The way forward to produce nutraceuticals from agri-food processing residues: obstacle, solution, and possibility

Food matrices contain bioactive compounds that have health benefits beyond nutritional value. The bulk of bioactive chemicals are still present in agro-industrial by-products as food matrices. Throughout the food production chain, there is a lot of agro-industrial waste that, if not managed effectively, could harm the environment, company, and how nutritiously and adequately people eat. It's important to establish processes that maximise the use of agro-industrial by-products, such as biological technologies that improve the extraction and acquisition of bioactive compounds for the food and pharmaceutical industries. As opposed to nonbiological processes, biological procedures provide high-quality, bioactive extracts with minimum toxicity and environmental impact. Fermentation and enzymatic treatment are biological processes for obtaining bioactive compounds from agro-industrial waste. In this context, this article summarises the principal bioactive components in agro-industrial byproducts and the biological methods employed to extract them. In this review efficient utilization of bioactive compounds from agro-industrial waste more effectively in food and pharmaceutical industries has been described.

An analytical approach to determine the health benefits and health risks of consuming berry juices

Food products composition analysis is a prerequisite for verification of product quality, fulfillment of regulatory enforcements, checking compliance with national and international food standards, contracting specifications, and nutrient labeling requirements and providing quality assurance for use of the product for the supplementation of other foods. These aspects also apply to the berry fruit and berry juice. It also must be noted that even though fruit juices are generally considered healthy, there are many risks associated with mishandling both fruits and juices themselves. The review gathers information related with the health benefits and risk associated with the consumption of berry fruit juices. Moreover, the focus was paid to the quality assurance of berry fruit juice. Thus, the analytical methods used for determination of compounds influencing the sensory and nutritional characteristics of fruit juice as well as potential contaminants or adulterations.

Evaluation of the Potential Protective Effect of Ellagic Acid against Heavy Metal (Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead) Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenolic constituent of plant origin, has been thoroughly investigated for its hypothesised pharmacological properties among which antioxidant and neuroprotective activities are included. The present study was designed to explore whether EA could attenuate heavy metal (cadmium, mercury, and lead)-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, which were utilized as a model system for brain cells. MTT and LDH assays were performed to examine the viability of the SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to Cd, Hg, and Pb (either individually or in combination with EA) as well as the effects of necrotic cell death, respectively. Furthermore, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), a cell-based assay, was performed to determine whether EA could protect SH-SY5Y from heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. Results allowed us to assess the capability of EA to enhance the number of viable SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to heavy metal toxicity. Pre-treatment with EA showed a considerable, concentration-dependent, cytoprotective effect, particularly against Cd2+-induced toxicity. This effect was confirmed through the reduction of LDH release after the simultaneous cell treatment with Cd2+ and EA compared with Cd2+-treated cells. Furthermore, a significant, concentration-dependent decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induced by H2O2 or heavy metals, was observed in the same model. Overall, the obtained results provide further insight into the protective role of EA against heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress, thus indicating the potential beneficial effects of the consumption of EA-rich foods. However, to confirm its effects, well-designed human randomized controlled trials are needed to fill the existing gap between experimental and clinical research.

A comprehensive review on Ellagic acid in breast cancer treatment: From cellular effects to molecular mechanisms of action

Globally, breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Hence, developing a therapeutic plan to overcome the disease is crucial. Numerous factors such as endogenous hormones and environmental factors may play a role in the pathophysiology of BC. Regarding the multi-modality treatment of BC, natural compounds like ellagic acid (EA) received has received increased interest in antitumor efficacy with lower adverse effects. Based on the results of this comprehensive review, EA has multiple effects on BC cells including (1) suppresses the growth of BC cells by arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, (2) suppresses migration, invasion, and metastatic, (3) stimulates apoptosis in MCF-7 cells via TGF-β/Smad3 signaling axis, (4) inhibits CDK6 that is important in cell cycle regulation, (5) binds to ACTN4 and induces its degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, inducing decreased cell motility and invasion in BC cells, (6) inhibits the PI3K/AKT pathway, and (7) inhibits angiogenesis-associated activities including proliferation (reduces VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase activity). In conclusion, EA exhibits anticancer activity through various molecular mechanisms that influence key cellular processes like apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, and metastasis in BC. However, further researches are essential to fully elucidate its molecular targets and implications for clinical applications.

The effect of ellagic acid on the metabolic syndrome: A review article

Objective

(s): Metabolic syndrome is a collection of metabolic abnormalities that includes hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. Ellagic acid is found in various fruits and vegetables. It has been reported to have several pharmacological properties, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, chemopreventive, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and antidiabetic. Our current study aims to shed light on the probable efficiency of ellagic acid in managing metabolic syndrome and its complications.

Materials and methods

To prepare the present review, the databases or search engines utilized included Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, and relevant articles have been gathered with no time limit until March 2023.

Results

Several investigations indicated that ellagic acid could be a potent compound for the treatment of many disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia by various mechanisms, including increasing insulin secretion, insulin receptor substrate protein 1 expression, regulating glucose transporter 4, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), attenuating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxidative stress in related tissues. Furthermore, ellagic acid ameliorates mitochondrial function, upregulates uncoupling protein 1 (found in brown and white adipose tissues), and regulates blood levels of nitrate/nitrite and vascular relaxations in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside.

Conclusion

Ellagic acid can treat or manage metabolic syndrome and associated complications, according to earlier studies. To validate the beneficial effects of ellagic acid on metabolic syndrome, additional preclinical and clinical research is necessary.

Transcriptomics Reveals the Mechanism of Rosa roxburghii Tratt Ellagitannin in Improving Hepatic Lipid Metabolism Disorder in db/db Mice

A complex metabolic disorder, type 2 diabetes, was investigated to explore the impact of ellagitannin, derived from Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RTT), on liver lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice. The findings demonstrated that both RTT ellagitannin (C1) and RTT ellagic acid (C4) considerably decelerated body mass gain in db/db mice, significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, and mitigated the aggregation of hepatic lipid droplets. At LDL-C levels, C1 performed substantially better than the C4 group, exhibiting no significant difference compared to the P (positive control) group. An RNA-seq analysis further disclosed that 1245 differentially expressed genes were identified in the livers of experimental mice following the C1 intervention. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that, under ellagitannin intervention, numerous differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in fatty acid metabolic processes, the PPAR signaling pathway, fatty acid degradation, fatty acid synthesis, and other lipid metabolism-related pathways. The qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis results indicated that RTT ellagitannin notably upregulated the gene and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). In contrast, it downregulated the gene and protein expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), recombinant fatty acid synthase (FASN), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Therefore, RTT ellagitannin can activate the PPAR signaling pathway, inhibit fatty acid uptake and de novo synthesis, and ameliorate hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in db/db mice, thus potentially aiding in maintaining lipid homeostasis in type 2 diabetes.

Soilborne pathogens affect strawberry fruit flavor and quality

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and Macrophomina phaseolina are soilborne fungi leading impactful economical losses to strawberry growers worldwide. Symptoms caused by both pathogens are very similar and include vascular discoloration, wilting, stunting, and dieback of plants, but no fruit damage. An extraction of phenolic and volatile compounds was performed on strawberry fruits from three different cultivars while being grown in a plant growth medium infested by each pathogen. Inoculated plants showed higher content of certain phenolic compounds which have antifungal and antioxidant activity and may have a positive impact on strawberry shelf life. On the other hand, root and vascular infections caused by F. oxysporum and M. phaseolina were able to significantly alter strawberry aroma by reducing or increasing the content of specific volatile compounds which also have an important impact on fruit quality. The changes induced in the aroma profiles of the three strawberry cultivars do not only have organoleptic and economic implications for strawberry growers but play an important role in the plant defense system against pathogens. The results indicate a potential of this line of research to develop new tools for the detection and control of soil pathogens.

Rich in Phenolics-Strong Antioxidant Fruit? Comparative Study of 25 Strawberry Cultivars

Phenolic compounds of 25 newly introduced strawberry cultivars were profiled using spectrophotometry, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total phenolic and anthocyanin content (TPC and TACY, respectively), as well as vitamin C, and concentrations of individual phenolic compounds in fruits were evaluated to identify the most promising cultivars according to their phenolic profile. The highest values of TPC, TACY, and vitamin C were recorded in 'Premy' (1.53 mg eq GA g^-1 FW), 'Sandra' (30.60 mg eq Pg-3-g 100 g^-1 FW), and 'Laetitia' (56.32 mg 100 g^-1 FW), respectively. The DPPH and •OH radicals scavenging activity of fruit methanolic extracts was estimated using EPR spectroscopy. All cultivars are almost uniformly effective in the scavenging of •OH radical, while 'Tea', 'Premy', and 'Joly' were marked as highly potent cultivars (over 70%) in terms of DPPH-antiradical activity. Specific peroxidase activities were the highest in 'Garda', 'Federica', and 'Rumba' (0.11, 0.08, and 0.06 U mg^-1 prot, respectively). 'Laetitia', 'Joly', 'Arianna', 'Tea', and 'Mila' cultivars were distinguished from others as the richest concerning almost all flavonoids and phenolic acids, including some other parameters of bioactivity. These cultivars could be recommended to consumers as functional fruit foods.

Ellagic acid as a potent anticancer drug: A comprehensive review on in vitro, in vivo, in silico, and drug delivery studies

Ellagic acid as a polyphenol or micronutrient, which can be naturally found in different vegetables and fruits, has gained considerable attention for cancer therapy due to considerable biological activities and different molecular targets. Ellagic acid with low hydrolysis and lipophilic and hydrophobic nature is not able to be absorbed in circulation. So, accumulation inside the intestinal epithelial cells or metabolization to other urolithins leads to the limitation of direct evaluation of EA effects in clinical studies. This review focuses on the studies which supported anticancer activity of pure or fruit-extracted ellagic acid through in vitro, in vivo, in silico, and drug delivery methods. The results demonstrate ellagic acid modulates the expression of various genes incorporated in the cancer-related process of apoptosis and proliferation, inflammation related-gens, and oxidative-related genes. Moreover, the ellagic acid formulation in carriers composed of lipid, silica, chitosan, iron- bovine serum albumin nanoparticles obviously enhanced the stable release and confident delivery with minimum loss. Also, in silico analysis proved that ellagic acid was able to be placed at a position of cocrystal ADP, in the deep cavity of the protein target, and tightly interact with binding pocket residues leading to suppression of substrate availability of protein and its activation inhibition.

Wheat and Rice beyond Phenolic Acids: Genetics, Identification Database, Antioxidant Properties, and Potential Health Effects

Wheat and rice play a vital role in human nutrition and food security. A better understanding of the potential health benefits associated with consuming these cereals, combined with studies by plant scientists and food chemists to view the entire food value chain from the field, pre and post-harvest processing, and subsequent "fork" consumption, may provide the necessary tools to optimize wheat and rice production towards the goal of better human health improvement and food security, providing tools to better adapt to the challenges associated with climate change. Since the available literature usually focuses on only one food chain segment, this narrative review was designed to address the identities and concentration of phenolics of these cereal crops from a farm-to-fork perspective. Wheat and rice genetics, phenolic databases, antioxidant properties, and potential health effects are summarized. These cereals contain much more than phenolic acids, having significant concentrations of flavonoids (including anthocyanins) and proanthocyanidins in a cultivar-dependent manner. Their potential health benefits in vitro have been extensively studied. According to a number of in vivo studies, consumption of whole wheat, wheat bran, whole rice, and rice bran may be strategies to improve health. Likewise, anthocyanin-rich cultivars have shown to be very promising as functional foods.

Urolithin A Attenuates Helicobacter pylori-Induced Damage In Vivo

Urolithin A (UA) is a metabolite produced in the gut following the consumption of ellagic acid (EA) rich foods. EA has shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Because EA is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, urolithins are considered to play a major role in bioactivity. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the most common chronic bacterial infection all over the world. It is potentially hazardous to humans because of its relationship to various gastrointestinal diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of UA on inflammation by H. pylori. The results indicated that UA attenuated H. pylori-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. UA also reduced the secretion of H. pylori virulence factors and tissue injuries in mice. Furthermore, UA decreased the relative abundance of Helicobacteraceae in feces of H. pylori-infected mice. In summary, taking UA effectively inhibited the injury caused by H. pylori.

Influence of blanching on the bioactive compounds of Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell fruit during storage

Changes in quality of fruits and vegetables during processing and storage might impact on the nutritional and economical value of food products. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of blanching on the content of vitamin C and ellagic acid (EA) as the main bioactive compounds present in Kakadu plum (KP) fruits (Terminalia ferdinandiana) during storage at 40oC to mimic typical temperature when wild harvested. Changes in the profile of fatty acids, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, as a biomarker for lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant properties of KP fruits were evaluated. The results revealed that vitamin C decreased between 25 and 52% over the storage period. Statistically significant differences in the concentration of vitamin C were associated with temperature (p < 0.05) and blanching (p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences in EA during storage were observed. DPPH radical scavenging capacity and total phenolic content of both blanched and control samples decreased by 80% and 35%, respectively, at the end of the storage period compared to day 0. In addition, the change in DPPH activity is significantly correlated (Pearson R2 = 0.829, p ˂ 0.01) with the breakdown of ellagitannins. Furthermore, KP fruit demonstrated excellent antioxidative properties by reducing MDA production. It was concluded that blanching causes significant vitamin C loss whereas neither blanching nor long-term storage at elevated temperature affect the EA content. The results also indicate that the antioxidant compounds present in the KP fruits provided considerable protection against fatty acid oxidation during storage.

Culture matters: A systematic review of antioxidant potential of tree legumes in the semiarid region of Brazil and local processing techniques as a driver of bioaccessibility

Ethnobotanical studies report that human populations from the Brazilian Caatinga biome use tree legumes (Fabaceae) with medicinal and food purposes. Our study provides a systematic review of the available published information concerning the antioxidant potential of Hymenaea courbaril L. (jatobá), Libidibia ferrea (Mart. Ex Tul.) L.P.Queiroz (jucá), and Dioclea grandiflora Mart. Ex Benth. (mucunã). Furthermore, in this paper, we infer the possible effects of local processing techniques applied to these plants on their antioxidant potential. In order to achieve these goals, we reviewed 52 articles, including studies from ethnobiology (n = 17), chemistry (n = 32), and food studies testing antioxidant activity (n = 17), excluding 14 repetitions. We found that these legume species can inhibit the formation of free radicals and this potential action varies among different parts of the plant. Probably, the presence of phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are not uniformly distributed in the plants, explain their antioxidant activity. Local processing techniques (i.e., roasting, milling) affect the bioaccessibility of antioxidant components of tree legumes, inducing both positive and negative effects. However, studies about the antioxidant potential did not consider local processing techniques in their analyses. Our study highlights that culture is a fundamental driver of nutritional and pharmacological outcomes related to edible resources since it determines which parts of the plant people consume and how they prepare them. Hence, ignoring cultural variables in the analysis of antioxidant activity will produce inaccurate or wrong scientific conclusions.

Ellagic Acid: A Review on Its Natural Sources, Chemical Stability, and Therapeutic Potential

Ellagic acid (EA) is a bioactive polyphenolic compound naturally occurring as secondary metabolite in many plant taxa. EA content is considerable in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and in wood and bark of some tree species. Structurally, EA is a dilactone of hexahydroxydiphenic acid (HHDP), a dimeric gallic acid derivative, produced mainly by hydrolysis of ellagitannins, a widely distributed group of secondary metabolites. EA is attracting attention due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and antiproliferative properties. EA displayed pharmacological effects in various in vitro and in vivo model systems. Furthermore, EA has also been well documented for its antiallergic, antiatherosclerotic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and neuroprotective properties. This review reports on the health-promoting effects of EA, along with possible mechanisms of its action in maintaining the health status, by summarizing the literature related to the therapeutic potential of this polyphenolic in the treatment of several human diseases.

Vitamin C and Phenolic Antioxidants of Jua (Ziziphus joazeiro M.) Pulp: A Rich Underexplored Brazilian Source of Ellagic Acid Recovered by Aqueous Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

Jua (juá in Portuguese) is an underexplored fruit from Brazil’s northeast. This fruit is rich in antioxidant substances. However, there is a dearth of information about jua’s bioactive potential. The present study evaluated two extraction methods (continuous agitation and ultrasound-assisted extraction—UAE) and employed three different solvents (water, ethanol, and acetone) to efficiently recover soluble phenolic compounds. Aqueous extracts obtained by UAE showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and antiradical activity. Besides being an eco-friendly procedure, extraction and/or solubility in an aqueous medium is also important for food application. Ellagic acids were the predominant phenolics (80%) found in aqueous jua pulp extract obtained by UAE, as determined by HPLC, while its TPC was 405.8 gallic acid equivalent per gram of fruit. This extract also exhibited a higher scavenging activity towards peroxyl radicals when compared to that of several other fruits from the literature, including grape, strawberry, cranberry, and walnuts, which are known references in terms of antioxidants. This is the first report that demonstrates jua pulp’s potential as an alternative source of ellagic acid and other phenolic acids and flavonoids. Therefore, the outcome of this study provides new information that can be useful for functional food and nutraceutical industries.

Redox-Modulating Capacity and Antineoplastic Activity of Wastewater Obtained from the Distillation of the Essential Oils of Four Bulgarian Oil-Bearing Roses

The wastewater from the distillation of rose oils is discharged directly into the soil because it has a limited potential for future applications. The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro the chromatographic profile, redox-modulating capacity, and antineoplastic activity of wastewater obtained by distillation of essential oils from the Bulgarian Rosa alba L., Rosa damascena Mill., Rosa gallica L., and Rosa centifolia L. We applied UHPLC-HRMS for chromatographic analysis of rose wastewaters, studied their metal-chelating and Fe(III)-reducing ability, and performed MTT assay for the evaluation of cytotoxic potential against three tumorigenic (HEPG2-hepatocellular adenocarcinoma, A-375-malignant melanoma, A-431-non-melanoma epidermoid squamous skin carcinoma) and one non-tumorigenic human cell lines (HaCaT-immortalized keratinocytes). The median inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) were calculated with nonlinear modeling using the MAPLE^® platform. The potential of the wastewaters to induce apoptosis was also examined. Mono-, di-, and acylated glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol, ellagic acid and its derivatives as main chemical components, and gallic acid and its derivatives-such as catechin and epicatechin-were identified. The redox-modulating capacity of the samples (TPTZ test) showed that all four wastewaters exhibited the properties of excellent heavy metal cleaners, but did not exert very strong cytotoxic effects. The lowest IC₅₀ rate was provided in wastewater from R. centifolia (34-35 µg/mL of gallic acid equivalents after a 72 h period for all cell lines). At 24 and 48 hours, the most resistant cell line was HEPG2, followed by HaCaT. After 72 h of exposure, the IC₅₀ values were similar for tumor and normal cells. Still, R. damascena had a selectivity index over 2.0 regarding A-431 non-melanoma skin cancer cells, showing a good toxicological safety profile in addition to moderate activity-IC₅₀ of 35 µg/mL polyphenols. The obtained results related to wastewaters acquired after the distillation of essential oils from the Bulgarian R. alba, R. damascena, R. gallica, and R. centifolia direct our attention to further studies for in-depth elucidation of their application as detoxifying agents under oxidative damage conditions in other experimental datasets.

Randomized double blind clinical trial evaluating the Ellagic acid effects on insulin resistance, oxidative stress and sex hormones levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Objective

The design of this study was due to the report of the antioxidant properties of Ellagic acid (EA) for its evaluation on the Insulin resistance (IR), oxidative stress and sex hormones levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated consumed a capsule containing 200 mg of EA per day (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 8 weeks. The fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, IR, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), sex hormones and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) were measured at the beginning and end of the study.

Result

At the end of the study, the mean of FBS, insulin, IR, TC, TG, LDL, MDA, CRP, TNF-α, total testosterone, prolactin and AMH were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant increase in the mean of TAC after supplementation with EA (P < 0.05). At the end of the study, no significant changes were observed in the mean of anthropometric factors, physical activity and food intake (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

EA supplementation can be helpful as a diet supplement in women with PCOS through improvement in insulin resistance. This supplement may be used to reduce metabolic disorders in women.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively (07–07-2019) registered in the Iranian website (www.irct.ir) for registration of clinical trials (IRCT20141025019669N12).

Changes in antinutrients, phenolics, antioxidant activities and in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita moschata) during different domestic cooking methods

Pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita moschata) were subjected to different household cooking methods (boiling, microwaving, steaming, and stir-frying) to evaluate their effect on antinutrients, phenolic compounds, antioxidant properties (ABTS, and DPPH) and in vitro α-glucosidase activity. All cooking methods studied significantly reduced the antinutrients and antioxidant activities, whilst phenolic compounds p-coumaric and ferulic acids significantly increased. The cooking methods reduced the oxalates by more than 50%, tannins by 47% and phytates by 79.22%. Steaming and boiling resulted in highest concentrations of p-coumaric (195.40 mg kg^-1) and ferulic acids (103.90 mg kg^-1) compared to other methods. Overall, boiled leaves retained the highest total phenolic compounds, whilst steamed leaves retained the highest antioxidant capacity. Raw pumpkin leaf extracts showed higher in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory effects than the cooked leaves. Thus, cooking affected the inhibitory effect of in vitro α-glucosidase activity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00916-w.

Biowaste as a Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds-A Case Study of Raspberry Fruit Pomace

Raspberry fruit pomace, a byproduct of juice production, was studied as a potential source of antioxidant compounds. Target high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of important polyphenolic compounds (gallic, p-coumaric, caffeic, quercitrin, chlorogenic, and ellagic acid) was performed together with analysis of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanins content (TAC), and antioxidant capacity (via ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays). The differences in polyphenolic content of Rubus idaeus L. pomace were evaluated following ultrasound-assisted extraction and conventional maceration with different organic solvents. Additionally, the yield of free phenolics was measured in hydrolyzed pomace extracts. The results obtained show that the ultrasound method maximizes the quantity of antioxidant compounds in terms of TPC (27.79 mg/L gallic acid equivalent (GAE)), TFC (8.02 mg/g quercetin equivalent (QE)), TAC (7.13 mg/L cyanidine-3-glucoside equivalent (C3G Eq)), caffeic (19.17 µg/g), chlorogenic (3.56 µg/g), ellagic (105.52 µg/g), and gallic acids (8.75 µg/g), as well as FRAP (1002.72 µmol/L) and DPPH assays (969.71 µmol/mL vitamin C equivalent (vit C Eq); 567.00 µmol/100 g Trolox equivalent (TE)). On the other hand, conventional maceration maximizes the yield of quercetin and p-coumaric acid. In terms of biowaste valorization, raspberry fruit pomace has a promising industrial potential and may prove to be useful in the development of antioxidant dietary supplements.

Volatile constituents and ellagic acid formation in strawberry fruits of selected cultivars

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) are considered a functional food and pleasing fruit in China, mainly because of their high concentration of ellagic acid (EA) and their aroma. A total of 127 volatile compounds were identified by HS-SPME-GC-MS. Changes in volatile constituents and EA were investigated in 50 strawberry cultivars in the red-ripening stage and in 6 cultivars, including 'Benihoppe', 'Snow White', 'Yanli', 'Kaorino', 'Tokun', and 'Xiaobai', at four developmental stages. The results indicated that the components and amounts of volatile compounds and EA markedly varied among and within cultivars. Through multivariate statistical analysis of the volatile compounds, 50 cultivars were divided into 4 clusters. Aromatic components that affected the cluster formation of cultivars were detected. Volatile compounds varied quantitatively among the 6 varieties during the developmental stages, and distinct changes were observed in both red-turning fruits and red-ripening fruits compared with white fruits. Except for 'Xiaobai', which showed the highest EA content at the red-ripening stage, the other 5 cultivars exhibited the highest EA level at the large green fruit stage. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of the profiles of volatile compounds indicated that large green fruits were characterized by EA and aldehydes; white fruits were characterized by ketones and alkanes; and red-ripening fruits were characterized by esters, acids, furans, and alcohols. The results contribute new and important information to breeding programs and the desirable cultivation of strawberry production.

Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Capabilities, and Bioavailability: Ellagic Acid or Urolithins?

Oxidative stress (OS), triggered by overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, is the main mechanism responsible for several human diseases. The available one-target drugs often face such illnesses, by softening symptoms without eradicating the cause. Differently, natural polyphenols from fruits and vegetables possess multi-target abilities for counteracting OS, thus representing promising therapeutic alternatives and adjuvants. Although in several in vitro experiments, ellagitannins (ETs), ellagic acid (EA), and its metabolites urolithins (UROs) have shown similar great potential for the treatment of OS-mediated human diseases, only UROs have demonstrated in vivo the ability to reach tissues to a greater extent, thus appearing as the main molecules responsible for beneficial activities. Unfortunately, UROs production depends on individual metabotypes, and the consequent extreme variability limits their potentiality as novel therapeutics, as well as dietary assumption of EA, EA-enriched functional foods, and food supplements. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of OS; on EA and UROs chemical features and on the mechanisms of their antioxidant activity. A discussion on the clinical applicability of the debated UROs in place of EA and on the effectiveness of EA-enriched products is also included.

Network analysis, sequence and structure dynamics of key proteins of coronavirus and human host, and molecular docking of selected phytochemicals of nine medicinal plants

The novel coronavirus of 2019 (nCoV-19) has become a pandemic, affecting over 205 nations with over 7,410,000 confirmed cases which has resulted to over 418,000 deaths worldwide. This study aimed to identify potential therapeutic compounds and phytochemicals of medicinal plants that have potential to modulate the expression network of genes that are involve in SARS-CoV-2 pathology in human host and to understand the dynamics key proteins involved in the virus-host interactions. The method used include gene network analysis, molecular docking, and sequence and structure dynamics simulations. The results identified DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and Protein kinase CK2 as key players in SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle. Among the predicted drugs compounds, clemizole, monorden, spironolactone and tanespimycin showed high binding energies; among the studied repurposing compounds, remdesivir, simeprevir and valinomycin showed high binding energies; among the predicted acidic compounds, acetylursolic acid and hardwickiic acid gave high binding energies; while among the studied anthraquinones and glycosides compounds, ellagitannin and friedelanone showed high binding energies against 3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL^pro), Papain-like protease (PL^pro), helicase (nsp13), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (nsp12), 2'-O-ribose methyltransferase (nsp16) of SARS-CoV-2 and DNA-PK and CK2alpha in human. The order of affinity for CoV proteins is 5Y3E > 6NUS > 6JYT > 2XYR > 3VB6. Finally, medicinal plants with phytochemicals such as caffeine, ellagic acid, quercetin and their derivatives could possibly remediate COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Identification of Potential Inhibitors of Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase IV from Bioactive Phytoconstituents

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) is an upstream regulator of CaMKK-CaMKIV signaling cascade that activates various transcription factors, thereby regulating several cellular activities including, neuronal communication and immune response. Owing to the abnormal expression in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, the CaMKIV has been considered a potential drug target. In the present study, we checked the binding affinity of plant-derived natural compounds viz., quercetin, ellagic acid (EA), simvastatin, capsaicin, ursolic acid, DL-α-tocopherol acetate, and limonin towards CaMKIV. Molecular docking and fluorescence binding studies showed that EA and quercetin bind to the CaMKIV with a considerable affinity in comparison to other compounds. Enzyme inhibition assay revealed that both EA and quercetin inhibit CaMKIV activity with their IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range. To get atomistic insights into the mode of interactions, inhibition mechanism, and the stability of the CaMKIV-ligand complex, a 100 ns MD simulation analysis was performed. Both EA and quercetin bind to the catalytically important residues of active site pocket of CaMKIV forming enough stabilizing interactions presumably inhibiting enzyme activity. Moreover, no significant structural change in the CaMKIV was observed upon binding of EA and quercetin. In conclusion, this study illustrates the application of phytoconstituents in the development of therapeutic molecules targeting CaMKIV having implications in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases after in vivo validation.

A roadmap for research in octoploid strawberry

The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is an allo-octoploid species, originating nearly 300 years ago from wild progenitors from the Americas. Since that time the strawberry has become the most widely cultivated fruit crop in the world, universally appealing due to its sensory qualities and health benefits. The recent publication of the first high-quality chromosome-scale octoploid strawberry genome (cv. Camarosa) is enabling rapid advances in genetics, stimulating scientific debate and provoking new research questions. In this forward-looking review we propose avenues of research toward new biological insights and applications to agriculture. Among these are the origins of the genome, characterization of genetic variants, and big data approaches to breeding. Key areas of research in molecular biology will include the control of flowering, fruit development, fruit quality, and plant-pathogen interactions. In order to realize this potential as a global community, investments in genome resources must be continually augmented.

Evaluation of ellagic acid as an inhibitor of sphingosine kinase 1: A targeted approach towards anticancer therapy

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is one of the central enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism whose high expression level is presumed to be correlated with cancer and other inflammatory diseases. Using a virtual screening approach and in vitro studies, we have identified the ellagic acid (EA), a dietary polyphenol, as a potent inhibitor of SphK1. Molecular docking study has suggested a strong binding affinity of EA to the SphK1. Fluorescence binding and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements has also indicated an appreciable binding affinity. Kinase inhibition assay revealed an excellent inhibitory action of EA towards SphK1 (IC₅₀ = 0.74 ± 0.06 μM). Cell viability studies point towards the antiproliferative effects of EA on lung cancer cell line (A549) without affecting human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). Binding and inhibition mechanism of EA was unveiled by docking analysis of SphK1-EA complex. EA binds to the SphK1 and forms several interactions with catalytically important residues of ATP-binding pocket. Structural stability and dynamics analysis of SphK1-EA complex during 100 ns molecular dynamic simulation studies suggested that EA forms a stable complex with SphK1 without inducing any significant conformational shift. Taken together, our study suggests that EA can be utilized as a chemical prototype to develop potent therapeutics targeting SphK1-associated pathologies.

Utilization of actinobacteria to enhance the production and quality of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits in a semi-arid environment

Actinobacteria have received much attention due to their capacity for plant growth promotion, a promising approach in sustainable development of agriculture. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important crop, particularly in semi-arid regions of the world, due to the high nutritional and health-promoting values of its fruits. The present study was conducted to investigate the utilization of actinobacteria as an approach to support soil fertility and enhance production and functional food value of date palm fruits in a semi-arid environment. To achieve this purpose, actinobacterial strains were isolated from palm rhizosphere, characterized and screened for bioactivity. Then the potent isolates, based on plant growth promoting assays, were inoculated into the soil rhizosphere of five-target palms (Ajwa, Sokary, Khodry, Rashodia and Saffawy) before flowering and during fruiting stages in two successive seasons. Interestingly, the actinobacterial inoculants increased soil fertility and improved fruit yield of the tested palms. The treated date fruits accumulated higher levels of valuable phytochemicals such as sugars, organic acids, essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals, as compared with the untreated ones. Moreover, actinobacterial treatment induced the biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer) of the produce dates. Conclusively, results presented herein suggest the promising application of actinobacteria for supporting the production and functional food value of date palms in semi-arid regions.

Coencapsulation of Polyphenols and Anthocyanins from Blueberry Pomace by Double Emulsion Stabilized by Whey Proteins: Effect of Homogenization Parameters

Blueberry pomace is a rich source of high-value bioactive polyphenols with presumed health benefits. Their incorporation into functional foods and health-related products benefits from coencapsulation and protection of polyphenol-rich extracts in suitable carriers. This study aimed to create a water-in-oil-in-water (W₁/O/W₂) double emulsion system suitable for the coencapsulation of total phenolics (TP) and anthocyanins (TA) from a polyphenol-rich extract of blueberry pomace (W₁). The effect of critical physical parameters for preparing stable double emulsions, namely homogenization pressure, stirring speed and time, was investigated by measuring the hydrodynamic diameter, size dispersity and zeta potential of the oil droplets, and the encapsulation efficiency of TP and TA. The oil droplets were negatively charged (negative zeta potential values), which was related to the pH and composition of W₂ (whey protein isolate solution) and suggests stabilization by the charged whey proteins. Increasing W₁/O/W₂ microfluidization pressure from 50 to 200 MPa or homogenization speed from 6000 to 12,000 rpm significantly increased droplet diameter and zeta potential and decreased TA and TP encapsulation efficiency. Increasing W₁/O/W₂ homogenization time from 15 to 20 min also increased droplet diameter and zeta potential and lowered TA encapsulation efficiency, while TP encapsulation did not vary significantly. In contrast, increasing W₁/O homogenization time from 5 to 10 min at 10,000 rpm markedly increased TA encapsulation efficiency and reduced droplet diameter and zeta potential. High coencapsulation rates of blueberry polyphenols and anthocyanins around 80% or greater were achieved when the oil droplets were relatively small (mean diameter < 400 nm), with low dispersity (<0.25) and a high negative surface charge (-40 mV or less). These characteristics were obtained by homogenizing for 10 min at 10,000 rpm (W₁/O), then 6000 rpm for 15 min, followed by microfluidization at 50 MPa.