Enzymatic and ultrasonic-assisted pretreatment in the extraction of bioactive compounds from Monguba (Pachira aquatic Aubl) leaf, bark and seed

New biological strategies for preventing and controlling food contaminants in the supply chain: Smart use of common plant-derived substances

Traditional means of contaminant management that rely on chemical additives and high-temperature processing have raised concerns about long-term safety and environmental issues in the modern food supply chain. Therefore, sustainable, safe, and innovative strategies are urgently needed. Plant-derived substances are known for their biological activity and antifouling potential as natural alternatives for contamination control. This review examines the sources of various contaminants, the categories of plant-derived substances, the action mechanisms, and their feasibility in the food supply chain. The smart use of plant-derived substances to improve microbial, chemical, and metal contamination in the food blockchain is not only a profound fusion of nature and technology, but also a mutual combination of ecological preservation and food safety. However, the realization of its commercialization is subject to multiple sanctions, but as the thorny issues are gradually resolved, the consolidation and market for the new strategies will thrive.

Pachira aquatica: biological activity and chemical composition of leaves, flowers, and seeds

The chemical composition of Pachira aquatica crude extracts flowers, leaves, and seeds was obtained by UHPLC-ESI/qTOF and GC/MS. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated against the human tumour cell lines AGS (gastric), CaCo-2 (colorectal), MCF-7 (breast), and NCI-H460 (lung). The anti-inflammatory and cellular antioxidant activities were also studied. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, and saturated fatty acids were identified in the samples. The concentration of extracts responsible for inhibiting 50% of nitric oxide production ranged from (149 to > 400 µg mL-1). Antiproliferative activity against the tumour cell lines was: AGS (GI50 175 to > 400 µg mL-1), Caco-2 (GI50 215 to > 400 µg mL-1), MCF7 (GI50 232 to > 400 µg mL-1) and NCI-H460 (GI50 208 to > 400 µg mL-1). Cellular antioxidant activity remained between 73% to > 2000%. The selectivity index (SI) ranged from 1.00 to 2.78, indicating low antiproliferative activity.

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction, structural characterization, and anticancer activity of polysaccharides from Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit

In this work, Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit polysaccharides (RPs) were extracted by ultrasound-assisted enzymatic method. The highest extraction yield of RPs was 4.78 ± 0.10 % under the optimal extraction conditions. Two purified fractions named RP1 and RP3 were obtained and systematically characterized by a combination strategy of FT-IR, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight distribution, methylation and 2D NMR spectroscopy analyses. Structural analysis showed that the main chain of RP1 was composed of rhamnogalacturonan type I (RG-I), while the side chains were rich in arabinogalactan and galactose. RP3 was composed of long homogalacturonan (HG) backbone interspersed with alternating sequences of RG-I domains, with galactose and arabinose side chains. RP1 and RP3 induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in a dose dependent manner in vitro especially for RP1, and had no effect on L929 cells. Furthermore, the possible anticancer mechanisms were revealed, and results suggested that RP1 induced apoptosis through ROS-dependent pathway and mitochondrial pathway. The results of this work not only provided an efficient extraction method and theoretical basis for the application of RPs, but also may contribute to develop novel functional foods or pharmaceutical products for the prevention and treatment of human breast cancer disease.

Effect of ultrasound-assisted cold plasma pretreatment on cell wall polysaccharides distribution and extraction of phenolic compounds from hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.)

Hyssopus officinalis L (Hyssop) is a good source of phenolic compounds. However, conventional methods for extraction of these compounds typically take a long time and have relatively low recovery rates. This study focused on cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) pretreatment and investigated its effects on the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolic compounds from hyssop. Hyssop was treated at dielectric barrier discharge plasma with air and nitrogen gases for 5, 10, and 15 min. Optical emission spectroscopy was used to evaluate present active species in the plasma. The water contact angle changes, cell wall polysaccharides distribution, and structural variations of the treated samples were determined after treatment. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents (TPC) of the extracts were also evaluated. The results showed that CAP treatment reduced the contact angle making surface more hydrophilic. Compared with hyssop, overall no significant changes in the basic structure of all treated samples or the formation of new functional groups were recognized. In addition, CAP pretreatment before UAE increased the antioxidant activity of extracts according to the FRAP assay than the un-pretreated sample and conventional solvent extraction method. Also, TPC increased in samples treated with nitrogen plasma.

Pachira aquatica (Malvaceae): An unconventional food plant with food, technological, and nutritional potential to be explored

Pachira aquatica (Malvaceae) is an unconventional food plant (UFP) native to Mexico and found all over Brazil, where it is commonly known as monguba. It has an arboreal shape, exotic flowers, and a fruit similar to cocoa with several seeds. Although its main application is in urban ornamentation and folk medicine, monguba's fruit has a great potential for use in the food, pharmacology, cosmetic, and bioenergy industry, mainly due to its oil's characteristics. This review aims to compile the nutritional composition, bioactive and antioxidant activities, and technological and nutritional potential of monguba's seed, leaf, and fruit pericarp. It reviews studies of different databases between January 2018 and October 2021. Monguba seeds are rich in lipids, proteins, and minerals; the bark is rich in fiber; and all parts of the fruit have bioactive compounds. Discussing the use of UFP is a way of finding new alternative food sources, usually discarded, offering products with high nutritional value allied to technological and consumption potential, such as the monguba fruit.

Isolation and Quantification of the Hepatoprotective Flavonoids From Scleromitron diffusum (Willd.) R. J. Wang With Bio-Enzymatic Method Against NAFLD by UPLC-MS/MS

Flavonoids were the major phytochemicals against hepatic peroxidative injury in Scleromitron diffusum (Willd.) R. J. Wang with an inventive bio-enzymatic method by our group (LU500041). Firstly, the total flavonoids from Scleromitron diffusum (Willd.) R. J. Wang were extracted by reflux, ultrasonic, ultrasound-assisted enzymatic methods (TFH), and the bio-enzymatic method (Ey-TFH). Then 24 flavonoid compounds were isolated and quantified in the extracts by UPLC-MS/MS. Next, six representative differential compounds in Ey-TFH were further screened out by multivariate statistical analysis compared with those in TFH. In a further step, Ey-TFH presented a higher protective rate (59.30 ± 0.81%) against H2O2-damaged HL-02 hepatocytes than TFH. And six representative differential compounds at 8 and 16 μmol/L all exerted significant hepatoprotective effects (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Finally, the therapeutic action of Ey-TFH for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was processed by a rat's model induced with a high-fat diet. Ey-TFH (90, 120 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the lipid accumulation in the rat model (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, Ey-TFH relieved liver damage. The levels of ALT, ALP, AST, LDH, and γ-GT in rats' serum were also significantly reduced (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). In addition to this, the body's antioxidant capacity was improved with elevated SOD and GSH levels (p < 0.05) and down-regulated MDA content (p < 0.01) after Ey-TFH administration. Histopathological observations of staining confirmed the hepatic-protective effect of Ey-TFH.

Extraction and Purification of Inulin from Jerusalem Artichoke with Response Surface Method and Ion Exchange Resins

Inulin is used as an important food ingredient, widely used for its fiber content. In this study the operational extraction variables to obtain higher yields of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke tubers, as well as the optimal conditions, were studied. Response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design were used for optimization of extraction steps. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction temperature 74 °C, extraction time 65 min, and ratio of liquid to solid 4 mL/g. Furthermore, series connection of ion-exchange resins were used to purify the extraction solution where the optimal resin combinations were D202 strongly alkaline anion resin, HD-8 strongly acidic cation resin, and D315 weakly alkaline resin while the decolorization rate and decreased salinity reached 99.76 and 93.68, respectively. Under these conditions, the yield of inulin was 85.4 ± 0.5%.

A comparison study between ultrasound-assisted and enzyme-assisted extraction of anthocyanins from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.)

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2 anthocyanin extraction methods have been developed in blackcurrant by EAE and UAE.

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The 7 major anthocyanins have been separated in less than 7 min.

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The composition of the extraction solvent has been the most influential variable.

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Optimal extraction times have been 5 min for UAE and 10 min for EAE.

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No differences have been observed in anthocyanin extraction with both methods.

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is a fruit rich in vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, essential oils and phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins. In the present work, two anthocyanin extraction methods from blackcurrant samples based on Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) and Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE) have been developed. A Plackett–Burman design with seven variables has been preliminary used for both UAE and EAE in order to determine the most influential variables in each methodology. After that, a Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the extraction methods. The composition of the extraction solvent (% EtOH in water) has been the most influential variable for both UAE and EAE. The optimal extraction times have been 5 min for UAE and 10 min for EAE. No differences have been observed in anthocyanin extraction with both methodologies. Both methods have been applied to blackcurrant-derived products and proven their suitability for quality control analysis.

Up-To-Date Analysis of the Extraction Methods for Anthocyanins: Principles of the Techniques, Optimization, Technical Progress, and Industrial Application

Nowadays, food industries are concerned about satisfying legal requirements related to waste policy and environmental protection. In addition, they take steps to ensure food safety and quality products that have high nutritional properties. Anthocyanins are considered high added-value compounds due to their sensory qualities, colors, and nutritional properties; they are considered bioactive ingredients. They are found in high concentrations in many by-products across the food industry. Thus, the non-conventional extraction techniques presented here are useful in satisfying the current food industry requirements. However, selecting more convenient extraction techniques is not easy. Multiple factors are implicated in the decision. In this review, we compile the most recent applications (since 2015) used to extract anthocyanins from different natural matrices, via conventional and non-conventional extraction techniques. We analyze the main advantages and disadvantages of anthocyanin extraction techniques from different natural matrices and discuss the selection criteria for sustainability of the processes. We present an up-to-date analysis of the principles of the techniques and an optimization of the extraction conditions, technical progress, and industrial applications. Finally, we provide a critical comparison between these techniques and some recommendations, to select and optimize the techniques for industrial applications.

Optimization of Ultrasonic Cellulase-Assisted Extraction and Antioxidant Activity of Natural Polyphenols from Passion Fruit

In this paper, ultrasonic cellulase extraction (UCE) was applied to extract polyphenols from passion fruit. The extraction conditions for total phenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activity were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with a Box-Behnken design (BBD). The results showed that the liquid-to-solid ratio (X₂) was the most significant single factor and had a positive effect on all responses. The ANOVA analysis indicated quadratic models fitted well as TPC with R² = 0.903, DPPH scavenging activity with R² = 0.979, and ABTS scavenging activity with R² = 0.981. The optimal extraction parameters of passion fruit were as follows: pH value of 5 at 30 °C for extraction temperature, 50:1 (w/v) liquid-to-solid ratio with extraction time for 47 min, the experimental values were found matched with those predicted. Infrared spectroscopy suggested that the extract contained the structure of polyphenols. Furthermore, three main polyphenols were identified and quantified by HPLC. The results showed the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the optimized UCE were 1.5~2 times higher than that determined by the single extraction method and the Soxhlet extraction method, which indicates UCE is a competitive and effective extraction technique for natural passion fruit polyphenols.