Structural characterization of strawberry pomace.

Strawberries are a nutrient dense food rich in vitamins, minerals, non-nutrient antioxidant phenolics, and fibers. Strawberry fiber bioactive structures are not well characterized and limited information is available about the interaction between strawberry fiber and phenolics. Therefore, we analyzed commercial strawberry pomace in order to provide a detailed carbohydrate structural characterization, and to associate structures with functions. The pomace fraction, which remained after strawberry commercial juice extraction, contained mostly insoluble (49.1 % vs. 5.6 % soluble dietary fiber) dietary fiber, with pectin, xyloglucan, xylan, ß-glucan and glucomannan polysaccharides; glucose, fructose, xylose, arabinose, galactose, fucose and galacturonic acid free carbohydrates; protein (15.6 %), fat (8.34 %), and pelargonidin 3-glucoside (562 µg/g). Oligosaccharides from fucogalacto-xyloglucan, methyl-esterified rhamnogalacturonan I with branched arabinogalacto-side chains, rhamnogalacturonan II, homogalacturonan and ß-glucan were detected by MALDI-TOF MS, NMR and glycosyl-linkage analysis. Previous reports suggest that these oligosaccharide and polysaccharide structures have prebiotic, bacterial pathogen anti-adhesion, and cholesterol-lowering activity, while anthocyanins are well-known antioxidants. A strawberry pomace microwave acid-extracted (10 min, 80 °C) fraction had high molar mass (2376 kDa) and viscosity (3.75 dL/g), with an extended rod shape. A random coil shape, that was reported previously to bind to phenolic compounds, was observed for other strawberry microwave-extracted fractions. These strawberry fiber structural details suggest that they can thicken foods, while the polysaccharide and polyphenol interaction indicates great potential as a multiple-function bioactive food ingredient important for gut and metabolic health.

Acid-active proteases to optimize dietary protein digestibility: a step towards sustainable nutrition.

Introduction: Historically, prioritizing abundant food production often resulted in overlooking nutrient quality and bioavailability, however, environmental concerns have now propelled sustainable nutrition and health efficacy to the forefront of global attention. In fact, increasing demand for protein is the major challenge facing the food system in the 21st century with an estimation that 70% more food is needed by 2050. This shift has spurred interest in plant-based proteins for their sustainability and health benefits, but most alternative sources of protein are poorly digestible. There are two approaches to solve digestibility: improve the digestibility of food proteins or improve the digestive capacity of consumers. Enhancing nutrient digestibility and bioavailability across diverse protein sources is crucial, with proteases presenting a promising avenue. Research, inspired by the proteases of human breast milk, has demonstrated that exogenous microbial proteases can activate within the human digestive tract and substantially increase the digestion of targeted proteins that are otherwise difficult to fully digest. Methods: Here, we introduce the use of an acid-active family of bacterial proteases (S53) to improve the digestibility and nutritional quality of a variety of protein sources, evaluated using the INFOGEST 2.0 protocol. Results: Results from in vitro digestibility indicate that the most effective protease in the S53 family substantially improves the digestibility of an array of animal and plant-derived proteins-soy, pea, chickpea, rice, casein, and whey. On average, this protease elevated protein digestibility by 115% during the gastric phase and by 15% in the intestinal phase, based on the degree of hydrolysis. Discussion: The widespread adoption of these proteases has the potential to enhance nutritional value and contribute to food security and sustainability. This approach would complement ongoing efforts to improve proteins in the food supply, increase the quality of more sustainable protein sources and aid in the nourishment of patients with clinically compromised, fragile intestines and individuals like older adults and high-performance athletes who have elevated protein needs.

1D and 2D NMR datasets, resonance assignments and coupling constant analysis of red beet fiber and pectin.

The datasets presented in this article represent detailed NMR spectral analyses on red beet fiber, including the pomace, water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions, as well as the acid-extracted pectin. The samples were solvated in deuterium oxide and investigated by 1D-1H, 1D-13C NMR, and multiple 2D-NMR experiments, including gCOSY, zTOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, HSQCTOCSY, and H2BC. The NMR chemical shifts, coupling constants and spin-systems were identified for the major carbohydrate residues in each sample. This article provides additional data related to the research article "Structural characterization of red beet fiber and pectin" published in Food Hydrocolloids [1].

Excluded but not forgotten: Veterinary emergency care during emergencies and disasters.

BACKGROUND: Disasters or crises impact humans, pets, and service animals alike. Current preparation at the federal, state, and local level focuses on preserving human life. Hospitals, shelters, and other human care facilities generally make few to no provisions for companion care nor service animal care as part of their disaster management plan. Aban-doned animals have infectious disease, safety and psychologic impact on owners, rescue workers, and those involved in reclamation efforts. Animals working as first responder partners may be injured or exposed to biohazards and require care. DATA SOURCES: English language literature available via PubMed as well as lay press publications on emergency care, veterinary care, disaster management, disasters, biohazards, infection, zoonosis, bond-centered care, prepared-ness, bioethics, and public health. No year restrictions were set. CONCLUSIONS: Human clinician skills share important overlaps with veterinary clinician skills; similar overlaps occur in medical and surgical emergency care. These commonalities offer the potential to craft-specific and disaster or crisis-deployable skills to care for humans, pets (dogs and cats), service animals (dogs and miniature horses) and first-responder partners (dogs) as part of national disaster healthcare preparedness. Such a platform could leverage the skills and resources of the existing US trauma system to underpin such a program.