Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a polyphenol
derived from olive oil, was examined
against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis to study its
potential in preventing colitis and the underlying mechanisms involved.
The low dose and high dose of HT used in mice were 10 and 50 mg/kg,
respectively. Research findings have shown that HT is effective in
preventing colitis by alleviating the signs of colitis. HT intervention
significantly reduces colitis markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO)
and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α).
Also, mice treated with a high dose of HT showed increased secretion
of antioxidant enzymes (heme oxygenase-1 (HO) and anti-inflammatory
cytokine (IL-10) by 2.32- and 2.28-fold, respectively, in comparison
to the DSS-treated group. Modulation effects of HT on the antioxidant
signal pathway (NRF2) and the inflammatory pathway (NF-κB) were
confirmed. Meanwhile, HT promoted the regeneration of the intestinal
barrier and maintained intestinal functional homeostasis by boosting
the regeneration of goblet cells and the expression of mucin protein
(Muc2) and tight junction (TJ) proteins (claudin-1, occludin, and
Zonula Occludens-1). Moreover, HT intervention obviously transformed
the gut microbiota, leading to a lower abundance of inflammation-related
microbes (e.g., Bacteroidaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae) and a higher
level of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing bacteria (e.g.,
Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae, ASF356, and Colidextribacter). Scientific
evidence for the beneficial effect of the “Mediterranean diet”
(MD) on intestinal health was achieved by elucidating the alleviation
mechanism of hydroxytyrosol on colitis.
Bacillus sp. DU-106, a newly isolated member of Bacillus cereus group, exhibits the predominant ability to produce L-lactic acid. The probiotic potency of test strain revealed its survivability at acidic pH, bile salts and viability in simulated gastric juice in vitro. The acute oral toxicity test indicated its no toxicity to laboratory mice in vivo. We further determined the complete genome of strain DU-106 to understand genetic basis as a potential probiotic. It has a circular chromosome and three plasmids for a total genome 5,758,208 bp in size with a G + C content of 35.10%. Genes associated with lactate synthesis were found in the DU-106 genome. We also annotated various stress-related, bile salt resistance, and adhesion-related domains in this strain, which likely provide support in exerting probiotic action by enabling adhesion to host epithelial cells and survival under gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, strain DU-106 genome lacks the virulence genes encodes cereulide synthetase, enterotoxin FM, and cytotoxin K. These phenotypic and genomic probiotic potencies facilitate its potential candidate as probiotic starter in food industry.
Food packaging is a coordinated system comprising food processing, protection from contamination and adulteration, transportation and storage, and distribution and consumption at optimal cost with a minimum environmental impact to the packed food commodity. Active packaging involves deliberate addition of the functional ingredients either in the film or the package headspace to preserve the food quality, improve safety and nutrition aspects, and enhance the shelf-life. In this review, recent advances in the fabrication of biopolymer-based films, their classification (biodegradable-, active-, and intelligent packaging films), advanced fabrication strategies (composite-, multilayer-, and emulsified films), and special functions induced by the biopolymers to the film matrix (mechanical-, water resistance and gas barrier-, and optical properties, and bioactive compounds reservoir) were briefly discussed. A summary of conclusions and future perspectives of biopolymer-based packaging films as advanced biomaterial in preserving the food quality, improving safety and nutrition aspects, and enhancing shelf-life of the products was proposed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.