Low-dose gamma irradiation and pectin biodegradable nanocomposite coating containing curcumin nanoparticles and ajowan (Carum copticum) essential oil nanoemulsion for storage of chilled lamb loins.

The current investigation assessed the effect of pectin (PE) biodegradable nanocomposite coating containing curcumin nanoparticles (CNP) and ajowan (Carum copticum) essential oil nanoemulsion (ANE) combined with low-dose gamma irradiation on microbial, physiochemical, and sensorial qualities of lamb loins during refrigeration conditions. Active coating combined with gamma irradiation reduced the count number of mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae; and minimized lipid and protein oxidation changes, total volatile basic nitrogen content, met-myoglobin formation, and color deterioration in the loin samples. The increased shelf-life of lamb loins up to 25 days compared with 5 days assigned for the control group can be associated with the application of ionizing radiation and edible PE coating containing CNP and ANE, which might be due to the synergistic or additive effects of treatments. Overall, as an effective preservation technique, a combination of PE + CNP + ANE and irradiation can be recommended for prolonging the shelf-life of lamb loins during refrigerated storage.

Trigonelline through the Attenuation of Oxidative Stress Exerts Antidepressant- and Anxiolytic-Like Effects in a Mouse Model of Maternal Separation Stress.

Depression and anxiety are common psychiatric disorders accounting for social and economic burdens. Previous studies have shown that oxidative stress and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance are involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Experiencing early-life adversities (like maternal separation [MS] stress) provoked psychiatric disorders. Trigonelline (TRG) is a pyridine alkaloid that has various pharmacological effects including hypoglycemic, neuroprotective and memory-improving properties. To investigate the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of TRG focusing oxidative stress, we applied the MS paradigm to male mice at postnatal day (PND) 2-14 (3 h daily, 9-12 a.m.) and investigated the behaviors at PND 45-47. Using valid behavioral tests including a forced swimming test (FST), splash test, open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM), we investigated behavioral modifications. Additionally, we examined the effects of MS and TRG treatment on the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and also antioxidant capacity in the brain and serum. Our results showed that MS provoked depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in the FST, OFT, EPM and splash test, which are associated with an increase in MDA and NO levels as well as a decrease in antioxidant capacity in the brain and serum samples. Findings determined that TRG significantly reversed the negative effects of MS on behavior that is accompanied by a decrease in MDA and NO as well as an increase in antioxidant capacity. Findings of the present study showed that beneficial effects of TRG may be, at least partially, mediated via the reduction of oxidative stress and an increase of antioxidant capacity.

Impact of glazing based on chitosan-gelatin incorporated with Persian lime (Citrus latifolia) peel essential oil on quality of rainbow trout fillets stored at superchilled condition.

In this research, a new ice-glazing based on chitosan-gelatin (Ch-Gl) incorporated with Persian lime peel essential oil (LEO), and superchilled storage was established to assess the microbial, physicochemical, and sensory quality of rainbow trout fillets. The fillets were immersed in distilled water (control), Ch-Gl, Ch-Gl + 1% LEO, and Ch-Gl + 2% LEO to form glazing layer on the surface, then stored at -1.4 °C for 30 days. All treatments delayed the growth of total mesophilic bacteria, total psychrotrophic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria compared to control during the storage period. The treatments also retarded the increase in the contents of total volatile nitrogen, conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, protein carbonyls, pH, and electric conductivity during storage. The freshness indexes i.e. K and Fr values were improved in treated groups compared to control group. The combined treatments (Ch-Gl + 1% or 2% LEO) were more effective than Ch-Gl alone to inhibit the microbial growth, retard the physicochemical deterioration, and improve freshness indexes in the fillets. It can be concluded that ice-glazing based on Ch-Gl incorporated with LEO, and superchilled storage is effective to enhance the quality and shelf-life of rainbow trout fillets.

Effect of Chlorella supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The effect of Chlorella supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors of subjects with different health status has not been conclusively studied. Therefore, the efficacy of Chlorella supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors was assessed through a meta-analysis. METHODS: A literature search on five electronic databases was performed and related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until 15 January 2017 were identified. For each study, the effect size of each outcome was presented as Un-standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). The overall effect for each outcome was calculated using random effects model. RESULTS: Meta-analysis on 19 RCTs with 797 subjects indicated that Chlorella administration significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol (TC; -9.09 mg/dl, 95% CI: -12.91 to -5.26, P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; -8.32 mg/dl, 95% CI: -12.22 to -4.42, P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP; -4.51 mmHg, 95% CI: -6.53 to -2.48, P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, -1.64 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.28 to -0.01, P = 0.049), and fasting blood glucose (FBG; -4.23 mg/dl, 95% CI: -8.29 to -0.17, P = 0.041) whereas changes in triglycerides (TG; 1.73 mg/dl, 95% CI: -7.25 to 10.70, P = 0.706), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 1.54 mg/dl, 95% CI: -2.40 to 5.48, P = 0.443), and body mass index (BMI; -0.23 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.97 to 0.51, P = 0.545) was not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses based on intervention duration and Chlorella doses revealed that administration of Chlorella for 8 weeks or higher and doses higher than 4 g/day significantly reduced TC, LDL-C, SBP, and DBP levels in the participants. Moreover, Chlorella supplementation significantly reduced TC and LDL-C levels in unhealthy individuals, and also reduced SBP and DBP in hypertensive ones. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that Chlorella supplementation improved levels of TC, LDL-C, SBP, DBP, and FBG but the changes in TG, HDL-C, and BMI were not satisfactory. More precise RCTs on subjects with different health status is recommended to clarify the effect of Chlorella supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors.