Exploring the potential of red pitaya pulp (Hylocererus sp.) as a plant-based matrix for probiotic delivery and effects on betacyanin content and flavoromics.

This study evaluated the potential of red pitaya pulp fermented with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F-19 (F-19) as a base for probiotic products. Physicochemical parameters, sugar, betacyanin, and phenolic contents, and antioxidant activity were analyzed over 28 days at 4 °C and compared to a non-fermented pulp, and to a pulp fermented with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12). Volatile compounds were identified using HS-SPME/GC-MS. Probiotic viability during storage and survival through in vitro-simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) stress were assessed. Red pitaya pulp, rich in moisture (85.83 g/100 g), carbohydrates (11.65 g/100 g), and fibers (2.49 g/100 g), supported fermentation by both strains. F-19 and BB-12 lowered pH, with F-19 showing stronger acidification, and maintained high viability (8.85-8.90 log CFU/mL). Fermentation altered sugar profiles and produced unique volatile compounds, enhancing aroma and sensory attributes. F-19 generated 2-phenylethanol, a unique flavor compound, absent in BB-12. Phenolic content initially increased but antioxidant activity decreased during storage. Betacyanin remained stable for up to 14 days. Red pitaya improved F-19 viability through the simulated GIT, while BB-12 populations significantly decreased (p < 0.05). These results suggest red pitaya pulp is a promising plant-based matrix for F-19, offering protection during digestion and highlighting its potential as a functional food with enhanced bioactive compound bioavailability and sensory attributes.

Flower color modification in Torenia fournieri by genetic engineering of betacyanin pigments.

BACKGROUND: Betalains are reddish and yellow pigments that accumulate in a few plant species of the order Caryophyllales. These pigments have antioxidant and medicinal properties and can be used as functional foods. They also enhance resistance to stress or disease in crops. Several plant species belonging to other orders have been genetically engineered to express betalain pigments. Betalains can also be used for flower color modification in ornamental plants, as they confer vivid colors, like red and yellow. To date, betalain engineering to modify the color of Torenia fournieri-or wishbone flower-a popular ornamental plant, has not been attempted. RESULTS: We report the production of purple-reddish-flowered torenia plants from the purple torenia cultivar "Crown Violet."  Three betalain-biosynthetic genes encoding CYP76AD1, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) 4,5-dioxygenase (DOD), and cyclo-DOPA 5-O-glucosyltransferase (5GT) were constitutively ectopically expressed under the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter, and their expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. The color traits, measured by spectrophotometric colorimeter and spectral absorbance of fresh petal extracts, revealed a successful flower color modification from purple to reddish. Red pigmentation was also observed in whole plants. LC-DAD-MS and HPLC analyses confirmed that the additional accumulated pigments were betacyanins-mainly betanin (betanidin 5-O-glucoside) and, to a lesser extent, isobetanin (isobetanidin 5-O-glucoside). The five endogenous anthocyanins in torenia flower petals were also detected. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the possibility of foreign betacyanin accumulation in addition to native pigments in torenia, a popular garden bedding plant. To our knowledge, this is the first report presenting engineered expression of betalain pigments in the family Linderniaceae. Genetic engineering of betalains would be valuable in increasing the flower color variation in future breeding programs for torenia.

Enhancing betacyanin stability: Comparison of dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) pulp and peel powders through encapsulation technology during storage.

Betacyanin can be found in the peel or pulp of dragon fruit. As a natural pigment, betacyanin is unstable, so it requires encapsulation technology to maintain its quality. The stability of encapsulated betacyanin from dragon fruit peel compared to dragon fruit pulp has yet to be discovered. This study aims to compare the stability of encapsulated betacyanin (with maltodextrin and gum Arabic) from dragon fruit peel and pulp dried with vacuum drying. Dragon fruit peel extraction utilized a 50% aqueous ethanol solvent, while pulp juice extraction was performed. The ratio of dragon fruit extract to coating materials was set at 1:3 (solid/solid). Research shows that dragon fruit juice powder had higher stability and phytochemical concentrations than the ethanol extract of dragon fruit peel powder during 30 days of storage. Despite similar color stability (similar range value of ΔE), the color from dragon fruit juice powder more closely resembled the natural fruit, albeit with weaker antioxidant activity than the peel powder. Betacyanin concentration in juice powder was notably higher (82.56-156.82 µg/g) than in the ethanol extract of dragon fruit peel powder (52.51-75.12 µg/g). A combination of maltodextrin and Arabic gum (1:1) as coating materials demonstrated the highest concentrations of total phenolic and total betacyanin (81.15-95.87 mg/g and 121.91-156.82 µg/g, respectively) during the storage period. These findings contribute to our comprehension of betacyanin stability and functionality, facilitating precise applications in industrial processing environments based on their source attributes.

Effect of kaolin impregnated with calico plant extract on properties of starch films.

Starch film has poor tensile properties and poor water resistance. We aimed to improve these properties by adding kaolin impregnated with calico plant extract (CP-Kaolin). UV-Vis spectrophotometry showed that the calico plant extract (CPE) contained 4867.52 mg/L of total phenolic compounds and betacyanins were the predominant constituents. CP-Kaolin was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. FTIR analysis showed that betacyanins were adsorbed on kaolin via hydrogen bonding. Zeta potential analysis confirmed the adsorption of betacyanins on kaolin. The intercalation of betacyanins between kaolin platelets was observed by XRD. SEM revealed that CP-Kaolin was well dispersed and embedded within the starch matrix. It was found that the addition of 10 wt% of CP-Kaolin increased the water resistance, tensile strength and thermal stability of starch film. Moreover, starch film containing 10 wt% of CP-Kaolin was sensitive to the change in pH of the fish during storage. Therefore, the addition of CP-Kaolin improved the properties of starch film and starch film composite with CP-Kaolin could be applied as a smart packaging in the food industry.

Dispersed white roots in red beetroot influence the accuracy of root identification based on colours for intercropping studies.

PURPOSE: Beetroot is a model crop for studying root competition in intercropping systems because its red-coloured roots facilitate non-destructive visual discrimination with other root systems of intercropped plants. However, beetroot also has white roots, which could alter how root competition is interpreted. Here we investigated the quantity of white versus red roots in beetroot to quantify the effect of this phenomenon. METHODS: Beetroot was mono-cropped or inter-cropped with white cabbage in a field trial. The distribution of beetroot roots was recorded to 2.5 m soil depth on three dates following the minirhizotron method. Roots in each 0.5 m soil layer were counted and categorised into groups based on colour (white roots, coloured roots, and white roots traced back to be coloured) to investigate the influence of white roots on accuracy of root registration. A pot experiment was conducted with three cultivars to verify if white roots are a general characteristic of beetroot. RESULTS: White roots in mono-cropped beetroot represented 2.5-4.8% of total roots, on average, across the rooted soil profile. However, white roots represented 6.9% and 11.6% of total roots in the deepest soil layer during August and October, respectively. White roots caused mono-cropped beetroot roots to be underestimated by 1-22% based on root colour discrimination. However, tracing white roots backwards and forwards to coloured parts of roots reduced underestimates to 0.5-15%. Intercropping did not influence the traceability of white roots compared to monocropping. The highest occurrence of white roots appeared during the early growth period and in the deepest soil layers, indicating a linkage to younger roots or higher root proliferation rates. CONCLUSION: Beetroot represents a model crop for visual studies linking eco-physiology and root proliferation. The white roots of beetroot must be incorporated by studies of root competition in intercropping systems that use colour as a criterion.

Integrated metabolome, full-length sequencing, and transcriptome analyses unveil the molecular mechanisms of color formation of the canary yellow and red bracts of Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Chitra'.

Bougainvillea is a typical tropical flower of great ornamental value due to its colorful bracts. The molecular mechanism behind color formation is not well-understood. Therefore, this research conducted metabolome analysis, transcriptome analysis, and multi-flux full-length sequencing in two color bracts of Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Chitra' to investigate the significantly different metabolites (SDMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Overall, 261 SDMs, including 62 flavonoids and 26 alkaloids, were detected, and flavonols and betalains were significantly differentially accumulated among the two bracts. Furthermore, the complete-length transcriptome of Bougainvillea × buttiana was also developed, which contained 512 493 non-redundant isoforms. Among them, 341 210 (66.58%) displayed multiple annotations in the KOG, GO, NR, KEGG, Pfam, Swissprot, and NT databases. RNA-seq findings revealed that 3610 DEGs were identified between two bracts. Co-expression analysis demonstrated that the DEGs and SDMs involved in flavonol metabolism (such as CHS, CHI, F3H, FLS, CYP75B1, kaempferol, and quercetin) and betacyanin metabolism (DODA, betanidin, and betacyanins) were the main contributors for the canary yellow and red bract formation, respectively. Further investigation revealed that several putative transcription factors (TFs) might interact with the promoters of the genes mentioned above. The expression profiles of the putative TFs displayed that they may positively and negatively regulate the structural genes' expression profiles. The data revealed a potential regulatory network between important genes, putative TFs, and metabolites in the flavonol and betacyanin biosynthesis of Bougainvillea × buttiana 'Chitra' bracts. These findings will serve as a rich genetic resource for future studies that could create new color bracts.

Betanin mitigates scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment by restoring cholinergic function, boosting brain antioxidative status, and increasing BDNF level in the zebrafish model.

Betalains obtained from Beta vulgaris (family Caryophyllales) are regularly consumed as part of the regular diet with medicinal benefits due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this article was to evaluate betanin's neuroprotective properties in a scopolamine-induced zebrafish paradigm. Betanin (BET) (50, 100, and 200 mg/L), and donepezil (10 mg/L) were delivered to zebrafish in a treatment tank once a day for 8 days, while memory impairment was produced by scopolamine (100 µM), which was given 60 min before behavioral assessments. The treatment dosages were determined based on acute toxicity studies. The existence of betacyanin and betaxanthins of BET was tested using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The Y-maze task was used to examine the novelty and spatial memory, while the novel tank diving test was used to assess anxiety-like behavior (NTT). The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the oxidative stress sensitivity in zebrafish brains were examined. Also, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level is quantified by an ELISA kit. Scopolamine-induced rises in AChE activity, memory loss, anxiety, and brain oxidant capacity were all reduced by BET. These results suggest that BET (50 and 100 mg/L) has a therapeutic ability to treat brain oxidative stress and cognitive deficits in amnesic zebrafish.

Metabolic engineering of betacyanin in vegetables for anti-inflammatory therapy.

Betalains, which consist of the subgroups betaxanthins and betacyanins, are hydrophilic pigments that have classically been used for food colorants. Owing to their strong antioxidant property, their usefulness for application for therapeutic use is also expected. In addition, as betalains are mainly naturally available from plants of the order Caryophyllales, including beet (Beta vulgaris), metabolic engineering for betalain production in crops such as vegetables, fruits and cereals may provide new food resources useful for healthcare. Here we conducted metabolic engineering of betacyanins in tomato fruits and potato tubers. The transgenic tomato fruits and potato tubers with coexpression of betacyanin biosynthesis genes, CYP76AD1 from B. vulgaris, DOD (DOPA 4,5-dioxygenase) and 5GT (cyclo-DOPA 5-O-glucosyltransferase) from Mirabilis jalapa, under control of suitable specific promoters, possessed dark red tissues with enriched accumulation of betacyanins (betanin and isobetanin). The anti-inflammatory activity of transgenic tomato fruit extract was superior to that of wild-type fruit extract on macrophage RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a result of decreased LPS-stimulated transcript levels of proinflammatory genes. These findings were in accord with the observation that administration of the transgenic tomato fruits ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis as well as body weight loss and disease activity index in mice, via suppression of DSS-stimulated transcript levels of pro-inflammatory genes, including Tnf (encoding TNF-alpha), Il6, and Ptgs2 (encoding cyclooxygenae 2). Intriguingly, given the fact that the transgenic potato tuber extract failed to enrich the anti-inflammatory activity of macrophage cells, it is likely that metabolic engineering of betacyanins will be a powerful way of increasing the anti-inflammatory property of ordinary foods such as tomato.

Development of multifunctional packaging films based on arginine-modified chitosan/gelatin matrix and betacyanins from weed amaranth (A. hybridus).

Active and intelligent films with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and pH-responsive properties were developed by incorporating betacyanins-rich weed amaranth (A. hybridus) extract (AE) into chitosan/gelatin (Cs/Gn) and arginine-modified chitosan/gelatin (MCs/Gn) blend films. The microstructures, physical and functional properties of Cs/Gn, MCs/Gn, Cs/Gn-AE, and MCs/Gn-AE films were compared. Results showed the addition of AE into MCs/Gn film produced a compact inner microstructure through H-bonding and electrostatic interactions. Meanwhile, AE remarkably changed the colors of the film under alkaline pH mediums. However, AE significantly reduced the water vapor permeability of the films. By comparing different films, MCs/Gn-AE film presented the best UV-vis light and barrier ability as well as the highest mechanical strength. Moreover, MCs/Gn and MCs/Gn-AE films showed stronger microbial growth inhibition than Cs/Gn and Cs/Gn-AE films. Cs/Gn-AE and MCs/Gn-AE films possessed more potent free radical scavenging activity than Cs/Gn and MCs/Gn. Notably, MCs/Gn-AE film is suitable to monitor fish freshness and could be used as novel multifunctional packaging in the seafood industry.

Antimicrobial betalains.

Betalains are nitrogen-containing plant pigments that can be red-violet (betacyanins) or yellow-orange (betaxanthins), currently employed as natural colourants in the food and cosmetic sectors. Betalains exhibit antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microbes including multidrug-resistant bacteria, as well as single-species and dual-species biofilm-producing bacteria, which is highly significant given the current antimicrobial resistance issue reported by The World Health Organization. Research demonstrating antiviral activity against dengue virus, in silico studies including SARS-CoV-2, and anti-fungal effects of betalains highlight the diversity of their antimicrobial properties. Though limited in vivo studies have been conducted, antimalarial and anti-infective activities of betacyanin have been observed in living infection models. Cellular mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of betalains are yet unknown; however existing research has laid the framework for a potentially novel antimicrobial agent. This review covers an overview of betalains as antimicrobial agents and discussions to fully exploit their potential as therapeutic agents to treat infectious diseases.

Storage Stability and In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Liposomal Betacyanins from Red Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus).

In order to address the poor stability of the betacyanins from red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus, HP), which are considered as good sources of natural colorant, liposomal-encapsulation technique was applied in this study. Thin-layer dispersion method was employed to prepare HP betacyacnin liposomes (HPBL). The formulation parameters for HPBL were optimized, and the characteristics, stability, and release profile of HPBL in in vitro gastrointestinal systems were evaluated.Results showed that an HP betacyanin encapsulation efficiency of 93.43 ± 0.11% was obtained after formulation optimization. The HPBL exhibited a narrow size distribution of particle within a nanometer range and a strong electronegative ζ-potential. By liposomal encapsulation, storage stability of HP betacyanin was significantly enhanced in different storage temperatures. When the environmental pH ranged from 4.3-7.0, around 80% of HP betacyanins were preserved on Day 21 with the liposomal protection. The loss of 2,2'-Diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and color deterioration of HPBL were developed in accordance with the degradation of HP betacyanins during storage. In in vitro gastrointestinal digestion study, with the protection of liposome, the retention rates of HP betacyanins in vitro were enhanced by 14% and 40% for gastric and intestinal digestion, respectively.This study suggested that liposomal encapsulation was an effective approach to stabilize HP betacyanins during storage and gastrointestinal digestion, but further investigations were needed to better optimize the liposomal formulation and understand the complex liposomal system.

Effect of stress on germination of djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) sprouts: a natural alternative to enhance the betacyanin and phenolic compounds.

BACKGROUND: Germination is regarded as a natural method for improving the bioavailability of seed nutrients against stress, which enhances the accumulation of bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to determine the effect of stress (H2 O2 , catechin, gallic acid, tyrosine, and NaCl) during germination of djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) sprouts on betacyanin, phytochemicals, and antioxidant capacities. RESULTS: The betacyanin and antioxidant activities of the djulis sprouts increased significantly compared to seeds. The lowest betacyanin was found in NaCl-stressed sprouts. The djulis sprouts reported the presence of celosianins I and II (50.72%), which was absent in seeds. Hydroxycinnamic acids accounted for > 60% of the total phenolic compounds in sprouts, whereas rutin predominated in the seeds. CONCLUSION: Germination under stress may represent an effective natural method for improving the bioactive potential of sprouts, an alternative to use seeds, in the development of bioactive compounds-enriched healthy foods that are good for public health. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Physiological Adaptation of Three Wild Halophytic Suaeda Species: Salt Tolerance Strategies and Metal Accumulation Capacity.

Understanding salt tolerance mechanisms in halophytes is critical for improving the world's agriculture under climate change scenarios. Herein, the physiological and metabolic responses of Suaeda monoica, Suaeda vermiculata, and Suaeda schimperi against abiotic stress in their natural saline environment on the east coast of the Red Sea were investigated. The tested species are exposed to different levels of salinity along with elemental disorders, including deficiency in essential nutrients (N&P in particular) and/or elevated levels of potentially toxic elements. The tested species employed common and species-specific tolerance mechanisms that are driven by the level of salinity and the genetic constitution of Suaeda species. These mechanisms include: (i) utilization of inorganic elements as cheap osmotica (Na+ in particular), (ii) lowering C/N ratio (S. monoica and S. schimperi) that benefits growth priority, (iii) efficient utilization of low soil N (S. vermiculata) that ensures survival priority, (v) biosynthesis of betacyanin (S. schimperi and S. vermiculata) and (vi) downregulation of overall metabolism (S. vermiculata) to avoid oxidative stress. Based on their cellular metal accumulation, S. monoica is an efficient phytoextractor of Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn, whereas S. vermiculata is a hyper-accumulator of Hg and Pb. S. schimperi is an effective phytoextractor of Fe, Hg, and Cr. These results highlight the significance of Suaeda species as a promising model halophyte and as phytoremediators of their hostile environments.

Improving drying kinetics, physicochemical properties and bioactive compounds of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus species) by novel infrared drying.

Effects of tray rotation speeds (TRS: 0, 20, 40 rpm), temperatures (50, 60, 70 °C) and wavelength spectra (mid and near-infrared) were comparatively evaluated on improving drying kinetics, physicochemical properties and bioactive content of red dragon fruits. Results indicated that successive increases in TRS and temperature led to significant reductions in drying time and increases in drying rates and moisture diffusivity. High TRS (40 rpm) and lower temperatures (50, 60 °C) also improved colour, total soluble solids, rehydration ratio, total phenolics and flavonoid contents, betalain content and antioxidant activity. Meanwhile, NIR drying presented a more energy-efficient approach, but with substantial reductions in quality properties compared with MIR drying. Overall, the results suggested the importance of wavelength absorption properties of plant tissues and potential avoidance of localized overheating for enhanced efficiency during infrared drying and prompted the development of suitable approaches and optimization studies for improving efficiency.

A starch-based pH-sensing and ammonia detector film containing betacyanin of paperflower for application in intelligent packaging of fish.

An easy-to-use food packaging label with pH and ammonia sensitivity was developed by adding betacyanin (5, 10 and 15 mg per g of starch) from flowers of paperflower (Bougainvillea glabra) to potato starch film made using the solvent casting method. The betacyanin was well dispersed into the starch matrix and formed new interactions with it as revealed by FTIR. The film containing 15 mg/g of betacyanin showed a color change from light pink to yellow as a response to pH adjustment of between 2 to 13. It was also able to detect the presence of ammonia in a range of 0.1 and 0.01 mg of ammonia per ml of water. Surface hydrophobicity and water vapor barrier capacity of the starch film increased by addition of the betacyanin, yet their mechanical strength decreased in the presence of the betacyanin. The ability of the film in the real-time indication of fish quality as a label was also evaluated during the storage of Caspian sprat at 4 °C. A visual change in the color of the packaging label from pink to yellow in parallel with the increase in the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), microbial count of the fish samples was detected. The starch/betacyanin film could be a novel intelligent label for application in food packaging.

Microencapsulation of betacyanin from red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) peels using pectin by simple coacervation to enhance stability.

Betacyanin is a red natural dye pigment widely used in food products. However, the pigment is also unstable and easily degraded by temperature during storage and food processing. This research aims to increase the stability of betacyanin obtained from dragon fruit peels using pectin as a wall medium via the coacervation method. Due to the efficiency and shell integrity, the coacervation method was selected instead of spray drying to enhance betacyanin's stability. Coacervation was conducted in a three-necked round-bottomed flask fitted with a mercury-sealed stirrer and reflux condenser. An accelerated stability test was conducted at 80 °C and 100 °C for 30 min and considered completed after obtaining a stable absorbance. Two full factorials, three-level design, for 80 °C and 100 °C, were analyzed by Response Surface Methodology using Minitab® 19. The core/wall ratio, agitation speed, and pH were the continuous variables, with temperature as the categorical variables. The models were yielded high R-square and low coefficient of variance on the validation process. Simple coacervation is selected because of a superior method such as simplicity, low-cost, high efficiency, and high shell integrity.

Production of Betacyanins in Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum Increases Tolerance to Salinity.

Although red betalain pigments (betacyanins) have been associated with salinity tolerance in some halophytes like Disphyma australe, efforts to determine whether they have a causal role and the underlying mechanisms have been hampered by a lack of a model system. To address this, we engineered betalain-producing Nicotiana tabacum, by the introduction of three betalain biosynthetic genes. The plants were violet-red due to the accumulation of three betacyanins: betanin, isobetanin, and betanidin. Under salt stress, betacyanic seedlings had increased survivability and leaves of mature plants had higher photochemical quantum yields of photosystem II (F v /F m ) and faster photosynthetic recovery after saturating light treatment. Under salt stress, compared to controls betacyanic leaf disks had no loss of carotenoids, a slower rate of chlorophyll degradation, and higher F v /F m values. Furthermore, simulation of betacyanin pigmentation by using a red filter cover improved F v /F m value of green tissue under salt stress. Our results confirm a direct causal role of betacyanins in plant salinity tolerance and indicate a key mechanism is photoprotection. A role in delaying leaf senescence was also indicated, and the enhanced antioxidant capability of the betacyanic leaves suggested a potential contribution to scavenging reactive oxygen species. The study can inform the development of novel biotechnological approaches to improving agricultural productivity in saline-affected areas.

Beetroot as a Potential Functional Food for Cancer Chemoprevention, a Narrative Review.

Patients with cancer are prone to several debilitating side effects including fatigue, insomnia, depression and cognitive disturbances. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) as a health promoting functional food may be potentially beneficial in cancer. As a source of polyphenols, flavonoids, dietary nitrates and other useful nutrients, beetroot supplementation may provide a holistic means to prevent cancer and manage undesired effects associated with chemotherapy. The main aim of this narrative review is to discuss beetroot's nutrient composition, current studies on its potential utility in chemoprevention and cancer-related fatigue or treatment-related side effects such as cardiotoxicity. This review aims to provide the current status of knowledge and to identify the related research gaps in this area. The flavonoids and polyphenolic components present in abundance in beetroot support its significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. Most in vitro and in vivo studies have shown promising results; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive and chemoprotective effects of beetroot have not been completely elucidated. Although recent clinical trials have shown that beetroot supplementation improves human performance, translational studies on beetroot and its functional benefits in managing fatigue or other symptoms in patients with cancer are still lacking.

Evaluating the effect of additives on stability of betacyanin pigments from Basella rubra in a model beverage system during storage.

The effect of selected additives (catechin, ascorbic acid, ß-cyclodextrin and EDTA) on the stability of betacyanin pigments from Basella rubra in a model beverage system was investigated and they exhibited remarkable outcomes. The major betacyanin pigment in B. rubra extract was identified to be gomphrenin-I using HPLC-ESI-MS analysis method. The degradation kinetics of betacyanin pigment in the model beverage variants was established, and temperature was found to be the most detrimental factor. If effect of additives on stability of B. rubra betacyanin pigments in model beverage stored at 4 °C in the absence of light and oxygen is considered, maximum stabilizing effect was demonstrated by catechin (t1/2 203.9 days) followed by EDTA (t1/2 187.3 days) and then ß-cyclodextrin (t1/2 144.4 days) when compared with control (t1/2 119.5 days) whereas, ascorbic acid acted as a prooxidant and reduced storage stability of the pigment (t1/2 78.8 days).

Water-in-Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions Containing Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb) and Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Extracts.

Hydrophobic curcumin in temulawak extract and hydrophilic betacyanin in red dragon fruit extract are high-value bioactive compounds with extensive applications in functional food. In this study, these extracts were encapsulated in water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) nanoemulsions as a delivery system using a two-step high-energy emulsification method. PGPR and Span 20 were used as lipophilic emulsifiers for the primary w/o emulsion. The most stable w/o/w formulation with the least oil phase separation of 5% v/v consisted of w/o emulsion (15% w/w) and Tween 80 (1.5% w/w) as hydrophilic emulsifier. The formulation was characterized by a 189-nm mean droplet diameter, 0.16 polydispersity index, and -32 mV zeta potential. The freeze-thaw stability may be attributed to the combination of low w/o emulsion content and high Tween 80 concentration in the outer water phase of the w/o/w nanoemulsions used in this study. The IC50 values of the nanoemulsion and the red dragon fruit extract were similar. It means that the higher concentration of curcumin in the nanoemulsions and the lower IC50 value of temulawak extract ensured sufficient antioxidant activities of the w/o/w nanoemulsions.