Olive Oil Research Articles

Turmeric counteracts manganese-associated deteriorations in liver and kidney tissues: histomorphometric and biochemical insights.

Nowadays, Manganese (Mn) become an unavoidable ingredient in agriculture, medical and manufacturing industries. Manganese deficiency is rare, and even though recurrent exposure to manganese is inevitable for humans, concerns have been voiced regarding public health hazards. This research was designed to evaluate the manganese toxicity and potential protective effects of turmeric in Swiss albino male mice. Eight-week albino mice (33 ± 01g) were randomized equally into seven groups (n = 10), as control (untreated), VC-I (received 0.1ml of saline water), Mn-I, Mn-II & Mn-III administrated manganese (5mg/kg, 10mg/kg & 20mg/kg body-weight (B.W.) respectively), Mn + Tu (co-administrated with 20mg/kg Mn &100mg/kg B. W turmeric), VC-II (received 0.1ml of olive oil), orally for four weeks consecutively. Before administrations, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC) and gass chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC- MS) assays were performed to assess the antioxidant capacity of turmeric. After 28 days of dosing, mice were acclimatized for 10 days, then sacrificed and recovered samples (tissues & blood). Morphological observations showed changes in color, shape disruption, dilation and flattening of organs as compared to controls. Morphometric studies showed that the average body weight, organs weight and size of Mn intoxicated mice reduced remarkably (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to control groups. Sideways Mn + Tu group showed non-significant change in both parameters. Hematological (CBC) and biochemical markers, liver function test & renal function test (LFT & RFT) showed significant differences in manganese groups against controls. Histopathological findings of both tissues (liver & kidney) showed multiple anatomic alterations in Mn exposed as compared to other groups. While the aforementioned deviations were less obvious in Mn + Tu administrated group. Manganese also decreased glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione contents and increased lipid peroxidation as compared to control groups. It is concluded by the abovementioned findings that turmeric showed remedial efficacy against Mn-instigated histomorphometric, biochemical and enzymatic alterations in mice.

Encapsulation of Olea europaea Leaf Polyphenols in Liposomes: A Study on Their Antimicrobial Activity to Turn a Byproduct into a Tool to Treat Bacterial Infection.

According to the innovative and sustainable perspective of the circular economy model, Olea europaea leaves, a solid byproduct generated every year in large amounts by the olive oil production chain, are considered a valuable source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, with many potential applications. In particular, the following study aimed to valorize olive leaves in order to obtain products with potential antibacterial activity. In this study, olive leaf extracts, rich in polyphenols, were prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction using green solvents, such as ethanol and water. The extracts were found to be rich in polyphenols up to 26.7 mgGAE/gleaves; in particular, hydroxytyrosol-hexose isomers (up to 6.6 mg/gdryextract) and oleuropein (up to 324.1 mg/gdryextract) turned out to be the most abundant polyphenolic compounds in all of the extracts. The extracts were embedded in liposomes formulated with natural phosphocholine and cholesterol, in the presence or in the absence of a synthetic galactosylated amphiphile. All liposomes, prepared according to the thin-layer evaporation method coupled with an extrusion protocol, showed a narrow size distribution with a particle diameter between 79 and 120 nm and a good polydispersity index (0.10-0.20). Furthermore, all developed liposomes exhibited a great storage stability up to 90 days at 4 °C and at different pH values, with no significant changes in their size and polydispersity index. The effect of the encapsulation in liposomes of O. europaea leaf extracts on their antimicrobial activity was examined in vitro against two strains of Staphylococcus aureus: ATCC 25923 (wild-type strain) and ATCC 33591 (methicillin-resistant S. aureus, MRSA). The extracts demonstrated good antimicrobial activity against both bacterial strains under investigation, with the minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 140 to 240 μgextract/mL and the minimum bactericidal concentration ranging from 180 to 310 μgextract/mL, depending on the specific extract and the bacterium tested. Moreover, a possible synergistic effect between the bioactive compounds inside the extracts tested was highlighted. Notably, their inclusion in galactosylated liposomes highlighted comparable or slightly increased antimicrobial activity compared to the free extracts against both bacterial strains tested.

What Gets Measured Gets Managed-Circular Economy Indicators for the Valorization of By-Products in the Olive Oil Supply Chain: A Systematic Review

The olive oil supply chain generates a substantial number of by-products, presenting significant environmental, economic, and social challenges. However, these by-products, such as pomace, wastewater, and biomass, also offer valuable opportunities for implementing a circular economy (CE) model that enhances sustainability. Despite increasing attention to the valorization of these by-products, understanding of the indicators used to measure circularity in this context remains limited. This systematic review examined the existing literature on circular economy indicators employed to assess the use of by-products in the olive oil supply chain. The aim was to provide a comprehensive overview of the most suitable indicators in this sector, while identifying best practices for quantifying and monitoring progress towards a more circular system. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and bibliometric analysis was conducted using CiteSpace 6.4 R1 software. The results highlighted a key indicator, the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI). Additionally, methodologies such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and water footprint (WF) were evaluated, while challenges were identified, including the need for standardized metrics and improved data collection across the supply chain. This review provides valuable insights for both future research and policy decisions aimed at promoting sustainability and circularity in the olive oil industry.

Enhancing pectin's antioxidant properties through ferulic acid grafting: Application in olive oil‐in‐water emulsion

AbstractIn order to improve pectin antioxidant properties and enlarge the field of its potential applications, ferulic acid grafted pectin conjugates (PE‐g‐FA) were prepared using laccase as the catalyst at 30°C in an aqueous medium. The structures of PE‐g‐FA were characterized using UV–vis, FTIR, and NMR (1H and 13C). In addition, the antioxidant activity of PE‐g‐FA was evaluated according to the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging ability. Olive oil in water emulsions, containing emulsifiers WPI and PE‐g‐FA, were assessed for their physical and oxidative stability through particle size, zeta‐potential, peroxide value (POV), and 2‐thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation. The results indicated that the formation of covalent bonds between the pectin carboxymethyl groups and FA hydroxyl group. The determination of the total phenolic content showed that PE‐g‐FA contained seven times more polyphenols than native PE. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging rate of 0.5HMP‐g‐FA were increased by 56.83% and 18.90% compared with HMP, respectively. In addition, the emulsion stabilized by WPI and 0.5HMP‐g‐FA showed smallest and uniform average particle size (855.9 ± 51.13 nm) on the 1st day. Although its POV value was slightly higher than that of emulsion stabilized by WPI and HMP, it was much lower than that of control groups. Overall, these results have important implications for enzymatic modification of pectin to obtain high antioxidant products and their application in pectin‐based emulsions.

Emulsion gels with chia flour enhance quality of plant-based meat analogs by reducing fat and improving texture

Vegetable or coconut oils may negatively impact the texture and lipid profile of plant-based meat analogs. This study aimed to develop emulsion gels (EGs) using olive oil, combined with oat bran, chia flour, and soy protein isolate, to enhance the texture, lipid profile, and overall quality of plant-based patties (PPs). Six EGs were formulated with 40% olive oil and 15 or 20% chia flour, oat bran, or soy protein isolate: chia flour EG (CEG15 and CEG20), oat bran EG (OEG15 and OEG20), and soy protein isolate EG (SEG15 and SEG20). The physicochemical properties of EGs and the physicochemical and sensory properties of the EG-supplemented PPs were examined. The oil-binding capacity was higher in CEG15 and CEG20 followed by SEG15 and SEG20. The overall viscosity was higher in CEG20 and SEG20. All EG-supplemented PP groups showed significantly lower cooking loss, lipid oxidation, and increased water-holding capacity. Particularly, the PP-CEG15 and PP-CEG20 groups exhibited lower exudation rates and higher hardness in the texture analysis than the other groups. Additionally, the PP-CEG groups had desirable sensory scores compared to the other groups. In conclusion, incorporating EGs with different plant-based ingredients, especially chia flour, can enhance the lipid profile and overall quality of PPs.

Healthy Diets and Lifestyles in the World: Mediterranean and Blue Zone People Live Longer. Special Focus on Gut Microbiota and Some Food Components.

Longevity has been associated with healthy lifestyles, including some dietary regimens, such as the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and the Blue Zone (BZ) diets. MedDiet relies on a large consumption of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and extra-virgin olive oil, with less red meat and fat intake. Four major BZ have been recognized in the world, namely, Ogliastra in Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), the Peninsula of Nicoya (Costa Rica), and Okinawa (Japan). Extreme longevity in these areas has been associated with correct lifestyles and dietary regimens. Fibers, polyphenols, beta-glucans, and unsaturated fatty acids represent the major constituents of both MedDiet and BZ diets, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Particularly, inhibition of the NF-kB pathway, with a reduced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and induction of T regulatory cells, with the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin- 10, are the main mechanisms that prevent or attenuate the "inflammaging." Notably, consistent physical activity, intense social interactions, and an optimistic attitude contribute to longevity in BZD areas. Commonalities and differences between MedDIet and BZ diets will be outlined, with special reference to microbiota and food components, which may contribute to longevity.

Biochemical Effects of Flaxseed, Olive Oils and Thymus vulgaris on Kidney Function of Carbon Tetrachloride CCl4 Induced Toxicity of Male Albino Rats

Biochemical Effects of Flaxseed, Olive Oils and Thymus vulgaris on Kidney Function of Carbon Tetrachloride CCl4 Induced Toxicity of Male Albino Rats

A structural investigation on the interactions of cotton fabric cellulose with olive oil and water

The cotton fabric consists of cellulose arranged in a complex structure with multiple levels of organization at different length scales. Understanding this structure and its interactions with water and oil is essential for developing efficient and environmentally friendly methods of cotton washing. In this study, the structure of raw cotton fabric cellulose and the effects of water and oil were examined across a broad range of length scales using spatially resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and auxiliary techniques.Water was observed to penetrate the cotton fabric and interact across nearly all length scales. Although a certain amount of the material was not affected by water as seen by intact distance between microfibrils, fractal analysis of the scattering data indicated a loosening of the microfibril arrangement after contact with water. This process was hindered if the material had been pre-treated with oil and was not seen after subsequent washing with water or surfactant solution. Analyzing spatially resolved SAXS data using a bi-sinusoidal model and 2D maps of the oil-to-cotton ratio facilitates understanding the structure of the material and its interactions with oil on the molecular, nano and macrolevels.

The Recommendation of the Mediterranean-styled Japanese Diet for Healthy Longevity.

The Mediterranean diet, listed as the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, is known as healthy and consumed worldwide. The Japanese diet is also listed and considered healthy. This narrative review compares the Mediterranean diet with its Japanese counterpart. Research has reported that people in Mediterranean regions, such as Italy and Greece, have one-third of the mortality ratio from cardiovascular diseases compared to people in the United States and Northern Europe because of the difference in eating habits. Therefore, Mediterranean diets are considered as healthy. A typical Western diet containing high amounts of fat, sugar, and calories is responsible for several diseases like metabolic syndrome and obesity, which are induced by chronic inflammation. In contrast, Mediterranean and Japanese diets contain them only less. The similarity between Mediterranean and Japanese diets is the substantial intake of vegetables, beans, and fish. On the other hand, the Mediterranean diet consumes large amounts of olive oil, especially polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil and dairy products, but meat consumption is relatively small. In contrast, the Japanese diet does not use oil and fat, contains abundant fermented foods, and consumes seaweed. Japan is known for its longevity, and people think that a well-balanced diet daily is good for preventing and curing illness. In this regard, finding non-disease conditions, so-called "ME-BYO," and curing them before the manifestation of diseases is becoming more common. In this review, we discuss the healthy eating habit, "The Mediterranean-styled Japanese diet," which prevents ME-BYO condition and reduces the risk of various diseases. The Mediterranean-styled Japanese diet, a hybrid of Mediterranean and Japanese diets, reduces the risk of various diseases by suppressing chronic inflammation. This nutritional intervention prevents ME-BYO and is beneficial for healthy longevity. Hence, a Mediterranean-styled Japanese diet might be helpful for healthy longevity in Japan and around the world.

Olive mill wastewater: From by-product to smart antioxidant material

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) is a byproduct of olive oil extraction that represents a critical environmental concern due to its potential adverse effects on ecosystems. Given these premises, spray-dried microparticles were designed and developed using maltodextrins as carriers to encapsulate OMWW bioactive compounds. The microparticles were manufactured using an easily scalable and sustainable spray-drying process. The resulting microparticles were smooth, spherical, and exhibited a mean particle size of about 18 μm. The systems demonstrated notable antioxidant properties with a DPPH radical scavenging activity higher than 60 %, due to the polyphenolic compounds of OMWW (about 24 gallic acid equivalents per g of sample). In addition, the microparticles supported fibroblast and macrophage viability at concentrations up to 1 mg/mL. They also determined a 4-fold inflammation reduction in macrophages, improved collagen expression in fibroblasts, and modulated oxidative stress on aged fibroblasts. In conclusion, these microparticles could be considered as promising medical devices in wound healing, while offering a sustainable solution for valorizing OMWW.

Redefining the waste: Sustainable management of olive mill waste for the recovery of phenolic compounds and organic acids

The olive oil industry generates significant amounts of olive mill waste (OMW), which poses environmental challenges due to its high organic load and phenolic content. This study investigates an eco-friendly approach to managing OMW by recovering valuable phenolic compounds (PCs) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) through an integrated process. The methodology involves a filter press, followed by a self-cleaning mechanical vapor recompression (SCMVR) process for water and volatile compounds separation, and a subsequent liquid-liquid extraction for PCs. 99 % of the VFAs were recovered as organic acid salts from the SCMVR distillate and characterized using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction process, considering variables such as solvent type, pH, temperature, and extraction time. The liquid-liquid extraction process yielded a 98 % recovery of PCs with two-stage extraction process, including key phenolic species such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, oleuropein, coumaric acid and gallic acid, identified by LC-MS/MS. This study highlights the potential for converting olive mill waste into valuable resources, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting a circular economy in the olive oil industry.

The Effect of Vegetable Oil and Shea Butter Coating on the Physical Characteristics and Protein Content of Chicken Eggs Stored under Room Temperature at Different Storage Length

Chicken eggs are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, containing all essential amino acids. They can complement other food proteins with lower biological values. This study explored the effectiveness of vegetable oil (olive oil) and shea butter in preserving the internal quality of eggs under room temperature. Ninety (90) White Leghorn eggs were sourced from the TANUVAS poultry farm and divided into three groups (T1- vegetable oil, T2- shea butter and T3- control) of 30 eggs each. The first two groups received treatments with olive oil and shea butter respectively, while the third served as the control group. The eggs in each treatment group were stored at room temperature for six weeks. Weekly assessment s of the physical and protein content was measured using the Haugh unit and the Biuret Method for protein concentration. The eggs showed less weight loss in the treated groups at T1 (vegetable oil) and T2 (shea butter) compared to the control group (T3). The vegetable oil-coated-eggs maintained their quality more than 43 days compared to those coated with shea butter and the untreated ones. Internally, both albumen height and Haugh unit values decreased over the storage time, with the vegetable-oil-treated eggs retaining quality for the longest duration, followed by the shea butter treated group. Eggs in the control group showed decline in quality after 22 days. Protein levels in the albumen decreased in all groups with storage, but the vegetable oil and shea butter coated groups recorded led to less reduction in protein content than the control group. The study indicates that olive oil and shea butter can effectively preserve the physical and protein content of chicken eggs under different storage conditions, with olive oil demonstrating a greater efficacy upto 43 days. These findings support the use of these natural oils as alternative preservatives for prolong egg storage in regions where refrigeration is not feasible.

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic reveals squalene alleviating the inflammatory response and enhancing immunity of hybrid grouper (♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ E. lanceolatu)

Our previous study on plant oil substitution for fish oil found that corn oil induced inflammatory responses in grouper, while olive oil was effective in anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing. As a vital active ingredient in olive oil, squalene has been widely studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the present study was designed to use corn oil as the main lipid source to create a model of inflammation or low immunity and investigate the regulatory effect of squalene on the immunity of grouper, and to perform hepatic transcriptomic and metabolomic assays of grouper using omics technology, with the aim of providing basic data for the study of the mechanism of squalene. The results showed: squalene ingestion did not affect the growth performance of grouper (P > 0.05) but significantly improved immunity and the resistance of grouper to Vibrio harveyi (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that squalene activated the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Western blot results showed that squalene ingestion significantly upregulated Wnt/β-Catenin protein expression and downregulated the Axin protein expression (P < 0.05). Above results demonstrated that squalene enhanced immunity and disease resistance in grouper may be related to the activation of PI3K-Akt/ Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway, while the activation of β-Catenin could reduce the inflammatory response by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammatory factors. The findings will contribute to the application of squalene as an immune enhancer for aquaculture and medical industry.

Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on the Apoptosis Index and the Number of Antral Ovarian Follicles in Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Infertility is a global problem. Risk factors for infertility are cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke contains harmful substances that can have adverse effects on follicle development. Oxidative stress due to cigarette smoke can activate proinflammatory cytokines in ovarian blood. Alternative natural treatments are needed that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Extra virgin olive oil is pure oil from olives rich in antioxidants. Its polyphenol content has been proven to be high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aims to determine the effect of extra virgin olive oil on the apoptosis index and the number of antral ovarian follicles in mice exposed to cigarette smoke. The design of this study was a true experiment with a post-test-only control group design. The experimental animals used white mice aged 2-3 months, weighing 150-250 grams.

Effect of Natural Oils as Permeation Enhancer for Transdermal Delivery of Telmisartan

Aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility of natural oils as permeation enhancers for the development of a transdermal delivery system of telmisartan. The penetration-enhancing potential of olive oil and clove oil on in-vitro permeation of telmisartan across shed snake skin was studied. The patches were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, in-vitro drug release, and in-vitro permeation studies. The system containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Eudragit L-100 (6:4) as matrix forming agents and dibutyl phthalate (20%) as plasticizer was selected as the best formulation for incorporation of natural oils as penetration enhancers. All transdermal patches were found to be uniform with respect to physical characteristics. Formulation (T7) containing 10% olive oil was found to be a promising natural permeation enhancer for transdermal delivery of telmisartan with the greatest cumulative amount of drug permeated (1536 μg/cm2) over 24 h. The studies indicated that the feasibility of transdermal delivery of telmisartan as a patch is likely to suffice the therapeutic requirement.

Oleogels based on carotenoid-rich microbial oil produced by R. mucilaginosa in agro-industrial by-products.

This study aimed to evaluate different methods of recovery of carotenoid-rich microbial oil (CRMO) produced by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in renewable agro-industrial by-products to achieve oleogels based on CRMO and carnauba wax (CW). Among the oil extraction methods, Bligh and Dyer was selected since this system kept color stability. Extracted CRMO showed 41.1 µg g-1 of total carotenoid and lipid content of 23.8%. Oleogels based on CRMO or olive oil (control system) and CW at concentrations of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% were characterized and their potential application to food systems was highlighted. This study is one of the first to describe production of oleogel based on CRMO. Its results contribute to its potential as a fat replacer. This novel oleogel may meet worldwide demands to reduce trans fatty acids in foods and act as a protective system of bioactive biocompounds.

Potential of chrysin as an anticancer

Cancer is a disease with a high mortality rate both globally and in Indonesia. It is a chronic disease due to its long-term effects, and it can affect people of all ages, genders, and races. Currently, compounds with potential anticancer properties are being developed, and one such compound is Chrysin. Chrysin is a flavonoid compound with pharmacological benefits. It acts as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Chrysin is found in honey, passion fruit, olive oil, tea, red wine, and propolis. Research shows that Chrysin has anticancer potential in cell lines such as TNBC, A375, CT-26, Hela, MCF-7, Hepatoma cell, ES2, OV90, B16-F1, 4T1, HTh7, KAT18, HCC, PC-3, and DU145 by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Chrysin can be utilized as a single dose or in combination to achieve synergistic effects based on dosage dependent manner.

Electro-sorption/-desorption with bio-sourced granular activated carbon electrode for phenols recovery and combination with advanced electro-oxidation for residual olive mill wastewater treatment

To face the releasing of hazardous solid and liquid wastes into the environment from the olive oil production industry, it is newly proposed a circular economy approach by implementing electro-sorption of value-added phenolic compounds (PCs) followed by electro-desorption using a bio-sourced granular activated carbon (GAC) electrode made of olive pomace waste. The remaining organic compounds present in the real olive mill wastewater (OMWW) were treated by advanced electrooxidation.The PCs electro-sorption study highlighted efficiency around 72 % in synthetic matrix against 68 % in real effluents, whose electro-sorption capacities could be partly attributed to the high electroactive surface area (7.8 × 103 cm2), high exchange current intensity (I0) value (5.5 × 10−3 A), and low charge transfer resistance (RCT) value (4 Ω) compared to the literature. The study further emphasized the fact that the electro-sorption selectivity was not only dependent on pKa of PCs with respect to solution pH, but also on the size of adsorbed molecules relative to the pore size distribution of GAC. The maximal percentage of PCs recovered from GAC after electro-desorption experiments was 34.5 %, while the global chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was 92 % of the pre-filtered real effluent at the cost of scaling during advanced electrooxidation of residual OMWW.

Exploring the Variability in Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity in Olive Oil By-Products: A Path to Sustainable Valorization

Exploring the Variability in Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity in Olive Oil By-Products: A Path to Sustainable Valorization

Association Between the EAT-Lancet Reference Diet and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Mini-Review

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent pregnancy complication that seriously endangers maternal and infant health, posing a medical and economic burden worldwide. Several dietary patterns have been recommended for women of childbearing age, demonstrating a positive role in preventing and managing GDM. However, these dietary patterns may not fully take environmental factors into account when addressing global food sustainability and planetary health. In this context, the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a diet in 2019 aimed at both health improvement and environmental sustainability, which can potentially reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases. Nevertheless, the role of the EAT-Lancet reference diet in preventing and managing GDM has not been fully evaluated. Therefore, we conducted a literature search to assess the existing evidence for the association between the EAT-Lancet reference diet components and GDM. Based on the current evidence available in the PubMed database from inception to 31 October 2024, women of childbearing age are recommended to consume whole grains, fish, soy products, olive oil, full-fat dairy products, nuts, and moderate amounts of fruits while reducing red meat and sugar-sweetened beverage intake to lower the risk of GDM. There remains inconsistency regarding the association between tubers or starchy vegetables, vegetables, eggs, and poultry and the risk of GDM. In conclusion, current research on the association between diet and GDM is limited and offers suggestions for methodologies to obtain robust evidence regarding the association between the EAT-Lancet reference diet and GDM.