High Levels Of Bioactive Compounds Research Articles

Effects of boiling, centrifuging and drying methods on bioactive compounds in Antarctic krill meal

SummaryBoiling, centrifuging and various drying techniques (vacuum freeze‐drying (VFD), vacuum drying (VD), hot‐air drying (HAD) and microwave drying (MWD)) were assessed for their impact on bioactive compounds in Antarctic krill meal. A comparison between the raw and boiling groups revealed a significant degradation and isomerisation of astaxanthin, accompanied by a 1.25‐fold and 1.32‐fold increase in saturated (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), respectively. Drying was the primary factor responsible for the reduction in phospholipids, α‐tocopherol and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs), in combination with the increase in thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances. For different drying methods, it was found that HAD induced severe lipid oxidation. In contrast, the VFD, VD and MWD improved lipid quality, reducing thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) by 13–22% and increasing phospholipids by 1.08–1.11 times compared to HAD. VD preserved higher levels of bioactive compounds. PLS‐DA analysis identified 13‐cis‐astaxanthin, α‐tocopherol and eleven fatty acids as key indicators for Antarctic krill meal.

Spray-Dried Jaboticaba Powder as Food Resource

Jaboticaba, a popular Brazilian fruit, has recently garnered scientific interest due to its nutritional properties and high levels of bioactive compounds. However, this fruit is highly perishable due to its high moisture content and physical–chemical structure. Therefore, it is imperative to employ methods for preserving it and explore its potential as a food resource. This study investigates the use of a spray drying method to dehydrate whole jaboticaba fruits. The effects of air temperature (T) ranging from 67.9 to 132.1 °C, air flow rate (AF) from 1.54 to 1.86 m3/min, maltodextrin concentration (M) from 8.9 to 41.1%, and feed flow rate (FF) from 0.36 to 0.84 L/h on the moisture content, drying yield, and bioactive compounds (total phenolic, total flavonoid, citric acid, and ascorbic acid contents) were quantified. The results indicate that spray drying can produce a powder with reduced moisture content levels, a satisfactory drying yield, and high levels of bioactive compounds if performed under specific conditions. An optimization study using desirability analysis shows that having T, AF, M, and FF at 132.1 °C, 1.86 m3/min, 15.0%, and 0.4549 L/h, respectively, is the optimal condition for the studied variables. Spray drying has proven to be a very promising alternative for jaboticaba processing, enabling better applications as a food resource.

Microencapsulation of roasted mate tea extractives with lasiodiplodan (a (1 → 6)-β-D-glucan) and maltodextrin as combined coating materials: A strategic tool to stabilize and protect the bioactive components

Microencapsulation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the stability and protection of bioactive compounds. In this work, roasted mate tea was microencapsulated using 15 % maltodextrin and lasiodiplodan (0.5–1.25 %) as wall coating materials. The microcapsules were characterized for encapsulation efficiency, hygroscopicity, moisture, water activity, water solubility, dissolubility, scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, colorimetry, antioxidant activity, as well as quantification of phenolic compounds and caffeine. Microencapsulation yields ranged from 44.92 to 56.39 %, and encapsulation efficiency varied from 66.54 to 70.16 by increasing the lasiodiplodan concentration. FT-IR revealed phenolic acids, flavonoids, and polyphenolics. Minor color variations were observed among the samples. Thermal analysis demonstrated the microencapsulates exhibited good thermal stability with no degradation below 250 °C. Encapsulated samples showed high levels of bioactive compounds, suggesting that microencapsulation by spray-drying was a favorable process, where maltodextrin, a low-cost protective agent, when combined with the properties of lasiodiplodan, can be a good option for stabilizing mate extracts.

Blood pressure- lowering and anti-obesity potential of sacha inchi tempeh (plukenetia volubilisl.) : Study in metabolic syndrome rats

Metabolic syndrome is an error in metabolism characterized by dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, and central obesity which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Prevention of metabolic syndrome is by consuming foods that contain high levels of bioactive compounds, for example, sacha inchi. Tempeh is a fermented food native to Indonesia which can increase the content of antioxidants and phenolic compounds which can help cure metabolic syndrome and hypertension. This is an experimental study with a pre-test and post-test with a control group as the design with the independent variable sacha inchi tempeh and the dependent variables blood pressure and Lee index. The number of rats samples was 36 and divided into 6 groups, namely K0 as healthy control, K- as diseased control, K+ (Simvastatin 0.18 g), P1 (0.9 dose), P2 (1.8 dose) and P3 (dose 3.6) and given intervention for 35 days. Data analysis used the statistical application of the Paired T-test and one-way ANOVA test, followed by the LSD post-hoc analysis. The results obtained by blood pressure and Lee index were P=<0.005 and the ANOVA results showed significant results (P=<0.05) in each group with the most effective treatment being P2. Conclusion: Sacha Inchi tempeh has an effect in improving b in metabolic syndrome rats, blood pressure, and Lee index with P2 as the most effective treatment and the effect is the same as medication so it can be used as an alternative functional food for metabolic syndrome individuals.

The Impact of Ginger Extract (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Addition on Overrun Value, Melting Resistance, Viscosity, and Hedonic Ratings in Gelato

Ginger contains high levels of bioactive compounds and can be used in food preparations in extract form. However, improper extraction methods can damage or reduce these compounds. This study utilized the maceration extraction method to assess the impact of adding ginger extract at different concentrations on the overrun value, melting resistance, viscosity, and hedonic properties of gelato. A completely randomized design was used, with treatments including 0% (T0), 0.5% (T1), 1% (T2), and 1.5% (T3) ginger extract. Higher concentrations of ginger extract affected all parameters: overrun values ranged from 15.724% to 22.030%, melting resistance from 36.642 to 42.056 minutes, and viscosity from 10.06 to 12.76 dPas. Hedonic testing revealed that panelists preferred gelato with 0.5% ginger extract (T1). In conclusion, adding ginger extract to gelato significantly affects its overrun value, melting resistance, and viscosity, with the 0.5% concentration being most preferred by consumers.

Sustainable Extraction Protocols for the Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from By-Products of Pomegranate Fruit Processing.

This study investigates sustainable extraction protocols for the recovery of bioactive compounds from by-products of various pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars, including Acco, Hicaz, Jolly Red, Parfianka, Valenciana, and Wonderful, generated during the industrial processing of the fruits. Advanced extraction technologies, including ultrasounds, microwaves, and hydrodynamic cavitation, have been compared to conventional extraction procedures and utilized to enhance extraction efficiency while also minimizing environmental impact. Water-based extraction methods have been utilized to promote the development of sustainable and eco-friendly processes. The comparison between conventional extractions and ultrasound-assisted extractions (UAEs) and microwave-assisted extractions (MAEs) demonstrated notable improvements in extraction yields, particularly for ellagitannins (punicalins, punicalagins, and ellagic acid) and total polyphenols, with increases ranging from about 45 to 200%. However, the increases directly comparing UAEs to MAEs ranged from about 4 to 6%. This indicates that while both UAEs and MAEs offer notable improvements over conventional extractions, the differences in extraction efficiency between the two advanced methods were relatively modest. These advancements were observed across various pomegranate cultivars, highlighting the versatility and effectiveness of these methods. Notably, hydrodynamic cavitation-based extractions (HC) emerged as particularly promising, consistently yielding the highest levels of bioactive compounds (ellagitannins and total polyphenols), especially when operated at higher frequencies. Compared to conventional extractions, HC exhibited substantial increases in extraction yields for Wonderful pomegranate by-products, surpassing the efficiency of both UAEs and MAEs (approximately 45 and 57% for UAE and MAE, respectively, versus about 80% for HC). Among these advanced techniques, HC has emerged as particularly promising, yielding the most favorable results and leading to significant improvements in the yield of bioactive compounds. When directly compared to UAEs and MAEs, HC increased extraction yields by over 20%. Furthermore, HC allowed for shorter extraction times. The Wonderful cultivar consistently exhibited the highest levels of ellagitannins and the highest total polyphenol content among all types of extraction procedures used, whether conventional or advanced. This highlights the great potential of the Wonderful cultivar in terms of bioactive compound extraction and underscores its significance in research and applications related to pomegranate processing and utilization. This study suggests that the implementation of these advanced technologies into extraction processes represents a significant advancement in the field, offering a promising avenue for the development of efficient and environmentally friendly extraction methods for obtaining valuable bioactive compounds from pomegranate processing by-products.

High-quality off-season mulberry fruit (Morus laevigata Wall.) induced by summer pruning

The growing recognition of mulberries as a potent source of bioactive and nutritional compounds, coupled with their increasing global consumption, underscores the need for efficient off-season cultivation. This study explores the influence of both in-season and off-season cultivation on the yield, bioactive components, and antioxidant activity of ‘Taiwan Changguosang’ (Morus laevigata Wall.) in a greenhouse setting. Despite the lower fruit yield during the off-season, the off-season fruit exhibits higher levels of bioactive compounds, including total anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids compared to its in-season counterpart. Additionally, the off-season fruit demonstrates enhanced DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power), attributed to climatic conditions during fruit development, particularly air temperature and solar radiation. Moreover, the off-season fruit proves to be more palatable, showcasing a favorable balance between sugar and acid. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis revealed a close association between antioxidant activity and the chemical contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids. This study underscores the feasibility and benefits of off-season cultivation for enhancing the nutritional profile and antioxidant potential of mulberries, providing valuable insights for optimizing cultivation practices.

Altitudinal variation of dragon fruit metabolite profiles as revealed by UPLC-MS/MS-based widely targeted metabolomics analysis

BackgroundGeographical factors affect the nutritional, therapeutic and commercial values of fruits. Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp) is a popular fruit in Asia and a potential functional food with diverse pharmacological attributes. Although it is produced in various localities, the information related to the altitudinal variation of dragon fruit nutrients and active compounds is scarce. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the variations in metabolite profiles of H. polyrhizus (variety Jindu1) fruit pulps from three different altitudes of China, including Wangmo (WM, 650 m), Luodian (LD, 420 m), and Zhenning (ZN, 356 m). Jindu1 is the main cultivated pitaya variety in Guizhou province, China.ResultsThe LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy)-based widely targeted metabolic profiling identified 645 metabolites, of which flavonoids (22.64%), lipids (13.80%), phenolic acids (12.40%), amino acids and derivatives (10.39%), alkaloids (8.84%), and organic acids (8.37%) were dominant. Multivariate analyses unveiled that the metabolite profiles of the fruit differed regarding the altitude. Fruits from WM (highest altitude) were prime in quality, with higher levels of flavonoids, alkaloids, nucleotides and derivatives, amino acids and derivatives, and vitamins. Fruits from LD and ZN had the highest relative content of phenolic acids and terpenoids, respectively. We identified 69 significantly differentially accumulated metabolites across the pulps of the fruits from the three locations. KEGG analysis revealed that flavone and flavonol biosynthesis and isoflavonoid biosynthesis were the most differentially regulated. It was noteworthy that most active flavonoid compounds exhibited an increasing accumulation pattern along with the increase in altitude. Vitexin and isovitexin were the major differentially accumulated flavonoids. Furthermore, we identified two potential metabolic biomarkers (vitexin and kaempferol 3-O-[2-O-β-D-galactose-6-O-a-L-rhamnose]-β-D-glucoside) to discriminate between dragon fruits from different geographical origins.ConclusionOur findings provide insights into metabolic changes in dragon fruits grown at different altitudes. Furthermore, they show that growing pitaya at high altitudes can produce fruit with higher levels of bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids.

Pigments, phenolics, and bioactivities of various extracts from flowers of Camellia quephongensis

Camellia quephongensis Hakoda et Ninh, a plant species in the Theaceae family, is native to Vietnam. In this study, the effects of various solvents used for extracting Camellia quephongensis flowers on phenolic content, antioxidative, and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities were assessed. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties were observed for the ethyl acetate extract. Catechin and epicatechin in the ethyl acetate extract showed the highest concentrations (17.23 ? 0.57 mg/g and 3.86 ? 0.42 mg/g, respectively) whereas epigallocatechin gallate had the highest concentration in methanol extract (10.66 ? 0.33 mg/g). Most of the other phenolics were also found at greater concentrations in the ethyl acetate extract in comparison to the other extracts. The results also demonstrated that ethyl acetate displayed the strongest antioxidant potential assessed by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The albumin denaturation inhibition assay showed that the ethyl acetate extract had the greatest efficacy, followed by the ethanol and methanol extracts. Chlorophyll and carotenoids were found in smaller amounts compared to those in other Camellia species' leaves. These findings provide deeper insights into obtaining extracts with high levels of bioactive compounds, antioxidative potential, and anti-inflammatory effects from C. quephongensis.

Acerola byproducts microencapsulated by spray and freeze-drying: the effect of carrier agent and drying method on the production of bioactive powder

Abstract Bagasse, peels and seeds from fruits are usually discarded as byproducts. However, these byproducts contain high levels of bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to microencapsulate bioactive compounds from acerola byproducts by spray drying (SD) and freeze-drying (FD) using maltodextrin (MD), gum arabic (GA), and whey protein isolate (WPI) as carrier agents and then evaluate their stability in a gelatin food-model system. Moisture, solubility, and hygroscopicity of the powders were 5.02–10.05 %, 78.83–92 %, and 7.64–14.76 %, respectively. The best method for obtaining phenolic compounds and flavonoids was SD/GA, which yielded 1855.11 mg GAE/100 g and 289.38 μg/g of quercetin. The best method for obtaining anthocyanins was FD/GA, which yielded 33.85 mg of cy-3-glu/100 g. Powder dried by SD/MD could be used as a natural dye. Our results show that acerola byproducts has potential for reuse, and microencapsulation is a good technique for generating stable extracts.

Biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles using Alstonia scholaris leaves and its antimicrobial studies

The utilization of plants for the production of metallic nanoparticles is gaining significant attention in research. In this study, we conducted phytochemical screening of Alstonia scholaris (A. scholaris) leaves extracts using various solvents, including chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol, and water. Our findings revealed higher proportions of flavonoids and alkaloids in both solvents compared to other phytochemical species. In the methanol, extract proteins, anthraquinone and reducing sugar were not detected. On the other hand, the aqueous extract demonstrated the presence of amino acids, reducing sugar, phenolic compounds, anthraquinone, and saponins. Notably, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts displayed the highest levels of bioactive compounds among all solvents. Intrigued by these results, we proceeded to investigate the antibacterial properties of the leaf extracts against two major bacterial strains, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). All extracts exhibited significant zones of inhibition against both bacterial isolates, with S. aureus showing higher susceptibility compared to E. coli. Notably, the methanol extract displayed the most potent I hibitory effect against all organisms. Inspired by the bioactivity of the methanol extract, we employed it as a plant-based material for the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs). The synthesized Cu-NPs were characterized using Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV–visible spectroscopic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed color changes confirmed the successful formation of Cu-NPs, while the FTIR analysis matched previously reported peaks, further verifying the synthesis. The SEM micrographs indicated the irregular shapes of the surface particles. From the result obtained by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, Cu has the highest relative abundance of 67.41 wt%. Confirming the purity of the Cu-NPs colloid. These findings contribute to the growing field of eco-friendly nanotechnology and emphasize the significance of plant-mediated approaches in nanomaterial synthesis and biomedical applications.

Effect of pasteurization time and temperature on bioactive compounds, antioxidant ability and color value of beverage produced from herbal extract (Passiflora foetida and embryo nelumbinis)

Herbal beverage is one of the natural products which are greatly preferred by customers. Passiflora foetida and Embryo Nelumbinis are two kinds of medicinal plants that possess many precious bioactive compounds that have the effect of supporting calmness, reducing stress, treating insomnia; and have been used in many folk remedies in Vietnam. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of heating temperature (75, 85 and 95°C) and pasteurization time (15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes) on the content of bioactive compounds (polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid and saponin), antioxidant ability (FRAP, DPPH) and color parameters (L*, a*, b* and ΔE) of product. The reseach was designed randomly with two factors and three replications. The content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of product were analyzed by standardization methods using spectrophotometer; and the color parameters were measured by the colorimeter. The result showed that the opitmal pasteurization temperature and time were 85°C and 30 minutes, at this heating process the product maintained high level of bioactive compounds and antioxidant ability. The content of polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin, saponin and alkaloid were 9.46 mgGAE/g, 4.44 mgQE/g, 4.85 mgTAE/g, 7.40 mgSE/g, 14.25 mgCE/g; the antioxidant capacity of product by DPPH and FRAP method were 64.50% and 28.25 μFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as LMFeSO4/g; the color parameters such as L*, a*, b* and ΔE were 31.58, -0.24, -0.47 and 61.25, respectively. The production process was successful in pilot equipment and the product can be used as one of the beverages for health strengthening.

Comparison of different drying methods for bergamot peel: Chemical and physicochemical properties.

This study examines the effectiveness of seven drying methods applied to bergamot peels, encompassing hot air, microwave, infrared-assisted microwave, freeze, infrared, sun, and oven drying. All samples exhibited moisture content and water activity levels within the acceptable range for dry foods. All methods effectively transformed the peels into powdered form, yielding comparable results. Each method offers distinct advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method should be based on the desired properties of the final product. The highest ascorbic acid content was found in freeze-dried and hot air-dried samples (>400mg/100g), whereas sun-dried samples had the lowest (89.58mg/100g). Infrared-dried samples exhibited the highest levels of total phenolics and flavonoids (193.40 and 530.14mg/100g, respectively), attributed to reactions induced by elevated temperatures. The total carotenoids were higher in freeze-dried samples (54.12mg/100g) compared to other drying methods (<27mg/100g). Microwave-dried samples had the highest 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content (73.06mg/100g), and freeze-dried samples had the highest naringin content (1568.70mg/100g). Although infrared drying had good particle density, porosity, and fluidity, freeze-drying was the most effective, retaining the highest levels of bioactive compounds. Among the methods studied, freeze-drying is recommended due to its superior ability to preserve bioactive compounds. Infrared and infrared-assisted drying methods were suitable for recovering phenolics from bergamot waste, offering lower energy consumption and practical preservation of physicochemical properties. This study emphasizes the importance of selecting the appropriate drying method to ensure high-quality dried food and producing value-added products from bergamot waste, contributing to sustainable agriculture and waste reduction. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study demonstrates that infrared and freeze-drying are the most effective methods for producing high-quality bergamot peel samples with enhanced antioxidant properties. These findings hold promising implications for the food industry, offering a viable approach to preserve bergamot peels and their valuable attributes.

Non-destructive real-time analysis of plant metabolite accumulation in radish microgreens under different LED light recipes.

The future of human space missions relies on the ability to provide adequate food resources for astronauts and also to reduce stress due to the environment (microgravity and cosmic radiation). In this context, microgreens have been proposed for the astronaut diet because of their fast-growing time and their high levels of bioactive compounds and nutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, etc.), which are even higher than mature plants, and are usually consumed as ready-to-eat vegetables. Our study aimed to identify the best light recipe for the soilless cultivation of two cultivars of radish microgreens (Raphanus sativus, green daikon, and rioja improved) harvested eight days after sowing that could be used for space farming. The effects on plant metabolism of three different light emitting diodes (LED) light recipes (L1-20% red, 20% green, 60% blue; L2-40% red, 20% green, 40% blue; L3-60% red, 20% green, 20% blue) were tested on radish microgreens hydroponically grown. A fluorimetric-based technique was used for a real-time non-destructive screening to characterize plant methabolism. The adopted sensors allowed us to quantitatively estimate the fluorescence of flavonols, anthocyanins, and chlorophyll via specific indices verified by standardized spectrophotometric methods. To assess plant growth, morphometric parameters (fresh and dry weight, cotyledon area and weight, hypocotyl length) were analyzed. We observed a statistically significant positive effect on biomass accumulation and productivity for both cultivars grown under the same light recipe (40% blue, 20% green, 40% red). We further investigated how the addition of UV and/or far-red LED lights could have a positive effect on plant metabolite accumulation (anthocyanins and flavonols). These results can help design plant-based bioregenerative life-support systems for long-duration human space exploration, by integrating fluorescence-based non-destructive techniques to monitor the accumulation of metabolites with nutraceutical properties in soilless cultivated microgreens.

Enhance Wine Production Potential by Using Fresh and Dried Red Grape and Blueberry Mixtures with Different Yeast Strains for Fermentation.

Red grapes and blueberries are known for their high content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. In Mediterranean winemaking, traditional sun-drying can be replaced by controlled-airflow-chamber-drying, which provides better quality, higher phenolic content, and increased antioxidants. This study aimed to increase the sugar content and phenolic compounds of the must by drying the fruits to fifty per cent of their original moisture content. Two musts were prepared: the first one was prepared by combining fresh red grapes and dried blueberries (M1), while the other was created using dried red grapes and fresh blueberries (M2), followed by fermentation at 25 °C with M05 Mead and X5 yeast strains. The M2 must showed the highest levels of phenolic compounds, red color (A520), total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity. During fermentation, the anthocyanin content increased mainly in the dried blueberry macerates, where it increased between 4- to 5.5-fold. More bioactive compounds were extracted from the wines produced using yeast inoculation despite the shorter maceration times. A sensory analysis demonstrated consumers' acceptance of the wines in terms of color, flavor, and aroma. In conclusion, the use of red grapes in the production of blueberry red wine proved to be effective, providing higher sugar and must yields, while the dried fruits improved the fermentable sugar content obtaining wines with an alcoholic content between 10 and 11% (v/v). The higher levels of bioactive compounds increased the antioxidant capacity of the resulting red fruit wines.

Maltodextrin as a Drying Adjuvant in the Lyophilization of Tropical Red Fruit Blend.

Guava, pitanga and acerola are known for their vitamin content and high levels of bioactive compounds. Thus, the preparation of combinations of these fruits comprises a blend with high nutraceutical potential, yielding a strong and attractive pigmentation material. In this study, the influence of different proportions of maltodextrin on the lyophilization of a blend of guava, acerola and pitanga was evaluated considering not only the physicochemical, physical and colorimetric parameters but also the bioactive compounds in the obtained powders. The blend was formulated from the mixture and homogenization of the three pulps in a ratio of 1:1:1 (m/m), then maltodextrin was added to the blend, resulting in four formulations: blend without adjuvant (BL0), and the others containing 10% (BL10), 20% (BL20) and 30% (BL30) maltodextrin. The formulations were lyophilized and disintegrated to obtain powders. The powders were characterized in terms of water content, water activity, pH, total titratable acidity, ash, total and reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenolic content, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, lycopene, color parameters, Hausner factor, Carr index, angle of repose, solubility, wettability and porosity. All evaluated powders showed high levels of bioactive compounds and the increase in maltodextrin concentration promoted positive effects, such as reductions in water content, water activity and porosity and improved flow, cohesiveness and solubility characteristics.

Fruits, seeds and leaves of guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand): characteristics, uses and health benefits.

Native fruit trees have potential for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, which is widely used in folk medicine. Guabiju, known as guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) is a perennial tree that belongs to the family Myrtaceae, occurring in Brazil from São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul, and other countries like Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. This species demonstrates great commercial potential regarding the consumption of its fresh fruit or industrialized. Due to its importance is necessary to develop studies aimed at characterization (phenotypic, propagative, reproductive, chemical and nutritional), uses and applications. However, the available information has never been systematized and in this sense the objective of this review is to compile information about the species to guide further research. Regarding morphology, the guabijuzeiro is a semi-deciduous tree species, with propagation is carried out mainly through seeds and vegetative. Regarding reproductive aspects, there is a lack of studies that assess the mode of reproduction. The fruit can be consumed fresh or processed as ice cream, juice, freeze-dried or dehydrated. It is sweet and slightly acidic, low in calories, high in carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, calcium and potassium. Both the fruit, the seed and the leaves have high levels of bioactive compounds and high antioxidant capacity. The fruit pulp stands out for its carotenoids and phenolic compounds and the peel is rich in anthocyanins, especially in the mature phase, in addition to terpenoids. M. pungens has antimicrobial effects, gastroprotective activity and is promising in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and against the side effects of cisplatin, an anticancer agent. Finally, there is a need for further studies with this species, mainly in the characterization of the leaves, uses and applications of the fruit.

Promotive effect of phytosulfokine - peptide growth factor - on protoplast cultures development in Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn

BackgroundFagopyrum tataricum (Tartary buckwheat) is a valuable crop of great nutritional importance due to its high level of bioactive compounds. Excellent opportunities to obtain plants with the high level or the desired profile of valuable metabolites may be provided by in vitro cultures. Among known in vitro techniques, protoplast technology is an exciting tool for genetic manipulation to improve crop traits. In that context, protoplast fusion may be applied to generate hybrid cells between different species of Fagopyrum. To apply protoplast cultures to the aforementioned approaches in this research, we established the protoplast-to-plant system in Tartary buckwheat.ResultsIn this work, cellulase and pectinase activity enabled protoplast isolation from non-morphogenic and morphogenic callus (MC), reaching, on average, 2.3 × 106 protoplasts per g of fresh weight. However, to release protoplasts from hypocotyls, the key step was the application of driselase in the enzyme mixture. We showed that colony formation could be induced after protoplast embedding in agarose compared to the alginate matrix. Protoplasts cultured in a medium based on Kao and Michayluk supplemented with phytosulfokine (PSK) rebuilt cell walls, underwent repeated mitotic division, formed aggregates, which consequently led to callus formation. Plating efficiency, expressing the number of cell aggregate formed, in 10-day-old protoplast cultures varied from 14% for morphogenic callus to 30% for hypocotyls used as a protoplast source. However plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis occurred only during the cultivation of MC-derived protoplasts.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the applied protoplast isolation approach facilitated the recovery of viable protoplasts. Moreover, the embedding of protoplasts in an agarose matrix and supplementation of a culture medium with PSK effectively stimulated cell division and further development of Tartary buckwheat protoplast cultures along with the plant regeneration. Together, these results provide the first evidence of developing a protoplast-to-plant system from the MC of Fagopyrum tataricum used as source material. These findings suggest that Tartary buckwheat’s protoplast cultures have potential implications for the species’ somatic hybridization and genetic improvement.

Peculiarities of the Variation of Biologically Active Compounds in Fruit of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. Growing in the Čepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve.

This study was carried out to analyze the accumulation patterns of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, chlorogenic acid, and triterpene compounds in fruit samples of Vaccinium oxycoccos L. berries growing in the Čepkeliai State Strict Nature Reserve in Lithuania. Studies were carried out on the phytochemical composition of cranberry fruit samples during the period of 2020-2022. Anthocyanins, flavonols, chlorogenic acid and triterpene compounds were identified and quantified using UPLC-DAD methods, and proanthocyanins were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The content of identified compounds varied, as reflected in the total amounts of anthocyanins (710.3 ± 40 µg/g to 6993.8 ± 119 µg/g), proanthocyanidins (378.4 ± 10 µg EE/g to 3557. 3 ± 75 µg EE/g), flavonols (479.6 ± 9 µg/g to 7291.2 ± 226 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (68.0 ± 1 µg/g to 3858.2 ± 119 µg/g), and triterpenoids (3780.8 ± 98 µg/g to 7226.9 ± 224 µg/g). Cranberry fruit samples harvested from open oligotrophic wetland habitats contained higher levels of anthocyanins, anthocyanidins, flavonol glycosides, and proanthocyanidins. The highest levels of triterpene compounds were found in the cranberry fruits harvested in the spring of the following year after the snowmelt. The use of principal component analysis showed that cranberry plant material harvested in October and November had higher levels of bioactive compounds.

Tropical Red Fruit Blend Foam Mat Drying: Effect of Combination of Additives and Drying Temperatures

Foam mat drying is a widely used technique for liquid products because it has a number of advantages; however, for an efficient process, the choice of additives and temperatures is extremely important. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of additives and drying temperatures on the powders obtained from the blend of tropical red fruits, such as acerola, guava, and pitanga. The foam formulations were prepared by mixing the pulps of the three fruits in equal proportions (1:1:1), all added with 6% albumin and 1% stabilizing agent: E1, gum Arabic; E2, guar gum; E3, gelatin. The combinations were subjected to beating, and subsequently, they were dried in an oven with forced air circulation at four temperatures (50 to 80 °C), with a mat thickness of 0.5 cm. The obtained powders showed low levels of water and water activity and high levels of bioactive compounds, colors with a predominance of yellow, intermediate cohesiveness, poor fluidity, and solubility above 50%. The best temperature for obtaining the powders was 60 °C. The formulation that produced the best results for the production of the tropical red fruit blend powder was the combination of albumin and gelatin.