Effect of Buffalo Breed on the Detailed Milk Composition in Guangxi, China.

Buffalo is the second source of milk in the world, and its milk is rich in nutritive components. It is well-known that breed influences milk composition. This work aimed to compare the detailed milk composition of three buffalo breeds (Murrah, Nili-Ravi, and Mediterranean) housed under the same environmental conditions. Mediterranean buffalo milk showed a significantly higher content of fat, protein, and some fatty acids. Moreover, the milk from the Mediterranean breed was characterized by the highest content of sphingomyelin (SM), cholesterol, and lanosterol. However, the Murrah buffalo milk contained the highest amount of total unsaturated fatty acids, phosphatidylinositol, and whey proteins. Furthermore, the Nili-Ravi buffalo milk was characterized by the highest content of total saturated fatty acids, phosphatidylglycerol, squalene, lathosterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, and casein fractions. Nevertheless, the lactose and amino acid profiles of the milk remained almost similar across the three buffalo breeds. The generated results in this study enable a comprehensive understanding of the milk constituent variability that is linked to buffalo breeds, which may support the acquirement of essential scientific knowledge on milk ingredient-processing interactions that will offer a foundation of knowledge for Chinese dairy processors in terms of milk processability and innovation.

Therapeutic uses and applications of bovine lactoferrin in aquatic animal medicine: an overview.

Aquaculture is an important food sector throughout the globe because of its importance in ensuring the availability of nutritious and safe food for human beings. In recent years, this sector has been challenged with several obstacles especially the emergence of infectious disease outbreaks. Various treatment and control aspects, including antibiotics, antiseptics, and other anti-microbial agents, have been used to treat farmed fish and shrimp against diseases. Nonetheless, these medications have been prohibited and banned in many countries because of the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains, the accumulation of residues in the flesh of farmed fish and shrimp, and their environmental threats to aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, scientists and researchers have concentrated their research on finding natural and safe products to control disease outbreaks. From these natural products, bovine lactoferrin can be utilized as a functional feed supplement. Bovine lactoferrin is a multi-functional glycoprotein applied in various industries, like food preservation, and numerous medications, due to its non-toxic and ecological features. Recent research has proposed multiple advantages and benefits of using bovine lactoferrin in aquaculture. Reports showed its potential ability to enhance growth, reduce mortalities, regulate iron metabolism, decrease disease outbreaks, stimulate the antioxidant defense system, and recuperate the overall health conditions of the treated fish and shrimp. Besides, bovine lactoferrin can be considered as a safe antibiotic alternative and a unique therapeutic agent to decrease the negative impacts of infectious diseases. These features can be attributed to its well-known antibacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antioxidant capabilities. This literature review will highlight the implications of bovine lactoferrin in aquaculture, particularly highlighting its therapeutic features and ability to promote immunological defensive pathways in fish. The information included in this article would be valuable for further research studies to improve aquaculture's sustainability and the functionality of aquafeeds.

Changes in Whey Proteome between Mediterranean and Murrah Buffalo Colostrum and Mature Milk Reflect Their Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Value.

Milk represents an integrated meal for newborns; its whey protein is rich in many health beneficial components and proteins. The current study aimed to investigate the differences between colostrum and mature milk from Mediterranean and Murrah buffaloes using labeled proteomics and bioinformatics tools. In the current work, LC-MS/MS analysis led to identification of 780 proteins from which 638 were shared among three independent TMT experiments. The significantly changed proteins between the studied types were analyzed using gene ontology enrichment and KEGG pathways, and their interactions were generated using STRING database. Results indicated that immunological, muscular development and function, blood coagulation, heme related, neuronal, translation, metabolic process, and binding proteins were the main terms. Overall, colostrum showed higher levels of immunoglobulins, myosins, actin, neurofascin, syntaxins, thyroglobulins, and RNA-binding proteins, reflecting its importance in the development and activity of immunological, muscular, cardiac, neuronal, and thyroid systems, while lactoferrin and ferritin were increased in mature milk, highlighting its role in iron storage and hemoglobin formation.

Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme Inhibition and Antioxidant Activity of Papain-Hydrolyzed Camel Whey Protein and Its Hepato-Renal Protective Effects in Thioacetamide-Induced Toxicity.

Papain hydrolysis of camel whey protein (CWP) produced CWP hydrolysate (CWPH). Fractionation of CWPH by the size exclusion chromatography (SEC) generated fractions (i.e., SEC-F1 and SEC-F2). The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity (ACE-IA) and free radical scavenging actions were assessed for CWP, CWPH, SEC-F1, and SEC-F2. The SEC-F2 exerted the highest ACE-IA and scavenging activities, followed by CWPH. The protective effects of CWPH on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced toxicity were investigated in rats. The liver enzymes, protein profile, lipid profile, antioxidant enzyme activities, renal functions, and liver histopathological changes were assessed. Animals with TAA toxicity showed impaired hepatorenal functions, hyperlipidemia, and decreased antioxidant capacity. Treatment by CWPH counteracted the TAA-induced oxidative tissue damage as well as preserved the renal and liver functions, the antioxidative enzyme activities, and the lipid profile, compared to the untreated animals. The current findings demonstrate that the ACE-IA and antioxidative effects of CWPH and its SEC-F2 fraction are worth noting. In addition, the CWPH antioxidative properties counteracted the toxic hepatorenal dysfunctions. It is concluded that the hydrolysis of CWP generates a wide range of bioactive peptides with potent antihypertensive, antioxidant, and hepatorenal protective properties. This opens up new prospects for the therapeutic utilization of CWPH and its fractions in the treatment of oxidative stress-associated health problems, e.g., hypertension and hepatorenal failure.

Plant growth-promoting properties of bacterial endophytes isolated from roots of Thymus vulgaris L. and investigate their role as biofertilizers to enhance the essential oil contents.

The main objective of the current study was to improve the essential oil contents of Thymus vulgaris L. using bio-inoculation with bacterial endophytes. Therefore, out of fourteen endophytic bacterial isolates obtained from roots of T. vulgaris, five isolates were selected based on the highest nitrogen-fixation and phosphate solubilization activity and identified as: Bacillus haynesii T9r, Citrobacter farmeri T10r, Bacillus licheniformis T11r, Bacillus velezensis T12r, and Bacillus velezensis T13r. These five strains have been recorded as ammonia, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophores, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) producers. These strains have the efficacy to fix-nitrogen by reduction of acetylene with values of 82.133±1.4-346.6±1.4 n-mole-C2H4/ml/24 h. The IAA, gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, benzyl, kinten, and ziaten production were confirmed using HPLC. Two strains of T11r and T13r showed the highest plant growth-promoting properties and were selected for bio-inoculation of T. vulgaris individually or in a consortium with different mineral fertilization doses (0, 50, 75, and 100%) under field conditions. The highest growth performance was attained with the endophytic consortium (T11r+T13r) in the presence of 100% mineral fertilization. The GC-MS analysis of thyme oil contents showed the presence of 23 various compounds with varying percentages and the thymol fraction represented the highest percentages (39.1%) in the presence of the bacterial consortium.

Development of a Multifunction Set Yogurt Using Rubus suavissimus S. Lee (Chinese Sweet Tea) Extract.

Rubus suavissimus S. Lee leaves, also known as Chinese sweet tea or Tiancha, are used in folk medicine in southern China. This study evaluated the impact of the addition of Chinese sweet tea extract (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%) on the chemical composition, organoleptic properties, yogurt culture viability, and biological activities (i.e., antioxidant, anticancer, and antihypertensive activities) of yogurt. Seven phenolic compounds were reported in Chinese sweet tea for the first time. The numbers of the yogurt culture were similar across all yogurt treatments. The yogurt supernatant with 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% Chinese sweet tea extract had a total phenolic content that was 3.6-, 6.1-, and 11.2-fold higher, respectively, than that of the control yogurt. The biological activities were significantly increased by the addition of Chinese sweet tea extract: Yogurt with the addition of 1% Chinese sweet tea extract had the highest biological activities in terms of the antioxidant activity (92.43%), antihypertensive activity (82.03%), and inhibition of the Caco-2 cell line (67.46%). Yogurt with the addition of 0.5% Chinese sweet tea extract received the highest aroma and overall acceptability scores. Overall, Chinese sweet tea extract is a promising food ingredient for producing functional yogurt products that may substantially contribute to reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Improving the Functional Activities of Curcumin Using Milk Proteins as Nanocarriers.

Curcumin is one of the most common spices worldwide. It has potential benefits, but its poor solubility and bioavailability have restricted its application. To overcome these problems, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of sodium caseinate (SC), α-lactalbumin (α-La), ß-lactoglobulin (ß-lg), whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI) as nanocarriers of curcumin. Furthermore, the antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activities of the formed nanoparticles were examined. The physicochemical characteristics of the formed nanoparticles as well as the entrapment efficiency (%) and the in vitro behavior regarding the release of curcumin (%) were examined. The results showed that the formation of curcumin-milk protein nanoparticles enhanced both the entrapment efficiency and the in vitro behavior release of curcumin (%). Cur/ß-lg nanoparticles had the highest antioxidant activity, while SC and WPC nanoparticles had the highest anticancer effect. The antimicrobial activity of the formed nanoparticles was much higher compared to curcumin and the native milk proteins.

Antiviral Action of Native and Methylated Lactoferrin and ß-Lactoglobulin against Potato Virus Y (PVY) Infected into Potato Plants Grown in an Open Field.

Potato plants are liable to PVY infection without efficient control. Therefore, they were cultivated under greenhouse and open field conditions, artificially infected with PVY and then treated after 15 days of infection with native lactoferrin (LF) and native ß-lactoglobulin (BL) and their esterified forms, MLF (methylated lactoferrin) and BLM (methylated ß-lactoglobulin) to test the efficiency of this approach. Viral replication was inhibited by the applied substances, particularly the methylated forms, in a concentration-dependent manner, where the concentration of 500 µg·mL-1 was sufficient for plant protection against the PVY infection. An open field experiment showed that one single application of the antiviral substance was enough for maximum inhibitory action against PVY. The modified milk proteins induced higher inhibitory action on PVY virus replication in the plants, compared to their native forms, which was reflected by potato growth and yield. Using the dot blot hybridization and RT-PCR techniques to detect PVY in the experimental plants showed the supremacy of native and esterified LF in inhibiting the targeted virus. The generally observed scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) structural deformations and irregular appearance in PVY particles when treated with MLF and BLM revealed their direct action. BLM, MLF and LF are efficient antiviral agents against PVY. They can not only abolish the observed PVY-induced reduction in potato growth and tuber yield, but also further increase them to higher levels than negative control.

Chemical, Microbiological, and Functional Characterization of Kefir Produced from Cow's Milk and Soy Milk.

Kefir is a functional beverage that contains lactic and acetic acid bacteria (LAB, AAB) and yeasts. This work's aim was to study the chemical, microbial, and functional characteristics of kefir produced from cow's milk and soy milk. After fermentation, free amino acids were 20.92 mg 100 mL-1 and 36.20 mg 100 mL-1 for cow's milk and soy milk kefir, respectively. Glutamic acid was majority in both, suggesting that microbial proteolysis leads to an increase in free amino acids including glutamic acid. 108-109 CFU mL-1 LAB, 106-107 CFU mL-1 AAB, and 106-107 CFU mL-1 yeasts were counted in cow's milk kefir, whereas soy milk kefir contained greatly lower yeasts and AAB. Lactococcus lactis, Kazachstania unispora, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated as major microorganisms in both kefirs. Acetobacter orientalis only existed in cow's milk kefir. Cow's milk and soy milk showed ACE inhibitory activity, which significantly increased after fermentation. Both kefirs also exhibited antioxidant activity and bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Bioactive properties of probiotic set-yogurt supplemented with Siraitia grosvenorii fruit extract.

Siraitia grosvenorii fruit (SGF) has been used as a natural sweetener and traditional medicine in China for more than two centuries. This study evaluated the effect of SGF extract supplementation (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) on the chemical, microbial and sensory properties of probiotic yogurt. The antioxidant, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitory (ACE-I) and antibacterial bioactivities were determined. SGF extract supplementation improved some of the chemical and physicochemical characteristics. Probiotic yogurt with the fruit extract had significantly more Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, whereas there was no significant effect on the number of Streptococcus thermophiles. The bioactivities were significantly increased by SGF extract supplementation. Probiotic yogurt with 2% SGF extract showed the highest antioxidant, ACE-I, and antibacterial activities, whereas the one with 1% SGF extract conferred the highest sensory attributes score. Overall, SGF extract offers a promising option as a dietary supplement to produce novel dairy products that have high nutritional and bioactivity values.

Antiviral Activity of Curcumin Loaded Milk Proteins Nanoparticles on Potato Virus Y.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Potato is one of the world's leading vegetable crops. Potato viral diseases cause adversely effects on the agricultural sector. Recently there is a growing interest to control plant viruses using spices and herbs (including curcumin). Poor solubility of curcumin in water limited its applications. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of antiviral activity of curcumin-milk proteins nanoparticles against potato virus Y (PVY). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Curcumin-milk proteins nanoparticles were prepared via ionic gelation method. The antiviral activity of the resultant nanoparticles against PVY was evaluated at different concentrations (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/100 mL). Chlorophyll content as well as the activity of peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was examined. RESULTS: Curcumin-milk proteins nanoparticles showed inhibitory effect on PVY in a concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Curcumin-milk proteins nanoparticles displayed a successful tool to control the PVY under green house conditions.

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of bioactive peptides in buffalo's yoghurt fermented with different starter cultures.

The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus 20552 ATCC (T2) or Lactobacillus helveticus CH 5 (T3) in combination with yoghurt starter (1:1) on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the bioactive peptides present in buffalo's yoghurt was studied. The SDS-PAGE results indicate that all caseins were completely hydrolyzed by both strains, whereas whey protein fractions were still present. All starter cultures have the ability to produce low-molecular-weight bioactive peptides, most of which were originated from ß-casein and fewer from αs1 casein. The antioxidant activity (%) of the water-soluble peptide extract from yoghurt samples increased in all samples during storage. Samples containing Lb. helveticus CH 5 showed the highest values. All yoghurt treatments displayed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Control yoghurt and T3 showed higher antibacterial activity on E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus as compared to T2.

Endothelin-1 and its A and B receptors: are they possibly involved in vitiligo?

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), expressed by keratinocytes, has paracrine effects on melanocytes. The endothelin 1-axis [ET-1, endothelin A receptor (ETAR) and endothelin B receptor (ETBR)] is thought to play a role in the depigmentation process occurring in vitiligo, with no studies on the cutaneous protein expression of this axis in the disease. The aim of the present study was to compare the expression of ET-1 axis in lesional and perilesional normal epidermis of vitiligo patients with healthy controls. Ten patients with non-segmental stable vitiligo and ten healthy controls were included. Skin biopsies from all subjects were studied immunohistochemically for ET-1, ETAR and ETBR expression. No significant difference was detected in the rate of expression and the degree of staining of ET-1 axis in controls compared with each of lesional vitiligo and perilesional normal epidermis (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between lesional vitiligo and perilesional normal epidermis regarding to the rates of ET-1, ETAR and ETBR expression (P=0.82, P=0.5 and P=0.99, respectively). Semi-quantitative analysis of ETAR revealed higher staining grades in lesional compared with perilesional normal epidermis, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the staining grades of ET-1 and ETBR (P>0.05 for both markers). A highly significant positive correlation was found between ET-1 and ETAR (r =0.99, P<0.05) and between ET-1 and ETBR (r=0.87, P<0.05). The study demonstrated unaltered expression of ET-1 axis in keratinocytes in lesional vitiligo and perilesional normal epidermis. Additional studies on the differential expression of this axis in keratinocytes and melanocytes are therefore required.

Protective effect of whey proteins against nonalcoholic fatty liver in rats.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and can vary from hepatic steatosis to end-stage liver disease. It is the most common liver disease and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. In the present study, the effect of whey proteins on some parameters of NAFLD was investigated. RESULTS: Oral administration of the studied whey proteins products reduced the final body weight of rats. There was a significant reduction effect (P<0.05) of the tested proteins on hepatic triglycerides, liver enzymes (ALT and AST), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde level) and serum glucose. Feeding on whey proteins caused an increase in the reduced glutathione. Hepatic content of reduced glutathione was not affected by any of the used whey proteins, but it showed an increasing tendency (P>0.05). Liver histology showed an improvement of fatty infiltration in hepatocytes from whey protein groups and gives the histology of liver a normal appearance. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate a possible role for oral administration of whey proteins in the regulation of liver biochemistries in a rat's model of NAFLD. This regulatory effect of whey proteins was accompanied by an improvement in fatty infiltration in hepatocytes and a reduction of oxidative stress parameters.

Serum levels of interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α and γ-interferon in Egyptian psoriatic patients and correlation with disease severity.

Psoriatic plaques have been shown to contain increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Also, serum levels of several cytokines have been reported elevated in psoriatic patients. It is postulated that changes in cytokine production both locally and systemically could be useful in monitoring disease activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum cytokine profile of interleukin (IL)-8, γ-interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in Egyptian psoriatic patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and to correlate these levels with disease severity. We analyzed serum samples from 60 Egyptian patients (31 females and 29 males) with a mean age of 40.2 ± 17.4 years with active psoriasis, and 21 healthy volunteers for major T-helper type 1 cytokines using the ELISA technique. The disease severity, including erythema, induration and scales, was assessed by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. TNF-α and IFN-γ were markedly elevated in all sera from psoriatic patients. TNF-α was found a more efficient predictor for disease severity than IL-8 and IFN-γ using three receiver-operator curves with accuracy. IL-8 was also moderately elevated and correlated with the age of patients (r = 0.28). We have obtained evidence that TNF-α in our study was found to be more useful than the other two tested cytokines, IL-8 and IFN-γ as a follow-up marker for monitoring disease severity in Egyptian psoriatic patients. A positive correlation between lL-8 and the age of the patients was also noted.

Congenital isolated leukonychia totalis in three Egyptian sibs.

Isolated leukonychia totalis is a rare condition of nails with mainly an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. In this report, we present three sibs (a sister and two brothers) with isolated congenital leukonychia totalis, without any manifestation among parents and other family members. The sibs had similar facial features and were offspring of consanguineous Egyptian parents. We discussed possible mechanisms of inheritance and suggested an autosomal recessive mode of transmission.

Serum interferon-gamma is a psoriasis severity and prognostic marker.

The aim of this study was to measure serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in participants with different types and severities of psoriasis. The study was conducted on 21 participants with psoriasis. Participants were divided into 3 groups according to disease severity: erythrodermic, severe plaque, and mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Fifteen participants received different treatment modalities for 16 weeks and were followed for an additional 12 weeks. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to measure serum IFN-gamma levels in participants before treatment and compared with matched controls and participants receiving treatment. Significant differences were detected between participants and controls in mean serum IFN-gamma levels before treatment (P<.05). There was a positive correlation between serum IFN-gamma levels and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, and between serum IFN-gamm levels and clinical type of psoriasis, with the highest serum IFN-gamma levels in the erythrodermic psoriasis group and the lowest in the mild to moderate plaque psoriasis group. Irrespective of the type of treatment, 13 of 15 participants who showed improvement in disease condition with a significant decrease in PASI scores also had a significant decrease in serum IFN-gamma levels (P < .05). Moreover, participants with serum IFN-gamma levels that did not dramatically decrease had a shorter remission period compared with those who showed a significant decrease in serum IFN-gamma levels. The substantial elevation and variation in serum IFN-gamma levels according to disease severity suggest that IFN-gamma has a role in determining disease severity and therapy evaluation, which encourages further research on anti-IFN-gamma biologic therapy in the treatment of psoriasis.