Amino Acid Profile, Functional Properties and In-vitro Antioxidant Capacity of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita mixta Fruit Pulps and Seeds

The study aimed at evaluating the amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties and in-vitro antioxidant activities of Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita mixta fruit pulps and seeds. Freshly harvested Cucurbita mixta and Cucurbita maxima fruit were processed into flour as; Pa: Cucurbita maxima pulp flour, Pi: Cucurbita mixta pulp flour, Sa: Cucurbita maxima seed flour and Si: Cucurbita mixta seed flour and were evaluated for amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties and in-vitro antioxidant activities. Triplicate data were analysed and means were separated using New Duncan Multiple Range Test (NDMRT) at p<0.05. The protein content of the fruit pulps and seeds flour samples were 12.77 g/100 g (Pi), 13.22 g/100 g (Pa), 15.37 g/100 g (Sa) and 16.86 g/100 g (Si). Total essential amino acid was 5.33 mg/100 g of protein (Pa) 6.62 mg/100 g of protein (Pi), 9.85 mg/100 g of protein (Sa) and 14.61 mg/100 g of protein (Si). Total essential amino acid of Pi and Si are significantly higher (p>0.05) than Pa and Sa. Statistically, saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid of the Pi and Si were significantly lower (p<0.05) than Pa and Sa respectively. Antioxidant activities against ABTS* (Pi) is significantly higher (p>0.05) than Pa and with no significant differences (p<0.05) between ABTS values of Si and Sa. While there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between Si and Sa as well as Pi and Pa antioxidant activities against DPPH* respectively. In conclusion, Cucurbita seeds and pulps flour contains high protein content, appreciable amount of essential minerals, lower Na/K molar ratio of less than one and they also exhibit a good free radical scavenging abilities against DPPH*, ABTS* and ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ with high content of total phenol and flavonoid.

Neuronal plasticity and the changes of microenvironment at the ischemic neocortical penumbra after cere- bral artery occlusion in rats / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objectives To investigate the effects of nerve nutrient factors and inhibitory factors on neuronal regen? eration and axonal reconstruction at ischemic neocortical penumbra after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods The rat model of middle cerebral artery ischemia was established using suture-occluded method. The pathological morpholo? gy of brain tissue was examined by using HE staining. The expression levels of GAP-43 SYN, nutrient factor (BDNF VEGF Ang1) and inhibitory factor (NogoA NogoR RhoA) were determined by using Western blotting technique. Results The number of neurons in ischemic penumbra was significantly decreased in model group (P<0.01) than in sham-operat? ed group. The expression levels of GAP-43 were significantly decreased (P<0.05) while the expression levels of NogoA NgR and RhoA in the thalamus were significantly increased (P<0.05) in model group than in sham-operated group. The expression levels of SYN and nutrient factors (BDNF VEGF Ang1) were not different between the model group and sham-operated group. Conclusion The increase in nerve inhibitory factors may contribute to the down-regulation of neu?rogenesis at ischemic neocortical penumbra after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.