Journal of Food Bioactives

Celebration of the lifetime achievements of Professor Chi-Tang Ho on the occasion of his 80th birthday

2024-04-09T22:10:00+08:00

Prof. Chi-Tang Ho was an illuminating thread, woven with unparalleled brilliance through the realms of food science and more. I recount the transformative experience under his guidance and a distinguished mentor.”

He continues to say “Our academic camaraderie blossomed through scholarly discussions, unveiling numerous research avenues, and fostering intellectual curiosity. At every turning point, as new information or research direction surfaced, Prof. Ho promptly shared and discussed with me potential developments of each new project. Our collaboration persisted in my tenure at Taiwan, transcending the challenges of a 12-hour time difference. Prof. Ho remained my trusted confidant, and the first to consult on intriguing research and cutting-edge technologies.” He then adds “To date, the countless individuals who have collaborated with Prof. Ho attest to his continuous willingness to mentor and contribute to the flourishing development of the field of food science. Prof. Ho's distinguished outstanding in the academic community is underscored by numerous honours, including election as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society in 2010, the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK in 2014, the International Academy of Food Science & Technology in 2006, the Institute of Food Technologists in 2003, and the International Society for Nutraceuticals & Functional Foods in 2018

Bioactive Peptides as Antioxidants and Antimicrobials: Fundamentals and Applications

2024-04-04T11:10:21+08:00

Bioactive peptides are well-known for their remarkable tissue affinity, specificity, and effectiveness in promoting health. Extracted from food proteins, these bioactive peptides have displayed significant potential as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Throughout the years, numerous potential bioactive peptides derived from food sources have been documented. These bioactive peptides offer a wide range of crucial functions within the human body, including acting as antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory compounds, anti-hypertensive substances, and immunomodulators. More recently, extensive research has been conducted to investigate the origins, bioavailability, potential physiological effects and functionality, as well as the mechanisms of action of bioactive peptides in rendering health benefits. Researchers have also delved into various technological methods for preparing, purifying, and characterizing these peptides. This contribution primarily centers on exploring the antioxidant and antimicrobial aspects of bioactive peptides.

Exploring the phytochemical composition and pharmacological effects of fermented turmeric using the isolated strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus FN7

2024-04-04T11:12:01+08:00

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), widely used in Asia as a spice, preservative, and colorant, contains curcuminoids known for diverse pharmacological benefits, including antimicrobial properties. However, their hydrophobic nature hampers bioavailability. Addressing this, we hypothesized that Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) fermentation could enhance curcuminoid content and bioactivity. This study isolated LAB strains to ferment turmeric and investigated the phytochemical and pharmacological outcomes. Twelve LAB strains from various sources were tested for fermenting 3% turmeric in MRS broth. L. rhamnosus FN7 emerged as a robust strain, tolerating turmeric's antibacterial properties and increasing curcuminoid content and anti-inflammatory effects. Fermented turmeric exhibited higher phenolic and flavonoid contents and improved radical scavenging activity than its non-fermented counterpart. Additionally, L. rhamnosus FN7 survived under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, indicating probiotic potential. Our findings suggest that L. rhamnosus FN7 fermentation significantly boosts turmeric's biochemical attributes, positioning it as a promising functional food.

A comprehensive characterization of phenolics, amino acids and other minor bioactives of selected honeys and identification of botanical origin markers

2024-04-04T11:13:08+08:00

Phenolic and amino acid profiles along with organic acid, vitamin and mineral contents, major and minor sugars and enzyme activities of selected honey samples collected in North America were analyzed using different methods and potential markers of their botanical origin were identified. Among the 29 detected phenolic compounds, and some were found to be a good chemical markers to distinguish a genuine honey given its propolis origin. Quantitative data and principal component analysis showed that hesperidin, caffeic acid/isoferulic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid/p-coumaric acid have the most positive relationship to the orange, alfalfa, and buckwheat honey, respectively, indicating their potential roles as chemical markers of these floral honeys. Free amino acid profiles were similar in all other honeys except buckwheat which not only had significantly higher branched-chain amino acids but was the only floral honey that contained L-norvaline that was identified for the first time. The enzyme activities and the major and rare sugar composition helped explain the presence of the various organic acids in the honeys. Compositional data of these bioactives and other nutrients will not only serve as database information for honey derived from North America but also provide insightful knowledge for the underlining potential health benefits.

Sesamolin has the ability to induce longevity effects on the Caenorhabditis elegans, and the mechanism depends on the SIR-2.1 and AAK-2

2024-04-04T11:14:38+08:00

Sesamolin, one of the prominent lignans in sesame seeds, offers diverse physiological benefits. However, the longevity effects and mechanisms of sesamolin remain unclear. We hypothesized that sesamolin can exert the longevity effects in the Caenorhabditis (C.) elegans when prepared with the γ-cyclodextrin to form an inclusion complex (named γCD-SM). In this study, the γCD-SM was prepared, and the lifespan assays, health indexes, and loss-of-function assays in the C. elegans or mutants were conducted. The results demonstrated that the γCD-SM significantly extended the C. elegans’ lifespan and improved the health indexes, such as the pharyngeal pumping and body bends. The longevity effects of the γCD-SM were found to depend on the signaling of the SIR-2.1 and AAK-2. In conclusion, the γ-CD inclusion is a crucial step for assessing the sesamolin's longevity effects in the C. elegans. This study confirms that sesamolin exhibits the longevity effects, and its mechanism relies on the signaling of the SIR-2.1 and the AAK-2 proteins, suggesting its potential as a health-promoting ingredient.

Fuji apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Red Fuji) pomace extracts as a source of antimicrobial and antioxidant polyphenols

2024-04-04T11:16:50+08:00

This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of both crude polyphenol extract (CPE) and purified polyphenol extract (PPE) obtained from Fuji apple pomace. The antibacterial capacity of both extracts against Staphylococcus aureus was investigated by evaluating the inhibition zones, minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), growth curves and bacterial morphology of S. aureus treated with CPE or PPE, as well as the performance in simulated food systems. The antioxidant activity of CPE or PPE was assessed using the ABTS radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The results showed that PPE exhibited potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus, which was further confirmed by the bacterial morphology. It was revealed that PPE only exerted strong antibacterial effect in starch-based food system while CEP did not show such effect in all systems. The results of the ABTS and FRAP assays indicated that both PPE and CPE possess strong antioxidant activity, from which PPE showed much higher capacity than that of CPE. Therefore, PPE from Fuji apple pomace can be used as a novel antibacterial agent for food preservation and natural antioxidant for functional food and nutraceutical products.

A novel combination against skin aging via promoting the synthesis of biological collagen

2024-04-04T11:18:04+08:00

Supplementing collagen is considered to contribute to delaying skin aging. In this work, we developed a novel combination for improving skin aging by stimulating the biosynthesis of collagen. By screening a library of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM), we found that Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), Lilii bulbus (Baihe), Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma (Gancao), and Jujubae fructus (Dazao) substantially increased the mRNA expression levels of type I collagen, suggesting their potential anti-skin-aging activity. To keep the structural integrity of collagen, prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H), a key enzyme in collagen synthesis, was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli. In addition, the transfersome with added P-4H was prepared to improve the transdermal absorption of combination. Vitamin C (VC), the substrate required for the activity of P4H, was also incorporated into the combination. Eventually, an optimal combination, consisting of Baizhi, Baihe, Gancao, P4H transfersome and VC, was obtained by a series of combination experiments. Based on traditional CHM and modern biological agents, we developed a novel combination against skin aging by promoting the synthesis of collagen. Collectively, the combination show the high potential of application to delay skin aging

Exploring the anti-inflammatory effect of clove water extract in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages

2024-04-04T11:19:01+08:00

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L) is a precious spice that has been extensively used by many countries over the centuries to add flavor and for medicinal purposes. Because of its abundance of phytochemical compounds, clove has been shown to have positive benefits on human health. Hence, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of clove water extract (CWE) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and mouse peritoneal. The results showed that CWE significantly inhibited the production of IL-6 and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner, as well as the production of nitric oxide (NO), without any cytotoxic effects at less than 20 mg/mL, through down-regulating IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS gene expression. Moreover, CWE impeded the MAPKs and inhibited the translocation of NF-kB from the cytosol to the nucleus. These results suggest that CWE possesses anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the MAPKs and NF-kB pathways.

In Silico ADME and Molecular Simulation Studies of Pharmacological Activities of Phytoconstituents of Annona muricata (L.) Fruit

2024-04-04T11:20:08+08:00

Annona muricata Lin is known for its ethnomedicinal uses as food, decoctions, or infusions to address various conditions like skin infections, fever, diabetes, insomnia, malaria, hypertension, nervous disorders, diarrhea, and cancer. The study aimed to analyze the phytochemicals such as acetogenins, alkaloids, cyclopeptides, and flavonoids, present in A. muricata fruit, evaluate their pharmacokinetics, and understand binding dynamics with key molecular targets relevant to human well-being. Results indicated a mix of high and low gastrointestinal absorption (GIA) among A. muricata phytochemicals, with some demonstrating blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Molecular target prediction highlighted frequent interactions with Programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4). Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed central connectivity of tyrosinase (TYR), Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase (TH), interleukin 2 (IL2), and others. Molecular docking results identified Luteolin 3´7-di-O-glucoside with the highest binding affinity for PDCD4 (-7.65 kcal.mol^-1), followed by Annonaine (-7.294 kcal.mol^-1); meanwhile, Dexamethasone (standard compound) exhibited a binding affinity of -6.682 kcal.mol^-1. Molecular dynamic simulation indicated a stable binding energy ΔGbind (Total) for the Annonaine - PDCD4 complex (-11.240 kcal.mol^-1) and Dexamethasone - PDCD4 complex (-18.909 kcal.mol^-1). In conclusion, this study suggests potential anticancer properties of A. muricata based on modulation of PDCD4 protein, influencing the CDK/Akt/STAT3 pathway. Further in vivo investigations are necessary to validate these findings.