Potential of sea buckthorn-based ingredients for the food and feed industry – a review

Comparison of sea buckthorn fruit oil nanoemulsions stabilized by protein-polysaccharide conjugates prepared using β-glucan from various sources

To understand the influence of β-glucans structure on the emulsifying properties of protein-polysaccharide conjugates, sodium caseinate (NaCas) was utilized to form glycosylation conjugates with varying degrees of glycosylation (10.68-17.50%) using three β-glucans from bacteria, yeast, and oats. This process induced alterations in the secondary structure of protein. The nanoemulsions prepared with the glycosylated conjugates exhibited superior stability compared to those formulated solely with NaCas, particularly under conditions of drastic pH fluctuations and extended storage periods. The nanoemulsion prepared with the NaCas-Salecan conjugate demonstrated exceptional stability at pH 4 and 6, or storage for 20 days. Additionally, it significantly attenuated the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and exhibited the lowest levels of aggregation, flocculation, and free fatty acid release rate during in vitro digestion. This study suggested the potential of the NaCas-Salecan conjugates in enhancing the stability of nanoemulsions and facilitating the colorectal-targeted delivery of sea buckthorn fruit oil.

In Search of Authenticity Biomarkers in Food Supplements Containing Sea Buckthorn: A Metabolomics Approach

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) (SB) is increasingly consumed worldwide as a food and food supplement. The remarkable richness in biologically active phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, sterols, vitamins) is responsible for its purported nutritional and health-promoting effects. Despite the considerable interest and high market demand for SB-based supplements, a limited number of studies report on the authentication of such commercially available products. Herein, untargeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-ESI+MS) were able to compare the phytochemical fingerprint of leaves, berries, and various categories of SB-berry herbal supplements (teas, capsules, tablets, liquids). By untargeted metabolomics, a multivariate discrimination analysis and a univariate approach (t-test and ANOVA) showed some putative authentication biomarkers for berries, e.g., xylitol, violaxanthin, tryptophan, quinic acid, quercetin-3-rutinoside. Significant dominant molecules were found for leaves: luteolin-5-glucoside, arginine, isorhamnetin 3-rutinoside, serotonin, and tocopherol. The univariate analysis showed discriminations between the different classes of food supplements using similar algorithms. Finally, eight molecules were selected and considered significant putative authentication biomarkers. Further studies will be focused on quantitative evaluation.

Effect of Polyphenols in Sea Buckthorn Berry on Chemical Mediator Release from Mast Cells

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a deciduous shrub of the Elaeagnaceae family and is widely distributed in northern Eurasia. Sea buckthorn berry (SBB) has attracted attention for its use in many health foods, although its physiological function remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of SBB extract and its fractions on Type-I allergy using mast cell lines. Among these fractions, SBB fraction with the highest amount of antioxidant polyphenols significantly inhibited the release of chemical mediators such as histamine and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) from the stimulated mast cells. This fraction also inhibited the influx of calcium ions (Ca2+) and the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in proteins, including spleen tyrosine kinase, which is associated with signal transduction during the release of chemical mediators. The active SBB fraction contained isorhamnetin as its major flavonol aglycon. Isorhamnetin inhibited histamine and LTB4 release from the stimulated cells and suppressed intracellular Ca2+ influx. These results indicate that isorhamnetin is the primary substance responsible for the antiallergic activity in SBB. In conclusion, SBB may alleviate Type-I allergy by inhibiting the release of chemical mediators from mast cells, and polyphenols may contribute to this effect.

An update of aurones: food resource, health benefit, biosynthesis and application

Aurones are a subclass of active flavonoids characterized with a scaffold of 2-benzylidene-3(2H)-benzofuranone. This type of chemicals are widely distributed in fruit, vegetable and flower, and contribute to human health. In this review, we summarize the natural aurones isolated from dietary plants. Their positive effects on immunomodulation, antioxidation, cancer prevention as well as maintaining the health status of cardiovascular, nervous system and liver organs are highlighted. The biosynthesis strategies of plant-derived aurones are elaborated to provide solutions for their limited natural abundance. The potential application of natural aurones in food coloration are also discussed. This paper combines the up-to-date information and gives a full image of dietary aurones.

Cultural and enzymatic activity studies of a pathogenic wood-decaying fungus Fomitiporia hippophaeicola (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), recollected in the Eastern Caucasus

Stenotrophic basidiomycete fungus Fomitiporia hippophaeicola, being a wood-decaying pathogen of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides), has been recollected after 48 years in the Eastern Caucasus during the mycological and phytopathological investigations in the inner-mountainous part of the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. The identity of the species was confirmed by both morphological and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nrDNA data. We introduced and characterized the dikaryotic strain of F. hippophaeicola deposited for permanent storage to the Basidiomycete Culture Collection of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (LE-BIN). The morphological features and growth parameters of this xylotrophic fungus with phytopathogenic activity under cultivation on different agarized media (BWA, MEA, PDA) are described for the first time. The LE-BIN 4785 strain of F. hippophaeicola showed differences in growth rate and macromorphology, while the microscopic characteristics remained more robust during growth on the media tested. Qualitative analyses of oxidative and cellulolytic enzyme activities and assessment of the degradation potential of the strain examined in vitro were carried out. As a result, the newly obtained strain of F. hippophaeicola was found to exhibit medium enzyme activities and a moderate capacity to degrade the polyphenol dye azur B.

Differentiation of sea buckthorn syrups processed by high pressure, pulsed electric fields, ohmic heating, and thermal pasteurization based on quality evaluation and chemical fingerprinting

Introduction

Impact of processing on product characteristics, sustainability, traceability, authenticity, and public health along the food chain becomes more and more important not only to the producer but also to the customer and the trust of a consumer toward a brand. In recent years, the number of juices and smoothies containing so called super foods or fruits, which have been "gently pasteurized," has increased significantly. However, the term "gentle pasteurization" related to the application of emerging preservation technologies such as pulsed electric fields (PEF), high pressure processing (HPP) or ohmic heating (OH) is not clearly defined.

Methods

Therefore, the presented study investigated the influence of PEF, HPP, OH, and thermal treatment on quality characteristics and microbial safety of sea buckthorn syrup. Syrups from two different varieties were investigated under the following conditions HPP (600 MPa 4-8 min), OH (83°C and 90°C), PEF (29.5 kV/cm, 6 μs, 100 Hz), and thermal (88°C, hot filling). Analyses to test the influence on quality parameters like ascorbic acid (AA), flavonoids, carotenoids, tocopherols, antioxidant activity; metabolomical/chemical profiling (fingerprinting) via U-HPLC-HRMS/MS (here especially flavonoids and fatty acids); sensory evaluation, as well as microbial stability including storage, were conducted.

Results and discussion

Independent from the treatment, the samples were stable over 8 weeks of storage at 4°C. The influence on the nutrient content [Ascorbic acid (AA), total antioxidant activity (TAA), total phenolic compounds (TPC), tocopherols (Vit E)] was similar for all tested technologies. Employing statistical evaluation Principal Component Analysis (PCA) a clear clustering based on the processing technologies was observed. Flavonoids as well as fatty acids were significantly impacted by the type of used preservation technology. This was obvious during the storage time of PEF and HPP syrups, where enzyme activity was still active. The color as well as taste of the syrups were found to be more fresh-like for the HPP treated samples.

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Waste Biomass after Harvesting as a Source of Valuable Biologically Active Compounds with Nutraceutical and Antibacterial Potential

For sustainable sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berry production, the task at hand is to find an application for the large amount of biomass waste arising at harvesting. Sea buckthorn (SBT) vegetation is currently poorly studied. The purpose of this research was to assess the composition and potential of SBT twigs as a source of valuable biologically active substances. Water and 50% EtOH extracts of twigs of three Latvian SBT cultivars with a high berry yield and quality, popular for cultivation in many countries (H. rhamnoides 'Maria Bruvele', 'Tatiana', 'Botanicheskaya Lubitelskaya'), were investigated for the first time. The phytochemical composition (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis) and biological activity of the obtained hydrophilic extracts were determined. The highest yield of polyphenolic compounds and serotonin was observed for 'Maria Bruvele'. Hydrophilic extracts were investigated for radical scavenging activity (DPPH˙ test), antibacterial/antifungal activity against five pathogenic bacteria/yeast, cytotoxicity, and the enzymatic activity of alpha-amylase (via in vitro testing), which is extremely important for the treatment of people with underweight, wasting, and malabsorption. The results showed a high potential of sea buckthorn biomass as a source of valuable biologically active compounds for the creation of preparations for the food industry, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics.

Reclaim and Valorization of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) By-Product: Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Characterization

The by-product resulting from the production of the sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) juice may be a functional food ingredient, being a valuable source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, minerals, and fatty acids. For checking this hypothesis, two extracts were obtained by two different methods using 50% ethyl alcohol solvent, namely through maceration–recirculation (E-SBM) and through ultrasound extraction (E-SBUS), followed by concentration. Next, sea-buckthorn waste (SB sample), extracts (E-SBM and E-SBUS samples) and the residues obtained from the extractions (R-SBM and R-SBUS samples) were characterized for the total polyphenols, flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, mineral contents, and fatty acids profile. The results show that polyphenols and flavonoids were extracted better by the ultrasound process than the other methods. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the E-SBUS sample was 91% higher (expressed in Trolox equivalents) and approximately 45% higher (expressed in Fe²⁺ equivalents) than that of the E-SBM sample. Regarding the extraction of minerals, it was found that both concentrated extracts had almost 25% of the RDI value of K and Mg, and also that the content of Zn, Mn, and Fe is significant. Additionally, it was found that the residues (R-SBM and R-SBUS) contain important quantities of Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, and Fe. The general conclusion is that using the ultrasound extraction method, followed by a process of concentrating the extract, a superior recovery of sea-buckthorn by-product resulting from the juice extraction can be achieved.

Composition of flesh lipids and oleosome yield optimization of selected sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) cultivars grown in Poland

Sea buckthorn berries contain lipids rich in palmitoleic acid, carotenoids, tocols and sterols, but their composition varies greatly depending on the cultivar and region of cultivation. Therefore, the current study presents the chemical composition of fruit flesh oils of cultivars grown in Poland and compares them with plants grown worldwide. Among tested cultivars, the highest shares of palmitoleic acid were determined in Golden Rain and Luczystaja cvs. Ten grams of sea buckthorn flesh oil provides at least 28% of vitamin A, 50% of vitamin E and 5% of sterols of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values for adults. The final part of this study is dedicated to a preliminary study of the optimization of the oleosome yield by the centrifugation method. The maximum oleosome yield can be obtained at a relatively low centrifugal force (below 8000×g), while optimal temperature and time should be laboratory determined for each cultivar.

Structure and properties of pectin substances of wild sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) growing in Azerbaijan

The use of sea buckthorn fruits in medicine, cosmetology and as a source of ingredients that improve the quality of food has already been studied and continues to be studied. One of these ingredients can serve as pectin substances of sea buckthorn, isolated from it in its pure form. Considering the relevance of this direction, the main task of this work was the study and identification of pectin substances isolated from the fruits of wild sea buckthorn growing in Azerbaijan. Using cavitation-membrane technology, samples of pectin substances from sea buckthorn pomace were obtained under optimal technological conditions, after which the physicochemical characteristics were studied and their identification was carried out using physicochemical methods - elementary analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Data have been obtained indicating that sea buckthorn pectin is a low-esterified pectin, which consists of a mixture of linear and highly branched polymers of α-D-galacturonane and other polysaccharides, whose macromolecules include galacturonic acid residues and neutral sugars. The high complexing ability of the obtained pectin in relation to lead ions has been established, which makes it possible to recommend it as an active ingredient for therapeutic and prophylactic products. The data obtained allow us to get a more complete picture of the biotechnological potential of local sea buckthorn as a source of pectin substances.

Metabolite and Bioactive Compounds Profiling of Meteora Sea Buckthorn Berries through High-Resolution NMR Analysis

Sea buckthorn berries (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) (SB) are considered as a fruit with a high nutritional value with a plethora of bioactive ingredients. The present work focusses on the analysis of the whole NMR metabolic profile of SB berries grown in an organic orchard of Meteora/Greece. In parallel, this study validates/highlights qualitative characteristics of the osmotic processed berries according to the fresh fruit. The composition in bioactive metabolites of SB berries was elucidated through sophisticated high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. The lipophilic profile maintains the vitamins, flavonoid glycosides, phenolic esters and the essential lipid components of SB, while the polar profile reveals a variety of flavonoids, saccharides, organic acids, amino acids and esterified glycosides. This approach towards identification of SB bioactive ingredients may serve as basis for simultaneous profiling and quality assessment and may be applied to monitor fresh food quality regarding other food preservation methods.

Is "Wild" a Food Quality Attribute? Heavy Metal Content in Wild and Cultivated Sea Buckthorn and Consumers' Risk Perception

Globally, the consumption of herbal supplements is on an upward trend. As the food supplement industry thrives, so does the need for consumers’ awareness of health risks. This contribution is grounded on two assumptions. Firstly, not always “wild” is a food quality attribute, and secondly, the food chain is judged as a noteworthy route for human exposure to soil contamination. Sea buckthorn (SBT) was selected for investigation due to its versatility. In addition to its wide therapeutic uses, it is present in ecological rehabilitation which may raise concerns regarding its safety for human consumption as a consequence of the accumulation of contaminants in the plant. The study aims to discover if the objective contamination of SBT with toxic residues is congruent with people’s subjective evaluation of SBT consumption risk. A quantitative determination of heavy metals was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The metals abundance followed the sequence Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd. Quantitative data on consumers’ subjective risk evaluations were collected through an online survey on 408 Romanians. Binary logistic shows that the consumption of SBT is predicted by the perceived effect of SBT consumption on respondents’ health. The study confirms that the objective contamination of wild and cultivated SBT is in line with the perceived contamination risk. It is inferred that a joint effort of marketers, media, physicians, and pharmacists is needed to inform consumers about the risks and benefits of SBT consumption.

Enrichment of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil with carotenoids of sea buckthorn pomace via ultrasound-assisted extraction technique: Enrichment of flaxseed oil with sea buckthorn

Currently, flaxseed oil is used as an important functional food constituent owing to its large content of omega-3 fatty acids. However, flaxseed oil does not contain carotenoids that could enhance the oxidative stability of the oil. In this study, carotenoids extracted from sea buckthorn pomace were used to enrich cold-pressed flaxseed oil via an ultrasound-assisted extraction technique (UAE). The process parameters were optimized through Box-Behnken design to maximize the carotenoid content in the flaxseed oil. The results obtained by statistical analysis indicated that the yield of 14.02 mg/L of carotenoid content was found in the enriched flaxseed oil at 75.6 min, feed to oil ratio of 19.9 (wt. basis), and amplitude 80.81%. Further, UAE at optimum process parameters was compared with the conventional extraction (CE) method, and it was found that UAE had ~ 49 wt% of higher carotenoid content relative to CE. The physicochemical properties of the enriched flaxseed oil were determined to evaluate the effects of carotenoid enrichment in the flaxseed oil. Based on the outcomes of the present investigation, enriched flaxseed oil could be the potential source for the pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals industry.

Changes in chilled beef packaged in starch film containing sea buckthorn pomace extract and quality changes in the film during super-chilled storage

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of super-chilled storage (-1.3 °C) combined with starch film packaging containing different contents of sea buckthorn pomace extract (SSF, 0, 1, 2, and 3%, w/w) on the quality of chilled beef. The release kinetics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the film were also measured to investigate its suitability for super-chilled storage. The results of the meat quality assessment showed that the L*, a*, and sensory evaluation values of the SSF-3% samples were significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the pH, b*, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable count (TCA) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the SSF-0%. The release of SBP from the SSF film was controlled by diffusion. Furthermore, SSF-3% was found to have a compact microstructure and good mechanical properties at the end of the super-chilled storage. The results demonstrated that SSF is an effective packaging material for beef at super-chilling temperatures.

The bioactive components as well as the nutritional and health effects of sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn (SB), also named sea berry, Hippophae rhamnoides L. or Elaeagnus rhamnoides L., has been used in daily life for centuries with kinds of purposes ranging from a beverage with a pleasant taste and flavor, to an agent for treatment of many disorders and diseases. SB is well known more than just a fruit. So far, a unique mixture of bioactive components was elucidated in SB including flavonoids, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, carotenoids, fatty acids, triterpenoids, vitamins and phytosterols, which implied the great medicinal worth of this seaberry. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments, ranged from cell lines to animals as well as a few in patients and healthy volunteers, indicated that SB possessed various biological activities including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, antioxidant properties, anti-cancer activities, hepato-protection, cardiovascular-protection, neuroprotection, radioprotection, skin protection effect as well as the protective effect against some eye and gastrointestinal sickness. Furthermore, the toxicological results revealed neither the fruits, nor the seeds of SB were toxic. The present review summarizes the unique profile of the chemical compounds, the nutritional and health effects as well as the toxicological properties of SB, which lay the foundation for practical applications of SB in treatment of human diseases.

Sea buckthorn (SB), also named sea berry, has been used in daily life for centuries with kinds of purposes ranging from a beverage with a pleasant taste and flavor, to an agent for treatment of many disorders and diseases.