scholarly journals Comparative In Vitro Antioxidant Capacity and Terpenoid Profiling of Pumpkin Fruit Pulps from a Serbian Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata Breeding Collection

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1580
Author(s):  
Milorad Miljić ◽  
Gabriele Rocchetti ◽  
Sanja Krstić ◽  
Aleksandra Mišan ◽  
Milka Brdar-Jokanović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Cucurbita Moschata ◽  
Cucurbita Maxima ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Marker Compounds

Pumpkin is considered a healthy and functional food. The consumption of pumpkins and pumpkin-based foods has been shown to confer several beneficial effects on human health due to their antioxidant capacity and terpenoid content. Consequently, this study aimed to characterize the in vitro antioxidant capacity (using FRAP and ABTS assays), terpenoid profile (using an untargeted lipidomics approach via high-resolution UHPLC-Orbitrap mass spectrometry), and carotenoid content (by HPLC-DAD) in pumpkin fruit pulp from accessions differing for species (11 Cucurbita maxima and 9 Cucurbita moschata), cultivar, and origin, belonging to a Serbian breeding collection. These accessions are candidates for inclusion within programs intended to improve pumpkin fruit quality. The results obtained in this work allowed us to highlight the best marker compounds, discriminating both the region of accession collection or breeding (“origin”) and the plant species. Furthermore, our findings have helped to identify the most suitable antioxidant-rich varieties to select for national breeding programs for improving human health. These findings provide valuable information to the overall current understanding of the potential health benefits of pumpkins and the discriminant triterpenoids underlying the C. maxima and C. moschata accessions investigated here, which include those of Serbian and non-Serbian origin.

scholarly journals HPLC-UV/Vis-APCI-MS/MS Determination of Major Carotenoids and Their Bioaccessibility from “Delica” (Cucurbita maxima) and “Violina” (Cucurbita moschata) Pumpkins as Food Traceability Markers

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 2791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Bergantin ◽  
Annalisa Maietti ◽  
Paola Tedeschi ◽  
Guillermina Font ◽  
Lara Manyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Cooking Methods ◽  
Cucurbita Moschata ◽  
Cucurbita Maxima ◽  
Steam Cooking ◽  
In Vitro Bioaccessibility ◽  
Β Carotene

Carotenoids are a widespread group of fat-soluble pigments, and their major nutritional importance comes from their pro-vitamin A activity and their antioxidant capacity. In this study, two different pumpkin cultivars (Cucurbita maxima, also named `Delica’ and Cucurbita moschata, also known as `Violina’) from the southern Po Delta area were investigated in terms of carotenoid content and the influence of food processing on compositional changes and carotenoid bioaccessibility. Quali- and quantitative determination of carotenoids in sample extracts were performed on a C30 column by means of an online coupled HPLC-UV/Vis-APCI-MS/MS technique. The identification of separated compounds was tentatively achieved by merging (i) chromatographic data, (ii) UV-Vis spectra, and (iii) MS/MS fragmentation spectra. The chromatographic profiles for the two cultivars showed qualitative differences. Two major carotenoids were considered for quantification purposes and further investigations: lutein and β -carotene. Quantification of target carotenoids was performed with external calibration through analytical standards. The concentration of lutein and β -carotene was higher in C. maxima than in the other variety, C. moschata. Carotenoids are susceptible to degradation (isomerization and oxidation) during food processing (i.e., cooking), and the concentration of lutein and β -carotene were monitored in oven-cooked and steam-cooked pumpkins. The steam-cooking process was superior in terms of limiting carotenoid loss. A complete functional profile of pumpkins as a source of carotenoids was gained with the evaluation of their in vitro bioaccessibility and their bioavailability after intake during human digestion. Bioaccessibility of lutein and β -carotene were estimated by an in vitro static digestion model that involved salivary, gastric, and duodenal phases. Bioaccessibility values progressively increased from the salivary to the duodenal phase for both pumpkin varieties and cooking methods. Bioaccessibility of lutein was always lower than β -carotene for both cultivars and for both cooking methods. Bioaccessibility values for lutein and β -carotene changed from 1.93% to 2.34% vs. 4.94% and 8.83% in the salivary phase, from 2.7% to 4.63% vs. 7.83% and 15.60% in the gastric phase, and from 10.04% to 13.42% vs. 25.81% and 35.32% in the duodenal phase. For both target compounds, bioaccessibility in the duodenal phase was more than twice the gastric values, and it underlined that the type of cooking did not influence release from the initial matrix.

Potential Risks and Benefits of Phytoestrogen-Rich Diets

2003 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassidy
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Intestinal Bacteria ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Data ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Age Related

Interest in the physiological role of bioactive compounds present in plants has increased dramatically over the last decade. Of particular interest in relation to human health are the class of compounds known as the phytoestrogens, which embody several groups of non-steroidal oestrogens including isoflavones & lignans that are widely distributed within the plant kingdom. Data from animal and in vitro studies provide plausible mechanisms to explain how phytoestrogens may influence hormone dependent states, but although the clinical application of diets rich in these oestrogen mimics is in its infancy, data from preliminary studies suggest potential beneficial effects of importance to health. Phytoestrogens are strikingly similar in chemical structure to the mammalian oestrogen, oestradiol, and bind to oestrogen receptors (ER) with a preference for the more recently described ERb. This suggests that these compounds may exert tissue specific effects. Numerous other biological effects independent of the ER (e.g. antioxidant capacity, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects) have been ascribed to these compounds. Whether phytoestrogens have any biological activity in humans, either hormonal or non hormonal is a contentious issue and there is currently a paucity of data on human exposure. Much of the available data on the absorption and metabolism of dietary phytoestrogens is of a qualitative nature; it is known that dietary phytoestrogens are metabolised by intestinal bacteria, absorbed, conjugated in the liver, circulated in plasma and excreted in urine. Recent studies have addressed quantitatively what happens to isoflavones following ingestion – with pure compound and stable isotope data to compliment recent pharmacokinetic data for soy foods. The limited studies conducted so far in humans clearly confirm that soya isoflavones can exert hormonal effects. These effects may be of benefit in the prevention of many of the common diseases observed in Western populations (such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis) where the diet is typically devoid of these biologically active naturally occurring compounds. However since biological effects are dependent on many factors including dose, duration of use, protein binding affinity, individual metabolism and intrinsic oestrogenic state, further clinical studies are necessary to determine the potential health effects of these compounds in specific population groups. However we currently know little about age related differences in exposure to these compounds and there are few guidelines on optimal dose for specific health outcomes.

scholarly journals Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Inhibit the Function of Human URAT1, a Renal Urate Re-Absorber

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Saito ◽  
Yu Toyoda ◽  
Tappei Takada ◽  
Hiroshi Hirata ◽  
Ami Ota-Kontani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Serum Urate ◽  
The Body ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Uricosuric Agents ◽  
Transport Assay ◽  
The Impact

The beneficial effects of fatty acids (FAs) on human health have attracted widespread interest. However, little is known about the impact of FAs on the handling of urate, the end-product of human purine metabolism, in the body. Increased serum urate levels occur in hyperuricemia, a disease that can lead to gout. In humans, urate filtered by the glomerulus of the kidney is majorly re-absorbed from primary urine into the blood via the urate transporter 1 (URAT1)-mediated pathway. URAT1 inhibition, thus, contributes to decreasing serum urate concentration by increasing net renal urate excretion. Here, we investigated the URAT1-inhibitory effects of 25 FAs that are commonly contained in foods or produced in the body. For this purpose, we conducted an in vitro transport assay using cells transiently expressing URAT1. Our results showed that unsaturated FAs, especially long-chain unsaturated FAs, inhibited URAT1 more strongly than saturated FAs. Among the tested unsaturated FAs, eicosapentaenoic acid, α-linolenic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid exhibited substantial URAT1-inhibitory activities, with half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 6.0, 14.2, and 15.2 μM, respectively. Although further studies are required to investigate whether the ω-3 polyunsaturated FAs can be employed as uricosuric agents, our findings further confirm FAs as nutritionally important substances influencing human health.

scholarly journals A Brief Overview on Probiotics: The Health Friendly Microbes

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1869-1880
Author(s):  
Sanjukta Mishra ◽  
Swastik Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Intrinsic Property ◽  
Saccharomyces Boulardii ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Fatty Acid Production ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Probiotic Mechanisms

Probiotics are defined as non-pathogenic live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host. Association of probiotics with human beings has a lot of history. Well known as 'health-friendly bacteria', they are widely used commercially as a functional food. The popularity of probiotics has gone exponentially high due to an increasing number of clinical trials, supporting their beneficial effects. Several in vivo and in-vitro experimental evidence supports strain-specific and disease-specific probiotic efficacy to prevent and ameliorate antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, and many more. Besides, numerous recent studies have reported that probiotics could have a significant effect in alleviating various metabolic, lifestyle and diet-related disorders like obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome Strains of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii are the most commonly used as probiotics. Safety, efficacy, pathogenicity, infectivity, intrinsic property, virulence factors are to be addressed during probiotic selection. The underlying mechanisms of probiotics effects are still not fully elucidated and have been under intensive research. Numerous diverse, strain-specific probiotic mechanisms have been proposed, which include early colonization of perturbed microbes, competitive exclusion of pathogens, short-chain volatile fatty acid production, alteration of gut pH, immunomodulation and many more. Considering the remarkable influence on human health, probiotics seem to be alluring attractive agents to promote human health conditions and to improve the quality of life against several diseases. This review discusses the current documentation and recent advances on probiotics and their possible health attributes, in scientific literature, focusing on diverse, heterogeneous, and strain-specific mechanisms of action. Randomised human controlled clinical trials are needed to reconfirm its safety and beneficial effects.

scholarly journals Sprouts vs. Microgreens as Novel Functional Foods: Variation of Nutritional and Phytochemical Profiles and Their In vitro Bioactive Properties

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (20) ◽  
pp. 4648
Author(s):  
Aneta Wojdyło ◽  
Paulina Nowicka ◽  
Karolina Tkacz ◽  
Igor Piotr Turkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Organic Acid ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Reducing Ability ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Butyrylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Phytochemical Profiles

The aim of the study was to analyze potential health-promoting and nutritional components (polyphenols, L-ascorbic acid, carotenoids, chlorophylls, amino acids, organic acid, sugars, ash and pectins) of selected sprouts (radish, lentil, black medick, broccoli, sunflower, leek, beetroot, mung beans) and microgreens (kale, radish, beetroot, green peas, amaranth). Moreover, antioxidant capacity (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)), in vitro anti-diabetic potential (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and anti-obesity (pancreatic lipase) and anti-cholinergic (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) activity were evaluated. The results of this study show that sprouts are effective in antioxidant capacity as a result of a high content of polyphenols and L-ascorbic acid. Additionally, sprouts are better sources of amino acids, pectins and sugars than microgreens. Microgreens were characterized by high content of carotenoids and chlorophylls, and organic acid, without any sugars, exhibiting higher anti-diabetic and anti-cholinergic activity than sprouts. Some selected sprouts (broccoli, radish, lentil) and microgreens (radish, amaranths, kale) should be used daily as superfoods or functional food.

Cellular barriers in apple tissue regulate polyphenol release under different food processing and in vitro digestion conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 3008-3017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongjie Liu ◽  
Patricia Lopez-Sanchez ◽  
Michael J. Gidley
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
In Vitro Digestion ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Apple Tissue ◽  
Food Matrices

Polyphenol released from food matrices is the first stage for their potential beneficial effects on human health.

scholarly journals Genetic analysis of phenylpropanoids and antioxidant capacity in strawberry fruit reveals mQTL hotspots and candidate genes

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine M. Pott ◽  
José G. Vallarino ◽  
Eduardo Cruz-Rus ◽  
Lothar Willmitzer ◽  
José F. Sánchez-Sevilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Plant Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Secondary Compounds ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
Strawberry Fruit ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Health Related

AbstractPhenylpropanoids are a large class of plant secondary metabolites, which play essential roles in human health mainly associated with their antioxidant activity. Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a rich source of phytonutrients, including phenylpropanoids, which have been shown to have beneficial effects on human health. In this study, using the F. × ananassa ‘232’ × ‘1392’ F1 segregating population, we analyzed the genetic control of individual phenylpropanoid metabolites, total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (TEAC) in strawberry fruit over two seasons. We have identified a total of 7, 9, and 309 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for TPC, TEAC and for 77 polar secondary metabolites, respectively. Hotspots of stable QTL for health-related antioxidant compounds were detected on linkage groups LG IV-3, LG V-2 and V-4, and LG VI-1 and VI-2, where associated markers represent useful targets for marker-assisted selection of new varieties with increased levels of antioxidant secondary compounds. Moreover, differential expression of candidate genes for major and stable mQTLs was studied in fruits of contrasting lines in important flavonoids. Our results indicate that higher expression of FaF3′H, which encodes the flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase, is associated with increased content of these important flavonoids.

scholarly journals Cocoa Polyphenols: Can We Consider Cocoa and Chocolate as Potential Functional Food?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djurdjica Ackar ◽  
Kristina Valek Lendić ◽  
Marina Valek ◽  
Drago Šubarić ◽  
Borislav Miličević ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Folk Medicine ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Dark Chocolate ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Short Overview ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Chocolate has been consumed as confection, aphrodisiac, and folk medicine for many years before science proved its potential health benefiting effects. Main compounds of cocoa and chocolate which contribute to human health are polyphenols that act as antioxidants and have potential anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antihepatotoxic, antibacterial, antiviral, antiallergenic, and anticarcinogenic properties. This paper gives a short overview of scientific literature regarding cocoa polyphenols and influence of cocoa and chocolate on human health. Although research on health benefits of dark chocolate and cocoa is quite extensive nowadays and shows potentially beneficial effects of dark chocolate and cocoa, there are still lots of unknowns and some controversies. This is obviously an area that needs more research in order to determine factual influence of chocolate on health.

scholarly journals Dietary Phytoestrogens and Their Metabolites as Epigenetic Modulators with Impact on Human Health

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1893
Author(s):  
Victor Stefan Ionescu ◽  
Alexandra Popa ◽  
Andrei Alexandru ◽  
Emilia Manole ◽  
Mihaela Neagu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Population Heterogeneity ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Daily Diet ◽  
Metabolites Production ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition

The impact of dietary phytoestrogens on human health has been a topic of continuous debate since their discovery. Nowadays, based on their presumptive beneficial effects, the amount of phytoestrogens consumed in the daily diet has increased considerably worldwide. Thus, there is a growing need for scientific data regarding their mode of action in the human body. Recently, new insights of phytoestrogens’ bioavailability and metabolism have demonstrated an inter-and intra-population heterogeneity of final metabolites’ production. In addition, the phytoestrogens may have the ability to modulate epigenetic mechanisms that control gene expression. This review highlights the complexity and particularity of the metabolism of each class of phytoestrogens, pointing out the diversity of their bioactive gut metabolites. Futhermore, it presents emerging scientific data which suggest that, among well-known genistein and resveratrol, other phytoestrogens and their gut metabolites can act as epigenetic modulators with a possible impact on human health. The interconnection of dietary phytoestrogens’ consumption with gut microbiota composition, epigenome and related preventive mechanisms is discussed. The current challenges and future perspectives in designing relevant research directions to explore the potential health benefits of dietary phytoestrogens are also explored.

Relevance of carcinogenicity bioassays in mice in assessing potential health risks associated with exposure to methylene chloride

1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G Liteplo ◽  
G W Long ◽  
M E Meek
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Methylene Chloride ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Intact Cells

Considerable research has been conducted to identify possible mechanisms of the carcinogenicity of methylene chloride in rodents, and to ascertain whether the observed increased incidences of liver and lung tumours in mice exposed to this substance, are relevant in assessing the potential hazards and risks to human health. On the basis of a study that purported to show qualitative differences between murine and human tissues, in the subcellular localization of the Theta-class glutathione S-transferase enzyme responsible for converting methylene chloride to a putative highly unstable, but reactive genotoxic metabolite, it was suggested that the mouse is an inappropriate model for human health risk assessment. However, other studies conducted in vitro with intact cells do not support the hypothesis that a putatively reactive metabolite of methylene chloride must be generated only within the nucleus in order to be able to interact with genomic DNA. Moreover, investigations employing semi-quantitative methods of mRNA hybridization are not convincing in identifying the subcellular localization of active Theta class glutathione S-transferase, and do not support the hypothesis of the differential subcellular localization of this enzyme within the nucleus of mouse, but not human cells. There is therefore, insufficient evidence to support the view that qualitative differences between humans and mice in the subcellular distribution of Theta-class glutathione S-transferase, renders carcinogenicity studies conducted with mice irrelevant in human hazard identi-fication and risk assessment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document