Food industry by-products such as grape pomace (GP), tomato pomace (TP), and spent coffee grounds (SCG) are rich in polyphenols (PP) but are easily biodegradable. The aim of this study is to test Spontaneous Fermentation (SF) as treatment to modify PP profile and bioactivity. The results highlighted that the by-products' organic matter and the microbial populations drove the SF evolution; heterolactic, alcoholic, and their mixtures were the predominant metabolisms of TP, GP, and SCG + GP co-fermentation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo tomato pomace (TP) were studied as feedstocks to obtain extracts that are rich in polyphenols. TPs prompt degradation impairs biomass safety, thus naturally present microflora were tested to perform conservation, and own lactic bacteria became predominant after 60 days of treatment. The extracts of TPs and TPs fermented (TPF) were chemically characterized and tested for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA colored and fiber-rich fraction from the debranning of purple wheat was incorporated at 25% into semolina- and flour-based pasta produced on a pilot-plant scale, with the aim of increasing anthocyanin and total phenolic content with respect to pasta obtained from whole pigmented grains. The debranning fraction impaired the formation of disulfide-stabilized protein networks in semolina-based systems. Recovery of phenolics was impaired by the pasta making process, and cooking decreased the phenolic content in both enriched samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study was aimed at characterizing the anthocyanins and phenolics profile in different varieties of pigmented corn and wheat and in some of their milling fractions. Acid/ethanol extracts were used to assess total anthocyanins, overall antioxidant activity, the overall polyphenol profile, and for evaluating the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase and of intestinal α-glucosidase. Both enzymes were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by all extracts, but individual extracts had specific effects on each enzyme.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: The consumption of whole-grain food-including pasta-has been increasing steadily. In the case of whole-grain pasta, given the many different producers, it seems important to have some objective parameters to define its overall quality. In this study, commercial whole-grain pasta samples representative of the Italian market have been characterized from both molecular and electronic-senses (electronic nose and electronic tongue) standpoint in order to provide a survey of the properties of different commercial samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGluten replacement in gluten-free (GF) products presents major challenges for the food industry in terms of sensorial, technological and nutritional characteristics. The absence of gluten reportedly affects starch digestibility, thus increasing the postprandial glycaemic response. However, the role of ingredients and processing conditions has been addressed only seldom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed to examine the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture on body weight loss and its impact on lipid profile, and immunologic and inflammatory markers in obese subjects.
Methods: Participants (n=204) were randomized to therapeutic acupuncture and control groups. Subjects received authentic (cases) or sham (controls) acupuncture for 6 weeks (first period) in combination with a low-calorie diet.
A randomized controlled clinical trial in 196 obese subjects was performed to examine the effectiveness of body acupuncture on body weight loss, lipid profile and immunogenic and inflammatory markers. Subjects received authentic (cases) or sham (controls) acupuncture for 6 weeks in combination with a low-calorie diet. In the following 6 weeks, they received the low-calorie diet alone.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Biochem
February 2011
Objectives: In this study we aimed to assess the changes in pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) after the placement of either a drug-eluting-stent (DES) or bare-metal-stent (BMS) in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Design And Methods: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with either BMS or DES were undertaken for 152 patients (82 in the BMS and 70 in the DES groups respectively). PAB values were measured 24h before and after PCI.