Phenolic acids and flavonoids of peanut by-products: Antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial effects

Dual effects of exogenous ferulic acid bound in rice starch as 3D printable food ink: Structural fluidity and antimicrobial activity

Starch-ferulic acid (FA) composites have been developed for medical and food fields, while little focus is caused on their use in functional products by 3D printing. In this work, dynamic high-pressure microfluidization was employed to treat starch at various concentrations, for preparing modified starch-FA composites. The high-performance liquid chromatography results showed that an increased starch concentration was conducive to a high yield of composite with enhanced binding of FA. Compared with pure starch and starch-FA mixture gel, the starch-FA composite gel possessed lower viscosity, with a dramatically reduced extrusion pressure in the 3D printing test. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity tests indicated that the starch-FA composite gel can inhibit the growth of microorganism for achieving a long storage period. Overall, we provide a biomaterial of starch-FA composite that can serve as both a 3D printing food ink and an edible, printable, active, and lightweight packaging ink.

Interplay Between Polyphenols and Autophagy: Insights From an Aging Perspective

The relationship between polyphenols and autophagy, particularly in the context of aging, presents a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions in age-related diseases. A decline in autophagy is associated with aging-related affections, and an increasing number of studies suggest that this enhancement is linked to cellular resilience and longevity. This review delves into the multifaceted roles of autophagy in cellular homeostasis and the potential of polyphenols to modulate autophagic pathways. We revised the most updated literature regarding the modulatory effects of polyphenols on autophagy in cardiovascular, liver, and kidney diseases, highlighting their therapeutic potential. We highlight the role of polyphenols as modulators of autophagy to combat age-related diseases, thus contributing to improving the quality of life in aging populations. A better understanding of the interplay of autophagy between autophagy and polyphenols will help pave the way for future research and clinical applications in the field of longevity medicine.

Preparation, characterization of algae polyphenol-polysaccharide composite films and application in chilled porcine longissimus lumborum packaging

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of pullulan (PUL) based films incorporated with algae polyphenol extracts (APE) in preserving the freshness of porcine longissimus lumborum (PLL) during refrigerated storage at 4 °C for 7 d. Among 3 types of polysaccharides (tested konjac gum, soluble soybean polysaccharide, and PUL), the PUL-APE composite film demonstrated superior film performance. The effects of APE concentrations at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 % (w/v) on the barrier, mechanical, physical, and optical properties of the developed films were evaluated while exploring intermolecular interactions between APE and polysaccharides. Results revealed that increasing APE concentration significantly enhanced the thickness, moisture content, and water solubility of PUL-APE composite films while decreasing brightness and opacity rate (P < 0.05). Compared to other groups, the composite film containing 3 % APE exhibited superior barrier and mechanical properties with a minimum water vapor permeability value of 2.35 ± 0.05 g/m2 and maximum tensile strength value of 55.82 ± 0.42 MPa. Additionally, the packaging effect of PUL-APE composite film on chilled PLL samples was investigated. The film effectively delayed microbial growth and minimized oxidative rancidity, texture changes, and cooking loss during refrigerated storage of PLL samples. Therefore, these PUL-APE composite films hold great potential as edible materials for meat packaging applications.

Upcycling commercial nut byproducts for food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications: A comprehensive review

This article presents a comprehensive overview of upcycling commercial nut byproducts (such as Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, peanut (also known as a legume), pecan, pine nut, pistachio, and walnut) for food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. Upcycling nut byproducts, namely husk/hull, hard shell, brown skin, defatted flour/meal/cake, pine cone, cashew nut shell liquid, cashew apple, walnut septum, and dreg/okara, has great potential, not only to reduce/minimise waste, but also to fit within the circular economy concept. Each byproduct has its own unique functional properties, which can bring significant value. These byproducts can be used as value-added ingredients to promote better health and well-being, due to their rich sources of diverse bioactive components/phytochemicals, polysaccharides, fibre, lignin, prebiotics, oils, proteins, bioactive peptides, minerals, and vitamins, among other components. This comprehensive review provides a basis for future research and development of product applications for nut byproducts. More studies are needed on novel product development to valorise nut byproducts.

Phenolics of Maqui Leaf Residues Exhibit Antioxidant Properties Against Ozone-Induced Oxidation in Fish Model Systems

Growing concern about food quality and safety has driven the search for natural food additives. Furthermore, maqui leaf residue (MLR), recovered from infusions that have long been part of traditional Chilean herbal medicine, still conserves a high content of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolics from MLR and evaluate their potential effect on salmon preservation. The optimized parameters for UAE (6 min, MLR:Water = 1:30, and 70 W), obtained by using a Box-Behnken design, rendered the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, UAE showed a higher concentration of phenolic compounds compared to conventional extraction techniques, as evaluated by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The salmon with MLR had up to four times lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, induced by ozonated water treatment, than the sample without this natural antioxidant. Moreover, MLR exhibited similar or superior effectiveness compared to synthetic antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), 3,5-Di-tert-4butylhydroxytoluene (BHT). This study highlights the use of short-time aqueous ultrasound extraction as an environmentally friendly technology that allows the recovery of phenolic compounds from MLR, with potential application as a natural preservative that may replace or decrease the use of BHA and/or BHT.

Antimicrobial Potential of Polyphenols: Mechanisms of Action and Microbial Responses-A Narrative Review

Polyphenols (PPs) are recognized as bioactive compounds and antimicrobial agents, playing a critical role in enhancing food safety, preservation, and extending shelf life. The antimicrobial effectiveness of PPs has different molecular and biological reasons, predominantly linked to their hydroxyl groups and electron delocalization, which interact with microbial cell membranes, proteins, and organelles. These interactions may reduce the efficiency of metabolic pathways, cause destructive damage to the cell membrane, or they may harm the proteins and nucleic acids of the foodborne bacteria. Moreover, PPs exhibit a distinctive ability to form complexes with metal ions, further amplifying their antimicrobial activity. This narrative review explores the complex and multifaceted interactions between PPs and foodborne pathogens, underlying the correlation of their chemical structures and mechanisms of action. Such insights shed light on the potential of PPs as innovative natural preservatives within food systems, presenting an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to synthetic additives.

An innovative approach for lipid-rich food preservation: peanut skin microcapsules

This study evaluates the microencapsulation of peanut skin phenolic compounds by spray drying, assessing their physicochemical properties and storage stability and the protective effect against oxidative deterioration in walnut kernels. Extraction yield, total phenolic content, and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis were performed on peanut skin crude extract (PCE). Microencapsulation of PCE with 10%, 20%, and 30% maltodextrin via spray drying was conducted. The drying yield, phenolic encapsulation efficiency, moisture content, morphology, particle size, and stability during dry storage (23°C) and in water (23 and 100°C) were assessed for the microcapsules. PCE contained 950.29 mg GAE/g of total polyphenolic compounds, primarily hydroxycinnamic acid-derived phenolic acids and procyanidins. Microcapsules with 20% maltodextrin exhibited the best properties (drying yield, encapsulation efficiency, and stability). These microcapsules were incorporated into an edible chickpea-based coating, which was applied to walnuts and stored at 40°C for 15 days. Peroxide value, conjugated dienes, volatile compounds, and fatty acid profile were analyzed on samples from storage. The chickpea-based coating combined with PCE microcapsules effectively preserves walnut quality during storage, offering a viable and natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants such as BHT, addressing current concerns in food preservation. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Peanut skins are a byproduct of the peanut industry with low commercial value. These skins are rich in polyphenols, which exhibit potent antioxidant activity. This study investigates the microencapsulation of polyphenolic peanut extract and its incorporation into a chickpea-based edible coating. The prepared coating demonstrated a remarkable protective effect against lipid oxidation in walnuts, extending their shelf life. These findings present a sustainable strategy that adds value to agro-industrial residues and aligns with circular economy principles. This innovation offers a natural and effective solution to enhance the stability and quality of lipid-rich foods.

Plant-Based Meat Analogues: Exploring Proteins, Fibers and Polyphenolic Compounds as Functional Ingredients for Future Food Solutions

As the lack of resources required to meet the demands of a growing population is increasingly evident, plant-based diets can be seen as part of the solution, also addressing ethical, environmental, and health concerns. The rise of vegetarian and vegan food regimes is a powerful catalyzer of a transition from animal-based diets to plant-based diets, which foments the need for innovation within the food industry. Vegetables and fruits are a rich source of protein, and bioactive compounds such as dietary fibres and polyphenols and can be used as technological ingredients (e.g., thickening agents, emulsifiers, or colouring agents), while providing health benefits. This review provides insight on the potential of plant-based ingredients as a source of alternative proteins, dietary fibres and antioxidant compounds, and their use for the development of food- and alternative plant-based products. The application of these ingredients on meat analogues and their impact on health, the environment and consumers' acceptance are discussed. Given the current knowledge on meat analogue production, factors like cost, production and texturization techniques, upscaling conditions, sensory attributes and nutritional safety are factors that require further development to fully achieve the full potential of plant-based meat analogues.

Aflatoxins in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea): Prevalence, Global Health Concern, and Management from an Innovative Nanotechnology Approach: A Mechanistic Repertoire and Future Direction

Arachis hypogaea is the most significant oilseed nutritious legume crop in agricultural trade across the world. It is recognized as a valued crop for its contributions to nourishing food, as a cooking oil, and for meeting the protein needs of people who are unable to afford animal protein. Currently, its production, marketability, and consumption are hindered because of Aspergillus species infection that consequently contaminates the kernels with aflatoxins. Regarding health concerns, humans and animals are affected by acute and chronic aflatoxin toxicity and millions of people are at high risk of chronic levels. Most methods used to store peanuts are traditional and serve effectively for short-term storage. Now the question for long-term storage has been raised, and this promptly finds potential approaches to the issue. It is imperative to reduce the aflatoxin levels in peanuts to a permissible level by introducing detoxifying innovations. Most of the detoxification reports mention physical, chemical, and biological techniques. However, many current approaches are impractical because of time consumption, loss of nutritional quality, or weak detoxifying efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate practical, economical, and green methods to control Aspergillus flavus that address current global food security problems. Herein, a green and economically revolutionary way is a nanotechnology that has demonstrated its potential to connect farmers to markets, elevate international marketability, improve human and animal health conditions, and enhance food quality and safety by the management of fungal diseases. Due to the antimicrobial potential of nanoparticles, they act as nanofungicides and have an incredible role in the control of aflatoxins. Nanoparticles have ultrasmall sizes and therefore penetrate the fungal body and invade the pathogen machinery, leading to fungal cell death by ROS production, mutation in DNA, disruption of organelles, and membrane leakage. This is the first mechanistic overview that unveils a comprehensive insight into aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, its prevalence, health effects, and management in addition to nanotechnological interventions that serve as a triple defense approach to detoxify aflatoxins. The optimum use of nanofungicides ensures food safety and the development of goals, especially "zero hunger".

Bioactive compounds of peanut skin in prevention and adjunctive treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases

The global prevalence of cancer continues to increase, so does its mortality. Strategies that can prevent/treat this condition are therefore required, especially low-cost and low-toxicity strategies. Bioactive compounds of plant origin have been presented as a good alternative. In this scenario, due to its abundant polyphenolic content (around 60 to 120 times greater than that of the grain), peanut skin by-products stand out as a sustainable source of food bioactives beneficial to human health. Investigated studies highlighted the importance of peanut skin for human health, its phytochemical composition, bioactivity and the potential for prevention and/or adjuvant therapy in cancer, through the advanced search for articles in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Science direct and the Mourisco platform of the FioCruz Institute, from 2012 to 2022. Using the keywords, "peanut skin" AND "cancer" AND NOT "allergy", the words "peanut testa" and "peanut peel" were included replacing "peanut skin". 18 articles were selected from Plataforma Mourisco, 26 from Science Direct and 26 from VHL. Of these, 7 articles evaluated aspects of cancer prevention and/or treatment. Promising benefits were found in the prevention/treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases in the use of peanut and peanut skin extracts, such as cholesterolemia and glucose control, attenuation of oxidative stress and suppressive action on the proliferation and metabolism of cancer cells.

High-accuracy classification and origin traceability of peanut kernels based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy using Adaboost - Maximum uncertainty linear discriminant analysis

Peanut kernels, known for their high nutritional value and palatability, are classified as nut food. In this study, peanut kernel samples from six distinct cities in Shandong Province, China, were examined to categorize and trace their origins. Near-infrared (NIR) spectra of samples were captured using a portable NIR-M-R2 spectrometer. After the application of Savitzky-Golay (SG) filtering, the classification was attempted using principal component analysis (PCA) plus linear discrimination analysis (LDA). Additionally, maximum uncertainty linear discriminant analysis (MLDA) was applied for comparison. A specific number of eigenvectors could respectively maximize the classification accuracies, 81.48% for PCA + LDA and 76.54% for MLDA. In order to further improve the classification accuracies, Adaboost-MLDA was proposed to develop a stronger classifier. This method, after 18 iterations, achieved remarkable effects, achieving a high accuracy of 95.06%. In a similar vein, the enhancement with preprocessing techniques multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) + SG and standard normal variate (SNV) + SG raised accuracies to 98.77% and 97.53%, respectively. The results of classifying first-order and second-order derivative spectra using Adaboost-MLDA were also described, achieving accuracies near 100%. The experiment demonstrates that integrating Adaboost with NIR spectroscopy offers a highly accurate method for peanut kernel classification, promising for practical applications in food quality control.

Effect of ferulic acid incorporation on structural, rheological, and digestive properties of hot-extrusion 3D-printed rice starch

The influence of ferulic acid (FA) on rice starch was investigated by incorporating it at various concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 %, w/w, on dry starch basis) and subjecting the resulting composites to hot-extrusion 3D printing (HE-3DP) process. This study examined the effects of FA addition and HE-3DP on the structural, rheological, and physicochemical properties as well as the printability and digestibility of rice starch. The results indicated that adding 0-5 % FA had no significant effect; however, as the amount of FA increased, the printed product edges became less defined, the product's overall stability decreased, and it collapsed. The addition of FA reduced the elasticity and viscosity, making it easier to extrude the composite gel from the nozzle. Moreover, the crystallinity and short-range ordered structure of the HE-3D printed rice starch gel decreased with the addition of FA, resulting in a decrease in the yield stress and an increase in fluidity. Furthermore, the addition of FA reduced the digestibility of the HE-3D-printed rice starch. The findings of this study may be useful for the development of healthier modified starch products by adding bioactive substances and employing the 3D printing technology.

Structural characterization, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of polysaccharide from Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz stem

Polysaccharides have a variety of beneficial pharmacological impact on human health. Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. has promising development prospects as a food resource with medicinal value. The aim of this study was to investigate the structural characterization, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of A. trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz polysaccharides (ATKPs). ATKP-II was purified from ATKP by DEAE-cellulose column with NaCl solution as eluent. ATKP and ATKP-II structures were characterized by high performance gel permeation chromatography, gas chromatography, ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and scanning electron microscopy. ATKP and ATKP-II were primarily composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, and galactose in a molar percent of 1.6: 22.1: 3.6: 6.3: 55.7: 10.7, and 0.5: 22.1: 3.7: 10.2: 42.1: 21.4, respectively. Their structure may contain β-D-glucopyranose. The thermogravimetry analysis showed that ATKP and ATKP-II have good thermal stability at 230 °C and 200 °C, respectively. ATKP had the best antioxidant activities for 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, and superoxide free radical scavenging activities in vitro, and reducing ability than that of the purified polysaccharides. Moreover, ATKP was demonstrated an appreciable in vitro antibacterial activity, against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, Penicillium italicum, Rhizopus and Aspergillus niger, but showed no activity against Escherichia coli and Saccharomycetes. These results demonstrated that ATKP displayed excellent antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This study provides a basis for the development and utilization in ATKP.

Research Advances in the High-Value Utilization of Peanut Meal Resources and Its Hydrolysates: A Review

Peanut meal (PM) is a by-product of extracting oil from peanut kernels. Although peanut meal contains protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and small amounts of polyphenols and fiber, it has long been used as a feed in the poultry and livestock industries due to its coarse texture and unpleasant taste. It is less commonly utilized in the food processing industry. In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of research conducted on the deep processing of by-products from oil crops, resulting in the high-value processing and utilization of by-products from various oil crops. These include peanut meal, which undergoes treatments such as enzymatic hydrolysis in industries like food, chemical, and aquaculture. The proteins, lipids, polyphenols, fibers, and other components present in these by-products and hydrolysates can be incorporated into products for further utilization. This review focuses on the research progress in various fields, such as the food processing, breeding, and industrial fields, regarding the high-value utilization of peanut meal and its hydrolysates. The aim is to provide valuable insights and strategies for maximizing the utilization of peanut meal resources.

Integrative analysis of the effects of organic and conventional farming methods on peanut based on transcriptome and metabolomics

To elucidate the nutritional quality of peanut under different farming methods, we selected two cultivars, "jihua13" and "jihua4", to grow in organic and conventional environments, respectively. After harvest, we measured physiological parameters and differential metabolites. Metabolomics showed that most of the amino acids, carbohydrates, and secondary metabolites in organically grown jihua4 were downregulated, which was completely the opposite in jihua13. Fatty acids associated with heart disease and hypertension are reduced in organically grown peanuts. In particular, the highly statistically significant tryptophan betaine seems to be used as a reference to distinguish between organic and conventional cultivation. Mechanisms leading to differences in crop chemical composition are explained by transcriptome analysis. The results of the transcriptome analysis indicated that organic cultivation largely affects the synthesis of amino acids and carbohydrates in jihua13. Combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolomics found that variety jihua13 is more sensitive to farming methods and produces more unsaturated fatty acids than jihua4.

Comparison of Protective Effects of Phenolic Acids on Protein Glycation of BSA Supported by In Vitro and Docking Studies

Several diabetic complications are associated with forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Different chemical and natural compounds are able to prevent the development of these products. In this study, glycosylation was induced as a model by incubating bovine serum albumin (BSA) with glucose. Consequently, BSA was treated with glucose and different concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM) of syringic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, paracoumaric acid, and caffeic acid for 4 and 6 weeks. Biochemical experiments comprise measurements of fluorescent AGEs, protein carbonyl contents, total thiol, hemolysis tests, and also malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in RBC. These demonstrated the antiglycating mechanism of these phenolic acids. Most of the phenolic acids used in this study reduced MDA levels and protected thiol residues in protein structures. They also inhibited the formation of fluorescent AGEs and RBC lysis, except gallic acid. Moreover, ferulic acid, paracoumaric acid, and caffeic acid proteins significantly prevent carbonylation. Molecular docking and simulation studies showed that ellagic, caffeic, gallic, and syringic acids could interact with lysine and arginine residues in the active site of BSA and stabilize its structure to inhibit the formation of AGEs. Our results suggest that phenolic acid could be used as a potential phytochemical against protein glycation and related diabetic complications.

In Vitro Digestion of Peanut Skin Releases Bioactive Compounds and Increases Cancer Cell Toxicity

Peanut skin is a rich source of bioactive compounds which may be able to reduce the risk factors associated with metabolic syndromes. This study aimed to characterize bio-compounds from peanut skin (Arachis hypogaea) and their bioactivity (antioxidant activity, inhibition of lipase, and carbohydrase enzymes) and to evaluate their anti-proliferative properties in colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) upon in vitro digestion. Peanut skin was digested in two sequential phases, and the final content, named phase-1 (P1) and phase-2 (P2) extracts, was evaluated. Several bioactive compounds were positively identified and quantified by liquid chromatography, including quinic acid, released especially after in vitro digestion. The total phenolic content and, regardless of the method, the antioxidant activity of P1 was higher than P2. P1 also showed a lower enzyme inhibitory concentration IC₅₀ than P2, lipase, and α-glucosidase. For cell viability in HCT116 cells, lower concentrations of P1 were found for IC₅₀ compared to P2. In conclusion, bioactive compounds were released mainly during the first phase of the in vitro digestion. The digested samples presented antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibitory activity, and cancer cell cytotoxicity, especially those from the P1 extract. The potential applications of such a by-product in human health are reported.

LC-MS metabolomics profiling of Salvia aegyptiaca L. and S. lanigera Poir. with the antimicrobial properties of their extracts

BACKGROUND

Salvia L. (Lamiaceae) found in almost all countries in temperate and tropical regions. Both S. aegyptiaca L. and S. lanigera Poir. have a rather wide distribution in Egypt (Mediterranean region, Gebel Elba and nearly the whole Sinai). Salvia species showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against several groups of food microorganisms and pathogens, so they are considered as a natural foods preservatives.

AIM

Investigate the phytochemical profiles of S. aegyptiaca & S. lanigera collected from their natural habitats in Egypt and test the antimicrobial activities of both species against some bacteria and fungi pathogenic strains.

METHODOLOGY

In the present study, S. aegyptiaca and S. lanigera were collected from their natural habitat. Total phenolics and flavonoids contents were measured for aerial parts of both Salvia spp.. The separation and identification of the pure active materials of both Salvia sp. by using LC-MS system (UHPLC-TSQ Quantum Mass Spectrometer). The antimicrobial activities of the ethanol, water and benzene extracts of the two species were tested against different pathogenic strains and compared with the standard antimicrobial drug (Gentamycin). Antimicrobial activity was determined by using agar disk diffusion method.

RESULTS

The phenolics content in S. lanigera 132.61±6.23 mg/g and S. aegyptiaca 125.19±4.97 mg/g, while the flavonoids content was 35.68±1.84 and 40.63±2.11 mg/g, respectively. Through LC-MS analysis, two compounds were detected in both species; heptadecanoyl coenzyme A, that the highest percentage (13.5%) in S. aegyptiaca and (11.5 %) in S. lanigera. Oenin, in a peak area of 3.1% in S. aegyptiaca and 1.2 % in S. lanigera. Ethanol extract of the two species had the most inhibitory effect against all tested microorganisms that exceeded the effect of the standard, except for Mucor reinelloids which was more sensitive to the water extract. Moreover, S. lanigera ethanol extract showed larger inhibition zone than S. aegyptiaca in all tested microorganisms except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

CONCLUSION

This study shows the important phytochemicals that improve the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Salvia aegyptiaca and S. lanigera.

Extraction, characterization of polyphenols from certain medicinal plants and evaluation of their antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antimicrobial properties, and potential use in human nutrition

Introduction

Dietary medicinal plants are among the most sought-after topics in alternative medicine today due to their preventive and healing properties against many diseases.

Aim

This study aimed to extract and determine the polyphenols from indigenous plants extracts, i.e., Mentha longifolia, M. arvensis, Tinospora cordifolia, Cymbopogon citratus, Foeniculum vulgare, Cassia absus, Camellia sinensis, Trachyspermum ammi, C. sinensis and M. arvensis, then evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial properties, besides enzyme inhibition of isolated polyphenols.

Methods

The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, Superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical (OH.), and Nitric oxide (NO.) scavenging activity; the antidiabetic activity was evaluated by enzymatic methods, and anticancer activity using MTT assay, while the antibacterial activity.

Results

The results showed that tested medicinal plants' polyphenolic extracts (MPPE) exhibited the most significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, hydroxyl, nitric oxide, and superoxide radical scavenging methods because of the considerable amounts of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. UHPLC profile showed twenty-five polyphenol complexes in eight medicinal plant extracts, categorized into phenolic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The main polyphenol was 3-Feroylquinic acid (1,302 mg/L), also found in M. longifolia, C. absus, and C. sinensis, has a higher phenolic content, i.e., rosmarinic acid, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, catechin, luteolin, 7-O-neohesperideside, quercetin 3,7-O-glucoside, hesperidin, rutin, quercetin, and caffeine in the range of (560-780 mg/L). At the same time, other compounds are of medium content (99-312 mg/L). The phenolics in C. sinensis were 20-116% more abundant than those in M. longifolia, C. absus, and other medicinal plants. While T. cordifolia is rich in alkaloids, T. ammi has a lower content. The MTT assay against Caco-2 cells showed that polyphenolic extracts of T. ammi and C. citratus had maximum cytotoxicity. While M. arvensis, C. sinensis, and F. vulgare extracts showed significant enzyme inhibition activity, C. sinensis showed minor inhibition activity against α-amylase. Furthermore, F. vulgare and C. sinensis polyphenolic extracts showed considerable antibacterial activity against S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, and S. enterica.

Discussion

The principal component analysis demonstrated clear separation among medicinal plants' extracts based on their functional properties. These findings prove the therapeutic effectiveness of indigenous plants and highlight their importance as natural reserves of phytogenic compounds with untapped potential that needs to be discovered through advanced analytical methods.

By-Products of Fruit and Vegetables: Antioxidant Properties of Extractable and Non-Extractable Phenolic Compounds

Non-extractable phenolic compounds (NEPs), or bound phenolic compounds, represent a crucial component of polyphenols. They are an essential fraction that remains in the residual matrix after the extraction of extractable phenolic compounds (EPs), making them a valuable resource for numerous applications. These compounds encompass a diverse range of phenolic compounds, ranging from low molecular weight phenolic to high polymeric polyphenols attached to other macro molecules, e.g., cell walls and proteins. Their status as natural, green antioxidants have been well established, with numerous studies showcasing their anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-cancer, and hypoglycemic activities. These properties make them a highly desirable alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Fruit and vegetable (F&Veg) wastes, e.g., peels, pomace, and seeds, generated during the harvest, transport, and processing of F&Vegs, are abundant in NEPs and EPs. This review delves into the various types, contents, structures, and antioxidant activities of NEPs and EPs in F&Veg wastes. The relationship between the structure of these compounds and their antioxidant activity is explored in detail, highlighting the importance of structure-activity relationships in the field of natural antioxidants. Their potential applications ranging from functional food and beverage products to nutraceutical and cosmetic products. A glimpse into their bright future as a valuable resource for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future, and calling for researchers, industrialists, and policymakers to explore their full potential, are elaborated.

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Fat Content, Fatty Acids, Antioxidants and Oxidative Stability of Almonds, and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Study of Treated Nuts

Gamma irradiation has been applied as an efficient and inexpensive method for the sterilization of nuts for years. However, along with the benefits of such treatment, negative effects are possible because of the formation of reactive oxygen species with a toxic effect on important biologically active substances. Because of the scarce and contradictory information in the literature about gamma-irradiated almonds, the aim of our work was the examination of the lipid changes, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stability of almonds treated by 10 and 25 kGy gamma rays, as well as changes in intensity of the EPR spectra as an indicator for the stability of radiation-induced free radicals. The results revealed no significant differences in the EPR spectra of almonds treated at 10 and 25 kGy doses, neither in their intensity nor in kinetic behaviour. The EPR signals decayed exponentially over 250 days, with a decreasing of central line by 90%, with satellite lines by about 73%. No significant changes in the fat content, fatty acids composition, and acid value of irradiated almonds were observed. However, the amount of (alpha)tocopherols decreased from 292 to 175 mg/kg, whereas the conjugated dienes and trienes increased, K₂₃₂ from 1.3 to 3 and K₂₆₈ from 0.04 to 0.15, respectively, with the increasing of irradiation dose. The same was observed for total polyphenols in defatted almonds (1374 to 1520 mg/100 g), where in vitro antioxidant activity determined by ORAC and HORAC methods increased from 100 to 156 µmol TE/g and from 61 to 86 µmol GAE/g, respectively. The oxidative stability of oil decreased from 6 to 4 h at 120 °C and from 24.6 to 18.6 h at 100 °C (measured by Rancimat equipment). The kinetic parameters characterizing the oxidative stability of oil from 10 kGy irradiated almonds were studied before and after addition of different concentrations of ascorbyl palmitate as a synergist of tocopherols. Its effectiveness was concentration-dependent, and 0.75 mM ensured the same induction period as that of non-irradiated nut oil. Further enrichment with alpha-tocopherol in equimolar ratio with palmitate did not improve the oil stability. In conclusion, gamma irradiation is an appropriate method for the treatment of almonds without significant changes in fat content and fatty acids composition. The decreasing of oxidative stability after higher irradiation could be prevented by the addition of ascorbyl palmitate.

Comparative Investigation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Effects of the Extracts from the Inflorescences and Leaves of the Cannabis sativa L. cv. strawberry

Cannabis sativa products have historically been used for healing purposes; now their biological properties are supported with scientific evidence, but modern research has not yet fully developed its therapeutic potential. This study focuses on the cultivar of C. sativa called strawberry to understand the biological and medical potentials of hydroalcoholic extracts from two different parts of the plant: leaves and inflorescences. Two biological assets were investigated including antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Additionally, quantitative determination of phenolic and terpenophenol compounds was conducted. The antimicrobial action was highlighted for the hydroalcoholic extract from inflorescences, especially against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Among the dermatophytes' strains, the most sensitive was Arthroderma currey. These effects could be related albeit partially to the pattern of the phenolics detected, among which the most prominent one was benzoic acid. On the other hand, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of the extracts could be also mediated by the main terpenophenolics identified and quantified, namely cannabidiolic acid and cannabidiol. Collectively, the present data point to the potential use of the inflorescences from the C. sativa cultivar strawberry as a valuable plant material for the development of bioactive extracts with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.

Phenolic Fraction from Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) By-product: Innovative Extraction Techniques and New Encapsulation Trends for Its Valorization

Peanut skin is a by-product rich in bioactive compounds with high nutritional and pharmaceutical values. The phenolic fraction, rich in proanthocyanidins/procyanidins, is a relevant class of bioactive compounds, which has been increasingly applied as functional ingredients for food and pharmaceutical applications and is mostly recovered from peanut skins through low-pressure extraction methods. Therefore, the use of green high-pressure extractions is an interesting alternative to value this peanut by-product. This review addresses the benefits of the phenolic fraction recovered from peanut skin, with a focus on proanthocyanin/procyanidin compounds, and discusses the improvement of their activity, bioavailability, and protection, by methods such as encapsulation. Different applications for the proanthocyanidins, in the food and pharmaceutical industries, are also explored. Additionally, high-pressure green extraction methods, combined with micro/nanoencapsulation, using wall material derived from peanut industrial processing, may represent a promising biorefinery strategy to improve the bioavailability of proanthocyanidins recovered from underutilized peanut skins.

Antimicrobial Activities Evaluation and Phytochemical Screening of Some Selected Plant Materials Used in Traditional Medicine

Plant extracts are a source of valuable ingredients that can be used in many industries. This paper presents research on the content of selected bioactive compounds in extracts obtained from various plant materials. Raw materials have a documented use in traditional medicine not only in Poland. The tested plants were: bitter melon (fruit), elderberry (flowers, fruit, leaves), wild rose (fruit, flesh, seeds), mountain ash (fruit), guelder rose (fruit), and sea buckthorn (fruit, leaves, pomace). The main goal of these tests is to indicate the potential raw materials that may constitute an alternative source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity. The plant material was tested for the content of bioactive antioxidant compounds and possible antimicrobial activity. The content of polyphenols (phenolic acids and flavonoids) was analyzed using UPLC/PDA, sterols, organic acids, and other bioactive compounds. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The total free phenolic acids (TPC) and total free flavonoids (TFC) of all plant raw materials was varied and ranged from 0.21 (mg RUTE/1 g of extract) to 38.30 mg RUTE/1 g of extract) for TFC. The concentration of sterols was, on average, about 10 mg/1 g of extract. The value of approx. 20 mg/1 g of the extract was recorded for bitter melon and beach rose. The content of organic acids was about 1.5 mg/1 g of the extract to even 13 mg/1 g of the extract for sea buckthorn berries. The most sensitive to the extracts' activity were the following bacteria: M. luteus, P. mirabilis, P. fragii, S. enteritidis, and E. coli. The tested plant materials can be used in various industries as a source of bioactive compounds of an antibacterial nature.

Metabolomics combined with transcriptomics analyses of mechanism regulating testa pigmentation in peanut

Peanut testa (seed coat) contains large amounts of flavonoids that significantly influence seed color, taste, and nutritional qualities. There are various colors of peanut testa, however, their precise flavonoid components and regulatory mechanism of pigmentation remain unclear. In this study, a total of 133 flavonoids were identified and absolutely quantified in the seed coat of four peanut cultivars with different testa color using a widely targeted metabolomic approach. Black peanut skin had more types and substantial higher levels of cyanidin-based anthocyanins, which possibly contribute to its testa coloration. Procyanidins and flavan-3-ols were the major co-pigmented flavonoids in the red, spot and black peanuts, while flavanols were the most abundant constitutes in white cultivar. Although the concentrations as well as composition characteristics varied, the content ratios of procyanidins to flavan-3-ols were similar in all samples except for white peanut. Furthermore, MYB-like transcription factors, anthocyanidin reductases (ANR), and UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT) were found to be candidate genes involved in testa pigmentation via RNA-seq and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. It is proposed that UGTs and ANR compete for the substrate cyanidin and the prevalence of UGTs activities over ANR one will determine the color pattern of peanut testa. Our results provide a comprehensive report examining the absolute abundance of flavonoid profiles in peanut seed coat, and the finding are expected to be useful for further understanding of regulation mechanisms of seed coat pigmentation in peanut and other crops.

Chemical, Technological, and Sensory Quality of Pasta and Bakery Products Made with the Addition of Grape Pomace Flour

Grapes are one of the most cultivated fruits in the world. Concomitantly, a large amount of waste is generated from this product. Grape pomace (GP) flour can be used as an increment for making new food products. GP is rich in fibers and phenolic compounds, and in addition could be used to reduce agro-industrial residues. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the addition of different percentages of grape pomace (GP) on the chemical, technological, and sensory characteristics in pasta and bakery products. An integrative review was conducted. The selection of papers was carried out by searching studies in databases. An improvement in chemical quality with the addition of GP was observed, such as fiber, anthocyanin, and micronutrient content. Biscuits, cookies, cakes, breads, and pasta did not show any impairment in terms of acceptability. However, biscuits and cookies had the best global acceptance. The degree of acceptance still seems to be low for the use of GP to be included in high quantities in successful products. Samples with a maximum of 10% addition of GP flour seem to be accepted. On the other hand, the higher the percentage of GP flour, the healthier benefits they seem to promote.

Comprehensive review of composition distribution and advances in profiling of phenolic compounds in oilseeds

A wide range of phenolic compounds participate in oilseed growth, regulate oxidative stability of corresponding vegetable oil, and serve as important minor food components with health-promoting effects. Composition distribution of phenolic compounds varied in oilseeds. Isoflavones, sinapic acid derivatives, catechin and epicatechin, phenolic alcohols, chlorogenic acid, and lignans were the main phenolic compounds in soybean, rapeseed, peanut skin, olive, sunflower seed, sesame and flaxseed, respectively. Among which, the total isoflavones content in soybean seeds reached from 1,431 to 2,130 mg/100 g; the main phenolic compound in rapeseed was sinapine, representing 70–90%; chlorogenic acid as the predominant phenolic compound in sunflower kernels, represented around 77% of the total phenolic content. With the rapid development of analytical techniques, it is becoming possible for the comprehensive profiling of these phenolic compounds from oilseeds. This review aims to provide recently developments about the composition distribution of phenolic compounds in common oilseeds, advanced technologies for profiling of phenolic compounds by the metabolomics approaches based on mass spectrometry. As there is still limited research focused on the comprehensive extraction and determination of phenolics with different bound-forms, future efforts should take into account the non-targeted, pseudo-targeted, and spatial metabolomic profiling of phenolic compounds, and the construction of phenolic compound database for identifying and quantifying new types of phenolic compounds in oilseeds and their derived products.

Activity of antibacterial phytochemicals and their potential use as natural food preservatives

The risk to human health from bacterial foodborne infection is presently controlled by the addition of antimicrobial preservatives to food. However, the use of chemical preservatives such as sodium nitrite poses a health risk in themselves with concerns around carcinogenic effects. This makes the development of improved preservatives a priority for the food industry. One promising source of novel antimicrobial compounds can be found in nature; phytochemicals, in particular polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced by plants for numerous purposes including antimicrobial defence. There has been significant study of phytochemicals; including quantifying their antimicrobial activity, potential to synergise with current antibiotics and the feasibility of their application as natural food preservatives. However, there remains significant uncertainty about the relative antimicrobial efficacy of different phytochemicals, their mechanisms of action (MOA) and the potential for emergence of bacterial resistance to their effects. This review summarizes recent work relevant to the potential development of phytochemicals as antimicrobial agents.

Intelligent evaluation of free amino acid and crude protein content in raw peanut seed kernels using NIR spectroscopy paired with multivariable calibration

Given the nutritional importance of peanuts, this study examined the free amino acid (FAA) and crude protein (CP) content in raw peanut seeds. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was employed in combination with variable selection algorithms after successful reference data analysis using colorimetric and Kjeldahl methods. Ensuing the application of partial least squares (PLS) as a full spectral model, the genetic algorithm (GA), bootstrapping soft shrinkage (BOSS), uninformative variable elimination (UVE), and random frog (RF) models were tested and assessed. A comparison of correlation coefficients of prediction (R_p), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), and residual predictive deviation (RPD) was performed to appraise the performance of the built models. Using RF-PLS, an unsurpassed outcome was achieved for FAA (R_p = 0.937, RPD = 3.38) and CP (R_p = 0.9261, RPD = 3.66). These findings demonstrated that NIR in combination with RF-PLS could be utilized for quantitative, rapid, and nondestructive prediction of FAA and CP in raw peanut seed samples.

The Content of Phenolic Compounds and Mineral Elements in Edible Nuts

Edible nuts are an important component of a healthy diet, and their frequent consumption has beneficial impact on human health, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, various factors, including cultivar, climate, soil characteristic, storage and treatment have influence on the chemical composition of nuts. Therefore, nine tree nut types and peanuts commonly available on Polish market were evaluated for phenolic profile and mineral elements content. The concentration of individual phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, aromatic acids and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) was determined by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography, while the content of macro-elements and trace minerals was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The phenolic profile of analyzed nuts substantially varied depending on the type of nut. The highest total content of all analyzed flavonoids was determined in walnuts (114.861 µg/g), while the lowest in almonds (1.717 µg/g). In turn, the highest total content of all tested aromatic acid was determined in pecans (33.743 µg/g), and the lowest in almonds (0.096 µg/g). Epicatechin and cinnamic acid were detected in the highest concentration in tested nuts. Moreover, in examined nuts (except walnuts and Brazil nuts), the presence of CAPE was confirmed. The tested nuts were also characterized by wide variation in element concentrations. Almonds contained high concentration of macro-elements (13,111.60 µg/g), while high content of trace elements was determined in pine nuts (192.79 µg/g). The obtained results indicate that the tested nuts are characterized by a significant diversity in the content of both phenolic compounds and minerals. However, all types of nuts, apart from the well-known source of fatty acids, are a rich source of various components with beneficial effect on human health.

Antibacterial activities of polyphenols against foodborne pathogens and their application as antibacterial agents

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced in higher plants. They are known to possess various functional properties in the human body. Polyphenols also exhibit antibacterial activities against foodborne pathogens. Their antibacterial mechanism is based on inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation or inactivating enzymes. Food-derived polyphenols with such antibacterial activity are natural preservatives and can be used as an alternative to synthetic preservatives that can cause side effects, such as allergies, asthma, skin irritation, and cancer. Studies have reported that polyphenols have positive effects, such as decreasing harmful bacteria and increasing beneficial bacteria in the human gut microbiota. Polyphenols can also be used as natural antibacterial agents in food packaging system in the form of emitting sachets, absorbent pads, and edible coatings. We summarized the antibacterial activities, mechanisms and applications of polyphenols as antibacterial agents against foodborne bacteria.

Transcriptome and proteome analysis of ultrasound pretreated peanut sprouts

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It was first time to combined transcriptomic and proteome analyses to investigate the ultrasound pretreated peanut sprouts.

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A total of 1104 DEGs and 399 DEPs between ultrasound pretreated and nontreated peanut sprouts.

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Ultrasound upregulated three key genes that could have increased the content of resveratrol via phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.

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The genes and proteins related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoids biosynthesis, and lipid metabolism.

Combined transcriptomic and proteome analyses were carried out to investigate the influence of ultrasound pretreatment on peanut sprouts. In total, 1104 differentially expressed genes (upregulated:538, downregulated:521) and 399 differentially accumulated proteins (upregulated: 197, downregulated: 202) were identified between ultrasound pretreated and nontreated peanut sprouts. These genes and proteins were related to a series of crucial biomolecular processes, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, terpenoids, and polyketides. The most enriched pathways were further analyzed in each category. Importantly, ultrasound upregulated three key genes namely the arahy. Tifrunner. gnm1.ann1.DXZI51, arahy.Tifrunner.gnm1.ann1.VGN2GE, and arahy.Tifrunner.gnm1.ann1.Y23DM6 that could have increased the content of resveratrol via phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, this study shows that B3, MYB transcription factor-like families play a significant role in response to ultrasound treatment. Overall, this study provides useful transcriptomics and proteomics information highlighting the molecular mechanisms that influence nutritional differences in peanut sprouts.

Polyphenol and Tannin Nutraceuticals and Their Metabolites: How the Human Gut Microbiota Influences Their Properties

Nutraceuticals have been receiving increasing attention in the last few years due to their potential role as adjuvants against non-communicable chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.). However, a limited number of studies have been performed to evaluate the bioavailability of such compounds, and it is generally reported that a substantial elevation of their plasma concentration can only be achieved when they are consumed at pharmacological levels. Even so, positive effects have been reported associated with an average dietary consumption of several nutraceutical classes, meaning that the primary compound might not be solely responsible for all the biological effects. The in vivo activities of such biomolecules might be carried out by metabolites derived from gut microbiota fermentative transformation. This review discusses the structure and properties of phenolic nutraceuticals (i.e., polyphenols and tannins) and the putative role of the human gut microbiota in influencing the beneficial effects of such compounds.

Berry By-Products in Combination with Antimicrobial Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains for the Sustainable Formulation of Chewing Candies

The purpose of this research was to develop formulations of chewing candies (CCs) in a sustainable manner by using berry by-products in combination with antimicrobial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains. To implement this aim, the optimal quantities of by-products from lyophilised raspberry (Rasp) and blackcurrant (Bcur) from the juice production industry were selected. Prior to use, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LUHS135, Liquorilactobacillusuvarum LUHS245, Lacticaseibacillusparacasei LUHS244, and Pediococcus acidilactici LUHS29 strains were multiplied in a dairy industry by-product-milk permeate (MP). The antimicrobial activity of the selected ingredients (berry by-products and LAB) was evaluated. Two texture-forming agents were tested for the CC formulations: gelatin (Gl) and agar (Ag). In addition, sugar was replaced with xylitol. The most appropriate formulation of the developed CCs according to the product's texture, colour, total phenolic compound (TPC) content, antioxidant activity, viable LAB count during storage, overall acceptability (OA), and emotions (EMs) induced in consumers was selected. It was established that the tested LAB inhibited three pathogens out of the 11 tested, while the blackcurrant by-products inhibited all 11 tested pathogens. The highest OA was shown for the CC prepared with gelatin in addition to 5 g of Rasp and 5 g of Bcur by-products. The Rasp and LUHS135 formulation showed the highest TPC content (147.16 mg 100 g^-1 d.m.), antioxidant activity (88.2%), and LAB count after 24 days of storage (6.79 log₁₀ CFU g^-1). Finally, it was concluded that Gl, Rasp and Bcur by-products, and L. plantarum LUHS135 multiplied in MP are promising ingredients for preparing CCs in a sustainable manner; the best CC formula consisted of Gl, Rasp by-products, and LUHS135 and showed the highest OA (score 9.52) and induced the highest intensity of the EM 'happy' (0.231).

Isolation, Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, Metal-Chelating Activity, and Protein-Precipitating Capacity of Condensed Tannins from Plum (Prunus salicina) Fruit

The type of polymeric condensed tannins from plum fruit (Prunus salicina) (PCT), the degree of polymerization and the distribution of polymers were characterized by MALDI-TOF MS and NMR spectroscopy. The metal-binding capacity of PCT with five metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Fe2+, and Fe3+) was characterized by a fluorescence quenching method. The results demonstrated the following: epicatechin was the basic unit occurring in PCT, and A-type and B-type linkages were the most common between the structural units of the polymers. The PCT have a strong antioxidant activity, which is comparable with that of the synthetic antioxidant BHA. The quenching mechanism of the PCT’s fluorescence intensity by Zn2+, Cu2+, and Al3+ was different from that of Fe3+ and Fe2+. Fe3+, Al3+ and Fe2+ had much higher affinities for the PCT than Zn2+ and Cu2+. A simple UV-Vis spectra method was developed to determine the protein-precipitating capacity of tannins. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was effectively precipitated by tannins isolated from plum fruits, Chinese gallnut, sorghum grain, and Platycarya strobilacea at pH values between 4.5 and 5.0. A statistically significant linear relationship (p < 0.0001 or p < 0.0003) existed between the amount of tannin−protein complex formed and the amount of tannins added to the reaction mixture. The slopes of these lines indicated the protein-precipitating capacity of tannins.

Peanut skin phenolics obtained by green solvent extraction: characterization and antioxidant activity in pure chia oil and chia oil in water (O/W) emulsion

BACKGROUND

The peanut skin (PS) is considered as an industrial waste with undervalued applications. Although several studies report potent antioxidant capacities of PS phenolics, the effectiveness in highly unsaturated lipid systems has not yet been evaluated. The objectives of the present study were two-fold: (i) to characterize a PS phenolic extract (PSE) obtained by means of a green technology and (ii) to evaluate its antioxidant efficacy on pure chia oil and chia oil in water (O/W) acid emulsion.

RESULTS

PSE was composed mainly of monomeric and condensed flavonoids (procyanidin and proanthocyanidin oligomers). PSE displayed strong antioxidant properties as measured by different reducing power and radical scavenging capacities [IC₅₀  = 0.36 μg dry extract (DE) mL^-1 for ferric reducing antioxidant power; IC₅₀  = 4.96 μg DE mL^-1 for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)^• ; IC₅₀  = 6.01 μg DE mL^-1 for 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)^•+ ; IC₅₀  = 2.62 μg DE mL^-1 for HO^• ]. It also showed high antioxidant efficacy when tested in pure chia oil under accelerated oxidation conditions (Rancimat, 100 °C). When added to the O/W emulsions maintained at 40 °C for 15 days, the PSE was more effective than a synthetic antioxidant (tert-butylhydroquinone) with respect to minimizing the formation and degradation of lipid hydroperoxides.

CONCLUSIONS

The antioxidant efficacy of PSE was primarily attributed to the abundance of compounds with a high number of phenolic-OH groups. Because they were found to cover a relatively wide range of partition coefficients, the antioxidant properties could be also enhanced by effect of both interfacial and solubility phenomena. All of these features allow the potential use of PSE as a natural antioxidant in different types of foods, including acid emulsion systems. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity, Cytotoxicity, and Phytochemical Composition of Ocimum americanum L. (Lamiaceae)

Background

Herbal plants are a natural source of novel biomolecules used widely in ethnomedicine. The present study was intended to examine the antimicrobial properties, cytotoxicity, and phytoconstituents of Ocimum americanum L., an herb traditionally used by the people of Swahili (Kenya) against microbial infections.

Methods

The aerial parts of Ocimum americanum L. were sourced, dried, milled, and extracted using three solvents: aqueous, acetonic, and 70% hydroethanolic. Additionally, fractions of chloroform and ethyl acetate were obtained from all crude extracts of the plant. The antimicrobial property was evaluated using agar well diffusion and microdilution techniques against human opportunistic pathogens including S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity test was used to analyze the lethality of the extracts and fractions. Phytochemical screening was used to qualitatively assay the presence of phytoconstituents.

Results

The phytochemical assay confirmed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, anthraquinones, and glycosides. The lethality test demonstrated that all the extracts and fractions were toxic against Artemia salina nauplii with LC₅₀ values ranging from 0.59 to 559.71 µg/ml. Chloroformic fraction of the hydroethanolic extract had the highest lethality with an LC₅₀ value of 0.59 µg/ml. Two of the extracts and their fractions displayed antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria (B. cereus and S. aureus) and fungus (C. albicans), while the same extracts had no activity against the Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and K. pneumoniae). The highest antimicrobial activity was seen in the ethyl acetate fraction of the hydroethanolic extract at 250 mg/ml against Bacillus cereus which had an inhibition zone of 26.00 ± 0.00 and MIC value of 62.5 mg/ml.

Conclusion

In the current study, we report that Ocimum americanum L. demonstrated moderate antimicrobial activity, contains numerous phytocompounds, and is highly cytotoxic; thus, further research is needed for bioprospecting a novel compound.

An overview on extraction, composition, bioactivity and food applications of peanut phenolics

Peanuts contain a diverse and vast array of phenolic compounds having important biological properties. They are allocated mostly in the seed coat (skin), an industrial waste with minor and undervalued applications. In the last few years, a considerable amount of scientific knowledge about extraction, composition, bioactivities and health benefits of peanut skin phenolics has been generated. The present review was focused on four main aspects: a) extraction methods and technologies for obtaining peanut skin phenolics with an emphasis on green-solvent extraction processes; b) variations in chemical profiles including those due to genetic variability, extraction methodologies and process-related issues; c) bioactive properties, especially antioxidant activities in food and biological systems; d) update of promising food applications. The revision was also aimed at identifying areas where knowledge is insufficient and to set priorities for further research.

Peanut Seed Coat Acts as a Physical and Biochemical Barrier against Aspergillus flavus Infection

Aflatoxin contamination is a global menace that adversely affects food crops and human health. Peanut seed coat is the outer layer protecting the cotyledon both at pre- and post-harvest stages from biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of seed coat against A. flavus infection. In-vitro seed colonization (IVSC) with and without seed coat showed that the seed coat acts as a physical barrier, and the developmental series of peanut seed coat showed the formation of a robust multilayered protective seed coat. Radial growth bioassay revealed that both insoluble and soluble seed coat extracts from 55-437 line (resistant) showed higher A. flavus inhibition compared to TMV-2 line (susceptible). Further analysis of seed coat biochemicals showed that hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives are the predominant phenolic compounds, and addition of these compounds to the media inhibited A. flavus growth. Gene expression analysis showed that genes involved in lignin monomer, proanthocyanidin, and flavonoid biosynthesis are highly abundant in 55-437 compared to TMV-2 seed coats. Overall, the present study showed that the seed coat acts as a physical and biochemical barrier against A. flavus infection and its potential use in mitigating the aflatoxin contamination.

Understanding the Functional Activity of Polyphenols Using Omics-Based Approaches

Plant polyphenols are the main category of natural active substances, and are distributed widely in vegetables, fruits, and plant-based processed foods. Polyphenols have a beneficial performance in preventing diseases and maintaining body health. However, its action mechanism has not been well understood. Foodomics is a novel method to sequence and widely used in nutrition, combining genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, microbiome, and metabolomics. Based on multi-omics technologies, foodomics provides abundant data to study functional activities of polyphenols. In this paper, physiological functions of various polyphenols based on foodomics and microbiome was discussed, especially the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities and gut microbe regulation. In conclusion, omics (including microbiomics) is a useful approach to explore the bioactive activities of polyphenols in the nutrition and health of human and animals.

Efficient Production of Dried Whole Peanut Fruits Based on Infrared Assisted Spouted Bed Drying

The present study is designed to evaluate the effect of infrared assisted spouted bed drying (IR-SBD) on the product quality and energy consumption of whole peanut fruits (including peanut kernels and shells). The dehydration of whole peanuts by means of hot-air drying (HD) and infrared drying (ID) were used as the control groups, and the drying characteristics, energy consumption, microstructure, porosity, hardness and fatty acid content were compared. The results showed that, compared to HD and ID, IR-SBD could reduce the drying time by 40% and 33%, respectively, and reduced energy consumption by 66% and 32%, respectively. During the drying process, the structures of both the peanut shells and peanut kernels underwent significant deformation; specifically, the porosity gradually increased gradually. The maximum porosity value was obtained by the samples dried by means of IR-SBD. Under the three drying conditions, the hardness of the peanut shells first decreased and then increased, while the hardness of the peanut kernels showed a trend of first increasing, then decreasing and finally increasing. Compared to the fresh whole peanuts, the IR-SBD dried samples exhibited a 4.07% decrease in fatty acid. This study shows that IR-SBD is a suitable application for the dehydration process of whole peanuts for the purposes of achieving high-efficiency and -quality production in the industrial sector.

Addition of phenolic compounds to bread: antioxidant benefits and impact on food structure and sensory characteristics

The use of flours or phenolic extracts obtained from non-traditional sources or agri-food industry by-products has been a strategy used to formulate new bakery products with characteristics of a functional food. However, phenolic compounds present great structural diversity, as well as the ability to interact in a complex way with the macromolecules that constitute the bread matrix. Therefore, the addition of these flours, extracts or pure compounds produces various effects on the microstructure of bread, and several of its sensory properties. This is mainly due to interactions between phenolic compounds and gluten proteins. The objective of this review is to analyze some of the most recent published works on the addition of phenolic compounds in wheat bread to identify the type of positive and negative effects that have been observed and how they can be related to the physicochemical interactions between phenolic compounds and the macromolecules that constitute the food matrix, mainly gluten. The effect of monomeric and polymeric phenolic compounds on the strength of these interactions and on the properties of dough and bread are discussed.

Graphical Abstract

A Review of the Health Protective Effects of Phenolic Acids against a Range of Severe Pathologic Conditions (Including Coronavirus-Based Infections)

Phenolic acids comprise a class of phytochemical compounds that can be extracted from various plant sources and are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A few of the most common naturally occurring phenolic acids (i.e., caffeic, carnosic, ferulic, gallic, p-coumaric, rosmarinic, vanillic) have been identified as ingredients of edible botanicals (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, mint, etc.). Over the last decade, clinical research has focused on a number of in vitro (in human cells) and in vivo (animal) studies aimed at exploring the health protective effects of phenolic acids against the most severe human diseases. In this review paper, the authors first report on the main structural features of phenolic acids, their most important natural sources and their extraction techniques. Subsequently, the main target of this analysis is to provide an overview of the most recent clinical studies on phenolic acids that investigate their health effects against a range of severe pathologic conditions (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and viral infections—including coronaviruses-based ones).