Aleksander Siger

Natural compounds from grape by-products enhance nutritive value and reduce formation of CML in model muffins

This study had the objective of determining the effects of the addition of different ingredients and grape by-products (GP) to muffins on CML content. It was found that ingredients, such as salt, baking powder and protein-rich components, reduced CML from 50% to 86%. The use of all ingredients simultaneously caused the highest reduction in CML, suggesting synergistic effects in the muffin formula. Raw cane sugar produced higher amounts of CML than refined sucrose, probably due to metal-ion mediated degradation of fructoselysine. The CML content was correlated with the level of oleic acid at -0.829 and with the level of linoleic acid at 0.913. Muffins enriched with appropriate levels of GP (20%) showed a lowering of the CML level and no significant changes in the sensory profile. GP added to the model system with protein-rich ingredients resulted in the weakest inhibitory effects, probably due to the polyphenol-protein binding mechanism.

Release of flavonoids from lupin globulin proteins during digestion in a model system.

Lupin seed globulin proteins form complexes with flavonoids, predominantly apigenin C-glycosides. Enzymes typical for the gastrointestinal tract were used to hydrolyze lupin seed globulins. Release of native flavonoids as a result of the proteolysis reaction was observed. Different analytical methods such as size exclusion chromatography, HPLC-MS, and fluorescence spectroscopy (steady-state fluorescence, fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence lifetimes) were used for a detailed characterization of this phenomenon. Flavonoids liberated from lupin globulin proteins as a result of pancreatin-catalyzed digestion were bound by γ-conglutin resistant to this enzyme. Two possible mechanisms of this interaction may be suggested: hydrogen bonding between oligosaccharide chains of glycoproteins and the sugar moieties of the flavonoid glycosides or electrostatic attraction between positively charged γ-conglutin and flavonoids partially ionized at pH 7.5.

Characterisation of different digestion susceptibility of lupin seed globulins

This study describes in vitro digestion of lupin seed globulins by pancreatin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Lupin seed globulins turned out to be almost totally susceptible to chymotrypsin digestion. When panceratin or trypsin were used for digestion of lupin seed globulins, γ-conglutin appeared to be resistant to proteolysis. Different fluorescence spectroscopic methods such as fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence lifetimes and fluorescence quenching measurements were used for detailed characterisation of this phenomenon. A potential reason for γ-conglutin insensitivity to digestion may be related to the fact that lysine, as well as arginine, are positively charged at cell physiological pH. Simultaneously, flavonoids at this pH are partially ionised, which may lead to the occurrence of ionic interactions between these molecules at pH 7.5. The confirmation of this explanation may be the fact that γ-conglutin and vitexin form a static complex, which was observed using fluorescence quenching measurements.

Sesamin and sesamolin as unexpected contaminants in various cold-pressed plant oils: NP-HPLC/FLD/DAD and RP-UPLC-ESI/MS(n) study.

Thirteen cold-pressed oils (Japanese quince seed, black caraway, flaxseed, rapeseed, hemp, peanut, sunflower, pumpkin, hazelnut, poppy, walnut, almond and sesame oil) manufactured by the same company over a 2-year period (2011–12) were assessed for lipophilic compounds. The presence of sesamin and sesamolin, two characteristic lignans of sesame oil, were detected in all tested plant oils. Both lignans were identified by NP-HPLC/FLD/DAD and confirmed by a RP-UPLC-ESI/MSn method. The lowest amount of sesamin and sesamolin was found for Japanese quince seed oil (0.10 and 0.27 mg/100 g), and the highest, excluding sesame oil, for almond oil (36.21 and 105.42 mg/100 g, respectively). The highly significant correlation between sesamolin and sesamin concentrations was found in all samples tested (r = 0.9999; p < 0.00001). These results indicate contamination of cold-pressed oils from the same source. This investigation highlights the fact that increasing the range of products manufactured by the same company can contribute to a lesser regard for the quality of the final product. Moreover, less attention paid to the quality of final product can be related to the health risks of consumers especially sensitive to allergens. Therefore, proper cleaning of processing equipment is needed to prevent cross-contact of cold-pressed oils.

The effect of microwave pretreatment of seeds on the stability and degradation kinetics of phenolic compounds in rapeseed oil during long-term storage.

Storage stability and degradation kinetics of phenolic compounds in rapeseed oil pressed from microwave treated seeds (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10min, 800W) during long-term storage (12months) at a temperature of 20°C was discussed in the current study. The dominant phenolic compound detected in rapeseed oil was canolol, followed by minor amounts of free phenolic acids and sinapine. The most pronounced effect of seeds microwaving was noted for canolol formation - after 10-min exposure the quantity of this compound was approximately 63-fold higher than in control oil. The degradation of phenolics during storage displayed pseudo first-order kinetics. Differences in the initial degradation rate (r0) demonstrated significant impact of the period of seeds microwave exposure on the degradation rates of phenolic compounds. Results of the half-life calculation (t1/2) showed that the storage stability of phenolic compounds was higher in oils produced from microwave treated rapeseeds than in control oil.

Digestion susceptibility of seed globulins isolated from different lupin species

The aim of this work was to study the processes taking place during the enzymatic hydrolysis of seed globulins isolated from narrow-leaf (var. Zeus and Bojar) and yellow (var. Lord and Parys) lupin seeds species cultivated in Poland. In lupin seed globulins hydrolysis studies, there were used enzymes typical for the human gastrointestinal tract, such as: pepsin, pancreatin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The obtained hydrolysates were assessed based on the results of electrophoretic, immunoblotting, as well as chromatographic separations. The evaluation of lupin seed globulins digestion susceptibility was supported by the bioinformatics analyses. Analysis of hydrolysates showed that the proteins present in globulins are completely hydrolysed by: pepsin, double digestion model (pepsin followed by pancreatin) or chymotrypsin. The high specificity of pancreatin and trypsin action results in limited lupin globulins hydrolysis. Protein fraction resistant to the action of these enzymes was γ-conglutin which also retains its antigenic properties. Its insensitivity to the hydrolysis might be associated with the formation of complexes with flavonoids which were released from other protein connections during digestion, as well as with relatively low number of cleavage sites for trypsin. The analysis of the three-dimensional structure of γ-conglutin enabled a very accurate description of the amino acid residues localisation, at which trypsin hydrolysis should occur.

Phenolic compounds reduce formation of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine and pyrazines formed by Maillard reactions in a model bread system

This study had the objective of determining the antiglycation activity of phenolic compounds (PCs) ((+)-catechin, quercetin, gallic, ferulic, and caffeic acids) added to a model bread with regards to the inhibition of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) formation. PCs were found to significantly reduce CML (31.77%-87.56%), even at the lowest concentration, with the exception of ferulic acid (FA). The strongest inhibitory effect of FA (∼62%) appeared when concentration was increased to 1.0g/100g of flour. The available lysine losses (0.00%-90.51%) showed a significant correlation (0.853-0.990) with effectiveness of CML inhibition, except in the case of samples with FA. (+)-Catechin reduced CML levels the most, probably due to its structure-antioxidant activity relationship, its thermal stability (∼51% loss), and its reactivity with ε-lysine side chains (∼40.77% loss). Although the bread supplemented with PCs contained low levels of CML, this process may adversely affect bread flavor, reducing the formation of pyrazines (1.10%-80.77%).

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) vegetative parts as an unconventional source of lipophilic antioxidants

The profile of lipophilic antioxidants in different vegetative parts (leaves, shoots, buds and berries) was studied in sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) male and female plants collected in the end of spring. Five lipophilic compounds, i.e. three tocopherol homologues (α, β and γ), plastochromanol-8 and β-carotene, were identified in each vegetative part of male and female sea buckthorn plants at the following concentrations: 7.25–35.41, 0.21–2.43, 0.41–1.51, 0.19–1.79 and 4.43–24.57 mg/100 g dry weight basis. Additionally, significant amounts of α-tocotrienol (1.99 mg/100 g dry weight basis) were detected in buds. The α-tocopherol and β-carotene were predominant lipophilic antioxidants in each vegetative part, accounting for 78.3–97.0% of identified compounds. The greatest amounts of lipophilic antioxidants were found in leaves, especially of female plants. Nevertheless, apart from leaves, also shoots of plants of both sexes seem to be a good source of α-tocopherol and β-carotene.

Physicochemical characteristics of the cold-pressed oil obtained from seeds of Fagus sylvatica L.

A physicochemical characteristic of the cold-pressed oil obtained from seeds of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) has been presented. This plant may be considered as unconventional oilseeds crops because of relatively high content of fat (27.25%). The analyzed beech seeds oil has been classified as oleic-linoleic acids oil with more than 76% percentage share of those species. Beech seeds oil contains 4.2% of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Unique characteristic is the high content of γ-tocopherol (75.4mg/100g) and δ-tocopherol (34.05mg/100g). γ-Tocopherol is effective scavengers of reactive nitrogen species and prevents DNA bases nitration, what makes beech seeds oil interesting raw material in the production of cosmetics. Additionally the content of carotenoids, very effective photooxidation inhibitors, is at high level in comparison with other cold-pressed oils. It was demonstrated that PCA analysis may help to determine the authenticity of oil obtained from beech seeds.

Effect of clinical condition and mycophenolate mofetil on plasma retinol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene in renal transplant recipients.

Introduction Plasma antioxidant vitamins (retinol, α-tocopherol, β-carotene) were measured to establish the influence of clinical condition and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment on the nutritional status of renal transplant recipients. Material and methods In 106 adult patients plasma vitamins were measured and 24-h diet history questionnaires were conducted. The MMF influence on plasma vitamins was verified in 61 patients. Results The current dietary intakes of vitamins in daily food rations were lower than recommended. Plasma retinol was lower in patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders (1.25 ±0.48 mg/l vs. 1.55 ±0.70 mg/l) and inversely associated with aminotransferases activity (p = 0.019) and creatinine clearance (p = 0.021). Retinol concentrations were positively associated with plasma creatinine (p = 0.027) and pharmacokinetic parameters of MMF phenyl glucuronide. β-Carotene concentrations were higher in women (0.39 ±0.46 mg/l vs. 0.28 ±0.23 mg/l; p = 0.041) and when MMF was co-administered with cyclosporine vs. tacrolimus (0.45 ±0.62 mg/l vs. 0.25 ±0.19 mg/l). Plasma α-tocopherol correlated negatively with the mycophenolic acid pre-dose concentration (p = 0.027) and was significantly lower in patients treated with calcineurin inhibitors (8.90 ±5.23 mg/l vs. 12.25 ±5.62 mg/l). A positive correlation was observed between α-tocopherol levels and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.006). In multivariate regression aspartate aminotransferase and MMF treatment significantly influenced retinol (p < 0.001). Conclusions The MMF treatment was associated with significantly lower retinol concentrations. The gastrointestinal disorders occurrence in MMF-treated patients may cause a decrease in retinol absorption. Diet adjustment and/or vitamin A supplementation should be considered.