Antidiabetic Properties of Bidens pilosa and Its Polyacetylenic Compounds for Management of Diabetes: Systematic Review

Bidens pilosa is a member of the Asteraceae family that is widely distributed across the tropics. It has been utilized by different communities both as food and medicinal herb. This plant and its polyacetylenic compounds hold potential as a natural antidiabetic intervention that can be used to combat this global public health problem. Bioactive compounds found in this plant constitute promising interventions for combating obesity which is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. These phytocompounds can work independently or synergistically to modulate appetite, lipase activity, adipogenesis and adipocyte apoptosis. However, the efficacy, mode of action and scope of management of diabetes by these compounds remains elusive. The current review aims to summarize data on efficacy in the management of diabetes, an antidiabetic candidate polyacetylenic compound and possible biological activities as an antidiabetic agent from the available literature. Much emphasis has been directed to cytopiloyne as a representative of polyacetylenic compounds extracted from Bidens pilosa and its activity on diabetic animal models. The majority of the studies conducted on animal models described antidiabetic mechanisms that range from hypoglycemic to secretagogue activity of cytopiloyne in a dose-dependent manner. A clinical trial pilot indicated improved glycemic control of Bidens pilosa formulation among diabetic patients in the study. Bidens pilosa and its compounds are highly potent antidiabetic agent(s) that should be graduated to an intervention for management of diabetes through pre-clinical and clinical trials to elucidate its efficacy and safety.

OxInflammation in Alzheimer's disease

Oxlnflammation:definition and role in disease:Oxlnflammation has been introduced as a new term in the biomedical field to highlight the deep and mutual relationship between the dysregulation of redox and immune homeostasis(Valacchi et al.,2018).Regardless of which is the initial spark,inflammation cannot take place without a concomitant oxidative stress response and vice-versa.In other words,they are sides of the same coin.

Effect of Triptolide on Expression of Oxidative Carbonyl Protein in Renal Cortex of Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy

The traditional Chinese medicine(Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f., TWH) has been clinically used to treat primary and secondary renal diseases and proteinuria for nearly 40 years. However, there is a rare literature about the effect of triptolide(the main active ingredient of TWH) on the expression of oxidative carbonyl protein(OCP) in diabetic nephropathy(DN). This study aimed to provide experimental evidence for triptolide treatment on DN through its effect on the expression of OCP, in order to investigate the effects of triptolide on the expression of OCP in rats with DN. Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, high-dose triptolide(Th) group, low-dose triptolide(Tl) group, DN model group, and positive control(benazepril) group. The DN model was established using streptozotocin. Urinary protein excretion, fasting blood glucose(FBG), superoxide dismutase(SOD) in renal homogenate, malondialdehyde(MDA) in renal homogenate and renal nitrotyrosine by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of OCP by oxyblotimmune blotting were detected. In the DN model group, rat urinary protein excretion and renal MDA were significantly increased, while renal SOD significantly decreased and nitrotyrosine expression was obviously upregulated in the kidney. After triptolide treatment, 24-h urinary protein excretion(61.96±19.00 vs. 18.32±4.78 mg/day, P<0.001), renal MDA(8.09±0.79 vs. 5.45±0.68 nmol/L, P<0.001), and nitrotyrosine expression were decreased. Furthermore, renal OCP significantly decreased, while renal SOD(82.50±19.10 vs. 124.00±20.52 U/L, P<0.001) was elevated. This study revealed that triptolide can down-regulate the expression of OCP in the renal cortex of DN rats.

Association between heat stress and oxidative stress in poultry;mitochondrial dysfunction and dietary interventions with phytochemicals

Heat as a stressor of poultry has been studied extensively for many decades; it affects poultry production on a worldwide basis and has significant impact on well-being and production. More recently, the involvement of heat stress in inducing oxidative stress has received much interest. Oxidative stress is defined as the presence of reactive species in excess of the available antioxidant capacity of animal cells. Reactive species can modify several biologically cellular macromolecules and can interfere with cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, during the last decade, there has been an ever-increasing interest in the use of a wide array of natural feed-delivered phytochemicals that have potential antioxidant properties for poultry. In light of this, the current review aims to(1) summarize the mechanisms through which heat stress triggers excessive superoxide radical production in the mitochondrion and progresses into oxidative stress,(2) illustrate that this pathophysiology is dependent on the intensity and duration of heat stress,(3) present different nutritional strategies for mitigation of mitochondrial dysfunction, with particular focus on antioxidant phytochemicals.Oxidative stress that occurs with heat exposure can be manifest in all parts of the body; however, mitochondrial dysfunction underlies oxidative stress. In the initial phase of acute heat stress, mitochondrial substrate oxidation and electron transport chain activity are increased resulting in excessive superoxide production. During the later stage of acute heat stress, down-regulation of avian uncoupling protein worsens the oxidative stress situation causing mitochondrial dysfunction and tissue damage. Typically, antioxidant enzyme activities are upregulated. Chronic heat stress, however, leads to downsizing of mitochondrial metabolic oxidative capacity, up-regulation of avian uncoupling protein, a clear alteration in the pattern of antioxidant enzyme activities, and depletion of antioxidant reserves.Some phytochemicals, such as various types of flavonoids and related compounds, were shown to be beneficial in chronic heat-stressed poultry, but were less or not effective in non-heat-stressed counterparts. This supports the contention that antioxidant phytochemicals have potential under challenging conditions. Though substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the association between heat stress and oxidative stress, the means by which phytochemicals can alleviate oxidative stress have been sparsely explored.

Isolation of bacteria from fermented food and grass carp intestine and their efficiencies in improving nutrient value of soybean meal in solid state fermentation

Background: Soybean meal is an excellent and cost-effective protein source; however, its usage is limited in the piglet due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors and the antigens glycinin and β-conglycinin. The objective of the current study was to screen and select for bacteria that can be efficiently adopted to ferment soybean meal in order to solve this problem.Results: Bacteria were isolated from fermented soy foods and the grass carp intestine, and strains selected for high protease, cellulase and amylase activities. The isolated bacteria were characterized as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacilus amyloliquefacien, respectively. Fermentation with food-derived Isolate-2 and fish-derived F-9 increased crude protein content by 5.32% and 8.27%, respectively; improved the amino acid profile by increasing certain essential amino acids, broke down larger soy protein to 35 k Da and under, eliminated antigenicity against glycinin and β-conglycinin, and removed raffinose and stachyose in the soybean meal following a 24-h fermentation.Conclusions: Our results suggest these two B. amyloliquefaciens bacteria can efficiently solid state ferment soybean meal and ultimately produce a more utilizable food source for growing healthy piglets.

Dietary supplementation with free methionine or methionine dipeptide mitigates intestinal oxidative stress induced by Eimeria spp. challenge in broiler chickens

Background: This study evaluated the effects of Eimeria spp. challenge and dietary supplementation with free methionine or methionine dipeptide on animal performance;expression of genes associated with the immune system, antioxidant system, and amino acid transport in the jejunum;and redox status of the jejunum of broiler chickens.Methods: A randomized, 2 × 3 factorial design was used, in which Eimeria spp. challenge was the first factor(Eimeria-challenged, EC, or unchallenged, UC, broilers) and methionine supplementation was the second factor(non-supplemented, NS;free DL-methionine, DL-Met;and methionine dipeptide, DL-methionyl-DL-methionine, DLMMet). At 14 days of age, chickens were inoculated orally with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria mitis. Birds were killed by cervical dislocation 144 h post-inoculation(PI), and the jejunum was collected for biochemical and molecular analyses.Results: EC broilers had a 13% lower feed intake(FI), 37% lower body weight gain(BWG), and 39% higher feed conversion ratio(FCR) than UC broilers. Chickens fed the DL-Met diet had higher BWG(about 12% higher) and better FCR(about 12% lower) than chickens fed the NS diet. EC chickens had lower relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius(51.8%) and higher relative weights of the spleen and whole intestine(53.6% and 26.3%, respectively) than UC chickens. Eimeria spp. challenge led to an increase in the levels of oxidative substances, such as nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS), in the jejunum of chickens 144 h PI. Among UC chickens, those fed the DL-Met diet had higher total antioxidant capacity(TAC) and lower catalase(CAT) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities. EC chickens that received the NS diet had higher carbonylated protein content(CP). This result was associated with their lower TAC and catalase activity. The lower TAC in EC chickens might have been due to reduced expression of catalase(CAT) and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1) genes. Chickens fed the DL-Met and DLMMet diets had lower nitrite content. Eimeria spp. challenge suppressed neutral amino acid transporter 1(B0 AT1),peptide transporter 1(PEPT1), toll-like receptor 5(TLR5), interleukin 2(IL2), and occludin(OCLN) gene expression and enhanced cationic amino acid transporter 1(CAT-1) and interferon gamma(IFNG) gene expression. The highest PEPT1 expression level was observed in broilers fed the DL-MMet diet, and the lowest TLR5 expression level was found in broilers fed the NS diet.Conclusion: Our results show for the first time that supplementation with methionine as free amino acid or dipeptide helps protect the intestinal cells of broilers under Eimeria spp. challenge from the oxidative damage induced by free radicals, mainly through modulation of the antioxidant system.

Fecal microbiota of three bactrian camels(Camelus ferus and Camelus bactrianus) in China by high throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene

This study aimed to reveal the microbial diversity in the fecal samples of bactrian camels using the 16 S r RNA sequencing analysis on the Illumina Mi Seq platform. Three fecal samples were collected from two geographical regions in China. Operational taxonomic unit(OTU) clustering was performed by identifying an OTU at 97% sequence identity. The alpha and beta diversities were applied to estimate the differences in microbial diversity among the three fecal samples. Totally, 4409, 3151 and 4075 OTUs in the fecal samples were identified in the Lop Nor wild camel(Camelus ferus), the domestic camel(C. bactrianus) and Dunhuang wild camel(C. ferus), respectively. The majority of bactreria were affiliated with phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the three samples. The wild camels had higher gastrointestinal tract microbial diversity than the domestic one, while the microbial composition of the Lop Nor wild camel shared higher similarity with domestic camel at the genus and family levels than that of the Dunhuang wild camel did. Our results may provide a theoretical basis for assessing their health conditions and may thus be useful for protecting the critically endangered species of C. ferus.

Identification of stable normalization genes for quantitative real-time PCR in porcine articular cartilage

Background: Expression levels for genes of interest must be normalized with an appropriate reference, or housekeeping gene, to make accurate comparisons of quantitative real-time PCR results. The purpose of this study was to identify the most stable housekeeping genes in porcine articular cartilage subjected to a mechanical injury from a panel of 10 candidate genes. Results: Ten candidate housekeeping genes were evaluated in three different treatment groups of mechanically impacted porcine articular cartilage. The genes evaluated were: beta actin, beta-2-microglobulin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase, peptidylprolyl isomerase A (cyclophilin A), ribosomal protein L4, succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein subunit A, TATA box binding protein, and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein-zeta polypeptide. The stability of the genes was measured using geNorm, BestKeeper, and NormFinder software. The four most stable genes measured via geNorm were (most to least stable) succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein, subunit A, peptidylprolyl isomerase A, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, beta actin; the four most stable genes measured via BestKeeper were glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, peptidylprolyl isomerase A, beta actin, succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein, subunit A; and the four most stable genes measured via NormFinder were peptidylprolyl isomerase A, succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein, subunit A, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, beta actin. Conclusions: BestKeeper, geNorm, and NormFinder all generated similar results for the most stable genes in porcine articular cartilage. The use of these appropriate reference genes will facilitate accurate gene expression studies of porcine articular cartilage and suggest appropriate housekeeping genes for articular cartilage studies in other species.

Association of Dietary Pattern during Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus： A Prospective Cohort Study in Northern China

Objective To examine the association of maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) in northern China.Methods The dietary intakes of pregnant women were recorded twice by 24‐hour dietary recalls for three days prior to having been diagnosed with GDM, at 5‐15 and 24‐28 gestational weeks, respectively.GDM was diagnosed, and serum glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) was measured at 24‐28 weeks.Dietary patterns were assessed by factor analysis. The association of the dietary pattern with GDM and HbA1c was examined by multiple logistic models.Results Of 753 participants, 64(8.5%) were diagnosed with GDM. Four dietary patterns were identified: Western pattern(dairy, baked/fried food and white meat), traditional pattern(light‐colored vegetables, fine grain, red meat and tubers), mixed pattern(edible fungi, shrimp/shellfish and red meat)and prudent pattern(dark‐colored vegetables and deep‐sea fish). Compared with the prudent pattern,both the Western pattern and the traditional pattern were associated with an increased risk of GDM(a OR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.58‐12.22; a OR = 4.88, 95% CI: 1.79‐13.32) and a high level of HbA1c(a OR = 12.37,95% CI: 1.47‐103.91; a OR = 26.23, 95% CI: 2.54‐270.74). Compared to the lowest quartile(Q), Q3 of the Western pattern scores and Q3‐Q4 of the traditional pattern scores were associated with a higher risk of GDM.Conclusion The consumption of the Western pattern or the traditional pattern during pregnancy may increase the risk of GDM.

Effects of phosvitin phosphopeptide-Ca complex prepared by efficient enzymatic hydrolysis on calcium absorption and bone deposition of mice

Phosvitin(PV)was treated with high-temperature,mild pressure(HTMP),and enzyme combination,and then phosvitin phosphopeptides-calcium(PPP-Ca)complexes were prepared.The low-calcium specific pathogen free-Kunming(SPF-KM)mice were used to determine the effect of PPP-Ca complexes on intestinal calcium absorption and their utilization for bone formation.The serum calcium content was the highest with the HTMP-Enz-PPP-Ca treatment(2.19 mmol/L),and it significantly down-regulated the abnormal elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase(AKP)caused by calcium deficiency.The low-calcium control group had the lowest calcium deposited to the femur(80.41 mg/g)and the lowest femur bone mineral density(BMD)(0.17 g/cm^(3)),while HTMP-Enz-PPP-Ca significantly improved bone calcium content(94.33 mg/g)and BMD(0.29 g/cm^(3)).The micro-computed tomography(MCT)images showed that the femur with the normal control,PV-Ca,and HTMP-Enz-PPP-Ca treatments had a more compact,complete,and thicker trabecular network than the low-calcium and CaCl_(2)treatments.These results indicated that the organic calcium(HTMP-Enz-PPP-Ca)promoted calcium absorption and bone deposition,and the effect of HTMP-Enz-PPP-Ca was better than the inorganic CaCl_(2).

BACE1 role in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias:from the theory to the practice

Beta-site amyloid precursor protein(APP)cleaving enzyme-1(BACE1):brief overview on the biology and its role in Alzheimer’s disease(AD)pathogenesis:AD is a multifactorial and multifaceted disease,with a complex and still not completely understood pathogenesis(Cervellati et al.,2016;Iturria-Medina et al.,2016).Multiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathobiology of the disease.

Indirect calorimetry to estimate energy requirements for growing and finishing Nellore bulls

Determination of nutritional requirements is the basis for diet formulation.The objectives of this study were to determine the net energy requirements for maintenance(NE_m) and weight gain(NE_g) in Nellore bulls during the growing and finishing phases,and to estimate efficiency of metabolizable energy(ME) utilization for maintenance and gain(k_m,k_g).Five Nellore bulls were housed in individual pens at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais(Belo Horizonte,Brazil) and evaluated over four experimental periods at 210,315,378 and 454 kg shrunk body weight(SBW),approximately.During each period,heat production(HP) was quantified by open circuit indirect calorimetry for three feeding levels:ad libitum,restricted and fasting.The NE_m requirement was determined by linear regression between the Log of HP and the ME intake(MEI) for the ad libitum and restricted levels.This requirement was also determined by quantifying fasting heat production(FHP).The NE_g requirement was calculated by the difference between MEI and HP during ad libitum feeding.The k_m and k_g were calculated by the relationship between net energy(NE) and ME requirements for maintenance and weight gain(ME_m,ME_p),respectively.The NE_m requirements per kg of metabolic empty body weight(EBW^(0.75)) fluctuated between 348 and 517 kJ d^(-1),showing a decreasing trend with age,and were higher than the values reported in the literature.The NE_g requirements ranged between 48.3 and 164 kJ kg^(-1) EBW^(0.75) d^(-1),and varied according to age and weight gain.The k_m values varied between 58.6 and 69.7%,while k_g varied between 23.4 and 40.2%.We concluded that NE_m and NE_g requirements were influenced by age and possibly by the level of stress,nervousness and activity of animals into the respirometry chamber.Further studies should quantify HP with records of positional changes(time spent standing vs.lying down).Additionally,HP quantification should be repeatedly performed in the same experimental period to obtain a representative value of NE_g requirements.

Effect of transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from termite to rumen fluid of sheep on in vitro gas production, fermentation parameters, microbial populations and enzyme activity

The digestive tract of termite(Microcerotermes diversus) contains a variety of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria with exocellulases enzyme activity, not found in the rumen, which could potentially improve fiber degradation in the rumen. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of inoculation of rumen fluid(RF) with three species of bacteria isolated from termite digestive tract, Bacillus licheniformis, Ochrobactrum intermedium, and Microbacterium paludicola, on in vitro gas production(IVGP), fermentation parameters, nutrient disappearance, microbial populations, and hydrolytic enzyme activities with fibrous wheat straw(WS) and date leaf(DL) as incubation substrate. Inoculation of RF with either of three termite bacteria increased(P<0.05) ammonia-N concentration compared with the control group(free of termite gut bacteria). Termite bacteria inoculation had no effect(P>0.05) on gas production characteristics, dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance, pH, and concentration and composition of volatile fatty acids. Population of proteolytic bacteria and protozoa, but not cellulolytic bacteria, were increased(P<0.05) when RF was inoculated with termite bacteria with both WS and DL substrates. Inoculation of RF with termite bacteria increased protease activity, while activities of carboxymethyl-cellulase, microcrystalline-cellulase, α-amylase and filter paper degrading activity remained unchanged(P>0.05). Overall, the results of this study indicated that transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria, isolated from digestive tract of termite, to rumen liquid increased protozoa and proteolytic bacteria population and consequently increased protease activity and ammonia-N concentration in vitro, however, no effect on fermentation and fiber degradation parameters were detected. These results suggest that the termite bacteria might be rapidly lysed by the rumen microbes before beneficial effects on the rumen fermentation process could occur.

Methionine Levels in the Diet for Pregnant Female Rabbits Affects Hair Follicles Development of Baby Rabbits

[Objective]This experiment was conducted to study methionine level in diet for prepnant famale rabbits on the development of hair follicles of baby rabbits.[Method]Fifty-four Angora female rabbits with similar body weight, parities and historicaly hair yield were randomly assigned to three groups with eighteen replicates in each group and one rabbit per replicate. Rabbits during pregnancy were fed diets with 0.51%, 0.71% and 0.91% methionine, respectively. Hair follicle density and diameter in the back skin were determined at 18-day fetus.26-day fetus.newborn and 2-month-old,and hair fiber diameter at 2-month-old was also determined. [Result]The results showed as follows: (1) hair follicle density and diameter at each stage,coarse hair fiber diameter at 2-month.old showed a tendency of increasing with dietary methionine level(P>0.05), fine hair diameter in 0.91%group was significantly larger than that in 0.51% group at 2-month-old(P<0.05). (2) With the development of baby rabbit,the ratio of secondary follicle and primary follicle increased gradually, at newborn of rabbits in group 0.5l%, 0.71% and 0.91%were 5.84, 5.56 and 5.81, respectively, and at 2-month-old were 8.47, 7.97 and 8.03, respectively. (3) Baby rabbits in group 0.51%, 0.71% and 0.91% gained increases of primary follicle diameter by 0.58, 0.57 and 0.61μm/d from 26-day fetus to birth, and 0.11, 0.11 and 0.12 μm/d from birth to 2-month-old, respectively; they also gained increases on secondary follicle diameter by 0.0018,0.012 and 0.011μm/d from birth to 2-months-old, respectively. [Conclusion]These results indicate that increase of methionine level in diet for female rabbits during pregnancy is a stimulation factor for the development of hair follicle of baby rabbits, and can improve their hair fiber diameter.

Supplementation of Fructooligosaccharide Mildly Improves the Iron Status of Anemic Rats Fed a Low-Iron Diet

Also known as a prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) resists digestion by gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes in vivo, but is preferentially fermented by beneficial intestinal bacteria once it reaches the colon. While some studies suggest that FOS and its fermentation products may influence the iron absorption process, the effects of prolonged FOS supplementation on iron status remain unclear. The objective of this study was therefore to determine the enhancing effects of FOS supplementation on the iron status of anemic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving a low-iron diet (12 μg/g) for 14 days showed significantly lower hemoglobin concentration, as well as lower tissue non-heme iron levels than rats receiving a regular diet (45 μg/g), confirming iron-deficiency anemia. On the first day of the feeding trial, two groups of anemic rats (n = 6) were fed the same low-iron diet with or without FOS supplementation, while two other groups of anemic rats were switched to the regular diet with or without FOS supplementation to allow recovery. FOS was provided to the rats by dissolving in water at 5% (w/v). Anemic rats fed the low-iron diet showed a mild increase (p < 0.05) in hemoglobin level after 21 days of FOS supplementation when compared to rats without FOS. For anemic rats switched to the regular diet, hemoglobin level returned to normal after 14 days and FOS supplementation showed no additional effects. Our results suggest that FOS supplementation has a mild enhancing effect on the iron status of anemic subjects on a low-iron diet.

Phytochemical Content, Radical Scavenging Ability &Enzyme Inhibiting Activities of Selected Spices (Cinnamon, Cardamom and Cloves)

Cinnamon, cardamom and cloves have been widely used for medicinal purposes as well as essential cooking ingredients for flavor. The objective of the research was to investigate the antioxidant content, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of lipid and carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme activities of selected spices (cinnamon, cardamom & cloves) methanol (ME) and water extracts (WE). The phytochemical content was determined by total phenolic and total flavanoid content. The antioxidant potential was determined by measuring 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) in spice’s (ME) and (WE) extracts. Total phenolic (GAE mg/100g dry weight) and flavonoid (mg CE/100g dry weight) content were the highest in Cloves (ME) 174.4 and 101.06. The lowest values for phenolic content were seen in ME and WE of Cardamom at 31.24 and 7.55. The DPPH IC50 values ranged from 0.22mg/mL (Cloves ME) to 0.60mg/mL (Cardamom ME). FRAP (μmol Fe2+/100g dry weight) for Cinnamon, Cardamom (ME) was 2438.5 and 325. Clove (ME) had a significantly higher reducing potential of 6888.5 which might have been attributed by the high amounts of phenolics and flavonoids in the spice. FRAP in spice extracts (WE) was lower with values of 2296.5 and 218.5 and 2310.5, respectively. The highest inhibition of the α-glucosidase was observed by Clove (ME) 86.5%, which also had the highest amylase enzyme inhibition at 71%. However, inhibition of the lipase enzyme was highest by the Cinnamon (WE) extracts 44.3%. The potential of phytochemicals in spices was studied and if consumed in high amounts could offer antioxidative properties and regulate key digestive enzymes which may lead to prevention or decreased progression of diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes and Cardiovascular diseases.

A Comparison of the Antioxidative and Anti-Diabetic Potential of Thermally Treated Garlic, Turmeric, and Ginger

Spices have been used for centuries for food preservation, flavors, and medicinal properties. Research suggests that garlic, turmeric, and ginger contain potent antioxidants that may prevent and/or delay chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Heat treatment of spices may potentially increase antioxidative activity by modifying the inherent chemical structure of potent antioxidative compounds within spices. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of thermal treatment of garlic, ginger, and turmeric on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), trolox activity (TEAC), lipase, a-amylase, and a-glucosidase inhibition. Conventional stovetop heating of selected spices was performed followed by methanolic and aqueous extractions (1 - 5 minutes;70°C - 130°C). Overall methanolic extracts had higher phytochemical, antioxidative, and anti-diabetic potential. However, aqueous garlic extracts exhibited higher phytochemical and antioxidative potential over methanolic garlic extracts. The highest TPC for aqueous garlic extracts was observed at 1 minute (14.11 mg GAE/g) while methanolic garlic extracts at 1 minute were significantly lower (1.72 mg GAE/g). Methanolic turmeric extracts had highest TPC at 5 minutes (28.55 mg GAE/g). Time and temperature influenced antioxidant activity in the spices. Turmeric and ginger (methanolic extracts) resulted in higher percent inhibition of DPPH radical with an increase in time (5 minute) turmeric (86.9%) and ginger (79.09%) at 7.9 mg/mL concentration. The results of this study revealed both solvent and time for thermal treatment of spices influenced antioxidative potential as determined using DPPH and FRAP assays. Therefore, the use of thermal application on spices presents promise in potentiating the antioxidant content and thereby their potential health promoting properties. Spices are utilized in the U.S. food industry and increasing their use as a natural antioxidant preservative and flavoring agent may have beneficial impact in food product development.

Comparative Analysis of Lactulose and Fructooligosaccharide on Growth Kinetics, Fermentation, and Antioxidant Activity of Common Probiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible oligosaccharides that selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the human gut. Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) is a common prebiotic found in food products and infant formula. Lactulose is primarily used as a pharmaceutical ingredient but also shows potential prebiotic activities. Our objectives were to determine and compare the effects of FOS and lactulose on: 1) growth kinetics of common probiotics in aerobic condition;2) pH and titratable acidity after fermentation;and 3) antioxidant capacity of the probiotics. Ten probiotic and two non-probiotic strains, representing genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, and Escherichia were assembled. Media used for prebiotics experiment were modified to contain 2% FOS or lactulose as the sole or main carbohydrate source. All experiments were done in triplicate. In aerobic condition, most strains cultured with FOS or lactulose did not grow optimally compared to dextrose (a non-prebiotic), while all four Bifidobacterium spp. showed little growth regardless of the carbohydrate source. In anaerobic condition, lactulose and FOS fermentation of Bifidobacterium spp. yielded similar pH (p = 0.2723), but percent lactic acid, as determined by titratable acidity, was higher after lactulose fermentation (p = 0.0004). The non-probiotic strains were able to utilize both FOS and lactulose, but displayed weaker acid production and higher pH (p Bifidobacterium spp. (p = 0.0002) and Lactobacillus spp. (p = 0.0447), but not probiotic E. coli and Bacillus spp. (p = 0.2599) or non-probiotics (p = 0.8816). In conclusion, lactulose supported growth activities of probiotics to a similar extent as FOS. Lactulose also stimulated higher acid production for Bifidobacterium spp. than FOS in anaerobic condition, thus it might be considered for incorporation into functional food products containing bifidobacteria.

Metabolizable Amino Acid Requirements of Feedlot Calves

One hundred ninety-two crossbred steers (229 kg) were used to evaluate the influence of metabolizable amino acid intake on growth performance and health during the initial 42-d receiving period. Treatments consisted of four levels of metabolizable lysine (23, 24, 25 and 26 g/kg diet DM). Morbidity averaged 36%, and was not affected (P > 0.20) by treatments. No steers died during the study. Increasing the metabolizable lysine supply increased DMI, ADG, gain efficiency, and dietary NE (linear effect, P < 0.01). Metabolizable amino acid supply of the basal diet was determined using 6 steers (214 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum. Metabolizable amino acid supply of the diet was in close agreement with expected (R2 = 0.99;P < 0.0001) based on NRC (2000) [12] Level 1 model. The metabolizable amino acid supplies for treatments in Trial 1 were estimated by adding tabular metabolizable amino acid values for the respective supplemental proteins (cottonseed meal and fish meal) to the observed metabolizable amino acid supply of the basal diet. Treatment effects on metabolizable lysine supply explained 99% of the variation (P < 0.01) in ADG, and 91% of the variation in observed versus expected dietary NE. The biological value for the intestinal chyme was determined based on chemical score technique, using bovine tissue as the reference protein. Accordingly, methionine and lysine were closely co-limiting amino acids having ratios of 77% and 79%, respectively. We conclude that current NRC standards reliably predict both requirements and supplies of metabolizable amino acids for feedlot calves. Diet formulations that do not meet the metabolizable amino acid requirements may depress both ADG and the partial efficiency of utilization of metabolizable energy for maintenance and gain.