Preliminary Study On The Risk Of The Formation Of "Persimmon Bezoars"

Persimmon is originally from and mainly produced in China,accounting for 76%of the world's total production.Persimmon,which is an important source of plant polyphenols,contains much higher tannins than other fruits,However,unified solvent extraction conditions for persimmon tannins are lacking.Meanwhile,the high content of tannins in persimmon raises concerns over“persimmon bezoars”after eating persimmons,and the study on“persimmon bezoars”is currently focused on its clinical treatments.However,the clinical treatments of“persimmon bezoars”reported in the literature are contradictory with each other,and some opinions of the public on persimmon bezoars are incorrect.In this study,we aimed at the preliminary study on the risk of the formation of“persimmon bezoars”based on experiments analysis and investigation.Firstly,optimization of extraction solvent of persimmon tannin was optimized with the ultrasound-assisted extraction method.Secondly,the formation of“persimmon bezoars”was investigated and analyzed with in vitro gastric simulated experiment.Finally,the risk of“persimmon bezoars”after taking persimmon fruit were studied by animal experiments,population test and investigation in an origin of persimmon.It was demonstrated that normal consumption of persimmon would not lead to“persimmon bezoars”.This study provides scientific basis for revealing the formation of“persimmon bezoars”and its treatments,and analyzing the risk of“persimmon bezoars”induced by eating persimmon.The main achievements are listed as follows:?1?Optimization of extraction solvent of persimmon tanninThe extraction efficiencies of soluble tannin and insoluble tannin from persimmon for different organic solvent solutions?i.e.ethyl acetate,methanol,ethanol,and acetone?of different concentrations were studied based on ultrasound-assisted extraction method.It was shown that the optimal extraction conditions for soluble tannin and insoluble tannin from persimmon were 80%acetone and 1%hydrochloric acid-methanol,with the extraction amounts were 15.53 mg/g and 30.36 mg/g,corresponding to 9 and 12 times that of the traditional water bath method,respectively.Meanwhile,the proposed method can effectively shorten the extraction time and improve the extraction yield of persimmon tannin.?2?Preliminary study on the risk of the formation of"persimmon bezoars"in vitro simulated gastric fluidIn vitro simulated gastric fluid modeling,we found that persimmon tannin can interact with four food ingredients including soybean protein isolate,casein,gelatin and lecithin to form flocculation with the tendency of egg phospholipid>gelatin>soy protein isolate>casein.Soluble tannin showed higher tendency on form flocculation with food proteins than insoluble tannin.Persimmon tannins could flocculate in simulated gastric fluid without food ingredients.We also found that persimmon tannins can interact with these food ingredients with the tendency of high acid>low acid for gelatin and low acid>high acid for lecithin,and that pectin and cellulose can enhance the tendencies of flocculation between persimmon tannins and these food ingredients.By using pepsin,Coca-Cola,and 5%NaHCO₃ to dissolve the precipitation formed by persimmon tannins and food ingredients,we found that pepsin promoted precipitation reduction or dissolution,whereas Coca-Cola and 5%NaHCO₃ did not dissolve the precipitation.The results showed that the composition of the persimmon tannins and the food components was not the same as the composition and structure of the"persimmon bezoars"reported in the literature.It showed that the formation of precipitates of polyphenols and proteins does not imply that it will induce the formation of"persimmon bezoars".Besides,the tendencies of flocculation between persimmon and these food were studied,and we found that persimmon fruit can not directly interact with these food to form cluster structure.?3?Preliminary study on the risk of the formation of"persimmon bezoars"in vivoThe forming possibility of"persimmon bezoars"in vivo was studied through animal and crowed experiments.For the animal experiments,120 SD rats were selected and separated into six groups,then the rats in different groups were fed with different treatments for 30 days.Subsequently,all the rats were dissected,and none case of"persimmon bezoars"could be found.Besides,compared to the control group,different treatments showed little effect on rats'growth,the secretion function and tissue structure of the stomach,and the physiological and biochemical indexes such as blood routine,blood biochemistry and urine routine.Besides,we also detected the relevant indicators of antioxidant capacity,the results suggested persimmon tannin could enhance the serum antioxidant enzyme activities The conversion of animal experiments showed that two persimmon daily for a healthy adult for a period of 30 days would not lead to"persimmon bezoars".For the crowed experiments,50 healthy adults as volunteers were supplied with 2-4 persimmons daily for a period of 30 days under normal daily diets,and none case of"persimmon bezoars"could be found,which is consistent with the former animal experiments.?4?Investigation on consumption of persimmon and its products of Gongcheng County consumers200 interviewees were chose by random sampling method from people in forestry bureau,fruit market,co-operatives,and the local peasants.The consumption of persimmon and its products of the interviewees were studied through questionnaire investigation.It was shown that 97.7%of the interviewees like eating persimmon,and that most of them eat 2-3 persimmon fruits daily for a period of 3-6 months,and that the daily diets of the interviewees contain milk,eggs and meats,and that no case of"persimmon bezoars"was found.Besides,we did survey on"persimmon bezoars"by visiting local hospitals and clinics,and consulting the digestionists,and no case of"persimmon bezoars"was found.Based on these result,we concluded that persimmon-consuming can not lead to"persimmon bezoars".