Potential Functional Food Research Articles

Potential Functional Food Products and Molecular Mechanisms of Portulaca Oleracea L. on Anticancer Activity: A Review

Portulaca oleracea Linn. (P. oleracea L.) has recently gained attention as a functional food due to the chemical composition of this plant regarding bioactive compounds. The special attention to the use of P. oleracea as an ingredient in functional food products is also due to the promotion of sustainable food. It is an unconventional food plant, and its consumption may contribute to preserving biodiversity due to its cultivation in a polyculture system. Food sovereignty may be achieved, among other strategies, with the consumption of unconventional food plants that are more resistant in nature and easily cultivated in small places. P. oleracea grows spontaneously and may be found in streets and sidewalks, or it may be cultivated with seeds and cuttings propagation. The culinary versatility of P. oleracea opens up opportunities to explore the development of sustainable, functional food products. This mini-review shows that functional food products developed from P. oleracea are already available at the research level, but it is expected that more scientific literature focusing on the development of P. oleracea functional products with proven anticancer activities may be released in the near future. Polysaccharides, some phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and cerebrosides are associated with the inhibition and prevention of carcinogenesis through in vitro and in vivo investigations. The anticancer activities of P. oleracea, its bioactive compounds, and the involved molecular mechanisms have been reported in the literature. The importance of further elucidating the cancer inhibition mechanisms is in the interest of forthcoming applications in the development of food products with anticancer properties for implementation in the human diet.

Quantitative HPLC-UV Study of Lignans in Anthriscus sylvestris.

Wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris) is a wild-growing plant from the Apiaceae family, used as a food in Europe and eastern Asia. Due to its high content of lignans known to possess anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antiviral and other activities, it represents a potential functional food. However, quantitative data on lignans are still scarce and limited to deoxypodophyllotoxin, nemerosin and yatein. In this paper, a newly developed and validated reverse-phase HPLC–UV method was used to evaluate the content of 14 lignans in both aerial parts and roots of A. sylvestris. The most abundant root components were found to be deoxypodophyllotoxin (2.0–42.8 mg/g), nemerosin (2.0–23.4 mg/g), yatein (1.1–18.5 mg/g), podophyllotoxone (0.7–20.5 mg/g), guaiadequiol (0.8–8.3 mg/g) and dimethylmatairesinol (0.1–5.2 mg/g). Despite the high intra-population variability, a general trend of an increased lignan content during plant development could be observed in the root samples, whereas an opposite trend was observed in the herb samples. A validation study indicated that some of the investigated compounds—7-oxoaryltetralins and dibenzylbutyrolactones—have low stability and require cold storage in the dark. Furthermore, dibenzylbutyrolactones were confirmed to undergo a fast cis–trans isomerization; therefore, only the total content of these isomers should be reported.

Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activity of Sequentially Extracted Fractions from Pingguoli Pear Fermentation Broth and Identification of Bioactive Compounds.

Pear fruits have been reported to contain abundant bioactive compounds and exhibit antidiabetic activity. In this study, Pingguoli pear (Pyrus pyrifolia cv.‘Pingguoli’) fermentation broth was sequentially extracted by five solvents with increasing polarity (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water) to evaluate its antioxidant and hypothermic activities, and then the main compounds of the fraction with the highest activity were assessed, which might be responsible for such activities. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity according to DPPH (IC50 = 0.238 mg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 0.293 mg/mL), and FRAP (IC50 = 0.193 mg/mL) assays. The in vitro hypoglycemic activity assay showed that EAF exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, with IC50 values of 0.34 and 0.95 mg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. The glucose consumption in HepG2 cells treated with EAF was significantly increased to 252%, compare with control group. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis implied that the main compounds, 3′-C-glucosylisoliquiritigenin, robustside D, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid may be potential candidates for the antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of the EAF. This study suggested that EAF of Pingguoli pear fermentation broth could be utilized for development of potential functional food and antidiabetic agents.

Strain-specific regulative effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on intestinal barrier dysfunction are associated with their capsular polysaccharides

The intestinal barrier is integral to the host's defense, and disrupting its integrity contributes to gut and systemic diseases. Lactobacillus plantarum has been widely reported to exhibit a protective effect on the gut barrier. However, the strain-specific mechanism of this bacterium's function remains unclear. This study characterized the regulative effects of 55 L. plantarum strains on the intestinal barrier using TNF-α-induced Caco-2 cells and a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis animal model and found that the regulative effect is strain-specific. Comparative genomic analysis suggested that the ability of L. plantarum to regulate the intestinal barrier is exerted in part by genes encoding proteins associated with polysaccharide synthesis. This observation was verified using surface protein/capsular polysaccharides separation experiments. Structural analysis of capsular polysaccharides showed that molecular weight and mole ratios of monosaccharide compositions may play important roles in strain-specific protective effects on the gut barrier. This study identified different effects of L. plantarum strains on intestinal barrier dysfunction and proved that this regulative ability relies on the characteristic of the capsular polysaccharides of the strains. Thus, our data provided genetic targets and molecular for screening L. plantarum strains with the ability to protect the gut barrier, and suggested the capsular polysaccharides of L. plantarum may be explored as a potential functional food component against intestinal barrier dysfunction.

Soluble Protein Hydrolysate Ameliorates Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Injury in 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis in Mice

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic, recurring gastrointestinal diseases that severely impair health and quality of life. Although therapeutic options have significantly expanded in recent years, there is no effective therapy for a complete and permanent cure for IBD. Well tolerated dietary interventions to improve gastrointestinal health in IBD would be a welcome advance especially with anticipated favorable tolerability and affordability. Soluble protein hydrolysate (SPH) is produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of commercial food industry salmon offcuts (consisting of the head, backbone and skin) and contains a multitude of bioactive peptides including those with anti-oxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate whether SPH ameliorates gastrointestinal injury in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced mouse colitis model. Mice were randomly assigned to four groups: Control (no colitis), Colitis, Colitis/CP (with control peptide treatment), and Colitis/SPH (with SPH treatment). Colitis was induced by cutaneous sensitization with 1% TNBS on day −8 followed by 2.5% TNBS enema challenge on day 0. Control peptides and SPH were provided to the mice in the Colitis/CP or Colitis/SPH group respectively by drinking water at the final concentration of 2% w/v daily from day −10 to day 4. Then, the colon was harvested on day 4 and examined macro- and microscopically. Relevant measures included disease activity index (DAI), colon histology injury, immune cells infiltration, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and anti-oxidative gene expression. It was found that SPH treatment decreased the DAI score and colon tissue injury when compared to the colitis-only and CP groups. The protective mechanisms of SPH were associated with reduced infiltration of CD4+ T, CD8+ T and B220+ B lymphocytes but not macrophages, downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6), and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-10) in the colon tissue. Moreover, the upregulation of anti-oxidative genes, including ferritin heavy chain 1, heme oxygenase 1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, and superoxide dismutase 1, in the colons of colitis/SPH group was observed compared with the control peptide treatment group. In conclusion, the protective mechanism of SPH is associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects as demonstrated herein in an established mice model of colitis. Clinical studies with SPH as a potential functional food for the prevention or as an adjuvant therapy in IBD may add an effective and targeted diet-based approach to IBD management in the future.

Positive effects of dietary fiber from sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] peels by different extraction methods on human fecal microbiota in vitro fermentation.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of sweet potato peels dietary fiber obtained by different extraction methods on intestinal health. Specifically, four different dietary fibers were extracted by hot water, microwave, ultrasonic and subcritical water methods. And the prebiotics effects of sweet potato peels dietary fibers were explored in an in vitro fermentation model, by determining intestinal gas content, short-chain fatty acid content, pH, ammonia content and the gut microbiota composition. The results showed that dietary fiber obtained by four different extraction methods could be utilized by GM and improve human health by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella) and reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g., Proteobacteria, Romboutsia and Dorea), enhancing the relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids, reducing intestinal pH from 6.89 to 4.63 and ammonia. Among them, dietary fiber extracted by ultrasound is better than the other three extraction methods. This study suggests that all the four different extraction methods are available for sweet potato peels dietary fiber, and the extracted dietary fiber could be served as potential functional foods with great development value. In addition, it is beneficial to reduce the environmental pollution of sweet potato peels and improve the high-value processing and utilization of sweet potato by-products.

In Vitro Evaluation of Weizmannia coagulans Strain LMG S-31876 Isolated from Fermented Rice for Potential Probiotic Properties, Safety Assessment and Technological Properties.

Bacillus coagulans, which has been taxonomically reclassified as Weizmannia coagulans, has been the focus of research due to its wide distribution in fermented foods, probiotic properties, and tolerance to extreme environments. The purpose of this study was to characterise putative probiotic bacteria in a fermented rice sample, followed by an in vitro screening of presumptive probiotic properties and a safety assessment to ensure their safety for human consumption. The predominant isolate was Gram-positive, rod-shaped, catalase-positive, spore-forming, motile, and facultatively anaerobic. The biochemical test and 16S rDNA sequencing identify the isolate as Weizmannia coagulans strain LMG S-31876. The strain showed significant viability in acidic gastric juice, pancreatin, and bile. The strain showed tolerance to 5% NaCl, and a low-to-moderate percentage of hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation was recorded. It met all safety criteria, including haemolytic activity, DNase activity, antibiotic sensitivity, and growth inhibition of other bacteria. Evaluation of its technological properties showed positive results for amylolytic and lipolytic activities; however, negative results were obtained for proteolytic activity. It could be concluded from the gathered data that W. coagulans strain LMG S-31876 isolated from fermented rice, might serve as a potential functional probiotic food. However, extended follow-up durations and larger-scale trials by assessing the therapeutic effects in managing various clinical gastrointestinal conditions are required to warranty such effects.

Functionality of native mucilage from cactus pears as a potential functional food ingredient at industrial scale

ISHS X International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal: Cactus - the New Green Revolution in Drylands Functionality of native mucilage from cactus pears as a potential functional food ingredient at industrial scale

Walnut Prevents Cognitive Impairment by Regulating the Synaptic and Mitochondrial Dysfunction via JNK Signaling and Apoptosis Pathway in High-Fat Diet-Induced C57BL/6 Mice.

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Juglans regia (walnut, Gimcheon 1ho cultivar, GC) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced cognitive dysfunction in C57BL/6 mice. The main physiological compounds of GC were identified as pedunculagin/casuariin isomer, strictinin, tellimagrandin I, ellagic acid-O-pentoside, and ellagic acid were identified using UPLC Q-TOF/MS analysis. To evaluate the neuro-protective effect of GC, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorecein diacetate (DCF-DA) analysis were conducted in H2O2 and high glucose-induced neuronal PC12 cells and hippocampal HT22 cells. GC presented significant cell viability and inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. GC ameliorated behavioral and memory dysfunction through Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. In addition, GC reduced white adipose tissue (WAT), liver fat mass, and serum dyslipidemia. To assess the inhibitory effect of antioxidant system deficit, lipid peroxidation, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were conducted. Administration of GC protected the antioxidant damage against HFD-induced diabetic oxidative stress. To estimate the ameliorating effect of GC, acetylcholine (ACh) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and expression of AChE and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were conducted, and the supplements of GC suppressed the cholinergic system impairment. Furthermore, GC restored mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating the mitochondrial ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels in cerebral tissues. Finally, GC ameliorated cerebral damage by synergically regulating the protein expression of the JNK signaling and apoptosis pathway. These findings suggest that GC could provide a potential functional food source to improve diabetic cognitive deficits and neuronal impairments.

Physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory properties of Mango Sorbet containing L-theanine as a potential functional food product

The non-proteinous amino acid L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with a range of health benefits including improvements in immune function, cardiovascular outcomes and cognition. The aims of this study were to develop a food product (mango sorbet; ms-L-THE) containing physiologically relevant doses of L-THE (0.2/100 g w/w) and determine its antioxidant, physicochemical and sensory properties in comparison to a mango sorbet without L-THE (ms). Total phenolic and flavanol content, and antioxidant analysis (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) were determined spectrophotometrically. Both products were also evaluated for acceptability and likeability in healthy participants using the 9-point hedonic scale. Any differences that could be caused by the addition of L-THE were examined using the triangle test. Results indicated no significant differences between ms-L-THE and ms in taste of the products (p > 0.05), and the ms-L-THE was well received and accepted as a potential commercial product. Findings of the DPPH assay indicated significant difference between the two products (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we have successfully created a mango sorbet that contains a potentially physiologically relevant concentration of L-THE with antioxidant properties that could be used as a novel method of L-THE delivery to clinical and healthy populations.

Isolation, Characterization of Bamboo Leaf Flavonoids by Size Exclusion Chromatography and Their Antioxidant Properties.

The utilization of bamboo industry exhibits varied but still needs to be improved. Bamboo leaf flavonoid (BLF) is an important resource of bamboo which has become a research focus. However, the isolation and purification techniques of four flavonoid carbon glycosides (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin) from BLF were still confronted with difficulties due to their complex and similar structures, which obstructed the development of bamboo utilization. In this article, a purification technology of four flavonoid carbon glycosides from BLF by Sephadex LH-20 was improved. The results were evaluated by HPLC and pharmacological activity. Specifically, the eluent, flow rate, and loading amount were investigated, respectively. According to the results, the eluent would dominate the isolation effect among three factors. High concentration of isoorientin and four flavonoid carbon glycosides would be obtained under the optimized condition (The eluent was 70 % methanol, the loading amount was 1.5 g, and the flow rate was 0.5 mL/min). Meanwhile, the link between flavonoid carbon glycosides content and their antioxidant activity in vitro was also revealed. Overall, the results suggested that BLF may serve as potential functional food additives and medicine.

A review of the health benefits of Strychnos decussata (Pappe) Gilg (Loganiaceae): a potential functional food

Strychnos decussata is a small to medium sized tree which naturally occurs in open-wooded and thickets in tropical Africa. A critical appraisal of the medicinal, pharmacological and socio-economic properties of S. decussata are provided. Research articles focusing on the medicinal, pharmacological and socio-economic properties of S. decussata were searched from online databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, SciELO and SpringerLink. No time limit was set for the search and all research outputs that aligned with the scope of the review were included. S. decussata has diverse uses as a food plant and also has medicinal uses such as charm and ritual, scorpion and snake bite antidote, ethnoveterinary medicine, and traditional medicine for fever, gastro-intestinal problems, headache, respiratory infections, wounds, venereal diseases and infections. S. decussata exert biological activities such as antifungal, antimycobacterial, antiplasmodial and convulsant activities. Several phytochemical compounds such as decussine and decussine-type alkaloids, gluco-indole alkaloids and pentacyclic indole alkaloids have been isolated from the species. Many applications of S. decussata as source of food and herbal medicines as well as its phytochemistry and pharmarcological properties need further investigations.Keywords: Buddleia family, ethnomedicinal uses, indigenous knowledge, Loganiaceae, Strychnos decussata

Natural 8-C-ascorbyl-(−)-epigallocatechin as antidiabetic agent: α-glucosidase and PTP-1B signaling pathway dual regulators

α-Glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) signaling pathway dual regulators decrease postprandial blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it a new treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes. This study examined in vitro antidiabetic activities of 8-C-ascorbyl-(−)-epigallocatechin (AE), found in oolong tea. AE inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 = 142.8 μM) with activity higher than that of acarbose (IC50 = 250.2 μM). AE significantly promoted glucose-consumption and activated the insulin signaling pathway through enhancing the protein levels of p-GSK3β and p-Akt and inhibiting the expression of PTP1B, along with slightly inhibitory activity against PTP1B. Docking analysis showed AE inhibited α-glucosidase activity via binding to the catalytic site through hydrogen bonds and Pi-Pi interactions, as well as a good shape match to the active pocket. In addition, AE could relieve oxidative damage and possessed good antioxidant capacity. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that AE exhibits antidiabetic activity in vitro, making it a potential functional food ingredient and drug candidate for management of type 2 diabetes.

Polyphenols in Highland Barley Tea Inhibit the Production of Advanced Glycosylation End-Products and Alleviate the Skeletal Muscle Damage.

Highland barley tea is a kind of caffeine-free cereal tea. Previous studies have shown that it is rich in polyphenol flavonoids. Here, the effect of Highland barley tea polyphenols (HBP) on the production of advanced glycosylation end-products and alleviate the skeletal muscle damage is systematically investigated. HBP effectively inhibits the formation of AGEs in vitro, and 12 phenolic compounds are identified. In addition, d-galactose is used to construct a mouse senescence model and intervenes with different doses of HBP. It is found that high doses of HBP effectively inhibit AGEs in serum and flounder muscle species and increased muscle mass in flounder muscle; also, high doses of HBP increase the expression of the mitochondrial functional protein SIRT3 and decrease the expression of myasthenia-related proteins. Furthermore, cellular experiments show that AGEs can significantly increase oxidative stress in skeletal muscle. These data indicate that the relationship between the biological activity and HBP properties is relevant since Highland barley can be a potential functional food to prevent AGEs-mediated skeletal muscle damage.

Enzymatic-extractable polysaccharides from Cordyceps militaris alleviate carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury via Nrf2/ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway

Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides have aroused attention due to extensive physiological activities. One novel enzymatic-extractable polysaccharide, EPCMa, was obtained by chromatography column under optimum conditions. Structural characteristics analysis indicated that EPCMa consisted of → 3)-α-L-Fucp-(1→, →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →2,6)-α-D-Galp-(1→, →3)-α-Glcp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → and β-D-Manp-(1 → with 20792 Da. Moreover, our work further investigated the effect of EPCMa on CCl4-indued liver injury and its underlying in mice. Results showed that EPCMa activated Nrf2 pathway by up-regulating Nrf2 and HO-1 expressions to enhance antioxidant enzymes for decreasing ROS and lipid peroxidation against oxidative stress, which inhibited NF-κB p65 and IκBα phosphorylation against the releases of IL-6, TNF-α and COX-2, thereby achieving hepatoprotective effect. To sum up, activation of Nrf2 pathway and suppression of NF-κB pathway by Nrf2/ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway are the main underlying mechanisms against CCl4-induced liver injury. These results demonstrated that EPCMa might be developed as a potential functional food and natural agent against liver injury.

Valorization of avocado seeds with antioxidant capacity using pressurized hot water extraction

The pulp of avocado (Persea Americana) is widely consumed as the primary food source, while the seed is often discarded as food waste. Increased consumption of avocado would inevitably results in production of waste by-products such as avocado seeds, hence the ability to extract phytochemicals from such waste, and upcycling to potential nutraceutical products is of great interest. The overall aim of this study is to explore avocado seeds as potential functional food through the combined use of a green extraction method, chemical standardization and pattern recognition tools, and biological characterization assays. Specifically, this study utilized an organic solvent-free extraction method, pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) to extract phytochemicals from avocado seeds and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) was used to identify the phytochemicals present in the avocado seeds. Our results demonstrated that avocado seed extracts have antioxidant activity and inhibited oxidative stress-induced metabolomics changes in endothelial cells, suggesting that avocado seed extracts have vasoprotective actions.

The potential of pumpkin seed oil as a functional food-A comprehensive review of chemical composition, health benefits, and safety.

The growing interest in foods that can be beneficial to human health is bringing into focus some products that have been used locally for centuries but have recently gained worldwide attention. One of these foods is pumpkin seed oil, which has been used in culinary and traditional medicine, but recent data also show its use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In addition, some sources refer to it as a potential functional food, mainly because it is obtained from pumpkin seeds, which contain many functional components. However, the production process of the oil may affect the content of these components and consequently the biological activity of the oil. In this review, we have focused on summarizing scientific data that explore the potential of pumpkin seed oil as a functional food ingredient. We provide a comprehensive overview of pumpkin seed oil chemical composition, phytochemical content, biological activity, and safety, as well as the overview of production processes and contemporary use. The main phytochemicals in pumpkin seed oil with health-related properties are polyphenols, phytoestrogens, and fatty acids, but carotenoids, squalene, tocopherols, and minerals may also contribute to health benefits. Most studies have been conducted in vitro and support the claim that pumpkin seed oil has antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Clinical studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil may be beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular problems of menopausal women and ailments associated with imbalance of sex hormones.

Peimine inhibits variants of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry via blocking the interaction between viral spike protein and ACE2.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Several vaccines against SARS‐CoV‐2 have been approved; however, variants of concern (VOCs) can evade vaccine protection. Therefore, developing small compound drugs that directly block the interaction between the viral spike glycoprotein and ACE2 is urgently needed to provide a complementary or alternative treatment for COVID‐19 patients. We developed a viral infection assay to screen a library of approximately 126 small molecules and showed that peimine inhibits VOCs viral infections. In addition, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay showed that peimine suppresses the interaction of spike and ACE2. Molecular docking analysis revealed that peimine exhibits a higher binding affinity for variant spike proteins and is able to form hydrogen bonds with N501Y in the spike protein. These results suggest that peimine, a compound isolated from Fritillaria, may be a potent inhibitor of SARS‐CoV‐2 variant infection.Practical applicationsIn this study, we identified a naturally derived compound of peimine, a major bioactive alkaloid extracted from Fritillaria, that could inhibit SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern (VOCs) viral infection in 293T/ACE2 and Calu‐3 lung cells. In addition, peimine blocks viral entry through interruption of spike and ACE2 interaction. Moreover, molecular docking analysis demonstrates that peimine has a higher binding affinity on N501Y in the spike protein. Furthermore, we found that Fritillaria significantly inhibits SARS‐CoV‐2 viral infection. These results suggested that peimine and Fritillaria could be a potential functional drug and food for COVID‐19 patients.

Fermentation of soymilk by Lactobacillus acidipiscis isolated from Chinese stinky tofu capable of efficiently biotransforming isoflavone glucosides to dihydrodaidzein and dihydrogenistein.

The soy isoflavone microbial metabolites dihydrodaidzein (DHD), dihydrogenistein (DHG), equol and 5-hydroxy-equol are generally more biologically active than their precursors daidzein and genistein. Bacteria responsible for isoflavone metabolism have been isolated and identified. Fermented soymilk is a potential functional food; however, there are few lactic acid bacteria capable of metabolizing soy isoflavones. A newly isolated Gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium, which was named Lactobacillus acidipiscis HAU-FR7, was isolated from the traditional Chinese fermented soy product 'stinky tofu'. Bacterium strain HAU-FR7 can grow under aerobic conditions and can also convert most of the daidzin and genistin in soymilk into DHD and DHG, respectively. The concentrations of DHD and DHG produced were 183 and 134 μmol L-1 , respectively, after fermentation for 24 h. Strain HAU-FR7 does not produce the biogenic amines cadaverine, putrescine, histamine or tyramine, and an antibiotic susceptibility test showed that HAU-FR7 is sensitive to nine of the ten tested antibiotics, except for vancomycin. Moreover, the 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging capacity of soymilk fermented with HAU-FR7 was significantly higher than that of unfermented soymilk. A facultative anaerobic lactic acid bacterium, designated Lactobacillus acidipiscis HAU-FR7, is capable of reducing the soy isoflavone glucosides daidzin and genistin in soymilk to DHD and DHG efficiently, even in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. The biotransformation activity of HAU-FR7 grown in soymilk is higher than that in de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe liquid culture medium. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Untargeted LC-MS/MS-Based Multi-Informative Molecular Networking for Targeting the Antiproliferative Ingredients in Tetradium ruticarpum Fruit.

The fruit of Tetradium ruticarpum (TR) is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine and it has known antiproliferative and antitumor activities, which can serve as a good source of functional ingredients. Although some antiproliferative compounds are reported to be present in TR fruit, most studies only focused on a limited range of metabolites. Therefore, in this study, the antiproliferative activity of different extracts of TR fruit was examined, and the potentially antiproliferative compounds were highlighted by applying an untargeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based multi-informative molecular networking strategy. The results showed that among different extracts of TR fruit, the EtOAc fraction F2-3 possessed the most potent antiproliferative activity against HL-60, T24, and LX-2 human cell lines. Through computational tool-aided structure prediction and integrating various data (sample taxonomy, antiproliferative activity, and compound identity) into a molecular network, a total of 11 indole alkaloids and 47 types of quinolone alkaloids were successfully annotated and visualized into three targeted bioactive molecular families. Within these families, up to 25 types of quinolone alkaloids were found that were previously unreported in TR fruit. Four indole alkaloids and five types of quinolone alkaloids were targeted as potentially antiproliferative compounds in the EtOAc fraction F2-3, and three (evodiamine, dehydroevodiamine, and schinifoline) of these targeted alkaloids can serve as marker compounds of F2-3. Evodiamine was verified to be one of the major antiproliferative compounds, and its structural analogues discovered in the molecular network were found to be promising antitumor agents. These results exemplify the application of an LC-MS/MS-based multi-informative molecular networking strategy in the discovery and annotation of bioactive compounds from complex mixtures of potential functional food ingredients.