Physiological functions of phlorotannins

Preparation and chromatographic analysis of phlorotannins.

In the 70s, reports began to appear of phenolic metabolites of brown algae with the characteristics of tannins; these compounds, initially termed phaeophyte tannins, marine algal polyphenols or polyphloroglucinols, are known as phlorotannins, the youngest group of plant polyphenolics. Despite over 40 years of research in phlorotannins, this area is still in the exponential growth phase; however...

Glutamine’s Physiological Functions

From the perspective of nutritional science, glutamine, like arginine, is not an essential amino acid. Nevertheless, glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. Glutamine plays major roles in accelerating muscle metabolism, in preserving muscle, in promoting wound healing and in cell proliferation. It also serves as the nutritional source for gastrointestinal cells and as the major e...

Genetic Evaluation of Physiological Functions

Linking physiological functions of iron.

Virtually all aerobic organisms synthesize heme, an iron protoporphyrin complex that functions as an oxygen transporter and electron carrier in multiple enzymes and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. Heme is synthesized by a highly conserved multistep process, beginning with the condensation of glycine and succinyl-CoA by ALA synthase (ALAS) to form 5-aminolevulinic acid, and continuing...

Novel physiological functions of oligosaccharides*

This paper reviews the evidence for novel physiological functions of oligosaccharides. A history of the research and development and the types of health benefits are discussed. A key property of the physiological functions lies in the indigestibility of oligosaccharides, which gives rise to fermentation in the large intestine, followed by an increase of Bifidobacteria and short-chain fatty acid...