High Antioxidant Content Research Articles

Genetic associations unravel genomic regions/candidate genes of salt stress memory via enhancing antioxidant defense system in wheat.

The concept of stress memory where plants "remember" previous exposure to stress and react more robustly upon subsequent exposures has gained traction in recent years. Therefore, this study successfully identifies key genetic loci and alleles that enhance stress memory in wheat, specifically focusing on germination parameters and antioxidant activities using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) under salt stress. Our study revealed that salt-stressed wheat genotypes showed highly significant increases in all germination traits and antioxidants compared to non-stressed wheat plants. For salt-stressed wheat genotypes, SOD showed highly significant positive correlations with DW, APX, and GR (r = 0.99***, 0.99***, 0.70***), respectively. These strong correlations suggest that SOD, along with APX and GR, plays a critical role in maintaining growth and enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms in wheat under salinity stress conditions. Inside the linkage disequilibrium, 81 significant SNP markers were detected to be associated with our trait of interest. Furthermore, the study's exploration of several potential candidate genes involved in the "stress memory" effect provides a novel perspective on the adaptive responses of wheat to salinity stress. For instance, the gene TraesCS2B02G194200 is annotated as glycosyltransferase activity. Interestingly, glycosyltransferases play a critical role in mediating salt stress tolerance in cereal crops by modulating key metabolic pathways and enhancing the stability of cellular components. The presence of the G allele in this SNP was associated with higher antioxidant content in wheat genotypes compared to those carrying the A allele, indicating that selecting wheat genotypes with the G allele could enhance antioxidant defense, potentially leading to improved tolerance to salt stress. Identifying genes associated with this effect sheds light on the molecular mechanisms that enable plants to retain and pass on adaptive responses across generations and opens new avenues for targeted breeding and genetic engineering. These genes could serve as valuable targets for developing wheat varieties with enhanced salinity tolerance, providing a means to harness and enhance natural adaptive processes through crop improvement strategies.

The Influence of Lentinus edodes Stems Powder on the Physicochemical, Sensory Properties and Volatile Flavor Compounds of Wheat Flour Cookies.

In this study, Lentinus edodes stem powder, a nutrient-dense byproduct containing 76 ± 1.8% dietary fiber, was incorporated into wheat flour at varying proportions (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%) to evaluate its effects on the texture, color, sensory analysis, and volatile flavor components of cookies. Results indicated that increasing the proportion of Lentinus edodes stem powder led to a progressive darkening and reddish hue in the cookies, along with an increase in hardness. Sensory evaluation scores initially increased and then decreased, 4% supplementation level achieved optimal sensory acceptance. A total of 13 distinct volatile compounds, with esters and aldehydes following in terms of variety were identified, 1-octen-3-one, 1-hexanal, and 1-nonanal were identified as key flavor compounds that significantly contributed to the unique aroma profile of the cookies enriched with Lentinus edodes stem powder. These findings elucidate the potential of Lentinus edodes stem powder as a food ingredient in cookie formulations, optimizing both the sensory attributes and the volatile flavor profiles. Practical Application: Lentinus edodes, known for their high dietary fiber and antioxidant content, offer significant potential to enhance the nutritional quality of food products. The stems of Lentinus edodes, often discarded during processing, have been shown to reduce readily digestible carbohydrates in wheat-based products. However, their full potential remains untapped, necessitating further research to recover or retain these bioactive compounds. Incorporating Lentinus edodes stems powder into cookie formulations not only improves color, texture, and flavor but also aligns with sustainable practices by reducing food waste.

First report of Gulupa baciliform virus A associated with passion fruit in China.

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a commercially important crop known for its nutritional value, high antioxidant content, and use in beverages and desserts. Gulupa baciliform virus A (GBVA), tentatively named Badnavirus in the family Caulimoviridae, is a cryptic circular double-stranded DNA (dsDNA, ≈6,951 bps) virus recently reported in Colombia with asymptomatic infection of passion fruit (Sepúlveda et al. 2022). In July 2024, viral-like symptoms, including vein clearing, mottling, leaf distortion, and yellowing, were observed on passion fruit leaves in Pingtang, Guizhou, China (Supplementary figure S1), with a 30% incidence rate, and 30 samples were collected. Total RNA was extracted from these samples using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen, CA, USA). The intact RNA from the two pools (each consisting of 14 samples) was subjected to library construction using TruseqTM Small RNA sample prep Kit (Illumina) followed by Hiseq sequencing (Hiseq2000 Truseq SBS Kit v3-HS, Illumina platform) to complete the sRNA sequencing. Approximately 12,923,899 and 10,877,466 raw while 10,135,256 and 4,184,706 clean reads were obtained for the samples in pool A and pool B, respectively. Next, the de novo assembly was carried out using metaSPAdes (Nurk et al., 2017) which resulted in 4,770 virus related trimmed contigs with the maximum length of 883 bp. BLASTn searches of sequence contigs against the NCBI viral genome database confirmed the presence of telosma mosaic virus (TEMV, Hanoi isolate, accession No. NC_009742, >96.0% nucleotide identity), East Asian passiflora virus (EAPV, Taiwan isolate, accession No. KP114137, >97.5% nucleotide identity), and papaya leaf curl Guangdong virus (PaLCuGdV, Fujian isolate, accession No. FJ495184, >98.0% nucleotide identity). Interestingly, more than 70 sequence contigs revealed >98.7% nucleotide identity with the GBVA Colombia isolate (accession No. MW393828). Whereas, the overall similarity of newly identified GBVA Guizhou isolate was calculated to be more than 99% with corresponding sequences in NCBI database. Moreover, out of 4,770 trimmed contigs, the mapping of 241 contigs to the reference genome sequence (accession No. MW393828) using Geneious R9 further confirmed the presence of GBVA. To validate the Hiseq sequencing results, total RNA was extracted from the same samples used for high throughput sequence (HTS) analysis, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using specific primers (GBVA-P2-F1: 5´-ATGAATTGGAAATCAACYGTAG-3´/GBVA-P2-R1: 5´-TTCTTCTCGAGGCGTCTCTT-3´) targeting the p2 protein region of the reference genome (accession No. MW393828) (Sepúlveda et al. 2022). Amplicon of expected size of 408bp was subjected to Sanger sequencing, and the resulted sequence (GBVA, Guizhou isolate) was submitted to GenBank (accession No. PQ240853). Multiple sequence alignment was executed based on the p2 protein sequence of GBVA in MEGA X with the ClustalW program. Subsequently, the phylogenetic tree was constructed employing the maximum likelihood method (Supplementary figure S1) (Kumar et al. 2018). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly identified isolate has highest similarity with the corresponding isolates from Colombia, indicating the close origin of Colombian and Chinese isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GBVA associated with passion fruit in China, which indicates that further research into it's exact symptom expression may be warranted for global passion fruit production.

Enhancing nutritional quality of pigmented rice under salt stress: the role of temperature and environmental variability

ABSTRACT Salinity, worsened by climate change, poses a significant challenge to rice cultivation, affecting both yield and nutritional quality. Black rice, known for its high antioxidant content, has not been thoroughly studied under salt stress and varying environmental conditions. This study investigates the effects of salinity and temperature on black rice (variety-Asamurasaki) and white rice (variety-Hitomebore) through pot experiments and three years of field trials. The results show that salt stress negatively impacts grain yield in both varieties, with notable varietal differences in nutritional quality. Salt stress increased total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents in black rice, whereas white rice showed no such changes. Black rice also exhibited enhanced levels of crude protein, zinc, and iron. In the pot experiment, salt stress improved grain color parameters, enhancing black rice’s appearance. However, high temperatures caused brown spots on the grains, reducing the benefits of salt stress on appearance and nutritional content. While salt stress can improve black rice’s nutritional value, temperature management is crucial for optimal grain quality. Further research is needed to explore interactions with different black rice varieties.

Analysis of Metabolomic Profiles and Evaluation of Biological Activities of Six Blackberry Cultivars

Blackberries (Rubus sp.) are widely consumed fruits and are used in many processing products. Blackberry is known to have high antioxidant activity and prevent various diseases by its bioactive compounds including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Particularly, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside is a consistently predominant anthocyanin, which is responsible for the dark color in blackberry and has been reported to exert prominent bioactivity including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-neurodegenerative activities. Considering the rapid expansion of blackberry applications and the importance of their efficient use, it is essential to comprehend their nutritional profiles. This study aimed to compare the metabolomic profiles and biological activities of six different blackberry cultivars to better understand their nutritional and therapeutic potential. The targeted and untargeted analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the metabolites present in blackberries. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis revealed a distinct clustering pattern of metabolites for each blackberry. The BL cultivars indicated high amounts of sugar, organic acid, and amino acid. The F cultivars showed high amounts of anthocyanin. We also measured the antioxidant contents and activities and the anti-inflammatory properties of six blackberry cultivars. Among six blackberries, the F6 cultivar had the highest antioxidant content and activities. In addition, the F6 cultivar protected the lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages by decreasing the generation of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and reactive oxygen species.

Total glucosinolate content of arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) supplemented with rhizobacteria-enriched bio-slurry

Arugula is a member of Brassicaceae that has a high antioxidant content of glucosinolate. Bio-slurry is a kind of liquid fertilizer derived from sap of cow dung. Bio-slurry in combination with rhizobacterial can maximize decomposition and make nutrients more available. The research aimed to determine the total glucosinolate content in arugula due to the application of bio-slurry enriched with rhizobacteria. The study used a randomized complete block design with a single factor consisting of 9 levels, i.e., the combination of 3 types of rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Pseudomonas + Bacillus) and 3 doses of bio-slurry (0, 100, and 200 mL). The results showed that the application of Pseudomonas & Bacillus + 200 mL bio-slurry produced a higher antioxidant content than other inputs. The combination of bio-slurry fertilizer with rhizobacterial provides a higher ability than control to increase plant growth rates and the biosynthesis of glucosinolate. The optimal substitution for maximizing nutrient uptake in arugula growth was achieved with a bio-slurry dose of 200 mL, where the combined application of Pseudomonas and Bacillus strains enhanced plant growth and glucosinolate content. Keywords: antioxidant capacity; Bacillus; bacterial; biofertilizer; Pseudomonas

Development and improvement of methods for increasing the production of sweet pepper in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia

Sweet pepper is one of the promising vegetable crops, which is valued for its high content of various vitamins, organic acids, antioxidants, beneficial macro and microelements, and other substances necessary to maintain the normal functioning of the body. This crop has a wide distribution area, it is cultivated in almost all countries of the globe and has a high yield potential (more than 100 t/ha), but despite this, its average yield in Siberia is only 29 t/ha. The main reason for the low yield of sweet pepper is the lack of a scientifically based fertilizer application system in the region, and modern intensive varieties with a complex of economically valuable characteristics, environmental plasticity, resistance to harmful organisms and stress factors combined with high yield and product quality. This article describes the experience of applying various norms of liquid (CAS – 32) mineral nitrogen fertilizers on sweet pepper of Siberian breeding in protected soil conditions. The use of nitrogen fertilizers, especially their increased norms, has a significant impact on the periods of passage of the main phases of plant development and the growing season as a whole, which in some cases increased to 20 days. In addition, nitrogen fertilizers affect the formation of all elements of the crop structure and the productivity of the crop as a whole. Thus, according to the processed background, the yield of sweet pepper increased by more than 100% relative to the control. At the same time, the average doses of nitrogen fertilizers (N80) were the most optimal. Under the influence of nitrogen fertilizers, there is an increase in dry matter by an average of 20%, total sugar by 57, and vitamin C by 39%.

Exploring the Pharmacokinetics and safety of Avocado Seed Extract: A Novel Antioxidant Scrub Formulation

Brown rice (Oryza nivara Linn.) and avocado seed (Persea americana Mill.) are Both are known for their high antioxidant content, which could potentially offer significant health benefits. This study aims to predict the pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile of avocado seed and evaluate a whipped scrub combining brown rice and avocado seed. Researchers will evaluate the efficacy and safety of this formula as an antioxidant agent. This study involves the ADMETlab 2.0 application in assessing the drug-likeness of compounds, namely SAscore and NPscrore. SAscore (synthetic accessibility score) shows the potential of a compound to be synthesized. Drug-Likeness evaluation resulted in compounds of ferulic acid, lutein, cholorogenic acid, rutin, phlorizin, vanillic acid, isoquercitrin and quersetin. have relatively low skin permeability having logKp>-2.5. Ferulic Acid, Lutein, and Quercetin potentially have high toxic potential in skin sensitization, Ferulic Acid, Vanilic Acid, and Quercetin also have the potential to irritate the eyes. In contrast to the prediction results of pkCSM, states that all eight compounds are safe when applied to the skin. Avocado seeds were formulated into a preparation of whipped brown rice scrub combined with avocado seed extract, with avocado seed concentrations of 2.5% (F1), 5% (F2) and 7.5% (F3). The physical quality results show that all formulas meet the requirements of good characteristics. The viscosity of the preparation increased every week. The results of the IC50 value in F1 amounted to 1,654.02ppm, F2 924.20ppm and F3 726.03ppm. The whipped scrub formula is categorized as a rather low-potency antioxidant.

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity test of Curcuma zedoaria, C. aeruginosa, and C. mangga extracts against Aeromonas hydrophila

Abstract. Sasanti AD, Widanarni, Sukenda, Wahjuningrum D, Yuhana M, Setiawati M. 2025. Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity test of Curcuma zedoaria, C. aeruginosa, and C. mangga extracts against Aeromonas hydrophila. Biodiversitas 26: 1573-1580. The chemical compounds found in plants, with their potent antibacterial properties, hold significant potential as alternatives to antibiotics. This study aimed to identify the compounds present in the extracts of C. zedoaria or zedoary, C. aeruginosa, pink and blue ginger, and C. mangga or mango turmeric and to test their antibacterial activity against A. hydrophila. The extract of C. zedoaria, C. aeruginosa, and C. mangga extracts were obtained by maceration in 70% ethanol at a solvent ratio of 1:5 (w/v). The compounds in the extracts were identified by phytochemical analysis, followed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The extraction results showed extract yields of C. zedoaria 9.87% (w/w), C. aeruginosa 9.89% (w/w), and C. mangga 9.56% (w/w), respectively. The phytochemical analysis revealed that C. zedoaria extract contained the highest levels of flavonoids as quercetin and curcumin, compared to other extracts. The highest total flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and total phenolic compound contents were found in the C. aeruginosa extract, whereas the highest antioxidant content was found in the C. mangga extract. GC-MS analysis detected the compound 1,2,3-propanetriol with the highest percentage area in C. zedoaria extract; in C. aeruginosa extract, the highest percentage area was found in the neocurdione compound. In comparison, in C. mangga extract, the highest percentage area was found in (E)-Labda-8(17), 12-dien-15, 16-dial compound. All three extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against A. hydrophila, as indicated by the inhibition zone of 9.37 to 14.40 mm. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) against A. hydrophila of the three extracts were 6.25 mg mL-1 and 50 mg mL-1, respectively, suggesting their potential as new antibacterial treatments.

Листья пасленовых – источники антиоксидантов и витамина D

Coal miners work underground, which means they are likely to be at greater risk of developing Vitamin D deficiency due to reduced sunlight exposure. Other industrial health risks may include oxidative stress, respiratory diseases, and inflammatory pathologies. Leaves of nightshade plants are rich in antioxidants, which means they can prevent mining-related diseases, compensate for vitamin D deficiency, and counteract oxidative stress at the cellular level. The article describes the component composition of the leaves of various Solanaceae plants to be used in functional foods fortified with antioxidants and vitamin D. The research featured dried leaves of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), potato (S. tuberosum L.), black nightshade (S. nigrum L.), and bittersweet nightshade (S. dulcamara L.). The antioxidant studies involved a comprehensive analysis of flavonoids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and volatile organic compounds using ABTS and DPPH radicals. The vitamin D content was studied by high performance liquid chromatography. The leaves proved to be rich in flavonoids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and volatile organic compounds. The high antioxidant potential was confirmed by ABTS and DPPH tests. The highest content of vitamin D belonged to potato leaves (224.7 μg/100 g) and black nightshade (22.8 μg/100 g), demonstrating good prospects for food fortification. The high antioxidant content in the leaves of tomato, potato, black nightshade, and bittersweet nightshade makes them a promising raw material for the functional food industry. They may be able to improve the health of miners and prevent industrial diseases.

Physicochemical properties of pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L.) grown at different locations in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Pepper is renowned for its high antioxidant content, which contributes to numerous health benefits, and is among the most important spice and vegetable crops consumed in Ethiopia. Despite Ethiopia’s extensive pepper cultivation, research on its physicochemical and color variations across agroecological zones is limited. This study aimed to characterize the physicochemical properties of the “Marekofana,” “Melkawaze,” and “Gebaba” cultivars are planted in the Melkassa and Debre-Markose growing locations. The results demonstrate that both factors significantly influenced key quality attributes, including the seed content (34.31–46.29%), bulk density (0.57–0.59 g/ml), true density (1.04–1.06 g/ml), moisture content (6.05–6.14%), total ash (5.37–5.48%), oleoresin (5.84–8.18%), and total carotenoid contents (317.84–334.85 μg/g). Growing location significantly affected most parameters (p < .05), except for bulk density and total ash. Phenolic and flavonoid content varies from 1.29–2.27 mg gallic acid equivalent/gram and 0.53–0.61 mg quercetin equivalent/gram due to the pepper cultivars as well as from 1.62–1.76 mg gallic acid equivalents/gram, and 0.57–0.58 mg quercetin equivalents/gram because of the growing locations. Among the cultivars, “Melkawaze” exhibited the highest powder color intensity and chroma values, while “Marekofana” excelled in extractable color. In conclusion, the findings provide a comprehensive evaluation of how varietal differences and environmental factors influence the physicochemical and color qualities.

Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on Glycemic Index, Diabetes, and Rice Consumption

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase along with the consumption pattern of high glycemic index foods, such as white rice, which triggers a spike in blood glucose. Alternatives such as brown and black rice with a lower glycemic index and high fiber, resistant starch, and antioxidant content are considered better in controlling blood sugar. This study analyzes research trends related to glycemic index, rice types, and diabetes using the VOSviewer-based bibliometric method from Scopus data from 2017–2021. The results show an increase in research on this topic with four main clusters: risks of white rice, metabolic syndrome, benefits of brown and black rice, and nutritional approaches in diabetes prevention. This study confirms the potential of brown and black rice as alternative strategies for diabetes management and opens up opportunities for further research in this field.

Relationship of tea consumption with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis: findings from a longitudinal RaNCD cohort

BackgroundTea, known for its high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds such as catechins, is believed to support liver health. This study aimed to explore the relationship between tea consumption and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.MethodsThis longitudinal study involved 2,537 participants from the Ravanser Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort, conducted from 2015 to 2023. Dietary intake was evaluated using a 118-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) were utilized as predictive indicators for hepatic fibrosis and steatosis, respectively.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounding factors, our findings indicated that tea consumption was not significantly associated with an increased risk of worsening hepatic steatosis or fibrosis (P-value > 0.05). However, participants who consumed more than 2.88 cups of tea per day had a 27% lower likelihood of experiencing improvement in hepatic steatosis compared to those who consumed less than 1.92 cups per day (Relative Risk: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.53–0.99; P-value: 0.046).ConclusionOur study suggests that higher tea consumption is not significantly linked to an elevated risk of worsening hepatic steatosis or fibrosis. However, it is noteworthy that individuals who consumed more tea were less likely to see improvements in hepatic steatosis. This finding highlights the need for further research to better understand the potential effects of tea on liver health.

Supplementation with aspalathin and sulforaphane protects cultured cardiac cells against dyslipidemia-associated oxidative damage.

Supplementation with aspalathin and sulforaphane protects cultured cardiac cells against dyslipidemia-associated oxidative damage.

Kale, a complementary, rich mineral food - a review

Vegetables are becoming increasingly valued as products for the domestic market and export because they have a great potential to improve nutrition and therefore consumers' health. Vegetables are an exceptional source of minerals, proteins, bioactive compounds, and vitamins, all of which are necessary for the proper functioning and development of the human body. Kale has become very well known for its rich nutrient content, for the benefits it brings to health, and last but not least for its excellent taste. This work aims to evaluate the nutritional profile of kale, as well as to highlight its health benefits. Kale is known as the vegetable with the highest vitamin K content, a vitamin essential for skin health, eyes, and mucous membranes, it is anti-cancer, and diabetes and has antiinflammatory action. All varieties of Kale have a high content of calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, and copper. They have more vitamin C than oranges, having the capacity to maintain a strong immune system. The high fiber content accelerates intestinal transit and supports the detoxification of the body. Due to the high content of antioxidants, and the presence of over 45 flavonoids; kale is a real anti-cancer food, it lowers cholesterol and improves blood circulation. Regarding the low-calorie trend in diets, it contains fewer calories being a perfect food for losing weight.

Valorization of Arbutus unedo L. Pomace: Exploring the Recovery of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Distillation By-Products.

This study explores the potential of Arbutus unedo L. pomace, a by-product of the food industry, as a natural ingredient for skincare applications. In Portugal, A. unedo L. fruits are traditionally used to produce "Aguardente de Medronho", a spirit with a protected geographical indication. The distillation process generates pomace, comprising skins, pulp remnants, seeds, and residual alcohol rich in phenolic compounds, whose levels are significantly increased during distillation. In addition to their documented high antioxidant content, these residues also display notable antimicrobial properties. However, their potential benefits for skin health have not yet been explored. The methodology entailed the preparation of the pomace extract and a comprehensive analysis of its polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity under laboratory conditions and in preclinical cellular models. The by-products demonstrated a high polyphenol content and potent antioxidant activity, comparable to vitamin C. Bioscreening on human skin models (i.e., dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes) revealed their ability to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation under oxidative stress in skin cells, highlighting their potential to mitigate skin aging and damage caused by environmental pollutants. Moreover, bioscreens in vitro revealed a high safety profile, without any interference with cell viability at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL. These findings support the use of A. unedo L. pomace extract as a sustainable ingredient for the development of antioxidant-rich and eco-friendly cosmetic or dermatologic products.

Acerola-Derived Photorepair System for Eliminating Ultraviolet-Induced Pyrimidine Dimers in Human Cells.

Background/Objectives: Ultraviolet B (UV-B) is a significant risk factor for skin damage, as it induces cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), which suppress DNA replication and transcription. Photolyase (PHR) is a blue light-dependent enzyme that repairs DNA damage caused by UV irradiation. While it is absent in human, it plays a crucial role in repairing CPD in other organisms. Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC), a fruit with high antioxidant content, is widely consumed for health benefits. This study aimed to identify a novel PHR in acerola and evaluate its photorepair activity. Methods: Using RNA-seq data, we cloned the full-length sequence of the acerola PHR gene and constructed an expression vector. A stable transfected HEK293 cell line (HEK293/acPHR) was established. CPD repair activity was analyzed under blue light in these cells, as well as in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) supplemented with extracellular vesicles (EVs) from HEK293/acPHR cells and extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles derived from acerola extract. Results: Blue light-dependent CPD reduction was observed in HEK293/acPHR cells compared to control cells following UV-B irradiation. Additionally, CPD repair activity was demonstrated in NHDFs and HEK293 cells treated with EVs from HEK293/acPHR cells and nanoparticles from acerola extract. Conclusions: Acerola-derived PHR exhibits the potential to repair UV-induced DNA damage in human cells. Furthermore, EV-mediated delivery of PHR provides a promising avenue for extending photorepair capabilities to other cells. These findings highlight the potential applications of acerola PHR in the prevention and treatment of UV-induced skin damage and related conditions.

Eggs with Higher Antioxidant Content Caused by the Biotechnological Development of Microalgae in Cage-Free Hens

This study aimed to examine the effects of supplementation with the microalgae Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis and Haematococcus pluvialis on the production and quality of eggs from Hy-Line Brown laying hens under heat stress conditions. The research was conducted at the Canchones campus of Arturo Prat University, located in the Atacama Desert, Chile. A total of 125 hens aged 22 to 36 weeks were used in an experimental design with five treatments: a) a control group without microalgae, b) groups with 1% spirulina and 20, 40, or 60 ppm of natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis, and c) a group with 1% spirulina. The results showed that microalgae supplementation significantly improved egg production and live weight gain in the laying hens, particularly under heat stress conditions. Higher levels of dietary antioxidants correlated with better performance, surpassing the control group and industry benchmarks. Yolk color, which was strongly correlated with carotenoid content, increased significantly with higher levels of microalgae supplementation. The group with the highest concentrations of spirulina and astaxanthin produced the most intense yolk color and the highest carotenoid content. This study highlights the potential of microalgae supplementation to improve egg production and quality in cage-free laying hens, especially in environments with heat stress.

Comparative evaluation of free radical scavenging activity and total metabolite profiles among 30 macrofungi species

The high antioxidant content of mushrooms such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, carotenoids, ergothioneine, glutathione, vitamins, and other compounds, has sparked interest in their potential use in preventive and therapeutic medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of various macrofungi by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and quantifying two classes of compounds: phenolics (TPC) and polysaccharides, both endo- (IPS) and exopolysaccharides (EPS). Species-specific abilities to produce mycelium, polysaccharides, and polyphenols were observed under submerged cultivation without agitation over 14 days. Mycelium productivity (PM) ranged significantly from 292 ± 11 to 1110 ± 37 mg·L⁻1·day⁻1, with the highest values observed in Ophiocordyceps sinensis (1110 ± 37 mg·L⁻1 ·day⁻1), Pleurotus djamor (1090 ± 14 mg·L⁻1·day⁻1), and Cordyceps militaris (1080 ± 90 mg· L⁻1·day⁻1). The DPPH inhibition values of the extracts varied from 4.30 ± 0.20 to 87.9 ± 0.80%, while TPC ranged from 0.35 ± 0.10 to 34.6 ± 0.80 mg GAE/g d.w. Lentinula edodes was the best source of produced IPS (10.3 ± 0.35 g·L−1), while Hypsizygus marmoreus exhibited the highest EPS content (2.24 ± 0.30 g·L−1). Overall, IPS levels across species were higher, ranging from 1.56 to 10.3 g·L−1. In half of the fungal species, the mycelium exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to culture broth. However, in the majority (66.7%), TPC was higher in the culture broth than in the fungal mycelium. Distinct scavenging abilities and metabolite profiles were observed among different isolates. Notably, the mycelium of Fomitopsis pinicola and L. edodes showed the highest DPPH inhibition and TPC. The antioxidant activity and TPC varied depending on the culture medium, and solvents used. The highest DPPH inhibition (90%) and TPC (38.5 ± 0.40 mg GAE/g d.w.) were observed in the methanol (MeOH) extract of F. pinicola mycelium grown in Sabouraud dextrose medium. Similarly, MeOH and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts demonstrated strong DPPH inhibition (over 87%), while the maximum TPC (40.0 ± 0.60 mg GAE/g d.w.) was detected in the water (H2O) extract of L. edodes mycelium cultivated in glucose-peptone-yeast medium. A positive correlation was found between TPC and antioxidant activity, with Pearson’s coefficient of 0.6615 for fungal mycelium, 0.1192 for culture broth, and 0.8924 and 0.7143 for F. pinicola and L. edodes, respectively. Both fungal mycelium and culture broth exhibit significant potential as natural antioxidants. These can be applied in nutraceuticals, food products, and nutritional supplements, offering diverse health benefits. Additionally, this study is a pioneering exploration of Auriporia aurea, Hohenbuehelia myxotricha, Lepista luscina, Oxyporus obducens, and Pseudospongipellis litschaueri, highlighting their largely unexplored potential for antioxidant applications.Graphical

Wine with Added Pomegranate Juice: A Novel Approach to Sparkling Winemaking.

This study investigates the incorporation of pomegranate juice into the fermentation process to produce a novel rosé sparkling wine with enhanced antioxidant properties and improved acidity while preserving desirable sensory qualities. Initial trials blended a Glera base wine with 5%, 10%, and 15% pomegranate juice, followed by bottle fermentation to select the optimal formulation. The 10% blend, identified as the best, underwent a second fermentation in an autoclave using the Martinotti method. Chemical analyses were conducted to assess polyphenol content, protein stability, antioxidant activity, and colour, while sensory evaluations determined the flavour balance and acceptability. Results demonstrated that pomegranate juice significantly increased polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. The 10% blend achieved balanced acidity, sweetness, and carbonation, with pronounced fruity and floral aromas. However, protein stability tests revealed haze formation, emphasizing the need for stabilization refinements. This study highlights the feasibility of integrating pomegranate juice into sparkling wine production. It explores alternative and innovative uses for pomegranate to maximize its potential beyond traditional applications, leverages its unique properties, such as high antioxidant content, to enhance value-added products, and demonstrates its potential to diversify the portfolio of fruit wines while appealing to modern consumer preferences.