Silvina R. Drago

Proteins and Carbohydrates from Red Seaweeds: Evidence for Beneficial Effects on Gut Function and Microbiota

Based on their composition, marine algae, and namely red seaweeds, are good potential functional foods. Intestinal mucosal barrier function refers to the capacity of the intestine to provide adequate containment of luminal microorganisms and molecules. Here, we will first outline the component of seaweeds and will summarize the effects of these on the regulation of mucosal barrier function. Special attention will be paid to unique components of red seaweeds: proteins and derived peptides (e.g., phycobiliproteins, glycoproteins that contain “cellulose binding domains”, phycolectins and the related mycosporine-like amino acids) together with polysaccharides (e.g., floridean starch and sulfated galactans, such as carrageenans, agarans and “dl-hybrid”) and minerals. These compounds have been shown to exert prebiotic effects, to regulate intestinal epithelial cell, macrophage and lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation and to modulate the immune response. Molecular mechanisms of action of peptides and polysaccharides are starting to be elucidated, and evidence indicating the involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR), Toll-like receptors (TLR) and signal transduction pathways mediated by protein kinase B (PKB or AKT), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) will also be summarized. The need for further research is clear, but in vivo experiments point to an overall antiinflammatory effect of these algae, indicating that they can reinforce membrane barrier function.

Development of naturally activated edible films with antioxidant properties prepared from red seaweed Porphyra columbina biopolymers.

The aim of this work was to study the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of phycobiliproteins-phycocolloids-based films, obtained from mixtures of two aqueous fractions extracted from Porphyra columbina red seaweed, one enriched in phycocolloids (PcF) and the other in phycobiliproteins (PF). Films with different ratios of PF:PcF (0, 25, 50, 75, 100% [w/w]) and without plasticizer addition were prepared by casting. PcF films had excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength ∼50MPa, elongation at break ∼3% and an elastic modulus ∼17.5MPa). The addition of PF to formulations exerted a plasticizing effect on the PcF matrix, which was manifested in moisture content, water solubility and mechanical properties of the resulting films but not in its water vapour permeability. The antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the PcF films was significantly increased by the addition of PF and a direct relationship between TEAC and the total phenolic compounds (r(2)=0.9998) and R-phycoerythrin (r(2)=0.9942) was observed.

A Porphyra columbina hydrolysate upregulates IL-10 production in rat macrophages and lymphocytes through an NF-κB, and p38 and JNK dependent mechanism.

The marine environment represents a relatively untapped source of functional ingredients. Here we characterise a hydrolysate obtained from Phorphyra columbina (PcRH) and its effects on primary splenocytes, macrophages and T lymphocytes in vitro. Our product had a high degree of hydrolysis, due to the use of a mixture of endo-peptidase and exo-peptidase, and was enriched in Asp, Ala and Glu. PcRH had mitogenic effects on rat splenic lymphocytes. IL-10 secretion was enhanced by PcRH in splenocytes (235%), macrophages (150%) and in lymphocytes (472%), while the production of TNFα and other proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages was inhibited (15-75%), especially under lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The effect of the hydrolysate on IL-10 was evoked by JNK, p38 MAPK and NF-κB dependent pathways in T lymphocytes. We conclude that PcRH has immunomodulatory effects on macrophages and lymphocytes, activating NF-κB and MAPK dependent pathways, and predominantly inducing IL-10 production.

Nutritional improvement of corn pasta-like product with broad bean (Vicia faba) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

In this study, the nutritional quality of pasta-like product (spaghetti-type), made with corn (Zea mays) flour enriched with 30% broad bean (Vicia faba) flour and 20% of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) flour, was determined. Proximate chemical composition and iron, zinc and dietary fiber were determined. A biological assay was performed to assess the protein value using net protein utilization (NPU), true digestibility (TD) and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). Iron and zinc availability were estimated by measuring dialyzable mineral fraction (%Da) resulting from in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Nutritionally improved, gluten-free spaghetti (NIS) showed significantly increased NPU and decreased TD compared with a non-enriched control sample. One NIS-portion supplied 10-20% of recommended fiber daily intake. Addition of quinoa flour had a positive effect on the FeDa% as did broad bean flour on ZnDa%. EDTA increased Fe- and ZnDa% in all NIS-products, but it also impaired sensorial quality.

Effect of extrusion process on antioxidant and ACE inhibition properties from bovine haemoglobin concentrate hydrolysates incorporated into expanded maize products

Extrusion process has been widely used for the development of many functional foods. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of extrusion process on antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition properties from bovine haemoglobin concentrate (BHC) hydrolysates (P, FC, PF and FCF). Extrusion was carried out with a Brabender single screw extruder. The ACE inhibition and the antioxidant capacity (AC) were estimated by the inhibition of the ACE and ABTS+√ radical cation expressed as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), respectively. The ACE inhibition and TEAC values from hydrolysates were significantly higher than that from BHC. The highest ACE inhibition corresponded to P hydrolysate and the highest TEAC corresponded to PF and FCF hydrolysates. The ACE inhibition and AC from extruded products with added hydrolysates were higher than that from maize control; however, the extrusion process modified both ACE inhibition and AC formerly present in hydrolysates.

Immunomodulatory properties of the protein fraction from Phorphyra columbina.

The phycobiliproteins from Rhodophyta , R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) and C-phycocyanin (C-PC), have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the effects of a Phorphyra columbina protein fraction (PF) and R-PE and C-PC on rat primary splenocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes in vitro. PF featured various protein species, including R-PE and C-PC. PF showed mitogenic effects on rat splenocytes and was nontoxic to cells except at 1 g L(-1) protein. IL-10 secretion was enhanced by PF in rat splenocytes, macrophages, and especially T-lymphocytes, whereas it was markedly diminished by R-PE and C-PC. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages was inhibited. The effect of PF on IL-10 was evoked by JNK/p38 MAPK and NF-κB-dependent pathways in macrophages and T-lymphocytes. It was concluded that PF has immunomodulatory effects on macrophages and lymphocytes that appear to be predominantly anti-inflammatory via up-regulated IL-10 production and cannot be accounted for by R-PE and C-PC.

Iron and zinc availability and some physical characteristics from extruded products with added concentrate and hydrolysates from bovine hemoglobin.

Abstract Four hydrolysates were obtained from bovine hemoglobin concentrate (BHC) and used to fortify extruded maize products. Extrusion was carried out with a Brabender single-screw extruder. Physicochemical properties from extruded products were measured. The iron availability was estimated by the dializability method, which measures the mineral dialyzed after a double digestion simulating physiological processes. The physicochemical properties of the extruded products were not affected by fortification, with the exception of total soluble solids. The enzymic hydrolysis increased the iron dializability with respect to the substrate. The highest value of iron dializability corresponded to the more hydrolysated sample. Extruded products fortified with BHC hydrolysates showed higher iron dializability than those fortified with BHC. However, iron dializability corresponding to BHC is lower than that expected from heme iron. Therefore, heme-iron availability is low when it is determined in the absence of meat proteins, and hydrolysis could increase potential iron availability.

Evaluación de la Disponibilidad de Minerales en Harinas de Frijol y en Mezclas de Maíz/Frijol Extrudidas

In the present work the effects of extrusion on mineral availability of extruded mixtures based on maize and cowpea (with and without previous inactivation treatment) were analyzed. In the formulation of foods aimed to food programs the amount and the quality of protein and bioavailability of the nutrients must be considered. One alternative, explored in this work, is to use bean flours, assuring the organoleptic quality, by lipoxigenase inactivation treatments. Mineral availability was estimated as the percentage of dialyzed mineral after in vitro digestion. Results showed that maize/cowpea mixture had a significant improvement in the amount of protein and its quality in comparison with maize. The inactivation treatment did not affect iron dialyzability of the cowpea flour while extrusion increased it. Although both process moderately impaired zinc dialyzability, the values were still high.

Extrusion Conditions and Amylose Content Affect Physicochemical Properties of Extrudates Obtained from Brown Rice Grains

The utilization of whole grains in food formulations is nowadays recommended. Extrusion cooking allows obtaining precooked cereal products and a wide range of ready-to-eat foods. Two rice varieties having different amylose content (Fortuna 16% and Paso 144, 27%) were extruded using a Brabender single screw extruder. Factorial experimental design was used to study the effects of extrusion temperature (160, 175, and 190°C) and grits moisture content (14%, 16.5%, and 19%) on extrudate properties. Specific mechanical energy consumption (SMEC), radial expansion (E), specific volume (SV), water absorption (WA), and solubility (S) were determined on each extrudate sample. In general, Fortuna variety showed higher values of SMEC and S (703–409 versus 637–407 J/g; 33.0–21.0 versus 20.1–11.0%, resp.) than those of Paso 144; on the contrary SV (8.64–3.47 versus 8.27–4.53 mL/g) and WA tended to be lower (7.7–5.1 versus 8.4–6.6 mL/g). Both varieties showed similar values of expansion rate (3.60–2.18). Physical characteristics depended on extrusion conditions and rice variety used. The degree of cooking reached by Paso rice samples was lower than that obtained for Fortuna. It is suggested that the presence of germ and bran interfered with the cooking process, decreasing friction level and broadening residence time distribution.

Iron, zinc and calcium dialyzability from extruded product based on whole grain amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus and Amaranthus cruentus) and amaranth/Zea mays blends

Amaranth is a Native American grain appreciated for its high nutritional properties including high mineral content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability of Fe, Zn and Ca from extruded products made with two varieties of amaranth and their mixtures with maize at two levels of replacement. Mineral availability was estimated using dialyzability method. The contents of Fe (64.0–84.0 mg/kg), Ca (1977.5–2348.8 mg/kg) and Zn (30.0–32.1 mg/kg) were higher in amaranth than in maize products (6.2, 19.1, 9.7 mg/kg, respectively). Mineral availability was in the range of (2.0–3.6%), (3.3–11.1%) and (1.6–11.4%) for Fe, Ca and Zn, respectively. Extruded amaranth and amaranth/maize products provide higher amount of Fe and Ca than extruded maize. Extruded amaranth products and amaranth addition to maize could be an interesting way to increase nutritional value of extruded products.