stable properties of the isolated yeast strains Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) (KT000032, KT000033, KT000034, KT000035, KT000036, and KT000037) was analyzed and compared with commercial probiotic strains. The results revealed that the tested S. boulardii KT000032 strain showed higher resistance to gastric enzymes (bile salts, pepsin, and pancreatic enzyme) at low pH, with broad antibiotic resistance. In addition, the strain also showed efficient auto-aggregation and co-aggregation abilities and efficient hydrophobicity in the in-vitro and in-vivo C. elegens gut model. Further, the KT000032 strain showed higher antimicrobial efficiency against 13 different enteropathogens and exhibited commensal relationships with five commercial probiotic strains. Besides, the bioactive compounds produced in the cell-free supernatant of probiotic yeast showed thermo-tolerance (95 °C for two hours). Furthermore, the thermo-stable property of the strains will facilitate their incorporation into ready-to-eat food products under extreme food processing conditions.

Cariogenic Biofilm: Pathology-Related Phenotypes and Targeted Therapy

The initiation and development of cariogenic (that is, caries-related) biofilms are the result of the disruption of homeostasis in the oral microenvironment. There is a daily accumulation of dental biofilm on the surface of teeth and its matrix of extracellular polymers supports the host in its defense against invading microbes, thus helping to achieve oral microbial homeostasis. However, the homeostasis can be broken down under certain circumstances such as during long-term exposure to a low pH environment which results in the dominance of acidogenic and acid-tolerating species in the dental biofilm and, thus, triggers the shift of harmless biofilm to an acidic one. This work aims to explore microbial diversity and the quorum sensing of dental biofilm and their important contributions to oral health and disease. The complex and multispecies ecosystems of the cariogenic biofilm pose significant challenges for the modulation of the oral microenvironment. Promising treatment strategies are those that target cariogenic niches with high specificity without disrupting the balance of the surrounding oral microbiota. Here, we summarized the recent advances in modulating cariogenic biofilm and/or controlling its pathogenic traits.

UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS Metabolite Profiling of the Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Red Cabbage and Broccoli Seeds and Sprouts

The antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and metabolite profiling of ethanol extracts of red cabbage (RC) and broccoli (BR) seeds and sprouts were investigated in this study. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and saponin contents were in the ranges of 385.4-480.4 mg FAE/100 g, 206.9-215.6 mg CE/100 g, and 17.8-27.0 mg soysaponin BE/100 g, respectively. BR seed had the highest total phenolic (480.4 mg FAE/100 g) and flavonoid (216.9 mg CE/100 g) contents, whereas BR sprout had the highest saponin content (27.0 soysaponin BE/100g). RC sprout demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity, with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity levels of 71.5% and 88.5%, respectively. Furthermore, BR and RC sprouts showed the most potent inhibition against α-glucosidase (91.32% and 93.11%, respectively) and pancreatic lipase (60.19% and 61.66%, respectively). BR seed (60.37%) demonstrated the lowest AGE inhibition. A total of 24 metabolites, predominantly amino acids and phenolic compounds, were characterized using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Germination not only improved the levels of metabolites but also resulted in the synthesis of new compounds. Therefore, these findings show that germination effectively enhanced the functional properties and metabolite profiles of broccoli and red cabbage seeds, making their sprouts more applicable as functional ingredients.

Untargeted Metabolomics of Korean Fermented Brown Rice Using UHPLC Q-TOF MS/MS Reveal an Abundance of Potential Dietary Antioxidative and Stress-Reducing Compounds

Free radical-induced oxidative stress is the root cause of many diseases, such as diabetes, stress and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this research was to screen GABA levels, antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds in brown rice. In this study, we first fermented brown rice with different lactic acid bacteria (LABs), and the best LAB was selected based on the levels of GABA in the fermentate. Lactobacillus reuterii generated the highest levels of GABA after fermentation. To ascertain whether germination can improve the GABA levels of brown rice, we compared the levels of GABA in raw brown rice (Raw), germinated brown rice (Germ), fermented brown rice (Ferm) and fermented-germinated brown rice (G+F) to identify the best approach. Then, antioxidant activities were investigated for Raw BR, Germ BR, Ferm BR and G+F BR. Antioxidant activity was calculated using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazile radical assay, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylene benzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. In Ferm BR, DPPH (114.40 ± 0.66), ABTS (130.52 ± 0.97) and FRAP (111.16 ± 1.83) mg Trolox equivalent 100 g, dry weight (DW), were observed as the highest among all samples. Total phenolic content (97.13 ± 0.59) and total flavonoids contents (79.62 ± 1.33) mg GAE/100 g and catechin equivalent/100 g, DW, were also found to be highest in fermented BR. Furthermore, an untargeted metabolomics approach using ultra-high-performance liquid tandem chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry revealed the abundance of bioactive compounds in fermented BR, such as GABA, tryptophan, coumaric acid, L-ascorbic acid, linoleic acid, β-carotenol, eugenol, 6-gingerol, etc., as well as bioactive peptides which could contribute to the health-promoting properties of L. reuterii fermented brown rice.

In Vitro and In Silico Screening and Characterization of Antimicrobial Napin Bioactive Protein in Brassica juncea and Moringa oleifera

The study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of Mustard (Brassica juncea) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extracts and coagulant protein for their potential application in water treatment. Bacterial cell aggregation and growth kinetics studies were employed for thirteen bacterial strains with different concentrations of leaf extracts and coagulant protein. Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOS) and coagulant protein showed cell aggregation against ten bacterial strains, whereas leaf extract alone showed growth inhibition of five bacterial strains for up to 6 h and five bacterial strains for up to 3 h. Brassica juncea leaf extract (BJS) showed growth inhibition for up to 6 h, and three bacterial strains showed inhibition for up to 3 h. The highest inhibition concentration with 2.5 mg/mL was 19 mm, and furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (0.5 mg/mL) and MBC (1.5 mg/mL) were determined to have a higher antibacterial effect for <3 KDa peptides. Based on LCMS analysis, napin was identified in both MOS and BJS; furthermore, the mode of action of napin peptide was determined on lipoprotein X complex (LpxC) and four-chained structured binding protein of bacterial type II topoisomerase (4PLB). The docking analysis has exhibited moderate to potent inhibition with a range of dock score -912.9 Kcal/mol. Thus, it possesses antibacterial-coagulant potential bioactive peptides present in the Moringa oleifera purified protein (MOP) and Brassica juncea purified protein (BJP) that could act as an effective antimicrobial agent to replace currently available antibiotics. The result implies that MOP and Brassica juncea purified coagulant (BJP) proteins may perform a wide degree of antibacterial functions against different pathogens.

Exploring Molecular Insights of Cereal Peptidic Antioxidants in Metabolic Syndrome Prevention

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is presently an alarming public health problem globally. Oxidative stress has been postulated to be strongly correlated with MetS, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Cereals are important staple foods which account for a huge proportion of the human diet. However, owing to recent growing demand and the search for natural antioxidants for the prevention and management of MetS, cereal peptides have gained increasing attention for developing functional ingredients or foods with substantial antioxidant properties. This review explores the current production techniques for cereal peptidic antioxidants and their potential mechanism of action in the prevention and management of MetS.

Molecular Detection of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli Isolated from Different Sources

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an enteric pathogen associated with human gastroenteritis outbreaks. Extensive use of antibiotics in agriculture selects resistant bacteria that may enter the food chain and potentially causes foodborne illnesses in humans that are less likely to respond to treatment with conventional antibiotics. Due to the importance of antibiotic resistance, this study aimed to investigate the combination of phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance in STEC isolates belonging to serogroups O26, O45, O103, O104, O111, O121, O145, and O157 using disc diffusion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. All strains were phenotypically resistant to at least one antibiotic, with 100% resistance to erythromycin, followed by gentamicin (98%), streptomycin (82%), kanamycin (76%), and ampicillin (72%). The distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the STEC strains was ampC (47%), aadA1 (70%), ere(A) (88%), blaSHV (19%), blaCMY (27%), aac(3)-I (90%), and tet(A) (35%), respectively. The results suggest that most of the strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and the most often observed resistant pattern was of aadA1, ere(A), and aac(3)-I genes. These findings indicate the significance of monitoring the prevalence of MDR in both animals and humans around the globe. Hence, with a better understanding of antibiotic genotypes and phenotypes among the diverse STEC strains obtained, this study could guide the administration of antimicrobial drugs in STEC infections when necessary.

Probiotic Effector Compounds: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Understanding the mechanism behind probiotic action will enable a rational selection of probiotics, increase the chances of success in clinical studies and make it easy to substantiate health claims. However, most probiotic studies over the years have rather focused on the effects of probiotics in health and disease, whereas little is known about the specific molecules that trigger effects in hosts. This makes it difficult to describe the detailed mechanism by which a given probiotic functions. Probiotics communicate with their hosts through molecular signaling. Meanwhile, since the molecules produced by probiotics under in vitro conditions may differ from those produced in vivo, in vitro mechanistic studies would have to be conducted under conditions that mimic gastrointestinal conditions as much as possible. The ideal situation would, however, be to carry out well-designed clinical trials in humans (or the target animal) using adequate quantities of the suspected probiotic molecule(s) or adequate quantities of isogenic knock-out or knock-in probiotic mutants. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge about probiotic bacteria and yeast molecules that are involved in molecular signaling with the host. We also discuss the challenges and future perspectives in the search for probiotic effector molecules.

Crosstalk between Gut and Brain in Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Gut Microbiota Modulation Strategies

The gut microbiota (GM) represents a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms and about 100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells that dwell in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies suggest that the GM can influence the health of the host, and several factors can modify the GM composition, such as diet, drug intake, lifestyle, and geographical locations. Gut dysbiosis can affect brain immune homeostasis through the microbiota–gut–brain axis and can play a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The relationship between gut dysbiosis and AD is still elusive, but emerging evidence suggests that it can enhance the secretion of lipopolysaccharides and amyloids that may disturb intestinal permeability and the blood–brain barrier. In addition, it can promote the hallmarks of AD, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta formation, insulin resistance, and ultimately the causation of neural death. Poor dietary habits and aging, along with inflammatory responses due to dysbiosis, may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. Thus, GM modulation through diet, probiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation could represent potential therapeutics in AD. In this review, we discuss the role of GM dysbiosis in AD and potential therapeutic strategies to modulate GM in AD.

Challenges and Perspective in Integrated Multi-Omics in Gut Microbiota Studies

The advent of omic technology has made it possible to identify viable but unculturable micro-organisms in the gut. Therefore, application of multi-omic technologies in gut microbiome studies has become invaluable for unveiling a comprehensive interaction between these commensals in health and disease. Meanwhile, despite the successful identification of many microbial and host-microbial cometabolites that have been reported so far, it remains difficult to clearly identify the origin and function of some proteins and metabolites that are detected in gut samples. However, the application of single omic techniques for studying the gut microbiome comes with its own challenges which may be overcome if a number of different omics techniques are combined. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge about multi-omic techniques, their challenges and future perspective in this field of gut microbiome studies.

Curcumin, Quercetin, Catechins and Metabolic Diseases: The Role of Gut Microbiota

Polyphenols (PPs) are the naturally occurring bioactive components in fruits and vegetables, and they are the most abundant antioxidant in the human diet. Studies are suggesting that ingestion of PPs might be helpful to ameliorate metabolic syndromes that may contribute in the prevention of several chronic disorders like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and colon cancer. PPs have structural diversity which impacts their bioavailability as they accumulate in the large intestine and are extensively metabolized through gut microbiota (GM). Intestinal microbiota transforms PPs into their metabolites to make them bioactive. Interestingly, not only GM act on PPs to metabolize them but PPs also modulate the composition of GM. Thus, change in GM from pathogenic to beneficial ones may be helpful to ameliorate gut health and associated diseases. However, to overcome the low bioavailability of PPs, various approaches have been developed to improve their solubility and transportation through the gut. In this review, we present evidence supporting the structural changes that occur after metabolic reactions in PPs (curcumin, quercetin, and catechins) and their effect on GM composition that leads to improving overall gut health and helping to ameliorate metabolic disorders.

New Clinical Applications of Electrolyzed Water: A Review

As the situation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still deteriorating, there has been a huge increase in the demand and use of disinfectants. Electrolyzed water (EW), as a novel broad-spectrum disinfectant and cleaner, has been widely used for several years. EW can be produced in an electrolysis chamber which contains dilute salt and tap water. It is an effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent, with several advantages such as on-the-spot, cheap, environmentally friendly and safe for human beings. Therefore, EW holds potential significance for high-risk settings in hospitals and other clinical facilities. EW can also be applied for wound healing, advanced tissue care, and dental clinics. The present review article highlights the latest developments and new perspectives of EW, especially in clinical fields. Furthermore, the main action modes of antibiofilm and antimicrobial will be summarized.

Molecular mechanisms of anticancer activities of polyphyllin VII

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in the world. The major therapies for cancer treatment are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. All these therapies expensive, toxic and show resistance. The plant-derived compounds are considered safe, cost-effective and target cancer through different pathways. In these pathways include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dependent and independent, STAT3, NF-kB, MAPKs, cell cycle, and autophagy pathways. One of the new plants derived compounds is Polyphyllin VII (PPVII), which target cancer through different molecular mechanisms. In literature, there is a review gap of studies on PPVII; therefore in the current review, we summarized the available studies on PPVII to provide a base for future research.

Food-Derived Opioid Peptides in Human Health: A Review

World Health Organization data suggest that stress, depression, and anxiety have a noticeable prevalence and are becoming some of the most common causes of disability in the Western world. Stress-related disorders are considered to be a challenge for the healthcare system with their great economic and social impact. The knowledge on these conditions is not very clear among many people, as a high proportion of patients do not respond to the currently available medications for targeting the monoaminergic system. In addition, the use of clinical drugs is also associated with various side effects such as vomiting, dizziness, sedation, nausea, constipation, and many more, which prevents their effective use. Therefore, opioid peptides derived from food sources are becoming one of the safe and natural alternatives because of their production from natural sources such as animals and plant proteins. The requirement for screening and considering dietary proteins as a source of bioactive peptides is highlighted to understand their potential roles in stress-related disorders as a part of a diet or as a drug complementing therapeutic prescription. In this review, we discussed current knowledge on opioid endogenous and exogenous peptides concentrating on their production, purification, and related studies. To fully understand their potential in stress-related conditions, either as a drug or as a therapeutic part of a diet prescription, the need to screen more dietary proteins as a source of novel opioid peptides is emphasized.

Phytochemical characterization, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of white cabbage extract on the quality and shelf life of raw beef during refrigerated storage

Brassica vegetables are well-characterized, containing a wide-spectrum of phenolic compounds that are responsible for their diverse biological activities like antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This study explored the preservative effect of Brassica oleracea var. capitate f. alba (white cabbage; WC) on beef under refrigerated conditions for 16 days. The antimicrobial activities of WC were evaluated against foodborne pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The antioxidant activity was determined on the basis of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, through employing DPPH and ABTS assays. The chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS analysis. The results indicated that among the different solvent extracts, white cabbage chloroform extract [WCCE] exhibited outstanding bioactive properties due to the presence of 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol, and the effects of WCCE at different levels (A and B) on the quality and shelf life of beef in storage were evaluated. The color parameters (lightness, yellowness, and redness), texture analysis, and pH values were monitored constantly with 4 days interval, and microbial analysis was conducted. The results showed that WCCE-A treatment significantly reduced the total viable counts, psychrotrophic bacteria, and yeast-molds when compared with WCCE-B and control during refrigeration storage, with the activity varying in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Significantly, the WCCE-A treatments had better appearance compared with the control after 16 days of storage. All results confirmed that WCCE which is rich in bioactive compounds, effectively maintains the quality of beef compared to the control by retarding lipid oxidation and microbial growth at refrigeration temperature and also emphasize the potential applications of this plant in different industrial sectors.

Identification and Purification of Potential Bioactive Peptide of Moringa oleifera Seed Extracts

The aim of the study was to investigate the antibacterial and anticoagulant activity of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) seed extracts and coagulant protein for their potential application in water treatment. Pathogenic microorganisms were obtained from Ramachandra Hospital, Chennai, India. Bacterial cell aggregation and growth kinetics studies were employed for six bacterial strains with different concentrations of seed extracts and coagulant protein. Moringa seed extract and coagulant protein showed cell aggregation against six bacterial strains, whereas seed extract alone showed growth inhibition of all six bacterial strains for up to 6 h, compared to that of control. Escherichia coli and Salmonella para typhi B did not develop resistance against coagulant protein. The results imply that Moringa oleifera is likely an efficient low-molecular bioactive peptide (with <7.5 kDa plant-based coagulant and antimicrobial peptides, confirmed by applying amino acid sequences), using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and HPLC, with the corresponding sequences from Napin-1A peptide posing different degrees of antibacterial activity against different pathogenic organisms.

Isolation and Identification of Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms Associated with Dental Caries in Human Teeth Biofilms

Dental caries is attributed to the predominance of cariogenic microorganisms. Cariogenic microorganisms are pathological factors leading to acidification of the oral microenvironment, which is related to the initiation and progression of caries. The accepted cariogenic microorganism is Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). However, studies have found that caries could occur in the absence of S. mutans. This study aimed to assess the presence of potentially cariogenic microorganisms in human teeth biofilm. The microorganisms were isolated from human mouth and freshly extracted human maxillary incisors extracted for reasons of caries. The isolates were sorted based on their acidogenic and aciduric properties, and the S. mutans was used as the reference strain. Four potentially cariogenic strains were selected. The selected strains were identified as Streptococcus salivarius (S. salivarius), Streptococcus anginosus (S. anginosus), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (L. mesenteroides), and Lactobacillus sakei (L. sakei) through morphological analysis followed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The cariogenicity of isolates was analyzed. We show, for the first time, an association between L. sakei (present in fermented food) and dental caries. The data provide useful information on the role of lactic acid bacteria from fermented foods and oral commensal streptococci in dental caries.

Assessment of Mineral and Phenolic Profiles and Their Association with the Antioxidant, Cytotoxic Effect, and Antimicrobial Potential of Lycium chinense Miller

This study aimed at investigating the Lycium chinense Miller leaf extract mineral and phenolic compound profiles as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. We determined the leaf extract mineral composition, identified its major mineral components, and quantified secondary metabolites. We also measured the leaf extract antioxidant potential and found that it varies in a concentration-dependent manner. We observed a significant and higher positive correlation between DPPH and ABTS assays compared with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Furthermore, our assay results positively correlated with several observed acids, indicating their strong association with the L. chinense antioxidant potential. Our cytotoxic assay revealed weak toxicity at higher tested concentrations. Our MIC assay showed that the 80% methanol extract effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC35150). The 625-ppm leaf extract completely suppressed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach (ATCC13150), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579), and Helicobacter pylori (ATCC43504). These results allow us to understand the indigenous medicinal value of L. chinense. Our study suggests that the L. chinense leaf extract phenolic compounds possess a good antioxidant activity against free radicals and are effective antimicrobial agents. Finally, the presence and high level of diverse minerals suggest the potential of L. chinense for nutraceutical and functional food applications.

UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS characterization, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of sorghum grains

The phenolic compounds composition, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of eight brown sorghum genotypes were investigated. DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in SOR 03, followed by SOR 11, SOR 08 and SOR 33. SOR 33, SOR 03, SOR 08, SOR 11 showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, SOR 11, SOR 17 and SOR 33 exhibited significantly higher percentage inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase and α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 14.71, 32.98, 24.93 µg/ml and 27.6, 23.84, 45.01 µg/ml, respectively) compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 59.34 and 27.73 µg/ml, respectively). Similarly, SOR 17, SOR 11 and SOR 33 showed significantly potent inhibition of AGEs formation with IC₅₀ values of 14.19, 18.23 and 26.31 µg/ml, respectively, compared to aminoguanidine (AG) (52.30 µg/ml). Flavones, isoflavones and dihydroflavonols were the predominant flavonoids identified in SOR 11, SOR 17 and SOR 33 genotypes. Therefore, these sorghum grains are potential candidates for the development of functional foods.

Untargeted Metabolomics of Fermented Rice Using UHPLC Q-TOF MS/MS Reveals an Abundance of Potential Antihypertensive Compounds

Enzyme treatment and fermentation of cereals are known processes that enhance the release of bound bioactive compounds to make them available for bioactivity. In this study, we tested the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory ability of destarched rice, Prozyme 2000p treated destarched rice (DP), and fermented DP samples. Prozyme 2000p treatment increased the ACE inhibitory ability from 15 ± 5% to 45 ± 3%. Fermentation of the Prozyme 2000p treated samples with Enterococcus faecium EBD1 significantly increased the ACE inhibitory ability to 75 ± 5%, while captopril showed an ACE inhibition of 92 ± 4%. An untargeted metabolomics approach using Ultra-high-performance liquid tandem chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry revealed the abundance of vitamins, phenolic compounds, antioxidant peptides, DPP IV inhibitory peptides, and antihypertensive peptides in the fermented samples which may account for its strong ACE inhibition. Although fermented DP had decreased fatty acid levels, the amount of essential amino acid improved drastically compared to destarched rice. Our results show that fermenting Prozyme-treated destarched rice with Enterococcus faecium EBD1 generates abundant bioactive compounds necessary for developing antihypertensive functional foods.

Microbial Etiology and Prevention of Dental Caries: Exploiting Natural Products to Inhibit Cariogenic Biofilms

Dental caries is one of the most common microbe-mediated oral diseases in human beings. At present, the accepted etiology of caries is based on a four-factor theory that includes oral microorganisms, oral environment, host, and time. Excessive exposure to dietary carbohydrates leads to the accumulation of acid-producing and acid-resistant microorganisms in the mouth. Dental caries is driven by dysbiosis of the dental biofilm adherent to the enamel surface. Effective preventive methods include inhibiting the cariogenic microorganisms, treatment with an anti-biofilm agent, and sugar intake control. The goal is to reduce the total amount of biofilm or the levels of specific pathogens. Natural products could be recommended for preventing dental caries, since they may possess fewer side effects in comparison with synthetic antimicrobials. Herein, the mechanisms of oral microbial community development and functional specialization are discussed. We highlight the application of widely explored natural products in the last five years for their ability to inhibit cariogenic microorganisms.

Flavonoids in Decorticated Sorghum Grains Exert Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Antiobesity Activities

Eight new genotypes of brown sorghum grain were decorticated and assessed for their antioxidant, antidiabetic and antiobesity activities in vitro. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays of the soluble fractions were evaluated, followed by digestive enzymes and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation inhibition assays. DSOR 33 and DSOR 11 exhibited the highest DPPH (IC50 = 236.0 ± 1.98 µg/mL and 292.05 ± 2.19 µg/mL, respectively) and ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 302.50 ± 1.84 µg/mL and 317.05 ± 1.06 µg/mL, respectively). DSOR 17, DSOR 11 and DSOR 33 showed significantly higher inhibitory activity of both α-glucosidase and α-amylase (IC50 = 31.86, 35.10 and 49.40 µg/mL; and 15.87, 22.79 and 37.66 µg/mL, respectively) compared to acarbose (IC50 = 59.34 and 27.73 µg/mL, respectively). Similarly, DSOR 33, DSOR 11 and DSOR 17 showed potent inhibition of both AGEs and lipase with IC50 values of 18.25, 19.03 and 38.70 µg/mL; and 5.01, 5.09 and 4.94 µg/mL, respectively, compared to aminoguanidine (52.30 µg/mL) and orlistat (5.82 µg/mL). Flavonoids were the predominant compounds identified, with flavones being the major subclass in these three extracts. Our findings suggest that decorticated sorghum grains contain substantial amounts of flavonoids and could be promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity.