Increasing Yield and Antioxidative Performance of Litchi Pericarp Procyanidins in Baked Food by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Coupled with Enzymatic Treatment

Postbiotics in the Bakery Products: Applications and Nutritional Values

In recent years, the consumption of postbiotics has gained significant attention due to their potential health benefits. However, their application in the bakery industry remains underutilized. This review focuses on recent advances in the use of postbiotics, specifically the metabolites of lactic acid bacteria, in bakery products. We provide a concise overview of the multifaceted benefits of postbiotics, including their role as natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and preservatives, and their potential to enhance product quality, extend shelf-life, and contribute to consumer welfare. This review combines information from various sources to provide a comprehensive update on recent advances in the role of postbiotics in bakery products, subsequently discussing the concept of sourdough as a leavening agent and its role in improving the nutritional profile of bakery products. We highlighted the positive effects of postbiotics on bakery items, such as improved texture, flavor, and shelf life, as well as their potential to contribute to overall health through their antioxidant properties and their impact on gut health. Overall, this review emphasizes the promising potential of postbiotics to revolutionize the bakery industry and promote healthier and more sustainable food options. The integration of postbiotics into bakery products represents a promising frontier and offers innovative possibilities to increase product quality, reduce food waste, and improve consumer health. Further research into refining techniques to incorporate postbiotics into bakery products is essential for advancing the health benefits and eco-friendly nature of these vital food items.

Does Erodium trifolium (Cav.) Guitt exhibit medicinal properties? Response elements from phytochemical profiling, enzyme-inhibiting, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

Geraniaceae are typically used as diuretic, anti-diarrhoeal, stomachic, and anti-hemorrhagic drugs. This study examined the phytochemicals and bioactivities in methanolic extract (ME) and petroleum ether extract (PEE) of the Erodium trifolium aerial part. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to assess the mineral profiles, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) were used to assess the phenolic content of ME, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to assess the fatty acid and volatile composition of the PEEs. In addition, the bioactivities of extracts were evaluated by using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, ABTS, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assays, including enzyme inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-amylase, α-glucosidase activities, and antibacterial properties. HPLC-MS identified eight compounds in ME: rutin, catechin, and caffeine were the major phenolic compounds detected. HPLC-DAD analysis showed that 11 compounds detected among epicatechin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid were predominant. GC-MS analysis revealed 30 fatty acids in PEE, with palmitic acid and oleic acid being predominant. The mineral content showed that Fe was the abundant microelement, and Ca and K were the abundant macroelements. The ME exhibited the highest activity compared to the PEE in all tests regarding antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, all the extracts showed moderate inhibition against AChE, BChE, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. In conclusion, E. trifolium may be employed to separate novel bioactive metabolites with potential pharmaceutical activities.

Advancements in Litchi chinensis Peel Processing: A Scientific Review of Drying, Extraction, and Isolation of Its Bioactive Compounds

This article systematically reviews the advancements in processing litchi peel (Litchi chinensis), emphasizing drying, extraction, purification methods, and the potential of bioactive compounds obtained from litchi peel. This work also highlights the impact of various drying techniques on phytochemical profiles, focusing on how methods such as hot air and freeze-drying affect the preservation of bioactive compounds. The study delves into extraction methods, detailing how different solvents and techniques influence the efficiency of extracting bioactive compounds from litchi peel. Furthermore, the purification and characterization of active compounds, showcasing the role of chromatographic techniques in isolating specific bioactive molecules, is discussed. Biological properties and mechanisms of action, such as antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, and anticancer activities, are reviewed, providing insight into the potential health benefits of litchi peel compounds. This review highlights the importance of optimizing and selecting accurate drying and extraction methods to maximize the therapeutic effects of litchi peel and its bioactive compounds. This review also reveals the broad pharmacological potential of the isolated compounds, underscoring the need for further research to discover their specific actions and health benefits.

A-type proanthocyanidins: Sources, structure, bioactivity, processing, nutrition, and potential applications

A-type proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a subgroup of PAs that differ from B-type PAs by the presence of an ether bond between two consecutive constitutive units. This additional C-O-C bond gives them a more stable and hydrophobic character. They are of increasing interest due to their potential multiple nutritional effects with low toxicity in food processing and supplement development. They have been identified in several plants. However, the role of A-type PAs, especially their complex polymeric form (degree of polymerization and linkage), has not been specifically discussed and explored. Therefore, recent advances in the physicochemical and structural changes of A-type PAs and their functional properties during extraction, processing, and storing are evaluated. In addition, discussions on the sources, structures, bioactivities, potential applications in the food industry, and future research trends of their derivatives are highlighted. Litchis, cranberries, avocados, and persimmons are all favorable plant sources. Α-type PAs contribute directly or indirectly to human nutrition via the regulation of different degrees of polymerization and bonding types. Thermal processing could have a negative impact on the amount and structure of A-type PAs in the food matrix. More attention should be focused on nonthermal technologies that could better preserve their architecture and structure. The diversity and complexity of these compounds, as well as the difficulty in isolating and purifying natural A-type PAs, remain obstacles to their further applications. A-type PAs have received widespread acceptance and attention in the food industry but have not yet achieved their maximum potential for the future of food. Further research and development are therefore needed.

Ultrasound-Assisted Enzymatic Protein Hydrolysis in Food Processing: Mechanism and Parameters

Ultrasound has been widely used as a green and efficient non-thermal processing technique to assist with enzymatic hydrolysis. Compared with traditional enzymatic hydrolysis, ultrasonic-pretreatment-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis can significantly improve the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis and enhance the biological activity of substrates. At present, this technology is mainly used for the extraction of bioactive substances and the degradation of biological macromolecules. This review is focused on the mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis assisted by ultrasonic pretreatment, including the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the enzyme structure, substrate structure, enzymatic hydrolysis kinetics, and thermodynamics and the effects of the ultrasonic conditions on the enzymatic hydrolysis results. The development status of ultrasonic devices and the application of ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis in the food industry are briefly described in this study. In the future, more attention should be paid to research on ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis devices to promote the expansion of production and improve production efficiency.

Procyanidins from Cranberry Press Residues-Extraction Optimization, Purification and Characterization

Procyanidins are a polyphenolic group that can be found in a variety of foods such as chocolate, tea, cranberries and others. Type A procyanidins can be found in a handful of sources and one of the richest sources are American cranberries. These compounds possess antioxidative, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities and are most widely used as prevention for urinary tract infections. Cranberries are utilized for jam and juice production, and the latter produces industrial food waste press residues. Press residues contain free and bound procyanidins which can be extracted for use as nutraceuticals. In this study, the extraction of cranberry press residues has been optimized using RSM and the resulting extracts have been purified and fractionated. The obtained procyanidin fractions have been investigated for their antioxidative potential and analyzed using LC-ESI-FTICR-HRMS to determine individual procyanidins. The optimization showed that the optimal extraction can be conducted using acetone in a concentration of 53% without the addition of an acidifying agent. Strong correlation was observed for procyanidin contents and their antioxidative activity using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. The purified fractions contained 78 individual (65 Type A) procyanidins with the degree of polymerization of up to 9.

Tackling the Future Pandemics: Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents (BSAAs) Based on A-Type Proanthocyanidins

A-type proanthocyanidins (PAC-As) are plant-derived natural polyphenols that occur as oligomers or polymers of flavan-3-ol monomers, such as (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin, connected through an unusual double A linkage. PAC-As are present in leaves, seeds, flowers, bark, and fruits of many plants, and are thought to exert protective natural roles against microbial pathogens, insects, and herbivores. Consequently, when tested in isolation, PAC-As have shown several biological effects, through antioxidant, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and antiviral activities. PAC-As have been observed in fact to inhibit replication of many different human viruses, and both enveloped and non-enveloped DNA and RNA viruses proved sensible to their inhibitory effect. Mechanistic studies revealed that PAC-As cause reduction of infectivity of viral particles they come in contact with, as a result of their propensity to interact with virion surface capsid proteins or envelope glycoproteins essential for viral attachment and entry. As viral infections and new virus outbreaks are a major public health concern, development of effective Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents (BSAAs) that can be rapidly deployable even against future emerging viruses is an urgent priority. This review summarizes the antiviral activities and mechanism of action of PAC-As, and their potential to be deployed as BSAAs against present and future viral infections.

Procyanidins: From Agro-Industrial Waste to Food as Bioactive Molecules

Procyanidins are an important group of bioactive molecules known for their benefits to human health. These compounds are promising in the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as they prevent cell damage related to oxidative stress. It is necessary to study effective extraction methods for the recovery of these components. In this review, advances in the recovery of procyanidins from agro-industrial wastes are presented, which are obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized fluid extraction and subcritical water extraction. Current trends focus on the extraction of procyanidins from seeds, peels, pomaces, leaves and bark in agro-industrial wastes, which are extracted by ultrasound. Some techniques have been coupled with environmentally friendly techniques. There are few studies focused on the extraction and evaluation of biological activities of procyanidins. The identification and quantification of these compounds are the result of the study of the polyphenolic profile of plant sources. Antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory activity are presented as the biological properties of greatest interest. Agro-industrial wastes can be an economical and easily accessible source for the extraction of procyanidins.

Nutrient components, health benefits, and safety of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): A review

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical to subtropical fruit that is widely cultivated in more than 20 countries worldwide. It is normally consumed as fresh or processed and has become one of the most popular fruits because it has a delicious flavor, attractive color, and high nutritive value. Whole litchi fruits have been used not only as a food source but also for medicinal purposes. As a traditional Chinese medicine, litchi has been used for centuries to treat stomach ulcers, diabetes, cough, diarrhea, and dyspepsia, as well as to kill intestinal worms. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that whole litchi fruits exhibit antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and antiobesity activities and show anticancer, antiatherosclerotic, hypotensive, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities. The health benefits of litchi have been attributed to its wide range of nutritional components, among which polysaccharides and polyphenols have been proven to possess various beneficial properties. The diversity and composition of litchi polysaccharides and polyphenols have vital influences on their biological activities. In addition, consuming fresh litchi and its products could lead to some adverse reactions for some people such as pruritus, urticaria, swelling of the lips, swelling of the throat, dyspnea, or diarrhea. These safety problems are probably caused by the soluble protein in litchi that could cause anaphylactic and inflammatory reactions. To achieve reasonable applications of litchi in the food, medical and cosmetics industries, this review focuses on recent findings related to the nutrient components, health benefits, and safety of litchi.

Bioactive Phenolic Compounds From Agri-Food Wastes: An Update on Green and Sustainable Extraction Methodologies

Phenolic compounds are broadly represented in plant kingdom, and their occurrence in easily accessible low-cost sources like wastes from agri-food processing have led in the last decade to an increase of interest in their recovery and further exploitation. Indeed, most of these compounds are endowed with beneficial properties to human health (e.g., in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases), that may be largely ascribed to their potent antioxidant and scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species generated in settings of oxidative stress and responsible for the onset of several inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Apart from their use as food supplements or as additives in functional foods, natural phenolic compounds have become increasingly attractive also from a technological point of view, due to their possible exploitation in materials science. Several extraction methodologies have been reported for the recovery of phenolic compounds from agri-food wastes mostly based on the use of organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, or acetone. However, there is an increasing need for green and sustainable approaches leading to phenolic-rich extracts with low environmental impact. This review addresses the most promising and innovative methodologies for the recovery of functional phenolic compounds from waste materials that have appeared in the recent literature. In particular, extraction procedures based on the use of green technologies (supercritical fluid, microwaves, ultrasounds) as well as of green solvents such as deep eutectic solvents (DES) are surveyed.

Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and biological activity of Erodium species: A review

Erodium spp. is a genus that can be found in all continents that has been traditionally used in folk medicine to treat many diseases such as hemorrhage, dermatological disorders, indigestion, and inflammatory diseases. Moreover, Erodium leaves have been used for the preparation of salads, omelets, sandwiches, sauces and soups, among other food products. The objective of this review was to show the recent and relevant studies about extraction of bioactive compounds, the phytochemical characterization, the potential biological activities and toxicological evidence reported in both in vitro and in vivo studies from Erodium spp. In addition, the use of Erodium spp. as natural compounds against the development of diseases were also showed. This review highlights the traditional use of Erodium species in several countries as a therapeutic agent to treat several diseases (such as constipation, dermatological disorders, diabetes, indigestion, urinary inflammations, and as carminative agent), the factors influencing the extraction of bioactive compounds (mainly species and solvent composition on phenolic compounds) and phytochemical profile (presence of essential oils and alkaloids), the scientific evidence about its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (against both spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms), antiviral and other health-related activities (anti-protozoal and anti-viral activity) as well as the toxicological evidence. Erodium spp. is a relevant source of compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and biological activity, which support its potential exploration in pharmacological and food area. Major efforts are necessary to advance the knowledge about Erodium genus regarding the relation between traditional use and scientific evidence, optimization of extraction conditions, the influence on biological mechanisms at animal and clinical levels, and bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

Extraction of Proanthocyanidins from Chinese Wild Rice (Zizania latifolia) and Analyses of Structural Composition and Potential Bioactivities of Different Fractions

Due to the importance of proanthocyanidin bioactivity and its relationship with chemical structure, ultrasound-assisted extraction and purification schemes were proposed to evaluate the proanthocyanidin content and analyze the structural composition and potential bioactivities of different proanthocyanidin fractions from Chinese wild rice (Zizanialatifolia). Following an optimized extraction procedure, the crude wild rice proanthocyanidins (WRPs) were purified using n-butanol extraction, chromatography on macroporous resins, and further fractionation on Sephadex LH-20 to yield six specific fractions (WRPs-1–WRPs-6) containing proanthocyanidin levels exceeding 524.19 ± 3.56 mg/g extract. Structurally, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and (−)-epigallocatechin were present as both terminal and extension units, and (−)-epicatechin was the major extension unit, in each fraction. This is the first preparation of WRP fractions with a different mean degree of polymerization (mDP), ranging from 2.66 ± 0.04 to 10.30 ± 0.46. A comparison of the bioactivities of these fractions revealed that fractions WRPs-1−WRPs-5 had significant DPPH radical scavenging activities, whereas fraction WRPs-6 with a high mDP showed better α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects. These findings should help define possible applications of WRPs to functional foods or nutraceuticals.

Transport of Flavanolic Monomers and Procyanidin Dimer A2 across Human Adenocarcinoma Stomach Cells (MKN-28)

It has been proven that A-type procyanidins, containing an additional ether bond, compared to B-type procyanidins are also bioavailable in vitro and in vivo. However, their bioavailability and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract remain uncertain. In this study, a model of the human adenocarcinoma stomach cell line (MKN-28) was established to explore the cellular transport of flavanolic monomers and procyanidin dimer A2, which were isolated from the litchi pericarp extract. After the integrity and permeability of the cell monolayer were ensured by measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance and the apparent permeability coefficient for Lucifer yellow, the transportation of procyanidins A2 and B2, (-)-epicatechin (EC), and (+)-catechin (CC) was studied at pH 3.0, 5.0, or 7.0 in the apical side, with compound concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL based on the cytotoxicity test. High-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses indicated that EC, CC, and A2 were transported in the MKN-28 cell line from 30 to 180 min, while B2 showed no transport. The maximal transport efficiencies of EC, CC, and A2 were 23 ± 0.81, 13.16 ± 1.53, and 16.41 ± 1.36%, respectively, existing at 120, 180, and 120 min of transportation. Laser scanning confocal microscopy analysis presented the dynamic transmission of EC, in accordance with the result of concentration determination, suggesting that the A-type procyanidins are possibly absorbed through the stomach barrier, which is pH- and time-dependent.