Carob seeds as a source of bioactive flavonoid derivatives: isolation, network pharmacology-guided anti-cancer activity, and HPLC standardization.

INTRODUCTION:  Carob, Ceratonia siliqua L. (CS), is a legume well-known for its edible pod pulp. Its seeds are used almost exclusively as a source of the food additive E410. Although a variety of metabolites have been identified by HPLC and LC-MS analysis in CS, reports concerned with their isolation are scarce.   Methodology: In this study, two flavonoid derivatives were isolated from the methanolic extract of CS seeds, namely, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and 4'-p-hydroxybenzoylisorhamnetin-3,7-di-O-rhamnoside. Network pharmacology was unusually used as a guide for estimation of the biological potential of the isolated compounds. Finally, the methanolic extract of CS seeds and its ethyl acetate fraction were standardized for their 4'-p-hydroxybenzoylisorhamnetin-3,7-di-O-rhamnoside content by HPLC. RESULTS:  The identified isolates displayed the ability to interfere with the activity of several target proteins associated with renal and colon cancers. Their cytotoxic effect on renal and colorectal cancer cell lines was investigated in comparison to Doxorubicin. The selectivity of the isolated compounds was evaluated on normal human fetal fibroblast cell lines. The isolated 4'-p-hydroxybenzoylisorhamnetin-3,7-di-O-rhamnoside showed very potent cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines with the highest selectivity. CONCLUSION:  CS seeds can be used as a source of bioactive flavonoid derivatives that can be incorporated in pharmaceutical industries.

Sensory Evaluation and Consumers' Acceptance of a Low Glycemic and Gluten-Free Carob-Based Bakery Product.

Carob pulp flour has antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, is naturally sweet, and is rich in fibers. It is obtained from carob pod pulp from the evergreen tree Ceratonia siliqua L., which is grown in Mediterranean areas and is known for locust bean gum production. Despite its valuable effects on health, such as the modulation of the glycemic index, this ingredient has a tremendous impact on technological and hedonic features, mainly on color, flavor, and texture. In this paper, the qualitative features and consumers' acceptance of a carob-based gluten-free bakery product where rice flour was substituted at 40% with carob pulp flour were studied. A panel group of experts described the bread as dark, quite dense, sweet, aromatic, and with a limited bubble dispersion. On the other hand, the sensory assessment and the willingness to pay of consumers were assessed in two groups (a fully informed one about heathy attributes of the food and a blind one). The results indicated a moderate appreciation of the overall quality of the product (average score between 4 and 5 points on a 9-point Likert scale). The information about the food's healthy properties and the ability to maintain a low glycemic index did not enhance the consumers' perception of the product, while previous knowledge and involvement in the product consumption were perceived to have primary importance regarding the final consumers' choice. Finally, an accelerated shelf-life test was run on the packaged snack to evaluate the general quality and stability. The protective packaging helped in limiting bread decay and maintaining the textural characteristics.

Cocoa and Carob Supplementation, Alone or in Combination with Metformin, Protects against Hepatorenal Injury in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats.

The liver and kidneys are crucial for glucose homeostasis and are seriously damaged in diabetes. Cocoa and carob possess antidiabetic activity, but their hepatorenal protective effects, especially when combined with antidiabetic drugs, are unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a cocoa-carob-supplemented diet (CC), either alone or in combination with metformin, on liver and kidney damage in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, a type 2 diabetes model. Male ZDF animals received a control or CC-supplemented diet, with or without metformin, and Zucker lean rats were fed the control diet. The CC-supplemented diet improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and alleviated functional and structural alterations in the diabetic liver and renal cortex. The CC-supplemented diet also ameliorated oxidative stress, downregulated apoptosis, and improved insulin signalling and glucose homeostasis. The combination of CC and metformin boosted several benefits as certain parameters related to morphological and structural alterations, apoptosis, oxidative stress, glucose homeostasis, and insulin resistance, were improved in comparison to animals receiving the CC-supplemented diet or metformin alone; these include the following: apoptotic index, Bax, hepatic insulin receptor or glutathione content, among others. These results demonstrate that the CC-supplemented diet alleviates the hepatorenal damage in type 2 diabetic ZDF rats, highlighting its potential alone or as an adjuvant therapy.

Enhancing antioxidant yield from carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.): evaluating the efficacy of maceration and ultrasound-assisted methods.

Our study aimed to optimize carob antioxidant extraction for use in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Maceration investigated ethanol concentration, extraction temperature, and time, while ultrasound-assisted extraction examined ethanol concentration, ultrasound power, and time. A central composite design with 19 experimental points assessed the influence of variables on total yield, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The results were analyzed to optimize the extraction parameters and enhance the antioxidant extraction from carob. The results of the study show that the best maceration condition for extracting antioxidants from the plant material was found to have a time of 24.38 minutes, an ethanol content of 59.02%, and a temperature of 54.52°C. Similarly, the optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted extraction were found to be 51.49 minutes, 79.78% sonication power, and 76.12% alcohol. The optimal conditions identified can be used as a starting point for further optimization and scaling up of the extraction process.

Unveiling the cocoa-carob flavour gap in dark chocolates via instrumental and descriptive sensory analyses.

Roasted carob pulp (Ceratonia siliqua) is a cocoa substitute known for its faint cocoa-like resemblance. However, the cocoa-carob flavour gap remains poorly uncharacterised. This study aimed to elucidate the sensory and molecular aspects of this flavour gap in a 70 % dark chocolate formulation via a two-pronged instrumental-sensorial approach. Descriptive Sensory Analysis (DSA) revealed carob-based chocolate was significantly sweeter, less sour and astringent than conventional dark chocolate due to the high total sugar content (45-50 % DM; HPLC/RID), low titratable acidity and tannin content, respectively. As for aroma, a distinct, albeit weak, cocoa-like aroma was present in carob-based chocolate. HS-SPME-GC-MS/FID revealed this was attributed to branched-chain Strecker aldehyde generation during roasting (2-methylbutanal, 1.17 µg/g; 3-methylbutanal, 2.89 µg/g). Notably, there was a distinct lack of alkylpyrazines. Additionally, a distinct woody, tree bark-like odour was uniquely associated with carob-based chocolates. This was due to furfural generation during roasting (2.33 µg/g). In conclusion, the aroma and taste gap between cocoa and carob was successfully characterised in this study. These findings substantiate the potential of carob application in chocolate manufacturing, thus empowering confectioners to make evidence-based decisions when evaluating cocoa substitutes.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using carob leaf extract: Characterization and analysis of toxic effects in model organism Galleria mellonella L. (The greater wax moth).

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been used in many studies due to their inhibitory properties on microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. In recent years, due to global problems such as environmental pollution, the green synthesis (biosynthesis) method is frequently preferred because it is simple and low cost and does not require the use of toxic substances. The aim of this study is to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from Ceratonia siliqua L. leaves and investigate their antioxidant and immunotoxic properties using Galleria mellonella last instar larvae. The UV spectrophotometer, TEM, XRD and FTIR measurements were used to characterize the Ag NPs. In this study, it was determined that the effects on antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and total hemocyte count (THC) as well as phenoloxidase activity determine their effect on antioxidant defence and the immune system in model organism G. mellonella larvae. We observed that green synthesized Ag NPs accumulate in the midgut of the larvae and led to the increasing of CAT and SOD activities. GST and AChE activities were increased in the fat body of the larvae; otherwise, it was decreased in the midgut. Moreover, increases were found in THC and phenoloxidase activity. Consequently, green synthesized silver nanoparticles led to oxidative stress and immunotoxic effects on G. mellonella larvae.

Phytochemical Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Two Extracts of Wild and Domesticated Carob Leaves.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Carob tree (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.) is a perennial leguminous species and is known as a medicinal importance tree. This species exhibits a myriad of biological effects including antibacterial, antidiarrheal and antidiabetic. To this end, current study evaluates the difference between the phytochemical composition of the leaves of two accessions of "wild" and "domesticated" hermaphroditic carob trees. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The comparison between two carob accessions "wild" and "domesticated" was done according to methanolic extraction by the Soxhlet and aqueous extraction by maceration. The polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and their antioxidant activity were measured. The ANOVA test was used for the analysis of results. <b>Results:</b> The total polyphenols in aqueous extract are 6.19±0.25 mg equivalent gallic acid/g dry weight (EGA/g DW) and 4.23±0.2 mg EGA/g DW) in carob fresh leaves for wild and domesticated trees, respectively. The flavonoid content was higher in methanolic extract (3.17±0.64 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW) than in aqueous extract (1.06±0.19 mg EQ/g DW) for wild trees. Wild accession recorded the highest concentration of condensed tannins in the methanolic extract (6.4±0.3 mg catechin equivalents/g DW) while low levels were recorded in aqueous extract (0.51±0.27 mg EC/g DW). <b>Conclusion:</b> Such knowledge is expected to be the key to understanding the biochemical composition of two different leaves of <i>C. siliqua</i> accessions and its various commercial food products.

Revitalizing traditional Turkish tort cheese into spreadable form: Enhancing bioactive and sensory attributes with utilization of carob molasses pulp that is a food waste.

Tort cheese is a traditional cheese that is a gastronomically valuable product, especially in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey, obtained by prolonged boiling of whey, which is one of the most important dairy byproducts. Due to the difficulty of production and its short shelf life, this cheese, which is produced in limited quantities and has low nutritional value, is among the forgotten products. In this study, a spreadable new cheese formulation was developed to increase the edibility and nutritional value of traditional Tort cheese. In this context, pulp (carob molasses pulp (CMP)) from carob molasses production was added to the cheese in different proportions (5%, 10%, and 15%), and some physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties of the cheeses were examined. As a result of the research, it was determined that the addition of CMP caused a decrease in the pH, fat, and protein content of the cheeses, while significantly increasing the dry matter, acidity, ash, carbohydrate, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content. With CMP addition, the hardness and water-holding capacity of the cheeses increased, while spreadability, adhesiveness, and syneresis decreased. As the concentration of CMP increased, the L* and b* values decreased, while the a* value increased. In terms of sensory properties, the least preferred sample was the control, while the sample with 5% CMP addition, which is the most spreadable cheese, was the most preferred. As a result, a new product with lower fat content that was more durable and stable, rich in bioactive properties, and with improved sensory attributes was developed.

Fattening Pigs with Tannin-Rich Source (Ceratonia siliqua L.) and High Doses of Vitamin E: Effects on Growth Performance, Economics, Digestibility, Physiology, and Behaviour.

This study aimed to assess the impact on growth, economic results, apparent nutrient digestibility (CTTAD), physiological variables, and animal behaviour when 214 fattening pigs (78 ± 8.5 kg of initial body weight and 130 ± 4.5 days of age) of both sexes (gilts and boars) were fed two levels of carob pulp (Cp, 0 vs. 20%) and two doses of vitamin E (Vit E, 30 vs. 300 IU/kg) for 40 days. No interaction effects between factors studied (Cp, Vit E, and sex) were observed on the variables. Most productive traits were unaffected by Cp or Vit E inclusion. However, the Cp increased the feed conversion ratio during the first 20 days. The Cp group showed a higher CTTAD of ether extract and hemicellulose but lower CTTAD of crude protein. Pigs fed Cp had a lower plasmatic urea content than the control group. The high Vit E doses increased the CTTAD of every nutrient and the plasmatic α-tocopherol content. The pigs fed Cp tended to spend more time eating in the early morning, likely to mitigate tannins' astringent effects. Dietary inclusion of 20% Cp in finishing high-conformation pigs is possible without affecting overall performance though it reduces nutrient CTTAD and increases feeding cost. Supra-nutritional doses of Vit E do not affect pig performance but increase the α-tocopherol deposition with potential antioxidant effects.

The study of galactomannans with different molecular weights and their ability to form microparticles suitable for pulmonary delivery.

The influence of locust bean gum (LBG) galactomannans (GMs) molecular weight (Mw) to assemble microparticulate systems was evaluated, and carriers for deep lung delivery were developed. A commercial batch of LBG with a mannose/galactose (M/G) ratio of 2.4 (batch 1) was used to study the influence of different microwave partial acid hydrolysis conditions on carbohydrate composition, glycosidic linkages, and aqueous solutions viscosity. The microwave treatment did not affect the composition, presenting 4-Man (36-42 %), 4,6-Man (27-35 %), and T-Gal (24-25 %) as the main glycosidic linkages. Depolymerization led to a viscosity reduction (≤0.005 Pa·s) with no major impact on polysaccharide debranching. The structural composition of the LBG galactomannans were further elucidated with sequence-specific proteins using carbohydrate microarray technologies. A second batch of LBG (M/G 3.3) was used to study the impact of GMs with different Mw on microparticle assembling, characteristics, and insulin release kinetics. The low-Mw GMs microparticles led to a faster release (20 min) than the higher-Mw (40 min) ones, impacting the release kinetics. All microparticles exhibited a safety profile to cells of the respiratory tract. However, only the higher-Mw GMs allowed the assembly of microparticles with sizes suitable for this type of administration.

Sugars and phenols in carob tree fruits from different producing countries: A short review.

In the last two decades, important advances have been made in the chemical analysis of the fruit of carob tree. After harvesting, the fruits (also known as dry pods) are ground. The seeds can then be separated from the pulp, which represents 80-90 % of a pod's weight. The health benefits of carob pulp derivatives are well-recognized, and carob pulp-based food products are becoming increasingly available to consumers. The major carob-producing countries are in southern Europe and northern Africa, including the Mediterranean islands, and carob pulp products are normally prepared and consumed regionally. In this review, we compare the sugar and phenol profiles of carob pods harvested from different countries in the Mediterranean basin while accounting for the different cultivars and soil conditions in each sample area. We conclude that pod nutritional composition varies widely among countries, making it necessary for future, multi-year studies to more closely evaluate how climate and soil properties affect the phenol and sugar contents of fruits from the same trees or cultivars.

Well-Established and Traditional Use of Vegetal Extracts as an Approach to the "Deep Roots" of Cough.

Cough is a common presenting symptom for patients in a primary care setting and significantly impacts a patient's quality of life. Cough involves a complex reflex arc beginning with the stimulation of sensory nerves that function as cough receptors that stimulate the cough center in the brain. This "cough center" functions to receive these impulses and produce a cough by activating efferent nervous pathways to the diaphragm and laryngeal, thoracic, and abdominal musculature. Drugs that suppress the neural activity of cough are non-specific as those treatments are not directed toward pathogenic causes such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, they block a reflex called the watchdog of the lung and have a defense mechanism. Acute respiratory infections of the upper and lower airways most commonly cause acute cough. In contrast, the most common causes of chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, all associated with an inflammatory reaction at the level of the cough receptors. The use of natural compounds or herbal drugs such as carob syrup, dry blackcurrant extract, dry extract of caraway fruit, dry extract of ginger rhizome, dry extract of marshmallow root, and dry extract of ivy leaves, to name a few, not only have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but also act as antimicrobials, bronchial muscle relaxants, and increase gastric motility and empty. For these reasons, these natural substances are widely used to control cough at its deep roots (i.e., contrasting its causes and not inhibiting the arch reflex). With this approach, the lung watchdog is not put to sleep, as with peripheral or central inhibition of the cough reflex, and by contrasting the causes, we may control cough that viruses use at self-advantage to increase transmission.

Carob: A Mediterranean Resource for the Future.

For centuries, the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) has contributed to the economy of the Mediterranean basin, mainly as food for livestock. Nowadays, the value of the carob tree extends far beyond its traditional uses, encompassing a wide range of industries and applications that take advantage of its unique properties and nutritional benefits. Despite its high industrial demand and European indications, there has been a 65% reduction in the area cultivated throughout the Mediterranean area in the 21st century. Given the threats posed by climate change, including reduced water availability and nutrient-depleted soils, there is a growing need to focus on this crop, which is well placed to cope with unpredictable weather. In this review, we use a bibliographic search approach to emphasise the prioritisation of research needs for effective carob tree exploitation. We found enormous gaps in the scientific knowledge of this under-utilised crop species with fruit pulp and seeds of high industrial value. Insufficient understanding of the biology of the species, as well as inadequate agronomic practices, compromise the quantity and the quality of fruits available to the industry. In addition to industrial applications, carob can also be used in reforestation or restoration programmes, providing a valuable crop while promoting biodiversity conservation and soil restoration. The carbon sequestration potential of the trees should be taken into account as a promising alternative in fighting climate change. This bibliographic search has highlighted clusters with different knowledge gaps that require further research and investment. The carob tree has untapped potential for innovation, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Exploring Cold plasma technology: Enhancements in Carob seed germination, phytochemical Composition, and antioxidant activity.

The cultivation of carob tree does not need many climatic and ecological requirements. The main limit to its large-scale cultivation is the defects for propagation with seeds. Addressing this, our study evaluated the effect of cold plasma pretreatment on carob seed germination. Impressively, cold plasma showcased beneficial effects by significantly increasing water uptake in seeds (CS: 1.71 ± 0.59; PS/3.99 ± 1.56) and decreasing the contact angle from 80.7° to 57.9°, enhancing the seed surface's hydrophilicity. While the germination rate enhancement was subtle, the treatment presented an innovative route to modifying the seed's physiochemical properties. Specifically, storage proteins like albumin, globulin, and prolamin were notably reduced (Albumin (from 7.67 to 4.95 mg/g DW), Globulin (from 8.52 to 5.80 mg/g DW) and Prolamin (from 3.53 to 1.66 mg/g DW)). Additionally, there was a decline in the overall content of polyphenols (from 846.88 to 760.94 mg GAE/100g DW) and flavonoids (from 790.93 to 502.95 mg GAE/100g DW) and a decrease in the ferric reducing power (from 34.48 to 26.39 mg AAE/g DW). However, radical scavenging activity remained consistent. Intriguingly, FTIR-ATR spectral analysis post plasma treatment indicated oxidative alterations in the seed coat, marked by a distinctive intensity at 1732 cm⁻1. This investigation suggests that the application of eco-friendly technology could provide improvements in seed surface's hydrophilicity, but appropriate conditions could be chosen to increase germination efficiency.

Predicting carob tree physiological parameters under different irrigation systems using Random Forest and Planet satellite images.

Introduction: In the context of climate change, monitoring the spatial and temporal variability of plant physiological parameters has become increasingly important. Remote spectral imaging and GIS software have shown effectiveness in mapping field variability. Additionally, the application of machine learning techniques, essential for processing large data volumes, has seen a significant rise in agricultural applications. This research was focused on carob tree, a drought-resistant tree crop spread through the Mediterranean basin. The study aimed to develop robust models to predict the net assimilation and stomatal conductance of carob trees and to use these models to analyze seasonal variability and the impact of different irrigation systems. Methods: Planet satellite images were acquired on the day of field data measurement. The reflectance values of Planet spectral bands were used as predictors to develop the models. The study employed the Random Forest modeling approach, and its performances were compared with that of traditional multiple linear regression. Results and discussion: The findings reveal that Random Forest, utilizing Planet spectral bands as predictors, achieved high accuracy in predicting net assimilation (R² = 0.81) and stomatal conductance (R² = 0.70), with the yellow and red spectral regions being particularly influential. Furthermore, the research indicates no significant difference in intrinsic water use efficiency between the various irrigation systems and rainfed conditions. This work highlighted the potential of combining satellite remote sensing and machine learning in precision agriculture, with the goal of the efficient monitoring of physiological parameters.

Assessment and Optimization of the Insecticidal Properties of γ-Al2O3 Nanoparticles Derived from Mentha pulegium By-Products to Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Carob Beetle).

This study concentrates on assessing the insecticidal attributes of the γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles derived from the remnants of Mentha pulegium, which include essential oil, ethanolic extract, and plant waste. The synthesis of the γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles was executed using a direct sol-gel procedure, affirming the crystal structure according to extensive physicochemical analyses such as UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Evaluation of the insecticidal activity in vitro was conducted against Xylosandrus crassiusculus, a pest that infests carob wood, utilizing strains from diverse forests in the Khenifra region, situated in the Moroccan Middle Atlas. The lethal doses 50 ranged from 40 mg/g to 68 mg/g, indicating moderate effectiveness compared to the commercial insecticide Permethrin. Optimization of the conditions for the efficiency of the γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles was determined using experimental plans, revealing that time, humidity, and temperature were influential factors in the lethal dose 50 of these nanomaterials. Moreover, this study encompasses the establishment of correlations using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Ascending Hierarchical Classification (AHC) among various geographic, biological, and physical data, amalgamating geographic altitude and γ-Al2O3 nanoparticle insecticide parameters, as well as the attributes of the mechanical tests conducted on the carob wood affected by insects. The correlations highlight the close connections between the effectiveness of the insecticide, mountain altitude, and the mechanical parameters that were examined. Ultimately, these nanoparticles demonstrate promising potential as alternative insecticides, thus opening up encouraging prospects for safeguarding against carob wood pests.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), Pharmacological and Phytochemical Activities of Neglected Legume of the Mediterranean Basin, as Functional Food.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) has been widely cultivated in different parts of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean region, and the tree belongs to the family Leguminosae. Several studies have indicated that carobs and their products can improve human health and help prevent different specific chronic diseases. Carob can considered as functional food due to its high content in dietary fibers, low-fat content, and high content of minerals. Its fruit is a pod containing 10%-20% seeds, and the pods consist of sugars, proteins, crude fibers, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, vitamins, and lipids. In many countries in the Middle east, carob is mainly used to prepare as a traditional drink and some kinds of confectioneries. The powders can be utilized to prepare carob juice concentrate. The systematic review of documents from clinical trials and scientific societies dedicated to traditional medicine in China has been carried out. The goal of this review article is a survey of chemical compounds, and pharmaceutical benefits of carob, especially by considering traditional medicinal sciences. Moreover, clinical trials research promotes studies to highlight and focus on the scope of application of traditional medicinal science in the growing system of medicine.

Improving the physicochemical and antioxidative properties of fermented goat milk using carob molasses and some probiotic strains.

Fermented goat milk samples, processed by adding 0, 2, and 4% carob molasses, and Bifidobacterium bifidum DSMZ or Lactobacillus helveticus CH5, were evaluated for their physicochemical, antioxidative, and sensory properties along with probiotic viability during storage. pH and viscosity gradually decreased over the storage period whereas their values increased with the increased amount of carob molasses. Bifidobacterium bifidum DSMZ or Lactobacillus helveticus CH5 kept higher viable numbers. Lactobacillus helveticus CH5 strain recorded higher viability. Increasing the added amount of carob molasses increased the total phenolic content, which in turn is reflected in the increase in antioxidant activity. Adding carob molasses participated in the partial masking of the goaty flavor and had no significant effect on the product's acceptability, which was strongly influenced by the progress of cold storage. Therefore, fermented goat milk described by its enhanced physicochemical and antioxidative properties could be obtained by adding carob molasses and probiotics. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01382-2.

Phytobiotic-Prebiotic Feed Additive Containing a Combination of Carob Pulp, Chicory, and Fenugreek Improve Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Fecal Microbiota of Fattening Pigs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a phytobiotic-prebiotic feed additive (PPFA, which contains a combination of chicory and extracts of carob pulp and fenugreek) in the diets of fattening pigs on growth indicators, carcass characteristics, and fecal microbiota. A total of 329 crossbred pigs were randomly divided into two dietary treatments, including a basal diet without additives as the control group and a basal diet supplemented with 1 kg/T PPFA as the trial group. The PPFA supplementation led to a significant increase in the body weight gain and average daily gain of the trial group compared to those of the control group after 70 days of feeding. Through the S-EUROP evaluation system, we also found that the fattening pigs fed PPFA significantly improved their carcass indicators. Furthermore, it was shown that PPFA regulated porcine intestinal microbiota, including promoting the growth of the beneficial commensal bacteria (i.e., Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) while inhibiting some potential pathogen bacteria (i.e., Bacteroidaceae and Campylobacteraceae). Our work revealed that the phytobiotic-prebiotic feed additive containing carob pulp, chicory, and fenugreek positively influences the intestinal microbiota, growth performance, and carcass traits in fattening swine.

Worsening of Congenital Hypothyroidism After Start of Carob-bean Gum Thickened Formula: Is There a Link? A Case Report.

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH), if not correctly treated with L-thyroxine (L-T4), may be responsible for a permanent intellectual disability. If patients treated with L-T4 do not achieve a good TSH control, the possibility of poor compliance and/or poor absorption of L- T4 should be investigated. We describe an infant with CH whose thyroid hormone levels worsened after she started a carob-bean gum thickened formula. A baby girl was diagnosed with CH by newborn screening (at confirmatory blood evaluation TSH was 496.0 µIU/mL and FT4 0.13 ng/dl). Five weeks after beginning L-T4 treatment TSH normalized (TSH 2.72 µIU/mL , FT4 2.08 ng/dl); nevertheless, only another 5 weeks later we noticed a new worsening of thyroid hormone levels (TSH 31.1 µIU/mL , FT4 1.27 ng/dl), which worsened further (TSH 44.8 µIU/mL, FT4 1.16 ng/dl) even if L-T4 dosage was increased. Anamnesis disclosed that she had been given a carob-bean gum thickened formula to combat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) rather than regular type 1 formula milk. The anti-reflux milk formula was discontinued and after 14 days the patient's TSH level dropped to 0.38 µIU/mL and FT4 increased to 2.68 ng/dL, allowing the L-T4 dosage to be reduced. Carob-bean gum thickened formula may influence the absorption of L-T4. If such formulas are used, we recommend a more frequent evaluation of thyroid function. In CH infants, inexplicably high TSH levels could be caused by gastrointestinal disorders or the interference of drugs or other substances, including some types of milk formula, which impair L-T4 absorption.