AppliedChem

Non-conventional food plants (NCFPs) are edible species that remain underutilized in the human diet despite being potential sources of phenolic compounds. This study characterized the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of three botanically distinct NCFPs: sorrel (Rumex acetosa L.), nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.), and lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina K. Koch.). We evaluated how extraction conditions influence the recovery of these compounds. We compared ten extraction protocols that differed in solvent, acidification, and ultrasound assistance. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP) were determined spectrophotometrically, and UPLC-DAD quantified eleven individual phenolic compounds. Recovery depended on both the protocol and the plant matrix. The highest total phenolic contents were obtained with ultrasound-assisted acidified methanol extraction, reaching 3540.73, 3940.83, and 4497.19 mg GAE/100 g DW for Rumex acetosa, Tropaeolum majus, and Stachys byzantina, respectively; however, the integrated phenolic analysis revealed species-specific responses. Chlorogenic acid was the predominant compound across all species and protocols, indicating that these plants are relevant dietary sources of hydroxycinnamic acids. Principal component analysis explained 89.5%, 82.8%, and 75.3% of the total variance for the three species. These findings support valorizing these edible NCFPs as functional food sources and highlight the need for matrix-specific analytical characterization. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an annual edible plant that is widely distributed and has a long history of use as both food and medicinal plant. It has attracted interest as a source of alpha-linolenic acid, vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds, and as an underutilized plant for food applications. This review summarizes the reported compositional diversity of purslane, with particular attention to materials described as wild or cultivated. The available studies differ in cultivar, provenance, plant part, developmental and harvest stage, growth conditions, processing, analytical method, and reporting basis. Consequently, reported differences between wild and cultivated materials should not be interpreted as controlled effects of cultivation status or domestication. Experimental studies nevertheless show that particular nutrient regimes, salinity and light conditions, water treatments, harvest stages, plant parts, and processing methods can modify measured compositional or quality traits. Human intervention studies have used seeds or specific extracts, generally in modest samples and for short periods; their findings should not be generalized to fresh purslane or to purslane as a whole. Replicated common-environment and factorial studies using genetically characterized materials, standardized sampling, and common analytical procedures are needed to estimate plant-material, environmental, and interaction effects. These distinctions are essential for evaluating the nutritional, functional, safety, food-use, and agricultural potential of purslane. Full article

Cistus creticus, a perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean region, has attracted considerable scientific attention due to its rich phytochemical profile and associated health-promoting properties. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the antioxidant activity of C. creticus, examining the various extraction methods that influence the bioavailability and efficacy of its active compounds. The plant’s antioxidant properties are primarily attributed to its high content of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other bioactive constituents, which play a key role in mitigating oxidative stress and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The review further discusses the effectiveness of different extraction techniques—mainly maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction—in maximizing the yield and potency of antioxidants from the plant. By synthesizing current research findings, this review aims to highlight the therapeutic potential of C. creticus and provide a basis for future studies on its application in nutraceuticals and functional foods. Full article

Green synthesis methods offer an environmentally friendly and alternative approach for the development of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These methods utilize natural and renewable resources such as plant extracts or deep eutectic solvents (DESs) while minimizing the use of hazardous chemicals. Nanoparticles, characterized by their dimensions within the 1–100 nm range, exhibit unique properties that enable their diverse applications in medicine, diagnostics, drug delivery systems, cosmetics, sensing, catalysis, food and agricultural technologies. This review summarizes recent advancements in the biogenic synthesis of AgNPs using plant extracts prepared via deep eutectic solvents (DESs) or natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs), as well as individual plant extracts or DESs/NaDESs. The research highlights the strategic synergy in which DES-based media and their different bioactive compounds of plant extracts play a crucial role as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the synthesized AgNPs, including core diameter, morphology, and long-term stability, are critically evaluated in relation to eutectic composition, and plant species utilized. This review demonstrates that DESs actively modulate the biosynthesis of AgNPs: functioning as green extraction media and steric/electrostatic stabilizing agents, while selectively serving as direct reducing agents in compositions containing reducing sugars, polyols, organic acids, and bioactive plant compounds. Full article

The electrochemical behavior of the CuSO₄–thiourea system was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in aqueous hydrochloric and sulfuric acid electrolytes using fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass electrodes at room temperature. Electrodeposition experiments were conducted under both direct-current (constant-potential) and pulsed-potential conditions. The microstructure of the electrodeposited layers was characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution electron microscopy, and SEM–EDS elemental analysis. Comprehensive resolution of the voltammetric spectra enabled the identification of the redox reactions occurring in the electrolyte and at the substrate. The results indicate that the electrodeposition process depends on complex and adsorbed species involving predominantly the Cu(I) state. Deposition proceeds via the electrochemical reduction of Cu(I)–thiourea and Cu(I)–chloride complexes to metallic copper, followed by the chemical oxidation of the deposited metal to copper sulfides and/or copper chlorides. The deposits exhibited a clustered fibrous morphology that depended strongly on the electrodeposition conditions, and consisted primarily of chalcocite and djurleite Cu_xS crystallites embedded within a Cu–Cl–S matrix. Well-defined nanowires were obtained under specific pulsed-potential conditions in a hydrochloric acid electrolyte (pH 0.8). Precipitation of Cu–Cl–S nanowires generated in the vicinity of the electrode surface during the anodic pulse period contributed largely to the morphology of the deposited layers. Full article

This study investigated the effects of silica (SiO₂) and copper-modified silica (SiO₂/Cu) catalysts on the pyrolysis behavior and product distribution of polyurethane waste (PUW), focusing on the selective recovery of aniline, a valuable chemical intermediate. PUW pyrolysis was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and a laboratory-scale batch reactor. Thermal degradation kinetics were analyzed using the Coats–Redfern method with four kinetic models: F1, A2, R3, and D3. TGA revealed two distinct degradation stages, with the F1 model providing the best fit for both stages. Both catalysts facilitated urethane hard-segment degradation during the first stage while promoting thermal stability and char formation during the second stage. Catalytic pyrolysis substantially increased aniline selectivity from 12.36 wt% for PUW to 29.66 wt% for PUW/SiO₂ and 42.38 wt% for PUW/SiO₂/Cu, attributed to the additional acidic sites introduced by Cu species. The estimated nitrogen balance showed that nitrogen recovered as aniline increased from 11.9% to 19.0% and 30.1% of the initial PUW nitrogen, respectively, while the unaccounted nitrogen fraction decreased from 64.7% to 47.2% and 38.1%. These findings suggest that SiO₂/Cu selectively directs nitrogen-containing intermediates toward recoverable aniline and may potentially reduce pathways leading to harmful nitrogenous emissions, providing a promising approach for value-added and environmentally sustainable PUW recycling. Full article

The brewing industry generates substantial organic waste, prompting interest in sustainable valorization because these by-products retain significant residual nutritional and nutraceutical value. Based on these premises, this scoping review aims to evaluate whether DES- and NADES-mediated extractions can represent a green alternative to conventional organic solvents, assessing their capacity to yield stable, biocompatible extracts with potential nutritional relevance for athletic supplementation. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and prospectively registered on OSF, we screened PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in June 2026, including 22 primary studies. Results show that DES and NADES can effectively dismantle brewing by-products, recovering antioxidants—specifically ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and xanthohumol (up to 285.92 mg GAE/100 g dw)—protein concentrates (up to 54.7 wt% total protein) rich in essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as well as immunomodulatory prebiotic fibers (β-glucans, arabinoxylans) and liquid phases that bio-ferment into polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Non-conventional technologies such as ultrasound and microwave-assisted extraction accelerate extraction kinetics by reducing solvent viscosity. It should be emphasized that the included studies are exclusively in vitro and characterize extracted compounds without evaluating effects on human subjects or athletic performance. However, several safety and regulatory gaps remain, including the presence of gluten in barley-derived extracts, the potential co-ingestion of antinutritional factors (e.g., oxalic acid), and the lack of toxicological data on intact eutectic phases. While DES- and NADES-derived extracts show promising in vitro bioactivities, further research is needed to validate their safety, bioavailability, and efficacy before they can be considered for human consumption or sports nutrition applications. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the application of different types of essential oils in the preparation of white brine cheese, with the addition of essential oils in different concentrations, on the organoleptic, physicochemical and biochemical indicators and assessment of the fat fraction. White brine cheese was obtained by the standard method and six concentrations of essential oils were used to determine the optimal dose of the additive. The organoleptic indicators of the cheese have the best ratings at 0.75 and 1% mint oil, 0.5 and 0.75% thyme, 0.5 and 0.75% oregano, 0.75% rosemary, 0.5% lemon balm, 0.5% basil and 0.75% turmeric and black pepper oil /3:1/. The use of essential oils increases the fat and protein content in the brine cheese at 24 h, but after ripening and storage for 6 and 12 months the influence of the ongoing lipolysis and proteolytic changes is established, as a result of which both indicators decrease. The use of different types of essential oils in six concentrations reduces the antioxidant activity of white brine cheese by 8 to 10 times, while the total polyphenols increase by 4–5 times. Saturated fatty acids decrease with the addition of mint, oregano, rosemary, lemon balm, and basil to 1.5% (p ≤ 0.001), and increase with thyme and turmeric with black pepper (p ≤ 0.001) at the expense of unsaturated/mono and polyunsaturated/fatty acids (p ≤ 0.001). Full article

Derivatives of 2-amino-4H-chromene possess diverse pharmacological activities. However, traditional multicomponent synthesis suffers from toxic solvents, long reaction times, and difficulties in balancing catalytic activity and selectivity, which violates green chemistry requirements. Inspired by the nanoconfinement effect in enzymatic catalysis, this work uses graphene oxide (GO) as a two-dimensional scaffold to graft creatine (CR) and construct bifunctional catalytic sites. Thermal regulation of GO interlayer spacing yields an interlayer-confined flow membrane reactor for the three-component condensation of benzaldehyde, malononitrile and dimedone. A near-quantitative conversion of 99.0 ± 1.7% (mean ± SD, n = 3) was achieved within 18 s at room temperature. This nanoconfined membrane catalyst overcomes the defects of classic catalytic systems and provides a novel, practical route for continuous, green and high-yield synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives. Full article

In this study, we determine the refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), absorption coefficient (α) and optical band gap (E_g) of thin films based on the commercially available azo polymer (poly [1-[4-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylazo) benzene-sulfonamido]-1,2-ethanediyl, sodium salt]), usually denoted as PAZO, doped with InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) at concentrations of 1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, and 10 wt.%. It was found that the absorption of the composite materials studied is driven by direct allowed electronic transitions, with the band gap energies tunable from 2.92 eV to 3.00 eV depending on the dopant concentration. Furthermore, the results suggest that resonance energy transfer (RET) between the InP/ZnS quantum dots and the azo polymer may occur, actively modulating the optical properties of the composite materials in the 385–750 nm spectral region, where the PAZO absorption spectrum and the emission spectrum of the QDs overlap. The theoretical calculation carried out demonstrate that the energy transfer is more efficient at 600 nm, than at 420 nm, where the two observed peaks in the emission spectrum of the dopant are positioned. We believe that the result obtained may be of interest to researchers working on improving the photoresponse of azo polymers through incorporation of quantum dots, particularly given that most studies in this field focus on cadmium-containing nanocrystals, whereas InP/ZnS quantum dots represent a more environmentally friendly alternative. Full article

The Mediterranean region is a hotspot for many plants rich in bioactive compounds due to its climate and geological regime. Aerial parts of native perennials Satureja montana and Teucrium montanum (Lamiaceae) were spectrophotometrically compared on the levels of antioxidant potential, phenolics, soluble sugars and proteins. S. montana had a notably higher antioxidant potential than T. montanum across all three assays applied, ABTS, DPPH and FRAP. This was accompanied by a significantly higher amount of most analyzed groups of phenolic compounds. Compared with T. montanum, S. montana had more total phenols (45.09 mg galic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dw; 1.54-fold higher), flavonoids (137.17 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dw; 1.42-fold higher), flavonols (2.24 mg QE/g dw; 1.58-fold higher), phenolic (39.52 mg caffeic acid equivalents/g dw; 1.45-fold higher) and hydroxycinnamic acids (180.84 mg cinnamic acid equivalents /g dw; 1.57-fold higher), as well as tannins (23.95 mg GAE/g dw; 2.17-fold higher). Total proteins were also higher in S. montana (96.12 mg bovine serum albumin equivalents/g dw; 6.50-fold higher). On the contrary, total proanthocyanidins were significantly higher in T. montanum (1.46 mg catechin equivalents/g dw; 1.55-fold higher), as well as soluble sugars (49.86 mg sucrose equivalents/g dw; 1.42-fold higher). Finally, S. montana exhibited a 1.5-fold higher phenolic index than T. montanum, whereas T. montanum showed a 1.3-fold higher metabolic index than S. montana. Therefore, S. montana prioritizes synthesis of defense-related compounds, while T. montanum invests more energy into growth-related metabolism. Based on the results, S. montana had higher phenolic content, suggesting a greater potential for phenolic-associated bioactivity. However, further analyses regarding bioavailability, toxicity and nutritional composition are required for assessment of its nutritional quality. Full article

Pharmaceutical-contaminated wastewater from medical facilities and households can cause ecological damage. In this study, 100% natural fruit peels, namely lime (LP), orange (OP), kiwi (KP), fig (FP), and pomegranate (PP) peels, were investigated as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and amoxicillin (AMX), an antibiotic, from aqueous solution. The goal of this study was to use food waste as a source for wastewater treatment. According to the results, natural fruit peels were effective for DCF removal (C₀ = 100 mg/L), with KP achieving a high removal efficiency (98.9%, 345.18 mg/g) at pH 3.0). The most promising materials (OP, KP, and FP) were further modified using MgO suspension followed by alkaline treatment with NaOH (OP-Mg, KP-Mg, and FP-Mg), resulting in enhanced performance for AMX removal (65.1%, 286.61 mg/g at pH 3.0, C₀ = 50 mg/L). The maximum short-term uptake capacity was reached within 15 min, and kinetic and isotherm models were applied to describe the adsorption data. The Langmuir expression gave the better description of the concentration dependence for both pharmaceuticals, at equilibrium for DCF and at a fixed contact time of 15 min for AMX. SEM, FTIR and XRD characterization techniques provided information on the adsorption mechanisms, as well as confirming the successful modification with Μg. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that natural fruit peels were effective in the removal of pharmaceuticals and at the same time offer potential cost and environmental advantages through waste valorization and relatively simple preparation, supporting the principles of the circular economy, through the utilization of food waste as sustainable materials for water treatment. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to develop and optimize a rapid, eco-friendly microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) process for recovering total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from garlic (Allium sativum L.), while evaluating the predictive performance of response surface methodology (RSM) versus artificial neural networks (ANNs) and assessing the in vitro gastrointestinal stability of key polyphenols. Methodology: A four-factor, three-level central composite design (CCD) was implemented to evaluate the effects of extraction time, temperature, ethanol concentration, and solvent-to-solid ratio. A second-order polynomial RSM model was benchmarked against a 4-10-2 multilayer perceptron ANN trained by backpropagation. Optimal conditions were derived using the Derringer–Suich desirability function and confirmed experimentally. Individual polyphenols were profiled via LC-MS/MS and monitored across simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion phases. Principal Results: The ANN model demonstrated superior predictive performance (R² = 0.9999 training, 0.9974 validation, 0.9939 testing) compared to the RSM model (R² = 0.9721 for TPC and 0.9925 for TFC). Experimental validation under optimal conditions—1.50 min, 55 °C, 75% ethanol, and a 29 mL/g ratio—yielded a TPC of 2.487 mg GAE/g FW and a TFC of 21.356 mg QUE/g FW. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, significant degradation occurred during the intestinal phase, resulting in low final recoveries for gallic acid (16.9%), caffeic acid (19.9%), and luteolin (22.6%). Conclusions: MAE coupled with ANN modeling provides a highly accurate, rapid, and green extraction strategy for garlic polyphenols. However, the marked degradation of target compounds during intestinal digestion highlights the necessity of encapsulation or protective delivery systems to preserve their biological functionality in food applications. Full article

Gliricidia sepium (G. sepium) is a Fabaceae tree native to Mexico and Central America with ethnobotanical relevance in tropical regions. Traditionally, different parts have been used to treat skin disorders, wounds, fever, infections, inflammation, and pain-related conditions. This narrative review summarizes evidence on the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, biological activities, antinociceptive potential, and safety of G. sepium, with an emphasis on inflammation and pain. The literature search used G. sepium as the search term combined with keywords related to ethnobotanical uses, traditional medicine, phytochemistry, secondary metabolites, pharmacological activity, toxicity, and safety. Boolean operators, truncation, and searching were applied without publication year restrictions. Articles published in English and Spanish were considered, while superficial or irrelevant mentions were excluded. The literature indicates that G. sepium contains diverse constituents, including volatile aromatic compounds, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acid derivatives, triterpenoids, and saponins. In vitro and preclinical in vivo studies suggest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, gastroprotective, and tissue-protective effects. However, evidence of antinociceptive activity remains lacking, and pain-related relevance is mainly inferred from mechanisms involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue repair. Thus, G. sepium represents a potential source of bioactive metabolites, although its therapeutic potential requires validation through standardized preparations, validated models, mechanistic studies, and toxicological assessment. Full article

Colorectal cancer remains a significant global health challenge, highlighting the need for targeted therapeutic strategies. Plant-derived bioactive compounds are of interest due to their antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic properties. This study investigated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity and anticancer potential of Origanum majorana, Salvia officinalis, and Ribes nigrum extracts using normal human intestinal epithelial cells (HIEC-6) and human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116). Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry. Ribes nigrum exhibited the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity, whereas Origanum majorana contained the highest flavonoid concentration. All tested extracts reduced HCT-116 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner while maintaining high viability in HIEC-6 cells (>93%). At the highest tested concentration, R. nigrum and S. officinalis reduced HCT-116 viability to approximately 13–14% and 16–18%, respectively, whereas O. majorana reduced viability to 18–19%. Annexin V/PI analysis demonstrated marked increases in late apoptotic and necrotic populations in HCT-116 cells, confirming selective pro-apoptotic activity. Overall, these extracts demonstrated selective antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities while exerting minimal toxicity toward normal intestinal epithelial cells. These findings support the potential of extracts as complementary sources of bioactive compounds for colorectal cancer prevention and therapy. Full article

The method of extraction of edible oils from nuts significantly affects both the yield and the quality of the oil. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and lipid composition of pecan nuts, as well as the extracted pecan oil (EPO) and mechanically pressed pecan oil (MPPO). The residual material obtained after mechanical pressing (expeller) was also examined for its oil content and fatty acid composition. The glyceride oil content of the extracted nuts with hexane is higher than that of the oil isolated by mechanical pressing (66.3 vs. 65.0%). Pecan nuts are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, with polyunsaturated (mainly linoleic acid) and monounsaturated (oleic acid) being predominant. The amount of linoleic acid is about 35% in EPO and MPPO, but almost three times lower in the residual pecan oil (RPO): 11.8%. The major fatty acid in all examined oils is oleic acid, which was higher in EPO and MPPO (51.4% and 53.1%) than in RPO (42.4%). The physicochemical properties of EPO and MPPO are also analyzed, and significant differences are observed in all parameters (peroxide, acid and iodine values, K₂₃₂, K₂₇₀ and relative density) excluding the refractive index. The identified bioactive compounds (sterols, tocopherols and phospholipids) are secondary substances of pecan oil, but are important for its oxidative stability, which is 15 h for EPO and 24 h for MPPO. Full article

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) hydrolysis over protonated Y-type faujasite zeolite (H-FAU) was examined using a hybrid density functional theory/molecular mechanics approach. ONIOM2(M06/6-31+G(d,p):UFF) calculations identified stepwise and concerted pathways. In the stepwise route, initial demethylation produces methanethiol and a surface methoxide species; subsequent reaction of the methoxide with water yields methanol. The calculated activation barriers for the demethylation and hydrolysis steps are 36.6 and 25.0 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. In contrast, the concerted pathway involves simultaneous demethylation and hydrolysis in a single elementary step without formation of a stable intermediate, with a significantly higher activation barrier of 63.8 kcal mol⁻¹. The results suggest that DMS hydrolysis preferentially proceeds via the stepwise mechanism, with the demethylation step being rate-determining. For the preferred stepwise pathway, the apparent activation barrier for the overall hydrolysis reaction, referenced to the initial state, is 23.2 kcal mol⁻¹. Full article

The use of non-traditional oilseeds for food purposes has increased significantly in recent years. Due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids, the production of cold-pressed oils from pumpkin and hemp seeds is growing at a steady pace. This results in the accumulation of a by-product (oilseed press cake), from which high-quality proteins can be derived. Protein hydrolysates based on these raw materials offer further potential for valorization. This review summarizes classical and modern methods for obtaining protein isolates from pumpkin and industrial hemp oilseed cakes, as well as possible approaches for their modification to enhance their nutritional and functional properties. Furthermore, it provides an overview of the methods for producing protein hydrolysates rich in bioactive peptides. The presence of peptides with antioxidant, antihypertensive, or hypoglycemic properties makes hydrolysates a valuable source of nutraceutical components with potential applications in the development of functional foods or dietary supplements. However, most studies to date have been conducted using in vitro systems. Further research involving animal models or clinical observations is required to determine dosage regimens and applications of these hydrolysates. Regarding protein isolates, the challenges for their broader use in the food industry are related to increasing solubility, removing anti-nutritional factors, and improving techno-functional properties. Full article

There is growing demand for biosourced functional polymers, particularly in organic electronics, which continue to rely heavily on petroleum-derived materials. In this regard, platform chemicals obtained from biomass offer sustainable alternatives. However, the development of biosourced polymers prepared by metal-free methods remains limited. In this context, lignin-derived divanillin is an attractive renewable unit that can be incorporated into polymer backbones. This work discusses the synthesis and characterization of a new family of biosourced divanillin-based polymers prepared through metal-free aldol polycondensation. Divanillin was obtained from biosourced vanillin and converted into two dialdehyde monomers bearing either methyl or decyl substituents. These monomers were polymerized via aldol polycondensation, affording the following polymers: PDVMeCP, PDVMeCH, PDVMeIND, and PDVC10IND. The influence of the cyclic ketone unit and side-chain structure on their thermal and optical properties was investigated. The polymers were soluble in common organic solvents and also showed solubility in greener solvents such as ethyl L-lactate and p-cymene. Optical and electrochemical analyses showed absorption maxima between 357 and 391 nm and electronic bandgaps from 1.84 to 2.14 eV. Overall, the results demonstrate that divanillin is a promising renewable building block for the metal-free synthesis of sustainable polymers. Full article