Therapeutic Potential of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements in the Prevention of Viral Diseases: A Review.

Nowadays, despite enormous scientific advances, viral diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity worldwide, and their potential to spread is escalating, eventually turning into pandemics. Nutrition can play a major role in supporting the immune system of the body and for the optimal functioning of the cells of the immune system. A healthy diet encompassing vitamins, multi-nutrient supplements, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and probiotics can play a pivotal role in combating several viral invasions in addition to strengthening the immune system. This review provides comprehensive information on diet-based scientific recommendations, evidence, and worldwide case studies in light of the current pandemic and also with a particular focus on virus-induced respiratory tract infections. After reviewing the immune potential of nutraceuticals based on the lab studies and on human studies, it was concluded that bioactive compounds such as nutraceuticals, vitamins, and functional foods (honey, berries, etc.) with proven antiviral efficacy, in addition to pharmaceutical medication or alone as dietary supplements, can prove instrumental in treating a range of virus-induced infections in addition to strengthening the immune system. Milk proteins and peptides can also act as adjuvants for the design of more potent novel antiviral drugs.

Enzymatic processing of Citrus reticulata (Kinnow) pomace using naringinase and its valorization through preparation of nutritionally enriched pasta.

Citrus fruits are consumed either as whole fruits or as juice after processing. Processing of fruits yields a significant number of by-products in the form of pulp, peel and seeds, which are often discarded and major cause of environmental concern. Bitterness in the waste residue of citrus products is one of the leading hindrance in its valorization and supplementation in other food products. Aim of this study was to reduce the bitterness of Citrus reticulata (kinnow) pomace using enzymatic method and its supplementation in production of nutritionally rich pasta. Under optimized conditions (1U/mg enzyme naringinase concentration, temperature 50 °C, at pH 4.5 and treatment time 4 h), the maximum reduction (65.95%) of naringin (bitterness causing compound) was observed coupled with increase (60.13%) in naringenin (non-bitter compound). The debittered kinnow pomace has been further characterized for physio-chemical changes and morphological changes before and after treatment. The debittered kinnow pomace was then supplemented for the preparation of antioxidant and nutrient enriched pasta.

Comparative study of various processes used for removal of bitterness from kinnow pomace and kinnow pulp residue.

The current study was focused on new approaches for debittering of by-products like kinnow pomace and kinnow pulp residue by using various food grade mild chemical methods, such as alkali treatment, acid treatment, and solventogenesis. Whereas in the studied various chemical treatments, the solventogenesis method with acetone resulted in maximum extraction of naringin and limonene from kinnow pomace and pulp residue and showed high acceptability for food product development. The acetone treatment was further optimized by RSM for the maximum extraction of naringin and limonene. Under optimized conditions, the maximum amount of naringin and limonene extracted were found to be 8.955, 2.122 mg/g from kinnow pomace and 9.971, 3.838 mg/g from pulp residue, respectively. This process can not only result in the effective utilization of agro-industrial by-product but also provide a sustainable solution to the environmental pollution caused by kinnow juice industry.

Value additon of kinnow industry byproducts for the preparation of fiber enriched extruded products.

In the present study dietary fiber enriched vermicelli from wheat flour supplemented with debittered kinnow industry by-products (pulp residue and pomace) has been developed. Functional, cooking and textural properties of both supplemented and unsupplemented vermicelli were evaluated. Vermicelli containing 15% debittered kinnow pulp residue and pomace showed minimum cooking loss (18.5, 20.0%) but higher swelling index (2.06, 1.87), water absorption capacity (153, 202 g/100 g) and optimal cooking time (9.34, 9.02 min). Firmness and fracturability of vermicelli supplemented debittered pulp residue (10.0 and 21.5) and pomace (16.7 and 16.1) was higher as compared to control sample (6.1 and 2.1) respectively. Further, redness, firmness, TPC, DPPH activity and water absorption capacity of vermicelli got increased with addition of debittered kinnow pulp and pomace. The utilization of debittered kinnow pulp and pomace in vermicelli can provide dual benefit like production of healthy food products along with solving the problem of solid waste disposal of kinnow industry byproducts.