Composing functional food from agro-forest wastes: Selectively extracting bioactive compounds using supercritical fluid extraction

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) employing carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) is an efficient method to extract bioactive compounds from agro-forest wastes. These compounds maintain and/or improve food nutrition, safety, freshness, taste, and health and are employed as natural functional food components. To highlight the potential of this technology, we focus on the following current advances: (I) parameters affecting solubility in SFE (pressure, temperature, SC-CO2 flow rate, extraction time, and co-solvents); (II) extraction spectra and yield obtained according to proportion and composition of co-solvents; (III) extract bioactivity for functional food production. Fatty acids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenoids, and low-polarity phenolic acids and triterpenoids were extracted using SFE without a co-solvent. High-polarity phenolic acids and flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, and alkaloids were only extracted with the help of co-solvents. Using a co-solvent significantly improved the triterpenoid, flavonoid, and phenolic acid yield with a medium polarity.

Evaluation of synergistic/antagonistic antibacterial activities of fatty oils from apricot, date, grape, and black seeds

The increasing antimicrobial resistance requires continuous investigation of new antimicrobial agents preferably derived from natural sources. New powerful antibacterial agents can be produced by simply combining oils that are known for their antibacterial activities. In this study, apricot seed oil (ASO), date seed oil (DSO), grape seed oil (GSO), and black seed oil (BSO) alone and in binary mixtures were assessed. Fatty acid profiles of individual oils and oil mixtures showed linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linolenic acid contents. Linoleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in all samples except for ASO, where oleic acid was the dominant one. GSO showed the highest total phenolic content while ASO showed the lowest one. Antibacterial screening was performed against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Results showed antibacterial activity in all oils against tested strains except for ASO against S. aureus. Highest antibacterial activity recorded was for ASO against P. mirabilis. ASO-GSO mixture (AG) was the best mixture where it showed synergistic interactions against all strains except P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, seed oil mixtures are likely to show promising antibacterial activities against specific strains.

Use of Grape By-Products to Enhance Meat Quality and Nutritional Value in Monogastrics

Grape by-products could be used in monogastric animals′ nutrition to reduce feeding costs with conventional crops (e.g., maize and soybean meal) and to improve meat quality. The main grape by-products with the largest expression worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean region, are grape pomace, grape seed, grape seed oil and grape skins. These by-products are rich sources of bioactive polyphenols, dietary fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), more specifically, the beneficial n-3 PUFA, that could be transferred to pork and poultry meat. The potential biological activities, mainly associated with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, make them putative candidates as feed supplements and/or ingredients capable of enhancing meat quality traits, such as color, lipid oxidation and shelf life. However, grape by-products face several limitations, namely, the high level of lignified cell wall and tannin content, both antinutritional compounds that limit nutrients absorption. Therefore, it is imperative to improve grape by-products’ bioavailability, taking advantage of enzyme supplementation or pretreatment processes, to use them as feed alternatives contributing to boost a circular agricultural economy. The present review summarizes the current applications and challenges of using grape by-products from the agro-industrial sector in pig and poultry diets aiming at improving meat quality and nutritional value.

A comprehensive review on current and emerging technologies toward the valorization of bio-based wastes and by products from foods

Industries in the agro-food sector are the largest generators of waste in the world. Agro-food wastes and by products originate from the natural process of senescence, pretreatment, handling, and manufacturing processes of food and beverage products. Notably, most of the wastes are produced with the transformation of raw materials (such as fruits, vegetables, plants, tubers, cereals, and dairy products) into different processed foods (e.g., jams, sauces, and canned fruits/vegetables), dairy derivatives (e.g., cheese and yogurt), and alcoholic (e.g., wine and beer) and nonalcoholic beverages (e.g., juices and soft drinks). Current research is committed not only to the usage of agro-food wastes and by products as a potential source of high-value bioactive compounds (e.g., phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and organic acids) but also to the implementation of emerging and innovative technologies that can compete with conventional extraction methods for the efficient extraction of such biomolecules from the residues. Herein, specific valorization technologies, such as membrane-based processes, microwave, ultrasound, pulsed electric-assisted extraction, supercritical/subcritical fluids, and pressurized liquids, have emerged as advanced techniques in extracting various added-value biomolecules, showing multiple advantages (improved extraction yields, reduced process time, and protection to the bioactive properties of the compounds). Hence, this comprehensive review aims to analyze the ongoing research on applying such techniques in valorization protocols. A last-five-year review, together with a featured analysis of the relevant findings in the field, is provided.

Impact of grape pomace flour (GPF) on immunity and immune-antioxidant-anti-inflammatory genes expression in Labeo rohita against Flavobacterium columnaris

This study evaluates the effects of dietary inclusion of grape pomace flour (GPF) on growth, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, innate-adaptive immunity, and immune genes expression in Labeo rohita against Flavobacterium columnaris. In both normal and challenged fish the growth rate, hematology and biochemical parameters significantly increased when fed with 200 and 300 mg GPF enriched diets; similarly the activities of antioxidants and innate-adaptive immune parameters, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), phagocytic (PC), respiratory burst (RB), alternative pathway complement (ACP), lysozyme (Lyz), and total immunoglobulin M (IgM) significantly increased in both groups. Similarly, the immune, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory-related gene mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in head kidney (HK) tissues. The challenged fish fed without GPF always exhibited lower values of all the studied parameters. The results indicate that both normal and challenged fish treated with 200 mg GPF inclusion diet had significantly enhanced growth rate, antioxidant status, and immune defense mechanisms than with 300 mg GPF diet in L. rohita against F. columnaris.

Immunoinflammatory effects of dietary bioactive compounds

Inflammation is a key mechanism of the immune system that can be elicited by several factors, among them several chemical, physical and biological agents. Once stimulated, the inflammatory response activates a series of signaling pathways and a number of immune cells which promote, in a very coordinated manner, the neutralization of the infectious agent. However, if uncontrolled, the inflammatory status may become chronic leading, potentially, to tissue damage and disease onset. Several risk factors are associated with the development of chronic inflammation and, among these factors, diet plays an essential role. In this chapter the effects of some dietary bioactive compounds, including micronutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, nucleotides and polyphenols, on the immunoinflammatory responses in different cellular, animal and human studies have been summarized.

Valorization of papaya (Carica papaya L.) agroindustrial waste through the recovery of phenolic antioxidants by supercritical fluid extraction

In this work, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for the recovery of phenolic antioxidants from papaya agroindustrial waste (seeds) was explored, making use of neat supercritical CO₂ and CO₂ added with ethanol (CO₂-EtOH). A full factorial design played on in order to evaluate the effect of CO₂ extraction parameters (temperature between 40 and 60 °C, and pressure between 10 and 30 MPa) on yield and total phenols content (TPC), then ethanol was applied as a co-solvent and its effect on the recovery of phenolics was analyzed. The SFE was compared to the conventional extraction using ethanol. The antioxidant activity of all extracts was evaluated, and the phenolic composition in selected extracts was assessed by HPLC-ESI-MS. The highest extraction yields (21.02-26.46%) and TPC (15.34-34.23 mgGAE/g) were found in extracts obtained with CO₂-EtOH and ethanol. Good and selective phenolic recovery was obtained by using CO₂-EtOH, (44.81% of TPC recovered). The CO₂-EtOH extracts showed high radical scavenging activity and higher antioxidant effect against lipid oxidation. Some phenolic acids and flavonoids were observed in the extracts with better antioxidants properties. The results showed that SFE is a suitable green technology for the phenolic recovery from papaya agroindustrial waste, and also an alternative for its valorization.

Effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on functional activity and mineralization of OD-21 and MDPC-23 cell lines

Recent studies on functional tissue regeneration have focused on substances that favor cell proliferation and differentiation, including the bioactive phenolic compounds present in grape seed extract (GSE). The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the stimulatory potential of GSE in the functional activity of undifferentiated pulp cells and odontoblast-like cells. OD-21 and MDPC-23 cell lines were cultivated in odontogenic medium until subconfluence, seeded in 24-well culture plates in a concentration of 2x104/well and divided into: 1) OD-21 without GSE; 2) OD-21+10 µg/mL of GSE; 3) MDPC-23 without GSE; 4) MDPC-23+10 µg/mL of GSE. Cell proliferation, in situ detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein content were assessed after 3, 7 and 10 days, and mineralization was evaluated after 14 days. The data were analyzed by ANOVA statistical tests set at a 5% level of significance. Results revealed that cell proliferation increased after 10 days, and protein content, after 7 days of culture in MDPC-23 cells. In situ ALP staining intensity was higher in undifferentiated pulp cells and odontoblast-like cells after 7 and 10 days, respectively. A discrete increase in MDPC-23 mineralization after GSE treatment was observed despite OD-21 cells presenting a decrease in mineralized nodule deposits. Data suggest that GSE favors functional activity of differentiated cells more broadly than undifferentiated cells (OD-21). More studies with different concentrations of GSE must be conducted to confirm its benefits to cells regarding dentin regeneration.

Beneficial effects of an investigational wristband containing Synsepalum dulcificum (miracle fruit) seed oil on the performance of hand and finger motor skills in healthy subjects: A randomized controlled preliminary study

Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) seed oil (MFSO) contains phytochemicals and nutrients reported to affect musculoskeletal performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a compression wristband containing MFSO on its ability to measurably improve the hand and finger motor skills of participants. Healthy right-handed participants (n = 38) were randomized in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study of MFSO and vehicle wristbands. Subjects wore the wristband on their left hand 4-6 weeks and then only on their right hand 2-4 weeks; the contralateral untreated hand served as an additional control. Twelve hand/finger motor skills were measured using quantitative bio-instrumentation tests, and subject self-assessment questionnaires were conducted. With each hand, in 9/12 tests, the MFSO group showed a clinically meaningful average improvement compared with an average worsening in the vehicle group. Statistical superiority to the control treatment group was exhibited in 9/12 tests for each hand (p < .01). After discontinuing the MFSO wristband on the left hand, test values regressed toward baseline levels. Subjects favored the MFSO wristband over the control, rating it as effective in improving their motor skills. Use of the MFSO wristband may improve an individual's manual dexterity skills and ability to maintain this performance.

Unsaponifiable fraction isolated from grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed oil attenuates oxidative and inflammatory responses in human primary monocytes

Grape seed oil has significant potential for the management of inflammatory and oxidative conditions.

Grape Seed Oil Compounds: Biological and Chemical Actions for Health

Grape seed oil is rich in phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and vitamins, with economic importance to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industry. Its use as an edible oil has also been suggested, especially due to its pleasant sensory characteristics. Grape seed oil has beneficial properties for health that are mainly detected by in vitro studies, such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, and may interact with cellular and molecular pathways. These effects have been related to grape seed oil constituents, mainly tocopherol, linolenic acid, resveratrol, quercetin, procyanidins, carotenoids, and phytosterols. The aim of this article was to briefly review the composition and nutritional aspects of grape seed oil, the interactions of its compounds with molecular and cellular pathways, and its possible beneficial effects on health.

Enhancement of nutritionally significant constituents of black currant seeds by chemical elicitor application

Black currant seeds are obtained as a residue during juice production. Black currant seed oil contains high amounts of nutritionally desirable constituents such as γ-linolenic acid (GLA), α-linolenic acid (ALA) and stearidonic acid (SA), as well as certain phenolic acids, which act as natural antioxidants. Fatty acids and phenolic acids of seeds from black currant cultivars after elicitation with methyl jasmonate (MJ) were examined. GLA contents around 25% with respect to total fatty acid content were measured in seeds after pre-harvest treatment of black currants with 0.02mM MJ in 0.05% Tween-20. High GLA samples also exhibited high SA content (higher than 10% with respect to total fatty acid content); however, ALA dropped (from 16% to 10%). High GLA content seeds also showed increased contents of gallic, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids. In particular, seeds from 0.02mM MJ treated Ben Hope black currants exerted contents of gallic, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids of 201.4, 125.9, 201.3 and 112.5μgg(-1)vs 124.3, 58.6, 165.4 and 95.8μgg(-1) measured in seeds from untreated Ben Hope black currants. Comparable results were obtained for Ben Alder and Ben Gairn berries. Chemical elicitation with 0.02 MJ is proposed as an industrial practice in such a way that, after consideration of quality issues, it would be obtained high added value black currant seeds.