Viscoelastic Properties and Bioactivity of Sol-Gel Derived Gelatin-Silicate Composites: Effects of the Incorporated Ca^(2+) Ions

Several gelatin-silicate composites, with or without incorporation of Ca2+ ions, were synthesized through sol-gel processing starting from gelatin and 3- (glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane. The structure around the Si atoms was similar for all the samples. The measurement of viscoelastic properties indicated that the glass transition temperature and activation energy decreased with the incorporation of Ca2+ ions. The Ca2+ ion-containing composites were bioactive as they spontaneously deposited apatite when soaked in a simulated body fluid of the Kokubo recipe.

Volatile Constituents of Leaves of Trifolium alexandrinum

This study presents the volatile constituents from leaves of Trifolium alexandrinum from Pakistan.The dried leaves were subjected to hydrodistillation for extraction and extracted volatile oil was subsequently characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique.A total of 22 compounds were identified where the most dominant constituents were:phytol(46.00%),palmitic acid(9.26%),phytol acetate(6.44%),and linolenic acid(3.47%).Most of these are well-known constituents to exhibit antibacterial,antioxidant,antitumor,and anti-inflammatory activities.

Buffalo stirred yoghurt fortified with grape seed extract:New insights into its functional properties

Grape seed extract(GSE)is considered one of the major byproducts,which are rich in phenolic content and possess several health-promoting activities including antibacterial,anticancer,and antioxidant.The current research was devoted to improve the bioactive properties of stirred yoghurt through supplementation with GSE at three concentrations(0.1,0.25,and 0.5 g/100 g yoghurt).The obtained stirred yoghurts were analyzed for determining their composition,pH,syneresis,viscosity,and sensory evaluation.Furthermore,some functional properties including antioxidant,antibacterial,anticancer activities were estimated.Significant increments(p≤0.05)were observed in total solids,ash contents,pH,water holding capacity,and viscosity values,especially when 0.5%GSE was added.Moreover,adding 0.5%GSE showed higher(p≤0.05)in vitro antioxidant,antibacterial,and anticancer activities.Interestingly,the improved bioactive properties resulting from adding GSE,even at the higher concentration,were not accompanied by any change in sensory properties.In particular,the color descriptor was mostly preferred by panelists when 0.5%GSE was added.The assessors did not observe any off-flavors in any of the tested stirred yoghurt samples.Therefore,the functional properties of stirred yoghurt could be improved by adding GSE preparation without affecting its organoleptic properties.

Poly(1,8-octanediol citrate)/bioactive glass composite with improved mechanical performance and bioactivity for bone regeneration

Poly（1,8-octanediol-co-citrate） （POC） represents a new promising biocompatible and biodegradable polyester that has been extensively investigated for soft tissue engineering. However, the poor mechanical performance and poor bioactivity limit its application in bone regeneration. In this study, a series of POC/bioactive glasses （BG） composites were developed using 45S5 Bioglass^Θ and a phytic acid- derived bioactive glass （referred as PSC）. The results indicated that calcium in BG could enhance the crosslinking of the POC/BG composites by forming calcium dicarboxylate bridges and thus improve their mechanical performances. When PSC were used, the composites exhibited significantly better mechanical properties compared to composites with 45S5 Bioglass^Θ. For example, by incorporating 70wt% PSC, the compressive strength of POC/PSC composites could be improved to approximately 50 MPa and modulus 1.3-h 0.1 GPa. Furthermore, all these POC/PSC composites showed good in vitro bioactivity and cellular biocompatibility. Histology results in femoral condyle defects of Sprague-Dawley rats indicated that the POC/PSC samples integrated well with surrounding tissues and stimulated bone regeneration. The improved mechanical properties and bioactivity of POC/PSC composites make them promising for potential application in bone regeneration.

The effect of hardaliye on reducing the formation of malondialdehyde during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of meat products

Hardaliye is a non-alcoholic beverage produced from red/black grapes by adding mustard seeds and lactic acid fermentation.In this study,it was aimed to determine the total phenolic content(TPC)and total antioxidant capacity(TAC)of hardaliye samples produced with three different grape varieties(Shiraz,Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)before and after in vitro digestion,to determine their bioaccessibility,and to investigate their effects on reducing malondialdehyde(MDA)formation in meat products.TPC decreased after in vitro digestion in all three hardaliye samples and their bioaccessibility values were 57.64%,41.54%,and 52.78%(for Shiraz,Merlot,and Cabernet Sauvignon hardaliye,respectively).After in vitro digestion TAC value according to the DPPH method increased in all samples and according to the CUPRAC method decreased in Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon hardaliye samples,while it increased in the Shiraz hardaliye.After in vitro digestion,MDA value increased in control meat samples and decreased in the samples treated with hardaliye samples.Although treatment with other beverages was effective in reducing the post-digestion MDA value of some meat samples,the hardaliye samples were more effective in reducing this value and the lowest MDA bioaccessibility(%)values were determined in those treated with hardaliye samples.The samples with the lowest values were meat doner 1 treated with Shiraz hardaliye(10.27%);burger patties 2 treated with Shiraz hardaliye(22.40%);and meatball 2 treated with Cabernet Sauvignon hardaliye(7.12%).These findings indicate that hardaliye has potential beneficial health effects and can be used for the design of healthy eating patterns due to its lipid oxidation reducing potential in the gastrointestinal tract.