Production of nutty-like flavour from soybean protein isolate hydrolysate pretreated or assisted by microwave irradiation: impact of encapsulation on nutty flavour quality.

The aim of this study was to prepare a nutty-like flavour from enzymatic hydrolysates of soybean protein isolate pretreated or assisted by microwave heating. In both cases the time of microwave heating was optimized and degree of hydrolysis (DH) and content of free amino acids in each hydrolysate were determined and compared with those of hydrolysate prepared by conventional method (E-HSC). The hydrolysates showed the best results were used as main precursors of nutty flavour. The generated volatiles were subjected to GC-MS analysis and odour evaluation. The effect of encapsulation and storage on the nutty flavour was evaluated. The results revealed that the hydrolysates pretreated (E-HSMP7) or assisted (E-HSMA6) by microwave at 7 and 6 min, respectively showed a significant increase in DH. The nutty flavour generated from these hydrolysates (NFMP7 and NFMA6) were dominated with pyrazines whereas, the volatiles from E-HSC (NFC) dominated with furans. NFMA6 showed the highest intensity of nutty and overall acceptability notes, compared with NFMP7 and NFC. Encapsulation resulted in a significant decrease in pyrazines, which are responsible for the nutty note. The significant increase in nutty aroma intensity of the stored encapsulated sample was correlated to the increase in pyrazines.

Detection of miR-1246, miR-23a and miR-451 in sera of colorectal carcinoma patients: a case-control study in Cairo University hospital.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has high morbidity and mortality rates. Invasive techniques and other laboratory tests with variable sensitivity and specificity are currently used in diagnosis. Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) have bio vital roles in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Dys-regulation of miRNAs is linked to tumour genesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of serum non-invasive biomarkers (micro-RNAs), miR-1246, miR-23a, and miR-451in CRC patients. METHODS: Peripheral expression of three miRNAs (miR-1246, miR-23a and miR-451) was investigated in sera of 37 CRC Egyptian patients and 30 healthy controls, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction trying to reach the optimal non-invasive combination of miRNAs. RESULTS: Serum miR-1246 was up-regulated in sera of CRC patients compared to normal controls (fold change = 3.55; P<0.001) and showed 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity in diagnosis of CRC. Serum miR-451 was significantly down-regulated in CRC patients (fold change = -4.86; p= 0.014), whereas, miR-23a was down-regulated but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of miR-1246 and down-regulation of miR-451 in the sera of primary CRC Egyptian patients were confirmed with high sensitivity and specificity. Large-scale studies on a wider spectrum of miRNAs in Egyptian CRC patients are needed.

Effect of using cinnamon oil encapsulated in maltodextrin as exogenous flavouring on flavour quality and stability of biscuits.

The flavour quality of biscuits could be lost during baking and storage. Therefor, the impact of using cinnamon essential oil (EO) encapsulated in maltodextrin (CO-MD), as exogenous flavour, on the flavour quality and stability of biscuits was evaluated. The results were compared with those of using cinnamon oil dissolved in propylene glycol (CO-PG), as a delivery solvent. The main volatile compounds in cinnamon oil were used as markers to monitor its stability in biscuits flavoured with CO-MD and CO-PG during baking and storage. The volatile components generated in flavoured biscuits and nonflavoured biscuits (control) were analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The retention of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and ß-caryophyllene in biscuits flavoured with CO-MD was significantly (P < 0.05) higher, over the shelf life test, than in biscuits flavoured with CO-PG. The Maillard reaction products showed the highest retention in biscuits flavoured with CO-MD compared with those flavoured with CO-PG and control sample. However, all of them showed a gradual decrease during storage. The lipid degradation products showed an opposite trend. Storage for 90 days revealed a gradual decrease in the overall acceptability for both samples. The results of aroma sensory analysis confirmed those of instrumental analysis. This study demonstrated that microencapsulated cinnamon EO affects positively the overall qualities of biscuits.

Nanotechnology for enhancing the production of meat-like flavour from enzymatic hydrolyzed soybean protein isolate.

BACKGROUND: Enzymatic hydrolyzed vegetable proteins have been recommended as safe precursors of pro- cess flavours. However, the degree of hydrolysis limits their production on an industrial scale. Nanotechnology can enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean protein. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to use the enzymatic hydrolyzed soybean protein isolate (E-SPI) nanoparticles for producing a high yield of meat-like process flavour. METHODS: Ball milling, high-speed homogenization and ultra-sonication were used for prepa- ration of SPI nanoparticles with average range 10–17 nm. The volatile compounds were analyzed by head- space solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The odour attributes of beefy, roasty, savoury, sulphurous and overall acceptability were selected to describe the meat-like process aroma. RESULTS: The total volatiles in the headspace of the meat-like process flavour based on SPI nanoparticles showed a higher yield compared with the untreated sample. Thiols containing compounds, especially the potent odorants of meat-like flavour, were predominant in both samples. However, their yield was significantly higher in the SPI nanoparticles sample. An agreement was found between the intensity of the attributes selected and the aroma composition of the two meat-like flavours investigated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that using protein nanoparticles as the main precursors of the process flavours is considered a new chance for innovation in nanoscience. Future studies will be carried out on improving the quality and quantity of vegetable protein nanoparticles that can be used as precursors of another process flavours.

Berberine chloride ameliorated PI3K/Akt-p/SIRT-1/PTEN signaling pathway in insulin resistance syndrome induced in rats.

The liver is the main organ involved in lipid metabolism process and it helps in drug detoxification. Insulin resistance is considered one of risk reasons which lead to several metabolic diseases. Currently, berberine (BER) occupies a huge challenge against multiple diseases with no toxic effect. The present work was aimed to identify, does BER-chloride has a poisonous influence on the liver? and investigating the outcome of BER-chloride on PI3K/Akt-p/SIRT-1/PTEN pathway during insulin resistance syndrome. The insulin resistance model was achieved in experimental female rats via high-fat diet (HFD). Glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, and hepatic oxidative stress parameters were assessed. PI3K, AKt-p, SIRT-1, and PTEN levels in hepatic tissue were determined at genome and protein levels. Further adiponectin concentration was performed in serum, hepatic, and white adipose tissues. Molecular study of fold alteration in insulin, insulin receptor, and retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) in liver was done. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Obesity syndrome causes multiple obstacles in modern years. The current results revealed elevation the body weight of rats, plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment, glycated hemoglobin, insulin, and lipid profiles concentrations in a group of rats, which nourished HFD for 8 weeks and this rise, was diminished after 2 weeks from BER-chloride administration. Further, BER-chloride improved transaminases enzymes, pro-oxidant, and antioxidant defense system, PI3K, AKt-p, SIRT-1, and PTEN in the liver, with downregulation of hepatic RBP4. Hence, these data provide a crucial message that BER-chloride enhanced both hepatic function and insulin signaling pathways that might be of therapeutic importance to insulin resistance with no harmful effect on the liver. BER-chloride is predicted to be a drug of choice for obesity complications cure.

Transperineal implantation of gold fiducial markers (gold seeds) for prostate image-guided radiation therapy: a feasible technique associated with a low risk of complications.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose is to describe the method, safety and efficacy of transperineal gold seed placement for image-guided radiation therapy. METHODS: An ethics committee approved database was used to review records of consecutive patients from October 2008 through December 2013, who underwent transperineal implantation of three gold markers into the prostate using staged local anaesthesia and transrectal ultrasound. Seeds were counted on radiographs from CT simulation, first treatment and last treatment. Retention and use of at least three markers for kV/kV matching was considered a successful implant. A visual analogue scale (VAS) pain assessment was performed. SAS was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Fiducial marker placement was successful for kV/kV matching in 556/581 patients (95.7%). The procedure was aborted due to pain in two patients. Additional sedation during the procedure was required in two patients. Complications include urinary infections (2 patients, <0.5%) and transient haematuria (2 patients, <0.5%). There were no recorded calls requesting additional pain medication or delays in radiation due to complications. The number of seeds identified at simulation: 4 (2 patients), 3 (554 patients), 2 (21 patients), 1 (1 patient), 0 (1 patient). One patient with three seeds and two patients with <2 seeds had cone beam CT instead of kV/kV imaging for image guidance. No seeds were lost after simulation. The mean visual analogue pain score associated with transperineal gold seed insertion met patients' expectations (respectively 4.1 vs. 4.4 P = 0.19). CONCLUSION: Outpatient transperineal insertion of fiducials avoids the rectum, is effective, convenient, well tolerated and has few side effects.