Monika Garg

This study describes the extraction of anthocyanins (ACNs) from different secondary-agricultural residues and encapsulate them using casein to enhance their stability and bioavailability.

Anthocyanin, a natural pigment from the flavonoid family, can be useful as a natural functional ingredient in the packaging industry.

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. Anthocyanins, which are natural antioxidants, have been reported to manage T2DM-related complications. However, the potential of anthocyanin-rich black wheat as a functional food for managing diabetes remains unexplored. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of anthocyanin-rich black wheat on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, oxidative stress, inflammation, and organ protection in high fat diet-streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) induced T2DM rats. Methods: T2DM was induced in rats using HFD-STZ. The rats were fed with either white wheat or anthocyanin-rich black wheat chapatti. Glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory markers, and glucose transporters were assessed. Histopathological analysis of the liver, kidneys, and spleen was performed. Results: Compared to white wheat chapatti, black wheat chapatti exhibited higher α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Black wheat chapatti consumption significantly reduced blood glucose and HbA1c levels, and improved insulin sensitivity, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance. Antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities were enhanced. Atherogenic dyslipidemia was attenuated, with improved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, leptin, resistin and cortisol) were reduced, while adiponectin (Acrp-30) levels increased. Black wheat chapatti activated adiponectin-AMPK and PI3K-AKT pathways, upregulating glucose transporters (GLUT-2 and GLUT-4). Histopathology revealed protective effects on the liver, kidneys, and spleen. Conclusions: Anthocyanin-rich black wheat chapatti ameliorates insulin resistance and associated complications in HFD-STZ-induced T2DM rats. It modulates key signaling pathways and glucose transporters, demonstrating its potential as a functional food for managing T2DM and its complications.

As the global economy expanded rapidly, people in developing nations became increasingly concerned about having access to nutritious food. The idea of developing biofortified colored wheat started as an means to provide sufficient nutrients to all over the globe. The anthocyanin-rich biofortified colored wheat created through conventional breeding contains antioxidants which are capable of neutralizing the harmful effects caused by damaging free radicals. Colored wheat contains the anthocyanin, which has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including protection from metabolic syndromes including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and dyslipidemia. Since wheat is a staple food crop in many regions of the world, it is thought that the development of anthocyanin-biofortified wheat might have a significant impact on human lifestyle. In this chapter, we have explored numerous elements of colored wheat such as its origin, processing quality, product development and its health benefits. Therefore, this chapter provides a concise overview of the research on using colored wheat high in anthocyanins to reduce free radical-induced clinical symptoms.

Exploration of medicinal plants for bioactive-producing endophytic fungi is a relatively unmapped source of pharmaceutically important compounds. In this study, the endophytic fungus Curvularia lunata AREF029 isolated from the medicinal plant Cymbopogon citratus (known as lemongrass) was assessed for its biological activity. The methanolic extract of AREF029 had minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ranging from 38 to 174 µg/ml against phytopathogenic fungi Alteranria solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. Furthermore, the AREF029 methanolic extract displayed a broad-spectrum MIC of 25 µg/ml in the case of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus). In vitro cytotoxicity analysis with murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 determined 56% nitric oxide inhibition activity at 200 µg/ml concentration of the extract and more than 99% cell viability. Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid chromatography—high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analyses showed the presence of methoxy-5-methyl-4-oxo-2,5-hexadienoic acid (penicillic acid), phthalic acid, bis (7-methyloctyl) ester, 8-hydroxyquinoline, tetroquinone, curvulamine, Curvuleremophilane B/D, Chromonilinc acid A/C and other putative bioactive compounds in the extract. The current investigation supports the significance of the endophytic fungus C. lunata as a source of potent antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Biofortification is a widely accepted cost-effective agricultural strategy to improve the nutrient deficiency in populations. It is especially useful in low income and developing nations. Strategies for biofortification employ crop breeding, targeted genetic alteration, and agronomy, show promise for addressing multiple forms of human malnutrition. To increase the bioavailability of food nutrients, biofortification efforts must focus on improving the nutrient content of food and decreasing anti-nutrients. This book covers the basics of biofortification, international efforts, challenges, opportunities, and the use of the latest omics technologies in addition to classical approaches. It covers the most studied micronutrients, vitamin biofortification, and the new topics in dietary fibers, starch quality, and phenolics. It uniquely covers the antinutrients like phytic acid, ODAP, and Glucosinolates. It also reviews food bioavailability, scientific research, and meta-analyses to assess the health-promoting efficacy of different nutrients. The book attempts to cover all bases, from decision considerations to prospects, as well as biofortification of nutrients, antinutrient reduction, and the use of latest technology to aid in the nutritional enhancement of virtually all recorded food crops.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, nuts, and lean meats lowers blood pressure, improves diabetic glucose control, promotes weight loss, and reduces cardiovascular disease and cancer risk. Several pre-clinical and clinical research examines the global health benefits of known and unknown plant or animal-based bioactive components. To conclude such different studies' outputs, a systematic review and meta-analysis proved to be a practical choice by combining data from large-scale randomized controlled clinical trials and various small studies. Meta-analysis is a study-of-studies that integrates findings from various research to enhance sample size and statistical power. Meta-analysis gathers, combines, and statistically analyzes all studies on a topic and design. Meta-analyses clarify study discrepancies. Formally examining conflicting study data allows for new ideas and conflict causes. Meta-analysis can also answer issues with a more significant impact than a single study. Thus, this book chapter presents the role of meta-analysis in appraising various food components on human health benefits. The most challenging aspect of assessing the effects of nutrition is that, unlike drug studies, where interventions are frequently equivalent, nutrition intervention trials often use different methodologies. It is challenging to measure the consumption of numerous foods and nutrients in observational studies because populations differ significantly in their dietary habits and how they report on those habits. This chapter covered various techniques employed by researchers, publicly available registration, and guideline platforms for meta-analysis studies.