Protective role of diosmin against testosterone propionate-induced prostatic hyperplasia in Wistar rats: Plausible role of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an important key health concern for aging men. Polyphenolic compounds have been found to possess important roles in the inhibition of numerous ailments that involve reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Diosmin is a citrus flavone that possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anticancer activities, so based on these properties of diosmin, we decided to evaluate its effect on testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH. A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups having six animals in each. This study was of 28 days in which TP (5 mg kg-1) was administered to induce BPH in the last 10 days of the study. It was found that diosmin at the doses of 20 and 40 mg kg-1 significantly reduced malondialdehyde and xanthine oxidase formation in a dose-dependent manner; however, it replenished catalase, glutathione (GSH), and GSH-dependent enzymes, that is, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase significantly against TP-induced BPH. Further, immunohistochemical study showed that diosmin alleviated inflammatory markers (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-6). It was also found that diosmin downregulated the expression of androgen receptor and decreased the prostate-specific antigen concentration dose-dependently, significantly against TP-induced BPH. Diosmin also restored histoarchitecture of the prostate in a dose-dependent manner. Findings from the present study revealed the protective role of diosmin against TP-induced BPH in Wistar rats.

Benzo(a)pyrene induces lung toxicity and inflammation in mice: prevention by carvacrol.

Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) is an environmental pollutant which causes various lung toxicities. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of carvacrol, a monoterpenic phenol against B(a)P-induced lung toxicity. In this study, Swiss albino mice were pretreated with carvacrol (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) orally for 7 consecutive days before administering oral B(a)P (125 mg/kg). Preventive efficacy of carvacrol was assessed in terms of membrane oxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities, histopathological changes, and inflammatory (iNOS, NF-κB, and COX-2) markers. Carvacrol pretreatment in the two doses restored B(a)P-induced lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Protein expressions of iNOS, NF-κB, and COX-2 in the lung tissue were found to be upregulated by B(a)P. Carvacrol treatment, however, downregulated their expressions by decreasing the marker of positive stained cells and restored the histopathological architecture of lung tissue. Our results suggest that carvacrol can be used as a protective agent against B(a)P-induced lung toxicity and inflammation.

Influence of pin and hammer mill on grinding characteristics, thermal and antioxidant properties of coriander powder.

In present study, influence of grinding (hammer and pin mills) and moisture content (range: 6.4-13.6 % dry basis) on the quality traits of coriander powder were investigated. These include grinding parameters, colour parameters, specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, glass transition temperature, essential oil, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and DPPH scavenging (%) of coriander powder. For coriander seed, the geometric properties such as major, medium, minor dimensions, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, sphericity, surface area and volume of coriander seeds increased significantly with increasing moisture (6.4-13.6 % db). For coriander powder, the grinding parameters such as average particle size, volume surface mean diameter and volume mean diameter increased significantly with increasing moisture (6.4-13.6 % db). With the grinding method, the colour attributes of coriander powder such as L-value, a-value, b-value, hue angle and browning index varied significantly. It was observed that the specific heat followed second order polynomial relationship with temperature and moisture whereas thermal conductivity varied linearly with temperature and moisture content. The variation of glass transition temperature with moisture can be best represented in quadratic manner. Total flavonoid content (mg QE/g crude seed extract) and DPPH scavenging % activity of coriander powder is significantly affected by grinding methods. A lower value of specific heat was observed for hammer ground coriander powder as compared to pin mill ground coriander powder. The thermal conductivity of hammer mill ground coriander powder was higher as compared to pin mill ground coriander. It was observed that hammer mill yields more fine coriander powder in comparison to pin mill. The browning index was more in hammer mill ground coriander powder.

Screw pressing performance of whole and dehulled flaxseed and some physico-chemical characteristics of flaxseed oil.

Screw pressing performance of whole and dehulled flaxseed at different seed moisture (6.4 to 11.1 % d.b.) and press head temperature (80-120 °C) was investigated. Oil recovery, residual oil, press rate and sediment content and some important physico-chemical characteristics were determined at six different levels (50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 %) of dehulled flaxseed. Oil recovery decreased with increasing moisture content as well as press head temperature. Press rate was found maximum for 100 % dehulled flaxseed while minimum for 50 % dehulled flaxseed at 6.4 % moisture content. Colour of oil samples was found affected both with the level of dehulled flaxseed and press head temperature. Free fatty acids content of oil ranged from 1.07 % to 2.70 % and lower at 80 °C press head temperature. Oil and cake temperatures ranged from 53.10 °C to 65.95 °C and 69.15 to 103.75 °C, respectively. The α-linolenic acid content of different oil samples obtained at 80 °C was in the range of 53.34 ± 0.95 to 54.21 ± 1.04 %. In view of maximum oil recovery (82.9 % d.b.), lower FFA content, and oil and cake temperature, 7:3 ratio of dehulled and whole flaxseed having 6.4 % d.b. moisture content and 80 °C press head temperature may be considered for screw pressing of flaxseed.

Effect of chemical pretreatment on dehulling parameters of flaxseed (cv. Garima).

In the present study, effects of chemical (ethanol, HCl and sulphuric acid) pretreatment on various dehulling parameters of flaxseed (cv. Garima) including yield, hull, hullability, extraction rate and embryo (dehulled flaxseed) recovery were studied. Pretreated flaxseed, at 3.1 to 3.6 % moisture range (p > 0.05) were dehulled for 60 s in a laboratory model rice polisher/dehulling machine at 2,000 rpm followed by aspiration (hull separation) using a laboratory model aspirator. The study revealed that chemical pre-dehulling treatment of flaxseed plays a significant role in the embryo recovery of flaxseed. Both ethanol and HCl pre-dehulling treatment enhanced but sulphuric acid pretreatment reduced the embryo recovery of flaxseed. Moreover, HCL and Sulphuric acid deteriorated the quality of hull obtained during dehulling, hence may not be considered for flaxseed dehulling. The study showed the maximum embryo recovery from ethanol pretreated flaxseed, hence ethanol pre-dehulling treatment with 2 h tempering time may be considered for effective flaxseed dehulling.

Drying characteristics of paddy in an integrated dryer.

Drying characteristics of paddy (long grain variety PR-118 procured from PAU, Ludhiana) in an integrated dryer using single as well as combined heating source was studied at different air temperatures. The integrated dryer comprises three different air heating sources such as solar, biomass and electrical. Drying of paddy occurred in falling rate period. It was observed that duration of drying of paddy from 22 to 13 % moisture content (w.b.) was 5-9 h depending upon the source of energy used. In order to select a suitable drying curve, six thin layer-drying models (Newton, Page, Modified Page, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic and Wang and Singh) were fitted to the experimental moisture ratio data. Among the mathematical models investigated, Wang and Singh model best described the drying behaviour of paddy using solar, biomass and combined heating sources with highest coefficient of determination (r (2)) values and least chi-square, χ (2), mean bias error (MBE) and root mean square error (RMSE) values. However, Page model adequately described the drying behavior of paddy using electrical heating source.

Development of omega-3 rich energy bar with flaxseed.

Energy bar sample were prepared with different levels of flaxseed (0-20%) in addition to cereals and pulses with varying levels of sweeteners (45, 50, and 55%) to deliver a nutritious food to the consumer. The developed bars were evaluated for textural, colour, nutritional quality, sensory attributes and total microbial load. Different levels of flaxseed and sweeteners significantly affected the hue and chroma values of the energy bar. In general the level of flaxseed in energy bar did not affect the hardness but it was decreased with increasing level of sweeteners except in control sample. The total calories obtained from the energy bar showed significant increase with the increasing levels of flaxseed, the maximum (397.95 kcal) being for bars with 20% flaxseed and 45% sweeteners. This energy bar sample also showed the maximum protein (12.41%), crude fat (11.86%), ash (1.65%), iron (3.77 mg/100 g), crude fiber (2.18%) and omega-3 as alpha-linolenic acid (22.50%, fatty acid basis) content. The overall mean sensory score for overall acceptability for samples with 10% flaxseed and 55% sweeteners and 15% flaxseed and 45% sweeteners were at par but the omega-3 and other nutrients in the later sample was higher than the former sample, hence, 15% flaxseed and 45% sweeteners along with other ingredients may be considered for production of acceptable quality omega-3 fatty acid rich energy bar at commercial scale, which also stored well at refrigerated condition.

Flaxseed: a potential source of food, feed and fiber.

Flaxseed is one of the most important oilseed crops for industrial as well as food, feed, and fiber purposes. Almost every part of the flaxseed plant is utilized commercially, either directly or after processing. The stem yields good quality fiber having high strength and durability. The seed provides oil rich in omega-3, digestible proteins, and lignans. In addition to being one of the richest sources of α-linolenic acid oil and lignans, flaxseed is an essential source of high quality protein and soluble fiber and has considerable potential as a source of phenolic compounds. Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA), lignans, and fiber. Lignans appear to be anti-carcinogenic compounds. The omega-3s and lignan phytoestrogens of flaxseed are in focus for their benefits for a wide range of health conditions and may possess chemo-protective properties in animals and humans. This paper presents a review of literature on the nutritional composition of flaxseed, its health benefits, and disease-prevention qualities, utilization of flaxseed for food, feed, and fiber, and processing of flaxseed.

Effect of moisture content and residence time on dehulling of flaxseed.

Effects of moisture content and residence time on various dehulling parameters of flaxseed including yield, hull, hullability, extraction rate and embryo (dehulled flaxseed) recovery were studied. A laboratory model rice polisher/ dehulling machine and a laboratory model aspirator were used for dehulling and aspiration (hull separation), respectively. The dehulling experiments were carried out for moisture contents ranging from 1.9 to 7.8% wb and residence times from 20 to 50 sec in dehulling machine at 2000 rpm of abrasive disc (rotor) of the polisher. Both moisture content and residence time played an important role in dehulling of flaxseed. The optimum moisture range and residence time for dehulling of flaxseed were 1.9 to 4.5% wb and 40 sec, respectively.