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Regioisomeric analysis of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in natural oils and fats is a highly challenging task in analytical chemistry. Here we present a software (TAG Analyzer) for automatic calculation of regioisomeric composition of TAGs based on the mass spectral data from recently reported ultra-high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method for analyzing TAG regioisomers. The software enables fast and accurate processing of complex product ion spectra containing structurally informative diacylglycerol [M+NH

This work investigated the impact of malolactic fermentation on the metabolomic profile of sea buckthorn juice to optimize the fermentation process for flavor modification. Six strains of L. plantarum were used with varied pH of the juice, cell acclimation, and fermentation time. 1H-NOESY spectra were acquired from fresh and fermented juices with a total of 46 metabolites identified. Less sugars and quinic acid were metabolized at pH 2.7 while oxidation of ascorbic acid was reduced at pH 3.5. l -Malic acid, essential amino acids, and nucleosides were consumed early during fermentation while sugars in general were consumed later in the fermentation. If deacidification is the main target of fermentation, strains that produce less acids and ferment less sugars, shorter fermentation time, and lower starter pH should be used. Higher starter pH and longer fermentation time promote formation of antimicrobial compounds and potentially increase antioxidant stability.

Fish and algae are the major sources of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). Globally, there is a rapid increase in demand for n-3 PUFA-rich oils. Conventional oil production processes use high temperature and chemicals, compromising the oil quality and the environment. Hence, alternative green technologies have been investigated for producing oils from aquatic sources. While most of the studies have focused on the oil extraction and enrichment of n-3 PUFAs, less effort has been directed toward green refining of oils from fish and algae. Enzymatic processing and ultrasound-assisted extraction with environment-friendly solvents are the most promising green technologies for extracting fish oil, whereas pressurized extractions are suitable for extracting microalgae oil. Lipase-catalysed ethanolysis of fish and algae oil is a promising green technology for enriching n-3 PUFAs. Green refining technologies such as phospholipase- and membrane-assisted degumming deserve investigation for application in fish and algal oils. In the current review, we critically examined the currently existing research on technologies applied at each of the steps involved in the production of oils rich in n-3 PUFAs from fish and algae species. Special attention was placed on assessment of green technologies in comparison with conventional processing methods.

Sea buckthorn (

Highlights • EU food law impacts the transformative potential of alternative proteins. • Insects and cultured meat are novel foods; several microalgae and macroalgae are not. • The GM Food Regulation applies to all genetically modified or edited foods. • The names of vegan products have caused controversy. • The principles of non-discrimination and proportionality are important for fairness. We ask how European food law impacts the transformative potential of alternative proteins, including single-cell proteins, plant-based novel proteins, cultured meat,macroalgae, and insects. The Novel Food Regulation may prove insurmountable for small companies, and it is demanding and time-consuming even for larger companies,dampening the transformative potential of all novel foods and traditional foods from third countries. Several microalgae and macroalgae are non-novel in the EU, which eases their way into the markets. The unclear novel food status of some potential green macroalgae species is a hindrance. All insects are novel, and none has EU-level authorization yet, although some Member States allow insect food. The GM Food Regulation is procedurally and scientifically demanding, and it forces GM labelling. The Regulation dampens the transformative potential of food GM technology. In addition to crops and fruit, GM Food Regulation applies to genetically modified or edited microbes,microalgae, cultured meat, and insects. The naming and labelling rules of plant-based products have caused controversy. From the business perspective, the health claims process is similarly challenging as the novel food process. EU food law must guarantee food safety and consumer rights while applying the principles of nondiscrimination and proportionality.

Aqueous extracts from blackcurrant press cake (BC), Norway spruce bark (NS), Scots pine bark (SP), and sea buckthorn leaves (SB) were obtained using maceration and pressurized hot water and tested for their bioactivities. Maceration provided the extraction of higher dry matter contents, including total phenolics (TPC), anthocyanins, and condensed tannins, which also impacted higher antioxidant activity. NS and SB extracts presented the highest mean values of TPC and antioxidant activity. Individually, NS extract presented high contents of proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, and some phenolic acids. In contrast, SB contained a high concentration of ellagitannins, ellagic acid, and quercetin, explaining the antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects. SP and BC extracts had the lowest TPC and antioxidant activity. However, BC had strong antiviral efficacy, whereas SP can be considered a potential ingredient to inhibit α-amylase. Except for BC, the other extracts decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HCT8 and A549 cells. Extracts did not inhibit the production of TNF-alpha in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 macrophages but inhibited the ROS generation during the THP-1 cell respiratory burst. The recovery of antioxidant compounds from these by-products is incentivized for high value-added applications. peerReviewed

Macroalgae-based products are increasing in demand also in Europe. In the European Union, each category of macroalgae-based products is regulated separately. We discuss EU legislation, including the law on medicinal products, foods including food supplements and food additives, feed and feed additives, cosmetics, packaging materials, fertilizers and biostimulants, as well as biofuels. Product safety and consumer protection are the priorities with any new products. Macroalgae products can be sold as traditional herbal medicines. The novel food regulation applies to macroalgae foods that have not previously been used as food, and organic macroalgae are a specific regulatory category. The maximum levels of heavy metals may be a barrier for macroalgae foods, feeds, and fertilizers. Getting health claims approved for foods based on macroalgae is demanding. In addition to the rules on products, the macroalgae business is strongly impacted by the elements of the general regulatory environment such as agricultural/aquacultural subsidies, maritime spatial planning and aquaculture licensing, public procurement criteria, tax schemes, and trade agreements.

A promising way of processing Baltic herring, Clupea harengus membras, is turning the fish into boneless mince. However, Baltic herring is prone to lipid oxidation, which possesses a challenge for industrial applications. The aim of this work was to study the efficacy of press cakes from Finnish berries and a supercritical CO2 plant extract to limit lipid oxidation during frozen storage of Baltic herring mince and to determine the impact of these additions on consumer acceptance in a fish product. Peroxide value, formation of volatile oxidation products and loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids showed that the tested natural additives decreased oxidation to a greater or similar extent as conventional antioxidants during 10-month storage. While potential of berry press cakes and plant extracts as "green label antioxidants" was shown, consumer study indicated need for further research to reach both optimal antioxidative efficacy and sensory properties.

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) contains high amounts of dietary fiber, which may regulate the food matrix behaviour. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of spent grain on yogurt. Different levels of BSG were substituted in yogurt fermentation and its impacts on microstructural properties including surface chemical properties and confocal microstructures were studied. The quality of the yogurt was evaluated by determining rheological behavior, syneresis, color, acidity and the amount of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) at 1, 7 and 14 days of storage. The addition of BSG shortened the fermentation time, increased the viscosity and shear stress. FTIR analysis showed that BSG intensifies the band region stretching which describes a modification in a certain functional group. Confocal laser scanning microscopy identified a disruption in the cross-link between fat-protein and yogurt matrix due to the addition of BSG. During the storage, BSG was able to maintain the flow behaviour and stability during the storage, which was shown as the change in flow behaviour and syneresis. Furthermore, BSG provided the nutrients for the survival of LAB during the storage and maintained the amount of lactic acid in yogurt during the 14 days of refrigerated storage. The substitution 5%–10% of BSG improved the quality of yogurt as the maximum quality such as acidity, rheological behavior and LAB growth. Even though 15%–20% of BSG generated the same level of acidity and LAB, and had the lowest syneresis, it diminished the flow performance of the yogurt.

The phenolic compounds in juices and ciders made with Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Schizosaccharomyces pombe from eleven Finnish apple cultivars were analyzed using liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods combined with multivariate data analysis. In general, the ciders contained less phenolic compounds than corresponding apple juices. In the studied apple juices and ciders, hydroxycinnamic acids were the most predominant, accounting for around 80% of total phenolic compounds. Apple juices contained more flavonol glycosides and dihydrochalcones whereas cider processing resulted in increased amount of free hydroxycinnamic acids. The contents of individual phenolic compounds were more dependent on the apple cultivars than the yeast species. Certain cultivars contained remarkably higher contents of dihydrochalcones and hydroxycinnamic acids when comparing with other cultivars. Ciders made using S. pombe remained higher contents of procyanidins and (+)-catechin while S. cerevisiae ciders contained higher individual hydroxycinnamic acids, such as 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid, and 4-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid.

This research aimed to conduct a comparison of 8 different forms of brewery spent grain (BSG) on their polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity as part of their potential as a functional food ingredient. The BSGs were dried until they reached a stable weight, grounded to pass through a 385 µm sieve and were vacuum packed in non-transparent packaging for further analysis. The results showed that BSG contained a high dietary fiber content which was dominated by a insoluble dietary fiber level of about 38.0–43.9% and a soluble dietary fiber content of about 3.9–9.6%. There were three groups of polyphenolic identified: flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids and flavonols at quantities of 362.1–1165.7 mg/kg, 65.8–122.5 mg/kg and 3.6–13.8 mg/kg, respectively. Antioxidant capacity was examined using an in vitro assessment: the 2,2′-Azinobis-(3-Ethylbenzthiazolin-6-Sulfonic Acid) (ABTS) capacity ranged from 0.086 to 0.241 mmol Trolox/100 g while the ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) capacity ranged from 0.106 to 0.306 µmol TE/100 g. In conclusion, BSG as a brewery waste can potentially be used as a functional food ingredient due to its properties. It is suggested that further studies are needed to explore BSG’s impact on the development of functional food products.

Aims The aim of the study was to investigate the isomerization of linoleic (LA) and linolenic acids (LNAs) into their conjugated isomers by Propionibacterium freudenreichii DSM 20270 and utilize this feature for microbial enrichment of blackcurrant press residue (BCPR) with health-beneficial conjugated fatty acids. Methods and results First, the ability of P. freudenreichii to isomerize 0·4 mg ml-1 of LA and LNA was studied in lactate growth medium. Free LA and α-LNA were efficiently converted into conjugated linoleic (CLA) and α-linolenic acid (α-CLNA), being the predominant isomers c9,t11-CLA and c9,t11,c15-CLNA, respectively. The bioconversion of α-LNA by P. freudenreichii was more efficient in terms of formation rate, yield and isomer-specificity. Thereafter, free LA and LNAs obtained from hydrolysed BCPR neutral lipids, by lipolytically active oat flour, were subjected to microbial isomerization in BCPR slurries. In 10% (w/v) slurries, a simultaneous enrichment in c9,t11-CLA and c9,t11,c15-CLNA of up to 0·51 and 0·29 mg ml-1 was observed from starting levels of 0·96 mg LA ml-1 and 0·37 mg α-LNA ml-1 respectively. Conclusions This study shows that growing cultures of P. freudenreichii DSM 20270 are able to simultaneously enrich BCPR with health-beneficial conjugated isomers of LA and α-LNA. Significance and impact of the study This study demonstrates that microbial isomerization technique can be utilized to enrich lipid-containing plant materials with bioactive compounds and thereby enable valorization of low value plant-based side streams from food industry into value-added food ingredients.

Understanding the importance of gut microbiota (GM) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has raised the hope for therapeutic microbes. We have shown that high hepatic fat associated with low abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in humans and further, administration of F. prausnitzii prevented NAFLD in mice. Here, we aimed to target F. prausnitzii by prebiotic xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) to treat NAFLD. First, the effect of XOS on F. prausnitzii growth was assessed in vitro. Then, XOS was supplemented or not with high (HFD) or low (LFD) fat-diet for 12-weeks in Wistar rats (n=10/group). XOS increased F. prausnitzii growth having only minor impact on the GM composition. When supplemented with HFD, XOS prevented hepatic steatosis. The underlying mechanisms involved enhanced hepatic β-oxidation and mitochondrial respiration. 1H-NMR analysis of caecal metabolites showed that compared to HFD, LFD group had healthier caecal short-chain fatty acid profile and the combination of HFD and XOS was associated with reduced caecal isovalerate and tyrosine, metabolites previously linked to NAFLD. Caecal branched-chain fatty acids associated positively and butyrate negatively with hepatic triglycerides. In conclusion, our study identifies F. prausnitzii as a possible target to treat NAFLD with XOS. The underlying preventive mechanisms involved improved hepatic oxidative metabolism.

This study compared the effects of the nonacylated and acylated anthocyanin-rich extracts on plasma metabolic profiles of Zucker diabetic fatty rats. The rats were fed with the nonacylated anthocyanin extract from bilberries (NAAB) or the acylated anthocyanin extract from purple potatoes (AAPP) at daily doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks. 1H NMR metabolomics was used to study the changes in plasma metabolites. A reduced fasting plasma glucose level was seen in all anthocyanin-fed groups, especially in the groups fed with NAAB. Both NAAB and AAPP decreased the levels of branched-chain amino acids and improved lipid profiles. AAPP increased the glutamine/glutamate ratio and decreased the levels of glycerol and metabolites involved in glycolysis, suggesting improved insulin sensitivity, gluconeogenesis, and glycolysis. AAPP decreased the hepatic TBC1D1 and G6PC messenger RNA level, suggesting regulation of gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. This study indicated that AAPP and NAAB affected the plasma metabolic profile of diabetic rats differently.

While the development of oat products often requires altered molecular weight (MW) of β-glucan, the resulting health implications are currently unclear. This 3-leg crossover trial (n = 14) investigated the effects of the consumption of oat bran with High, Medium and Low MW β-glucan (average > 1000, 524 and 82 kDa respectively) with 3 consequent meals on oat-derived phenolic compounds in urine (UHPLC-MS/MS), bile acids in feces (UHPLC-QTOF), gastrointestinal conditions (ingestible capsule), and perceived gut well-being. Urine excretion of ferulic acid was higher (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), and the fecal excretion of deoxycholic (p < 0.03, p < 0.02) and chenodeoxycholic (p < 0.06, p < 0.02) acids lower after consumption of Low MW β-glucan compared with both Medium and High MW β-glucan. Duodenal pressure was higher after consumption of High MW β-glucan compared to Medium (p < 0.041) and Low (p < 0.022) MW β-glucan. The MW of β-glucan did not affect gut well-being, but the perceptions between females and males differed.

The stereospecific structure of triacylglycerols (TAGs) affects the bioavailability of fatty acids. Lack of enantiopure reference compounds and effective enantiospecific methods have hindered the stereospecific analysis of individual TAGs. Twelve novel enantiostructured AAB-type TAGs were synthesized containing one of the three n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in sn-1 or sn-3 position. These compounds formed six enantiomer pairs, which were separated with recycling high-performance liquid chromatography using chiral columns and UV detection. The chromatographic retention behavior of the enantiomers and the stereospecific elution order were studied. The enantiomer with an n-3 PUFA in the sn-1 position eluted faster than the enantiomer with the n-3 PUFA in the sn-3 position, regardless of the carbon chain length and number of double bonds of the PUFA. TAG enantiomers containing DHA exhibited highly different retention on the chiral column and were separated after the first column, whereas recycling was needed to separate the enantiomer pairs containing ALA or EPA. The system using two identical columns and one mobile phase, without sample derivatization, proved to be very effective also for peak purity assessment, confirming the enantiopurity of the synthesized structured TAGs being higher than 98 % (96 % ee).

A promising way of processing Baltic herring, Clupea harengus membras, is turning the fish into boneless mince. However, Baltic herring is prone to lipid oxidation, which possesses a challenge for industrial applications. The aim of this work was to study the efficacy of press cakes from Finnish berries and a supercritical CO

Gluten-related disorders form the umbrella term for all conditions related to gluten ingestion, such as celiac disease (CeD) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). A life-long exclusion of gluten from diet is currently the only effective treatment in remitting the symptoms of these diseases. However, a life-long, strict GFD is challenging to maintain due to social and economic burdens. In addition, it may lead to restricted and nutritionally suboptimal diet. Thus, the possibility of using nutritious and fiber-rich oats would diversify the GFD, improving general palatability, sensory properties such as texture and fiber-content of the diet. Pure oats are being grown and produced following strict agricultural practices to minimize any contamination with other cereals. Indeed, consumption of pure, uncontaminated oats would allow a wider selection of foods for individuals with gluten related disorders. However, the inclusion of oats into GFD is not globally applied yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily consumption of oat products on intestinal microbiota composition and activity in subjects with gluten-related disorders. Subjects with CeD (n = 19) or NCGS (n = 10) and healthy volunteers (n = 14) were recruited to the study. Study subjects completed food diaries for four days preceding fecal sample collection. Intestinal microbiota composition was characterized using 16S MiSeq sequencing. The total energy intake was comparable between the study groups. However, NCGS subjects consumed more energy (E %) from protein and less from carbohydrates when compared to healthy controls (p = 0.025 and p = 0.045, respectively). Dietary fiber intake was relatively high in all subjects and no differences were observed between the study groups (p = 0.79). Total microbiota profiles were comparable between CeD, NCGS and healthy controls. In addition, no differences were observed in microbiota richness or diversity between the study groups. Phylum-level microbial abundances exhibited high inter-individual variation, but did not differ between the study groups. To conclude, microbiota markers demonstrated that oat consumption was safe and beneficial for subjects with CeD or NCGS. Oat consumption was shown to enrich available gluten-free diets and to increase dietary fiber intake to the recommended levels.

Additional file 3: Supplementary Figure 2. Principal component analysis model of phospholipid fatty acids.

The recent development of diagnostic methods and current well-being trend have increased the awareness of gluten-related diseases, such as celiac disease (CeD) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), 1% and 6 % of general population, respectively. Currently for both CeD and NCGS, the only effective treatment is a life-long gluten-free diet, which makes adequate intake of fiber challenging. Despite of improving gut function, dietary fibers promote the growth of gut beneficial microbes. They are in charge of production of numerous compounds, which are essential for human health, such as enzymes and short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Moreover, dietary fiber has an effect on ammoniacal nitrogen levels and beta-glucuronidase activity, which are harmful for human in high concentrations. Gluten-free oats are an excellent source of dietary fiber and they have exceptionally good nutritional properties.In this observational study, SCFA production, ammoniacal nitrogen levels and beta-glucuronidase activity of oat-using CeD patients, NCGS patients and healthy controls were compared. SPME-GC-MS method was developed for SCFA analysis and the other biomarkers were analyzed by spectrophotometer.There were no significant differences between groups on propionic acid and butyric acid production, only the percentage of acetic acid of total SCFAs was higher in control group compared to NCGS group, (p = 0,03). Neither was there significant differences between groups in ammonia production or beta-glucuronidase activity.It has been scientifically proven that pure oats are suitable for celiac disease and gluten-sensitive patients, but they are not commonly used outside of Scandinavia. Our results stated that oat-using CeD and NCGS patients, whose disease is in balance, have gut microbiota capable of healthy production of essential SCFAs and normal levels of harmful compounds.

Over the last years, the consumption of unpasteurised milk has increased in popularity in the Western countries, despite the known risks associated with food-borne pathogens. Some people appear to experience milk-related gastrointestinal symptoms even when tested negative for lactose intolerance and milk allergy. In such cases, processing of milk, most often homogenisation or heat treatment, has been suggested to be involved in the induction of the gastrointestinal symptoms. Commercial milk is generally homogenised for the purpose of physical stability. Homogenisation reduces the size of fat droplets. Breaking of the fat globules creates new interface, which is covered with denaturated proteins. Further denaturation level of the proteins depends on the severity of the heat treatment. In this study entity, the effect of processing of bovine milk on the gastrointestinal symptoms in self-reported milk sensitive individuals was tested in two separate double blind crossover trials. Tested milks included raw milk (unprocessed), pasteurized milk, pasteurized and homogenized milk, and UHT treated and homogenized milk thus including milks at both end of commercially approved liquid milks in Finland. All milks came from the same herd of cows, which nulled the effect of genetic background and feeding of the cows. Ingestible pH-, pressure and temperature measuring probe was used to investigate gastrointestinal pressure. Self-reported diaries were used to measure perceived gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally inflammation markers were studied from the plasma. In the first trial no significant difference was found in the amount of gastrointestinal symptoms or in the intestinal pressure after the consumption of native and processed milk. However, the obtained results on pressure in the large intestine (P = 0.068) as well as reported symptoms (P = 0.103) suggested that further studies in this area were needed. However, in the second trial where pasteurised, pasteurised and homogenised, and UHT -treated and homogenized milks were compared, the amount, severity or duration of the reported symptoms did not differ. This study demonstrates that the ingestible pressure-, pH and temperature measuring probe provided a novel possibility to study intestinal pressure in nutrition trials. The results of the present studies do not support the hypothesis that cows’ milk processing would induce gastrointestinal symptoms in milk sensitive but lactose tolerant subjects.

Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Linear regression analysis.

Additional file 2: Supplementary Figure 1. Principal component analysis model with all mothers (n = 100) and all measured lipids.

Dairy products are often reported as a source of stomach discomfort, and processing of cows' milk has been claimed to be one reason for this. To investigate the role of milk processing on adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, a cross-over, double blind clinical trial with fourteen milk sensitive subjects was set up. Pasteurised, pasteurised and homogenised, and ultra-high temperature-treated and homogenised milk, representing products from the mildest and hardest processing, were used as study meals. The amount, severity or duration of the reported symptoms or postprandial lipaemia did not differ, while significant differences were seen in the postprandial fatty acid composition of plasma between the milk types. The 92 inflammation markers measured in plasma did not differ between the subjects who consumed different types of milk. The results of the present study do not support the hypothesis that cows’ milk processing could induce gastrointestinal symptoms in milk sensitive but lactose tolerant subjects.

A previously developed direct inlet tandem mass spectrometric method for analysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) regioisomers was updated and validated for operation with current instrumentation with improved sensitivity and throughput. TAG regioisomers in pooled Chinese and Finnish human milk samples, two bovine milk samples and 11 infant formulas were identified and quantified. A total of 241 TAG regioisomers were identified and quantified, consisting of over 60 mol% of all TAGs in the human milk samples. The infant formulas deviated largely from human milk in regioisomeric composition of TAGs. In the Finnish and Chinese human milks, the most abundant ones were 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO; 7.4 and 8.8 mol% of all TAGs) and 1(3)-linoleoyl-2-palmitoyl-3(1)-oleoylglycerol (LPO; 4.7 and 8.3 mol% of all TAGs). In the infant formulas 1,2(2,3)-dioleoyl-3(1)-palmitoylglycerol (OOP) and 1(3)-linoleoyl-2-oleoyl-3(1)-palmitoylglycerol/1(3)-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3(1)-oleoylglycerol (LOP/PLO) were more abundant than OPO and LPO. The differences between human milk and infant formula prompt for further development of current formulas.

Some people experience gastrointestinal symptoms related to cow’s milk consumption even if neither lactose intolerance nor cow’s milk allergy can be diagnosed. To investigate whether milk homogenization could cause gastrointestinal problems, homogenized and pasteurized milk and native milk were served to eleven volunteers who reported such sensitivity in a random order together with an ingestible pressure measuring capsule. Postprandial lipemia did not differ between the two milk types, but significant differences were found in the postprandial plasma fatty acid composition. No significant difference was found in the amount of gastrointestinal symptoms or in the intestinal pressure after the consumption of native and processed milk. However, the obtained results on pressure in the large intestine (P = 0.068) as well as reported symptoms (P = 0.103) suggest that further studies in this area are needed with a bigger subject group and with longer exposure times to differently processed milk types.

Aim To compare the effects of regular vs low-FODMAP rye bread on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and to study gastrointestinal conditions with SmartPill®. Methods Our aim was to evaluate if rye bread low in FODMAPs would cause reduced hydrogen excretion, lower intraluminal pressure, higher colonic pH, different transit times, and fewer IBS symptoms than regular rye bread. The study was a randomized, double-blind, controlled cross-over meal study. Female IBS patients (n = 7) ate study breads at three consecutive meals during one day. The diet was similar for both study periods except for the FODMAP content of the bread consumed during the study day. Intraluminal pH, transit time, and pressure were measured by SmartPill, an indigestible motility capsule. Results Hydrogen excretion (a marker of colonic fermentation) expressed as area under the curve (AUC)(0-630 min) was [median (range)] 6300 (1785-10800) ppm∙min for low-FODMAP rye bread and 10 635 (4215-13080) ppm∙min for regular bread (P = 0.028). Mean scores of gastrointestinal symptoms showed no statistically significant differences but suggested less flatulence after low-FODMAP bread consumption (P = 0.063). Intraluminal pressure correlated significantly with total symptom score after regular rye bread (ρ = 0.786, P = 0.036) and nearly significantly after low-FODMAP bread consumption (ρ = 0.75, P = 0.052). We found no differences in pH, pressure, or transit times between the breads. Gastric residence of SmartPill was slower than expected. SmartPill left the stomach in less than 5 h only during one measurement (out of 14 measurements in total) and therefore did not follow on par with the rye bread bolus. Conclusion Low-FODMAP rye bread reduced colonic fermentation vs regular rye bread. No difference was found in median values of intraluminal conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Finland is the second largest oat producer in Europe. Despite the existing knowledge of phenolics in oat, there is little information on the phenolic composition of oats from Finland. The aim of the study was to investigate the concentrations of free and bound phenolic acids, as well as avenanthramides in eight Finnish cultivars of husked oat ( Avena sativa L.). Seven phenolic acids and one phenolic aldehyde were identified, including, in decreasing order of abundance: p-coumaric, ferulic, cinnamic, syringic, vanillic, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic, and o-coumaric acids and syringaldehyde. Phenolic acids were mostly found as bound compounds. Significant varietal differences ( p < 0.05) were observed in the cumulative content of phenolic acids, with the lowest level found in cv. 'Viviana' (1202 ± 52.9 mg kg-1) and the highest in cv. 'Akseli' (1687 ± 80.2 mg kg-1). Avenanthramides (AVNs) 2a, 2p, and 2f were the most abundant. Total AVNs levels ranged from 26.7 ± 1.44 to 185 ± 12.5 mg kg-1 in cv. 'Avetron' and 'Viviana', respectively.

Methods were optimized for extraction and quantification of anthocyanins (ACY) and vitamin C in potatoes. Acidified aqueous methanol (70%) was the optimal extraction solvent and freeze-drying significantly improved the extraction yield of ACY. The content of ACY varied widely in five potato cultivars from 0.42 to 3.18mg/g dry weight, with the latter being the highest value found in the Finnish cultivar 'Synkeä Sakari'. Compared with dithiothreitol (DTT), tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP) was more efficient in reducing dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) to ascorbic acid (AA) and for quantifying the content of total ascorbic acid (TAA). For raw potatoes, quantification of TAA after treatment with TCEP was more reliable than a direct analysis of AA, whereas AA can be analyzed directly in steam-cooked samples. The TAA contents in the three potato cultivars were around 0.30-0.35mg/g dry weight. The loss of AA in steam cooking was 24%.

The potential for using extracts of press residues from black, green, red, and white currants and from sea buckthorn berries as sources of antioxidants for foods use was investigated. Press residues were extracted with ethanol in four consecutive extractions, and total Folin-Ciocalteu (F-C) reactive material and authentic phenolic compounds were determined. Radical quenching capability and mechanisms were determined from total peroxyl radical-trapping antioxidant capacity (TRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays and from diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) kinetics, respectively; specific activities were normalized to F-C reactive concentrations. Levels of total F-C reactive materials in press residue extracts were higher than in many fruits and showed significant radical quenching activity. Black currant had the highest authentic phenol content and ORAC, TRAP, and DPPH reactivity. Sea buckthorn grown in northern Finland showed extremely high total specific DPPH reactivity. These results suggest that berry press residues offer attractive value-added products that can provide antioxidants for use in stabilizing and fortifying foods.

Supercritical fluid was applied to extract volatile compounds from Finnish wild mushrooms (Craterellus tubaeformis). The effects of extraction pressure, temperature and supercritical carbon dioxide volume on extraction yield and the content of mushroom alcohols in the extracts were investigated in the range from 80 to 95 bar, 35 to 55 °C and 30 to 70 mL, respectively. The correlation between extracted volatile compounds and supercritical fluid extraction parameters was studied and prediction models of ten extracted aroma compounds were established by partial least squares regression (PLSR). The calibrated and validated models of 2-octen-1-ol (R_cal = 0.96, R_cal2 = 0.91, R_val = 0.94, R_val2 = 0.88) and geranyl acetone (R_cal = 0.96, R_cal2 = 0.92, R_val = 0.95, R_val2 = 0.90) were satisfactory, and had the predictive capability of 88% and 92%, respectively. Moreover, the predictive equations for other extracted aroma compounds were also proved to be sufficiently accurate. Hence, the present study provides useful reference for extraction of volatile compounds from mushrooms using supercritical fluid for further industrial applications.

In order to assist developing a natural, safe food-preservative, aqueous ethanolic extracts of leaves and berries of eight Finnish berry plants were fractionated with Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. For each fraction, phenolic compounds were analyzed with NMR, UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activities of the fractions were investigated using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and the antibacterial activities were evaluated against foodborne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Antioxidant activities of the fractions correlated highly with both the total concentration and structural feature of phenolic compounds, including both flavonoids and non-flavonoid phenolics. ORAC value correlated strongly with the concentration of (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatecin, quercetin glycosides, and anthocyanins. Increase in size and number of sugar moieties may reduce the antioxidative activities of quercetin glycosides. Type of sugar moieties may have a significant role in influencing peroxyl-radicals scavenging ability of quercetin glycosides with monosaccharides as a single sugar moieties. Most of the fractions inhibited the target microbes. S. aureus strains expressed a higher sensitivity to phenolic compounds than E. coli strains.

This investigation studied the effects of different drying temperatures on the content of phenolic compounds and carotenoids in quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) from Finland. Five drying temperatures were applied to reach a dry matter content of 94–95% w/w: room temperature, 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C. The process performed at 70 °C allowed the greatest recovery of total phenolic compounds, 994 ± 28 mg kg−1. Ferulic acid and quercetin were the main phenolics identified. The drying process performed at 60 °C allowed the greatest recovery of cumulative carotenoids, 2.39 ± 0.05 mg kg−1. The carotenoids identified were xanthophylls, e.g., lutein, zeaxanthin and neochrome. The use of heat impacted positively on the phytochemical composition of quinoa. The concentration of phenolics and carotenoids increased steadily with the rise in drying temperature. Results obtained provide scientific knowledge that can be used by producers to increase the availability of such phytochemicals in quinoa seeds.

In this study, the anthocyanin from Lonicera caerulea 'Beilei' fruit (ABL) was extracted and purified. The purified component (ABL-2) was then evaluated for its anti-tumor properties on human hepatoma cells (SMMC-7721) in vitro and the murine hepatoma cells (H22) in vivo. In vitro, ABL-2 not only significantly inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells, but also remarkably blocked the cells’ cycle in G2/M phase, inducing DNA damage and eventually leading to apoptosis. In vivo, ABL also killed tumor cells, inhibited tumor growth, and improved the survival status of H22 tumor-bearing mice. These effects were associated with an increase in the activities of antioxidase and a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by changes in SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and MDA levels. In addition, ABL-2 also regulated the levels of immune cytokines including IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. These results revealed that ABL-2 exerts an effective anti-tumor effect by dynamically adjusting the REDOX balance and improving the immunoregulatory activity of H22 tumor-bearing mice. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside (8.16 mg/g), cyanidin-3-glucoside (387.60 mg/g), cyanidin-3-rutinoside (23.62 mg/g), and peonidin-3-glucoside (22.20 mg/g) were the main components in ABL-2, which may contribute to its anti-tumor activity.

Soluble sugars, malic acid, and ascorbic acid in 17 apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh.) and three wild forms (M. pumila ‘Saiwaihong’, M. prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh. and M. micromalus Makino) from three major apple cultivation regions in China were quantified using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Fructose was the most abundant sugar, followed by sucrose, glucose, and sorbitol. Wild apples contain more sorbitol and less sucrose and were significantly more acidic than cultivated fruits. The total sugar content varied from 110 to 160 mg/g fresh fruits, total acid content from 2 to 6 mg/g, with a strong influence of genetic background and growth location. Overall, ‘Gala’, ‘Xiali’, ‘Liuyuehong’, ‘Lihong’, ‘Starking Delicious’, and ‘Starkrimson’ were characterized by higher sugar/acid ratio indicating sweeter taste compared to other cultivars. The wild apples had the highest content of ascorbic acid (0.6–0.96 mg/g). Compared to other cultivars, ‘Zhongqiuwang’, ‘Qinguan’, and ‘Nagafu No. 2′ were richer in ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid content in the commercial cultivars was highly dependent on growth location. The content of malic acid and sucrose positively correlated to altitude, and that of glucose negatively. Malic acid positively correlated with ascorbic acid and sucrose, glucose content with ascorbic acid.

The composition of human milk is subject to considerable variation, but the effects of maternal stress are largely unknown. We studied differences in human milk metabolome between Finnish mothers (n = 120, secretors) with symptoms of prenatal symptoms of psychological distress and milk cortisol concentrations. Human milk samples acquired at 2.5 months postpartum were analyzed using targeted 1H NMR metabolomics. Self-reported scores for depression (EPDS), overall anxiety (SCL-90), and pregnancy-related anxiety (PRAQ) were used to evaluate psychological distress. Prenatal psychological distress was positively associated with concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, caprate, and hypoxanthine (q

There is an increasing demand by consumers for low-alcohol beverages with enhanced flavors and potential health benefits. This study evaluated the effects of cultivars and fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Torulaspora delbrueckii on the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity and sensory properties of low-alcohol strawberry beverages. Compared to juice, fermentation increased the contents of ethyl esters but reduced the contents of anthocyanins (~60%) and organic acids (~50%). The cultivar was the most important factor affecting the physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of fermented beverages. Among the cultivars, the beverages from the ‘Honeoye’ presented the highest sourness, opacity, redness and color density, total anthocyanins and phenolics, and antioxidant capacity but the lowest pungent aroma and ethanol content. Without added sugar, there was no significant difference in ethanol content between fermented beverages produced by S. cerevisiae and T. delbrueckii. Compared to S. cerevisiae, fermentation involving T. delbrueckii resulted in higher contents of anthocyanins and enhanced the color and flavor of the beverages. The results indicated that strawberry cultivars should be considered to produce fermented beverages with consistent physicochemical and sensory properties, and T. delbrueckii can be an alternative yeast for producing low-alcohol beverages from strawberries.

The valorization of brewers’ spent grain (BSG) as an ingredient has been reported to increase the nutritional value of various food items. However, it diminishes its mechanical properties, technological processing properties, and the acceptability of the final food products. This study aims to modify the dietary fiber composition of BSG by autoclave treatment (AT) in order to improve its functional properties. Different temperatures and time exposures were evaluated along with the involvement of pressure. The results show that AT is able to modify the composition of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, hydration properties, oil holding capacity, and color, in addition to the proximate composition of BSG. FTIR spectrum confirms the changes in the microstructure of BSG, specifically in the hydroxyl and acid functional groups. AT increases the lightness of BSG, which allow for greater additions in food products. AT also decreased the Aw, thus inhibiting the degradation due to microbial growth and chemical reaction. Therefore, AT seemingly extends the safety of BSG during storage. In conclusion, autoclave treatment can be used to improve the quality of BSG, with the consideration that certain conditions need to be optimized. Further studies on food applications and specific biological compounds are expected.

Lupine (Lupinus sp.) is a valuable source of plant proteins. There is little knowledge on the impact of food processing on composition and sensory properties of lupine products. In this research, we investigated the impact of fermentation with five starters of lactic acid bacteria on the sensory quality and flavor-active compounds in dairy analogues prepared from sweet lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.). The sensory qualities of unfermented and fermented products were studied with generic descriptive analysis and affective tests. Acids and sugars were analyzed with GC-FID and volatiles with HS-SPME-GC-MS and GC-O. Fermentation increased sourness and 'vinegar' odor and reduced the 'beany' odor and flavor as well as the unpleasantness of flavor. Formation of volatiles during the fermentation was dependent on the starters. However, all fermentations increased the contents of lactic, acetic, and hexanoic acids, while reducing the contents of hexanal, described as 'grassy' in the unfermented lupine sample.

Red beet betalains, grape anthocyanins, and their mixtures were used as colorants in white currant juice. Storage stability of the compounds was evaluated using liquid chromatography and the degradation kinetic order and parameters were calculated. Degradation of betalains followed first-order kinetics, while the degradation of anthocyanins did not have any trend toward any order kinetics. The coexisting anthocyanins and their concentration affected the rate constant of betalains. Betalains degraded faster than anthocyanins, their mixtures promoted respective degradation. Pyruvate derivatives of anthocyanins showed better stability. During storage, all samples became more yellowish with CIELab method and lighter in color. In the projective mapping sensory test, samples were distinguished by the colorant type as the main criteria and the storage time as the second criteria. Anthocyanin (described as 'dark' and 'natural') was preferred by sensory panelists over betalain (described as 'pink' and 'unnatural'), as were the fresh samples over stored samples.

The contribution of ethyl β-d-glucopyranoside (EG) to sensory profile of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides ssp. rhamnoides) was studied. The content of natural existing EG varied between 0.6 and 19.8g/L in the sea buckthorn studied. The taste threshold of pure EG was estimated in water solution as 1.1±1.3g/L, and the suprathreshold aqueous EG solution (5.0g/L) was perceived mainly as bitter. In aqueous sugar-acid mixtures, acids were the major contributors to sourness and astringency, whereas the added EG or sugars showed little impact on the overall sensory profile. EG addition increased the bitterness of sea buckthorn juice. The sensory profiles of the juices were dominated by intense sourness correlating with the malic acid content. The bitterness of the juices correlated with the EG content as well as the ratios EG/acids and EG/sugars. EG content shall be considered when selecting raw materials for industrial processing.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is considered as one of the most important bacterial indicators of a healthy gut. We studied the effects of oral F. prausnitzii treatment on high-fat fed mice. Compared to the high-fat control mice, F. prausnitzii-treated mice had lower hepatic fat content, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and increased fatty acid oxidation and adiponectin signaling in liver. Hepatic lipidomic analyses revealed decreases in several species of triacylglycerols, phospholipids and cholesteryl esters. Adiponectin expression was increased in the visceral adipose tissue, and the subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues were more insulin sensitive and less inflamed in F. prausnitzii-treated mice. Further, F. prausnitzii treatment increased muscle mass that may be linked to enhanced mitochondrial respiration, modified gut microbiota composition and improved intestinal integrity. Our findings show that F. prausnitzii treatment improves hepatic health, and decreases adipose tissue inflammation in mice and warrant the need for further studies to discover its therapeutic potential. peerReviewed

Juice was pressed from black currants without enzyme treatment (NEB=Non-Enzymatic Berry) followed by re-pressing of the residue with enzymes (EPR=Enzymatic Press Residue) and the results were compared to the conventional enzyme-aided berry pressing (EB=Enzymatic Berry). EPR-juice had 9- and 5-fold higher contents of phenolic compounds compared with the NEB- and EB-juices, respectively. Effect of the low content and stability of phenolics was noticed as loss of the visual color in the NEB-juice during storage. The decrease in monomeric anthocyanins and the increase in phenolic acids were most severe in the NEB-juice, whereas the most significant decline in hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives occurred in the enzyme-treated juices. Storage in light induced less change in the phenolic composition in EPR-juice than in the two other juices. The study gave new knowledge on changes in individual metabolites, in sensory properties and in the shelf life of berry juices.

The berries of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. rhamnoides) cultivars 'Terhi' and 'Tytti' were studied with respect to their growth location, 60° and 68°N latitude in Finland and 46°N in Canada, using 1H NMR metabolomics. The berries of 'Terhi' were characterised by stronger signals of quinic acid, while 'Tytti' had higher levels of O-ethyl β-d-glucopyranoside. The metabolic profile of the northernmost berries was distinctly different from those grown in southern Finland or Canada. Berries from northern Finland had relatively higher levels of quinic acid, glucose, l-quebrachitol and ascorbic acid. Ethyl glucoside was shown to accumulate by several fold at the late stage of maturation in the south as it correlated with degree days (r=0.63) and global radiation (r=0.59), but not in the north. The variance in the composition of the sea buckthorn berries demonstrates plasticity in the acclimatisation to growth environments.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. rhamnoides) of varieties 'Terhi' and 'Tytti' and one of wild origin were cultivated in southern and northern Finland, harvested during 2007-2013. Proanthocyanidins (PAs) were analyzed with HILIC UPLC-ESI-MS. The southern and northern samples were separated in the partial least squares discriminant analysis model (four factors, R(2) 0.75, Q(2) 0.70). The total PAs were more abundant in berries from the north (610-970mg/100gDW) than in those from the south (340-450mg/100gDW) (p

A highly sensitive mass spectrometric (MS) method was developed and validated to analyze ratios of regioisomeric triacylglycerols (TAGs) in fats and oils. UPLC resolution of lithiated TAGs followed by daughter scan MS/MS of positive ions revealed several indicative ions for quantitative analysis. Reference TAGs containing C14-C20 fatty acids (FAs) showed good linear response. Analysis of Finnish and Chinese pooled human milk samples revealed hundreds of regioisomeric TAGs. At least 64mol% of the TAGs were quantified with relative standard deviation

Cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in foods may pose risks for human health. Suitable antioxidants can reduce the formation of COPs in industrial products. Consumer awareness of food additives has brought a need for more natural alternatives. This is the first study on the effects of supercritical CO2 extracts of rosemary, oregano, and an antimicrobial blend of seven herbs, tested at two levels (1 and 3 g/kg fish), against cholesterol oxidation in patties made of a widely consumed fish species, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), during baking and storage. Cholesterol oxidation was reduced by the extracts as indicated by lowered levels of 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol, which were quantified by GC-MS. The total amount of COPs was smaller in all of the cooked samples containing the plant extracts (

Blackcurrants of three Finnish commercial cultivars 'Mortti', 'Ola', and 'Melalahti' cultivated in southern and northern Finland were compared on the basis of the content and composition of proanthocyanidins (PAs). Seventeen B-type PA oligomers (degree of polymerization 2-5 and 7) were detected by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Total PAs, dimers, trimers, and tetramers were quantified. Among the three cultivars, 'Ola' had the highest contents of both total PAs and PA oligomers. 'Melalahti' was separated from both 'Mortti' and 'Ola' by PA profiles in the partial least-squares discriminant analysis model. All three cultivars revealed distinct responses to latitude and weather conditions. The content of total PAs showed a positive correlation to latitude in 'Ola' and 'Melalahti'. Among the meteorological variables, high temperature and radiation correlated negatively with total PAs, while only specific variables showed a correlation with PA oligomers.

Plants are highly sensitive to changes in the light environment and respond to alternating light conditions by coordinated adjustments in foliar gene expression and metabolism. Here we assessed how long-term growth under high irradiance and elevated temperature, a scenario increasingly associated with the climate change, affects foliar chemical composition of Brassicaceous plants. Transcript profiling of Arabidopsis suggested up-regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism and down-regulation of processes related to biotic stress resistance and indole glucosinolates (GSL). These observations prompted metabolite profiling of purple (Black Magic) and pale green (Half Tall) varieties of kale, an economically important crop species. Long-term acclimation to high light and elevated temperature resulted in reduced levels of 4-methoxy-indol-3-yl-methyl GSL in both kale varieties. The total levels of aliphatic GSLs increased under these conditions, although the profiles of individual GSL structures showed cultivar-dependent differences. Black Magic became rich in 4-methylsulfinylbutyl GSL and 2-phenylethyl GSL, which have health-promoting effects in human diet. Additionally, the purple pigmentation of Black Magic became intensified due to increased accumulation anthocyanins, especially derivatives of cyanidin. These findings demonstrate that the potentially stressful combination of high light and elevated temperature can have beneficial effects on the accumulation of health-promoting metabolites in leafy vegetables.