Terms Of Total Phenolic Content Research Articles

Optimal Enzyme-Assisted Extraction of Phenolics from Leaves of Pongamia pinnata via Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Networking.

This research work seeks to evaluate the impact of selected enzyme complexes on the optimised release of phenolics from leaves of Pongamia pinnata. After preliminary solvent extraction, the P. pinnata leaf extract was subjected to enzymatic treatment, using enzyme cocktails such as kemzyme dry-plus, natuzyme, and zympex-014. It was noticed that zympex-014 had a greater extract yield (28.0%) than kemzyme dry-plus (17.0%) and natuzyme (18.0%). Based on the better outcomes, zympex-014-based extract values were subsequently applied to several RSM parameters. The selected model is suggested to be significant by the F value (12.50) and R2 value (0.9669). The applicability of the ANN model was shown by how closely the projected values from the ANN were to the experimental values. In terms of total phenolic contents (18.61 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid contents (12.56 mg CE/g), and DPPH test (IC50) (6.5 g/mL), antioxidant activities also shown significant findings. SEM analysis also revealed that the cell walls were damaged during enzymatic hydrolysis, as opposed to non-hydrolysed material. Using GC-MS, five potent phenolic compounds were identified in P. pinnata extract. According to the findings of this study, the recovery of phenolic bioactives and subsequent increase in the antioxidant capacity of P. pinnata leaf extract were both positively impacted by the optimisation approaches suggested, including the use of zympex-014.

Recovery of phenolic compounds from peach pomace using conventional solvent extraction and different emerging techniques.

The study compared high-pressure, microwave, ultrasonic, and traditional extraction techniques. The following extraction conditions were implemented: microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) at 900W power for durations of 30, 60, and 90s; ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) at 100% amplitude for periods of 5, 10, and 15min; and high-pressure processing (HPP) at pressures of 400 and 500MPa for durations of 1, 5, and 10min. The highest yield in terms of total phenolic content (PC) was obtained in UAE with a value of 45.13±1.09mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100g fresh weight (FW). The highest PC content was determined using HPP-500MPa for 10min, resulting in 40mg GAE/100g, and MAE for 90s, yielding 34.40mg GAE/100g FW. The highest value of antioxidant activity (AA) was obtained by UAE in 51.9%±0.71%. The PCs were identified through the utilization of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Utilizing multivariate analysis, the construction of chemometric models were executed to predict AA or total PC of the extracts, leveraging the information from IR spectra. The FTIR spectrum revealed bands associated with apigenin, and the application of HPP resulted in concentrations of 5.41±0.25mg/100g FW for apigenin and 1.30±0.15mg/100g FW for protocatechuic acid. Furthermore, HPLC analysis detected the presence of protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and apigenin in both green extraction methods and the classical method. Apigenin emerged as the predominant phenolic compound in peach extracts. The highest concentrations of apigenin, p-coumaric acid, and protocatechuic acid were observed under HPP treatment, measuring 5.41±0.25, 0.21±0.04, and 1.30±0.15mg/kg FW, respectively.

Screening of different extraction methods for maximum production of total flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidants from Centella asiatica

The study was carried out to maximise the extraction efficiency of different extraction methods and evaluate the total flavonoid, tannin, and antioxidant activity of the wellknown medicinal herb Centella asiatica. A total of nine extraction methods were used viz. squeezing of fresh leaves, extraction of fresh leaves and oven-dried powder using boiled water, ethanol, methanol, and acetone as solvents, respectively. Different in vitro assays were used to maximize the extraction of total flavonoid content, and total tannin content. The antioxidant activities in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH(1,1-Diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of C. asiatica were also evaluated. The extract from oven-dried powder using 70% acetone exhibited the maximum flavonoid (3.0533±0.1069 mg QE/g) and tannin content (0.7800±0.0100 mg TAE/g). The powder extract using 70% acetone also exhibited the highest total phenolic content (13.883±0.050 mg GAE/g), DPPH (70.630±2.310%) and FRAP value (166.670±2.260 mg AAE/100g). The acetone extract of dried C. asiatica powder was found to be the best extraction procedure for tannin, total flavonoids, and antioxidant production. The findings of this study might be helpful in extracting natural antioxidants from C. asiatica and improve the existing literature.

Antioxidant activities of plant species growing in different habitats (serpentine, gypsum and limestone)

In this study, plant species (gypsum, limestone, and serpentine) growing in different habitats in Erzincan province were investigated. Gypsum [Verbascum alyssifolium Boiss., Tanacetum heterotomum (Bornm.) Grierson, Psephellus recepii Wagenitz & Kandemir, Gypsophila lepidioides Boiss.], limestone [Cyclotrichium niveum (Boiss.) Manden. & Scheng, Chrysophthalmum montanum (DC.) Boiss, Teucrium leucophyllum Montbret & Aucher ex Bentham, Phlomis oppositiflora Boiss. & Hausskn] serpentine [Fumana aciphylla Boiss., Convolvulus pseudoscammania C. Koch., Hypericum thymbrifolium Boiss & Noé, Salvia indica L., Gladiolus halophilus Boiss. & Heldr.] were examined. The total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and the amount of antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP) were analyzed in different organs of the plants, including leaves, branches, and roots. According to the obtained data, when plant parts and habitats were taken into consideration, it was observed that the plant with the highest flavonoid content (29.71±0.57 mg QE g-1 extract) was S. indica growing in the serpentine area with its leaf parts. In terms of total phenolic content, it was determined that the root part of S. indica growing in the serpentine area had high values (91.53±2.48 mg GAE g-1 extract value). When evaluated in terms of the Iron (III) Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method, it was observed that the highest value was the stem part of F. aciphylla growing in a serpentine area (100.35±1.60 mg TE g-1). In terms of DPPH radical capacity, the highest value belonged to the leaf part of Salvia indica (15.75±1.74 μg mL-1), which is also grown in the serpentine area. The results were evaluated utilizing the SPSS Statistical Program and differences were observed between habitats. A strong correlation was found between the phenolic and flavonoid contents of plants and their antioxidant activities. The findings showed that the phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities of plants grown in different ecological conditions vary significantly.

Effect of replacing durum wheat semolina with Tenebrio molitor larvae powder on the techno-functional properties of the binary blends

Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae, due to their high nutritional value, are gaining growing attention in food and feed sectors. Although few studies dealt with wheat-based products functionalized with TM larvae powder, there is a lack of comprehensive characterization of the raw materials to optimize the formulations for end-product recommendation.This study aimed at investigating the effects of partial replacement of durum wheat semolina with increasing amounts of TM larvae powder (5–30%) on the techno-functional properties of the binary blends. Color, granulometry, hydration properties, pasting characteristics, spectral characteristics (FTIR), reducing sugar content, and bioactivity in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS) were assessed in the resulting blends.The increasing insect powder decreased the lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) but increased the redness (a*) of the samples. In turn, the addition of insect powder did not negatively alter the hydration properties, which were comparable to those detected for semolina. Higher amounts of insect powder led to increased protein and lipid contents, as corroborated by the FTIR spectra, and decreased pasting parameters, with stronger starch granule stability detected when 20% and 30% of insect powder were added to the formulation.Significant increases in TPC and antioxidant activity were observed with increasing amount of insect powder (up to 87%, 78%, 2-fold, 67%, for TPC, FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS, respectively, compared to semolina).Therefore, these promising results have highlighted the possibility of using TM larvae powder as an unconventional ingredient for wheat-based products, by enhancing the nutritional and health-promoting values.

Ethanolic Extracts of Six Cultivated Mushrooms as a Source of Bioactive Compounds

Freeze-dried stems and caps of six cultivated mushroom species, namely Agaricus bisporus (white) Agaricus bisporus (brown), Lentinula edodes, Pholiota nameko, Pleurotus eryngii and Pleurotus ostreatus were subjected to ethanolic extraction. The obtained extracts were analyzed in terms of total phenolics content, total flavonoids content and antioxidant capacity, and the results were calculated per gram of mushroom dry weight and extract dry weight. The LC–MS technique was applied to determine the profiles of phenolic acids. The amount of total phenolics in the stems (per the fruiting bodies’ dry weight) ranged from 1.09 ± 0.09 mg/g (P. ostreatus) to 4.02 ± 0.20 mg/g (the white A. bisporus), whereas in the caps it ranged from 1.49 ± 0.07 mg/g (P. nameko) to 6.22 ± 0.21 mg/g (the brown A. bisporus). The total flavonoid content in the stems (per the fruiting bodies’ dry weight) varied from 0.46 ± 0.05 mg/g (P. ostreatus) to 1.72 ± 0.02 mg/g (the brown A. bisporus), and in the caps it ranged from 0.48 ± 0.01 mg/g (P. ostreatus) to 1.93 ± 0.05 mg/g (the white A. bisporus). The antioxidant potential measured with the FRAP assay showed that the caps displayed higher activity compared to the stems. However, in the case of the DPPH assay performed on A. bisporus, this relationship was inverted. Different species contained varied concentrations of phenolic acids. P. eryngii caps contained the highest amount of 3,4-DHBA, L. edodes caps were the richest source of caffeic acid, whereas the highest amount of syringic acid was observed in L. edodes stems. The caps of P. nameko contained the highest amounts of p-coumaric and t-cinnamic acid, as well as 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde.

Valorization of artichoke outer petals by using ultrasound-assisted extraction and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the recovery of phenolic compounds.

In the present study, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) as a novel green tool were used for the recovery of bioactive compounds with respect to the valorization of artichoke outer petals. NADES coupled with ultrasound-assisted extraction was applied by varying the type of hydrogen bond acceptors (choline chloride or betain) and hydrogen bond donors (sucrose, lactic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid and glycerol) in the NADES mixtures. Thereafter, extraction efficacy was assessed in terms of total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and individual phenolic composition and their levels by comparing the results obtained by NADES with those for a reference methanolic extract. Based on the results of the present study, the use of choline chloride and lactic acid mixtures was superior for obtaining extracts with high levels of phenolic compounds (12.96 g GAE kg-1 DW) and high antioxidant potential (60.68 g TE kg-1 DW). In addition, gallic acid, syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, luteolin, apigenin, rutin and quercetin were detected in all extracts by chromatographic evaluation. As major phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid were found to be maximum in lactic acid-based NADES mixtures. The present study reveals the potential treatment of various plants, wastes or by-products with NADES combined with an ultrasonication method for the extraction of bioactive compounds with enhanced recovery and selectivity, with the aim of incorporating them into various food and pharmaceutical formulations. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

High- and low-pressure fixed bed extraction behaviors to obtain phenolic compounds from barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens) bark

Stryphnodendron adstringens, also known as barbatimão, is a native tree from the Brazilian Cerrado recognized for being rich in bioactive compounds and traditionally used as an antiinflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial agent. The main phenolic compounds in barbatimão are tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. The diversity of compounds present in this medicinal plant provides a range of applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, among others. This work aimed to obtain extracts from barbatimão bark by applying extraction techniques such as fixed bed percolation (PE), ultrasound-assisted percolation (UAP), percolation in cycles (PC) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The extracts were evaluated in terms of global yield (X0), total phenolic content (TPC), tannin content (TTC), flavonoid content (TFC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Regarding the PE, the best performance condition in TPC was 50% ethanol at 55 °C in 90 min of extraction (485 ± 10 mg TAE/g of dry raw material), obtaining a X0 equal to 51 ± 5%. In terms of TPC, ultrasound didn't show significant improvement (348 ± 36 mg TAE/g of dry raw material), while PC extracted more than four times the TPC (2057 ± 72 mg TAE/g of dry raw material). PLE was statistically equivalent to PE in terms of TPC (472 ± 15 mg TAE/g of dry raw material). The results presented in this work revealed PC and PLE as accessible, cheap, and green extraction techniques able to recover high phenolic content from barbatimão bark.

Phytochemical content, antioxidant properties, and antibacterial activities of Centella asiatica L.

The present study is an evaluation of Centella asiatica ethanolic extract in terms of total phenolic content, total flavonoids, total flavonols, anthocyanin, antioxidants, and antibacterial activities. Centella asiatica plants were collected from Guilan province, Iran. High-performance liquid chromatography-Diode array detector analysis demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of C. asiatica contained phenolic substances such as sinapic acid, catechin, quercetin, p-coumaric acid, hesperidin, eugenol, and hesperetin. The predominant phenolic compound in the extract was hesperetin. The antibacterial activities of the extract were highly potent against S. aureus and B. cereus. These findings suggest that C. asiatica is rich in phenolic compounds and can be utilised for future cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes.

Bioactive Contents and Fruit Traits of Some Apple Cultivars Grown in Kayseri

This study was carried out to determine the physical properties, biochemical and bioactive compounds of different apple cultivars grown in Yahyalı district of Kayseri province. The plant material of the research consisted of apple cvs. ‘Scarlet Spur’, ‘Starking Delicious’, ‘Starkrimson Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’, and ‘Super Chief’. In the study fruit weight, length, width, firmness, soluble solid contents (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP assays) were investigated. In the findings, significant differences were determined between the fruit characteristics of the cultivars. The highest fruit weight (289.96 g) and length (32.61 mm) were measured from ‘Scarlet Spur’, while the highest fruit width (34.86 mm) was measured from ‘Scarlet Spur’ and ‘Starkrimson Delicious’. The SSC was determined between 11.65 (‘Super Chief’)-14.30% (‘Starkrimson Delicious’), and TA between 0.47% (‘Super Chief’)-1.13% (‘Golden Delicious’). The highest vitamin C content was measured in ‘Starking Delicious’ cultivar (66 mg100 g-1) compared to the others. In terms of total phenolic content, ‘Scarlet Spur’ (38.2 g GAE L-1) and ‘Super Chief’ (36.5 g GAE L-1) cultivars had the highest values, while ‘Super Chief’ had the highest values in terms of total flavonoids (23.5 g QE L-1), and antioxidant activity (FRAP, 490.7 mmol TE L-1; DPPH, 1145.9 mmol TE L-1). As a result, it was revealed the differences between the physical, biochemical, and bioactive contents of apple cultivars grown in Yahyalı district of Kayseri province.

Properties and Stability of Encapsulated Pomegranate Peel Extract Prepared by Co-Crystallization

Recently, there has been much interest in the phenolics of pomegranate peels because of their health-promoting effects. The incorporation of encapsulated phenolic extracts in functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements can enhance their nutritional and health benefits. This paper aims to provide an overview of the encapsulation of pomegranate peel phenolic extract by co-crystallization, focusing on the properties of the encapsulated extract. Pomegranate peel extract encapsulated in sucrose by co-crystallization under conditions determined in our previous work is characterized by evaluating its properties—moisture content, solubility, bulk density, hygroscopicity, color, degree of encapsulation (using thermograms), crystallinity (using X-ray scattering), microstructure (with scanning electron microscopy), and storage stability in terms of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The co-crystallized powder had a low moisture content (0.59%) and hygroscopicity (0.011%) and a high bulk density (0.803 g/cm3) and solubility (61 s). Its total phenolic content decreased by only 0.56% after storage at 60 °C for 45 days, whereas its antioxidant activity was maintained at levels higher than 84%. The differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray scattering techniques proved the successful encapsulation in the sucrose matrix and the fact that the extract remained liquid inside the porosity of the sucrose crystals.

Use of polyphenolic fingerprints established by comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography for the classification of honeys according to their floral origin

In this work, the polyphenolic composition of honeys from three different floral origins (chestnut, heather, and thyme), coming from different geographical areas of Spain was investigated. First, samples were characterized in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity, which was established by three different assays. The results revealed that the studied honeys presented similar TPCs and antioxidant capacities, with a wide variability within each floral origin. Next, a comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography method was developed for the first time to establish polyphenol fingerprints of the three types of honeys, after optimizing the separation in terms of column combination and mobile phase gradient programs. After that, the detected common peaks were used for the construction of a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) model able to discriminate honeys according to their floral origin. The LDA model obtained was adequate for the classification of the floral origin of the honeys based on polyphenolic fingerprint data.

Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Anti-Obesity Properties of Apple Pulp Extracts (Malus domestica Bork): A Comparative Study of 15 Local and Commercial Cultivars from Spain.

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) have a great agricultural and economic impact worldwide; they also present an interesting nutritional value, and their consumption has been associated with beneficial health effects. In this study, 15 apple varieties (three commercial, 12 autochthonous genotypes) were collected from mountainous areas in Spain and were evaluated for their phenolic content, antioxidant, anti-obesity and antidiabetic activities. Quercetin was tested as the reference substance in bioassays due to its role as one of the most common flavonoids in apples and other vegetables. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of apple pulp extracts was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant activity was determined by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) scavenging assays. Antidiabetic and anti-obesity potential were evaluated by inhibition of alpha-glucosidase (α-GLU), advance glycation end products (AGEs) formation and pancreatic lipase. The results showed in general higher phenol content in autochthonous varieties than in commercial apple pulp extracts. Phenolic-rich extracts showed better antioxidant profiles and significantly inhibited AGEs production and the α-glucosidase enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. None of them showed pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects but in general, the genotype known as "Amarilla de Octubre" was the best in terms of TPC and bioactive properties.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from blueberry leaves using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the valorization of agrifood wastes

The food industry demands novel green solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds, particularly from residues of the agrifood industry. Herein, an ultrasound-assisted method has been developed for the environmentally friendly extraction of phenolic compounds from blueberry leaves using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). After the screening of multiple NADES, the best extraction efficiencies in terms of total phenol content and antioxidant activity were provided by NADES composed of lactate, sodium acetate, and water (3:1:2), and of choline chloride and oxalic acid (1:1). Using a Box–Behnken experimental design, the optimal extraction conditions were achieved by sonicating for 45 min at 65 °C and using solvent:sample ratios of 15 and 75 (v/w) for the NADES based on lactic acid and choline, respectively. Compared with conventional organic solvents, the use of these NADES composed of lactic acid and choline provided superior performance for the recovery of phenolic compounds (1.6-fold and 2.2-fold greater efficacy, respectively) and antioxidant compounds (1.6-fold and 2.8-fold greater efficacy, respectively). The chromatographic characterization of the extracts obtained under these optimized conditions evidenced that the lactic-based NADES enabled the extraction of a wide range of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonol derivatives, whereas the choline-based NADES was selective towards the extraction of anthocyanins. These results indicate that the proposed method could represent an excellent green alternative for the recovery of phenolic compounds from plant materials and agrifood wastes, with improved extraction efficacy and/or selectivity compared to that provided by traditional organic solvents.

Microencapsulated saffron floral waste extracts as functional ingredients for antioxidant fortification of yogurt: Stability during the storage

Dairy industries are constantly seeking to develop innovative ingredients through the use of food by-products, since consumers’ demand for healthier foodstuffs has increased over the last years. Therefore, the development of innovative dairy products enriched with saffron floral extracts could represent a novel environmentally-friendly technological solution. The present study aimed to determine the effect of adding alginate-based microencapsulated saffron floral by-products extracts (0.5 g/100 g, 1 g/100 g), or/and saffron stigmas extracts (0.05 g/100 g, 0.1 g/100 g) to homemade yogurts. For this purpose, physical-chemical properties, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content (TPC), microbiological analysis, color and organic acids and soluble sugars profile were determined at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of refrigerated storage. The results showed that these novel yogurt formulations allowed proper fermentation, being the microbiological profile and physicochemical parameters not affected by saffron extracts, compared to the control. The incorporation of microencapsulated saffron floral extracts improved the functional properties in terms of TPC and antioxidant properties which remained stable over 21 days of storage. Enriched yogurts also showed a good profile of organic acids and soluble sugars, mainly lactic acid and lactose. In conclusion, saffron floral by-products-alginate beads could be potential sustainable candidates to use as functional ingredients improving the nutritional and functional value of yogurts.

Response-Surface-Methodology-Based Optimization of High-Quality Salvia hispanica L. Seed Oil Extraction: A Pilot Study

Chia seeds play an important role in human health and nutrition since they contain dietary fiber, lipids, protein, polyphenolic compounds, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The present study aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of chia seed oil (extracted using the screw press method) in terms of total phenolic content, acid, and peroxide levels. A central composite design was used to optimize the extraction procedure, and the response surface methodology was used to assess the results. The restriction die size of 1 cm, pressing temperature of 53 °C, and no dry heat were the optimal conditions for extracting the desired quality of chia seed oil according to the predicted response surface methodology model. The conditions were evaluated and a 29.47% yield was achieved, with a TPC of 2.20 µg GAE/g of oil, acid content of 0.96 mg KOH/g of oil, and peroxide content of 2.87 mEq/Kg of oil. The extraction process exceeded 45.10 min. Antioxidant activities of 19.21 μg TE/g of oil (ABTS radical scavenging activity), 5.69 μg TE/g of oil (DPPH radical scavenging activity), and 186.68 μg CE/g of oil (nitric oxide free radical scavenging activity) were observed. The fatty acid composition of the chia seed oil samples is also reported herein. We report the optimal conditions for extracting oil from local cultivar chia seeds, thus helping to analyze changes in the composition and impact due to geographical differences in oil quality. The extracted chia seed oil could be utilized for functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications.

Varroa destructor infestation in honey bees in Ankara region, and antioxidant properties of produced honey

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was any correlation between the level of Varroa destructor infestation in honey bee samples collected from the Ankara region of Türkiye and the antioxidant contents of honey samples from those colonies. In terms of the severity of V. destructor infestation, the average percentage of infested bees in the first group was 16.06 ± 1.2%, the average percentage in the second group was 7.27 ± 0.71%, and the average in the third group was 1.69 ± 0.46%. Statistically significant differences were found between all honey samples collected from the three groups in terms of total phenolic contents and DPPH values. The total flavonoid levels in the honey samples taken from the third group were significantly higher than the values determined in the samples taken from the other two groups, while the ABTS and FRAP levels in honey samples from the first group were significantly higher than the values determined in samples from the other two groups. It was concluded that the total phenolic substances, total flavonoid contents, and DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP values of honey samples collected from these honey bee colonies changed in direct proportion to the severity of V. destructor infestation.

Bifurcaria bifurcata extract exerts antioxidant effects on human Caco-2 cells

The present research study investigated the potential protective effect of Bifurcaria bifurcata extract on cell viability and antioxidant defences of cultured human Caco-2 cells submitted to oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tert-BOOH). Aqueous extracts were firstly characterized in terms of total phenolic contents. Concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production, antioxidant enzymes activities [NADPH quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)], caspase 3/7 activity and gene expression linked to apoptosis, proinflammation and oxidative stress signaling pathways were used as markers of cellular oxidative status. B. bifurcata extract prevented the cytotoxicity, the decrease of GSH, the increase of MDA levels and the ROS generation induced by tert-BOOH. B. bifurcata extract prevented the significant decrease of NQO1 and GST activities, and the significant increase of caspase 3/7 activity induced by tert-BOOH. B. bifurcata extract also caused an over-expression of GSTM2, Nrf2 and AKT1 transcriptors, as well as reduced ERK1, JNK1, Bax, BNIP3, NFκB1, IL-6 and HO-1 gene expressions induced by tert-BOOH suggesting an increase in cellular resistance against oxidative stress. The results of the biomarkers analyzed show that treatment of Caco-2 cells with B. bifurcata extract enhance antioxidant defences, which imply an improved cell response to an oxidative challenge. B. bifurcata extract possesses strong antioxidant properties and may be a potential effective alternative to oxidant agents in the functional food industry.

Green subcritical water extraction of Mentha x rotundifolia leaves collected in different annuities

Aim: In this work, the development for the first time of a green and efficient method to obtain bioactive extracts from Mentha x rotundifolia leaves has been investigated. Methods: The efficiency of three techniques [microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), subcritical water extraction (SWE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)] was compared in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthioazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays]. Results: Under similar operating conditions, SWE outperformed MAE and UAE for providing M. rotundifolia extracts with improved antioxidant activity. Further in-depth optimization of the SWE method by means of a Box-Behnken experimental design showed 120°C, 5 min, 0.08 g dry sample: 1 mL water and 2 extraction cycles as optimal experimental parameters to provide the maximum yield of phenolics and the highest bioactivity. The application of the developed SWE method to M. rotundifolia leaves collected in different annuities (2014–2017) showed, in general, no significant differences regarding both composition and antioxidant capacity, as expected from plant samples grown in field under drip irrigation conditions. Conclusions: The SWE method here optimized is shown as a sustainable and efficient alternative for providing bioactive M. rotundifolia extracts with application as functional ingredients, natural preservatives, etc. in the food industry, among others.

Development and Quality Evaluation of Rigatoni Pasta Enriched with Hemp Seed Meal.

Existing food trends and modern consumers' nutritional preferences have led to a rising demand for plant-based sources of protein such as hemp seed meal and the possibility of consumption hemp-rich products, most often in wheat-based staple foods, such as pasta. Pasta, as a conventional food product, is widely consumed worldwide due to its nutritional value, long shelf life, easy preparation, versatility of uses and also relatively low cost, which has made this product popular over time. Five formulations of rigatoni-shaped pasta obtained by partial replacement of wheat grain flour with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% hemp seed meal (HSM) were studied regarding the technological, physicochemical, textural, antioxidant and sensory properties of the pasta samples. The substitution of wheat flour with hemp seed meal (HSM) led to a slight increase in the cooking loss (CL) and optimal cooking time (OCT) compared to the control sample, while the water absorption (WA) and swelling index (SI) decreased during evaluation. The experimental results also showed a decrease in luminosity and fracturability, with an increased firmness of pasta dough. Moreover, the developed pasta showed a significant improvement in antioxidant capacity in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH). The pasta samples with 15% and 20% HSM substitutes experienced a browning process due to the Maillard reactions during drying, as well as a color loss during cooking; however, the color changes did not affect the acceptability of the product. The partial replacement of wheat flour with hemp seed protein highlighted the possibility of developing a new innovative type of pasta that claims a functional benefit and presents an improved nutritional value, mainly due to the partial protein intake, as well as certain benefits for a human diet.