Effect of Plasma-Activated Water (PAW) on the Postharvest Quality of Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris).

Plasma-activated water (PAW) treatment is an effective technique for the quality retention of fresh vegetables with cold atmospheric plasma using controllable parameters. This study investigated the effect of PAW on the postharvest quality of shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). The results displayed that PAW treatment with an activation time of 5, 10, 15, and 20 min reduced the yellowing rate and weight loss of the shepherd's purse during 9 days of storage. Compared with untreated samples, PAW treatment at different times reduced the number of total bacteria, coliform, yeast, and mold by 0.18-0.94, 0.59-0.97, 0.90-1.18, and 1.03-1.17 Log CFU/g after 9 days of storage, respectively. Additionally, the treatments with PAW-5 and PAW-10 better preserved ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, total phenol, and total flavonoid contents. They also maintained the higher antioxidant and CAT activity and inhibited the formation of terpenes, alcohols, and nitrogen oxide compounds of the shepherd's purse at the end of storage. The microstructural result illustrated that the cells of the shepherd's purse treated with PAW-5 and PAW-10 were relatively intact, with a small intercellular space after storage. This study demonstrated that PAW treatment effectively improved the postharvest quality of shepherd's purse.

Polysaccharides affect the utilization of ß-carotene through gut microbiota investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of six polysaccharides on the utilization of ß-carotene from the perspective of gut microbiota using both in vitro simulated anaerobic fermentation systems and in vivo animal experiments. In the in vitro experiments, the addition of arabinoxylan, arabinogalactan, mannan, inulin, chitosan, and glucan led to a 31.07-79.12% decrease in ß-carotene retention and a significant increase in retinol content (0.21-0.99-fold) compared to ß-carotene alone. Among them, the addition of chitosan produced the highest level of retinol. In the in vivo experiments, mice treated with the six polysaccharides exhibited a significant increase (2.51-5.78-fold) in serum ß-carotene content compared to the group treated with ß-carotene alone. The accumulation of retinoids in the serum, liver, and small intestine increased by 13.56-21.61%, 12.64-56.27%, and 7.9%-71.69%, respectively. The expression of ß-carotene cleavage enzymes was increased in the liver. Genetic analysis of small intestinal tissue revealed no significant enhancement in the expression of genes related to ß-carotene metabolism. In the gut microbiota environment, the addition of polysaccharides generated more SCFAs and altered the structure and composition of the gut microbiota. The correlation analysis revealed a strong association between gut microbes (Ruminococcaceae and Odoribacteraceae) and ß-carotene metabolism and absorption. Collectively, our findings suggest that the addition of polysaccharides may improve ß-carotene utilization by modulating the gut microbiota.

Lutein combined with EGCG improved retinitis pigmentosa against N-methyl-N nitrosourea-induced.

In order to investigate the synergistic improving effect of lutein (LUT) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) treatment on retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mouse model was conducted in the present study. Compared to the LUT alone treatment group, in the LUT combined with EGCG (LUT-EGCG) treatment group, the accumulation content of LUT was significantly increased by 50.24% in the liver. The morphological results indicated that LUT-EGCG treatment significantly improved the retina structure with the thickness of the outer nuclear layer restored to 185.28 ± 0.29 µm, showing no significant difference compared to the control group. The LUT-EGCG treatment also increased the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as acetic and propionic acids. Compared with the LUT alone treatment, the LUT-EGCG treatment significantly increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Helicobacteraceae. RT-qPCR results indicated that LUT-EGCG treatment significantly increased the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 expression. In addition, the expression of IL-6 was significantly down-regulated in the LUT-EGCG group, while there was no significance in NF-κß, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-18 compared with the LUT group. Correlation analysis supported the conclusion that LUT combined with EGCG may improve RP by modulating antiapoptotic gene expression and regulating the abundance of gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanism still needs further research.

Identification of carotenoids from fruits and vegetables with or without saponification and evaluation of their antioxidant activities.

This study investigates the composition and form of carotenoids in typical fruits and vegetables obtained through saponification or non-saponification and evaluates the correlation between carotenoids and antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the content of the total carotenoids in non-saponified broccoli was the highest, reaching 1505.93 ± 71.99 µg/g d.w. The content of the total carotenoids in pumpkin flesh and broccoli after saponification was reduced by 71.82% and 52.02%, respectively. The content of lutein in spinach decreased by 24.4% after saponification, but the content of ß-carotene increased compared to non-saponification. After saponification, the total antioxidant activities of apple peel, radish peel, radish flesh, and maize were significantly increased by 30.26%, 91.74%, 425.30%, and 242.88%, respectively. Saponification also improved the antioxidant activities of carotenoids in maize under six different antioxidant assays. The highest correlation was found between the total amount of carotenoids and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (R = 0.945), whereas the correlation coefficients among reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), hydroxyl and superoxide radical scavenging activity, and total carotenoids' content were 0.935, 0.851, 0.872, 0.885, and 0.777, respectively, all showing significant correlations. The study demonstrates that saponification can increase the total carotenoid content and antioxidation for apple peel, radish peel, radish flesh, and maize. Moreover, carotenoids were significantly positively correlated with most in vitro antioxidant assays. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the postharvest added value of fruits and vegetables and rationally utilizing their byproducts.

Rheological property, ß-carotene stability and 3D printing characteristic of whey protein isolate emulsion gels by adding different polysaccharides.

Emulsion gels with unique structural and mechanical properties have promising applications in 3D food printing. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the rheological property, ß-carotene stability and 3D printing characteristic of whey protein isolate (WPI) emulsion gels by adding guar gum (GG), locust bean gum (LBG), xanthan gum (XG) and gum arabic (GA). The results showed that all samples exhibited shear thinning behavior and elastic characteristic. XG could reduce water mobility and increase WHC of WPI emulsion gel. The disulfide bond was the main chemical molecular force of emulsion gels, and XG significantly increased the hydrophobic interactions. GG and LBG increased gel strength, hardness and gumminess, reduced springiness, cohesiveness and chewiness of emulsion gels. GG sample had the best printing performance, more uniform network structure and better stability of ß-carotene. This study provided a theoretical basis for 3D printing functional food.

Evaluation of the digestibility and antioxidant activity of protein and lipid after mixing nuts based on in vitro and in vivo models.

This study aimed to evaluate the change of digestibility and antioxidant activity of protein and lipid after mixing walnuts, cashews, and pistachios using in vitro and in vivo models. The results showed that mixed nuts significantly reduced the digested particle size and the degree of hydrolysis of protein and triacylglycerol compared to single nuts in vitro. As a consequence of co-digestion, bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity for amino acids and fatty acids were increased by 1.12-1.87 fold and 1.62-3.81 fold, respectively. In vivo studies, the mixed nuts diet increased the concentration of amino acids and fatty acids in the small intestine by 27.69%-158.26% and 18.13%-152.09%, respectively, and enhanced levels of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and serum, all without causing weight gain. These findings highlight the positive interaction between single and mixed nuts, where mixed nuts enhanced the digestibility and antioxidant activity of single nuts both in vitro and in vivo.

Study on the Interaction between Four Typical Carotenoids and Human Gut Microflora Using an in Vitro Fermentation Model.

Recent studies indicated a strong relationship between carotenoids and gut microflora. However, their structure-activity relationship remains unclear. This study evaluated the interaction between four typical carotenoids (ß-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and astaxanthin) and gut microflora using an in vitro fermentation model. After 24 h of fermentation, the retention rates of the four carotenoids were 1.40, 1.38, 1.46, and 5.63 times lower than those of their without gut microflora control groups, respectively. All four carotenoid treated groups significantly increased total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production. All carotenoid supplements significantly promoted the abundance of Roseburia and Parasutterella and inhibited the abundance of Collinsella, while ß-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and astaxanthin significantly promoted the abundance of Ruminococcus, Sutterella, Subdoligranulum, and Megamonas, respectively. Furthermore, xanthophylls have a more significant impact on gut microflora than carotenes. This study provides a new way to understand how carotenoids work in the human body with the existing gut microflora.

Effect of Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum) addition to carboxymethyl cellulose based food packaging films.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) based novel functional films containing Chinese chives root extract (CRE) at different concentrations (1, 3 and 5 % in w/w) were successfully fabricated. It was revealed by SEM that higher extract concentration triggered the formation of agglomerates within the film. Tensile strength of the films was decreased from 30.91 to 16.48 MPa. Thickness of films was increased from 43 to 84 µm, while decrease in water solubility from 77.51-52.91 %, swelling degree from 55.74 to 40.37 %, and water vapor permeability from 5.76 to 1.17 10-10 gm-1s-1 Pa-1 was observed. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging ability of CMC-CRE films was increased from 0 to 58 % and 82 %, respectively. CMC-CRE5 film showed the highest biodegradability of 58.14 %. The film prepared by the addition of CRE into CMC also exhibited good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity indicating that it could be developed as a bio-composite food packaging material for the food industry.

Chitosan-based biodegradable active food packaging film containing Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) root extract for food application.

The objective of the present study was to develop chitosan (CS) based novel functional films containing Chinese chive root extract (CRE) using solution casting method. CRE at different concentrations (1, 3 and 5% in w/w) were incorporated into the film-forming solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal behavior analysis (DSC & TGA) were performed to investigate the structure, potential interaction and thermal stability of prepared films. It was revealed by SEM that higher extract concentration triggered the formation of agglomerates within the films. Incorporation of CRE into CS resulted in decrease tensile properties of the films from 28.9 to 15.4 MPa, whereas thickness was increased from 0.076 to 0.113 mm. The water solubility, swelling degree and water vapor permeability were significantly decreased from 31.6 to 18.7%, 57.4 to 40.5% and 15.67 to 7.81 × 10-11 g·m-1s-1Pa-1, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging ability of CS-CRE films were increased from 6.95 to 47.05% and 11.98 to 57.38%, respectively. CS-CRE5 film showed the highest biodegradability of 47.36%. The films prepared by addition of CRE into CS exhibited good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity indicating that it could be developed as bio-composite food packaging material for food industry.

Hesperetin and Hesperidin Improved ß-Carotene Incorporation Efficiency, Intestinal Cell Uptake, and Retinoid Concentrations in Tissues.

Dietary constituents can influence the bioavailability of carotenoids. This study investigated the effect of citrus flavanones on ß-carotene (Bc) bioavailability using four experimental models: in vitro digestion procedure, synthetic mixed micelles, Caco-2 cell monolayers, and gavage experiments in mice. The addition of hesperetin (Hes, 25 µM) and hesperidin (Hes-G, 25 µM) standards significantly increased the incorporation efficiency of the Bc standard to 68.7 ± 3.6 and 75.2 ± 7.5% ( p < 0.05), respectively. However, the addition of naringenin (Nar, 25 µM) and naringin (Nar-G, 25 µM) standards significantly reduced the incorporation efficiency of Bc by 23.8 and 26.4%, respectively ( p < 0.05). The increases in scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) expression promoted by citrus flavanones played an important role in Bc cellular absorption in the Caco-2 cell model. Furthermore, after 3 days of gavage, four citrus flavanones (7.5 mg kg-1 day-1) increased the retinoid concentrations in tissues; in contrast, after 7 days of gavage, Nar and Nar-G significantly decreased hepatic retinoid concentrations ( p < 0.05). This finding suggested that the incorporation efficiency into micelles was the main step governing carotenoid bioavailability.

Citrus Flavanones Enhance ß-Carotene Uptake in Vitro Experiment Using Caco-2 Cell: Structure-Activity Relationship and Molecular Mechanisms.

Flavonoids can interfere with the absorption of carotenoids. In this study, the inherent mechanisms of 12 citrus flavanones for ß-carotene (Bc) cellular uptake and the structure-activity relationship were investigated. The results showed that multiple hydroxyl groups had the lowest promoting effect. O-Glycosylation at C7 of the A ring led to the greatest promoting effect on Bc absorption. O-Glycosylation at C7 exhibited a strong affinity with the cell membrane and subsequently fluidized the cell membrane. Aglycon molecules significantly induced transient increases of paracellular permeability by decreasing tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1) expression. In addition, citrus flavanones might enhance scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) expression via their actions as agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ). Catechol structure in the B-ring attenuated the activate action of SR-BI expression. The structure-dependent membrane permeability and activation of specific membrane proteins are mechanistically associated with the promoting effect on Bc cellular uptake by citrus flavanones.

Evaluation of the impact of food matrix change on the in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) slices during two drying processes.

The food matrix is a limiting factor in determining the bioaccessibility of carotenoids. The impact of food matrix change on the bioaccessibility of carotenoids during drying processes is still unknown. The effect of intermittent microwave vacuum-assisted drying (IMVD) and hot air drying (HAD) on the in vitro liberation and micellization of carotenoids in pumpkin slices was studied. This variable depended on the changes of the matrix driven by the drying process. Different changes in the cell morphology and carotenoid distribution of pumpkin slices during the two processing methods were observed. For IMVD, cell wall degradation and complete chromoplast organelle disruption contributed to the improvement in the liberation and micellization of carotenoids. In the HAD-dried sample, large pigment aggregates hindered the liberation of carotenoids. The carotenoid level in the micellar fraction appeared to be lower than that in the aqueous supernatant during the two processes, suggesting that the new obstacles formed during processing and/or digestion hindered the incorporation of carotenoids in mixed micelles.