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Results for “Functional Food”

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PubMed1999

Antihypertensive peptides derived from milk proteins.

This paper reviews the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides originated from milk proteins. Focus was put on the peptides derived from milk casein by the action of some proteolytic enzymes and fermented products by lactic acid bacteria. Some of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides exhibit significant antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats. However, there were some antihypertensive peptides with low inhibitory activity of this enzyme. Key factors needed for the peptide to demonstrate the antihypertensive effects are discussed. Fermented milk, which has inhibitory activity of the enzyme, showed the reduction of blood pressure of hypertensive subjects. The possibility of the bioactive peptides for functional foods are also discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Effects of forsythia fruit extracts and lignan on lipid metabolism.

A primary methanol extract (F-ME), secondary butanol-soluble fraction (F-BU), and lignans were prepared from forsythia fruit (Forsythia viridissima L.) and added to 0.5% (w/w) cholesterol diets for male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 121 +/- 12 g. There were six experimental groups: a control group, 0.2%, 0.4% F-ME supplemented groups, 0.1%, 0.02% F-BU groups and 0.02% lignan group. After 3 weeks of feeding, body weight gains, serum GOT and GPT levels were not different among the groups. HDL-/total cholesterol ratios increased in the 0.2% F-BU and lignan groups compared with the control groups. Liver triglyceride level lowered in most of forsythia groups. Fecal cholesterol excretions increased in the lignan group. Arctiin isolated from the forsythia fruit reduced cholesterol and triglyceride contents in cultured HepG2 cells at 0.01-0.1 microM. These results indicated that the forsythia lignan, arctiin is effective on improving blood lipid status without a significant hepatotoxicity and is to be utilized for the functional foods for lipid-lowering action.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed2004

Effects of an exopolysaccharide (kefiran) on lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose, and constipation.

Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens was reported to produce an exopolysaccharide named kefiran. In the present study, we developed a new medium, rice hydrolyzate (RH) medium, for the culture of L. kefiranofaciens. Structural analyses revealed that the exopolysaccharide produced by L. kefiranofaciens from RH medium was composed of a hexasaccharide repeating unit, and essentially identical to the kefiran reported in previous studies. A study on the effects of kefiran in animals demonstrated that kefiran significantly suppressed increase of blood pressure and reduced the serum cholesterol levels in SHRSP/Hos rats when subjects consumed excessive dietary cholesterol. Kefiran supplementation demonstrated the ability to significantly lower blood glucose in KKAy mice. In addition, the administration of kefiran in constipated SD rats caused an obvious improvement in the levels of fecal moisture and wet weights of feces. These results suggest that kefiran could be used as a functional food to prevent some commonly occurring diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Phytochemical intake and relationship to past health history in Japanese women.

We calculated functional food factor (FFF) intakes using a new database and examined their relationship to health conditions commonly affecting Japanese women in midlife. One-day DRs were collected weekly for 6 months from 67 Japanese women, aged 45-55 yr, living in Kyoto prefecture, Japan. Macro- and micronutrient and FFF intake were calculated from the resulting 1528 DRs. Factor analysis and logistic regression were performed to identify relationships between FFFs and past health history. Fourteen of 17 FFF factors, as well as age, BMI and menopausal status, exhibited both positive and negative correlations with past history of hypertension, diabetes, allergy, migraine, and menopausal syndrome.

Asian People↗

PubMed2004

Enhanced oxidative stability of a hydrophilic arginine-conjugated linoleic acid complex.

The application of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as a functional food ingredient has been limited due to its high cost of purification and insolubility in water. Recently, we reported a method to produce high-purity CLA using two-step urea-inclusion crystallization and a hydrophilic arginine-CLA (Arg-CLA) complex. The present study compared the oxidative stability and antioxidant activity of CLA and Arg-CLA. Hydroperoxide production from CLA increased about 12-fold at 10 hr after heat treatment at 100(R)C, whereas Arg-CLA did not exhibit significant hydroperoxide production. Furthermore, the Arg-CLA complex showed synergistic antioxidant activity in a 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. Arg-CLA at 20 mM scavenged 89% of ABTS radicals in 3 h, whereas CLA alone quenched only 48% under the same conditions. Our results indicate that a hydrophilic Arg-CLA exhibits enhanced oxidative stability and antioxidant activity, which could expand the scope of CLA application in various food industries.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2004

Caseinophosphopeptides and their cell modulating potential.

In the context of the EU research project FAIR-CT 98-3077, studies were carried out to investigate caseinophosphopeptides (CPP) as potential ingredients for functional food and pharmaceutical applications. CPP preparations were produced by enrichment of CPP from hydrolytic casein digests. Enzyme preparations used for hydrolysis were PTN 3.0 S, Alcalase, Bioprotease P conc, Proteinase DS. Cytochemical studies were carried out to examine the cytotoxic potential or cell modulating activities of CPP using human cancer cell lines (HL-60, Caco-2) and non-malignant polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) from oral cavity. PML cells isolated by magnetic cell sorting using CD-15-antibody-labelled paramagnetic beads were used for the first time for testing food-derived peptides. Cell activity was measured by formazan dye formation. Effects on enterocytic differentiation properties of Caco-2 cells were examined by transepithelial membrane resistance of Caco-2 cell monolayers and brush border associated alkaline phosphatase activity. In conclusion, (1) no deleterious cytochemical consequences (apoptotic, antiproliferative or general cytotoxic effects) were observed on presenting a range of CPP preparations to various human cell systems, indicating that these compounds can be rated harmless at a cellular level, (2) stimulation of IgG-secretion into culture supernatant of PBL points to possible immunoenhancing properties of CPP preparations.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed2004

Promoting effect and recovery activity from physical stress of the fruit of Morus alba.

We examined the effects of the fruit of M. alba extracts on the changes of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities during and after the physical exercise in rat. Each activity was measured by used serotonin(5-HT) and benzylamine as substrate. Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity and the concentrations of lactate in blood which were clinical indexes of physical exercise were also determined to compare with the relation of MAO activities. Those activities during and after the physical exercise have different tendency in each other enzyme. MAO-A activity was sharply decreased with stress by physical activities compared to the normal group, whereas MAO-B activity was increased for 60 minutes after exercise. All of these indexes were recovered to normal state by oral administration of extract of M. alba. These results of this study suggested M. alba may modulate the MAO activities during exercise and promote the capability of physical activities and show anti-stress effect. In general, MAO inhibitors have been used drugs for the purpose of treatment Parkinson's disease, dementia, depression. These results can apply to produce the health and functional foods that have modulating effects for these diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Formation of galacto-oligosaccharides during lactose hydrolysis by a novel beta-galactosidase from the moderately thermophilic fungus Talaromyces thermophilus.

Discontinuous and continuous processes of lactose hydrolysis and concomitant galacto-oligosaccharide (GalOS) formation were studied. To this end a wide experimental range of the main variables was evaluated, including the initial lactose concentration, the degree of lactose conversion, the pH value and the temperature for discontinuous transformations, while the initial lactose concentration and the feed rate were varied for the continuous process. For both processes a high-initial lactose concentration proved to be advantageous for the formation of GalOS. The maximum amount of GalOS (100 g/L, corresponding to a yield of approximately 50% based on the initially employed lactose) was obtained after 8 h of incubation when using 200 g/L lactose as substrate and 90% lactose hydrolysis was observed. GalOS productivity in the continuous process (g/L.h) was enhanced by an increase of the flow rate. The maximum GalOS productivity of 70 g/L.h was obtained at a flow rate of 24 mL/h when using a reactor with a total working volume of 21 mL. As was evident from these experiments, this beta-galactosidase from a moderately thermophilic fungus showed a strong transgalactosylation activity and can be used for the formation of GalOS, sugars that are of considerable interest for functional food applications because of their presumed healthpromoting effects.

Galactose↗

PubMed2002

Electro-membrane filtration for the selective isolation of bioactive peptides from an alpha(s2)-casein hydrolysate.

For the isolation of the ingredients required for functional foods and nutraceuticals generally membrane filtration has too low a selectivity and chromatography is (too) expensive. Electro-membrane filtration (EMF) seems to be a breakthrough technology for the isolation of charged nutraceutical ingredients from natural sources. EMF combines the separation mechanisms of membrane filtration and electrophoresis. In this study, positively charged peptides with antimicrobial activity were isolated from an alpha(s2)-casein hydrolysate using batch-wise EMF. alpha(s2)-Casein f(183-207), a peptide with strong antimicrobial activity, predominated in the isolated product and was enriched from 7.5% of the total protein components in the feed to 25% in the permeate product. With conventional membrane diafiltration using the same membrane (GR60PP), isolation of this and other charged bioactive peptides could not be achieved. The economics of EMF are mainly governed by the energy costs and the capital investment, which is affected by the flux of the desired peptide. A maximum average transport rate of alpha(s2)-casein f(183-207) during batch-wise EMF of 1.2 g/m2. h was achieved. Results indicate that an increase in the hydrolysate (feed) concentration, the applied potential difference and the conductivity of the permeate and electrode solutions, and a reduction in the conductivity of the feed result in a higher transport rate of alpha(s2)-casein f(183-207). This is in line with the expectation that the transport rate is improved when the concentration, the electrical field strength, or the electrophoretic mobility is increased, provided that the electrophoretic transport predominates. The expected energy consumption of the EMF process per gram of peptide transported was reduced by approximately 50% by applying a low overall potential difference and by processing desalinated hydrolysate. Considerable improvements in transport rate, energy efficiency, and process economics seem to be attainable by additional optimization of the process parameters and the EMF module design.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗

PubMed2003

Production and physicochemical characterization of resistant starch type III derived from pea starch.

Smooth pea starch was used for the production of physiological important resistant starch type III. For reduction of the molecular weight of the starch, different strategies including enzymatic debranching and acid hydrolysis (lintnerization), were tested to obtain an optimal starting material for retrogradation. The resulting polymer chain lengths were analyzed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. Temperature regimes and starch concentrations in gel were optimized during the retrogradation with the aim to obtain a high yield of resistant starch. Optimal conditions led to resistant starch contents up to 74%. The products were thermostable and showed no loss of resistant structures after autoclaving. The peak temperatures of the thermal transition were at approximately 147 degrees C. The resulting resistant starch products are suitable for the generation of functional foods.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed2026

From bioactive compounds to volatile profiles: a multidimensional characterization of Indonesian stingless bee honeys.

BACKGROUND: Stingless bee honeys are drawing increasing attention as ingredients for functional foods and health-oriented products because of their distinctive sensory characteristics and bioactive potential. In this study, honeys collected from nine stingless bee species reared in West Sumatra, Indonesia, were comprehensively characterized using physicochemical indices, antioxidant assays [DPPH (i.e. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ferric reducing antioxidant power], microbiological screening, volatile profiling [gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)] and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) fingerprinting. RESULTS: Marked between-sample variability was observed across key quality attributes, including pH (2.80-3.68), Brix (49.83-61.25), viscosity (23.36-175.22 cP) and color parameters. FTIR spectra were consistent with carbohydrate-rich matrices and exhibited carbonyl-related bands. GC-MS profiling identified linalool oxide isomers and junenol among the predominant volatiles. To the best of our knowledge, junenol has not previously been reported in stingless bee honey and may represent a potential regional chemical marker for Indonesian stingless bee honeys. Lactic acid bacteria were detected in selected samples, whereas yeast and mold were not detected. Antioxidant activities were comparatively low, which may reflect local environmental and ecosystem-related factors. CONCLUSION: The results provide a multi-parameter baseline for stingless bee honeys produced within a shared ecosystem in West Sumatra and demonstrate the value of integrating conventional chemical indices with FTIR and volatile fingerprints for quality assessment. This combined approach may also support future authentication and origin-tracing frameworks for Indonesian stingless bee honeys. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Analysis of natural antioxidants by capillary electromigration methods.

In this work, an exhaustive survey of capillary electromigration methods used to analyze natural antioxidants is presented together with some discussion of the use of these substances use as functional foods. This review provides an updated and exhaustive overview of the separation and identification by capillary electrophoresis of natural compounds with antioxidant activity found in natural matrices and/or foods. The compounds concerned are catechins, isoflavones, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, vitamins, as well as other less common natural substances that have shown antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

Effects of the insoluble fiber derived from Passiflora edulis seed on plasma and hepatic lipids and fecal output.

The influence of the insoluble fiber-rich fraction (FRF) prepared from defatted Passiflora edulis seed, a potential fiber source, on plasma and hepatic lipids and fecal output were investigated in hamsters fed a hypercholesterolemic diet containing 5% insoluble FRF. The results showed that the consumption of insoluble FRF diet relative to cellulose diet could effectively (P < 0.05) decrease the levels of serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, and liver cholesterol, and increase (P < 0.05) the levels of total lipids, cholesterol, and bile acids in feces. The consumption of insoluble FRF also increased (P < 0.05) the fecal bulk and moisture. The marked cholesterol- and lipid-lowering effects of insoluble FRF might be partly attributed to its ability to enhance the excretion of lipids and bile acids via feces. Our results suggested that insoluble FRF could be a potential hypocholesterolemic ingredient for fiber-rich functional foods, but some further researches in humans may be needed to confirm its benefits.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

HPLC-MS trace analysis of atropine in Lycium barbarum berries.

The dried ripe fruits of Barbary wolfberry, Lycium barbarum L. are widely used in China for medicinal purposes and as a functional food. Previous investigations reported to have found atropine in Barbary wolfberries from India. These results have been questioned. Since then, however, there has been a discussion on whether the berries are suitable for human consumption. In order to determine the content of atropine, we have analysed eight samples of berries from China and Thailand for traces of atropine, using highly selective and sensitive HPLC-MS methods. Atropine was found in all examined samples in concentrations of maximally 19 ppb (w/w). Therefore, the content is far below toxic levels.

Atropine↗

PubMed2005

Radical scavenging activity of Crocus sativus L. extract and its bioactive constituents.

Radical scavenging activity is involved in aging processes, antiinflammatory, anticancer and wound healing activity. Hence, in the present study the DPPH radical scavenging activity of a natural product that possesses biological properties, an extract of Crocus sativus L. (saffron), grown in Crocos, Kozani (Greece), and some of its bioactive constituents (crocin, safranal) was studied. It was shown that a methanol extract of Crocus sativus exhibited high antioxidant activity, although it contains several active and inactive constituents. In trying to approximate a structure-activity relationship, two bioactive constituents of saffron extract were tested, namely crocin and safranal. Crocin showed high radical scavenging activity (50% and 65% for 500 and 1,000 ppm solution in methanol, respectively), followed by safranal (34% for 500 ppm solution). All the tested samples showed high radical scavenging activity, probably due to the ability to donate a hydrogen atom to the DPPH radical.Thus, saffron grown in Greece can be used promisingly in functional foods, drinks with antioxidant activity, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations for their antioxidant activity and probably for their antiaging activity. Saffron can also be used internally in the form of powder or other pharmacotechnical formulae as a food supplement with antioxidant properties.

Carotenoids↗

PubMed2005

Plant sterols and stanols.

The expanding market of 'functional foods' containing plant sterols and stanols has focused interest on their cholesterol-lowering effects as well on possible adverse effects. Trials of cholesterol lowering demonstrate that intake of 2 g/day of plant sterols and stanols reduces serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations by approximately 10%. Safety concerns regarding elevations in serum plant sterol levels, or effects on fat-soluble vitamin absorption or hypothetical effects on serum sex hormone balance have received attention and been addressed in studies. Plant sterol (but not stanol) supplementation increased serum plant sterol concentrations but these levels remained much lower than those observed in homozygous sitosterolemia making an adverse health effect unlikely. Prolonged statin therapy also causes elevations in all cholesterol-adjusted plant sterol levels as well as small but significant elevations in serum unadjusted campesterol levels from baseline. This is probably caused by a statin-induced reduction in biliary cholesterol efflux resulting in a diminished intestinal cholesterol pool. The diminished competition with cholesterol molecules allows more plant sterol molecules to become incorporated in mixed micelles facilitating their uptake in enterocytes. With the exception of beta-carotene, reductions in serum concentrations of fat-soluble (pro)vitamins are usually abolished by adjustment for cholesterol suggesting that they reflect reductions in carrier lipoproteins, mainly LDL. The small reductions in serum beta-carotene are not regarded as a major concern, nor have any adverse effects on sex hormone metabolism been demonstrated apart from parenteral administration of large doses in experimental animals. However, as increasing consumer populations become exposed to a large variety of food products enriched with plant sterols and stanols the likelihood of rare adverse effects increases and surveillance is necessary.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Characterization of taurine as inhibitor of sodium glucose transporter.

The most characterized roles of taurine include osmoregulator and membrane-stabilizing activities. However, much remains to be understood about its role in human physiology concerning its anti-hyperglycemic effect. Studies indicate that taurine-supplemented diet helps alleviate hyperglycemia or insulin resistance. This hypoglycemic effect has been postulated as taurine helping to increase the excretion of cholesterol. Alternatively, this study investigated the effect of taurine on glucose transporter using heterologous expression of sodium-glucose transporter-1 (SGLT-1). SGLT-1 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and the effect of taurine on the expressed SGLT-1 was analyzed utilizing 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) uptake and voltage clamp studies. In the oocytes expressing SGLT-1, taurine was shown to inhibit SGLT-1 activity compared to the non-treated controls in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of taurine, the glucose uptake was greatly inhibited and the glucose-generated current was significantly inhibited. Synthetic taurine analogs were also shown to be effective in inhibiting SGLT-1 activity in a manner comparable to taurine. These effects might offer a promising opportunity in designing functional foods with anti-hyperglycemic potential by supplementing taurine and its analogs to the diet.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Prophylaxis of rotavirus gastroenteritis using immunoglobulin.

Oral inoculation of the human group A rotavirus MO strain (G serotype 3) into 5-day-old BALB/c mice causes gastroenteritis characterized by diarrhea. Using this small animal model, passive protection of suckling mice against human rotavirus infection was achieved with the use of immunoglobulin (IgY) from the yolks of eggs of rotavirus-immunized hens. When IgY against the rotavirus strain homotypic with the challenge virus (MO strain) was administered to mice, complete protection was achieved. After immunizing 8-month old pregnant Holstein cows with human rotavirus MO strain, colostrum containing neutralizing antibody to four different G serotypes of human rotavirus, designated Rota colostrum, was obtained. Rota colostrum completely protected suckling mice against rotavirus infection, and purified IgG obtained from Rota colostrum protected against infection with the homologous virus. After randomly grouping 20 infants from a baby care center, 10 infants received 20 ml of Rota colostrum for 2 weeks and 10 control infants received none. Rotavirus-associated diarrhea developed in 7 of the 10 infants in the control group. None of the three infants in the group daily receiving the Rota colostrum had such symptoms, and one of three infants in the group receiving treatment, every other day developed rotavirus-induced diarrhea. Oral administration of Rota colostrum seems to be an effective and safe means of preventing diarrhea caused by human rotavirus infection. Recently, the immunized cows were boosted by reinjection of 4 serotypes of human rotavirus into a superficial cervical lymph node two weeks after delivery, resulting in mass production of cow's milk containing a high-titered antibody to human rotavirus. Therefore, the hyperimmune cow's milk is a candidate for a "physiologically functional food" in Japan.

Animals↗