Compound K (CK; 20-O-β-(d-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol) is one of the metabolites of ginsenosides contained in red ginseng (RG) and is known to have high bioavailability. This study aimed to establish the optimal conditions for enzyme treatment to convert ginsenosides from RG extract to CK, and to prove the characteristics of bioconverted red ginseng (BRG) extract. CK was not detected in unenzyme-treated RG extract, and in the single-step enzyme treatment, it was produced at less than 4.58 mg/g only in treatment group with Pyr-flo or Sumizyme AC (at 50 °C for 48 h). The highest yield of CK (14.32 mg/g) was obtained by Ultimase MFC treatment at 50 °C for 48 h after treatment with a mixture of Pyr-flo and Rapidase at 50 °C for 24 h. Total polyphenol, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were higher in BRG than in RG (p < 0.5). High-fat diet (HD) rat fed 1% BRG had significantly lower body weight, heart weight, fat pads (periosteal fat, epididymal fat), serum glucose levels, and hepatic triglyceride levels than those HD rat fed 1% RG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the sequential enzymatic bioconversion was produces higher CK in RG root extract than single-step enzyme treatment.
Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) is used in various adhesive, paint, and transparent tape applications. It is also used as a food additive in food manufacturing to make chewing gum and fruit and vegetable glazes; however, guidelines on the amount of food additives that is used have not yet been established. In this study, a method was developed for analysis of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) using high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC–ELSD) and pyrolyzer–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS). The analytical methods were applied to commercially available chewing gum. In the HPLC–ELSD analysis, the linearity was acceptable (R2 > 0.999), and the limits of detection and quantification were 22.2 and 67.3 µg/mL, respectively. The accuracies of PVAc were 87–115% at spike levels of 200–1000 µg/mL for the intra- and inter-day tests. The contents of PVAc in the chewing gum samples were n.d. (not detected)—13.8 g/kg. The presence of PVAc in chewing gum was verified with Py–GC–MS analysis, finding the typical pyrolysates of PVAc, such as acetic acid, benzene, toluene, styrene, indane, naphthalene, and acenaphthene. The developed analytical methods can be applied for successful identification of PVAc in chewing gum.
Development of obesity is associated with excessive fat accumulation and oxidative stress along with chronic inflammation. Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) are high in polyphenolic compounds and have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and hypolipidemic properties that may alleviate the pathogenesis of obesity and related metabolic complications. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate potential metabolic benefits of GB supplementation against high fat (HF) diet-induced obesity and its comorbidities in HF diet-fed rats (male Sprague–Dawley, n = 8/group, 6 weeks old). We also sought to examine the potential metabolic benefits of fermented GB (FGB) with L. plantarum CB3 and possible distinctions in the degree and/or mechanism of action compared to GB. GB and FGB supplementation suppressed the gene expression of inflammation indices at the local (adipose tissues) and systemic (liver) levels. In addition, GB and FGB supplementation upregulated the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes compared to the HF and/or even low fat (LF) group with more remarkable antioxidant effects by GB supplementation. Also, GB and FGB supplementation protected from HF-induced damages of the liver and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, we demonstrated that GB and FGB supplementation protected from HF-induced metabolic complications primarily by improving hepatic function and corresponding lipid metabolism via their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study confirming metabolic benefits of GB in a fermented form. Thus, these findings support the potential application of both GB and FGB to ameliorate obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities.
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