Impact of ultrasound-assisted extraction and solvent composition on bioactive compounds and in vitro biological activities of thyme and rosemary

Therapeutic Potential of Suaeda japonica Makino Leaf Extract Against Obesity in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and HFD-Induced C57BL/6 J Mice

The worldwide obesity prevalence is increasing, affecting around 4 million individuals annually. This research critically evaluated the anti-obesity efficacy of the Korean mudflat halophyte herb Suaeda japonica (Suaeda japonica Makino). In the obese mice model, the administration of 200 mg/kg b.w. of S. japonica extract (SJE) significantly mitigated obesity by modulating body and organ weight, food efficiency ratio, energy expenditure, multiple blood chemistry parameters, lipid accumulation, adipose tissue hypertrophy, and various gene expressions associated with lipogenesis and thermogenesis. The significant obesity control (80%) of the aforementioned concentration of SJE treatment in mice mimics the plant-derived commercial anti-obesity drug Garcinia cambogia (Garcinia gummi-gutta) (80%, 245 mg/kg) b.w. Since SJE has not been extensively studied for obesity management, this study demonstrated that it might influence physiological, biochemical, and molecular pathways to combat obesity and related metabolic illnesses.

Optimization of Combined Ultrasound and Microwave-Assisted Extraction for Enhanced Bioactive Compounds Recovery from Four Medicinal Plants: Oregano, Rosemary, Hypericum, and Chamomile

This study presents the synergistic application of ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction (UAE-MAE) as a novel and efficient method for recovering bioactive compounds from the medicinal plants oregano, rosemary, Hypericum perforatum, and chamomile. Extraction parameters, including microwave (MW) power, ultrasound (US) power, and extraction time, were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM), with ethanol as the solvent. Extracts were evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC) via the Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity (IC50) using the DPPH assay. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) identified the main bioactive compounds contributing to their antioxidant and therapeutic potential. The optimized UAE-MAE conditions enhanced phenolic recovery and antioxidant potential across all plants. Notably, Hypericum perforatum exhibited the highest TPC (53.7 mg GAE/g) and strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 29.8 mg extract/g) under 200 W MW, 450 W US, and 12 min, yielding 14.5%. Rosemary achieved the highest yield (23.36%) with a TPC of 26.35 mg GAE/g and an IC50 of 40.75 mg extract/g at 200 W MW, 700 W US, and 8 min. Oregano's optimal conditions (500 W MW, 700 W US, 12 min) produced a TPC of 34.99 mg GAE/g and an IC50 of 50.31 mg extract/g. Chamomile extracts demonstrated lower phenolic content and antioxidant activity but achieved significant yields under 500 W MW, 700 W US, and 5 min. This study highlights UAE-MAE's superior efficiency, showcasing its potential to maximize phenolic recovery sustainably, making it a promising technique for industrial and therapeutic applications.

Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Extracts Obtained from By-Products of Grape, Olive, Tomato, Lemon, Red Pepper and Pomegranate

The aim of this work was to study the antioxidant potential of aqueous extracts obtained from different by-products. The effectiveness of these extracts was compared with that of rosemary extract. Total phenol carotenoid and vitamin C contents, as well as in vitro antioxidant activity, were assessed. Phenol content was positively correlated with in vitro antioxidant activity in extracts, while carotenoids showed a less clear relationship. Vitamin C was associated with antioxidant activity in lemon and pepper pomace extracts. Extracts from olive, grape, and lemon by-products displayed the highest antioxidant activity (radical scavenging activity), this being similar to the activity of rosemary extracts. Moreover, the phenolic profile of the extracts was analyzed, revealing diverse phenolic compounds. Rosemary extracts contained the highest variety and quantity of phenolic compounds, while olive pomace extracts were rich in hydroxytyrosol and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Lemon and pepper extracts contained high amounts of tyrosol, and tomato extracts had abundant epicatechin. The PCA analysis distinguished extracts based on in vitro antioxidant activity, phenol, carotenoid, and vitamin C content, along with their phenolic compound profiles. This study emphasizes the capacity of aqueous extract by-products as valuable sources of antioxidants and highlights the importance of understanding their bioactive components.

The impact of natural spices additions on hazards development and quality control in roast beef patties

The current focus in thermally processed meat production is to reduce the presence of hazardous compounds while maintaining product quality. This study utilized UPLC-MS/MS to examine the effects of rosemary, turmeric, and bay leaf on the development of hazards in roast beef patties, which demonstrated simultaneous inhibitory effects on malondialdehyde, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, 12 heterocyclic aromatic amines, acrylamide, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Correlation analysis revealed that the total phenolic content and ferric-reducing antioxidant power of the spices were negatively correlated with polar hazards, non-polar heterocyclic aromatic amines, and aldehyde hazards, respectively. These findings underscore the vital role of hydroxyl groups and aromatic rings of phenols in inhibiting hazards formation. Additionally, the application of spices significantly reduced cooking loss and water loss and positively influenced textural quality and amino acid retention. These findings contribute to the understanding of the inhibitory effects of spices on multiple hazards and the quality control of heat-processed meat products.

The Effect of Opuntia ficus Mucilage Pectin and Citrus aurantium Extract Added to a Food Matrix on the Gut Microbiota of Lean Humans and Humans with Obesity

Experimental studies have provided evidence that physicochemical interactions in the food matrix can modify the biologically beneficial effects of bioactive compounds, including their effect on gut microbiota. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of a food gel matrix with Opuntia ficus cladodes mucilage pectin and Citrus Aurantium extract on the growth of four beneficial gut bacteria obtained from the fecal microbiota of people who are lean or who have obesity after digestion in the upper digestive system. To accomplish this, a base formulation of Opuntia ficus cladodes mucilage with or without C. aurantium extract was submitted to an ex vivo fecal fermentation in an automatic and robotic intestinal system. The changes in the intestinal microbiota were determined by means of plate culture and 16S sequencing, while short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced in the colon were determined via gas chromatography. In the presence of the extract in formulation, greater growth of Bifidobacterium spp. (+1.6 Log10 Colonic Forming Unit, UFC) and Lactobacillus spp. (+2 Log10 UFC) in the microbiota of lean people was observed. Only the growth in Salmonella spp. (-1 Log10 UFC) from both microbiota was affected in the presence of the extract, which decreased in the ascending colon. SCFA was mainly produced by the microbiota of people who were lean rather than those who had obesity in the presence of the extract, particularly in the ascending colon. The effect of sour orange extract seems to depend on the origin of the microbiota, whether in people who have obesity (25 mM/L) or are lean (39 mM/L).

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Parents in the Use of Antibiotics: A Case Study in a Mexican Indigenous Community

The rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become a global health problem. At the community level, bacterial resistance has been linked to antibiotic misuse practices. These practices are related to social factors such as education level, poverty, ethnicity, and use of traditional medicine. Through a survey, this study aims to analyse the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of antimicrobial use, in an indigenous community in the south of Oaxaca, Mexico. It was observed that the population had a low socioeconomic profile, poor access to healthcare services, low academic level, little knowledge of antibiotics, the use of traditional medicine, and proper attitudes and practices regarding antibiotics use. Therefore, social factors are related to bacterial resistance only if they make the population prone to the use of antimicrobials. Lack of medical access and cultural factors drives this population to use ancestral alternatives such traditional medicine to treat conditions that in other contexts could be treated with antibiotics. This is an example of how the population can reduce the consumption of antimicrobials in infections if they have a reliable alternative that improves their symptoms.

Rosemary: Unrevealing an old aromatic crop as a new source of promising functional food additive-A review

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is one of the most famous spice plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family as a remarkably beautiful horticultural plant and economically agricultural crop. The essential oil of rosemary has been enthusiastically welcome in the whole world for hundreds of years. Now, it is wildly prevailing as a promising functional food additive for human health. More importantly, due to its significant aroma, food, and nutritional value, rosemary also plays an essential role in the food/feed additive and food packaging industries. Modern industrial development and fundamental scientific research have extensively revealed its unique phytochemical constituents with biologically meaningful activities, which closely related to diverse human health functions. In this review, we provide a comprehensively systematic perspective on rosemary by summarizing the structures of various pharmacological and nutritional components, biologically functional activities and their molecular regulatory networks required in food developments, and the recent advances in their applications in the food industry. Finally, the temporary limitations and future research trends regarding the development of rosemary components are also discussed and prospected. Hence, the review covering the fundamental research advances and developing prospects of rosemary is a desirable demand to facilitate their better understanding, and it will also serve as a reference to provide many insights for the future promotion of the research and development of functional foods related to rosemary.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of sorghum phenolics and effect on the stability of 3-deoxyanthocyanins

Sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanins (3-DXAs) have greater stability when compared to other anthocyanins. However, the efficiency in extracting these phenolic compounds from cereals, using conventional methods, is low, because most of them are bound to the cell wall. Thus, the aim of this study was to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of anthocyanins and total phenolics from sorghum flour, and evaluate the stability of the 3-DXAs. Two frequencies (25 and 45 kHz) were applied in a Central Composite Rotational design to investigate the effect of the variables time (5-75 min) and temperature (30-65°C) using the UAE, with amplitude of the ultrasonic power set at 400 W. In addition, the stability of the 3-DXAs present in the extracts was evaluated. It was possible to successfully optimize the extraction of total anthocyanins (both frequencies) and phenolics (at 45 kHz), and then to obtain equations, to predict their concentrations, with high R2 . The efficiency of UAE was observed, increasing the yield of total anthocyanins, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity at the frequencies of 25 and 45 kHz by 30% and 27%, 10% and 5%, and 30% and 15%, respectively. The apigeninidin was the major 3-DXA found in the extracts, and the luteolinidin was the most stable over storage time. Overall, there was no difference in the 3-DXAs stability obtained by the UAE compared to the conventional method. Thus, ultrasound is an alternative to obtaining sorghum extracts rich in 3-DXAs and other phenolic compounds. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The health benefits of sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanins coupled with the growing interest of the food industry in producing healthier food products have motivated this study, because it is important to find ways to optimize 3-deoxyanthocyanins extraction. We have demonstrated that ultrasound-assisted extraction was efficient in extracting high amounts of 3-deoxyanthocyanins and other phenolics from sorghum flour. Moreover, some 3-deoxyanthocyanins have shown to be more stable than others after extraction. Thus, the ultrasound has great potential to produce sorghum phenolic extracts rich in 3-deoxyanthocyanins, which can be used as natural colorants and functional ingredients in foods.

Recent advances in delivering free or nanoencapsulated Curcuma by-products as antimicrobial food additives

Food commodities are often contaminated by microbial pathogens in transit or during storage. Hence, mitigation of these pathogens is necessary to ensure the safety of food commodities. Globally, researchers used botanicals as natural additives to preserve food commodities from bio-deterioration, and advances were made to meet users' acceptance in this domain, as synthetic preservatives are associated with harmful effects to both consumers and environments. Over the last century, the genus Curcuma has been used in traditional medicine, and its crude and nanoencapsulated essential oils (EOs) and curcuminoids were used to combat harmful pathogens that deteriorate stored foods. Today, more research is needed for solving the problem of pathogen resistance in food commodities and to meet consumer demands. Therefore, Curcuma-based botanicals may provide a source of natural preservatives for food commodities that satisfy the needs both of the food industry and the consumers. Hence, this article discusses the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of EOs and curcuminoids derived from the genus Curcuma. Further, the action modes of Curcuma-based botanicals are explained, and the latest advances in nanoencapsulation of these compounds in food systems are discussed alongside knowledge gaps and safety assessment where the focus of future research should be placed.

Recent advancement in ultrasound-assisted novel technologies for the extraction of bioactive compounds from herbal plants: a review

Herbal plants comprise potent bioactives, and they have a potential for the development of functional foods. Ultrasonication technology can be used to enhance the efficiency and quality of these bioactivities. The present review discussed the ultrasound-assisted novel extraction technologies (supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) and high pressurized liquid), including mechanistic understanding, influencing factors, extract process efficiency, and the recovery of bioactives with an industrial perspective. The strong observations of this study are the novel ultrasound-induced extraction process variables, such as ultrasound amplitude, sonication time, temperature, solid-solvent ratio, and pressure, are significantly influenced and must be optimized for maximum recovery of bioactives. The novel green technologies (ultrasound and assisted) could remarkably improve the extraction efficiency and enhance the quality of green extract. This review will support technological understanding about the impact on process parameters for the extraction of bioactives for the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Bioactive Potential of Aqueous Phenolic Extracts of Spices for Their Use in the Food Industry-A Systematic Review

The interest on the use of natural sources in the food industry has promoted the study of plants' phenolic compounds as potential additives. However, the literature has been focusing on essential oils, with very few studies published regarding aqueous extracts, their phenolic composition, and bioactivity. A systematic review was conducted on different databases following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the relevance of the phenolic content of different aromatic spices (oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, clove, and pepper), as related to their bioactivity and potential application as food additives. Although different extraction methods have been applied in the literature, the use of green approaches using ethanol and deep eutectic solvents has increased, leading to the development of products more apt for human consumption. The studied plants present an interesting phenolic profile, ranging from phenolic acids to flavonoids, establishing a correlation between their phenolic content and bioactivity. In this sense, results have proven to be very promising, presenting those extracts as having similar if not higher bioactivity than synthetic additives already in use, with associated health concerns. Nevertheless, the study of spices' phenolic extracts is somehow limited to in vitro studies. Therefore, research in food matrices is needed for more understanding of factors interfering with their preservation activity.

Implications of the Cultivation of Rosemary and Thyme (Lamiaceae) in Plant Communities for the Development of Antioxidant Therapies

Oxidative stress is the most critical factor in multiple functional disorders' development, and natural antioxidants could protect the human body against it. Our study aims to investigate the polyphenol content of four extracts of two medicinal plants (Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Thymus vulgaris L.) and analyze the correlation with their antioxidant activity. The research was carried out on extracts of rosemary and thyme obtained from species cultivated together in plant communities. Both were compared with extracts from species cultivated in individual crops (control crops). Their polyphenols were determined by spectrophotometric methods (dosage of flavones, phenol carboxylic acids, and total polyphenols) and chromatography (UHPLC-MS and FT-ICR MS). Triterpenic acids were also quantified, having a higher concentration in the thyme extract from the culture. The antioxidant activity of the dry extracts was evaluated in vitro (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) and in silico (prediction of interactions with BACH1/BACH2 transcription factors). The concentrations of polyphenols are higher in the extracts obtained from the sources collected from the common crops. These observations were also validated following the chromatographic analysis for some compounds. Statistically significant differences in the increase in the antioxidant effect were observed for the extracts from the common batches compared to those from the individual ones. Following the Pearson analysis, the IC₅₀ values for each plant extract were strongly correlated with the concentration of active phytoconstituents. Molecular docking studies revealed that quercetin could bind to BTB domains of BACH1 and BACH2 transcription factors, likely translating into increased antioxidant enzyme expression. Future studies must validate the in silico findings and further investigate phytosociological cultivation's effects.

Optimization of the Extraction Conditions of Bioactive Compounds from Ocimum basilicum Leaves Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction via a Sonotrode

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaves are rich in bioactive compounds that present therapeutic benefits for human health. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) is frequently used to obtain phenolic compounds from plants/herbal sources. However, few works have developed multi-variable studies to find the optimal conditions to extract the maximum amount of compounds, especially when applied to UAE via a sonotrode. The purpose of this work was to perform a multi-variable study by employing a Box-Behnken design to collect the highest active compound content from Ocimum basilicum leaves. The efficacy of the design was endorsed by ANOVA. The studied parameters for UAE via a sonotrode were the ethanol/water ratio, amplitude, and time. The analyzed responses were the rosmarinic acid, the sum of phenolic acids, and the sum of phenolic compounds content. The optimal conditions were found to be 50% ethanol/water, 50% amplitude, and 5 min. Twenty bioactive compounds were identified by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS when the extract was collected by applying the optimal conditions. Ocimum basilicum may be appreciated as a valuable source of important bioactive substances for pharmaceutical use.

Encapsulation of Rosemary Extracts using High Voltage Electrical Discharge in Calcium Alginate/Zein/Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Microparticles

The increased demand for functional food with added health benefits is directing industrial procedures toward more sustainable production of naturally added bioactive compounds. The objective of this research was to investigate the potential of bioactive compounds from rosemary extract obtained using high-voltage electrical discharge as a green extraction method, for microencapsulation as a protective method for future application in functional food. Four types of microparticles were made via the ionic gelation method using alginate (Alg), zein (Z), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) biopolymers and were analyzed considering the physicochemical properties. The diameter of dry microparticles ranged from 651.29 to 1087.37 μm. The shape and morphology analysis of microparticles showed that the obtained microparticles were quite spherical with a granular surface. The high encapsulation efficiency was obtained with a loading capacity of polyphenols up to 11.31 ± 1.47 mg GAE/g (Alg/Z microparticles). The microencapsulation method showed protective effects for rosemary polyphenols against pH changes during digestion. Specifically, the addition of both zein and HPMC to calcium-alginate resulted in microparticles with a prolonged release for better availability of polyphenols in the intestine. This research background indicates that the release of rosemary extract is highly dependent on the initial biopolymer composition with high potential for further functional food applications.

Exploring the Power of Thermosonication: A Comprehensive Review of Its Applications and Impact in the Food Industry

Thermosonication (TS) has been identified as a smart remedy for the shortcomings of heat treatment, which typically requires prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This technique combines moderate heat treatment with acoustic energy to eliminate harmful microorganisms and enzymes in food products. Unlike conventional heat treatment, thermosonication utilizes short holding times, allowing for the preservation of food products’ phytochemical compounds and sensory characteristics. The benefits and challenges of this emerging technology, such as equipment cost, limited availability of data, inconsistent results, high energy consumption, and scale-up challenges, have been assessed, and the design process for using ultrasound in combination with mild thermal treatment has been discussed. TS has proven to be a promising technique for eliminating microorganisms and enzymes without compromising the nutritional or sensory quality of food products. Utilizing natural antimicrobial agents such as ascorbic acid, Nisin, and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) in combination with thermosonication is a promising approach to enhancing the safety and shelf life of food products. Further research is required to enhance the utilization of natural antimicrobial agents and to acquire a more comprehensive comprehension of their impact on the safety and quality of food products.

Ultrasonic Treatment of Food Colloidal Systems Containing Oleogels: A Review

The use of oleogels as an alternative to solid fats to reduce the content of saturated and trans-isomeric fatty acids is a developing area of research. Studies devoted to the search for methods of obtaining oleogels with given properties are of current interest. Ultrasonic treatment as a method for modifying oleogel properties has been used to solve this problem. The number of publications on the study of the effect of ultrasonic treatment on oleogel properties is increasing. This review aimed to systematize and summarize existing data. It allowed us to identify the incompleteness of this data, assess the effect of ultrasonic treatment on oleogel properties, which depends on various factors, and identify the vector of this direction in the food industry. A more detailed description of the parameters of ultrasonic treatment is needed to compare the results between various publications. Ultrasonic treatment generally leads to a decrease in crystal size and an increase in oil-binding capacity, rheological properties, and hardness. The chemical composition of oleogels and the concentration of gelators, the amplitude and duration of sonication, the cooling rate, and the crystallization process stage at which the treatment occurs are shown to be the factors influencing the efficiency of the ultrasonic treatment.

Potential Antioxidant and Antiviral Activities of Hydroethanolic Extracts of Selected Lamiaceae Species

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are potential sources of natural bioactive phytochemical compounds of an incredible worth for the food industry, such as polyphenols. Lamiaceae medicinal and aromatic plants from Granada’s high plateau, concretely Origanum bastetanum, Thymus zygis gracilis, Thymus longiflorus, Thymus membranaceus and Ziziphora hispanica, were evaluated under different conventional solid–liquid extraction conditions to obtain extracts enriched in bioactive compounds. Phenolic profile was detected by HPLC-QTOF-MS, identifying a high abundance of bioactive constituents. Furthermore, antioxidant and antiviral activities of the mentioned plants were studied as biological properties of interest for the improvement of food shelf-life. Thus, Origanum bastetanum showed the highest antioxidant potential for all assays. Antiviral activity was also tested against some important foodborne viruses, feline calicivirus (FCV), murine norovirus (MNV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), with the highest activity obtained for Ziziphora hispanica, Thymus longiflorus and Origanum bastetanum. This research proposes the studied plants as rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential use as preservatives in the food industry.

Deodorizing effects of rosemary extract on silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and determination of its deodorizing components

Fishy odor in fish products severely influences both eating quality and commercial acceptability, and natural plant extracts, particularly spices, have recently become popular for the removal of fishy odor. This study aimed to explore the potential of rosemary extract for the deodorization of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), as well as to identify the deodorizing components in rosemary extract. Results showed that all of the spice extracts used in this study (ginger, garlic, angelica dahurica, fennel, rosemary, nutmeg, white cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, and bay leaf) significantly reduced the fishy odor value of silver carp, among which rosemary extract was most effective, decreasing the fishy odor value by about 58%. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and sensory evaluation showed that the fishy odor value and concentrations of the fishy odor-active compounds were significantly reduced by the application of rosemary extract. However, the lower the total phenolic content of rosemary extract, the poorer the deodorizing effects against silver carp, suggesting that the deodorizing effect was primarily driven by polyphenols. Fourteen phenolic compounds were measured in rosemary extract, and three individual phenolic compounds (rosmarinic acid [RA], carnosic acid [CA], and carnosol [CS]) were chosen for deodorizing experiment. Sensory detection results and changes of contents of volatile showed that these three phenolic compounds are effective at removing the fishy odor. These results suggest that polyphenols are the main deodorizing components, and RA, CA, and CS are the main deodorizing active compounds in rosemary extract. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this study may provide a new way to determine the deodorizing components of spice extracts. Moreover, it can provide guidance for further research in investigating the deodorizing mechanism of sipce extracts.

Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Pigments of Mediterranean Herbs and Spices as Affected by Different Extraction Methods

This study examined the composition and properties of chlorophyll and carotenoid extracted from the leaves of several Mediterranean evergreen shrubs and subshrubs (Myrtus communis L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Thymus vulgaris L., Salvia officinalis L. and Laurus nobilis L.) commonly used as herbs and spices. In order to fully assess their composition over a wide polarity range, pigments were extracted by successive solvent extraction with hexane, 80% acetone and 96% ethanol. Agitation-assisted extraction (AAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) were employed and compared regarding their effect on the pigments’ yield and composition. Individual chlorophylls and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, while the content of total pigments and the extracts’ antioxidant capacity were determined spectrophotometrically. Throughout the experiments, pheophytin a, b and b’ were dominant chlorophyll molecules, while lutein and β-carotene were dominant carotenoids. Overall, the extracted pigments were determined as being in the range of 73.84–127.60 mg 100 g⁻¹ and were the lowest in T. vulgaris, with no significant differences between other species. M. communis and P. lentiscus had the highest antioxidant capacities, showing a moderate positive correlation with carotenoid and chlorophyll levels. Significant differences were found in the levels of individual pigments with most of them showing a medium level of polarity due to the dissolution in acetone as a medium polar solvent. AAE and PLE demonstrated similar efficacy in the extraction of both carotenoids and chlorophylls; however, preference can be given to PLE, being a novel method with numerous advantages, e.g., shorter extraction time and lower solvent consumption. The examined plant species certainly expressed great diversity and showed the potential for application in the production of various functional products.

Extraction Processes Affect the Composition and Bioavailability of Flavones from Lamiaceae Plants: A Comprehensive Review

Lamiaceae plants are a widespread family of herbaceous plants with around 245 plant genera and nearly 22,576 species distributed in the world. Some of the most representative and widely studied Lamiaceae plants belong to the Ocimum, Origanum, Salvia, and Thymus genera. These plants are a rich source of bioactive molecules such as terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. In this sense, there is a subgroup of flavonoids classified as flavones. Flavones have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic potential; thus, efficient extraction techniques from their original plant matrixes have been developed. Currently, conventional extraction methods involving organic solvents are no longer recommended due to their environmental consequences, and new environmentally friendly techniques have been developed. Moreover, once extracted, the bioactivity of flavones is highly linked to their bioavailability, which is often neglected. This review aims to comprehensively gather recent information (2011–2021) regarding extraction techniques and their important relationship with the bioavailability of flavones from Lamiaceae plants including Salvia, Ocimum, Thymus, and Origanum.

Stabilization Effects of Natural Compounds and Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Nanoparticles on the Accelerated Degradation of Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer

In this work the analysis on the stabilization activities of some natural antioxidants (rosemary extract, capsaicin, quercetin or oleanolic acid) is presented. A similar contribution of an inorganic structure-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles-is also evaluated. The stabilization effects on the oxidation protection were investigated for several formulations based on ethylene-propylene-diene-terpolymer (EPDM). The samples were examined in pristine state or after γ-irradiation, when the accelerated degradation scission of polymer macromolecules followed by the mitigation of oxidation. Three evaluation procedures: chemiluminescence, FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis were applied for the characterization of stability efficiency. The delaying effect of oxidative aging in EPDM matrix is illustrated by the values of activation energy, which are correlated with the type and concentration of embedded compounds. The durability of studied EPDM formulations is discussed for the assessment of material life. The improved behavior of structured hybrids useful for the optimization application regimes is essentially based on the antioxidant properties of polyphenolic components in the cases of natural antioxidants or on the penetration of free radical intermediates into the free volumes of POSS.

Novel Spray Dried Algae-Rosemary Particles Attenuate Pollution-Induced Skin Damage

The present study investigated the effect of spray-dried algae-rosemary particles against pollution-induced damage using ex-vivo human biopsies exposed to diesel engine exhaust (DEE). For this, the complexation of hydroalcoholic rosemary extract with Chlorella (RCH) and Spirulina (RSP) protein powders was conducted. The process efficiency and concentration of rosmarinic acid (RA), carnosic acid (CA), and carnosol (CR) phenolic compounds of both products were compared. The RSP spray-dried production was more efficient, and RSP particles presented higher CR and CA and similar RA concentrations. Therefore, spray-dried RSP particles were prioritized for the preparation of a gel formulation that was investigated for its ability to mitigate pollution-induced skin oxinflammatory responses. Taken altogether, our ex-vivo data clearly demonstrated the ability of RSP gel to prevent an oxinflammatory phenomenon in cutaneous tissue by decreasing the levels of 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts (4HNE-PA) and active matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as by limiting the loss of filaggrin induced by DEE exposure. Our results suggest that the topical application of spirulina-rosemary gel is a good approach to prevent pollution-induced skin aging/damage.

Recent innovations of ultrasound green technology in herbal phytochemistry: A review

Ultrasound (US) has become one of the most important techniques in green chemistry and emerging technologies. Many research investigations documented the usefulness of US in a wide range of applications in food science, nanotechnology, and complementary medicine, where effective extraction of natural products is important. However, as with all novel technologies, US has advantages and limitations that require clarification for full adaptation at an industrial scale. The present review discusses recent applications of US in herbal phytochemistry with the emphasis on US effects on chemical structures of bioactive compounds extracted from herbs and their bioactivities. The impact of different US processing conditions such as frequency, intensity, duration, temperature, and pressure on the effectiveness of the extraction process and the properties of the extracted materials are also discussed. Different frequencies and intensities of US have demonstrated its potential applications in modifying, determining, and predicting the physicochemical properties of herbs and their extracts. US has important applications in nanotechnology where it supports the fabrication of inexpensive and eco-friendly herbal nanostructures, as well as acoustic-based biosensors for chemical imaging of the herbal tissues. The application of US enhances the rates of chemical processes such as hydrolysis of herbal fibers, which reduces the time and energy consumed without affecting the quality of the final products. Overall, the use of US in herbal science has great potential to create novel chemical constructions and to be used as an innovative diagnostic system in various biomedical, food, and analytical applications.

Conventional and Enzyme-Assisted Extraction of Rosemary Leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis L.): Toward a Greener Approach to High Added-Value Extracts

The effect of different extraction methods of rosemary leaves on the total phenolic content (TPC), and the antioxidant activity of the extracts was herein investigated. Firstly, the solid-liquid conventional extraction (CEM) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were implemented in an effort to identify the effect of the solvent and of microwave irradiation on the extract quality. The extract obtained from CEM at room temperature, using ethanol/water 95:5 v/v, showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 12.1 μg/mL). MAE using ethanol/water 50:50 v/v provided an extract with TPC and DPPH radical scavenging ability in a significantly shorter extraction time (1 h for MAE and 24 h for CEM). Enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) using five commercial enzyme formulations was implemented, and the kinetic equation was calculated. Finally, the effect of EAE as a pretreatment method to CEM was examined. Pretreatment of the plant material with pectinolytic enzymes for 1 h prior to a 24 h CEM with 50% hydroethanolic solvent was found to be the optimum conditions for the extraction of rosemary leaves, providing an extract with higher DPPH radical scavenging ability (IC50 14.3 ± 0.8 μg/mL) and TPC (15.2 ± 0.3 mgGAE/grosemary) than the corresponding extract without the enzyme pretreatment.

Environmentally Friendly Techniques and Their Comparison in the Extraction of Natural Antioxidants from Green Tea, Rosemary, Clove, and Oregano

Many current food and health trends demand the use of more ecological, sustainable, and environmentally friendly techniques for the extraction of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants. However, extraction yields and final antioxidant activities vary between sources and are highly influenced by the given extraction method and nature and ratio of the employed solvent, especially for total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which are well recognized as natural antioxidants with food applications. This review focused on the most common extraction techniques and potential antioxidant activity in the food industry for various natural antioxidant sources, such as green tea, rosemary, clove, and oregano. Green extraction techniques have been proven to be far more efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical. In general, these techniques include the use of microwaves, ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, enzymes, and deep eutectic solvents, among others. These extraction methods are described here, including their advantages, disadvantages, and applications.

Techniques and modeling of polyphenol extraction from food: a review

There is a growing demand for vegetal food having health benefits such as improving the immune system. This is due in particular to the presence of polyphenols present in small amounts in many fruits, vegetables and functional foods. Extracting polyphenols is challenging because extraction techniques should not alter food quality. Here, we review technologies for extracting polyphenolic compounds from foods. Conventional techniques include percolation, decoction, heat reflux extraction, Soxhlet extraction and maceration, whereas advanced techniques are ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, high-voltage electric discharge, pulse electric field extraction and enzyme-assisted extraction. Advanced techniques are 32-36% more efficient with approximately 15 times less energy consumption and producing higher-quality extracts. Membrane separation and encapsulation appear promising to improve the sustainability of separating polyphenolic compounds. We present kinetic models and their influence on process parameters such as solvent type, solid and solvent ratio, temperature and particle size.

Natural Antioxidants from Seeds and Their Application in Meat Products

The use of synthetic antioxidants in the food industry has raised important questions about the effects of prolonged consumption on human health. On top of that, the consumption of meat products has been changing due to the awareness generated by health-related organizations. In this sense, exploring strategies to develop and produce healthier meat products has become a paramount concern. Several studies explored the composition of several seeds to characterize and explore the compounds with antioxidant activity, which are mainly composed of polyphenols. The use of antioxidant extracts in meat products has shown important results to delay the oxidative reactions in meat products derived from the processing and storage of meat products. Moreover, these extracts can also replace synthetic antioxidants and preserve the quality of meat products. Therefore, the aims of this review are first, to present the sources and compounds with antioxidant activity in seeds, and second, to discuss their protective effect against oxidative reactions in meat products.