ABSTRACT
Background: ß-glucans (1-3: 1-4) are soluble fibers applied to foods due to their technological properties (water binding capacity, viscosity, emulsification and stabilization) and their beneficial effects on health. The functional properties of ß-glucans can be lost during the extraction and purification processes. The high viscosity of ß-glucans is related to a high molecular weight and its physiological properties in the intestine. Therefore, to characterize the fiber after its extraction and purification is fundamental to understand its possible applications in foods. Objectives: characterize ß-glucans extracted (EßG) and compare them with three commercial ß-glucans (CßG-A, CßG-B and CßG-C) to identify its possible applications in foods and to evaluate if enzymatic purification affects molecular and structurally the ß-glucans. Methods: barley ß-glucans were extracted (EßG), characterized by chemical analyzes, rheological behavior, and color, and compared to three commercial ß-glucans samples. Then, the extract was purified and its structural and molecular characteristics were calculated. Results: EßG contained 64.38 ± 3.54% of ß-glucans, high starch contamination (12.70 ± 1.73%), high content of calcium (8894 mg/kg), pseudoplastic behavior, and dark color (L* = 52.77 ± 0.7). All commercial samples showed low starch contamination, lighter color, and Newtonian behavior. After purification starch and protein contamination decreased (0.85 ± 0.46% and 5.50 ± 0.12% respectively), increased the content of ßG (69.45 ± 0.81%) and increased brightness (L* = 92.60 ± 1.70). Purified ß-glucans (PßG) showed a molar weight of 690 ± 1.6 kDa and species with degree polymerization 3 (DP3) to 11 (DP11) were identified on the structure. Conclusions: EßG extracts before the purification presented a high viscosity and contamination. The enzymatic purification process was effective and allowed to maintain a high molar mass of PßG and its distinctive molecular structures (species with DP3 and DP4). The commercial samples CßG-A and CßG-B showed a low content of ß-glucans. Finally, CßG-C presented the best physicochemical and rheological properties for its subsequent application in food.
Antecedentes: los ß-glucanos (1-3: 1-4) son fibras solubles aplicadas a los alimentos debido a sus propiedades tecnológicas (capacidad de retención de agua, viscosidad, emulsificación y estabilización) y a sus efectos beneficiosos en la salud. Las propiedades funcionales de los ß-glucanos pueden perderse durante los procesos de extracción y purificación. La alta viscosidad de los ß-glucanos está relacionada con un alto peso molecular y con sus propiedades fisiológicas en el intestino. Por lo tanto, caracterizar la fibra después de su extracción y purificación es fundamental para comprender sus posibles aplicaciones en alimentos. Objetivos: caracterizar ß-glucanos extraídos (EßG) y compararlos con tres marcas comerciales (CßG-A, CßG-B y CßG-C) para identificar su futura aplicación en alimentos y evaluar si la purificación enzimática afecta molecular y estructuralmente los ß-glucanos. Métodos: se extrajeron ß-glucanos de cebada (EßG), caracterizados por análisis químicos, comportamiento reológico y color, y se compararon con tres muestras comerciales. Posteriormente, el extracto (EßG) se purificó y se identificaron sus características estructurales y su peso molecular. Resultados: EßG contenía 64.38 ± 3.54% de ß-glucanos, alta contaminación con almidón (12.70 ± 1.73%), alto contenido de calcio (8894 mg / kg), comportamiento pseudoplástico y color oscuro (L* = 52.77 ± 0.7). Todas las muestras comerciales mostraron una baja contaminación con almidón, color más claro y comportamiento newtoniano. Después de la purificación de EßG, la contaminación con almidón y proteína disminuyó (0.85 ± 0.46% y 5.50 ± 0.12%, respectivamente), aumentó el contenido de ßG (69.45 ± 0.81%) y aumentó su luminosidad (L* = 92.60 ± 1.70). Los ß-glucanos purificados (PßG) mostraron un peso molar de 690 ± 1,6 kDa y se identificaron en la estructura especies con grado de polimerización desde 3 (GP3) hasta 11 (GP11). Conclusiones: los EßG antes de la purificación presentaron alta viscosidad y contaminación. El proceso de purificación enzimática fue efectivo y permitió mantener una alta masa molar de la fibra y sus estructuras moleculares características (especies con GP3 y GP4). Las muestras comerciales CßG-A y CßG-B mostraron un bajo contenido de ß-glucanos. Finalmente, la CßG-C presentó las mejores propiedades fisicoquímicas y reológicas para su posterior aplicación en alimentos.
Subject(s)
Humans , beta-Glucans , Viscosity , Dietary Fiber , Whole Foods , Molecular WeightABSTRACT
A intensidade, volume, modalidade de exercício, assim como o nível de aptidão e fatores nutricionais podem alterar a reposta imunológica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação crônica de farelo de aveia (fonte de fibras solúveis) sobre as células do sistema imunológico em ratos treinados, frente a um teste de exaustão. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar, ± dois meses, peso ± 200g, divididos em três grupos (n = 9, cada um): 1) controle sedentário (C); 2) treinado oito semanas submetido ao teste de exaustão (EX); e 3) treinado oito semanas submetido ao teste de exaustão com suplementação de 30 por cento de farelo de aveia (EXA). O treinamento consistiu de 60 minutos de natação diários, cinco dias por semana durante oito semanas. As análises realizadas foram: contagem total de leucócitos, linfócitos dos linfonodos mesentéricos, macrófagos peritoneais e capacidade fagocitária de macrófagos peritoneais. Aplicou-se o teste estatístico ANOVA two way, seguido do post hoc de Tukey com p < 0,05. O grupo EX apresentou leucocitose quando comparado com o controle, o que não ocorreu no grupo EXA, porém, na comparação entre os grupos exercitados EXA, mostrou menor leucocitose em relação a EX. Não houve alteração significativa nos linfócitos teciduais em nenhum dos grupos exercitados. Tanto o número de macrófagos peritoneais como a capacidade fagocitária desta célula foram maiores nos grupos exercitados. Porém, no grupo suplementado a capacidade fagocitária foi maior em relação ao grupo exaustão sem farelo de aveia. A suplementação de fibras solúveis demonstrou resultados benéficos com relação às alterações imunológicas induzidas pelo exercício extenuante, além de aumentar a capacidade fagocitária de macrófagos peritoniais em ratos treinados durante oito semanas submetidos ao teste de exaustão.
Exercise modality, volume, intensity, as well as physical fitness and nutritional factors may modulate the immune response. The purpose of this investigation was to verify the effects of chronic oat bran supplementation on immune cells in trained rats submitted to an extenuating test. Wistar rats (two months old), +200g weight, divided into three groups (n = 9, per group) were used: 1) a sedentary control (C) 2) trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test (EX), and 3) trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test with 30 percent oat bran supplementation (EXA). Training consisted of 60 daily minutes of swimming, five days a week, during eight weeks. The analyses conducted were: total leukocytes, lymphocytes from lymph nodes, peritoneal macrophages and peritoneal macrophages phagocytic capacity. Statistical analyses were done by the two-way ANOVA test, followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). EX group presented leukocytosis when compared to control; however, EXA group did not. In exercised group, comparison with EXA has shown lower leukocytosis in relation to EX. No significant alteration was observed for tissue lymphocytes in any of the exercised groups. The number of peritoneal macrophages as well as phagocytic capacity of this cell was higher in exercised groups. In oat bran supplemented group the phagocytic capacity was higher as compared to exhaustion group without oat bran. Soluble fibers supplementation has shown benefic results with regard to immune alterations induced by exhaustive exercise, and increased peritoneal macrophages phagocytic capacity in rats trained for eight weeks submitted to an exhaustion test.