Survival of microencapsulated Lactobacillus casei (prepared by vibration technology) in fruit juice during cold storage

Background: Foods including probiotics are considered "functional foods." As an alternative to dairy products, we investigated the behavior of Lactobacillus casei when exposed to low-pH fruit juice. Juices of fruits such as pineapple, raspberry, and orange were assessed. Free and microencapsulated forms of L. casei were compared, and the viability of the probiotic was evaluated under storage at 4°C for 28 d. Microbiological analyses were carried out to ensure a safe and healthy product for consumers who look for foods with probiotics from sources other than dairy. Results: Low pH affected L. casei survival during storage depending on the type of fruit juice. In the case of pineapple juice, some microcapsules were broken, but microcapsules recovered at the end of the storage period had 100% viability (2.3 × 107 CFU/g spheres). In the case of orange juice, more than 91% viability (5.5 × 106 CFU/g spheres) was found. In raspberry juice, viability decreased rapidly, disappearing at the end of the storage period, which was caused by the absorption of high concentrations of anthocyanin inside microcapsules more than low pH. Conclusion: Low pH affected the survival of L. casei under refrigeration; even when they were microencapsulated, acidic conditions impacted their viability. Although pH affects viability, its value is very sensitive and will depend on the type of fruit juice and its composition. Some fruit juices contain compounds used as substrates for Lactobacillus and other compounds with antimicrobial effects.

Soluble insulin receptor and metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome describes a group of signs that increase the likelihood for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. The action of insulin depends on its binding to membrane receptors on its target cells. We wonder if blood insulin could travel bound to proteins and if, in the presence of hyperinsulinemia, a soluble insulin receptor might be generated. We used young adult Wistar rats (which have no predisposition to obesity or diabetes), whose drinking water was added 20 % of sugar and that were fed a standard diet ad libitum for two and six months. They were compared with control rats under the same conditions, but that had running water for consumption. At two months, the rats developed central obesity, moderate hypertension, high triglyceride levels, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, i.e., metabolic syndrome. Electrophoresis of the rats’ plasma proteins was performed, followed by Western Blot (WB) for insulin and for the outer portion of the insulin receptor. The bands corresponding to insulin and to the receptor external part were at the same molecular weight level, 25-fold higher than that of free insulin. We demonstrated that insulin, both in control animals and in those with hyperinsulinemia, travels bound to the receptor outer portion (ectodomain), which we called soluble insulin receptor, and that is released al higher amounts in response to plasma insulin increase; in rats with metabolic syndrome and hyperinsulinemia, plasma levels are much higher than in controls. Soluble insulin receptor increase in blood might be an early sign of metabolic syndrome.

Lipohipertrofias en niños con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 / Lipohypertrophy in child with type 1 diabetes mellitus

ntroducción: La diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) es la enfermedad crónica más frecuente en la edad pediátrica. La educación del niño con DM1 es fundamental para un adecuado control de la enfermedad. Las lipohipertrofias son una de las complicaciones más frecuentes que se producen por el tratamiento con insulina. Estas son consideradas problemas de colaboración y, por lo tanto, es labor de la enfermera controlar su aparición e intervenir para minimizar sus consecuencias. Objetivo: Determinar las características de las lipohipertrofias en niños diagnosticados con diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal mediante muestreo por conveniencia. Se evaluó la presencia, localización y tamaño de las lipohipertrofias y la relación de la persona que administra la insulina con el régimen de tratamiento. Se estudiaron pacientes de edades comprendidas entre 2 y 18 años que tuviesen, al menos, 3 meses de tratamiento insulínico. Se calculó el tamaño de la muestra mediante estimación de la proporción. Resultados: La prevalencia de lipohipertrofias fue del 44,5 por ciento. Sin embargo, entre los niños estudiados que se encontraban en tratamiento con múltiples dosis de insulina, el porcentaje se elevó a 53,8 por ciento. Los análogos de acción rápida eran inyectados principalmente en abdomen y brazo, los de acción lenta en glúteo y muslo. Los lugares con más lipohipertrofias eran muslos (superando el 50 por ciento), seguido de brazos y abdomen. Conclusiones: Se detectaron diferencias significativas en la aparición de lipohipertrofias entre los niños que portan bomba de insulina y los que utilizan un régimen de múltiples dosis de insulina. Por lo tanto, se podría recomendar la utilización de bomba de insulina o de catéteres de infusión subcutánea (i-Port ®) para la disminución de estas(AU)

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common chronic disease in the pediatric age. In order to obtain a positive control of this illness, the T1DM child education is basic. Lipohypertrophies are one of the most frequent difficulties that appear as a consequence of the insulin treatment. When this happen, is nurse's responsibility to monitor the appearance of lipohypertrophies and to try to reduce their consequences. Objectives: Establish the prevalence of lipohypertrophy in children with T1DM performed at the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit of the Hospital Universitario La Paz. Methods: To analyze lipohypertrophy it has been performed a descriptive study. The method used for the sampling was for convenience. Appearance, location and size of lipohypertrophies were evaluated. This has been related with person who administers the insulin and the treatment regimen. Results: Lipohypertrophy prevalence in the sample represented a 44.5 percent, however, between patients which were in a treatment with multiple daily injections this was 53.8 percent. Quick action analogues were mainly injected in abdomen and arms, slow action analogues were aministered in buttocks and leg. Legs were the part of the body with the most lipohypertrophies concentration (exceeded 50 percent), follow by arms and abdomen. Conclusions: Meaningful differences are shown in the appearance of lipohypertrophies between children in treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and those that use a multiple daily injections treatment. Therefore, we concluded considering the possibility to recommend the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or indwelling catheters (i-Port ®) in order to decrease lipohypertrophies(AU)

Effect of isomalto-oligosaccharide and gentio-oligosaccharide on the growth and fatty acid profile of Lactobacillus plantarum

Background: Lactobacillus sp. are probiotic microorganisms, and some of them are able to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) via the bio-hydrogenation of linoleic acid (LA). Both CLA and LA are polyunsaturated fatty acids commonly used in the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and cancer, among other ailments. The carbon source is one variable that can affect the growth and characteristics of these bacteria. Molecules called prebiotics are known to benefit human health by stimulating the growth and activity of probiotic bacteria present in the intestinal microflora. The aim of this study was to evaluate how different oligosaccharides affect the growth and fatty acid profile of Lactobacillus plantarum (NRRL - B4496). L. plantarum cultivation was performed in Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) medium, and the original carbon source (glucose) in this medium was partially or totally replaced by an oligosaccharide (isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO) or gentio-oligosaccharide (GTO)). Then, the biomass concentration and fatty acid profile were determined using spectrophotometry and gas chromatography, respectively. Results: When 50% of the glucose in the MRS medium was replaced with IMO, the maximum growth was 2.6 g/L at 37ºC. Under the same culture conditions, the incorporation of GTO only produced 2 g/L of biomass. At 45ºC, the growth of the bacterial culture was lower than that observed at 37ºC, reaching only 0.4 g/L. When cultivated at 37ºC in a mixture of glucose and GTO (1:1), CLA (34%, c9t11) was obtained from cells of L. plantarum. However, when the cultivation was performed at 45ºC, CLA was not obtained. When IMO was used, differences in CLA content were not observed between L. plantarum cultivated with glucose or with IMO present; however, vaccenic acid was produced. Conclusions: Lactobacillus plantarum grow well when a mixture of IMO and glucose is used as the carbon source. However, this mixture does not improve the CLA content, most likely due to high enzymatic activity that promotes the conversion of CLA to vaccenic acid. Additionally, GTO is likely less readily metabolized by this strain. Thus, the enzymatic activity is likely lower and less CLA is converted to vaccenic acid, resulting in an accumulation of CLA.

Phenolic antioxidants extraction from raspberry wastes assisted by-enzymes

The effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on phenolic antioxidant extraction was studied in raspberry solid wastes. This by-product possesses high content of crude fiber (60 percent) and low values of protein, oil and ash. Raspberry fiber composition suggests that biocatalysts with cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase activities would be useful for carrying out an enzymatically assisted antioxidant extraction. Hydro-alcoholic extraction was done using different commercial enzymes. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity of enzyme-hydrolyzed residue extracts were measured and compared with those obtained without enzyme application. All biocatalysts evaluated increased soluble solids in comparison to the non-enzymatic control. Among them, Grindamyl and Maxoliva offered the best recovery of polyphenols. Enzymatic assisted extraction with an hydro-ethanolic mixture (75:25, v/v) during 18 hrs at 50°C increased phenolic content up to 35 percent and antioxidant capacity around 50 percent, 15 percent and 30 percent according to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl = 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl) (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, respectively. Use of a higher enzyme concentration significantly improved extraction of phenolic antioxidants.