No abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that can lead to carcinoma, cirrhosis, and death. Since no approved medications are available, dietary interventions that include bioactive compounds have been recommended. This study investigated the effects of black ginseng extracts (BGE) and aged black garlic extracts (AGE) on high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Micrograph of liver tissues of mice fed with BGE and AGE showed less lipid droplets. The BGE and AGE supplements individually and in combination lowered the marker enzymes, aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels indicating their hepatoprotective effects. Compared to the plants extracts alone, the combination of the extracts resulted in lower total cholesterol (TC) and low‐density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL‐C), which are risk markers for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Diets with the combination of BGE and AGE supplements had higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities, and lower malondialdehyde indicating the synergistic effects of the extracts. Irrespective of the diet type, all treated groups showed lower tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) values as compared to HFD, which indicated overall immunomodulatory effect of both extracts. Therefore, the innovative formulation formed by the combination of BGE and AGE can provide hepatoprotective effects via modulating glycometabolism, lipometabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation in mice.

The combination of ultrasonication and agitation might be the best option to enhance the various phytochemicals in cold-brewed coffee. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

No abstract

Sanchi flowers were traditionally used as functional medicinal ingredient in materials. The study was aimed at evaluating superfine powder product of Sanchi flower, hence in this study, five fractions of dried Sanchi flower powders (SFP) were prepared at variable particle sizes by superfine grinding and evaluated for changes in various properties. Superfine powder with median particle diameter of 25.57 lm was produced through grinding. It was evident from the environmental scanning electron microscopy analysis that during superfine grinding, mechanical shear stress played its crucial role in breakdown of the SFP and causes increases in surface area owing to reduction of particle sizes. Superfine grinding could improve solubility, oil holding capacity, and brightness, but decrease the fluidity of SFP. SFP with smallest particle size exhibited highest saponin, minerals, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents accompanied with the best antioxidant activities. Size reduction beyond M200 and M400 led to increasing tendency in IR signature band patterns and marked differences in peak intensities while the powdered samples showed resemblance with respect to peak shapes. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated the lowest melting temperature for SFP fraction with smallest particle size. Conclusively, superfine SFP due to inherent improvement in properties may render several potential applications in manufacturing of food and pharmaceutical additives to impart improved functionalities of finally finished products with uniformity.

Natural colorants are important alternatives to synthetic colorants. They are considered harmless and positively affect biological activities owing to their antioxidant potential. The present study deals with the assessment of the extraction processes and the effects of pH (1.0, 3.0, and 5.0), extraction media (water and 50% ethanol) and storage condition (ambient and refrigeration) on betacyanin content, color values, as well as degradation kinetics of total betacyanins in red amaranth. Betacyanin content was more stable at higher than at lower pH. The degradation rate constant (K) was higher and the half-life (t 1/2) was lower at ambient temperature compared to refrigeration temperature. Betacyanin degradation was higher at ambient temperature (30 ± 2°C) than at refrigeration temperature (4°C). The pH, storage time, and temperature affected the stability of the color attributes. Therefore, this work suggests that water and lower temperature (4°C) could be applied to extract more betacyanins from red amaranth and betacyanins might be used as an alternative to synthetic color.

The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly discernible everywhere, and initiatives have been taken worldwide to mitigate climate change. In agriculture, particularly meat production from the livestock sector is known to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that drive climate change. Thus, to mitigate climate impact, strategies that include a shift in consumption patterns, technological advancements and reduction in food wastes/losses have been discussed. In this review, strategies that focus on meat consumption patterns are evaluated from the technological feasibility, environmental impact and consumer acceptance viewpoints. While plant-based substitutes have efficient nutrient conversion and lower GHG emissions, consumer perception, cost, and other trade-offs exist. Although cultured meat precludes the need of any animals and large land areas, its environmental impact is not clear and is contingent upon production systems and the achievement of decarbonization. Reducing wastes and the re-use of meat processing by-products have the potential to lower the environmental impact. Valuable proteins, heat, electricity and biofuels extracted from wastes and by-products not only reduce the disposal of wastes but also offset some GHG emissions. Perception related challenges that exist for all substitution strategies require specific consumer target marketing strategies. Policy measures such as taxation of meat products and subsidies for alternatives are also met with challenges, thereby requiring reforms or new policies.

Dietary fibers (DFs) and associated phytochemicals in ginseng species are known to provide various functional and health benefits. The incorporation of ginseng insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) in food products often result in undesirable physicochemical properties. Thus, to overcome such demerits, micronization of IDF has been considered. This study investigated the effect of particle size on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, structure and thermal analysis of ginseng IDF. Micronized IDF powder with median particle diameter of 15.83 μm was produced through fine grinding. Reduction of ginseng IDF resulted in increased brightness, water holding capacity and solubility. Decreasing particle sizes also lowered bulk, tapped density, Carr index and Hausner ratio. Reduction of particle size caused greater extractability of mineral and phenolic content and thereby increasing the DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Increased polyphenol extraction with smaller particle size also lowered the mice erythrocytes hemolysis percentage while the hemolysis inhibition rate was increased. Particle size also influenced the thermal stability of ginseng IDF powders. FTIR spectra revealed lack of impact on the major phenolic structures due to superfine grinding. Hence,micronized ginseng IDF powders with improved physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities possess the potential to be used in food and pharmaceutical industries.