Issue 1 of Food & Function is now available to read online.
Read the article in full – it’s free to access for the next six weeks:
Chemopreventative effects of tetrahydrocurcumin on human diseases
Jia-Ching Wu, Mei-Ling Tsai, Ching-Shu Lai, Ying-Jan Wang, Chi-Tang Ho and Min-Hsiung Pan
Food Funct., 2014, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C3FO60370A
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This November, the Food & Function International Symposia took place. The three one day series of symposia were held at National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan; Peking University, Beijing, China and Southwest University, Chongqing, China, on the 25th, 27th and 29th November, respectively. We are very grateful to our hosts, Professors Steven Feng Chen, Gow-Chin Yen, and Guo Hua Zhao, for their generous hospitality and the considerable help they gave us to make these events so successful.
We were delighted to be able to award several prizes at the three events. Pictured on the right are the successful winners collecting their prizes (from top to bottom: winners from the Taiwan event, the Beijing event and the Chongqing event, together with Food & Function Managing Editor, Sarah Ruthven). Poster prize winners from the Taiwan event were: Cheng-Ying Ho (Protective effects of diallyl sulfide against OVA-induced murine allergic asthma model via upregulation of Nrf2), Chih-Min Yang (Antimetastatic effects of α-carotene and possible mechanisms of action in Human hepatocarcinoma SK-Hep-1 cells) and Min-Hsueh Tai (Curcurmin supresses 
PCSK9 gene expression through HNF-1α reduction and increases LDL uptake in HepG2 cells). Food & Function prize winners from the Beijing event were: Xiaorong Lin (Interactions among chemical components of cocoa tea (Camellia ptilophylla Chang), a natural low caffeine-containing tea species) Fang Fang (Study on antidiabetic activities of Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina L.) drupes extracts) and Jixiang Lai (Investigations of antioxidant activity and gene expression of black soybean sprouts). Poster prize winners from the Chongqing event were: Yi Liu (Effect of pretreatment on enzymatic hydrolysis of bovine collagen and formation of ACE-inhibitory peptides), Jia Liu (Synthesis characterisation and aqueous self-assembly of octenyl-succinate oact β-glucan), Daoqi Long (Blasting extrusion of wheat bran: determination of optimum processing conditions and extrudate physiocochemical properties), Si Tan 
(The antimetabolic disorder effects of kumquat fruit extracts (FME) on high-fat diet-induced C57BL/6 obese mice) and Jian Liu. We would like to congratulate all the prize winners on their achievements.
The symposia featured talks by an outstanding list of speakers including Food & Function Associate Editor Professor Steven Feng Chen (Peking University, China), new Editorial Board Chair Professor Kevin Croft (University of Western Australia) and Editorial Board member Professor Vincenzo Fogliano (Wageningen University, The Netherlands). Dr Bettina Wolf (University of Nottingham, UK) and Dr Hang Xiao (University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA) were also speaking at all three locations. Delegates had an enjoyable time and there were stimulating discussions during the week.
The top 10 most-accessed Food & Function articles between June and September 2013 were as follows:
Nuts, especially walnuts, have both antioxidant quantity and efficacy and exhibit significant potential health benefits
Joe A. Vinson and Yuxing Cai
Food Funct., 2012, 3, 134-140, DOI: 10.1039/C2FO10152A
Anti-inflammatory activity of natural dietary flavonoids
Min-Hsiung Pan, Ching-Shu Lai and Chi-Tang Ho
Food Funct., 2010, 1, 15-31, DOI: 10.1039/C0FO00103A
Transcription profiles of LPS-stimulated THP-1 monocytes and macrophages: a tool to study inflammation modulating effects of food-derived compounds
Wasaporn Chanput, Jurriaan Mes, Robert A. M. Vreeburg, Huub F. J. Savelkoul and Harry J. Wichers
Food Funct., 2010, 1, 254-261, DOI: 10.1039/C0FO00113A
Hass avocado modulates postprandial vascular reactivity and postprandial inflammatory responses to a hamburger meal in healthy volunteers
Zhaoping Li, Angela Wong, Susanne M. Henning, Yanjun Zhang, Alexis Jones, Alona Zerlin, Gail Thames, Susan Bowerman, Chi-Hong Tseng and David Heber
Food Funct., 2013, 4, 384-391, DOI: 10.1039/C2FO30226H
Review of in vitro digestion models for rapid screening of emulsion-based systems
David Julian McClements and Yan Li
Food Funct., 2010, 1, 32-59, DOI: 10.1039/C0FO00111B
The interactions between endogenous bacteria, dietary components and the mucus layer of the large bowel
Alicia M. Barnett, Nicole C. Roy, Warren C. McNabb and Adrian L. Cookson
Food Funct., 2012, 3, 690-699, DOI: 10.1039/C2FO30017F
Pomegranate: a fruit that ameliorates metabolic syndrome
Svjetlana Medjakovic and Alois Jungbauer
Food Funct., 2013, 4, 19-39, DOI: 10.1039/C2FO30034F
High internal phase agar hydrogel dispersions in cocoa butter and chocolate as a route towards reducing fat content
Thomas S. Skelhon, Patrik K. A. Olsson, Adam R. Morgan and Stefan A. F. Bon
Food Funct., 2013, 4, 1314-1321, DOI: 10.1039/C3FO60122F
The role of antioxidants and other agents in alleviating hyperglycemia mediated oxidative stress and injury in liver
Aparajita Dey and J. Lakshmanan
Food Funct., 2013,4, 1148-1184, DOI: 10.1039/C3FO30317A
Characterization of polarized THP-1 macrophages and polarizing ability of LPS and food compounds
Wasaporn Chanput, Jurriaan J. Mes, Huub F. J. Savelkoul and Harry J. Wichers
Food Funct., 2013, 4, 266-276, DOI: 10.1039/C2FO30156C
Take a look at the articles, and then let us know your thoughts and comments below.
Thinking of submitting your own work to Food & Function? You can submit online today, or email us with your ideas and suggestions.
Scientists in the US have shown that dietary intake of glucoraphanin, a compound found in broccoli sprouts, reduces the negative effects of diesel exhaust particles on asthma and allergies. Diesel exhaust particles contain a range of redox active compounds that irritate the linings of the airways by causing oxidative stress. This irritation is even worse in asthmatics and allergy sufferers.
Sprouts of three to four day old broccoli plants are particularly rich in glucoraphanin © Shutterstock
Glucoraphanin is a precursor for sulforaphane, which stimulates the expression of around 200 antioxidant producing enzymes. Antioxidants counteract the effects of oxidising species from pollutants in the tissues lining the airways.
The sprouts of three to four day old broccoli plants are particularly rich in glucoraphanin, although it is still present in older broccoli plants. Other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and, kale are also good sources of glucoraphanin.
In their study the group based at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, exposed 29 people with allergies to 300µg of diesel exhaust particles, a dose equivalent to around 40 hours spent breathing polluted air near a typical Los Angeles highway. Subjects who drank juice enriched with 100µmol broccoli sprout extract before exposure to diesel exhaust particles had a significantly reduced immune response.
Read the full article in Chemistry World»
Read the original journal article in Food & Function:
Sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract attenuates nasal allergic response to diesel exhaust particles
David Heber, Zhaoping Li, Maria Garcia-Lloret, Angela M. Wong, Tsz Ying (Amy) Lee, Gail Thames, Michael Krak, Yanjun Zhang and Andre Nel
Food Funct., 2014, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C3FO60277J
12th International Hydrocolloids Conference
Functional hydrocolloids: The key to human health
May 5–9th 2014
Howard International Conference Center, Taipei, Taiwan
Call for Paper and Poster Abstracts
(Deadline December 31st 2013)
The 12th International Hydrocolloids Conference will be taking place from 5–9th May 2014 in Taipei, Taiwan. This Conference will focus on the new opportunities for natural hydrocolloids in important areas including, food, pharmaceuticals, medicine and health, cosmetics and personal care. It will include topics such as novel hydrocolloid systems, the relationship between hydrocolloid structure and function and novel production and processing techniques. Internationally renowned speakers will present their latest basic and applied research findings.
Topics will include:
• Bioactive polysaccharides and proteins – structure and bioactivity
• Dietary Fibre – Glycemia and satiety control
• Hydrocolloids for delivery – encapsulation and controlled release
• Hydrocolloid functionality – including rheological properties, emulsification, film formation
• New sources, new materials and new technology
• Global market and regulation
Plenary Speakers
Professor M.J. Gidley, University of Queensland, Australia, ‘Hydrocolloids in the digestive tract: physical properties and health implications’
Professor D. Goff, University of Guelph, Canada, ‘Role of polysaccharide stabilisers in ice-cream and frozen desserts’
Professor H. Singh, Massey University, New Zealand, ‘Understanding structural changes in food emulsions during gastro-intestinal processing’
Professor S. Kasapis, RMIT University, Australia ‘Structural properties and bioactivity of whey proteins under high pressure processing’
Professor F. Debeaufort, University of Bourgourge, France, ‘How structural organisation and interactions affect barrier and active properties of hydrocolloid-based biopackaging materials’
Dr G. Sworn, DuPont, France, [title to be announced]
Professor M.-Y. Xie, Nanchang University, China, ‘Study on the structure and bioactivity of polysaccharides from food resources’
Professor A. Nussinovitch, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, Hydrocolloid carriers for efficient bio-control of soil borne plant pathogenic fungi’
….
If you wish to present a paper or a poster at the conference please submit an abstract through our website by December 31st 2013.
If you want to know more about the Conference please contact;
Professor Peter A. Williams,
Centre for Water Soluble Polymers,
Glyndwr University,
Plas Coch, Mold Road,
Wrexham, LL11 2AW
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1978 293083
email: williamspa@glyndwr.ac.uk
