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Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition

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A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 17305

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Dr. Giovanni Caprioli

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School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Interests: food analysis; mass spectrometry; extraction methods; plant analysis; by-products chemical characterization; chromatography
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In view of the great response that we received to the previous Special Issue "Antioxidant Capacity of Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products", we decided to revisit this topic.

Phenolic compounds are a large class of plant secondary metabolites displaying different structures. The main groups of phenolic compounds include flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, and lignans. Phenolic compounds have been found to exert various activities, such as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and diseases associated with oxidative stress. They are synthesized in plants as a response to ecological and physiological pressures such as pathogen and insect attack, UV radiation, and wounding, and at the same time, they are also closely associated with the sensory and nutritional quality of fresh and processed food and plants. In the last few years, the reutilization of food and plant by-products has become a relevant issue as they contain a large number of phenolic compounds that can be extracted and reused.

This Special Issue aims to collect and share studies on the antioxidant capacity of phenolic compounds present in food, plants, and related by-products. In this topic, the exploitation of extraction processes, analytical methods used for their analyses, evaluation of biological activities, nutritional value, and nutraceutical/innovative applications in different economic sectors of food, plants, and related by-products rich in phenolic compounds are themes to be explored.

Dr. Giovanni Caprioli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

phenolic compounds
food and plants analyses
by-products chemical characterization
biological activities
valorization and recovery of by-products
food supplement
functional food
antioxidant activity
extraction methods
analytical methods

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 4821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Red Wine Grape Pomace Restores Gut Barrier Function and Improves Survival in Diet-Induced Ischemic Heart Disease

by Katherine Rivera, Leticia González, Laura Parra, Juan E. Oyarzún, Alina Concepción-Alvarez, Adriano Costa de Camargo, Raquel Bridi, Attilio Rigotti and Marcelo E. Andia

Antioxidants 2025, 14(5), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14050574 - 10 May 2025

Viewed by 247

Abstract

Red wine grape pomace (RWGP), a winemaking by-product rich in phenolics, flavonoids, and dietary fiber, has shown promise in mitigating cardiovascular disease (CVD), however, its mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. This study comprehensively profiled the phenolic composition of RWGP—including free, esterified, etherified, and insoluble-bound fractions—and evaluated the effects of RWGP dietary supplementation on gut barrier integrity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and survival in SR-B1^−/−ApoE-R61^h/h mice, a model of diet-induced lethal ischemic heart disease. RWGP supplementation significantly improved survival rates and restored gut barrier function, as evidenced by lower plasma FITC-dextran and LPS levels, increased circulating ZO-1 levels, and reduced histopathological colon damage. In addition, RWGP reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1

β

) and showed a trend toward attenuating systemic oxidative stress (TBARS). Analysis of phenolic compounds indicated a significant presence of insoluble-bound phenolics. Nevertheless, the beneficial effects observed are likely attributable to the synergistic actions of RWGP’s complex phytochemical and fiber composition. These results highlight RWGP’s potential as a sustainable, gut-targeted functional food ingredient for CVD prevention and management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 44544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Phenolic Content Extraction and Effects of Drying Treatments on Physicochemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Properties of Edible Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm (Oyster Mushroom)

by Marcelo Villalobos-Pezos, Ociel Muñoz-Fariña, Kong Shun Ah-Hen, María Fernanda Garrido-Figueroa, Olga García-Figueroa, Alexandra González-Esparza, Luisbel González-Pérez de Medina and José Miguel Bastías-Montes

Antioxidants 2024, 13(12), 1581; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13121581 - 23 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4965

Abstract

Edible mushrooms have been part of the human diet for centuries. Traditionally, they have been used for culinary and medicinal purposes due to their chemical composition and nutritional value, including their high antioxidant activity attributed to key metabolites such as phenolic compounds and ergothioneine. P. ostreatus mushrooms, known for their potent antioxidant activity, are prone to spoilage shortly after harvest, making preservation methods necessary. Various drying methods were evaluated to determine their effects on physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant properties, and ergothioneine content. Mushrooms were subjected to freeze-drying (FD), hot-air-drying (HAD), and microwave-vacuum-drying (MVD). The rehydration rate, color, and microstructural characteristics of extracts from fresh and dried P. ostreatus mushrooms were evaluated. Additionally, the total soluble phenolic content and antioxidant activity were assessed using DPPH and ORAC assays, along with the determination of ergothioneine content. FD and HAD at 40 °C showed the best results regarding the physicochemical characteristics. In terms of total soluble phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and ergothioneine content, the mushrooms dried using HAD at 40 °C showed the best retention of bioactive compounds. Among the evaluated methods, HAD at 40 °C proved to be a suitable alternative for processing P. ostreatus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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12 pages, 720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantification of Bioactive Compounds by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Acorn Flour Extracts

by Laura Acquaticci, Agnese Santanatoglia, Elena Vittadini, Daniela Beghelli, Antonietta La Terza, Gokhan Zengin and Giovanni Caprioli

Antioxidants 2024, 13(12), 1526; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13121526 - 13 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1032

Abstract

This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the bioactive potential of acorn flour extracts (Quercus robur, Fagaceae) prepared at different temperatures (20, 60, 80 and 100 °C), focusing on polyphenolic content, antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibitory activities. Through HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, 36 bioactive compounds were identified, with the extract at 60 °C showing the highest concentrations of key polyphenols, notably gallic acid (210,008.9 mg·kg⁻¹) and ellagic acid (45,469.6 mg·kg⁻¹). This extract also exhibited a high antioxidant activity and significant inhibition of glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase, suggesting potential benefits for diabetes management and neuroprotection. The results indicate that extraction temperature affects bioactivity, with the 60 °C extract standing out as a promising candidate for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical applications due to its rich polyphenol profile and potent biological properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 3672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Kidney Disease and Hypertension Against Microplastics Exposure in Male Juvenile Rats

by You-Lin Tain, Guo-Ping Chang-Chien, Shu-Fen Lin, Chih-Yao Hou and Chien-Ning Hsu

Antioxidants 2024, 13(12), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13121457 - 27 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1386

Abstract

Global pollution stems from the degradation of plastic waste, leading to the generation of microplastics (MPs). While environmental pollutants increase the risk of developing hypertension and kidney disease, the effects of MP exposure on these conditions in children remain unclear. Resveratrol, a phenolic compound known for its antihypertensive and renoprotective properties, has gained attention as a potential nutraceutical. This study investigates the effects of resveratrol on kidney disease and hypertension induced by MP exposure in a juvenile rat model. Three-week-old male Sprague–-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8 per group): a control group, a low-dose MP group (1 mg/L), a high-dose MP group (10 mg/L), and a high-dose MP group receiving resveratrol (50 mg/L). By 9 weeks of age, MP exposure resulted in elevated blood pressure and increased creatinine levels, both of which were mitigated by resveratrol treatment. The hypertension and kidney damage induced by high-dose MP exposure were linked to oxidative stress, which resveratrol effectively prevented. Additionally, resveratrol’s protective effects against hypertension and kidney damage were associated with increased acetic acid levels, reduced renal expression of Olfr78, and decreased expression of various components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Low- and high-dose MP exposure, as well as resveratrol treatment, differentially influence gut microbiota composition. Our findings suggest that targeting oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and the RAS through resveratrol holds therapeutic potential for preventing kidney disease and hypertension associated with MP exposure. However, further research is needed to translate these results into clinical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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25 pages, 5673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thymus spp. Aqueous Extracts and Their Constituent Salvianolic Acid A Induce Nrf2-Dependent Cellular Antioxidant Protection Against Oxidative Stress in Caco-2 Cells

by Carlos Martins-Gomes, Fernando M. Nunes and Amélia M. Silva

Antioxidants 2024, 13(11), 1287; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13111287 - 24 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1486

Abstract

The increasing incidence of colorectal cancer and inflammatory diseases poses a major health concern, with oxidative stress playing a significant role in the onset of these pathologies. Factors such as excessive consumption of sugar-rich and fatty foods, synthetic food additives, pesticides, alcohol, and tobacco contribute to oxidative stress and disrupt intestinal homeostasis. Functional foods arise as a potential tool to regulate redox balance in the intestinal tract. Herbs (such as Thymus spp.) have long been screened for their antioxidant properties, but their use as antioxidants for medicinal purposes requires validation in biological models. In this study, we addressed the potential antioxidant protection and preventive effects of extracts from two thyme species at the intestinal level, as well as their molecular mechanisms of action. Caco-2 cells were pre-exposed (4 h) to aqueous (AD) and hydroethanolic (HE) extracts of Thymus carnosus and Thymus capitellatus, followed by a recovery period in culture medium (16 h), and then treated with tert-butyl-hydroperoxide (TBHP; 4 h), before analyzing cell viability. The effect of the extracts’ main components was also analysed. Cellular oxidative stress, cell-death markers, and the expression of antioxidant-related proteins were evaluated using flow cytometry on cells pre-exposed to the AD extracts and salvianolic acid A (SAA). Results showed that pre-exposure to AD extracts or SAA reduced TBHP-induced oxidative stress and cell death, mediated by increased levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein. The protective activity of T. capitellatus AD extract was shown to be dependent on NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) protein expression and on increased glutathione (GSH) content. Furthermore, ursolic acid induced cytotoxicity and low cellular antioxidant activity, and thus the presence of this triterpenoid impaired the antioxidant effect of HE extracts. Thus, AD extracts show high potential as prophylactic dietary agents, while HE extracts arise as a source of nutraceuticals with antioxidant potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 3598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DNA-Protective, Antioxidant and Anti-Carcinogenic Potential of Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Dry Tincture

by Tsvetelina Andonova, Yordan Muhovski, Elena Apostolova, Samir Naimov, Silviya Mladenova, Iliya Slavov, Ivayla Dincheva, Vasil Georgiev, Atanas Pavlov and Ivanka Dimitrova-Dyulgerova

Antioxidants 2024, 13(10), 1200; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13101200 - 3 Oct 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1698

Abstract

Nowadays, interest in natural antioxidants (especially phenolics) for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases is increasing due to their fewer side effects and more potent activity than some of their synthetic analogues. New chemical and pharmacological studies of well-known herbal substances are among the current trends in medicinal plant research. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a popular herb used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases (including rheumatic-, inflammatory- and tumor-related disease, etc.). The dry tincture of Filipendulae ulmariae herba, collected from the Bulgarian flora, was analyzed using the HPLC method and bioassayed for antioxidant, antiproliferative and DNA-protective activities against oxidative damage. The HPLC phenolic profile showed 12 phenolics, of which salicylic acid (18.84 mg/g dry extract), rutin (9.97 mg/g de), p-coumaric acid (6.80 mg/g de), quercetin (4.47 mg/g de), rosmarinic acid (4.01 mg/g de) and vanillic acid (3.82 mg/g de) were the major components. The high antioxidant potential of the species was confirmed by using four methods, best expressed by the results of the CUPRAC assay (10,605.91 μM TE/g de). The present study reports for the first time the highly protective activities of meadowsweet dry tincture against oxidative DNA damage and its antiproliferative effect against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 cell line). Meadowsweet dry tincture possesses great potential to prevent diseases caused by oxidative stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 4073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extraction Optimization of Quercus cerris L. Wood Chips: A Comparative Study between Full Factorial Design (FFD) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

by Maria Ponticelli, Vittorio Carlucci, Marisabel Mecca, Luigi Todaro, Luigi Milella and Daniela Russo

Antioxidants 2024, 13(9), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13091115 - 14 Sep 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1236

Abstract

From a circular bio-economy perspective, biomass valorization requires the implementation of increasingly efficient extraction techniques to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of biorefining processes. This research focuses on optimizing the specialized metabolite extraction of Turkey oak chips from Quercus cerris L. by applying a 3 levels Full Factorial Design (FFD). The goal is to obtain an extract with the highest antioxidant activity [evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays] and specialized metabolites content [measured as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), condensed tannin content (CTC), and hydrolysable tannins content (THC)]. With this objective, three different variables were investigated and compared: temperature (20 °C, 50 °C, 80 °C), solvents EtOH/H₂O (0%, 20%, 40%), and time (3 h, 6 h, 24 h), resulting in 27 different extracts. Following the FFD analysis, the optimal extractive conditions were determined to be 80 °C, 40% EtOH/H₂O, and 19.8 h. Finally, the prediction ability of FFD was compared with that of artificial neural network (ANN) for DPPH scavenging activity, FRAP, and TPC data based on the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The results indicated that ANN predictions were more precise than FFD ones; however, both methods were useful in optimizing the extraction process as they returned comparable optimized extraction parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Extraction of Polyphenols from Cocoa Bean Shells by Ultrasound and Microwaves: A Comparative Study

by Vincenzo Disca, Fabiano Travaglia, Chiara Carini, Jean Daniel Coïsson, Giancarlo Cravotto, Marco Arlorio and Monica Locatelli

Antioxidants 2024, 13(9), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13091097 - 10 Sep 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1704

Abstract

The extraction of bioactive compounds from food by-products is one of the most important research areas for the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. This research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), either alone or in combination, of phenolic compounds from cocoa bean shells (CBSs). These extraction techniques were compared with conventional methods, such as under simple magnetic stirring and the Soxhlet apparatus. After the preliminary characterization of the gross composition of CBSs, the total polyphenol content and radical scavenging of extracts obtained from both raw and defatted cocoa bean shells were investigated. Quantification of the main polyphenolic compounds was then performed by RP-HPLC-DAD, identifying flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as clovamide. The application of MAE and UAE resulted in a similar or superior extraction of polyphenols when compared with traditional methods; the concentration of individual polyphenols was variously influenced by the extraction methods employed. Combining MAE and UAE at 90 °C yielded the highest antiradical activity of the extract. Spectrophotometric analysis confirmed the presence of high-molecular-weight melanoidins, which were present in higher concentrations in the extracts obtained using MAE and UAE, especially starting from raw material. In conclusion, these results emphasize the efficiency of MAE and UAE techniques in obtaining polyphenol-rich extracts from CBS and confirm this cocoa by-product as a valuable biomass for the recovery of antioxidant compounds, with a view to possible industrial scale-up. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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Review

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31 pages, 2352 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Polyphenols in Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Their Antioxidant Properties to Scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species and Free Radicals

by Muhammad Junaid Rao and Bingsong Zheng

Antioxidants 2025, 14(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14010074 - 10 Jan 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2605

Abstract

Plants have evolved complex mechanisms to cope with diverse abiotic stresses, with the phenylpropanoid pathway playing a central role in stress adaptation. This pathway produces an array of secondary metabolites, particularly polyphenols, which serve multiple functions in plant growth, development, regulating cellular processes, and stress responses. Recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying phenylpropanoid metabolism have revealed complex regulatory networks involving MYB transcription factors as master regulators and their interactions with stress signaling pathways. This review summarizes our current understanding of polyphenol-mediated stress adaptations in plants, emphasizing the regulation and function of key phenylpropanoid pathway compounds. We discussed how various abiotic stresses, including heat and chilling stress, drought, salinity, light stress, UV radiation, nanoparticles stress, chemical stress, and heavy metal toxicity, modulate phenylpropanoid metabolism and trigger the accumulation of specific polyphenolic compounds. The antioxidant properties of these metabolites, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, lignin, and polyphenols, and their roles in reactive oxygen species scavenging, neutralizing free radicals, membrane stabilization, and osmotic adjustment are discussed. Understanding these mechanisms and metabolic responses is crucial for developing stress-resilient crops and improving agricultural productivity under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. This review provides comprehensive insights into integrating phenylpropanoid metabolism with plant stress adaptation mechanisms, highlighting potential targets for enhancing crop stress tolerance through metabolic adjustment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenolic Compounds in Foods, Plants and Related By-Products—2nd Edition)

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