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Carotenoids are isoprenoids widely distributed in foods that have been always part of the diet of humans. Unlike the other so-called food bioactives, some carotenoids can be converted into retinoids exhibiting vitamin A activity, which is essential for humans. Furthermore, they are much more versatile as they are relevant in foods not only as sources of vitamin A, but also as natural pigments, antioxidants, and health-promoting compounds. Lately, they are also attracting interest in the context of nutricosmetics, as they have been shown to provide cosmetic benefits when ingested in appropriate amounts. In this work, resulting from the collaborative work of participants of the COST Action European network to advance carotenoid research and applications in agro-food and health (EUROCAROTEN, www.eurocaroten.eu, https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA15136/#tabs|Name:overview) research on carotenoids in foods and feeds is thoroughly reviewed covering aspects such as analysis, carotenoid food sources, carotenoid databases, effect of processing and storage conditions, new trends in carotenoid extraction, daily intakes, use as human, and feed additives are addressed. Furthermore, classical and recent patents regarding the obtaining and formulation of carotenoids for several purposes are pinpointed and briefly discussed. Lastly, emerging research lines as well as research needs are highlighted., This article is based upon work from COST Action (European network to advance carotenoid research and applications in agro-food and health, EUROCAROTEN, CA15136, www.eurocaroten.eu, https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA15136/#tabs|Name:overview) supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, http://www.cost.eu/).

Inducing the feeling of fullness via the regulation of satiety hormones presents an effective method for reducing excess energy intake and, in turn, preventing the development of obesity. In this study, the ability of blue whiting soluble protein hydrolysates (BWSPHs) and simulated gastrointestinal digested (SGID) BWSPHs, to modulate the secretion and/or production of satiety hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK) and peptide YY (PYY), was assessed in murine enteroendocrine STC-1 cells. All BWSPHs (BW-SPH-A to BW-SPH-F) (1.0%

Dehydrated blends of milk and cereal are reconstituted and consumed as a nutritious soup or porridge in many regions; the composition and reconstitution behavior of the blends are likely to impact on nutritional quality and consumer acceptability of the soup/porridge. Experimental samples of dried fermented milk‐bulgur wheat blend (FMBW) and commercial samples of dried dairy‐cereal blends, namely kishk, tarhana, and super cereal plus corn–soy blend (SCpCSB) were compared for composition, color, water sorption, and reconstitution characteristics. FMBW blends had higher contents of protein, Ca, lactose and lactic acid, lower levels of salt (NaCl) and Fe, and a lighter, more‐yellow color (higher L* and b*‐color co‐ordinates) than tarhana or kishk. Compared with SCpCSB, FMBW had numerically higher levels of protein, lactose, and lactic acid, lower levels of Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mg, and lower pH. Tarhana had highest mean levels of starch, and on reconstitution (133 g/kg) had highest water holding capacity, viscosity during pasting and cooling, yield stress (σ 0), consistency coefficient (K), and viscosity on shearing from 20 to 120 s−1 at 60°C. Reconstituted FMBW, kishk, and SCpCSB had similar pasting and flow behavior properties. Overall, the composition (starch, protein, Ca, Mg), pasting and flow behavior characteristics of FMBW were closer to those SCpCSB and kishk than to tarhana. The results suggest that the FMBW powder, on appropriate supplementation with Ca, Fe, Zn and Mg, could be used for the development of customized fortified blended foods for specific groups.

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is a co-product of the brewing industry that has been shown to contain a range of bioactive peptides encrypted within its protein sequences. Two methods were evaluated herein to generate bioactive peptides; (i) an alkaline extracted BSG protein rich fraction (BSG-PI) was hydrolysed using different combinations of proteolytic enzymes and (ii) BSG was pre-treated with carbohydrases followed by direct hydrolysis using proteolytic enzymes (BSG-DH). BSG-DH with Alcalase/Flavourzyme resulted in significantly higher (p .05) protein yield when compared to BSG-PI (63.09 ± 0.27 and 58.90 ± 1.45%, respectively). The antioxidant activities (ORAC, FRAP and ABTS) of the BSG-PI and -DH hydrolysates differed depending on the assay and proteolytic enzyme combination preparations used for hydrolysis. Inhibition of DPP-IV by the BSG-PI hydrolysates ranged from 87.01 ± 0.15 to 89.61 ± 0.12% while inhibition by the BSG-DH hydrolysates ranged from 35.71 ± 0.72 to 85.06 ± 0.17%. A significant reduction in the release of interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was observed following treatment with BSG-PI hydrolysates generated with Prolyve/Protease P (58.30 ± 13.76%) and Corolase PP/Flavourzyme (48.02 ± 10.82%) when compared to untreated LPS stimulated control cells (100%). BSG-DH hydrolysates were subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) which resulted in a reduction in antioxidant activity, an increase in DPP-IV inhibition and no change in the immunomodulatory activity. Ultrafiltration of selected BSG-DH hydrolysates (through 30 and 10 kDa membranes) gave some permeates with enhanced bioactivities. The results demonstrate that direct enzymatic hydrolysis of BSG is a feasible approach for the generation of bioactive peptides without the prior use of an alkali protein extraction step.

Food availability and access are strongly affected by seasonality in rural households in Ethiopia. However, relationships between household food insecurity indicators and dietary diversity and nutritional status of reproductive age mothers and their young children are unclear. A longitudinal study was conducted among 800 farming households in lowland and midland agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia in pre and post-harvest seasons. A structured interview, which included measures of three food access indicators − household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS), household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and household food consumption score (HFCS) − was conducted. Additionally, a subset of 183 households was selected for assessment of indicators of nutritional status including maternal and child dietary diversity and anthropometric measurements for children 6–23 months of age. Magnitudes of household food insecurity indices were high by international standards, particularly during the lean season (pre-harvest). Using correlation, Chi square and multivariable regression models, HFCS in both seasons was related to maternal body mass index and haemoglobin, and weight-for-length of their children. HDDS was associated in the post-harvest season with haemoglobin level of the mothers, and weight-for-length of their children. HFCS was a better predictor of nutritional status of mothers and children in both the food surplus and lean seasons, while HDDS was a better predictor of maternal and child nutritional status post-harvest. It is recommended that nutritional interventions should therefore focus on household food insecurity as well as targeting the individual nutritional status of mothers and children.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are involved in neurodegenerative diseases associated with an enhancement of lipid peroxidation products such as 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7β-OHC). It is, therefore, important to study the ability of 7β-OHC to trigger mitochondrial defects, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunctions and cell death, which are hallmarks of neurodegeneration, and to identify cytoprotective molecules. The effects of biotin were evaluated on 158N murine oligodendrocytes, which are myelin synthesizing cells, exposed to 7β-OHC (50 µM) with or without biotin (10 and 100 nM) or α-tocopherol (positive control of cytoprotection). The effects of biotin on 7β-OHC activities were determined using different criteria: cell adhesion; plasma membrane integrity; redox status. The impact on mitochondria was characterized by the measurement of transmembrane mitochondrial potential (ΔΨm), reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, mitochondrial mass, quantification of cardiolipins and organic acids. Sterols and fatty acids were also quantified. Cell death (apoptosis, autophagy) was characterized by the enumeration of apoptotic cells, caspase-3 activation, identification of autophagic vesicles, and activation of LC3-I into LC3-II. Biotin attenuates 7β-OHC-induced cytotoxicity: loss of cell adhesion was reduced; antioxidant activities were normalized. ROS overproduction, protein and lipid oxidation products were decreased. Biotin partially restores mitochondrial functions: attenuation of the loss of ΔΨm; reduced levels of mitochondrial O2•− overproduction; normalization of cardiolipins and organic acid levels. Biotin also normalizes cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis, and prevents apoptosis and autophagy (oxiapoptophagy). Our data support that biotin, which prevents oligodendrocytes damages, could be useful in the treatment of neurodegeneration and demyelination.

There is evolving evidence that bioactive peptides can be employed successfully to prevent and/or treat obesity. This chapter details the synthetic peptides currently employed as pharmaceutical treatments of obesity. It summarizes their efficacy, mode of action, circulation time, delivery route, and limitations. It also details peptidic drugs under development. Peptides derived from food have also been discovered that modulate appetite and/or reduce weight. This chapter focuses on their in vivo efficacy and the many challenges faced by food peptides or protein hydrolyzates to play a role in weight management.

Carotenoids are versatile isoprenoids that are important in food quality and health promotion. There is a need to establish recommended dietary intakes/nutritional reference values for carotenoids. Research on carotenoids in agro-food and health is being propelled by the two multidisciplinary international networks, the Ibero-American Network for the Study of Carotenoids as Functional Foods Ingredients (IBERCAROT; http://www.cyted.org) and the European Network to Advance Carotenoid Research and Applications in Agro-Food and Health (EUROCAROTEN; http://www.eurocaroten.eu). In this review, considerations for their safe and sustainable use in products mostly intended for health promotion are provided. Specifically, information about sources, intakes, and factors affecting bioavailability is summarized. Furthermore, their health-promoting actions and importance in public health in relation to the contribution of reducing the risk of diverse ailments are synthesized. Definitions and regulatory and safety information for carotenoid-containing products are provided. Lastly, recent trends in research in the context of sustainable healthy diets are summarized., This article is based on work from COST Action (EUROCAROTEN, CA15136; http://www.eurocaroten.eu, http:/www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/ca/CA15136) supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, http://www.cost.eu/).

The generation of biologically active fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) is a useful technique to produce value-added products with potential application in the functional food and nutraceutical industries. Fish muscle is an attractive substrate for the production of protein hydrolysates due to its rich protein content, containing 15-25% of total fish protein. This paper reviews the production of protein hydrolysates from fish muscle, most commonly via enzymatic hydrolysis, and their subsequent bioactivities including anti-obesity, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities as measured by in vitro testing methods. Disease prevention with FPH potentially offers a safe and natural alternative to synthetic drugs. Small molecular weight (MW) FPHs generally exhibit favourable bioactivity than large MW fractions via enhanced absorption through the gastrointestinal tract. This review also discusses the relationship between amino acid (AA) composition and AA sequence of FPH and peptides and their exhibited in vitro bioactivity.

Aquamin is a calcium-rich multi-mineral supplement derived from the red marine algae, Lithothamnion species. Calcium supplementation has been shown to exert a prebiotic-like effect on the gut micro...

As the human body ages, skeletal muscle loses its mass and strength. It is estimated that in 10% of individuals over the age of 60, this muscle frailty has progressed to sarcopenia. Biomarkers of sarcopenia include increases in inflammatory markers and oxidative stress markers and decreases in muscle anabolic markers. Whey is a high-quality, easily digested dairy protein which is widely used in the sports industry. This review explores the evidence that whey protein, hydrolysates or peptides may have beneficial effects on sarcopenic biomarkers in myoblast cell lines, in aged rodents and in human dietary intervention trials with the older consumer. A daily dietary supplementation of 35 g of whey is likely to improve sarcopenic biomarkers in frail or sarcopenia individuals. Whey supplementation, consumed by an older, healthy adult certainly improves muscle mTOR signaling, but exercise appears to have the greatest benefit to older muscle. In vitro cellular assays are central for bioactive and bioavailable peptide identification and to determine their mechanism of action on ageing muscle.

The design of novel efficient antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) faces several issues, such as cost of synthesis, proteolytic stability or cytotoxicity. The identification of key determinants involved in the activity of AMPs, such as cationicity and amphipathicity, allowed the synthesis of short peptides with optimized properties. An ultrashort peptide made of the sequence H-Orn-Orn-Trp-Trp-NH2 (O3TR) showed antifungal activity against several contaminants from food products. This peptide inhibited the growth of the filamentous fungi Fusarium culmorum, Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus niger within a range of concentration of 12.5–50 μg/ml. In addition, O3TR inhibited the growth of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, Debaryomyces hansenii and Kluyveromyces lactis within the range 12.5–50 μg/ml. A derivative peptide, called C12O3TR, made by the addition of lauric acid at the N-terminus of O3TR was 2- to 8-fold more active than O3TR against every species. In addition to the inhibition of conidial germination, O3TR and C12O3TR killed F. culmorum hyphae at 100 and 50 μg/ml respectively. The MIC of the two peptides against F. culmorum and Z. bailii after heat treatment at 100°C for 60 min and within the pH range 3–10, were not changed. However, the activity of O3TR against F.culmorum and Z. bailii was strongly reduced in salt solutions, whereas the lauric acid peptide kept its antifungal activity and resistance to proteolytic digestion. The conjugation with lauric acid reduced the random coiled structure and increased the α-helical content of O3TR. After conjugation with the dye tetramethylrhodamine (TMR), both peptides entered F. culmorum spores. They also both induced permeabilization of F. culmorum hyphae but only C12O3TR permeabilized Z. bailii membrane. In contrast to the lipopeptide, O3TR did not show haemolytic or cytotoxic activity when applied at the concentrations that exhibited antifungal potency. The two peptides were challenged against a yeast cocktail of S. cerevisiae and Z. bailii, and A. niger in different commercial beverages. After 7 days, O3TR was able to inhibit the yeast cocktail in a commercial lager and carbonated drink. Due to its antifungal potency, high stability and low cytotoxicity, the tetrapeptide could represent a promising starting point of a novel food preservative.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein which, when thermally processed, undergoes significant physicochemical changes. The link between such changes and the bioactivity of LF is not well characterised and requires much research. In this work, bovine LF solutions (1%, w/v, protein, pH 7) were thermally processed using high temperature short time conditions (72, 80, 85 or 95 °C with 15 s holding times). Following this, it was shown that LF and heat induced LF aggregates were largely resistant to simulated infant gastric, but not intestinal, digestion. Also, the efficacy of LF bactericidal activity, and inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB activation were negatively impacted by thermal processing. This study confirmed that the efficacy of LF bio-functionalities was affected by the extent of heat-induced changes in protein structure whereby processing conditions of least severity (i.e. pasteurisation) had the least impact on bioactivity.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, proximate composition, and phytochemicals were determined in four common Irish potato cultivars following a high pressure processing (HPP) at 600 MPa for 3 min. PPO activity was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in all HPP treated samples, while the overall proximate composition was not affected. The total phenolic content was significantly higher in the HPP treated samples. Chlorogenic acid levels significantly decreased with simultaneous increase of caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid levels upon HPP treatment. No significant changes were observed in rutin and ferulic acid levels, although their levels varied, depending on the potato cultivars, while the levels of cytotoxic glycoalkaloids (α-solanine and α-chaconine) remained unaltered.

Dehydrated blends of dairy-cereal combine the functional and nutritional properties of two major food groups. Fortified blended food base (FBFB) was prepared by blending fermented milk with parboiled wheat, co-fermenting the blend at 35 &deg, C, shelf-drying and milling. Increasing co-fermentation time from 0 to 72 h resulted in powder with lower lactose, phytic acid and pH, and higher contents of lactic acid and galactose. Simultaneously, the pasting viscosity of the reconstituted base (16.7%, w/w, total solids) and its yield stress (&sigma, 0), consistency index (K) and viscosity on shearing decreased significantly. The changes in some characteristics (pH, phytic acid, &eta, 120) were essentially complete after 24 h co-fermentation while others (lactose, galactose and lactic acid, pasting viscosities, flowability) proceeded more gradually over 72 h. The reduction in phytic acid varied from 40 to 58% depending on the pH of the fermented milk prior to blending with the parboiled cereal. The reduction in phytic acid content of milk (fermented milk)-cereal blends with co-fermentation time is nutritionally desirable as it is conducive to an enhanced bioavailability of elements, such as Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn in milk-cereal blends, and is especially important where such blends serve as a base for fortified-blended foods supplied to food-insecure regions.

Whey proteins are highly valued food ingredients. This study examines the health benefits to muscle cells of six individual whey peptides known to cross the intestinal barrier. Results indicate that peptides KVPQ, NLPPL, VAGT, VGIN and PVPQ protect undifferentiated C2C12 myoblasts from free radical damage.

Aqueous solutions of lactoferrin (LF) were subjected to thermal processing (72, 80, 85, 95 °C for 15 s) using a rheometer. Despite the low protein concentration and low ionic strength of the LF solutions, analyses post-processing revealed the presence of heat-induced, covalently-linked, protein aggregates. Aggregation was accompanied by increased surface hydrophobicity and zeta-potential and changes to the secondary structure of the protein, including reduction in the proportion of alpha helix domains coupled with increased intermolecular beta sheet structures. The native red colour of the protein was lost upon thermal processing, not attributable to the release of LF-bound iron. Micro-differential scanning calorimetry showed LF to be irreversibly denatured on heating with endotherms observed at 58.7 °C (apo-LF) and 89.6 °C (holo-LF). Thermal processing at 72–95 °C resulted in irreversible changes to the structural and physicochemical properties of bovine LF, whereby the lowest heating intensity had the least impact on LF structure.

Four proteins, α/β globulin, serum albumin, γ-globulin and fibrinogen, were isolated from bovine blood and hydrolysed using papain. Hydrolysates were assessed for non-cellular and cellular antioxidant activity. The anti-proliferative activity of hydrolysed fractions was assessed in a number of cancer cell lines including U937 lymphoma cells, MCF-7 breast cancer cells, HepG2 hepatocytes and Caco-2 epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Anti-inflammatory activity of the hydrolysates was also assessed. Hydrolysates generated from γ-globulin or fibrinogen had significant antioxidant activity in non-cellular assays. Hydrolysates were also found to be highly toxic to different cancer cell lines, in particular U937 lymphoma cells when assessed using the MTT assay. The fibrinogen hydrolysate was the most toxic sample and toxicity appeared to correlate with its non-cellular antioxidant activity. None of the hydrolysates had significant anti-inflammatory activity. The high cytotoxicity of the γ-globulin and the fibrinogen hydrolysates towards cancer cells may indicate a potential use as anti-proliferative agents.

Antioxidative activities of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from gelatin hydrolysate (GH) of unicorn leatherjacket skin as affected by types of saccharides, GH to saccharide ratio, incubation temperatures, relative humidity (RH), and times were investigated. MRPs prepared using mixture of GH and galactose at 2:1 (w/w) ratio showed the highest antioxidative activity. At different incubation temperatures (50–70°C) and RHs (55–75%), optimal condition for preparing antioxidative MRPs included heating GH and galactose (2:1) powder at 70°C and 55% RH for 36 h. Electrophoresis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the formation of high molecular weight polymers, and the advanced glycation took place in MRPs.

Sodium caseinate (NaCN) was incubated prior to and after hydrolysis with a microbial transglutaminase (TGase) and hydrolysed with Prolyve 1000. The resultant hydrolysates were tested for their immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity. TGase-treated hydrolysates significantly reduced ( p −1 and the non-TGase treated hydrolysate reduced the production of IL-6 at 1 mg mL −1 in concanavalin (ConA) stimulated Jurkat T cells. None of the samples had an effect on IL-2. The hydrolysates showed higher oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power activity than unhydrolysed NaCN, but no significant ( p > 0.05) differences were found between the TGase-treated and non-TGase-treated samples. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the non-TGase-treated sample exhibited the highest DNA protective effect in U937 cells. These findings suggest that NaCN derived hydrolysates with and without treatment with TGase may exert specific antioxidant, genoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

Kedir Teji Roba,1 Thomas P O’Connor,2 Tefera Belachew,3 Nora M O’Brien2 1School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2School of Food and Nutritional Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; 3Department of Population and Family Health, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia Background: Child malnutrition during the first 1,000 days, commencing at conception, can have lifetime consequences. This study assesses the prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6–23 months in midland and lowland agroecological zones of rural Ethiopia.Methods: Cross-sectional data examining sociodemographic, anthropometry, hemoglobin levels, and meal frequency indicators were collected from 216 children aged 6–23 months and their mothers randomly selected from eight rural kebele (villages).Results: Of 216 children, 53.7% were anemic, and 39.8%, 26.9%, and 11.6% were stunted, underweight, and wasted, respectively. The prevalence of anemia was higher in the lowland agroecological zone (59.5%) than the midland (47.6%). Among those children who were stunted, underweight, and wasted, 63.5%, 66.7%, and 68.0% were anemic, respectively. Child anemia was significantly associated with the child not achieving minimum meal frequency, sickness during the last 2 weeks before the survey, stunting and low body mass index, and with maternal hemoglobin and handwashing behavior. The prevalence of stunting was higher in the lowland agroecological zone (42.3%) than the midland (36.2%). The predictors of stunting were age and sex of the child, not achieving MMF, maternal body mass index, and age. As maternal height increases, the length for age of the children increases (P=0.003).Conclusion: The overall prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6–23months in these study areas is very high. The prevalence was higher in the lowland agroecological zone. Health information strategies focusing on both maternal and children nutrition could be sensible approaches to minimize stunting and anemia. Keywords: child anemia, child stunting, lowland, midland, agroecological zone, rural Ethiopia

Yogurt was manufactured containing extracts (0.25% and 0.5% (w/w)) prepared from Ascophyllum nodosum (100% H2O (AN100), 80% ethanol:20% H2O (AN80e)) and Fucus vesiculosus (60% ethanol:40% H2O (FV60e)). Yogurt composition, shelf-life parameters, stability and bioactivity of seaweed extracts in yogurt was examined over 28 days. Yellowness ‘b*’ was higher (P

Summary This study investigated the antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative potentials of gelatin hydrolysates from seabass skins in cell model systems. Gelatin hydrolysates were extracted from seabass skins using different processes and enzyme concentrations. The ability of the hydrolysates to protect against H2O2-induced DNA damage was assessed on U937 cells using the Comet assay, and one of the samples showed DNA protective effects. All samples showed immunomodulatory potential by significantly (P

peer-reviewed The full text of this article will not be available in ULIR until the embargo expires on the 31/12/2019 The in vitro bioactivity of 5 kDa ultrafiltration permeate fractions of casein hydrolysates produced using different enzymes were compared. Reverse phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography and gel permeation chromatography showed that the permeates had different physicochemical properties (molecular mass and degree of hydrolysis). The Flavourzyme® permeate had the highest activity in the 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assay. Cellular antioxidant and immunomodulatory assays showed that none of the permeates exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity, while all permeates significantly (P < 0.05) decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in ConA-stimulated Jurkat T cells at 0.50% (w/v) and LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells at 0.05 and 0.50% (w/v). Three permeates, obtained using Flavourzyme®, Flavorpro Whey and trypsin, also significantly (P < 0.05) decreased IL-1β production at 0.05% (w/v) in RAW264.7 cells. Western blot analysis showed that all permeates significantly decreased the expression of the NF-κB subunit, p65, in RAW264.7 cells indicating that anti-inflammatory activity may be associated with this pathway.

Alkali solubilisation (ALS) was compared with acid solubilisation (ACS) for preparation of protein rich extracts from bovine and porcine hearts. ACS and ALS recovered 51.53%–55.74% of the total protein from bovine and porcine hearts. All extracts were rich in myofibrillar proteins with both treatments resulting in reductions in fat, collagen and cholesterol contents compared with starting materials. At 0% NaCl, ACS and ALS extracts had good gelling properties with the ALS gels having lower % cook loss. While treatments did not affect gel hardness, ACS extracts formed gel networks with higher storage modulus after heating and cooling. At 2% NaCl gel hardness, % cook loss and storage modulus values increased, with greater increases occurring for ACS extracts. The results show that ALS‐ and ACS‐based processes have potential to produce functional ingredients for processed meat products.

Beef processing produces high volumes of protein rich, low value, ‘waste’ co‐products such as offal. Beef improves uptake of low bioavailable non‐haem iron (found in vegetables, fortificants, supplements) and this effect is dubbed the ‘meat‐factor’, although the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we investigate whether bovine co‐products (kidney, lung, heart) not previously studied share this enhancing potential. This was determined by coupled in vitro digestion of co‐products and subsequent caco‐2 cell ferritin formation (an intracellular iron storage protein). In this study we show that bovine co‐products significantly increase caco‐2 cells’ response to non‐haem iron from infant rice cereal. The presence of these co‐products, (kidney, lung and heart), increased relative uptake (by 207.13%, 171.21%, 265.28%, respectively), to a greater extent than beef (30.23%). Our findings present a novel function for co‐products of beef processing that may have potential as food ingredients to improve non‐haem iron bioavailability, thus adding value.

peer-reviewed Dried, fermented blends of dairy products and cereals, such as kishk and tarhana, are foodstuffs traditionally consumed in many regions as they possess good nutritional qualities and extended storage stability. This study examined the nutritional composition of kishk or tarhana type products and compared with experimental blends of fermented milk and wheat bulgur containing 60–80% milk. The blends with higher milk contents had levels of protein (18.9%) and fat (5.8%) at the concentrations specified in fortified blended foods as outlined by the World Food Program. Higher milk contents were also associated with higher contents of calcium (323.2 mg/100 g), phosphorus (335.3 mg/100 g), vitamin A (486.7 µg/100 g) and α-tocopherol (174.5 µg/100 g). The nutritional content of the experimental fermented milk:wheat bulgur blends compared favourably with that of the commercial samples. These blends may be suitable as base products, to be fortified with micronutrients, for the development of fortified blended foods (FBFs) for humanitarian distribution.

Dairy and cereal products are frequently combined to create composites with enhanced nutritional benefits. Commercially available dried dairy-cereal composites are typically reconstituted and cooked to produce porridge or soup. RESULTS Dried fermented milk-cereal composites (FMCC) with ?193 g kg?1 protein were prepared by blending fermented milk with parboiled oats (FMCCo), wheat (FMCCw), or barley (FMCCb), incubating the blend, drying, and milling. Cereal type significantly affected the composition of the FMCC and the properties of the reconstituted, cooked FMCC (R-FMCC). The FMCCo had a higher starch and fat content and lower levels of lactose, lactic acid, and amylose than FMCCb. The R-FMCCo had higher viscosity during cooking at 95 °C and cooling to 35 °C, and higher values of yield stress (σ0), consistency index (K) and viscosity on shearing from 20 to 120 s?1 at 60 °C than R-FMCCb. The FMCCw had lower levels of fat and ?-glucan than FMCCo or FMCCb, but was otherwise closer to FMMCb with respect to composition, cooking properties and flow behavior. CONCLUSION Differences in composition and consistency associated with cereal type are likely to affect the nutritional value of the FMCC. ? 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

Introduction: Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in a range of key biochemical pathways. Several magnesium supplements are present on the market and their degree of bioavailability differs depending on the form of magnesium salt used. Aquamin-Mg is a natural source of magnesium, containing 72 additional trace minerals derived from the clean waters off the Irish coast. However, the in vitro bioaccessibility and bioavailability of Aquamin-Mg in comparison with other supplement sources of magnesium has yet to be tested. Method: Aquamin-Mg, magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and magnesium oxide (MgO) were subjected to gastrointestinal digestion according to the harmonized INFOGEST in vitro digestion method and in vitro bioavailability tested using the Caco-2 cell model. Magnesium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: Magnesium recovery from both Aquamin-Mg and MgCl2 was greater than for MgO. Magnesium from all three sources was transported across the epithelial monolayer with Aquamin-Mg displaying a comparable profile to the more bioavailable MgCl2. Conclusions: Our data support that magnesium derived from a marine-derived multimineral product is bioavailable to a significantly greater degree than MgO and displays a similar profile to the more bioavailable MgCl2 and may offer additional health benefits given its multimineral profile.

The impact of different pretreatments and defatting processes of seabass skins on fishy odor and other properties of gelatin was investigated. Skin pretreated with 0.05 M citric acid, followed by defatting using 30% isopropanol (G-Ci-Def) had the lowest residual phospholipid content (P

Summary Gelatins from nondefatted and defatted seabass skins were characterised and evaluated for their functional properties in comparison with commercial fish skin gelatin. All gelatins contained α1- and α2-chains as the predominant components and showed a high imino acid content (199–201 residues/1000 residues). All gelatins had a relative solubility greater than 90% in the wide pH ranges (1–10). Foaming properties of all gelatins increased with increasing concentrations (1–3%, w/v). Gelatin from defatted skin had higher foam expansion and stability than that extracted from nondefatted skin. Emulsion containing gelatin from defatted skin had smaller oil droplet size (d32, d43), compared with that having gelatin from nondefatted skin (P

Background The in vitro cellular bioactivities including, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects of a gelatin hydrolysate (GH) prepared from unicorn leatherjacket skin, using partially purified glycyl endopeptidase, were investigated in order to optimize the use of fish skin waste products as functional food ingredients. Results GH under the tested concentrations (750-1500 µg mL(-1) ) protected against H2 O2 -induced DNA damage in U937 cells. GH also protected against the H2 O2 -induced reduction in cellular antioxidant enzyme activities, superoxide dismutase and catalase, in HepG2 cells. GH demonstrated immunomodulatory potential by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β) production and nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Cell proliferation in human colon cancer (Caco-2) cells was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner following incubation with GH. Conclusion These results indicate that GH has several bioactivities which support its potential as a promising functional food ingredient with various health benefits. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gelatins from seabass skin without and with defatting, extracted in the absence and presence of tannic acid at various concentrations (0–0.4 g/kg), were characterised. Gelatins from skin without defatting had higher gel strength (p

The cellular transport and bioactivity of the second major saffron apocarotenoid, picrocrocin, was examined in parallel to that of the major group, crocetin sugar esters, in aqueous extracts. The transport of pure picrocrocin was investigated in comparison to that of other saffron apocarotenoids, trans-crocetin (di-β-D-gentiobiosyl) ester and crocetin using the Caco-2 cell model coupled with an in vitro digestion procedure. RP-HPLC-DAD was employed to quantify the bioaccessible and bioavailable amounts of individual apocarotenoids. Picrocrocin and crocetin sugar esters though highly bioaccessible (75% and 60%, respectively) were transported at minute quantities (0.2% and 0.5%, respectively; 10-fold lower than crocetin). Picrocrocin did not protect against oxidant-induced DNA damage in U937, human monocytic blood cells at the concentration investigated, however, it reduced the proliferation of human adenocarcinoma and hepatocarcinoma cells. Our findings may be useful for the requirements of food legislation regarding saffron preparations, in which both apocarotenoid groups coexist.

Potatoes accumulate phenolic compounds, which may have health-promoting effects. In this study, the skin and flesh tissues of 60 varieties of potato planted in two trial sites were evaluated for total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Higher levels of total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were found in the skin than in the flesh of tubers. Blue variety ‘Congo’ showed the highest values in both tissues, except antioxidant activity in the skin which was higher in variety ‘Edzell Blue’. Maximum values in skin and flesh, respectively, were 12.6 and 3.6 mg/g gallic acid equivalents for total phenolics, 9.5 and 2.3 mg/g catechin equivalents for total flavonoids and 18.8 and 4.4 mg/g Trolox equivalents for antioxidant activity on a dry-weight basis. Strong positive correlations were found among total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Site and year of cultivation significantly affected the three parameters studied.

Effects of different pretreatments of seabass skin and various drying methods on properties and fishy odor/flavor of resulting gelatin were evaluated. All gelatins contained α- and β-chains as the predominant components. Generally, a higher gel strength was found in the freeze-dried gelatin, compared with spray-dried counterpart (p

In the present study, the synthesis of a range of novel 24-amino-25,26,27-trinorlanost-8-ene derivatives including 24-piperadino-trinorlanost-8-enes, 24-piperazino-trinorlanost-8-enes, 24-morpholino-trinorlanost-8-enes, and 24-diethylamino-trinorlanost-8-enes is reported and their cytotoxic and apoptotic potential evaluated in U937 cell lines. Excellent IC₅₀ results for piperidine and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine derivatives have been observed (IC₅₀ values of 1.9 μM and 2.7 μM in U937 cells, respectively).

peer-reviewed Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activities of crosslinked and non-cross-linked sodium caseinate (NaCN) hydrolysates were studied. Three different samples were generated: NaCN hydrolysed with Prolyve 1000 (TM) (Prolyve), NaCN cross-linked with transglutaminase (TGase) pre-Prolyve hydrolysis and NaCN cross-linked post-Prolyve hydrolysis. Gel filtration and reverse phase HPLC analysis of the resulting samples indicated that the hydrolysates had similar peptide profiles. Hydrolysates showed higher (p 0.05) differences in activity were found between cross-linked and non-cross-linked hydrolysate samples. Hydrolysate IC50 values for ACE and DPP-IV inhibition ranged from 0.10 to 0.17 mg mL(-1) and 0.85-1.18 mg mL(-1), respectively. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the bioactivities of the hydrolysates. The results demonstrated that incubation with TGase before or after NaCN hydrolysis with Prolyve had no effect on ACE or DPP-IV inhibitory activities. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. peer-reviewed

Mushrooms and mushroom extracts have traditionally been used as therapies for a wide variety of ailments, including allergy, arthritis, and other inflammatory disorders. However, more evidence is required on the mechanism by which mushrooms exert these effects. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory properties of ethanol and hot water extracts prepared from 27 fungal samples collected between October and November 2011 at various forest locations in the southwest of Ireland were investigated using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage (RAW264.7 cells) model of inflammation. LPS-stimulated cells were incubated in the presence of mushroom extracts at nontoxic concentrations for 24 h and the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was quantified by ELISA. Seven ethanolic and one hot water extract that decreased IL-6 production were selected for further study. The extracts were then incubated with LPS-stimulated cells for 24 h and the production of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) was measured. Ethanolic extracts prepared from Russula mairei, Lactarius blennius, Craterellus tubaeformis, Russula fellea, and Craterellus cornucopioides demonstrated selective anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing the production of NO and IL-6 but not TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These findings support existing evidence of the anti-inflammatory potential of mushroom extracts.