A Comprehensive Review on the Interaction of Milk Protein Concentrates with Plant-Based Polyphenolics

Functional properties and biological activities of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds have gained great interest due to their epidemiologically proven health benefits and diverse industrial applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the food processing conditions and certain chemical reactions such as pigmentation, acylation, hydroxylation, and glycosylation can also cause alteration in the stability, antioxidant activity, and structural characteristics of the polyphenolic compounds. Since the (poly)phenols are highly reactive, to overcome these problems, the formulation of a complex of polyphenolic compounds with natural biopolymers is an effective approach. Besides, to increase the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of polyphenolic compounds, milk proteins such as whey protein concentrate, sodium caseinate, and milk protein concentrate act as natural vehicles, due to their specific structural and functional properties with high nutritional value. Therefore, milk proteins are suitable for the delivery of polyphenols to parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, this review reports on types of (poly)phenols, methods for the analysis of binding interactions between (poly)phenols-milk proteins, and structural changes that occur during the interaction.

Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni, a Source of High-Potency Natural Sweetener-Biochemical and Genetic Characterization

Stevia rebaudiana is a natural sweetener herb that is increasingly used in herbal medicines in the food and cosmetics industries. Molecular methods can be combined with morphological techniques to identify stevia genotypes as a starting material to produce more reliable bioproducts. This study evaluated the level of the genetic and biochemical diversity in various stevia genotypes using HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Stevia genotypes collected from different locations of the world showed clear variations at the biochemical and genetic level in Polish climate conditions. The influence of the genotypes on the content of steviol glycosides, antioxidants, phenols, flavonoids, and tannins was analyzed using phytochemical assays. Genotypes from Morocco, Poland, Egypt, and Nigeria can be defined as samples of higher quality compared to other genotypes analyzed in terms of the amount of steviol glycosides. Considering the rebaudioside A/stevioside ratio as a selection criterion, genotypes from Australia, China, India, and Pakistan should be considered to be valuable in terms of suitability for obtaining new varieties. The present results of RAPD marker analysis indicated differential banding pattern and considerable polymorphism among all ten stevia genotypes. Genotypes from Morocco, Egypt, Poland, Nigeria, China, and India, as genetically different, can be selected for further stevia breeding programs.

Genetic estimates of antioxidant properties in the conventionally and in vitro propagated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

This study was undertaken in order to estimate the effect of in vitro propagation on antioxidant activity in strawberry. Results of this research exhibited differences between conventionally and in vitro propagated plants in respect of all traits analyzed. In spite of the decrease in range and mean content of vitamin C and polyphenols as well as antioxidant activity, the genetic gain expressed as percent of mean was higher in microplants regarding phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity in contrast to conventional plants (22.39-20.83, 21.79-15.61, 9.52-3.39; resp.). Correlation and path coefficients showed changes of antioxidants inter-relations between micropropagated and conventional plants. Phenolics and vitamin C correlated positively with antioxidant activity in all genotypes. The highest positive direct effect on antioxidant activity was observed via vitamin C in microplants (0.705), while in conventional plants via phenolics (0.834). Flavonoids affected directly and positively antioxidant activity in microplants (0.103) and negatively in conventional plants (-0.143).

The Content of Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Strawberry Fruit (Fragaria vesca L.)

Chemical analyses carried out in 2011-2013 aimed at evaluating the contents of flavonoids, free phenolic acids, tannins, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity (%) by means of DPPH radical neutralization ability in fresh and air-dried fruits of three wild strawberry cultivars. Examinations revealed differences in contents of biologically active substances determined in raw versus dried material depending on the cultivar. Mean concentrations of flavonoids and tannins were highest in raw fruits of "Baron von Solemacher" cv., which amounted to 1.244 mg·g(-1) and 6.09%, respectively. Fresh fruits of "Regina" cv. were characterized by the highest average content of phenolic acids and anthocyanins: 4.987 mg·g(-1) and 0.636 mg·100 g(-1). The pattern of mean contents of biologically active substances analyzed in air-dried fruits was similar. Significant differences in abilities to neutralize the DPPH radical to diphenylpicrylhydrazine by extracts made of examined wild strawberry fruits were also indicated.

Comparative analysis of secondary metabolites contents in Fragaria vesca L. fruits

Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry) belongs to the Rosaceae family. Besides the leaves (Fragariae folium) and roots (Fragariae radix), the aromatic fruits (Fragariae fructus) of wild strawberry are also herbal materials used in medicine. The aim of this study was to compare the value of phytochemical and antioxidant activity of wild strawberry fruits (Fragaria vesca L.). The fruits were analyzed regarding their secondary metabolites contents (flavonoids, sum of phenolic acids, tannins, anthocyanins, DPPH), depending on the origin of the raw material (from natural habitats vs. cultivation). According to the obtained results, raw material originating from natural habitats contained significantly more flavonoids (0.559 mg∙g(-1)), compared to fruits harvested from cultivation (0.472 mg∙g(-1), on average). Mean concentration of phenolic acids ranged from 1.648 mg∙g(-1) - 2.348 mg∙g(-1), although the wild form was characterized by higher levels of examined substances. Tannins are an important fraction of phenolic compounds; their content in studied fruits ranged from 2.2% (from cultivation) - 3.0% (from natural habitats). When comparing the average contents of anthocyanins in the studied materials, it was revealed that remarkably more of these compounds were recorded in wild strawberry fruits harvested from natural habitats vs. those from cultivations: 132 mg∙100 g(-1) vs. 90 mg∙100 g(-1). A difference was indicated with respect to the ability of DPPH radical reduction to diphenylpicrylhydrazine by extracts made of examined fruits.