Lutein is an important xanthophyll carotenoid with many benefits to human health. Factors affecting the application of lutein as a functional ingredient in low-fat dairy-like beverages (pH 6.0-7.0) are not well understood. The interactions of bovine and caprine caseins with hydrophobic lutein were studied using UV/visible spectroscopy as well as fluorescence. Our studies confirmed that the aqueous solubility of lutein is improved after binding with bovine and caprine caseins. The rates of lutein solubilization by the binding to bovine and caprine caseins were as follows: caprine α-II-casein 34%, caprine α-I-casein 10%, and bovine casein 7% at 100 μM lutein. Fluorescence of the protein was quenched on binding supporting complex formation. The fluorescence experiments showed that the binding involves tryptophan residues and some nonspecific interactions. Scatchard plots of lutein binding to the caseins demonstrated competitive binding between the caseins and their sites of interaction with lutein. Competition experiments suggest that caprine α-II casein will bind a larger number of lutein molecules with higher affinity than other caseins. The chemical stability of lutein was largely dependent on casein type and significant increases occurred in the chemical stability of lutein with the following pattern: caprine α-II-casein > caprine α-I-casein > bovine casein. Addition of arabinogalactan to lutein-enriched emulsions increases the chemical stability of lutein-casein complexes during storage under accelerated photo-oxidation conditions at 25°C. Therefore, caprine α-II-casein alone and in combination with arabinogalactan can have important applications in the beverage industry as carrier of this xanthophyll carotenoid (lutein).

Rapid separation, characterization and quantitation of curcuminoids are important owing to their numerous pharmacological properties including antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, pseudo two dimensional liquid flash chromatography was used for the separation of four curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxy curcumin, bisdemethoxy curcumin and dihydro bisdemethoxy curcumin) for the first time. Silica and diol columns were used for separation of curcuminoids using gradient mobile phase. The separated peaks were monitored at 244, 360 nm to obtain four compounds. The purity of compounds were determined by rapid quantitative 1H NMR (qNMR) using 3-(trimethylsilyl) propionic-(2,2,3,3-d4) acid sodium salt (TSP-d4) (0.012%) in D2O. These results were compared with those obtained by HPLC method. The purity of isolated curcuminoids using pseudo 2D chromatography was found to be in the range of 92.4–95.45%. The structures of these compounds were characterized unambiguously using 13C (APT) NMR spectra. The developed pseudo 2D separation technique has the advantage of simplified automation with shorter run time compared to conventional separation techniques. The method that combines rapid pseudo 2D separation and simple quantitation using qNMR reported herein can be of wide utility for routine analysis of curcuminoids in complex mixtures.

The incorporation of hydrophobic ingredients, such as resveratrol (a fat-soluble phytochemical), in nanoemulsions can increase the water solubility and stability of these hydrophobic ingredients. The nanodelivery of resveratrol can result in a marked improvement in the bioavailability of this health-promoting ingredient. The current study hypothesized that resveratrol can bind to caprine casein, which may result in the preservation of the biological properties of resveratrol. The fluorescence spectra provided proof of this complex formation by demonstrating that resveratrol binds to caprine casein in the vicinity of tryptophan amino acid residues. The caprine casein/resveratrol complex is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. Hence, to study the rate of resveratrol degradation during processing/storage, resveratrol losses were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in nanoemulsions stabilized by bovine and caprine caseins individually and in combination with polysorbate-20. At 48 h oxidation, 88.33% and 89.08% was left of resveratrol in the nanoemulsions stabilized by caprine casein (αs1-I)/polysorbate-20 complex and caprine (αs1-II)/polysorbate-20 complex, while there was less resveratrol left in the nanoemulsions stabilized by bovine casein/polysorbate-20 complex, suggesting that oxygen degradation was involved. The findings of this study are crucial for the food industry since they imply the potential use of caprine casein/polysorbate-20 complex to preserve the biological properties of resveratrol.

Background Vine decline disease caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus, is a threat to melon production (Cucumis melo L.) worldwide. Nonetheless, little is known about the metabolites produced during the host pathogen interaction. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure quantities of amino acids produced over time during such an interaction. Methods Two melon genotypes named TAM-Uvalde (susceptible) and USDA PI 124104 (resistant) were grown and inoculated with M. cannonballus. The metabolites previously stated were measured before inoculation (0 hours) and 24, 48 and 72 hours after inoculation, using high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Results The production of some amino acids during the interaction of the resistant and susceptible melon genotypes with the fungus M. cannonballus was different regarding quantities over time. Interestingly, hydroxy proline was always up-regulated in higher quantities in response to pathogen infection in the genotype TAM-Uvalde. Also, the up-regulation in higher quantities of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the genotype TAM-Uvalde 48 and 72 hours after inoculation, suggests more penetration of the pathogen in its roots. Hence, taken together, hydroxy proline and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels could be used as markers of susceptibility to vine decline disease caused by M. cannonballus, which could be useful in developing resistant varieties.

Background Vine decline disease (VDD) caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus (MC), is a major threat to melons (Cucumis melo L.) production worldwide. Nonetheless, little is known about the metabolites produced during the interaction of melon plants with this pathogen. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify and measure quantities as well as time of appearance of metabolites produced during the interaction of a susceptible and a resistant genotype with the pathogen MC. A susceptible genotype labeled TAM-Uvalde and a resistant genotype labeled USDA PI 124104 were grown and inoculated with MC. Amino and phenolic acids as well as hormones were measured before inoculation (0 hours) and 24, 48, 72 hours, and 6 weeks after inoculation, using high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Results Several metabolites were identified and their quantities as well as time of appearance were measured in both genotypes. Interestingly, the presence of hydroxy proline seems to be associated with susceptibility since it was always up-regulated in higher quantities in response to pathogen infection in the genotype TAM-Uvalde. Also, the up-regulation in higher quantities of ɤ-amino butyric acid in the genotype TAM-Uvalde 24 and 48 hours after inoculation suggests more penetration of the pathogen in its roots. Additionally, phthalic acid was also found in all the treatments, which may be associated with allelopathic responses of melon plants. Finally, citrulline and gibberellic acid were also found in the inoculated treatments. However, their origin and roles, in this case, need to be clarified. Conclusions Taken together, hydroxy proline and ɤ-amino butyric acid could be used as markers of susceptibility to VDD caused by MC, which could be useful in developing resistant varieties.