Unilever (India)

Tea and coffee are widely consumed beverages across the world and they are rich sources of various polyphenols. Polyphenols are responsible for the bitterness and astringency of beverages and are also well known to impart antioxidant properties which is beneficial against several oxidative stress related diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and aging. On the other hand, proteins are also known to display many important roles in several physiological activities. Polyphenols can interact with proteins through hydrophobic or hydrophilic interactions, leading to the formation of soluble or insoluble complexes. According to recent studies, this complex formation can affect the bioavailability and beneficiary properties of both the individual components, in either way. For example, polyphenol-protein complex formation can reduce or enhance the antioxidant activity of polyphenols; similarly it can also affect the digestion ability of several digestive enzymes present in our body. Surprisingly, no review article has been published recently which has focused on the progress in this area, despite numerous articles having appeared in this field. This review summarizes the recent trends and patterns (2005 onwards) in polyphenol-protein interaction studies focusing on the characterization of the complex, the effect of this complex formation on tea and coffee taste, antioxidant properties and the digestive system.

We apply statistical mechanical principles to derive simple expressions relating the hydrogen bond thermodynamic properties to the static dielectric constant of water. The approach followed by us was to develop an expression for the Kirkwood’s structure factor (g) of water, taking into account the dipolar correlations between a central molecule and H-bonded neighbors present in infinite number of shells surrounding the central molecule. The number of H-bonded neighbors in a specific shell was related to the probability P for the various donor/acceptor sites of any given water molecule to be associated. Neglecting cooperativity effects, we evaluated P by focusing only on the correct counting of H-bonds formed between various association sites rather than on the oligomer distribution. The theory yielded an extremely simple expression for the structure factor (g) of the fluid at any given temperature in terms of the enthalpy (H) and entropy (S) changes associated with bond formation. The proposed theory was then combined with the Kirkwood–Frohlich theory for evaluating the dielectric constant (ε0). We have demonstrated that the theory correctly predicts the dielectric constant of ice-I without the use of any adjustable parameters. We have then deduced estimates for H-bond thermodynamic properties (H=−5.58 kcal/mole of H-bonds; S=−8.89 cal/deg⋅mole of H-bonds) by fitting the theoretical results for ε0 of liquid water to available experimental data over temperatures ranging from 0 °C to the critical point of water. The error in the theoretical values was found to be within 1% of the corresponding experimental values over the entire range of temperatures studied. To further test the theory, we have demonstrated that the temperature variation of the average number of H-bonds per water molecule, calculated using the proposed theory with the above mentioned values for H and S, compares quite well with those estimated from various available spectroscopic and molecular simulation studies.

It has been reported earlier that when macerated tea leaf is fermented at lower pH, the resultant black tea contains increased levels of theaflavin, an important quality marker in black tea. In an attempt to investigate the biochemistry and chemistry underlying this observation, in vitro oxidation experiments using polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from fresh tea leaves, horseradish peroxidase (POD), and tea catechins, precursors for theaflavins, were carried out. In vitro oxidation experiments using crude tea PPO resulted in higher content of theaflavins at pH 4.5 in comparison with pH 5.5, the normal pH of the macerated tea leaf. When purified PPO was used in the in vitro system, surprisingly a reversal of this trend was observed, with more theaflavins being formed at the higher pH. A combination of pure tea PPO and POD led to an observation similar to that with the crude enzyme preparation, suggesting a possible role for POD in the formation or degradation of theaflavin. POD was observed to oxidize theaflavins in the presence of H(2)O(2), leading to the formation of thearubigin, another black tea pigment. This paper demonstrates that tea PPO, while oxidizing catechins, generates H(2)O(2). The amount of H(2)O(2) produced is greater at pH 5.5, the optimum pH for PPO activity, than at pH 4.5. Hence, an observed increase of theaflavins in black teas fermented at pH 4.5 appears to be due to lower turnover of formed theaflavins into thearubigins.

Abstract The paper describes a procedure involving thin layer chromatography on silica impregnated with silver nitrate, which makes possible the separation of synthetic and natural glyceride mixtures into classes according to their degree of unsaturation, and within those classes the resolution of certain isomeric unsaturated glycerides. The separations depend upon the ability of compounds having an olefinic double bond to form co‐ordination complexes with the silver ion. For qualitative analysis, developed chromatoplates are sprayed with dibromofluorescein. Reliable quantitative data may be obtained by charring the separated glycerides with phosphoric acid under carefully controlled conditions, and comparing the densities of the charred areas by means of a photodensitometer. Experiments with mixtures of pure synthetic glycerides revealed an error of less than 3%. Glyceride compositions of a number of natural fats have been determined, and compared with compositions obtained by enzymetic hydrolysis of the same samples.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin has been demonstrated to have many neuroprotective properties, including improvement of cognition in humans and neurogenesis in animals, yet the mechanism of such effects remains unclear. METHODOLOGY: We assessed behavioural performance and hippocampal cell proliferation in aged rats after 6- and 12-week curcumin-fortified diets. Curcumin enhanced non-spatial and spatial memory, as well as dentate gyrate cell proliferation as compared to control diet rats. We also investigated underlying mechanistic pathways that might link curcumin treatment to increased cognition and neurogenesis via exon array analysis of cortical and hippocampal mRNA transcription. The results revealed a transcriptional network interaction of genes involved in neurotransmission, neuronal development, signal transduction, and metabolism in response to the curcumin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a neurogenesis- and cognition-enhancing potential of prolonged curcumin treatment in aged rats, which may be due to its diverse effects on genes related to growth and plasticity.

A simple and efficient method to induce porosity both in the core and on the surface of electrospun submicrometer polymer fibers has been demonstrated by combining nonsolvent-induced phase separation with electrospinning. In this modified electrospinning process, fibers are collected in a bath filled with a nonsolvent for the polymer being electrospun. The presence of residual solvent in the nanofibers causes phase separation once the fibers reach the nonsolvent bath. Poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) in dimethylformamide (DMF) is chosen as the model polymer/solvent system. The versatility of the approach is demonstrated by extending the technique to poly(styrene)/DMF, poly(styrene)/toluene, and poly(methyl methacrylate)/DMF systems. With a suitable solvent (ethanol) and optimized tip-to-collector distance, the specific surface area of the porous PAN fibers increased to an order of magnitude compared to that of the smooth fibers obtained by the conventional electrospinning. Further, this electrospinning technique is extended to core–shell electrospinning, enabling the fabrication directly in one step of PAN-based hollow fibers having porosity both in the surface and the bulk.

The skin microbiome varies across individuals. The causes of these variations are inadequately understood. We tested the hypothesis that inter-individual variation in facial skin microbiome can be significantly explained by variation in sebum and hydration levels in specific facial regions of humans. We measured sebum and hydration from forehead and cheek regions of healthy female volunteers (n = 30). Metagenomic DNA from skin swabs were sequenced for V3-V5 regions of 16S rRNA gene. Altogether, 34 phyla were identified; predominantly Actinobacteria (66.3%), Firmicutes (17.7%), Proteobacteria (13.1%) and Bacteroidetes (1.4%). About 1000 genera were identified; predominantly Propionibacterium (58.6%), Staphylococcus (8.6%), Streptococcus (4.0%), Corynebacterium (3.6%) and Paracoccus (3.3%). A subset (n = 24) of individuals were sampled two months later. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that cheek sebum level was the most significant predictor of microbiome composition and diversity followed by forehead hydration level; forehead sebum and cheek hydration levels were not. With increase in cheek sebum, the prevalence of Actinobacteria (p = 0.001)/Propionibacterium (p = 0.002) increased, whereas microbiome diversity decreased (Shannon Index, p = 0.032); this was opposite for other phyla/genera. These trends were reversed for forehead hydration levels. Therefore, the nature and diversity of facial skin microbiome is jointly determined by site-specific lipid and water levels in the stratum corneum.

Survival of a nontoxigenic isolate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 at low pH (pH 3.0) was examined over prolonged time periods for each of three population types: exponential-phase cells, stationary-phase cells, and acid-adapted exponential-phase cells. In each population, approximately 5 x 10(4) CFU ml-1 were detected after a 24-h incubation at pH 3.0. Even after 3 days at pH 3.0, significant numbers of survivors from each of the three populations could be detected. The high level of acid tolerance exhibited by these survivors was found to be quickly lost once they were transferred to conditions which permitted growth to resume, indicating that they were not mutants. Proton flux measurements on the three populations of cells revealed that the initial rates of viability loss at pH 3.0 correlated well with net proton accumulation. Cells showing a high initial rate of viability loss (exponential-phase cells) accumulated protons at the highest rate, whereas resistant populations (adapted or stationary-phase cells) accumulated protons only slowly. Differences in the protein composition of the cell envelope between the three populations were studied by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Complex differences in the pattern of proteins expressed by each population were uncovered. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of a possible model accounting for acid tolerance in this important food-borne pathogen.

Gut microbiota is considered to play a role in disease progression, and previous studies have reported an association of microbiome dysbiosis with T2D. In this study, we have attempted to investigate gut microbiota of ND, PreDMs, NewDMs, and KnownDMs. We found that the genera Akkermansia and Blautia decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) in treatment-naive diabetics and were restored in KnownDMs on antidiabetic treatment. To the best of our knowledge, comparative studies on shifts in the microbial community in individuals of different diabetic states are lacking. Understanding the transition of microbiota and its association with serum biomarkers in diabetics with different disease states may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for T2D.

Usually, the metastable vaterite phase transforms to the thermodynamically most stable calcite phase. We report here the phase transformation of vaterite to aragonite, which is seldom observed in the synthetic processes of calcium carbonate. The vaterite, upon equilibration with distilled water at room temperature, gradually transforms to aragonite. This transformation process is further accelerated when the vaterite sample is refluxed in distilled water. Under a different set of conditions, when equilibrated in the mother liquor, the same vaterite sample transforms to calcite without going through aragonite as an intermediate phase. The formation of all three crystalline polymorphs of calcium carbonate is achieved without the use of any additive. These polymorph transformations have been monitored using powder X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. The morphological changes of the calcium carbonate samples isolated during the course of phase transformation processes are captured using scanning electron microscopy. The transformation either to aragonite or to calcite has been explained based on the dissolution−recrystallization mechanism.

SUMMARY: Many attributes contribute to texture, and panel tests should be so arranged that all these attributes are analyzed. The texture profile concept used by Szczesniak and her co‐workers is critically examined, and several modifications are proposed. The new scheme consists of primary, secondary and tertiary categories. These terms are not used in the philosophical sense proposed by Locke. Primary attributes are analytical composition, particle size and size distribution, particle shape, air content etc. There are only three secondary attributes viz., elasticity (E), viscosity (η) and adhesion (N). The tertiary characteristics are basically the responses most often used in sensory analysis of texture. Tertiary characteristics are derived from a complex blending of two or more secondary attributes. The former can be regarded as falling within a three dimensional continuum which has the secondary attributes as coordinate axes. Consequentiy all tertiary attributes can be represented by rectangular coordinates of the form (αE, βn, γN) where α, β, and γ represent the respective magnitudes of the three secondary attributes. Since solids, semisolids and fluids have characteristic values of these attributes, it should be possible to predict panel responses from mechanical strain‐time tests, which are carried out at the approximately constant rate of shear operative during mastication, and adhesion tests.

Flavanol depleted whole fresh green tea leaf powder, as reported in the literature, was used as matrix for a systematic study of the endogenous oxidative enzymatic conversion of selected flavanol combinations to theaflavins and thearubigins. The activity of the two crucial enzymes polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) was controlled individually through addition of H2O2 and/or O2. Using the endogenous peroxidase only it was shown that (-)-epicatechin alone did not react with POD. According to these results it is possible that theaflavin formation occurs via reaction of a flavanol quinone with a nonquinone flavanol. It was confirmed that only a dihydroxy-B-ring flavanol with a trihydroxy-B-ring flavanol gave a theaflavin upon enzymatic oxidation. Use of horseradish peroxidase in the presence of a flavanol depleted tea leaf matrix led to significantly higher kinetics on theaflavin 3-gallate degradation compared to the absence of leaf matrix, suggesting a catalytic effect of the leaf matrix not reported before.

Foaming in products based on micellar solutions has considerable importance in various consumer applications, such as washing and cleaning. In this work, the effects of surfactant concentration, oil content, and salts containing mono-, di-, and trivalent counterions on foam formation and stability were studied. The foams were generated by employing the Blender Test. The presence of salts caused a significant reduction in foam volume. Effectiveness of the salts followed the sequence Al 3+ > Ca 2+ > Na + . However, the foam collapse rate was slower in the presence of salt. The rate of adsorption of surfactant molecules at the air–water interface was augmented by salt. Oil reduced the foam volume and its stability. The entering, spreading, and bridging coefficients were calculated. These coefficients qualitatively explained the stability of foam in the presence of oil.

This paper describes the use of temperature dependent FTIR spectroscopy and molecular modelling studies to establish the origin and the nature of surface hydroxyl ions on calcium carbonate. It has been demonstrated that two types (Type I, corresponding to a band at 3690 cm−1 and Type II, corresponding to a band at 3640 cm−1) of hydroxyl ions exist on calcium carbonate surfaces prepared by the carbonation method. Type I hydroxyl ions are ascribed to those of the unreacted calcium hydroxide (portlandite) present due to incomplete carbonation and Type II hydroxyl ions are ascribed to interstitial defects which are strongly associated with the calcium carbonate lattice framework. Interestingly, the calcium carbonate samples prepared by the solution method do not possess Type I/Type II hydroxyl ions. A molecular modelling exercise was carried out to generate the calcite 104 plane, and the different modes of adsorption of water on the calcite 104 plane were derived based on energy minimisation calculations. The possibility of replacement of a carbonate ion either by (i) two hydroxyl ions or (ii) a hydroxyl and a bicarbonate ion has been considered. The replacement of a carbonate ion by one hydroxyl and one bicarbonate ion is indicative of the presence of surface/interstitial defects on calcite (corresponding to Type II hydroxyl ions assigned by FTIR studies). A molecular description of hydroxylating calcite surfaces is discussed in detail and the results from the energy of formation at zero water coverage corroborate the above findings. The calculations also predict the formation of a maximum of two pairs of hydroxyl and bicarbonate ions over a surface area of 1.0 nm2, during chemisorption at low surface coverages.

Despite shortcomings, boiling is the most common means of treating water at home and the benchmark against which emerging point-of-use water treatment approaches are measured. In a 5-month study, we assessed the microbiological effectiveness and cost of the practice among 218 self-reported boilers relying on unprotected water supplies. Boiling was associated with a 99% reduction in geometric mean fecal coliforms (FCs; P < 0.001). Despite high levels of fecal contamination in source water, 59.6% of stored drinking water samples from self-reported boilers met the World Health Organization standard for safe drinking water (0 FC/100 mL), and 5.7% were between 1 and 10 FC/100 mL. Nevertheless, 40.4% of stored drinking water samples were positive for FCs, with 25.1% exceeding 100 FC/100 mL. The estimated monthly fuel cost for boiling was INR 43.8 (US$0.88) for households using liquid petroleum gas and INR 34.7 (US$0.69) for households using wood.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing rapidly across the globe. Though the prevalence of the disease is similar in population of upper middle income and high income countries, the age of affected population is lower in upper middle income countries. This is attributed to genetic as well as changing life style factors. The contributing factors for type 2 diabetes range from genetic/epigenetic disposal, intra uterine nutrition, dietary pattern to sedentary lifestyle. The role of the gut microbiota in metabolic disorders is increasingly gaining importance. Several studies have reported significant difference in the profile of the gut microbiota in Caucasian population considering obese and type 2 diabetic populations while limited number of studies are available on populations from the developing world. The metabolites from the gut microbes contribute to the gut barrier integrity and a compromised barrier leads to leakage of inflammatory mediators into systemic circulation and hence increases insulin resistance. Attempts have been made at correcting metabolic syndrome through dietary changes by altering the gut microbiota with some success. This report is an attempt to explain the hypothesis of compromised nutrition altering the gut microbiota, gut metabolites, gut barrier function, systemic inflammation and hence insulin response.

Physical contact between melanocytes and keratinocytes is a prerequisite for melanosome transfer to occur, but cellular signals induced during or after contact are not fully understood. Herein, it is shown that interactions between melanocyte and keratinocyte plasma membranes induced a transient intracellular calcium signal in keratinocytes that was required for pigment transfer. This intracellular calcium signal occurred due to release of calcium from intracellular stores. Pigment transfer observed in melanocyte-keratinocyte co-cultures was inhibited when intracellular calcium in keratinocytes was chelated. We propose that a 'ligand-receptor' type interaction exists between melanocytes and keratinocytes that triggers intracellular calcium signalling in keratinocytes and mediates melanin transfer.

. The enhancement of photocurrent (11 fold) under solar light irradiation of the C dot-ZnO NP heterostructure opens up new possibilities to design efficient light harvesting systems.

Thin films of polymer coatings have important industrial applications ranging from paints and coatings to pharmaceuticals. In many applications, the coatings are obtained by applying thin films of dilute polymer solutions, wherein the solvent evaporates to leave behind a thin polymer film. In some cases, the thin films may crack due to shrinkage stresses developed during drying. While a number of studies have focused on the stress development, the phenomenon of cracking in polymer films is not fully investigated. In the present work, thin films of a silicone polymer solution were cast on substrates of varying Young's moduli and investigated for cracking as a function of film thickness and substrate modulus. Micro-Raman spectroscopy measurements show that thin films dry uniformly while thick films form a skin at the top surface leading to slow drying rates. Transverse stresses were measured using the cantilever technique and related to the extent of cracking in the film. We investigated the influence of substrate rigidity on the cracking behavior and found that decreasing the stiffness of the substrate increases the extent of cracking.

In this work, we report a large-area fabrication of a flexible superhydrophobic bactericidal surface decorated with copper hydroxide nanowires. This involves a simple two-step method which involves growth followed by transfer of the nanowires onto the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface by mechanical peeling. Additional roughness in PDMS is obtained through incomplete wetting of the nanoscale gaps which leads to dual-scale roughness and superhydrophobicity with a contact angle of 169° and hysteresis of less than 2°. The simplicity of the process makes it low-cost and easily scalable. The process allows fabrication of nonplanar 3D surfaces. The surface shows blood repellence and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with more than 5 log reductions in bacterial colony. The surface also shows hemocompatible behavior, making it suitable for healthcare applications. The fabricated surface is found to be extremely robust against stretching, twisting, sandpaper abrasion, solid weight impact, and tape peel test. The surface is found to withstand human weight multiple times without losing its hydrophobicity, making it suitable for several practical scenarios in healthcare and household applications.