Effects of beta-glucan and resistant starch on wheat dough and prebiotic bread properties.

White wheat flour is a poor source of dietary fiber. Therefore a demand exists for enrichment of bread with non-digestible prebiotic ingredients that exert health-promoting effects. In this study, the effects of beta-glucan (BG) and resistant starch (RS) on the dough properties and bread-making characteristics were investigated. The water absorption of doughs increased with increasing BG and RS levels. Also, development time and farinograph quality number of BG-enriched doughs remained similar to that of the control while the doughs stability decreased, and all of these values decreased when the RS was added. BG was more effective in increasing the dough softening than RS. The resistance to deformation, energy, maximum resistance and ratio number values; increased with the addition of RS or BG, but their extensibility was decreased in comparison to the control. Formulation containing BG/RS combination showed the best farinograph (development time, stability) and extensograph (resistance and extensibility) parameters. The application of BG and RS had similar effect on specific volume, and moisture content while it caused a decrease in firmness after 5 days of storage.

Date canning: a new approach for the long time preservation of date.

Dramatic growth in date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) production, makes it clear to apply proper methods to preserve this nutritious fruit for a long time. Numerous methods have been used to gain this goal in recent years that can be classified into non-thermal (fumigation, ozonation, irradiation, and packaging) and thermal (heat treatment, cold storage, dehydration, jam etc.) processing methods. In this paper these methods were reviewed and novel methods for date preservation were presented.

Effects of probiotics on the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis: a review.

OBJECTIVE: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of genital discomfort in women in reproductive ages, which causes many complications. Bacterial vaginosis is usually treated by metronidazole and clindamycin. However, this protocol does not prevent its recurrence, which is a main complaint of the patients. The number of lactobacilli in the vagina of women with BV is significantly lower than that in healthy women. Hence, efforts have been made to normalize vaginal flora by oral or vaginal administration of lactobacilli. The objective of the present study was to review clinical evidences available regarding the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of BV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published randomized controlled trials were searched in PubMed, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Database between 1990 and 2011. Search terms included bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infection, lactobacillus, and probiotics. RESULTS: Orally consumed probiotics are believed to ascend to the vaginal tract after they are excreted from the rectum; vaginal administration allows for direct replacement of the probiotics for unhealthy vaginal microbiota and occupation of specific adhesion sites at the epithelial surface of the urinary tract, which consequently results in maintenance of a low pH and production of antimicrobial substances like acids and hydrogen peroxide. Receiving Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 at a dose of at least 10 CFU/day for 2 months has been shown to present the patients with better results. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of different studies are controversial, most studies have been in favor of the probiotics in the prevention or treatment of BV, and no adverse effects have been reported. Therefore, it may be helpful to recommend daily consumption of probiotic products to improve public health among women.

The Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Mental Disorders: A Review on Depression, Anxiety, Alzheimer, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics and their nutrient sources (prebiotics) have been shown to have positive effects on different organs of the host. The idea of their potential benefits on Central Nervous Systems (CNS) and the incidence of Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer, Depression, Autism, and other mental disorders has proposed a new category of medicines called "psychobiotic" which is hoped to be of low-side effect anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety constitutes. OBJECTIVE: In the current review, we present valuable insights into the complicated interactions between the GI microbiota (especially in the colon), brain, immune and central nervous systems and provide a summary of the main findings of the effects of pro- and prebiotics on important mental disorders from the potential mechanisms of action to their application in clinical practice. METHODS: Google Scholar, Pub Med, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were searched using following key words: "probiotics", "prebiotics", "mental disorders", "psychological disorders", "depression", "anxiety", "stress", "Alzheimer" and "autism spectrum". The full text of potentially eligible studies was retrieved and assessed in detail by the reviewers. Data were extracted and then summarized from the selected papers. RESULTS: The results of the provided evidence suggest that probiotic and prebiotics might improve mental function via several mechanisms. The beneficial effects of their application in Depression, Anxiety, Alzheimer and autism spectrum diseases have also been supported in clinical studies. CONCLUSION: Pro and prebiotics can improve mental health and psychological function and can be offered as new medicines for common mental disorders, however, more clinical studies are necessary to conduct regarding the clinical significance of the effects and their bioequivalence or superiority against current treatments.

Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and Probiotics: Mechanism of Action: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a health problem that is increasing around the world. INTRODUCTION: Prevention of GDM, rather than treatment, could have several benefits in terms of both health and economic cost. Even a slight reduction in maternal glucose in non-diabetic women, particularly in women at high risk for GDM, may have significant benefits for pregnancy results and the future health of off-springs. Probiotics are a relatively new intervention, which are assessed by mothers' metabolism, and can reduce blood sugar levels, prevent gestational diabetes and reduce the maternal and fetal complications resulting from it. The aim of this study was to review the studies on the prevention of gestational diabetes and assess the potential beneficial effects of probiotics on gestational diabetes and their possible mechanism of action. METHODS: Articles compiled through clinical trials indexed in PubMed, Science Direct, Cochran, and Medlib between 2000 and 2017, with the keywords probiotics, prevention, and gestational diabetes mellitus were selected. RESULTS: Considering the potential of probiotics in the modulation of gut microbiota, naturalization increases intestinal permeability, regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators' secretion and thereby controlling local and systemic inflammation results in decreasing intestinal permeability, enhancing the immune system. It likely has the ability to prevent or control diabetes during pregnancy although confirmatory studies are still needed. CONCLUSION: Experimental and clinical evidence support the supposition that the modulation of the gut microbiota via probiotic microorganisms could be effective in the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of the Glucuronic Acid Production and Antibacterial Properties of Kombucha Black Tea.

BACKGROUND: Kombucha beverage is considered as a dietary supplement and drinking it strengthens the body's immune system which prevents diseases. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of glucuronic acid and antibacterial activity of Kombucha black tea drink during its production at different storage temperature. METHODS: The extent of glucuronic acid at temperatures of 20°C and 30°C was explored by the use of the HPLC system for 21 days. To analyse the antibacterial property, the influence of Kombucha black tea supernatant on the growth of Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacteria was examined via the two procedures of the disc and agar well diffusion. RESULTS: The production of glucuronic acid underwent a variation at 20°C from 17.0 mg/L on day 1 to roughly 27.2 mg/L on day 21, and the difference was significant. Furthermore, the quantity of this acid at 30°C increased from 42.2 mg/L on day 1 to 48.0 mg/L on day 21. The amount of glucuronic acid produced at 30°C was significantly greater than that at 20°C (p<0.05). This study indicated that the Kombucha black tea has antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus, but not against Lactobacillus rhamnosus. However, there are no statistical differences in antibacterial activity of Kombucha between incubation at 20oC and 30oC (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study offers a perspective on glucuronic acid production (especially in 30°C rather than 20°C) and antibacterial activity of Kombucha black tea beverage.