Gliadin Degradation Ability of Artisanal Lactic Acid Bacteria, The Potential Probiotics from Dairy Products
Pages 163-172
Gokcen Komen, Ayse Handan Baysal and Sebnem Harsa

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2013.02.03.4

Published: 30 September 2013

Abstract: Selected Lactobacillus spp. with high protease and acid producing capacity was explored for effective gliadin degradation in wheat sourdough environment. The total titratable acidity (TTA), pH and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts were evaluated. At the end of fermentation, the acidity and pH of the sourdough samples reached to 13.49-17.34 and 3.84-3.52 range, respectively. LAB population was enumerated as 10⁷-10⁹ colony forming unit (CFU)/g dough. Gliadin profiles were examined qualitatively using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) techniques. Especially RP-HPLC could be considered as a sensitive technique and is useful to determine the biochemical changes in gliadin fragmentation throughout sourdough fermentation process. LAB inoculated sourdoughs and chemically acidified sourdoughs generally represent similar gliadin degradation patterns. Although the total removal of gliadin toxicity could not be achieved in all dough formulations, it may be beneficial to use LAB to improve the dough and bread quality through the exploration of its bioconversion by-products.

Health Information and Advertising Appeals in Food Commercials: A Content Analysis
Pages 137-144
Kara Chan, Vivienne Leung and Lennon Tsang

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2013.02.03.1

Published: 30 September 2013

Abstract: A content analysis of 311 food commercials broadcast on television networks in Hong Kong was conducted. There were nearly equal proportions of ads for healthy and unhealthy foods. The three most frequently used advertising appeals were taste/flavor/smell/texture, health/wellbeing and physical performance/speed/strength. Altogether 54 percent of the food ads contained health-related claims. Intriguingly, 23 percent of the ads for unhealthy food contained health-related claims. The prevalent use of general health claims in unhealthy food ads calls for policy makers to devise better ways to regulate health claims in food advertisements. This is the first content analysis of health and nutrition information in food advertisingarising from a society with a rich herbalist tradition.

Green Tea Product Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Content and Label Information: A Descriptive Analysis
Pages 81-84
Marina V. Shkayeva, Philip J. Gregory, Matthew K. Pickering, Darren J. Hein, James Hu and Aleah Rodriguez

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2015.04.03.2

Published: 28 October 2015

Abstract: Green tea’s popularity can be largely attributed to its potential health benefits, with an emphasis on antioxidant properties from its catechin constituents, especially (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG appears to be responsible for many of the potential health benefits of green tea. However, while higher intake levels may provide benefit, lower intake levels may not. The objective was to determine whether commercially available green tea products provide label information about EGCG content and other constituents and then to analyze the label information in terms of existing research. A descriptive analysis of product label information was conducted. In total, 105 green tea products evaluated, 58% of green tea supplements and 5% of green tea beverages included information about EGCG content on the label. Among the dietary supplement products providing sufficient information on the label, the amount of EGCG listed ranged from 70 mg to 600 mg per serving. The average EGCG per serving was 223.7 mg.The average reported caffeine content was 56.0 mg per serving. In conclusion, most green tea beverages to not provide adequate information about EGCG or other constituents. Green tea supplements are more likely to provide this information. One to two servings of green tea supplements are typically needed to achieve EGCG or catechin intake levels similar to those demonstrating efficacy in clinical studies. Consumers should consider selecting products that adequately describe constituent information on the label. Manufacturers should consider providing this essential information on the product label in order to better inform consumer decision-making.

Hypercholesterolemia During Pregnancy is Caused by Increased Endogenous Cholesterol Synthesis: Let’s Use it for Screening of Familial Hypercholesterolemias Too! - Pages 79-83

Josef Hyánek, František Pehal, Ladislava Dubská, Blanka Míková, Lada Gombíková, Stanislav Kubů, Petra Haláčková, Jaroslav Feyreisl and Luděk Táborský

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2017.06.04.1

Published: 4 January 2018

Abstract: Aims: To demonstrate the origin and the diagnostic significance of non-cholesterol sterols (NCSs) in healthy pregnant women with gestational hypercholesterolemia.

Patients and Methods: Based on a total of 21,000 clinical biochemistry tests of healthy pregnant women with hypercholesterolemia observed during pregnancy, a group of 84 women with TC (total cholesterol) >7.0 mmol/L was recruited to analyze their NCSs using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. The NCSs under examination comprised lathosterol (Lat) and desmosterol (Des) as markers of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, and campesterol (Cam) and sitosterol (Sit) as markers for intestinal absorption.

Results: In the total of 21,000 pregnant women, the median values were: TC 6.8 mol/l, LDL-C 4.6 mmol/L, and HDL-C 2.2 mmol/L. In the testing group of 84 women, the average values were: Lat 7.8+/-1.7 μmol/L, Des 4.7+/-0.9 μmol/L, Cam 9.8+/-2.6 μmol/L, and Sit 9.6 +/-3.8 μmol/L. Lat was found to correlate with TC (r = 0.53), LDL-C (r = 0.36), and non-HDL-C (r = 0.35). No such correlations were observed for Sit (r = 0.162) or Cam (r = 0.153).

Conclusion: Our findings show that the high incidence of hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy is caused by increased endogenous cholesterol synthesis via lathosterol. The enormous rise of TC levels during pregnancy can be effectively used to detect familial hypercholesterolemia in women.

Keywords: Hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy, familial hypercholesterolemia, non-cholesterol sterols, lathosterol, desmosterol, campesterol, sitosterol.

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