Association of blood pressure and dietary intake of Sunomono, Japanese vinegared side dishes, in community-dwelling Japanese: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Vinegar has been reported to have a hypotensive effect. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the consumption of vinegar-based side dishes and blood pressure. Research methods & procedures: This cross-sectional study included 746 individuals (257 men and 489 women) aged ≥40 years from Tarumizu, Kagoshima, Japan. Nutrient intake was estimated based on the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. The intake frequency of vinegar-based side dishes (Sunomono and pickles) was determined using a self-administered diet history questionnaire. Participants who did not consume vinegar-based side dishes for a month were defined as having no Sunomono or pickle eating habit. Blood pressure was categorized into four groups according to the Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension. The association between the intake of vinegar-based side dishes and blood pressure categories was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking history, excessive alcohol intake, living situation, energy intake, protein intake, sodium intake, potassium intake, and seaweed intake. Results: Approximately 13.6% men and 6.1% women had no Sunomono eating habits. In men, eating Sunomono, but not pickles, was significantly related to blood pressure categories (estimate, -0.702; 95% CI, -1.122 to -0.310), whereas more frequent consumption of Sunomono did not show an improvement in the blood pressure category. The relationship between eating Sunomono and blood pressure categories was not recognized in women. Conclusion: This was the first study assessing the association between consumption of vinegar-based side dishes and blood pressure categories. We highlighted the effect of Sunomono consumption on blood pressure categories in men. Consumption of Sunomono may improve blood pressure in men.

Phytochemical and Antioxidant Activities of Eucheuma spinosum as Natural Functional Food from North Sulawesi Waters, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Research to find functional food from new natural sources has caught the attention of many researchers through the characterization of phytochemicals and biological activities. One potential source of natural ingredients is the red alga Eucheuma spinosum, which has been used as a daily source of natural food. The purpose of this study was to obtain a prospective new source of natural antioxidants from various extracts of tropical red alga (E. spinosum) through several tests, which were used as determinants of whether the alga can be used as a functional food source. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Algal sample was extracted with organic solvents (methanol, n-hexane, ethyl-acetate and water) and purified by a combination of normal and reverse phase chromatography methods. RESULTS: The algal extracts had antioxidant compounds based on free radical scavenging activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The ethyl acetate extract of E. spinosum scavenged DPPH and SOD free radicals, so that this extract was indicated contained powerful antioxidants. The result of the isolation of the antioxidant compound showed the presence of pure compound 3-(3-methoxyphenyl) propanal. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that red algae E. spinosum contained natural antioxidants which have the potential to be developed as a functional food and disease prevention and treatment. In addition, the components of these antioxidant compounds from the algae have the potential to be used as natural sources of new functional ingredients.

Optimization of Biostimulants Application for Phenology and Quality of Oats

Abstract In modern agriculture the use of biostimulants not only reduces the cost of production but also increase yield and quality of crops without harming environment. The response of fodder oat to biostimulants was evaluated in a pot experiment using four biostimulants at different concentrations i.e Moringa leaf extract at ratio of 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, Sea weed extract at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, Thiourea at 100 ppm, 200 ppm, 300 ppm, 400 ppm, 500 ppm and Chitosan at 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 125 ppm, 150 ppm. Oat crop was treated with biostimulants using foliar application, at two growth stages i.e tillering and booting. Data on various agronomic and quality parameters were recorded and analyzed. Results showed that biostimulants significantly affected phenology and quality of oat. The highest green fodder yield (872.32 g) was observed in the pots treated with 2%Solution of seaweed extract similarly highest dry matter yield was also highest at 170.85 g Interestingly crude protein was highest for thiourea at 400 ppm. In each biostimulant following doses stood out both in terms of yield and quality. In case of moringa leaf extract the ratio of 1:40with 900 g per pot yield and 9.43 % protein, for sea weed extract 2% was better than other doses with 981 g yield and 9.17% protein, for thiourea the 400 ppm was better than other concentrations as it shows highest yield (872.32 g) and crude protein (9.52%) and for chitosan 100 ppm was comparatively better in performance with 964.98 g yield per pot and 9.35% CP. It is concluded from our study that biostimulants improve fodder oat yield and quality.

The bone regenerative effects of fucosterol in in vitro and in vivo models of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

SCOPE: The aim of this study was to investigate the bone regenerative effects of fucosterol in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bone regeneration was assessed in fucosterol-treated MG63 cells in vitro via assays for osteoblast proliferation, alkaline phosphatase, and osteoclast differentiation. Osteoblast proliferation rates, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization were increased in the fucosterol-treated group. Moreover, differentiation of osteoclasts was decreased in the fucosterol-treated group. In the in vivo assay, female rats were OVX. Twelve weeks after ovariectomy, rats were divided into seven groups, each oral administrate everyday for 7 weeks. The bone mineral density of femoral bones was higher in fucosterol groups than in OVX control, and body weight was lower in fucosterol groups. Among bone-quality parameters, bone volume/total volume increased and trabecular separation decreased in fucosterol groups relative to the OVX control. Bone formation and resorption were evaluated using the serum biomarkers osteocalcin and CTx. Fucosterol tripled the level of serum osteocalcin relative to the OVX group and reduced the serum level of CTx. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that fucosterol has the dual potentials to activate osteoblasts to stimulate bone formation and suppress differentiation of osteoclasts so as to reduce bone resorption.