Food is one of the fundamental elements in our life which can be spoiled by enzymatic action, microorganisms, or by nonenzymatic reactions. Oxidation is a nonenzymatic reaction where oxygen reacts with lipids present in food. Oxygen has tendency to capture electron and double bond has high electron density which make lipids susceptible to oxidation. The mechanism of lipid oxidation in foods is thought to be a free radical chain reaction which is called autoxidation. A free radical is an atom or molecule that contains one or more unpaired electrons. Although half lives of free radicals are short, they have independent existence. Once the free radicals are formed in autoxidation reaction it continues to form other radicals and forms primary products. The decomposition of primary products make varieties of volatile compounds like aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons etc. which causes off flavors and off odors in edible oils and fat-containing food. These undesirable products make the foods less acceptable to consumers. In addition, oxidative reactions reduce the nutritional quality of food such as it reduces essential fatty acids (Fennema, 1996). Sometimes the products of the reaction are considered potentially toxic. Lipid oxidation products cause tissue injuries by reacting with amino acids, phospholipids, and DNA in biological systems. Lipid peroxides also damage the arterial endothelium which subsequently develop the cardiovascular disease (Duthie, Wahle, & James, 1989; Stringer, Görög, Freeman, & Kakkar, 1989). The substance that slowdowns or inhibits the oxidation of a oxidizable substrate is called antioxidants. The concentration of antioxidants should be lower compared to the oxidizable substrate (Sies, 1997). According to FDA, ...
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...nolic substances. Essential oil can be extracted by water or steam distillation, liquid solvent extraction (Figueiredo, Barroso, Pedro, & Scheffer, 2008).
Research is undergoing to find antioxidants of natural origin that could be safe and cause no side effects as well as could replace uses of synthetic antioxidants. Yet limited number of oils has been investigated for this purpose which is not sufficient to set up an essential oil in place of synthetic preservatives. Extensive researches on essential oils are necessary to choose most effective essential oil as natural preservative. The objectives of the study:
1. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of white wormwood (Artemisia alba), Bay (Laurus nobilis) and Rose Geranium (Pelargonium capitatum) Essential Oil.
2. To find most effective essential oil among white wormwood, bay and rose geranium essential oil.
Lipid peroxidation refers to the oxidative degradation of lipids. It is the process in which free radicals "steal" electrons from the lipids in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage. This process proceeds by a free radical chain reaction mechanism. It most often affects polyunsaturated fatty acids, because they contain multiple double bonds in between which lie methylene bridges (-CH2-) that possess especially reactive hydrogens. As with any radical reaction, the reaction consists of three major steps: initiation, propagation, and termination.
Oxidative stress is essentially defined as the imbalance in the equilibrium of antioxidants systems in the human body. Oxidative damage in aerobic organisms can be caused by certain molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). These reactive species are ones that cause oxidative damage in biomolecules. In order to maintain equilibrium of these substances, the human body has various endogenous antioxidants and phase 2 proteins which have evolved to defend against any harmful effects of ROS or any other reactive species. In normal physiological conditions, a balance is maintained between the ROS production and their detoxification by the appropriate antioxidants and phases 2 proteins. (Uttara, Singh, Zamboni & Mahajan, 2009). Oxidative stress can occur due too many pathological conditions, when the balance of prooxidants and antioxidants is disturbed oxidative damage could accumulate in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. In severe cases these events can lead to cell death. The process can directly alter the antioxidant systems by either inducing or inhibiting the proteins which take part in these systems. Moreover it can also cause the depletion of storage of antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin E and many more in cells. (Thomas 2006). Antioxidants are defined as any substance which has the ability to inhibit, reduce or repair the damage as a result of an ROS in a biomolecule. The general three mechanisms that are used by antioxidants include the inhibition of ROS generation, the repair of damage induced by ROS and scavenging for ROS molecules. Since ROS plays a precarious role in both physiology and pathophysiology in the human body, it is vital that the endogenous antioxidants and phase prote...
What is aromatherapy? In an article titled “Phytotherapy Research” by Amr Edris, he describes aromatherapy as, “The use of essential oils and their volatile constituents are widely to prevent and treat human disease.” Aromatherapy is said to be an alternate form of medicine that uses essential oils, which are made up of volatile plant materials. With these essential oils it is said that they help to alter a person’s mood, health, mind, and cognitive function. It is also said that aromatherapy could substitute as treatment or prevention for certain diseases. There are many different types of oils used for aromatherapy in different ways for different outcomes. Such methods include the topical application, aerial diffusion, and direct inhalation. Topical application is any direct contact with the oil, used such as placing the oil in a bath or directly on to the skin. Aerial diffusion is where the oil is placed on the carpet around you or even on to a pillow or bed. Direct inhalation is a method where the oil is placed on the hands and rubbed together then while cupping your hands under your face to inhale the oils, this has a very powerful effect when used. Some uses of aromatherapy are for used as anti-depressants, relive stress, help with relaxation, insomnia, acne, itching and many more. To cure anxiety lavender, chamomile, rose, vanilla, and cardamom oils are all used for this. Lemon, jasmine, rosemary, sandalwood, and peppermint oils are all used to help with depression. When dealing with fatigue it is said that basil, cedarwood, clove, and eucalyptus all help. Headaches can be cured with lemon grass, thyme, ginger, and cinnamon oils. Caraway, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary oils are all used to help with menstrual cramps. The...
In the past decades the incidence of heart disease has increased, about three million people dying of cardiovascular disease in China per year (according to statistics from the Ministry of Public Health of China), which draws people’s great concern to find ways to take precautions. With the development of element analytical method, some types of chemical substances that are beneficial to cardiac health have been found. Lycopene is a very popular natural anti-oxidants found in recent years (Dai, 2011), as well as capsaicin and dietary fiber. Whilst some research focuses on the mechanism of action, little attention has been paid to usability issues, in particular to the generalization of health-giving chemical substances in ordinary meals. There is a lot of evidence that vegetables can positively contribute to prevent heart diseases, by supplying biologically active components. This article continues previous research in the field of Biochemistry and Medical Science, mainly trying to study the effective components which can prevent heart disease in edible vegetables.
An example is the Aspartame found in diet soda. Focusing on diet soda, it is shown that it is linked to even more diseases and causes more side effects than regular soda. Furthermore, “Numerous studies over the past several years have reported links between diet soda and weight gain, diabetes, heart problems, and other health issues. Most recently, headlines sounded alarms about a higher chance of dementia and stroke among diet soda drinkers” (Is Drinking…). The aspartame that is used in the diet soda is the main culprit for diet sodas effects. In fact, “Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious, including seizures and death” (Aspartame…). Aspartame is a man-made chemical that is made up of aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. With, aspartic acid making up 40%, phenylalanine making up 50%, and methanol making up 10%. Taking in consideration the phenylalanine in diet soda,” Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of serotonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression” (Aspartame…). With the methanol, that is found in aspartame, it “…breaks down into formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin… With a recommended limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit” (Aspartame…). The effects of methanol are caused by the formaldehyde. “Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects” (Aspartame…). Overall it is shown that the aspartame that is found in diet soda is linked to a number of diseases
Even during the ancient times, Star Anise Essential Oil was already commended for its multi-purposeness. Not only was it used as a way to spice up or add flavor to the food, but, also, it was used as a way to treat insect bites, insomnia even. Now, it is proven to have had a lot more uses, from being an antiseptic and decongestant to a mouth freshener, surely, it is more beneficial than it seems to be.
DK family encyclopaedia 8. Foods that harm foods that heal, Readers Digest
If you do not get the assistance of yoga teacher due to non-availability or various other factors, then you can also opt for buying these essential oils and follow the directions to know how to use them to bring out the best effects on your body. For instance, when you use lavender oil, it will help in promoting relaxation in your body while lemongrass can help in revitalizing and energizing your body.
Design: Botanical chemical constituents were identified from the Natural Products Alert Database for the periods coverings at least 1975 through 2003. This database includes
...rogenation of their unsaturated components. Some of the remaining double bonds are isomerized in this operation. These saturated and trans-fatty acid glycerides in the diet have been linked to long-term health issues such as atherosclerosis.
Weisburger, John. Hazards of Fast Food. Environmental Health Perspectives. 112.6 (2004) A336 1 Oct. 2007. < http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0091-6765%28200405%29112%3A6% 3CA336%3AHOFF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-7 >.
Health Benefits of Peppermint Peppermint is said to have many benefits regarding the health of the human body. Although many people relate peppermint to the extract we put in foods to give it flavor around the holidays, peppermint oil is used in aromatherapy. Some of its usage is for helping with irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, relieves headaches, and improves mental focus. Due to the many health advantages of peppermint oil, it has become a common essential oil used in modern day aromatherapy. The peppermint plant (also known as black mint, candy mint, and in commercial use Mitcham), is a perennial aromatic herb from the classification family of Lamiaceae (1).
Essential oils were used by the ancient Egyptians’ to produce perfumes. They spent hundreds’ of years’ trying to perfect beautiful smel...
Today people are becoming more aware of the advantages of using natural health products. Apart from it being a cost-efficient solution to maintain and attain healthier body, the products made from herbal and natural ingredients offer a myriad of benefits compared to those made from chemical and artificial ingredients. The followi...
Flavonoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, tannin, antioxidants and phenolic compounds are some of the bioactive substances that can be found in plants. Phytochemicals are active constituents. They are not essential nutrients. The chemical entities that are solely responsible for existing pharmacological, microbial or in broader-sense therapeutic activities are usually termed as active constituents.[1] These phytochemicals provide health benefits for humans in addition to those offered by micronutrients and macro nutrients. They protect plants from diseases and damage and contribute to the plant’s colour, aroma and flavor. So, generally speaking, phytochemicals protect the cells in the plant from various environmental hazards such as pollution, stress, drought, UV Exposure and attacks by various microorganisms. Their role has been recently found out in human protection and more than 4000 phytochemicals have been found and are classified by protective function, physical characteristics and chemical characteristics and about 150 phytochemicals have been studied in detail. Phytochemicals accumulate in different parts of the plants such as the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits or seeds. They are mainly concentrated in the outer layers of various plant tissues. Phytochemicals are also available in supplementary forms, but there is very less evidence