Strategy to identify and quantify polysaccharide gums in gelled food concentrates.

A strategy for the unambiguous identification and selective quantification of xanthan gum and locust bean gum (LBG) in gelled food concentrates is presented. DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed to be a fast, sensitive, and selective method that can be used as a first screening tool in intact gelled food concentrates. An efficient isolation procedure is described removing components that may interfere with subsequent analyses.

Molecular structures of citrus flavonoids determine their effects on lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells by primarily suppressing apoB secretion.

This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of action for blood lipid lowering effects of citrus flavonoids and their methoxylated analogues (n = 19; dose range: 0-100 μM) in HepG2 cells. Cholesterol (CH) and triglyceride (TG) syntheses were assessed by measuring the incorporation of (14)C-acetate and (14)C-glycerol, respectively, whereas apoB secretion was determined by ELISA. Results show that two polymethoxylated citrus flavonoids (PMFs), tangeretin and nobiletin, potently inhibited apoB secretion (IC(50) = 13 and 29 μM, respectively) and modestly inhibited CH synthesis (IC(50) = 49 and 68 μM) and TG synthesis (IC(50) = 14 and 73 μM), without effecting LDL-receptor activity.