Protein valorization from ora-pro-nobis leaves by compressed fluids biorefinery extractions

Recent advances in pressurized hot water extraction/modification of polysaccharides: Structure, physicochemical properties, bioactivities, and applications

Pressurized hot water, as a green and efficient physical treatment technology, has been widely utilized for the extraction and modification of polysaccharides, with the objective of enhancing the physicochemical properties and biological activities of polysaccharides applied in food systems. This article reviews the recent advances regarding the effects of pressurized hot water treatment (extraction and modification) on polysaccharide extraction rates, structure, physicochemical properties, and bioactivities. The potential modes and mechanisms of polysaccharides subjected to pressurized hot water treatment and the relevant applications of these treated polysaccharides are also thoroughly discussed. Finally, the challenges that it may encounter in commercial applications are analyzed, and the future trends in this field are envisioned. This article will be of great value for the scientific elucidation of polysaccharides treated with pressurized hot water and their potential food applications.

Inclusion of Ora-Pro-Nóbis (Pereskia aculeata) Leaf Meal in the Diet of Adult Nile Tilapia Improves Growth Performance and Intestinal Absorption Capacity Without Compromising Metabolic and Hematological Variables

Corn and soybeans are commodities and ingredients of global interest, whose prices fluctuate based on global demands. In this sense, this study aimed to assess ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata) leaf meal (OLM) as an alternative to be included in the diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The optimal inclusion level of OLM in tilapia diets is investigated herein, aiming to improve their growth performance and health. Five diet variations containing OLM (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were tested. Feed conversion and protein efficiency rates in the 5% and 10% OLM groups were statistically similar to the control group (p ≤ 0.05) and lower in the 15% and 20% OLM groups. Fish fed 5% and 10% OLM diets showed better feed efficiency, while higher OLM levels (15% and 20%) led to reduced carcass protein and ether extract levels. Increasing OLM levels enhanced intestinal villi height and area, associated with improved nutrient absorption and decreased liver fat degeneration, suggesting dietary adaptation and healthier liver conditions. Thus, OLM can be included up to 10% in tilapia diets, improving their growth performance, feed efficiency, and intestinal absorptive capacity without adversely affecting other parameters.

Innovation in cacti extraction: Evaluating green methods for bioactive compounds

The extraction of bioactive compounds from cacti using green methods holds promise as an area of research that remains relatively underexplored. This review aims to summarize findings and trends in this field, assessing the effectiveness of green techniques applied to these unique plants. Among the green methods, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) stands out as the most extensively studied, consistently yielding a higher extraction of compounds irrespective of the duration and solvents employed. Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) emerges as the second most utilized technique, demonstrating efficacy in extracting a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds, particularly oils and various phenolics. Although Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) has been the least used, preliminary studies indicate a potential that still needs to be explored. Notably, green methods offer reduced environmental impact by minimizing harmful solvents and optimizing energy consumption, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly processes and the increasing preference for natural and healthier products. The cacti most commonly studied beyond Opuntia spp. and Hylocereus spp. include cladodes, shells, and seeds. Despite advancements, numerous cactus species remain underexplored, underscoring the necessity for ongoing research to fully harness the promising potential of these plants in developing practical applications for bioactive compounds.

Strategies for producing probiotic biomass and postbiotics from Akkermansia muciniphila in submerged cultivations incorporating prebiotic sources

This research propounds an innovative technology focused on sustainability to increase the biomass yield of Akkermansia muciniphila, the next-generation probiotic, using prebiotic sources to replace or reduce animal mucin levels. A series of experimental design approaches were developed aiming to optimize the growth of Akkermansiamuciniphila by incorporating extracts of green leafy vegetables and edible mushroom into the cultivation media. Experiments using kale extract (KE), Brassica oleracea L., associated with lyophilized mushroom extract (LME) of Pleurotus ostreatus were the most promising, highlighting the assays with 0.376% KE and 0.423% LME or 1.05% KE and 0.5% LME, in which 3.5 × 1010 CFU (Colony Forming Units) mL- 1 was achieved - higher than in experiments in optimized synthetic media. Such results enhance the potential of using KE and LME not only as mucin substitutes, but also as a source to increase Akkermansia muciniphila biomass yields and release short-chain fatty acids. The work is relevant to the food and pharmaceutical industries in the preparation of the probiotic ingredient.

Prospects on emerging eco-friendly and innovative technologies to add value to dry bean proteins

The world's growing population and evolving food habits have created a need for alternative plant protein sources, with pulses playing a crucial role as healthy staple foods. Dry beans are high-protein pulses rich in essential amino acids like lysine and bioactive peptides. They have gathered attention for their nutritional quality and potential health benefits concerning metabolic syndrome. This review highlights dry bean proteins' nutritional quality, health benefits, and limitations, focusing on recent eco-friendly emerging technologies for their obtaining and functionalization. Antinutritional factors (ANFs) in bean proteins can affect their in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and lectins have been identified as potential allergens. Recently, eco-friendly emerging technologies such as ultrasound, microwaves, subcritical fluids, high-hydrostatic pressure, enzyme technology, and dry fractionation methods have been explored for extracting and functionalizing dry bean proteins. These technologies have shown promise in reducing ANFs, improving IVPD, and modifying allergen epitopes. Additionally, they enhance the techno-functional properties of bean proteins, making them more soluble, emulsifying, foaming, and gel-forming, with enhanced water and oil-holding capacities. By utilizing emerging innovative technologies, protein recovery from dry beans and the development of protein isolates can meet the demand for alternative protein sources while being eco-friendly, safe, and efficient.

Pereskia aculeata Miller as a Novel Food Source: A Review

Pereskia aculeata Miller is an edible plant species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It has the potential to be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its nutritional characteristics, bioactive compounds, and mucilage content. Pereskia aculeata Miller is native to the Neotropical region, where it is traditionally employed as food in rural communities, being popularly known as 'ora-pro-nobis' (OPN) or the Barbados gooseberry. The leaves of OPN are distinguished by their nontoxicity and nutritional richness, including, on a dry basis, 23% proteins, 31% carbohydrates, 14% minerals, 8% lipids, and 4% soluble dietary fibers, besides vitamins A, C, and E, and phenolic, carotenoid, and flavonoid compounds. The OPN leaves and fruits also contain mucilage composed of arabinogalactan biopolymer that presents technofunctional properties such as thickener, gelling, and emulsifier agent. Moreover, OPN is generally used for pharmacological purposes in Brazilian folk medicine, which has been attributed to its bioactive molecules with metabolic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, in the face of the growing research and industrial interests in OPN as a novel food source, the present work reviews its botanical, nutritional, bioactive, and technofunctional properties, which are relevant for the development of healthy and innovative food products and ingredients.