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Lignin in Biological Systems
Published in Severian Dumitriu, Valentin Popa, Polymeric Biomaterials, 2020
SDG is an antioxidant. It scavenges for certain free radicals like hydroxyl (HO⋅). Our bodies produce free radicals continually as we use (oxidize) fats, proteins, alcohol, and some carbohydrates for energy. Free radicals can damage tissues and have been implicated in the pathology of many diseases like atherosclerosis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. The flax lignan secoisolariciresinol (SECO) and the mammalian lignins enterodiol, and enterolactone also act as antioxidants. Indeed the antioxidant action of SECO and enterodiol is greater than that of vitamin E.
Natural Biopolymeric Nanoformulations for Brain Drug Delivery
Published in Raj K. Keservani, Anil K. Sharma, Rajesh K. Kesharwani, Nanocarriers for Brain Targeting, 2019
Josef Jampílek, Katarina Král’ová
Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) is a biodegradable (by hydrolysis and/or enzymatic activity) and bioactive aliphatic polyester rising by polymerization of lactic acid or the cyclic di-ester lactide. Lactic acid is manufactured by a fermentation process using lactic acid bacteria that convert simple carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose, and galactose to lactic acid. Potatoes, starch, corn starch, cassava roots, and sugarcane are used as sources of carbohydrates. As PLA is biodegradable, it is suitable for applications such as medical implants or drug delivery matrices. PLA has been widely used for various biomedical applications because of its biodegradability, biocompatibility and nontoxic properties. In addition, it has low immunogenicity. Various PLA-based formulations are popular for preparation of controlled drug delivery systems, in spite of the fact that pure PLA-based nanoparticles possess low drug loading capacity and low encapsulation efficiency (Alsaheb et al., 2015; Auras et al., 2010; Gai et al., 2017; Lee et al., 2016; Tyler et al., 2016).
Introduction
Published in Debabrata Das, Debayan Das, Biochemical Engineering, 2019
Living cells are composed of different high-molecular-weight biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These biomolecules constitute the major structural elements of living cells. Each biomolecule is a part of intracellular organelle and functions in its unique microenvironment. Table 1.5 enlists the various properties of the different biomolecules. Carbohydrates are a key source of energy in living organisms. Its general formula is (CH2O)n, where n is greater than or equal to 3. Green plants synthesize carbohydrates by the photosynthesis process using sunlight. The functional groups present are either ketone or aldehyde. Carbohydrates exist in two stereo-isomers: “D” or “L” forms. Depending on the number of sugar molecules, carbohydrates can be classified as monosaccharides (single sugar unit; e.g., glucose), disaccharides (two sugar units; e.g., sucrose), oligosaccharides (2–10 sugar units; e.g., raffinose), and polysaccharides (>10 sugar units, e.g., starch).
Biobased polymers from lignocellulosic sources
Published in Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 2023
Rachele N. Carafa, Daniel A. Foucher, Guerino G. Sacripante
Agricultural crops, or food-based materials, are derived from plants that are generally rich in carbohydrates and are used for food production. A few examples of food-based materials are summarized in Figure 1, which include compounds such as fatty acids, vegetable oils, carbohydrates, chitin, and chitosan. Fatty acids are long carbon chains containing terminal methyl and carboxylic acid groups that act as metabolic fuel for the transportation and storage of energy (10). Vegetable oils are natural oils extracted from seeds, fruits, or plants that can include palm, soybean, canola, sunflower, coconut, corn, wheat, and olive oil (11,12). Carbohydrates are a class of macromolecules present in living organisms that are classified into three main groups (monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides) based on their size (13,14). Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide that is a main component in the exoskeletons of invertebrates, such as arthropods and mollusks, and it can also be found in the cell wall of algae and fungi. Chitosan is also a linear polysaccharide that is synthesized by alkaline deacetylation of chitin, where most of the acetamide groups are converted into primary amines. Like chitin, chitosan can also be found in the cell walls of select fungi (15–17).
Chemical and elemental analysis of the edible fruit of five Carpobrotus species from South Africa: assessment of nutritional value and potential metal toxicity
Published in International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2020
Neal Keith Broomhead, Roshila Moodley, Sreekantha Babu Jonnalagadda
The macronutrient amounts in the fruits were compared to recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) set by the Institute of Medicine (IOM 2006) (Table 2). It is widely accepted that the recommended minimum consumption of fruit and vegetables is 400 g per day, comprising five individual servings of 80 g each (FAO and WHO 2004). For this study 80 g of fruit, which is equivalent to 10 g dry mass, was analysed. The contribution towards the RDA for carbohydrates was between 4.5% and 5.4% with C. deliciosus showing the highest contribution. Carbohydrates are required by all the cells in the body as an energy source. The contribution towards the RDA for proteins was between 1.4% (C. deliciosus) and 5.7% (C. mellei). The functional and structural components of all the cells in the body consist mainly of protein. Enzymes, blood transport molecules, membrane carriers, hormones and hair are made up of proteins. Overall, the results indicate the fruits to be low in lipids, high in moisture and may contribute adequately towards the RDA for proteins and carbohydrates.
Factors influencing ultra-endurance athletes food choices: an adapted food choice questionnaire
Published in Research in Sports Medicine, 2019
C Blennerhassett, L.R. McNaughton, S.A Sparks
Despite these limitations, the U-FCQ may be seen as an efficient tool that could enable professionals working with this population group to devise a nutrition plan that is both effective and acceptable to individual athletes. Specifically, the findings from this study indicate that to improve the nutritional intake of this group: Athletes should consume carbohydrate rich food and drinks during training, in an attempt to improve their tolerance to ingestion during competition.Athletes should plan to carry and consume carbohydrate rich products that provide variation in flavour, to avoid taste fatigue.Researchers should assess the effectiveness of gut-training strategies for the prevention and reduction of GIS during ultra-endurance events.Nutrition professionals should devise a nutrition plan that incorporates quality foods and drinks that are not only carbohydrate dense, but also nutrient rich.Event organisers should stock aid stations with foods and drinks that provide variation in flavour and have good nutritional value.