Evaluation of lupine seeds (Lupinus albus L.) neutral extract as a texture improver in low-fat yogurt production

Aqueous lupine seeds (Lupinus albus L.) extracts were evaluated as a natural fat substitute in low-fat yogurt production. Thus, the chemical composition, particle size, molecular weight, total phenolic (TPC), and total flavonoids (TFC) of the selected extract were estimated. Also, the antimicrobial activity and antioxidant capacity of selected extract were investigated. Yogurt with neutral lupine extract (NeLP) had the highest all sensorial attributes compared to other extracts. Also, the incorporation of NeLP during low-fat yogurt processing increased the solid content, and viscosity, as well as improved the textural profile and sensorial attributes without any negative effect on the yogurt's color. SEM micrographs of NeLP-yogurt microstructure showed a matrix characterized by large fused casein micelles clusters with comparatively lower porosity compared to control yogurt (without NeLP). The chemical composition of NeLP indicated that the major sugar constituents are glucose and galactose with different molar fractions. The molecular weight of NeLP is 460.5 kDa with a particle size of 1519.9 nm. Also, IC50 of NeLP is 0.589 mg/ml, while TPC and TFC are 7.17, and 0.0137 g/100 g sample, respectively. Hence, lupine neutral extract (0.25%) could be used as a fat replacer or texture improver ingredient in such low-fat yogurt which led to improved its characteristics without any negative defect during 7 days at 5 °C.

Enhancement of the quality attributes and health benefits synbiotic yoghurt from cow's milk

The present work delighted on extraction of galactomannan polysaccharide from guar gum beans and microbial galactomannan source. Effect of replacing non-fat dry milk that used to fortify cow's milk in yoghurt industry with the two extracted galactomannans and commercial galactomannan as food additives was studied. Control yoghurt treatment was made from 3.0% fat cow's milk that was fortified with 1.5% non-fat dry milk. Another 6 yoghurt treatmentwas fortified with 0.15, 0.25% of commercial, guar and microbial galactomannan respectively. All treatments were cultured with the probiotic starter (1.0% Streptococcus thermophilus + 1.0% Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus + 1.0% Bifidobacteriumbifidum). The obtained results indicated that yoghurt supplementation with the three types of galactomannans increased the acidity, curd tension, total solids content, decreased pH values and syneresis of yoghurt treatments. Control yoghurt and commercial galactomannan yoghurt were not significantly different from the corresponding batches those made with either guar galactomannan and microbial galactomannan in fat, protein and ash content. Yoghurt treatments which supplemented with the three types of galactomannans have higher bifidobacteria counts and organoleptic scores than the control treatment yoghurt.

Novel naringin tablet formulations of agro-resides based nano/micro crystalline cellulose with neuroprotective and Alzheimer ameliorative potentials

This study aimed to prepare micro/nanocrystalline cellulose-loaded naringin (NAR) tablets and evaluate their neuro-protective/therapeutic potentials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model. Micro/nanocellulose was prepared from different agro-wastes, and the different cellulose preparations were then used to formulate eight oral tablets of naringin micro/nanoparticles by direct compression. AD-like symptoms were induced in adult male Sprague Dawley rats by co-administration of 150 mg/kg AlCl₃ and 300 mg/kg D-galactose (oral administration/one week), and NAR tablets were assessed for neuroprotective/therapeutic potentials in terms of behavioral changes, levels of neurodegenerative and inflammatory markers, brain redox status, neurotransmitter tones, and cortex/hippocampus histopathological alterations. NAR treatments have significantly reversed the neurotoxic effect of AlCl₃ as demonstrated by improved spatial and cognitive memory functions and promoted antioxidant defense mechanisms in treated AD animals. Also, the neurodegeneration was markedly restrained as reflected by marked histopathological enhancement, and prevention/amelioration of neuropsychiatric disorders, besides the restorative effect on dysregulated neurotransmitters tone. Both NAR tablet forms showed an overall higher ameliorative effect compared to the DPZ reference drug. The formulated tablets represent promising neuroprotective/therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease.

Preliminary study on the possible impact of Thalassodendron ciliatum (Forss.) den Hartog acidic polysaccharide fractions against TAA induced liver failure

The water-soluble acidic polysaccharide from Thalassodendron ciliatum (Forss.) den Hartog was successfully extracted, fractionated and purified. The phytochemical profile of the two water-soluble fractions (F1 and F2), were detected using different analytic techniques. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 22 saccharide. Acidic polysaccharide, galacturonic and glucuronic acid were the most abundant. Moreover, paper chromatography and electrophoresis also performed as a preliminary chemical characterization of the polymer. The hepatoprotective activity of the fractions against thioacetamide (TAA) induced liver failure; antioxidant potential and preliminary immunomodulatory activity were assigned in-vivo. The results revealed a potent competence to improve the liver function profile (ALT, AST, total bilirubin, total glyceride, etc.) and a remarkable improvement in liver architecture in comparison to the challenged intoxicated groups. Moreover, they showed high anti-oxidative properties and a promising immunomodulatory influence via Il6. These findings provide new insight into the possible role of polysaccharide purified two fractions in the treatment of acute liver injury.

Identification of DNA variation in callus derived from Zingiber officinale and anticoagulation activities of ginger rhizome and callus

Background

The medicinal plants have been used as alternative treatments for many diseases in many countries. Thus, the possibility of the alteration of some naturally relatively cheap sources into highly valuable products for pharmaceutical and biological importance via tissue culture is investigated in this study. Special attention is needed to estimate the molecular genetic variation between the studied plant and the callus.

Results

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) rhizome was affected by various concentrations of cytokinin and auxin for the induction of callus. The highest percentage of callus induction and maximal callus fresh weight was achieved when Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was supplemented with 2 mg/l 2, 4-D + 1mg/l BA. The genetic variations accompanied with in vitro conditions of callus induction was evaluated by four primers of inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) that amplified 36 bands. The highest readings for clotting times were found by using the sulfated neutral extract of ginger rhizome at a concentration of 400 μg/ml, and the extract of sulfated alkaline plant callus had an anticoagulation activity at (200 μg/ml) comparable to that of a standard preparation of heparin sodium.

Conclusion

These results showed that ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) rhizome was affected by various concentrations of cytokinin and auxin for induction of callus especially when MS was supplemented with 2 mg/l 2, 4-D + 1 mg/l BA. Also, the results of ISSR markers confirmed the occurrence of genetic variations during callus induction process. The results indicated that the sulfated alkaline of ginger rhizome and sulfated aqueous extracts of ginger rhizome and callus exhibited anticoagulant activity. So, it was clear that the addition of sulfate group into the investigated extracts enhances the anticoagulation activities.

Characterization of Aspergillus niger MK981235 xylanase with extraction of anti-hepatotoxic, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic and prebiotic Corchorus olitorius stems xylooligosaccharides

The object of this study was to utilize agro-industrial waste Corchorus olitorius stems (molokhia stems, MS) as substrate, for Aspergillus niger MK981235 xylanase production and as source of biologically active xylooligosaccharides (XOS). This study succeeded in utilization of Aspergillus niger MK981235 xylanase under different saccharification conditions designed by central composite design (CCD) for extraction of 15 biologically active XOS (anti-hepatotoxic, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic and prebiotic) with different monosaccharides constituents composition and percent. A. niger MK981235 xylanase showed the highest activity 6.60 U·ml^-1 at 50 °C with 1.5% xylan. The kinetics included K_m and V_max were determined to be 6.67 mg·ml^-1 and 20 μmol·ml^-1·min^-1, respectively. Moreover, A. niger MK981235 xylanase thermodynamics E_a (activation energy) and E_d (activation energy of denaturation) were determined to be 21.95 and 39.51 KJ·mol^-1, respectively. The highest prebiotic effect (growth promation) was exerted by the central MS XOS on Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (125 and 135.3%, respectively). Also, the central MS XOS, exerted the highest cholesterol reduction and antioxidant activities 74.7 and 92%, respectively, showed remarkable in vivo protective role against the hepatic toxicity of lithium carbonate evaluated by changes in body weight, liver function markers (AST, ALT, Alb, total bilirubin) and tissue makers (MDA and GSH).

New applied pharmacological approach/trend on utilization of agro-industrial wastes

This study aimed to transform the locally available lignocellulosic residual palm frond (PF) and rice straw (RS) wastes into multifunction added products like methylated cellulose and sulfated and phosphorylated hemicelluloses by simple processes. Hydrolysis with 2 N sulfuric acid was the most suitable reaction for microcrystalline cellulose production. The characteristics of the prepared products were studied to obtain the optimum reaction conditions. Palm frond hemicellulose (PFHC) recorded the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans (22, 22, 26 mm), respectively, and phosphorylated palm frond hemicellulose (PPFHC) exhibited the highest potential antioxidant activity of approximately 60%, suggesting a possible correlation between the two bioactivities. Most of extracted celluloses and their derivatives had a variety of promising probiotic activities which are expected to reduce the side effects of the gastric mucosa and possibly play a role in curing the gastric ulcer. Accordingly, the determination of anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity results revealed that methylcellulose, sulfated and phosphorylated hemicelluloses showed anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities and the capability of all tested compounds to ameliorate the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats' stomach. All results recommended PF and RS and their derivatives to be used as a medicinal food.

Improvement of Aspergillus flavus saponin hydrolase thermal stability and productivity via immobilization on a novel carrier based on sugarcane bagasse

Soyasapogenol B (SB) is known to have many biological activities such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, antiviral and anticancer activities. Enzymatic conversion of soyasaponins to SB was carried out using saponin hydrolase (SH) extracted from Aspergillus flavus. The partially purified enzyme was immobilized on different carriers by physical adsorption, covalent binding or entrapment. Among the investigated carriers, Eupergit C and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) activated by DIC and NHS were the most suitable two carriers for immobilization (the immobilized forms recovered 46.5 and 37.1% of the loaded enzyme activity, respectively). Under optimized immobilization conditions, immobilized SH on Eupergit C and on activated SBC recovered 87.7 and 83.3% of its original activity, respectively. Compared to free SH, immobilized SH on Eupergit C and on activated SCB showed higher optimum pH, activation energy, half-lives and lower deactivation constant rate. Also, their SB productivities were improved by 2.3- and 2.2-folds compared to free SH (87.7 and 83.3 vs. 37.5%, respectively). Hence, being SCB more sustainable and an inexpensive material, it can be considered a good alternative to Eupergit C as a support for SH immobilization. SH immobilization on industrially applicable and inexpensive carrier is necessary to improve SB yield and reduce its production cost. The chemical structure of SCB and the resulting cellulose derivatives were studied by ATR-IR spectroscopy. The thermal analysis technique was used to study the chemical treatment of SCB and coupling with the enzyme. This technique confirmed the removal of lignin and hemicellulose by chemical treatment of SCB.

Chemically-modified polysaccharide extract derived from Leucaena leucocephala alters Raw 264.7 murine macrophage functions

In this study, a chemical modification of the polysaccharides extract (E) derived from Leucaena leucocephala seeds was performed to prepare C-glycosidic 2-propanol derivative (PE), and its sulphated derivative (SPE). This study aimed to characterize immunomodulatory activities of the original extract and its derivatives by exploring their effects on Raw macrophage 264.7 functions and their antioxidant activity. Our results indicated that PE was an effective radical scavenger to hydroxyl, peroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals, and SPE was a peroxyl radical scavenger. PE and SPE were found to influence the macrophage functions. Both of PE and SPE enhanced the macrophage proliferation and phagocytosis of FITC-zymosan; PE inhibited nitric oxide (NO) generation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw macrophage 264.7. In contrast, SPE over-induced NO generation and TNF-alpha secretion. Moreover, PE strongly inhibited the binding affinity of FITC-LPS to Raw 264.7, as indicated by flow cytometry analysis. These findings revealed that PE may act as a potent anti-inflammatory agent; however SPE may act as an inducer of macrophage functions against pathogens.

Cancer chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory activities of chemically modified guar gum

Guar gum (G) is a simple characterized branched polysaccharide, which is frequently used in food industries. We prepared the gum C-glycosylated derivative (GG), and its sulphated derivative (SGG), aiming to characterize their cancer chemopreventive, and anti-inflammatory properties. Estimation of cancer chemopreventive activity, specifically anti-initiation, including the modulation of carcinogen metabolism and the antioxidant capacity, revealed that GG was a potent anti-initiator, where it inhibited not only the carcinogen activator enzyme, cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), but also induced the carcinogen detoxification enzymes glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), while SGG inhibited both CYP1A and GSTs. SGG was an effective radical scavenger than GG against hydroxyl, peroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals. GG and SGG were found to modulate the macrophage functions into an anti-inflammatory pattern. Thus, both enhanced the macrophage proliferation and phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-zymosan; however, they also inhibited strongly the nitric oxide generation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW macrophage 264.7. Unexpectedly, both GG and SGG dramatically inhibited the binding affinity of FITC-LPS to RAW 264.7, as indicated by flow cytometry analysis. GG and SGG exhibited a significant anti-proliferative activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep G2), and only SGG was specifically cytotoxic for human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7), but neither was significantly cytotoxic for human lymphoblastic leukemia cells (1301). SGG led to a major disturbance in cell cycle phases of Hep G2 cells as indicated by concomitant arrest in S- and G2/M-phases, a disturbance that was associated with an induced cell death as a result of necrosis, but not apoptosis in both GG- and SGG-treated cells. Taken together, the modified gums could be used as an alternative of G in health food industries to provide cancer prevention in risk populations.