Health-promoting Substances Research Articles

Nutritional and medicinal properties of fruits and cladodes <em>Opuntia ficus -indica</em> (L.) Mill

Numerious scientific studies have demonstrated that cacti fruits and cladodes can serve as an efficient source of nutrients and phytochemicals of nutritional and functional significance, including sugars, mucilage, fibers, vitamins, and pigments. Due to their health-promoting properties, cactus products exhibit promising functional characteristics. In this article, we provide an overview of the major active components found in various cactus species worldwide. Historically, cacti have been used to treat diseases and wounds since ancient times, and their use as therapeutic agents in folk medicine especially cladodes and cactus pear fruits remains common. Cacti are traditionally employed as natural remedies in several countries. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in characterizing plant constituents and understanding the role of natural molecules in disease prevention. In addition to being a rich source of bioactive substances, cacti are excellent candidates for nutraceutical and functional food preparations. The beneficial properties of cactus products are enhanced by the presence of certain chemical constituents found in their fruits, cladodes, seeds, and flowers. Many of these constituents have the potential to act as health-promoting substances. Recent scientific discoveries have shed new light on the plant compounds responsible for the medicinal properties of cacti.

Evaluation of Toxicity and Antioxidant Activity of the Ethanolic Extract from Ulva Lactuca

Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) is a popular food for consumers and has high nutritional value. It has also been found to be a source of health-promoting substances, including a high amount of proteins which can be utilized as a future plant-based functional ingredient in the food industry. However, before extensive applications in the aforementioned fields, it is crucial to ensure the extracts’ biological-pharmacological activities and their safety. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of the sea lettuce extract.We tested cytotoxicity by MTT assays on 5 cell lines, including fibroblast (L929), macrophages (RAW 264.7), hepatocytes (FL83B), keratinocytes (HaCaT) and normal colon (CCD-18co) cells. Genotoxicity of the extract was tested by comet and micronucleus assays on human lymphoblast cells (TK6). Our results demonstrated at a concentration lower than 50 µg/mL the extract did not show any cytotoxicity as well as genotoxicity. The extract was shown to possess high antioxidant capacity by DPPH and ABTS scavenging at the EC50 value of U. lactuca extracts was 631.84 ± 5.64 and 330.35 ± 19.49 μg/mL, respectively. Therefore, the extract may be safely used as an ingredient for food, that should help to ensure food security for humans in the future, as well as for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and other health-promoting products. HIGHLIGHTS Ulva lactuca extract displayed strong antioxidant activity. Neither cytotoxicity nor genotoxicity to cell lines are seen in the ethanol extract of lactuca. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The Biostimulation Activity of Two Novel Benzothiadiazole Derivatives in the Tomato Cultivation

Biostimulants are gaining more and more attention in modern agriculture. As follows from the definition, their role is aimed at influencing the plant’s metabolism, which results in increasing the quantitative and qualitative parameters describing the yield. Significant attention should be paid to biostimulants increasing the content of health-promoting substances contained in plants. Treatments with biostimulants should be properly incorporated into existing plant protection schemes, which, of course, requires detailed research in this area. However, reliable research on active substances contained in biostimulants should be made first, and the activity of a given biostimulant must be proven. This work presents the results of a field experiment in tomato cultivation for two new active substances belonging to the group of benzothiadiazoles. The results indicate a positive effect on plant yield and, above all, on the lycopene content in tomato fruits. Increasing the lycopene content in fruit is of key significance, as it opens up opportunities for these active substances to be incorporated into new plant protection programs.

Rapid and portable microfluidic chip-based qPCR for quality assurance of commercial seaweeds (lavers) in the supply chain

Lavers, an important type of seaweed rich in health-promoting substances, have seen a surge in global demand. However, their similar morphological characteristics among different species make them vulnerable to food fraud. To address this issue and ensure quality assurance, we developed a portable microfluidic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method to monitor six laver species, comparing its effectiveness with conventional qPCR. Our portable microfluidic qPCR system used a plate-shaped heat block for rapid heat transfer, combined with a microfluidic-based biochip for quick detection. The primers were specifically designed to target the chloroplast genes rbcL and rbcS. Specificity using 17 seaweed species showed no cross-reactivity, and the sensitivity of the assay was 1 × 10−4 ng. Furthermore, we enhanced the portable microfluidic qPCR for field applications by integrating it with a simple DNA extraction method. To validate the on-site rapid identification of laver species, we evaluated 79 laver samples collected from fish farms in Korea and commercially available laver products. We discovered instances where products were adulterated with cheaper species or replaced with others that resemble them. This method proves to be rapid, sensitive, reliable, and applicable for effectively managing and monitoring lavers in the supply chain.

Accumulation of Bisphenol A® by Pleurotus spp.-Flow Injection Analysis.

A specific feature of mushrooms (including those of the genus Pleurotus) is their natural ability to absorb and accumulate many chemical substances present in their immediate environment, which makes them an excellent natural sorption material. Hence, fruiting bodies of mushrooms have been recognized for years as excellent indicators of the environment, reflecting its current state. Nevertheless, mushrooms can accumulate both health-promoting substances, such as bioelements, and toxic substances, such as heavy metals and organic compounds, including bisphenol A® (BPA). This organic chemical compound in the phenol group, although it has been withdrawn in the EU since 2010, is widely present in the environment around us. In the present experiment, we aimed to determine the effect of adding BPA to liquid media for in vitro cultures of Pleurotus spp. The biomass increases were determined. Moreover, the degrees of adsorption and desorption of BPA from the obtained freeze-dried biomass in two different environments (neutral and acidic) were determined as a function of time. This is the first study to determine the bioavailability of adsorbed BPA in obtained biomass by extracting the mycelium into artificial digestive juices in a model digestive system. BPA was added to the liquid Oddoux medium in the following amounts: 0.01, 0.5, and 0.5 g/250 mL of medium. The amounts of adsorbed and desorbed BPA were determined by flow injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection. The addition of BPA to the substrate reduced the biomass growth in each of the discussed cases. BPA adsorption by the mycelium occurred at over 90% and depended on the morphology of the mushroom (structure, surface development, and pore size). BPA desorption depended on the pH of the environment and the desorption time. Mushrooms are an excellent natural remedial material, but BPA is extracted into artificial digestive juices; therefore, consuming mushrooms from industrialized areas may have health consequences for our bodies.

Bioinformatics for circular economy research decision-making: A case study in obtaining bioactive peptides from Citrus sinensis peels via limonene synthase analysis

In the era of technology-driven research, bioinformatics is crucial for informed decision-making. Extracting orange essential oil, a key source of Limonene, offers a valuable opportunity. While Limonene extraction is established, potential compounds in orange peel waste can create additional value-added products. Bioactive peptides extracted from this waste can be transformed into high-value products. Limonene synthase exemplifies how bioinformatics aids strategic planning for agro-industrial residue reuse. The sequence of Limonene synthase (Chain A), derived from Citrus sinensis, was analyzed in silico, using BIOPEP, PeptideRanker, ToxinPred, CSM-Toxin, PepDraw, and iBitter-SCM. In the protein sequence profiles, the peptides are non-toxic and possess a bitter taste. The frequency of occurrence of biologically active fragments in protein sequences showed high values for dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor (A = 0.5822) and ACE inhibitor (A = 0.3665). The simulation of theoretical enzymatic hydrolysis (conducted using the BIOPEP-UWM database) is a good approach to discern the selection of proteins with greater potential for high-value applications; pepsin (pH > 2) was the better option in this case. The biorefinery concept can be optimized by utilizing bioinformatics tools, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals, and efficient waste management. In silico analysis showed that inhibitory peptides of natural origin derived from Limonene synthase are health-promoting substances and can potentially be used against diseases such as Diabetes mellitus and hypertension, among others. These bioactive peptides have high added value, and recycling them contributes to transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy.

Effect of genotype on performance, vitamin and carotenoid deposition, oxidative stability, fatty acid profile and sensory characteristics in cockerels housed on litter and in mobile boxes on pasture

The study evaluated the effect of housing system and genotype on performance and breast meat quality in 540 cockerels. Three genotypes of cockerels differing in growth intensity (slow-growing ISA Dual, medium-growing Hubbard JA757 and fast-growing Ross 308) and two housing systems (litter and mobile box on pasture) were compared. The significantly lowest feed conversion (p < .001) was recorded for Ross 308 cockerels housed on litter, while ISA Dual cockerels from mobile boxes had a 74% higher conversion ratio. The highest concentrations of lutein (p = .043) and α-tocopherol (p = .024) in breast meat were found in the cockerels from mobile boxes of genotypes ISA Dual and Ross 308, respectively. Meat stored for five days showed the highest oxidative stability of fat (p = .001) in slow- and medium-growing cockerels housed on pasture. The ISA Dual genotype housed both on litter and on pasture and the Hubbard JA757 genotype from mobile boxes had the highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the meat (p < .001). The lowest n6/n3 fatty acid ratio (p = .045) and thrombogenic index (p < .001) and the highest hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic index (p < .001) were recorded in slow-growing chickens with access to pasture. The meat of cockerels fattened on litter was considered more fragrant (p = .013), more tender (p < .001), juicier (p < .001) and overall more acceptable (p = .001). It can be concluded that the ISA Dual genotype showed the highest willingness to graze compared to Hubbard JA757 and Ross 308 cockerels and made the best use of the benefits of pasture fattening, which was reflected in the high quality of the meat. The meat of conventionally housed cockerels was sensorially evaluated as better. Highlights The ISA Dual genotype showed the highest willingness to graze, which was reflected in the higher content of health-promoting substances in meat. The more frequent use of slow-growing cockerels for the purpose of fattening will be hindered by lower performance of the cockerels and low level of meat tenderness.

Antioxidant Capacity of Honey Enriched by Wildflowers

The study objective was a comparative analysis of rapeseed and multifloral honey enriched by flowers of six plant species: lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis L.), high mallow (Malva sylvestris L.), cowslip primrose (Primula veris L.), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.), lawn daisy (Bellis perennis L.), and black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.). The honey was enriched with dry flowers and plant extracts at a level of 1%, 2%, and 4% (w/w). Antioxidant capacity was measured via two different methods: DPPH and ABTS assay. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were determined using colorimetric methods. The highest radical scavenging capacity determined by the DPPH assay was observed in rapeseed honey with a 4% dried cowslip primrose (Primula veris L.) flower addition, which was more than 50 times higher than the activity for pure rapeseed honey. Almost 100% of the radical scavenging capacity was found for rapeseed and multifloral honeys with cowslip primrose (Primula veris L.), especially for the 4% dried flower addition, more than six times that of the control samples measured using the ABTS test. Multifloral honeys enriched with black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) and cowslip primrose (Primula veris L.), with a 2% and 4% plant material addition, both as an extract and as dried flowers, were characterised by the highest total phenolic content. The highest enrichment effectiveness was observed for dried flowers of lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis L.), black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), and high mallow (Malva sylvestris L.), where the flavonoid content increased more than nine times compared to the honey samples without additions. The content of biologically active substances in honey enriched with flowers gives hope for new applications of the health-promoting substances contained in wild plants.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Austrian Human Breast Milk Collected between 2013 and 2016.

Breast milk holds an immense nutritional value as it contains health-promoting substances in a unique, optimal form. Additionally, breast milk's significance extends to health and environmental protection, as it serves as an indicator of both maternal and infant exposure. In this study, breast milk samples collected in 2013 and in 2014-2016 from mothers in Vienna (Austria) were analysed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as further substances which have been listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) due to their persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. The total concentration of the PBDE congeners in the samples (n = 18, sampled 2013) ranged from 0.055 to 52 ng/g lipid, and from 0.002 to 2.5 ng/g breast milk. In the pooled sample, the sum of PBDEs was detected at a level of 4.4 ng/g lipid. Based on the 2014-2016 study population, certain PFAS were detected in all samples (n = 40). Exposure to the sum of four specific PFAS including perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) ranged between 0.014 and 0.12 ng/L breast milk. In the pooled sample, PFOS and PFOA were found in concentrations of 0.025 ng/g and of 0.045 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the first generation of POPs, mainly organochlorine compounds, was measured in a pooled sample of breast milk from participants sampled in 2014-2016 as part of the WHO/UNEP breast milk monitoring program and compared to the POPs measured in pooled samples collected in 1987/1988 and 1992/1993, respectively. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention on POPs by comparing the Austrian results from the WHO/UNEP global breast milk study from 1987 to 2016. However, the data also show that, despite these reductions, health-relevant levels are still being reached, particularly in terms of children's health when the presence of the new generation of POPs, such as PBDEs and PFAS, in human breast milk is taken into account.

Nutritionally improved pasta with Arthrospira platensis: effect of cooking on antioxidant capacity and pigments content

The functionalizing of staple and economic foods, which means adding health-promoting substances, has been visualized as a solution to reduce the concerning increase in diet-related diseases caused by bad-eating patterns. Microalgae represent an innovative way to solve this problem. Arthrospira platensis, microalgae nutritionally rich in bioactive compounds, has been used to develop hard wheat pasta (semolina) to improve its nutritional value and provide antioxidant properties, but there is scarce information about the effect of adding A. platensis in a soft wheat pasta with egg on these parameters. Given that, this work aimed to assess the effect of adding A. platensis at 1, 5, and 10% in a soft wheat pasta added with egg on the nutritional value. Besides, the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (by FRAP and ABTS), and the spectrophotometric estimation of chlorophylls a + b as well as total carotenoids content were determined after and before cooking. The results showed that adding A. platensis at 5% was enough to increase raw pasta's nutritional value, especially protein by 19.27%, TPC by 3.88%, antioxidant capacity by 48.54%, and 66.09% for ABTS and FRAP respectively, as well as chlorophyll a + b (5.89 mg/100g) and total carotenoids (1.31 mg/100g). After the cooking process losses of 7.40, 16.81 and 0.51% were evidenced for TPC, ABTS and FRAP assays, however, remained 10.63, 62.37 and 70.65% higher than the cooked control. Furthermore, increases of 92.19 and 54.96% for chlorophyll a+b and total carotenoids were evidenced. The addition of A. platensis to pasta represents a way to improve the nutritional value regarding protein content, increase antioxidant capacity, and the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids, without statistically significant modifications in the caloric content.&#x0D; Keywords: Antioxidant, Arthrospira platensis, Carotenoids, Chlorophylls, Functional Food, Pasta.

Herbicide resistance status impacts the profile of non-anthocyanin polyphenolics and some phytomedical properties of edible cornflower (Centaureacyanus L.) flowers

To ensure sufficient food supply worldwide, plants are treated with pesticides to provide protection against pathogens and pests. Herbicides are the most commonly utilised pesticides, used to reduce the growth of weeds. However, their long-term use has resulted in the emergence of herbicide-resistant biotypes in many weed species. Cornflower (Centaureacyanus L., Asteraceae) is one of these plants, whose biotypes resistant to herbicides from the group of acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors have begun to emerge in recent years. Some plants, although undesirable in crops and considered as weeds, are of great importance in phytomedicine and food production, and characterised by a high content of health-promoting substances, including antioxidants. Our study aimed to investigate how the acquisition of herbicide resistance affects the health-promoting properties of plants on the example of cornflower, as well as how they are affected by herbicide treatment. To this end, we analysed non-anthocyanin polyphenols and antioxidant capacity in flowers of C.cyanus from herbicide-resistant and susceptible biotypes. Our results indicated significant compositional changes associated with an increase in the content of substances and activities that have health-promoting properties. High antioxidant activity and higher total phenolic and flavonoid compounds as well as reducing power were observed in resistant biotypes. The latter one increased additionally after herbicide treatment which might also suggest their role in the resistance acquisition mechanism. Overall, these results show that the herbicide resistance development, although unfavourable to crop production, may paradoxically have very positive effects for medicinal plants such as cornflower.

Fresh Broccoli in Fortified Snack Pellets: Extrusion-Cooking Aspects and Physical Characteristics

The aim of the study was to obtain a new type of potato-based snack pellets fortified with fresh broccoli addition and to estimate their extrusion-cooking parameters (processing stability) and selected physical properties. In this work, fresh broccoli was added at varying levels (10, 20, and 30%) to potato-based pellets—a half-product for expanded ready-to-eat food snacks. The obtained results showed that the assessed variables: moisture content, screw speed, and amount of added fresh broccoli, have significantly affected the extrusion-cooking process and final product physical properties. Accordingly, increasing fresh broccoli by up to 30% induced higher efficiency of the extrusion-cooking process, lower energy consumption, a lower expansion index, lower bulk density values, and proper durability. Application of fresh broccoli may also significantly reduce water consumption during processing and save energy due to the omission of the vegetable drying step. We recommend the application of up to 30% fresh broccoli in newly developed extruded snack pellet formulations. Fresh broccoli, a valuable vegetable source of health-promoting substances, may be an attractive additive in snack pellet half-products with no negative effect on processing.

Organic Milk Production Sector in Poland: Driving the Potential to Meet Future Market, Societal and Environmental Challenges

During the pandemic, health and environmental issues were re-evaluated, stimulating interest in organic food. Organic milk is more beneficial than conventional milk in terms of the health-promoting substances (e.g., vitamins, fatty acids), particularly regarding its protein and lipid fractions. Poland is the main producer of cow’s milk in the EU, but only 0.2% of this production is organic. To identify the antecedents and obstacles to increasing organic milk production in Poland, the aim of this study is to explore the low level of organic cow’s milk output in Poland compared with sector leaders in the EU. We analyzed statistics on milk production, including unpublished data collected by the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection, Poland, with the use of descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. Over the period 2010–2020, the number of farms producing and selling organic milk and the number of farms with organic pastures and meadows decreased significantly in Poland. A limited number of certified farms sell their milk as organic. If all production of organic milk was sold as organic, the supply would have increased by 56% in 2020. Organic milk processing is highly concentrated which is an obstacle to the development of organic milk farming. Due to its high instability and the spatial differences in the locations of sellers (producers) and buyers (processors) and inconsistent production volumes, the supply of organic cow’s raw milk does not meet the demand from Polish dairies. Cooperation between producers and processors is essential. Providing organic dairy farms with production and market advice, as well as technical support, is crucial for the development of farms and the organic milk sector as a whole, as is, to a certain extent, evidenced by Austria. The specific nature of the raw milk market requires the procurement of organic milk on a lasting basis regarding guarantees of purchase and farmgate prices. In this way, the continuity of organic raw milk supply would be secured and the sector of organic dairy products should grow.

An Insight into Cuscuta campestris as a Medicinal Plant: Phytochemical Variation of Cuscuta campestris with Various Host Plants

Cuscuta campestris is a holoparasitic plant that depends on the host for water, nutrients, and photosynthetic substances. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of the host species on the content of bioactive and health-promoting substances in the Cuscuta seeds to test the following hypothesis: these substances are more induced if the hosts are herbs. The studied hosts were herbs (thyme, basil, and onion) and non-herbs (alfalfa and tomato). The results showed that the carotenoid accumulation in seeds developed on basil and thyme was the maximum. The extracts of seeds grown on thyme and onion had significantly more galactitol, total polysaccharide, and antioxidant activity than other hosts. Quercetin, kaempferol, and total flavonoids were higher in the seeds set on onion. The highest content of bergenin was recorded on thyme with no significant difference with onion. The extract of seeds grown on thyme had more total phenolics, followed by tomato and basil. Analysis of the phytosterol content of the seeds showed that campesterol was the minimum in seeds grown on alfalfa and stigmasterol was lowest in seeds grown on tomato than other hosts. Additionally, β-sitosterol increased in seeds developed on basil, onion, and thyme, and Δ7-avenasterol increased in seeds set on thyme and basil. Overall, the content of total phytosterols was higher in seeds developed on basil, onion, and thyme. The results were suggestive of the proper health-promoting levels of dodder seeds developed on medicinal plants such as onion and thyme for pharmaceutical and food applications.

Uses of carotenoid-rich ingredients to design functional foods: a review

Carotenoids are isoprenoids that are extensively dispersed in foods that have always been part of the human diet.Certain carotenoids can be transformed into retinoids with vitamin A activity, which is needed for humans. Additionally, they are far more flexible, since they may be found in foods not just as sources of vitamin A, and also as natural colors, antioxidants, and health-promoting substances. Functional foods provide health advantages in addition to basic nourishment. They can be found in a variety of forms, including whole, fortified, enriched, or enhanced meals. A flood of information about the health advantages of functional foods has been supplied by several epidemiological research. This review discusses the factor for healthy and sustainable usage of carotenoidrich ingredients for the design of functional food products primarily intended for health promotion. Furthermore, data on sources, intakes, and variables influencing bioavailability are summarized.

Protective effect of Aronia melanocarpa juice against acrylamide-induced cellular toxicity

Acrylamide (AA) a widely used industrial chemical is also formed during food processing by the Maillard reaction, which makes its exposure to humans almost unavoidable. In this study, we used Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism to investigate AA toxicity (10 or 20 mM concentration) in eukaryotes. In S. pombe, AA delays cell growth causes oxidative stress by enhancement of ROS production and triggers excitement of the antioxidant defence system resulting in the division arrest. Aronia fruit contains a variety of health-promoting substances with considerable antioxidant potential. Therefore, Aronia juice supplementation was tested to evaluate its protective effect against AA-derived perturbations of the organism. Cell treatment with several Aronia juice concentrations ranging from 0 to 2% revealed the best protective effect of 1 or 2% Aronia juice solutions. Both chosen Aronia juice concentrations alleviated AA toxicity through the improvement of the antioxidant cell capacity and metabolic activity by their strong ROS scavenging property. Efficiency of Aronia juice cell protection is dose dependent as the 2% solution led to significantly higher cellular defence compared with 1%. Due to the high similarity of biological processes of S. pombe with higher eukaryotes, the protective effect of Aronia juice against AA toxicity might also apply to higher organisms.

Genetic diversity analysis and variety identification using SSR and SNP markers in melon

Melon is an important horticultural crop with a pleasant aromatic flavor and abundance of health-promoting substances. Numerous melon varieties have been cultivated worldwide in recent years, but the high number of varieties and the high similarity between them poses a major challenge for variety evaluation, discrimination, as well as innovation in breeding. Recently, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), two robust molecular markers, have been utilized as a rapid and reliable method for variety identification. To elucidate the genetic structure and diversity of melon varieties, we screened out 136 perfect SSRs and 164 perfect SNPs from the resequencing data of 149 accessions, including the most representative lines worldwide. This study established the DNA fingerprint of 259 widely-cultivated melon varieties in China using Target-seq technology. All melon varieties were classified into five subgruops, including ssp. agrestis, ssp. melo, muskmelon and two subgroups of foreign individuals. Compared with ssp. melo, the ssp. agrestis varieties might be exposed to a high risk of genetic erosion due to their extremely narrow genetic background. Increasing the gene exchange between ssp. melo and ssp. agrestis is therefore necessary in the breeding procedure. In addition, analysis of the DNA fingerprints of the 259 melon varieties showed a good linear correlation (R2 = 0.9722) between the SSR genotyping and SNP genotyping methods in variety identification. The pedigree analysis based on the DNA fingerprint of ‘Jingyu’ and ‘Jingmi’ series melon varieties was consistent with their breeding history. Based on the SNP index analysis, ssp. agrestis had low gene exchange with ssp. melo in chromosome 4, 7, 10, 11and 12, two specific SNP loci were verified to distinguish ssp. agrestis and ssp. melon varieties. Finally, 23 SSRs and 40 SNPs were selected as the core sets of markers for application in variety identification, which could be efficiently applied to variety authentication, variety monitoring, as well as the protection of intellectual property rights in melon.

Health-promoting Properties Infusions of Hibiscus Flowers and Selected Berry Fruit Processing By-products

Aim: This study aimed to compare the health-promoting properties of hibiscus flowers infusions with pomace infusions from black chokeberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry. Methodology: Five types of fruit pomace infusions were selected as the research material: hibiscus flowers infusion and infusions from black chokeberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry pomace. The total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and colour parameters were determined. Results: The highest content of phenolic compounds was found in hibiscus flowers infusion (453.25 mg GAE/L of infusion). Hibiscus flowers infusion also showed the highest antioxidant activity measured by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests. Among the tested infusions from selected berry fruit by-products, the infusion from chokeberry pomace was characterised by a high content of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The lowest total phenol content and antioxidant activity were found in the strawberry pomace infusion. Implications and recommendations: Despite their popularity and variety of flavours, commercial fruit teas that use fruit by-products need to be standardised in terms of their health-promoting content. This means that there is no uniform, controlled standard that specifies the amount of specific beneficial health-promoting ingredients in each package of fruit tea. The authors’ future research related to hibiscus flowers and berry pomace will focus on the influence of organoleptic characteristics on biological activity and the standardisation of the developed tea prototypes in terms of the content of health-promoting substances. Originality/value: According to the research, hibiscus flowers infusion has the highest antioxidant and colouring properties. Chokeberry pomace infusion showed antioxidant properties comparable to hibiscus flowers infusion. Consequently, the health-promoting properties and low cost of fruit processing by-products may contribute to their broader use in the tea industry.

Effect of Supplementation of Freshly Pressed Carrot Juice with Rhus coriaria L. on Changes in Juice Quality

The creation of an environmentally friendly food system involves, e.g., the production of safe and healthy food and the reduction of its waste. Therefore, the main aim of this research was to determine the effect of the addition of ground sumac powder (in the amount of 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 g/100 mL) on the physicochemical properties of freshly pressed carrot (Daucus carota L.) juice and to obtain a product with extended shelf life. The analyses revealed the multiplication of microorganisms in the control juice samples during storage and the inhibition of the multiplication in the sumac-enriched samples. After 72 h, the addition of sumac in the amount of 0.5, 1.5, and 3 g reduced the total number of microorganisms by 1.7, 2.9, and 3.1 log10 CFU/g, respectively, compared to the control. The supplementation of carrot juice with sumac in the amount of 3% increased the content of carotenoids and polyphenolic compounds on the first day of storage by 23% and 40%, respectively, compared to the control sample. The addition of sumac to the carrot juice extended the shelf life of the product with a simultaneous significant increase in polyphenols classified as health-promoting substances.

Cultivation and Uses of Moringa oleifera as Non-Conventional Feed Stuff in Livestock Production: A Review.

M. oleifera is the best known and the most utilized of the 14 known species of the genus Moringa. Moringa is used as animal fodder and a medicinal plant as well as in the purification of water. Studies have shown that the day/night temperature of 30/20 °C is the most favorable for M. oleifera germination, plant growth and development. M. oleifera plants prefer sandy, well-drained loam soils due to their susceptibility to waterlogged soil conditions. It is recommended to use fertilizers to improve plant growth and the amount of forage production in areas with low rainfall and extreme temperatures. For forage production, an area of 20 × 20 cm is adapted to 16,000 plants per hectare. Chemical analyses confirmed the presence of different groups of pharmacologically active chemical compounds, as well as functional compounds of nutritional value such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins, in M. oleifera. The reviewed literature particularly encourages the use of M. oleifera whole plants as nonconventional forage in ruminants' nutrition, as well as using M. oleifera leaves or leaves extract as a protein source for broilers and laying hens. M. oleifera in livestock feed with the ultimate goal of producing functional food (meat, eggs and milk) with appropriate contents of human health-promoting substances such as omega-3 and organic selenium remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, M. oleifera inclusion in livestock feed has the potential to increase the shelf-life of animal products during storage and processing. Further research is needed to determine the appropriate supplementation level of different plant parts or their extracts, as well as the appropriate processing methods or treatments of M. oleifera, in order to improve its palatability and consequently enhance the production performance of livestock without compromising animal health.