Determination of phenolic acid profiles by HPLC-MS in vegetables commonly consumed in China

Ultrasound-assisted optimization extraction and biological activities analysis of flavonoids from Sanghuangporus sanghuang

The fungus Sanghuangporus sanghuang possesses notable medicinal and edible characteristics, displaying a diverse array of biological functionalities. This research endeavor seeks to investigate the procedure of extracting flavonoids from S. sanghuang, and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids extraction from S. sanghuang using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and assess its antioxidant capacity and potential antiproliferative properties. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction resulted in a 2.34-fold increase compared to the hot water extraction method. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to enhance the extraction process of flavonoids from S. sanghuang. The results indicated that the optimal extraction rate of S. sanghuang flavonoids were achieved at 16.16 ± 0.12 %. This was attained at an ultrasound temperature of 50°C using 80 % ethanol concentration and an ultrasound extraction time of 60 min. The S. sanghuang extract was analyzed using UPLC, resulting in the identification of twenty-six distinct compounds. The flavonoids derived from S. sanghuang have demonstrated the ability to effectively scavenge DPPH, superoxide anions (O2-·), and hydroxyl free radicals (·OH), in addition to exhibiting ferric reducing power. Furthermore, it exhibited inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the antioxidant capacities, encompassing DPPH, O2-·, ·OH, ferric reducing power, and the inhibited α-glucosidase capability. It has been determined that the activity of α-glucosidase can be inhibited by S. sanghuang flavonoids, and this inhibition can be predicted using a model developed with the MATLAB program. In the current investigation, the study successfully demonstrated the inhibitory effects of S. sanghuang flavonoids on cell proliferation and migration in glioma cells. This was achieved through the analysis of CCK-8 assay and wound healing assay, with statistical significance observed (p < 0.05).

Comprehensive analysis of the metabolism of core microorganisms in polyphenolic compound formation during the acetic acid fermentation stage of millet vinegar

BACKGROUND

Polyphenolic compounds in millet vinegar are crucial functional substances, but the mechanisms underlying their formation and metabolism remain unclear. Acetic acid fermentation (AAF) represents the most active microbial metabolism stage and is pivotal for forming polyphenolic compounds. This study comprehensively analyzed the role of the microbiome in polyphenolic compound production and metabolism during AAF.

RESULTS

Changing patterns were observed in both the microbiome and polyphenolic monomer compounds during AAF of millet vinegar. Lactobacillus harbinensis (0.624-0.454%) was identified as the dominant species in the pre-AAF stage, exhibiting a significant positive correlation with caffeic acid, kaempferic acid and kaempferolide (P < 0.05). Lactobacillus harbinensis-mediated polyphenolic compound metabolism was further confirmed through genomic analysis and pure culture fermentation techniques. Lactobacillus harbinensis encodes enzymes such as carbohydrate hydrolases, glycosidases and cellulases, which promote the release and metabolism of polyphenolic compounds from grain hulls.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that L. harbinensis, as a core microorganism in millet vinegar fermentation, can significantly augment the content of total phenols and specific polyphenolic compounds. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing millet vinegar production. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Isolation, characterization, and LC MS/MS determination of anti-obesity components from pine needles of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and analyze the components in cedar pine needles (needle leaves of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don) that exhibit anti-obesity effects, as determined through animal experiments.

Methods

The extract of cedar pine needles was separated into four fractions of different polarities using a macroporous resin column. The fraction that retained anti-obesity activity was evaluated based on the results of animal experiments. Monomeric compounds were structurally characterized and isolated from the active fraction using a preparative liquid chromatography system. Combined with subsequent glucose gel chromatographic separation. The content of the separated components was determined using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS).

Results

The water-washed fraction retained anti-obesity activity of the cedar pine needles more effectively. A total of 16 compounds were separated from this fraction, and the contents of 14 of these compounds were determined to be present in cedar pine needles.

Conclusion

Nine components, namely p-hydroxy benzyl alcohol, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, P-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, benzoic acid, phenylacetic acid, salicylic acid, were characterized and determined for the first time in cedar pine needles. The components with anti-obesity activity in the pine needles of Cedrus are mainly derived from phenolic acids.

Dereplication of calystegines in food plants and wild Solanum Brazilian fruits

Calystegines are potent glycosidase inhibitors with therapeutic potential and are constituents of food and feed with potential toxic effects. This study aims to target calystegines and other nitrogenous substances in food plants. Hydroalcoholic extracts from Solanum tuberosum, Ipomoea batatas, S. lycocarpum, and fruit from S. lycopersicum, S. aethiopicum, S. paniculatum, S. crinitum, and S. acanthodes were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) using an acidic HILIC column. The dereplication approach included data processing using MZMine2, FBMN-GNPS, and structure elucidation and interpretation of the organized data. The calystegines A3, A5, B2, and C1 were identified, and several potential new calystegine analogues: three may correspond to new calystegines of the A-group, one glycosyl derivative of calystegine A3, and two glycosyl derivatives of the B-group. These findings help to direct the search for new calystegines. In addition, the dereplication approach enabled the annotation of 22 other nitrogen compounds.

Ferulic Acid—A Brief Review of Its Extraction, Bioavailability and Biological Activity

Ferulic acid is a widespread phenolic compound that occurs in seeds and leaves, both in its free form and conjugated to polysaccharides, carbohydrates, glycoproteins and lignins in the plant cell walls. It exhibits various biological activities, like antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and antiviral activity, and it modulates enzyme activity. Given these wide potential health benefits, ferulic acid has attracted considerable research interest and may be considered a biomolecule with strong prospects as a functional food ingredient. Great attempts have been made to enhance its extraction process and recovery from natural matrices and agro-industrial wastes for its various applications relating to human health and nutrition. This review presents the recently available information on the extraction methods for quantifying ferulic acid in different samples, along with its bioavailability and stability in processing foods and biological activities.

A colorimetric probe for rapid and simultaneous detection of alkylresorcinols and ferulic acid based on in-situ coupling reaction in aqueous media

Rapid and simultaneous detection of Alkylresorcinols (ARs) and ferulic acid (FA) could evaluate qualities of commercial wheat products comprehensively and improving product quality. In this work, we have developed a colorimetric strategy for rapid and simultaneous detection of ARs and FA by using in-situ coupling reaction between analytes and diazotized small molecule probe in aqueous media. This strategy featured a rapid response, obvious color change, simple preprocessing, high sensitivity and selectivity. The limit of detection (LOD) can be as low as 0.244 μM and 0.5 μM for ARs and FA, respectively. The sensing mechanism was investigated by spectroscopy technique. Excellent practical application of this method was further confirmed to simultaneously monitor ARs and FA in real samples. The accuracy of the method could be reached to 95.0 % and 99.6 % for ARs and FA respectively. To our knowledge, this work firstly reported a sensor for ARs and FA simultaneous determination.

Methyl jasmonate improves selenium tolerance via regulating ROS signalling, hormonal crosstalk and phenylpropanoid pathway in Plantago ovata

Selenium (Se) toxicity is an emerging contaminant of global concern. It is known to cause oxidative stress, affecting plant growth and yield. Plantago ovata, a major cash crop known for its medicinal properties, is often cultivated in Se-contaminated soil. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) seed priming technique to mitigate Se-induced phytotoxicity. The results demonstrated that Se stress inhibited P. ovata growth, biomass and lowered chlorophyll content in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 1 μM MeJA enhanced the antioxidant defence system via ROS signalling and upregulated key enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathway, PAL (1.9 times) and CHI (5.4 times) in comparison to control. Caffeic acid, Vanillic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Coumaric acid and Luteoloside were the most abundant polyphenols. Enzymatic antioxidants involved in ROS scavenging, such as CAT (up to 1.3 times) and GPOX (up to 1.4 times) were raised, while SOD (by 0.6 times) was reduced. There was an upregulation of growth-inducible hormones, IAA (up to 2.1 fold) and GA (up to 1.5 fold) whereas, the stress-responsive hormones ABA (by 0.6 fold) and SA (by 0.5 fold) were downregulated. The alleviation of Se toxicity was also evident from the decrease in H2O2 and MDA contents under MeJA treatment. These findings suggest that MeJA can effectively improve Se tolerance and nutraceutical value in P. ovata by modulating the phytohormone regulatory network, redox homeostasis and elicits accumulation of polyphenols. Therefore, MeJA seed priming could be an efficient way to enhance stress resilience and sustainable crop production.

Characterization of Various Noncovalent Polyphenol-Starch Complexes and Their Prebiotic Activities during In Vitro Digestion and Fermentation

This study explores the structural characterization of six noncovalent polyphenol-starch complexes and their prebiotic activities during in vitro digestion and fermentation. Ferulic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, isoquercetin, astragalin, and hyperin were complexed with sweet potato starch (SPS). The polyphenols exhibited high binding capacity (>70%) with SPS. A partial release of flavonoids from the complexes was observed via in vitro digestion, while the phenolic acids remained tightly bound. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation revealed that polyphenols altered the spatial configuration of polysaccharides and intramolecular hydrogen bonds formed. Additionally, polyphenol-SPS complexes exerted inhibitory effects on starch digestion compared to gelatinized SPS, owing to the increase in resistant starch fraction. It revealed that the different complexes stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, while inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli. Moreover, in vitro fermentation experiments revealed that complexes were utilized by the gut microbiota, resulting in the production of short-chain fatty acids and a decrease in pH. In addition, the polyphenol-SPS complexes altered the composition of gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and decreasing pathogenic bacteria. Polyphenol-SPS complexes exhibit great potential for use as a prebiotic and exert dual beneficial effects on gut microbiota.

Recent Advances in Functional Cellulose-based Films with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties for Food Packaging

The packaging of food plays a crucial role in food preservation worldwide. However, traditional packaging systems are passive layers with weak efficiency in protecting the food quality. Therefore, packaged foods are gradually spoiled due to the oxidation and growth of microorganisms. Additionally, most of the commercial packaging films are made of petroleum-based materials which raise environmental concerns. Accordingly, the development of eco-friendly natural-derived active packaging systems has increased the attention of scientists. Cellulose as the most abundant polysaccharide on earth with high biocompatibility, no toxicity, and high biodegradability has extensively been applied for the fabrication of packaging films. However, neat cellulose-based films lack antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, neat cellulose-based films are passive films with weak food preservation performance. Active films have been developed by incorporating antioxidants and antimicrobial agents into the films. In this review, we have explored the latest research on the fabrication of antimicrobial/antioxidant cellulose-based active packaging films by incorporating natural extracts, natural polyphenols, nanoparticles, and microparticles into the cellulose-based film formulations. We categorized these types of packaging films into two main groups: (i) blend films which are obtained by mixing solutions of cellulose with other soluble antimicrobial/antioxidant agents such as natural extracts and polyphenols; and (ii) composite films which are fabricated by dispersing antimicrobial/antioxidant nano- or microfillers into the cellulose solution. The effect of these additives on the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the films has been explained. Additionally, the changes in the other properties of the films such as hydrophilicity, water evaporation rate, and mechanical properties have also been briefly addressed.

Phytochemical characterization of Typha domingensis and the assessment of therapeutic potential using in vitro and in vivo biological activities and in silico studies

Typha domingensis, a medicinal plant with significant traditional importance for curing various human diseases, has potentially bioactive compounds but was less explored previously. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of T. domingensis by evaluating the phytochemical profile through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques and its biological activities (in vitro and in vivo) from the methanolic extract derived from the entire plant (TDME). The secondary metabolite profile of TDME regulated by reverse phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (RP-UHPLC-MS) revealed some bioactive compounds by -ve and +ve modes of ionization. The HPLC quantification study showed the precise quantity of polyphenols (p-coumaric acid, 207.47; gallic acid, 96.25; and kaempferol, 95.78 μg/g extract). The enzyme inhibition assays revealed the IC50 of TDME as 44.75 ± 0.51, 52.71 ± 0.01, and 67.19 ± 0.68 µgmL-1, which were significant compared to their respective standards (indomethacin, 18.03 ± 0.12; quercetin, 4.11 ± 0.01; and thiourea, 8.97 ± 0.11) for lipoxygenase, α-glucosidase, and urease, respectively. Safety was assessed by in vitro hemolysis (4.25% ± 0.16% compared to triton × 100, 93.51% ± 0.36%), which was further confirmed (up to 10 g/kg) by an in vivo model of rats. TDME demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) potential in analgesic activity by hot plate and tail immersion tests and anti-inflammatory activity by the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model. Pain latency decreased significantly, and the anti-inflammatory effect increased in a dose-dependent way. Additionally, in silico molecular docking revealed that 1,3,4,5-tetracaffeoylquinic acid and formononetin 7-O-glucoside-6″-O-malonate possibly contribute to enzyme inhibitory activities due to their higher binding affinities compared to standard inhibitors. An in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicological study also predicted the pharmacokinetics and safety of the chosen compounds identified from TDME. To sum up, it was shown that TDME contains bioactive chemicals and has strong biological activities. The current investigations on T. domingensis could be extended to explore its potential applications in nutraceutical industries and encourage the isolation of novel molecules with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Metabolomic analysis for disclosing nutritional and therapeutic prospective of traditional rice cultivars of Cauvery deltaic region, India

Traditional rice is gaining popularity worldwide due to its high nutritional and pharmaceutical value, as well as its high resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. This has attracted significant attention from breeders, nutritionists, and plant protection scientists in recent years. Hence, it is critical to investigate the grain metabolome to reveal germination and nutritional importance. This research aimed to explore non-targeted metabolites of five traditional rice varieties, viz., Chinnar, Chithiraikar, Karunguruvai, Kichili samba, and Thooyamalli, for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. Approximately 149 metabolites were identified using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library and Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) and were grouped into 34 chemical classes. Major classes include fatty acids (31.1-56.3%), steroids and their derivatives (1.80-22.4%), dihydrofurans (8.98-11.6%), prenol lipids (0.66-4.44%), organooxygen compounds (0.12-6.45%), benzene and substituted derivatives (0.53-3.73%), glycerolipids (0.36-2.28%), and hydroxy acids and derivatives (0.03-2.70%). Significant variations in metabolite composition among the rice varieties were also observed through the combination of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced the dimensionality of 149 metabolites into five principle components (PCs), which explained 96% of the total variance. Two clusters were revealed by hierarchical cluster analysis, indicating the distinctiveness of the traditional varieties. Additionally, a partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) found 17 variables important in the projection (VIP) scores of metabolites. The findings of this study reveal the biochemical intricate and distinctive metabolomes of the traditional therapeutic rice varieties. This will serve as the foundation for future research on developing new rice varieties with traditional rice grain metabolisms to increase grain quality and production with various nutritional and therapeutic benefits.

Visual Sensor Arrays for Distinction of Phenolic Acids Based on Two Single-Atom Nanozymes

Although great achievements have been made in the study of artificial enzymes, the design of nanozymes with high catalytic activities of natural enzymes and the further establishment of sensitive biosensors still remain challenging. Here, two nanozymes, i.e., ZnCoFe three-atom nanozyme (TAzyme) and Sn single-atom nanozyme (SAzyme)/Ti₃C₂T_x, are developed, which show peroxidase-like catalytic activities by catalyzing the reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP), and phenolic acids to generate colorimetric reactions. The involvement of different phenolic acids leads to the generation of different color products. These subtle color-variation profiles between these phenolic acids prompt us to exploit an electronic tongue based on the two nanozymes to distinguish phenolic acids. Data interpretation by the pattern recognition method, such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA), displays good clustering separation of six different phenolic acids at concentrations of 0.1 μM to 1 mM, validating the effectiveness of the colorimetric nanozyme sensor array.

Research progress regarding the effect and mechanism of dietary phenolic acids for improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via gut microbiota

Phenolic acids (PAs), a class of small bioactive molecules widely distributed in food and mainly found as secondary plant metabolites, present significant advantages such as antioxidant activity and other health benefits. The global epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a serious public health problem. Existing studies showed that gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis is highly associated with the occurrence and development of NAFLD. In recent years, progress has been made in the study of the relationship among PA compounds, GM, and NAFLD. PAs can regulate the composition and functions of the GM to promote human health, while GM can increase the dietary sources of PAs and improve its bioavailability. This paper discussed PAs, GM, and their interrelationship while introducing several representative dietary PA sources and examining the absorption and metabolism of PAs mediated by GM. It also summarizes the effect and mechanisms of PAs in improving and regulating NAFLD via GM and their metabolites. This helps to better evaluate the potential preventive effect of PAs on NAFLD via the regulation of GM and expands the utilization of PAs and PA-rich food resources.

Preharvest application of selenite enhances the quality of Chinese flowering cabbage during storage via regulating the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and phenylpropanoid metabolisms

Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee) is a candidate of selenium (Se) accumulator, but it is not clear whether and how preharvest Se treatment affects its quality after harvest. Here, we showed that preharvest application of 100 μmol/L selenite to roots enhanced storage quality of Chinese flowering cabbage. It increased antioxidant capacity and reduced weight loss, leaf yellowing, and protein degradation after harvest. Furthermore, it increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as POD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GR, as well as contents of AsA, GSH, phenolics, and flavonoids during storage. Metabolome analysis revealed that phenolic acids including p-Coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid; flavonoids such as naringenin, eriodictyol, apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, and their derivatives were notably increased by preharvest selenite treatment. Consistently, the total antioxidant capacity, evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods, were all markedly enhanced in selenite-treated cabbage compared to the control. Transcriptomics analysis showed that the DEGs induced by selenite were significantly enriched in AsA-GSH metabolisms and phenylpropanoids biosynthesis pathways. Moreover, preharvest selenite treatment significantly up-regulated the expressions of BrGST, BrGSH-Px, BrAPX, BrASO, BrC4H, BrCOMT, BrCHS, and BrFLS during storage. These results suggest that preharvest selenite treatment enhanced quality of cabbage not only by increasing Se biological accumulation, but also through regulating AsA-GSH cycle and increasing phenolics and flavonoids synthesis after harvest. This study provides a novel insight into the effects of preharvest Se treatment on quality of Chinese flowering cabbage during storage.

Polyphenols as Lung Cancer Chemopreventive Agents by Targeting microRNAs

Lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In recent decades, investigators have found that microRNAs, a group of non-coding RNAs, are abnormally expressed in lung cancer, and play important roles in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. These microRNAs have been used as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets of lung cancer. Polyphenols are natural and bioactive chemicals that are synthesized by plants, and have promising anticancer effects against several kinds of cancer, including lung cancer. Recent studies identified that polyphenols exert their anticancer effects by regulating the expression levels of microRNAs in lung cancer. Targeting microRNAs using polyphenols may provide a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer. In this review, we reviewed the effects of polyphenols on oncogenic and tumor-suppressive microRNAs in lung cancer. We also reviewed and discussed the potential clinical application of polyphenol-regulated microRNAs in lung cancer treatment.

Potential Applications of Lilium Plants in Cosmetics: A Comprehensive Review Based on Research Papers and Patents

The application of cosmetics is indispensable in our current society. In recent years, with an increasing awareness of the long-term health benefits of naturally sourced ingredients, plant-based cosmetic products have gained increasing attention. Lilium belongs to the Liliaceae family, which is one of the main plant families used in cosmetics for skin care treatment. A large number of studies have shown that Lilium plants are rich in components such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, with high potential for cosmetic applications. However, the application of lilies in cosmetics has not been systematically reported. This knowledge gap can easily lead to the neglect of its application in cosmetics because lilies are most familiar as ornamental plants. Integrating academic papers and patent publications, we analyzed the potential cosmetic application ingredients in lily, as well as their applications in cosmetics and related efficacy. Patent analysis showed that applications for lily-related cosmetic patents are mainly concentrated in East Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. The application of lilies involves all aspects of cosmetics, such as sunscreens, facial cleansers, facial masks, conditioners, and so on. Its functions are also rich and diverse, including antiaging, radiation protective, whitening, moisturizing, freckle removal, acne treatment, and hair regeneration promotion. In addition, lilies are compatible with the application of other herbs. Moreover, with a change in people’s consumption concepts and the consideration of long-term health benefits, lily-based food and medicine innovation with health care and beautification effects may be a promising direction.

Modulation of Light and Nitrogen for Quality-Traits Improvement: A Case Study of Altino Sweet Pepper

Local varieties are known to cope more efficiently with stressful and/or low-input conditions than cultivated ones by activating secondary metabolisms and, hence, are supposed to have higher nutraceutical potential. In this work, we investigate the effects of N and light, supplied at optimal and sub-optimal levels, on the fruit yield and quality of a local ecotype of sweet pepper, Altino, grown in the Abruzzo Region (Southern Italy). In 2017, two open-field experiments were carried out, comparing increasing N rates (0, 100 and 200 kg N ha−1, 0_N, 100_N and 200_N, respectively) and different percentages of shading and/or manipulations of the transmitted solar radiation, obtained through photoselective nets (red net, RN; black net, BN; unshaded Control). Both N and light were preconditions to obtain stable yields in terms of both fruit number and fruit weights. However, BN significantly reduced the number of sunscalded fruits (0.39 vs. 3.38 and 2.59 fruit plant−1 for BN, Control and RN, respectively), leading to lower waste. N deficiency favoured higher total polyphenol (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents in ripened fruits; on the other hand, shading significantly reduced TPC (−12.4%) in immature and TFC (−18.2%) in red fruits. The variations in nutraceuticals were also evaluated in terms of the variations of the single phenolic acids in fruits during ripening; the most interesting results were associated with light treatments. Further research should be directed to the in-depth study of nutrition regimes, in combination with other photoselective nets applications (i.e., pearl nets), that could be suitable for the Altino genotype to enhance the yield and nutraceutical potentials of its fruits.

Potential Therapeutic Implications of Caffeic Acid in Cancer Signaling: Past, Present, and Future

Caffeic acid (CA) has been present in many herbs, vegetables, and fruits. CA is a bioactive compound and exhibits various health advantages that are linked with its anti-oxidant functions and implicated in the therapy and prevention of disease progression of inflammatory diseases and cancer. The anti-tumor action of CA is attributed to its pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant properties. CA’s mechanism of action involves preventing reactive oxygen species formation, diminishing the angiogenesis of cancer cells, enhancing the tumor cells’ DNA oxidation, and repressing MMP-2 and MMP-9. CA and its derivatives have been reported to exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties against many cancer types. CA has indicated low intestinal absorption, low oral bioavailability in rats, and pitiable permeability across Caco-2 cells. In the present review, we have illustrated CA’s therapeutic potential, pharmacokinetics, and characteristics. The pharmacological effects of CA, the emphasis on in vitro and in vivo studies, and the existing challenges and prospects of CA for cancer treatment and prevention are discussed in this review.

Recent advances in research on Allium plants: functional ingredients, physiological activities, and applications in agricultural and food sciences

Fruits and vegetables (FVs) have long been a major source of nutrients and dietary phytochemicals with outstanding physiological properties that are essential for protecting humans from chronic diseases. Moreover, the growing demand of consumers for nutritious and healthy foods is greatly promoting the increased intake of FVs. Allium (Alliaceae) is a perennial bulb plant genus of the Liliaceae family. They are customarily utilized as vegetable, medicinal, and ornamental plants and have an important role in agriculture, aquaculture, and the pharmaceutical industry. Allium plants produce abundant secondary metabolites, such as organosulfur compounds, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides. Accordingly, Allium plants possess a variety of nutritional, biological, and health-promoting properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, immunoregulatory, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review aims to highlight the advances in the research on the bioactive components, physiological activities and clinical trials, toxicological assessment for safety, and applications of different Allium plants. It also aims to cover the direction of future research on the Allium genus. This review is expected to provide theoretical reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of Allium plants in the fields of functional foods, medicine, and cosmetics.

Potential Therapeutic Implications of Caffeic Acid in Cancer Signaling: Past, Present, and Future

Caffeic acid (CA) has been present in many herbs, vegetables, and fruits. CA is a bioactive compound and exhibits various health advantages that are linked with its anti-oxidant functions and implicated in the therapy and prevention of disease progression of inflammatory diseases and cancer. The anti-tumor action of CA is attributed to its pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant properties. CA’s mechanism of action involves preventing reactive oxygen species formation, diminishing the angiogenesis of cancer cells, enhancing the tumor cells’ DNA oxidation, and repressing MMP-2 and MMP-9. CA and its derivatives have been reported to exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties against many cancer types. CA has indicated low intestinal absorption, low oral bioavailability in rats, and pitiable permeability across Caco-2 cells. In the present review, we have illustrated CA’s therapeutic potential, pharmacokinetics, and characteristics. The pharmacological effects of CA, the emphasis onin vitro and in vivostudies, and the existing challenges and prospects of CA for cancer treatment and prevention are discussed in this review.

Phenolics Profile and Protective Effect on Injuried HUVEC Cells of Epicarp Extracts from Kadsura coccinea

This study evaluated the phenolics profile and the antioxidative properties of K. coccinea fruits epicarp. A total of 13 phenolic compounds (six phenolic acids, four anthocyanins, two flavonols, and one flavone) were identified by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spetrometry(UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). Two anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-xylosylrutinoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, comprise 30.89~74.76% and 13.90~46.17% of the total amount of anthocyanins in K. Coccinea. Cytoprotective effect results evidenced that pretreatment of Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) with Kadsura. coccinea fruits' epicarp phenolic extracts at the concentrations of 50-200 µg/mL improved the cell viability after exposure to H2O2 significantly, and inhibited malonaldehyde(MDA) and reactive oxygen species(ROS) overproduction, as well as enhancing the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione Reductase (GR. This study proved that K. coccinea is a natural resource of phenolics rich with potential antioxidant ability, which may be valuable for developing nutraceuticals and dietary supplements.

Profiling of Phenolic Compounds of Fruit Peels of Different Ecotype Bananas Derived from Domestic and Imported Cultivars with Different Maturity

Banana is one of the most produced and consumed fruits in the world and its fruit peel accounts for about 40% of the total fresh quantity of ripe fruit, which is usually regarded as waste and poses serious environmental hazards. However, it is a promising source of natural bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds. Determination of the phenolic compounds in fruit peel from different cultivars and subgroups over a range of maturities provides convincing information for making full use of them. This study developed a sensitive and reliable analytical method—ultra-high performance liquid chromatography—coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for measuring phenolic compounds in fruit peel from different ecotype cultivars and subgroups with different maturity. The results showed that quinic acid had the highest concentration ratio among the main phenolic compounds in the green/ripe peel of all banana cultivars; among all banana cultivars, the total phenolic compound contents of green banana peel were significantly higher than that of ripe banana peel; the total phenolic compound contents in the green/ripe fruit peel of non-dessert bananas were significantly higher than that of dessert bananas (green: non-dessert banana 1.48 ± 0.44 mg/g vs. dessert banana 0.97 ± 0.12 mg/g; ripe: non-dessert banana 0.26 ± 0.13 mg/g vs. dessert banana 0.19 ± 0.06 mg/g). These data provide a basis for the rational utilization of phenolic compound extractions from banana peel with huge biomass in the next step.

Assessment of the Nutritional Value of Traditional Vegetables from Southern Chile as Potential Sources of Natural Ingredients

There is an increasing interest in consuming healthy foods motivated by the need of boosting the immune system naturally. In this sense, vegetables rich in bioactive compounds are a clear example of "superfoods" that promotes overall health and strengthen the immune response. Therefore, in this study eight traditional vegetables usually produced in southern Chile (pea, corn, carrot, leek, spinach, chard, coriander and parsley) were characterized in terms of their nutritional composition to evaluate their potential as lyophilized natural ingredients. Thus, chemical composition, amino acid profile, minerals, vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols and pesticide residues were evaluated. Green leafy vegetables resulted to be an excellent source of proteins and dietary fibers as well as vitamins (ascorbic acid, choline, alpha-tocopherol and niacin), minerals (calcium, phosphorus and iron), carotenoids and polyphenols. Among the eight vegetables assessed spinach exhibited the more balanced nutritional profile. Moreover, 332 pesticide residues were analysed and only six were detected in a low concentration. Due to their nutritional properties, the present results suggest that vegetables produced in southern Chile could be considered as promising alternatives to develop natural food ingredients.

Simultaneous determination of four phenolic acids in traditional Chinese medicine by capillary electrophoresis-chemiluminescence

Chlorogenic, ferulic, vanillic, and caffeic acids are phenolic acids found in natural drugs. They possess the biological activities of scavenging free radicals and inhibiting thrombus formation. Phenolic acids can inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, as well as have anti-inflammatory effects. This paper reports for the first time a capillary electrophoresis-chemiluminescence (CE-CL) method for the simultaneous determination of the four phenolic acids found in traditional and proprietary Chinese medicine, including Lycium chinense Miller, Shuanghuanglian oral liquid, and Taraxacum mongolicum granules. Capillary electrophoretic separation was performed on a self-assembled CE-CL device with an uncoated fused-silica capillary (66 cm effective length, 50 μm i.d.), and the background electrolyte was composed of 3.0 × 10-5 M Ag(iii) (pH = 12.01), 3.0 mM luminol (pH = 9.20), and 10 mM sodium tetraborate solution. The injection time was 12 s (under gravity) and the separation voltage was 22 kV. The combination of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and CE-CL improves the sensitivity. Under optimal conditions, calibration graphs displayed a linear range between 0.625 and 20.0, 1.000 and 30.0, 0.150 and 1.50, and 0.045 and 1.00 μg mL-1 for chlorogenic, ferulic, vanillic, and caffeic acid, respectively. The detection limit ranged from 0.014 to 0.300 μg mL-1. The practicality of using the proposed method to determine the four target analytes in traditional Chinese medicine was also validated, in which recoveries ranged from 90.9% to 119.8%. Taken together, these results indicate that the developed method is sensitive and reliable. Furthermore, the method was successfully applied to real traditional Chinese medicine samples.

Combination of ozone and ultrasonic-assisted aerosolization sanitizer as a sanitizing process to disinfect fresh-cut lettuce

Reduction of sanitizer dosage and development of non-immersion disinfection methods have become major focuses of research. Here, we examined the disinfection efficacy of combining gaseous ozone (4 and 8 ppm) with aerosolized oxidizing sanitizer [sodium hypochlorite (SH, 100 and 200 ppm)] and aerosolized organic acid [acetic acid (AA, 1% and 2%) and lactic acid (LA, 1% and 2%)]. Notably, 1% AA and 4 ppm gaseous ozone were ineffective for disinfecting Salmonella Typhimurium, and treatment with 1% AA + 8 ppm ozone caused browning of lettuce leaves and stimulated increases in aerobic mesophilic count (AMC), aerobic psychrotrophic count (APC), S. Typhimurium, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Treatment with 2% LA + 8 ppm ozone resulted in the lowest S. Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, AMC, APC, and molds and yeasts during storage (0-7 days at 4 °C). Quality analysis indicates that LA + 8 ppm ozone and SH + 8 ppm ozone did not negatively affect L*, a*, b*, polyphenolic content, weight loss, and sensory properties; however, the levels of two individual phenolic compounds (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and vanillin), responsible for phenylpropanoid synthesis, were significantly increased after treatment with 2% LA + 8 ppm ozone. These findings provided insights into the use of LA combined with gaseous ozone for application in disinfecting fresh produce.

Quality Assessment and Antioxidant Activities of the Blossoms of Inula Nervosa Wall

BACKGROUND

Currently, although Inula nervosa Wall is substantially investigated, little is understood about blossoms of Inula nervosa Wall (BINW).

OBJECTIVE

In this work, we systematically investigated the antioxidant activity of the extract from BINW by various standard assays including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical ability, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) di-ammonium salt radical cation (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP).

METHODS

Chemical compounds were tentatively identified through an UHPLC-QTOF-MS system. Furthermore, the contents of nine compounds were detected with UHPLC method coupled with photodiode array (PDA) detector. By carefully analyzing the quantitative data via clusters analysis and principal component analysis (PCA).

RESULTS

Forty-six compounds were tentatively identified, and our results showed that nine compound samples in 21 batches of BINW collected from different areas could be differentiated and analyzed by a heatmap visualization. In addition, the contents of nine compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids) exhibited a total of higher amounts and better antioxidant activities from Yunnan than those from the other three origins.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study not only developed a powerful platform to explain the difference between traditional Chinese medicines species that are closely related through the chemometric and chemical profiling, but also presented a useful method to establish quality criteria of BINW with multiple origins.

HIGHLIGHTS

To characterize the BINW in detail, we not only performed DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays to investigate its antioxidant activity, but also established UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS- and UHPLC-PDA-based methods to comprehensively identify and qualitatively analyze its components.

Interactions between Phenols and Alkylamides of Sichuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum Genus) in α-Glucosidase Inhibition: A Structural Mechanism Analysis

The phenols and alkylamides in 26 varieties of Zanthoxylum pericarps (ZP) were comparatively identified, and the contribution of these key components to the inhibition of in vitro α-glucosidase (α-Glu) was confirmed using principal component analysis (PCA) and ingredient recombination models. Additionally, spectrophotometric assays, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and molecular docking (MD) were employed to characterize the interactions among key components in ZP when exposed to α-Glu. Four phenols and hydroxy-α-sanshool (α-SOH), which were recognized as main ingredients, presented an antagonistic effect in the inhibition of α-Glu. ¹H NMR demonstrated chemical shifts of certain hydrogens in the B phenolic ring and tetraenyl group, indicating a possible p-π conjugation between phenols and α-SOH. In addition, using MD analysis, the phenol-binding sites were observed to be negatively affected when α-SOH initially interacted with α-Glu. The combined results of the NMR and MD clarified the structural mechanism behind phenol/α-SOH antagonistic behavior in α-Glu inhibition.

Development of a High-Throughput Method to Study the Inhibitory Effect of Phytochemicals on Trimethylamine Formation

Choline is metabolized by the gut microbiota into trimethylamine (TMA), the precursor of pro-atherosclerotic molecule trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). A reduction in TMA formation has shown cardioprotective effects, and some phytochemicals may reduce TMA formation. This study aimed to develop an optimized, high-throughput anaerobic fermentation methodology to study the inhibition of choline microbial metabolism into TMA by phenolic compounds with healthy human fecal starter. Optimal fermentation conditions were: 20% fecal slurry (1:10 in PBS), 100 µM choline, and 12 h fermentation. Additionally, 10 mM of 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) was defined as a positive TMA production inhibitor, achieving a ~50% reduction in TMA production. Gallic acid and chlorogenic acid reported higher TMA inhibitory potential (maximum of 80-90% TMA production inhibition), with IC50 around 5 mM. Neither DMB nor gallic acid or chlorogenic acid reduced TMA production through cytotoxic effects, indicating mechanisms such as altered TMA-lyase activity or expression.

Optimization of Plant Extract Purification Procedure for Rapid Screening Analysis of Sixteen Phenolics by Liquid Chromatography

A solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure was developed for simultaneous monitoring of sixteen different phenolics of various polarity, quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The procedure allowed screening the accumulation of intermediates in different metabolic pathways that play a crucial role in plant physiology and/or are beneficial for human health. Metabolites mostly involved in phenylpropanoid, shikimate, and polyketide pathways comprise chlorogenic acid, gentisic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, quercetin, epicatechin, gallic acid, sinapic acid, p-coumaric acid, o-coumaric acid, vanillin; two rarely quantified metabolites, 2,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid and 4-methoxycinnamic acid, were included as well. The procedure offered low cost, good overall efficiency, and applicability in laboratories with standard laboratory equipment. SPE recoveries were up to 99.8% at various concentration levels. The method allowed for routine analysis of compounds with a wide range of polarity within a single run, while its applicability was demonstrated for various model plant species (tobacco, wheat, and soybean), as well as different tissue types (shoots and roots).

Voltamperometric Sensors and Biosensors Based on Carbon Nanomaterials Used for Detecting Caffeic Acid-A Review

Caffeic acid is one of the most important hydroxycinnamic acids found in various foods and plant products. It has multiple beneficial effects in the human body such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic. Since overdoses of caffeic acid may have negative effects, the quality and quantity of this acid in foods, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, etc., needs to be accurately determined. The present paper analyzes the most representative scientific papers published mostly in the last 10 years which describe the development and characterization of voltamperometric sensors or biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials and/or enzyme commonly used for detecting caffeic acid and a series of methods which may improve the performance characteristics of such sensors.

Simultaneous determination of 49 amino acids, B vitamins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in commonly consumed vegetables by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 49 amino acids, B vitamins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids based on a rapid metabolomic extraction procedure combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) in a single chromatographic run and applied in analysis of 26 commonly consumed vegetables. The chromatographic and sample preparation conditions were optimized, given the high diversity of the target analytes. Eight isotope-labeled standards were applied to validate the method in terms of recovery, linearity, matrix effects, precision, and sensitivity. Most recoveries in four vegetable matrices ranged from 65.0% to 105.3% with associated RSDs < 20%. Low LOQs ranged from 0.06 to 17 µg/kg. Linear calibration curves with different ranges were established with R² > 0.993. Among the 26 vegetables, purple cabbage, broccoli, and red lettuce were found to contain the highest concentrations of free amino acids, B vitamins, and phenolic compounds.

Production and characterization of functional wheat bran hydrolysate rich in reducing sugars, xylooligosaccharides and phenolic acids

The aim was to enhance production of functional hydrolysate from wheat bran (WB). WB was hydrolyzed with 3000 U/mL ɑ-amylase and 1200 U/mL alkaline protease to prepare WB insoluble dietary fibre (WBIDF). Functional hydrolysate production from the extract containing crude xylan of WBIDF by xylanase was optimized by Taguchi method. The optimal condition for xylan degradation and functional substances production was 78.50 U/mL xylanase, pH 10.0, 50 °C, and reaction time 6 h. The maximum yield of reducing sugars was 614.0 μg/mL, xylobiose increased from 12.9 μg/mL to 213.3 μg/mL, xylotriose increased from 34.9 μg/mL to 174.0 μg/mL, ferulic acid 13.1 μg/mL made up 57.5 % of the total identifiable phenolic pool in the hydrolysate. The total antioxidant activity of hydrolysate was 141.8 mg ascorbic acid equivalents g^-1 crude xylan, and the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity reached 92.7 %. The hydrolysate exhibited great potential in agricultural and food industry application.

Camu-camu bioactive compounds extraction by ecofriendly sequential processes (ultrasound assisted extraction and reverse osmosis)

Technical feasibility of an ecofriendly sequential process (ultrasound assisted extraction and reverse osmosis, or UAE and RO) was evaluated in order to obtain a functional Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) product with high vitamin C content. Water was used in the assisted extraction by probe ultrasound (UAE) in an experimental design to evaluate different times, amplitudes and temperatures. The best region for total phenolic (TP) and vitamin C (VC) extraction was 5 min, 60 °C and 30% amplitude. Following extraction, the sample was concentrated by reverse osmosis (R25a, 500 Da, polyamide, and 5 bar area 3 ft2), obtaining a relatively low fouling of 19%. At the end of the sequential process (by HPLC-DAD/UV vis), was obtained a concentrated camu-camu (CC) with high Vitamin C (52.01 ± 0.889 mg/g) and cyanidin-3-glucoside, being respectively 7.0 and 4.5 times higher; also the concentration of phenolic compounds was increased by 3.2 times (25.798 mg GAE/g), and anthocyanins in 6.5 times (66.169 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside/100 g) as well as high antioxidant activity by all three methods evaluated (increased 3.0, 4.6 and 2.38 times for ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, respectively) by comparing the CC with the initial extract (CS). Twenty compounds were identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS, highlighting quercetin, gallic acid, p- coumaric, ellagic acid and cyanidin-3-glucoside, and at the first time alnusiin was detected in camu-camu. Therefore, the combination of ultrasound assisted extraction and reverse osmosis can be a promising profitable alternative in order to apply bioactive compounds in food, nutraceuticals and cosmetic matrices, bringing their benefits to consumers.

Phenolic acids from vegetables: A review on processing stability and health benefits

Phenolic acids are the most prominent group of bioactive compounds present in various plant sources. Hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids, the aromatic secondary metabolites imparting typical organoleptic characteristics to food are the major phenolic acids, and they are linked to several health benefits. Fruit and beverage crops being the richer sources of phenolic acids have been studied in depth, but phenolic acids from vegetables are largely overlooked. Though lesser in quantity in many vegetables, there is a need to explore the health benefits of the phenolic acids present in them. In this review, the importance of vegetables as a significant source of phenolic acids is emphasized. Vegetables being easily accessible throughout the year and consumed in larger quantities compared to fruits in our daily diet will probably contribute to significant health benefits. Since vegetables are often processed before consumption, the changes in phenolic acids as influenced by processing methods are highlighted. Best processing methods, pre-treatments and storage conditions for higher retention of phenolic acids have been highlighted to minimize their losses. The phenolic acids in vegetables and their health benefits have been cluster mapped, which may facilitate further research for nutraceutical development for specific health concerns. The processing stability of phenolic acids coupled with higher consumption indicates that they may be a potential source of phenolic acids in the diet. It is expected that the popularization of vegetables as a source of phenolic acids in daily diet will help in ameliorating the adverse effect of some of the lifestyle diseases.