LC-ESI-QTOF/MS Characterisation of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids in Polyphenol-Rich Fruits and Vegetables and Their Potential Antioxidant Activities

Polyphenols: Chemistry, bioavailability, bioactivity, nutritional aspects and human health benefits: A review

Polyphenols, including phenolics, alkaloids, and terpenes, are secondary metabolites that are commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and beverages, such as tea, coffee, wine, chocolate, and beer. These compounds have gained considerable attention and market demand because of their potential health benefits. However, their application is limited due to their low absorption rates and reduced tissue distribution efficiency. Engineering polyphenol-protein complexes or conjugates can enhance the antioxidant properties, bioavailability, and stability of polyphenols and improve digestive enzyme hydrolysis, target-specific delivery, and overall biological functions. Complex polyphenols, such as melanin, tannins, and ellagitannins, can promote gut microbiota balance, bolster antioxidant defense, and improve overall human health. Despite these benefits, the safety of polyphenol complexes must be thoroughly evaluated before their use as functional food additives or supplements. This review provides a detailed overview of the types of macromolecular polyphenols, their chemical composition, and their role in food enrichment. The mechanisms by which complex polyphenols act as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agents have also been discussed.

Evaluation of black grape pomace, a fruit juice by-product, in shalgam juice production: Effect on phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, resveratrol, tannin, and in vitro antioxidant activity

The aims of this research were to investigate the usability of black grape pomace in the production of shalgam juice, which is a traditional fermented Turkish beverage, to transform the pomace into the high value-added product and to enrich the shalgam juice with phenolic compounds. Black grape pomace and black carrot were used as the sources of polyphenols and five different formulations were obtained according to the amounts of black carrot and black grape pomace. During the fermentation, the samples were taken at different periods and analyzed for anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and tannin content. Gentisic, caffeic, ferulic, coumaric, and chlorogenic acids, catechin, glucosides of kaemferol and isorhamnetin, resveratrol, rutin, cyanidin-3-xylosylglucosylgalactoside, cyanidin-3-xylosylgalactoside, cyanidin-3-xylosylglucosylgalactoside acylated with sinapic acid, ferulic acid, or coumaric acid, and glucosides of cyanidin, petunidin, and malvidin were identified in the shalgam juices that contained both black grape pomace and black carrot in their formulation. Some of these polyphenols were not detected detect in the shalgam juices that were produced from only the black carrot or black grape pomace. During the fermentation, a decrease in the amount of anthocyanins originated from black carrots and an increase in the amount of anthocyanins orginated from black grape pomace were determined. Black grape pomace addition to the formulation before the fermentation caused an increase in the amount of tannin in the shalgam juice samples. Consequently, it is thought that black grape pomace can be fruitfully evaluated in shalgam juice production and can be enhanced by polyphenolic profile of shalgam juice.

Research on Phenolic Content and Its Antioxidant Activities in Fermented Rosa rugosa 'Dianhong' Petals with Brown Sugar

Fermented Rosa rugosa 'Dianhong' petals with brown sugar, a biologically active food popularized in Dali Prefecture, Northwest Yunnan, China, are rich in bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, exhibiting strong antioxidant activity. This study evaluated their antioxidant activities, total phenolic contents, and concentrations of polyphenols at different fermentation conditions using different assays: DPPH free-radical scavenging activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Folin-Ciocalteu assays, and HPLC-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD methods. The results indicated that fermentation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the antioxidant activity and polyphenol concentration of R. rugosa 'Dianhong'. Furthermore, Saccharomyces rouxii TFR-1 fermentation achieved optimal bioactivity earlier than natural fermentation. Overall, we found that the use of Saccharomyces rouxii (TFR-1) is a more effective strategy for the production of polyphenol-rich fermented R. rugosa 'Dianhong' petals with brown sugar compared to natural fermentation.

Antimutagenic and antitumor activities of a water-soluble fraction of soursop (syn Graviola, Annona muricata L.) fruit pulp

Soursop (Annona muricata) is a tropical tree whose decoction derived from bark, root, seed, or leaf has been used for medicinal uses. In addition, the fruit itself is considered a food, and the juice is utilized to treat heart and liver diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic content. In addition, a water-soluble fraction of the soursop fruit pulp (WSSP) was examined for the following properties: antioxidant, mutagenic, and antimutagenicity. UV-visible spectrophotometry determined total phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteu method to be 11.22 ± 0.6 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram dried extract, and free-radical scavenging activity by the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•) showed an EC50 of 1032 µg/ml. In the Salmonella/microsome assay, no marked mutagenicity was induced following WSSP treatment, and a chemopreventive capacity was observed in the antimutagenic assay. The cytotoxicity assays were carried out using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays demonstrated that WSSP induced significant cytotoxicity in MCF-7 and Caco-2 cells, indicating greater effectiveness of cytotoxic action by destroying cell membrane integrity. Data suggest that WSSP may exert beneficial effects as a DNA chemopreventive and antitumor agent.

Depicting the genetic and metabolic panorama of chemical diversity in the tea plant

As a frequently consumed beverage worldwide, tea is rich in naturally important bioactive metabolites. Combining genetic, metabolomic and biochemical methodologies, here, we present a comprehensive study to dissect the chemical diversity in tea plant. A total of 2837 metabolites were identified at high-resolution with 1098 of them being structurally annotated and 63 of them were structurally identified. Metabolite-based genome-wide association mapping identified 6199 and 7823 metabolic quantitative trait loci (mQTL) for 971 and 1254 compounds in young leaves (YL) and the third leaves (TL), respectively. The major mQTL (i.e., P < 1.05 × 10-5, and phenotypic variation explained (PVE) > 25%) were further interrogated. Through extensive annotation of the tea metabolome as well as network-based analysis, this study broadens the understanding of tea metabolism and lays a solid foundation for revealing the natural variations in the chemical composition of the tea plant. Interestingly, we found that galloylations, rather than hydroxylations or glycosylations, were the largest class of conversions within the tea metabolome. The prevalence of galloylations in tea is unusual, as hydroxylations and glycosylations are typically the most prominent conversions of plant specialized metabolism. The biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids, which are one of the most featured metabolites in tea plant, was further refined with the identified metabolites. And we demonstrated the further mining and interpretation of our GWAS results by verifying two identified mQTL (including functional candidate genes CsUGTa, CsUGTb, and CsCCoAOMT) and completing the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway of the tea plant.

Current trends in targeting the oxidative stress in glaucoma (Review)

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterised by retinal ganglion cell degeneration and visual field loss. Glaucoma is considered to be the leading cause of blindness in the industrialised countries. Oxidative damage is an important pathogenic factor in glaucoma, which triggers trabecular meshwork (TM) degeneration, which then leads to intraocular hypertension. Neurodegenerative insults during glaucomatous neurodegeneration initiate an immune response to restore tissue homeostasis. However, the oxidative stress (OS) that develops during the pathogenic processes of glaucoma, along with the agerelated OS, plays a critical role in shifting the physiological equilibrium. In the TM from glaucoma donors, proinflammatory markers were found, which were induced by the activation of a stress response. Chronic changes in the composition of antioxidants found in aqueous humour may induce alterations in TM as well as in the optic nerve head cells. Highlighting the pathogenic role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in glaucoma has implications in preventing this disease. Various clinical trials are available to test the efficacy of antioxidant drugs in glaucoma management. In this review, we discuss the OS as a therapeutic target, suggesting that the modulation of a pro-oxidant/antioxidant status might be a relevant target for glaucoma prevention and therapy.

Assessing Grain Quality Changes in White and Black Rice under Water Deficit

Rice is an essential diet component for a significant portion of the population worldwide. Due to the high water demand associated with rice production, improving water use efficiency and grain quality is critical to increasing the sustainability of the crop. This species includes rice varieties with diverse pigmentation patterns. Grain quality, including industrial, nutritional, and functional quality traits, of two black rice genotypes and a commercial white rice cultivar were evaluated in different locations and under different water regimes. Flooding produced higher grain weight compared to alternate wetting and drying irrigation. A high correlation was found between grain color, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity. The black rice genotypes showed higher TPC levels and antioxidant capacity, mainly due to higher levels of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. The phenolic profile varied between whole and polished grains, while mineral composition was influenced by location and irrigation regime. In turn, the environment influenced grain quality in terms of industrial and nutritional characteristics, with significant differences in quality between whole and polished grains. This study provides valuable information on the genotype-environment relationship in rice and its effect on grain quality, which could contribute to selecting genotypes for an appropriate environment.

Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal antioxidant mechanisms and potential pharmacological ingredients of citrus herbs

The benefits of citrus herbs are strongly associated with their secondary metabolites. In the study, we conducted widely-targeted metabolomics and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) to compare the variability of ingredients in four citrus herbs. In total, we discovered 1126 secondary metabolites, primarily comprising flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans and coumarins, and alkaloids. Differential metabolites of citrus herbs were searched by multivariate statistical analysis. Notably, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium contained higher levels of flavonoids, while Zhique and Huajuhong demonstrated a greater abundance of coumarins. Among the flavonoids determined by UPLC, Guangchenpi demonstrated significantly elevated levels of polymethoxyflavones (tangeretin and nobiletin) compared to other citrus herbs. Additionally, we determined their antioxidant capacity (Chenpi > Guangchenpi > Huajuhong > Zhique) using in vitro assays. Finally, we utilized network pharmacology to explore the antioxidant mechanisms and potential pharmacological ingredients, providing a basis for future preventive and therapeutic applications of these metabolites.

Extraction and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Diverse Marine Microalgae and Their Potential Antioxidant Activities

This study compared free and bound phenolic compounds in various marine microalgae species. It assessed total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total condensed tannin content (TCT) and their antioxidant capacities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⋅+ ) radical cation-based assay and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was also employed to characterize the phenolic profiling. Results showed that free phenolic compounds ranged from 1.83-6.45 mg GAE/g d. w., while bound phenolic compounds ranged from 4.03-26.03 mg GAE/g d. w., indicating significant differences. These variations were consistent across assays, highlining unique profiles in different species. A total 10 phenolics were found in these seven microalgae, including 1 phenolic acid, 6 flavonoids, 1 other polyphenol and 2 lignans. 4'-O-methyl-(-)-epigallocatechin 7-O-glucuronide and chrysoeriol 7-O-glucoside in microalgae were firstly reported in microalgal samples. These findings have implications for future applications in industries.

The Physicochemical Attributes, Volatile Compounds, and Antioxidant Activities of Five Plum Cultivars in Sichuan

Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) is an important stone fruit crop in Sichuan that is increasingly in demand by consumers owing to its flavor and outstanding nutraceutical properties. The physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity, and volatile profiles of five traditional and new plum cultivars in Sichuan were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results showed that all plums exhibited an appropriate quality profile for fresh consumption; the new cultivar 'ZH' exhibited the highest soluble solids content, sugar-acid ratio, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity. High sugar-low acid properties were observed in five plum cultivars. Sucrose was the main sugar, while quinic acid and malic acid were the main organic acids. The plums were rich in volatile compounds and had specific volatile characteristics. A total of 737 volatiles were identified in the plum fruit, and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis was employed to screen 40 differential volatiles as markers for cultivar distinction. These findings offer comprehensive information on the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity, and volatile profiles of plums.

Characterization of the Effect of a Novel Production Technique for 'Not from Concentrate' Pear and Apple Juices on the Composition of Phenolic Compounds

The consumption of 'not-from-concentrate' (NFC) fruit juices can be a convenient and enjoyable way to incorporate the nutritional benefits and flavors of fruits into one's diet. This study will focus on the effect of production of juices from apple and pear fruits, by using centrifugal decanter and tangential filtration, on the profile of polyphenols as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. Likewise, by-products from the juice industry were characterized in order to understand the high-value-added potential based on their composition of polyphenols. Briefly, apple and apple juice showed great contents of chlorogenic acid (0.990 ± 0.021 mg/g of DW), the dihydrochalcone phloridzin (1.041 ± 0.062 mg/g of DW), procyanidins (0.733 ± 0.121 mg/g of DW) and quercetin derivatives (1.501 ± 0.192 mg/g of DW). Likewise, the most abundant compounds in pear and pear juices were chlorogenic acid (0.917 ± 0.021 mg/g of DW), caffeoylquinic acid (0.180 ± 0.029 mg/g of DW), procyanidins (0.255 ± 0.016 mg/g of DW) and quercetin derivatives (0.181 ± 0.004 mg/g of DW). Both temperature and tangential speed affect the amount of phenolic compounds in fruit juices, highlighting the need to control the technological process to obtain a more nutritious/healthier beverage. Overall, NFC juices arise as a better option when compared with concentrated juices. Furthermore, the higher yield of phenolic compounds found in fruit pomace clearly open new ways for upcycling this fruit by-product as a high-value-added ingredient.

Antioxidant Capacity of Polar and Non-Polar Extracts of Four African Green Leafy Vegetables and Correlation with Polyphenol and Carotenoid Contents

In sub-Saharan Africa, chronic malnutrition is often associated with intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress. African green leafy vegetables (GLVs), commonly consumed by these populations and rich in bioactive compounds, may improve the antioxidant status. The aim of this study was to measure the antioxidant capacity using complementary assays (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, ORAC and NO scavenging) in polar and non-polar leaf extracts of four African GLVs, cassava (Manihot esculenta), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius), and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), with spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chosen as a reference. Their antioxidant capacity was correlated with their total polyphenol (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), condensed tannin, lutein, and β-carotene contents. Identification of phenolic compounds by UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS revealed the presence of three main classes of compound: flavonols, flavones, and hydroxycinnamic acids. Cassava and roselle leaves presented significantly higher TPC and TFC than amaranth, jute mallow, and spinach. They also exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, even higher than that of spinach, which is known for its important antioxidant effect. The antioxidant capacity was 2 to 18 times higher in polar than non-polar extracts, and was more strongly correlated with TPC and TFC (R > 0.8) than with β-carotene and lutein contents. These findings provide new data especially for cassava and roselle leaves, for which studies are scarce, suggesting an appreciable antioxidant capacity compared with other leafy vegetables.

Advanced mass spectrometry profiling of phenolic and minerals compounds in herbal beverages

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has led to an increased interest in herbal infusions as natural remedies since 2020. This has also heightened the need for controlling the composition of these dietary supplements to ensure consumer health and prevent food fraud. In the present work, various mass spectrometry techniques were used to analyze the organic and inorganic composition of 23 herbal infusion samples. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS was used to determine target, suspect, and nontarget polyphenolic compounds. Thus, 8 phenolic compounds were identified in the target analysis and additionally, 80 extra-compounds were identified through suspect and nontargeted screening. ICP-MS was used to monitor the metals released during tea leaf infusion, providing a complete mineral composition of each sample. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA) were utilized to identify relevant compounds for differentiating and grouping the samples, thus serving as specific markers to detect potential food fraud.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Association with Serum Levels of Nitric Oxide, Prostacyclin, and Thromboxane B2 among Prinzmetal Angina Patients and Healthy Persons

This study aimed to assess the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet with serum Nitric oxide, Prostacyclin, and Thromboxane B₂ among Prinzmetal angina patients and healthy persons. This case-control study was conducted among 100 Prinzmetal angina patients and 100 healthy persons referred to the Ardabil Imam Khomeini hospital between 2021 and 2022. Blood samples were obtained from all study participants for measurement of serum Nitric oxide, Prostacyclin, and Thromboxane B₂. To calculate adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the ten-item screener was used. The serum Nitric oxide in patients who adhered more to the Mediterranean diet was higher than patients with less adherence (coeff. = 0.41 p = 0.04). The serum Prostacyclin level in patients with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 0.34 units higher than patients with less adherence (coeff. = 0.34 p = 0.02). The level of serum Thromboxane B₂ had a negative association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (coeff. = -0.48 p = 0.04). The amount of consumption of olive oil, fruits, vegetables, and legumes in healthy people was more than Prinzmetal angina patients. In Prinzmetal angina patients, more adherence to the Mediterranean diet can decrease the serum Thromboxane B₂ and increase the serum Nitric oxide and Prostacyclin.

Design, synthesis, spectroscopic characterizations, single crystal X-ray analysis, in vitro xanthine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory evaluation as well as in silico evaluation of selenium-based N-heterocyclic carbene compounds

Herein, eight new NHC-based selenourea derivatives were synthesized and characterized by using spectroscopic method (1H, 19F, and 13C NMR, FT-IR), and elemental analysis techniques. These compounds were synthesized by mixing benzimidazolium salts, potassium carbonate, and selenium powder in ethyl alcohol. Additionally, the molecular and crystal structures of the three compounds (1c, 2b, and 2c) were determined using the single-crystal x-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Diffraction analysis demonstrated the partial carbon-selenium double-bond character of these compounds. All compounds were determined to be highly potent inhibitors for AChE and XO enzymes. The IC50 values for the compounds were found in the range of 0.361-0.754 μM for XO and from 0.995 to 1.746 μM for AChE. The DNA binding properties of the compounds were investigated. These compounds did not have a remarkable DNA binding property. Also, DPPH radical scavenging activities of the compounds were also investigated. Compounds (1c), (2a), (3a), and (3b) exhibited more pronounced DPPH radical scavenging activity when compared to other compounds. Docking studies were applied by using AutoDock 4 to determine interaction mechanism of the selected compounds (1a), (1b), and (3b). The compound (1b) has good binding affinity (-9.78 kcal/mol) against AChE, and (-6.86 kcal/mol) for XO target. Drug similarity properties of these compounds compared to positive controls were estimated and evaluated by ADMET analysis. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations have been applied to understand the accuracy of docking studies. These findings and the defined compounds could be potential candidates for the discovery and progress of effective medicine(s) for AChE and XO in the future.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Profile and activity of phenolic antioxidants in chrysanthemum (Huangshan Gongju) as affected by simulated digestions

The phenolics are the main bioactive substances of Huangshan Gongju, a famous chrysanthemum of China, but their digestive characteristics are still unknown. To explore the digestive properties of Huangshan Gongju phenolics, the flower was extracted and subjected to simulated digestions, and their phenolic profile and activity were analyzed. The results indicated that the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity of the extract varied with the simulated digestion steps, and they generally decreased in the oral and small intestine digestions but increased in the gastric digestion, and high correlations were detected between the total phenolics content and antioxidant activity (0.873 < r < 0.979, p < .01). The change of phenolic profile during the simulated digestions was similar to that of total phenolics content, and six individual phenolics were identified and quantified, and three of them, including chlorogenic acid, apigenin-7-O-rutinoside, and apigenin-7-O-6″-acetylglucoside showed higher recovery (>64.29%), implying they may be the main functional phenolics of Huangshan Gongju. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study proved that most phenolics in Huangshan Gongju were relatively stable during digestion. The finding may guarantee the application of Huangshan Gongju in the field of functional foods.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects Induced by Allium sativum L. Extracts on an Ex Vivo Experimental Model of Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic and multifactorial inflammatory conditions of the colonic mucosa (ulcerative colitis), characterized by increased and unbalanced immune response to external stimuli. Garlic and its bioactive constituents were reported to exert various biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. We aimed to evaluate the protective effects of a hydroalcoholic (GHE) and a water (GWE) extract from a Sicilian variety of garlic, known as Nubia red garlic, on an ex vivo experimental model of ulcerative colitis, involving isolated LPS-treated mouse colon specimens. Both extracts were able to counteract LPS-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), and interleukin (IL)-6 gene expression in mouse colon. Moreover, the same extracts inhibited prostaglandin (PG)E₂, 8-iso-PGF_2α, and increased the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/serotonin ratio following treatment with LPS. In particular, GHE showed a better anti-inflammatory profile. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects induced by both extracts could be related, at least partially, to their polyphenolic composition, with particular regards to catechin. Concluding, our results showed that GHE and GWE exhibited protective effects in colon, thus suggesting their potential use in the prevention and management of ulcerative colitis.

Relationship between Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Berries and Leaves of Raspberry Genotypes and Their Genotyping by SSR Markers

The red raspberry is one of the world’s most popular berries. The main direction of its breeding has switched to nutritional quality, and the evaluation of raspberry germplasm for antioxidant content and activity is very important. As berries, raspberry leaves contain valuable bioactive compounds, but the optimal time for their collection is unknown. We evaluated 25 new breeding lines and standard raspberry cultivars for their polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant activity of berries correlated better with the content of total phenolics (0.88 and 0.92) and flavonoids (0.76 and 0.88) than with anthocyanins (0.37 and 0.66). Two breeding lines were significantly superior to the standard cultivars and can be used in further breeding. Leaves collected in three phenological phases of the raspberry contained more phenolics (5.4-fold) and flavonoids (4.1-fold) and showed higher antioxidant activities (2.4-fold in FRAP assay, 2.2-fold in ABTS) than berries. The optimal time for harvesting raspberry leaves is the fruit ripening stage, with exceptions for some cultivars. Genetic diversity analysis using microsatellite (SSR) markers from flavonoid biosynthesis genes divided the genotypes into five clusters, generally in agreement with their kinships. The relationship between genetic data based on metabolism-specific SSR markers and the chemical diversity of cultivars was first assessed. The biochemical and genetic results show a strong correlation (0.78). This study is useful for further the improvement of raspberry and other berry crops.

The Effects of Drying Techniques on Phytochemical Contents and Biological Activities on Selected Bamboo Leaves

The therapeutic potential of bamboos has acquired global attention. Nonetheless, the biological activities of the plants are rarely considered due to limited available references in Sabah, Malaysia. Furthermore, the drying technique could significantly affect the retention and degradation of nutrients in bamboos. Consequently, the current study investigated five drying methods, namely, sun, shade, microwave, oven, and freeze-drying, of the leaves of six bamboo species, Bambusa multiplex, Bambusa tuldoides, Bambusa vulgaris, Dinochloa sublaevigata, Gigantochloa levis, and Schizostachyum brachycladum. The infused bamboo leaves extracts were analysed for their total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The antioxidant activities of the samples were determined via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, whereas their toxicities were evaluated through the brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). The chemical constituents of the samples were determined using liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The freeze-drying method exhibited the highest phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity yield, excluding the B. vulgaris sample, in which the microwave-dried sample recorded the most antioxidant and phytochemical levels. The TPC and TFC results were within the 2.69 ± 0.01−12.59 ± 0.09 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 0.77 ± 0.01−2.12 ± 0.01 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g ranges, respectively. The DPPH and ABTS IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) were 2.92 ± 0.01−4.73 ± 0.02 and 1.89−0.01 to 3.47 ± 0.00 µg/mL, respectively, indicating high radical scavenging activities. The FRAP values differed significantly between the drying methods, within the 6.40 ± 0.12−36.65 ± 0.09 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g range. The phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacities exhibited a moderate correlation, revealing that the TPC and TFC were slightly responsible for the antioxidant activities. The toxicity assessment of the bamboo extracts in the current study demonstrated no toxicity against the BSLA based on the LC50 (lethal concentration 50) analysis at >1000 µg/mL. LC-MS analysis showed that alkaloid and pharmaceutical compounds influence antioxidant activities, as found in previous studies. The acquired information might aid in the development of bamboo leaves as functional food items, such as bamboo tea. They could also be investigated for their medicinal ingredients that can be used in the discovery of potential drugs.

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.

Screening of Phenolic Compounds in Rejected Avocado and Determination of Their Antioxidant Potential

Avocados are one of the important fruits in our diet, showing many health benefits. However, a significant amount of avocados become defective as they are transported throughout the supply chain and are refused by consumers, ending up at animal or pet feed manufacturers. Indeed, some previous evidence suggests that rejected avocados still present high phenolic content that can be reused in the drug or pharmacological industry. Therefore, in the present work, we measured the phenolic content from rejected avocado pulp and evaluated the antioxidant potential, followed by characterization and quantification using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and HPLC-PDA. Reed avocado pulp was highest in TPC (0.21 mg GAE/g f.w.) and TFC (0.05 mg QE/g f.w.), whereas in TCT assay, low traces of tannins were exhibited in Wurtz and Reed avocado pulp. Hass avocado pulp had the highest antioxidant potential in DPPH (0.32 AAE/g f.w.), FRAP (0.13 AAE/g f.w.), ABTS (0.32 AAE/g f.w.), •OH-RSA (0.51 AAE/g f.w.) and FICA (0.47 mg EDTA/g) assays. Wurtz avocado pulp had higher antioxidant potential in RPA (0.07 mg AAE/g) and PMA (0.27 AAE/g f.w.). A total of 64 phenolic compounds were characterized in avocado pulp, including 10 in Hass avocado pulp, 31 in Wurtz avocado pulp and 45 in Reed avocado pulp. In HPLC-PDA quantification, chlorogenic acid (21.36 mg/g f.w.), epicatechin (14.24 mg/g f.w.) and quercetin (21.47 mg/g f.w.) were detected to be the highest in Hass, Wurtz and Reed avocado pulp, respectively. Our study showed the presence of phenolic compounds in rejected avocado pulp and hence can be utilized in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Comparative Composition Structure and Selected Techno-Functional Elucidation of Flaxseed Protein Fractions

This study aimed to comparatively elucidate the composition structure and techno-functionality of flaxseed protein isolate (FPI), globulin (FG), and albumin (FA) fractions. The results showed that FA possessed smaller particle dimensions and superior protein solubility compared to that of FG (p < 0.05) due to the lower molecular weight and hydrophobicity. FA and FG manifested lamellar structure and nearly spherical morphology, respectively, whereas FPI exhibited small lamellar strip structure packed by the blurring spheres. The Far-UV CD, FTIR spectrum, and intrinsic fluorescence confirmed more flexible conformation of FA than that of FG, followed by FPI. The preferential retention of free phenolic acids was observed for FA, leading to excellent antioxidant activities compared with that of FG in FPI (p < 0.05). FA contributed to the foaming properties of FPI, relying on the earlier interfacial adsorption and higher viscoelastic properties. FA displayed favorable emulsifying capacity but inferior stability due to the limited interfacial adsorption and deformation, as well as loose/porous interface. By comparison, an interlayer anchoring but no direct interface coating was observed for lipid droplets constructed by FG, thereby leading to preferable emulsion stability. However, FPI produced lipid droplets with dense interface owing to the effective migration of FA and FG from bulk phase, concomitant with the easy flocculation and coalescence. Thus, the techno-functionality of flaxseed protein could be tailed by modulating the retention of albumin fraction and specific phenolic acids.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activity of Phenolic Compound Family Extracted from Raspberries (Rubus idaeus): A General Review

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) possess a wide phenolic family profile; this serves the role of self-protection for the plant. Interest in these compounds have significantly increased, since they have been classified as nutraceuticals due to the positive health effects provided to consumers. Extensive chemical, in vitro and in vivo studies have been performed to prove and validate these benefits and their possible applications as an aid when treating several chronic degenerative diseases, characterized by oxidative stress and an inflammatory response. While many diseases could be co-adjuvanted by the intake of these phenolic compounds, this review will mainly discuss their effects on cancer. Anthocyanins and ellagitannins are known to provide a major antioxidant capacity in raspberries. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the phenolic compound family of raspberries, and topics discussed include their characterization, biosynthesis, bioavailability, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity and Chemopreventive Potential in Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines of the Standardized Extract Obtained from the Aerial Parts of Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium L.)

The aboveground parts of Trifolium medium L. (zigzag clover), a little-known representative of the family Fabaceae, collected during flowering in a wild stand (Sławin-Szerokie district, Lublin, Poland), were used in this study. Our previous investigations confirmed the higher content of phytoestrogenic isoflavones (especially biochanin A and formononetin derivatives) in T. medium compared to the closely related medicinal plant T. pratense (red clover) and the involvement of these compounds in anti-osteoporotic effects in ovariectomized female rats. The current study focused on evaluating other antibiodegenerative (antioxidant, chemopreventive, and cytostatic) effects for the lyophilisate (TML) obtained from wild zigzag clover. For this purpose, efficient ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was employed, followed by vacuum drying and phytochemical standardization using a newly developed reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-LC) coupled with a PDA detection. Malonylglycosides of biochanin A and formononetin were the predominant compounds and were found to contribute more than 54% to the total isoflavone content determined in the standardized extract of zigzag clover. The antioxidant potential of TML was examined in vitro using the Folin–Ciocalteu and cupric ion-reducing (CUPRAC) methods in addition to the free radical (DPPH• and ABTS•+) scavenging assays. The cytotoxic effects of TML, formononetin, and ononin were evaluated on MCF-7 (estrogen-dependent) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen-independent) human breast cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. The important role of malonyl isoflavone derivatives has been indicated both in chemoprevention and potential cytotoxic effects of TML against certain types of breast cancer.

Polyphenols composition and the biological effects of six selected small dark fruits

The health-promoting activities of fruits are in the limelight in view of the growing risks posed by civilisational diseases and are connected with polyphenols. The present study examined bilberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, redcurrant, cherry and plum for their polyphenolic content and biological activities. The contents of total polyphenolic compounds and their subclasses were determined. Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to characterise the polyphenolic profiles. Small dark fruits' antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cholinesterase activities were also extensively determined. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences in the analysed fruits' polyphenols composition and biological activities were demonstrated. The highest polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activities were established in blackcurrant fruit, but bilberry also had our attention due to an additional mild influence on antioxidant enzymes. The condensed tannin content in small dark fruits is developed. All tested fruits exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-cholinesterase activities.

Cherries and Blueberries-Based Beverages: Functional Foods with Antidiabetic and Immune Booster Properties

Nowadays, it is largely accepted that the daily intake of fruits, vegetables, herbal products and derivatives is an added value in promoting human health, given their capacity to counteract oxidative stress markers and suppress uncontrolled pro-inflammatory responses. Given that, natural-based products seem to be a promising strategy to attenuate, or even mitigate, the development of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and to boost the immune system. Among fruits, cherries and blueberries are nutrient-dense fruits that have been a target of many studies and interest given their richness in phenolic compounds and notable biological potential. In fact, research has already demonstrated that these fruits can be considered functional foods, and hence, their use in functional beverages, whose popularity is increasing worldwide, is not surprising and seem to be a promising and useful strategy. Therefore, the present review reinforces the idea that cherries and blueberries can be incorporated into new pharmaceutical products, smart foods, functional beverages, and nutraceuticals and be effective in preventing and/or treating diseases mediated by inflammatory mediators, reactive species, and free radicals.

In Vitro Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Mechanisms of Action of Ethanolic Extracts of Five Tunisian Plants against Bacteria

Pistacia lentiscus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Erica multiflora, Calicotome villosa, and Phillyrea latifolia were considered important medicinal herbs and were used to treat various ailments. The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic extracts (EEs). P. lentiscus and R. officinalis were the richest species in phenolic compounds. Similarly, both species showed the highest values of flavonoids. While the EEs of P. lentiscus, E. multiflora, and C. villosa had higher amounts of tannins. These phenolic compounds were evaluated by two different tests, namely diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric iron-reducing power (FRAP). The IC50 values were found to be significant (p < 0.05) for P. lentiscus and E. multiflora. Similarly, both plants showed the highest ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). This study has been conducted to evaluate the antibacterial potential of EEs against selected bacteria—Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Salmonella typhimurium NCTC 6017)—and determine their modes of action. The ethanolic extracts inhibited bacterial growth by producing concentration-dependent zones of inhibition. Treatment with these extracts at their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the viability of bacteria. The extracts did not induce total lysis. Bacteria organisms treated with EEs at MICs showed a significant (p < 0.05) loss of tolerance to NaCl (5%). Our results highlighted the use of plant extracts as natural antibacterials that can be safely used in health care and led to the understanding of the antibacterial mechanism of plant extracts.

Analysis of the Fruit Quality of Pear (Pyrus spp.) Using Widely Targeted Metabolomics

Pear is a kind of common temperate fruit, whose metabolite composition that contributes to the difference in fruit quality is unclear. This study identified and quantified the metabolites using a widely targeted LC-MS/MS approach in three pear species, including Pyrus bretschneideri (PB), Pyrus usssuriensis (PU) and Pyrus pyrifolia (PP). A total of 493 metabolites were identified, consisting of 68 carbohydrates, 47 organic acids, 50 polyphenols, 21 amino acids, 20 vitamins, etc. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA demonstrated that the metabolite compositions differed distinctly with cultivar variability. Our results also involved some metabolic pathways that may link to the fruit quality based on KEGG pathway analysis, the pathway of phenylalanine metabolism revealed significant differences between PB and PP (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the study selected D-xylose, formononetin, procyanidin A1 and β-nicotinamide mononucleotide as the major differentially expressed metabolites in the three species. The present study can open new avenues for explaining the differences in fruit quality of the major commercial pear cultivars in China.

LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS Characterization and Estimation of the Antioxidant Potential of Phenolic Compounds from Different Parts of the Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Seed and Rhizome

Edible lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) is widely consumed in Asian countries and treated as a functional food and traditional medicinal herb due to its abundant bioactive compounds. Lotus rhizome peels, rhizome knots, and seed embryos are important byproducts and processing waste of edible lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) with commercial significance. Nevertheless, the comprehensive phenolic profiling of different parts of lotus is still scarce. Thus, this study aimed to review the phenolic contents and antioxidant potential in lotus seeds (embryo and cotyledon) and rhizomes (peel, knot, and pulp) grown in Australia. In the phenolic content and antioxidant potential estimation assays by comparing to the corresponding reference standards, the lotus seed embryo exhibited the highest total phenolic content (10.77 ± 0.66 mg GAE/g_f.w.), total flavonoid content (1.61 ± 0.03 mg QE/g_f.w.), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (9.66 ± 0.10 mg AAE/g_f.w.), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity (14.35 ± 0.20 mg AAE/g_f.w.), and total antioxidant capacity (6.46 ± 0.30 mg AAE/g), while the highest value of ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity and total tannin content was present in the lotus rhizome knot (2.30 ± 0.13 mg AAE/g_f.w.). A total of 86 phenolic compounds were identified in five parts of lotus by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), including phenolic acids (20), flavonoids (51), lignans (3), stilbenes (2), and other polyphenols (10). The most phenolic compounds, reaching up to 68%, were present in the lotus seed embryo (59). Furthermore, the lotus rhizome peel and lotus seed embryo exhibit significantly higher contents of selected polyphenols than other lotus parts according to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quantification analysis. The results highlighted that byproducts and processing waste of edible lotus are rich sources of phenolic compounds, which may be good candidates for further exploitation and utilization in food, animal feeding, and pharmaceutical industries.

Phenolic Profiling of Berries Waste and Determination of Their Antioxidant Potential

Berries waste is a major issue in Australia’s annual food wastage, which can reach 7.3 million tonnes. This study assessed the phenolic content and antioxidant potential of four fruit berry wastes, including blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum), blackberries (Rubus spp.), raspberries (Rubus idaeus), and strawberries (Fragaria spp.), followed by their characterization and quantification. Blueberry wastes were high in phenolic content (total phenolic content: 1.97 ± 0.16 mg GAE/gF.W; total flavonoid content: 220.43 ± 13.15 μg QE/gF.W; total tannins content: 16.47 ± 0.98 μg CE/gF.W), and antioxidant potentials are 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: 2.23 ± 0.17 mg AAE/gF.W; 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid): 1.79 ± 0.09 mg AAE/gF.W; ferric reducing antioxidant power: 68.71 ± 11.11 μg AAE/gF.W (total antioxidant capacity: 1.22 ± 0.03 mg AAE/gF.W). The LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis identified 87 compounds from blueberry (57), strawberry (40), raspberry (47), and blackberry wastes (27). Indicated by HPLC quantification, blueberry wastes had higher levels of phenolic acid (syringic acid and coumaric acid) and flavonoid (kaempferol and kaempfero l-3-glucoside). Our study reported that phenolics from berry wastes could be utilized in different food, feed, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries.

Chemical Structure, Sources and Role of Bioactive Flavonoids in Cancer Prevention: A Review

There has been a major shift in the collective mindset around the world in recent decades, both in terms of food and in terms of the treatment of chronic diseases. Increasing numbers of people are choosing to prevent rather than treat, which is why many consumers are choosing plant-based diets, mainly due to their bioactive compounds. A significant case of bioactive compound is flavonoids-a wide subclass of an even wider class of phytochemicals: polyphenols. Flavonoids are a broad topic of study for researchers due to their potential in the prevention and treatment of a broad range of cancers. The aim of this review is to inform/update the reader on the diversity, accessibility and importance of flavonoids as biomolecules that are essential for optimal health, focusing on the potential of these compounds in the prevention of various types of cancer. Along with conventional sources, this review presents some of the possible methods for obtaining significant amounts of flavonoids based on a slightly different approach, genetic manipulation.

A Comparative and Comprehensive Characterization of Polyphenols of Selected Fruits from the Rosaceae Family

The present research presents a comprehensive characterization of polyphenols from peach, pear, and plum using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), followed by the determination of their antioxidant potential. Plums showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC; 0.62 mg GAE/g), while peaches showed the highest total flavonoid content (TFC; 0.29 mg QE/g), also corresponding to their high scavenging activities (i.e., DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and TAC). In all three fruit samples, a total of 51 polyphenolic compounds were tentatively identified and were mainly characterized from hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxyphenylpentanoic acids, flavanols, flavonols, and isoflavonoids subclasses. Twenty targeted phenolic compounds were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA). The plum cultivar showed the highest content of phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, 11.86 mg/100 g), whereas peach samples showed the highest concentration of flavonoids (catechin, 7.31 mg/100 g), as compared to pear. Based on these findings, the present research contributes and complements the current characterization data of these fruits presented in the literature, as well as ensures and encourages the utilization of these fruits in different food, feed, and nutraceutical industries.

Restoring the oxidative balance in age-related diseases - An approach in glaucoma

As human life expectancy increases, age-related health issues including neurodegenerative diseases continue to rise. Regardless of genetic or environmental factors, many neurodegenerative conditions share common pathological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, a hallmark of many age-related health burdens. In this review, we describe oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma, an age-related neurodegenerative eye disease affecting 80 million people worldwide. We consider therapeutic approaches used to counteract oxidative stress in glaucoma, including untapped treatment options such as novel plant-derived antioxidant compounds that can reduce oxidative stress and prevent neuronal loss. We summarize the current pre-clinical models and clinical work exploring the therapeutic potential of a range of candidate plant-derived antioxidant compounds. Finally, we explore advances in drug delivery systems, particular those employing nanotechnology-based carriers which hold significant promise as a carrier for antioxidants to treat age-related disease, thus reviewing the key current state of all of the aspects required towards translation.

Identification of Phenolic Compounds in Australian-Grown Bell Peppers by Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Electrospray Ionization-Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry and Estimation of Their Antioxidant Potential

Bell peppers are widely considered as healthy foods that can provide people with various phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds, which contribute to the antioxidant property of bell peppers. Nevertheless, the acknowledgment of phenolic compounds in bell peppers is still limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the phenolic content and the antioxidant potential in pulps and seeds of different bell peppers (green, yellow, and red) by several in vitro assays followed by the characterization and quantification of individual phenolics using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) quantification, respectively. The captured results showed that the pulp of red bell peppers exhibited the highest phenolic content in the total polyphenol content (1.03 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g_f.w.), total flavonoid content (137.43 ± 6.35 μg QE/g_f.w.), and total tannin content (0.22 ± 0.01 mg CE/g_f.w.) as well as the most antioxidant potential in all antioxidant capacity estimation assays including total antioxidant capacity (3.56 ± 0.01 mg AAE/g_f.w.), 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (0.89 ± 0.01 mg AAE/g_f.w.), 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (1.36 ± 0.12 mg AAE/g_f.w.), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.15 ± 0.01 mg AAE/g_f.w.). LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS isolated and identified a total of 59 phenolic compounds, including flavonoids (21), phenolic acids (20), other phenolic compounds (12), lignans (5), and stilbenes (1) in all samples. According to HPLC-PDA quantification, the seed portions showed a significantly higher amount of phenolic compounds. These findings indicated that the waste of bell peppers can be a potential source of phenolic compounds, which can be utilized as antioxidant ingredients in foods and nutritional products.

Determination and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Australia-Grown Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium L.) and Their Potential Antioxidant Properties

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are popular fruits around the world with a high nutritional value and abundant phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds of cherries contribute to positive health benefits. This study aimed at determining the phenolic content and antioxidant activities in four Australian-grown sweet cherry cultivars, including Bing, Ron's, Merchant, and Lapins, as well as the identification of individual phenolic compounds with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quantum time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS²). Lapins exhibits the highest total phenolic content (TPC) value (1.73 ± 0.90 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) while Ron's exhibits the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) value (0.51 ± 0.02 mg QE/g). In 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), reducing power assay (RPA), and total antioxidant content (TAC) assays, Merchant exhibited the highest values (0.51 ± 0.07, 1.74 ± 0.04, and 2.79 ± 0.09 mg AAE/g, respectively) and almost showed the highest antioxidant activity. Ron's presented the highest value (1.21 ± 0.09 mg EDTA/g) in ferrous ion-chelating activity (FICA) assay and exhibits the strongest metal chelating ability. The correlation between phenolic contents and antioxidant assays was observed. In the LC-ESI-QTOF-MS² analysis, a total of 43 phenolic compounds has been detected in four sweet cherry cultivars, including 11 phenolic acids, 25 flavonoids, 5 other phenolic compounds, 1 lignan, and 1 stilbene. Venn graph showed that Lapins has the greatest number of unique compounds. Our study shows the presence of phenolic acids and provides information to be utilized as an ingredient in food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries.

Improving Shelf Life, Maintaining Quality, and Delaying Microbial Growth of Broccoli in Supply Chain Using Commercial Vacuum Cooling and Package Icing

Poor and inconsistent quality is a major barrier to increasing produce consumption, and the lack of shelf-life after purchase is the quality issue at retail displays of produce. This research aimed to investigate and identify cooling techniques, namely vacuum cooling and package icing used in supply chains, and any resulting extension of broccoli shelf-life, maintenance of physicochemical quality, and delay in microbial growth at retail stores. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica cv. Montop) sustainably grown in the highlands of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, under the Royal Project Foundation was experimented on vacuum cooling and package icing were selected to precool broccoli to 4 ± 1 °C. The effects of vacuum cooling using a final pressure of 0.6 kPa for 30 min and package icing using liner Styrofoam boxes (the best ratio of broccoli to crushed ice was 1:1 w/w) on physicochemical qualities, microbial growth, and shelf-life in simulated refrigerated retail displays were examined. The results illustrated that the shelf-life and quality of broccoli could be extended using both vacuum cooling and package icing. Both precooling techniques inhibited the yellowing of florets, provided high sensory scores, delayed microbial growth, and could be able to extend the shelf-life of broccoli. However, package icing offered greater potential for maintaining quality, especially retaining bioactive compounds, and extending shelf-life, thereby increasing the produce market window from 5 to 12 days at 8 ± 1 °C with 85% RH. Therefore, package icing was recommended in the supply chain for fresh broccoli cv. Montop grown in northern Thailand.

Identification of Polyphenolics from Loranthus globosus as Potential Inhibitors of Cholinesterase and Oxidative Stress for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

Mistletoes are considered to be the potential medicinal herbs due to their rich traditional uses. Loranthus globosus is a Bangladeshi mango mistletoe that has been reported as folk medicine for various ailments and diseases. In an attempt to explore its effectiveness in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we investigated the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of L. globosus. We report that the crude methanol extract (CME) of the plant contains a good amount of polyphenolics and possesses antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Fractionation of CME with solvents of varying polarity revealed the highest activity and polyphenolic content in the ethylacetate fraction (EAF). Correlation analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) association of polyphenolics with the antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory properties. Using column chromatography with diaion resin, the polyphenolics (EAF-PP) were isolated from the EAF that displayed the potent antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities. Kinetic analysis showed that EAF-PP exhibited a competitive type of inhibition. A total of thirty-six compounds including catechin and its different derivatives were identified in the EAF-PP by LC/MS analysis. Bioactivity-guided separation approach afforded the isolation of the two major active compounds catechin and catechin dimer from the EAF-PP. Hence, EAF-PP represents a potential source of antioxidants and cholinesterase inhibitors, which can be used in the management of AD.

Al-Duais M, Bahattab O, Hamayoon Khan M, Suleria HAR. Screening of Polyphenols in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Determination of Their Antioxidant Activity in Different Tobacco Varieties

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is an herbaceous plant originating from South America and processed into cigarettes for consumption. Polyphenols are considered vital components of tobacco in view of their contribution to antioxidant properties. This study aimed to determine the phenolic compounds in different tobacco varieties by applying cold extraction with methanol and distilled water. The extracts were screened for phenolic compound diversity and distribution as well as their antioxidant potential in different tobacco varieties. The results showed that the methanolic extract of tobacco SP-28 exhibited the highest value in the total phenolic content (24.82 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g_d.w.) and total flavonoid content (4.42 ± 0.01 mg QE/g_d.w.), while the water extract of tobacco SN-2 exhibited the highest value in the total condensed tannin (1.12 ± 0.03 mg CE/g_d.w.). The radical scavenging capacities of tobacco SP-28 were relatively high in DPPH (18.20 ± 0.01 mg AAE/g_d.w.) and FRAP (3.02 ± 0.10 mg AAE/g_d.w.), whereas the ABTS value was the highest in tobacco SN-2 (37.25 ± 0.03 mg AAE/g_d.w.), and the total antioxidant capacity was the highest in tobacco SN-1 (7.43 ± 0.18 mg AAE/g_d.w.). LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS identified a total of 49 phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids (14), flavonoids (30), and other polyphenols (5) in four different tobacco varieties. Tobacco SP-28 showed the highest number of phenolic compounds, especially enriched in flavones. Our study highlights the antioxidant potential of tobacco extracts and reveals the phenolic distribution among different tobacco varieties that could support tobacco utilization in different pharmaceutical industries.

Screening and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Australian Grown Bananas and Their Antioxidant Capacity

Bananas are an essential source of staple food and fruit worldwide and are widely regarded as the world's largest fruit crop, with more than 100 million tons total annual production. Banana peel, a by-product that represents about 40% of the entire banana's weight, and pulp are rich in bioactive compounds and have a high antioxidant capacity. As the production of polyphenols in fruit and vegetables is highly dependent on environmental conditions, genetic factors, and the level of maturity, this study aims to characterize six Australian banana cultivars in various stages of ripening for their phenolic compounds using the liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), polyphenols quantification with the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA), and their antioxidant capacity. All bananas were analysed for total polyphenols content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and total tannin content (TTC) and their antioxidant activities. Ripe Ducasse peel and pulp contained the highest amounts of total polyphenols content (1.32 and 1.28 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of sample), total tannin contents (3.34 mg catechin equivalent (CE) per gram of sample), and free radical scavenging capacity (106.67 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) per g of sample). In contrast, ripe Plantain peel had the greatest total flavonoids (0.03 mg quercetin equivalent (QE) per g of sample). On the other hand, unripe Ladyfinger pulp possessed the highest total antioxidant activity (1.03 mg AAE/g of sample). There was a positive correlation between flavonoids and antioxidant activities. By using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, a total of 24 phenolic compounds were tentatively characterized in this research, including six phenolic acids, 13 flavonoids, and five other polyphenols. Quantification of phenolic compounds by the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) revealed a higher content of phenolic acids. These findings confirmed that banana peel and pulp have considerable antioxidant activity and can be employed in human food and animal feed for variant health enhancement uses.

A new protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant applied by fertigation promotes relief from drought stress in Capsicum annuum L

Recently, biostimulants have been used in sustainable agriculture as priming agents able to increase crop tolerance to abiotic stressors. Here, a soil application of GHI_16_VHL, a plant protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant, was tested for its capability to mitigate severe water stress effects on Capsicum annuum at flowering time. The biostimulant influence on plant physiological status was monitored upon stress and its relief, by measuring chlorophyll levels, stomatal density, stem water potential, leaf gas exchanges and plant growth. Moreover, leaf osmoregulation and oxidative stress levels were also evaluated by quantifying free proline, total non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), ROS-scavenging activity and H₂O₂ level. Although biostimulant-primed plants showed a quicker decrease of stem water potential with respect to untreated plants upon drought imposition, they recovered faster probably due to the higher leaf osmolyte accumulation, namely NSC during drought. Moreover, leaf gas exchange recovery was prompted in biostimulant-treated plants, which showed an incremented stomatal density and the same chlorophyll level of well-watered plants at the end of the recovery phase. Hydrogen peroxide level was significantly lower during stress and early recovery in biostimulant primed plants, probably due to the higher catalase activity in treated plants before drought or to the higher level of non-enzymatic antioxidant scavengers in primed stressed plants. Finally, the biostimulant priming increased aboveground relative growth rate and final fruit yield of stressed plants. Taken together, our data suggest that the biostimulant priming treatment promotes a faster and more efficient plant recovery after drought.

Phenol Biological Metabolites as Food Intake Biomarkers, a Pending Signature for a Complete Understanding of the Beneficial Effects of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet (MD) has become a dietary pattern of reference due to its preventive effects against chronic diseases, especially relevant in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Establishing an objective tool to determine the degree of adherence to the MD is a pending task and deserves consideration. The central axis that distinguishes the MD from other dietary patterns is the choice and modality of food consumption. Identification of intake biomarkers of commonly consumed foods is a key strategy for estimating the degree of adherence to the MD and understanding the protective mechanisms that lead to a positive impact on health. Throughout this review we propose potential candidates to be validated as MD adherence biomarkers, with particular focus on the metabolites derived from the phenolic compounds that are associated with the consumption of typical Mediterranean plant foods. Certain phenolic metabolites are good indicators of the intake of specific foods, but others denote the intake of a wide-range of foods. For this, it is important to emphasise the need to increase the number of dietary interventions with specific foods in order to validate the biomarkers of MD adherence. Moreover, the identification and quantification of food phenolic intake biomarkers encouraging scientific research focuses on the study of the biological mechanisms in which polyphenols are involved.