Exploration of Vanilla pompona from the Peruvian Amazon as a potential source of vanilla essence: quantification of phenolics by HPLC-DAD

Molecular Aroma Composition of Vanilla Beans from Different Origins

The demand for natural Vanilla has increased rapidly, creating the need for more potential sources of high-quality Vanilla essence. Understanding the geographical influences on the aroma profile of Vanilla is essential. This study demonstrates the first comparative analysis of odorant compositions in the three most important Vanilla varieties: Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla pompona, and Vanilla tahitensis from different origins. Following the screening for odor-active molecules through gas chromatography-olfactometry and aroma extract dilution analysis (GC-O and AEDA), selected compounds were quantified using stable isotope dilution assays (SIDA) and their dose over threshold values (DoTs) were calculated. Vanillin was confirmed as the most important odor-active compound due to its highest DoT value, especially in the V. planifolia sample. Meanwhile, 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde showed higher DoT factors than vanillin in V. pompona and partially in V. tahitensis samples. This indicates their role as discriminative odorants for these varieties. The heightened DoT values of 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone in Uganda Vanilla samples unveil geographical influences on the odorant profile within V. planifolia species. Additionally, 2-methyl-3-(methyldithio)furan was identified for the first time in Vanilla samples with diverse DoT values from different species and origins.

Vanilla pompona Leaves and Stems as New Sources of Bioactive Compounds: The Therapeutic Potential for Skin Senescence

A large variety of natural plants are widely produced and utilised because of their remarkable pharmacological effects. In this study, two phenolic glycosides were isolated for the first time from Vanilla pompona Schiede (Orchidaceae) from Kyushu, Japan: bis [4-(β-D - O-glucopyranosyloxy)-benzyl] (S)-2-isopropylmalate (1: ) and bis 4-[β-D-O-glucopyranosyloxy)-benzyl]-(2R,3S)-2-isopropyl tartrate (2: ). We have discovered that the crude extract of V. pompona leaves and stems and its two phenolic glycosides (compounds 1:  - 2: ) are highly effective in reversing skin senescence. V. pompona and compounds 1:  - 2: were found to promote the synthesis of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin in skin fibroblasts in a normal skin cell model; in a replicative senescence model, V. pompona and compounds 1:  - 2: significantly reduced the ageing phenotype in skin fibroblasts. These compounds also demonstrated a significant protective effect in a UV-induced photo-senescence model; the possible mechanisms of this effect were investigated in this study. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to develop V. pompona leaves and stems as new sources of bioactive compounds and to examine their therapeutic potential for skin senescence. The development potential of V. pompona leaves and stems for use in the cosmetics, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical industries remains to be investigated.

Vanilla beyond Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla × tahitensis: Taxonomy and Historical Notes, Reproductive Biology, and Metabolites

Vanilla is a worldwide cherished condiment, and its volatile market is associated with the so-called "vanilla crisis". Even though only two species (Vanilla planifolia and V. × tahitensis) are cultivated on a large scale for commercial purposes, the Vanilla genus is comprised of 140 species. The present review article discusses the facets of this crisis, and vanilla crop wild relatives (WRs) are showcased as alternatives to overcome them. Historical, taxonomic, and reproductive biology aspects of the group were covered. Emphasis was given to the metabolic characterization of the vanilla crop WRs, highlighting their main chemical classes and the potential flavor descriptors. Many of these species can produce important flavor compounds such as vanillin, vanillic acid, and acetovanillone, among others. Overall, this review compiles valuable information that can help unravel new chapters of the history of this treasured product by evidencing the biotechnological potential of vanilla crop WRs.

Distribution and conservation of vanilla crop wild relatives: the value of local community engagement for biodiversity research

Natural vanilla is a high-value crop with demand increasing globally. Crop wild relatives (CWR) represent valuable agrobiodiversity and are prioritized in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Vanilla species are naturally rare with historically infrequent botanical collections. Despite their importance as CWR, fewer than 10% of Vanilla species have been evaluated for the IUCN Red List. Colombia is a diversity center for Vanilla species, yet many remote regions are lacking detailed floristic characterization. We show that the participation of rural communities in scientific endeavor enhances capacity to register biodiversity. We report two Vanilla species in the under-explored region of the Serranía de las Quinchas in the mid–Magdalena River valley in Colombia, including the first report for Colombia of Vanilla karen-christianae. For this, and the second species, Vanilla dressleri, we present descriptions with photographic botanical illustrations, updated distribution maps, and preliminary conservation status assessment. Both species are of elevated conservation concern, categorized as Endangered – EN: B2a,b(ii,iii,iv,v) following IUCN criteria. Within Colombia, all recorded occurrences for both species fall outside protected areas. Vanilla crop wild relatives in Colombia have urgent conservation needs. The Serranía de las Quinchas is a priority for further botanical exploration for Vanilla, as well as other protected areas with appropriate habitat. In situ conservation should be complemented with ex situ actions. Community participation in biodiversity research is recommended in this and other remote regions as an integral step towards enhancing biodiversity research and community-based conservation.

Rapid Sample Screening Method for Authenticity Controlling of Vanilla Flavours Using Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection Using Aluminium-Doped Zirconia Nanoparticles-Modified Electrode

A rapid and sensitive technique for frauds determination in vanilla flavors was developed. The method comprises separation by liquid chromatography followed by an electrochemical detection using a homemade screen-printed carbon electrode modified with aluminium-doped zirconia nanoparticles (Al-ZrO₂-NPs/SPCE). The prepared nanomaterials (Al-ZrO₂-NPs) were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). This method allows for the determination of six phenolic compounds of vanilla flavors, namely, vanillin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillyl alcohol, vanillic acid and ethyl vanillin in a linear range between 0.5 and 25 µg g^-1, with relative standard deviation values from 2.89 to 4.76%. Meanwhile, the limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.10 to 0.14 µg g^-1 and 0.33 to 0.48 µg g^-1, respectively. In addition, the Al-ZrO₂-NPs/SPCE method displayed a good reproducibility, high sensitivity, and good selectivity towards the determination of the vanilla phenolic compounds, making it suitable for the determination of vanilla phenolic compounds in vanilla real extracts products.

Vanilla flavor: Species from the Atlantic forest as natural alternatives

The volatility of the vanilla market calls attention to the so-called vanilla crisis. There is a growing worldwide demand for natural vanilla with a concomitant reduction in global supply. However, commercial crops are threatened with extinction due to the lack of gene pool variability, susceptibility to climate change and pandemic diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new Vanilla spp. as alternative sources vanilla. Therefore, using undirected LC-MS/MS metabolic profiling and chemometrics, the present study demonstrates the great bioeconomic potential of two Atlantic Forest species - V. bahiana and V. chamissonis - by annotation of important flavor compounds associated with the commercial species and reveals distinct flavor descriptors associated with both wild species. Such similarities and dissimilarities are crucial to the ongoing quest to Vanilla gene pool improvement. Compounds remarkably and frequently associated with vanilla flavor were annotated or identified in this study such as vanillin and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde.

NMR-based leaf metabolic profiling of V. planifolia and three endemic Vanilla species from the Peruvian Amazon

The fruit of Vanilla planifolia is broadly preferred by the agroindustry and gourmet markets due to its refined flavor and aroma. Peruvian Vanilla has been proposed as a possible source for genetic improvement of existing Vanilla cultivars, but, little has been done to facilitate comprehensive studies of these and other Vanilla. Here, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomic platform was developed to profile for the first time the leaves - organ known to accumulate vanillin putative precursors - of V. planifolia and those of Peruvian V. pompona, V. palmarum, and V. ribeiroi, with the aim to determine metabolic differences among them. Analysis of the NMR spectra allowed the identification of thirty-six metabolites, twenty-five of which were quantified. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey test revealed that these metabolites changed significantly among species, whilst multivariate-analyses allowed the identification of malic and homocitric acids, together with two vanillin precursors, as relevant metabolic markers for species differentiation.

Development of species-specific molecular markers in Vanilla for seedling selection of hybrids

Vanilla planifolia is the primary botanical source of vanilla extract used globally in various foods and beverages. V. planifolia has a global distribution based on a few foundational clones and therefore has limited genetic diversity. Many Vanilla species easily hybridize with V. planifolia and could be a source of valuable genetic traits like increased vanillin content, disease resistance, or early flowering. While breeding Vanilla hybrids may improve plant performance, basic molecular tools for this species are lacking. DNA-based molecular markers are the most efficient method to validate hybrid progeny, detect hybrids in commercial plantings, and identify unknown accessions. This study used publicly available sequence data to develop species-specific, qRT-PCR-based molecular markers for Vanilla. Over 580,000 assembled sequence fragments were filtered for species specificity and twenty-two targets were selected for qRT-PCR screening. Ten targets differentially amplified among V. planifolia, V. pompona, V. phaeantha, and V. palmarum with ΔCT values as high as 17.58 between species. The ten targets were used to validate the parentage of hybrid progeny from controlled crosses with most hybrid progeny showing amplification patterns similar to both parents. The ten targets were also used to screen sixteen Vanilla species for specificity, and supported species assignments for unknown accessions including the detection of putative hybrids. This is the first report using species-specific, qRT-PCR-based molecular markers in Vanilla. These markers are inexpensive, simple to develop, and can rapidly screen large populations. These methods will enable the further development of species-specific molecular markers when creating Vanilla interspecific hybrid populations.

Naturally occurring bisphenol F in plants used in traditional medicine

Bisphenol F (BPF, 4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]phenol) is a bisphenol that is structurally similar to bisphenol A (BPA). In response to consumer concern towards BPA, industry has started to substitute BPA for BPF and other bisphenol analogues in the production of epoxy resins and coatings for various applications. In 2016, it was reported that commercially sold mustard contained naturally occurring BPF. Here, the existing literature was reviewed to investigate whether other natural sources of BPF among edible plants exist, including their impact on human exposure to BPF. Coeloglossum viride var. bracteatum (rhizome), Galeola faberi (rhizome), Gastrodia elata (rhizome), Xanthium strumarium (seeds) and Tropidia curculioides (root) were found to contain naturally occurring BPF. Botanical extracts from these plants are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The highest values of BPF were recorded for G. elata and T. curculioides. Information on precise doses of the plant extracts used is scarce; however, for G. elata, also known as Tian Ma and available in powder form, a daily exposure of BPF from this source could theoretically amount up to 4.5 µg/kg body weight per day (based on a 70 kg body weight). Therefore, herbal products used in traditional Chinese medicine should be considered as a potential source contributing to the overall human exposure when assessing endocrine-active bisphenolic compounds.

Fabrication of electrospun almond gum/PVA nanofibers as a thermostable delivery system for vanillin

In this study, the fabrication of vanillin incorporated almond gum/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers through electrospinning has been investigated. Electrospinning of only almond gum was proved impossible. It was found that the aqueous solution of almond gum/PVA (80:20, concentration=7% (w/w)) containing 3% (w/w) vanillin could have successfully electrospun to uniform nanofibers with diameters as low as 77nm. According to the thermal analysis, incorporated vanillin in almond gum/PVA nanofibers showed higher thermal stability than free vanillin, making this composite especially suitable for high temperature applications. XRD and FTIR analyses proved the presence of vanillin in the almond gum/PVA nanofibers. It was also found that vanillin was dispersed as big crystallites in the matrix of almond gum/PVA nanofibers. FTIR analysis showed almond gum and PVA had chemical cross-linking by etheric bonds between COH groups of almond gum and OH groups of PVA. Also, in the nanofibers, there were no major interaction between vanillin and either almond gum or PVA.