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Comparison of physicochemical properties of sorghum extract by ethanol concentration and its anti-adipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 cells

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Abstract

Sorghum is a vital cereal source that has various phenolic compounds and potential health-promoting benefits. This study evaluated the phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-obesity effects of sorghum extract (SE) prepared using three solvent systems: 50% (SE50), 80% (SE80), and 100% (SE100) ethanol. The results showed that SE50 exhibited the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid content among the sorghum extracts using different ethanol concentrations as extraction solvents. In addition, SE50 showed significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the other extracts. Interestingly, SE50 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; however, SE80 and SE100 had no beneficial effects. Moreover, SE50 significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes (Cebpα, Pparγ, and Fabp4) and lipogenic genes (Srebp1c, Fas, and Scd1). These results suggest that SE50 is superior to other ethanol extracts in phenolic contents, antioxidant and anti-obesity activities, and it could be used as a nutraceutical for anti-obesity.

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Acknowledgements

This work was carried out with the support of "Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project title: Development of miscellaneous cereal varieties for mechanization and cropping system, Project No. PJ015056012022)" Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

Funding

This study was supported by Rural Development Administration (Grant No. PJ015056012022).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Korea

    Seyoung Jung, Eun Woo Jeong, Youjin Baek, Gwang-woong Go & Hyeon Gyu Lee

  2. Department of Central Area Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Crop Science, Miryang, 50424, Korea

    Sang-Ik Han

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  1. Seyoung Jung
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  2. Eun Woo Jeong
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  3. Youjin Baek
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Correspondence to Gwang-woong Go or Hyeon Gyu Lee.

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Jung, S., Jeong, E.W., Baek, Y. et al. Comparison of physicochemical properties of sorghum extract by ethanol concentration and its anti-adipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 cells. Food Sci Biotechnol 32, 705–712 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01272-7

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