A New Alternative Nutritional Source Hawthorn Vinegar: How It Interacts with Protein, Glucose and GLP-1.

(1) Background: There is a balance between nutrition, glycemic control, and immune response. Their roles in physiological mechanisms are essential for maintaining life quality. This study aimed to evaluate hawthorn vinegar's metabolic effects, and describe its possible mechanism. We also pointed out several vinegar production methods to clarify the antioxidant features. (2) Methods: In the study, three vinegar techniques were applied to vinegar: traditional production of hawthorn vinegar (N), thermal pasteurization (P), and ultrasound method (U). Thirty-two female adult Wistar albino rats were randomly separated into four groups: Control, N1 (regular vinegar; 1 mL/kg bw), P1 (pasteurized vinegar; 1 mL/kg bw), and U1(ultrasound treated vinegar; 1 mL/kg bw). Vinegar was administered by oral gavage daily for 45 days. Initial and final weights, the percentage changes of body weight gains, and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) values of plasma and liver were measured. The total protein, globulin, and albumin values of plasma, liver, and intestinal tissue were determined. In addition, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose concentrations were evaluated. (3) Results: There was a statistical increase in total intestinal protein value and an increasing tendency in total protein in plasma and liver in group U1 compared to group Control. However, the GGT concentrations in plasma and liver were slightly lower in group U1 than in group Control. In addition, there were significant increases in plasma GLP-1 values in all experimental groups compared to the Control group (p: 0.015; 576.80 ± 56.06, 773.10 ± 28.92, 700.70 ± 17.05 and 735.00 ± 40.70; respectively groups control, N1, P1, and U1). Also, liver GLP-1 concentrations in groups P1 and U1 were higher than in group Control (p: 0.005; 968.00 ± 25.54, 1176 ± 17.54 and 1174.00 ± 44.06, respectively groups control, P1 and U1). On the other hand, significant decreases were found in plasma glucose concentrations in groups N1 and U1 as to the Control group (p: 0.02; Control: 189.90 ± 15.22, N1: 133.10 ± 7.32 and U1: 142.30 ± 4.14). Besides, liver glucose levels were lower in all experimental groups than in group Control statistically (p: 0.010; 53.47 ± 0.97, 37.99 ± 1.46, 44.52 ± 4.05 and 44.57 ± 2.39, respectively groups control, N1, P1, and U1). (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that hawthorn vinegar can balance normal physiological conditions via intestinal health, protein profiles, and glycemic control. Additionally, ultrasound application of vinegar may improve the ability of hawthorn vinegar, and have positive effects on general health.

Hawthorn Vinegar in Health with a Focus on Immune Responses.

BACKGROUND: The hawthorn fruit is an interesting medicinal plant that has several biological features, especially related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-modulating actions, and boosting general health. In this study, we aimed to clarify the immunological effects of hawthorn vinegar on immunity and general health. We also focused on three different production processes to improve the antioxidant activity of hawthorn vinegar (2) Methods: In the study, besides the traditional production of hawthorn vinegar (N), thermal pasteurization (P) and ultrasound (U) techniques were applied to vinegars. A total of 56 female adult Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into seven groups; Control, N0.5 (regular vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), N1 (regular vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw), P0.5 (pasteurized vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), P1 (pasteurized vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw), U0.5 (ultrasound treated vinegar; 0.5 mL/kgbw), and U1 (ultrasound treated vinegar; 1 mL/kgbw). Vinegars were administered by oral gavage daily. The average weight gains, body mass index, and blood hematological parameters were measured, and the Neutrophil Lymphocyte ratio was calculated. The plasma IL-1ß and TNF-α values, and MDA, IL-1ß and TNF-α values of intestinal tissue, were determined. Also, the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method was applied to determine the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1ß in duodenum. (3) Results: There was a decreasing tendency in the average weight gains in all vinegar groups compared to the control group. In addition, there was an increase in NL ratio in all vinegar groups, although not significant. There were no statistical differences among all vinegar groups, although decreases were observed in plasma IL-1ß. Also, the plasma TNF-α values showed slight increases in high-dose-of-vinegar groups (N1, P1 and U1), although not significant. In addition, the intestinal tissue IL-1ß value tended to increase in groups N0.5, N1 and P0.5, while it tended to decrease in P1, U0.5 and U1. On the other hand, there were slight increases in the TNF-α values of intestinal tissue in all groups compared to control, although these were not significant. Furthermore, the intensive expressions of TNF-α and IL-1ß were determined in groups U0.5 and U1. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that either high doses or ultrasound applications of hawthorn vinegar have positive effects on intestinal health, boosting immunity and general health.

Volatile aroma compounds and bioactive compounds of hawthorn vinegar produced from hawthorn fruit (Crataegus tanacetifolia (lam.) pers.).

This study was aimed to produce of hawthorn vinegar to increase the usage area and consumability of the hawthorn fruit and benefit from its functional properties, and to reveal some bioactive compounds, occurred during vinegar production, the functional properties and the volatile compounds (VC). The results showed that the gallic acid was a prominent phenolic substance in both wine and vinegar, followed by the chlorogenic acid. The prominent VACs of the hawthorn vinegar were acetic acid, phenylacetic acid, acetoin, then, respectively, pentanoic acid, benzoic acid, (E)-isoeugenol, 2-cyclohexenone, propanoic acid, chavicol, and diethyl succinate. Within this study, hawthorn vinegar was produced as a new product that had a favorable volatile aroma compound profile and phenolic compounds with high bioactivity. Hawthorn vinegar that shown as an alternative way for the use of hawthorn fruit, its of whose functional and aromatic aspect was first revealed in detail. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Hawthorn is a seasonal fruit, which has potential to be economically important. It has rich bioactive compounds known to have a positive effect on health. However, organoleptic properties (astringent, grainy texture, etc.) of fresh hawthorn fruit are not be mostly liked among most of the consumers. This situation prevents benefiting from the positive effect of hawthorn fruit. For this reason, in this study, it was aimed to produce the hawthorn vinegar, which economically more valuable and also, more functional than fresh hawthorn fruit. According to the results of the present study, organoleptic, functional, and economic values of the hawthorn fruit were improved with the hawthorn vinegar produced in result of the fermentation process. So, it has been considered that this study is beneficial for consumers, scientist or food industry professionals as it guides to transform a low-economic food product to highly economic and functional food product.