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Antioxidants
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Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation
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Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2020) | Viewed by 39674

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daniele Giuffrida

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali, University of Messina, - Polo Annunziata, c/o PanLab, Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Interests: analytical methodologies applied to the chemical composition evaluation and nutritional properties determination of natural and processed foods; HPLC and UPLC; GC; supercritical fluid extraction (SFE); supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC); phtodiode array detection (PDA); mass spectrometry (MS); hyphenated techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant-derived foods are a fundamental source of bioactive molecules with beneficial health properties—for example, the natural pigments anthocyanins, carotenoids, betacyanins, and chlorophylls. Recently, attention has been growing on bioactive metabolites, such as carotenoids and polyphenol derivatives, which can be naturally present in food or can also be produced in living organisms through chemical or enzymatic activities—for example, the apocarotenoids produced by carotenoid cleavages or the ellagitannins derivatives like urolithins produced by the gut microbiota. The elucidation of the metabolic fate of phenolics and carotenoids and their bioavailability represents a real challenge to understand and unravel the molecular forms responsible for the health-related properties attributed to them. New sophisticated methodologies will provide information about bioactive molecules present in food and about the fate of ingested molecules. This Special Issue aims to collect papers dealing with all aspects of bioactive molecules and their derivatives’ chemical characterization in order to provide an updated overview of the state of the art in bioactives; papers describing recent developments in the extraction and qualitative–quantitative characterizations of bioactives’ metabolites in both food and living organisms will be especially welcome.

Dr. Daniele Giuffrida
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

  • bioactive molecules
  • extraction processes
  • liquid chromatography
  • antioxidants
  • mass spectrometry
  • NMR

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2337 KiB  
Article
Green Extraction of Antioxidant Polyphenols from Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
by Qiong Luo, Jia-Rong Zhang, Hua-Bin Li, Ding-Tao Wu, Fang Geng, Harold Corke, Xin-Lin Wei and Ren-You Gan
Antioxidants 2020, 9(9), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9090785 - 25 Aug 2020
Cited by 80 | Viewed by 9464
Abstract
In this study, the feasibility of improving the extraction yield of green tea antioxidant polyphenols by the combination of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was investigated. Choline chloride (ChCl)-glycerol was selected as the best DES among 12 ChCl-based DESs to [...] Read more.
In this study, the feasibility of improving the extraction yield of green tea antioxidant polyphenols by the combination of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was investigated. Choline chloride (ChCl)-glycerol was selected as the best DES among 12 ChCl-based DESs to extract tea antioxidant polyphenols. Subsequently, the influences of extraction parameters on total phenolic content (TPC) values were investigated, and liquid/solid ratio, ultrasonic power, and ultrasonic time were optimized based on the response surface methodology. The optimal extraction conditions were a liquid to solid ratio of 36:1 (mL/g), ultrasonic power of 461.5 W, and ultrasonic time of 21 min, with the highest TPC value of 243 ± 7 mg gallic acid equivalent (mg GAE)/g dry weight (DW), which was 13% higher than that before optimization. In addition, under the optimal extraction conditions, tea polyphenolic extract exhibited higher antioxidant activity compared with conventional extraction methods. Four major catechins in the green tea extracts, including (−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that UAE-DES effectively disrupted the green tea leaf cells, thereby improving tea polyphenol yield. In summary, UAE-DES is an ideal green extraction method for the extraction of tea antioxidant polyphenols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation)
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27 pages, 1427 KiB  
Article
Carotenoids, Fatty Acids, and Volatile Compounds in Apricot Cultivars from Romania—A Chemometric Approach
by Adela Pintea, Francisc Vasile Dulf, Andrea Bunea, Sonia Ancuța Socaci, Elena Andreea Pop, Vlăduț-Alexandru Opriță, Daniele Giuffrida, Francesco Cacciola, Giovanni Bartolomeo and Luigi Mondello
Antioxidants 2020, 9(7), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9070562 - 27 Jun 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3071
Abstract
Lipophilic constituents are important for the color and aroma of apricots, but also for their health benefits. In the present study, carotenoids, fatty acids, and volatiles were analyzed in 11 apricot cultivars, from which nine were obtained in Romania. High performance liquid chromatography [...] Read more.
Lipophilic constituents are important for the color and aroma of apricots, but also for their health benefits. In the present study, carotenoids, fatty acids, and volatiles were analyzed in 11 apricot cultivars, from which nine were obtained in Romania. High performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology applied on unsaponified carotenoid extracts allowed the identification and quantification of 19 compounds. The predominant carotenoids in all cultivars were all-trans-β-carotene and its cis isomers. Lutein was present exclusively in non-esterified form, while β-cryptoxanthin was predominantly esterified, mainly with oleic, palmitic, lauric, and stearic acid. Moreover, β-cryptoxanthin linoleate, linolenate, and stearate were detected for the first time in Harogem cultivar. Variation in carotenoid content and composition was observed, with the highest carotenoid content being recorded in Tudor, Harogem, and Mamaia cultivars. The predominant fatty acids determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were linoleic (up to 47%), palmitic (up to 32.7%), and linolenic (up to 17.16%), with small variations among cultivars. In-tube extraction technique (ITEX)/GC-MS was applied for profiling the volatiles in apricot fruits and 120 compounds were identified, with terpenoids and esters as the most abundant classes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the carotenoids and the fatty acids profile can be used for variety authentication and discrimination in apricots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation)
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21 pages, 5663 KiB  
Article
Metabolite Profiling and Antioxidant Activity of 10 New Early- to Mid-Season Apple Cultivars and 14 Traditional Cultivars
by Inhwan Kim, Kyung-Hyung Ku, Moon-Cheol Jeong, Soon-Il Kwon and Jihyun Lee
Antioxidants 2020, 9(5), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050443 - 20 May 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2833
Abstract
Early- to mid-season apple cultivars have recently been developed in response to global warming; however, their metabolite compositions remain unclear. Herein, metabolites, such as free sugars, and organic acids and antioxidant activity were determined in 10 new and 14 traditional apple cultivars. Additionally, [...] Read more.
Early- to mid-season apple cultivars have recently been developed in response to global warming; however, their metabolite compositions remain unclear. Herein, metabolites, such as free sugars, and organic acids and antioxidant activity were determined in 10 new and 14 traditional apple cultivars. Additionally, the phenolic profiles of the apple pulp and peel were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Major phenolic compounds in apples varied depending on the cultivar and tissue (i.e., peel or pulp). Among the new apple cultivars, Decobell and Tinkerbell, showed high antioxidant activity and contained higher phenolic compound content than other cultivars in the peel and pulp, respectively. Honggeum showed high phenolic content with similar sugar to acid ratio compared to popular traditional cultivars. In addition to antioxidant phenolic contents, metabolite profile information can be used to select apple cultivars for various purposes. For example, Indo can be selected for sweet apple taste because of its higher sugar to acid ratio. This information can be used to select apple cultivars for various purposes. For example, Decobell peel could be used as sources of food supplements and food additives, and Tinkerbell pulp can be utilized for apple juice making according to its metabolite profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation)
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14 pages, 984 KiB  
Article
Variations in Anthocyanin Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of 12 Genotypes of Mulberry (Morus spp.) Fruits and Their Changes during Processing
by Inhwan Kim and Jihyun Lee
Antioxidants 2020, 9(3), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9030242 - 17 Mar 2020
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 4287
Abstract
Mulberry fruits are known as rich sources of anthocyanins and are consumed in syrup form after the addition of sugar and acid; however, there is little information on the anthocyanin composition and antioxidant activity of mulberries of different cultivars and their changes during [...] Read more.
Mulberry fruits are known as rich sources of anthocyanins and are consumed in syrup form after the addition of sugar and acid; however, there is little information on the anthocyanin composition and antioxidant activity of mulberries of different cultivars and their changes during processing. To address this, the antioxidant activity and anthocyanin composition of 12 cultivar mulberry fruit cultivars were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight. Additionally, different quantities of citric acid were used to evaluate antioxidant activities and anthocyanin composition of mulberry syrup. Sixteen anthocyanins were identified in mulberry fruits using accurate mass spectrometry. Several anthocyanins were tentatively identified for the first time in mulberry fruits and include: malvidin hexoside, cyanidin malonyl hexose hexoside, cyanidin pentoside, cyanidin malonyl hexoside, petunidin deoxyhexose hexoside, and cyanidin deoxyhexoside. The major anthocyanin in mulberries was cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, followed by cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside. Morus Alba L. Iksu showed the highest cyanidin-3-O-glucoside content (8.65 mg/g dry weight) among 12 mulberry fruit cultivars. As citric acid levels increased, mulberry syrup showed significantly higher antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation)
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18 pages, 1161 KiB  
Article
Green Extraction Approaches for Carotenoids and Esters: Characterization of Native Composition from Orange Peel
by Daniella C. Murador, Fabio Salafia, Mariosimone Zoccali, Paula L. G. Martins, Antônio G. Ferreira, Paola Dugo, Luigi Mondello, Veridiana V. de Rosso and Daniele Giuffrida
Antioxidants 2019, 8(12), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8120613 - 03 Dec 2019
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4031
Abstract
Orange peel is a by-product produced in large amounts that acts as a source of natural pigments such as carotenoids. Xanthophylls, the main carotenoid class found in citrus fruit, can be present in its free form or esterified with fatty acids, forming esters. [...] Read more.
Orange peel is a by-product produced in large amounts that acts as a source of natural pigments such as carotenoids. Xanthophylls, the main carotenoid class found in citrus fruit, can be present in its free form or esterified with fatty acids, forming esters. This esterification modifies the compound’s chemical properties, affecting their bioavailability in the human body, and making it important to characterize the native carotenoid composition of food matrices. We aimed to evaluate the non-saponified carotenoid extracts of orange peel (cv. Pera) obtained using alternative green approaches: extraction with ionic liquid (IL), analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and mass spectrometry HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), followed by supercritical fluid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry detection (SFC-APCI/QqQ/MS) in an online system. Both alternative green methods were successfully applied, allowing the total identification of five free carotenoids, one apocarotenoid, seven monoesters, and 11 diesters in the extract obtained with IL and analyzed by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS, and nine free carotenoids, six carotenoids esters, 19 apocarotenoids, and eight apo-esters with the SFE-SFC-APCI/QqQ/MS approach, including several free apocarotenoids and apocarotenoid esters identified for the first time in oranges, and particularly in the Pera variety, which could be used as a fruit authenticity parameter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation)
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15 pages, 445 KiB  
Article
LC-ESI-QTOF/MS Characterisation of Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids in Polyphenol-Rich Fruits and Vegetables and Their Potential Antioxidant Activities
by Chunhe Gu, Kate Howell, Frank R. Dunshea and Hafiz A. R. Suleria
Antioxidants 2019, 8(9), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8090405 - 17 Sep 2019
Cited by 113 | Viewed by 9401
Abstract
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found largely in fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant properties of these polyphenols including total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), tannin content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging abilities and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power [...] Read more.
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found largely in fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant properties of these polyphenols including total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), tannin content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging abilities and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured among sixteen (16) plant foods (mango, blueberry, strawberry, black carrot, raspberry, dark grapes, garlic, ginger, onion, cherry, plum, apple, papaya, peach, pear and apricot) by modifying, standardising and translating existing antioxidant methods using a 96-well plate reader. Eighteen targeted phenolic acids and flavonoids were characterised and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-photometric diode array (HPLC-PDA) and verified by modifying an existing method of liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray-ionisation triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF/MS). While most of these compounds were accurately detected by the HPLC-PDA at a low concentration, a few polyphenols in low concentrations could be only be characterised using the LC-ESI-QTOF/MS method. Our results showed that mango possessed the highest overall antioxidant activity, phenolic acid and flavonoid content among the selected fruits. Factor analysis (FA) and Pearson’s correlation tests showed high correlations among ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and phenolic acids, implying the comparable capabilities of scavenging the DPPH/ABTS free radicals and reducing ferric ions from the antioxidant compounds in the samples. Phenolic acids contributed significantly to the antioxidant activities, and flavonoids contributed more to tannin content based on the correlations. Overall, methods modified and standardized in this study can provide better understanding of high throughput technologies and increase the reliability of antioxidant data of different plant foods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation)
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15 pages, 682 KiB  
Article
Traditional and Unconventional Dried Fruit Snacks as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds
by Dario Donno, Maria Gabriella Mellano, Isidoro Riondato, Marta De Biaggi, Harilala Andriamaniraka, Giovanni Gamba and Gabriele Loris Beccaro
Antioxidants 2019, 8(9), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8090396 - 13 Sep 2019
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5475
Abstract
Dried fruits are important, healthy and popular snacks, despite the limited information on their nutritional profiles and phytochemical composition. The present work was aimed to study the chemical composition of freeze-dried fruits from four fruit species: two common commercial snacks (apple and goji) [...] Read more.
Dried fruits are important, healthy and popular snacks, despite the limited information on their nutritional profiles and phytochemical composition. The present work was aimed to study the chemical composition of freeze-dried fruits from four fruit species: two common commercial snacks (apple and goji) and two innovative products (kaki and kiwi). Sugar and organic acid levels, total phenolics (TPC), and main health-promoting phytochemicals were studied by HPLC fingerprinting analysis. Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant capacity (AOC) was preliminarily observed in these products. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out as a multivariate approach as well. The TPC ranged from 210.9 mg GAE/100g DW (kiwi) to 872.6 mg GAE/100g DW (kaki), while dried fruit antioxidant capacity ranged from 23.09 mmol Fe2+/kg DW (goji) to 137.5 mmol Fe2+/kg DW (kaki). The most important phytochemical class in apple (two cultivars), kiwi, and kaki dried fruits was phenolics (from 74.6% to 93.3%), while monoterpenes were the first class in goji (67.5%). No anthocyanins have been identified in dried fruits because these compounds are most likely converted to phenolic acids during the drying process. This research intended to stimulate large-scale exploitation of commercial dried fruits as functional foods as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bioactive Molecules Evaluation)
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