Microencapsulated bitter compounds (fromGentiana lutea)reduce daily energy intakes in humans.
Mounting evidence showed that bitter-tasting compounds modulate eating behaviour through bitter taste receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed at evaluating the influence of microencapsulated bitter compounds on human appetite and energy intakes. A microencapsulated bitter ingredient (EBI) with a core of bitterGentiana lutearoot extract and a coating of ethylcellulose-stearate was developed and included in a vanilla microencapsulated bitter ingredient-enriched pudding (EBIP). The coating masked bitterness in the mouth, allowing the release of bitter secoiridoids in the gastrointestinal tract. A cross-over randomised study was performed: twenty healthy subjects consumed at breakfast EBIP (providing 100 mg of secoiridoids) or the control pudding (CP) on two different occasions. Blood samples, glycaemia and appetite ratings were collected at baseline and 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after breakfast. Gastrointestinal peptides, endocannabinoids (EC) andN-acylethanolamines (NAE) were measured in plasma samples. Energy intakes were measured at anad libitumlunch 3 h after breakfast and over the rest of the day (post lunch) through food diaries. No significant difference in postprandial plasma responses of gastrointestinal hormones, glucose, EC and NAE and of appetite between EBIP and CP was found. However, a trend for a higher response of glucagon-like peptide-1 after EBIP than after CP was observed. EBIP determined a significant 30 % lower energy intake over the post-lunch period compared with CP. These findings were consistent with the tailored release of bitter-tasting compounds from EBIP along the gastrointestinal tract. This study demonstrated that microencapsulated bitter secoiridoids were effective in reducing daily energy intake in humans.
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Università 100, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy.|Food Quality and Design Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Ilario
I
Mennella
Food Quality and Design Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Vincenzo
V
Fogliano
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Università 100, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy.
Rosalia
R
Ferracane
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale 'A. Avogadro', Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy.
Marco
M
Arlorio
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale 'A. Avogadro', Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy.
Franco
F
Pattarino
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Università 100, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy.
Paola
P
Vitaglione
Bitter taste receptors; Microencapsulation; Nutrient sensing; Satiety