Phytosterol Contents of Edible Oils and Their Contributions to Estimated Phytosterol Intake in the Chinese Diet

Bioconversion of sterol esters to steroid intermediates through Mycobacterium sp. fermentation

Sterol esters are naturally present in the by-product of edible oil processing, which is generally converted to sterols through saponification. Steroid intermediates play a crucial role in the production of pharmaceuticals, and these intermediates are predominantly synthesized via fermentation of sterol. This research explored the direct conversion of sterol esters into steroid intermediates using Mycobacterium sp. as a fermentation agent. The results demonstrated the successful identification of four steroid intermediates: androstenedione, 1,4-androstadienedione, 22-hydroxy-23,24-bisnorchol-4-ene-3-one, and 22-hydroxy-23,24-bisnorchol-1,4-dien-3-one, their individual intermediate concentrations were as follows: 144.2, 176.2, 30.8, 53.6 mg/L, with a total yield of 404.8 mg/L and a conversion rate of 29.5%. The optimized fermentation conditions included soybean oil at 3%, an initial pH of 7.0, a nitrogen source of 4.5 g/L, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin of 15.0 g/L. Proteomic analysis revealed that sterol esters conversion pathway mirrors that of sterol, with an additional hydrolysis process. This work significantly expands our understanding of steroid intermediates production and offers valuable insights for the bioproduction industry.

Phytosterol-enriched Camellia oleifera Abel seed oil obtained by subcritical butane extraction: Physicochemical properties and oxidative stability

Tea (Camellia oleifera Abel) seed oil (TSO) has antioxidant and pharmacological properties. In this study, TSO was obtained from tea seeds by subcritical n-butane extraction (SBE), which is an environmentally friendly method. The oil yield, quality characteristics, and chemical composition of the extracted TSO were compared with those of oils obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCDE) and conventional cold pressing (CP). The TSO yield from SBE (51.35 %) was similar to that from SCDE (50.30 %), but higher than that from CP (31.82 %). TSO from SBE had better oxidative stability than that from SCDE and a lower toxic aldehyde content (0.41 mg/L) than that from SCDE (0.71 mg/L) and CP (2.67 mg/L). Moreover, TSO from SBE had relatively high tocopherols (26.20 mg/100 g) and phytosterols (842.25 mg/100 g) contents. Based on these findings, SBE is a promising method for obtaining high-quality TSO enriched with tocopherols and phytosterols.

Dietary phytosterol supplementation mitigates renal fibrosis via activating mitophagy and modulating the gut microbiota

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global health challenge, primarily driven by renal fibrosis, with limited treatment options. Addressing this condition necessitates either targeted medical treatments or dietary interventions. Phytosterols (PS) are cholesterol-like bioactive compounds in various plant-based foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A CKD mouse model was established using folic acid (FA) and treated with dietary supplements of two PS, stigmasterol (Stig) and β-sitosterol (β-Sito). The effects and mechanisms of PS were investigated through biochemical indices, pathology, transcriptomics, and 16S rDNA sequencing. The results indicated that high-dose PS are more effective than low-dose PS and Losartan potassium (LP) in reducing renal fibrosis, restoring function, and modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, with no significant differences between high-dose Stig and β-Sito treatments. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that PS were significantly enriched in pathways related to the mitochondrial outer membrane, ubiquitin-protein ligase binding, and other cellular components and molecular processes. PS reduced the expression of TGF-β/Smad and cGAS/Sting1/TBK1 and activated PINK1/Parkin pathway proteins, thereby mitigating renal fibrosis in mice. CKD is often associated with imbalanced gut microbiota and compromised intestinal barriers. Our observations indicated that PS restored the intestinal barrier, altered the composition of the gut microbiota, and improved renal function in CKD mice. The present findings indicate that both Stig and β-Sito activate mitophagy via the PINK1/Parkin pathway and modulate the gut microbiota, thereby alleviating renal fibrosis. The findings provide solid and significant implications for developing effective application of PS supplementation in the management of CKD, presenting novel concepts and approaches for research and clinical treatment.

Enhancing water solubility of phytosterols through Co-amorphization with food-grade coformers

Phytosterols (PS) offer significant health benefits in human diet, but its poor solubility limits its effectiveness and application. This study explored enhancing PS solubility by testing thirteen food-grade coformers, three preparation methods and proportions screening to obtain the optimal formulation. Nicotinamide (Nic) was identified as the most effective coformer. A 20:1 (w/w) PS-Nic co-amorphous (CM) mixture, prepared via freeze-drying, achieved a solubility of 1536.4 μg/mL, significantly higher than pure PS. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the amorphous state of the mixture. Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, and 1H NMR spectroscopies, along with molecular dynamics simulations, revealed strong intermolecular interactions between PS and Nic. The PS-Nic CM demonstrated up to 60% in vitro dissolution and release within 2 h and maintained stable after storage at 4 °C for 6 months and under accelerated conditions equivalent to 10 months at room temperature. In sum, the crystal structure of PS was altered, and formed a co-amorphous system by using Nic as the optimal ligand via lyophilization to increase solubility. These findings suggest that the PS-Nic CM system has potential applications in functional foods, offering a feasible strategy to enhance the bioavailability of PS.

Phytosterols in Plant-Derived Foods: Recent Updates in Extraction and Analysis Methods

The physiological and officinal functions of phytosterols are of great significance, and recent dietary guidelines have underscored the significance of incorporating them into a balanced diet. Furthermore, it exhibits inhibitory effects on tumor growth, stimulates cellular immunity, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the role of phytosterols in public health, it is crucial to establish simple, rapid, eco-conscious, efficient, and highly sensitive techniques for their extraction and determination across various matrices. This review presents a thorough overview of various techniques used for extracting and analyzing phytosterols in diverse plant-derived foods, encompassing a range of advanced technologies like solid-phase extraction, microextraction, supercritical fluid extraction, QuEChERS, alongside traditional approaches. The detection techniques include liquid chromatography-based methods, gas chromatography-based methods, supercritical fluid chromatography, and other methodologies. Additionally, we conduct a thorough examination and comparison of various techniques while proposing future prospects.

A comprehensive foodomics analysis of rambutan seed oils: Focusing on the physicochemical parameters, lipid concomitants and lipid profiles

A foodomics approach was employed to systematically characterize and compare the quality parameters, antioxidant activity, minor-components, fatty acid composition, and lipid profiles of the seed oils from the three most popular rambutan varieties in China. The total lipid content ranged from 23.40 to 25.77 g/100 g. The fatty acids 9cC18:1 (39.84%-40.92%) and C20:0 (28.45%-30.23%) were identified as the dominant ones, which are uncommon among higher plants. All oil samples exhibited low AI and TI values. BR-7 exhibited the highest levels of squalene (21.48 mg/kg), cholesterol (144.43 mg/kg), and tocopherol (17.42 mg/kg), and the lowest levels of polyphenols (24.21 mg GAE/kg). Additionally, a total of 807 lipid species were identified, with TAG, DGTS, and PE being the predominant ones. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed significant variations in lipid profiles among the varieties, particularly in glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Fifty-seven distinct lipids were identified as potential markers for distinguishing between rambutan varieties. Furthermore, a hypothetical scenario was developed by linking relevant lipid metabolism pathways. These findings establish a theoretical framework for comprehending rambutan seed oil in depth and unlocking its high-value potential.

Formation, characterization, and application of natural bioactive phytosterol-based oleogels: A review

Oleogels are innovative structured fat systems that can replace detrimental lipids and saturated fats. Among the various gelators used to construct oleogels, phytosterols are regarded as potential oleogelators due to ability to lower blood cholesterol levels and protect patients from cardiovascular illnesses, although little research has been conducted on phytosterols. This article examines the formation, characterization, and application of phytosterol-based oleogels in detail. The oleogelation behaviors of phytosterol-based oleogels are affected by their formulation, which includes phytosterol type, combined oleogelator, proportion, concentration and oil type. These oleogels exhibit potential applications as solid fat substitutes without affecting the texture or sensory properties of food products or as effective delivery vehicles. To encourage the research and implementation of phytosterol-based oleogels, we will ultimately not only highlight problems related to their use in food processing, but also provide a few viewpoints, with the goal of providing fresh insights for advancing trends.

Steam explosion pretreatment enhances free/combined phytosterol extraction and utilization in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and its processed products: Insights from SPE-GC approach

The study investigates the impact of steam explosion pretreatment on the distribution of free and combined phytosterols within rapeseed and its derived products. Utilizing solid phase extraction-gas chromatography (SPE-GC) analysis, we elucidated the composition and distribution of phytosterols in five rapeseed varieties and their corresponding processed oils and cakes. The results indicated that Zhongyou 516 and Xiwang 988 are richer in combined phytosterols, whereas Dadi 199, Zhongyouza 501, and Xiwang 291 have a greater concentration of free phytosterols. Steam explosion pretreatment significantly increased the extraction proportion of combined phytosterols in rapeseeds. Throughout the oil process, more than half of the total phytosterol content, specifically 57.0%, was transferred from the steam explosion-treated rapeseed into the rapeseed oil. The variety Xiwang 291 showed the highest efficiency in this transfer, achieving a rate of 61.7%. The study provides crucial data for the enhancement of rapeseed processing techniques and the efficient utilization of phytosterols. Moreover, the study highlights the potential use of the ratio of free to combined phytosterols as a discriminator for different rapeseed oil varieties, offering valuable insights for quality assurance and product differentiation in the industry.

Nutrients in rice bran oil and their nutritional functions: a review

Rice is an important food crop throughout the world. Rice bran, the outer layer of rice grain, is a by-product generated during the rice milling process. Rice bran oil (RBO) is extracted from rice bran and has also become increasingly popular. RBO is considered to be one of the healthiest cooking oils due to its balanced proportion of fatty acids, as well as high content of γ-oryzanol together with phytosterols, vitamin E, wax ester, trace and macro elements, carotenoids, and phenolics. The existence of these compounds provides RBO with various functions, including hypotensive and hypolipidemic functions, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory functions, antidiabetic function, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic functions, hepatoprotective activity function, and in preventing neurological diseases. Recently, research on the nutrients in RBO focused on the detection of nutrients, functions, and processing methods. However, the processing and utilization of rice bran remain sufficiently ineffective, and the processing steps will also affect the nutrients in RBO to different degrees. Therefore, this review focuses on the contents and nutritional functions of different nutrients in RBO and the possible effects of processing methods on nutrients.

Phytosterols: Physiological Functions and Potential Application

Dietary intake of natural substances to regulate physiological functions is currently regarded as a potential way of promoting health. As one of the recommended dietary ingredients, phytosterols that are natural bioactive compounds distributed in plants have received increasing attention for their health effects. Phytosterols have attracted great attention from scientists because of many physiological functions, for example, cholesterol-lowering, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, the physiological functions of phytosterols, the purification, structure analysis, synthesis, and food application of phytosterols have been widely studied. Nowadays, many bioactivities of phytosterols have been assessed in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms of their pharmacological activities are not yet fully understood, and in-depth investigation of the relationship between structure and function is crucial. Therefore, a contemporaneous overview of the extraction, beneficial properties, and the mechanisms, as well as the current states of phytosterol application, in the food field of phytosterols is provided in this review.

MOF-derived nanozyme CuOx@C and its application for cascade colorimetric detection of phytosterols

Phytosterols (PSs), a class of naturally occurring bioactive lipid compounds, have been found to possess a significant cholesterol-lowering effect. In developing countries, the consumption of rapeseed oil is the primary pathway of PS intake for the general population. However, developing low-cost, real-time, and high-throughput screening techniques for PSs remains a challenge. Here, a Cu-based nanocomposite CuOx@C was synthesized via a simple method of the calcination of HKUST-1 and systematically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The CuOx@C demonstrated excellent peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity, functioning as a peroxidase mimic to facilitate the catalysis of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into its oxidized form (oxTMB), thereby initiating a discernible color response. On the basis of this discovery, a CuOx@C-based colorimetric method for detecting total sterols in rapeseed was successfully constructed via cascade reactions. After optimizing the conditions, the high-throughput screening of total sterols in rapeseed could be completed in only 21 min, which significantly facilitated the sensing of PSs. A linear range of 0.6-6 mg/g was achieved for the detection of total sterols in rapeseed samples, thereby satisfying the requirements for detection. In addition, due to the high stability of CuOx@C and the specificity of cholesterol oxidase, the developed method had excellent stability and selectivity toward PSs, indicating that this work has huge prospects for commercial application. This innovative work overcomes the limitation of the instrumental method and provides a portable and reliable tool for total sterols detection. It can also facilitate the development of oilseeds with a high content of PSs.

Contributions of Common Foods to Resveratrol Intake in the Chinese Diet

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and therefore has potential health benefits for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. The beneficial dose of resveratrol is between 30 and 150 mg. Although the health benefits of resveratrol have been extensively studied, resveratrol intake through the diet of residents in China remains unclear, which restricts the development of resveratrol-rich foods. In this study, a dietary assessment was conducted to reveal that the daily resveratrol intake by Chinese residents through common foods was only 0.783 mg, which was significantly below the beneficial dose. Among the main food types, fruits emerged as the primary source of resveratrol, contributing to 88.35% of the total intake. To improve resveratrol intake, potential methods to increase its consumption were proposed. First method is to increase the resveratrol content of fruits and peanuts. In addition, resveratrol can be extracted from peels. It is also recommended to adopt technical means to improve the bioavailability of resveratrol and develop related supplements and functional drinks.

Natural antioxidants enhance the oxidation stability of blended oils enriched in unsaturated fatty acids

BACKGROUND

Rancidity causes unpleasant tastes and smells, and the degradation of fatty acids and natural antioxidants, so that an oil is unfit to be consumed. Natural antioxidants, including tocopherols, polyphenols (sesamol, canolol, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, etc.), β-carotene, squalene and phytosterols, contribute to delay the oxidation of vegetable oils. However, studies on the combination of natural antioxidants to lengthen the shelf life of unsaturated fatty acid-rich blended oil have not been reported.

RESULTS

All of the composite antioxidants had the potential to significantly improve the oxidation stability of blended oil. Blended oil G with 0.05 g kg-1 β-carotene, 0.25 g kg-1 sesamol and 0.25 g kg-1 caffeic acid showed the best anti-autooxidation. It is also effective in improving the oxidative stability of vegetable oils containing various fatty acids. The oxidation stability index of the blended oil containing the optimum composition of natural antioxidants was 2.17-fold longer than that of the control sample. After the end of accelerated oxidation, the oil's peroxide value, p-anisidine value and total oxidation value were 6.59 times, 12.26 times and 6.65 times lower than those of the control sample, respectively.

CONCLUSION

(1) The combination of natural antioxidants β-carotene (0.05 g kg-1 ), sesamol (0.25 g kg-1 ) and caffeic acid (0.25 g kg-1 ) enhances the oxidative stability of unsaturated fatty acid-rich blended oils. (2) β-Carotene is the main antioxidant in the early stages of oxidation. (3) Sesamol and caffeic acid are the main antioxidants in the middle and late stages of oxidation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Co-sonicated coacervation for high-efficiency green nanoencapsulation of phytosterols by colloidal non-biotoxic solid lipid nanoparticles

Plant sterols are used as a supplement or an additive to reduce LDL cholesterol. The poor dispersibility and instability of phytosterols are the main limitations of their application. So, we tried to overcome these problems through nanoencapsulation of them with colloidal natural RSs (SLNs) using an effective approach to achieve higher efficiency and less intrinsic coagulation. Phytosterols extracted from flax seeds oil with caffeine by a new method were encapsulated with a stable colloid of sheep fat and ostrich oil (1:2), soy lecithin, and glucose through co-sonicated coacervation. Characterization of the obtained SLNs was conducted using FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, DLS, and GC analysis. The three-factor three-level Behnken design (BBD) was used to prioritize the factors affecting the coacervation process to optimize particle size and loading capacity of SLNs. Operational conditions were examined, revealing that the size of SLNs was below 100 nm, with a phytosterols content (EE %) of 85.46% with high positive zeta potential. The nanocapsules' anti-microbial activity and drug-release behavior were then evaluated using the CFU count method and Beer-Lambert's law, respectively. The controlled release of nanocapsules (below 20%) at ambient temperature has been tested. The stability of nano-encapsulated phytosterols was investigated for six months. All results show that this green optimal coacervation is a better way than conventional methods to produce stable SLNs for the nanoencapsulation of phytosterols.

Bioactive Constituents in Cold-Pressed Plant Oils: Their Structure, Bioactivity and Chromatographic Analysis

Cold-pressed oils are oils prepared from pressing plant materials with a screw or hydraulic press, yielding oils with little contamination of harmful chemicals and high content of nutrients and functional constituents. Cold-pressed oils have gained increasing recognition as food supplements for preventing and ameliorating body deterioration due to ageing and the progression of lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases. This article aimed to review their structure, bioactivity, and chromatographic analysis of the mostly found functional compounds in cold-pressed oils, including phytosterols, carotenoids, tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols), phenolic compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, and lignans), and squalene.

Sterols in Inflammatory Diseases: Implications and Clinical Utility

The characteristic steroid skeleton, with its 4-ringed 17-carbon structure, is one of the most recognizable organic compounds in biochemistry. In the presence of a hydroxyl ion bound to the third carbon, this structure is defined as a "sterol" (chemical formula: C17H28O). The hydroxyl group provides a hydrophilic site for the otherwise hydrophobic molecule, yielding an amphipathic lipid, which is a vital property for cellular function. It is crucial to remark that the term "steroid" describes a larger group of compounds that often retain the hydroxyl group but are primarily characterized by methyl groups, double bonds in the rings, and an aliphatic side-chain extending from the 17th carbon. In addition to serving various structural roles in the cellular membrane, sterols and steroids contribute to cellular and systemic functions as messengers, hormones, and regulators of several critical metabolic pathways.Sterol nomenclature is often confusing, partly due to structural complexity and partly due to the sheer number of different compounds that fall under the definition. Fortunately, the foremost sterols of interest in biochemistry are much fewer, and therefore, these lipids have been defined and studied vigorously. With the renaissance of lipid research during the 1990s and 2000s, many different metabolites of sterols, and more specifically phytosterols, were found to be associated with various diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, obesity, inflammation, diabetes, and inborn errors of metabolism; thus, it is evident that the ever-evolving research in this field has been, and will continue to be, exceedingly productive.With respect to inflammation and inflammatory diseases, plant-based sterols (i.e., phytosterols) have gained considerable fame due to their anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects demonstrated by experimental and clinical research. Besides, the exceptional pharmacological benefits of these sterols, which operate as antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-atherosclerotic agents, have been the subject of various investigations. While the underlying mechanisms necessitate further research, the possible function of phytosterols in improving health outcomes is an important topic to explore.In this regard, the current review aims to offer comprehensive information on the therapeutic potential of plant-based sterols in the context of human health, with a focus on preclinical effects, bioavailability, and clinical use.

Heating and storage of structured acylglycerols with succinyl-linked stigmasterol residue does not cause negative chemical or biological changes

Four structured acylglycerols with stigmasterol bonded by a succinyl linker were investigated and their stability were analyzed. Samples were heated to 60 °C and kept at that temperature to simulate storage, and to 180 °C to simulate frying conditions. The degradation of the synthesized compounds and formed derivatives was determined, and their cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on normal human cells from the digestive system was determined. Holding at 180 °C resulted in greater degradation of the compounds than holding at 60 °C. The most stable compound in each sample proved to be one with oleic acid in its structure-1,3-dioleoyl-2-stigmasterylsuccinoyl-sn-glycerol (DO2SSt) at 60 °C and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-stigmasterylsuccinoyl-sn-glycerol (DO3SSt) at 180 °C. These results indicate that the type of fatty acid in the molecule is more important than its position in the glycerol structure. None of the diacylmonostigmasterylsuccinoyl-sn-glycerols (DASStGs) before or after heating exhibited cytotoxic or genotoxic potential to small intestine and colon mucosa cells.

Lipidomics insight on differences in lipid profiles and phytosterol compositions of coconut oils extracted by classical and green solvents

Searching for green and ecofriendly solvents to replace classical solvents for industrial scale extraction of coconut oil is of great interest. To explore these possibilities, this study performed comprehensive comparative analyses of lipid profiles and phytosterol compositions in coconut oils obtained by extraction with n-hexane, absolute ethyl alcohol, deep eutectic solvent/n-hexane, dimethyl carbonate (DME) and cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) using a foodomics approach. Results indicated that CPME (64.23 g/100 g dry matter) and DME (65.64 g/100 g dry matter) showed comparable capacity for total lipid extraction of total lipids to classical solvents (63.5-65.66 g/100 g dry matter). Considering the phytosterol yield, CPME (644.26 mg/kg) exhibited higher selectivity than other solvents (535.64-622.13 mg/kg). No significant difference was observed in the fatty acid composition of coconut oil by the different solvents assayed. Additionally, total 468 lipid molecules were identified in the samples. For glycerolipid and sphingolipid, the five solvents showed comparable extraction capabilities. However, CPME exhibited higher extraction efficiency of polar lipids (glycerophospholipid and saccharolipid) than other solvents. Overall, these results may be a useful guide for the application of green solvents in industrial production of coconut oil.

Trends and advances in pre- and post-harvest processing of linseed oil for quality food and health products

Linseed is an ancient crop used for diverse purposes since the beginning of civilization. In recent times, linseed has emerged as a superfood due to its high content of health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids and other bioactive compounds. Among primary health effects, it has potential to manage hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis, neurological, cardiovascular diseases including blood cholesterol levels, constipation, diarrhea, and autoimmune disorders etc. due to the presence of omega-3 fatty acid, lignans, high dietary fibers, and proteins, whereas, secondary health effects comprise of relieving from various skin disorders. Due to these health-beneficial properties, interest in linseed oil necessitates the intensification of research efforts on various aspects. These include cultivation technology, varietal and genetic improvement, post-harvest processing, profiling of nutrients and bioactive compounds, pre-clinical and clinical studies, etc. The present review discussed the advances in linseed research including pre- and post-harvest processing. However, focus on the bioactive compounds present in linseed oil and their health effects are also presented. Linseed cultivation, pre- and post-harvest processing aspects are covered including climatic, edaphic, agronomic factors, type of cultivar and storage conditions etc, which impact the overall oil yield and its nutritional quality. Various emerging applications of linseed oil in functional food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical preparations were also presented in detail. Further, recommendations were made on linseed oil research in the field of genetics, breeding germplasm resources and genome editing for exploring its full applications as a nutrition and health product.

J-filter: An experiment to simplify and isolate specific signals in 1 H NMR spectra of complex mixtures based on scalar coupling constants

One-dimensional selective NMR experiments relying on a J-filter element are proposed to isolate specific signals in crowded 1 H spectral regions. The J-filter allows the edition or filtering of signals in a region of interest of the spectrum by exploiting the specific values of their 1 H-1 H coupling constants and certain parameters of protons coupled to them that appear in less congested parts of the spectrum (chemical shifts and coupling constants). The new experiments permitted the isolation of specific peaks of phytosterol components in a sample obtained from a liquid nutraceutical recommended for lowering blood cholesterol levels in regions with complete overlap in the 1 H spectrum.

Contribution of Different Food Types to Vitamin A Intake in the Chinese Diet

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient that is essential for human health. In this study, the daily vitamin A intake of Chinese residents was evaluated by investigating the vitamin A content of various foods. The results show that the dietary intake of vitamin A in common foods was 460.56 ugRAE/day, which is significantly lower than the recommended dietary reference intake of vitamin A (800 ugRAE/day for adult men and 700 ugRAE/day for adult women). Vegetables contributed the most to daily vitamin A dietary intake, accounting for 54.94% of vitamin A intake (253.03 ugRAE/day), followed by eggs, milk, aquatic products, meat, fruit, legumes, coarse cereals, and potatoes. Therefore, an increase in the vitamin A content of vegetables and the fortification of vegetable oils with vitamin A are effective ways to increase vitamin A intake to meet the recommended dietary guidelines in China. The assessment results support the design of fortified foods.

The Chemical Composition and Health-Promoting Benefits of Vegetable Oils-A Review

With population and economic development increasing worldwide, the public is increasingly concerned with the health benefits and nutritional properties of vegetable oils (VOs). In this review, the chemical composition and health-promoting benefits of 39 kinds of VOs were selected and summarized using Web of Science TM as the main bibliographic databases. The characteristic chemical compositions were analyzed from fatty acid composition, tocols, phytosterols, squalene, carotenoids, phenolics, and phospholipids. Health benefits including antioxidant activity, prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, diabetes treatment, and kidney and liver protection were examined according to the key components in representative VOs. Every type of vegetable oil has shown its own unique chemical composition with significant variation in each key component and thereby illustrated their own specific advantages and health effects. Therefore, different types of VOs can be selected to meet individual needs accordingly. For example, to prevent CVD, more unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols should be supplied by consuming pomegranate seed oil, flaxseed oil, or rice bran oil, while coconut oil or perilla seed oil have higher contents of total phenolics and might be better choices for diabetics. Several oils such as olive oil, corn oil, cress oil, and rice bran oil were recommended for their abundant nutritional ingredients, but the intake of only one type of vegetable oil might have drawbacks. This review increases the comprehensive understanding of the correlation between health effects and the characteristic composition of VOs, and provides future trends towards their utilization for the general public's nutrition, balanced diet, and as a reference for disease prevention. Nevertheless, some VOs are in the early stages of research and lack enough reliable data and long-term or large consumption information of the effect on the human body, therefore further investigations will be needed for their health benefits.

Comprehensive adulteration detection of sesame oil based on characteristic markers

Sesame oil has a unique flavor and is very popular in Asian countries, and this leads to frequent adulteration. In this study, comprehensive adulteration detection of sesame oil based on characteristic markers was developed. Initially, sixteen fatty acids, eight phytosterols, and four tocopherols were utilized to construct an adulteration detection model, which screened seven potentially adulterated samples. Subsequently, confirmatory conclusions were drawn based on the characteristic markers. Adulteration with rapeseed oil in 4 samples was confirmed using the characteristic marker of brassicasterol. The adulteration of soybean oil in 1 sample was confirmed using the isoflavone. The adulteration of 2 samples with cottonseed oil was demonstrated by sterculic acid and malvalic acid. The results showed that sesame oil adulteration could be detected by screening positive samples using chemometrics and verifying with characteristic markers. The comprehensive adulteration detection method could provide a system approach for market supervision of edible oils.

Innovative applications and therapeutic potential of oilseeds and their by-products: An eco-friendly and sustainable approach

The risk of inadequate management of agro-waste is an emerging challenge. However, the economic relevance of agro-waste valorization is one of the key strategies to ensure sustainable development. Among the agro-waste, oilseed waste and its by-products are usually seen as mass waste after the extraction of oils. Oilseed by-products especially oilseed cakes are a potential source of protein, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Oilseed cakes contain high value-added bioactive compounds which have great significance among researchers to develop novel foods having therapeutic applications. Moreover, these oilseed cakes might be employed in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Thus, as a result of having desirable characteristics, oilseed by-products can be more valuable in wide application in the food business along with the preparation of supplements. The current review highlights that plentiful wastes or by-products from oilseeds are wasted if these underutilized materials are not properly valorized or effectively utilized. Hence, promising utilization of oilseeds and their wastes not only assists to overcome environmental concerns and protein insecurity but also helps to achieve the goals of zero waste and sustainability. Furthermore, the article also covers the production and industrial applications of oilseeds and by-products along with the potential role of oilseed cakes and phytochemicals in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Sterols and pentacyclic triterpenoids from nettle root: content and composition as affected by pressurized liquid extraction

BACKGROUND

Nettle is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive molecules. The composition of nettle leaves and stems has been extensively studied, whereas the root has been insufficiently investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to optimize the parameters of advanced extraction technique, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), for the lipid fraction of nettle root rich in triterpenoid derivatives and to compare the efficiency of isolation under optimal conditions with conventional Soxhlet extraction (SE).

RESULTS

The PLE yields ranged from 0.39-1.63%, whereas the total content of triterpenoid derivatives ranged from 43.50-78.26 mg 100 g^-1 , with nine sterols and three pentacyclic triterpenoids identified and quantified within a total range of 42.81-76.57 mg 100 g^-1 and 0.69-1.68 mg 100 g^-1 dried root, respectively. The most abundant sterol and pentacyclic triterpenoid were β-sitosterol and β-amyrin acetate, with mean values of 50.21 mg 100 g^-1 and 0.56 mg 100 g^-1 dried root.

CONCLUSION

The optimal PLE conditions were 150 °C/5 min/four cycles and showed significantly better performance compared to SE (68 °C, 8 h), establishing an excellent technique for the isolation of the nettle root lipid fraction. Also, triterpenoid derivatives from nettle could be used as functional ingredients for the development of new foods and dietary supplements. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of Selected Medicinal, Timber and Ornamental Legume Species' Seed Oils as Sources of Bioactive Lipophilic Compounds

Bioactive lipophilic compounds were investigated in 14 leguminous tree species of timber, agroforestry, medicinal or ornamental use but little industrial significance to elucidate their potential in food additive and supplement production. The tree species investigated were: Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia concinna, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia odoratissima, Bauhinia racemosa, Cassia fistula, Dalbergia latifolia, Delonix regia, Entada phaseoloides, Hardwickia binata, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Senegalia catechu, Sesbania sesban and Vachellia nilotica. The hexane-extracted oils of ripe seeds were chromatographically analysed for their fatty acid composition (GC-MS), tocochromanol (RP-HPLC/FLD), squalene and sterol (GC-FID) content. A spectrophotometrical method was used to determine total carotenoid content. The results showed generally low oil yield (1.75-17.53%); the highest was from H. binata. Linoleic acid constituted the largest proportion in all samples (40.78 to 62.28% of total fatty acids), followed by oleic (14.57-34.30%) and palmitic (5.14-23.04%) acid. The total tocochromanol content ranged from 100.3 to 367.6 mg 100 g^-1 oil. D. regia was the richest and the only to contain significant amount of tocotrienols while other oils contained almost exclusively tocopherols, dominated by either α-tocopherol or γ-tocopherol. The total carotenoid content was highest in A. auriculiformis (23.77 mg 100 g^-1), S. sesban (23.57 mg 100 g^-1) and A. odoratissima (20.37 mg 100 g^-1), and ranged from 0.7 to 23.7 mg 100 g^-1 oil. The total sterol content ranged from 240.84 to 2543 mg 100 g^-1; A. concinna seed oil was the richest by a wide margin; however, its oil yield was very low (1.75%). Either β-sitosterol or Δ5-stigmasterol dominated the sterol fraction. Only C. fistula oil contained a significant amount of squalene (303.1 mg 100 g^-1) but was limited by the low oil yield as an industrial source of squalene. In conclusion, A. auriculiformis seeds may hold potential for the production of carotenoid-rich oil, and H. binata seed oil has relatively high yield and tocopherol content, marking it as a potential source of these compounds.

Food-Grade Oleogels: Trends in Analysis, Characterization, and Applicability

Currently, a large number of scientific articles can be found in the research literature in the field focusing on the use of oleogels for food formulation to improve their nutritional properties. The present review focuses on the most representative food-grade oleogels, highlighting current trends in terms of the most suitable methods of analysis and characterization, as well as trends in their application as substitutes for saturated and trans fats in foods. For this purpose, the physicochemical properties, structure, and composition of some oleogelators are primarily discussed, along with the adequacy of oleogel incorporation for use in edible products. Analysis and characterization of oleogels by different methods are important in the formulation of innovative foods, and therefore, this review discusses the most recent published results regarding their microstructure, rheological and textural properties, and oxidative stability. Last but not least, issues related to the sensory properties of oleogel-based foods are discussed, highlighting also the consumer acceptability of some of them.

The Lack of Standardization and Pharmacological Effect Limits the Potential Clinical Usefulness of Phytosterols in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) markedly increases with age. Phytotherapeutic approaches have been developed over time owing to the adverse side effects of conventional medications such as 5-reductase inhibitors and α1-adrenergic receptor antagonists. Therefore, dietary supplements (DS) containing active compounds that benefit BPH are widely available. Phytosterols (PSs) are well recognized for their role in maintaining blood cholesterol levels; however, their potential in BPH treatment remains unexplored. This review aims to provide a general overview of the available data regarding the clinical evidence and a good understanding of the detailed pharmacological roles of PSs-induced activities at a molecular level in BPH. Furthermore, we will explore the authenticity of PSs content in DS used by patients with BPH compared to the current legislation and appropriate analytical methods for tracking DS containing PSs. The results showed that PSs might be a useful pharmacological treatment option for men with mild to moderate BPH, but the lack of standardized extracts linked with the regulation of DS containing PSs and experimental evidence to elucidate the mechanisms of action limit the use of PSs in BPH. Moreover, the results suggest multiple research directions in this field.

Metabolomic approach of azole fungicides in radish (Raphanus sativus): Perspective of functional metabolites

Azole fungicides is one of the major fungicides in agricultural field. In this study, toxic effects of diniconazole (DIN), metconazole (MET), and tebuconazole (TEB) to radish leaves and roots were investigated using targeted metabolomics with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Especially, the changes of functional chemicals, including phytosterols and glucosinolates evaluated. Radish leaves and roots were harvested after 7 days and 14 days from last exposure. In multivariate analysis, the experimental groups showed clear separation in PCA and PLS-DA score plots. Phytosterols and glucosinolates were significantly changed by azole fungicide. Six metabolic pathways which are affected by fungicides were selected and showed similar patterns regardless of the type of azole fungicide used. As a result, azole fungicide induces the defense mechanisms of plants and affects both primary and secondary metabolism.

Use of Trifluoro-Acetate Derivatives for GC-MS and GC-MS/MS Quantification of Trace Amounts of Stera-3β,5α,6β-Triols (Tracers of Δ5-Sterol Autoxidation) in Environmental Samples

Stera-3β,5α,6β-triols make useful tracers of the autoxidation of Δ⁵-sterols. These compounds are generally analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after silylation. Unfortunately, the 5α hydroxyl groups of these compounds, which are not derivatized by conventional silylation reagents, substantially alter the chromatographic properties of these derivatives, thus ruling out firm quantification of trace amounts. In this work, we developed a derivatization method (trifluoroacetylation) that enables derivatization of the three hydroxyl groups of 3β,5α,6β-steratriols. The derivatives thus formed present several advantages over silyl ethers: (i) better stability, (ii) shorter retention times, (iii) better chromatographic properties and (iv) mass spectra featuring specific ions or transitions that enable very low limits of detection in selected ion monitoring (SIM) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) modes. This method, validated with cholesta-3β,5α,6β-triol, was applied to several environmental samples (desert dusts, marine sediments and particulate matter) and was able to quantify trace amounts of 3β,5α,6β-steratriols corresponding to several sterols: not only classical monounsaturated sterols (e.g., cholesterol, campesterol and sitosterol) but also, and for the first time, di-unsaturated sterols (e.g., stigmasterol, dehydrocholesterol and brassicasterol).

Hollow Mesoporous Carbon-Based Enzyme Nanoreactor for the Confined and Interfacial Biocatalytic Synthesis of Phytosterol Esters

Rationally designing carriers to obtain efficient and stable immobilized enzymes for the production of food raw materials is always a challenge. In this work, hollow cube carbon (HMC) as a carrier of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) was prepared to construct a Pickering interfacial biocatalysis system, which was applied to biphasic biocatalysis. For comparison, the nonporous carbon (HC) and porous MoS₂ (HMoS₂) were also designed. On these grounds, p-NPP and linolenic acid were selected as the representative substrates for hydrolysis and esterification reactions. Under the optimal conditions, the protein loading amount, specific activity, and expressed activity of CRL immobilized on HMC (HMC@CRL) were 167.2 mg g^-1, 5.41 U mg^-1, and 32.34 U/mg protein, respectively. In the "oil-water" biphase, the relative hydrolytic activity of HMC@CRL was higher than that of HC@CRL, HMoS₂@CRL, and CRL by 50, 68, and 80%, respectively, as well as itself in one phase. Compared to other reports (1.13%), HMC@CRL demonstrated a satisfactory hydrolysis rate (3.02%) and was the fastest among all other biocatalysts in the biphase. Moreover, compared with the free CRL in one-phase system, the Pickering interfacial biphasic biocatalyst, HMC@CRL, exhibited a higher esterification rate (85%, 2.7-fold enhancement). Therefore, the HMC@CRL nanoreactors had more optimal performance in the field of biomanufacturing and food industry.

Lipidomic Profiling of Rice Bran after Green Solid-Liquid Extractions for the Development of Circular Economy Approaches

Rice bran is a rather underutilized by-product of the rice industry that nowadays is far from being valorized. In this study, the lipidomic profile of bran of the Italian rice variety, Roma, has been evaluated through ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Crude lipid extracts were obtained from rice bran treated with different green solvents (1-butanol, ethanol and methyl tert-butyl ether/methanol mixture) in combination with an ultrasonic pre-treatment, and then compared with extracts obtained with standard solvents (chloroform/methanol mixture). Lipid yield, number and type of lipids and composition of prevalent lipid classes extracted were evaluated in order to provide an exhaustive lipid profile of the rice bran and to identify the most efficient green solvent for solid-liquid extractions. Twelve different lipid classes and a maximum of 276 lipids were identified. Ethanol and methyl tert-butyl ether/methanol solvents provided higher lipid extraction yields, the former being the most effective solvent for the extraction of triglycerides and N-acylethanolamines and the latter the most effective for the extraction of diglycerides, phospholipids and ceramides at 4 °C. Moreover, extraction with ethanol at 20 °C gave similar results as at 4 °C in terms of lipid yield and for most of the classes of lipids extracted. Taken together, our results indicate ethanol and methyl tert-butyl ether/methanol as excellent solvents for lipid extraction from rice bran, with the aim to further valorize this food by-product in the perspective of a circular economy.

Cottonseed oil: A review of extraction techniques, physicochemical, functional, and nutritional properties

Seed oils are the richest source of vitamin-E-active compounds, which contribute significantly to antioxidant activities. Cottonseed oil (CS-O) is attaining more consideration owing to its high fiber content and stability against auto-oxidation. CS-O has gained a good reputation in the global edible oil market due to its distinctive fatty acid profile, anti-inflammatory, and cardio-protective properties. CS-O can be extracted from cottonseed (CS) by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), aqueous/solvent extraction (A/SE), aqueous ethanol extraction (A-EE), subcritical water extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SC-CO₂), and enzyme-assisted extraction (E-AE). In this review, the importance, byproducts, physicochemical characteristics, and nutritional profile of CS-O have been explained in detail. This paper also provides a summary of scientific studies existing on functional and phytochemical characteristics of CS-O. Its consumption and health benefits are also deliberated to discover its profitability and applications. CS-O contains 26-35% saturated, 42-52% polyunsaturated, and 18-24% monounsaturated FA. There is approximately 1000 ppm of tocopherols in unprocessed CS-O, but up to one-third is lost during processing. Moreover, besides being consumed as cooking oil, CS-O discovers applications in many fields such as biofuel, livestock, cosmetics, agriculture, and chemicals. This paper provides a comprehensive review of CS-O, its positive benefits, fatty acid profile, extraction techniques, and health applications.HighlightsCS-O is a rich source of exceptional fatty acids.Various techniques to extract the CS-O are discussed.Numerous physicochemical properties of CS-O for the potential market are assessed.It has a wide range of functional properties.Nutritional quality and health benefits are also evaluated.

Assessment of the Physicochemical Properties of Fragrant Rapeseed Blended Hotpot Oil by Principal Component Analysis

In this study, a nutritious, healthy Chongqing hotpot oil with excellent flavor was blended while considering nutrition, flavor, and health aspects. Four blended hotpot oils prepared from fragrant rapeseed, palm, sesame, and chicken oils were analyzed to determine their physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacities, levels of harmful substances, and nutritional compositions, and their sensory qualities were evaluated. Principal component analysis was performed to identify the best hotpot oil (10% chicken oil + 20% palm oil + 10% sesame oil + 60% fragrant rapeseed oil), which exhibited good antioxidant capacity (Oxidation Stability Index: 7.95 h; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: 168.6 μmol/kg, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate): 116.7 μmol/kg, and ferric-reducing/antioxidant power: 63.9 μmol/kg), a high sensory score (7.7/10), stable physicochemical properties (acid value: 0.27 mg/g and peroxide value: 0.01 g/100 g), and high tocopherol (54.22%), and phytosterol retention (98.52%) after boiling for 8 h. Although the 3,4-benzopyrene content of this hotpot oil exceeded the EU standard after boiling for 7 h, the increase in the amount of harmful substances was the lowest.

Simultaneous Analysis of Free/Combined Phytosterols in Rapeseed and Their Dynamic Changes during Microwave Pretreatment and Oil Processing

Here, a simple, efficient, and rapid solid phase extraction-gas chromatography (SPE–GC) method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of free/combined phytosterols in rapeseed and their dynamic changes during microwave pretreatment and oil processing. First, by comparing different methods for extracting free/combined phytosterols from rapeseed and rapeseed cake, the Folch method was considered to be the optimal method and was selected in subsequent experiments. Subsequently, the extraction method was validated by determining the recoveries of standards (brassinosterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol and cholesteryl oleate) spiked in rapeseed and rapeseed oil samples, and the recoveries were in the range from 82.7% to 104.5% and 83.8% to 116.3%, respectively. The established method was applied to study the dynamic changes of the form and content of phytosterols in rapeseed and its products (rapeseed oil and cake) during rapeseed microwave pretreatment and the oil production process. Additionally, the results showed that more than 55% of the free/combined phytosterols in rapeseed were transferred to rapeseed oil during the oil processing, and this proportion will increase after microwave pretreatment of rapeseed. This work will provide analytical methods and data support for a comprehensive understanding of phytosterols in rapeseed and its products during oil processing.

Proximate Composition, Physicochemical, and Lipids Profiling and Elemental Profiling of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Grown in Morocco

We investigate and compare the nutritional and physicochemical properties of rapeseed and sunflower grown in Morocco. In order to examine a complete physicochemical characterization, various parameters such as mineral profile, fatty acid composition, sterols contents, total flavonoids content (TFC), total polyphenols content (TPC), and quality oil parameters were evaluated. The results showed a relatively small difference in the physicochemical composition of the seeds, as sunflower seeds recorded higher amounts of protein and oil content (22.98 ± 0.01 g/100 g and 41.30 ± 0.50 g/100 g) than rapeseed (22.98 ± 0.01 and 38.80 ± 0.50), while mineral elements profile was observed to be statistically different. Nevertheless, both seeds were rich in K, Ca, P, Mg, and Na and they were relatively poor in Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn. The most represented macroelement was K with the amount of 7936.53 ± 63.87 mg/Kg in rapeseed and 7739.22 ± 59.50 mg/Kg in sunflower. On the other hand, Cu was present in the analyzed samples the least, mostly below 20 mg/kg. For TPC and TFC, the sunflower recorded higher values (49.73 ± 0.50 and 25.37 ± 0.39 mg GAE/g) than rapeseed (38.49 ± 0.24 and 22.55 ± 1.76 mg QE/g). The fatty acid composition showed that both extracted oils have beneficial proprieties, as they are rich in unsaturated fatty acids; namely, rapeseed oil contains a high level of oleic acid (C18 : 1) (62.19%), while sunflower oil was richer in linoleic acid (C18 : 2) (55.7%). As a result, we conclude that the studied varieties have major importance in terms of both nutritional and seed improvement potentials.

A Comprehensive Study of Lupin Seed Oils and the Roasting Effect on Their Chemical and Biological Activity

The present investigation aimed to study the impact of roasting on the chemical composition and biological activities of sweet and bitter lupin seed oils. Lupin oils were extracted using petroleum ether (40–60) with ultrasonic assisted method. Lupin Fatty acids, phytosterols, carotenoids, and total phenolic contents were determined. In addition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities were evaluated. The results showed a ratio between 7.50% to 9.28% of oil content in lupin seed. Unroasted (bitter and sweet) lupin oil contained a high level of oleic acid ω9 (42.65 and 50.87%), followed by linoleic acid ω6 (37.3 and 34.48%) and linolenic acid ω3 (3.35 and 6.58%), respectively. Concerning phytosterols, unroasted (bitter and sweet lupin) seed oil reflected high values (442.59 and 406.18 mg/100 g oil, respectively). Bitter lupin oil contains a high amount of phenolics, although a lower antioxidant potency compared to sweet lupin oil. This phenomenon could be connected with the synergistic effect between phenolics and carotenoids higher in sweet lupin oil. The results reflected a more efficiently bitter lupin oil against anti-toxigenic fungi than sweet lupin oil. The roasting process recorded enhances the antimicrobial activity of bitter and sweet lupin seed oil, which is linked to the increment in bioactive components during the roasting process. These results concluded that lupin oil deems a novel functional ingredient and a valuable dietary fat source. Moreover, lupin oil seemed to have antifungal properties, which recommended its utilization as a carrier for active-antifungal compounds in food products.

Peppers in Diet: Genome-Wide Transcriptome and Metabolome Changes in Drosophila melanogaster

The habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) is an increasingly important spice and vegetable crop worldwide because of its high capsaicin content and pungent flavor. Diets supplemented with the phytochemicals found in habanero peppers might cause shifts in an organism's metabolism and gene expression. Thus, understanding how these interactions occur can reveal the potential health effects associated with such changes. We performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of Drosophila melanogaster adult flies reared on a habanero pepper diet. We found 539 genes/59 metabolites that were differentially expressed/accumulated in flies fed a pepper versus control diet. Transcriptome results indicated that olfactory sensitivity and behavioral responses to the pepper diet were mediated by olfactory and nutrient-related genes including gustatory receptors (Gr63a, Gr66a, and Gr89a), odorant receptors (Or23a, Or59a, Or82a, and Orco), and odorant-binding proteins (Obp28a, Obp83a, Obp83b, Obp93a, and Obp99a). Metabolome analysis revealed that campesterol, sitosterol, and sucrose were highly upregulated and azelaic acid, ethyl phosphoric acid, and citric acid were the major metabolites downregulated in response to the habanero pepper diet. Further investigation by integration analysis between transcriptome and metabolome data at gene pathway levels revealed six unique enriched pathways, including phenylalanine metabolism; insect hormone biosynthesis; pyrimidine metabolism; glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate metabolism; glycine, serine, threonine metabolism; and glycerolipid metabolism. In view of the transcriptome and metabolome findings, our comprehensive analysis of the response to a pepper diet in Drosophila have implications for exploring the molecular mechanism of pepper consumption.

Content of sterols in in vitro propagated Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub plants

Introduction: Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub (syn. Epilobium angustifolium L.) plants have been used in the treatment and alleviating symptoms of mild Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Plants are abundant in polyphenols, particularly ellagitannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Apart from polyphenols, herb of this species also contains steroids, triterpenes and fatty acids.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the content of campesterol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol in C. angustifolium genotypes cultivated in vitro.

Methods: Plants grown in vitro and the plants harvested from field were subjected to the HPLC-DAD analysis.

Results: The investigated genotypes differed in sterol content. Stigmasterol (375.64–577.77 mg/100 g of dry weight – DW) was a predominant compound among the tested sterols. In contrast to in vitro cultures, plants harvested from field synthesized mainly β-sitosterol (103.05 mg/100 g DW), whereas campesterol and stigmasterol were less abundant.

Conclusions: C. angustifolium in vitro cultures are rich source of phytosterols, particularly stigmasterol. Genotype had a significant effect on phytosterol accumulation under in vitro conditions.

Recent Advances in Analytical Methods for the Detection of Olive Oil Oxidation Status during Storage along with Chemometrics, Authenticity and Fraud Studies

Olive oil is considered to be a food of utmost importance, especially in the Mediterranean countries. The quality of olive oil must remain stable regarding authenticity and storage. This review paper emphasizes the detection of olive oil oxidation status or rancidity, the analytical techniques that are usually used, as well as the application and significance of chemometrics in the research of olive oil. The first part presents the effect of the oxidation of olive oil during storage. Then, lipid stability measurements are described in parallel with instrumentation and different analytical techniques that are used for this particular purpose. The next part presents some research publications that combine chemometrics and the study of lipid changes due to storage published in 2005-2021. Parameters such as exposure to light, air and various temperatures as well as different packaging materials were investigated to test olive oil stability during storage. The benefits of each chemometric method are provided as well as the overall significance of combining analytical techniques and chemometrics. Furthermore, the last part reflects on fraud in olive oil, and the most popular analytical techniques in the authenticity field are stated to highlight the importance of the authenticity of olive oil.

Virgin coconut oil: A comprehensive review of antioxidant activity and mechanisms contributed by phenolic compounds

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is obtained by processing mature coconut cores with mechanical or natural methods. In recent years, VCO has been widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries because of its excellent functional activities. VCO has biological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral, and also has potential therapeutic effects on many chronic degenerative diseases. Among these functions, the antioxidant is the most basic and important function, which is mainly determined by phenolic compounds and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). This review aims to elucidate the antioxidant functions of each phenolic compound in VCO, and discuss the antioxidant mechanisms of VCO in terms of the role of phenolic compounds with fat, intestinal microorganisms, and various organs. Besides, the composition of VCO and its application in various industries are summarized, and the biological functions of VCO are generalized, which should lay a foundation for further research on the antioxidant activity of VCO and provide a theoretical basis for the development of food additives with antioxidant activity.

Comparison of chemical characterization and oxidative stability of Lycium barbarum seed oils: A comprehensive study based on processing methods

Five different processing methods (cold pressing, hot pressing, solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction) were evaluated to extract oils from Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) seeds based on the lipid composition, minor bioactive components, and oxidative stability of oils. A large proportion of unsaturated fatty acids was detected in the L. barbarum seed oil, especially linoleic acid (65.24-66.26%). Minor bioactive components were abundant in L. barbarum seed oils, including tocopherols (292.65-488.49 mg/kg), phytosterols (9606.31-166,684.77 mg/kg), polyphenols (35.65-113.87 mg/kg), and carotenoid (4.17-46.16 mg/100 g). Specifically, the phytosterol content was higher than that of other common oils. Comparing the different processing techniques, ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction provided the highest extraction yield and recovery. The quantities of tocopherols, phenols, and phytosterols in hot-pressed oil were higher than those in oils extracted from other methods, and thus it had the best oxidative stability. L. barbarum seed oils extracted by different techniques showed various characteristics and could be distinguished through principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: L. barbarum seed oil is a potentially underutilized oil resource with abundant essential fatty acid and phytosterol, which owns great value to apply in the nutritional, cosmetic, and medicinal fields. Hot pressing is an efficient method to produce L. barbarum seed oil for health care with high nutritional value and good quality, which can also be easily implemented on an industrial scale.

An evaluation of graded levels of beta-sitosterol supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal permeability-related parameters and morphology in broiler chickens at an early age

This study was designed to examine the effects of different levels of beta-sitosterol (BS) supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, redox status, and intestinal permeability-related parameters and morphology of young broilers. Two hundred and forty male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were allocated into 5 groups of 6 replicates with 8 birds each, and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg BS for 21-d, respectively. The BS quadratically decreased feed conversion ratio during 1 to 14 d and 1 to 21 d, with its effect being more prominent at 25 or 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The BS linearly and quadratically reduced 14-d plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate level, and this effect was more pronounced when its supplemental level was 25 or 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The BS linearly increased duodenal villus height (VH) and quadratically increased jejunal VH and ratio of VH and crypt depth (CD) at 14 d, and these effects in 25 mg/kg group were more remarkable (P < 0.05). Similarly, BS linearly or quadratically increased VH and ratio of VH and CD, but decreased CD in the jejunum and ileum at 21 d, with these effects being more pronounced at 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The BS supplementation especially at 50 or 75 mg/kg linearly or quadratically reduced 14-d serum and 21-d hepatic malondialdehyde concentration, and increased serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities at 14 and 21 d (P < 0.05). Moreover, the BS administration linearly and/or quadratically increased glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione level, and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation in the intestinal mucosa at 14 and/or 21 d, and these consequences were more significant in 50 to 100 mg/kg BS-supplemented groups (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that BS administration could improve growth performance, intestinal barrier function, and antioxidant status of broilers at an early age, with these effects being more pronounced at a level of 50 mg/kg.

Synthesis, Physical Properties, and In Vitro-Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion of Hydrophilic β-Sitosterol Sugar Esters

Hydrophilic β-sitosterol sugar esters were synthesized by a two-step biocatalytic approach using β-sitosterol vinyl adipate as an intermediate. The maximum conversion (above 90%) of β-sitosterol vinyl adipate was achieved using the saccharides glucose, sucrose, and raffinose. The chemical structure of the synthesized esters was confirmed by various techniques. The investigation of physical properties revealed that β-sitosterol sugar esters had enhanced water solubility (3.0-8.0 mM at 35 °C), reduced crystallinity, and high wettability. Their lyotropic liquid crystal properties were observed by polarized light microscopy. Furthermore, β-sitosterol sugar esters could be hydrolyzed into β-sitosterol adipate under simulated intestinal conditions at a low rate (2.83-18.14%). Most β-sitosterol sugar esters probably entered into intestinal bile salt micelles with ester bonds intact and showed up to 10-fold higher in vitro bioaccessibility than free β-sitosterol in non-fat systems. The excellent physical and functional characteristics of β-sitosterol sugar esters suggested their great potential application in the food industry.

Contribution of Tocopherols in Commonly Consumed Foods to Estimated Tocopherol Intake in the Chinese Diet

Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble nutrient mainly found in vegetable oils, nuts, and other foods. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of commonly consumed foods to the vitamin E dietary intake of the population in relation to their consumption practices. In addition, the vitamin E intakes of Chinese residents were compared in different regions of China and in different years. The results showed that vegetable oil was the main source of vitamin E dietary intake for Chinese residents, accounting for 46.76% of total dietary intake of vitamin E, followed by cereals, vegetables, meat, aquatic products, eggs, legumes, nuts, fruits and dairy products. Among all vegetable oils, rapeseed oil was the highest contributor of vitamin E, accounting for 10.73% of all foods. Due to dietary habits and regional differences, vitamin E intake also varies greatly among residents in different regions of China and has increased yearly from 1982 to 2020. This study provides with scientific evidence for reasonable VE supplementation.

Dietary Plant Sterols and Phytosterol-Enriched Margarines and Their Relationship with Cardiovascular Disease among Polish Men and Women: The WOBASZ II Cross-Sectional Study

Dietary cholesterol has been suggested to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phytosterols, present in food or phytosterol-enriched products, can reduce cholesterol available for absorption. The present study aimed to investigate the association between habitual intake of total and individual plant sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol) or a diet combined with phytosterol-enriched products and CVD in a cross-section of Polish adults, participants of the Multicenter National Health Survey II (WOBASZ II). Among men (n = 2554), median intakes of plant sterols in terciles ranged between 183−456 mg/d and among women (n = 3136), 146−350 mg/d in terciles. The intake of phytosterols, when consumed with food containing phytosterols, including margarine, ranged between 184−459 mg/d for men and 147−352 mg/d for women. Among both men and women, beta-sitosterol intake predominated. Plant sterol intake was lower among both men and women with CVD (p = 0.016) compared to those without CVD. Diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Diet Index (HDI), was significantly higher in the third tercile of plant sterol intake for both men and women and the entire study group (p < 0.0001). This study suggests that habitual dietary intake of plant sterols may be associated with a lower chance of developing CVD, particularly in men.