The effect of sourdough fermentation on Triticum dicoccum from Garfagnana: 1H NMR characterization and analysis of the antioxidant activity

Fermentation of Whole-Wheat Using Different Combinations of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeast: Impact on In Vitro and Ex Vivo Antioxidant Activity

Cereals are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds; however, many of these, such as polyphenols, are bound to the cell wall matrix, limiting their bioavailability. This study investigated the use of fermentation to enhance the bioavailability of functional compounds in whole-wheat flour. Given the impact of microbial species on fermentation outcomes, various combinations of lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains were examined. The polyphenol and flavonoid content of different fermented flours was analyzed. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity was assessed using in vitro assays (DPPH, ORAC, and FRAP) and an ex vivo test with human erythrocytes. Fermentation significantly enhanced the release of bioavailable phenolic compounds and flavonoids, with the most significant increases reaching up to 3.4-fold and 2.64-fold, respectively. In particular, the findings highlight the capacity of flour fermented with a combination of K. humilis, F. sanfranciscensis, E. faecium, P. pentosaceus, and L. mesenteroides to enhance antioxidant activity in vitro and to protect human red blood cells from oxidative stress. Furthermore, fermentation increased the production of short-chain fatty acids, notably lactate and acetate, which are widely recognized for their gut health benefits. Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of targeted fermentation in improving the bioactivity and antioxidant properties of whole-wheat flour.

A Moderate Intake of Beer Improves Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in a High-Fat Diet (HFD)-Induced Mouse Model

Beer and its components show potential for reducing hepatic steatosis in rodent models through multiple mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate beer's anti-steatotic effects in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mouse model of Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Liver Disease (MASLD) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. In the HFD group, steatosis was confirmed by altered blood parameters, weight gain, elevated liver lipid content, and histological changes. These markers were normalized in the HFD+beer group, reaching levels similar to the control (CTR) group. Protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation levels were consistent across all groups, suggesting that the model represents an early stage of MASLD without oxidative stress. Transcriptomic and CpG methylation analyses revealed clear distinctions between the CTR and HFD groups. RNA sequencing identified 162 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CTR and HFD groups, primarily related to inflammation and lipid regulation. Beer consumption modified the health of the HFD mice, affecting inflammation but not lipid homeostasis (CTR vs. HFD+beer, DEGs = 43). The CpG methylation analysis indicated that beer lowered methylation, impacting genes linked to lipid accumulation and inflammation. A cecal metabolite analysis suggested that beer improved short-chain fatty acid metabolism (SCFA). In summary, a moderate beer intake may mitigate MASLD by modulating lipid metabolism and SCFA pathways, likely through polyphenol activity.

Effects of different extraction temperatures on the structural characteristics and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from dandelion leaves

Dandelion polysaccharides contribute to a variety of biological activities. This study evaluated the effect of different extraction temperatures (4 °C and 80 °C) on the structural characteristics and antioxidant activity of dandelion leaf polysaccharides (DLP). The findings demonstrated that the extraction efficiency improved at the higher temperature, while molecular weight exist a trend of degradation with increasing extraction temperature. Ion chromatography (IC) analysis indicated that the polysaccharides DLP4 and DLP80 were structurally complex heteropolysaccharides mainly composed of galactose, arabinose, glucose and mannose, with galactose and arabinose dominating. FT-IR and methylation analysis revealed that DLP4 and DLP80 had similar chemical structures and branches. DLP4 contained a higher amount of 6-Galactose. Microstructure analysis showed that heat treatment caused conformational changes in DLP4 and DLP80. Both had excellent free radical scavenging ability including DPPH·, ABTS·+, OH· and reducing power. The Reactive Oxygen Species assay indicated that the protective effect of DLP4 against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in vitro was stronger than that of DLP80. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) measurements also confirmed that the antioxidant effect of DLP4 was more prominent. Overall, low temperature extracted DLP can be used as an antioxidant in the areas of food, medicine and biomaterials.

Nutritional composition, in vitro carbohydrates digestibility, textural and sensory characteristics of bread as affected by ancient wheat flour type and sourdough fermentation time

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ancient wheat flour type and sourdough fermentation time on the nutritional, textural and sensorial properties of fiber-rich sourdough bread. The proximate composition, minerals, carbohydrates, organic acids, volatiles, total phenolic content, simulated gastrointestinal digestion, textural and sensorial characteristics were investigated. Bread's minerals, total phenolics, cellulose contents and radical scavenging activity variations clearly indicates an increasing trend with sourdoughs fermentation time. Compared to maltose and glucose, fructose was predominant in all bread samples. Sourdough fermentation time and wheat type had non-significant influence on fructose content from digested fraction. Excepting emmer bread, fermentation time increased in vitro digestibility values for tested samples. The crumb textural parameters (hardness, gumminess, chewiness, cohesiveness and springiness index) were positively influenced by fermentation time. The specific clustering of the analysed characteristics distinguished emmer bread from other samples in terms of volatile compounds, textural and overall acceptability, being preferred by panellists.

Assessment of Sourdough Fermentation Impact on the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Pearl Millet from Burkina Faso

Millet, a gluten-free cereal, has received attention for its environmental friendliness and higher protein content than other grains. It represents a staple food in many African countries, where fermentation is traditionally used for preserving food products and preparing different cereal-based products. This study aimed to assess the impact of sourdough fermentation on bioactive compounds and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of pearl millet from Burkina Faso. Phenolic compounds were investigated spectrophotometrically and by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activity of unfermented (MF) and fermented (FeMF) millet was evaluated in vitro by spectrophotometric and fluorometric assays and ex vivo on oxidized human erythrocytes for hemolysis inhibition. Finally, the potential anti-inflammatory effect of FeMF and MF was evaluated on human adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) exposed to TNF-α inflammatory stimulus. Results revealed significantly higher levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and in vitro antioxidant activity following millet fermentation. Notable differences in phenolic composition between FeMF and MF are observed, with fermentation facilitating the release of bioactive compounds such as gallic acid, quercetin, and rutin. A dose-dependent protection against oxidative hemolysis was observed in both FeMF- and MF-pretreated erythrocytes. Similarly, pretreatment with FeMF significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory markers in TNF-α-treated cells, with effects comparable to those of MF. Fermentation with sourdough represents a simple and low-cost method to improve the bioactive compounds content and in vitro antioxidant activity of millet flour with promising nutraceutical potential.

Enhancing Bread's Benefits: Investigating the Influence of Boosted Native Sourdough on FODMAP Modulation and Antioxidant Potential in Wheat Bread

This study aimed to assess the impact of bacterial species and fermentation time on wheat bread quality, FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) content, and antioxidant activity of wheat bread, utilizing boosted native sourdough as a novel approach to enhance bread production. The incorporation of lactic acid bacteria strains, i.e., Lacticaseibacillus casei and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, during 72 h fermentation significantly reduced FODMAP content to less than 0.1 g/100 g of wheat bread. Extending the fermentation time to 72 h notably increased the polyphenol content to 145.35 mg gallic acid (GA) per 100 g in the case of spontaneous fermentation and to 151.11 and 198.73 mg GA/100 g in the case of sourdoughs inoculated with L. casei and L. plantarum, respectively. While the treatment yielded positive effects on FODMAP modulation and antioxidant activity, it is crucial to acknowledge its impact on some organoleptic properties, such as aroma and flavor, which, despite good overall bread quality, have changed as a result of prolonged fermentation time. The study results indicate that choosing specific bacterial species and controlling fermentation time can effectively reduce FODMAPs and boost antioxidants. These findings contribute to the understanding of sourdough-based interventions in bread production, offering insights for the development of healthier and nutritionally improved wheat bread products.

Chlamydomonas agloeformis from the Ecuadorian Highlands: Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Profiling and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity

Green microalgae are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that, in recent years, are becoming increasingly important in the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields because of their high content of bioactive compounds. In this study, a particular green microalga was isolated from freshwater highland lakes of Ecuador and morphologically and molecularly identified as Chlamydomonas agloeformis (ChA), and it was studied for nutritional and nutraceutical properties. The phenolic composition and the fatty acids profile of lyophilized cells were determined. The methanolic extract was analyzed for the phenolic compounds profile and the antioxidant capacity by means of in vitro tests. Finally, Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMEC-1) were exploited to explore the capacity of ChA to reduce the endothelial damage induced by oxidized LDL-mediated oxidative stress. The extract showed a good antioxidant ability thanks to the high content in polyphenolic compounds. The observed decrease in HMEC-1 cells endothelial damage also was probably due to the antioxidant compounds present in the extract. Based on the outcomes of our in vitro assays, ChA demonstrated to be a promising source of bioactive compounds possessing exceptional antioxidant capacities which make it a prospective functional food.

In Vitro Characterization of Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Antimutagenic Activities of the Green Microalga Ettlia pseudoalveolaris

Recently, green microalgae have gained importance due to their nutritional and bioactive compounds, which makes them some of the most promising and innovative functional foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical profile and the in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and antimutagenic activity of an aqueous extract of the green microalga Ettlia pseudoalveolaris, obtained from the freshwater lakes of the Ecuadorian Highlands. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were used to determine the ability of the microalga to reduce the endothelial damage caused by hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, the eukaryotic system Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to evaluate the possible cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic effect of E. pseudoalveolaris. The extract showed a notable antioxidant capacity and a moderate antibacterial activity mostly due to the high content in polyphenolic compounds. It is likely that the antioxidant compounds present in the extract were also responsible for the observed reduction in endothelial damage of HMEC-1 cells. An antimutagenic effect through a direct antioxidant mechanism was also found. Based on the results of in vitro assays, E. pseudoalveolaris proved to be a good source of bioactive compounds and antioxidant, antibacterial and antimutagenic capacities making it a potential functional food.

NMR-Based Metabolomic Study on Phaseolus vulgaris Flour Fermented by Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeasts

In recent years, fermented foods have attracted increasing attention due to their important role in the human diet, since they supply beneficial health effects, providing important sources of nutrients. In this respect, a comprehensive characterization of the metabolite content in fermented foods is required to achieve a complete vision of physiological, microbiological, and functional traits. In the present preliminary study, the NMR-based metabolomic approach combined with chemometrics has been applied, for the first time, to investigate the metabolite content of Phaseolus vulgaris flour fermented by different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts. A differentiation of microorganisms (LAB and yeasts), LAB metabolism (homo- and heterofermentative hexose fermentation), LAB genus (Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, and Pediococcus), and novel genera (Lacticaseibacillus, Lactiplantibacillus, and Lentilactobacillus) was achieved. Moreover, our findings showed an increase of free amino acids and bioactive molecules, such as GABA, and a degradation of anti-nutritional compounds, such as raffinose and stachyose, confirming the beneficial effects of fermentation processes and the potential use of fermented flours in the production of healthy baking foods. Finally, among all microorganisms considered, the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum species was found to be the most effective in fermenting bean flour, as a larger amount of free amino acids were assessed in their analysis, denoting more intensive proteolytic activity.

Sourdough Fermentation Improves the Antioxidant, Antihypertensive, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Triticum dicoccum

The fermentation process has been widely used to improve plant-based foods’ nutritional and nutraceutical properties. This study aimed to investigate and compare the impact of sourdough fermentation on the bioactive content and profile, antioxidant and antihypertensive activities, as well as the anti-inflammatory properties of fermented (FS) and non-fermented (NFS) flour from Tuscan Triticum dicoccum wheat (spelt) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-inflamed human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29). FS showed significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid content, in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activities, and ACE-inhibitory activities than NFS. Gallic acid was identified by HPLC-DAD as the most representative polyphenol, followed by rutin, trans-ferulic acid, iso-quercitrin, and quercetin, in the fermented spelt sample. Instead, rutin and gallic acid were identified as the predominant compounds in the non-fermented ones. Moreover, FS exhibited a better protective effect on inflamed HT-29 cells by significantly counteracting the TNFα-induced alterations, lowering the expression of IL-8, COX-2, and ICAM-1 inflammatory mediator while enhancing antioxidant enzyme HO-1 gene expression. In conclusion, sourdough fermentation positively affected the nutraceutical and functional properties of spelt, which may represent a valuable ingredient for the formulation of functional foods and a key product for managing hypertension and inflammatory intestinal diseases.

Valorization of an Old Variety of Triticum aestivum: A Study of Its Suitability for Breadmaking Focusing on Sensory and Nutritional Quality

"Avanzi 3-Grano 23" (G23) is an old variety of Triticum aestivum from the mountain areas of Lunigiana (north Tuscany, Italy), where traditional farming communities have contributed to its success and on-farm conservation. G23 flour, traditionally used for typical food products, is characterized by particular nutritional and sensory traits but has technological properties which limit its suitability for breadmaking. The aim of this work was to evaluate how to promote the use of G23 through the optimization of bread formulation by leveraging both flour blending and the leavening system. During the preliminary test, three different mixes of G23 flour and a strong flour (C) were tested in terms of their leavening power as a function of leavening agent (baker's yeast or sourdough). The selected M2 flour, composed of G23:C (1:1 w/w), was used for further breadmaking trials and 100% C flour was utilized as a control. The sourdough bread obtained with the M2 flour (SB-M2) showed an improved sensory profile compared with the related control (SB-C). Furthermore, SB-M2 exhibited the best aromatic (high content in aldehydes, pyrazines and carboxylic acids) and phytochemical profile (total polyphenols and flavonoids content and antioxidant activity). In contrast, the use of baker's yeast, although optimal from the point of view of breadmaking, did not result in the same levels of aromatic complexity because it tends to standardize the product without valorizing the sensory and nutritional qualities of the flour. In conclusion, in the experimental conditions adopted, this old wheat variety appears to be suitable for the production of sourdough bakery products.

Metabolic Profile of Einkorn, Spelt, Emmer Ancient Wheat Species Sourdough Fermented with Strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014

The continuous development of bakery products as well as the increased demands from consumers transform ancient grains into alternatives with high nutritional potential for modern wheat species. The present study, therefore, follows the changes that occur in the sourdough obtained from these vegetable matrices fermented by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 during a 24 h. period. The samples were analyzed in terms of cell growth dynamics, carbohydrate content, crude cellulose, minerals, organic acids, volatile compounds, and rheological properties. The results revealed significant microbial growth in all samples, with an average value of 9 log cfu/g but also a high accumulation of organic acids with the increase in the fermentation period. Lactic acid content ranged from 2.89 to 6.65 mg/g, while acetic acid recorded values between 0.51 and 1.1 mg/g. Regarding the content of simple sugars, maltose was converted into glucose, and fructose was used as an electron acceptor or carbon source. Cellulose content decreased as a result of the solubilization of soluble fibers into insoluble fibers under enzymatic action, with percentages of 3.8 to 9.5%. All sourdough samples had a high content of minerals; the highest of which-Ca (246 mg/kg), Zn (36 mg/kg), Mn (46 mg/kg), and Fe (19 mg/kg)-were recorded in the einkorn sourdough.

Probiotics in the Sourdough Bread Fermentation: Current Status

Sourdough fermentation is an ancient technique to ferment cereal flour that improves bread quality, bringing nutritional and health benefits. The fermented dough has a complex microbiome composed mainly of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. During fermentation, the production of metabolites and chemical reactions occur, giving the product unique characteristics and a high sensory quality. Mastery of fermentation allows adjustment of gluten levels, delaying starch digestibility, and increasing the bio-accessibility of vitamins and minerals. This review focuses on the main steps of sourdough fermentation, the microorganisms involved, and advances in bread production with functional properties. The impact of probiotics on human health, the metabolites produced, and the main microbial enzymes used in the bakery industry are also discussed.

Bio-Functional Activities of Tuscan Bee Pollen

Bee pollen represents one of the most complete natural foods playing an important role in the diet for its health qualities and therapeutic properties. This work aimed to characterize a Tuscan bee pollen by evaluating its phytochemical profile and the in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activities. The isolation and taxonomic and functional characterization of yeasts in the sample has been also conducted. Finally, the pollen anti-inflammatory potential has been assessed on a TNFα-inflamed human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29). Our results highlighted a good phytochemical composition in terms of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols, monomeric anthocyanins, and carotenoids. In addition, we detected good antioxidant activity and radical scavenging capacity by in vitro and ex vivo assays, as well as good antioxidant activity by isolated yeasts. Data showed no cytotoxic effects of bee pollen extracts, with average viability values >80% at each tested dose. Moreover, TNFα treatment did not affect HT-29 viability while upregulating IL-8, COX-2, and ICAM-1 gene expression, otherwise reduced by both doses of bee pollen. In conclusion, our sample represents an interesting functional food and a potential probiotic product, having high phytochemical compound levels and good antioxidant activities, as well as anti-inflammatory effects on the TNFα-inflamed HT-29 cell line.

Characterization of the Cultivable Endophytic Bacterial Community of Seeds and Sprouts of Cannabis sativa L. and Perspectives for the Application as Biostimulants

Endophytes are beneficial microorganisms exerting growth-promoting activities in plants; they are most often located within the plant intercellular spaces and can be found in all plant tissues, including roots, leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds. In this work, we investigated the cultivable bacterial community of the seeds and the two-week sprouts of the Cannabis sativa L. cultivar “Futura 75”. Endophytes were genotypically and phenotypically characterized and were exposed to different concentrations of seed extracts to verify their susceptibility. A bacterial strain among all the isolates was selected for germination tests of C. sativa in different experimental conditions. The results revealed the dominance of Firmicutes (Staphylococcus sp.) among the isolated strains. Two strains were different from the others for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and for their resistance patterns towards abiotic and biotic stresses. The Sphingomonas sp. strain Can_S11 (Alphaproteobacteria) showed a potential ability to increase the nutraceutical features of its sprouts, particularly an increase in the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. None of the isolated strains were susceptible to the seed extracts, which were previously tested as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents against human pathogenic bacteria. The results open new perspectives for the study of the endophytes of C. sativa as possible biostimulants.

The hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of Kavolì® aqueous extract, a mixture of Brassica oleracea leaves, in a rat model of NAFLD

Herein we characterized the bioactive metabolites of the aqueous extract of Kavolì®, a commercial product composed of a mixture of Brassica oleracea leaves, and assessed its potential ameliorating effects in a rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Kavolì® extract showed high levels of bioactive compounds and strong in vitro antioxidant activities. Chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids were identified as the most representative polyphenols. The administration of brassica extract to steatotic rats significantly ameliorated the levels of blood lipids and transaminases, and lipid content and inflammatory markers in liver. Oxidative stress parameters were significantly improved in both liver and brain of steatotic rats. Moreover, plasma and feces levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were bring back close to control values by Kavolì® treatment, in spite of high fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced alterations. The efficacy of Kavolì® in treating hypercholesterolemia, reducing the level of inflammation and cardiovascular disease biomarkers, steatosis and oxidative stress parameters, as well as the ability in modulating SCFAs levels is probably related to the bioactive compounds of the water extract administered to the rat model of NAFLD. In particular, the ameliorating effects are largely attributable to the high content in polyphenols observed in our study.

Evaluation of Nutraceutical Properties of Eleven Microalgal Strains Isolated from Different Freshwater Aquatic Environments: Perspectives for Their Application as Nutraceuticals

The increasing global population and the simultaneous growing attention to natural, sustainable, and healthier products are driving the food industry towards research on alternative food sources. In this scenario, microalgae are gaining worldwide attention as "functional feedstocks" for foods, feeds, supplements, and nutraceutical formulations, being a source of high-value metabolites including polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds. In this work, eleven microalgal strains from freshwater environments were evaluated for their nutraceutical properties, focusing on photosynthetic pigments, total polyphenols, and flavonoid content, as well as in vitro antioxidant activities. Data helped to select those strains showing the most promising features for simultaneous massive growth and bioactive compound production. Results highlighted that the microalgae have variable values for both biochemical parameters and antioxidant activities, mainly depending on the solvents and applied treatment rather than on the isolation sources or the phylogenetic attribution. According to our results, the putative best candidates for massive cultivation under laboratory conditions for the simultaneous extraction of different molecules with nutraceutical potential are strains F1 (Scenedesmaceae), F3 (Chlamydomonas debariana), R1 (Chlorella sorokiniana), and C2 (Chlorella-like).

Ancient Wheat Species: Biochemical Profile and Impact on Sourdough Bread Characteristics—A Review

In recent years, the attention of farmers, bakers and consumers towards ancient wheat species has been increasing. Low demands of pedo-climatic growth factors, the suitability for organic cultivation along with their high nutritional quality and their content in pro-health compounds make them extremely attractive for bakers and modern consumers, equally. On the other hand, in recent years, sourdough has gained attention due to its ability to produce new functionally active molecules with higher bioaccessibility and thus to produce bread with enhanced nutritional quality. This paper highlights the relevant nutritional profile of einkorn, spelt, emmer and Khorasan which could lead to bread with improved textural, sensorial, microbial and nutritional characteristics through sourdough fermentation. The ancient wheat species could be used as promising substitutes for common wheat flour for the design of innovative types of bread, even for special needs.

Metabolomics as a Tool to Elucidate the Sensory, Nutritional and Safety Quality of Wheat Bread-A Review

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most extensively cultivated and used staple crops in human nutrition, while wheat bread is annually consumed in more than nine billion kilograms over the world. Consumers’ purchase decisions on wheat bread are largely influenced by its nutritional and sensorial characteristics. In the last decades, metabolomics is considered an effective tool for elucidating the information on metabolites; however, the deep investigations on metabolites still remain a difficult and longtime action. This review gives emphasis on the achievements in wheat bread metabolomics by highlighting targeted and untargeted analyses used in this field. The metabolomics approaches are discussed in terms of quality, processing and safety of wheat and bread, while the molecular mechanisms involved in the sensorial and nutritional characteristics of wheat bread are pointed out. These aspects are of crucial importance in the context of new consumers’ demands on healthy bakery products rich in bioactive compounds but, equally, with good sensorial acceptance. Moreover, metabolomics is a potential tool for assessing the changes in nutrient composition from breeding to processing, while monitoring and understanding the transformations of metabolites with bioactive properties, as well as the formation of compounds like toxins during wheat storage.

Effect of Inoculated Lactic Acid Fermentation on the Fermentable Saccharides and Polyols, Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity Changes in Wheat Sourdough

Inoculation of sourdough allows the fermentation medium to be dominated by desired microorganisms, which enables determining the kinetics of the conversion of chemical compounds by individual microorganisms. This knowledge may allow the design of functional food products with health features dedicated to consumers with special needs. The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of transformations of fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyol (FODMAP) compounds from wheat flour as well as their antioxidant activity during inoculated and spontaneous sourdough fermentation. The FODMAP content in grain products was determined by the fructan content with negligible amounts of sugars and polyols. To produce a low-FODMAP cereal product, the fermentation time is essential. The 72 h fermentation time of L. plantarum-inoculated sourdough reduced the FODMAP content by 91%. The sourdough fermentation time of at least 72 h also positively influenced the content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity, regardless of the type of fermentation. The inoculation of both L. plantarum and L. casei contributed to a similar degree to the reduction in FODMAP in sourdough compared to spontaneous fermentation.

Purification and Structural Characterization of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides and Its Activities

In this study, Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (named DOPS-1) was isolated from the stems of Dendrobium officinale by hot-water extraction and purified by using Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. The structural characterization, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity were carried out. Based on the results of HPLC, GC, Congo red experiment, together with periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, SEM, FT-IR, and NMR spectral analysis, it expressed that DOPS-1 was largely composed of mannose, glucose and galacturonic acid in a molar ratio of 3.2 : 1.3 : 1. The molecular weight of DOPS-1 was 1530 kDa and the main chain was composed of (1→4)-β-D-Glcp, (1→4)-β-D-Manp and 2-O-acetyl-(1→4)-β-D-Manp. The measurement results of antioxidant activity showed that DOPS-1 had the strong scavenging activities on hydroxyl radicals, DPPH radicals and superoxide radicals and the high reducing ability in vitro. Moreover, DOPS-1 was cytotoxic to all three human cancer cells of MDA-MB-231, A549 and HepG2.

Antioxidant, Nutraceutical Properties, and Fluorescence Spectral Profiles of Bee Pollen Samples from Different Botanical Origins

Bee pollen is made by honey bees (Apis Mellifera) from the pollen of plants and flowers and represents an apiary product enriched in essential amino acids, polyphenols, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids. This study investigated the botanical origin, micronutrient profile, and antioxidant activity of bee pollen samples (n = 10) harvested in Lucca and Massa Carrara (Tuscany, Italy) between 2016 and 2017. The palynological analysis showed that bee pollen samples were composed of nine botanical families. Front-face fluorescence spectroscopy was performed on bee pollen samples in bulk, without any treatment, and in ethanol extracts to determine the characteristic fluorescent profile and, to identify the main chemical compounds with biological activity. The main chemical compounds detected were polyphenols (mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids), hydro-soluble vitamins (B₂, B₃, B₆, and B₉), amino acids, and pigments. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was investigated, and one of the two Viburnum pollens resulted in the highest polyphenols and flavonoids content (20.15 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g fw and 23.46 ± 0.08 mg CE/g fw, respectively). However, Prunus and Eucalyptus families showed the highest in vitro (190.27 ± 8.30 µmol Fe²⁺/g) and ex vivo (54.61 ± 8.51 CAA unit) antioxidant capacity, respectively. These results suggested that Tuscan bee pollen, depending on the botanical family, is rich in essential nutrients and potential nutraceutical product.

Guirlanda C, A. F. Moura M. Use of the Versatility of Fungal Metabolism to Meet Modern Demands for Healthy Aging, Functional Foods, and Sustainability

Aging-associated, non-transmissible chronic diseases (NTCD) such as cancer, dyslipidemia, and neurodegenerative disorders have been challenged through several strategies including the consumption of healthy foods and the development of new drugs for existing diseases. Consumer health consciousness is guiding market trends toward the development of additives and nutraceutical products of natural origin. Fungi produce several metabolites with bioactivity against NTCD as well as pigments, dyes, antioxidants, polysaccharides, and enzymes that can be explored as substitutes for synthetic food additives. Research in this area has increased the yields of metabolites for industrial applications through improving fermentation conditions, application of metabolic engineering techniques, and fungal genetic manipulation. Several modern hyphenated techniques have impressively increased the rate of research in this area, enabling the analysis of a large number of species and fermentative conditions. This review thus focuses on summarizing the nutritional, pharmacological, and economic importance of fungi and their metabolites resulting from applications in the aforementioned areas, examples of modern techniques for optimizing the production of fungi and their metabolites, and methodologies for the identification and analysis of these compounds.

The Impact of Germination on Sorghum Nutraceutical Properties

Sorghum is a gluten-free cereal representing a staple food in many countries of Africa, where germination is traditionally used for the preparation of several sorghum-based products. This study focused on the effect of germination on total phenolic content, in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activity, and antihypertensive action of sorghum from Togo. Total phenolic content was estimated as Folin–Ciocalteu reducing capacity, while antioxidant activities were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) in vitro tests and ex vivo by the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay on human erythrocytes. The antihypertensive effect of germinated and non-germinated sorghum peptides fraction was evaluated as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Despite our findings demonstrated no impact of germination on the total phenolic content, non-germinated sorghum showed significantly higher in vitro antioxidant activities than the germinated one; further, non-germinated sorghum displayed significantly higher ACE inhibition than germinated sorghum that, instead, at lower doses, exhibited better erythrocytes protection from peroxyl radicals. In conclusion, the germination process negatively impacted the in vitro antioxidant activity and the antihypertensive effect of sorghum while improved erythrocytes protection. This study evidenced better nutraceutical potential of non-germinated sorghum that, besides good antioxidant activity, represents an important source of ACE-inhibitory peptides. However, the germination process might have positively impacted the profile of bioactive compounds involved in the protection of human erythrocytes from oxidative damage.