Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are cinnamic acid derivatives with biological effects mostly related to their antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. Caffeoylquinic acids (CQA) and dicaffeoylquinic ...acids (diCQA) are the main CGA found in nature. Because green coffee is a major source of CGA, it has been used for production of nutraceuticals. However, data on the bioavailability of CGA from green coffee in humans are inexistent. The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile and apparent bioavailability of CGA in plasma and urine of 10 healthy adults for 8 h after the consumption of a decaffeinated green coffee extract containing 170 mg of CGA. Three CQA, 3 diCQA, and caffeic, ferulic, isoferulic, and p-coumaric acids were identified in plasma by HPLC-Diode Array Detector-MS after treatment. Over 30% (33.1 ± 23.1%) of the ingested cinnamic acid moieties were recovered in plasma, including metabolites, with peak levels from 0.5 to 8 h after treatment. CGA and metabolites identified in urine after treatment were 4-CQA, 5-CQA, and sinapic, p-hydroxybenzoic, gallic, vanillic, dihydrocaffeic, caffeic, ferulic, isoferulic, and p-coumaric acids, totaling 5.5 ± 10.6% urinary recovery of the ingested cinnamic and quinic acid moiteties. This study shows that the major CGA compounds present in green coffee are highly absorbed and metabolized in humans.
Stabilization of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria during long-term storage is challenging for the food industry. Water activity of the lyophilizates is clearly related to the water availability and ...maintaining a low a
during storage allows to increase bacteria viability. The aim of this study was to achieve a low water activity after freeze-drying and subsequently during long-term storage through the design of a lyoprotectant. Indeed, for the same water content as sucrose (commonly used lyoprotectant), water activity is lower for some components such as whey, micellar casein or inulin. We hypothesized that the addition of these components in a lyoprotectant, with a higher bound water content than sucrose would improve lactobacilli strains survival to long-term storage. Therefore, in this study, 5% whey (w/v), 5% micellar casein (w/v) or 5% inulin (w/v) were added to a 5% sucrose solution (w/v) and compared with a lyoprotectant only composed of 5% sucrose (w/v). Protective effect of the four lyoprotectants was assessed measuring Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CNCM I-4459 survival and water activity after freeze-drying and during 9 months storage at 25 °C.
The addition whey and inulin were not effective in increasing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CNCM I-4459 survival to long-term-storage (4 log reduction at 9 months storage). However, the addition of micellar casein to sucrose increased drastically the protective effect of the lyoprotectant (3.6 log i.e. 0.4 log reduction at 9 months storage). Comparing to a lyoprotectant containing whey or inulin, a lyoprotectant containing micellar casein resulted in a lower water activity after freeze-drying and its maintenance during storage (0.13 ± 0.05).
The addition of micellar casein to a sucrose solution, contrary to the addition of whey and inulin, resulted in a higher bacterial viability to long-term storage. Indeed, for the same water content as the others lyoprotectants, a significant lower water activity was obtained with micellar casein during storage. Probably due to high bound water content of micellar casein, less water could be available for chemical degradation reactions, responsible for bacterial damages during long-term storage. Therefore, the addition of this component to a sucrose solution could be an effective strategy for dried bacteria stabilization during long-term storage.
The bioavailability of chlorogenic acid, a major polyphenol of the human diet that is particularly abundant in coffee and various fruits, was explored in rats. To identify the form under which it is ...absorbed through the gut mucosa and the site of absorption along the gastrointestinal tract, rats were fed a diet supplemented with chlorogenic acid (0.25%, wt:wt). Chlorogenic acid and its metabolites were estimated in the stomach, small intestine and cecal contents as well as in bladder urine and plasma by HPLC with coulometric detection at several time points (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 7 h) after the beginning of the meal. Minor hydrolysis of chlorogenic acid (<1%) occurred in the stomach and small intestine contents, whereas 15-32% of ingested chlorogenic acid was hydrolyzed into caffeic acid in the cecum. Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid appeared early (at 1.5 h) in plasma and urine, suggesting an absorption of chlorogenic acid into the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric absorption of chlorogenic acid was further examined by infusing chlorogenic acid in the ligated stomach of food-deprived rats. After 30 min of infusion, intact chlorogenic acid was found in the gastric vein and aorta. No other metabolites could be detected by HPLC-electrospray ionization-MS-MS. These results show for the first time that chlorogenic acid is quickly absorbed in the rat stomach in its intact form.
Ginger,
Roscoe, is increasingly consumed as a food or in food supplements. It is also recognized as a popular nonpharmacological treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). However, its ...consumption is not recommended by all countries for pregnant women. Study results are heterogeneous and conclusions are not persuasive enough to permit heath care professionals to recommend ginger safely. Some drugs are also contraindicated, leaving pregnant women with NVP with few solutions. We conducted a review to assess effectiveness and safety of ginger consumption during early pregnancy. Systematic literature searches were conducted on Medline (via Pubmed) until the end of December 2017. For the evaluation of efficacy, only double-blind, randomized, controlled trials were included. For the evaluation of the safety, controlled, uncontrolled, and pre-clinical studies were included in the review. Concerning toxicity, none can be extrapolated to humans from in vitro results. In vivo studies do not identify any major toxicities. Concerning efficacy and safety, a total of 15 studies and 3 prospective clinical studies have been studied. For 1 g of fresh ginger root per day for four days, results show a significant decrease in nausea and vomiting and no risk for the mother or her future baby. The available evidence suggests that ginger is a safe and effective treatment for NVP. However, beyond the ginger quantity needed to be effective, ginger quality is important from the perspective of safety.
Freeze-drying is the most widely used dehydration process in the food industry for the stabilization of bacteria. Studies have shown the effectiveness of an acid prestress in increasing the ...resistance of lactic acid bacteria to freeze-drying. Adaptation of bacteria to an acid stress is based on maintaining the properties of the plasma membrane. Indeed, the fatty acid composition of the membrane of lactic acid bacteria is often changed after an acid prestress. However, few studies have measured membrane fluidity after an acid stress during lactic acid bacterial strain cultivation.
In order to use two pH profiles, the strains
NCDO 712 and NZ9000 were cultivated in two media, without any pH control. The two pH profiles obtained were representative of the initial medium composition, medium buffering properties and strain metabolism. Absorbance at 600 nm and pH were measured during bacterial cultivation. Then, the two strains were freeze-dried and their survival rates determined. Membrane fluidity was evaluated by fluorescence anisotropy measurements using a spectrofluorometer.
Cultivation under more acidic conditions significantly increased the survival during freeze-drying (p<0.05, ANOVA) of both strains. Moreover, in both strains of
, a more acidic condition during cultivation significantly increased membrane fluidity (p<0.05, ANOVA). Our results revealed that cultivation under such conditions, fluidifies the membrane and allows a better survival during freeze-drying of the two
strains. A more fluid membrane can facilitate membrane deformation and lateral reorganization of membrane components, critical for the maintenance of cellular integrity during dehydration and rehydration.
A better understanding of the involvement of membrane properties, especially of membrane fluidity, in bacterial resistance to dehydration is provided in this study.
Over the last 20 years, Lactobacillus species inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) have received much attention, and their health-promoting properties are now well-described. Probiotic effects ...cannot be generalized, and their uses cover a wide range of applications. It is thus important to proceed to an accurate selection and evaluation of probiotic candidates. We evaluate the probiotic potential of six strains of Lactobacillus in different in vitro models representing critical factors of either survival, efficacy, or both. We characterized the strains for their ability to (i) modulate intestinal permeability using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), (ii) form biofilms and resist stressful conditions, and (iii) produce beneficial host and/or bacteria metabolites. Our data reveal the specificity of Lactobacillus strains to modulate intestinal permeability depending on the cell type. The six isolates were able to form spatially organized biofilms, and we provide evidence that the biofilm form is beneficial in a strongly acidic environment. Finally, we demonstrated the ability of the strains to produce γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is involved in the gut-brain axis and beneficial enzymes that promote the bacterial tolerance to bile salts. Overall, our study highlights the specific properties of Lactobacillus strains and their possible applications as biofilms.
Intestinal barrier integrity is essential in order to maintain the homeostasis of mucosal functions and efficient defensive reactions against chemical and microbial challenges. An impairment of the ...intestinal barrier has been observed in several chronic diseases. The gut microbiota and its impact on intestinal homeostasis is well described and numerous studies suggest the ability of some probiotic strains to protect the intestinal epithelial integrity and host homeostasis. In this work, we aimed to assess the beneficial effects of three Lactobacillus strains (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR04, Lacticaseibacillus casei LC03, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CNCM I-4459) and their mechanism of action in low-grade inflammation or neonatal maternal separation models in mice. We compared the impact of these strains to that of the well-known probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. Our results demonstrated that the three strains have the potential to restore the barrier functions by (i) increasing mucus production, (ii) restoring normal permeability, and (iii) modulating colonic hypersensitivity. Moreover, gene expression analysis of junctional proteins revealed the implication of Claudin 2 and Cingulin in the mechanisms that underlie the interactions between the strains and the host. Taken together, our data suggest that LR04, CNCM I-4459, and LC03 restore the functions of an impaired intestinal barrier.
Two large classes of phenolic acids were comprised in this review: benzoic acid derivatives and cinnamic acid derivatives. They have been found to be very extended in fruits and vegetables at ...different concentrations. For example, hydroxycinnamic acids concentration was higher than that found for hydroxybenzoic acids. Concerning their consumption, hydroxycinnamic acids provide larger contributions to the total polyphenol intake than benzoic acid derivatives or flavonoids. This phenolic acid intake is led by the coffee intake since it has very rich concentrations in hydroxycinnamic acids. Moreover, several experimental and epidemiological studies report the protection of phenolic acids against various degenerative diseases. However, despite all these interesting attributions and even if phenolic acids are the main polyphenols consumed, their bioavailability has not received as attention as that flavonoids. This concept is an essential step to understand the health-promoting properties of phenolic acids and to serve as tool to design in vivo and in vitro experiments to know their biological properties. Therefore, a compilation of bioavailability data of phenolic acids have been presented here paying attention to the two types of phenolic acid bioavailability, direct and indirect derived from the direct phenolic acid and flavonoid consumption, respectively. Then, a new relevant concept which may be named as total bioavailability of phenolic acids includes the direct absorption and metabolism of phenolic acids from food consumption and phenolic acids bioavailability as a result of the cleavage on the main skeleton ring of flavonoids by the gut microflora.
Research background. Freeze-drying is the most widely used dehydration process in the food industry for the stabilization of bacteria. Studies have shown the effectiveness of an acid prestress in ...increasing the resistance of lactic acid bacteria to freeze-drying. Adaptation of bacteria to an acid stress is based on maintaining the properties of the plasma membrane. Indeed, the fatty acid composition of the membrane of lactic acid bacteria is often changed after an acid prestress. However, few studies have measured membrane fluidity after an acid stress during lactic acid bacterial strain cultivation.
Experimental approach. In order to use two pH profiles, the strains Lactococcus lactis NCDO 712 and NZ9000 were cultivated in two media, without any pH control. The two pH profiles obtained were representative of the initial medium composition, medium buffering properties and strain metabolism. Absorbance at 600 nm and pH were measured during bacterial cultivation. Then, the two strains were freeze-dried and their survival rates determined. Membrane fluidity was evaluated by fluorescence anisotropy measurements using a spectrofluorometer.
Results and conclusions. Cultivation under more acidic conditions significantly increased the survival during freeze-drying (p<0.05, ANOVA) of both strains. Moreover, in both strains of L. lactis, a more acidic condition during cultivation significantly increased membrane fluidity (p<0.05, ANOVA). Our results revealed that cultivation under such conditions, fluidifies the membrane and allows a better survival during freeze-drying of the two L. lactis strains. A more fluid membrane can facilitate membrane deformation and lateral reorganization of membrane components, critical for the maintenance of cellular integrity during dehydration and rehydration.
Novelty and scientific contribution. A better understanding of the involvement of membrane properties, especially of membrane fluidity, in bacterial resistance to dehydration is provided in this study.
Fraxinus excelsior L. (Family: Oleaceae) seeds are consumed as a food, condiment, and folk medicine. The seeds are traditionally used as a potent hypoglycemic agent, but no clinical evidence exists ...in as to this regard. We assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of the seed extract (FraxiPure™, Naturex), containing 6.8% of nuzhenide and 5.8% of GI3 (w/w), on plasma glucose and insulin levels against glucose (50
g) induced postprandial glycemia.
Preselected dose (1.0
g) was used in a double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo (wheat bran) controlled study on 16 healthy volunteers. Each treatment was given immediately after a fasting blood glucose sample (0
min). Postprandial plasma glucose levels were estimated at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120
min; and postprandial plasma insulin at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120
min.
The extract lowered the incremental postprandial plasma glucose concentration as compared to placebo at 45
min (
P
=
0.06) and 120
min (
P
=
0.07). It statistically (
P
=
0.02) reduced the glycemic area under the blood glucose curve. The seed, also, induced a significant (
P
=
0.002) secretion of insulin at 90
min after glucose administration. However, the insulinemic area under the blood insulin curve was not different than the placebo. No adverse events were reported.
Our findings confirm the hypoglycemic action of
Fraxinus excelsior L. seed extract. These promising results, thus, encourage conducting long-term clinical studies to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of
Fraxinus excelsior L. seed extract in healthy and diabetic volunteers and also to explore the possible mechanism(s) of action.