Sustainable appraisal of lipstick tree seeds (Bixa orellana)-based bixin natural orange colorant for green mordanted silk fabrics and wool yarns.

This research aims to optimize the silk and wool dyeing process using natural dyes from Bixa orellana (annatto) through response surface methodology. Central composite design experiments highlight the significant enhancement of color outcomes achieved through microwave treatment. For silk, the optimal conditions (80 °C for 40 min) with annatto extract yield a color strength (K/S) of 17.8588, while wool achieves a K/S of 7.5329. Introducing eco-friendly bio-mordants, such as pomegranate peel and red sumac tannins, enhances color strength. Pre-dyeing treatments with 2% red sumac, 1.5% pomegranate peel, and weld flower extracts for silk produce high color strength, with K/S values of 16.4063, 16.3784, and 12.1658, respectively. Post-dyeing, the K/S values increase to 40.1178, 17.4779, and 21.6494. Wool yarn exhibits similar improvements, with pre-dyeing K/S values of 13.1353, 13.5060, and 16.3232, escalating to 10.5892, 15.3141, and 23.4850 post-dyeing. Furthermore, this research underscores improved colorfastness properties, including notable enhancements in light, wash, and rubbing fastness for both silk fabric and wool yarn. These findings underscore the efficacy of the proposed sustainable dyeing methods, offering valuable insights for eco-friendly textile production.

Plant age-dependent dynamics of annatto pigment (bixin) biosynthesis in Bixa orellana.

Age affects the production of secondary metabolites, but how developmental cues regulate secondary metabolism remains poorly understood. The achiote tree (Bixa orellana L.) is a source of bixin, an apocarotenoid used in diverse industries worldwide. Understanding how age-dependent mechanisms control bixin biosynthesis is of great interest for plant biology and for economic reasons. Here we overexpressed miRNA156 (miR156) in B. orellana to comprehensively study the effects of the miR156-SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) module on age-dependent bixin biosynthesis in leaves. Overexpression of miR156 in annatto plants (miR156ox) reduced BoSPL transcript levels, impacted leaf ontogeny, lessened bixin production, and increased abscisic acid levels. Modulation of expression of BoCCD4-4 and BoCCD1, key genes in carotenoid biosynthesis, was associated with diverting the carbon flux from bixin to abscisic acid in miR156ox leaves. Proteomic analyses revealed an overall low accumulation of most secondary metabolite-related enzymes in miR156ox leaves, suggesting that miR156-targeted BoSPLs may be required to activate several secondary metabolic pathways. Our findings suggest that the conserved BomiR156-BoSPL module is deployed to regulate leaf dynamics of bixin biosynthesis, and may create novel opportunities to fine-tune bixin output in B. orellana breeding programs.

Bixa orellana ethyl acetate fraction and its isolated compound ellagic acid attenuate the progression of MIA-induced osteoarthritis in rat knees.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a pathology that is characterized by progressive erosion of articular cartilage. In this context, medicinal plants have become relevant tools regarding their potential role in the prevention and treatment of OA, being safe and effective. The aim of this work was investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the ethyl acetate fraction of Bixa orellana leaves (BoEA) and ellagic acid (ElAc) for the therapeutic treatment of OA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in rats. The plant material was extracted via maceration with 70 % hydroalcoholic solvent (BoHE). The ethyl acetate (BoEA) fraction was by solvents in increasing order of polarity. The ElAc was identified and isolated in BoEA using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) and analytical curve. The OA was induced using MIA in the right knee at the knee joint. Doses of BoEA and ElAc were administered daily (every 24 h, orally) at concentrations of 50, 100 and 50 mg/kg, respectively, for 28 days after induced OA. We evaluated the animals through clinical and radiological examinations every 7 days and, on the 29th day, the animals were euthanized, the joints being removed for histopathological analysis and the serum for cytokine analysis. BoEA and ElAc compounds reduced inflammation and nociception in OA and were as effective as indomethacin in clinical parameters of joint discomfort and allodynia in rats, in addition to showing improvements in radiological and histopathological images, acting on the progress of cartilage deterioration, proving properties related to anti-inflammatory and analgesic processes, being important allies for new therapeutic interventions for the treatment of OA.

Effect of the Association of Fixed Oils from Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, Euterpe oleracea Martius, Bixa orellana Linné and Chronic SM® on Atherogenic Dyslipidemia in Wistar Rats.

Dyslipidemia presents high levels of serum cholesterol and is characterized as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially for the development of atherosclerosis. E. oleracea oil (OFEO), A. esculentus oil (OFAE), B. orellana oil (OFBO), and Chronic SM® granules (CHR) are rich in bioactive compounds with the potential to treat changes in lipid metabolism. This study investigated the effects of treatments with oils from A. esculentus, E. oleracea, B. orellana, and Chronic SM® on Cocos nucifera L. saturated-fat-induced dyslipidemia. The chromatographic profile showed the majority presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the tested oils. The quantification of tocotrienols and geranylgeraniol in OFBO and CHR was obtained. Treatments with OFEO, OFAE, OFBO, and CHR were able to significantly reduce glycemia, as well as hypertriglyceridemia, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, besides increasing HDL-cholesterol. The treatments inhibited the formation of atheromatous plaques in the vascular endothelium of the treated rats. The obtained results suggest that the OFEO, OFAE, OFBO, and CHR exhibit antidyslipidemic effects and antiatherogenic activity.

The role of bixin as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and skin protecting natural product extracted from Bixa orellana L.

Since long, medicinal plants or herbs are being used in different traditional treatment systems as therapeutic agents to treat a variety of illnesses. Bixa orellana L., an medicinal plant (family: Bixaceae), is an Ayurvedic herb used to treat dyslipidemia, diarrhoea, and hepatitis since ancient times. B. orellana L., seeds contain an orange-red coloured component known as bixin (C25H30O4), which constitutes 80% of the extract.Chemically, bixin is a natural apocarotenoid, biosynthesized through the oxidative degradation of C40 carotenoids. Bixin helps to regulate the Nrf2/MyD88/TLR4 and TGF-1/PPAR-/Smad3 pathways, which further give it antifibrosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This current review article presents a comprehensive review of bixin as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer,and skin protecting natural product. In addition, the biosynthesis and molecular target of bixin, along with bixin extraction techniques, are also presented.

Exploration of the Production of Three Thiodiketopiperazines by an Endophytic Fungal Strain of Cophinforma mamane.

Endophytic fungi possess a versatile metabolism which is related to their ability to live in diverse ecological niches. While culturing under laboratory conditions, their metabolism is mainly influenced by the culture media, time of incubation and other physicochemical factors. In this study, we focused on the production of 3 thiodiketopiperazines (TDKPs) botryosulfuranols A-C produced by an endophytic strain of Cophinforma mamane isolated from the leaves of Bixa orellana L collected in the Peruvian Amazon. We studied the time-course production of botryosulfuranols A-C during 28 days and evaluated the variations in the production of secondary metabolites, including the TDKPs, produced by C. mamane in response to different culture media, light versus dark conditions and different incubation times. We observed a short time-frame production of botryosulfuranol C while its production was significantly affected by the light conditions and nutrients of the culture media. Botryosulfuranols A and B showed a similar production pattern and a similar response to culturing conditions. Molecular networking allowed us to detect three compounds related to TDKPs that will be the focus of future experiments.

Investigation on the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as an adjunct for management of deep caries lesions-study protocol for a randomized, parallel groups, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Alternatively to conventional treatments, chemo-mechanical caries removal agents can be used. A modality of treatment that has been increasing in dentistry is antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Bixa orellana is being researched for application in aPDT. This protocol aims to determine the effectiveness of aPDT with Bixa orellana extract in deep caries lesions. METHODS: A total of 160 teeth with deep occlusal dental caries will be selected and divided into 4 groups: G1 - control group (Caries removal with a low-speed drill); G2 - Partial Caries Removal with Papacarie™ (Fórmula e Ação, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); G3 - Partial Caries Removal with Papacarie™ and application Bixa orellana extract (20%) (Fórmula e Ação, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); G4 - Partial Caries Removal with Papacarie™ and application Bixa orellana extract (20%) with LED (Valo Cordless Ultradent®, South Jordan, UT, USA) (aPDT). After treatment, all the teeth will be restored with glass ionomer cement and followed up clinically and radiographically, with evaluations at immediately, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Dentin samples before and after treatment will be analyzed microbiologically. The efficacy of treatments will be assessed with microbiological (colony-forming units, before and after carious tissue removal), radiographic (integrity of the periapical area and eventual changes in the radiolucent zones), and clinical examinations (retention of the restorative material in the cavity and occurrence of secondary caries), as well as with the time required for the procedures and the need for anesthesia during the procedures. In case data distribution is normal, analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used for both the dependent and independent variables. In case the data distribution is not normal, the Friedman test will be used for the dependent variables. For independent variables, the Kruskal-Wallis test will be used. DISCUSSION: Procedures using aPDT have been developed for the treatment of dental caries, but there are few controlled clinical trials in the literature confirming its efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This protocol is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT05236205 and it was first posted on 01/21/2022 and last updated on 05/10/2022.

Dynamics of annatto pigment synthesis and accumulation in seeds of Bixa orellana L. revealed by integrated chemical, anatomical, and RNA-Seq analyses.

Bixin is a commercially valuable apocarotenoid pigment found in the seed aril of Bixa orellana. The dynamics and regulation of its biosynthesis and accumulation during seed development remain largely unknown. Here, we combined chemical, anatomical, and transcriptomic data to provide stage-specific resolution of the cellular and molecular events occurring during B. orellana seed development. Seeds at five developmental stages (S1-S5) were used for analysis of bixin content and seed anatomy, and three of them (S1, S3, and S4) were selected for Illumina HiSeq sequencing. Bixin accumulated in large quantities in seeds compared with other tissues analyzed, particularly during the S2 stage, peaking at the S4 stage, and then decreasing slightly in the S5 stage. Anatomical analysis revealed that bixin accumulated in the large central vacuole of specialized cells, which were scattered throughout the developing mesotesta at the S2 stage, but enlarged progressively at later stages, until they occupied most of the parenchyma in the aril. A total of 13 million reads were generated and assembled into 73,381 protein-encoding contigs, from which 312 were identified as containing 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate/2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (DOXP/MEP), carotenoid, and bixin pathways genes. Differential transcriptome expression analysis of these genes revealed that 50 of them were sequentially and differentially expressed through the seed developmental stages analyzed, including seven carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases, eight aldehyde dehydrogenases, and 22 methyltransferases. Taken together, these results show that bixin synthesis and accumulation in seeds of B. orellana are a developmentally regulated process involving the coordinated expression of DOXP/MEP, carotenoid, and bixin biosynthesis genes.

Intramuscular compatibility of an injectable anti-inflammatory nanodispersion from a standardized Bixa orellana oil (Chronic®): a toxicological study in Wistar rats.

Bixa orellana L. is a plant popularly known as "ucurum", "annatto", and "achiote". It is native to South America, and its seeds are an abundant source of geranylgeraniol and tocotrienols. Nanoencapsulation is a valuable technique that can decrease the drug needed to achieve an effect, decreasing potential toxicity, side effects and potentiate the anti-inflammatory effect. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of an intramuscular application of a nanodispersion containing a standardized extract from the seeds of Bixa orellana (NBO) in Wistar rats. The chemical evaluation showed δ-tocotrienol at 0.725 ± 0.062 mg/mL (72.6 ± 0.9%). The stability study showed the nanoparticles had an average size from 53.15 ± 0.64 to 59.9 ± 3.63 nm, with a polydispersity index ranging from 0.574 ± 0.032 to 0.574 ± 0.32, Zeta potential from 18.26 ± 0.59 to 19.66 ± 1.45 mV. After testing the intramuscular application of NBO with doses from 1 to 5 mg/kg in animals, it was observed that the acute treatment did not elicit any toxic effects within this range. The dose of 10 mg/kg, although not affecting hematological and biochemical parameters (CPK, LDH, myoglobin, AST, ALT, TC, TG, glucose levels, creatinine, and urea), could induce some muscle tissue changes, including leukocyte infiltration, morphological chances, and potentially necrosis. In conclusion, the results showed that the treatments devoided toxicity between 1 and 5 mg/kg.

Consumption of Eggs Alone or Enriched with Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) Does Not Increase Cardiovascular Risk in Healthy Adults-A Randomized Clinical Trial, the Eggant Study.

Most atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by modifying lifestyles, including unhealthy diets. Eggs contain important carotenoids that may impact cardiovascular risk. The lipid nature of eggs can improve the bioavailability of other carotenoids, such as Annatto (Bixa orellana L.), with reported antioxidant properties. Although numerous studies have shown that there is no association between egg consumption and cardiovascular risk, there is still controversy. In addition, there is limited information about Annatto's effects on human health. This study evaluated the association between egg consumption and its enrichment with Annatto in lipid biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. In a parallel clinical trial, one hundred and five (n = 105) men and women were randomized by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), and distributed into three groups. Subjects consumed daily, for 8 weeks, either two eggs, two eggs with Annatto, or two egg whites. Plasma lipids were measured by enzymatic colorimetric methods, plasma apolipoproteins and lipoprotein subfractions and size by nuclear magnetic resonance. There were no differences between groups in age, sex, and BMI. No significant changes were found over time or between groups in plasma triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) A1, apo B, or lipoprotein subfraction concentrations. In healthy adults, the intake of two eggs a day, or two eggs with Annatto for eight weeks, did not generate adverse changes in cardiovascular risk markers.

Accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum, Paullinia cupana, Bixa orellana and forest in the southern region of Amazonas.

The litter deposited on the soil surface at various stages of decomposition is important for primary productivity that impacts the microbial communities and soil carbon storage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex. Spreng) Schum, Paullinia cupana (Mart.) Ducke, Bixa orellana L., and forest in the Amazon region. The study was carried out in the São Francisco settlement, Canutama in the south of Amazonas, in a randomized block experimental design, and the treatments consisted of four areas with different crops: 1 - P. cupana; 2 - T. grandiflorum; 3 - B. orellana; 4 - Native woodland area (forest), in time subdivided plots: 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 days after the distribution of the bags in the field, all with four repetitions. To evaluate the contribution and fractions of litter, conical collectors were used in each area, and collections were performed monthly in the period from March 2020 to February 2021. The estimate of the decomposition rate of the litter was done by quantifying the loss of mass, using litter bags, which allow for a direct analysis of the rate of decay over time. The forest and P. cupana environments presented the highest litter production, and greater deposition when compared to environments cultivated with T. grandiflorum and B. orellana. The forest and B. orellana areas showed the highest speed of decomposition, while the opposite situation occurred under T. grandiflorum and P. cupana cultivation.

Bixasteroid, a new compound from the fruits of Bixa orellana and its anti-inflammatory activity.

Bixasteroid (1), one new steroid together with five known compounds (2-6), were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Bixa orellana fruits. All of these known compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by X-ray crystallographic data analysis as well as by the quantum chemical ECD calculations. All the isolated compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibiting NO release activities in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with the IC50 values of 4.72 ± 0.28 and 5.48 ± 1.48 µM, respectively.

Chemical composition and effects of ethanolic extract and gel of Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg. Leaves on inflammation, pain, and wounds.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cochlospermum regium is well-known as "Algodãozinho do cerrado" in folk Brazilian medicine, and is used to fight infections, inflammation and skin disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: To identify the phytochemical constituents and the effects of the ethanolic extract of C. regium leaves (EECR) on inflammation and pain, and the effects of C. regium gel (GEECR) on wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were treated with EECR (30-300 mg/kg) or GEECR (1.25 and 2.5%) and studies were conducted using carrageenan-induced pleurisy and paw edema tests, formalin-induced pain model, and excision wound model. RESULTS: In total, 25 compounds, including quercitrin, methyl gallate, and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylhexose, with highest detectability were identified. The treatments reduced leukocyte migration, nitric oxide production, protein extravasation, edema, mechanical hyperalgesia, pain in both phases (neurogenic and inflammatory), cold hypersensitivity, and improved wound closure and tissue regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings established the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and wound healing potential of the leaves of C. regium, confirming the potential therapeutic effect of this plant.

The resource availability hypothesis (RAH) and cross-cultural patterns: which one explains West African Cochlospermum species' uses in Benin?

BACKGROUND: Cochlospermum tinctorium and C. planchonii are two wide edible plants of sub-Saharan countries, e.g., Benin, widely used as food, medicine, dye, handicraft, etc. Unfortunately, the uncontrolled harvest of their rootstocks exposes them to local extension risk. To enhance knowledge on the determinants of their uses in Benin, this study aimed to (i) assess the use forms, use values, abundance and perceived spatiotemporal dynamics, (ii) determine how does local abundance or cultural patterns affect the use of Cochlospermum species, and (iii) assess local harvesting modes and conservation management practices. METHODS: In total, 756 Dialog Partners through 27 ethnic groups were questioned countrywide using semi-structured interviews. Questions refer to local taxonomy, specific uses, organs sought, harvesting modes and local conservation strategies; afterward, local abundance of each species was assessed. Ethnobotanical indicators were analyzed through citation frequencies to obtain quantitative data. Comparison tests and statistical analyses were performed using R program. RESULTS: C. tinctorium and C. planchonii are locally well known and involved into 83 specific uses, grouped into ten categories of which medicinal use was the main. The use values of C. planchonii (0.10 ± 0.19) and C. tinctorium (0.23 ± 0.20) varied significantly between the ethnic groups, and only C. tinctorium showed index of commercially value above 75% for some ethnic groups. The current abundance, about 84 and 97 tufts.ha-1, respectively, for C. planchonii and C. tinctorium was perceived with a decline of 81.09% (C. tinctorium) and 73.7% (C. planchonii) of informants. Moreover, the Spearman's correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests performed revealed that the use values of C. tinctorium and C. planchonii were significantly correlated on the one hand with their local abundance and on the other hand with the investigated ethnic groups. About 42.3% of women produced the powder as principal activity, while more than 57% produced it mainly at the end of farm work. However, the conservation management was practiced by very few informants and consisted of partial harvesting of rootstocks (41.8%, only in southern Benin), and fallowing of harvesting areas (3.97%, only in northern Benin). CONCLUSION: Facing the declining abundance and increasing market demand for rootstock powder of Cochlospermum species, existing local conservation strategies should be promoted and the domestication process should be initiated for sustainable management of these important wild edible plants before these important resources disappear completely in the wild.

Green Extraction of Annatto Seed Oily Extract and Its Use as a Pharmaceutical Material for the Production of Lipid Nanoparticles.

This work developd nanomaterials formulated from annatto seed oily extract (ASE), myristic acid (tetradecanoic acid), and their fatty acid esters. The annatto seed oily extract was obtained using only soybean oil (ASE + SO) and Brazil nut oil (ASE + BNO). The UV/VIS analysis of the oily extracts showed three characteristic peaks of the bixin molecule at 430, 456 and 486 nm. The lipid nanoparticles obtained using myristic acid and ASE + BNO or only BNO showed better results than the oil soybean extract, i.e., the particle size was <200 nm, PDI value was in the range of 0.2−0.3, and had no visual physical instability as they kept stable for 28 days at 4 °C. Lipid nanoemulsions were also produced with esters of myristic acid and ASE + BNO. These fatty acid esters significantly influenced the particle size of nanoemulsions. For instance, methyl tetradecanoate led to the smallest particle size nanoemulsions (124 nm), homogeneous size distribution, and high physical stability under 4 and 32 °C for 28 days. This work demonstrates that the chemical composition of vegetable oils and myristic acid esters, the storage temperature, the chain length of fatty acid esters (FAE), and their use as co-lipids improve the physical stability of lipid nanoemulsions and nanoparticles from annatto seed oily extract.

Organic Electronics from Nature: Computational Investigation of the Electronic and Optical Properties of the Isomers of Bixin and Norbixin Present in the Achiote Seeds.

Organic compounds have been employed in developing new green energy solutions with good cost-efficiency compromise, such as photovoltaics. The light-harvesting process in these applications is a crucial feature that still needs improvements. Here, we studied natural dyes to propose an alternative for enhancing the light-harvesting capability of photovoltaics. We performed density functional theory calculations to investigate the electronic and optical properties of the four natural dyes found in achiote seeds (Bixa orellana L.). Different DFT functionals, and basis sets, were used to calculate the electronic and optical properties of the bixin, norbixin, and their trans-isomers (molecules present in Bixa orellana L.). We observed that the planarity of the molecules and their similar extension for the conjugation pathways provide substantially delocalized wavefunctions of the frontier orbitals and similar values for their energies. Our findings also revealed a strong absorption peak in the blue region and an absorption band over the visible spectrum. These results indicate that Bixa orellana L. molecules can be good candidates for improving light-harvesting in photovoltaics.

Potential of the Compounds from Bixa orellana Purified Annatto Oil and Its Granules (Chronic®) against Dyslipidemia and Inflammatory Diseases: In Silico Studies with Geranylgeraniol and Tocotrienols.

Some significant compounds present in annatto are geranylgeraniol and tocotrienols. These compounds have beneficial effects against hyperlipidemia and chronic diseases, where oxidative stress and inflammation are present, but the exact mechanism of action of such activities is still a subject of research. This study aimed to evaluate possible mechanisms of action that could be underlying the activities of these molecules. For this, in silico approaches such as ligand topology (PASS and SEA servers) and molecular docking with the software GOLD were used. Additionally, we screened some pharmacokinetic and toxicological parameters using the servers PreADMET, SwissADME, and ProTox-II. The results corroborate the antidyslipidemia and anti-inflammatory activities of geranylgeraniol and tocotrienols. Notably, some new mechanisms of action were predicted to be potentially underlying the activities of these compounds, including inhibition of squalene monooxygenase, lanosterol synthase, and phospholipase A2. These results give new insight into new mechanisms of action involved in these molecules from annatto and Chronic®.

Bixa orellana L. carotenoids: antiproliferative activity on human lung cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer cells in vitro.

Emerging evidence on the potential pro-oxidant effect of carotenoids provokes apoptosis of cancer cells. Bixa orellana L. is native to Central and South America, interestingly, is also cultivated worldwide. Apo-carotenoids present in B. orellana L. are mainly dominated by bixin and norbixin and demonstrate fundamental antioxidant activity. Anti-proliferative activity on human cancer cells is rarely investigated. We isolated bixin from B. orellana L. found in the island of Java using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography and confirmed the isolated compound using Liquid Chromatography-MS/MS. Bixin and crude extract were examined on human lung cancer (A549), cervical cancer (HeLa), and breast cancer (MCF-7). Anti-proliferative activity revealed to be promising on both, the isolated pigment and crude extract. Further investigation on the mechanism of action and effect on other cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo, are required before clinical translation.

Low-frequency ultrasound-assisted esterification of Bixa orellana L. seed starch with octenyl succinic anhydride.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the ultrasound intensity (0, 5, 10, and 20 W/cm2) on the esterification of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seed starch with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) employing a short processing time (5 min) to produce a novel emulsifier. OSA-esterified annatto seed starches were examined according to their degree of substitution (DS), amylose content, granule size distribution, microstructure, and X-ray diffractogram. Also, the performance of the OSA-modified annatto seed starch to stabilize colloidal systems was compared to commercial samples of OSA-modified starches. For this, annatto seed oil-in-water emulsions were produced and characterized according to their droplet size distribution, microstructure, and kinetic stability. Increasing ultrasound intensity from 5 W/cm2 to 20 W/cm2, DS values reached up to 0.139 ± 0.031. Likewise, these treatments yielded approximately 1.24-1.36 times more amylose content than the sample without ultrasound application. Most of the starch granules presented smooth surfaces without visible fissures. The higher ultrasound intensity hindered the aggregation of starch granules, thus forming well-defined elliptical particles. On the other hand, the increase of the ultrasound intensity did not change Brouckere mean diameter of the starch granules. No significant qualitative differences were seen in the X-ray diffractograms in terms of diffraction angle and peak intensity, indicating that the main functional characteristics of starches were not altered with ultrasound treatment. Furthermore, modified annatto starch was able to stabilize annatto seed oil-in-water emulsions. When compared to two commercial modified starches, OSA-esterified annatto starch produced a colloidal system with a larger Sauter mean diameter (14 ± 2 µm). However, the emulsion stabilized with modified annatto starch was more kinetically stable during the storage time in comparison to those stabilized with commercial starches.

Evaluation of a Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Male Athletes: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The gut microbiota has emerged as a factor that influences exercise performance and recovery. The present study aimed to test the effect of a polyherbal supplement containing ginger and annatto called "ReWin(d)" on the gut microbiota of recreational athletes in a pilot, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-four participants who practice physical activity at least three times weekly were randomly allocated to two groups, a ReWin(d) group or a maltodextrin (placebo) group. We evaluated the gut microbiota, the production of short-chain fatty acids, and the serum levels of interleukin-6 and lipopolysaccharide at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results showed that ReWin(d) supplementation slightly increased gut microbiota diversity. Pairwise analysis revealed an increase in the relative abundance of Lachnospira (ß-coefficient = 0.013; p = 0.001), Subdoligranulum (ß-coefficient = 0.016; p = 0.016), Roseburia (ß-coefficient = 0.019; p = 0.001), and Butyricicoccus (ß-coefficient = 0.005; p = 0.035) genera in the ReWin(d) group, and a decrease in Lachnoclostridium (ß-coefficient = - 0.008; p = 0.009) and the Christensenellaceae R7 group (ß-coefficient = - 0.010; p < 0.001). Moreover, the Christensenellaceae R-7 group correlated positively with serum interleukin-6 (ρ = 0.4122; p = 0.032), whereas the Lachnospira genus correlated negatively with interleukin-6 (ρ = - 0.399; p = 0.032). ReWin(d) supplementation had no effect on short-chain fatty acid production or on interleukin-6 or lipopolysaccharide levels.