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Journal of Nutritional Therapeutics

Microencapsulation of L. acidophilus NRRL B-4495 in whey Protein-Pullulan Microparticles: Influence of Pullulan Concentration and Outlet Temperature
Pages 46-49
Burcu Çabuk and Sebnem Tellioglu Harsa

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2016.05.02.3

Published: 25 July 2016

 

Abstract: Spray drying technique is one of the oldest methods adapted to many industrial areas to protect bioactive components. In this study, pH and heat tolerance of encapsulated probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL B-4495 cells were investigated. Additionally, influence of process conditions including outlet temperature and pullulan concentration on spray drying process was observed. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that incorporation of pullulan higher than 2.0 % in wall matrix created huge amount of fibrous particles. Spherical microcapsules having smooth surface were formed with 2.0 % pullulan (WPI-pullulan4.5:1) formulation leading to an improvement of barrier properties of microcapsules. Moreover, incorporation of pullulan improved the survival rate to 94.21 % after spray drying. Results suggested that decreasing outlet temperature exhibited much higher cell survivals up to 92.68 %. However, between outlet temperatures, significant differences (p≤0.05) in moisture content and recovery of final product indicated that more effective encapsulation of L. acidophilus NRRL B-4495 cells was achieved at 50 °C. During spray drying, due to dehydration and high heat, cytoplasmic membrane of bacterial cells undergo damage and therefore, microencapsulation in WPI-pullulan blend by spray drying provided the highest survival against heat stress at 45 ºC. Moreover results showed that encapsulated cells survived at minimum desired level (7 log CFU/g) at pH 2.0 in contrast to free cells.

Keywords: Encapsulation, spray drying, microcapsule, pullulan, L. acidophilus .
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Journal of Nutritional Therapeutics

The Gut Microbiota and Epigenetics
Pages 50-54
Kenneth Lundstrom

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2016.05.02.4

Published: 25 July 2016

 

Abstract: The human gut microbiota presents a strong influence on health and disease development. Metagenomic analysis has revealed the importance of the interaction between the genomes of food, gut microbiota and the host. Also, the establishment of humanized mouse gut microbiota in appropriate animal models has further contributed to the understanding of its function. The composition of the gut microbiota presents a significant impact on the risk of disease development supported by findings of substantial individual variations. Many low molecular weight bacterial substances have been indicated to affect chromatin remodeling, regulation of apoptosis, cellular differentiation and inflammation. The gut microbiota has also been linked to the etiology of cancer because of how it can alter dietary exposures. Furthermore, microbial metabolites have been associated with epigenetic modifications, reversible heritable changes in gene expression without alterations in the primary DNA sequence, which may influence the risk of various cancers and other diseases. As many microbial metabolites are absorbed into systemic circulation, gene expression might also be affected in distal regions of the gut. Therefore, the interaction of dietary intake, gut microbiota and epigenetic modifications plays an important role in disease risk, development and prevention.

Keywords: Gut microbiota, nutrition, disease, epigenetics.
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Journal of Nutritional Therapeutics

Potential Benefits of Probiotics for Preterm Infants: A Review
Pages 55-63
S. Sarkar

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2016.05.02.5

Published: 25 July 2016

 

Abstract: Preterm infants are particularly susceptible to abnormal colonization and are therefore prone to systemic infections due to increased intestinal permeability to potentially pathogens. Abnormal pattern of colonization in pre-term infants may contribute to the pathogenesis of neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), an acquired gastrointestinal (GI) disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Introduction of foods containing probiotic cultures may be advantageous as probiotics prevented gut colonization by abnormal flora. Endeavour has been made to explore the mechanism of gut colonization, suitability of breast milk for preterm infants, effect of administration of probiotics to preterm infants and its safety concerns.Human milk is also suitable for the management of premature infants but fortified breast milk may be a preferred choice and not the pooled pasteurized breast milk. Based upon Randomized Controlled Trials administration of probiotic in preterm infants with a birth weight >1000 g could be recommended due to significantly reduction in incidence of NEC and no systemic infections or serious adverse events was reported. Administration of probiotics in preterm neonates is recommended but further research is emerging for its routine application. Probiotic supplementation in preterm neonates exhibited good safety profile and did not show any side effects and can be recommended for preterm infants but not for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants [1, 2]. 

Keywords: Probiotics, Preterm infants,Breast milk,Gut colonization.
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Journal of Nutritional Therapeutics

Selective Plant Extracts and their Combination as the Nutritional Therapeutic Remedies
Pages 1-11
Anatoly G. Antoshechkin

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2016.05.01.1

Published: 03 June 2016

 

Abstract: The article is a survey of some plant extracts that possess ability to restore metabolic disturbances evoked by chronic stress. Chronic stress triggers a number of common illnesses, including depression, chronic physical and mental fatigue, neuroses, cardiovascular diseases, ulceration of stomach and intestine, diabetes mellitus, obesity and alcohol abuse. One of the early consequences of chronic stress is the decrease of functional activity of immune system that reduces resistance against infections, allergies, asthma, autoimmune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis. The initial stages of chronic stress consequences are suppression of immune system, disturbances of hormonal balance, hydrocarbon, lipid, and energy metabolism. Applicability of the extracts from Leuzea carthamoides, Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Schizandra chinensis and their combination “AdMax” to counteract the initial stages of chronic stress consequences is considered.

Keywords: General adaptation syndrome, Chronic stress consequences, Adaptogenic plant extracts, Nutritional supplement “AdMax”, Chronic fatigue, Energy metabolism.
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