Characterization and stability evaluation of Egyptian propolis extract nano-capsules and their application.

The increasing demand for natural products and biotechnological activities from bees facilitate their widespread use in food preservation and beneficial effects on humans. This study aimed to prepare and characterize the nano-capsules of Qaluiobia (PQG) governorates propolis extracted with water, ethanol and supercritical fluid-carbon dioxide at 50 °C with co-solvent. Propolis bioavailability was analyzed and introduced to prepare crackers to extend their shelf life. Nano-encapsulation was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and antioxidant activity. Ethanol and supercritical fluid-carbon dioxide (SCF-CO2) at 50 °C with ethanol as co-solvent recorded higher yield, antioxidant activities, total phenolics and total flavonoids. SCF-CO2 extracts had a higher flavonoid concentration. It was revealed that propolis nano-capsules had high-temperature stability and cytotoxic effects against the three tested human cancer cell lines (i.e. PC3, MCF7 and HePG2). The higher overall acceptability of crackers fortified with PQG was achieved with SCF-CO2 at 50 °C and ethanol extract nano-capsules, i.e. 86.57% and 86.29% respectively. The higher ability to retain antioxidant activity reduces the increase of peroxide value (PV), preventing rancidity and increasing the shelf life of crackers during the storage period. Practical application: This study can provide a suitable method for extracting bioactive compounds from propolis, and improve the biological properties and activities by nano-encapsulation, also reveals the extent of its use as a natural antioxidant and anticancer and its application in bakery products as a functional food.

Efficiency of newly formulated functional instant soup mixtures as dietary supplements for elderly.

Healthy diet for elderly not only provides them with their needs from macro and micronutrients but also help preventing and treating age-related disorders including non-communicable diseases. So, the present study established to evaluate physical, sensory, chemical and biological characteristics of newly formulated functional instant soup mixtures as dietary supplements for elderly. Lyophilized chickpea, some vegetables and some by-products (at 5% and 10%) were incorporated in the preparation of two instant soup mixtures. The biological effects of the mixtures were studied using a geriatric animal model. The results revealed a reasonable acceptance of the two mixtures even after storage period (4 months) in addition to their contents from protein, fat, crude fiber and carbohydrates (16.62, 6.20, 6.60 and 65.89%, respectively in mixture I; 16.89, 6.30, 6.30 and 54.16%, respectively in mixture II). Mixture II was more promised in flavonoids content and scavenging radical activity than mixture I. Feeding the geriatric rats on the two mixtures did not produce any change in either liver or kidney functions and suggested the ability of these mixtures to prevent the hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and improve bone health. A slight decrease in brain lipid peroxidation, although not statistically significant, of rats has been observed upon feeding on these mixtures. Also, the two mixtures increased feces weight of rats which indicates to the beneficial effects of these mixtures in prevention of constipation. In conclusion the formulated instant soup mixtures with high acceptability and antioxidant activity can provide elderly people with high percent of their requirements from macro and micronutrients.

Formulation and Evaluation of Functional Cookies for Improving Health of Primary School Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: School children especially in Egypt need a safe meal which is able to meet their daily nutrient needs and ameliorate cognition. So, the current study aimed to evaluate formula prepared as cookies to be served as a meal for primary school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wheat, roasted chickpea, milk protein concentrate, cinnamon and brewer's yeast were used to prepare cookies which have been exposed to sensory, chemical and biological evaluation. Peroxide number, amino acids, vitamins (D, B12, folic acid and E) and minerals (calcium, zinc, iron and selenium) were determined. Twenty four rats of weaning age were used, 12 rats to estimate the true protein digestibility and 12 rats to estimate the protein efficiency ratio and the effect of feeding on cookies (28 days) on hemoglobin, glucose, total protein, liver and kidney functions and antioxidant status. RESULTS: Palatability and acceptability of cookies were insured via the sensory evaluation results. The value of peroxide number indicated that there is no possibility of rancidity during the storage. The cookies showed high contents of protein (14.88%), fat (16.83%) and carbohydrate (55.1%). Also cookies showed acceptable levels of amino acids, minerals and vitamins that meet a large amount of daily requirements of children. Results of the animal experiment declared the complete safety of the cookies and high nutritional and biological quality. CONCLUSION: Cookies can serve as a meal for the governmental school children to provide them with their needs from nutrients that reducing hunger and improving health benefits and scholastic achievement.

Effect of macerate enzymes on the yield, quality, volatile compounds and rheological property of prickly pear juice.

Pectinase and cellulase enzymes were used to investigate efficacy for improving juice yield, stability and quality from prickly pear fruit. Pectinase improved the yield, stable color, color-assayed as release of anthocyanins or carotinoids and clarity of the juice. A significant increase in the effectiveness of pectinase was observed as the concentration was increased from 0.05 to 0.50% v/w. However, at concentration > 0.25% v/w they tended to impart a bitter flavor in the juice. Among three concentrations of pectinase and cellulase, pectinase at 0.50% v/w produced higher yield, a sediment-free clear juice and high-quality juice. The results indicated that depectinated clarified prickly pear juice behaves as a Newtonian fluid. It was found that the activation energy (Ea) for viscous flow was in the range of 5.02 x 10(3)-20.06 x 10(3) kJ/mol depending on the concentrations of pectinase and cellulase enzyme treatment of prickly pear juice, in contrast to 22.15 x 10(3) kJ/mol in untreated juice. Volatile compound concentrations of twelve compounds were not affected by pectinase and cellulase treatment. Overall the quality of prickly pear juice was better in pectinase-treated juice compared with untreated and cellulase-treated juice.