Bioactivity Potential of Industrial Sunflower Meal Ethanol-Wash Solute Obtained as Waste from Protein Isolation Process

Petya Ivanova,Ivayla N Dincheva,Vesela I Chalova,Yulian Tumbarski,Hristo Kalaydzhiev,Ivan G Ivanov

doi:10.3390/app112211007

Petya Ivanova, Ivayla N Dincheva + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app112211007

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Abstract

Industrial sunflower meal is rich in secondary metabolites, which negatively influence the quality and functional properties of respective protein isolates. To reduce their quantity, sunflower meal was subjected to a four-step treatment with 75% aqueous ethanol solution. The ethanol-wash liquids were collected, concentrated, and freeze-dried to prepare powdery sunflower meal ethanol-wash solute (SEWS). Otherwise considered waste from the main process of protein isolation, the SWES was turned into a novel product containing macrocomponents, microelements, and bioactive compounds. It was found to be rich in carbohydrates (62.14%), lipids (7.73%), and bioactive compounds such as phenols (16.38%) and flavonoids (4.41%). Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analyzes revealed prevalence of sucrose (14.01%), linoleic acid (12.10%), and chlorogenic acid (85.41%) based on total ion current (TIC) of polar, nonpolar, and phenolic compounds, respectively. The SEWS was found to be rich in microelements with iron (259.02 mg/kg) and copper (109.36 mg/kg) being the highest amounts. The product contained 0.10 mg/kg selenium. Scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals increased with the increase in SEWS concentrations and reached 52.3% and 69% for 0.05% SEWS when dissolved in water and 70% ethanol, respectively. The highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (52.4%) was achieved at 0.1% SEWS. For all studied concentrations (0.005% to 0.1%), the SEWS exhibited a higher inhibition capacity than mannitol, which was used as a positive control. The SEWS demonstrated inhibiting properties against Gram (+) Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens PM-YT and Fusarium moniliforme ATCC 38932 fungus. The obtained results outline the SEWS as a natural product with bioactive properties that might be useful in the agriculture, food, and nutraceutical industries.

Highlights

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an economically important oil-bearing plant [1,2]
The sunflower meal ethanolwash solute (SEWS) was obtained as waste from the main process of sunflower meal protein isolation [13] and was not optimized for the content of any of the analyzed compounds
Its potential as a value-added product was evaluated to maximize the use of the sunflower meal as a byproduct and enhance the sustainability of vegetable oil production for both food and technical purposes [31,32]

Summary

Introduction

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an economically important oil-bearing plant [1,2]. Sunflower seeds are mainly used for the production of vegetable oil. Sunflower meal is used as a proteinrich ingredient in feed formulation. The application of this byproduct in animal nutrition, is limited by the presence of some anti-nutrients [4] and poorly digestible fibers [5]. Sunflower meal can be used for human consumption by either direct inclusion as an ingredient of food products [6] or after transformation into value-added compounds such as proteins, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and dietary fiber [7]. The efficient utilization of byproducts or food processing organic waste is emerging as a rapidly developing economically and socially important sector of human life in response to the worldwide need for efficient utilization of natural resources and gentle care to the environment [4]

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