Evidence Supporting the Involvement of the Minority Compounds of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, through Gut Microbiota Modulation, in Some of the Dietary Benefits Related to Metabolic Syndrome in Comparison to Butter.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has proven to yield a better health outcome than other saturated fats widely used in the Western diet, including a distinct dysbiosis-preventive modulation of gut microbiota. Besides its high content in unsaturated fatty acids, EVOO also has an unsaponifiable polyphenol-enriched fraction that is lost when undergoing a depurative process that gives place to refined olive oil (ROO). Comparing the effects of both oils on the intestinal microbiota of mice can help us determine which benefits of EVOO are due to the unsaturated fatty acids, which remain the same in both, and which benefits are a consequence of its minority compounds, mainly polyphenols. In this work, we study these variations after only six weeks of diet, when physiological changes are not appreciated yet but intestinal microbial alterations can already be detected. Some of these bacterial deviations correlate in multiple regression models with ulterior physiological values, at twelve weeks of diet, including systolic blood pressure. Comparison between the EVOO and ROO diets reveals that some of these correlations can be explained by the type of fat that is present in the diet, while in other cases, such as the genus Desulfovibrio, can be better understood if the antimicrobial role of the virgin olive oil polyphenols is considered.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Bioactive Composition and Neuroprotective and Antimicrobial Properties of Vacuum-Dried Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) Powder and Its Antioxidants.

In this study, vacuum drying (VD) was employed as an approach to protect the bioactive components of and produce dried broccoli powders with a high biological activity. To achieve these goals, the effects of temperature (at the five levels of 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C) and constant vacuum pressure (10 kPa) were evaluated. The results show that, with the increasing temperature, the drying time decreased. Based on the statistical tests, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) model was found to fit well to sorption isotherms, whereas the Midilli and Kucuk model fit well to the drying kinetics. VD has a significant impact on several proximate composition values. As compared with the fresh sample, VD significantly reduced the total phenol, flavonoid and glucosinolate contents. However, it was shown that VD at higher temperatures (80 and 90 °C) contributed to a better antioxidant potential of broccoli powder. In contrast, 50 °C led to a better antimicrobial and neuroprotective effects, presumably due to the formation of isothiocyanate (ITC). Overall, this study demonstrates that VD is a promising technique for the development of extracts from broccoli powders that could be used as natural preservatives or as a neuroprotective agent.

Dietary fibre in processed murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) berries: bioactive components and antioxidant capacity.

In this study the dietary fibre (DF) of fresh and processed murta berries was characterised with respect to bioactive and antioxidant properties. DF content was determined by three different methods (AOAC, dialysis membrane and indigestible fraction methods) comparing their effectiveness. The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds (PC) in purée, fruit leather and isolated DF of murta berries was evaluated by DPPH and ORAC assays. Total phenolics and flavonoids linked to DF were determined by colorimetric tests, while PC profiles in the respective murta products were identified by HPLC. DF concentration was > 50 g/100 g dm, fluctuating between 52.03 ± 1.32 and 57.18 ± 0.61 g/100 g dm, exhibiting simultaneously high antioxidant activity, with ORAC values of 38,190 ± 661 and 26,425 ± 1399 µmol Trolox equivalent/100 g dm in the isolated DF of fresh murta berries and processed murta fruit leather respectively, which enabled a classification as antioxidant dietary fibre. Total phenolics and flavonoids linked to DF retained a high concentration in the fruit leather, implying a favourable effect of processing. Gallic acid and pyrogallol were found associated to DF, at a level of 34.03 ± 1.17 and 631.07 ± 22.10 mg/100 g dm in the fresh berries respectively, which conferred to murta berries a functional property not yet reported. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05416-1.

An Integrative Approach of an In Vitro Measurement of the Digestibility of Triacylglycerols of Human Milk.

Several studies have been published regarding the effect of different factors on the digestion of milk lipids, considering their natural structural arrangement as milk fat globules and the efficiency of the digestive enzymes in the lipolysis of such complex structures. During digestion, the lipolytic products are dispersed in vesicles and micelles, which are the source for absorption of digested lipids. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the isolation of the micellar phase from the digesta to appropriately determine the amounts and classes of lipids which are bioaccessible. This study presents an integrative approach that included an isolation procedure to separate the micellar fraction from undigested and non-micellar parts, and the distribution of digested milk lipids in micelles determined directly through chromatographic techniques. Four groups of five full term mothers donated colostrum or mature milk. Two sets of samples were analyzed directly (raw), and two sets were pasteurized and then analyzed. Our data revealed that the profile of digested milk lipids is different depending on the lactation period and processing stage, while the carbon atom number distribution of the digested triacylglycerols in the micellar fraction provides a substantial information regarding the acylglycerols species that are less available for absorption.

Antioxidant, functional properties and health-promoting potential of native South American berries: a review.

Nowadays berries are globally recognized to be among the healthiest foods because they contain diverse and abundant bioactive compounds. Among these are phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which are known to have beneficial health effects. South America, particularly southern Chile, is covered by a diversity of insufficiently studied and underexploited native berry species. In this review we summarize all the available literature on the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, bioaccessibility, and biological activity of five native South American berries: calafate, maqui, murta, arrayán, and chequén. The potential of these native berries for promoting human health and as source of bioactive substances is remarkable. Bioactive compounds, mainly anthocyanins, and in less abundance flavonoids and phenolic acids, show strong antioxidant effects. Some of these constituents are bioaccessible and bioavailable, and exert anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities as well as inhibitory effects against enzymes involved in metabolic syndromes. Given the potential of native South American berries to promote health, more work is still needed to understand fully the potential beneficial effects of the consumption of these berries on human health. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of drying methods on the characterization of fatty acids, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in a thin layer of physalis (Physalis peruviana L.) pulp.

Physalis peruviana L. fruits are rich in bioactive compounds with health benefits. Processing of physalis into pulp with further dehydration has been proposed as a method to increase shelf life and preserve bioactive compounds. Here, the effect of three drying methods on the physico-chemical properties, color, antioxidant capacity, tocopherol and fatty acids content of physalis pulp thin layers were evaluated. The radical scavenging activity showed higher antioxidant activity at high temperatures rather than at low temperatures. Both, DPPH and ORAC assay showed a high antioxidant capacity of the physalis pulp. Chromatic parameters as well as Chroma and Hue angle were affected by drying temperature, which contributed to the discoloring of physalis pulp during this process. Based on these results, both convective drying and infrared drying at 80 °C were proved to be viable drying options for physalis pulp.

Vacuum drying of Chilean papaya (Vasconcellea pubescens) fruit pulp: effect of drying temperature on kinetics and quality parameters.

Chilean papaya is grown in Central Chile and is considered to be an important source of fiber, sugars, and antioxidants. The effect of different vacuum drying temperatures (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C) on the composition of papaya pulp was evaluated. The inhibitory effect of papaya extracts on α-glucosidase activity, as a regulator of blood sugar, was also evaluated. Drying reduced water activity of the pulp to less than 0.6, thereby, assuring the product stability, while maintaining simple sugars, vitamin C, and total flavonoids. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity by DPPH assay increased with respect to the fresh pulp by 1.5 and 2.6 times, respectively. The inhibitory effect of papaya extracts on α-glucosidase was evaluated by determining the IC50 for each sample and the acarbose equivalents. The results indicate the suitability of the dried extract of Chilean papaya as a regulator of glucose metabolism in Type II diabetes patients.

Profile of Chlorophyll Catabolites in Senescent Leaves of Epipremnun aureum Includes a Catabolite Esterified with Hydroxytyrosol 1-O-Glucoside.

Despite the fact that chlorophyll degradation is a physiological phenomenon occurring daily in all photosynthetic tissues, chlorophyll catabolites are not fully identified. Three new forms (1, 3, and 4) of linear chlorophyll catabolites (phyllobilins) have been characterized in senescent leaves of Epipremnun aureum with spectroscopic data. Compound 1 is a hypermodified blue fluorescent chlorophyll catabolite (hmFCC) esterified with the potent antioxidant hydroxytyrosol. The sequestration of this phenol by a chlorophyll catabolite could explain the physiological meaning of the persistence of hmFCCs in some senescent plants. Compound 3, a yellow chlorophyll catabolite (YCC) originated from the oxidation at C-15 of 1. YCCs have been identified previously and are exclusively formed in the plant vacuole from the final nonfluorescent chlorophyll catabolites (NCCs). The presence of 3 in leaves implies a new reaction in chlorophyll catabolism, as the characterization of 3 implies that YCCs can be also be oxidized in the cytosol from FCCs. Finally, phyllobilin 4 represents a new type of YCC characterized by an inflexible bicyclo glucosyl moiety linked through an intramolecular esterification of the propionic acid residue with the C-3 hydroxy group. The corresponding NCC precursor was recently identified and now the characterization of 4 shows that even this rigid structure can be further oxidized. Undoubtedly, the characterization of phyllobilins is essential to completely comprehend chlorophyll degradation.

Effect of gestational age (preterm or full term) on lipid composition of the milk fat globule and its membrane in human colostrum.

Human colostrum is the first milk secreted by the mother after birth and constitutes the ideal food for the newborn, because its chemical composition, rich in immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, growth factors, bioactive lipids, and other important molecules, is perfectly adapted to the metabolic, digestive, and immunological immaturity of the newborn. An incomplete gestational period can affect the maturity of the mammary gland and its ability to secrete milk with the proper composition for the newborn's condition. Previous studies indicate that the mammary gland modulates the profiles of bioactive lipids present in the different phases of lactation from colostrum to mature milk. Given the key role played by the polar lipids (PL) (phospho- and sphingolipids) of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) in the immune system and cognitive development of the newborn, it is crucial to analyze whether the content and distribution of the PL are affected by gestation period. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the milk fat globule (MFG) and MFGM lipid compositions of human colostrum samples from 20 healthy preterm and full-term mothers. Lipid characterization using chromatographic techniques (gas chromatograph mass spectrometry and HPLC-evaporative light-scattering detection) revealed differences related to length of gestation in the profiles of lipid classes and fatty acid and triacylglyceride contents of colostrum. This comparative analysis leads to noteworthy outcomes about the changing roles of the PL, considering the preterm or full-term condition. We found a lack of correlation of some PL (such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine) with the delivery term; these could be denoted as structural category lipids. However, sphingomyelin and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine exhibited trends to decrease in full-term colostrum, indicating that in the final stage of pregnancy specific accretion of some PL occurs, which should be denoted as a nutritional redistribution.

Prevalence of an Intestinal ST40 Enterococcus faecalis over Other E. faecalis Strains in the Gut Environment of Mice Fed Different High Fat Diets.

E. faecalis is a commensal bacterium with specific strains involved in opportunistic and nosocomial infections. Therefore, it is important to know how the strains of this species are selected in the gut. In this study, fifteen E. faecalis strains, isolated over twelve weeks from the faeces of mice fed standard chow or one of three high fat diets enriched with extra virgin olive oil, refined olive oil or butter were subjected to a genetic "Multilocus Sequence Typing" study that revealed the presence of mainly two genotypes, ST9 and ST40, the latter one prevailing at the end of the research. A V3-V5 sequence comparison of the predominant ST40 strain (12B3-5) in a metagenomic study showed that this sequence was the only E. faecalis present in the mouse cohort after twelve weeks. The strain was subjected to a comparative proteomic study with a ST9 strain by 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. After comparing the results with a E. faecalis database, unshared entries were compared and 12B3-5 showed higher antimicrobial production as well as greater protection from environmental factors such as xenobiotics, oxidative stress and metabolite accumulation, which could be the reason for its ability to outcompete other possible rivals in an intestinal niche.

Effects of drying processes on composition, microstructure and health aspects from maqui berries.

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of different drying methods, including freeze drying (FD), convective drying, sun drying, infrared drying and vacuum drying (VD), on the chemical composition and microstructure of maqui berries as well as their anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. Results showed that all dried samples have high unsaturated fatty acids contents (up to 83%) and high total dietary fiber contents (above 50%). Also, one hundred grams of dried berries provide between 11 and 21% of the recommended daily intake of α-tocopherol. Moreover, all dried maqui extracts reduced topical inflammation in treated mice. The highest anti-inflammatory effect against phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was found for VD and FD samples. Also, all dried maqui extracts showed antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity. The highest α-glucosidase inhibition activity was found for FD samples. The different biological activities of the dried maqui berries were related to differences in the extractability of metabolites due to microstructural changes during drying. The results indicated the potential use of dried maqui as a food ingredient with high unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber and α-tocopherol or as a natural extract with therapeutic agents.

Tropical bat as mammalian model for skin carotenoid metabolism.

Animals cannot synthesize carotenoid pigments de novo, and must consume them in their diet. Most mammals, including humans, are indiscriminate accumulators of carotenoids but inefficiently distribute them to some tissues and organs, such as skin. This limits the potential capacity of these organisms to benefit from the antioxidant and immunostimulatory functions that carotenoids fulfill. Indeed, to date, no mammal has been known to have evolved physiological mechanisms to incorporate and deposit carotenoids in the skin or hair, and mammals have therefore been assumed to rely entirely on other pigments such as melanins to color their integument. Here we use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in combination with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF/MS) to show that the frugivorous Honduran white bat Ectophylla alba colors its skin bright yellow with the deposition of the xanthophyll lutein. The Honduran white bat is thus a mammalian model that may help developing strategies to improve the assimilation of lutein in humans to avoid macular degeneration. This represents a change of paradigm in animal physiology showing that some mammals actually have the capacity to accumulate dietary carotenoids in the integument. In addition, we have also discovered that the majority of the lutein in the skin of Honduran white bats is present in esterified form with fatty acids, thereby permitting longer-lasting coloration and suggesting bright color traits may have an overlooked role in the visual communication of bats.

Influence of the Type of Diet on the Incidence of Pathogenic Factors and Antibiotic Resistance in Enterococci Isolated from Faeces in Mice.

A comparative study on potential risks was carried out in a collection of 50 enterococci isolated from faeces of mice fed a standard or a high-fat diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil, refined olive oil or butter, at the beginning, after six weeks and after twelve weeks of experiments. Strains were biochemically assessed and genetically characterized. E. faecalis and E. casseliflavus were the most frequently isolated species in any diet and time points. Apart from the fact of not having isolated any strain from the virgin olive oil group during the last balance, we found statistically significant differences p < 0 . 05 among the diets in the percentage of antibiotic resistance and in the presence of the enterococcal surface protein gene (esp), as well as a tendency p < 0 . 1 for the presence of the tyrosine decarboxylase gene (tdc) to increase over time in the group of isolates from the standard diet. When the resistance of the strains to virgin or refined olive oil was studied, only the group of enterococci from high fat diets showed a significantly higher percentage of resistance to refined olive oil p < 0 . 05 , while both types of oil equally inhibited those isolated from the standard diet p > 0 . 05 .

Green Natural Colorants.

Although there is no legal and clear definition of the term "natural food colorant", the market trends, and consequently industrial and commercial interest, have turned to foods with added natural pigments. This progressive substitution of artificial colorants has faced chemical complications with some colors, with a lack of stable green hues being one of them. Several strategies have been applied for green color stabilization in processed foods, from the formation of metallochlorophylls to the microencapsulation of green pigments. However, at present, the utilization of green coloring foodstuffs, which are considered an ingredient in the EU, seems to be the more successful solution for the market. Besides those topics, the present review aims to clarify the current confusion between the different chlorophyll compounds that form part of the authorized green food colorants. In this sense, legislations from different countries are compared. Finally, and in line with current concerns, the knowledge gathered so far in relation to the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of all green natural food colorants is reviewed.

Copper tolerance and antibiotic resistance in soil bacteria from olive tree agricultural fields routinely treated with copper compounds.

BACKGROUND: Heavy metal pollution may act as persistent selective pressure that favors the spread of antimicrobial resistance in natural environments. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify metal-tolerant bacteria from soils in olive tree fields routinely treated with copper-derived compounds and to evaluate the tolerance of bacterial strains to other metals and their resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-five bacterial isolates from 45 olive tree agricultural fields were studied. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ≥ 16 mmol L-1 were detected for copper (57% of isolates), zinc (37%) and lead (62%), while only 3% had MICs ≥ 12 mmol L-1 for nickel. Ninety-six metal-tolerant strains were selected for identification and antibiotic resistance determination. Most isolates belonged to the genera Pseudomonas (37%), Bacillus (23%) and Chryseobacterium (20%), while 6% were identified as Variovorax, 4% as Stenotrophomonas and 2% as Serratia or Burkholderia. Highest copper tolerance was detected among Pseudomonas. Over 75% of the strains with high copper tolerance were also resistant to vancomycin, 50% to ampicillin and 40% to erythromycin or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSION: Bacteria from olive soils are tolerant to metals, mainly copper, but also zinc and lead, as well as resistant to clinically important antibiotics, which could be a troublesome issue in clinical settings. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Root inoculation of green bell pepper (Capsicum annum) with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BBC047: effect on biochemical composition and antioxidant capacity.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of bell peppers is recommended because of their bioactive compound content and their positive effects on health. Growth-promoting rhizobacteria are popular because of their ability to promote plant growth by improving the fixation of nutrients or by inducing a systemic response. Green bell pepper (Capsicum annum) roots were inoculated with an autochthonous strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, at different stages of development: T1, inoculation in the seedbed before transplant; T2, inoculation at and after transplant; T3, inoculation in the seedbed, at and after transplant. Bell pepper plants without inoculation were considered as control. Physicochemical composition and antioxidant activity of the fruits were measured to select the best treatment. RESULTS: T1 increased crude proteins, fat, Ca, Fe, vitamin C, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity by DPPH and by ORAC. On the other hand, T1 decreased reducing sugars, K and Cu content. No significant differences for total carbohydrates, ash and photosynthetic pigments were found. CONCLUSION: Inoculated green bell peppers have enhanced its functional value and could be considered as an important source of bioactive compounds with elevated antioxidant activity. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Drying kinetics of probiotic-impregnated murta (Ugni molinae T.) berries.

The aim of this study was to evaluate dehydrated murta berries enriched with probiotic (Lactobacillus casei var. rhamnosus) bacteria. L. casei was incorporated to fresh murta by vacuum impregnation at alternative conditions (pressure 50, 150 and 300 mbar; time 5, 10 and 15 min; temperature 20 ± 0.2 °C) and impregnated murta samples were dehydrated by two drying methods at 40 °C, vacuum and convective drying. Both drying processes were modeled by three mathematical models (Weibull, Page and modified Page). According to the statistical tests applied, the Weilbull model obtained the best-fit quality on experimental data. Effective moisture diffusivity varied between 1.23-1.75 × 10-10 m2/s and 1.16-1.44 × 10-10 m2/s for vacuum and convective drying, respectively. After impregnation, murta berries contained approximately 107 CFU/g L. casei although maximum counts were found at 150 mbar for 15 min. Drying decreased L. casei viability in 1.5-1.9 log and 0.5-1.2 log for vacuum and convective drying, respectively. Thus, impregnation at 150 mbar for 15 min followed by convective drying at 40 °C appears as the method of choice to produce probiotic enriched murta berries that can be commercialized as probiotic dried snacks.

Activities, bioavailability, and metabolism of lipids from structural membranes and oils: Promising research on mild cognitive impairment.

Concomitant with increased lifespan, large segments of the population are experiencing cognitive decline, which might progress to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently, there is no cure for AD and, once the neurodegenerative disorders are established, patients use pharmacologic therapy to slow the progression of the symptoms and require appropriate care to manage their condition. The preclinical stage of neural degeneration that progress through mild cognitive impairment (MCI) before the onset of AD is when it might be possible to introduce behavioral changes and pharma-nutritional interventions that modify the risk factors of MCI conversion to AD. Some food components accumulate in brain tissues, where they play essential roles. Among them, polar lipids, omega 3 fatty acids, and carotenoids appear to work additively or synergistically. Therefore, there is an opportunity to formulate nutraceuticals/functional foods to slow the progression of MCI. In this paper, we review the biochemical bases and recent interventions with bioactive lipids-rich formulations. Based on accumulated evidence, we propose that appropriate large-scale trials are warranted.

Analysis of potential risks from the bacterial communities associated with air-contact surfaces from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fish farming.

Tilapia farming is a promising growing sector in aquaculture. Yet, there are limited studies on microbiological risks associated to tilapia farms. The aim of the present study was to analyse the bacterial communities from solid surfaces in contact with air in a tilapia farm in order to evaluate the presence of bacteria potentially toxinogenic or pathogenic to humans or animals. Samples from a local tilapia farm (tank wall, aerator, water outlets, sink and floor) were analyzed by high throughput sequencing technology. Sequences were assigned to operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Proteobacteria was the main phylum represented in most samples (except for one). Cyanobacteria were a relevant phylum in the inner wall from the fattening tank and the wet floor by the pre-fattening tank. Bacteroidetes were the second phylum in relative abundance for samples from the larval rearing tank and the pre-fattening tank and one sample from the fattening tank. Fusobacteria showed highest relative abundances in samples from the larval rearing tank and pre-fattening tank. Other phyla (Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Planktomycetes, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Chlorobi, Gemmatiomonadetes or Fibrobacters) had lower relative abundances. A large fraction of the reads (ranging from 43.67% to 72.25%) were assigned to uncultured bacteria. Genus Acinetobacter (mainly A. calcoaceticus/baumanni) was the predominant OTU in the aerator of the fattening tank and also in the nearby sink on the floor. The genera Cetobacterium and Bacteroides showed highest relative abundances in the samples from the larval rearing tank and the pre-fattening tank. Genera including fish pathogens (Fusobacterium, Aeromonas) were only detected at low relative abundances. Potential human pathogens other than Acinetobacter were either not detected or had very low relative abundances (< 0.01%). The results of the study suggest that the main risk factors to be monitored in tilapia farm are putative human pathogenic Acinetobacter and potential cyanotoxin-producing cyanobacteria.

Efficacy of "HLE"-a multidrug efflux-pump inhibitor-as a disinfectant against surface bacteria.

We evaluated the efficacy of a new disinfectant product, HLE, to inhibit multiple species of planktonic and biofilm bacterial cultures. The HLE disinfectant comprised of EDTA, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and our data indicated that the disinfectant had effective antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity even at low concentrations (0.15% to 0.4% HLE, v/v). Furthermore, the HLE disinfectant destabilized biofilm structures eradicated them due to the synergistic effect of EDTA and both antimicrobials (lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide), as revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Additionally, sub-inhibitory concentrations of HLE disinfectant, with EDTA as an efflux pump inhibitor, inhibited the expression of multidrug EfrAB, NorE and MexCD efflux pumps in both planktonic and biofilm cultures. This could provide an alternative way to disinfect surfaces to avoid spreading multi-drug resistant strains in the food chain and the environment by decreasing efflux pump expression and consequently reducing the antibiotic selective pressure caused by systemic antibiotics and disinfectant use.