Nutraceuticals, types

Amino acid analysis has long been of importance for nutritional purposes. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in assessing the exact amino acid composition of new protein sources, infant formulas, nutraceutical-type products, or supplements targeted at people with unusual metabolic needs. There is also a regulatory necessity to have rapid methods available for amino acid determination to verify product consistency with that declared on the label [196]. 

Specialized nutraceutical-type products often are targeted at persons with unusual metabolic needs. To meet these elevated requirements, products are fortified with specific, free amino acid(s). These products must be examined to ensure that the amino acid in question has been properly supplemented. An example of this category is nutritional products supplemented with glutamine to promote healing after gut trauma. 

The discovery that, in industrialised societies, diets deficient in fruits and vegetables can effectively double the risk of developing many different types of cancer has focused renewed attention on the beneficial properties of these foods (Block e/a/., 1992 Patterson ef a/., 1990 Southon and Faulks, 2002). As we have seen, plant foods are rich in micronutrients, but they also contain an immense variety of biologically active secondary metabolites providing colour, flavour and natural toxicity to pests and sometimes humans (Johnson et ah, 1994). The chemistry and classification of such substances is still a matter for much research and debate, but this has not prevented attempts to isolate and exploit substances that have variously been termed protective factors , phytoprotectants , phytochemicals and nutraceuticals . Phytochemical compounds include ... 

Brink, E. J., van den Heuvel, E. G. H. M., and Muijs, T. (2003). Comparison of six different calcium sources and meal type on true fractional calcium absorption in postmenopausal women. Curr. Top. Nutraceut Res. 1,161-168. 

The electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged protein and polysaccharide can be utilized for encapsulation and delivery of hydro-phobic nutraceuticals. As a result of this interaction, we may have either complex coacervation (and precipitation) or soluble complex formation, depending on various factors, such as the type of polysaccharide used (anionic/cationic), the solution pH, the ionic strength, and the ratio of polysaccharide to protein (see sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.5 in chapter seven for more details) (Schmitt et al, 1998 de Kruif et al., 2004 Livney, 2008 McClements et al, 2008, 2009). The phenomenon of complex... 

Similarly to oil-based refineries, where many energy and chemical products are produced from crude oil, biorefineries will produce many different industrial products from biomass. These will include low-value, high-volume products, such as transportation fuels (e.g. biodiesel, bioethanol), commodity chemicals, as well as materials, and high-value, low-volume products or speciality chemicals, such as cosmetics or nutraceuticals. Energy is the driver for developments in this area, but as biorefineries become more and more sophisticated with time, other products will be developed. In some types of biorefinery, food and feed production may well also be incorporated. 

De Revel, G., Marchand, S., Bertrand, A. (2004). Identification of Maillard-type aroma compounds in winelike model systems of cysteine-carbonyls Occurrence in wine Nutraceutical Beverages Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health Effects. ACS Symposium Series 871, 353-364. 

Demographic surveys of many alternative or complementary medicines have been conducted in a range of locations, but there is usually a problem in clearly defining and categorizing individual types of product however, the usual outcome of these surveys is that the typical patient is middle-aged, middle-income, and female. One recent survey carried out in Washington State, United States, on patients aged 50-76 established the prevalence of their medical conditions, and prevalence of use of a number of nutraceuticals by both men (n = 29,435) and women (n = 32,152). Table 3 outlines the incidence of diseases treated with nutraceuticals. 

In the case of complex nutraceuticals such as green teas, variability of levels of claimed active compounds depend upon method of preparation of the infusion as well as choice of tea type. One survey of three teas and two preparations showed differences in theanine levels and wide variations in catechin derivatives, and another survey of three tea products showed similar wide variations in constituents. ... 

Anthocyanins are a proanthocyanidin-type of flavonoid distributed in various fruits. These anthocyanins are the most important visible plant pigments in the natural kingdom. Anthocyanins have been clinically used in many folklore medicines worldwide for the treatment of age-related diseases and other disease. This review presents the functionality of anthocyanins in relation to their chemistry, synthetic pathway, antioxidant activity, antitumor activity (including apoptosis-inducing activity), pharmacodynamics (absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion) and toxicity, and discusses their possible use as food and dietary supplements and usage in potential nutraceuticals. 

Many phytochemicals and nutraceutical ingredients are derived from botanicals. In the manufacture of many of these nutraceuticals, processes begin with the extraction of plant materials using a suitable solvent. Many technologies and types of equipment exist to achieve this solid-liquid extraction. To successfully choose and operate the proper equipment for producing the desired product in an economic manner, the fundamentals of equilibrium and mass transfer must be understood. Once these fundamentals are understood, they can be applied to the botanical raw material of interest and the chemical properties of the desired phytochemical to select and operate the most cost-effective extraction equipment. 

Crown Iron Works of Minneapolis, Minnesota has developed two specialty extractors that are finding use in the nutraceutical industry. Both types of extractors feature continuous, countercurrent percolation operation, requiring minimal operator time. These extractors are modifications of Crown s oilseed extractors that have been used for several decades. 

New types of foods are increasingly being seen on the shelves of health stores and supermarkets. These new foods with enhanced nutritional or health properties, the so-called nutraceuticals, are becoming more popular among consumers. Coloured compounds, by their antioxidant character and/or their role as vitamin precursors, have been known to provide health benefits when present in the human diet. Their increased levels in fresh and processed foods, as well as their use as food additives, demand a cheap and easy supply of them. Very often, their production in biological systems such as microorganisms and plants appears as the best option for their industrial production. 

Although they can be found in limited amounts in fruits such as apples, cherries and pears, they also occur in considerable amounts in tea, particularly in the green type, and in smaller amounts in black grapes and red wine [1, 29], The summary in table 1 shows some natural sources of the reported flavonoids and their most relevant properties as nutraceuticals. 

Awareness of healthful constituents in foods that can exert a positive influence on health, by reducing risk from cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer s disease, and others has also increased [6]. These include antioxidants, soluble fibers, trace elements, and anti-microbials. Much of the available information is anecdotal or from the non-peer reviewed literature, and awaits scientific research to catch up with observations from advocates of various types and sources of foods. Also, dietary supplements are expanding in the market place as the source of nutraceuticals in place of natural sources in foods, stimulating questions regarding their bioavailability and relative benefits. 

The term nutraceutical - a portmanteau of nutrition and pharmaceutical - can refer to any supplement, health product, or formulated food intended to provide prevention against chronic disease or promote general well-being. In this sense, they are often considered similar to supplements. Both of these categories have current and potential future utility for industrial-scale algal production of wild-type and/or engineered strains. 

Nutraceuticals are nonspecific biological therapies used to promote wellness, prevent malignant processes, and control symptoms. It is a broad umbrella term used to describe any product derived from food soiuces that provides extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value foimd in foods. The definition of nutraceuticals and related products often depends on the soiuce. Phytochemicals and antioxidants are two specific types of nutraceuticals. It has been proved that phytochemicals found in foods may help to provide protection from diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, for example, carotenoids found in carrots. Antioxidants may be helpful in avoiding chronic diseases, by preventing oxidative damage in body [8]. There are multiple different types of products that come imder the category of nutraceuticals ... 

Biopolymer protein films can also be used as carrier agents for many types of additives (Espitia et al. 2014). Additives, such as antioxidants, anti-browning agents, nutraceuticals, texture enhancers, flavor, and color ingredients can also be added to enhance the functional and organoleptic properties of the films and/or the packaged foods (Wihodo and Moraru, 2013). 

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