Marina Ciancia

Background: Plant cell wall’s polysaccharides constitute a fundamental source of energy, influencing voluntary intake and digestibility of food, and also affecting peristalsis and health of the digestive tract in animals and people. Because herbivores are less prone to cancer than meat eaters, over the last decades, different teams have investigated the role of plant polysaccharides in immune system activation. Aim: In this work, we examine this research seeking to understand if dietary carbohydrates from plant cell walls can be justifiably considered effective components for preventing breast cancer, specifically as it's the most common type of cancer for women. Methods: We evaluate results from in vitro and in vivo experiments, observational studies (prospective cohort studies) conducted on people (nonvegetarian and vegetarian), and research studies on animals (monogastric herbivores and ruminants). Summary: Specific studies evaluating fiber intake and quality over long periods are scarce, inconclusive, or show mixed results regarding the plant cell polysaccharides present in the diet (structural and storage polysaccharides). We conclude that at the moment, there is not enough causal evidence to justify a recommendation that plant cell walls can be justifiably considered effective components for preventing breast cancer. Proposed steps to follow: a people prospective cohort study with special emphasis on retrieving information about fiber intake and composition of the ingested fiber to better elucidate a causal link in the prevention of breast cancer. Furthermore, a long-life, systematic study on mammalian herbivorous animals for addressing the link specifically between plant cell wall polysaccharides and breast cancer incidence.

Previous studies in the Salado River Basin (Argentina) demonstrated that the introduced forage species, Lotus tenuis Waldst. & Kit. ex Wild. (Fabaceae), possesses high tolerance to abiotic stresses—including flooding, alkalinity, salinity, and drought. The efficient biological fixation of nitrogen in a region with a scarce presence of native legumes is one of its advantages. Despite these qualities, a year-long characterization of cell wall (CW) polysaccharides in Lotus tenuis and their relationship with the high nutritional quality is missing. In this study, seasonal parametric investigations of L. tenuis, regarding its photosynthetic and ionic status, modifications in CW composition, and concomitant nutritional quality, were performed. Our results demonstrate the high plant digestibility and protein content of this legume, even in summer, when most accompanying species reduce their forage quality. Regarding gas production kinetics (in vitro production is a proxy for the animal rumen’s output), spring biomass had the highest values. The CW material yields are similar throughout the year, but with differences in polysaccharide composition. In summer and winter, pectins predominate, while in the regrowth periods (spring and autumn), pectins and β-glucans are found in similar amounts. This work confirms that Lotus tenuis can help optimize grassland productivity in challenging mesophytic terrains to increase livestock productivity through environmentally friendly services.

Edible films based on fruit and vegetable purees combined with different food-grade biopolymeric binding agents (e.g., pectin, gelatin, starch, sodium alginate) are recognized as interesting packaging materials that benefit from the physical, mechanical, and barrier properties of biopolymers as well as the sensory and nutritional properties of purees. In the current contribution, edible antioxidant films based on pear juice and pregelatinized cassava starch were developed. In particular, the suitability of using pregelatinized cassava starch for the non-thermal production of these novel edible films was evaluated. In addition, the effects on the films’ properties derived from the use of pear juice instead of the complete puree, from the content of juice used, and from the carbohydrate composition associated with the ripening of pears were all studied. The produced films were characterized in terms of their total polyphenol content, water sensitivity, and water barrier, optical, mechanical and antioxidant properties. Results showed that the use of pear juice leads to films with enhanced transparency compared with puree-based films, and that juice concentration and carbohydrate composition associated with the degree of fruit ripeness strongly govern the films’ properties. Furthermore, the addition of pregelatinized cassava starch at room temperature discloses a significant and favorable impact on the cohesiveness, lightness, water resistance, and adhesiveness of the pear-juice-based films, which is mainly attributed to the effective interactions established between the starch macromolecules and the juice components.