Red cabbage anthocyanins: Profile, isolation, identification, and antioxidant activity

Effect of co-pigments on anthocyanins of wild cranberry and investigation of interaction mechanisms

This study systematically evaluated the color-enhancing effects of different co-pigmented molecules (amino acids, peptides, flavonoids and phenolic acids) with cranberry anthocyanins under different environmental conditions (light, dark, high temperature and ascorbic acid) and their potential mechanisms by various means, such as degradation kinetics, color stability, H NMR spectroscopy, and structural simulation analyses. The results showed that the introduction of co-pigments induced a strong color-enhancing effect and bathochromic shift, inhibited the degradation of anthocyanins (9.34 % ∼ 45.00 %), and prolonged the half-life of anthocyanins (14.33 % ∼ 104.56 %). Among them, catechin, ferulic acid and tryptophan, by virtue of their large molecular planes, flexible side chains and abundant substituents, altered the core structure of anthocyanins and the electron cloud density of H atoms on the acylated molecules, which significantly enhanced their stability upon binding to anthocyanins. In addition, molecular docking simulations revealed an interaction mode between co-pigments and anthocyanins dominated by hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions.

Exploring acylated anthocyanin-based extracts as a natural alternative to synthetic food dyes: Stability and application insights

This work explores the potential of anthocyanin-based extracts (hibiscus calyxes - HC, red cabbage - RC, and butterfly pea flower - BPF) as natural alternatives to synthetic dyes in the food industry. Analyses in a pH range for food applications revealed higher color stability for the BPF extract, keeping vibrant colors over the 7 days at room temperature. At pH 3 and 100 °C, the BPF was more stable, losing half of its anthocyanin concentration after 14 h, while RC and HC lost half of their color after 7 and 2 h, respectively. The bisulfite bleaching followed a second-order reaction for HC and RC, and a first-order reaction for BPF, suggesting a minor effect of the bisulfite on this extract. Incorporating these extracts into porcine protein and agar-agar gelatin formulations produced consistent products with appealing hues, particularly the blue and purple colors for BPF and RC, dependent on the pH.

Evaluation of smart bi-functional dressing based on polysaccharide hydrogels and Brassica oleracea extract for wound healing and continuous monitoring

Skin wounds can drive global impacts, socially and economically, in parallel with their elevated incidence rate. Therefore, utilizing the dual-activity of Brassica Oleracea (Red Cabbage) extract, of being pH-sensitive and biologically active in designing novel, therapeutic, and pH-sensitive wound dressings with an easily stripped-off feature, is critical. Wound dressings were designed using two separate hydrogels based on chitosan (CS) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), each loaded with RCE. The pH sensitivity of prepared bandages exhibited a noticeable visual change in color during wound treatment. Wound closure has reached 99.69 % for CS/RCE dressings. Results showed that RCE had raised the hydroxyproline and collagen content in the healed skin. Histopathological investigation proves that skin returned to its regular thickness within 10 days of treatment. RCE showed marked improvement in the healing quality by acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent. Therefore, dual-function dressings are potential candidates to sense and cure skin wounds.

Overview of Phytochemical Composition of Brassica oleraceae var. capitata Cultivars

The Brassicaceae family includes a wide range of horticultural crops of economic and traditional importance, consumed either fresh, cooked, or fermented. Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) is one of the most important crops of the family. The present review analyzes the most important phytochemicals present in cabbage, focusing on variation of phytochemical composition between cultivars of B. oleraceae var. capitata f. alba, B. oleraceae var. capitata f. rubra, B. oleraceae var. capitata f. acuta, and B. oleraceae var. capitata f. sabauda. Cabbage form and cultivars significantly affect phytochemical compositions. B. oleraceae var. capitata f. rubra cultivars are generally great sources of phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins, whereas B. oleraceae var. capitata f. alba cultivars display the highest concentration of glucosinolates; nevertheless, their levels are also dependent on the specific cultivar. B. oleraceae var. capitata f. acuta cultivars may be considered advantageous due to their high glucosinolate content and consistent phytochemical composition. Recognizing the benefits of specific cultivars can be valuable for consumers seeking a healthier lifestyle, as well as for scientists aiming to enhance cultivars through breeding programs or use plants' extracts to produce high quality pigments and dietary supplements.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects of Anthocyanins in In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Anthocyanins, a class of flavonoid compounds responsible for the vibrant colors of many fruits and vegetables, have received considerable attention in recent years due to their potential health benefits. This review, focusing on evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the health-promoting properties of anthocyanins. The chemical structure and diversity of anthocyanins, their bioavailability, and their mechanisms of action at the cellular and molecular level are examined. Research on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects of anthocyanins is critically reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the role of anthocyanins in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review also discusses the challenges of translating in vitro findings to in vivo and highlights the importance of considering dose, bioavailability, and metabolism when assessing the therapeutic potential of anthocyanins. This review concludes with the identification of gaps in current research and suggestions for future directions for anthocyanin studies, including the need for more long-term clinical trials and investigations into potential synergistic effects with other phytochemicals. This comprehensive analysis highlights the promising role of anthocyanins in promoting human health and provides valuable insights for researchers, health professionals, and the nutraceutical industry. This study provides new insights, as it comprehensively investigates the dual anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of anthocyanins in both in vitro and in vivo models. By uncovering the biological properties of anthocyanins from a variety of natural sources, this research not only expands our knowledge of the action of these compounds at the cellular level, but also enhances their clinical relevance through in vivo validation. Furthermore, the innovative use of anthocyanins may lead to important advances in their therapeutic application in the future.

Bioengineered Anthocyanin-Enriched Tomatoes: A Novel Approach to Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, with barriers to effective prevention and treatment including tumor recurrence, chemoresistance, and limited overall survival rates. Anthocyanins, known for their strong anti-cancer properties, have shown promise in preventing and suppressing various cancers, including CRC. However, natural sources of anthocyanins often fail to provide sufficient quantities needed for therapeutic effects. Bioengineered crops, particularly anthocyanin-enriched tomatoes, offer a viable solution to enhance anthocyanin content. Given its large-scale production and consumption, tomatoes present an ideal target for bioengineering efforts aimed at increasing dietary anthocyanin intake. This review provides an overview of anthocyanins and their health benefits, elucidating the mechanisms by which anthocyanins modulate the transcription factors involved in CRC development. It also examines case studies demonstrating the successful bioengineering of tomatoes to boost anthocyanin levels. Furthermore, the review discusses the effects of anthocyanin extracts from bioengineered tomatoes on CRC prevention, highlighting their role in altering metabolic pathways and reducing tumor-related inflammation. Finally, this review addresses the challenges associated with bioengineering tomatoes and proposes future research directions to optimize anthocyanin enrichment in tomatoes.

Evaluation of Polyphenols Synthesized in Mature Seeds of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Advanced Mutant Lines

This study aimed to investigate the availability of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids in mutant bean seeds, focusing on M7 mutant lines, and their corresponding initial and local cultivars. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and HPLC-MS/MS were used to analyze twenty-eight genotypes of common bean. The obtained results suggest that the mutations resulted in four newly synthesized anthocyanins in the mutant bean seeds, namely, delphinidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside, and petunidin 3-O-glucoside, in 20 accessions with colored seed shapes out of the total of 28. Importantly, the initial cultivar with white seeds, as well as the mutant white seeds, did not contain anthocyanins. The mutant lines were classified into groups based on their colors as novel qualitative characteristics. Five phenolic acids were further quantified: ferulic, p-coumaric, caffeic, sinapic, and traces of chlorogenic acids. Flavonoids were represented by epicatechin, quercetin, and luteolin, and their concentrations in the mutant genotypes were several-fold superior compared to those of the initial cultivar. All mutant lines exhibited higher concentrations of phenolic acids and flavonoids. These findings contribute to the understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of phenolic accumulation and anthocyanin production in common bean seeds, which is relevant to health benefits and might have implications for common bean breeding programs and food security efforts.

Specialized metabolite modifications in Brassicaceae seeds and plants: diversity, functions and related enzymes

Covering: up to 2023Specialized metabolite (SM) modifications and/or decorations, corresponding to the addition or removal of functional groups (e.g. hydroxyl, methyl, glycosyl or acyl group) to SM structures, contribute to the huge diversity of structures, activities and functions of seed and plant SMs. This review summarizes available knowledge (up to 2023) on SM modifications in Brassicaceae and their contribution to SM plasticity. We give a comprehensive overview on enzymes involved in the addition or removal of these functional groups. Brassicaceae, including model (Arabidopsis thaliana) and crop (Brassica napus, Camelina sativa) plant species, present a large diversity of plant and seed SMs, which makes them valuable models to study SM modifications. In this review, particular attention is given to the environmental plasticity of SM and relative modification and/or decoration enzymes. Furthermore, a spotlight is given to SMs and related modification enzymes in seeds of Brassicaceae species. Seeds constitute a large reservoir of beneficial SMs and are one of the most important dietary sources, providing more than half of the world's intake of dietary proteins, oil and starch. The seed tissue- and stage-specific expressions of A. thaliana genes involved in SM modification are presented and discussed in the context of available literature. Given the major role in plant phytochemistry, biology and ecology, SM modifications constitute a subject of study contributing to the research and development in agroecology, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industrial sectors.

Thermal degradation of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. Capitata f. rubra) anthocyanins in a water model extract under accelerated shelf-life testing

Red cabbage (RC) represents a source of anthocyanins acylated with hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA) that are described to enhance their stability. Nevertheless, data about their thermal degradation are still controversial. Our aim was to comprehensively analyse the degradation kinetics of individual RC anthocyanins in a model aqueous extract treated at 40 °C × 30 days to simulate severe but realistic storage conditions. Free anthocyanins and radical-scavenging capacity showed different kinetics. The results confirm the high stability of RC anthocyanins (t1/2: 16.4-18.4 days), although HPLC analyses of each molecule displayed distinct kinetics with t1/2 from 12.6 to 35.1 days. In particular, the sinapoyl acylation negatively affected the stability of the anthocyanins, while the forms monoacylated with glycosyl p-coumaric and ferulic acids exhibited higher stability. In conclusion, our results indicate that acylation is not a prerogative of stability, as this is instead more dependent on specific acylation patterns and the glycosylation of HCA.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluating Bioaccessibility, Bioavailability, and Antioxidant Activities of Butterfly Pea Flower Containing Bioactive Constitutes

The antioxidant properties of butterfly pea flower (BF), which is rich in natural anthocyanins, have garnered significant attention. The impact of digestion and metabolism on BF extracts and evaluate their subsequent antioxidant activities in vivo were explored in the present study. After in vitro digestion, 42.03 ± 2.74% of total anthocyanins from BF extracts remained, indicating a negative influence of the digestion process on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds derived from BF. Furthermore, UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS2 analysis identified a total of four prototypes and twenty-seven metabolites in rat plasma or urine samples following the intake of BF extracts. The kinetics of key metabolites including delphinidin 3-glucoside (D3G), cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were subsequently determined in blood, and the Cmax values were 69.034 ± 8.05 nM and 51.65 ± 3.205 nM. These key metabolites derived from BF anthocyanins, including C3G and D3G, and flavonoid quercetin exhibited main antioxidant attributes that improved the plasmic and hepatic activities of various antioxidant enzymes and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in a D-galactose-induced rat model. These findings provide insights into the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive constitutes derived from BF extracts, which are crucial for determining the actual efficacy of BF as well as developing functional foods based on BF.

Potential Role of Dietary Phenolic Compounds in the Prevention and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Current Reports

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex illness with both hereditary and environmental components. Globally, in 2019, 18 million people had RA. RA is characterized by persistent inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines the joints, cartilage loss, and bone erosion. Phenolic molecules are the most prevalent secondary metabolites in plants, with a diverse spectrum of biological actions that benefit functional meals and nutraceuticals. These compounds have received a lot of attention recently because they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-rheumatoid activity by modulating tumor necrosis factor, mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases, as well as other preventative properties. This article discusses dietary polyphenols, their pharmacological properties, and innovative delivery technologies for the treatment of RA, with a focus on their possible biological activities. Nonetheless, commercialization of polyphenols may be achievable only after confirming their safety profile and completing successful clinical trials.

Exposure to Light of the Abaxial versus Adaxial Side of Detached Kalanchoë blossfeldiana Leaves Affects Anthocyanin Content and Composition Differently

The accumulation and composition of anthocyanins in leaves of Kalanchoë blossfeldiana, detached and kept for five days under natural light conditions, were investigated. The presence of fifteen derivatives of cyanidin, petunidin, and delphinidin was found. Changes in the content of each anthocyanin in the leaves before and after exposure to light on the abaxial (naturally upper) and adaxial (naturally lower) sides of the leaves were compared. When the adaxial side was exposed to light, the anthocyanin contents of the leaves did not change. In contrast, when the abaxial side of detached leaves was exposed to light, there was enhanced accumulation of delphinidin-rhamnoside-glucoside, cyanidin-rhamnoside-glucoside, cyanidin-glucoside-glucoside, and two unknown derivatives of petunidin and delphinidin. Application of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) on the abaxial side exposed to light inhibited the accumulation of these anthocyanins. This effect could probably be due to the presence of these anthocyanins in the epidermal cells of K. blossfeldiana leaves and was visible in the microscopic view of its cross-section. These anthocyanins were directly exposed to JA-Me, leading to inhibition of their formation and/or accumulation. The lack of significant effects of JA-Me on anthocyanin mono- and tri-glycosides may indicate that they are mainly present in the mesophyll tissue of the leaf.

Enhanced Preservation of Climacteric Fruit with a Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Film Coating

Bananas are a typical climacteric fruit with high respiration and ethylene production rates after harvest, and they show rapid ripening-senescence phenotypes. Here, we demonstrate that carboxymethylcellulose nanofibers (CM-CNFs) and red cabbage extracts (RCE) can be used as a unique film coating formulation for enhancement of the shelf-life of fruit. A CM-CNF suspension solution is created through a process involving chemical modification, followed by mechanical grinding. It has a high aspect ratio that allows for the creation of a thin and transparent film on the surface of bananas. The cross-linked CM-CNF hydrogel forms a dense film layer on the banana surface during dehydration and prevents respiration and weight loss. RCE contains polyphenols acting as antioxidants, which prevent the appearance of black dots on the banana peels. It serves to mitigate the browning of banana skins and also hinders the respiration process, consequently slowing the aging of bananas.

Ultrasound assisted phytochemical extraction of red cabbage by using deep eutectic solvent: Modelling using ANFIS and optimization by genetic algorithms

The present investigation studied the effect of process parameters on the extraction of phytochemicals from red cabbage by the application of ultrasonication and temperature. The solvent selected for the study was deep eutectic solvent (DES) prepared by choline chloride and citric acid. The ultrasound assisted extraction process was modeled using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) algorithm and integrated with the genetic algorithm for optimization purposes. The independent variables that influenced the responses (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin activity, and total flavonoid content) were ultrasonication power, temperature, molar ratio of DES, and water content of DES. Each ANFIS model was formed by the training of three Gaussian-type membership functions (MF) for each input, trained by a hybrid algorithm with 500 epochs and linear type MF for output MF. The ANFIS model predicted each response close to the experimental data which is evident by the statistical parameters (R2>0.953 and RMSE <1.165). The integrated hybrid ANFIS-GA algorithm predicted the optimized condition for the process parameters of ultrasound assisted extraction of phytochemicals from red cabbage was found to be 252.114 W for ultrasonication power, 52.715 °C of temperature, 2.0677:1 of molar ratio of DES and 25.947 % of water content in DES solvent with maximum extraction content of responses, with fitness value 3.352. The relative deviation between the experimental and ANFIS predicted values for total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin activity, and total flavonoid content was found to be 1.849 %, 3.495 %, 2.801 %, and 4.661 % respectively.

Ultrasound assisted extraction of red cabbage and encapsulation by freeze-drying: moisture sorption isotherms and thermodynamic characteristics of encapsulate

In the present study encapsulation of ultrasound assisted red cabbage extract was carried out using four different carrier agents such as maltodextrin, gum arbic, xanthan gum, and gellan gum. Among the four hydrocolloids investigated, maltodextrin was found to have the least destructive effect on anthocyanin content (14.87 mg C3G/g dw), TPC (54.51 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g dw), TFC (19.82 Mg RE/g dw) and antioxidant activity (74.15%) upon freeze-drying. Subsequently a storage study was conducted using maltodextrin as carrier agent at 25-50 °C. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation was used to evaluate the net isosteric heat (qst) of water adsorption. The differential entropy (ΔS) and qst decreased from 82.298 to 38.628 J/mol, and 27.518 kJ/mol to 12.505 kJ/mol, respectively as the moisture content increased from 2 to 14%. The value of isokinetic energy and Gibb's free energy were found to be 364.88 and - 1.596 kJ/mol for freeze dried red cabbage.

Graphical abstract

Loading of green-synthesized cu nanoparticles on Ag complex containing 1,3,5-triazine Schiff base with enhanced antimicrobial activities

The physicochemical properties of materials change significantly in nanometer dimensions. Therefore, several methods have been proposed for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Plant extracts and essential oils are applied as natural and economic resources to prepare nanomaterials especially metal nanoparticles. In this project, a green, simple and efficient method has been designed for the synthesis of Cu nanoparticles using Purple cabbage extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. They were successfully loaded onto a new Ag complex containing 1,3,5-triazine Schiff base as ligand to form Cu@Ag-CPX nanocomposite. Phytochemical contents of extract were identified by standard qualitative analyses. The chemical structure of all synthesized compounds was characterized using spectral data. In FT-IR, coordination of C=N bond of Schiff base ligand to Ag+ ions shifted the absorption band from 1641 to 1632 cm-1. The UV-Vis spectrum of Cu@Ag-CPX nanocomposite shown the peak related to Cu nanoparticles in the region of around 251 nm. 5:7 molar ratio of Cu to Ag in Cu@Ag-CPX was determined using ICP-OES. The FESEM, TEM, and DLS techniques provided valuable insights into the morphology and size distribution of the nanocomposite, revealing the presence of rods and monodispersed particles with specific diameter ranges. These analyses of the nanocomposite displayed rods with diameters from 40 to 62 nm as well as monodispersed and uniform particles with average diameter of 45 nm, respectively. The presence of elements including carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, Cu and Ag was proved by EDX-EDS analysis. The XRD pattern of Cu@Ag-CPX shown the diffraction peaks of Cu and Ag particles at 2θ values of 10°-80°, and confirmed its crystalline nature. The inhibitory properties of the synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro against four Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacteria, as well as two fungal strains. The MIC, MBC and MFC values obtained from microdilution and streak plate sensitivity tests were ranged from 128 to 4096 µg ml-1. While Cu nanoparticles and Ag complexes were effective against some pathogens, they were not effective against all them. However, the growth of all tested microbial strains was inhibited by Cu@Ag-CPX nanocomposite, and makes it as a new promising antimicrobial agent. Modification of nanocomposite in terms of nanoparticle and complex can improve its blocking activities.

Anthocyanins extract as a non-toxic and green fluorescent label for bioimaging of HER2-positive breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death among women. Fluorescent labeling is an essential research and diagnostic tool in the detection of cancer cells. The development of inexpensive and easily accessible fluorescent probes for the detection of cancerous cells is of great importance. Herein we report a green and inexpensive method for extraction of natural anthocyanin fluorophore from Red Cabbage and demonstrate its application for fluorescent bioimaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer cells using non-covalent conjugation of anthocyanin fluorophores to Trastuzumab antibody. In this work, the extracted anthocyanins were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescent spectroscopy. The anthocyanin extract showed proper fluorescent intensity for microscopic fluorescent cell imaging, negligible photobleaching and no sign of cytotoxicity (more than 90% viability). The presence of hydroxy and carboxyl functional groups in the structure of anthocyanins provided the opportunity for the non-covalent conjugation of anthocyanins to antibodies. The fluorescent probe made by non-covalent conjugation of the anthocyanin fluorophores to Trastuzumab antibody was used for specific fluorescent imaging of HER2 receptors on HER2 positive breast cancer cells. This green fluorescent probe may have several future applications in biological diagnosis and bio-imaging techniques.

Microwave-induced rapid 4D change in color of 3D printed apple/potato starch gel with red cabbage juice-loaded WPI/GA mixture

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of utilizing microparticle mixture (MCPs) comprised of whey protein isolate (WPI), gum Arabic (GA), and freeze-dried red cabbage juice (FDRCJ) as a smart material to realize a rapid color change of 3D printed apple/potato starch gel in response to microwave heating stimulation. The particle size, morphology and thermal stability of WPI/FDRCJ/GA microparticles were examined. Then, the rheology, texture properties and printability of Apple/potato starch gel affected by different concentrations of WPI/FDRCJ/GA microparticles (0, 15, 30, 45, 60% (w/w)) were studied. Results showed that the WPI/FDRCJ/GA microparticles were more thermally stable than pure materials, indicating that the heat-sensitive anthocyanin and other compounds present in FDRCJ were effectively protected by the wall materials (WPI/GA). Moreover, the addition of various microparticle concentrations decreased the samples' mechanical properties but had no significant influence on their loss modulus, viscosity, or printing accuracy. As the microwave heating time increased, the lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of microparticle-added samples decreased while the redness (a*) significantly increased (p < 0.05), resulting in a gradual color change from yellow/brown to red. These findings could be useful to produce novel colorful and appealing 4D healthy food products that stimulate consumer appetite.

Nanoencapsulation of Anthocyanins from Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. Capitata f. rubra) through Coacervation of Whey Protein Isolate and Apple High Methoxyl Pectin

Encapsulation is a valuable strategy to protect and deliver anthocyanins (ACNs), phenolic compounds with outstanding antioxidant capacity but limited stability. In this study, coacervation was used to encapsulate an ACN-rich red cabbage extract (RCE). Two agri-food by-product polymers, whey protein isolate (WPI) and apple high-methoxyl pectin (HMP), were blended at pH 4.0 in a specific ratio to induce the formation of nanoparticles (NPs). The process optimisation yielded a monodispersed population (PDI < 0.200) of negatively charged (-17 mV) NPs with an average diameter of 380 nm. RCE concentration influenced size, charge, and antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner. NPs were also sensitive to pH increases from 4 to 7, showing a progressive breakdown. The encapsulation efficiency was 30%, with the retention of ACNs within the polymeric matrix being influenced by their chemical structure: diacylated and/or C3-triglucoside forms were more efficiently encapsulated than monoacylated C3-diglucosides. In conclusion, we report a promising, simple, and sustainable method to produce monodispersed NPs for ACN encapsulation and delivery. Evidence of differential binding of ACNs to NPs, dependent on specific acylation/glycosylation patterns, indicates that care must be taken in the choice of the appropriate NP formulation for the encapsulation of phenolic compounds.

Physical character, total polyphenols, anthocyanin profile and antioxidant activity of red cabbage as affected by five processing methods

Understanding the influence of processing methods on the phytochemicals of fruits and vegetables is of importance in retaining the health-benefiting properties of those products. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of five processing methods including freeze drying (FD), hot air drying (HD), water boiling (WB), steaming (ST), and pickling (PI) on the physical character, total polyphenols, anthocyanin profile and antioxidant activity of red cabbage. Different color and texture were observed after different processing methods. Total anthocyanin content was reduced by 73%, 72%, 41%, 16%, and 30% in FD, HD, WB, ST and PI processed red cabbage, respectively. PI samples showed the highest values of total polyphenols and DPPH scavenge activity among all the processed red cabbage. Both FD and HD samples had relatively low values of total polyphenols and DPPH scavenge activity. However, FD sample had the highest FRAP values. UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis showed that fresh red cabbage contained 22 anthocyanins among which cyanidin-3-diglucoside-5-glucoside was the prominent. Compared with drying process, WB, ST and PI decreased the loss of most of the anthocyanin component in red cabbage. Correlation analysis indicated that antioxidant capacity as determined by DPPH of red cabbage was positively and significantly correlated with the total anthocyanins. This study suggested that drying induced significant loss of phytochemicals in red cabbage, and WB, ST, as well as PI were advisable ways for daily consumption of red cabbage considering the bioactive components. Especially, ST was the best way to retain anthocyanins in red cabbage.

The health-promoting anthocyanin petanin in Lycium ruthenicum fruit: a promising natural colorant

Acylated anthocyanins derived from dietary sources have gained significant attention due to their health-promoting properties and potential as natural colorants with high stability. However, exploration of the functional food products using acylated anthocyanins enriched in fruits and vegetables remains largely delayed in food industries. The black goji (Lycium ruthencium) fruit (LRF) is a functional food that is extensively used due to its exceptionally high levels of acylated anthocyanins, including petanin. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the functional properties and anthocyanin components of LRF. The stability, bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivities of petanin, the major anthocyanin component, are compared with those of LRF anthocyanin extracts and other food sources. Furthermore, the biosynthetic pathway and regulatory network of petanin in LRF are proposed and constructed, respectively. The key genes that could be potentially used for metabolic engineering to produce petanin are predicted. Finally, the potential application of petanin derivatives in the food industry is also discussed. This review presents comprehensive and systematic information about the dual-function of petanin as a bioactive component and a promising natural colorant for future food industrial applications.

Structural Analysis and Identity Confirmation of Anthocyanins in Brassica oleracea Extracts by Direct Injection Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry

Anthocyanins are a subclass of plant-derived flavonoids that demonstrate immense structural heterogeneity which is challenging to capture in complex extracts by traditional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)-based approaches. Here, we investigate direct injection ion mobility-MS as a rapid analytical tool to characterize anthocyanin structural features in red cabbage (Brassica oleracea) extracts. Within a 1.5 min sample run time, we observe localization of structurally similar anthocyanins and their isobars into discrete drift time regions based upon their degree of chemical modifications. Furthermore, drift time-aligned fragmentation enables simultaneous collection of MS, MS/MS, and collisional cross-section data for individual anthocyanin species down to a low picomole scale to generate structural identifiers for rapid identity confirmation. We finally identify anthocyanins in three other Brassica oleracea extracts based on red cabbage anthocyanin identifiers to demonstrate our high-throughput approach. Direct injection ion mobility-MS therefore provides wholistic structural information on structurally similar, and even isobaric, anthocyanins in complex plant extracts, which can inform the nutritional value of a plant and bolster drug discovery pipelines.

Cross-linked CMC/Gelatin bio-nanocomposite films with organoclay, red cabbage anthocyanins and pistacia leaves extract as active intelligent food packaging: colorimetric pH indication, antimicrobial/antioxidant properties, and shrimp spoilage tests

Multifunctional food packaging films were produced from crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose/gelatin (CMC/Ge) bio-nanocomposites incorporated with Ge-montmorillonite (OM) nanofiller, anthocyanins (ATH) from red cabbage as colorimetric pH-indicator, and pistacia leaves extract (PE) as active agent. The influence of additives on the structural, physical, and functional properties of the films was investigated. The results showed that ATH and PE caused color alteration and reduced transparency. However, they improved the UV light barrier ability by 98 %, with less impact from OM, despite its well-dispersed state in the matrix. Increasing PE content in the bio-nanocomposite films caused an increase in compactness and surface roughness, reduction in moisture content (15.10-12.33 %), swelling index (354.55-264.58 %), surface wettability (contact angle 80.1-92.49°), water vapor permeability (7.37-5.69 × 10¹⁰ g m^-1s^-1Pa^-1), and nano-indentation mechanical parameters, without affecting the thermal stability. ATH-included films demonstrated color pH-sensitivity with improved ATH color stability through the ATH-Al³⁺ chelates formation. PE-added films exhibited effective antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, reaching 93 % of inhibition, and antimicrobial properties with biocidal effects for PE-rich film. The shrimp spoilage test showed that the T-1.5PE film offered the strongest active intelligent response. The CMC/Ge-based bio-nanocomposite films endowed with antioxidant/antimicrobial properties and colorimetric pH-sensitivity have promising potential for food packaging application.

High-throughput analysis of anthocyanins in horticultural crops using probe electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (PESI/MS/MS)

Plant secondary metabolites exhibit various horticultural traits. Simple and rapid analysis methods for evaluating these metabolites are in demand in breeding and consumer markets dealing with horticultural crops. We applied probe electrospray ionization (PESI) to evaluate secondary metabolite levels in horticultural crops. PESI does not require pre-treatment and separation of samples, which makes it suitable for high-throughput analysis. In this study, we targeted anthocyanins, one of the primary pigments in horticultural crops. Eighty-one anthocyanins were detected in approximately 3 minutes in the selected reaction-monitoring mode. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) could adequately distinguish between the fragments of anthocyanins and flavonols. Probe sampling, an intuitive method of sticking a probe directly to the sample, could detect anthocyanins qualitatively on a micro-area scale, such as achenes and receptacles in strawberry fruit. Our results suggest that PESI/MS/MS can be a powerful tool to characterize the profile of anthocyanins and compare their content among cultivars.

A card instead of a lab: A ligand embedded in a bio-composite of starch/gelatin intelligent film for milk quality test followed by colorimetric analysis

Milk adulteration analysis at different stages of the production chain, which profiteers widely use to mask milk quality parameters, is problematic. We prepared selective intelligent thin bio-films and a dedicated app to test milk adulteration in an out-of-lab setting. In this regard, each reagent is immobilized on a piece of starch/gelatin film as color-changeable polymeric support, which is then pasted onto a transparent test card. Incorporating starch and gelatin as the backbone of these composite films can significantly improve the mechanical properties, color, and potential applications in real-time monitoring. After 5 min floating of the card on the surface of the milk, our developed software as a Progressive Web Application can be used to locate and read the QR codes of the samples to estimate qualitative and quantitative information about the presence of some preservatives. These preservatives ranged from 0.1 to 200.0 mg/L, 1.0-100.0 mg/L, 0.001-0.05 mol/L in 10 mL of milk with the LODs of 0.1, 1.0 mg/L, and 0.001 mmol/L, for H₂O₂, Cr(VI), and salicylic acid, respectively. The pH monitoring film also indicates the freshness/spoilage of the milk. The portability, ease of use, and low cost of testing coupled with the app, make it an attractive alternative to lab-based analysis.

Gall-inducing Eriophyes tiliae stimulates the metabolism of Tilia platyphyllos leaves towards oxidative protection

Red galls have high levels of anthocyanins which perform different physiological functions, such as antioxidants and protection against UVB radiation. High levels of anthocyanins and other polyphenols have been associated with low photosynthetic pigment content. In environments with high levels of UVB radiation, it would thus be expected that red galls would have high anthocyanin and polyphenol levels and low photosynthetic pigment contents, enabling the gall with high antioxidant capacity compared to its host organ. The red galls induced by Eriophyes tiliae, and their host environment of Tilia platyphyllos leaves in the Mediterranean climate of Chile, were investigated in relation to their anatomy, histochemistry, pigment, sugar, protein, and polyphenol contents, and antioxidant capacity. The anthocyanin, sugars, and polyphenol contents and the antioxidant capacity were increased in galls. Photosynthetic pigment and protein contents were higher in non-galled leaves. The high levels of anthocyanin and total polyphenols increase the galls' antioxidant capacity in the high UV radiation environment of a Mediterranean climate. The establishment of E. tiliae induced redifferentiation of nutritive tissue, rich in sugars, proteins, and lipids, and an inner epidermis with trichomes and long emergences. E. tiliae galls' structural and metabolic features are probably enhanced towards mite nutrition and protection. The current results shed light on the role of anthocyanin in the antioxidant protection of plant galls in environments with high UV irradiance.

Anthocyanin/Honey-Incorporated Alginate Hydrogel as a Bio-Based pH-Responsive/Antibacterial/Antioxidant Wound Dressing

Infection is a major problem that increases the normal pH of the wound bed and interferes with wound healing. Natural biomaterials can serve as a suitable environment to acquire a great practical effect on the healing process. In this context, anthocyanin-rich red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata F. rubra) extract and honey-loaded alginate hydrogel was fabricated using calcium chloride as a crosslinking agent. The pH sensitivity of anthocyanins can be used as an indicator to monitor possible infection of the wound, while honey would promote the healing process by its intrinsic properties. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel film samples showed that honey acts as a plasticizer and that increasing the incorporation from 200% to 400% enhances the tensile strength from 3.22 to 6.15 MPa and elongation at break from 0.69% to 4.75%. Moreover, a water absorption and retention study showed that the hydrogel film is able to absorb about 250% water after 50 min and retain 40% of its absorbed water after 12 h. The disk diffusion test showed favorable antibacterial activity of the honey-loaded hydrogel against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of honey significantly improved the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay proved the antioxidant activity of the honey and anthocyanin-containing hydrogel samples with more than 95% DPPH scavenging efficiency after 3 h. The pH-dependent property of the samples was investigated and recorded by observing the color change at different pH values of 4, 7, and 9 using different buffers. The result revealed a promising color change from red at pH = 4 to blue at pH = 7 and purple at pH = 9. An in vitro cell culture study of the samples using L929 mouse fibroblast cells showed excellent biocompatibility with significant increase in cell proliferation. Overall, this study provides a promising start and an antibacterial/antioxidant hydrogel with great potential to meet wound-dressing requirements.

pH-dependent color response of cellulose-based time-temperature indicators impregnated with red cabbage extract

Color-based time-temperature indicators (TTIs) can show the time and temperature changes of an environment with a visually recognizable color change. Made from natural dyes, these TTIs are simple, inexpensive and sustainable. In this study, cellulose-based TTI labels were prepared with red cabbage extract of pH2, pH7 and pH9 to determine how pH alter the response of the labels to time and temperature changes. This study also aimed to determine the relationship between color change and time at different temperatures. The color responses of the labels were followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the CIE Lab color coordinates and by giving the total color difference at 4 °C, 23 °C, 40 °C, 80 and 100 °C after increments of time. The best fitting linear or nonlinear regression models of the CIE Lab coordinates, total color difference and time data as a function of temperature were also determined. The labels prepared with red cabbage extract at different pH behaved differently. Opposite to expectations, the acidic, pink colored labels did not have the highest color stability. Our finding was, that the label prepared with the acidic red cabbage extract is the most suitable as time-temperature label for indicating long-term temperature storage and the label prepared with the neutral red cabbage extract is the most suitable as time-temperature label for indicating short-term storage by color change. According to the results the color changes of the labels are predictable with the fitted models with a correlation coefficient between 0.96 and 1.

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Brassicaceae-Derived Phytochemicals: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence for a Putative Role in the Prevention and Treatment of IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of intestinal disorders, of unknown etiology, characterized by chronic inflammation within the gut. They are gradually becoming critical because of the increasing incidence worldwide and improved diagnosis. Due to the important side effects observed during conventional therapy, natural bioactive components are now under intense investigation for the prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses. The Brassicaceae family comprises vegetables widely consumed all over the world. In recent decades, a growing body of literature has reported that extracts from the Brassicaceae family and their purified constituents have anti-inflammatory properties, which has generated interest from both the scientific community and clinicians. In this review, data from the literature are scrutinized and concisely presented demonstrating that Brassicaceae may have anti-IBD potential. The excellent biological activities of Brassicacea are widely attributable to their ability to regulate the levels of inflammatory and oxidant mediators, as well as their capacity for immunomodulatory regulation, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity and intestinal flora balance. Possible future applications of bioactive-derived compounds from Brassicaceae for promoting intestinal health should be investigated.

Behind the Scenes of Anthocyanins-From the Health Benefits to Potential Applications in Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Fields

Anthocyanins are widespread and biologically active water-soluble phenolic pigments responsible for a wide range of vivid colours, from red (acidic conditions) to purplish blue (basic conditions), present in fruits, vegetables, and coloured grains. The pigments' stability and colours are influenced mainly by pH but also by structure, temperature, and light. The colour-stabilizing mechanisms of plants are determined by inter- and intramolecular co-pigmentation and metal complexation, driven by van der Waals, π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and metal-ligand interactions. This group of flavonoids is well-known to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which explains the biological effects associated with them. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the role of anthocyanins as natural colorants, showing they are less harmful than conventional colorants, with several technological potential applications in different industrial fields, namely in the textile and food industries, as well as in the development of photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells, as new photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, pharmaceuticals, and in the cosmetic industry, mainly on the formulation of skin care formulations, sunscreen filters, nail colorants, skin & hair cleansing products, amongst others. In addition, we will unveil some of the latest studies about the health benefits of anthocyanins, mainly focusing on the protection against the most prevalent human diseases mediated by oxidative stress, namely cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. The contribution of anthocyanins to visual health is also very relevant and will be briefly explored.

Metabolic diversity in a collection of wild and cultivated Brassica rapa subspecies

Brassica rapa (B. rapa) and its subspecies contain many bioactive metabolites that are important for plant defense and human health. This study aimed at investigating the metabolite composition and variation among a large collection of B. rapa genotypes, including subspecies and their accessions. Metabolite profiling of leaves of 102 B. rapa genotypes was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-QTOF-MS/MS). In total, 346 metabolites belonging to different chemical classes were tentatively identified; 36 out of them were assigned with high confidence using authentic standards and 184 were those reported in B. rapa leaves for the first time. The accumulation and variation of metabolites among genotypes were characterized and compared to their phylogenetic distance. We found 47 metabolites, mostly representing anthocyanins, flavonols, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives that displayed a significant correlation to the phylogenetic relatedness and determined four major phylometabolic branches; 1) Chinese cabbage, 2) yellow sarson and rapid cycling, 3) the mizuna-komatsuna-turnip-caitai; and 4) a mixed cluster. These metabolites denote the selective pressure on the metabolic network during B. rapa breeding. We present a unique study that combines metabolite profiling data with phylogenetic analysis in a large collection of B. rapa subspecies. We showed how selective breeding utilizes the biochemical potential of wild B. rapa leading to highly diverse metabolic phenotypes. Our work provides the basis for further studies on B. rapa metabolism and nutritional traits improvement.

A Facile Strategy for Development of pH-Sensing Indicator Films Based on Red Cabbage Puree and Polyvinyl Alcohol for Monitoring Fish Freshness

This study aimed to develop a novel pH-sensing biopolymer film based on red cabbage puree (RCP) incorporated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which was utilized for monitoring fish freshness during storage at 25 °C. A homogenized RCP suspension with a mean particle size of 12.86 ± 0.03 μm and a total anthocyanin concentration of 292.17 ± 2.65 mg/L was directly used as a film-forming substance and anthocyanin source to blend with PVA, showing visual changes in color and ultraviolet-visible spectra within a pH of 2–12. Rheological and microstructural studies certified the strong interactions and good compatibility between the RCP and PVA, resulting in better mechanical properties and water resistance of the composite film than those of a pure RCP film, but without affecting its pH sensitivity. When used for fish freshness monitoring at 25 °C, the developed RCP/PVA film presented visible color differences from purple to yellow, which corresponded to the spoilage threshold of the total volatile basic nitrogen and the total viable count in fish samples. The study highlights that anthocyanin-rich purees of fruits and vegetables, in this case red cabbage puree, can be fully utilized to develop eco-friendly pH-sensing indicator films for intelligent food packaging.

Employ of Anthocyanins in Nanocarriers for Nano Delivery: In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Approaches for Chronic Diseases

Anthocyanins are among the best-known phenolic compounds and possess remarkable biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects. Despite their therapeutic benefits, they are not widely used as health-promoting agents due to their instability, low absorption, and, thus, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism in the human body. Recent research suggests that the application of nanotechnology could increase their solubility and/or bioavailability, and thus their biological potential. Therefore, in this review, we have provided, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of in vitro and in vivo studies on nanocarriers used as delivery systems of anthocyanins, and their aglycones, i.e., anthocyanidins alone or combined with conventional drugs in the treatment or management of chronic diseases.

The Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier Features Different Permeability to Cyanidin-3-galactoside and Cyanidin-3-diglucoside-5-glucoside and Their Metabolites Circulating in Blood

Previous studies have demonstrated the penetration of anthocyanins through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSF barrier) after intraruminal administration of chokeberry and red cabbage preparation to sheep. However, they have failed to explain which food anthocyanin forms are more capable of crossing the BCSF barrier. Thus, this study aim was to verify the ability of cyanidin 3-galactoside (Cy3gal, main chokeberry anthocyanin) and cyanidin 3-diglucoside-5-glucoside (Cy3diG5G, main red cabbage anthocyanin) to cross the BCSF barrier on the sheep model (n = 16) after intravenous administration (to exclude the influence of gastrointestinal processes) of preparations containing these compounds. The micro-HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that, after intravenous administration, anthocyanins penetrated the BCSF barrier and that the penetration potential of Cy3gal derivatives (6.73%) was higher than that of Cy3diG5G derivatives (6.10%), suggesting the observed differences to be largely due to the type and number of substituents as well as the size of the molecule.

Changes on the conformational and functional properties of soybean protein isolate induced by quercetin

The conformational changes and functional properties of SPI induced by quercetin was investigated via fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and molecular docking. A decrease in the fluorescence intensity and a blue shift in the maximum wavelength were observed due to the binding process with fluorescent residues. The analysis of Stern-Volmer equation showed that the fluorescence quenching induced by quercetin took the form of static quenching, and the binding stoichiometry between SPI and quercetin was 1:1. The values of ΔH and ΔS were both positive illustrating that hydrophobic interaction was the primary binding force between quercetin and SPI. Results of FTIR and CD indicated that the binding with quercetin changed the secondary structure of SPI, resulting in a partially unfolded and more flexible structure. SDS-PAGE confirmed there was no covalent interaction between the two constituents. Molecular docking demonstrated that there were stable configurations and high matching degrees in both 11S and 7S proteins with quercetin via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Meanwhile, modification by quercetin enhanced the foaming and emulsifying capacities of SPI. These findings might provide theory reference for elucidation the mechanism of polyphenols-proteins interaction and development of related food additive products in future.

Dietary polyglycosylated anthocyanins, the smart option? A comprehensive review on their health benefits and technological applications

Over the years, anthocyanins have emerged as one of the most enthralling groups of natural phenolic compounds and more than 700 distinct structures have already been identified, illustrating the exceptional variety spread in nature. The interest raised around anthocyanins goes way beyond their visually appealing colors and their acknowledged structural and biological properties have fueled intensive research toward their application in different contexts. However, the high susceptibility of monoglycosylated anthocyanins to degradation under certain external conditions might compromise their application. In that regard, polyglycosylated anthocyanins (PGA) might offer an alternative to overcome this issue, owing to their peculiar structure and consequent less predisposition to degradation. The most recent scientific and technological findings concerning PGA and their food sources are thoroughly described and discussed in this comprehensive review. Different issues, including their physical-chemical characteristics, consumption, bioavailability, and biological relevance in the context of different pathologies, are covered in detail, along with the most relevant prospective technological applications. Due to their complex structure and acyl groups, most of the PGA exhibit an overall higher stability than the monoglycosylated ones. Their versatility allows them to act in a wide range of pathologies, either by acting directly in molecular pathways or by modulating the disease environment attributing an added value to their food sources. Their recent usage for technological applications has also been particularly successful in different industry fields including food and smart packaging or in solar energy production systems. Altogether, this review aims to put into perspective the current state and future research on PGA and their food sources.

Preparation of an Intelligent pH Film Based on Biodegradable Polymers for Monitoring the Food Quality and Reducing the Microbial Contaminants

Hydrogel refers to a three-dimensional cross-linked polymeric network made of synthetic or natural polymers that can hold water in its porous structure. The inclusion of hydrophilic groups in the polymer chains, such as amino, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups, contributes to the hydrogel's water-holding ability. At physiological temperature and pH, these polymeric materials do not dissolve in water, but they do swell significantly in aqueous media. Hydrogel can be manufactured out of almost any water-soluble polymer, and it comes in a variety of chemical compositions and bulk physical properties. Hydrogel can also be made in a variety of ways. Hydrogel comes in a variety of physical shapes, including slabs, microparticles, nanoparticles, coatings, and films. Due to its ease of manufacture and self-application in clinical and fundamental applications, hydrogel has been widely exploited as a drug carrier. Contact lenses, artificial corneas, wound dressing, suture coating, catheters, and electrode sensors are some of the biomedical applications of hydrogels. The pigment color changes were observed from colorless to pale pink followed by dark reddish-pink. Anthocyanin was produced in large quantities and tested using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. At 450-550 nm, the largest peak (absorbance) was detected, indicating the presence of anthocyanin. The FTIR analysis of this study shows the different stretches of bonds at different peaks: 2918.309 (-C-H alkane stretch), 2812.12 (-C-H aldehyde weak intensity), 192320.37/cm (C-O bend), 21915.50, 2029.08/cm (-C=C arene group), 1906.94/cm (=C-H aromatics), 1797.78/cm (=C-H), 1707.94 (-C=O ketene), 1579.70, 1382.96 (C-H alkane strong bend), 889.18/cm (C-H aromatics plane bend), and 412.77/cm (-C-CI strong bond). The spectra of the PVA/chitosan film depict the peak's formation: 1571.88, 1529.55, 1500.62/cm (C-H alkene strong bend), 1492.90, 1483.26, 1467.83/cm (C-H alkene strong bond), 670.48, 443.63, 412.77/cm (-O-H carboxylic acids with great intensity), 1708.93 (-C=O ketone), and 1656.0/cm (alkenyl C=C stretch strong bond).

Smart Silk Origami as Eco-sensors for Environmental Pollution

Origami folding is an easy, cost-effective, and scalable fabrication method for changing a flat material into a complex 3D functional shape. Here, we created semicrystalline silk films doped with iron oxide particles by mold casting and annealing. The flat silk films could be loaded with natural dyes and folded into 3D geometries using origami principles following plasticization. They performed locomotion under a magnetic field, were reusable, and displayed colorimetric stability. The critical parameters for the design of the semi-autonomous silk film, including ease of folding, shape preservation, and locomotion in the presence of a magnetic field, were characterized, and pH detection was achieved by eye and by digital image colorimetry with a response time below 1 min. We demonstrate a practical application—a battery-free origami silk boat—as a colorimetric sensor for waterborne pollutants, which was reusable at least five times. This work introduces silk eco-sensors and merges responsive actuation and origami techniques.

Effects of red cabbage extract rich in anthocyanins on rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community, nutrient digestion, and plasma indices in beef bulls

Dietary anthocyanins (ATH) have probiotic and antioxidant functions in humans. They may also have beneficial impacts on rumen microorganisms and subsequently nutrient digestion in cattle. The experiment aimed to study the effects of dietary red cabbage extract (RCE) rich in ATH on rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community, and nutrient digestibility in beef bulls. Eight Simmental beef bulls and two RCE levels (0 and 120 g/d) were allocated in a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design. Each experimental period included 15 days for adaptation and subsequent 5 days for sampling. The results showed that dietary addition of RCE increased the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids and the molar proportion of propionate, decreased the acetate to propionate ratio, and tended to decrease the molar proportion of acetate, but it did not affect the ruminal pH and the concentrations of ammonia N, microbial CP, monophenols, polyphenols, and total phenolics. ATH was undetectable in the ruminal fluid of beef bulls in both groups. RCE did not affect the alpha diversity of rumen bacterial community, and the relative abundances of major rumen bacteria at the phylum level, but it increased the relative abundances of Ruminobacter and Anaerovibrio and tended to increase the relative abundances of Oribacterium and Monoglobus at the genus level. RCE tended to increase the plasma concentrations of globulin and total protein, but it did not affect the plasma albumin, urea, triglyceride, glucose, and antioxidant activities. Dietary addition of RCE did not affect the apparent nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, the ATH in RCE was highly hydrolysable in rumen fluid. Dietary addition of RCE increased the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids, decreased the acetate to propionate ratio, and slightly modified the rumen bacterial community, but it did not affect the nutrient digestibility and the plasma antioxidants in beef bulls.

Application of Red Cabbage Anthocyanins as pH-Sensitive Pigments in Smart Food Packaging and Sensors

Anthocyanins are excellent antioxidant/antimicrobial agents as well as pH-sensitive indicators that provide new prospects to foster innovative smart packaging systems due to their ability to improve food shelf life and detect physicochemical and biological changes in packaged food. Compared with anthocyanins from other natural sources, red cabbage anthocyanins (RCAs) are of great interest in food packaging because they represent an acceptable color spectrum over a broad range of pH values. The current review addressed the recent advances in the application of RCAs in smart bio-based food packaging systems and sensors. This review was prepared based on the scientific reports found on Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from February 2000 to February 2022. The studies showed that the incorporation of RCAs in different biopolymeric films could affect their physical, mechanical, thermal, and structural properties. Moreover, the use of RCAs as colorimetric pH-responsive agents can reliably monitor the qualitative properties of the packaged food products in a real-time assessment. Therefore, the development of smart biodegradable films using RCAs is a promising approach to the prospect of food packaging.