Fructan is a polymer of fructose molecules. It is polysaccharides and oligosaccharides which store carbohydrates in various vegetables such as artichokes, agave, leeks, asparagus, onions, garlic, wheat, jicama and yacon. Unripe bananas have low content of fructans and the ripened ones have high levels of fructan. It is a chain of fructose molecules having glucose molecule at one end. The body requires breaking down chain into single molecules in order to absorb molecules. Humans lack enzymes required to break chain so it moves through small intestine to colon where it is fermented. This process forms gas. This is a big…
Author: Emily
β-Glucans consists a group of β-D-glucose polysaccharides which occurs naturally in cell walls of bacteria, cereal and fungi withvarying physicochemical properties dependent on the source. β-glucans form linear backbone having 1-3 β-glycosidic bonds but vary with respect to solubility, molecular mass, branching structure, viscosity and gelation properties which cause diverse physiological effects in animals. Oat fiber β-glucan lowers blood levels of LDL cholesterol and lowers the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Beta glucans are sugars which are found in cell walls of bacteria, algae, fungi, yeasts, lichens and plants such as barley and oats. Beta glucans are used for high cholesterol,…
Isorhamnetin is an O-methylated flavonol from class of flavonoids. The common food source of 3′-methyloxylated derivative of quercetin and its glucoside conjugates are pungent yellow or red onions in which it is a minor pigment but quercetin-3,4′-diglucoside and quercetin-4′-glucoside & the aglycone quercetin are the major pigments. It is one of the various flavonols that could be found in plant based foods and is a part of phytonutrient family, a group of chemical compounds which naturally occurs in plants and has various health benefits which are not regarded as essential nutrients. It acts as antioxidant which is associated with prevention…
Rutin is also known as rutoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and sophorin. It is a glucoside with flavonol quercetin and the disaccharide rutinose. Rutin is a plant pigment or bioflavonoid which is found in certain fruits and vegetables. Buckwheat, apples, figs, most citrus and both black and green tea possess rutin. It is available in form of supplement in tablet or capsule form. It possesses powerful antioxidant properties. It assists body in producing collagen and use Vitamin C. It is useful in treating health conditions such as high blood pressure and hemorrhoids and also lowers the level of cholesterol. It is also used…
Fisetin is a plant polyphenol from group flavonoid. It could be found in various plants where it acts as coloring agent. It is found in various vegetables and fruits such as apples, strawberries, onions, persimmons, cucumber and onions. In 1891, Austrian chemist Josef Herzig described its chemical formula. It has various biological effects that are beneficial for treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. It protects nerve cells from oxidative stress induced death, enhance nerve cells differentiation and halt aggregation of amyloid β protein which causes progressive neuronal loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, fisetin promotes induction of hippocampal LTP on…
Myricetin belongs to the member of flavonoid class of polyphenolic compounds having antioxidant properties. It could be obtained from vegetables, nuts, fruits, tea, berries and red wine. Structurally, Myricetin is similar to fisetin, quercetin and luteolin. It is produced from parent compound taxifolin through (+)-dihydromyricetin intermediate and could be further prepared for forming laricitrin and then syringetin. Myricitrin is a flavonoid extracted from fruit, bark and leaves of Chinese bayberry and is used as flavor modifier in dairy products, snack foods and beverages. It is converted to myricetin by intestinal microflora that occurs in plants and consumed in vegetables, fruits…
Kaempferol is a natural flavonol which is a natural flavonol or flavonoid found in various plants and plant derived foods. It is a yellow crystalline solid having melting point of 276–278 °C (529–532 °F). It is highly soluble in ethers, hot ethanol, DMSO and slightly soluble in water. It possesses antioxidant properties that help to lower oxidative stress. Intake of kaemferol helps to lower chances of cancers and possible for treating cancer. It is titled for 17th-century German naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer. Dietary sources of Kaempferol Watercress Mustard greens Arugula New Zealand Spinach Kale Endive Radish seeds Dock Garden cress Turnip…
Quercetin is a plant flavonol from flavonoid group of polyphenols which is mostly found in vegetables, fruits, grains and leaves. Kale and red onions contains high content of quercetin. It is used as an ingredient in beverages and dietary supplements. It is considered to be most abundant antioxidants in human diet and plays a crucial role in counteracting free radical damage, effects of aging or inflammation. Quercetin glycosides and other flavonoids such as myricetin and kaempferol acts as anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory agents with an ability to positively express in various cell types in both humans and animals. Quercetin…
Amines are compounds and functional groups which contain a basic nitrogen atom having lone pair. They are formally derivatives of ammonia wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by substituent such as aryl or alkyl group. Imperative amines include biogenic amines, aniline and trimethylamine. Substituent –NH2 is known as amino group. Compounds having nitrogen atom attached to carbonyl group with structure R-CO-NR’R” are known amides and with different chemical properties from amines. Amine is a member of family of nitrogen containing organic compounds derived either in principle or in practice from ammonia. Amines which occur naturally include alkaloids found…
Betalains are a class of yellow and red indole-derived pigments available in plants of Caryophyllales where they reinstate anthocyanin pigments. It occurs in some higher order fungi. Most often they are apparent in petals of flowers but may color the fruits, stems, leaves and roots of plants which contain them. It comprises of pigments such as those found in beets. The word betalain is derived from Latin name of common beet scientifically known as Beta vulgaris, from which betalains were first extracted. The deep red color of beets, amaranth, bougainvillea and cacti results due to the presence of betalain pigments.…