Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of trans-anethole from Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seeds: Optimization of operating conditions through response surface methodology and genetic algorithm

Different Types of Meatballs Enriched with Wild Thyme/Lemon Balm Aqueous Extract-Complex Characterization

In the context of the increasing lactation problems among breastfeeding women, the development of a healthy lifestyle is needed. Different variants of pork, turkey, and beef meatballs, with added lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) aqueous extract (6%), were obtained. These herbs were selected and used due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and lactogenic potential. Two thermal treatments, hot air convection (180 °C) and steam convection (94 °C), were applied for meatballs processing. The obtained meatballs were further subjected to a complex characterization. The functionality of the plant extracts was proved by the values of total content of polyphenols (2.69 ± 0.02 mg AG/g dw) and flavonoids (3.03 ± 0.24 mg EQ/g dw). FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of trans-anethole and estragole at 1507–1508 cm⁻¹ and 1635–1638 cm⁻¹, respectively. Costumers’ overall acceptance had a score above 5.5 for all samples, on a scale of 1 to 9. Further analysis and human trials should be considered regarding the use of lactogenic herbs, given their health benefits and availability.

Phenolic Characterization and Bioactivity of Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Extracts Isolated by Microwave-Assisted and Conventional Extraction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) as an environmentally friendly approach compared to conventional heat-reflux extraction (CE) for the isolation of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) seed polyphenols and to assess the bioactivity of the obtained extracts. Water, ethanol (30%, v/v) and acetone (30%, v/v) were used as extraction solvents, and the extraction was carried out varying the temperature (40, 60 and 80 °C), irradiation time (5 and 10 min) and microwave power (300 and 600 W). According to the total phenolic content (TPC), 30% acetone at 80 °C after 5 min of irradiation at 300 W proved to be the optimal MAE conditions for obtaining the highest yield of polyphenols. The phenolic profile of both extracts comprised 21 compounds, with cinnamic acids and flavonols being the most abundant. When compared to CE, the MAE extract showed a lower amount of TPC as well as the sum of all identified individual phenols, although both extracts showed similar antioxidant capacity. The antimicrobial activity of the extract with the highest phenolic content was weak, showing inhibitory activity only against Pseudomonas fragi, Shewanella putrefaciens and Campylobacter jejuni strains, while Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts were not sensitive to the extract.

The Response Surface Optimization of Supercritical CO2 Modified with Ethanol Extraction of p-Anisic Acid from Acacia mearnsii Flowers and Mathematical Modeling of the Mass Transfer

A widely disseminated native species from Australia, Acacia mearnsii, which is mainly cultivated in Brazil and South Africa, represents a rich source of natural tannins used in the tanning process. Many flowers of the Acacia species are used as sources of compounds of interest for the cosmetic industry, such as phenolic compounds. In this study, supercritical fluid extraction was used to obtain non-volatile compounds from A. mearnsii flowers for the first time. The extract showed antimicrobial activity and the presence of p-anisic acid, a substance with industrial and pharmaceutical applications. The fractionation of the extract was performed using a chromatographic column and the fraction containing p-anisic acid presented better minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results than the crude extract. Thus, the extraction process was optimized to maximize the p-anisic acid extraction. The response surface methodology and the Box–Behnken design was used to evaluate the pressure, temperature, the cosolvent, and the influence of the particle size on the extraction process. After the optimization process, the p-anisic acid yield was 2.51% w/w and the extraction curve was plotted as a function of time. The simulation of the extraction process was performed using the three models available in the literature.

Hydrophobic species-enabled acid–base multi-catalysis for stereoselective access to renewable trans-anethole

A green and sustainable route was developed to stereoselectively produce biomass-based trans-AN (90% selectivity) over an acid–base bifunctional catalyst through cascade transfer hydrogenation and dehydration.