Evaluation of Two Active System Encapsulant Matrices with Quercetin and Bacillus clausii for Functional Foods.

Currently, demand for functional foods is increasing in the public interest in order to improve life expectations and general health. Food matrices containing probiotic microorganisms and active compounds encapsulated into carrier agents are essential in this context. Encapsulation via the lyophilisation method is widely used because oxidation reactions that affect physicochemical and nutritional food properties are usually avoided. Encapsulated functional ingredients, such as quercetin and Bacillus clausii, using two carrier agents' matrices-I [inulin (IN), lactose (L) and maltodextrin (MX)] and II [arabic (A), guar (G), and xanthan (X) gums)]-are presented in this work. A D-optimal procedure involving 59 experiments was designed to evaluate each matrix's yield, viability, and antioxidant activity (AA). Matrix I (33.3 IN:33.3 L:33.3 MX) and matrix II (33.3 A:33.3 G:33.3 X) exhibited the best yield; viability of 9.7 log10 CFU/g and 9.73 log10 CFU/g was found in matrix I (using a ratio of 33.3 IN:33.3 L:33.3 MX) and matrix II (50 G:50 X), respectively. Results for the antioxidant capacity of matrix I (100 IN:0 L:0M X) and matrix II (0 A:50 G:50 X) were 58.75 and 55.54 (DPPH* scavenging activity (10 µg/mL)), respectively. Synergy between matrices I and II with use of 100IN:0L:OMX and 0A:50G:50X resulted in 55.4 log10 CFU/g viability values; the antioxidant capacity was 9. 52 (DPPH* scavenging activity (10 µg/mL). The present work proposes use of a carrier agent mixture to produce a functional ingredient with antioxidant and probiotic properties that exceed the minimum viability, 6.0 log10 CFU/g, recommended by the FAO/WHO (2002) to be probiotic, and that contributes to the recommended daily quercetin intake of 10-16 mg/day or inulin intake of 10-20 g/day and dietary fibre intake of 25-38 g per day.

Molecular Pathways Related to Sulforaphane as Adjuvant Treatment: A Nanomedicine Perspective in Breast Cancer.

Because cancer is a multifactorial disease, it is difficult to identify the specific agents responsible for the disease's progression and development, but lifestyle and diet have been shown to play a significant role. Diverse natural compounds are demonstrating efficacy in the development of novel cancer therapies, including sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanate-4-(methylsulfinyl)butane), a compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables that promotes key biological processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and suppression of key signalling pathways such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in breast cancer cells. However, one of the primary challenges with sulforaphane treatment is its low solubility in water and oral bioavailability. As a consequence, several investigations were conducted using this component complexed in nanoparticles, which resulted in superior outcomes when combined with chemotherapy drugs. In this study, we discuss the properties and benefits of sulforaphane in cancer therapy, as well as its ability to form complexes with nanomolecules and chemotherapeutic agents that synergize the antitumour response in breast cancer cells.

Bromatological Analysis and Characterization of Phenolics in Snow Mountain Garlic.

The remarkable properties of garlic A. sativum L. have been described, but little is known about Snow mountain garlic. Understanding general aspects of this garlic composition, including the presence of phenolics, will establish its possible use for health or infer which compounds can contribute to improving it. This study aimed to determine the ash content, lipid profile, and characterization of phenolics in Snow mountain garlic. The organic content was obtained by common techniques (oven drying, calcination, Kjeldahl method, etc.). The quantitative analysis of the ashes was made by Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometry. The fatty acid profile was determined by Gas Chromatography. The presence of phenolics was determined by foam, Libermann-Burchard, Dragendorff, Salkowski, ferric chloride, vanillin, catechin, Constantinescu, and Shinoda reactions. The total phenolic content was determined via the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH radical method. The bromatological analysis showed a 51.1% humidity, and the main organic compounds were carbohydrates (46.7%). Ash analysis showed 287.46 g/kg of potassium. The fatty acid profile showed 75.61% of polyunsaturated fatty acid. Phenolics like saponins, alkaloids, triterpenes, tannins, and flavonoids were present. Antioxidant activity was found by radical DPPH of 25.64 (±0.78) µmol TE/1 g dw. Snow mountain garlic shares a composition similar to those found in other garlic.

Injection Molding of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) as a Model Polymer: Effect of Molding Parameters on the Microstructure and Crystallinity.

Due to its relatively simple structure, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) can be considered as a model polymer for the study of its properties. Herein, the effect of processing variables on the microstructure and crystallinity of injection-molded LDPE specimens was quantitatively determined. The polymer was injected at different temperature conditions in the barrel and the mold. The specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. With the data obtained, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out, and response surface graphs (SRP) were constructed to quantify and to observe the behavior of the processing variables, respectively. Different models were obtained to predict the effect of the experimental factors on the response variables. The results showed that the interaction of the two temperatures has the greatest effect on the size of the spherulite, while the temperature of the mold affects the crystallinity. The SRP showed different behaviors: for the spherulite, the size increases with the mold temperature, while for the crystallinity, higher values were observed at an intermediate mold temperature and a low melt temperature. The results presented herein are valuable for setting empirical relations between the microstructure, crystallinity, and the molding conditions of LDPE.

Strawberry Juice Powders: Effect of Spray-Drying Conditions on the Microencapsulation of Bioactive Components and Physicochemical Properties.

The drying of fruit juices has advantages such as easy handling of powders, reduction in volume, and preservation of the characteristics of the fruit. Thus, in this work, the effect of the spray drying conditions of strawberry juice (SJ) with maltodextrin (MX) as a carrying agent on the microencapsulation of bioactive compounds and physicochemical properties was studied. The content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity showed higher values at low concentrations of MX, while the effect of drying temperature was negligible. The thermal characterization showed that the low molecular weight sugars in the juice decreased the glass transition temperature (Tg). The morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that at low concentrations of MX, the particles agglomerated, while at intermediate and high concentrations, the particles were observed as well separated. Through microstructural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the presence of amorphous state was confirmed in all the samples, which is beneficial for preventing chemical and biochemical reactions, and promoting the conservation of the microencapsulated bioactive compounds.

Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Spray-Dry Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var Italica) Stalk and Floret Juice Powders.

This research presents the microencapsulation and conservation of antioxidants of broccoli juice processed by spray drying, and proposes the use of a by-product as a technological application. Broccoli juice (BJ) extracted from two sources, stalks and florets, was spray-dried employing maltodextrin (MX) as a carrier agent at concentrations of 5, 7.5, and 10%, and inlet temperatures of 150 and 220 °C. The total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (AA) of the BJ-MX powders were determined together with the physicochemical characteristics, including particle morphology, microstructure, and thermal properties. Based on the TPC and AA, the optimal processing conditions found were 5% of MX and a drying temperature of 220 °C. However, the florets showed higher TPC, while stalks presented higher AA under those processing conditions. The particles exhibited micrometric sizes and a mixture of spherical-shape particles and pseudo-spherical particles. The diffractograms indicated an amorphous microstructure in all samples. The glass transition temperature (Tg) was determined in the range of 50 °C for the samples dried at 150 °C and 55 °C for those dried at 220 °C. This suggested that powders might be stored at temperatures below the Tg without presenting any loss of antioxidants.

Nanomaterial Complexes Enriched With Natural Compounds Used in Cancer Therapies: A Perspective for Clinical Application.

Resveratrol and quercetin are natural compounds contained in many foods and beverages. Reports indicate implications for the health of the general population; on the other hand the use of both compounds has interesting results for the treatment of many diseases as cardiovascular affections, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, viral and bacterial infections among others. Based on their capacities described as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging, resveratrol and quercetin showed antiproliferative and anticancer activity specifically in maligned cells. These molecular characteristics trigger the pharmacological repurposing of both compounds and improved its research for treating different cancer types with interesting results at in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trial studies. Meanwhile, the development of different systems of drug release in specific sites as nanomaterials and specifically the nanoparticles, potentiates the personal treatment perspective in conjunct with the actual cancer therapies; regularly invasive and aggressive, the perspective of nanomedicine as higher effective and lower invasive has gained popularity. Knowledge of molecular interactions of resveratrol and quercetin in diseases confirms the evidence of multiple benefits, while the multiple analyses suggested a positive response for the treatment and diagnostics of cancer in different stages, including at metastatic stage. The present work reviews the reports related to the impact of resveratrol and quercetin in cancer treatment and its effects when the antioxidants are encapsulated in different nanoparticle systems, which improve the prospects of cancer treatment.

Phenomenological study of the synthesis of pure anhydrous ß-lactose in alcoholic solution.

Lactose is an important additive because of its food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Among lactose polymorphs, anhydrous ß-lactose stands out due to its thermodynamic stability. Thus, a simple method to produce the inter-conversion from monohydrate α-lactose to anhydrous ß-lactose was investigated employing a methanolic solution and different reaction variables (catalyst type, temperature, and stirring). Pure ß-lactose powders were synthesized in short reaction time (2-16 h), with a moderate temperature (reflux: 65 °C), and low concentration (0.014 M) of catalysts (NaOH and KOH). The SEM analysis revealed a change in the morphology from fine needles to tomahawk shape, which is dependent on the content of ß-lactose. The products were appropriately characterized using common analytic procedures (XRD, FTIR, and MDSC). In addition, an exhaustive discussion of the obtained results is provided. Finally, it seems to be the first work, where the inter-conversion to pure ß-lactose is reported successfully.

Comparison of Polysaccharides as Coatings for Quercetin-Loaded Liposomes (QLL) and Their Effect as Antioxidants on Radical Scavenging Activity.

Liposomes are microstructures containing lipid and aqueous phases employed in the encapsulation and delivery of bioactive agents. Quercetin-loaded liposomes (QLLs) were coated with three different polysaccharides and then tested as radical scavengers. Lactose (LCQLL), chitosan (CCQLL), and inulin (ICQLL) were employed as coating materials. Particle size determined by light scattering, showed primary size of 200 nm for all samples, while a secondary particle size of 600 nm was observed for CCQLL. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evidenced particle aggregation with the addition of the polysaccharide coating. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the layered microstructure of liposomes composed of at least two layers, and primary particle size below 100 nm. QLL showed higher antioxidant activity than the coated liposomes. This behavior was attributed to the chemical interaction between quercetin and the corresponding coating polysaccharide in the layered structure, which traps the quercetin and keeps it unavailable for radical scavenging. From the three polysaccharides, lactose showed a better performance as coating material in the antioxidant activity, which suggested that the smaller size of the disaccharide molecule resulted in a faster releasing of the quercetin in the solution. Thus, LCQLL is an advantageous way to deliver quercetin for antioxidant purposes, where the low stability in delivered media of quercetin loaded liposomes is commonly compromised.

Spray Drying of Blueberry Juice-Maltodextrin Mixtures: Evaluation of Processing Conditions on Content of Resveratrol.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant abundant in red fruits, and one of the most powerful inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS) produced by human metabolism. The effect of the spray drying processing conditions of blueberry juice (BJ) and maltodextrin (MX) mixtures was studied on content and retention of resveratrol. Quantitatively, analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that concentration of MX was the main variable influencing content of resveratrol. Response surface plots (RSP) confirmed the application limits of maltodextrins based on their molecular weight, where low molecular weight MXs showed a better performance as carrying agents. After qualitatively comparing results for resveratrol against those reported for a larger antioxidant molecule (quercetin 3-D-galactoside), it was observed a higher influence of the number of active sites available for the chemical interactions, instead of stearic hindrance effects.

Antinociceptive local activity of 4-allyl-1-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzene (eugenol) by the formalin test: an anti-inflammatory effect

Eugenol has been employed for decades as a condiment, an antimycotic, an antibacterial, an antiviral, and an antioxidant, and it is one of the natural analgesics most frequently utilized for pain and inflammation. Our objective was to determine the analgesic/anti-inflammatory effect of eugenol compared with diclofenac, naproxen, and tramadol using the formalin test. The formalin method was used in 6- to 10-week-old Wistar rats (weighing 250 g each) divided into six groups: saline (0.9%); formalin (5%); diclofenac (250 µg/kg); naproxen (400 µg/kg); tramadol (500 µg/kg), and eugenol (1,400 µg/kg), in the intraplantar part of the hind-end trunk of the rats, with n = 5 per group. Eugenol diminished 44.4% of nociceptive behavior in phase 1 and 48% in phase 2 (p ≤0.05 vs formalin). Eugenol was shown to be 1.14 times more effective than diclofenac, but 1.62 and 1.75 times less effective than naproxen and tramadol, respectively, in phase 1 and 1.45 times less effective than diclofenac and naproxen and 1.66 less effective than tramadol in phase 2 (p ≤0.05). These data suggest that eugenol possesses moderate activity in the acute pain phase and greater activity in inflammatory-type pain, and both effects are comparable to those produced by diclofenac and are less than the effects produced by naproxen and tramadol in the formalin test

Thermal Study of Polyols for the Technological Application as Plasticizers in Food Industry.

In this work is presented the complete thermal analysis of polyols by direct methods such as simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyzer (TGA-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), modulated DSC (MDSC), and supercooling MDSC. The different thermal events in the temperature range of 113⁻553 K were identified for glycerol (GL), ethylene glycol (EG), and propylene glycol (PG). Boiling temperature (TB) decreased as GL > EG > PG, but increased with the heating rate. GL showed a complex thermal event at 191⁻199 K, identified as the glass transition temperature (Tg) and devitrification temperature (Tdv), and a liquid⁻liquid transition (TL-L) at 215⁻221 K was identified as the supercooling temperature. EG showed several thermal events such as Tg and Tdv at 154 K, crystallization temperature (Tc) at 175 K, and melting temperature (Tm) at 255 K. PG also showed a complex thermal event (Tg and Tdv) at 167 K, a second devitrification at 193 K, and TL-L at 245 K. For PG, crystallization was not observed, indicating that, during the cooling, the liquid remained as an amorphous solid.