Assessment of Popcorn's Bioactive Status in Response to Popping.

Popcorn is a specialty maize variety with popping abilities. Although considered a snack, popcorn flakes provide a variety of benefits for the human diet. To evaluate the change in content of bioactive compounds in response to microwave popping, the kernels and flakes of twelve popcorn hybrids were assayed. Accordingly, the content of phytic acid, glutathione, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and tocopherols, as well as the antioxidant activity, were evaluated. In all evaluated popcorn hybrids, the most pronounced significant average decrease of 71.94% was observed for GSH content, followed by 57.72% and 16.12% decreases for lutein + zeaxanthin and phytic acid content, respectively. In response to popping, in the majority of the evaluated hybrids, the most pronounced significant average changes of a 63.42% increase and a 27.61% decrease were observed for DPPH, followed by a 51.52% increase and a 24.48% decrease for ß-carotene, as well as, a 48.62% increase and a 16.71% decrease for α-Tocopherol content, respectively. The applied principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses revealed the distinct separation of popcorn hybrids' kernels and flakes, indicating the existence of a unique linkage of changes in bioactive compound content in response to popping.

The Impact of Diet and Fibre Fractions on Plasma Adipocytokine Levels in Prediabetic Adults.

The impact of diet and fibre fractions on adipocytokines in obese subjects with a risk of diabetes has not been investigated in detail yet. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-month lifestyle intervention with different fibre profiles (resistant starch (RS)-rich fibre, or ordinary food fibre profiles) on adipocytokine levels. Fifty participants are divided into two groups (RS group and Fibre group). The groups differ only in the percentage of the recommended level of the RS consumed as a fraction of the same total fibre amount. The applied dietary intervention includes intake of 7531 KJ/daywith a total fibre portion of 25-35 g/dayfor both groups that includes 15 g/day of RS for the RS group only. The levels of leptin, adiponectin, apelin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and C-reactive protein (CRP) are measured, and their relationship to anthropometric and biochemical parameters is estimated. Along with significant body weight loss, only leptin is significantly reduced by 13% in the RS group while in the Fibre group, apelin levels are significant (-21%). Polynomial regression shows a negative correlation between RS intake and adiponectin (R2 = 0.145) and resistin level (R2 = 0.461) in the RS group. This study indicates the possibility that fibre fractions differently influence the outcome of lifestyle interventions, as well as their adipocytokine levels, in obese prediabetic adults.

Stimulative influence of germination and growth of maize seedlings originating from aged seeds by 2,4-D potencies.

BACKGROUND: The 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) is using as a growth regulator in tissue culture media. Maize seeds have poor ability to maintain germination rate in the long term. OBJECTIVE: To examine the possible restorative effect of homeopathic 2,4-D potencies on maize seedlings originating from seeds damaged by accelerated aging. METHODS: Seeds of four maize lines were subjected to accelerated aging stress treatment. Seed samples were treated with distilled water (control) and a range of potencies of 2,4-D: 3C, 3.75C, 4.5C, 5.25C and 6C. The germination capacity, fresh substance (FS) and length of root and shoot were determined. Hydrolysis and biosynthesis, GSH/GSSG ratio and redox capacity were calculated. RESULTS: Induced seed aging decreased germination rate and growth of seedlings. 2,4-D potencies did not have a statistically significant effect on germination. However, there were statistically significant effects on FS production, root and shoot length and redox capacity. The 3C potency had the largest effect on the FS accumulation, 4.5C increased root and shoot length, compared to control (statistically significant). The GSH/GSSG ratio and the redox capacity were decreased by aging. The 3C and 4.5C potencies tended to reverse the GSH/GSSG ratio (statistically significant) in the root and shoot, (i.e., shifted the redox balance to the reduced state). CONCLUSION: Homeopathic potencies of 2,4-D appear to have a beneficial effect on artificially aged maize seeds: they stimulate growth through better substance conversion from seed rest, and shift the redox capacity towards a reduced environment. Further work is required to determine if this is an useful means of improving maize seed germination and growth.