Chemical Composition, Functional and Antioxidant Properties of Dietary Fibre Extracted from Lemon Peel after Enzymatic Treatment.

Lemon peel represents an interesting by-product owing to its content of dietary fibre (DF) and (poly)phenols, which is of great importance for its valorisation. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterise the DF, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity of two lemon-peel-derived ingredients using two different methods (drying with warm air and enzymatic hydrolysis with pectinesterase). The analysis included a DF assessment, followed by neutral sugars characterisation through GC-FID and uronic acids determination via colorimetry. Subsequently, TPC and antioxidant capacity using the FRAP method were quantified through spectrophotometry. The swelling capacity (SWC), water retention capacity (WRC), and fat absorption capacity (FAC) were also determined as functional properties. It was observed that pectinesterase treatment led to a reduction in soluble DF and an increase in insoluble DF. This treatment also affected the pectin structure, thereby diminishing its ability to absorb water and fat within its matrix. The TPC was also reduced, resulting in a decrease in antioxidant capacity. Conversely, employing warm air exhibited a noteworthy increase in antioxidant capacity. This underscores its crucial contribution to the valorisation of lemon peel, not only by diminishing the environmental impact but also by enabling the acquisition of fibre ingredients with a noteworthy antioxidant capacity.

Dietary fibre fractions rich in (poly)phenols from orange by-products and their metabolisation by in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation.

Orange peel is an interesting by-product because of its composition, particularly its dietary fibre and flavanones. The aim of this work was to extract different fibre fractions from orange peel to obtain potential added-value ingredients and evaluate how the presence of fibre may interfere with (poly)phenol metabolism. Using an aqueous extraction, as a green extraction method, an insoluble fibre fraction (IFF) and a water-soluble extract (WSE) were obtained. Those fractions were analysed to determine the proximate and dietary fibre composition, hydration properties, (poly)phenol composition and antioxidant capacity, comparing the results with the orange peel (OP). The IFF presented the highest content of insoluble dietary fibre and the WSE showed the highest content of (poly)phenols, these being mainly flavanones. An in vitro faecal fermentation was carried out to evaluate the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactate as prebiotic indicators; the IFF gave the highest production, derived from the greater presence of dietary fibre. Moreover, catabolites from (poly)phenol metabolism were also analysed, phenylpropanoic acids being the major ones, followed by phenylacetic acids and benzoic acids. These catabolites were found in higher quantities in WSE, because of the greater presence of (poly)phenols in its composition. IFF also showed a significant production of these catabolites, which was delayed by the greater presence of fibre. These results reveal that the new ingredients, obtained by an environmentally friendly water extraction procedure, could be used for the development of new foods with enhanced nutritional and healthy properties.

Interaction between Dietary Fibre and Bioactive Compounds in Plant By-Products: Impact on Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability.

In Europe, around 31 million tonnes of food by-products are generated during primary production and trade. The management of these by-products may cause a negative impact, both at the economic and environmental levels, for both industry and society. In this regard, taking into consideration that these by-products retain the dietary fibre compositions and the bioactive compounds of the starting materials, plant food agro-industries have an interest in taking advantage of them, from a nutritional point of view. Therefore, this review evaluates the role of dietary fibre and bioactive compounds in these by-products as well as the potential interactions of both components and their implications for health, since the bioactive compounds associated with fibre may reach the colon, where they can be metabolised into postbiotic compounds, providing important health benefits (prebiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc.). Consequently, this aspect, on which there are few studies, is very relevant and must be considered in the revaluation of by-products to obtain new ingredients for food processing with improved nutritional and technological properties.

Dietary-Fibre-Rich Fractions Isolated from Broccoli Stalks as a Potential Functional Ingredient with Phenolic Compounds and Glucosinolates.

The Brassica oleracea industry generates large amounts of by-products to which value could be added because of the characteristics of their composition. The aim was to extract different fibre fractions from broccoli stalks to obtain potential new added-value ingredients. Using an ethanol and water extraction procedure, two fibre-rich fractions (total fibre fraction, TFB, and insoluble fibre fraction, IFB) were obtained. These fractions were analysed to determine the nutritional, (poly)phenols and glucosinolates composition and physicochemical properties, comparing the results with those of freeze-dried broccoli stalks (DBS). Although TFB showed a higher content of total dietary fibre, IFB had the same content of insoluble dietary fibre as TFB (54%), better hydration properties, higher content of glucosinolates (100 mg/100 g d.w.) and (poly)phenols (74.7 mg/100 g d.w.). The prebiotic effect was evaluated in IFB and compared with DBS by in vitro fermentation with human faecal slurries. After 48 h, the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was higher with IFB than with DBS because of the greater presence of both uronic acids, the main component of pectin, and (poly)phenols. These results reveal that novel fibre-rich ingredients-with antioxidant, technological and physiological effects-could be obtained from broccoli stalks by using green extraction methods.

A Systematic Review of the Cardiometabolic Benefits of Plant Products Containing Mixed Phenolics and Polyphenols in Postmenopausal Women: Insufficient Evidence for Recommendations to This Specific Population.

Menopause is characterized by endocrine and physiological changes and is often accompanied by increased body weight and cholesterol, glucose intolerance, and/or hypertension. These alterations are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that may be moderate by dietary plant phenolic compounds. In this review, we examine the current evidence of the impact of a variety of plant products (foods, extracts, beverages) rich in a mixture of phenolics and polyphenols on: (i) glucose and insulin levels; (ii) lipid profile; (iii) blood pressure; and (iv) biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. We critically evaluate both the results of a range of intervention studies conducted in this specific subpopulation and the level of evidence supporting the benefits of consuming those products after the menopause. Overall, the current available evidence does not allow for specific dietary recommendations of these plant products rich in phenolics and polyphenols in this high-risk subpopulation. Our data show rather variable and small effects of the different products examined on the cardiometabolic biomarkers and further support the need to: (1) improve the quality of the study designs and data reporting; and (2) understand the variability in the response of the different biomarkers and establish clear differences between healthy and cardiometabolic disease levels.

Influence of Raspberry and Its Dietary Fractions on the In vitro Activity of the Colonic Microbiota from Normal and Overweight Subjects.

Raspberry is a source of dietary fibre and phenolic compounds, which are metabolised by the gut microbiota, resulting in the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and phenolic catabolites; but the formation of these compounds depends on the microbiota composition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the raspberry and its fractions (phenolic extract, total and insoluble dietary fibre) affect the microbial activity depending on the body weight condition. For this, in vitro fermentations of raspberry fractions were carried out using faeces from normal-weight (NW) and overweight volunteers (OW) during 48 h, and phenolic catabolites and SCFAs were analysed at 0, 6, 24 and 48 h. The whole raspberry and the phenolic extract produced greater quantities of urolithins and total SCFAs when compared with fibre fractions, reaching the highest amount between 24 and 48 h. The body weight condition was an important factor, since faeces from NW led to greater production of urolithins from non-extractable phenolic compounds bound to fibre fractions, whereas in OW the urolithins production was higher from the fractions with more extractable polyphenols. In summary, the whole raspberry has been shown to have a prebiotic effect, mainly due to its phenolic compounds content rather than its fibre content.

Influencia de los carotenoides sobre los marcadores de riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas / Influence of dietary carotenoids on biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk in peri- and post-menopausal women

Introducción: durante la menopausia hay una mayor tendencia a la obesidad y el depósito de grasa visceral, aumentando el riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivos: evaluar mediante un estudio de intervención el efecto del consumo de carotenoides sobre los biomarcadores relacionados con el riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas. Métodos: se seleccionaron 12 mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas, sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular pero con algún factor de riesgo cardiometabólico. Durante 4 semanas se suplementó su dieta con zumo de naranja-zanahoria, zumo de tomate y espinacas cocidas, proporcionando una ingesta de 415 mg de carotenoides totales a la semana (carotenos, criptoxantina, licopeno y luteína + zeaxantina). En el momento inicial (TI) y en el final (TF) se midieron los parámetros antropométricos y se analizaron los parámetros bioquímicos, los carotenoides plasmáticos y los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo, de inflamación y de función endotelial. Resultados: en el TF se observaron cambios significativos, disminuyendo el colesterol unido a LDL y el índice aterogénico, y aumentando el colesterol-HDL. Los carotenoides plasmáticos se incrementaron significativamente (p < 0,05) de 0,56 µg/ml en el TI hasta 1,22 µg/ml en el TF. Paralelamente se observaron cambios significativos (p < 0,05) en los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo e inflamación, disminuyendo la proteína C-reactiva y el malonaldehído, y aumentando la adiponectina. Por el contrario, los biomarcadores de daño endotelial (sVCAM y sICAM) y la capacidad antioxidante (ORAC) no mostraron cambios tras la intervención. Conclusiones: el consumo de carotenoides aumenta los niveles plasmáticos de carotenoides y disminuye la dislipemia aterogénica, y mejora los biomarcadores de inflamación y el estrés oxidativo, lo que está relacionado con una disminución del riesgo cardiometabólico. (AU)

Background: peri- and post-menopausal women exhibit a high tendency towards obesity and visceral fat deposition, which increases cardiometabolic risk. Objective: to evaluate through a prospective nutritional study the effect of carotenoid consumption on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in peri- and post-menopausal women. Material and methods: twelve peri- and post-menopausal women without previous symptoms of cardiovascular disease, but with some cardiometabolic risk factor, were recruited. Their diet was supplemented during 4 weeks with orange-carrot juice, tomato juice, and boiled spinach, providing 415 mg of total carotenoids/week (carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin). At the beginning (TI) and at the end (TF) of the intervention period blood samples were drawn to measure biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function biomarkers, and plasma carotenoid levels. Results: at TF a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol were observed. Plasma carotenoids increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.56 µg/mL at TI to 1.22 µg/mL at TF. Concurrently, a shift in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers was detected, with a decrease in plasma C-reactive protein and malonaldehyde levels, and an increase in adiponectin. However, endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (sVCAM and sICAM) and total antioxidant capacity remained unchanged. Conclusions: dietary supplementation with carotenoids leads to an increase in plasma carotenoids, a decrease in atherogenic dyslipidemia, and an improvement in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, which indicates a reduction in cardiometabolic risk. (AU)

[Influence of dietary carotenoids on biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk in peri- and post-menopausal women]. / Influencia de los carotenoides sobre los marcadores de riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas.

INTRODUCTION: Background: peri- and post-menopausal women exhibit a high tendency towards obesity and visceral fat deposition, which increases cardiometabolic risk. Objective: to evaluate through a prospective nutritional study the effect of carotenoid consumption on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in peri- and post-menopausal women. Material and methods: twelve peri- and post-menopausal women without previous symptoms of cardiovascular disease, but with some cardiometabolic risk factor, were recruited. Their diet was supplemented during 4 weeks with orange-carrot juice, tomato juice, and boiled spinach, providing 415 mg of total carotenoids/week (carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin). At the beginning (TI) and at the end (TF) of the intervention period blood samples were drawn to measure biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function biomarkers, and plasma carotenoid levels. Results: at TF a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol were observed. Plasma carotenoids increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.56 µg/mL at TI to 1.22 µg/mL at TF. Concurrently, a shift in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers was detected, with a decrease in plasma C-reactive protein and malonaldehyde levels, and an increase in adiponectin. However, endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (sVCAM and sICAM) and total antioxidant capacity remained unchanged. Conclusions: dietary supplementation with carotenoids leads to an increase in plasma carotenoids, a decrease in atherogenic dyslipidemia, and an improvement in oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, which indicates a reduction in cardiometabolic risk.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: durante la menopausia hay una mayor tendencia a la obesidad y el depósito de grasa visceral, aumentando el riesgo cardiometabólico. Objetivos: evaluar mediante un estudio de intervención el efecto del consumo de carotenoides sobre los biomarcadores relacionados con el riesgo cardiometabólico en mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas. Métodos: se seleccionaron 12 mujeres peri y posmenopáusicas, sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular pero con algún factor de riesgo cardiometabólico. Durante 4 semanas se suplementó su dieta con zumo de naranja-zanahoria, zumo de tomate y espinacas cocidas, proporcionando una ingesta de 415 mg de carotenoides totales a la semana (carotenos, criptoxantina, licopeno y luteína + zeaxantina). En el momento inicial (TI) y en el final (TF) se midieron los parámetros antropométricos y se analizaron los parámetros bioquímicos, los carotenoides plasmáticos y los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo, de inflamación y de función endotelial. Resultados: en el TF se observaron cambios significativos, disminuyendo el colesterol unido a LDL y el índice aterogénico, y aumentando el colesterol-HDL. Los carotenoides plasmáticos se incrementaron significativamente (p < 0,05) de 0,56 µg/ml en el TI hasta 1,22 µg/ml en el TF. Paralelamente se observaron cambios significativos (p < 0,05) en los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo e inflamación, disminuyendo la proteína C-reactiva y el malonaldehído, y aumentando la adiponectina. Por el contrario, los biomarcadores de daño endotelial (sVCAM y sICAM) y la capacidad antioxidante (ORAC) no mostraron cambios tras la intervención. Conclusiones: el consumo de carotenoides aumenta los niveles plasmáticos de carotenoides y disminuye la dislipemia aterogénica, y mejora los biomarcadores de inflamación y el estrés oxidativo, lo que está relacionado con una disminución del riesgo cardiometabólico.

Timing of chocolate intake affects hunger, substrate oxidation, and microbiota: A randomized controlled trial.

Eating chocolate in the morning or in the evening/at night, may differentially affect energy balance and impact body weight due to changes in energy intake, substrate oxidation, microbiota (composition/function), and circadian-related variables. In a randomized controlled trial, postmenopausal females (n = 19) had 100 g of chocolate in the morning (MC), in the evening/at night (EC), or no chocolate (N) for 2 weeks and ate any other food ad libitum. Our results show that 14 days of chocolate intake did not increase body weight. Chocolate consumption decreased hunger and desire for sweets (P < .005), and reduced ad libitum energy intake by ~300 kcal/day during MC and ~150 kcal/day during EC (P = .01), but did not fully compensate for the extra energy contribution of chocolate (542 kcal/day). EC increased physical activity by +6.9%, heat dissipation after meals +1.3%, and carbohydrate oxidation by +35.3% (P < .05). MC reduced fasting glucose (4.4%) and waist circumference (-1.7%) and increased lipid oxidation (+25.6%). Principal component analyses showed that both timings of chocolate intake resulted in differential microbiota profiles and function (P < .05). Heat map of wrist temperature and sleep records showed that EC induced more regular timing of sleep episodes with lower variability of sleep onset among days than MC (60 min vs 78 min; P = .028). In conclusion, having chocolate in the morning or in the evening/night results in differential effects on hunger and appetite, substrate oxidation, fasting glucose, microbiota (composition and function), and sleep and temperature rhythms. Results highlight that the "when" we eat is a relevant factor to consider in energy balance and metabolism.

Post-Harvest Use of Ultraviolet Light (UV) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) to Enhance Bioactive Compounds in Refrigerated Tomatoes.

Different strategies have been developed to increase the concentration of bioactive compounds in tomatoes during post-harvest, with ultraviolet light (UV) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) being interesting tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UVA at 366 nm and UVC at 254 nm) pre-treatment (1 kJ/m2) and red-blue LED light (25.4 µmol/m2/s) on the concentration of carotenoids, (poly)phenols and hydrophilic/lipophilic antioxidant capacity during 7 days of refrigeration storage of green tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar "Raf". In addition, special attention was paid to quality parameters (weight loss, colour, acidity, soluble solids and ripening index). Tomatoes exposed to LED light at 6 °C for 7 days increased up to three times the total carotenoids content (mainly ß-carotene and E-lycopene) compared to tomatoes refrigerated in the dark, while UV treatments alone did not significantly affect the carotenoid content. Besides, exposure to LEDs increased the hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacity of tomatoes by 30%, without affecting phenolic contents. Thus, LED treatments alone during refrigerated storage fostered ripening and improved the nutritional value of tomatoes, without compromising quality parameters. Further studies must be carried out to evaluate the impact on sensory attributes and consumer acceptance.

In vitro catabolism of 3',4'-dihydroxycinnamic acid by human colonic microbiota.

3',4'-Dihydroxycinnamic acid (aka caffeic acid) is a common dietary component found in a variety of plant-derived food products either in a free form or esterified as in chlorogenic acids such as 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid. The dihydroxycinnamate is produced principally by hydrolysis in the colon of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and other caffeoylquinic acid esters, and is catabolised by the resident microbiota prior to absorption. In the present study 3',4'-dihydroxycinnamic acid was incubated in vitro, with or without glucose, under anaerobic conditions with faecal slurries obtained from five volunteers. The main resultant catabolites to accumulate were 3-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid (aka dihydrocaffeic acid), 3-(3'-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid and phenylacetic acid. Both the rate of degradation of the hydroxycinnamate substrate and the catabolite profile varied between the faecal samples from the individual volunteers. Overall there was no clear cut effect when glucose was added to incubation medium.

Seasonal Variation of Health-Promoting Bioactives in Broccoli and Methyl-Jasmonate Pre-Harvest Treatments to Enhance Their Contents.

Broccoli is a source of bioactive compounds that provide an important nutritional value. The content of these compounds can vary depending on agronomic and environmental conditions, as well as on elicitation. In this study, three crop trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of the cultivation season, the application of different dosages of methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) on the overall quality and on the total content of bioactive compounds of 'Parthenon' broccoli cultivated under the field conditions of southeastern Spain. Color parameters, chlorophyll content, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were measured to evaluate the overall quality. Moreover, individual carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector coupled to mass spectrometer using electro spray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn). The content of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates were higher in autumn compared with spring, showing increases of 2.8-fold, 2-fold and 1.2-fold, respectively. Moreover, a double application of MeJA increased the contents of total carotenoids, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates by 22%, 32% and 39%, respectively, relative to the untreated samples. Considering our results, the controlled and timely application of 250 µM MeJA to the aerial parts of the plants four days before harvest, on two consecutive days, seems to be a valid agronomic strategy to improve the health-promoting capacity of Parthenon broccoli, without compromising its overall quality.

Improvement of the Flavanol Profile and the Antioxidant Capacity of Chocolate Using a Phenolic Rich Cocoa Powder.

Chocolate is made from cocoa, which is rich in (poly)phenols that have a high antioxidant capacity and are associated with the prevention of chronic diseases. In this study, a new production process was evaluated in order to obtain a dark chocolate enriched in (poly)phenols using a cocoa powder with an improved flavanol profile. The antioxidant capacity (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay) and the flavanol profile (HPLC-DAD and HPLC-FL) was determined. The analysis of the enriched chocolate showed that the total flavan-3-ols (monomers) content was 4 mg/g representing a 3-fold higher than that quantified in the conventional one. Total levels of dimers (procyanidin B1 and B2) were 2.4-fold higher in the enriched chocolate than in the conventional, with a total content of 6 mg/g. The total flavanol content (flavan-3-ols and procyanidins) in the enriched chocolate was increased by 39% compared to the conventional one which led to a 56% increase in the antioxidant capacity. The new flavanol-enriched dark chocolate is expected to provide greater beneficial effect to consumers. Moreover, the amount of flavonols provided by a single dose (ca. 200 mg per 10 g) would allow the use of a health claim on cardiovascular function, a fact of interest for the cocoa industry.

Ameliorative Effect of Spinach on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced in Rats by a High-Fat Diet.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of dietary carotenoids from spinach on the inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers, liver lipid profile, and liver transcriptomic and metabolomics profiles in Sprague-Dawley rats with steatosis induced by a high-fat diet. Two concentrations of spinach powder (2.5 and 5%) were used in two types of diet: high-fat (H) and standard (N). Although rats fed diet H showed an accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, they did not show differences in the values of adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and oxygen radical absorption (ORAC) in plasma or of isoprostanes in urine compared with animals fed diet N. The consumption of spinach and the accumulation of α and ß carotenes and lutein in the liver was inversely correlated with serum total cholesterol and glucose and the content of hepatic cholesterol, increasing monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and reducing cholesterol in the livers of rats fed diet H and spinach. In addition, changes in the expression of genes related to the fatty liver condition occurred, and the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and cholesterol increased, mainly through the overexpression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs). Related to liver metabolites, animals fed with diet H showed hypoaminoacidemia, mainly for the glucogenic aminoacids. Although no changes were observed in inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers, the consumption of spinach modulated the lipid metabolism in liver, which must be taken into consideration during the dietary treatment of steatosis.

Tomato Juice Supplementation Influences the Gene Expression Related to Steatosis in Rats.

The objective of this work was to identify the effect of tomato juice on the expression of genes and levels of metabolites related to steatosis in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (8 weeks-old) were grouped (6 rats/group) in four experimental groups: NA (normal diet and water), NL (normal diet and tomato juice), HA (high-fat diet and water), and HL (high-fat diet and tomato juice). After an intervention period of 5 weeks, rats were sacrificed and biochemical parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress, liver metabolites, and gene expression were determined. Although the H diet provoked dislipemia related to steatosis, no changes in isoprostanes or liver malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed. Changes in the gene expression of the HA group were produced by the high consumption of fat, whereas the consumption of tomato juice had different effects, depending on the diet. In the NL group, the genes involved in ß-oxidation were upregulated, and in groups NL and HL upregulation of CD36 and downregulation of APOB and LPL were observed. In addition, in the HL group the accumulation of lycopene upregulated the genes FXR and HNF4A, which have been suggested as preventive factors in relation to steatosis. Regarding the metabolomics study, intake of tomato juice stimulated the biosynthesis of glutathione and amino acids of the transulfurization pathway, increasing the levels of metabolites related to the antioxidant response.

Chemical composition of the edible flowers, pansy (Viola wittrockiana) and snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) as new sources of bioactive compounds.

The nutritional composition - including total and individual phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and the antioxidant capacity - of two commercially available edible flowers, pansy and snapdragon, was studied. The edible flowers did not differ in their carbohydrates, fat, or ash contents, or in total energy, but pansy had higher values of moisture, protein, and total dietary fiber than snapdragon. Phenolic compounds were more abundant in pansy than in snapdragon, and flavonoids were the major compounds, followed by anthocyanins. The phenolic profile of pansy included flavonols, such as quercetin and isorhamnetin glycosides, flavones, such as apigenin glycosides, and anthocyanins, such as cyanidin and delphinidin glycosides; in snapdragon it included flavonol glycosides (e.g. quercetin and kaempferol glycosides) and anthocyanins, such as cyanidin and pelargonidin glycosides. The contents of total carotenoids were 146 and 29 µg/mg for pansy and snapdragon, respectively, and lutein was the dominant compound.

Effect of tomato juice consumption on the plasmatic lipid profile, hepatic HMGCR activity, and fecal short chain fatty acid content of rats.

The aims of the present study were to ascertain, indirectly, the prebiotic role of tomato juice, by analyzing its effect on the content of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in feces of rats, and to determine the plausible mechanisms related to the hypocholesterolemic effects of tomato juice and lycopene, evaluating the activity of hepatic HMGCR and the formation of propionic acid. Two commercially available tomato juices with differing contents of lycopene (low and high lycopene contents: Llyc and Hlyc tomato juices) were used. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 8): control group, normal diet and water; group 1, normal diet and Llyc tomato juice; and group 2, normal diet and Hlyc tomato juice, which were fed ad libitum for three weeks. Feces were collected at the beginning and the end of the study to determine SCFA, and blood and liver were obtained (after sacrificing the animals) to analyze the lipid plasmatic parameters and the HMGCR activity and total cholesterol, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the plasmatic parameters, except that HDL-cholesterol increased significantly after consumption of both tomato juices. Lycopene was accumulated in the liver in proportion to the amount ingested, and was observed to have an inhibitory effect on the HMGCR enzyme, according to the amount of lycopene in the liver. In relation to the SCFA in feces, no differences were observed in acetate and propionate after the consumption of tomato juice, but a significant increase in butyrate was observed in group 2 after the intake of Hlyc tomato juice. The content of this carboxylic acid together with excreted lycopene in feces could have a beneficial effect on colonic cells.

Tomato Juice Consumption Modifies the Urinary Peptide Profile in Sprague-Dawley Rats with Induced Hepatic Steatosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder in Western countries, with a high prevalence, and has been shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), etc. Tomato products contain several natural antioxidants, including lycopene-which has displayed a preventive effect on the development of steatosis and CVD. Accordingly, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of tomato juice consumption on the urinary peptide profile in rats with NAFLD induced by an atherogenic diet and to identify potential peptide biomarkers for diagnosis. Urine samples, collected weekly for four weeks, were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). A partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was carried out to explore the association between differential peptides and treatments. Among the 888 peptides initially identified, a total of 55 were obtained as potential biomarkers. Rats with steatosis after tomato juice intake showed a profile intermediate between that of healthy rats and that of rats with induced hepatic steatosis. Accordingly, tomato products could be considered as a dietary strategy for the impairment of NAFLD, although further research should be carried out to develop a specific biomarkers panel for NAFLD.

The effect of tomato juice supplementation on biomarkers and gene expression related to lipid metabolism in rats with induced hepatic steatosis.

PURPOSE: Tomato products are a dietary source of natural antioxidants, especially lycopene, which accumulates in the liver, where it exerts biological effects. Taking into consideration this fact, the aim of the present study was to ascertain the effect of tomato consumption on biomarkers and gene expression related to lipid metabolism in rats with induced steatosis. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomly grouped (n = 6 rats/group) in four experimental groups: NA (normal diet and water), NL (normal diet and tomato juice), HA (high fat diet and water) and HL (high fat diet and tomato juice). After 7 weeks, rats were euthanized, and plasma, urine, feces and liver were sampled to analyze the biomarkers related to lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. RESULTS: The H diet induced steatosis (grade II) in the HA and HL groups, which was confirmed by the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, histological examination and the presence of dyslipidemia. The intake of tomato juice led to an accumulation of all-E and Z-lycopene and its metabolites in the livers of these animals; levels were higher in HL than in NL, apparently due to higher absorption (63.07 vs. 44.45%). A significant improvement in the plasma level of high-density lipoprotein was observed in the HL group compared with HA animals, as was an alleviation of oxidative stress through reduction of isoprostanes in the urine. In relation to fatty acid gene expression, an overexpression of several genes related to fatty acid transport, lipid hydrolysis and mitochondrial and peroxisomal ß-fatty acid oxidation was observed in the HL group. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of tomato juice and tomato products reduced hallmarks of steatosis, plasmatic triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins, and increased lipid metabolism by inducing an overexpression of genes involved in more efficient fatty acid oxidation.

Tracking (Poly)phenol components from raspberries in ileal fluid.

The (poly)phenols in ileal fluid after ingestion of raspberries were analyzed by targeted and nontargeted LC-MS(n) approaches. Targeted approaches identified major anthocyanin and ellagitannin components at varying recoveries and with considerable interindividual variation. Nontargeted LC-MS(n) analysis using an orbitrap mass spectrometer gave exact mass MS data which were sifted using a software program to select peaks that changed significantly after supplementation. This method confirmed the recovery of the targeted components but also identified novel raspberry-specific metabolites. Some components (including ellagitannin and previously unidentified proanthocyanidin derivatives) may have arisen from raspberry seeds that survived intact in ileal samples. Other components include potential breakdown products of anthocyanins, unidentified components, and phenolic metabolites formed either in the gut epithelia or after absorption into the circulatory system and efflux back into the gut lumen. The possible physiological roles of the ileal metabolites in the large bowel are discussed.