Central Food Technological Research Institute
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Copra meal and guar gum β-manno-oligosaccharides inhibit glycation of human serum albumin: Mechanistic insights using multi-spectroscopic and bioinformatic analysis
No full textWe investigated the inhibitory effects of β-MOS derived from guar gum (GG-β-MOS) and copra meal (CM-β-MOS)
using GH26 endo-mannanase on AGEs formation using a glucose-human serum albumin (HSA) in vitro model.
β-MOS were found to be an effective anti-glycating agent by acting on all the stages (early, intermediate, and
late) of glycation, evident by reduced formation of fructosamine, carbonyl, and dicarbonyl compounds, specific
fluorescent AGEs, thiol oxidation products and increased free lysine and arginine contents. CM-β-MOS (IC₅₀
~134.0 μg/ml) exhibited stronger AGEs inhibition than GG-β-MOS (IC₅₀ ~285.4 μg/ml) and was more potent in
trapping methylglyoxal. Biophysical studies suggested that β-MOS protected the microenvironment around the
hydrophobic regions, prevented changes in the tertiary structure, restored α-helical content, and reduced the
amyloid aggregates in glycated HSA. CM-β-MOS maximally suppressed the formation of cross-linked structures in
GHSA and was more effective than GG-β-MOS in preventing GHSA aggregation. The β-MOS-HSA complexation
process was spontaneous and thermodynamically favourable. CM-β-MOS-HSA complex was more stable (higher
quenching and binding constant) than GG-β-MOS-HSA. LC-MS/MS studies demonstrated that β-MOS reduced
glycation sites, decreased the degree of substitution per peptide in glycated peptides, and altered the location of
glycation. Molecular docking suggested mannotriose (M3) had a strong affinity and lower binding energy ( 5.96
kcal/mol) for HSA. M3 interacted with amino acid residues spanning domains I (Site IB) and III (Sudlow site II) of
HSA via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, carbon‑hydrogen, and alkyl interactions. MD studies
corroborated that the HSA-M3 complex was stable, less flexible and more compact
Structural and rheological properties of polysaccharide from Sida cordata leaves for bio-functional food applications
No full textThis study reports the structural, rheological, and bio-functional properties of Sida polysaccharide (SPS)
extracted from Sida cordata leaves. SPS was obtained via aqueous extraction and identified as a branched
rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) type heteropolysaccharide enriched in rhamnose, galactose, and uronic acids, with
a high soluble dietary fibre content (~60 %). Linkage analysis revealed dominant 4-linked galactose (59.6 mol%)
and 3,4-linked glucuronic acid (23.9 mol%), consistent with a branched RG-I backbone carrying uronic acid-rich
domains. FTIR and NMR confirmed typical polysaccharide functional groups, while HPSEC estimated a molec-
ular weight of ~970 kDa. The mineral composition (notably Ca2+ and Mg2+) and broad particle size distribution
(10–1000 μm) were found to modulate hydration and rheological responses. Functionally, SPS exhibited strong
antioxidant activity, maintained cell viability, and inhibited 3 T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, effects attributed
to its uronic acid content, galactan branching, and high molecular weight. Rheological studies demonstrated
shear-thinning and pH-responsive weak-gel behaviour, further supported by mineral-mediated cross-linking.
When incorporated into vegetable soup, SPS effectively replaced corn starch, enhancing viscosity, mineral
content, and storage stability without compromising sensory quality. These findings highlight SPS as a struc-
turally unique, multifunctional hydrocolloid with potential applications in bio-functional food formulations
Fermented sugarcane juice-derived probiotic Levilactobacillus brevis RAMULAB54 enhances lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis through PPAR-γ activation
No full textThe gut microbiota plays a significant role in metabolic disorders such as
diabetes and obesity, with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
gamma (PPAR-γ) being a key regulator in adipogenesis and glucose metabolism.
This study is a novel approach that explores the antihyperglycemic and
antihyperlipidemic effects of Levilactobacillus brevis RAMULAB54 (LB13243),
isolated from fermented sugarcane juice. LB13243 was cultured for SEM
imaging, and its supernatant (LBR54) was analyzed. Organic acid interactions
with PPAR-γ were evaluated via molecular docking, while cytotoxicity and
adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells were tested using MTT assays, Oil Red
O staining, triglyceride quantification, and qRT-PCR. In vivo, male Wistar rats in
hyperlipidemic and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic models were treated
with LB13243 for 4 weeks, followed by analysis of food intake, body weight,
serum glucose, lipids, and histopathology. LB13243 inhibited carbohydrate-
hydrolyzing enzymes and showed an organic acid profile. In silico, hydroxycitric
acid had similar binding to PPARγ as rosiglitazone (binding energy:−8.4 kcal/mol
vs.−8.3 kcal/mol), with greater stability (RMSD: 1.2 Å vs. 1.7 Å). Pharmacokinetics
indicated moderate GI absorption (20%) and low toxicity for hydroxycitric acid.
LBR54 did not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability but reduced lipid accumulation by 13%
and triglycerides by ≤44 mg/dL. qRT-PCR revealed upregulation of PPAR-γ and
C/EBP-α, and downregulation of FAS, suggesting modulation of adipogenesis.
In vivo, LB13243 reduced food intake, weight gain, and normalized organ
weights in hyperlipidemic rats, while improving glucose levels and lipid profiles
in hyperglycemic models. Histopathology showed improved tissue structure,
indicating LB13243’s potential to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia
by modulating lipid metabolism and inflammation. LB13243’s modulation of
PPAR-γ suggests it as a promising natural option for managing diabetes and hyperlipidemia. This study also highlights LB13243’s distinctive capability to
modulate PPAR-γ through its organic acids, particularly hydroxycitric acid,
providing novel insights into its therapeutic potential
Optimizing Group Activity Recognition With Actor Relation Graphs and GCN-LSTM Architectures
No full textThe challenge of understanding and recognizing group activities through human behavior and
interactions is a prominent issue in the realm of computer vision research. This area boasts a wide range
of applications, including security surveillance, healthcare monitoring, and human-computer interaction
systems. However, accurately deciphering complex group dynamics continues to pose significant difficul-
ties. Traditional video-based activity recognition methods often grapple with persistent obstacles such as
environmental noise, background clutter, and the inter-class similarities inherent in activity patterns. Recent
advancements in this field have largely focused on spatial feature extraction, which alone proves inadequate
for thorough group activity analysis. In response to these limitations, we propose a novel deep learning
framework that effectively captures both temporal and spatial characteristics of group interactions. Our
architecture employs a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with Inception-V3 as the foundational model
for initial feature extraction. This is complemented by the development of an Actor Relation Graph (ARG)
utilizing Zero Normalized Cross Correlation (ZNCC), which adeptly illustrates both appearance-based and
positional relationships among participants. By integrating the ARG with a hybrid model that combines
Graph Convolutional Network (GCN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Attention mechanisms,
our approach significantly enhances the extraction of spatial and relational features compared to conven-
tional techniques. Experimental evaluations conducted on two benchmark datasets—the Collective Activity
Dataset (CAD) and the Volleyball dataset—demonstrate the efficacy of our framework. Our proposed model
achieves state-of-the-art performance, attaining prediction accuracies of 94.32% and 94.47% on the CAD and
Volleyball datasets, respectively, thereby surpassing existing methodologies in the realm of group activity
recognition
Preparation and characterization of nanosilica-incorporated starch/k-carrageenan active food packaging film functionalized by eucalyptus oil
No full textThe growing environmental concerns regarding usage of conventional petroleum-based plastics have prompted the investiga-
tion of sustainable and biodegradable alternatives for food packaging applications. The present research focuses on the
development and characterization of flexible food packaging films based on starch and k-carrageenan, plasticized with mixed
bio-plasticizers like glycerol, castor oil, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. Starch, a natural polymer obtained from renewable
resources, offers a promising base for the development of biodegradable films. However, native starch films tend to be highly
brittle and moisture-sensitive, which limits their direct practical applications. To overcome these limitations, plasticizers are
added to enhance the flexibility and overall performance of the films. The nanosilica isolated from industrial waste was
included to reinforce the plasticized films and to improve the mechanical strength and barrier properties. To give additional
antimicrobial functionality, eucalyptus essential oil was incorporated. The addition of mixed bio-plasticizers enhanced the flex-
ibility almost eightfold. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of films provided detailed insights into the chemical
interactions and structural integrity of the modified starch films, ensuring that the plasticizers and essential oil were effectively
integrated. The water contact angle of the modified film was 84° as compared to 38° for pristine starch films. The water vapor
transmission rate analysis showed an improvement (about fivefold) in barrier property of the developed films. The results dem-
onstrated that the starch/k-carrageenan film modified with selected plasticizers, nanosilica and essential oil exhibited signifi-
cantly improved mechanical properties, flexibility, moisture resistance and antimicrobial efficacy.
© 2025 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of chitosan based oleogel using emulsion template approach:Characterization and application as fat-replacer in cookies
No full textThe present study aimed to enhance the fat quality of bakery products by incorporating an oleogel enriched with
unsaturated fatty acids and nutraceuticals. The efficacy of cross-linking chitosan with vanillin was evaluated using an emulsion-template technique. This approach utilized a blend of rice bran oil and soybean oil fortified with β sitosterol, which partially replaced conventional shortening in cookie formulations. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that cross-linking occurred due to the formation of a Schiff base through the reaction between the aldehyde group of vanillin and the amino group of chitosan. Rheological characterization revealed that the oleogel C2P2.5 (2.5 % β-sitosterol in the oil phase) exhibited greater strength than C2P5 (5 % β-sitosterol in the oil phase). Additionally, C2P2.5 demonstrated higher structural recovery than C2P5, indicating superior re-stabilization ability following mechanical deformation. The microscopical analysis showed a firmly packed structure of a continuous 3D network due to intermolecular cross-linking holding the oil. CLSM revealed phase reversal during emulsion formation due to an increase in β-sitosterol concentration in the oil phase interfering
with cross-linking. As a result, the strength of oleogel C2P5 was reduced. The fatty acid profile of the oleogel was
similar to that of the stock oil, confirming the effectiveness of the structuring technique. These oleogels were used to replace 25 % and 50 % of conventional shortening in cookies, which were subsequently characterized using texture analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and SEM. With a 50 % replacement, trans-fat content in the cookies was
reduced by half, demonstrating that oleogels offer a healthier alternative to conventional bakery shortenings.
Collectively, oleogels enriched with unsaturated fatty acids and nutraceuticals, combined with chitosan cross- linking, provide a promising alternative to conventional shortening in bakery products, improving fat quality and reducing trans-fat content
Effect of multipin atmospheric cold plasma treatment on color, capsaicin and microbial content of geographical indication-tagged Byadagi chili powder
No full textThis study examines the impact of cold plasma treatment on the microbiological safety and quality characteristics of geographical indication (GI)-tagged Byadagi chili powder, known for its vibrant color and mild spiciness. Plasma treatment was varied by voltage (10-20 kV), duration (1-10 min) and electrode distance (5-7 cm) to assess effects on
composition, vitamins, water activity, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, color, capsaicin content, pungency and structural integrity. The most effective treatment viz., 20 kV for 10 minutes at 5 cm, contributed achievement of a 3.7 log reduction in total microbial load, 3.1 log reduction in coliforms and 2.6 log reduction in yeast and mold. FTIR and SEM analyses revealed subtle but non-significant changes, including increased surface oxygen content (indicated by the C-H and C-O stretching regions), with minimal microstructural differences. The results indicate that cold plasma treatment effectively maintained core properties of
Byadagi chili powder, including color and capsaicin and also preserving other physicochemical attributes. This method offers a promising solution for enhancing the safety
and quality of Byadagi chili powder, addressing export concerns and maintaining its global market competitiveness
Quantitative NMR analysis of sugars in natural sweeteners: Profiling in honey, jaggery, date syrup, and coconut sugar
No full textDue to the high demand for natural sweeteners and their perceived health benefits, it is crucial to use analytical
techniques for accurately profiling natural sweeteners. The present study describes a simple and fast approach for
the analysis of sweeteners using 1D - 1H NMR spectroscopy. This method is based on the direct detection of protons in sugar molecules with an internal standard, without the need for complex derivatization steps. The presented approach offers a faster and more convenient way of quantifying mono-saccharides mainly glucose and fructose and di-saccharides like sucrose in various selected sweeteners. These includes honey, jaggery, coconut, sugar, and date syrup. The direct 1D - 1H NMR method with an internal standard yields accurate and precise quantification results with good reproducibility and minute analysis times. This information is of increasing
importance to both consumers and the food industry, as it provides a reliable and accurate method for characterizing and verifying natural sweeteners. Overall, 1D - 1H NMR spectroscopy can be a valuable tool for the rapid and easy analysis of sugar content in food products, and it may have potential applications in the food industry
Comparative evaluation of biological, physical, and chemical approaches for the mitigation of sterigmatocystin: Mycotoxin of growing concern
No full textSterigmatocystin is a carcinogenic and genotoxic mycotoxin that remains a significant health risk to human and
animal populations. The present study examined three different methods (biological, physical, and chemical) for
STC removal. The nanolignin indicated 81.76 ± 3.94 % removal of STC, with a reaction rate of 4.0 × 10− 5 min− 1.
In the chemical-induced method, the application of gaseous ozone for effective removal and degradation of STC
was studied. Ozone treatment resulted in 84.12 ± 4.23 % degradation of STC with a half-life of 15.51 min. The
adsorption behaviour of lactic acid bacteria, in the biological method indicated a 79.75 ± 2.92 % removal of
STC. Kinetic parameters and isotherms were analysed followed by parameter optimization by response surface
methodology for maximum removal of STC. The requirement of less time and a relatively lower dose of ozone for
removal of STC indicates this method to be a potential option for the mitigation of the toxin
Oral bioavailability and amelioration of high fat diet induced obesity via AMPK/SIRT1 pathway using oleoresin from Nigella sativa L. seeds in C57BL/6 mice
No full textObjective: This study investigated the oral bioavailability and anti-obesity effects of oleoresin extracted from
seeds of Nigella sativa L. (NS), in high-fat-diet-fed C57BL/6 mice. NS is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and
unsaturated fatty acids; known for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, its role in
modulating lipid and energy metabolism remains unexplored.
Methods: Oleoresin was administered orally as well as intravenously (IV), and whole blood was collected at
predetermined time points. Thymoquinone (TQ) concentration in plasma was quantified using HPLC. For anti-
obesity assessment, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups, one normal diet and five HFD
groups. NS oleoresin was administered daily at doses 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) for 8 weeks.
Results: Treatment groups showed significant reductions in body weight, blood glucose, LDL, triglycerides, total
cholesterol, and liver size, along with an increase in HDL levels. Gene expression analysis revealed that oleoresin
downregulated CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated recep-
tor gamma (PPARγ) expression, while slightly upregulating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase
(AMPKα) gene in the higher dose group. Although the mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP1) was not
significantly altered, expression of sirtuin 1 and PGC-1, was enhanced indicating enhanced mitochondrial
biogenesis, insulin sensitivity and weight reduction. Histopathological examination showed reversal of hepatic
steatosis, as well as regular-sized adipocytes in dose-dependent treatment.
Conclusion: NS seed oleoresin supplementation may reduce the BW and lipid profile induced by HFD when given
in higher doses via activation of AMPK/SIRT1 pathway, potentially serving as a functional food therapeutic
against obesity and related complications