Cytotoxic, antioxidant and binding properties of polyphenols from the selected gluten-free pseudocereals and their by-products: In vitro model

Exploring the advances in quinoa processing: A comprehensive review enhancing nutritional quality and health benefits along with industrial feasibility of quinoa

The global dietary trend is shifting toward gluten-free crops with high nutritional value, driven by growing consumer awareness of environmental and health benefits of foods and food ingredients. Quinoa, a potential functional dietary ingredient, is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This review examines the impact of various processing methods, including thermal treatments (boiling, steaming, roasting), non-thermal techniques (germination, fermentation, microwave treatment, gamma irradiation, high hydrostatic pressure, and atmospheric pressure cold plasma), on the quality parameters of quinoa. Additionally, the health benefits of quinoa are explored in relation to human well-being. The review highlights recent advances in quinoa applications across industries, showcasing its versatility as an ingredient in functional foods and feeds. The effects of treatments vary widely, with each offering distinct advantages and limitations. Quinoa-based functional foods demonstrate the potential for developing health-promoting products, as quinoa's bioactive components exhibit antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-obesity properties.

Molecular Profiling and FTIR Characterization of Wheat Germ Oil, Supported by the Screening of Its Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Properties

Wheat germ oil (WGO), derived from the nutrient-dense germ of wheat kernels, is a functional bioactive product, known for its rich composition of essential fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols, and polyphenols. This study aimed to comprehensively profile the molecular and therapeutic properties of WGO, focusing on its antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activity. Using advanced analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence analysis, WGO was shown to contain high levels of linoleic acid (45.3%), squalene (2.52 g/100 g), and polyphenols. WGO displayed selective cytotoxicity, inhibiting cancer cells' viability in melanoma, prostate, and colorectal cancer cell lines, but not normal cells, highlighting its chemoprevention potential. Furthermore, WGO significantly reduced LPS-induced nitric oxide and IL-6 production in macrophages, with effects plateauing at higher doses. The 3D fluorescence spectra showed a significant decrease in fluorescence intensity when human serum albumin interacted with the WGO polyphenol fraction, indicating a strong binding affinity and stable complex formation. These findings emphasize the nutritional and therapeutic potential of WGO as a natural bioactive agent, warranting further mechanistic investigation and broader applications in health and disease management.

Multiple benefits of herbs: Polygonaceae species in veterinary pharmacology and livestock nutrition

Herbs rich in secondary metabolites may possess beneficial properties in livestock nutrition and health. 49 Polygonaceae species of European mountain regions were included in a qualitative systematic review based on the methodological framework of the PRISMA statement. 174 relevant publications were identified. They comprised 231 in vitro and 163 in vivo experiments with cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, pigs, and rodents. For 16 Polygonaceae species no reports were found. Fagopyrum esculentum and Fagopyrum tataricum showed potential as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and metabolic modifying herbs and feeds improving intake and nitrogen conversion in broiler as well as milk quality and ruminal biotransformation in dairy cows. Polygonum aviculare was promising as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug or feed, improving performance and affecting ruminal biotransformation in sheep, and Polygonum bistorta as an anti-inflammatory drug or feed, improving performance in broiler and mitigating methane emissions in ruminants. Rumex obtusifolius showed potential as an antibacterial drug or feed improving ruminal biotransformation and preventing bloating in cows, while Rumex acetosa and Rumex acetosella had antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, Polygonum minus, Polygonum persicaria, Rumex crispus and Rumex patientia possess interesting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. In conclusion, some Polygonaceae species show relevant properties that might be useful to prevent and treat livestock diseases, combined with nutritional benefits in performance, product quality, lowering ruminal methane and ammonia formation and transferring omega-3 fatty-acids from feed to tissue. The potential of such multifunctional plants for a holistic integration of veterinary, nutritional and ecological perspectives under a one-health approach of livestock management is discussed.

Photocurable biomaterials labeled with luminescent sensors dedicated to bioprinting

In the present study, we focused on the development and characterization of formulations that function as biological inks. These inks were doped with coumarin derivatives to act as molecular luminescent sensors that allow the monitoring of the kinetics of in situ photopolymerization in 3D (DLP) printing and bioprinting using pneumatic extrusion techniques, making it possible to study the changes in the system in real time. The efficiency of the systems was tested on compositions containing monomers: poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylates and photoinitiators: 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldi-phenylphosphinate and lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate. The selected formulations were spectroscopically characterized and examined for their photopolymerization kinetics and rheological properties. This is important because of the fact that spectroscopic characterization, examination of photopolymerization kinetics, and rheological properties provide valuable insights into the behaviour of photocurable resin dedicated for 3D printing processes. The next step involved printing tests on commercially available 3D printers. In turn, printing carried out as part of the work on commercially available 3D printers further verified the effectiveness of the formulations. Moreover the formulation components and the resulting 3D objects were tested for their antiproliferative effects on the selected Chinese hamster ovary cell line, CHO-K1.

Harnessing the Potential of Quinoa: Nutritional Profiling, Bioactive Components, and Implications for Health Promotion

Quinoa, a globally cultivated "golden grain" belonging to Chenopodium in the Amaranthaceae family, is recognized for being gluten-free, with a balanced amino acid profile and multiple bioactive components, including peptides, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and saponins. The bioactive compounds extracted from quinoa offer multifaceted health benefits, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardiovascular disease (CVD) improvement, gut microbiota regulation, and anti-cancer effects. This review aims to intricately outline quinoa's nutritional value, functional components, and physiological benefits. Importantly, we comprehensively provide conclusions on the effects and mechanisms of these quinoa-derived bioactive components on multiple cancer types, revealing the potential of quinoa seeds as promising and effective anti-cancer agents. Furthermore, the health-promoting role of quinoa in modulating gut microbiota, maintaining gut homeostasis, and protecting intestinal integrity was specifically emphasized. Finally, we provided a forward-looking description of the opportunities and challenges for the future exploration of quinoa. However, in-depth studies of molecular targets and clinical trials are warranted to fully understand the bioavailability and therapeutic application of quinoa-derived compounds, especially in cancer treatment and gut microbiota regulation. This review sheds light on the prospect of developing dietary quinoa into functional foods or drugs to prevent and manage human diseases.

Pseudocereal Oils, Authenticated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and their Chemopreventive Properties

Amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat are the representatives of pseudocereals, different parts and by-products of which are used in daily nutrition and food processing industry. However, only scarce information exists on the bioactivity of their oils. Thus, oils obtained from amaranth, buckwheat, and red, yellow, and white quinoa seeds were evaluated in terms of their nutritional (fatty acid profile, squalene), cytotoxic (against normal and neoplastic gastrointestinal, prostate, and skin cells), anti-inflammatory and antiradical (interleukin 6, TNF-alpha, nitric oxide, DPPH, Total phenolics, and superoxide dismutase) potential in the in vitro model. Linoleic (42.9-52.5%) and oleic (22.5-31.1%) acids were the two main unsaturated, while palmitic acid (4.9-18.6%) was the major saturated fatty acid in all evaluated oils. Squalene was identified in all evaluated oils with the highest content in amaranth oil (7.6 g/100 g), and the lowest in buckwheat oil (2.1 g/100 g). The evaluated oils exerted a high direct cytotoxic impact on cancer cells of different origins, but also revealed anti-inflammatory and antiradical potentials. Yellow quinoa oil was the most active, especially toward skin (A375; IC50 6.3 µg/mL), gastrointestinal (HT29 IC50 4.9 µg/mL), and prostate cancer cells (LNCaP IC50 7.6 µg/mL). The observed differences in the activity between the oils from the tested quinoa varieties deserve further studies. High selectivity of the oils was noted, which indicates their safety to normal cells. The obtained results indicate that the oils are good candidates for functional foods with perspective chemopreventive potential.

Nutrient composition, functional activity and industrial applications of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Quinoa is one of the gluten-free crops that has attracted considerable interest. Quinoa contains functional ingredients such as bioactive peptides, polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and other compounds. It is very important to determine efficient methods to identify such functional ingredients, and to explain their possible health benefits in humans. In this review, the chemical structure and biological activity mechanisms of quinoa nutrient composition have been elaborated. In addition, the development of quinoa-based functional foods and feed is emerging, providing a reference for the development of functional products with quinoa as an ingredient that are beneficial to health. The active ingredients in quinoa have different health effects including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities. Further exploration is also needed to improve the application of quinoa within the functional food industry, and in the areas of feed, medicine and cosmetics.

Recent advances in physiochemical changes, nutritional value, bioactivities, and food applications of germinated quinoa: A comprehensive review

The production and consumption of functional foods has become an essential food industry trend. Due to its high nutritional content, quinoa is regarded as a super pseudocereal for the development of nutritious foods. However, the presence of antinutritional factors and quinoa's distinctive grassy flavor limit its food applications. Due to its benefits in enhancing the nutritional bioavailability and organoleptic quality of quinoa, germination has garnered significant interest. To date, there is no systematic review of quinoa germination and the health benefits of germinated quinoa. This review details the nutritional components and bioactivities of germinated quinoa, as well as the potential mechanisms for the accumulation of bioactive compounds during the germination process. Additionally, evidence supporting the health benefits of germinated quinoa, the current status of related product development, and perspectives for future research are presented. Thus, our research is likely to provide theoretical support for the use of germinated quinoa resources.

Selection of Wild Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains as Promoters of Postbiotics in Gluten-Free Sourdoughs

The occurrence of inflammatory responses in humans is frequently associated with food intolerances and is likely to give rise to irritable bowel disease. The use of conventional or unconventional flours to produce gluten-free baking doughs brings important technological and nutritional challenges, and the use of the sourdough biotechnology has the potential to overcome such limitations. In addition, the typical metabolic transformations carried out by Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) can become an important biotechnological process for the nutritional fortification and functionalization of sourdoughs due to the resulting postbiotics. In such a context, this research work aimed at isolating and selecting new LAB strains that resort to a wide range of natural environments and food matrices to be ultimately employed as starter cultures in gluten-free sourdough fermentations. Nineteen LAB strains belonging to the genera of Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, and Streptococcus were isolated, and the selection criteria encompassed their acidification capacity in fermentations carried out on chickpea, quinoa, and buckwheat flour extracts; the capacity to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS); and the antimicrobial activity against food spoilage molds and bacteria. Moreover, the stability of the LAB metabolites after the fermentation of the gluten-free flour extracts submitted to thermal and acidic treatments was also assessed.