Optimization of vitamin B12 nano-emulsification and encapsulation using spontaneous emulsification.

In this study, the use of low-energy methods for nanoemulsification of vitamin B12 was investigated to protect this bioactive substance. The effects of sunflower oil concentrations (4-8%), Tween 80 (8-16%), and vitamin B12 (5-15%) on the physicochemical properties of B12 nanoemulsion were evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). The results indicated that the quadratic model was the most fitting model for experimental data. Optimization revealed that the optimal formulation contained 6.5% sunflower oil, 9.6% Tween 80, and 13% vitamin B12, resulting in maximum efficiency, viscosity, and vitamin B12 content, as well as minimum pH, turbidity, p-Anisidine index, particle size, and polydispersity index (PDI). Under optimal conditions, pH, viscosity, turbidity, efficiency, vitamin B12, p-Anisidine index, PDI, and particle size were 7.24, 17.0024 cp, 2.19, 51.98%, 5.54 ppm, 0.01, 0.34, and 322 nm, respectively. This study highlights the effectiveness of spontaneous emulsification as a carrier for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds.

Synergistic anticancer effects of crocin combined with deuterium-depleted water on HT-29 cells.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and the study of the role of nutrients in preventing or inhibiting the growth of this cancer is of interest to scientists. In this article, the synergistic effect of deuterium-depleted water(DDW) and crocin at specific concentrations on HT-29 cells was investigated. In this regard, HT-29 cells were grown in RPMI medium containing DDW, alone and in combination with crocin for 24, 48 and 72 h. Cell viability, cell cycle changes and antioxidant enzymes status were determined by MTT assay, flow cytometry and quantitative luminescence methods, respectively. The results of these analyses proved the cell growth inhibitory effect of deuterium alone and its synergistic effect in combination with crocin. The cell cycle analysis showed an increase in the number of cells in the G0 and G1 phases whereas there was a decrease in the number of cells in the S, G2 and M phases. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes also decreased compared to the control group that is a reason to increase Malonyl dialdehyde factor. The results suggested that a combination of DDW and crocin can open a new strategic approach in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Determination of the Phenolic Content in Iranian Trehala Manna and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Effects.

One of the most challenging issues in the food and pharmaceutical industries is finding effective and safe antioxidants from natural resources compared to their synthetic compounds, which have side effects. In this regard, Trehala manna was considered a great antioxidant source categorized as the major type of manna produced naturally and by the Echinops plant in response to insect activity. In this study, the antioxidant activity and phenolic content of the numerous Trehala manna in Echinops sp. have been investigated. Different methods of radical scavenging activity comprising 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) have been investigated to evaluate antioxidant activity. The phenolic contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu and standard phytochemical methods. Quantitative and qualitative amounts of phenolic content, including caffeic, ferulic, coumaric, syringic, and hydroxybenzoic acids, were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results indicated the significant changes in the amounts of phenolics and the antioxidant properties in Trehala manna samples, based on the place of collection. Based on results, antioxidant capacity detected by DPPH and ABTS tests showed the IC50 values of 40-94 µg/mL and 28-72 µg/mL, respectively. Results of the FRAP test represented very strong ferric ion reducing activities (0.04-0.83 mmol Fe2+/g). Ferric ion reducing data were not markedly different from ABTS and DPPH ones. These samples also presented the highest phenolic content (1.32-2.28 mg GAE/100 g). Jahrom Trehala manna was the highest in both phenolic content and antioxidant value, while Sabzevar was the lowest. We found a significant relationship between the antioxidant values and total phenolic counts. It indicates that the phenolics contribute to the observed antioxidant activities of these samples.

Assessment of several hydrodynamic properties of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.).

It is necessary to know the hydrodynamic properties of agricultural products in order to analyze the behavior of materials when transporting and grading. In this study, the samples were divided into three groups based on their mass. Based on the results, the mean length, mass, volume, density, average projected area, and shape coefficient were 21.5 cm, 408 g, 386 cm3, 1.05 g/cm3, 620.16 cm2, and 11.68 in samples with m < 500 g, 24.1 cm, 681.8 g, 627.95 cm3, 1.08 g/cm3, 876.29 cm2, and 11.95 in samples with 500 < m <1,000 g and 28.4 cm, 1,389.36 g, 1,240.5 cm3, 1.12 g/cm3, 1,402.73, and 12.15 in samples with m > 1,000 g. Moreover, the terminal velocity, falling time, buoyancy, and drag force were 0.12 m/s, 14.26 s, 3.79 N, and 0.2 N in the samples with m < 500 g, 0.16 m/s, 10.92 s, 6.30 N, and 0.29 N in the samples with 500 < m <1,000 g and 0.22 m/s, 7.94 s, 12.03 N, and 1.49 N in the samples with m > 1,000 g. It is noteworthy that the water-sugar beet density difference and the mass had the greatest effect on terminal velocity and falling time whereas shape coefficient did not significantly influence these properties.

Beta vulgaris - A Mini Review of Traditional Uses in Iran, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Beta vulgaris (family: Chenopodiaceae) is now widely is used more in the food industry as a rich source of sugar but it is less considered in medicine. Beet has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years to treat a variety of diseases such as constipation, decreased libido, gut and joint pain and dandruff. METHODS: This study introduced the benefits of Beta vulgaris by reviewing Iranian traditional documents from the 10th century until now and also compared modern phytotherapy of plant beet from the electronic data banks such as ISI, Pub Med and Scopus with findings that extracted from traditional literature. RESULTS: This plant is known in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) as Selgh (Arabic) or Choghondar (Farsi) and its leaves are used to develop treatments. Results confirmed that the plant referred to as Selgh in traditional books is that the plant Beta vulgaris in contemporary studies. Treatments that have not been evaluated in modern phytotherapy but do appear in traditional treatments include fever, as well as psychological and psychiatric issues. This article tells the history of beet in ITM and can confirm use of plant Beta vulgaris in medicinal practice. The report can be applied for certification of plant Beta vulgaris for researchers and experts. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can help the researchers in producing therapeutic products and new application.

A new approach for separation and recovery of betaine from beet molasses based on cloud point extraction technique.

The aim of this work was to explore the possibility of the application of cloud point extraction (CPE) method in micelle media to recovery betaine from beet molasses. Response surface method was employed to assess the effects of surfactant concentration, molasses concentration, incubation time, pH, electrolyte concentration, mixing time, and surfactant type on efficiency of betaine recovery from beet molasses. Also, a mathematical model was developed to predict the effect of each variable and their interactions on the efficiency of betaine recovery. The model showed that best surfactant was Triton X-114 and under the optimum conditions, betaine recovery from beet molasses was achieved up to 80% when three CPE steps with total of 1.5% (w/v) of surfactant were used. Subsequently, betaine was recovered nearly 100% from surfactant rich phase after adjusting pH at 2.5 and re-incubation at 40 °C. The results showed that the proposed method is suitable for extraction of betaine from beet molasses.

The use of sugar beet pulp lignin for the production of vanillin.

The objectives of this work is to produce vanillin from sugar beet pulp by lignin oxidation and evaluate the effect of process parameters (temperature, partial pressure of oxygen, reaction time, CuSO4 as a catalyst) on the yield of vanillin. Purification and separation of vanillin from pressurized extract was carried out by organic solvent and crystallization. HPLC, FT-IR, H NMR, GC/MS and DSC methods were performed to approve the vanillin crystal. Results showed that production of vanillin was significantly affected by four parameters, and an optimal conditions for production of vanillin was found 4.3bar for an oxygen partial pressure under a temperature of 156°C and duration of time 30min without CuSO4, corresponding to 1439.3mg/100g vanillin. Thermal property of syntesis vanillin was coincide to DSC pure vanillin curve but there were differences in ΔH°f and ΔHc.

Chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of Heracleum persicum essential oil

ABSTRACT In this study essential oil of the aerial parts of Heracleum persicum a spice widely used in Iran was isolated by conventional hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) techniques. The extraction yield was determined and the chemical compositions of essential oils were identified by the application of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant activity was determined by two different methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and oven test methods. Although the main compounds of essential oils by the both extraction methods were similar, the essential oil extracted by HD with lower extraction efficiency showed more diverse compounds. The evaluation of antioxidant activity of the essential oil measured by delay in sunflower oil oxidation indicated that the antioxidant activity was dependent on the concentration which increased when higher concentrations of the essential oils were applied. The results of DPPH radical assay also indicated that the percentage of inhibition increased with increasing of essential oil concentration and IC50 value for essential oil extracted by MAHD method was obtained 1.25 mg/mL. Therefore the Heracleum persicum essential oil might be recommended for use as a flavoring agent and a source of natural antioxidants in functional foods, formulation of the supplements and in medicinal due to numerous pharmacological activities.