Comparison of Alginate Mixtures as Wall Materials of Schizochytrium Oil Microcapsules Formed by Coaxial Electrospray.

This work evaluated maltodextrin/alginate and ß-glucan/alginate mixtures in the food industry as wall materials for the microencapsulation of Schizochytrium sp. oil, an important source of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Results showed that both mixtures display a shear-thinning behavior, although the viscosity is higher in ß-glucan/alginate mixtures than in maltodextrin/alginate. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the morphology of the microcapsules, which appeared more homogeneous for maltodextrin/alginate. In addition, oil-encapsulation efficiency was higher in maltodextrin/alginate mixtures (90%) than in ß-glucan/alginate mixtures (80%). Finally, evaluating the microcapsules' stability by FTIR when exposed to high temperature (80 °C) showed that maltodextrin/alginate microcapsules were not degraded contrary to the ß-glucan/alginate microcapsules. Thus, although high oil-encapsulation efficiency was obtained with both mixtures, the microcapsules' morphology and prolonged stability suggest that maltodextrin/alginate is a suitable wall material for microencapsulation of Schizochytrium sp. oil.

Alegação de propriedades funcionais aumentam a aceitação de muesli de aveia por consumidores / Functional claim increases the acceptance of oat muesli by consumers

Introdução: Mueslis de aveia contêm betaglucanas, uma fibra solúvel com propriedades hipocolesterolêmicas e hipoglicêmicas. Os benefícios do muesli de aveia podem ser alegados em produtos para atrair potenciais consumidores. Objetivos: Este estudo avaliou a influência de uma alegação funcional na aceitação de um muesli de aveia. Além disso, avaliou-se o efeito da aveia do muesli sobre as percepções de saciedade e humor. Métodos: Formularam-se dois produtos: muesli de aveia e muesli de flocos de arroz (controle), para a realização do estudo. Para os testes sensoriais, o muesli de aveia foi apresentado com duas codificações: uma com alegação de alimento funcional e outra sem alegação. Aos consumidores (n=160) foram abordadas questões sobre gosto, interesse de consumo e benefício antes e depois da degustação do mueslis, utilizando escalas hedônicas. Para entender os efeitos do muesli na saciedade e humor, foi realizado um ensaio clínico com 9 mulheres adultas saudáveis (aproximadamente 22 anos). Um desenho cruzado foi usado, com um período de washout de uma semana entre as intervenções. Os indivíduos preencheram um questionário de humor e saciedade usando escalas analógicas visuais antes e após consumir o mueslis no café da manhã. Resultados: O muesli de aveia com alegação foi apontado como o produto mais benéfico entre as amostras (p<0,05), apresentando maiores escores para gosto e interesse de uso. O consumo de muesli de aveia não influenciou o humor e a saciedade dos participantes pois não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as intervenções (p>0,05). Conclusão: A alegação funcional influenciou a aceitação dos benefícios do muesli de aveia para a saúde dos consumidores.

Background: Oats-based mueslis contain beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber known for its hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic properties. The claim of these health benefits, oat muesli products may attract potential consumers. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of a functional claim on consumers' acceptance and attitudes toward oat muesli. Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of muesli containing oats on satiety and mood perceptions. Methods: Two muesli products were formulated: one with oats and another with rice flakes (control) for sensory analysis. The oat muesli was presented with two codings (n=160): one with a functional food claim and another without the claim. Consumers were asked about their liking, interest in usage, and perceived benefits before and after tasting the mueslis using hedonic scales. Furthermore, a clinical trial was conducted with 9 healthy adult women subjects (average age 22 years) in a crossover design with a one-week washout period between interventions. The subjects completed a self-perceived mood and satiety questionnaire using visual analog scales (VAS) at Results: The oat muesli with the functional claim was perceived as the most beneficial product among the samples (p<0.05), receiving high scores for liking and interest in use. However, oat muesli consumption did not significantly influence participants' average mood and satiety during the trial (p>0.05), as no significant differences between interventions were found. Conclusion: The inclusion of a functional claim positively affected the acceptance of the health benefits associated with oat muesli.

ß-Glucan "Trained Immunity" Immunomodulatory Properties Potentiate Tissue Wound Management and Accelerate Fitness Recover.

Introduction: It is well established that moderate physical activity can improve the immune status, rather excess or high-intensity physical exercise can cause damage to the immune system. In addition, muscle injuries resulting from increased frequency and intensity of exercises compromise innate immune activity and may decrease tissue regeneration. Thus, ß-glucans, a natural compound, may represent an important substance with strong immunomodulatory properties acting as an immunostimulant therapy known as "trained immunity". This immune stimulating therapeutic is an immunological memory phenomenon linked to the innate immune system, triggering cellular changes at epigenetic, transcriptional, and functional levels, to regulate the immune system and recover its homeostasis with clinical benefits. Conclusion: This narrative review works with the current evidence regarding ß-glucans as a possible alternative therapy for wound healing and its safety and efficacy in the treatment of muscle injuries and physical recovery including other chronic conditions and diseases.

Yeast Beta-Glucans Ingestion Does Not Influence Body Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Pre-Clinical Studies.

Dietary fiber supplementation has been studied as a promising strategy in the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to verify whether the consumption of yeast beta-glucan (BG) favors weight loss in obese and non-obese rodents. The PICO strategy was employed, investigating rodents (Population), subjected to the oral administration of yeast BG (Intervention) compared to animals receiving placebo (Comparison), evaluating body weight changes (Outcome), and based on preclinical studies (Study design). Two reviewers searched six databases and the grey literature. We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021267788). The search returned 2467 articles. Thirty articles were selected for full-text evaluation, and seven studies remained based on the eligibility criteria. The effects of BG intake on body weight were analyzed based on obese (n = 4 studies) and non-obese animals (n = 4 studies). Even though most studies on obese rodents (75%) indicated a reduction in body weight (qualitative analysis), the meta-analysis showed this was not significant (mean difference -1.35 g-95% CI -5.14:2.45). No effects were also observed for non-obese animals. We concluded that the ingestion of yeast BG barely affects the body weight of obese and non-obese animals.

Role of the consumption of fucoidans and beta-glucans on human health: an update of the literature / Rol del consumo de fucoidanos y betaglucanos en la salud humana: artículo de actualización

ABSTRACT Bioactive compounds are substances present in low doses in foods mostly from the plant kingdom. Their consumption can influence physiological or cellular processes and has a beneficial effect on health. Fucoidans and beta-glucans are bioactive compounds that share the characteristic of being carbohydrates of the polysaccharide type, specifically of the soluble fiber kind. These compounds can be found in foods available in Chile and part of the Chilean diet; foods include, brown algae and some cereals. The concentration of these compounds in foods is variable, and depends on factors like season, cultivation, germination, and method of preparation and conservation. The current literature shows the potential beneficial effects of fucoidan and beta-glucans compounds in human health, which include: anticoagulant, immuno-modulator and antidiabetic and immunomodulating. The effects depend, among other factors, on their bioavailability and molecular weight. The objective of this review was to describe the potential beneficial effects of these bioactive compounds, analyze their characteristics and properties, and provide consumption recommendations that may lead to achieving the expected beneficial effects. To that end, relevant and recent scientific literature was analyzed.

RESUMEN Los compuestos bioactivos corresponden a aquellos elementos presentes en los alimentos, que influyen en procesos fisiológicos o celulares, cuyo consumo produce un efecto beneficioso para la salud, encontrándose en alimentos principalmente del reino vegetal y cuyas concentraciones en los alimentos son en mínimas dosis. Los fucoidanos y los beta-glucanos, son compuestos bioactivos que comparten la característica de ser un carbohidrato, de tipo polisacárido, específicamente fibra de tipo soluble, encontrándose presente en alimentos disponibles en nuestro país y que son parte de nuestra dieta, como las algas pardas y algunos cereales. La concentración de estos compuestos en los alimentos, es fluctuante y depende de factores como la estacionalidad, cultivo, germinación, método de preparación y conservación. En la bibliografía actual, se evidencian los potenciales efectos beneficiosos de fucanos y beta-glucanos para la salud humana como anticoagulante, antidiabético e inmunomodulador, la intensidad de estos efectos dependen de su biodisponibilidad y del peso molecular. El objetivo de esta revisión fué profundizar respecto a los potenciales efectos beneficiosos de estos compuestos bioactivos, analizar sus características, propiedades, además de relacionar una recomendación de consumo que permita alcanzar los efectos beneficiosos esperados. Para ello se analizó la bibliografía científica atingente, relevante y reciente.

Beneficial effects of -glucan against cisplatin side effects on the nervous system in rats

PURPOSE:To investigate the protective effect of Bg on cisplatin (CP)-induced neurotoxicity in rats.METHODS:Twenty eight rats were randomly distributed into four groups. The first group was kept as a control. In the second group, CP was given at the single dose of 7 mg/kg intraperitoneally. In the third group, βg was orally administered at the dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 14 days. In the fourth group, CP and βg were given together at the same doses.RESULTS:CP treatment caused significant oxidative damage via induction of lipid peroxidation and reductions antioxidant defense system potency in the brain tissue. In addition, histopathological damage increased with CP treatment. On the other hand, βg treatment largely prevented oxidative and histopathological negative effects of CP.CONCLUSIONS:Cisplatin has severe neurotoxic effects in rats and βg supplementation has significant beneficial effects against CP toxicity depending on its antioxidant properties. Thus, it appears that βg might be useful against CP toxicity in patients with cancer in terms of nervous system.(AU)

Beneficial effects of glucan against cisplatin side effects on the nervous system in rats 1

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the protective effect of Bg on cisplatin (CP)-induced neurotoxicity in rats. METHODS: Twenty eight rats were randomly distributed into four groups. The first group was kept as a control. In the second group, CP was given at the single dose of 7 mg/kg intraperitoneally. In the third group, βg was orally administered at the dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 14 days. In the fourth group, CP and βg were given together at the same doses. RESULTS: CP treatment caused significant oxidative damage via induction of lipid peroxidation and reductions antioxidant defense system potency in the brain tissue. In addition, histopathological damage increased with CP treatment. On the other hand, βg treatment largely prevented oxidative and histopathological negative effects of CP. CONCLUSIONS: Cisplatin has severe neurotoxic effects in rats and βg supplementation has significant beneficial effects against CP toxicity depending on its antioxidant properties. Thus, it appears that βg might be useful against CP toxicity in patients with cancer in terms of nervous system.

Aspergilose invasiva em pacientes imunodeprimidos: comparação entre as provas de galactomanana, 1,3 betaD-glucana, dados tomográficos e desfecho clínico / Performance of galactomannan and 1,3 beta-glucan enzyme assays in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage and comparison with computer tomography scan for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts

A aspergilose invasiva (AI) é a infecção por fungos filamentosos mais comum em pacientes imunodeprimidos, especialmente em transplantes de células tronco hematopoiético e neoplasias hematológicas. Objetivo: Geral: Estabelecer a comparação entre a dosagem de Galactomanana (GM), 1,3betaD-glucana (BDG) e dados tomográficos no diagnóstico da AI bem como seu papel no desfecho clínico. Específicos: 1. Verificar a sensibilidade e especificidade dos ensaios de Galactomanana e de 1,3betaD-glucana no soro e lavado broncoalveolar. 2. Comparar os resultados da galatomanana e 1,3betaD-glucana com os dados de imagem em pacientes com suspeita de AI. 3. Verificar a relação entre a evolução dos níveis de GM e desfecho clínico (óbito e sobrevida). Casuística, Materiais e Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo tipo coorte prospectiva, incluindo 398 sujeitos das diversas enfermarias de pacientes imunodeprimidos do HCFMUSP, sendo incluídos dois grupos de pacientes: 202(51%) AI e 198(49%) controles. Resultados: Dos casos, 18 (8,8%) tinham aspergilose provada, 28 (13,7%) provável e 158 possível (77,5%), de acordo a classificação de 2002 EORTC/MSG (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer / Mycoses Study Group). Os sujeitos submetidos ao TCTH eram 42,7%, com neoplasias hematológicas 37%, TOS 9% e outras doenças 11,3%. Os fatores de risco associados ao desenvolvimento da AI foram neutropenia, monocitopenia, uso de corticóide, presença de doença pelo citomegalovírus e rejeição ou doença do enxerto contra o hospedeiro. O fator de risco associado à evolução para o óbito foi a presença de AI. Foram observados bons desempenhos para a GM tanto no soro como no LBA com LR menores que os registrados na literatura. O melhor desempenho da GM no soro para aspergilose+provável ocorreu com LR de 0,35 com sensibilidade-S, especificidade-E, valor preditivo positivo- VPP), valor preditivo negativo-VPN) e área sob a curva-ASC de 54,4%, 73,4%, 50,8%, 76,2% e 0,64, sendo os valores superiores...

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has become the leading infectious cause of death in immunocompromised hosts, particularly in subjects under SCTH and hematologic neoplasias. Objectives: General: To compare the performance of GM and BG tests in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) and computer tomography (CT) scans in the diagnosis of IA in immunocompromised hosts as well as their role in the patient outcome. Specific: 1. To analyse the sensitivity and specificity of Galactomannan and 1,3 betaD-glucan assays in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage. 2. To compare the results of Galactomannan and 1,3betaD-glucan assays with CT scans in patients with invasive aspergilosis. 3. To analyse the relationship between the evolution of galactomannan levels and clinical outcome (death or survival). Patients, Materials and Methods: From December 2008 to March 2013, a prospective cohort of 398 patients from several wards of immunocompromised patients of Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo was included classified in two groups of patients: 202 (51%) with invasive aspergillosis (IA) and 198 (49%) control patients. Results: Considering 202 cases, 18(8.8%) were subjects with proven, 28(13.7%) with probable aspergillosis and 156(77.5%), with possible aspergillosis, according to 2002 EORTC/MSG (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group) criteria. The most common underlying disease were: HSCT (42.7%), hematologic malignancy (37%), SOT (9%), or other diseases (11.3%). The main risk factors associated with IA were neutropenia, monocytopenia, patients under corticosterois, presence of CMV disease, and rejection or graft versus host disease. The risk factor associated with death was the presence of invasive aspergillosis. Good performances for serum and BAL GM were registered with lower cutoffs in the present workin relationship to those found in the literature. The best cutoff for proven + probable...

Processamento hidrotérmico em escala industrial sobre parâmetros de qualidade em frações de aveia / Hidrothermal processing on an industrial scale on quality parameters in oat fractions

A aveia destaca-se dentre os cereais por seu teor e qualidade proteica, alta porcentagem de lipídios distribuídos por todo o grão e predominância de ácidos graxos insaturados, além de possuir altos teores de fibra alimentar, minerais e antioxidantes, responsáveis pelos efeitos benéficos à saúde humana. Devido aos seus constituintes, a aveia apresenta forte tendência à rancidez e, por esse motivo, faz-se necessária a inativação enzimática das cariopses. Na indústria, a inativação normalmente é realizada pelo tratamento hidrotérmico. Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, estudar os efeitos do processamento hidrotérmico em escala industrial sobre parâmetros de composição química, atividade enzimática, -glicanas e compostos fenólicos solúveis totais nas frações de aveia farinha, farelo e integral. O processamento industrial da aveia foi realizado em batelada com temperatura e pressão constantes e tempo de retenção na coluna de 37min e 110min. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, sendo os resultados submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste Tukey a 5% de significância. Os constituintes químicos das frações farinha, farelo e integral foram pouco afetados nos tempos de retenção estudados. O tempo de retenção de 37min se mostra mais adequado por ser suficiente para inativar as enzimas lipase e peroxidase e preservar os compostos fenólicos solúveis totais em todas as frações de aveia estudadas.(AU)

Oat stands out among other cereals because of its quality as high protein content, high percentage of lipids distributed throughout the grain and predominance of unsaturated fatty acids, in addition oat presents high contents of dietary fiber, minerals and antioxidants responsible for the beneficial effects to human health. Due to their constituents oats has a strong tendency to rancidity and because of this reason is necessary to enzymatic inactivation of caryopses. In industry, the inactivation is carried out usually by hydrothermal treatment. The objective of this work was to study the effects of hydrothermal processing on an industrial scale. Parameters of chemical composition, enzyme stability, -glucan and total soluble phenolic compounds oat fractions (flour, bran and wholemeal) were evaluated. The industrial processing was carried out in batch with constant temperature and pressure and column retention time of 37min and 110min. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design and the results were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% significance. The chemical constituents of the fractions flour, bran and whole were little affected the retention times studied. The retention time of 37min shown more appropriate for being sufficient to inactivate lipase and peroxidase enzymes and preserve the phenolic total soluble in all oats fractions studied.(AU)

Visão retrospectiva em fibras alimentares com ênfase em beta-glucanas no tratamento do diabetes / In retrospect, with emphasis on dietary fiber beta-glucan in the treatment of diabetes

Fibra alimentar refere-se aos componentes de plantas ou carboidratos análogos que são resistentes à digestão e absorção no intestino delgado humano. A American Dietetic Association recomenda ingestão de 20-35g de fibras ao dia. Evidências sugerem que uma dieta rica em fibras traz benefícios à manutenção da saúde, redução de risco e tratamento de doenças crônicas como a obesidade, doenças cardiovasculares, diverticulite e diabetes. As fibras são classificadas de acordo com a sua solubilidade em solúveis e insolúveis, com efeitos fisiológicos distintos. As insolúveis são responsáveis pelo aumento do bolo fecal e diminuição do tempo de trânsito intestinal. As solúveis retardam o esvaziamento gástrico e a absorção de glicose diminuindo a glicemia pós-prandial e reduzem o colesterol sérico devido à sua característica física de conferir viscosidade ao conteúdo luminal. As beta-glucanas são fibras altamente viscosas e seu consumo está relacionado à atenuação da resposta glicêmica e insulínica pós-prandial. A beta-glucana tem efeito sobre a degradação do amido e sobre o carboidrato disponível e conseqüentemente, sobre o índice glicêmico dos alimentos ingeridos. Recomenda-se sua ingestão com o objetivo de modular a glicemia e a necessidade de insulina, no tratamento da obesidade, doenças cardiovasculares e do diabetes. Este trabalho visa fornecer uma visão geral sobre beta-glucanas no tratamento do diabetes.

Dietary fibers are defined as the component of the plants or analog carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small bowel. The America Dietetic Association recommends an ingestion of 20-30g of fiber per day. Evidences suggest that a diet rich in fibers brings benefits to health maintenance, by reducing the risk and the time of treatment of chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diverticulitis and diabetes. Fibers are classified as a soluble and insoluble with distinct physiological effects. Ingestion of insoluble fibers increases the fecal bolus and reduces the transit time of food through the bowel. Soluble fibers delay gastric emptying and glucose absorption reducing the post prandial glycemia and reduce blood cholesterol levels due to a physic characteristic that confers viscosity to the luminal content. Beta-glucans are highly viscous and their consumption has been related to the attenuation of post-prandial glycemic and insulin response. Dietary beta-glucans have impact on starch degradation and carbohydrates availability and consequently at the glycemic index of the ingested food. Consumption of beta-glucans is recommended aiming to modulate the glycemia and the insulin needs, to manage the obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. This paper brings information about dietary fibers and the use of beta-glucans on the treatment of diabetes.