Foam-Mat Freeze-Drying of Blueberry Juice by Using Trehalose-β-Lactoglobulin and Trehalose-Bovine Serum Albumin as Matrices

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pure protein compounds and trehalose incorporated into blueberry juice for foam-mat freeze-drying on the foam and powder properties. Foam-mat freeze-drying (FMFD) of blueberry juice was tested at − 55 °C for 24 h. Matrices used were trehalose + β-lactoglobulin (T3BL1) and trehalose + bovine serum albumin (T3A1) and compared with maltodextrin + whey protein isolate (M3W1). Physicochemical properties of foam and powder, e.g., foam stability, foam density, moisture, rehydration time, color, particle morphology, total phenolic, and anthocyanins (total and individuals), were investigated. T3BL1 and T3A1 had more stable foam than M3W1. However, overrun of T3BL1 and T3A1 foamed were inferior to the M3W1 sample. The M3W1 sample recovered 79% powder (dry weight) and was superior to others. Rehydration time of powdered T3BL1 and T3A1, with bulk densities of 0.55–0.60 g cm−3, was the fastest (34–36 s). The blueberry powders of M3W1 showed more irregular particle size and shape, while the samples with trehalose and pure proteins generated particles of more uniform size with obvious pores. T3BL1 and T3A1 showed less redness (a*) values than the M3W1 product. All samples were considered pure red due to hue values < 90. M3W1 was superior in total phenolic content (TPC) and total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) compared with both samples made with trehalose + β-lactoglobulin and trehalose+bovine serum albumin. Delphinidin-3-glucoside (Del3Gl) concentration was found to be higher in M3W1. Also, M3W1 had higher cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cyn3Gl) and malvidin-3-glucoside (Mal3Gl) concentration. M3W1 also prevented the degradation of these bioactive compounds better than the other FMFD samples. The use of pure proteins and trehalose as matrices in the FMFD process had little advantage compared with maltodextrin/whey protein isolate. Thus, maltodextrin/whey protein isolate seems an ideal matrix for the manufacture of FMFD blueberry

Studies on the chemical compositions and anti nutrients of some lesser known Nigeria fruits

Fruit samples of Cola millenii, Strychnos innocua, Bombax glabra, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Parkia biglobosa and Gardenia erubescens were collected from various locations in Oyo and Osun States ofNigeria. The chemical compositions of these fruits were analyzed with a view to evaluating their levels of nutrient and anti-nutrients. The nutrients compositions of the fruits showed that the amount of crudefat ranged between 0.78 and 40.0 g/100 g; crude fibre, 1.23 – 14.57 g/100 g; crude protein, 4.54 - 34.1 g/100 g; ash, 1.79 - 6.10 g/100 g and carbohydrate, 7.88 - 72.67 g/100 g. Concentrations of iron,manganese and zinc were highest in C. millenii mesocarp; calcium and magnesium were highest in the yellowish pulp of P. biglobosa while potassium content was highest in B. glabra seed. S. innocua juicecontained the highest amount of sodium while G. erubescens fruit contained the highest amount of copper. Ascorbic acid was highest in C. millenii mesocarp with a value of 953 mg/100 g; S. innocuajuice contained highest levels of total sugar (168.49 mg/g) and reducing sugar (83.25 mg/g) while C. millenii seed contained highest amount of starch (739.38 mg/g). The results of anti-nutrient factorsshowed that tannin content ranged between 1.0 and 7.5 mg/g catechin equivalent. Phytate, oxalate and trypsin inhibitor ranged from 0.20 - 6.65 mg/g, 0.23 - 1.17 g /100 g, 9.64 - 58.2 TIU/g respectively. Thefruit parts with low level of anti nutrient, high elemental composition, protein, lipid, carbohydrates and ascorbic acid could serve as supplementary sources of essential nutrient to man and livestock

Comparative safety of artemether-lumefantrine and other artemisinin-based combinations in children: a systematic review

Background The purpose of the study was to compare the safety of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) with other artemisinin-based combinations in children. Methods A search of EMBASE (from 1974 to April 2013), MEDLINE (from 1946 to April 2013) and the Cochrane library of registered controlled trials for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared AL with other artemisinin-based combinations was done. Only studies involving children ≤ 17 years old in which safety of AL was an outcome measure were included. Results Four thousand, seven hundred and twenty six adverse events (AEs) were recorded in 6,000 patients receiving AL. Common AEs (≥1/100 and <1/10) included: coryza, vomiting, anaemia, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain; while cough was the only very commonly reported AE (≥1/10). AL-treated children have a higher risk of body weakness (64.9%) than those on artesunate-mefloquine (58.2%) (p = 0.004, RR: 1.12 95% CI: 1.04-1.21). The risk of vomiting was significantly lower in patients on AL (8.8%) than artesunate-amodiaquine (10.6%) (p = 0.002, RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.90). Similarly, children on AL had a lower risk of vomiting (1.2%) than chlorproguanil-dapsone-artesunate (ACD) treated children (5.2%) (p = 0.002, RR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47-0.85). The risk of serious adverse events was significantly lower for AL (1.3%) than ACD (5.2%) (p = 0.002, RR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27-0.74). Conclusion Artemether-lumefantrine combination is as safe as ASAQ and DP for use in children. Common adverse events are cough and gastrointestinal symptoms. More studies comparing AL with artesunate-mefloquine and artesunate-azithromycin are needed to determine the comparative safety of these drugs

Studies on the chemical constituents, antioxidants and membrane stability activities of &lt;i&gt;Hibiscus rosa sinensis&lt;/i&gt;

The chemical constituents, antioxidant and membrane stability activities of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. (Malvaceae) flower were determined. The total anthocyanin was 165 mg / kg with about 6 % reduction due to fermentation. Tannin, ascorbic acid, and total polyphenol were 11.8 g / kg; 478 mg / kg; and 14.4 mg / g, respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins. The antioxidant activity of the extract was significantly lower (EC50 = 43.9 &mu;g / mL) compared to ascorbic acid (E 50 = 3.3 &mu;g / mL). The extract of fermented Hibiscus rosa sinensis exhibited a concentration dependent, biphasic membrane stability of 46.2 % at 1.0 mg / mL and stability of 63.6 % at 2.0 mg / mL. The study indicated that the flower could be a good source of dietary antioxidant and stabilized red blood cells exposed to induced lyses