Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, and Antimicrobial Properties of Rubus idaeus Seed Powder

Study of the physicochemical characteristics, antimicrobial activity, and in vitro multiplication of wild blackberry species from the Peruvian highlands

The Peruvian Andes are the natural habitat of several wild blackberry species that are little known and exploited due to the lack of technological and scientific development to support their agricultural potential. In this context, a study was conducted to understand the physicochemical composition, bioactive compounds, antimicrobial activity, and in vitro multiplication of four wild blackberry (Rubus sp.) species from the northern Peruvian highlands. The results indicate that fruits of R. floribundus presented the highest content of total soluble solids (9.58 ± 1.83°Brix) and titratable acidity (1.88 ± 0.07% citric acid). The fruits of R. weberbaueri recorded the highest total phenolic content (415.06 ± 8.69 mg GAE/100 g Ff). The antioxidant capacity determined by the DPPH assay varied significantly among species, with the highest value found in fruits of R. andicola (50.27 ± 0.11 mg TE/100 g Ff). The fruit extracts of R. weberbaueri and R. andicola showed better antimicrobial activity, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most sensitive bacterium. In the in vitro multiplication phase, the results show that BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) has a significant effect at a dose of 1.5 mg l-1 on shoot number, leaf number, and shoot length. The results may help in the management of genetic resources.

Rubi idaei fructus as a Source of Bioactive Chemical Compounds with an Important Role in Human Health and Comparison of the Antioxidant Potential of Fruits and Juice of Three Repeat-Fruiting Rubus idaeus L. Cultivars

Rubi idaei fructus is a source of nutritionally important bioactive chemical compounds, mainly antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system and can be used in the prophylaxis and adjuvant therapies of many oxidative stress-induced diseases. There are no literature reports presenting a comprehensive comparative analysis of the antioxidant activity and nutritionally relevant metabolites contained in the fruits of repeat-fruiting raspberry cultivars, which are commonly grown in Europe. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the antioxidant potential (Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH, FRAP), the content of selected primary and secondary metabolites, and the qualitative and quantitative composition of amino acids and fatty acids in the fruits of R. idaeus cv. 'Pokusa', 'Polana', and 'Polka'. The fruits of the analyzed cultivars have a low caloric value (171-219 kcal/100 g); low content of available carbohydrates (6-6.6%) and total carbohydrates (3.4-4.8%); and high levels of dietary fiber (4.7-5.8%), vitamin C (22.8-27 mg/100 g), anthocyanins (25.1-29.6 mg/100 g), and flavonoids (0.5-2.6 mg/100 g). The fruits were found to contain valuable unsaturated fatty acids (35-60%), especially MUFAs with dominant oleic, elaidic, palmitic, and erucic acids and PUFAs (α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and linoleic acids). MUFAs from the ω-9 group accounted for 12-18%, whereas the content of PUFAs from the ω-3 and ω-6 groups was in the range of 15-23 and 6-21%, respectively. Exogenous amino acids, accounting for 56-62%, were dominated by leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine. The following order of the total polyphenolic content was established in the fresh fruit juice from the analyzed cultivars: 'Pokusa' < 'Polana' < 'Polka'. The different antioxidant capacity assays used in the study confirmed the high antioxidant potential of the fruits and fresh juice from the three R. idaeus cultivars. This indicates that raspberry fruits can serve as a source of nutrients and can be used as a valuable supplement in a healthy human diet and a raw material in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Biological Activity and Metabolomics of Griffonia simplicifolia Seeds Extracted with Different Methodologies

Griffonia simplicifolia, a tropical plant endemic to West Africa, is highly regarded for its significant pharmacological potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolomic profile and to explore the antioxidant properties, antiproliferative activity, and antimicrobial potential of G. simplicifolia seed extracts obtained through either maceration, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), or Soxhlet extraction using water, acetone, methanol and ethanol as solvents. Overall, methanol possessed superior total extraction efficiency. HPLC analyses confirmed the efficacy of acetone and ethanol as optimal solvents for the extraction of flavonoids and flavan-3-ols, whereas MAE exhibited enhanced effectiveness in extracting N-containing compounds, including 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). HPLC-MS analyses identified forty-three compounds, including thirty-four phenolic compounds and nine N-containing molecules. Isomyricitrin, taxifolin and a flavonol glucuronide were the main polyphenols, whereas 5-HTP was the main N-containing compound. Hydroalcoholic G. simplicifolia extracts showed the highest radical scavenging and metal-reducing antioxidant power, suggesting that most of the contribution to antioxidant activity depends on the more polar bioactive compounds. G. simplicifolia extracts showed dose-dependent antiproliferative activity against three distinct cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, and MCF-7), with notable variations observed among both the different extracts and cell lines and divergent GI50 values, emphasizing substantial discrepancies in cell sensitivity to the various extracts. Furthermore, G. simplicifolia extracts revealed antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Our results highlight the potential of G. simplicifolia phytochemicals in the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.

Pearls before Swine: Plant-Derived Wastes to Produce Low-Cholesterol Meat from Farmed Pigs-A Bibliometric Analysis Combined to Meta-Analytic Studies

Due to environmental and human factors, there is a growing amount of agri-food waste worldwide. The European Commission is incentivizing a zero-waste policy by 2025, pushing to find a "second life" for at least the avoidable ones. In this review, after summarizing the nutritional values of pork and the importance of its inclusion in human diet, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted to investigate potential differences in the structure and activity of HMGCR, which is a key enzyme in cholesterol metabolism. In addition, a bibliometric analysis combined with visual and meta-analytical studies on 1047 scientific articles was conducted to understand whether the inclusion of agro-food waste could affect the growth performance of pigs and reduce cholesterol levels in pork. Although some critical issues were highlighted, the overall data suggest a modern and positive interest in the reuse of agri-food waste as swine feed. However, although interesting and promising results have been reported in several experimental trials, further investigation is needed, since animal health and meat quality are often given marginal consideration.