Antioxidant, anti-proliferative and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory activities of ethanolic extracts from freeze (EF) and hot air (EH) dried lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) leaves were evaluated. Phytochemical contents in the extracts were also determined. Hot air drying significantly lowered phytochemical contents and biological activities of the extract of lemon balm leaves as compared with freeze drying. EF had higher levels of phenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, ascorbic acid and γ-tocopherol than EH. Rosmarinic acid was the major compound and hesperetin was the highest level of flavonoid in the extracts. EF also presented higher antioxidant (β-carotene bleaching inhibition, scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, reducing power and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), anti-proliferative (proliferative inhibition for Hep G2, KB and TSGH 9201 human cancer cells) and COX-2 (induced by 12-O-teradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in KB cells) suppressing activities than EH. The ethanolic extracts of lemon balm leaves, especially EF, may have the potential for cancer chemoprevention.

Our goal was to compare the expression of plasma monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and the gene polymorphism in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and healthy controls. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were, respectively, used to measure the plasma MCP-1 level and MCP-1 polymorphism in 70 healthy controls and in 64 patients with PID before and after they received routine treatment protocols. We found plasma MCP-1 was significantly elevated in patients with PID compared to that in normal controls and decreased significantly compared to that in patients with PID after they received treatment. The increased expression of plasma MCP-1 was significantly correlated with the cell counts of white blood cells (WBCs) in blood and the level of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) of patients with PID before they received treatment. There was no association between MCP-1 -2518G/A SNP and its gene expression levels and PID susceptibility. Elevated plasma MCP-1 could be a biological marker for the diagnosis and to be a new strategy for target therapy of pelvic inflammatory disease.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidative properties of a chitosan–glucose Maillard reaction product (CG-MRP), and its effect on pork qualities during refrigerated storage. Chitosan (1%), which was dissolved in acetic acid (1%) with 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2.0% glucose, pH adjusted to 6.0, autoclaved (121°C, 15min) and cooled, was prepared. The results showed that the 2,2-dipheny1-1-picrylhydrazy1 (DPPH) radical scavenging activities, ferrous ion chelating abilities, and reducing powers of various CG-MRP solutions were not significantly different. Pork loins soaked in the CG-MRP solutions or deionized water for 10min and without dipping were stored at 4°C for 7days. Little influence was observed on the L∗, a∗, and b∗ colour values of the samples. Dipping in CG-MRP tended to retard the increases in volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values, and resulted in lower microbial counts during storage. No detrimental influence on the sensory characteristics was found.

Proteins and insolubles were recovered from whole Antarctic krill via novel isoelectric solubilization/precipitation using different pH treatments. The protein recovery yield was 45% to 50% (dry basis). The recovered proteins had higher (P < 0.05) content of essential amino acids (EAAs) and non-EAAs as well as higher (P < 0.05) ratio of total EAA/total AA than whole krill. The EAAs constituted almost 50% of total AAs. The least extreme pH treatments (pHs 3 and 12) yielded highest (P < 0.05) content of EAAs. The quality of recovered proteins was high based on EAAs meeting FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations for adults and infants. The basic pH yielded proteins with the lowest (P < 0.05) amount of minerals and the highest (P < 0.05) amount of Ca, P, and Mg in the insolubles when compared to the acidic treatments. However, both basic and acidic treatments effectively removed minerals from recovered proteins without the removal of the exoskeleton before processing. Therefore, besides high-quality proteins, the insolubles may provide a mineral supplement in the animal diet.

A trout diet was supplemented with 0, 8.5, or 15g/100g of flaxseed oil (FO). To prevent lipid oxidation of fillets, FO-supplemented diets were also enhanced with 0, 400, and 900mg/kg of alpha-tocopheryl acetate (α-TA). Total fat, moisture content, lipid oxidation, fatty acid profile, and α-tocopherol content of fillets were determined following fish harvest on days 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120. FO supplementation resulted in increased (P<0.05) concentration of omega-3 fatty acid (ω3 FA) in fillets, mainly due almost two-fold increase (P<0.05) of α-linolenic acid, while docosahexaenoic and eicopentaenoic acids slightly decreased (P<0.05). Regardless of supplementing trout diets with FO or α-TA, no (P>0.05) difference of the total fat in fillets was measured. The highest (P<0.05) α-tocopherol content in fillets was determined when supplementing trout with 900mg/kg of α-TA at day 120. The effect of retarding lipid oxidation in fillets was recorded after supplementing trout with α-TA for 60 days. Our results indicate that regardless of FO level in trout diet, 900mg/kg of α-TA can prevent lipid deterioration of fillets. However, to achieve more pronounced antioxidant effect in the ω-3-enhanced trout fillets, a synergetic effect of antioxidants and anaerobic packaging with α-TA supplementation should be investigated.

ABSTRACT: Protein, lipid, and insolubles (bones, skin, scales, fins, insoluble protein, and more) were recovered from rainbow trout processing by‐products by means of isoelectric solubilization/precipitation at basic pH and acidic pH. Isoelectric solubilization/precipitation of the trout processing by‐products resulted in the recovery of protein that was higher (P < 0.05) in essential amino acids (EAAs), non‐EAAs, and total EAA/total AA ratio when compared to the processing by‐products. Basic pH treatments yielded a higher (P < 0.05) content of EAAs than the acidic pH treatments. Nutritional quality of the recovered protein was high based on EAAs meeting the FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations for adults. The presence of omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids (ω‐3, ω‐6 FAs) and the ω‐3/ω‐6 ratio in the recovered lipids were similar to the trout processing by‐products, indicating that the pH treatments had no effect on these FAs. Ca and P contents of the processing by‐products exceeded the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), but Fe and Mg did not. Basic pH treatments yielded protein with the lowest (P < 0.05) amount of minerals and the highest (P < 0.05) amount of Ca, P, and Mg in the insolubles when compared to acidic pH. The isoelectric solubilization/precipitation of the processing by‐products effectively removed minerals from the recovered protein without removal of the bones, skin, scales, fins, and so on, prior to processing. The results indicated that isoelectric solubilization/precipitation, particularly at basic pH, permitted recovery of high‐quality protein and lipids from fish processing by‐products for human food uses; also, the recovered insolubles may be used in animal feeds as a source of minerals.

Physicochemical changes of ω−3-enhanced farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets developed by dietary modification with flaxseed oil and α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TA) were determined during storage at 2°C. Trout were fed experimental diets for 120 days followed by processing to obtain boneless skinless fillets. The dietary modification increased concentration of total ω−3 fatty acids in the fillets, which enhanced chances for lipid oxidation during storage. The fillets were vacuum or non-vacuum packed and stored at 2°C for 10 or 12 days. Dietary α-TA resulted in higher (P<0.05) concentration of α-tocopherol in fillets during storage; however, it did not retard (P>0.05) lipid oxidation. Vacuum packaging resulted in much lower (P<0.05) TBARS and higher (P<0.05) retention of α-tocopherol during storage than non-vacuum packaging. However, α-tocopherol unlike vacuum packaging better protected ω−3 FA in the fillets during storage.

This study demonstrated that the novel isoelectric solubilization/precipitation can be applied to recover functional muscle protein in a continuous mode from whole Antarctic krill. Protein recovered from whole krill had a much lower ash content than whole krill, suggesting good removal of inedible impurities (shell, appendages, etc.). Lipids were retained to a higher degree with krill protein solubilized at acidic rather than basic pH. The viscoelastic modulus (G') showed that recovered krill protein failed to form heat-induced gel unless beef plasma protein (BPP) was added. Therefore, protease inhibitors are suggested for development of krill-derived products. Even with BPP, the G' decreased between 45 and 55 degrees C. However, krill protein solubilized at acidic pH had a higher decrease of the G' than the protein solubilized at basic pH, likely due to krill endogenous cathepsin L. Krill protein-based gels developed from protein solubilized at basic pH, especially pH 12.0, had better texture (torsion and Kramer tests and texture profile analysis) than acidic counterparts, possibly due to higher proteolysis and denaturation at acidic pH. Gels made from protein solubilized at acidic pH were brighter and whiter likely due to a higher lipid content.

ABSTRACT: A commercial diet for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was supplemented with 0 (control), 8.5%, or 15.0% (w/w) of flaxseed oil (FO). Trouts were harvested on days 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120. Boneless skinless trout fillets were recovered from fish and analyzed for fatty acid profile (FAP) and total fat. While the total fat levels of fillets were not (P > 0.05) affected by FO supplementation, the FAP was. The lowest (P < 0.05) proportion of saturated fatty acids was obtained from 15%, followed by 8.5% FO group, and the control group. The opposite results were observed for the unsaturated fatty acids. The highest (P < 0.05) content of omega‐3 fatty acids (ω‐3 FA) in fillets was determined in the 15.0%, followed by the 8.5% FO group, and the control group. While the 15.0% and 8.5% of FO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) concentration of linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n3) in fillets, the eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA, 22:6n3) contents decreased (P < 0.05). At the same time, higher (P < 0.05) concentration of linoleic (L, 18:2n6) and lower (P < 0.05) concentration of arachidonic acids (AN, 20:4n6) in fillets were obtained in the 15.0% FO group compared with the control group. The ω‐3/ω‐6 FA ratio was also improved (P < 0.05) by supplementing basal diet with 15.0% FO. Our results suggest that trout fillets with enhanced content of ω‐3 FA can be developed from trout raised in aquaculture systems fed diets supplemented with 15.0% FO. These fillets could be a basis to develop novel functional aquatic foods for some niche markets.

Sixty White Leghorn hens (57 wk of age) were selected and divided randomly into three groups with two birds per cage. Twenty birds were assigned to each of the following diet treatments: 1) basal diet (control); 2) basal diet with 1.0% (w/w) of an oligofructose-type commercial prebiotic supplementation (Raftifeed®OPS); and 3) basal diet containing 1.0% (w/w) inulin, which was administered as 1.3% (w/w) of a semipurified chicory root extract (Raftifeed®IPE). The feeding trial lasted for 28 d. Oligofructose and inulin increased (P 0.05) differences in average egg weight, feed consumption, or albumen quality during the extended storage among the treatments. Both prebiotics improved (P<0.05) the feed conversion ratio. No differences in the percentages of changes in live body weight (%) were recorded after a 4-wk feeding trial. Interestingly, both prebiotic supplementations elongated (P<0.05) small and large intestinal lengths. This concomitant increased absorption of capacity could be at the basis of the observations reported here. In conclusion, dietary oligofructose and inulin can increase (P<0.05) egg production and feed efficiency of layers without impairing egg quality.

3 Abstract: When young, rapidly growing broiler birds are fed a diet supplemented with beta-fructans, there is increased activity of pancreatic amylase, but not lipase, and decreased accumulation of fat. The present study compared amylase and lipase activities in pancreatic tissue, rates of glucose and proline absorption by intact small intestine tissues, the amount of digested protein in the jejunum, amounts of abdominal and yolk fat, and serum glucose concentrations of mature laying hens (White Leghorn, 57 weeks of age) fed for 4 weeks a basal diet (control) with birds fed the same diet, but supplemented with either a short chain (oligofructose; Raftifeed PS; 1.0 %) or a long chain (inulin; Raftifeed PE; 1.3%) beta fructans. Higher serum glucose concentrations of birds fed diets with oligofructose and inulin (P<0.05) corresponded with increased pancreatic amylase activity (P<0.05), but without an increase in glucose transport. The prebiotic supplement increased the amount of digested protein in the jejunum contents (P<0.05), but decreased pancreatic lipase activity and the amounts of abdominal and yolk fat (P<0.05). These findings indicate supplementing the diet fed to mature laying hens with beta fructan prebiotics (oligofructose and inulin) alters digestion and metabolism.

Supplementing layer diets with oligofructose (1.0% (w/w) Raftifeed®OPS) and 1.0% (w/w) inulin (in the form of 1.3% (w/w) Raftifeed®IPE) reduced (P<0.05) yolk cholesterol concentrations on average by 18.64% and 16.44%, respectively, when compared to the control. However, greater reductions in yolk cholesterol content were calculated. They were 20.68% and 22.39%, on average, for oligofructose and inulin, respectively. These prebiotics reduced (P<0.05) laying hen’s blood serum cholesterol by 17.75% and 16.23%, respectively. At the same time, oligofructose and inulin increased (P<0.05) cholesterol concentrations of the small intestinal (jejunum) contents and total cholesterol excretion from the fecal material in layers compared with those of the controls. In studies of the linear relations of cholesterol concentrations in each pair of yolk, serum, jejunum contents, and fecal materials, the results indicated that lowered concentrations of yolk cholesterol might be attributed to lowered serum cholesterol that results from a greater content of unabsorbable cholesterol in jejunum contents and more cholesterol excretion. Hence, supplementation of a basal laying hen diet with either oligofructose or inulin reduced yolk cholesterol and may offer a way to produce eggs with lowered yolk cholesterol.

Biomolecular motors are tiny engines that transport materials at the microscopic level within biological cells. In recent years, Elston and Peskin et al have investigated the effect of the elastic properties of the tether that connects the motor to its cargo at the speed of the motor. In this paper we extend their work and present a tether in the form of symmetric linear potential. Our results show that when the driving mechanism is an imperfect Brownian ratchet, the average speed decreases as the stiffness of the tether increases in the limit of large motor diffusion coefficient, which is similar to the results of Elston and Peskin. However, a threshold for the stiffness of the tether connecting the motor to its cargo is found in our model. Only when the tether is stiffer than the threshold can the motor and its cargo function co-operatively, otherwise, the motor and its cargo depart from each other. This result is more realistic than that of the spring model of Elston and Peskin.

Sixty White Leghorn hens (57 wk of age) were divided randomly into three groups with two birds per cage. One group received the basal diet, the second group received the basal diet supplemented with 1% (w/w) oligofructose and the third group received 1% (w/w) inulin in the form of 1.3% of a partially purified chicory root extract(Raftifeed®IPE).Birds were allowed free access to feed and water during the 4 w k observation period. Supplementing oligofructose and inulin increased (P 0.05) on the level of magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc or iron in the tibiae was observed among those treatments. In conclusion, dietary oligofructose and inulin can promote bird's health and improve eggshell quality.

Lin-nan-yeh-chu, is the dried entire plant of Vernonia paltula (Compositae) and used as folk medicine in Taiwan. To evaluate the quality of V paltula, a simple, rapid and accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the assay of four flavonoids apigenin (API), apigenin-7-O-glucoside (APG), luteolin (LUT) and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (LUG). The present HPLC system uses an Inertsil ODS-2 column by gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) phosphoric acid as the mobile phase. Ethyl paraben was used as an internal standard and detected at 254 nm. Regression equations revealed good linear relationships (correlation coefficients: 0.9998-0.9999) between the peak-area ratios of each constituent to ethyl paraben. The recovery of four marker constituents ranged from 89.3 to 95.6%. The contents of the four constituents in stem, flower, leaf and root parts of V paltula have been compared. Leaf part consisted of the highest contents of flavonoids except for APG which is less than that in the flower. The root and stem only showed trace amount of APG but not the other three flavonoids. The contents of four constituents were 0.6016, 0.0042, 0.2160 and 0.0577 mg/g for apigenin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin, respectively. HPLC chromatograms of another three plants of genus of Vernonia in Taiwan, V cinerea, V elliptica and V gratiosa, have also been compared.