Assessing the bioavailability of polyphenols and antioxidant properties of extra virgin argan oil by simulated digestion and Caco-2 cell assays. Comparative study with extra virgin olive oil

Effects of different developmental stages of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) on argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) edible oil and methanolic extracts, and development of eco-friendly control methods based on plant callus oils

Argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is an endangered agroforestry species known for producing one of most expensive and sought-after oils in the world. Argan forests are a suitable habitat for medfly (Ceratitis capitata). To our knowledge, no study has investigated the potential effect of medfly on the quality of argan oils and extracts. The use of callus-derived oils from cactus (Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill.) and moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) as an eco-friendly approach to control medfly has never been explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of medfly at different developmental stages (i.e., egg, larva and pupa) on methanolic extracts and edible oil from unripe (i.e., green) and ripe (i.e., yellow) argan fruits, and to investigate the efficiency of cactus and moringa callus oils in controlling this pest. The antioxidant activity and reducing capacity varied depending on plant material, fruit maturity and medfly developmental stage. The highest antioxidant activity (98.48 %) and reducing capacity (14.49 mg GAE.g-1 DM) of methanolic extracts were obtained from green fruit pulps and green fruit kernels, respectively, during pupa medfly infestation. The highest antioxidant activity (97.72 %) and reducing capacity (205.35 μg GAE.g-1) of argan edible oil were obtained during larva medfly infestation. Egg infestation has the most negative impact on reducing capacity with 5.11 μg GAE.g-1 of edible oil compared to relative control (19.17 μg GAE.g-1 edible oil). Argan edible oils were rich in unsaturated fatty acids (79.95-80.34 %) regardless of medfly developmental stage. Oleic (41.77-44.27 %) and linoleic (35.49-37.65 %) acids were the dominant fatty acids in all samples. Cactus callus-derived oils were more lethal to medfly (up to 100 % mortality) than moringa oils (up to 74.66 % mortality). 1,54-Dibromotetrapentacontane, 1,3,2-Dioxaborolane, 2,4-diethyl and 6-Hydroxy-hexan-2-one were the major bioactive components detected in cactus callus oil while (E)-9-Octadecenoic acid, ethyl ester and cis-Vaccenic acid were the predominant compounds in moringa callus oil.

Analyses of Antioxidant Properties, Mineral Composition, and Fatty Acid Profiles of Soy-Based Beverages Before and After an In Vitro Digestion Process

Soy beverages (SB) are the most popular beverage in the expanding market of plant-based drinks. They provide high-quality protein and polyphenols and are often Ca-fortified as a milk alternative. This work evaluated the antioxidant potential, the mineral content, and the fatty acid profiles found in SB, analysing as well the bioaccessibility of some nutrients after INFOGEST static digestion. Five types of SB available in the market, including Ca-fortified, high-protein, and low-fat drinks, were analysed. Ca supplementation and high protein content in the beverages significantly enhanced Ca bioaccessibility. The lipid profile demonstrated substantial changes during digestion, due to drastic reductions in saturated fatty acids and marked increases in polyunsaturated fatty acids in the bioaccessible fractions; these changes were mainly related to the content levels of Ca and polyphenols in the beverages. Significant increases in the antioxidant properties, as measured by ABTS and FRAP assays, were noticed after the digestive process. Additionally, ROS generation in Caco-2 cells after induced oxidative damage was prevented by the BF of digested SB. The digested low-fat drink, which also had a low level of protein content, showed the least antioxidant activity. In conclusion, composition of the soy drink considerably affected the bioaccessibility of nutritional components and the drink's antioxidant potential.

Bioavailability study of OTA, ZEN, and AFB1 along with bioactive compounds from tiger nut beverage and its by-products

Mycotoxins pose significant health risks due to their prevalence in food products and severe health implications, including carcinogenicity. This study investigates the bioavailability of mycotoxins aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZEN) individually and combined, in the presence of identified polyphenols from tiger nut beverage (TNB) and tiger nut by-product (TNBP) using the in vitro model Caco-2 cells, which simulates the human intestinal barrier. The objective is to understand how bioactive compounds from TNBP can mitigate the effects of AFB1, OTA and ZEN (and their combination) by bioavailability interference, contributing to safer food products and innovative food safety strategies. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion was simulated using the INFOGEST protocol, followed by a bioavailability assessment through transepithelial transport assays in differentiated Caco-2 cells. OTA bioavailability significantly increased in the presence of TNB and TNBP, suggesting interactions that enhance its intestinal absorption. AFB1 maintained high bioavailability across all conditions (up to 83%), while ZEN showed a general decrease (up to 24%), thus indicating a potential protective effect of TNB and TNBP against ZEN toxicity. Regarding the effect of mycotoxins on the bioavailability of polyphenols from TNB and TNBP, a general enhancement was observed for TNB consistently showing higher bioavailability than for TNBP. Notably, OTA and ZEN significantly increased polyphenols bioavailability, reaching up to 79.2% in TNB. Individual polyphenol generally showed a notable reduction in trans-ferulic acid and an increase in trans-cinnamic acid in the presence of mycotoxins. For TNBP, individual mycotoxins generally enhanced polyphenol bioavailability, with AFB1 showing the most significant increase. In conclusion, tiger nut products show promise as sources of bioactive compounds for mitigating mycotoxin toxicity in food products. However, further studies are necessary to clarify these interactions and optimize the conditions of use for their safe and effective application in the food industry.

Coupling in vitro food digestion with in vitro epithelial absorption; recommendations for biocompatibility

As food transits the gastrointestinal tract, food structures are disrupted and nutrients are absorbed across the gut barrier. In the past decade, great efforts have focused on the creation of a consensus gastrointestinal digestion protocol (i.e., INFOGEST method) to mimic digestion in the upper gut. However, to better determine the fate of food components, it is also critical to mimic food absorption in vitro. This is usually performed by treating polarized epithelial cells (i.e., differentiated Caco-2 monolayers) with food digesta. This food digesta contains digestive enzymes and bile salts, and if following the INFOGEST protocol, at concentrations that although physiologically relevant are harmful to cells. The lack of a harmonized protocol on how to prepare the food digesta samples for downstream Caco-2 studies creates challenges in comparing inter laboratory results. This article aims to critically review the current detoxification practices, highlight potential routes and their limitations, and recommend common approaches to ensure food digesta is biocompatible with Caco-2 monolayers. Our ultimate aim is to agree a harmonized consensus protocol or framework for in vitro studies focused on the absorption of food components across the intestinal barrier.

Metabolomic insights into the profile, bioaccessibility, and transepithelial transport of polyphenols from germinated quinoa during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion/Caco-2 cell transport, and their prebiotic effects during colonic fermentation

The health-promoting activities of polyphenols and their metabolites originating from germinated quinoa (GQ) are closely related to their digestive behavior, absorption, and colonic fermentation; however, limited knowledge regarding these properties hinder further development. The aim of this study was to provide metabolomic insights into the profile, bioaccessibility, and transepithelial transport of polyphenols from germinated quinoa during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and Caco-2 cell transport, whilst also investigating the changes in the major polyphenol metabolites and the effects of prebiotics during colonic fermentation. It was found that germination treatment increased the polyphenol content of quinoa by 21.91%. Compared with RQ group, 23 phenolic differential metabolites were upregulated and 47 phenolic differential metabolites were downregulated in GQ group. Compared with RQ group after simulated digestion, 7 kinds of phenolic differential metabolites were upregulated and 17 kinds of phenolic differential metabolites were downregulated in GQ group. Compared with RQ group after cell transport, 7 kinds of phenolic differential metabolites were upregulated and 9 kinds of phenolic differential metabolites were downregulated in GQ group. In addition, GQ improved the bioaccessibilities and transport rates of various polyphenol metabolites. During colonic fermentation, GQ group can also increase the content of SCFAs, reduce pH value, and adjust gut microbial populations by increasing the abundance of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobiota, and Spirochaeota at the phylum level, as well as Bifidobacterium, Megamonas, Bifidobacterium, Brevundimonas, and Bacteroides at the genus level. Furthermore, the GQ have significantly inhibited the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Based on these results, it was possible to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of polyphenol metabolism in GQ and highlight its beneficial effects on the gut microbiota.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory function of Eupatorium adenophora Spreng leaves (EASL) on human intestinal Caco-2 cells treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) pose a significant public health challenge. Addressing this issue, there has been a notable breakthrough in the prevention and mitigation of NCDs through the use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, we aim to explore the effectiveness of Eupatorium adenophora Spreng leaves (EASL) as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, and its potential applications. To construct a cellular model of oxidative damage and inflammation, Caco-2 cells were treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). The biocompatibility of EASL-AE with Caco-2 cells was assessed using the MTT assay, while compatibility was further verified by measuring LDH release and the protective effect against oxidative damage was also assessed using the MTT assay. Additionally, we measured intracellular oxidative stress indicators such as ROS and 8-OHdG, as well as inflammatory pathway signalling protein NFκB and inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β using ELISA, to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of EASL-AE. The scavenging capacity of EASL-AE against free radicals was determined through the DPPH Assay and ABTS Assay. Furthermore, we measured the total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total polysaccharide contents using common chemical methods. The chemical composition of EASL-AE was analyzed using the LC-MS/MS technique. Our findings demonstrate that EASL-AE is biocompatible with Caco-2 cells and non-toxic at experimental levels. Moreover, EASL-AE exhibits a significant protective effect on Caco-2 cells subjected to oxidative damage. The antioxidant effect of EASL-AE involves the scavenging of intracellular ROS, while its anti-inflammatory effect is achieved by down-regulation of the NFκB pathway. Which in turn reduces the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β. Through LC-MS/MS analysis, we identified 222 compounds in EASL-AE, among which gentianic acid, procaine and L-tyrosine were the compounds with high antioxidant capacity and may be the effective constituent for EASL-AE with antioxidant activity. These results suggest that EASL-AE is a natural and high-quality antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biomaterial that warrants further investigation. It holds great potential for applications in healthcare and other related fields.

Chickpea Seed Flours Improve the Nutritional and the Antioxidant Profiles of Traditional Shortbread Biscuits: Effects of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

Functional gluten-free biscuits enriched with commercial and landrace non-commercial chickpea flours were designed and compared with a traditional shortbread biscuit. They were analyzed in sensory attributes, amino acid profile, and antioxidant properties. Subsequently, the biscuits were digested in vitro to evaluate protein hydrolysis, amino acid bioaccessibility, phenolic compounds release, and antioxidant markers. The presence of chickpea flours provided golden color and heightened biscuit hardness and fracturability (especially in non-commercial), increasing crispness and reducing brittleness. The protein hydrolysis was similar among samples (≈15%), except for one of the non-commercial (≈20%). Amino acids such as arginine, phenylalanine, leucine, tyrosine, and lysine exhibited the highest bioaccessibilities. Incorporating chickpea flour improved the antioxidant activity and polyphenol content in undigested samples and bioaccesible fractions, with higher levels of p-coumaric and ferulic acids after digestion, regardless of the chickpea seed. Non-commercial flours increased the presence of resveratrol and/or catechin in the bioaccessible fraction. Antioxidant action assessed in the Caco-2 cell line showed that the protective effect against reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation did not always correlate with the in vitro antioxidant capacity. Our data support that the inclusion of chickpea flours in the formulation of functional biscuits provides the consumer with products of added nutritional value with attractive organoleptic features.

Bioactivities and Structure-Activity Relationships of Usnic Acid Derivatives: A Review

Usnic acid has a variety of biological activities, and has been widely studied in the fields of antibacterial, immune stimulation, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic. Based on this, usnic acid is used as the lead compound for structural modification. In order to enhance the biological activity and solubility of usnic acid, scholars have carried out a large number of structural modifications, and found some usnic acid derivatives to be of more potential research value. In this paper, the structural modification, biological activity and structure-activity relationship of usnic acid were reviewed to provide reference for the development of usnic acid derivatives.

Bioavailability of Korean mint (Agastache rugosa) polyphenols in humans and a Caco-2 cell model: a preliminary study exploring the efficacy

Agastache rugosa, commonly known as Korean mint (KM), is a medicinal plant renowned for its potential health-promoting properties. However, the lack of bioavailability studies has hindered the acquisition of conclusive evidence. In this study, we investigated the bioavailability of six key polyphenols present in KM, including rosmarinic acid (RA), acacetin (AC), and four glycosides of AC. Utilizing UPLC-MS/MS, we analyzed their presence in human plasma and Caco-2 monolayers grown in permeable filter supports. Following single ingestion, we were able to detect RA, AC, and tilianin (TA) in the plasma. Consistent results were obtained for AC and TA but no transport was found for RA in a highly tight Caco-2 cell monolayer, indicating transport through the intercellular space for RA and transepithelial transport for AC and TA. Other AC glucosides with acetyl and/or malonyl groups were rarely found in the plasma. Interestingly, AC glucosides with only an acetyl group appeared at the basolateral side in Caco-2 monolayers, suggesting exclusive hydrolysis of malonyl glucosides in the colon. These findings highlight the high potential of RA, AC, and TA as bioactive compounds that may confer health benefits.

Antioxidant Effects of Argan Oil and Olive Oil against Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress: In Vivo and In Vitro Approaches

Recently, the study of the protective powers of medicinal plants has become the focus of several studies. Attention has been focused on the identification of new molecules with antioxidant and chelating properties to counter reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved as key elements in several pathologies. Considerable attention is given to argan oil (AO) and olive oil (OO) due to their particular composition and preventive properties. Our study aimed to determine the content of AO and OO on phenolic compounds, chlorophylls, and carotenoid pigments and their antioxidant potential by FRAP and DPPH tests. Thus, several metallic elements can induce oxidative stress, as a consequence of the formation of ROS. Iron is one of these metal ions, which participates in the generation of free radicals, especially OH from H2O2 via the Fenton reaction, initiating oxidative stress. To study the antioxidant potential of AO and OO, we evaluated their preventives effects against oxidative stress induced by ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) in the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis and mice. Then, we evaluated the activities of the enzymatic (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and metabolite markers (lipid peroxidation (MDA) and glutathione (GSH)) of the antioxidant balance. The results of the antioxidant compounds show that both oils contain phenolic compounds and pigments. Moreover, AO and OO exhibit antioxidant potential across FRAP and DPPH assays. On the other hand, the results in Tetrahymena pyriformis and mice show a variation in the level of iron-changed SOD and GPx activities and MDA and GSH levels. By contrast, treating Tetrahymena pyriformis and mice with argan and olive oils shows significant prevention in the SOD and GPx activities. These results reveal that the iron-changed ROS imbalance can be counteracted by AO and OO, which is probably related to their composition, especially their high content of polyphenols, sterols, and tocopherols, which is underlined by their antioxidant activities.

Effect of In Vitro Digestion on the Phenolic Content of Herbs Collected from Eastern Anatolia

Phenolic compounds in herbs have high antioxidant activities, and their consumption as functional foods may impact human health positively. The main objective of this study was to investigate the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents as well as total antioxidant capacities (TAC) of bioactive compounds in various infusions prepared by herbs collected from the Bingöl region of Turkey during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. According to the results, while the highest TPC (5836 ± 373 mg GAE/100 g dw), TFC (2301 ± 158 CE/100 g, dw), and TAC (1347 mg TE/100 g dw) were obtained with Anchusa azurea Mill. species, Crataegus orientalis exhibited the lowest values (863 ± 24 mg GAE/100 g dw, 242 ± 23 CE/100 g dw, 735 ± 47 mg TE/100 g dw, respectively). Gallic acid and chlorogenic acid were the most common phenolic compounds in the infusions. In detail, the highest gallic acid was found in E. spectabilis M. Bieb (27.3 ± 0.9 mg/100 g of dw) and the highest chlorogenic acid was observed in F. elaeochytris (919.2 ± 35.7 mg/100 g of dw). After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the highest bioaccessibility values of TPC and TFC were determined as 0.6- and 3-fold of the values observed in undigested C. orientalis, respectively. Besides, C. orientalis Pall. had the highest bioaccessibility of TAC according to the DPPH (6.7-fold increase) and CUPRAC (9.7-fold increase) assays. It can be concluded that the use of these medicinal herbs in human dietary intake due to their high bioactive compounds even after digestion can improve nutritional value and contribute to human health.

Muscle quality traits and oxidative status of Iberian pigs supplemented with zinc and betaine under heat stress

The study analyzed the effect of supplemental zinc and betaine on meat quality and redox status of muscles (longissimus lumborum and gluteus medius) from heat- stressed pigs. Twenty-four pure Iberian pigs were assigned to one of three treatments (n = 8): control diet, Zn supplemented diet (120 mg/kg) and betaine supplemented diet (5 g/kg) that were all exposed to 30 °C during 28 days. No significant differences were observed in chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the muscles. The Zn diet improved the water retention capacity of longissimus, increased the antioxidant properties (ABTS and FRAP) and the glutathione peroxidase activity, and reduced the level of MDA. No significant effects associated to the betaine diet were observed in quality traits and antioxidant markers of muscles. These findings suggest that Zn supplementation may be used as a nutritional strategy to improve the antioxidant properties of meat of Iberian pigs subjected to heat stress conditions.

Characterization and Biological Activities of In Vitro Digested Olive Pomace Polyphenols Evaluated on Ex Vivo Human Immune Blood Cells

Olive pomace (OP) represents one of the main by-products of olive oil production, which still contains high quantities of health-promoting bioactive compounds. In the present study, three batches of sun-dried OP were characterized for their profile in phenolic compounds (by HPLC-DAD) and in vitro antioxidant properties (ABTS, FRAP and DPPH assays) before (methanolic extracts) and after (aqueous extracts) their simulated in vitro digestion and dialysis. Phenolic profiles, and, accordingly, the antioxidant activities, showed significant differences among the three OP batches, and most compounds showed good bioaccessibility after simulated digestion. Based on these preliminary screenings, the best OP aqueous extract (OP-W) was further characterized for its peptide composition and subdivided into seven fractions (OP-F). The most promising OP-F (characterized for its metabolome) and OP-W samples were then assessed for their potential anti-inflammatory properties in ex vivo human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) triggered or not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of 16 pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in PBMC culture media by multiplex ELISA assay, whereas the gene expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and TNF-α were measured by real time RT-qPCR. Interestingly, OP-W and PO-F samples had a similar effect in reducing the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α, but only OP-W was able to reduce the release of these inflammatory mediators, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory activity of OP-W is different from that of OP-F.

Stability and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion

The impact of phenolic compounds on the human body depended on the type, content, bioavailability, and antioxidant activity. After digestion, different phenolic compounds had different changes of bioavailability and antioxidant activity, which needed to be considered in the application. In this experiment, the structural stability and antioxidant activity of 27 phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonols, flavonoids, and flavanones) were investigated during the in vitro simulated digestion. This experiment eliminated the influence of food matrix, provide a basis for regularity for the changes of phenolic substances in different materials. Results showed that the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds with different structures varied, and there was a conformational relationship between the structure and stability. After oral digestion, most of the phenolic compounds underwent degradation and the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) values decreased to a large extent (p < 0.05). After gastric digestion, the content (p > 0.05) and CAA values (p < 0.05) of most phenolic compounds increased. However, after intestinal digestion, the phenolic compounds were degraded to a greater extent, and different structures of phenolic compounds had different changes in CAA values (p < 0.05). In general, the CAA values of most phenolic compounds after in vitro digestion were lower than the initial value. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ehylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values of phenolic acids and flavonols decreased after in vitro simulated digestion (p < 0.05), while the values of DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP of most flavonoids (p < 0.05) increased. The increased oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) values were found in most phenolic acids, flavonols, and flavonoids (p < 0.05), and most flavanones showed unremarkable changes in ORAC values (p > 0.05). In general, the changing trend of chemical-based antioxidant activity was consistent with the content of phenolic compounds.

Antioxidant Potential of the Sweet Whey-Based Beverage Colada after the Digestive Process and Relationships with the Lipid and Protein Fractions

Whey-based beverages could be an effective way of reusing a by-product of th cheese industry, mitigating environmental hazards and, at the same time, profiting a useful food with high nutritional and antioxidant properties. In this study, a traditional Ecuadorian beverage (Colada) was prepared combining sweet whey, Maracuyá and barley. Antioxidant properties before and after an in vitro digestion using the INFOGEST method were determined, and relationships with intestinal transformations of the lipid and protein fractions were analyzed. The digestive process had a positive effect on antioxidant properties based on increased values of ABTS and FRAP located in the bioaccessible fraction (BF), together with strong increments of total polyphenols. Moreover, pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with the BF of Colada significantly reduced ROS generation (p < 0.001) measured by the dichlorofluorescein assay. Substantial changes of the fatty acid profile occurred during digestion, such as a fall of saturated fatty acids and a rise of polyunsaturated. The protein profile, examined by SDS-PAGE and exclusion molecular chromatography in the BF, showed that the major part of the proteins were digested in the intestinal phase. Analysis of NanoLC-MS/MS revealed 18 antioxidant peptides originated from whey proteins, but also 16 peptides from barley with potential antioxidant properties. In conclusion, combining sweet whey with Maracuyá and barley constitutes an excellent nutritional beverage with a strong antioxidant potential.

Effects of a Short-Term Lipopolysaccharides Challenge on Mouse Brain and Liver Peroxisomal Antioxidant and β-oxidative Functions: Protective Action of Argan Oil

During sepsis, the imbalance between oxidative insult and body antioxidant response causes the dysfunction of organs, including the brain and liver. Exposing mice to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) results in a similar pathophysiological outcome. The protection offered by argan oil was studied against LPS-induced oxidative stress, dysregulation of peroxisomal antioxidants, and β-oxidation activities in the brain and liver. In a short-term LPS treatment, lipid peroxidation (malonaldehyde assay) increased in the brain and liver with upregulations of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor (Tnf)-α and anti-inflammatory interleukin (Il)-10 genes, especially in the liver. Although exposure to olive oil (OO), colza oil (CO), and argan oil (AO) prevented LPS-induced lipid peroxidation in the brain and liver, only AO exposure protected against liver inflammation. Remarkably, only exposure to AO prevented LPS-dependent glutathione (GSH) dysregulation in the brain and liver. Furthermore, exposure to AO increased more efficiently than OO and CO in both organs, peroxisomal antioxidant capacity via induction of catalase (Cat) gene, protein and activity expression levels, and superoxide dismutase (Sod1) mRNA and activity levels. Interestingly, LPS decreased protein levels of the peroxisomal fatty acid-ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCD1 and ABCD2, and increased acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) protein expression. Moreover, these LPS effects were attenuated for ABCD1 and ACOX1 in the brain of mice pretreated with AO. Our data collectively highlight the protective effects of AO against early oxidative stress caused by LPS in the brain and liver and their reliance on the preservation of peroxisomal functions, including antioxidant and β-oxidation activities, making AO a promising candidate for the prevention and management of sepsis.

Argan oil as a pretreatment of human hair before exposure to oxidative damage: Attenuated total reflectance and protein loss studies

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, argan oil has gained increasing interest in hair care products. In this study, attenuated total reflectance technique was utilized as a fast method and the results were compared to protein loss measurements in order to show the preventive effect of argan oil pre-treatment on excised human hair after oxidative hair damage.

METHODS

Hair tresses were divided into three groups: in group-1; they were damaged using oxidant agent solely, in group-2 and 3; hair were pre-treated with argan oil before undergoing the oxidative damage. In group-2, the oil was removed by physical cleaning but in group-3 the oil was removed with a washing procedure. ATR (attenuated total reflectance) spectrum was recorded for different samples. Quantitative studies of protein loss in hair samples were performed by Lowry method. The antioxidant properties of argan oil were also measured in vitro using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) protocol, which determined the ability of the oil to scavenge the DPPH free radicals.

RESULTS

The amount of protein loss with oil pre-treated groups was reduced significantly. The ATR spectrum showed oil deposition on hair even after washing. Four distinctive ATR peaks were changed during oxidation. The changes in peak height values were linear. The antioxidant property measured with DPPH method led to a IC50 value of 59 µg/ml.

CONCLUSION

Argan oil pre-treatment was effective in protecting hair against oxidative damage. ATR outcomes were in accordance with protein loss results. In this study, the ATR testing method as a fast technique was used efficiently in quantification of hair damage.

Olive Oil Improves While Trans Fatty Acids Further Aggravate the Hypomethylation of LINE-1 Retrotransposon DNA in an Environmental Carcinogen Model

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that is crucial for mammalian development and genomic stability. Aberrant DNA methylation changes have been detected not only in malignant tumor tissues; the decrease of global DNA methylation levels is also characteristic for aging. The consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as part of a balanced diet shows preventive effects against age-related diseases and cancer. On the other hand, consuming trans fatty acids (TFA) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate the LINE-1 retrotransposon (L1-RTP) DNA methylation pattern in liver, kidney, and spleen of mice as a marker of genetic instability. For that, mice were fed with EVOO or TFA and were pretreated with environmental carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-a harmful substance known to cause L1-RTP DNA hypomethylation. Our results show that DMBA and its combination with TFA caused significant L1-RTP DNA hypomethylation compared to the control group via inhibition of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes. EVOO had the opposite effect by significantly decreasing DMBA and DMBA + TFA-induced hypomethylation, thereby counteracting their effects.

Digestive recovery of polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory activity of selected edible flowers from the family Fabaceae

Edible flowers are regaining popularity as therapeutic agents, due to their phytochemical composition. The present study assessed the recovery of phenolics along with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of seven edible flowers of the Fabaceae family after being subjected to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and dialysis. The total phenolic content of all the flowers decreased after the gastric phase, whereas the total flavonoid content increased. The total anthocyanin content of four flower species decreased after the intestinal phase of digestion. Cassia auriculata expressed the highest hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging activities in the dialyzed fraction. Bauhinia racemose had the highest activity in the inhibition of heat-induced hemolysis of red blood cells after dialysis (4.43 ± 01.5%). In general, the results suggest a reduction in the phenolic contents after gastrointestinal digestion and dialysis; however, phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins were sufficiently available to be absorbed with the dialysis to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The presence of various phenolic compounds in edible flowers has attracted the attention of consumers as well as the food industry, due to their potential to be incorporated in functional foods and drugs. However, the availability of phenolics after digestion is an important measure to get a realistic view of the health effects exerted upon the consumption of these edible flowers. The present study provides new information on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of selected edible flowers before and after in vitro digestion. This would be more useful for nutritionists, policymakers and consumers to effectively utilize edible flowers by understanding the changes undergone by the phenolic compounds upon digestion.

Impact of Heat Stress on Meat Quality and Antioxidant Markers in Iberian Pigs

Heat stress is associated with impaired meat quality and disruption of redox balance. This study investigated the effect of chronic exposure to high temperature on meat quality and antioxidant markers of muscles (longissimus lumborum and gluteus medius) of growing Iberian pigs. Twenty-four pure Iberian pigs were allocated during 28 days to one of three treatments (n = 8/treatment): thermoneutral conditions (20 °C) and ad libitum feeding (TN), heat stress conditions (30 °C) and ad libitum feeding (HS) and thermoneutral and pair-fed with HS (TN-pf). Muscles of the HS group had greater intramuscular fat content than the TN-pf group and higher Zn levels than TN and TN-pf, whereas differences on fatty acid composition were negligible. Heat exposure did not affect pH, color coordinates of redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) and MDA values but had a positive influence on lightness and drip losses. Moreover, chronic heat stress stimulated the activity of antioxidant defenses SOD, CAT and GPx. The statistical factor analysis adequately classified the muscles studied, but was unable to differentiate samples according with treatments. Findings of the present study support an adaptive response of the Iberian pig to high temperatures and show the high Iberian meat quality even under adverse climate situations.

Applicability of an In-Vitro Digestion Model to Assess the Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds from Olive-Related Products

The Mediterranean diet includes virgin olive oil (VOO) as the main fat and olives as snacks. In addition to providing nutritional and organoleptic properties, VOO and the fruits (olives) contain an extensive number of bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, which are considered to be powerful antioxidants. Furthermore, olive byproducts, such as olive leaves, olive pomace, and olive mill wastewater, considered also as rich sources of phenolic compounds, are now valorized due to being mainly applied in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The digestive system must physically and chemically break down these ingested olive-related products to release their phenolic compounds, which will be further metabolized to be used by the human organism. The first purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of in-vitro static digestion models for olive-related products. In this sense, the in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion methods are widely used with the following aims: (i) to study how phenolic compounds are released from their matrices and to identify structural changes of phenolic compounds after the digestion of olive fruits and oils and (ii) to support the functional value of olive leaves and byproducts generated in the olive industry by assessing their health properties before and after the gastrointestinal process. The second purpose of this review is to survey and discuss all the results available to date.

Porcine placenta hydrolysate as an alternate functional food ingredient: In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial assessments

The production of bioactive peptides from animal-based raw materials highly depends on enzymatic hydrolysis. Porcine placenta is an underutilized biomass in Thailand's pig farms, yet it is still a source of proteins and beneficial compounds. Porcine placenta could be used as a protein substrate for the production of enzymatic hydrolysate, which could be employed as a functional food ingredient in the future. The goal of this study was to enzymatically produce porcine placenta hydrolysates (PPH) using three commercial enzymes (Alcalase, Flavouzyme, and papain) and evaluate their in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) increased as the enzyme load and hydrolysis time increased, but the DH was governed by the enzyme class. The maximum DH was found after using 10% enzyme for 20 min of hydrolysis (36.60%, 31.40%, and 29.81% for Alcalase, Flavouzyme, and papain). Depending on the enzyme type and DH, peptides of various sizes (0.40-323.56 kDa) were detected in all PPH. PPH created with Alcalase had an excellent reducing capacity and metal chelating ability (p < 0.05), whereas PPH made with Flavourzyme and Papain had higher DPPH• and ABTS•+ inhibitory activities (p < 0.05). Papain-derived PPH also had a strong antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with clear zone values of 17.20 mm and 14.00 mm, respectively (p < 0.05). When PPH was transported via a gastrointestinal tract model system, its antioxidative characteristics were altered. PPH's properties and bioactivities were thus influenced by the enzyme type, enzyme concentration, and hydrolysis time used. Therefore, PPH produced from porcine placenta can be categorized as an antioxidant and antibacterial alternative.

Application of the INFOGEST Standardized Method to Assess the Digestive Stability and Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds from Galician Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

The INFOGEST standardized method was applied to assess the potential bioaccessibility and bioaccessibility of the phenolic compounds from a Galician extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The in vitro digestion model involves three steps and generates two fractions after each one: an aqueous fraction (namely, water phase (Wp)) and an oily fraction (namely, oily phase (Op)). The results showed that secoiridoids were the most abundant family in the Galician EVOO polar fraction, representing 98% of the total phenolic compounds. After oral digestion, phenolic acids and simple phenols were mainly detected in Wp, while lignans and flavonoids were mostly found in Op. After gastric digestion, extensive hydrolysis of secoiridoids was observed to generate free tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and hydroxytyrosol acetate. The instability of secoiridoids after intestinal digestion was again responsible for the release of simple phenols, which were mainly recovered in Wp together with flavonoids. In contrast, lignans were stable to duodenal conditions and remained in Op.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of a New Olive Pomace Functional Ingredient

Olive pomace, an olive oil processing byproduct, can be upcycled and meet the current demand for natural and sustainable food ingredients. In this work, a patented process was used to obtain a functional ingredient from different olive pomaces. The nutritional, chemical and antioxidant profiles, as well as the antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans, were investigated for the first time. The amount of phenolics ranged between 3.1 and 3.8 g gallic acid eq./100 g in all samples and flavonoids between 2.0 and 3.2 g catechin eq/100 g. No significant differences were found regarding the antioxidant activity. The total fat varied between 5 and 11%, α-tocopherol being the major vitamer and oleic acid the main fatty acid. The protein and ash contents were 1–4% and 10–17%, respectively. The functional ingredient with a higher hydroxytyrosol content (220 mg/100 g) also presented the best minimal inhibitory concentration against the tested bacteria. No activity against C. albicans was verified. This new functional ingredient presents the potential to be used as a natural preservative or as a nutritional profile enhancer. Moreover, it can be an advantageous ingredient in food products, since it comprises specific lipid and hydrophilic bioactive compounds usually not present in other plant extracts.

Simultaneous Quantification of Trace and Micro Phenolic Compounds by Liquid Chromatography Tandem-Mass Spectrometry

The simultaneous quantification of trace and micro metabolites is a bottleneck in food and biological analysis. Phenolic compounds are the most widely distributed and have various physiological functions. In this study, the strategy for the simultaneous liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantification of 13 trace and micro phenolic compounds was proposed by taking product ions and isotopic ions as quantitative ions. The method validation results showed that the limits of detection (LODs) were from 0.01 to 9.84 μg/kg, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were from 0.03 to 32.8 μg/kg. The intra-day precision and inter-day precision were below 8.4% and 14.4%, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 81.9% to 117.2%, and the matrix effects ranged from -11.5% to 13.7%, which indicated that the method has high sensitivity and suitable stability. The developed analytical method was applied to determine trace and micro constituents in rapeseed samples. The analysis results indicated that the contents of sinapine have significantly different between high and low total phenolic content rapeseeds. This method provides a reference strategy for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of other micro- and trace antioxidants.

Supplementing the Diet of Dairy Goats with Dried Orange Pulp throughout Lactation: II Effect on Milk Fatty Acids Profile, Phenolic Compounds, Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Antioxidant Capacity

Simple Summary

Spain is a major global producer of both goats and oranges. The orange juice industry produces high levels of organic waste that could be used as alternative feedstock for ruminants, enhancing dairy farm sustainability by lowering feed costs and reducing the environmental impact. An example of such organic waste is dried orange pulp (DOP), which has been proven beneficial as a 40% or 80% replacement for cereal in the diet of goats at an early lactation stage; therefore, it is pertinent to study these by-products over a longer period, such as the complete lactation cycle of 180 days. This study evaluated the Payoya dairy breed and the resultant milk’s antioxidant composition and fatty acid (FA) content in terms of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAs (SFA, MUFA, and PUFA, respectively). The levels of vitamin E, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity in milk increased as the percentage of DOP replacing cereals increased. Moreover, the inclusion of DOP improved the nutritional value of the milk for human health (according to the thrombogenicity index, MUFA/SFA, and PUFA/SFA ratios), especially at the end of lactation, leading to the conclusion that DOP might be an appropriate alternative to cereals in the diets of goats.

Abstract

Although dried orange pulp (DOP) as a short-term dietary supplementation has been proven an effective substitute for cereals in goat diets–without impairing milk quality–there have been no studies considering its use over the full lactation period. This study evaluated replacing cereal with DOP in goat diets for the full 180-day lactation period on milk’s fatty acid (FA) and antioxidant composition. Payoya goats were assigned to three diet groups: a control group consuming a commercial concentrate with alfalfa hay as forage; a DOP40 or DOP80 group, wherein 40% or 80% of the cereal in the concentrate was replaced by DOP. The α-tocopherol and phenolic compounds levels and the antioxidant capacity in the milk increased as the DOP percentage increased. Including DOP might improve the FA indices of milk in the context of human health, especially when included at the end of lactation because it contributes to reducing the thrombogenicity index and increasing both the monounsaturated/saturated FA and polyunsaturated/saturated FA indices and the amounts of indispensables α-C18:3 n-3 and C18:2 n-6 cis. Ultimately, DOP presents a plausible alternative to cereals in the diet of goats throughout lactation to improve the nutritional milk quality, especially the healthy antioxidant capacity.

In vivo effects of olive oil and trans-fatty acids on miR-134, miR-132, miR-124-1, miR-9-3 and mTORC1 gene expression in a DMBA-treated mouse model

Both the intake of beneficial olive oil and of harmful trans-fatty acids (TFAs) in consumed foods are of great significance in tumor biology. In our present study we examined the effects they exert on the expression patterns of miR-134, miR-132, miR-124-1, miR-9-3 and mTOR in the liver, spleen and kidney of mice treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA). Feeding of TFA-containing diet significantly increased the expression of all studied miRs and mTORC1 in all organs examined, except the expression of mTORC1 in the spleen and kidney. Diet containing olive oil significantly reduced the expression of miR-124-1, miR-9-3 and mTORC1 in the liver and spleen. In the kidney, apart from the mTORC1 gene, the expression of all miRs examined significantly decreased compared to the DMBA control. According to our results, the cell membrane protective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of olive oil and the cell membrane damaging, inflammatory, and carcinogenic properties of TFA suggest negative feedback regulatory mechanisms. In contrast to our expectations, mTORC1 gene expression in the kidney has not been shown to be an appropriate biomarker-presumably, because the many complex effects that regulate mTOR expression may quench each other.

Lipid composition and antioxidant activities of some underused wild plants seeds from Burundi

Fatty acids, phytosterols, total phenolic content, and radical-scavenging activity were determined in seed oils of 12 wild plants from natural ecosystems in Burundi. Among the 13 fatty acids identified, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and stearic acids were found predominant throughout all oils, except Parinari curatellifolia oil which showed a high amount of erucic acid (58.41% ± 0.77). The most dominant sterol was found to be β-sitosterol in all oils and was followed by stigmasterol in 8 kinds of oils and campesterol in 3 kinds of oils. The highest total phenolic contents were observed in P. curatellifolia, Tephrosia vogelii, and Uvaria angolensis oils, with, respectively, 2.16 ± 0.26, 1.43 ± 0.33, and 1.27 ± 0.39 mg gallic acid equivalent/g oil. Some of these oils exhibited a higher ability to scavenge DPPH radicals. The antioxidant capacity of 8 species ranged from 1.18 to 18.08 mmol acid ascorbic equivalent/g oil. Based on these findings, such oils could be used in different domains such as food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and lipochemistry.

Study of olive pomace antioxidant dietary fibre powder throughout gastrointestinal tract as multisource of phenolics, fatty acids and dietary fibre

Pulp-enriched powder (POPP) was obtained from olive pomace solid fraction, a derived from the new value chain established for olive by-products. As a multifunctional powder, POPP retains several bioactive compounds (fatty acids, dietary fibre and phenolics) under potential synergic interaction, even more, reactive throughout the digestion. So, in this study, the potential multifunctionality of POPP was evaluated after the gastrointestinal tract. A significant loss of phenolics occurred during oral digestion (62.48%). However, the potential role of dietary fibre as phenolics' carrier and its possible liberation in the stomach allowed recovering a significant amount of phenolics (77.11%) and a bioaccessibility index of at least 50% (mainly for tyrosol and its glucoside). POPP also provides high content of dietary fibre mainly insoluble fibre (69.68 g/100 g dry weight) linked to a substantial amount of bound phenolics (7.63 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g fibre dry weight), with a positive effect on the fatty acids bioaccessibility [decreased the saturated (5-6%) and facilitated the unsaturated fatty acids bioaccessibility (4-11%)]. PCA analysis became evident the negative effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion upon POPP as mainly linked to phenolics' loss. Despite all negative effects of the simulated digestion on POPP bioactive composition, phenolics and unsaturated fatty acids showed to be bioaccessible in significant amount, and the amount of bound phenolics associated to fibre retained in the colon have the potential to exert gut health benefits.

Simulated digestion of an olive pomace water-soluble ingredient: relationship between the bioaccessibility of compounds and their potential health benefits

Olive pomace is a semisolid by-product with great potential as a source of bioactive compounds. Using its soluble fraction, a liquid-enriched powder (LOPP) was obtained, exhibiting a rich composition in sugars, polyphenols and minerals, with potential antioxidant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic health benefits. To validate the potential of LOPP as a functional ingredient the effect of the gastrointestinal tract on its bioactive composition and bioactivities was examined. Polyphenols and minerals were the most affected compounds; however, a significant bioaccessibility of potassium and hydroxytyrosol was verified (≥57%). As a consequence, the LOPP bioactivities were only moderately affected (losses around 50%). For example, 57.82 ± 1.27% of the recovered antioxidant activity by ORAC was serum-available. From an initial α-glucosidase inhibition activity of 87.11 ± 1.04%, at least 50% of the initial potential was retained (43.82 ± 1.14%). Regarding the initial ACE inhibitory activity (91.98 ± 3.24%), after gastrointestinal tract losses, significant antihypertensive activity was retained in the serum-available fraction (43.4 ± 3.65%). The colon-available fraction also exhibited an abundant composition in phenolics and minerals. LOPP showed to be a potential functional ingredient not only with potential benefits in preventing cardiovascular diseases but also in gut health.

Influence of dietary patterns on contaminants bioaccessibility and intestinal transport by in vitro assays

Food contaminants are usually studied as isolated molecules, not considering the overall meal components. Notwithstanding, contaminants are not ingested individually, therefore their risks should be assessed in the context of the overall diet. In the present study the influence of three well known dietary patterns, Western (W), Mediterranean (M) and vegetarian (V), on the bioaccessibility and intestinal transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF)), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-Amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AAC)) and mycotoxins (MY) (aflatoxin B2 (AB2) and ochratoxin A (OTA)) was evaluated. Whole meals representative of W, M and V patterns were spiked with 100 µg kg^-1 of each contaminant and subjected to the Infogest in vitro digestion method. Intestinal transport was performed using Caco-2 cells in apical/basolateral inserts. Contaminants were quantified by QuEChERS/HPLC/Fluorescence analysis. The dietary pattern itself influenced significantly the bioaccessibility of some contaminants, since higher bioaccessibility of HAAs (PhIP and AAC) was observed for V diet, while higher bioaccessibility of PAHs (BBF and BAP) and the MY (OTA) was observed for W diet. Concerning intestinal transport, the effect of the diet matrices was less noticed. Notwithstanding, AAC transport increased with W diet, while AB2s transport increased with the V diet. Regarding PAHs the three patterns either blocked (BbF) or reduced (BaP) the transport. Besides the well known nutritional, protective or deleterious effects of the different dietary patterns, the increased bioaccessibility or intestinal transport of some food contaminants, can have an additional influence on the global health impact.

Antiproliferative activity of green, black tea and olive leaves polyphenols subjected to biosorption and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in Caco-2 cells

Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves and tea (Camellia sinensis) are rich sources of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols. Our previous studies have evidenced the potential use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a natural delivery system for these antioxidants and a means to improve their bioaccessibility in the human gut. In the present work, the antiproliferative effect of green tea (GT), black tea (BT) and olive leaves (OL) infusions and suspensions of S. cerevisiae were evaluated, for the first time, in human colon cancer cells (Caco-2) after biosorption and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The bioaccessible fractions (BF) were not overtly cytotoxic, not affecting cell viability. ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential changes (Δψm) values were reduced compared with control cells. Moreover, all the BF after biosorption induced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in cell proportions in S-phase. The arrest of the cell cycle was reversible without induction of apoptosis, suggesting that the biosorbed phenolics in both infusions and suspensions act as cytostatic agents.

Using dried orange pulp in the diet of dairy goats: effects on milk yield and composition and blood parameters of dams and growth performance and carcass quality of kids

Although dried orange pulp (DOP) may conveniently replace cereals in ruminant diets, few studies have considered similar diet substitution for goats. We hypothesised that DOP could replace cereal-based concentrate in goat diets without detrimental effects on growth performance and carcass quality of suckling kids and milk performance and blood biochemical parameters of dams in early lactation. We also hypothesised that DOP substitution may increase the levels of antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds and vitamin E, in milk and improve its total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Therefore, 44 primiparous Payoya dairy goats were allocated to three experimental groups, each fed a different diet: control (CD, n = 14) based on a commercial concentrate with alfalfa hay as forage; and DOP40 (n = 16) in which 40% and DOP80 (n = 14) in which 80% of the cereal in the concentrate were replaced by DOP. The experiment lasted from the final month of pregnancy to 55 days postpartum. The DOP diets did not affect suckling kids' carcass quality, but at 28 days, led to improvement in live weight (LW) and average daily gain (ADG) from birth, although no differences were found between DOP40 and DOP80 (for CD, DOP40 and DOP80, LW at 28 days was 8.00, 8.58 and 8.34 kg and ADG was 184, 199 and 195 g/day, respectively). Diet had no significant effect on milk yield (average daily milk yield and total yield at 55 days were 1.66 l/day and 90.6 l, respectively) and commercial and fatty acid composition. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol, total phenolic compound (TPC) and TAC concentration in milk increased with substitution of cereals by DOP (for CD, DOP40 and DOP80, concentration of α-tocopherol was 21.7, 32.8 and 42.3 μg/100 g, TPCs was 63.5, 84.1 and 102 mg gallic acid equivalents/l, and TAC was 6.63, 11.1 and 12.8 μmol Trolox equivalents/ml, respectively). Every plasma biochemistry parameter considered was within reference values for healthy goats; therefore, no pathological effect was detected for these variables due to dietary treatment. However, DOP diets caused a reduction in plasmatic creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, implying reduced oxidative damage to muscles. In conclusion, DOP may be an interesting alternative to cereals in early lactation goat diets for increasing farmers' income and the healthy antioxidant capacity of milk.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil from Apulian Cultivars and Intestinal Inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial intestinal disorder characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation. The etiology of IBD is still unclear, although genetic, environmental and host factors have been associated to the disease. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVO) is a central component of the Mediterranean diet and it decreases chronic inflammation by interfering with arachidonic acid and NF-κB signaling pathways. Specifically, the different components of EVO are able to confer advantages in terms of health in their site of action. For instance, oleic acid displays a protective effect in liver dysfunction and gut inflammation, whereas phenolic compounds protect colon cells against oxidative damage and improve the symptoms of chronic inflammation in IBD. Given the biological properties of EVO, we investigated whether its administration is able to confer protection in a mouse model of dextrane sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Four EVO cultivars from the Apulian Region of Italy, namely Ogliarola (Cima di Bitonto), Coratina, Peranzana and Cima di Mola, respectively, were used. Administration of EVO resulted in reduced body weight loss in our colitis model. Furthermore, mice treated with Ogliarola, Coratina and Cima di Mola EVO displayed a reduction of rectal bleeding and IL-1β, TGFβ, IL-6 gene expression levels. Furthermore, Ogliarola, Coratina and Peranzana EVO administration ameliorated intestinal permeability and histopathological features of inflammation. Our data further validate the well-known positive effects of EVO supplementation in promoting human health and suggest the bona fide contribution of EVO in preventing onset and reducing progression of intestinal inflammation.

Influence of Pomace Matrix and Cyclodextrin Encapsulation on Olive Pomace Polyphenols' Bioaccessibility and Intestinal Permeability

Olive pomace is a rich source of biologically active compounds, mainly polyphenols. Recently, an efficient and sustainable cyclodextrin (CD)-enhanced extraction was developed. It enabled a relatively simple formulation of high-quality olive pomace extracts (OPEs) that can be used as alternative sources of olive-derived polyphenols in the nutrition and pharma industries. However, biological effects and nutraceutical potential of OPEs are primarily limited by generally low oral bioavailability of major polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives) that can be significantly influenced by OPE matrix and the presence of CDs in formulation. The major goal of this research was to investigate the impact of complex matrix and different types of CDs on gastrointestinal stability and intestinal permeability of major OPE polyphenols, and provide additional data about mechanisms of absorption and antioxidant activity in gut lumen. Obtained results showed high bioaccessibility but relatively low permeability of OPE polyphenols, which was negatively affected by OPE matrix. CDs improved antioxidant efficiency of tested OPEs and tyrosol gastrointestinal stability. Effects of CDs on permeability and the metabolism of particular OPE polyphenols were CD- and polyphenol-specific.

Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil Regarding Cultivar, Harvest Year and Crop Stage

The health benefits of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are related to its chemical composition and the presence of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant compounds (pigments, coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) and phenolic compounds) and antioxidant properties of EVOO from the same region comparing different cultivars (Hojiblanca and Arbequina), harvest year and crop stage. Antioxidant properties of oils were studied before and after a gastrointestinal digestion process, by in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) and antioxidant markers in Caco-2 cells (reactive oxygen species production). The content of bioactive compounds measured was significantly affected by cultivar and harvest year (except for carotenoids) and by the crop stage (except for coenzyme Q₁₀). Higher amounts of coenzyme Q₁₀ were observed in Hojiblanca than in Arbequina EVOO. Total phenol content and antioxidant properties were also different depending on cultivar and harvest year and the in vitro digestion process strongly improved antioxidant marker values. Antioxidant potential in bioaccessible fractions was mainly related to the content of coenzyme Q₁₀ and phenolic compounds in EVOO. Chemometric analysis showed that the oils were clearly classified by cultivars, harvest and crop stage, according to the chemical composition and antioxidant activity analyzed in the present study.

Bioaccessibility of polyphenols and antioxidant properties of the white grape by simulated digestion and Caco-2 cell assays: Comparative study with its winemaking product

The primary objective of this study was to assess the changes on phenolic composition and AC (antioxidant capacity) of white grape and its winemaking product, during in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion. Phenolic compounds were evaluated by HPLC-MS/MS. The AC was measured by in vitro (FRAP, ABTS and DPPH) and cellular (Caco-2 cells) assays. Digestion had a reducing effect on phenolic content, being only 31% and 67% of native polyphenols from grapes and wines, respectively, potentially bioaccessible. At same polyphenol concentration, cellular AC of nondigested and digested foods was the same, indicating that changes in phenolic profile did not modify the bioactivity. Phenolic acids, in addition to quercetin, were the most resistant polyphenols to digestion, and would be the most relevant to explain the biological activity of digested foods. Results indicate that the changes occurred in the native phenolic profile of foods as a consequence of GI digestion, do not modify the bioactivity of white grapes and wines.

Flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids and antioxidant activity of fresh eating citrus fruits, using the coupled in vitro digestion and human intestinal HepG2 cells model

With in-vitro digestion and human intestinal HepG2 cells, we analyzed the bioaccessibility and cell uptake of phytochemicals and determined the cellular antioxidant capacity (CAA) of fresh eating citrus fruits. The results showed that CAA of citrus fruits was higher in digesta than in extracts, and the CAA is strongly correlated with naringenin and beta-carotene uptake (p < 0.05). During in vitro digestion, vanillic acid and p-coumaric decreased, and ferulic acid increased in all citrus fruits significantly (p < 0.05); other phytochemicals varied among the fruits. During uptake, hydroxybenzoic acids, hesperidin, narirutin, naringenin and neohesperidin were detected in cells, Zeaxanthin, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene could be detected in the citrus varieties except for pummel, but hydroxycinnamic acids and hesperitin were not detected in cells. This work provides insights into the bioaccessibility and cell uptake of phytochemicals and cellular antioxidant activity of fresh eating citrus fruits.

Bioaccessibility and Absorption Mechanism of Phenylethanoid Glycosides Using Simulated Digestion/Caco-2 Intestinal Cell Models

Acteoside and salidroside are major phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) in Osmanthus fragrans Lour. flowers with extensive pharmacological activities and poor oral bioavailability. The absorption mechanisms of these two compounds remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility of these compounds using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model and to examine the absorption and transport mechanisms of PhGs using the Caco-2 cell model. The in vitro digestion model revealed that the bioaccessibility of salidroside (98.7 ± 1.35%) was higher than that of acteoside (50.1 ± 3.04%), and the superior bioaccessibility of salidroside can be attributed to its stability. The absorption percentages of total phenylethanoid glycoside, salidroside, and acteoside were 1.42-1.54%, 2.10-2.68%, and 0.461-0.698% in the Caco-2 model, respectively. Salidroside permeated Caco-2 cell monolayers through passive diffusion. At the concentration of 200 μg/mL, the apparent permeability ( P_app) of salidroside in the basolateral (BL)-to-apical (AP) direction was 23.7 ± 1.33 × 10^-7 cm/s, which was 1.09-fold of that in the AP-to-BL direction (21.7 ± 1.38 × 10^-7 cm/s). Acteoside was poorly absorbed with low P_app (AP to BL) (4.75 ± 0.251 × 10^-7 cm/s), and its permeation mechanism was passive diffusion with active efflux mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp). This study clarified the bioaccessibility, absorption, and transport mechanisms of PhGs. It also demonstrated that the low bioavailability of acteoside might be attributed to its poor bioaccessibility, low absorption, and P-gp efflux transporter.

Rapid Determination of Active Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Okra Seeds Using Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FT-NIR) Spectroscopy

Okra seeds (OSD) have been proved to possess significantly anti-fatigue activity and due to their high contents of flavonoids and polyphenols. While, the quality of OSD is easily affected by harvest time, region and other factors. In this research, the rapid method based on Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was developed for quality assessment of okra seeds. Firstly, 120 samples' spectra were acquired, and quantification of isoquercitrin, quercetin-3-O-gentiobioside, total phenols (TP) and antioxidant assays including 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were conducted. Next, partial least squares (PLS) regression and full cross-validation were applied to develop calibration models for these data, and external validation was used to determine models' quality. The coefficient of determination for calibration ( R c 2 ), the root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) and the corresponding determination coefficients for cross-validation ( R cv 2 ) proved all these models have excellent precision. Besides, the residual predictive deviation (RPD) of models (4.07 for isoquercitrin, 4.04 for quercetin-3-O-gentiobioside, 9.79 for TP, 4.58 for DPPH and 4.12 for FRAP) also demonstrated that these models possessed good predicative ability. All these results showed that FT-NIR spectroscopy could be used to rapidly determine active compounds and antioxidant activity of okra seeds.

The impact of argan oil on plasma lipids in humans: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The study aims to investigate the effect of argan oil on plasma lipid concentrations through a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials. Randomized controlled trials that investigated the impact of at least 2 weeks of supplementation with argan oil on plasma/serum concentrations of at least 1 of the main lipid parameters were eligible for inclusion. Effect size was expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Meta-analysis of data from 5 eligible trials with 292 participants showed a significant reduction in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: -16.85 mg/dl, 95% CI [-25.10, -8.60], p < .001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: -11.67 mg/dl, 95% CI [-17.32, -6.01], p < .001), and triglycerides (WMD: -13.69 mg/dl, 95% CI [-25.80, -1.58], p = .027) after supplementation with argan oil compared with control treatment, and plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 4.14 mg/dl, 95% CI [0.86, 7.41], p = .013) were found to be increased. Argan oil supplementation reduces total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Additionally, larger clinical trials are needed to assess the impact of argan oil supplementation on other indices of cardiometabolic risk and on the risk of cardiovascular outcomes.