Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Sensory Characterization of Commercial Pomegranate Juices

Polyphenol-Rich Extracts from Agroindustrial Waste and Byproducts: Results and Perspectives According to the Green Chemistry and Circular Economy

Polyphenols are natural secondary metabolites found in plants endowed with multiple biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, and anticancer). In view of these properties, they find many applications and are used as active ingredients in nutraceutical, food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic formulations. In accordance with green chemistry and circular economy strategies, they can also be recovered from agroindustrial waste and reused in various sectors, promoting sustainable processes. This review described structural characteristics, methods for extraction, biological properties, and applications of polyphenolic extracts obtained from two selected plant materials of the Mediterranean area as olive (Olea europaea L.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) based on recent literature, highlighting future research perspectives.

The effect of pomegranate juice supplementation on C-reactive protein levels: GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response updated meta-analysis of data from randomized controlled trials

Pomegranate juice (PJ) has a possible anti-inflammatory effect because of its polyphenol content and antioxidants. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of PJ in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has not been consistent. A previous meta-analysis conducted in 2016 reported a nonsignificant lowering effect of PJ on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to update the pooled effect size of PJ supplementation on CRP levels in RCT studies. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched until July 2023. Eligible studies were found by screening, their relevant data was extracted, and a risk of bias assessment was performed. The pooled effect size was calculated using a random effect model as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval. This systematic review included 11 studies with 13 effect sizes and 696 participants. Meta-analysis showed that PJ supplementation led to a significant decrease in CRP levels compared to control groups (WMD: -2.55 mg/L; 95%CI: -3.44 to -1.66; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated the significant reduction effect of PJ on CRP levels in studies conducted on the both sexes or only females as well as Iranian population, individuals with 40 years≤, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, or trials that intervened with PJ dosage of <250 ml/day. Meta-regression and dose-response analysis reported a nonsignificant linear and nonlinear relationship between intervention characteristics (duration and dose of PJ) and CRP changes. The current meta-analysis revealed that PJ supplemantation has a beneficial effect in improving CRP levels. It is recommended to understand this effect better, and find the optimal dose and duration of PJ supplementation to reduce CRP levels in the blood, and repeat meta-analysis after related RCTs are available. For the final proof of these effects, more detailed human studies are needed.

Evaluation of the Effect of an Olive Phenolic Extract on the Secondary Shelf Life of a Fresh Pesto

Recent advances in the olive oil sector aim to develop sustainable strategies for the valorisation of mechanical extraction co-products as a rich source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In this work, we studied the effectiveness of a phenolic extract (PE) from olive vegetation water (OVW) as a new antioxidant of natural origin for improving the quality and extending the secondary shelf life (SSL) of a fresh basil pesto sold as a served loose product at the deli counter, simulating the storage conditions after packaging, opening, and serving. For that, the PE was mixed with the oily phase of fresh pesto in two different concentrations and compared to a control pesto (CTRL) made with the addition of common additives (ascorbic acid (E300) and sorbic acid (E200)). The physicochemical parameters, phenolic and volatile composition, sensory profiles, and antioxidant capacity of the experimental pesto samples were evaluated after opening. The results proved that the enrichment with the PE improved the stability of the pesto and, hence, its overall quality. The PE provided higher protection than the CTRL against primary and secondary oxidation at both concentrations tested and delayed the accumulation of the volatile compounds responsible for the 'rancid' off-flavour up to 7 days after first opening, while also preserving higher levels of the pesto phytonutrients (such as the rosmarinic, caffeic, and chicoric acids and α-tocopherol). These results show that the generation of food waste in households, catering chains, retail, and/or restaurants can be reduced, improving the sustainability of the food industry and the competitiveness of the olive oil sector.

The Impact of Punica granatum Linn and Its Derivatives on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endothelial Function in Diabetes Mellitus: Evidence from Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as the leading contributor to cardiovascular disease and associated mortality rates worldwide. Despite the use of pharmaceutical drugs to treat diabetes, its prevalence continues to rise alarmingly. Therefore, exploring remedies with a lower toxicity profile is crucial while remaining safe and effective in addressing this global public health crisis. Punica granatum Linn (pomegranate), known for its properties and safety profile, has been investigated in applied research and preclinical and clinical trials. However, conflicting reports still exist regarding its effects in diabetes. According to our knowledge, no systematic review has been conducted to critically analyze evidence from preclinical and clinical trials simultaneously, explicitly focusing on oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial function in diabetes. Therefore, in this systematic review, we searched for evidence on the impact of pomegranate in diabetes using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Our inclusion criteria were limited to studies published in English. Of the 170 retrieved studies, 46 were deemed relevant and underwent critical analysis. The analyzed evidence suggests that pomegranate has the potential to alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Although a beneficial impact was noted in these markers, the endothelial function evidence still requires validation through further clinical trials with a powered sample size.

The effect of oral use of concentrated pomegranate juice by mothers on hyperbilirubinemia in neonates under phototherapy: A randomized clinical trial

Background

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in neonates that causes hospitalization. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of concentrated pomegranate juice (CPJ) consumption by breastfeeding mothers on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Materials and Methods

In this open-labeled, add-on, randomized clinical trial, 86 breastfeeding mothers and their neonates were allocated into two groups. In the control group, neonates received phototherapy. Besides neonates' phototherapy in the intervention group, their mothers received CPJ (1 tablespoon [15 g] three times a day) up to discharge. The bilirubin level was the primary outcome. The duration of phototherapy, the duration of hospital stay, and the need for exchange transfusions were secondary outcomes.

Results

CPJ reduced the bilirubin level of hospitalized neonates within 48 h after consumption (P = 0.048, standard mean difference = 0.648). It also resulted in reduced duration of hospital stay and faster discharge of the neonates. Furthermore, in 48 h after discharge, bilirubin was significantly lower in the CPJ group (P = 0.003, partial eta squared = 0.123).

Conclusion

Compared to the control group, consumption of CPJ by lactating mothers whose infants underwent phototherapy resulted in lower bilirubin levels, shorter hospital stay, and faster discharge.

Analysis of the utilization value of different tissues of Taxus×Media based on metabolomics and antioxidant activity

BACKGROUND

Taxaceae, is a class of dioecious and evergreen plant with substantial economic and ecology value. At present many phytochemical analyses have been performed in Taxus plants. And various biological constituents have been isolated from various Taxus species. However, the difference of compounds and antioxidant capacity of different tissues of T. media is not clear.

RESULTS

In the present study, we investigated the metabolites and antioxidant activity of four tissues of T. media, including T. media bark (TB), T. media fresh leaves (TFL), T. media seeds (TS), T. media aril (TA). In total, 808 compounds, covering 11 subclasses, were identified by using UPLC-MS/MS. Paclitaxel, the most popular anticancer compound, was found to accumulate most in TS, followed by TB, TFL and TA in order. Further analysis found that 70 key differential metabolites with VIP > 1.0 and p < 0.05, covering 8 subclasses, were screened as the key differential metabolites in four tissues. The characteristic compounds of TFL mainly included flavonoids and tanninsis. Alkaloids and phenolic acids were major characteristic compounds of TS and TB respectively. Amino acids and derivatives, organic acids, saccharides and lipids were the major characteristic compounds of TA. Additionally, based on FRAP and ABTS method, TS and TFL exhibited higher antioxidant activity than TB and TA.

CONCLUSION

There was significant difference in metabolite content among different tissues of T. media. TFL and TS had higher metabolites and antioxidant capacity than other tissues, indicating that TFL and TS were more suitable for the development and utilization of T. media in foods and drinks.

Effects of Ginger and Garlic Powders on the Physicochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Fruit Juices during Storage

Natural preservatives such as garlic and ginger can be added to the formulation of fresh fruit juices to encourage the consumption of health-promoting foods. In this study, the influence of garlic and ginger and the storage conditions on physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of fruit juices were investigated. The fruit juice assortments were produced from apple, apple and pumpkin, and apple and pomegranate and were treated with 0.5 g garlic powder, 0.5 g ginger powder, and 0.25 g mix of garlic and ginger powders. A total of 12 unpasteurized samples were produced, of which 3 were control samples. Samples stored at 20 and 4 °C were analyzed at 0, 3, 6, and 9 days for water activity (aw), pH, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), electrical conductivity (EC), vitamin C, color parameters, total number of germs, yeasts, and molds, Listeria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia coli. Results showed that aw, pH, TSS, and vitamin C content decreased during storage of fruit juice samples, while TA increased. The lowest increase in total number of aerobic mesophilic germs was determined for the apple and pumpkin juice with garlic and ginger and apple juice with garlic.

The Effect of In Vitro Digestion on Matcha Tea (Camellia sinensis) Active Components and Antioxidant Activity

This study investigates the effects of in vitro digestion on the antioxidant activity and release of phenolics, xanthine alkaloids, and L-theanine contents of matcha. It establishes digestibility values between 61.2–65.8%. Considering native matcha, the rutin content (303–479 µg/g) reached higher values than catechin (10.2–23.1 µg/g). Chlorogenic acid (2090–2460 µg/g) was determined as predominant. Rutin, quercetin, ferulic, ellagic, and caffeic acid were the least-released phenolics, and their remaining residues reached 76–84%. Protocatechuic, hydroxybenzoic acid, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate were the best-released phenolics, with the remaining residues under 1%. Caffeine, L-theanine, and theobromine contents in native matcha reached 16.1, 9.85, and 0.27 mg/g, respectively. Only caffeine (3.66–5.26 mg/g) and L-theanine (0.09–0.15 mg/g) were monitored in the undigested residue, representing 13 and 0.1% of the remaining part, respectively. A chemiluminescence assay showed that water-soluble antioxidants showed significant antioxidant activity in native matcha, while lipid-soluble compounds showed higher antioxidant activity in the undigested samples. Cinnamic and neochlorogenic acids were determined as the main contributors to the ACW values in the undigested matcha, epicatechin, and quercetin in the ACL fraction. The application of the digestion process reduced the antioxidant activity by more than 94%. SEM has proved specific digestion patterns of in vitro digestibility of matcha.

Taify Pomegranate Juice (TPJ) Abrogates Acrylamide-Induced Oxidative Stress Through the Regulation of Antioxidant Activity, Inflammation, and Apoptosis-Associated Genes

Acrylamide (ACR) has various effects on biological systems, including oxidative stress and its associated metabolic disorders. Previous research reports that plants growing at high altitude have a different profile of antioxidants. In the current report, the Taify pomegranate juice (TPJ) of the Taify pomegranate growing at the Taif region (high altitude), Saudi Arabia, was investigated for its protective activity from ACR-induced oxidative stress. Rats were treated with ACR, TPJ, or TPJ+ACR, and various assays, including blood chemistry, liver function biomarkers, gene expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress regulatory genes, inflammation biomarkers, and apoptosis, were estimated using biochemical, real-time PCR, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analysis. TPJ showed a protective function of ACR-induced alteration of AST, ALT, GGT, urea, total proteins, albumin, MDA, and NO. It also increased the level of the endogenous antioxidative enzymes, including SOD, catalase, and GSH. It showed anti-inflammatory activity by reduction the TNF-α, IL-6 secretion and the enhancing of IL-10 levels. At the gene expression level, TPJ upregulated the expression of endogenous antioxidant genes (SOD and catalase) and of antioxidant-regulating genes Nrf2 and HO-1; downregulated the expression of inflammatory genes TGF-β1, COX2, and the apoptotic gene caspase-3; and upregulated the expression of antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. At the histological level, TPJ showed a protective effect from the ACR-induced hepatic histological damage. Results of this study conclude that TPJ has a protective effect from ACR-induced oxidative stress and its associated metabolic alterations through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

The Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Apoptotic and Antioxidant Effects of a Pomegranate-Peel Extract against Acrylamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The Acrylamide is a toxic compound generated under oxidative stress arising from intracellular ROS production and induced toxicity. It is frequently used in industry and generated through the heating of tobacco and foods high in carbohydrates. The exact mechanism of its toxicity is still unclear. In this study, an extract of the peels of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a nutritious and visually appealing fruit with a diverse bioactive profile, was examined for its potential anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups of 10 rats each: Group 1 was a negative-control group (CNT) and received normal saline; Group 2 was a positive-control acrylamide group and received acrylamide orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg/bw; in Group 3, the rats were supplemented with pomegranate-peel extract (P.P; 150 mg/kg/bw) orally on a daily basis for 3 weeks, administered simultaneously with the acrylamide treatment described for Group 2; Group 4 was a protective group, and the animals received the pomegranate-peel extract and acrylamide as stated for Groups 2 and 3, with the pomegranate-peel extract (P.P. extract) administered 1 week earlier than the acrylamide. The results indicate that acrylamide exposure increased the serum levels of AST, ALT, creatinine, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 in an extraordinary manner. In addition, it increased the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and simultaneously weakened antioxidant biomarker activities (SOD, GSH, and catalase) and reduced the levels of interleukin-10. The pomegranate-peel extract was shown to reduce the inflammatory blood markers of interleukin-1 beta and IL-6. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and interleukin-10 were all significantly elevated in comparison to the acrylamide-treatment group as a result of the significant reduction in MDA levels induced by the P.P extract. In addition, the pomegranate-peel extract normalized the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and caspase-3 levels, with a significant upregulation of the mRNA expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2), and Bcl-2. Therefore, these data reveal that pomegranate peel has anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, free-radical-scavenging, and powerful antioxidant activity that protects against acrylamide toxicity.

Punicalagin Regulates Signaling Pathways in Inflammation-Associated Chronic Diseases

Inflammation is a complex biological defense system associated with a series of chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The extracts of pomegranate fruit and peel have been reported to possess health-beneficial properties in inflammation-associated chronic diseases. Punicalagin is considered to be the major active component of pomegranate extracts. In this review we have focused on recent studies into the therapeutic effects of punicalagin on inflammation-associated chronic diseases and the regulatory roles in NF-κB, MAPK, IL-6/JAK/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. We have concluded that punicalagin may be a promising therapeutic compound in preventing and treating inflammation-associated chronic diseases, although further clinical studies are required.