In search of better snacks: ohmic-heating nixtamalized flour and amaranth addition increase the nutraceutical and nutritional potential of vegetable-enriched tortilla chips.

BACKGROUND: Nixtamalized flour snacks such as tortilla chips are widely consumed across the world, but they are nutritionally poor and contribute to obesity and other non-communicable diseases. The production of healthy versions of such snacks, by incorporating vegetables and improving the quality of the flours used in their formulation, could help address these nutritional challenges. This study compared the fortification of baked tortilla chips with vegetable leaf powders (kale and wild amaranth at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 16% w/w) and using two types of nixtamalized flour: traditional (TNF) and with ohmic heating (OHF). RESULTS: Overall, the use of OHF increased 1.88 times the fibre in enriched and non-enriched snacks with respect to TNF, but the latter had 1.85 times more protein. Addition of 16% of vegetable powders increased protein (kale = 1.4-fold; amaranth = 1.3-fold) and dietary fibre (kale = 1.52-fold; amaranth = 1.7-fold). Amaranth enrichment improved total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of chips at least 1.2 and 1.63 times, respectively. OHF chips also had higher bound TPC than TNF ones, regardless of vegetable addition. Combinations of OHF with 16% amaranth produced chips 1.74-fold higher in antioxidant capacity than non-enriched ones, due to increased content of phenolics such as ferulic acid. CONCLUSION: This work showed that tortilla chips made using nixtamalized flour produced with assisted ohmic heating, alone or in combination with wild amaranth leaf powder, could be used in the production of healthy maize snacks to enhance their prospective antioxidant activity and nutritional value. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Is Apo-CIII the new cardiovascular target? An analysis of its current clinical and dietetic therapies.

AIMS: Recently, Apolipoprotein CIII (Apo-CIII) has gained remarkable attention since its overexpression has been strongly correlated to cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence. The aim of this review was to summarize the latest findings of Apo-CIII as a CVDs and diabetes risk factor, as well as the plausible mechanisms involved in the development of these pathologies, with particular emphasis on current clinical and dietetic therapies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Apo-CIII is a small protein (∼8.8 kDa) that, among other functions, inhibits lipoprotein lipase, a key enzyme in lipid metabolism. Apo-CIII plays a fundamental role in the physiopathology of atherosclerosis, type-1, and type-2 diabetes. Apo-CIII has become a potential clinical target to tackle these multifactorial diseases. Dietetic (omega-3 fatty acids, stanols, polyphenols, lycopene) and non-dietetic (fibrates, statins, and antisense oligonucleotides) therapies have shown promising results to regulate Apo-CIII and triglyceride levels. However, more information from clinical trials is required to validate it as a new target for atherosclerosis and diabetes types 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: There are still several pathways involving Apo-CIII regulation that might be affected by bioactive compounds that need further research. The mechanisms that trigger metabolic responses following bioactive compounds consumption are mainly related to higher LPL expression and PPARα activation, although the complete pathways are yet to be elucidated.

Intestinal Permeability and Cellular Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds from Mango (Mangifera indica cv. Ataulfo) Peels.

Mango (Mangifera indica cv. Ataulfo) peel contains bound phenolics that may be released by alkaline or acid hydrolysis and may be converted into less complex molecules. Free phenolics from mango cv. Ataulfo peel were obtained using a methanolic extraction, and their cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and permeability were compared to those obtained for bound phenolics released by alkaline or acid hydrolysis. Gallic acid was found as a simple phenolic acid after alkaline hydrolysis along with mangiferin isomers and quercetin as aglycone and glycosides. Only gallic acid, ethyl gallate, mangiferin, and quercetin were identified in the acid fraction. The acid and alkaline fractions showed the highest CAA (60.5% and 51.5%) when tested at 125 µg/mL. The value of the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) across the Caco-2/HT-29 monolayer of gallic acid from the alkaline fraction was higher (2.61 × 10-6 cm/s) than in the other fractions and similar to that obtained when tested pure (2.48 × 10-6 cm/s). In conclusion, mango peels contain bound phenolic compounds that, after their release, have permeability similar to pure compounds and exert an important CAA. This finding can be applied in the development of nutraceuticals using this important by-product from the mango processing industry.

Cytotoxic Activity of a Black Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Extract and its Flavonoid Fraction in Both In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a very common legume seed in Mexican diet. Flavonoids and crude extracts from different plants have been reported as effective agents for chemoprevention and cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines. We investigated the effects of black bean hulls extract (BBE) and its flavonoid fraction (FF) on lymphoma cells. METHODS: BBE and FF were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography. Viability and flow cytometry assays were carried out. Finally, a mouse model was generated to test the in vivo effect of both fractions. RESULTS: Both BBE and FF inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent way. In addition, cells underwent apoptosis, and the cellular population at S-phase increased after exposure to these fractions. Furthermore, mice treated with BBE or FF increased the overall survival by 5 or 6 days, respectively, in comparison with a placebo group (p = 0.056). DISCUSSION: BBE and FF had cytotoxic action by driving OCI-Ly7 cells into apoptosis as well as blocking progression to G2/M phase. In addition, BBE and FF treatments were effective in xenograft models.

Bioaccessibility, Intestinal Permeability and Plasma Stability of Isorhamnetin Glycosides from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.).

Isorhamnetin glycosides are representative compounds of Opuntia ficus-indica that possess different biological activities. There is slight information about the changes in bioaccessibility induced by the glycosylation pattern of flavonoids, particularly for isorhamnetin. In this study, the bioaccessibility and permeability of isorhamnetin glycosides extracted from O. ficus-indica were contrasted with an isorhamnetin standard. Also, the plasma stability of these isorhamnetin glycosides after intravenous administration in rats was evaluated. Recoveries of isorhamnetin after oral and gastric digestion were lower than that observed for its glycosides. After intestinal digestion, isorhamnetin glycosides recoveries were reduced to less than 81.0%. The apparent permeability coefficient from apical (AP) to basolateral (BL) direction (Papp(AP-BL)) of isorhamnetin was 2.6 to 4.6-fold higher than those obtained for its glycosides. Isorhamnetin diglycosides showed higher Papp(AP-BL) values than triglycosides. Sugar substituents affected the Papp(AP-BL) of the triglycosides. Isorhamnetin glycosides were better retained in the circulatory system than the aglycone. After intravenous dose of the isorhamnetin standard, the elimination half-life was 0.64 h but increased to 1.08 h when the O. ficus-indica extract was administered. These results suggest that isorhamnetin glycosides naturally found in O. ficus-indica could be a controlled delivery system to maintain a constant plasmatic concentration of this important flavonoid to exert its biological effects in vivo.

Delivery of Flavonoids and Saponins from Black Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Seed Coats Incorporated into Whole Wheat Bread.

Cereal-based products can be used as vehicles for the delivery of relevant bioactive compounds since they are staple foods for most cultures throughout the world. The health promoting benefits of flavonoids and saponins contained in black bean seed coats have been previously described. In the present work, the effect of adding flavonoids and saponins from black bean seed coat to the typical yeast-leavened whole wheat bread formulation in terms of bread features, organoleptic properties and phytochemical profile was studied. The retention of bioactive compounds was determined and the inhibitory effects of in vitro enzyme digested samples on two colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2 and HT29) was evaluated. The addition of bioactive compounds did not significantly affect baking properties or texture parameters. Among organoleptic properties of enriched breads, only crumb color was affected by the addition of bioactive compounds. However, the use of whole wheat flour partially masked the effect on color. More than 90% of added flavonoids and saponins and 80% of anthocyanins were retained in bread after baking. However, saponins were reduced more than 50% after the in vitro enzyme digestion. The black bean seed coat phytochemicals recovered after in vitro enzyme digestion of enriched breads significantly reduced by 20% the viability of colon cancer cells without affecting standard fibroblast cells (p < 0.05).

Fast Centrifugal Partition Chromatography Fractionation of Concentrated Agave (Agave salmiana) Sap to Obtain Saponins with Apoptotic Effect on Colon Cancer Cells.

Separation of potentially bioactive components from foods and plant extracts is one of the main challenges for their study. Centrifugal partition chromatography has been a successful technique for the screening and identification of molecules with bioactive potential, such as steroidal saponins. Agave is a source of steroidal saponins with anticancer potential, though the activity of these compounds in concentrated agave sap has not been yet explored. In this study, fast centrifugal partition chromatography (FCPC) was used coupled with in vitro tests on HT-29 cells as a screening procedure to identify apoptotic saponins from an acetonic extract of concentrated agave sap. The three most bioactive fractions obtained by FCPC at partition coefficients between 0.23 and 0.4 contained steroidal saponins, predominantly magueyoside b. Flow cytometry analysis determined that the fraction rich in kammogenin and manogenin glycosides induced apoptosis, but when gentrogenin and hecogenin glycosides were also found in the fraction, a necrotic effect was observed. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that steroidal saponins in concentrated agave sap were potential inductors of apoptosis and that it was possible to separate them using fast centrifugal partition chromatography.

Influence of Excipients and Spray Drying on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Nutraceutical Capsules Containing Phytochemicals from Black Bean Extract.

Black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a rich source of flavonoids and saponins with proven health benefits. Spray dried black bean extract powders were used in different formulations for the production of nutraceutical capsules with reduced batch-to-batch weight variability. Factorial designs were used to find an adequate maltodextrin-extract ratio for the spray-drying process to produce black bean extract powders. Several flowability properties were used to determine composite flow index of produced powders. Powder containing 6% maltodextrin had the highest yield (78.6%) and the best recovery of flavonoids and saponins (>56% and >73%, respectively). The new complexes formed by the interaction of black bean powder with maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose 50 and starch exhibited not only bigger particles, but also a rougher structure than using only maltodextrin and starch as excipients. A drying process prior to capsule production improved powder flowability, increasing capsule weight and reducing variability. The formulation containing 25.0% of maltodextrin, 24.1% of microcrystalline cellulose 50, 50% of starch and 0.9% of magnesium stearate produced capsules with less than 2.5% weight variability. The spray drying technique is a feasible technique to produce good flow extract powders containing valuable phytochemicals and low cost excipients to reduce the end-product variability.

Flavonoids and saponins extracted from black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats modulate lipid metabolism and biliary cholesterol secretion in C57BL/6 mice.

Black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats are a rich source of natural compounds with potential beneficial effects on human health. Beans exert hypolipidaemic activity; however, this effect has not been attributed to any particular component, and the underlying mechanisms of action and protein targets remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify primary saponins and flavonoids extracted from black bean seed coats, and to study their effects on lipid metabolism in primary rat hepatocytes and C57BL/6 mice. The methanol extract of black bean seed coats, characterised by a HPLC system with a UV-visible detector and an evaporative light-scattering detector and HPLC-time-of-flight/MS, contained quercetin 3-O-glucoside and soyasaponin Af as the primary flavonoid and saponin, respectively. The extract significantly reduced the expression of SREBP1c, FAS and HMGCR, and stimulated the expression of the reverse cholesterol transporters ABCG5/ABCG8 and CYP7A1 in the liver. In addition, there was an increase in the expression of hepatic PPAR-α. Consequently, there was a decrease in hepatic lipid depots and a significant increase in bile acid secretion. Furthermore, the ingestion of this extract modulated the proportion of lipids that was used as a substrate for energy generation. Thus, the results suggest that the extract of black bean seed coats may decrease hepatic lipogenesis and stimulate cholesterol excretion, in part, via bile acid synthesis.

Cellular antioxidant activity and in vitro intestinal permeability of phenolic compounds from four varieties of mango bark (Mangifera indica L.).

BACKGROUND: Mango bark is an important agro-industrial residue from mango pruning. In traditional medicine, the aqueous extract from mango bark (MBE) has been used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of many diseases. However, there is scarce information using cellular models to evaluate the potential use of this plant material for human consumption. In this study, the phenolic content from the MBE from four varieties (Kent, Keitt, Ataulfo and Tommy Atkins) was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/MS-TOF). Additionally, the cellular antioxidant activity of the MBE from the four mango varieties were compared. Finally, the intestinal permeability of the main polyphenols found in the MBE (mangiferin and gallic acid) was evaluated. RESULTS: Mangiferin and gallic acid were the main constituents in the MBE from the four mango varieties. Furthermore, the Ataulfo variety showed the highest cellular antioxidant activity (67%) at the concentration of 100 µg mL−1 . The intestinal permeability of mangiferin present in the bark extracts was 3- to 4.8-fold higher than those of mangiferin as standard, whereas the intestinal permeability of gallic acid varied among the tested extracts. CONCLUSION: MBE has the potential to exert antioxidant activity at the cellular level and can have an impact on human health. It may also be a good source for the extraction of polyphenols mainly mangiferin.

Induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells treated with isorhamnetin glycosides from Opuntia ficus-indica pads.

(OFI) contains health-promoting compounds like flavonoids, being the isorhamnetin glycosides the most abundant. We evaluated the effect of OFI extracts with different isorhamnetin glycosides against two different human colon cancer cells (HT-29 and Caco2). The extracts were obtained by alkaline hydrolysis with NaOH at 40 °C during 15, 30 or 60 min. Tri and diglycosides were the most abundant isorhamnetin glycosides, therefore these compounds were isolated to compare their cytotoxic effect with the obtained from the extracts. The OFI extracts and purified isorhamnetin glycosides were more cytotoxic against HT-29 cells than Caco2 cells. OFI-30 exhibited the lowest IC50 value against HT-29 (4.9 ± 0.5 µg/mL) and against Caco2 (8.2 ± 0.3 µg/mL). Isorhamnetin diglycosides IG5 and IG6 were more cytotoxic than pure isorhamnetin aglycone or triglycosides when they were tested in HT-29 cells. Bioluminescent analysis revealed increased activity of caspase 3/7 in OFI extracts-treated cells, particularly for the extract with the highest concentration of isorhamnetin triglycosides. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that OFI extract and isorhamnetin glycosides induced a higher percentage of apoptosis in HT-29 than in Caco2, while isorhamnetin was more apoptotic in Caco2. This research demonstrated that glycosilation affected antiproliferative effect of pure isorhamnetin glycosides or when they are mixed with other phytochemicals in an extract obtained from OFI.

Exploring the impact of maternal factors and dietary habits on human milk oligosaccharide composition in early breastfeeding among Mexican women.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) promote adequate intestinal microbiota development and favor the immune system's maturation and cognitive development. In addition to non-modifiable factors, HMOs composition can be influenced by other factors like body mass index and eating habits, but the reports are discrepant. The aim of this work was to describe the correlation between maternal factors and HMOs concentration in colostrum in 70 women from northeastern Mexico categorized into women with normal weight and women with overweight or obesity. The absolute concentration of six HMOs were significantly lower in women with overweight or obesity compared to women with normal weight (LNFPI p = 0.0021, 2'-FL p = 0.0304, LNT p = 0.0492, LNnT p = 0.00026, 3'-SL p = 0.0476, 6'-SL p = 0.00041). Another main finding was that the frequency of consumption of food groups such as vegetables, fruits and meats was positively correlated to specific HMOs (Poblano chili and 2'-FL; rs = 0.702, p = 0.0012; Orange or tangerine and 3-FL; rs = 0.428, p = 0.0022; Chicken and 2'-FL; rs = 0.615, p = 0.0039). This study contributes to the elucidation of how maternal factors influence the composition of HMOs and opens possibilities for future research aimed at mitigating overweight or obesity, consequently improving the quality of human milk.

Effect of flavonoids and saponins extracted from black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats as cholesterol micelle disruptors.

Strategies for reducing plasma cholesterol have been focused on reducing the absorption or synthesis of cholesterol. The aim of this study was to correlate the content of flavonoids and saponins in black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats extracts with a potential effect in lowering cholesterol absorption by the inhibition of cholesterol micellar solubility. Extracts with different flavonoids and saponins concentration were obtained from a Box-Behnken design used to optimize extraction temperature, stirring time and solvent composition. Major flavonoids and saponins were quantified by HPLC-PDA-ELSD and confirmed through mass spectrometry. Contrary to the flavonoid content, saponins were correlated to the inhibitory effect of cholesterol micelle solubility as an approach to a potential reduction of cholesterol absorption. Extracts with the highest saponin content strongly inhibited cholesterol micellization with values of 55.4 ± 1.9 %, while stigmasterol used as control, only reached 12 ± 2.3 % at the same concentration (5 mg/ml). The optimal extracting conditions for saponins were 25 °C, during 3 h in 85 % aqueous-methanol. Correlations of inhibitory effect of cholesterol micellar solubility with the content of each identified saponin suggested that the reduction of cholesterol micellization depends on the C-22 substitution of saponins.

Micropropagation effect on the anti-carcinogenic activitiy of polyphenolics from Mexican oregano (Poliomintha glabrescens Gray) in human colon cancer cells HT-29.

Phenolic extracts obtained from spices are known to have anti-carcinogenic activities but little is known about the effect of micropropagation on these beneficial effects. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of flavonoid-enriched extracts (FEE) from the leaves of wild (WT), in vitro (IN), and ex vitro (EX) grown oregano plants in colon cancer cells HT-29 and the non-cancer cells CCD-18Co. Cell proliferation of HT-29 cells was reduced to 50 % by WT, IN, and EX at concentrations of 4.01, 1.32, and 4.84 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/L, respectively. In contrast, in CCD-18Co cells, higher concentrations were required for the same cytotoxic effect. At 6 mg GAE/L, WT and IN reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated control cells to 59.89 and 59.43 %, respectively, and EX to 73.89 %. The mRNA of Caspase-3 was increased 1.53-fold when cells were treated with 4 mg GAE/L of IN extract, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 6 (FAS), and BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) mRNA increased 2.55 and 1.53 fold, respectively. Results on protein expression corroborated the apoptotic effects with a significant decrease of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) expression for all treatments but more remarkable for EX that also showed the most intense signal of BAX. Overall, FEE extracts derived from micropropagation had increased pro-apoptotic effects, however extracts from the in vitro plants produced more efficacy at the transcriptional level while extracts from the ex vitro plant were superior at the traductional level.

Chemopreventive effects of free and bound phenolics associated to steep waters (nejayote) obtained after nixtamalization of different maize types.

Free and bound phenolics extracts from nejayote solids were obtained after optimally lime-cooking blue, normal white, red, normal yellow, high-carotenoid and quality protein maize types. The extraction yield ranged from 4.47 to 10.05%. Bound phenolics extracts had higher content of total phenolics, antioxidant activity and ferulic acid compared to the free phenolics extracts. In general, free phenolics extracts were less cytotoxic than the bound phenolics counterparts. Bound phenolics extracts had higher induction of quinone reductase (QR) and particularly the normal yellow nejayote exerted the highest chemopreventive index tested in Hepa1c1c7 cells. When tested for monofunctional phase 2 induction capacity in BPrc1 cells, the bound phenolics extracts of blue, normal white and quality protein nejayotes were better inducers than the normal yellow counterpart. Particularly, the free phenolics extract of the white maize nejayote induced BPrc1 cells QR and exerted a higher chemopreventive index compared to the bound phenolics extract. Therefore, the nejayote of the normal white maize was the best source of monofunctional phase 2 enzyme inducers.

Phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of tortillas obtained after lime-cooking extrusion process of whole pigmented mexican maize.

The lime-cooking extrusion represents an alternative technology for manufacturing pre-gelatinized flours for tortillas with the advantages of saving energy and generation of null effluents. The phytochemical profiles (total phenolics, anthocyanins) and antioxidant activity of four different types of whole pigmented Mexican maize [white (WM), yellow (YM), red (RM), blue maize (BM)] processed into tortillas were studied. The lime-cooking extrusion process caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in total phenolics and antioxidant capacity when compared to raw kernels. Most of the total phenols assayed in raw grains (76.1-84.4 %) were bound. Tortillas from extruded maize flours retained 76.4-87.5 % of total phenolics originally found in raw grains. The BM had the highest anthocyanin content (27.52 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g DW). The WM, YM, RM and NWM contained 3.3, 3.4, 2.9, and 2.2 %, respectively, of the amount of anthocyanins found in BM. The BM lost 53.5 % of total anthocyanins when processed into extruded tortillas. Approximately 64.7 to 74.5 % of bound phytochemicals from raw kernels were the primary contributors to the ORAC values. Extruded tortillas retained amongst 87.2 to 90.7 % of total hydrophilic antioxidant activity when compared to raw kernels. Compared to the data reported by other authors using the conventional process, the lime-cooking extrusion process allowed the retention of more phenolics and antioxidant compounds in all tortillas.

Microencapsulation of steroidal saponins from agave sap concentrate using different carriers in spray drying.

Concentrated agave sap is a product with in vivo proven hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic activities, as well as in vitro anticancer potential. In the present work, a factorial design was used to determine the suitable drying conditions of concentrated agave by studying the effect of inlet temperature (150 °C, 180 °C and 210 °C) and the type of carrier agent (maltodextrin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, guar gum and xanthan gum). The response variables for each treatment were the product recovery and microencapsulated saponins. Further characterization of concentrated agave powders was performed: solubility in water, hygroscopicity, moisture content, tap density, bulk density, Carr's index followability and morphology by scanning electron microscopy analysis. The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose proved to improve physicochemical properties and enhance product yield, using 210 °C inlet temperature and a mix of carrier agents of maltodextrin/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/xanthan gum at 50/48.5/1.5 (w/w/w) proportion exhibited the highest saponin recovery of 53.81%. Moreover, different carrier agents in powders revealed two shapes, regular spherical shape with smooth surface and collapsed shapes. The use of polymers excipients helped to decrease the stickiness of the desired product and enhanced the powder stability and microencapsulation of the steroidal saponins.

Engineering and Evaluation of Forcespun Gelatin Nanofibers as an Isorhamnetin Glycosides Delivery System.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill (OFI) is considered a natural source of bioactive phytochemicals, mainly isorhamnetin glycosides (IRGs). These compounds have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, among others. The development of a suitable delivery system for these compounds is needed to improve their chemical and biological stability. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of fabrication and characterization of IRG-loaded gelatin (GL) forcespun fibers and crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (GTA). Two different percentages (25% and 30% w/v) of GL were evaluated with 12% (w/v) OFI flour to obtain nanofibers GL/OFI1 and GL/OFI2, respectively. The morphology and physicochemical properties of the fibers were investigated. The results indicated that the diameters of the fibers were on the nanoscale. The amount of IRGs was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The IRGs release and the cytocompatibility of the nanofibers were also evaluated. GL concentration significantly affected the IRG release. Among both nanofibers, the GL/OFI2 nanofiber achieved a cumulative IRGs release of 63% after 72 h. Both fibers were shown to be biocompatible with human skin/fibroblast cells. Specifically, GL/OFI1 nanofibers exhibited favorable features for their application as an extract-coupled release system. The IRGs-embedded GL nanofiber mats may become a good alternative for the delivery of phytochemicals for the health sector and biomedical applications.

Nanofiber Systems as Herbal Bioactive Compounds Carriers: Current Applications in Healthcare.

Nanofibers have emerged as a potential novel platform due to their physicochemical properties for healthcare applications. Nanofibers' advantages rely on their high specific surface-area-to-volume and highly porous mesh. Their peculiar assembly allows cell accommodation, nutrient infiltration, gas exchange, waste excretion, high drug release rate, and stable structure. This review provided comprehensive information on the design and development of natural-based polymer nanofibers with the incorporation of herbal medicines for the treatment of common diseases and their in vivo studies. Natural and synthetic polymers have been widely used for the fabrication of nanofibers capable of mimicking extracellular matrix structure. Among them, natural polymers are preferred because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and similarity with extracellular matrix proteins. Herbal bioactive compounds from natural extracts have raised special interest due to their prominent beneficial properties in healthcare. Nanofiber properties allow these systems to serve as bioactive compound carriers to generate functional matrices with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-viral, and other properties which have been studied in vitro and in vivo, mostly to prove their wound healing capacity and anti-inflammation properties.

Germinated chickpea-maize extrudates with high protein content and reduced starch digestibility.

The objective of this study was to produce maize extrudates supplemented with germinated chickpea flour to increase the contents of resistant starch (RS) and protein. Six extrudates were formulated using maize grits (ME), germinated chickpea flour (GCE) and different blends of maize and 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% of germinated chickpea flour (MGCE-10, MGCE-20, MGCE-30, or MGCE-40). Increase of RS was observed in the defatted samples due to germinated chickpea flour addition. In the nondefatted samples, the highest content of RS was observed in GCE followed by ME and the different MGCE. Interaction between fat, starch, and protein by improved intramolecular association was assessed by Fourier transform- infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Amylose-lipid complexes in nondefatted samples increased the content of RS in comparison to defatted samples. The highest expansion index was obtained in MGCE-30 and MGCE-40. ME had the highest hardness and crispiness. Germinated chickpea flour increased the water absorption index (WAI), but reduced water solubility index (WSI) when it was combined with maize grits to produce extrudates. The in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) was higher in the GCE and MGCE with more than 20% of germinated chickpea flour compared to ME. MGCE-20 and MGCE-30 showed the highest acceptability of the supplemented extrudates with 50% more protein than ME, a similar IVPD to that of GCE, and good functional characteristics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Combining maize and germinated chickpea flour is a good strategy to have a controlled digestibility of starch and increase the plant based protein content in healthier snacks.