Esquius, L., R. Segura, G.R. Oviedo, M. Massip-Salcedo, C. Javierre, 2020. Effect of almond supplementation on non-esterified fatty acid values and exercise performance. Nutrients. 12, 635; doi:10.3390/nu12030635
Several studies have investigated the effects of fat intake before exercise on subsequent substrate oxidation and exercise performance. While some studies have reported that unsaturated fatty acid supplementation slightly increases fat oxidation, the changes have not been reflected in the maximum oxygen uptake or in other performance and physiological parameters. We selected almonds as a fatty acid (FA) source for acute supplementation and investigated their effect on non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) values and exercise performance. Five physically active male subjects (age 32.9 ± 12.7 years, height 178.5 ± 3.3 cm, and weight 81.3 ± 9.7 kg) were randomly assigned to take an almond or placebo supplement 2 h before participating in two cycling resistance training sessions separated by an interval of 7–10 days. Their performance was evaluated with a maximal incremental test until exhaustion. Blood samples collected before, during, and after testing were biochemically analysed. The results indicated a NEFA value average increase of 0.09 mg·dL−1 (95% CI: 0.05–0.14; p < 0.001) after active supplement intake and enhanced performance (5389 ± 1795 W vs. placebo 4470 ± 2053 W, p = 0.043) after almond supplementation compared to the placebo. The almond supplementation did not cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Our study suggests that acute almond supplementation 2 h before exercise can improve performance in endurance exercise in trained subjects.
Musarra-Pizzo, M., R. Pennisi, I. Ben-Amor, A. Smeriglio, G. Mandalari, M.T. Sciortino, 2020. In vitro anti-HSV-1 activity of polyphenol-rich extracts and pure polyphenol compounds derived from pistachios kernels (Pistacia vera L.). Plants. 9, 267; doi:10.3390/plants9020267.
Natural compounds are a prominent source of novel antiviral drugs. Several reports have previously shown the antimicrobial activity of pistachio polyphenol extracts. Therefore, the aim of our research was to investigate the activity of polyphenol-rich extracts of natural shelled (NPRE) pistachios kernels (Pistacia vera L.) on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication. The Vero cell line was used to assess the cytotoxicity and antiviral activity. The cell viability was calculated by detection of cellular ATP after treatment with various concentrations of NPRE. For antiviral studies, five nontoxic-concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mg/mL) were tested. Our study demonstrated that treatment with NPRE (0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mg/mL) reduced the expression of the viral proteins ICP8 (infected cell polypeptide 8), UL42 (unique long UL42 DNA polymerase processivity factor), and US11 (unique short US11 protein), and resulted in a decrease of viral DNA synthesis. The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50), 50% inhibitory concentration (EC50), and the selectivity index (SI) values for NPRE were 1.2 mg/mL, 0.4mg/mL, and 3, respectively. Furthermore, we assessed the anti-herpetic effect of a mix of pure polyphenol compounds (NS MIX) present in NPRE. In conclusion, our findings indicate that natural shelled pistachio kernels have remarkable inhibitory activity against HSV-1.
Trombetta, D., A. Smeriglio, M. Denaro, R. Zagami, M. Tomassetti, R. Pilolli, E. De Angelis, L. Monaci, G. Mandalari, 2020. Understanding the fate of almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) oleosomes during simulated digestion. Nutrients. 12, 3397; doi:10.3390/nu12113397.
Background: Almond kernels contain phytochemicals with positive health effects in relation to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Several studies have previously highlighted that almond cell wall encapsulation during digestion and particle size are factors associated with these benefits. In the present study, we have characterized almond oleosomes, natural oil droplets abundant in plants, and we have investigated their integrity during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Methods: Oleosomes were visualized on the almond seed surface by imaging mass spectrometry analysis, and then characterized in terms of droplet size distribution by dynamic light scattering and protein profile by liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Results: The almond oleosomes’ distribution remained monomodal after in vitro mastication, whereas gastric and duodenal digestion led to a bimodal distribution, albeit characterized mainly by a prevalent population with a droplet size decrease related to a rearrangement of the protein profile. Oleosins, structural proteins found in plant oil bodies, persisted unchanged during simulated mastication, with the appearance of new prunin isoforms after gastric and duodenal digestion. Conclusions: The rearrangement of the protein profile could limit lipid bioaccessibility. The data improve our understanding of the behavior of almond lipids during gastrointestinal digestion, and may have implications for energy intake and satiety imparted by almonds.
Ribeiro, S.R., B. Klein, Q.M. Ribeiro, I.D. Dos Santos, A.L. Gomes Genro, D. de Freitas Ferreira, J.J. Hamann, J.S. Barin, A.J. Cichoski, D. Fronza, V. Both, R. Wagner, 2020. Chemical composition and oxidative stability of eleven pecan cultivars produced in southern Brazil. Food Res Int. 136:109596. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109596.
Nuts are considered highly nutritious foods and a source of health-promoting compounds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition (proximate composition, fatty acids, volatile compounds, total phenolics, squalene, and β-sitosterol) of eleven pecan cultivars harvested in Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil) and investigate their oxidative stability by the Rancimat method. ‘Barton’ is the main cultivar produced in Brazil and presented the highest protein, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid values and the lowest saturated fatty acid values, which provide health benefits. ‘Mahan’ showed the highest oxidation induction time, both in extracted oil and ground samples, low abundance of lipid oxidation compounds, low polyunsaturated fatty acids, high levels of oleic acid and β-sitosterol, which suggests potential for storage. ‘Stuart’ and ‘Success’ had the highest total dietary fiber values. Moreover, analysis showed that ‘Chickasaw’ and ‘Success’ had large quantities of compounds correlated to lipid oxidation, suggesting low stability for long-term storage. These results imply that the physicochemical characteristics and proximate composition of pecan nut cultivars from southern Brazil have variable parameters that may depend on their genetic variability.
