Effects of different extrusion temperatures on the physicochemical properties, edible quality and digestive attributes of multigrain reconstituted rice.

Multigrain reconstituted rice, as a nutritious and convenient staple, holds considerable promise for the food industry. Furthermore, highland barley, corn, and other coarse cereals are distinguished by their low glycemic index (GI), rendering them effective in mitigating postprandial blood glucose levels, thereby underscoring their beneficial physiological impact. This study investigated the impact of extrusion temperature on the physicochemical properties, edible quality, and digestibility of multigrain reconstituted rice. The morphology revealed that starch particles that are not fully gelatinized in multigrain reconstituted rice are observed at an extrusion temperature range of 60 °C-90 °C. As the extrusion temperature increased, the degree of gelatinization (DG) increased, while the contents of water, protein, total starch, and amylopectin decreased substantially. Concurrently, the relative crystallinity, orderliness of starch, and heat absorption enthalpy (ΔH) decreased significantly, and water absorption (WAI) and water solubility (WSI) increased markedly. Regarding edible quality, sensory evaluation displayed an initial increase followed by a decrease. In terms of digestibility, the estimated glycemic index (eGI) increased from 61.10 to 70.81, and the GI increased from 60.41 to 75.33. In addition, the DG was significantly correlated with both eGI (r = 0.886**) and GI (r = 0.947**). The results indicated that the ideal extrusion temperature for multigrain reconstituted rice was 90 °C. The findings underscored the pivotal role of optimal extrusion temperatures in the production of multigrain reconstituted rice, which features low GI and high nutritional quality.

Development of Vitamin C-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibers of Mixture of Polysaccharides of Pullulan/Xanthan Gum for Fast Dissolving Oral Film Applications.

In this study, polysaccharide-based nanofibrous fast dissolving oral films (FDOFs) were developed using pullulan (PUL) and xanthan gum (XG) via electrospinning. The edible, continuous, and bead-free nanofibers with average diameters ranging from 181.17 nm to 260.84 nm were prepared. The morphological, thermal, mechanical, and water-soluble properties of the nanofibrous FDOFs were characterized. For prospective future applications of the developed PUL/XG FDOFs, a model nutrient of vitamin C (VC) was encapsulated into the FDOFs. The success of VC encapsulation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The encapsulation efficiency of VC was above 85% by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The amorphous structure of PUL/XG in the nanofibers film was demonstrated by X-ray diffractometer. In addition, the edible FDOFs could dissolve in water within 3 s. The nanofibers film we prepared could be used as nutrient or drug carriers and edible packaging film.

Ultrasonic treatment influences the compactness of quinoa protein microstructure and improves the structural integrity of quinoa protein at the interfaces of high internal phase emulsion.

For native quinoa protein with a loose disordered structure and low structural integrity, once the protein is absorbed to the oil-water interface, the stress of interfacial tension and hydrophobic interaction can easily trigger the conformation change and denaturation of quinoa protein, leading to the instability of high internal phase emulsion (HIPE). Ultrasonic treatment can induce the refolding and self-assembling of quinoa protein microstructure, which is expected to frustrate the disruption of protein microstructure. The particle size, tertiary structure, and secondary structure of quinoa protein isolate particle (QPI) were investigated by multi-spectroscopic technology. The study demonstrates that QPIs prepared with ultrasonic treatment of 5 kJ/mL exhibit more robust structural integrity compared with native QPIs. The relatively loose structure (random coil, 28.15 ± 1.06 %∼25.10 ± 0.28 %) transformed to a more ordered and compact form (α-helix, 5.65 ± 0.07 %∼6.80 ± 0.28 %). Through the addition of QPI-based HIPE as an alternative for commercial shortening, the specific volume of white bread was increased (2.74 ± 0.35 âˆ¼ 3.58 ± 0.04 cm3/g).

Dual-function microneedle array for efficient photodynamic therapy with transdermal co-delivered light and photosensitizers.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as a globally accepted method for treating different forms of skin or mucosal disorders, requires efficient co-delivery of photosensitizers and corresponding therapeutic light. The adverse effects of intravenous injection of photosensitizers have been reduced by the development of microneedle arrays for transdermal local photosensitizer delivery. However, the drawbacks of the only available therapeutic light delivery method at the moment, which is directly applying light to the skin surface, are yet to be improved. This study presents a new strategy in which therapeutic light and photosensitizer were transdermally co-delivered into local tissues. A flexible dual-function microneedle array (DfMNA) which contains 400 microneedles was developed. Each microneedle consists of a dissolvable needle tip (140 µm in height) for delivering the photosensitizer and a transparent needle body (660 µm in height) for guiding therapeutic light. Using port-wine stains, which is a frequently occurring skin disorder caused by vascular malformation, as a model disease, the effectiveness of DfMNA mediated PDT has been verified on mice. Compared with the standard operation procedure of clinical PDT, the DfMNA decreases the amount of photosensitizer from 300 µg to 0.5 µg and reduces therapeutic light irradiance from 100 mW cm-2 to 60 mW cm-2 while realizing better treatment effects. As a result, the skin damage and the burden on the metabolic system have been alleviated. The DfMNA has a remarkably reduced photosensitizer amount and, for the first time, realized transdermal delivery of therapeutic light for PDT, thus avoiding the disadvantages of existing PDT methodologies.

Compressed food with added functional oligopeptides improves performance during military endurance training.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oligosaccharide or oligopeptide supplementation may have a significant impact on endurance performance. This study evaluated the effects of adding maltooligosaccharides (MO) or soy oligopeptides (SO) to compressed food (CF) on the physical response of soldiers to daily military training. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Twelve soldiers were randomized to four diet groups: regular meals, CF, CFMO, and CFSO (crossover design). They participated in exercise tests including 90 minutes running at 55-65% VO2max and exhaustive running. Heart rates, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood and urine samples were collected during exercise and recovery. RESULTS: The recovery heart rates were significantly lower with the CFMO diet compared with the other diets. Compared with all other diets, blood glucose levels were higher, post-exercise blood lactate levels were lower, and lactate clearance during recovery was higher with the CFMO diet, followed by the CFSO diet. Post-exercise levels of erythrocytes and hematocrit were significantly higher with the CFSO diet. Post-exercise urine specific gravity was lower with the CFMO diet and urine pH was decreased with the CFSO diet. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid (UA) were significantly higher with the CFSO diet than with the other diets. There was no significant difference in skeletal and cardiac muscle injury indices and RPE among diets. CONCLUSIONS: CFMO led to better heart rate recovery, improved and maintained blood glucose and increased removal of blood lactate. CFSO accelerated removal of blood lactate during recovery, maintained oxygen supply, and increased fluid retention.

[The regulatory effects of arginine on hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion in rats and its implication].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory effect of arginine on the secretion of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), and the mechanism of enhancing the immune function by arginine. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC), wound control (WC), and wound with arginine (Arg) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in WC and Arg groups were inflicted with soft tissue trauma on the back. The rats in Arg group were fed a diet supplemented with 5% arginine for one week, while those in NC and WC groups were fed with glycine. The serum contents of arginine, ornithine, growth factor (GH), NO and IGF-I were determined 7 days after feeding. T cell proliferation and IGF-I mRNA expression in hepatic tissue were also measured. Meanwhile, the rat hepatocytes were cultured in serum-free medium containing different concentrations of arginine. The supernatant was collected for the determination of IGF-I level. RESULTS: 1). There was no obvious difference of the serum level of arginine and ornithine between NC and WC groups (P > 0.05), but the contents of them were obviously higher in the Arg group compared with other two groups (P < 0.01). 2). No difference in the serum GH level was found among all the groups (P > 0.05), but the serum NO content in WC and Arg groups was significantly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), and the serum IGF-I content in WC group decreased obviously compared with that in NC group (P < 0.01). 3). The thymocyte proliferation rate in WC group was also markedly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), but that in Arg group was improved compared with WC group (P < 0.01). 4). The expression of hepatic IGF-I mRNA: The relative value of IGF-I mRNA was 1.19 +/- 0.06, 1.08 +/- 0.06 and 1.29 +/- 0.06 in NC, WC and Arg, respectively, while the value in WC was lower than that in NC (P < 0.05) group, and that in Arg group was much higher than that in WC group (P < 0.01). 5). The IGF-I level in the supernatant of cultured hepatocytes: When Arg concentration was 0.0750, 0.7500, 7.5000 mmol/L in the culture medium, the IGF-I level in the supernatant of hepatic cell medi-um was obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01). Although IGF-I level decreased in the culture medium with arginine in the dose of 37.5000 mmol/L, it was still obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Arginine could also produce the immune enhancing effect by stimulating hepatic IGF-I secretion.

[Supplementation with micronutrients attenuating stress injuries in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effects of compound micronutrients (CMN) on stress-induced injury of the rats. METHODS: The experimental rats were fed with diet added micronutrients in small, medium and large dose respectively. The stress animal model was established by feet-electric shock. The behaviors in open-field test, hormons, metallothionein (MT) and the antioxidant ability of the rats were detected. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the abnormal behaviors in open-field test, increased cortisol level in serum, decreased epinephrine and norepinephrine contents in brain were observed in stress rats. Also stress induced significantly changes of MT levels in liver and brain, and declined antioxidant ability in serum and enhanced lipid peroxidation in liver of the animals. The most indicators mentioned above were obviously improved by supplementation with CMN for 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with CMN was beneficial to improve the stress adapting ability and to attenuate the stress-induced injuries in rats.

[Effect of zinc on the corticosterone-induced injury of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons].

The effect of zinc on the damage of primary cultured hippocampal neurons induced by corticosterone (CORT) was studied. Neuronal injury and expression of NMDA receptor subunits (NR1,NR2A,NR2B) mRNA were detected by using in situ staining and RT-PCR, respectively. Neurons treated with 5 micromol/L CORT for 24 h showed decreased survival rates and increased apoptotic rates compared with the controls; co-application of CORT and 10 or 100 micromol/L Zn(2+) attenuated apoptotic rates while 250 micromol/L Zn(2+) worsened CORT-induced neuronal injury. Expression of NR1, NR2B mRNA in neurons treated by 5 micromol/L CORT for 24 h was significantly increased, while those concurrently added with 10 or 100 micromol/L Zn(2+) showed no changes. No statistic difference in NR2A mRNA was obtained under any treatment. These results suggest that zinc can bilaterally regulate neuronal injuries induced by CORT, among while NMDA receptors probably play an important role.

[Effects of stress on hippocampal Glu-NMDAR pathway in rats and mechanism of zinc protection].

AIM: To observe the effects of stress on Glu uptake and NMDAR of hippocampus synaptosome in rats with different zinc status. METHODS: Stress model was established by photoelectric stimulus. The behaviors of rats were tested in open-field case. 3H-L-Glu was taken as radioligand to detect the NMDAR binding. Glu uptake was determined with radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with CT rats, ZD rats performed less movement in open-field test, both Bmax of NMDAR and 3H-L-Glu uptake of hippocampus in these rats were significantly decreased. Compared with corresponding non-stressed groups, the stressed groups appeared longer latency and less movement in open-field test. Increased Bmax of NMDAR and decreased 3H-L-Glu uptake were observed in all stressed rats, but only in SZD rats these indices showed statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Abnormal behaviors of rats induced by photoelectric stress were observed in open-field test, which was more serious in zinc deficiency rats. It is supposed that the Glu-NMDAR pathway is involved in the process of stress reaction. As it shows in our experiment, the changes of Bmax of NMDAR and 3H-L-Glu uptake of hippocampus synaptosome seems to be a part of the mechanisms of stress action.

[Effect of zinc deficiency on the behavior and calcium status of hippocampal neurons in rats].

In order to explore the effects of zinc deficiency on the behavior, [Ca2+]i and active CaM contents of hippocampal cells of rats, 21 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e. zinc deficiency group (ZD), pair-fed group (PF), and control group (CT) fed with zinc deficiency (ZD group) and normal diets (PF and CT group). At the end of the third week, the behavior in open-field test was observed. Then all the rats were killed and [Ca2+]i concentration and active CaM contents of hippocampal cells were determined by Fura-2 two wave-length fluorophotometry and flow cytometry respectively. It showed a significant difference between ZD and CT group in behavior was observed. [Ca2+]i concentration of ZD group was remarkably higher than that of CT and PF group. Active CaM contents of ZD and PF groups were significantly lower than that of CT group, and the active CaM content of ZD was also significantly lower than that of PF group. It showed that the effect of zinc deficiency on behaviors may be related with the changes in calcium status of hippocampal cells in growing rats.