Development of a Simultaneous Normal-Phase HPLC Analysis of Lignans, Tocopherols, Phytosterols, and Squalene in Sesame Oil Samples.

The objective of this study was to develop a simultaneous analytical method for the determination of lignans, tocols, phytosterols, and squalene using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array and fluorescence detector (HPLC-DAD-FLD). The method employed a VertisepTM UPS silica HPLC column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase mixture of n-hexane/tetrahydrofuran/2-propanol. This approach enabled the simultaneous analysis of ten compounds within 22 min. The linear correlation (R2) exceeded 0.9901. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were up to 0.43 µg mL-1 for lignans and tocopherols and up to 326.23 µg mL-1 for phytosterol and squalene. The precision and accuracy of the intra-day and inter-day variation were less than 1.09 and 3.32% relative standard deviations (RSDs). Furthermore, the developed method was applied for the analysis of targeted compounds in twenty-eight sesame oil samples (1775-8965 µg g-1 total lignans, 29.7-687.9 µg g-1 total tocopherols, 2640-9500 µg g-1 phytosterol, and 245-4030 µg g-1 squalene). The HPLC method that has been developed was proven to be a reliable and effective tool for the determination of those functional compounds among sesame oil samples.

Optimizing green approach to enhanced antioxidants from Thai pigmented rice bran using deep eutectic solvent-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction.

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have garnered significant attention as extraction media owing to their commendable attributes of being environmentally sustainable and the inherent adaptability of DES's versatile physical and chemical characteristics. The present study investigated the effects of deep eutectic solvents on the total contents of anthocyanin, phenolic, and flavonoids, as well as the antioxidant activity of Thai pigmented rice bran extract. The optimal extraction parameters for deep eutectic solvent-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction (DES-UAE) were also determined using the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for the extraction of anthocyanins and other antioxidants from pigmented rice bran using a deep eutectic solvent were choline chloride: ethylene glycol (Ch:Eg) at a 1:2 ratio, mixed with 20 % water as a solvent. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) at 37 kHz of frequency, 50 °C of temperature, 40 min of extraction time, and a 1:6 g/mL of solid-to-solvent ratio yielded a total anthocyanin content of 4.55 ± 0.09 mg C3G/g DW, a total phenolic content of 26.49 ± 0.62 mg GAE/g DW, a total flavonoid content of 6.57 ± 0.55 mg QE/g DW, and a percent inhibition of DPPH radical of 77.83 ± 1.51. By comparing the antioxidant content that was extracted from three cultivars of pigmented rice, it was found that Leum Pua black rice bran provided significantly higher antioxidant content compared to Hom Nin purple rice bran and Mali Dang red rice bran. This research suggests an achievable, eco-friendly, and effective method for preparing high-quality, consumer-safe Thai rice bran as a raw material for nutraceuticals.

Purification and characterization of crude fructooligosaccharides extracted from red onion (Allium cepa var. viviparum) by yeast treatment.

BACKGROUND: Yeast treatment has been used for purification of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs). However, the main drawback of this approach is that yeast can only partially remove sucrose from crude FOSs. The main objective of this research was to screen yeast strains for the capability of selectively consuming unwanted sugars, namely fructose, glucose, and sucrose, in crude FOSs extracted from red onion (Allium cepa var. viviparum) with minimal effect on FOS content. RESULTS: Among 43 yeast species isolated from Miang, ethnic fermented tea leaves, and Assam tea flowers, Candida orthopsilosis FLA44.2 and Priceomyces melissophilus FLA44.8 exhibited the greatest potential to specifically consume these unwanted sugars. In a shake flask, direct cultivation of C. orthopsilosis FLA44.2 was achieved in the original crude FOSs containing an initial FOSs concentration of 88.3 ± 1.2 g/L and 52.9 ± 1.2 g/L of the total contents of fructose, glucose, and sucrose. This was successful with 93.7% purity and 97.8% recovery after 24 h of cultivation. On the other hand, P. melissophilus FLA48 was limited by initial carbohydrate concentration of crude FOSs in terms of growth and sugar utilization. However, it could directly purify two-fold diluted crude FOSs to 95.2% purity with 92.2% recovery after 72 h of cultivation. Purification of crude FOSs in 1-L fermenter gave similar results to the samples purified in a shake flask. Extracellular ß-fructosidase was assumed to play a key role in the effective removal of sucrose. Both Candida orthopsilosis FLA44.2 and P. melissophilus FLA44.8 showed γ-hemolytic activity, while their culture broth had no cytotoxic effect on viability of small intestinal epithelial cells, preliminarily indicating their safety for food processing. The culture broth obtained from yeast treatment was passed through an activated charcoal column for decolorization and deodorization. After being freeze dried, the final purified FOSs appeared as a white granular powder similar to refined sugar and was odorless since the main sulfur-containing volatile compounds, including dimethyl disulfide and dipropyl trisulfide, were almost completely removed. CONCLUSION: The present purification process is considered simple and straight forward, and provides new and beneficial insight into utilization of alternative yeast species for purification of FOSs.

Comparison of plasma technology for the study of herbicide degradation.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of two different plasma systems, including pinhole plasma jet and gliding arc (GA) plasma, for the degradation of herbicide, diuron, in plasma activated solutions (PAS). In the GA plasma system, air was used to generate plasma, however, Ar, oxygen and nitrogen at different gas compositions were compared in the pinhole plasma jet system. The Taguchi design model was used to study the effects of gas compositions. Results revealed that the pinhole plasma jet system was able to degrade over 50% of the diuron in 60 minutes. The optimal plasma generation condition for the highest degradation of diuron used pure Ar gas. The highest degradation percentage of herbicide in PAS corresponded to the lowest hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, nitrite concentration and electrical conductivity (EC) of the PAS. The diuron degradation products were identified as 3,4-dichloro-benzenamine, 1-chloro-3-isocyanato-benzene and 1-chloro-4-isocyanato-benzene via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GA plasma system was not adequate for the degradation of herbicide in PAS.

Mineral elements and their relation to anthocyanin content in pigmented rice plants using definitive screening design and self-organizing maps.

BACKGROUND: Mineral elements are nutrients required by an organism to perform functions necessary for survival. Stress-induced metabolism following nutritional stress has been reported to increase levels of anthocyanin. However, the role of mineral elements commonly found in soil and their contribution to the accumulation of anthocyanin content in rice plants is uncertain. RESULT: Amongst the ten mineral elements investigated, the cultivation of rice plants in clean sand showed that the Mg-, Se-, and Cu-treated plants had the highest accumulated anthocyanin content in the leaves, whereas B, Cr, and Se had the greatest effect on grains. Yield component data showed major positive effects from Mg, Cr, and B. The interaction of Zn*Se and Mg*Cu positively affected the anthocyanin content in grains. The self-organizing map indicated that the total anthocyanin content was relatively proportional to the concentration of Mn, B, and Cr, but disproportional to that of Se. However, rice plants with added Fe produced the smallest amount of total anthocyanin content, less than the control, in the four stages of rice growth. CONCLUSION: The appropriate concentrations of mineral elements in soil could promote the proliferation of anthocyanin content in rice plants and grains. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Resistant starch from black rice, Oryza sativa L. var. ameliorates renal inflammation, fibrosis and injury in insulin resistant rats.

It has recently been reported that black rice (BR) extract has anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-osteoporosis effects. It has been shown to reduce obese-related kidney dysfunction in animal models. This study aimed to investigate the effect of resistant starch from BR (RS) on renal inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in obese insulin resistant rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal diet (ND), ND treated with 150 mg of RS (NDRS150), high-fat (HF) diet, HF treated with 100 and 150 mg of RS (HFRS100), (HFRS150), and HF treated with metformin as a positive control. Insulin resistance was shown in the HF rats by glucose intolerance, increased insulin, total area under the curve of glucose and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. The resulting metabolic disturbance in the HF rats caused renal inflammation, fibrosis and apoptosis progressing to kidney injury and dysfunction. Prebiotic RS including anthocyanin from BR at doses of 100 and 150 mg ameliorated insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and liver injury. Treatment with RS reduced TGF-ß fibrotic and apoptotic pathways by inhibition of NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines which potentially restore kidney damage and dysfunction. In conclusion, prebiotic RS from BR ameliorated obesity induced renal injury and dysfunction by attenuating inflammatory, fibrotic, and apoptotic pathways in insulin resistant rats induced by HF.

Phytochemical Profile and Chemopreventive Properties of Cooked Glutinous Purple Rice Extracts Using Cell-Based Assays and Rat Model.

Purple rice has gained attention for its health promoting potential due to a high content of bioactive phytochemicals. The heat generated during cooking alters the quality and quantity of nutrients and phytochemicals in food. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile and chemopreventive properties of cooked glutinous purple rice using cell-based assays and a rat model. Purple rice was cooked in a rice cooker and was then further extracted with solvents to obtain dichloromethane and methanol extracts. The methanol extracts of glutinous purple rice contained great amounts of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Protocatechuic acid (2.26-5.40 mg/g extract) and cyanidin 3-glucoside (34.3-65.7 mg/g extract) were the major phenolic acid and anthocyanin contents, respectively. After cooking, the content of anthocyanins, γ-oryzanols, and phytosterols decreased, while the amount of some phenolic acid and tocol contents increased. Methanol extracts of glutinous purple rice inhibited reactive oxygen species production about 60% in PMA-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, reduced nitric oxide formation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells (26-39% inhibition), and exhibited antimutagenicity against several mutagens using the Ames test, but dichloromethane extracts presented only mild anti-inflammatory activities. Although methanol extracts induced mild mutagenicity (mutagenic index 2.0-2.5), they did not induce micronucleated hepatocyte formation and certain hepatic CYP450 isozyme activities in rats. However, the mutagenicity of the methanol extract significantly declined after cooking. In summary, the methanol extract of the cooked glutinous purple rice might be a promising cancer chemopreventive fraction, which was neither genotoxic nor posing adverse effects on phytochemical-drug interaction in rats.

Influence of black rice (Oryza sativa L.) bran derived anthocyanin-extract on growth rate, immunological response, and immune-antioxidant gene expression in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivated in a biofloc system.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with anthocyanin extracted from black rice bran (AR) on the growth rate, immunological response, and expression of immune and antioxidant genes in Nile tilapia raised in an indoor biofloc system. A total of 300 Nile tilapia fingerlings (15.14 ± 0.032 g) were maintained in 150 L tanks and acclimatized for two weeks. Five experimental AR diets (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 g kg-1) with various anthocyanin doses were used to feed the fish. We observed that the growth and feed utilization of fish fed with different dietary AR levels increased significantly after eight weeks (p < 0.05). In addition, the serum immunity of fish fed AR diets was much greater than that of those fed non-AR diets (p < 0.05). However, there were little or no difference in between fish fed AR enriched diets and the control AR-free diet (p > 0.05). After eight weeks, fish fed AR-supplemented diets had significantly higher mRNA transcript levels in immune (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-8, and liposaccharide-binding protein [LBP]) and antioxidant (glutathione transferase-alpha [GST-α] and glutathione reductase [GSR]) genes compared to control fish fed the AR-free diet, with the greatest enhancement of mRNA transcript levels (in the case of IL-8 by up to about 5.8-fold) in the 4 g kg-1 AR diet. These findings suggest that dietary inclusion of AR extract from black rice bran at 4-8 g kg-1 could function as a herbal immunostimulant to enhance growth performance, feed consumption, and immunity in Nile tilapia.

Analysis of low-volatility pesticides in cabbage by high temperature comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

High-temperature comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (HTGC × GC) using a longitudinally modulated cryogenic system (LMCS) was developed for the analysis of low-volatility pesticides in cabbage. The method applied DB-17HT and DB-5HT as the first and second dimensional (1D and 2D) columns, respectively. Twelve pesticides, namely 6 organochlorines (4,4'-DDT, ß-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, endrin, heptachlor, and dicofol), 4 carbamates (metolcarb, isoprocarb, methiocarb, and carbofuran), 1 organophosphate (chlorpyrifos), and 1 pyrethroid (permethrin), were spiked into cabbage samples and prepared using QuEChERS. The applied oven temperature was up to 340 °C, enabling the elution of all the target pesticides and the matrix. The effects of initial oven temperature program, temperature ramp rate, LMCS trap temperature, and modulation period (PM) on the separation results were investigated, leading to the suitable conditions of 80 °C, 15 °C min-1, 10 °C, and 12 s, respectively. The method detection limits, signal-to-noise ratio, and recoveries of the compounds were within the ranges of 0.01-0.09 mg kg-1, 4.26-32.7, and 78-104%, respectively. Good linearity ranges within the concentration range of 0.1-1 ppm with R2 > 0.9134 were also obtained with the intra and interday precisions of the peak areas of 0.4-9.8% and 1.0-10.2%, respectively.

Determination of 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline via a Color-Change Reaction Using Chromium Hexacarbonyl.

At present, there is no colorimetric method for the quantitation of the aroma compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP). A novel colorimetric method was developed for the determination of 2AP content using chromium hexacarbonyl (Cr(CO)6) as a reagent. The reaction of synthetic 2AP with chromium hexacarbonyl reagent solution in the presence of light produced a green product with an absorption maximum (λmax) at 623 nm. GC-MS was used to confirm the color-change reaction, which showed the loss of 2AP after the addition of Cr(CO)6. This novel method enables facile and cost-effective determination of 2AP in fragrant rice. A comparative analysis of fragrant and nonfragrant rice grain extracts showed that no color-change reaction occurred with the nonfragrant rice sample. A limit of detection (LOD) of 2.00 mg L-1 was determined by method validation with an effective linear concentration ranging from 5.00 to 60.00 mg L-1 of 2AP. The results obtained using the developed colorimetric method were consistent with those obtained by automated static headspace gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (SHS-GC-NPD).

Microwave treatment of rice bran and its effect on phytochemical content and antioxidant activity.

An alternative approach for rice bran stabilization is microwave treatment. However, the effects of the microwave treatment on the contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of the rice bran have rarely been reported in detail. In this study, microwave pretreatment (130-880 W for 0.5-5.0 min) of rice bran was proposed where the antioxidant activity, total flavonoids, and total phenolic contents were determined using UV-Vis spectrometry. Tocols, γ-oryzanols, squalene, phytosterols and phenolic compounds were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed an increase in the antioxidant activity (0.5 folds), total phenolic contents (1.3 folds), total flavonoid contents (0.9 folds), total tocols (2.6 folds), total γ-oryzanols (1.6 folds), and total phytosterols (1.4 folds). Phytochemicals were enhanced, especially trans-p-coumaric acid (10.3 folds) and kaempferol (8.6 folds). The microwave treatment at 440 W for 2.5 min provided the best contents of the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. This work revealed the microwave treatment as a potential tool for stabilizing rice bran and increasing the usability of its phytochemicals, which applies to several industries concerning the use of rice bran as an ingredient.

A SNP of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) enhances an aroma (2-acetyl-1-pyrroline) in sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula).

Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) are two important species of the genus Luffa and are good sources of human nutrition and herbal medicines. As a vegetable, aromatic luffa is more preferred by consumers than nonaromatic luffa. While the aroma trait is present in the sponge gourd, the trait is not present in the ridge gourd. In this study, we identified Luffa cylindrica's betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (LcBADH) as a gene associated with aroma in the sponge gourd based on a de novo assembly of public transcriptome data. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP: A > G) was identified in exon 5 of LcBADH, causing an amino acid change from tyrosine to cysteine at position 163, which is important for the formation of the substrate binding pocket of the BADH enzyme. Based on the identified SNP, a TaqMan marker, named AroLuff, was developed and validated in 370 F2 progenies of the sponge gourd. The marker genotypes were perfectly associated with the aroma phenotypes, and the segregation ratios supported Mendelian's simple recessive inheritance. In addition, we demonstrated the use of the AroLuff marker in the introgression of LcBADH from the aromatic sponge gourd to the ridge gourd to improve aroma through interspecific hybridization. The marker proved to be useful in improving the aroma characteristics of both Luffa species.

Smartphone digital image colorimetric determination of the total monomeric anthocyanin content in black rice via the pH differential method.

In this research, the pH differential method was explored for the first time using a mobile phone as a detector, replacing UV-Vis spectrophotometry. A smartphone digital image colorimetric (SDIC) system was developed for the determination of the total monomeric anthocyanin content in black rice grains using colour values. The change in colour of anthocyanin cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) at pH 1.0 and pH 4.5 was investigated and described through colour model systems (RGB and CIELAB). Under optimum conditions, the quantitative method based on the chroma difference, was able to quantify the total amount of monomeric anthocyanins with a linear correlation (R2 = 0.989) to that of UV-Vis spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (reference method). The SDIC system displayed good precision (≤1.88% RSD) and a low detection limit (2.2 ± 0.1 µg g-1). The validated results demonstrated that the developed method was a cost-effective alternative for the quantitation of anthocyanins. In addition, the effect of six mineral elements on black rice cultivation was investigated. The results showed that the addition of the Ca fertiliser resulted in black rice grains with an anthocyanin content 2-fold higher than that of the control with a significant difference (p < 0.05).

Anthocyanin-rich fraction from black rice, Oryza sativa L. var. indica "Luem Pua," bran extract attenuates kidney injury induced by high-fat diet involving oxidative stress and apoptosis in obese rats.

Obesity is acknowledged as being a world health problem and increases the risk of several chronic diseases including chronic kidney disease. High-fat diet consumption and obesity-related renal disease show a close correlation with increased oxidative stress. Black rice bran extract, (BRE) Oryza sativa L. variety "Luem Pua" contains a high anthocyanin content. This study evaluated the effects of an anthocyanin-rich fraction from BRE on renal function and oxidative stress in obese rats. Male Wistar rats were fed a normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HF) for 16 weeks. After this, the rats were given either vehicle (HF), BRE 100 (HF100) or BRE 200 mg/kg/day (HF200) orally for 8 weeks. The HF rats had increased body weight, visceral fat weight, plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. These parameters were normalized following HF100 administration and showed a decreasing trend with HF200. Serum creatinine and renal cortical MDA were increased in the HF group but these effects were attenuated by BRE. Negative kidney injury and histopathology changes were observed following a HF, but treatment with BRE reversed these deleterious effects. These results suggest that BRE could be used as a food supplement to improve metabolic disturbance and prevent kidney dysfunction in cases of obesity.

Rice Sesquiterpene Plays Important Roles in Antixenosis against Brown Planthopper in Rice.

The rice sesquiterpene synthase II gene (OsSTPS2, LOC_Os04g27430), which is involved in the antixenosis defense mechanism of rice against brown planthopper (BPH) infestation, was identified in the BPH-resistant rice variety Rathu Heenati (RH). In contrast, the gene was not functional in the BPH-susceptible rice variety KDML105 (KD). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region and in exon 5 of the gene and a seven amino acid deletion in the deduced protein sequence are suggested as factors that negatively regulate the function of the gene. Sequence analysis of the promoter region and expression analysis of the OsSTPS2 gene in several rice genotypes revealed the correlation of SNPs of the ATHB-1, SBE1, and P-factor with the expression of the gene. Genomic and complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence analysis at exon 5 of the gene showed that the 21 bp deletion naturally occurred in several rice genotypes. The antixenosis of the BPH feeding preference (AFP) of rice varieties differed in the seven amino acid deletion lesion of the gene, suggesting that the seven amino acid deletion negatively controls the antixenosis mechanism during BPH infestation. Analysis of the plant volatile compounds released after BPH infestation suggested that E-ß-farnesene (EBF) is the major product of the OsSTPS2 gene.

GC-MS and HPLC-DAD analysis of fatty acid profile and functional phytochemicals in fifty cold-pressed plant oils in Thailand.

Cold-pressed oil is one of the healthiest plant extracts, but its use is limited only in some kinds of plants. Therefore, we aimed to investigate some potential cold-pressed oils with attractive fatty acid profiles and high amounts of functional phytochemicals. Fifty cold-pressed plant oils were prepared from various plant materials in Thailand, in which some of them were from uncommon or unattended plant materials. The oils included were nut oils (n = 9), pseudo-cereal oils (n = 9), legume oils (n = 3), amaranth oils (n = 3), marrow seed oils (n = 8), cruciferous seed oils (n = 7), and leafy green seed oils (n = 11). Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) were employed to analyze fatty acid profile and five functional phytochemicals (e.g., phytosterols, cholecalciferol, and squalene). Saturated fatty acids were detected around 7.87-36.04%, monounsaturated fatty acids 10.17-80.25%, and polyunsaturated fatty acids nondetectable (ND)-78.25%, phytosterols 663-15123 µg g-1, squalene 265-5979 µg g-1, and cholecalciferol ND-1287.75 µg g-1. The study showed chemical characteristic of the analyzed oils: some contained good fatty acid composition and some were rich in functional phytochemical content. Among the obtained oils, marrow seed oils are a good source of phytosterol, cholecalciferol, and linoleic acid. Pseudo-cereal oils are rich in squalene and linolenic acid. Legume oils are rich in phytosterols and oleic acid. Besides, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the significance of oils that share compositional similarity (e.g., the samples from pseudo-cereal oil were found on the lower side of the PCA space, which separated them from marrow and leafy green seed oils distributed on the upper part of the plot). In summary, the qualitative and quantitative data would provide a good foundation for further application or selection of those plant oils for health purposes.

Antioxidant activities and volatile compounds in longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) wine produced by incorporating longan seeds.

The seeds of dried longan, one of the major processed fruits in Thailand, contain several bioactive compounds. In this study, we developed longan wine by incorporating its seeds during juice preparation and evaluated the antioxidant activities and volatile compounds in different conditions. The results suggested that Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC-1118 was suitable for fermentation of longan juice supplemented with 50% seed and 20% initial soluble solids at an optimal temperature of 30 °C. Different yeast strains showed various extents of antioxidant activities; however, the fermentation temperature and initial soluble solids of longan juice had little effect on the inhibition of reactive species. Antioxidant activities were significantly increased with increasing seed content. Dominant volatile compounds, which were independent of the winemaking conditions, were found to be phenethyl alcohol, 2,3-butylene glycol, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, ethyl hydrogen succinate, and 4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol. These compounds highly influenced the antioxidant activities of longan wine produced by incorporating the seeds.

A rice bran phytochemical, cyanidin 3-glucoside, inhibits the progression of PC3 prostate cancer cell.

Prostate cancer is one of the high incidences and the most invasive cancer that is also highly resistant to chemotherapy. Currently, several natural products have been considering using as the supplements for anti-cancer therapy. This study aims to identify the potential active anti-cancer ingredients in the bran extracts of the native Thai rice (Luempua cultivar). Rice bran fraction enriched in anthocyanins was successively isolated and processed until the major purified compound obtained. The sub-fractions and the purified, rice bran, cyanidin 3-glucoside (RBC3G), were studied for biological effects (cell viability, migration, and invasion assays) on human prostatic cancer (PC3) cells using immunohistochemical-staining and immuno-blotting approaches. The sub-fractions and the purified RBC3G inhibited epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics of PC3 cells by blocking the expression of several cytoskeletal associate proteins in a concentration dependent manner, leading to decreasing of the cancer cell motility. RBC3G reduced the expression of Smad/Snail signaling molecules but enhanced the expression of cell surface protein, E-cadherin, leading to a delay tumor transformation. The RBC3G also inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 and nuclear factor-kappa B expression levels and the enzymes activity in PC3 cells, leading to a slow cell migration/invasion process. The results suggested that RBC3G blunt and/or delay the progressive cancer cell behaviors by inhibit EMT through Smad signaling pathway(s) mediating Snail/E-cadherin expression.

Effect of wall materials on some physicochemical properties and release characteristics of encapsulated black rice anthocyanin microcapsules.

Anthocyanin-rich extracts derived from the bran of a select Thai black rice cultivar, Leum Pua, were encapsulated by spray drying. In this microencapsulation method, twelve wall materials comprising maltodextrin (M), gum arabic (G), whey protein isolate (W), and their combinations were employed. For comparison, an ionic gelation method was employed using alginate-whey protein isolate (AL-W) as a wall material. Thirteen microcapsules were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, and their encapsulation efficiencies were almost 100%, except for that of the W (83%). M (88%) and its combination with W exhibited the best anthocyanin retention, while pure W contained the highest amount of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. An in vitro digestion study using simulated gastrointestinal fluids revealed the highest released total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the intestinal fluids when the microcapsule was spray-dried with pure W.

Cold plasma treatment to improve germination and enhance the bioactive phytochemical content of germinated brown rice.

The changes in the bioactive phytochemicals of six cultivars of Thai germinated brown rice (GBR) were monitored in parallel to those of cold plasma-treated GBR (PGBR). After treatment with the optimal plasma conditions, the germination percentage, root length, and seedling height measurements of the most sensitive rice cultivar increased by 84%, 57%, and 69%, respectively. For all of the rice cultivars, there were no significant differences in the antioxidant activities of the GBRs and PGBRs. Conversely, higher contents of γ-oryzanols were observed in the PGBR group than in the GBR group during the 2-day germination period. Certain cultivars in the PGBR group reached their maximum values for total phenolic compounds, total vitamin E, certain simple phenolics, phytosterols, triterpenoids, and anthocyanins one day earlier than the same values for GBR. In contrast, the concentrations of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in both the GBR and PGBR samples were reduced significantly with increased germination time.