Biologists have created new products rich of nutrients
Agriculturalists from the RUDN University have developed an analysis system that allows the precise determination of the content of useful substances in vegetables. That, in turn, makes it possible to produce more useful products and to choose plants for selection based on their biochemical characteristics. The scientists also created biologically active supplements for diabetic nutrition, recovery of microflora, strengthening of the immune system and maintaining visual acuity. The results of the work were presented at the International Conference "New and non-traditional plants and prospects for their application", which was held in Sochi on June 4-8, 2018.
Vegetables, teas, cereals and other products of plant origin are a source of many useful substances (vitamins and antioxidants for instance) that support health and slow aging. Scientists from the RUDN University suggested measuring the content of these substances with a chromatograph (which can be done even in the early stages of development of the plant and its fruit) in order to select the best variants for breeding and create products with maximum food and pharmacological value.
Scientists also made a practical application of their technology, creating several functional products (saturated with useful substances), including a new variety of vegetables and phyto-tea. One of their developments is a food additive from the yacon - a vegetable that looks like a sunroot with sweet crunchy roots. Initially the yacon grew at the average height of the Andes, but the scientists found out that this plant is undemanding, and it can be grown in other climatic conditions. Biologists of the RUDN University bred and included in the State Register of the Russian Federation a new sort of yacon with a high content of phenolic compounds. These substances have antioxidant activity, are able to reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular and neurological diseases and to slow the aging process.
"We developed and applied a comprehensive system for analyzing the various forms of phenolic compounds in vegetable plants. The development makes it possible to estimate the ratio of the main groups of such compounds in widely cultivated vegetables, " says the author of the report Murat Gins, doctor of biological sciences, professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, professor of the Agro-Technological Institute (RUDN University).
Also, the authors studied the biochemical indicators of the yacon and developed a line of products for diabetics, including a puree from its root tubers. This product can be used in leaven as an additional source of carbohydrates. Root tubers of the yacon are rich in inulin - a sweet organic substance, which is used in pharmaceutics as a sweetener.
"We also found that in the baking of bread from a mixture of rye and wheat flour, the "standard" and hydrolyzed yacon puree may be added in the leaven preparation stage. It would improve the organoleptic (smell, taste) and physicochemical parameters of the finished products, and increase their nutritional value", - the scientist added.
Also, specialists from the RUDN University for the first time created a biologically active additive in the form of phyto-tea on the basis of amaranth leaves (it is already sold in pharmacies). Amaranth is an annual herbaceous plant that grows in regions with warm and temperate climates. It is also rich in phenolic compounds, which makes it extremely nutritious and beneficial to humans. The additive is a complex of antioxidants: dehydroquercetin, quercetin, rutin, amaranthine and other biologically active substances. Phytotea based on amaranth is intended to strengthen the immune system and increase visual acuity. In addition, the supplement works as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
Working on the breeding of more useful crops, biologists select vegetable plants with a high content of low-molecular metabolites that have protective and regulatory functions. Now the task of scientists is to search for metabolites that show antioxidant activity. Such compounds include, for example, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds and carotenoids. The key function of metabolites-antioxidants is to protect the components of the cell from the destructive effect of oxidative stress.
Provided by RUDN University