A dietary polyphenol metabolite alters CA1 excitability ex vivo and mildly affects cortico-hippocampal field potential generators in anesthetized animals.

Dietary polyphenols have beneficial effects in situations of impaired cognition in acute models of neurodegeneration. The possibility that they may have a direct effect on the electrical activity of neuronal populations has not been tested. We explored the electrophysiological action of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on CA1 pyramidal cells ex vivo and network activity in anesthetized female rats using pathway-specific field potential (FP) generators obtained from laminar FPs in cortex and hippocampus. Whole-cell recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells revealed increased synaptic potentials, particularly in response to basal dendritic excitation, while the associated evoked firing was significantly reduced. This counterintuitive result was attributed to a marked increase of the rheobase and voltage threshold, indicating a decreased ability to generate spikes in response to depolarizing current. Systemic administration of PCA only slightly altered the ongoing activity of some FP generators, although it produced a striking disengagement of infraslow activities between the cortex and hippocampus on a scale of minutes. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the direct action of a dietary polyphenol on electrical activity, performing neuromodulatory roles at both the cellular and network levels.

Oral Wine Texture Perception and Its Correlation with Instrumental Texture Features of Wine-Saliva Mixtures.

Unlike solid food, texture descriptors in liquid food are scarce, and they are frequently reduced to the term viscosity. However, in wines, apart from viscosity, terms, such as astringency, body, unctuosity and density, help describe their texture, relating the complexity and balance among their chemical components. Yet there is uncertainty about which wine components (and their combinations) cause each texture sensation and if their instrumental assessment is possible. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to study the effect of wine texture on its main components, when interacting with saliva. This was completed by using instrumental measurements of density and viscosity, and by using two types of panels (trained and expert). For that, six different model-wine formulations were prepared by adding one or multiple wine components: ethanol, mannoproteins, glycerol, and tannins to a de-alcoholised wine. All formulations were mixed with fresh human saliva (1:1), and their density and rheological properties were measured. Although there were no statistical differences, body perception was higher for samples with glycerol and/or mannoproteins, this was also correlated with density instrumental measurements (R = 0.971, p = 0.029). The viscosity of samples with tannins was the highest due to the formation of complexes between the model-wine and salivary proteins. This also provided astringency, therefore correlating viscosity and astringency feelings (R = 0.855, p = 0.030). No correlation was found between viscosity and body perception because of the overlapping of the phenolic components. Overall, the present results reveal saliva as a key factor when studying the wine texture through instrumental measurements (density and viscosity).

Sequential inoculum of Hanseniaspora guilliermondii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for winemaking Campanino on an industrial scale.

In this study, the effect of sequential inoculation with non-Saccharomyces (Hanseniaspora guilliermondii) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast on the distinctive characteristics of the Campanino white wine was investigated. For this purpose, three independent winemaking experiments were carried out on an industrial scale (batches A, B and C). In detail, the first one was carried out using the sequential inoculation technique while the other two, using a S. cerevisiae single-strain starter or no inoculation representing the control batches. Microbiological and chemical parameters and sensorial profiles of the wines were defined. Interestingly, the results showed that when sequential cultures (H. guilliermondii in a sequential mixture with S. cerevisiae) were used, a better wine aroma and quality was observed. More specifically, the wine obtained by sequential inoculation showed lower acetic acid values and enhanced volatile profiles than the wine from the control batches. Finally, sensorial analysis confirmed that the sequential cultures led to an improvement in wine flavour. Therefore, results suggest that the sequential inoculation using non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces yeast represents a biotechnological practice that can improve the quality features of traditional white wine. It has been shown for the first time that on an industrial scale H. guilliermondii could be used in sequential inoculum with S. cerevisiae in making white Campanino wine.

Intra-oral adsorption and release of aroma compounds following in-mouth wine exposure.

Wine "after-odour" defined as the long lasting aroma perception that remains after wine swallowing is an outstanding characteristic in terms of wine quality but a relatively unstudied phenomenon. Among the different parameters that might affect wine after-odour, the adsorption of odorants by the oral mucosa could be important but has been little explored. In this work, the impact of the chemical characteristics of aroma compounds on intra-oral adsorption was assessed by an in vivo approach that determined the amounts of odorants remaining in expectorated wine samples. In addition, the subsequent aroma release after in-mouth wine exposure was studied by means of intra-oral SPME/GC-MS using three different panellists. Oral adsorption of the aroma compounds added to the wines ranged from 6% to 43%, depending on their physicochemical characteristics. A progressive intra-oral aroma decrease at different decay rates depending on compound type and panellist was also found. The strength of the aroma-oral mucosa interactions seems to explain these results more than the amount of compound adsorbed by the oral mucosa.

Anti-Adhesive Activity of Cranberry Phenolic Compounds and Their Microbial-Derived Metabolites against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Bladder Epithelial Cell Cultures.

Cranberry consumption has shown prophylactic effects against urinary tract infections (UTI), although the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. In this paper, cranberry phenolic compounds and their potential microbial-derived metabolites (such as simple phenols and benzoic, phenylacetic and phenylpropionic acids) were tested for their capacity to inhibit the adherence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) ATCC®53503™ to T24 epithelial bladder cells. Catechol, benzoic acid, vanillic acid, phenylacetic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid showed anti-adhesive activity against UPEC in a concentration-dependent manner from 100-500 µM, whereas procyanidin A2, widely reported as an inhibitor of UPEC adherence on uroepithelium, was only statistically significant (p < 0.05) at 500 µM (51.3% inhibition). The results proved for the first time the anti-adhesive activity of some cranberry-derived phenolic metabolites against UPEC in vitro, suggesting that their presence in the urine could reduce bacterial colonization and progression of UTI.

Towards the fecal metabolome derived from moderate red wine intake.

Dietary polyphenols, including red wine phenolic compounds, are extensively metabolized during their passage through the gastrointestinal tract; and their biological effects at the gut level (i.e., anti-inflammatory activity, microbiota modulation, interaction with cells, among others) seem to be due more to their microbial-derived metabolites rather than to the original forms found in food. In an effort to improve our understanding of the biological effects that phenolic compounds exert at the gut level, this paper summarizes the changes observed in the human fecal metabolome after an intervention study consisting of a daily consumption of 250 mL of wine during four weeks by healthy volunteers (n = 33). It assembles data from two analytical approaches: (1) UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of phenolic metabolites in fecal solutions (targeted analysis); and (2) UHPLC-TOF MS analysis of the fecal solutions (non-targeted analysis). Both approaches revealed statistically-significant changes in the concentration of several metabolites as a consequence of the wine intake. Similarity and complementarity between targeted and non-targeted approaches in the analysis of the fecal metabolome are discussed. Both strategies allowed the definition of a complex metabolic profile derived from wine intake. Likewise, the identification of endogenous markers could lead to new hypotheses to unravel the relationship between moderate wine consumption and the metabolic functionality of gut microbiota.

Feasibility and application of a retronasal aroma-trapping device to study in vivo aroma release during the consumption of model wine-derived beverages.

New types of wine-derived beverages are now in the market. However, little is known about the impact of ingredient formulation on aroma release during consumption, which is directly linked to consumer preferences and liking. In this study, the optimization and validation of a retronasal aroma-trapping device (RATD) for the in vivo monitoring of aroma release was carried out. This device was applied to assess the impact of two main ingredients (sugar and ethanol) in these types of beverages on in vivo aroma release. Two aroma-trapping materials (Lichrolut and Tenax) were firstly assayed. Tenax provided higher recovery and lower intra- and inter-trap variability. In in vivo conditions, RATD provided an adequate linear range (R (2) > 0.91) between 0 and 50 mg L(-1) of aroma compounds. Differences in the total aroma release were observed in equally trained panelists. It was proven that the addition of sugar (up to 150 mg kg(-1)) did not have effect on aroma release, while ethanol (up to 40 mg L(-1)) enhanced the aroma release during drinking. The RATD is a useful tool to collect real in vivo data to extract reliable conclusions about the effect of beverage components on aroma release during consumption. The concentration of ethanol should be taken into consideration for the formulation of wine-derived beverages.

Lactobacillus plantarum IFPL935 favors the initial metabolism of red wine polyphenols when added to a colonic microbiota.

This work aimed to unravel the role of Lactobacillus plantarum IFPL935 strain in the colonic metabolism of a polyphenolic red wine extract, when added to a complex human colonic microbiota from the dynamic simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME). The concentration of microbial-derived phenolic metabolites and microbial community changes along with fermentative and proteolytic activities were monitored. The results showed that L. plantarum IFPL935 significantly increased the concentration of the initial microbial ring-fission catabolite of catechins and procyanidins, diphenylpropanol, and, similarly, 4-hydroxy-5-(3'-hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid production. Overall, the addition of L. plantarum IFPL935 did not have an impact on the total concentration of phenolic metabolites, except for batches inoculated with colonic microbiota from the effluent compartment (EC), where the figures were significantly higher when L. plantarum IFPL935 was added (24 h). In summary, the data highlighted that L. plantarum IFPL935 may have an impact on the bioavailability of these dietary polyphenols. Some of the microbial-derived metabolites may play a key role in the protective effects that have been linked to a polyphenol-rich diet.

Assessment of the effect of the non-volatile wine matrix on the volatility of typical wine aroma compounds by headspace solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the whole non-volatile wine matrix composition on the volatility of typical wine aroma compounds by comparing the slopes of regression lines of five deodorised and reconstituted wines with the slopes calculated for the same compounds in a control wine with no matrix effect. RESULTS: The main effect observed was a reduction in the slopes, or a retention effect, that was largest for the reconstituted sparkling wine, which showed between 11 and 69% lower slopes than the control wine. In addition, an increase in the slopes, or a 'salting-out' effect, in the most compositionally complex reconstituted aged-red and sweet wines was also noticed for some volatiles with a very low boiling point or a low hydrophobic constant value. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the non-volatile composition of wines strongly affects the volatility of wine aroma compounds. In addition, the aroma chemical class, in particular its physicochemical properties (volatility and hydrophobicity), strongly influences this behaviour. On the basis of these results, many odour threshold values calculated in simple hydroalcoholic solutions and usually employed to evaluate the odour importance of specific volatile compounds may have been over- or underestimated.

A multifactorial design for studying factors influencing growth and tyramine production of the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus brevis CECT 4669 and Enterococcus faecium BIFI-58.

A central composite face design was used to study growth and tyramine production of two strains of lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus brevis CECT 4669 and Enterococcus faecium BIFI-58. The effects of five physicochemical factors (incubation temperature and time, environmental pH, added tyrosine concentration, and pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) supplementation) on cell growth and tyramine production were analyzed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The parameters of the quadratic model for each response variable were estimated by multiple linear regression (MLR), and statistical analysis of the results led to the elucidation of mathematical models capable of predicting the behavior of the responses as a function of the main variables involved in the process. Incubation time was found to be the most important variable influencing growth in L. brevis, while pH showed the highest contribution in E. faecium. The production of tyramine was dependent on the added tyrosine concentration and incubation time. The proposed MLR model predicted the optimum conditions that gave maximum responses for L. brevis and E. faecium growth and tyramine production. In both strains, this model predicted that the anaerobic condition at acidic pH (4.4) in the presence of a high tyrosine concentration favors tyramine production.