ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8788-814X
Current Organisations
Monash University
,
Institute of Fundamental Studies
,
University of Peradeniya
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-02-2020
DOI: 10.1002/JSFA.10315
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-10-2020
DOI: 10.1002/JSFA.10870
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 21-11-2017
DOI: 10.1111/JFBC.12457
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-06-2018
DOI: 10.1002/JSFA.9074
Abstract: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a legume consumed as a high-quality plant protein source in many parts of the world. High protein and carbohydrate contents with a relatively low fat content and a complementary amino acid pattern to that of cereal grains make cowpea an important nutritional food in the human diet. Cowpea has gained more attention recently from consumers and researchers worldwide as a result of its exerted health beneficial properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties. Among the mechanisms that have been proposed in the prevention of chronic diseases, the most proven are attributed to the presence of compounds such as soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, phytochemicals, and proteins and peptides in cowpea. However, studies on the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties of cowpea have produced conflicting results. Some studies support a protective effect of cowpea on the progression of cancer and inflammation, whereas others did not reveal any. Because there are only a few studies addressing health-related effects of cowpea consumption, further studies in this area are suggested. In addition, despite the reported favorable effects of cowpea on diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, a long-term epidemiological study investigating the association between cowpea consumption and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer is also recommended. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2016.05.090
Abstract: For the first time, a reliable, simple, rapid and high-throughput analytical method for the detection and quantification of α-amylase inhibitory activity using the glucose assay kit was developed. The new method facilitates rapid screening of a large number of s les, reduces labor, time and reagents and is also suitable for kinetic studies. This method is based on the reaction of maltose with glucose oxidase (GOD) and the development of a red quinone. The test is done in microtitre plates with a total volume of 260μL and an assay time of 40min including the pre-incubation steps. The new method is tested for linearity, sensitivity, precision, reproducibility and applicability. The new method is also compared with the most commonly used 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) method for determining α-amylase activity.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-08-2018
DOI: 10.1002/FSN3.727
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1155/2016/8501637
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to determine the nutritional and functional properties of T. cucumerina . Water extracts of freeze dried flowers, fruits, and leaves of T . cucumerina were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, α -amylase inhibitory activity, and fiber and mineral contents. Antioxidant activity, TPC, and TFC were significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05 ) in leaves than in flowers and fruits. A significant linear correlation was observed between the TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities of plant extracts. Although, leaves and flower s les showed a significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05 ) amylase inhibitory activity than the fruit s les, the overall amylase inhibition was low in all three parts of T. cucumerina . Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber contents were significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05 ) in fruits than in flowers and leaves. Ca and K contents were significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05 ) in leaf followed by fruit and flower and Mg, Fe, and Zn contents were significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05 ) in leaves followed by flowers and fruits. In conclusion, T. cucumerina can be considered as a nourishing food commodity which possesses high nutritional and functional benefits for human health.
Publisher: Springer New York
Date: 11-03-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2018.09.114
Abstract: Glucose oxidase (GOD) is an enzyme widely used in glucose monitoring systems owing to its high specificity towards glucose. However, in our previous work maltose was found to show significant interaction with GOD and based on this observation, a novel microplate-based method was developed to assess α-amylase inhibitory activity (GOD method). Concerns regarding the interaction of GOD with maltose has limited the widespread use of the GOD method in assessing α-amylase activity. The present paper provides answers to concerns regarding the interaction of GOD with maltose using HPLC studies and application of the GOD method in assessing α-amylase activity. According to the results, the newly developed GOD method can be considered as a well-suited method for the determination of α-amylase activity and as an easy method to do kinetic studies compared to other available methods.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-09-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-09-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41596-022-00736-0
Abstract: Carbohydrate digestion in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract is catalyzed by α-amylases and α-glucosidases to produce monosaccharides for absorption. Inhibition of these enzymes is the major activity of the drugs acarbose and miglitol, which are used to manage diabetes. Furthermore, delaying carbohydrate digestion via inhibition of α-amylases and α-glucosidases is an effective strategy to blunt blood glucose spikes, a major risk factor for developing metabolic diseases. Here, we present an in vitro protocol developed to accurately and specifically assess the activity of α-amylases and α-glucosidases, including sucrase, maltase and isomaltase. The assay is especially suitable for measuring inhibition by compounds, drugs and extracts, with minimal interference from impurities or endogenous components, because the substrates and digestive products in the enzyme activity assays are quantified directly by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed erometric detection (HPAE-PAD). Multiple enzyme sources can be used, but here we present the protocol using commercially available human α-amylase to assess starch hydrolysis with maltoheptaose as the substrate, and with brush border sucrase-isomaltase (with maltase, sucrase and isomaltase activities) derived from differentiated human intestinal Caco-2(/TC7) cells to assess hydrolysis of disaccharides. The wet-lab assay takes ~2-5 h depending on the number of s les, and the HPAE-PAD analysis takes 35 min per s le. A full dataset therefore takes 1-3 d and allows detection of subtle changes in enzyme activity with high sensitivity and reliability.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 30-11-2016
DOI: 10.1155/2016/9747412
Abstract: Hypocholesterolaemic and hypoglycaemic effect of banana blossom were studied in high-cholesterol fed rats. Experimental groups were fed for 4 weeks, with casein as the basal diet (CN), in comparison with two diets containing 0.5% cholesterol (CD) and 0.5% cholesterol + 21% banana blossom powder (CDB). Serum total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol level, and serum glucose concentrations were lower in CDB fed group compared with CD fed group. Lower serum cholesterol and glucose level ( P 0.05 ) in CDB fed group were followed by higher faecal weight, caecal weight, caecal Lactobacilli , and Bifidobacteria population in CDB fed group compared to CD diet fed group. Lower serum AST level in banana blossom fed rats showed the reduction in oxidative stress induced by high cholesterol diet. Based on these data, it could be speculated that banana blossom incorporated experimental diets may modulate the hypocholesterolaemic and hypoglycaemic responses in Wistar rats.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-07-2016
DOI: 10.1002/JSFA.7848
Abstract: Potatoes have shown promising health-promoting properties in human cell culture, experimental animal and human clinical studies, including antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anticancer and antidiabetic effects. Compounds present such as phenolics, fiber, starch and proteins as well as compounds considered antinutritional such as glycoalkaloids, lectins and proteinase inhibitors are believed to contribute to the health benefits of potatoes. However, epidemiological studies exploring the role of potatoes in human health have been inconclusive. Some studies support a protective effect of potato consumption in weight management and diabetes, while other studies demonstrate no effect and a few suggest a negative effect. As there are many biological activities attributed to the compounds present in potato, some of which could be beneficial or detrimental depending on specific circumstances, a long-term study investigating the association between potato consumption and diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer while controlling for fat intake is needed. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
No related grants have been discovered for Rizliya Visvanathan.