Characterization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions Prepared with Triblock Copolymer Poloxamer 407 and Low-Molecular-Mass Surfactant Mixtures as Carriers of Grape Pomace Waste Polyphenols.

BACKGROUND: Natural antioxidants, such as grape pomace polyphenols, can be extracted by a surfactant-based green technology and incorporated into various emulsions. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the physical stability and rheological characteristics of oil-in-water emulsions stabilized with poloxamer 407 (P407) and its mixtures with the low-molecular-mass surfactants Brij S20 (BS20) and Tween 60 (T60). Also, the influence of polyphenolic grape pomace extracts on the physical stability and rheological characteristics of the emulsions was examined. METHODS: Grape pomace polyphenols were extracted by aqueous solutions of P407 and BS20/P407 and T60/P407 mixtures. Two different types of oil-in-water emulsions were examined: emulsions prepared with pure surfactants and emulsions prepared with surfactant-based polyphenol extracts of grape pomace. Both types contained 20% sunflower oil. Characterization of the emulsions comprised droplet size evaluation, rheology characteristics and creaming stability. RESULTS: All the emulsions showed shear-thinning flow, while the rheological characteristics and creaming instability depended on the proportion of P407 in the emulsifier mixtures. Incorporation of grape pomace extracts had no effect on the investigated properties of the emulsions. CONCLUSION: The presence of extracted polyphenols in emulsifier mixtures had no significant effects on the emulsions' physico-chemical characteristics and stability. Therefore, the investigated emulsions can be considered suitable carriers for polyphenol-rich extracts.

Phytochemical Composition of Different Red Clover Genotypes Based on Plant Part and Genetic Traits.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is an important legume that is also known as a rich source of isoflavones, which are compounds with mild estrogenic activity. Therefore, this plant is often used as a raw material in the production of dietary supplements recommended in menopause. Many factors can influence isoflavone content, but those genetically related are considered to be the most important. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile of different plant parts of 30 red clover genotypes grouped according to ploidy and country of seed origin by analyzing the content of dominant isoflavones, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity. It was found that there are significant differences in the examined traits among plant parts. Red clover leaves had the highest total isoflavone content, with biochanin A as the dominant compound, while flower extracts had the highest TPC and antioxidant activity. Diploid and tetraploid genotypes were significantly different concerning the content of daidzein, genistein, formononetin and TPC with higher quantities in tetraploid samples. On the other hand, seed origin was not a useful separating factor for the analyzed samples. The results of this research indicate that ploidy, as a previously poorly studied factor, could influence isoflavone content in red clover.

Can environmental pollutant bisphenol A increase metabolic risk in polycystic ovary syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA), a widespread industrial substance is recognized as endocrine disrupting chemical and therefore could be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) related metabolic disturbances. PATIENTS: In this study 29 women of reproductive age with diagnosed PCOS were enrolled. METHODS: BPA in urine samples was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: BPA was detected in urines of 48.28% participants. The waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) was statistically significant higher in PCOS BPA+ in comparison to PCOS BPA- women (p = 0.046). PCOS BPA+ women had 6.88 times (95%Cl 1.3481-35.0600, z = 2.319, p = 0.020) higher risk for waist circumference above 80 cm and 4.95 odds (95%Cl 1.0169-24.096, z = 1.981, p = 0.048) to have WtHR over 0.5 when compared to PCOS BPA-. Statistically significant positive association between BPA urine concentrations and insulin serum levels (p = 0.038) was obtained. BPA urine values were associated with elevated HOMA-IR values and reduced HDL levels with moderate significance (p = 0.079 and p = 0.061, respectively). Also, there was 3.75 times (95%Cl 0.7936-17.7203, z = 1.668, p = 0.095) higher risk for PCOS BPA+ women to have testosterone levels above reference values. CONCLUSION: The obtained results suggested that the BPA exposition in PCOS women was followed by increased metabolic risk through promotion of obesity, especially the visceral type, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and elevated androgen levels.