Central Food Technological Research Institute
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Saffron and its active constituents ameliorate hypercholesterolemia by inhibiting PCSK9 and modulating Sortilin, LDLR, and SREBP-2 signaling in high fat diet induced hypercholesterolemic C57BL/6 mice
No full textEthnopharmacological relevance: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has long been used in Ayurveda, Iranian, and Chinese
traditional medicine as a natural remedy for hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and liver disorders though its
therapeutic mechanism remains unclear.
Aim of the study: This study explores the mechanism by which saffron extract (SE), crocin (CN), and crocetin (CR)
mitigate high fat diet (HFD) induced hypercholesterolemia and hepatic inflammation in C57BL/6 mice, focusing
on their inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).
Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice (N = 10/group) were fed either a, normal diet, HFD, or HFD supplemented
with SE, CN, CR, or atorvastatin for 12 weeks. Plasma lipids and inflammatory markers were measured. His
topathological changes were assessed via H&E and Sudan black staining. Gene expression was analyzed using
qRT-PCR, and ligand-protein interactions were studied using molecular docking, simulation, and
thermophoresis.
Results: HFD-fed mice exhibited dyslipidemia, liver damage, and inflammation, which SE, CN, and CR signifi
cantly improved. Treatments reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, and reactive oxygen species, reversed fatty liver
degeneration, and downregulated PCSK9 and sortilin expression while upregulating LDLR. They suppressed
transcription factors SREBP-1C and SREBP-2 and reduced inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, while
increasing IL-10 expression. CR reduced plasma PCSK9 secretion by 39.9 % (p < 0.05). Docking and simulation
studies confirmed the strong binding potential of CR and CN to PCSK9.
Conclusion: Saffron and its active components (CN and CR) are novel natural PCSK9 inhibitors that effectively
ameliorate hypercholesterolemia by modulating sortilin, LDLR and SREBP-2 pathway, potentially opening the
way for developing new therapeutic approaches for managing cholesterol related disorders
Eco-efficient robusta honey coffee process for energy and water footprint reduction: A life cycle assessment
No full textThe pulped natural/honey coffee process is an innovative, greener method for post-harvest coffee processing,
integrating the best aspects of natural and washed coffee methods by extending the fermentation and drying
stages, resulting in enhanced product quality correlated to conventional procedures. This study evaluated the
environmental impacts of honey (HC) and washed coffee (WC) process through a life cycle perspective, focusing
on water and energy footprint. The findings revealed that water consumption in the HC method was substantially
reduced by 87.5 % to that of WC. HC unveiled a reduction in global warming potential (kg CO2 eq) by 94.78 %,
compared to the WC process. The WC and HC water usage accounted for 98.33 % and 5.03 % of the global
warming potential. Regarding ecotoxicity effects, the HC technique is a sustainable approach with insignificant
impacts on marine aquatic ecotoxicity and human toxicity potential, at 5.20 % and 5.23 %. Besides, the coffee
husks obtained as a by-product from the HC and WC process indicated 88.2 % and 66.9 % fermentation efficiency
for bioethanol production. This study underscores the importance of environmental issues regarding food
manufacturing, particularly in HC, which offers premium quality, lower water and energy consumption, and
efficient by-product utilization, ultimately reducing environmental impacts throughout the technique
Nanocarrier potential of small cardamom-derived exosome-like nanovesicles for the delivery of appetite-enhancing peptide, Ghrelin
No full textHuman appetite is tightly regulated by Ghrelin (GHRL), a 28aa peptide hormone. In an empty stomach, GHRL is
secreted by the stomach epithelial glandular cells which acts on the hypothalamus, leading to appetite stimu
lation and food intake. Loss of appetite, known as anorexia is a debilitating problem in patients undergoing
chemotherapy as well as soldiers working at high altitudes (HA), primarily caused by lower plasma GHRL.
Though restoration of plasma GHRL may re-establish appetite, naked GHRL delivery via enteral route is not
possible due to its degradation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract while parenteral route administration is
discouraged due to its low plasma half-life. Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) are exosome-mimetic vesicles
naturally present in plants. PDNVs are emerging as natural nanocarriers for the delivery of distinct cargoes for
both in vitro and in vivo applications. Cardamom seeds are a nutraceutical spice with known appetite-stimulating
attributes. Herein, we encapsulated GHRL peptide in small cardamom-derived PDNVs (SCDNVs) by active
sonication and evaluated its in vitro bioavailability and gastrointestinal stability. SCDNVs exhibited high
encapsulation efficiency for GHRL and were non-toxic to Caco-2 cells. Compared to native GHRL, SCDNV-
encapsulated GHRL displayed better intracellular delivery potential in Caco2 cells and was resistance to the
simulated gastrointestinal digestion process in vitro. Further, SCDNVs also possessed appetite-stimulating phy
tochemicals such as α-terpinyl acetate and α-terpinol. Hence, GHRL-encapsulated SCDNVs represent a synergistic
cocktail of an appetite-inducing hormone and phytochemicals in bioavailable form for anorexia therapy
Wheat starch modification by hydrothermal treatment combined with spray drying: physicochemical characterization and impact on bread-making
No full textThe study investigated the modification of native starch (NS), without pre-gelatinization (MS1) and with pre-gelatinization
(MS2), by spray drying. The effects of modifications were studied on the physicochemical properties of the starches and
their impact on bread-making quality. MS2 and its blends demonstrated the most promising results, showing enhanced
swelling power as well as improved water- and oil-holding capacities compared to NS and wheat flour (WF). No signifi-
cant differences were observed in the gelatinization and pasting properties of the modified starches and their blends when
compared to NS and WF. However, the melting temperature increased in MS1 (69.16 °C) and MS2 (72.1 °C) compared
to NS (65.95 °C), while their blends ranged from 64.92 °C to 66.62 °C. The study revealed that incorporating modified
starch improved the bread’s water absorption (63.4–64.5%) and texture quality. Conversely, the amylose content (30.03%
in MS1 and 32.2% in MS2) and the damaged starch levels (4.93% in MS1 and 7.54% in MS2) were higher than in NS
(26.6% amylose and 3.50% damaged starch). As determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, the increased damaged starch
content was associated with reduced double-helix content in amylopectin and decreased crystallinity. Incorporating 15%
modified starch in bread formulations resulted in desirable physical and sensory attributes. Overall, the study demonstrated
that modifying NS can enhance its functional properties, thereby positively influencing bread quality during preparation
Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract induces anti‑proliferative and anti‑migratory effects in ovarian cancer
No full textPlant bioactives are necessary for human health owing to their many biological impacts. Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn calyx
extract is known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Extracellular matrix 1 (ECM1) is a
glycoprotein with distinct biological activities ranging from immunological to physiological roles. The impact of calyx
extract on ECM1 in ovarian cancer has not been thoroughly investigated, particularly in cell proliferation inhibition and
apoptosis. MTT assay was performed to determine anticancer activity in Rosella extract. The cell and nuclear morphology
were examined along with colony formation, and migration assay. The effect of the extract on the molecules involved in
the cell signaling mechanism was evaluated using western blotting and PCR. Calyx extract cytotoxicity presented by the
MTT assay at a 2.8 mg IC50 value, with atypical nuclear morphology and reduced cell migration. Rosella crude extract
influences ECM1 glycoprotein, AKT1, and Cyclin D1 suppressing colony-forming ability. Apoptosis gets triggered, result-
ing in upregulation of different caspases, BID, and suppression of Bcl-2. The Rosella crude extract inhibited cell growth in
OVCAR3 cells regulating the ECM1/AKT1/Cyclin D1 pathway, suggesting a potential approach for treating ovarian cancer
Cryoconcentration: an integrated agro food processing technique for concentration
No full textCryo-concentration and/or freeze concentration (FC) is a best suitable alternative method to evaporation and membrane
for concentrating liquid foods. Due to maintenance of low temperature and non-availability of vapor-liquid interfaces the
quality of finished product is high. The main aim of freeze concentration process is to reduce the volume of water in
a product while preserving its flavor, nutrients, and aroma. This method helps to maintain the integrity of thermolabile
compounds, which might be lost through other concentration methods like evaporation. Freeze concentration can also
be concluded as a highly effective and gentle method for concentrating liquids, particularly in the food and beverage
industry. By freezing and removing water, the product preserves the original organoleptic and nutritional value of the
product, which is compromised by heat-based conventional concentration techniques. By understanding the principle of
freeze concentration, large and easily separated ice crystals can grow in liquid food which further aids in concentration of
liquid by maintaining optimum concentration process in shorter period. Review summarizes different types and methods
of cryo-concentration or freeze concentration, its process and application to improve quality of foods
