Seaweed Kappaphycus Extract Proliferation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Bread as its Delivery Vehicle

Abstract

With the emergence of fortified foods there is a worldwide increase in health alertness and awareness in herbal alternatives. Adoption of fortification techniques enable to enhance the nutritional quality of the product. Common foods such as bread and biscuits can be fortified with enriched herbal extracts. Bread is considered as an excellent source of energy, and an adequate source of protein, essential minerals and other micronutrients. Seaweed, being an untapped source of plant protein and excellent preventive medium against cardiovascular diseases, was enriched in bread at 3, 6 and 9 per cent incorporation level. In vitro studies provide a basis for comparing cytotoxicity data across species. As NRC recommends on the testing the dietary ingredients in target species, herbal extracts were tested in goat bone derived progenitor cells. The herbs at the highest concentration of 100μg/mL tested in proliferation and radical scavenging analysis were found to be safe for use. The seaweed did not show any significant adverse effects on the liveability of cultured cells during the observation period. Supplementation of bread with 3% showed a highest acceptability among the fortified breads. Thus, cereal-based products enriched with seaweed can be used as a vehicle for the delivery of bioactive compounds at suitable levels that provide health benefits for increased well-being. The present study investigated the effect of selected herbs with profound effect to maintain homeostasis in proliferation and radical scavenging activity on tissue progenitor cells.