Comparative analysis of the qualities of traditional and sous-vide marinated duck drumsticks.

The sous-vide technique is increasingly used to improve the quality of poultry meat; the study aimed to compare the quality of traditional and sous-vide marinated (SVM) duck drumsticks by analyzing the sensory-related, nutritional, storage-related, and in vitro digestive-related quality of duck meat. The results showed that the sensory quality scores of color, odor, and appearance, L* and a* values of duck drumsticks in SVM group were significantly increased compared with the traditional marinated (TM) group (t-test, p < 0.05, the same below), and the b* values on the outside and inside of duck drumsticks were decreased by 22.47% and 38.04%, respectively. Compared with TM group, hardness, springiness, chewiness, adhesion, cohesion, and resilience of duck drumsticks in SVM group decreased by 43.32%, 29.52%, 65.08%, 62.35%, 20.23%, and 30.33%, respectively. The moisture content and total fat content of duck drumsticks in SVM group were significantly higher than those in TM group (p < 0.05), and the protein loss, total volatile basic nitrogen, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were decreased by 61.4%, 25.86%, and 20.45%, respectively. The results of in vitro digestion experiments showed that the content of free sulfhydryl groups of duck drumsticks in SVM group was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the contents of Schiff base and carbonyl groups were significantly decreased compared with the TM group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the SVM technology could significantly improve the sensory-related qualities, reduce the loss of nutrients, and improve the storage-related qualities of duck drumsticks. This study provided theoretical reference for the high-value application of SVM technology in duck meat.

Effect mechanism of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in chili on the oxidative stability of myoglobin in duck meat.

BACKGROUND: Myoglobin (Mb) in duck meat is commonly over-oxidized when heated at high temperatures, which may worsen the color of the meat. Enhancing the oxidative stability of Mb is essential for improving the color of duck meat. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin (CA-DI) in chili exhibit antioxidant properties. This study investigated the effects of CA-DI on the structure and oxidative damage of Mb by fluorescence spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry analysis and particle size in duck meat during heat treatment. RESULTS: When the ratio of CA-DI to Mb was 10:1 g kg-1 and heat-treated for 36 min, oxymyoglobin significantly increased, and metmyoglobin significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In parallel, the carbonyl content of Mb in the CA-DI group decreased by 43.40 ± 0.10%, the sulfhydryl content increased by 188 ± 0.21%, and the free radical scavenging activity of Mb was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). Moreover, the addition of CA-DI resulted in a significant decrease in the particle size of the Mb surface (P < 0.05). When the ratio of CA-DI to Mb was 10:1 g kg-1, CA-DI enhanced the thermal stability and significantly increased the thermal denaturation temperature of Mb. The molecular docking results indicated that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds were involved in the binding of CA-DI to Mb. CONCLUSION: CA-DI could combine with Mb and improve the oxidation stability of Mb in duck meat. This suggested that CA-DI could be a potential natural antioxidant that improves the color of meat products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seed Extracts on the Structure of Myofibrillar Protein Oxidation in Duck Meat.

The effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed extracts (FSEs) on the structure of duck myofibrillar protein (MP) oxidation was researched via particle size, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), fluorescence spectroscopy, SDS-PAGE, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the Fenton oxidation system. FSE (0.3 mg/mL) could scavenge 58.79% of the hydroxyl radical and possessed good antioxidation. FSE could retard the oxidation of MP, and the carbonyl formation and total sulfhydryl loss of MP decreased by 42.00% and 105.94%, respectively, after 4.67% of FSE treatment. SDS-PAGE results showed that 0.67% and 2.67% of FSE decreased the strength of the myosin heavy chain (MHC) and actin bands of the oxidized MP, respectively. The FSE changed the secondary structures of the MP and promoted the unfolding of the MP structure and the transformation from α-helix to ß-turn. When treated with 0.67% of FSE, the hydrophobicity of the MP declined by 26.14%, and solubility was improved by 37.21% compared with the oxidation group. After 0.67% of FSE treatment, the particle size and zeta potential of the MP returned to the level of the blank group. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that FSE improved the apparent morphology of the MP. Overall, FSE had positive effects on the antioxidation of the duck MP, and it could improve the structure and characteristics of the MP. It is hoped that FSE could be considered as a natural antioxidant to retard the oxidation of the MP in meat products.

Effect of Capsaicin and Dihydrocapsaicin in Capsicum on Myofibrillar Protein in Duck Meat.

Spice and its extracts have gained widespread utilization as natural and eco-friendly additives, imparting enhancements in flavor, color, and antioxidative attributes to meat-based products. This work aims to study the effect mechanism of capsaicin (CA) and dihydrocapsaicin (DI) in capsicum (chili pepper) on the structure and function of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) in duck meat during thermal treatment. The results showed that at a CA-DI to MP ratio of 1:500 (g/g) following a 12 min heat treatment, the carbonyl content of MPs in duck meat decreased by 48.30%, and the sulfhydryl content increased by 53.42%. When the concentration was 1:500 (CA-DI, g/g) after 24 min of heat treatment, the •OH and DPPH radical scavenging rates were highest at 59.5% and 94.0%, respectively. And the initial denaturation temperature of MPs was the highest at 96.62 °C, and the thermal absorption was lowest at 200.24 J g-1. At the parameter, the smallest particle size and size distribution range of MP were 190 nm (9.51%). Furthermore, the interplay between CA-DI and MPs contributed to a reduction in the protein particle size and intrinsic fluorescence. In summary, the combination of CA-DI and MPs played a crucial role in inducing protein unfolding and disintegration.

Dietary interventions for better management of osteoporosis: An overview.

Osteoporosis is a public health concern and a cause of bone loss, increased risk of skeletal fracture, and a heavy economic burden. It is common in postmenopausal women and the elderly and is impacted by dietary factors, lifestyle and some secondary factors. Although many drugs are available for the treatment of osteoporosis, these therapies are accompanied by subsequent side effects. Hence, dietary interventions are highly important to prevent osteoporosis. This review was aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the roles of dietary nutrients derived from natural foods and of common dietary patterns in the regulation of osteoporosis. Nutrients from daily diets, such as unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, minerals, peptides, phytoestrogens, and prebiotics, can regulate bone metabolism and reverse bone loss. Meanwhile, these nutrients generally existed in food groups and certain dietary patterns also play critical roles in skeletal health. Appropriate dietary interventions (nutrients and dietary patterns) could be primary and effective strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis across the lifespan for the consumers and food enterprises.

Fabrication and Characterization of the Egg-White Protein Chitosan Double-Layer Emulsion.

Egg-white protein has an abundance of hydrophobic amino acids and could be a potential emulsifier after modification. Here, egg-white protein was modified via ultrasonic and transglutaminase treatments to destroy the globular structure. The egg-white protein gel particles (EWP-GPs) were prepared and then a novel highly stable EWP-chitosan double-layer emulsion was constructed. When ultrasonic treatment was applied at 240 W and TGase (20 U/g EWP) treatment, the EWP-GPs had a low particle size and good emulsification performance. The particle size of EWP-GPs was a minimum of 287 nm, and the polymer dispersity index (PDI) was 0.41. The three-phase contact angle (θo/w) of EWP-GPs was 79.6° (lower than 90°), performing with good wettability. Based on these results, the EWP-chitosan double-layer emulsion was prepared through the EWP-GPs being treated with 240 W ultrasound, TGase, and chitosan in this study. When the double-layer emulsion had 0.6% (v/v) chitosan, the zeta potential of the double-layer emulsion was -1.1 mV and the double-layer emulsion had a small particle size (56.87 µm). The creaming index of double-layer emulsion at 0.6% (v/v) chitosan was 16.3% and the droplets were dispersed uniformly. According to the rheological results, the storage modulus (G') was larger than the loss modulus (G″) in the whole frequency, indicating the formation of an elastic gel network structure in the emulsion. It is hoped to develop a novel food-grade stabilizer and a stable double-layer emulsion, providing new environment-friendly processing in hen egg products and delivery systems.

Purification and characterization of positive allosteric regulatory peptides of calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) from desalted duck egg white.

HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, molecular docking simulation and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) study were used to identify, select, and confirm the binding affinities between peptides identified from desalted duck egg white peptides (DPs) and calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), respectively. F3 fraction from DPs possessed superior calcium binding activity (P < 0.05), and 16 peptides enriched aromatic amino acids and other 33 peptides were identified. FAE, FNE, INSW, FDPE and NFE presented well binding affinities with CaSR in molecular docking. Additionally, SPIP results showed that NFE and INSW significantly reduced the increased PTH levels by 45.8% and 48.8%, respectively (P < 0.05), and increased calcium percent absorption, calcium absorption rate constant (Ka) and calcium effective permeability (Peff) (P < 0.05), as well as up-regulated mRNA levels of CaSR (P < 0.05). Moreover, NFE and INSW could interact with the VFT domain of CaSR, which exhibited the potential activities in regulation of CaSR.

Desalted duck egg white peptides-chitosan oligosaccharide copolymers as calcium delivery systems: Preparation, characterization and calcium release evaluation in vitro and vivo.

Two novel calcium delivery systems with high calcium-binding ability were prepared with desalted duck egg white peptides (DPs) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) by Amadori-type linkage and transglutaminase (TGase) induced reaction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta potential and particle size analyses were used to characterize the copolymers. These two copolymers reversed the inhibition of phytic acid (PA) in calcium transport in Caco-2 cell monolayers. PA-induced calcium deficiency mice model indicated that copolymers could reverse the side effect of PA, promote calcium bioavailability, and improve gut health. Overall, these results confirmed the potentialities of DPs-COS copolymers as nutraceuticals/functional food for oral calcium delivery to promote calcium absorption and improve gut health.

Desalted duck egg white peptides promoted osteogenesis via wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway.

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease that threatens bone health of the elderly (especially postmenopausal women). Since osteoporosis is important to prevent, the aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of desalted duck egg white peptides (DPs) on osteoporosis. In this study, the effects of DPs on bone formation were evaluated using MC3T3-E1 cells and ovariectomized (OVX) rats. DPs significantly enhanced the preosteoblasts proliferation, differentiation, and matrix mineralization via the upregulation of wnt3a expression, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-5 (LRP-5), ß-catenin, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) (P < 0.05). The intracellular calcium concentration was significantly elevated by DPs (P < 0.05), which is attributed to calcium influx and L-type calcium channels. Additionally, OVX rat model experiment indicated that DPs (600 mg/kg bw) had a superior effect against bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency, as it significantly declined bone turnover markers, and significantly increased biomechanical parameters (P < 0.05). Mineralized bone surfaces and bone microstructure were also obviously improved by DPs treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B (RANK) expression of tibia in DPs group was significantly reduced compared with the model group (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that DPs could enhance preosteoblasts differentiation and antiosteoporosis via wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway and several key osteogenic transcription factors such as Runx2 and OPG. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: High-value utilization of salted duck egg white, a byproduct of food industry, is worthy of in-depth study. Desalted duck egg white peptides (DPs) were proved to promote bone formation, which suggests the potentials of DPs as cofactors in osteoporosis prevention.

Duck Egg White-Derived Peptide VSEE (Val-Ser-Glu-Glu) Regulates Bone and Lipid Metabolisms by Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway and Intestinal Microbiota.

SCOPE: Val-Ser-Glu-Glu (VSEE), identified from duck egg white peptides, has been proven to facilitate calcium absorption in a previous study. Since prevention of osteoporosis is important, it might act as a potential cofactor in osteoporosis prevention. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the regulation of VSEE on osteoporosis and abnormal lipid metabolisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: MC3T3-E1 cell and ovariectomized (OVX) rat model are used to evaluate VSEE on regulation of bone and lipid metabolisms. Differentiation and matrix mineralization of preosteoblast are significantly increased by VSEE (p <0.05), which attributed to stimulating calcium influx, then to activating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and regulating runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteoprotegerin. VSEE can cross Caco-2/HT-29 co-cultured monolayer via paracellular pathway and peptide transporter 1 (PepT1), and can be detected in blood and maximum concentration is 122.84 ± 3.68 mg L-1 at 60 min. Additionally, VSEE reverses bone loss and regulate dyslipidemia through Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in OVX rats. Firmicutes phylum, Veillonellaceae, Prevotellaceae and six genera in VSEE group are significantly different compared with the Model group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: VSEE promotes bone growth and inhibit abnormal lipid metabolism in an OVX model through the regulation of intestinal microbiota compositions and Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway.

Selenium-biofortified corn peptides: Attenuating concanavalin A-Induced liver injury and structure characterization.

The relationship between hepatoprotective effects of selenium-biofortified corn (Zea mays Linn) peptides (SeCPs) and its antioxidant ability was evaluated and the structure of SeCPs was identified. SeCPs and corn peptides (CPs) both had good antioxidant ability, and the effect of SeCPs was significantly higher than CPs within a certain concentration range (P < 0.05). Additionally, animal experiments indicated that SeCPs (200 mg/kg) had a significantly protective effect against concanavalin A (Con A) induced hepatic lesions, as it significantly declined glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) activities, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon (IFN)-γ contents in serum, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in liver (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in liver were also significantly increased by SeCPs (P < 0.05). The amino acid composition of SeCPs with Mw < 1 kDa was mainly glutamic acid (Glu, 31.18%), leucine (Leu, 21.06%) and alanine (Ala, 13.26%). According to the retention time, the amino acid sequences of 8 selenium-biofortified corn peptides and 29 selenium-free corn peptides were identified. Our results illustrated that the mechanisms of SeCPs against Con A induced hepatic injury in mice may be related to its antioxidant ability and reduction of lipid peroxidation, inhibiting the release of immune factors, such as TNF-α and IFN-γ.

The hypolipidemic effects of peptides prepared from Cicer arietinum in ovariectomized rats and HepG2 cells.

BACKGROUND: The lack of estrogen in postmenopausal women is a key risk factor for disorders of lipid metabolism and for obesity. Except in cases where estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is being used, chickpea peptides (ChPs) may be a potential candidate for treating hyperlipidemia. RESULTS: In ovariectomized rats model, ChPs were found to decrease body weight, adipose tissue size, total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the atherogenic index (AI) in serum and liver TC and TG. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), bile acids in liver and feces, fecal TC and TG were observed to increase significantly (P < 0.05). ChPs play a role in inhibiting the activities of fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR). The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)γ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c were downregulated and the expression of liver X receptor (LXR) α, estrogen receptor(ER)α and ERß were upregulated by ChPs. In HepG2 cell experiments, the cellular TC levels decreased and the uptake of NBD-cholesterol increased significantly after treatment with Mw < 1 kDa and Mw < 5 kDa ChPs fractions. Val-Phe-Val-Arg-Asn (VFVRN) could inhibit TC biosynthesis by decreasing the expression of HMGR. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that ChPs could effectively regulate lipid metabolism disorders and restrain obesity caused by estrogen deficiency. Val-Phe-Val-Arg-Asn identified from ChPs could reduce the expression of HMGR to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Collagen Peptides from Crucian Skin Improve Calcium Bioavailability and Structural Characterization by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS.

The effects of collagen peptides (CPs), which are derived from crucian skin, were investigated in a retinoic acid-induced bone loss model. The level of serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) in the model group (117.65 ± 4.66 units/L) was significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P < 0.05). After treatment with 600 and 1200 mg of CPs/kg, the level of BALP decreased to 85.26 ± 7.35 and 97.03 ± 7.21 units/L, respectively. After treatment with 600 mg of CPs/kg, the bone calcium content significantly increased by 22% (femur) and 12.38% (tibia) compared to those of the model group. In addition, the bone mineral density in the 600 mg of CPs/kg group was significantly higher (femur, 0.37 ± 0.02 g/cm2; tibia, 0.33 ± 0.02 g/cm2) than in the model group (femur, 0.26 ± 0.01 g/cm2; tibia, 0.23 ± 0.02 g/cm2). The morphology results indicated bone structure improved after the treatment with CPs. Structural characterization demonstrated that Glu, Lys, and Arg play important roles in binding calcium and promoting calcium uptake. Our results indicated that CPs could promote calcium uptake and regulate bone formation.

Desalted Duck Egg White Peptides Promote Calcium Uptake and Modulate Bone Formation in the Retinoic Acid-Induced Bone Loss Rat and Caco-2 Cell Model.

Desalted duck egg white peptides (DPs) have been proven to promote calcium uptake in Caco-2 cells and rats treated with a calcium-deficient diet. The retinoic acid-induced bone loss model was used to evaluate the effect of DPs on calcium absorption and bone formation. Three-month-old Wistar female rats were treated with 0.9% saline, DPs (800 mg/kg), or alendronate (5 mg/kg) for three weeks immediately after retinoic acid treatment (80 mg/kg) once daily for two weeks. The model group was significantly higher in serum bone alkaline phosphatase than the other three groups (p < 0.05), but lower in calcium absorption rate, serum osteocalcin, bone weight index, bone calcium content, bone mineral density, and bone max load. After treatment with DPs or alendronate, the absorption rate increased and some serum and bone indices recovered. The morphology results indicated bone tissue form were ameliorated and numbers of osteoclasts decreased after supplementation with DPs or alendronate. The in vitro study showed that the transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 (TRPV6) calcium channel was the main transport pathway of both DPs and Val-Ser-Glu-Glu peptitde (VSEE), which was identified from DPs. Our results indicated that DPs could be a promising alternative to current therapeutic agents for bone loss because of the promotion of calcium uptake and regulation of bone formation.