Immunomodulatory effect of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides on immunosuppressed broilers.

In this study, we irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) using 25 kGy 60 Co γ ray to obtain γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides (IAPS) and then investigated the effects of IAPS on growth performance and immune function of cyclophosphamide (CPM)-treated broilers. The physicochemical properties of APS and IAPS (molecular weight, water solubility, viscosity, morphological and structural properties) were evaluated. Then, 384 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks with similar initial weight were randomly assigned into 6 groups: the non-treated group (control), and CPM-treated groups were fed either a basal diet or the diets containing 900 mg/kg APS, or 900, 600, 300 mg/kg IAPS, respectively. On days 16, 18, and 20, all broilers except for the control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 ml CPM (40 mg/kg·BW). Broilers in the control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 ml sterilized saline (0.75%, wt/vol). This trial lasted for 21 days. The physicochemical treatment showed that γ irradiation could decrease the molecular weight and viscosity, and increase the water solubility of APS (p < 0.05), whereas the structural properties of APS was not affected. In the animal trial, 900 mg/kg APS or 900, 600 mg/kg IAPS relieved the decreased growth performance, thymus index, T lymphocytes proliferation, serum IgG concentration, NOS activity and the increased blood heterophil:lymphocyte ratio in CPM-treated broilers (p < 0.05). CPM-induced decreases in B lymphocytes proliferation and serum IgM concentration were only increased by IAPS at 900 mg/kg (p < 0.05). Overall, both APS and IAPS alleviated CPM-induced immunosuppression. Especially, IAPS possessed better immunomodulatory effect than APS, indicating that γ irradiation could be used as an effective method to enhance the immunomodulatory activity of APS.

Irradiation depolymerized guar gum as partial replacement of gum Arabic for microencapsulation of mint oil.

Spray dried microcapsules of mint oil were prepared using gum Arabic alone and its blends with radiation or enzymatically depolymerized guar gum as wall materials. Microcapsules were evaluated for retention of mint oil during 8-week storage during which qualitative changes in encapsulated mint oil was monitored using principal component analysis. The microcapsules with radiation depolymerized guar gum as wall material component could better retain major mint oil compounds such as menthol and isomenthol. The t(1/2) calculated for mint oil in microcapsules of gum Arabic, gum Arabic:radiation depolymerized guar gum (90:10), gum Arabic:enzyme depolymerized guar gum (90:10) was 25.66, 38.50, and 17.11 weeks, respectively. The results suggested a combination of radiation depolymerized guar gum and gum Arabic to show better retention of encapsulated flavour than gum Arabic alone as wall material.

Effect of ionizing radiation on some quality attributes of nutraceutically valued lotus seeds.

Radiation processing has been employed successfully for value addition of food and agricultural products. Preliminary studies were undertaken to evaluate the changes induced by ionizing radiation (up to 30 kGy), in the form of gamma irradiation and electron beam irradiation, on some quality attributes and nutritive values of nutraceutically valued lotus seeds. Significant loss in seed firmness was recorded between control and irradiated seeds, irrespective of radiation source. Similarly, the specific viscosity of irradiated lotus seeds decreased significantly up to a dose of 7.5 kGy. Starch increased after exposure to gamma or electron beam irradiation, whereas the total phenolic contents were decreased. Gamma irradiation revealed an enhancement in protein, while the electron beam showed a decrease. Partial oxidation of the seeds during radiation treatments might have occurred as evidenced from the decomposition profiles (thermogravimetry) during heating. It is evident that ionizing radiation brought about significant and variable changes in the quality and nutritive values of lotus seed. Further exploration of this technology for safety and quality is warranted.

Therapeutic low energy laser improves the mechanical strength of repairing medial collateral ligament.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low energy laser therapy has been shown to enhance collagen production but its effect on tissue strength is not well reported. We tested the effects of therapeutic laser on the strength of healing medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) in rats. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats received surgical transection to their right MCL and eight received sham operation. After surgery, 16 received a single dose of gallium aluminum arsenide laser to their transected MCL for 7.5 minutes (n = 8) or 15 minutes (n = 8) and eight served as control with placebo laser, while the sham group didn't receive any treatment. The MCLs were biomechanically tested at either 3 or 6 weeks post-operation. RESULTS: The normalized ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and stiffness of laser and sham groups were larger than control (P < 0.001). The UTS of laser and sham groups were comparable. Laser and sham groups had improved in stiffness from 3 to 6 weeks (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of low energy laser therapy improves the UTS and stiffness of repairing MCL at 3 and 6 weeks after injury.