Relationship of quality parameters, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of EVOO with ripening state and olive variety

Bee venom ameliorates oxidative stress and histopathological changes of hippocampus, liver and testis during status epileptics

The unrelenting progression of neurodegenerative diseases has a negative impact on affected individuals, their families, and society. Recurrent epileptic seizures are the hallmark of epilepsy, and treating it effectively remains difficult. Clarify and understanding effects of the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in epilepsy by comparing the therapeutic effects between rats receiving valproic acid (VPA) and Bee venom (BV) was aimed throughout the present study. Four male Wistar rat groups were included: control, epileptic group receiving pilocarpine (PILO), epileptic group treated with VPA and BV respectively. Cognitive functions were assessed by evaluating latency time in hot plate, despair swim test, grooming, rearing and ambulation frequency in the open field. BV has ameliorative effect on electrolytes balancing, assured by decreasing lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and increasing catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. BV enhanced restoration of liver functions indicated by alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), total proteins, and albumin; hormonal parameters total and free testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) were preserved by BV with great recovery of hippocampus, liver and testicular histopathology and ultrastructure comparing with the epileptic rats. The present findings suggested that BV and its active components offer fresh options for controlling epilepsy and prospective methods via minimize or manage the severe consequences.

The Risk of Breast Cancer between Western and Mediterranean Dietary Patterns

Breast cancer is a significant public health problem globally and prevention strategies have become of great interest as its incidence rises. Exploring the connection between dietary patterns and the reduction of breast cancer risk is considered a promising approach. High levels of fiber, phytochemicals, a good antioxidant profile, and a composition of advantageous fatty acids are characteristics of healthy dietary programs such as the Mediterranean diet. This review summarized and discussed the active compounds that are considered important in preventing breast cancer, including dietary components from recent related reports. These include polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, phytochemicals, and alcohol. Although the exact mechanism for preventing breast cancer using these dietary factors is not well understood, the combination of all the elements in a healthy diet plays a role in reducing breast cancer risk. Considering the elevated probability of breast cancer relapse and mortality, it is crucial to investigate the correlation between a nutritious dietary pattern and breast cancer, while identifying bioactive components that have the potential to mitigate the risk of breast cancer incidence.

High-intensity ultrasonication impact on the chlorothalonil fungicide and its reduction pathway in spinach juice

Among different novel technologies, sonochemistry is a sustainable emerging technology for food processing, preservation, and pesticide removal. The study aimed to probe the impact of high-intensity ultrasonication on chlorothalonil fungicide degradation, reduction pathway, and bioactive availability of spinach juice. The chlorothalonil fungicide-immersed spinach juice was treated with sonication at 360 W, 480 W, and 600 W, 40 kHz, for 30 and 40 min at 30 ± 1 °C. The highest reduction of chlorothalonil fungicide residues was observed at 40 min sonication at 600 W. HPLC-MS (high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy) analysis revealed the degradation pathway of chlorothalonil and the formation of m-phthalonitrile, 3-cyno-2,4,5,6-tetrachlorobenamide, 4-dichloroisophthalonitrile, trichloroisophtalonitrile, 4-hydoxychlorothalonil, and 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorochlorobenzonitrile as degradation products. High-intensity sonication treatments also significantly increased the bioavailability of phenolic, chlorophyll, and anthocyanins and the antioxidant activity of spinach juice. Our results proposed that sonication technology has excellent potential in degrading pesticides through free radical reactions formation and pyrolysis. Considering future perspectives, ultrasonication could be employed industrially to reduce pesticide residues from agricultural products and enhance the quality of spinach juice.

Characterization and Biological Activities of In Vitro Digested Olive Pomace Polyphenols Evaluated on Ex Vivo Human Immune Blood Cells

Olive pomace (OP) represents one of the main by-products of olive oil production, which still contains high quantities of health-promoting bioactive compounds. In the present study, three batches of sun-dried OP were characterized for their profile in phenolic compounds (by HPLC-DAD) and in vitro antioxidant properties (ABTS, FRAP and DPPH assays) before (methanolic extracts) and after (aqueous extracts) their simulated in vitro digestion and dialysis. Phenolic profiles, and, accordingly, the antioxidant activities, showed significant differences among the three OP batches, and most compounds showed good bioaccessibility after simulated digestion. Based on these preliminary screenings, the best OP aqueous extract (OP-W) was further characterized for its peptide composition and subdivided into seven fractions (OP-F). The most promising OP-F (characterized for its metabolome) and OP-W samples were then assessed for their potential anti-inflammatory properties in ex vivo human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) triggered or not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of 16 pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in PBMC culture media by multiplex ELISA assay, whereas the gene expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and TNF-α were measured by real time RT-qPCR. Interestingly, OP-W and PO-F samples had a similar effect in reducing the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α, but only OP-W was able to reduce the release of these inflammatory mediators, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory activity of OP-W is different from that of OP-F.

Fatty Acid and Sterol Compositions of Turkish Monovarietal Olive Oils with Regard to Olive Ripening

This study was conducted in crop season of 2018 and the olive fruits from three Turkish varieties Saurani, Karamani and Halhalı under the same pedoclimatic conditions (with no irrigation and no fertilization) were assessed. Oil content, fatty acid, and sterol compositions of three monovarietal 'Halhalı', 'Karamani', and 'Saurani' virgin olive oils were examined at green, spotted and ripe olives. The oil content of olives ranges between 23.77-34.77% and the highest oil yield was observed in the ripe Karamani variety. In terms of fatty acids, the lowest oleic acid values were found in the ripe period of Karamani variety (59.78%), and the highest oleic acid values in the green period of Halhalı variety (69.97%). The oleic and palmitic acid contents decreased, while linoleic and stearic acid contents increased with olive ripening. Total sterol amounts of olive oils varied between 946-1782 mg/kg and showed a significant increase with ripening (p < 0.05). The highest β-sitosterol amount was detected in the green period of Saurani variety (91.66%), and the lowest β-sitosterol amount in the spotted period of Halhalı variety (86.16%). The highest ∆⁵-avenasterol amounts were detected in the ripe period of Saurani variety (6.54%), the lowest ∆⁵-avenasterol amounts were detected in the green period of Halhalı variety (2.36%). Total β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and erythrodiol+uvaol contents of olive oils are changed with ripening. Accordingly, these results showed that fatty acid and sterol compositions can be used as indicators of variety and ripening degree among monovarietal virgin olive oils.

Singular Olive Oils from a Recently Discovered Spanish North-Western Cultivar: An Exhaustive 3-Year Study of Their Chemical Composition and In-Vitro Antidiabetic Potential

In this work, the quality and physicochemical parameters, phenolic composition, and antidiabetic potential of olive oils obtained from olives belonging to centenarian olive trees of the so-called ‘Mansa de Figueiredo’ cultivar were evaluated during three consecutive crop seasons (2017–2019). The oils produced during the three crop years were classified as extra virgin based on the quality-related indices, sensory analysis, and the genuineness-related parameters. In addition, LC-ESI-TOF MS was used to get a comprehensive characterisation of the phenolic fraction while LC-ESI-IT MS was applied for quantitation purposes. The content of phenolic compounds (ranging from 1837 to 2434 mg/kg) was significantly affected by the harvest year due to the environmental conditions and ripening index. Furthermore, although significant differences in the inhibitory effects against the α-glucosidase enzyme for the EVOOs extracted throughout the three successive years were detected, all the studied EVOOs exhibited a stronger inhibitor effect than that found for acarbose.

The Impact of Mild Frost Occurring at Different Harvesting Times on the Volatile and Phenolic Composition of Virgin Olive Oil

The organoleptic characteristics of virgin olive oil (VOO), together with its nutritional and health properties, have led the olive tree to be cultivated beyond the Mediterranean basin, reaching latitudes with colder climates, with minimum temperatures below 0 °C and with a higher probability of early frosts. The freezing of olives generates destruction within the tissues and promotes degradation reactions. In this study, the impact of mild frost occurring at different harvesting times on the composition of volatiles and phenolic compounds in VOO were investigated. Arbequina variety olives were harvested at different stages of ripening. Half of the olives were subjected to oil extraction and the other half were frozen at −3 ± 1 °C for 12 h prior to oil extraction. A significant decrease of phenolic compounds with harvesting time was observed in both types of oils (fresh and frozen olives). Oils from frozen olives presented a slightly higher content of total phenols, except in the advanced ripening stage (September), and a slightly lower content of volatile compounds at all harvesting times. In addition, a higher content of 3,4-DHPEA-EDA was observed in oils from frozen olives, which is attributed to an early action of the endogenous β-glucosidase enzyme on oleuropein in freeze-damaged olive fruits. Principal component analysis and Discriminant Partial Least Square Regression allowed the oils to be classified according to the type of fruit (fresh and frozen) and the month of harvest. This study would indicate that mild frost would have a low impact on the chemical composition of virgin olive oil, although, this depends on the ripening stage.

Volatile profile and quality characteristics of the Greek “Chondrolia Chalkidikis” virgin olive oils: effect of ripening stage

Among the various parameters affecting olive oil quality, ripening stage is one of the most important. Optimal harvest time ensuring target quality for the final product varies in relation to the effect of many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Therefore, its determination necessitates thorough examination of each case. The present study explores the impact of six harvest times on volatile profile and quality attributes of olive oils from “Chondrolia Chalkidikis” Greek cultivar. All samples examined were classified “Virgin Olive Oils” (VOOs) according to findings of acidity, peroxide, and K values. The low values for the principal official quality indices, the high oleic acid percentages (76–78%), the high oxidative stabilities (up to 36 h induction period), and phenols content (606–290 mg/kg) were considered nutritionally promising. Total phenols, carotenoids and chlorophylls contents, as well as oxidative stability (induction period values) decreased with ripening. Harvest time had a strong impact on HS-SPME–GC–MS volatile fingerprint. Optimal volatile profiles were related to intermediate examined ripening stages. Fatty acid composition did not show remarkable trends. Chondrolia Chalkidikis VOOs perform as interesting candidates of high quality. Findings of the study may support existing databases with scientific records for Chondrolia Chalkidikis VOOs, boost their competitiveness in the global market, and encourage worldwide exploitation of VOOs from similar cultivars (table olives oriented).

Influence of Olive Oil and Its Components on Breast Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant neoplasia and a leading cause of mortality in women worldwide. The Mediterranean diet has been proposed as a healthy dietary pattern with protective effects in several chronic diseases, including breast cancer. This diet is characterized by the consumption of abundant plant foods and olive oil as the principal source of fat, which is considered one of the main components with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) has several bioactive compounds, mainly including monounsaturated fatty acids, triterpenes and polyphenols, such as phenolic alcohols (e.g., hydroxytyrosol), secoiridoids (e.g., oleuropein and oleocanthal), lignans (e.g., pinoresinol) or flavonoids (e.g., luteolin). While epidemiological evidence is still limited, experimental in vivo and in vitro data have shown a protective effect of this oil and its compounds on mammary carcinogenesis. Such effects account through complex and multiple mechanisms, including changes in epigenetics, transcriptome and protein expression that modulate several signaling pathways. Molecular targets of EVOO compounds have a role in the acquisition of cancer hallmarks. Although further research is needed to elucidate their beneficial effects on human prevention and progression of the disease, evidence points to EVOO in the context of the Mediterranean diet as a heathy choice, while EVOO components may be promising adjuvants in anticancer strategies.

Applicability of an In-Vitro Digestion Model to Assess the Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds from Olive-Related Products

The Mediterranean diet includes virgin olive oil (VOO) as the main fat and olives as snacks. In addition to providing nutritional and organoleptic properties, VOO and the fruits (olives) contain an extensive number of bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, which are considered to be powerful antioxidants. Furthermore, olive byproducts, such as olive leaves, olive pomace, and olive mill wastewater, considered also as rich sources of phenolic compounds, are now valorized due to being mainly applied in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The digestive system must physically and chemically break down these ingested olive-related products to release their phenolic compounds, which will be further metabolized to be used by the human organism. The first purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of in-vitro static digestion models for olive-related products. In this sense, the in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion methods are widely used with the following aims: (i) to study how phenolic compounds are released from their matrices and to identify structural changes of phenolic compounds after the digestion of olive fruits and oils and (ii) to support the functional value of olive leaves and byproducts generated in the olive industry by assessing their health properties before and after the gastrointestinal process. The second purpose of this review is to survey and discuss all the results available to date.

Impact of high-intensity thermosonication treatment on spinach juice: Bioactive compounds, rheological, microbial, and enzymatic activities

To study the impacts of thermosonication (TS), the spinach juice treated with TS (200 W, 400 W, and 600 W, 30 kHz, at 60 ± 1 °C for 20 mint) were investigated for bioactive compounds, antioxidant activities, color properties, particle size, rheological behavior, suspension stability, enzymatic and microbial loads. As a result, TS processing significantly improved the bioactive compounds (total flavonols, total flavonoids, total phenolic, carotenoids, chlorophyll, and anthocyanins), antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP assay) in spinach juice. Also, TS treatments had higher b*,L*, hue angle (h⁰), and chroma (C) values, while minimuma* value as compared to untreated and pasteurized samples. TS processing significantly reduced the particle size, improved the suspension stability and rheological properties (shear stress, apparent viscosity, and shear rate) of spinach juice as compared to the untreated and pasteurized sample. TS plays a synergistic part in microbial reduction and gained maximum microbial safety. Moreover, TS treatments inactivated the polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase from 0.97 and 0.034 Abs min^-1 (untreated) to 0.31 and 0.018 Abs min^-1, respectively. The spinach juice sample treated at a high intensity (600 W, 30 kHz, at 60 ± 1 °C for 20 mint, TS3) exhibited complete inactivation of microbial loads (<1 log CFU/ml), the highest reduction in enzymatic activities, better suspension stability, color properties, and highest bioactive compounds. Collectively, the verdicts proposed that TS processing could be a worthwhile option to pasteurize the spinach juice to enhance the overall quality.

Preparation of highly purified oleuropein by combinative technology off line of HSCCC-PHPLC based on dual wavelength

Oleuropein is the main active substance in foods or functional foods produced from olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves. In the present study, the combinative technology off line of HSCCC-PHPLC based on dual wavelength was used to separate highly purified oleuropein from oleuropein extract. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the conditions of HSCCC. Furthermore, a large amount of higher purified oleuropein was obtained through HSCCC at the wavelength of 254 nm, and oleuropein with the purity greater than 98.5% was obtained by PHPLC at the wavelength of 300 nm. Finally, the purity and structure identification of highly purified oleuropein were determined by various methods and its stability was investigated. As a result, oleuropein was stable in solution, and had good stability under the condition of dark storage at 4°C within a week or under the condition of dark storage at -20°C within one year. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study, an efficient method for purification and refining of oleuropein by combinative technology off line of HSCCC-PHPLC based on dual wavelength was established. Oleuropein with the purity greater than 98.5% was macro-obtained via the technology. The highly purified oleuropein could be used to control the quality of olive products.

Drupe Characters, Fatty Acids, Polyphenolic and Aromatic Profile of Olive Oil Obtained from "Oliva Bianca", Minor Autochthonous Cultivar of Campania

Campania, due to its pedo-climatic conditions and to its large varietal heritage, is able to produce oils with high typicity, each different from the other. In this study a “minor” autochthonous cultivar of Campania “Oliva Bianca” was analyzed. In autumn 2020, on drupes from trees belonging to the Campania germplasm collection a varietal characterization through physical, chemical and chromatic parameters at the harvest was carried out. Phenolic compounds profile, fatty acids composition and volatile organic compounds have been investigated in the resulting oil. Quality indices, organoleptic and sensory qualities (panel test) were also determined on the oil. Drupe weight was 4.31 g, flesh/pit ratio was 3.68 and the accumulation of oil content at harvest in drupes was 18.63% FW. The drupes showed high anthocyanins content equal to 116.10 mg/kg. In the oil studied, the secoiridoids represented the 82.25% of total phenolic compounds, the concentration of oleic acid was 74.82% and the most present volatile compound was trans-2-hexenal (72.30%). High secoiridoid derivatives concentrations such as oleuropein (85.93 mg/kg) and ligstroside (122.43 mg/kg) aglycones were showed. This study showed a good content of qualitative and quantitative parameters of “Oliva Bianca” oil and drupe, that can have important beneficial effects on human health.

Evolution of Flavors in Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shelf-Life

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the most distinctive ingredients of the Mediterranean diet. There are many properties related to this golden ingredient, from supreme organoleptic characteristics to benefits for human health. EVOO contains in its composition molecules capable of exerting bioactivities such as cardio protection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity, among others, mainly caused by unsaturated fatty acids and certain minor compounds such as tocopherols or phenolic compounds. EVOO is considered the highest quality vegetable oil, which also implies a high sensory quality. The organoleptic properties related to the flavor of this valued product are also due to the presence of a series of compounds in its composition, mainly some carbonyl compounds found in the volatile fraction, although some minor compounds such as phenolic compounds also contribute. However, these properties are greatly affected by the incidence of certain factors, both intrinsic, such as the olive variety, and extrinsic, such as the growing conditions, so that each EVOO has a particular flavor. Furthermore, these flavors are susceptible to change under the influence of other factors throughout the oil's shelf-life, such as oxidation or temperature. This work offers a description of some of the most remarkable compounds responsible for EVOO's unique flavor and aroma, the factors affecting them, the mechanism that lead to the degradation of EVOO, and how flavors can be altered during the shelf-life of the oil, as well as several strategies suggested for the preservation of this flavor, on which the quality of the product also depends.

Bioactive Compounds and Quality of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(1) Background: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is responsible for a large part of many health benefits associated to Mediterranean diet as it is a fundamental ingredient of this diet. The peculiarities of this golden, highly valued product are in part due to the requirements that must be met to achieve this title, namely, it has to be obtained using exclusively mechanical procedures, its free acidity cannot be greater than 0.8%, it must not show sensory defects, and it has to possess a fruity taste. (2) Methods: All these characteristics are key factors to EVOO quality, thus the chemical composition of these many health-promoting compounds, such as unsaturated fatty acids (which are also the major compounds, especially oleic acid), as well as minor components such as tocopherols or phenolic compounds (which behave as natural antioxidants) must be preserved. (3) Results: Due to the presence of all these compounds, the daily consumption of EVOO entails health benefits such as cardioprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor properties or acting as regulator of the intestinal microbiota, among others. (4) Conclusions: Taking all together, conserving EVOO chemical composition is essential to preserve its properties, so it is worth to control certain factors during storage like exposure to light, temperature, oxygen presence or the chosen packaging material, to maintain its quality and extend its shelf-life until its consumption.