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1.
Rethinking the impact of RG-I mainly from fruits and vegetables on dietary health.
Wu, D, Zheng, J, Mao, G, Hu, W, Ye, X, Linhardt, RJ, Chen, S
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2020;(17):2938-2960
Abstract
Rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) pectin is composed of backbone of repeating disaccharide units →2)-α-L-Rhap-(1→4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→ and neutral sugar side-chains mainly consisting of arabinose and galactose having variable types of linkages. However, since traditional pectin extraction methods damages the RG-I structure, the characteristics and health effects of RG-I remains unclear. Recently, many studies have focused on RG-I, which is often more active than the homogalacturonan (HG) portion of pectic polysaccharides. In food products, RG-I is common to fruits and vegetables and possesses many health benefits. This timely and comprehensive review describes the many different facets of RG-I, including its dietary sources, history, metabolism and potential functionalities, all of which have been compiled to establish a platform for taking full advantage of the functional value of RG-I pectin.
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2.
Progress on Understanding Transcriptional Regulation of Chloroplast Development in Fleshy Fruit.
Jia, T, Cheng, Y, Khan, I, Zhao, X, Gu, T, Hu, X
International journal of molecular sciences. 2020;(18)
Abstract
Edible fleshy fruits are important food sources in the human diet. Their yield and nutritional quality have long been considered as breeding targets for improvement. Various developing fleshy fruits with functional chloroplasts are capable of photosynthesis and contribute to fruit photosynthate, leading to the accumulation of metabolites associated with nutritional quality in ripe fruit. Although tomato high-pigment mutants with dark-green fruits have been isolated for more than 100 years, our understanding of the mechanism of chloroplast development in fleshy fruit remain poor. During the past few years, several transcription factors that regulate chloroplast development in fleshy fruit were identified through map-based cloning. In addition, substantial progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms that how these transcription factors regulate chloroplast development. This review provides a summary and update on this progress, with a framework for further investigations of the multifaceted and hierarchical regulation of chloroplast development in fleshy fruit.
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3.
The inner temperature of the olives (cv. Leccino) before processing affects the volatile profile and the composition of the oil.
Dourou, AM, Brizzolara, S, Meoni, G, Tenori, L, Famiani, F, Luchinat, C, Tonutti, P
Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.). 2020;:108861
Abstract
The effects of pre-processing decreasing temperature (19, 15 and 10 °C) of olive fruit (cv. Leccino) harvested at three developmental stages (semi-ripe, ripe, advanced ripening) have been evaluated on oil in terms of basic quality parameters, composition, organoleptic traits, and aroma profiles. A total of 40 metabolites (volatiles and non-volatiles) were identified by 1H NMR and GC/MS analyses. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that samples obtained from ripe and advanced ripe olives cooled at 10 and 15 °C better correlated with C6 aldehydes, mainly associated with herbal/green olfactory traits. Compounds responsible for sweet/fruity traits were more abundantly present in oil extracted from 19 °C olive samples. Decreasing pulp temperature before crushing also resulted in reduced presence of 1-penten-3-ol, 1-penten-3-one, acetic acid and ethyl alcohol, associated with specific defects of the oil. Results indicate that slightly lowering fruit temperature just before crushing modulates oil composition by reducing oil off flavours while enhancing green and fresh attributes in particular when ripe olives are processed.
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4.
Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance.
Patra, JK, Das, G, Bose, S, Banerjee, S, Vishnuprasad, CN, Del Pilar Rodriguez-Torres, M, Shin, HS
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2020;(6):1248-1267
Abstract
Medicinal herbs are one of the imperative sources of drugs all over the world. Star anise (Illicium verum), an evergreen, medium-sized tree with star-shaped fruit, is an important herb with wide distribution throughout southwestern parts of the Asian continent. Besides its use as spice in culinary, star anise is one of the vital ingredients of the Chinese medicinal herbs and is widely known for its antiviral effects. It is also the source of the precursor molecule, shikimic acid, which is used in the manufacture of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), an antiviral medication for influenza A and influenza B. Besides, several other molecules with numerous biological benefits including the antiviral effects have been reported from the same plant. Except the antiviral potential, star anise possesses a number of other potentials such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, secretolytic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, sedative properties, expectorant and spasmolytic, and estrogenic effects. This review aimed to integrate the information on the customary attributes of the plant star anise with a specific prominence on its antiviral properties and the phytochemical constituents along with its clinical aptness.
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5.
How Hormones and MADS-Box Transcription Factors Are Involved in Controlling Fruit Set and Parthenocarpy in Tomato.
Molesini, B, Dusi, V, Pennisi, F, Pandolfini, T
Genes. 2020;(12)
Abstract
Fruit set is the earliest phase of fruit growth and represents the onset of ovary growth after successful fertilization. In parthenocarpy, fruit formation is less affected by environmental factors because it occurs in the absence of pollination and fertilization, making parthenocarpy a highly desired agronomic trait. Elucidating the genetic program controlling parthenocarpy, and more generally fruit set, may have important implications in agriculture, considering the need for crops to be adaptable to climate changes. Several phytohormones play an important role in the transition from flower to fruit. Further complexity emerges from functional analysis of floral homeotic genes. Some homeotic MADS-box genes are implicated in fruit growth and development, displaying an expression pattern commonly observed for ovary growth repressors. Here, we provide an overview of recent discoveries on the molecular regulatory gene network underlying fruit set in tomato, the model organism for fleshy fruit development due to the many genetic and genomic resources available. We describe how the genetic modification of components of this network can cause parthenocarpy, discussing the contribution of hormonal signals and MADS-box transcription factors.
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6.
Kinetics of the carotenoid concentration degradation of smoothies and their influence on the antioxidant status of the human skin in vivo during 8 weeks of daily consumption.
Jung, B, Darvin, ME, Jung, S, Albrecht, S, Schanzer, S, Meinke, MC, Thiede, G, Lademann, J
Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.). 2020;:38-46
Abstract
The antioxidant status of the skin shows constant alterations depending on nutrition and other lifestyle factors. Carotenoids can serve as marker substances for the antioxidant status of the epidermis in vivo. The carotenoid concentration of 2 homemade green smoothies and a commercial green smoothie, all containing fruits and vegetables, was assessed by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, a pilot study was conducted to investigate changes of the cutaneous carotenoid concentration of 20 healthy volunteers under the daily intake of either a homemade smoothie or the commercial smoothie in vivo using reflectance spectroscopy. We hypothesized that higher carotenoid concentrations in the homemade smoothies compared to those of the commercial one would lead to a faster increase of the cutaneous carotenoid concentration in healthy volunteers. The measurements of the homemade smoothies showed notably higher initial carotenoid concentrations (7.6 ±0.8)*10-4arbitrary units (a.u.) (smoothie A) and (10.4 ± 0.6)*10-4 a.u. (smoothie B) compared to the commercial smoothie (5.8 ± 0.2)*10-4 a.u. Nevertheless, the commercial smoothie showed a higher stability of carotenoids over 24 hours. 8 weeks after daily consumption of the homemade smoothies, volunteers showed an insignificant increase of cutaneous carotenoids from (4.5 ± 0.1)*10-4 a.u. at baseline to (4.8 ± 0.3)*10-4 a.u. (means ± standard error of the mean). The volunteers consuming the commercial smoothie showed an insignificant increase of cutaneous carotenoids from (4.3 ± 0.2)*10-4 a.u. to (4.7 ± 0.2)*10-4 a.u. after 8 weeks. The observed increase of cutaneous carotenoid concentrations could be classified as a strong tendency. Fresh homemade smoothies can exhibit a higher carotenoid concentration compared to commercial smoothies but need to be consumed immediately after preparation.
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7.
Prospective Evaluation of Mango Fruit Intake on Facial Wrinkles and Erythema in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Study.
Fam, VW, Holt, RR, Keen, CL, Sivamani, RK, Hackman, RM
Nutrients. 2020;(11)
Abstract
Mangos are rich in β-carotene and other carotenoids, along with several phenolic acids that may provide oxidant defense and photoprotection to the skin. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of Ataulfo mango intake on the development of facial wrinkles and erythema. A randomized two-group parallel-arm study was conducted to assess 16 weeks of either 85 g or 250 g of mango intake in healthy postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin type II or III. Facial photographs were captured at weeks 0, 8, and 16, and wrinkles at the lateral canthi and erythema at the cheeks were quantified. Skin carotenoid values were measured with reflection spectroscopy. Deep wrinkle severity decreased significantly in the 85 g group after 8 (p = 0.007) and 16 (p = 0.03) weeks compared to baseline measures. In contrast, those in the 250 g group showed an increase after 16 weeks in average wrinkle severity (p = 0.049), average wrinkle length (p = 0.007), fine wrinkle severity (p = 0.02), and emerging wrinkle severity (p = 0.02). Erythema in the cheeks increased with 85 g of mango intake (p = 0.04). The intake of 85 g of mangos reduced wrinkles in fair-skinned postmenopausal women, while an intake of 250 g showed the opposite effect. Further studies feeding 85 g of mangos are warranted.
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8.
The effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. whole fruit on the sex hormone profile in menopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Emaminia, F, Rezaei, A, Badehnoosh, B, Ramezani, R, Shabani, M
Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2020;:112229
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Menopause is a product of interrupted ovarian activity and decrease in its estradiol production. Herbal medicines as an alternative to hormone therapy are increasingly used by menopausal women. Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Senjed in Persian) is a well-known herbal remedy with various therapeutic effects according to Iranian traditional medicine which is recommended to relieve the menopausal side effects. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of oral intake of whole fruit powder of E. angustifolia on the sex hormones profile in menopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS In present double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, 58 eligible women who were referred to Kamali Women Hospital (Karaj, Iran, 2017) were randomly assigned into herbal medicine (15 g E. angustifolia) and placebo (7.5 g cornstarch +7.5 g isomalt) groups. Initially and after 10 weeks of the treatment, serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) hormones were measured. RESULTS According to between-group analyses, the changes in the studied parameters were not significant between herbal medicine and placebo groups, except for joint pain that improved significantly in herbal medicine group. However, by within-group analysis the levels of FSH and FSH to testosterone showed a significant increase, whereas the level of progesterone decreased significantly after 10 weeks of E. angustifolia consumption. CONCLUSIONS The improvement of the sex hormone profile was not in a full accordance with Iranian folklore after E. angustifolia consumption in the present menopausal participants. However, considering a strong belief on the beneficial effects of E. angustifolia in Iranian folklore, a long-term studies of larger group participants are needed to evaluate the efficacy.
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9.
Anthocyanins in berries exhibited anti-atherogenicity and antiplatelet activities in a metabolic syndrome population.
Aboonabi, A, Meyer, RR, Gaiz, A, Singh, I
Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.). 2020;:82-93
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global challenge for atherosclerosis. It was hypothesized that a four-week consumption of anthocyanin supplements by MetS patients who had three or more risk factors linked with metabolic syndrome would have a greater improvement in cardiometabolic biomarkers and would also reduce the risk of thrombosis. A total of 55 participants in two groups of Normal healthy and MetS (age 25-75y) were given 320 mg anthocyanin supplements twice daily for 4 weeks. Platelet coagulant activities, lipid profiles, fasting blood glucose, and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured before and after supplementation to evaluate the atheroprotective effects of anthocyanins in the study subjects. Four weeks of anthocyanin supplementation significantly decreased cardiometabolic risk factors including the average serum fasting blood glucose (FBG) (by 13.3%, P < .05) and lipid profiles by significant reduction in triglyceride (by 24.9%, P < .05) and LDL-C (by 33.1%, P < .05) in the MetS group. Anthocyanin supplementation also decreased high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level (by 28%, P < .05) in females. However, no significant differences in serum UA (uric acid) and HDL-C were observed between anthocyanin pre- and post-treatment in both groups. Moreover, Anthocyanin supplements decreased ADP-induced platelet activation configuration expressed as P-selectin by 40% (P < .05). There was a positive correlation between decreased hs-CRP values and the levels of LDL-C and FBG in the MetS group (P < .05). These results support the hypothesis that anthocyanin supplementation exerts anti-atherogenicity effects by improving cardiometabolic risk factors and reducing thrombogenicity in the MetS population.
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10.
Naturally occurring melatonin: Sources and possible ways of its biosynthesis.
Juhnevica-Radenkova, K, Moreno, DA, Ikase, L, Drudze, I, Radenkovs, V
Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety. 2020;(6):4008-4030
Abstract
According to recent reports, the global market for melatonin is worth 700 million USD in 2018 and would reach 2,790 million USD by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 18.9% during 2019 to 2025. Having regard to the prevalence of sleep and circadian rhythm disorders and a clear tendency to increase the demand for melatonin, and the current lack of alternative green and cost-efficient technologies of its synthesis, the supply of this remedy will not be enough to guarantee melatonin supply and affordability on a global scale. The emergence of naturally occurring melatonin and its isomers in fermented foods has opened an exciting new research area; there are still, however, some obscure points in the efficient microbiological biosynthesis of melatonin. This review summarizes the research progress and recent evidence related to melatonin and its isomers in various foodstuffs. Additionally, one possible way to synthesize melatonin is also discussed. The evidence pointed out that the presence of melatonin and its isomers is not exclusive for grapes and grape-derived products, because it can be also found in sweet and sour cherries. However, different species of both Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts could be used to obtain melatonin and melatonin isomers in the process of alcoholic fermentation biotechnologically. The availability of L-tryptophan has been a key factor in determining the concentration of indolic compounds produced, and the utilization of probiotic lactic acid bacteria could help in the formation of melatonin isomers during malolactic fermentation. These approaches are environmentally friendly alternatives with a safer profile than conventional ones and could represent the future for sustainable industrial-scale melatonin production.