Development of hen egg-based protein beverages with high nutritional value.

Physical stability is a prerequisite for any emulsion-based beverage. This study aimed to optimize beverage emulsion (BE) rich in whole egg, whey protein isolate (WPI), and soyabean oil in the presence of polygalactose derivative as adsorbing hydrocolloids (AH) and partially hydrolyzed starch as non-adsorbing hydrocolloids (NAH). All formulations were optimized for stability, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ζ). A central composite design was applied to investigate the impact of WPI concentration, hydrocolloid concentration, oil volume, and pH as independent factors on particle size, PDI, and ζ of emulsions. The optimum conditions were met upon formulating BE with 1 whole egg, 9.28 g WPI, 11.24 g AH, 5.58 mL oil at pH 7. Two optimal formulations were obtained for BE stabilized with NAH at pH 3 and 7, at which droplets had the highest electrical charge. Noting that, less amount of NAH (7.5 g) was required at pH 3 than at pH 7 (13.56 g). Oil content (3 mL) and WPI concentration (16 g) for both NAH formulations were similar. The size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of AH-stabilized emulsion were 762 nm, 0.69, and - 32.05 mV, respectively, while for NAH emulsion, they were 150.02 nm, 0.40, and - 28.53 mV at pH 7; and 248.39 nm, 0.41, and 27.1 mV at pH 3, respectively. No conspicuous gravitational separation was observed after 20 days of storage at 4 °C. Hence, both hydrocolloids are appropriate to stabilize protein-enriched BE at neutral pH; however, physical stability was also achieved at acidic pH for NAH-stabilized emulsions.

Recent perspective on cow's milk allergy and dairy nutrition.

Cow's milk is a highly nutritious biological fluid that provides nourishment and immunity to infants when breastfeeding declines. However, some infants, children, and adults are allergic to cow's milk because milk contains potential allergens in the form of proteins. Casein and whey proteins and their coagulated sub-fractions in the milk such as αS1-casein, αS2-casein, ß-casein, κ-casein and α-lactalbumin, ß-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, respectively are the major etiological determinant of cow's milk allergy (CMA). Moreover, milk processing techniques such as homogenization and pasteurization alter the milk fat and whey protein's molecular structure and serve them as allergens to the immune system of allergic individuals. Strict exclusion of nutrient-rich milk and other dairy products from diet puts children with CMA at higher nutritional risk. Thus, regular nutritional monitoring, the inclusion of protein and mineral-rich supplements as a substitute for cow's milk, management of animal genetics (sheep, goats, buffaloes, camel, mare, donkey, yak), and milk processing to produce non-allergenic milk by inactivating allergic proteins for designer nutrition is essentially required. This review paper details the prevalence, molecular profiling of milk allergens (proteins), body immune response against CMA, consequences of milk processing, treatment, and novel role of galectins as potentially allergy suppressors.

Metallic nanoparticles augmented the antibacterial potency of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa acetone extract against Escherichia coli.

The present study was focused on the preparation of gold, silver, and gold-silver-alloy nanoparticles using Rhodomyrtus tomentosa acetone extract (RAE). The synthesized nanoparticles showed the surface plasmon resonance absorption peak corresponding to gold and silver nanoparticle. However, Au-Ag-Alloy nanoparticles showed the single peak between the peaks of AuNPs and AgNPs. TEM observation ascertained the shape and size of nanoparticles. FTIR results indicated the involvement of RAE for the synthesis and capping of nanoparticles. Study on antibacterial activity demonstrated the enhanced activity of RAE capped on silver and Au-Ag-Alloy nanoparticles against Escherichia coli.

Antihypertensive Effects of Artemisia scoparia Waldst in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Identification of Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme Inhibitors.

We investigated the antihypertensive effects of Artemisia scoparia (AS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The rats were fed diets containing 2% (w/w) hot water extracts of AS aerial parts for 6 weeks. The AS group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels than the control group. The AS group also had lower angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activity and angiotensin II content in serum compared to the control group. The AS group showed higher vascular endothelial growth factor and lower ras homolog gene family member A expression levels in kidney compared to the control group. The AS group had significantly lower levels of plasma lipid oxidation and protein carbonyls than the control group. One new and six known compounds were isolated from AS by guided purification. The new compound was determined to be 4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoyl (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl benzoate, based on its nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy data.

Lignin-mediated green synthesis of AgNPs in carrageenan matrix for wound dressing applications.

Carrageenan-based functional wound dressing materials were prepared through a one-pot green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using lignin as a reducing and capping agent in the carrageenan matrix cross-linked with divalent cations such as CaCl2, CuCl2, and MgCl2. The wound healing efficacy of the hydrogel film was evaluated using Sprague-Dawley rats. Crosslinking with divalent cations improved the physical properties of carrageenan-based hydrogels containing AgNPs such as strength, flexibility, swelling ratio, and release rate of Ag ions depending on the type of crosslinking agent used. The carrageenan-based hydrogels were biocompatible against the mouse fibroblast cell line (L929 cell line). Carra/Lig/AgNPs/MgCl2 hydrogel significantly healed the wounds in Sprague-Dawley rats within two weeks, reducing the wound area to <3%, which was further confirmed by histological analysis with the epidermis and mature glands. Carrageenan-based multifunctional hydrogels have a high potential for wound dressing applications.

Carrageenan-based functional hydrogel film reinforced with sulfur nanoparticles and grapefruit seed extract for wound healing application.

κ-Carrageenan-based (Carr) functional wound healing hydrogel films were prepared by incorporating chitosan capped sulfur nanoparticles (SNP) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE). In vivo wound healing effect of the hydrogel films was tested using artificially wounded male Sprague-Dawley rats. The hydrogel film (Carr/GSE/SNP) showed higher mechanical strength, swelling ratio and ultraviolet barrier properties than the carrageenan film, but the water vapor permeability and water solubility were decreased. The hydrogel film showed antibacterial activity strong enough to destroy Staphylococcus epidermis and Escherichia coli within 3 h of incubation and showed high biocompatibility against mouse fibroblast (L929 cell lines). The hydrogel film (Carr/GSE/SNP3%) showed excellent wound healing effect (1.3% wound area after 2 weeks) compared to the control group (31% wound area after 2 weeks) through in vivo wound healing test. Histological examination showed the complete appearance of the healed epidermis. The Carr/GSE/SNP hydrogel films are most likely to be used for the treatment of full-thickness wounds.

Artemisia scoparia attenuates amyloid ß accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The preventive effects of Artemisia scoparia extract (AS) and AS + garlic extract (ASG) on the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) were evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Rats were supplemented with diets containing 2% (w/w) of AS or ASG for 6 weeks. The AS group showed lower levels of amyloid ß and beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 expressions and higher expression levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 than did the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, the AS showed remarkably reduced levels of phosphorylated tau proteins and suppressed expression of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3ß at tyrosine 216 (active form) (p < 0.05). The ASG group also suppressed amyloid ß accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation. However, there was no synergistic effect of garlic with AS in lowering the risk of AD. These results indicate that AS could be a potential candidate to ameliorate the risk of AD.