Enzyme-assisted extraction of proteins from Citrus fruits and prediction of their cultivar using protein profiles obtained by capillary gel electrophoresis

Sustainable extraction of proteins from lime peels using ultrasound, deep eutectic solvents, and pressurized liquids, as a source of bioactive peptides

The aim of this work was to develop, for the first time, sustainable strategies, based on the use of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents, and Pressurized Liquid Extraction, to extract proteins from lime (Citrus x latifolia) peels and to evaluate their potential to release bioactive peptides. PLE showed the largest extraction of proteins (66-69%), which were hydrolysed using three different enzymes (Alcalase 2.4 L FG, Alcalase®PURE 2.4 L, and Thermolysin). The in vitro antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of released peptides were evaluated. Although all hydrolysates showed antioxidant and antihypertensive activity, the hydrolysate obtained with Thermolysin showed the most significant values. Since the Total Phenolic Content in all hydrolysates was low, peptides were likely the main contributors to these bioactivities. Hydrolysates were analyzed by UHPLC-QTOF-MS and a total of 98 different peptides were identified. Most of these peptides were rich in amino acids associated with antioxidant activity.

Comprehensive electrophoretic profiling of proteins as a powerful tool for authenticity assessment of seeds of cultivated berry fruits

Product authentication is one of the most important food quality assurances. Considering the importance of consumption of berry fruits with proven health-beneficial properties, high sensory values and rich composition in bioactive substances, the aim of this study was to evaluate a straightforward and simple procedure for the protein fingerprinting of berry seeds. For this purpose, protein profiles of 45 samples of genuine berry fruit cultivars (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, black currant, blueberry, gooseberry, chokeberry, cape gooseberry, and gojiberry) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis in combination with advanced chemometric tools. The most important parameters for discrimination among berry seeds were polypeptides at 12.8; 15.1; 25.0; 26.4; 30.0; 41.8; 44.4; 46.0; 48.5; 52.3 and 56.4 kDa. Biomarkers obtained from the protein profile of berry seeds proved to be a powerful tool in the authentication of their botanical origin, as well as for potential detection of berry-based products adulteration.

Using biological metabolites as biomarkers to predict safety and quality of whole and minimally processed spinach

This study investigated the possible linkage between spinach metabolic biomarkers and their safety and quality during minimally processing and storage. Spinach leaves were treated following the basic minimal processing practices treatments (minimally processed, whole washed, and whole unwashed) and packaged in plastic bags. Significant changes (p < 0.05) in various metabolites biomarkers, physical properties and microbial counts were recorded during the 15 days of refrigerated storage. The contents of vitamin C and polyphenols decreased by 47.82% and 31.62%, respectively, while pH increased from 6.21 ± 0.04 to 6.62 ± 0.04. Furthermore, physical examination revealed significant (p < 0.05) decline in greenness and crispness and increase in yellowness and brownness. Most importantly, CO₂ increased gradually and the volatile compounds such as 2-methyl furan, 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octadien-3-one started to emerge after 8 days of storage, while (E)-2-pentenal, (E)-2-hexanal and (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol disappeared. These changes in volatile compounds correlated with the significant (p < 0.05) increase (4.93 log CFUg^-1) in the microbial counts and hence can be considered as metabolite markers of quality and safety of spinach.

Type I H+-pyrophosphatase regulates the vacuolar storage of sucrose in citrus fruit

The aim of this work was to evaluate the general role of the vacuolar pyrophosphatase proton pump (V-PPase) in sucrose accumulation in citrus species. First, three citrus V-PPase genes, designated CsVPP-1, CsVPP-2, and CsVPP-4, were identified in the citrus genome. CsVPP-1 and CsVPP-2 belonging to citrus type I V-PPase genes are targeted to the tonoplast, and CsVPP-4 belonging to citrus type II V-PPase genes is located in the Golgi bodies. Moreover, there was a significantly positive correlation between transcript levels of type I V-PPase genes and sucrose, rather than hexose, content in fruits of seven citrus cultivars. Drought and abscisic acid treatments significantly induced the CsVPP-1 and CsVPP-2 transcript levels, as well as the sucrose content. The overexpression of type I V-PPase genes significantly increased PPase activity, decreased pyrophosphate contents, and increased sucrose contents, whereas V-PPase inhibition produced the opposite effect in both citrus fruits and leaves. Furthermore, altering the expression levels of type I V-PPase genes significantly influenced the transcript levels of sucrose transporter genes. Taken together, this study demonstrated that CsVPP-1 and CsVPP-2 play key roles in sucrose storage in the vacuole by regulating pyrophosphate homeostasis, ultimately the sucrose biosynthesis and transcript levels of sucrose transport genes, providing a novel lead for engineering or breeding modified taste in citrus and other fruits.

Classification of quinoa varieties based on protein fingerprinting by capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet absorption diode array detection and advanced chemometrics

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an andean grain with exceptional nutritional properties that has been progressively introduced in western countries as a protein-rich super food with a broad amino acid spectrum. Quinoa is consumed as whole grain, but it is also milled to produce high-value flour, which is susceptible to adulteration. Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing novel analytical methods to get further information about quinoa at the chemical level. In this study, we developed a rapid and simple capillary electrophoresis-ultraviolet absorption diode array detection (CE-UV-DAD) method to obtain characteristic multiwavelength electrophoretic profiles of soluble protein extracts from different quinoa grain varieties. Then, advanced chemometric methods (i.e. multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares, MCR-ALS, followed by principal component analysis, PCA, and partial least squares discriminant analysis, PLS-DA) were applied to deconvolute the components present in the electropherograms and classify the quinoa varieties according to their differential protein composition.

Influence of conventional and recent extraction technologies on physicochemical properties of bioactive macromolecules from natural sources: A review

The incorporation of bioactive macromolecules from natural sources into marketable functional foods and nutraceuticals is of major significance to the agri-food sector. Interest in this area of research stems from the application of purified bioactive macromolecules in enhancing food quality and as an alternative to some pharmaceutical drugs for delivery of potential health benefits, with less associated adverse effects. To obtain bioactive macromolecules of high quality, appropriate use of extraction techniques and its influence on sensory and physicochemical properties is paramount. With the advent of technology-aided processes, there has been remarkable improvement in the extraction efficiency of these bioactive agents. An overview of the influence of these new techniques on extraction efficiency and physicochemical properties of proteins, lipids and fibers, which this detailed review provides, will prove to be a valuable resource to food industries aiming to maximize production of bioactive macromolecules from natural sources as well as the scientific community.

Recent advances in the application of capillary electromigration methods for food analysis and Foodomics

This review work presents and discusses the main applications of capillary electromigration methods in food analysis and Foodomics. Papers that were published during the period February 2015-February 2017 are included following the previous review by Acunha et al. (Electrophoresis 2016, 37, 111-141). The paper shows the large variety of food related molecules that have been analyzed by CE including amino acids, biogenic amines, carbohydrates, chiral compounds, contaminants, DNAs, food additives, heterocyclic amines, lipids, peptides, pesticides, phenols, pigments, polyphenols, proteins, residues, toxins, vitamins, small organic and inorganic compounds, as well as other minor compounds. This work describes the last results on food quality and safety, nutritional value, storage, bioactivity, as well as uses of CE for monitoring food interactions and food processing including recent microchips developments and new applications of CE in Foodomics.