Pomegranate Bioactive Molecules and Health Benefits

Metabolomic NMR analysis and organoleptic perceptions of pomegranate wines: Influence of cultivar and yeast on the product characteristics

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are a historical agricultural product of the Mediterranean basin that became increasingly popular in the latest years for being rich in antioxidants and other micronutrients, and are extensively commercialized as fruits, juice, jams and, in some Eastern countries, as a fermented alcoholic beverage. In this work, four different pomegranate wines specifically designed using combinations of two cultivars (Jolly Red and Smith) and two yeast starters with markedly different characteristics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Clos and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ex-bayanus EC1118) were analyzed. The chemical characterization of the wines together with the originating unfermented juices was performed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy metabolomic analysis. The full spectra were used for unsupervised and supervised statistical multivariate analysis (MVA), namely Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA), and sparse PCA (SPCA). The MVA of the wines showed a clear discrimination between the cultivars, and a smaller, yet significant, discrimination between the yeasts used. In particular, a higher content of citrate and gallate was observed for the Smith cv. and, on the contrary, a statistically significant higher content of fructose, malate, glycerol, 2,3 butanediol, trigonelline, aromatic amino acids and 4-hydrophenylacetate was observed in Jolly Red pomegranate wines samples. Significant interaction among the pomegranate cultivar and the fermenting yeast was also observed. Sensorial analysis was performed by a panel of testing experts. MVA of tasting data showed that the cultivar significantly affected the organoleptic parameters considered, while the yeast had a minor impact. Correlation analysis between NMR-detected metabolites and organoleptic descriptors identified several potential sensorially-active molecules as those significantly impacting the characteristics of the pomegranate wines.

Functional foods modulating inflammation and metabolism in chronic diseases: a systematic review

Chronic diseases are responsible for approximately 71% global deaths. These are characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic alterations. "Functional foods" have been attributed with anti-inflammatory properties, demonstrated in cell lines and murine models; however, studies in humans are inconclusive. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify clinical trials that analyzed changes in inflammatory and metabolic mediators, in response to consumption of specific functional foods. A total of 3581 trials were screened and 88 were included for this review. Foods identified to regulate inflammation included cranberries, grapes, pomegranate, strawberries, wheat, whole grain products, low fat dairy products, yogurt, green tea, cardamom, turmeric, soy foods, almonds, chia seeds, flaxseed, pistachios, algae oil, flaxseed oil and grape seed oil. Clinical trials that focus on a dietary pattern rich in functional foods are necessary to explore if the additive effect of these foods lead to more clinically relevant outcomes.

The Anti-inflammatory and Antiatherogenic In Vivo Effects of Pomegranate Peel Powder: From Waste to Medicinal Food

The highest causes of worldwide morbidity and mortality are cardiovascular diseases (CVD) that pose a major health concern affecting patients' quality of life. Pomegranate fruit contains unique compounds with various bioactivities and has been used as a powerful medicinal food in various illnesses, including CVD. Several trials confirmed the therapeutic impacts of its edible portion, but trials on pomegranate peel's impacts are fewer. Our aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic in vivo effects of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Twenty-eight albino rats were distributed among four groups: I (control), II (on HFD), III (on HFD and PPP 0.5 g/kg BW), and IV (on HFD and 1 g/kg BW). Blood samples were tested for interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and some primary biochemical parameters. HFD induced significant elevations in cholesterol and inflammatory markers as compared with controls. Nevertheless, HDL, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and albumin showed no change in all rats. In both PPP treatment groups, CRP and SAA levels were reduced significantly with significant decrease in TC. Samples of thoracic aorta from treatment groups showed a normal appearance and amelioration of subclinical atherosclerotic changes found in HFD group. PPP exhibited anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects in comparison to HFD controls.