Charu Gupta - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Charu Gupta

Functional foods enhanced with Microbial antioxidants

Free radicals plays an important role in the origin of numerous diseases including both lifestyle... more Free radicals plays an important role in the origin of numerous diseases including both lifestyle diseases and physiological diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative etc. Free radicals act by catalyzing the various toxic oxidative reactions that lead to the formation of toxic lipid peroxides. They also inhibit the enzymes of respiratory chain of mitochondria and damage DNA and proteins which is lethal for the cell. It is therefore important to search for newer alternatives to allopathic medicines with reduced or no side effects. There are numerous medicinal plants that have been reported to possess strong antioxidant activity along with their free radical scavenging activity. Besides plants, various microbes including bacteria and fungi also possess powerful antioxidant activity. Some of the microbes belong to the probiotic group that has the potential to protect the body from the dangerous free radicals. Thus the present paper aims to d...

African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2008

In this study we screened ten herbal oils, which were purchased from the local market of Meerut r... more In this study we screened ten herbal oils, which were purchased from the local market of Meerut region to study their role as inhibitors of food-borne pathogens. Of the ten essential oils, only cinnamon and clove oil exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial activity, followed by peppermint and Eucalyptus oil. Cinnamon oil exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.25% (v/v), followed by clove oil with an MIC of 2.5% (v/v). These oils therefore possess potential to be used as food biopreservatives.

Intestinal microbiota is a key component of both the metabolism and immunity. These can be helpfu... more Intestinal microbiota is a key component of both the metabolism and immunity. These can be helpful in healthcare, especially for the management of digestive diseases and food-borne illnesses. Through genetic engineering it is possible to fully express biologically active copies of such powerful molecules from food and commensal bacteria. Genetically engineered probiotics can be used to treat inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, as well as other disorders that result from an overactive immune system. Genetically modified (GM) probiotics are also used as food additives to control the release of human growth factors by the modified bacteria to fight against injury and inflammation in the gut. For example the use of a plant sugar called xylan to stimulate the genetically modified human gut probiotic bacterium Bacteroides ovatus to produce specific proteins that can repair damaged cells and dampen down the immune system in the intestine that cause...

Anti-Inflammatory Functional Foods

Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019

Chronic inflammation is caused by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective ... more Chronic inflammation is caused by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective mechanisms and has been linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's, type-2 diabetes and arthritis. Current medications include treatment with steroids that reduce inflammation or swelling. Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause several side effects and in extreme cases can cause severe haemorrhage and renal effects. There are other various anti-inflammatory nutrients which reduce the level of these biomarkers. The polyphenols show significant anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-DNA damaging effects. Anti-inflammatory foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which provide valuable antioxidant polyphenols, resveratrol, lycopene, phytosterols, curcuminoids, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, phenolic acids, alleviates inflammation, as well as strengthening the immune system. The present chapter would thus focus on ...

Phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance: do they defend against diseases?

Phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance, 2014

This book chapter reviews the health benefits of various phytochemicals of nutraceutical importan... more This book chapter reviews the health benefits of various phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance, including polyphenols, phytoestrogens, terpenoids, carotenoids, limonoids, phytosterols, glucosinolates, fibres, polysaccharides, and saponins. The chapter also discusses the role of phytochemicals in health and diseases.

Carotenoids: chemistry and health benefits

Phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance, 2014

This book chapter reviews the chemical structure, sources, accumulation, storage and biofortifica... more This book chapter reviews the chemical structure, sources, accumulation, storage and biofortification, turnover and degradation, properties, association with antioxidants, and health benefits of carotenoids.

Antimicrobial Ellagitannin From Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Fruits

International Journal of Fruit Science, 2009

The ethyl acetate extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits was fractionated by chromatogra... more The ethyl acetate extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits was fractionated by chromatographic techniques to afford the ellagitannin punicalagin. The substance was found to be active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and was identified by HPLC/UV and ...

Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 2012

Glucosinolates (thioglucoside-N-hydroxysulphates) constitute a homogeneous class of naturally occ... more Glucosinolates (thioglucoside-N-hydroxysulphates) constitute a homogeneous class of naturally occurring thiosaccharidic compounds mainly found in the botanical order Brassicales. They can be hydrolyzed by myrosinase to produce D-glucose and various other degradation products like isothiocyanates (ITCs)-depending on the aglycon part. The exact function of glucosinolates (GLSs) in the plant is unclear, however their potent odour and taste suggests a role in herbivore and microbial defense. They are known for their fungicidal, bacteriocidal, nematocidal and allelopathic properties and have recently attracted intense research interest because of their cancer chemo-protective attributes. Iso-thiocyanates, one of the hydrolyzed products, show best anti-carcinogenic activity.

Functional foods enhanced with Microbial antioxidants

Free radicals plays an important role in the origin of numerous diseases including both lifestyle... more Free radicals plays an important role in the origin of numerous diseases including both lifestyle diseases and physiological diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative etc. Free radicals act by catalyzing the various toxic oxidative reactions that lead to the formation of toxic lipid peroxides. They also inhibit the enzymes of respiratory chain of mitochondria and damage DNA and proteins which is lethal for the cell. It is therefore important to search for newer alternatives to allopathic medicines with reduced or no side effects. There are numerous medicinal plants that have been reported to possess strong antioxidant activity along with their free radical scavenging activity. Besides plants, various microbes including bacteria and fungi also possess powerful antioxidant activity. Some of the microbes belong to the probiotic group that has the potential to protect the body from the dangerous free radicals. Thus the present paper aims to d...

African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2008

In this study we screened ten herbal oils, which were purchased from the local market of Meerut r... more In this study we screened ten herbal oils, which were purchased from the local market of Meerut region to study their role as inhibitors of food-borne pathogens. Of the ten essential oils, only cinnamon and clove oil exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial activity, followed by peppermint and Eucalyptus oil. Cinnamon oil exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.25% (v/v), followed by clove oil with an MIC of 2.5% (v/v). These oils therefore possess potential to be used as food biopreservatives.

Intestinal microbiota is a key component of both the metabolism and immunity. These can be helpfu... more Intestinal microbiota is a key component of both the metabolism and immunity. These can be helpful in healthcare, especially for the management of digestive diseases and food-borne illnesses. Through genetic engineering it is possible to fully express biologically active copies of such powerful molecules from food and commensal bacteria. Genetically engineered probiotics can be used to treat inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, as well as other disorders that result from an overactive immune system. Genetically modified (GM) probiotics are also used as food additives to control the release of human growth factors by the modified bacteria to fight against injury and inflammation in the gut. For example the use of a plant sugar called xylan to stimulate the genetically modified human gut probiotic bacterium Bacteroides ovatus to produce specific proteins that can repair damaged cells and dampen down the immune system in the intestine that cause...

Anti-Inflammatory Functional Foods

Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019

Chronic inflammation is caused by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective ... more Chronic inflammation is caused by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective mechanisms and has been linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's, type-2 diabetes and arthritis. Current medications include treatment with steroids that reduce inflammation or swelling. Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause several side effects and in extreme cases can cause severe haemorrhage and renal effects. There are other various anti-inflammatory nutrients which reduce the level of these biomarkers. The polyphenols show significant anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-DNA damaging effects. Anti-inflammatory foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which provide valuable antioxidant polyphenols, resveratrol, lycopene, phytosterols, curcuminoids, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, phenolic acids, alleviates inflammation, as well as strengthening the immune system. The present chapter would thus focus on ...

Phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance: do they defend against diseases?

Phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance, 2014

This book chapter reviews the health benefits of various phytochemicals of nutraceutical importan... more This book chapter reviews the health benefits of various phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance, including polyphenols, phytoestrogens, terpenoids, carotenoids, limonoids, phytosterols, glucosinolates, fibres, polysaccharides, and saponins. The chapter also discusses the role of phytochemicals in health and diseases.

Carotenoids: chemistry and health benefits

Phytochemicals of nutraceutical importance, 2014

This book chapter reviews the chemical structure, sources, accumulation, storage and biofortifica... more This book chapter reviews the chemical structure, sources, accumulation, storage and biofortification, turnover and degradation, properties, association with antioxidants, and health benefits of carotenoids.

Antimicrobial Ellagitannin From Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Fruits

International Journal of Fruit Science, 2009

The ethyl acetate extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits was fractionated by chromatogra... more The ethyl acetate extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits was fractionated by chromatographic techniques to afford the ellagitannin punicalagin. The substance was found to be active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and was identified by HPLC/UV and ...

Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 2012

Glucosinolates (thioglucoside-N-hydroxysulphates) constitute a homogeneous class of naturally occ... more Glucosinolates (thioglucoside-N-hydroxysulphates) constitute a homogeneous class of naturally occurring thiosaccharidic compounds mainly found in the botanical order Brassicales. They can be hydrolyzed by myrosinase to produce D-glucose and various other degradation products like isothiocyanates (ITCs)-depending on the aglycon part. The exact function of glucosinolates (GLSs) in the plant is unclear, however their potent odour and taste suggests a role in herbivore and microbial defense. They are known for their fungicidal, bacteriocidal, nematocidal and allelopathic properties and have recently attracted intense research interest because of their cancer chemo-protective attributes. Iso-thiocyanates, one of the hydrolyzed products, show best anti-carcinogenic activity.