Review
Food Science & Technology
Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad, Waqas Ahmed, Sanaullah Iqbal, Mavra Javed, Summer Rashid, Iahtisham-ul-Haq
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that prebiotics may help reduce iron deficiency anemia by promoting fermentation by gut microbiota and increasing the absorption of iron. However, further research is needed to establish this connection.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Gabriela Krausova, Iveta Hynstova, Roman Svejstil, Iva Mrvikova, Robert Kadlec
Summary: The study found that commercial prebiotics and HMOs have an impact on the adhesion of the cariogenic Bifidobacterium, and Vivinal(R) seems to be a promising prebiotic to be used in the formulation of synbiotics.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ines Calvete-Torre, Carlos Sabater, Susana Delgado, Patricia Ruas-Madiedo, Alicia Ruperez-Garcia, Antonia Montilla, F. Javier Moreno, Abelardo Margolles, Lorena Ruiz
Summary: Arabinoxylan (AX) and arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) are prebiotics that promote beneficial species in the human gut, such as bifidobacteria. Bifidobacterium longum and B. longum subsp. longum have the highest capability to metabolize complex AX substrates, while B. longum subsp. infantis also possesses some machinery related to AXOS metabolization. A differential carbohydrate free medium (CFM) supplemented with AX and AXOS was developed to selectively isolate novel probiotic bifidobacteria that can metabolize structurally complex AX-derived prebiotics.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tally I. C. Wright, Keith A. Gardner, Raymond P. Glahn, Matthew J. Milner
Summary: Research found that increasing Fe concentrations in wheat grains did not lead to higher Fe absorption, and the genetic regions controlling grain Fe concentrations were not associated with increased Fe absorption. Additionally, phytate concentrations did not correlate with Fe bioavailability in the wheat population, indicating that phytate-binding alone cannot explain the lack of correlation between Fe bioavailability and Fe concentrations in the wheat grain. This suggests that breeders will need to select for both Fe concentrations directly in grains and increased bioavailability.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Najmeh Ramedani, Aurelio Seidita, Nastaran Asri, Masoumeh Azimirad, Abbas Yadegar, Somayeh Jahani-Sherafat, Anousheh Sharifan, Pasquale Mansueto, Antonio Carroccio, Mohammad Rostami-Nejad
Summary: Fermenting wheat dough with a probiotic mix for 4 hours can effectively degrade gluten and reduce inflammatory responses, providing an affordable gluten-free option for patients with non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) and possibly other gluten-related disorders (GRD).
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
S. Sharif, P. T. Heath, S. J. Oddie, W. McGuire
Summary: The study aims to evaluate the effect of enteral supplementation with synbiotics versus placebo or no treatment, or versus probiotics or prebiotics alone on the risk of necrotising enterocolitis and associated morbidity and mortality in very preterm or very low birth weight infants.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vipin Chandra Kalia, Woo Yong Shim, Sanjay Kumar Singh Patel, Chunjie Gong, Jung-Kul Lee
Summary: With an increasing global demand for food due to a growing human population, people in higher socioeconomic status countries have shifted their preferences towards meat, particularly chicken. Studies have shown the importance of feed in regulating the animal gut microbiome, and an imbalance in microbiota can lead to disorders and diseases. The use of antibiotics as feed additives has been banned, leading researchers to identify alternative options for improving feed efficiency and poultry product quality. This research is significant for the future development of a sustainable poultry industry.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Biology
Nesreen Aljahdali
Summary: Diabetes mellitus is a significant health issue in Saudi Arabia, with a high prevalence in the population. Type 2 diabetes is particularly common among individuals over 45 years old, especially in urban areas like Riyadh and Jeddah. Recent studies have shown a correlation between altered gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Reskandi C. Rudjito, Amparo Jimenez-Quero, Maria Del Carmen Casado Munoz, Teun Kuil, Lisbeth Olsson, Mary Ann Stringer, Kristian Bertel Romer Morkeberg Krogh, Jens Eklof, Francisco Vilaplana
Summary: The molecular structure of cereal arabinoxylans (AXs) from wheat and rye influences the activity of different xylanases, resulting in specific profiles of arabinoxylanoligosaccharides (AXOS). The accessibilities of xylanases are influenced by arabinose and ferulic acid substitutions.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Joana Charlot Pohlentz, Nicole Gallala, Konrad Kosciow, Marcel Hoevels
Summary: This study investigates the prebiotic properties of inulin- and levan-based fructans and their effects on the gut microbiota. The results showed that the majority of strains isolated from probiotic products or yogurts responded positively to prebiotic treatment. Additionally, the consumption rate of fructans was influenced by their degree of polymerization and specific components.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ana M. Caballero Valcarcel, Ruben Lopez Nicolas, Carmen Frontela Saseta, Carlos A. Gonzalez Bermudez, Carmen Martinez Gracia, Marina Santaella Pascual
Summary: Iron deficiency is a significant nutritional disorder worldwide. This research evaluated the in vitro bioavailability and intestinal cellular transport of different iron sources used in infant cereals. The results showed that the selection of iron source significantly influenced iron absorption, storage, and gene expression of transporters. These findings are crucial for assessing the potential of iron fortificants.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Florinda Fratianni, Beatrice De Giulio, Antonio d'Acierno, Giuseppe Amato, Vincenzo De Feo, Raffaele Coppola, Filomena Nazzaro
Summary: Honey has beneficial effects on gut health and the immune system. Different types of honey have varying effects on the growth and adhesion of probiotics, as well as the inhibition of pathogenic biofilms.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Parisa Janmohammadi, Zeinab Nourmohammadi, Siavash Fazelian, Atieh Mirzababaei, Shahab Alizadeh, Mahtab Zarei, Elnaz Daneshzad, Kurosh Djafarian
Summary: Several studies have suggested that formulas containing synbiotics (composed of prebiotics and probiotics) may have a positive effect on anthropometric indices. However, the results of these studies are inconsistent. This meta-analysis found that the consumption of formulas containing synbiotics did not significantly affect the growth of healthy infants.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. I. Ramirez-Perez, M. Abud-Archila, S. L. Ovando-Chacon, R. E. Soria-Guerra, M. A. Ruiz-Cabrera, C. I. Godinez-Hernandez, A. Grajales-Lagunes
Summary: A completely randomized experimental design was conducted to evaluate the effect of coadministration of Lpb. fabifermentans and inulin/agave fructans mixtures on gut microbiota. The results showed that the combination of fructan mixtures and Lpb. fabifermentans significantly decreased glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels, and improved short-chain fatty acids concentration throughout the gastrointestinal tract. It also promoted an increase in the abundance of beneficial intestinal microbiota. Therefore, the inclusion of fructan mixtures in combination with Lpb. fabifermentans could be a good alternative for the development of functional foods that enhance consumer health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Neeraj K. Singh, Jeffrey M. Beckett, Krishnakumar Kalpurath, Muhammad Ishaq, Tauseef Ahmad, Rajaraman D. Eri
Summary: Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for cancer patients, but it often leads to complications. Restoring the gut microbiota through the use of probiotics is a potential approach to reduce chemotherapy-associated complications.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Di Wu, Ryokei Tanaka, Xiaowei Li, Guillaume P. Ramstein, Suong Cu, John P. Hamilton, C. Robin Buell, James Stangoulis, Torbert Rocheford, Michael A. Gore
Summary: Through a genome-wide association study in maize, novel associations were detected for the concentration of elements in grain, with metal transporter genes and chelator genes identified. Predictive abilities for elemental grain phenotypes were obtained using two whole-genome prediction models, with BayesB showing higher performance for certain elements. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis for grain element accumulation in maize.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Georgia E. Guild, James C. R. Stangoulis
Summary: The study demonstrates that EDXRF analysis can accurately and quickly measure the concentrations of Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in lentil and sorghum, with results comparable to the reference ICP-MS analysis.
Article
Agronomy
Reem Joukhadar, Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Richard M. Trethowan, Matthew J. Hayden, James Stangoulis, Suong Cu, Hans D. Daetwyler
Summary: Genomic selection was successfully used to predict the concentrations of 13 nutritional elements in wheat grain, showing potential for wheat biofortification breeding. BayesR model demonstrated higher prediction accuracy for mineral concentrations, while BRR model performed well in predicting grain yield.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Marija Knez, James C. R. Stangoulis
Summary: This paper discusses the challenges and potential benefits of developing crops with higher calcium concentrations to address global calcium deficiency. Further research is needed to successfully develop and implement calcium-biofortified crops to help vulnerable populations.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
James C. R. Stangoulis, Marija Knez
Summary: Biofortification is a long-term strategy to provide more iron and zinc to those in need. Plant breeding programs have made significant progress in developing varieties with higher levels of these nutrients. International cooperation and research efforts have improved our understanding of iron and zinc homeostasis and gene regulation. Evidence on the effectiveness of biofortified crops is slowly accumulating. Scaling up biofortification efforts is important for addressing iron and zinc deficiency worldwide and ensuring nutritional security.
Article
Agronomy
Georgia E. Guild, James C. R. Stangoulis
Summary: The study reported the use of EDXRF for rapid screening of calcium concentration in seed samples of various crops, showing that this method is suitable for calcium analysis in bean, cowpea, wheat, pearl millet, maize, and rice samples.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Marija Knez, Ana Pantovic, Elad Tako, Erick Boy
Summary: Despite extensive research efforts, a sensitive and reliable biomarker for assessing zinc status has not been identified. This systematic review examined the relationship between changes in fatty acid desaturase activities and dietary zinc intake. The results showed inconsistent responses of desaturase activities to zinc intake among different studies, possibly due to variations in study populations, dietary interventions, and study durations. Further high-quality studies are needed to clarify the associations and applicability of fatty acid desaturase activities as biomarkers for zinc status.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Milica Zekovic, Jelena Milesevic, Marija Takic, Marija Knez, Ivana Sarac, Agnes Kadvan, Mirjana Gurinovic, Marija Glibetic
Summary: The Serbian Food Consumption Survey among 1-9-year-old children revealed that the majority of children had normal weights but there were deviations in macronutrient intake from the recommended values. The survey results provide valuable insights for public health programs and policymakers.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elodie Brooks, Amy L. Slender, Suong Cu, Martin F. Breed, James C. R. Stangoulis
Summary: Understanding population structure and genetic diversity is important for designing effective conservation strategies. This study analyzed the population structure and genetic diversity of the critically endangered spiny daisy. The results showed strong genetic differentiation between populations, low levels of genetic diversity, and no inter-population gene flow. The Melrose population was found to be entirely composed of clones. Genetic rescue measures should be implemented to increase genetic diversity and improve the fitness and adaptability of the wild spiny daisy populations.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Marija Knez, Erick Boy
Summary: The lack of a sensitive and specific biomarker of zinc status remains a challenge despite extensive efforts in researching the role of zinc in human health. Plasma/serum zinc is currently the best indicator of zinc status but may fail to detect mild to moderate deficiency. This paper discusses the need for robust markers of early-stage zinc deficiency, the causal association between zinc and fatty acid desaturases activity, and potential confounders and covariates influencing observed relationships. It also suggests further research in this area and explores additional potential zinc biomarkers.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marija Knez, Marija Ranic, Mirjana Gurinovic, Maria Glibetic, Jasna Savic, Konstadinos Mattas, Murat Yercan
Summary: Underutilized crops, which were once popular but have been neglected by mainstream agriculture, have shown resilience and potential for adaptation to climate change. This article discusses the reasons for their decreased cultivation and consumption, and presents case studies of specific species. Potential solutions for overcoming obstacles in cultivating and consuming these crops are also provided. The documented benefits of their production and increased consumption should encourage a collaborative effort among farmers, researchers, agronomists, nutritionists, and policymakers to reintroduce neglected species.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yarkin Akyuz, Havva Ece Salali, Pelin Atakan, Cihat Gunden, Murat Yercan, Lampros Lamprinakis, Signe Karstad, Irina Solovieva, Nadja Kasperczyk, Konstadinos Mattas, Dimitra Lazaridou, Gizem Yener, Ahmed Alayidi, Ilia Kunchulia, Lado Basilidze, Marija Knez
Summary: This study aims to identify commonly used methods and indicators in value chain analysis and determine areas of interest that have been overlooked. The research primarily focused on institutional/functional analysis, mapping value chains and economic/financial analysis. Social and environmental aspects of the value chain were studied with less attention.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Marija Knez, Marija Ranic, Mirjana Gurinovic
Summary: The global food system relies on a limited number of plant species, resulting in a neglect of nutrient-rich plants. However, underutilized plants are slowly gaining recognition for their nutritional content and potential contribution to food security and sustainability. This review provides evidence to support the promotion and commercialization of these plants, highlighting their health benefits and potential to improve human well-being.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milica Zekovic, Marija Knez, Ana Pantovic, Zoran Pavlovic, Marija Glibetic, Manja Zec
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)