Effect of pedoclimatic conditions on the chemical composition of the Sigoise olive cultivar

Transcriptome Analysis of Genes Involved in Fatty Acid and Lipid Biosynthesis in Developing Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Seed Kernels from Qinghai Plateau

Walnut (Juglans regia) is an important woody oil-bearing plant with high nutritional value. For better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of its oil accumulation in the Qinghai Plateau, in this study we monitored walnut fruit development, and 15 cDNA libraries were constructed from walnut seed kernels collected at 72, 79, 93, 118 and 135 days after flowering (DAF). The candidate genes were identified using sequencing and expression analysis. The results showed that the oil content in the kernels increased dramatically in late July and reached the maximum value of 69% in mature seed. More than 90% of the oils were unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and linoleic acid (18:2) was the predominant UFA accumulated in mature seed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 15 KEGG pathways of lipid metabolism were detected. We identified 119 DEGs related to FA de novo biosynthesis (38 DEGs), FA elongation and desaturation (39 DEGs), triacylglycerol (TAG) assembly (24 DEGs), oil bodies (12 DEGs), and transcription factors (TFs, 6 DEGs). The abundantly expressed oleosins, caleosins and steroleosins may be important for timely energy reserve in oil bodies. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) showed that AP2/ERF and bHLH were the key TFs, and were co-expressed with ACC1, α-CT, BCCP, MAT, KASII, LACS, FATA, and PDCT. Our transcriptome data will enrich public databases and provide new insights into functional genes related to the seed kernel lipid metabolism and oil accumulation in J. regia.

Changes in secoiridoids content and chemical characteristics of cultivated and wild Algerian olive oil, in term of fruit maturation

Wild varieties in nature are known to be better adapted to climate change and more resistant to arid conditions common in some regions of the world. Oil samples of two cultivated varieties, Chemlal and Lemli, and one sylvestris variety were collected at four different harvesting periods in the semi-arid region of Bouira, Algeria. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the genetic and maturity factors on the quality indices (acidity, peroxides value, and the parameters K232, K270), fatty acids profile, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity of monovarietal olive oils. The study showed that early harvest dates of the fruits produced oils richer in pigments and phenolic compounds, with high antioxidant activity registered in both wild and cultivated varieties. Moreover, all oil samples showed high values of secoiridoids exceeding 60–90% of total biophenols, with higher values found in oleaster oils, which are correlated with high resistance to oxidation attacks. UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-HRMS analyses showed that the secoiridoids composition is dominated by a profile rich in several isomers of oleuropein and ligstroside aglycons, which in turn represent more than 60% of the total secoiridoids in olive and Oleaster oils. Furthermore, chemometric analysis on the data allowed a better appreciation of the sensitivity of the virgin olive oil composition to the changes in genetic and ripening factors. According to the principal component analysis, phenolic and fatty acid profiles were the most important components contributing to the discrimination between olive oil samples.

The Synergistic Beneficial Effect of Thyme Honey and Olive Oil against Diabetes and Its Complications Induced by Alloxan in Wistar Rats

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by a chronic increase in blood glucose. Owing to the limitations observed with antidiabetics in modern medicine, medicinal plants and bee products are known as good matrices for the search for new antidiabetic molecules. The present study focused on the evaluation of the hypoglycemic and the protective properties of two natural products widely used in complementary and alternative medicine (thyme honey and olive oil). To achieve this, the study was carried out on Wistar rats rendered diabetic by the injection of a single dose of alloxan monohydrate (65 mg/kg body weight (BW)). First, the physicochemical characterization and the phytochemical analysis of thyme honey and olive oil were carried out, and then in vivo study was conducted on 42 Wistar rats divided into seven groups: three groups were normal, one group was untreated diabetic, and three groups were diabetic rats treated with thyme honey (2 g/kg BW) or olive oil (10 mL/kg BW) or their combination ((1 g/kg BW of thyme honey) and (5 mL/kg BW of olive oil)). During the experiment, the glycemia was measured regularly every 10 days. After 30 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed. The serum and urine were analyzed to determine hepatic enzymes levels (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH), lipidic profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein), and kidney parameters (urea, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, sodium, potassium, and chloride). The liver, pancreas, and kidneys were analyzed to evaluate their histological changes and to determine their enzymatic antioxidant content (catalase, GSH, and GPx) and the levels of MDA. The results obtained showed that thyme honey or olive oil, and especially their combination, improved significantly the blood glucose levels and they protect against metabolic changes and the complications induced by diabetes.

1H-NMR Profiling Shows as Specific Constituents Strongly Affect the International EVOO Blends Characteristics: The Case of the Italian Oil

Considering the growing number of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) producers in the world, knowing the influence of olive oils with different geographical origins on the characteristics of the final blend becomes an interesting goal. The present work is focused on commercial organic EVOO blends obtained by mixing multiple oils from different geographical origins. These blends have been studied by 1H-NMR spectroscopy supported by multivariate statistical analysis. Specific characteristics of commercial organic EVOO blends originated by mixing oils from Italy, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, and Greece were found to be associated with the increasing content of the Italian component. A linear progression of the metabolic profile defined characteristics for the analysed samples-up to a plateau level-was found in relation to the content of the main constituent of the Italian oil, the monocultivar Coratina. The Italian constituent percentage appears to be correlated with the fatty acids (oleic) and the polyphenols (tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and derivatives) content as major and minor components respectively. These results, which highlight important economic aspects, also show the utility of 1H-NMR associated with chemometric analysis as a powerful tool in this field. Mixing oils of different national origins, to obtain blends with specific characteristics, could be profitably controlled by this methodology.

Comparative Oil Composition Study of the Endemic Moroccan Olive (Olea europaea subsp. maroccana) and Wild Olive (var. Sylvestris) in Central West Morocco

Six wild olive subspecies (Olea europaea L.) are currently recognised globally, with two taxa cooccurring in the argan tree area in Central West Morocco: the widespread Mediterranean subspecies europaea var. Sylvestris (the so-called oleaster) and the microendemic subspecies maroccana. Despite its taxonomic and ecological importance, the chemical composition of subsp. maroccana oil remains poorly known. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the oil content and the chemical composition of subsp. maroccana and var. Sylvestris as well as comparing their proprieties during two consecutive years (2017 and 2018) from the same geographical area. The fatty acid and the sterol compositions were analysed using gas chromatography. Additionally, the tocopherol content was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The total amount of unsaturated fatty acids was higher in maroccana (85.24%) than that in oleasters (79.05%). Additionally, the tocopherol and phytosterol content of the maroccana oil (1232.35 mg/kg and 312.75 mg/100 g, resp.) was approximately twofold higher than in oleasters (661.35 mg/kg and 210.06 mg/100 g, resp.). Analysis of variance and principal component analysis (PCA) of the chemical composition highlighted a significant difference between the quantitative and qualitative properties of their oil. Finally, these findings suggest that maroccana oil could be considered as a potential source of vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and sterols and can provide a nutraceutical oil for the local population. While this work contributes to the study of olive tree biodiversity, further investigations are still necessary to guide the putative nutraceutical use of subspecies maroccana.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Nord-West Romanian Wild Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Leaves

This study was performed to evaluate and compare the in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic activities, and the polyphenolic content of the Nord-West Romanian wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) leaves from three different natural habitats (Smida, Turda, Borsa). In the case of both species, the flavanols level was higher in Smida habitat (altitude 1100 m), whereas quercetin derivates were more abundant in Borsa habitat (altitude 850 m). The bilberry leaf extracts contained in the highest amounts the feruloylquinic acid (59.65 ± 0.44 mg/g for Borsa habitat) and rutin (49.83 ± 0.63 mg/g for Borsa habitat), and showed relevant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity (271.65 mM Trolox/100 g plant material for Borsa habitat, 262.77 mM Trolox/100 g plant material for Smida habitat, and 320.83 mM Trolox/100 g plant material for Turda habitat), for all the three extracts. Gallocatechin was the dominant flavanol in lingonberry species, with the highest amount being registered for Smida habitat (46.81 ± 0.3 mg/g), revealing a DPPH antioxidant activity of 251.49 mM Trolox/100 g plant material. The results obtained in the antimicrobial tests showed that the best inhibitory effect among bilberry species was attributed to the Turda (altitude 436 m) and Smida locations, against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. For lingonberry, the differences in habitat did not influence the antibacterial effect, but the antifungal effect, only in the case of Candida zeylanoides. A strong antimutagenic effect was registered by the bilberry leaves toward Salmonella typhimurium TA100. Our study may be able to provide a better understanding of the correlation between natural habitat conditions and the accumulation of secondary metabolites and their related bioactivities in studied leaves.

Oil Content, Fatty Acid and Phenolic Profiles of Some Olive Varieties Growing in Lebanon

Olive growing in Lebanon plays an important role at both a social and economic level. Nevertheless, the quality of olive oil produced in the country is rarely addressed. In this study, oil content, fatty acid, and phenolic profiles were studied along four different ripening stages for 11 varieties of olives, including two clones of the local variety “Baladi,” in addition to nine foreign varieties (“Ascolana Tenera,” “Bella di Cerignola,” “Itrana,” “Jabaa,” “Kalamata,” “Nabali,” “Salonenque,” “Sigoise,” and “Tanche”). Oil content was determined using the Soxhlet method and Abencor system. Fatty acid composition was determined using a GC-FID, total phenols using spectrophotometry, and the phenolic profile using HPLC-DAD. Results showed that variety, fruit ripening and their interaction have a significant effect on the overall studied oil parameters. Among the studied varieties, “Kalamata” presented the higher oil content on dry matter (OCDM = 48.24%), “Baladi 1” the highest oil content on humid matter (OCHM = 27.86%), and “Tanche” the highest oil industrial yield (OIY = 19.44%). While “Tanche” recorded the highest C18:1 (71.75%), “Ascolana Tenera” showed the highest total phenols (TP = 539 mg GAE/Kg of oil), “Salonenque” the highest oleacein (121.57 mg/Kg), and “Itrana” the highest oleocanthal contents (317.68 mg/Kg). On the other hand, oil content together with C18:2 and C18:0 increased along ripening while C18:1, total phenols and the main individual phenols decreased. Although preliminary, this study highlights the good quality of olive oil produced from both local and foreign varieties growing in Lebanon and encourages further investigations on the characterization and authentication of Lebanese olive oil.

Vasculoprotective Role of Olive Oil Compounds via Modulation of Oxidative Stress in Atherosclerosis

Existing evidence supports the significant role of oxidative stress in the endothelial injury, and there is a direct link between increased oxidative stress, and the development of endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction precedes the development of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). The overproduction of reactive oxygen species facilitates the processes, such as oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins and phospholipids, reduction in the NOS-derived nitric oxide, and the functional disruption of high-density lipids that are profoundly involved in atherogenesis, inflammation, and thrombus formation in vascular cells. Thus, under oxidative stress conditions, endothelial dysfunction was found to be associated with the following endothelial alterations: reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, increased anticoagulant properties, increased platelet aggregation, increased expression of adhesion molecules, chemokines, and cytokines. In this review, we summarized the evidence indicating that endothelial damage triggered by oxidation can be diminished or reversed by the compounds of olive oil, a readily available antioxidant food source. Olive oil bioactive compounds exhibited a potent capability to attenuate oxidative stress and improve endothelial function through their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-thrombotic properties, therefore reducing the risk and progression of atherosclerosis. Also, their molecular mechanisms of action were explored to establish the potential preventive and/or therapeutic alternatives to the pharmacological remedies available.

Olive Fruit Blends Modulate Lipid-Sensing Nuclear Receptor PPARγ, Cell Survival, and Oxidative Stress Response in Human Osteoblast Cells

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate how different extravirgin olive oils (EVOOs), obtained by blending Olea europea cultivars, could influence the cell growth, the response to inflammatory stimuli, and oxidative stress in a culture of the osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2.

METHODS

Three different extravirgin olive oils were physicochemically characterized, determining the free acidity, the oxidation status, the polyphenols content, and the antioxidative activity. Moreover, the effects on Saos-2 cell culture were determined, studying the mRNA expression level by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and the antioxidative activity using fluorescent probes.

RESULTS

The cultivars used in the south of Italy, yield extravirgin oils with different amount of fatty acids and polyphenols, which counteract induction of proinflammatory cytokines and regulate free radical production in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated cells. In vitro analysis using the human osteoblast cell line Saos-2 showed that the addition of oils to cell culture simulated a hypoxic stress followed by a reoxygenation period, during which the antioxidant activity of extravirgin olive oils protected cells from oxidative damages. On the other hand, the mRNA expression levels of factors involved in inflammatory processes, cell growth recovery, and antioxidant response, as heme oxygenase-1, were differently stimulated by EVOOs. Moreover, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was differently modulated by EVOOs.

CONCLUSION

These findings show that the blending of different extravirgin olive oil can impact an osteoblast cell line, in particular regarding cell growth recovery and oxidative stress.

Olive oil authentication: A comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks with especial emphasis on quality and authenticity indices, and recent analytical techniques developed for their assessment. A review

Over the last decades, olive oil quality and authenticity control has become an issue of great importance to consumers, suppliers, retailers, and regulators in both traditional and emerging olive oil producing countries, mainly due to the increasing worldwide popularity and the trade globalization of this product. Thus, in order to ensure olive oil authentication, various national and international laws and regulations have been adopted, although some of them are actually causing an enormous debate about the risk that they can represent for the harmonization of international olive oil trade standards. Within this context, this review was designed to provide a critical overview and comparative analysis of selected regulatory frameworks for olive oil authentication, with special emphasis on the quality and purity criteria considered by these regulation systems, their thresholds and the analytical methods employed for monitoring them. To complete the general overview, recent analytical advances to overcome drawbacks and limitations of the official methods to evaluate olive oil quality and to determine possible adulterations were reviewed. Furthermore, the latest trends on analytical approaches to assess the olive oil geographical and varietal origin traceability were also examined.

Antioxidant Compounds from Vegetable Matrices: Biosynthesis, Occurrence, and Extraction Systems

Natural antioxidants such as vitamin C, tocopherols and tocotrienols, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds are largely distributed in plant products. Most of them are not synthesized by human and need to be introduced with diet according to the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). This work was aimed to give a comprehensive overview on the occurrence of these antioxidants in plants, in particular in plant foods, on the mechanisms of biosynthesis, and on conventional (liquid-liquid or solid-liquid extraction, Soxhlet) and innovative (enzymatic-assisted, pressurized fluid, supercritical fluid, ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted, pulsed electric field) extraction systems.

Biomolecules and Natural Medicine Preparations: Analysis of New Sources of Bioactive Compounds from Ribes and Rubus spp. Buds

It is well known that plants are important sources for the preparation of natural remedies as they contain many biologically active compounds. In particular, polyphenols, terpenic compounds, organic acids, and vitamins are the most widely occurring groups of phytochemicals. Some endemic species may be used for the production of herbal preparations containing phytochemicals with significant bioactivity, as antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory capacities, and health benefits. Blackberry sprouts and blackcurrant buds are known to contain appreciable levels of bioactive compounds, including flavonols, phenolic acids, monoterpenes, vitamin C, and catechins, with several clinical effects. The aim of this research was to perform an analytical study of blackcurrant and blackberry bud-preparations, in order to identify and quantify the main biomarkers, obtaining a specific phytochemical fingerprint to evaluate the single botanical class contribution to total phytocomplex and relative bioactivity, using a High Performance Liquid Chromatograph−Diode Array Detector; the same analyses were performed both on the University laboratory and commercial preparations. Different chromatographic methods were used to determine concentrations of biomolecules in the preparations, allowing for quantification of statistically significant differences in their bioactive compound content both in the case of Ribes nigrum and Rubus cultivated varieties at different harvest stages. In blackcurrant bud-extracts the most important class was organic acids (50.98%) followed by monoterpenes (14.05%), while in blackberry preparations the main bioactive classes were catechins (50.06%) and organic acids (27.34%). Chemical, pharmaceutical and agronomic-environmental knowledge could be important for obtaining label certifications for the valorization of specific genotypes, with high clinical and pharmaceutical value: this study allowed to develop an effective tool for the natural preparation quality control and bioactivity evaluation through the chemical fingerprinting of bud preparations.

Characterization of extra virgin olive oils produced with typical Italian varieties by their phenolic profile

Evaluation of phenolic profile, antioxidant power, and protective capacity against oxidation of red blood cells (RBCs) of olive oil phenolic extracts (OOPEs) from several Italian varieties were studied. Phenolic profiles, and quantification of seven selected bioactive compounds were performed by RP-HPLC. OOPEs exhibited high antioxidant activity, and this capacity was positively related to their phenolic amount. In particular, OOPE5 (cv Gentile di Larino, Molise region) displayed the highest phenolic and ortho-diphenolic content as well as the strongest scavenging activity determined using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (87% DPPH inhibition). Protective capacity against stressed RBCs was investigated through the evaluation of methemoglobin (MetHb) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. OOPE5 was the most active against methemoglobin production (53.7% reduction), whereas OOPE1 (cv Lavagnina, Liguria region) showed the highest protection toward malondialdehyde (83.3% reduction). Overall the selected oils showed qualitative and quantitative differences in phenol composition, and this variability influenced their protective effect against oxidative damages.

A comparison of fruit quality parameters of wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) growing at different locations

BACKGROUND

As a part of the ongoing interest in nutritional and nutraceutical properties of locally produced fruits, the aim of the article was to determine sugars, organic acids, polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of wild bilberries grown in Slovenia. Primary and secondary metabolite composition of bilberry fruit was compared among six phyto-climatic conditions, differing in photosynthetic active radiation and light intensity.

RESULTS

Three sugars were quantified in bilberry fruit, the predominant being fructose and glucose, along with five organic acids. Bilberry fruit contained high levels of anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, petunidin and peonidin glycosides), hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and low levels of flavonol glycosides (mainly quercetin and myricetin glycosides), flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins and iridoids. The results of the study indicate that bilberries growing in sites with high photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) contained higher levels of total sugars, anthocyanins, flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids and lower levels of organic acids compared with bilberry fruit from low-light locations. Consequently, total phenolic content and antioxidative capacity of the fruit from high-PAR locations were significantly increased.

CONCLUSION

Bilberries from different natural habitats differ significantly in the quantity of sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds. Our results contribute to a fuller understanding of the relationships between environmental factors and accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites in bilberry fruits.

Lipidomics applications in health, disease and nutrition research

The structural and functional diversity of lipids accounts for their involvement into a wide range of homeostatic processes and disease states, including lifestyle-related diseases as well as genetic conditions. Challenges presented by this diversity have been addressed to a great extent by the development of lipidomics, a platform that makes possible the detailed profiling and characterisation of lipid species present in any cell, organelle, tissue or body fluid, and allows for a wider appreciation of the biological role of lipid networks. Progress in the field of lipidomics has been greatly facilitated by recent advances in MS and includes a range of analytical platforms supporting applications spanning from qualitative and quantitative assessment of multiple species to lipid imaging. Here we review these MS techniques currently in routine use in lipidomics, alongside with new ones that have started making an impact in the field. Recent applications in health, disease and nutrition-related questions will also be discussed with a view to convey the importance of lipidomics contributions to biosciences and food technology.

Virgin olive oil phenolic profile and variability in progenies from olive crosses

BACKGROUND

The progressive transformation of olive growing and the increasing demands for high-quality monovarietal virgin olive oil (VOO) have triggered interest in olive breeding programs, in which the evaluation of the new genotypes is the basis for obtaining new olive cultivars. In this work, the phenolic composition of VOOs from two progenies from crosses between 'Arbequina', 'Arbosana' and 'Sikitita' has been evaluated along two years.

RESULTS

A higher degree of variation was observed in segregating population as compared to genitors. The results also showed that the variability within crosses constitutes the major contribution to total variance for all considered parameters (>92% of total sum of squares). All compounds under study were present in oils obtained in both years; however, clear differences in their concentrations were observed between years.

CONCLUSION

Olive breeding can indeed provide genotypes that produce oils with improved phenolic profiles as compared to traditional cultivars. In addition, the data showed that selection as a function of tyrosol content could be achieved in only one crop year. Finally, p-coumaric acid was the unique component able to discriminate between both crop years under study.

Review: multistage mass spectrometry in quality, safety and origin of foods

Quality and safety control and the validation of origin are hot issues in the production of food and its distribution, and are of primary concern to food and agriculture organization. Modern mass spectrometry (MS) provides unique, reliable and affordable methodologies to approach with a high degree of scientificity any problem which may be posed in this field. In this review the contribution of mass spectrometry to food analysis is presented aiming at providing clues on the fundamental role of the basic principles of gas-phase ion chemistry in applied research fields. Applications in proteomics, allergonomics, glycomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, food safety and traceability have been surveyed. The high level of specificity and sensitivity of the MS approach allows the characterization of food components and contaminants present at ultra-trace levels, providing a distinctive and safe validation of the products.