Extracellular Vesicles and Their Zeta Potential as Future Markers Associated with Nutrition and Molecular Biomarkers in Breast Cancer.

A nutritional intervention promotes the loss of body and visceral fat while maintaining muscle mass in breast cancer patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their characteristics can be potential biomarkers of disease. Here, we explore the changes in the Zeta potential of EVs; the content of miRNA-30, miRNA-145, and miRNA-155; and their association with body composition and biomarkers of metabolic risk in breast cancer patients, before and 6 months after a nutritional intervention. Clinicopathological data (HER2neu, estrogen receptor, and Ki67), anthropometric and body composition data, and plasma samples were available from a previous study. Plasma EVs were isolated and characterized in 16 patients. The expression of miRNA-30, miRNA-145, and miRNA-155 was analyzed. The Zeta potential was associated with HER2neu (ß = 2.1; p = 0.00), Ki67 (ß = -1.39; p = 0.007), estrogen positive (ß = 1.57; p = 0.01), weight (ß = -0.09; p = 0.00), and visceral fat (ß = 0.004; p = 0.00). miRNA-30 was associated with LDL (ß = -0.012; p = 0.01) and HDL (ß = -0.02; p = 0.05). miRNA-155 was associated with visceral fat (ß = -0.0007; p = 0.05) and Ki67 (ß = -0.47; p = 0.04). Our results reveal significant associations between the expression of miRNA-30 and miRNA-155 and the Zeta potential of the EVs with biomarkers of metabolic risk and disease prognosis in women with breast cancer; particularly, the Zeta potential of EVs can be a new biomarker sensitive to changes in the nutritional status and breast cancer progression.

Biophysical Parameters of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers of Bone Disturbances in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving an Individualized Nutrition Intervention.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are implicated in several biological conditions, including bone metabolism disturbances in breast cancer patients (BCPs). These disorders hinder the adjustment of nutrition interventions due to changes in bone mineral density (BMD). The biophysical properties of EVs (e.g., size or electrostatic repulsion) affect their cellular uptake, however, their clinical relevance is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the biophysical properties of the plasma-derived EVs and BMDs in BCPs who received an individualized nutrition intervention during the first six months of antineoplastic treatment. As part of the nutritional assessment before and after the intervention, body composition including bone densitometry and plasma samples were obtained. In 16 BCPs, EVs were isolated using ExoQuick® and their biophysical properties were analyzed using light-scattering techniques. We found that the average hydrodynamic diameter of large EVs was associated with femoral neck bone mineral content, lumbar spine BMD, and neoplasms' molecular subtypes. These results provide evidence that EVs play a role in BCPs' bone disorders and suggest that the biophysical properties of EVs may serve as potential nutritional biomarkers. Further studies are needed to evaluate EVs' biophysical properties as potential nutritional biomarkers in a clinical context.

Fine structural features and antioxidant capacity of ferulated arabinoxylans extracted from nixtamalized maize bran.

BACKGROUND: The nixtamalization process improves the nutritional and technological properties of maize. This process generates nixtamalized maize bran as a by-product, which is a source of arabinoxylans (AX). AX are polysaccharides constituted of a xylose backbone with mono- or di-arabinose substitutions, which can be ester-linked to ferulic acid (FA). The present study investigated the fine structural features and antioxidant capacity (AC) of nixtamalized maize bran arabinoxylans (MBAX) to comprehend the structure-radical scavenging capacity relationship in this polysaccharide deeply. RESULTS: MBAX presented a molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, and hydrodynamic radius of 674 kDa, 1.8 dL g-1 , and 24.6 nm, respectively. The arabinose-to-xylose ratio (A/X) and FA content were 0.74 and 0.25 g kg-1 polysaccharide, respectively. MBAX contained dimers (di-FA) and trimer (tri-FA) of FA (0.14 and 0.07 g kg-1 polysaccharide, respectively). The main di-FA isomer was the 8-5' structure (80%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed MBAX molecular identity, and the second derivate of the spectral data revealed a band at 958 cm-1 related to the presence of arabinose disubstitution. 1 H-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed mono- and di-arabinose substitution in the xylan backbone with more monosubstituted residues. MBAX registered an AC of 25 and 20 µmol Trolox equivalents g-1 polysaccharide despite a low FA content, using ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) methods, respectively. CONCLUSION: AC in MBAX could be related to the high A/X ratio (mainly monosubstitution) and the high 8-5' di-FA proportion in this polysaccharide. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioactive Compounds in Extracts from the Agro-Industrial Waste of Mango.

Mango by-products are important sources of bioactive compounds generated by agro-industrial process. During mango processing, 35-60% of the fruit is discarded, in many cases without treatment, generating environmental problems and economic losses. These wastes are constituted by peels and seeds (tegument and kernel). The aim of this review was to describe the extraction, identification, and quantification of bioactive compounds, as well as their potential applications, published in the last ten years. The main bioactive compounds in mango by-products are polyphenols and carotenoids, among others. Polyphenols are known for their high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Carotenoids show provitamin A and antioxidant activity. Among the mango by-products, the kernel has been studied more than tegument and peels because of the proportion and composition. The kernel represents 45-85% of the seed. The main bioactive components reported for the kernel are gallic, caffeic, cinnamic, tannic, and chlorogenic acids; methyl and ethyl gallates; mangiferin, rutin, hesperidin, and gallotannins; and penta-O-galloyl-glucoside and rhamnetin-3-[6-2-butenoil-hexoside]. Meanwhile, gallic acid, ferulic acid, and catechin are reported for mango peel. Although most of the reports are at the laboratory level, they include potential applications in the fields of food, active packaging, oil and fat, and pharmaceutics. At the market level, two trends will stimulate the industrial production of bioactive compounds from mango by-products: the increasing demand for industrialized fruit products (that will increase the by-products) and the increase in the consumption of bioactive ingredients.

Biological and functional properties of peptide fractions obtained from collagen hydrolysate derived from mixed by-products of different fish species.

Fish by-products are excellent sources of collagen. Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) derived from a mixed by-product of different fish species was hydrolyzed to obtain peptide fractions and evaluate their biological and functional activities. All fractions obtained (F1: ≥30, F2: 10-30, F3: 5-10, F4: 1-5, and F5: ≤1kDa) exhibited antioxidant activity at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 mg/mL. However, F5 registered the highest reducing power (absorbance 0.366) and hydroxyl-radical-scavenging activity (91%) at 15 mg/mL; whereas the highest DPPH scavenging activity (81%) was also detected in F5 at 5 mg/mL. The solubility of F1, F2, and F3 was ≥ 95% at pH 7. The highest foaming capacity (78%), foaming stability (60%), and emulsion stability index (42 min) were registered for F1. However, the highest emulsifying activity index (130 m2/g) was for F3. These results place collagen obtained from a mixed by-product of different fish species as a potential biotechnological alternative for the industry.

Effect of Ultrasound-Treated Arabinoxylans on the Oxidative Stability of Soybean Oil.

Arabinoxylans (AX) are polysaccharides with antioxidant activity and emulsifying properties, which make them an attractive alternative for its potential application as a natural antioxidant in oils. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasonic treatment of AX on their antioxidant capacity and its ability to improve the oxidative stability of soybean oil. For this purpose, AX were exposed to ultrasonic treatment at 25% (100 W, AX-1) and 50% (200 W, AX-2) power and an operating frequency of 20 KHz during 15 min, and their macromolecular properties (weight average molecular weight (Mw), polydispersity index and intrinsic viscosity) were evaluated. The antioxidant capacity of AX was determined by the DPPH assay and Rancimat test. Results showed that ultrasonic treatment did not affect the molecular identity of the polysaccharide but modified its Mw distribution. AX-1 showed the highest antioxidant activity (75% inhibition) at 533 µg/mL by the DPPH method compared to AX and AX-2. AX at 0.25% (w/v) and AX-1 at 0.01% (w/v) exerted the highest protective effects on oxidative stability of soybean oil with induction periods of 7.69 and 5.54 h, respectively. The results indicate that AX could be a good alternative for the potential application as a natural antioxidant in oils.

Efecto prebiótico de los Arabinoxilanos y los Arabinoxilo-Oligosacáridos y su relación con la promoción de la buena salud / Prebiotic effect of Arabinoxylans and Arabinoxylan-Oligosaccharides and the relationship with good health promotion

RESUMEN Los arabinoxilanos son polisacáridos presentes en los granos de los cereales, y como tales, forman parte de la fibra dietética consumida por humanos y animales. La hidrólisis química o enzimática de los arabinoxilanos produce arabinoxilo-oligosacáridos, los cuales pueden estar ramificados o no, con arabinosa. El objetivo de este trabajo fue exponer el uso potencial de los arabinoxilanos y arabinoxilo-oligosacáridos, como prebióticos, y el efecto de su consumo en la promoción de la buena salud, al estimular selectivamente el crecimiento y actividad metabólica de la microbiótica colónica benéfica. La información generada indica que los arabinoxilanos y arabinoxilo-oligosacáridos actúan modificando la microbiota de manera selectiva, y estimulan la respuesta biológica, favoreciendo la buena salud del hospedero, por su efecto antiobesogénico, regulador de la glucosa, antioxidante, anticancerígeno e inmunomodulador, con resultados similares o mejores en relación a prebióticos reconocidos. No obstante, es necesario ampliar el conocimiento que se tiene de ellos para sustentar su aplicación en la industria alimentaria, farmacéutica o biomédica.

ABSTRACT Arabinoxylans are polysaccharides present in grains and as such, are part of dietary fiber intake in humans and animals. Enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of arabinoxylans produces arabinoxilo-oligosaccharides, which can be branched or unbranched with arabinose. The objective of this work was to describe the potential use of arabinoxylans and arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides as prebiotics to promote good health, by selective enhancement of beneficial colonic microbiota growth and metabolic activity. The information generated indicates that arabinoxylans and arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides act by modifying the microbiota selectively and stimulate the biological response favoring good health in the host, by antio-obesity effect, glucose regulator, antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulator, with similar or better results than recognized prebiotics. However, it is necessary to expand the knowledge we have about arabinoxylans in order to support their application in the food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industry.

Ferulated Arabinoxylans and Their Gels: Functional Properties and Potential Application as Antioxidant and Anticancer Agent.

In the last years, biomedical research has focused its efforts in the development of new oral delivery systems for the treatment of different diseases. Ferulated arabinoxylans are polysaccharides from cereals that have been gaining attention in the pharmaceutical field due to their prebiotic, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The antioxidant and anticancer properties of these polysaccharides make them attractive compounds for the treatment of cancer, particularly colon cancer. In addition, ferulated arabinoxylans can form covalent gels through the cross-linking of their ferulic acids. Due to their particular characteristics, ferulated arabinoxylan gels represent an excellent alternative as colon-targeted drug delivery systems. The aim of the present work is to review the physicochemical and functional properties of ferulated arabinoxylans and their gels and to present the future perspectives for potential application as antioxidant and anticancer agents.

Pectin and Pectin-Based Composite Materials: Beyond Food Texture.

Pectins are plant cell wall natural heteropolysaccharides composed mainly of α-1-4 d-galacturonic acid units, which may or may not be methyl esterified, possesses neutral sugars branching that harbor functional moieties. Physicochemical features as pH, temperature, ions concentration, and cosolute presence, affect directly the extraction yield and gelling capacity of pectins. The chemical and structural features of this polysaccharide enables its interaction with a wide range of molecules, a property that scientists profit from to form new composite matrices for target/controlled delivery of therapeutic molecules, genes or cells. Considered a prebiotic dietary fiber, pectins meetmany regulations easily, regarding health applications within the pharmaceutical industry as a raw material and as an agent for the prevention of cancer. Thus, this review lists many emergent pectin-based composite materials which will probably palliate the impact of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, aid to forestall actual epidemics, expand the ken of food additives and food products design.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of commercial propolis extract in beef patties.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of propolis extract (PE) to reduce lipid oxidation and microbial growth on beef patties during refrigerated storage. Beef patties were manufactured by incorporating PE in 4 different treatments: (1) Control (no PE addition); (2) commercial propolis 1 (2% w/w; CP1); (3) commercial propolis 2 (2% w/w; CP2); and (4) noncommercial propolis (2% w/w; NCP). Raw patties were wrapped with polyvinyl chloride and stored at 2 °C for 8 d. Total phenolic content (TPC), free-radical scavenging activity (FRS), and polyphenolic content of the PE were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CnDs), metmyoglobin (MetMb%), pH variation, and color (L*, a*, b*, C*, and h*), and microbial growth (mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria) of patty samples were measured. NCP treatment demonstrated the highest FRS (64.8% at 100 µg/mL), which correlated with TPC and the presence of polyphenolic compounds. Lipid oxidation (78.54%, TBARS; 45.53%, CnD; 58.57%, MetMb) and microbial mesophilic and psychrotrophic growth (19.75 and 27.03%, respectively) values were reduced by NCP treatment in refrigerated samples after 8 d. These results indicate that PE has great potential as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial additive to extend the shelf life of beef patties.

Characterization of the nutraceutical quality and antioxidant activity in bell pepper in response to grafting.

The grafting of fruits and vegetables influences fruit quality. The aim of the present work was to assess the effect of the rootstock and the scion on the antioxidant activity and the content in vitamin C, total phenols, lycopene and ß-carotene of bell pepper. The cultivars Fascinato and Jeanette were used as scion and Terrano was used as rootstock. Four harvests in the production cycle of the vegetable were analyzed in a cultivation system under shading nets. The results indicate statistical differences in the content of these bioactive compounds between the varieties, between grafting and not grafting and between sampling dates (p ≤ 0.05). The vitamin C content, ß-carotene, and antioxidant capacity proved significantly higher in Fascinato than in Janette. On average, grafting increased ß-carotene and vitamin C concentrations and improved the antioxidant capacity, but had no influence on the total phenol or lycopene contents. It is concluded that grafting to the rootstock Terrano improves the nutritional quality of the fruit produced in both varieties of bell pepper studied.