Cold-pressed almond oil is considered a premium product due to its solvent-free extraction and sensory quality. Its industrial production produces large volumes of a nutrient-rich by-product, namely almond press cake (APC). In this study, this by-product was submitted to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 using two different pressure conditions for extracting residual oil in APC, further generating two residues (APC20 and APC24, from extraction at 20 and 24 MPa, respectively). Except for fat, which, as expected, was reduced in APC20 and APC24, and available carbohydrates, which were higher in the SFE-derived samples, the three residues showed similar contents of the remaining macronutrients (p > 0.05). The residues were particularly rich in total dietary fiber (from 73.7 to 76.2 g per 100 g), presenting also relevant quantities of protein (from 9.3 to 9.5 g per 100 g). APC20 and APC24 showed a strong retention of phenolic compounds, with only about a 10% decrease of total phenols compared to APC. In vitro digestion using the INFOGEST protocol revealed that some phenolic compounds exhibited high bioaccessibility values, with taxifolin, amygdalin, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside exceeding 100% bioaccessibility. Moreover, the antioxidant potential of bioaccessible fractions after simulated digestion was superior to that exhibited by non-digested samples. Furthermore, the prebiotic potential of digested residues was evident through the promotion of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium growth, comparable to inulin. Altogether, these results highlight the value of almond oilcake and its extraction residues as promising and sustainable functional food ingredients.

Natural phenolic acid compounds have been extensively studied for their anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in the context of inflammation-associated diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of trans-cinnamic acid on neutrophil accumulation during inflammatory processes using both in vivo and in vitro approaches. For the in vivo experiments, LPS-induced pleurisy was used in mice pretreated with trans-cinnamic acid. Inflammatory parameters, including plasma leakage, leukocyte infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α), were quantified in the pleural exudate. In vitro, the effects of trans-cinnamic acid on neutrophil chemotaxis toward CXCL1 were assessed using the Boyden chamber assay. Additionally, human endothelial EA.hy926 cells were stimulated with TNF-α to evaluate neutrophil adhesion and the expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 following trans-cinnamic acid treatment. Pretreatment with trans-cinnamic acid significantly inhibited LPS-induced pleurisy in mice by reducing protein-rich exudate formation, neutrophil infiltration, and local concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6. In vitro, trans-cinnamic acid did not alter CXCL1-induced neutrophil chemotaxis, nor the secretion of CXCL8 produced by TNF-α-stimulated EA.hy926 cells. However, it markedly reduced neutrophil adhesion to TNF-α-activated EA.hy926 cells. This reduction was associated with the downregulation of ICAM-1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Overall, these findings demonstrated that trans-cinnamic acid exerted anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting vascular permeability and leukocyte recruitment, particularly through the suppression of ICAM-1-mediated neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells. These results support trans-cinnamic acid as a promising candidate for the development of new therapeutic agents targeting inflammatory diseases.

Mikania micrantha (Sembung Rambat) is known in traditional medicine because it contains various bioactive compounds that have the potential as bioactive agents for pharmaceutical products and functional foods. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of Mikania micrantha leaf and stem extracts obtained from Watualang Village, Ngawi. This study used an experimental research type, which included specific quality parameter tests, namely organoleptic tests and phytochemical screening, as well as non-specific quality parameter tests, namely water content and ash content. The results obtained, the yield of Mikania micrantha leaf and stem extracts were 14.32% and 13.12%, respectively. The specific quality parameters of Mikania micrantha extract, organoleptic test in the form of a thick green extract with a distinctive odor of the extract. Phytochemical screening, Mikania micrantha leaf and stem extracts contain phenol, flavonoid, steroid and sesquiterpene compounds. Non-specific quality parameters of Mikania micrantha extract include water content and ash content. The water content obtained in the leaf and stem extracts of Mikania micrantha were 9% and 8.45%, respectively. The ash content of the leaf and stem extracts of Mikania micrantha were 13.17% and 10.67%, respectively. The specific and non-specific quality parameters of the methanol extract of Mikania micrantha leaves and stems obtained from Watualang Village, Ngawi, have met the extract quality requirements.

Cirsium vulgare (Asteraceae) is a newly emerged invasive species in Yunnan Province, China, and its phytotoxic potential has not yet been studied. This study was conducted to explore potential allelopathic effects of C. vulgare and to identify its flavonoid and phenolic acid compounds. Four aqueous extracts (roots, stems, leaves, and flower/fruit heads) of C. vulgare exhibited high inhibitory activity against the germination and seedling growth of Bidens pilosa and Digitaria sanguinalis. The inhibition rates of germination rate, germination index, root length, shoot length, and biomass of both species increased significantly with increasing concentrations, with B. pilosa being more inhibited than D. sanguinalis. Extracts from leaves and flower/fruit heads yielded the strongest inhibition, followed by stem extracts, with the lowest impact from root extracts. Flavonoids (65.41%) and phenolic acids (23.1%) collectively comprised 88.51% of all identified compounds. Thirty-eight flavonoid compounds and thirty phenolic acid compounds were selected for further analysis, representing 53.97% and 71.91% of the total content of flavonoids and phenolic acids, respectively. Many of the flavonoids and phenolic acids identified have been previously reported as known allelochemicals with possible allelopathic effects. This was the first study to show that the allelopathic potential of C. vulgare may aid its invasion and expansion.

Sugarcane vinasse is a high-strength effluent with a high organic load and intense coloration from melanoidins and phenolic compounds, making conventional biological treatment difficult. This study presents a magnetically recoverable Fe3O4@latex-ZnO nanocomposite, synthesized using natural Hevea brasiliensis latex as a green polymeric interlayer. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) shows a core–shell structure that enhances ZnO anchoring and reduces aggregation. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirms the coexistence of spinel Fe3O4 and wurtzite ZnO without secondary phases, while Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) verifies the latex layer through characteristic organic bands, indicating a stable organic–inorganic interface. Under 4 h of UV irradiation, the nanocomposite significantly reduced vinasse COD from 23,450 to 12,450–13,150 mg L−1 (≈44–47%) and BOD from 11,600 to 4800–5000 mg L−1 (≈57–59%), demonstrating substantial oxidation of the organic fraction. The magnetic core enables quick separation post-treatment, enhancing the practicality of the process. Overall, this innovative approach positions the ZnO nanocomposite as a promising option for vinasse pre-treatment and integrated agro-industrial effluent treatment.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using butylene glycol for recovering antioxidant bioactive compounds from Rosa damascena petals. Extraction was conducted using 40% (w/v) butylene glycol, a 15 min treatment, and a solid–liquid ratio of 1:50 g/mL. Under these conditions, butylene glycol-based UAE yielded a total flavonoid content of 51.26 ± 1.75 mg QE/g sample, significantly higher than that obtained with ethanol-based UAE (p < 0.05), while the total phenolic content (118.23 ± 4.86 mg GAE/g sample) showed no significant difference between solvents. Antioxidant capacity was also enhanced, with butylene glycol UAE exhibiting stronger DPPH radical scavenging activity (133.12 ± 4.81 mg TEAC/g sample) and higher FRAP values (8.13 ± 0.23 mg FeSO4/g sample) than ethanol-based UAE and conventional shaking extraction. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis, heatmap clustering, and Venn diagrams, revealed clear separation among extraction methods and a broader phytochemical profile in butylene glycol UAE extracts. LC-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS profiling confirmed a conserved core phenolic composition across all extracts, while butylene glycol UAE selectively enriched additional galloyl derivatives and conjugated flavonoids and also enabled the detection of less polar phenolics. These findings highlight butylene glycol-based UAE as a sustainable and industry-relevant alternative to ethanol extraction for cosmetic applications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of death among degenerative diseases, primarily due to impaired insulin function that disrupts carbohydrate metabolism. One therapeutic strategy involves α-glucosidase inhibitors that delay glucose absorption. Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds with antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity, suggesting potential as α-glucosidase inhibitors. This study evaluated the inhibitory potential of okra-derived compounds against α-glucosidase using in silico molecular docking with PLANTS and YASARA Structure. The analysis included physicochemical screening, ligand–receptor preparation, and docking simulations, assessing docking score, Gibbs free energy (ΔG), and dissociation constant (Kd). Cannabiscitrin, a flavonoid from okra, demonstrated the strongest binding affinity, outperforming the reference drug acarbose in all parameters. These findings suggest its potential as an alternative antidiabetic agent.

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) shells, typically discarded as agro-industrial by-products, represent a potentially valuable source of bioactive polyphenolic compounds with significant antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacity of the kernels and shells of two hazelnut varieties, ‘Rimski’ and ‘Istarski duguljasti’. High-intensity ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to enhance the recovery of bioactive compounds under optimized conditions (80% ethanol, high amplitude, and 25 min treatment). The extracts were analyzed for total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total non-flavonoids, and individual phenolic compounds. Hazelnut shells exhibited significantly higher levels of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity compared to kernels. The dominant individual polyphenolic compounds identified in the shell were kaempferol, gallic acid, naringin, rutin trihydrate, quercetin-3-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, and vanillic acid. Application of UAE notably improved extraction efficiency and overall yield compared to conventional extraction methods. The findings underscore hazelnut shells as a nutritionally and functionally valuable by-product and confirm UAE as a green, efficient extraction technique. These results provide a strong basis for developing high-value-added products for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries, thereby supporting circular bioeconomy and sustainable chemistry principles.

Bilberry (Vacciniummyrtillus L., Ericaceae) is chiefly valued as an edible plant for its berries, widely consumed as a functional food, whereas the leaves, as agro-waste, remain an underutilized natural source of bioactives. The traditional use of V. myrtillus leaves is well documented, particularly for managing diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. However, their potential spasmolytic activity, which could support such uses, remains unexplored. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the spasmolytic potential of V. myrtillus leaf extract on the gastrointestinal tract and to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action. The spray-dried 50% hydroethanolic extract of V. myrtillus leaves, obtained by double percolation, was analyzed using HPLC-DAD. The analysis revealed phenolic acids, with chlorogenic acid as the major compound, and flavonoids, predominantly isoquercitrin. Spasmolytic activity was tested on isolated rat ileum, and the mechanism of action was monitored using models of spontaneous contractions and acetylcholine-, histamine-, CaCl2−, Bay K8644-, L-NAME-, ODQ-, apamin-, BaCl2−, charybdotoxin-, glibenclamide-, TRAM-34-, and quinine-modified contractions. The extract’s activity on isolated ileum strips is primarily mediated via Ca2+ channels, cGMP, histamine, and NO pathways. Overall, this study affirms V. myrtillus leaves as a valuable source of phenolic compounds with potential for treating spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders.

Increasing global awareness of environmental issues has encouraged the development of sustainable and eco-friendly methods for extracting phenolic compounds from Cinnamomum burmannii. This study integrates Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) with Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NaDES) as a green extraction approach. The objectives were to evaluate thermal efficiency, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and extraction kinetics at microwave powers of 640, 720, and 800 W using citric acid–sucrose as the solvent. The highest thermal efficiency (69.82%) was achieved at 640 W, with an energy consumption of 540.86 kJ and carbon emissions of 0.131 kg CO₂e. Extraction kinetics were described using the Peleg model, which accurately represented changes in phenolic concentration during extraction. The highest extraction rate constant (B₀ = 0.2117 mg/mL·min) was obtained at 640 W, while the highest equilibrium capacity constant (Ce = 0.6982 mg/mL) and total phenolic content (6.42 ± 0.046 mg GAE/mL) were achieved at 800 W. These findings indicate that increasing microwave power enhances both extraction rate and phenolic yield. Compared with conventional methods, MAE combined with NaDES demonstrated lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions, highlighting its potential as a sustainable extraction technology.

In this work, gellan gum microspheres (G–MPs) were developed as delivery systems for blueberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus) (BEX), a source of natural antioxidants rich in anthocyanins (ATCs) and phenolic compounds (PHCs). Gellan gum, an anionic polysaccharide produced via fermentation by Sphingomonas elodea, was selected for its biocompatibility and gelling properties. BEX was obtained using a mild citric acid–based extraction method to preserve antioxidant capacity and was characterized for its total polyphenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content before loading. The extract was loaded into gellan gum microspheres via absorption (G–MPs–BEX). The resulting microspheres exhibited a spherical and porous morphology that favoured both encapsulation and controlled release. FT–IR analysis confirmed the absorption of the extract within the polymer network and revealed hydrogen bonding interactions between the matrix and active compounds. Despite these interactions, microspheres retained a high swelling capacity and enabled rapid release, with maximum release of polyphenols and anthocyanins within 30 min at pH 5.5. The antioxidant activity of BEX, assessed via DPPH assay, remained stable during storage (up to 60 days) and after incorporation into the microspheres. Overall, this study demonstrates that G–MPs can efficiently absorb, stabilize, and release natural antioxidant compounds, supporting their potential use in biomedical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications.

This study investigates the microbial degradation of phenolic compounds using environmental bacterial isolates obtained from refinery wastewater and petroleum-contaminated soil. Phenolic pollutants are highly toxic and persistent, posing significant challenges for biological wastewater treatment systems. To address this issue, microorganisms were enriched under increasing phenolic loads using Bushnell Haas Yeast (BHY) medium supplemented with phenol and mixed phenolic derivatives as the sole carbon source. Through adaptive passaging, two phenol-tolerant isolates were obtained and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as Microbacterium arabinogalactanolyticum (PKN7) and Brevundimonas diminuta (VGT4). Time-resolved HPLC analyses demonstrated that both isolates completely degraded phenol within 120h in BHY medium containing 20mg/L phenol and 30mg/L mixed phenolic compounds. While the strains exhibited only partial degradation of chlorophenols and cresols, consortium experiments showed enhanced performance in the mixed culture: the mixed culture achieved complete degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol within 12h and complete phenol removal within 60h, while removing 73-78% of the remaining phenolic derivatives. These results confirm that cooperative metabolic interactions substantially enhance degradation performance under mixed-pollutant conditions. Overall, this study identifies M. arabinogalactanolyticum and B. diminuta as promising non-model phenol degraders, particularly when applied as a defined microbial consortium. Their combined activity highlights the potential for bioaugmentation-based strategies in industrial wastewater treatment systems. Further pilot-scale studies using real refinery effluents are needed to evaluate long-term stability and field applicability.

Light and air temperature are considered vital environmental cues that control developmental processes in crop plants. In the current report we investigated the effect of light (day/night: 8 h/16 h and 16 h/8 h) and air temperature (day/night: 18/12°C and 23/17°C) on garlic quality and relative genes expression. Garlic morphological traits significantly increased at 16 h light and 23°C at 30 days after treatment (DAT). Soluble protein content was observed maximum at 16 h light and 23°C at 30 DAT. Carbohydrates were also increased with increment in duration (30 DAT) of light (16 h) and high air temperature (23°C). Phenolic compounds were also significantly enhanced at 16 h light and 23°C at 30 DAT. At 30 DAT, antioxidants were observed in highest quantity at 16 h light and 23°C. Expression analysis of carbohydrate metabolism genes revealed that 6&1‐FRUCTAN EXOHYDROLASEs ( 6&1‐FEH ), FRUCTAN 6‐FRUCTOSYLTRANSFERASES ( 6‐FFT ) and CELL WALL INVERTASEs ( CWI ) exhibited highest expression under 16 h light and 23°C whereas, SUCROSE 1‐FRUCTOSYLTRANSFERASEs ( 1‐SST ) and TREHALOSE 6‐PHOSPHATE SYNTHASEs ( T6P ) exhibited highest expression under 8h + 23°C and 16h + 18°C, respectively. In conclusion, the results of our research suggested that long periods of light and high air temperature are beneficial for maintaining garlic nutritive quality.

The bitter gourd, or Momordica charantia L., is a cucurbit that is commonly grown in tropical and subtropical areas and is rich in nutrients and medicinal value. The current work used methanol and ethanol as extraction solvents to examine the phytochemical profile, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of M. charantia peel extracts. In the Sonipat district of Haryana, India, mature fruits were gathered, shade-dried, ground into a powder, and extracted using a Soxhlet device. Both methanolic and ethanolic peel extracts included flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and steroids, according to qualitative phytochemical screening. Only the methanolic extract included tannins and alkaloids, whereas neither of the two solvents contained saponins or glycosides. The amount of bioactive compounds varied significantly depending on the solvent utilized, according to a quantitative study. The methanolic extract had the highest total phenolic content (116.88 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g), closely followed by the ethanolic extract (115.20 mg GAE/g), demonstrating the efficiency of polar solvents in phenolic extraction. In a similar vein, methanol outperformed ethanolic extracts in terms of flavonoid extraction, producing the highest total flavonoid concentration (18.92 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g). Overall, the results show that methanol is a more effective solvent than ethanol for removing these bioactive components from M. charantia peels, which are a rich source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with possible antioxidant and medicinal qualities. The use of bitter gourd peels as a useful source of natural phytochemicals for pharmacological and nutraceutical purposes is supported by this study.

Satureja hortensis , widely used in traditional medicine and culinary applications, is a valuable aromatic plant rich in essential oils (Eos) and bioactive compounds. This study comprehensively evaluated the phytochemical composition and biological properties of S. hortensis grown in Erzincan, Turkey. The EO and four solvent‐based extracts (ethyl acetate, butanol, water extract (WE), and water fraction) were analyzed. GC–MS/MS identified 34 volatile compounds (98.76%), with thymol (40.83%), carvacrol (19.77%), γ ‐terpinene (16.71%), and p ‐cymene (12.06%) as major constituents. LC‐ESI‐MS/MS revealed phenolic compounds, with hesperidin, rutin, and caffeic acid as major constituents in ethyl acetate and butanol fractions. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), TPC, and TFC assays. The ethyl acetate showed the strongest DPPH scavenging (17.25 ± 2.34 µg/mL), highest TPC (79.24 ± 0.59 mg gallic acid equivalent /g), and moderate FRAP activity (96.86 ± 1.06 mg TE/g), while the WE had the highest flavonoid content (48.21 ± 1.56 mg QE/g). The EO exhibited potent antimicrobial activity (MIC 31.25–250 µg/mL; maximum inhibition zones 50 mm) against A. niger , C. albicans , and A. alternata . HPLC‐DAD quantified rosmarinic acid, highest in ethyl acetate extract (580.93 ± 1.12 mg/g). Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated strong positive associations between phenolic content and biological activities, supporting the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial potential of S. hortensis.

Background: Adolescence is a critical stage for establishing lifelong dietary habits and preventing non-communicable diseases through adequate intake of bioactive compounds. Numerous studies have thoroughly examined the antioxidant profile of traditional diets such as the Mediterranean diet. In contrast, current research provides limited insights into the antioxidant properties of foods typically consumed by Mexican adolescents. Objective: So, this study aimed to quantify the total phenolic compound (TPC) content and antioxidant capacity (AC) of frequently consumed foods and to estimate dietary intake in Mexican adolescents. Methodology: The selected food groups were identified based on their frequency of consumption by 15% or more of the adolescent population, considering those that have demonstrated a sufficient quantity of antioxidants. It was analyzed TPC and ABTS•+ and DPPH• to determine the antiradical activity of the analyzed samples. Results: The estimated daily intake of TPC was 1484.01 mg GAE/person, while AC intake was 345.67 mg AAE/person (ABTS•+) and 5399.14 µmol TE/person (DPPH•). Cereals and fruits were the major contributors to total antioxidant intake, while the contribution of leafy vegetables and nuts was relatively low. The statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TPC and AC. The results of the study indicate the antioxidant potential of the adolescent diet. Conclusions: Despite certain limitations, the values obtained from the study are comparable to those of other studies that employed similar methodologies. Consequently, promoting the early consumption of fresh plant-based foods rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which can enhance the dietary profile and contribute to adolescents’ long-term health, constitutes a significant area of research.

Yeasts isolated from fermented foods have attracted increasing attention for their probiotic potential; however, studies on yeast-derived postbiotics remain limited. In this study, endogenous yeast strains belonging to Kluyveromyces marxianus (n = 3), Yarrowia lipolytica (n = 3), Pichia fermentans (n = 3), and Debaryomyces hansenii (n = 3) were evaluated for their in vitro probiotic properties. A multi-criteria decision-making analysis using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) identified K. marxianus ETP12, P. fermentans SJ2023, and Y. lipolytica ARTP9.2 as the most promising strains for postbiotic production. Among them, K. marxianus ETP12 exhibited the highest functional potential and was subjected to comprehensive postbiotic characterization. The postbiotic of K. marxianus ETP12 was further characterized for total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities), phenolic compound profile, biofilm inhibition capacity, free amino acid composition, and fatty acid profile. The results revealed a diverse phenolic composition, primarily consisting of fumaric acid, quercetin, gallic acid, and quinic acid. A total of 29 essential, non-essential, and bioactive amino acids were identified, with lysine, leucine, and glycine as the predominant components. Fatty acid profiling indicated the predominance of palmitic and stearic acids, accompanied by medium-chain fatty acids. Notably, it exhibited strong biofilm-inhibition activity against S. aureus ATCC 25923 and C. sakazakii ATCC 29544. Overall, these findings demonstrate that K. marxianus ETP12 represents a valuable source of multifunctional postbiotics with potential applications in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Grape is regarded as a functional food because it contains glucose, fructose, and high content of phenolic compounds. The effect of foliar application of selenium (Se) is limited by the leaf absorption barrier and photooxidation loss of grapes. In contrast, soil application may provide a stable Se pool for root absorption, but its effect on Se morphology and nutritional value of grapes is not clear. In this study, grapes were used as the research object. Through field experiments, different concentrations of Se fertilizer spraying treatments were set up to study the effect of soil Se on improving grape quality and organic Se forms, as well as the effect of Se on nutrient elements and heavy metals. The results showed that total Se (165.6-480.3 μg kg -1) was accumulated in a dose-dependent manner, while selenoformic acid (Se-Met, 4.14%), selenocysteine (SeCys2, 1.13%) and methyl selenocysteine (Se-MeSeCys, 0.97%) constituted the key organic forms. Soil Se application can effectively improve the Se enrichment ability of grapes. Moreover, the biofortification of Se in soil has a dual role, significantly increasing nutrient elements (Ca, Zn, Mo) and effectively reducing the accumulation of heavy metals (As, Pb). © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of biomass feedstock and hydrothermal temperature on the molecular composition and bioavailability of invasive plant-based hydrochar-derived dissolved organic matter.

Contrasting land-use sources of microplastic and endocrine-disrupting compound pollution in a major coastal river network.