Agaricus brasiliensis mycelium supplementation in Sarcoma 180tumour-bearing mice reverses the immune response induced by the tumour

The biological properties of Agaricus brasiliensis mycelium, including their immuno-stimulating and anti-tumour activities, have previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term intake of A. brasiliensis mycelium cultivated on wheat grains by solid-state culture on tumour growth and immune response in Sarcoma 180 tumour-bearing mice. Mice received dietary supplementation with 100% or 50% Agaricus mycelium cultivated on wheat grains for 14 weeks and were inoculated with Sarcoma 180 tumours. We found that A. brasiliensis had anti-tumour activity, and that dietary supplementation with a 50% concentration (A50S) prevented loss of body weight, inhibited tumour growth, induced the increase of CD4⁺ T cells and CD25⁺ CD4⁺ T subsets in peripheral organs and downregulated Tumor necrosis factor alpha production in plasma. Our results confirm that dietary supplementation with Agaricus may offer immuno-modulatory activity and protection against tumour growth.     

Effect of Laurus nobilis L. oil,Nigella sativa L. oil and oleic acid on the antimicrobial and physical properties of subsistence agriculture: the case of cassava/pectin based edible films

Edible film is a packaging system that can eliminate or inhibit spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, as carriers of antimicrobial compounds. It constitutes an approach for incorporating plant oils. In this study, antimicrobial activity, mechanical, barrier properties of cassava starch/pectin composite film have been studied by incorporating it with 1.5% of various types of oils (Laurus nobilis L. oil, Nigella sativa L. oil and oleic acid) as a natural antibacterial agent against pathogenic bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on the clear inhibition zone exhibited which is evaluated in film. The suitable ratio of cassava starch/pectin at (1.5:1.5%w/v) has been used for film-forming solution throughout the experiment. Glycerol (1.5%v/w) is added to the blending compositions which act to maintain film integrity and to avoid pores and crack. Thickness and colour of films are affected (P<0.05) by the incorporated with various types of oils. The effects of various types of oils on the mechanical and barrier properties have been investigated. Tensile strength of the films is significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the elongation significantly increased, also the water vapour permeability and solubility in the water significantly decreased. The overall effect of novel L. nobilis L. oil followed by N. sativa L. oil is greater than oleic acid and control sample.     

Assessment of Th1 and Th2 cytokine modulatory activity of an edible fern,Diplazium esculentum

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of Diplazium esculentum on Th1 and Th2 cytokine modulation in Swiss albino mice that were administered orally with different doses of boiled D. esculentum (BDE), daily within a span of 180 days. After the treatment, serum was collected. Splenocytes were also cultured in vitro with different concentrations of BDE, and culture supernatant was collected. Both serum and culture supernatant were used for cytokine determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for different Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines. Results indicated significant decreases (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001) in both Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentrations when compared with their respective controls. These results suggest that the intake of D. esculentum, even after cooking, may evoke immune dysfunction by altering Th1 and Th2 cytokine balance, may induce severe immunosuppression, and may be considered as alarming.     

Plants Used as Food and Medicine by Polish Migrants in Misiones,Argentina

In this article we discuss the importance of food plants, both introduced and native, in the pharmacopoeia of the Polish community in Misiones, Argentina. Food species constitute a relevant portion of all botanicals used by Polish settlers in home therapies (41%), while introduced food species prevail among the continued herbal remedies used by the study group. We explain this pattern of use by food plant availability, their versatility as reflected in the number of medicinal applications, and also their importance in cross-cultural relations. Finally, we conclude that several food plants used by Polish migrants (e.g., Allium sativum, Mentha xpiperita, and Camellia sinensis) may have served to “strengthen” migrants’ identity within the host country.     

Inhibitory effects of ergosterol isolated from the edible mushroom Hypsizigus marmoreus on TPA-induced inflammatory ear oedema and tumour promotion in mice

An antitumour-promoting activity in two-stage carcinogenesis, was found in the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the Japanese edible mushroom ‘Buna-shimeji’, Hypsizigus marmoreus (Tricholomataceae). From the active fractions of the extracts, two sterols, ergosterol and ergosterol peroxide, were isolated. The isolates showed inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced ear inflammation in mice, and ergosterol markedly inhibited tumour promotion in a two-stage carcinogenesis experiment. These sterols may be useful in developing an effective method of cancer prevention.     

Assessment of heavy metal content in refined and unrefined salts obtained from Urmia,Iran

A heavy metal is any relatively dense metal that may be potentially toxic in a variety of foods. Heavy metals pollute and contaminate foods. These metals are usually toxic to human body. Heavy metals are the most important toxic metals which may cause health risks following the consumption of contaminated foods. The edible salt (NaCl) is a substance that has been used as a food additive since ancient times. Twenty samples of refined and unrefined edible salts produced in Iran were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) method for the presence of toxic heavy metals. The precision of the analysis was assured through the repeated analysis of the samples. The mean (±standard deviation) concentrations of toxic metals in dried samples of rock salt were as follows: Ni (1.870?±?0.850), Cd (0.328?±?0.143), Mn (0.184?±?0.230) and Co (3.124?±?0.880) mg/kg and in dry weights of samples obtained from Urmia market: Ni (1.982?±?0.021), Cd (2.461?±?0.036), Mn (0.192?±?0.028) and Co (8.450?±?0.025) mg/kg. There was a significant difference between the toxic metal concentrations and their guideline values. Therefore, it was important to assess the public health risks posed by the presence of toxic contaminants.     

Combined effect of starch/montmorillonite coating and passive MAP in antioxidant activity,total phenolics,organic acids and volatile of fresh-cut carrots

This work evaluates fresh-cut carrots (FCC) coated with montmorillonite (MMT) subjected to passive modified atmosphere packaging. Carrots were sanitized, cooled, peeled and sliced. Half of the FCC were coated with MMT nanoparticle film and the other half were not. All FCCs were packed in a polypropylene rigid tray, covered with a polypropylene rigid lid or sealed with polyethylene?+?propylene film, in four treatments (RL, rigid lid; RLC, rigid lid?+?coating; ST, sealed tray; STC, sealed tray?+?coating). FCCs were stored at 4?°C and were analyzed weekly for 4 weeks (total antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl method and the β-carotene/linoleic acid, phenolic compounds, organic acids and volatile compounds). The use of coating film with starch nanoparticles and a modified atmosphere leads to the preservation of the total antioxidant activity, the volatile and organic acids of FCC.     

湖南地区5种常见食用菌的氨基酸组成及营养评价

目的 对湖南地区5种常见食用菌的氨基酸组成及含量进行分析评价,为食用菌合理利用提供依据。 方法 采用Kjeltee 2300自动凯氏定氮仪对湖南地区5种常见食用菌的蛋白质进行测定,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食用菌营养价值进行了评价。结果 食用菌除了杏鲍菇和茶树菇不含蛋氨酸以及香菇不含蛋氨酸和酪氨酸外,其余均含16种氨基酸;香菇中的蛋白质含量、氨基酸含量以及必需氨基酸含量均最高,分别为3 807、2 279、665 mg/100 g;5种食用菌的必需氨基酸中以苏氨酸和亮氨酸含量较高;5种食用菌口感好,但杏鲍菇口感不如另外4种食用菌;香菇中苏氨酸含量(38.16 mg/g蛋白)略低于WHO/FAO模式(40 mg/g蛋白),其余4种食用菌的苏氨酸含量均高于WHO/FAO模式,分别为双孢菇(43.33 mg/g蛋白)、金针菇(43.48 mg/g蛋白)、杏鲍菇(41.60 mg/g蛋白)、茶树菇(56.52 mg/g蛋白);茶树菇中苏氨酸含量(56.52 mg/g蛋白)高于卵清蛋白模式(51 mg/g蛋白);苏氨酸的氨基酸评分最高,为141.30,因此氨基酸模式为最优;5种食用菌的限制氨基酸均为苯丙氨酸和酪氨酸或异亮氨酸。结论 食用菌中苏氨酸含量优异,具有较高的营养价值;可以通过与富含苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸或异亮氨酸的食物等进行结合食用,构建合理膳食,提高食用价值。     

螽斯总科三种昆虫营养成分的分析与评价

昆虫是动物界中的最大类群,生物量超过其它所有动物(包括人类在内)总量的10倍以上,而且具有世代短、繁殖快、蛋白质含量高、营养丰富等特点,是良好的潜在食物资源[1]。世界各地几乎都有以某些昆虫为食物的习惯,我国食用昆虫也有悠久的历史,可供利用的资源极为丰富。　　螽斯属直翅目(Orthoptera)、螽斯总科(Tettigonioidea)昆虫,通常作观赏及娱乐资源昆虫,在我国许多地方,也有饲用、食用和药用的传统[2～4]。药用时,干燥或新鲜全体入药,有清热解毒,息风止痛的功效。食用方法一是油炸(煎),螽斯捕捉后,去翅,将头揪下连同带出肠胃,洗净用盐水…     

Assessment of the Safe Consumption of Nuts in Terms of the Content of Toxic Elements with Chemometric Analysis

Nuts are characterized by high nutritional value and are recommended as a part of a healthy diet. At the same time, toxic elements could also be found in them. In this research, we measured the content of As, Cd, Pb and Hg in a wide variety of edible nuts. To determine the As content, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied. Cd and Pb were detected by the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry analytical technique (ETAAS) with Zeeman background correction, while atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS) with the amalgamation technique in the case of Hg was used. The study material consisted of 120 samples without replications (10 for each subgroup) including the following nuts: Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecan nuts, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts. Indicators such as the target hazard quotient (THQ), cancer risk (CR) and hazard index (HI) were used to assess the health risk. The highest median As, Cd, Pb and Hg contents were observed for pistachios (192.42 µg/kg), pine nuts (238.40 µg/kg), peanuts (82.06 µg/kg) and pecans (82.06 µg/kg), respectively. The exceedance of the established limits was found in the case of Pb for nine samples: macadamia nuts (221.49 µg/kg; 2350.94 µg/kg; 2581.43 µg/kg), pine nuts (266.33 µg/kg), peanuts (1353.80 µg/kg) and pecans (2689.13 µg/kg, 2758.26 µg/kg, 2992.29 µg/kg and 3169.41 µg/kg). Extremely high (>2500 µg/kg) Pb content was found in 33% of studied pecans imported from the USA. The health risk indicators did not identify increased health risk. This research is significant considering the food safety issues and indicates the need to regularly control the content of toxic elements in food, as well as to establish the specific limits for heavy metals content in nuts. The chemometric analysis included cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Cluster analysis made it possible to distinguish four subgroups on the basis of the ability to accumulate toxic elements: pine nuts, pecans, pistachios and other analysed nuts. PCA indicated primarily factor 1, distinguishing mainly pecans, macadamia nuts and peanuts. Chemometric analysis can be a useful tool in estimating the ability of different nut species to accumulate contaminants.