Phenolic acids from vegetables: A review on processing stability and health benefits

Exploring the Phytochemicals and Anti-Cancer Potential of the Members of Fabaceae Family: A Comprehensive Review

Cancer is the second-ranked disease and a cause of death for millions of people around the world despite many kinds of available treatments. Phytochemicals are considered a vital source of cancer-inhibiting drugs and utilize specific mechanisms including carcinogen inactivation, the induction of cell cycle arrest, anti-oxidant stress, apoptosis, and regulation of the immune system. Family Fabaceae is the second most diverse family in the plant kingdom, and species of the family are widely distributed across the world. The species of the Fabaceae family are rich in phytochemicals (flavonoids, lectins, saponins, alkaloids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids), which exhibit a variety of health benefits, especially anti-cancer properties; therefore, exploration of the phytochemicals present in various members of this family is crucial. These phytochemicals of the Fabaceae family have not been explored in a better way yet; therefore, this review is an effort to summarize all the possible information related to the phytochemical status of the Fabaceae family and their anti-cancer properties. Moreover, various research gaps have been identified with directions for future research.

Next Generation Ingredients Based on Winemaking By-Products and an Approaching to Antiviral Properties

Management of waste and use of winemaking by-products plays an important role in the development of new ingredients, especially with antiviral properties. Although the richness of bioactive compounds from wine waste is known, less is known about potential antiviral action. Bioactive compounds and health-enhancing effects of winery by-products make them potential candidates for use in antiviral ingredients. The design of new formulations by using nano-microencapsulation techniques will be necessary to successfully control diseases produced by viruses. Outcomes about the use of winery by-products, bioactive compounds found in winery wastes, green extraction techniques to concentrate these compounds, and development of formulations to obtain new ingredients were extracted from research around the world to be discussed and updated in this manuscript. The evidence collected in this review aims to encourage transfer of in vitro and in vivo knowledge to a new step for the development of antiviral and treatments.

Gold Nanomaterials-Based Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors for Phenolic Antioxidants Detection: Recent Advances

Antioxidants play a central role in the development and production of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, to reduce oxidative processes in the human body. Among them, phenolic antioxidants are considered even more efficient than other antioxidants. They are divided into natural and synthetic. The natural antioxidants are generally found in plants and their synthetic counterparts are generally added as preventing agents of lipid oxidation during the processing and storage of fats, oils, and lipid-containing foods: All of them can exhibit different effects on human health, which are not always beneficial. Because of their relevant bioactivity and importance in several sectors, such as agro-food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic, it is crucial to have fast and reliable analysis Rmethods available. In this review, different examples of gold nanomaterial-based electrochemical (bio)sensors used for the rapid and selective detection of phenolic compounds are analyzed and discussed, evidencing the important role of gold nanomaterials, and including systems with or without specific recognition elements, such as biomolecules, enzymes, etc. Moreover, a selection of gold nanomaterials involved in the designing of this kind of (bio)sensor is reported and critically analyzed. Finally, advantages, limitations, and potentialities for practical applications of gold nanomaterial-based electrochemical (bio)sensors for detecting phenolic antioxidants are discussed.

The Crosslinker Matters: Vinylimidazole-Based Anion Exchange Polymer for Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction of Phenolic Acids

Crosslinkers are indispensable constituents for the preparation of SPE materials with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) among the most prominent representatives. A crosslinker that has not yet been used for the preparation of SPE sorbents is 3,3’-(hexane-1,6-diyl)bis(1-vinylimidazolium) bromide [C6-bis-VIM] [Br]. In this study, we synthesized differently crosslinked vinylimidazole polymers with EGDMA, DVB and [C6-bis-VIM] [Br] and evaluated their extraction efficiencies towards phenolic acids. Dispersive SPE experiments performed with the [C6-bis-VIM] [Br] crosslinked polymers exhibited significantly higher extraction recoveries for the majority of analytes. Due to these promising results, the [C6-bis-VIM] [Br] crosslinked polymer was optimized in terms of the monomer to crosslinker ratio and an efficient dispersive SPE protocol was developed, with maximum recoveries ranging from 84.1–92.5% and RSD values ˂ 1%. The developed extraction procedure was also applied to cartridges resulting in recoveries between 97.2 and 98.5%, which were on average 5% higher than with the commercial anion exchange sorbent Oasis® MAX. Furthermore, the sorbent was regenerated showing a good reusability for the majority of analytes. In conclusion, this study clearly highlights the yet untapped potential of the crosslinker, [C6-bis-VIM] [Br], with respect to the synthesis of efficient anion exchange polymers for SPE.

Hydrothermal Treatment Effect on Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenols Concentration and Profile of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) in an In Vitro Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion Model

Brussels sprouts are a source of polyphenolic compounds. However, their concentration is affected by many factors depending on the plant material, hydrothermal treatment methods and digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hydrothermal treatment on the antioxidant activity, concentration and profile of polyphenols of Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera in an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion model. The study showed a significant effect of the type of hydrothermal treatment on total polyphenol concentration, polyphenolic acid profile, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. Traditional boiling in water was the least effective type of hydrothermal treatment with respect to bioactive components of Brussels sprouts. Sous-vide was the most effective hydrothermal treatment in terms of retention of polyphenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity, thus providing a better alternative to steam cooking. Using an in vitro model, a significant difference was demonstrated between the concentration of bioavailable polyphenolic compounds and the polyphenol content of the plant material before digestion. The influence of the type of hydrothermal treatment used on the concentration of bioavailable polyphenolic compounds was maintained in relation to material not subjected to in vitro digestion (except for antioxidant activity).

The bioactivity and applications of pomegranate peel extract: A review

Pomegranate peel (PP) is a by-product in the processing of pomegranate products, which is usually discarded as a waste. However, a large number of researches have shown that pomegranate peel extract (PPE) is rich in a variety of phenolic substances, among which ellagic acid (EA), as one of the main active components, has significant biological activities, such as anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotection, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial. We analyzed the mechanism of EA's biological activity, and discussed its application in the food industry, for instance, food preservation, food additives, and functional foods. Combined with the research status of PPE, we discussed the limitations and development potential of PPE, in order to provide theoretical reference and scientific basis for the development and utilization of pomegranate by-products. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pomegranate peel (PP), the inedible part of the fruit, is usually treated as waste. In recent years, researchers have been committed to exploring various bioactive ingredients in PP and exploring its potential benefits to human health, which has far-reaching significance. In this paper, the chemical constituents of polyphenols in PP were reviewed, mainly focusing on the biological activity and mechanism of ellagic acid (EA). We reviewed the applications and invention patents of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in food field, including food preservation, food additive, and functional foods, providing reference for the recycling and reuse of PP.

Drying methods influence the physicochemical and functional properties of seed-used pumpkin

The effects of far-infrared radiation drying (FIRD), freeze drying (FD), vacuum drying (VD), and hot air drying (HAD) on appearance, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, antityrosinase capacity using B16F10 melanoma cell from seed-used pumpkins (hull-less pumpkin and hull pumpkin) were evaluated. Results suggested that hull-less pumpkin (HLP) dehydrated by FIRD provided the highest total polyphenols content (37.11 ± 1.05 mg GAE/ g DW) and the ability of scavenging free radicals. HPLC analysis exhibited that coumaric acid was predominant phenolic acid in pumpkin. The correlation analysis demonstrated that polyphenolic compounds were related to antioxidant capacity. HLP-FD possessed better colour, higher preservation of β-carotene, ascorbic acid and higher sugar contents compared with HLP-HAD. The highest antityrosinase activity was recorded in HLP-VD with a concentration of 37.16%. The melanin inhibition increased to 76.61%, and intracellular tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells decreased to 88.63% at 800 μg/mL of polyphenol extract.

High Value-Added Application of Two Renewable Sources as Healthy Food: The Nutritional Properties, Chemical Compositions, Antioxidant, and Antiinflammatory Activities of the Stalks of Rheum officinale Baill. and Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Regel

Rhubarb plants (Rheum officinale and R. tanguticum) have edible stalks. In this work, we aimed to compare the nutritional properties, chemical compositions, and bioactivities of R. officinale (SRO) and R. tanguticum (SRT) stalks and to analyze the composition–function relationship. Results showed that the two stalks were good sources of fiber, as well as minerals. They contained abundant essential amino acids and essential fatty acids to regulate the immunity and prevent some chronic diseases; the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids were 2,244.32 mg/100 g and 2,844.69 mg/100 g, respectively. The antioxidant activity were also proved. Metabolomics showed that SRO and SRT contained abundant phenolic acids. Due to the higher concentrations of flavones, SRT has better antiinflammatory activities than SRO by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. Rhubarb stalks exhibited good safety in acute toxicity and cytotoxicity tests. This work indicated that the two stalks have nutritional value, safety, and bioactivities, and could be used as sources of nutritional ingredients for regulating the immunity of body in food industry.

Phytochemical Profile of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill Fruits (cv. 'Orito') Stored at Different Conditions

This research analyzed the phytochemical profile of prickly pear fruits from ‘Orito’ cultivar stored under cold conditions (2 °C, 85–90% RH) and shelf-life conditions at room temperature (stored at 20 °C for three days after cold storage) for 28 days, mimicking the product life cycle. A total of 18 compounds were identified and quantitated through HPLC-DAD-MS/MS (High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic -Diode Array Detector- Mass Spectrometry) analyses. Phenolic acids such as eucomic acid and betalains such as indicaxanthin were the predominant chemical families, and piscidic acid was the most abundant compound. During cold storage, the content of eucomic acid isomer/derivative and syringaresinol increased, and citric acid decreased, which could be caused by the cold activation of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes. However, no significant differences were found in the content of these compounds during shelf-life storage. These results showed that ‘Orito’ fruit marketability would be possible up to 28 days after harvesting, retaining its profile, which is rich in bioactive compounds.

The hydroperoxyl antiradical activity of natural hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in physiological environments: the effects of pH values on rate constants

Quantum chemistry calculations suggest that hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives are good natural antioxidants in aqueous solutions.

The potential of phenolic acids in therapy against snakebites: A review

Ophidism is a serious health problem worldwide and is included in the World Health Organization's (WHO's) list of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Although snakebite envenoming requires emergency treatment, currently the only treatment recommended by WHO is serotherapy, which has some disadvantages such as low access to the rural population, low effectiveness in neutralizing local effects, and high cost. In this context, new alternatives for the treatment of snakebites are required. The use of plant-derived compounds to inhibit the effects caused by snake venoms has been the object of a number of studies in recent years. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the use of phenolic acids with therapeutic application against envenomation by snakes of different species. In this sense, structural analysis in silico and biological activities in vivo and in vitro were reported. The acids were subdivided into derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids, with derivatives of cinnamic acids being the most studied. Studies have revealed that these compounds are capable of inhibiting local and systemic effects induced by envenomation, and structural analyses indicate that the acids interact with important sites responsible for the action of toxins. Thus, it was reported that phenolic acids showed antiophidic potential, providing insights for future research to develop complementary drugs for the treatment of snakebites.

A Review on Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors Used in Chlorogenic Acid Electroanalysis

Chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) is a phenolic compound from the hydroxycinnamic acid family. Epidemiological, biological, and biochemical studies concur to support the beneficial role of chlorogenic acid in human health, along with other dietary phenolic compounds. Thus, chlorogenic acid has been reported to exert inhibitory effects on carcinogenesis in the large intestine, liver, and tongue, and a protective action on oxidative stress in vivo, together with anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antihypertensive activities. It is also claimed to have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral effects with relatively low toxicity and side effects, alongside properties that do not lead to antimicrobial resistance. Due to its importance, numerous methods for determining chlorogenic acid (CGA), as well as for its derivatives from coffee beans and other plants, were elaborated. The most frequently used methods are infrared spectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemiluminescence. Although these methods proved to be efficient for quantifying CGA and its derived products, a number of deficiencies were identified: they are time consuming, laborious, and require expensive instruments. Therefore, electrochemical methods have been developed and used in the determination of CGA in different nutraceuticals or food products. The present review aims to present the main progresses and performance characteristics of electrochemical sensors and biosensors used to detect CGA, as it is reported in a high number of relevant scientific papers published mainly in the last decade.

Comparative study of the genotoxic activity of Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia alba Turra extracts in vitro

In this study, the genotoxic activity of acetone and aqueous extracts of two species of genus Artemisia (Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia alba Turra), and possible role of their polyphenolic composition in the observed activities were investigated. Polyphenolic contents were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA), while the genotoxic activity was tested using cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in vitro. HPLC-PDA showed that both A. alba extracts were richer in polyphenolic contents than A. vulgaris extracts. The acetone A. alba extract was the richest of polyphenolic content where we detected six phenolic acids and two flavonoids. CBMN assay showed that aqueous extract of A. vulgaris significantly increased micronucleus (MN) frequency in the PBLs treated with all tested concentrations (10, 50, 100, and 250 µg/mL), while A. alba did not significantly affect the mean MN frequency. Further, both acetone extracts were genotoxic in all tested concentrations, except the lowest tested (10 µg/mL) of A. alba. All tested extracts affected the nuclear division index (NDI) except the aqueous A. alba extract (p < 0.05). Based on our results, we can conclude that both acetone and aqueous A. vulgaris extracts and A. alba acetone extract were genotoxic in PBLs in vitro. A. alba aqueous extract was not genotoxic and cytotoxic in tested concentrations. We suggest that the aqueous extract of A. alba can be used in treatment, which has been confirmed by traditional medicine, but with a high dose of caution and not in high concentrations.

Impact of Processing Approach and Storage Time on Bioactive and Biological Properties of Rocket, Spinach and Watercress Byproducts

The high nutritional value of vegetables is well recognized, but their short shelf life and seasonal nature result in massive losses and wastes. Vegetable's byproducts are an opportunity to develop value-added ingredients, increasing food system efficiency and environmental sustainability. In the present work, pulps and powders of byproducts from rocket and spinach leaves and watercress were developed and stored for six months under freezing and vacuum conditions, respectively. After processing and storage, microbiological quality, bioactive compounds (polyphenols, carotenoids and tocopherols profiles), antioxidant capacity, and pulps viscosity were analyzed. Generally, the developed vegetable's pulps and powders were considered microbiologically safe. Although some variations after processing and storage were verified, the antioxidant activity was preserved or improved. A rich phenolic composition was also registered and maintained. During freezing, the quantitative carotenoid profile was significantly improved (mainly in rocket and spinach), while after drying, there was a significant decrease. A positive effect was verified in the vitamin E level. Both processing and storage conditions resulted in products with relevant phenolics, carotenoids and tocopherol levels, contributing to the antioxidant activity registered. Thus, this study demonstrates the potential of vegetable byproducts valorization through developing these functional ingredients bringing economic and environmental value into the food chain.

Innovative Biochemometric Approach to the Metabolite and Biological Profiling of the Balkan Thistle (Cirsium appendiculatum Griseb.), Asteraceae

The widespread genus Cirsium Mill. (Asteraceae) is renowned in traditional medicine. In the present study, an innovative biochemometric-assisted metabolite profiling of the flower heads, aerial parts and roots of Cirsium appendiculatum Griseb. (Balkan thistle) in relation to their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential was developed. The workflow combines ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) with partial least-square analysis to discriminate the herbal extracts and identify the most prominent biological activities. The annotation and dereplication of 61 secondary metabolites were evidenced, including 15 carboxylic (including hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic) acids and their glycosides, 11 acylquinic acids, 26 flavonoids and 9 fatty acids. All compounds were reported for the first time in the studied species. The root extract revealed the highest cupric and ferric reducing power (618.36 ± 5.17 mg TE/g and 269.89 ± 8.50 mg TE/g, respectively) and antioxidant potential in phosphomolybdenum (3.36 ± 0.15 mmol TE/g) as well as the most prominent enzyme inhibitory potential on α-glucosidase (0.72 ± 0.07 mmol ACAE/g), acetylcholinesterase (4.93 ± 0.25 mg GALAE/g) and butyrylcholinesterase (3.80 ± 0.26 mg GALAE/g). Nevertheless, the flower heads were differentiated by their higher metal chelating activity (32.53 ± 3.51 mg EDTAE/g) and total flavonoid content (46.59 ± 0.89 mgRE/g). The partial least-square discriminant and heat-map analysis highlighted the root extract as the most active and a promising source of bioactive compounds for the therapeutic industry.

Recent Advances in Phenolic Metabolites and Skin Cancer

Skin cancer represents any tumor development from the cutaneous structures within the epidermis, dermis or subcutaneous tissue, and is considered to be the most prevalent type of cancer. Compared to other types of cancer, skin cancer is proven to have a positive growth rate of prevalence and mortality. There are available various treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy, but because of the multidrug resistance development, a low success has been registered. By this, the importance of studying naturally occurring compounds that are both safe and effective in the chemoprevention of skin cancer is emphasized. This review focuses on melanoma because it is the deadliest form of skin cancer, with a significantly increasing incidence in the last decades. As chemopreventive agents, we present polyphenols and their antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effect, their ability to balance the cell cycle and to induce apoptosis and their various other effects on skin melanoma. Besides chemoprevention, studies suggest that polyphenols can have treating abilities in some conditions. The limitations of using polyphenols are also pointed out, which are related to their poor bioavailability and stability, but as the technology is well developed, it is possible to augment the efficacy of polyphenols in the case of melanoma.

Antrocaryon amazonicum: An unexploited Amazonian fruit with high potential of scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

Antrocaryon amazonicum fruits are unexploited sources of bioactive compounds found in the Amazonia region of Brazil. In this study, for the first time, the carotenoid and phenolic compound profiles of the pulp and peel of A. amazonicum fruits, from two varieties at two harvest periods, were determined by LC-MS. Additionally, the potential of the peel and pulp extracts to scavenge physiologically relevant reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) was assessed. The major carotenoids in both parts of the fruits were lutein, accounting for ≈42% of the identified carotenoids in the peel and ≈25% in the pulp, whereas catechin and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives were the major phenolics in both parts. The peel extract, which presented the highest bioactive compound contents, was more efficient to scavenge ROS than the pulp. The peel extract showed high scavenging efficiency (IC₅₀ ) for singlet oxygen (¹ O₂ ; 16 µg/ml), hypochlorous acid (HOCl; 20 µg/ml), peroxynitrite (ONOO^- ; 38 µg/ml), and superoxide radical (O₂ ^•- ; 47 µg/ml), whereas the pulp extract exhibited high efficiency for ONOO^- (13 µg/ml), followed by HOCl (30 µg/ml), ¹O₂ (76 µg/ml), and less efficient for O₂ ^•- (44 µg/ml). Therefore, A. amazonicum fruits can be seen as an expressive source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant potential to be further investigated to inhibit or delay oxidative processes both in food and physiological systems triggered by ROS and RNS. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Bioactive compound extracts of Antrocaryon amazonicum fruits have high potential to be exploited for inhibiting or delaying oxidative processes and increase food stability.

Antileukemic Activity and Molecular Docking Study of a Polyphenolic Extract from Coriander Seeds

Leukemia is a group of hematological neoplastic disorders linked to high mortality rates worldwide, but increasing resistance has led to the therapeutic failure of conventional chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the antileukemic activity and potential mechanism of action of a polyphenolic extract obtained from the seeds of Coriandrum sativum L. (CSP). A methylthiazoletetrazolium assay was performed to assess the CSP cytotoxicity on chronic (K562) and acute (HL60) myeloid leukemia cell lines and on normal Vero cell line. CSP toxicity was also evaluated in vivo using the OECD 423 acute toxicity model on Swiss albino mice. The results demonstrated a remarkable antitumoral activity against K562 and HL60 cell lines (IC₅₀ = 16.86 µM and 11.75 µM, respectively) although no cytotoxicity was observed for the Vero cells or mice. A silico study was performed on the following receptors that are highly implicated in the development of leukemia: ABL kinase, ABL1, BCL2, and FLT3. The molecular docking demonstrated a high affinity interaction between the principal CSP components and the receptors. Our findings demonstrated that CSP extract has remarkable antileukemic activity, which is mainly mediated by the flavonoids, catechins, and rutin, all of which showed the highest binding affinity for the targeted receptors. This study revealed a promising active compound alternative research-oriented biopharmacists to explore.

Migration of Avocado Virgin Oil Functional Compounds during Domestic Cooking of Eggplant

Avocado virgin oil (AVO) was used during eggplant deep-frying, boil, and boil in a water-oil mixture (W/O). There were measured the contents of moisture, dry matter, fat, total (TPC) and ten individual phenols, antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH), and total sterols; as well as the profiles of eight fatty acids and fourteen sterols/stanols. The values of raw and processed foods were compared and studied with multivariate analysis. The antioxidant capacity of AVO lowered after deep frying but augmented in eggplant and water after all treatments. The TPC was steady in AVO and raised in fried eggplant. Thermal treatments added to the initial profiles of the AVO, eggplant and water, nine, eight, and four phenols, respectively. Percentages of the main fatty acids (oleic, palmitic and linoleic), and sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and Δ5-avenasterol), remained unchanged between the raw and treated AVO; and the lipidic fractions from processed eggplant. Cooking leads to the movement of hydrophilic and lipophilic functional compounds between AVO, eggplant and water. Migration of sterols and unsaturated fatty acids from AVO to eggplant during deep frying and W/O boiling improved the functional properties of eggplant by adding the high biological value lipophilic fraction to the naturally occurring polyphenols.

Potential Effects of Phenolic Compounds That Can Be Found in Olive Oil on Wound Healing

The treatment of tissue damage produced by physical, chemical, or mechanical agents involves considerable direct and indirect costs to health care systems. Wound healing involves a series of molecular and cellular events aimed at repairing the defect in tissue integrity. These events can be favored by various natural agents, including the polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The objective of this study was to review data on the potential effects of different phenolic compounds that can also be found in EVOO on wound healing and closure. Results of in vitro and animal studies demonstrate that polyphenols from different plant species, also present in EVOO, participate in different aspects of wound healing, accelerating this process through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and their stimulation of angiogenic activities required for granulation tissue formation and wound re-epithelialization. These results indicate the potential usefulness of EVOO phenolic compounds for wound treatment, either alone or in combination with other therapies. Human studies are warranted to verify this proposition.

The Metabolomic-Gut-Clinical Axis of Mankai Plant-Derived Dietary Polyphenols

BACKGROUND

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced by plants to defend themselves from environmental stressors. We explored the effect of Wolffia globosa 'Mankai', a novel cultivated strain of a polyphenol-rich aquatic plant, on the metabolomic-gut clinical axis in vitro, in-vivo and in a clinical trial.

METHODS

We used mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics methods from three laboratories to detect Mankai phenolic metabolites and examined predicted functional pathways in a Mankai artificial-gut bioreactor. Plasma and urine polyphenols were assessed among the 294 DIRECT-PLUS 18-month trial participants, comparing the effect of a polyphenol-rich green-Mediterranean diet (+1240 mg/polyphenols/day, provided by Mankai, green tea and walnuts) to a walnuts-enriched (+440 mg/polyphenols/day) Mediterranean diet and a healthy controlled diet.

RESULTS

Approximately 200 different phenolic compounds were specifically detected in the Mankai plant. The Mankai-supplemented bioreactor artificial gut displayed a significantly higher relative-abundance of 16S-rRNA bacterial gene sequences encoding for enzymes involved in phenolic compound degradation. In humans, several Mankai-related plasma and urine polyphenols were differentially elevated in the green Mediterranean group compared with the other groups (p < 0.05) after six and 18 months of intervention (e.g., urine hydroxy-phenyl-acetic-acid and urolithin-A; plasma Naringenin and 2,5-diOH-benzoic-acid). Specific polyphenols, such as urolithin-A and 4-ethylphenol, were directly involved with clinical weight-related changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The Mankai new plant is rich in various unique potent polyphenols, potentially affecting the metabolomic-gut-clinical axis.

Laccase and Tyrosinase Biosensors Used in the Determination of Hydroxycinnamic Acids

In recent years, researchers have focused on developing simple and efficient methods based on electrochemical biosensors to determine hydroxycinnamic acids from various real samples (wine, beer, propolis, tea, and coffee). Enzymatic biosensors represent a promising, low-cost technology for the direct monitoring of these biologically important compounds, which implies a fast response and simple sample processing procedures. The present review aims at highlighting the structural features of this class of compounds and the importance of hydroxycinnamic acids for the human body, as well as presenting a series of enzymatic biosensors commonly used to quantify these phenolic compounds. Enzyme immobilization techniques on support electrodes are very important for their stability and for obtaining adequate results. The following sections of this review will briefly describe some of the laccase (Lac) and tyrosinase (Tyr) biosensors used for determining the main hydroxycinnamic acids of interest in the food or cosmetics industry. Considering relevant studies in the field, the fact has been noticed that there is a greater number of studies on laccase-based biosensors as compared to those based on tyrosinase for the detection of hydroxycinnamic acids. Significant progress has been made in relation to using the synergy of nanomaterials and nanocomposites for more stable and efficient enzyme immobilization. These nanomaterials are mainly carbon- and/or polymer-based nanostructures and metallic nanoparticles which provide a suitable environment for maintaining the biocatalytic activity of the enzyme and for increasing the rate of electron transport.

Antioxidants and Bioactive Compounds in Licorice Root Extract Potentially Contribute to Improving Growth, Bulb Quality and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa)

The increasing culinary use of onion (Alium cepa) raises pressure on the current production rate, demanding sustainable approaches for increasing its productivity worldwide. Here, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) in improving growth, yield, nutritional status, and antioxidant properties of two high-yielding onion cultivars, Shandaweel and Giza 20, growing under field conditions in two consecutive years. Our results revealed that pretreatments of both onion cultivars with LRE exhibited improved growth indices (plant height and number of leaves) and yield-related features (bulb length, bulb diameter, and bulb weight) in comparison with the corresponding LRE-devoid control plants. Pretreatments with LRE also improved the nutritional and antioxidant properties of bulbs of both cultivars, which was linked to improved mineral (e.g., K⁺ and Ca²⁺) acquisition, and heightened activities of enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase) and increased levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, phenolics, and flavonoids). LRE also elevated the contents of proline, total free amino acids, total soluble carbohydrates, and water-soluble proteins in both onion bulbs. In general, both cultivars displayed positive responses to LRE pretreatments; however, the Shandaweel cultivar performed better than the Giza 20 cultivar in terms of yield and, to some extent, bulb quality. Collectively, our findings suggest that the application of LRE as biostimulant might be an effective strategy to enhance bulb quality and ultimately the productivity of onion cultivars under field conditions.

A Study on the Synbiotic Composition of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Fructans from Arctium lappa Roots and Helianthus tuberosus Tubers against Staphylococcus aureus

A number of mechanisms have been proposed explaining probiotics and prebiotics benefit human health, in particular, probiotics have a suppression effect on pathogen growth that can be enhanced with the introduction of prebiotics. In vitro models enhanced with computational biology can be useful for selecting a composition with prebiotics from new plant sources with the greatest synergism. Water extracts from burdock root and Jerusalem artichoke tubers were purified by ultrafiltration and activated charcoal and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. Fructans were precipitated with various concentrations of ethanol. Bifidobacterium bifidum 8 VKPM AC-2136 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 strains were applied to estimate the synbiotic effect. The growth of bifidobacteria and staphylococci in monocultures and cocultures in broths with glucose, commercial prebiotics, as well as isolated fructans were studied. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of lactic and acetic acids for the Staphylococcus strain were determined. A quantitative model joining the formation of organic acids by probiotics as antagonism factors and the MICs of pathogens (as the measure of their inhibition) was tested in cocultures and showed a high predictive value (R2 ≥ 0.86). The synbiotic factor obtained from the model was calculated based on the experimental data and obtained constants. Fructans precipitated with 20% ethanol and Bifidobacterium bifidum have the greater synergism against Staphylococcus.

Validated Stability-Indicating GC-MS Method for Characterization of Forced Degradation Products of Trans-Caffeic Acid and Trans-Ferulic Acid

When dealing with simple phenols such as caffeic acid (CA) and ferulic acid (FA), found in a variety of plants, it is very important to have control over the most important factors that accelerate their degradation reactions. This is the first report in which the stabilities of these two compounds have been systematically tested by exposure to various different factors. Forced degradation studies were performed on pure standards (trans-CA and trans-FA), dissolved in different solvents and exposed to different oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress conditions. Additionally, a rapid, sensitive, and selective stability-indicating gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for determination of trans-CA and trans-FA in the presence of their degradation products. Cis-CA and cis-FA were confirmed as the only degradation products in all the experiments performed. All the compounds were perfectly separated by gas chromatography (GC) and identified using mass spectrometry (MS), a method that additionally elucidated their structures. In general, more protic solvents, higher temperatures, UV radiation and longer storage times led to more significant degradation (isomerization) of both trans-isomers. The most progressive isomerization of both compounds (up to 43%) was observed when the polar solutions were exposed to daylight at room temperature for 1 month. The method was validated for linearity, precision as repeatability, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ). The method was confirmed as linear over tested concentration ranges from 1−100 mg L⁻¹ (r²s were above 0.999). The LOD and LOQ for trans-FA were 0.15 mg L⁻¹ and 0.50 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The LOD and LOQ for trans-CA were 0.23 mg L⁻¹ and 0.77 mg L⁻¹, respectively.

A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, bioactivities, toxicity studies, and clinical studies on Ficus carica Linn. leaves

The leaves of Ficus carica Linn. (FC) have been widely used for medicine purposes since ancient times, and its decoction is consumed as tea. Many scientific papers have been published in the literature and the researchers across the world are still exploring the health benefits of FC leaves. In this review, we have collected the literature published since 2010 in the databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar and local classic herbal literature. The summary of the chemical constituents in FC leaves, biological activities, toxicity studies, and clinical studies carried out on FC leaves is provided in this review. In addition, the molecular mechanisms of the active constituents in FC leaves are also comprehended. FC leaves are reported to 126 constituents out of which the polyphenolic compounds are predominant. Many scientific studies have proven the antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective activities. Many studies have carried out to provide the insights on molecular pathways involved in the biological activities of FC leaves. The toxicity studies have suggested that FC leaves exhibit toxicity only at very high doses. We believe this review serve as a comprehensive resource for those who are interested to understand the scientific evidence that support the medicinal values of FC leaves and also the research gaps to further improve the commercial value and health benefits of FC leaves.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Moroccan Lavandula stoechas L.: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Secondary plant metabolites, in particular phenolic compounds, are characterized by great diversity in the plant kingdom and are widely used in the medical and industrial fields. The extraction of these compounds represents a critical step, and the differences in extraction conditions strongly affect the yields and the total concentrations of polyphenols in the extracts. In this way, the objective of the present study was to optimize the extraction parameters of the polyphenols from Lavandula stoechas using the extraction technique assisted by ultrasound. Yield and the total concentration of polyphenols have been optimized, taking into account three variables, the extraction time (min), the ethanol concentration (%), and the solvent/extract ratio (ml/g). The optimum extraction yield (31.88%) was obtained by ensuring the following parameters: an ethanol concentration of 40%, a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g, and a time processing of 32.62 min. The maximum concentration of total polyphenols (190.14 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) was obtained after 21.5 min of extraction, with a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g and a concentration of ethanol at 40%. In order to obtain the maximum yield (24.9%) and the total concentration of polyphenols (190.14 mg GAE/g) simultaneously, the following parameters must be adjusted: an extraction time of 21.5 min, a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g, and a concentration of ethanol at 40%. The experimental values of the yield and the total concentration of the polyphenols were in good agreement with the predicted values, which suggests that the ultrasonic extraction model adopted in this study is validated.

Rutin present in Alibertia edulis extract acts on human platelet aggregation through inhibition of cyclooxygenase/thromboxane

Alibertia edulis leaf extract is commonly used in folk medicine, with rutin caffeic and vanillic acids being its major compounds. The Alibertia edulis leaf extract was investigated for its pharmacological effects via platelet aggregation, calcium mobilization, cyclic nucleotides levels, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein Ser157 and Ser239 and protein kinase Cβ₂ phosphorylation, thromboxane B₂, cyclooxygenases 1 and 2, docking and molecular dynamics. Alibertia edulis leaf extract significantly inhibited (100-1000 μg mL^-1) platelet aggregation induced by different agonists. Arachidonic acid increased levels of calcium and thromboxane B₂, phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein Ser157 and Ser239, and protein kinase Cβ, which were significantly reduced by Alibertia edulis leaf extract, rutin, and caffeic acid as well mixtures of rutin/caffeic acid. Cyclooxygenase 1 activity was inhibited for Alibertia edulis leaf extract, rutin and caffeic acid. These inhibitions were firsrtly explored by specific stabilization of rutin and caffeic acid compared to diclofenac at the catalytic site from docking score and free-energy dissociation profiles. Then, simulations detailed the rutin interactions close to the heme group and Tyr385, responsible for catalyzing the conversion of arachidonic acid to its products. Our results reveal the antiplatelet aggregation properties of Alibertia edulis leaf extract, rutin and caffeic acid providing pharmacological information about its origin from cyclooxygenase 1 inhibition and its downstream pathway.