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The objectives of this study were to design multilayer oil-in-water nanoemulsions using a layer-by-layer technique to enhance the stability of β-carotene and evaluate its effect on in vitro release and antioxidant activity. To prepare β-carotene-loaded multilayer nanoemulsions (NEs), a primary NE (PRI-NE) using Tween 20 was coated with chitosan (CS) for the secondary NE (SEC-CS), and with dextran sulfate (DS) and sodium alginate (SA) for the two types of tertiary NEs (TER-DS, TER-SA). The multilayer NEs ranged in particle size from 92 to 110 nm and exhibited high entrapment efficiency (92–99%). After incubation in a simulated gastrointestinal tract model, the release rate of free fatty acids decreased slightly after coating with CS, DS, and SA. The bioaccessibility of β-carotene was 7.02% for the PRI-NE, 7.96% for the SEC-CS, 10.88% for the TER-DS, and 10.25% for the TER-SA. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging abilities increased by 1.2 times for the multilayer NEs compared to the PRI-NE. In addition, the cellular antioxidant abilities improved by 1.8 times for the TER-DS (87.24%) compared to the PRI-NE (48.36%). Therefore, multilayer nanoemulsions are potentially valuable techniques to improve the stability, in vitro digestion, and antioxidant activity of β-carotene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension remains a significant global health concern, contributing significantly to cardiovascular diseases and mortality rates. The inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role in alleviating high blood pressure. We investigated the potential of finger millets (Eleusine coracana) as a natural remedy for hypertension by isolating and characterizing its ACE-inhibitory compound. First, we evaluated the ACE-inhibitory activity of the finger millet ethanol extract and subsequently proceeded with solvent fractionation. Among the solvent fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity and was further fractionated. Using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, the ethyl acetate fraction was separated into four subfractions, with fraction 2 (F2) exhibiting the highest ACE inhibitory activity. Subsequent 1 H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13 C-NMR analyses confirmed that the isolated compound from F2 was catechin. Furthermore, molecular docking studies indicated that catechin has the potential to act as an ACE inhibitor. These findings suggest that finger millets, particularly as a source of catechin, have the potential to be used as a natural antihypertensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the antihypertensive effects of the combined extract of sorghum, adzuki bean, and finger millet (SAFE) on spontaneously hypertensive rats. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): WKY, SHR, SAFE (500 mg/kg SAFE), and CAP (50 mg/kg captopril). SAFE significantly decreased the lean-to-fat mass ratio with no notable changes in body weight, food intake, or food efficiency ratio, and it effectively lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, comparable to CAP. Moreover, it significantly reduced the cardiac mass index and alleviated cardiac fibrosis. SAFE did not induce hepatotoxicity, as indicated by the maintenance of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels in the normal range, confirming its safety. Taken together, these findings suggested that SAFE can be used as a dietary supplement for blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of processing (roasting and extrusion puffing) on the antihypertensive activity of blended grains both in vitro and in vivo. The blended grains were composed of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), and finger millet (Eleusine coracana). In the in vitro studies, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of blended grains were evaluated. The results showed a significant decreasing trend in TPC, TFC, and ACE inhibitory activity in the following order: nonprocessed blended grains (NPBG) > roasted blended grains (RBG) > extrusion puffed blended grains (EPBG). Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were fed a diet containing 40% blended grains (replacing the standard diet) for 8 weeks. None of the blended grains had any effects on feed intake, liver function, and serum lipid profile. Notably, NPBG showed the greatest reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to the model control (MC), followed by RBG, and EPBG, whereas diastolic blood pressure was significantly decreased in NPBG and RBG. Serum ACE activity and angiotensin II levels significantly decreased in all blended grains, with NPBG and RBG showing the most significant decrease in angiotensin II levels. Moreover, the mRNA expression of renin, a hormone involved in hypertension, was significantly decreased in NPBG and RBG. Only NPBG ameliorated aortic vascular remodeling compared to the MC. These results suggest that NPBG exhibited the most potent antihypertensive activity; however, roasting could be an effective processing method for maintaining antihypertensive effects compared to extrusion puffing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grains contain bioactive components that potentially have protective effects on chronic diseases such as diabetes. The anti-diabetic effects of blended grain ethanol extract (BGE) were evaluated in streptozotocin–nicotinamide (STZ–NA)-induced diabetic rats. BGE was prepared by mixing oat, sorghum, adzuki bean, finger millet, and proso millet (30:30:15:15:10). The rats were assigned into four groups, normal control, diabetic model control (DM), STZ–NA rats administered 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of metformin, and STZ–NA rats administered 500 mg/kg bw of BGE (BGE). After 6 weeks of administration, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (12%) in BGE decreased compared to DM. Strikingly, the fasting blood glucose (23%) and oral glucose tolerance test (15%) were improved in BGE compared to DM. BGE also increased insulin immunoreactivities in pancreatic β-cells. In sum, BGE exhibits anti-hyperglycemic effects by improving fasting glucose levels and insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells in the STZ–NA-induced diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to identify the efficient cryoprotectants formulations on the survival of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 microencapsulated in calcium alginate during freeze-drying. Trehalose, maltodextrin, sorbitol, sucrose, and soy peptone were selected to develop optimal formulations of cryoprotectants that were added to the calcium alginate microencapsulation using extrusion technology. The soy peptone after being combined with trehalose and maltodextrin was determined to have the highest cell viability than other combinations of sucrose and sorbitol during freeze-drying after microencapsulation (p ≤ 0.05). After storage for 12 weeks at 40 °C, the viability of microencapsulated L. plantarum was reduced by 1.03 log CFU mL− 1, while free cell viability was reduced by 1.68 log CFU mL− 1. Additionally, microencapsulated cells with cryoprotectants were resistant to simulated stomach–duodenum passage (SSDP) in vitro model, compared to free cells (p ≤ 0.05). This study highlighted that soy peptone was the most suitable cryoprotectant with trehalose and that the addition of maltodextrin during freeze-drying after microencapsulation of L. plantarum conferred enhanced survival during long-term storage at high temperatures and under adverse SSDP conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum is a vital cereal source that has various phenolic compounds and potential health-promoting benefits. This study evaluated the phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-obesity effects of sorghum extract (SE) prepared using three solvent systems: 50% (SE50), 80% (SE80), and 100% (SE100) ethanol. The results showed that SE50 exhibited the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid content among the sorghum extracts using different ethanol concentrations as extraction solvents. In addition, SE50 showed significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the other extracts. Interestingly, SE50 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; however, SE80 and SE100 had no beneficial effects. Moreover, SE50 significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes (Cebpα, Pparγ, and Fabp4) and lipogenic genes (Srebp1c, Fas, and Scd1). These results suggest that SE50 is superior to other ethanol extracts in phenolic contents, antioxidant and anti-obesity activities, and it could be used as a nutraceutical for anti-obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial whey protein (CWP) is generally produced in the cheese making process with heat treatment. Recently, native whey protein (NWP) can be obtained through microfiltration without heat treatment. The difference in physicochemical properties of CWP and NWP was confirmed in previous studies; however, in vivo research on the effect on muscle strength and protein synthesis is still lacking. In this study, rats were orally administered 1.56 g protein/kg body weight of lyophilized beverages containing CWP and NWP for 8 weeks. The biological value and net protein utilization in the NWP were significantly higher than in the CWP. Moreover, NWP increased muscle mass and grip strength compared to CWP. NWP also increased the phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin and ribosomal protein S6 kinase, pivotal proteins for muscle protein synthesis. These results suggest that NWP enhance muscle strength and protein synthesis more effectively than CWP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of the casein to whey proteins (CW) ratio in milk on body composition, muscle strength, and endurance exercise capacity in rats. Thirty rats were assigned into five groups, and each treatment was administered for eight weeks: (1) control (isocaloric lactose supplementation), (2) CW8:2 (regular milk), (3) CW6:4, (4) CW5:5, and (5) nitrogen-free (lactose). The milk concentration was converted from a human equivalent dose (400 mL/60 kg body weight/day). All the milk-administered groups showed significantly greater growth performance, including body weight and weight gain compared to the isocaloric lactose control (p < 0.05). However, different CW ratios in milk had no effect on growth performance. Additionally, body composition, i.e., lean body mass and adiposity, was not affected by the CW ratio. Interestingly, CW6:4 and CW5:5 had significantly higher plasma branched-chain amino acids concentrations than control and CW8:2 (p < 0.05). In addition, CW5:5 showed significantly increased grip strength by 12–24% and time to exhaustion by 8–62% compared to the other groups (p < 0.05), indicating that the higher whey proteins ratio improved physical performance. We concluded that whey proteins-fortified milk enhances muscle strength and endurance exercise capacity without altering lean mass in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of chitosan (CS)-tripolyphosphate (TPP) nanoparticles (NPs) on the stability, antioxidant activity, and bioavailability of astaxanthin (ASX). ASX-loaded CS-TPP NPs (ACT-NPs) prepared by ionic gelation between CS (0.571 mg/mL) and TPP (0.571 mg/mL) showed 505.2 ± 184.8 nm, 20.4 ± 1.2 mV, 0.348 ± 0.044, and 63.9 ± 3.0% of particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency, respectively. An in vitro release study confirmed that the release of ASX in simulated gastric (pH 1.2) and intestinal (pH 6.8) fluid was prolonged within ACT-NPs. The in vitro antioxidant activities of ACT-NPs were significantly improved compared with free ASX (FA) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the cellular and in vivo antioxidant analysis verified that ACT-NPs could enhance the cytoprotective effects on the BHK-21 cell line and demonstrate sustained release properties, leading to prolonged residence time in the rat plasma. The results suggest that the stability, antioxidant properties, and bioavailability of ASX can be effectively enhanced through encapsulation within CS-TPP NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]