Preparation and characterization of soluble dietary fiber from tiger nut residues, showing enhanced antioxidant activity and metal-ion-binding properties.

To improve the utilization of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from tiger nut residues, the response surface methodology was used to optimize the conditions of superfine grinding to produce SDF with antioxidant and metal-ion-binding properties. The yield was increased (30.56%) and the average particle diameter of SDF was decreased (D50: 32.80 µm) under the optimal conditions (a proportion of grinding medium of 100%, a feeding mass of 0.90 kg, a grinding time of 20 min, and a moisture content of 8.00%). In addition, superfine grinding substantially modified the surface morphology and increased the SDF content and the proportion of monosaccharides by decreasing the molecular weight. Moreover, superfine grinding remarkably enhanced the in vitro antioxidant activities (ABTS+, DPPH, and ·OH) of the SDF, which also exhibited favorable metal-ion-binding properties (Ca2+, Zn2+, and Co2+). These results suggest that superfine grinding can be used as a technique to modify dietary fiber to manufacture functional SDF.

Improvement of physical conditions in tennis players under high altitudes / Aprimoramento das condições físicas em tenistas sob altitudes elevadas / Mejora de las condiciones físicas de tenistas en altitudes elevadas

ABSTRACT Introduction: Due to the lower atmospheric density at high altitudes, the spherical surface of the table tennis ball offers less resistance, requiring higher performance from its players. The athletes' reaction time and movement speed can improve significantly. Objective: This paper studies the changes in the fitness level of Chinese table tennis players under training at high altitudes. These results can serve as a reference to formulate and implement the training strategy of the Chinese table tennis team. Methods: The performance of 12 outstanding table tennis players in the competition was explored. After arriving at the high altitude, the athletes practiced training for four weeks. The athletes' biochemical parameters and heart rates were evaluated before and after training. These data were statistically treated. Results: The heart rate of the athletes in the third week after the experiment was lower than before, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The hematocrit value of table tennis players in training showed a temporary elevation after one week, significantly different from that before the experiment (P<0.05). After two weeks of exercise at a high altitude, the hematocrit value of the athletes remained at a high level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Table tennis players can improve their physical conditions with training at high altitudes, including aerobic and anaerobic properties. High-intensity exercise at high altitudes is also beneficial for improving athletes' strength, speed, and reaction time quality. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Devido à menor densidade atmosférica em altitudes elevadas, a superfície esférica da bola de tênis de mesa oferece menor resistência, exigindo um maior desempenho de seus jogadores. O tempo de reação e a velocidade de movimento dos atletas podem melhorar significativamente. Objetivo: Este trabalho estuda as alterações no nível de aptidão física dos jogadores de tênis de mesa chineses sob treinamento em altitudes elevadas. Estes resultados podem servir como referência para formular e implementar a estratégia de treinamento da equipe chinesa de tênis de mesa. Métodos: Foi explorado o desempenho de 12 jogadores de tênis de mesa de destaque em competição. Após chegarem em altitude elevada, os esportistas praticaram um treinamento por quatro semanas. Os parâmetros bioquímicos e o ritmo cardíaco dos atletas foram avaliados antes e depois do treinamento. Esses dados foram tratados estatisticamente. Resultados: O ritmo cardíaco dos atletas na terceira semana após o experimento foi menor do que antes, sem diferença significativa (P>0,05). O valor de hematócrito dos jogadores de tênis de mesa em treinamento apresentou uma elevação temporária, após uma semana foi significativamente diferente daquele antes do experimento(P<0,05). Após duas semanas de exercícios em altitude elevada, o valor do hematócrito dos atletas permaneceu em um nível elevado (P<0,05). Conclusão: Os jogadores de tênis de mesa podem obter um aprimoramento de suas condições físicas com o treinamento em altitudes elevadas, incluindo as propriedades aeróbicas e anaeróbicas. O exercício de alta intensidade em altitudes elevadas também é benéfico para melhorar a força, a velocidade e a qualidade de tempo de reação nos atletas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigando os resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Debido a la menor densidad atmosférica en las alturas, la superficie esférica de la pelota de tenis de mesa ofrece menos resistencia, lo que exige un mayor rendimiento a sus jugadores. El tiempo de reacción y la velocidad de movimiento de los atletas pueden mejorar significativamente. Objetivo: Este trabajo estudia los cambios en el nivel de aptitud física de los jugadores de tenis de mesa chinos bajo entrenamiento a gran altura. Estos resultados pueden servir de referencia para formular y aplicar la estrategia de entrenamiento del equipo chino de tenis de mesa. Métodos: Se exploró el rendimiento de 12 destacados jugadores de tenis de mesa en competición. Tras llegar a la altitud, los deportistas practicaron el entrenamiento durante cuatro semanas. Se evaluaron los parámetros bioquímicos y la frecuencia cardíaca de los atletas antes y después del entrenamiento. Estos datos fueron tratados estadísticamente. Resultados: La frecuencia cardíaca de los atletas en la tercera semana después del experimento era más baja que antes, sin diferencias significativas (P>0,05). El valor del hematocrito de los jugadores de tenis de mesa en entrenamiento presentó una elevación temporal, después de una semana fue significativamente diferente al de antes del experimento (P<0,05). Tras dos semanas de ejercicios a gran altura, el valor del hematocrito de los atletas se mantuvo en un nivel elevado (P<0,05). Conclusión: Los jugadores de tenis de mesa pueden obtener una mejora de sus condiciones físicas con el entrenamiento en altura, incluyendo las propiedades aeróbicas y anaeróbicas. El ejercicio de alta intensidad a gran altura también es beneficioso para mejorar la fuerza, la velocidad y la calidad del tiempo de reacción en los atletas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Pretreatment with millet-derived selenylated soluble dietary fiber ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by regulating inflammation and maintaining gut microbiota balance.

Inflammatory activation and intestinal flora imbalance play key roles in the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and selenium have been proven to be effective for preventing and relieving IBD. This study investigated and compared the therapeutic efficacy of millet-derived selenylated-soluble dietary fiber (Se-SDF) against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice alone or through the synergistic interaction between selenium and SDF. In female mice, Se-SDF markedly alleviated body weight loss, decreased colon length, reduced histological damage scores, and enhanced IL-10 expression to maintain the barrier function of intestinal mucosa compared to male mice. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis further indicated that pretreatment with Se-SDF restored the gut microbiota composition in female mice by increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that Se-SDF can protect against DSS-induced colitis in female mice by regulating inflammation and maintaining gut microbiota balance. This study, therefore, provides new insights into the development of Se-SDF as a supplement for the prevention and treatment of colitis.

Effects of High-Temperature, High-Pressure, and Ultrasonic Treatment on the Physicochemical Properties and Structure of Soluble Dietary Fibers of Millet Bran.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of high-temperature, high-pressure, and ultrasonic treatment on the physicochemical properties and structure of soluble dietary fibers in millet bran were studied to provide a comprehensive reference for the utilization of millet bran. METHODS: Different physical methods were used to treat millet bran dietary fibers, and their microstructures and Fourier-transform infrared spectra before and after modification were compared. The physicochemical properties (water-holding capacity, swelling capacity, oil-holding capacity, fat-binding capacity, cation exchange capacity), total antioxidant capacity, and thermal characteristics were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the chemical groups of millet bran's soluble dietary fibers after modification, but cracks appeared on the surface of the fibers and the structure became loose and porous. Fiber agglomeration was observed, as well as improved thermal stability. After modification, the water-holding capacity, swelling capacity, oil-holding capacity, fat-binding capacity, and cation exchange capacity of millet bran were improved. When compared to the original soluble dietary fibers, ultrasound-treated fibers showed the most substantial improvement in all four capabilities, with increases of 140, 50, 78.1, 65.7, and 37.8%, respectively, compared with the original soluble dietary fibers (P < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity of the ultrasound-treated fibers was found to be higher than those of the fibers that underwent the other three treatments (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The physicochemical qualities and structural characteristics of the soluble dietary fibers in millet bran are affected by all three physical modification methods; however, the physicochemical properties of the ultrasound-treated fibers are most significantly improved.