Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Process Parameters and Antioxidant Properties of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaves by Extrusion.

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves (MLs), originally used to feed silkworms, have recently been recognized as a food ingredient containing health-beneficial, bioactive compounds. In this study, the extrusion process was applied for the enhancement of the amount of extractable flavonoids from MLs. Extrusion conditions were optimized by water solubility index, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content (TF) using response surface methodology, and antioxidative stress activities were evaluated in macrophage cells. According to the significance of regression coefficients of TF, the optimal extrusion parameters were set as barrel temperature of 114 °C, moisture feed content of 20%, and screw speed of 232 rpm. Under these conditions, the TF of extruded ML reached to 0.91% and improved by 63% compared with raw ML. Fifteen flavonoids were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled with photodiode array detection and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-QTOF/MS), and the extrusion resulted in increases in quercetin-3-gentiobioside, quercetin-3,7-di-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-glucoside, rutin, isoquercitrin, and moragrol C. Besides, regarding antioxidative activity, extruded ML water extract inhibited the production of H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species and attenuated nuclear morphology alterations in macrophage cells. The findings of this study should be useful in food processing design to improve the extractable functional compounds in MLs.

γ-Oryzanol suppresses COX-2 expression by inhibiting reactive oxygen species-mediated Erk1/2 and Egr-1 signaling in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 produces prostanoids, which contribute to inflammatory responses. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB is a key transcription factor mediating COX-2 expression. γ-Oryzanol is an active component in rice bran oil, which inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated COX-2 expression by inhibiting NF-κB. However, the inhibition of COX-2 expression by γ-oryzanol independently of NF-κB is poorly understood. We found that LPS upregulated Egr-1 expression at the transcriptional level. Forced expression of Egr-1 trans-activated the Cox-2 promoter independently of NF-κB. In contrast, silencing of Egr-1 abrogated LPS-mediated COX-2 expression. LPS produced reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, in turn, induced Egr-1 expression via the Erk1/2 MAPK pathway. ROS scavenging activity of γ-oryzanol suppressed Egr-1 expression by inhibiting the Erk1/2 MAPK pathway. Our results suggest that γ-oryzanol inhibits LPS-mediated COX-2 expression by suppressing Erk1/2-mediated Egr-1 expression. This study supports that γ-oryzanol may be useful for ameliorating LPS-mediated inflammatory responses.

Household food insufficiency is associated with dietary intake in Korean adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of food insufficiency with dietary intake and eating and health behaviours. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Data were obtained from a secondary source, the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). SUBJECTS: The sample size consisted of 15 603 adults over 19 years of age (8898 households). RESULTS: Significant differences in socio-economic factors were observed according to food insufficiency level (P<0·05), but BMI was similar among groups. Regarding macronutrients, lower protein intake and higher carbohydrate intake were found in the severely food-insufficient group, but we found no association with fat intake. Regarding micronutrients, Ca, Fe, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin niacin and vitamin C intakes were negatively associated with food insufficiency level (P trend<0·05). Consumption of different food groups, such as meat, fish, eggs and beans, vegetables and fruits, was significantly lower as food insufficiency level decreased after controlling for all possible variables; food group consumption also differed by sex. Overall eating and health behaviours were poorer in the mildly and severely food-insufficient groups, who received more food assistance but less nutritional education. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that dietary intake as well as eating and health behaviours are adversely associated with food insufficiency. These findings suggest that specific strategies to help food-insufficient individuals should be developed in order to improve their dietary quality and health status.

Nutrition Composition and Single, 14-Day and 13-Week Repeated Oral Dose Toxicity Studies of the Leaves and Stems of Rubus coreanus Miquel.

The leaves and stems of the plant Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCMLS) are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which have antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue and anti-cancer effects. However, RCMLS is not included in the Korean Food Standards Codex due to the lack of safety assurance concerning RCMLS. We evaluated single and repeated oral dose toxicity of RCMLS in Sprague-Dawley rats. RCMLS did not induce any significant toxicological changes in both male and female rats at a single doses of 2500 mg/kg/day. Repeated oral dose toxicity studies showed no adverse effects in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathology at doses of 625, 1250, and 2500 mg/kg/day. The LD50 and LOAEL of RCMLS might be over 2500 mg/kg body weight/day and no target organs were identified. Therefore, this study revealed that single and repeated oral doses of RCMLS are safe.

Extracts from Aralia elata (Miq) Seem alleviate hepatosteatosis via improving hepatic insulin sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease that is strongly associated with obesity and dysregulation of insulin in the liver. However, currently no pharmacological agents have been established for the treatment of NAFLD. In this regard, we sought to evaluate the anti-NAFLD effects of Aralia elata (Miq) Seem (AE) extract and its ability to inhibit hepatic lipid accumulation and modulate cellular signaling in a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. METHODS: A model of hepatic steatosis in the HepG2 cells was induced by oleic acid. Intracellular lipid droplets were detected by Oil-Red-O staining, and the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1(SREBP-1), Fatty acid synthase (FAS), Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) 1 and 2, Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα), and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1(CPT-1) was analyzed by real time reverse transcription-Polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). And glucose consumption was measured with commercial kit. Furthermore, Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed with HFD to induce NAFLD. Groups of mice were given plant extracts orally at 100 and 300 mg/kg at daily for 4 weeks. After 3 weeks of AE extract treatment, we performed oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Liver tissue was procured for histological examination, Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) activity. RESULTS: In the present study, AE extract was shown to reduce hepatic lipid accumulation and significantly downregulate the level of lipogenic genes and upregulate the expression of lipolysis genes in HepG2 cells. And also, AE extract significantly increased the glucose consumption, indicating that AE extract improved insulin resistance. Subsequently, we confirmed the inhibitory activity of AE extract on NAFLD, in vivo. Treatment with AE extract significantly decreased body weight and the fasting glucose level, alleviated hyperinsulinism and hyperlipidemia, and reduced glucose levels, as determined by OGTT. Additionally, AE extract decreased PI3K and Akt activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that treatment with AE extract ameliorated NAFLD by inhibiting insulin resistance through activation of the Akt/GLUT4 pathway.

Health Benefits of Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds in Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Leaves by Network Pharmacology Analysis Combined with Experimental Validation.

Network pharmacology is an ideal tool to explore the effects of therapeutic components derived from plants on human metabolic diseases that are linked to inflammation. This study investigated the antioxidant effects of ginger leaves (GLs) and predicted targets for antioxidant activity. Quantitative and free radical scavenging analyses were performed to detect the main bioactive compounds of GLs and evaluate their antioxidant activities. Chemical diversity and network pharmacology approaches were used to predict key antioxidant components of GLs and their molecular targets. Nine major bioactive compounds of GLs were quantified using an internal standard method, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging methods. We first built the compound-gene-pathways and protein-protein interaction networks of GLs-related antioxidant targets and then conducted gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking results show that astragalin, a compound isolated from GLs, had the highest level of connectivity in the compound-target network and was involved in inflammation-related biosynthesis by directly impacting cytokine gene expression and PTGS2 inhibition markers. These findings not only suggest that the compounds isolated from GLs can be developed as potential antioxidants, but also demonstrate the applicability of network pharmacology to assess the potential of foods for disease treatment.

Optimization of Enzyme-Assisted Extraction from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Leaf and Its Immune-Stimulating Effects on Macrophages.

The ginger leaves contain terpenoids and phenolic compounds, such as gingerol and shogaol, which exert various physiological effects. This study focused on determining the optimal conditions for an enzyme (Ultimase MFC) extraction to enhance the bioactive components of underutilized ginger leaves using the response surface method. The extracted material was evaluated in terms of its yield and antioxidant capacity (total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). As a result, the optimal conditions included an enzyme concentration of 0.1% (v/v), a liquid-solid ratio of 33.939 mL/g, and an extraction time of 4 h. The optimized conditions resulted in an improvement in yield and antioxidant capacity, except for the total phenolic content of ginger leaves, when compared to the reference control extract. Additionally, the possibility of improving immunity was confirmed as nitric oxide and cytokines increased in macrophage cells compared with non-treatment control. Therefore, these extraction conditions enhance the potential industrial value of ginger leaves and underscore their promise as a natural ingredient for functional foods.

The Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) Cladodes and Callus Extracts: A Study Combined with LC-MS Metabolic Profiling, In-Silico, and In-Vitro Analyses.

Opuntia ficus-indica (OF) phytochemicals have received considerable attention because of their health benefits. However, the structure-activity relationship between saponin and flavonoid antioxidant compounds among secondary metabolites has rarely been reported. In a molecular docking study, selected compounds from both Opuntia ficus-indica callus (OFC) and OF ethanol extract were found to be involved in Toll-like receptor 4 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. High affinity was specific for MAPK, and it was proposed to inhibit the oxidative and inflammatory responses with poricoic acid H (-8.3 Kcal/mol) and rutin (-9.0 Kcal/mol). The pro-inflammatory cytokine factors at a concentration of 200 µg/mL were LPS-stimulated TNF-α (OFC 72.33 ng/mL, OF 66.78 ng/mL) and IL-1ß (OFC 49.10 pg/mL, OF 34.45 pg/mL), both of which significantly decreased OF (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Taken together, increased NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in cells pretreated with OFC and the OF extract (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that OFC and OF have important potential as natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agents in health-promoting foods and medicine.

Blood Microbiota Profile Is Associated with the Responsiveness of Postprandial Lipemia to Platycodi radix Beverage: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Subjects.

Prolonged postprandial hyperlipidemia may cause the development of cardiovascular diseases. This study explored whether postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) clearance responsiveness to Platycodi radix beverage (PR) is associated with changes in blood microbiota profiles. We conducted an 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial involving normolipidemic adults with low fruit and vegetable intakes. Participants underwent an oral fat tolerance test and 16S amplicon sequencing analysis of blood microbiota. Using the Qualitative Interaction Trees, we identified responders as those with higher baseline dietary fat intake (>38.5 g/day) and lipoprotein lipase levels (>150.6 ng/mL), who showed significant reductions in AUC for triglyceride (TG) and chylomicron-TG after the oral fat tolerance test. The LEfSe analysis showed differentially abundant blood microbiota between responders and non-responders. A penalized logistic regression algorithm was employed to predict the responsiveness to intervention on the TRL clearance based on the background characteristics, including the blood microbiome. Our findings suggest that PR intake can modulate postprandial TRL clearance in adults consuming higher fat intake over 38.5 g/day and low fruit and vegetable intake through shared links to systemic microbial signatures.

Effects of High-Pressure, Hydrothermal, and Enzyme-Assisted Treatment on the Taste and Flavor Profile of Water-Soluble Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extract.

Ginger, a plant widely consumed worldwide, is used as a spice or to enhance the flavor of foods. In this study, the taste characteristics (gingerol, shogaol, and amino acid) of extracts treated with various solubilizing methods were objectively compared. In addition, an E-nose confirmed the flavor pattern combined with principal component analysis (PCA) between each extract gas chromatogram-tandem mass spectrometry was performed to compare and analyze volatile compounds between extraction methods. As a result, high-pressure enzyme-assisted extraction (HPE) and hydrothermal enzyme-assisted extraction (HWE) treatment effectively improved the extraction yield of ginger and the contents of gingerol and shogaol and removed the bitter taste. In addition, radar charts of both E-nose and PCA provided the distribution of flavor substances in HPE and HWE products of ginger. After enzyme-assisted treatment, a strong fruity and piquant flavor was noted. In conclusion, it is suggested that ginger extract of enzyme-assisted treatment has increased flavor compounds and can be an excellent food material.

Effect of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative medicines can be used to alleviate climacteric symptoms that significantly affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Isoflavones are the most common plant-based therapies for postmenopausal changes, but the results of previous studies have been controversial. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate whether isoflavones would affect menopausal symptoms as well as ovarian hormones, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to perform the systematic search. Included studies were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included for the final quantitative assessment. Isoflavone intervention was varied between 49.3 and 135 mg of isoflavones per day for 12 wk-2 yrs. The meta-analysis showed that supplementation of isoflavones significantly increased the estradiol levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.615, P = 0.035) and Kupperman index (SMD = 3.121, P = 0.003) but had no significant effect on hot flashes, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. However, both estradiol and the Kupperman index showed significant heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 94.7%, P < 0.001 and I2 = 98.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results showed a significant SMD in estradiol and the Kupperman index, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity. Further validation with a larger RCT will be necessary. Overall, isoflavone supplementation has distinct effects on the climacteric symptoms and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.

Usual intake of dietary isoflavone and its major food sources in Koreans: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018 data.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Accumulating evidence has shown the beneficial effects of isoflavone on health. There is limited information on the usual isoflavone intake for Koreans. This study examined the usual intake of total isoflavone and its major food sources in Koreans according to age and gender. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The dietary intake data of 21,271 participants aged 1 yrs and older from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII 2016-2018 were analyzed. The average isoflavone intake was estimated based on the 24-h dietary recall data in KNHANES and the isoflavone database from the Korea Rural Development Administration (RDA) and literatures. The usual isoflavone intake was estimated by applying the ratio of within- and between-participant variance estimated from the 2009 KNHANES data to the 7th KNHANES (2016-2018) data. The variance of the isoflavone intake was calculated using MIXTRAN macro with intake data for two days in the 2009 KNHANES. Complex sample analysis with stratified variables and integrated weights was conducted. RESULTS: The mean total isoflavone intake in the Korean population aged 1 yrs and older (n = 21,271) was 139.27 mg/d, which was higher than the usual intake of 47.44mg/d. Legumes were a major contributing food group (91%), with arrowroot being a major individual contributor to the isoflavone intake (67.2%), followed by 21.3% of soybean, 5.4% of bean sprouts, and 2.1% of tofu. The usual isoflavone intake was highest in the participants aged 50 to 64 yrs old and increased with age until 50 to 64 yrs and then decreased with further increases in age. The usual isoflavone intake of participants aged 65 yrs and older was higher for men than for women, showing gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: The usual dietary intake of isoflavone varied according to age and gender in the Korean population. This study showed that the usual isoflavone intake was lower than the average isoflavone intake. The difference between percentiles of the usual isoflavone intake was similarly smaller than the average intake. An estimation of average intake can be hindered by the occasional consumption of foods high in isoflavones, suggesting that the usual intake estimation method can be more appropriate. Further research will be needed to establish isoflavone dietary guidelines regarding the effects of isoflavone intake on health outcomes.

Differences in dietary patterns related to metabolic health by gut microbial enterotypes of Korean adults.

Diet has a profound impact on the progression of metabolic syndrome (MetS) into various diseases. The gut microbiota could modulate the effect of diet on metabolic health. We examined whether dietary patterns related to MetS differed according to gut microbial enterotypes among 348 Korean adults aged 18-60 years recruited between 2018∼2021 in a cross-sectional study. The enterotype of each participant was identified based on 16S rRNA gut microbiota data. The main dietary pattern predicting MetS (MetS-DP) of each enterotype was derived using reduced-rank regression (RRR) models. In the RRR models, 27 food group intakes assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and MetS prediction markers including triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were used as predictor and response variables, respectively. The MetS-DP extracted in Bacteroides enterotype (B-type) was characterized by high consumption of refined white rice and low consumption of eggs, vegetables, and mushrooms. The MetS-DP derived among Prevotella enterotype (P-type) was characterized by a high intake of sugary food and low intakes of bread, fermented legumes, and fermented vegetables. The MetS-DP of B-type was positively associated with metabolic unhealthy status (OR T3 vs. T1 = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.5-8.2), comparing the highest tertile to the lowest tertile. Although it was not significantly associated with overall metabolic unhealthy status, the MetS-DP of P-type was positively associated with hyperglycemia risk (OR T3 vs. T1 = 6.2; 95% CI = 1.6-24.3). These results suggest that MetS-DP may differ according to the gut microbial enterotype of each individual. If such associations are found to be causal, personalized nutrition guidelines based on the enterotypes could be recommended to prevent MetS.

Validation of soy isoflavone intake and its health effects: a review of the development of exposure biomarkers.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to consistently demonstrate the health effects of soy isoflavones owing to the multitude of factors contributing to their bioavailability. To accurately verify these health effects, dietary isoflavone intake should be measured using a biologically active dose rather than an intake dose. This concept has been expanded to the development of new exposure biomarkers in nutrition research. This review aims to provide an overview of the development of exposure biomarkers and suggest a novel research strategy for identifying the health effects of soy isoflavone intake. MATERIALS/METHODS: We cover recent studies on the health effects of soy isoflavones focusing on isoflavone metabolites as exposure biomarkers. RESULTS: Compared to non-fermented soy foods, fermented soy foods cause an increased concentration of isoflavones in the biofluid immediately following ingestion. The correlation between exposure biomarkers in blood and urine and the food frequency questionnaire was slightly lower than that of corresponding 24-h dietary recalls. Urinary and blood isoflavone levels did not show a consistent association with chronic disease and cancer risk. CONCLUSION: It is crucial to understand the variable bioavailabilities of soy isoflavones, which may affect evaluations of soy isoflavone intake in health and disease. Further studies on the development of valid exposure biomarkers are needed to thoroughly investigate the health effects of isoflavone.

Nepetoidin B from Salvia plebeia R. Br. Inhibits Inflammation by Modulating the NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways in Macrophage Cells.

Salvia plebeia has been used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, as well as colds and bronchitis. Macrophages have antioxidant defense mechanisms to cope with the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced as part of the immune response. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathway in inflamed macrophages is an appealing target due to its protective effect against ROS-induced cell damage. In this study, nepetoidin B (NeB) was first isolated from S. plebeia and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NeB reduced pro-inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß) in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. In the NeB-treated group, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly higher, and ROS expression decreased. By activating Nrf2 signaling, NeB enhanced HO-1 expression. Furthermore, when the cells were pretreated with tin protoporphyrin (an HO-1 inhibitor), the anti-inflammatory effects of NeB were reduced. Therefore, NeB may activate the Nrf2/ HO-1 pathway. These results reveal the NeB isolated from S. plebeia exerts anti-inflammatory effects by modulating NF-κB signaling and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Optimization of pectinase-assisted extraction condition of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit using response surface methodology and its effect on anthocyanin synthesis pathway-related metabolites.

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit (MF) is a rich source of functional compounds, such as anthocyanin. However, during solvent extraction, these compounds are not fully dispersed into the substrate, leading to incomplete extraction. Moreover, raw MF rapidly ripens and deteriorates after harvesting; hence, innovative methods to process MF are needed. Here, a pectinase-assisted extraction method is developed to liberate polyphenols and anthocyanins from cell wall matrices in MF. We optimized the procedure to maximize water solubility index (WSI), total phenolic (TP) content, and total anthocyanin (TA) content using a central composite design to perform a response surface methodology (RSM) analysis. The optimal conditions predicted by the RSM were a 1:5 w/v material/water ratio with 3.5% pectinase (v/w) and 1.5% citric acid (w/w) for 113 min at 50°C. Under these conditions, the WSI, TP, and TA were significantly higher compared with those in the untreated control. The results well matched (within 5% differences) with the predicted RSM values. Furthermore, metabolite analysis revealed that the levels of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin hexoside, and quercetin were higher in pectinase-assisted MF extraction compared with the untreated control. This work demonstrated that pectinase-assisted extraction using citric acid could be an efficient technique to enhance the value of MF and its potential applications in the food industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: A pectinase-assisted extraction method was optimized to enhance the WSI, TP, and TA yields from MF extracts. The optimal conditions were predicted to be 1:5 w/v material/water ratio, 3.5% pectinase (v/w), and 1.5% CA (w/w) with a 113 min reaction time at 50°C. Under these conditions, WSI, TP, and TA were significantly increased compared with the untreated control. These results suggested the potential of mulberry plants for use in the food industry via the development of a simple, efficient process to extract functional compounds from MF.

Taxonomic Composition and Diversity of the Gut Microbiota in Relation to Habitual Dietary Intake in Korean Adults.

We investigated associations of habitual dietary intake with the taxonomic composition and diversity of the human gut microbiota in 222 Koreans aged 18-58 years in a cross-sectional study. Gut microbiota data were obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing on DNA extracted from fecal samples. The habitual diet for the previous year was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. After multivariable adjustment, intake of several food groups including vegetables, fermented legumes, legumes, dairy products, processed meat, and non-alcoholic beverages were associated with major phyla of the gut microbiota. A dietary pattern related to higher α-diversity (HiαDP) derived by reduced rank regression was characterized by higher intakes of fermented legumes, vegetables, seaweeds, and nuts/seeds and lower intakes of non-alcoholic beverages. The HiαDP was positively associated with several genera of Firmicutes such as Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium (all p < 0.05). Among enterotypes identified by principal coordinate analysis based on the ß-diversity, the Ruminococcus enterotype had higher HiαDP scores and was strongly positively associated with intakes of vegetables, seaweeds, and nuts/seeds, compared to the two other enterotypes. We conclude that a plant- and fermented food-based diet was positively associated with some genera of Firmicutes (e.g., Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium) reflecting better gut microbial health.

Optimal conditions for the encapsulation of Weissella cibaria JW15 using alginate and chicory root and evaluation of capsule stability in a simulated gastrointestinal system.

The delivery of active probiotic cells in capsules can reduce probiotic cell loss induced by detrimental external factors during digestion. In this study, we determined the optimal conditions for the encapsulation of Weissella cibaria JW15 (JW15) within calcium and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-alginate with chicory root extract powder (CREP). JW15 was encapsulated as the core material (109 cells/mL, 2 mL/min), and a solution containing a mixture of 1.5% sodium alginate and 1% CREP was extruded into a receiving bath with 0.1 M calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) and 0.05% PEG. Capsule morphology and size were measured using optical microscopy. The optimal air pressure and frequency vibration for capsules containing alginate only (Al) were 200 mbar and 200 Hz, respectively and 100 mbar and 350 Hz for capsules containing alginate with CREP (Ch), respectively. The voltage for both capsules types was fixed at 1.35 kV. Then, the capsules were incubated in a simulated gastrointestinal (GI) system for 6 hr at 37 °C. The addition of PEG in a CaCl2 hardening solution led to degradation of the Ch capsule (Ch-PEG) and the release of cells into the small intestine vessel in the simulated GI system. By contrast, the cells were trapped within the Al capsules. Based on these data, effective encapsulation using alginate with CREP and PEG can enable JW15 to be released at a targeted anatomical site of activity within the GI system, thereby, enhancing the efficacy of probiotic cells. These protective effects can be leveraged during the development of probiotic products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Weissella cibaria JW15 (109 cells/mL) was encapsulated in biodegradable and biocompatible capsules, prepared by mixing 1.5% alginate with 1% chicory root extract powder (CREP) in 0.1 M CaCl2 and 0.05% PEG using an encapsulator. The optimal processing parameters were as follows: pressure, 100 mbar; vibration frequency, 350 Hz; voltage, 1.35 kV; and core flow rate, 2 mL/min. When the resulting capsules were subjected to a simulated gastrointestinal system for 6 hr, the cells were released into the small intestine, and up to 95% cell viability was preserved. These results suggest that capsules made from alginate with CREP and formulated using calcium and PEG are a promising delivery system for probiotic cells.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Relation to the Flavonoids Composition of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

The chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a food source that is rich in flavonoids such as luteolin and apigenin. Flavonoids are known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities; however, studies on the flavonoids composition identified and the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in pepper leaves (PL) and fruits (PF) are insufficient. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, and the flavonoids contents of the PL and PF. Pepper extracts showed radical scavenging activities and ameliorated the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory response by decreasing nitric oxide production and interluekin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in RAW 264.7 cells, with more effective activities noted for PL than for PF. Furthermore, PL extracts markedly inhibited the LPS-induced production of reactive oxygen species accumulation. The flavonoid profile and content of pepper were dependent on the part, with PL showing higher total flavonoids than PF. In particular, the content of luteolin glycosides in PL was twice that in PF. Thus, PL may be useful to prevent oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases.

Metabolic tracking of isoflavones in soybean products and biosamples from healthy adults after fermented soybean consumption.

Fermentation may enhance the nutritional properties of foods by increasing metabolite bioactivity or bioavailability. This study explored the effect of fermentation on isoflavone bioavailability and metabolism. Isoflavone metabolites were tracked in foods and biospecimens of healthy adults after fermented soybean (FS) or non-fermented soybean (NFS) consumption in a randomized, controlled, crossover intervention study. The change in soybean isoflavones caused by fermentation resulted in faster absorption and higher bioavailability after consumption of FS. Although the urinary level of total isoflavone metabolites was similar after the consumption of the two diets, urinary genistein 7-O-sulfate was derived as a discriminant metabolite for the FS diet by partial least squares discriminant analysis. This study suggests that an isoflavone conjugate profile might be a more appropriate marker than total isoflavone levels for discriminating between the consumption of FS and NFS diets.