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Objective: Colon cancer occupies the third place in incidence worldwide; eating habits, in particular, consumption of hypercaloric diets, are relevant in its etiopathogenesis. On the other hand, foods can also modulate carcinogenesis: for example, proteins, which when hydrolyzed release peptides with biological activities, and legumes, especially, chickpea, represent a good source of hydrolysates. The objective of this work was to verify the inhibitory effect of chickpea hydrolyzed protein on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced carcinogenesis in mice fed a hypercaloric diet.Methods: We hydrolyzed chickpea protein by pepsin, pancreatin, and a combined pepsin-pancreatin system, to test its anticarcinogenic and hypercaloric activity in mice that had consumed a hypercaloric diet or a normal diet but were injected with azoxymethane (AOM).Results: A concentrate (70% proteins) was obtained from chickpea seeds (18.5% proteins), and extensive hydrolysates were obtained at 15 minutes, in all tested enzyme systems. The greatest activity was evidenced in the hydrolysates obtained with pepsin-pancreatin at 90 minutes. Animals that consumed the hypercaloric diet had a higher concentration of cholesterol and a higher atherogenic index, which were significantly reduced with the administration of chickpea protein hydrolysates with a dose-response effect (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg), whereas no effect was observed in animals that consumed the normal diet. In animals given AOM, aberrant crypts were observed, at a higher rate in animals that consumed the hypercaloric diet; with the consumption of hydrolysates by the animals that consumed either diet, the number of aberrant crypts was reduced with the 3 doses tested, and the effect was better in those animals fed the hypercaloric diet. The best effect in all tests was with 30 mg/kg body weight.Conclusion: The consumption of chickpea protein hydrolysates might confer a protective effect against colon carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CyTA: Journal of Food is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Salvia hispanica seeds were defatted by compression and this led to an increase in their fiber and protein contents. Consumption of this fiber improves bowel function and reduces blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Given its amino acids composition, S. hispanica deffated flour can have an antioxidant effect, protect the body from free radicals, and prevent inflammatory diseases. For this study, S. hispanica seeds were pressed with 22.07% of fat, 12.62% of protein, and 36.46% of fiber (d.b.). A protein concentrate was obtained from defatted flour by alkaline solubilization and acid precipitation allowing fiber separation. The concentrate had 77.26% of protein, the isolated fiber had 72.54% of protein. The concentrate was hydrolyzed with Alcalase–Flavourzyme for up to 240 min. The obtained hydrolyzates had equal degrees of hydrolysis (p < 0.05) and molecular weight of 21.99 and 34.16 kDa, corresponding to 11S globulin fractions. The antioxidant activity was measured by β-carotene discoloration, iron reducing antioxidant power and chelation (iron and copper) in hydrolyzates. The degree of hydrolysis and the first three antioxidant analyses showed comparable values (83%). Copper chelation decreased with time (values of 54–38%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CyTA: Journal of Food is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Spirulina maxima (Sm) is known to have nutritive value as well as a number of potentially useful biomedical properties. Objectives: The initial purpose of this report was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the alga (without its polyphenol content), on the induction of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon aberrant crypts (AC) in mouse. Besides, we hydrolyzed the protein content of such mixture. Our second aim was to determine the inhibitory potential of this last plant mixture on the AOM-induced colon AC in mouse. Moreover, we also determined the effect of the two indicated Sm samples on the oxidative damage caused by AOM in the colon and liver of treated mice. Materials and Methods: The experiment lasted 5 weeks. At the end, we registered the level of AC, nitric oxide, and the lipid and protein oxidation. Results: Our results showed the following: (1) the carcinogen increased more than 18 times the amount of the AC found in the control group. (2) On the contrary, the two tested mixtures of Sm produced a significant reduction over this damage (about 45%). (3) The two tested Sm mixtures were generally able to reduce the oxidative stress markers although with variable effects which go from 59% to 100% with respect to the control mice. Conclusion: Therefore, the present report established that the tested Sm fractions have mouse colon anticarcinogenic potential, partially related with their antioxidant capacity. Our report also suggested the need to further evaluate specific Sm chemicals as chemopreventive agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the consumption of vegetal-source proteins has been studied to determine their preventing effect on the development of several chronic diseases. The initial purpose of this report was to determine the effect of a hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) given to mice, alone or with azoxymethane (AOM), on various obesity biochemical biomarkers, as well as on the induction of colon aberrant crypts (aberrant crypt foci; ACF). At the end of the 5-week assay, animals fed the HCD showed alterations in the level of total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoproteins, and in the Atherogenic Index; besides, a significant elevation was observed in the number of ACF. Our second aim was to examine the effect of a Faba Protein Hydrolyzate (FPH) on mice fed the HCD. We first obtained protein hydrolyzates from the seeds ofVicia faba, determined the in vitro antioxidant potential with two tests, and, subsequently, evaluated the effect on obesity biomarkers and on the number of ACF. In the first case, we found that, generally, the best protective effect was obtained with the low dose of FPH (10 mg/kg) administered to animals fed the HCD, and injected AOM. With respect to the number of ACF, we observed that this dose was more effective, inhibiting such lesions to almost the level determined for the normocholesterolemic diet (NCD). Therefore, our results demonstrated the relevance of a HCD to develop anomalies in obesity biomarkers in mouse, as well as to increase the number of precarcinogenic lesions. Our results also showed a protective response with the administration of FPH, particularly with a specific dose, suggesting the need for extending research on the matter by widening the spectra of doses, in order to clearly define its potential to counteract the damage induced by the HCD, as well as to confirm if antioxidation in mice was involved in such an effect. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The involvement of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE-I) as one of the mechanisms controlling blood pressure is being studied to find alternative means of control of hypertension on human beings. On the market there are synthetic drugs that can control it, but these can cause undesirable health side effects. In this work was assessed the fractionation by ultrafiltration of the Lima bean ( Phaseolus lunatus) and Jamapa bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris), protein hydrolysates obtained with Alcalase® and Flavourzyme® on ACE-I inhibitory activity. Four membranes of different molecular cutoffs (10, 5, 3, and 1 kDa) were used. Fractions that had a higher inhibitory activity in both legumes were denominated as E (<1 kDa) with IC50 of 30.3 and 51.8 μg/mL values for the P. lunatus with Alcalase and Flavourzyme, respectively, and for the Phaseolus vulgaris with Alcalase and Flavourzyme with about 63.8 and 65.8 μg/mL values, respectively. The amino acid composition of these fractions showed residues in essential amino acids, which make a good source of energy and amino acids. On the other hand, the presence of hydrophobic amino acids such as V and P is a determining factor in the ACE-I inhibitor effect. The results suggest the possibility of obtaining and utilizing these peptide fractions in the development and innovation of a functional product that helps with treatment and/or prevention of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bean seeds are an inexpensive source of protein. Anthracnose disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum results in serious losses in common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crops worldwide, affecting any above-ground plant part, and protein dysfunction, inducing the synthesis of proteins that allow plants to improve their stress tolerance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of beans damaged by anthracnose disease as a source of peptides with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-I)-inhibitory activity. RESULTS: Protein concentrates from beans spoiled by anthracnose disease and from regular beans as controls were prepared by alkaline extraction and precipitation at isolelectric pH and hydrolysed using Alcalase 2.4 L. The hydrolysates from spoiled beans had ACE-I-inhibitory activity (IC50 0.0191 mg protein mL−1) and were very similar to those from control beans in terms of ACE-I inhibition, peptide electrophoretic profile and kinetics of hydrolysis. Thus preparation of hydrolysates using beans affected by anthracnose disease would allow for revalorisation of this otherwise wasted product. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest the use of spoiled bean seeds, e.g. anthracnose-damaged beans, as an alternative for the isolation of ACE-I-inhibitory peptides to be further introduced as active ingredients in functional foods. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard to cook is a textural defect that affects the nutritional quality of beans stored under adverse temperature and humidity conditions. This defect is related to intrinsic characteristics such as seed coat thickness, composition and microstructure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical and microstructural characteristics of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) during 270 days of post-harvest storage at 30 °C and 70% relative humidity. Microstructural analysis revealed alteration of the cotyledon cell wall and seed coat affecting seed viability and restricting seedling emergence. The seed coat thickness contraction from 105.79 μm to 97.35 μm (270 days). Changes are related with the protein bodies migration from cotyledons to seed coat. An increase in neutral detergent fiber and the presence of CaOx crystals were observed, which confer rigidity to the seed coat and affect water diffusion after 150 days causing permeability changes that contributed to seed hardening. [Display omitted] • Shrinkage and compaction of the seed coat multilayer structure contributes to the seed's impermeability and hardening. • Microscopic and chemical techniques showed CaOx crystals, insoluble fiber and pectin influencing physical tissue strength. • Chemical and histochemical analyses revealed cell wall alteration of cotyledons and protein migration during storage. • Physical, chemical and microstructural changes of the seed during prolonged storage favor the loss of viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]