Recovery of Natural Antioxidants from Onion Solid Waste via Pressurized Liquid Extraction: Encapsulation and Application into a Food System.

Utilization of quercetin and quercetin glycosides from onion (Allium cepa L.) solid waste as an antioxidant, urease and xanthine oxidase inhibitors

Implementation of response surface methodology to optimise extraction of onion (Allium cepa) solid waste phenolics

Onion solid wastes (OSW) are a food side-stream with high polyphenolic load and distinguished polyphenolic profile. This study was conducted in order to explore a novel methodology of production of polyphenol-enriched extracts with antioxidant properties from OSW, using glycerol and green deep eutectic solvents (DES), composed of glycerol/citric acid and glycerol/sodium acetate. The organosolv process developed was appraised by establishing models based on severity, but also response surface methodology. Using a linear model, it was, for the first time, proposed that there is a direct correlation between the yield of the process in total polyphenols and the combined severity factor. Furthermore, response surface optimization enabled the establishment of linear models to predict the effects of time and temperature on the total polyphenol extraction yield. Out of the solvents tested, the DES composed of citric acid and glycerol was found to provide the highest yield in total polyphenols (87.90 ± 3.08 mg gallic acid equivalents per g dry mass) at significantly higher combined severity. However, the extraction efficiency of this solvent was virtually equal to that of the two other solvents tested. On the other hand, the polyphenolic composition of the extract obtained with the glycerol/citric acid DES was characterized by exceptionally high quercetin concentration. This extract also displayed the highest antioxidant activity. Based on the evidence emerged, it was proposed that OSW polyphenol extraction with the DES glycerol/citric acid could be used for production of extracts enriched in the bioactive flavonoid quercetin, with enhanced antioxidant activity. Moreover, using this green methodology, 27.59 ± 0.09 g of pure quercetin could be recovered out of 1 kg OSW. Thus, this methodology could be employed as a sustainable means of producing quercetin, through valorization of food wastes in a biorefinery context.

Onion solid wastes were analysed using HPLC and LC / MS and the major polyphenols detected were quercetin, quercetin 4'-O-glucoside, accompanied by protocatechuic acid and a benzofuranone derivative. The latter two compounds have been demonstrated as some of the degradation products that might arise as a result of peroxidase-mediated decomposition of quercetin. These four substances, along with two principal enzymes implicated in flavonols breakdown, β-glycosidase and peroxidise, were monitored throughout an examination period of 48h, in ground onion solid waste. The determinations showed that quercetin 4'-O-glucoside content increased by 13.3%, while quercetin, benzofuranone derivative and protocatechuic acid contents increased by 68.6, 37.5 and 58.4%, respectively. β-Glycosidase activity exhibited fluctuations and increased by 38.2%, whereas the POD showed a constant increasing trend, leading in 21.7% higher activity. On such a ground, a hypothesis was set up to explain transformations of flavonols.

Valorization of onion solid waste and their flavonols for assessment of cytotoxicity, enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities

Antioxidant activity was measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay in seven types of infusions prepared from commercial dried berry fruit products: Rosa canina , Vaccinium vitis-idaea , Hiphophae rhamnoides , Hibiscus sabdariffa and three fruit mixtures. Total polyphenols (TP), total anthocyanins and the polyphenolic compounds were determined by HPLC equipped with diode array detector. To estimate the amount of elements released from fruits into the water extracts, levels of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in dried samples and in infusions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The correlation between polyphenols content and the antioxidant activities and the microelements in the infusions and the antioxidant activities were estimated using the Pearson’s correlation test. The results showed a high, positive and significant correlation (r = 0.9465) between the FRAP values and TP content, meaning that the concentration of phenolic compounds may be a good indicator of the reducing capacity in the infusions. Correlations varied (positive, negative and weak) between antioxidant and mineral extractability of berry infusions. Among the polyphenolic compounds, gallic acid contributed particularly to the antioxidant capacity of the studied samples (r = 0.563). The correlation of antioxidants, total polyphenols with mineral extractability showed the influence of antioxidant compound on mineral bioavailability. KEY WORDS : Mixed berry infusion, Antioxidant activity, Phenolic compounds, Microelements Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2018 , 32(1), 1-12 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v32i1.1

Acer pseudoplatanus (maple) is a widely grown ornamental plant. In addition to its ornamental and ecological value, it also has potentially high economic value. It is a rich source of polyphenols and exhibits antioxidant activity. However, the relationship between polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in maple leaves of different colors (green, yellow, and red) has not yet been investigated. In this study, the total polyphenol (TP), total flavonoid (TFlav), tannin (TET), chlorophyll a and b (Chl a and b), total anthocyanin (TAN), and total carotene (TAC) contents in maple leaves of different colors were evaluated. Their antioxidant activities were determined based on the inhibition of lipid oxidation, DPPH scavenging, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, and iron-chelating abilities. The concentrations of TP, TET, TFlav, TAN, and TAC in red maple leaves were higher than those in green and yellow maple leaves. In addition, red maple leaves showed a higher antioxidant effect than the leaves of the other two colors. We observed that antioxidant activity was positively correlated with TP, TFlav, and TAN and negatively correlated with Chl a and b. Finally, we analyzed the metabolites of the different colored (i.e., green, yellow, and red) maple leaves using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and found that the metabolite profile significantly varied between the different colors. These results suggest that red leaves are a good source of polyphenols and antioxidants and have potential use in the development of functional foods and medicinal applications.

A green ultrasound-assisted extraction process for the recovery of antioxidant polyphenols and pigments from onion solid wastes using Box–Behnken experimental design and kinetics

This study aimed to isolate bacterial strains from spoiled fruits and vegetables and evaluate their antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities, along with exploring the potential of chitosan in extending the shelf life of fresh produce. Bacterial isolates were obtained through nutrient agar plates, followed by Gram staining to identify the strains. The bacteria identified were Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus spp. based on their morphological characteristics. The antibacterial activity of these strains was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, revealing varying inhibition zones depending on the bacterial species. The antifungal activity of the isolates was tested against Aspergillus niger, and although no inhibition zones were observed for the bacterial isolates, the standard antifungal agent, Clotrimazole, demonstrated significant inhibition. Antioxidant activity was measured through DPPH and ABTS assays, with fungal strains isolated from cauliflower and orange showing the highest antioxidant potential. Additionally, the use of chitosan on fresh fruits and vegetables resulted in a notable extension of shelf life. Specifically, tomatoes, brinjal, apples, and bananas exhibited significant improvements in shelf life, extending their typical storage duration. These findings suggest that bacterial strains isolated from fruits and vegetables possess diverse bioactivities, with potential applications in food preservation. Furthermore, chitosan proved to be a promising natural agent for enhancing the shelf life of fresh produce. This study provides valuable insights into the biotechnological potential of natural preservatives and microbial isolates in sustainable food preservation practices, highlighting the importance of exploring eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Future research should investigate the synergistic effects of these bacterial strains and chitosan, as well as their mechanisms of action to further optimize their applications in food security and preservation.

Olive leaves are agro-industrial waste that pose an environmental management problem. However, they contain polyphenolic compounds with important bioactive properties beneficial to human. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two extraction technologies (pressurized liquid extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction) combined with green solvents (pure water, 15% ethanol, and 15% glycerol) at 50 °C and 70 °C. The goal was to obtain extracts with both antioxidant capacity and antihyperglycemic properties from olive leaves. Pressurized liquid extraction with 15% glycerol at 70 °C was the most effective method for obtaining extracts rich in total polyphenols (19.46 mg GAE/g dw), with an antioxidant capacity of 4.11 mg/mL (inhibition capacity: IC50) and 500.26 µmol TE/g dw. For both extraction methods at 70 °C, glycerol was more effective at recovering phenolic acids, stilbenes and secoiridoid; while ethanol was more effective for recovering flavonols and phenylethanoids. Oleuropein was the most important polyphenol extracted from both pressurized liquid and ultrasound-assisted extractions, with concentrations of 171.48 µg/g dw and 246.70 µg/g dw, respectively. The extract obtained from pressurized liquid extraction with 15% ethanol at 70 °C exhibited significant inhibition (70%) of α-glucosidase enzymes, similar to the reference drug acarbose. In contrast, these extracts showed low inhibitory activity against the α-amylase enzyme. These findings can be applied to the development of functional foods and nutraceutical supplements aimed at managing postprandial glycemic response, offering a natural alternative for supporting type 2 diabetes management.

Moringa oleifera leaves are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) stands out as a promising technique for effectively extracting valuable compounds from natural sources. In this study, we aimed to optimize PLE parameters, such as temperature, extraction duration, and pressure, to maximize bioactive compound (polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid) yield from M. oleifera leaves and evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. According to the outcomes of this research, the maximum achieved total polyphenol content was 24.10 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of dry weight (dw), and the total flavonoid content was increased up to 19.89 mg rutin equivalents (RtE)/g dw. Moreover, after HPLC-DAD analysis, neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids, catechin and epicatechin, rutin, and narirutin were identified and quantified. As far as the optimum ascorbic acid content is concerned, it was found to be 4.77 mg/g dw. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by three different methods: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the DPPH method, and the anti-hydrogen peroxide activity (AHPA) method, resulting in 124.29 μmol ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g dw, 131.28 μmol AAE/g dw, and 229.38 μmol AAE/g dw values, respectively. Lastly, the albumin denaturation inhibition was found to be 37.54%. These findings underscore the potential of PLE as an efficient extraction method for preparing extracts from M. oleifera leaves with the maximum content of bioactive compounds.

Preparation and characterization of probiotic Bacillus velezensis 906 metabolites /potassium sorbate/ polyvinyl alcohol antimicrobial blend film

Postbiotics possess various functional activities, closely linked to their source bacterial strains and preparation methods. Therefore, the functional activities of postbiotics need to be evaluated through in vitro and in vivo methods. This study aims to prepare a postbiotic and explore its antihemolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Specifically, a postbiotic preparation named PostbioP-6 was prepared by intercepting 1-5 kDa of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Postbiotic-P6 fermentation broth. The results demonstrate that PostbioP-6 exhibited notable biological activities across multiple assays. It showed significant antihemolytic activity, with a 4.9-48.1% inhibition rate at 10-50% concentrations. Anti-inflammatory effects were observed both in vitro, where 8-40% PostbioP-6 was comparable to 259.1-645.4 μg/mL diclofenac sodium, and in vivo, where 3.5 and 4.0 μL/mL PostbioP-6 significantly reduced neutrophil counts in inflamed zebrafish (p < 0.05). Antioxidant properties were evident through increased reducing power (OD700 increased from 0.279 to 2.322 at 1.25-12.5% concentrations), DPPH radical scavenging activity (38.9-92.4% scavenging rate at 2.5-50% concentrations), and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (4.66-10.38% scavenging rate at 0.5-4% concentrations). Additionally, PostbioP-6 demonstrated antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria, eight Gram-negative bacteria, and one fungus. Furthermore, PostbioP-6 significantly inhibited the increase in peroxide value and malondialdehyde content in cookies, highlighting its potential application in food preservation. In conclusion, we prepared a novel postbiotic, termed PostbioP-6, which proved to have prominent anti-hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. The multifunctional properties of PostbioP-6 position it as a potentially effective functional food supplement or preservative. In the future, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action, identify the active components, and validate its biological activities in animal models or clinical trials.

Recently, edible flowers (EF) have aroused increased interest because of their aesthetic properties as well as potential health benefits related to the occurrence of some bioactive compounds. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (AOA) (following DPPH and ABTS methods) in eleven EF. The samples were subjected to three successive extraction steps using methanol, and these extracts were then analysed for the aforementioned properties using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained extracts were used for the quantification of phenolic composition and AOA. The results indicated that, among the flowers analysed in this study, red rose, pink rose, and red carnation possessed the highest total phenolic contents (27.53, 23.30, and 18.17 mg g−1gallic acid equivalents, respectively), total anthocyanins (3.07, 1.97, and 4.47 mg g−1catechin equivalents [CE], respectively), and AOA (12.07, 15.77, and 12.93 mg g−1TE, respectively, as given by the DPPH method or 8.23, 9.27 and 8.00 mg g−1TE, respectively, as given by the ABTS method). The flowers with highest flavonoids contents were red carnation, Mexican marigold, and pink rose (17.50, 16.90, and 16.57 mg g−1CE, respectively). Cluster analysis grouped the analysed flowers into two groups, those richest in phenolics with AOA and those not so rich. Finally, some important correlations were observed between the total phenolics and the AOA. In conclusion, these flowers could represent a potential source of natural compounds with antioxidant capacity.

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was used to extract anthocyanins from the freeze-dried skin of a highly pigmented red wine grape with six solvents at 50 degrees C, 10.1 MPa, and 3 x 5 min extraction cycles. Temperature (from 20 to 140 degrees C in 20 degrees C increments) effects on anthocyanin recovery by acidified water and acidified 60% methanol were also studied. Acidified methanol extracted the highest levels of total monoglucosides and total anthocyanins, whereas the solvent mixture (40:40:20:0.1 methanol/acetone/water HCl) extracted the highest levels of total phenolics and total acylated anthocyanins. Acidified water extracts obtained by PLE at 80-100 degrees C had the highest levels of total monoglucosides, total acylated anthocyanins, total anthocyanins, total phenolics, and ORAC values. Acidified methanol extracts obtained by PLE at 60 degrees C had the highest levels of total monoglucosides and total anthocyanins, whereas extracts obtained at 120 degrees C had the highest levels of total phenolics. High-temperature PLE (80-100 degrees C) using acidified water, an environmentally friendly solvent, was as effective as acidified 60% methanol in extracting anthocyanins from grape skins.