Advanced Research in Food Digestion

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 47669

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Food Engineering for Development, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain
Interests: innovation and improvement of food processes and products; food matrix and their relations with the bioavailability of functional ingredients; nutrients digestibility under altered gastrointestinal conditions

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Food Engineering for Development, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain
Interests: innovation and improvement of food processes and products; food matrix and their relations with the bioavailability of functional ingredients; nutrients digestibility under altered gastrointestinal conditions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Digestion is the key process for delivering nutrients and bioactive compounds to the body and it depends on many different factors, some of them related to food properties and diet, and some others related to the host. It is well known that dietary factors such as the chemical form of the nutrient, food-matrix structure, industrial processing and home preparation have a significant impact on digestion. On the other hand, the same food product can be digested differently depending on gastrointestinal (i.e. reduction of gastrointestinal secretions, alterations in the permeability of the intestinal membrane, etc.) or systemic factors (i.e. age, sex, ethnicity, genotype, physiological state, chronic or infectious diseases, etc.) of the host. Finally, interactions between nutrients and food interactions with physiological compounds can occur, affecting the digestibility and bioavailability of food nutrients and bioactive compounds.

The aim of this Special Issue is to advance the understanding of the effect of all these factors on food digestion as a way to increase our knowledge on the influence of food on human health.

Prof. Dr. Ana María Andres
Prof. Dr. Ana Heredia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Digestion models
  • Bioavailability
  • Nutrients interactions
  • Dietary factors
  • Host factors

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 186 KiB  
Editorial
Advanced Research in Food Digestion
by Ana Andrés and Ana Heredia
Foods 2021, 10(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10010122 - 8 Jan 2021
Viewed by 2152
Abstract
Food digestion is the key process for delivering nutrients and bioactive compounds to the body [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)

Research

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13 pages, 1535 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between In Vitro and In Vivo Starch Digestion Kinetics of Breads Varying in Dietary Fibre
by Patricia Rojas-Bonzi, Cecilie Toft Vangsøe, Kirstine Lykke Nielsen, Helle Nygaard Lærke, Mette Skou Hedemann and Knud Erik Bach Knudsen
Foods 2020, 9(9), 1337; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9091337 - 22 Sep 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4374
Abstract
The relationship between in vitro and in vivo starch digestion kinetics was studied in portal vein catheterised pigs fed breads varying in dietary fibre (DF) content and composition. The breads were a low DF white wheat bread, two high DF whole grain rye [...] Read more.
The relationship between in vitro and in vivo starch digestion kinetics was studied in portal vein catheterised pigs fed breads varying in dietary fibre (DF) content and composition. The breads were a low DF white wheat bread, two high DF whole grain rye breads without and with whole kernels and two experimental breads with added arabinoxylan or oat β-glucan concentrates, respectively. In vitro, samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min and the cumulative hydrolysis curve for starch was modelled, whereas the in vivo cumulative absorption models for starch were based on samples taken every 15 min up to 60 min and then every 30 min up to 240 min. The starch hydrolysis rate in vitro (0.07 to 0.16%/min) was far higher than the rate of glucose appearance in vivo (0.017 to 0.023% absorbed starch/min). However, the ranking of the breads was the same in vitro and in vivo and there was a strong relationship between the kinetic parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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22 pages, 7865 KiB  
Article
Addition of Anionic Polysaccharide Stabilizers Modulates In Vitro Digestive Proteolysis of a Chocolate Milk Drink in Adults and Children
by Shlomit David, Maya Magram Klaiman, Avi Shpigelman and Uri Lesmes
Foods 2020, 9(9), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9091253 - 7 Sep 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3840
Abstract
There is a need to better understand the possible anti-nutritional effect of food stabilizers on the digestibility of important macronutrients, like proteins. This study hypothesized that the anionic nature of κ-, ι-, λ-, Carrageenan (CGN) and xanthan gum directs their interactions with food [...] Read more.
There is a need to better understand the possible anti-nutritional effect of food stabilizers on the digestibility of important macronutrients, like proteins. This study hypothesized that the anionic nature of κ-, ι-, λ-, Carrageenan (CGN) and xanthan gum directs their interactions with food proteins leading to their subsequent attenuated digestive proteolysis. Model chocolate milk drinks were tested for their colloidal properties, viscosity and proteolytic breakdown in adults and children using in vitro digestion models coupled with proteomic analyses. SDS-PAGE analyses of gastro-intestinal effluents highlight stabilizers hinder protein breakdown in adults and children. Zeta potential and colloidal particle size were the strongest determinants of stabilizers’ ability to hinder proteolysis. LC-MS proteomic analyses revealed stabilizer addition significantly reduced bioaccessibility of milk-derived bioactive peptides with differences in liberated peptide sequences arising mainly from their location on the outer rim of the protein structures. Further, liberation of bioactive peptides emptying from a child stomach into the intestine were most affected by the presence of ι-CGN. Overall, this study raises the notion that stabilizer charge and other properties of edible proteins are detrimental to the ability of humans to utilize the nutritional potential of such formulations. This could help food professionals and regulatory agencies carefully consider the use of anionic stabilizers in products aiming to serve as protein sources for children and other liable populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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12 pages, 640 KiB  
Article
ACE Inhibitory Properties and Phenolics Profile of Fermented Flours and of Baked and Digested Biscuits from Buckwheat
by Henryk Zieliński, Joanna Honke, Joanna Topolska, Natalia Bączek, Mariusz Konrad Piskuła, Wiesław Wiczkowski and Małgorzata Wronkowska
Foods 2020, 9(7), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9070847 - 29 Jun 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3245
Abstract
The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and phenolics profile of fermented flours and of baked and digested buckwheat biscuits was studied. The fermentation of buckwheat flour by select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) caused a decrease in ACE inhibitory activity as compared to [...] Read more.
The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and phenolics profile of fermented flours and of baked and digested buckwheat biscuits was studied. The fermentation of buckwheat flour by select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) caused a decrease in ACE inhibitory activity as compared to the non-fermented flour. The baking process significantly reduced the ACE inhibitory activity of biscuits obtained from fermented flours, whereas digestion significantly increased these properties. In non-fermented and fermented flours and buckwheat biscuits before and after in vitro digestion samples, ten phenolic acids and eight flavonoids were found. Highly significant correlations were found between sample concentration of 50% inhibition of ACE (IC50) and total phenolic compounds of fermented flour and biscuits before and after digestion for each applied LAB, thus indicating a link between phenolic compound content and ACE inhibitory activity. In the digested biscuits, the input to ACE inhibitory activity was provided by p-coumaric, sinapic, syringic, vanillic, and protocatechuic acids as well as by kaempherol, quercetin, apigenin, and orientin. Therefore, it can be concluded that cumulative action of those phenolic acids and flavonoids released after digestion is responsible, in part, for the bioaccessible ACE inhibitory activity of buckwheat biscuits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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15 pages, 2383 KiB  
Article
A Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seed Vicilins Hydrolysate Exhibits PPARγ Ligand Activity and Modulates Adipocyte Differentiation in a 3T3-L1 Cell Culture Model
by Raquel Ruiz, Raquel Olías, Alfonso Clemente and Luis A. Rubio
Foods 2020, 9(6), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9060793 - 16 Jun 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3464
Abstract
Legume consumption has been reported to induce beneficial effects on obesity-associated metabolic disorders, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully clarified. In the current work, pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed meal proteins (albumins, legumins and vicilins) were isolated, submitted to a [...] Read more.
Legume consumption has been reported to induce beneficial effects on obesity-associated metabolic disorders, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully clarified. In the current work, pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed meal proteins (albumins, legumins and vicilins) were isolated, submitted to a simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and the effects of their hydrolysates (pea albumins hydrolysates (PAH), pea legumins hydrolysates (PLH) and pea vicilin hydrolysates (PVH), respectively) on 3T3-L1 murine pre-adipocytes were investigated. The pea vicilin hydrolysate (PVH), but not native pea vicilins, increased lipid accumulation during adipocyte differentiation. PVH also increased the mRNA expression levels of the adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP2) and decreased that of pre-adipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) (a pre-adipocyte marker gene), suggesting that PVH promotes adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, PVH induced adiponectin and insulin-responsive glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and stimulated glucose uptake. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a key regulator of adipocyte differentiation, were up-regulated in 3T3-L1 cells treated with PVH during adipocyte differentiation. Finally, PVH exhibited PPARγ ligand activity. Lactalbumin or other pea hydrolysates (PAH, PLH) did not exhibit such effects. These findings show that PVH stimulates adipocyte differentiation via, at least in part, the up-regulation of PPARγ expression levels and ligand activity. These effects of PVH might be relevant in the context of the beneficial health effects of legume consumption in obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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18 pages, 1258 KiB  
Article
Inclusion of Limited Amounts of Extruded Legumes Plus Cereal Mixes in Normocaloric or Obesogenic Diets for Rats: Effects on Lipid Profile
by Luis A. Rubio, Isabel Aranda-Olmedo and Mercedes Martín-Pedrosa
Foods 2020, 9(6), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9060704 - 1 Jun 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2640
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are regarded as world epidemics and are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Two new highly palatable extruded mixes based on rice and pea (Pisum sativum) or kidney bean [...] Read more.
Overweight and obesity are regarded as world epidemics and are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Two new highly palatable extruded mixes based on rice and pea (Pisum sativum) or kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) meals were incorporated into normocaloric or obesogenic diets for rats at a low inclusion level (25%). Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of dietary incorporation of this new food ingredient on lipid profile. Organs (heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, stomach, small intestine, colon, cecum) and visceral fat relative weights were different (p < 0.01) from controls for animals fed the obesogenic diets and in rats fed extruded diets with respect to controls. Faecal excretion of bile acids was higher (p < 0.01) for rats fed extruded mixes compared with controls. The inclusion of extruded mixes replacing part of the casein in the control diet lowered liver cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.001) and plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL; p < 0.01) values, although plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was unaltered. Both the inclusion of extruded mixes and the use of obesogenic diets resulted in significantly (p < 0.001) different long chain fatty acid (LCFA) profiles in liver and visceral fat. Incorporating extruded legume plus cereal mixes beneficially influenced lipid metabolism, and would therefore deserve closer attention in human intervention studies, particularly with adolescents. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the nutritional and physiological effects of extruded legume plus cereal mixes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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17 pages, 1684 KiB  
Article
Improving the In Vitro Bioaccessibility of β-Carotene Using Pectin Added Nanoemulsions
by Júlia Teixé-Roig, Gemma Oms-Oliu, Sara Ballesté-Muñoz, Isabel Odriozola-Serrano and Olga Martín-Belloso
Foods 2020, 9(4), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9040447 - 7 Apr 2020
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3165
Abstract
The intestinal absorption of lipophilic compounds such as β-carotene has been reported to increase when they are incorporated in emulsion-based delivery systems. Moreover, the reduction of emulsions particle size and the addition of biopolymers in the systems seems to play an important role [...] Read more.
The intestinal absorption of lipophilic compounds such as β-carotene has been reported to increase when they are incorporated in emulsion-based delivery systems. Moreover, the reduction of emulsions particle size and the addition of biopolymers in the systems seems to play an important role in the emulsion properties but also in their behavior under gastrointestinal conditions and the absorption of the encapsulated compound in the intestine. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pectin addition (0%, 1%, and 2%) on the physicochemical stability of oil-in-water nanoemulsions containing β-carotene during 35 days at 4 °C, the oil digestibility and the compound bioaccessibility. The results showed that nanoemulsions presented greater stability and lower β-carotene degradation over time in comparison with coarse emulsion, which was further reduced with the addition of pectin. Moreover, nanoemulsions presented a faster digestibility irrespective of the pectin concentration used and a higher β-carotene bioaccessibility as the pectin concentration increased, being the maximum of ≈36% in nanoemulsion with 2% of pectin. These results highlight the potential of adding pectin to β-carotene nanoemulsions to enhance their functionality by efficiently preventing the compound degradation and increasing the in vitro bioaccessibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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13 pages, 846 KiB  
Article
Impact of Processing and Intestinal Conditions on in Vitro Digestion of Chia (Salvia hispanica) Seeds and Derivatives
by Joaquim Calvo-Lerma, Carolina Paz-Yépez, Andrea Asensio-Grau, Ana Heredia and Ana Andrés
Foods 2020, 9(3), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9030290 - 5 Mar 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4595
Abstract
Chia seeds present with an excellent nutrient profile, including polyunsaturated fat, protein, fibre and bioactive compounds, which make them a potential food or ingredient to bring beneficial health effects. However, their tough structure could mean that these seeds remain hardly disrupted during digestion, [...] Read more.
Chia seeds present with an excellent nutrient profile, including polyunsaturated fat, protein, fibre and bioactive compounds, which make them a potential food or ingredient to bring beneficial health effects. However, their tough structure could mean that these seeds remain hardly disrupted during digestion, thus preventing the release and digestibility of nutrients. In the present study, different chia products (seeds, whole flour, partially defatted flour and sprouts) were assessed in terms of proteolysis, lipolysis, calcium and polyphenols bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity. In vitro digestions were performed supporting standard intestinal (pH 7, bile salts concentration 10 mM) and altered (pH 6, bile salts concentration 1 mM) conditions. The altered conditions significantly reduced lipolysis, but not proteolysis. Regarding the food matrix, compared to the chia seeds, whole and partially defatted flour increased the hydrolysis of lipids and protein, relating to reduced particle size. Sprouting had an enhancing effect on proteolysis but prevented lipolysis. Calcium bioaccessibility dropped in all the samples in the two intestinal conditions. The digestion process led to increased polyphenols bioaccessibility in all the structures, but reduced antioxidant activity except in the milled structures. In conclusion, milling should be applied to chia seeds prior to consumption in cases where enhancing the potential uptake of macro and micronutrients is targeted, and sprouting is suitable to enhance protein digestibility and reduce lipolysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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Review

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16 pages, 3257 KiB  
Review
Plant Cell Walls: Impact on Nutrient Bioaccessibility and Digestibility
by Claire Holland, Peter Ryden, Cathrina H. Edwards and Myriam M.-L. Grundy
Foods 2020, 9(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9020201 - 16 Feb 2020
Cited by 95 | Viewed by 18351
Abstract
Cell walls are important structural components of plants, affecting both the bioaccessibility and subsequent digestibility of the nutrients that plant-based foods contain. These supramolecular structures are composed of complex heterogeneous networks primarily consisting of cellulose, and hemicellulosic and pectic polysaccharides. The composition and [...] Read more.
Cell walls are important structural components of plants, affecting both the bioaccessibility and subsequent digestibility of the nutrients that plant-based foods contain. These supramolecular structures are composed of complex heterogeneous networks primarily consisting of cellulose, and hemicellulosic and pectic polysaccharides. The composition and organization of these different polysaccharides vary depending on the type of plant tissue, imparting them with specific physicochemical properties. These properties dictate how the cell walls behave in the human gastrointestinal tract, and how amenable they are to digestion, thereby modulating nutrient release from the plant tissue. This short narrative review presents an overview of our current knowledge on cell walls and how they impact nutrient bioaccessibility and digestibility. Some of the most relevant methods currently used to characterize the food matrix and the cell walls are also described. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Food Digestion)
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