Nutrient composition and biological evaluation of an unconventional legume,Canavalia cathartica of mangroves

Seeds of an unconventional legume, Canavalia cathartica from the mangroves of the southwest coast of India, were screened for proximate composition, minerals, protein fractions, amino acid profiles, fatty acids and some anti-nutritional factors. The seeds consisted of 31.2%, 1.86%, 61.4% and 1580 kJ crude proteins, crude lipid, crude carbohydrates and calories, respectively. The crude protein content of seeds was higher than common cereals, whole-wheat flour (8.55%), parboiled rice (7.7%) and egg (12.6%). Essential amino acids, threonine, cysteine?+?methionine, isoleucine, tyrosine?+?phenylalanine and lysine were higher than Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations/World Health Organization patterns. On comparing the amino acid profile of mangrove and sand dune C. cathartica seeds, the latter were found to be superior (total amino acid content, 123.5% versus 60.8%), while the result was vice versa with respect to the polyunsaturated/saturated ratio (105.9 versus 2.52). The seeds possessed 1420 mg/100 g total phenolics and strong hemagglutination activity, while tannins and trypsin inhibition activity were absent. Physical, nutritional and anti-nutritional features of seeds of C. cathartica of the mangrove have been compared with those of C. cathartica of the sand dunes of the southwest coast of India. A significant difference (P?<?0.05) was observed between the physical, proximal and mineral composition except for ash, magnesium and copper. The protein efficiency ratio, food efficiency ratio, net protein retention, protein retention efficiency, biological value, net protein utilization and true digestibility of C. cathartica seeds were significantly different (P?<?0.05) from casein. In spite of the high protein content, animal-feeding trials indicated low nutritional quality. Nutritional, anti-nutritional factors and protein qualities of seeds C. cathartica have been discussed in comparison with other species of Canavalia.     

Studies of the chemical composition and protein quality evaluation of differently processed Canavalia ensiformis and Mucuna pruriens seed flours

Differently processed seed flours of Canavalia ensiformis and Mucuna pruriens were characterized with respect to their proximate composition, gross energy, mineral and amino acid contents. The anti-nutrients typified by phytin, lectin, trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), tannin and cyanide were also quantified and this was followed by protein quality evaluation with the rat. The result showed that C. ensiformis contained on the average: crude protein 24.2±2.2, ash 3.1±0.6 and ether extract 11.1±0.9 g/100 g DM while M. pruriens contained on the average: CP 25.7±1.4, ash 4.1±1.4 and EE 9.6±2.8 g/100 g DM. The gross energy varied from 1.65 to 2.07 MJ/100 g for C. ensiformis with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 6.74% while it varied from 1.66 to 2.07 MJ/100 g with a CV of 6.19% for M. pruriens due to processing. The seed flours contained a good array of amino acids but were low in cystine and methionine. Also the two flours contained appreciable levels of Na, K, Ca, Mg and P as well as some minor minerals such as Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu. The levels of these minerals were higher in the raw flours and tended to be low, in most cases, in dehulled flours. Processing significantly reduced and in some cases eliminated the anti-nutrients quantified. The protein quality evaluation of the legume seeds clearly indicated their unsuitability even in the processed forms, as sole sources of dietary protein in human nutrition. However, given their high yield potentials these seeds could play valuable roles as supplemental nutrient sources to some farm products used in food formulation for man in most developing countries where hunger is endemic.     

湖南产地4种豆类蔬菜中氨基酸组成及营养评价

目的对湖南产地4种豆类蔬菜的氨基酸组成及含量进行分析评价,为豆类蔬菜合理利用提供依据。方法采用Kjeltee 2300自动凯氏定氮仪对湖南产地4种豆类蔬菜的蛋白质进行测定,采用曼默博尔A300全自动氨基酸分析仪进行氨基酸成分分析;采用氨基酸评分法对豆类营养价值进行了评价。结果豆类中氨基酸除了黑豆不含蛋氨酸外,其余均含17种氨基酸;黑豆中的蛋白质含量、氨基酸含量以及必需氨基酸含量均最高,分别为35.60 g/100 g、31.75 g/100 g、9.20 g/100 g;3种豆类蔬菜的必需氨基酸中赖氨酸含量最高,分别为花豆(1.39 g/100 g)、芸豆(0.92 g/100 g)、豇豆(1.07 g/100 g),黑豆的必需氨基酸中赖氨酸含量居第二(1.91 g/100 g),略低于亮氨酸;芸豆中赖氨酸含量(44.88 mg/g蛋白)低于WHO/FAO模式(55 mg/g蛋白),其余3种豆类蔬菜的赖氨酸含量均高于或者接近WHO/FAO模式(55 mg/g蛋白)和卵清蛋白模式(55 mg/g蛋白),分别为花豆(72.40 mg/g蛋白)、豇豆(53.77 mg/g蛋白)、黑豆(53.65 mg/g蛋白);4种豆类蔬菜的限制氨基酸均为异亮氨酸或缬氨酸或色氨酸。结论豆类蔬菜中赖氨酸含量优异,具有较高的营养价值;可以通过与富含异亮氨酸、缬氨酸、色氨酸的食物等进行结合食用,构建合理膳食,提高食用价值。     

Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of velvet bean: an under-utilized food legume in South India

Four accessions of the under-utilized legume, velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Bak. ex Burck), collected from three different locations of Western Ghats, South India were analysed for proximate composition, mineral profiles, the protein fractions, amino acid profiles of total seed protein, in vitro protein digestibility and certain anti-nutritional factors to determine their potential as an alternative source to alleviate protein-energy-malnutrition among the people of South India. The major findings of the study were as follows: crude protein ranged from 20.2-29.3%, crude lipid 6.3-7.4%, total dietary fibre 8.7-10.5%, ash 3.3-5.5% and carbohydrates 49.9-61.2%. The energy level of the seed (1562-1597 kJ 100 g -1 DM) was comparable with commonly consumed Indian pulses. Mineral profiles, viz. sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese ranged from 43.1-150.1, 778.1-1846.0, 393.4-717.7, 174.9-387.6, 98.4-592.1, 10.8-15.0, 0.9-2.2, 5.0-10.9, 3.9-4.3 mg 100 -1 seed flour, respectively. The data on seed protein fractions revealed that the globulins constitute the major bulk of the seed protein as in most legumes. Profiles of amino acids of total seed proteins detected in the present study revealed that they contain relatively higher levels of all essential amino acids except threonine, leucine and lysine in black-coloured seed coat accessions and phenylalanine and tyrosine in white-coloured seed coat accession compared with the FAO/WHO (1991) requirement pattern. The in vitro protein digestibility of the legumes under study ranged from 72.4-76.9%. Anti-nutritional substances like total free phenolics, tannins, L-DOPA, trypsin inhibitor activity and phytohaemagglutinating activity also were investigated. The detected anti-nutritional factors probably have little nutritional significance if the beans are properly processed.     

Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of velvet bean: an under-utilized food legume in south India

Four accessions of the under-utilized legume, velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Bak. ex Burck), collected from three different locations of Western Ghats, South India were analysed for proximate composition, mineral profiles, the protein fractions, amino acid profiles of total seed protein, in vitro protein digestibility and certain anti-nutritional factors to determine their potential as an alternative source to alleviate protein-energy-malnutrition among the people of South India. The major findings of the study were as follows: crude protein ranged from 20.2-29.3%, crude lipid 6.3-7.4%, total dietary fibre 8.7-10.5%, ash 3.3-5.5% and carbohydrates 49.9-61.2%. The energy level of the seed (1562-1597 kJ 100 g-1 DM) was comparable with commonly consumed Indian pulses. Mineral profiles, viz. sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese ranged from 43.1-150.1, 778.1-1846.0, 393.4-717.7, 174.9-387.6, 98.4-592.1, 10.8-15.0, 0.9-2.2, 5.0-10.9, 3.9-4.3 mg 100(-1) seed flour, respectively. The data on seed protein fractions revealed that the globulins constitute the major bulk of the seed protein as in most legumes. Profiles of amino acids of total seed proteins detected in the present study revealed that they contain relatively higher levels of all essential amino acids except threonine, leucine and lysine in black-coloured seed coat accessions and phenylalanine and tyrosine in white-coloured seed coat accession compared with the FAO/WHO (1991) requirement pattern. The in vitro protein digestibility of the legumes under study ranged from 72.4-76.9%. Anti-nutritional substances like total free phenolics, tannins, L-DOPA, trypsin inhibitor activity and phytohaemagglutinating activity also were investigated. The detected anti-nutritional factors probably have little nutritional significance if the beans are properly processed.     

Nutritional evaluation of protein and starch of mature Canavalia gladiata seeds

Evaluation of true digestibility (TD), biological value (BV) and net protein utilisation (NPU) of diets made with raw and processed seed flour from mature Canavalia gladiata seeds were carried out with male Sprague-Dawley rats. The weight gain of the rats fed with diets containing raw whole seed and raw cotyledon alone were significantly lower (P = 0.05) than that of the group fed with the reference diet. Processing the cotyledons (dry-autoclaved or roasted) significantly (P < or = 0.05) increased the weight gain of the rats when compared to the weight gain of rats fed diets prepared with raw seed flour. NPU of raw (whole seed 13.8; cotyledon 27.6) was significantly lower (P < or = 0.05) than the reference diet (79.5). The NPU of processed samples was also significantly lower (P < or = 0.05) when (dry-autoclaved 25.1; roasted 25.1) compared to the reference diet fed group (79.5). The BV of the processed samples (dry-autoclaved 31.1; roasted 37.7) was significantly lower (P < or = 0.05) than that of raw (53.6) cotyledon. In contrast TD increased (P < or = 0.05) with processing (dry-autoclaved 80.9; roasted 65.9) when compared to raw cotyledon (51.4). In vitro protein digestibility for the raw whole seed and cotyledon was 71.7 and 70.1% respectively. In vitro starch digestibility of raw and processed cotyledon flour samples indicated dry-autoclaved sample to have the highest digestibility.     

Nutrient composition,oxalate content and nutritional ranking of ten culinary microgreens

Microgreens are emerging functional foods of the 21st century. Compositional data of essential nutrients and anti-nutrient for ten culinary microgreens belonging to eight botanical families are reported in the present study. Microgreens were analysed for protein, dietary fibre profile, ICP-OES based elemental profile and ascorbic acid. Alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were analysed using HPLC-DAD. Nutrient Quality Score (NQS 11.2) was computed based on eleven desirable nutrients and two nutrients to be limited and reported for the first time in microgreens. The microgreens were found to be moderate to good sources of protein, dietary fibre and essential elements. They were excellent sources of ascorbic acid, Vitamin E and beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), meeting 28–116 %, 28–332 %, and 24–72 % of reference daily intake of the respective vitamins. The study revealed low levels of oxalate, an anti-nutrient, in microgreens. Based on NQS 11.2, radish microgreens were found to be the most nutrient dense, followed by French basil and roselle microgreens. Least nutrient-dense microgreens were fenugreek and onion. The NQS 11.2 showed that all microgreens are 2–3.5 times more nutrient dense than spinach mature leaves cultivated under similar conditions. Overall, this study provided critical information useful in selecting microgreens for wholesome nutrition.     

Sarcopenia: Clinical evaluation, biological markers and other evaluation tools

Sarcopenia is characterized by a lower skeletal muscle quantity, higher fat accumulation in the muscle, lower muscle strength, and lower physical performance. The most commonly used, low cost and accessible methods to assess skeletal muscle mass include dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) and creatinine excretion are the most specific golden standards for assessing muscle mass or cross sectional muscle area. Other available measures include peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT), ultrasound and neutron activation. Skeletal muscle strength is another important component for the assessment of sarcopenia and muscle quality. Several methods are available for the measurement of muscle strength which include simple dynamometers to measure isometric strength and the most complex isokinetic strength measures of power and torque. Standardized physical performance measures complement the measures of muscle mass for the assessment of sarcopenia. A clinical definition of sarcopenia ought to use methods of assessment that are valid, reliable, specific to skeletal muscle, predictive of future health events, non-invasive, practical, low cost and widely accessible.     

Studies on defluoridation of water by tamarind seed, an unconventional biosorbent

Tamarind seed, a household waste from the kitchen is used for the sorptive removal of fluoride from synthetic aqueous solution as well as from field water samples. Batch sorptive defluoridation was conducted under variable experimental conditions such as pH, agitation time, initial fluoride concentration, particle size and sorbent dose. Maximum defluoridation was achieved at pH 7.0. Defluoridation capacity decreases with increase in temperature and particle size. Further, defluoridation follows first order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Desorption was carried out with 0.1 N HCl and is 90 per cent. The surface and sorption characteristics were analysed using FTIR and SEM techniques. All these results indicate the involvement of energetic forces such as coulombic interaction in sorption. For domestic and industrial applications, defluoridation with 100% achievement and subsequent regeneration of adsorbent was performed with a household water filter and fixed bed column respectively.     

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel desmuramyldipeptide analogs

A series of novel desmuramyldipeptides have been designed and synthesized as part of our search for therapeutically useful muramyldipeptide (MDP) analogs. Their immunomodulatory properties were initially assessed in vitro, evaluating their effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine release in THP-1 cells. Following the initial screening, selected compounds were further investigated for immunomodulatory properties using LPS and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The results confirmed the immunomodulatory properties of some of the synthesized desmuramyldipeptide analogs. Taken together, presented data confirmed the immunostimulatory effect of compound 44, MDP derivative incorporating a pyrido-fused [1,2]-benzisothiazole moiety, while for compounds 32 and 39, indole scaffold-based derivatives of MDP, an immunosuppressive effect was observed. Further studies will be necessary to address their potential therapeutic use as immunomodulatory drugs, both as immunostimulants or anti-inflammatory agents.     

Carbapenem-based prodrugs. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of carbapenems

Syntheses of racemic trans-3-hydroxycarbonyl-6-(phenylacetamido)carbapenem (13), trans-3-phosphono-6-(phenylacetamido)carbapenem (17), and beta-lactam based prodrugs 19 and 22 were accomplished. Carbapenem 13 was found to possess antibacterial activity, comparable with imipenem (+)-3, against Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P, S. aureus 95, Escherichia coli ATCC 39188, Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTC 418, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1101-75, P. aeruginosa 18S-H, and Xanthomonas maltophilia GN 12873. Like imipenem ((+)-3), carbapenem 13 was not stable to X. maltophilia oxyiminocephalosporinase type II. Its phosphonate analog 17, however, was neither a significant antibacterial agent nor a good beta-lactamase inhibitor. Chemical combinations of trans carbapenem 13 with cis carbapenem 6 (compound 19) as well as clavulanic acid (20) with cis carbapenem 6 (compound 22) via a tetrachloroethane linker exhibited remarkable activity against beta-lactamase producing microorganisms in vitro.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of aminoketones

A three-component Mannich reaction of different ketones with aromatic aldehydes and different amines in microwave irradiation under solvent free condition afforded corresponding β-amino carbonyl compounds in excellent yields. This method proved as a novel and improved modification of the reported three-component Mannich reaction in terms of milder reaction conditions, reaction times, clean reaction profiles, very small quantity of catalyst and simple workup procedure. Newly synthesized β-aminoketones were characterized by spectral studies. Structure of compound 4a was also confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. All the compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity by MIC method. Few of the molecules were found to be biologically potent.     

Nutrient balance in humans: effects of diet composition

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of alterations in diet composition on energy expenditure and nutrient balance in humans. Eight adults (three men, five women) ate a high-carbohydrate (60% of calories from carbohydrate) and a high-fat (60% of calories from fat) diet for 7 d each according to a randomized, crossover design. Six subjects were studied for an additional week on a mixed diet (45% of calories from fat). For each subject, total caloric intake was identical on all diets and was intended to provide the subject's maintenance energy requirements. All subjects spent days 3 and 7 of each week in a whole-room indirect calorimeter. Diet composition did not affect total daily energy expenditure but did affect daily nutrient oxidation by rapidly shifting substrate oxidation to more closely reflect the composition of the diet. These results show that diet composition can affect substrate oxidation without producing measurable effects on total energy expenditure.     

Nutrient composition and antimicrobial activity of sorrel drinks (soborodo)

Aqueous extracts (1,200 mL) of roselle calyx (40 g), fortified with either orange juice or pineapple juice as sweetener and lemon grass as flavorant (sorrel drink), were analyzed with regard to their mineral composition (Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Ca), vitamin C content, and sensory evaluation. While the medicinal potentials were determined with respect to their inhibitory effect on the growth of Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactobacillus sp., and Corynebacterium sp. The results revealed that the roselle extract fortified with orange juice had higher vitamin C content than did those fortified with pineapple juice, while those fortified with pineapple juice had the best general acceptability. Zn, Na, and Ca were generally high in all the drinks; however, fortification with either pineapple or orange juice reduced the mineral content of the roselle extract. However, Pb, Cu, and Mn (toxic metals) were not detected. The antimicrobial effect of the unfortified roselle extract was low against the entire organism; however, fortification with pineapple juice and lemon grass greatly enhanced the inhibition of the growth of those organisms. They all had their highest inhibitory effect on the growth of P. aeruginosa. In view of the high Zn, Ca, Fe, Na, and vitamin C content as well as the antimicrobial activity, this cheaply produced drink from purely local materials could serve as a good replacement for expensive carbonated drinks.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of new endocannabinoid transporter inhibitors

In the present work we describe the synthesis and the in vitro evaluation of a series of arachidonic acid derivatives of general structure I as endocannabinoid transporter inhibitors. In addition, we report the first in vivo studies of the most potent derivative (4, UCM707) within this series. The majority of compounds studied are highly potent (IC(50)=24-0.8 micro M) and selective endocannabinoid uptake inhibitors with very low affinities for either the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (IC(50)=30-113 micro M) or for cannabinoid receptor subtype 1 (CB(1)), cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB(2)) and vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR(1)) (K(i)=1000-10000 nM). Among them, (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-N-(fur-3-ylmethyl)icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenamide (UCM707) behaves as the most potent endocannabinoid transporter inhibitor described to date (IC(50)=0.8 micro M) and exhibits improved potency for the anandamide transporter, high selectivity for CB(1) and VR(1) receptors, and modest selectivity for CB(2). In vivo it enhances the analgesia and hypokinetic effects induced by a subeffective dose of anandamide.     

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel fluorinated docetaxel analogues

A series of novel fluorinated docetaxel analogues have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Incorporated one, two or three fluorine atom(s) either at both meta position on C-2 benzolate and 3'-N-tert-butyloxyl group or only at 3'-N-tert-butyloxyl group has resulted in potent analogues which have comparable or superior in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity to docetaxel. Among them, compounds 14d and 14e have displayed more potent cytotoxicity than docetaxel both in human cancer cell line SK-OV-3 in vitro and in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 xenografts in vivo. Preliminary data show that compound 14a has reduced acute animal toxicity in mice compared with docetaxel.     

Nutrient composition of rose (Rosa canina L.) seed and oils

Rose seeds were evaluated for weight of 100 seeds, moisture, crude protein, ash, crude oil, energy, and mineral content. Also, fatty acid composition was determined in the seed oils. The weight of 100 seeds, moisture, crude oil, energy, and iron (Fe) content of Ermenek rose seeds were found to be higher than those of other regions. The major fatty acids identified by gas chromatography of rose seed oils growing wild in the Hadim, Taskent, and Ermenek regions in Turkey were, respectively, as follows: palmitic (3.17%, 1.71%, and 2.14%), stearic (2.47%, 2.14%, and 1.69%), oleic (16.73%, 18.42%, and 14.71%), linoleic (54.41%, 51.71%, and 48,64%), linolenic (17.14%, 16.42%, and 18.41%), and arachidic (2.11%, 1.87%, and 2.61%). The seeds were rich in oil and minerals. The oil may be valuable for food and other uses because of its high unsaturated content.