The influence of high intensity ultrasound (HIUS) on physicochemical and functional properties of sunflower protein isolates was investigated. Protein solutions (10% w/v) were treated with ultrasound probe (20kHz) and ultrasound bath (40kHz) for 5, 10, 20 and 30min. Thermal stability of protein isolates was reduced as indicated by differential scanning calorimetry. Minimum thermal stability was observed at 20min of sonication and increased further with increase in treatment time indicating aggregation at prolonged sonication. SDS-PAGE profile of proteins showed a significant reduction in molecular weight. Further, surface hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl content increased after HIUS treatment indicating partial unfolding of proteins and reduction in the intermolecular interactions. The particle size analysis showed that HIUS treatment reduced the particle size. Less turbid solution were observed largely due to reduction in particle size. HIUS decreased the available lysine content in protein isolates. Solubility, emulsifying capacity, emulsion stability, foaming capacity, foam stability and oil binding capacity were improved significantly, while as, water binding capacity was decreased. The effect of HIUS on physicochemical and functional properties of sunflower protein isolates was more pronounced in probe sonication rather than bath sonication. Protein isolates with improved functional properties can be obtained using high intensity ultrasound technology.

Exosomes are small membranous entities of endocytic origin. Their production by a wide variety of cells in eukaryotes implicates their roles in the execution of essential processes, especially cellular communication. Exosomes are secreted under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and their actions on neighboring and distant cells lead to the modulations of cellular behaviors. They also assist in the delivery of disease causing entities, such as prions, α-syn, and tau, and thus, facilitate spread to non-effected regions and accelerate the progressions of neurodegenerative diseases. The characterization of exosomes, provides information on aberrant processes, and thus, exosome analysis has many clinical applications. Because they are associated with the transport of different cellular entities across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), exosomes might be useful for delivering drugs and other therapeutic molecules to brain. Herein, we review roles played by exosomes in different neurodegenerative diseases, and the possibilities of using them as diagnostic biomarkers of disease progression, drug delivery vehicles and in gene therapy.

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