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This work is aimed to assess the effect of ultrasonic pre-treatment on the enzymatic hydrolysis of zein and the nanoencapsulation of vitamin D3 (VitD3) by zein hydrolysates (ZH). The ultrasonic pre-treatment significantly increased the degree of hydrolysis by and the α-helix, β-sheet, β-turns contents, and random coils were enhanced by ultrasonic pre-treatment. VitD3 was successfully encapsulated by the developed ZH nanoparticles (NPs), with an encapsulation efficiency of 95.23 ± 1.78 %. The surface charge and particle size of the nanoparticles (NPs) were −5.45 ± 1.76 mV and 39.43 ± 7.96 nm, respectively. The detailed morphology study of NPs showed a regular spherical morphology, and the chemical structures of NPs were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Red spectroscopy. Additionally, the developed NPs were added to milk, which exhibited high stability after one month of storage. In conclusion, the VitD3-loaded ZHNPs had considerable potential for fortifying different foodstuffs.

The primary aim of this study was to develop biocomposite films using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (1 % w/v), okra mucilage (OM) (1–3 % w/v), and black cumin seed oil (BSO) (0–0.5 % v/v), based on the central composite design. The effects of OM and BSO concentrations on the properties of biocomposite films were evaluated using response surface methodology. Statistical analysis showed that all variables significantly contribute to the model (p < 0.05). The findings indicated that higher BSO concentrations considerably decreased (p < 0.05) the water vapor and oxygen permeability, moisture content, swelling factor, and water solubility of the produced films. Conversely, a rise in OM concentration notably increased (p < 0.05) the physical and barrier properties of the films. It was determined that an increase in OM concentration led to a decrease in tensile strength (TS), while the elongation at break (%EB) increased significantly (p < 0.05). Conversely, higher concentrations of BSO significantly improved both the TS and %EB values (p < 0.05). FE-SEM analysis revealed that for all films, microstructural irregularities increased with higher concentrations of OM and BSO. The formulation containing 1.82 % OM and 0.5 % BSO was identified as an optimal composition. FE-SEM and AFM analyses showed that the optimal film had higher microstructural discontinuity and surface roughness than the control film. The optimal film exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity (p < 0.05) compared to the control film. Furthermore, FTIR analysis highlighted the presence of new intermolecular interactions within the functional groups of the optimal film’s matrix. Moreover, the optimal film demonstrated a higher melting temperature and a more amorphous structure than the control film. In conclusion, the optimized CMC/OM/BSO film presents promising potential for use in edible packaging.

Sepsis is a complex clinical disorder with heterogeneous etiological factors. Given its high mortality rate, it is considered a global health issue. Recently, the link between gut microbiota and their metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids, in the pathophysiology of sepsis has been reported. However, there are few findings to confirm this relationship. This study aimed to evaluate some key gut microbiota members, pathogenic bacteria, and short-chain fatty acids in non-ICU patients with sepsis caused by bacteremia compared to a control group. In this case-control study, 45 stool samples from patients with sepsis and 15 healthy persons were collected from October 2021 to August 2022 in Tabriz, Iran. The position of some gut microbiota members and the main short-chain fatty acids concentration were assessed in the two groups by the Q-PCR and the high-performance liquid chromatography system. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium sp. As bacterial with protective features in non-ICU patients with sepsis decreased significantly. Moreover, the concentrations of acetic acid and propionic acid significantly decreased in this group compared to the healthy volunteers. In contrast, the pathogenic bacteria members such as Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides sp. Increased significantly in the patients compared to the healthy individuals. The concentration of butyric acid decreased in the patients, but this change was not significant in the two groups. Protective and immune functions of F. prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium sp., as well as acetate and propionate, are evident. In this investigation, this profile was significantly reduced in non-ICU patients with sepsis compared to the control group.

Oxidative stress could be prevented by antioxidant-loaded nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 10 (A10), 20 (A20), 30 (A30), 40 (A40), and 50 (A50) μM alpha-lipoic acid and alpha-lipoic acid nanostructured lipid carriers (ALN) at 10 (ALN10), 20 (ALN20), 30 (ALN30), 40 (ALN40), and 50 (ALN50) μM on post-thawed sperm quality, fertility, and apoptosis-related genes of rooster sperm. The extender supplemented with ALN30 led to higher total and progressive motility, straight-line velocity, and linearity in comparison to the control group. The ALN30 resulted in higher percentage of mitochondria activity and glutathione peroxidase level compared with control (P < 0.05). The extender supplemented with ALN30 led to lower percentage of apoptotic sperm, when compared with the control. CASPASE 3 expression in ALN30 was lower (P

ABSTRACT: Antioxidant nanoparticles include the potential for improving sperm cryopreservation. The aim of performing this study was to evaluate the effects of gamma-oryzanol (GO) at 0 (C) (control group), 20 (GO20), 40 (GO40), 60 (GO60), 80 (GO80), and 100 (GO100) µM and gamma-oryzanol nanoparticles (GON) at 0 (CN), 20 (GON20), 40 (GON40), 60 (GO60), 80 (GON80), and 100 (GON100) µM on post-thawed sperm quality and fertility of rooster sperm. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, total abnormality, mitochondrial activity (Rhodamine 123), apoptotic features (Annexin V/Propidium iodide), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, ATP content and the fertility and hatchability were evaluated after thawing. Total motility in GON60 and GON80 were significantly higher compared to control groups (C and CN). GON80 showed the greatest percentages of progressive motilities. When GO80, GON60, and GON80 were added to the cryopreservation medium, the plasma membrane functionality of the semen samples improved. The minimum abnormality of spermatozoa is observed in the group treated with GON80. The groups treated with GON60 and GON80 had greater (P < 0.05) mitochondrial activity. The level of sperm ROS after cryopreservation was significantly lower in GON60 and GON80 groups. Live sperm was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in GON60 and GON80 group compared to other groups. GON60 and GON80 groups also led to the lowest significant percentage of apoptosis-like change sperm. Greater fertility percentages were observed (P < 0.05) when sperm were stored in extenders treated with GON60 and GON80. GON80 resulted in significantly improved hatched eggs compared to C, GO60, GO180 and CN. In conclusion, supplementation of Lake extender with 60 and 80 µM gamma-oryzanol nanoparticles could be a proper process to improve freeze-thawing rooster sperm quality leading to better freeze/thaw characteristics.

Betanin is a bioactive compound with a high antioxidant activity and therapeutic potential. However, incomplete oral absorption and low stability of betanin limit its application. To surmount these limitations, betanin was encapsulated with nanoliposomes, nanoparticles exhibiting suitable physicochemical properties. Additionally, betanin-loaded nanoliposomes revealed a relatively good sustained release profile in the simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. In vitro digestion stability of betanin and its antioxidant activity were significantly improved by liposomal encapsulation. These nanocarriers were assessed in vivo for their therapeutic potency in streptozotocin induced rats. The results showed that the administration of betanin-loaded nanoliposomes was significantly more effective than free betanin in positively regulate hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. Moreover, the histopathological analysis showed that the tissue damage in kidney, liver and pancreas was reduced in the betanin-loaded nanoliposomes treated diabetic rats. In conclusion nanoliposomes are suitable nanocarriers for improving the stability and therapeutic potential of betanin.

In the last few decades, various bioactive compound-delivery technologies have been emerged and nanoscale delivery devices have been developed. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are delivery systems that reveal some advantages over conventional carriers such as increased loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency, solubility, storage stability, bioavailability, and half-life. Moreover, they provide controlled compound release and safety for food systems. In this review, aspects of NLCs, their components, production methods, bioactive compound incorporation, release, stability, and food applications are introduced.

Cardamom essential oil (CEO) loaded food grade nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were produced using cocoa butter (as solid lipid) and Tween 80 (as surfactant) for application in aqueous-based foods. The results demonstrated that the developed NLCs had fine size (90%). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed a less-ordered crystalline structure leading to high loading capacity. All samples exhibited perfect type crystal (or β-modification crystal) and a less crystalline state in X-ray diffractograms. Few changes were detected in the turbidity of systems after storage time, demonstrating that the NLCs did not show significant aggregation. Antimicrobial activity of CEO emulsion and CEO loaded NLC formulations were investigated by Broth Macrodilution method and confirmed that, encapsulation was able to protect the antimicrobial activity of CEO. The results showed that CEO-loaded NLC could be used as food supplements.

The aim of the present research was to encapsulate rutin with phosphatidylcholine (PC) to form PC-rutin complex known as phytosome to overcome the fortification difficulties such as low water solubility and bioavailability. Rutin loaded nanophytosome (RNP) was prepared in different molar ratios of rutin to PC. Colloidal properties of RNPs such as particle size, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency and stability, turbidity, and effects of thermal processes and pH on the physical stability of RNPs were assessed. Phytosome structure and chemical stability of rutin were investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy and HPLC/UV–Vis spectrophotometry, respectively. RNPs with the ruitn: PC molar ratios of 1:3 showed the most physical and chemical stability (during 30 days of storage) with fine particle sizes (

The aim of the present study was to encapsulate rutin by nanostructured lipid carriers (R-NLCs), as a solution to eliminate the fortification difficulties and provide healthier functional foods. Rutin was loaded into food grade NLCs in different rutin to lipid ratios using high shear rate homogenization method. Colloidal properties of R-NLCs such as particle size, poly dispersity index, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and encapsulation stability were studied. R-NLCs with a rutin to lipid ratio of 10% were selected as an optimum formulation. Morphological studies have shown that R-NLCs are round shaped particles with smooth surfaces. The R-NLC fortified food samples and models were subjected to pH, physical and thermal stability, and turbidity analysis. The results indicated that the developed R-NLCs could provide a method for designing new functional foods based on nanocarriers.

Different studies have shown that the use of olfactory stimuli during painful medical procedures reduces infants' response to pain. The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of breast milk odor and vanilla odor on premature infants' vital signs including heart rate and blood oxygen saturation during and after venipuncture. Methods: A total of 135 preterm infants were randomly selected and divided into three groups of control, vanilla odor, and breast milk odor. Infants in the breast milk group and the vanilla group were exposed to breast milk odor and vanilla odor from 5 minutes prior to sampling until 30 seconds after sampling. Results: The results showed that breast milk odor has a significant effect on the changes of neonatal heart rate and blood oxygen saturation during and after venipuncture and decreased the variability of premature infants' heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. Vanilla odor has no significant effect on premature infants' heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. Conclusion: Breast milk odor can decrease the variability of premature infants' heart rate and blood oxygen saturation during and after venipuncture.