Phytoestrogens: characterization and biological effects
Author(s)
Ricci, Silvia
Date Issued
March 29, 2012
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
In this PhD thesis, some of the biological effects of phytoestrogens, in particular of
lignans and the selection and characterization of buckwheat seeds and sprouts as
potential rich food sources of polyphenol and pytoestrgens are reported. The effects
in vitro of lignans on proliferation of human colon cancer cells lines (HT29 and
HCT8) showed that lignans inhibit cellular proliferation and induce arrest of cell
cycle in the G1-phase on both cellular lines. In order to study the mechanism of
action we observed the behaviour of cyclin D1 and p-21 proteins. The results showed
that cyclin D1 decreased expression while p-21 protein level resulted increased in
cells treated. Further we measured the intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species)
level in cells treated. The analysis showed a reduced concentration of ROS especially
after 24 h compared to 48 h. In addition procedure for growth and characterization of
buckwheat sprouts and seeds, as preliminary step for a future setting up of a proofproject
for formulation of functional food rich in biologically active components like
phytoestrogens was studied. Hence hydroponic culture of Buckwheat sprouts was
produced and after evaluated the yields of harvest we analyzed the amount of total
phenolic contents both in sprouts and in seeds. Tartary buckwheat sprouts and seeds
show higher content of phenolic contents than Common buckwheat. The research
produced promising results which open horizons on the possibility to produce
innovative food that provide health benefit using, for the first time, powder of
Tartary buckwheat sprouts.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Biotecnologia degli alimenti
Subjects
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