Antioxidant activity of phenolic acids and their metabolites: synthesis and antioxidant properties of the sulfate derivatives of ferulic and caffeic acids and of the acyl glucuronide of ferulic acid

Browning reactions of hydroxycinnamic acids and heterocyclic Maillard reaction intermediates - Formation of phenol-containing colorants

Non-enzymatic conversion of phenolic compounds plays an important role during thermal processing of plant-based food such as coffee, cocoa, and peanuts. However, the more prominent Maillard reaction is mainly studied at a mechanistic level for carbohydrates and amino compounds to clarify reactions that contribute to ('classic') melanoidin formation, but the role of phenolic compounds in such reactions is rarely discussed yet. To understand their contribution to non-enzymatic browning, reactions between ubiquitous phenolic acids, such as caffeic acid and ferulic acid, and prominent heterocyclic Maillard intermediates, namely furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde were investigated. Following incubation under roasting conditions (220 °C, 0-30 min), heterogenous products were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry, and, after isolation, by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. By this, color precursors were identified, and it was shown that in addition to aromatic electrophilic substitution, nucleophilic and condensation reactions are key mechanisms contributing to the formation of phenol-containing melanoidins.

Dietary Phenolic Compounds-Wellbeing and Perspective Applications

Contemporary living is continuously leading to poor everyday choices resulting in the manifestation of various diseases. The benefits of plant-based nutrition are undeniable and research on the topic is rising. Modern man is now aware of the possibilities that plant nutrition can provide and is seeking ways to benefit from it. Dietary phenolic compounds are among the easily accessible beneficial substances that can exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic, antiproliferative, as well as cardio-and neuroprotective activities. Several industries are exploring ways to incorporate biologically active substances in their produce. This review is concentrated on presenting current information about the dietary phenolic compounds and their contribution to maintaining good health. Additionally, this content will demonstrate the importance and prosperity of natural compounds for various fields, i.e., food industry, cosmetology, and biotechnology, among others.

Fermentation of Orange Peels by Lactic Acid Bacteria: Impact on Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Activity

Orange processing generates peel by-products rich in phenolic compounds, particularly flavanones like hesperidin and narirutin, offering potential health benefits. Utilizing these by-products is of significant interest in supporting Spain's circular bioeconomy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the fermentation of orange peels by different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains and its impact on phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. Three different LAB strains, two Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and one Levilactobacillus brevis were utilized. The phenolic compounds were measured by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS, and antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS methods. The growth of the LAB strains varied, showing initial increases followed by gradual declines, with strain-specific patterns observed. Medium acidification occurred during fermentation. A phenolic analysis revealed an 11% increase in phenolic acids in peels fermented by La. plantarum CECT 9567-C4 after 24 h, attributed to glycosylation by LAB enzymes. The flavonoid content exhibited diverse trends, with Le. brevis showing an 8% increase. The antioxidant assays demonstrated strain- and time-dependent variations. Positive correlations were found between antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds. The results underscore the importance of bacterial selection and fermentation time for tailored phenolic composition and antioxidant activity in orange peel extracts. LAB fermentation, particularly with La. plantarum CECT 9567 and Le. brevis, holds promise for enhancing the recovery of phenolic compounds and augmenting antioxidant activity in orange peels, suggesting potential applications in food and beverage processing.

Transformation of phenolic acids during radical neutralization

Negative influence of reactive oxygen species on living organisms and stability of food products is the reason for significant interest in the substances exhibiting antioxidant properties. Phenolic acids are very popular among the known diet antioxidants. The paper presents the results of research on the application of chromatographic measurements for determination of antioxidant changes and products of radical neutralization reaction for the chosen phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, protocatechuic and vanilic). The measurements were performed using the ABTS method in a long period time (8 days). The experiments have shown that the examined acids were depletion to ca 50 h but the reaction products (dimers or quinones) were converted into new compounds, observed in both methanolic and ethanolic measuring systems after a given period of time. The obtained results seem to be important in the context of living organisms because the biological activity of transformation products and their impact on human health have not been fully recognized yet. Moreover, the presented results can be interesting for both the producer and the consumer of food as generated substances may have influence on the nutritional value as well as the taste and aroma of the food in which phenolic compounds are applied.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05879-w.

Caffeic acid protects against l-methionine induced reduction in neurogenesis and cognitive impairment in a rat model

l-methionine (L-met) is a substantial non-polar amino acid for normal development. L-met is converted to homocysteine that leads to hyperhomocysteinemia and subsequent excessive homocysteine in serum resulting in stimulating oxidative stress and vascular dementia. Several studies have found that hyperhomocysteine causes neuronal cell damage, which leads to memory impairment. Caffeic acid is a substrate in phenolic compound discovered in plant biosynthesis. Caffeic acid contains biological antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. The neuroprotective reaction of caffeic acid can protect against the brain disruption from hydrogen peroxide produced by oxidative stress. It also enhances GSH and superoxide dismutase activities, which protect against neuron cell loss caused by oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Hence, we investigated the protective role of caffeic acid in hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive impairment induced by L-met in rats. Six groups of Sprague Dawley rats were assigned including control, L-met (1.7 g/kg/day), caffeic acid (20, 40 mg/kg), and L-met + caffeic acid (20, 40 mg/kg) groups. Spatial and recognition memories were subsequently examined using novel object location (NOL) and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. Moreover, the immunofluorescence technique was performed to detect Ki-67/RECA-1, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)/NeuN and p21 markers to represent hippocampal neurogenesis changes. The results revealed decreases in vasculature related cell proliferation and neuronal cell survival. By contrast, cell cycle arrest was increased in the L-met group. These results showed the association of the spatial and recognition memory impairments. However, the deterioration can be restored by co-administration with caffeic acid.

UPLC-Q-TOF/MS based metabolite profiling and quality marker constituents screening of root, stem and rhizome extracts of Ilex asprella

OBJECTIVE

The root of Ilex asprella (RIA) is a popular plant resource for treating inflammation-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the secondary metabolites, to compare anti-inflammatory effects and to determine the quality marker components among root, stem and rhizome sections of IA.

METHODS

Chemical fingerprints of stem, root and rhizome of IA was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A reliable method using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) was established for comprehensively determining the chemical constituents of the plants. Anti-inflammatory activities of IA and its ingredients were screened by in vivo mouse ear swelling and in vitro LPS-induced release of NO from RAW264.7 cells experiments.

RESULTS

Root, stem and rhizome of IA have shown high similarity in chemical fingerprints. Totally 149 compounds were characterized in IA, including triterpenoids, triterpenoid saponins, phenolic acids and lignans. 44 of them were identified based on co-occurring Mass2Motifs, including 19 unreported ones, whilst 17 were tentatively confirmed by comparison with reference compounds. No significant anti-inflammatory activity difference among root, stem and rhizome parts of IA was found. Ilexsaponin B2, protocatechualdehyde, isochlorogenic acid B and quinic acid, were screened out as quality marker compounds in IA.

CONCLUSION

A sensitive and rapid strategy was established to evaluate the differences on secondary metabolites of different parts of IA for the first time, and this study may contribute to the quality evaluation of medicinal herbs and provide theoretically data support for further analysis of different parts of IA.

In silico Evaluation of Ferulic Acid Based Multifunctional Conjugates as Potential Drug Candidates

BACKGROUND

Recent research has shown that ferulic acid (FA, trans-4-hydroxy-3- methoxycinnamic acid) has remarkable antioxidant properties and a wide range of biological activities. Conjugation of two or more biologically active compounds to produce a novel molecular scaffold is justified by the need to enhance biological activity against a single target or obtain a conjugate that behaves as a multi-target-directed ligand. In addition, the conjugation strategy decreases dose-dependent side effects by promoting the use of smaller doses of conjugated components to treat the disease. Moreover, the patient's compliance is positively affected when conjugating two active compounds into a single more active compound as this reduces the number of pills to be taken daily.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to shed light on studies that design and synthesize FA-based hybrid compounds with enhanced biological activities and to in silico assess these compounds as potential drug candidates.

METHODS

The conjugate compounds were found by searching the literature using the keywords (ferulic acid-based hybrid or ferulic acid-based conjugate). To study conjugate pharmacokinetic parameters and toxicity (ADMET), software suites from Biovia Inc. (San Diego, California) were integrated into Discovery Studio 4.5. The structures were created using ChemDraw Ultra 7.0.

RESULTS

14 conjugates exhibiting variable biological activities were collected and three of them (compounds 3,5, and 6) in addition to the cis FA (compound 12) are the best-predicted compounds with low Daphnia toxicity and hepatotoxicity with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties.

CONCLUSION

Cis FA, FA conjugates 3,5, and 6 act as good drug candidates that can be used to modify new hits.

Green Extraction of Hodgsonia heteroclita Oilseed Cake Powder to Obtain Optimal Antioxidants and Health Benefits

Most biowaste produced by domestic food preparation and food processing has no value, is difficult to manage, and is detrimental to the environment. Oil extraction from Hodgsonia heteroclita seeds produces large amounts of oilseed cake powder (OCP) as biowaste. The extraction of residual phytochemicals using simple and eco-friendly methods can increase the economic utility of OCP. This study optimized the extraction process for Hodgsonia heteroclita OCP using a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. The optimized extraction condition was 30 °C for 5 h in 50% (v/v) ethanol, giving a total phenolic content (TPC) of 414.23 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight (DW). Phytochemical profiles of OCP using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ECI-MS/MS) identified 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and ferulic acid as the major compounds. Antioxidant activities and enzyme inhibitory activities toward the major enzymes involved in obesity (lipase), diabetes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV)), Alzheimer's disease (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and β-secretase-1 (BACE-1)), hypertension (angiotensin-converting enzyme, ACE), and genotoxicity were also investigated. Results showed that H. heteroclita OCP possessed antioxidant activity and potential inhibitory activities against BACE-1 and ACE, while also being genome-safe. A simple extraction method for H. heteroclita OCP was developed, demonstrating the enhanced value of its phytochemical and health-promoting qualities.

Ferulic acid protects HepG2 cells and mouse liver from iron-induced damage

Liver as iron storage organ is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress-induced injury from excess iron. Thus, antioxidant therapies are often used to reverse oxidative damage and protect cells and tissues. This study investigated the protective effects of phenolic acids; ferulic acid (FA) and its metabolite, ferulic acid 4-O-sulfate disodium salt (FAS) against oxidative stress under iron overload conditions in mouse and HepG2 cells. Cells were exposed to FA or FAS and then treated with iron-induced oxidative stress complex of 50 μmol/L FAC and 20 μmol/L of 8-hydroxyquinoline 8HQ (8HQ-FAC). Iron dextran was injected intraperitoneally on alternate days for 10 days to induce the iron overload condition in BALB/c mice. The study revealed that the phenolic acids were protective against ROS production, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant depletion in HepG2 cells and liver tissues of BALB/c mice during iron-induced oxidative stress. The protective function of phenolic acids was achieved by the transcriptional activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to regulate antioxidant genes. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that FA has the potential as a therapeutic agent against iron-related diseases such as T2D.

Metabolomic insights into phenolics-rich chestnut shells extract as a nutraceutical ingredient - A comprehensive evaluation of its impacts on oxidative stress biomarkers by an in-vivo study

The present study attempted for the first time to explore the effects of the daily oral intake of a phenolics-rich extract from chestnut shells (CS) on the metabolomic profiling of rat tissues by liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) targeted to polyphenolics and their metabolites and screen potential oxidative stress biomarkers, validating its use as a promising nutraceutical ingredient with outstanding antioxidant properties for the prevention and co-therapy of lifestyle-related diseases triggered by oxidative stress. The results demonstrated new insights into the metabolomic fingerprinting of polyphenols from CS, confirming their absorption and biotransformation by phase I (hydrogenation) and II (glucuronidation, methylation, and sulfation) enzymes. Phenolic acids were the main polyphenolic class, followed by hydrolyzable tannins, flavanols, and lignans. In contrast to the liver, sulfated conjugates were the principal metabolites reaching the kidneys. The multivariate data analysis predicted an exceptional contribution of polyphenols and their microbial and phase II metabolites to the in-vivo antioxidant response of the CS extract in rats, recommending its use as an appealing source of anti-aging molecules for nutraceuticals. This is the first study that explored the relation between metabolomic profiling of rat tissues and in-vivo antioxidant effects after oral treatment with a phenolics-rich CS extract.

Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of Ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) extract in burn infection

Thermal burns produce tissue damage, which eliminates the protective role of tissue. Due to the extensive tissue damage from severe burns, an overactive immune response occurs. Furthermore, this raises the possibility of getting sepsis, a condition in which a bacterial infection spreads throughout the body rather than only in the area of the injury or localized infection. To determine the compounds of Ajwa dates have the potential as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent in infectious thermal burns. The research method used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guideline. Various references were collected from the online database Google Scholar and PubMed including reports, journals, and all references mostly published no more than the past 10 years. This systematic review revealed 16 research articles that were pertinent. Polyphenolic substances such as flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic acids were found in ajwa dates. Specified polyphenol chemicals have the ability to interact with one or more immune cell receptors, moving intracellular messages and influencing the host's immunological response. Ajwa dates' polyphenol acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in severe burns by inhibiting the expression of pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors, controlling transcription factors, and changing the phenotype of macrophage cells, among other ways. The bacterial activity and immune response regulation of Ajwa dates, on the other hand, also serve as an antibacterial agent directly. The polyphenol compounds in Ajwa dates have the potential to operate as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent in infected thermal burns.

Valorization of polyphenolic compounds from food industry by-products for application in polysaccharide-based nanoparticles

In the last decades, evidence has indicated the beneficial properties of dietary polyphenols. In vitro and in vivo studies support that the regular intake of these compounds may be a strategy to reduce the risks of some chronic non-communicable diseases. Despite their beneficial properties, they are poorly bioavailable compounds. Thus, the main objective of this review is to explore how nanotechnology improves human health while reducing environmental impacts with the sustainable use of vegetable residues, from extraction to the development of functional foods and supplements. This extensive literature review discusses different studies based on the application of nanotechnology to stabilize polyphenolic compounds and maintain their physical-chemical stability. Food industries commonly generate a significant amount of solid waste. Exploring the bioactive compounds of solid waste has been considered a sustainable strategy in line with emerging global sustainability needs. Nanotechnology can be an efficient tool to overcome the challenge of molecular instability, especially using polysaccharides such as pectin as assembling material. Complex polysaccharides are biomaterials that can be extracted from citrus and apple peels (from the juice industries) and constitute promising wall material stabilizing chemically sensitive compounds. Pectin is an excellent biomaterial to form nanostructures, as it has low toxicity, is biocompatible, and is resistant to human enzymes. The potential extraction of polyphenols and polysaccharides from residues and their inclusion in food supplements may be a possible application to reduce environmental impacts and constitutes an approach for effectively including bioactive compounds in the human diet. Extracting polyphenolics from industrial waste and using nanotechnology may be feasible to add value to food by-products, reduce impacts on nature and preserve the properties of these compounds.

Impact of Light and Dark Treatment on Phenylpropanoid Pathway Genes, Primary and Secondary Metabolites in Agastache rugosa Transgenic Hairy Root Cultures by Overexpressing Arabidopsis Transcription Factor AtMYB12

Agastache rugosa, otherwise called Korean mint, has a wide range of medicinal benefits. In addition, it is a rich source of several medicinally valuable compounds such as acacetin, tilianin, and some phenolic compounds. The present study aimed to investigate how the Tartary buckwheat transcription factor AtMYB12 increased the primary and secondary metabolites in Korean mint hairy roots cultured under light and dark conditions. A total of 50 metabolites were detected by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS). The result showed that the AtMYB12 transcription factor upregulated the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway genes, which leads to the highest accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites in the AtMYB12-overexpressing hairy root lines (transgenic) than that of the GUS-overexpressing hairy root line (control) when grown under the light and dark conditions. However, when the transgenic hairy root lines were grown under dark conditions, the phenolic and flavone content was not significantly different from that of the control hairy root lines. Similarly, the heat map and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) result showed that most of the metabolites were significantly abundant in the transgenic hairy root cultures grown under light conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed that the identified metabolites were separated far based on the primary and secondary metabolite contents present in the control and transgenic hairy root lines grown under light and dark conditions. Metabolic pathway analysis of the detected metabolites showed 54 pathways were identified, among these 30 were found to be affected. From these results, the AtMYB12 transcription factor activity might be light-responsive in the transgenic hairy root cultures, triggering the activation of the primary and secondary metabolic pathways in Korean mint.

Phenolic Biotransformations in Wheatgrass Juice after Primary and Secondary Fermentation

Fermented wheatgrass juice was prepared using a two-stage fermentation process by employing Saccharomyces cerevisiae and recombinant Pediococcus acidilactici BD16 (alaD⁺). During fermentation, a reddish-brown hue appeared in wheatgrass juice due to production of different types of red pigments. The fermented wheatgrass juice has considerably higher content of anthocyanins, total phenols and beta-carotenes as compared to unfermented wheatgrass juice. It has low ethanol content, which might be ascribed to the presence of certain phytolignans in wheatgrass juice. Several yeast-mediated phenolic transformations (such as bioconversion of coumaric acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid and quinic acid into respective derivatives; glycosylation and prenylation of flavonoids; glycosylation of lignans; sulphonation of phenols; synthesis of carotenoids, diarylnonanoids, flavanones, stilbenes, steroids, quinolones, di- and tri-terpenoids and tannin) were identified in fermented wheatgrass juice using an untargeted liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS)-matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-time-of-flight (TOF)/time-of-flight (TOF) technique. The recombinant P. acidilactici BD16 (alaD⁺) also supported flavonoid and lignin glycosylation; benzoic acid, hydroxycoumaric acid and quinic acid derivatization; and synthesis of anthraquinones, sterols and triterpenes with therapeutic benefits. The information presented in this manuscript may be utilized to elucidate the importance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and P. acidilactici BD16 (alaD⁺) mediated phenolic biotransformations in developing functional food supplements such as fermented wheatgrass juice.

Novel Metabolites to Improve Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation

INTRODUCTION

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is crucial for chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis and therapy. Various studies have sought to recognize ideal endogenous markers to improve the estimated GFR for clinical practice. To screen out potential novel metabolites related to GFR (mGFR) measurement in CKD patients from the Chinese population, we identified more biomarkers for improving GFR estimation.

METHODS

Fifty-three CKD participants were recruited from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in 2020. For each participant, mGFR was evaluated by utilizing the plasma clearance of iohexol and collecting serum samples for untargeted metabolomics analyses by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. All participants were divided into four groups according to mGFR. The metabolite peak area data were uploaded to MetaboAnalyst 5.0 for one-way analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis and confirmed the metabolites whose levels increased or decreased with mGFR and variable importance in projection (VIP) values >1. Metabolites were ranked by correlation with the original values of mGFR, and metabolites with a correlation coefficient >0.8 and VIP >2 were identified.

RESULTS

We screened out 198 metabolites that increased or decreased with mGFR decline. After ranking by correlation with mGFR, the top 50 metabolites were confirmed. Further studies confirmed the 10 most highly correlated metabolites.

CONCLUSION

We screened out the metabolites that increased or decreased with mGFR decline in CKD patients from the Chinese population, and 10 of them were highly correlated. They are potential novel metabolites to improve GFR estimation.

Comparative Investigation on the Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) pulp from Five Cultivars

Jackfruit is one of the major tropical fruits, but information on the phytochemicals and biological benefits of its pulp is limited. In this study, the phytochemicals and biological activities including antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of five jackfruit pulp cultivars (M1, M2, M3, M7 and T5) were comparatively investigated. A total of 11 compounds were identified in all cultivars of jackfruit pulp, among which 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and tryptophan N-glucoside were reported for the first time in jackfruit. T5 exhibited the highest total phenolic content (7.69 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g DW), antioxidant capacity (109.8, 96.7 and 207 mg VCE/g DW for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, respectively), antitumor activity (80.31%) and anti-inflammatory activity (78.44%) among five cultivars. These results can provide a reference for growers to choose jackfruit cultivar and offer an insight into the industrial application of jackfruit pulp derived-products.

Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Gonostegia hirta: An Underexploited, Potentially Edible, Wild Plant

Wild, edible plants have received increasing attention as an important complement to cultivate vegetables, as they represent an easily accessible source of nutrients, mineral elements, and antioxidants. In this study, the tender stems and leaves of Gonostegia hirta, an edible species for which only scarce data are available in the literature, are thoroughly evaluated for their nutritional profile, chemical characterization, and antioxidant activity. Being considered as an underexploited, potentially edible plant, the nutritional composition of Gonostegia hirta was identified, and several beneficial compounds were highlighted: sugars, potassium, calcium, organic acids, fatty acids, phenolics, and flavonoids. A total of 418 compounds were identified by metabolomic analysis, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, amino acids, lipids, organic acids, terpenoids, alkaloids, nucleotides, tannins, lignans, and coumarin. The plant sample was found to have good antioxidant capacities, presented by DPPH, FRAP, ABTS⁺, hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, and its resistance to the superoxide anion radical test. In general, Gonostegia hirta has a good nutritional and phytochemical composition. The health benefits of Gonostegia hirta as a vegetable and herbal medicine is important for both a modern diet and use in medication.

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry method based on a four-step analysis strategy to investigate metabolites of Qi-Yu-San-Long decoction in rat plasma

Metabolism is undoubtedly significantly correlated with the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine. In clinic, Qi-Yu-San-Long decoction (QYSLD) has achieved good results in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, a detailed understanding of the compounds (prototypes and metabolites) of QYSLD and its dynamic metabolic profile in plasma has not been revealed.

METHODS

In this study, a rapid and sensitive method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS^E ), combined with a four-step analysis strategy, was established to investigate QYSLD metabolic profile in rat plasma.

RESULTS

In all, 101 xenobiotics (41 prototypes and 60 QYSLD-related metabolites) were identified in rat plasma. The research uncovered metabolic profiles of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, iridoids, anthraquinones, and phenylpropanoids of QYSLD in rat plasma. The dynamic changes in these xenobiotics were also observed at different time intervals. At 0.5 h after oral administration, only 15 prototypes and 11 metabolites were detected. Within 24 h, 4 prototypes and 20 metabolites can still be detected. Four prototypes and 10 metabolites had the phenomenon of emergence-disappearance-reappearance in vivo.

CONCLUSION

In rat plasma, 101 xenobiotics of QYSLD were identified and their dynamic metabolic profiles were systematically delineated, which laid a material basis for further research of the pharmacodynamic substances of QYSLD inhibiting NSCLC.

Characterisation of a laccase isolated from Trametes hirsuta and its application in the oligomerisation of phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds are widely distributed in nature and industrial environment, and their detoxification or bioactive enhancement is of great value to environmental protection and industrial development. Laccases are multicopper oxidases that catalyse the oligo- or polymerisation of phenolic compounds. Identifying new laccase producers and investigating their application potential are of great importance. In this study, a white-rot fungus, Trametes hirsuta EZ1, with significantly high laccase productivity was isolated. The optimum conditions were studied for the maximum fermentation of extracellular laccase, which was achieved at 150 U/mL with a medium containing 10% strain EZ1, 7% maltodextrin, 1.5% peptone, and 0.5 mM Cu²⁺, and incubation at initial pH 6.0, 32 °C, and 180 rpm for nine days. Subsequently, a 70-kDa laccase was purified that showed activity over a wide range of temperature and pH, sensitivity to many metal ions and sodium dodecyl sulphate, and high tolerance to organic solvents. Purified laccase showed a significant unreported effect by catalysing catechol or ferulic acid into dimers, trimers, and tetramers or caffeic acid into dimers, trimers, tetramers, and pentamers. The oligomeric mixtures exhibited increased antioxidative capacity compared to that of each parent monomer, except for caffeic acid derivatives. Our study offers a novel strain source for laccase production and broadens its application in the enhancement of bioactive compounds.

Water Deficit-Induced Changes in Phenolic Acid Content in Maize Leaves Is Associated with Altered Expression of Cinnamate 4-Hydroxylase and p-Coumaric Acid 3-Hydroxylase

The amino acid phenylalanine is a precursor to phenolic acids that constitute the lignin biosynthetic pathway. Although there is evidence of a role of some phenolic acids in plant responses to pathogens and salinity, characterization of the involvement of phenolic acids in plant responses to drought is limited. Drought reduces water content in plant tissue and can lead to decreased cell viability and increased cell death. We thus subjected maize seedlings to water deficit and evaluated relative water content and cell viability together with p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid contents in the leaves. Furthermore, we measured the enzymatic activity of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.11) and p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.17.2) and associated these with the expression of genes encoding cinnamate 4-hydroxylase and p-coumarate-3 hydroxylase in response to water deficit. Water deficit reduced relative water content and cell viability in maize leaves. This corresponded with decreased p-coumaric acid but increased caffeic and ferulic acid content in the leaves. Changes in the phenolic acid content of the maize leaves were associated with increased enzymatic activities of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase and p-coumarate hydroxylase. The increased enzymatic activity of p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase was associated with increased expression of a gene encoding p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase. We thus conclude that metabolic pathways involving phenolic acids may contribute to the regulation of drought responses in maize, and we propose that further work to elucidate this regulation may contribute to the development of new maize varieties with improved drought tolerance. This can be achieved by marker-assisted selection to select maize lines with high levels of expression of genes encoding cinnamate 4-hydroxylase and/or p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase for use in breeding programs aimed and improving drought tolerance, or by overexpression of these genes via genetic engineering to confer drought tolerance.

Naturally Occurring Functional Ingredient from Filamentous Thermophilic Cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. KC45: Phytochemical Characterizations and Their Multiple Bioactivities

Cyanobacteria are rich in phytochemicals, which have beneficial impacts on the prevention of many diseases. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize phytochemicals and evaluate multifunctional bioactivities in the ethanolic extract of the cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. KC45. Results found that the extract mainly contained chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids. Through LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis, 38 phenolic compounds with promising bioactivities were discovered, and a higher diversity of flavonoids was found among the phenolic compounds identified. The extract effectively absorbed the harmful UV rays and showed high antioxidant activity on DPPH, ABTS, and PFRAP. The extract yielded high-efficiency inhibitory effects on enzymes (tyrosinase, collagenase, ACE, and α-glucosidase) related to diseases. Interestingly, the extract showed a strong cytotoxic effect on cancer cells (skin A375, lung A549, and colon Caco-2), but had a much smaller effect on normal cells, indicating a satisfactory level of safety for the extract. More importantly, the combination of the DNA ladder assay and the TUNEL assay proved the appearance of DNA fragmentation in cancer cells after a 48 h treatment with the extract, confirming the apoptosis mechanisms. Our findings suggest that cyanobacterium extract could be potentially used as a functional ingredient for various industrial applications in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals.

The Discovery of Novel Ferulic Acid Derivatives Incorporating Substituted Isopropanolamine Moieties as Potential Tobacco Mosaic Virus Helicase Inhibitors

Target-based drug design, a high-efficiency strategy used to guide the development of novel pesticide candidates, has attracted widespread attention. Herein, various natural-derived ferulic acid derivatives incorporating substituted isopropanolamine moieties were designed to target the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) helicase. Bioassays demonstrating the optimized A₁₉, A₂₀, A₂₉, and A₃₁ displayed excellent in vivo antiviral curative abilities, affording corresponding EC₅₀ values of 251.1, 336.2, 347.1, and 385.5 μg/mL, which visibly surpassed those of commercial ribavirin (655.0 μg/mL). Moreover, configurational analysis shows that the R-forms of target compounds were more beneficial to aggrandize antiviral profiles. Mechanism studies indicate that R-A₁₉ had a strong affinity (K_d = 5.4 μM) to the TMV helicase and inhibited its ability to hydrolyze ATP (50.61% at 200 μM). Meanwhile, A₁₉ could down-regulate the expression of the TMV helicase gene in the host to attenuate viral replication. These results illustrate the excellent inhibitory activity of A₁₉ towards the TMV helicase. Additionally, docking simulations uncovered that R-A₁₉ formed more hydrogen bonds with the TMV helicase in the binding pocket. Recent studies have unambiguously manifested that these designed derivatives could be considered as promising potential helicase-based inhibitors for plant disease control.

Metabolism of phenolics in coffee and plant-based foods by canonical pathways: an assessment of the role of fatty acid β-oxidation to generate biologically-active and -inactive intermediates

ω-Phenyl-alkenoic acids are abundant in coffee, fruits, and vegetables. Along with ω-phenyl-alkanoic acids, they are produced from numerous dietary (poly)phenols and aromatic amino acids in vivo. This review addresses how phenyl-ring substitution and flux modulates their gut microbiota and endogenous β-oxidation. 3',5'-Dihydroxy-derivatives (from alkyl-resorcinols, flavanols, proanthocyanidins), and 4'-hydroxy-phenolic acids (from tyrosine, p-coumaric acid, naringenin) are β-oxidation substrates yielding benzoic acids. In contrast, 3',4',5'-tri-substituted-derivatives, 3',4'-dihydroxy-derivatives and 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxy-derivatives (from coffee, tea, cereals, many fruits and vegetables) are poor β-oxidation substrates with metabolism diverted via gut microbiota dehydroxylation, phenylvalerolactone formation and phase-2 conjugation, possibly a strategy to conserve limited pools of coenzyme A. 4'-Methoxy-derivatives (citrus fruits) or 3',4'-dimethoxy-derivatives (coffee) are susceptible to hepatic "reverse" hydrogenation suggesting incompatibility with enoyl-CoA-hydratase. Gut microbiota-produced 3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-derivatives (citrus fruits) and 3'-hydroxy-derivatives (numerous (poly)phenols) are excreted as the phenyl-hydracrylic acid β-oxidation intermediate suggesting incompatibility with hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, albeit with considerable inter-individual variation. Further investigation is required to explain inter-individual variation, factors determining the amino acid to which C6-C3 and C6-C1 metabolites are conjugated, the precise role(s) of l-carnitine, whether glycine might be limiting, and whether phenolic acid-modulation of β-oxidation explains how phenolic acids affect key metabolic conditions, such as fatty liver, carbohydrate metabolism and insulin resistance.

Investigation of Antioxidant Synergisms and Antagonisms among Phenolic Acids in the Model Matrices Using FRAP and ORAC Methods

The total antioxidant potential of a sample cannot be predicted from the antioxidant activity of its compounds; thus, scientists usually explain the overall activity through their combined effects (synergistic, antagonistic, or additive). Phenolic compounds are one of the most powerful and widely investigated antioxidants, but there is a lack of information about their molecular interactions. This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined antioxidant activity of equimolar mixtures (binary, ternary, quaternary, and quinary) of 10 phenolic acids (protocatechuic, gentisic, gallic, vanillic, syringic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, sinapic, and rosmarinic acid) at different concentrations using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Gallic acid showed the highest antioxidant activity, determined using the FRAP assay (494–5033 µM Fe²⁺) and rosmarinic acid with the ORAC assay (50–92 µM Trolox Equivalents (TE)), while the lowest antioxidant potential was observed for p-coumaric acid (FRAP 24–113 µM Fe²⁺ and ORAC 20–33 µM TE). The synergistic effect (by FRAP) in the equimolar mixtures of hydroxybenzoic acids was confirmed for a large number of tested mixtures, especially at low concentrations. All mixtures containing gentisic acid showed a synergistic effect (28–89% difference). Using the ORAC method, only two mixtures of hydroxybenzoic acids showed an antagonistic effect, namely a mixture of gentisic + syringic acids (−24% difference) and gallic + vanillic acids (−30% difference), while all other mixtures showed a synergistic effect in a range of 26–236% difference. Among mixtures of hydroxycinnamic acids, the highest synergistic effect was observed for the mixtures of p-coumaric + ferulic acids and caffeic + sinapic acids with differences of 311% and 211%, respectively. The overall antioxidant activity of phenolic acids could be explained by the number or position of hydroxyl and/or methoxy functional groups as well as the compound concentration, but the influence of other parameters such as dissociation, intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and electron donating or withdrawing effect should not be neglected.

Antioxidative Properties and Phenolic Profile of the Core, Pulp and Peel of Commercialized Kiwifruit by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

The kiwifruit is cultivated globally due to its diversity of phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer medical effects. However, only the pulp of the kiwifruit is consumed, while the peels and cores—which are also rich in phytochemicals—are usually wasted. Meanwhile, detailed information on the comparison among the three parts is still limited. In this study, the antioxidant potentials in the core, pulp, and peel of the three most commercialized kiwifruit cultivars (Australian-grown Hayward kiwifruit, New Zealand-grown Zesy002 kiwifruit, and New Zealand-grown organic Hayward kiwifruit) were selected. Their antioxidant capacities were tested, and their phenolic profiles were identified and characterized by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). The antioxidant results showed that the peel of New Zealand-grown organic Hayward kiwifruit contained the highest total phenolic content (9.65 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) mg/g) and total antioxidant capacity (4.43 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) mg/g), respectively. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of the peel is generally higher than that of the pulp and cores in all species, especially ABTS (2,2-Azino-bis-3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging ability), ranging from 13.25 mg AAE/g to 18.31 mg AAE/g. The LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS tentatively identified the phenolic compounds present in the three kiwifruit species, including 118 unique compounds in kiwifruit peel, 12 unique compounds in the kiwifruit cores, and three unique compounds in kiwifruit pulp. The comprehensive characterization of the phenolics in the kiwifruits’ parts indicates the importance of their waste part as a promising source of phenolics with antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study can guide the industry with meaningful information on kiwifruit waste, and can provide it with the utilization of food and pharmacological aspects.

Biodegradable active materials containing phenolic acids for food packaging applications

The development of new materials for food packaging applications is necessary to reduce the excessive use of disposable plastics and their environmental impact. Biodegradable polymers represent an alternative means of mitigating the problem. To add value to biodegradable materials and to enhance food preservation, the incorporation of active compounds into the polymer matrix is an affordable strategy. Phenolic acids are plant metabolites that can be found in multiple plant extracts and exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Compared with other natural active compounds, such as essential oils, phenolic acids do not present a high sensorial impact while exhibiting similar minimal inhibitory concentrations against different bacteria. This study summarizes and discusses recent studies about the potential of both phenolic acids/plant extracts and biodegradable polymers as active food packaging materials, their properties, interactions, and the factors that could affect their antimicrobial efficiency. The molecular structure of phenolic acids greatly affects their potential antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity, as well as their specific interactions with polymer matrices and food substrates. These interactions, in turn, can lead to plasticizing or cross-linking effects. In the present study, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of different biodegradable films with phenolic acids have been described, as well as the main factors affecting the active properties of these films as useful materials for active packaging development. More studies applying these active materials in real foods are required.

Bintaro (Cerbera odollam and Cerbera manghas): an overview of its eco-friendly use, pharmacology, and toxicology

Bintaro is a tropical mangrove plant often used as a shade tree found in Asia, Australia, Madagascar, and the Islands of the Western Pacific Ocean. The word Bintaro is also often pinned to its closest relative species, the Cerbera odollam. Flower color is one of the distinguishing features between these two species. Human poisoning with the cardiotoxic plant Bintaro is common in Southeast Asia because it bears a fruit that yields a powerful poison that has been used for suicide and homicide, hence it is also called the "Indian suicide tree". The seeds of Bintaro contain Cerberin, a cardiac glycoside toxin of the heart that blocks the calcium ion channels in heart muscles, resulting in disruption of the heartbeat most often fatally. The bio-active compound in the kernels of Bintaro varies due to which plant possesses other properties as well. The plant may also be used for medicinal purposes as it shows many pharmaceutical properties. The seeds of the plant have auspicious anticancer properties through apoptotic activity and the leaf extract of the plant was screened for its antioxidant activities. In addition, it is also used as an insecticide, pesticide, or antifungal agent. This review highlights the Pharmaceutical, toxicological, and environmentally friendly approaches of Bintaro.

Phenolic acids and their carboxylate anions: Thermodynamics of primary antioxidant action

Phenolic acids represent naturally occurring antioxidants and play important role in free radicals scavenging. In this work, we have studied thermodynamics of the first step of primary antioxidant action for phenolic OH groups of benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives, and their carboxylate anions. M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) reaction enthalpies related to Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT), Single Electron Transfer - Proton Transfer (SET-PT), and Sequential Proton-Loss Electron-Transfer (SPLET) mechanisms were computed for model non-polar environment (benzene) and aqueous solution. The effect of acid structure on found reaction enthalpies was investigated, as well. For HAT, representing relevant reaction path in both environments, the lowest O-H bond dissociation enthalpies, BDE, were found for sinapic acid (347 kJ mol^-1 in benzene and 337 kJ mol^-1 in water). With two exceptions, carboxylate anions show lower BDEs than parent acids. In aqueous solution, enthalpies of the first step of SPLET from phenolic OH groups are low (135-199 kJ mol^-1). It indicates thermodynamic feasibility of the mechanism for acids, as well as their carboxylate anions. Although enthalpies of electron transfer from dianions formed after successive deprotonations of carboxyl and phenolic groups in water are usually higher than BDEs, differences are within 25 kJ mol^-1. Demethylation of OCH₃ groups may affect radical scavenging activity of studied substances due to O-CH₃ BDE considerably lower (230-269 kJ mol^-1) in comparison to O-H ones.

Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) of Plant Phenolic Compounds in Rapeseed Oil and Comparison of Antioxidant Measurement Methods

Natural antioxidants are known for their ability to scavenge free radicals and protect oils from oxidation. Our aim was to study the structural properties such as the number of hydroxyl groups and Bors criteria of phenolic substances leading to high antioxidant activity in oil in order to analyze common trends and differences in widespread in vitro antioxidant assays. Therefore, 20 different phenolic substances were incorporated into rapeseed oil and were measured using pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (P-DSC) and the Rancimat method. The Bors criteria had the highest influence on the antioxidant effect in rapeseed oil, which is why myricetin (MYR), fulfilling all Bors criteria, reached the highest result of the flavonoids. In the Rancimat test and P-DSC, MYR obtained an increase in oxidation induction time (OIT) of 231.1 ± 44.6% and 96.8 ± 1.8%, respectively. Due to differences in the measurement parameters, the results of the Rancimat test and P-DSC were only partially in agreement. Furthermore, we compared the results to in vitro assays (ABTS, DPPH, FC and ORAC) in order to evaluate their applicability as alternative rapid methods. These analysis showed the highest correlation of the oil methods with the results of the DPPH assay, which is, therefore, most suitable to predict the antioxidant behavior of oil.

Global, distinctive, and personal changes in molecular and microbial profiles by specific fibers in humans

Dietary fibers act through the microbiome to improve cardiovascular health and prevent metabolic disorders and cancer. To understand the health benefits of dietary fiber supplementation, we investigated two popular purified fibers, arabinoxylan (AX) and long-chain inulin (LCI), and a mixture of five fibers. We present multiomic signatures of metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, metagenomics, a cytokine panel, and clinical measurements on healthy and insulin-resistant participants. Each fiber is associated with fiber-dependent biochemical and microbial responses. AX consumption associates with a significant reduction in LDL and an increase in bile acids, contributing to its observed cholesterol reduction. LCI is associated with an increase in Bifidobacterium. However, at the highest LCI dose, there is increased inflammation and elevation in the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase. This study yields insights into the effects of fiber supplementation and the mechanisms behind fiber-induced cholesterol reduction, and it shows effects of individual, purified fibers on the microbiome.

Comparative Metabolic Study of Two Contrasting Chinese Cabbage Genotypes under Mild and Severe Drought Stress

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) is an important leafy vegetable crop cultivated worldwide. Drought is one of the most important limiting factors for the growth, production and quality of Chinese cabbage due to its weak drought tolerance. In order to deepen the understanding of drought stress response in Chinese cabbage, metabolomics studies were conducted in drought−tolerant (DT) and drought−susceptible (DS) genotypes of Chinese cabbage under water deficit−simulated mild and severe drought stress conditions. A total of 777 metabolites were detected, wherein 90 of them were proposed as the drought−responsive metabolites in Chinese cabbage, with abscisic acid (ABA), serine, choline alfoscerate, and sphingosine as potential representative drought stress biomarkers. We also found that drought−tolerant and drought−susceptible genotypes showed differential metabolic accumulation patterns with contrasting drought response mechanisms. Notably, constitutively high levels of ABA and glutathione were detected in drought−tolerant genotype in all tested and control conditions. In addition, proline, sucrose, γ−aminobutyric acid, and glutathione were also found to be highly correlated to drought tolerance. This study is the first metabolomic study on how Chinese cabbage responds to drought stress, and could provide insights on how to develop and cultivate new drought−resistant varieties.

Radical Scavenging Mechanisms of Phenolic Compounds: A Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) Study

Due to their antioxidant properties, secondary plant metabolites can scavenge free radicals such as reactive oxygen species and protect foods from oxidation processes. Our aim was to study structural influences, like basic structure, number of hydroxyl groups and number of Bors criteria on the outcome of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Furthermore, similarities and differences to other in vitro antioxidant assays were analyzed by principal component analysis. Our studies confirmed that the antioxidant behavior in the ORAC assay is dominated by the number and types of substituents and not by the Bors criteria, as long as no steric hindrance occurs. For example, morin (MOR) with five hydroxyl groups and two Bors criteria reached an area under the curve of (3.64 ± 0.08) × 105, which was significantly higher than quercetin-7-D-glucoside (QGU7) (P < 0.001), and thus the highest result. Principal component analysis showed different dependencies regarding structural properties of Folin-Ciocalteu (FC)- and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-assays or 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)- and ORAC-assays, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that they are based on different reaction mechanisms. The number of hydroxyl groups showed a stronger influence on the antioxidant activity than the Bors criteria. Due to these differences, the correlation of these rapid tests to specific applications should be validated.

Potential Role of Protocatechuic Acid as Natural Feed Additives in Farm Animal Production

Simple Summary

Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a phenolic-rich compound that exists in natural plants. Many in vitro studies have reported its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial properties. Although the health-promoting effects of PCA have been established in human medicine, the applications of PCA as natural feed additives on farm animal production still need to be re-investigated. Therefore, the aim of the review study was to gather research information on PCA to better our understanding of the practical uses of those natural antioxidant-rich feed additives in animal fodder.

Abstract

Restriction on using antibiotics in animal feed that generates demand for antibiotics alternatives in animal breeding. Providing safe food to humans free from the residual effects of antibiotics is a great challenge to animal producers and food-producing industry owners. Medicinal plants and their extracts as feed supplements have been used to promote the growth and health of farm animals for centuries. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a phenolic compound that originated from natural plants. For years, the health-promoting role of PCA has been becoming an attraction of research in nutrition and pharmacy. Thus, it can be used as an active natural feed additive while synthetic antibiotics are illegal to use in animal breeding. However, the practical application of PCA in view of dosages in animal nutrition, together with its mode of action on animal health, is not well known. In this regard, this review study has explored the mode of action of PCA and the feasibility of using those compounds in animal nutrition. This review study concludes that phenolic-rich protocatechuic acid as a natural feed additive may be useful in enhancing antioxidant status, immune function, antimicrobial, intestinal health and growth performance of farm animals.

Metabolomics Analysis Revealed the Characteristic Metabolites of Hemp Seeds Varieties and Metabolites Responsible for Antioxidant Properties

Hemp seeds are rich in metabolites such as protein, lipids and flavonoids, which are beneficial to health and can be used as a nutritional supplement. Few studies have focused on the metabolites of different hemp seed varieties. In the current study, using widely targeted metabolomics based on UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS, we compared the metabolomes of seeds from seven hemp varieties with different uses. A total of 1,001 metabolites, including 201 flavonoids, 86 alkaloids, and 149 phenolic acids, were identified. Flavonoids, organic acids, alkaloids, lipids, and fatty acids with high nutritional value are important to investigate the differences between hemp accessions. By using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), six modules of closely related metabolites were identified. And, we identified the metabolite characteristics and hub metabolites of each variety. Then, we experimentally determined antioxidant activity of seven varieties and demonstrated that alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, and free fatty acids are responsible for the antioxidant activity of hemp seeds. Our research provides useful information for further investigation of the chemical composition of hemp seeds.

Rapid and Simultaneous Determination of Free Aromatic Carboxylic Acids and Phenols in Commercial Juices by GC-MS after Ethyl Chloroformate Derivatization

Natural phenol and phenolic acids are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and the major dietary sources include fruits and beverages derived therefrom. Over the past decades, these compounds have been widely investigated for their beneficial effects on human health and, at the same time, several analytical methods have been developed for their determination in these matrices. In the present paper, 19 different aromatic carboxylic acids and phenols were characterized by GC-MS using ethyl chloroformate as the derivatizing agent. This procedure occurs quickly at room temperature and takes place in aqueous media simultaneously with the extraction step in the presence of ethanol using pyridine as a catalyst. The analytical method herein developed and validated presents excellent linearity in a wide concentration range (25–3000 ng/mL), low LOQ (in the range 25–100 ng/mL) and LOD (in the range 12.5–50 ng/mL), and good accuracy and precision. As a proof of concept, ethyl chloroformate derivatization was successfully applied to the analysis of a selection of commercial fruit juices (berries, grape, apple, pomegranate) particularly rich in phenolic compounds. Some of these juices are made up of a single fruit, whereas others are blends of several fruits. Our results show that among the juices analyzed, those containing cranberry have a total concentration of the free aromatic carboxylic acids and phenols tested up to 15 times higher than other juices.

Characterization of Fatty Acids, Polysaccharides, Amino Acids, and Minerals in Marine Macroalga Chaetomorpha crassa and Evaluation of Their Potentials in Skin Cosmetics

Cosmetic industries are highly committed to finding natural sources of functional active constituents preferable to safer materials to meet consumers' demands. Marine macroalgae have diversified bioactive constituents and possess potential benefits in beauty care products. Hence, the present study was carried out to characterize the biochemical profile of marine macroalga Chaetomorpha crassa by using different techniques for revealing its cosmetic potentials. In results, the FTIR study characterized the presence of different bioactive functional groups that are responsible for many skin-beneficial compounds whereas six and fifteen different important phycocompounds were found in GCMS analysis of ethanolic and methanolic extracts, respectively. In the saccharide profile of C. crassa, a total of eight different carbohydrate derivatives were determined by the HRLCMS Q-TOF technique, which showed wide varieties of cosmetic interest. In ICP AES analysis, Si was found to be highest whereas Cu was found to be lowest among other elements. A total of twenty-one amino acids were measured by the HRLCMS-QTOF technique, which revealed the highest amount of the amino acid, Aspartic acid (1207.45 nmol/mL) and tyrosine (106.77 nmol/mL) was found to be the lowest in amount among other amino acids. Their cosmetic potentials have been studied based on previous research studies. The incorporation of seaweed-based bioactive components in cosmetics has been extensively growing due to its skin health-promoting effects.

(Poly)phenol toxicity in vivo following oral administration: A targeted narrative review of (poly)phenols from green tea, grape, and anthocyanin-rich extracts

Fruit- and vegetable-derived (poly)phenols are secondary plant metabolites that may have beneficial effects on human health when consumed regularly. Recent years have seen rapid growth in both consumer demand for and research interest in (poly)phenol-rich dietary supplements, natural colorants, and functional foods. As these products continue to enter the marketplace and (poly)phenol intake patterns change from traditional food products to these sources, attention must be paid to the potential for toxicity from consuming elevated doses of (poly)phenols. To date, much remains unknown regarding the safety of high doses of (poly)phenols, especially in vivo. In this targeted narrative review, we summarize evidence from in vivo investigations of (poly)phenol toxicity after oral administration of green tea extracts, grape-derived phenolics, and anthocyanin-rich extracts. There is limited evidence of overt toxicity from oral ingestion of these (poly)phenol-rich sources, though more research on the safety of high doses-as well as defining what constitutes a "high" dose of both individual and complex mixtures of (poly)phenols-is needed before these observations can be used to create dietary guidance for consumers.

Caffeic Acid on Metabolic Syndrome: A Review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of risk factors that may lead to a more sinister disease. Raised blood pressure, dyslipidemia in the form of elevated triglycerides and lowered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, raised fasting glucose, and central obesity are the risk factors that could lead to full-blown diabetes, heart disease, and many others. With increasing sedentary lifestyles, coupled with the current COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of people affected with MetS will be expected to grow in the coming years. While keeping these factors checked with the polypharmacy available currently, there is no single strategy that can halt or minimize the effect of MetS to patients. This opens the door for a more natural way of controlling the disease. Caffeic acid (CA) is a phytonutrient belonging to the flavonoids that can be found in abundance in plants, fruits, and vegetables. CA possesses a wide range of beneficial properties from antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antianxiolytic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities. This review discusses the current discovery of the effect of CA against MetS.

Supplemental Ferulic Acid Inhibits Total Body Irradiation-Mediated Bone Marrow Damage, Bone Mass Loss, Stem Cell Senescence, and Hematopoietic Defect in Mice by Enhancing Antioxidant Defense Systems

While total body irradiation (TBI) is an everlasting curative therapy, the irradiation can cause long-term bone marrow (BM) injuries, along with senescence of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damages. Thus, ameliorating or preventing ROS accumulation and oxidative stress is necessary for TBI-requiring clinical treatments. Here, we explored whether administration of ferulic acid, a dietary antioxidant, protects against TBI-mediated systemic damages, and examined the possible mechanisms therein. Sublethal TBI (5 Gy) decreased body growth, lifespan, and production of circulating blood cells in mice, together with ROS accumulation, and senescence induction of BM-conserved HSCs and MSCs. TBI also impaired BM microenvironment and bone mass accrual, which was accompanied by downregulated osteogenesis and by osteoclastogenic and adipogenic activation in BM. Long-term intraperitoneal injection of ferulic acid (50 mg/kg body weight, once per day for 37 consecutive days) protected mice from TBI-mediated mortality, stem cell senescence, and bone mass loss by restoring TBI-stimulated disorders in osteogenic, osteoclastic, and adipogenic activation in BM. In vitro experiments using BM stromal cells supported radioprotective effects of ferulic acid on TBI-mediated defects in proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Overall, treatment with ferulic acid prevented TBI-mediated liver damage and enhanced endogenous antioxidant defense systems in the liver and BM. Collectively, these results support an efficient protection of TBI-mediated systemic defects by supplemental ferulic acid, indicating its clinical usefulness for TBI-required patients.

Phenolic compounds in Nordic berry species and their application as potential natural food preservatives

An increasing demand for natural food preservatives is raised by consumers. For Nordic berry species, abundance of phenolic compounds and potent activities of anti-oxidation and anti-bacteria enables a great potential as food preservatives. This review provides a systematic examination of current literature on phenolic profiles, anti-oxidative and anti-bacterial activities of various extracts of Nordic berry species, as well as the impact of various structure features of phenolics on the bioactivities. Special attention is placed on exploitation of leaves of berry species and pomaces after juice-pressing as side-streams of berry production and processing. The current progress and challenges in application of Nordic berry species as food preservatives are discussed. To fully explore the potential application of Nordic berry species in food industry and especially to valorize the side-streams of berry cultivation (leaves) and juice-pressing industry (pomaces), it is crucial to obtain extracts and fractions with targeted phenolic composition, which have high food preserving efficacy and minimal impact on sensory qualities of food products.

Bioaccessibility and Bioactivity of Cereal Polyphenols: A Review

Cereal bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, are known to possess a wide range of disease preventive properties that are attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, due to their low plasma concentrations after oral intake, there is controversy regarding their therapeutic benefits in vivo. Within the gastrointestinal tract, some cereal polyphenols are absorbed in the small intestine, with the majority accumulating and metabolised by the colonic microbiota. Chemical and enzymatic processes occurring during gastrointestinal digestion modulate the bioactivity and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds. The interactions between the cereal polyphenols and the intestinal epithelium allow the modulation of intestinal barrier function through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activity and mucin production thereby improving intestinal health. The intestinal microbiota is believed to have a reciprocal interaction with polyphenols, wherein the microbiome produces bioactive and bioaccessible phenolic metabolites and the phenolic compound, in turn, modifies the microbiome composition favourably. Thus, the microbiome presents a key link between polyphenol consumption and the health benefits observed in metabolic conditions in numerous studies. This review will explore the therapeutic value of cereal polyphenols in conjunction with their bioaccessibility, impact on intestinal barrier function and interaction with the microbiome coupled with plasma anti-inflammatory effects.

(Poly)phenol-Rich Diets in the Management of Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus: Biological Properties in Cultured Endothelial Cells

Processed and ready-to-eat foods become routinely consumed resulting in a sharp rise of sugar intake in people's daily diets. The inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in (poly)phenols has been encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the daily choices to ameliorate endothelial dysfunction and ease the socio-economic burden of diabetes. Research in Food, Nutrition, and Cell Metabolism areas is revealing that the health benefits of (poly)phenol-rich foods go beyond their antioxidant properties and are in fact key modulators of redox and glycaemia status, and inflammatory response contributing to improved endothelial function and vascular health in diabetes. Other beneficial aspects include appetite modulation, regulation of hydrolytic enzymes involved in sugar and lipid metabolism, and mediation of cell-cell aggregation events. This work overviews the current knowledge on the biological properties of ingested (poly)phenols in cultured endothelial cells with emphasis on the circulating (poly)phenols, providing support to (poly)phenol-rich diets as alternatives to drug-based therapies in the prevention, treatment, and management of diabetes. A critical evaluation on the caveats and challenges involve in current experimental cell-based designs and approaches adopted is also discussed.

Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops

Cucurbitaceae is one of the most economically important plant families, and includes some worldwide cultivated species like cucumber, melons, and squashes, and some regionally cultivated and feral species that contribute to the human diet. For centuries, cucurbits have been appreciated because of their nutritional value and, in traditional medicine, because of their ability to alleviate certain ailments. Several studies have demonstrated the remarkable contents of valuable compounds in cucurbits, including antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, but also tannins and terpenoids, which are abundant. This antioxidant power is beneficial for human health, but also in facing plant diseases and abiotic stresses. This review brings together data on the antioxidant properties of cucurbit species, addressing the genetic and pre- and postharvest factors that regulate the antioxidant content in different plant organs. Environmental conditions, management, storage, and pre- and postharvest treatments influencing the biosynthesis and activity of antioxidants, together with the biodiversity of this family, are determinant in improving the antioxidant potential of this group of species. Plant breeding, as well as the development of innovative biotechnological approaches, is also leading to new possibilities for exploiting cucurbits as functional products.

Effects of Aleurone Supplementation on Glucose-Insulin Metabolism and Gut Microbiome in Untrained Healthy Horses

Aleurone, a layer of the bran fraction, is deemed to be responsible for the positive health effects associated with the consumption of whole-grain products. Studies on rodents, pigs, and humans report beneficial effects of aleurone in five main areas: the reduction of oxidative stress, immunomodulatory effects, modulation of energy management, digestive health, and the storage of vitamins and minerals. Our study is the first aleurone supplementation study performed in horses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an increase in the dose levels of aleurone on the postprandial glucose-insulin metabolism and the gut microbiome in untrained healthy horses. Seven adult Standardbred horses were supplemented with four different dose levels of aleurone (50, 100, 200, and 400 g/day for 1 week) by using a Latin square model with a 1-week wash out in between doses. On day 7 of each supplementation week, postprandial blood glucose-insulin was measured and fecal samples were collected. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing was performed and QIIME2 software was used for microbiome analysis. Microbial community function was assessed by using the predictive metagenome analysis tool Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) and using the Metacyc database of metabolic pathways. The relative abundancies of a pathway were analyzed by using analysis of composition of microbiomes (ANCOM) in R. There was a significant dose-dependent increase in the postprandial time to peak of glucose (p = 0.030), a significant delay in the time to peak of insulin (p = 0.025), and a significant decrease in both the insulin peak level (p = 0.049) and insulin area under the curve (AUC) (p = 0.019) with increasing dose levels of aleurone, with a consideration of 200 g being the lowest significant dose. Alpha diversity and beta diversity of the fecal microbiome showed no significant changes. Aleurone significantly decreased the relative abundance of the genera Roseburia, Shuttleworthia, Anaerostipes, Faecalibacter, and Succinovibrionaceae. The most pronounced changes in the relative abundance at phyla level were seen in Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia (downregulation) and Bacteroidetes and Spirochaetes (upregulation). The PICRUSt analysis shows that aleurone induces a downregulation of the degradation of L-glutamate and taurine and an upregulation of the three consecutive pathways of the phospholipid membrane synthesis of the Archaea domain. The results of this study suggest a multimodal effect of aleurone on glucose-insulin metabolism, which is most likely to be caused by its effect on feed texture and subsequent digestive processing; and a synergistic effect of individual aleurone components on the glucose-insulin metabolism and microbiome composition and function.