Physicochemical Characteristics of Meat Analogs Supplemented with Vegetable Oils.

This study identified the effect of the type and concentration of vegetable oil on the quality of meat analogs and analyzed the differences in their physiochemical characteristics. Various vegetable oils, such as castor oil, orange oil, palm oil, shortening, and margarine, were added to meat analogs. The meat analog was prepared by adding 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g of each vegetable oil based on 100 g of textured vegetable protein. The cooking loss, water content, liquid-holding capacity, texture, and antioxidant content of the meat analogs were assessed, and a sensory evaluation was performed. The meat analog with orange oil had a higher water content than the others, regardless of the amount of added oil, and it had a relatively high liquid-holding capacity. The DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity of the meat analog with orange oil was higher than that of the others. The sensory evaluation also showed a decrease in soy odor and an increase in juiciness. Therefore, adding orange oil improves the preference, juiciness, soy odor, and quality of meat analogs. Our results demonstrate that orange oil has positive effects on the productivity of meat analogs and can help to improve meat analog consumption.

Storage Stability of Meat Analogs Supplemented with Vegetable Oils.

The addition of various oils to meat analog has been an important topic to improving its juiciness and tenderness. However, this causes a concern about oil leaching from the meat analog during long-term storage. Here, we aimed to assess the storage stability of vegetable-oil-supplemented meat analogs and analyze the effects of temperature and storage period on their physiochemical characteristics. The meat analogs were prepared by adding 30 g castor oil, orange oil, palm oil, shortening, or margarine vegetable oil based on 100 g of textured vegetable protein. They were then stored at -18 or -60 °C for 6 months and analyzed at one-month intervals. The meat analog supplemented with orange oil had the highest water content (64.85%; 66.07%), hardness (35.48 N; 34.05 N), and DPPH-radical-scavenging activity (30.01%; 30.87%) under -18 and -60 °C, respectively, as well as the highest liquid-holding capacity in different conditions. During frozen storage, temperature barely affected the meat quality. The storage stability of all meat analog samples was maintained for 6 months, although the quality was slightly reduced with an increase in storage duration. Coliform group bacteria were not detected regardless of the storage condition. In conclusion, all results supposed that orange oil can be a promising candidate for improving the juiciness and tenderness of meat analogs, and the quality of samples was maintained for at least 6 months under frozen storage. The findings of this study are relevant to the development and promotion of meat analog as an alternative to animal meat.

5-Fluorouracil crystal-incorporated, pH-responsive, and release-modulating PLGA/Eudragit FS hybrid microparticles for local colorectal cancer-targeted chemotherapy.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer (CRC) owing to its potent anticancer effects. However, severe systemic side effects and poor drug accumulation in the CRC tissues limit its efficacy. This study aimed to develop 5-FU crystal-incorporated, pH-responsive, and release-modulating poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)/Eudragit FS hybrid microparticles (5FU-EPMPs) for the local CRC-targeted chemotherapy. Approximately 150 µm 5FU-EPMPs were fabricated via the S/O/W emulsion solvent evaporation method, with 7.93 ± 0.24% and 87.23 ± 2.64% 5-FU loading and encapsulation efficiencies, respectively. Drug release profiles in a simulated pH environment of the gastrointestinal tract revealed that premature 5-FU release in the stomach and small intestine was prevented, thereby minimizing systemic 5-FU absorption. After reaching the colon, 5-FU was continuously released for >15 h, allowing long-term exposure of CRC tissues to sufficient 5-FU concentrations. Furthermore, in a CRC mouse model, the 5FU-EPMPs showed potent inhibition of tumor growth without signs of systemic toxicity. Thus, the 5FU-EPMPs represent a promising drug delivery system for local CRC-targeted chemotherapy.

Evaluation of the Physicochemical and Structural Properties and the Sensory Characteristics of Meat Analogues Prepared with Various Non-Animal Based Liquid Additives.

This study investigates the effects of various non-animal-based liquid additives on the physicochemical, structural, and sensory properties of meat analogue. Meat analogue was prepared by blending together textured vegetable protein (TVP), soy protein isolate (SPI), and other liquid additives. Physicochemical (rheological properties, cooking loss (CL), water holding capacity (WHC), texture and color), structural (visible appearance and microstructure), and sensory properties were evaluated. Higher free water content of meat analogue due to water treatment resulted in a decrease in viscoelasticity, the highest CL value, the lowest WHC and hardness value, and a porous structure. Reversely, meat analogue with oil treatment had an increase in viscoelasticity, the lowest CL value, the highest WHC and hardness value, and a dense structure due to hydrophobic interactions. SPI had a positive effect on the gel network formation of TVP matrix, but lecithin had a negative effect resulting in a decrease in viscoelasticity, WHC, hardness value and an increase in CL value and pore size at microstructure. The results of sensory evaluation revealed that juiciness was more affected by water than oil. Oil treatment showed high intensity for texture parameters. On the other hand, emulsion treatment showed high preference scores for texture parameters and overall acceptance.

Colon-targeted dexamethasone microcrystals with pH-sensitive chitosan/alginate/Eudragit S multilayers for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Oral colon-targeted drug delivery has gained popularity as an effective strategy for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we prepared colon-targeted dexamethasone microcrystals (DXMCs) coated with multilayers of chitosan oligosaccharide (CH), alginate (AG), and finally Eudragit S 100 (ES) (ES1AG4CH5-DXMCs) using a layer-by-layer (LBL) coating technique. Particle size, surface charge, in vitro drug release, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of ES1AG4CH5-DXMCs were evaluated. ES1AG4CH5-DXMCs had an average particle size of 2.34 ±â€¯0.19 µm and a negative surface charge of - 48 ±â€¯9 mV. ES1AG4CH5-DXMCs demonstrated pH-dependent dexamethasone release, avoiding initial burst drug release in acidic pH conditions of the stomach and small intestine, and providing subsequent sustained drug release in the colonic pH. Importantly, ES1AG4CH5-DXMCs exhibited a significant therapeutic activity in a mouse model of colitis compared to other DXMCs. Overall, the LBL-coated DXMCs presented here could be a promising colon-targeted therapy for IBD.

Colon-targeted delivery of cyclosporine A using dual-functional Eudragit® FS30D/PLGA nanoparticles ameliorates murine experimental colitis.

BACKGROUND: Colon-targeted oral nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as an ideal, safe, and effective therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC) owing to their ability to selectively accumulate in inflamed colonic mucosa. Cyclosporine A (CSA), an immunosuppressive agent, has long been used as rescue therapy in severe steroid-refractory UC. In this study, we developed CSA-loaded dual-functional polymeric NPs composed of Eudragit® FS30D as a pH-sensitive polymer for targeted delivery to the inflamed colon, and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as a sustained-release polymer. METHODS: CSA-loaded Eudragit FS30D nanoparticles (ENPs), PLGA nanoparticles (PNPs), and Eudragit FS30D/PLGA nanoparticles (E/PNPs) were prepared using the oil-in-water emulsion method. Scanning electron microscope images and zeta size data showed successful preparation of CSA-loaded NPs. RESULTS: PNPs exhibited a burst drug release of >60% at pH 1.2 (stomach pH) in 0.5 h, which can lead to unwanted systemic absorption and side effects. ENPs effectively inhibited the burst drug release at pH 1.2 and 6.8 (proximal small intestine pH); however, nearly 100% of the CSA in ENPs was released rapidly at pH 7.4 (ileum-colon pH) owing to complete NP dissolution. In contrast to single-functional PNPs and ENPs, the dual-functional E/PNPs minimized burst drug release (only 18%) at pH 1.2 and 6.8, and generated a sustained release at pH 7.4 thereafter. Importantly, in distribution studies in the gastrointestinal tracts of mice, E/PNPs significantly improved CSA distribution to the colon compared with PNPs or ENPs. In a mouse model of colitis, E/PNP treatment improved weight loss and colon length, and decreased rectal bleeding, spleen weight, histological scoring, myeloperoxidase activity, macrophage infiltration, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines compared with PNPs or ENPs. CONCLUSION: Overall, this work confirms the benefits of CSA-loaded E/PNPs for efficiently delivering CSA to the colon, suggesting their potential for UC therapy.