Metabolomics Characterization of Phenolic Compounds in Colored Quinoa and Their Relationship with In Vitro Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activities.

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is rich in phenolic compounds and exhibits diverse biological activities. Few studies have focused on the effect of colored quinoa's phenolic profile on potential biological activity. This study used a UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomic approach to examine the quinoa phenolics and their association with in vitro antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties. In total, 430 polyphenols, mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, and flavonols, were identified. Additionally, 121, 116, and 148 differential polyphenols were found between the white and black, white and red, and black and red comparison groups, respectively; 67 polyphenols were screened as shared key differential metabolites. Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites were the main differently regulated pathways. Black quinoa had better total phenolic contents (643.68 mg/100 g DW) and antioxidant capacity, while white quinoa had better total flavonoid contents (90.95 mg/100 g DW) and in vitro α-amylase (IC50 value of 3.97 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 value of 1.08 mg/mL) inhibition activities. Thirty-six polyphenols, including epicatechin and linarin, etc., were highly correlated with in vitro antioxidant activity, while six polyphenols, including tiliroside and chrysoeriol, etc., were highly correlated with in vitro hypoglycemic activity. This study may provide important information for colored quinoa resources to develop their healthy food applications.

Change of physiochemical characteristics, nutritional quality, and volatile compounds of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. during germination.

The impacts of varying germination periods (0-72 h) on morphological properties, proximate composition, amino acid profile, GABA levels, antioxidant attributes, polyphenol content (both free and bound), and volatile compounds of quinoa were evaluated. Germination significantly increased the content of fiber, amino acids, GABA, polyphenols, and in-vitro antioxidant activities in quinoa. The optimal nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of quinoa were observed during the 36-72 h germination period. We examined the dynamics of 47 phenolic compounds in quinoa during germination and noted a substantial rise in free phenolic acids and bound flavonoids post-germination. A total of 53 and 84 volatile compounds were respectively identified in ungerminated quinoa and germinated quinoa. It was found that the germination period of 24-48 h contributed to reducing the presence of undesirable flavors. TEM analysis revealed significant structural damage to the ultrastructure and relaxation of the cell wall in germinated quinoa grains.

An investigation into the effects of various processing methods on the characteristic compounds of highland barley using a widely targeted metabolomics approach.

This study explored the influence of diverse processing methods (cooking (CO), extrusion puffing (EX), and steam explosion puffing (SE), stir-frying (SF) and fermentation (FE)) on highland barley (Qingke) chemical composition using UHPLC-MS/MS based widely targeted metabolomics. Overall, 827 metabolites were identified and categorized into 16 classes, encompassing secondary metabolites, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, etc. There 43, 85, 131, 51 and 98 differential metabolites were respectively selected from five comparative groups (raw materials (RM) vs CO/EX/SE/SF/FE), mainly involved in amino acids, nucleotides, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Compared to other treated groups, FE group possessed the higher content of crude protein (15.12 g/100 g DW), and the relative levels of free amino acids (1.32 %), key polyphenols and arachidonic acid (0.01 %). EX group had the higher content of anthocyanins (4.22 mg/100 g DW), and the relative levels of free amino acids (2.02 %) and key polyphenols. SE group showed the higher relative levels of phenolic acids (0.14 %), flavonoids (0.20 %) and alkaloids (1.17 %), but the lowest free amino acids (0.75 %). Different processing methods all decreased Qingke's antioxidant capacity, with the iron reduction capacity (988.93 µmol/100 g DW) in SE group was the lowest. On the whole, FE and EX were alleged in improving Qingke's nutritional value. CO and SF were also suitable for Qingke processing since fewer differential metabolites were identified in CO vs RM and SF vs RM groups. Differential metabolites were connected to 14 metabolic pathways, with alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism being central. This study contributed theoretical groundwork for the scientific processing and quality control of Qingke products.

Inulin Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Alleviates Behavioral Disorders by Modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway in Mice with Chronic Stress.

Depression and vulnerability to chronic stress are associated with inflammatory responses and the loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Dietary fiber and its short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) metabolites have been reported to affect neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, a 9-week treatment course of inulin (0.037 g of inulin/kcal) exhibited in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice led to antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, as well as improved neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity by enhancing CREB/BDNF signaling. Importantly, inulin inhibited CUMS-induced decreased BBB permeability, reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS) brain penetration, and modulated TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling to alleviate neuroinflammatory responses. Furthermore, inulin protected the gut barrier integrity and led to the increased formation of SCFAs. Enhanced SCFAs formation was strongly positively correlated with behavioral improvements, BBB integrity, and neuroinflammatory responses. We speculate that dietary fiber may be a promising nutritional intervention to reverse the effects of chronic stress by regulating metabolites and protecting the BBB integrity.

Recent advances in physiochemical changes, nutritional value, bioactivities, and food applications of germinated quinoa: A comprehensive review.

The production and consumption of functional foods has become an essential food industry trend. Due to its high nutritional content, quinoa is regarded as a super pseudocereal for the development of nutritious foods. However, the presence of antinutritional factors and quinoa's distinctive grassy flavor limit its food applications. Due to its benefits in enhancing the nutritional bioavailability and organoleptic quality of quinoa, germination has garnered significant interest. To date, there is no systematic review of quinoa germination and the health benefits of germinated quinoa. This review details the nutritional components and bioactivities of germinated quinoa, as well as the potential mechanisms for the accumulation of bioactive compounds during the germination process. Additionally, evidence supporting the health benefits of germinated quinoa, the current status of related product development, and perspectives for future research are presented. Thus, our research is likely to provide theoretical support for the use of germinated quinoa resources.

Study on the Changes in Volatile Flavor Compounds in Whole Highland Barley Flour during Accelerated Storage after Different Processing Methods.

The effect of heat processing on the flavor characteristics of highland barley flour (HBF) in storage was revealed by analyzing differences in volatile compounds associated with flavor deterioration in HBF using GC-MS identification and relative odor activity values (ROAVs). Hydrocarbons were the most abundant in untreated and extrusion puffed HBFs, while heterocycles were found to be the most abundant in explosion puffed, baked, and fried HBFs. The major contributors to the deterioration of flavor in different HBFs were hexanal, hexanoic acid, 2-pentylfuran, 1-pentanol, pentanal, 1-octen-3-ol, octanal, 2-butyl-2-octanal, and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal. Amino acid and fatty acid metabolism was ascribed to the main formation pathways of these compounds. Baking slowed down the flavor deterioration in HBF, while extrusion puffing accelerated the flavor deterioration in HBF. The screened key compounds could predict the quality of HBF. This study provides a theoretical basis for the regulation of the flavor quality of barley and its products.

Polyphenol Profile and In Vitro Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Different Solvent Extracts of Highland Barley Bran.

Five different solvent extracts of highland barley bran were analyzed and compared for their polyphenol profile, antioxidant activity, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. The highland barley bran acetone extract had the highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity. It was followed by the methanol and ethanol extracts, while n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited lower measured values. Diosmetin, luteolin, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, phlorogucinol, diosmin, isoquercitrin, catechin, and isovitexin were among the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in different solvent extracts, and their concentrations varied according to the solvent used. The highest α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity were observed in the ethyl acetate extract of highland barley bran, followed by the acetone and methanol extracts. In contrast, n-butanol and ethanol extracts exhibited lower measured values. The different solvent extracts were effective inhibitors for α-glucosidase and α-amylase with activity reaching to 34.45-94.32% and 22.08-35.92% of that of positive control acarbose, respectively. There were obvious correlations between the phenolic content and composition of different solvent extracts and their in vitro antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase inhibition activity and α-amylase inhibition activity. Black barley bran is an excellent natural raw material for developing polyphenol-rich functional foods and shows good antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential to benefit human health.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and flavor profile change of pomegranate wine during fermentation and aging process.

Antioxidant properties and flavor characteristic profile of pomegranate wine during winemaking were investigated. The total phenol content and radical scavenging activity exhibited a slightly decrease in the end edge. Punicalagins and gallic acid were revealed to be the most abundant phenolic compounds, followed by ellagic acid and vanillic acid. These constituents were mainly responsible for the effective antioxidant capacity of pomegranate wine. The major changes of flavor qualities occurred in the initial stage, particularly 0-4day of fermentation. Fermentation significantly reduced the relative content of aldehydes, ketones, heterocyclic and aromatic compounds, but promoted the generation of esters and alcohols. This is the first time of using E-nose and E-tongue to monitor odour and taste changes in the brewing process of pomegranate wine. The study may provide a promising instruction for improving functional features and quality control of the pomegranate wine.

Susceptibility of whey protein isolate to oxidation and changes in physicochemical, structural, and digestibility characteristics.

Oxidation is an important factor for denaturing of whey protein isolate (WPI) during food processing. We studied the effects of chemical oxidation on physicochemical and structural changes along with in vitro digestibility of WPI in this work. Evaluation of physicochemical changes showed that carbonyl level and dityrosine content increased, whereas total and free thiol group levels decreased for oxidized WPI samples. For the structural changes, protein aggregation was measured by surface hydrophobicity, turbidity, and particle diameter, which was increased for oxidized WPI samples. The increase of the secondary structure ß-sheets and antiparallel ß-sheet also supported the aggregation of oxidized WPI. A direct quantitative relationship between physicochemical and structural changes and protein digestibility indicated that oxidation-related damage restricts the susceptibility of WPI to proteases. In conclusion, WPI had high susceptibility to oxidative stress, and both physicochemical and structural changes caused by severe oxidative stress could decrease the rate of in vitro digestibility of WPI.