Browsing by Author "Liu, Chao"
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Camellia japonica flowers as a source of nutritional and bioactive compoundsPublication . Pereira, Antia Gonzalez; Cassani, Lucia; Liu, Chao; Li, Ningyang; Chamorro, Franklin; Barreira, João C.M.; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.In recent decades, plants have strengthened their relevance as sources of molecules potentially beneficial for health. This underpinning effect also arises from the extensive research that has been conducted on plants that are typically undervalued, besides being scarcely used. This is the case with Camellia japonica in Galicia (NW Spain), where, despite its abundance, it is exclusively used for ornamental purposes and has been studied only for its proximate composition. Thus, the present study was conducted on several additional parameters in the flowers of eight C. japonica varieties. Our results show that camellia has a high nutritional value, with carbohydrates as the most abundant macronutrients followed by a moderate protein content (4.4-6.3 g/100 g dry weight) and high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially & omega;-3 fatty acids, which represent 12.9-22.7% of the total fatty acids), raising its potential for use for nutritional purposes. According to the thermochemical characterization and elemental composition of camellia, the raw material has poor mineralization and low nitrogen content, but high percentages of volatile matter and high carbon-fixation rates, making it a promising alternative for biofuel production. Furthermore, preliminary analysis reveals a high concentration of different bioactive compounds. As a result of these findings, camellias can be used as food or functional ingredients to improve the nutritional quality of food formulations.
- Fucoxanthin’s optimization from undaria pinnatifida using conventional heat extraction, bioactivity assays and in silico studiesPublication . Lourenço-Lopes, Catarina; Fraga-Corral, Maria; Soria-Lopez, Anton; Núñez Estévez, Bernabé; Barral Martínez, Marta; Silva, Aurora; Li, Ningyang; Liu, Chao; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.Brown macroalgae are a potential source of natural pigments. Among them, Undaria pinnatifida is recognized for its high concentration of fucoxanthin (Fx), which is a pigment with a wide range of bioactivities. In this study, three independent parameters were optimized for conventional heat extraction (CHE) to maximize the recovery of Fx from Undaria pinnatifida. Optimal conditions (temperature = 45 °C, solvent = 70%, and time = 61 min) extracted 5.1 mg Fx/g dw. Later, the bioactivities of the Fx-rich extracts (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective) were assessed using in vitro and in silico approaches. In vitro assays indicated that Fx has a strong antioxidant capacity and even stronger antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. This data was supported in silico where Fx established a high binding affinity to DR, a Staphylococcus aureus protein, through aa ALA-8, LEU-21, and other alkane interactions. Finally, the in vitro enzymatic inhibition of AChE using Fx, was further supported using docking models that displayed Fx as having a high affinity for aa TYR72 and THR 75; therefore, the Fx extraction behavior explored in this work may reduce the costs associated with energy and solvent consumption. Moreover, this paper demonstrates the efficiency of CHE when recovering high amounts of Fx from Undaria pinnatifida. Furthermore, these findings can be applied in different industries.
- Macroalgae as biofactories of metal nanoparticles; biosynthesis and food applicationsPublication . Barciela, Paula; Carpena Rodríguez, María; Li, Ningyang; Liu, Chao; Jafari, Seid Mahdi; Simal-Gandara, Jesus; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.Nanotechnology has opened a new frontier in recent years, capable of providing new ways of controlling and structuring products with greater market value and offering significant opportunities for the development of innovative applications in food processing, preservation, and packaging. Macroalgae (MAG) are the major photoautotrophic group of living beings known as a potential source of secondary metabolites, namely phenolic compounds, pigments, and polysaccharides. Biosynthesis based on the abilities of MAG as "nanobiofactories" targets the use of algal secondary metabolites as reducing agents to stabilize nanoparticles (NPs). Nowadays, most of the studies are focused on the use of metal (Ag, Au) and metal-oxide (CuO, ZnO) NPs derived from algae. The eco-friendly biosynthesis of metal NPs reduces the cost and production time and increases their biocom-patibility, due to the presence of bioactive compounds in MAG, making them suitable for a wide variety of applications. These compounds have been attributed to the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties responsible for their application through innovative technologies such as nanoencapsulation, nanocomposites, or biosensors in the food industry. Nevertheless, toxicity is a key factor that should be considered, so the applicable regulation needs to guarantee the safe use of metal NPs. Consequently, the aim of this review will be to compile the available information on MAG-mediated metal NPs, their biosynthesis, and potential food applications.
- The antihyperuricemia activity of Astragali Radix through regulating the expression of uric acid transporters via PI3K/Akt signalling pathwayPublication . Zhang, Meng-Qi; Sun, Ke-Xin; Guo, Xu; Chen, Ying-Ying; Feng, Cai-Yun; Chen, Jia-Shu; Barreira, João C.M.; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Sun, Jin-Yue; Zhang, Jian-Dong; Li, Ningyang; Liu, ChaoEthnopharmacological relevance: Astragali Radix (AR) is the dry root of the leguminous plants Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Beg. var. mongholicus (Beg) Hsiao, and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge., being used as a medicinal and edible resource. AR is used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions to treat hyperuricemia, but this particular effect is rarely reported, and the associated mechanism of action is still need to be elucidated.Aim of the study: To research the uric acid (UA)-lowering activity and mechanism of AR and the representative compounds through the constructed hyperuricemia mouse and cellular models.Materials and methods: In our study, the chemical profile of AR was analysed by UHPLC-QE-MS, as well as the mechanism of action of AR and the representative compounds on hyperuricemia was studied through the constructed hyperuricemia mouse and cellular models.Results: The main compounds in AR were terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids. Mice group treated with the highest AR dosage showed significantly lower (p < 0.0001) serum uric acid (208 & PLUSMN; 9 & mu;mol/L) than the control group (317 & PLUSMN; 11 & mu;mol/L). Furthermore, UA increased in a dose-dependence manner in urine and faeces. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen standards, as well as xanthine oxidase in mice liver, decreased (p < 0.05) in all cases, indicating that AR could relieve acute hyperuricemia. UA reabsorption protein (URAT1 and GLUT9) was down-regulated in AR administration groups, while the secretory protein (ABCG2) was up-regulated, indicating that AR could promote the excretion of UA by regulating UA transporters via PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.Conclusion: This study validated the activity, and revealed the mechanism of AR in reducing UA, which provided experimental and clinical basis for the treatment of hyperuricemia with it.
- The nutritional and bio-active constituents, functional activities, and industrial applications of cashew (Anacardium occidentale): a reviewPublication . Chen, Ying-Ying; Li, Ningyang; Guo, Xu; Huang, Hai-jie; Garcia-Oliveira, Paula; Sun, Jin-yue; Zhang, Jian-dong; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Guo, Zhi-qing; Liu, ChaoCashew nut is a globally popular nut not only for its delicious and crunchy flavor but also for bioactive compounds, which present positive benefits to human health. Different parts of cashew have characteristic compounds. The kernel of cashew nut is rich in fatty acids, the testa is rich in polyphenols, cashew apple is rich in polyphenols and carotenoids, and phenols with aliphatic long chain are present in the cashew nutshell liquid. Therefore, the edible part of cashew possesses a wide range of bioactive compounds, with reported biological properties, including anti-tumor, brain health, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, anti-diabetic, gastroprotection, pathophysiological disorders protection, and antioxidant. On the other hand, the inedible part of cashew, the cashew nutshell liquid, could play an important role in the industry as surface coatings, insulating formulations and so on. Hence, there are considerable demands to increase the added value of cashew, thereby exploring greater economic value. Thus, this review summarizes nutrients, bioactive compounds, biological functions, and applications of Anacardium occidentale to provide a theoretical basis and inspiration for further in-depth studies and utilization.