Stephen Thomas Beckett

High-cocoa polyphenol-rich chocolate improves HDL cholesterol in Type 2 diabetes patients

Diabet. Med. 27, 1318–1321 (2010)

High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome

BackgroundChocolate is rich in flavonoids that have been shown to be of benefit in disparate conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The effect of polyphenol rich chocolate in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has not been studied previously.MethodsWe conducted a double blinded, randomised, clinical pilot crossover study comparing high cocoa liquor/polyphenol rich chocolate (HCL/PR) in comparison to simulated iso-calorific chocolate (cocoa liquor free/low polyphenols(CLF/LP)) on fatigue and residual function in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome. Subjects with CFS having severe fatigue of at least 10 out of 11 on the Chalder Fatigue Scale were enrolled. Subjects had either 8 weeks of intervention in the form of HCL/PR or CLF/LP, with a 2 week wash out period followed by 8 weeks of intervention with the other chocolate.ResultsTen subjects were enrolled in the study. The Chalder Fatigue Scale score improved significantly after 8 weeks of the HCL/PR chocolate arm [median (range) Exact Sig. (2-tailed)] [33 (25 - 38) vs. 21.5 (6 - 35) 0.01], but that deteriorated significantly when subjects were given simulated iso-calorific chocolate (CLF/CP) [ 28.5 (17 - 20) vs. 34.5 (13-26) 0.03]. The residual function, as assessed by the London Handicap scale, also improved significantly after the HCL/PR arm [0.49 (0.33 - 0.62) vs. 0.64 (0.44 - 0.83) 0.01] and deteriorated after iso-calorific chocolate [00.44 (0.43 - 0.68) vs. 0.36 (0.33 - 0.62)0.03]. Likewise the Hospital Anxiety and Depression score also improved after the HCL/PR arm, but deteriorated after CLF/CP. Mean weight remained unchanged throughout the trial.ConclusionThis study suggests that HCL/PR chocolate may improve symptoms in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hollow pollen shells to enhance drug delivery

Pollen grain and spore shells are natural microcapsules designed to protect the genetic material of the plant from external damage. The shell is made up of two layers, the inner layer (intine), made largely of cellulose, and the outer layer (exine), composed mainly of sporopollenin. The relative proportion of each varies according to the plant species. The structure of sporopollenin has not been fully characterised but different studies suggest the presence of conjugated phenols, which provide antioxidant properties to the microcapsule and UV (ultraviolet) protection to the material inside it. These microcapsule shells have many advantageous properties, such as homogeneity in size, resilience to both alkalis and acids, and the ability to withstand temperatures up to 250 °C. These hollow microcapsules have the ability to encapsulate and release actives in a controlled manner. Their mucoadhesion to intestinal tissues may contribute to the extended contact of the sporopollenin with the intestinal mucosa leading to an increased efficiency of delivery of nutraceuticals and drugs. The hollow microcapsules can be filled with a solution of the active or active in a liquid form by simply mixing both together, and in some cases operating a vacuum. The active payload can be released in the human body depending on pressure on the microcapsule, solubility and/or pH factors. Active release can be controlled by adding a coating on the shell, or co-encapsulation with the active inside the shell.

Sequestration of edible oil from emulsions using new single and double layered microcapsules from plant spores

Microcapsules were obtained conveniently from Lycopodium clavatum spores possessing either a single layered shell of sporopollenin (exine) or double layered shell of sporopollenin and cellulose with an inner layer (intine). These microcapsules were further modified by converting their surface hydroxyl groups (alcohols, phenols carboxylic acids) into salts (Na+ and K+), acetates and methyl ethers accordingly. All of these new types of microcapsules were found to sequester efficiently edible oils from oil-in-water emulsions with the acetylated forms being the most efficient to sequester oils in near quantitative fashion. The latter could be recycled without losing efficiency to recover oil. Oils could also be released from the microcapsules in a stepwise manner by repeated rubbing.

Pollen and Spore Shells—Nature’s Microcapsules

The shells of pollen and spores are natural preformed microcapsules, evolved to protect reproductive materials of plants from air and light. The shells are constructed of two attached layers: the outer is sporopollenin (exine), which is largely lipophilic, and the inner (intine) is of mainly cellulose. The double layered hollow microcapsules can be obtained using base hydrolysis whereas the single layered ones require strong acid hydrolysis. These treatments remove all protein and thus produce microcapsules that are non-allergenic. The central void created is large and can contain large payloads up to 3:1 w:w, payload:microcapsule. Due to the porous nature of the shells they can be filled by simply mixing with hydrophilic or lipophilic actives under a vacuum. The shells have pronounced light shielding and antioxidant activity giving protection to oxidizable actives. Extra protection and control of release can be achieved aided by a protective substance either on the shell surface or coencapsulated within the shells. Release of actives can be achieved either by compression of the elastic shells or passive migration of active from the interior of the shells stimulated by pH, polarity, or biological environment, in some cases to enhance bioavailability of actives.